Wednesday 19th June

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures have shown that Somerset has the lowest rate of delivered NHS dental care in the South West. A boxing glove made in Somerset and claimed to have been worn by Cassius Clay in his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper has been sold at auction in Chard. A helicopter built in Yeovil will be one of the newest attractions at this year's Glastonbury Festival...and more.

New figures have shown that Somerset now has the lowest rate of delivered NHS dental care in the South West. Somerset’s Integrated Care Board says that due to a shortage of dentists, around half the money allocated for NHS dental work in Somerset is not being spent, with the number of children seen by NHS dentists halving over the past six years. The Integrated Care Board says in 2017/18 more than 60% of children in Somerset were seen by an NHS dentist; now the figure is 32%.

Somerset Rivers Authority says an agreement has been reached between the Environment Agency and local landowners to progress improvement works to the King’s Sedgemoor Drain on the Somerset Levels. The works, aimed at strengthening local flood defences, have involved removing silt and clearing river banks, but due to a fall-out between the EA and local landowners, the final stages of the work have been delayed. Somerset Rivers Authority now says the two sides have patched up their differences and that work on completing the improvements will begin shortly. This includes improvements to the Chedzoy tilting weir and the Back Ditch outfall, which lie between Bridgwater and the Polden Hills.

A boxing glove made in Somerset and claimed to have been worn by Cassius Clay in his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper has been sold at auction in Chard.

A helicopter made in Yeovil will be one of the newest attractions at this year's Glastonbury Festival. The Sea King, built by Leonardo and now retired out of service, has been turned into a mechanical Dragonfly by Bristol-based artists Pip Rush and Bert Cole. Its final look is being kept under wraps until the festival opens in nine days.

A group of young footballers from Somerset are in Germany taking part in a mini Euro football tournament. The visit by members of Frome Town United's Youth Squad to Frome’s twin town of Murrhardt was timed to coincide with the Euros 2024.

Chard is gearing up for an invasion of Town Criers. Around twenty criers, representing towns and cities across the South West, will be in the town for the annual Chard Town Criers competition on Saturday, June 29th. The event begins with a procession of Town Criers in the High Street followed by the competition outside the Guildhall starting at 10.15 am. Amongst the six members on the judging panel at this year’s contest will be the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Alexander Priest.

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Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more