Wednesday 1st November

Wednesday, 1 November 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A disability campaigner in Yeovil has welcomed the decision not to close rail ticket offices. Somerset Council is planning to drastically cut the number of buildings it owns. Yeovil Hospital says the new breast cancer unit,will make a huge difference in how people are treated. £422 has been raised towards this year’s Christmas lights in Ilminster with a coffee morning held in the town...and more.

A disability campaigner in Yeovil has welcomed the decision not to close rail ticket offices. The government has asked train operators to scrap the plan following fierce opposition from rail unions and disability groups. Kath Vickery from Yeovil is registered blind and campaigned to have the ticket offices at Yeovil Junction, Yeovil Pen Mill, and Sherborne stations kept open.

The Environment Agency is warning people to be prepared as flooding is possible in some areas of Somerset with the Met Office issuing a double-weather warning for rain and wind. Flood alerts are in place between Yeovil and Taunton, covering the Lower Tone and Parrett Moors, the River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney. The EA says flooding is possible in each area and advises people to avoid low-lying footpaths.

Yeovil Hospital says the new breast cancer unit, currently under construction on the hospital site, will make a huge difference in how people are treated. Consultant Surgeon Caroline Osborne says they've been overwhelmed by the support they had in raising the money to build the unit. The target of two-point-five-million pounds was reached following a collection held amongst Yeovil Town fans at Huish Park last Saturday.

£422 has been raised towards this year’s Christmas lights in Ilminster with a coffee morning held in the town. The lights will be switched on on Friday, November 24th at 7 pm. Earlier in the day, school choirs will perform outside the market house, and a Christmas Fair will be held in the parish hall.

A new manager has been appointed to run Ilminster Arts Centre. She’s Bryony Tidball, an accomplished artist in her own right with a background in the charity and community arts sectors, having worked for Bridport Museum and several historic houses.

Somerset Council is planning to drastically cut the number of buildings it owns. The Council that has taken over ownership of properties previously owned by Somerset’s former district councils and the County Council says it needs fewer buildings due to having too much-unused office space. One idea the Council is investigating is to move its customer services operation at Petters House in Petters Way into Yeovil Library in King George Street.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more