Wednesday 1st November

Wednesday, 1 November 2023 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.

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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
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Tuesday 28th July

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Monday 27th July

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Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

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