Wednesday 29th January

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. At the moment, women are offered a test 12 weeks after childbirth. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says if testing at six weeks proves accurate, it could save lives.

Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. Wayne Shortland, aged 41, is described as white, 6 feet tall, of medium/slim build. with brown eyes, and short greying hair. He has a scar on his left hand. Police say Shortland should not be approached and that if you know of his whereabouts, to call 999.

The government has given half a million pounds towards planting trees in Somerset. The funding has been secured through the Urban Tree Challenge and will be spent planting 700 mature trees, including 100 in Yeovil at Oak Tree Park, Yew Tree Park, and Milford Park.

Work has started building a new outside seating area at the rear of the William Dampier pub in Lower Middle Street in Yeovil. The William Dampier, run by JD Wetherspoons, is currently closed and is due to re-open on Tuesday, April 8th.

Police have released images of a man they want to speak with in connection with a burglary near Ilminster. Jewellery was taken in the break-in at a house on Peasmarsh Farm Lane in Peasmarsh on Boxing Day. Photos of the man can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website. If you recognise the man or, have any information that could help the police, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

We’re being asked to get outside and start counting different species in our gardens, parks and from our windows. It’s to contribute to the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, which is the biggest public wildlife survey held in the UK.

Moolham Lane in Ilminster from the junction with Greenway to the junction with Kitchill Lane North will be closed to traffic on Friday. It’s to allow for Openreach to carry out pole testing works.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,