Wednesday 30th July

Wednesday, 30 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The fire service says they still don’t know what caused Monday’s major shop fire in Yeovil. A safeguarding review is being carried out into the case of Daniel Gunter, who was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court last week of murdering his two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. National convenience store chain, Costcutter, has taken over the empty YMCA charity shop in Middle Street in Yeovil for a new store...and more

The fire service says they still don’t know what caused Monday’s major shop fire in Yeovil. It happened at the premises of Blaze Away in Beer Street, causing extensive damage to the terrace property. Fire crews from seven towns spent more than 10 hours putting out the flames, with Beer Street and Seaton Road closed to traffic for most of the day.

A safeguarding review is to be carried out following the case of Daniel Gunter, who was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court last week of murdering his two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. Brendon Staddon died of multiple injuries while in the special care baby unit at Yeovil Hospital in March last year. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says the review will "thoroughly examine all the circumstances”.

Plans to open a new NHS diagnostic centre in Bridgwater have moved a step closer. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has been approved to construct the facility next to Bridgwater Community Hospital. The centre will provide a range of services, including two CT scanners and two MRI scanners, and is due to open next summer.

Giant sunflowers grown from seed by children at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have gone on display in the town. As part of the Sunflowers of Somerset project, the children have built a bed of sunflowers in the Minster churchyard.

National convenience store chain, Costcutter, has taken over the empty YMCA charity shop in Middle Street in Yeovil for a new store. Costcutter is currently advertising for staff to work in the new store, which is due to open in September.

The Three Horseshoes pub in Batcombe has been shortlisted for a South West Pub of the Year Award. Also shortlisted is The Acorn Inn at Evershot. To vote in this year’s competition, go to the Food Lifestyle magazine website.

More from News

Monday 16th March

Drivers are being told that it could take several more weeks yet before Hendford Hill in Yeovil reopens to traffic. A new bus service between Glastonbury and Castle Cary railway station is to start on a trial basis. Children in Chard are being given free reading books as part of a scheme founded by Dolly Parton... and more
Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more