Wednesday 8th April

Wednesday, 8 April 2026 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil school teacher has been banned from teaching for sharing inappropriate details about her private life with pupils. A Stoke-sub-Hamdon woman has been given a 17-month driving ban. A Yeovil woman who survived bone cancer is raising is running the London Marathon... and more

A Yeovil school teacher has been banned from teaching for 2 years for sharing inappropriate details about her private life with pupils. A tribunal heard that Natasha Blackmore, aged 36, who was Head of Design Technology at Westfield Academy in Yeovil, treated her pupils as friends, sharing inappropriate personal details, including drunken nights out, and exchanging messages on social media.

Joshua Morris of the Green Party has been elected unopposed to Ilminster Town Council. The Greens say Joshua, who’s 23, will bring a new perspective to town council business. His election boosts the number of Green Party councillors on Ilminster Town Council to four.

A Stoke-sub-Hamdon woman who was nearly double the drink-drive limit when stopped by police has been given a 17-month driving ban. Mauritrus Raybold, aged 29, of New Road in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, pleaded guilty to driving in Street with excess alcohol when she appeared before magistrates in Yeovil. Alongside the disqualification, Raybold was fined £230 with £85 costs.

A Yeovil woman who survived bone cancer is raising money for the charity that helped her by running the London Marathon. Laura James was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma when she was 18, which resulted in surgery on her left leg, leaving her with a permanent foot drop. She’s raised more than £2,000 so far.

Exmoor National Park is staging a Nature Festival next month. The event, being held over 6 days beginning Saturday, May 16, will be a celebration of wildlife and well-being in the National Park.

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