Friday 16th August

Friday, 16 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Eye surgery under general anaesthesia is now available at Yeovil Hospital for the first time. There's been an increase in the number of students in Somerset getting an A star or A grade at A level this year. Staff at the Jones building group in Yeovil are taking on a cycle challenge, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West...and more.

Eye surgery under general anaesthesia is now available at Yeovil Hospital for the first time. It follows the opening of a new state-of-the-art day theatre replacing the need for patients to travel to the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne for general anaesthesia for eye surgery.

There's been a rise in the number of students in Somerset getting an A star or A grade at A level this year. The number of passes is up 26.5 percent on last year, with 82 percent of students getting places at their first choice university. Students at Holyrood Academy in Chard achieved a 100 percent pass rate in grades A star to E. At Sexey’s school in Bruton, 71 percent of students won a place at the university or college of their choice. Somerset’s FE colleges say they’ve seen more students choosing not to go to university but take up an apprenticeship or employment with training.

Chard councillor, Connor Payne, is urging the government to support a new railway station for Chard in the face of a review of major infrastructure projects. He says the new Labour government is giving mixed signals over its plans for building new railway stations, including plans to return a station on the main line through Somerton and Langport. Councillor Payne has written to the new transport secretary, Louise Haigh, asking her to commit funding to take the Chard project forward.

A new dance group from Ilminster, preparing for their first carnival season, is raising funds for sound equipment and lighting. The Ilminster Icons Carnival Dance Team are planning several fund-raising events over the next few weeks.

Staff at the Jones building group in Yeovil are taking on a cycle challenge to mark the start of a five-year partnership, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West. The cycle challenge which starts on September 25th, and is open to anyone wanting to take part, starts from the Little Harbour Children’s hospice in St Austell and finishes at Yeovil Rugby Club, a circuit of 280 miles.

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New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more