Friday 23rd May

Friday, 23 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Ten extra maternity beds have been made available at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital following the closure of Yeovil's maternity unit. Some Glastonbury festival goers say they've been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a glamping business was liquidated. Chard Fire Station is asking businesses to offer their buildings for fire training. The Cotley Inn, in Wambrook, has been placed on a top 10 list of the best pubs in Britain...and more.

Ten extra maternity beds have been made available at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital following the closure of Yeovil's maternity unit. The baby ward at Yeovil Hospital closed earlier this week following safety concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital, says some staff have been retained to carry out antenatal appointments.

Children’s Services in Somerset is trialling artificial intelligence to speed up the time it takes to process individual cases. Parents are being consulted about the idea, which is also being tried by other councils to improve targets.

Some Glastonbury festival goers say they've been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a glamping business was liquidated. Yurtel, based in Corsham near Bath, charged between £10,000 and £16,500 for their hospitality tickets and accommodation. Customers have been told their bookings won't be fulfilled after the company ceased trading earlier this month.

Following an inspection, a school near Chard has been described as a "beacon of love and friendship." Inspectors from the Anglican and Methodist Schools Service praised St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School at Chardstock for "living up to its foundation as a Church school" and for its inclusive environment, where those with special education needs and disabilities "thrive."

Chard Fire Station is asking businesses to offer their buildings for fire training. Each week, firefighters are required to practice various scenarios using different buildings in various locations.

The Cotley Inn at Wambrook has been placed in a top 10 list of the best pubs in Britain. The poll was based on the number of Google searches for the Cotley Inn during April.

More from News

Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more
Tuesday 4th August

A Somerset doctor is calling for better community eye care. People in Glastonbury and Street are benefiting from a new bus service to Castle Cary railway station. A sailor from South Petherton is celebrating after sailing around the world... and more
Monday 3rd August

A yellow Heat Health Alert is in force across Somerset today. The swimming and leisure centre in Street remains closed following last Thursday's flooding in the plant room. Plans for a new primary school in Chard have been delayed until at least 2030... and more
Friday 31st July

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