A mother from Chard has praised the work of medics who detected a heart defect in her unborn baby. Somerset residents are being encouraged to take part in a "test-a-thon", raising awareness of high blood pressure. Ferne Animal Sanctuary is looking for volunteers...and more
A mother from Chard has praised the work of medics who detected a heart defect in her unborn baby which could have killed him. Stacey Davies found out at her twenty-week scan that her son had transposition of the great arteries or TGA, but it meant doctors were ready to operate right after he was born. Jon Arnold's daughter had the same condition which led him to set up the charity Tiny Tickers which supports families like Stacey's.
Meanwhile, Somerset residents are being encouraged to ‘take the pressure off’ as a 24-hour test-a-thon takes place in the county to raise awareness of high blood pressure. Checks will be available on September 5th in Yeovil’s Quedam Centre between 11 am and 2 pm, alongside sessions at workplaces across the region. The campaign started in March and has provided over 2,000 free checks since its launch. The organisers remind us that high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, with many people unaware they have it.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary is looking for volunteers at its premises near Chard. If you’re an animal lover, there are opportunities to help care for the animals, fundraise and guide visitors around the centre. You could also help the charity raise money by volunteering in one of its shops. Full details, along with a list of roles, can be found at their website.
And it’s less a case of green and white but more red-faced at Yeovil Town after fans discovered their team’s name had been misspelt on the packaging of the club’s new merchandise. A video has gone viral online, showing two letters missing from the branding. The club blames human error.
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
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Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more
Somerton and Glastonbury MP, Sarah Dyke, says the government needs to get an urgent grip on the worsening dentistry situation in her constituency. Bridgwater Town Council has criticised plans by the Somerset Council to charge for Sunday parking. Somerset Council’s Libraries service has launched its Winter Coat Exchange scheme for a third year...and more
A new £7 million primary school and nursery is to be built in the grounds of Holyrood Academy in Chard. A public consultation has opened into plans to merge the parishes of Ansford and Castle Cary. The nomination papers that paved the way for Margaret Thatcher to become Britain's first female Prime Minister have been uncovered in a Somerset garage...and more
Two mothers in Chard are calling on carnival organisers to make carnivals more accessible to children with special educational needs. 4,000 people have been put on a waiting list at a new NHS dental practice in Somerset. Channel 4’s ‘Love It or List It’ is looking to feature properties in Somerset in a new series... and more
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