Monday 13th May

Monday, 13 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services, including those at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound upgrade of the building falls through. A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds was screened at the prestigious British Independent Film Festival...and more.

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services for having too few staff and not enough equipment to look after mothers and their newborn babies. The Care Quality Commission carried out inspections at three Somerset hospitals in November 2023, rating Yeovil Hospital’s maternity services as 'inadequate'. The Yeovil unit was found to have inadequate infection controls, and not always enough medical staff to keep people safe. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says improvements have been made since the inspections were carried out, and that further enhancements are being made.

Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound building upgrade falls through. The Council plans to spend £15 million improving the auditorium, revamping the front-of-house and catering facilities, introducing better dressing rooms, and building a fly tower to expand the range of productions staged at the Octagon. However, the work depends on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport agreeing to a grant of £10 million being spent on the scaled-down project. Yeovil Town Council are in talks to take over the running of the Octagon Theatre and will give £3.75 million to the project, with the remaining £1.25 million sourced from external grants.

A woman has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Baltonsborough, near Glastonbury. Christine Kekkonen, aged 36, of Dunford Terrace, was arrested last Thursday. The victim has been named as 41-year-old Henri Kekkonen.

The enquiry office at Chard Police Station will temporarily close at the end of the month for improvements to be carried out to the building. The refurbishments include installing new windows, doors and roofing, solar panels, an air source heat pump, and two EV charging points. Avon and Somerset Police say while the Chard office is closed, people needing help should use Yeovil or Taunton police stations.

A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds has been screened at the British Museum in London. ‘Blue’ tells the story of a father and son struggling to make a living from fishing. The film made by David Smith, a lecturer in the media department at Yeovil College was shown as part of the prestigious British Independent Film Festival held at the weekend.

More from News

Friday 18th July

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more
Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.