Thursday 29th May

Thursday, 29 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has secured an adjournment debate in Parliament to discuss the sudden closure of Yeovil's maternity unit. The Royal Bath and West Show 2025 opens today. The go-ahead has been given to demolish the Crispin Shopping Centre in Street and build a retirement complex in its place...and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has secured time in the House of Commons to discuss the decision to close the maternity ward at Yeovil Hospital. An Adjournment Debate will be held next Tuesday, June 3rd when Mr Dance will direct his concerns to the relevant government minister. Mr Dance says he’ll be pressing for the baby ward to re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.

A charity that runs Chard Youth Centre says it's working with Chard Town Council to find ways to keep it open. Earlier this month, the Chard Area Youth Committee announced that the Youth Centre would no longer be financially sustainable and would shut down in July. A steering group has now been formed, with the Town Council as a member, to explore ways to fund the centre and secure its future.

The Royal Bath and West Show 2025 opens today at the showground near Shepton Mallet. The South West’s largest agricultural event takes place at a difficult time for the farming sector. Chief Organiser Carol Paris says that despite the challenges faced by farmers, entries have held firm this year, and many new events have been added to the show.

The go-ahead has been given to demolish the Crispin Shopping Centre in Street and build a retirement complex in its place. It follows an appeal by developers, Churchill Retirement Living, and the Planning Inspectorate, which overturned Somerset Council’s decision to reject the scheme. Churchill Retirement Living states that the site will be cleared by the end of the year, with building work set to commence in early 2026.

A Yeovil nursery has received a positive rating from Ofsted. Little Discoveries Nursery, on Stiby Road, was found to be 'Good' in all areas during a recent inspection. The inspection report highlighted that children are "happy, safe, and secure" and that "staff provide stimulating activities, contributing to children's development and learning in all areas of the curriculum."

The Ilminster Literary Festival has announced the winners of its 2025 children's writing competition. In the five to seven age section, Alvin Brunt from St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School was declared the winner. Rosie George from Hinton St George Church of England Primary School won the 8-11 age category. The 8-day-long festival kicks off today with talks by Vernon Bogdanor and Imogen Corrigan.

More from News

Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more
Tuesday 2nd June

Somerset Prostate Cancer Support Group says a decision not to introduce mass screening for prostate cancer is the wrong one. A Martock woman has been banned from driving for 28 months. Somerset Council is marking Volunteers’ Week by thanking the volunteers who help deliver council services... and more
Monday 1st June

People in Somerset with Football Banning Orders are being reminded they must surrender their passports by the end of today ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament. A road in Yeovil will close for nine days later this week. Farmers from Somerset were among the winners of this year's ITV Britain's Got Talent final...and more
Friday 29th May

South Western Ambulance Service is struggling to cope after a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather. Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke says a shortage of rental homes is making it harder for rural employers to attract workers. The National Trust is warning that changing weather patterns are making it difficult to maintain the Cerne Abbas Giant... and more
Thursday 28th May

People are being asked to take extra care in parks and open spaces as high temperatures and dry conditions increase the risk of fire. Plans to build hundreds of new homes in Yeovil can now go ahead after a High Court challenge by Mudford Parish Council was dismissed. A Somerset bakery chain has sparked a reaction after it stopped making iced buns... and more
Wednesday 27th May

The UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health alert for Somerset to amber. Trading Standards officers have shut down three shops in Taunton after illegal cigarettes and vapes were discovered on the premises. Bridgwater Town Council is considering running its own bus services...and more
Tuesday 26th May

A Martock agricultural machinery business has gone into administration, putting around thirty jobs at risk. A new sensory room has opened at a Yeovil schook to support neurodiverse pupils. The headteacher of a Chard primary school is stepping down... and more