Thursday 31st July

Thursday, 31 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A bird flu surveillance zone has been imposed in Somerset. The go-ahead has been given to build sixteen new homes in Shepton Beauchamp. Year Four pupils at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have been presented with dictionaries by the local Rotary Club...and more.

A bird flu surveillance zone has been imposed in Somerset. It follows the discovery of the most serious variant of bird flu – H5NI – on a poultry farm near Dulverton. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established around the farm. The Animal and Plant Health Agency is asking all bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is accusing the government of neglecting families in his constituency. New figures have shown that child poverty in Yeovil rose from 17.7% in 2019-20 to 20.4% in 2023-24. Mr Dance says too many children in his constituency are growing up in poverty, and the number is rising, not falling. Mr Dance has welcomed the government drawing up a new strategy to tackle child poverty but says children in Yeovil need help now and not a promise of action in the future.

The go-ahead has been given to build sixteen new homes in Shepton Beauchamp. Land off Piece Lane, on the northern edge of the village, between Ilminster and South Petherton, has been earmarked for the development. Six of the homes will be affordable and managed by the Abri Housing Association.

The catering team at Yeovil Hospital has won a top award for the food it serves. At the Public Sector Catering Awards 2025, they were presented with an Exemplar Status Award by NHS England.

One hundred and twenty meters of hedging in Ilminster will be removed if plans are approved to build houses off Canal Way. Developers Persimmon Homes South West want to take down the hedging, close to the Meadows Medical Centre, to make way for a new access road to the development. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the application by the autumn.

Year Four pupils at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have been presented with dictionaries by the local Rotary Club. Staff at the school have thanked members of Ilminster Rotary Club for their support, helping to encourage learning both in and outside the classroom.

More from News

Friday 24th October

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
Thursday 23rd October

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
Wednesday 22nd October

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 .
Tuesday 21st October

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
Monday 20th October

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
Friday 17th October

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
Thursday 16th October

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
Wednesday 15th October

The maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital is to reopen within the next six months. There’s been a further delay to reopening Yeovil’s Octagon theatre. No CrossCountry trains will run through Somerset this weekend due to planned industrial action by the RMT union...and more.