Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an additional 300 births between now and the end of the year, following the sudden closure of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. The Yeovil unit was shut on safety grounds in May, with expectant mothers given the choice of going to Taunton, Bath or Dorchester to give birth. Dorset County Hospital says it’s recruited midwives from Yeovil to help with the extra workload.
A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation after developing cancer, which they claim was caused by exposure to fumes from helicopters. The aircraft involved are the Sea King, the Westland Wessex built in Yeovil, the Puma, and the CH-47 Chinook. Six claimants have settled their claims with the Ministry of Defence, who deny liability.
Work’s underway to repair damage to a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when vandals damaged the building's woodwork. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to please call Ilminster Town Council on 01460 52149.
Part of County Hall in Taunton is set to be converted into flats for NHS staff. The building known as C-Block was sold by Somerset Council in April for £1.7m to developers, Prime PLC, who’ve submitted plans to convert the building to 71 flats to accommodate staff at nearby Musgrove Park Hospital.
The RSPCA is investigating after eleven newborn puppies were abandoned in Snowdon Park in Chard. Major funding has been announced for a new two-year arts programme in Yeovil. Plans have been unveiled to improve sports facilities at Somerton Recreation Ground...and more
A fire that damaged two vehicles in Chaffcombe near Chard is being treated as deliberate. A road in Hardington Mandeville is set to re-open today after being closed for three days. Friends, family and colleagues of a Royal Navy officer based at RNAS Yeovilton are taking on a 630-mile coastal challenge in her memory... and more
Somerset Council has defended spending nineteen million pounds on consultants over the past three years. A new clinic specialising in sexual health has opened in Yeovil. RNAS Yeovilton has been in the TV spotlight this week after featuring on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr...and more
Concern's been expressed that too many of the 580 new council homes being built in Somerset will be clustered around Taunton and Bridgwater. Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman died following a crash on the M5. Haynes Motor Museum has been awarded £180,000 by The National Lottery to transform its Red Room gallery... and more
A member of Yeovil Town Council has appeared in court charged with two counts of assault. Health professionals in Somerset are urging people to take up the offer of a free NHS health check. Organisers of Somerset Day have welcomed the name Dunkery given to the dragon on the county flag...and more
New figures show a sharp increase in reports of drones interfering with critical air ambulance missions. The Liberal Democrats have retained the Mendip Hills seat on Somerset Council following a by-election. A woman from Chard has been recognised for her contribution to the community with an invitation to the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace... and more
Police investigating a fire in Shepton Mallet are appealing for help to identify two people. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has called for more government support for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. This weekend sees the start of the Great Gardening Show at The Newt near Bruton...and more
A disabled man has taken his case to the High Court, arguing that Somerset Council’s council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Bristol Airport says travellers planning summer holidays should not change their plans. Chard and Ilminster Amateur Boxing Club has launched a fundraising appeal,..and more