Thursday 8th May

Thursday, 8 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it's dealing with up to 800 reports of potholes on the County's roads every week. Events are taking place across our area today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Sixteen doctors’ surgeries in Somerset, including four in South Somerset, are set to expand. A Martock man hopes to set a world record by jumping off the world's fourth-tallest mountain in a wingsuit...and more.

The Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, says the county's roads have been a victim of "perfect pothole weather." Councillor Revans says recent weather was partly to blame for the state of Somerset's road surfaces, which he admitted was "far from ideal." He says Somerset Council gets up to 800 reports of potholes every week.

Events are taking place across our area today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. On this day, May 8th 1945, fighting in World War Two in Europe finally ended. In Yeovil, an event is being held at St John’s Church starting at 4:30 this afternoon, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Sixteen doctors’ surgeries in Somerset, including four in our area, are set to expand, providing more appointments to local patients. It follows confirmation of government funding to upgrade more than 1,000 GP practices across England. The surgeries in our area to benefit are:

Church Street Surgery, in Church Street, Martock
Church View Medical Centre, on Broadway Road, Broadway
Langport Surgery, on North Street, Langport
Wincanton Health Centre, on Dyke’s Way, Wincanton

The A30 between Crewkerne and Haselfbury Plucknett will be closed from 7 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. This closure will allow patching works to take place before surface dressing later this summer. A diversion will be in place while the road is closed.

A Somerset man hopes to achieve a world record by jumping off the world's fourth-tallest mountain in a wingsuit. Tim Howell from Martock will attempt to break the record for the world's highest base jump, which involves jumping from a fixed object using a parachute or wingsuit, 8,300 meters from Mount Lhotse in the Himalayas. Tim last attempted to set a new world record jumping from the same mountain last year, but it was cut short by bad weather.

Entries are still open for this year’s Bristol, Bath, and Somerset Tourism Awards. The awards are a chance for tourism and hospitality businesses to show off their success and honour their teams. Entries close on Sunday, May 18th, and businesses are allowed to enter as many categories as they are eligible for.

More from News

Friday 19th September

An inquest has been told that gaps were left in the medical assessment of a local man who died after falling out of bed at Yeovil Hospital. NHS Somerset says a new dental practice in Wellington will be accepting NHS patients from October. Somerset Council is offering grants of up to £15,000 to businesses, aimed at reducing their carbon footprint...and more.
Thursday 18th September

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road accident in Chard in which a 13-year-old boy fell from an e-scooter. People in Somerset are being asked for their views on building a second reservoir in Cheddar. A new exhibition celebrating 200 years of shoemaking in Somerset opens in Street today...and more.
Wednesday 17th September

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police...and more
Tuesday 17th September

Plans have been submitted to build 61 new homes between Montacute and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Organisers of Langport Triathlon say it’ll be a few more days before they’re able to give out the results in the cycling section following a medical emergency in the crowd at Sunday's event. A new town crier is wanted in Wells...and more.
Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more