Tuesday 14th April

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new five-year plan to tackle anti-social behaviour. Additional GP appointments will soon be available at three local surgeries, following a £1 million investment to upgrade NHS facilities in Somerset. A Stoke-sub-Hamdon couple whose daughter died of cancer have raised £128,000 in her memory... and more

Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new five-year plan to tackle anti-social behaviour. The strategy focuses on prevention, and early intervention. It aims to strengthen partnership working and better identify vulnerable victims. Police say intelligence is key with information from local people, neighbourhood officers, and partner organisations helping target resources where they’re needed most.

Additional GP appointments will soon be available at three local surgeries, following a £1 million investment to upgrade NHS facilities in Somerset. Church Street Surgery in Martock and Crewkerne Health Centre are both set to expand, creating extra consulting space for patients. Millbrook Surgery in Castle Cary will see a new clinical room built. The improvements aim to make it easier for patients to access GP services.

Somerset Council has lost an appeal over plans to build a care home near Taunton. The authority had rejected proposals by developer Belstone Fox to build the home and 19 houses in the grounds of Woodlands Castle in Ruishton, saying the scheme would harm the character of the listed building and surrounding village. But following a public inquiry, the Planning Inspectorate has overturned the decision. It’s ordered Somerset Council to pay the developer’s legal costs linked to the appeal.

The Mayor of Chard, Councillor Victoria Bates, is inviting people in the town to take part in a series of community event this month. Highlights include the Mayor’s Charity Ball on Saturday April 18th, followed by the traditional St George’s Dragon Parade through the town on Sunday April 19th. On Sunday 26th April, local cyclists set off for Chard’s twin town of Helmstedt in Germany.

Stoke-sub-Hamdon couple, Dave and Julie Thomas, whose daughter, Jess, died of cancer 10 years ago have raised £128,000 in her memory. The couple began fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust in 2016 in recognition of the support it gave their daughter during the final stages of her life. Later this month, two family friends will take on the London Marathon in Jess’s memory.

More from News

Monday 18th May

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
Friday 15th May

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
Thursday 14th May

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
Wednesday 13th May

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
Tuesday 12th May

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
Monday 11th May

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
Friday 8th May

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
Thursday 7th May

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