Tuesday 25th February

Tuesday, 25 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new report says Avon and Somerset Police is struggling to cope with a big increase in cases involving the abuse of sexual images of children. Three primary schools in our area have been chosen to take part in a pilot of the Government’s free breakfast clubs for pupils scheme. A new TV documentary has captured footage of 50,000 starlings in a group gathering over the Somerset Levels...and more

A new report says Avon and Somerset Police is struggling to cope with a big increase in cases involving the abuse of sexual images of children. It blames a staff shortage, and calls for more investment in resources to tackle what it calls ‘this growing area of crime’. Avon and Somerset Police says it’s dealing with 70 cases a month involving the abuse of sexual images of children and expects the number to double in the next twelve months.

Three primary schools in our area have been chosen to take part in a pilot of the government’s free breakfast clubs for pupils scheme. They are St Mary’s and St Peter’s Church School in Ilton near Ilminster, Shepton Beauchamp Church School in Shepton Beauchamp, and Castle Cary Community Primary School in Castle Cary. The pilot, which is due to start in April, will see each school offering a free breakfast to all pupils, together with 30 minutes of childcare before the start of the school day.

Patients in Somerset with a condition that causes blurred vision can now access a new procedure in the county. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is the only one in the South West to offer the treatment for Keratoconus which causes the cornea to thin. The condition usually develops during teenage years and gets worse over time.

A new TV documentary has captured footage of one of the biggest group gatherings of starlings over the Somerset Levels. Presenter Mike Dilger says up to 50,000 birds were involved in the murmuration as they snacked on worms and beetles.

Women in the South West are being urged to book breast screening appointments. NHS Somerset says 27% of eligible women in Somerset are not up-to-date with being examined. Women aged between 50 and 71 are eligible for a free breast screening, every three years.

An Ilminster man has been recognised for his voluntary efforts at Ilminster Bowling Club Matthew Hamilton, whose role is to grow membership numbers at the club, has been presented with a Bowls England Unsung Hero Award. Matt also volunteers as Development Manager for the Somerset Bowling Association, helping other bowls clubs to grow their membership.

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Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
Tuesday 4th March

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.
Monday 3rd March

A woman from Crewkerne has been fined £280 for assaulting two emergency workers. Plans have been announced to open new NHS dental surgeries in Chard and Crewkerne. A Yeovil man has been thanked for raising £10,000 for the cardiac charity Heartbeat...and more
Friday 28th February

A local man has been charged after allegedly driving a tractor while under the influence of alcohol. One hundred bikes, collected with household waste in Somerset, have been donated to charity. The junction of the A37 Ilchester Road and Stiby Road in Yeovil will again shut this evening for resurfacing...and more.
Thursday 27th February

Fourteen hundred people have added their names to a petition against Somerset Council's plans to scrap free car parks. St Margaret’s Hospice has won a share of £25 million of government funding. A man from Charlton Adam is preparing to visit Ukraine as an Aid Worker for a tenth time...and more
Wednesday 26th February

A local man has been charged with possessing an air weapon following an incident in Yeovil town centre. The Labour government has removed funding to the Amulet Theatre in Shepton Mallet that the previous Conservative government had allocated. Entries are now open for this year’s Minster Miles 10K fun run with organisers aiming to exceed last year’s number of runners...and more.
Monday 24th February

The Leonardo Group, which owns the Leonardo Helicopter factory in Yeovil, has announced strong full-year results for 2024. A new bus station could be built in Langport. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in which a dog was fatally injured in Yeovil...and more