Wednesday 19th March

Wednesday, 19 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new report says survival rates from ovarian cancer in Somerset are among the best in England. Farmers say it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed due to criminal gangs using farmland for illegal hare coursing. A Victorian chemist shop, originally situated on the High Street in South Petherton, is being moved to a theme park in County Durham...and more

A new report says survival rates from ovarian cancer in Somerset are among the best in England. Somerset’s success is attributed to patients being diagnosed quicker, and treatments being made available locally, avoiding the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.

Following an Ofsted inspection, Little Beeches Nursery in Crewkerne has been rated ‘Good’. The nursery at Maiden Beech Academy was praised for its education and management quality.

Fourteen new detectives have started work at Avon and Somerset Police. The officers, recruited from the Police National Training Academy, will investigate complex cases within the Criminal Investigation Department.

Somerset Council is being asked to allow people with learning disabilities to use concessionary bus passes at all times. Bus users are campaigning for the change after Bath and North East Somerset confirmed that concessionary passes, held by people with learning disabilities, can be used at all times. Somerset Council says it has no plans at the moment to change the guidelines for using concessionary bus passes.

Farmers say it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed due to criminal gangs using farmland for illegal hare coursing. Avon and Somerset Police has increased patrols in the Mendip area following an increase in illegal hare coursing by organized gangs.

A 20-year-old cherry orchard at a farm in Chard has been cut down due to the owner's retirement. The owners of Whitehouse Farm in Knowle Lane say after “much consideration” they have decided to grub the orchard after failing to find someone to take over running the orchard.

A Victorian chemist shop, originally situated on the High Street in South Petherton, is moving to County Durham. The inside and front of the shop was collapsed and re-built as part of a Victorian village at Flambards theme park in Helston that closed last year. Now, the village display, including the chemist shop from South Petherton, is being moved to an attraction in Bishop Auckland.

More from News

Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more