Friday 13th March

Friday, 13 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. The date was confirmed by Defence Minister Luke Pollard in a written reply to a question in the House of Commons. Some industry observers have described the one-billion-pound contract to build 23 medium-lift helicopters as ‘too expensive’, with cheaper options available to buy abroad. But the Ministry of Defence says it expects 15 billion pounds of exports to flow from the Leonardo order.

Somerset Council says it is experiencing complications sending out council tax bills. It’s warning that bills do not reflect changes to addresses, household circumstances and single occupancy discount applications, with households sent a second revised bill. The council says the problem has been caused by consolidating several older payment systems into a new single platform, resulting in processing times taking longer than normal. Householders are advised to view the council’s website for further information.

A Somerset quarry, a key supplier of road surfacing materials, is to expand by 40 acres. Moons Hill near Stoke St Michael is a main source of aggregate for using to repair damaged highways.

Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. The council wants to introduce a tiered pricing structure for on-street and off-street parking, with fees for using public car parks on a sliding scale, depending on location. The new structure would apply seven days a week, with fees introduced at free car parks, the subject of discussions with businesses, council members, town, city and parish councils and other stakeholders.

More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football. The Somerset Football Association says there are now six teams across the county, with many players completely new to the sport.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more