Friday 18th July

Friday, 18 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more

EDF has achieved another milestone in the construction of the new Hinkley C nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. It involves lowering a 300-tonne dome onto the reactor building, allowing for the next phase of building to begin.

The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. Leonardo will be flying the Wildcat, Merlin and Sea King at what is promoted as the world’s largest military air show.

New parking controls are being introduced at Brittens Field Recreation Ground in Ilminster. The 50 parking spaces, 10 of which are designated for disabled use, will be accessible by using a keypad to lift a barrier for the Rec. The car park will also be available as an overflow car park for the nearby Summervale Medical Centre.

A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work on a dam wall, has re-opened to motorists. People wanting to visit Chard reservoir by car can do so using Chaffcombe Road to access the Angler’s Car Park at the northern end of the reservoir site.

One of the South of England’s biggest Classic and Supercars shows takes place at Sherborne Castle this weekend. Around 1500 cars will be on display at Sunday’s event, organised by the Lions, Round Table and Rotary, with all profits going to local charities.

A new art gallery showcasing the work of local artists has opened in Shepton Mallet. The Artistry on Town Street features artwork, jewellery, ceramics, and textiles and is part of a pop-up shop initiative run by Shepton Mallet Town Council.

More from News

Monday 16th March

Drivers are being told that it could take several more weeks yet before Hendford Hill in Yeovil reopens to traffic. A new bus service between Glastonbury and Castle Cary railway station is to start on a trial basis. Children in Chard are being given free reading books as part of a scheme founded by Dolly Parton... and more
Friday 13th March

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
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more