Friday 20th September

    According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs in Yeovil. Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months...and more

    According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. The figures show that there were 1,078 water pollution incidents in Somerset between 2018 and 2023, just 303 of which were visited immediately by Environment Agency staff. The Environment Agency says some incidents were handled remotely or by the emergency services.

    Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs on the Yeovil site. The funding, to be used for research and development and new IT infrastructure, is being provided by Leonardo’s Italian parent company, and was announced by the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Italy earlier this week. £230 million of it will be spent at the Yeovil site. 

    A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving. Alex Gullis of Plover Court was found to be more than three times over the drink drive limit when he hit another vehicle in Preston Road and failed a roadside breath test. Local magistrates adjourned the case until October 29 for reports to be prepared and imposed an interim-driving ban.

    More parents are looking to move their children out of private schools and into state schools, according to Somerset Council. It says it's had an increase in enquiries since the Labour government announced that 20 percent VAT will be added to private school fees from next January. 

    Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months. Homes in the BA21 postcode sold for an average of £224,645 in the year to July. Wedmore retained its position as the most expensive place to buy a property with the price of a house in postcode BS28 averaging £659,450. Hinton St George had the second highest house prices with properties in the TA17 postcode selling on average for £575,250.

    Essential drainage work is taking place in Winsham next week with parts of Court Street and Back Street closed to traffic. The work starts on Monday, September 23rd and will last until Monday, October 21st with a traffic diversion in operation. The 96 bus service to Drimpton and Clapton through Winsham will not run during the road closure.
     

    More from News

    • Friday 12th December

      The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.

    • Thursday 11th December

      A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more

    • Wednesday 10th December

      Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more

    • Tuesday 9th December

      The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd December

      Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 5°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 5°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 5°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 5°C

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