Friday 20th September

Friday, 20 September 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

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.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more