Friday 21st March

Friday, 21 March 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Leonardo in Yeovil is developing a new type of self-flying helicopter. A report into the creation of Somerset Council has found the case for it to be 'weak' and marked by 'poor decision making'. The village of Montecute has been told that it may have one of the country's oldest working clocks...and more.

Leonardo is developing a new type of self-flying helicopter in Yeovil. The aircraft, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, will be used by the Royal Navy. Managing Director of Leonardo in Yeovil, Nigel Colman, says the future of the Yeovil factory is dependent, to a very large extent, on the success of the self-flying helicopter.

A report into the creation of Somerset Council has found the case for it was 'weak' and marked by 'poor decision making'. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance says the authority was put in a 'perilous financial position' when it started up in 2023. Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, has welcomed the report’s findings saying its recommendations will be acted upon.

Around 100 people in Chard have been left without an internet connection. It follows an incident in which a car collided with a green cabinet on Furnham Road, cutting off the internet in the area. Openreach has apologised and says it’s waiting for the National Grid to reconnect the cabinet to the mains electricity.

The village of Montecute has been told that it may have one of the country's oldest working clocks. Experts, working on restoring the clock at St Catherine’s Church have dated it to the 15th century.

Motorists are being advised that the A361 at Burrowbridge on the Somerset Levels will be shut for ten days next month. This will allow Wessex Water to carry out the second part of a water main replacement project. The A361 will be shut in both directions at Burrowbridge from Monday, April 7th to Thursday, April 17th.

Sir Tim Rice, co-writer with Andrew Lloyd-Webber of famous tunes like ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’ is coming with his touring music show to Yeovil next month. Sir Tim will be at the Westland Entertainment venue on Tuesday, April 15th, with ‘My life in musicals - I know him so well’ featuring singers and musicians from London’s West End.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
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.