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

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more