Friday 27th February

Friday, 27 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The CEO of Leonardo has suggested the UK government could make an announcement immindently about ordering new medium lift helicopters to be built in Yeovil. A family run hardware business in Yeovil has gone into administration. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has been named the new patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce... and more

The CEO of Leonardo has suggested the UK government could make an announcement immindently about ordering new medium lift helicopters to be built in Yeovil. Roberto Cingolani told a meeting of investors that Leonardo was involved in intense discussions with the UK government over the future of its Yeovil factory. Mr Chingolani had said previously that Leonardo would shut the Yeovil site if the MLH order was not confirmed by March 31st. For its part, the government has said it will not let Leonardo's final price to build the new helicopters time out, with the offer due to expire on March 1st.

A family run business in Yeovil has gone into administration. Miles Tool and Machinery Ltd on the Pen Mill Industrial Estate specialises in providing hardware, paints and glass and has been trading in Yeovil for 50 years.

A former Yeovil man now living in Exeter has appeared before local magistrates charged with downloading sexual images of children. Nathan Watson was arrested after police attended his previous address in Rosebery Avenue in Yeovil and discovered the indecent material stored on a computer. Watson, who pleaded guilty to making 97 indecent images of children, is due to be sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today.

A new all-party parliamentary group focusing on the cider industry been established with Somerton and Glastonbury MP Sarah Dyke as its chairperson. The group will act as a voice to support cider producers, working on government policy and improving sustainability across the cider industry.

The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has been named the new patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Mohammed Saddiq will work in the role of ambassador, bringing people together across business, the voluntary sector and public life, and supporting those making a positive difference in Somerset.

More from News

Thursday 26th February

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs. The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard... and more
Wednesday 25th February

Plans have been passed to carry out a £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A new medical unit providing NHS and private treatments has opened in Shepton Mallet. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard is celebrating after receiving a Gold Artsmark for excellence in arts and cultural education...and more
Tuesday 24th February

First Bus has announced changes to bus timetables on routes across Somerset. A Somerset drone company is celebrating getting through the audition round of ITV’s Britain's Got Talent. A public footpath in South Somerset is set to remain closed for up to two years... and more
Monday 23rd February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened... and more
Friday 20th February

10,000 incidents of potholes on Somerset’s roads have been reported to Somerset Council in the past four weeks. The Met Office is warning of more unsettled weather into March for Somerset. The Crowshute link in Chard will close for eight nights next month for road repairs... and more
Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more