Friday 6th March

Friday, 6 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. The future of the factory was at risk had Leonardo not been given the one-billion-pound contract. The deadline to place the order was last Sunday with the government only confirming they would buy the helicopters the same day. Speaking during a visit to the Yeovil factory, Mr Pollard said the contract was delayed because the government needed to be sure they had the agreement just right.

Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. It happened at PAWS pet supplies on Ditton Street on Monday. Police say a number of items were stolen, including cash from a charity collection box.

Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters. It follows complaints that people have felt threatened receiving letters printed in red about non-payment of their council tax. Meanwhile, members of Somerset Council have voted to put up council tax by 5 percent. After warning of bankruptcy, Council Leader Bill Revans says their finances remain fragile but are moving into a recovery phase. The opposition Conservative group on Somerset Council say the Lib Dem run authority needs to get its house in order.

Plans have been submitted to redevelop the Podimore Services Station on the A303. JMS Planning, for Motor Fuel Group Limited, want to clear the site and build a new sales outlet, new fuel pumps, jet-wash bays and hub of eight electric vehicle charging points.

Castle Cary Museum is appealing for new volunteers. The museum which tells the story of the town and includes a collection of valuable local artefacts, reopens for a new season on Saturday, March 28th.

More from News

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
Friday 17th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has backed calls for a cap on heating oil prices. Invitations are being sent out to those in Somerset eligible for the latest Covid vaccine. A pub near Chard has closed just four months after reopening... and more
Thursday 16th April

Wessex Water has been told to pay £300,000 after a sewer spilled into the River Yeo killing dozens of fish. The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton has been given a grant of half a million pounds. Today marks the official opening of the new visitor centre at Ham Hill... and more
Wednesday 15th April

Yeovil College has been upgraded to a Defence Technical Excellence College. Somerset Council is taking legal action against a housing developer that owes £35,000 in contributions towards local services in Broadway. An Ilminster couple have covered the first 400 miles of their epic walk around the coastline of mainland Britain... and more
Tuesday 14th April

Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new five-year plan to tackle anti-social behaviour. Additional GP appointments will soon be available at three local surgeries, following a £1 million investment to upgrade NHS facilities in Somerset. A Stoke-sub-Hamdon couple whose daughter died of cancer have raised £128,000 in her memory... and more
Monday 13th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for better support for survivors of domestic abuse living in rural communities. The RSPB in Somerset is urging people to stop feeding birds to prevent the spread of disease. Yeovil Town Football Club says an issue that had threatened it with removal from the register at Companies House has been resolved... and more