A man has died after a Yeovilton-based helicopter crashed into the English Channel. A major A-road through Somerset was closed yesterday, due to multiple fallen trees. Somerset Council describes itself as ‘breathing slightly easier’ after balancing its books for the last financial year... and more.
A man has died after a Yeovilton-based helicopter crashed into the English Channel, off the Dorset coast on Wednesday night. The Merlin helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, had been involved in night-flying exercises with the aircraft carrier 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' when the incident happened. One crew man died whilst two others were rescued.
A major A-road through Somerset was re-opened late yesterday afternoon after it had to be closed, due to multiple fallen trees. The A3088 was blocked at Yeovil and at Stoke Sub Hamdon. The westbound stretch was particularly affected towards the Montacute turn off. All trees were clear by 4.30pm.
Meanwhile five people were rescued after a single-vehicle collision in Chard on Wednesday afternoon. The collision took place just before 4pm and the car was reportedly on its side. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service despatched two fire engines and released the occupants using small tools and hydraulic equipment.
Somerset Council describes itself as ‘breathing slightly easier’ after balancing its books for the last financial year. A financial emergency was called in late 2023, with the maximum possible rise in council tax announced earlier this year. These rises, combined with the sale of around £20 million of non-operational assets and the implementation of savings of around £35m have reportedly brought the council back on track.
And a memorial ride in remembrance of Cecil Turner, the founder of the Yeovil Freewheelers Blood Bikes is taking place this weekend. The ride will start at West Bay on Sunday morning, with riders making their way along the Jurassic Coast Road towards Weymouth, and then on to Bere Regis and Sturminster Newton, before ending at Yeovil Rugby Club just after midday.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more
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