Friday 6th September

Friday, 6 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more

Leonardo, who've threatened to close their Yeovil factory if they don't get a government contract to build medium lift helicopter, has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. They've joined with the firm Adani to build one thousand helicopters for the Indian government. Leonardo warned last year that it could not continue to subsidise the Yeovil factory and said it would shut the site at the end of March if the order for medium lift helicopters was not forthcoming. The government’s defence investment plan, which will confirm if the new medium lift helicopter is wanted by the MOD, is due to be published in the Spring.

Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. Somerset is getting over four million pounds a year in government funding until 2030 towards improving bus services, but Somerset Bus Partnership claims 80 percent of the cash will go towards existing routes.

Brean Theme Park in Brean in Somerset has gone into liquidation. Owners of the theme park, Unity Holidays, say Brean Splash and a local gym which they also own, will continue to operate as normal.

The social media star from Somerset, Francis Bourgeois, known for his light-hearted videos about his love for trains, has been announced as one of the new presenters of the TV motoring show, The Grand Tour. Alongside James Engelsman and Thomas Holland from the YouTube channel, Throttle House, the trio will replace Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities. Chard Town Council says it’s an opportunity for organisations to discover what each other do in the local area, and takes place at the Guildhall on Saturday, February 21st.

More from News

Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more
Monday 2nd February

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more
Friday 30th January

Data from the weather centre at RNAS Yeovilton shows rainfall in Somerset was almost double the average for January. A disabled man is taking Somerset Council to the High Court, claiming its council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is seeking urgent support to replenish its stocks of hay... and more
Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more