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

Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.
Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.
Monday 28th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it has awarded more than £40 million in grants across the county. The family of a Somerset girl say they used AI to help diagnose her genetic condition. A property in Monks Dale, Yeovil is subject to a three month Closure Order... and more.
Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.