Local News Monday 13th February

Monday, 13 February 2023 06:00

The Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the company's future will be bright even if they fail to secure a new government contract to replace the UK's fleet of Puma helicopters. Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the way GP surgeries are run needs to be streamlined with better financial incentives to tackle a shortage of doctors. The Cartgate Link Road in Yeovil is closed today and for the next 10 days for the removal of diseased trees...and more.

The Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the company's future will be bright even if the company fails to secure a new government contract to replace the UK's fleet of Puma helicopters. Adam Clarke says they have secured lucrative contracts and that more are on the horizon. Leonardo is bidding against Boeing and Lockheed Martin to win a £1.3 billion order to build the AW149 for the RAF. Leonard says if they win the work the AW149's will be built entirely in Yeovil.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the way GP surgeries are run needs to be streamlined with better financial incentives to tackle a shortage of doctors. He was commenting on the closure of the Springmead GP practice in Chard due to staff shortages. The government says it’s working on a workforce strategy to improve recruitment and retention in the NHS.

The A3088 Cartgate Link Road in Yeovil is closed today and for the next 10 days for the removal of diseased trees. Somerset County Council says the trees have become a hazard and need to be urgently taken down. The road between the Cartgate roundabout and the Garador roundabout will be shut every day until Friday 24th February from 7 am in the morning to 6 pm in the evening.

The second phase of improvements to Chard town centre has begun. Phase-1 of the Chard Regeneration Project has seen pavements areas widened and upgraded, new trees and flowerbeds planted, and the eastern entrance to the town made more attractive. Phase-2 will see shops on the High Street given a lick of paint and new life injected into some of Chard’s historic buildings.

A Somerset woman who set up a walking football team for people with Parkinson’s has won a national award. Caroline Pike has been given the title of Coach of the Year by the England Walking Football Association.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more