Local News Thursday 25th November

Thursday, 25 November 2021 06:00

The CBI has given its backing to Yeovil-based Leonardo winning a major contract to build the AW 149 for the British government. Jobs advisors in Somerset are urging workers aged over 50 not to panic if they lost jobs during the pandemic. Yeovil Town Council has granted a ‘change of use’ on an empty shop in the town centre. Motorists are being warned of a road closure in Halstock. Somerset-based luxury brand Mulberry has posted a turnaround in profits from red to black...and more.

The CBI has given its backing to Yeovil-based Leonardo winning a major contract to build the AW 149 for the British government. The order, worth in the region of one-billion pounds and spread over 10-years, is to provide a replacement for the RAF’s ageing fleet of Pumas helicopters. The CBI declared its support for the Leonardo bid during its annual conference, held in Yeovil earlier this week.

Jobs advisors in Somerset are urging workers aged over 50 not to panic if they lost jobs during the pandemic. It’s claimed the pandemic's led to the biggest annual fall in employment for workers aged 50 and over since the 1980s.

Yeovil Town Council has granted a ‘change of use’ on an empty shop in the town centre. The shop in Princes Street, next to The Rising Sun Chinese takeaway, is due to re-open as a hot food takeaway under new owners before Christmas.

Motorists are being warned of a road closure in Halstock. Yeovil Road through Halstock will be shut for one day on Saturday, December 4th for cabling laying with diversions in operations.

Somerset-based luxury brand Mulberry has posted a turnaround in profits from red to black. Despite a global lockdown and fewer international visitors to the UK, Mulberry saw its sales rise by nearly a third in 2020.

Drivers in Chard are being told not to ignore ‘road closed’ signs in the town. Police say they’ve had several reports of vehicles going through road closures and are concerned about people working on road repairs getting injured. They’re asking drivers to always follow the diversions.

Two festive nativity events are planned in Chard next month with local people invited to take part. On Saturday, December 4th, there’ll be carol singing at Chard Beacon organised by Chard Churches Together. There’ll also be carol singing with a Nativity Tableau outside Chard Guildhall on Saturday, December 11th and again on Saturday, December 18th.

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Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more