Local News Tuesday 7th December

Tuesday, 7 December 2021 06:00

Construction is about to begin on a new £30 million pound helicopter logistics centre in Yeovil. The two groups bidding to takeover Yeovil Town football club have been given until the end of the week to conclude a deal. South Somerset District Council is planning to scrap a number of projects to save one and a half million pounds. The owner of a transport business in Chard says the shortage situation with lorry drivers has started to improve and a doctor working on Somerset's vaccination programme is asking people not to be put off having a Covid booster because it’s difficult to book an ap

Construction is about to begin on a new £30 million pound helicopter logistics centre in Yeovil. The state-of-the-art facility is being built on the site of a former GKN factory at West Hendford and will support Leonardo’s global fleet of helicopters through the storage of components and tooling.

The two groups bidding to takeover Yeovil Town football club have been given until the end of the week to conclude a deal. The club’s owner, Scott Priestnall says if a deal hasn’t been reached by the weekend then he will continue to be in charge at Huish Park. In a statement, Mr Priestnall gave illness and personal circumstances as the reasons for not attending Huish Park of late to watch Yeovil play. In the FA Third Round, Yeovil have been drawn at home against Championship side Bournemouth.

South Somerset District Council is planning to scrap a number of projects to save one and a half million pounds. Expanding the café at Yeovil Country Park looks set to be dropped, together with installing solar panels on the John O'Donnell Pavilion at Yeovil Recreation Ground and fitting out the first floor of the Yeovil Innovation Centre. Improvements to council-owned car parks and the creation of new car parks across the district are also unlikely to go ahead.

The owner of a transport business in Chard says the shortage situation with lorry drivers has started to improve. Managing Director of C&D South West in Chard, Lorna Hammond, says a drop in the number of drivers leaving the sector, has made her feel more confident.

A doctor working on Somerset's vaccination programme is asking people not to be put off having a Covid booster because it’s difficult to book an appointment. The government’s aim to get everyone who’s eligible offered a Covid booster by the end of January. Clinical Director at Somerset CCG, Doctor Alex Murray, accepts there are difficulties but says local appointments are available through the national booking system

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Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more