Local News Tuesday 8th November

Tuesday, 8 November 2022 06:00

It’s reported that the awarding of a £1.2 billion contract to supply helicopters to the British government, a contract that Leonardo in Yeovil is hoping to win, has been "delayed". New rules have come into force requiring anyone who keeps birds to house them indoors. The Football Association in Somerset is trialling a new way to support young footballers. A local winner at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is giving a talk to raise funds for Keinton Mandeville Primary...and more.

It’s reported that the awarding of a £1.2 billion contract to supply helicopters to the British government, a contract that Leonardo in Yeovil is hoping to win, has been "delayed". The magazine Flight Global is reporting that the issuing of ‘invitations to negotiate’ for the order has been put back to sometime next year. Leonardo is pitching for the contract with the AW149 to replace the RAF’s ageing fleet of Puma helicopters. It was thought the MOD would announce who’d won the contract in early 2023, with the first of the new helicopters delivered in 2025.

New rules have come into force requiring anyone who keeps birds to house them indoors. The new restrictions are in response to the worsening outbreak of avian flu across the UK. Owners have been told to house birds inside sheds or shelters for the foreseeable future.

The Football Association in Somerset is trialling a new way to support young footballers. It’s asking parents, coaches and friends not to shout at players from pitch side but instead to show their support by clapping.

A local winner at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is giving a talk to raise funds for Keinton Mandeville Primary. It’s part of a programme of activities to pay for an expansion of a therapeutic garden within the school site. The talk is being given by Adam Hunt of Urquhart and Hunt - a firm of landscape designers based in Bruton.

A woman from Somerton who set herself a zero waste target for this year says she can't understand how some people come to throw away so much rubbish. Gill Hampson has gone almost 10 months without filling her black bin with waste and putting it out for collection. She was aiming to complete 12 months but had to use her black bin after clearing out the contents of her shed and finding lots of extra waste items for disposal.

The winners of this year’s South West in Bloom awards have been announced. Yeovil, Curry Rivel, Crewkerne and Hazelbury Plucknett have each been given Gold awards. Henstridge has been given a Silver award. The South West In Bloom awards are part of National Britain In Bloom awards that aim to encourage communities to improve and diversify their local environments through the creation of open spaces, biodiversity, recycling and the conservation of wildlife.

A new manager has been appointed to run Ilminster Arts Centre. Samantha Miller is taking on the role after previously working in publishing in London before moving to Ilminster to be nearer her family.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more