Local News Wednesday 22nd September

Wednesday, 22 September 2021 06:00

Leonardo in Yeovil says 70 UK-based companies would benefit if it wins a critical order to build a fleet of new medium-sized helicopters for the British military. Police are hunting for a Yeovil man in connection with a number of offences including rape and false imprisonment. Recycling centres in South Somerset will be reverting to winter opening hours from next month. A grandmother from Chard has raised £1500 for the NHS with a sponsored wing-walk...and more.

Leonardo in Yeovil says 70 UK-based companies would benefit if it wins a critical order to build a fleet of new medium-sized helicopters for the British military. It’s pitching the AW 149 against a rival bid from Boeing. Leonardo claims that for every £1 spent on building a Leonardo helicopter in the UK £2.40 flows back into the economy. It’s thought the government will announce who has won the contract in the next few weeks.

Police are hunting for a Yeovil man in connection with a number of offences including rape and false imprisonment. He’s Curtis Yaldiz, aged 24, white, 6ft tall, of slim build, with short brown hair. Police say not to approach him but to call 999.

Leaders of Somerset’s four district councils have written to the government expressing concern about the number of councillors who will sit on the new one Somerset Council. Currently, across all councils in Somerset there are 255 councilors but this could drop to just 85 on the new unitary council.

Recycling centres in South Somerset will be reverting to winter opening hours from next month. From Friday, October 1st, local recycling sites will be open from 9 am to 5 pm, while weekends remain the same 9 am to 4 pm.

A grandmother from Chard has raised £1500 for the NHS with a sponsored wing-walk. Patricia Dare stood on the wing of a biplane for 10-minutes in a flight over Devon. Patricia described the experience as exhilarating even though it left her feeling a little stiff in the shoulder.

Somerset's cider producers say they're cautiously optimistic of reaping a good crop as the autumn harvest gets underway. Last year, many apples were wasted because of lockdown.

Yeovil Town are in action tonight – they’re playing Bridgwater United in the Somerset Premier Cup at Huish Park, kick-off at 7.45 pm. Tickets are £5 with Under 16’s let-in for just £1.

More from News

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