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

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more