The new CEO of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the business is in good health. Wessex Water says it had no plans to introduce a hosepipe despite the above-average dry spell. The cost of rural crime in Somerset has fallen by 22% in the space of twelve months, that's according to NFU Mutual. An ancient oak tree has been cut down to make way for a new slip road off the A303 at Sparkford despite a protest to keep it standing and a new Lord Lieutenant has been appointed to represent Somerset.
The new CEO of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil says the business is in good health. Adam Clarke, who’s taken over the top job from Nick Whitney, was commenting on the recent contract awarded to Leonardo to supply "drone-type" helicopters to the British military.
Wessex Water says it had no plans to introduce a hosepipe despite the above-average dry spell. Bans have been put in place or are imminent in other areas but Wessex says it’s confident of keeping taps running without any restrictions. The company says reservoir and groundwater levels are below average for the time of year but there are no supply problems at present.
The cost of rural crime in Somerset has fallen by 22% in the space of twelve months, that's according to NFU Mutual. In 2021, rural thefts in Somerset topped £900,000 a fall of 22% from the previous year.
An ancient oak tree has been cut down to make way for a new slip road off the A303 at Sparkford despite a protest to keep it standing. Protesters, who had been occupying the site for three weeks were evicted by bailiffs at the weekend, with the tree felled a day later. National Highways say the tree had to come down to create a new slip road to Hazelgrove Prep School as part of dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore.
A new Lord Lieutenant has been appointed to represent Somerset. Mohammed Saddiq, who is Executive Director of Operations at Wessex Water, will take over from Annie Maw when she retires at the end of October after eight years in the role. Mr. Saddiq says he’s keen to engage with the business community and voluntary sector in Somerset and support them in any way he can.
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Friday 29th September
The £29M project to up-grade Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, which has run into financial problems, could be bailed out by Yeovil Town Council. New play equipment is to be installed at Ninesprings Country Park in Yeovil. A Martock woman has been fined £95 after being caught speeding in a 20 mph zone...and more.
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Thursday 28th September
A new service that makes it easier for older women to get checked for womb cancer has started in Somerset. A convicted killer from Somerset who refuses to reveal the whereabouts of the body of his murdered wife has failed in his bid to be freed from prison. A Somerset woman, living with Multiple Sclerosis, is doing a skydive this weekend to raise money for the RNLI...and more.
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Wednesday 27th September
A Somerset head teacher is calling for tighter regulation on vaping after seeing a significant rise in pupils vaping on school premises. Somerset Council says it's facing significantly higher costs with the planned upgrade of Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. Avon and Somerset Police will soon start deploying a drone in the fight against rural crime...and more.
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Tuesday 26th September
A Somerset woman, who has Multiple Sclerosis, is calling on the government to overhaul the assessment process for claiming disability benefits. Somerset Council has been fined £1,000 after a stroke patient was left without care for long periods. A Consultant Urologist in Somerset says men need to be made more aware of the early signs of prostate cancer...and more.
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Monday 25th September
The NHS in Somerset is urging people to sign up for a Covid top-up booster jab. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assault. Work has started on creating a new cycle route along Lyde Road in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given for a new cricket pavilion to be built at the Recreation Ground in Ilminster...and more.
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Friday 22nd September
The RSPB in Somerset says it is seeing big changes in bird migrations to and from the county. The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says delays in answering 101 calls are a result of understaffing and accidental pocket dials. Beekeepers in Somerset are appealing for help to spot Asian hornets that are a threat to honey bees...and more.
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Thursday 21st September
Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital, paid out more than £13.5M in medical negligence claims in the last twelve months. Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, is asking for help to send supplies to earthquake-hit Morocco. Work has started on the next phase of the Yeovil Refresh project causing more disruption in the town centre...and more.
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Wednesday 20th September
We're being asked to think carefully before using NHS services in Somerset this week, due to strikes by doctors. Wilko will shut its Yeovil store at the end of September. Crosscountry Rail, who run trains through Somerset, has been given a new contract with the government...and more.