Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
The general secretary of the Unite union, Sharon Graham, is calling on the government to 'end the uncertainty' over a major order for new helicopters with Leonardo in Yeovil. It follows a warning from the Italian-owned company that it will shut the Yeovil factory if the £ 1.4 billion order for up to 30 medium-lift helicopters for the RAF is not confirmed by March 31st. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Sharon Graham accuses the government of dithering and says the delay in placing the order is putting 3,000 jobs at the Yeovil factory, along with a further 10,000 in the supply chain, at risk. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson says the new medium-lift helicopter programme is ongoing and that a final decision will be made in due course.
Somerset Community Foundation is reminding people that there's still time to donate money to their Surviving Winter Appeal. People are being asked to donate the equivalent of their winter fuel payment to support vulnerable older people.
Food retailer Iceland has permanently shut its Yeovil store in the Quedam after more than 20 years. The business has transferred to the Iceland Food Warehouse on the Yeovil Retail Park at Babylon Hill.
The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging several special performances to mark its 50th anniversary, beginning this week. The Swan on Brunswick Street was originally a pub and was converted to a theatre by enthusiasts in 1975 who believed that Yeovil should have an independently run theatre.
Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more