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.
Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more
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