Monday 16th February

Monday, 16 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

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

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. Leonardo, who own the freehold of the Westlands building has said it will shut the Yeovil factory site if the helicopter order is not confirmed by March 31st. Somerset Council, who operate Westlands in partnership with Yeovil Town Council on a lease arrangement, say there are too many unknowns around the medium lift helicopter order to determine what might or might not happen to the entertainment venue should the order not be confirmed.

A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. Taunton Crown Court was told that Vanessa Marques, of Auckland Way, in Chard was found in possession of a 20 cm blade after visiting a woman at her home. Marques was handed a three-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and told to wear a GPS trail monitoring unit.

A distribution warehouse in Yeovil, previously occupied by Silverline Tools, has been put up for sale. The freehold building occupies a 5.6 acre site at Boundary Way, on the Lufton Trading Estate, and is on the market with a guide price of £5 million. The sale follows Group Silverline Ltd and Toolstream Ltd entering administration in December.

Castle Street at its junction with North Street in Stoke-sub-Hamdon is shut to traffic today and for the next 6-days for repairs to a mains gas pipe. Contractors, Wales and West Utilities, say access to Castle Street from North Street, and to North Street from Castle Street will be blocked until next Sunday.

A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard. Local resident, Susie Clark, wants a 20 miles per hour limit and speed humps introduced. Somerset Council says when it receives the petition it will look at the possibility of introducing a reduced speed limit and traffic calming measures in Coker Way and Wyatt Way.

The Apple Tree Restaurant at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil has been awarded Gold in the Café and Tearoom category of the Taste of the West Hospitality and Retail Awards. Staff at the Apple Tree Restaurant were praised for their knowledge of the menu and suppliers, and attentive service in a busy environment.

More from News

Friday 13th February

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
Thursday 12th February

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
Wednesday 11th February

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.
Tuesday 10th February

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
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more
Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more