Monday 16th February

Monday, 16 February 2026 at 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.

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