Monday 23rd February

Monday, 23 February 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened... and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil rather than a complete shutdown of the site. Leonardo has threatened to close the Yeovil factory at the end of March should the government not confirm a £1.4 billion order to build new medium lift helicopters in Yeovil. The government says a decision on the order will be made when the Defence Investment Programme is published but haven’t said when this will be. Adam Dance says the delay is causing huge concern not just in Yeovil but across the whole of the South West’s defence industries.

.Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. It includes upgrading the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, modernising internal spaces and building a vehicle workshop. Once completed, the refurbished station will operate as a policing hub for Yeovil and the surrounding area.

A Yeovil man has been jailed after pleading guilty to a sexual offence against a child. Jason Squibb, of Westfield Road, was jailed for two years and eight months and had his name put on the sex offender register when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court

The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened. The road was closed in January at Burrowbridge due to flooding.
The go ahead has been given to build new wetlands on the Somerset Levels. Wessex Water plan to introduce the wetlands at Shapwick.

At just fourteen years old, Somerset based actor, Tom Page Turner, has landed the biggest role of his fledgling career so far. Tom, a pupil at Wellington School, can be seen playing the part of Bill in the BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies, currently showing on BBC One.

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Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more