Monday 24th February

Monday, 24 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Leonardo Group, which owns the Leonardo Helicopter factory in Yeovil, has announced strong full-year results for 2024. A new bus station could be built in Langport. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in which a dog was fatally injured in Yeovil...and more

The Leonardo Group, which owns the Leonardo Helicopter factory in Yeovil, has announced strong full-year results for 2024. Orders increased significantly, reporting a 16.8% increase, reaching £16.5 billion compared to 2023.

A new bus station could be built in Langport. The town has been chosen in preference to Somerton for the new bus interchange, which is aimed at improving rural routes in the County. £510,000 will be spent building the interchange but Somerset Council aren’t saying when it will happen.

Somerset Council, which’s facing a funding gap of £52 million beginning in April, has been thrown a further lifeline by the government to avoid going bankrupt. After the government gave the Council permission to raise council tax by 7.5%, it has now said it can raise £63 million by borrowing more money or selling assets to meet day-to-day spending. However, Somerset Council has been told that it cannot dispose of community and heritage assets to balance its books.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a dog was fatally injured in Yeovil. The dog was with its owner in Combe Street Lane at around 6 am on Saturday, February 1st when it was hit by a car. Police say the vehicle left the scene without stopping. If you witnessed the accident or have dashcam footage call the non-emergency number 101.

The CEO of Visit Somerset, Giles Adams, says proposed changes in charges at Somerset Council-run car parks are the latest in a series of attempts to suffocate businesses in this county. Under the proposals, free parking at council-run car parks will end, together with the introduction of Sunday and overnight charges. Mr Adams claims evening visitors and those living in town, will have to pay to park, and that further pressure will be put on evening entertainment venues.

Yeovil Freewheelers has been presented with £380 by Ilminster and District Lions. The Freewheelers Blood Bikes transports urgently needed medical items across Somerset and Dorset.

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Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more