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 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

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Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

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Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more