Monday 27th July

Monday, 27 July 2026 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. The company, which specialises in the design and manufacture of precision optics and systems used in aerospace and defence, has been acquired by Greenlight Bidco Limited, a newly formed company owned by Maryland-based Arlington Capital Partners. In a statement, the new owners say they have no plans to move Gooch and Housego’s headquarters or alter its operational role in Somerset.

Nearly one in four motorists stopped by police in Avon and Somerset during a drink and drug driving campaign linked to the World Cup was arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving offences. Operation Limit ran throughout the three-week tournament, with officers carrying out proactive patrols across the force area.

A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. Appearing for sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, 39-year-old Tony Bartlett, from Axminster, was said to have caused severe injuries to his baby son Atticus during the incident at his mother’s home in Chard in 2022.

The chief executive of Britain’s biggest defence company says the public does not fully appreciate the risks facing the country. Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, says the threat facing the UK is the highest he has seen in his lifetime. He welcomed the government’s announcement of increased defence spending but said much more needs to be done.

A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain. Felix Wood and four others completed the challenge of rowing around the British coastline in 32 days, 30 minutes and 58 seconds.

Two Somerset reservoirs have been classed as having exceptionally low levels, with a further six said to be notably low. Blagdon and Wimbleball are both below sixty percent full. Wessex Water has not imposed a hosepipe ban, but is asking people to use water more carefully.

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Friday 30th October

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