Monday 27th July

Monday, 27 July 2026 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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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more