Monday 2nd June

Monday, 2 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The government's strategic defence review could shed light on the £1.3 million contract to build a new medium-lift helicopter for the Royal Air Force. Police investigating an incident in Chard, in which a teenager alleges she was sexually assaulted, are trying to trace a witness to what happened. Fifty homes could still be built in Castle Cary if an appeal proves successful...and more

Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil will be taking a close interest in today’s publication of the government’s long-awaited strategic Defence Review. The Yeovil factory is eagerly awaiting confirmation of an order to supply the RAF with 30 new medium-lift helicopters, which has been delayed by the Defence Review. Leonardo, who is the sole bidder for the contract, is pitching to supply the RAF with the AW149 to replace its ageing fleet of Puma helicopters. The government is on record as saying it will award the contract, reportedly worth £1.3 billion, by the end of the year.

Police investigating an incident in Chard, in which a teenager alleges she was sexually assaulted, are trying to trace a witness to what happened. A girl in her mid-teens was walking on a footpath near Zembard Lane when she said a man approached her. He was later arrested and released on police bail. After the incident, the girl approached another member of the public, who helped her to safety. It is this man who the Police want to trace, as they believe he could have important information that could help their investigation.

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving. Ronnie Howes of Hood Road in Yeovil pleaded to the offence and was given a 16-month driving ban by local magistrates. Howes was also fined £461 and told to pay costs of £85.

Fifty homes could still be built in Castle Cary if an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate proves successful. Developers Castle Cary LLP had a planning application to build the homes on South Street, turned down by Somerset Council in 2023. Now, the developer has appealed the decision, with the Planning Inspectorate expected to make a final ruling by the autumn.

A community cafe in Chard is helping to tackle loneliness in the town. "Chatter and natter" sessions are held at the CommuniTea Waffle Café on Holyrood Street every Thursday between 11 am and 1 pm. The cafe has also introduced a ‘pay it forward scheme’ to help people with the cost of living.

A section of Ilchester Road in Yeovil will be closed to traffic each evening this week, starting from tonight, from 6 pm to 6 am the following morning. It’s to allow for Wessex Water to carry essential repairs to a water main.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more