Monday 2nd March

Monday, 2 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The Leonardo factory in Yeovil has won a multi-million pound contract to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. A doctor, who previously worked at Yeovil Hospital, has appeared in court charged with illegally accessing NHS computers. A new Construction Innovation Centre has opened at Yeovil College... and more

The Leonardo factory in Yeovil is to build the new medium lift helicopter securing the jobs of thousands of workers and cancelling the threat issued by its Italian owners to shut the Yeovil site if the contract wasn’t awarded by the deadline of March Ist. Right at the last moment, the order for up to 25 helicopters for the RAF was confirmed yesterday by the UK government following the personal intervention of the PM and Chancellor. The Leader of Yeovil Town Council Councillor Andy Soughton says it’s been a long time in coming and is a huge boost for the town.

A doctor, who previously worked at Yeovil Hospital, has appeared in court charged with illegally accessing NHS computers to look at his wife’s medical records. Mohamad Alsaadany pleaded guilty to three charges of accessing medical computer programmes on a total of 33 occasions when he appeared before magistrates in Yeovil. The Court was told Alsaadany would now go before the General Medical Council and be struck off the Medical Register.

A new Construction Innovation Centre has opened at Yeovil College. It will train learners in trades including carpentry, bricklaying, electrical installation, and plumbing. It’s the second major building finished under Yeovil College’s ‘once-in-a-generation’ Big Build programme, funded by the Department for Education.

Yeovil Hospital is holding an event to raise awareness of sleep apnoea. The disorder that causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep, can lead to morning headaches, and a higher risk of developing heart problems. The sleep apnoea awareness day takes place at Yeovil Hospital this coming Saturday.

And a new music shop has opened in Yeovil. The Somerset Music Academy at 9, Silver Street in the town centre, sells guitars, ukuleles, drum kits, and digital pianos, and offers an instrument repair service.

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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