Thursday 12th February

Thursday, 12 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more

Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, has reiterated that the government is ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. Speaking during an emergency debate in Westminster Hall in London, the Defence Minister, said the government will not allow the decision to ’time out’ but did not provide a date when a final decision will be made. The Yeovil factory’s Italian owners have said that if the contract to build a new medium lift helicopter for the RAF, worth up to £1.4 billion pounds, is not forthcoming by March 31st the Yeovil site will shut. Yesterday’s debate, organised by Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, and attended by other Westcountry MP’s, discussed the closure threat to the Yeovil site and pressed the government to act faster on the medium lift helicopter order.

The Minister for Flooding has been on a visit to the Somerset Levels. Emma Hardy MP said the government was putting £75m into flood defences this year in Somerset and was looking at funding a tidal barrier for Bridgwater. Meanwhile, Bridgwater Conservative MP, Sir Ashley Fox, has welcomed the government’s intervention, but says what is needed is a long-term dredging and pumping plan on the Levels.

We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. Somerset Council is planning to fit 1600 low-powered charging sockets near homes, on local roads and in places with high footfall. The Council says the charging points will benefit people who don’t have off-street parking and are unable to install a charge point at home. You can submit a suggested locations online via the Somerset Council electric vehicle charging page.

A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies. The Somerset Star Count, led by CPRE Somerset, the local branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, runs from this Saturday for one-week, and asks people to count the number of stars they see within the Orion constellation. The CPRE say the data will help to assess light pollution across Somerset.

Entries are being invited to this year’s Ilminster Literary Festival children's writing competition. There are four age categories; five to seven, eight to 11, 12 to 14, and 14 to 16. Organisers say young writers should use their creativity, writing stories on a topic of their choice. Entries, which can be submitted individually or through a school, close on Friday, March 27th.

More from News

Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more
Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more
Monday 2nd February

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more