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.

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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