Thursday 26th February

Thursday, 26 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs. The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard... and more

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs and confirm a £1.4 billion order to build new medium lift helicopters in Yeovil. Leonardo’s Italian owners are threatening to shut the Yeovil factory, putting thousands of jobs at risk, if the order isn’t confirmed by March 31st. The government says it won’t make a decision on the medium lift helicopter until after the delayed Defence Investment Programme has been published.

The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The Octagon closed four years ago with performances transferred to the Westland Entertainment venue. Somerset Council, who own the theatre say a £10 million government grant towards the £15 million upgrade project still has to be secured.

People living in flats in Somerset will soon be able recycle the same items as everyone else. Leaflets and food caddies are being sent to flat dwellers for when the new collection system for food waste, soft plastics and cartons begins at the end of March.

The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard. It had been located outside the former Oscar Mayer site and was reported missing earlier this month. Chard Town Council says it’s the second time a defibrillator has been taken from the location and have appealed for it to be returned.

A church in Glastonbury, which closed its churchyard last year due to anti-social behaviour says its planning to reopen it very soon. The churchyard at St John’s in the centre of Glastonbury was closed last summer to stop it being miss-used for drug taking and drinking alcohol.

Taunton is planning a bid for the title of UK Town of Culture 2028. If successful, it will receive £3million to deliver a cultural programme showcasing the people, heritage, and stories that make Taunton special.

More from News

Wednesday 25th February

Plans have been passed to carry out a £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A new medical unit providing NHS and private treatments has opened in Shepton Mallet. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard is celebrating after receiving a Gold Artsmark for excellence in arts and cultural education...and more
Tuesday 24th February

First Bus has announced changes to bus timetables on routes across Somerset. A Somerset drone company is celebrating getting through the audition round of ITV’s Britain's Got Talent. A public footpath in South Somerset is set to remain closed for up to two years... and more
Monday 23rd February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened... and more
Friday 20th February

10,000 incidents of potholes on Somerset’s roads have been reported to Somerset Council in the past four weeks. The Met Office is warning of more unsettled weather into March for Somerset. The Crowshute link in Chard will close for eight nights next month for road repairs... and more
Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more