Thursday 5th March

Thursday, 5 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have been deployed on board the British warship HMS Dragon which is soon to leave for Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. The Ministry of Defence says the two Wildcats from 815 Naval Air Squadron will be equipped with missiles, designed to intercept and shoot down any incoming drones aimed at UK assets.

Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. NHS Somerset announced its decision to shut the unit in January 2024 with patients suffering a stroke being taken for emergency treatment to the County Hospital in Dorchester or Musgrove Park in Taunton. Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has since endorsed the decision. Yeovil Town Council says it’s seeking legal advice to see what, if anything, can still be done to stop the closure going ahead.

Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels, five weeks after they were introduced by the Environment Agency. The warnings covered Curry Moor, Hay Moor, Muchelney and the Rivers Parret and Yeo. Although now lifted, a flood alert remains in place for the area as flooding of lower lying land is still possible

A botanical artist from Somerset has had her work featured on a set of 10 stamps celebrating the beauty of roses. Marie Burke from Glastonbury designed the stamps by visiting local gardens for inspiration, including the Bishop's Palace in Wells.

Somerset Council has appointed a new chief finance director, the fifth such appointment in four years. Rachael Sanders, who's currently at Herefordshire Council, has been given the role on a permanent basis with a salary of £150,000 a year. It brings to an end employing three interim directors, the most recent costing Somerset Council £7,000 a week.

A Yeovil woman says you don't need a specialist wheelchair to break world records. Jackie Clemit has just set a new world record for the fastest half marathon completed in a non-racing wheelchair. She took on the challenge at Goodwood Circuit with the Guinness World Records now confirming that she completed it in one hour and thirty-nine minutes.

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