Tuesday 13th January

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more

The government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil, despite a threat from its Italian owners to shut the Yeovil factory if the order does not materialise. Leonardo says it will close the Yeovil factory on March 31st if the contract for new Medium Lift Helicopters for the RAF is not confirmed. Speaking in the Commons, Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, said the consequences of losing the Yeovil factory were unthinkable. In response, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said talks with Leonardo were ongoing but that no decision would be made about the order until the Defence Investment Programme had been completed.

A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Avian influenza was first detected near Bridgwater in November, and a protection zone with tighter biosecurity still operates in the area. Cases of Avian flu have also been reported in commercial flocks near Tiverton and Winsford on Exmoor.

Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month. The building is relocating to Brympton Way to begin refurbishing Yeovil Police Station.

The future of a housing development in Wincanton remains uncertain. It follows a decision by Devonshire Homes, which is building 31 homes in the Dancing Green development, not to provide the promised £240,000 towards new community facilities. Somerset Council, backed by Wincanton Town Council, has refused the developer’s request after studying its financial assessment of the housing scheme.

Wells Cathedral has announced a major refurbishment of its historic Grand Organ. 5,000 organ pipes are to be removed and cleaned as part of a £3 million project.

More from News

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
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

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
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