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

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more