Tuesday 3rd March

Tuesday, 3 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

A woman from Ilminster has been jointly charged with another woman after a man’s body was found inside a car in Cornwall. Somerset businesses, involved in the supply chain for Leonardo, have welcomed the news that the Leonardo factory in Yeovil is to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-two homes in Milborne Port... and more

A woman from Ilminster has been jointly charged with another woman after a man’s body was found inside a car in Cornwall. Rosemary Manders, of Upton Lane, in Ilminster, and Dinah Manders from Exeter, are accused of preventing a lawful and decent burial. The charges relate to the discovery of a man’s remains in Helston, Cornwall, in December 2024. The two women have been given bail and will appear before magistrates in Truro on March 26th.

Somerset businesses, involved in the supply chain for Leonardo, have welcomed the news that the Leonardo factory in Yeovil is to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF, after months of waiting for a contract to be signed. Three thousand three hundred jobs at the Yeovil factory have been secured by the deal, which it's hoped will generate 15 billion pounds over the next decade in worldwide orders.

A member of Somerset Council who announced last week that he was switching from the Conservatives to Reform UK has changed his mind. Councillor Alastair Hendry, who represents Highbridge and Burnham South, says he's now decided to re-join the Conservative group on Somerset Council.

A 49-year-old man who died while taking part in a skydive on the Blackdown Hills at the weekend has been described as highly experienced who had completed 10,000 jumps. Skydive South West, who operate out of Dunkeswell Aerodrome, say the man was using his own parachute equipment, doing a wingsuit jump with a friend when he died. An investigation is now underway.

Plans have been submitted to build thirty-two homes in Milborne Port. Land south of Court Lane, described as one of the last undeveloped green fields at the northern edge of the village, has been earmarked for the development. Bracken Developments Ltd says none of the new homes will be affordable, due to viability issues brought about by necessary engineering and drainage work. Somerset Council is expected to decide on the application by the summer.

A road in Chard will be shut to traffic from tomorrow for eight nights. The B3162 Crowshute Link will be closed from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm until March 11th for resurfacing. Somerset Council says access to properties may be restricted and ask that while the work is being carried out, cars are not parked on the road.

More from News

Tuesday 17th March

The government is being asked to help fund Somerset's carnivals. Bridgwater Town Council wants more trains to stop at the town’s railway station. A fund raising pie throwing event is taking place for Red Nose Day in Chard... and more
Monday 16th March

Drivers are being told that it could take several more weeks yet before Hendford Hill in Yeovil reopens to traffic. A new bus service between Glastonbury and Castle Cary railway station is to start on a trial basis. Children in Chard are being given free reading books as part of a scheme founded by Dolly Parton... and more
Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more