Wednesday 18th December

Wednesday, 18 December 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Unite union says it is becoming ‘increasingly anxious’ about a delay in awarding Leonardo in Yeovil a multi-million-pound contract to build a new medium-lift helicopter for the RAF. The government has set Somerset a target to build 3,700 new homes next year. A boxing glove once worn by Muhammad Ali is being auctioned in Chard today...and more

The Unite union says it is becoming ‘increasingly anxious’ over the time the government is taking to award Leonardo in Yeovil a multi-million-pound contract to build a new medium-lift helicopter for the RAF. It follows a meeting between Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, and defence secretary, John Healey, at which Unite, asked for the government's assurance that it will commit to purchase UK-produced defence equipment. The MOD has confirmed that Leonardo in Yeovil is now the sole bidder for the new medium-lift helicopter contract.

The government has set Somerset a target to build 3,700 new homes next year. In the whole South West, the target is to build 39,992 which is 11 percent of all homes to be built in England in 2025. The targets are set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as part of a government aim to build one and a half million new homes by 2029.

A boxing glove worn by Muhammad Ali is being auctioned in Chard today. The left-hand glove, made by Baily’s of Glastonbury, was worn by Ali or Cassius Clay as he was known when he fought Henry Cooper in June 1963 and is signed by Henry Cooper. It’s being sold together with a letter hand-written by the late Richard Mayers, managing director of Baily’s, stating the glove is genuine. The auction at Chard Auctioneers gets underway at 3 pm today, with a starting bid of half a million pounds.

A pothole between Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet is continuing to cause hundreds of pounds worth of damage to vehicles. The hole, dubbed the 'Pilton Pothole' has been reported as a danger to Somerset Council but has still not been filled in.

Children at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have raised £200 in support of the Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Appeal. They were joined by Christmas jumper-wearing pupils at the Apple Orchard Pre-School in raising the money.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,