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

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more