Wednesday 26th November

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, who are members of the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8 per cent over two years and have called off their threat of further strike action. Unite members across Leonardo sites in Yeovil, Luton, Basildon, Newcastle and Edinburgh had already walked out earlier in the month after rejecting a 3.6% pay rise. Leonardo says the new pay deal reflects the company’s continued commitment to offering fair and sustainable pay.

Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. He’s Billy Rowley, who for the past 18 months has been in charge at Southern League Premier side Walton & Hersham. Rowley takes over the manager’s job at Huish Park from Richard Dryden following Yeovil’s run of eight games without a win.

Police forces across England have signed up to a new crime strategy that prioritises catching crime gangs targeting farms. The National Police Chief’s Council says issues such as farm machinery theft strike at the heart of rural life and that better co-ordination is needed between police forces to find those responsible.

A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month. One Smile Dental, at Unit 21 on Leach Road, will provide general NHS dental services. At the moment, the practice has paused registrations due to higher-than-expected demand, but says its website should reopen for new registrations before the end of the week.

New floodlights have been installed at the Archie Gooch sports ground in Ilminster, home to Ilminster FC. The lights, partly funded by the Gooch Charitable Fund, will be used for the first time on Saturday when Ilminster entertain Torridge. Work has also been completed on building a new stand at the ground.

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