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

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