Friday 20th September

    According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs in Yeovil. Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months...and more

    According to new data, the Environment Agency is attending fewer incidents in Somerset than before the pandemic. The figures show that there were 1,078 water pollution incidents in Somerset between 2018 and 2023, just 303 of which were visited immediately by Environment Agency staff. The Environment Agency says some incidents were handled remotely or by the emergency services.

    Leonardo Helicopters says winning a major share of £435 million in investment in Leonardo’s UK operations will secure hundreds of jobs on the Yeovil site. The funding, to be used for research and development and new IT infrastructure, is being provided by Leonardo’s Italian parent company, and was announced by the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Italy earlier this week. £230 million of it will be spent at the Yeovil site. 

    A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving. Alex Gullis of Plover Court was found to be more than three times over the drink drive limit when he hit another vehicle in Preston Road and failed a roadside breath test. Local magistrates adjourned the case until October 29 for reports to be prepared and imposed an interim-driving ban.

    More parents are looking to move their children out of private schools and into state schools, according to Somerset Council. It says it's had an increase in enquiries since the Labour government announced that 20 percent VAT will be added to private school fees from next January. 

    Latest figures show that Yeovil was the cheapest place to buy a home in Somerset over the last 12 months. Homes in the BA21 postcode sold for an average of £224,645 in the year to July. Wedmore retained its position as the most expensive place to buy a property with the price of a house in postcode BS28 averaging £659,450. Hinton St George had the second highest house prices with properties in the TA17 postcode selling on average for £575,250.

    Essential drainage work is taking place in Winsham next week with parts of Court Street and Back Street closed to traffic. The work starts on Monday, September 23rd and will last until Monday, October 21st with a traffic diversion in operation. The 96 bus service to Drimpton and Clapton through Winsham will not run during the road closure.
     

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    • Monday 9th February

      Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more

    • Friday 6th September

      Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more

    • Thursday 5th February

      The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more

    • Wednesday 4th February

      Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more

    • Tuesday 3rd February

      Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more

    • Monday 2nd February 

      The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy Rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Chard

      Heavy Rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy Rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy Rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 7°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy Rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

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