Local News Thursday 25th November

Thursday, 25 November 2021 06:00

The CBI has given its backing to Yeovil-based Leonardo winning a major contract to build the AW 149 for the British government. Jobs advisors in Somerset are urging workers aged over 50 not to panic if they lost jobs during the pandemic. Yeovil Town Council has granted a ‘change of use’ on an empty shop in the town centre. Motorists are being warned of a road closure in Halstock. Somerset-based luxury brand Mulberry has posted a turnaround in profits from red to black...and more.

The CBI has given its backing to Yeovil-based Leonardo winning a major contract to build the AW 149 for the British government. The order, worth in the region of one-billion pounds and spread over 10-years, is to provide a replacement for the RAF’s ageing fleet of Pumas helicopters. The CBI declared its support for the Leonardo bid during its annual conference, held in Yeovil earlier this week.

Jobs advisors in Somerset are urging workers aged over 50 not to panic if they lost jobs during the pandemic. It’s claimed the pandemic's led to the biggest annual fall in employment for workers aged 50 and over since the 1980s.

Yeovil Town Council has granted a ‘change of use’ on an empty shop in the town centre. The shop in Princes Street, next to The Rising Sun Chinese takeaway, is due to re-open as a hot food takeaway under new owners before Christmas.

Motorists are being warned of a road closure in Halstock. Yeovil Road through Halstock will be shut for one day on Saturday, December 4th for cabling laying with diversions in operations.

Somerset-based luxury brand Mulberry has posted a turnaround in profits from red to black. Despite a global lockdown and fewer international visitors to the UK, Mulberry saw its sales rise by nearly a third in 2020.

Drivers in Chard are being told not to ignore ‘road closed’ signs in the town. Police say they’ve had several reports of vehicles going through road closures and are concerned about people working on road repairs getting injured. They’re asking drivers to always follow the diversions.

Two festive nativity events are planned in Chard next month with local people invited to take part. On Saturday, December 4th, there’ll be carol singing at Chard Beacon organised by Chard Churches Together. There’ll also be carol singing with a Nativity Tableau outside Chard Guildhall on Saturday, December 11th and again on Saturday, December 18th.

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Thursday 18th April

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft flying over Yeovil. Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill. Nearly four hundred people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 17 April

Three local primary schools have been named on a list of England's top five hundred primary schools. A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. Urgent repairs are being carried out to Ilminster's new public clock after it started showing the wrong time...and more
Tuesday 16th April

A new operator has been found to run a Chard care home that has been at risk of closure. A licence has been granted to run a new music festival in West Dorset. People have until midnight tonight to register for a vote in the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset...and more.
Monday 15th April

Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the illegal supply of prescription-only drugs in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court in connection with two burglaries in Langport. A well-known farm and restaurant business in South Petherton has been put up for sale. New figures have shown a further decline in the number of House Sparrows in Somerset...and more.
Friday 12th April

Yeovil Town will play National League football next season after beating Truro 2-0 last night to win promotion and the National League South title. Somerset Council says the cost of keeping Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre closed has risen to £140,000 a year. A holiday website has reported a 31 percent upturn in visitor numbers to Somerset...and more.
Thursday 11th April

Yeovil Town get another chance tonight to clinch promotion when they play away against Truro. Citizens Advice in Somerset says people are continuing to struggle with the cost of living. Some of England’s loudest voices will be heard in Yeovil later this month when the town's annual town crier competition takes place...and more,
Wednesday 10th April

A former sub-postmaster from Wincanton says she's having to work a 70-hour week to pay off debts she incurred due to the Post Office IT scandal. Two people have been fined for illegal fishing in Yeovil. Images of wildlife taken by a photographer in Somerton have been chosen to feature on a new set of charity cards...and more.
Tuesday 9th April

Lloyds Bank is being asked to reconsider closing its branch in Ilminster, leaving the town without a bank. A stretch of the A303 will close later this month as part of dualling the road between Sparkford and Podimore. A dragon parade is to be held in Chard later this month to mark St George’s Day...and more.