Friday 13th September

Friday, 13 September 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the Royal Navy officer from RNAS Yeovilton who died in a training accident last week. A public consultation is underway into plans to build a giant solar farm between Yeovil and Sherborne. A care home in Crewkerne has been celebrating the 100th birthday of one of its residents...and more.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has paid tribute to the Royal Navy officer from RNAS Yeovilton who died in a training accident last week. Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon was killed when the Merlin helicopter he was flying was forced to ditch in the sea off the Dorset coast. Two others on board the aircraft were rescued.

A Somerset man is encouraging more men to come forward to have their prostate examined. Ram Patten underwent surgery this week after doctors discovered his cancer. He says if it wasn't for having a check-up then his cancer may never have been found.

A public consultation is underway into plans to build a giant solar farm between Yeovil and Sherborne. RWE Renewables propose installing solar panels on 32 acres of farmland that will provide renewable electricity to 20,000 homes. The company claims the scheme will save more than 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 compared to fossil fuel generation. A public session about the project is being held at Bradford Abbas Village Hall next Monday, September 16th.

Leonardo Helicopters employees have been provided a quiet space to reflect and commemorate former colleagues. Members of Holy Trinity Scouts and trainees from the Hub in Yeovil helped build the so-called reflective garden situated by the main entrance to Leonardo off Lysander Road.

A care home in Crewkerne has been celebrating the 100th birthday of one of its residents. Eva was surrounded by family and friends at the special party at The Orchards Care Home marking her century of life..

An East Coker woman will be raising money for Children’s Hospice South West this weekend. Holly Whetham is holding her annual Whetfest Music Fest in Halves Lane with proceeds donated to Children’s Hospice South West. Holly says at £10 a ticket, you won’t find a better day out.

More from News

Wednesday 18th September

BT is reassuring customers in Somerset who are worried about the upcoming digital switchover for landline phones. Somerset Council could lose 13 percent of its elected members as part of an upcoming boundary review. Castle Cary has been named as the best place to live in the UK in an online poll...and more.
Tuesday 17th September

£400 million is being invested in research and development projects at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil. £29 million in council tax was left uncollected in Somerset in the last 3 years. A teenager from Yeovil is calling for more awareness of kidney failure. A new procedure for treating varicose veins has made it possible for patients to leave hospital earlier... and more.
Monday 15th September

The public is being asked for its views on how the Hinkley Point B nuclear power station near Bridgwater should be decommissioned. The number of reported rape cases to Avon and Somerset Police in the last 12 months increased to just over 3,000. Asda in Yeovil is inviting donations of used children’s books as part of the supermarket's partnership with the Children's Book Project...and more
Wednesday 12th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it is looking to find new ways to fund its Surviving Winter Campaign. The National Farmers' Union is warning that its ambition to make UK farming ‘net zero’ by 2040 is in doubt. A newly refurbished play park in Queen Camel is being officially opened today...and more.
Wednesday 11th September

Work building the new amphitheatre in Lower Middle Street in Yeovil won't be finished until late autumn. Plans have been submitted to build sixteen low-cost homes in Somerton. Dunelm has re-opened in Yeovil as a 'click and collect hub' after a fire destroyed its store in the Quedam Centre...and more.
Tuesday 10th September

A new school for children with special needs has opened at Ash on the outskirts of Yeovil. One hundred Ash trees in Ham Hill Country Park are to be felled due to Ash dieback disease. The South Western Ambulance Service is holding its Annual Members Meeting in Ilminster next week...and more.
Monday 9th September

A Chard woman has been banned from driving for one year for drug driving. Revised plans to build fifty homes off West Street in Templecombe have been submitted. Ten large TVs have been donated to schools in Ukraine by Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil...and more
Friday 6th September

A man has died after a Yeovilton-based helicopter crashed into the English Channel. A major A-road through Somerset was closed yesterday, due to multiple fallen trees. Somerset Council describes itself as ‘breathing slightly easier’ after balancing its books for the last financial year... and more.