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 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
Wednesday 5th February

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Tuesday 4th February

Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Monday 3rd February

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
Friday 31st January

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Thursday 30th January

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