Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
Issue 40<br />
Sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council<br />
Updates on Heritage Action Zone,<br />
plans for events in the town and much more inside.
Where ever, when ever<br />
ESTATE AGENTS<br />
FOR SALE<br />
T. 01761 411020<br />
www.samchiversproperty.co.uk<br />
TO LET<br />
ESTATE AGENTS<br />
T. 01761 411020<br />
www.samchiversproperty.co.uk<br />
Call 01761 411020<br />
www.samchiversproperty.co.uk
WELCOME TO<br />
MIDSOMER<br />
NORTON LIFE<br />
C O N T E N T S<br />
MAYOR'S WELCOME<br />
RETURN OF COMMUNITY<br />
TRUST EVENTS PROGRAMME<br />
TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE<br />
HERITAGE ACTION ZONE<br />
SENSORY GARDEN<br />
4<br />
5<br />
7<br />
8<br />
11<br />
H<br />
ello and welcome to the <strong>Autumn</strong> edition<br />
of Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong>. It is hard to<br />
believe that we're almost at the end of another<br />
year, but as we look forward to the autumn<br />
months, we hope that more of our favourite<br />
events can return and life becomes a bit more<br />
normal.<br />
In this issue, you can find out more about upcoming<br />
events at the Town Park Amphitheatre and the<br />
return of face to face council meetings among<br />
other exciting upcoming projects.<br />
If you want to appear in our Winter issue, which<br />
will be our 10th anniversary(!), get in touch with us<br />
- news@ignyte-uk.co.uk<br />
YOUTH CONNECT<br />
WELLBEING IN NATURE<br />
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ST JOHN'S<br />
WELLOWBROOK WALK<br />
WERN<br />
DUCK UPDATE<br />
AGE UK<br />
CAN YOU HELP HENRY<br />
CONSERVATION<br />
VOLUNTEERS<br />
12<br />
15<br />
16<br />
17<br />
19<br />
21<br />
22<br />
23<br />
25<br />
A TICKET TO RIDE AT THE<br />
STATION<br />
27<br />
WELTON ROVERS<br />
38<br />
A MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK<br />
41<br />
How do I keep up to date with<br />
Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> &<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Council<br />
on social media?<br />
It's Easy!<br />
<strong>MSN</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
midsomernortonlife<br />
Midsomer<strong>Life</strong><br />
MidsomerNortonTC<br />
Norton_town<br />
The next edition of Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> will be in<br />
November <strong>2021</strong>. If you would like your group to be<br />
included in the next edition, please contact us on 01761<br />
410141 before the deadline of 12th October <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
If you have difficulty reading the print please contact<br />
the Town Clerk for a large print copy. You can also view<br />
Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> on the council’s website at www.<br />
midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> is produced by Ignyte Media Ltd, Bathway Farm,<br />
Bathway, Chewton Mendip, Somerset, BA3 4LN Tel 01761 410141.<br />
While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in this<br />
publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors<br />
can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or<br />
damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence,<br />
accident or any other cause. Ignyte or Midsomer Norton Town Council<br />
does not officially endorse any advertising material included within<br />
this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be<br />
reproduced or stored in any retrieval system in any form without the<br />
prior permission of the publisher.
4<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR<br />
H<br />
ello everyone and welcome to the<br />
latest edition of Midsomer Norton<br />
<strong>Life</strong>. I hope you are managing to keep well<br />
now that the regulations regarding the Covid<br />
19 virus are being lifted. It certainly helps that<br />
the vast majority of people have received their<br />
vaccinations and I hope that those who haven't<br />
yet managed to organise it, can do so soon.<br />
Hopefully, when you receive this copy of<br />
Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong>, the weather will be a bit<br />
better than it is at the time of writing this. We're<br />
just going through the batch of wind and rain<br />
storms following on from those few days when it<br />
was scorching hot. Not too good for those of us<br />
who are trying to get some gardening done!<br />
Keeping you up to date with the Town Park,<br />
unfortunately the Lions had to cancel the<br />
opening of the Sensory Garden due to the<br />
Covid regulations, but they have now been<br />
able to reorganise it for 11th September at 12<br />
noon. So, if you would like to come along to<br />
this event, please do. We have had a number of<br />
organisations contacting us about holding events<br />
in the Town Park and they are all being arranged.<br />
If you are part of a group that would like to meet<br />
up in the Town Park for an event, please contact<br />
the Town Trust to get it organised.<br />
I expect you have noticed that several dropped<br />
kerbs have been installed around the town. This<br />
makes life so much easier for wheelchair and<br />
mobility scooter users.<br />
My Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mike Moxham, has<br />
had a number of comments from members of<br />
the public about the state of the old brewery<br />
building at the Welton, Bibby and Baron site on<br />
Station Road. With a construction background,<br />
Mike was the best person to contact Welton,<br />
Bibby and Baron about this and they have<br />
responded saying they intend to carry out a<br />
structural survey soon. So, that sounds like good<br />
news.<br />
Thank you all for taking the time to look through<br />
this copy of Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> where you<br />
will find lots of information about what is going<br />
on in the town. Take care and enjoy the rest of<br />
your <strong>Autumn</strong>.<br />
Lynda Robertson,<br />
Mayor of Midsomer Norton Town Council
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 5<br />
A return for Community<br />
Trust’s events Programme<br />
T<br />
he Midsomer Norton Community Trust’s<br />
events programme is set to finally return in<br />
full, 18 months after they were last held.<br />
“As with many other community groups it’s been a<br />
struggle to keep going with the impact of COVID.<br />
However, we have survived and our volunteers<br />
turned out in force recently to run our first<br />
concert at the Town Hall. All we need to do now is<br />
to get the message out there that we’re returning<br />
and I’m confident we can begin serving the local<br />
community again!”, said Alex Davis, Trust Manager<br />
at the Midsomer Norton Community Trust.<br />
The First Thursday Afternoon Social returns to<br />
Welton Rovers on the 2nd September from 2-5pm<br />
with live musical entertainment from Spirelane.<br />
Since its launch the monthly First Thursday has<br />
developed into a popular event in the social<br />
calendar. Local entertainers provide a blend of<br />
musical entertainment, laughter and even a bit of<br />
bingo with hot and cold refreshments available<br />
from the bar. The Social is the perfect chance to<br />
have a laugh, make new friends and dance or foot<br />
tap the afternoon away! Upcoming acts include<br />
Niteshift, Bennie Vee and Russ Matthews.<br />
Meanwhile, the Paradis Palm Court Trio series<br />
resumed in August. These classical concerts see<br />
Jacquelyn Bevan (piano), Lisa Betteridge violin &<br />
Linda Stocks (cello) play a lunch-hour concert,<br />
12.30-1.30pm on the first Friday of each month in<br />
the Assembly Room at Midsomer Norton Town<br />
Hall. Each concert is themed and comprises pieces<br />
of music in a wide range of styles. Delicious<br />
homemade cakes are on sale, along with tea &<br />
coffee. Entry is free, with a retiring collection<br />
towards the cost of running the series.<br />
Meanwhile the Trust are aiming to resume<br />
the Community Cinema screenings from<br />
October. The Trust are currently in discussions<br />
with their distributors about the film lineup<br />
for the Community Cinema with news<br />
and tickets expected to go on sale in early<br />
September. For more information on all of these<br />
events as they’re announced, head to www.<br />
midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk
6<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Have you seen the new<br />
Greenspaces Poster?<br />
Y<br />
ou may remember in the last edition of<br />
Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> an article regarding<br />
a green spaces poster being designed for<br />
Midsomer Norton.<br />
The posters have now been installed on the back<br />
of the bus stops on The Island.<br />
The posters include a map, making the town's<br />
green spaces easy to find alongside a few<br />
interesting facts about the Somer Valley.<br />
Next time you are passing have a look and see<br />
the green spaces Midsomer Norton and the<br />
surrounding area has to offer.<br />
I SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES<br />
WHO'S WITH ME?
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 7<br />
Town Council Office NOW opeN<br />
A<br />
s Coronavirus started to race across the<br />
world last year, our community faced<br />
many challenges and the residents of Midsomer<br />
Norton went to extraordinary lengths to protect<br />
each other, their friends, and their families<br />
from the effects of the virus. A couple of<br />
consequences of the pandemic were the national<br />
lockdowns and the working from home mandate.<br />
As a result of this, on Friday 20th March 2020,<br />
Council staff said goodbye to each other and<br />
the Council offices which were then closed for<br />
the foreseeable future. The office staff found<br />
themselves starting work on the morning of<br />
Monday 23rd March 2020 at home! Definitely a<br />
new experience for us all. The Town Hall offices<br />
may have been closed, but the Town Council<br />
remained firmly open for business, continuing<br />
to ensure public services were maintained and<br />
running where possible.<br />
Our Town Warden maintained his presence out<br />
and about in the Town and was able to work<br />
outside by following the government guidelines<br />
on social distancing. We saw how hard Dave works<br />
around the Town in the last issue of Midsomer<br />
Norton <strong>Life</strong> and we would like to thank Dave for<br />
his continued commitment during these difficult<br />
circumstances. Town Council and Committee<br />
meetings were moved online and held remotely<br />
via Zoom, because of a change in legislation to<br />
reflect these unparalleled times. The Town Council<br />
was able to hold all their meetings in this way for<br />
the duration of the restrictions.<br />
After a lifting of restrictions, the Town Council<br />
offices were reopened on Monday 19th July <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Currently two members of the office staff are<br />
in the Town Hall, while further staff continue to<br />
work from home until a phased and gradual return<br />
of all staff by the end of August.<br />
A deep clean of the office was carried out with<br />
every workstation cleared and thoroughly cleaned.<br />
Ventilation was an issue in the office because of<br />
many layers of paint being applied to the window<br />
frames over the years. The Town Warden was<br />
able to rectify this and the windows can now be<br />
opened to let air flow through the office.<br />
To ensure the continued safety of staff and<br />
visitors, we would like to request that visits to<br />
the office are kept to a minimum. Please arrange<br />
an appointment where face to face contact is<br />
required. Contact details can be found on our<br />
website. The office staff are always happy to help<br />
and are available via email or telephone during<br />
office hours. We do hope that the numbers in the<br />
area continue to improve as they currently are at<br />
the time of writing, and that normal service can<br />
resume as soon as possible.
8<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
HIGH STREET Heritage Action<br />
Zone makes further Progress<br />
A<br />
s the High Street Heritage Action Zone<br />
(‘HSHAZ’) programme moves into <strong>Autumn</strong>,<br />
the project team are pleased to report that<br />
further progress has been made on the various<br />
project streams and a number of key things<br />
have happened over the summer months. These<br />
developments relate to improvement works on<br />
the High Street, support for local organisations<br />
and stakeholders and plans for new community<br />
events and activities.<br />
The first key development relates to The Island<br />
and the specialist input now being received from<br />
engineers at AECOM regarding the plans for the<br />
new Market Square. Over the recent months,<br />
AECOM have been undertaking technical work to<br />
test the proposals and ensure they achieve highquality<br />
design standards, support local businesses,<br />
improve safety for pedestrians and road users and<br />
function well for markets and other community<br />
events. The engineers are currently looking at<br />
the condition of the river culvert beneath The<br />
Island and considering how to make sure it is<br />
safe; this will require site investigations and trial<br />
holes to take place at some point soon. Once<br />
the engineering works and tests are completed<br />
the designs will be updated and shared with the<br />
community.<br />
As mentioned in the Spring issue of Midsomer<br />
Norton <strong>Life</strong>, plans for the Town Hall project<br />
continue to take shape and the newly-formed<br />
‘Transformation Implementation Committee’ have<br />
been meeting with the project managers to work<br />
out how best to reinstate the ‘Market Hall’ on the<br />
ground floor for community use. At the moment<br />
the Committee are considering how best to cost<br />
and phase these works and also fundraise for the<br />
The High Street Heritage Action Zone outlined on<br />
a street plan of Midsomer Norton<br />
© Crown Copyright and database right 2020.<br />
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence<br />
number 100024900<br />
later phases, including the new side extension and<br />
upper floors. The Committee are pleased that<br />
tenders from structural, mechanical and electrical<br />
engineers have been received and surveying/<br />
technical work from these professionals will come<br />
forward in the next few months.<br />
In other news, the project team were delighted<br />
to have many business owners, landlords and<br />
residents attend the community webinar<br />
presentation for the High Street Study in late<br />
July. Held online, this webinar gave an overview<br />
of the surveys carried out on every pre-1960<br />
High Street building, recommendations for<br />
improvements within the town centre and the
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 9<br />
associated guidance for shopfronts. The webinar<br />
also presented the findings of the High Street<br />
Questionnaire and launched the Shopfront and<br />
Heritage Asset Improvement small grants schemes.<br />
For those who may have missed this event the<br />
recording can be found here: bit.ly/3frMVNz<br />
High Street business owners and landlords<br />
interested in carrying out improvement works to<br />
their shopfronts are also encouraged to contact<br />
the High Street Project Manager and fill out the<br />
associated Expressions of Interest form.<br />
Other updates include another successful<br />
meeting of the HSHAZ ‘Steering Group’ on<br />
Wednesday 7th July. Items discussed at the<br />
meeting included the development of the new<br />
HSHAZ website, opportunities for outdoor arts<br />
commissions in Summer 2023 and the recruitment<br />
of an Engagement Coordinator to run markets,<br />
community events and cultural activities on the<br />
High Street on behalf of the Community Trust.<br />
If this role is of interest to you, or someone you<br />
know, please keep an eye out for the forthcoming<br />
job advert or get in contact with the High Street<br />
Project Manager or Trust Manager (manager@<br />
midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk)<br />
For more information about the HSHAZ project, or<br />
to discuss anything mentioned above, please feel<br />
free to contact the High Street Project Manager,<br />
Edward Heritage, via email or post (details below).<br />
Email: MidsomerNortonHSHAZ@bathnes.gov.uk<br />
Edward Heritage, High Street Project Manager,<br />
c/o Midsomer Norton Town Council, The Island,<br />
Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HQ.<br />
TOWN PARK Amphitheatre<br />
M<br />
idsomer Norton Town Council have<br />
transferred the ownership of the Town<br />
Park to the Town Trust, whose mission is to<br />
provide spaces for the inhabitants of Midsomer<br />
Norton for social welfare, recreation, leisure time,<br />
voluntary groups, events and activities.<br />
Welton Baptist Church have plans to use the<br />
amazing new 300 seat Amphitheatre space for<br />
song, worship, picnics, talks about the Gospel<br />
and testimonies about God’s impact on individual<br />
lives.<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Council have transferred<br />
the owner ship of the Town Park to the Town<br />
Trust, whose mission is to provide spaces for<br />
the inhabitants of Midsomer Norton for social<br />
welfare, recreation, leisure time, voluntary groups,<br />
events and activities.<br />
Please get in touch with Jo Corbett, the<br />
Secretary of Midsomer Norton Town Trust, if<br />
you are interested in using the Amphitheatre<br />
or another space in the Town Park for an event.<br />
You can contact her by email: secretary@<br />
midsomernortontowntrust.co.uk or by phone:<br />
07873 232437. Her office hours are Tuesdays and<br />
Thursdays, from 9am to 5:30pm
Does your child have Myopia?<br />
Award winning lenses available now<br />
HOYA MiYOSMART lenses use cutting edge technology to help manage the development of myopia<br />
(also known as short-sightedness).<br />
They are clinically proven to be an effective solution to slow down the progression of myopia and<br />
are as easy to wear as any pair of glasses.<br />
Benefits of MiYOSMART<br />
MiYOSMART lenses with D.I.M.S<br />
technology have been clinically<br />
proven within a two year clinical trial,<br />
the results showed that the level of<br />
myopia progression was reduced by<br />
an average of 60%.*<br />
MiYOSMART is child friendly and<br />
easy to adapt to as they are just<br />
like wearing any other single vision<br />
lenses.<br />
MiYOSMART offers protection<br />
with a impact resistant material,<br />
UV protection and anti reflection<br />
coating for durability and easy<br />
cleaning.<br />
Visit our practice and ask a member of the team for more information.<br />
* Myopia progression (SER) by 59% and axial<br />
elongation (AL) decreased by 60% compared<br />
with those wearing SV lenses.<br />
Edwards Opticians<br />
2 Mansbrook House, 15 High St, Midsomer Norton<br />
Tel: 01761 413212<br />
www.edwardsmidsomer.co.uk
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 11<br />
OFFICIAL OPENING FOR THE NEW<br />
SENSORY GARDEN<br />
R<br />
adstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club<br />
has had a number of successful<br />
environmental projects, facilitating litter picks<br />
held monthly alternating between Radstock<br />
and Midsomer Norton since 2018, and funding a<br />
grassroots group, More Trees, for B&NES to grow<br />
and plant trees in Bath and North East Somerset<br />
in 2020. However, by far the most ambitious<br />
project for the club has been its involvement<br />
in the creation of a sensory garden with Lions<br />
funding the plants and trees within the garden<br />
of the new Midsomer Norton Town Park. Earlier<br />
in the year the club won the Lions' District<br />
Environmental competition in recognition of<br />
their work over the last few years.<br />
The project has taken a number of years and the<br />
development for the whole park will take more<br />
years and funding in the future to complete. The<br />
land is owned by the Town Council and the site<br />
was given to the Town Trust, who now manage<br />
the park project where the sensory garden<br />
is sited. The idea of a new ‘Town Park’ being<br />
developed in Midsomer Norton was put forward<br />
by the Midsomer Norton Town Trust in 2017 and<br />
approved by BathNES council.<br />
The club is delighted that our MP Jacob Rees-<br />
Mogg, along with the Mayor of Midsomer Norton,<br />
Lynda Robertson will officially open the sensory<br />
garden on Saturday 11th September.<br />
The Lions hope that the sensory garden will leave<br />
a permanent environmental legacy within the park<br />
for the people of Midsomer Norton and Radstock<br />
and future generations and that it will appeal to<br />
all 5 senses and offer a rich therapeutic experience<br />
to people with a range of different needs.<br />
The design encourages a protected, stimulating<br />
place for people to enjoy simply being, working<br />
and socialising outdoors; a place for reflection and<br />
enjoyment.<br />
The club would like to thank all of the people<br />
involved in this project who have made the<br />
Sensory Garden go from an idea into reality.<br />
Sarah Oughton, President, Radstock & Midsomer<br />
Norton Lions Club
12<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Youth Connect South West &<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON TOWN COUNCIL<br />
Y<br />
outh Connect South West is a youth<br />
focused charity delivering services in Bath<br />
and North East Somerset. In Midsomer Norton<br />
they will be delivering community-based youth<br />
work sessions using Midsomer Norton Town<br />
Council funding.<br />
The project will operate on two evenings a<br />
week starting from 7th September <strong>2021</strong>. Tuesday<br />
evenings between 6-8pm will be based at the<br />
container (HUB) at the skate park for a youth café<br />
session that includes cooking and participating<br />
in a range of table top activities. YCSW will be<br />
engaging with young people to develop the HUB<br />
and increase its use. On Friday evenings between<br />
6 – 8pm will be a detached session (on foot). The<br />
team will cover hotspot areas identified from<br />
previous youth work and by the police and Town<br />
Council, such as the High Street.<br />
The sessions will offer young people improved<br />
access to support for physical wellbeing, mental<br />
wellbeing, sexual health and relationship issues,<br />
improved access to employability and training<br />
support and access to positive activities. They<br />
will provide an opportunity to build positive<br />
relationships with trusted adults, have more access<br />
to relevant support services, and educate and<br />
discourage young people from involvement with<br />
serious violence, criminal activity and substance<br />
misuse.<br />
The aims of YCSW are to reduce anti-social<br />
and criminal damage incidents related to young<br />
people in the High Street, skate park and Town<br />
Park, by engaging young people more with their<br />
community and increasing their feelings of<br />
community ownership.<br />
Youth Connect South West, Bath Rugby<br />
Foundation, Bath Area Play Project and partners<br />
also delivered a fun and powerful package of<br />
summer activities at the Astro Courts at Midsomer<br />
Norton Sports Centre, Gullock Tyning. This was<br />
open to all teenagers aged 12-16, with activities<br />
including sports, exercise and creative play, as well<br />
as nutritious food, for all attendees to enjoy. This<br />
ran on Mondays from August 2nd to August 23rd.<br />
Youth Connect provide a range of other services<br />
for young people, such as supporting unemployed<br />
young people or providing individuals with<br />
support with issues that affect them. More<br />
information on Youth Connect services can be<br />
found at www.youthconnectsouthwest.org.uk.<br />
Harry Parsons is the leader for the Midsomer<br />
Norton work and can be contacted via:<br />
harry.parsons@ycsw.org.uk
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 13<br />
A RETURN TO SOME NORMALITY at<br />
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH<br />
S<br />
t John's are very pleased to let you know<br />
that as the Covid restrictions are beginning<br />
to lift, they are now holding weekly Holy<br />
Eucharist services at 10am every Sunday. On<br />
Sunday 5th September they will also reintroduce<br />
the 8am service. St John's encourage the<br />
congregation to still wear masks, and they are<br />
now able to sing hymns – a great step forward.<br />
A new member of the team at St John’s is Revd<br />
Philip Hopper, who has joined in a training post as<br />
Assistant Curate. Philip will be working on a part<br />
time basis, and the team very much look forward<br />
to his ministry with them.<br />
On Tuesdays at 10.30am - 11.45am St John's are<br />
resuming their coffee mornings, so people can<br />
meet for a chat and a cup of coffee or tea. This<br />
will be followed by Eucharist at 12 noon for those<br />
who wish to stay.<br />
The social events started again, the first one being<br />
a Songs of Praise followed by a cream tea on<br />
Saturday 21 August at 2.00pm.<br />
There will be a very warm welcome to anyone<br />
who would like to join any of these occasions.<br />
To obtain more information, please visit the<br />
Facebook page - St John’s <strong>MSN</strong> community group.<br />
9 OUT OF 10<br />
CUSTOMERS<br />
RENEW WITH US<br />
EACH YEAR<br />
To find out why, talk to us<br />
today about your home and car<br />
insurance needs.<br />
Call your local Bath agency on:<br />
01761 239382<br />
A P R Smith & H G Wareham is an appointed<br />
representative of The National Farmers Union<br />
Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982).<br />
Fresh and<br />
local pork,<br />
beef, lamb<br />
and chicken<br />
cut to your<br />
specification.<br />
LocAL<br />
DeLiverieS<br />
AvAiLABLe<br />
Tel: 01761 418506<br />
112 High Street, Midsomer Norton BA3 2DA<br />
Phildaybutcher
14<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE SURVEY<br />
M<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Council is<br />
committed to using the most appropriate<br />
channels of communications to reach our wide<br />
variety of customers and stakeholders, including<br />
residents, employees, schools, businesses,<br />
community partners and all levels of government.<br />
The Town Council are eager to listen, review<br />
and check that our communications are being<br />
understood by our community. We are constantly<br />
striving to improve the way that Midsomer Norton<br />
Town Council communicates with our customers<br />
and stakeholders.<br />
Of the replies to our recent survey about this<br />
magazine, 96% of respondents said that they<br />
look forward to receiving Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong><br />
maxem<br />
eyewear<br />
Magazine.<br />
We asked for your ideas for future features,<br />
and your feedback will help us to ensure that<br />
we are targeting our readership. Your requests<br />
include finding out what the Town Council are<br />
doing to help the environment, news about<br />
volunteer groups, catching up with things different<br />
Councillors have been up to, positive stories about<br />
local youths in our Town and some interviews<br />
with local businesses and shop keepers.<br />
Our thanks to everyone who took part in our<br />
survey. The Town Council has agreed to appoint<br />
a working party to look into the future of the<br />
magazine and additional communication channels.<br />
maxemeyewear.co.uk<br />
Unit 1, Block 33, Second Avenue,<br />
Westfield Industrial Estate, BA3 4BH<br />
Tel: 01761 235802<br />
info@maxemeyewear.co.uk<br />
Find us @maxemeyewear<br />
Husband and Wife team, Vicky<br />
and Matt Andrews have over 20<br />
years experience in the optical industry and have opened a<br />
dispensing only shop that offers an independent personal<br />
service with competitive prices. Dispensing only means<br />
that you just need to bring in an up to date prescription to<br />
order spectacles.<br />
All the spectacle and sunglass frames range from £30 -<br />
£70 and coated lenses start from £30 per pair. They are<br />
also happy to reglaze any cherished frames, pince-nez or<br />
even monocles at no extra charge.<br />
Matt has run his own business called Maxem Glazing,<br />
providing a service directly to opticians all around the<br />
country. Vicky is a fully qualified Dispensing Optician who<br />
is on hand for any help and advice that is needed for frame<br />
and lens selection.<br />
“Westfield Trading Estate was a perfect location for our<br />
business. With rent not as high, we can pass this saving<br />
onto our customers and offering a parking space just<br />
outside the door makes the trip worthwhile.”<br />
Affordable prices with<br />
an independent service.<br />
Same day service available.<br />
Repair service.<br />
Covid measures in place.<br />
Affordable prices with<br />
an independent service.<br />
Same day service available.<br />
Repair service.<br />
Covid measures in place.<br />
Please bring in your<br />
current prescription.
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 15<br />
WELLBEING IN NATURE<br />
E<br />
arlier in the year, Midsomer Norton Town<br />
Council staff were invited to learn more<br />
about connecting communities to green spaces.<br />
Somer Valley Rediscovered were funding a<br />
four day training course run by Emily Malik<br />
and Michéal Connors as part of the Natural<br />
Academy. The training was focused on assetbased<br />
approaches to nature connection and<br />
engagement. In Midsomer Norton we are very<br />
lucky to have numerous green spaces around us.<br />
The Natural Academy state that, “our mission<br />
with the NatureWell approach is to find a flexible,<br />
scalable, integrative way of helping people and<br />
the natural world recover and flourish. As we<br />
know, this is vital for all our futures together<br />
as one health”. Natural Academy is a social<br />
enterprise whose mission is to support the health<br />
and wellbeing of people and nature. They have<br />
developed the NatureWell approach from over<br />
12 years’ experience of working with people's<br />
health in natural settings. NatureWell is part<br />
of a well-evidenced learning framework that is<br />
being delivered across the region and nationally as<br />
part of NHS Forest.<br />
The first two days of the course were held at the<br />
end of June at Combe Hay Wine and Vineyard, a<br />
beautiful location, just outside of Bath, where we<br />
were kindly invited by the owners for the training<br />
session. The second part of the training took<br />
place in early August at Greyfield Wood in High<br />
Littleton, another wonderful natural area we are<br />
lucky enough to have on our doorstep. It was<br />
a great opportunity to learn how we can engage<br />
more in the green spaces owned by Midsomer<br />
Norton Town Council.<br />
The aim of the training was to show us how to<br />
help people and communities connect to nature<br />
for their health and wellbeing by disseminating<br />
good practice more generally. By realising the<br />
value of local communities and natural spaces<br />
NatureWell can be applied to help people<br />
connect to natural spaces to develop healthy<br />
communities and, at the same time, to care for<br />
our natural spaces in Midsomer Norton. It also<br />
helps those who are living with challenges to<br />
their health or wellbeing, are socially excluded,<br />
or deprived to access the many benefits that<br />
connecting with nature provides.<br />
After the last 18 months of living through a<br />
global pandemic we are all now familiar with<br />
the health and mental health benefits that being<br />
able to get out into nature can bring, even for an<br />
allotted hour to get some exercise! During the<br />
pandemic some of us discovered a new found<br />
love of walking or discovered new local walks to<br />
areas we were not aware of. It is time to embrace<br />
and maintain this change going forward and to<br />
preserve our great outdoors and appreciate how it<br />
enhances our daily lives.
16<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Happy Birthday St John's!<br />
S<br />
t John’s Primary School have been<br />
celebrating their 300th year this month<br />
with a series of celebrations. The school was<br />
founded in 1721 after money was left in the will<br />
of Ann Harris to educate the poorest 40 pupils<br />
in the Parish of Midsomer Norton. Today the<br />
school is attended by over 430 pupils who are<br />
enormously proud of the school’s long history.<br />
The 300th anniversary festivities began on St<br />
John’s Day, Thursday 24th June, when we held<br />
assemblies where the children learnt more<br />
about the history of the school. They took part<br />
in a treasure hunt around the school to find key<br />
features which hint to the development of the<br />
site from commemorative plaques, bricked up<br />
doorways, historic fireplaces and the school<br />
bell which was tolled for us all to hear. In the<br />
afternoon we held a picnic on the field in class<br />
bubbles and enjoyed cakes (donated by our lovely<br />
PTA) and party games.<br />
Earlier this month, Alun Williams, CEO of<br />
Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership,<br />
Headteacher Danielle West-Gaul and pupils<br />
from Year 3 officially opened our outdoor<br />
classroom.<br />
This new facility will provide another area of<br />
learning for pupils attending forest school, as<br />
well as the opportunity to move lessons out of<br />
the classroom. Other year groups worked hard<br />
preparing for its opening by helping to cover the<br />
floor area with chipped bark. We would like to<br />
thank George’s Garden for donating a cherry tree<br />
which was planted to mark the occasion.<br />
Later this year the school will be installing a<br />
stained-glass window in the school hall which is<br />
being designed by Edgar Phillips. Former pupils and<br />
local residents can make a donation to go towards<br />
the installation by visiting gofund.me/09844bd6
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 17<br />
Wellow Brook Walk UPDATE<br />
T<br />
he Great British Summer weather brings<br />
the usual mix of sunshine and heavy<br />
showers - the perfect combination for the grass<br />
and greenery at Wellow Brook to grow and<br />
grow at a rate of knots! Since the farmer who<br />
previously, and very kindly, cut the area, retired a<br />
couple of years ago, the Town Council have been<br />
looking for somebody else to do the job.<br />
The four acres of, sometimes rough under foot,<br />
terrain is difficult to cut without the correct<br />
machinery, and we were very lucky to find a local<br />
farmer, Paul, who had the equipment for the job.<br />
Paul was able to cut further into the hedgerow<br />
than had been done previously, and this has<br />
opened the field up considerably. There is now a<br />
larger area for dogs to run in and for residents to<br />
enjoy.<br />
Please do get out and experience this part of our<br />
Town. Our plans to improve the area are still<br />
being considered, so keep an eye on our website<br />
and social media for any updates.<br />
Wellow Brook also has a problem with Himalayan<br />
Balsam, which thrives along riverbanks. It is fast<br />
growing, non-native to the UK, and spreads rapidly<br />
annually by seed. Himalayan Balsam can grow<br />
up to three metres in height, and each plant can<br />
produce 800 seeds which can spread over seven<br />
metres away, or even further if transported by<br />
water.<br />
The Town Warden has spent a lot of time carefully<br />
pulling the plant by hand. The issue is being<br />
tackled at the appropriate time of the year with<br />
the correct equipment.<br />
Our home help service<br />
offers flexibility and choice<br />
to suit individual needs,<br />
enabling you to remain<br />
independent and<br />
comfortable in your home.<br />
Respite or regular care available.<br />
Fully qualified, registered and insured.<br />
Contact us for more details 07714 425461<br />
reginapersonalassistant@outlook.com<br />
PersonalAssistantBecauseWeCare
18<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
MUGA at West Clewes<br />
M<br />
idsomer Norton Town Council have<br />
received quotes and approved the<br />
construction of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)<br />
at West Clewes Recreation Ground. The MUGA<br />
will have a court suitable for multiple sports<br />
including football and basketball. On the outer<br />
side of the fences will be a cricket wicket,<br />
hotshot target, and penalty shootout board.<br />
The Town Council successfully secured Youth<br />
funding from B&NES towards this project and the<br />
Youth Hub at the Town Park. A lottery grant was<br />
applied for by the Recreational Trust which was<br />
successful and they have also contributed further<br />
funds towards the full cost of the project. Any<br />
outstanding funding will be supplied by the Town<br />
Council from the reserves.<br />
The Town Council are excited about providing<br />
this free, fun facility and the physical and mental<br />
health benefits it will bring to the town.<br />
Sight Support West of England<br />
S<br />
ight Support West of England improve<br />
the quality of life for visually impaired<br />
people. They provide practical and emotional<br />
support for people adjusting to living with sight<br />
loss. They support people to continue to live<br />
independently by equipping them with the tools<br />
they need and create peer and social networks to<br />
help reduce isolation.<br />
The charity believe that sight loss shouldn’t stop<br />
people reaching their full potential.<br />
The Sight Advisors are available to offer<br />
information and advice on assistive technology,<br />
lighting, magnifiers and much more to help you<br />
manage your sight loss. They are committed to<br />
ensuring the services are accessible to everyone,<br />
so appointments are available in accessible<br />
locations across the region.<br />
All face-to-face services are provided observing<br />
COVID-safe procedures. Booking is essential.<br />
Please call Sight Support on 0117 3224885 to<br />
make an appointment. Sessions run on the 4th<br />
Thursday of each month, between 10am and 1pm<br />
at Midsomer Norton Town Hall.
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 19<br />
West of England Rural Network<br />
WERN<br />
New Village Agent appointed<br />
A<br />
s we come out from the COVID lockdown<br />
and life begins very slowly to return to a<br />
new normality, many people are very nervous<br />
about what they will find as they leave home<br />
after nearly 18 months of self-isolation. Local<br />
support services, clubs and social activities<br />
have been closed and events cancelled as the<br />
Government asked us to stay at home.<br />
With a glimmer of light now showing at the end of<br />
the tunnel, local charity WERN (West of England<br />
Rural Network) is looking to support people in the<br />
community who have struggled with their physical<br />
and mental wellbeing. They have appointed<br />
Michael Auton as their new Village Agent working<br />
across Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and<br />
Paulton.<br />
Two teams of Village Agents (North Somerset and<br />
B&NES) are embedded in the rural communities<br />
in which they work, providing confidential 1-to-1<br />
support with information and advice. Alongside<br />
this they work with local people to create new<br />
opportunities for activities and social groups,<br />
and encourage people to move more and sit less<br />
through gentle exercise and walks.<br />
The focus is on people living in rural, often remote<br />
locations. Older residents often feel forgotten<br />
and ignored. They are certainly out of sight as<br />
the social groups they attended have been closed<br />
over the last year. During the pandemic Village<br />
Agents became a vital point of contact for food<br />
and other essential supplies.<br />
Michael has lived in the Somer Valley for many<br />
years and will use his wealth of experience and<br />
local knowledge to signpost residents to local<br />
services, befriending groups or offering 1-to-1<br />
support. He is now looking to connect with<br />
service groups, lunch clubs, befriending groups,<br />
churches and charities, and is keen to come and<br />
talk to readers about how the service can support<br />
them at home.<br />
Michael said: "The last 15 months have been hard<br />
on all of us and we have struggled to manage<br />
the impact of COVID on our lives. Social contact<br />
has been significantly restricted and activities we<br />
took for normal may no longer exist. As the new<br />
Village Agent for Midsomer Norton, Radstock,<br />
Westfield and Paulton, I am here to help any<br />
residents to provide information and support to<br />
access services which will improve their health<br />
and wellbeing."<br />
Anyone over 18 years of age can be supported and<br />
you can self-refer if you are struggling and need<br />
additional support. Michael can be contacted by<br />
emailing michael@wern.org.uk or telephone 07392<br />
700765. More information about the Village Agent<br />
service can also be found on the WERN website -<br />
https://www.wern.org.uk/village-agents
20<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
BATH MIND – HERE TO HELP<br />
T<br />
he past two years have been hard on<br />
everyone, both physically and mentally,<br />
so if you feel like you need support, join the<br />
team from Bath Mind at one of their local mental<br />
health and well-being groups.<br />
The Midsomer Norton Wellbeing Group meet<br />
every Tuesday from 11am until 1pm at the Swallows<br />
Café. It is an inclusive and supportive group that<br />
encourages positive mental health through peer<br />
support and creativity, offering a number of<br />
different activities, as well as one to one talks,<br />
which are facilitated by the group’s organisers.<br />
Bath Mind also run Open Opportunities sessions<br />
at their base on Manvers Street in Bath. This group<br />
supports those with ongoing mental health issues,<br />
allowing them to engage in social activities linked<br />
to the five ways to well-being. This group meets<br />
face to face every Monday and Wednesday from<br />
11am until 1pm.<br />
Young people struggling with challenges, anxiety<br />
or depression or who just want a group of likeminded<br />
individuals that they can speak openly<br />
with are encouraged to visit Safe Space, the<br />
online well-being group provided by Bath Mind<br />
volunteers. Safe Space is held via Zoom on a<br />
Thursday from 5pm – 5.30pm with monthly meet<br />
ups in person.<br />
To find out more about Bath Mind’s work,please<br />
contact the wellbeing team on wellbeing@<br />
bathmind.org.uk or call Becky on 07538 113890.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Travel with confidence in <strong>2021</strong> - Enjoy a coach<br />
holiday memorable for all the right reasons<br />
Holidays & Day Trips available<br />
Pembrokeshire<br />
Coast & Countryside<br />
Fri 15 - Mon 18 Oct<br />
4 days - £349<br />
<br />
Includes<br />
Picton Castle & Gardens<br />
Tenby<br />
Pembroke<br />
<br />
3* Giltar Hotel ,Tenby<br />
overlooking South Beach<br />
3 nights DB&B<br />
Sights & Sounds of<br />
Liverpool<br />
Fri 5 - Mon 8 Nov<br />
4 days - £299<br />
<br />
Includes<br />
4 nights DB&B<br />
All coach travel<br />
<br />
4* Mercure Liverpool<br />
Atlantic Tower Hotel<br />
Located very close to<br />
Albert Dock area<br />
Festive Breaks<br />
Victorian Festivities, IOW<br />
8 - 12 Nov<br />
<br />
Waddesdon Manor Xmas<br />
Lights & Oxford<br />
28 - 29 Nov<br />
<br />
Tinsel & Turkey Llandudno<br />
13 - 17 Nov<br />
<br />
Tinsel & Turkey Eastbourne<br />
26 - 29 Nov<br />
<br />
Tinsel & Turkey Babbacombe<br />
3 - 6 Dec<br />
www.johnmartincoachholidaysbath.co.uk<br />
Email:info.johnmartin@btconnect.com
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 21<br />
Duck update<br />
B<br />
ack last Summer we received a call from<br />
a resident advising us that several<br />
ducklings were stuck in the grate on the River<br />
Somer.<br />
The mother duck was obviously very distressed<br />
at not being able to reach her ducklings, which in<br />
turn was upsetting for the resident who contacted<br />
us. At this time, our Town Warden was fortunately<br />
able to install some wooden planks to enable the<br />
ducklings to climb out and be happily reunited<br />
with their mum! However, these wooden planks<br />
were not a long-term solution to the issue.<br />
The issue arose again earlier in the summer, with<br />
several very upset residents reporting stuck<br />
ducklings to us. We immediately reported this<br />
matter to the RSPCA (as redirected by the RSPB)<br />
who can be contacted on 0300 1234 999. After<br />
rescuing the ducklings from the area, the RSPCA<br />
advised us that they could not move the duck<br />
and ducklings up stream, as this was their nesting<br />
ground, and they would eventually make their way<br />
back to it.<br />
We, therefore, contacted the Environment Agency<br />
and explained the situation to them. After a visit<br />
to the area, they came up with a plan to install a<br />
ramp with small pieces of wood all the way up.<br />
This would enable the ducklings to make their<br />
way out without sliding back down to the place<br />
where they were getting trapped. We would<br />
like to thank the residents for alerting this to us,<br />
the RSPCA for carrying out their rescue and the<br />
Environment Agency for installing the ramp and,<br />
hopefully, preventing any further incidents.<br />
DROP-IN COVID Vaccinations<br />
A<br />
s part of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination<br />
programme, Bath & North East Somerset<br />
Council offered mobile drop-in vaccination<br />
appointments at various locations in B&NES<br />
throughout May, June, July and August <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
The vaccination bus parked in the Town Park<br />
spaces near the Somer Centre. They targeted<br />
areas where there was a relatively lower uptake of<br />
vaccinations, and to rural areas where accessing<br />
a large vaccination clinic may have been harder.<br />
The vaccine bus operated as a drop-in service<br />
so people didn’t have to book; they could just<br />
turn up and have their vaccine, and there was no<br />
requirement to be registered with a doctor. The<br />
bus also operated as a space where people could<br />
come to find out more about the vaccine without<br />
having to actually have it. It was very difficult to<br />
predict what the uptake would be: they had the<br />
capacity to provide up to 200 vaccines per day.
22<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
AGE UK offer SUPPORT FOR THose<br />
who have lost THEIR COnfidence<br />
A<br />
ge UK Bath & North East Somerset is<br />
urging the public to be compassionate,<br />
as we head into autumn, with a recent survey<br />
showing that a huge 48% of older people say<br />
they have lost their confidence, and many<br />
more are worried about the future.<br />
CEO, Simon Allen, said: “We are really concerned<br />
that nearly half of people who answered our<br />
survey say they have lost confidence. Older<br />
people have been some of the most affected<br />
during the pandemic and for many, the isolation,<br />
lack of contact, worry and loss of loved ones has,<br />
understandably, taken its toll. Therefore, we are<br />
urging the public to really be mindful of older<br />
people in our community who may want to take<br />
things slower – not all of us are ready for no<br />
masks and group hugs."<br />
The survey, which went to thousands of residents<br />
in Bath & North East Somerset, has shone a light<br />
on how older people have coped during the<br />
pandemic, what support is needed and feelings<br />
about the future.<br />
Nearly half of all people who answered said<br />
they had lost confidence, which has sparked the<br />
charity to launch an emergency ‘Confidence; to<br />
live the life you choose’ appeal raising money for<br />
more one to one support including tailored<br />
mobility exercise, access to community groups,<br />
chat and check in and practical guidance to<br />
getting online.<br />
Comments from the survey included:<br />
Paula, 69, “I've never spent so much time alone<br />
without human contact before. I have become<br />
very isolated and have felt very lonely.”<br />
Peter, 81 said: “I need confidence to understand<br />
technology and get online. I find it difficult<br />
being disabled and relying on other people all the<br />
time.”<br />
Rose, 63 said: "It is hard making friends when you<br />
don't have confidence”.<br />
Brian, 76 said: “I do hope I can build up the<br />
confidence to go out of the house again.”<br />
Confidence isn’t changed overnight and so the<br />
charity is asking people for regular donations to<br />
support their ongoing work which will see older<br />
people having the confidence to live the life they<br />
choose.<br />
Age UK Bath & North East Somerset want to<br />
remind people that they are here for anyone<br />
over 55 who might need advice, support out of<br />
hospital, help at home or just a friendly chat.<br />
Can you help to support people in building back<br />
their confidence? Please visit<br />
www.ageuk.org.uk/bathandnortheastsomerset
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 23<br />
CAN YOU HELP HENRY?<br />
H<br />
enry is an 8 year old from Midsomer<br />
Norton who loves to be independent<br />
and make people smile. At 12 months old he<br />
was diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic<br />
diplegia which most noticeably affects Henry’s<br />
lower limbs making him unable to stand or walk<br />
unaided. This has never stopped Henry aiming<br />
for better mobility and independence with his<br />
determined nature helping him along the way.<br />
Henry has received weekly therapy since diagnosis<br />
which has become a big part of his life, teaching<br />
him the skills to sit, crawl, walk with a walker<br />
and now learning to walk with just sticks thus<br />
increasing his stamina to go even further. These<br />
are skills we all take for granted but Henry worked<br />
extra hard to achieve.<br />
Thanks to everyone`s support and help with<br />
fundraising he was able to have SDR in July 2020 at<br />
the Portland Hospital London.<br />
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery is a<br />
procedure that treats muscle spasticity caused<br />
by abnormal communication from the brain<br />
to the muscles. It achieves this by cutting the<br />
nerve rootlets in the spinal cord, thus reducing<br />
spasticity while improving the range of motion<br />
and functional mobility.<br />
Following SDR there is an intense rehabilitation<br />
period of 3 years and without this Henry will<br />
not gain the full benefits from the operation. He<br />
has been working so hard before and after and<br />
deserves the chance to improve his mobility and<br />
independence.<br />
Just4Children are still trying to raise funds to<br />
continue to allow Henry to access the therapy he<br />
needs and any equipment and orthotics to aid his<br />
independence.<br />
You can help by either donating to www.<br />
justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/<br />
helpinghenry or why not join in the the firewalk<br />
that’s happening on the 8th October at <strong>MSN</strong><br />
Cricket Club.<br />
If you would like to volunteer to walk on fire<br />
and raise some well needed funds, contact<br />
helpinghenry6@gmail.com
FIREPLACES FLUES INSTALLATION WOODBURNING & MULTIFUEL STOVES<br />
INFO@IGNISSTOVES.CO.UK - 01761 437366 - WWW.IGNISSTOVES.CO.UK<br />
FIRE ENGINE SHED, UNIT 6 COLLIERS YARD, FROME ROAD, RADSTOCK BA3 3PT<br />
SUPERB SELECTION<br />
OF HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS<br />
AVAILABLE NOW!<br />
Will provide colour and interest<br />
in the garden from year-to-year<br />
COMPOST (inc a good choice of peat free),<br />
FARMYARD MANURE, DECORATIVE BARK,<br />
GRAVELS AND GRITS<br />
SPRING FLOWERING BULBS<br />
AVAILABLE AT THE END OF AUGUST<br />
Wells Road, Chilcompton, Radstock BA3 4RR<br />
Telephone: 01761 232137<br />
Open: Mon. to Sat. 10am – 4pm. Closed Sundays
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 25<br />
The Conservation Volunteers<br />
AT THE TOWN PARK<br />
T<br />
he Conservation Volunteers (TCV Bristol)<br />
have completed a 200m path over the last<br />
few months at Midsomer Norton Town Park. It<br />
has taken the incredible efforts of a small group<br />
of volunteers to lay 400m of revetment and<br />
move 58 tonnes of hardcore/hoggin all by hand.<br />
Work is now underway on a set of steps leading<br />
from the Amphitheatre up to the Greenway<br />
behind. Twenty-six steps were built initially;<br />
several more days work will be necessary to<br />
complete the job.<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Trust appealed for<br />
funding for the paths and were delighted to<br />
receive £1558.62 in donations. A huge thankyou to<br />
everyone who generously contributed. There will<br />
be an opening ceremony for the paths and steps<br />
once the work is completed.<br />
The Town Council, Town Trust and Community<br />
Trust are delighted with the continued<br />
developments at the Town Park, and very grateful<br />
for the amazing work undertaken by TCV. Please<br />
get in touch if you can spare some time to work<br />
on this, or other TCV projects.<br />
A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS<br />
Would you like to help maintain<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Park?<br />
If you interested in physical activity outdoors<br />
that will be a positive benefit for the<br />
community then get in touch.<br />
All tools and training will be provided by TCV.<br />
Visit www.tcv.org.uk/getinvolved/volunteering<br />
or contact the TCV officers on 07739447995
26<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
3SG - Community Wellbeing Hub<br />
B<br />
ath and North East Somerset Third<br />
Sector Group (3SG) has been providing<br />
support to charities, social enterprises and<br />
community groups in Bath and North East<br />
Somerset since 2016. 3SG is an independent<br />
charity that has a membership of over 140<br />
organisations, made up of charities, social<br />
enterprises, faith and voluntary groups.<br />
Their aim is to raise the profile of their members,<br />
provide 1-to-1 support and offer opportunities to<br />
influence local strategic decision making. 3SG also<br />
provide hundreds of volunteer marshals to the<br />
Large Vaccination Centre at Bath Racecourse and<br />
are currently recruiting so use the contact details<br />
below if you'd be interested.<br />
Since the start of the pandemic, 3SG has also been<br />
behind the local volunteer response and was a<br />
founding partner of the Community Wellbeing<br />
Hub. The Community Wellbeing Hub is still open<br />
and continues to offer a wide range of advice<br />
and support to residents of Bath and North East<br />
Somerset.<br />
You can contact the hub on 0300 247 0050 from<br />
Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm.<br />
If you would like to find out more about 3SG, then<br />
please get in touch:<br />
Email: Miles at contact@3sg.org.uk<br />
Call: 01225 683087<br />
Website: www.3sg.org.uk
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 27<br />
‘A Ticket to Ride’ AT THE STATION<br />
T<br />
he weekend gala to celebrate the visiting<br />
steam locomotive Austin at Midsomer<br />
Norton station saw four locos in action in some<br />
of the best weather of the summer! The biggest<br />
ever gala saw resident Class 08 and 03 Diesel<br />
Shunters working alongside unique Sentinel<br />
steam locomotive ‘Joyce’ and the visiting Kitson<br />
0-6-0ST ‘Austin 1’.<br />
There was an intensive timetable that saw<br />
both freight and passenger services, with all<br />
combination of locos in action. Two vintage buses<br />
were on site assisting with transport to and from<br />
the gala. The Wickham Trolley was also put to<br />
work providing a ride within the confines of the<br />
station yard.<br />
Austin has been hauling passenger services every<br />
summer weekend and will be a major part of the<br />
autumn Gala on the 22nd to the 24th October. An<br />
extra treat this year are Driver Experience courses<br />
on Austin on September the 4th and 18th. Looking<br />
forwards, bookings will soon be available on the<br />
website for Santa Specials on all the December<br />
weekends.<br />
People have been very welcome over the summer<br />
weekends and volunteers at the station would<br />
like to thank all the visitors who have made all<br />
their hard work worth while.<br />
You can get your ‘Ticket to Ride’ on the website<br />
or why not join the team as a working volunteer?<br />
Booking for all events and rides is through the<br />
website, sdjr.co.uk<br />
THINK BIG<br />
SHOP SMALL<br />
=<br />
JOBS, COMMUNITY<br />
INVESTMENT, BUSINESS
28<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Wheelchair & Pushchair Access<br />
in Midsomer Norton<br />
M<br />
idsomer Norton Town Council has<br />
always been keen for all its residents to be<br />
able to enjoy as much of the town as possible.<br />
Many steps have been taken to ensure better<br />
access to as many of the town's public areas as<br />
possible. However, it had been reported to us<br />
that there was an issue with access to the Town<br />
Park, because of the lack of dropped kerbs in the<br />
area.<br />
Councillor Steve Plumley contacted B&NES<br />
Council and arranged to meet with one of their<br />
officers, along with Councillor Mike Moxham<br />
for some practical advice, to discuss suitable<br />
locations. B&NES Council granted permission for<br />
the works to go ahead, and the dropped kerbs<br />
have now been installed, making it easier for<br />
wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs to<br />
access the Town Park and the Somer Centre.<br />
Another area that was notified to us as proving<br />
difficult to access, was the entrance to Hayes<br />
Road, as there was not enough room to negotiate<br />
the bars. The bars in Hayes Road have reportedly<br />
been an issue for years but it was recently brought<br />
to our attention again by a resident. The bars were<br />
so close together as to not allow some of the<br />
newer children’s buggies and mobility scooters to<br />
get through.<br />
Councillors Steve Plumley and Mike Moxham<br />
again met up with the B&NES Council's Highway<br />
Inspector, and they have now installed new bars<br />
with an increased space between them to make<br />
access into and out of Hayes Road much easier.<br />
We would like to thank B&NES Council and their<br />
officers for their assistance in making the areas<br />
more accessible.<br />
DUSTLAND FAIRYTALE<br />
ANTIQUES & RESTORATION<br />
Furniture • Vintage Toys • Silver Objects • Glassware<br />
Ceramic Items • Jewellery • Vintage Coins • Lighting<br />
Unusual & Rare Objects • Bric-a-brac ... etc.<br />
All types of furniture restored/repaired (free quote)<br />
Free valuations given for insurance or selling.<br />
For enquiries, please phone Sean on: 07454 972 973<br />
129 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DA<br />
(next to One Stop shop)<br />
Open: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.<br />
Like and follow us on facebook<br />
From fashion and<br />
designer sunnies to<br />
more classic designs<br />
and value options,<br />
our sunglasses are<br />
available either with or<br />
without a prescription<br />
2 The Island, Midsomer Norton. Tel: 01761 414136
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 29<br />
HELP Stop Anti-Social Behaviour<br />
T<br />
he Town Council are disappointed to<br />
continue to deal with anti social behavior<br />
at West Clewes and the Town Park. In recent<br />
weeks the trampoline has been broken, bottles<br />
smashed, litter left and individuals have been<br />
drunk and disorderly. Broken glass is a serious<br />
health and safety risk, especially so close to a<br />
park where children are playing and where dogs<br />
are frequently walked. The Town Warden quickly<br />
responds to reports of broken glass to ensure no<br />
one is injured.<br />
CCTV in both areas have recently been upgraded<br />
and blind spots have been removed. Due to this<br />
upgrade the office staff are now able to download<br />
good quality footage to send to the police. The<br />
police have been taking the footage to the local<br />
schools in a bid to identify those youths who<br />
appear on the footage. In three recent instances<br />
the youths have been identified and the parents<br />
have been informed of their children’s behaviour.<br />
Two Community Resolution Orders have been<br />
raised and two youths now have a six month ban<br />
from entering West Clewes.<br />
Each time an instance of anti-social behaviour is<br />
reported the office staff must take time out of<br />
their busy schedules to trawl through the CCTV<br />
and download the appropriate footage. The Town<br />
Warden spends a large<br />
part of his time repairing<br />
the damage caused or the<br />
clearing up. At times the<br />
damage is severe and the<br />
Town Council must pay<br />
a contractor to make the<br />
repairs.<br />
All this is costing the Town Council money. The<br />
funds received by the Council come from the<br />
Town’s residents' council tax. Spending money on<br />
repairs takes away funds for other projects that<br />
make the town a better place to live in.<br />
The Town Council have been working closely<br />
with the police in combating this unacceptable<br />
behaviour, including patrols taking place. The<br />
police are eager to speak with those mistreating<br />
these areas and educate them on the impact of<br />
anti-social behaviour.<br />
With the summer holidays upon us, the Council<br />
would like the open areas to be enjoyed by the<br />
community as a whole and for residents not to be<br />
put off by anyone being a nuisance or causing a<br />
disturbance.<br />
If you witness any anti-social behaviour, please<br />
contact the Police on 101.<br />
HIGH STREET DIY<br />
FOR ALL YOUR HARDWARE & DIY NEEDS<br />
• New selection of Spring Bulbs<br />
• Over winter seed potatoes<br />
• Giftware<br />
• Key cutting<br />
• Gardening items<br />
• Ironmongery<br />
FREE local<br />
delivery service<br />
• Homewares<br />
• Bespoke handmade cushions<br />
3 Mansbrook House, High Street, <strong>MSN</strong><br />
Tel: 01761 414355<br />
Loft Boarding South West<br />
Need more storage space?<br />
Make use of your loft and create<br />
more space in your home<br />
Loft Ladders Raised Loft Storage<br />
Loft Lighting Insulation<br />
Loft storage solutions for period and new build homes<br />
that do’t void your warranty<br />
01373 813 438<br />
www.loftboardingsouthwest.co.uk
OPEN<br />
EVENTS<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
Wed 13 th Oct<br />
& Wed 1 st Dec<br />
START YOUR JOURNEY<br />
Both 4pm –7pm<br />
at City Centre &<br />
Somer Valley Campus<br />
www.bathcollege.ac.uk/openevents<br />
info@bathcollege.ac.uk<br />
@bathcollege 01225 328 720<br />
PRE-REGISTER<br />
ON OUR<br />
WEBSITE<br />
All aspects of roofing – Lead specialists<br />
• Roof Replacement • Detailed Lead Work<br />
• Repairs • Fibreglass • Flat Roofing<br />
• UPVC Fascias and Soffits<br />
01225 251458 | 07540 700908<br />
jackson-dixroofing@outlook.com
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 31<br />
SOMER VALLEY FM is BLOOMING!<br />
S<br />
omer Valley FM, the local radio station for<br />
North East Somerset, based in Midsomer<br />
Norton, have had their gardens further developed<br />
and spruced up by the Prince's Trust 2 Team from<br />
Bath College.<br />
The team, based on the Somer Valley campus,<br />
initially cleaned and cleared the area, renovated<br />
existing borders, planted afresh and even designed<br />
and built a lit path.<br />
Ben Perry, Prince's Trust Team Leader was<br />
delighted with the results. "The team were<br />
brilliant in planning and completing the garden<br />
redevelopment very quickly. Working well<br />
together, I’m sure the skills they are gaining as part<br />
of the Prince's Trust training will help them in their<br />
future careers."<br />
The Prince's Trust Team is Sophie, AnnMarie,<br />
Ashleigh, Liam, Callie and Nathanial.<br />
Richard Burgess, Station Manager, commented:<br />
"We have a great relationship with Bath College,<br />
across all the campuses. It’s important to me<br />
and our team that we encourage our young,<br />
local people wherever we can, from gardening<br />
through to media presenting. The students were<br />
a pleasure to be around – I hope they can find<br />
the right opportunities for themselves when their<br />
education is complete."<br />
The Prince's Trust next programme starts 27<br />
September, finishing 17 December.<br />
To contact your local radio station: 01761 411755,<br />
studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk, or find us on social<br />
media.
32<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Join the WELTON RUNNERS<br />
W<br />
ould you like to make new friends and<br />
have company when you’re exercising?<br />
'Welton Church Runners' could be the group for<br />
you!<br />
We meet every Saturday morning, 9am outside of<br />
the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton. Everyone<br />
is welcome, whatever your age (children must<br />
be accompanied by adults). The group follows<br />
various circuits around Midsomer Norton Town<br />
Park, depending on ability. Some of the runners<br />
have also recently been part of a fantastic<br />
volunteer team adding a new path, linking the<br />
existing routes, to create different options. For<br />
those wanting to do a little extra, some of the<br />
group are also doing Couch to 5k and would love<br />
to offer encouragement and support. Others<br />
also sometimes meet in the week for time trials.<br />
Whether or not you’re ready for going the “extra<br />
mile”, coffee and cake with new friends at a nearby<br />
café is a popular option after running together<br />
on Saturdays - it would be great to see you. If you<br />
would like more information or would like to join,<br />
please contact eugene.kertzman@weltonchurch.<br />
org.uk<br />
ANDREW JAMES<br />
CARVED<br />
STONE<br />
LETTERS<br />
- keeping tradition alive -<br />
MEMORIAL MASONRY,<br />
INCLUDING DESIGN & FITTING<br />
HEADSTONE RESTORATION<br />
& RE-LETTERING<br />
LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS<br />
We will work with you to sympathetically design, produce and install a personal<br />
memorial, either hand carved or engraved. Lawn memorials, complete kerb sets,<br />
cremation tablets and vases available in a wide range of slate, stone and granite.<br />
We also offer headstone restoration services.<br />
WWW.CARVEDSTONELETTERS.CO.UK<br />
PHONE: 01749 840 869 / 07966 366 816 EMAIL: andrew@carvedstoneletters.co.uk
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 33<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON RUGBY CLUB<br />
A<br />
s summer turns to autumn, excitement<br />
builds as Midsomer Norton Rugby Club<br />
prepare to play their first matches for almost<br />
eighteen months.<br />
The First XV begin their season in Cheltenham on<br />
Saturday 4th September, before the first chance<br />
to catch them at home the following Saturday<br />
against Chipping Sodbury. The Second and Third<br />
XVs have slightly longer to wait, starting their<br />
league campaigns on Saturday 25th September.<br />
The Junior Section continues to thrive with the<br />
pitches at Norton Down full of youth players<br />
of all ages enjoying training on Sundays. With<br />
coronavirus restrictions easing the clubhouse has<br />
now fully reopened and families are enjoying its<br />
new look after a volunteer-led refurbishment.<br />
Behind the scenes there have been changes with<br />
Neil Denning stepping down as Chairman after<br />
an incredible nineteen-year stint in the role. Alex<br />
Davis was elected as the club’s first new Chairman<br />
for almost two decades.<br />
The club have recognised the contributions to<br />
the club of Neil Denning, Bob Ladd and Simon<br />
Mollison with the award of <strong>Life</strong> Memberships.<br />
The contribution of the three individuals will be<br />
celebrated at an event this <strong>Autumn</strong>.<br />
The rugby club welcomes new members and<br />
players of all ages and abilities. For more<br />
information head to<br />
www.midsomernortonrfc.co.uk<br />
NICHOLAS J MAGGS FUNERAL SERVICES<br />
A Dignified Goodbye<br />
Planning your funeral may seem daunting,<br />
but there’s nothing to worry about, and it’s often better to prepare.<br />
We provide a thorough planning service for clients throughout the Somerset area.<br />
Professional, compassionate service with over 50 years in business<br />
Service available 24/7 • Doctor liaison • Funeral announcements • Catering<br />
Burial • Vicar liaison • Flowers • Music • Crematorium • Private Chapel of Rest<br />
Contact us, and learn more on our wide-ranging services.<br />
Telephone: 01749 840499 / 346567 • Email: n_maggs@hotmail.co.uk<br />
www.njmaggsfuneralservices.co.uk
Hockley<br />
Contact us for our FREE DESIGN SERVICE.<br />
We are an in-stock business and can supply both rigid<br />
and flatpack kitchens to suit every budget.<br />
To support our trade<br />
account holders, and our<br />
local communities, our<br />
depots are open with<br />
measures in place to serve<br />
our customers safely.<br />
Elmbridge<br />
Trusted by the trade,<br />
Howdens are chosen<br />
by thousands of<br />
tradespeople and<br />
homeowners alike for<br />
their home renovation<br />
project.<br />
Download our latest<br />
brochures today or<br />
order your copy to be<br />
delivered to your<br />
home by post.<br />
We have now launched<br />
our online accounting and<br />
anytime ordering ability<br />
for all ur trade account<br />
holders.<br />
Third Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Radstock BA3 4XD<br />
Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm | Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm<br />
Tel: 01761 662000 Fax: 01761 412202<br />
www.howdens.com/find-a-depot/radstock
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 35<br />
RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT – THE<br />
CHIEF SCOUTS BRONZE AWARDS<br />
F<br />
or so many people, this has been a<br />
challenging year. Trying to run a Beavers<br />
group (the youngest section in Scouting for ages<br />
6-8 years) has pushed the leader’s ingenuity to<br />
the limit!<br />
With imagination aplenty, the Beaver leaders<br />
of 1st Midsomer Norton Scouts have managed<br />
programmes that allowed the young people<br />
to have fun and continue to gain their badges.<br />
Thanks to the wonders of Zoom, there have<br />
been visits by the police and fire services, plus a<br />
magician and even a pantomime.<br />
With lockdown easing, all the groups at 1st<br />
Midsomer Norton Scouts have been able to meet<br />
back face to face. Last week saw the end of the<br />
Beavers' year, with a family party in the park.<br />
Over 100 badges were given out to the group,<br />
including some very special badges. Five Beavers<br />
achieved the top award which can be presented<br />
at Beavers, the Chief Scouts' Bronze Award. Huge<br />
congratulations go to Ollie, Charlie, Ed, and Zach.<br />
Amelie, aged 8, not only achieved this award, but<br />
she managed to attain every badge that Beavers<br />
has to offer. A total of 22 activity and 6 challenge<br />
badges, from first aid and road safety to hikes,<br />
fires, and cooking.<br />
Martyn Rayner, the Beavers Leader for Ottawa<br />
group, said: “We are so proud of Amelie’s<br />
achievement. She has hardly missed a session in<br />
the past two years and joined in every activity<br />
with a big smile on her face. We will miss those<br />
leaving us this term, but hope they enjoy Cubs and<br />
stay within the Scouting movement for years to<br />
come.”<br />
If you are interested in your children joining 1st<br />
Midsomer Norton Scouts, please send their details<br />
to joiners@midsomernortonscouts.org.uk or for<br />
further details on joining or volunteering please<br />
visit our website: midsomernortonscouts.org.uk
36<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Gardening in the sunshine<br />
SWALLOW Charity<br />
S<br />
WALLOW is a local charity supporting<br />
teenagers and adults with learning<br />
disabilities. SWALLOW members and staff have<br />
been busy getting out and about and enjoying the<br />
good weather. The SWALLOW horticulture group<br />
have been planting up hanging baskets and also<br />
making a ladybird bug house.<br />
If you would like to know more about SWALLOW’s<br />
work please go to www.swallowcharity.org.<br />
Registered charity<br />
number 1045893.<br />
The charity relies on<br />
donations to be able<br />
to continue its work in<br />
Midsomer Norton. If you<br />
would like to support the<br />
charity by making a gift or<br />
fundraising please contact<br />
Nicky Tew on nickyt@<br />
swallowcharity.org.
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 37<br />
SOMER VALLEY FOODbank<br />
D<br />
ue to the sale of our existing warehouse,<br />
the Somer Valley Foodbank needs to find a<br />
new storage facility that can hold up to 7 tonnes<br />
of non-perishable food. We need a space that is<br />
about 1,500 square feet in size.<br />
We are appealing to the local business community<br />
for help in this matter and if anyone knows of<br />
or has a premises that we could use, please<br />
could they contact the Somer Valley Foodbank<br />
Chairman, Paul Woodward, on 07729523986 or<br />
email info@somervalley.foodbank.org.uk.<br />
“We need this matter resolved as soon as possible,<br />
as we have to leave the present warehouse by the<br />
end of the year. The foodbank management team<br />
would like to thank our landlord who has been<br />
most generous and helpful with the arrangement<br />
we have and it is just unfortunate that we have to<br />
leave. It has been a very useful warehouse for us<br />
to have for the last year. We fully understand the<br />
need to sell the facility but we just do not have<br />
the funds to purchase it,” said Paul Woodward.<br />
The Foodbank provides three days of emergency<br />
food to people who need it the most.<br />
Professionals such as health visitors, social workers<br />
and the CAB identify people in crisis and issue<br />
them with a Foodbank voucher. This all done via<br />
phone calls and electronic vouchers.<br />
The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank<br />
distribution centre, in Midsomer Norton,<br />
Peasedown, Paulton or Radstock, where a friendly<br />
team of volunteers will help people with their<br />
food needs.<br />
With more than 70 volunteers collecting and<br />
transporting food, helping in distribution centres<br />
and providing support to those who visit, the<br />
Somer Valley Foodbank is one of the biggest<br />
volunteer-led projects in Bath and North East<br />
Somerset.<br />
Of the 2,000 people who receive help each year,<br />
they are referred to the Foodbank for a variety of<br />
reasons, such as being on a low income, benefit<br />
delays, benefit changes, debt, ill health and<br />
unemployment, etc.<br />
“We would also like to thank the local press for<br />
their continued support and to the community<br />
who continue to donate food for us to hand out<br />
to those who are referred to us by local agencies.<br />
We are now calling on the community for help in<br />
finding a new warehouse,” added Paul Woodward.<br />
For more information about the Somer Valley<br />
Foodbank, visit www.somervalley.foodbank.org.<br />
uk, email info@somervalley.foodbank.org.uk or call<br />
07729523986
38<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
GOOD NEWS FROM Welton Rovers<br />
W<br />
elton Rovers’ season has got off to a<br />
fantastic start with the Midsomer Norton<br />
team winning the Fry Club Cup for the first time<br />
in the club’s history.<br />
The prestigious pre-season tournament has been<br />
won by the likes of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers<br />
in the past, and celebrated it’s 50th instalment<br />
this year. Rovers will go down in the competition’s<br />
history as the milestone winners after a 2-1 victory<br />
over Mendip Broadwalk in the showpiece final.<br />
Welton Rovers Confirm New Club Sponsor<br />
Welton Rovers are delighted to announce Sam<br />
Chivers Estate Agents as the club’s new Primary<br />
Sponsor.<br />
Sam Chivers Estate Agents are local experts in<br />
residential property sales, lettings, commercial<br />
lettings and land of all types in the postcode areas<br />
of BA3, BA2 and BS39.<br />
As part of the new sponsorship deal, the Sam<br />
Chivers logo will adorn Welton Rovers’ brand new<br />
Nike manufactured home kit, which the club wore<br />
in their opening leaguefixture at Odd Down.<br />
Rovers' chairperson, Malcom Price, said of the new<br />
relationship: “There is no better company for us<br />
to have started this relationship with than Sam<br />
Chivers Estate Agents. Their work is everywhere<br />
to see within our community, and for our football<br />
club to receive their support is a massive boost to<br />
us going forward, as well as a further commitment<br />
to their work within our local area”.
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 39<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON TOWN TRUST<br />
T<br />
he Town Council has transferred three<br />
of its assets to the Town Trust, the<br />
charity established in 2014 to provide facilities<br />
for recreation for the inhabitants of Midsomer<br />
Norton. The Trust has now added to its assets the<br />
Town Park and Somer Centre in Gullock Tyning,<br />
and the Silver Street Nature Reserve. The Trustees<br />
will seek to maintain these spaces for the use of<br />
groups and residents of Midsomer Norton, in line<br />
with the Trust's charitable objects.<br />
The Town Trust is currently working closely<br />
with the Town Council on the Town Hall<br />
Transformation Project, which is seeking to<br />
improve the operational challenges at this building<br />
in the heart of the Town. The Town Hall offers<br />
G. Mitchard & Sons<br />
Family Butcher • eSt. 1913 WeStFielD<br />
We thank our customers<br />
for their continued support supplying their<br />
needs for every and any occasion.<br />
We are pleased to supply our customers<br />
with locally farmed meat, poultry,<br />
milk and cheeses,<br />
home-prepared bacon and cooked meats,<br />
our prize-winning pies and sausages,<br />
plus our famous faggots!<br />
Shop opening hours:<br />
Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 3pm.<br />
Phone orders taken Mon-Fri 7am-5pm<br />
(for collection during above shop opening hours)<br />
or visit our Facebook page<br />
Westfield Radstock BA3 3XS<br />
Tel: 01761 412109<br />
a range of spaces for community use but the<br />
addition and partition of rooms over its 150 year<br />
history make the building difficult to use and it<br />
is in a poor state of repair. The proposal being<br />
implemented is a transformation of the building<br />
to reinstate the original ground floor Market Hall<br />
and construction of a rear extension for offices,<br />
community meeting rooms, storage and service<br />
rooms.<br />
These current projects, along with the ongoing<br />
management of St Chad’s Well and the Orchard<br />
Hall are keeping the Trustees and the Town Trust<br />
Secretary busy and hold the promise of exciting<br />
opportunities to come for the communities of<br />
Midsomer Norton.<br />
Broadies Supplements<br />
0% THC FULLY LEGAL<br />
Don’t be shy,<br />
come say Hi<br />
NEW<br />
STORE OPEN<br />
13 Stony St,<br />
Frome<br />
• CBD PRODUCTS<br />
• CBD OIL<br />
• CBD E-LIQUIDS<br />
• CBD FOOD & DRINK<br />
• CBD SKINCARE<br />
• CBD TEA & COFFEE<br />
• CBD CAPSULES<br />
9 HIGH STREET, MIDSOMER NORTON BA3 2LE<br />
01761 568081 • broadies-supplements.co.uk<br />
broadies.supplements@googlemail.com<br />
#broadiessupplements
40<br />
MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE<br />
Silver Street Nature Reserve<br />
F<br />
or the last couple of years we have been<br />
feeling the benefit of our wild open<br />
spaces. In Midsomer Norton we have the<br />
wonderful Town Park and the Silver Street Nature<br />
Reserve as well as other areas in walking distance.<br />
We have found that being in contact with our<br />
natural side feeds the mind, body and soul and<br />
listening to bird song is just a joy. Walking is also<br />
good for us too.<br />
So many people come to the Nature Reserve in<br />
Silver Street and are pleasantly surprised with<br />
what they find there. A lovely cool woodland<br />
with the glint of the pond appearing through the<br />
trees and the spring ever flowing even in the dry<br />
weather. The meadow is full of wildflowers and,<br />
facing south, is a wonderful place to sit a while<br />
and look over Midsomer Norton.<br />
We have had our assessment from It’s your<br />
Neighbourhood (In Bloom) and hope for a<br />
favourable result; the judge was very impressed<br />
with the work our volunteers have achieved this<br />
year. So come along and see for yourself what you<br />
are missing!<br />
Let's clamp<br />
down on<br />
Catalytic<br />
Converter<br />
Theft.<br />
Responsibilities can<br />
build up when you<br />
care for someone<br />
You’re not alone. The Carers’ Centre<br />
is here to support you.<br />
0800 0388 885<br />
Monday–Friday, 8.15am–3pm<br />
support@banescarerscentre.org.uk<br />
banescarerscentre.org.uk<br />
Organised criminals can<br />
remove catalytic converters<br />
from under a vehicle in a<br />
matter of minutes.<br />
If you have information on<br />
those behind catalytic<br />
converter theft, contact us<br />
100% anonymously.<br />
You can speak up and remain<br />
100% anonymous. Always.<br />
crimestoppers-uk.org<br />
CC-Adverts-March<strong>2021</strong>-v2.indd 1 23/03/<strong>2021</strong> 09:35
MIDSOMER NORTON LOCAL LIFE 41<br />
A MESSAGE<br />
FROM THE CLERK<br />
I hope this edition of Midsomer Norton <strong>Life</strong> finds<br />
you well and you enjoyed the summer months.<br />
As you will have read earlier in this issue, the staff<br />
of Midsomer Norton Town Council have started<br />
to return to the office after a long 18 months<br />
of working remotely. With COVID cases rising<br />
locally, we must all continue to act to control the<br />
spread of the virus, to keep ourselves and others<br />
as safe as we can. If you do need to see us, please<br />
make an appointment, or continue to contact us<br />
via email or by phone; we are always happy to<br />
help where we can.<br />
You will have read that Anti-Social Behaviour is<br />
continuing to have an impact in the Town. While<br />
we are aware that it is a small minority causing<br />
issues, the consequences affect us all at the end<br />
of the day. Should you see anything of concern<br />
then please report it to the Police on 101. This is<br />
not an emergency number for incidents requiring<br />
an immediate response but can be used to report<br />
a crime or incident. As another example, we have<br />
had reports of cars parking in locations likely to<br />
cause an obstruction – this too can be reported<br />
on 101.<br />
Similar to 101 in a sense that you can report an<br />
issue requiring attention, is the Bath and North<br />
East Somerset Council Fix My Street website -<br />
https://fix .bathnes.gov.uk. Here you can report<br />
problems with roads, pavements, parks, litter and<br />
fly tipping, and overhanging vegetation to name<br />
but a few, for all locations in Bath and North East<br />
Somerset.<br />
Recent installations in the Town have included a<br />
new bus timetable at Redlands Terrace. This was<br />
requested by a resident early last year and was<br />
delayed because of the pandemic. New bars have<br />
been fitted between Hayes Road and Northmead<br />
Road, allowing mobility scooters and buggies<br />
better access. The Somer Valley greenspace<br />
posters are now up in Midsomer Norton, Radstock<br />
and Westfield. The poster in Midsomer Norton<br />
can be seen on the back of the bus stop on The<br />
Island detailing the green spaces in our area.<br />
Finally, a new server has been installed at the Town<br />
Hall, for increased service reliability for its users.<br />
In other news, all revenue grant payments have<br />
been made and letters sent to the recipients.<br />
Please see the Midsomer Norton Town Council<br />
Grant Policy on the website to see if your local<br />
voluntary or community group might be eligible<br />
for financial help. We are also continuing to<br />
investigate funding for the planned improvement<br />
works at Wellow Brook, including potential<br />
funding from S106 monies, the Duchy of Cornwall<br />
and Somer Valley Rediscovered.<br />
With Wellow Brook Walk also in mind, we have<br />
been advised by Somer Valley Rediscovered that<br />
as part of the new Environment Bill, developers<br />
will need to demonstrate part 10% Biodiversity<br />
Net Gain (BNG) on qualifying developments.<br />
Ideally this net gain of biodiversity is delivered<br />
on-site but, in some instances, where this is<br />
impossible, they may be allowed to achieve this<br />
10% increase off-site. In return for the off-site<br />
improvements the developer must provide<br />
funding for a minimum of 30 years management to<br />
achieve stated habitat creation and improvements.<br />
We have nominated the Town Park and Wellow<br />
Brook Walk as potential areas to take advantage<br />
of this funding and are waiting to hear from the<br />
B&NES ecologist.<br />
Please continue to keep up to date with what<br />
the Town Council are doing by having a look at<br />
our website and social media pages, which are<br />
updated regularly. I would also like to take the<br />
opportunity to let you know that (at the time of<br />
writing) the Full Council, Planning Committee, and<br />
Finance and Operations Committee meetings due<br />
to take place in September, will see a return of<br />
meetings in person, and all details will be found<br />
on the website in due course.
42<br />
LOCAL LIFE<br />
YOUR TOWN<br />
COUNCILLORS<br />
Midsomer Norton Town Council<br />
Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton<br />
Bath BA3 2HQ - 01761 418701<br />
townclerk@midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Lynda Robertson<br />
(Mayor)<br />
07912 516223<br />
lyndaroberston@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Michael Moxham<br />
(Deputy Mayor)<br />
01761 419960<br />
07593 185850<br />
mikemoxham@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Lynne Clement<br />
07855 037805<br />
01761 414003<br />
lynneclement@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Michael Evans<br />
01761 235996<br />
michaelevans@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Sue Graham<br />
07896 411 840<br />
suegraham@midsomernorton<br />
towncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Christian Griffiths<br />
07568 482261<br />
christiangriffiths@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Brian Lawrence<br />
(Chair of Finance and<br />
Operations Committee)<br />
07701 007 277<br />
brianlawrence@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Gordon Mackay<br />
(Chair of Planning<br />
Committee)<br />
07806 604 302<br />
gordonmackay@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Pete Mocock<br />
07891 380197<br />
petemocock@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Steve Plumley<br />
07913 952901<br />
steveplumley@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk<br />
Cllr Richard Robertson<br />
07511 413721<br />
richardrobertson@midsomer<br />
nortontowncouncil.co.uk