MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE W
elcome to the Spring Issue of LIFE which, in common with the season, is packed full of promise for the future. Work has started in earnest on the Town Park and a fantastic space is emerging as brambles and undergrowth are cleared. The project to re-acquire the town’s key community assets and put them in Charitable Trust, for future generations to enjoy, is coming to fruition with an exchange of contracts with B&NES in sight. Installation of new town signage is about to commence as the precursor for implementation of a wider regeneration using WECA funding with an overall pot of £1 million. In order to manage the wide range of projects in hand and the assets about to come to us, we have recently recruited a new Deputy Town Clerk. As well as all the community news, there is a round-up review of 2018 and four page pull-out detailing the main town community events for 2019 and WOW, what a line-up, with something for people of all ages. As we approach the Local Elections on the 2nd May 2019, it is a time to reflect on everything that has been achieved since the re-creation of Midsomer Norton Town Council in 2011. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Town Council staff and also the current Councillors who, as independents, have consistently worked so hard together as a team to bring forward and deliver such an ambitious range of projects for the benefit of local residents; projects which I am confident will have a positive impact, not just today, but for generations to come. Cllr Paul Myers Mayor of Midsomer Norton
C O N T E N T S
WELCOME TO
2018 ROUND-UP
4
WECA HIGH STREET LOVE
6
IMPROVING ACCESS
9
TOWN TRUST MANAGING TEAM
10
NEW HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP
13
HIGH STREET SPEEDING
15
TOWN PARK UPDATE
16
TOWN SHOW 2019 YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS
18 25
WHAT’S ON
30
HEALTH AND SAFETY
35
SPORTS ROUND-UP
36
TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET
38
RURAL TRANSPORT
40
SPRING LITTER PICK
44
MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK
49
YOUR TOWN COUNCILLORS
50
The next edition of Midsomer Norton Life will be in May 2019 If you would like your group to be included in the next edition, please contact us on 01761 410141 before the deadline of 10th April 2019. If you have difficulty reading the print please contact the Town Clerk for a large print copy. You can also view Midsomer Norton Life on the council’s website at www.midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk Midsomer Norton Life is produced by Ignyte Media Ltd, Unit G5, Second Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Radstock, BA3 4BH Tel 01761 410141. While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Ignyte or Midsomer Norton Town Council does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.