Midsomer Norton Life Spring 2020

Spring 2020 Issue 34

Sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council

A packed issue for the Spring season

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE T

he Council operates in close partnership with two charitable bodies, the Community Trust and the Town Trust. Broadly speaking, the Community Trust runs community activities and events and the Town Trust looks after the buildings and other properties, such as the Nature Reserve.

This winter has seen surprising progress of the Town Park, considering the wet weather. You may have noticed a lot of improvement and there has also been good progress on the amphitheatre and the main entrance behind the Somer Centre.

We are all hoping that this entrance and the Celebration Meadow beyond it will be ready to allow the Midsomer Fayre to be held there this year.

The Community Trust has not been idle over the winter either, with large audiences for some of the regular events, and a new Christmas treat for young teens with a special cinema showing, which we hope may become an annual event.

As for the Council itself, there are not many that can boast of being led by a National Clerk of the Year, but thanks to our Town Clerk, Donna Ford, we are one of them. We all join in appreciating and congratulating Donna.

We also started a series of surgeries for councillors to listen to residents’ concerns, and the first surgery was well attended. Officers will follow up on the concerns reported, and the result should be a better town and community for everybody.

Another new direction was signalled by the Council’s declaration of its commitment to improve the environment and if possible help alleviate climate change. This is another area in which the Council will work with a wider group of community partners.

Hoping you enjoy the magazine and that the change of season puts a spring in all our steps.

Cllr Michael Evans – Mayor of Midsomer Norton

C O N T E N T S

WELCOME TO

CLIMATE EMERGENCY & BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

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REDUCING CO2 & WASTE SOLUTIONS

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TOWN PARK

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TOWN CLERK WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD

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TOWN COUNCIL RECEIVES QUALITY AWARD

17

TOWN TRUST REPORT

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CHRISTMAS ROUND-UP

20

WHAT'S ON

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MIDSOMER NORTON FAYRE

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NEW FACEBOOK & TWITTER

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COMMUNITY CINEMA

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SPORT ROUND-UP

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TOWN COUNCIL PRECEPT

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REGULAR EVENTS

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The next edition of Midsomer Norton Life will be in May If you would like your group to be included in the next edition, please contact us on 01761 410141 before the deadline of 5th May 2020.

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.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN A

t its February Meeting the Town Council resolved to launch a Climate Awareness Action Plan and Engagement Strategy focusing on what it can do as a Council and how it can work with local groups and initiatives.

What is the Town Council already doing?

The Town Council has already introduced a number of measures to show its commitment to helping to protect the environment. Below are a few points but you can see the full Action Plan on the Town Council's website, www.midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk • If the office staff cannot make use of wastepaper, it is recycled (except confidential papers) along with recyclable plastic items, cardboard and tins via the Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP).

• Glass bottles/coffee jars are recycled.

• Using glasses instead of plastic cups, as well as avoiding where possible the use of plastic plates and cutlery (anything in stock is being used up).

• Straws are not used in the office or at events (unless required for assisting those with special needs/drinking).

• All water meter readings are monitored, and action is taken immediately to identify the reasons when they are high, minimizing water loss if there is a leak • Soap dispensers in the toilets, office toilets and kitchen are refillable.

• Councillors receive agendas and minutes by e-mail (although some documents do require printing).

• New heating systems and boilers in buildings the Council has an involvement with are chosen to be environmentally friendly where possible.

• Goods and services are purchased locally, where possible, to reduce mileage and packaging. In addition, we try to combine meetings with picking up goods from local suppliers.

• All invitations to Town Council events are sent via e-mail, where possible.

• Establishing a Climate Awareness working group.

• Encouraging the B&NES Council to install Electric Vehicle Charge Points in its car parks and are looking into installing a charge point in the Somer Centre car park.

• Offering of reusable items to the community.

• Biodiversity in public spaces. The Town Council has identified a suitable area that can be used as a wildflower area in the Town Park.

• Designating and protecting sites within the Neighbourhood Plan as local green spaces, new play spaces (formal and informal) and green infrastructure networks, encouraging local residents into the fresh air, walking or cycling rather than using their cars for local journeys.

• Using the Neighbourhood Plan to require new homes to be energy efficient, nature friendly, and located close to public transport and amenities.

Neighbourhood Plans identify sites for future housing and should push for these to be zerocarbon and nature friendly.

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Proposed Midsomer Norton Town Council Action Plan The Town Council is aware that there are still measures to be introduced which include, but are not limited to, the following. Below are just a few points but you can see the full Action Plan on the Town Council's website, www.midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk • Research funding possibilities with The Climate Action Fund, which is for groups that aim to reduce their carbon footprint sustainably and increase participation in community-led climate action.

• Actively support small and large planning applications for new renewable energy in the area. Planning decisions will be made by the local planning authority, which needs to hear from those who support the applications.

• Promote a lift-sharing scheme.

• Ensure any council buildings are as energy efficient as possible. Getting an energy audit is the first step.

• Produce green energy. Install renewable energy generation, like heat pumps and solar PV, at council buildings.

• Reduce pesticide use and other harmful activities. It’s possible to reduce activities that harm wildlife, from using peat-free compost to shunning pesticides and ensuring light pollution is controlled.

• Work with Somerset Waste Partnership to ensure appropriate bins are made available at events and find out how additional recycling bins can be returned to locations where they have been removed.

• Support the introduction of safe walking and cycle routes and, where necessary, work in partnership with the local authority to deliver them.

• Introduce solar panels on council buildings where possible.

• Employees and Councillors should also be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport or car-share where possible.

• Encourage residents to increase biodiversity in their gardens.

• Bring together groups of people for bulk purchases. The costs of installing solar PV, or other renewable technologies such as heat pumps, should be much lower if done in bulk, street by street, or area by area.

• Encourage B&NES Council to use differential carparking charges to support low-carbon vehicles.

• Ensure the climate change or nature implications of decisions are known before making them. It isn’t credible to accept the need for rapid action on climate change and nature and then make decisions without knowing whether they’ll be harmful or helpful. Requiring every decision to be well informed is common sense as well as good practice.

This Action Plan will be a flexible, working document that can be added to when required.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Reducing CO2 & Waste SOLUTIONS Helping Individuals & Households in Midsomer Norton Want to help lower your carbon footprint locally?

Take a look at these tips compiled by Lucy Tudor, founder of the Midsomer Norton, Radstock Area Zero Waste Group. Find out more www. midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk

Awareness Raising and Campaign MIDSOMER NORTON, RADSTOCK AREA ZERO WASTE GROUP A hub for local individuals, organisations, community groups and businesses in the Somer Valley area for Sharing information, tips and ideas on reducing waste and CO2 at home and work.

It is Informing and educating members about what is happening nationally and internationally on climate change and waste.

Search Facebook for “Midsomer Norton Radstock Area Zero Waste Group” If you are not on Facebook but interested, you don’t have to be a member of Facebook to see the page but you won’t be able to comment.

You can also sign up to their email newsletter and the group hopes to be able to reach out to others in the community using other methods than social media and email in time.

DAY ONE Day One is a new local group run by Charlotte Dagless 07377 004125 who will be running her first event in March 2020 for the community to come together to listen to experts; discuss practical and simple ways of making a difference. By doing something simple at home or as a community, we can help protect ourselves and the next generation from the effects of climate change. www.dayoneevents.co.uk

PLASTIC FREE BATH & NES Aiming to achieve plastic free communities status for the area by April 2020. Businesses, organisations and individuals can sign a pledge to become plastic free. Find out more www.bathnes. gov.uk/services/environment/sustainability/ bathnes-plastic-pledge

GREEN ACTION NE SOMERSET

Local Renewable Energy is Available

The people and businesses of NE Somerset coming together to improve the environment through green initiatives and activities. Meetings and talks on various topics.

BATH & WEST COMMUNITY ENERGY (BWCE)

Contact Sam Ross 07849 055339 greenactionnes@ gmail.com m.me/GreenActionNES

Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) is a notfor-profit Community Benefit Society controlled by members. The primary mission is not to make money but to reduce local carbon emissions.

They do this by increasing the amount of local

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

renewable energy generation and delivering projects to reduce the energy demand of local households, businesses and organisations.

They are currently offering free solar panel installations for businesses, schools and community buildings through our Community Solar 2020 project. We raise the money to install the system and then sell the power to the building owner at least 10% cheaper than the grid. For more information go to www.bwce.coop/communitysolar-2020

Saving Energy & Water LIMIT SHOWERS TO 2 MINUTES / LESS WATER IN YOUR FLUSH Not only does heating water account for 19% of home energy, but water treatment both up and downstream of your home is also very energy intensive. The UK water industry produces 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Reuse a plastic bottle: fill it with water and place it in your toilet system to save some water in your flush. Heat and use less water and you’ll be using less energy, saving CO2 emissions and money.

SWITCH OFF THE LIGHTS & USE LOW ENERGY BULBS Switching off the lights makes more of a difference than you might think. Find out more at the Centre for Sustainable Energy. www.cse.org.uk

AMOUNT OF ENERGY USED BY & FINANCIAL COST OF INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES Understanding which appliances use the most electricity in your homes can help you to see where you might cut back a little. When replacing an appliance, check its energy rating and aim for A if possible. The Centre for Sustainable Energy can help with lots of information.

Try to switch off chargers at the plug or unplug; they use electricity even if nothing is charging,

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and only boil as much water as you need for a cuppa,

TURN THE THERMOSTAT DOWN BY 1 DEGREE If you are fit and healthy, turning down the heating and popping on a jumper can make a difference to your bills as well as CO2 emissions.

WALK, CYCLE, USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHERE POSSIBLE Hard to do with our busy lives but you could aim to walk if your journey is under a mile. There are CO2 savings and health benefits too.

WATER AND WATER BOTTLES Don’t buy bottles of water, always drink tap water (it has now been scientifically proven to be better for you) and take a reusable bottle with you. More towns are setting up water refill stations and shops and cafes will refill bottles if you ask. Green Shop in Midsomer Norton and Docky’s Deli will do this, and others are likely to if you ask.

Recycling & Black Bin Waste BLACK BIN WASTE Any non- recyclable household rubbish goes into your black bin collected fortnightly. This waste all goes to Avonmouth to the “Energy from Waste” plant. No B&NES waste goes to landfill any more.

It is best to recycle as much as you can first to reduce CO2 emissions and save resources.

Even better than this, try taking your own containers to delicatessen counters to save waste instead of taking single use containers of plastic or Vegware. MSN Sainsbury’s deli counter and Docky’s Delicatessen MSN can do this. Other nondeli food can go into your own containers at the Green Shop MSN.

FOOD WASTE B&NES If possible, use biodegradable plant based bags in your food bin.

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BLUE RECYCLING BAG B&NES Cardboard and brown paper (please remove as much packaging tape as possible).

WHERE TO RECYCLE OR DISPOSE OF OTHER ITEMS NOT RECYCLED AT KERBSIDE B&NES B&NES Council: bathnes.gov.uk/order-large-waste-item-collection Sofa Project: www.sofaproject.org.uk/donate-furniture

GARDEN WASTE B&NES Can either be taken to the recycling centre in Radstock Road or taken by the council in green wheelie bins collected fortnightly for which you pay a modest annual fee. Please avoid burning garden waste it causes pollution and is unpleasant for neighbours.

MSN Sue Ryder takes furniture (as do other MSN charity shops)

TERRACYCLE SCHEMES Terracycle is an international scheme which takes “hard to recycle” items such as crisp packets and pens while raising money for charity for their volunteer collectors: Collection points can be found at

& So itCcHEhR •aErSTd GFA.MIM . 1913 WEST ns T U B Y L FIELD MSN's friendly, independent health food shop and café Zero waste, scoopable dried fruits, grains, seeds and pulses

Quality Meat at Affordable Prices

All Beef, Pork and Lamb from local farms, prize winning sausages, pies and faggots.

Gold awards for our home cured Bacon from Pigs reared sts a ro g Ho on the Mendips. le b a il a av Home produced OR r cooked meats. oked fo Pigs co ser ve to Freezer orders you lf. yourse taken.

Westfield Radstock BA3 3XS

Tel: 01761 412109

www.gmitchardandsons.co.uk

Extensive range of products for house & home: whole foods, loose herbs and spices, laundry & shampoo refills, toiletries, natural toothpastes and deodorants, supplements and vitamins, homeopathy, pet products and cleaning products.

10 South Road Midsomer Norton Opposite the free car park

01761 418857 www.greenshopmsn.co.uk

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

• 23 Elm Tree Ave, Westfield BA2 3TB • Bridges Electicial Westfield– Crisp packets only drop off during office hours • Peasedown Repair Cafe– toothbrushes and pens only currently but looking to expand

bedding, equipment, nappies etc), for 0-5year olds and redistributes them to families who need or want them. Sessions are run at: Salvation Army Hall, MSN, every other Monday 10am-12noon (Donations every Monday 10am-12 noon. Please label bags/ boxes: Baby Bank

Do not make special journeys to drop off items as you will cancel out the CO2 you save by recycling with the CO2 from your vehicle. Wait instead until you are passing. Items collected get made into rucksacks, bags, pencil cases etc.

SHOPPING BAGS

Reuse, Refill, Repair, Return,

REFILL

REUSE

LOCAL REFIL STATIONS

CHARITY SHOPS / VINTAGE CLOTHES, ANTIQUES & FLEA MARKETS / JUMBLE & BRING & BUY SALES / EBAY

Reusing bottles by refilling saves a lot of CO2 emissions and resources put into making, transporting and disposing of single use containers.

Support second-hand and upcycled clothing. Look in your wardrobe – you might have forgotten what you have in there. Buy less clothing and avoid cheap “fast-fashion” to reduce your carbon footprint. Donate and buy from the above instead where possible. Buying fewer, long lasting, good quality clothing items is better value and better for the planet. If money is still an issue, you could try buying new clothes in the sales.

BABY EQUIPMENT BANK Small Stuff Baby Bank is run by Rachel Steeper in Midsomer Norton and Radstock. The bank receives donated items of all kinds (eg: clothes,

Radstock

Window Warehouse

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Most of us remember to take our reusable bags to the supermarket but try taking them to other shops you visit including fashion shops and the local takeaway.

Green Shop Midsomer Norton for: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, washing up liquid, clothes washing liquid, other cleaning liquids. You can take your own bottles for refilling or buy the bottles in the first instance from the shop to reuse. Refills of local porridge oats and other items are available you can take your own containers for filling is you choose.

Wellow Parlour Community Shop for refills of Ecover cleaning products Farmborough Community Shop for refills of Ecover cleaning products

DJPhillips

t: 01761 414524 e: gary@radstockwindowwarehouse.co.uk

Local company supplying everything for the Double Glazing Industry and much more too from our Trade Counter.

OPEN TO TRADE AND RETAIL CUSTOMERS • WINDOWS & DOORS • CONSERVATORIES • TIMBER STRUCTURE CONSERVATORY ROOFS • ROOF LIGHTS

• BI-FOLDS • FASCIAS, GUTTERING & SOFFITS • POLYCARBONATE • GLASS • FIXINGS & SILICONES

No job too small, give us a call or drop in for a friendly chat with Gary or email us for a quote.

Lawnmowers from £59 LARGE SHOWROOM Garden machinery, tools & accessories

FREE Collection & Delivery Highbury Farm Business Park, Harts Lane, Hallatrow BS39 6EH www.djphillips.co.uk

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Do not make special journeys as you will cancel out the CO2 you save with the CO2 from your vehicle. Wait instead until you are passing.

LOCAL MILK VENDING MACHINES There are milk vending machines in local shops across the area and 45 are already in place. You can bring your own bottles to refill or buy a glass bottle(s) to refill on subsequent visits.

Brookes News, Redfield Road, Midsomer Norton, has a milk vending machines for milk refills.

Chilcompton Village Hall has a milk vending machine outside the village hall run by farmer Ollie Day. His farm in Chilcompton has grass fed cows.

FREE APP for your phone iPad etc called "REFILL" refill.org.uk/get-the-refill-app shows you the nearest tap water refill to you anywhere in the UK using your current location. The local places signed up and on the app near us so far are: • MSN sports Centre • Best Western Centurian Hotel • The Meeting Place Peasedown St John • Writhlington Leisure Centre REPAIR

LOCAL REPAIR CAFÉS Don’t throw it away – it could be fixed. Repair cafes are free of charge with donations welcome and can usually fix bicycles, electrical appliances, wooden and mechanical items, clothing repairs, such as hemming, zips and mending, tools sharpening. Refreshments are provided while you wait. Repairing items before replacing them saves resources, and CO2 emissions.

Peasedown Repair Café. Every last Saturday of the month at Peasedown Methodist Church Hall 10am-1pm. Contact Ian Souter for details souterfam@aol.com High Littleton Repair Café Every 3rd Saturday of the month in the church hall next to High Littleton Primary School 10am-1pm. Contact Lorna

Montgomery, Bath Share and Repair organiser bathrepaircafe@gmail.com 07486 518197 RETURN

BOOK SWAP LOCATIONS / LIBRARIES Support your local libraries. Reusing books instead of always buying new ones is a great way of reducing CO2 and remember to give them back to the swap locations when you have finished with them.

Shop Local & Eco SHOP LOCALLY / ECO SHOP Supporting your local shops helps keep money in your local area, keeps your high streets vibrant and also helps reduce CO2 emissions. There are many local shops stocking greener options too, here are a few examples: Green Shop, South Road, Midsomer Norton stocks local produce, refillable products and plastic free cleaning items Many other greener alternatives are sold here.

Docky’s Delicatessen sells local cheeses and locally farmed cooked meats reducing food miles and CO2 – most of the cheeses come from grass only fed cows which means that large areas for growing pellet animal feed, which often involves clearing areas of rainforest, does not happen.

Mitchards Butchers, Westfield, sells locally farmed meat. The meat is really fresh, lasts a week without loads of plastic packaging and reduces food miles and CO2.

Eat seasonally whenever possible. What is grown in the UK now? Buy the ingredients locally and loose where possible. Local organic produce can be delivered to your door, plastic free very low food miles reducing CO2

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20MPH speed zones I

n Bath and North East Somerset, 20mph speed zones were introduced five years ago but Midsomer Norton missed out. Tragically, the 20% reduction in accidents seen in those areas was not seen here.

Our Town Council Deputy Clerk has now been in contact with BANES regarding the introduction of 20mph speed limits in Gullock Tyning, the High Street and South Road and has also put in a request for a crossing to the lane connecting South Road to the High Street. Our request has been added to the list of speed limit changes for consideration for the next financial year.

Midsomer Norton was not designed for heavy traffic. In a world where health and safety is paramount, it seems out of place that cars, busses and lorries can legally thunder by, at high speeds, only inches away from children walking to school.

As anyone who looks after young people, or other vulnerable groups will testify, it’s not pleasant.

Traffic is fast, loud and dangerous. And that’s before you take into account pollution.

20mph speed zones reduce vehicle air pollution from exhaust, brakes and tyres. Slower traffic also significantly reduces noise pollution. A Department for Transport survey indicated that 60% of people feel cycling on the public highway is too dangerous. Just at a time when people are becoming aware that we need to pollute less, we’re discouraging people from taking the most environmentally friendly modes of transport available. While many towns have added paintedon cycle lanes at the side of the carriageway, Midsomer Norton does not have room for such token gestures; 20mph speed limits, however, make them unnecessary as, at lower speeds, cyclists can keep up with traffic.

Despite misleading stories to the contrary, slower speeds do not increase fuel consumption. Most

of the energy cars use is spent on overcoming inertia as they pull away. In built-up areas, that energy is only wasted through unnecessary braking. Slower speeds also reduce congestion by allowing traffic to filter more effectively. There’s less wear on the highways too which saves money.

Midsomer Norton Town Council is committed to campaigning for a more environmentally sustainable future. Simple measures such as encouraging walking and cycling along with responsible car use are effective and achievable.

Over time, as people get used to lower speeds, we can foster a more considerate culture on our roads and achieve the Vision Zero goal of no deaths or serious injuries due to traffic accidents.

Rather than seeing speed limits as an imposition, the Town Council hope Midsomer Norton residents take the opportunity to embrace our transition to becoming an even more environmentally friendly, dynamic and modern town in which to live, work and visit. The Town Council would welcome input from residents regarding this matter and any suggestions on how the safety and amenity of our roads can be further improved.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Midsomer Norton Town Park

D

uring the Winter, major contract work at the Town Park got underway as planned and the works have progressed largely as programmed.

The amphitheatre has been built into the lower slopes of the batch with its terraces retained by large stone boulders. Purbeck limestone was specially selected with the right physical characteristics and of a suitable cream colour to blend with the local white lias building stone.

Some of these rocks include fossils and some real fossilised dinosaur footprints may be spotted!

The amphitheatre should be able to accommodate up to 300 people on its terraces. Alternatively, it could also be used the other way around, with the terraces providing the stage and backdrop and a larger audience gathered in the Celebration Meadow. A pilot theatrical event is already planned for this summer.

Some of these works were subject to obtaining land drainage consent from Bath & North East Somerset Council. Concerns were raised that in piping sections of the ditches the ecological potential of these features was not being maximised. The revised plan is now to form a pond/wetland area, then with an open water channel connecting down to the river, with two short piped sections providing access. This then meant that it made sense to bring forward an element of the project that had been intended to be part of a future phase of the park – a new

Completed link path between Five-Arches Greenway (upper path to right) and the batch.

meander pool. The pool will comprise a localised widening of the river channel with a shallow gravelly beach and path down to the water’s edge allowing increased interaction and enjoyment of the river.

This work in the vicinity of the River Somer then triggered a need for further Environment Agency consent. The necessary permit for this was granted and it is hoped will proceed during March.

Meanwhile, work got underway to provide water and electrical service connections into the Park.

Unfortunately, the nearest suitable supplies to connect into were over 200 meters away, the other side of Somer Court, so this has involved trenching from there, making it quite a big investment. However, with on-site power and water, the opportunities for events use of the Park is greatly enhanced. Local residents are thanked for their patience during these works.

Due to the wet ground conditions, the disturbed

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

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Main structure of the amphitheatre complete, awaiting drier ground conditions for final details and grass seeding.

areas of the Celebration Meadow will now be left to settle and dry. These areas will then be further graded, the original thin layer of topsoil which has been carefully preserved will then be re-spread.

The existing seed-bank contained within the topsoil will then be augmented with additional grass and wildflower seed, the aim being to provide a species rich sward which can withstand regular mowing to keep grass short enough for events use and general recreation.

Further work is also planned to control excessive bramble growth in the Wild Meadow which, coupled with annual grass cutting, will help to slowly establish a more wildlife rich grass meadow. There are also proposals to provide a gravel surfaced path to connect down from the new greenway link to the riverside path, making a better, more gently sloping route for all and also facilitating the potential commencement of a weekly Park Run.

The design of the main entrance to the Park from the east end of Gullock Tying has been subject to ongoing design development to provide a fitting entrance to the Park that helps to announce its presence whilst not comprising the Environment Agency’s required access to maintain the flood relief tunnel and river beyond. A preferred design was finally agreed by all parties and the necessary permit was issued by the Environment Agency just before Christmas, encompassing this and the meander pool.

Key features of the entrance area will be a small Sensory Garden, which is being generously sponsored by the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions Club and some bold stone flank walls that will frame the view into the Park and feature lettering the full height of the walls spelling out “TOWN PARK�.

Below: Design for the new entrance walls to highlight the main west entrance to the Park

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

TOWN CLERK WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD

I

t was announced that Donna Ford, Town Clerk for Midsomer Norton, has been awarded the prestigious accolade of ‘Clerk of the Year’ at the glittering awards night of the National Association of Local Councils held in Milton Keynes. Donna was singled out from over 7,000 Clerks in the UK so this is a fabulous achievement.

“I’m over the moon not just for myself but for the town. You could have knocked me over with a feather last night when they announced my name as ‘Clerk of the Year’ in front of other Clerks and County Association representatives from around the UK”, said Donna Ford, Town Clerk, Midsomer Norton Town Council.

Donna was nominated by B&NES Cllr Paul Myers and Amanda Hazell, Deputy Clerk, months ago for her work principally on completing the town's Asset Transfer Project - bringing it to fruition after over a decade of delays. In doing this she achieved a key long term objective not just for the Town Council but for the community as a whole.

Cllr Michael Evans, Mayor of Midsomer Norton commented, “Donna joined Midsomer Norton Town Council in March 2018 and has brought energy and vitality to the role – achieving a huge amount for the town in her time with us. Her Award as Clerk of the Year is justly deserved”.

Since the Asset Transfer, Donna has been focusing on working with the Midsomer Norton Town Trust to deliver the Town Park Project where work is progressing a pace on site with contractors.

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For enquiries, please phone Sean on: 07454 972 973 129 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DA (next to One Stop shop)

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Save the 179 Bus Campaign

T

he recent announcement that the 179 bus route has been saved was great news for local residents. The route takes in Bath, Paulton, Farmborough, Timsbury and Midsomer Norton, and was even extended to take in Beecham Place in Midsomer Norton. Bath and North East Somerset Rural Transport Group carried out a recent survey which received more than one thousand responses, over 350 of which came from Midsomer Norton residents. Details of the survey can be found online here: www. banesruraltransportgroup.org. Whilst the route has been saved until August 2020 by being awarded to a new operator, its long-term survival is not guaranteed.

More still needs to be done to ensure the longterm survival of the route and avoid a decline in rural transport services. The route needs to stay viable to remain in operation. There are many reasons why not having a decent bus service affects us all. For instance, if you don’t have a car and you rely on the bus to get to and from work. In the same way, many children use the bus for their school journey. Similarly, for those who don’t drive or are unable to drive, then the bus is a lifeline and can reduce the feeling of isolation in the community. By not using the bus there is an increase in private car journeys, resulting in more traffic on the roads and more pollution. With the

current Climate Emergency and the aim to lower transport emissions, by taking the bus reduces the need for single occupancy car journeys.

So, what can be done to help preserve the service and keep our rural communities accessible? If you don’t currently use the bus then give it a try, you may find that it is a cheaper and less stressful way of getting around. If you are a bus user, then try and use the bus for more journeys than you normally would do.

Speak to other people about the buses, not everyone is on social media or has access to updates about the situation and get involved!

Campaigners fought hard to keep the 179 service.

The bus service is vital to our rural community and so the campaign must continue.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Dates for your Diary 2020 MAY VE Day Celebrations – Friday 8th – Sunday 10th

JUNE Civic Service – Sunday 21st

JULY Midsomer Norton Fayre – Saturday 11th

AUGUST Twinning – Thursday 20th – Thursday 27th Outfield Festival – Sunday 30th

NOVEMBER Remembrance Sunday – Sunday 8th Carnival – Monday 16th

DECEMBER Christmas Event (Light Switch on) – Thursday 3rd Children’s Christmas Party – Saturday 5th, 3pm – 5pm Children’s Cinema Night – Thursday 10th Senior Citizens Christmas Party – Friday 11th

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

17

TOWN COUNCIL RECEIVES QUALITY AWARD M

idsomer Norton Town Council has received a prestigious award as part of the Local Council Award Scheme.

This achievement recognises that the council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement. Moreover, Midsomer Norton Town Council goes above and beyond their legal obligations, leading their communities and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop even further.

The Local Council Award Scheme is a peer assessed programme that has been designed to both provide the tools and encouragement to those councils at the beginning of their improvement journeys, as well as promoting and recognising councils that are at the cutting edge of the sector. It is through the sector working together to share best practice, drive up standards and supporting those who are committed to improving their offer to their communities that individual councils and the sector as a whole will reach its full potential.

In terms of the future, the Council is now

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reviewing ways in which it can keep on improving its offer to the local community and welcomes input from local people and partners on this.

Midsomer Norton Town Council and other local councils like it, are at the front line of the government’s localism agenda and are doing as much as they can to delivery services whilst being efficient and cost-effective.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Midsomer Norton Town TRUST

I

t has been a very busy few months with the work of the Town Trust expanding considerably as we assume responsibility for asset transfers from the Town Council.

TOWN PARK The Town Trust as ever is working hard to generate events and activities in the Park to ensure as many people as possible locally are aware of what it has to offer. A full report focusing on this project is included on page 12.

AMPHITHEATRE - As the work on the new 300 seat facility is nearing completion focus has been on planning a first performance in the space.

Working in partnership with Midsomer Norton Community Trust and the Merriman Theatre Company. It has been decided to produce an evening performance themed on a Midsummer Night’s Dream on Wed. 24th June 2020. Details will be available in the press in the coming month.

PARKRUN - There was a meeting just before Christmas with representatives of Parkrun nationally and their feedback, whilst generally positive, requires the construction of a link path between Wild Meadow and the Greenway before the project can move forward. Therefore the Town Trust has been working hard with the Parkrun Steering Group to look at how this could be achieved. The Town Trust has identified an organisation called ‘The Conservation Volunteers’ and they can coordinate their volunteers to work with local people to construct the required zig-zag hoggin path, 1.5 metres wide and 90 metres long at a cost of £6,463.20. A ‘Community Challenge’ has now been launched to raise the money for this work in order to enable Parkrun to move forward in the Town.

WOODLAND COURSES – Talks are progressing well with Virgin Care, the Wellbeing College and local provider Ecowild to bring their popular

Woodland course to the Town Park. The Wellbeing College provides courses for B&NES residents over the age of 16 and these courses are all free.

The Town Park provides a fabulous location for woodland activities like these.

Sensory Garden – Now that the design for the Town Park entrance is almost complete it will be possible to move forward with the detailed plans for the Sensory Garden. Representatives of the Town Trust recently met with St Chad’s Surgery to allow them to give their feedback on the proposed plans.

SILVER STREET NATURE RESERVE The Town Trust is now working closely with the Friends of Silver Street Nature Reserve to finalise the creation of a new Group. The Trust have commissioned Newleaf Design to produce a management plan to agree work by season for the coming years. This in turn will form a basis for a Health & Safety work plan in order to ensure that people volunteering for the new Friends Group under the Trust can work in safe and secure conditions.

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS With the coming of warmer weather in the Spring, work is planned to commence on the Town Hall to complete the pointing of the rear wall and improvements to drainage. Once this work is finished the Asset Transfer process will finally be completed.

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

COMMUNITY CHALLENGE: Can you help with volunteer time OR a donation to help us build a new path by the end of April 2020?

VOLUNTEER TIME: Once we’ve raised the money we urgently need people to come and help build the path.

The challenge is to raise £6,463.20 to build a 90 metre path to zig-zag down the hill in the Town Park from the Greenway to the Wild Meadow.

If you are willing to help please email midsomer.myers@gmail.com

DONATIONS: The cost per metre is £71.81 – can you sponsor a metre or part of a metre?

If yes please email midsomer.myers@gmail. com.

OFF THE RECORD LAUNCH THE OKAY CAFÉ

O

ff The Record launched a new youth club in Midsomer Norton on Thursday 30th January.

Working with Midsomer Norton’s Town Council and Community Trust, and building on the success of The Okay Café in Bath, the Youth Club will provide a safe space for anyone aged 11-18.

The Okay cafés are set up a safe space for young people providing opportunities for them to meet up, relax, make new friends, share experiences, and if needed, develop new ways of talking and coping.

Contact amieredwood@offtherecord-banes.co.uk or call 01225 312481 for more information

Not only will this new path mean we stand a good chance of launching a Park Run in Midsomer Norton, we will also be building a path for the whole community to enjoy for years to come.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Town Council Christmas ROUND UP T

he very first free Children’s Christmas Party hosted by Midsomer Norton Town Council took place on Sunday 8th December 2019. The party for children of Midsomer Norton aged between 5 and 11 years was held at the Somer Centre, Gullock Tyning..

Entertainment was provided by DJ Glyn and Rocky’s Magic Parties. Always a hit with the youngsters - DJ Glyn soon had the children up and playing games. They had a fantastic time dancing along to the disco, playing with bubbles, and being entertained by some amazing magic tricks and balloon modelling.

There were further activities provided by staff and volunteers from Off the Record, Bath, who provided some wonderful face painting, which the children loved. The children were also kept entertained making festive hats and glasses which they thoroughly enjoyed.

There was also a quiet area for any child who needed a bit of time out and here they could play board games with their friends. Halfway through the party the children helped themselves to some of the plentiful party food and drinks. Afterwards, there were more fun and games and activities to get back to. The afternoon was finally rounded off with a very special visit from Father Christmas and one of his Elves who gave each of the children a Christmas selection box to take away with them.

We received some wonderful comments from parents at the end of the party which were great to receive. We have also had a lovely comment on our Facebook page from a local resident saying: “Just want to say thank you so much for the kids party earlier, my two really enjoyed it. It was well organised and the crafts were an extra bonus as I couldn’t pull my two away. Glynn was fab as always and obviously it was so kind of Santa to pop in. What a wonderful thing for local Residents. Thanks again”

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Midsomer Norton Town Council would like to thank all of the children and parents who came for making the party a success! We hope they all enjoyed themselves and we look forward to making this an annual event!

Midsomer Norton Town Council would also like to thank the following people and organisations for their very kind donations and contributions: Councillor Michael Moxham for a Christmas cake made by Marg Elliot A member of the public who wished to remain anonymous - £50 Lidl for Christmas crackers Sainsbury’s for a £20 gift card Tesco for 140 Christmas selection boxes The Entertainer for a £15 gift card Wetherspoons for a Christmas tree and decorations plus 3 gift cards Senior Citizens Christmas Party The annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party took place on Friday 13th December 2019. This year the event was held at Welton Rovers Football Club between 2pm and 6pm. The times were changed this year from the evening to the afternoon to enable more locals to attend the event. Tickets became available on Monday 18th November 2019 and were all quickly snapped up!

The residents made their way into a very festively decorated hall. The tables were laid with crackers and a Christmassy favour each and the afternoon

21

got underway with a free drink for everyone.

There was live music provided by The Sneakers, a popular local band. They played various hits from the fifties, sixties and seventies and soon had people up on the dance floor enjoying themselves!

Food was also provided and there was an extensive buffet laid on for everyone to enjoy.

There was also a raffle with tickets drawn by the Mayor – Councillor Michael Evans. Prizes included gift cards from Wetherspoons and various food and drink hampers.

Midsomer Norton Town Council would like to thank all the residents who attended the afternoon. We hope they all enjoyed themselves and we look forward to seeing them again next year. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped at the event and made the afternoon a resounding success!

FREE Children’s Cinema Night The very first free Children’s Cinema Night hosted

by Midsomer Norton Town Council took place on Thursday 12th December 2019. The evening was for the young people of Midsomer Norton aged between 12 and 16 years old and was held in the Assembly Room in the Town Hall. A poll for the choice of film to be shown was carried out by Off the Record, and the film selected was the 2003 Christmas film “Elf”.

The doors opened at 6pm and staff and volunteers welcomed 22 children in. As this was the first year of running the event, we were not too sure what to expect numbers wise! Before the film began all of the young people were given a drink, some popcorn and a tub of ice cream to enjoy while watching Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf! As everyone took their seats, the lights went down and the film began. After the film had finished, the evening was rounded off with all of the children being given a Christmas selection box to take away with them. All the young people behaved brilliantly throughout the evening!

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

23

SUCCESSFUL WASSAILING

T

here was a great turnout for the fourth Midsomer Norton Wassail on Saturday with all ages taking part.

Beginning with a short introduction to Wassailing

by Chair of the Midsomer Norton Society Paul Myers, the Town Mayor, Michael Evans, crowned the Wassail King and Queen before they led the procession with musicians through the town to help wake up the apple trees in the Garden of Friendship and St Chad’s Well. At each location the Cam Valley Morris Men entranced the crowd as ever with their traditional dances. Reference was duly made to the four people the apple trees commemorate namely: David Fisher, David

Strawbridge, Ted Hallam and Norman Voake.

This year’s Wassail Queen was Millie Adams and the King was Theodore Drew and both carried out their duties to the full and did the town proud.

After the event the Wassailers returned to the warmth of the Town Hall to tuck into traditional apple cake baked at Muffins Bakers in the High Street and there were general thanks to the Midsomer Norton Society for organising the Wassail, Paul Myers as master of ceremonies, The Village Band and the Cam Valley Morris Men.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY

5th - Chatter Books. Children’s reading group, ideal for any child aged 7-11. It is a mix of reading and activities around a monthly theme. Register your interest with a member of staff or email: chatter_ booksbath@bathnes.gov.uk. Midsomer Norton Library, 3.45pm – 4.45pm.

6th - Paradis Palm Court Trio: Daughters of the Muse at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 12.30pm, free entry. Donations welcome.

22nd - Spies in Disguise: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

7th - 8th - Diesel Gala. We will be operating the class 03 and 08 diesel locomotives, together with our visiting class 26 diesel locomotive. The first time that a class 26 diesel has run on the Somerset and Dorset railway. Somerset and Dorset Railway, Silver St, Midsomer Norton 11am – 5pm.

22nd - Little Women: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

9th - Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion, 7.30pm Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street.

25th - Free advice about how to save money on fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions at the same time is on offer at Midsomer Norton Library.

The Energy at Home Advice Service will be on hand to give a better understanding of how to save energy. Advisors will be in Midsomer Norton Library between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

9th - Planning Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 7pm - 8pm.

26th - Ash Wednesday Service of Holy Communion, 7.30pm Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street.

28th - N'Fest Craft Night – An evening for the family of great craft fun and party food for children up to 11 years old. Making some amazing crafts to take home. Welton Baptist Chapel, 6pm to 7:30pm. Children will need to be accompanied by an adult, who needs to book in too!.

MARCH 2nd - Full Town Council Meeting in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 7pm - 9pm.

5th - First Thursday Social at Welton Rovers 2-5pm.

Spirelaine. Entry £3.

10th - Finance & Operations Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 5.30pm - 7pm.

13th - 1917: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

14th - ‘Genealogy Morning’ Learn the basics about how to start tracing your family history. The Norton / Radstock U3A Group will be on hand to give basic ancestry information. Midsomer Norton Library, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

14th - Frozen 2 Sing-a-long: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

14th - Bombshell: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

27th - The Personal History of David Copperfield: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

28th - Dolittle: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

28th - Emma: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

APRIL 2nd - First Thursday Social at Welton Rovers 2-5pm. Russ Matthews. Entry £3.

2nd - Chatter Books – Children’s reading group aged 7-11. Email: chatter_booksbath@bathnes.gov. uk. Midsomer Norton Library, 3.45pm – 4.45pm.

5th - Paradis Palm Court Trio: What’s in a name? at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 12.30pm, free entry.

Donations welcome.

5th - Palm Sunday - 6pm in the Hollies Garden.

Churches Together will be gathering around the cross to tell and hear the story of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion that first holy week, through readings, song and prayer.

8th - Sonic the Hedgehog: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

10th - Good Friday Worship, 11am, Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street.

11th - 10-12noon in the Hollies Gardens. Churches Together will be gathering and there will be activities to celebrate the Christian meaning of Easter. There will also be lots of us from the churches to talk to and meet.

11th - Little Women: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

11th - JoJo Rabbit: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults,1 or 2 children).

12th - Easter Day Services at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street. 6.15am Sonrise

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Easter Worship, 10.30am Easter Day Holy Communion, 6pm Evening Worship.

13th - Planning Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 7pm - 8pm.

14th - Finance & Operations Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 5.30pm - 7pm.

24th - The Invisible Man: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults,1 or 2 children).

25th - Call of the Wild: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

25th - Military Wives: Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7.30pm, £5 for adults and £3 children, £12 families (2 adults, 1 or 2 children).

MAY 1st - Paradis Palm Court Trio: Music in May at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 12.30pm, free entry.

Donations welcome.

7th - Chatter Books – Children’s reading group aged 7-11. It is a mix of reading and activities around a monthly theme. email: chatter_booksbath@ bathnes.gov.uk Midsomer Norton Library, 3.45pm – 4.45pm..

7th - First Thursday Social at Welton Rovers 2-5pm.

Niteshift. Entry £3..

8th - 10th - VE Day Celebrations - keep an eye out for upcoming details on our Facebook and Twitter pages or at www.midsomernortontowncouncil. co.uk 11th - Planning Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 7pm - 8pm.

12th - Finance & Operations Committee in the Beauchamp Room, Town Hall, 5.30pm - 7pm.

21st - NT Live: The Welkin at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7:00 pm. £12 for adults and £10 children.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

SOMERSET FARMER's MARKET

W

e are very proud that for over 20 years Somerset Farmers Markets have been enabling local family farms and artisan food producers to access customers directly via farmers markets.

Midsomer Norton Market takes place on the 1st Saturday of the month is one of a network of 8 monthly markets throughout the county and is considered one of the friendliest with a very local range of producers bringing along organic meats, vegetables, free range eggs, sustainably caught fish, artisan sourdough breads and unique cheeses, handmade baked goods and honey.

refreshments and local community information stalls Our farmers have extremely high welfare standards for their animals and environmental sustainability at their core and supporting these businesses helps to support the local economy. In fact how you choose to spend your hard earned money is one of the most powerful tools we have against factory farming and environmental degradation so come along and meet the food producers ,hear their stories and taste some great local local food!

For more information visit www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk

The market is enhanced by local musicians,

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

27

Midsomer Norton TOWN COUNCIL SurGeries 2020

N

ew for Midsomer Norton Town Council in 2020 – Council Surgeries!

Your local Councillors will be on hand to listen to any issues and views you may have on Midsomer Norton and work towards building a better community for residents. There will be three or four Councillors available to listen to any queries, to hear reports of any problems in the town, or to hear any suggestions you would like the Council to consider.

Council Surgeries will take place in the Beauchamp Room at the Town Hall on the following dates:

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

MIDSOMER NORTON FAYRE M

idsomer Norton Fayre returns on the afternoon of Saturday 11th July 2020! This year’s event will be opened by none other than Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival which celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary this summer.

Plans are well underway for the annual familyfriendly extravaganza, which will be hosted in the Town Park and Somer Centre in Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton.

Attractions will include a climbing wall, bouncy castles, a duck race, face painting, Punch and Judy, the Silver Band, street organ, goat rides, balloon modelling, music workshops and much, much more. Exciting plans are also underway to bring entertainment to the skate park.

This year’s Maypole Dance Festival will also see over 100 local school children taking part in the main arena outside the Somer Centre followed by other community group displays through the afternoon. Inside the Somer Centre there will be displays of Art and Photography as well as the popular Tea Room with delicious cakes and sandwiches.

The Arts Festival also brings its main celebration to the heart of the Fayre. After the success of last year attendees will be able to enjoy a range

of music, poetry, puppet shows, drama and more from the best local creative minds.

If you a community group, stallholder, performer or attraction that would like to be involved in this year’s event phone 01761 419133 or download your application form online at www. midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk/fayre Midsomer Norton Town Show 2020 This year’s Midsomer Norton Fayre will host the seventh edition of the annual Town Show, celebrating the creativity of the people of Midsomer Norton and the surrounding area.

Entries are invited across a range of categories from all ages and abilities and will be displayed on the day of the Fayre inside the giant Town Show Marquee.

Sections include Vegetables, Cookery, Flowers, Handicrafts, Art and Photography – with special categories for Children to enter as well. As always there will be a number of trophies and medals to be won, as well as the enjoyment of participating and contributing to the show.

Entry forms for the Town Show – complete with the full entry guidelines, cake recipes, as well as helpful hints and tips – are available now from the Town Hall or by heading to www. midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk/fayre

MIDSOMER MUSIC

March 6th Dolly Parton at The Greyhound from 8pm 7th Marty’s Family at The Greyhound from 8pm 7th Stuart Saye at The Dolphin from 8pm 7th Haus Band at Mardons from 8pm 7th Trash Casino at Riverside Bar from 8pm 13th Pure Leathers at The Greyhound from 8pm 14th Choker Uk at The Greyhound from 8pm 14th RetroChic at Riverside Bar from 8pm 14th The Setbacks + special guests at The White Hart 14th Jim Durhan at The Dolphin from 8pm 14th Super D at Mardons from 8pm 20th Punk Night at The Greyhound from 8pm 21st Dabinets at Riverside Bar from 8pm 21st VooDoo Seven at Mardons from 8pm 21st Mighty Miss Blues at The Dolphin from 8pm 21st Punks with Attitude at The Greyhound from 8pm 27th Somerset Night at The Greyhound from 8pm 28th Call the Shots at Riverside Bar from 8pm April 28th Parfanon at The Dolphin from 8pm 4th Limelight at Riverside Bar from 8pm 4th You Me & the Dancefloor at Mardons from 8pm 4th Henry Ray and band at The Dolphin from 8pm 10th Gin and Jazz night at The Greyhound from 8pm 10th John Hughes at The Dolphin from 8pm 11th Reboot Band at Riverside Bar from 8pm 11th Midnight Tides at The Dolphin from 8pm 11th Stevie P at The Greyhound from 8pm 11th The Clones at Mardons from 8pm 18th Cover Girl at Riverside Bar from 8pm 18th Longshots at The Dolphin from 8pm 18th Hair Of The Dog at Mardons from 8pm May 25th The Rascals at Riverside Bar from 8pm 2nd Angel Heart at Riverside Bar from 8pm 25th Martin Cox at The Dolphin from 8pm 2nd TBC at The Dolphin from 8pm 25th Elevation at Mardons from 8pm 2nd Freeze at Mardons from 8pm 8th VE Day event at The Greyhound from 8pm 8th James Bridges at The Dolphin from 8pm 9th Ray Jones at The Greyhound from 8pm 9th James Oliver Band at Riverside Bar from 8pm 9th Call The Shots at Mardons from 8pm 16th Snake Eyes at Riverside Bar from 8pm 16th Jet Pack Jesus at Mardons from 8pm 16th TBC at The Dolphin from 8pm 23rd V.P.R at Riverside Bar from 8pm 23rd Stevie P at The Greyhound from 8pm 23rd Chris Banderas at The Dolphin from 8pm 23rd The Caballeros at Mardons from 8pm 24th Tempting Kate at Riverside Bar from 8pm 30th Rhythm Collective at Riverside Bar from 8pm 30th TBC at The Dolphin from 8pm

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

NEW Facebook and Twitter

M

idsomer Norton Town Council are moving with the times! A new Facebook and Twitter page have been created by our office staff. Social Media makes our content more easily available to a wider group of people, while enabling us to target our information to those with specific needs or interests.

Keep up to date with all the news and events!

We will be posting all the Councils Events, meetings and Press Releases. Links to the Councils Website with Agenda’s and Minutes will also be posted. We will update residents with photographs throughout the process of projects and end results. You can keep up to date with the work being completed on the Town Park and

other projects the Council are working on. The information we put out on social media is open to everyone, you don't have to be registered with the sites to take a look.

The sites are manned from 9-5 (4.30 on a Friday) and we will reply to messages as soon as possible.

If you have any suggestions to what you would like us to post, please contact the Council Office using the message form on Facebook.

Search for Midsomer Norton Town Council on Facebook and Twitter to find our pages.

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

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Deployable Camera to combat anti-social behaviour

L

ocal Beat Manager for Midsomer Norton, Westfield and Radstock, PC Mark Graham, has been leading an important project to educate young adults on Moped and Scooter safety and seeing how the information has been put to use There has been a marked increase in the amount of moped and scooter users who now have a visible “L� plate since informational posters were put up at the three secondary schools and the college last October. At the same time, he has noticed that there has been a decrease in AntiSocial Behaviour involving mopeds and scooters.

Results will continue to be monitored going forward and reported back to the partnership of the three Councils.

Another joint project between the three local councils and the police has been the purchase of a deployable CCTV camera which hopes to tackle Anti-social behaviour.

The camera will be placed in areas affected by anti-social behaviour to deter offenders and can be moved around at any time to tackle these and other hot spots.

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Fresh and local pork, beef, lamb and chicken cut to your specification.

01761 415501

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Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm Saturday: 8am - 1pm Sunday: CLOSED

We can also provide Hog Roasts

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Mortgages – from the very basic to very complex.

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Life Insurance, Family Income Benefit, Income Protection & Critical Illness Cover.

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Your Home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

33

FORTHCOMING COMMUNITY CINEMA 1917 (15) Friday 13th March, 7.30pm

and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission.

In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

Frozen 2: Sing-along (PG) – Saturday 14th March, 2.30pm Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land.

They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom.

Bombshell (15) Saturday 14th March, 7.30pm Starring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow and Margot Robbie, based on the real scandal, BOMBSHELL is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.

The Personal History of David Copperfield (PG) Saturday 27th March, 7.30pm From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty

As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all..

Dolittle (PG) Saturday 28th March, 2.30pmm Robert Downey Jr. electrifies one of literature’s most enduring characters in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle. After losing his wife seven

34

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

years earlier, the famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company.

In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.

But when the young queen (Jessie Buckley, Wild Rose) falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.

Sonic The Hedgehog (PG) Wednesday 8th April, 2.30pm

Emma (U) Saturday 28th March, 7.30pm Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending, is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster video game franchise from Sega that centres on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog. The film follows the (mis)adventures of Sonic with his newfound -- human -- best friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Sonic and Tom join forces to try and stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic and using his immense powers for world domination.

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

35

idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.

The Invisible Man (Rating TBC) Friday 24th April, 7.30pm Trapped in a violent, controlling relationship, Cecilia Kass (Moss) escapes in the dead of night aided by her sister, their childhood friend and his teenage daughter. But when Cecilia's abusive ex commits suicide and leaves her a generous portion of his vast fortune, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences turns lethal, threatening the lives of those she loves, Cecilia's sanity begins to unravel as she desperately tries to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

The Call of the Wild (Rating TBC) Saturday 25th April, 2.30pm

Little Women (U) Saturday 11th April, 2.30pm Writer-director Greta Gerwig has crafted a Little Women that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author’s alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life.

Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, with TimothĂŠe Chalamet as their neighbour Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

Jojo Rabbit (12A) Saturday 11th April, 7.30pm A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his

Adapted from the beloved literary classic, THE CALL OF THE WILD vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team, Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master.

Military Wives (Rating TBC) Saturday 25th April, 7.30pm Thrown together by life on a military base while their partners serve on a tour of duty in Afghanistan, a group of ordinary women find an unexpected way to raise their spirits and combat the isolating realities of being an army wife - by forming the first ever Military Wives' Choir.

36

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Message in a bottle a Lion’s campaign

M

essage in a bottle the UK Lions health campaign celebrates 20 years and seven million bottles distributed in the British Isles. It has no connection to the hit Police song of the same name but has had a positive impact on people’s health and it provides essential personal information in an emergency. Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club distribute these free.

Message in a Bottle is where you keep essential personal and medication details on a form in a small bottle stored in the fridge.

Paramedics, police, fire-fighters and social services know to look in the fridge when they see the Message in a Bottle stickers on the inside of the door.

This can be really helpful for older and disabled people who live alone or if a person you care for has a condition that can suddenly change so that they need medical help and become unconscious or unable to communicate.

The scheme is run across the UK by Lions Clubs your local club being Radstock & Midsomer Norton. The bottles can be picked up from the Lions stall at the Midsomer Norton farmers market.

Your GP or pharmacist may be able to give you one of the bottles or you can contact Lions directly at contact@rmnlions.org.uk or telephone 01761 415137.

Please also use this contact if you are interested in joining Lions or would like to know more about what we do.

Helping people to be their best using the solution focused approach to recovery and high performance WHAT I CAN HELP YOU WITH I offer help with all the below conditions at each of the locations I operate from: • Addiction Recovery • Overcome Anxiety and depression • Anger Management • Stop Smoking • Overcome Fears and Phobias • Help Relax during Childbirth and Pregnancy

• Boost Confidence and Self Esteem • Overcome Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) • Weight Management • Manage and/or Remove Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Pain Management

Melanie Cook Clinical Hypnotherapist Solution Focused Psychotherapist

HPD, DHP, SFBT(Hyp), CNHC, AfSFH, UKASFP

Tel: 01761 453112 / 07746 438276

Email: melaniecookhypnotherapy@gmail.com

• Stress Management • Reduce Stutter and Stammering • Manage and/or Remove Tinnitus • Overcome Traumatic Experiences and Painful Memories (PTSD) • Fertility And much more

Practice addresses: The Clandown Suite, Elm Hayes Surgery, Paulton BS39 7SF. The Bath Practice, 26 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2AP. Rockaway Park Therapies, Eastcourt Road, Temple Cloud. BS39 5BU. The Clifton Practice, 8-10 Whiteladies Road, Clifton. BS8 1PD

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

37

Silver Street Nature Reserve

T

he Nature reserve is waking up early this year. In fact it as not been asleep this winter as we have not had any prolonged spell of cold weather. We saw Blue Tits entering the boxes we have provided for them on the first day of February (is this too early?), but they do not seem to care that we may have inclement weather ahead. There is some Frog activity in the pond with more to come I'm sure.

All the shoots are emerging, including Garlic, Bluebells, Celandine and some trees are coming into leaf also.

We had a winter talk at the end of January in the Town Hall, 35 people came and enjoyed an evening of lovely pictures, bird song and

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identification. We are lucky to have experts among our members and thanks go to Richard and Chris for their expertise.

There are some jobs that get overlooked but Paul was on the case of our sign at Withies Lane that had become worn and covered with mould, it had been there since 2014 made by Sue Green out of a large piece of seasoned wood.

Some people thought the empty post meant that the sign had been vandalised but Paul restored it to its former glory with enhanced letters, we are lucky having such talented people among our members.

New Wagons AT THE Station

T

he Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust is looking to re-home one of it’s vehicles. The 22ton ‘Bagged Cement’ Van was built in 1964 and donated to the Trust over ten years ago. The Trust has recently undertaken a review of the wagons and carriages and concluded that a number of items, such as this van, no longer fit within the Trust’s plans to recreate a prototypical freight train from the 1950/60s.

The Trust has recently purchased two British Railway coal wagons that are more in keeping with the Station.

Trust Chairman Stephen Lacey said, “These two new ‘Mineral Wagons’ were once a common sight on the S&D. At the coal industries

peak in the 1960’s, hundreds of these wagons could be seen in the collieries sidings on a daily basis. Obtaining the two wagons is a positive step towards the Trust’s ambition to re-create a typical Train of the era.

We now need to raise some funds towards the cost of transporting these wagons from Swanage” Donations can be made via the website at www. sdjr.co.uk/fundraising. Visitors are welcome to visit the station at Midsomer Norton and view the progress made so far to restore it to the fifties and sixties era. The next event at the Station is the Diesel Gala on March 7th and 8th.

See the website for details www.sdjr.co.uk

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

39

Help for parents from Pandas

I

t’s very exciting news that Midsomer Norton has a new Pandas support group open ‘free’ of charge for parents and babies/ toddlers to attend. Pandas support groups are run by trained volunteers, all over the country to support parents suffering from both Pre and Postnatal Anxiety and Depression. The support groups vary in size and structure but all have the same theme, to give parents a safe, nurturing, caring environment where they can talk and feel accepted. The groups also give parents a link to be signposted to gain the help they need, whether it be to a doctor, health visitor, councillor or support worker Pandas can help find the right route. Many Pandas support groups will ask for a voluntary small donation to attend.

Sally Teall has recently begun working as a voluntary support group leader for Pandas holding the sessions in her workplace at Holly Court.

Aside from Pandas Sally works with parents, babies and toddlers as a class instructor teaching baby massage, yoga and sensory play. Sally said ‘ As I struggled with postnatal depression and anxiety after the birth of two of my children I really

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wanted to work with this charity to help others in the way that I was supported, the work is so beneficial and being able to hold a weekly support group is wonderful for parents in this area. Sally went on to explain that she initially learned about Pandas from Kirsty Lanfear. ‘Kirsty has been working with Pandas for a long time and holds sessions every month in Frome on a Monday and Holly Court, Midsomer Norton on a Saturday which is excellent for parents who work to have access on a weekend.

Midsomer Norton Pandas support group sessions are held every Wednesday (term time) from 10 to 11.30. The sessions are warm, welcoming, and friendly and open to anyone struggling mentally pre or postnatally. The sessions are held in Sally Tealls sensory room, where the atmosphere is calm with sensory lights, bubbles, mirrors, balls and lots more baby equipment for little ones to explore whilst parents chat.

Sally says she would love parents to come along and to remember there is nothing to fear, if you are having worrying thoughts, feeling down, finding it hard to cope, please come along, you are not alone.

Contact Sally Teall on 07974 820944 or email sallyteall@hotmail.co.uk. On Facebook you will also find a Frome and Midsomer Norton Pandas Support Group page.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Sports Round-Up I

t’s been an interesting time on the football front for Welton Rovers during the Autumn and Winter periods.

The first team have struggled at times with consistency and at the time of writing find themselves four places above the bottom of the Toolstation Western League First Division.

Manager Jared Greenhalgh left the club towards the end of January and the club are searching for a replacement who can revitalise and energize the team.

Meanwhile the Reserves have had an outstanding season so far and sit proudly on top of the Somerset County Division East league. They only suffered their first defeat of the whole season, on the 1st February and if they maintain their excellent form promotion could well be on the cards.

The Under 18’s continue to thrive under the guidance of Aaron Seviour and have had some notable results and it is pleasing to see the number of local youngsters all stepping up and having a go.

On the Social side the club continues to thrive with skittles and functions a main stay of the club. Recently Quiz nights have been introduced on Fridays and a parents and children’s disco also.

The Town Council sponsored monthly Social, held on the first Thursday of every month in the clubhouse continues to draw in the crowds for a great afternoon of entertainment.

Up at Norton Down, the Midsomer Norton Rugby 1st Team find themselves in third position of the Tribute Western Counties North league, while having played one game less than the clubs either side of them.

In the recent derby game against local rivals Winscombe, four colts represented the club in the

23-12 win. These players have helped the colts to win twelve of their sixteen fixtures this season.

The 2nd Team, after a weak start, have now started to find their feet in their new league Tribute Somerset 1 and on Saturday beat Old Sulians, by a point, the team two places above them.

The third team are mid table in Tribute Somerset 3 South but are struggling with the lack of league fixtures so are having to organise their own games against other local teams. The 3rd team continues to provide an important stepping stone for young players to move into adult rugby.

At Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s AGM the week before Christmas, members reflected on a cricket season which saw the club make important progress on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, First XI skipper Martin Cox reported on the best placed finish, second place in WEPL Prem 2, since the creation of the WEPL pyramid.

Winning nine in a row in the second half of the season left the club 13 points short of top spot after beating champions Taunton Deane in the last game of the season. Jake Rowe was the leading run scorer and Dan Chard the leading wicket-taker but the captain emphasised that success was due to teamwork.

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

On the last weekend of the season, both the Second and Third XIs won their matches to secure promotion. Midsomer Mavericks, Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s women’s cricket team, retained the Somerset Cricket Board’s Softball trophy at Weston Super Mare on the last Sunday in June after beating the top teams from across the county once again.

Off the pitch, new changing facilities were built and opened and an extensive refurbishment of the clubhouse completed. The club received an award from the Town Council at a special community service at St John’s Church in June and hosted the successful Outfield festival in August. Planning is already well in hand for the 2020 event which takes place on 30th August 2020.

Along with the team captains, chairman Graeme King thanked all those who support the club in preparing pitches, making match day teas and refreshments and scoring. The club’s social activities continue to expand with the Friday night socials for younger members and their families proving especially popular.

Meanwhile, Mendip Hockey Club find themselves in something of a purple patch. The Men's first team are unbeaten since the end of November and are currently residing in second place in the Verde Recreo Central division. The Men's second team can boast a 100% record dating back to the end of October and are flying high at the top of West Central 2. With goals coming from a combination

41

of experienced club members and some promising younger players, the club are hoping for an exciting final quarter of the season.

Not to be outdone, the Ladies' first team have won all but two of their games so far this season, and find themselves clear at the top of East Division. Captain April Callow has some exciting fixtures ahead, with Mendip hoping to get the better of second placed Weymouth and secure the league title.

The Ladies second and third teams have suffered mixed fortunes, but both are holding their own in their respective divisions, and looking to build a strong platform for next season.

Meanwhile, junior coach Cherilyn Carey continues to see an impressive influx of players moving from Sunday morning junior training into the senior ranks.

The club look forward to celebrating some extraordinary hockey when the season draws to a close at Easter.

If this report has wetted your sporting appetite, tune in to Somer Valley FM every Tuesday at 6pm on 97.5FM for all the latest news from Welton Rovers, Midsomer Norton Cricket Club and Midsomer Norton Rugby Club, along with a host of our other local and professional teams. Special thanks go to Charlie Matthews, Carrie Tiley, Bob Allard and Neil Denning for their contributions towards this article.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Midsomer Norton Town Council 2020/2021 Precept How much does your household pay, on average, each week towards your Town Council?

£1.87 per week That’s based on an annual Precept of £97.19 for a Band D household The Council’s Strategic Objectives • To develop a strong sense of community • To encourage civic pride in our town • To be a well-run council that delivers results Since its formation in 2011 Midsomer Norton Town Council, its eleven Councillors and its Officers, have worked to deliver an increasing range of projects and services to take the town forward.

Council Projects We directly run or facilitate, in partnership with the community, a wide range of projects including: Town Park – With the Town Park Masterplan approved and funding secured of £300,000, work commenced in September clearing banks of brambles in the Wild Meadow, cutting back ground cover along the river bank revealing flowing water and reducing the overhanging tree canopies.

1. Re-establishing the original medieval town market place in The Island, 2. Improving the pedestrian walkway from South Road Car Park to the High Street, 3. High Street shop front and signage improvement scheme Community Events – We will continue to support events including the Arts Festival, the Summer Fayre, M-Fest, Carnival and the Outfield Festival.

Midsomer LIFE Magazine will be delivered to all households in the town in March, June, September and December 2020.

Community Grants – we will provide £20,000 next year to various community groups. Please see the website for details on how to apply for a grant.

Grants Awarded in 2019/2020 include

£

Midsomer Norton Football Club

£500

Town Trust

£4,878.60

Silver Street Nature Reserve

£500

Midsomer Norton Social Club

£3,000

Welton Rovers Football Club

£2,200

Important Dates for 2020-21 Public Annual Town Meeting – Mon 27th April

Wellow Brook – improvement to Wellow Brook but low key to preserve the natural character. On going management and maintenance of the site in conjunction with ecology of the site.

The Annual Meeting of the Town Council (which elects the Mayor) – Mon 11th May

High Street Heritage – After the successful bid from Heritage England work will commence on the following 3 projects:

Midsomer Town Fayre – Sat 11th July

Midsomer Civic Awards – Sun 21st June

Remembrance Parade – Sun 8th November

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

Regular Council Meetings Council Meetings are normally held bi-monthly on the first Monday of that month. These start at 7.00pm in the Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton. There is a public session prior to the meetings when questions can be asked of the Council by members of the public although they may not take part in the meeting itself. Members of the public are welcome to attend all Town Council and Committee Meetings.

Planning applications are considered by the Planning Committee which normally meets on the second Monday of the month at 7.00pm in the Town Hall.

The Planning Committee continues to contribute to a range of planning consultations and makes a strong case for investment and for development that enhances the character, sustainability and infrastructure of our town.

43

Budget 2020/2021 Expenditure Central Services – Council Office, Staff, Equipment, Professional Fees

£174,935

Democratic Process & Civic Support – Newsletter, Town Twinning, Training etc

£16,850

Capital & Projects – Town Park, Town Centre Regeneration etc

£18,096

Community Support - Grants & Events

£101,750

Youth Activities

£10,500

Town Environment

£61,988

Devolved Services – Street Marshals

£19,500

Wellow Brook

£2,000

Work continues producing a Neighbourhood Development Plan, managed by a Steering Group consisting of Councillors and volunteers.

Town Park

£1,000

Allotments

£1,350

Finance & Operations Committee Meetings are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm in the Town Hall.

Memorials

£2,000

West Clewes

£4,750

The Finance & Operations Committee provides guidance to Committees and Council on overall levels of income and expenditure and consider and make recommendations to Full Council on items such as Public Realm, Grounds Maintenance (Green Spaces) and Community Engagement.

Total Net Budget Expenditure £414,719

Councillor Surgeries are now being held once a month. See the Council Website for details If you have any questions on the precept or Midsomer Norton Town Council, please contact the Town Clerk on 01761 418701, by e-mail to townclerk@midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk or by post to The Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2HQ

Compares with 2019/2020 Total Budget

£375,517

Income Precept Received

£388,156

Misc Income

£5,500

Allotments

£1,100

West Clewes

£3,000

Total Budget Income

£397,756

Use of Council Reserves

£16,963

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

45

NEW DRIVERS SWAN TRANSPORT

S

wan Transport assists older and disabled people residents in Bath & North East Somerset on low income (with savings of under £16,000). It enables people to participate in social, recreational and community opportunities and helps people remain independent. Last year in 2018-19 our drivers provided 5,476 journeys across BATHNES. Swan Transport is part of Swan Advice Network.

Swan Transport’s brilliant team of volunteers are so busy that we need new volunteer drivers to come forward and join our team and help to get people who have no transport of their own to take journeys across the BATHNES County. For example hospital trips, visiting friends or attending local clubs. We have people trying to access regular weekly journeys and not enough drivers to go around.

If you have use of a car and want to stay healthy and boost your wellbeing consider becoming a volunteer driver with Swan. Whether you’re a young driver or an older driver we would love to hear from you and whatever time you can give will be valued. We pay mileage expenses based on the Inland Revenue rates and training and support is provided.

Linda joined Swan around 3 years ago and says ‘It’s great to be able to help people and make getting to appointments easier. I love chatting to my passengers, hearing about their history or their family and also putting the world to rights sometimes!’

Please ring us on 01761 439548 or email swan. transport@btconnect.com and talk to Sarah or Ann who can explain a bit more and answer your questions about volunteering as a driver.

Interactive Holy Week Prayer Space

D

uring Holy Week (w/b 6-4-20) there will be an opportunity for people of all ages to engage with prayer activities in Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

A prayer space is ‘just what it says on the tin’ – a space where you can spend time reflecting, praying and exploring things which tend to get pushed to one side in the busyness of daily life.

There will be a variety of things to do which will include activities such as writing down our ‘Big Questions’, reflecting on what we should remember and try to forget with the help of an elephant, feeling a little more courageous

prompted by angels….and a whole lot more! The activities will be interactive in nature, telling step by step the story of the first Easter. These will be a self- directed, so you can take as much time to move through them as you wish. Each of them will have a set of directions in order for you to get the most out of each activity.

The church will be open Monday-Thursday mornings from 9am -12.30 and on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 7pm -9pm. Please feel free to come and go as you please during these times.

So why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose and ever so much to gain! See you there!

46

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

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LOCAL LIFE

47

REGULAR EVENTS IN MIDSOMER NORTON MONDAY Police Beat Surgeries every third Wednesday of the month between 10 - 11am at Costa Coffee, The Hollies.

Come and meet a member of the team to discuss local policing issues.

Carer’s Centre Coffee Mornings, first Monday of the month 10am - 12pm.

Join Carer Support Officer, Lorraine for one to one support and to meet other like minded people in a similar situation. Mardons’ Social Club. For more information call 0800 0388 885.

Stop off for tea, 11am - 1pm at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

Knit and Natter, 1.30pm at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

First Tuesday Women’s Group, 2.30pm Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

U3A Coffee Mornings, last Monday of every month (3rd Monday on bank holidays) 10.30am - 12pm at the Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton.

Walking Football, 10 - 11am Midsomer Norton Leisure Centre.

AgeUK Book Group, third Tuesday of the month 10 - 11.30am Midsomer Norton Library.

First Thursday Social, first Thursday of every month at Welton Rovers Football Club, 2pm - 5pm.

Midsomer Norton Lunch Brunch, first Monday of every month in and around Midsomer Norton, contact AgeUK for next venue, active@ ageukbanes.co.uk or 01225 484510.

Cook and Eat Sessions, first and third Tuesday of the month, 11.30am - 2pm at Orchard Hall. Contact AgeUK B&NES for more details, active@ ageukbanes.co.uk or 01225 484510.

Singing for Fun, last Tuesday of the month, 2.30 - 4pm at Orchard Hall.

For more information, contact AgeUK B&NES, active@ageukbanes.co.uk or 01225 484510.

Tai Chi, 11am - 12pm at the Town Hall.

U3A speaker meetings, second Monday of every month, 2pm at the Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton.

Full Town Council Meetings, first Monday of alternate months, Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 7 - 9pm public welcome.

TUESDAY Men’s Shed Meetings, 9.30am 2.30pm, Farrington Farm.

WEDNESDAY Roots Baby and Toddler Group, 1 2.30pm Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

Tai Chi, 2 - 3pm at Orchard Hall.

Midsomer Norton Walking Group, first and third Wednesday of the month, meet at The Hollies Garden at 10am, for more information, contact AgeUK B&NES, active@ ageukbanes.co.uk or 01225 484510.

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THURSDAY

FRIDAY Cinema at the Midsomer Norton Town Hall, every 2nd & 4th weekend of the month.

Men’s Shed meetings 9am – 1pm, Farrington Farm.

SATURDAY Somerset Farmers’ Market, first Saturday of the month, outside the Hollies Gardens, Midsomer Norton High Street.

Cinema at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, every 2nd & 4th weekend of the month.

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48

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

RADSTOCK ROAD ALLOTMENTS W

arm greetings from the allotment holders at the Midsomer Norton allotment, which is on Radstock Road, opposite the garages. The allotment committee are a happy bunch of around sixty people who love growing their own vegetables and in some cases, flowers.

There are many benefits of growing your own, for instance no additives or fertilizers, such as glyophosphates. Much of the food available in supermarkets is treated in one way or the other, and the policy of the committee is to avoid using artificial fertilizers wherever possible, instead, they organise regular deliveries of manure to enable people to treat their plot. There is also a running water supply, thanks to the Town Council who provide this service. There is a movement to have a beehive or two installed somewhere on the allotment. Bees play a vastly underestimated role in pollinating and enriching the environment and the committee are currently considering trialling beehives in the near future.

The allotments have a wide variety of tenants, some of which have had their plots for forty years or more and others who are new to allotments. It is a peaceful and non-stressful environment and as such, there are a few pheasants that can be seen and in previous years, deer have been sighted.

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Plot holders are welcome to put up their own shed, normally 6' x 4', and there is a communal shed for those who wish to store less valuable tools such as spades and forks, which is available for all allotment users. There is also a communal area for those wishing to store bamboos for such purposes as runner bean propagation. Plot holders take the supplies they want when needed and return them when they are finished.

The committee organises several annual social events, which all plot holders are welcome to attend, including a BBQ in June and an AGM in October.

Currently all plots are full, anyone who would like an allotment should contact the committee via the website to add their name to the waiting list.

Find out more: MSNallotments.net

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A COMPLETE PAIR OF SPECTACLES W IT H TH IS V OUCH ER

Part of the joy of being an allotment holder is that you can ask your neighbours what grows best and be guided by them to avoid vegetables that are too much the subject of interest by pests and if you are going to be on holiday during the growing season then you can always ask someone else to help you with the occasional watering.

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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE

49

Walking Football for Over 60’s M

idsomer Norton over 60's Walking Football group started playing 4 years ago at Welton Rovers with just 4 to 6 players.

Since those early days,they now play at Midsomer Norton Sports Centre, on a Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 11am and now attract 16 to 20 players on a regular basis. Altogether they have around 40 players signed up but due to work, holidays or ill health, they don't all turn up together.

There are many benefits to playing walking football regularly including maintaining health and fitness together with mental wellbeing being the most important. However being out in the fresh air with like minded people playing football is both enjoyable and stimulating.

Some of the players have stories to tell regarding health issues including major heart operations, recovering or going through radiation and chemotherapy for cancer and knee or hip replacements.

A lot of the players with health problems have found being with the group has helped with rehabilitation and recovery, due to the camaraderie and friendly banter shared by the players.

Recently Age UK, who used to manage the sessions, have unfortunately lost the funding for walking football which has left the group to their own devices.

A few of the players together with Angelo Ruiz, the founder of the group, have set up an action group to promote and raise funds to keep the group playing.

They're hoping that local businesses would make donations towards paying for the pitches, football

kit and footballs, which would allow them to keep going and reaping the benefits for all concerned.

The cost per session is only ÂŁ5 but a free taster on a one off basis is offered to anyone wanting to give it a go.

No appointment or notification is required, just turn up with your kit on the relevant day, and enjoy yourself.

For any further information contact Angelo Ruiz on 07470 259513 or angeloruiz@hotmail.co.uk

50

LOCAL LIFE

A MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK In December the Town Council hosted their very first free Children’s Christmas events, which were both a great success. Both the officers and councillors loved seeing the children excited and looking forward to Christmas. The comments received from parents were positive and the Town Council will look at continuing the events in future years.

The first successful Councillor’s Surgery took place just after Christmas; the staff in the office have been looking at the issues that were raised and have been successful in resolving many of them.

We’re also aware of some Anti Social Behaviour being reported in South Road. This has been reported to B&NES and is currently being looked into. The lights have also been reported as not working and again this has been reported to B&NES. The council have also received a number of positive comments following an overhaul of the river.

Recently, Midsomer Norton Town Council received a prestigious award as part of the Local Council Award Scheme. This achievement recognises that the council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement. Moreover, Midsomer

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Norton Town Council goes above and beyond their legal obligations, leading their communities and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop even further. Work has already started towards achieving the Gold Award and the Town Council is looking to achieve this award as the first council in the region, the registration has been completed so watch this space!

You might have noticed that Midsomer Norton Town Council are moving with the times! New Facebook and Twitter pages have been created by our officers, so make sure to follow us. Being on Social Media makes our news and events more easily available to a wider group of people, but of course, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need any information.

As you’ll see from this issue, the Town Park has now progressed to the next stage. You’ll also be able to read updates on the town’s War Memorial.

You may have noticed that the flag was lowered to half-mast on Monday 27th January in respect of the 75-year anniversary of Liberation for Auschwitz.

I’m sure you’re all interested in this year’s precept.

This has been finalised and further details can be found in this edition.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone in the community that the Annual Town Meeting will be held in the Town Hall Assembly Room on Monday 27th April at 7pm and the Annual Meeting of the Town Council (which elects the Mayor) is taking place on Monday 11th May. Donna Ford PSLCC Town Clerk

LOCAL LIFE

YOUR TOWN COUNCILLORS

Cllr Michael Evans (Mayor) 01761 235996

Cllr Steve Plumley (Deputy Mayor) 07913 952901

michevans@gmail.com

s.plumley@sky.com

Cllr Sue Graham 07896 411 840

Cllr Brian Lawrence

sujgraham@gmail.com

(Chair of Finance and Operations Committee)

07701 007 277

51

Midsomer Norton Town Council Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton Bath BA3 2HQ - 01761 418701 townclerk@midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk

Cllr John Baker 07827 994171 j.baker6@sky.com

Cllr Lynne Clement 07855 037805 01761 414003 lynne.clement@btinternet.com

Cllr Gordon Mackay (Chair of Planning Committee)

07806 604 302

bcml@hotmail.co.uk

council@gordonmackay.net

Cllr Lynda Robertson 01761 415629

Cllr Richard Robertson 01761 415629

Cllr Chris Smith 07969 181 166

therobertsons70@outlook.com

therobertsons70@outlook.com

nannychris57@outlook.com

Cllr Michael Moxham 01761 419960 07593 185850 michael.moxham@freenet.de