SUPPORT THE HIGH STREET THIS CHRISTMAS

REasOns TO sUPPORT MIDSOMER NORTON HIGH STREET This ChRisTMas

With everything that has happened this year, Christmas shopping is going to be much more arduous than usual. Who wants to head into the city and stand about in the cold queuing and trying to avoid other shoppers? especially when you could find gifts for your family and friends on midsomer norton high street, saving yourself money and stress and also helping with the local economy which has been hit particularly hard in 2020. With lockdown being lifted on the 2nd december (at the time of writing), we encourage you to visit your local shops and buy local.

here are some reasons why you should use our high street this Christmas.

unique and more personal gifts

our local independent and smaller shops source their stock from a wide range of suppliers, meaning you’ll often find products that don’t appear in national chains. if you’re on the hunt for something unique that will really brighten someone’s Christmas, you never know what you might find! from antiques and the unusual, to flowers and beauty gift vouchers, there is something for all.

you can get better service

in the city and with national chains, there is no real accountability when it comes to customer service. in a smaller, local shop though, business owners often know much more about the products and can offer better advice as well as being generally friendlier.

It’s much more ethical

if you care about the environment, shopping local is the best option. When you visit the high street, you are using less petrol travelling around and so are your purchases, especially if you shop for products that are made in the area or buy gift vouchers. the high street also has shops that pride themselves on eco products and recycled goods.

Shopping local boosts the economy and the price of your home!

according to research conducted by local authorities across the Uk, every £1 spent in the high street meant 63p for the local economy compared to 40p that came from spending a £1 in a national chain. shopping locally is vital to keep the economy growing, it creates jobs and it makes the high street look nicer. plus, research has shown that high streets that are thriving boosts the prices of nearby homes. apparently, homes near prosperous town centres have risen by an average of £40,000 more than properties near quieter high streets – so that’s something to think about. not only that, but shopping in the high street also allows you to support vital services, like the library, local green spaces and other locally run services.

you can save time

this is one of the busiest times of the year, so obviously, you want to try and save as much time as possible so you can spend more of it with your loved ones and less of it stood around hunting for gifts. By popping to the high street, you can save yourself the time (and the energy) of travelling out of town.

It’s more socially rewarding

Yes, we know, rule of six, no socialising and the recent lockdown but shopping local is a much more rewarding social experience than shopping in Bath or Bristol. not only are you being served by other local people, who you might even know personally or know of, but everyone else shopping is local too, allowing you to catch up – from a distance – of course! By supporting our high street, you can help create jobs, support the local community and with all the shops in the high street following the guidelines, it is a safe and convenient way to get everything you need for Christmas.

ave time, save money, save the high street Shop local this Xmas

We sell gift vouchers for the perfect Xmas present Winter Warmer Special – £35 Hot stone back and upper body massage. (Offer until end of February 2021)

124 High Street mSn

Tel: 01761 410977 or 07927 153518 Email: edenbeauty2@aol.co.uk

www.edentreatmentrooms.co.uk

NORTON DISCOUNTS

Lots of bargains for all your Christmas needs

Gift ideas and Stocking Fillers Gift bags and wrapping Xmas lights and decorations Chocolates and sweets Plus too much more to list! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

111 High Street, MSN. Norton-Discounts

Christmas fabric and ribbons Cross stitch and felting kits Art materials, knitting yarn, work boxes Gift vouchers available

• GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE • CBD BATH BOMBS NOW IN STOCK • CBD PRODUCTS • CBD FOOD AND DRINK AND MUCH MORE 9 HIGH STREET, MIDSOMER NORTON BA3 2LE 01761 568081 • broadies-supplements.co.uk broadies.supplements@googlemail.com #broadiessupplements

DUSTLAND FAIRYTALE ANTIQUES & RESTORATION

Furniture • Vintage Toys • Silver Objects • Glassware Ceramic Items • Jewellery • Vintage Coins • Lighting Unusual & Rare Objects • Bric-a-brac ... etc. All types of furniture restored/repaired (free quote) Free valuations given for insurance or selling. For enquiries, please phone Sean on: 07454 972 973 129 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DA (next to One Stop shop) Open: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Like and follow us on facebook

PROOF

Wellness Centre Gift Chiropody Clinic Ladies Gym Vouchers Available Sunbeds 01761 410021 www.feet1st4u.co.uk 6A-6B The Hollies, Midsomer Norton

MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE14 Pure beauty – Why not book in for a Xmas make over or buy a gift voucher so a loved one can get a treatment. from gel polish manicures, pedicures and specialist facials, to brows, lashes, make up, waxing, laser hair removal and tanning. pure Beauty is your glam one-stop-shop. Magpie Vintage & curiosities sells a little bit of everything – vintage, retro, weird and wonderful. Clothing and accessories date from the 1950s, to the 1980s and other curios have a mid20th century vibe. Curiosity Corner offers a selection of unique vintage and new gifts featuring fairies and Unicorns, Witches and Wizards, skulls and Crystals. pick up something unique and unusual, get that special outfit or gift that no one else will have.

High Street DIy – With everything you need for the winter and festive season, this little treasure trove is bursting with goods for Christmas.

from Xmas trees and lights to Xmas decorations and gifts. You’ll also find everything to keep you warm including hardwood logs and electric heaters.

Norton Sports and camping – do you have a sports lover in the family? then see what norton sports and Camping have to offer this year. they sell sports memorabilia and football calendars as well as sports themed stocking fillers. also, everything you need for the camping enthusiast.

ceilia's Place – not only can you get your hair coloured like a rainbow at Celia's place but it also sells comics, pin badges and products like manic panic hair dye and evo hair products. pop in and see what little gems you might find for your comic lover.

The Green Shop stock a large range of whole foods, zero-waste refills, herbs and spices but this Christmas they have some lovely gifts available: scrumptious Booja-Booja chocolates, a large range of organic and free-from Christmas calendars and gentle, eco-friendly and vegan toiletries. do your shopping and then buy a delicious hot drink to take-away. broadies Supplements – You can trust you are getting top quality products from Broadies supplements as all the products are third party lab tested in certified Uk labs and tested by Broadies themselves before they reach the shelf. the products can benefit everyone from young to old, so give the gift of CBd this Christmas. Feet1st4u – treat your loved ones this Christmas. gift vouchers can be used for most treatments within the salon. gym memberships, sunbed courses, beauty and holistic treatments, chiropody, semi-permanent makeup and botox clinics. piercings also available.We also stock a range of beauty gifts sets with fabulous savings off the rrp.

Eden Treatment Rooms specialises in facial skin care, micro blading and massage and holistic therapies, so if someone you love needs to unwind and relax, is suffering from aches and pains or has health issues, why not give them a fabulous treatment as a gift this Christmas. Dustland Fairy antiques – have you ever thought of buying antiques for Christmas gifts? these will be gifts that you would not find anywhere else. this aladdin’s Cave is jam packed with all kinds of things, from silver items, decorative boxes and trench art to gardenalia, vintage radios and enamel signs. Norton Discounts – You can find nearly everything you need for the home and yourself in this fantastic variety shop. from toys, hardware, home furnishings, and a selection of groceries to health and beauty products. You’ll find all your Christmas stocking fillers in one place! Sweet Pea Floral Design has all your floral needs this Christmas. make your home beautiful with Christmas wreaths, seasonal bouquets, plants and table decorations. or why not order a stunning delivery to someone special this festive season. deliveries and contactless collections are always available. Lilley's Vinyl Revival – the perfect gift for your music lover. thousands of pre loved records, covering every genre along with music memorabilia. You can even buy record store gift vouchers that come with a choice of gift cards, Blondie, elvis or hendrix and a pretty sparkly envelope. Rose crafts – helping customers for over 30 years with all things related to arts, crafts, haberdashery, fabric, sewing and knitting, rose Crafts is jammed with all your crafting needs. it is one of the biggest shops of its kind in the area, so pop in and get crafty this Christmas.

MidsOMER nORTOn u3a

he University of the third age (U3a) was founded some 35 years ago and the norton T radstock branch has been in existence for 21 years. the movement encourages groups of people in their third age to come together and continue the enjoyment of learning in subjects of interest to them. ”third age” is defined by a time in your life where you have the opportunity to undertake learning for it’s own sake. there is no minimum age, but a focus on people who are no longer in full time employment or raising a family.

norton radstock U3a meets under normal circumstances twice a month at the somer Centre in midsomer norton, for a coffee morning and also for a speaker meeting. although we have 450 members, these meetings attract around half of that number. We have around 30 interest groups run by the members. these groups cover various activities; badminton, table tennis, rambling, computing, creative writing, poetry, singing, ukulele, wine club, mah jong, current affairs – the list is too long to include here, but suffice it to say that there is something for everyone. if there is something you are interested in which isn’t covered, you can receive help in starting up your own group.

naturally, during lockdown we have been unable to meet in the usual way, but that hasn’t stopped our members pursuing their interests. they have embraced many different ways of meeting including Zoom. these difficult and changing times mean that we have to find new ways of doing things. We are lucky to live in an era when most people are aware of, if not fully conversant with, social media and the internet. our national website contains much of interest, quizzes, competitions, workshops and so much more. it is well worth exploring what is on offer. U3a is alive and well and raring to go, albeit via different methods than in the past. Check out the website – you will not be disappointed or ring 01749 938650 for more information.

ginny edwards – october 2020

YOUR HIGH STREET NEEDS YOU

Takeaways always available Winter menu Hot Drinks and Hot Chocolate

Keep upto date with opening times and Covid measures on Facebook jacarandascoffee hollies Gardens Ba3 2dP MidsoMer NortoN ChristMas FarMers Market saturday 5th december 9am-1pm Next market Feb 6th 2021

TOWn COUnCiL GRaNTS

very year, midsomer norton town Council give out £20,000 in grants to charities and E community groups in the town. the grants are used to help the community of midsomer norton.

since 2011, £245,000 has been awarded to groups including menCap, age Uk and the Youth Club. there are 3 different types of grants that can be applied for – small grant – grants of up to £500, Community grant - for larger projects and revenue grants which are paid over 3 years.

applications are sent to the town Council who discuss the details in the finance and operations committee meetings and decide whether to grant the request. Certain criteria must be met including the project having an impact on residents of midsomer norton. there was no countdown and there were no on’, with electricians turning them on individually. the lights were then photographed and filmed Council website and social media sites.

last year grants were used for the town fayre, by

Welton rovers for a new boiler, the air Cadets to provide first aid training in the Community and sWan to provide transport for the disabled and elderly, to name a few. anyone can apply for a grant. the application forms are available on the website or by contacting the town Council. grants awarded so far this year: Age UK – £3,000 SWALLOW – £1,500 Farmer's Market – £1,200 MENCAP – £1,000 Dial a Ride – £1,000 MSN Cricket Club – £3,500 MSN RFC – £3,000 Nature Reserve – £500

TOWn cHRISTMaS LIGHTS & TREE

The Christmas lights in midsomer norton were switched on during the third week of november.

crowds this year. instead there was a ‘soft switchand shared on the midsomer norton town

Bath Play Area – £500 the town Council are hopeful that the lights and the Christmas tree can be enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the high street and bring some Christmas spirit to our town. the challenges of the second lockdown to local businesses cannot be underestimated. You are encouraged to shop local if possible and find out if shops are offering delivery or taking orders online.