17 minute read
IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT WELLOW BROOK WALK
mprovement works at Wellow Brook Walk were approved at a full Council meeting I held in midsomer norton on september 7th 2020. Wellow Brook flows through midsomer norton beneath thicket mead bridge and on to the north of Wheeler's hill. it then joins up with the river somer and eventually the river avon. the area of land in the town through which the brook flows is owned by the duchy of Cornwall, who lease it to the town Council, and who have been contacted to seek approval for the works.
improvement works are expected to begin once the full construction detail package of information has been completed. the aims of the works are to improve the appearance and arrangement of the area, while at the same time maintaining the ecology of this diverse area and its abundance of wildlife. in order to protect the local species, darwin ecology have been asked to advise on any mitigation procedures to safeguard any potentially protected species during the work and to provide a working management plan. data available on the site has also been obtained from Bristol environmental records Centre, which will feed into this process. the Council has again consulted with andy king at new leaf studios for the project, a chartered landscape architect based in the area. the Council have already worked extensively with andy king on the town park.
Works to be undertaken include: improving the main through path; replacing fencing and the kissing gate at the west entrance from northmead road; clearing vegetation to provide a view of the brook; removing existing dilapidated post and wire strand fencing; installing a new seat along the same lines as the seating on the riverside walk in the town park and installing a picnic bench to attract people to the area. the meadow area
will also receive attention and will be managed to maintain a balance of grassland and scrub and reduce the over dominance of coarse plants. the himalayan Balsam in the area will also be brought under control. mowing will be undertaken periodically to provide space for the public to use. the plan for the works also identifies two locations for new, improved interpretation signage. the design of these signs has not yet been agreed. however, it is envisaged that the signs will be similar to those in the town park. By improving this green space in the town, it is hoped that the area will be an attractive, natural, and usable space for the residents of midsomer norton to enjoy.
Councillors discussed concerns raised during consultation with B&nes about the use of motorbikes on the paths when fencing and kissing gates are replaced at the west entrance. Council members were keen to open the land at Wellow Brook Walk to ensure full disabled access. they agreed to monitor future use of the site and reevaluate if any problems arise.
GO OnLinE FOR TRIO PaRaDIS
rio paradis are the trio in residence at midsomer norton town hall, where during T normal times they perform a monthly themed 'cafe concert' on the first friday lunchtime of every month.
since lockdown, the trio - Jacquelyn Bevan (piano), lisa Betteridge (violin) and linda stocks (cello) , have recorded the concerts live and have made them available on Youtube.
"We are really missing our lovely audience, and want to keep in touch with them", said Jacquelyn Bevan, "and thanks to social media we now have viewers and subscribers from all over the world.
Carers’ Centre
We’re still here to support unpaid carers in BaNES If you’re looking after someone else during this crisis we’re here to support you. Get in touch for: • Trusted information and advice • Help planning for emergencies • Employment and grant support 0800 0388 885 Monday–Friday, 8.15am–3pm support@banescarerscentre.org.uk
meanwhile we are very much looking forward to playing live once again in midsomer norton town hall, which we hope will be in the spring. We are aiming for 1,000 Youtube subscribers in our first year - it's free after all!"
the 10 to 45 minute long concerts are available free (with donations invited) on the trio paradis Youtube channel, just type trio paradis in the search bar. to join the email list, contact trioparadis@icloud. com.
You can check when the trio will be live at the town hall again at www. midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk/live-music
G. Mitchard & SonsHigh Class Family Butchers Westfield Radstock BA3 3XS Tel: 01761 412109 www.gmitchardandsons.co.uk We would like to thank all our customers, old and new, for their support during this crisis. We are here to provide quality local meat for all your everyday requirements. Weekly orders taken for collection. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7am to 1pm Telephone orders taken from 7am to 5pm on 01761 412109, email or facebook.
We are now taking orders for all your Xmas needs Turkeys, Beef, Pork, Lamb, Hams, Bacon & Sausages. Wishing everyone well these troubled times.
hELP aVaiLaBLE aT DIaL-a-RIDE
ollowing a 3-month enforced shut down due to Covid-19, midsomer norton and F radstock dial-a-ride (registered charity) has been back up and running since the beginning of July.
We have transport available monday to friday between 8.30am and 4pm. all our buses are fully accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. We are available to take members door to door within Banes (excluding Bath City Centre) and provide transport to doctors, dentists, shopping, visiting friends or any other journeys required. Covid-19 precautions are in place with buses deep cleaned daily, and between trips, and hand sanitiser available. our 15-seater buses are currently only carrying a maximum of 4 passengers at any one time (unless in a social bubble) to allow for social distancing. if you would like to register as a member, or require any further information, please call the dial a ride office on 01761 417504 (office hours 9-3 monday-friday) and we will be happy to answer any questions.
City and Guilds electrician qualified and certified. Stroma Approved Contractor.
We’re the Current Specialist! Keeping you wired
All of our services are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our electricians can install anything from new security lighting for your outdoors to a whole home rewire. Our installation services are always done promptly and safely. Full-service electrical layout, design Wiring and installation/upgrades Emergency power solutions Virtually any electrical needs you have – just ask!
• Testing and Inspecting • Landlord Certificates • Installations • Maintenance • Repairs • Lighting • Security & CCTV
JOHN MARTIN COACH HOLIDAYS European, Ireland, UK holidays & day trips
DAY TRIPS: Please note, some dates may have changed due to November lockdown
TO MAKE A BOOKING OR REQUEST A BROCHURE CALL: 01761 417629
Thu 3 Dec – Tewkesbury Fri 4 Dec – Trago Mills Sat 5 Dec – Plymouth Tue 8 Dec – Gloucester & Quays shopping /sightseeing Sun 13 Dec – Cardiff Tue 15 Dec – Abergavenny & Market Wed 16 Dec – Worcester Thu 17 Dec – Christmas Lunch Bedford Hotel, Sidmouth Sun 17 Jan – Slimbridge Wetland Centre & winter feeding Sun 31 Jan – Lunch at the Palace Hotel, Paignton Wed 21 Feb – Bedford Hotel Lunch, Sidmouth Sat 6 Mar – Poole Tue 9 Mar – Gloucester Quays & Dobbies Wed 10 Mar – Abbey Mill Lunch & Wye Valley Wed 17 Mar – Hereford
Sussex by the Sea BW Beachcroft Hotel, Felpham Mon 18 – Fri 22 January 5 Days – £249 (single supplement £46) Warner’s Entertainment Break Sinah Warren, Hampshire Fri 22 – Mon 25 January 4 Days – £249 South Devon Explorer 3 star Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton Mon 25 – Fri 29 January 5 Days – £299 (single supplement £46)
Mother’s Day Weekend 3 star Palace Hotel, Paignton Fri 12 – Mon 15 March 4 Days– £259 Warner’s Cheshire 4 star Alvaston Hall Hotel Mon 15 – Fri 19 March 5 Days – £395 Staffordshire’s Finest 4 star BW Plus Stoke on Trent Fri 26 - Mon 29 March 4 Days – £359 (single supplement £102)
JOIN NOW with no club joining fee
Keep up to date with current information regarding the Health Club,
Restaurant and Hotel on Instagram and Facebook
@centurionhotel @CENTHEALTH @CENTHOTEL
The Centurion Health Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary of opening this year. Although this milestone has passed during challenging times, I am immensely proud to be the manager and be able to welcome so many of our members back to the gym. The Centurion is one of the longest established gyms in the area with an excellent reputation for personal and professional service. Our members’ health and safety are always our number one priority. Jol Burgess - Health Club Manager
TOWn COUnCiLLOR SuRGERIES
idsomer norton town Councillors were very keen to recommence surgeries in M order to provide the opportunity for residents to speak to them face to face. Before the second lockdown was announced, we took advice about the risks this would involve and planned possible ways to hold surgeries whilst maintaining social distancing and keeping Councillors and residents safe. Unfortunately, with cases of Coronavirus on the rise and now the pronouncement of a second lockdown, we regret that we cannot recommence surgeries this year. midsomer norton town Council will defer surgeries until the end of January 2021, and consider starting again in february 2021.
We urge residents to look at our website, www.midsomernortontowncouncil.co.uk, for up to date information about the dates of town Council meetings and for the minutes of meetings. look at our facebook page, www.facebook.com/ midsomernortontC, for the latest news. Contact details for Councillors and the town Council staff are also available on the website.
COUnCiL MEETinGs DaTES
all meetings to take place via Zoom until further notice – Zoom joining details will continue to be published online and on the noticeboard outside of the town hall.
December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
1st february – full Council (Budget & precept) 8th february - planning 9th february - finance and operations
March 2021
1st march – full Council 8th march - planning 9th march - finance and operations
april 2021
12th april - planning 13th april - finance and operations 26th april – annual town meeting
May 2021
10th may– annual meeting of the town Council 11th may - finance and operations
Contact us for our FREE DESIGN SERVICE. We have stock in store and can guarantee supply of your kitchen in time for Christmas. Call us now.
Trusted by the trade, Howdens are chosen by thousands of tradespeople and homeowners alike for their home renovation project. Download our latest brochures today or order your copy to be delivered to your home by post. To support our trade account holders, and our local communities, our depots are open with measures in place to serve our customers safely.
Third Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Radstock BA3 4XD Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm | Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Tel: 01761 662000 Fax: 01761 412202 www.howdens.com/find-a-depot/radstock
We are also offering a Virtual Kitchen Design Service, where you can access our team of expert designers online. In-house design appointments are also available, with home visits conducted where it is safe to do so.
YOUR LOCaL LIbRaRy
Digital Library
We’ve had such a great response to our Virtual library whilst our libraries were closed during lockdown that we are continuing to expand and develop our service so you can continue to enjoy more of the library from the comfort of your own home!
You can find out about the latest updates, events, activities, information and book related news. We also have a brand new blog where you can also find printable kids' activities, book reviews, author interviews and much more.
to access our Virtual library visit: facebook: @Bathneslibraries1, twitter: @Bathnesl, instagram: @bathnes_libraries, Blog: bathneslibraries.wordpress.com
book Drop
Would you like some library items to be dropped off at home? library staff will select books for you - you can tell us what you would like and we’ll do our best to accommodate. our volunteers will collect them from us and drop them off at your home, complying with social distancing guidelines at all times. this scheme is open to all existing home library service members and new customers who may benefit from the service. for more information, please
– NOW OPEN –our new car wash!
• Free winter checks • MOT Centre • Car wash • Auto Trader approved car sales • Institute of Motor Industry qualified technicians
01761 416244 01761 416244
JB Autos, Radstock Rd, Midsomer Norton
email: homelibraryservice@bathnes.gov.uk or telephone 01225 394041
December – a Festive Fatality
fancy cosying up with a crime story with a bookish twist? Can you decipher the clues in our library themed festive thriller? polish your magnifying glass and get ready to inspect ‘12 days of murder: a festive fatality’. We’ll be sharing more information over the next few weeks on our Virtual library and Blog. if you correctly guess ‘whodunnit’ you could be in with a chance of winning a book-themed prize!
bbc 100 Novels campaign
We’re taking part in the BBC's 100 novels that shaped our World campaign, where we’ll be celebrating and highlighting titles that have been chosen by a panel of critics and judges who have chosen books that had an impact on their lives. We’ll be promoting the campaign online and in our libraries with displays. You can reserve titles featured in the campaign, free for Bath and north east somerset library members by visiting www. librarieswest.org.uk
for more information on the campaign visit: bit.ly/100novelslists
WELTON CABS 01761 417600 Friendly and reliable service 4 - 6 seater cars
FUndRaisinG FOR SWaLLOW
WalloW members, local teenagers and adults with learning disabilities have been S keeping busy during the pandemic. even though some of the sWalloW activities have had to close during the first lockdown, the charity has continued to provide support throughout the crisis.
in october, members decided that they wanted to do something to raise money for sWalloW and 25 members took part in a number of sponsored walks. here are some photos of members getting fit and raising money at the same time:
this article was written just as the second national lockdown was starting and, knowing the hugely negative effect the first one had on people with learning disabilities, causing anxiety and mental health issues, sWalloW is doing everything it can to keep activities going and to provide support where it is needed.
sWalloW provides a lifeline to its members, giving people hope and support. as they look
towards Christmas, they are asking the local community to support their work, and there are a number of ways people can get involved: • Christmas Raffle – Tickets available at £1. Prizes include a luxury Christmas hamper and many other exciting prizes. • Christmas Hampers – products made at the sWalloW Café • Christmas Cards – packs of 6 cards for £5 – 2 of each design: • Make a Christmas donation – www.swallowcharity.org/support-us if you would like to support sWalloW, please contact nicky tew on nickyt@swallowcharity. org or phone 01761 414 034 or go to www. swallowcharity.org, or find them on facebook.com/sWalloWCharity
dOROThY hOUsE TO COLLECT
cHRISTMaS TREES
orothy house are excited to confirm that they will be sending out teams of D volunteers to collect Christmas trees over the weekend of 8th, 9th and 10th January. for a donation to the hospice, your tree will be collected from outside your home, chipped and shredded, then recycled.
the local hospice will be collecting trees in: Ba1, Ba2, Ba3, Ba4, Ba11, Ba12, Ba13, Ba14, Ba15, sn12, will go ahead on Jan 6th 2021 from 10.30am to 11.30pm for 6 weeks. the classes help parents with pre and postnatal depression and anxiety. the sessions will give you time to talk, relax, get some relaxation tips and offer further support if necessary. there will be 8 spaces offered and at this time bookings are the only way to attend. sn13, sn14 and sn15. Book your collection online when the website goes live at the end of november. You have until 5th January 2021 when web sign-ups close. www.charityxmastreecollection.com if you have any questions or want to get involved by volunteering a van, get in touch with steph Cox: steph.cox@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk or
JanUaRY RE-OPEninG FOR
PaNDaS SuPPORT GROuP
t is hoped, once lockdown is lifted, that the face to face classes of midsomer norton I pandas support group at sally teall's holistic hub
ring 01225 721480. this will become a bubble group for 6 weeks, and all parents will be required to wear a mask on entering the building until fully socially distanced within the bubble.
parents can come alone or with children but please inform the group in advance, so they can be aware of numbers. more guidelines will follow at the time of booking. if you would like to book, message sally teall on 07974820944, and you will be added to the list or waiting list.
YOUR HIGH STREET NEEDS YOU
nEWs FROM nORTOn RadsTOCk
PHOTOGRaPHIc SOcIETy
iven that lockdown has made photographing sports events nigh on G impossible since the spring, nrps members could have been forgiven for not being as enthusiastic as usual for the competition entitled 'sporting life', postponed from earlier in the year. however, this was not the case, and although judge steve hallam was less impressed with the black and white images, he felt that the colour entries were certainly up to standard.
We again gathered virtually on club night and were joined by a potential new member, alex montacute, who contacted us through the website. in these times of isolation, it is clearly important to be visible on the internet! alex was warmly welcomed and we hope he will be back. steve was looking for sporting action, and gave fair and helpful feedback and commentary upon the range of images that covered motor sports, cricket, skateboarding, rugby, judo and the everpresent horses. steve gave us some helpful hints on the technical aspects of sports photography on focusing, exposure and sharpness, and threw in some humour to boot. i particularly liked his comment that one photographer at the Bath marathon had, in addition to achieving a sharp image, managed to “get light on the runners behind!” We thoroughly enjoyed his comments and learned from them. the best photos from the evening are listed below and can be found under the Competition results gallery online.
in the black and white section graham nicholls and tony nineham were commended for their rugby and motor racing photos and tony also achieved highly commended together with Bill Collett and Jill toman. Bill’s “not out” in a village cricket match was placed third, with Jill toman’s “sport of kings” in second place. it was tony nineham again in the frame this week taking first place with his cycling photo “teammates”.
in the colour section, Bill Collet was commended for his Bath marathon shot (and for getting light on the runners behind), and was also commended for the dynamic “surfer” as was Jenny short for the cricket shot, “the one that got away”. highly commended were Janice Cuer for a rare polo shot, graham nicholls for “By the seat of his pants” and again tony nineham who was on a real roller, with “muddy Corner”. graham nicholls’ skateboarder “going down” took 3rd place, with Jenny short’s “eye on the Ball” in 2nd place. the winner in this section was Jill toman for “rounding the Bend” at a local point to point. Congratulations to all the winners and well done to everyone for entering! Jenny short 16/10/20
