The Town Council has now elected all of its Chairs of Committees for the final year of this current administration(2018-19) before next May’s Town and District Council elections. John Parham chairs ‘Policy & Resources’, Garfield Kennedy chairs ‘Collett Park Management’, and Jon Hardy replaces me as chair of ‘Open Spaces’.

In my few months as the chair of Open Spaces we instigated a new way of working, with greater participation by local residents at meetings. Both Open Spaces and Collett Park Managementcommittees are now conducted in a more relaxed and community-focussed way. 

The other change was that I took on the responsibility to erect and man the council’s gazebo at the monthly Sunday Markets to increase community consultation and engagement.  I hope that this will continue. The next Sunday Market takes place this weekend, before a summer gap until September.  Make it a date in your diary and come along, either just to browse, or better still, topurchase beautiful crafts and great produce. There will be plenty of jolly stalls and happy traders there to delight residents and the increasing number of visitors who have discovered that Shepton has gained a new confidence. 

Coming up, we have a series of events to mark important anniversaries:

We continue to celebrate that it’s 700 years since Shepton Mallet was awarded its Market Charter by King Edward II.  Later in the year, the town council will be holding a special commemorative event in November to mark the end of hostilities in the First World War. The Shepton Mallet branch of Royal British Legion is celebrating its 90th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the Legion are holding an event on 21st July starting at 1pm at the Shepton Mallet Bowls and Tennis Club, just off Charlton Road. In recent years, the local branch has been rejuvenated, attracting many new members, and I look forward to joining them to celebrate and thank them for their work here in Shepton.

The NHS is 70 years old this week. This amazing institutioncommands huge public support, and as its founder and championAneurin Bevan said: “the NHS will last as long as there are folk with the faith to fight for it”.  Shepton residents have recently proved they were prepared to stand up for our community hospital. 

The Friends of Shepton Mallet Hospital are holding a Summer Fête at St Paul’s School at 2pm on 21st July to celebrate the re-opening of the inpatient beds at the community hospital. Come and celebrate with those who worked so hard to protect the NHS here in our own community.

Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council