tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38411832341672978602024-03-04T12:22:12.014-08:00Chris's Blog - A View from SheptonChris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-54703163397675050322023-06-26T14:40:00.001-07:002023-06-26T14:40:56.631-07:00Values, interests and politics<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">During the last few years I was lucky enough to service my town as a local councillor, I wanted to achieve a progress on cycle and multi use paths, try to achieve social housing, achieve arts funding and raise money to invest in our local communities to create and achieve wealth locally.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was surprised to be asked to chair the Scrutiny Board at Mendip District Council after the conservative member resigned. I also lead on the social deprivation working group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Politics to me is about finding solutions to real problems, based on evidence that works with local stakeholders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was keen to interview local stakeholders to find out what the issues are for local people. Unsurprisingly, talking to Mendip Citizens Advice, we heard evidence that people on the lowest income needed more resources, needed more sympathetic communication and ending heavy handed bailiffs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In response to this evidence, Mendip increased the hardship fund to support people, looked at how to write to people in arrears and encouraged people to talk about their arrears this allowed people not to be taken to court. Clearly this was not a solution, but at least this mitigated hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We wanted to see people use the credit union, small saving allows access to low cost loans, many low income people cannot access financial services and credit unions can help people getting short term help and stop them getting involved with loan sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another major issue, this before the Ukrainian war, was fuel poverty. The housing stock in rural areas has poor insulation and energy efficiency, this causing low income to spend a disproportionate amount of their income on fuel.it is essential that grants were increased and access to low cost loans to improve the housing stock, if this is done, the residents will have lower fuel bills and help with climate change, using less energy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Living in rural areas the lack of public transport is particularly acute, effecting young people and poorer older people the hardest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In West Somerset access to education is effected by the lack of transport and the high price of it, opportunity is badly effected because of the lack of services. People who live in cities have colleges close with public transport, in rural communities there is a disincentive to go into further education, long days and high costs put barriers in the way of opportunity <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without decent public transport people without access to a car have to use more expensive local shops, those living on low incomes are disproportionately effected by this.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the neighbouring constituency of Somerton and Frome there is a by election, caused by the conservative MP resigning amid allegations of wrong doing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Imagine the opportunity this offers the opposition parties, rural deprivation has grown in recent years, imagine you are the Liberal Democrat and you are asked a question</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> by John Harris a guardian journalist about deprivation in the area, Sarah Dyke the Lib Dem candidate replied she had drunk her coffee a bit too fast, before asking: “What do you want to know? Something that’s a subject I don’t know anything about … I mean there’s pockets of deprivation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Never mind this question was an open goal, but most deprived people cannot afford a coffee from a coffee shop, if people are unaware of what deprivation is, how can those same people tackle these social ills.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This year the cost of food has rocketed with One in five people say they have missed a meal because they cannot afford food, over 2.5 million children receive free school meals, food inflation is 20% those on low income are being badly affected by the rising costs of food.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I find it astonishing that someone wishing to represent an area in parliament appears to be unaware of this hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We need our representatives to focus with a lazar on supporting the champions of the disadvantaged, Citizen advice are one such champion, as the state withdrawn this community based group offer the safety net for the disadvantaged who cannot access services.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">More support is required to allow young people to achieve their dreams and aspirations, rural areas need champions to raise these issues, the conservatives have failed our communities who are standing up for a better country for everyone?<o:p></o:p></span></p>Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-58411129666232677812023-06-20T14:47:00.000-07:002023-06-20T14:47:14.717-07:00It has to get started<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">As many people will be aware I stood back from the council and after 28 years of representing Shepton I needed a rest from the continual circle of meetings and casework.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Shepton is my home town and I’m greatly proud of the place I was raised and have had the pleasure to call home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This does not blind me to the many challenges that the community face and the opportunities we must seize.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Small market towns like Shepton needs decent public services, a strong economy and a real focus on tackling the real deprivation that faces us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Shepton has an excellent monthly Sunday market, when Somerset County Council threatened to downgrade our town’s essential Library, the Town Council under my leadership and with the great support of Garfield Kennedy and Jon Hardy and other town councillors used the Sunday market to gain public support to build the successful campaign that kept the library in the heart of our community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Sunday market is run by a super team that work extremely hard and after COVID has this year had to relaunch this community event. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This community interest company has many more stalls than the council run Friday market and offers local shopkeepers the opportunity to open to utilise the increased footfall that the Sunday market generates, allowing local people to see what the shops have to offer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Town Council is sponsoring the Neighbourhood plan <a href="https://sheptonmalletneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/">https://sheptonmalletneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/</a> I genuinely hope the Town Council will be at the market to collect feedback on the consultation document.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Like all small community initiatives they deserve the full support of our councils, as they build community assets and keep local money in our town. One key theme has to be about creating a strong local economy and how we support local business to keep more money within our area to create local prosperity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We need to find a way of helping local entrepreneurs to build their businesses, through support and advice and to access finance to invest. I see young people desperately trying to launch their businesses and it is obvious they need a helping hand, we must find ways of delivering this support </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyway, I look forward to the market this Sunday</span> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-74437839347060080622018-10-28T13:59:00.002-07:002018-10-28T13:59:57.840-07:00<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">Chairman</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">’</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">s Column - 25th October 2018</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Town and Parish Councils throughout Britain face the challenge of taking a much more proactive r</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ô</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">le in running local services. In Shepton, we are no different. As responsibilities for library provision, support for the Citizens Advice service, and even road surfacing, are curtailed or even cut entirely by higher authorities, we, as local people can either suffer in silence, or step up to the plate and do something about it.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Already Shepton Mallet Town Council is working hard to keep our library in the High Street, and has accepted that we will have to part-pay for the resurfacing of Town Street and the Market Square since the County Council has run out of money. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Services that were once seen to be essential </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">that were </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">provided by </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">authorities including </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">the Police, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the District and County Councils are being reduced</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> or withdrawn.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">In South Somerset, Martock Parish Council has hit the headlines in the national Press since they have taken up the challenge of providing services which are no longer available from other authorities. Despite Martock having a population roughly half that of Shepton, they have successfully tackled anti-social behaviour issues by engaging a private security firm to work alongside the Police. They have directly helped people on all matters to do with social services with free advice on benefits and jobs, and are considering options to provide housing for local people.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Our Town Council faces many challenges but continuing to make Shepton a safe and special place to live, work in and visit remains the top priority. If we want to support the services that are on our doorstep, we will have to take on much greater responsibilities</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> as public finances are squeezed ag</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ain and again.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Last Sunday, local historian, Alan Stone, delighted many visitors to the Town Council</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">s gazebo at the Sunday Market with his display celebrating the 700th Anniversary of our Market Charter. Again our monthly market attracted a steady stream of browsers and bargain hunters who turned out on a cold grey day to support local traders and learn more about our town and its long history.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">With the clocks going back this weekend, we have a lot to look forward to with the</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">arnival season nearly upon us</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. As usual </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">the Shambles and the Highwayman </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">lubs will do us proud </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">with their impressive floats and their </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">commitment to year</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-round</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> fundraising</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> to </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">give us an evening to remember in mid</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">November.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Inspired by the success of the Sunday Market, t</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">his year will see the first three</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">day Christmas market in Shepton</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. Again t</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">he hugely successful </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">L</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">antern </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Festival </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">will take place </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">on </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">the Saturday before Christmas, </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">in the preceding weeks</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> towns</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">people will </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">get</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> the </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">chance </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">to build their own lanterns and </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">demonstrate the amazing </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">creativity with</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">in</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> our </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">community.</span></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-75502546741205094112018-10-17T14:41:00.002-07:002018-10-17T14:41:22.652-07:00Chairman’s Column - 18 October 2018<br />
<br />
This Sunday sees the return of our ever-popular monthly market. At the event we will be celebrating the 700th anniversary of the charter given to Shepton by Edward II. The Town Council gazebo will exhibit a range of historical materials researched by Alan Stone. It will be your chance to gain an insight into the sweep of history that has led to the town we live in today.<br />
<br />
Way back in 1318, Britain was in a constitutional malaise. England was in dispute with the Scots, and had a load of trouble in Ireland and Wales. On a more positive note, Edward and the Earl of Lancaster had managed to sign a treaty and resolve some of their differences. I suspect Mrs May would very much like to have the same sort of breakthrough with the EU in 2018!<br />
<br />
The Collett Park Charity met last week to discuss our recently commissioned feasibility study into the future of the park. It’s a once in a generation opportunity to bring the park into the 21st Century. We have now considered the results of the public consultations that were held over the summer at a series of events including Collett Festival. The vast majority of your responses were very positive.<br />
<br />
A key aspect of this exercise was to gain your opinion on the state of the buildings next to the Park Road entrance, including the toilet facilities. As a result, the charity has agreed to do additional work within its budget to plan a design that will make long-term improvements and increase community facilities. It will give us the opportunity to reach out to funding bodies for their financial support to redevelop the infrastructure and make the park a haven for all age ranges and interests.<br />
<br />
Your feedback in the summer reaffirmed the oft-requested call to make urgent improvements to the play equipment in the park. Matt Harrison, a leading member of the FreSH group who were instrumental in raising funds for the skatepark and BMX track, now wants to help the Collett Park Charity raise money for an ambitious revamp of the play area. FreSH has already enlisted a growing group of local people willing to assist with community fund-raising to replace and upgrade the facilities.<br />
<br />
Often, we at the Town Council are approached by local residents wishing to donate trees to commemorate loved ones. We have now agreed a Collett Park tree strategy that identifies the best locations for planting, and specifies the species that are compatible with the overall planting scheme. We will continue to welcome these touching requests.<br />
<br />
Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-10392125226769327582018-10-10T12:06:00.002-07:002018-10-10T12:06:29.394-07:00<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">Chairman</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">’</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">s Report 11th October 2018</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">As the days get shorter and the autumn leaves blow around the town, </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">we start anticipating</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Hallowe</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">en, fireworks and </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">our</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> wonderful </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">arnival</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Also at this time of year we </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">reflect on </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">the act of remembrance that is held</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">on 11</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 7px; line-height: 8.399999618530273px; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> November</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. 2018</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">is of course</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">especially</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> poignant as we </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">commemorate </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">100 years since the ending of the First World War. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"></span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">All the giant red poppies that have appeared in Shepton have been installed by </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Nick Chambers and Edric Hobbs</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. You</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ll find them everywhere from the impressive</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> display </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">at </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">St Peters and Pauls </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">hurch, </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">to the one on the Babycham statue on Kilver Street. They make </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">a real visual s</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">tatement that reminds us that our freedoms have been won by the courage of others.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Next May, we will be asked once again to elect our </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Town and District </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">councillors. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Mendip Council will be holding a</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">n introductory session</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> for people considering standing</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> as District Councillors. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">This is an opportunity to meet </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">a panel of district councillors and discuss the</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ir</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> r</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ô</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">le </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and responsibilities</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">This event will be held at 7pm on </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">24</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">th</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> October</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">in the</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> Mendip C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ouncil </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">hamber.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Here in Shepton </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">we will also be electing our </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">town council</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">lors. T</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">his will give local</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> community-minded</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> people a chance to stand</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">, </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and if successful</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> play an important </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">part</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> in shaping </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">S</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">hepton</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">s future. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">In the last 4 years many new responsibilities have had to be taken on by the Town Council as the District and County Councils have reduced and cut their services. </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">The </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Town Council </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">now provides the </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">improved flower display</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">s on the High Street and</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> play</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">s</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> a full part in the monthly Sunday markets</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. We are </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">lead</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ing</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> the campaign to keep the library in the town centre and </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">have </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">agreed to part</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">fund the resurfacing </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">of the </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">town centre</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> with Somerset County Council (otherwise the broken paving will remain hazardous and unsightly)</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">We have </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">managed</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> procured </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and part-funded </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">the rebuilding of the skatepark and also part</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">-funded</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> the newly resurfaced BMX track.</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> T</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">he</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> town</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">c</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">ouncil ha</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">d to </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">increas</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">e its</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> staffing</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> to address all these new challenges</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">, </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and is about to appoint a Finance Officer to match the best practice of communities of our size.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Being a Councillor allows a key involvement </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">at a crucial time where we are being asked to do so much more than in the past. </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">I would be delighted if we get</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> talented </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">people </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">willing to be active councillors bringing </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">new skills to join the council next May</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">. </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-49989366443753527432018-10-10T12:04:00.001-07:002018-10-10T12:04:11.910-07:00<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">Chairman’s Report. 4th October 2018</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">Last Wednesday it was a pleasure to attend an event organised by the Shepton Snowdrop Festival outlining their plans for the coming months. This Saturday (6th October) there will be a snowdrop sale in Tesco <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">between 10am and 4pm</a>, and on the following Saturday the organisers will be holding a planting day. People will have the opportunity to buy and plant snowdrops at St Peter and St Paul’s Church and at Highfield House, and then can record their efforts in a memory book. If you are interested in joining in, please contact the Snowdrop Festival at <a dir="ltr" href="mailto:admin@sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">admin@sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk</a>, or to find out more go to <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk/" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk</a></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">The Journal recently reported the good news that Collett Park is the first open space in our district to be awarded the coveted Green Flag award. This is a tremendous recognition of the Council’s progression in working with its partners. We have a growing range of activities in our park. This includes the long-standing Drifters Boat Club, but now also the well attended weekly Parkrun (soon to be joined by the Junior Parkrun), other cross-country running events, music concerts, a visiting circus, the Collett Festival celebration in June, through to the Christmas Lantern Festival, and of course the popular Collett Park Café. The Collett Park Management Committee, acting for the Park Charity, now plans to make important improvements to ensure that our park continues to be the jewel in Shepton’s crown.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">We held a series of well-attended and successful public consultations this summer, where we asked people what they want for Collett Park in the future. The Park Management Committee has been considering the range of comments you have made and how best to proceed, combining the best ideas from your suggestions and the feasibility study we had on display.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">It is important for the Committee to work with people who love Collett Park and want to see it flourish. One key aspect of this involvement will be the creation of the ‘Friends of Collett Park’. The park has a limited staff resource, so it is hoped a new voluntary group will be keen to help us devise a new planting plan for the park, but importantly help carry out the vital tree, shrub and flower border planting, as well as any other tasks the group feels competent to do. The Friends group will also have potential to fund-raise and organise events to benefit the park and park users. The Friends will be a vital contributor and sounding board for the Committee when developing the park into the future.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px;">I am keen to hear from those green fingered people who love our park and want to form that important Friends team. Please contact me (<a dir="ltr" href="mailto:cllr.C.Inchley@sheptonmallet-tc.gov.uk" x-apple-data-detectors-result="7" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">cllr.C.Inchley@SheptonMallet-TC.gov.uk</a>) or the Collett Park Committee Chair, Garfield Kennedy (<a dir="ltr" href="mailto:cllr.G.Kennedy@sheptonmallet-tc.gov.uk" x-apple-data-detectors-result="8" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">cllr.G.Kennedy@SheptonMallet-TC.gov.uk</a>). Collett Park is a wonderful asset for our town, and together we can make it even better.</span>Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-8982602094239906832018-09-27T23:58:00.000-07:002018-09-27T23:58:00.938-07:00Chairman’s Report - 27th September 2018<br />
<br />
This week the Town Council voted to renew the traditional Town Crier’s uniform. Andy Neal took on this rôle 4 years ago, and is often seen, and always heard, delivering the town’s proclamations at many of the town’s increasing number of events. Andy does a terrific job, and will now be suitably attired to proclaim all the wonders of Shepton Mallet.<br />
<br />
At last week’s Town Council meeting we discussed the future of Collett Festival. This includes the ticketed concert, the Collett Park fête and the very popular free children’s festival on the Sunday. The good news is that this year’s festival had a net income of £1700 over expenditure. This is not counting all the financial and promotional gains by the many local charities and societies who are invited to showcase their activities for free.<br />
<br />
However the Town Council are now reviewing the whole way the festival is managed. Many councillors expressed unhappiness with the need for security including fencing the Festival area, and were questioning having a concert in future.<br />
<br />
The current organisers have been mindful of safety and security at all the events, and not without reason. Any gathering of a large number of members of the public has to be well managed and made as safe as possible. For example, this year at all of the events, we had lost children emergencies with often very distressed parents, but as the Festival area was contained, our security personnel were able to close the site, find and look after the children and reunite them with their parents.<br />
<br />
I also witnessed the professional security staff intervene in a very serious act of violence. They contained the individuals involved, protected the public and then evicted the perpetrators from the Festival site, whilst also keeping the police informed throughout. These and other equally challenging instances have been consistently well managed in recent years. They are the sorts of issues that need to be considered when staging any event where thousands of people are gathered. I’m certain the council will want to hear from a cross-section of residents with their views on the future shape of this keystone event in our summer calendar.<br />
<br />
The Town Council is launching a brand new, much improved website this week that offers a more interactive service for our community. Please go to www.sheptonmallet-tc.gov.uk to see the new design and layout. The website has been created by a local company, and includes photographs and artwork supplied by local people. I would like particularly to thank Will Dunscombe for his brilliant photographs of the town.<br />
<br />
Our town council staff do so much more than is seen by the community. The recent data protection legislation, GDPR, is an example that is creating a substantial additional workload. Unnoticed by many residents, demands like this on staff time have to be resourced, while the delivery of some key projects that have visible benefit to the town get delayed. I find this particularly frustrating<br />
<br />
Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-67622387148329815442018-09-20T14:47:00.003-07:002018-09-20T14:47:35.859-07:00Chairman’s Column - 20th September 2018<br />
<br />
These are times of change for the town council. We have reorganised the management structure in the office, and are looking for an accountancy professional to join our highly motivated and professional team to fill a financial officer position.<br />
<br />
Shepton residents rightly expect their Town Council to meet their expectations of delivering high quality services with tight control of finance. For this reason, the Council is looking for an enthusiastic accountancy professional who has sound financial management skills. We need to find a person with a confident manner who can deal with complex issues, who will work alongside our Town Clerk and provide support to councillors. The position will offer the successful applicant the opportunity to manage and play a key rôle in implementing and delivering a business plan that will help to improve Shepton Mallet.<br />
<br />
We are looking for someone for 18 hours a week over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. By the very nature of working for a town council, the successful candidate may be called upon to help with other varied tasks, thus offering us flexibility and making the very best use of all of our small team of officers.<br />
<br />
Already, Shepton Mallet Town Council is lucky to have hard-working and committed employees. I am particularly keen that we employ the right person to complement them and deliver a high level of financial competence to deliver services and projects.<br />
<br />
The future is looking increasingly bright for the Council. Recently we appointed a new, energetic and highly professional Town Clerk. Much more is happening in the town with the Sunday Market and many other successful events. We have a series of challenging issues to address, including the ongoing work to retain our town centre library, and the need to make improvements to the town centre and Collett Park.<br />
<br />
There couldn’t be a better time for an outstanding accountancy-trained individual to join us. You can contact the town council on 01749-343984 to discuss the matter further or emailoffice@sheptonmallettowncouncil.gov.uk.<br />
<br />
Whilst attending the Mid-Somerset Royal Air Force Association Commemoration Service, Sister Anne Martin reminded me of the launch of the Dementia Action Alliance. This is an initiative to understand the complex problems that dementia presents us with, and how we as a town can learn more and provide help. Anyone interested can attend a meeting in the Mendip Council Chamber on 27th September between 6pm and 9pm<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-67783559585259879042018-09-16T12:02:00.000-07:002018-09-16T12:02:01.951-07:00<br />
<br />
Chairman’s Column 13th September 2018<br />
<br />
There is little doubt that these are difficult times for Somerset County Council who face rising demand and increasing costs for adult social care and children’s services. Yet both these departments are now facing large cuts to their funding. Despite the withdrawal of substantial amounts of financial support from central government for these core services, the County Council chose not to increase council tax year on year. The County has now simply run out of money, leaving some of the most vulnerable people in our society potentially abandoned.<br />
<br />
Somerset County Council also announced that it plans to drastically reduce financial support for the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). The CAB has become increasing important lifeline in recent times as government has cut back on access to Legal Aid. This has left the CAB as the only source of independent advice and help for many people.<br />
<br />
The County Council now plans to remove £98,000 from the CAB budget in October, giving the organisation no time to plan for the impact of an overnight reduction of 20% in its core funding. The Town Council recognises the important job the CAB does in helping residents in often difficult and dire circumstances, and we continue to give an annual grant to this vital service.<br />
<br />
Last week Jon Hardy and Garfield Kennedy met with County Council officials to continue talks to keep our library in the centre of Shepton. I am positive that the town council’s detailed business plan,and the strong social and economic arguments that we have spelt out, makes a compelling case to keep the library in the heart of the town. County Councillors will determine our library’s future. If they choose to put it into Mendip District Council’s SHAPE offices, it will betray all the work done by the persuasive and passionate Friends of Shepton Library and your Town Council.<br />
<br />
After a week away in sunny Majorca it’s great to be back home. With our Sunday Market returning this weekend, it will be another chance to buy a lovely selection of food and gifts. Sadly, for me, I will have to make it a fleeting visit as I have a busy day representing our town at a service in Wells for the Mid-Somerset Royal Air Force Association, and then on to Highbridge for their town council’s annual awards and civic service.<br />
<br />
Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-70998712626148888882018-09-16T12:00:00.001-07:002018-09-16T12:00:22.304-07:00
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Who can believe Summer has come to an end? Here in Shepton </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">we’ve </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">had quite a summer, with the
amazing Collett Festival and the Charles Chipperfield Circus, and earlier great events including the
very successful Festival of Dogs, the Mid Somerset Show and the ongoing season of Collett Café
events, and of course, our expanding Sunday Markets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Looking ahead, the Snowdrop Festival is inviting local residents to the Cider House in Kilver Street
between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday, 26th September to have their say on the future of this now
well-established annual event. Tens of thousands of snowdrops have already been planted that pop
up each year to herald Spring all round town. The event celebrates the life and legacy of local man,
James Allen, who bred and hybridised new snowdrop variants. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">It’s </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">fantastic that we are now able to
celebrate this remarkable </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">man’s </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">love of horticulture. We have to thank the Shepton Horticultural
Society and their </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">“growing” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">team of volunteers for all their tireless efforts.</span><br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Last week it was great to hear that so many of </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Shepton’s </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">young people had achieved impressive
GCSE grades. They have laid the foundations for their future careers, and I wish them every success.
My one piece of advice to this up and coming generation is to take every opportunity on offer to
achieve your dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">With the end of the summer, we have another Town Council tradition: the annual allotment
competition. As a gardener myself, I have every sympathy with our dedicated allotment holders.
This hot, dry summer made growing anything really challenging. Despite this, our allotment
gardeners made great strides in producing some amazing crops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">The Town Council has earmarked money to help residents to take part in community </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">‘S</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">peed </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Watch’
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">schemes. We know that fast traffic and dangerous driving is a major concern for many people. The
Council is fully committed to helping volunteers from the community who want to make our streets
safer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">St Marher realised way back in 1225 that </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“time </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">waits for no </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">man”, </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">and Shepton is no exception. The
town is exhibiting a new-found confidence: whether </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">it’s </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">in education where our students are
achieving fantastic results, or in the community where many groups are organising great events, or
in the arts with the inventive Rubbish Art Project in the HSBC building, or in business with traders
like </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Loaf” </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">opening on Town Street. There is real momentum in Shepton today that the Town
Council will do all it can to continue to encourage in order to deliver a thriving, healthy and safe
society. </span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-75580673520886074642018-08-21T03:29:00.002-07:002018-08-21T03:29:14.626-07:00<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">Chairman’s Column 23rd August 2018</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">This year’s Mid-Somerset Show was a huge success. Thousands flocked to the show to enjoy another celebration of the many joys of living in our part of Somerset. My personal favourite is the arts and craft tent along with the marquees that showcase cultural Somerset. Huge thanks to the organisers and the host of volunteers who make this show such a success for our town and the surrounding area.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Last week the town council discussed the outline planning application for the Mid Somerset Show field and it’s southern extension. As readers will know, the land to the west of Cannards Grave Road was marked for development of 500 new homes in the district council’s </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">local plan.</span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> The developer, C.G. Fry and Sons, is proposing that they build 600 houses at this location. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">New roads entering the site will include a roundabout at the Little Brooks Road junction and a second access point further south off</span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> Cannards Grave Road. </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Space has been allocated for a primary school, a retirement home and a local convenience shop. The outline plan includes an </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">open </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">green corridor with permanent pools to deal with the acute drainage problems that this area suffers from.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Town councillors want</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> this development to be linked into the High Street with good, safe pedestrian and cycle pathways from the new homes to the town centre. It is absolutely critical that the proposed housing types meet the needs of local people. For example, we must insist that 30% of this new development should be affordable, rented homes. This is particularly important as the developer is proposing an additional 100 properties over and above the District Council’s Local Plan allocation on the extended showfield site. The final plans should include 1 and 2 bedroom homes and bungalows for older people and others who need this category of accommodation. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">While town councillors recognise the importance of getting this planning application right for Shepton, they only have the power to comment and recommend acceptance or rejection. It is Mendip District councillors who will make the final and binding </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">decision.</span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">As </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">C.G. Fry and Sons have only presented an outline planning application at this stage, there is still all the design and layout details to be added. There remains a real opportunity for us all to have our views taken into account. Shepton residents can look on Mendip District Council’s website to view the planning application and make comments on the plans.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s4" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">This development is of major importance to the town. Your town councillors have made a full response at this first stage to the outline planning application. I urge residents to do the same. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-82226987039944419952018-08-21T03:27:00.000-07:002018-08-21T03:27:02.805-07:00Chairman’s column 13/8/2018<br />
<br />
One of the undoubted successes of the past twelve months has been the Park Run held in Collett Park. Shepton was the first Park run in the area, since the our park run has inspired Street, Frome and Midsomer Norton to establish their own events.<br />
The Park run has brought our community together, it has delivered economic gains to our town attracting many visitors from all over the country. Edric and Caroline Hobbs won a recent award for the event of the year, for our Park run. Edric now an ambassador for park run helping other towns to enjoy the community and health benefits of the the 5km run. The recent new wine festival at the Bath and West attracted many to our town to enter Collett park run<br />
It is really good to hear that Casper Clements is trying to arrange a junior park run in Collett Park very soon, to be held at 9 am on Sunday mornings over 2kms, for young people from 4-14 years of age. Tesco bags for life are helping with funding and it is likely the junior park run will needs to find additional funding. Cheddar has a junior park run that attracts about 40 young people, Shepton hopes to attract between 60/70 young people.<br />
The town council after its recent success in acquiring Green flag status now needs to find a flag pole to fly our flag, don’t forget we need green fingered volunteers to help develop our park.<br />
Helen Reader, Sheptons own fairy godmother has magicked the town’s fairy trail to number one in the Google rankings for fairies, the fairy trail route travels from lower town through the high street, into the park past the prison into Garston Street covering historic Shepton, with many visitors commenting on the history and interest we have in our town. My favourite fairy is Bambi Shimmerpop probably because like many who worked for Showerings enjoyed the years working for them, loving babycham. Again the fairy trail helping deliver economic benefits to our town.<br />
Shepton is a special place and working together we can make it even better.<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-2973788216618556482018-08-21T03:24:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:24:30.845-07:00Chairman 10<br />
<br />
Another incredible week in Shepton Mallet! I attended the Shepton Mallet Branch of the Royal British Legion’s 90 th anniversary event on Saturday where I had the opportunity to meet Lester Holly of the Bowls and Tennis Club. I had a thoroughly inspirational chat with him about how the club is encouraging all sections of the community to grow their own produce on their allotments. The Tennis Club has a growing membership and now they are adding “touch tennis” to the mix. I understand that Lester is an ace player!<br />
<br />
Then I visited the very well attended League of Friends of the community hospital’s summer fête at St. Paul’s School. Substantial sums of money were raised to invest in our local hospital. Congratulations to all who organised and attended this great event.<br />
<br />
Mental health services are the sadly neglected Cinderella of the health service, so all praise to the young people who organised the Fun Day in Collett Park last Thursday when they raised over £600 for the charity, Mind. The incredible efforts of these motivated young people deserves our grateful thanks.<br />
——————————<br />
<br />
Shepton Mallet Town Council has been granted a Green Flag status for Collett Park. This national award confirms that our park is well managed, has good facilities and has a plan for future improvement and upgrading of the infrastructure. Remarkably, Collett Park is the first park in the Mendip District to achieve this honour, and our dedicated team at the Town Council, in association with our ground care contractors, deserves great credit.<br />
<br />
It is wonderful that Collett Park has received this national recognition, but winning the award is just the start of a much longer process. We are conducting a feasibility study examining all aspects of the park. Already we have identified many areas that need to improve.<br />
<br />
We have begun to evaluate responses from local people from the series of ongoing consultation days held at various recent events and Sunday Markets. For instance, we know that the toilet and ancillary block is in a dilapidated state and requires urgent attention. We know we will have to upgrade or replace these buildings in the coming years. We also need to establish an active Friends of Collett Park, and will be welcoming green-fingered folk to come on board to help develop the park. If you can help, please contact the town council for further information.<br />
<br />
Winning Green Flag status is just a first step in delivering a park fit for the 21st Century. Winning this award gives us an opportunity to access external funding to manage and improve facilities, but we need to build a team of people and organisations to realise our vision that will allow Collett Park to continue to be a nationally recognised gem.<br />
<br />
Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-90992886442790596222018-08-21T03:19:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:19:52.240-07:00<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Chairman’s Column 19th July 2018</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Shepton has been enjoying the England football team’s sterling efforts this summer. It</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">shows just</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">how important</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and uplifting</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">sport</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">can be for all of us. We may not have won the World Cup</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">this time round, but</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Gareth Southgate and his young</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">team have</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">given us a much needed boost</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">at a time of great uncertainty for our country.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">In Shepton, we have a great opportunity to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">build on the national mood of support for football</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">where the Somerset Football Association offers coaching</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">training. Go to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><a href="http://www.somersetfa.com/"><span class="s7" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">www.somersetfa.com</span></a><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">for more information.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">The Town Council has been proud to work with FReSH</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">(the Friends of Shepton Mallet Recreation)</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to improve the BMX track</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">at</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">West Shepton</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Playing Fields. During this long spell of</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">sweltering</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">weather, the refurbished facility has</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">already</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">been used</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">extensively.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">All the members of FReSH</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">should be thanked for their</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">successful</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">fund raising activities.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">This community group</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">are now working with the town council to raise money for new play equipment in Collett Park.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Your</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">town</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">council is here to support local groups and help them deliver for our community.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Our town</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">council officers respond to many offers of help</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and we are delighted to welcome</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">a community-minded group of young people</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">who</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">are organising a charity</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Fun-Day in Collett Park. Led by a Somerset Rural Youth Project</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">worker, the group are participating</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">in the National Citizens’</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Service.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">The event takes place</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s8" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; text-decoration: underline;">on Thursday 19</span><span class="s9" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 5px; line-height: 6px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span class="s8" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; text-decoration: underline;"> </span><span class="s8" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; text-decoration: underline;">July between 4:30pm and 8:30pm</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">proceeds will be donated to the mental health charity,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Mind.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> All are welcome!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">It was</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">great to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">read in last week’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Shepton Mallet Journal that Mendip District Council’s Chief Executive, Stuart Brown,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">is raising money for Mendip YMCA and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Alzheimer’s Society. Stuart is</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">entering a 100 mile bike ride.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">I’m sure local people will want to help</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">him</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">raise funds for these</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">very important</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">charities.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Please give what you can at</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuartbrown2018"><span class="s7" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuartbrown2018</span></a></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Lastly, don’t forget</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">that</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the Royal British Legion</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">is marking its</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">90</span><span class="s10" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 5px; line-height: 6px; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">anniversary at the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Bowls</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Club at 1pm</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">this Saturday. Also on the same day,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Friends of Shepton</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Hospital</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">are celebrating the return of our local hospital beds. Come along to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">St Pauls</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">School at 2pm</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to thank the team who protected this essential facility for our community.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s11" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Chris Inchley, Chairman, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-5082723754765830222018-08-21T03:14:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:14:19.404-07:00<br />
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The Town Council has now elected all of its Chairs of Committees</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> for</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> the final year of this </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">current </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">administration</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">(2018-19) before next May</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s Town and District Council elections. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">John Parham chairs </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">‘</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Policy & Resources</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, Garfield Kennedy chairs </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">‘</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Collett Park Management</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, and Jon Hardy replaces me as chair of </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">‘</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Open Spaces</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">In my few months </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">as</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">chair of Open </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">S</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">paces we instigated a new way of working, with greater participation by local residents at meetings</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Both Open Spaces and Collett Park Management</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">committees </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">are now conducted in a more relaxed</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and community-focussed</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> way. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The other change</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">was that I took </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">on the </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">responsibility to erect and man the council</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> gazebo at the monthly Sunday </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">M</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">arket</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">to increase community consultation</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and engagement. I hope that this will continue. The next Sunday</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">M</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">arket takes place this </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">weekend, before a summer gap until September. Make it a date in your diary </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> come along, either just to browse,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">or better still, to</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">purchase beautiful </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">crafts and g</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">reat produce. T</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">here will be plenty of </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">jolly </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">stalls</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and happy traders there</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> to </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">delight</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> residents</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and the increasing number of visitors who have discovered that Shepton has gained a new confidence. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Coming up, we have a series of events to mark important anniversaries:</span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">We continue to celebrate that it</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">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. T</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">he Shepton Mallet branch of Royal British Legion </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">is </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">celebrat</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ing</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> its 90</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 8.399999618530273px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 12.600000381469727px;">th</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> anniversary</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">To mark this milestone, the Legion are </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">holding an event on 21</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 8.399999618530273px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 12.600000381469727px;">st</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> July starting <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">at 1pm</a> at the Shepton Mallet Bowls and Tennis </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">C</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">lub</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, just off Charlton Road</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">In recent years, t</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">he</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> local branch </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">has been rejuvenated</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, attracting many new members, and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">I look forward to joining them to celebrate and thank them for the</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ir</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> work here in Shepton</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The NHS is 70 years old this week</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. This amazing </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">institution</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">commands huge public support</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, and as its founder and champion</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Aneurin Bevan said</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">: </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the NHS will last as long as there are folk with the faith to fight for it</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Shepton residents have </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">recently </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">proved they were prepared to </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">stand up</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> for our community hospital</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The Friends of Shepton Mallet Hospital are holding a Summer F</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ê</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">te at St Paul</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s School at 2pm</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> on 21st July</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> to celebrate the re-opening of the inpatient beds at the community hospital. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Come and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">celebrate with those who worked so hard to protect </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">NH</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">S here in our own community.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></span></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-3881026703746816502018-08-21T03:13:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:13:24.869-07:00<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Chairman’s Column 5-7-18</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Whilst visiting the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">town</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">council office this week, I read a note from a resident</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">who told us she was disabled and who thanked the Council</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">inviting the circus to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Collett</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> Park. Since it was easy to gain access</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">to the park, she said</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">she could enjoy</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">circus</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">in Shepton for the first time. It made her feel valued and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">part of the town.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">We know that the park was</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">gifted</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">us</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">by John </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Collett</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for the recreation of the townspeople. </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Collett</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> always intended that special events like circuses should be staged in his park, but it’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">comments like</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">the one above that remind us that decisions by councillors can have direct positive</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">impacts</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">on people lives, and also</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">honour</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">John</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Collett’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">written</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">wishes</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">from 110 years ago.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">_____________</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">The town council are actively pursuing all avenues to keep our library in the heart of Shepton.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">We</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">have</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">held meetings with landlords of</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">town centre</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">properties and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">then</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">worked</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">up</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">solutions that </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">matchand</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> improve on</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">the financial case</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">compared to Somerset County Council’s plan to remove the library from the Market Square and put it in the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">SHAPE office.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">The Town Council have worked closely with the Friends of Shepton Mallet Library and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">consulted with residents. We have</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">supplied materials</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for people to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">be better informed to effectively</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">participate in the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">County</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Council’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">consultation, and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">have drawn up</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">detailed costings</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for two</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">different town centre properties where we</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">can show</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">better value for money and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">even make improvements to </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">thelibrary</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">service.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">We</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">are</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">trying</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">to persuade</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Somerset County</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Council that</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">we have</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">exceeded</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">their expectations for the library service, and now wait</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for a meeting with their</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">corporate management team.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">We recently had a book launch at the library for Cameron Dawkins’</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">latest publications,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">“They’re Demons”. It</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">never ceases to</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">amaze me</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">just</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">how many talented authors we have living in Shepton!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">_______________</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Last week Police Constable,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Neil </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Wolstenholme</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">retired from his beat in Shepton.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">I would like to thank</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">him</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">all</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">his hard work</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">over the years</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">for</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">the contribution he has made to our community.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">I hope he enjoys</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">a long and happy</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">retirement.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Finally, we welcome our latest Councillor, Phil Stevens, who was elected unopposed, thus avoiding yet another costly town council by-election. This follows</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">the resignation of Simon Davies,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">shortly after the election of 4 new councillors in May.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">Chris Inchley, Chairman, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-6124017056693852222018-08-21T03:12:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:12:31.398-07:00<br />
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Summer has truly arrived with gorgeous weather</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and spectacular sunsets. T</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">he </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">t</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">own </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">c</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ouncil has further lifted the summery feel with th</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">is year</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> floral displays</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> on roundabouts main roads and the High Street</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. With costs </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">forever on the rise, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">we have had to increase the amount spent on these displays </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">but have</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">only </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">received </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">positive </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">feedback on t</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">hese</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> splash</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">es</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> of colour </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">throughout </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the town.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">In mid</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">-S</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ummer it seems </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">bizarre to be</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> planning for </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the end of the year</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, but </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">on 1st December</a> we will</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> be </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">celebrating </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">S</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">mall </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">B</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">usiness Saturday</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. It will be a chance to</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> showcase our excellent</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> plucky</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">entrepreneurs since </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Shepton seems to be bucking the national trend in retail</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. We have fewer </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">empty premises </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">than we</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ve had for many years.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">As large retailers</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, like House of Fraser and even M&S, retreat</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">from</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> town centres across the whole of the UK, fostering and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">developing small independent retailers</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> has become the best and maybe only way to stop the death of the High Street. Certainly, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Shepton</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> is bouncing back</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">we should celebrate </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and continue to support </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">this.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">With quality floral displays, greater effort to keep the town clean and tidy, and support for a wider range of events in town, we are starting to make a difference </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">working </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">in partnership </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">with the community</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. We also need to make long term commitments</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> to help resurface Town Street and Market Place</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, and replace and renew the confusing signage in the centre.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">We live in a peaceful town but on occasion there is </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">off-putting </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">anti</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">-</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">social behaviour</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. T</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">he </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">town </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">council invests </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">£</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">9000 a year on CCTV, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">but </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">we need to use </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">this recorded </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">evidence</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> in combination with information from</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> local people to identify </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">when and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">where the trouble </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">happens. Please use the </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">101</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> helpline to tell the Police if you see or hear of an incident.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">I believe it is essential that your local councillors keep their skills and knowledge up to date </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">for </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">you have confidence in our abilities. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">For that reason, last</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> week I attended a training session in Somerton on how to be a successful </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Parish C</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">hairman</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Most of our </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">town </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">councillors live in Shepton and want the town to flourish and grow</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. They </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">do not receive payment for </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">their</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> time, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and I have not</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> claim</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ed</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> for petrol or other expenses</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> while </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">representing you.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">I </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">can only </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">hope</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> that</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> this column, week</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">-</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">after</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">-</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">week demonstrates that </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">we are </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">working </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">positively </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">on your behalf</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, and perhaps even </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">doing more than you might have imagined</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Chris Inchley, Chairman, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></span></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-81321814298652143762018-08-21T03:11:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:11:27.628-07:00<br />
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Chairman</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s Report 21-6-18</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Last year</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, Collett </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">F</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">estival celebrated the life of Jo Cox MP</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> when we joined in the national </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">“</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Great</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> Get</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">T</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ogether</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">” </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">organised to remember her loss. It was a reminder immediately after the terrible events at the Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester and the Westminster Bridge attack </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">that we have </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">much </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">more in common than that </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">which </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">divides</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">us</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"></span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">It also highlighted that many politicians</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">are not out for themselves, but really do </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">care about</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">doing what is best for their</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> communities.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The Collett </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">P</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ark </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">M</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">anagement </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">C</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ommittee held its latest meeting </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">last</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> week</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. W</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">e</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> have been</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> reviewing all polic</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ies</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> that affect the use of the park</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">a working party has been established to look at </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the existing </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">by-laws</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and make recommendations to update them. In parallel with our ongoing consultation on plans for the future of Collett Park, we welcome</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">your opinions on</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the what by-laws we need and which are superfluous</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The Friends of Shepton Mallet Recreation (</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">F</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">reSH), </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the community group that raised money for the skate park and th</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">e BMX </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">track at West Shepton</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> Playing Fields,</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">have offered </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">to raise funds to improve the play areas in Collett </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">P</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ark</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Matt Harrison </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">is leading</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> th</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">is initiative</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and has </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">540 members </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">of FreSH </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and many more supporters</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> behind this welcome plan. A</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">gain it is all about getting </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">to know </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">what people want for </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">their</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> park</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. T</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">here will be </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">plenty</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> of opportunit</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">y</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> to help F</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">reSH</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> raise the</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> funds</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> to </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">replace and update our ageing </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">play </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">equipment</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">The Town Centre </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">P</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">artnership </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">also </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">met </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">last</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> week</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">. I</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">recently</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">conducted an audit of all </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">of Shepton</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">’</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">s</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> street sign</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">age</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">and found </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">most </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">to be </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">dirty</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">damaged</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and in some cases incorrect and misleading. T</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">he town council has </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">earmarked </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">money </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">to address this. W</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">e </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">now </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">have to decide wh</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ich </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">signs </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">we</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> need, </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">which are just clutter, and then select a consistent and appropriate design</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">that</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">com</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">municates where locations are, and attracts visitors to the town</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">June has been a</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">n exceptionally </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">busy month, w</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ith L</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ove </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Y</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">our </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">L</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ibrary</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> Day</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">, Collett </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">F</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">estival</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> and the Charles </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Chipperfield </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">C</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ircus in </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Collett</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">P</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ark</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;"> for the first time. Last Sunday we had a really successful </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Sunday </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">M</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">arket and </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">currently </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">the fair</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">ground is in full swing in the M</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">id</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">-</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Somerset </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Show field. </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Shepton </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">certainly </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">is the place to be</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody; font-size: 23px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 19.799999237060547px;">Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></span></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-65254833637926306572018-08-21T03:10:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:10:27.965-07:00<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Chairman’s Column 14-6-2018</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">The 2018 </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Festival was a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">brilliant</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">success,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">with great</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">events,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">ideal</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">weather</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">a lovely atmosphere</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">showing</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Shepton at its</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">very</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">best.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Last week I wrote of my pride in Shepton,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">again we can be</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">quite sure that</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">our town</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">is on the up. The small dedicated team of Garfield Kennedy, Wayne Frapple and Mike Daniels,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">ably supported by our dedicated town council staff,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">delivered</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">an amazing and memorable weekend in </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> Park</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">for thousands of residents</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and many delighted visitors.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">The traditional</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Park Day</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">once again</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">gave many</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">voluntary groups</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the chance</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to raise much needed funds for their charities, schools and societies.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">We plan to send out a survey</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to establish</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the totals raised for good causes, and seek feedback</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">on </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">thefestival</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">in general.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">We also</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">want</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to hear from</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">any</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">community groups who declined</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">our offer</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to join in,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">since</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">we want to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">give you the opportunity to participate in Shepton’s annual summer celebration in 2019.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">During </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> Park Day, town</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">councillors and volunteers manned our gazebo</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">listen to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">townspeople’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">views on</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">how we should manage</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Park</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">for its best long term future. We</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">still</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">want to hear from</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">many people of all ages (especially those good ideas!) to hear their opinions</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">on</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the range of options that our consultants, Swan Paul, have presented to the Council.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> Festival continued into the evening when an enthusiastic crowd of revellers</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">enjoyed</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">a night of pure Madness when</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">the very talented Los Palmas 6</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">tribute band came on stage, after local artistes, Shoot the Moon and Theo </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Wakeling</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">, set the mood.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Our</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">children’s event</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">on Sunday</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">drew thousands of excited</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">young people (and smiling parents)</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">who were royally entertained and thrilled by some</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">amazing</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">performers, including the brilliant </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Bubbleman</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> and world-famous juggler, Haggis McLeod.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">I</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">wish to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">praise</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">and thank our</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">efficient and professional </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">securityand</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> medical</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">staff</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">who had to handle</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">range of</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">issues at all three events, including finding lost children and locating lost parents!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">On Sunday</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">for me,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">it was a tale of two towns</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">since</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">I attended the Mayor of Glastonbury’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Sunday</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Service. I left this traditional display of civic pride, consisting of a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">church service,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">parade </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">andbuffet</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> lunch,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">to return for</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">our much jollier Children’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Festival!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">The week of great events in Shepton continues into the weekend with Charles Chipperfield’s Circus in </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> Park for the first time. This honours and respects John </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> wish to have well managed commercial events take place in the park he bequeathed to the town over a century ago. Then Saturday sees the return of the very successful Park Run (after a week off for </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> Festival). Watch out for the team of circus performers in this week’s mighty pack of runners.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Last but not least, remember the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">latest Sunday</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Market</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">is this weekend. I hope to see everyone</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">there if you’re not too exhausted from this truly sparkling week of happenings in our amazing town.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Chris Inchley, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-15502145521725681792018-08-21T03:09:00.001-07:002018-08-21T03:09:11.314-07:00Chair column<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">As readers will know, </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> is my home town,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">it’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a place I’m extremely proud of. Last</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">weekend,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">once again,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">was</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">at its best.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> Sunday’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">“Love</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Your</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Library</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Day”</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">was a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">great</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">success with</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">many</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">people visiting the library and the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Cheeky</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Bean</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Café</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to hear local authors talk about their books and share their experiences about writing.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Hundreds of concerned citizens</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">came to demonstrate that </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">community is not prepared to lose its services without a fight.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">I’ve noticed recently</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">that</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">there is an increasing confidence within our</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">town. </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> is not</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">only</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">defiant in our opposition to the loss of services,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">but also</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">we are finding more ways of finding solutions. The</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Love</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Your</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Library</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Day</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">was the first event</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">arranged by</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the newly-formed</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Friends</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">of </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> Mallet Library. There is</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">now little</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">doubt</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">that</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the vast majority want</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">library services</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to remain in the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">town</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">centre. The</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">County</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Council should be rightly proud of its library staff</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">members,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Janet and Kirsty, who</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">again showed</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">what an</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">asset</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">they are</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">The brilliantly successful campaign to keep all</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">our hospital beds</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">also illustrated</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">how </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> can succeed</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">if it speaks with a strong and united voice. All</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">town</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">councillors,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">along with residents,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">were appalled by the potential</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">loss of these respite</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">beds.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Opposition to the bed closures was led by Major General Ray </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Pett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> and Albert Owen,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">with support from the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">hospital</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">action group</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">with</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">legal advice from Paul Turner.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">The hospital beds will</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">now</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">reopen on 9th July.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> To celebrate this,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Hospital League</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">of</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Friends</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">will be</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">holding a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Fête at St. Paul’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">School on Saturday 21st</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">July at 2pm.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">I hope to see as many people there</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">as possible</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to show our support for</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">hospital</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and to thank the League of Friends for their persistence and success.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">This coming weekend</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">we have </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton’s</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> Summer Celebration, </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> Festival. Once again</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">we have 3 busy events in </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> Park</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to showcase our community: the traditional fair on Saturday followed in the evening by the Madness tribute concert, and our free Children’s Festival on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to the weekend, with</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">its</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">excellent mixture of fundraising, entertainment and</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">displays of local talent. I</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">hope as many </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Sheptonians</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and visitors as possible can join us for a brilliant weekend.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">really</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">is a town going places. We</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">have</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">renewed confidence and purpose,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the more people</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">who</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">participate in our community events,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the stronger we become. As Chair of the Council,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">I want to</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">promote</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">greater co-operation and collaboration between the</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Town</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Council and its residents,</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">since I know that</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a United</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> is a formidable, unstoppable force.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10.800000190734863px;">Chris </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10.800000190734863px;">Inchley</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10.800000190734863px;">, Chairman, </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10.800000190734863px;">Shepton</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10.800000190734863px;"> Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-21422089206536438472018-08-21T03:08:00.000-07:002018-08-21T03:08:00.387-07:00Chair post <div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s3" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;">CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN 31st May 2018</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">June is going to be a very active month in Shepton. We have Collett</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Festival, the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">next</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Sunday</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Market and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">even the Charles Chipperfield Circus in the park. But before all that,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Friends of</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton Mallet Library have arranged a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">“Love</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Your Library</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Day”</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">on</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Sunday</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">3rd</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">June starting at 10am</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">The campaign to keep</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">our library in the High Street has been very active since Somerset County Council launched</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">consultation</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to get the public’s views on</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">its plans to move the library</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">from the town centre</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">into Mendip District Council’s SHAPE</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">complex.</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Steve Barlow and Sarah Thomas have worked extremely hard over the past months to raise awareness and organise events to keep our library in the centre of our</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">community.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">To make sure</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">everyone</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">understands</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">all</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the benefits of</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">having this town centre facility,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Friends of the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Library have organised a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">full</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">day of activities for young and old alike. It will</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">all take place</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">in</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Library,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">starting</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">with a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">mass</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">public demonstration</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">at 10am. Many authors will be at the event and it</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">is</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a very important opportunity to show your</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">support</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">for keeping this vital community service</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">right</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">in the heart of Shepton. Please come and show your support!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Remember that the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">County’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">consultation</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">on the future of the library ends</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">on 13th</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">June. There’s still time to tell them what you think of taking the library away from the town centre.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">______________</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Garfield Kennedy</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and his team of volunteers</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">are</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">extremely busy making the final preparations</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">for</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Collett</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Festival. This year it will be held over the weekend of 9th-10th of June. Collett Festival 2018 features</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">traditional Collett Day Fair followed by an</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">evening music</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">concert that</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">goes</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">“One</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Step</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Beyond”</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">with</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the world’s leading</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Madness tribute act, Los Palmas 6. It’s going to be a</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">“House of</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Fun”</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">a great evening. Advance</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">tickets</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">can be purchased at</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><a href="http://collettfestival.co.uk/"><span class="s7" style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">CollettFestival.co.uk</span></a><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">or in person from</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the Tourist</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Information</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Centre. Don’t miss out!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">On the following day (Sunday 10th), we have the third</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Children’s</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Festival, where Collett Park will be filled with bouncy castles, amazing games, and again back by popular request, the Bubble Man - and it’s all free!</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">There is still time to book a stall or to volunteer</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">to help us stage</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Shepton’s showcase event. Look out for the Festival Programme and Guide that will be dropping through Shepton letterboxes in the next few days. It’s going to be another brilliant weekend, so come and enjoy the</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">whole</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">show.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">I hope to see as many people as possible</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">this</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Sunday</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">at 10am</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">at the library,</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">and</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">during</span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">the following weekend in Collett Park.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s8" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 9.600000381469727px;">Chris Inchley, Chairman, Shepton Mallet Town Council</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-65786285680126713262018-02-24T03:32:00.004-08:002018-02-24T03:32:50.440-08:00Have your say on the Library <br />
Dear Editor<br />
<br />
The future of Shepton’s library is once again being questioned by Somerset County Council. The cash-strapped County authority is looking to save hundreds of thousands of pounds from its budget and sees libraries as an easy target to make cuts or closures.<br />
<br />
Somerset Council has embarked on a public consultation process. Residents have a limited chance to express their views in Shepton Mallet Library on Tuesday 27 February from 2.30 – 5.30pm. For all who cannot make this time slot, you can also comment online at www.somerset.gov.uk/libraryconsultation<br />
<br />
We believe the library should stay in the very heart of the town.<br />
<br />
Somerset County Council’s own figures show that Shepton’s library is well used with 44,000 visits a year. To remove these thousands of visits would undermine the commendable work by local business people who are doing all they can to regenerate the High Street and bring life, footfall and vitality back into Shepton.<br />
<br />
We reject the option to move the library to Mendip District Council’s SHAPE complex as we think this will suck the life out of our town centre. We also fear that a move to SHAPE could prove to be a slow path to eventual closure of any library facility in Shepton. If numbers of library visits fall after a move to the Mendip Office block, then it will be argued that the library is no longer needed.<br />
<br />
We support the Town Council’s initiative to try and find a building in the centre of town that can rehouse a full range of library services. This could also become a community hub that could even house the Town Council’s own offices.<br />
It is important that Shepton keeps a modern well-equipped library service, led by professionals, in a central visible and accessible location.<br />
<br />
Our town centre library is an important community service for education, personal development, Internet access and events, and should remain in our town centre.<br />
<br />
If you believe this too, then you must tell Somerset County Council before their public consultation ends on 22 April 2018<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-61277818886866439822017-12-05T13:38:00.000-08:002017-12-05T13:38:00.771-08:00Letter to the journal, LibraryAt the recent extraordinary town council meeting, the councillors made some really important decisions in regard to trying to retain the library in the centre of Shepton.<br />
<br />
Any decision to remove the Library from our town centre will damage the viability and vitality of its economic well being. We know that one of the problems Shepton has, is low high street footfall, I believe it is irresponsible of Somerset county council to take the 44000 visits to the library out of the town centre.<br />
<br />
Our community supports the library with good visitor numbers, we have excellent professional staff that do a greatjob. I want the town council to help build on what is currently delivered, we should explore all options in the greatest details, unlike the county council’s light touch table top examination of premises.<br />
<br />
It is clear that a modern high street must deliver a mixture of shops, businesses and community facilities, libraries should be in the heart of our community, delivering a wide range of services that meets the needs of our town.<br />
<br />
The county council will be holding a library consultation in the new year and it is important that all residents contribute to this, we cannot allow deals behind closed doors to go unchallenged.<br />
<br />
I’m sure the town council who unanimously agreed to undertake a study to try a town centre home for our library will work to deliver just that.<br />
<br />
It will be for the town council to lead this process, but it is important that our community supports keeping the library in the heart of our town, councils have a duty for the economic well being of our town centres, I fear both the county and district councils are more concerned with financial transactions than delivering community services in the heart of our town<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-76382631777916328972017-10-18T02:27:00.001-07:002017-10-18T02:27:17.681-07:00Shepton's health problemIt is a very real disappointment that the beds are be cut from our community hospital and the nursing staff will be deployed elsewhere.<br />
<br />
I fear this decision has been coming for quite a while now, these decisions are not an act of God but a failing in planning and investment.<br />
<br />
Shepton Community Hospital has not received the investment it deserves to upgrade the in-bed facilities, this despite a huge community appetite to see our local hospital grow and provide services that enhance the health and well being in our area. The NHS has failed to support many bids to improve our hospital.<br />
<br />
There is absolutely no doubt that the staff at the hospital serve our community and are brilliant professionals. It is also clear that there is a staffing crisis in the NHS, with more people leaving than joining.<br />
<br />
The government enforced pay cap has seen the pay packets of nurses thousands of pounds worse off in real terms, with dramatically increased workloads, and as the RCN says “leaving staff feeling demoralised and disillusioned”.<br />
<br />
The abolition by this government of the bursaries for nursing training to be replaced by £9000 a year loans has seen dramatic falls in those entering the nursing profession, deterring the very sort of people who have the empathetic skills. It is estimated that nationally the NHS has 55000 fewer nurses than we need.<br />
<br />
We are also losing some European staff from the NHS, this since our decision to leave the EU.<br />
<br />
It is patently obvious to anyone that our acute hospitals are going to be stretched to breaking point this winter, we know that community care in Somerset is not capable of delivering the support that many people need, this due to a mixture of underfunding by national government in relent years and a failure of effective planning by Somerset county council.<br />
<br />
There is a need for beds for some local people in our community hospital, and I fear without investment in buildings and staff, Shepton Mallet will forever lose these beds. The choice for people in our town is, are we going to except this? If you are not then we better say so and say so loudly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3841183234167297860.post-37162935005395874782016-07-13T07:31:00.001-07:002016-07-13T07:31:39.376-07:00Defining momentsThe leader of a political party has many roles, the first is to lead, to articulate what the party is offering the electorate and what sort of country you wish to build. The leader also has to command the respect of their colleagues, creating a strategy and working together to win elections.<br />
<br />
The current Labour Party has an important role to be Her Majesty's official opposition holding the conservative government to account. This requires around 100 MPs to fill all the spokespersons roles.<br />
<br />
Last year when Mr Corbyn was elected Labour leader, he knew that after years of disloyalty to the previous 5 Labour leaders he would have to reach out to create a team that could work to defeat the Tories, he sadly failed to do this.<br />
<br />
Worse, his lack of leadership has been exposed time and time again, whether reshuffles that take an eternity and instead of government failure to tackle the flood become the story of the leader who cant reshuffle, or clumsy articulation of simple things such as comparing the democratic Israeli state with the barbaric entity that is IS, or the lukewarm support for the European Union or his apparent support of his own Party policy, offering free votes to allow him to behave as he likes, this are not actions of a future PM.<br />
<br />
Too often his people complain about a hostile media, all Labour leaders live with this pressure, yet Mr Corbyn and his team muddle allow the media free rain, instead of a clear concise line that the Party can follow.<br />
<br />
The last General election Labour's offer was too small, yes it was right to highlight the Bedroom Tax, of course it was right to highlight changes in benefit and it was right to highlight the NHS and changes to student loans, but the whole campaign lack a narrative that the economy should benefit all, every person in every part of this United Kingdom should be able to achieve anything they wanted, creating opportunity for all. <br />
<br />
Instead Labour's message look to only help the poor, the offer for too few, not talking to the majority, lacking confidence in the Party ability to change this country.<br />
<br />
Labour economic case wrapped up in the macro economic arguments, not about creating wealth, changing economically from making money from money to creating wealth from money, you can only pay your way if you create wealth, people whom earn money spend it locally creating communities.<br />
<br />
The last election Labour went chasing the student vote on university fees, I am a great believer in attracting all to universities, but government should be about investing in the first 1000 days of a child's life, health workers, nursery and associated services, it is no surprise that articulate middle class parents have articulate children.<br />
<br />
Likewise in health, our NHS is brilliant it does brilliant things every minute of every day, but we need to do so much more on public health, improved education and screening, disease prevention is better than treating disease. The NHS needs proper funding, of course it does, but money alone will not make us healthier.<br />
<br />
Mr Corbyn has allowed the Tories the pitch for themselves and he has failed.<br />
<br />
Labour now has a choice, continue with this conservative socialism or reach out to the majority and build a better Britain, if it cant then Labour doesn't deserve a future.<br />
Chris Inchleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016117352857197859noreply@blogger.com0