Spring 2014 Issue 10 Sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council A GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE DON’T MISS Community Survey results Precept 2014/15 Community Trust moves forward See inside for details of the Midsomer Fayre Day on Saturday 12th July WELCOME TO VINTAGE MARKET 4 PHOTO COMPETITION 6 MIDSOMER MAP INITIATIVE 8 NORTON LIFE THE PRECEPT 10 CONTENTS WEBSITE AND MOBILE APP 14 COMMUNITY GROUP GRANTS 18 hen the time comes each quarter to W prepare Midsomer Norton LIFE it never GROWING FOR GOLD 20 ceases to amaze us just how much is going on in NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST 22 our town. The first results of the Community Survey were CARNIVAL 24 available in early January and the Midsomer RIVER UPDATE 26 Norton Forum has begun drawing together a first set of findings which are included in this issue. COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS 29 After three years we now have both the Midsomer COMMUNITY TRUST 38 Norton Town Trust and Community Trust up and running – ready to face the challenge ahead of WHAT’S ON 42 taking on key community assets in the town. In addition it’s even been possible to make a start THINGS TO DO 44 with the Town Archive this month with training and the first item being offered in the form of the SCHOOL NEWS 50 1812 Tithe Map by Thatcher & Hallam. TOWN TRUST LAUNCHED 54 As the following pages show, the veritable renaissance in terms of activities and events MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK 57 organised by Midsomer Norton’s community TOWN COUNCILLORS 58 groups continues with something for all ages. 2014 will be a very special year for the town. On June 21st we will see ‘A Midsomer Knight’s The next edition of Midsomer Norton Life will be Dream’, a play written for the town, performed; in June. If you would like your group to be included we are looking forward to the return of Midsomer in the next edition, please contact us on 01761 410141 before the deadline of 16th May. Norton Fayre as our main summer festival including the Big Gig on the 12th July – 766 years If you have difficulty reading the print please after our Royal Charter was first granted; and in contact the Town Clerk for a large print copy. the autumn there is every prospect of Midsomer You can also view Midsomer Norton Life on the Norton Carnival returning to the High Street. council’s website at www.midsomernortonlife.co.uk Midsomer Norton Life is produced by Ignyte Ltd, Suite 7, Westfield It’s hard to imagine another town in the UK as Court, Third Avenue, Westfield Trading Estate, Radstock BA3 4XD vibrant as Midsomer Norton. Tel 01761 410141. While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Cllr Paul Myers & Cllr Michael Evans Ignyte or Midsomer Norton Town Council does not officially Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Midsomer Norton endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. MARKET VINTAGE NORTON MIDSOMER 4 MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE Visit the What’s On pages for forthcoming dates. forthcoming for Onpages Visit theWhat’s Brereton. Sarah organiser ofmarket the efforts thanksto anenthusiasticfollowing has attracted themarket 16th November Launched onSaturday months. initsfirstfew Market Vintage Midsomer thenew helppromote to grant commissioning a gave Council Norton, theTown of Midsomer thedelights discover peopleto more attract to spart strategy ofitsongoing A The areas most proactive, award winning, letting agency brings you our brand new responsive website. You can now view all of our properties seamlessly, without the need of an app, on any device as the website will automatically switch to accommodate for resolution, image size and scripting abilities. In other words, the website has the technology to automatically respond to the user’s preferences... ...UNLIKE THIS ADVERT! SEE OUR NEW FULLY RESPONSIVE WEBSITE: WWW.ACCREDITEDLETTINGS.CO.UK t: 01761 410111 e: [email protected] @accreditedlet More properties urgently required for waiting tennants 6 MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 7 MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE PHOTO COMPETITION To submit your “Summer 2014” picture, visit the Town Council’s web site and follow the instructions to ave your photo on the next cover of H Midsomer Norton Life! upload your photo. To celebrate the 10th issue of Midsomer Norton Life, Photo entries must be in readers are being invited to submit a summer picture colour, portrait format and which will be used for the cover of Issue 11. If this is successful, it will become a regular feature with each of a minimum of 300dpi. the four annual issues featuring seasonal photographs submitted by readers. Take a look at the montage to see the evolution of the cover photo since the first issue and put your creative hat on and see what you can do. The successful pictures will be selected by a panel comprising the Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers, the production team at Ignyte Ltd and the Town Clerk, Clive Stilwell. They will be looking for photos SOMER CRAFT which capture the season and reflect Midsomer Norton as a place. ADDIX For all your paper crafting needs! Open: Tues 6-9pm Wed-Fri 10-4pm Sat 10-3pm We stock Cuttlebug, e-Bosser, Pergamano, a wide selection of cutting FREE of candies packon dies, embossing folders, presentation of stamps and stencils, this advert ProMarkers and Spectrum Garden Design • Planting Schemes Noir plus a good selection of Horticultural Consultancy inks, card and embellishments Courses in Gardening and Garden Design WEEKLY WORKSHOPS and craft clubs Unit 6, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Radstock BA3 4UL www.christinepritchard.co.uk 01749 840567 07739 048679 [email protected] tel: 01761 221166 • mobile: 07966 172282 www.somercraftaddix.com 8 MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE 9 LOCAL SOLICITORS LEAD Midsomer Norton Town Archive, where precious systems in the coming documents relating to the town’s history will months with a view to be carefully stored and catalogued so that local preparing for the Archive to MAP INITIATIVE people wanting to find out more about where they go live. Radstock Museum live can access a wealth of information. recently ran a course for Members of the Midsomer “We’re delighted to be the first to pass an item to ocal solicitors Thatcher & Hallam are at the Norton Community Trust the Midsomer Norton Archive. The map which we L heart of an amazing initiative which will and the Midsomer Norton have looked after for many years will be of interest not only ensure that the unique Midsomer Norton Society - sharing the to a wide range of people from keen historians to Tithe Map of 1822 they hold will be preserved for Museum’s skills in archiving. local people simply wanting to see what Midsomer future generations to enjoy – but their generosity The new archive has made Norton was like in the early 19th century”, said will also mean that many more people will be able it clear that it will only be George Persson, a Partner at Thatcher & Hallam. to see this wonderful document. focusing on documents and Thatcher & Hallam LLP have been working for The Tithe Map is probably one of the most photographs and has already the Town Council over the last 12 months on the important documents to survive from the period formed a strong collaborative relationship with creation of Midsomer Norton’s new Town Trust as it details all the land and buildings in the town Radstock Museum. in 1822 and would have been used as a basis to and Community Trust which have been highlighted For further details visit calculate amounts paid by landowners to the in the local press. What is less well known is that www.midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk as part of the Town Trust there will be a new Church. Tithes were effectively like today’s systems of local rates. The Barn, Clapton, Radstock BA3 4EB The map which measures almost two metres by 07961 320193 one metre is a unique hand drawn document and [email protected] is in remarkably good condition considering its Sweet Cumin age. However, thanks to Thatcher & Hallam, the authentic Indian cookery school map has been scanned at local design agency ‘The Whole Story’ at Peasedown St John and can now Fun classes for adults and young budding chefs who would be reproduced. The plan is to have a full size copy Live Music, DJs, Comedy Club, like to learn more on how to combine different spices to framed in the Town Hall and for smaller copies to Real Ale, Surreal Cider, produce tasty authentic Indian food. Come and experience a be printed and sold to raise money for the new lesson to give you confidence to cook flavourful Indian food Midsomer Norton Archive. Staffed Mobile Bar for Events in your own kitchen. Classes start at £55 per person - you can join a group or “The inspiration for the Town Archive came from create your own with your friends and family and have a the first President of the Midsomer Norton Society, Live music great time together David Fisher who died last year. It is so fitting that Thursdays & Saturdays this new store of historical reference material has All the meals are cooked and frozen including: and are perfect for dinner parties and been dedicated to his memory, with the permission of his widow Brenda.