They used to say that Bridgwater was a town of film producers. Well, that was mainly because so many people worked at Cellophane. And they produced film. But cinema has played a big part in this town’s life and after watching yet another great film with a packed audience at the new Northgate Multiplex (this time ‘ Back to Black- the Amy Winehouse story) I thought what a good investment that Leisure facility was. Much better than the Tescos Superstore that they originally planned as they knocked down the Splash.

Continue reading “A Town of Film Producers”

This week I was in Copenhagen. It’s what I do. Tour Bridgwater people abroad and bring international groups back here. The centrepiece of the salty old queen of the sea (yes, she came too) is the old harbour side frontage of Nyhavn. Multi coloured houses, boats moored alongside and cafes and bars lining the frontage. It’s kind of like what we have here in Bridgwater. West Quay was the quayside where Bridgwater began. The ‘West Ufer’ (spot ‘Westover there’) of Saxon ‘Brugie’ just before they built a bridge and a right big castle.

Continue reading “Wonderful, Wonderful West Quay”

It’s my fault of course. If I write slightly too many words for my Mercury column they just end it at the exact moment the wordcount ends and my hilarious punchline just dissapears. That’s what happens this week. However, as I also reprint my EXACT wording as submitted in this ‘Town Diary’ then people can see exactly what I was getting at. Not that everybody gets my sense of humour. In fact, I’m not sure that I do. But read on below..

This week I went and did a history talk in the depths of the Polden Hills. The topic was Bridgwater’s most radical Radical in ‘radical’ history.  I told them about 10 of our best rebels and then they had a secret vote on it. And guess who won? Yes obviously it was Robert Blake but it did get me thinking that as Edward Carson of the Ulster Unionist Party used to say “It’s the way I tell ‘em!” Continue reading “It’s the Way I Tell ’em”

“Did you actually read the article?” “No as soon as I seen his face it sent me in a depressed state of mind.” That was my favourite comment in a week of abuse on social media. There’s a modern style of journalism where you get people to write something. Could be an opinion piece, could be a piece of creative writing. God forbid you try to be imaginative and mix the two because you can guarantee that 90% of those reading won’t have got what you’re saying or will read into it what they like anyway. And the selling point will be posting it on social media so that the pack can tear it (and you) to pieces. Not too unlike the Roman amphitheatres really. Or a public hanging. That’ll learn ‘em and make us feel good at the same time.

Continue reading “Now then, who can we blame this week?”

Bridgwater is an amazing place to live and work in, the industry is booming, the future looks great, and the town has the most progressive council in Somerset.

So, admittedly we’ve been interviewing people for jobs all week and got a lot of this from the candidates. But actually, I think it’s true.

However, also this week I had to take a school group of 7- to 9-year-olds on a tour of the town…. would I get the same response?

You (and I) will be pleased to know that actually I did. Not only were the kids really excited about Bridgwater’s history, re-enacting scenes in the castle dungeons under the Art Centre (and asking me to turn the lights out -much to their teachers near panic) , they asked so many enquiring questions and came up with such a lot of great ideas for the future inspired by what they saw (what to do with the docks, what we should put in kids play areas) but they were nice, polite and enthusiastic. What a positive hope for the future.

Continue reading “Something Better Change”