A new sponsor has been welcomed to the ranks of Bridgwater Flower Show’s supporters. Summer Land Air Conditioning Ltd, who are based at Acorn House in St. Mary Street, are to sponsor the photography section of the Show. “This is an extremely popular section” said Show Secretary Jackie Sealey “the ten classes attract more than 100 entries every year, it’s a part of the Show that anyone can enter. There are new subjects every year, and the level of skill our photographers show in their photographs is impressive”.
Presently celebrating their tenth year, Summer Land AC supply and install air conditioning and cooling/heating systems throughout South West England, in commercial, retail buildings and domestic properties. “We are delighted to support Bridgwater Flower Show” said Paul Kingston, Company Director “being local ourselves, we know how important organizations such as this Flower Show are to the town; they help to retain the important history of Bridgwater as well as securing a future for the next generation.”
Westover District Councillors Kath Pearce & Brian Smedley at last years Flower Show
Flower Show 22& 23 August
Bridgwater Flower Show will take place on August 22nd & 23rd in the Town Hall with over 500 exhibits on display, including plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit, hobbies and crafts, art, photography and cooking, as well as Children’s classes, with sections for Novices, Senior Citizens and Allotment Holders .
The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal as it passes through Westover.
Winding it’s way through the Westover ward of Bridgwater and much neglected in recent years, is the Bridgwater and Taunton canal. This vastly underused resource surely deserves some attention paid to it. With this in mind Westover ward councillors brought together enthusiastic officers of the Inland Waterways Association and Sedgemoor Corporate Director Doug Bamsey to brain storm some ideas and see what exactly might be possible.
Background
The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal runs upstream for 14.2 miles from Bridgwater Dock to Taunton and was restored in the early 1990’s. However, the Ship Lock and the Canal at Bridgwater, which were built to give access from the River Parrett to Bridgwater Dock, were not restored, thus denying sea-going craft renewed access to both the Dock and the Canal.
The River Parrett Navigation extended to Thorney Mills (34.3 miles above Bridgwater Bar and 18.7 miles above the entrance to Bridgwater Dock) and both it and a number of tributaries, together with the short Westport Canal, were once navigable. Commercial navigation ceased around 1878 although small freighters still come upstream to Dunball Wharf (some 3.2 miles below Bridgwater Dock), and water-based leisure activities, such as those at Langport, currently make good use of the River.
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) believes that both the Canal and the River are under- utilised and hence undervalued assets of Bridgwater and that their development could create a major community asset for both the town and its surrounding areas. In particular, they consider that the development of the town’s waterways could bring the following:
• Increased boating and leisure activities on both the Canal and the River
• Additional tourism in the centre of Bridgwater and further upstream
• Enhanced levels of economic activity both within and beyond Bridgwater
The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal today
The canal cutting near West street
The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is owned by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and principally comprises the watercourse itself, the towpath, the locks and other structures. However, the Dock at Bridgwater is owned by Somerset County Council and leased to CRT. The Canal is used for a variety of purposes including boating, canoeing, fishing, cycling and walking; in addition water is supplied to Wessex Water. There are some 50 boats based on the canal of which approximately 30, of varying sizes are moored in Bridgwater Dock, a number of which are used for residential purposes. The maximum potential capacity of the Dock is some 60 boats.
Bob Abbot, Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Chairman says “The IWA believes that there would be considerable merit in developing and implementing a 5-year plan to enhance the Canal from Bridgwater Dock through to Standards Lock and thus to increase its attractiveness to existing and potential users, from both the local community and further afield. This would involve consultations with CRT, Local Authorities along the environmental corridor, IWA, canal and towpath user groups, the YMCA, boating societies and local community groups. It would have a clear aim of developing an agreed and affordable plan. Enhancements at Bridgwater Dock would complement and build on Bridgwater Vision’s Celebration Mile proposals.”
A key IWA aim is to replace the existing slipway at the north-east corner of the Dock with one that is considerably more user-friendly and capable of attracting trailboaters to use both the Dock and the Canal. Bob adds “Our target would be to have this in place well in time for a possible IWA sponsored Trailboat Festival to be held in Bridgwater at the Spring Bank Holiday in May 2019, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reopening throughout of the Canal in 1994.”
Linking to the River Parret
Could we see the Canal connected to the National network via the Docks?
For the longer term the IWA has suggested that a suitable lock should be planned for and built as part of the proposed tidal barrier as it is constructed. Bob Abbott says “The dimensions of the lock will need to be such as to allow sea-going craft up to an appropriate size to reach Bridgwater Town Bridge and moorings, and to permit smaller sea-going craft to use the River Parrett above Bridgwater and to access the Dock and thence Canal. Likewise, boats based on the Canal will be able to use the facilities in Bridgwater and access the River Parrett and the sea. The IWA recognises that the key to restoring navigation on the River Parrett lies in the approach taken to deal with the flood mitigation issues and the ability to both provide for and fund a suitable lock when the tidal barrier is constructed. The sight of sea-going craft on these two waterways in Bridgwater will, in our experience, help enhance the attractiveness of both the River Parrett and the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal as well as bringing worthwhile economic benefits to the town. “
The proposal to reopen the River Parrett to navigation from Bridgwater to Langport and reconnecting the River and Canal could create some 27 miles of environmental corridor and help facilitate the protection and migration of wildlife. Training opportunities in reconstruction and environmental heritage would also arise. The waterways will become more attractive not only to boaters based on the two waterways but to visiting sea-going craft, traditional narrowboats and trailboats. In the longer term there is potential scope to extend the navigable rivers much further within Somerset, thus making them attractive for boating holidays and a wide range of related recreational pastimes.
The Canal wends it;s way past popular facilities such as the Bridgwater YMCA
Bob Abbott concludes “Once the key decisions are taken on the future of navigation on the River Parrett it would be appropriate to prepare and implement a 5-10 year plan to develop the River, its structures and facilities and thus to enhance its use over time for both boating and leisure use. In the meantime steps should be taken to protect the existing riverside environment from any development which would not be in keeping with the evolving vision for the town and River. “
A way forward that involves the public
Cllr Brian Smedley outlined the projects that were underway or planned that related to the canal and its immediate setting saying “ There are numerous projects that can tie into our aspirations for the canal and these include the Meads Eco Park,the Celebration Mile, the Bridgwater Vision, the work done by residents and volunteers at Brownes Pond, the Bridgwater Way local Sustainable Transport Fund and the Flood Action Plan and these all provide the current opportunity for joined up thinking”
Doug Bamsey stressed that there were “ Severe limitations on Council budgets” and noting “the decisions Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and Somerset County had made in recent times to reduce expenditure on the Canal” .
Community involvement in the canal’s future such as happened with brownes pond, is crucial to taking the project forward.
Cllr Kathy Pearce said “It is important to ensure that there is public understanding of any projects that emerge for increasing the use of the canal as a recreational amenity, including the residents that border the docks. It is important to get their views and to have their support. “
All present agreed that having boats using the canal was a key outcome and recommended a 3 stage approach:
1. Short term ;- Works to allow boats to move along the waterway, which includes raising the water level.
Westover Councillor Brian Smedley attempts to explain the European Elections .
Thursday 22nd May is the European Election. The most publicised in a long time largely due to the headline grabbing antics of former Tory Banker Nigel Farage and his ‘oh no another one’s said something daft’ bunch of Kippers. Voters in both Westover and Gibraltar will be voting for the same set of candidates, so when people in Friarn Avenue, Camden Road, Flat Bastion Road and Bombhouse Lane ask who their MEP is they’ll get the same answer.
So who is my MEP?
Well, you’ve got 6. Westover (yes, well and the rest of Bridgwater) and Gibraltar are both part of the European constituency of South West England. There are 6 MEP’s that represent everything from Gloucester, through Bristol, Somerset, Exeter, down to Plymouth, Cornwall, turn left at Lands End , (jump over Spain) and yes Gibraltar as well. At the moment we have 3 Tories, 2 Ukippers and 1 Lib Dem. That’s what we voted for in 2009 and that’s what we’ve got.
How does the system work then?
When you go into the polling booth – and in Westover that’s either the Town Hall, Westfield Church in West street or Trinity Hall on St Saviours Avenue (but it will say which one on your voting card…which you should have received…) you’ll be given a voting paper which will have 8 Political parties listed on them.
You will be able to vote for just 1 Political party.
If you vote for more then you’ve in fact ended up voting for no-one as you will have spoilt your ballot paper and it won’t be counted. Bad luck there!
This Gibraltese Councillor and this Bridgwater councillor will have exactly the same parties and names to choose from on their ballot papers on May 22nd.
From this point on you’re at the mercy of some 19th century Belgian mathematician called Victor D’Hondt who devised a system of PR (Proportional Representation) which divides up the total votes cast and allocates seats to the parties in a mildly complicated (so let’s not worry about that) way. At the end of the day some parties get one or more seats and some get none. But we won’t know that until Sunday. (That’s when the votes all over Europe are counted).
Who do I vote for?
Glad you asked that. Your Westover Labour Councillors would strongly suggest you voted LABOUR. Don’t forget that your votes go into the same pile as the large Labour majorities in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth and we need as many votes as possible because the more Labour votes, the more Labour seats. Each party has a list numbered 1-6, so 3,4,5 and 6 for most parties are largely waving from the touchline.If you want to send a message to the Con Dem coalition that you’ve had enough of their ‘austerity’ or if you want to stop UKIP dead in it’s tracks then please vote Labour.
Who DON’T I vote for?
Well, you’re spoilt for choice on this one. Mainly DON’T vote for UKIP – the shame of waking up on Monday morning with Britain being represented in Europe by this bunch of foot-in-mouth, scare mongering, possibly a bit ‘racist’ , far right extremist Thatcherite throwbacks (and that’s letting them off lightly) …would be a step in the wrong direction. Unless you are of course a homophobic, climate change denying, Lenny Henry repatriating, afraid of hearing Germans speaking German on a bus,’Mister Angry’ type, in which case it probably IS the Party for you.
Who should the people of Gib and Westover vote for? UKIP want to ‘take our country back’ they say – but Labour want to ‘take it forward’.
We’d suggest UKIP are bad enough without having to say please don’t vote for the 2 even more right wing parties standing. The BNP – yes they’re not totally swept back under the stone they crawled from yet, they’re standing again, but their ‘star’ (I didn’t say swastika) has been picked up by UKIP along with a large pile of their former voters and the English Democrats (“we’re English not British” is their catch phrase) who are offering a novel alternative on the Far Right theme based on an even pettier and more ‘localised’ form of misguided Nationalism.
A slight fly in the ointment for UKIP is the appearance at the top of the ballot paper of the An Independence from Europe party. Totally indistinguishable from UKIP as they’re basically the same crowd of xenophobes–only this lot fell out with the other lot and the good news is that with such a Eurosceptic vote likely then at least they could split it. So if you’re thinking of voting UKIP, hey, why not vote for these instead.
Then of course there’s the Conservatives. They usually do well in the South West – but, well, they’re running country at the moment . Mainly into the ground. That usually means their vote will drop off. And of course UKIP – being led by a bunch of far right Tory extremists who were sad to see the downfall of Thatcher and always thought that Enoch Powell was a bit of a genius, has the other agenda of turning the Tory party back in that direction – hence the bulk of their votes will come from disillusioned Tories.
Then there’s the Lib Dems. I’ll probably stop there as people will have likely as not skipped this paragraph already. Pretty fair to say that their vote will collapse due to the massive disappointment of them putting the Tories back into power and breaking a few promises on the way.
The final party on the list is the Greens. No councillors, MP’s or MEP’s in this area and so a steep hill to climb and may just prove to be a risky vote. And anyway, we want you to vote Labour so we can maximise the anti-Rightist vote.
What happens next?
Well, like us, you’ll probably be staying up all night on Sunday to watch the election results live as they come in, excited at the swing to the left in Thessaloniki or the marginalisation of Beppe Grillo’s Partido di Clowns in Reggio Di Calabria. Or crucially to see Farage and Griffin’s faces when the people finally turn their back on them.
In World War 2, the people of Europe united to defeat Fascism and build a new continent free from war. These fallen Polish soldiers at Monte Cassino in Italy died alongside British soldiers fighting the Nazis for the freedoms we have today.
But what really happens next (despite what UKIP tell you) is we then have 6 MEPs who go off and represent us in Brussels. There they join up with like-minded parties from around Europe and form powerful groupings that represent similar interests and policies. So if you’ve voted Labour you’ll have strengthened the sensible centre left grouping which includes socialists and social democrats, if you’ve voted UKIP you’ll have strengthened the anti-Europe (but still claiming their expenses and not attending meetings) Euro-grouping of crazy right wingers, even crazier than the Tory right wingers (who joined a group to the right of the rest of Europe’s conservatives) but not quite as far right as the BNP.Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm so please use your vote.
However, if you’re not convinced by our well reasoned arguments regarding who to vote for above, then give us a ring on 01278 256377. And we’ll still suggest you vote Labour.
The Town Team takes a long hard look at what needs to be done with input from local councillors,traders and shoppers.
Westover ward councillors Brian Smedley and Kathy Pearce joined the Bridgwater Town Team for a walkabout in the Town Centre talking to traders and shoppers and highlighting problems and solutions.
Starting at the Penel Orlieu end of town the chronic state of the Classic Buildings was a clear problem. Commercial agent Ian Walker said “This is a major entry point to the town centre and something needs to be done fast here.” Town Clerk Alan Hurford agreed saying “This is a gateway that let’s down the town from the outset.” Sedgemoor Chief Executive Kerry Rickards said he “.. believed something would happen here and very quickly.” Commercial agent Lyndon Brett said he was “Frankly embarrassed by the length of time the planning process took. The approach seems to be ‘the answers ‘no’ now what’s the question!?”
‘Specialist shops’ needed
Mick Lerry, Roger Smith and Phil Adams standing in one of the higher footfall areas of the town centre.
Moving through the High street it was noted that while the Jazz Café had finally been given the go ahead, the delay through strict planning rules, had almost scuppered it. Similarly a lengthy delay on the planned Noodle bar in the old Atmosphere shop, had now resulted in that project being pulled. Lyndon Brett, who has long been a critic of Sedgemoor’s rigid approach to planning, said “Planning is too prescriptive and it needs to be more flexible. It’s better to have a user that can demonstrate some activity than an empty shop which just demonstrates decline. “ However, he pointed to specialist shops such as Inspirational Craft as a good example of a modern approach to retail . “This is a specialist shop which uses postal, online and High street shop window to sell itself. These are the kind of places we want.”
Roger Smith, manager of the Angel Place shopping centre, said “Footfall tapers off between the Penel Orlieu and the shopping centre but picks up between Angel Place and the Cornhill”. He said the idea of ‘shop jackets’ had proven to be successful. These are false fronts for empty shops that suggest what the empty shop could look like “We were told that within 6 months of putting in these shop jackets we would let all the adjacent premises and they were right. “ A similar frontage was suggested for shops like the former Atmosphere.
Town centre parking important for access
Ian Walker said Sedgemoor had “Missed the opportunity of town centre parking by letting the Priory site go for housing instead of for a multi storey car park and now there was no space left”
Cllr Brian Smedley said “If, as seems likely, the Tesco project is withdrawn there’s a further opportunity for parking there”
High footfall seems to suddenly include the Town’s MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.
Cllr Mick Lerry, leader of the Labour group on Sedgemoor, agreed, stressing the need for leisure facilities to bring people in “Good cafes in town are also a boon to retaining people in the centre. These provide a place to meet and the town centre needs more leisure facilities to bring people in to it in the first place”
Cllr Kathy Pearce cited the High street café Daisy May’s as a successful example of this with “an attractive frontage, and a novel interpretation on a theme.”
‘Improve the streetscape’
Standing alongside the one day Italian market in Fore street it was clear that the main streets needed tidying up . Bird mess splattered the pavements and weeds grew randomly while empty shops looked on forlornly.
Mick Lerry said “The Celebration mile project is something that we need to focus on, to brighten up a targeted area such as this. We need to speed this up.”
Ian Walker said “We have to do this now and get on with it. In 2 years time it will be too late. Workers coming to Hinkley Point will be wanting to spend their money in the town and if they can’t find what they want here they’ll just go to Taunton. We also need to be building homes for people on high incomes so we retain those incomes in this town.”
Alan Hurford agreed saying “We need to crack on with the celebration mile so that people can see something happening now.”
West Quay pedestrianisation footfall a success
Moving on to West Quay the success of the pedestrianisation project which was attracting new traders to the street was offset by the ridiculous delay caused by County Council’s failure to process the street trading licences that had been in since last October. Brian Smedley said “These people have done everything they were asked to do. Three premises have applied for chairs and tables outside – four if you anticipate the new Indian restaurant that will go into the old furniture shop and now the good weather’s here they’re missing out on trade.”
Brenda and Dinah outside their ‘Feather Cuts’ hair salon on West Quay alongside the soon to be developed Furniture restaurant.
Brenda Brunskill and Dinah Petrie, who have recently opened the Hair and Beauty salon ‘Feather Cuts’ said “We chose West Quay exactly because of the pedestrianisation and the footfall. The street is becoming a nice little community in itself and a great place to work. Business here is good. “ Cllr Pearce immediately made an appointment.
Alan Hurford said an important development would be works to the town bridge which would help refocus the town on the river “as it always did”.
How and When to ‘market’ Bridgwater
Phil Adams, Sedgemoor’s Economic Development Manager, said planners had to think in longer terms such as 25 to 30 years to protect areas but this often conflicts with the 5-10 year retail plans that are needed. He pointed to the positive plans for Eastover at the other end of the Town centre where a new hotel would bring people directly into the town to be accommodated and would be done in conjunction with the developments proposed for the former Hospital site.
Kerry Rickards and Lyndon Brett discuss ‘Sedgemoor planning policy’
The discussion focussed on how to or even ‘whether to’ market Bridgwater. Could we market it in the state it was currently in? Should we speed up the works on the celebration mile to show what could be done and then market a new look Bridgwater to attract in retailers? Roger Smith stressed the importance of the ‘streetscape’, Kathy Pearce urged better ‘signage’ and Lyndon Brett said we ‘had to work with the commercial realities,being flexible enough to adjust rents and business rates’ .
Ian Walker reminded the group that we had “18 months to 2 years to do this” and believed “the council should take the initiative.”
Brian Smedley summed up “One problem is that there isn’t just one council , there’s three. Town, District and County don’t always sing from the same hymn sheet. But we’ve got to start somewhere and so I’ll be putting this before the Town Council at the next meeting.”
Cllr Leigh Redman presenting his cheque to Martin Hodgson of the YMCA
Bridgwater South County Councillor Leigh Redman has made a donation from his Somerset Health and Wellbeing Fund that will be used to provide five free places on summer activity weeks at Bridgwater YMCA. Cllr Redman put forward the YMCA in Bridgwater for the fund to promote health, wellbeing, activities and social interaction for children and young people in South Bridgwater.
Cllr Redman presented a cheque to Somerset Coast YMCA Chief Executive Martin Hodgson who runs the successful summer activity scheme in Bridgwater.
Cllr Redman said: “The plan is to assign a fixed amount to benefit as many young people in my Bridgwater South Division as possible. Part of the donation will be used to fully fund around 5 young people to have a full week’s activity programme and to support active living in line with the five ways to wellbeing to the many older young people that use or have need of the YMCA services.”
Bridgwater YMCA and it’s canalside location
Holiday activity programmes at the YMCA
Holiday activity programmes at Bridgwater YMCA are open to 8-16 year olds from 0800 – 1800 throughout the year.
For the past eight years, the YMCA in Bridgwater has delivered school holiday care through their Daycamp programme to over 4,000 children a year.
Bridgwater YMCA’s vast experience with, and commitment to, children and young people makes them among one of the best for adventure programmes in Somerset.
The fund is part of a County Council scheme to allow Local County councillors to help and support projects within their divisions.
The Health and Wellbeing Budget Scheme enables each County Councillor to put forward grant proposals in support of local voluntary/community groups and initiatives, aimed at empowering communities to take responsibility for their own health, whilst enabling communities to become more connected and resilient through improved social networking.
The fund is available to community and voluntary groups which supports activities and opportunities which enable local residents to be actively engaged. The scheme is now closed for this year Cllr Redman hopes a new scheme may be opened for 2014-15.
Link to Health and wellbeing for your info & background
