Wessex Water – Drop-in for advice and help 26 August and 28 October
More information at Wessex Water Community drop-ins
The Fingerpost is home!
All shiny and lovely. Thanks to:
- Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme who have shared the costs with a generous grant
- Somerset Forge who did a fabulous job of repairing and refurbishing it
- CJ Lynch who did an excellent job of removing the remains and then resetting the post (more securely) to its proper place
- Cllrs Andrew, John and Colin and Mike and Adie who variously oversaw all the technical side, provided the equipment and reassembled all the pieces at the top of the post.
The post was sadly knocked over by a vehicle on Christmas Eve. The post was carefully carried down the A39 by tractor to be stored safely until it was decided what would be done.
Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find sufficient evidence for the police to charge the driver responsible. Somerset Council, who own the post, were not interested in its reinstatement. We contacted a group of enthusiasts (Somerset Fingerpost Group) who very helpfully directed us to Somerset Forge in Wells who have repaired and refurbished it beautifully. The main post was returned at the beginning of June Then we waited for the concrete to set. Finally today it was reassembled by John, Andrew and Mike with Colin running Health and Safety…
Finishing touches and all finished
Somerset Council Boundary Review
The Local Government Boundary Commission is reviewing the way Somerset Council Divisions are represented. At present there are 55 Divisions each with two members. The proposal is to have 96 single-member divisions. It is proposed that Nether Stowey will move from the Cannington Division to a new Quantock Vale Division, as shown on the map below. You can read more on the Local Government Boundary Commision website and give your thoughts. The consultation is open until 11 August.
Grant Funding from Somerset Prepared
The Parish Council would like to thank Somerset Prepared who have recently confirmed that they are contributing £840 towards the cost of the new defibrillator that was installed at the public toilets last month.
Somerset Prepared is a multi-agency partnership working closely with communities to deliver advice, support and training to help enhance local resilience to emergencies. More information about their excellent work is available on their website – click on the logo below
Grant for Fingerpost Repairs
Nether Stowey Parish Council are delighted to announce the kind offer of a grant from the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme to help with the costs of repairing the fingerpost that was knocked over at Christmas. The Council would like to express their huge thanks to Dan Broadbent and his colleagues at the scheme for this contribution.
The fingerpost is currently being repaired and refurbished. John Roberts visited Somerset Forge earlier this week and says that what they have done so far is fantastic. It should be back in place in the next few weeks.
Somerset Sight News
Somerset Sight is a local charity which supports and advises over 3000 blind and partially sighted people across Somerset.
Details of two fundraising events:
Friday 27th June 6.30pm to 9.30pm – Murder at The Big Top – A fun Murder Mystery evening
We have local theatre group At 2K performing in the garden at Northfield House, Staplegrove Road, Taunton TA1 1DG and tickets are just £25 to include a light supper. There will be a donations bar and a raffle, and prize for the first correct guess drawn at random.
Sunday 14th September from 8.30am – 3pm – Yarlington Country House Car Boot and Traditional Fair
A fun day out for the family to pick up some bargains (or empty the attic or garage and book a pitch) with a variety of stalls, traditional fair games (tug o war, name the cuddly toy, splat the rat etc), classic cars, cake stall, food and drink and other attractions. £5 entrance for Over 16s, Classic car entry £5 for two people and a food voucher, or £35 for single pitch or £65 for a double.
www.somersetsight.org.uk
Somerset Sight Limited is a charity and a company limited by guarantee
Registered Charity Number 1154472
Company Number 8432686
New defibrillator in the village
The Parish Council has purchased a community defibrillator which was installed today (6 May) on the outside wall at the toilet block and is available 24 hours a day. It is not locked. The defibrillator is designed for community use. We are very grateful to Somerset Prepared who have made a significant contribution to the cost of the defibrillator.
In an emergency always dial 999 first WHILE YOU ARE WITH THE PATIENT. The ambulance service will provide support and instructions over the telephone and they will tell you if or when you should get the defibrillator. You should never leave a patient alone. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE TRAINED TO USE THE EQUIPMENT – THE DEVICE WILL TALK YOU THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. REMEMBER TO DIAL 999 FIRST.
The defibrillator is now registered with the ambulance service.
In the event that you do have to use it, please return it to the Parish Office or a Parish Councillor or return it to the cabinet and let us know so that it can be reset and prepared ready for use again. We need to do this as quickly as possible. We are also required to inform the Ambulance Service, who keep records of when a Community Defibrillator is used and the outcomes.
The Parish Council will shortly be arranging a free “awareness training” session for residents, run by the Community Heartbeat Trust to demonstrate how to use the equipment and what to do in an emergency. More details will follow, but if you would like to be reminded, please contact the office 01278 733779 or clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk.
The equipment has to be regularly checked and replaced as necessary and the Parish Council has taken responsibility for its maintenance and upkeep. If you have any questions please contact the Parish Clerk or any of your local Parish Councillors.
There is another public accessible defibrillator outside the Quantock Medical Centre. This is owned and managed by the QMC.
What is a defibrillator?
The defibrillator – an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – is a potentially life-saving device that automatically sends an electric shock to the heart muscle to return it to its normal rhythm. Most people who survive will have needed a shock from a defibrillator to correct a chaotic heart rhythm. The earlier that shock is given, the better the person’s chance of survival.
The Quantock Hills Walking Festival 7th & 8th June 2025
This year’s Quantock Hills Walking Festival is now taking bookings. Find out more and Book Today
This year’s walking festival will follow a different format from previous years. The event is being organised by the National Trust at Coleridge Cottage and walks will be led by a new team of volunteer walk leaders trained by the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme with support from National Trust volunteer walk leaders and Somerset Council. As usual places will be limited so booking is essential.
Tickets can be booked via the National Trust at the link below.
There will not be an up-front charge for the walks this time but a donation may be asked for on the day.
Places are limited, so don’t delay, book your place today! Book Today
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH Monday 12 May – All invited!
The NETHER STOWEY
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
will be held at
St Mary’s Church Centre
on Monday 12 May 2025 at 7pm
immediately before the Annual Parish Council Meeting
ALL ELECTORS OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES OR RAISE MATTERS OF CONCERN
The Parish Meeting may, by law, discuss all Parish affairs and pass resolutions about them. The following matters have so far been placed on the agenda:
- Welcome
- To accept apologies for absence
- To confirm minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 13 May 2024.
- The Chairman’s Annual Report
- Items for discussion raised by Parishioners
The draft minutes and reports from the last meeting (2024) are now available here:
Draft minutes – 13 May 2024 – Chairman’s Report – Reports from Organisations 2024
If you would like to add a matter to the agenda, please contact Caro at clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk
Each year an Annual Parish Meeting is held at which residents can air issues and ask the Parish Council to investigate certain matters which are of concern. The meeting is NOT a formal Parish Council meeting but it is facilitated and funded by the Parish Council for the benefit of the community: the Parish Council Chairman calls and chairs the meeting.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss ‘parish affairs’. Separate minutes must be kept which are then approved at the next Annual Parish Meeting, next year. The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting are not approved by the Parish Council.
There is no prescribed format for this meeting and its recommendations are not binding on the Parish Council. Any matters raised requiring a Council decision or expenditure will need to be considered at a Parish Council meeting at a later date.