February’s Quantock Messenger now out
QM Feb 25 Colour
Previous editions at Quantock Messenger Online
Workshop invitation: Somerset people and wetland research by WWT
Workshop invitation: Somerset people and wetland research for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).
This research is being undertaken by WWT’s Social Science team, and the workshops will be facilitated by an experienced neutral facilitator. This research is funded by The Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project. Link for more information and to make an expression of interest.
Click here for more information about the WWT
Somerset wetland research invitation flyerCurrent EDF Community Bus Time Table
Current bus services to/from Nether Stowey. For the full EDF Community Bus including all stops visit
https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/Community%20bus%20-%20Timetable.pdf.
Please note that bus services can change without notice and we aren’t always told. Please let us know if you know of a change.
Bus timetable all services currentChildren’s Hospice South West – Incredible Hike
Children’s Hospice South West are organising an ‘Incredible Hike’ in May which is a fully guided 3-day challenge event where hikers take on 60 miles of the South West Coast Path. Every year, we tackle another 60 miles, walking to complete the South West Coast Path while raising money for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions. Find out more at Incredible Hike 2025 | Childrens Hospice South West.
Understand the complexities of care planning – webinars by Somerset Council
From Somerset Council:
Online sessions to help people understand complexities of care planning
Somerset Council is holding a series of free, online webinars to help individuals plan care and support needs for themselves or those they care for.
These informative sessions aim to provide valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the complexities of care planning.
The webinars follow the success of the previous in-person event held in November, which saw positive feedback. The new sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams and in the evenings and are scheduled to begin on 27 January 2025 and continue throughout February, offering another opportunity for Somerset residents to gain essential knowledge and resources.
Topics covered will include understanding your care options, financial planning, and how to access local support services. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance from professionals in the field.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness at Somerset Council, said:
“The webinars are a fantastic resource for anyone looking to understand and plan for care needs, whether for themselves or their loved ones. The positive response from our November in-person event has encouraged us to keep this momentum going, and we hope that holding the webinars online in January will encourage even more people to join.
No one wants to start thinking about financing care for themselves or the people they support, but it is a position that many of us will be faced with sooner or later. These online sessions aim to help the people of Somerset get the information that they need to make the best-informed decisions for their lives or for the lives of their loved ones.
I really encourage you to drop in if you can.”
There will be a series of webinars taking place in the evenings between Monday, 27 January and Thursday, 27 February 2025.
For those that cannot attend, the webinars will all be available online after the sessions take place. Register for the free online-only events using the following links:
- Monday 27 January, 6.30pm to 8pm, Wills & Lasting Power of Attorney: Managing an Individual’s Finances
- Tuesday 4 February, 6.30pm to 8pm, Financial Assessments for Care Funding
- Wednesday 12 February, 6.30pm to 7.15pm, Navigating Direct Payments
- Wednesday 12 February, 7.15pm to 8pm, Supporting the Armed Forces community in Somerset
- Thursday 27 February, 6.30pm to 7.15pm, Personalised Community Support for Carers in Somerset
- Thursday 27 February, 7.15pm to 8pm, Understanding how Adult Social Care works
Further information at www.somerset.gov.uk/news/online-sessions-to-help-people-understand-complexities-of-care-planning
Christmas Working Hours
The Parish Office will be closed from 1pm on Friday 19th December 2024. We reopen at 10am on Monday 6th January 2025.
The phone answering service and e-mail will be checked during the Christmas break, so please leave a message. We do not call back if no message had been left.
If a matter is URGENT please leave a message:
Telephone 01278 733779
or e-mail to: clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk or contact any Parish Councillor – details here.
You can report problems direct to Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224 or report online as follows:
- Roads: www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/
- Street Lighting: www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-with-a-street-light/
- Flooding: www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/flooding
- EDF Community Bus Christmas Timetable
- See also our Useful Links page
CHRISTMAS BUS SERVICE (EDF Community Bus)
HPC Community Bus Services for over Christmas & New Year
The HPC Community Bus will not operate between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January.
A reduced service, as detailed below, will operate on:
- Monday 23 December
- Thursday 2 January
- Friday 3 January
Minehead to Bridgwater – departs 9.30 arrives 11.17
Bridgwater to Minehead – departs 14.35 arrives 16.27
All bus stops will be served on these services.
If you have any questions in connection with this notice please call the Customer Service Team on 01278 393500 or e-mail spscustomerenquiries@spsbus.co.uk
WARNING OF FIREWORKS AT QUANTOCK LAKES
SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER and SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER
ALL ENQUIRIES/COMPLAINTS TO:
NAOMI at QUANTOCK LAKES
Tel: 01278 733202
e-mail: naomi.hansford@quantockevents.co.uk
www.quantocklakes.com
Bridgwater drop-in to focus on key roadworks needed for major investment
Bridgwater drop-in to focus on key roadworks needed for major investment
More detail about major roadworks in and around Bridgwater is now available, as huge investment in the town’s infrastructure continues.
Three major, time-sensitive projects need access to the town’s road network in the coming months, linked to the Agratas battery facility in Puriton, upgrading the Dunball roundabout and completing of the Celebration Mile.
Temporary restrictions and one-way systems will be needed, and Somerset Council will be working closely with contractors to coordinate the works and keep the disruption to a minimum.
Some delays are unavoidable, and road users are being urged to be patient and plan ahead during this very busy time.
Key works include a one-way system on Puriton Hill for several weeks and overnight closures of the road linking the Dunball roundabout to Junction 23 of the M5. These restrictions will not overlap. Details of the closures are available here.
A public drop-in on Wednesday 20 November will give people the chance to find out more and ask questions.
The event takes place from 12.30pm to 6.30pm at Bridgwater Town Hall and will involve representatives from the Council and contractors from the major schemes going on in Bridgwater.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste services, said: “All these works are about improvements and investment, but we know it is going to be a very busy period on the Bridgwater network and ask for people’s patience in advance.
“We have done our best to avoid overlaps and clashes and our team will be working with contractors throughout ready to tweak traffic management if things can be improved.
“The drop-in on 20 November the best opportunity to find out more and get questions answered, so please come along if you can.”
Agratas high voltage power lines (opens new tab on Somerset Council site)
Work to supply the site of the planned Agratas electric car battery facility – a £4 billion investment for Somerset – has been ongoing since September. Significant roadworks have taken place around Bridgwater.
• Work along Bath Road from Crandon Bridge is due to be completed on 15 November. Two-way traffic flow will be reinstated from 15 November.
• 15 November to 19 December: one-way system in place on Puriton Hill. See map here. Traffic will be able to travel south from Junction 23 of the M5 – up Puriton Hill away from Bridgwater and towards Street/Glastonbury. There will be no access to Junction 23 from the north – from the Street/Glastonbury direction. A signed diversion route is in place via A39 into Bridgwater to the Cross Rifles junction and via A38 to Dunball where you can access J23. Road users may choose other routes.
• 19 December to 10 January: restrictions lifted for the festive period.
• 11 January to 9 February: the one-way system reintroduced on Puriton Hill.
• Further work is needed later in the spring involving the same one-way system on Puriton Hill. Dates are yet to be confirmed.
Dunball roundabout upgrade (opens new tab on Somerset Council site)
Work to improve the capacity at the roundabout. This will include signalisation and a new ‘throughabout’.
• 11 November to December 2025: work starts and will be carried out largely under temporary lights and lane closures.
• 6 to 10 January; 10 to 14 February, and 3 to 14 March: overnight closures (7.30pm to 5am) of the link road between Junction 23 and the Dunball roundabout. See map here.
• These are timed so as not to coincide with the Puriton Hill one-way system.
Celebration Mile (opens new tab on Somerset Council site)
A pedestrian and cycle-friendly route connecting Bridgwater Railway Station to Bridgwater Docks, while celebrating the town’s history and culture. It is part of a wide-ranging regeneration programme focused on the town.
Work continues on Eastover until next summer. This means ongoing closure of Eastover with a diversion in place.
There are also parking and access restrictions on Angel Crescent and a closure will be in place on Clare Street from early 2025 – dates to be confirmed.
ENDS