Members gathered for Nynehead Parish Council meeting where they watched Dr Bel Deering, Community Liaison Officer for Somerset Rivers Authority, give a talk.

Dr Deering explained that the Somerset Rivers Authority was initially set up following a severe flood during 2013/14.

The rivers authority is funded through a council tax precept, and is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, Somerset Council, Coastal Forum Drainage Boards, FWG and Natural England.

This year the SRA is broadening its schemes and will now take proposals from Parish and Town Councils. The SRA will give support and advice to reduce and prevent flooding working collaboratively with its partners.

It has been suggested that NPC consider an Emergency Plan/ Flood warden with possible grant funding from Somerset Prepared.

Thankfully, Nynehead residents have so far not been subjected to flooding of any homes, so NPC will be focusing on help with mapping flow pathways of the water at times of flood, to better understand the causes of the flooding and then ask for help to reduce the depth and frequency of flooding.

Dr Deering also asked to empower individuals to reduce water run off by using water butts (emptied ahead of heavy rainfall), rain gardens and the necessity to keep rainwater out of the sewage system.

Members agreed to send a letter to the newly elected MP, Rachel Gilmore, to inform her of the flooding of roads into Nynehead. Asking for her support with measures to mitigate the flooding and for her help and guidance.

Nynehead 20mph areas to get Speed Indicative Device (SID) installed. Kate Brown, Somerset Highways Traffic Officer will be looking at the average speeds in the Nynehead 20mph area, with hopes to identify the most suitable locations for SIDs.

Members of the Parish Council will then need to choose the most suitable model of SID, gain approval from Somerset Council for the devices, before applying to the Road Safety Fund for a grant to cover the cost.

Currently applications to the Road Safety Fund are closed.

The meeting concluded with the usual Parish Council administration.

The next Parish Council Meeting is on Monday 19th August at the Nynehead Memorial Hall commencing at 19.30.

The annual Parish Walk will take place on Sunday 8th September, commencing at 2pm. Please meet at the Memorial Hall, all are welcome.

The Parish Council aims to serve the needs of the community and residents are encouraged to share ideas, voice concerns or suggest initiatives by contacting the Clerk, Vicky Hebditch by email: [email protected].

For more Parish Council Meeting dates, and to view minutes of the meetings, visit: www.Nynehead.org.

Eager Wellington residents joined a group of members led by Colin Spackman on the evening of Thursday June 27, taking a stroll around South Street, Eight Acre Lane, Dark Lane and Wellesley Park. 

The general theme was looking at the impact in the late 19th and early 20th centuries of the Wellington Estate Company in south Wellington. 

The directors of the company included a local architect (ET Howard the elder), a local brick manufacturer (TN Sully) and a local solicitor (E Lee Michell). 

In addition, the stroll took in some of Wellington’s industrial history via the Burnett family (cloth traders and clothing manufacturers) and the Price family (bed and mattress makers).

The next Society event will be on September 26 at 7.30pm in Wellington Junior School Hall. Chris Jessop will be giving a talk on the restoration of the Castle Gardens in Taunton. Entry is members £3, non-members £4.

The Great Bow Wharf in Langport (near the eco-homes) was an interesting talk given by Janet Seaton to member of the Friends of the Museum of Somerset, followed by an excellent guided walk.

Before 1840 the arches of the old bridge were too low for large vessels to get further up the river, so goods such as timber, stone, salt, iron and corn had to be unloaded at the wharf for onward transport to other destinations, either by smaller boats or by road.

There was a storehouse on the site by 1652, and the trading company of Stuckey & Bagehot, the Parrett Navigation Company, developed a highly successful business in the 19th century, based at what is now Great Bow Wharf.

The arrival of the railways heralded the decline of the river trade, and the wharves and warehouses gradually fell into disuse. The site was occupied by the Silkolene lubricants company until the mid-20th century, when the warehouse, a grade II listed building, was left empty. It was restored in 2007.

Stuckey and Bagehot are both notable worthies. Stuckey’s bank was founded in Langport in 1772, and became a highly successful West Country enterprise, printing its own currency, which had, at one time, a circulation second only to the Bank of England itself.

Bagehot became editor of The Economist. His articles, influential at the time, are still read today. He was consulted by leading figures of the age, such as Gladstone, and was much admired by the US President, Woodrow Wilson, who made a pilgrimage to Langport and Bagehot’s grave in 1896.

The next FOTMOS talk will be at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, August 20, when members will be hearing about Birnbeck Pier, Weston-super-Mare.

Guests are always welcome and for details, email [email protected].

Wellington’s Nynehead Court residents were eager to knit for refugees this month, help those who have become displaced. People are being supported by Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAFT), the donations from Nynehead Court care home in Wellington were greatly received.

The home’s residents got their knitting needles out to knit squares to make into blankets for refugees, and donated these to RAFT along with items of clothing.

The home also provided mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walking frames and walking sticks and these additional items were gratefully received.

Joanne Fenn, Nynehead Court Home Manager, said: “This is not the first time that our residents have used their knitting skills to help those less fortunate than themselves, and I’m sure it won’t be the last!”

“RAFT provides a wonderful service to refugees and we are always pleased to support their work.”

The Nynehead Court Estate offers gracious retirement living for older people requiring residential or respite care or close care housing.

Set in 18 acres of parkland, it is registered to provide residential care for 44 people within the Court, and close care housing for 11 retirees/couples within the Mews.

Within the Court, the extremely popular Mulberry Lounge caters for those requiring more support, with a higher ratio of staff to residents. At the other end of the spectrum, the 11 close care mews houses provide the opportunity to extend home ownership and live independently, safe in the knowledge that every level of care, support and security is available, when and if required.

For further information about Nynehead Court, please call the home manager, Joanne Fenn, on 01823 662481 or email [email protected].

Sampford Arundel WI would like to invite you to a complimentary visit to our next meeting.

The WI meet every second Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm at The Beambridge Inn, Wellington, TA21 0HB. The WI provides women with fun and friendship, plus the chance to learn new skills, get involved within the community and take part in a range of activities including book clubs, craft groups, lunch clubs, skittles and outings. We have a monthly speaker at our meetings

Just turn up this month or at any future meetings. Contact 01823 666439 or email [email protected].