Shepton Mallet Nub News recently hit 60,000 page views on our site. To mark this occasion, we wanted to write an article that celebrated all things Shepton.

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Shepton Mallet is a town that has, in the past, felt a bit down on its luck – but things are changing.

A positive vibe is returning, with more people than ever before coming together to unite the community and create social cohesion.

The town lies on the route of the Fosse Way, the principal Roman road into the South West, and history still sits at the heart of Shepton.

There are 218 listed buildings in the town including the market cross that dates back to the 1500s and the 10th century church.

There are a number of fine houses in the older parts of Shepton around Lower Lane and Leg Square, as well as the outlying hamlets such as Bowlish and Charlton.

A newer addition to the town is the Rock Flock, the stone sheep on the Cannard's Grave roundabout, and Shepton Mallet retains a strong character as a small market town and place to live.

For many years the town was the centre of production for a number of leading UK brands, all locally founded, including fashion house Mulberry, cider maker Brothers, and sparkling wine Babycham.

It is also known for hosting major events, with the Mid Somerset Show in town, the Bath and West Show just outside and, of course, the Glastonbury Festival just down the road in Pilton.

Ask the people of Shepton what the best thing about living there is, and you will get the friendly nature of the residents come up more often than not.

Chris Inchley, chairman of Shepton Mallet Town Council, agrees and said: "Recently the town council conducted a piece of consultation to help produce a new corporate plan for the council.

"Residents of Shepton stated the reasons why they liked living in the town was it was friendly, largely safe and benefited from its sub urban environment with lovely countryside surrounding it that was easy to access.

"Collett Park was considered to be a real asset for Shepton with Collett Festival and other events in the town being appreciated.

"People commented on the growing positive feeling within Shepton, with initiatives around the art scene and Sunday markets. People enjoy the historic nature of Shepton.

"A good number of people are happy with the shopping offer in Shepton with the Townsend retail park, the Haskins department store and the ever-improving High Street."

The town's chamber of commerce share those sentiments, and chairman Alan Stone said: "I would say the best thing about Shepton is that it is, by and large, a friendly place with many people knowing each other and saying hello.

"The atmosphere at the markets and events in the town centre shows this. Groups of people often stop and talk and catch up with each other - a strong community atmosphere.

"The growing cafe culture of the town adds to this - as do the many local organisations.

"I particularly like the fact that so many people come in from the surrounding villages. The Snowdrop Festival in February will be a good example."

However, like many market towns, all is not always perfect in Shepton Mallet, with the need for better infrastructure being named by residents as something that needs improving.

Plus, for such an historic town with a jewel like Collett Park at its heart, is does go unappreciated by some.

Alan said: "The biggest challenge is how to help the sceptics start to appreciate the town.

"For its size the town has a huge amount of retail. The town centre, Townsend, Haskins, Kilver Street, Fosse Way.

"I think it is correct to say it has a retail square footage exceeding that of Glastonbury, Wells and even Frome.

"Yet local residents have a tendency to be blinkered to this. We need to be finding ways of getting a positive message out there."

Chairman Chris says this is something the town council is looking to work on, with a number of improvements planned.

He said: "The town council is committed to improving the town centre with money assigned to resurface the Market Place and new street signs.

"The town council is looking at buildings that can offer income and a community space. We are looking to improve facilities in Collett Park including new play equipment and the council buildings.

"The newly-elected council is working to produce a plan that builds on townspeople's aspirations for Shepton, we need to respect and improve the things people tell us they like and make changes to those things people tell us they would like improved.

"I am confident that this can be achieved in the coming years and Shepton will receive recognition that it is great place to live."