Last Sunday saw the inaugural meeting of a new Shepton Mallet Arts Group – SMart.

The group has been established to provide a hub for artists and creative practitioners in the town.

It has initially launched as an online platform but has plans to offer quarterly networking events. If you are an artist and want to feature your profile and discover events, keep checking back to www.smart-culture.org.

The group has benefitted from a donation from the town council from our Community Donations scheme.

We have two "funding rounds" a year and any local community organisation can apply - see our website for details.

In other news, the town council is recruiting! We're looking for an enthusiastic and professional Project Officer to cover a period of maternity leave.

The successful candidate will develop and deliver a range of interesting projects, which have been identified following consultation, community engagement and councillors agreeing on the strategic direction for the council.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has project management experience and has worked in a similar environment, to take on a variety of projects and to work with councillors to deliver community benefits.

Above all, we are looking for someone with the right attitude who will have the personal attributes of being ambitious, a team player, flexible and proactive, with an eye for detail.

If this sounds like a role that interests you then please head to the town council's website where you can find the recruitment pack packed with more info about the role and the application forms.

Until next time,

Matt Harrison