News in Shepton Mallet

Dudley, Eunice and Franklin certainly blew away the cobwebs last weekend. Trees came down across town including in Collett Park but thanks to our efficient contractors – both our Park Rangers and at County Highways – the clean-up was done within hours. A longer-term structural tree damage review will take place but I'd like to thank everyone for going above and beyond the call of duty to enable us to get off relatively lightly. Most outstanding jobs for residents are now to fix the fence and relocate the trampoline!

The snowdrop festival rose to the challenge of going ahead under the extreme weather conditions and bar a few minor changes to the programme delivered another amazing series of events across the town, culminating in the unveiling of a new obelisk at the Cemetery on Waterloo Road to commemorate James Allen, the 'snowdrop King'. Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation; you certainly deserve some good weather next February!

Here are just a few of ideas of some fun things to do in and around Shepton this weekend.

Simply follow this link to our What's On section and click the black 'Nub It' button to get started.

Latest figures from Mendip District Council show the number of empty homes in the district has decreased by almost a quarter.

There are currently 392 long-term empty homes (of over 6 months) in Mendip, compared to 509 in April 2020 - that's a drop of 23%.

Strode College will be delivering a sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) course locally in forklift training for people who have been made recently redundant. This will give individuals a new sought after skill to help secure employment with other employers. To monitor the quality of the training, Sharon Pickford, Work based Learning Manager at Strode College completed this forklift training herself.

Sharon Pickford says, "This course is part of Strode College work in providing a work based sector academy to support individuals who are being made redundant from a local employers and who need to have recognised training in the operation of fork-lift truck operations. To ensure that we are able to deliver this provision, I have completed a course in the operation of a counter balance forklift truck alongside a local training organisation who are partnering with Strode College called LGS Transport Training.

Mendip District Council approved its budget for the next financial year at Full Council last night (Monday 21st February 2022). The budget will be the last ahead of the creation of a new unitary authority in April 2023. It will allow the Council to continue to invest locally in Mendip, improve services and tackle key local issues while also managing the significant loss of funding from the Government.

The proposed budget for 2022/23 allocates resources to priorities identified in the Council's Corporate Strategy, as well as providing a range of services including waste collections, fly-tipping enforcement, and leisure and tourism services.

The town that saved its library - the book - coming soon!

Starting in this month there will be a competition open to primary schools in (and around Shepton Mallet) to help illustrate a picture book called The Town that Saved its Library. See future posts for the details of the prizes!

Mendip District Council has contributed £5,000 towards the restoration of an important historic monument.

The James Allen obelisk in Shepton Mallet Cemetery, was crumbling, in disrepair and needed urgent attention.

After an absence of two years the Royal Bath & West Show will return in 2022, and Advance Saver Tickets are now on sale for this much-anticipated event.

Coinciding with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend (June 2-4), the organisers have listened to the views of previous visitors and are bringing back the hugely popular Paul Hannam Stunt Show and Pawsability Dog Agility Display, as well as Lakeside Farm. Also making a welcome return is the Pilton Tent, with the opportunity to camp on-site.

The tax team in [L]https://www.burton-sweet.co.uk/[+L]Burton Sweet's[.L] Shepton Mallet office will be busy in February and March, helping clients make the most of the tax allowances and reliefs that need to be used by April 5 2022.

As tax manager Alison Tideswell explains, "many tax allowances have to be used before the end of the tax year – if you don't use them, they are lost."

This week's Event of the Week is one for the motorcycle enthusiasts out there.

The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show will take place at the Bath and West Showground at the weekend (February 26 & 27).