Notices

Temporary Closure of A39 Quantock Road
TAKE NOTICE that in pursuance of Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, as amended by the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991, the County Council of Somerset propose to make an Order PROHIBITING ALL TRAFFIC from proceeding along A39 Quantock Road from the junction with Quantock Road Roundabout, westwards for a total distance of 1100 metres.
This order will enable SCC (Small Improvement Schemes) to carry out resurfacing works and install cats eyes and a centre line
The Order becomes effective on 24 February 2020 and will remain in force for eighteen months. The works are expected to last for 4 nights (19:00-07:00hrs).
Please visit www.one.network for further information on the alternative route

Somerset West and Taunton Strategy Team are currently working on the Issues and Options document for the newly formed Somerset West and Taunton Council (excluding the Exmoor National Park area). The consultation will take place from

Monday 13^th January to Monday 16^th March 2020.

We are also inviting comments on two documents which are needed to support and evidence the Local Plan: the Sustainability Appraisal; and the Habitats Regulations Assessment.

This is the first consultation stage in the Local Plan process. The document looks at the key issues and draft objectives for the Local Plan, particularly around climate change and development needs over the next 20 years.  Views from local communities and businesses are important in helping to shape Somerset West and Taunton and we would really appreciate your help in engaging with your areas.

Consultation information is available on the SWT website and  available to view at the following inspection points:

Deane House; West Somerset House; Bishops Lydeard Community Library; Dulverton Library; Minehead Library; Nether Stowey Community Library; North Petherton Community Library; Porlock Community Library; Priorswood Community Library; Taunton Library; Watchet Community Library; Wellington Library; Williton Library; Wiveliscombe Community Library

We will also be visiting these venues, where you can find out more and ask questions:

• Wellington, Quaker Meeting House – 21 January, 10am to 3pm
• Williton, West Somerset House – 30 January, 2pm to 7pm
• Taunton, the Orchard Shopping Centre – 6 February, 10am to 3pm
• Minehead, Methodist Church – 10 February, 2pm to 7pm
• Watchet, The Sanctuary – 11 February, 10am to 3pm
• Wiveliscombe, Community Centre – 20 February, 10am to 3pm
• Taunton, Deane House – 27 February, 2pm to 7pm

Have your say about providing care closer to home in Somerset

Health and care services in Somerset are running an engagement programme to gather feedback from local people about providing care closer to home.

Health and care services in Somerset aim to support people to live independent, healthier lives by having the right services in the right place for their needs, available at the right time and delivered by the right people. The engagement programme runs until 12 April 2020.

Everyone who lives and works in Somerset is invited to join in, think about and help shape a new way of providing services which is, where practical, closer to where they live, supports independence and maintains health. Everyone’s input, ideas and suggestions are vital to helping them make sure that we have the right services in the right place.

The engagement document shares with everyone the reasons why current services need to change and the challenges faced in continuing to run them.

Using all the feedback received, a number of ways that health and care services could be delivered differently will be developed. There will be public consultation about these potential options in the future.

Health and care services would like to know what you think about their ideas so far and get your feedback. You can read the full engagement document on their website at www.fitformyfuture.org.uk or contact them by email somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net or telephone 01935 384119.

Community health and care services – Summary

Earlier this year, all five Somerset councils declared or recognised ‘climate emergencies’, agreeing to work together to produce a joint Climate Emergency Strategy. The strategy will identify ways for Somerset to work towards being carbon neutral by 2030 and adapt to predicted climate change impacts.

A series of drop in events will be held on Saturdays, between 10am and 4pm at the following venues:

• 18 January, Somerset West and Taunton. The Glassbox, Taunton Library, Paul Street, TA1 3XZ.
• 8 February, Sedgemoor District Council. The Sedgemoor Room, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR.
• 15 February, Mendip District Council. The Council Chamber, Mendip District Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT.
• 22 February, South Somerset District Council. Vicarage Street Methodist Church, Vicarage Street, Yeovil, BA20 1JB.

Open to residents, businesses, groups and anyone with an interest, the drop-ins will be a chance to discuss the initial thoughts of the five councils set out in a ‘framework’ document.  There will be a family craft area at each event and a ‘pop up cafe’ with guest speakers on topics linked to protecting the environment.

They will be seeking feedback on whether the work so far focusses on the right areas, covers everything it should and whether there are actions that communities could take forward themselves.

Further details is available here.

An online survey will also be available between 6 January and 19 February 2020 Somerset-Climate-Change-Survey

RCNWS12515 – Knighton Lane in the parish of Stogursey; from the junction with Shurton Road, north-westwards for a distance of 300 metres.

Proposed commencement date is 14th January 2020 and the works are expected to last for 3 days (08.00 – 17.00hrs).

This order will enable KN Network Services to carry out new pole installation and tree trimming works on behalf of BT Openreach in this road.

The Order becomes effective on 14th January 2020 and will remain in force for eighteen months. These closures are to be part of phased works.

Please visit www.one.network for further information on the alternative route. Advanced warning signs will be installed 10 days prior to the commencement of works for each closure.

For information about the works being carried out please contact KN Network Services (Alex) on 07976 918303.

Patrick Flaherty
Chief Executive
Dated: 10th January 2020

Sir Reginald Neville Howse VC – Local Hero

By Steve Lee

For nearly twenty five years now I have been part of a small research team of four who collate information and record memorials to those awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), Britain’s highest military gallantry award for actions in the face of the enemy. The aim of the group has always been to create a definitive record of all memorials worldwide in order to ensure that no VC is ever forgotten. The work is currently being added to a memorial website www.memorialstovalour.co.uk

Living in Somerset I have a particular interest in all VCs connected to the county which brings me to the purpose of this article. Although he spent much of his life in Australia, Sir Neville Reginald Howse VC was born in Stogursey on 26^th October 1863, much of his life is well document but I have been unable to find much out about his early life in Somerset. Through this article I was hoping that someone in the area may be able to tell me more about Sir Neville’s early life. There are many references to him being born in Stogursey but none give anything more specific and this is one of many questions I’d hope to find the answer to. Local knowledge tends to be a very useful resource so with this in mind I’d appeal to anyone who may know more to contact me via the email address below or on the telephone number also included.

What is commonly known is that Sir Neville was the son of Alfred and Lucy Howse; Alfred was a surgeon. He attended Fullard’s House School, Taunton and went on to study medicine at London Hospital (M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P). Due to declining health he migrated to New South Wales where he registered to practice in December 1889.

In January 1900, he was commissioned into the New South Wales Medical Corps and sailed out to South Africa to help with the Australian Forces during the Second Boer War. During action at Vredefort on 24^th July ‘he went out under heavy crossfire and picked up a wounded man and carried him to a place shelter’. For this act he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His achievements after this point continued to show how remarkable a man he was, his contribution to medical care, particularly in the Armed Forces doubtlessly saved many lives. I do him little credit by not expanding on his life after his VC action but I’m mindful of not taking up to much of your local publications.

In conclusion, I appeal to anyone who may be able to add any information regarding his early days in Stogursey to contact me. My email address is stevelee@memorialstovalour.co.uk or telephone 07551191070.

I’d also be very keen to look at the possibility of erecting some form of memorial to Sir Neville in the village which I’d hope would be befitting of a very special ‘Son of Stogursey’.