What an honour to serve as Mayor of Midsomer Norton this past year. My thanks to the Councillors and staff for their unwavering support and especially the wonderful people of this town.
Throughout the year I have given my all to promote our community, organisations, sports clubs and businesses as can be seen on the pages of Mayor’s Announcements throughout the year.
It’s amazing to be part of Midsomer Norton’s wonderful community.
My AGM report:
The first year following an election is always challenging for the Town Council and never more so than this year which has seen many people join the Council for the first time.
As the Council settles into its four-year session, Midsomer Norton Town goes from strength to strength. Our beloved High Street is thriving with new shops, restaurants and cafes. The monthly farmers’ market continues to be supported by residents and visitors with Councillors and Community Trust Trustees there every month.
Everyone is excited about the Town Hall opening again soon with the old market hall being restored which will also see the return of the sorely missed community cinema.
Much of the work of the Council is visible through the two charitable Trusts it set up and actively supports, the Town Trust and the Community Trust. The Town Trust has developed a website which has quickly become a platform to advertise its role while celebrating the town’s history and heritage. Development of the Town Park continues with the introduction of the most amazing paths, stairs, bridges and trails for people to explore.
The Community Trust, despite being deprived of the Town Hall for much longer than expected has had one of the most successful years in its history. Building on the success of last years’ music festival, this year saw an estimated 4000 people visit the Town Park on the 3rd June.
While the Town Fayre in July proved as popular as ever, despite a little rain, the crowning glory in the calendar was surely the Christmas Lights Switch-on. Seeing our High Street full of people celebrating with the High Sheriff of Somerset, Robbie Drewett, switching on the lights was a fantastic achievement for the Charity, not to mention the first late-night shopping event in many years.
Whether it’s music-festivals, markets, late-night shopping or national-brand establishments bringing our town to life, it’s clear the Town Council’s long-term strategy and vision, to provide events and generate footfall, is working.
While we pay tribute to the huge effort and ambitious vision of previous Councillors that bequeathed such a golden legacy, we realise the work must continue and it is up to this Council, over these coming months and years, to define our strategy and continue making Midsomer Norton the most wonderful place to live.