We need to talk about farming!
While I was out and about in Mendip South recently, I was conversing with a local Dairy Farmer. He told me that he was one of the last Dairy Farmers in the village (where we met) and that many of his generation were leaving farming for good, while younger folk weren’t stepping up into the…
Read MoreWhen bureaucracy harms
Should bureaucracy, whether intentionally or not, cause people to suffer? This is the discussion I have been having with Teddy and Sossa, who along with their four-year old son live in Evercreech, Somerset, (a village near Shepton Mallet) that I represent. We know many people are suffering because of the cost of living crisis, in…
Read MoreOn or off the Buses!
Earlier this year Somerset County Council bid for £163m to improve rural bus services, however the Government has only offered just £11.9m, just over seven per cent of what Somerset County Council estimated would be needed. Patronage on local bus services across the county fell dramatically during the pandemic. This has not recovered with passenger…
Read MoreSally Atkins – celebration of a life of a popular lady
Today, I attended a coming together to celebrate the life of Sally Atkins of Ditcheat, formally of Stoney Stratton. Sally was a cornerstone of the community, and a hugely popular person. This was evidenced by the large numbers who joined her family today at Castle Cary Rugby Club. Sally was always encouraging and interested in…
Read MoreFrome – sowing seeds and seeing transformation in a Somerset town.
In 2008 I was asked to present ideas for place marketing to the Catherine Hill Traders, who were a group of business owners based on and around Catherine Hill, in Frome. At this time Catherine Hill had few thriving businesses, while it did have something special: people with great ideas prepared to come together and…
Read MoreUncovering Shepton Mallet Prison Raises More Questions
Shepton Mallet Prison’s future seems certain as a reincarnation into luxury apartment blocks by a high-end property developer who was sold this grade II* listed building by the MoJ. The development has been postponed until up to 2020, although work can begin any time, with just four weeks notice. However, questions are still being asked…
Read MoreTHE BATH WIFE MURDER PRISONER SENTENCED TO DEATH – BRISTOL MERCURY (EXTRACT) NOV 25TH 1891
Harry Dainton, 35, Mason, was indicted for the wilful murder of his wife, Hannah Dainton, at Bath, on the 8th September last. Mr R. W. Kingslake and Mr G. R. Askwith prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and the prisoner was defended by Mr H. E. Duke. The prisoner pleaded “Not guilty” in a clear…
Read MorePortillo’s Hidden History – Revealing Britain’s abandoned heritage gems
In this truly unique take on evaluating Britain’s “lost” history, Micheal Portillo shows he is a man of the people (after all) by shining his torch light on history that although abandoned still bears witness to extraordinary stories. Episode 1 tells the fascinating, but squeamish, story of the Royal London Hospital. Best not to watch…
Read MoreGhostly Attention at Shepton Mallet Prison
Shepton Mallet Prison has been dubbed Britain’s most haunted prison, even The Sun has splashed this headline. What happens next may be down to the stories or the ghosts of Shepton Mallet Prison itself, who may now be having their say prior to the property developer outlining in detail what they intend to do with those…
Read MoreHuman stories remains a big draw for Shepton Mallet Prison
Shepton Mallet Prison – one of the UK’s most ancient prisons – is proving that demand for its untold human stories and history is not abating. Recently, TV production company Transparent Television spent a week at the prison filming for a major television series for Channel 5, presented by Michael Portillo. Transparent Television’s programme about…
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