This new year will bring challenges and difficulties for everyone, and Bruton and the Benefice are not excepted. One major change will be the shrinking of the Benefice from nine to six churches in the summer: it is proposed that Batcombe, Upton Noble and Lamyatt move from the Bruton to the Evercreech Benefice. More about this will be announced over the coming months.
The proposal that is exercising very many people in Bruton and the villages around is that parking charges be brought in. Almost everyone that we have spoken to is strongly against this, feeling that it would be a commercial death-blow for most traders, and would therefore affect Bruton’s viability as a town. But it is also clear that something has to be done to improve the parking situation, and selfish people who leave their cars in the High Street for days on end, blocking trade, may be forced to start thinking more altruistically and use their garages if they have one.
The Chamber of Commerce has sent a measured and sensible response to the County Council’s proposed strategy, requiring that any changes should only be introduced following wide consultation and a majority vote of the Town Council – in other words, with the informed consent of the townspeople. The Chamber also points out that a parking strategy for towns the size of Yeovil and Bridgwater simply does not fit Bruton with its population of about 3,000 (which includes Wyke and Redlynch). See Council News, page 26, and reports from the Chamber of Commerce (page 13) and Bruton The Way Forward (page 23).
A reminder to any subscribers who don’t pay by standing order, who want to continue receiving The Dove but have not yet paid: please send your cheque/cash (£10) and completed form to Flora Rawlingson Plant or Mike Kelham at the Church Office (address on last page) before the end of February to be sure of receiving the March issue. Elisabeth Balfour
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