Never in most memories has spring crept up with so unwilling a step, but now it seems a change is coming 
and the plants, birds, insects and animals will catch up. Even Charles Dowding has had a bit of a struggle – but he has useful tips for coping with the everlasting winter (page 53).
Change is very much in the air, and both John Bishton, writing about Bruton Trust, and Annette Pitman, on Bruton The Way Forward (pages 15 and 19), enlarge on what is planned. As John says, change is necessary: a balance has to be struck between what is worth preserving and what could be improved for all residents’ benefit. One much-needed change: at long last the Hewden site car park near the church has become operative. See Mayor Alex Rubbo’s Town Council news (page 49).

Cultural events are among this month’s attractions. The Yarlington Fringe festival, almost in the Benefice, sounds a lot of fun (3–5 May – see page 15). The event of the month will be the concert to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bruton Choral Society – a great evening is promised (18 May – see page 21), with the première of a new composition, Sweet Somerset by Jonathan Palmer. Wincanton Choral Society has a fine spring concert, too: a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The sporting season is getting under way, with the ever-improving Bruton Cricket Club going from strength to strength. We will be reporting on its matches over the next few months, and new members are always welcome (see page 27).
A new initiative has been set up: South Somerset District Council will hold ‘surgeries’ every other Friday morning in the Community Office (see page 17). If you have any queries about benefits, or need help with appeals, forms, and so on, they are there to give advice.
Elisabeth Balfour