It’s good to be back after the summer – an unexpectedly sunny one, in July anyway.

The summer has, however, been marred by the controversy over the proposal to set up a ‘Solar Array’ of photo-voltaic panels at Sheephouse Farm, on the Brewham road. A great deal of anguish was caused, with the vast majority of local residents to whom we spoke being very much against the project. Their reasons were, to summarise: the despoliation of the beautiful Somerset countryside for no material local benefit, but to the detriment of local businesses that depend on attracting visitors; a large acreage (32 acres minimum, the size of the Bruton conservation area) would be covered, with the considerable rise of 44 metres from bottom to top of the sloping site impossible to hide from view.

Those in favour maintained that the UK needs to generate renewable power where possible; and farmers have to move with the times and accept new developments. A field of solar panels is non-polluting, silent, immobile and therefore unthreatening. We have to face sharing some of the burden of creating the power we need.
The District Council have now decided against the project. However, there is bound to be an appeal, so the story is not over. Let us fervently hope that the debate won’t split the town and benefice – that would indeed be tragic.
A sad note from the new owners of the duck pond at Mill Dam can be read on page 15. It seems inconceivable that one ill-informed and anonymous letter can have the effect of bringing virtually to an end an amenity loved by very many children (and adults) locally. If you object to something, at least have the grace to say who you are! Elisabeth Balfour