Wessex Resolutions’ loans are not based on an individual’s credit score and are designed for a range of people, from existing homeowners, first-time buyers, park home-owners, landlords and those trying to bring empty properties back into use.
 
The Community Interest Company (CIC) uses a sustainable funding stream, in partnership with councils, to improve the quality of homes throughout the South West and has already ‘recycled’ more than £5 million in loans which will help support future clients.
 
Emma Lower, Chief Executive of Wessex Resolutions CIC, said: “I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to all 18 of our council partners across the West of England and the South West for enabling their funds to be used in this way.
 
“It’s a really unique model where we absolutely put our clients first and find a solution to their needs, as we’re a social enterprise, we put people before profit. But most of all, thank you to everyone who has borrowed from Wessex Resolutions and chosen and trusted us to help them improve their homes, particularly accessing our services remotely as we continue to operate and serve our clients through means of remote working since the end of March.”
 
The youngest borrower during the year was 22 years old, while the oldest was aged 89 years. Boiler purchases are the most popular reason for people to take out a loan, followed by roof repairs or insulation. One borrower, ‘Mrs. L’ from Wellington, used a loan to install the first-ever insulation in the roof space of her 115-year-old lath and plaster property.
 
She said: “I feel very relieved now I have been able to have the work done after eight years living in the house. Already it is considerably warmer than previous winters. I’m expecting to save on energy bills right away.  I feel so thankful I've got the loan and been able to have the work done with no stress and worry about money.”
 
More information about Wessex Resolutions CIC is available by telephoning 01823 461099 or by emailing enquiries@wrcic.org.uk.
 
Missing payments could affect your credit rating and ability to obtain credit in the future.  Loans are typically protected by a Title Restriction. This means that you may not be able to sell your home without our permission unless the loan is fully repaid.  Loans are Subject to Status.  This financial promotion has been approved by Wessex Resolutions CIC, a community interest company limited by guarantee.  Wessex Resolutions C.I.C is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (675263) for credit and debt-related regulated activities.
Registered address: Heatherton Park Studios, Bradford on Tone, Taunton TA4 1EU. Registered in England, company number 4512225.

​We may all be in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic but nothing is going to stop local charity, Arts Taunton from delivering its youth festival, Tyca 2020 this year.
“The festival may be live, it may be virtual, but it will be interactive and happening!” said Arts Taunton’s Tyca Festival Director, Deborah Baddoo.

The charity has recognised that young people are bored and struggling with motivation, so they are kicking off the Festival immediately with a series of weekly artistic challenges.
Ms Baddoo explains: “Our theme for this year’s Festival is: 2020 Future Vision.
“The pandemic has shown how, suddenly and dramatically, the world can change.
“What will happen next? When will we come through this? Will we do things differently - especially for the environment and ecology? We are sure this lockdown will feed your imaginations!”

​With each weekly theme relating to 2020 Future Vision, there will be a £20 prize for the best entry in each age group, each week. And at the end of 4 weeks there will have a £100 grand prize for the overall winner in each age group.

Week One of the Tyca Challenge is already up on the festival website with full information on how you can enter, and suggestions for ideas. The competition is open to anyone living in Taunton and the surrounding areas who are aged up to 25 years old. The three categories are: 10 years and under, 11-15 and 16-25 year olds.

The charity is appealing to anyone who is in contact with young people within this age group to ask them to visit the website www.tycafestival.co.uk and enter the weekly challenge. People can also follow progress on Instagram and Facebook (@tycafestival) and the artist pieces will also be displayed on the Tyca website.

Taunton based insurance claims handling provider, Claims Consortium Group have launched their FREE community wellbeing hub: www.loveourcommunity.co.uk
 
Bringing together invaluable advice, support, resources and educational guides to help during the Covid-19 global pandemic; the community hub is a free tool for everyone to use. The site features handy tips and advice across a range of topics including looking after your mental and physical wellbeing, home-schooling and mindfulness. The site will also feature guest articles from local and industry experts and is being constantly added to. Just as the name suggests, this is a community resource for everyone, and Claims Consortium Group are actively encouraging people to get in touch if they would like to contribute some content. Whether it’s a stand alone piece or a series – please get in touch via hello@loveourcommunity.co.uk.
 
The resources were initially developed to support Claims Consortium Group’s 300-strong team who are all now working from home. Since the content proved so helpful, the company wanted to make it freely available to all, and the wellbeing hub was born. Packed full of free resources provided by a range of award-winning expert contributors and curated in an easy to navigate format, the content has been developed by certified trainers and industry experts, including Mental Health First Aid England trainers.
 
Claims Consortium Group Founder and CEO, Jeremy Hyams, comments, “During this global pandemic, we are all focussed on looking after the wellbeing of our businesses, our customers and our people, and this is absolutely central to how we operate as a business. To support our staff, we wanted to provide as many tools as we could to help make it a little bit easier. We believe there has never been a better moment for us all to pull together and support one another, and this wellbeing resource is just one way we hope to help during this challenging time.”
 
For more information and to check out the new resource hub, please visit: www.loveourcommunity.co.uk

Somerset West & Taunton Council plans to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) despite Coronavirus restrictions, and wants as many people as possible to join in the virtual commemorations by sharing stories, photos and videos on its social media platforms.
 
The Council had been hoping to help communities run a host of activities on VE Day, Friday 8 May 2020, to remember the sacrifice so many made in the fight for our freedom.
 
However, these were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak so SWT is hoping that people can still get involved and show their support while following social distancing advice.
 
It wants to encourage everyone to hold their own celebrations at home, create their own decorations and make their own memories then share stories, photos and videos with SWT on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging @SWTCouncil #VEDay75.
 
It is also encouraging people to take part in The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WWII from the safety of their homes. It hopes households will stand at 3pm, raise a glass or cup of refreshment and undertake the following toast:  “For those that gave so much, we thank you.”
 
The Chair of SWT, Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to gather with those in your household and pay tribute to the many millions in the United Kingdom and overseas who sacrificed so much to secure the freedom we have today.
 
We would love to see via social media the ways in which you are marking this important anniversary while in lockdown, from how you’ve decorated your home, to how you are celebrating with or remembering friends and family.
 
This will be the first time such a tribute has ever taken place so please encourage others to join in and share their stories, photos and video clips with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging @SWTCouncil #VEDay75.”
 
SWT plans to collate all the photos and video clips to create a documentary which it hopes to share. The film will be saved in the archives so when generations look back, they will see that even through a pandemic the residents of Somerset West and Taunton still managed to mark a poignant day in history.
 
There are many ways people can get involved - get creative and use materials already at home in keeping with the “make do and mend” spirit of WW11; download a home decorating toolkit including bunting, posters and colouring in templates from the VE Day 75 website which has more resources to help make this VE Day 75 special.
 
Please note that by posting your videos/photos onto our social media platforms you are giving permission for Somerset West and Taunton Council to use that footage and share it. Remember, where possible, to film in landscape not portrait mode (make sure your phone or device is on its side) and that your audio is loud and clear.

​The Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Fran Smith, has sent messages of support during the Coronavirus pandemic to the residents of twin towns in France and Germany.
 
Cllr Fran Smith contacted the civic leaders of Lisieux and Königslutter on behalf of the people of Taunton saying she hoped everyone was keeping safe and well.
 
Taunton has strong ties with both towns because of the long twinning links between them and the many exchanges that have taken place over the years, where lasting friendships have developed.
 
Cllr Smith said: “We look forward to a time that we will once again be together and have the opportunity to visit your wonderful town and experience the friendliness of your community and also welcoming you back to Taunton in the future.”
 
A reply from the Mayor of Königslutter, Alexander Hoppe, echoed her sentiments. He said “In these times it is good for friends to think of each other.

The effects of the crisis can be felt everywhere. Shops are closed, administrative operations are restricted, people keep their distance and daily life is completely different. But there are also positive things: people are increasingly helping each other again, be it shopping or sewing masks for others.

I am sure that we will get through this emergency situation together and look forward to our future meetings in Taunton and Königslutter - let us remember the true values in life and what makes our communities!”

​Laura O’Driscoll, Managing Director of local businesses OD Talent Solutions, based just outside Taunton, talks to us about the impact that Covid19 is having on her business, and how she has been coping with the lockdown.

The recruitment industry is one of many sectors impacted by the recent lockdown and it is leaving many companies involved in recruitment with an uncertain future. The current lockdown and isolation policies mean that many businesses have been forced to shut or downsize. There have been mass layoffs and a significant reduction in working hours across industries like retail and hospitality and as a result, many organisations have put their permanent recruitment on hold until the crisis ends.

For those industries still recruiting, social distancing makes the task more difficult; much of it has to be done online rather than face to face. Video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams are being used both to communicate with clients and to interview and ‘meet’ with candidates although face to face interviews are currently out of bounds. This is something we may see more and more in the UK as a way to continue to safely recruit, even after the lockdown is over.

There are fewer candidates due to the virus, either through sickness, or fear of getting sick and, for industries like healthcare, there are added challenges due to urgency, as companies try to ramp up staff numbers in preparation for high levels of outbreak.

Laura said, “At OD Talent, we work mainly with Small to Medium Sized businesses to recruit permanent roles and plan their Recruitment Strategy and growth plans. Sadly, it is the small to medium sized businesses across the South West are also the businesses that are being most affected by the current Covid19 situation.  I set the business up 18 months ago and it was all going really well, and my colleague Sean and I were building a really positive client relationships across the region. We had set up our own networking events at Hubbox in Taunton so it is all very disappointing to have had to put it all on hold. 
 
This is a genuinely worrying time for all business owners, but the government support has been welcomed by many. It has meant that many can operate at some level during the current crisis, whilst for others, it simply allows them to plan for when we come out of the crisis. Sadly, few are in a position to even think about growing their team further at this stage.
 
In terms of emotional support, the Somerset business community has been a real lifesaver and personally I have received lots of support and helpful advice from people who I had not previously connected with. Now is definitely the time when the business community must support each other and work collaboratively".

Laura also stressed that trying to remain positive is absolutely vital as businesses need to be fighting fit and ready to hit the ground running.

From a professional perspective, she recommends that all business owners make the best of this time, review their current recruitment processes, strategies, employer branding and candidate experience, so that when they’re ready to think about permanent recruitment again they are ready to go.

Laura concludes with this final bit of advice, “Find joy where you can, consider others and keep in contact with the business community where possible to avoid that feeling of isolation. There will be a time, hopefully in the not too distant future where we are ready to think about growth again and when we can put this all behind us.”

https://odtalentsolutions.co.uk/

​Somerset West and Taunton Council has moved to dispel fears that the iconic avenue of trees in Vivary Park has been felled.
 
The Council is working in partnership with the Somerset Wildlife Trust to create a number of wildflower meadows across the district. 
 
Work is already under way at Taunton’s Vivary Park where a new wildlife area is being created on the site of the old aviary.
 
As part of this work one diseased Horse Chestnut tree and one damaged Conifer have been felled, along with five Poplar trees which were removed on health and safety grounds.  
 
The Council will be replanting with more trees than have been removed and creating a family friendly wild flower area with a new small hedge.
 
Cllr Peter Pilkington, Executive Member for Climate Change, said: “Contrary to inaccurate information being circulated, SWT has not felled the avenue of trees in Vivary Park and has no plans to do so. These historic trees are untouched and still very much in place. The Council is committed to creating a more sustainable future for everyone, putting climate and environmental responsibility at the heart of everything it does.

In establishing ‘wilder’ areas on council owned land and within its parks, the wildflower meadow project hopes to help boost biodiversity, supporting pollinator species in particular.”

Somerset West and Taunton Council are running a free webinar to help small businesses and self-employed people learn quick and simple ways of selling online, new ways to generate income overnight and serve existing customers. The webinar will be followed by 3 further free workshops  on specific digital themes and subjects to help small businesses at this time.  
 
The event is on the 23rd April from 2.00-4.00 and people can register online at the following link.

Luckily, Mr Walker had been referred to experts in this field and they were able to arrange laser treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital that very day, saving his eyesight and removing the pain.

Talking about his experience, Mr Walker said: “Approximately 6 weeks ago I had what I can only describe as the headache from hell arrive from out of nowhere. I am a person who doesn't normally get headaches at all so this scared me enough to see my GP straight away. They shared my concern and sent me to MPH the same day and I had a CT scan and ECG. I was prescribed painkillers which were changed several times over the next 6 weeks but none had any effect on reducing pain.

“I had never heard of ACES until my Doctor suggested it. I phoned the next day and had an appointment within 45 minutes. I was seen by Sarah Farrant. She was so reassuring and within a few minutes found the problem and said she could get it fixed the same day and I would no longer need to take medication (not that it worked).

“Sure enough I was seen at MPH eye unit the same day where I had laser treatment to my eye. I left there pain free and have remained so ever since. Sarah completely changed my life when she diagnosed my condition and got me my treatment and I can never thank her enough. This service needs more publicity to make more people aware. I would hate to think that someone else was suffering a headache like mine and be unaware of the help available so locally.
 
“Sarah Farrant I sincerely thank you for your skill, knowledge and friendly attitude which put me at ease.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Earlam and Christopher have taken on the task of triaging all patients with eye emergencies to relieve pressure on the NHS. The ACES scheme is available to support anyone with urgent eye problems who are registered with a GP practice in Somerset.

They are also accepting and offering help to people who hadn’t previously been patients of theirs should their opticians have closed due to Coronavirus. Anyone needing help should telephone in the first instance to 01823 272061.

​The Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Fran Smith, has made her first virtual appearance at the opening of the Wilton and Sherford Community Shop.
 
The Mayor appeared by video link at the opening in the Churchill Meeting Hall, Middleway, on Easter Monday. The shop, registered as a Community Interest Company, is being run by volunteers to help local residents with access to basic provisions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
It was established with a grant of £1,500 from the Charter Trustees for Taunton Unparished Area Grant Fund. A further £1,000 from the Somerset Community Foundation will be used to provide much needed stock.
 
Cllr Smith said: “This is a much needed local shop in an area with a high number of older members of the population.
It’s wonderful to see people rally round to support each other and those in need during the current crisis, and I was delighted to be able to take part in the official opening while still observing advice on social distancing.”
 
Wilton and Sherford CIC Director, Natalie Dyson, said: “It really is utterly unbelievable to think what our little team has achieved in under two weeks.
 
We set up a not for profit Community Interest Company, obtained start-up funding, recruited volunteers, opened a business bank account, appointed accountants, built relationships with stockists, begged and borrowed from all over Taunton and were met with incredible kindness by the people who donated things,
 
Really I am humbled beyond belief at the amazing skill set we have between us and the camaraderie we have developed. I’d like to give a big shout out to every individual and all the businesses and organisations that have helped to make this happen.”
 
The shop will provide a convenient local drop-in facility for residents to pick up basic provisions including groceries, household items and toiletries
 
The volunteers can also arrange to deliver items to the community of Wilton and Sherford which has a high proportion of older members of the population.
 
All items will be sold on a not for profit basis.

Although churches won’t be open for the usual services a local across church community called Awaken have commissioned a group of artists locally to ‘live draw’ the story of Easter which will be on their facebook page @worshipawaken on Good Friday. A number of other creative virtual events and services will be shared across their social media pages over the weekend, details will be posted shortly. 

To involve churches and the whole Taunton community there is also a 24 hour prayer meeting for the town and area taking place on Thursday 9th April from midnight to midnight. On each hour a new host will read a section of the story of Jesus going to the cross, a variety of churches, leaders and singers will be involved during the 24 hours. Anyone is welcome to join in this session https://us04web.zoom.us/j/995796549

​A series of ‘top tips’ guides will be issued by Somerset design and digital marketing company Teapot Creative over the coming weeks to help businesses that are looking to develop their online presence.
 
The ‘Teapot Top Tips’ series will cover a range of topics specially chosen to support businesses during this challenging time. These include guidance on starting an ecommerce business; using SEO and PPC; improving social media presence; and successful remote working.
 
The award-winning creative design company had been about to celebrate its first decade in business, revamping its own branding and website to mark this milestone. It was planning a variety of charity and community activities to celebrate the anniversary, with the full programme due to be unveiled at a Mad Hatter’s Chari-Tea Party in May.
 
With the Teapot team now working remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic, celebrations are postponed as they prioritise support for other businesses, many of whom are urgently seeking to refocus their activity online.
 
Founder and director, Lizzie Ginbey, says, “Teapot Creative has grown into a bigger, bolder and more confident agency over the past decade, and we recognise that our success is very much down to the people we work with and our local community. Although we are able to continue supporting our clients remotely, we know that many of the businesses within our community are finding it much harder.
 
“Being able to operate online in some capacity is essential for most businesses, and even more so during this period of shutdown and isolation, with many of our clients shifting their focus onto ecommerce and online marketing. To support as many businesses as possible, we’ll be sharing regular ‘Top Tips’ content on our website and social media profiles to help businesses really make the most of their online platforms."

Teapot was founded ten years ago in a garage in Fivehead, Somerset. Lizzie Ginbey and Barry Tottle, both graphic designers, set about creating a design agency with a difference. They wanted Teapot Creative to have the design, flair and creative reputation of a big city agency but without the exorbitant price tags or prickly uber-cool atmosphere. Their aim was to make top level graphic design and websites accessible to SMEs in the South West. Teapot Creative won the Somerset Business of the Year Award just six years later and had already grown to 13 employees, with a much smarter studio in Hambridge. Now, ten years into business, they are a 19-strong team of creatives and have worked with over 500 clients, ranging from one man bands working from home, to large nationals and some international e-commerce clients. They pride themselves on being friendly and ethical, and their purpose is to use design and digital creativity to help transform businesses.
www.teapotcreative.co.uk
​

The Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Fran Smith, has given a personal thank you on behalf of the town to a local businessman who repaired the iconic Vivary Park gates free of charge.
 
Jason Bailey of Montaz Engineering Solutions Ltd responded to an emergency call out from SWT’s open spaces team after the cast iron gates were damaged overnight in February.
 
Several pieces of the historic gates were found scattered on the ground when staff arrived to open them early on the Sunday morning.
 
Mr Bailey, whose Taunton-based firm carries out work on the Council’s commercial vehicles, arrived to collect the broken pieces and take them to the workshop at Bishop’s Hull.
 
Experienced welder Rob Brookes-Wait carefully restored them and made a replacement part for one piece that was missing. He then worked on site at Vivary Park to fix the restored section into place. The work was completed within four days.
 
Mr Bailey wrote to SWT saying that despite being instructed to undertake this work at the usual rate he intended to make no charge and to offer the repair as a gift.
 
He said: “It was especially important for me to be able to support the Council and restore these gates for the people of Taunton. They are probably one of the most recognisable structures in the town leading the way to one of the best loved, well-used parks. My company has made charity donations to many local good causes over the years. I feel it’s important as a local business to put something back into the community so as soon as we were asked to carry out this work I’d made up my mind to do it for free.”

Mr Bailey and his wife Sharon, who also works for the family company which employs 10 staff, were invited to Deane House for a Civic reception with the Mayor.
 
Cllr Smith said: “I wanted to personally thank you on behalf of the people of Taunton for your generosity. The craftsmanship is superb and you can see the pride that has been taken in this work. The gesture is very much appreciated. I hope it will help people to recognise the calibre of some of our local businesses, the quality of their work and the pride they have in our community and County town.”

​“Let’s just stop and remember to live and not just exist” says Charley Elizabeth Torr, Organiser of the Taunton Feel Good Festival.
 
Not only will this be a great day out with family and friends, but the festival also has a sub-agenda of raising awareness, educating and inspiring people to be mindful of their bodies and wellbeing.
 
A very special event will be taking place at the Taunton Feel Good Festival this year. The Somerset West and Taunton Council and community groups in Somerset will together step up and sign the Charter For Compassion; declaring Taunton and the surrounding area, a compassionate county. This momentous occasion will be historically significant for Taunton and will take place at Woodlands Castle on Sunday 10th May at 1pm. The signing has been instigated and driven by Andy and Denise Spragg, owners of The Sangha House and festival co-hosts for 2020.
 
Charley Torr – Director of Charley Elizabeth Events has welcomed this initiative with open arms into the festival. Charley says,
“It is a pleasure to support The Sangha House and their compassion campaign. We are very excited about the signing taking place at our event. This fits well with the ethos of our festival, at the heart of which is compassion. The festival is designed to support, educate and inspire our community with regards to wellbeing, self-care and exploring health as the true wealth in today’s busy world.

We believe that compassion in our communities is essential for us to connect and ensure optimum welfare for all. There are lots of issues that we need to tackle, and Taunton authorities are very much aware of what needs to be done. Signing the Charter really is a proud moment for Taunton, and it is an honour to have this event take place at our Taunton Feel Good Festival.”
 
The Sangha House will be providing a Health and Wellbeing Zone at this year’s fun festival, offering everything from yoga, tai chi, pilates, dance, meditation and gong baths. Business owners Andy and Denise Spragg are excited to co-host the event this year and state, “It is a pleasure to be involved with the festival and we are excited to bring our team of wellbeing experts and practitioners to our wellbeing workshop zone”. Workshop wrist bands can be purchased on the day and will give access to all workshops that day between 10am and 6pm.

The festival promises to be an action-packed weekend of wellbeing, health, happiness and inspiration and features delicious food, live music and entertainment,;talks, classes and workshops and lots of exciting stalls, treatments and activities.
 
Festival Organiser Charley Torr states, “The number one aim of the festival is to make festival goers smile. We strongly believe in ‘Feel Good Therapy’ to wash away your worries for a day or two. It’s a weekend of feel good fun, so bring your loved ones, friends or come alone, we have something for everyone. Our festival programme is jam packed with the South West’s leading practitioners, therapists, musicians, entertainers and producers. We come together to bring you the opportunity to experience a weekend of feeling good.”

Somerset West and Taunton Council is working in partnership with the Somerset Wildlife Trust to identify and create a number of species-rich wildflower meadows across the district. 
 
The meadows will initially be created as part of a pilot project on Council owned land in Grange Drive, Leycroft Grove and Moorfields, Taunton; Gay Street, Wellington; and at Seaward Way, and Culvercliffe, Minehead.
 
The Council will also be setting aside wild areas in its Green Flag accredited parks at Taunton’s Vivary, Victoria, Comeytrowe and French Weir parks, Wellington Park. and Swains Lane Nature Reserve in Wellington.
 
The initiative is part of the Council’s commitment to protecting and improving biodiversity, identified as a priority in the emerging climate change strategy.
 
In establishing ‘wilder’ areas on council owned land and within its parks, the wildflower meadow project hopes to help boost biodiversity, supporting pollinator species in particular.
 
It will also help to connect existing green spaces which will improve the resilience of the district’s landscape as a whole in the face of a warming climate.
 
The pilot areas are amenity spaces that are traditionally cut every few weeks during the summer months.
 
Cllr Peter Pilkington, Executive Member for Climate Change, said: “The Council is committed to creating a more sustainable future for everyone, putting climate and environmental responsibility at the heart of everything it does.
We are excited to be developing this project with the Somerset Wildlife Trust who share our belief in the need for ownership and involvement around climate change.

The Council currently cuts an area the size of Belgium in the course of a season, but we are looking to let some of these areas ‘rewild’ by letting the grass grow longer and sowing wildflowers.

This taller grass will allow a range of grass species to develop, increasing the biodiversity in the area. Tall grass is just as important for wildlife as wild flowers, as it gives animals shelter and somewhere to hunt, breed and feed.”
 
Wild flower meadows provide shelter and food for important pollinators, and in particular, bees. There are over 250 species of bee in the UK and they play a vital part in supporting the ecosystem. The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadow since the 1930s.
 
Jolyon Chesworth, Head of Engagement at the Somerset Wildlife Trust, said:  “There are around half a million football pitches worth of gardens in the UK, plus parks, playing fields, road verges and roundabouts. If managed correctly, our towns and cities can act as havens for wildlife, creating Nature Recovery Networks that connect urban and rural areas to help restore wildlife. Insects, including bees and butterflies, are dying out up to eight times faster than larger animals and 41% of insect species face extinction. However, this initiative to help sow wildflower meadows and ‘rewild’ our parks can play a crucial part in stopping declines. Importantly, these areas won’t just provide a rich source of food but will provide habitat throughout the year for animals to shelter.
 
“It’s not just good for wildlife but for people as well, the sight of a wildflower meadow, teeming with bumblebees and butterflies, enhances our green spaces and our enjoyment of them and all the evidence suggests that towns rich in wild places and wildlife also boost our own wellbeing. We hope this initiative will be just the start of turning Taunton Garden Town into a place where people and wildlife thrive together.”
 
More information on the Wildflower Meadow Project can be found on our website https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/meadow-pilots/
​