SCAM ALERT! Call using an 01749 number

Watch out for a credit card scam using a local number. They called this afternoon from 01749 *6*7*6, purporting to be from Mastercard querying two recent purchases. Immediate warning flags were the poor audio quality of the recording and the extreme improbability of Mastercard’s fraud prevention team having a local office.

The scammers were using ‘spoofing’ to disguise their number as a local one, which we are naturally far more likely to pick up than one from a distant exchange which we don’t recognise.

If you get one of these scam calls, whether from a 01749 number or not, hang up immediately – above all don’t follow any of the instructions they give you.

A371 closed at Draycott Wednesday to Friday this week!

Bristol Water works in Draycott mean the A371 will be closed there for about three days. There will be a diversion route, but watch out for increased traffic on side roads.

If anyone knows how this will affect the 126 bus, please post a comment.

Strawberry Line – Erlon Lane to Ebbor Lane

After years of campaigning, work is finally underway on a key stretch of the Strawberry Line connecting Westbury to Easton.  It will start at the point the recently built path from Station Road stops and continues until Ebbor Lane, just by Easton Village Hall.  For the first time there will be a safe off-road route between the two villages suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs.  Further details can be found here.

The path is expected to open to the public sometime in August.  Until then people are asked to refrain from exploring the route and its surroundings.  Not only is it a dangerous construction site with heavy machinery in daily use but it remains private land.  We have only been able to take this step forward through the goodwill of the farming families whose land it crosses and it is most important that we do not abuse that goodwill by trespassing before the path is finished and securely fenced.

Anyone wanting to know more about the Starwberry Line project or willing to help with it can contact me at mick@mickfletcher.org.uk

Packed Book Stall at today’s Village Day on the Playing Field

If you are looking for a good book, you must visit the book stall at today’s village day in Westbury-sub-Mendip.  2023 is a vintage year and we have lots of wonderful books on everything from art, interiors and the countryside to biographies and novels for summer reading.

Once you’ve chosen your books, there is a packed bric-a-brac stall too – not to mention tea and cake and all the other attractions!

Neighbourhood Plan

Minutes of the meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group on 4th May are available here

Update on Developments at Roughmoor Lane

A number of documents have been added to the Roughmoor Lane pages of the village website and can be accessed here.  They include information received by the Parish Council from Litchfields, a copy of advice on the application from Mendip Planners and a summary of the advice given to the Parish Council by the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group as at 3rd May 2023.

Settlement Character Assessment

The Parish Council is considering the production of a Settlement Character Assessment that could inform both a long term Neighbourhood Plan and in the short term a response to planning applications.  Several people have asked what such an assessment might look like. Here is an example from Norton St Philip

 

Re-imagining Axbridge Deanery

The Axbridge Deanery stretches from Burnham on Sea to Easton. Representatives from each parish attend regular synod meetings, which are held in a different parish each time. They aim to support one another across the Deanery and to discuss new ideas.

Our new Bishop, Michael, is also looking at the Bath and Wells Diocese as a part of the national Church. Bishop Michael recently reminded us that the present church structure is very Victorian and not at all like the early Church. Our present day expectation is that we will have a leader, usually a vicar, who will be responsible for the functioning of each local church. The early Church set up by Jesus was very much more a group organised affair. Bishop Michael suggests that perhaps we should look towards that model for the future, in order to make best use of what we have.

The Axbridge Deanery is also considering what might be the best organisation for us to make use of the talents, skills and assets which are to be found in our parishes. This will require thought and prayer.

Members of the P.C.C.’s of the PEW parishes met recently to discus ideas to take to the next Axbridge Synod meeting .

If you have any thoughts, ideas or, suggested areas for development of under used resources in our parishes, please send them to the churchwardens, their contact details are on the back page of the Pew Magazine.

Roughmoor Lane – Latest information from the Church Commissioners Agents

Litchfields, the agents for the Church Commissioners, recently briefed parish councillors about their revised plans for development at Roughmoor Lane.  A note, describing what they told us about their plans, can be found here

There will be a chance to ask questions and begin thinking about a village response at a special meeting in the village hall on 1st March from 6.30 to 7.30.  Details are here 

There will be a longer opportunity to think about how to respond on 19th March at 4.00pm in the village hall.  It is hoped that by then Litchfields will have provided more detailed written information that can be shared.

Please could the village Eyes and Ears share this information with their neighbours in their usual way.  If you let me know how many paper copies you need to inform those not on-line I will arrange for them to be left for you to collect in the village shop.

Public Meeting – Roughmoor Lane Development

A public meeting, to update the village on the latest news from the Church Commissioners agents, Litchfields,  will be held in the village hall on Wednesday 1st March from 6.30 – 7.30.

Click here to see a copy of the poster