Somerset Highways will be carrying out drainage and associated works on the B3191 over a short stretch between the Blue Anchor Hotel and the slipway at the Eastern end of the Beach.
The works are due to start on Monday 22nd March '10 and will last approximately 10 days and the road at that point will be impassable.
Alternative routes are available via the A39.
Residents of Watchet and area who are interested in the future of the town are invited to a meeting at Knights Templar School on Monday 23rd November at 7:30pm.
The purpose of the meeting is to give the public an opportunity to become members of Watchet 2025 and from that membership to elect a committee.
The committee will help and advise members on taking forward projects referred to in 'Watchet 2025 – Watchet Community Strategic Plan', which was published last year.
An agenda for the meeting and a committee member nomination form are available on the Watchet 2025 page on this website.
We look forward to seeing you on 23rd.
Following an initial survey of Watchet footbridge, West Somerset Council will take the precautionary measure of temporarily closing the footbridge (week beginning 5th October 2009) This will allow the council to undertake a full structural survey to establish its condition and the cost of any necessary repairs.
The footbridge helps people cross the West Somerset Steam Railway line to get to and from town.
The West Somerset Steam Railway has kindly given permission for pedestrians to use its railway platform as an alternative route to access the town centre via the pedestrian crossing from Goviers Lane to the Harbour Road car park.
Adrian Dyer, West Somerset Council's Executive Director, said, "Naturally, we apologise for any inconvenience and aim to complete the survey as quickly as possible. The initial survey has called into question some safety aspects of the footbridge so, as a precautionary measure and with public safety in mind, we are closing it early next week".
"We would like to thank the West Somerset Steam Railway for allowing people to use its platform to access the Goviers Lane crossing."
Many local drivers will be delighted that Somerset Highways are planning to surface dress Five Bells (B3191) and Doniford Road from Butts Close (Williton) to Doniford.
The only indication of when the work will take place is 'early June' as it is very weather dependant.
Surface dressing is a low cost method of maintenance and is used to waterproof road surfaces which are showing deterioration, before potholes develop or there is a failure of the road structure. The treatment, which also restores skid resistance of the road, has been used extensively for many years in this country and abroad on all types of roads, from minor estate roads to motorways.
Until the dressing has stabilised, it is essential that traffic speeds are kept down. Unfortunately, despite warning signs, some vehicles drive too fast causing flying chippings which not only damage the dressing but also other vehicles. Tight turning, wheel spin and heavy braking can also damage new dressings.
The Boat Watch scheme, which has helped to reduce theft and criminal damage in many boating communities around the UK, is coming to Watchet on 11th April, Easter Saturday.
The scheme involves the Watchet Boat Owners Association, Watchet Harbour Marina, the Police and is supported by West Somerset Council. It has received vital funding from the Safer Somerset West Partnership, formerly known as the Crime Reduction Partnership, which is being used to buy boat stickers, metal signs and high vis vests. The Boat Watch high vis vests will be worn by patrols monitoring movements around the areas where boats are moored or stored.
Watchet Harbour Marina is buying a SelectaDNA product with which boat owners will be encouraged to mark boat parts for £1 per item. SelectaDNA products not only link the marked item with its 'home' but can identify anyone who has touched it.
Boat owners will also be recommended to register equipment with immobilise.com, a free online service where anything with a serial number can be registered. This service is used by many constabularies when trying to match stolen property with its legal owners.
It is intended that, with the help of the community, Boat Watch, in conjunction with the other Watch schemes, will make Watchet a safer place for both residents and visitors.
All current, and potential, boat owners are invited to find out more about the scheme on Saturday 11th April between 11:00am and 2:00pm, on the Esplanade, outside Watchet Harbour Marina Chandlery.
March 21st & 22nd, March 26th - March 29th inclusive
An intensive timetable of trains with up to 12 of the giants of the steam age in action including the first visits to the WSR by A4 Class 'Pacific' 60019 'Bittern' and the return to passenger working after over 40 years of 46100 'Royal Scot'.
For more information please ring 01643 704996 or see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
A short section of South Road, Watchet, from the junction with School Close to the junction with Gladstone Terrace, will be closed for three days from Tuesday 17th March.
The closure will enable Wessex Water to carry out standard connection in the road.
Community, cultural, environmental and economic prospects for the historic port of Watchet are looking positive if the aims of a new plan are embraced by townspeople at a public meeting at Knight’s Templar School on February 24 at 7pm.
It will be the launch of a new community and cultural plan called Watchet 2025. The plan provides the strategic framework and vision that will help Watchet bring together organisations, people and resources to improve economic prosperity, enhance the natural and built environment and build a safe, strong and inclusive community.
The overarching vision between now and 2025 also aims to provide local people and visitors with improved access to arts, culture, heritage and sporting opportunities whilst becoming a more self-reliant, low energy consuming community.
Watchet 2025, which was funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and Somerset County Council’s Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTi), is the culmination of work undertaken by a steering group of local volunteers, the Watchet Action Strategic Planning (WASP) group.
WASP, which is a group of individuals with an interest in the overall well-being of their community, compiled many years’ worth of previous consultation, and undertook fresh discussions on how to make positive developments in the town.
Chairman of the group, Sally de Renzy Martin, explained, “The plan maps out options to increase prosperity in the town, helps tackle the threat of climate change whilst creating a community that lives in a good, safe environment that is rich in cultural opportunities.
'We have delivered our promise by producing the plan and, as well as giving people the chance to see how Watchet can move forward positively, the meeting will also give other interested parties the opportunity to take leading roles in delivering the aims.'
Watchet 2025 sets out clear goals and the steps that need to be taken to achieve them successfully. WASP has secured funding so that a facilitator can continue to work with local people and businesses to help them deliver the plan’s objectives. The next step will be to prepare a detailed Action Plan.
The group also won funding from the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative to commission a local Watchet Community Cultural Strategy, which was compiled by ArtLIFE. The Cultural Strategy draws on the experiences of other towns’ successes, using cultural projects to support jobs, to deliver training and to promote community participation. The plan shows how these events have the potential to be applied locally, while also feeding into the outcomes of Watchet 2025.
County Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, a member of WASP who has also supported the group’s aims through a donation from his community budget, said, “I am delighted with the new strategy for Watchet. It is an exciting project that provides a blueprint for a positive future for this important historic town.
'It will open new avenues for local employment and regeneration and I hope people will come along to support the launch and get involved in shaping a positive future for their community.'
People attending the meeting will have the opportunity to comment on the Watchet 2025 plan, and public feedback will be used to further inform and refine the plan.
Cllr Michael Downes, West Somerset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism, said, “I would like to commend the group for its thorough approach to devising the plan and for the amount of hard work they have spent on tailoring it to the needs of Watchet.
'The production of the plan is well timed as many of its key themes naturally feed into the work we are undertaking on the West Somerset Economic Strategy and we will look to support some of the actions through funding streams such as the Working Neighbourhood Fund and Local Action for Rural Communities.'
A copy of the document is available on this site at ‘Watchet 2025’ and hard copies will be available at the public meeting at Knights Templar First School, Watchet, at 7pm on Tuesday, February 24.
Overnight on Friday/Saturday 6th/7th February burglars broke into the Watchet Scouts' compound, in the Mineral Yard, by cutting the locks and forcing the side door.
Stolen were two new Dagger Infra Red Kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, spraydecks, all the boat fuel containers and connecting leads. The theft of this equipment is a devastating loss to the Scouts who rely on fundraising and donations to buy and replace equipment.
Anyone having any information as to the whereabouts of any of the equipment should contact the local Police 0845 456 7000 or Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.
For more information on the 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group please go to www.watchetseascoutgroup.org.uk.
West Somerset Council has teamed up with Climate Energy and Eco-Exmoor so that hot water will not cost the earth. The partnership is offering grants of up to £900 towards the costs of installing domestic solar hot water systems.
The scheme aims to benefit the environment by harnessing the sun’s rays for domestic hot water, and to bring down fuel bills for homeowners in West Somerset.
Cllr Jon Freeman, West Somerset Council’s Environment Portfolio Holder, said, "As a council, one of our corporate priorities is to protect the environment for future generations.
This grant funding is available to all local homeowners, regardless of income. Applicants are not means tested and we are encouraging people to apply now, so that they can reap the rewards this summer. I had solar panels installed three years’ ago, and they provide all the hot water I need for around eight months of the year. Last summer my gas bill was £7.
We are currently living through times of erratic fuel supplies and solar panels reduce our dependency on foreign fuel providers. It also keeps money in the local economy. I now have more money in my pocket to spend in local shops, rather than on fuel. We would like to run this scheme again in future so we need this year’s grants to be used to demonstrate a need for more funding."
The partnership can provide £500 towards to the costs and can potentially get another £400 from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Low Carbon Building Programme which, when combined, can reduce the overall installation price by 35 per cent.
West Somerset Railway has to carry out repairs to the level crossing at Blue Anchor therefore the Watchet to Carhampton coastal road will be blocked at the crossing from Monday 2nd February for a maximum of 12 days.
Recycling & Refuse Collections Christmas & New Year 2008/9
This year all household collections continue on the usual days except:
Usual Collection Day | Revised Collection Day
Thursday 25 December | Saturday 27 December
Friday 26 December | Sunday 28 December
Thursday 1 January | Friday 2 January
Friday 2 January | Saturday 3 January
There are no garden waste collections in Christmas week or New Year week.
Christmas Trees: Please take to a Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Alternatively trees under 6ft can be collected. If you pay for garden waste collections you can put out on normal garden waste collection days for recycling.
Otherwise, put out on your normal refuse collection day between 12th and 23rd January for disposal. Place the tree next to your bin or sack.
Don't forget your local Household Waste Recycling Centre recycles a range of materials including:
· Batteries
· Cardboard
· Mobile Phones
Proceeds from recycling mobile phones through Somerset HWRCs are donated to a Somerset based hospice for terminally ill children.
Household Waste Recycling Centres are open every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
For hints and tips on how to reduce waste at Christmas and through the year visit
www.somersetwaste.gov.uk
Temperatures are dropping and winter is almost upon us. Now is the time for all drivers to make sure that they are prepared for the possibility of ice and snow on the roads. Somerset County Highways have published a map of the roads that they will be salting at the following link:
Obviously, during bad weather, it is sensible to avoid unnecessary driving but if your journey is vital please try to plan your route using the roads marked in red on the map.
For further information on how to drive in ice and snow and suggested equipment to carry in the car have a look at the link below:
The plans for the redevelopment of Watchet's East Wharf are on the agenda for this month's meeting of West Somerset Council's Planning Committee on Thursday 27th November 08 at 4:30pm.
There are only two items on the agenda. The first item is an application to erect an agricultural building in Huish Champflower which will, possibly, attract much interest from the local community. Therefore, it is suggested that members of the Watchet community who wish to be present for the East Wharf development debate should arrive at West Somerset Council offices at approximately 5:30pm to avoid the possibility of having to wait outside the building for an hour.
Members of the public wishing to speak at the meeting, for a maximum of 2 minutes, are reminded to submit their name to the Planning Office by 4:00pm on Wednesday 26th November.
A section of the A39 will be closed for 6 nights, 19:00 – 07:00, starting from 19th October '08 to enable resurfacing and associated works.
The closed section will be from 210 metres west of Washford Cross (Tropiquaria) to the intersection at Dragons Cross.
Diversions will be signed taking traffic through Blue Anchor. HGVs will be held in holding bays at either end of the closure and escorted through the works.
A map of the closed areas can be downloaded here : A39 Road Closure Map
We welcome you to Watchet Online.
This site is designed to be a full directory of Watchet information, news and events.
This will be a constantly evolving site, look out soon for videos from the town and the Watchet 2025 section which will be updated soon. For a full content list look at the site map.
We welcome any input you may have regarding this site. If you'd like to have one of your Watchet photos included or have a comment to make about the site please send it to webmaster@watchetonline.co.uk
I hope you enjoy your visit to Watchet!
Olly (webmaster)
The sun shone, the music played and throngs of residents and visitors turned out to celebrate the opening of a refurbished Watchet Esplanade. In recognition of his 21 years service to the community, Town Crier, Alec Danby was invited to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
A samba band and the Royal British Legion Band provided musical interludes between performances by the Rattlebox Theatre, the Raventale Giants and Professor Popcorn. Young people were able to have their faces painted, their hair braided, try their skills at balloon modeling, clamber up a very high climbing wall or wear off excess energy on trampolines. There were also a variety of stalls and a vintage car display.
Watchet Esplanade is owned by West Somerset Council which secured approximately £190,000 in grant aid to give the area a facelift by replacing and increasing tree planting, building permanent seating and putting in additional lighting. It is hoped that these enhancements will encourage more leisure activities on the marina-side promenade. Watchet Town Council, whose officers organised the opening event, are responsible for the management of events, stalls etc on the Esplanade and can be contacted on 01984 633344 or info@watchettowncouncil.org.uk
click below to enlarge images.
Sadly, the Walk the Plank theatre ship, Fitzcarraldo, will never visit Watchet again. The ship that brought theatre, fun and enjoyment to the residents and visitors of West Somerset is currently moored in Liverpool's Canning Dock as a static venue for various arts events, adding its contribution to the European Capital of Culture '08, but the search is on for a permanent berth for the ex-Norwegian ferry.
During its fifteen years as a touring theatre ship, Fitzcarraldo visited Watchet more times than any other British port. The first visit was in 1992; West Somerset Council booked the ship to dock in Minehead and Watchet with its production of 'The Blue', finishing with a firework display from the ship in Minehead. Luckily for Watchet, the weather was not good and the Captain was not happy about going back to Minehead so Watchet benefitted from a wonderful pyrotechnic spectacle. The ship's last visit here was in 2003 with a production of '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'.
The Fitzcarraldo always attracted attention as it came into port with its brightly decorated hull, which changed design over the years, its tower clock, which sprayed water on the hour, and 'the smallest bar afloat'.
The crew/artistes/technicians – everyone had more than one job! – were always very friendly and really seemed to enjoy visiting what was probably their smallest port of call.
The Walk the Plank Company are continuing to provide theatre productions, arts events, fire and firework shows so, hopefully, we will see them back in Watchet one day – but, they won’t be arriving by sea.
click below to enlarge images.
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