Category Archives: Environment

What do we do with a problem like Taunton?

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Mike Rigby

Followers of my spoutings will recognise a familiar theme in my concern about the future for our current (more of that later) County Town, Taunton. Since I moved here 20 years ago, the town hasn’t really adapted. Sure, Fore Street … Continue reading →

Posted in Built Environment, Taunton, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

TELL YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR TO STOP SELLING PUBLIC LAND

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Mike Rigby

As you are probably aware, Somerset County Council (SCC) is trying to sell-off thousands of acres of the Quantock Hills that we, the public, currently own.  Many people, including the Quantock Land Action Group (QLAG) of which I am a … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Quantock Hills, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hands Off Our Land: Cashing in on Coleridge’s glorious Quantock hills: The Daily Telegraph

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Mike Rigby

By Victoria Lambert, The Daily Telegraph When I was a child, our annual August pilgrimages to pick bilberries on the Quantock Hills in Somerset were a highlight of the summer holidays. My father would take the Crowcombe road, and park … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

QUANTOCK HILLS PRIVATISATION

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Mike Rigby

Thanks to ITV for continuing to cover this important issue, with last night’s bulletin being the latest. The Council’s thinking is hopelessly muddled with the Councillor in charge, Huxtable, yo-yoing between “it’s about saving to invest” and “we don’t care … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Somerset County Council Admits “We’ve No Idea How Much Quantock Sale Will Raise”

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Mike Rigby

A meeting at County Hall on 13 January has shed some disturbing light on the proposed sale of land on the Quantocks. Lib Dem councillor, John Baily, reports an exchange with Councillor David Huxtable (Conservative), who is in charge of … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sandhill Park – Latest

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Mike Rigby

. So, that makes 5 arrests in connection with arson at Sandhill Park – all young men in their late teens and early twenties. It does not look as though any charges have yet been filed so we will need … Continue reading →

Posted in Built Environment, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Somerset County Council in Quantock Land Privatisation Plan

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Mike Rigby

URGENT – Sale of Public Land! Somerset County Council is planning to sell off over 2,000 acres of nature reserves and woodland on the Quantocks. There is a consultation underway in advance of the sale. This seems to have sneaked … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Tramway Pole To Be Repaired Soon.

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Mike Rigby

The ‘old tramway pole’ at the junction of West, High and Church Streets should be repaired soon. After being struck repeatedly during some roadworks, the cast-iron decorative base was destroyed having been in place for almost a century. Mike put … Continue reading →

Posted in Built Environment | Leave a comment

Sandhill Solar Park – Work Begins

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mike Rigby

Work has started on the Sandhill Solar Park, a development of up to 7,000 solar panels on land near Bishops Lydeard. A German firm has taken possession of the site and is busy preparing the site for the ‘ground screws’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Environment, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Somerset Tips Start to Charge the Public

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Mike Rigby

Four Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Somerset have started charging the public to use the sites.  Residents are charged £2 for each visit to Coleford, Dulverton or Middlezoy tips and £1.20 at Crewkerne.  The move, introduced jointly by Somerset’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Leave a comment