2011 in Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet has had a varied and interesting 2011, with the community continuing to come together for the good of the town, and in more than one instance against local or regional government.  

Library Closure

We started the year in the middle of the most secret public consultation I have ever known.  As the clock struck 12 and 2010 turned into 2011, I really did not know whether or not we would still have a library when I sat down to write about the year that was arriving.  

There was an old story about a lady who tells a man that she has irreparably damaged his car.  Gradually, in stages, the truth comes through that in fact it was just a scratch.  Delighted, the man accepts the scratch without complaint.  A parallel can be drawn with the library we nearly lost, but which now opens even fewer hours.  

So confident was Ken Maddock that cries that library closures were unlawful were simply the whines of lefty's spoiling for a fight, that he didn't attend our public meeting, instead sending his trusty sidekick to keep us in line.  Fast forward then to November when High Court Judge Martin McKenna ruled the proposal as being exactly that!  We should really throw him a party, just to say that it's ok, we understand, and that we are certain he will pay attention in future!

"It was all yellow"

Coldplay headlined another magnificent Glastonbury - the first in years I experienced purely through the BBC.  Meanwhile, in Shepton Mallet, homage was paid to their anthemic track.  There was 'Trouble' with the Market Cross. 'Don't panic' said the Cross committee and the Town council, as funds were raised from various angles.  As Ellis and Co. said that they will try to 'Fix You', many had a 'Shiver' at the corrugated iron shield which was set up to protect us all.

Alas the cross was unveiled well in time for the switch on of the 'Christmas Lights', but as you may well know, it was all "Yellow"!

Civic Hall Debate

The Civic Hall Debate has been a hot topic for months now, and in the minds of at least some, the suggestion that we end the year we started with library closure threats, with grandiose plans of spending a fortune, is not yet over.  I need say nothing more on this, which will be remembered (if nothing else) as the idea that put the words 'self sattiring' into the dictionary.

In keeping with the theme so ably started by Ken Maddock's library proposals, Shepton Mallet's people were having none of it.  In a rare public referendum, hundreds turned out to voice their opinion; No to the Civic Hall.  At present the Hall's proposers are 'resolute'.  Maybe next year, we can throw them a party, just to say that it's ok, we understand, and that we are certain they will pay attention in future!

Skate Park

Shepton Mallet's Skate park's hardware had a 'wipeout' yet despite the impassioned pleas of young people who have little else, and capable adults who supported their case, they initially failed to gain the support needed to proceed with fundraising.

In a weird twist of fate, a voting miscount by the usually unflappable Town clerk seemed to give the campaign the extra impetus it needed, as well as the time required to review the validity of the votes which were cast.

Common sense prevailed in the end, and the council offered the support that was needed, at negligible risk to themselves.  Maybe we should throw them party, just to say that it's ok, we understand, and that we are certain they will pay attention in future!

2012

Shepton Mallet's key residents have proven that they will not lie down.  That they understand the challenges arising from the desperate times in which we all live.  Residents have put their hands in their pockets to support the Market Cross, and put in the elbow grease to support many positive events, and to counteract negative changes which they think could be done differently.

2012 will almost definitely not be the end of the world as predicted by the Mayan's, but it is likely to bring even more challenges than we have seen as of yet.  With Youth services under threat in a Town that needs more than it has, not less, it is safe to predict that the community will continue to unite and to ensure the survival of our historic market town.

We shall survive!  Maybe we should throw a party...