By Harry Mottram: Christmas is nearly upon us so a brief reminder of some of the events in the town to mark the festive season. Marking the celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ there is a carol service in St John the Baptist parish church at 6pm on Sunday 21st December and a Christingle service on Christmas Eve in the church at 4pm – always popular with families. This is followed by Midnight Mass at 11pm with a Christmas Day service in the church at 10am.
Santa in the Square
Christmas isn’t Christmas without Father Christmas and the man in red will make an appearance on Saturday, 20th December when he arrives in style in The Square. Qualifying children will receive a present while The Square is filled with hundreds of people with the road temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Sports and Social are behind the event which features a stand with mulled wine, braziers to warm your hands on, a pig roast, children’s entertainment and organised carol singing. It’s a lovely atmosphere and a chance to catch up with friends and get in the festive spirit. The fun starts around 4pm and continues into the early evening and should you wish to continue celebrating there’s a silent disco in the Lamb Inn later – while the night before there is outdoor cinema by the Oakhouse with the screening of It’s A Wonderful Life – check details on the Axbridge Diary at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Cheddar Reservoir 2
Walkers and joggers will have noticed the reservoir is now around 90% full with water entering from an inlet under the Sharpham Road tower which is good news for the yacht club members. Meanwhile Axbridge News understands preparations for Cheddar Reservoir 2 continue with surveyors and engineers checking out the fields and geology of the fields around the reservoir – including the route of the new access road and the construction of the new treatment works off Portmead Drove on the Axbridge side.
West Country Water and Environment or WCWE (on behalf of Bristol Water owned by South West Water) who are behind the project to build the new reservoir and the pipeline linking it to Devon was tasked by the government under the National Framework for Water Resources to ensure there is enough water for the area in the coming years.
WCWE said: “Once operational, the new reservoir will permanently reshape the land, becoming a new visual feature. We are reviewing temporary and permanent access options for the new reservoir from the A371 in the north, Middle Moor Lane and the Lower New Road in the south.Construction will bring increased traffic and temporary disruptions, which will be carefully managed. All aspects, from environmental impact to public safety, are being carefully considered in the design process.”
Consultations begin in earnest in 2026 with planning applications the following year and construction expected to begin in 2028 or 2029 with completion a couple of years after that.
Strawberry Line Closure
On Tuesday 16 December 2025, the Strawberry Line will be closed from 9am to 5pm to all users between the Woodborough Road bridge and Winscombe Sports Club for essential Ash dieback safety work. The work is scheduled to take one day, but may extend into Wednesday 17 December if required and is being carried out by North Somerset Council. The diversion is through the car park at the football club, down the Vinery, Lynch and Green or Woodborough Road rejoining at the former station.
Trail Hunting Ban Plan
Consultations begin next year driven by a cross-party parliamentary group called The New Hunting Ban on bringing to an end trail hunting which replaced traditional fox hunting in 2004. The group said: “Since the passing of the Hunting Act 2004, fox hunting and other forms of hunting with hounds have continued almost unabated across England and Wales, with only lip service paid to the concept of “trail hunting” – a practice that has only ever existed on paper. In reality, hunting never ceased, and hunts continue to kill wildlife, abuse dogs, antagonise locals, and disrupt rural life. Enforcement of hunting law has been difficult, prosecutions rare, and convictions even rarer. The 2004 Act, while a significant step, failed to account for the determination of hunts to evade the law.”
If parliament approves of a ban on trail hunting, then the annual Boxing Day meet in the Square will see its days numbered. In recent years voices have been raised against the meet with passions running high on both sides. Nationwide polls continue to show a majority against all forms of hunting with hounds while parliament is likely to pass the legislation should it be proposed in the next couple of years. For more see https://thenewhuntingban.com/
Parking in The Square
Axbridge Town Council’s consultation over proposed plans to change the layout of parking places in The Square has now ended. The plans in discussion with Somerset Highways and Axbridge Town Trust address the changing nature of vehicles with these three main concerns: Small size of parking spaces: The dimensions of current spaces are often insufficient for modern vehicles, causing difficulties for drivers; Misuse of the disabled parking bay: The designated bay is not legally enforceable and, therefore, is frequently used by vehicles without a valid Blue Badge, preventing access for those who need it; Obstruction caused by parking near the Co-op: The first bay outside the Co-op is a frequent point of obstruction, particularly for buses navigating the area.
The proposed changes are outlined below and shown on the attached plans:
- Disabled bay relocation: The disabled bay will be moved to a space on the north side of The Square, facing the Oak House. This new bay will be clearly marked with a sign, making it legally enforceable.
- Wider spaces on the north side: The row of spaces on the north side of The Square will be widened, reducing the total from 8 to 7 accessible spaces.
- Access to the north side: The road to the north of The Square, by The Lamb and Ripleys will be widened, creating easier access.
- Reallocation of the current disabled bay: The current disabled bay will be converted into a general parking space.
- Revised spacing near the Alms House: The space adjacent to the Alms House will be moved back towards the edge of the road. This will create space for a bike rack, reduce “fly parking,” and make it easier for people to get in and out of their cars on the south side of The Square.
- Parking layout on the west side: The spaces on the west side will be moved towards the Hunting Lodge by half a space, away from the junction with Old Church Road. This area will be hatched, and the remaining spaces will be wider, reducing the total from 5 to 4.
The town council said: “The cost of this redesign work will be paid for by Axbridge Town Council, using money received from The Community Infrastructure Levy funds from the construction of Lavender Rise. While there will be a net loss of two parking spaces in The Square, we believe the improvements will significantly benefit residents. Additionally, the recent provision of 12 new public spaces at Lavender Rise should compensate for the reduction. The improved navigation will also reduce the threat from the Bus Company to reroute the bus.”
++++++++++++++++
Axbridge News is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
NOTE: Everything I write on Axbridge News is in the public domain – anyone can look up the information or ask the odd question. I just put it together so it makes sense to me.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Axbridge Diary of Events for 2025
By Harry Mottram: Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at www.harrymottram.co.uk
Full list including 2026 at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sat 13 Dec. Church Rooms. 2pm. Crafternoon.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sat 13 Dec. Axbridge Seniors Christmas Lunch in the Town Hall. 12noon for 12.30pm. Free for those 60 and over – just add your name on the list in the Post Office.
+++++++++++++++
Sat 13 Dec. The Oakhouse. Christmas Quiz. 7.30pm
+++++++++++++++
Sat 13-Sun 14 Dec. Flossy Baba. Christmas Sale. West Street.
+++++++++++++++
Sat 13 Dec. Axe Vale Arts Centre, Axbridge. Scrooge – A Christmas Panto.
Touring Pantos and Axe Vale Arts present ‘Scrooge – A Christmas Panto!’, a festive, fun-filled adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. We all know the tale of Scrooge – a mean, miserly and miserable man who doesn’t know how to celebrate Christmas. Containing all the time-honoured pantomime components, some well-chosen music, and with a nifty twist or two in the story, ‘Scrooge – A Christmas Panto!’ is guaranteed to appeal to all ages. Plenty of fun, laughs and audience participation for all the family!
See https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/axe-vale-arts
++++++++++++++++++++
Sun 14 Dec. Axbridge Town Hall. Launch and Auditions for ACT’s next production – “I Have Been Here Before by J.B. Priestley” – 5.00 PM. The 2026 performance dates will be: 25-28 March at Axbridge Town Hall and 31 March to 1 April at the Alma Tavern. Please do come along to the launch. We are very excited by this production and we have big ideas for its interpretation and presentation. In one of J.B Priestley’s famous “time plays”, a woman, her elderly husband and her lover meet a mysterious professor at an isolated pub. His probing questions reveal that they are all unhappy and confused. They’ve been repeating the same old scene, always ending in disaster. Now, finally, there’s a chance to break out of the loop. All welcome – the perfect chance for those wishing to be actors – or behind the scenes.
There’s a video of the play on Youtube of a 1982 TV version of the play at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjtPsJjKYj0
++++++++++++++++++++
Sun 14 Dec. Axe Vale Arts Centre, Axbridge: Jane Taylor
Come and join us for an entertaining and festive evening of candlelit music at our amazing new arts venue. See https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/axe-vale-arts
++++++++++++++++++++
Wed 17 December. Axbridge. Axe Vale Arts Centre. LIVE POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD: Open night. Turn up and see Simon Rennie to get a slot to either read, perform or simply listen. 7pm. £2 donation. Non Alcoholic bar. Simon is a published poetry and leads the evening with an interval at around 8pm. (Axe Vale Arts Centre is based at the former Methodist Chapel in West Street, Axbridge. More at https://www.facebook.com/groups/583188354145782/)
++++++++++++++++++++
Fri 19 Dec. Outdoor cinema at The Lamb Inn.
++++++++++++++++++++
Sat 20 Dec. Axbridge Square. Santa in the Square celebrations.
+++++++++++++
Sat 20 Dec. Lamb Inn Axbridge. Silent Disco. 8pm. Get Ready for SILENCE AT THE LAMB CHRISTMAS SILENT DISCO! Put on your headphones and get on down with the MICRORAVE DJ Collective, supplying 3 channels of 80’s and party classics, house, DnB, garage and the odd Christmas cracker thrown into the mix! It’s all about good music, party vibes, and celebrating the season! As a bonus we’ll be hosting a family friendly non-silent disco between 8 and 9pm for the Santa in the Square crew to get the whole family in the swing of things! You can pre-book your headphones using the link below to guarantee your place in the party or bring some cash on the night, but be aware headset numbers are limited! https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/microrave
++++++++++++++
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge Square. Christmas Farmers’ Market. 10am.
+++++++++++++
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge. Lamb Inn.
++++++++++++++
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge St John the Baptist Parish Church. 6pm. Carol Service.
++++++++++++++
Wed 24 Dec. Axbridge St John the Baptist Parish Church. Christingle. 4pm.
https://www.facebook.com/v2.3/plugins/video.php?allowfullscreen=true&app_id=249643311490&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Dfe4ae182bc3f4e2b6%26domain%3Dwww.harrymottram.co.uk%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.harrymottram.co.uk%252Ff1b86ecef0931085a%26relation%3Dparent.parent&container_width=1294&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhelen.stevenson.3538%2Fvideos%2F25580946001539518%3Fidorvanity%3D393368381558682&locale=en_GB&sdk=joey
++++++++++++++
Wed 24 Dec. Axbridge St John the Baptist Parish Church. Midnight Mass with Carols from 11pm.
++++++++++++++
Thu 25 Dec. Axbridge St John the Baptist Parish Church. Family Service on Christmas day. 10am.
++++++++++++++
Fri 26 Dec. Meeting in the Square of the local hunt. This is an annual fixture at 11am although it is not usually advertised. The Square is normally packed for around an hour by horses and hounds.
++++++++++++++
Wed 31 Dec. Axbridge. New Year Celebrations in the Square. 11.59pm.
You must be logged in to post a comment.