By Harry Mottram: Engineers have confirmed to me the reason why no water is refilling Cheddar Reservoir which has seen levels fall even further despite heavy rain in the last few days. The reason is a broken inlet valve at the Sharpham Road tower. They are working to repair or replace the faulty valve and hope the water can once again flow into the reservoir soon. Specialist outfit Valve and Pipeline Services based in Coventry are on site working to solve the problem as in their publicity they state: ‘we don’t just fix broken valves. Instead, we offer a one stop shop solution for all your project needs.’
Birdwatchers
With the low levels of water large areas of the reservoir’s floor have been exposed turning the Res into what is more like marshland rather than a man-made lake. The result has seen dozens of ornithologists observing some of the country’s rarer species. These have included the migrating red-necked phalarope which is actually a light grey at this time of year plus confusingly grey phalaropes, along with redshanks – a type of wader – and arctic terns and black terns. Unusual in birds the phalaropes the females have colourful red, black, brown and white plumage while the males have rather plain light brown and light grey feathers – a reversal of most bird species. How do I know all this – I asked the birdwatchers – and I assume they know their birds!
Cheddar Reservoir 2
On Friday 19th September, 2025, there is a drop in session for two hours from 4pm in Axbridge Town Hall to hear about Cheddar Reservoir 2.
West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) have issued a lengthy document online at (https://www.westcountrywaterandenvironment.org/flagship-projects/cheddar-reservoir-sro/cheddar-2-sro-consultation)
Cheddar Reservoir 2 appears to be an irregular shape akin to an amoeba in contrast to the strawberry shape of the current one – and it may have a small island according to the map. The maps are however not precise and are open to interpretation.
Friday 19 September, 4pm to 8pm: Axbridge Town Hall, The Square, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AR
And information will be available at:
Cheddar Library, Union Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3NB
Axbridge Post Office, The Square.
There’s an online consultation form you can complete now at https://www.westcountrywaterandenvironment.org/forms/cheddar-2-sro-consultation-feedback-form
Algae problem
Bristol Water has announced bottled water is being delivered to ‘vulnerable Bristol Water customers across North Somerset.’ The water utility posted on Facebook: “For precaution purposes, we have started to deliver bottled water to our most vulnerable customers (Cat 1 and 2). This is due to an issue at a Cheddar treatment work. Should there be any issue with your water supply, we will make sure that you are notified promptly.” The reason is to do with ‘algae blooms’ which have been thriving in the water during the recent hot weather. Freshwater algal blooms are created by nutrients in the form of phosphates entering the water – often from agriculture and households – creating discolouration in the water and potentially harm to fish. ITV News reports that South West Water who own Bristol Water will be making a major effort next year to sort out the problem that will: “improve water quality, protect nature and reduce treatment costs for customers.” The Utility describe those who are vulnerable as havening a Disability or medical condition; Restricted mobility or short term injury; Mental health or neurodiversity; have a Sight, hearing or speech condition; and those over 65.
Square clearance
You may have seen on social media a plea to move a white car from the Square as it is being cleared ahead of the fun fair and carnival. The showmen and women are in town and are beginning to deploy the rides and stalls with members of the public and Axbridge Town Trust to see motorists don’t restart parking there in the meantime. It’s a military style operation with the fair set up and then taken down in a matter of hours – something to behold if you have not seen the fun fair before since room is tight.
Poetry and Spoken Word
Tonight, there is a spoken word and poetry evening in the former Methodist chapel on West Street – now Axe Vale Arts Centre. The evening begins at 7pm and is led by published poet, university lecturer in poetry and Axbridge resident Simon Rennie. There’s a non-alcoholic bar selling mocktails and coffee and a collection of £2 as you enter – proceeds to the upkeep, restoration and hopefully eventual purchase of the building from the church authorities. If you wish to either read your own poems or poetry or prose you admire speak to Simon when you arrive and he will fit you in. The evening is held on the third Wednesday of the month.
Axbridge Diary of Events
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
Wed 17 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Poetry and Spoken Word. 7pm.
Wed 24 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Acoustic Music Night. 7pm.
Thu 18-Sat 20 Sep. Axbridge Fun Fair. Axbridge Square.
Friday 19 Sep. Cheddar Reservoir 2 Consultation. Axbridge Town Hall from 4-8pm.
Fri 19 Sep. Cross Memorial Hall. An evening with John Buckler. 7.30pm.
Fri 19 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Sloe Jam, acoustic band from Frome area, and support. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Sat, 20 Sep. Axbridge Carnival. 2pm. Procession through the town.
Sun 28 Sept. Axbridge. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Crumbs. Badapple Theatre. 7pm.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Square. Coin collection – unwanted foreign coins being collected in aid of Friends of Axbridge Church during the market.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge. St John’s Parish Church. Concert by Joyful Spirit Choir. 7.30pm. In aid of Friends of Axbridge Church.
Mon 13 Oct. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Wed 15 Oct. Axbridge. Lamb Inn. Comedy Night. With Jarrad Christmas, Andrew White and Andy Askins. 8pm. £16.50.
Fri 24 Oct. Town Hall. Roland Jones performs the music of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Dylan Thomas in Dylan Squared. 7.30pm. In aid of Sense International.
Fri. 31st Oct. Axe Vale Arts Centre. 3 Rivers, female acapella trio from Bristol and support. Doors open at 7.00pm
Sat 1 Nov. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 10 Nov. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat, 22 Nov: Axbridge Progressive Supper. 6pm-11.30pm.
Wed 26-Sat 29 Nov. Axbridge Town Hall. ACT present the play Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial.
Sat 6 Dec. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 8 Dec. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat 20 Dec. Axbridge Square. Santa in the Square celebrations.
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge Square. Christmas Farmers’ Market. 10am.
Wed 31 Dec. Axbridge. New Year Celebrations in the Square. 11.59pm.
2029
Sat-Mon 25-27 Aug. Axbridge. Pageant/community play. 3pm The Square.
Events Near Axbridge
Sat 27 Sep. Shipham Progressive Supper.
Fri 17-Sat 25 Oct. Wells Literature Festival.
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
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