By Harry Mottram: The Oak House has reopened on Axbridge Square with Ray Sparks as the landlord and a new menu for those needing a bite to eat. It’s been over four months since the hostelry closed so for those in need of a tipple it is good news. The menu includes breakfast so there’s a choice of food in the Square for early eaters.
Remembering the victims of Hochwald
A service of dedication in the churchyard for a tree and bench in memory of those lost in the Hochwald disaster was held on 11 April 2026, with the planting of a tree. For those new to the town the aircraft crash in 1973 in Switzerland was carrying mostly women on a shopping trip from Bristol Airport to Basle with many from Axbridge amongst the victims.
The doomed flight had members of Axbridge Ladies Guild, Cheddar Mums’ Night Out group, skittles players from Wrington and Congresbury, plus friends and relatives. Of 139 people on the Invicta International Airlines Flight 435 (IM435) from Bristol Lulsgate to Basel-Mulhouse, 108 died. Several of the victims are buried in the church grounds in Axbridge. Somerset’s communities were devastated after scores of men lost their wives and more than 40 children lost their mothers in the tragedy that shocked the nation.
This is a report on a memorial service held in 2023: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/journalist/axbridge/axbridge-features/basle-air-disaster/
Mayor Making
On Monday 11th May in the town hall at 8pm the town council will elect a new mayor. The current mayor Pauline Ham (pictured) is likely to be succeeded by Richard Willis who is currently deputy. Other civic posts in the council will also be confirmed or voted on including the new deputy mayor, the Sergeant of Mace, Town Bailiff , Town Crier and the Keeper of Bells. The evening is known as Mayor Making and always takes place in May and marks the beginning of the new municipal year and the new council year as a new civic leader is installed.
The town councillors are all volunteers who work as a committee for the good of the town with powers over the cemeteries, allotments and open spaces as well as areas like the changing rooms, playground and to a certain extent highways and planning – although most major decisions are made by Somerset Council. Everyone in the town is welcome to the Mayor Making which also includes the Annual Council Meeting when a number of reports are given – and if you are interested in the town it’s a chance to learn about our ancient settlement.
More info from the clerk: Mrs V L Brice Axbridge Town Council Email:town.clerk@axbridge-tc.gov.uk The Council Office Website: www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk
The Space needs volunteers
The Space is a children and young people’s mental health charity based in Cheddar. They are holding a Volunteer Evening on Monday 18th May 7 PM – 9 PM at The Hub, 1-2 Lower North Street, Cheddar BS27 3HA and are hoping to recruit volunteers to support their fundraising, help with the community garden, and the Youth Club/Youth Café, and to create a new volunteering group. They are also looking to welcome new Trustees, including a new Chair of Trustees to replace John Pimblott, who will be stepping down later this year after many years of dedicated service. There is more on The Space at https://thespacesomerset.org.uk/about-us/
You can find the event details and booking link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/volunteer-evening-tickets-1988994922355
Development News – Cheddar Res 2
The documentary on BBC this spring about building Hinkley Point 2 Nuclear Power Station showed how a massive infrastructure project can transform a region. Well, we have potentially a project as large in the plans to build a second reservoir next to the current one constructed in the 1930s. Planning permission is set to go in this or next year after more consultations which if agreed will see a large area set aside for the new reservoir. Preliminary work is underway along with surveys which you may have noticed around Sharpham Road playing fields. There have been updates from West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) who are behind the project although you may have noticed a post on social media from Conservative politician and farmer in Devon James Wright about his concerns about the pipeline that will connect Cheddar Res 2 to Tiverton. He is in favour of the project but is worried about the disruption the construction of the pipeline will cause to farms and businesses.
Development News – Council Houses
Somerset Council has said it plans to build 580 new council homes in the next six years. Under the Conservative administration of the 1980s many council houses were sold to those who rented them while others were handed over to new housing authorities with the ones in Axbridge held by Homes for Sedegemoor and Knightstone. The main areas for the new council houses and homes will be clustered around Taunton, Bridgwater and the M5 corridor. None as far as Axbridge News understands are planned for this town. While on the subject of rented local authority homes the new Renting Rights Act is now in force. It is an end to ‘no fault’ evictions, a tightening of regulations to end ‘dodgy landlords’ who don’t maintain basic standards for their rented homes, and rents can only be increased one a year. Further guidance at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69bc04b8f7b1c24d8e23ce60/The_Renters__Rights_Act_Information_Sheet_2026.pdf
Development News – New homes locally
A plan to build a home at the bottom of Moorland Street caused considerable comment when it was first proposed due to fears of it blocking views of homes in Bailiffs Close and worries about it being on a flood plain. The proposals eventually were passed, and the construction is well underway – while a home further along on the Furlong side of Portmead Drove is all but complete – both homes along with several others there are also on the flood plain. A new plan to construct a building further along Portmeade Drove on the right side has been put forward. A simple search on the Somerset Planning Portal can see the details but there is a question over the access road which is badly damaged. Anyone who has walked or driven along the drove will know it is badly pitted.
New news from Strongvox of Taunton yet who are set to request planning permission for the construction of 43 homes in the field at the end of Orchard Way in the town. It’s not an idea that’s gone down well since the cul-de-sac would see upwards of 43 cars using the road which is already congested for parking. While building continues off Houlgate Way in the Lavender Fields development as the project continues – now with a newly built playground. It is fenced off to allow the grass to grow but is a welcome addition to the town’s amenities – as well is the car park opposite the surgery.
One of the larger homes in the process of completion in the development is on the market for £800,000 while this is small beer if you are interested in the Old Court House in St Mary’s Street. That home is on the market for £2,395,000, while a two bed flat off West Street is £155,00. Prices via Right Move.
Development News – Lidl, the former yogurt factory and Bristol Airport
Everywhere I have worked in the West Country one of the perennial news stories has been development. New homes, roads and redevelopments of old brown field sites. Close to Axbridge Lidl wish to build a supermarket on Upper New Road near the filling station and Cheddar’s allotments, while the former yogurt factory on the A371 is to be converted to housing and other buildings and of course the new reservoir will include a large water treatment plant and access road on the Axbridge side of the reservoir. Up the road at Lulsgate, Bristol Airport wish to expand – work is underway – but they want a longer run way so the landing lights are expected to be moved to Lulsgate Common – meaning less space for those who enjoy the green space. And I’ve not mentioned in Weston-super-Mare there are plans for a huge arena for the old Tropicana site plus the ongoing restoration of Birnbeck Pier – long overdue. North Somerset Council have released videos of the work online.
Watersports at Cheddar
Paddle boarding was introduced at Cheddar Reservoir in 2017 as a result of the partnership with local ecologists, Natural England and Cheddar Watersports Club in 2016. Paddle boarding is available to members and guests of the local community group. The club is an evolution of Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club. While still being a protected conservation site for wildlife, the specifics of Cheddar’s designated conservation status make it a much more suitable site for managed paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing than Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes say Bristol Water. To join the club as a family member is £325 although you can be a social member for £80 a year – handy if you want to pop in to use the toilet.
Crime
There was an attempted break-in into a garage overnight on West Street last week. A garage door was forced showing how brazen thieves can be at the dead of night. The local police give this advice: “Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In around one in four burglaries committed, they do not have to use force; they often break in through an open door or window. Take simple precautions, such as locking windows and doors when you go out, even if just stepping next door or out in the garden. Also, use a light timer and do not leave your keys lying around.”
Sidetracks
Next Sunday the Sidetracks Band are playing at The Railway Inn in Meare – and included in the line-up is Axbridge vocalist Jo Hogg of Cheddar Road. Jo has been a member of the town council in the past but is best known for her rock chic voice as part of the band who specialist in the Californian West Coast sounds of the 60s and 70s. The gig is on Sunday 10th May.
More stories on Axbridge at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2026/05/04/axbridge-news-new-mayor-of-axbridge-to-be-announced-oak-house-to-reopen-gypsy-site-proposals-prompt-petition-and-part-of-axbridges-railway-station-is-returned/
Axbridge News: Harry Mottram
Note: I get asked this frequently so just to repeat I write up these stories from time to time out of personal interest – all the information is in the public domain – I put it together, so it makes sense to me. I am not paid – my main job is covering Bath for Bath Voice News and ICSM of Bridgwater which is about business insolvencies. I have lived in Old Church Road for over 25 years and am married to Linda – our four children went to the local state schools. I’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years.
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Axbridge Diary of Events
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
Visit: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
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