By Harry Mottram: The heat wave forecast for the next few days has caused Bristol Water to shut public access to the reservoir from July 8th to the 13th of July – the longest closure so far and with temperatures remaining around 30C until the 16th July there is a possibility of an extension. With the fickleness of the British weather of course things can change. In a statement Bristol Water said: “There will be no public access to Cheddar reservoir from 00:00am on Wednesday 8th of July to 9:00am on Monday 13th of July. This action is in line with our routine water safety practice at Cheddar Reservoir for extreme heat scenarios.
“With the extreme heat, and very little shade around the reservoir’s permissive path, we want everyone to stay safe. We know the water can look very tempting on hot days, but it can be extremely dangerous, and we don’t want any extra pressure on the emergency services during what will be a busy time for them. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this causes.”
They added: “The two small car parks at Cheddar Sharpham Road and Axbridge entrance will both be closed for reservoir visits. There will be access to the Cemetery via the Sharpham Road car park. You will need to open the gate as it will be closed, but it will be unlocked and accessible.”
Bristol Water have also put up blocks to the various gates and stiles which surround the Reservoir. The advice is to observe the closure.
New Vicar
As previously reported there is currently no vicar covering the West Mendip Benefice which includes Axbridge following the death of the Reverend Alistair Forster last November. A recruitment process is underway with a desire by the church authorities to include the views of residents whether they go to church or not.
The Benefice have published a questionnaire asking for feedback about the position of the vicar and the role of the church within the area as a whole. Due to the demand for a paper copy of the questionnaire which can be found in Axbridge church there is also an online one to be found at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAYAAI6Pp1JUQ0ZSNkpZUzhSOUdOUEVMV1NNRFdLNjhWSC4u&route=shorturl
And the Benefice have organised an open meeting in Shipham’s St Leonard’s Church on Thursday, 9th of July, 2026, at 6.45pm where locals can give their thoughts. Refreshments will be served with the meeting to take place at 7pm. The questions are: What do you want from your new vicar? In what way does having a church in your community matter? And what do you value about your community? The three churches in the Benefice are St. John the Baptist, Axbridge; St. Leonard’s, Shipham; and St. Michael and All Angels, Rowberrow. So far the job vacancy has not been advertised on the Pathways website where the Church of England traditionally advertise vacancies.
More details in the article about the initial vacancy at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2026/07/02/axbridge-news-church-authorities-publish-a-questionnaire-and-organise-a-public-meeting-on-9th-july-to-discuss-the-appointment-of-a-new-vicar-open-to-all/
David Heathcoat-Armory
Axbridge’s former Conservative MP for the constituency of Wells David Heathcoat-Armory has appeared in the trade journals of the construction industry – nothing to do with the town but to do with his involvement in a firm that has gone bust. He was a non-executive director of Devonshire Homes which entered administration last month when it got into financial difficulties. As a non-executive director he was not an employee but an independent advisor – likely to have been giving financial advice due to his background as a chartered accountant. David Heathcoat-Armory was the town’s MP when he was elected in 1983 taking over from fellow Tory Robert Boscawen before being defeated by Tessa Munt for the Lib Dems in 2010 – a result blamed on his part in the expenses scandal which saw him forced to pay back over £20,000 to parliament. Tessa Munt lost to James Heappey in 2015 but regained the seat in 2024. Based in Tiverton Devonshire Homes has posted on its website: “On 18 June 2026, Sarah Collins and Jonathan Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP (“A&M”) were appointed as Joint Administrators of Devonshire Homes Limited (the “Company”). The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
Hot weather
The current heatwave (and third this year) has caused a spike in 999 ambulance calls reports BBC West’s James Diamond. He said: “The South Western Ambulance Service has experienced record breaking demand in May and June.”
He added: “The South Western Ambulance Service (SWASFT) has revealed it dealt with its busiest ever day, responding to 4,350 incidents on the hottest June day recorded in the UK last month. SWASFT’s previous busiest day came exactly a month beforehand on 26 May, also during hot weather, when it responded to 3,941 callouts.”
Readers of Axbridge News who are concerned about health risks caused by the hot weather can find advice from the NHS on how to cope at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/
Strawberry Line
Volunteers have been giving the Strawberry Line cycle and walkway between Cheddar and Axbridge a tidy up with the verges trimmed and much of the overhanging vegetation from the hedges being given a trim. The band of good citizens also cut the grass and plants around the picnic benches and seating that are stationed by the path – welcome places to sit down during the hot weather for walkers and cyclists. And the utility station at the entrance to the path just off the A371 in Axbridge has been given a paint job, shrubs planted and a fence installed by the utility authorities. Regular users of the path will be aware there are new sections of the Strawberry Line between Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton – and a section from the Draycott estate and Cheddar Tyres in the village.
Fun Day in the Square
The town is gearing up for the Sports and Social organised Summer Square Party in the Square. The road will be closed to traffic and with fine weather predicted the family friendly event is expected to be a success with a raft of activities. These include the innovative ball run – tickets still available – when balls will be rolled down the High Street – each with a name on in the same style as the plastic duck races held in towns where there is an open stream. There is also live music from bands on a stage, children’s entertainment, a barbeque, a bar and at 4pm a Rock ‘n’ Roll demonstration by the town’s dance group who will also hold a workshop to teach the town the moves popularised in the 1950s. Check the Sports and Social Club’s FaceBook site for updates.
The fun starts at 1pm on Saturday, 11th July, 2026, and continues to the late evening – when football fans know that England play Norway in the World Cup at 10pm. Axbridge News understands the game is being screened in both the Lamb Inn and the Oak House Hotel.
Recycling
The kind resident Paul Manning has reminded those with green garden bins that there is a collection on Thursday 9th July. He writes, …’best get bins out early as pick up may be early due to hot weather.’ Details of dates for all recycling can be found at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/check-my-collection-days/
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 https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
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. More at at www.harrymottram.co.uk and social media on X as @harrythe spiv, Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads and God knows where else!
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