By Harry Mottram: The Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed Axbridge, Somerset and much of the West Country are officially experiencing a drought. So far no hose pipe bands have been imposed – but with more hot weather to come and little prospect of substantial rain then don’t rule it out. Cheddar Reservoir is still fairly full for this time of year and so the prospect of standpipes in the streets seems unlikely – and with only a month before we enter autumn then perhaps it won’t be as bad as 1976.
Cheddar Reservoir has been closed twice so far this summer with the temperature of 30C being the signal for a closure. It is not clear that there will not be another closure since temperatures this month are predicted to be in the mid 20Cs in the coming days. Both Bristol Water and Wessex Water have said there are no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban but they are advising customers to use a watering can instead of a hose pipe, reuse paddling pool water for plants, avoid sprinklers, taking shorter showers etc – but so far haven’t advised residents to share baths as happened in 1976!
Shute Shelve Fire
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service posted this timeline of the recent gorse fire on 29-30 July, above Shute Shelve giving an insight into their work: Our command support unit was mobilised at 23:05 to the below incident! Crews returned home station at 04:50am this morning. Incident type: Fire In the open (small). Location: Axbridge. Attending stations: Bridgwater, Burnham On Sea, Nether Stowey, Street, Cheddar and Wells.
Fire Control mobilised crew from Cheddar to report of a fire on Shute Shelve Hill. Upon arrival, crews immediately requested 3 further fire engines and an off road vehicle which was mobilised from Cheddar, Burnham on sea and Winscombe (Avon Fire & Rescue). This is a fire front measuring approximately 100m x 50m. Due to restricted vehicle access crews are currently firefighting on foot with beaters and scotty packs.
Below is a timeline of events:
23:03 – Police requested to assist with road closure on the A371
23:05 – Request for a further 2 fire engines and a water carrier – this was mobilised from Wells, and Blagdon (Avon Fire and Rescue) along and Bridgwater, alongside with an Incident Command Unit from Street.
23:33 – Crews requested the drone from Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Crews are still working on the hillside with beaters and scotty packs.
00:28 – Fire involving gorse and brush on a steep hill side measuring approximately 100m x 50m. Crews are at work using beaters and scotty packs.
00:48 – Crews requested the attendance of an all terrain vehicle from Nether Stowey for off road capability.
00:59 – Steady progress is being made. Vehicle access has now been established for off-road capability
01:17 – Crews have made access to the head of the fire and are using a wildfire pump to extinguish the fire.
03:00 – Crews making good progress using fogging units, all terrain vehicle, wildfire pump, beaters and scotty packs. 1x drone also in use.
04:36 – All terrain vehicle in us damping down
05:15 – All crews withdrawn from the incident ground – request for crew to reinspect.
06:52 – This incident involved 100m x 50m of gorse and grass on steep hill side, with difficult access and destroyed by fire. Crews successfully extinguished the fire with fogging units, all terrain vehicle, wildfire pump, beaters and scotty packs. 2x drone also in use for aerial observation and temperature monitoring. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
A38 plans at Cross and Shute Shelve
A former colleague of mine Daniel Mumby of the Local Democracy Service (funded by the BBC to help fill in the gaps left by the demise of local newspapers) has reported on the ‘A38 Major Road Network’ programme. The plans include improving traffic flow at the Edithmead roundabout (Junction 22 of the M5), traffic calming in Rooksbridge, a new layout of the junction of the A38 at Cross with Cross Lane in Axbridge, and an improved crossing of the A38 by the Strawberry Line at Shute Shelve. The £30m scheme was set to go ahead run by Somerset Council only for doubts to be raised as in the final days of Kier Starmer’s Government it appeared the scheme was to be axed to make savings for other plans such as increased spending on defence.
However, that now seems to be reversed with Somerset Council confirming the road improvements will go ahead. Daniel Mumby reported: “Somerset Council confirmed in a short statement that Mr Starmer’s announcement – which will be implemented by his successor Andy Burnham – would not jeopardise the funding of the Edithmead scheme or the wider programme of A38 improvements in Somerset.”
For Axbridge the scheme is a remodelling the Cross junction to create a staggered crossroads with a safer pedestrian crossing and for the crossing of the Strawberry Line to be moved up the hill so it is directly opposite where the path heads towards the tunnel – instead of the elongated central island currently there. A set of lights along this stretch were not included in the plans.
Youth Hub
The good folk at the Axe Vale Arts Centre in West Street in the town have announced plans for a ‘Creative Space for Young People in the Axe Valley’ – in short the Axe Vale Arts Creative Youth Hub. It will run from Thu 6 – Thu 27 Aug 2026 and is free.
They said in a statement online: “Creativity has the power to bring people together, build confidence and give everyone a place where they feel valued. A new initiative from Axe Vale Arts aims to do exactly that by creating a welcoming space where young people across the Axe Valley can explore their creativity, meet new people and develop their talents. The Axe Vale Arts Creative Youth Hub has been created in response to conversations with young people, families and the wider community about the need for more opportunities to connect through creativity. Whether someone loves music, drawing, painting, photography, writing, crafting, performance or simply enjoys making things and spending time with others, the Creative Youth Hub will provide a safe and supportive environment where young people can come along, share ideas and be themselves.
“Axe Vale Arts has always believed that creativity belongs to everyone. You don’t need to consider yourself an artist to take part — creativity is about curiosity, confidence, self-expression and discovering what you enjoy. The Creative Youth Hub will offer informal sessions where young people can: Bring along their own creative projects and ideas. Try new art forms and activities. Meet other young people with similar interests. Work alongside local artists and creative practitioners. Develop skills, confidence and friendships.”
For more information along with dates of workshops for young people this summer and other events at the former Methodist Chapel visit https://axevalearts.org.uk/
Art Exhibition
Whilst on the subject of the Axe Vale Arts Centre Axbridge resident Philippa McQueen has an exhibition of her work in the gallery below the arts centre featuring a mixture of largely paintings of nature. Some of the boldest work is of flowers, plants and foliage including one entitled A Garden in Ireland. She explained how she has been on a journey to develop her work which began in the lockdown calling it from darkness to light in art. Her most recent paintings are of a very high standard with some on sale. The exhibition will open on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August from 10:30am to 4:00pm.
The exhibition is free to enter but donations are very welcome to enable AVA to continue supporting these events. Details at https://www.ticketsource.com/axe-vale-arts/philippa-mcqueen-from-darkness-to-the-light-a-journey-in-paint/e-rpxjbb
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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