Projects & Plans
WHAT HAS BALTONSBOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL ACHIEVED?
Repairs to the War Memorial were made and we now have a memorial that stands proud and upright at the centre of the village. We raised close to £1,000 through the ‘Any Old Iron’ initiative which will go towards the upkeep of the gardens and the structure for years to come. All of the renovation work was completed in time for the rededication service to mark one hundred years since it was first established.
Obtaining a grant to fund a Speed Indicator Device (SID) to be used in various
locations around the village. This is designed to help dissuade speeding and reduce the risk of accidents. An agreement has also been negotiated with local farmers to limit agricultural traffic to 20 mph.
Under the expert stewardship of Phil Bradshaw and with the help of the Mendip Ramblers, a number of footpaths have been greatly improved in terms of access and safety with a total of 36 gates now having replacing some very rickety styles and 2 new stream crosings.
The Platinum Jubilee walk, funded by another grant, is now complete including
information boards. The trail is between 3½ and 4 miles in length and the circular
route starts and finishes at the Village Hall.
Using a thermal imaging camera to help householders reduce their energy costs by identifying where heat is being lost.
Winning a £30,000 grant from the Somerset Climate Emergency Fund for a range of improvements to the Village Hall including installing solar panels and a Tesla battery, energy saving measures and planting a hedge along the top of the field.
Organising a number of activities on the theme of Making Space for Nature for the Queen’s Jubilee including an Open Gardens event, planting 95 trees for the Queen and producing a booklet on gardening for wildlife delivered to every house in the parish.
Obtaining a new defibrillator which is in the entrance to the village hall and is there for public use if it is ever needed.
In keeping with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 2nd in 1953, all children in the
village school and play group were given decorated china mugs to celebrate the
coronation of King Charles ll.
The past few years has seen numerous periods of significant flooding and one prolonged power cut caused by high winds. Who know what the future might hold but we ought to be prepared with a basic plan to ensure, as far as possible, the safety and well-being of all villagers. For more details see under the village info tab.
The planter situated in the old play park is there for all to use – just help yourself to a small amount of the herbs, but please be careful not to damage the plants in doing so. If you have herb plants that you would like to donate to the scheme, please contact Ali Blackburn (07581477853).
Many thanks to the following who have contributed to the construction of the herb planter, a community asset in memory of former Parish Councillor, Pat Jordain.
Crendon Engineering (materials),CRS Building Supplies (materials), DPD (compost),Paul Jordain (sponsorship),Terry Petherbridge (construction), Malcolm Dykes (siting), Dot Tinker (commemorative plaque), Ali Blackburn (planting and maintenance) & Baltonsborough Parish Council (sponsorship).
The 2 benches which were in desperate need of attention have been lovingly restored by Cllr Malcolm Dykes and are now looking as good as new.
plans for the future
Rectifying the poor drainage in the play park – Work was undertaken in July 2024 to create a stoned pathway covering up a large drainage pipe along the bottom of the field to the ditch at the back of the play park enabling water to drain away.
There is a long-term goal to find ways of generating renewable energy for the village.
Improving pedestrian safety at the western end of Ham Street by extending the pavement.
Joining with other parish councils, local farmers and growers and conservation bodies to establish regenerative farming methods in the region.
