The Parish Council would very much like to hear from local people or organisations about their ideas or plans for events to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee or Her Majesty the Queen next year.

The Council is aware of one event - a Diamond Jubilee Open Gardens to be held on 10th June 2012. So far seven gardens have been registered to take part and the organisers would very much like to have more. These can be of any size. For further information, please contact Joan Warren 01278 683494 or Cindy Riley 01278 685067.

The Council has had a suggestion that a commemorative bench be provided at the junction of Woolavington Hill and Higher Road on the plinth where a former bench once stood. (See photo below). Modern benches are constructed in a material which does not require maintenance and is also vandal resistant. An order has been placed for this bench.

A number of residents are planning to plant trees donated by the Woodland Trust throughout the village. Further details will be available in the near future.

A further suggestion is to restore the historic milk stage in Reeds Drive to preserve a relic of the recent past when milk churns were collected daily and taken to the local dairies. It is thought that this milk stage was in regular use until the 1970s. The photograph shows the milk stage in its current condition.

 A local resident has put forward ideas for a community event in the Sports Field at Sedgemoor Way. The ideas include folk dancing, children's games, 5 a side football, refreshments, tug of war, bale throwing, dog racing and wellie throwing. The event could be a great fun day out for local people and help to bring all sections of the community together. The Parish Council supported the idea and suggested interested residents form themselves into an organising Committee. If you are interested please contact Carol Edney at 73 Sedgemoor Way.

The following information has been received from Sedgemoor District Council:-

"Do you intend or wish to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in June with a Street Party? Will you need any form of permission or licence from Sedgemoor District Council?

 The District Council wants to ensure street parties organised for the Diamond Jubilee are enjoyed by as many people as possible and are not cancelled at the last minute due to a failure to ensure all permissions are in place.

 The number one tip for holding a party is to plan early, think about what you want to achieve and get in touch with the District Council at least eight weeks before the event. If your event requires a Road Closure that is the MINIMUM time for consultation with the relevant authorities. This means that these will need to be applied for by the beginning of April at the latest.

 Organising small, private street parties is very simple and generally does not include activities that need a licence, such as the sale of alcohol or food (see below).

 Generally, the party should be:

 For residents/neighbours only
Not publicised
Self-organised by the residents/neighbours. 
 Larger events that are open to anyone to attend or are publicised in local newspapers or similar may require a licence.

 To gain early advice and to ensure your event goes to plan you should contact Sedgemoor District Council. They will then get back to you to advise what permissions, if any, your event requires.

 If it is your intention to provide a pay bar or entertainment at the event then a Temporary Event Notice will be required.

 For the sale of goods (including food), then Temporary Street Trading Consent will be required.

Not all events will require a Road Closure. If your road is a cul-de-sac or spur road that does not service another road, or is not part of the main thoroughfare of a Town or Village, then it is unlikely to need a Road Closure Notice, however, you should check with Sedgemoor District Council to be sure. For road closure information contact louise.potter@sedgemoor.gov.uk

 For licensing information contact environmental.services@sedgemoor.gov.uk or the licensing unit at 01278 435398.

 Further advice can be obtained at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/streetpartyguide."