MINEHEAD CONSERVATION SOCIETY WELCOMES YOU
Make a Difference Today
ABOUT
Minehead Conservation Society is all about conserving and enhancing the built fabric of Minehead and its environs as well as campaigning to protect its beautiful landscape setting from inappropriate development.
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The society also arranges social / educational events as part of the appreciation of the local area.
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The society is affiliated to CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England).
ACTIVITIES
The Society monitors all planning applications for Listed Buildings and those within Conservation Areas as well as any it considers might be damaging to the overall character and appearance of the town.
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It strives to encourage the local planning authority to adopt high quality design for all new builds, incorporating the use of local materials, and which will sit comfortably within their immediate surroundings.
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Minehead Conservation Society welcomes all who care about Minehead and its status as an' Outstanding Heritage Settlement'. It offers the opportunity for like-minded people to socialise together and learn more about the history of the area, its many interesting buildings and beautiful landscape by providing a varied programme of activities.
Past Autumn/Winter talks have included such topics as ' Construction,
Maintenance & former uses of buildings on the Holnicote Estate ' and ' 10 Treasures of the Minehead Coast ' to 'Siege and Surrender of Dunster Castle ' and a Magic Lantern Show of Somerset Images.
In the Spring & Summer visits have ranged from a trip on Flying Scotsman and a tour round the Two Rivers Paper Mill to visits to historic houses such as Cothelstone Manor and Orchard Wyndham and the restoration project being undertaken by the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust at Halswell where tea was served in the Temple of Harmony. Walks around different parts of the town also feature in the programme.
For information on future activities see 'Upcoming Events' below. Also see reports on recent events which have taken place in the blog section (click on 'Blog' at top of website pages).
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The Society is affiliated to SBPT (Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust) and members are able to take advantage of the visits that it offers.
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Tree planted by Minehead Conservation Society at The Parks for the Queen's 90th birthday celebration
Another MCS Plaque Fitted
The latest commemorative plaque installed by MCS - This one is at the Old Ship Aground, installed October 2020
SOME OF THE SOCIETY'S MORE NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Prevented Southlands in Northfield Road from being demolished
Saved the Beach Hotel from inappropriate development.
Stopped the cafe on the Quay (now called Echo) from being converted into a holiday flat.
Fought to keep green area and trees in front of Marley Close from becoming one big car park.
Managed to reduce an application for three houses in Whitecross Lane to just one dwelling.
Gained significant design changes to the buildings proposed for the grounds of Periton Mead and contributed to the listing of the main house.
Helped to save the character and setting of the Grade II Listed Ellicombe Manor .
The society has also contributed to the street scene of Minehead and raised the profile of the town in the following ways..
Master-minded retention of many of the old street lamps.
Proposed the installation of the street lamps strung across the Avenue.
Designed, commissioned and paid for the Fingerpost by the Jubilee Cafe.
Proposed ,raised all the money for and gained planning consent, to erect the Jubilee Clock Tower.
Started the campaign to save the town' s public toilets by setting up a petition and lobbying the local councils.
Planted a tree in the Parks Walk to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday.
Led numerous walks around the town to raise awareness of its heritage.
Gained planning consent and paid for the historical plaques around the town.
Supplied photos and information about Listed Buildings and other notable buildings to the planners .
NEWSLETTER
Minehead Conservation Society
(Incorporating the Woodcombe Society)
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Office: Townsend House, Townsend Road,
Minehead TA24 5RG (01643 706258)
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E-mail: mineheadconservationsoc@gmail.com
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Website: mineheadconservationsociety.com
Committee: Principal Officers
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Chair – Sally Bainbridge
Vice Chair - Tony White
Secretary – Jon Collis
Treasurer – Janet Davies
Planning Case Officer – Sally Bainbridge
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SOCIETY NEWS
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Please be vigilant, and if you see things that concern you contact the society via email or the website. We rely on our members to assist us.
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Help wanted! Would you be interested in taking minutes of our committee meetings and similar duties in the role of Secretary? We meet about six times a year. See advertisement in next section. Please get in touch if you are able to help or would like details.
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It would be great if all our members could try and persuade a friend or neighbour to join the Society
as there is greater strength in numbers when it comes to major campaigns. Direct them to our website so they can see what we are all about and the activities we organise.
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NEWSLETTER- August 2024
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Dear Members,
I hope you are enjoying these summer days, getting out and about with family and friends or simply lazing in the garden.
We have several events booked for the Autumn so please put them in your diary.
On MONDAY OCTOBER 7TH at 2.30pm in the QUAKER MEETING HOUSE we have a fascinating talk ' WEST COUNTRY MYTHS AND LEGENDS.' by the renowned author TONY PAINTER who is coming all the way from Wiltshire to speak to us. He will highlight any WS stories. We hope to have a large audience for this. You are welcome to bring visitors, £3, to this talk. Members £1. Spread the word about this talk.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7th is the AGM in Townsend House at 2.30pm.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14TH 2.30pm in Townsend House, Simon Booth will tell us about the work of the MINEHEAD COAST WATCH and their plans for the future.
DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS LUNCH which we anticipate will be at The Golf Club. Date and details to follow.
Our Society has objected to the application for an alcohol and music licence by the Harbour Cafe- formerly Echoes- next to St Peter's chapel. The reasons were multiple.
Some good news on the planning front is that ‘Sherwood’, an Edwardian house, designed by the architect F.W. Roberts, that we had asked to be registered as a Local Heritage Asset, has now been included on this list and as a result had its application (to which we objected) to build a property in the grounds withdrawn.
I, along with Chris Miller, NHAG Chair, and Mark Poulter, met with our new MP Rachel Gilmour to discuss the Beacon Road site. We took her up to see it and, all in all, had a very productive meeting. This was followed up by a meeting with Cllrs Lawton and Palmer together with the Clerk of Minehead Town Council where we discussed the need to move things forward. So this is still very much on the agenda.
In the Autumn a second ‘Minehead and Beyond’ book will be published due to public demand. This will have a set of different articles written for the Word Gets Around magazine.
We have a new Government and a new Minister for Levelling up and Housing. From what has been published so far of her plans we can expect big changes on the planning front with more land under pressure from solar farms and housing. It is going to be increasingly tough to fight against those things to which we object, so we shall need members to be proactive.
YOUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU- unfortunately due to ill health, Steve Taylor has felt it necessary to resign from the committee. He will be greatly missed as he worked extremely hard on planning issues and gave me much welcome support. We also thank Jonathan, who has worked so closely with his father, for all his invaluable input. We are now desperately in need of at least one but preferably two new committee members. If you care about our town, please think about offering to join us – we have a maximum of 6 committee meetings per year and are happy to give more information on request. Also, anyone, male or female, willing to help serve teas/coffees at talks would be most welcome -again please let us know.
Finally, a reminder that subs are due by October 1st. £18 for two at same address £12
for single. Can be paid directly into the bank account or by cheque which should go to Jan Davies 4, Heather Close, Ellicombe, Minehead TA24 6LL
Enjoy the rest of your Summer.
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Advertisement - Book by Sally Bainbridge
KEY PEOPLE
Advertisement
The society's long standing Secretary stepped down and we are therefore looking for a volunteer to take up this role. The duties are light, but of great importance to the successful running of the society and include preparing the agendas for Committee Meetings, taking minutes, assisting with preparing newsletters and emailing society members as necessary.
If you are interested, or would like to have a discussion about the role whilst considering it further, please contact Sally Bainbridge, Chair. This may be done using the society's contact details on the relevant page of this website.
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Events
'Myths and Legends of West Somerset'
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Talk by Tony Painter, former MoD map research officer and local historian who explores curious tales of the West Country. Tony unearthed these stories while writing local histories for Alan Godfrey maps.
7th October at 2.30pm –
Venue -The Quaker Meeting House, Minehead.
CONTACT MINEHEAD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Townsend House, Townsend Road, Minehead TA24 5RG
01643 706258