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.
The society also arranges social / educational events as part of the appreciation of the local area.
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.
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.
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).
The Society is affiliated to SBPT (Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust) and members are able to take advantage of the visits that it offers.
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)
Office: Townsend House, Townsend Road,
Minehead TA24 5RG (01643 706258)
E-mail: mineheadconservationsoc@gmail.com
Website: mineheadconservationsociety.com
Committee: Principal Officers
Chair – Sally Bainbridge
Vice Chair - Tony White
Secretary – Jon Collis
Treasurer – Janet Davies
Planning Case Officer – Sally Bainbridge
SOCIETY NEWS
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.
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.
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.
Newsletter January 2023
Dear Members,
A belated Healthy and Happy New Year to you all.
I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas free from Covid and flu. Here we are into a new year
and already the daffodils on the road verge opposite our house are in flower and some primroses in the
garden. Unfortunately, there is also a huge lake of water at the start of The Woodcombe Walk.
Having had excess rainfall so far this month it seems appropriate that our first talk of the season, by
popular request, is entitled 'THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER' which will be given by
SUE GOODLAND of the Wessex Water Educational Service. This afternoon illustrated talk will
take place on THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY at 2.30pm in Townsend House and will cover where
our water comes from, the local reservoirs, environmental issues and future planning.
In March we are hoping to arrange for a bottle collector with over 1,000 bottles and an avid
postcard collector to talk about their hobbies and show us some of their treasured items. Date to be
announced later.
The Christmas Lunch at Foxes Hotel proved to be a convivial event enjoyed by all. We are always
well looked after there. The annual quiz proved more difficult than anticipated with no one
achieving full marks!!
The deadline date for sending in additional comments to the Inspectorate regarding the appeal by
Mr Mitchell on the refusal by SWT for application 3/21/21/025 (the Beacon Road site) has now
passed. MCS confirmed its former strong objections, believing that nothing had substantially
changed, and added a few additional points. The text will become available on the website in due
course.
Our publication ' Minehead and Beyond ' has been selling well and we are grateful to AR
Computing in Friday Street, Park Lane Furniture Store in Park Lane, Townsend House and
Minehead TIC for stocking them. They were also on sale at the RNLI Christmas Fayre. Having
been in to the computer shop this morning to pick up the money for 22 sales I was told that another
had sold just before I had gone in! So, please tell your friends and relations where they can get a
copy and think about someone who you might send one to for a birthday or special occasion as all
profits will ultimately benefit the Society and the town.
A final reminder that 2023 subs are due. Thank you to all who have renewed. If you have not yet
done so you can pay directly into the MCS bank account or by sending a cheque to the Treasurer,
Mrs J.Davies, 4 Heather Close, Ellicombe, Minehead TA24 6LL. Failure to renew may result in this
being the last newsletter you receive as an up to date list of paid up members is being drawn up.
The Blenheim Gardens Cafe saga continues. It would be a disaster if another year goes by without it
operating in the traditional way.
Please put the February 2nd
talk in your diary noting that it is at 2.30pm and I look forward very much
to seeing you there
Sally Bainbridge
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.
Events
Our final talk of the Spring season will take place on WEDNESDAY APRIL 5TH at 7.30pm in Townsend House when NEIL WILSON will give an illustrated talk about the RADIO MUSEUM in Watchet. It used to be housed in the old Transmitting Station but has now moved to a new home.
CONTACT MINEHEAD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Townsend House, Townsend Road, Minehead TA24 5RG
01643 706258