Several people from Bath and North East Somerset have been honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, including Mayor for Midsomer Norton, Paul Myers.
Cllr Myers, who has received a British Empire Medal for services to the community said: “I cannot tell you how both excited and humbled I feel to be nominated for this. That the local community should honour me for what, together as a team, we have tried to achieve for Midsomer Norton is incredibly touching.”
He first moved to the area in 1998, "completely by chance", he says, looking to settle with his artisan weaving business, Fern Bank Weavers, considering locations such as Catherine Hill, Frome, before choosing Midsomer Norton.
Many years before, the community in which his family lived had been flooded in South Yorkshire, where they owned textile mills. This prompted a move to Essex, where he grew up. He says: "The whole community where my family lived in Yorkshire was completely removed, 1,700 people were down to around half a dozen by the time I was born. I suppose it is why I feel so passionately about community - and Midsomer Norton is the first place where I’ve ever really settled."
In 2007, Cllr Myers helped set up the Redfield Residents’ Association after campaigning against double yellow lines - a battle which took three years to win. Alongside late, well-known and loved artist, David Fisher, the Midsomer Norton Society was also formed, a group which still meets today, holding talks on the history of the town. David had approached Paul after he was concerned about the town losing its identity and heritage. In 2009, Paul was also part of the campaign for the Community Governance Review, which saw a major upheaval in local politics and three separate Town and Parish Councils formed for Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Westfield. He was voted in as Mayor of Midsomer Norton by fellow Councillors, and has remained there ever since. He also represents Midsomer Norton Redfield ward on B&NES Council.
Not afraid to get his hands dirty, he is often seen in his waders in the river on a Sunday morning, working tirelessly on many community projects and has been instrumental in setting up the Midsomer Norton Community Trust, looking at the long-term regeneration of the town alongside the Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce, working hard for In Bloom efforts and the town’s relaunched Carnival. He has also worked relentlessly to make Midsomer Norton’s long-held ambition for a Town Park come to fruition. All of this is done by giving up many, many hours of his time voluntarily for the town.
Cllr Myers is among several from the B&NES area to appear on the list. Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive for Bath and North East Somerset Council, will be awarded the OBE for services to local Government, Mrs Janet Parsons, from Pensford, the MBE for services to disabled and disadvantaged people, Mrs Julia Samuel, from Mells, will receive the MBE as founder patron and trustee of Child Bereavement UK, Michael Lee, from Bath, a BEM for services to the restoration of the Kennet and Avon Canal, Anthony Day, a BEM for services to the community in Norton St Philip and Helen Meehan, from the Mendips, Head Nurse in Palliative Care at the RUH, will also receive a BEM.