Radstock has a brand new Mayor as of this week, with Keith Tyrrell resigning at the end of his term due to ill health. Deputy Mayor, Rupert Bevan, was voted in unanimously by fellow Town Councillors to fill the position, with the new Deputy Mayor position going to Colin Currie.

Cllr Bruce Shearn said he was saddened that Cllr Tyrrell had resigned: “He was a shining light on this Council; always positive and always wanting to get things done. He’ll be sorely missed and as our first Mayor, he did Radstock proud. I hope that one day he’ll be able to think about returning.”

The new Mayor was sworn in at the Annual General Meeting of Radstock Town Council on Monday evening, where members of the public were also able to ask questions at the Town Forum; where concerns included parking in the town, the Town Square, the new Doctor’s Surgery on Waterloo Road and a plea for more to be made of the town’s heritage for tourism and retail – to attract families on days out to the area. The Town Council also voted to look at resurrecting the idea of Twinning for Radstock.

Councillors unanimously rejected plans for the installation of illuminated signs by national chain, Subway, which will be moving in to the former Charlton Timber Centre on Frome Road. Their comments will be passed to B&NES Council, who will make the final decision.

It has also been reported that Writhlington and Haydon batches have been put up for auction at the end of the month, with an estimate of £40,000 and £50,000 respectively.

Radstock Town Council says its main aims for the 2018/19 year will be to create a Neighbourhood plan for Radstock, addressing issues such as parking and housing, with a questionnaire being delivered to all residents of the town this week. A Steering Group is needed and the Town Council is looking for any members of the public willing to help to get in touch. There are also aspirations to develop a Community Hub for the town.

Finally, the Town Council has asked for more information on a Hemington soldier missing from the Town’s War Memorial, brought to light by the Royal British Legion. Arthur Coward was with the Royal Engineers, 34th Division Signals and died on Monday, 11th November 1918 at home from pneumonia. He received the Victory and British War Medals and was a colliery stoker. He was one of twelve children and there appear to be no surviving relatives.