With an increasing number of Midsomer Norton’s leisure time facilities located in the area below the Batch, it has been decided to rename the area the Midsomer Norton Leisure Park.

Facilities included under the new name will be the Sports Centre, Skate and Adventure Play Park, run by Writhlington Sports Trust, and the Town Park being developed by the Town Council.

Cllr Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, explained: “The issue has really come to a head as we’ve increasingly begun to direct contractors to the Town Park, and make plans to promote the Town Fayre in the summer to local residents. In answer to ,where is the Town Park?’, the reply usually given is ‘well, you go down Gullocks Tyning’. The usual reply then being ‘where?’ or ‘how on earth do you spell that?’

“I’d then explain – ‘Oh, well don’t worry about that, just follow the signs for the Sports Centre, go past the Skate and Adventure Play Park and it’s at the end.’ In the end, the name Midsomer Norton Leisure Park was born late last year and has stuck.”

Cllr Steve Plumley added: “I think having a simple overall name to use in conversation or link to SatNavs will hopefully make things a lot easier.”

Whilst the historic road name Gullock Tyning will of course remain, proposals are being considered to put a new sign up near the entrance to Gullock Tyning, and the new town fingerposts and location maps on the bus stops will refer to the new Leisure Park.

Matt Wise, CEO of Writhlington Sports Trust, said: “We’ve made a significant investment in the Sports Centre since taking it on as an Asset Transfer from B&NES in 2015, with a further £500,000 committed this year to include a gym extension and improvements to parking and the play park.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for both us and the Town Council to work together to promote a comprehensive leisure destination to people, not just in the town but across the entire Somer Valley and beyond.”

Improving marketing of Midsomer Norton’s leisure offering is also a key element of the town’s regeneration plans. Increased footfall to events and activities in the Leisure Park it is hoped will feed through into the High Street and support the wider town economy.