Chairman’s notes: martens, walks, meetings, new buildings, old mill
The last in the series of summer walks arranged by Ian Rands took us to the new Glastonbury Spring Water bottling plant at Park Corner Farm, on the southeast slope of the Tor. Ian Tucker showed us the borehole that collects water flowing to the White Spring on the other side of the Tor, and the eco-friendly new buildings for purifying and bottling the water.
The housemartens departed south in October from their collection point at the Tor, a little later than usual, and already the weather was colder.
We had an excellent afternoon at Glastonbury Spring Water’s new bottling depot at the foot of the Tor, at Park Corner Farm, now fully operational. Many thanks to Ian and Carol Tucker for the look round, and to their son David, who manages the operation — and to Jan Morland for recording the event on camera.
Somerset Life magazine did a Glastonbury article in which our society gained an accolade.
Winter meetings have been arranged (see the list on page 2 [of the printed newsletter]). Please attend if you can, especially the annual general meeting on November 30. We need replacement skills: Dennis Allen wants to step down after many years as treasurer, having given most loyal service. We are sorry too to lose Neil Stevenson from the committee, as he finds his new career in education demanding. New younger committee members are particularly needed.
Congratulations to all involved in the now completed Sedgemoor Way development. The large building — inexplicably named The Tanneries — fits comfortably on what was an ugly gasworks site. Vehicles are accommodated off the road in a landscaped carpark. This, along with fresh tree-planting, has significantly enhanced this entrance to the town.
The Beckery Island Regeneration Trust [Birt] won its bid to the RDA to restore Abbot Bere’s mill at Northover for a community not-for-profit use. We have been asked to help by clearing the small garden surround, and possibly some landscaping. Little of the medieval structure remains, but it is Grade II listed. In its prime, the mill’s income supported the “poor little women” who lived in the almshouses where the Abbey shop now stands. It will be great to see this interesting little building restored at the town’s entrance.