THE car park at Wellington Medical Centre, in Mantle Street, has been relined after a chance conversation between its patient participation group (PPG) and local company WJ Group.

The PPG is a group of patients who work closely with the medical centre to help in the smooth running of the practice and raise funds for much-needed equipment. It was after a telephone call to Chelston-based road lining firm WJ Group that the PPG happened to learn the company had a local community support policy.

Supporting communities is extremely important to the company, which operates a ‘Thinking Community Initiative’.

WJ Group agreed to reline the car park under this initiative free of charge, for which the PPG was grateful. The company showed up on the date allotted and with good weather the work team completed the task in an afternoon.

A medical centre spokesperson said the work had made an immediate and noticeable difference to the site, and it was something that would benefit people every day, and they were extremely grateful to WJ Group and truly appreciated the positive impact it has for the medical centre.

A POPULAR local garden centre is celebrating RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a new floral-themed afternoon tea.

Blackdown Avenue Garden Centre in Wellington has introduced a blooming lovely selection of delicately crafted sandwiches, freshly baked scones and botanical-inspired sweet treats in time for the prestigious show.

The delights include a mini fruit meringue nest, carrot and vanilla mascarpone cupcake, raspberry crème brûlée toadstool tart and a charming chocolate marquise plant pot topped with chocolate soil. The selection of sandwiches includes tuna and cucumber, Coronation chicken, ham and mustard, egg mayonnaise and cheese and pickle, with warm freshly baked scones accompanied with clotted cream and raspberry preserve. Blue Diamond Group is offering the special afternoon tea event at a selection of its 53 garden centres.

Blue Diamond’s group events manager Rebecca Gurnett said: “RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the cherished highlights of our year and we’re delighted to celebrate the event with our customers. “Our limited-edition afternoon tea captures the magic of Chelsea and the flavours of spring. We can’t to share it with you.” Priced at £25.95 per person, the special afternoon tea will be available from Monday, May 18 until Sunday, May 24 and is available to book online now at https://events.bluediamond.gg/branches

Blue Diamond Group is returning to The Chelsea Flower Show this year following its success in winning its first Gold Medal, along with the prestigious Tree of Show accolade for the Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’. Held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the world. Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), it showcases cutting-edge garden design, innovative planting and spectacular floral displays. This year’s event will take place on May 19 to 23.

COUNCILLORS have given their thumbs-up to the latest plans for a special Wellington Day to be held later this summer.

Wellington Day is being designed to celebrate “everything Wellington” and it is planned to be held on Saturday, August 14, 2027.

The event is being led by Wellington Town Council and members of its economic development committee agreed on April 15 to make up to £3,000 available to facilities manager Annette Kirk for the booking of entertainment and equipment.

The council is also planning on applying for grant support from the National Lottery, Arts Council England, Somerset Community Foundation and the Wessex Water Community Fund.

Plans for the event are being drawn-up by the council’s events working group.

THE free screening of the ‘People's Emergency Briefing’ is to be shown in Langford Budville Jubilee Hall on May 22, doors open 6 pm.

In November 2025, more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders gathered at Westminster Central Hall for the National Emergency Briefing. A landmark event, it brought together leading experts to assess the UK’s exposure to climate and nature risks.

Featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden and surprise guests, this eye-opening film has condensed that briefing and will be followed by a short open discussion about local impacts and how we can act.

Local MP Rachel Gilmour will be attending, as are other local representatives of people, business and nature.

A spokesperson said: “This film is essential viewing for any one concerned about the rapidly developing climate crisis and the apparent apathy or denial of too many of our political representatives. It doesn't make easy viewing, but we all need to face the facts, sooner rather than later!"

The bar will be open.

SIMON Ratsey's family has been recording the weather in the Wellington area for more than 65 years. Now he is asking someone else to take up the challenge and carry on the work that he and his father started in 1960.

Simon made his appeal for a new weather watcher at the launch of Somerset's first climate cafe held at Wellington Meeting House on Thursday, April 23.

“I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to keep weather records for Wellington because I recently turned 80," he said. "We need somebody in the town to set up a weather station or it would create something of a gap.”

If no one took over recording the town's weather, there would be no local weather station between Taunton and Uffculme, a distance of approximately 30 miles.

Simon first started recording the weather while still at school after receiving a maximum-minimum thermometer for Christmas in December 1959.

"So January 1st, 1960, I started keeping a daily temperature record. Two years later, I got my own rain gauge. Now I have to say that my father was really the instigator of that because as a farmer, he was interested in the weather, but he was also quite interested in keeping records himself."

While at university, Simon's father carried on keeping daily records of rainfall and temperature on the family farm up to the year 2000.

Modern automatic weather station (AWS) are much simpler to use compared to the manual weather station Simon has used for decades. "Setting up a weather station has never been easier. They talk to your computer and your phone and cater for every budget," he said. Simon offered to advise anyone on where best to site a weather station.

"If you stick it in a backyard, with tarmac and walls, you're going to have something like an oven, and it won't give you a representative temperature at all. Ideally you need a garden with some lawn. "I do hope someone is out there because it would be helpful to the town," he added.

AMBITIOUS plans to build 580 high-quality, energy efficient council homes over the next five years are at the centre of a new housing strategy for Somerset.

At the meeting of Somerset Council Executive, members voted to adopt Homes in Somerset and Somerset Council’s first joint Social Housing Development Strategy, providing guidance and structure for the housing development programme of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The approach details the ambitious goal to build 580 new council homes by March 2031, with a spotlight on affordability, sustainability and meeting the needs of Somerset’s diverse communities.

The strategy will help to deliver thriving, balanced and mixed communities where everyone has the chance to live in a safe, secure and affordable home. A focus on supporting customers’ physical, mental and social health, with safe, affordable, energy-efficient, low-carbon homes that enable independence, is key to success.

While addressing the challenge of expanding into new areas of the county, including rural sites with their own specific needs, it also outlines tackling complex housing needs and displaced people. Schemes already completed under this plan include Minehead’s Rainbow Way Development, Taunton’s Lavinia House scheme, and others currently in development include Penlea in Bridgwater and North Woolaway in Taunton.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities, housing revenue account, culture and equalities and diversity, said: “This Social Housing Development Strategy sets out our own bold and inclusive vision to build more council homes. Our approach is rooted in partnership and collaborating closely with local landowners, parish councils, developers, and community stakeholders to unlock new opportunities and deliver homes where they are needed most.

“This strategy is more than a plan for bricks and mortar. It is a commitment to strengthening communities, supporting local growth and addressing the challenges of climate change. By prioritising energy efficiency and environmental standards, we’re not only reducing fuel poverty but also contributing to a greener Somerset for future generations.

“We know that good housing is the foundation of wellbeing, prosperity, and opportunity, and we are determined to ensure that every resident, regardless of age or income, can enjoy the security and dignity of a safe home in Somerset.”