The community spirit in Springfield Road and Riverside in Wellington is well known and last week residents pulled together to raise funds to refurbish the noticeboard outside the old SSL car park.

The beautifully constructed wooden noticeboard was put up about eight years ago, made by another Springfield Road resident, but exposure to the elements had taken its toll. “It was looking in a very sorry state,” said Gibby Swaine, of Riverside. “It was leaking and a bit rotten, and desperately in need of some tender loving care.”

Gibby and Anita Roy put out a call to the neighbours to chip in whatever they could to raise funds and Tom Morrell, a carpenter and craftsman from Wiveliscombe, installed the new noticeboard with a helping hand from his wife Cathy.

It is a place where local people can share news, advertise business, put up posters and highlight coming events. “It’s been a bit of a focal point,” said one resident. “I really missed it when it was taken away for repairs.”

Anita said: “Getting this done has been a real community effort. It’s amazing what can be achieved when everyone pulls together. We’ve been trying to sort out the noticeboard for about two years. Tom has done a beautiful job, and to see it looking so lovely, clean and welcoming has lifted everyone’s spirits.”