• A PLANNED Centre for Outdoor Activity and Community Hub (COACH) in French Weir Park, Taunton, won a £450,000 lottery grant and could be up and running by the second half of 2015. The clubhouse, on the site of public toilets, will include changing rooms, boat, cycle and equipment storage, cafe, educational and community space.

 

  •  SALLY Leaney was among the gold award winners at Taunton Flower Show, in Vivary Park, which attracted thousands of visitors and competitors over two days, while elsewhere the summer fun included the 100th Wiveliscombe Flower Show.

 

  • VANDALS had been responsible for a number of attacks on schools, play areas and public spaces in Minehead – the latest target was St Michael’s Primary School, following incidents at Irnham Road recreation ground, the bowling club and King George Road park.

 

  • KAT Hillyard, of Cotford St Luke, whose husband Robert was jailed for seven years for a vicious attack on her, urged victims of domestic abuse not to suffer in silence but to go to the police.

 

  • A SIGN warning that Cedar Falls Spa and Golf Course at Bishops Lydeard was open to non-residents but “no riff raff ” was “tongue in cheek” according to manager Richard Smith – although not everyone got the joke.

 

  • AN early morning cuppa saved the lives of two families in Higher Comeytrowe, Taunton – an elderly woman discovered a fire after getting up and alerted her husband and the neighbours before the homes were badly damaged.