23 Jan

Bridgwater Town Council Sets Budget and Precept for 2026/27

Bridgwater Town Council sets it’s budget for the next civic year

Bridgwater Town Council has approved its budget for 2026/27, confirming a 5% Town Council precept as part of its annual financial planning. For a Band D household, the change to the Town Council portion of council tax equates to around 40p per week, with most Bridgwater households, 93% of which fall into Bands A–C, paying less. A Band B property, for example, will see an increase of approximately 31p per week. Town Council Leader Cllr Brian Smedley (Westover) said “This budget enables us to retain our services, sustain our assets and maintain a responsible level of reserves.” The budget proposed by the Labour Town Council was described as ‘positive and stable‘ and supported unanimously by all Labour and Conservative councillors.

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18 Dec

Town Council Calls for ‘Action Now’ on Celebration Mile

Cllr Brian Smedley “We need to be united about this!”

At tonights Bridgwater Town Council members passed a unanimous motion to step up the pressure on Somerset Council to come to a speedy resolution to the controversial Celebration Mile. Town Council Leader Cllr Brian Smedley (Labour,Westover) proposed the motion saying “In the light of yesterdays County Council meeting where Bridgwater Councillors were united in calling for a review of the traffic direction  along East Quay and Salmon Parade it is important that we now step up that pressure and get a resolution as quickly as possible. This has to involve County officers and senior  councillors meeting with us and our key partners to review the project and do what is right by the people of Bridgwater.” The motion was seconded by Deputy Conservative Leader cllr Diogo Rodrigues (Con, Fairfax East) and voted through unanimously.

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28 Nov

Bridgwater Together music nights at the Arts Centre

Starting on Thursday 4th December, Bridgwater Together will be holding free live music sessions in the bar of the Bridgwater Arts Centre. Starting from 7.30 the first evening will feature Somerset musicians Jon Maybey and Claude Sandiford. Everyone is welcome to share in these events celebrating the diversity of our community and the vast range of world music we have amongst us and if you’d like to play at a future event then get in touch!

Bridgwater Together is a collective of organisations that stages a one day festival of culture and diversity in the town and is supported by Bridgwater Town Council, and multiple Trades Unions and community groups.

Jon Maybey is a composer and multi instrumentalist whose set includes Celtic, European and global influences  and Claude Sandiford is a singer songwriter who can bring you anything from George Ezra to Jamaican reggae.

7 Nov

Bridgwater Together 2025 will be Saturday 15th November

On Saturday November 15th, Bridgwater Together is holding its eleventh annual celebration of cultural diversity in Bridgwater. This free event includes live music, performances, activities, stalls, workshops and food from countries around the world. All for free!  The event will be hosted in Bridgwater Town Hall and at the Engine Room with doors open from 11am, There will also be a procession through the town from the Blake Statue at Cornhill starting at 1045.

Town Hall

Bridgwater Together is supported by Bridgwater Town Council. BTC Leader Cllr Brian Smedley says “We are very proud to have supported this event from conception to today and into the future. Our town is immeasurably enriched by the wealth of multi-cultural diversity we see around us. The day will include music and dance from around the world, food from many different cuisines, activities for the kids including face painting and badge making. The event will see artists, photographers, film makers, community organisations, public information outlets, the Police, local schools, all together. In fact, everything that makes up a community.” Continue reading “Bridgwater Together 2025 will be Saturday 15th November”

2 Nov

Red Smed says ‘Band Coming Together Nicely for Attila gig on 14 November’

Of all the musicians that were born in Leeds, moved to Goole and grew up on Anglesey Red Smed is definitely one of them. Inheriting his Yorkshire accent from his parents, his musical talents from his Uncle Walter, who was shot by the Japanese at the battle of  Kohima (a particularly harsh jury for ‘Burma’s got talent’) and his guitar playing from watching the films of Lassie, Red Smed says his band is 95% ready for action when they take to the stage with legendary punk poet and multi-instrumentalist  Attila the Stockbroker who sadly comes from Brighton . We caught up with the band at their rehearsal studio, Red Smed’s bedsit in central Bridgwater. Our reporter Cheerful Charlie Chuckletrousers sent back this report….

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