Council encourages residents to make use of grit bins

Residents in Wellington are being encouraged to make use of the yellow grit bins in the town during wintery conditions following the purchase of another new bin in the town.
Wellington Town Council has provided a new yellow grit bin for use by Tonedale Residents in icy conditions.
The council decided to place a grit bin at the railway bridge at Tonedale for use by local people to help overcome possible problems with ice on the sloping pavement.
Yellow grit bins have also been provided by the town council in other areas in Wellington in strategic locations where there are likely to be more hazards in icy conditions.
Councillor Steve Palmer, who requested the new grit bin at Tonedale said: “We would like to emphasize to the community the bins are provided on a self-help basis and would encourage people to make use of them.
“The council is unable to grit these areas in the town and it is up to local residents to help themselves and their neighbours.
“In the past residents have told me they did not think they were allowed to use the bins but we want to emphasise they are there for local people to use and would encourage them to do so.”
Other grit bins provided by the town council are located at the junction of Howard Road with Brendon Road, at the top of Hoyles Road at the junction with relief road, at the junction of Swains and Ardwyn, and in Rockwell Green at Popes Lane junction with the main road and also at top of Oaken Ground next to the public toilets.
Winter maintenance of the roads is the responsibility of Somerset County Council.
However, resources are unavailable to treat all the roads and the only route in Wellington which is salted by the County Council is the main route from Taunton to Milverton – from High Street into North Street, Waterloo Road, Station road and onto Milverton Road.
The county council has also provided grit bins at Westford Railway Bridge, in Rockwell Green, and at the bottom of Cornhill on North Street.

Our photo shows Councillor Steve Palmer making use of the grit bin at Tonedale Bridge

Pupils learn about Wellington Food Town

Bison on the Blackdowns and Welsh cakes were the topics of a special talk to youngsters at Rockwell Green Primary School.
Wellington town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton spoke to pupils on the subject of food and drink and revealed to them he got told off on the first day at school for eating Welsh cakes half-way through a lesson.
The talk by Councillor Mitton was to demonstrate the huge selection of local produce available and the children were surprised to learn there were bison on the Blackdown Hills.
Councillor Mitton promoted healthy eating habits and encouraged the youngsters to drag their parents along to the launch of Wellington Food Town on Saturday December 2 to see the variety of food and drink on offer.
The free food event takes place between 10am to 4pm in the big marquee off Wellington High Street where people can taste some of the local specialities on offer and watch free cookery demonstrations including sessions on how to make healthy lunchboxes for schoolchildren.
Visitors will be able to wander around the many stalls of local food producers and suppliers and take in the Christmassy atmosphere.
Cllr Mitton said: “Wellington boasts an enormous amount of food producers in the area and we are very lucky to also have a large variety of food retailers and outlets.
“Healthy eating in schools is very important and I am glad to see that Rockwell Green Primary School are already promoting this.
“I hope that the pupils will encourage their mums and dads to come along to Wellington Food Town on Saturday to find out more and sample the local produce and learn about how it also helps the environment.”
Wellington Food Town is being organised by Wellington Economic Partnership and Somerset Food Links in conjunction with Taunton Deane Borough Council and Wellington Town Council, and is supported by Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Trade and the Wellington Farmers’ Market.More information is available from Nicky Saunter at Somerset Food Links on 01458 241401 or email nickys@foodlinks.org.uk or by logging on to www.wellingtonfoodlinks.blogspot.com.