Welcome

Welcome to the March edition of Banwell Parish Council’s newsletter. Spring is just around the corner, with longer days and blooming flowers to come. Look out for the first signs of spring around Banwell, such as snowdrops, blossom on trees and buzzing bees! If you have any photos, we would love for you to send them to us. Your council and community are planning lots of exciting events and initiatives over the Spring season. Have a browse of this newsletter to find out more.

Your Parish Councillors

You can find out more about your Parish Councillors on banwellparishcouncil.org.uk/parish-council/your-councillors

Contact Your Parish Council

There are so many ways you can contact your Parish Council:

• Call us on 01934 820442

• Email us on clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

• Message us via our website www.banwellparishcouncil.org.uk 

• Visit us at Banwell Youth & Community Centre Tues & Thurs 10am-12noon*

• Follow and contact us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

• Send us a letter to Banwell Parish Council Youth and Community Centre, West Street, Banwell, BS29 6BD.

• Attend a Council meeting online or in person (we are working on Facebook live streaming our meetings).

*The Parish Office is located at the Youth & Community Centre (at the bottom of West Street Carpark) and is open to parishioners on Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am until 12 noon – no appointment needed. The Clerk is happy to see you at any other time if this isn’t convenient, just call (01934) 820442 or email clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk

Banwell Youth Club

Bored after school? Come along to Banwell Youth Club! The club is open and being run by YMCA Dulverton and there is an exciting range of activities planned for their regular Tuesday sessions between 6:30 and 8:30pm.  New members always welcome. See the Banwell Youth Club Facebook page for more details: www.facebook.com/banwellyouthclub

Banwell Children’s Centre / Youth & Community Centre

Banwell Youth & Community Centre has all sorts of fun activities and clubs to get stuck into! New members welcome to groups such as Forest School, Youth Club, Craft & Chat, Kickboxing, Tea & Tech and You Can Do I.T. 

The Youth & Community Centre is available for hire Monday to Friday £12 an hour Saturday and Sunday £14 an hour. Please contact the Clerk for more details and a booking form or use our new electronic booking system https://venuehire.scribeaccounts.com/Banwell-Parish-Council-

Events and Initiatives

Be Welcoming to Wildlife 

As we ease into spring, you may start to see more wildlife emerging. If you have a garden, you can start thinking of ways to make it a haven for wildlife! March can be a tough time for wildlife, after a long cold winter with temperatures still a little unpredictable. Help birds out by providing seed, build a bug hotel, or start planting some native wildflowers for our bees and butterflies. If you are thinking of dusting off your mower, why not consider leaving a little section of your lawn to grow for wildlife? For more ideas, visit https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/gardening or contact us for suggestions.

Jubilee Celebrations 2022

In 2021, the Jubilee Working Party formed and have been planning plenty of exciting Jubilee events for everyone in Banwell. Events are being run by various organisations, including Banwell British Legion, the Parish Council and community volunteers:

• Thursday 2nd June: Beginning of the Jubilee Wanderland 4 day event, decorate your houses for the Jubilee. Opening event run by the British Legion at the Castle with the potential for fireworks.

• Friday 3rd June: Visits to the Banwell Bone Caves.
  B.A.D event / Town Twinning meal.

• Saturday 4th June: Parish Council Community Picnic, fun races and carnival games.

• Sunday 5th June: 2/3pm Duck Race,
  Joint outside Service at the football club leading to tree planting, 4pm. Football Club event 5pm – 8pm.

We cannot wait to celebrate with you! Keep an eye on the Parish Council’s website, social media, newsletter and the parish magazine for updates.

Tea & Tech: Over 50s Digital Support

The pilot Tea and Tech sessions were so successful that Banwell Parish Council and Alive are continuing with the help of our wonderful volunteers. The events involve free digital advice aimed at the over 50s age group to learn the basics with experts on hand to answer questions. Equipment will be available to try or bring your own. Contact Liz to book your spot (01934) 820442.

‘You Can Do I.T’

Want to learn I.T skills from scratch? Do you want to just brush up on your digital knowledge? Or do you just want to ask a question?  ‘You Can Do I.T’ is open to anyone of all ages looking to improve their I.T skills over a cup of tea. Sessions will be held twice a month from January 2022 at Banwell Youth & Community Centre, Thursdays 2-4pm. Bring your own device or use the ones provided. Sessions are free. If you would like to attend, please contact Liz on (01934) 820442 or email clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk.

New Picnic Bench at Riverside

If you go down to Riverside today, you’re sure of a big surprise! Wessex Water have donated a new picnic bench for all to use.  So let today be the day you bring your teddy bear for a picnic in Banwell. The Parish Council worked with Wessex Water to place the bench outside of the dog restriction zone, so even your four-legged friends can join you. We hope you enjoy the bench for years to come.

Zoom Booths

Did you know that the Youth & Community Centre has FREE WiFi and a quiet space for you to connect remotely for advice, training & health services?  Our Zoom Booth can be booked by contacting the Clerk or using our new electronic booking system https://venuehire.scribeaccounts.com/Banwell-Parish-Council-

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Book an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau if you are having problems with: Paying your council tax, discrimination, paying your water bill, universal credit, managing other debts, budgeting, consumer issues or benefits. Weekly appointments held at either Banwell Youth & Community Centre or Winscombe Community Centre can be booked via the Parish Clerk on (01934) 820442 or email: clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk. 

Banwell Singing Group

A new signing group has been started by the Banwell community! Everyone of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in. No auditions. Contact kathedwards@gmail.com for more info.

NEW Banwell Sustainability Group

A Sustainability Group has been formed by the Parish Council to create a brand-new Sustainability Action Plan for the village. We have been looking at ways to help nature thrive, reduce the impact of climate change, and make Banwell a greener place to live. If you want to get involved, come along to our next online zoom session on the 29th of March. Contact the parish council office or follow us on Facebook for updates.

Community volunteers

We are always looking for more community volunteers to help run events and initiatives for everyone in the village. You can get involved as often or as little as you like! We have several opportunities, such as:

• Jubilee event volunteers

• You Can Do I.T digital skills volunteers

• Tea & Tech session volunteers

• Environmental volunteers

Contact Liz to get started clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk / 01934 820442

Notices and Updates

Community Pages and Community Events

Did you know that Banwell Parish Council has a section on its website for community pages and community events? If you have a community group, event, club or initiative in Banwell that you would like to put on our website, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with Daisy on comms@banwellparishcouncil.or.uk.

Banwell Bypass

The second phase of the Banwell Bypass consultation is running through March/April. You can follow the banwellparishcouncil.org.uk/Banwell-bypass for updates. We have been speaking with North Somerset Council to seek answers to your frequently asked questions. If you want to know more, head over to the Parish Council bypass FAQ website . You can also contact North Somerset Council’s bypass team if you have queries  banwell.bypass@n-somerset.gov.uk /  01934 888 802.

Parish Council E-Newsletter - Tell us what you think!

You asked us to make an E-Newsletter, and we listened! We hope you are enjoying your Banwell content. We would like to know what you think - what do you like about the E-Newsletter, and what could we make even better? Fill out our quick survey and let us know! Banwell E-Newsletter Feedback - Google Forms