WHAT would you do to improve Porlock Recreation Ground with £700,000?

That is the questions residents are being asked after the 'jaw-dropping' sum of money was bequeathed to improve the Recreation Ground by a generous resident who passed away in December.

Susan Taylor of Hawkcombe had been a benefactor of the Recreation Ground for many years but the committee have been blown away by the scale of the legacy she has left.

In her will Mrs Taylor left a legacy in the region of £700,000, 'to be spent for the benefit of Porlock's residents and visitors who use the recreation grounds'.

A letter has been sent around the village informing residents as a consultation takes place to find out how residents would like the money to be spent.

Mike Lynch, chairman of the Porlock Recreation Ground management committee said this was a wonderful opportunity to do something special for the village.

"Mrs Taylor had lived in the village for many years and had been a benefactor for the Recreation Ground," Mr Lynch said.

"She was the anonymous donor about five years ago who helped to fund the new playground equipment.

Mr Lynch said Mrs Taylor's family spent many happy times in Porlock and fully supported her wishes.

“We honestly had no indication until we received an email from the executor asking to meet us" Mr Lynch said.

“Even then we had no idea of the scale. We thought it may be a few thousand pounds, which in itself we would have been very grateful for, but it turned out to be quite a jaw-dropping conversation."

Mr Lynch said the group of 12 volunteers on the Porlock Recreation Ground management committee had never had anything like this to consider before but were determined to Mrs Taylor's legacy justice.

"Last year we were very pleased to be able to redecorate the pavilion for around £2,300. This is something quite different," Mr Lynch said.

“It is quite a responsibility we have been given, it is a wonderful opportunity for both the recreation ground and the village. It is a chance to do something really significant.

“We have started a consultation and we are planning on finding out what the residents would like.

“Whatever the legacy ends up being used for we want it to be something that will be well used and supported.

He added: “It has been a rather hot topic of conversation in the village – even though it is relatively early on we still had a number of responses but people have until Friday, March 17 to respond with their initial thoughts – this will lead to a more detailed questionnaire in the future."