HISTORY is being made at Priorswood Community Centre in Taunton.

Not only is it being made but the history of the centre which opened in 1998 has been written.

All the stories and memories of the first two decades have been captured in a book called Priorswood Past and Present.

This new book has been compiled by local residents and Community Centre volunteers, supported by the Workers Education Association. It is a collection of photographs, personal recollections and historic accounts of the North Taunton area in which the Priorswood Community Centre is located.

The initiative was sparked by plans to mark the 20th anniversary of the official opening of the centre, which has occupied council-owned two shop units at Priorswood Place since March 1997.

The new centre was officially opened by former MEP Graham Watson in 1998.The history group was the brain-child of the centre manager Lesley Thomas and was warmly welcomed by Trustees of the North Taunton Partnership, the local charity responsible for the centre.

The idea of a book soon emerged, and the finished article has been greeted with great enthusiasm locally. 100 copies of the book costs £5. Further copies are available from Priorswood Community Centre.

One of the people who helped launch the Priorswood Community Centre was former county councillor and Taunton Deane Councillor, Brenda Weston.

She said: “All this started as a history project with the Workers Education Association and local residents and community centre volunteers all helped compile the book.

“The work started in March this year and it was finished at the end of November.”

Contact details for more information: Tel 01823 353643; email tracy.priorswoodcc@yahoo.co.uk.

-A recent ‘Pride in Priorswood Christmas Market’ raise almost £1,000 towards next year’s programme of community activities, but it also marked the launch of a unique history of the Priorswood area.