THE ARTS Society Sedgemoor (TASS) has won an award for being the friendliest society in the South West Region throughout lockdown.

Despite all the restrictions on meetings and other social contacts, TASS kept in touch with its members by sending out regular newsletters and by arranging a series of lectures via Zoom.

Chairman David Chiverton said: “In Sedgemoor, many of our members live in relatively isolated circumstances, so we felt it was important to ensure that we maintained our regular meetings, albeit in an unusual way.

“Zoom was new to many of us, but we were delighted to see that almost everyone tried it out, enabling us to come together remotely to enjoy a variety of talks.”

Jo Wymer, chairman of the South West Region of The Arts Society, who presented the award, said: “TASS is one of the warmest and most welcoming societies in the country. Its friendly and outgoing approach ensures that The Arts Society’s aim of making the arts accessible to all is carried out”.

As part of this objective, TASS recently held a highly successful Young Arts competition to encourage young people to take an interest in the arts. Three local youngsters each won £100 for their original artwork.