In 2006, the record temperature for July was broken as the heat hit 34˚C, with the previous high temperature for the area being 34.9˚C in 1990, writes Emily Engleby.
Researchers said that the unusual heat was consistent with predictions of climate change.
Businesses, including ice cream shops, were booming because of the heat.
Granny Gothards ice cream and sorbets, based in North Curry, were doing deliveries as well as serving ice cream at shows where they virtually sold out.
Additionally, Graham’s Ices ice cream van commented that they had a slow start to the summer, but as the heat began to rise, so did their sales.
Furthermore, Withycombe-based ice cream business Styles had ice cream and bottled water sales 50 per cent up on 2005 because of the weather, which resulted in their business expanding.
However, some businesses were not feeling the positive effects of the heat.
The Three Horseshoe Pub in Langley Marsh observed that it was too hot for customers to sit in the beer garden, even under an umbrella, so people were waiting until later in the evening to go out when the temperature was cooler.
The newspaper also featured a Summer Special which put a spotlight on local events and days out that were happening across Taunton and West Somerset and Devon and Cornwall.
Taunton Deane Council produced a range of leaflets that highlighted popular local walks and cycle routes, which included step-by-step instructions, a map of the route, and photos and points of interest.
The leaflets were available from Taunton Deane Council’s offices, the Tourist Information Centres at Taunton and Wellington libraries, and local cycle shops.
Wellington was featured as ‘a jewel in the crown of Taunton Deane’, noting that the town had a wide array of independent shops and interesting architecture.
Wellington Park was spotlighted for its large open space that is filled with carefully maintained flowers, that is often a venue for music entertainment throughout the summer.
The walk up to Wellington Monument was a focal point as it offered some of the best views of the area.
Other attractions, many of which are open today, that were listed in the West Somerset feature included:
- Allerford Rural Life Museum
- Watchet Market House Museum
- West Somerset Railway
- Coleridge Way walk
- Watchet Carnival
- Dunster Show
- National Park Week
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