Mayor's column: Celebrating the Taunton Flower Show and more

I was delighted to be invited to attend on Friday, August 7, as the guest of David Nicholson, president of the show.

Walking around the Floral Marquee, I admired the beautiful displays of plants and flowers, the result of many hours of preparation and hard work.

In the Competition Marquee, the displays of dahlias and chrysanthemums took me back to my childhood days, when my dad used to enter his blooms in competitions.

I loved the different classes of competition, from cakes and preserves through to photography, and in the groups and young people section, there were some really clever exhibits made by young people.

Who knew you could create animals from vegetables and fruit?

As I walked around the different areas, it was lovely to see so many people, some taking advantage of the shade under the trees to picnic and, like me, listen to the fantastic Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir.

As the Armed Forces champion for Taunton Town Council, I am keen during my mayoral year to visit some of the services that bring together veterans, serving personnel, family members and dependents.

A few weeks ago, I paid a visit to the Armed Forces Outreach Service: Taunton, which is held at Riverside Church, The Exchange, Hamilton Road, once a month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

I had a lovely chat with some amazing people and was accompanied by one of the mayor's cadets, Mollie, who also enjoyed meeting and chatting with the veterans.

The next session will take place on Monday, September 21.

I was also invited to a black-tie evening event hosted by the Royal Army Service Corps – Royal Corps of Transport.

Events such as these are another important way of maintaining links with our veterans, many of whom serve as standard-bearers at our Remembrance and flag-raising ceremonies.

Turning an unused and unloved space into a garden, a quiet place to pause and reflect before boarding a train, is exactly what happened at Taunton Station.

It was funded by several organisations, including GWR, CrossCountry, the National Garden Scheme and local suppliers, and an idea from Paul Burch, a member of staff at Taunton Station, became a reality after a great deal of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers.

I was invited to look around and officially open the 83B Garden, named after the former locomotive depot which once stood alongside the station.

As well as meeting all those involved, I also met Clive, a station volunteer who hand-built a model locomotive named King Charles III, now housed in a purpose-built glass cabinet inside the station ticket office.

Clive also unveiled the restored nameplate of the high-speed train Taunton Castle, now displayed for all to see in the main entrance, as they pass through the ticket barriers.

The Spinners and Weavers Workshop in Trull holds regular sessions every Thursday between 10am and 2pm for spinners and weavers of all abilities.

Recently, they held an open day and invited me along, where I met students and learned all about the different weaving techniques, loom sizes, patterns and the wonderful items that can be made, from handbags and rugs to an amazing tapestry of Somerset which took many hours, months and years to complete.

I also learned how to spin wool and had a go on the tabletop loom, moving pegs in sequence to create different patterns.

I had a great time, and if you are interested, they always welcome new students.

For more information, contact jmrsomerset@aol.com.

Along with the mayor's cadets, I attended a Summer Concert by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Children's Band at The Brewhouse.

Speaking to CEO Mark Bromley, he explained that the children, aged between eight and 13, had been rehearsing together for just one week at Taunton School to put on the concert.

They were outstanding.

Led by conductor Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, we were treated to performances that wonderfully highlighted the different instruments that make up a brass band.

It was incredible to think that all 56 children were so young.

Their professionalism and musical talent earned a standing ovation from everyone in the audience, and I very much hope they return soon.

Not having explored the works of Shakespeare for many years, it was a pleasure to watch a performance of Twelfth Night by the Taunton Thespians.

Staged at the Museum of Somerset, it provided the perfect setting for this less-frequently-performed work of the Bard.

Thank you to all those involved for a wonderful evening.

Finally, I must congratulate the Parks and Open Spaces Teams at Taunton Town Council and the various Friends Groups for retaining Green Flag status for Comeytrowe, French Weir and Victoria Park.

Congratulations also to Lyngford Park, which has achieved Green Flag status for the first time.

Well done, everyone!

I will be writing more about my other August engagements in my September column.