Working for the People and Parish of East Coker
We now have a complete set of flashing lights to reduce the speed limit around the school at busy times. Please note that the lower speed remains until you pass another wig-wag as you leave the area and crucially that 20mph may still be too fast in places.
East Coker Parish Council invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors for the redevelopment of the Pavilion using aJCT24 design and build contract.
Please contact, Jude Heggarty Clerk to
the Parish of East Coker at clerk@eastcokerparish.com or 07596877821 for further details and a schedule of works and to provide details of suitability to tender.
The closing tender date will be 9th May 2025 with
the works started in July 2025.
The recreational ground is a great space for the village to have. It is an area for our children to play and support our local and surrounding football teams and is used by walkers and dog walkers. We ask, therefore, that everyone please respect the space.
Please can you make sure that you always pick up after your dog, and if children are playing or any football is taking place, that dogs are kept on leads.
It is a common courtsey to pick up after your dog, sadly if owners can’t respect this simple rule then dogs may be banned altogether from this area which I am sure, you would agree, would be a shame.
Thank you.
We are very pleased to announce that a new defibrillator has arrived in the village. A very big thank you to Patrick and Claire at the Helyar Arms for agreeing to house and heat it. It is located on the outside wall of the skittle alley.
It has been very kindly donated by members of our Parish Council and the parish to ensure the safety and recovery of anyone in need locally.
If you need to access a defibrillator, call 999, and you will be guided to the nearest appliance and instructed on how to use it.
We hope that classes on how to use the defibrillator in an emergency will resume again this year. Watch this page for further news on these.
This means we now have two defibrillators in the Parish which is amazing. The second is located at the Village Cafe.
Stay safe, everyone.
Once again the village came together to celebrate the festive period with their second live nativity play, complete with a star-studded cast (of villagers) and even more famous animals who most certainly stole the show.
Among the many four-legged stars was Hairy McClary, a goat with showbiz credentials that would make any Hollywood agent proud. Following this performance, the animals were off to Clarkson’s Farm to appear in their live nativity.”
The mission behind this wonderful performance and festive fun, with even Santa making an appearance, was to raise vital funds for the East Coker Pavilion Modernisation fund.
The Pavilion, which serves as a community hub, is in desperate need of modernisation to better support local activities and events, including for example, the village’s cherished East Coker Cockerels football team.
The Parish Council is desperately trying to raise the necessary funds to be able to modernise the pavilion to make it fit for purpose.
Whilst the cause is serious, the Nativity production was light-hearted and filled with Christmas cheer. It was so lovely to see so many parishioners and their families there to watch the cast in all their splendour.
The Parish Council will continue with its fundraising as the more they raise, the better the facilities that the Pavillon offers will be.
To keep the momentum going, the Parish Council is also calling on local businesses to pitch in. “We will also be asking for sponsorship from local companies too, so hopefully we will be able to provide a much-needed facility, but also a pleasant, functioning space for all,” said Sandi Wintersgill.
For those who missed the festivities but still want to support the cause, there is still a way to contribute. “Financial contributions can be made to the Parish Council’s fundraising account via our parish clerk, Jude Heggarty.”
As you will have seen, a vehicle unfortunately collided with the railings and the bridge last week at the Sawmills. Somerset Council and Highways have been notified and will be out in due course to make the necessary repairs. We will endeavour to let you know in advance when the works will be carried out.
What can often appear a simple job sometimes takes much longer and is more work than it looks. We are delighted with the results. Obviously, everything will mellow in time, but from now on, your feet will stay dry! Please remember that your council needs your assistance, so if you see something that needs sorting, please contact us directly.
We were formed in 1986 by villagers who made voluntary donations in order to buy the field known as ‘Pin Cushion Corner’ opposite Goose Slade Farm. These volunteers became group members and some, committee members.
At the time of purchase, we procured the field to avoid this green field site being developed.
In Jan 2023, we decided to plant this field with trees into a small woodland with 750 trees and shrubs, with the help of the Woodland Trust, the East Coker Parish Council and parishioners. This was in support of the Queens Jubilee Green Canopy Scheme – A living legacy of over three million trees planted across the United Kingdom in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The committee of this team is:
By your request to join the Action Group, it is clear that you appreciate the need to protect our environment and offset our carbon footprints. We feel that by planting this wood, we are helping to play a part in the progress of change.
Membership of the group will enable us to share with you the progress of our wood, and occasionally call upon you if we need help with planting, or maintenance if you can. Although most of this can be covered by the current members, as we move forward, we also need to secure future management for many years to come.
Our joining fee is only a one-off payment of £5! However, if you are able – we would greatly appreciate any contribution you would like to make to help to sustain our wood into the future. This can be a one-off donation, or a yearly donation made via a standing order to your bank, or set up on your banking app.
Here are the bank account details for your donation:
Bank: Lloyds business account
Name: East Coker Action Goup
Account: 07383646
Sort Code: 309998
So that you can be added to our contact list and updated with any new information we may have on the wood, please let Sandi know your contact details, address and any donations you will be making now or in the future.
Many thanks The East Coker Action Group
