ISLE ABBOTTS RESIDENTS INFORMATION SHEET

This leaflet is published by the Isle Abbotts Parish Council and provides useful contacts and information for residents of the Parish. It is intended primarily for new residents, though we hope it will also be helpful to others.

For the latest information on events and services, plus some historical detail, please visit the village website: www.isle-abbotts-pc.gov.uk.

There is also a village email distribution list operated by the webmaster to provide information about website changes and any other information relating to life in the village. The service is open to anybody living in an Isle Abbotts postcode. Email the webmaster webmaster@isle-abbotts-pc.gov.uk with your name, address, and postcode.

In addition, there are WhatsApp groups for flooding updates and for general chat and information. These are community-run groups. Tim Westworth and Lorraine Vaun-Davis are the contact points if you would like to be added.

Somerset Council produces a contact list of council services each year. Further information is available at www.somerset.gov.uk.

PARISH COUNCIL

The elected Parish Councillors all live in Isle Abbotts. They are available to try to help with matters of local concern and have established key contacts to deal with issues such as planning, road defects and aircraft noise. Members of the public are welcome to attend Parish Council meetings.

Meeting agendas are displayed a few days in advance on: - The Parish Council notice board in the bus shelter at Cox’s Pit - The Village Hall notice board - The village website

Chairman: Elizabeth Lockley

Vice-Chairman: Alistair Richards

Councillors: Tim Westworth, Lorraine Vaun-Davis, Andy Hillman

Parish Clerk and Finance Officer: Kim Larsson - Email clerk@isle-abbotts-pc.gov.uk

County Councillors:

Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat)

Jo Roundell Greene (Liberal Democrat)

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION AREA

Most of the village lies within a designated Conservation Area. This designation seeks to preserve the special character of the village and brings additional planning controls, including restrictions on tree felling and the installation of satellite dishes.

An explanatory leaflet on planning within conservation areas is available from the Somerset Council website. It can be considerably less stressful and less expensive to check the regulations before carrying out any work.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

A Neighbourhood Watch scheme operates within the village. If you see anything suspicious, please contact the webmaster at webmaster@isle-abbotts-pc.gov.uk. The webmaster is the designated co-ordinator and maintains contact with our Police Liaison Officer.

If you notice a vehicle or its occupants behaving suspiciously, please note the vehicle make, registration number, and the time and date, and pass these details on. While Isle Abbotts is a quiet village, recording unusual activity may help establish patterns and prevent crime.

Residents are advised not to leave houses, sheds or outbuildings unlocked at any time.

LIBRARY SERVICES

The Mobile Library visits Isle Abbotts every four weeks, stopping at the Village Hall from 12.15 pm to 12.50 pm.

The visit schedule is published on the village website. Further information is also available by calling 0300 123 2224 or visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries.

POSTAL SERVICES

Postal collections from the post box in Church Street take place at: 9.00 am Mondays to Fridays and 7.00 am Saturdays.

In practice the postman delivering your mail (normally around lunchtime) empties the post box on his round. You can also hand letters for posting to the postman when he delivers your mail.

FLOODING INFORMATION

Due to Isle Abbotts low-lying position, approach roads are occasionally subject to short-term flooding.

Residents are strongly advised not to attempt to travel via Two Bridges when the road is flooded, as water levels can become dangerously deep. The route least likely to be affected is usually to the south-west via Merryfield and Ilton.

Further advice on flood diversion routes is available from any Parish Councillor.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

The church holds regular services. Full details of each month’s services are shown: - On the noticeboard outside the church - On the village website (under the News section) - In the Parish Magazine

If you would like the Parish Magazine delivered each month, please contact the Churchwarden, Anthony Habberfield.

After being silent for over 100 years, the church bells were restored in 1999. There is now a thriving bell-ringing team that practises weekly. New ringers are very welcome and no prior experience is required.

For further information and current practice times, please contact the Tower Captain: Lesley Sutcliffe – Tel: 01460 281440

EDUCATION

The designated primary school for Isle Abbotts is Hambridge Primary School (Tel: 01460 281370). However, many village children currently attend Curry Mallet Primary School (Tel: 01823 480421).

VILLAGE CHOIR

The village choir meets in the village hall on Wednesdays at 2.45pm. The choir leader is Anthony Reynolds.

VILLAGE HALL

Details of events held at the Village Hall are displayed on the notice board outside and on the village website.

The hall, tables and chairs are available for hire for private functions. For bookings and enquiries, please contact Claire Smith on 07774 576009.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

A limited bus service operates from the village. This is a Ring and Ride service and currently provides: - A Saturday service to Taunton (departure at approximately 9.45 am) - A Tuesday service to Langport

The service is operated by Isle Valley Transport, based in Isle Brewers. For further information, please call 01460 281213.

ROAD SAFETY AND CONSIDERATE DRIVING

Please keep your speed down when driving through Isle Abbotts. Children and pets may be present on the roads.

When surface water is lying on the roads, please drive slowly, particularly when passing the bus shelter, where children may be waiting for school transport.

Large agricultural vehicles also use village roads, so please always park considerately.

AIRCRAFT NOISE

Helicopter activity is a feature of life in the area. In cases of excessive noise or low flying, residents may contact the Officer in Charge at Merryfield on 01460 52018, preferably at the time of the incident.

DOG OWNERS

Dog owners are asked to be considerate of other residents and to clean up after their dogs. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

• Rubbish is collected every three weeks on a Tuesday

• Recycling is collected weekly on a Tuesday

Following a bank holiday, collections take place one day later.

Bins should be placed outside the front entrance no later than 7.00 am on collection days and no earlier than 5.00 pmon the previous evening.

Leaflets with current collection details are available by calling 01823 625700 or visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/.

Information believed to be correct as of 5th January 2026.

Please contact the Isle Abbotts webmaster webmaster@isle-abbotts-pc.gov.uk with any additions or corrections for future editions.