Since then, having visited local stakeholders, the Society has concluded that whilst there are many bodies with some level of responsibility for the river, no single entity has been able to provide leadership and focus.

We have therefore created the River Somer Management Team – made up of representatives from all the main stakeholders: town traders (Ken Thompson, Kate Maher and Adie Parks), Redfield Residents Association (Roy Harvey) and Midsomer Norton Society (Paul Myers), B&NES (Dave Dixon), Town Council (Cllr David Smith), B&NES Cabinet (Cllr Chris Watt), Simon Memory (B&NES services), Chamber of Commerce (David Evans) and Ray Fear (town resident).

Since our creation we have met regularly and have worked on the following projects – some long term, others short term.

Working with the B&NES river cleaning regime
Hands on removing long term rubbish from the river bed
Working with fast food outlets
Longvernal School education workshop and poster campaign
Silt strategy – harnessing Mother Nature with planting to create meanders
River Somer Long Term Strategy– linking the Somer Valley