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​Sunday Motoring Section

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The first roadworks of the New Year started again last week. The A396 is closed overnight around Cove for two weeks, and a section of the Brushford-Exbridge Road is closed for 24 hours a day until March. 

 

These are the proposed early 2026 local closures and other significant roadworks affecting main routes to Minehead, Tiverton, Taunton and South Molton:

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• Jan 5th-Mar 6th, B3222 Brushford to Exbridge, 24 hours a day, drainage works

• Jan 5th-17th, A396 south of Exeter Inn, Overnight 7pm-6am, Planning, resurfacing, road marking

• Jan 9th-21st, East St North Molton, 9:00am-3:30pm, bridge fence repairs - Motoring Department advises that this work appears to have overrun as the road was still closed on the 22nd

• Jan 12th-16th, Stagshead Lane 7am-7pm, pre-surface dressing

• Jan 20th, A396 south of Wheddon Cross, 9:30-3:30, Openreach

• Feb 9th for upto 3 weeks, Cutcombe Hill, closures overnight, traffic lights at other times, structural earthworks

• Feb 16th-20th, Lady Street, Dulverton, National Grid

• March 2nd-13th, Withypool Cross to New Bridge drainage works

• March 17th , A396 Timberscombe overnight 6:30pm-6:00am, Wessex Water

• March 18th-21st, A396 south of Dulverton turn, overnight, 7:00pm-5:00am, surface dressing

• March 19th-26th B3224 various spots between Summerway and Beluah Chapel,  overnight 7:00pm-5:00am, surface dressing

• March 23rd-24th, Dunkery Rd & Exford Rd, Wheddon Cross, 9:30am-3:30pm, Openreach

• March 31st-April 2nd (One day), Quarme Lane, 7am-7pm, surface dressing

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*** The temporary (until April) traffic lights (for works to replace the original lights) where Dunster meets the A39, seem to be causing long delays especially during rush hour. Would advise seeking an alternative route or at least avoid rush hour if you can.

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Avon & Somerset police publish a weekly list of where their traffic enforcement cameras will be.  It can be viewed here

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The 100 Club Winners for January 2026 have been drawn. See them here

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The village chess competition is well underway after the Christmas break. After a lengthy close fought battle on Tuesday between Steve Hunt and Nigel Jones, Nigel emerged triumphant. The game was described by one of the competitors as a two and a half hour marathon ebbing and flowing back and forward, with many opportunities missed.

On Thursday, Ian Brooks & Paul Morris took just over an hour playing out a fairly even game with many pieces taken early on, and Ian Brooks making a number of attacking moves leading to his eventual success.

The points and positions after the first two games are:

Ian 3, Nigel 3, Paul 3, Steve 2

With a 3 way tie for the lead, the February results will be all important.  

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Snowdrop Valley opens today, Saturday, through to February 22nd. Found on Exmoor near Wheddon Cross, details can be found here

Just type in 'Snowdrop Valley 2026' in the search bar.​

Or you can find more detailed information on the link below:

https://www.wheddoncross.org.uk/snowdrop-valley

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The agenda for the Parish Council Meeting scheduled for Monday 26th January at 7.00pm, has been published. Items on the agenda include, in addition to the usual, co-opt new Councillor, update re: Yellowcombe Leat, discuss the car park reconstruction, and agree the precept request for 2026-2027. No mention of budget setting on the agenda as the last meeting had indicated.

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The Royal Oak, Winsford, will be closed from Sunday 1st February until Tuesday 17th February, for their annual winter break.

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Advance notice and some dates for your diary from Sue Hayes as follows:

Saturday 7th February, 7.30pm - Valentine's Bingo, Village Hall

Monday 9th February, 2pm - Craft Club, Village Hall

Thursday 12th February, 2.30pm - Winn Club, Village Hall

Friday 6th March, 12 noon - Lent Lunch, Village Hall

Saturday 7th March, 10.30am - Table Top Sale, Village Hall

Monday 9th March, 2pm - Craft Club, Village Hall

Thursday 12th March, 2.30pm - Winn Club, Village Hall

Saturday 28th March, 7.30pm - Easter Family Bingo, Village Hall

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More information later

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All the photos and even a karaoke video of the New Year's Reggae Reggae Caribbean Party can be found on the new, sparsely populated Village Events 2026 page - if you are brave enough

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As 2025 disappears out of view, why not take 5 minutes to reflect on its past glories by reading the Village Events 2025 page

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​​​- This Week's Diary​ -​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Sat 24th​​

• Snowdrop Valley opens today - until February 22nd

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Sun 25th​​​

• Put bins out for tomorrow's collection (where applicable)

• Burns Night - Slàinte Mhath!​

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Mon 26th​​

• 9:00am Circuit Training, Village Hall

• 7:00pm Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall

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Tues 27th​​​​​​​​​

• 2.30pm Bowls, Village Hall​​

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Wed 28th​​​​​​​​

• 10:30am Coffee Morning, Village Hall 

• 2:00pm Pickleball, Village Hall

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Thurs 29th​​​​​

• 9:00am Core Strength exercises, Village Hall

• 6:00pm Table Tennis , Village Hall​​​​

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Fri 30th

• Peace and quiet perhaps​​

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The contractors for February 9th's 3 week planned closure of Cutcombe Hill  have had a rethink and any closures will now be from 7pm to 7am overnight alongside traffic light control during the day, in order to minimise disruption for traffic and local events such as Snowdrop Valley (Jan 24th-Feb 22nd)

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The work will install king pin concrete anchors with a supporting concrete beam to ensure the long‑term stability of the road. ​​

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Somerset council have now said they will once more collect whole Christmas trees under 2m tall with garden waste collections.  Garden waste collections throughout the county have re-started. Check your allocated day on their website

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For those without a green bin, or who are still feeling the Christmas spirit, charities such as the immensely worthy Children's Hospice South West, will pick up your tree in return for a donation.  In most cases, trees to be collected needed to have been registered before Monday 5th here

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Recycling centres are open as normal

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From Somerset Council:

You can dispose of  a real Christmas tree by recycling it in the garden waste skips at any recycling centres.

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If you have a lot of wrapping paper, you can take it to a recycling centre where there will be a drop-off point for recyclable wrapping paper. Do not put it in the skips for card. You should put paper which cannot be recycled in general rubbish.​

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Photos of events that have appeared on this page, and many more, can be found on the latest  Village Events page

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