Gary Amos attended the inaugural ‘Starlit Skies’ Alliance in Bath on behalf of WHRF. This was attended by many groups interested, (for a number of reasons), in reducing nightime light pollution. A naturalist advised that owls, (of which there are three species in Wookey Hole), affected by light pollution, are unable to hunt as they lose their night vision. Gary, like many astronomers would like streetlights and domestic security lights switched off for at least part of the night to make watching the night sky easier. If light pollution of any type is causing you a problem Gary suggests an informal approach first: many people simply do not realise the implication of bright lights at night, but if that fails you can approach Mendip District Council for help and advice. In the meantime, keep lighting to a minimum to help owls!

You may remember that last year North Ward, (i.e. Wookey Hole and Easton and surrounding hamlets) was asked for our views on ‘Planning’.

The intention was that the views of all the villages in St Cuthbert’s Out would be incorporated into a Neighbourhood Plan, which would give all residents more say in what was, and what was not, allowed to be built in the community.

A Neighbourhood Plan was written incorporating all these views and sent to Stuart Todd, a Planning Consultant employed by the SCOPC Neighbourhood Plan group. Stuart has now given his opinion on the content and suggested some alterations so that the final Plan is compliant with the underlying Neighbourhood Plan legislation.