In his latest column for Nub News the Mayor writes:

Last week I was welcoming new faces to the Radstock commercial scene.

This week, recent news has prompted me to say, in the first case, 'au revoir' and in the second, 'farewell.'

The fortunes of the Radstock Co-operative Society have been well publicised and the esteem in which it has been held in the town for over 150 years is richly deserved. Historically the business looked after the miners' material needs and supported them when the chips were down, for example, during the 1926 General Strike and the economic depression that followed.

The disappearance of the iconic store which has dominated Radstock will happen before long and our town will look very different as the new store rises phoenix like from its ashes. Meanwhile the temporary shop is already bustling and will bring much needed footfall to the Frome Road area.

Another giant to whom we say 'farewell' is the Benedictine community of Downside in neighbouring Stratton-on-the-Fosse. The monks have been resident there since 1814 and in that time built up a fine school (which remains), published a scholarly periodical, the Downside Review and produced many fine priests who were pivotal members not only of the local establishment, but of national and international repute.

Many of us will remember their presence in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. Personally I owe a great deal to them, not least, my education and encouragement of my interests.

I wish both organisations every success for the future.

Rupert Bevan