About Us
Somerset Towns Forum promotes and supports community-based action to revitalise market towns.
STF was formed in 2003 (as Somerset Market Towns Forum) and brings together representatives of market and coastal towns and larger villages across Somerset in a network, to share issues of common concern and help in the economic, social and environmental regeneration of local communities.
The Forum holds regular networking and information events and exchanges information and support to and between its members.
We also act as a voice for our members from across the County in discussions with other bodies and forums.
To find out more about our services, click here The Benefits of joining STF
We now have 17 Member Towns and large villages and are keen to welcome more communities to the Forum. Our Voting Members are Town Partnerships and regeneration groups, who have been through a Community Planning process, and who often have a mix of local councillors and activists who volunteer their time to improve their towns.
Town and Parish Councils who have been involved in a recognised community planning process are now also welcome to join as Voting Members.
Single-issue regeneration groups (such as Chambers of Commerce, environmental or heritage groups) are also welcome to join as standard members. Transition Glastonbury and the Street Chamber of Commerce have recently joined the Forum as standard members.
STF is hosted by the Voluntary Sector Training Alliance (ViSTA) and we are based in Langport.
The Forum currently has one staff member - the Coordinator - and a Steering Group.
Matt Day - Coordinator
Matt joined the Forum in March 07 as Information Officer and previously worked as a Regeneration Officer for South Somerset District Council. He became Coordinator in July 08, and coordinates the services and liaises with the Steering Group. He manages this website and the website of the South West Market & Coastal Towns Network (www.swmctn.com), produces the Email Bulletins, promotes the Forum and organises the Network Events, as well as looking for future funding and organising training for our members.
Steering Group
This comprises;
Jennifer Trotman (Chair) - Axbridge Town Council
Peter Berman (Vice-Chair) - Wiveliscombe Area Partnership
Roger Powell- Martock M3 Community Partnership
Loretta Whetlor - West Somerset Strategic Partnership
Charles Wood - Vision 4 Frome
Hattie Winter - Taunton Deane Borough Council (Borough/District Council liaison)
Paul Chadwick, Somerset County Council, was central to the development of the Forum, and we are grateful for all his work and support while on our Steering Group.
For more information about the Forum contact Matt Day at matt@somersettownsforum.org.uk or by phone on 01458 259077.