A grant from South Somerset District Council has helped Curry Mallet commission new village signs to mark the community’s connection with the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta.
This year, Curry Mallet is starring alongside the likes of the cities of London and Leicester in a select group of 25 baronetcies celebrating and commemorating the role of their baron (William Mallet) in the signing of Magna Carta by King John in 1215. The grant funding and advice has been given as part of an SSDC initiative to support the local economy and to encourage visitors to enjoy the South Somerset area.
With a population of 306, Curry Mallet is one of the smallest communities involved in the celebrations and the furthest South West, but more than matches the larger communities for enthusiasm.
Village events this anniversary weekend (13th – 14th June) include “Strike a Blow for Democracy” forming part of the national peal of bells, choral performances and a pageant and re-enactment of the sealing of Magna Carta, a picnic, live music plus much more. For more details, visitwww.currymallet.org/magna-carta.
Councillor Shane Pledge, Chairman of South Somerset District Council’s Area North Committee said, “We are delighted that we could help the community to celebrate their local distinctiveness with these new gateway signs – particularly in this historic year. We wish the village all the best with their forthcoming anniversary celebrations”.
Councillor Sue Steele, Islemoor Ward Member at South Somerset District Council added, “I saw the signs for the first time this morning as I drove into Curry Mallet, they are very eye catching and I am sure they will put the village on the map.
“Curry Mallet school has been working very hard over several months with ambitious plans for celebrating the Magna Carta. I wish all concerned over the next few days a most successful and enjoyable time”.
The signs have been designed by Belinda Magee, a Somerset based designer who worked with the Curry Mallet community to create a theme that reflects the heritage of the village. Local people had been impressed by a commission that Belinda had worked on for neighbouring Langport in 2013 through a similar scheme.
Photo shows the signs in place at one of the entrances to the village of Curry Mallet.
The grant to Curry Mallet was awarded under a scheme to help businesses and organisations located in SSDC’s Area North
http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/communities/area-working/our-work-in-area-north/visitor-economy/