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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
A day in the life Midsomer Norton Town Warden H
ave you ever wondered how and why Midsomer Norton looks so great?
That's all thanks to Dave Paisley, our Town Warden, who works around the town maintaining and managing the council's land and property. Dave has a huge area to monitor and maintain to keep our town looking good. He unlocks and locks the gated areas daily, check the play areas and outdoor gym and clears any litter. Each week, he trims overhanging vegetation, waters and weeds plants, and checks to see if fences, gates and paths might need repairing. The river levels in the High Street need monitoring and Dave also checks the allotments, Nature Reserve, and Wellow Brook Walk. Other tasks that Dave undertakes include cleaning and checking the play equipment and outdoor gym at West Clewes, where he also makes health and safety checks. Dave is also responsible for checking the town's defibrillators and maintaining the town's tools and stock, this is then reported to the Town Clerk, who keeps a record of all the jobs that have been done. On top of this, council staff add to Dave's daily duties by requesting putting up and taking down
of posters and notices, taking meter readings or asking him to help with heavy lifting at the Town Hall! As well as the Town Council staff, Dave has a long list of people he communicates with. Highways matters are reported to B&NES Council, along with any issues with areas owned by B&NES such as the Hollies Garden. Dave might need to speak to the Environment Agency, Council Connect, the Community Trust, Market Stall holders, or the Writhlington Trust and local landowners. He monitors the work of contractors working on the river, cutting grass and undertaking horticultural work in the town or at the allotments. During the winter, Dave still has his outdoor jobs but will find time to do some jobs inside, painting rooms and carrying out maintenance in the Town
