Langport on the Somerset Levels, England
The images shown on this page will hopefully give an indication of the beautiful scenery which surrounds the historic market town of Langport, at the very heart of the Somerset Levels, which offers quality niche shops as well as readily accessible walks and cycle tracks.
This picture was taken at just before 9.00am in late September 2005 : the view is looking down Cocklemoor along the new cycle track which runs alongside the River Parrett . The location is adjacent to town's main car parks.
Taken the same morning from Great Bow Bridge, looking downstream towards Northstreet Moor, on the right, and Combe on the raised ground. The Levels are low lying and there are few hills in the area.
Late afternoon after closing the shop I wandered downstream along the riverbank (River Parret Trail) and
less than a mile from the centre of Langport took this picture - yes, The Levels are aptly named !
This photograph was taken a few minutes later, looking across towards Wearne : there had been a few spots of rain, but quite probably it was heavier in High Ham with the last seconds of the rainbow still visible
The above photograph was taken on the morning of 7th November 2005, following a week of heavy rainfall. The image is from Cocklemoor, looking slightly to the south east of the first picture on this page.
Again taken on the morning of the 7th November 2005, upstream on Langport town edge. The River Parrett flows left to right, the banks are the two lines through the middle of the image.
The above photo was taken just upstream from Great Bow Bridge looking across from Cocklemoor to the Westover Business Park on the morning of November 7th 2005 : I would estimate that the River Parrett would be ar least 7 feet higher than normal.
Two weeks later, at 8.20am on the morning of Monday November 21st, following yet another heavy hoar
frost the River Parrett is back to normal levels and a magical aura pervades. It is now 2006, and The River Festival is returning to Cocklemoor, Langport on Sunday 21st May
Alas the weather forecast for the day is heavy squally showers ; however, we Brits are accustomed to
holding outdoor events in adverse weather ! The above pictures were taken at approx 8.15am on the day
before when many of the boats had arrived on the River Parrett. Fast forward to the morning of Wednesday June 14th 2006 ; BBC breakfast TV comes to Langport for the second time in two months (the previous report concerned the Polish workers who have moved, and been welcomed in Somerset - especially Langport). The current slot was about the eco-homes built on the old Silkolene wharf and warehouse at Great Bow Yard : houses built to latest environmental objectives.
Oh great joy. the long awaited Cocklemoor pedestrian and cycle Bridge at last arrived in the second week of September 2006 - see image below
On Monday October 2nd 2006 a very large mobile crane lifted Langport's Cocklemoor Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge into position : an official opening date has not yet been announced.
In late December 2006 there were several days of very heavy rainfall - not to forget the gale force winds! The image beneath, taken at approx 9.00am on Monday January 1st 2007 illustrates the resulting floods.
Fast forward to October 15th 2007 and at last the new owners are permitted to erect scaffolding to complete their full renovation of "105" Cheapside. For nearly three years these premises have been unoccupied and will shortly become another niche destination within Langport : all will be revealed in the near future - but no, its not going to be a Polish delicatessen or any other of the outrageous ideas which the local gossipers wanted to foist upon the town. 105 has for some time been the only vacant shop premises on Cheapside Langport : the new owners have made some fantastic internal alterations and extensions.
Low and behold all is now revealed !
Clive Keeble Posted and updated Monday May 5th 2008 at 1820 GMT |
