An important step forward has been made in the delivery of a major government funding initiative for a Bridgwater community.
Pride in Place is a 10-year programme aimed at making a difference to people’s lives in Bridgwater South and a board made up of local people will be at the forefront of making decisions on how the funding is spent. A Chair of the Pride in Place board has now been confirmed following a selection process.
Bridgwater Town Council, Somerset Council, and the local MP will work alongside the board and new Chair, Sam Smith.
The Bridgwater South area is made up of the communities which surround the Meads which includes the Hamp neighbourhood and parts of Westover and is one of 169 areas in England to be selected. It will receive up to £20 million over the next decade to support projects that matter to the community.
Mr Smith was born and brought up on the Hamp Estate and his family has been deeply involved in the community for generations.
He was instrumental in relaunching Rhode Lane Wanderers Junior FC in 2024, after it had folded a few years before. The club, which Mr Smith played for as an 11-year-old plays a key role in the community, giving young people a vital outlet to channel their energy in a positive way.
He said:
“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have been appointed as Chair of Pride in Place Bridgwater.
“Bridgwater South is somewhere that means a huge amount to me personally. I grew up in the area, went to school here, and my family has been part of the community for generations.
“Through volunteering and grassroots sport with Rhode Lane Wanderers, I’ve seen first-hand both the challenges the area faces and the incredible potential and community spirit that exists within it.
“I truly believe Pride in Place is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a lasting difference for local people, and I’m excited to get started working alongside residents, community groups, partners, and local organisations to help deliver real, positive change.
“Most importantly, I want local people to feel heard, valued, and proud of where they come from. For all of my life, I’ve seen so much good in this community, and I can’t wait to help build on that for the future.”
The long-term investment afforded by Pride in Place, a national initiative, is a vital opportunity for communities to address their local priorities and make lasting, positive change for residents through funding activities, initiatives or infrastructure that can improve their lives.
Local councillors welcome the appointment, Somerset Councillors for Bridgwater South, which includes the Town Council wards of Hamp and Westover, Brian Smedley and Kathy Pearce , Leader and Deputy Leader of Labour-controlled Bridgwater Town Council, welcomed the announcement.
Cllr Brian Smedley said,
“We welcome this funding from the Labour government targeting an area of great need, we are confident that the community will organise itself to come up with the projects they need this money to fund and we are delighted that Sam Smith has been appointed to front this great opportunity.
“This must not be lost within a large county structure. It is vital that local people, councillors and community organisations are placed at the heart of this initiative from the outset. Our immediate priority is to establish a board that genuinely reflects the community.”
Cllr Irena Hubble, Bridgwater Town Council spokesperson for Culture and a resident of the area said,
“Pride in Place is a fantastic initiative and a real opportunity for the Hamp area and the wider town. A chance for local residents to really have their say on how they want the future to look.”
Cllr Leigh Redman, Town Councillor for Hamp added,
“This is a really welcome step forward for the Pride in Place area. As one of the Bridgwater town councillors who also lives in the area and a member of Hamp Community Association, I’m pleased to see Pride in Place moving into its next phase. Having a local Chair with deep roots in Hamp and the surrounding neighbourhoods is exactly what this programme needs.
“Sam understands our strengths, our challenges, and the potential that exists across our estates. I look forward to working with him and the new board to make sure this long‑term investment delivers real improvements for residents, from stronger community spaces to better opportunities for our young people. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to shape the future of our area.”
Cllr Tim Mander, Westover councillor and Chair of Bridgwater Town Council’s Amenities Committee said,
“I welcome both the appointment of such a strong community leader as Sam Smith as Chair but also the fact the Labour Government are investing such a large sum of money in the Bridgwater South Community. It is important that this Pride in Place project is led by the community for the community and this is an excellent start”.
The area was selected by Government because it scores highly on the national index of deprivation in terms of amenities and quality of life.
The next steps will be to form a board made up from local people. The aim is to have this in place by the summer.
If you are interested in taking up a role on the board you can find out more here www.somerset.gov.uk/pride-in-place.
The key objectives of Pride in Place are to:
- Build stronger communities – bring people together to create strong, resilient communities, and help people to feel proud of their area and safe in their neighbourhood
- Create thriving places – build vibrant neighbourhoods with busy high streets, a good range of local amenities and high-quality physical infrastructure
- Empower people to take back control – create opportunities to enable people to have a say over the future of their community and feel in control of their lives