ILMINSTER NEWS: Temporary loos open on the Rec – but arson attack remains unsolved

TEMPORARY loos have opened on the Ilminster Recreation Ground to make-up for the loss of the toilet block which was badly damaged in an arson attack earlier this summer.

It was back in the early hours of Sunday, July 10, 2016, when the toilet block – based at the children’s play area – was put out of action because of a fire.

The incident came right at the start of the school summer holidays and families, as well as other Rec-users, asked the authorities if some sort of temporary measures could be installed to help those cut short and in need of spending a penny.

Ilminster Town Council has worked hard and been able to find the £3,500 needed for a portable toilet block to be placed at the Rec for a six-month period adjacent to The Shed in the middle of the Rec.

Ilminster Mayor, Cllr Val Keitch, said: “The town council realises that the toilets on the Rec are an important facility, especially for people visiting with young children, and we were determined that there would be temporary toilets installed as soon as possible particularly as it is school holiday time.

“Whilst the location of the temporary toilets is a little way from the children’s play area the facilities had to be placed where there was electricity, water and drainage.

“The temporary toilets include a wheelchair accessible toilet and baby changing unit – constructing the access ramp was a joint effort of councillors and the open spaces team so it is a big thank you to them and local tradesmen who helped get everything working very quickly.”

Cllrs Rob Drayton, Andrew Shearman and Roger Swann were all thanked last night (Tuesday, August 16, 2016) at Ilminster Town Council’s monthly meeting by the Mayor for their work on the access ramp.

PHOTO – TOP: The temporary toilet facilities on the Ilminster Recreation Ground.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Cllrs Andrew Shearman, Roger Swann and Rob Drayton construct the access ramp to the temporary loos.

The council also agreed last night that a handrail will be installed to help improve the safety to the access to the temporary toilets.

While the claim for repairing and rebuilding the toilet block has been accepted by the council’s insurance company, it appears that the provision of temporary toilets is not included in the cover as it is not a mandatory function of the council.

But councillors realised the need for the toilet provision and went ahead with the temporary facilities.

The police have indicated, however, that the person or people responsible for the fire back July 10, 2016, have still yet to be identified.

“We have been working with the Fire Service regarding the arson at the toilet block and despite appeals in the local media for any potential witnesses, nobody has come forward with any information,” said a police spokesman. “It looks like this will remain unsolved.”

PHOTO – ABOVE: The arson-hit toilet block.

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