Youth Parliament debates school measures to help save the environment

PUPILS from schools across West Somerset have formed their own Youth Parliament to encourage the district council to be more involved in the activities of local youngsters.
The ‘Parliament’ met in the council chamber at the authority’s new offices in Williton and issues surrounding the environment proved to the main topics up for discussion.
The youngsters were welcomed by council chairman Councillor Eddie May before other councillors gave them a tour of the new offices to show them the building’s carbon-reducing and environmentally-friendly features.
The students made presentations to their fellow pupils and to councillors to explain what they were doing in their schools to help the environment, as well as their future plans.
Projects already running included the West Somerset Community College, Minehead, funding schoolchildren in Uganda to fence off an area of their school to grow tea.
The tea is then sent to DJ Miles and Co, in Minehead, which packages it for the college students to sell as Free Trade tea at the college.
Funds raised are returned to Uganda to enable the African students to build new facilities at their school.
Minehead Middle School had been clearing soft wood trees to improve a local habitat for wildlife, while Knights Templar School, in Watchet, had its own vegetable patch.
Danesfield School, Williton, had paper recycling bins, composting facilities, low energy light bulb,s and a school woodland, while Dunster First School recycled its paper and had made a number of bird feeders, helping it to receive an EcoSchool Bronze Award in 2008.
For the future, community college students were to investigate how they could recycle plastic bottles, while St Peter’s First School, Williton, was going to carry out a lunch box survey to find out how healthy the contents were, and then produce a leaflet to provide recycling and food ideas for lunch boxes.
Minehead Middle School was looking at improving its composting site, planting trees in the school grounds, and keeping chickens to help students to learn how to look after animals.
Knights Templar wanted to use rainwater to flush toilets, put up signs to ask students to turn off taps, and to increase the amount it recycled.
Dulverton Middle School was going to refurbish its pond and make it deeper to take fish, while Danesfield School wanted to achieve its EcoSchool Bronze Award, and Old Cleeve School was interested in holding a Fair Trade tasting event and encouraging pupils to use Fair Trade products.
Minehead First School was also organising a healthy eating day on April 1, with smoothies, dips, and soups, and promoting waste-free lunch boxes, while Dunster First School was delivering a campaign to encourage students to walk to school and their parents to car share on the school run.
Ecoschool status was high on the schools’ agenda.
Porlock First School already had its silver award, and other schools were working toward their silver and bronze awards.
They unanimously agreed that every school in West Somerset should aim to achieve a minimum of bronze award before the next ‘Parliament’ session.
Councillor May said: “The pupils were a real inspiration.
“The environmental future of the planet is in their hands and they are taking the matter seriously.
“They are very well-informed, and I think it is fair to say that we learned a lot from them on the day.
“Their knowledge and enthusiasm is very impressive, and they are a real credit to their schools.”

• Our photograph shows Councillor Eddie May with some of the youngsters who attended the Youth Parliament. Photo submitted.

Fire crews discover gas cylinder in blazing garden shed

THE potential danger of an exploding gas cylinder was faced by fire and rescue crews who attended a blaze in a garden shed in Watchet this evening.
The seemingly minor incident is Brendon Road turned into a more major alert when a Calor gas cylinder was discovered inside the shed.
Fire crews attended the incident from Williton, Minehead, and Taunton just before 5 pm.
After putting out the blaze, they remained on scene for some time, using two ground monitors.

Slaughter heartbreak as badgers blamed for spreading TB to pet calf Bee

SCHOOLGIRL Katherine Bigwood has been left distraught after being told a prize-winning calf she kept as a pet has to be destroyed because it has TB.
Katherine, aged 15, of Williton, was given the animal by her beef farmer father, Graham Bigwood.
Mr Bigwood, who rents a smallholding in Sampford Brett, has already lost eight of his 14 cattle to the disease.
Now, the seven-month-old calf, a Hereford-cross-Charolais named Bee, has to be sent to an abattoir for slaughter on Monday.
Katherine (pictured) was attending West Somerset Community College, in Minehead, when Mr Bigwood called to break the news that officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had confirmed Bee was infected with TB.
It was thought the disease was passed on by wildlife, most likely by badgers, which are known to carry it.
Now, Katherine is asking why the Government has refused to order a cull of diseased badgers.
She said: “I do not see what is going to be gained by shooting her when the problem is going to carry on because nobody is doing anything about the badgers.
“It is unfair my cow has to be shot while wild animals which have the disease and are spreading it are left alone.
“I do not know how I am going to feel when she has to go. I cried my eyes out. I keep telling myself that she has to be shot or otherwise she will suffer a slow and painful death, but it does not make it any easier.
“The real point is that cows are going to have to carry on being killed as long as the animals that spread the disease are going to be allowed to live.”
Katherine said she had been planning to enter more shows with Bee after the calf and her mother Honey won the ‘cow and calf’ class at last year’s Dunster Show.
She said: “I was planning to do a lot more showing with her this year because she is such a lovely animal. I was really looking forward to it.”
Mr Bigwood, who is also chairman of Williton Twinning Association, said: “Farming is a way of life. I have to help my animals and they are my way of life.”
National Farmers’ Union press officer Ian Johnson said: “Katherine’s case and many other similar ones, not to mention businesses that have gone to the wall, are all down to Government inertia.
“They are trying to be all things to all people and achieving nothing.
“Nobody complains about other characters from The Wind in the Willows being controlled, such as moles, and deer are routinely managed by being culled.
“The Government just cannot sit on its hands and do nothing.”
A Defra spokesman said bovine TB was recognised as a serious problem, but, having considered all the evidence, it was concluded culling could make the disease worse if it was not sustained over time or delivered effectively.
The spokesman said public opposition and the reluctance of some landowners to co-operate would also make a cull difficult.

Family 'wait and see' after car shop man is seriously injured

AN elderly man who was seriously injured yesterday when he was hit by a car in Williton has been named as John Slade (pictured), the proprietor of car spares and accessories shop Motorline.
Mr Slade, aged 63, who lives with his wife Sandra in Watchet, appears to have been run over by a woman customer’s car outside his Robert Street shop.
He suffered ‘significant head injuries’and leg injuries and was flown by air ambulance to the intensive care unit of Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Today, his condition was said to be “comfortable” and he was now being cared for on a general ward of the hospital.
Son-in-law Darren Elliot said Mr Slade’s condition had stablilised but he was still extremely poorly.
Mr Elliot said: “We just have to wait and see.”
Police have appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward to help their inquiries.
They believe Mr Slade was standing behind the customer’s car when it suddenly reversed into him and dragged him some distance along the road.
Mr Slade is the main sponsor of Watchet Cricket Club and also runs Great Western Cars, a luxury chauffeur service with a 1930s-style Asquith limousine.
Anybody with any information about the accident should call the police on 0845 4567000.

Car repair man critically injured as second vehicle hits him

A WILLITON man was airlifted to hospital this afternoon after suffering serious head injuries when he was hit by a car.
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (pictured) was called when the accident happened in Robert Street, Williton, shortly before 12.45 pm.
The man, who lives locally and is aged his 60s, was working on a parked car when he was struck by a second car.
The air ambulance took him to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where his condition was said to be ‘critical’.
Police closed Robert Street for several hours while an investigation to establish the cause of the collision was started.
They appealed for any witnesses to come forward to help the inquiry.
Anybody with information about the incident should contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary by calling 0845 456 7000.

Crash closes A358 as two are cut free from wreckage

THE A358 between Williton and Taunton was closed for a number of hours last night after two vehicles were in collision near Bicknoller.
Two men - one in each vehicle – were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut free by fire and rescue crews using hydraulic cutting equipment.
They were handed over to waiting ambulance crews who took them to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Both men’s injuries were said not to be life threatening.
Fire and rescue crews attended the scene from Williton and Nether Stowey, together with a rescue tender from Taunton, and a command support unit from Wiveliscombe.
The accident happened between Newton Lane and Slough Lane just before 9 pm and blocked the A358 in both directions, causing long traffic queues as police redirected vehicles along country lanes.

Woman airlifted to hospital after lorry crash closes A39

A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital this morning after being injured in a two-vehicle crash which closed the A39 near Williton.
A lorry and a car were in collision on a stretch of the road near West Quantoxhead shortly before 10 am.
The woman driver of the car was trapped in her vehicle with her two dogs, and the HGV driver was also trapped in his lorry.
Fire and rescue crews attended from Williton, Minehead, and Glastonbury, as well as a rescue tender from Glastonbury and a control unit from Wiveliscombe.
The rescue crews cut off the roof of the car to release the woman and her dogs.
She had suffered chest, head, and leg injuries and was flown to hospital in Weston-super-Mare for treatment.
The lorry driver was freed when the firefighters used a 135 ladder to reach his cab, and he was then taken by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.
The situation was brought under control in little more than an hour, and the road was completely cleared and the fire and rescue crews stood down by 1.22 pm.

Smoke detector fitted after New Year's Day kitchen blaze

FIREFIGHTERS from Williton tackled a kitchen blaze last night in May Terrace, Washford.
Two fire engines attended the incident, which happened shortly after 7 pm and found smoke billowing from the rear of the house.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault within a washer-dryer and was it was put out by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using a hose reel jet.
The washer-dryer was destroyed by heat and fire, and the kitchen was badly damaged by smoke.
The fire and rescue crews found smoke detectors were not fitted in the property so they ensured that one was fitted while they were at the scene.

Oven blaze leads to safety advice from firefighters

TWO fire engines from Williton were mobilised this afternoon to reports of an oven fire in a property on Greenway, Watchet.
However, on arrival just before 3.30 pm the crews found the blaze was already out.
Fire alarms were not fitted at the property and the fire and rescue crews gave some safety advice and ventilated the property.

Firefighters investigate Christmas Day blaze on Exmoor

FIVE fire engines from four towns were called to a Christmas Day house fire on Exmoor.
Crews attended the incident from Dulverton, Wiveliscombe, Williton, and Bampton.
The blaze in Brompton Regis was spotted by neighbours after smoke detectors in the The Old Waggon Works activated just before 3.20 pm this afternoon.
Owners Peter Page, who is a parish councillor, and his wife Babs, were understood to be away at the time for a family Christmas celebration.
One bedroom was almost entirely destroyed in the fire, which also spread to the loft of the house and to a downstairs utility room as firefighters used breathing apparatus to enter the property and tackle the blaze.
The whole of the groundfloor and first floor of the house suffered smoke damage, but The Post understands nobody was injured in the incident.
Six sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, and one covering jet were used in the firefighting operation.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation this evening but was beleived to have been an electrical fault.

Christmas and New Year closures for local councils

WEST Somerset Council staff will this year be working right up until Christmas Eve afternoon.
The council’s new offices in Williton will not be closed for the Christmas and New Year period until1 pm on Wednesday, December 24.
The offices will reopen at 8.30 am on Monday, January 5.
In Minehead, the Customer Centre, in Summerland Road, will also close at the same time on December 24 but will reopen half-an-hour later, at 9 am on January 5.
The new Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre on Minehead seafront will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and also from January 1 to 4 inclusive, reopening at 10 am on January 5.
During the closure times, information on refuse collections, stray dogs, and an emergency helpline will be available by calling 01643 703704 and on the council’s website at http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/.
Planning applications and building regulations applications submitted to the council by hand, post, or email during the closure dates will be dealt with as if received on January 5.
Council spokeswoman Stacey Beaumont said: “There will be no building regulations site inspections during the Christmas break.
“The council will accept a photographic record of works that will be covered over.
“However, if no such photographs can be shown to the building control surveyor, then the council reserves the right to ask for the works to be exposed for inspection.
“People needing statutory building control notification are advised to submit this in writing by post, by hand, or by email to buildingcontrol@westsomerset.gov.uk.
“This will provide people with evidence that they have fulfilled their obligations under the Building Act 1984.2

• In Taunton Deane, the borough council’s Deane House offices, in Taunton, will close entirely to the public at 12.30 pm on December 24, with the banking hall kiosk closing slightly earlier.
  Card payments and service requests can still be made via the council’s website at http://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/.
  Deane House will open again as usual on Friday, January 2.
  The council’s customer contact centre will also be open between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday, December 29, to Wednesday, December 31, but will only be able to offer a limited service.
  Resumption of the normal telephone service - from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday - will be from January 2.
  
• In Sedgemoor, the district council offices in Bridgwater will shut down at the end of a ‘normal’ working day on Christmas Eve and will reopen on January 5.
  Sedgemoor residents have been advised in the event of a ‘general’ emergency to call 0800 9176520 and for a ‘council housing’ emergency to call 0800 585360.

Child protection seminars for clubs and organisations

ANYBODY involved in running clubs or organisations for children and young people in West Somerset will be able to benefit from safeguarding advice offered by the Child-Safe initiative.
Child-Safe is a national child protection initiative, set up originally by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and now adapted for local delivery in the county.
It is a registered charity - http://www.child-safe.org.uk/ - which provides practical advice and promotes the safety, welfare, and protection of children and young people involved in sport and community groups.
The initiative is about improving care, reducing opportunities of abuse in its widest sense, and helping all parents, carers, organisers, or volunteers involved in supporting youngsters in such activities.
The scheme is free of charge and provides clubs with a seminar and resource pack to enable them to put in place child protection measures.
Organisers, leaders, parents, and carers can feel reassured that child protection will be taken seriously within clubs using this scheme.
Child-Safe seminars in 2009 will be held in Williton Council Chambers from 7 pm to 8.30 pm on Tuesday, June 23, and in Taunton Library on Thursday, September 24, from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.
Any club or organisation which would like to find out more, or book a place on one of the seminars, should contact the Child-Safe administrator by calling 01823 358098 or via the website address above.

Mountain biking partnership wheelie taking off in Watchet

FIVE top-of-the-range Marin mountain bikes have been given to Watchet Children’s Centre after it teamed up with West Somerset Council to secure £5,000 of funding.
The bikes will allow mums and dads of children using the centre (pictured) even more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
A total of 21 mountain bikes have now been acquired for the children’s centres in Watchet and Williton.
District council community portfolio holder Councillor Neil Parbrook said: “This is a fantastic scheme.
“Parents can join the dads or mums groups while their children enjoy learning and play activities at the centres, and there are also family cycling events.
“The scheme is great at improving fitness and it gives people confidence in learning new skills as well as a good chance to socialise.
“It is so popular at Watchet and Williton that we are now going to trial it at Alcombe and Dulverton Children’s Centres.”
The council’s community officer, Liz Stewart, worked in partnership with the Watchet centre’s family support co-ordinator Sam Fahey to win funding for the bikes from Awards For All, Big Lottery Fund, and the South West Community Foundation Comic Relief Fund.
Councillor Parbrook said: “I would like to thank local cycle experts, Pompey’s, in Minehead, for helping to secure a good discount on the new bikes, essential equipment, and parts.”
The scheme includes beginners, intermediate, and advanced groups, and caters for all levels of fitness and skills.
As well as the groups currently running from the Williton and Watchet Children’s Centres, the scheme is being trialled at Alcombe Children’s Centre on December 10, with an open morning from 10 am to 12 noon when people can try out the bikes and have an informal chat.
Further taster sessions start in Alcombe on January 12. Free bikes, transport, and crèche facilities will be available.
Details of the taster sessions at Dulverton will be made available shortly.
Philip Sylvester, a member of the dads’ mountain biking group, said: “I needed something to get me away from the stresses of bringing up three kids on my own.
“I was reluctant at first but it has given me the lift I really needed and I have never looked back.”
Hayley Lake, a mums’ mountain bike member, said: “It is good fun and it is my free time to enjoy.
“I also feel like I now have more energy for my children and it is something I will be able to share with my boys in future.”
More information about the scheme or any other services running from the children’s centres is available by calling Sam Fahey on 01984 633655.

Revealed - the BNP members living and working in West Somerset

NINETEEN people across West Somerset are paid-up members of the British National Party, according to a leaked membership list which has been published on the internet.
The Post has seen the list and read details of the BNP membership locally, but, given that the BNP is a bona fide political party, we have taken an editorial decision not to publish details which could identify the individuals concerned.
The names include whole families and show people living in Minehead, Alcombe, Porlock, Dunster, Williton, Blue Anchor, Allerford, Timberscombe, Langley Marsh, and Wiveliscombe.
There is even a Royal Marine listed from Norton Manor Camp, near Norton Fitzwarren, with details of his regiment and company
One man is shown under his business address, complete with business email and telephone number.
The email address provided for one woman shows that she works for the Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.
Another woman is listed as having reverted to her maiden name in 2003, while one man is listed as a retired jeweller who is also a Freemason.
The published list includes a variety of personal information such as personal and work email address, home and mobile telephone numbers, age, occupation, former address, and the fact that a membership card had been lost or stolen and replaced on a certain date.
Some members are also listed as‘activist’.
Throughout the wider Somerset area there are more than 100 members listed, including in communities such as Cotford St Luke, Taunton, Bridgwater, and almost every major town in the county.
The list is alleged to have been published by a former party treasurer.
BNP leader Nick Griffin said in a statement on the party’s website the list was 'essentially genuine' although more than a year old and some members had left, while other names had been added 'presumably in an attempt to cause further mischief'.

Local politicians to take part in unique Question Time event

PEOPLE in West Somerset are being invited to ask leading local politicians questions on the issues that matter most to them at a special Question Time event taking place at West Somerset Council offices, in Williton, on December 17, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Members of Somerset County Council, Exmoor National Park Authority, and West Somerset Council will form a joint panel for residents to ask questions about any of the services the authorities provide, including:

• Roads and transport
  
• Education and social care
  
• Recycling and waste collection
  
• Planning and housing
  
• Recreation, leisure and community facilities
  
• Community safety

District council leader Councillor Keith Ross said: “This is the first time all three authorities have united to offer local people the chance to raise issues that matter to them in a public question time.
“It is a unique opportunity for residents to make their thoughts known.
“I would encourage people to come to the event to let us know what their concerns are.”
County council leader Councillor Jill Shortland said: “This evening event will be a great opportunity for people in West Somerset to ask questions about the issues that concern them.
“I am certain there will be plenty to discuss and this event shows that both councils are serious about listening to local people and improving all the services that we deliver, right on people’s doorstep.”
A meeting of the county council’s executive will also take place in the Williton council offices at 2 pm on December 17 as part of a tour of Somerset which sees the executive meeting once in each district.
Further details, including information on how to submit a question, is available on the county council’s website at www.somerset.gov.uk or by contacting Scott Wooldridge, on 01823 356748 or by email at swooldridge@somerset.gov.uk.

Dress down council staff raise funds for Children in Need

DISTRICT council staff in West Somerset dressed down to raise more than £70 for Children in Need on Friday, November 14.
Council chairman, Councillor Eddie May, acting head of paid service Adrian Dyer, and corporate director Bruce Lang, clubbed together to offer prizes for staff who made the best -or worst - of the dress down theme.
Visitors to the council offices in Williton were surprised to be welcomed by the likes of witches, bath-time belles, and men dressed in shocking pink, but it was taken in good heart because it was for a great cause.
Councillor May, who selected the prizewinners, said: “It is great to see the staff having some fun and dressing down to raise funds for such a worthwhile charity.
“They really entered into the spirit of the day and while it was difficult to choose the winners the ladies really made a special effort, so they deserved to win.”
Councillor May is pictured with the prizewinners.

Supermarket CCTV pictures show suspects in fraud and forgery inquiry

POLICE are appealing for help to identify two men suspected of carrying out fraud and forgery offences in West Somerset.One case occurred when the pair entered the Co-operative supermarket, in Fore Street, Williton, at about 8.48 pm on Saturday, August 23.
CCTV pictures of the pair were released by police today in an effort to aid their inquiries.
One is described as a white man with ginger hair and wearing khaki/green coloured jumper with a shoulder strap over his left shoulder (pictured, right) and similar colour trousers.
The other is a white man wearing dark clothing with white trainers (pictured, left).
Anybody with any information regarding the men or the offences should contact Crimestoppers immediately on 0800 555111.

New faces and boundaries for West Somerset police beat teams

CHANGES have been made to the faces of police neighbourhood teams across West Somerset as a result of retirements and officers moving on.
Minehead police Inspector Carol Pearce said: “I welcome our new appointments, who each bring additional skills to the local policing teams.
“Over the next few weeks the new beat managers will be getting to know their areas and making contact with local residents and key individuals.
“We are all committed to keeping West Somerset a low crime area, and to follow on the excellent work undertaken by all the staff over the last year.
“The neighbourhood teams are now tackling low-level crime and anti-social behaviour with the support of other agencies.
“It is important that all residents have their say, and they can do so via our website or by attending any of the area panel meetings which provide an opportunity at the start for the public to raise any concerns regarding how their neighbourhood is run.
“I am sure our new members of staff will be welcomed by their local communities.”
As part of the changes, boundaries of some of West Somerset’s beat areas have also been slightly altered to provide improved police cover for local residents.
The changes include:
Williton beat - PC James Holdsworth replaces Paddy O’Sullivan, who is due to retire in the near future.
PC O’Sullivan will remain at Williton to assist in the handover of his beat, which now solely covers Williton.
PC Holdsworth previously worked in Weston-super-Mare on the child abuse investigation team before transferring to West Somerset.
In addition, PCSO Mark Middleton-Smith moves across from Watchet to cover Williton with PC Holdsworth.
The new PCSO for Watchet is Linda Brooks, who has transferred from Taunton.
Old Cleeve and Crowcombe and Stogumber beats - PC Fiona Clopet takes over from PC Dave Masters, who has moved across to cover West Quantocks, in turn replacing PC Steve Woodward, who has transferred to Taunton.
PC Clopet worked in Williton several years ago and had recently been working in the road policing unit until her appointment as the beat manager.
The beat is another which has also been changed slightly, by taking in Crowcombe and Stogumber, while Carhampton moves back under the management of the Exmoor team.
Dunster, Aville Vale, and Carhampton and Withycombe beats - PC Mark Curren joins the team from Bristol, replacing PC Clare Adams, who stays with the Exmoor team but now covers the Dulverton and Brushford and Brompton Ralph and Haddon beats, where she takes over from recently-retired PC Colin Haddrell.
Minehead beats - PC Jamie McCall has been appointed to a new beat manager’s position within the Minehead town beat team.
He will take responsibility for the town centre and the commercial heart of Minehead, including Butlins.
It means the Minehead town beat team increases to three PCs, supported by four PCSOs.

Wetherspoons takes over town centre hotel

ONE of West Somerset’s best-known hotels has been bought by pub chain J D Wetherspoon as part of a £5 million investment by the national group.
The Wellington Hotel (pictured), in Minehead, will now be converted to the Wetherspoons brand and should be reopened in early December, time for the run-up to Christmas.
The hotel freehold, which includes a nightclub, was sold by owner Barry Richards for an undisclosed fee, although the asking price had been in excess of £2 million.
The three-storey building has 25 bedrooms, two public bars, a karaoke bar, and a 100-cover restaurant.
There is also a separate apartment and a manager’s flat which could be converted into further letting bedrooms.
Mr Richards, who also owns the Beach Hotel and the Queen’s Head, in Minehead, and the Masons Arms, in Williton, has run the Wellington Hotel for 23 years but now wants to concentrate on oversees interests.
The sale was handled by Michael Easton, of Christie and Co, Exeter, who said: “The Wellington Hotel is a well-organised and highly profitable business, and is particularly well supported by the local community.
“A Wetherspoons outlet is perfect for the location, and I am sure it will be a benefit to the town.”
Wetherspoons is also opening new premises in Bodmin, Doncaster, Oldham, and Sutton, and creating around 200 news jobs, including those in Minehead.
The chain has more than 700 pubs and 17,000 employees nationwide.
Its founder, Tim Martin, lives near Exeter.

Information appeal as arsonist torches empty cottages

POLICE have issued an appeal for witnesses following a suspicious fire which destroyed two homes on the edge of the Quantock Hills during the early hours of today.
The properties, two cottages in Stockham, near West Bagborough, were believed to have been empty for several months.
The alarm was raised at 2.30 am, but police are keen to hear from anybody who may have been driving along the lane between West Bagborough and Triscombe and the junction of Rock Lane and Kennel Lane - where the cottages were located - any time from 8pm onwards last night.
In particular, officers would like to hear from anybody who may have seen a vehicle parking in the area, especially if it was near to the cottages.
Fire and rescue crews from Williton, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, and Bridgwater, as well as two officers, were called to the blaze
They started to arrive from 2.28 am and found two adjoining derelict properties were well alight.
The crews used compressed air foam and three hose reel jets to extinguish the fire and dampen down the buildings.
Arson was suspected, although officially the cause was unknown and was said to be still under investigation.
Anybody who may have any information about the incident is asked to contact Taunton police by calling 0845 4567000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where reports can be made anonymously.