Anne Marie Gould
Bridgwater Resident and Director of Sedgemoor Community Connector CIC
What’s your connection to Bridgwater, have you always lived here, or what brought you here?
I’ve always lived in Bridgwater- my childhood at Sydenham and West Street and I brought my kids up in Hamp. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of community-focused roles, from Sedgemoor District Council to the NHS, and most recently as a Community Development Officer with Bridgwater Town Council. After three wonderful years there, meeting so many inspiring local people, I decided to set up my own organisation to continue supporting the Bridgwater community in new and creative ways.
What do you love most about Bridgwater and the people here?
What I love most about Bridgwater is the kindness, resilience, and sense of togetherness that runs through everything people here do. There’s such generosity in spirit – so many residents volunteer their time, advocate for others, and always find a moment to help someone in need.
Can you share a moment or story that made you proud to be part of this community?
One of the moments that makes me most proud of Bridgwater is the work at the South Bridgwater Local Pantry in Hamp. It’s a true example of community in action — nothing goes to waste, everything is shared, and strong friendships have grown through simple acts of support and kindness. The dedication of the volunteers and the way members look out for each other never fails to inspire me.
What gives you hope for Bridgwater’s future?
What gives me hope for Bridgwater’s future is the people themselves. Local people know what our town needs, and they never stop advocating for progress, improvement, and resilience.
Favourite Bridgy spot or local hidden gem?
And my favourite Bridgy spot? It might sound simple, but walking along the River Parrett from the NDR towards Dunball is my little slice of calm — a peaceful reminder of how beautiful and grounded our town really is.
For more information on the fab work that Ann-Marie is doing visit the Sedgemoor Community Connector website or drop her an email: ann-marie@sedgemoorconnector.org
Trudy McDowell
Sydenham Community Association
What’s your connection to Bridgwater, have you always lived here, or what brought you here?
I have lived in Bridgwater since I was 13 years old. I came to Bridgwater with my parents. We originally lived Cardiff but Dad took a job in Bridgwater. I have grown up on the Sydenham estate and still live here now. I have been part of the Sydenham community centre since I was 14 where I use to play netball for the Sydenham community centre and stayed a member ever since.
Tell us a bit about what you do to support or bring people together in the community.
I have recently taken over the job as Sydenham Community Centre Manager. And within the year off taking the position over, I have added more clubs to the centre and also tried to make the clubs we already have thrive. I have listened to the community and what their needs are and tried to add events to support all needs.
What do you love most about Bridgwater and the people here?
Bridgwater is a friendly warm place to live; everyone looks out for each other. There is always something going on and a real sense of Community.
Can you share a moment or story that made you proud to be part of this community?
I recently invite the local school to come over to the centre for a visit, while doing the visit with the children who range from 7 years old to 9 years old one of the young boys tugged on my trousers and looked up to me, and said Thank you Mrs for letting my mummy come to get food for us from your food bank. This broke my heart, and give me the fight to bring more to the Community.
What gives you hope for Bridgwater’s future?
Peoples community spirt, and fight to carry on. Plus, all the hard work all the community centres and church halls are doing to support everyone in Bridgwater.
Favourite Bridgy spot or local hidden gem?
Bridgwater hidden gem has got to be our wonderful carnivals, all the hard work that goes in to making one special night absolutely fantastic for everyone.
Jamie Rawle
What’s your connection to Bridgwater—have you always lived here, or what brought you to the area?
My connection to Bridgwater comes through my role with Abri. I’m a Community Development Officer for the area, and Bridgwater has been one of Abri’s community investment zones for just over 12 months.
Tell us a bit about what you do to support or bring people together in the community.
My role involves engaging with our customers and the wider community to help develop and support projects that benefit local people. Recently, we’ve been involved in several youth-focused initiatives, including a collaboration with Youth Unlimited, SASP, Magna, and LiveWest.
What do you love most about Bridgwater and the people who live here?
Since beginning my work in Bridgwater, I’ve been genuinely moved by the strong sense of community. People here show real passion for helping one another, and the town’s community heroes consistently go above and beyond to support those who need it most.
Can you share a moment or story that made you proud to be part of this community?
Recently, I contacted a partner to explore how we could support families over the festive season. From a quick conversation and a small initial idea, we created a wonderful Christmas gifting project that provided presents for around 75 children to open on Christmas Day. The project brought together organisations and volunteers who generously gave their time to wrap gifts and help run Santa’s grotto and crafting activities. It was a perfect example of how willing people are to come together for their community.
Favourite Bridgy spot or local hidden gem?
I love the many beautiful green spaces surrounding Bridgwater.
What gives you hope for Bridgwater’s future?
I’m hopeful for Bridgwater’s future because of the incredible dedication shown by the people of the town. Their commitment, combined with the support from local businesses and organisations can help drive projects that truly matter. When people are listened to, it can lead the way in shaping positive change.
What does Connect Somerset mean to you?
It’s been fantastic working alongside people who share the same goals and commitment as we do. Connect Somerset Champions value real, lived experiences and use those conversations to create meaningful opportunities and improvements for local residents. Being part of that shared effort has been incredibly encouraging.
Lesley Gates
Tell us a bit about what you do to support or bring people together in the community.
I do here what I do everywhere — cook.
I’ve moved around a lot, and I’ve always found that volunteering is a brilliant way not only to meet like-minded people, but to build a social life and have some fun along the way. It was while helping to run a few programmes at RAFT in Taunton that I met the amazing Keith and Ann from Bridgwater Foodbank.I think food is a great equaliser, and I firmly believe we should share what we have. While at RAFT, alongside a fellow eco-warrior from ARC, I started rescuing food — and before long we had quite an industry going, getting food out to groups across Somerset, Devon, Wales and even Calais.
It was Covid and the lockdowns that made me concentrate fully on Bridgwater. It was also when my cover was blown — I suddenly wasn’t flying under the radar anymore. I ran (and still run) a community page and started writing a daily diary post, thinking it might help connect people. Folk would stop me in the street and ask if I was Lesley (apparently I dress like I write) — and, let’s be honest, grey-haired grannies with dreads aren’t that common around here.
What do you love most about Bridgwater and the people who live here?
I think I found my tribe. I know my often-spoken phrase — “I’ve got a brilliant idea” — is usually met with a bit of dread, but oh my goodness, we’ve pulled off some incredible things together.
From community sewing projects empowering women, to fresh-frozen Christmas dinners, community meals, and even a freezer we called Freeda. The latest is a pop-up shop, run with Westfield Church, the Foodbank, the Pantries, Mingle Café, the Activity Centre and the OLIO bunch — where food that could have ended up in the bin is laid out and people pay a minimum of £2 to fill a bag. That money then goes straight back into Westfield Church’s homeless programme and the Foodbank.
Favourite Bridgy spot or local hidden gem?
Honestly, it’s in the hearts of the people I’ve met. Right now, my favourite place to see that is on a Monday — when all the groups come together at the pop-up. You really have to be there to appreciate it. It’s completely energising.
Bridgwater and its people rock.
And just to say — I’m definitely not a legend. I’m just the one with the crazy ideas and no filter. My tribe are the legends. Since Covid started, when I’ve asked for help, it’s just been there.
One last thing — I really wish our younger folk (which, to me, is under 60!) would realise what an amazing experience volunteering is. We need them. Our groups could struggle without their energy and presence. Times are changing, but supporting each other still matters more than ever.
What gives you hope for Bridgwater’s future?
Sometimes, not a lot — especially when you look at things from the top of the tree. But then I look at my tribe. Self-minded people who just turn up, support each other and dig deep when someone’s in need.
I have a deeply embedded belief that we should all be born equal and that love conquers all. We are nothing without each other. I’ve moved a lot, but Bridgwater is unique to me. It still has an innate sense of community that I haven’t experienced since I left the valleys in the seventies.