8. Taunton Neighbourhood Team

Welcome to the Taunton Neighbourhood Team page My name is Andrew Pritchard, and I’m the Connect Somerset Champion for Taunton. I work with Mind in Somerset, a charity that helps with mental health.

Taunton is a diverse, educational, and naturally ambitious town that beautifully blends history, culture, and community spirit. As a thriving sporting hub with a renowned county cricket ground, it also celebrates its heritage through museums capturing historic events like the Monmouth Rebellion and through its vibrant markets and independent shops that help retain its traditional market town charm. The town’s stunning Tudor and Georgian architecture, riverside setting, and wealth of parks make it easy to connect with nature.

While Taunton includes both areas of affluence and rural challenge, it continues to grow through significant housing development and increasing cultural diversity. Its friendly and supportive community is passionate about wellbeing, creativity, and inclusion, with strong local leadership committed to improving public spaces, play parks, and town infrastructure. Well connected to major cities like Bristol and Exeter, Taunton offers the perfect balance of rural beauty, urban opportunity, and a caring, forward-looking community dedicated to shaping a vibrant and inclusive future.