2018 was another year packed with action for Bridgwater.

It was a year of huge developments in our town with more homes, new hotels, and some exciting new stores coming to town.

With Hinkley C construction well underway, the town is seeing great investment, but it has also taken its toll on the roads and traffic.

Bridgwater’s year has also once again been full of community spirit with Carnival, the Quayside Festival and many, many more brilliant events showcasing the town at its finest.

Here is part one of the Bridgwater Mercury’s review of the year, taking you through some of the highs and lows the town has faced from January to June.

Make sure to get a copy of the New Year’s Day edition of the Mercury to see part two; July to December.

JANUARY

In early January, there was concern at the Bowerings Animal Feeds Factory near Bridgwater Docks after an ‘explosion’ in factory machinery led to a fire.

Five fire engines attended the factory was cordoned off for five hours while crews dealt with the blaze which destroyed a hopper.

Four-year-old Freddy Vallender and his family were in the United States awaiting life-saving heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital following a phenomenal fundraising effort by friends, family and the people of Bridgwater who raised £90,000 following an appeal.

FEBRUARY

February began with a tragedy as popular 29-year-old Bridgwater mum Elaina Beard died in a car crash on the M5. Hundreds of people attended a balloon release in her honour on St Matthews Field.

In Cannington there was the opening of the EDF Park and Ride facility of the outskirts of the village, and elsewhere there was traffic chaos after a lorry containing wood chippings overturned on Huntworth Roundabout.

MARCH

March saw one of the most touching stories of the year as the community of Chilton Trinity cleared the roads of snow so that pregnant Laura Lewis could get to hospital to give birth to baby Bella.

The county was brought to a standstill by the Beast from the East which saw a colossal amount of snowfall – and even greater community spirit. 4x4 drivers – often criticised due to the fact the vehicles are not overly environmentally friendly – were the heroes of the day, travelling far and wide to rescue stranded drivers caught in the snow and ice.

Once the snow eventually thawed and some semblance of normality resumed, the new Co-op on Taunton Road opened its doors for the first time.

There was more sad news as well as tributes poured in for popular carnival stalwart and gentle giant Andrew ‘Big D White – known to many as Derek.

The 46-year-old was a much-loved member of The Marketeers CC but passed away suddenly on March 19.

APRIL

Following an eventful March, April was somewhat quieter but did produce some good news for the town.

Avon and Somerset Police announced that reports of Anti-Social Behaviour were at a record low for the town, Cllr Kathy Pearce brought forward a motion for Sedgemoor District Council to embrace polices to reduce its use of single-use plastics, and teacher Carol Sheehan from Wembdon set off on the journey of a lifetime to cycle across America with three fellow cancer survivors.

MAY

In May hundreds of people took part in the popular Bridgwater Bolt, and artist Serena de la Hey set up a campaign to help save the iconic Willow Man sculpture off the M5 on the outskirts of Bridgwater. She said unless further funding could be found the long term future of the Willow Man was in doubt.

May also saw the appointment of Bridgwater’s new mayor Cllr Diogo Rodrigues.

Appointed by his fellow councillors, Cllr Rodrigues became the UK’s first Portuguese mayor, Bridgwater’s first openly gay mayor, and the town’s youngest ever mayor.

He has earned praise for his work bringing the mayoralty in to the 21st century embracing social media and youth.

JUNE

In June Bridgwater residents waited in anticipation as Marks and Spencers finally returned to the town – sort of. Young Tayen Gilbert was the guest of honour who cut the ribbon at the new M&S Food Hall on Bridgwater Retail Park – the first of major changes affecting the Retail Park this year.

There was also high drama following a two-day manhunt for a suspected gunman in Bridgwater. Armed police, a helicopter and dog units were all deployed over the course of the search as the suspect managed to evade capture for more than 24 hours before eventually being arrested.