A competition to find a new home for a pair of the original wrought iron gates from the Morlands site has been widened to include the local Councils.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) launched the competition in conjunction with the Central Somerset Gazette before Christmas. The Agency wishes to donate the gates to an individual, business or community group which could install them in a public space for the whole community to enjoy.

Esther Croft, Development Manager at the South West RDA, said: "We had a good response to the competition but all the entries were for either private or commercial uses. We are committed to finding a prominent and public position for the gates, so we are now exploring other ways of finding a new home for them. They are an historic symbol of Morlands' history and we are determined to find an appropriate and visible place for them.


"We are already talking to Glastonbury Town Council, Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council about their ideas and some very interesting suggestions have been put forward.

"In the meantime, until we find an appropriate home for the gates, we continue to welcome suggestions from the community but would like to re-iterate our original criteria that states that the new use cannot be for commercial gain and must be for the wider community to enjoy."

Suggestions include installing them in the market square as part of a Glastonbury in Bloom feature. A final decision will be made in the next few months.

The gates have been fully refurbished by Glastonbury ironmonger D.W.F Metalcraft, paid for the South West RDA.

Owned by the Agency, the Morlands site is being regenerated in partnership with Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council. The Morlands Enterprise Park will include high quality business space, helping to unlock the region's business potential.

(JM)