The town that radiates a sense of community

SHEPTON Mallet radiates a sense of community. In the market place that acts as the town’s centre, one of the first things you'll notice is a crate full of apples and bananas with a sign reading ‘Free fruit for kids’ (pictured right).

- PHOEBE HOBBS [e-mail]

‘The little cornucopia sits outside ‘The Little Farm Shed, a beloved local business that started with kids delivering eggs to their neighbours to raise money to go to Glastonbury Festival. From there, the egg round grew into a family-run successful _ business, buoyed by local support.

‘The town has a community bookshop where every item is donated by residents. And if you slip away from the market place you'll find the hibernating Amulet theatre, an old arthouse cinema which the community hopes to raise the funds to buy and restore.

In a world where struggling High Streets are almost a cliche, Shepton Mallet seems determined to buck the trend.

Dan, 47, is the director of Interim Spaces.