Yes, we know that news can be a lot.

There are council rows, roadworks, planning arguments, finance warnings, bin changes and whatever the internet has decided everyone should be cross about this week.

So, for balance, here is a round-up of the good things that have happened across Glastonbury, Street, Wells and Shepton Mallet this week.

Street Library has been given long-term security after a new Community Library Partnership came into effect between Street Parish Council, Somerset Council and the Friends of Street Library. The seven-year agreement means the library is secured until 2033, protecting access to books, digital services, learning opportunities and community activities in the village.

Street has also been celebrating some of the people who quietly get on with making the village a better place. Street Parish Council held its annual Community Awards and Investiture Ceremony at Strode Theatre, where David and Catherine Atkins received the Freedom of Street. Henry Clamp, Winnie and Dolly Carmichael, and Street Neighbourhood Watch Association were also recognised for their contributions to the community.

Over in Shepton Mallet, a new storytelling podcast has launched to help children understand Parkinson's. Creative arts organisation Made By Mortals CIC has teamed up with Parkinson's UK on a special Armchair Adventures episode for children aged six to ten, helping younger listeners understand Parkinson's in an accessible way.

In Glastonbury, there was a local win for Glastonbury Abbey Apple Juice, which took Best In Show in the apple juice category at the British Cider Championships, held at the Royal Bath & West Show. It is not every week a town can say its abbey has award-winning apple juice, but Glastonbury does tend to take the scenic route through normality.

In Wells, leisure centres have been given a reprieve after Somerset Council secured a new two-year deal with Freedom Leisure. The agreement means leisure centres can continue operating while longer-term options are considered. It is a positive outcome for communities that rely on their local centres for swimming, fitness, classes and activities.

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Families in Glastonbury are also being asked to help shape future improvements at Abbey Park Play Area. Glastonbury Town Council is consulting residents on what children and local people would like to see at the play area, giving families a chance to have a say on the space.

Shepton Mallet has also been looking for more people to get involved locally, with a volunteer stall held at Friday Market. The event gave residents a chance to find out more about local organisations and opportunities to help in the town. Handy, really, if you have ever thought "someone should do something about that" and then realised someone might be you.

Wells has also had another reason to feel quietly pleased with itself, after the city picked up a string of national mentions and rankings. The round-up included several nods for Wells, which may not surprise anyone who lives there, but is always useful when explaining to visitors why the place gets so busy every weekend.

Shepton Mallet's plaque scheme is asking residents to help identify notable people with links to the town who could be recognised in future. The project aims to celebrate people connected with Shepton Mallet's history and community life, giving residents a chance to help decide which names should be remembered.

So there we are.

Libraries secured, local heroes honoured, children helped, volunteers encouraged, apple juice crowned, leisure centres protected and Wells doing that very Wells thing of appearing on national lists.

Not a bad week, really.

For more local stories from Glastonbury and Street, visit Glastonbury Nub News. for Wells, visit Wells Nub News, and for Shepton head to Shepton Mallet Nub News.

More local stories

• Wells police appeal after Priory Road assault
• Shepton Mallet jobs: lorries, logistics and keeping the whole show moving
• Street Library secured in seven-year deal

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