Mendip Times
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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 2
FREE
Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas
JULY 2021
IN THIS ISSUE: WHAT’S ON • CLASSIC CARS • GARDENING • STEAM DAYS • BUSINESS • WILDLIFE • WALKING Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news
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MENDIP TIMES
Welcome
HOW intelligent are trees? That’s the question of Les Davies’s Outdoors column this month, which also looks at how conifers can create clouds over Mendip. Have you heard of Shipham’s Singing River Mine? Our caving expert, Phil Hendy, takes us on a guided tour. Chris Sperring has his eye on fledglings, while Mary Payne has a guide to the best climbers in the garden. How much does our mental state make us susceptible to disease? Read Dr Phil Hammond’s column to find out more. June McFarlane has a guide to summer treats. Jake Whitson has some useful tips on how to use strawberries. Nick Green tells us how farmers are preparing for harvest. Our contributors never cease to come up with interesting facts and surprises. Our pages devoted to events and What’s On show community life gradually resuming, with steam trains running again at Midsomer Norton. We also have details of a large number of gardens opening to support the National Garden Scheme. With thanks to our contributors, advertisers and readers, let’s all hope we can look forward to a glorious summer.
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One of us – Benji is part of the family
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or email: news@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk
Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates. Front cover: Ella and Lottie at the Pilton Jumble Trail. Photo by Mark Adler. See page 32.
We will remember them – legion’s centenary is celebrated
Looking their best – equine elegance on show
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August 2021 deadline: Friday, 16th July 2021 Published: Tuesday, 27th Jlye 2021
Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:
CONTENTS
All the world’s a stage – outdoor theatre on tour Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Nick Green .....................10 Internet and Crossword ..............12 Food & Drink ...............................16 Arts & Antiques ...........................26 Charities........................................30 Business.........................................34 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......41 Walking Sue Gearing ....................42
Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........44 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......46 Community ...................................52 Caving Phil Hendy ........................62 Health & Family ..........................64 Home & Interiors.........................68 Riding ............................................72 Sport ..............................................73 What’s On.....................................76 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 3
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MENDIP TIMES
Lockdown project has real traction
Shaun with the model engine he used for inspiration
NEWS
Shaun at the wheel with (l:r) Toby Symonds, Ken Lydford and Moses who helped on the project
A REPLICA of a traction engine completely made out of recycled materials was one of the stars of a vintage vehicle show near Faulkland. Shaun Robinson built the working engine in the garden of his home in Mells for less than £600. It uses two adapted diesel stationary engines for power. Some of Shaun’s friends helped with the project which was born out of boredom during lockdown. Named The Illusion, it made its debut at a weekend event at the Tucker’s Grave Inn, organised by Charlie Mead, which raised more than £200 for the Three Ways Community Special School in Bath. Shaun said: “There’s still some work to be done, but I’m pretty pleased with the way it’s turned out. I didn’t use any drawings but had a model of a traction engine to work from.”
Event organiser Charlie Mead with his son Damian, who attended Three Ways School
Training café welcome first customers
SWALLOW patron, John Cullum, has formally opened the charity’s new café in the Hive Community Centre in Peasedown St John. The SWALLOW Café at the Hive provides employment training for local people with learning disabilities, both in the kitchen and front of house. It complements the charity’s other café in Radstock. John, who presented the café with a signed photo from his son, Jamie Cullum, renowned jazz musician, said: “This is a very exciting development for SWALLOW – we can offer new opportunities for our members to help them gain employment skills whilst at the same time give the local community a wonderful place to meet and enjoy tasty food and drink. “We are very grateful for the support of the management team from the Hive for making this possible”.
John Cullum (centre) prepares to cut the ribbon to open the new cafe
For details about SWALLOW, visit: www.swallowcharity.org
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MENDIP TIMES
Checking water quality
BriSTol Avon rivers Trust (BArT) will be running their annual WaterBlitz event this summer and are seeking river enthusiasts to take part. From July 9–12th, it aims to collect as many samples from the rivers, streams and lakes of the Bristol Avon catchment to help gain a snapshot of water quality. it’s looking for volunteers to take samples from the river Chew and other local streams and will supply free water testing kits. George Clark, BArT project manager, said: “rivers and streams are the arteries of our planet but they face serious challenges. Within the Bristol Avon catchment we often see nutrient pollution entering watercourses and degrading these important ecosystems and impacting the species that inhabit them. “Therefore it is increasingly important to carry out monitoring and work together for rivers.” Details: https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/event/bristolavon-waterblitz-2021/
Learning outdoors
Children at Shoscombe Church School dedicated a whole week to looking at green energy, healthy eating, biodiversity and outdoor learning. Some spent time on the school allotment and cleared weeds and planted up the raised beds.
Pollution threat to Levels
An algal bloom caused by phosphates
nATurAl england says urgent action is needed to remedy pollution on the Somerset levels and Moors. it is downgrading the environmental condition of these Sites of Special Scientific interest to “unfavourable declining” due to water quality issues. The decision follows monitoring that revealed that phosphate levels are three times higher than they should be, causing biological harm and producing algae and duckweed that is harmful to wildlife. it says the primary sources of phosphates are from agricultural activities and water industry discharges at locations like waste water treatment works. it says it will work with those who can reduce the level of phosphate, including Wessex Water, the environment Agency, landowners and farmers and wider stakeholders, to put solutions in place that will aid nature’s recovery and improve the natural environment for local people and visitors to enjoy. The measures will include further investment by Wessex Water up to £57m to reduce discharge from water treatment works by 2024; regulatory enforcement and advisory visits; rewards to landowners who improve ecosystems. natural england’s area manager for Wessex, Matt heard, said: “The Somerset levels are much-loved and internationally important for wildlife, home to tens of thousands of birds, rare plants and insect life. “There is widespread evidence that nutrient pollution is causing biological harm in the waterways of the levels. As a result of this, natural england must change the status of SSSis on the Somerset levels to 'unfavourable declining'. “Water pollution needs to be addressed across the levels. natural england is working with partners to deliver action that will restore water quality, aid nature’s recovery and improve the natural environment for local people and visitors to enjoy.”
£400,000 in grants funds available
Mendip district Council has launched two new grant funds – one for communities and one for climate and ecological emergency projects. Voluntary, community, not-for-profit organisations and city, town and parish councils are invited to apply for the funding. The closing date is August 31st. The Communities Fund will support project ideas that improve community resilience, build capacity and promote wellbeing, as well as support communities recovering from
the Covid-19 pandemic. The amount of money available is £350,000 in total. The council has also put aside a total of £50,000 for the Climate and ecological emergency Fund, where community organisations can apply for up to £2,000 to fund eco projects. Applications for this fund must demonstrate how projects impact on net-carbon emissions and/or the ecological benefits to the community.
Details: www.mendip.gov.uk/cf and www.mendip.gov.uk/ccf
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Protecting Mendip’s adders
The Mendip AonB service is putting the spotlight on adders as it develops its nature recovery plan for the area. Whilst legally protected, numbers of adders – the uK’s only venomous snake – have declined dramatically across the country over the last few decades, with the Mendip hills one of the last remaining strongholds. Their volunteer rangers have made a YouTube video with lots more information. The unit is working with the reptile and Amphibian Group for Somerset (rAGS), Somerset Wildlife Trust, volunteers and landowners to survey adders across the AonB. This will provide a clearer picture of population numbers and their dispersal across the landscape. it says the public can help by sending any sightings to them or rAGS. it says the hills are very busy with visitors and one of the best ways we can all help protect adders, and wildlife in general, is to follow the Countryside Code. This means keeping dogs on a lead or under close control, sticking to paths and taking litter and dog poo home.
New role for Sonia
SoMerSeT Climate Action network has appointed Sonia Kundu as its co-ordinator to help expand their network of those involved in climate action in Somerset. Sonia has historically been responsible for introducing organic agriculture as well as fair trade business practices to the northern state of himachal pradesh in india. She is also a director of the Somerset rail to Trail project, a community led initiative which aims to transform disused railways into inclusive active travel trailways to help Somerset reach its net-Zero Carbon targets. She will also be helping communities to switch to renewable energy and energy saving practices. Details: www.somersetcan.org.uk
Village projects
ENVIRONMENT
BATh and north east Somerset council has agreed funding for green community projects in Clutton, Freshford, and Corston. Chelwood has also won a grant for a replacement bench and repairs to the community noticeboard. A community orchard will be established in Corston. Freshford will also benefit from a new orchard and copse, while in Clutton there will be two new wildflower meadows and tree planting. The four projects are the first to successfully bid for a grant to enhance their local area from the council’s ward councillor empowerment fund.
Helping hedgehogs
CheddAr-based prickles hedgehog rescue is appealing to gardeners not to use slug pellets or pesticides. it also asks them to raise any netting six inches above the ground and to check borders before strimming in case a female is nesting. if possible, it suggests putting out fresh water and cat meat in jelly to support feeding. if a hedgehog is seen out in the day, call prickles for advice. it may be an animal needing attention – or it could just be a lactating female taking a break from the babies. Details: 07806 744772
Encouraging wildlife
Three young volunteers have been busy at work in St Andrew’s churchyard in Chew Stoke as part of their commitment to their bronze duke of edinburgh award. Becky, Bethan and lowrie, aged 13, are spending six months working there. They spent all winter at various tasks, ensuring a fine display of spring bulbs. They are now ready to hang nesting boxes they have made as their contribution to the Wilder Churches initiative. This is a partnership between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the diocese of Bath and Wells to encourage wildlife around churches.
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MENDIP TIMES
ENVIRONMENT
Leaving space to grow wild
Signage for verge conservation trials and no mow areas
Reserve under pressure
The Frome Area Wildlife Group is appealing to people to stay out of rodden nature reserve as the spring bird and mammal breeding season gets into full swing. The group recognised the valuable role of the reserve as a precious outdoor space for Frome residents during the pandemic lockdowns and extended access to the site through February’s half-term holiday and into March. But there has been a recent spate of littering and persistent trespassing at the much-valued wetland site, which is opposite ASdA. Chair, Mick ridgard, said: “Since the reserve closed at the beginning of spring our volunteers, who carry out regular survey work, have had to deal with a lot of unpleasantness from a small minority of local people, which is so disheartening. “We’re also having to clear significant amounts of litter on a weekly basis, from the grassland and wooded areas around the main lake, as well from the edges of the pools.” Some of the litter bore all the hallmarks of a teenage gathering, with dozens of energy-drink cans among other waste left scattered around an area that’s important habitat for
Councillor Sarah Dyke
nature more than ever. during lockdown we saw how the natural world thrived when not interfered with by humans. “The SSdC no Mow trials are a way we can reassess how and where we mow SSdC land, it will inspire us to look at marginal spaces in a different way and break the habitual cycle of mowing for mowing’s sake, by allowing them to become biodiverse havens for wildlife.” SSdC horticulture specialist, Stephen Fox, said: “our team is looking forward to altering the cutting regimes and monitoring how the verges and open spaces respond to this new approach. We do appreciate that this change might generate some interest as residents start to see our green areas looking different, we are always happy to answer questions on our approach and we will use all our learning from this year to inform even wider programmes for next year. “Thanks to all the parishes and groups who have stepped forward to be part of the trials, by demonstrating how valuable this approach will be for wildlife, linking up spaces for nature, we hope many more areas will be on board for next year.” Male orange tip
slow worms, toads and small mammals. The reserve at Wallbridge is home to an ever-increasing array of flora and fauna including, to the surprise of many, beaver. The spring flowers have been particularly impressive, with many being food-plants for a very wide range of insects. otters are now being seen regularly during surveys and an impressive 100-plus species of bird have been sighted at the reserve including cetti’s warbler, reed bunting and kingfisher.
Details: www.roddennaturereserve.org.uk
PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
(Photograph courtesy of Jenny Vickers)
A “no MoW” conservation trial is to begin in parts of Castle Cary and Ansford as part of a project by South Somerset district Council to create more biodiverse areas for wildlife. The council will be changing its mowing routine on land it owns to allow wild plants to flower and set seed with the aim of creating enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. it’s part of the council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency and follows plantife’s no Mow May. The council has worked with communities, parish and town councils and its grass cutting crews to develop the scheme, which will also cover specific areas in Milborne port, Cucklington and ilminster. Councillor Sarah dyke, the council’s portfolio holder for environment, who represents Milborne port, said: “This past year has made us all realise the importance and benefits of
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MENDIP TIMES
Combines are on standby
IN the next month arable crops will morph from a luscious green into a swaying sea of golden yellow in the case of cereals and the delightful beige of oilseed rape. At that point you’ll see farmers tramping around fields taking grain from the plant and testing the moisture content by biting a few grains. With NICK If they think it’s dry enough, a sample GREEN will be officially moisture checked using a proper piece of kit and a decision made whether harvest should start or not. Just 9% moisture for oilseed rape and 15% moisture for cereals means magic day and the combine wheels start turning. Gone are the days of the farmer sat on an uncomfortable combine seat surrounded by a swirl of dust. These days, the driver is cocooned in an air conditioned cab, computer at his finger tips for monitoring every process of harvesting whilst listening to his favourite music. Fields can be gobbled up in no time and over 100 acres cut in a single day. Once the corn has been cut it is taken to the grain store more often than not via a weighbridge to establish the yield of a particular field or per acre. If it’s a good yield it will be talked about in the pub.
FARMING
If “average”, he probably “forgot to put it across the weighbridge” if asked what his yields were like. In all seriousness, it’s important to know what the yield of a crop is so the economics of growing it can be calculated. The input costs per acre need to be added together and divided by the yield per acre to work out how much the crop is worth either as feed or cash crop. The crops we see growing around us can be used for many purposes. Animal feed, biscuit and bread making and cooking oil to name but a few. One crop in particular has a very wide range of uses. As well as those already mentioned, barley is used to make beer, whisky, Horlicks, Ovaltine and even Maltesers. An area of barley about the size of two doormats produces enough for 265 37 gramme packs. Does this mean Maltesers qualify as one of our “five a day”?
Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. He is responsible for the farming and estate business and is passionate about British food and farming. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.
We are now stockists of ASPEN Fuels
l Ready mixed for 2 stroke engines l Burns cleaner than ordinary fuel l Virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents making it less harmful than regular petrol, therefore breathing much cleaner air when working with power tools l Better for engines, longer storage staying fresh for years therefore easier starting l Reduced toxic emissions so better for the environment
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INTERNET
Finding IT updates
WE are all told to keep our devices updated, so most of us have enabled automatic updating, often to be carried out using Wi-Fi in the small hours perhaps when the device is charging. This helps to protect our machines from vulnerabilities to malware and viruses and to With NICK correct any errors in programming. These SPARKS updates are provided by the manufacturer of devices or the writer of the app/programme through the Internet and are largely not noticed by the end user. However, there is another side to updating which is often overlooked, that is, the manufacturer’s introduction of new features and improvements to the device for which there is often no announcement, but which you may come across almost by accident. Recent new features that have been added to some Samsung devices, for example, include being able to remove objects from a photograph in their gallery app; pressing and holding the keyboard space bar to give better control moving and positioning the cursor; and changes to the messages app. Bear in mind manufacturers may only release these features for the more upto-date devices. But can you find what has changed, other than wading through update logs in the device’s “play store” or the software or apps sections of the settings menu? Well, you could search for updates to your particular device on YouTube. For instance, searching for “Samsung updates” using Google, videos will show innumerable short videos by pundits, in channels, describing hidden and new features. Sakitech is one such channel whose raison d’etre seems to be discovering new and useful features within updates. If you subscribe to a channel that you find interesting or useful you can receive a notification when there is a new video to see. One thing to be aware of is that these updates are not always carried out at the same time worldwide, the USA may get it first, Germany next etc etc over a few days or even weeks. Sometimes you just have to be patient…happy hunting!
Submitted by Nick Sparks. Although we have ceased our one-to-one tuition at Cheddar due to Covid, a number of us will continue with this column under the heading "IT for the Terrified" to keep the name alive. This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
CROSSWORD
The Mendip Mindbender
ACROSS 1 According to the bible, “Three score years and ten.” (4,10) 8 Dante’s Divine Comedy refers to hell as such (7) 9 Money owing (7) 11 Garden implement (3) 12 Apparatus activated by insertion of a coin (4,7) 14 About 25% of the Elements are so described (8) 15 Pure or chaste (6) 17 Demands and forces payment of a debt (6) 19 Sort of indoors air-raid shelter used in WW2 (8) 22 Introduce autonomy (11) 23 An idiot at the centre of assassins (3) 24 Large Somerset village north of Midsomer Norton where the Somerset Coal Canal terminates (7) 26 Village SW of Bristol Airport probably named after the soil colour of a local landmark (7) 27 Valetudinarians, people who unnecessarily depends on medication (14)
DOWN 1 Village equidistant from Radstock, Frome and Shepton Mallet once awarded the title, ‘Calor Somerset village of the year’ (5,2,6) 2 Number of players in a rugby union side (7) 3 A non-believer when it comes to EEC politics (11) 4 An offer of marriage (8) 5 Damp and sweaty (6) 6 Express an opinion or grievance (3) 7 Horse drawn transport of ancient Rome (7) 10 Ammonium carbonate and perfume (8,5) 13 In USA one of the girls chanting and dancing in support of their team (11) 16 A subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron and a numerically equal but positive charge (8) 18 Where the infantry keeps their guns and ammunition (7) 20 Staying power (7) 21 Mixed spirits, fruit and spices cover a corporation (6) 25 As well as a sound couple (3) Clues in italics are cryptic
This month’s solution can be found on page 73
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NEWS
An insight into medical history
Town crier Len Sweales at the opening of the exhibition with (l:r) Philip and Caroline Welch, visitor Donna Ford, exhibition organiser Clare Blackmore, visitor Roxie Ford, and Pete Jaggard, from the Friends of the Mendip Hospital Cemetery
AN exhibition has opened at the Wells and Mendip Museum in Wells looking at the lives of patients and staff in the former Somerset and Bath County Lunatic Asylum – later known as the Mendip Hospital.
History of an asylum. Pictured (l:r): Pete Jaggard, museum trustee Richard Lovegrove, Clare Blackmore and Philip and Caroline Welch
The mayor and mayoress of Wells, Philip and Caroline Welch, were the guests of honour at the opening. The collection of photographs and documents charts their stories from the asylum’s opening in 1848 through to
1918. The exhibition is being run in partnership with the Friends of the Mendip Hospital Cemetery, where almost 3,000 patients and staff are buried.
The exhibition closes on July 10th. For details, visit: www.wellsmuseum.org.uk
History comes alive for pupils
Squirrels class inside the ruins of Nunney Castle
CHILDREN from Squirrels class, year 1, at Berkley First School, near Frome, visited Nunney Castle as part of their studies about castles, dungeons and dragons. They made swords and shields during their visit and learned about the lives of kings and queens. They were all asked to bring a castlethemed picnic for lunch. Meanwhile, one of their classmates, Hugo, aged six, raised more than £112 for the school by selling plants he had grown from seed in the greenhouse at his home. The sale took place at the bottom of his driveway.
Hugo’s plant sale raised more than £100 for the school
Lions’ new garden
PLANS by Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club to unveil its most ambitious project to date – a sensory garden within the new Midsomer Norton Town Park – have been delayed due to ongoing Covid restrictions. The Lions have spent £4,000 on the project, which has taken a number of years to complete. The garden was due to open officially on July 3rd. Lion Margaret Burdon worked closely with the then Town Trust’s secretary, Paul Myers, architects and the gardeners to get everything just right. The planting of the garden started back in February. The Lions hope that the garden will appeal to all five senses and offer a rich therapeutic experience to people with a range of different needs. It says the design encourages a protected, stimulating place for people to enjoy simply being, working and socialising oudoors, a place for reflection and enjoyment.
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MENDIP TIMES
EVENTS
Village fun is child’s play
CROSCOMBE’S summer charter market became more of a village fete this year with stalls and entertainment – along with children’s games – held outside to be Covid-compliant. Proceeds from the day will go to the children’s play area fund.
Young woodturner Alec Roberts, aged ten, receives some help from grandfather Richard Crane to create a bug hotel
Musicians Mike and Hazel entertaining visitors Artist Anna Perra (right) with her friend Rachael Lettieri
Estelle and Richard Cronin were promoting three outdoor community events taking place on the village playing field in the coming weeks
Catch me if you can – Arlo having fun
PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Joe tries to catch a water-filled balloon during the children’s games…
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MENDIP TIMES
FOOD & DRINK
Cool food for summer weather
July is a month for sandwiches and salads and something icy and delicious. The nation’s favourite sandwich is, With JUNE apparently, prawn and MACFARLANE mayo, but I think we can do a little better! The perfume of a ripe cantaloupe melon is summer heaven and makes a wonderful partner in a chicken salad. The blackcurrant season is vanishingly short so stash some sorbet in the freezer for summer treats. BLACKCURRANT SORBET
A superior take on a prawn mayo sandwich
SPICY PRAWN COCKTAIL ROLL A soft roll, king prawns, pickled cucumber, spicy mayo and crisp lettuce. Perfect!
METHOD Toss the cucumber with the salt in a colander and leave for 15 minutes to drain. Pat dry. Mix vinegar, sugar and dill in a bowl, stir in cucumber, set aside. Mix ketchup, mayonnaise, tabasco and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl and stir in prawns. Halve rolls and butter both sides. Assemble layers of lettuce, cucumber and prawns and serve, or wrap in greaseproof paper for a picnic.
INGREDIENTS
(For four) 1 chicken 1 cantaloupe melon Large handful parsley 80 ml best olive oil 3 tbsp sherry vinegar
A blackcurrant treat – stash some in the freezer
INGREDIENTS
(For four) 375g blackcurrants 300ml water 225g white sugar 1 tbsp blackcurrant liqueur
This is a rich dessert ice, and a gorgeous colour! The liqueur is optional but helps to keep it from freezing hard.
METHOD Poach the blackcurrants gently in the water and sugar until just bursting. Pass through a fine sieve into a bowl. Discard seeds and residue. Allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Stir in liqueur if using. Churn in ice cream maker according to instructions or put in the freezer and beat every hour until smooth. Pack into a suitable container and freeze for 3-4 hours before serving.
PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
INGREDIENTS
(For two) ¼ large cucumber, thinly sliced 1 tsp sea salt 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbsp caster sugar Small handful dill leaves 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 4 tbsp mayonnaise 6 drops Tabasco 6 drops Worcestershire sauce 150g king prawns 2 soft rolls, or brioche Butter, softened Lettuce, shredded
WARM CHICKEN AND CANTALOUPE SALAD
Tender roast chicken and sweet juicy melon, a great summer combination. Sherry vinegar is less harsh than balsalmic.
METHOD Roast the chicken and rest until warm. Cut the melon in half and remove seeds. Slice into wedges and remove flesh from rind. Chop into big chunks and put into a large serving bowl. Tear the chicken into rough pieces, add to the melon. Chop the parsley finely and mix through. Make a vinaigrette with the oil and vinegar, taste for seasoning, pour over the salad and mix all together.
A great summer combination with this chicken and melon dish
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MENDIP TIMES
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WILD FOOD
Alternative Scotch egg
IT'S a shame some of the larger, leafier greens aren’t more edible, for example the dock plant. I know plenty of farmers that would be happy if docks were less bitter and could be eaten readily by their animals. Whilst some foragers (and sheep) will purportedly eat them out of choice when With ADRIAN they are very young, dosing mature docks BOOTS with salt can make them more palatable for sheep but not for us foragers. Hmm, a conundrum indeed... But what if I told you that one can avoid the forager/sheep dock management system altogether, the not small inconvenience of regular salting plus the inevitable embarrassment that comes from wrestling half-masticated leaves from the mouth of an uncooperative sheep? Bistort is a member of the dock family that has a much milder flavour and is a key ingredient in a savoury dock pudding that was historically popular, particularly in the north of England. Here in Somerset bistort was known as adderwort and snakeweed, both of which sound a lot less appetising but actually refer to the snake-like twisted and distorted root system, not that it tastes of snakes. Bistort (Polygonum bistorta) is a perennial plant, forming clumps or patches. The flowers appear as pretty pink spikes atop a straight, hairless stem up to 70cm high. Flowers appear end of May to September. The leaves are dock-like but are narrower, spear-shaped affairs on long, hairy stalks with tiny wings. This plant favours the uplands, damp grassland, roadsides and stream banks. For a simple dock pudding, roughly chop a few leaves of cabbage, leeks and a good handful of bistort leaves and sweat down in a pan. Mix with one cup of cooked pearl barley, two chopped hardboiled eggs and season to taste. Add in a third raw egg and a good sprinkle of oatmeal to bind the mixture. Form into balls, coat in oatmeal and fry. It’s almost the reinvention of the Scotch Egg but we shall call it “Bistort BallsTM” and make a fortune selling it on Dragons’ Den. Although it may turn out to be a rather steep marketing hill to climb and the branding might not be to everyone’s tastes, I bet the sheep will like it. Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his website: www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.
FOOD & DRINK
GARDEN FOOD
Strawberry time
With JAKE WHITSON
IT'S that time of year again, and we've done really well with our strawberries. This is one of our early varieties “Christine”, and we're really impressed with the size and flavour of the berries. We planted these last winter, around December, and gave them a good dressing of well-rotted horse manure, seaweed, and a bit of fish, blood and
bone. When we planted them I marked the boundaries of the different varieties with a few different creeping thymes I had languishing in pots. One of these was “Creeping lemon” and I've found that it's actually a rather spot-on accompaniment to the berries. We eat these by the kilo, mostly just as they are, as a kind of “starter” for breakfast or sliced on top of porridge. We also find that strawberries freeze well and we're trying to stockpile some in the freezer for the winter. One of my favourite treats is to pile some frozen strawberries into a glass and pour orange juice (and a few leaves of lemon thyme) over them until they're submerged. After a few minutes the orange juice will turn slushy and the berries get soft like a sort of instant sorbet – the whole is absolutely delicious eaten with a spoon on a hot day. Another version of this is to add frozen strawberries to a food processor, along with a spoon of icing sugar and the juice of a lemon. Give them about ten minutes to start to defrost and then blitz them until smooth – instant sorbet! Another really quick combo for dessert is thick Greek yoghurt, shortbread and strawberries – for this I like to mix the strawberries with a dash of sugar and lemon juice (and lemon thyme if you have it) and leave for a few minutes, just until their juices start to run.
Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder – he divides his time between the Mendips and Pembrokeshire.
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MENDIP TIMES
Bite-sized food festivals are on their way
A NEW concept in food and drink festivals is coming to Mendip this summer. eat:Festivals will be delivering four “little eat festivals” in Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Shepton Mallet during July and August. These have been commissioned by Mendip District Council as a part of their reopening the high street safely campaign. Showcasing around 20 of the finest local food and drink producers and the usual high production values of eat:Festivals these are a taste of something different in the region. Little eats will be held in Street on Sunday, July 11th, in Glastonbury on Sunday, July 18th, in Wells on Sunday, July 25th and in Shepton Mallet on Sunday, August 8th. eat:Festivals was founded by Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds who are on a mission to reconnect residents with the productive landscape that surrounds them. The social enterprise started in
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2012 in their hometown of Burnham-onSea and has grown steadily, now hosting 25 events in Somerset, Devon, South Gloucestershire and Dorset each year. The four events are on a smaller scale than their usual food festivals, but visitors can still expect to find farmers’ markets favourites alongside top class street food, music and entertainers. Bev, “Head of Spreadsheets” at eat:Festivals, said: “We are delighted to be working in Mendip this summer and helping the local businesses welcome back shoppers and visitors. “The small producers we work with and many of the town centre businesses have had a horrid 18 months. Getting back to face-to-face, or mask-to-visor trading, is such a welcome step on the roadmap to economic recovery and we are pleased to play a part in this.” Head of “Sparkle”, Sarah, added: “We are looking forward to four Sunday editions across Mendip – there will be opportunities to buy ingredients for your
For details, visit: www.eatfestivals.org
Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds at the eat:Festival in Castle Cary in May
Sunday lunch, take a break from cooking and buy your Sunday lunch (and a pint), find a new favourite product, learn the stories behind the produce from the makers and rediscover what your town centre has to offer.”
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FOOD & DRINK
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MENDIP TIMES
FOOD & DRINK
Call goes out to cider makers
butCherS * fiShmoNgerS * deliCateSSeN
l Fresh meat l Fresh fish l Local cheeses l Fresh pastries & pies
New shop opening in Winscombe! Cobb’s Charter now running the galley at Cheddar Sailing Club – another great reason to become a member open: monday – Saturday 7am-6pm • Sunday 10am-4pm
e Cross, union Street, Cheddar, Somerset bS27 3Na • 01934 742521 email cobbsofcheddar@outlook.com
The British Cider Championships are returning to the Royal Bath and West Showground
ENTRIES have opened for the UK’s biggest and best cider competition, the British Cider Championships, which will this year be staged as part of the Bath and West Country Festival from Friday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29th. Organisers are hoping for a record number of entries, as the best possible bounce-back from the Covid crisis, which has hit the cider industry hard. In a normal year, the championships would have been staged at the Royal Bath and West Show at the end of May and attract well over 500 cider and perry entries from across the length and breadth of the UK. Although the Covid crisis has dictated a rather later setting for this year, organisers are hoping that the pent-up demand among cider makers for the opportunity to test their products against the very best in the land will make for an even more competitive and comprehensive line-up than usual. Judging will take place on the opening day of the show in the renowned Orchards and Cider Exhibition, which this year will be staged in the Sedgemoor Building to allow maximum space for exhibitors and visitors. Anthony Gibson, cvhairman of Orchards and Cider, said: “The British Cider Championships at the Bath and West is always one of the highlights of the cider year, and we’re determined that, to give the industry the lift it needs, this year’s competition will be bigger and better than ever. “Because we weren’t able to stage the championships last year, we’ve decided to open the classes to ciders made in each of the past two years, and we have also simplified the classes to make the judges’ task a little easier.” For details and to enter, visit: www.britishciderchampionships.com
Countryside showcase
THE North Somerset Showground at Wraxall is reopening after two years for a new Food & Craft Field Fayre, starting on June 26th, then being held on July 10th, August 7th, August 21st and September 4th. The fayres will be free to attend and will see around 30 different businesses from across the South West set up stalls. This will be followed by a countryside showcase, a new event for the society, on September 18th. Details: https://www.nsas.org.uk
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Benji’s one of the family
Rare token found in Chew Valley
NEWS
Scott and Laura in the garden of their home with Benji, Molly the labrador and Albie, the dalmatian
MEET Benji – the pedigree Welsh Mountain lamb who might just believe that he’s actually a dog! Benji was one of triplets and was failing to thrive when Laura Feltham offered to rear him at her home in Haydon with husband Scott and their two dogs, Albie and Molly. The canine pair soon accepted Benji as one of them and the trio play regularly together and will sometimes go for a walk with the lamb wearing an adapted pony harness. Laura has even taken Benji to meet her mother, Karen, for coffee at the café at Whiterow Farm Shop at Beckington – to the surprise of other visitors and their dogs. Laura, a carer, is hoping Benji will grow up to remain as placid as he is to be able to visit clients and provide some comforting animal therapy.
Walkies! Benji walks happily alongside his canine companions
ALTHOUGH there have been no meetings of the Harptrees History Society since the current situation began, members have not been idle. One, who is a metal detectorist, has discovered this coin, a trader’s token, made as “illegal money of necessity” for local currency use. On one side it reads “A BRISTOLL FARTHING C B 1662” and on the other “THE ARMES OF BRISTOLL”. No-one will ever know who dropped it but it proves that trading between Bristol and the area was happening during the reign of Charles II. Pictures of the coin appeared in the society’s bi-monthly newsletters, which contain all sorts of snippets about local history matters and have kept the group in touch during the lockdown. Much internet research has also been carried out, some of which will be published in the society's journal, the Harptreenian, free to members, which is published each year and contains longer pieces – some in depth and some more light-hearted. The society is hoping to start up meetings again in the autumn, in the newly refurbished West Harptree hall.
Lunchtime for Benji – one of his final bottle feeds before being weaned
Details: Lesley Ross lesleymmross@yahoo.co.uk
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MENDIP TIMES
HISTORY
From engine footplate to hospital theatre
VINTAGE rail enthusiast Mike Abbott was one of the happiest people at Midsomer Norton South railway station when its resident loco Joyce returned to action. Aged just 23, Mike was on the footplate as Joyce’s driver when the 94year-old engine pulled its first farepaying passengers of the year over the May Bank Holiday. Mike is a familiar face at the station, usually driving Joyce or one of its diesel counterparts but his day job couldn’t be further away from the soot and grime of a heritage railway volunteer. He is a full-time nursing assistant with the United Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust – often working in an operating theatre – and is about to embark on the next stage of his medical career. He also recently became engaged to his girlfriend. As the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway’s operations manager, Mike has also been responsible for securing the loan of a visiting loco due to enter
Joyce will be joined in July by a loco with an interesting history
service in Midsomer Norton at the beginning of July. Kitson 5459 Austin 1, on loan from the Llangollen Railway, was built in 1932 to service the Austin Motor Company’s Longbridge factory in the Midlands. Mike will have to undertake a crew assessment before being allowed to take control of the loco, but that is nothing new to him. He said: “This is a working railway and, whilst not as stringent as on
a network line, I still needed to pass my personal track safety exam and railway rules exam. “I’ve done about 15 exams so far, all in my spare time; it’s been a busy time for me.” Mike added: “It’s such a contrast from having scrubbed hands in hospital to driving a loco and getting a bit grubby, but I love it. It’s an exciting time to be at Midsomer Norton.
Mike in charge as Joyce leaves Midsomer Norton South station
Joyce’s return was delayed after owner Andy Chapman spotted a split in a steam pipe which had to be replaced
Young passengers enjoying the experience at Midsomer Norton
Fireman Harry McConnell, another young volunteer on the line
The line’s gala weekend will be held from Friday, July 2nd to Sunday, July 4th. For details, visit: www.sdjr.co.uk
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Weston Garden Machinery Garden Machinery & Woodburning Specialists
The Charnwood Cranmore – 5 or 7 Kws
BRAND NEW MODEL!
Behind Shell Garage Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS
Tel: 01934 626093 www.westongarden.co.uk
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MENDIP TIMES
Where the wild deer run free THE Somerset Guild of Craftsmen is proud to showcase its “maker of the month”, stained glass artist Clare Maryann Green. Clare is based deep in the heart of Exmoor where, in her own words: “the wild deer run free and owls hoot from the woods” and nature clearly resonates in all her work. It is easy to be inspired in such beautiful Clare Maryann Green Somerset surroundings. The guild’s gallery in Broad Street in Wells is the ideal venue to see Clare’s work in person, but she also has a presence on all social media sites. When she's not busy creating her renowned stained glass windows and hangings, Clare works hard at her smallholding where she tends more than 60 sheep. The lambing season is over and she is now busy shearing, using the wool for yet more crafting. The creatures she sees daily are prevalent in her beautiful stained glass. Clare's passion lies with windows. She says her mantra is: “I want to glaze beautiful buildings with joyous windows.” She has recently finished a superb commission for Williton Community Hospital.
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Pilgrimages can start at home
SCULPTOR Ian Marlow is looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the studio and sculpture garden in Buckland Dinham, near Frome, after the restrictions of the last year. Ian will be opening the studio and sculpture garden in July for the Frome Festival from July 3rd-11th. On show in the exhibition will be new sculptures in stainless steel as well as a series of limited-edition bronze sculptures based on pilgrimages that he is currently working on. The first of these is Pilgrim – The Reader. Number one of the edition was exhibited at Delamore Arts in Devon in June where it immediately sold, with the second bronze going to the sculpture exhibition at Beaulieu which opened on June 19th. Each edition in the series features a person in a different activity while seated on animal or bird. Ian said: “Not all pilgrimages involve travelling to a religious site. Music, art, literature, meditation, nursing, walking, reading, sports and 1,000 other routes can all take the person on a spiritual journey. “Each person is unique, so the journey they take must be appropriate for them. That journey, represented in the first sculpture in the series by the horse, is an abstract construct far larger than the person who travels along its path. “Nor is the pilgrim in control of the route it follows. The pilgrim in the sculpture is concentrating on the words contained within the book he is reading. Those words are the ‘Pilgrim Way’; they are both the path and the journey. They alone navigate the course, dictate the stops along the way and how long the journey will take.”
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Priceless porcelain hung on a nail
QUESTION: When is a nail not a nail? Answer: When it is the life support for a priceless collection of antique porcelain. When I am not working up to my eyes in antiques I like to relax by being up to my eyes in antiques. Whenever my time allows, my favourite pastime is exploring the With collections of our historic houses. One I am CHRIS YEO sure you will know is Tyntesfield, between Bristol and Clevedon. The lavish Gothic mansion – a mass of arches and pinnacles – was aggrandised on the profits of Peruvian bird droppings (the 19th century farmer’s fertiliser of choice) and is now in the care of the National Trust. Whenever I visit I am reminded of a story once told me by one of the guides there. High up on the wall of the plush Victorian library there is an impressive display of colourful – and extremely valuable – 17th century Japanese porcelain plates. Known as Imari, from the distinctive palette of blue, red and gold, they make a bold statement and would certainly get pulses racing if they ever came up for sale which, of course, they won’t. When the National Trust bought the house back in 2002 and started the mammoth job of cleaning the vast room, they were shocked to discover that the plates, which must have been in place for at least 100 years, as well as being black with years of
ARTS & ANTIQUES
dirt, were kept in place by a long piece of twisted wire which was hanging from a single large nail hammered into the wall. How they had managed to stay in place for so long without the whole display crashing to the ground heaven knows. I am reminded of this story every time I come across a plate that has suffered the misfortune of having a metal hanger attached to the back of it. Truthfully these wretched things are torture for plates, sinking their vicious spring-loaded hooks into delicate porcelain rims and turning hairlines into dirty great cracks. How I long to release them from their bondage. So, my advice is to leave your walls for pictures and put your plate on a stand.
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MENDIP TIMES
Leavers’ farewell
YEAR 11 students at Frome College created brilliant and creative art installations as part of their leavers’ celebrations. The installations were planned by Emma Knibbs, head of art, encouraging teamwork and leaving positive messages and experiences for the rest of the students to see.
Swan Artworks – creativity in lockdown
Tony and Carrie Osborne in their workshop
MUSICIAN and artist couple Tony and Carrie Osborne combined their talents when lockdown meant they could not open the doors of Swan Artworks in Paulton to customers. Determined to spend their time wisely – when not home schooling their two daughters – Tony set about writing and recording his first solo CD, whilst Carrie decided to teach herself the art of linocutting. The result is Scatterbones – a double CD of 14 songs on which Tony sings and plays all the instruments – featuring cover and booklet illustrations by Carrie. The CDs and limited prints of Carrie’s work are now on sale at the Swan Artworks workshop where the couple are currently seeing customers by appointment. Carrie and Tony said: “We want to say a huge thank you to all our longstanding customers who have supported us so magnificently throughout the ups and downs of the past year. They have been fantastic and very understanding.” l CDs cost £10 and Carrie’s prints cost £25. They are available in the workshop or online at: www.scatterbonesmusic.co.uk
Memorial auction
STANTON Drew Parish Council will be auctioning this painting from renowned local artist Natasha Clutterbuck to raise funds towards the rebuilding of the village’s war memorial. The auction will be conducted by local auctioneer Jim King on Sunday, July 25th at The Cottage, Church Lane, Stanton Drew, 2pm for a 2.30pm auction or in the village hall if the weather is bad. There is a reserve price of £750. Sealed bids can be sent to The Clerk, Tamkeryn, Tarnwell, Stanton Drew, BS39 4DZ by the day before. Telephone bidders should email chair@stantondrewpc.co.uk by 5pm Thursday, July 22nd to arrange a phone link. Details: https://www.natashaclutterbuck.co.uk
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ARTS & ANTIQUES
Silver and jewellery wanted at Mendip Auction Rooms KILLENS have welcomed clients back to the Mendip Auction Rooms with a good attendance of potential buyers on viewing and sale days. Many have welcomed the opportunity to view in person with some having grown tired of relying on the computer or ipad! The team do take the safety of clients seriously however with precautions such as the wearing of face coverings, sanitising and social distancing being implemented. Jewellery and silver are always in demand at Killens and entries are wanted to satisfy demand. Quality always sell and it seems that there are many with cash ready to spend on jewellery and silver as we emerge from the lockdown. Valuations can be undertaken on a dropin basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday and Killens have professional gemologists and experts on hand to advise. The team of valuers continues to grow with Harriet Mustard having joined Killens in June from Special Auction Services
based in Newbury. At the June antiques sale, furniture flourished with really strong online bidding. An oyster veneered cabinet on stand achieved £3600, various refectory
tables between £950 and £1800 and a French gilt metal mounted Boulle work desk in need of restoration £800. The next antiques sale at the Mendip Auction Rooms will be held on July 10th.
Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance.
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MENDIP TIMES
Charity gig
GuILLY and Tony Jones will be opening their garden in Pensford for a charity gig, raising funds for St Thomas a Becket Church Tower, the Pancreatic Cancer research fund and in memory of Tina Jenkins. It will take place at the hollies on Pensford hill on Sunday, July 18th, from 3pm, featuring various bands. Tickets are £8 in advance and £10 on the day. Take your own rugs, picnics and chairs. Details: Guilly or Tony 01761 490456
Volunteers wanted
VoLunTeerS from Weston-super-Mare and north Somerset Samaritans have welcomed a special visitor to the branch. David Matthews, from Doncaster, is walking 6,000 miles visiting all 201 branches of the Samaritans in the uK. Weston was branch number 127 on his mammoth route and he has walked almost nine million steps so far. Weston branch member John said: “It was great to meet David and cheer him on his way. he is doing a fantastic job promoting the work of Samaritans as he walks the length and breadth of the uK.” The local branch of the charity is currently looking for new volunteers to join its team of listeners.
Details: WestonSuperMare.Recruitment@Samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org/volunteer
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Buskers raise the bar for Fair Frome
Singing in the sun (l:r) Danny Shorten, Paul Kirtley and David Goodman
A GrouP of musicians who have been busking in Frome throughout the last nine months of the pandemic have raised more than £2,500 for charity. now the friends, who call themselves the We Don’t Scare easy Tribe, have set themselves a target of raising £5,000 for Fair Frome by December. Fair Frome works to tackle poverty in the town, running the food and furniture banks for referred clients.
Schools charity needs support The Lifeskills Safety education Charity, which is used by primary schools throughout the area, says it needs more volunteers if it is to reopen fully this September. hundreds of Year 6 classes normally visit their centre in Bristol every year, where they teach children how to keep themselves safe by taking them on a tour around their realistic (indoor) village. Volunteer-led and in small groups, children are guided through many hazardous, real-life, interactive scenarios and they learn how to best deal with difficult or risky situations, including a road, beach, railway, dark alleyway, shops, and homes. They use special effects to bring things to life. The children even get to make practice emergency 999 calls. It truly is a memorable experience. Pre-pandemic they were teaching around 12,500 primary school children every year. Since then the centre has remained closed to schools. They quickly produced a video package to replace school visits during lockdowns, which schools could subscribe to and help keep the charity afloat. It now has more schools on its waiting list than it can cope with, unless it can recruit more volunteers. It’s holding taster sessions for recruits on Tuesday, July 13th, 10.30am and Thursday, July 15th, 1.30pm. Details: sam@lifeskills-bristol.org.uk 07860 832768 Facebook Link: https://bit.ly/2T6RVP6 Twitter Link: https://bit.ly/3gjih8S
Air Ambulance launches appeal
Ed Valentine
CHARITIES
Marathon runners wanted GreAT Western Air Ambulance has launched its first ever appeal for funds, facing an increase in demand and a £250,000 loss in fundraising because of the pandemic. In one week recently, the charity received 52 call-outs. Medical director, Dr ed Valentine, said: “This last year has been tough on everyone, but it has been especially testing for the crew, who have worked tirelessly
to save lives in your community. “now, as restrictions start to ease, we’re facing a very different challenge – a rise in the number of patients who need us. “As people get back into their cars for their daily commutes, take their summer ‘staycations’, and flock to our beaches, there will be no rest for us.” each call-out costs the charity around £2,000 on average, meaning their fundraising loss could have covered over 100 lifesaving missions. each year, they need to raise over £4 million to remain operational, and rely entirely on charitable donations to do this. Dr Valentine said: “We were here throughout the pandemic and we are still here now. We are ready to serve you – but we can only do it with your help. So we are asking you to support our Covid19 recovery Fund, and ensure we continue to be here for those in need.”
Are you looking to run the Virtual London Marathon? The trustees of the charity Murdered Abroad (one living in Somerset), have places available, all entry fees paid, for suitable runners. You can run any route of your choice, here in Somerset on october 3rd, and will have 23 hours to complete your chosen 26mile run to qualify for the coveted “Finisher’s” medal and Tshirt. Murdered Abroad supports the families of about 80 or so British citizens who are killed each year, working, or holidaying abroad. A spokesman said: “People don’t realise until it happens to them that although any murder is horrendous for the family, murders abroad have the additional burdens of repatriation, language, time difference, foreign judicial systems, culture differences, distance, massive travel costs and little support from the authorities.” The charity has helped hundreds of families since it was set up in 2001. Details: support@murdered-abroad.org.uk • Brian 07880 734949 or brian@murdered-abroad.org.uk
Children helped by cheque
Details: http://www.gwaac.com/recoveryfund
Cycle ride supports hospice
ST MArGAreT’S hospice Care’s Charity Cycle ride is being held on Saturday, July 18th with a choice of routes starting at the Yeovil hospice. The popular fundraising event will see participants tackle a leisurely 40-mile route from Yeovil to Taunton or an epic 80-mile circular route from Yeovil to Taunton and then back to Yeovil. entries are now open for the pedal-powered challenge, with places costing £25 for any distance. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for St Margaret’s hospice Care, which last year supported more than 5,000 people affected by life-limiting illnesses across Somerset. This year’s event is sponsored by the Bicycle Chain and Clarke Wilmott solicitors. The event is open to riders aged 12 and over but anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Details: https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/cycleride
Terry Spragg, president of Burnham-on-Sea Rotary Club, with the charity’s Stephanie Sampson
heLP The Child, a charity which raises funds to buy specialist equipment for children with disabilities, has been presented with £500 by Burnham-on-Sea rotary Club. The Somerset-wide charity, based in the town, was established in 1987. It was one of four local charities to benefit from a total of £2,000 donated by the club. For details, visit www.helpthechild.org.uk
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 31
(Photograph courtesy of Weston Hospicecare)
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MENDIP TIMES
Villagers and visitors put fun on the map
PILTon was full of shoppers on May Bank holiday Monday for the village’s annual jumble trail raising funds for the Glastonbury-based Children’s World charity and other good causes. The day raised more than £700 for Children’s World alone, giving a much-needed boost to its work in schools and in the community staging drama, music and educational workshops.
Paddy Hill, from Children’s World
Bargains galore were on offer
Playtime with the toys for sale
Fiona Case (left) and Jenny de Gex. Fiona has been fundraising for the Bhopal Medical Appeal since 1994 PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Ella (left) and Lottie were raising money for community nurses in Shepton Mallet who cared for their great-grandmother
Michael Eavis during a trip around the village
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Rotary reaching out
Jackie Partridge (centre) with Amy Paisey and Becky Exley, reception class teachers and pupils
A ChAnCe meeting in a bank in Midsomer norton has led to Somer Valley rotary Club coming to the aid of St Benedict’s School in the town. Current club president Jackie Partridge overheard a fellow customer chatting to a cashier about how difficult it has been to raise funds for the polytunnel at her child’s school. Built during the pandemic, raising money to install an irrigation system and to get in the plant stock to start their growing calendar has not been easy. Along with many others, the club donated £100 to give the school a helping hand. Already, the reception class has been enjoying the fruits of their labour; the additional learning space in the tunnel has been very well received, showing the children: “how plants grow and where some healthy snacks come from” along with charting the growth of the plants. l Further donations are welcome. Contact St Benedict’s, Midsomer norton, Parent Teacher Association at stbenedicts@edu.somerset.gov.uk
Record numbers
nAILSeA Charity Walks, runs and Bikes took place on Sunday, June 13th in glorious unbroken sunshine to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the event. There were the usual choice of walks/runs (5k,10k, 20k) and for the first time, bike routes (25K, 50k, 100k). entrants obtained sponsorship and raised vital funds for a charity of their choice. The entry fee goes to rotary charities. So far, a record number, about 470, have registered and close to 300 of those participated on the Sunday at whatever time of day they preferred. The event is still active, up to and including July 31st. Graham hunt from the organising committee said: “It was a wonderful day! rotary, nailsea and Backwell want to thank the local community for getting behind the event and making it such a success. “The atmosphere was brilliant; great good humour, a lot of fun but very importantly, they observed Covid safety requirements to a very high standard. People have been very complimentary about
CHARITIES
Walkers on air after breaking cash target
A GrouP of walkers who completed the 107-mile Mendip ring long-distance footpath route have raised almost £3,000 in aid of a Frome man’s favourite charity. The walk was held in memory of Karl Waldeck, one of the founders of Frome Town rotary, who died in october 2020. It was raising funds for the nepalese charity Classrooms in the Clouds. The team that completed the full ten-day challenge were Peter Bennett, Claire hewish, Tony Dyson, Tim Digger and Betsy Digger. Many others joined them for days or sections of the walk, including Karl’s sons Alex and Jonathan, Maisy humphries, Jane Dyson and Mary Canale. They were joined on the last three days by Mike and Sarah hagen from the charity. Peter Bennett, who organised the walk along with Dot Cretney and Alex and Jonathan Waldeck, said: “our fundraising total at the time of writing is £2,973, or around £3,500 including gift aid – way above the £1000 target!” For details, visit: https://www.classroomsintheclouds.org/
New GP service
A neW training programme has been launched in Somerset to improve accessibility of primary healthcare for people with a learning disability and/or autism, offering free training to all healthcare professionals and non-clinical staff. The nationwide #MyGPandMe e-learning is being launched first in Somerset by Discovery, part of Dimensions uK, to help to address health inequalities and barriers. Current research shows that people with a learning disability die, on average, 25 years earlier than their counterparts in the general population. Details: #MyGPandMe page on the Dimensions website
the event, the routes and the arrangements – a few asked if we could arrange for it to be a little cooler next year!” It’s not too late to register. The route maps and instructions will be e-mailed to you and you can walk, run or ride through your local countryside at your leisure.
Details: Graham Hunt 07970 771845 grahamjeanhunt@tiscali.co.uk
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Musician on the move
Piano tutor, Giuseppe Bavetta, is now ready to take pupils at his new studio on the southern slope of Crook Peak, at Compton Bishop. With more than 30 years’ experience, he was based in Long ashton until he and his wife, Martine, and their three children made the move to Compton Bishop three months ago. They have converted the double garage into a music studio with stunning views across The Levels. Giuseppe is largely self-taught, very well regarded in Bristol music circles and specialises in piano technique, across all age groups. Martine is busy re-establishing her business in home-grown flowers following their move.
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PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Investment in green energy
Yeo Valley has installed over 3,300 solar panels at its site in Highbridge as part of its sustainable business plan. The £1 million installation at the company’s isleport Distribution Centre is the second major solar project growing Yeo Valley’s renewable energy production, with a further £5 million being spent over the next five years. Yeo Valley’s Karl Tucker said “The installation at our isleport Distribution Centre is a major step towards our ambition to be 50% self-sufficient in our electricity usage over the next ten years. “Using our buildings, our land and the power of the sun to make clean green energy makes absolute sense. Sustainability is an essential part of Yeo Valley, which is why we will continue to invest in green technologies to help build a more sustainable future.” The solar system installed has an output of over 1,000 MWh of green electricity per year. This will provide a third of the electricity demand of the isleport site and will further reduce the company’s carbon footprint. in 2014 over one acre of solar panels were installed at Yeo Valley’s Holt Farm dairy in Blagdon producing 450 MWh (megawatt hours) per year. in addition, Yeo Valley worked with Coombe Farm, at its production site in Crewkerne, to install 5Mw of solar panels in the surrounding fields. in addition to their solar generated energy, Yeo Valley only uses renewable electricity suppliers and has done for the last two decades.
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Inheritance tax – don’t lose out
BereaVeD families face paying up to £140,000 in avoidable inheritance tax due to bewilderment over the death duty’s “most confusing” rule. Since 2018 homeowners have benefited from extra tax breaks on their main home when passing it on to a direct descendent, known as the “main residence nil rate band”, or “family home allowance”. Today this stands at £175,000 and comes on top of the standard £325,000 allowance. Spouses and civil partners can share their allowances. People who sell an expensive property to downsize or to go into care can claim a tax credit known as the "downsizing addition" so they still qualify for the enhanced protections. But many are unaware they qualify. The Government’s own tax adviser, the office of Tax Simplification, said in a report that downsizing rules were a very complicated aspect of the 40pc death tax and that virtually no one was able to work them out without the help of professionals. now, with more people downsizing, living longer and moving into care in later life, an increasing
number risk missing out. The rules are meant to stop people from rattling around big houses to make the most of tax breaks on their homes, but it is the families who have to claim the addition and most lay executors have no idea it exists at all. it is worth pointing out that the rules apply to anyone who has sold their home or downsized to a smaller property since July 2015. it means the window on claims is growing and more people will be caught out over time, needlessly losing thousands to the taxman. as an example, consider a widow who sold her house in 2018 for £400,000 and moved into residential care, but later died in 2020, leaving £650,000 in investments and £350,000 in cash to her family. Her relatives use her and her former husband’s main iHT allowance so the investment portfolio passes tax free. They wrongly believe they cannot claim the family home allowance, as the house was sold previously, and are hit with a £140,000 death tax bill. But by claiming the downsizing addition they could cut the tax bill entirely. Families have two years to claim the
allowance after death, although HM revenue & Customs says it may consider later claims in some circumstances. The oTS has said the rules will continue to confuse and cause problems unless a more straightforward way to achieve broadly the same policy outcome is achieved. it is well worth seeking legal advice before making any decisions on the best way forward. EDWARD LYONS
Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168
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Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506
Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 35
D h lo L to d
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Truespeed serves up full fat fibre to Yeo Valley BaTH-based Truespeed has connected much-loved and iconic Somerset brand Yeo Valley to its ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband service. The well-known family farm and dairy business, operating from multiple rural locations in the South West, now benefits from gigabitcapable connectivity at six sites. These include its dairy farms, headquarters and the garden tearoom which is open to visitors to its organic garden. With a dedicated Truespeed fibreoptic connection to these beautiful, remote locations, Yeo Valley no longer has to rely on slow, unreliable copper phone lines for its broadband needs. The renowned organic dairy brand now has guaranteed symmetrical upload/download speeds of 250Mbps. it also now has the reliability and bandwidth required to run a modern business and is reaping the benefits of flawless connectivity despite its remote locations. The Truespeed network provides the full fibre connectivity needed by
staff to remotely monitor and manage milk production and feeds at the dairy farms, whilst enjoying glitch-free video meetings and running massive data backups in a timely fashion. Visitors to the Yeo Valley organic Garden and adjoining tearoom can also now benefit from great internet connectivity while admiring the flowers and sampling the cakes. Future plans include connecting new CCTV cameras at the two farms to the Truespeed network to allow the monitoring of livestock and providing ultra-fast internet access to members of the public attending the Yeo Valley organic Garden. Yeo Valley choosing Truespeed and granting access to existing ducting on their land for the network build will mean speeding up the delivery to neighbouring communities that were previously stuck in the digital slow lane. Yeo Valley iT Manager, anthony roper said: “The Truespeed full fibre service has made a huge difference to Yeo Valley. Before the switch we were forever struggling with slow, unreliable broadband but now we
have guaranteed symmetrical upload/download speeds of 250Mbps. “This means we can get on with running our business instead of having to deal with regular broadband drop outs.” Truespeed Ceo, evan Wienberg, said: “Connecting the best of this country’s rural businesses like Yeo Valley to our state-of-the-art broadband service underlines the importance of our full fibre roll out. “With our dedicated fibre-optic connection, businesses and households have the opportunity to not just level up their broadband but to benefit from one of the fastest, most reliable services available in the UK today.” Truespeed is focused on connecting heritage cities such as Bath and Wells, rural communities and businesses located in harder to reach areas of the South West underserved by national broadband providers. The firm’s community ethos also extends to providing free broadband for life to local primary schools and community hubs passed by its network.
Visit truespeed.com or call the local team on 01225 300370 to place your ultrafast order PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
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Education People: local work for local people SoMe 13 years ago, local axbridge girl nicole Dommett (née Giermann) set up education People, a small independent education supply agency, with the aim of finding local teachers and support staff local work in South West schools. over a decade on, education People has grown to become one of the most successful independent recruitment agencies in the South West with a strong presence in Mendip, Wells, radstock, Yeovil, Mark, Cheddar and many more. But despite their impressive growth and client base, education People continues to pride itself on being a small, local and independent agency with a personal touch. “It has been a pleasure to work with such a professional and friendly agency. The team focus on placing the right teachers in the right school and making their teachers feel supported… The personal interest they show in supply
teachers and their requirements is second to none.” (Google reviews). as well as placing already qualified staff, education People work closely with local people who have an interest in working in schools and want to retrain by supporting them to gain experience in the education sector with voluntary classroom work. Subject to their success and pending appropriate
vetting checks, these prospective candidates can then start their career as a teaching assistant with education People. This offers candidates a chance at a new career that works around them and their home life, with work flexibility, schools hours and holidays off. The company are extremely proud of their teachers and teaching assistants, many of whom have remained on their books for a decade as a result of the dedicated, professional and personalised service they receive. The strong relationships built over the years with local schools mean that they are never short of work to offer their staff. Despite the pandemic causing schools to close for the majority of the past year, they have kept their doors open and their spirits up and are ready to offer their professional service to schools and teachers again.
If you are a teacher or TA looking for school placements or interested to know how Education People can help you retrain as a Teacher or TA, please contact them for more info on 0117 3251516.
PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
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BUSINESS
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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 39
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Mental health campaigners continue their fight A GROUP of people opposed to the transfer of inpatient mental health beds from Wells to Yeovil took their campaign to the doorstep of health officials behind the move. The Save St Andrew's ward campaign staged a demonstration outside the offices of the Somerset Care Commissioning Group in Yeovil as part of their ongoing efforts to halt the relocation. They also handed in the first of several petitions. Closure of the ward – and the opening of a new ward at Yeovil District Hospital – is due to take place next year as part of the CCG’s plan to improve mental health provision in the county. But the protestors claim it will deprive patients living in the Wells, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet areas of easy access to the service. Emma King, from Glastonbury, who launched the campaign, said: “We want the CCG to build the ward at Yeovil, but to keep St Andrew's ward open with the potential to reopen Phoenix ward on the same site, in response to the growing need for mental health services, not only in the Mendip area, but also in areas adjacent to Mendip, where we know that people in the BANES area are sent to Harrogate and people in crisis in Weston get sent to Leeds! “We all agree that this is an unacceptable way to treat the most vulnerable people in our society.” A spokesperson for Somerset CCG said: “It is important to clarify that the adult mental health inpatient beds at St Andrew’s Ward in Wells are relocating to Yeovil –this is not a closure. There is no reduction in bed numbers and the proposals will help
Emma King prepares to hand in the latest petition
NEWS
Protestors outside the CCG offices in Yeovil
us to provide safer and better-quality care to people who need this level of mental health support across the whole of Somerset. “The pandemic has affected everyone’s mental and physical wellbeing both here in Somerset and across the country. We continue to receive significant increases in funding to transform our adult mental health services, in addition to the original £13m awarded in 2019. This funding has helped us to accelerate many of the positive transformational plans we had in place.” The CCG says it has commissioned additional community support across the whole of Somerset. The Mendip element includes: • 35 additional community-based staff located in the area • Establishing three community front room locations (open to anyone over 18 who need face-to-face support and staffed by mental health professionals) • Piloting the use of four step up/step down beds to provide a bridge between in-patient unit and local services • An all age 24/7 mental health line providing wellbeing support The spokeswoman added: “Our focus is on additional support being available to more people as early as possible. Ensuring that individuals are supported to manage their mental health at home or in their local community, so that individuals’ mental health does not deteriorate to the point where they require inpatient treatment and care.” Campaigners are staging another protest in Shepton Mallet’s Collett Park on Saturday, June 26th at 2.30pm.
The Save St Andrew’s Ward petition can be found at: https://www.change.org/p/somerset-clinical-commissioninggroup-save-st-andrew-s-ward-wells-from-closure
Birthday honours
SOMERSET Community Foundation’s chief executive, Justin Sargent, and Quartet Community Foundation’s former chief executive, Sue Turner, were both awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. They were for services to the community and commitment to social justice. PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Sue Turner
Justin Sargent
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WILDLIFE
Birds of a feather
MORE and more fledglings are now on the wing, yet there will be some birds still busy nesting, rearing young and even incubating eggs. But many familiar birds will have stopped, and so the (by now) worn-out adults will start to moult thereby By CHRIS beginning to replace broken or missing SPERRING MBE feathers. During this process their flight, in some cases, may not be as efficient as normal and so, of course, many of our garden birds will seem to disappear, for a short while at least. Young birds such as robin, blackbird and starling, although flying now, will still be recognisable in their juvenile plumage. Take the starling as an example: the young, although very able to fly, are much lighter coloured yet duller than their parents, but even now they are beginning a moult, so in effect changing their juvenile plumage to adult plumage. The common buzzard, familiar to us soaring effortlessly in the now warming open skies, is one bird that will still very much be tending its young during July and may also be beginning to moult. So, with the pressure on, it’s not surprising that they time their young to hatch slightly later than some other birds so that there will be more food available to them. Young buzzards that are capable of flying will still be being looked after by their parents; these young will be heard before they are seen, their cry is a repeated and harsher version of the Buzzards face adults meowing call. If you’re a busy July raising young out and about hear this calling yet moulting from wood or small copse, find some cover to hide yourself and start watching for a parent to return with food for the
A young blackbird in its juvenile plumage
Young and adult starlings showing their different plumage
constantly calling youngster. The adult may announce its arrival on approaching by giving out one or two calls; if the youngster is old enough, it may fly out of the trees towards the parent bird either snatching the food from the parent’s feet or waiting for the adult to go to ground before the food handover takes place. Whilst adult buzzards will feed on a variety of food, anything from worms to rabbits, the young which are still growing fast will need the larger end of the prey list; from the adult’s perspective this is also wise as then it’s not making as many foraging trips as it would do if it was only feeding worms to the young. Voles such as short-tailed and bank voles can make up a sizable part of the diet, but even these are quite small, so during this time it’s not that unusual to see an adult buzzard flying with a rabbit, grey squirrel, or large brown rat dangling from its talons. The buzzard is a relatively easy bird to watch if you remain hidden, still and quiet; even though they are used to humans that doesn’t make them easy to approach closely. I have been asked to give an update on how the barn owl nesting season is going? Well after the rains of May, I’m pleased to say that our nests that we watch on cameras appear to be doing OK as of June 7th; with my annual monitoring of farms due to start I think next month I will be in a much better position to give you a more precise update. Don’t forget if you’re a farmer/landowner and have barn owls on your farm you can contact me through Chris.Sperring@hawkandowltrust.or.uk or by phone on 07799 413918 if you wish me to visit. The Hawk and Owl Trust Somerset Barn Owl webcam is still running with all six owlets doing well at present.
To watch live footage from one of our Somerset barn owl nest sites, visit: www.hawkandowltrust.org/web-cam-live/barn-owl-cam-live-somerset
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 41
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A wander around the Isle of Wedmore
THIS summer circle explores the beautiful Isle of Wedmore and also the Somerset Levels and Moors. This is the best time for walking across the moors – the land of the Summer people – and it is a glorious patchwork of green, white and yellow – green fields, cow parsley, hogweed, daisies, tall buttercups and bright fringes of irises along the rhynes. Enjoy big skies and fine views. There are swans and herons
to be seen and many other birds, possibly even an otter, so take your binoculars. Walking is along droves between the rhynes, along tracks and field footpaths and there are several stiles. Most of the time you are on the flat. In high summer some of the paths can get slightly overgrown so shorts may not be ideal and it would be handy to have a stick to cut down vegetation on a couple of paths. There is no refreshment en-route. PARK: At the huge car park at Wedmore Recreation and Sports Ground out of Wedmore on the Blackford Road. Postcode of car park, BS28 4BS. Park near the far end by the children’s play area.
With Sue Gearing PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
START: Go out the main entrance and straight over along the short side road. Turn left at the junction and soon, opposite the main door of the farmhouse on the left, go right up steps in the hedge on the signed public footpath. This can get quite obscured by vegetation. The path technically goes diagonally left across the field, to the top left corner, but usage has it that you go along the bottom edge and then round the corner and up the other side. Go ahead across the next field parallel with the right hedge and bear away slightly to go through an opening in the far side. Then go up the field and aim for just short of the far right corner by a house.
1. SAND Go down steps and over a stile in the hedge and onto the lane in the hamlet of Sand. Turn right and shortly just past the stone entrance pillars, turn left along a track – Sand Hill. This is a beautiful section of about 0.7 miles taking you along and then down onto the Somerset Levels with wide vistas and a very different landscape to that of the Isle of Wedmore. The track becomes rougher. Reach a hard track. Go on a few metres and turn right on the track across the moors.
2. DROVE The moors are known for their rare moorland plant species, wintering birds, water fowl. Also, otters have been monitored here for many years. This is Allermoor Drove which heads across Aller Moor between rhynes adorned with yellow flags and with good views up right to the Isle of Wedmore ridge. This very peaceful area where cattle graze and heron fly hides a tumultuous happening in the past when in January 1607 a tsunami from the Irish Sea crashed across the Levels as far as Glastonbury, destroying lives and homes. After just over half a mile reach a crossing lane, Jack’s Drove, and continue on as before. 3. TEALHAM MOOR This is a stretch of about a mile across
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Tealham Moor. Reach a crossing lane, Kid Gate Drove, and turn right. Follow this quiet lane as it rises towards the Isle of Wedmore ridge. Over on your left on the Levels is the site of a Roman Saltworks which is still shown on the map but nothing remains to be seen. Salt extraction on the Levels by the Romans was widespread. In Roman times coastal tides reached this far inland. Seawater was collected in large vats to evaporate so only salt remained. Salt was, of course, a highly valued commodity worldwide.
4. WESTHAM Continue up to Westham and take the first lane right. At a left hand bend, go straight on by Westham Farm along a track. As it bends right you go straight on following a grassy public footpath. Go through a kissing gate (KG) and continue on along the left edge of a field past a rather dramatic gnarled old tree. Go through a KG on the left and choose the permissive path which goes up left, alongside a wildlife garden. Bend round and continue to another KG. Then turn right in the field following the bottom hedge. Turn the corner by a house and get the first of many good views across to Glastonbury Tor and over the moors you have crossed earlier. Carry on to a gate in the next corner, then immediately another gate and enter a field. Continue as before along the bottom of the field. After a stile, join a path under trees, which might be a little
6 miles, about 3-4 hours walking. OS Explorer Map 141. Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West. Grid ref: 424 474
overgrown. Cross a stile and continue along the bottom of rough grassland and trees on a mown strip. Cross a stile and follow another small path which leads to an open area and maintain direction as before. Reach a track at the end and on the right by the large gate find a footpath which continues on through a KG. Come into a field and go ahead following woodland and then a hedge on your right. Not far from the corner reach a kissing gate on the right; don’t take it, but stay in the field and bear left across to a KG in the corner by a gate.
5. HEATH HOUSE Turn right into the hamlet of Heath House. At the junction, go straight over into Castle Lane. Follow it on. Keep straight on (don’t bend right with the track). Go closely alongside two houses and then it becomes an ordinary footpath which goes through a gate and on in the area known as Castle. Roman coins have been picked up at Castle, in the hamlet of Heath House. Here also in February 1883, three or four human skeletons were found during stone quarrying by Robert James at a depth of 3ft. Others had been found at the same spot in former years. A Roman coin was also found nearby at Hazzard, others at Heath House, and a small copper coin of Probus was found in the vicinity about 1880 by a turf-digger. The track leads to a lane on the edge of Sand. Turn right. After a couple of minutes take the first track left (restricted access sign). 6. MADWOMAN’S LANE This is known as Madwoman’s Lane, said to be named after a mad woman who lived in a tree along here. It is a shady thoroughfare of about half a mile which is uneven under foot in parts and in winter could be muddy and hard-going. At the end, turn right. Shortly, take the first lane left and retrace your steps back to the start and the recreation and sports ground.
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 43
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OUTDOORS
West Countryman’s diary
THE longest day will have passed by the time you read this month’s edition and I wonder just how fast our summer is going to disappear? Only a few weeks back it was wet and cold. The thought of seeking shelter from the sun was something I had not even given a moment’s thought to, yet here I am With LES doing just that. DAVIES MBE With that need to escape from the sun, comes an understanding of how woods work and how team work can pull the tree through a long hot summer. Deciduous trees need the equivalent of an “animal herd” to survive. The lone tree is capable of looking after itself, but to be really successful, it takes a co-ordinated approach. The next time you take a walk in Rowberrow forest, take a little time out to rest in one of the beech plantations. The first thing to notice is the immediate drop in temperature. On a hot summer’s day this is such a welcome break from the relentless attention of the sun’s rays. Lie down and look up through the tree canopy, where the sunlight is gently filtered down to the woodland floor. Very little if any other growth exists here as the trees keep the soil moist and prevent the chance of water loss through evaporation. It’s a team effort that is enabling everyone to live. The high tree tops still allow sufficient light for food production through photosynthesis. No-one is being pushed out from doing that, but together they shade that all important woodland floor containing the water reserves so carefully collected during the wetter months. A big hole in the tree canopy will lead to a hole in the parasol and a drying out of the soil below. The answer to survival can therefore be summed up with yet another acronym: ALTI or All Level Team Involvement. The question then arises, how do the future tree replacements survive in this light-starved environment? Being unable to photosynthesise and produce their own food, these infant trees rely on “mother’s milk” or sugars to be more precise. They are fed by the larger trees through their root system – all they need is water. An attachment to the mature trees continues for a long time until it is their chance to take over. The trees not only shade out the woodland floor, they also
keep the humidity high by transpiration, the discharge of water droplets from the underside of the leaf – I suppose you would call it sweating! In our temperate climate we have become quite accustomed to seeing large stands of conifers, whose natural surroundings would be much further north. They are more used to long winters and short summers where they need to maximise on both food production and growth. Hot weather can bring them under stress through lack of water. Very large conifer forests, such as in Canada and Siberia can create their own clouds. Even if no rain falls, they have the effect of cooling the air and reducing water loss. The distinctive “pine smell” that hits you as soon as you go into a conifer plantation is created by natural chemicals given off by the trees. If produced in sufficient quantities, it is to these chemicals that water droplets attach themselves and form clouds. Such small clouds can occasionally be seen drifting along the tree tops of Rowberrow forest well below what would be normal cloud height. For trees, everything is done in slow time, that’s why they live for so long. We can look at a tree and wonder what it has “seen” during its life. We can also look at the same tree and realise it’s not able to get up and move if it doesn’t particularly like its surroundings. Darwin’s work on evolution not only identified the survival of the fittest as being the key to success, but also the survival of the most intelligent as being a major factor. Trees are very intelligent and have mastered the art of survival over thousands of years. Change is a natural occurrence and it’s not change itself that causes problems, it’s more the rate of change. We all know about the increase in carbon dioxide levels and the threat it poses. Scientists’ knowledge of the past has revealed very high levels of carbon dioxide, but life was able to adapt to this change because it was gradual. We however have accelerated the levels at such a rate as to make it difficult for things to adapt quickly enough! Maybe we are not too late to slow things up a little; has the pandemic made us think about what we are doing? I had some lovely responses from last month’s tree/face pictures and thought it would be good to put a couple more in this time. The “mouse” is growing on a lime tree in King wood, whilst the scary tree face was provided by Judith Tranter from the Mendip Society and is in the society’s nature reserve at Tania’s Wood near Ubley. Hopefully you will be finding more of your own!
You can always contact me through my website: Westcountryman.co.uk PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
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Coping with cunning climbers
Plants that climb have so many uses in the garden. Concealing unsightly fences, adding height to borders when climbing through obelisks, adding a different season of interest to a rather ordinary shrub that has finished flowering, clambering into trees, adding interest to walls and all that With MARY as well as adding beauty, colour and often PAYNE MBE scent to your garden. However, before rushing out to the garden centre it is important that you understand how climbers climb so the right support can be provided for them. Plants have evolved some pretty ingenious methods of getting where they want to and that is usually to the top. their sole aim is to grow up to get whatever light is available. Even bindweed has that one aim in mind. Clematis, the queen of climbers, is deservedly the top choice for many, with an abundance of flowers and sometimes followed by attractive fluffy seed heads for winter interest. there is a clematis to suit every situation. they “climb” by twisting their leaf stalks around whatever they touch and therefore need a trellis or netting to cling on to. they are unable to scale a wall or fence without additional support. It is vital to choose a clematis that is of an appropriate vigour for your chosen site. Clematis montana is a rampant climber and can easily smother a 30 feet high tree. too often it resembles a gigantic bird’s nest of dead wood, but it can be pruned quite drastically, immediately after flowering, without affecting the next season’s flower. For enhancing a shrub to add another season of interest, choose a clematis indicated on the label to be in the Group 3 or Hard Prune type. this group are pruned hard in late February and will grow again and flower on current season’s growth. the purple leaved smoke bush looks great combined with the pink flowered C. ‘Hagley Hybrid’ or perhaps a flowering currant draped in C. ‘Venosa Violacea’. always plant the clematis on the north side of the shrub and on the outer edge. By doing this the clematis will get rain and will want to grow towards the south side. the same thing applies if planting a clematis to grow into an established tree. Plant on the outer edge of the tree canopy and train the clematis on a cane into the head of the tree. Make sure your clematis is not too vigorous for your tree. I use clematis to conceal down pipes by wrapping an appropriately coloured piece of clematis netting around the pipe for the leaf stalks to grab. Group 3 clematis also make striking partners for climbing roses up pillars. the clematis uses the stems of the rose as support while the rose needs to be tied into the pillar. Hard pruning in late February enables the rose also to be pruned. two useful shade tolerant climbers ideal for north facing walls are the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea annomala susbp. petiolaris) flowering in late spring and Pileostegia viburnoides, performing in late summer. the latter has the added advantage of being evergreen. Both of these climb by forming aerial roots which are able to cling onto walls and are often described as self-clinging climbers. these aerial roots are not feeding roots and will not penetrate the surface, but it is best to ensure the wall surface is sound. Both these climbers are slow to get started so PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Clematis Miss Bateman
patience is required but worth the wait. Ivy uses the same method. sweet peas, cucumbers, vines and many climbers have tendrils, often modifications of a leaf or a stem that allow them to twist around any suitable support. Ideally the stems of sweet peas should be tied in and all the tendrils removed as they are prone to grab any nearby flower bud. Virginia creeper and Boston ivy valued for their rich autumnal foliage tints have evolved their tendrils to have suckers at their tips enabling them to cling to virtually any surface, but beware they leave their suckers behind even when dead! Many climbers twine by spiralling their stems around any suitable support. those familiar with the songs of Flanders and swann will recall the “right-handed bindweed and the left-handed honeysuckle”. It is easier to think of them as twining clockwise or anticlockwise when viewed from above. I am sure you have tried to persuade your runner beans to climb the pole only for them to decide to go the other way. they prefer to spiral anti-clockwise. Each plant keeps to its own direction of spiral with the vast majority being clockwise and unlike the direction of spiral of the water going down the plughole in your bath plants stay the same regardless of which hemisphere they are growing in. However, the two main species of wisteria spiral in opposite directions. the Chinese wisteria spirals anticlockwise and the Japanese clockwise! Climbing roses are not climbers at all, but slightly stronger growing forms of bush roses and require total support. Rambling roses, on the other hand, are very vigorous with a desire to get to the top of their world. to achieve this, they have evolved downward pointing thorns. these cling onto rough surfaces such as tree bark very effectively, like a cat climbing a tree. Particularly good at going up, but not so elegant at coming down as you will find if trying to pull down on a rose branch. always plant the rose outside the canopy of the tree, as described above for a clematis. select your climber with care paying attention to the vigour, aspect of its location regarding sun or shade, length of flowering season, ease of training and hardiness. look for plants with good growth from the base. It is the roots of the plant you are paying for. Water well for its first growing season and you will be rewarded with flowers, foliage, screening, and accommodation for wildlife.
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J U LY G A R D E N T I P S
• Check for briar suckers coming from the roots of roses and remove them flush with the roots to avoid getting more. • Vigorous shrubs such as Firethorn [Pyracantha] will benefit from having over-long shoots pruned back and this will stop them hiding the attractive berries which should have formed on old growth. • Carefully prune evergreen Californian lilac [Ceanothus] and Broom [Cytisus] now that they have finished flowering. Don’t just hack at it, but make sure you use really sharp tools and trim out leading shoots to leave weaker side shoots. • Vigorous climbers such as clematis, honeysuckle and perennial sweet peas will need tying up again. support them well and they will repay you well with more blooms. • after they have finished blooming, move pot grown limehating plants into a shady area of the garden. they will enjoy the cool and you can bring something showier into the limelight for summer. • all lime-hating plants, either in pots or in the garden, will reward you next spring if you regularly feed with a specific plant food. this month is when next year’s flower buds form so ensure they don’t go short of water. • Check susceptible varieties of plants for vine weevil damage. Half circle notches out of the edges of leaves are common at this time of year and are caused by the adult insects. likely plants to show symptoms are viburnums, heucheras, busy lizzies, euonymus, bergenias, camellias, rhododendrons and fuchsias.
GARDENING
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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 47
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MENDIP TIMES
Successful sale
N GS GA R D EN S OF THE MON TH
Pictured (l to r) Dami Howard, Lins Herbert, Lin Paul, Pam Jeffery and Doris Gentle
tEMPlE Cloud in Bloom volunteers raised around £370 with a couple of plant stalls, while also tidying and clearing nearby borders. One of the organisers, Beccy angell, said: “Blessed with sunshine, we were delighted to greet so many people who came to buy plants from our pop-up plant stalls.” the next working party is on July 10th, meeting at 10am at the village chip shop. new volunteers are welcome.
Saturday June 26th and Sunday June 27th Midney Gardens, near somerton, ta11 7HR. 11am to 5pm. Babbs Farm, Bason Bridge, Highbridge, ta9 4RF. 12noon to 5pm. Sunday June 27th Penny Brohn, Pill, Bristol Bs20 0HH. 11am to 4pm. Saturday July 3rd the Rib, Wells, Ba5 2UR. 10am to 5pm. Saturday July 3rd and Sunday July 4th 165 newbridge Hill, Bath, Ba1 3PX. 10am to 5pm. Sunday July 4th sunnymead and Coombe Cottage, long ashton, Bristol Bs41 9JQ. 2pm to 5pm. Holland Farm, south Brewham, Bruton, Ba10 0JZ. 2pm to 5pm. Milton lodge, Wells, Ba5 3aQ. 2pm to 5pm. Sunday July 4th and Monday July 5th Honeyhurst Farm, Rodney stoke, Cheddar Bs27 3UJ. 2pm to 5pm. Monday July 5th and Tuesday July 6th the Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath, Ba1 2ls. 11am to 3.30pm. Wednesday July 7th 9, Catherston Close, Frome, Ba11 4HR. 12noon to 5pm Catherston Close
P & C Logs
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Saturday July 10th East lambrook Manor Gardens, ta13 5HH. 10am to 5pm. Saturday July 17th american Museum & Gardens, Bath, Ba2 7BD. 10am to 5pm. Sunday July 18th stowey Gardens, Bishop sutton, Bs39 7HB. 11am to 5pm. Saturday July 24th and Sunday July 25th Court View, Batheaston, Bath, Ba1 7HB. 11am to 5pm. Sunday July 25th and Sunday August 1st Park Cottage, Wrington Hill, Bs40 5Pl. 11am to 5pm.
Vicarage Cottage, Stowey gardens
PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
For full details, and to check if pre-booking is required, please always check the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk
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Gardeners’ delight
Fundraising flower festival in Wedmore church
st Mary’s Church in Wedmore will be holding a flower festival on saturday, July 10th and sunday, July 11th. as well as beautiful flower arrangements, there will be coffee, tea, light lunches and cream teas available each day 10am6pm. tickets are £5 with free entry for children. the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the church to help recoup some of the loss of income during the pandemic. Details: www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Wedmore
Churchyard springs to life – thanks to “no mow”
tEREsa Eaton (left) and Janet Bramley enjoy a break in the graveyard of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Wanstrow ahead of welcoming visitors to afternoon teas to admire the wildflowers which have thrived during no Mow May. the church is one of many in the Diocese of Bath and Wells working with the somerset Wildlife trust on Eco Church, a project to encourage a more eco-friendly approach to grass cutting and biodiversity. the grasses and flowers will be allowed to set seed before being cut later in the year. the newer part of the graveyard has still been cut regularly.
GARDENING
CHaRlIE tricks and Julie Parker, owners of Parsonage Farm, in Publow opened their garden to members of nailsea’s Fagus Garden Club, raising £800 for all saints Church in Publow. the refreshments were provided by church members keen to practice their baking skills following the suspension of the church’s monthly saturday morning markets 14 months ago. One of the church wardens, Gillian Wookey, said: “Visitors were very complimentary about the selection of cakes on offer and a comment in the visitors’ book read ‘You have a lovely garden, the fruit cake was wonderful and it was a treat to see the cows running in the buttercups. But the best bit was the barn owl swooping by the river’.” In the nine years Charlie and Julie have lived at Parsonage Farm they have worked hard in the garden. First planted 85 years ago, it was the creation of two very knowledgeable gardeners, Jenny Pym and later norma Reid. local gardening expert, Mary Payne, who visited the gardens with Fagas, said: "It has come a long way since Charlie and Julie took it over and is a lovely example of a spring garden.”
PERFECT PAVE
Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and offers a wide choice of projects. It’s not only friendly, professional service that sets us apart, we can’t be beaten on price and ensure our prices beat those of builders’ merchants and garden centres.
Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 49
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Fencing
Turfing
Grass cutting & maintenance
Services include: Treework | Stump Grinding | Fencing | Turfing Logs | Garden and Ground Maintenance Avant and Operator Hire We also offer one-off or regular contracts, Domestic and Commercial
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Contact Dan 07827 328874 or email dan@a1gardening.co.uk web www.a1gardening.co.uk
PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
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Preparing for Chelsea YEO Valley’s organic garden and farm at Blagdon is the inspiration for its first ever Chelsea Flower show garden, designed by tom Massey and supported by Yeo Valley’s sarah Mead. the garden will highlight the importance of soil health in reversing climate change and tackling global biodiversity collapse. the garden was due to be built at the show in 2020 before Covid-19 restrictions forced a cancellation. this year’s show runs from september 21st26th and Yeo Valley’s garden will be on the Main avenue. the modified design, which features a diverse range of habitats and a rich tapestry of flowering plants, encourages wildlife and supports pollinators, mirroring the diversity of life found on the farm and garden at Blagdon. the design, including biochar logs as garden markers and rammed earth walls as boundaries, highlight the importance of soil health to our changing world. a hand-crafted steam-bent wooden hide has been designed and created for the
garden by celebrated Cornish sculptor tom Raffield. It provides a wonderful, elevated view of the garden and a place to quietly observe the wildlife it attracts. sarah said: “We’ve been quietly growing and farming organically for many years now and we know it has huge benefits for the environment, particularly in safeguarding our soil and supporting pollinators and wildlife. “I’ve been visiting the Chelsea Flower show for most of my adult life and have longed to bring a slice of our somerset valley to the show for years. We’re certainly not in the business of telling people how to live, but we are excited
GARDENING about bringing our organic credentials and experience to the world’s greatest flower show. “now is the perfect time to start shouting a bit louder about the benefits of growing and buying organic and putting nature first in everything we do.” tom Massey won a silver-Gilt Medal at Chelsea in 2018 and appeared in three episodes of BBC’s popular Your Garden Made Perfect series. He said: “It’s a privilege to be working with the Yeo Valley Organic team who have accumulated many years of organic gardening experience. “I have learnt a huge amount from them and the soil association in the process of designing a show garden founded on organic principles and I have seen first-hand at the Yeo Valley farm and garden how growing organically can positively impact the environment. “With the exception of the large specimen trees and shrubs, the plants for the garden are being grown organically, a big challenge for a main avenue Chelsea show garden."
SUMMER OPENING HOURS: Mon – Fri 7.00 – 5.00, Sat 9.00 – 4.00, Sun 10.00 – 4.00
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Buyers boost memorial fields project a JUMBLe trail around Charlton Mackrell, near somerton, has raised more than £1,300 for a project to breathe new life into a community space in the village. Buyers from as far afield as weymouth strolled around the village looking for bargains on more than 20 stalls set up outside homes and even the post office. The event was organised by Project Charlton, a five-strong group of residents who are fundraising to improve play equipment for youngsters on the Memorial Field and working with the Community Hall Trust to create a new vibrant outdoor area – including a sensory garden – for all.
Lily King and Angela and Jordan Boobyer on their stall in Broad Street
Four of the Project Charltons team (l:r) Andrea de Beker, Dawn Richards, Nina Gronw-Lewis and Jody Allen
Visitors were encouraged to buy trail maps in aid of Project Charlton whilst stallholders were asked to donate takings to the fundraising campaign
Claire Church, a nurse, with her craft stall in Broad Street
Keen gardeners wanted
Peasedown st John’s new community centre is appealing for volunteers to help look after its outside spaces. The Hive, located on Bath Road next to the village primary school, opened earlier this year and has proved to be a big hit with people living locally.
It’s home to the village’s Post office, community library and the new swallow Café. Joy Fraser, chair of the management committee, said: “outside there are also plenty of opportunities to be creative with the space we have. as well as mowing and strimming, ideas already put
forward include vegetable patches, small allotments, flower beds, raised beds, attractive seating areas and tree planting. “what we are looking for is a group of volunteers who have a passion for gardening to come and get stuck in! The time requirement would be half a day a week or fortnight.”
Details: www.thehivepsj.org 01761 360021 • www.facebook.com/HiveCommunityCentrePSJ
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Jumble trail for Norton food schemes
Two up-and-coming projects to offer food essentials to people facing hardship were amongst community organisations and charities to benefit from a jumble trail around Midsomer norton and the surrounding area. The trail – featuring nearly 60 stalls – was organised by Kate Turner, who set up the Midsomer norton Community Pantry at the town’s Methodist church, with some of the proceeds going to the scheme. Meanwhile, Kate’s friend Fi Cantillon has turned the front garden of her home in silver street into a community vegetable and salad area with raised beds and pallet growers for people to enjoy. Fi said: “we need to do more to encourage people to eat fresh food, especially those on low incomes. I wasn’t using Sheila Baker ran a stall in aid of the the front garden Children’s Society and Cats Protection League at all and it complements the work that Kate is doing in providing tinned and packet essentials. “People can come and pick what they need and can also help with the planting if they want.” Fi and her family sold homemade cakes and games in aid of her Free Food for all scheme and the children’s charity BIBIC.
Jack Cantillon, aged nine, who baked the cakes being sold in aid of the community garden and BIBIC
COMMUNITY
Kate Turner at the pantry next to the Methodist church
Fi Cantillon in the front garden of her home in Silver Street
Couple bid farewell
GRaHaM and Johanna Brown have left Blagdon stores after 21 years, saying they have loved their time there but feel the time is right to move on. They are pictured with their team amy, Karen, Becky, Gabe, Matt, Jane, aggi, Tom, Imy, neve and Ben. They said: “The support they have given us and the village, especially at the height of the pandemic, has been amazing. we genuinely couldn't have done it without them. “Thank you to our all our customers, whose support we never took for granted. we will miss the chats and the occasional rant (you know who you are!) “on a personal note, thank you to all the amazing people in the village who have had such a positive influence on our children and made Blagdon such a special place to live. we know they will cherish their memories of Blagdon, as indeed we will.” Blagdon stores is now run by amar dhillon and Laura Hancock, who are both experienced retailers, having run several convenience stores in the past.
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Rotary’s Snowdon challenge
MeMBeRs of wrington Vale Rotary Club decided to do a sponsored walk up snowdon to help make up for fundraising lost through the pandemic. In the past 15 months the club’s limited resources have been directed almost exclusively at supporting local charities. These have included the Cheddar Food Bank, weston Hospice, Macmillan support, north somerset People First, Banwell Buddies, weston speakability Group, the autism society, Valley arts, axbridge Men’s shed and the axbridge alzheimer singing Group. But they have a long-standing association with dipshikha school in nepal which was destroyed by the 2015 earthquake. Through the shiva Charity they have funded a brick-making machine and rebuilding works to provide earthquake secure classrooms. The school rebuilding is now well advanced but there were insufficient funds for a new toilet block at the school where some 50 children had access to only one toilet. so, it was decided to do the sponsored walk up snowdon to raise the £1,800 already committed. after setting off at the break of dawn, a small team from the club completed a long, gruelling walk to the summit of snowdon, a return trip of eight and a half miles and a climb of some 900 metres. They hiked up the lesser-known route from Rhyd ddu – by no means the easiest path up the mountain. Their fundraising total (with Gift aid) has now topped £2,400. The extra money will go towards providing a Reverse osmosis water filtration system at the school to provide clean safe drinking water for the children. Details: find them on Facebook or call Ivor Metherell on 01761 462607 or Angie Biggs on 07790 400718.
Hall gets a new lease of life
ConGResBURy war Memorial Hall is 101 years old this year and was showing its age until a group of dedicated volunteers got to work. They have spent months during the pandemic tidying up the interior, painting most of the surfaces and fixing a number of roof leaks. The floor has been sanded and they plan to install roof windows to let in natural light for the first time in many years. It is a large site which includes a main hall, skittle alley, snooker room, club room and other associated facilities. From being a very popular venue in the 1980s the site was neglected until this year. Volunteers say they are determined to bring it back to a condition which will encourage local organisations and clubs to consider using its facilities. They say it is an exciting as well as a daunting project and they need all the help they can get.
Housing plans dropped
MendIP district Council has withdrawn its plans for social housing in Frome because of objections from people living next to the proposed sites. The Fair Homes Project proposed that up to 30 social rented homes be built across several, small plots across the town to meet the desperate need for homes. There are more than 500 households looking to find affordable housing in the town. It says project members, Frome area Community Land Trust, selwood Housing Group and the council itself will continue to discuss the provision of much-needed social housing. Project members have been discussing potential sites with local residents and have set up a website for feedback. Details: selwoodhousing.com/fairhomesproject
Plant swap
THe first Pensford Village Plant swap, held at the village allotments, was a great success, with more than 100 plants going to new homes. Plant swap organiser, scarlett swallow, said: “we began a seed swap whatsapp group during the first lockdown, when it was as tricky to get hold of gardening supplies. “The plant swap event was a natural progression for the group and it was lovely to put faces to names after so many months of whatsapp messages and leaving seed and plant packages on door steps!”
a spokesman said: “If you are passing during late morning and Covid is a thing of the past, why not take a look inside to see what is going on. we do have a kettle and coffee at hand. “The war Memorial Hall is not only a memorial but one of the village’s most important buildings. we have a duty to try to bring it back to a condition in which the residents of our village will feel that it is attractive to use.”
Details: elainebowman@sky.com
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COMMUNITY
College racers
sTUdenTs at Frome College have received a donation of £5,000 from local quarry company, wainwright & Co for their school’s Greenpower racing team. Their car called Footsprint is taking part in the engineering initiative to get more people interested in science, Technology, engineering and Maths subjects and careers.
Pictured (l to r) Dan Webber, co-head of science, Jack Haines, Luca King, Jack Norris, Joni Stoker, Josh Seviour, Ben Godman, Jamie Paterson, Summer Vowell, Andrei Bujor and principal, Emma Reynolds
Details: DWebber@fromecollege.org
Poignant service at Wells Cathedral an evensong service at wells Cathedral celebrated both the centenary of the national Royal British Legion and the 100th anniversary of the wells branch. Branch representatives from across somerset attended the service, which also saw legion standards decorating the nave. The branches included Frome, winford, Clevedon, Keynsham and Burnham-on-sea. Guest of honour at the service was Brigadier david Godsal, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of somerset, and was also attended by Philip and Caroline welch, the mayor and mayoress of wells. Poignantly, it coincided with the 77th anniversary of the d-day landings. The event was organised by derek Cooper, from the wells RBL branch, and was first mooted two years ago in a conversation with the dean of wells, the Very Rev dr John davis. derek said: “It was a vision I had at the time and I am delighted to see it come to fruition, especially as it coincided with the anniversary of the d-day landings.”
RBL Somerset county chairman Major (retired) Rob McDonald (left) with Aaron Cooper-Collett, chairman of the Wells branch
Wells branch stalwarts (l:r): president Robin Dowdeswell, standard bearer Janet Boyce, chairman Aaron Cooper-Collett and secretary Becky Cooper-Collett
Clergy including the Bishop of Taunton, The Rt Rev Ruth Worsley, process through the nave
Standard bearers and dignitaries after the service MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 55
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Spreading the word
Wells mayor, Philip Welch, with u3a members
weLLs u3a, University of the Third age, had a stall at wells Market to celebrate national u3a day and to make the general public aware of the benefits of belonging to such an organisation. The day was successful, recruiting several new members on the day and others taking away membership forms to join at a later date. There was the recipe book on sale, compiled and illustrated by members of their tried and tested recipes and leaflets about the group were available. There was a visit from the Mayor of wells, Philip welch, and the Town Crier, Len sweales, included a message in his cry to visit the stall. Details: www.u3asites.org.uk/wells/home
Raising the roof
Life getting back to normal
CoMPTon dando used to hold a monthly coffee morning in the village hall as a free community event for villagers to meet and catch up. Covid-19 put a stop to that, but this month a coffee morning was held outside on the millennium green with quite a large turnout. one of the organisers, Jenny davis, said: “It was our first since March last year and it was good to be back and see everyone again. "after a week of cold and rain the sun did shine on us for a while. we hope to resume our monthly coffee mornings back in the village hall once all restrictions are lifted." They hope to start these on saturday, July 10th, from 10.30am–12 noon, and all villagers are invited along. The cakes and drinks are free, subsidised by the Compton dando Community association. apart from coffee mornings, st Mary’s Church’s popular Teas on sunday afternoons are due to start up again on July 4th, running through to the end of august, 3-5pm.
a PaVeMenT sale outside st Mary's Church in west Harptree raised £775, which will go towards roof repairs to the church. The churchwardens said they would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the sale.
Sue Bowden, Dudley King and Jan Burdge at the book and CD stall PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Connie Hardwick and Damien Rochford serve Christopher Burt with his dog Biscuit
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Summer walk followed by fish and chips
COMMUNITY
Pictured (l to r) Cheryl Taylor, Lillian Baker, Nita Wendover, Julia Young, Cynthia Holman, Jenny Harris, Dinah Read and Marion Mason
BIsHoP sutton and stowey wI have been able to resume their monthly walks after restrictions put a stop to them. Members set up their walking group last october and it proved to be very popular, with walks to many interesting places, including smitham's Hill chimney in east Harptree and other local walks. Their latest walk was to Chew Valley Lake, where they
enjoyed fish and chips before setting back off home again. President, Jenny Harris, said: “we walked down leafy lanes erupting with cow parsley, germander, speedwell and campion, over the footbridge where a mother moorhen guarded her fluffy chicks with the tiniest wings and on past acres of buttercups gleaming so brightly on such a perfect sunny day – it must be the first day of summer?”
Vintage market’s delicious fundraiser
CaKes, jams and chutneys on sale at Castle Cary’s first vintage market of 2021 have helped raise further funds for the town’s all saints’ Church. The church has been undergoing major repairs and renovations since an architect’s inspection in 2016 highlighted faults to the roof and masonry. at the same time, it was decided to renovate the interior to make it more suitable for community use. Castle Cary has welcomed the Rev elisabeth Isted as the new priest-in-charge at all saints’.
Brian Hunter and Sarah Stringer on the All Saints’ stall in the Market House
Jim Alderton on his stall
The first market since lockdown restrictions were eased
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MENDIP TIMES
Farewell to Dinah
dInaH Read, author, poet and painter, is leaving Bishop sutton to live with her daughter in nottingham. Mendip Times has been proud to print some of her lovely family stories of life in the Chew Valley before some of it was flooded to form the lake. as a child, dinah’s family were bombed out of their home near Bristol docks. as a teenager in 1946 she crewed a sailing boat before marrying nelson Read and moving to his family’s farm at whitehall, near Chew stoke. dinah remembers helping her husband to pull on a rope to deliver a calf when she was herself almost ready to give birth to her first child. “as heifer heaved I heaved with her!” But whitehall was one of the farms that had to be lost to form the new reservoir in the early 1950s, so nelson began to sell farm machinery and dinah trained as a teacher. she taught for 25 years in deprived areas of south Bristol which “worked” with bringing up their four children. dinah has always written and painted, including beautiful poetry and short stories, many of them illustrated herself. she contributed to several local history books and a couple of Cds of stories in dialect. dinah’s second collection of poems “Long ago and Far away” was published as recently as 2017. But now that she no longer has any family living nearby, dinah has decided that it is time to move again, to where she hopes to be able to walk with her daughter and her dogs and to do more painting: “a new lease of life is imminent”. we wish her well.
PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Voluntary groups receive top awards
The team from Active and In Touch
Two groups in somerset have been honoured with The Queen’s award for Voluntary service. active and In touch, a voluntary group based in Frome, provide an inclusive befriending service to combat isolation and loneliness. yFw Blood Bikes (yeovil Free wheelers eVs), is a 24hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year courier service providing invaluable support to hospitals and communities across
somerset, dorset and devon. Representatives of both active and In Touch and the yFw Blood Bikes will receive their awards and certificates from annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant of somerset, later this summer. Mrs Maw said: “I am delighted that the work of both active and In Touch and the yeovil Freewheelers has been recognised in this way. It is a remarkable achievement and fully deserved. I very much hope that we will see more excellent groups nominated for the award in the future.” They are two of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Farewell gift for Cameley leavers
LeaVeRs at Cameley Primary school have been given hoodies as farewell gifts before moving on to secondary school in september. Head teacher, Hannah Maggs, said: “our children are now able to wear these hoodies in school until the end of the year, signifying the special year group they are working within.”
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Market returns
COMMUNITY
Clean Clutton
Pictured last year (l to r) Pauline Parnell, Viv Tattershall, Jane James, Pete and Jenny Gully and Chris James
aLL saints Church, Publow hopes to resume its monthly coffee morning and market on saturday, July 3rd, 10-11.30am, after an absence of more than a year because of Covid. It will be held in the church rather than Pensford Church Rooms, with home baking, preserves and books on sale, plus a Traidcraft and Fairtrade stall. admission is just 50p, which includes coffee and biscuit, in aid of church funds. Details: Judith Hillman 01761 490324, Janet Smith 01761 490584 or Gillian Wookey 01761 490336
Pensford’s litter team
Some of the litter-pickers (l to r) Phil Jackson, Dom Lowe, Mike Daniels, Tracy Jones, Cedric Bamford, Elaine Davidson, Janet Bamford and Jon and Gail Lawrence
THeRe’s now a team of 30 litter-pickers at work in Pensford and nearby country lanes, with one or two people assigned to every stretch of road in the area. For years, the village held litter-picking days a couple of times a year, collecting 20 or 30 sackfuls. one of the volunteers, dom Lowe, said: “within weeks we would have to watch it start again then slowly accumulate until the next time. a year or so ago a handful of us decided to try something more proactive and get out more regularly to clear the eyesore every week or two and stop it building up.”
Broadband gift
CHILdRen and some parents joined together to clean up Clutton as part of Keep Britain Tidy's Great British spring Clean. one of the organisers, Jenny Bush, said: “well done everyone and a special thanks to sean Fraser who did a double stint and went all along the main road.” There are several volunteers who go out litter picking twice a year, but Covid delayed them this year.
Pictured (l to r) John Dottridge, chairman, Tony Najdoski, Truespeed, Harriette Dottridge, secretary and Ian Collings
TRUesPeed has provided Compton dando parish hall with free broadband under their pledge to support local communities. Truespeed’s Tony najdoski, presented a plaque to the committee for display in the hall.
Details: Bookings Ian Collings comptonhalluk@gmail.com 07836 2080998 www.compton-dando.org • www.truespeed.com
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 59
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MENDIP TIMES
St. Hugh’s open for visitors
THe lovely chapel of st Hugh’s at Charterhouse is now open every sunday afternoon from 2-5pm, thanks to volunteers from churches in Blagdon, Ubley and Compton Martin. It is an anglican church, dating back to 1908, and is a Grade 11 listed building. It is dedicated to Hugh of Lincoln and was built in 1908 by w.d.Caroe, on the initiative of the Rev Menzies Lambrick from a former welfare hall for the local lead miners. The roof truss, screen, rood and altar are all made of carved whitened oak with fittings in the arts and Crafts style. The walls are rough brick and it has a tiled roof. The vicar of st Hugh’s the Rev simon Lewis, said: “st Hugh’s is a small picturesque sacred space up in the Mendip Hills and many people stop at st Hugh’s as they walk this part of the Mendips, either as pilgrims or tourists. “we have a growing vision for st Hugh’s, summed up in the phrase – The Little Church with a Big Heart.”
The chapel's interior
Quarry company takes centre stage
waInwRIGHTs quarry company, at stoke st Michael, stepped in to help volunteers at Frome Memorial Theatre after a major fault was discovered with the building’s electrical supply. The theatre was warned that its 25-year-old mains cable was damaged and could fail at any time. The cable runs for 40-metres, much of it underground. The company’s Future Foundations scheme offered to supply a team to carry out the groundworks, which lasted three days. It took 17 of the team to lay the cable. The theatre has been closed since the outbreak of the pandemic but was still facing costly outgoings before the fault was discovered. Humphrey Barnes, theatre trust chairman, said: “The Memorial Theatre runs a 100 Club and part of the funding was financed that way, so to those members and patrons who support our 100 Club: ‘thank you’. we also had a very generous anonymous donation that financed the rest of the project, for which we were extremely grateful.”
PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
St Hugh's at Charterhouse
Volunteers Claire Lewis and Lella Fountaine
Dave Carey from Polsham, who worked many years keeping the walls of the chapel lime washed
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Survey backs Churchill Sports Centre
MendIP Villages Fitness working party got 1,900 responses to its survey about the future of Churchill sports centre, with 98 percent wanting to keep the centre open and 97 percent in favour of retaining the swimming pool. It says talks between the working party, north somerset Council and other parties are ongoing and are progressing well, albeit slowly. Its statement said: “we are all well aware of the importance of keeping a healthy mind and body through exercise and Covid has highlighted this more than ever. Leisure centres are crucial facilities in enabling us to achieve this. “It is a fundamental and necessary skill that every child can swim 25 metres by the time they leave primary education. This emphasises the need for the Churchill sports Centre to retain its swimming pool. “all parties are in agreement on these points and are working very hard to open the centre again for the rural villages. as soon as we have any further news we will, of course, let you know straight away.” Details: hello@mendipvillagesfitness.co.uk
Drivers wanted
CHew Valley Community Transport scheme (CVCT) is appealing for drivers to take passengers to their medically related appointments. as hospitals and other clinics are now able to offer more face-to-face appointments it urgently needs more volunteer drivers to help people who do not have any other means of transport.
Details: 01275 333430 or email cvct.coordinator@gmail.com
COMMUNITY
Rewilding Chew – from garden to garden
RewILd Chew, formed nearly a year ago, now has nearly 200 members around the Chew Valley, dedicated to bringing wildlife back to gardens. It advocates growing plants for pollinators, no-dig gardening, peat-free or home-made compost, no chemicals, using organic seeds, seedlings and plants, letting grass grow and creating a wildlife pond. during the pandemic, contact was mostly digital or through Facebook, but they are now holding visits to members’ gardens. one of the “offshoots” of the garden by garden project is the installation of nesting boxes for swifts and bats.
Classic cars take the road to North Wales
noRTon Radstock Classic Vehicle Club staged its third fiveday run in four years. The trip was provisionally booked for June last year but Covid restrictions meant it was put on hold. The trip was organised by andrew and Lynn Hole, with accommodation at the Tyn y Cornel Hotel at Tywyn,
snowdonia. This year saw an increase to 19 cars, the oldest a 1949 MG TC and the newest classic, a 1994 Rover 216. The club meets on the second Thursday of the month in the evening at Radstock working Men’s Club.
Details: NRCVC Facebook or email antony@magnetech-safety.co.uk
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 61
MENDIP TIMES
Exploring Shipham’s Singing River Mine
HIDDEN in a private garden at Shipham is a ten metre shaft leading to Mendip’s longest mine, discounting Sandford Levvy and Pearl Mine With PHILIP on Western Mendip; HENDY two mines recently connected by digging and where exploration continues subject to Covid restrictions. Singing River Mine was dug for calamine in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the latter period it was financed by a chemist from Wells. Calamine, sphalerite or zinc carbonate, was a valuable ingredient in making brass and there were several brassworks in and around Bristol and Bath. The Shipham area produced around 70,000 tons of calamine over around 250 years. In the 1920s the mine was developed as a reservoir, but the water levels were too low to make it a viable proposition. Perhaps this is just as well, bearing in mind the Shipham cadmium scare in the late 1980s. The mine is 640m metres long and 25 metres deep, although most of it is mainly along one level, with networks of passages above. There were five shaft entrances, all now blocked except for one, which was found by members of the Axbridge Caving Group in 1971. This shaft is ginged (lined with stones, some of which are rather loose) and the descent takes explorers into a short horizontal passage. The upper part of the shaft is in Triassic marl, but the main body of the mine is in Dolomitic Conglomerate On my first visit we had difficulty finding the way into the main body of the mine, but a small hole at the top of a slope, at roof level, allowed a drop into a roomy passage and the mine proper. Nearby a short side passage leads to a small stream flowing noisily over pebbles; this gave the mine its present name. The main passage leads to a junction and the mine extends east and west for approximately the same distance in each direction. Although the single main passage runs from where water enters in the east to an impassable natural sink in the west, there is a maze of side passages and it is easy to become disorientated.
Chocolate Canal
Heading east, there is a series of interconnected passages, the East Series, to the left, but the main way on leads to a chamber, Stinking Gulf. Here there is sometimes a pool of water and a choked 22 metre shaft to the surface. Close to it is a narrow borehole, driven when the mine was intended as a reservoir. A wooden plank allows a precarious crawl over the water to reach the high and wide Great Hall. This is also often flooded and a three metre flooded shaft on the left awaits the unwary. Here the passage divides. To the left is East Drive, while to the right the passage leads under the choked 20 metre East Shaft, to a wet level where a stream enters on the left. Returning to the junction, the West Series is entered, via the Chocolate Canal. When first entered, this low passage was floored with copious amounts of glutinous chocolate-coloured mud, but this has now gone, thanks to the passage of cavers stirring it up to allow the stream to wash it away. One side of this passage was walled with unwanted stone deads, which avoided the task of taking the waste to the surface. The stream follows an impassable route, but a short passage on the right leads to Six Ways Chamber, with short extensions and a choked shaft in the roof. At the end of the chamber, a four metre drop re-enters the main passage. Just after another blocked shaft to the surface, the water becomes deeper, as a series of pools. Off from these are flooded
CAVING
passages, which when first seen, before the water becomes clouded with disturbed sediment, are an enchanting blue colour. This led to them being called the Blue Holes. Care must be taken to avoid falling into them. At the end of the passage, the stream finally disappears into a narrow slot. It is not known where the water reappears, although somewhere in the Winterhead area would seem likely. Although the Blue Holes were wellknown, they were not properly investigated until 1994, when members of the Cave Diving Group explored and surveyed them. The largest Blue Hole has a chamber eight metres long and a loose shaft which descends to a large choked passage. It is not apparent how the miners stopped this working from flooding while they were excavating it. In many ways Singing River Mine resembles a cave, with its maze of passages, all roughly at the same level. The ochre mines of the Sandford area, such as King Mine, were natural caves which filled with ochre probably during the Triassic period. The miners then picked out the ore back to the limestone, leaving a cave with walls covered in pick marks. Calamine, however, is a more solid ore, occurring in veins. The large passages of Singing River Mine are the result of the conglomerate being dug and blasted out to ease access and working. A visit combines the adventure of caving with the chance to explore some industrial archaeology.
Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves
PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
(Photograph by Phil Hendy)
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Demand for paddocks surges
PROPERTY
Tom Killen looks at the land market THERE is an awareness of the strength in the housing market but we are also witnessing exceptional demand for paddocks, woodland and farmland as we emerge from lockdown. A shortage of land on the market has helped to strengthen the market at a time when some have savings to spend and people’s priorities have changed. There is a notable increase in demand from those seeking to pursue conservation objectives including the planting of trees as well as those wanting to establish smallholdings. From my experience, we are now seeing land values rising to over £20,000 per acre in some instances. Buying paddocks is about investing in a slice of English countryside and there are many with money to spend on an investment that doesn’t provide any great yield or annual return but they want to put their money somewhere they can be confident that the rise in capital prices will more than
This site at Neighbourne, near Shepton Mallet is currently on the market with Killens. It is being sold by online auction with the auction closing on July 4th
compensate for any lack of rent. There’s no reason to believe that the rise in capital values won’t continue. Those looking to sell are advised to openly market in order to capitalise on this renewed demand and achieve the best price and selling by online auction is proving popular.
At Killens, we have potential buyers desperate to buy and if you are considering selling land of any type, contact us for a free appraisal. We offer a bespoke, proactive and personal service utilising all the tools of marketing and we will be delighted to assist.
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 63
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MENDIP TIMES
Mind and body
CAN your mental state affect your susceptibility to disease? Anyone who’s reddened through embarrassment or lust knows that the mind and body are inextricably linked but in these days of high tech, dehumanised, hide in a spacesuit medicine, we seem to be forgetting By Dr PHIL how to think ourselves better. The HAMMOND specialty of psychoneuroimmunology is gathering evidence of the importance the mind can play in manipulating the body’s immune response, but this was common knowledge in the days when doctors observed and listened to patients (rather than stuck them through a body scanner). As early as 1500 BC, Hindus observed that a main cause of tuberculosis was sadness and in the 17th century TB was said to be triggered by “a long and grievous passion of the mind”. The concept of the tuberculosis-prone personality, spes phthisica, was proposed to explain why it seemed particularly prevalent amongst artists. In 1882, Robert Koch discovered the real cause of TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but this failed to explain why some personality types seemed more prone to infection than others. There is evidence too of a "coronary prone personality". For centuries, doctors proposed that hostility, impatience and naked ambition can take their toll on the heart. In 1910, the physician Sir William Osler wrote: "It is not the delicate neurotic person who is prone to angina, but the robust, the vigorous of mind and body, the keen and ambitious man, the indicator of whose engine is always at full speed ahead." In 1930, high blood pressure was put down to "repressed hostility and anger" and in the 1950s, two American cardiologists called Friedman and Rosenman set about proving their observation that ambitious, competitive, impatient men were most at risk. Their research found that 28% of these "Type A" men had heart disease compared to 4% of relaxed "Type Bs". Another study of Type A men took a random selection and gave them counselling aimed at reducing their hostility and sense of urgency. It halved their risk of a heart attack. And a study by the British Heart Foundation found that meek, gentle women who prefer to give in to others are less likely to have a heart attack than assertive women. Even Germaine Greer has returned to nature. The evidence is clear. Neurosis, ambition, aggression and hostility are bad for both mind and body. So step back, chill and remember. No-one ever said on their deathbed, they wished they’d spent more time being angry or comparing themselves miserably to others on social media. Recent research has found 25% of people scroll further on their screens than they walk. Thumbing through fake lives or bad news rarely improves your mood. No drug can beat the benefits to mind and body of whole food, clean water, curiosity, walking outdoors, safe shelter, regular sleep, kindness, laughter and learning to pleasure yourself and others in a safe and sustainable way. Now wash your hands… Dr Phil is author of Staying Alive, Medicine Balls and Sex, Sleep or Scrabble?
PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
Plop the Raindrop
IT’S quite a paradox how differently my friends and I are greeted, depending on the circumstances. If we rain down on a cricket match, for example, we are usually cursed. Though the way England sometimes play, a break for rain can be seen as a welcome blessing, since they might get a draw rather than losing. I’ve spent interminable hours watching cricket from the roof of pavilions and still don’t have a clue about what’s going on. How can a game that lasts five days end in a draw? And how can anyone be in then out without turning inside out? Of course we water droplets can manage that with ease when bubbles burst. Just watch the next time you have a fizzy drink or mum has a gin and tonic. It’s a different story in places where there has been a drought, when human beans welcome us with open arms, standing mouths and eyes open with rain pouring down on them. They see us as a blessing, saving their crops and livestock in the nick of time, unless of course we land in their mouth and give them a comforting drink. Either way, it’s nice to feel appreciated and wanted. I’m sure you feel exactly the same, glowing a bit with pride when someone says “well done”. And feeling pretty miserable when you are told off for not doing your homework. We all have to live with the ups and downs of life. I should know, I’ve been hanging around for millions of years. So when was the last time you said “well done” to anyone? You would be surprised how much a simple “thank you” can mean. And when was the last time you said “sorry” for doing something wrong? I was there at some of the great events of history when simple disagreements could have been settled with a handshake or a glass of beer rather than a war. But then I’ve never understood why human beans like fighting so much. It’s much harsher in the natural world. I’ve spent a bit of time during the spring on a cabbage leaf in a vegetable garden, observing how creatures have to fight for their survival. At one stage, the leaf was invaded by whitefly, who were then attacked by ants, who were themselves gobbled up by various other creatures. I’m not sure how I survived. Down below, slugs and snails were on the move, kept at bay by hedgehogs, birds and the gardener, though he wasn’t very successful. Various bugs were also busy at work on the fruit trees. Have you ever bit into an apple and found a maggot inside? Finding half a maggot is worse. My biggest concern was for a pair of blackbirds, raising chicks for the first time, who were constantly sounding noisy alarm calls, which must have alerted predators from miles around. The gardener was on constant patrol, chasing off neighbours’ cats and clapping away magpies and sparrowhawks. The chicks survived. We can all do a good turn if we want to. MENDIP GRANDAD
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Family play day in Frome
HEALTH & FAMILY A p
FROME Town Council is inviting young and old to join their playday activities at Victoria Park and the Mary Baily Playing fields on Wednesday, August 4th – it promises to be an afternoon of fun and games for all to take part in. The theme this year recognises the challenges everyone has faced over the past year and the need to enjoy and make time for play while having fun and being free of restrictions, so there will be an afternoon packed full of sports and games for all ages. The day will include competitions and prizes with activities such as storytelling and playful poetry to slacklining, skateboarding, graffiti boards and creative crafts, as well as an array of sports including basketball, Rugbytots, tennis, martial arts and more. Mayor Andy Wrintmore said: "This is a much-needed afternoon of fun and games, and we encourage playing for all ages! It can be really beneficial for mental health and wellbeing, and gives us the opportunity to have fun, a laugh and take time out – and where better than in the sunshine in our wonderful park? “There really is something for everyone, so why not come along and try your hand at something new, you may find you love it and will have created a new hobby! With more activities being added all the time, I can’t wait to get involved!" l The event – from midday–4pm – is free to attend and all the current covid restrictions will be followed on the day.
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e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 65
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MENDIP TIMES
Car enthusiasts out in force
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CHEW Valley Classic Car and Bike meets have resumed at Chew Valley Rugby Club and have proved so popular that organisers have had to impose a booking system.
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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 67
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MENDIP TIMES
Fast & Reliable WINDOW INSTALLATION
Boasting a stunning range of aluminium and uPVC window designs and hardware, we’re confident that we have a highly energy efficient and tempting style to suit your South West home or client.
FACTORY & SHOWROOM IN CLEVEDON
We understand how important it is to homeowners and businesses alike, to actually see the quality of products up close. So, why not drop into the Seal-Lite showroom? Come in and see the products for yourself!
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PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
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Anything is possible with South West Upholstery
FROM managing director Ryan Ball’s granddad’s shed 20 years ago into the thriving business it is today, South West Upholstery offer excellent service with family at its core. Its team of upholsterers have decades of experience under their belts to be able to create something special with your furniture. Inject life into uncomfortable seating by replacing the cushions or go for a complete overhaul and replace the fabric or leather with new. South West Upholstery can upholster anything from a single dining chair to a whole motorhome. The company, based in Bedminster, specialises in upholstery and new banquette seating made to measure for commercial and contract industries. Their experience and quality have led them to carry out upholstery on many projects for a wide The welcoming showroom in North Street in range of clients across the UK. Bedminster
HOMES & INTERIORS
MD Ryan Ball (left) with father and director Andy – the business began at Andy’s home
They can also help you to make your own seating to fit into an awkward space, or if you want to design your own furniture? Its frame makers use FSC wood to build the frames, and can make almost anything you can think of: sofas, chairs, headboards, kitchen seating and more. Their friendly team would love to hear from you and will help to narrow down material options. They can provide you with free fabric samples to consider your options in your home. South West Upholstery is proud of its Which? Trusted Trader status and this is reflected in the quality of service and product they offer. Give the team a call to find out how they can turn your vision into reality.
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 69
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MENDIP TIMES
HOMES & INTERIORS
croker field MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS RENOVATIONS Property Repairs & Development Groundworks Landscaping Driveways Patios Decking Fencing Get in touch . . . hello@crokerfield.co.uk
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Golden hello from Martha
A CAR boot sale at Chew Stoke primary School was a huge success, raising £600 towards the cost of a new playground. Greeting everyone was Martha, a two-year-old Goldendoodle, who is the school’s official comforting and reading dog, looked after by the school’s headmaster, Ben Hewett. Mr. Hewett, said: “For the first time in over a year it was fantastic to see the parents, children and the local community at a PTA event on the school grounds.”
Glenda Tidcombe (left) after being served by PTA joint chair Carole Reed
EVENTS
Tea event supports veterans
PAULTON Rovers Football Club’s monthly charity afternoon tea event raised more than £550 towards a charity walk for the Rifles Charities – Care for Casualties. The walk is being undertaken by local veteran Paul Thorner and Paulton councillor Grant Johnson this September along Dorset’s Jurassic coast. Councillor Johnson said: “We can’t do enough for those veterans that suffer with PTSD and Paul and Sharon Thorner are an inspiration for raising so much awareness.” Paul said: “We wouldn’t have had such a brilliant afternoon raising money without the support of the Afternoon Tea team. Sarah Delaney, her sister Angela and mother Jean do such a fantastic spread. “Plus a special mention for all those that made cakes, including Debbie Always who works behind the bar at Paulton Rovers. We also had Caroline and my wife Sharon who sold all the raffle tickets, and finally Paulton Rovers for hosting these great community events.” The Afternoon Tea events are held on the second Tuesday of each month, with the next one on July 13th raising money for Blood Bikes. Details: Look for Paul or Grant’s name on www.justgiving.co.uk for donations
Sponsored toddle
THE children of Bishop Sutton Pre-School and Forest Club have raised nearly £400 with a 100-mile sponsored toddle. Pre-school representative, Jenny Smith, said: “We had miles clocked up in the valley, at the beach, all over the country and, of course, in Peppa Pig Land.” Headmaster Ben Hewett with his daughter Aoife and Martha
Details: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/100miletoddle www.bishopsuttonpreschool.org.uk
MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 71
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MENDIP TIMES
Equines star at showground’s first event since Covid MORE than 800 horses took part in the Bath and West Equine Showing Show – the first event to be held at the showground since 2019. Held behind closed doors to meet The Showing Council blueprint for hosting Covid-19 compliant equine events, there was a full complement of in hand and ridden classes, together with qualifiers for the RIHS & HOYS plus their usual Price Family Supreme In-Hand Qualifier. Alan Lyons, Head of Shows, said: “We were so pleased to finally welcome competitors back to the showground. “It was a fantastic two days, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our volunteers, who have worked tirelessly in supporting the Bath & West team with the organising and running of the show.”
RIDING
One of the entrants in the Retraining of Racehorses classes
Whilst many of those attending commenting that it was “great to be back out showing”, none were more pleased than producer Craig Elenor making the long trip from North Yorkshire to Somerset
worthwhile when claiming the first ticket of the season for The Price Family Supreme InHand Championship of the Year with Sandy Anderson’s two-year-old colt Thistledown Harper Royale.
Looking their finest for the judges
The Bath and West Showground hosted its first event since 2019
Mare and foal
Thistledown Harper Royale, the winner of the Price Family qualifier
PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021
(Photo courtesy of Jayphotos)
For results: www.bathandwest.com/equine-showing-show-2021-results
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Time trial around the lake
THE countdown is underway… “30 seconds” and in the tranquillity of the moment I take a few deep breaths. With ten seconds to go I CYCLING focus on the road with EDMUND LODITE ahead and prepare myself mentally for the start. All other noise is blocked until I hear “5,4,3,2,1, go” and then I set off with as much energy as I can on the time trial around Chew Valley Lake. These weekly time trials, organised by Bristol South Cycling Club, during the summer months, are a popular test for riders. The format is simple – the fastest time wins. With riders starting in one-minute intervals, it is also the perfect competitive race to comply with social distancing! The first few minutes are hard. Trying to build up pace as quickly as possible is pushing my heart rate and breathing to the maximum and there is a moment when I wonder if I can maintain it for the next eight miles. This is where psychology plays just as an important role as physiology. Olympian Chris Boardman once described the art of time trialling as: "You have three questions going through your mind: How far to go? How hard am I trying? Is the pace sustainable for that distance? If the answer is ‘yes’, that means you’re not trying hard enough. If it’s ‘no’, it’s too late to do anything about it. You’re looking for the answer ‘maybe’.” Time trials are also a battle against air resistance – with the rider’s body accountable for most of the drag produced. So, for the time trial I’ve
attached aero-bars to my handlebars, bringing my arms and elbows in and dropping my body shape. Of all the things you can do, this is the most effective and cheapest investment to improve aero-efficiency on a bike. Reaching the small hill climb out of Chew Stoke the inevitable happens – a younger rider who set off one minute after me, passes by. To be honest, I was slightly surprised it took that long compared to previous times and looking at my Garmin I can see I’m ahead of my usual time at this point by 15 seconds. In my race against myself things are going well so far. Cycling time trials events in the UK carry a weight of history and tradition. The format began as a response to a ban on bunched racing on the open road, put in place by the National Cyclists' Union in 1890. It's believed the first time trial was held in October 1895. Secret events were held on courses known only by a code – the code system is still in use today – and riders would set off at minute intervals, from dawn, wearing black from head to toe. To the observer, it would seem as though they were out cycling as normal rather than racing. The rider with the
fastest time over the course would be declared the winner. Racing on towards West Harptree I keep my body low to overcome the wind blowing across the lake, and another rider passes but I’m still ahead on my own personal timings. From here on its time to give absolutely everything on the fast section towards Bishop Sutton. The straight sections minimise body movement and help me maintain a high pace. Approaching the finish, I push and push harder. Although I have a race number on my back, I shout it out to the timekeeper as I cross the line – a tradition dating back to those early secret events. For members of Bristol South Cycling Club, points are awarded for finishing positions after allowing for a time handicap (based on previous performance). At the end of the season the best six scores for each rider determine who is the Classic league winner. This means that everyone has the chance to be named champion. But to be honest, most riders are doing it as a race against themselves and for personal progression. And next week? I’ll be back – it’s daunting at the start but exhilarating at the end.
JULY CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS: 1. Life expectancy 8. Inferno 9. Arrears 11. Hoe 12. Slot machine 14. Non-metal 15. Vestal 17. Exacts 19. Morrison 22. Democratise 23. Ass 24. Paulton 26. Redhill 27. Hypochondriacs. DOWN: 1. Leigh on Mendip 2. Fifteen 3. Eurosceptic 4. Proposal 5. Clammy 6. Air 7. Chariot 10. Smelling salts 13. Cheer leader 16. Positron 18. Armoury 20. Stamina 21. Paunch 25. Too MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2021 • PAGE 73
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Club unveils new facilities
CAMVALLEY Tennis Club has celebrated the launch of its new courts and recently completed practice wall. The courts were re-laid last autumn at a cost of £26,000 and look absolutely wonderful. The practice wall will help players of all ages, both senior and junior
to improve their tennis skills. Opening both facilities, local councillor Liz Hardman said: “We owe a huge thank you to Brian Wessell, his committee and members who have worked so hard to provide these facilities.” The club’s annual summer camps are scheduled for the week beginning July 26th and another important open day event is lined up for Sunday, July 15th, when the club are hosting ex Davis Cup players who have agreed to run some coaching and exhibition play as a fundraising initiative for the club. Details: https://clubspark.Ita.org.uk/camvaletennisclub
Rugby made a welcome return
Chew Stoke are winners
A TEAM from Chew Stoke Church School beat 11 other schools to win the annual Celebration of Sport Day held at Ashton Gate stadium by Bristol Sport Foundation. The school has worked hard to keep its children active and its sports provision strong throughout the pandemic. Head teacher, Ben Hewett, said: “The children were lucky to play all their games on the pitch at the stadium, which has been closed to spectators for some time. They played a range of different Jail Break games and were unbeaten in the entire tournament, winning a magnificent trophy. A great achievement!”
SENIOR players at Wells RFC were back on the pitch in competitive action for the first time in months for an in-house 10s tournament. The round-robin matches saw four teams take part with names taken from New Zealand sides Chiefs, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Crusaders. The touch-rugby format allowed players from several levels to compete with five-minute halves in the early stages and a sevenminute each-way final. Dave Wheatley goes over for a try for the Highlanders
Hurricanes v Chiefs
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Jack Wedmore in action
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Improving fitness and confidence BRETT Edgecombe started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey four years ago. He had always been interested in martial arts but never really had the opportunity to start training. He went along to a few private oneto-one sessions with Gracie Barra Chew Valley for a couple of weeks and quickly found he was hooked. He went on to join the other members in the third week in regular classes and hasn’t looked back since. He says his overall fitness has improved substantially and there was also a massive boost in confidence knowing the skill set he obtained. He went on to move through the white belt ranks and obtained his blue in 2020 during one of the periods when lockdown was eased. He said: “Coming out of lockdown it is more important than ever to get on top of both physical and mental health. I am happy to see the teammates again and enjoy the social element of the club. “If you are thinking about doing something new, or indeed if you trained in martial arts in the past, this is a great opportunity to do so in our local community.” The club meets in West Harptree’s newly refurbished village hall.
Tuesdays 4.30pm – 5.30pm Kids Classes 7.30pm – 9pm Adults Classes
Thursdays 4.30pm – 5.30pm Kids Classes 7:30pm – 9pm Adults Classes Sundays 4.30pm – 5.30pm Open Mat All ages can come along anyone welcome
First week free as a taster Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/gbchewvalley/
Join in the fun at Winscombe Rugby Club
Winscombe RFC welcome more girl players
WINSCOMBE RFC’s girls’ sections are looking to recruit more players for the upcoming season across all age groups. Girls who would like to make new friends, get fit, learn some new skills and have some fun are welcome to attend one of their training sessions throughout the summer. For details, email the club’s Mark Harris: markmagpie@hotmail.com
Coleford clinch cup
Coleford with the Dimmock Green trophy
COLEFORD Athletic won the Dimmock Green KO Cup in a 3-2 victory over Victoria, of Street, in the final of a shortened Mid-Somerset Football League competition. More than 300 spectators watched Coleford’s victory at Peasedown Albion’s ground in Peasedown St John which was followed by the Baxter Shield final between Cam Valley Reserves and Clutton Reserves. Clutton won 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 1-1. It was the first time the league had staged two finals on the same day.
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Royal Ballet to appear at Yeo Valley
guEST artists of The Royal Ballet, one of the world’s greatest ballet companies, will travel to Blagdon in July for two special open-air performances Yeo Valley organic will be hosting the event with Muse à Muse in the Yeo Valley organic garden overlooking Blagdon lake on Saturday, July 17th and Sunday, July 18th at 3pm. The performances will feature an impressive line-up of world-class dancers and outstanding musicians and will include the work of some of the most celebrated choreographers – Kenneth MacMillan, Marius Petipa, Christopher wheeldon and wayne Mcgregor – in an afternoon of classical and contemporary dance. Yeo Valley’s creative director, Sarah Mead, said: “we are really excited to bring guest artists of The Royal Ballet to the South west for two exclusive performances in our beautiful organic garden, as well as workshops and classes for the surrounding arts community.” Johanna Adams Farley, president of Muse à Muse and senior stage manager of the Royal Ballet said: “Muse à Muse had to postpone our planned return to France, with this special group of dancers and musicians, however, what was initially a disappointing moment is now one which is extremely exciting. “we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring dance to this very stunning part of England in what is quite simply the truly perfect setting. A huge thank you to Tim and Sarah Mead and all at Yeo Valley organic.” Royal Ballet supporter and joint organiser, Judith Batchelar, said: “i’m pleased to be involved with Dance in Somerset. This weekend will create a memorable cultural experience in the west Country that promotes the power of the performing arts and will inspire the next generation of performers.” The venue will open at 12pm for food and drink from local producers, allowing guests time to explore the garden ahead of the performance which starts at 3pm. Tickets are now on sale at £85 per person and £50 for under 16s (plus booking fee). All proceeds will go towards supporting the Royal opera House, Covent garden Foundation – Registered Charity no. 211775. Details: https://www.yeovalley.co.uk/come-and-visitus/dance-in-somerset/
Valley Fest is go
Following the government announcement on June 14th, Valley Fest is forging ahead with plans to hold the festival between July 29th – August 1st. The team feels confident that the four-week delay and expanded vaccination programme will see restrictions fully lifted on July 19th. Valley Fest, the “best-tasting music festival in the South west”, is held alongside Chew Valley lake. As well as huge headliners such as Texas, Deacon Blue and Sophie EllisBextor, the weekend also showcases the region’s finest produce, from charcuterie to cheddars and ciders to sausages. Page 76 • MenDiP TiMes • JUlY 2021
Wake Up Wells is back
A CoMMuniTY day in wells is to go ahead in July after twice being postponed due to the Covid pandemic. “wake up wells” will take place on Saturday, July 24th – centred on wells Cathedral – with funding from the national lottery Fund. The day – featuring a community picnic – has been organised by Project Factory CiC. Kirstie Harris, director of Project Factory said: “This event has been postponed twice, so we are really excited to be able to put on one of the first community events after such a long and challenging period for most people. “we’ve seen our community in action during the pandemic working together to support each other. This is a great opportunity to celebrate that community spirit. we hope people will bring a picnic, meet up with each other again and sample some of the delights that wells has to offer.” inside the cathedral, around 50 local organisations and clubs will be exhibiting and hoping to recruit new members. There will be performances by wookey Hole Circus, Drum Together, the Beetlecrushers Clog Dancers and the wells Amateur Bellringing Society. There will also be family workshops to try Djembe drumming, Christmas Craft in the Cloisters and the chance to make a mosaic leaf with Ruth Ames-white who will be showing the progress she has made on wells in Mosaic. outside, the Rotary Club of wells is organising a country fete with have-a-go activity stalls such as a coconut shy, skittles, circus skills, pig racing with wells lions, tombolas, face painting (Covid permitting), turban dressing with Khalsa Aid and a country dancing demonstration. wellspring Music Recovery group are organising live music from wells City Band, glastonbury Male Voice Choir, Birmingham ZZ Blues Band, The Portraits and wells Jazz Collective. Mendip Community Police will also be bike marking. And look out for gert and Daisy from wells Museum wafting around the city telling stories of their life “below stairs” at the Swan Hotel and a short outdoor play “The Monmouth Pageant” with wells Civic Society. Project Factory and wells Community network are funding the Sustainable wells Fresh & good Collective Ploughman’s lunch picnic, which is bookable in advance for a donation. wells Cathedral School’s Quilter Hall will be open for percussion workshops and wells and Mendip Museum is open for free for one day only. At the Bishop’s Palace there will be four outdoor performances for children, The Magic garden (for younger children) and Robin Hood (for older children) each performing twice. These will be on the South lawn and are free for members and ticket holders. For non-ticket holders the croquet lawn will be open from lunchtime so people can bring along their own picnic. wendy Ray, president of the Rotary Club of wells, said: "wells Rotary are absolutely delighted to be joining hands with Project Factory on wells Community Day. As we all come out of lockdown, this big event will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate, have fun, enjoy a big picnic, lots of activities to take part in, with plenty of musical entertainment in the background. we look forward to this joyous occasion!" For full details, visit: www.projectfactory.uk or on their social media @projectfactorycic
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Drama camp
VAllEY Arts has announced its very first youth theatre summer camp to be held at winford School from Monday, August 2nd to Friday, August 6th. The need for summer time activities for young people was something that came up in their recent Voice of the Valley survey. under the guidance of professionals, participants will learn about the creative processes involved in making a drama production including storytelling, scripts, acting and devising, in a fun workshop setting. The students will produce a play in a week, with their families being invited to watch their final performance. The week-long camp for eight to 12 year olds will be led by professional director and playwright Toby Hulse of Roustabout Theatre, alongside Valley Arts’ own laura Davies. The cost is £125 for the week. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk
Palace steps back in history
WHAT’S ON THE Bishop’s Palace in wells has announced that its popular Medieval weekend will return in August 2021. Taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid, but this year it will return to delight
locals and tourists alike. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in 800 years of history and get into the medieval spirit as they discover the historical re-enactment and medieval weapons experts, Bowlore encamped amongst the stunning ruins of the great Hall. There will be displays throughout each day with demonstrations and choreographed combat with longbows, pallaxes, Dane hammer, Falchion and langmesser, to name just a few! “The Black Dog”, Bowlore’s weapons and armour tent can be visited to get a glimpse of medieval life, and members of the Bowlore troupe will be on hand throughout each day to share their expertise and to answer questions. Entrance to the Medieval weekend is included with any valid entrance ticket/membership to The Bishop’s Palace.
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T H E M E n D i P T i M E S w H AT ’ S o n g u i D E
Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of less than 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. We may not be able to use entries which are too lengthy or submitted as posters or leaflets. Commercial entries cost £25.
Saturday June 26th Food and Craft Field Fayre, north Somerset Showground, wraxall. Check website for other dates. Details: www.nsas.org.uk The Reduced Ring Cycle at Croscombe, with Somerset based Bluebirds Theatre in a beautiful family-friendly mash-up outdoor performance. Advance tickets only: www.takeart.org/whatson Sunday June 27th Yard and rummage sale organised by Saturday Stitch and Fosseway gardening Club. 10.30-12.30, Harvester Yard, nr Ditcheat church. Details: 07772 008594. Charity Car Boot sales for ilchester Sportsfield Fund are restarting. Details: mobile 07967 280754 (weekends only) or on Facebook. Chew Valley Rugby Club Classic Car and Bike meeting, 10am-3pm. Kitchen and bar open for breakfast and drinks. Free entry for classic car and bike owners and anyone interested in classics. Further events planned for Sundays: 11th and 25th July and 1st August. For up-to-date info please check Chew Valley Classic Car and Bike Meet Facebook page or Tel: 07831 336444. Friday July 2nd to Sunday 4th July Mixed Traction gala at the S&D Heritage Railway Midsomer norton, with a visiting Steam locomotive, a Kitson Austin 1. Compartment booking £27-50 for up to 4 people, open carriage up to two people £16-50.
Further details & bookings on our website: sdjr.co.uk. Saturday July 3rd to Monday July 12th Frome Festival, community arts festival. Details: www.fromefestival.co.uk Saturday July 3rd Jazz in the Paddock with the Big R Big Band, 6.30 for 7pm. Bring a picnic and chairs. Church Paddock, winscombe Hill, BS25 1DE. Adults £10, u16s £5, family ticket £25 (2 adults and up to 4 children) from Hampden osteopathic Clinic 01934 843617 and on the gate. Sunday July 4th somerton Fun Day Friday July 9th – Sunday July 11th literally shepton literary festival with comedy, music, authors and children's theatre, events centred around Shepton Mallet’s newly refurbished library, The Art Bank and Shepton Community Bookshop. All events free of charge but tickets need to be booked. Details: www.literallyshepton.co.uk Saturday, July 10th Compton Dando monthly coffee morning resumes, village hall 10.30am-12noon. Saturday July 10th and Sunday July 11th Flower Festival, St Mary’s Church, wedmore from 10am to 6pm. lunches and cream teas. All welcome, adults £5, children free. Proceeds towards church upkeep. For details: please see www.facebook.com/St-Marys-wedmore Sunday July 11th Picnic in the meadow, Rodden Meadow, Frome. 11am–2pm. A host of activities, from river dipping to tree climbing. Picnic and have fun! Details: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk Saturday July 17th Christ Church nailsea summer Fair in the Rectory garden, 9.30am-12.30pm. Bouncy Castle, balloon modeller, bubble-ologist,
Free family fun in shepton Mallet
ST PAul’S Junior School in Shepton Mallet is to host a free day of familyfriendly entertainment in July with support from Shepton Mallet Town Council and the wells Festival of literature. The event, on Saturday, July 17th, is being organised by the community interest company Make the Sunshine, which runs theatre projects, creative workshops and performances. Called All the world’s our Playground, the day promises exceptional entertainment, circus, dance and lots of fun! The line-up includes two performances by Squashbox Theatre who bring Curious Creatures to the stage. There will be two performances also by Tallulah Swirls of a funny and original twist on The Princess and The
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Pea. Higher Beings Circus will also be there as will around 100 performers from the town’s Chapel Dance Studio, celebrating every style of dance over the last 100 years. There will also be stalls run by local community groups and maypole dancing by pupils from
FoR
J u lY 2021
candyfloss, crafts and various stalls and refreshments. Admission free. Winscombe Tennis Club Open Day: 10am4pm, all ages and abilities. The lynch BS25 1AP. Cardio Sessions and Junior Coaching from 1pm. Half price membership for new members who join on the day. Details: contactwinscombelawntennisclub@live.co.uk Winter Wilson at Caryford Hall, Castle Cary BA7 7JJ. 6.45pm–10pm. Tickets £10 from https://wegottickets.com/event/516718. original songs, stunning harmonies and musicianship. Family Fun Day, Collett Park, Shepton Mallet, 10.30am-4pm. Details: www.makethesunshine.co.uk Saturday, July 17th and Sunday July 18th WOWFest Wells Orchestral Weekend, Bishop’s Palace and St Cuthbert’s Church. Details: www.wellsyouthmusicfest.co.uk Sunday, July 18th Charity concert, The Hollies, Pensford Hill, 3pm, £8, £10 on the day. Details: guilly and Tony Jones 01761 490456. Saturday July 24th & Sunday July 25th July Draycott & Rodney stoke Wi Open gardens, 11am-5pm. over 10 gardens open, teas & lunches. Parking: St Peter’s Church, Draycott and Brangay Farm, Rodney Stoke BS27 3ul. Adults £5 u16s free with adult. Saturday July 31st Coffee Morning at St Bridget’s, Chelvey and Brockley, 10am–12.30pm. Parking at Chelvey Court, or for disabled drivers by the church gate. Sunday August 1st a triple-bill of theatrical shows with a street circus twist at Croscombe Playing Field. Advance tickets only, details: www.takeart.org/whats-on
Bowlish infant School. l The event will comply with any Covid requirements in place at the time. For the full programme, bookings and line-up visit: www.makethesunshine.co.uk
Chapel Dance studio performing at a previous event in Collett Park
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shakespeare on the road . . . and on the grass EMBER Theatre Company, based in glastonbury, are to stage performances of Shakespeare’s As You like it at four outdoor venues in July, including the South lawn of the Bishop’s Palace in wells. The 14-strong cast began rehearsals over Zoom during lockdown but were able to get together when restrictions began lifting in April. Since then, they have rehearsed outside – weather permitting – but also made use of space in the Zig Zag Building in glastonbury. The performances begin at Middlezoy Village Hall on Friday, July 2nd, followed by Badgworth School Rooms on Saturday, July 3rd, the Bullzini circus yard in Evercreech on Sunday, July 4th before the closing show in wells on Monday, July 5th.
The cast of as You like it – they’re using costumes from all periods
WHAT’S ON
Although largely amateur, some of the cast have wide experience in film and television roles. The shows will be in support of The nelson Trust, a charity based in Stroud that brings belief, hope and long-term Rehearsing inside the Zig Zag Building: Phil recovery to saunders and Will Vero people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction. The charity runs a residential recovery scheme for men and women and also three women’s centres aimed at helping women and girls with multiple and complex needs who might be in – or at risk of becoming involved in – the criminal justice system in Somerset, wiltshire and gloucestershire. Some of Ember’s team are to take part in wells Theatre Festival’s A Midsummer night’s Dream in wells Cathedral in october, as part of the Festival of the Moon to coincide with the art installation Museum of the Moon by luke Jerram.
For details, visit www.embertheatrecompany.weebly.com
Music returns to Wells
THE second edition of wowFest: wells orchestral weekend will welcome hundreds of talented young and amateur musicians from across the uK for a joyful weekend of concerts, workshops and even a ceilidh on the weekend of July 17-18th! The inaugural wowFest took place in July 2018 and saw an exciting range of free events in wells’ most iconic venues. Highlights included a march by the Royal Artillery Band from the Cathedral green to the Bishop’s Palace and an experimental workshop by the festival’s patron, local conductor Charles Hazlewood. This year, the concerts will be held in the Covid-safe environment of The Bishop’s Palace. Although the concerts are
free, usual entrance fee to The Bishop’s Palace applies. if Covid restrictions allow, the highlight of the festival will see a special performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with its iconic “ode to Joy” chorus. Accompanied by guest symphony orchestra The Bristol Classical Players and professional soloists, a community choir of 100 voices will be formed and rehearsed from the end of June. The concert will take place in St Cuthbert’s Church at 7.30pm on July 17th and will be free to attend with donations. The wowFest BBQ & Ceilidh with eight-piece band Squeeze Fiddle Pluck, will take place in wells Town Hall on Sunday, July 18th at 6pm if restrictions are lifted (£12pp).
Details: www.wellsyouthmusicfest.co.uk
gyles Brandreth confirmed for Wells Festival of literature
THE multi-talented gyles Brandreth has been announced as the closing guest speaker at this year’s wells Festival of literature in october. The journalist, comedian, former MP, radio presenter, university chancellor, actor and entertainer – and more – will be discussing his long-awaited autobiography odd Man out. The full programme for this year’s festival, running from
Friday, october 15th to Saturday, october 23rd, will be announced in August. All festival events will follow the government guidelines in place at the time. At present the plan is for all speakers to appear live in wells, with streaming available for an additional online audience. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, September 6th.
For details, visit: www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk
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new president is farm show expert THE organisers of the annual Mid-Somerset Show have welcomed industry expert Paul Hooper as their new president at a crucial time for the one-day countryside celebration. Paul has more than 40 years’ experience in the agricultural show sector, having run his first show, aged 17, whilst still in education. He is the former secretary at the Mid-Somerset Show’s neighbours the Royal Bath and west Society. He is currently secretary of the Association of Show and Agricultural organisations, the “voice” of the British agricultural show industry. Paul joins the Mid-Somerset as it prepares to stage a Covidcompliant show at its new permanent showground at Cannard’s grave, on the edge of Shepton Mallet, on Sunday, August 15th. work is nearing completion on a purpose-built office and storage building on the showground, where Paul joined show society chairman ian Harvey on a tour for stewards to explain the new layout of the showground. Paul said: “it was an unexpected pleasure to be invited to become president of the Mid-Somerset Show and i am proud to bring in excess of 40 years’ experience to the role. “Despite the impact of the pandemic, the show society has shown it remains forward-thinking and innovative.” ian said: “we are really pleased to welcome someone of such extensive show experience to the society as we prepare to welcome visitors to our new home.”
Paul Hooper (left) and ian Harvey at the new showground
stewards on a tour of the site led by Will Harvey
entries are now open for the show. For details visit: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk
Kids go free at glastonbury abbey
THiS summer, glastonbury Abbey is offering free admission to children under 16 years of age. Each adult who purchases a day ticket may bring along two children for the visit completely free of charge to explore the abbey's spectacular ruins
and 36 acres of stunning grounds. The abbey has fully reopened to the public with all indoor spaces now open, an outdoor garden cafe offering great coffee, cake and ice-cream and an award-winning events calendar underway. on wednesday, July 14th visitors can enjoy the popular show “HMS Pinafore” live in the abbey grounds. glastonbury Abbey is open seven days per week from 10am to 6pm with last entry at 5.15pm. Admission can be bought online in advance or at the ticket office upon arrival. l This promotional offer is valid only with the purchase of an adult or over-60s day admission ticket. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Additional children are charged at £6.60 per ticket. For full details, visit: www.glastonburyabbey.com
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WHAT’S ON
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WHAT’S ON
From folksy punk to trad jazz – live music at country festival
no festival would be complete without live music, and visitors to the Bath & west Country Festival in August will be pleased to know that there will be plenty of this to entertain them. The festival – Thatchers Cider is the title sponsor – will showcase some of the best regional musicians, who will be performing at locations across the showground site. A new feature for this year is The greenwood Stage, which will be located at the top of the showground and will have live music from 2-11pm. The leylines, a Bath & west favourite act who have previously performed at glastonbury Festival, will be performing on Friday night. Their music, which they describe as “something that isn’t quite folk, sort of punk but The Jelly Roll Jazz Band 100% heart-pounding
Big breakfast
Jim Farmer serving (l to r) Jackie, Morris, anne and John stephens, John and Rosemary langdon and John Morris
CHElwooD Bridge Rotary Club will be holding their 12th annual Big Breakfast on Sunday, July 25th in Stanton Drew village hall, 8am-12noon. Traditionally the fundraiser is held on the Sunday after Stanton Drew flower show, using the flower marquee, but because of restrictions the flower show is moving to September. The local Classic and Historic Car Club will be starting their rally once again that day, after enjoying a breakfast later in the morning. All proceeds will once again be going to support local Rotary charities. Booking is recommended.
Details: Rob Taylor 07983 72045 or email chelwoodbridgerotary@gmail.com
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The leylines will headline on the Friday evening of the festival
revelry” is sure to have the audience on their feet. The Main lawn will also be a place to head for musical entertainment, and one of the main acts here will be The Jelly Roll Jazz Band. This traditional, completely acoustic jazz trio play a mixture of 1920s standards as well as putting their own trad jazz spin on more modern songs. Visitors will also find them roaming around the festival, doing performances wherever they fancy, over all three days of the event. There’ll be entertainment at the Thatchers bar too with music across the three-day festival. with a wide variety of other acts, roaming performers, and opportunities to camp onsite, a festival vibe is guaranteed. Alan lyons, Head of Shows at the Bath & west, said: “we are thrilled that Thatchers Cider have become our title sponsor for this year’s Bath & west Country Festival. There is a big emphasis on Food & Drink at the Festival, so we are really grateful to have the support of one of the country’s leading cider producers who are based here in Somerset!” Martin Thatcher, fourth-generation cider maker at Thatchers, added: “The Bath & west has been a huge part of our calendar for many years now and we’re delighted to be able to support the show in its new form for 2021. like many, we can’t wait to get back to the events and shows that we love and are looking forward to celebrating the best Food & Drink the county has on offer. it promises to be a fantastic event!”
The Bath & West Country Festival takes place between 27th and 29th august, and tickets are available now at https://www.bathandwest.com/tickets
Diary dates
THE projects committee of St Bridget’s, Chelvey and Brockley, are hoping to hold a welcoming coffee and cake morning on Saturday, July 31st, 10am–12.30pm. if wet it will be held in the church, or on the lawn if fine and dry. Parking will be by kind permission of Chelvey Court or for the disabled drivers, by the church gate. later in the year, Conny Ridge and Jen Thayer have once again arranged to use St Bridget's as a display centre for the north Somerset Arts week, September 10th-19th.
(Photograph courtesy of Jason Bryant)
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