Community

Snowdrop festival was a storming success

EVEN the best efforts of Storm Eunice couldn’t deter the 2022 Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival from taking place.

Two workshops and a planned procession through town to the unveiling of a newly-carved stone obelisk on the grave of James Allen – the town’s Snowdrop King – had to be cancelled, but everything else went ahead as planned, including the ceremony at his graveside attended by festival patron, award-winning gardener Dan Pearson.

Amongst the guests was Ted Allen, deputy lieutenant of Somerset and a distant relative of James Allen.

New for the 2022 festival were a James Allen Heritage Walk, an art, antiques and vintage trail around the town centre, including specially commissioned giant snowdrops, and partnerships with Yeo Valley Organic Garden and Downside Abbey Gardens.

Amanda Hirst, director of Shepton Snowdrops, said: “The programme for this year’s festival was fuller and more extensive than ever before. Many people braced the weather with equanimity, determined to enjoy all that was on offer in spite of Storm Eunice.

“We’d like to thank our partner gardens, growers, craft makers, artists, workshop leaders, storyteller, cocktail inventor and the town centre shops and cafes for working with us on this new expanded festival.”

Amanda added: “The 2022 festival was particularly special for us. Our long-held ambition to return a new beautifully carved ten-foot obelisk to the grave of James Allen came to fruition just a week before the festival and it was unveiled by our patron, Dan Pearson.”

There was a large turnout for the unveiling of the new obelisk in Shepton Mallet cemetery

Festival patron Dan Pearson (right) with Dominic Weston, from the Shepton Mallet Horticultural Society and festival director Amanda Hirst The hall in St Paul’s School hosted snowdrop and craft stalls as well as workshops

Church makes a grand entrance

YATTON Methodist Church has received a spruce-up to welcome people back after Covid and is relaunching its programme of events for all ages.

Work on a freshly-painted foyer of the church on the High Street has been completed by volunteers. Minister, the Rev Jill Flowers, said: “Lots of people have mucked in, everyone from the children in our Energize group, to people in their eighties, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more people through the doors over the next few weeks.”

As well as its Sunday morning services, the church hosts a coffee morning, open to everyone, every Tuesday from 10am to noon. A toddler group meets on Mondays from 1.30-3pm and Energize meets every Wednesday in term time from 78.30pm for Year 7 upwards.

Some of the team in the bright new foyer

For details, visit: www.yatton-methodist.org.uk

Rotary supports carers group

Pictured front row members of Frome Carers, Christine Smith, Gaynor Price, Tricia Knott and Anne Bineen with Guy Parkinson, president, Frome Selwood Rotary

FROMESelwood Rotary recently donated £500 to Frome and District Carers Group to help them recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic and carry on their support for adult carers in Frome.

Frome Selwood Rotary is one of three Rotary clubs in Frome that supports local, national and international service and charitable projects.

Guy Parkinson, the club’s president, said: “We take our service to the community and fundraising very seriously but enjoy the social aspects of the club and believe that we should also have some fun.”

Frome and District Carers Group is for those who look after a family member, friend or neighbour with a long-term illness or disability. It offers an opportunity to meet other carers in a social and relaxed atmosphere, a varied programme of talks, entertainment and outings and importantly, some time to yourself.

The group meets 10.30-12.30pm on the first Wednesday in each month in the pavilion of Frome Cricket Club.

Details: Frome Carers Joan 01373 302128 or Tricia 01373 301369 www.fromeselwoodrotary.org.uk email

Teddies for refugees

WI president, Jenny Harris, (left) and member Nita Wendover

BISHOP Sutton and Stowey WI members have been busy knitting for the charity, Teddies for Tragedies, which sends them to refugee camps around the world.

The group began knitting the teddies last summer when member, Alison Ewins, came up with the idea.

WI president, Jenny Harris, said: “Well done to all our knitters! What a great contribution of teddies, mittens and glove puppets, all of which will help make a child's life a little better and show them that others do care.”

Village tidy-up

GREENWedmore held a “Big Tidy Up” around Wedmore, Blackford and Stoughton, covering all the main routes and many of the minor village roads.

Plenty of people of all ages went along to help, including Eleanor Thatcher from Thatchers, who donated some litter grabbers to improve their supplies.

They collected a very large quantity of rubbish, much of which has been recycled. The next tidy-up will be held in late autumn.

New coffee shop

Linda Day

A NEWSaturday morning snack bar and coffee shop has opened at the Hive Community Centre in Peasedown St John.

The Honey Pot Snack Bar is open 9am–12pm and provides fresh coffee for just £1.50, plus a selection of waffles, crumpets and mouth-watering muffins!

Centre manager, Lucy Day, said: “We wanted to make sure that visitors to the centre, and users of our services, had access to fresh coffee and delicious snacks on a Saturday.

“With mini-athletics for children happening, plus the Post Office and community library open, there is always plenty happening in the building at the weekend.”

Details: www.thehivepsj.org 01761 360021

Village lunch

THEannual soup and puddings lunch at Stanton Drew village hall raised £639 towards repairs to the village church’s bell tower. THE last craft workshop of the winter in Compton Dando attracted 23 people. Organiser, Harriette Dottridge, said: “Amongst our usual crafts today we also had some sock knitting, crochet, a bit of weaving as well as some block printing again.”

The workshops will resume next October/November.

Walking festival

THESomer Valley Walking Festival will be taking place once again this September celebrating its sixth anniversary.

Their aim is to encourage local people and visitors to explore the beauty of the local countryside and also to discover its rich industrial and other heritage.

They are offering two days of walks of varying lengths to suit all levels of experience and fitness. All walks are free and do not require booking (except for the long walk on Saturday). Simply turn up at the place and time given, allowing time to register.

The event takes place over the weekend of September 10th/11th. Saturday walks start from various local venues, including a repeat of the very popular Coal Canal walk from Paulton to Limpley Stoke.

Sunday walks start from the Conygre Hall, Timsbury, with refreshment at the end. Full details will be published nearer the time.

Winter workshops

Chew’s link with Zambia

ST Andrew’s Church in Chew Magna has been linked with the church of St Mary and St John in Kwacha in the copper belt of Northern Zambia for nearly 25 years and has supported them in many projects.

After they had completed their church in 2007, they began a project to build a priest’s house, which is now nearing completion.

Jenny Biggs, who is one of St Andrew's members running the Zambia link, said: “The church in Zambia is about much more than worship. It is involved in improving many aspects of people’s lives, in health, education, so appointing a priest is really important for the community as well as the church.

“Despite the difficulties of the last couple of years the congregation of our link parish has raised money for bricks to continue the work on their priest’s house. We were then able to

transfer some funds raised pre-Covid for their volunteer builders to continue the work. “We have been able to help at times with donations sent through the Bath & Wells Diocese. Most of the building work has been Priest's house done by the parishioners themselves. “Despite the problems posed by Covid they have finished the house during this last year with just some decorating needed now. It has been really joyful and rewarding to hear of what has been achieved in difficult times. “We are looking forward to the time when a priest moves in to minister to this lively hardworking congregation.”

Working party

Maureen Collings weeding one of the borders COMPTONDando has a new churchyard cleanup organiser, Kelston Gough, who oversaw a busy morning with the first quarterly working party of the year. Refreshments were provided at the village hall by the monthly coffee morning. One of the volunteers, Harriette Dottridge, said: “The churchyard looked tidy and inviting for the Café Church service at St Mary’s the next day. More volunteers are always welcome.”

Lions say thanks

GLASTONBURYand Street Lions Club presented a certificate of appreciation to the Morrisons store in Glastonbury for supporting its Christmas collection, which raised £521.54.

Pictured (l to r) are Lion John Mulliner, Alison Hall Leitch, community champion at Morrisons, and Lion president David Atkins.

St Andrews PCC pictured with Archbishop Albert Chama, a Zambian Anglican bishop, during a previous visit

Food bank donations

TESCO donated two trolleys full of supplies including lots of daffodils to two local larders, Temple Cloud and Paulton. Liz Brakspear (pictured left) collected for the Temple Cloud Larder and Liz Hardman collected for Paulton on behalf of Kayleigh Paul who runs and organises Paulton Larder.

The donation was organised by Maxine Parsons, on behalf of Tesco Community liaison and overseen by Simon Perry Williams, the store’s grocery manager.

Liz Hardman, a B&NES councillor, said: “A big thank you to Tesco for brightening up peoples’ lives in these difficult times.”

Love is in the air

CHURCHESin Churchill and Langford organised a community Love Bomb, decorating the area with hearts, ribbons and flowers, reflecting the community spirit shown during the pandemic. Indoors, 40-50 people dropped by the Pop-Up Café at Churchill Methodist hall to make posies and cards with blessings to give to friends and neighbours as acts of kindness.

A volunteer from Churchill and Langford Food Bank, which operates at St Mary’s, Langford, gave a talk about its service which is an expression of care for their neighbourhood.

The Churchill and Langford Minibus Society, based at Churchill Methodist centre, was instrumental, along with Churchill Village Fund, in obtaining post pandemic boost grants for many village societies and groups.

These included Churchill Baby & Toddler Group, Thursday Lunches and courses such as Time Out for Parents and Men Get Cooking!, all of which operate from this community hub.

Meanwhile at Churchill Primary, an ecumenical team of church volunteers invited local families to enjoy a croissant breakfast. Here, enthusiastic youngsters spent the morning busily making love bugs from bottle corks and decorating pebbles.

Jacquelene Seel, community development worker at Churchill Methodist, said: “The community response to the Love Bomb has been absolutely wonderful!

“It is a testament to the way our close-knit community strengthened during the pandemic, as well as the creativity of the volunteers at St Mary’s Langford and St John’s Churchill.

“It is wonderful that people of all ages have come together to express their care for our neighbours.”

Support for community groups

SOME47 local organisations have successfully secured grants from the Mendip Communities Fund.

Mendip District Council has allocated £350k to groups with project plans that support community resilience, physical and mental wellbeing and access to arts, creativity and heritage.

Projects that secured funding of up to £2k and up to £30k include improvements to village halls, skate park developments, music and seasonal events, a defibrillator, play area refurbishment, dance groups and equipment for a cricket club.

Details: www.mendip.gov.uk/cf

Arts, crafts and information

THE Discover Frome Information Point has moved to a new home in the Round Tower at Black Swan Arts, spanning the two floors of the beautiful 18th century building.

The new space incorporates Discover Frome: Makers, a new initiative by Frome Town Council showcasing local artists and makers in the exhibition space on the ground floor.

Rachel Griffin, the council’s marketing and communications manager, said: “Discover Frome’s new home gives us much more space to share everything that Frome has to offer, from essential information like bus timetables to local publications and a variety of Frome walks, gifts and books on sale. Sharing this space with local makers creates a bright, vibrant atmosphere.”

The information point is seeking new volunteers to join the team. For details, email info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01373 465757

Youth work in Congresbury

Alex Ballard (left) being thanked by Stella Wilson, founder of Cameo

ALEXBallard talked to Cameo, in Congresbury Methodist Hall, about her 25 plus years in youth work. She illustrated the various activities carried out by the Youth Partnership in Congresbury.

This included decorating the youth club building, cooking, First Aid, learning IT and coding at the Cyber Club and pressing apples from the church and community orchards for apple juice, sold for club funds.

Outdoor activities have involved weeks on a small ship and camping in local woodland. Former youth club members were the initiative for the ball court, built adjacent to the club building with funds from a housing development.

Alex praised Congresbury Parish Council for their financial support for local youth, a rarity in village communities, and regretted that many charitable youth activities have not survived Covid and the end of government finance.

Even with occasional problems, she said her work had been exciting and a joy, and appealed for adult volunteers to help in the Youth Partnership.

Helping the homeless

Pictured (l to r) Jeremy Manners, Private Sector Housing Team Leader (MDC), Helen Mumford, Housing Occupational Therapist (SCC), Cllr Richard Pinnock, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services (MDC) and Gillian Bannell, Senior Accommodation Worker

MENDIP District Council has helped the YMCA Brunel group transform two ground floor rooms at Grace Harris House, Shepton Mallet, thanks to £60k funding from its Disabled Facilities Grant.

The grant made the rooms wheelchair accessible and was used to install level-access shower rooms and kitchen counters, as well as a ramp from the pavement to the front door. A power assisted door entry system and controls will also soon be completed.

The rooms will be used as safe, temporary accommodation for disabled residents, vulnerable to homelessness.

Lodge gives thanks

Pictured (l to r): Worshipful Master Neil Arthur, air ambulance fundraiser, Ken Hutton, Philip and Mary Turner, Andrew Emmett and Beth Selway (YMCA)

CONNAUGHTFreemasons Lodge in Midsomer Norton hosted a presentation evening to thank people who went to the aid of member Philip Turner who suffered a severe ankle injury while on his way to a lodge meeting.

Passerby Andrew Emmett stayed with him until the Dorset and Somerset arrived, landing on the nearby cricket pitch.

The injury was so severe that the doctor on board operated during the flight and saved his foot from being amputated. He later spent six hours in theatre having the bones reassembled.

The lodge welcomed Andrew Emmett and his partner Beth Selway, presenting them both with gifts. Philip Turner and his wife Mary presented £1,000 from the lodge to the air ambulance’s local fundraiser Ken Hutton.

Young artists have designs on new book

Helen, Rob and daughter Sophia (centre) with some of the under-12s at a workshop in the library

A painting by Rob of the library

CHILDREN from the Shepton Mallet area have been painting and drawing as part of a competition to illustrate a new book celebrating the community’s successful campaign to save the town’s library.

Former teacher-turned-school librarian Helen Heaton and her fellow teacher husband Rob are working on their book The Town that Saved its Library and decided to use children’s pictures.

They have launched a Kickstarter drive to pay for the book to be published in time for the Literally Shepton festival in November.

Helen said: “Since we’ve lived in Shepton Mallet we’ve been incredibly inspired by the strength of community feeling in the town. The campaign to save the library from closure and keep it in the town centre epitomises that sentiment.”

The library is still part of Somerset County Council’s libraries service but is run by 7 Starlings CIC who have opened up the building for more use by the community.

Both 7 Starlings and the Mendip Children’s Book Group are supporting Helen and Rob. The book will be published by the Self Publishing Partnership in Bath.

Charter market showcase for village makers

Cathy Judge and Johnny Francis on stage

The Morris family on their stall: Victoria, James, Richard and Nicole

Candy Stanley (second from right), the main organiser, with former organiser Mary Cadogan, Helen Lawson and Estelle Cronin

A WIDE range of stalls, live music and, of course, tea and cake, all featured at Croscombe’s spring charter market.

The quarterly events made a successful return after the pandemic at Christmas time. Villagers have held a charter to hold a weekly market since the 14th century but the markets died out early in the 20th century before being revived in the 1980s. The market specialises in crafts and produce from the local area. l Villagers are being invited to take part in the planting of 30 fruit trees on Sunday, April 10th to create the Croscombe Community Orchard on land next to the cemetery.

School donation

TYNTESFIELDLodge 4494, based in Nailsea, has donated £750 to local Ravenswood School to replace equipment which was damaged by flooding through a temporary roof.

Master, Colin Ford, is pictured with head teacher, Mark Senior, and deputy head, Katie Barnes.

Community café

THERE was another good turnout for the monthly café held on the second Saturday of the month at St Mary’s Church in Stanton Drew.

Organiser, Anne Bennett, said: “The latest project supported by this community venture was a supply of snowdrop bulbs for the school children to plant.”

Doreen Bond with some of the knitted toys she was selling

Details: Anne 07960 862118 or anne@crbennett.co.uk

Boys’ charity cakes

FOUR boys from Yatton held a cake sale for charity, raising £170 for HorseWorld at Whitchurch and the Battery Hen Welfare Trust.

One donation was in memory of Barney, a horse owned by Helen Chaplin, mum of one of the boys. Barney died aged 18. The other followed lockdown, when one of the boys, Lewis, incubated eggs and raised chicks.

The boys, all in Year 6 at Yatton School, are pictured (l to r) George Brown and Lewis Derrick, aged 11, and Max Rose and Joe Chaplin, both ten.

Friends’ social

Sarah Bishop with her surprise birthday cake

ST THOMASa Becket Tower Friends in Pensford enjoyed a social evening when they joined an online awards ceremony held by the Churches Conservation Trust.

It was also a pleasant evening for Sarah Bishop, whose birthday was the next day. The Miner’s Coffee shop opened specially for the Friends, who hold fundraising teas on Sunday afternoons in the summer.

Rewilding Chew

Pictured (l to r) Marie-Louise Hales, Jacky Morgan and Eileen O’Donnell

BACK in February a call went out from Rewild Chew asking anyone who was dividing their clumps of snowdrops or primroses to donate any spare ones for St Andrew's churchyard and other grass areas around Chew Magna village.

One of the members, Eileen O’Donnell, said: “Thanks to all who got in touch with donations and to those who came along to help, we have been able to plant many more snowdrops and primroses.

“Snowdrops not only brighten our day but are also a valuable source of food for the early emerging queen bumblebee and other early pollinators.”

The project grew out of the Wilder Churches initiative, which aims to create a carpet of spring flowering bulbs.

Chew Valley gets planting

Nempnett Pastures

CHEWValley Plants Trees and Black2Nature recently joined forces to plant 465 trees at Nempnett Pastures, where George Ford is the sixth generation of farmers on the land.

Last summer Chew Valley Plants Trees sent 100 handdelivered letters to 100 farmers across the valley, inviting them to meet at Chew Stoke Harvest Home. George answered the call.

Jackie Head, from Chew Valley Plants Trees, said: “George’s love of his land was palpable. Born into a farming family, he spent his childhood surrounded by this familiar and beautiful scene, learning to farm from his parents and grandparents.

“This stewardship across time is seen in the protection of hedgerows and the charming field names passed down from generation to generation.

“There was a magical moment during our visit when we walked into Lane Field where half a dozen 100 year old oaks stand, each in their own space, reminding us that the term ‘acre’ was that given to the space an oak tree needs to grow to full maturity.”

George said: “There used to be more oaks here, and one day I plan to plant oaks that will last for the next 100 years”.

Chew Valley Plants Trees joined up with Black2Nature, an environmental group which aims to enable more people from visible ethnic minorities to have opportunities to enjoy the countryside. They spent a day tree planting miniwoodlands into the field edges in five fields on the farm.

These native trees were sourced through the “I dig trees” programme via Black2Nature who also received grant funding to help with additional costs on the day. l Black2Nature is looking for more volunteers. Contact: helena@black2nature.org

Details: https://www.tcv.org.uk/communities/i-dig-trees www.nempnettpastures.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/OfficialB2N/ chewvalleyplantstrees@gmail.com or phone Jackie on 0790064183

Award for quarry protestors

Heather Clewett (left) and Sally Monkhouse receiving engraved rose bowls from Martin Palmer, president elect of the club

CHELWOODBridge Rotary Club has made its annual community award after inviting nominations from about a dozen local parish councils.

The award was presented jointly to Sally Monkhouse and Heather Clewett for all the hard work they had both put in over many years in respect of the Stowey Quarry campaign and associated court case.

This resulted in huge fines for the operators and the closure of the quarry. They were nominated by Stowey Sutton Parish Council.

Rotary Club spokesman, Colin Robinson said: “They led and organised the Stowey Quarry Action Group whose tireless campaigning halted the dumping of unlicensed materials which would otherwise have entered into Chew Valley Lake and contaminated the drinking water for the whole area.”

Welcome to Wells u3a

Pictured (l to r) Sue Revell, Jeanne Evans and Ginny Bourquin

WELLSu3a held a special day for new members who had joined during and after lockdown.

They were welcomed by the chair, Sue Revell (pictured), and members of the committee with coffee, tea and biscuits in the meeting room at Wells and Mendip Museum.

There were stalls and a video showing the group’s various activities and a sale of cookery books compiled by members.

The group said it hoped new members were made to feel welcome, especially people new to the area, recently bereaved or living alone.

Church launches eco-hub

Pictured (l to r) Beryl Crocker, Camila Ruz and Jean Luckett

ANeco-hub has been launched at St Bartholomew’s Church in Ubley. One of those taking part, Jean Luckett said they wanted to create a space where people can celebrate the wonders of the natural world and learn how to take action to protect it.

One of the organisers, Camila Ruz, said: “It was great to see so many enthusiastic people at the launch. The atmosphere was really buzzing and positive, and it has set us off to a great start.”

The first project will be rewilding the churchyard and a wildflower seed planting day involving local schools. A dark sky astronomy project is also starting this month.

Millennium wood is thriving

Volunteers gather in the Millennium Wood for the planting day

VOLUNTEERS who care for a woodland planted to mark the Millennium have been hard at work planting hundreds of new hedging plants and plugs of woodland plants to encourage wildlife and biodiversity.

The five hectares of land on the edge of Stoke St Michael are owned by the parish council but managed by the village’s Woodland Group. It is home to oak, ash, hazel and dogwood, amongst other trees.