16 minute read
What’s On
Everyone and their moms is packing round here!
THE classic film Hot Fuzz will be screened on the lawn of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells at the end of April – marking the 15th anniversary of its release.
Tickets are now on sale for the event, on Friday, April 29th; when Hot Fuzz was shown five years ago, tickets sold out within 24 hours.
Sally Cooper, of Wells Film Centre, which is organising the evening in conjunction with the palace, said: “We are really pleased we can return to the Bishop’s Palace once more for another outdoor screening.
“It’s also fantastic that Hot Fuzz will be back for its 15th Anniversary. We are already planning lots of fun things to happen during the pre-show on the night, so watch this space.”
Tickets are £25 each. Included in the ticket is a hog roast (vegetarian, Vegan and dietary options available when booking), a drink and a goody bag. The drawbridge opens at 6.30pm with the pre-show starting from 8pm.
Tickets are available in person at Wells Film Centre, by phone (01749 673195) or via: www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk
Morris men emerge
MENDIPMorris have started off their summer dance season early by helping to promote Somerset Day on May 11th.
They will be out and about dancing at local pubs in the area on Thursdays from the beginning of May. On some weeks they will be joined by Morris dancers from further afield in Somerset or the South West.
Do go along to watch, support or join in! They will also be performing at some local, and not so local, arts or dance festivals over the summer.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/MendipMorris/events/ http://mendipmorris.org.uk
Medieval fayre spectacular
THE grounds of Glastonbury Abbey will once again host a medieval fayre this April – and it is going to be bigger than ever, says organisers. Over the weekend of Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 24th, the abbey will echo to the sounds of true medieval life with markets, living history displays and medieval demonstrations. The events runs between 10am and 5pm on both days and tickets start from just £7 for a day ticket and £10.50 for a weekend ticket.
Somerset craftspeople in words and pictures
KATE Lynch is a Somerset artist who has made her name celebrating rural farming and traditional work in paintings and drawings, accompanied by stories she collects from the people she meets.
Her latest collection “CRAFT –Somerset Portraits and Voices” features traditional Somerset craftspeople and some rare crafts themselves including the only sieve and riddlemaker in the country, a hand-made papermaker working in a mill powered by a waterwheel and one of the last companies in the world weaving horsehair.
The 30 craftspeople in Kate’s latest project come from all corners of Somerset, with several from the Mendip area. Alex Bown is a hedgelayer from Binegar. He learnt his craft from his father and helps run the Wrington and Burrington Hedge Laying Society, one of the oldest in the country. Kate’s charcoal drawing of Alex captures his vigorous work.
Jonny Tapp is a brushmaker from Lamyatt. His hand brushes, crumb brushes and brooms are made from interesting local wood – pear, walnut, ash, cherry and even old whisky and beer barrels. He also restores old tools, bringing them back to life. Somerset is known for its limestone and its tradition of stone craftsmanship. Andrew Ziminski and Kate Semple are Frome stonemasons. Andrew grew up with stone in the family, his father was a “Tunnel Tiger”, hewing granite blocks for hydroelectric tunnel arches in Scotland after the Second World War. Kate Semple is a teacher of carving and known for her commissioned stone memorials whilst Kevin Toal is a dry stone waller, passionate about building and restoring traditional stone walls on the Mendips; he teaches the craft for the Dry Stone Walling Association. l The book “CRAFT – Somerset Portraits and Voices” is published on Saturday, March 26th to coincide with the opening of an exhibition at the Somerset Rural Life Museum from March 26th to June 5th). For details, Captured in charcoal: Alex Bown at work visit: www.katelynch.co.uk
Lots to see and do at the Bishop’s Palace this Easter
LITTLE people will find plenty to enjoy at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells this Easter, with a range of family-friendly activities taking place over the school holidays.
The holiday fun kicks off with a Family Dragon Trail, from April 8th-24th, where intrepid explorers can explore the 14 acres of stunning gardens, including the Dragon’s Lair play area, in search of dragons from all over the world. Trails can be collected from the palace’s ticket office with a special prize on the way out.
On Tuesday, April 12th and Tuesday, April 19th the Community Garden will be hosting a “Make A Wildflower Seedbomb” workshop between 11am and 3pm, whilst on Thursday, April 14th and Thursday, April 21st (11am and 1.30pm) storyteller Beth Webb will be celebrating the arrival of spring with family fun, spring stories and colouring.
Over the Easter weekend itself, a special Easter egg trail will lead visitors through the gardens looking for hidden Easter eggs. Again, the trail can be collected at the ticket office and there will be a small prize on the way out. Easter Monday sees the palace’s medieval falconry day taking place with flying displays at midday and 3pm.
St George’s Day – Saturday, April 23rd – will be marked by the palace’s official “dragon slayer”, Lady Elizabeth Dragonsblood, who will be telling tales of how Bishop Jocelyn slew the fearsome beast that lived on Worminster Sleight in 1206. There will also be live music on the South Lawn with Somerset folk duo Nathan Lewis Williams and Caelia Lunniss performing at midday.
St George’s Day storytelling
For details, visit: www.bishopspalace.org.uk
Expect the unexpected at Beckery Village Fair
PERFORMANCE, art, music, vegan food, plenty of unusual and quirky stalls – and more – will be on offer at the Beckery Village Fair in Glastonbury on Sunday, April 3rd.
The fair is centred on the Morlands Enterprise Park and will also offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about the ambitious Life Factory project which is part of the multi-million pound Glastonbury Town Deal plan.
The Life Factory will see the C Building – between the Red Brick Building and Zig Zag Building who are hosting the event – refurbished to create a shared community resource, offering areas for skills learning, artists and craft makers and activities as well as media opportunities and hospitality.
Others taking part in the fair include Bridies Yard, the skatepark, and the Old Tannery. The fair is free to enter and there will be plenty for families to enjoy.
Actress and performer Morgan Pandolfino at a previous event in the Zig Zag Building
Shepton independent markets are back
THE first Shepton Mallet independent market of the year, held in the Market Place and surrounding area, is on Sunday, April 24th.
Running from 10am – 3pm, there will be a mix of stalls, including street food and live music to entertain visitors whilst they browse. With the town’s shops and cafes open on the day, there's sure to be lots for everyone to enjoy.
Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for The Shepton Experience, said: “We can’t wait to be back, and we are really looking forward to starting our year off and seeing everyone again. Thanks to Mendip District Council who have granted us free parking on market days again this year we can offer the public an affordable and fun day out.
“We hope that the market, especially the independent traders, continue to receive the amazing support of the local and surrounding community throughout the year.”
Organisers would welcome more volunteers to help out on market days, especially first aiders and stewards.
For details, visit the market’s Facebook/Instagram pages: @thesheptonexperience, its website: www.thesheptonexperience.co.uk or email: info@thesheptonexperience.co.uk
THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR APRIL 2022
As Covid cases remain high we advise that you check for any infection precautions that organisers request, and that indoor events will still take place. We’re happy to list entries for community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge. Commercial entries £25. Please send entries as a single paragraph of less than 25 words. Friday April 1st Axbridge Museum re-opens:
www.kingjohnshuntinglodge.co.uk
Friday April 1st to Sunday April 3rd
Strode Theatre Book Festival. Details: www.strode-college.ac.uk
Saturday April 2nd
Weston Walking Group: 7- 9m walks every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston. Friendly group. Details: 07934 107780, www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Mozart Requiem and Haydn Theresienmesse, 7pm Wells Cathedral. Details: www.wcos.org.uk Bath Community Gospel Choir 7pm St Mary's Church Timsbury. Tickets £10 from 01761 470677 or 471410. Please wear mask. 100 years of Weston Light Orchestra Tickets £10, fundraising for youth work, 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church Weston-s-Mare.
Sunday April 3rd
Mendip Hills SWT walk: The Cheddar Yeo. Meet 2pm car park nr reservoir entrance, Sharpham Rd Cheddar. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events Beckery Village Fair Glastonbury. See P****
Monday April 4th
RAFA meeting: “Travelling in Nepal” 11am Street Inn, Somerton Rd, BA16 0DR. Details: rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458 224057.
Tuesday April 5th
WJ Neatby: Harrods Meat Hall, 1860-1900. Talk by Scott Anderson for The Arts Society Mendip, 11am Croscombe village hall, also via Zoom. Guests welcome, £6, contact tasmendip.comm@gmail.com
Wednesday April 6th Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers
meeting with talk: “They used to live in Bristol”, by Cyril Routley 2– 3.30pm, WI Hall, Backwell. “Nature in the Churchyard” talk by Ged Keele for Mendip Hills group of SWT. 7.30pm Burnham-on-Sea Community Centre. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org
Thursday April 7th to Saturday 9th
Shipham Players: “Aladdin A Genie-us Panto” at the village hall. Tickets £8 from www.shiphamplayers.org.uk
Thursday April 7th
Shepton Mallet u3a: talk by Rachael Boothroyd of Cooper & Tanner on The History of Gemstones, 10am-12, Salvation Army Hall, Shepton Mallet. £2 members, £3 others. Details: sherwinj@outlook.com Congresbury Gardening Club Pushing the Boundaries, talk by Derry Watkins 7.30pm Methodist Hall. Visitors welcome.
Friday April 8th
“Coastal Plants of Somerset” a Zoom talk by Helena Crouch for Avon Wildlife Trust. Details: www.keynshamawt.org
Saturday April 9th
Fashion Show organised by Wedmore Friends of Weston Hospicecare, 2.30pm Wedmore Bowls Club. Tickets £10 from Shirley 01934 712089. Congresbury Singers: Somervell's Passion of Christ 7.30pm St Andrews Church. Refreshments. Tickets Congresbury PO/on the door. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Wells SOUP! Community project presentations & lunch, £5. 12.50-2pm, Connect Centre, Chamberlain St. Details: www.wellsindependents.org/soup Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market, 2nd Saturday each month, parish hall, 10am-12. Details: 01278 760308.
Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th
Easter craft fair, Downside Abbey, 10am-4pm, Orchard Brass band Sunday afternoon. Details: www.visitdownside.co.uk
Saturday April 9th to Sunday April 24th
Frome Art Society: Spring exhibition, Black Swan Arts, Frome BA11 1BB, 10am–4pm, www.blackswanarts.org.uk, 01373 473980.
Sunday April 10th
Wessex Daffodil Show Henton village hall. 2–4.30 with refreshments. Easter team activities, Midsomer Norton Town Park. Details: nfesteastertrail.eventbright.co.uk
The Mayor of Wells Macmillan Cancer
Support Quiz, 7.30pm Town Hall. Teams of up to six, £3pp. Raffle prizes welcomed. Booking essential. Details: Terry 01749 672342. Rose Cottage open for NGS, Smithams Hill, East Harptree BS40 6BY. 2pm-5, Congresbury Brass Band, home-made teas, plant sales. £5, children free.
Monday April 11th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship
evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome. Mendip Folk Dance Club 8pm-10, St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details 01934 742853.
Tuesday April 12th
Fosseway Gardening Club talk by Melvyn Reed on David Austin Roses. Pylle Village Hall, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Details: 07772 008594.
Wednesday April 13th
Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Dave Usher "Answer lies in the soil" 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. All welcome, visitors £3. www.kilmersdongardeners.org Mendip Storytelling Circle 7.30-9.30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, Green St BA3 4DA. An evening of folk tales and more...£5 donation. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com
Thursday April 14th Glastonbury Tor Townswomen’s Guild flower
demonstration, 2.30pm Town Hall. Visitors welcome. Details: Ann: 01458 832599.
Saturday April 16th
Claverham Village Market 10am-12pm village hall. Butcher, veg, preserves, crafts etc. Details: 01934 830553 / 838017. Bleadon Village Market 9.30-12.30+ Stalls. Coronation Halls BS24 0PG. Every 3rd Sat. Details: 01934 812370. Wedmore YFC spring show, The George, Wedmore 10am.
Easter Monday, April 18th Norton Down Methodist Chapel Easter Bonnet
party, 2-4pm, all welcome. Memories, photographs, refreshments and stalls. “A Birding Journey around Mallorca” talk by Len Clark for Timsbury Natural History Group 7.30pm Conygre Hall. Visitors welcome, £3.
Tuesday April 19th
“The Rushing Water & the Frozen Deep”, talk to Mendip Hills group SWT by Peter Glanville. 7.30pm Cheddar Pavilion, Sharpham Rd. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org
Tuesday April 19th to Saturday May 14th
Creative Coverage art exhibition, Ilminster Arts Centre. Details: www.creativecoverage.co.uk 01489 808621.
Wednesday April 20th
Talent Pathway Skate Jam 10am-3pm Castle Cary Pump Track, Fairfield. Supported by Castle Cary Town Council.
Thursday April 21st
Shipham & District Gardening Club talk by Carrie Pakenham on the growing and use of unusual herbs, 7.30pm, Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. All welcome.
Saturday April 23rd and Sunday 24th
Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre 10am to 5pm. Details: www.glastonburyabbey.com
Saturday April 23rd
Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Folk Music Night 8pm War Memorial Hall, Congresbury. Table Top Sale, 10am-12, Conygre Hall, Timsbury BA2 0JQ. £15 per table in aid of St. Mary's Church. Table bookings: 01761 471790 or 479506.
Sunday April 24th
Shepton Independent Market is back! See P****
Monday April 25th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship
evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome. Chew Valley u3a, Richard Rogers on the cultivation and uses of willow in Somerset, 10am, Ubley parish hall. Mendip Folk Dance Club 8-10pm St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853.
Tuesday April 26th
Chilcompton Gardening Club talk on Fuchsias by Derek Dexter, 7.30pm Village Hall BA3 4EX.
Wednesday April 27th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting
1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107. Harptrees History Society Colin Budge: “Boundaries and Walls – a journey through history” 7.30pm West Harptree village hall BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome £3. Please wear mask. Chairs socially distanced so booking essential: email info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Wessex stationary engine club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn Emborough. All welcome.
Saturday April 30th
Cheddar Vale Lions Spring Fair, village hall. Details: information@cheddarvalelions.org.uk or call 03458 337402. Concert by Richard Lennox, piano and organ, All Saints’ Church, Weston-s-Mare, 12noon, tickets £10 on door, incl lunch. Walking jumble sale, Charlton Mackerell 10am2pm. Details: Jody, enquiries@projectcharlton.org
RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch 75th Anniversary
Lunch 12.15pm Wells Golf Club, Blackheath Lane, BA5 3DS. Details: rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or tel 01458224057. Organ Recital by William McVicker: 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Yatton, Tickets £10, details: www.yms.org.uk
Saturday April 30th to Monday May 2nd Cheddar Arts Festival
CELEBRITIES are on the menu for this year’s Royal Bath & West Show as yet more attractions are being confirmed for the three-day celebration which coincides with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The latest appearance to be confirmed is that of Kaleb Cooper, who fans of the Prime Video series “Clarkson’s Farm” will know well from his central advisory role to Jeremy Clarkson. Kaleb is filming a second series and will be visiting the show on Thursday, June 2nd.
The Paul Hannam Stunt Show, Pawsability Dog Agility Display and Lakeside Farm have already been announced alongside the launch of The Great British Kitchen with demonstrations by Briony May Williams, Dean Edwards, and “Yorkshire Shepherdess” Amanda Owen.
Also making a welcome return is the Imagineering Tent, with an exciting line-up of new companies and new activities, all bringing scores of free fun engineering and technology activities specially developed for children. There are opportunities to see behind the scenes and learn about the fascinating technology used in modern manufacturing, energy and defence that affects our everyday lives.
Jess Chiplen, Deputy Head of Shows, said: “As opening day draws closer, we’re able to confirm more activities and personalities who will make this year’s show one of our best ever. Keep visiting our website and social media pages for the latest information and to plan your day.”
Competitors from across the country will be travelling to the showground to claim the top spots and collect the silverware, says senior livestock and entries officer, Sarah Chick, who added: “We’re really keen to welcome back a full and broad schedule of competition.”
At the heart of the show are the livestock classes; a showcase of beef, sheep, dairy, pig and poultry on every day of the event. Sarah added: “Livestock showing is about recognising the highest quality animals from a commercial perspective; the classes truly demonstrate excellence. To celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee year – and her great love of cattle – there will be special Cattle Jubilee awards for exhibitors with the highest number of points in the stock classes.”
A mecca for equine competition, the show’s new layout will see competitors and their charges given prime position for a full three days of competition. Competition will be strong with the show hosting eight Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers including Shire Horse of the Year, Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony and Show Hunter Pony.
Elsewhere, the British Cider Championships are back, with canned cider entries accepted for the first time to reflect the increasing number of artisan cider-makers that are innovating in relation to packing and product. l Advance Saver Tickets are now on sale at just £22 per adult, which also allows admission for two children; and a further discount is available to Blue Light Card Holders. Visit: www.bathandwest.com/tickets
WINA VIP TRIP TO THE SHOW
MENDIP Times has teamed up with the Royal Bath & West Show to offer two fabulous prizes giving special access to the event.
As well as allowing the winners access to the shows on all three days (Thursday, June 2nd-Saturday, June 4th), the prize includes: • Access to Members Areas at the Show • 1 x Forward Area Parking Pass • 1 x Free Show Programme Voucher • 1 x Guest Badge for the Royal Bath & West Show (does not admit to the show) allowing your guest access to the Butcombe Bar
To enter, please answer the following question:
Which livestock section will offer special awards to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
Please send your answers on a postcard to: Mendip Times Bath & West Show Competition, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, BS40 7RG. Entries must reach us by Friday, April 15th. The first two correct entries chosen will each receive a prize. The editor’s decision is final.
Axbridge in pictures
AXBRIDGEand District Museum, in King John's Hunting Lodge, Axbridge, is holding an exhibition of local, early to mid-20th century postcards that have been acquired by avid collector, Mac Tozer, of Pill.
His vivid and interesting collection covers Axbridge and surrounding villages comprising, until 1974, the old Axbridge Rural District Council. At the time, this was one of the largest rural district councils in the country. The museum reopens on April 1st and the postcards are on display until the end of May.
