Mendiptimes - Volume 9 Issue 3 by Media Fabrica

Mendip Times

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

AUGUST 2013

IN THIS ISSUE: LOCAL EVENTS • AXBRIDGE • SHEPTON SHOW • SUMMER WEDDINGS • EDUCATION • WHAT’S ON• SPORT Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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Tony Hucker TV Service – Sales – Rental

• • • • • •

Sky Local Experts Aerial Systems TV wall mounting Custom Installations Networking Signal Solutions

01275 332888 www.tonyhuckertv.co.uk Unit 4, Fairseat Workshops, Chew Stoke BS40 8XF Open: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and Sat 9am-12 noon

Tel: 0800 097 8611

www.johnhodge.co.uk | e-mail: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE | BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | YATTON | WEDMORE

Our Services Include: Commercial and Residential Property Wills and Probate Litigation and Personal Injury Criminal and Family Law Agricultural, Business and Commercial Employment Shepton Mallet: 57 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AQ. Tel: 01749 343091

Glastonbury: 11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DL. Tel: 01458 832510

You may have seen in the media news about the Government’s plans for criminal legal aid. is costs the country a lot of money and quite rightly the Government is considering ways of reducing that bill. Unfortunately the current proposals effectively take away any choice for the person who finds themselves in trouble with the police. Bartlett Gooding & Weelen has a criminal contract and therefore anybody who finds themselves under arrest is able to ask for our help which we can provide free of charge. Similar arrangements exist in the magistrates and crown courts although, in these cases, the assistance is means tested. ere are a number of local firms which provide legal assistance and therefore clients have a choice of who to instruct and those solicitors maintain the Duty Solicitor Scheme at the police station and courts. e Government’s plan is to grant contracts to a few larger firms of solicitors (most famously perhaps a part of the Eddie Stobart truck empire). is will obviously take away choice and will also probably mean that the same firm will not represent a client throughout, in the police station, magistrates court and maybe crown court. Clearly, this is not a good thing.

Criminal solicitors do not make a tremendous amount of money out of this service, indeed many firms have already given up their franchise for this very reason. Our partner Robin Weelen has been providing criminal legal help for more than 40 years and as a firm we would wish to continue that local service. We are not saying that criminal legal help should be immune from the Government’s money saving measures, but that a way should be devised to ensure that local people in trouble with the police have some element of choice in who they wish to represent them. Much of the money appears to be spent on individual high profile trials and this is where savings could be made rather than depriving the ordinary man in the street of the choice of who they wish to assist them. On a brighter note we have more congratulations – to Gordon Stockman who helps Robin at our Castle Cary office as a consultant. Gordon has been awarded an MBE for his services to West Country Illuminated Carnivals in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Well done Gordon!

Castle Cary: Old Bank House, High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AW. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Roley House, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw.uk.com

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WE’VE another record-breaking issue this month, meaning we’ve hardly had time to catch our breath, travelling the length and breadth of the Mendips, in glorious sunshine – we are not complaining. You will see that reflected in our coverage of local events, including Glastonbury Festival and Priddy Folk Festival. The commitment and energy that goes in to so many village festivals and fetes is astonishing and it is a privilege to reflect that in the magazine. And the summer isn’t over yet – this month we look ahead to the Mid-Somerset Show and the Somerset Showcase in Axbridge – we have a special feature on this lovely medieval town. We also give you the chance to win tickets to Frome Cheese Show in September. We meet some of the men who have belatedly received the Arctic Star for their heroics in the last war and feature a new exhibition on the Battle of the Atlantic at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. Elsewhere, we have special features this month on weddings and education, as well as all of our usual features and contributors. On a sadder note we bid farewell to archaeologist Professor Mick Aston, who has died aged 66, and Glyn England, former president of the Mendip Society. As ever, we are indebted to the many advertisers and contributors who make Mendip Times possible. September 2013 deadline: Friday, 16th August 2013. Published: Tuesday, 27th August 2013. Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Marjorie Page marjorie@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888 or: email news@mendiptimes.co.uk or: letters@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: Ethan and Louis at the Romulus & Remus Party near Wells. Photograph by Mark Adler (see page 79).

Kids welcome to the countryside – who knows where milk comes from?

Glasto 2013 – pictures from the biggest festival in the world

Head for heights – school’s brave abseilers

Tribute to Mick – village mourns the Time Team professor

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Arts & Antiques ...........................18 Food & Drink...............................26 Business ........................................42 Internet and Crossword..............56 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......57 Walking Sue Gearing....................58 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........60 Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......62

Property........................................67 Charities .......................................76 Family Mendip Mum....................82 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............82 Community Simon Selby .............86 Caving Phil Hendy........................87 Homes and Interiors....................94 Golf..............................................103 Riding Celia Gadd ......................104 What’s On...................................110 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

Top honour

MENDIP Rotarian Bob Acland (right) has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, named after Rotary’s founder, and one of the highest awards in the movement, for his services to the community and rotary. He is due to become district governor in 2015-16. President Mike Latham made the award before the end of his year of office, when he handed over to Mike Gelder.

Stratton’s big day

VILLAGERS in Stratton-on-the-Fosse will be celebrating the success of recent community projects with a fun day in September. Over the past five years, dedicated residents, with support from the parish council, have been working together to raise funds to improve facilities in the village for young and old alike. The village hall has been vastly improved – concrete temporary buildings have been demolished and a new storage room and disabled toilet added on – and there have also been improvements to the kitchen. The next effort is to tarmac the car park. In the community garden a second basket swing has been installed and an overgrown copse is shortly to be turned into a picnic area. Partially funded by The Big Lottery Fund, the garden is already a big hit with the community. The Village Fun Day will take place on Sunday, September 8th from midday to 4pm. It is open to all and traders interested in a stall should call Sue on 0780 1721162.

Community awards

THE chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Cllr Neil Butters, has launched his Community Awards, which aim to recognise volunteers, community leaders, educational institutions and businesses who make a positive contribution to the local community. He said: “These awards recognise those who make such a fantastic contribution to the local community and inspire others to get involved in shaping the future of their community. We and our partners are honoured to be organising the awards. I hope as many people can take the time to nominate for an award as possible.” Details: www.bathnes.gov.uk/chairmanawards

Duchess of Cornwall is show society president

NEWS

John Vintcent (left) receives the president’s badge on behalf of the Duchess of Cornwall

THE Duchess of Cornwall has succeeded the Bishop of Bath and Wells as president of the Royal Bath and West of England Show Society. Other duties meant the Duchess could not attend the handover ceremony in person; instead it was Deputy President John Vintcent who received the badge of office on her behalf from Bishop Peter Price during one of his last formal engagements. Bishop Peter also presented prizes to the winner and runner-up in the Bath and West Show’s 150th anniversary family trail competition. In second place was air cadet Stewart Dumble, from Castle Cary. The winner was Arthur Bishop Peter presents Arthur Macdonald, aged seven, Macdonald with his prize for from Hornblotton, near winning the family trail Lydford-on-Fosse. competition

Stewart Dumble was runner-up in the family trail competition MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 5

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INTERNET

Online calendars part two – setting a date

LAST month we looked at using a calendar – either online with someone like Google, or with an inbuilt programme or app already on your computer or tablet. To set an appointment, just click on the square of the date you want to set – in this example, Thursday, 1st August. Type the title in the What box. You can simply click Create event and your event will be set, but we usually need to be more specific about how we want our appointment to work. So instead click the Edit Event link to set how you want this Event to operate. If this is going to last for more than one day, you can click in the second box below your title, which will give you a calendar, for you to click on the end date – maybe a week’s holiday, perhaps? Underneath that is the All Day box, which will usually be ticked by default. So if you want to set a specific time, click on top of the tick and click on the time you want. It only offers half hour slots, but you can click on top of the time in the box and delete the 00 and type in 15, for example, for a 9.15 appointment. If it’s an appointment you wish to repeat, such as a birthday, click in the Repeat box and click your various options for how you want it to work. For birthdays, it would obviously be Yearly; every 1 year; Never Ending; Annually on the date you wanted. For a reminder to pick up the Mendip Times, it would, of course, be monthly!! And don’t forget to click Done and Save. In the next issue, we’ll look at other options, including setting a reminder. Submitted by IT for the Terrified : The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934-741751 www.itfortheterrified.co.uk This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. For more in depth information, please contact us. We offer individual training, either one-off sessions or a series, at a pace to suit you; a session lasts 2 hours and costs £10. We can cover a range of subjects including absolute basics on Windows XP/Vista/W7/W8; photo management; iPad; Tablet computers; basic web design; Word processing etc. We are closed for the whole of the school holidays this year, and will reopen on 2nd September 2013. Open House sessions will be in September – see next issue for dates. See our website or contact us for further details.

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CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Why call Eve to move into the area (4,6) 6 Winning cards for fighter pilots (4) 10 60s female traps budgie homes (9) 11 Novel to name National Trust’s Clevedon property (5) 12 Bird to consume mustard (3) 13 Check-in free having cravat (11) 14 I say have cover to protect your vision (6) 15 In a small basin I germinate seeds in the country (5) 18 Discover pride as thoughts take shape (5) 20 Memorable saying after Bishop’s place has its ups and downs (6) 25 German city I am in reckoning for – basically (11) 26 Fisticuffs – in tunnel? (3) 27 Abel lost nothing by contracting disease (5) 28 Lacking harmony so standin takes over (9) 29 Doctor of French style (4) 30 Employed about point equines are not rated for tax (10) DOWN 1 Taxi first and ready for networking (6)

2 Received from a mouthful? (6) 3 Room to let. Hello – anyone at home? (7) 4 Such a backlog I calculate to be reasonable (7) 5 Send tea . . . to the Cockneys? (4,3) 7 Scrapbook from the gardening column? (8) 8 Beach to cross near Winscombe (8) 9 Shining example to exist as fraud (6) 16 Throw item at me – probably archaeological (4,4) 17 Writers have car on A37 (8) 19 Good day for ice-cream allegedly (6) 20 Point to come first before academic in Wiltshire (7) 21 Listens – maybe even signs up (7) 22 Now the sort of thing Oliver always asks? (7) 23 Tabu so often submerged (6) 24 Way out journalist left (6)

Answers on Page 113

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WILDLIFE

MOST people think that starlings are only exciting during the winter, when huge murmurations involving millions of individual birds can By CHRIS SPERRING be viewed in places MBE like the Somerset Levels. These congregations are made up of a mixture of resident birds, which probably breed nearby during the summer months, and birds which migrate here from northern Europe for the winter. I, however, find starlings exciting whenever I see them, especially in light of their dramatic population decline over recent decades. Once regarded as a major pest, starlings are now a Red-listed species on the Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list, such is the speed of their decline. I have been inspired to write about starlings this month because in my home patch in North Somerset I have seen a marked increase in young birds this year. In many parts of North Somerset it had disappeared as a breeding bird altogether for many years and if I saw a starling I would be jumping for joy. This is why I am so happy to look out of my window and see a family of starlings attacking my peanut feeder as I write. The reasons behind the decline of this species are common to a lot of birds. They are cavity nesters and our increasingly tidy roofs do not allow them to get in to nest, nor do we often leave ancient trees for

them to nest inside. Even farm buildings are less accessible than they use to be. This, coupled with the reduction in their invertebrate prey due to pesticides, both in gardens and the countryside, has had a devastating effect on their numbers. Starlings are unusual in that they do not have a set song, but prefer to mimic other species. I have even heard them mimicking car alarms! They are very good impersonators and can build an impressive repertoire. Young starlings can be very noisy upon fledging, and indeed for a period of time thereafter. They look different to their parents, being a dull brown in colour, whereas the adults have stunning, glossy purple and green plumage, intersected with white spots, which on closer inspection look like tiny arrowheads. Starlings are slightly smaller than blackbirds (and can themselves look black from a distance) but have a very similar

Photography by Chris Sperring

Summer starlings

long, strong beak. They have short tails and stubby, pointed wings, and their fast, direct flight consists of very rapid wingbeats. Because of the once common nature of this species, many predators would have timed the production of their own young to coincide with the mass fledging of starlings. Peregrine falcons, for example, would have found young starlings an ideal prey to help their youngsters learn to hunt, much as cheetahs do with young gazelle in Africa. Most nesting has now finished and young starlings are preparing for the winter murmurations by joining up and forming large groups; flying and feeding together for protection. These feeding parties will continue to grow throughout the autumn when they will be joined by continental birds to form the magnificent winter spectacle that we have all become familiar with. The adults are now moulting, so will become much quieter and less conspicuous for a time, but will soon begin to join the increasing communal roosts too. If, like me, you would like to see more starlings in our gardens and countryside, then there are a few ways you can help. Firstly, put up a nest box (guide dimensions are: front = 25cm high, inside floor space = 18cm x 18cm, entrance hole = 4.5cm) which should be placed above 2.5 metres from ground level. Secondly, put out plenty of old fruit on your bird table (all year round) and thirdly reduce, or better stop, the use of pesticides in your garden. There are natural ways to prevent a build-up of invertebrate pests, including encouraging their natural enemies!

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 01275 849287 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com

MENDIP TIMES â&#x20AC;˘ AUGUST 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Allotments are a shear delight!

JACKIE Bush, chairman of Churchill parish council, uses a pair of shears to cut the ribbon to formally open the village’s new allotments. Allan Cavill, from the National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, attended the opening ceremony and party. The two other photos show the progress made on the allotments since April.

Hopes are high for the large blue butterfly

A large blue butterfly at Collard Hill

CONSERVATIONISTS believe July has been another successful month for the large blue butterfly colony on Collard Hill, near Street. Although last year was a particularly wet summer, there was yet another increase with 50,000 eggs estimated to have been laid at the National Trust-owned site. Collard Hill is the only publicly accessible site in Somerset where the large blue butterflies can be seen. Ian Clemmett, National Trust Area Ranger, said: “We carefully manage the hill to ensure that it has the right type of well grazed short grass and that has been down to getting the grazing right – using a mixture of cattle and Dartmoor ponies.” The large blue was re-introduced to Collard Hill in the summer of 2000 and the first successful flight season was 2001. Its flight season lasts for around a month. Collard Hill is open throughout the year and 14 other species of butterfly have been recorded there. Collard Hill is also a notably strong site for two species of day flying moth: the hummingbird hawkmoth and the six spot burnet moth.

Get ready to ramble

MENDIP Ramblers have finalised details for their annual free walking festival for 2013. This year’s walks will be centred on Wells and will again take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday, August 24th, Sunday, August 25th and Monday, August 26th. Each day there will be three main walks of various distances, starting at 10am and a shorter walk at 1pm. All walks start from the scout hut at The Blue School in Kennion Road in Wells. For more information, visit: www.mendipramblers.co.uk or telephone Clive on 07931 382064 (clive@mendipramblers.co.uk) or Mary on 01373 474530 (mary@mendipramblers.co.uk)

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Photograph courtesy of the National Trust

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Photograph by Judith Tranter

Family fun

THE weather on top of Mendip, in the Blackmoor Nature Reserve, was not kind to the families who braved the elements to attend the first Mendip Society Family Fun Day. But it did not deter the excited youngsters who, armed with large nets and in wellingtons, dipped for pond creatures in the reserve lake, a holding reservoir for the lead smelting process in days gone by. Society Ollie and Finley are ready for action member Odette Stevens helped identify the creatures in the nets before they were put carefully back; other members helped make badges and masks and identified the different trees and flowers around the pond and in the small wood of Blackmoor. Later Steve Tofts of the Charterhouse Environs Research Team (CHERT) led a guided walk/talk to show an interested group the places where first the Romans, then the Victorians, extracted and then smelted the lead and silver for which the Charterhouse area is so well known. There will be another Mendip society Family Fun Day at Blackmoor Reserve on Sunday, August 18th as part of the Mendip Rocks Programme, everyone is welcome and entry is free. Details: Odette Stevens 01749 342081

Young rangers wanted

THE Mendip Hills AONB unit is recruiting 15 young people between the ages of 12 to 13 to join its popular Young Ranger Programme for 2013-2015. The two-year programme provides a fantastic opportunity to find out about protected landscapes through a variety of activities that take them out and about in the Mendip AONB area. Starting in September, the young rangers meet one Saturday per month (except July, August and December) to learn about the special qualities of the Mendip Hills, participate in outdoor activities and have the opportunity to gain a number of recognised qualifications such as first aid, navigation and the John Muir Award. Sarah Jackson, Mendip Hills AONB manager said: “Working with our partners such as the National Trust,

ENVIRONMENT

New CPRE group

THE Campaign to Protect Rural England has formed a new group for Bath and North East Somerset, with a pledge to protect the unique setting of Bath and the surrounding countryside. The chairman of the new group, Vic Adie, said: “The countryside is under tremendous threat at the moment. The planning minister, Nick Boles, has made it clear that he sees green fields as the natural place to build houses. “CPRE has been fighting this battle for a very long time. We believe that if, in a period of national stringency, good planning is sacrificed merely on financial grounds, it will probably never be regained.” The new group has already begun to consider its priorities. Apart from seeking generally to influence the core strategy for planning in the area, it intends to look at fracking, travellers’ sites and prioritising housing developments on brown field sites near employment. Details: www.cpre.org.uk and www.cpreavonside.org.uk

Judgement day

THIS group of local residents have worked together to brighten up an untidy corner of Paulton in time for judging in the South West in Bloom competition. Details: prideinpaultonpartnership@gmail.com

Somerset Wildlife Trust and Wells and Mendip Museum we are able to offer a diverse programme which provides a unique experience to a group of young people who we hope to inspire to have a continuing interest in the Mendip Hills.”

Details: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk or contact Nichola Penn npenn@somerset.gov.uk

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Ancient wall restored

ENVIRONMENT For the Mendip Society, working in partnership with the Rickford Community Association, it was a good opportunity to run a teaching course, as part of their Countryside Skills programme. The tutor was Tina Bath, who has extensive walling experience from her time as a Mendip Warden. The AONB’s newly reformed Mendip Volunteers, under their new co-ordinator, Nichola Penn, also helped, hopefully making the wall good for another 100 years.

Keeping warm with hard work

Helping dad is fun

M E N D I P

W E A T H E R

S C E N E

THE old boundary wall around the community orchard at Rickford is once again stock-proof, thanks to a grant from the Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund, so that the village’s flock of sheep can graze there. Last summer’s prolonged rain created a run-off from the hills behind, with sufficient force to push down a long stretch of the lime-mortared wall, already weakened by many decades of harsh winter weather and tree growth along its outer side.

Fair weather cumulus

LAST month I talked about the nearperfect conditions you can get at this time of the year within a large area of high pressure. I also mentioned some fair weather cloud which often develops in such situations during the afternoon, with DAVID dispersing again in the evening. So, MAINE what is fair weather cloud? Well, it is shallow cumulus which forms during the maximum amount of daytime heating e.g. in the afternoon. As I said last time, the air descends from above within a large high pressure area, but the sun is so strong at this time of the year that this descent is counteracted by convection from the ground up to a few thousand feet. The point at which the ascending and descending air meet is called an inversion, with clear skies above. The same thing happens within the sub-tropical high pressure belt, especially in the Caribbean where the air has travelled over the sea for a distance and you then get the “trade wind cumulus”, as it is called. Once the high pressure starts to weaken, the air stops descending from above, cloud starts billowing up with showers and maybe thunderstorms to follow but, as I write, this hasn’t happened yet during this fine spell. For those of you who collect Mendip Times (and I know many people do), compare the weather in their coverage of events this time last year such as Priddy Folk Festival with this year’s! Sunny weather makes

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The dog days of summer – young competitors at the dog show at Beckington Village Day. See page XX

such a difference to all these community ventures! Let’s hope the high pressure remains, with a proper barbecue summer; the last one being back in 2006. Time will tell.

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S K E E W L FINA hanover 4 drawer pine chest

£155 vienna rustic oak sideboard

£349

severn oak tv unit

£149 somerset oak triple wardrobe

£589

vienna extending oak table & 6 chairs only

£799

hanover mirrored wardrobe

£399

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MENDIP TIMES

Farming in the news

I ALWAYS scan the farming press each week to see if there are any stories relating to farms/farmers in our area. A few weeks ago I found two in one week. The Farmers Guardian ran an article on the farm next door to Michael Eavis, namely the 1,500 acre Steanbow Farm, run by the With MARY Christensen family, Finn and his sons Neil JAMES MBE and Michael. Neil manages the 500 Holstein cows and Michael is responsible for machinery and cropping. They also have a large poultry unit. The farm is under the Entry Level Scheme which pays grants for environmental measures. To date, they have planted 7,000 trees and laid many hedges to encourage wildlife. Accommodating the Glastonbury Festival covers nearly 500 acres. Quite a challenge. The second article referred to Home Farm, Farrington Gurney, better known as Farrington’s Farm Shop. Twice a winner of FARMA UK Farm Retailer of the Year it’s a great success story. Well done to Andy and Tish Jeffrey and their team. Many of us know the shop but what about the farm? They farm 400 acres with a rotation of oilseed rape, oats, barley, wheat and silage for the young cows which they rear for other farmers to milk, having sold their main dairy herd in 2006. Organic vegetables are grown which are sold in the shop and café

Tractors rally for Gerald

Left to right: Buster Sage, Jill Sage, Jack Sage, Marlene Sage, Anthony Sage and Bradley Sage.

THE lanes of the Chew Valley were filled with vintage and classic tractors taking part in a run to raise funds for Cancer Research in memory of Gerald Sage who lived at Temple Cloud. With 30 tractors entered of all sizes, ages and colours, it was an impressive sight. The tractors set off from Cameley passing through East and West Harptree, Stanton Drew, and Clutton to finish back at Cameley. At the end of the run all the drivers voted for the ‘best’ tractor. The Gerald Sage Perpetual Memorial was awarded to Nick Sage, a nephew of Gerald, who lives in Chilcompton, by Marlene Sage, Gerald’s widow, and Bradley Sage, Gerald’s grandson. Gerald’s son, Buster Sage, who was one of the drivers who took part, said: “It went really well. We raised £820 but there is still money coming. My father would have loved it without a doubt. On the 30-mile run we came back via the church in Clutton where he is buried.”

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as well as organic potatoes. Woodlands and hedges have been planted as well as creating ponds and installing bird boxes to encourage wildlife. The World Guernsey Cattle Association held its annual conference in Guernsey this year but a pre-conference tour took place in our area. First stop for the international visitors was Bickfield Farm, Compton Martin, home of the Durbin family. With a dearth of the Guernsey breed in our area it was a delight to walk through 240 milking cows and to visit the younger cows and calves. What a shame that this prize-winning herd has been shut down with TB for the last four years. Then it was on to another prize-winning herd at Dundry. Graylands Farm is the home of the Parfitt family who make the now well-known Chew Moos ice-cream. This is a smaller herd of quality cattle who swept the board at the Bath and West Show this year. We saw the cows in a field at the very top of Dundry Hill with stunning views of the Chew Valley on one side and Bristol on the other. Whilst the visitors were here it was a time for reminiscing. My thanks to the reader who gave us some lovely photos of the Claverham Guernsey herd that was formed in 1929 by the late George Dee Shapland of Green Farm. They show some outstanding cows that would not disgrace a modern herd of today.

Open evening success

The next generations: Members of the Masters and Tinknell family. Behind them is a ledger from the 1940s which shows the account for John “Jack” Masters, who farmed at Wookey Hole

MORE than 100 guests from the Mendip farming community enjoyed a social event in Wells hosted by Tincknell Fuels. Live music from The Mangledwurzels, a hog roast and raffle were part of the evening’s entertainment.

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FARMING

Where does milk come from?

NORTH Somerset Agricultural Society held a hugely successful Countryside Day on the show site at Wraxall, attended by more than 2,000 children from schools throughout North Somerset, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. Launched in 2011, last year’s event had to be cancelled because of the appalling weather. The contrast this year could not have been greater, as the school groups made their way around the site, shepherded by dozens of volunteer stewards and teachers. The day aimed to increase the children’s awareness of food production, taking them through the journey from “plough to plate”. Apart from agriculture, the show covered countryside industries, crafts and heritage. Details: tim@nsas.org.uk

Chris Sperring from the Hawk and Owl Trust with pupils from Wrington C. of E. Priamary School

Pupils from Dundry C. of E. Primary School

Children from St. Francis’ School, Nailsea Some of the 2,500 children who attended

Learning about seeds – pupils from Flax Bourton C. of E. Primary

WELL STOCKED COUNTRY STORE!

Suppliers of all your countryside needs . . . 01749 850258 Station Road, Wanstrow BA4 4SY

NEW AND USED MACHINERY TOOLS FOR ALL OCCASIONS DOG & CAT AND CHICKEN FOOD DRAINAGE AND PLUMBING SUPPLIES ELECTRIC FENCING EQUIPMENT BUILDING SUPPLIES – TIMBER, ROOFING SHEETS, CEMENT, SAND AND MORE . . .

Fabrication of agricultural buildings and ornamental steel work – gates/fences to suit your design!

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Showtime in Shepton WITH an estimated crowd of 17,000 visiting last year’s show and more expected this year the Shepton Show – its official name is the Mid-Somerset Show – is now a pivotal date in the calendar. Taking place on Sunday, August 18th, trade stand space around the main arena quickly sold out. And the show

continues to attract very healthy sponsorship allowing it to offer a great day out for all the family. Amongst the attractions are another appearance by The Wurzels and Ex-Coronation Street Star, turned cheese guru, Sean Wilson will be one of the judges at the South West Cheese Awards. Tickets are now on sale for the popular pre-show party, being held in the Members’ Marquee on Friday, August 16th, which offers a chance for an informal get together for the show’s many supporters, with live music and a barbecue by well-know local chef Raphael Parenti. Phillips Tyres, a family-run business based in Shepton Mallet, is one of the sponsors

Crowds at last year’s performance by The Wurzels

of the party as well as being a big supporter of the show itself. Chris Phillips, who runs the business with wife Pam and brother Justin, said this will be the third year running that they had sponsored the show. Chris said: “It is our way of recognising the incredible hard work that people do behind the scenes. They are a group of professional people who give up their time voluntarily to

make the show so successful. “We would like to see more local businesses supporting the show. If people come to the pre-show party and enjoy themselves, then maybe they will consider getting involved in the show itself.” Tickets for the pre-show party cost £25 per person and tables of eight and ten are available. The dress code for the evening, which begins at 7.30pm, is smart.

Tickets are available from Show Secretary. Email: secretary@midsomersetshow.org.uk or tel: 01749 938044.

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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MID-SOMERSET SHOW 2013

Part of the community FAMILY-run building and renovation company Albino Builders Ltd will be using this year’s Shepton Show to highlight the extensive range of services it offers. The company is proud of its 37-year commitment to the local building industry, serving Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas and says the show offers it an ideal opportunity to outline its story to new and existing clients. At this year’s show, Albino Builders will be featured in a new marquee above the Main Arena called the Move or Improve Zone. It is not the first time Albino Builders will have taken part in the show. The company is a long-standing supporter of several local organisations, including Wells Rugby Club. Formed in 1976 by Alesandro Guidi and his father Guiseppe, Albino Builders quickly grew into a business known for providing exceptional quality, value for money and great service. This culture has been transferred to the next generation of

Award-winning Dean Lodge

family who run the business today and ensures that everyone involved is focused on its core strength of excellent personal service, regardless of whether it is a major project or routine maintenance. They have also received recognition of their high standards of workmanship receiving a Highly Commended Award for Best Private Sector Housing Contractor in both 2012 and 2013 and Highly Commended Award for Best Individual Dwelling at the same LABC awards ceremony in 2012 for a

development at Dean Lodge, at Dean, near Cranmore. Albino Builders has a wide and varied portfolio which includes private, commercial and academic establishment customers, and pride themselves on working in harmony with the local environment, using local materials wherever appropriate. From small works, extensions to complete builds, village halls, churches, office buildings to individual homes Albino builders will be able to help.

Albino Builders Ltd. Award winning Builders Three Winds, Downside, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4JN Tel: (01749) 344965 • Fax: (01749) 343411 www.albinobuilders.co.uk Email: enquiries@albinobuilders.co.uk

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RENOVATIONS HOME IMPROVEMENTS HOME MAINTENANCE ELECTRICAL PLUMBING and HEATING ROOFING JOINERY WORKSHOP

Visit us at the Move or Improve Zone at Shepton Show – stand CO7

539345

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 13

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MENDIP TIMES

Working together

MENDIP TRUCK CENTRE MAN SPECIALIST VOSA AUTHORISED TESTING FACILITY MOTS, SERVICE AND REPAIRS FOR ALL MAKES OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES CROWN TRADING ESTATE SHEPTON MALLET BA4 5QQ TEL: 01749 343963

VISITORS to the Mid Somerset Show will have the chance to discover what makes one of the area’s fastest-growing building maintenance companies so successful. 3 Solutions, based in Shepton Mallet, will be using the event to showcase its suppliers and partners who have contributed to its ongoing success. The company can be found at A11 and A12 on the showground, by the main ring. Amongst the business which can be found in their marquee are: Total Plumbing, Castle Welding, Stonebridge Estate Agents, AS Print and Somerset Chamber of Commerce. 3 Solutions covers all aspects of property maintenance from plumbing and heating to roofing and electrical. The company recently acquired FENSA status for its UPVC windows and doors.

Here when you need us

MENDIP Truck Centre is part of the family-owned warehousing and distribution specialist Framptons Transport Services, which has been operating transport services from Shepton Mallet since the early 1970s. It has a VOSA-authorised testing facility, carries out on-site MOTs five days a week and employs 12 commercial technicians and two apprentices working across five bays. Two service vans provide roadside assistance for breakdowns. Last year, the facility was appointed to MAN Truck and Bus UK’s customer service support network and aims to deliver a “one stop” approach, providing owners and operators in the Somerset area with a comprehensive range of dedicated services for MAN trucks, as well as general services for other makes and trailers. Mendip Truck Centre is open from 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 6am to 12noon on Saturdays.

It’s a dog’s life at Shepton Show

Come and see us at the Mid-Somerset Show

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

THE Mid Somerset Show – or Shepton Show – is again holding its popular writing competition for young people. The Harvey Family Cup was launched last year for the encouragement of written English and is open to youngsters between the ages of 11 and 16. Entrants are being challenged to write a short story, of up to 500 words, in the persona of a dog or puppy at an agricultural show. The first prize winner will receive The Harvey Family Cup and £25. Certificates will be awarded to second and third place and all three winning pieces will be displayed on the Mid Somerset Show’s website. Submissions may be typed or hand-written on plain white A4 paper or card and should be double spaced. Entries will be judged on writing style, spelling, grammar and punctuation and overall presentation. Entries should be sent to Christine Barham, Mid Somerset Show Secretary, 3 Europa Court, Crowne Trading Estate, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5QQ, or emailed to: secretary@midsomersetshow.org.uk by Wednesday, July 31st.

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MID-SOMERSET SHOW 2013

RED Berry Recruitment, with its two offices in Shepton Mallet and Yeovil and ever-growing client database, is about to embark on what could be office number three! Work has Helen and her team started on building a portfolio of clients within the Bridgwater and Taunton areas and the company already has a small handful of companies to whom they supply staff. Red Berry managing director Helen Berry said: “I am keen to expand and this seems to be the right location and time.” Helen is also looking at working in partnership with local colleges with regards to supplying apprentices, so watch this space!! Anyone wishing to find out more should visit the Shepton Mallet Chamber of Commerce marquee at the Mid-Somerset Show, where more information about Red Berry will be available.

Come and visit the Guy Salmon Bristol stand at the show

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 15

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Dear Mendip Times, I always enjoy reading Les Davies’ page in the Mendip Times and the July collection of stories and memories awoke many of my own experiences. I have never been to the North Somerset Show, which was too far away, but Shepton Show, Frome Show and, later, The Royal Bath and West were always eagerly looked forward to. You mention your great hero William Cobbett, who is also a great hero of mine. I have a copy of Cobbett’s book The English Gardener on the table while I write this letter. I always consult it when checking what to next in my “kitchen garden”, which is how Cobbett and many of the older generation referred to it. If I ever forgot and said “veg patch” I was hauled over the coals, so “kitchen garden” has ruled ever since. We have several birds in our garden, who sing and chirp away quite happily. Unfortunately we also have an “ood quist” or wood pigeon, who hides in a neighbouring orchard and raids our cabbages, sprouts and most everything else. So we have to net all our garden crops. A robin got tangled up in the netting and I had to cut him free with my pocket knife. Ever since then the robin comes quite close when I am working. Talking of sunset, as you do, I remember my service in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. At 6pm, the duty trumpeter sounded sunset as the colours were hauled down and everybody had to stand to attention, whatever they were doing. By the way, my wife and I met you at Gabriel’s Orchard at Park Hill, Pilton a few years backalong. You were demonstrating grafting. I must confess I have only been successful once with Kingston Black slips on a Michelin. Keith Johnson Bleadney Batch, Wells

Dear Mendip Times, Women of World War One: I AM putting together a selection of readings (poetry, letters, diaries and memories) on the subject of women’s experiences during the First World War to mark the anniversary of the war. These will be incorporated into a presentation, with music for piano and strings by women composers of the Great War era and a slideshow of contemporary images, which will be performed in many different venues across the South West, including village halls and churches. The writings and music we have found so far are of course mostly about loss and devastation, but day-to-day and humorous incidents are equally welcome. If anyone has any memories, written or oral, from female relatives, or any photos (these would be photographed in situ) they would like to contribute, please contact Jacquelyn Bevan at trioparadis@gmail.com or phone01761 436745 or 07595 671116. For further information, visit our website:http://www.trioparadis.moonfruit.com. Yours, Jackie Bevan, Radstock Dear Mendip Times, No. 1031 (Frome) Squadron of the Air Training Corps is looking for new volunteers to enable the aviation minded teenagers of the unit to achieve new heights. The squadron is currently seeking adult civilian committee members to assist in various welfare and fundraising activities. People with experience in organising events are also particularly welcome. PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

LETTERS

Other skills sought include gaining publicity for groups or even just being able to help out at social events. The list of skills sought is as wide and diverse as the membership of the Air Cadet Organisation. Flight Lieutenant Andrew March oc.1031@aircadets.org or on 01373 453468. Dear Mendip Times, Through your magazine I would like to thank the kind gentleman who helped me out on Wednesday June 26th when the main road was closed. I am a care worker with Somerset Care at Home and was on my way to Axbridge. There were a lot of cars turning around and going back the other way, so I knew there had to be another route, but I only know the main road way. I got out of my car and asked the young gentleman (driving a Landrover with a black and white collie dog in the back). He did try and explain where to go. He then told me to turn my car around and follow him which I did. Bless him he took me right to where you turn off into Axbridge and he went on up the hill to Cheddar. Thanks to him I wasn’t late getting to my client. Once again thank you very much. There are still a few good people around. He knows who he is. Mary Futcher Bridgwater

Dear Mendip Times,

Mazie was a little lamb Who learnt to jump and leap She grew up to be a TV star With all the other sheep

Now these sheep will all be there again In August I am told At 10 am they off will go With Mazie good as gold

The freemen drive them down the town It’s Mazie’s special day Flash and Pearl our Collie dogs Don’t let them go astray

Saturday August 24th Is when the sheep will run. So make sure you’re there with camera poised Do come and join the fun!

Alan Gloak, Glastonbury Sheep Run organiser, Bove Town, Glastonbury

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Thanks to chairman

THE chairman of 1st Radstock Scout Group, Roger Lewis, has retired after seven years. Previously a warranted Scouter in Keynsham, Mr Lewis had clocked up 33 years’ service to scouting. From just a handful of cubs, the unit now has over 80 members. Roger and his wife, Hazel, are pictured with Janet Turner, the district commissioner for Wansdyke, after receiving thanks badges and gifts.

New president

WENDY Simmons is the new president of the Rotary Club of Somer Valley, taking over from Norman Tooze. She says a membership drive is top of her list of priorities, since Rotary needs to change with the times. She has nominated The Stroke Association as her designated charity for the year in memory of her late stepfather, Eddie Stenner, formerly of Combe Farm, Writhlington.

Move over Mary!

NEWS

Chefs David Beazer (rear, left) and Tony Merrifield (right) are pictured with Ann Gardiner-Bryan, who won the prize for her orange and almond cake, Louise Wheadon, who won the children’s class for a Victoria sponge and children’s judges Jenny Lamb and Jen Smith, from Kilmersdon School with Jen’s son Kieran

THE home bakers of Holcombe proved they were a match for the best in the business when they took part in a competition as part of the village’s flower festival. Not even Mary Berry could have found fault with the standard of entries in both adults and children’s classes. Judges of the adult competition were chefs Tony Merrifield, from the village’s Duke of Cumberland pub and David Beazer, from the Holcombe Inn. Competitors had to make Tony’s orange and almond cake whilst David set the savoury challenge with a spinach, ricotta, pine nut and chilli tart. Children were challenged to bake a Victoria sponge with a summer-themed topping or fairy cakes with a seaside-theme.

Cider with rotary

Summer flowers fill Holcombe Old Church

WRINGTON Vale Rotary Club has a new president. John Thatcher, from the cider company, has taken over from Peter Roswell. John enjoyed his first term as president 20 years ago. The club awarded Pat Kellaway a Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary’s highest award, for his exemplary service.

Pointing the way MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Framing

Experts in: Picture Framing Picture Restoration

Tel: 01761 462177 Established over 30 years

mendipframing@btconnect.com

Rickford, Near Blagdon (off A368), BS40 7AH

We’ve got it covered

Healthy picture

Mendip Framing, at Rickford, celebrates 32 years in business this year and owner, Roy Brading, is so busy he’s taken on an assistant, Hannah Grace, aged 23, from Sidcot. She’s a former pupil at Churchill School, and an honours graduate in illustration, graphic design and print making from Plymouth University. The framing side of the business can encompass anything you want to hang on a wall – pictures, photographs, medals, wedding dresses or football shirts for example. Roy also has a national reputation for picture restoration – he’s currently been working on a painting by Ken Howard and has also restored paintings in the past by John Piper and many others. He’d been running the business on his own, following the retirement of his business partner Helen Hatfield, after 28 years, but said the growing workload meant he could take on Hannah, who says she is delighted to join the business.

Mendip Times Distribution Points

Mendip Times is available from over 800 outlets across the Mendips from superstores to village stores and post offices, farm shops, supermarkets, garden centres, pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, libraries and tourist information centres. ALHAMPTON AXBRIDGE BALTONSBOROUGH BACKWELL BANWELL BARROW GURNEY BARTON ST. DAVID BECKINGTON BISHOP SUTTON BLACKFORD BLAGDON BLEADON BRENT KNOLL BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BROCKLEY BRUTON BUCKLAND DINHAM BURCOTT BURRINGTON BUTLEIGH CAMERTON CASTLE CARY CHARTERHOUSE CHEDDAR CHELYNCH CHEW MAGNA CHEW STOKE CHEWTON MENDIP

CHILCOMPTON CHURCHILL CLANDOWN CLEEVE CLUTTON COCKLAKE COLEFORD COMPTON DANDO COMPTON MARTIN CONGRESBURY COXLEY CRANMORE CROSCOMBE CROSS DITCHEAT DOULTING DRAYCOTT DUNDRY EAST HARPTREE EASTON EMBOROUGH EVERCREECH FARMBOROUGH FARRINGTON GURNEY FAULKLAND FELTON FROME GLASTONBURY GREEN ORE

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

GURNEY SLADE HALLATROW HIGH LITTLETON HINTON BLEWETT HOLCOMBE HUNSTRETE HUTTON KEINTON MANDEVILLE KILMERSDON LANGFORD LEIGH on MENDIP LITTON LONG ASHTON LYDFORD ON FOSSE LYMPSHAM MARK MARKSBURY MASBURY MELLS MIDSOMER NORTON NAILSEA NETTLEBRIDGE NORTON MALREWARD NORTON ST PHILIP NUNNEY NYLAND OAKHILL PAULTON PENSFORD

= Mendip Times Distribution area PILTON POLSHAM PRIDDY PYLLE RADSTOCK REDHILL REGIL RICKFORD RODE RODNEY STOKE ROOKSBRIDGE ROWBERROW SANDFORD SHEPTON MALLET SHIPHAM

SOMERTON STANTON DREW STANTON WICK STOKE ST MICHAEL STON EASTON STRATTON ON THE FOSSE STREET TARNOCK TEMPLE CLOUD TIMSBURY TRUDOXHILL TYTHERINGTON UBLEY UPHILL VOBSTER

WALTON WANSTROW WEDMORE WELLS WEST HARPTREE WEST PENNARD WESTBURY SUB MENDIP WINFORD WINSCOMBE WOOKEY WOOKEY HOLE WRAXALL WRINGTON WRITHLINGTON YATTON

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Mendip Auction Rooms adds to its team THE Mendip Auction Rooms have strengthened their team with the appointment of Peter McCabe who will act as administrator of the auction rooms and will be involved in all aspects of the operation. Originally from Northern Ireland, Peter spent 26 years in the Royal Corps of Signals including being the co-ordinator of the world famous military band. He is a flutist so will bring musical as well as militaria knowledge to the auction rooms. At their sale of Antiques, Fine Art and Collectables at the beginning of July, Killens attracted a strong crowd in spite of the hot prices and many items sold for well in excess of estimate with particularly strong bidding live on the internet. Items selling to advantage included an oil on canvas of a country scene inscribed “Leon Augustin Lhermitte” (£850), a Royal Crown Derby dish (£500), an RAF clock (£600) and an Omega cocktail watch (£460). There was once again an exceptional entry of jewellery with strong interest for all items. Live internet bidding certainly

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

makes a difference to prices achieved. The team at the auction rooms will be attending the MidSomerset Show on August 18th along with their colleagues from the land and estate agency departments of Killens and will be able to provide valuation advice, so do go and see them on their stand. In order to create a bit more fun at their sales, the Auction Rooms are also launching a valuation competition at their next sale of Antiques, Fine Art and Collectables on August 17th. Simply predict the selling prices of 20 items and the nearest to the actual total achieved will win a bottle of champagne and £50 to go to a chosen charity, so go along to the viewing days and have a go!

The auction rooms are open from 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and free valuations can be given. Alternatively, the team are also able to undertake free home visits. Contact the auction rooms on 01749 840770 or log onto www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for more information.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 19

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Clevedon bidders require high ceilings and deep pockets CLEVEDON Salerooms most recent specialist sale included this impressive George III mahogany long case clock by Ellicott of London. With an 8-day striking movement, subsidiary strike/silent and second dial the 8 feet 10 inch high clock was estimated at £5,000 £7,500. Two bidders with high ceilings and deep pockets fought out the bidding, the victor parting with £7,350 for his mechanical marvel. Clevedon Salerooms next specialist sale is on September 12th. If you have antiques and works of art that you would like sold for the highest price visit the Salerooms on one of their free valuation days phone the salerooms on 01934 830111 to speak to a valuer.

Award for local artist

WELLOW artist Catherine Beale has received a top award from Princess Michael of Kent in the Society of Women Artists’ 152nd annual exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. The award from The Artist magazine was for her portrait of fellow artist, Georgia Cox, entitled Butterfly House. Catherine said: “It was an unexpected pleasure to win this

Some gems from our

Specialist Jewellery Sale

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS

£19,600

£7,600

29 30 31 July 12 13 14 August 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – ample free parking no appointment necessary

£3,400

£41,500

£4,600

Jewellery, Watch & Silver

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Free Valuation Day Held at the Salerooms – ample free parking

Tuesday 20th August – 9.30am – 5pm Next Specialist Sale Thursday 12th September

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ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Funnel of love

award. I visited the Mall Galleries before when my watercolour of my son Robbie was shown there, and there was a very impressive range of work on display this year.” The Society of Women Artists will support The Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity throughout 2013. Catherine is a member of the Old Bakery Artists, benefiting until recently from the "gentle and inspirational guidance" of the late painter David Fisher.

AT Tamlyns’ Antiques sale in Bridgwater on July 2nd, an early Worcester wine funnel sold for £10,000. The vendor, who lives in Bridgwater, had brought the funnel in to one of their valuation mornings in the town. She had had the funnel for many years and, although fond of it, felt that now was the time to let it go. It was always understood in her family that it was Worcester but they had never had a definite attribution. Amazingly given its age, and the fact that it had been used, the funnel was in almost perfect condition. The bidding fell to a battle between a telephone bidder and a buyer in the room – the person on the telephone coming out the victor. For any further information on their sales, contact Tamlyns’ on 01278 445251.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 21

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MENDIP TIMES

Festival faces 2013 Photography by Mark Adler

More than 100,000 people were thought to have packed the Pyramid field for the Rolling Stones

Radio 1 presenter Greg James with fans including students from Bath Spa University Standing out in the crowd

Elvis Costello was on magnificent form on his return to Glastonbury

Look what’s behind you – open air antics on William’s Green

Members of the Gaia Guardians who helped keep the site clean. Their motto was: love the farm and do no harm PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 2013

Festival love

CAMPSITE stewards Andy and Sarah Goff chose the Glastonbury Festival as the venue when they renewed their marriage vows as part of their 20th wedding anniversary celebrations. The couple, who live in Doulting, near Shepton Mallet, were joined by fellow stewards and friends for the service in the church tent. The service was led by the Rev. Chris North, vicar of Chilcompton, who was part of the church team on site.

The festival still maintains a campaigning side. This year, Oxfam were highlighting the crisis in Syria

Well it is a dairy farm most of the year…

A welcome for Sir Mick Jagger

All for one… Stuart Bird, from Frome, Brian Fontana, from Dilton Marsh and Phil Watson, from Durham, were part of the site crew looking after the festival’s infamous toilets

A race to the front of the Other Stage for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

Working at the festival is a vital part of the income for carnival clubs such as Mendip Vale Not so daft: Nile Rodgers on stage at West Holts

The Pyramid stage viewed from the tipi field PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Open aid theatre

Winston Marshall from Mumford and Sons, with Chief Superintendent Caroline Peters and Inspector Shirley Eden, based at Radstock who were part of the on-site police team

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GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 2013

Matthew Norris, Teresa Simpson and Rob Thompson helping out on a food stall run by the parents and friends of Kilmersdon School

Michael Eavis on the last day of the festival: it was the best one ever, he said

Sir Bruce Forsyth – nice to see you; to see you . . .

The morning after. The clear-up underway after the Stones show

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

Cool cooking for a hot month

AUGUST is a month for spending as little time as possible in a hot kitchen. Cook in the morning when it’s cooler, or outside, leave the windows open, and stock up on ice. It’s also a month when fresh produce is at its best, when the garden herbs are fresh and zingy, when there may even be a glut of home grown stuff like With JUNE courgettes. Plenty of time in September to bottle and MACFARLANE preserve; August is the time to just slice and serve. If you have the energy for a bit more, here are some ideas.

CHAR-GRILLED COURGETTES WITH HONEY AND GOATS’ CHEESE “Burnt is a flavour, not a mistake”, said a famous chef to me. Not always strictly true, but you know what he means. While overcooking any food is never a very good idea searing vegetables on a very hot grill or barbecue allows them to develop extra flavours which add new dimensions to the dish.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

2 courgettes per person sliced thickly lengthways 1 tsp sea salt olive oil runny honey goats cheese fresh thyme leaves

Put the courgettes into a colander and toss with the salt. Allow to drain for half an hour. Toss again to get rid of moisture. Pat dry with kitchen paper. Toss with a glug of oil. Heat a ridged grill pan or a barbecue grill until very hot. Cook the courgette slices on both sides until nicely seared. To serve: place a few slices of courgette on a plate, drizzle with honey, scatter with goats cheese and add a few thyme leaves for extra flavour.

MINCED LAMB SKEWERS WITH MINTED YOGHURT INGREDIENTS

500g minced lamb 2 spring onions, finely chopped 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander big pinch salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley large tub yoghurt 2 tbsp fresh mint 8 wooden skewers soaked in water for half an hour Olive oil

The rich lamb and the cool yoghourt dressing are a perfect combination. Make up the skewers in advance and keep them covered in the fridge until you want to cook them.

METHOD

Put the first six ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least an hour for the flavours to develop. Mould the mixture on to the skewers and shape firmly. Cover and leave in the fridge until needed. Before cooking splash the skewers with olive oil and turn to coat. Grill on a ridged grill pan or a barbecue, turning to cook thoroughly until lightly browned on all sides. Allow to rest briefly while you make the dressing. Chop the mint and add to the yoghourt with a pinch of salt. Serve the skewers and the dressing with a green salad. PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

LEMON POSSET WITH RASPBERRIES

Lemon posset is becoming 500ml double cream fashionable all over 3 lemons, juiced, zest removed again. It’s rich, and cut into fine slices tangy and delicious 1 tbsp runny honey and very easy to make as long as you do it slowly, which is the best way to do anything in August.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Put the cream, the juice and the zest into a pan and bring slowly just to the simmer. Remove from heat and allow to infuse for 30 mins. Strain through a fine sieve to catch the zest. Return to the pan. Bring back to a very gentle simmer. Add the honey and stir. Allow to cook for 5 mins, stirring, until the cream thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Pour into small ramekins or glasses, let it cool completely and refrigerate for a couple of hours until set. Serve with raspberries.

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S u n d ay s a t t h e S w a n THE Swan in Wedmore is the perfect place to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. The pub, recently awarded a prestigious Gold Award by the Taste of the West for the Restaurant category, is celebrating summer by cooking al fresco in its wood-fired oven. Guests can sit in the secluded and spacious garden at the back of the pub, either on the terrace with parasols or at longer trestle tables with benches on the grass. Children are safe to play, allowing parents to enjoy cool drinks and prolonged conversations without interruption. The menus feature wood roasted meats, fish and vegetarian options and their ice cream maker is churning on overtime to keep up with current consumption levels! The Swan will also be hosting its next Tasting Tuesday, on July 30th. This is an informal wine tasting, free if you book a table for dinner on the night. This month it will be Australian wines, and the aim is to introduce you to the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay)

school of drinking! If Wedmore is too far from where you live, then why not visit The Swan’s new sister pub, The White Hart in Somerton? This has recently opened following a transformative refurbishment and offers a menu which focuses on local, seasonal produce with a Mediterranean twist. At the helm in its kitchen is Tom Blake, formerly of River Cottage, and it

FOOD & DRINK

has a sheltered terrace planted with olive and bay trees, lavender and thyme, as well as a large, tranquil garden at the back. Crazy as it may seem, both pubs are already taking Christmas bookings, so if you are looking for somewhere to hold your Christmas party, then do get in touch. E-mail them at either info@theswanwedmore.com or info@whitehartsomerton.com.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Thatchers open day

THATCHERS will be holding their Family Open Day on Saturday September 14th. There’ll be events such as face-painting, dancing from the Mendip Morris Men, music from The Fallen Apples, as well as a barbecue and refreshments served throughout the day. With plenty of activity for the whole family, this year there will be guided tours of the Thatchers orchards and the cider mill – visitors will have the chance to talk to Thatchers cider makers about the different apple varieties that are grown at Myrtle Farm, and how this traditional Somerset cider is made. You can even have a go at pressing your own apples, with the Wrington Forgotten Fruit community project. Finish the tour with a cider tasting and visit to the Thatchers shop. Entry is free.

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Cider makers

THATCHERS Cider welcomed a group of its apple growers to Myrtle Farm for a day in the orchards. As well as managing 360 acres of its own orchards, Thatchers has a number of contract growers who supply it with specific apple varieties. As part of its ethos of using only the highest quality fruit in its ciders, Thatchers invited the group to Myrtle Farm to talk to both John Thatcher and Martin Thatcher about their own orchard management techniques.

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FOOD & DRINK

The Rolling Scones!

SUNSHINE and a Somerset Cream Tea have to be the perfect recipe for any event! Joe Brakes’ first season with his travelling Cream Tea Wagon (The Rolling Scones) has been an amazing success. People have loved the van but loved the cream teas even more. Joe says: “They are truly scrumptious with scones, jam and cream all made locally in Somerset.” Joe can bring that retro/traditional feel to your event and of course everyone loves a cream tea. Somerset Cream Teas can cater for any event big or small – and can also supply straw bales for your rustic seating! Joe is already taking bookings for next year for weddings, parties etc and advises early booking.

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JEN Rowlands is the new owner of Highnams Deli, at Tweentown, in Cheddar, realising her ambition to run her own business, after managing restaurants and bars in Bristol and this area. The former Highnams Dairy has been beautifully refurbished by her partner, Freddie Batt, a builder and kitchen fitter. Highnam’s Deli is now offering a range of organic, local, home-made produce, as well as snacks and drinks. The couple have moved from Silver Street in Cheddar, with children, Cameron, aged eight, and Daisy, aged three, to live opposite the deli. Their new home was previously a newsagent and store. Jen said: “We are definitely catering for the locals, as well as tourists, and they’ve been very positive and supportive.”

New chef, new menu – now open for lunch urs-Sun!

The Bell Inn

A traditional English pub set in the rolling Mendip countryside with fully enclosed garden and children’s play area.

Opening times: Mon, Tues: 5pm-late. Weds, urs, 12-3pm and 5pm to late. Fri-Sun: 12-late. Food served: Weds: 6-9pm. urs-Sat: 12-2.30pm and 6-9pm. Sun: 12-3pm

e Bell Inn, Leigh Street, Leigh Upon Mendip, Nr. Radstock, BA3 5QQ. Tel: 01373 812316. Website: www.bellinnleigh.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

A feast of a festival

By Mark Adler

HUNDREDS of people packed the car park outside the Cheese and Grain in Frome for the traditional Frome Feast curtainraiser for the town’s annual arts festival. Frome Street Bandits whetted the appetite by leading a flagwaving procession through the town from St John’s Church to the car park to begin the celebrations. Local enterprises and charities ran a range of food and drink stalls with All ages joined in live music from the celebrations Acoustic Plus.

From African delights (this stall was run by the Frome-based EKO charity – Educating Kenyan Orphans) . . .

. . . to Frome Wholefood’s Mexican offerings PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

The procession begins from St John’s Church

A young street bandit prepares to party

Festival chairman Robert Morris raises a glass to the evening’s celebrations

The crowd soaks up the atmosphere outside the Cheese and Grain

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GARDEN FOOD

Love lovage

LOVAGE is a wonderful perennial herb, very easy to grow, and with a very strong, celery-ish, curry-ish flavour. I planted mine in an old tyre filled with earth some years ago, and apart from picking the leaves I have more or less ignored it ever since, and it is thriving, With JAKE every year sending forth a mass of dark WHITSON green shoots to two metres high. As with bay, you will probably only ever need one lovage plant, as one or two leaves are easily enough to flavour a whole dish, although unlike bay, lovage leaves are not much use dried. They are lovely in soups, and I like to add a couple of finely chopped leaves to curried lentils. A simple dish I like to make at this time of year is a summer vegetable risotto. First, make a few pints of chicken stock (I usually use the bones from the Sunday roast), and have it warm and waiting on the stove. Now, gently fry a finely chopped onion, and a couple of sliced cloves of garlic, in a little butter and oil until soft. Add a mugful of rice (risotto rice, but also I’ve found that Thai jasmine rice works pretty well) and fry that too until the rice turns opaque and chalky. Turn the heat up a little and add a glassful of white wine or vermouth. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until it is almost all absorbed. Now start adding the stock, a little at a time, stirring all the time to massage the starch out of the rice and give you a lovely creamy sauce. Continue until the rice is almost cooked, but still with a little bite. Now add a handful each of baby broad beans, peas or mangetout, and baby courgettes sliced into rounds. Let these cook for a minute or two, perhaps with the addition of a little more hot stock. Adjust the texture by adding more stock if necessary – risotto should never be firm, but silky and oozing over the plate. Just before serving, slice a few sprigs of parsley, mint and lovage very finely, and stir them in. Jacob Whitson is a chef and food writer who has worked in many of the West Country’s most prestigious restaurants. He is currently working on his first book, a travelogue detailing the regional foods of Japan.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Food from the river bank

I FIND the old country and Latin names of many of our edible plants fascinating and fun all at the same time. Take Brooklime for example and its fantastical Latin name of ‘Veronica Beccabunga’, yes really! Bekkabung is from the Old Norse meaning ‘bekkr’ or brook, and ‘bung’ With ADRIAN means the blocking of a stream. The Old BOOTS English ‘brook’ is from broc and bleomoc is the equivalent of ‘bung’, which is probably based on the Old Norse. Strangely, no-one is sure where the name Veronica comes from. Maybe it was the name of the person that gave this plant its Latin name? It was used as an ingredient in a drink to treat scurvy along with watercress, scurvy grass and orange juice – lots of vitamin C. This was then poured into beer, not sure how that would have helped the scurvy but at least it would have improved the flavour of the beer and they would have died happy! Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) is a low, sprawling aquatic perennial 20 to 60cm. The leaves are bright green (paler beneath) in opposite pairs, oval to oblong on short stalks. The stems are hollow with the roots seeming to come out of the stems. The flowers are a lovely deep sky blue, almost flat with four petals. Found in streams, ditches, ponds and wet paths, it is a common plant and its season is between May and November. The young leaves have a sharp taste but the older ones can be very bitter and I would go so far as to say heading in the direction of ‘really quite disgusting’, so go for the younger leaves. Traditionally used as a wild salad plant and I can’t see any reason not to use it in this way. Mix with other salad leaves such as watercress with which it can share its watery home. Enjoy with hard cheese shavings, tomatoes, sprinkled with croutons and dressed in olive oil/balsamic vinegar. BUT, make sure your Brooklime is picked above the water line from clean flowing water upstream of any livestock as it also shares the same issues of liver fluke as its neighbour watercress. As always, take great care when near water courses/bodies. Examine your finds carefully discarding any that have evidence of fluke egg cases stuck to the leaves/stem. Soak in a water and vinegar mix or baby bottle cleaning solution for 10 minutes, then rinse. Do a little dance, turn around three times and say ‘Veronica beccabunga’ and if there is anything left after this process then I’m sure you will have a wonderful wild summer salad. Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, researcher and farm conservation advisor. You can visit his website www.walkthemendips.com to learn more about the Mendips and his Wild Food Walks.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

Family at the heart of country inn THE Hobbs family continue their love affair with the Kings Arms at Litton and Findlay and his wife Jackie have proudly announced that their daughter Emily and her fiancé Islay Robinson are taking over the business. Emily and Islay are getting married later this year in the beautiful church of St Mary Magdalene at nearby Chewton Mendip – the reception will follow at the historic inn. The couple say the timing could not be better. Emily grew up in the area. She is a former pupil at the Royal High School in Bath and is already well-known by many local people. She says she is hugely enthusiastic about her involvement along with Islay in the Kings Arms: “I look forward to continuing to carefully build on the excellent reputation that already prevails within the Kings Arms and its charming history.” Islay is a finance expert with his own well-established business in Hanover Square in London. Islay’s company Enness Private Client has just won the British Mortgage award for best high net worth brokerage. He said: “My love of food and cooking is a guilty pleasure and I can’t wait to enjoy this new challenge with the fabulous chef and his team in the Kings Arms, Litton.” Emily, a graduate in Business Economics from Exeter University, brings an extensive pedigree in global marketing to the business. She added: “We have a treasure trove of good ideas and will carefully roll them out in the following weeks.” The couple have moved into the inn – they marry on Friday,

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Jackie, Findlay, Emily and Islay at the Kings Arms Litton

December 20th – and Emily said how special it was to take up residence in village and to meet local people and the many customers of the Kings Arms. Findlay said that acquiring the Kings Arms more than two years ago has been one of the most rewarding business experiences he has ever invested in. He said: “All the staff, past and present, have been outstanding partners in the pursuit of excellence and the building of the business. “Now a new dimension has been added in having Emily and Islay take over and then to get married all in the same place is indeed a wonderful development and to be enjoyed by all.”

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FOOD & DRINK

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Food for thought

KEEN young cooks invited parents to tuck in to a celebratory menu at the end of a nine-week expert cookery course at Burrington C. of E. Primary School. The eight-to-11-year-olds served up a three-course meal of home-made pestostuffed mushrooms, thyme and carrot risotto and strawberry meringue delight. Tutor and professional nutritionist Sonya Devi-Clarke, of Burrington, said: “We focused on healthy, balanced nutrition, food groups and how greattasting nutrients work in the body. “It’s been wonderful to see how the children’s confidence increased over time to independent cooking as the course progressed.” Each week children made a two-

Left to right, Rowan Henry, Sonya Devi-Clarke, Bede Burston and Caitlin Lodge.

course meal including pasties, a lentil dish, fish cakes and apple-crumble. Caitlin Lodge, 11, of Rickford, added: “I cook more at home now and

really enjoy trying new foods and we have all the recipes to try at home.” Her mother Maggs said: “We do cook together but this course has given Caitlin the confidence to try on her own and experiment with new foods. It’s been brilliant.” Headteacher Alison Waite added: “This is part of our extra-curriculum enrichment and we believe instilling a life-long enjoyment creating good food is very important for every child.”

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Function and conference rooms now available for parties, meetings and training

Don't forget to come this summer – we have a fantastic garden for your alfresco dining. You can see all our menus online from simply scrummy pork panini, open ﬁllet steak sandwiches to full-on à la carte. is summer we are having a garden party with live music and bar-b-q on Sunday 25th August don’t miss it – STARTS 7.00PM

September brings you Paella Night!

Don’t be shy – give us a try! Church Lane, East Harptree BS40 6BD www.thewaldegravearms.co.uk • email: waldegravearms@btconnect.com

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Keeping Wednesdays special!

TWELVE years ago Mendip District council invited Somerset Farmers Market to take over a section of their Wednesday general market in Wells. The market at the time had been contracted out to ‘Market Initiatives Limited’ who had been struggling to make their mid-week market work. SFM however rose to the challenge and invited a top notch selection of local producers to support it, while also investing heavily in the advertising and promoting of the new Wells Farmers Market and the rest as they say, is history! SFM created a nationally renowned, award-winning weekly farmers market of 17 stalls adjacent to the general market. An extremely loyal customer base was established and the reputation of the market has regularly resulted in requests from the BBC and Channel 4 to use it as a backdrop for local food related programming. Mendip District Council eventually took back the running of the adjoining general market while the Farmers Markets retained their 17 pitches in front of the town hall. Some of the farmers have traded at the market every week for the past 12 years and being weekly it has become an essential part of their income. What sets Somerset Farmers Markets apart from the general market is that it has been set up to put farmers and food producers first. It ensures that local people can sell directly to their customers and strict criteria operate to ensure that food miles are kept low and the most local producers are given preference to trade; in recent economic times this support has kept many farmers afloat. Don’t just expect however to find just traditional fayre, you will also find an artisan pasta maker and lavender grower alongside your cabbages and sausages! Maintaining the success of the market and viability for the food producers long-term is always the goal and over the years SFM have increased publicity and embraced social media ensuring that leaflets, adverts, websites, tweets and regular profiles of local producers appear in the media – a huge financial investment for a small organisation but they hope you agree has been worth it. www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk

Market returns to Wedmore

WEDMORE is holding its fourth annual Produce Market on Saturday, August 24th from 9am to 1pm and the organisers, Wedmore Green Group, are confident it will be the best yet. It is part of the group’s campaign to encourage the community to eat and shop locally. Around 600 people went to last year’s market and enjoyed sampling and buying a range of local produce including sausages, cakes, bread, fruit and vegetables.

FOOD & DRINK

BEAH

English & Mediterranean Restaurant, Wells

A la carte menu

(including authentic Moroccan tagines)

Two-course £12 dinner menu served Monday – Thursday from 6pm Two-course £10 lunch menu served Monday – Saturday from 12 noon – 2pm (3pm Saturdays) Having a party? Come & see out beautiful upstairs function room ideal for all occasions, menus to suit all budgets For more information call Nicola on 01749 678111 email info@beah.co.uk • www.beah.co.uk Relaxed and friendly dining in the heart of Wells

AUGUST 2013 DATES

Wells: every Wednesday 9am-2.30pm at the Market Place All other markets 9am-1pm unless otherwise marked*

Friday 2nd Wincanton (9am-12noon)* Saturday 3rd Midsomer Norton & Axbridge Sunday 4th Frome Supermarket (10am-2pm)* Saturday 10th Frome & Keynsham Friday 16th Cheddar (10am-2pm)* Saturday 17th Crewkerne Saturday 24th Glastonbury & Yeovil (9am-2pm)* Friday 30th Burnham-on-Sea follow us @SFMMarkets For more information phone 01373 814646 or visit www.SomersetFarmersMarkets.co.uk

Powering farming’s future www.yourenergyuk.com MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES Country shopping at its best

FOOD & DRINK

So many choices at the Crossways

FOLLOWING the completion of an extensive and imaginative refurbishment costing more than one million pounds, the Crossways Inn at North Wootton, near Wells, offers everything anyone might require, from a full wedding function to a wonderful place in which to have a relaxing drink with friends and enjoy the summer. With stunning views of Glastonbury Tor, the Crossways has gradually and sympathetically been transformed into a stylish venue which still manages to retain its history and tradition of being in the heart of the Mendip countryside. Now owned by Mark and Adrian Ambrosini, the Crossways team is headed up by Ben Humber, 34, who boasts an impressive 16 years in the hospitality industry. A Mendip boy – his family lives on the edge of Cheddar – Ben honed his managerial and catering skills in places as diverse as Cheddar Caves, the Oak House in Axbridge and the Ask Italian restaurant in Wells. The beauty of the Crossways is its multi-functionality, which doesn’t compromise a commitment to quality. Therefore, skittles teams could be competing in the alley, whilst a function takes place in another area – there are four separate function rooms! The Crossways also boasts 13 luxury bedrooms. Despite its luxurious atmosphere, the Crossways Inn remains very much a country inn and head chef Nick Cooper has been working hard to enhance the inn’s reputation as a destination venue for lunch, dinner or his Sunday carvery. Ben said: “The key to our success is our flexibility – plus the fact that we are in a fantastic part of the country!” G The Crossways Inn is currently offering a tempting deal on its lunchtime menu: buy one main course and get another one for free. The offer applies on weekdays only and is from its selected menu only. General manager Ben Humber

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

SHOP EXTENDED – EVEN MORE CHOICE

Tasty Cheddar strawberries – and our own cream!

Time to barbecue – we have charcoal and home-produced meat

Beautiful Somerset willow, flowers and wonderful plants

Local ice creams, apple juice, cider etc

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Farm Shop: 01761 220067 Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Bi-folding doors allow diners to enjoy the summer

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A traditional Somerset Inn at the foot of the Mendip Hills, offering sumptuous comfort, excellent service, extensive facilities and easy access to the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s varied attractions.

Great food is in our blood. At lunchtimes or in the evening, whether you wish to order from our a la carte menu, want something for the kids or just want to grab a bite at the bar, you will be served a dish of the highest quality. The Crossways offers the ideal wedding venue. Our Glastonbury Tor Suite is licensed for marriages. Or simply relax with friends over a drink in our bar or on our terrace.

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MENDIP TIMES

School is the bees-knees

AFTER nearly two years of searching, the Blagdon, Clevedon and District branch of beekeepers has officially opened its new site in Brockley. Geographically central to this wide-spread branch, the project has been made possible by Solarsense UK – who loaned part of a field – and the hard work of branch members. During the winter months a muddy corner was turned into an invaluable teaching asset with a shed, mixed beefriendly hedging and a water feature – an old bath sunk into the ground. Mulching and the planting of nectar-rich flowers completed the project and one of their members, John Penrose, MP, kindly did the honours by unveiling the new sign. Members and their guests celebrated with a glass of wine while melting slowly in the heat. Several thousand honeybees also attended the opening!

FOOD & DRINK

Take the bake challenge

YOUNG chefs have been issued with a challenge to prove they are the best in Somerset as part of the first Somerset Food and Drink Fest, being held at the Royal Bath and West Showground in October. Organisers have launched a search for the Best Brownie Baker ahead of the weekend celebrations on Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20th. There are two age groups: under-12s and under-16s. Every young person who takes part will receive a signed certificate and the two age group winners will each receive a family day out pass to a local attraction. Thanks to the generous support of one of the event’s sponsors, the winners’ schools will also receive a cheque for £100. Somerset Food and Drink Fest is organised by GW Publishing Events and will showcase the very best local food and drink producers from within the county of Somerset and the surrounding areas. There will be more than 100 exhibitors with opportunities for visitors to taste, learn about and enjoy locally produced food and drink from small and medium sized producers along with some famous local names. Cider makers, real ale brewers, cheese producers and retailers, wine and spirit makers, butchers, bakers, chocolate makers will be taking part in the festival which will raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West. Julie Patterson, the charity’s community fundraiser said: “We rely on the generosity of our donors and supporters to continue to deliver this valuable lifeline, we are extremely grateful that GW Publishing Events has chosen to support Children’s Hospice South West through the Somerset Food and Drink Fest 2013.” Julie added: “Thankfully few of us will ever have to cope with the loss of a child but sadly there are many who will. Family life changes forever when a child is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Parents, who often have to give up work to care for their sick child, face challenges that can threaten their relationship, whilst brothers and sisters can feel confused, left out and alone. Children’s Hospice South West’s three hospices, provide respite care and support to those children and their families who have to cope with the most difficult of situations.”

To enter the competition and for more information, visit: www.somersetfoodanddrinkfest.co.uk or email organisers on: 01749 880168 PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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MENDIP TIMES

Precious gift to Paulton

Staff and guests look on as Will cuts the “cord” to open the newlook room

ACTOR Will Thorp has officially opened a revamped delivery suite at Paulton Birth Centre. Will is patron of the Coleford-based charity Time is Precious which funded the £10,000 refurbishment of the room to make it more comfortable and homely for mums-to-be. The former Casualty and Coronation Street actor, who grew up in Frome, has recently completed a theatre run in Cardiff and is about to begin an audiobook recording session in Bath about the history of football. Neil and Nicky Halford set up Time is Precious in memory of their son Ben who died from cancer; their aim is to provide hospitals where he was treated with the equipment and facilities to make life a bit more bearable for young patients and their families. Nicky stayed at Paulton after the birth of the couple’s second son, Tom, and they decided to say thank you to the team by funding the work which includes everything from new décor and delivery bed to an i.Pod docking station!

Head first!

Tom (left) and Mike (second right), from Mill on the Brue activity centre, gave their time for free to run the abseil. They’re pictured with pupils Safia and Kit and headteacher Mark Solomon

By Mark Adler

PRIMARY school headteacher Mark Solomon led the way when he was joined by pupils, staff and parents during a sponsored abseil down Batcombe parish church. Mark, who runs Upton Noble C of E School, was the first to scale the 87-foot tower of the Blessed Virgin Mary as part of a fundraising drive. A total of 15 people took part in the abseil – watched from the ground by a large crowd – which raised around £500 towards improvements to the school’s swimming pool. Kit, one of the pupils, was cheered on the way down

Safia begins her abseil from Batcombe church tower

Will (left) with Neil and Nicky Halford, who run Time is Precious, and senior staff from the birth unit Sheila Wilkins and Shirley Robinson PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

NEWS

Mark Solomon during the descent

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EVENTS

Peasedown parties

OVER 2,000 people enjoyed Peasedown St. John’s fifth Party in the Park, at which the Sara Holley Community Award was won by Martin and Lisa Smith for encouraging youth football in the village. They are pictured receiving the award from Sara’s husband, Paul Holley. Martin and Lisa Smith (winners of the Sara Holley Community Award) with Paul Holley

Leasa Keen’s Zumba group entertain the crowd

Festival organisers with councillors Sarah Bevan, Neil Butters and the Somer Valley FM team

Plume of Feathers duck race, Rickford

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Getting people back to work

WESTON College has launched a unique programme aimed at helping jobseekers over the age of 24. Ngage:Phoenix focuses on increasing the employability and skills of older people and the first 16-strong group on the six week course are aged 33 to 62. Current unemployment figures are 2.5 million, with over-50s facing a struggle despite, for the first time ever, more than one million over-65s are now working. Curriculum co-ordinator, Neil Hellin, said: “There are a lot of older highly-skilled people out there who have been made redundant or are looking for a change in direction and we are here to help.” The course takes place at The Hub, South West Skills Campus and encompasses employability, personal and social development, enterprise skills and projects by business supporters Sainsbury’s to raise money for a local children’s charity. Sally-Anne Sommerfield, of Hamwood Close, Hutton, is one of the first on the new course. The 57-year-old worked as a dental nurse for 32 years until she was made redundant last year but has to wait until she is 66 to receive her pension. She said: “I have to work, so this course is helping me look at transferable skills and challenging us in so many constructive ways. I’m learning about organising and funding projects, from making jam for charity to marketing with North Somerset

Pictured (l to r) back row: Neil Hellin, Jack Kilmurray, Karen Rockach, Tim Crowley; front row: Laurence Ross, Sally-Anne Sommerfield, Delyse Taylor, Sally Hensman

Council. I’m also doing a yoga course and other voluntary work to try and find work.” This new project follows on from the College’s Ngage 19+, launched a year ago. The successful partnership with Job Centre Plus targets 19 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training. So far 75 young people have signed up and of those 62 per cent have found work, gone on to training or further education.

Details: Neil Hellin 01934 411354 or go to www.weston.ac.uk

is August Buffy hair studio is celebrating 10 fantastic years of hair fabulousness. Before we opened our doors in 2003, we worked with our architect and builders to create the most desirable, beautiful and welcoming studio we could. Every detail designed for comfort functionality, to give you the best possible experience. Not the usual location to find a salon but once you enter and soak up our amazing views, the pure fume aromas from our Aveda products and the inviting atmosphere, you will understand what it is that has made us so successful. With such benefits that include free off street parking, a wide selection of complimentary beverages served at your station, and whether it's Facebook or the FTSE we provide free Wi-Fi access. Our team love it as much as our clients. We are all industry experts, fully trained in colour cutting and styling. We are proud to work with Aveda, as they care for the world we live in, from the products they make to the ways in which they give back to society. Aveda strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty but around the world.

There's one place to feel special, one studio utterly focused on every unique detail, one experience you'll want again and again.

e full spectrum colour system is up to 99% naturally derived, essentially damage free, with superior shine and fade resistant.With an unlimited palette of single or multi-dimensional colour to create a look thats truly unique to you. To treat all of our much-loved clients this August, and to say thank you for your loyalty and support over the last decade, we are including a yummy Fatherson Bakery cupcake to enjoy with your refreshment plus a small gift and the chance to enter our free prize draw to win a fantastic Aveda hamper tailored to you worth over £300. Few things in life can create the delight you'll feel with the hair style that truly works for you. Make the promise to treat yourself with us, a delight that lasts. Because you're beautiful and we know it.

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PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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BUSINESS

Travel agent on the move

Photo by Ignyte Limited Radstock

AWARDwinning South West based Travel Agent Miles Morgan Travel have relocated their shop right into the centre of the High Street in Wells. The agency, formerly Cathedral City Travel, has been in the town for over 10 years but was bought by Miles Morgan Travel back in February after the shop’s owners got into financial problems. Managing Director Miles Morgan said: “Since our takeover in February we have received amazing support from the local community, sales have been excellent and the town is clearly a place bucking the UK norm. “Margaret and Maria in our shop have done a tremendous job and I am delighted to see them in the brand new shop their efforts deserve.” The shop’s new location is opposite Boots on the High Street and was officially opened by the Mayor or Wells on July 10th.

Swans of Wells pendants are available from the Bishop’s Palace, Wells or at Erica Sharpe

Jackets G Fleeces G Walking Boots G Bags G Hats, Gloves G Travel Clothing G

No. 1 Broad Street Congresbury BS49 5DG 01934 877333 www.countryinnovation.com

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

Duvets & Bedspreads washed & dried Sheets and Duvet covers washed and pressed Professional efficient service Collection & delivery service in the Chew Valley

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk

NM Car Body Repairs Spraying – Panel Beating

Bumper Repairs

Competitive Rates

Commercial Motorhomes Cars

Ring Neil Moore 01934 843875 – Anytime

Green Hill Farm, 3 Bristol Road, Sidcot, North Somerset BS25 1PJ

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Care for the elderly

MY mum is 86 years old and she still likes ‘to do stuff’. She plays the piano, cards with her mates, lunches with her best friend and comes out to coffee and afternoon tea with me. She isn’t very mobile, but she’s as bright as a button and she can get really bored if she isn’t busy. My father-in-law is 90 and he has just mastered his second i-pad. Heyho, I can’t keep up! Recently I was invited to become a Trustee of the St Lawrence Centre, a day centre for older people who may be less physically active but who, like my relatives, still have a lot to offer. There are different groups on different days of the week all held at the Centre which is right beside the Union Street Car Park in the middle of Wells. For no more than a contribution of £10 people meet for conversation, activities and outings and enjoy a wholesome cooked luncheon together. Despite the lack of government funding, this centre is being run as a charity and with support from some

tremendous volunteers, it offers well-run and caring facilities to people who want a day out which they can physically manage. As a new trustee, I am delighted that The Lawrence Centre is opening its doors to anyone in the area who might be interested. For those who wish to find out more, there will be a coffee morning on Wednesday August 21st between 10.30am and 12.30 at the centre itself which is behind 37, Chamberlain Street. Furthermore, I can confirm that there will be cakes – definitely. I really feel that the centre has much to offer and that is why I was delighted to be able to support it in any way possible. Just as a parting thought; during the era which was considered the golden age of Greece, the Greeks regarded the care of the elderly, which they called geroboskia, as a sacred duty, and adult children who failed in this duty were fined or thrown in jail. Aren’t we fortunate? Jane Bowe ProBusiness

Details: Maggie Charlesworth 07825 685 245 or 01749 676 839.

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Soltech IT celebrates five years in business SOLTECH IT Ltd has just entered its fifth year of business and wishes to thank all of its loyal customers for their support over the past few years. They are supporting more and more local businesses and schools. Their aim (USP) is to reduce business customers IT expenditure by providing cost effective support and solutions whilst maintaining the very highest standards that their customers would expect. They don’t just provide IT support and solutions, they also work with their customers to provide solutions to business issues and procedures that staff can easily follow, thus improving a business’s performance and hopefully its profitability. This is what they do: • On average they reduce their customers’ IT support costs by 47.3%, without sacrificing standards or response times. • They don’t just aim to respond to customers within a guaranteed time, they actually aim to fix the problem straight away. • They supply a host of IT equipment including, laptops, tablets, PCs, servers and a range of software applications from Microsoft Windows

7/8, Server 2012, Microsoft 365 and Cloud based solutions such as Hosted Exchange for emails and online data encrypted backups. • They work closely with the local community, especially schools, working on a ‘not for profit basis’. It is their aim to provide support and equipment to schools at cost and when they do make a small profit, they give these profits back to the schools in the form of donations of laptops, tablet PC’s, printers etc. They have donated several thousand pounds worth of equipment over the past two years to a number of schools – Blagdon Primary, East Harptree Primary, Dundry Primary, Sandford Primary, Chew Stoke Primary, Burrington Primary, Whitchurch Primary, Farmborough Primary, Chandag Junior School (Keynsham), St Cuthburts Junior School (Wells), St Josephs (Portishead) – and many more have benefitted from their donations. They are experts at reducing the ICT expenditure within schools and on average they can save a school between £2,000 and £4,000 a year, which is a huge amount of money for a school with ever reducing budgets.

BUSINESS

Soltech IT provide tailored support and maintenance contracts to business which include: G Guaranteed response times G Pro-active monitoring and maintenance G Online remote encrypted backups G Unlimited on-site support G Remote support G Telephone G Helpdesk facilities G Replacement parts (for faulty components) G Loan equipment (required when equipment is taken away for repair)

View the news page on their website for more information.

CALL US ON 01275 332835 sales@soltechit.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01275 332966

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Claire’s second shop

CLAIRE Cooke, who started the Bridal Boutique in Winscombe 18 months ago, has bought Cleopatra’s Wardrobe, the shop next door. Now, as well as providing everything a bride needs for her wedding, the (l to r) Emma second shop provides all the clothing, Coleman, Claire accessories and jewellery that any Cooke and Tracy woman might need. Honour Claire said: “Winscombe is a thriving village and I’m glad we can offer these fashion items to the local surrounding area.” Her assistants in the Bridal Boutique are Nashanta Andrews and Emma Coleman and in Cleopatra’s Wardrobe Tracy Honour and Cindy George.

ECATCHER MOL Now does wasps

NO WASP NO STING

Telephone 01761 451384

the gorge outdoors Ever ything you need for the Great Outdoors Supplier of Petzl Work and Rescue Equipment online store: www.thegorgeoutdoors.co.uk The Cliffs, Cheddar, BS27 3QA Telephone: 01934 742688

Mendip Saddlery Affordable, quality online shopping for the Horse & Rider 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! www.mendipequestrian.com Shop tel: 01749 840838 PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

G Friendly service G Fabulous selection of handbags and accessories G Stylish clothing G Ladies “candyshop” G Fashion accessories G Silver jewellery G Brand handbags: Bessie, David Jones G Jewellery: About Face, Annabelle Walker G Clothing: Ness, N+Willow, Marble

36 Woodborough Road Winscombe Somerset BS25 1AT 01934 843193

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BUSINESS

FREE

motorcycle health check, call to book your appointment!

MOTORCROSS / / / / / & ROAD AT Motocross and Road is expanding. After three years at his base in Wrington, specialising in off-road bikes, Ashley Dyte is now moving into road bikes as well. Since he has seven years experience in motocross and enduro and his mechanic is an experienced road bike racer, they have the expertise to help, whatever the problem, as well as selling second-hand off-road bikes, and arranging MOTs. They can provide servicing, parts and accessories for all the major manufacturers, from tuning to welding, plus race clothing and all the kit that bikers might need. AT Motocross is now a one-stop shop for everything the bike and biker needs.

AT MOTORCROSS & ROAD UNIT 1A BURNETT IND ESTATE COX’S GREEN WRINGTON BS40 5QR

CALL NOW: 01934 861163

ON ROAD

OFF ROAD

10% DISCOUNT with this voucher! WEBSITE: WWW.ATMOTOCROSSANDROAD.CO.UK MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 47

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MENDIP TIMES

Congresbury celebrates

Janice Cumming (left) and Pat Thompson on the tombola stall

Village princess Poppy Baines and prince Isaac Andrews

Pre-school singers

The flower show

Easton fete and scarecrow trail

Some of the organisers and helpers at Easton fete and scarecrow trail PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

One of the scarecrows

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EVENTS

School celebrates centenary PEASEDOWN St. John Primary School celebrated its centenary in style, with a Centenary Parade along Bath Road, which ended with a traditional picnic of bread and cheese on the school field – exactly like in 1913. The children began the celebrations back in February by creating new designs for the school logo, won by Grace Gard in Year 2. The children then designed Centenary teatowels with self-portraits of all 535 pupils and 70 members of staff. Every child received their very own celebratory mug to remind them of this very special year, thanks to donations from local people and businesses.

The big parade

Unveiling the mosaic

Celebration assembly

Centenary cake Headteachers David Tilling and Julia Battersby

Picnic fun

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 49

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It’s showtime in Axbridge

THE Somerset Showcase is held annually in Axbridge town square. It was originally started by Somerset County Council who wanted to encourage visitors to come back to Somerset after the BSE and Foot and Mouth crisis so badly affected the county in the late 1990s. Since that time it has been passed onto the Town and the

Somewhere special to stay

OPENING just four years ago, proprietors John and Sue Albone offer a quite unique Bed and Breakfast in Axbridge, with south-facing beautifully furnished suites in a contemporary style each having stunning, uninterrupted views of the Cheddar Reservoir. The ground floor Garden Room suite is popular in summer with visiting guests, its own private deck leading to the beautifully landscaped and colourfully planted garden. The Mendip Suite on the first floor has broader spectacular views of the reservoir and there is the option for all guests to access and enjoy the garden. With luxury, locally-sourced breakfasts overlooking the garden and reservoir, no wonder it is the number 1 rated accommodation on Trip Advisor for the whole of Axbridge and Cheddar area. Details: www.strawberrylinebedandbreakfast.co.uk or phone 01934 732573 for availability.

Axbridge Chamber of Commerce organise the event. It has grown in popularity and now promotes a wide variety of local arts, crafts and cottage industries and is sponsored by several local businesses. This year’s Showcase will have traditional entertainment, including the Mendip Morris Men, Congresbury Brass Band, Clarendon Recorders, Shepton Mallet Hand bell ringers to name a few. The new Axbridge Sea Cadets unit also hopes to provide a spectacle. Children’s entertainment includes the popular Punch and Judy, face-painting, games, rides and a new fancy dress competition, “Pirates”. The popular Showcase café in the Town Hall will also have a pirate or two on the loose and there will be live music in the evening in the Square, free for all to attend. The Somerset Showcase is on Bank Holiday Saturday August 24th from 10am till late. Details: www.somersetshowcase.info

Popular choice

THE Almshouse Tea Shop in Axbridge offers a range of great quality teas and coffees together with a wide selection of tasty cakes, breakfasts, light lunches and afternoon teas to be enjoyed in their lovely 15th century almshouse and courtyard. The tea shop, which also sells gifts, has expanded rapidly since it opened in March last year. Owners Nicky Frewin and John Lintern now employ eight people, including their newest recruit, Abbi Gill, from Axbridge, who has joined them as an apprentice. Two others, volunteers Lin Stanley and Lyn Britton, worked previously with Nicky when she managed the Weston Hospicecare shop in Cheddar. The shop’s popularity has put it around the top of Trip Advisor for Somerset.

The Almshouse Tea Shop Breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea in an historic, medieval setting check us out on Trip Adviser

e Square, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AR

01934 733720 www.thealmshouseteashop.co.uk Wednesday-Friday 9-5pm (Closed Mon & Tues) Weekends & Bank Holidays 10-4pm

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Blackberry Fayre

RECORDS of the fayre can be found in many ancient history books, traditionally held in mid-September when blackberries would have been collected locally. It is a vision of colour with so many local clubs and societies joining in for an afternoon of splendour. Many take to wonderfully decorated and themed floats of all shapes and sizes and there are a great many who take part as walking entries. Silver cups and shields are awarded to the successful winners and competition is fierce. It is the highlight of the year for the Carnival Queen and Princesses who have their own float. The Blackberry Fayre has developed a tradition with visiting Mayors of Somerset joining the parade in their magnificent robes and chains of office, after the Axbridge Mayors’ annual lunch, held in the Town Hall. The Town Trust provide an amazing array of fun fair amusements that transform Axbridge Town Fair into a complete entertainment arena for the entire weekend. It is quite unique and something not to miss. This year’s Blackberry Fayre is on Saturday September 21st at 2pm. The theme for this year’s Carnival is Movie Mania.

Last year’s winning trade entry and best in show winner the Chamber of Commerce – Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

FOCUS ON AXBRIDGE

A warm welcome

KELIBE Hair & Beauty continues to welcome new and existing clients for a fun, friendly and relaxed experience. As a team they offer services to suit all of their clients’ needs. They use Joico, Wella and Morrocan oil products in the hair salon and Bio Sculpture nail care, including gel nails and Pridara Skincare, in the beauty salon, all of which have been hand-picked by the team to give the best, long lasting and professional finish to your hair and beauty needs. Amy, Helen & Jamie look forward to welcoming new and existing clients to Kelibe.

Jamie’s back

JAMIE Riches has always had an interest in the hairdressing industry and has successfully gained NVQ levels 2 and 3 in hairdressing and level 2 in men’s barbering. He is currently working out of the “Kelibe” salon in Axbridge. After a short sixmonth break out of the industry to travel, he is now back in Somerset. New clients recieve 25% off for their first appointment.

Motel and taxis

Bill and Maria Hobbs have been running the Reservoir View Motel and BBS Taxis, in Axbridge for 13 years. Being close to Cheddar Gorge, Wells, Glastonbury, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and Bath – and only nine miles from Bristol Airport - has made both sides of their business popular. They provide free parking for 14 nights for guests using the airport. Their eight-seater cars cover any journey, local or long distance, and have plenty of luggage space.

DISTANCE NO OBJECT TWO 8-SEATER VEHICLES AVAILABLE

Cheddar Road, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2DL Telephone: 01934 732180 Mobile: 07867 755719 Email: reservoirviewmotel@fsmail.net Website: www.reservoirviewmotel.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 51

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Axbridge Farmers Markets

IN September 2001, the first Somerset Showcase took place in Axbridge to celebrate Somerset crafts, food and drink. Then as now, the Showcase also offered small fairground rides, street entertainers and food to eat on the day. Axbridge Farmers’ Market grew out of this event, joined forces with Somerset Farmers’ Markets, and is now held on the first Saturday of every month with an extra market on a Sunday near Christmas. Axbridge is very fortunate in having a beautiful medieval square which not only provides an ideal setting for the market, but also offers market customers a café, hotel and restaurant, and an historic pub to rest their feet and their shopping. The market has become a real community event and includes a Town Council stall, a Fairtrade stall and a Food Bank collection point. The Christmas market is enriched by the Axbridge Singers. King John’s Hunting Lodge museum opens every morning that the market is on in addition to its normal opening hours. It’s also rumoured that there’s strong competition to book events at the Town Hall to coincide with market day. Despite the recession, Axbridge Farmers’ Market has continued to grow in size and offers an extensive range of local produce including game, duck, chicken, vegetarian and vegan food, and award-winning cheeses. Unlike most town centre markets, many of the Axbridge stallholders live and work in the town – Liz Scott’s farm which is home to her Aberdeen Angus herd is walking distance from the Square. In a recent survey of market customers, one response to the question, “What do you like best about Axbridge Farmers’ Market?” was, “The atmosphere it creates is quite unique and this encourages people to linger, chat and buy”. This captures exactly what Axbridge Farmers’ Market hopes to offer to the town of Axbridge. AXBRIDGE, SOMERSET BS26 2BA

Naturally bred, traditionally reared, Aberdeen Angus beef from the farm, also Chicken, Duck, Pork & Lamb (Free range & naturally fed)

Axbridge couple open two new businesses!

Carol and Baz Hamblin

LAVENDER and Co’s new shop in Axbridge’s medieval square sells products made from the lavender it grows on the slopes above the town. As well as products made from lavender oil, the shop also stocks other gifts and cards. The lavender field itself will be open at weekends this month for people to enjoy the views from these former strawberry fields. It also offers botany walks, with tea and cake, for groups.

George House

GEORGE House in the Square, Axbridge was, in the 18th century, a busy coaching inn. With the coming of the railway in the 19th century it evolved into a splendid hotel and was extensively refurbished about 100 years ago in Edwardian times when The George Hotel was at its peak. It is now the home of a new business which offers a fascinating selection of antiques, curios and collectables and runs regular general auctions where anyone can sell anything from a single item to a complete house clearance. The auctions are held on the third Saturday of every month. You will be amazed at what you will find at George House.

We Are Here! Lavender & Co

Now open from 10am–5pm Wednesday–Saturday

George House, The Square, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AP

George

House

A SELECTION OF ANTIQUES, CURIOS & COLLECTABLES at GEORGE HOUSE, THE SQU ARE, AXBRIDGE and

MONTHLY GENERAL AUCTION George House is pleased to announce regula r m onthly a ucti ons of antiques, collecta bles, curios and g eneral household items. The a ucti ons are held on the third Sat urda y of t he month st arting at 11am. At the LAVENDER FIELD, Axbridge by-pass

See us every month at Axbridge Farmers Market

Shop open: Thurs, Fri 10am–4pm Sat 9am–1pm

0 1 93 4 7 3 33 4 1

moorlandfm@btinternet.com www.moorlandfarm.co.uk

We accept cash, cheques or BACS payment

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Tel: 07818 665729

Email: info@lavenderandco.co.uk Website: www.lavenderandco.co.uk

To ent er items for sal e or for more de tails phone 01934 73 3939 or 07 979 9 94126 . We will a ccept anythi ng from a single it em to a c om plete house clea ra nce . Please note that buyers’ a nd se llers’ premiums are only 12½% a nd there is no VAT. See for yourself how this compares wi th other local sale rooms. Come and enjoy a good old fashioned country auct ion!

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The Crown Inn restored

LINDA Bishop has been busy refurbishing The Crown Inn, in Axbridge, which may well be the oldest pub in the town, dating from the time Axbridge was granted its charter. In the process the builders have found the entrance to an old ochre mine, a well, and an old shoe, which had been put in to the rafters for good luck. They’ve also stripped the pub back to its original stone walls, beamed ceiling and flagstone floors, while adding a new kitchen, toilets, cellar, wheelchair access, four en-suite bed and breakfast rooms, and a separate cottage for Linda to live in next door. Outside the gardens have been landscaped and the skittle alley has been retained. Linda said: “The asbestos ceilings and woodchip wallpaper have all gone. We’ve taken out some internal walls to create more space, while restoring the character of the place. The stone walls really are magnificent.” She took over the pub in 2007 after working as Overseas Casino Development Manager for Ladbrokes.

The Axbridge Fairtrade community café

FOCUS ON AXBRIDGE The Crown Inn

AXBRIDGE

Newly refurbished medieval inn Dogs and children friendly Coming soon – authentic stone-baked pizzas, pasta, ﬁsh Small, fresh daily menu, with a slight Italian feel A choice of four real ales, San Miguel, Carlsberg and Fosters Bed and breakfast rooms available from November Pretty terraced garden G Now recruiting – experienced chef required Open from 5.30pm Monday to Friday From midday Saturday and Sunday 2am closing Friday and Saturday – no admission after 11pm

01934 732518

Axbridge Fun Day

THIS café has been the vision of Sue Albone, Mayoress to husband John, Mayor of Axbridge this year. Supported by a wonderful group of local resident volunteers, it offers a colourful yet quiet haven for a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee with delicious home-made cakes and Fairtrade biscuits for a nominal donation. Little ones are not forgotten with a selection of squashes to choose from and their own table and chairs with many children’s books on hand to entertain them. On sunny days there is a secluded patio to sit and enjoy. The café also has a Fairtrade table with a wide variety of products including tempting chocolate bars for sale and a collection box for donations to the Cheddar Valley Plus Food Bank. It is open every Tuesday afternoon in the Church Rooms, at the top of the Church steps in the Square, between 2pm and 4pm all year. All residents and visitors to Axbridge are most welcome. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 53

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Wedmore street party

Dorothy Snook from Congresbury, pictured with husband Anthony, was voted champion queen.

The Borough was packed

Burtle Silver Band entertained the crowds

Hazel Hudson (left) and Barbara Ellis – the theme this year was Kings and Queens PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Port Reeves Paul Horley (left) and David Tucker

Watching Punch and Judy

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Compton Dando

Having a splashing time

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Chewton Mendip

EVENTS

Pippa Kane and Rufus Comer, both aged four, try out a vintage tractor

The duck race rounded off the day Steph Butler (left) and Laura Boyce raised funds for village organisations

Lads' army, the chaps in charge of the barbie (l to R), Ben Kane, Mark Fraser, James Lott, Phil Jenkins and Simon Morley

Prizegiving MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 55

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A summer circle through Winterhead USING the Strawberry Line, an ancient drover’s road across Mendip and quiet tracks this summer day ramble offers a range of views and landscape in the heart of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Winscombe, through Winterhead, Shipham, Star and Sandford Hill. It’s not a good walk to do in the winter after a lot of rain as the drove can get very muddy. But now it should be fine and enjoyable as it heads east/west just below the main escarpment. There are two main moderate hills but the rest is flat or undulating and it should be within most people’s capability and is a good walk for dogs with no barricaded stiles. There is a good choice of refreshment en route – the Penscot at Shipham, or Lenny’s Cafe, the Star and then back in Winscombe, the welcoming Pantry Cafe and, of course, the Woodborough. PARK: In Sandford Road free car park in the middle of Winscombe, next to the Woodborough Pub. START: Cross the road and turn right a few yards and then left in Nippors Way. This takes you through to a small parade of shops, turn right and come to toilets below the Strawberry Line at Old Station Green.

1. STRAWBERRY LINE The branch line from Yatton, via Cheddar, to Wells was built in 1869-70 by the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company. The Great Western Railway soon took over and the line became an important passenger

With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

and freight line carrying dairy produce, limestone from the quarries and paper making materials. But, it was the Cheddar Strawberries that ensured the line’s success and gave the line the name The Strawberry Line. Go left up the ramp onto the line and turn left, soon going over Woodborough Bridge then continue to follow this flat and easy wildlife corridor through banks of vegetation. Ignore any side turns and paths. Pass the recreation ground and continue all the way until you get to a sign announcing the imminence of Shute Shelve Tunnel. Draw closer to the tunnel. 2. SLADER’S LEIGH Pass wheelchair access to Slader’s Leigh, and shortly turn right up steps into this local nature reserve, a field owned and managed by the Mendip Society. This meadow is a narrow strip of land, part of a much larger Slader’s Leigh, which was left when the Cheddar Valley Railway Line was constructed in 1869. Go gently uphill to the top near which is a magnificent small-leafed lime tree on the left. Come out onto a sunken lane and carry on uphill to go through a barrier onto Winscombe Hill road. Turn left and then take the marked National Trust path on the left of the road, under trees which leads to the A38. Turn left and cross on the second island just before the garage on the hill.

3. WINSCOMBE DROVE Go up the marked bridleway, Winscombe Drove and the route of the West Mendip Way. This climbs fairly steeply at first. Ignore a drive right and then go left to the side of a house and garden, in the direction of Shipham. The drove continues to climb, with some flat bits as respite. Most of it is under trees with views north across the Winterhead valley. Ignore side paths and get a good view left at a gate over Hale Combe. Continue on and eventually come

up and out into the open. Continue on and down and up to the second track left, marked as the West Mendip Way, leaving the Drove. As you go along here look up left to Sidcot Hill.

4. FIELD Opposite sheds and barns for Winterhead Farm, go right over a stile and up a meadow, full of wild flowers when I came. Cross a stone slab stile and maintain direction along the left hedge. Ahead of you is the edge of Shipham. Start to drop downhill. At power lines and just before the hill really plunges down, turn left through a gate opening, leaving the West Mendip Way. The footpath follows the right hedge. Go through into the next field and join a grassy flat track which gently drops down the hill with fine views over the wooded valley below. At the end, bear down right to the corner and cross a stile. Follow the stony path under trees with a small stream alongside and come into the secluded hamlet of Winterhead. 5. WINTERHEAD In the Domesday Book, Winterhead had six households. Today it has about nine. It developed as a mining community like so many other places in the area. Go through nearly to the end of the hamlet, ignoring side paths, and at crossing tracks turn right. Pass cottages left and right and climb. After the Dell on your left, leave Winterhead and continue up. Just past a private turn, fork right up through a metal kissing gate. Follow the path on through two kissing gates and along a residential road to the main road through Shipham. 6. SHIPHAM For the Penscot Farmhouse (down on the right) or Lenny’s Cafe (across the road behind the memorial cross at the side of the green) turn right. There is also a well

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WALKING

stocked shop here. To continue our circle go left along the main road past the primary school, the side road to Sandford and the little 19th century tollhouse. In trees on the left take the public footpath which leads to the spacious village hall. Keep it on your right and maintain direction along the side of the recreation field. Go through a gap under a large ash at the end, over a stile and on, going through bushes and then starting to get good views over the valley ahead to Sandford and Lyncombe Hills. Drop down through humpy bumpy ground. Go over the mound covering a Bristol Water reservoir and drop down the other side.

7. STAR For the Star Inn, go over the pipe stile down on the right before the corner and through a field to the main road and pub. To miss the pub, take the wooden stile in the corner and right down Cheddarcoombe Lane, past miners’ cottages. Cross and turn left along the main road (from the Star, turn right along the main road). After a couple of minutes take the footpath and bridleway track right, Pylewell Lane. Pass a shed on your left and continue to a low breezeblock bulding. Here continue on (not left) following what is now Mapleton Lane track. In one of the fields sloping down from the woodland on the left is the remains of a Roman villa, but there is virtually nothing to see now. Down in the valley on private land is the Wimblestone, a 5ft standing stone on a slight mound and with other stones around. Folklore has it that there is treasure hidden beneath the stone. The stone is said to walk about “when it hears” the clock strike 12, or between midnight and dawn, exposing a heap of gold shining in the moonlight. The track soon climbs quite steeply onto Lyncombe Hill and joins Lyncombe Lane track. Turn left and now simply follow this along the top. 8. WOODS Enter Sandford Woods through a gate soon passing an old quarry on the right. Sandford Quarry dates back to the mid1800s. The carboniferous limestone was used in the construction of many large building projects such as Avonmouth Docks and several railway stations including Temple Meads, Bristol. This stone was also used for making lime, and many lime kilns can still be found in Winscombe. There are still bell pits on Sandford Hill, probably relating to ochre mining in early times. The track drops down as it continues

OS Explorer 141, Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 420 576 7.1 miles, 3 hours walking

through the woodland, passing a sign for Award Lane, used from the late 18th century by the parish to get stone to repair local roads. In 1995 the council decided to use it as a nature reserve and for introducing more footpaths. Stay on the track all the way to the end ignoring Mike’s Path and come out at a cottage, Rose Cottage.

9. COTTAGE Here, don’t carry on, but turn back sharply left on a grass track which soon becomes a path. Follow this past a building which is a former toilet for Italian POWs who were working two limekilns nearby. Go right down steps with a wooden handrail, down through a kissing gate and straight on down a drive, probably meeting the donkeys in the field on the right. Bend left and then right, gently following the drive up, past another donkey – apparently this one stubbornly refuses to leave his paddock to join the others!

10. SHIPHAM LANE Join Shipham Lane and turn right continuing to Sandford Batch and the main Sandford Road. Go across down Ilex Lane. 11. RAIL BRIDGE Cross the stone bridge over the Strawberry Line and then immediately turn left following a path down to join the old railway. Continue on along the line. A stretch of this does not follow the original

line which is now part of several gardens but then it bends to join the old route.

12. OLD STATION Carry on all the way to Old Station Green, a pleasant area to finish your walk. Pass a diorama platform and then the dramatic stone sculpture depicting two curved vertical rail lines. This was carved out of coarse-grained limestone from Doulting Quarry – the same stone used for Wells Cathedral. Come to the old siding, with a rail still in place, where a holiday camping coach used to be sited to give families a cheap base for vacations in the country. The platform is preserved, and a time-line of local and world events inserted along its length. Drop down onto the road back to Winscombe. Turn up the main street and near the junction at the end is the Pantry Tea Shop (closed Sundays) for a welcome cuppa and excellent cake and snacks. It’s run by Quinn Macarthy and his wife. Penscot Farmhouse,tel: 01934 842659. Lenny’s Cafe, closed Mon, Sat and Sunday but open 11am-3pm during the rest of the week. Run by volunteers of St Leonard’s Church and Shipham Ladies. Serves light homemade snacks, cakes, coffee and tea. The Star, Star, tel: 01934 844488 The Pantry, Winscombe, tel: 01934 707937. Open Mon-Fri and Sat, 8.30am to 6pm. After September it closes at 4.30 on Saturdays.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 59

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West Countryman’s Diary IT is really difficult to sit down at the computer when the breeze is blowing through the open window, the sun is shining and the scent With LES of clematis drifts into DAVIES MBE the room. Like many others, I am feeling so good with the arrival of what I am hoping is summer. How different this is from last July. I see fields cut for hay and drying in no time at all, not quite cut and bale in a day, but very close to it. Seeing this both lifts my heart and feeds my soul with good feelings, perhaps this will be the summer we have waited so long for. Wild flowers are around in plenty and not least in the grassland at St Hugh’s Church at Charterhouse. It is so nice to see that the grass is still being allowed to come to full height before cutting and the human desire to tidy up and straighten everything is being resisted. I am not opposed to straight lines and tidy surroundings in their place, the orchard and my garden are areas in which I strive to achieve such conformity. Here in the little patch of grassland of the church yard is a wonderful collection of common spotted orchid; vetch; plantain and pig nut to name but a few. At one time this patch of grass was surveyed by the Somerset Environmental Records Office because of its diversity and as an example of unspoilt Mendip grassland. The door on the outbuilding was locally made with open windows to allow nesting birds freedom of access and a sign above proclaims that it was funded by English Nature (now Natural England), through a scheme called ‘Living Churchyards’. As Warden I obtained that funding and helped establish the grassland management regime that I am pleased to see is still enhancing the wild plant diversity of this little bit of Mendip. Once all the seed has set, the grass will be cut in late July and everything tidied up ready for autumn and winter. Sitting on the wall at the back of my house is a spanner from my collection of redundant rural and agricultural paraphernalia. It’s from a Bamford mower and proudly proclaims itself to be ‘No 5’. I remember these mowers from a time before the name J.C Bamford became synonymous with the wheeled and tracked

excavation machinery that JCB are now world famous for producing. I’m far too young to remember the horse-drawn mowers in use, but the tractorpulled version of the Bamford trailer mower I do remember. These mowers were certainly a ‘lumpy bit of kit’, with cast drive wheels and axle that housed the drive mechanism to power the reciprocating knife via a wooden con-rod. This con-rod converted the rotary drive from a crown gear and pinion housed in the axle. The ‘in and out of gear’ was achieved through a short, heavy looking gear lever located on the back of the mower’s drive axle, so that the machine could be trailed between jobs. Sharpening the knife entailed it being removed from the cutter bar with a long hook, (not unlike the mystery object that was baffling museum staff in the last edition of Mendip Times). The knife was a series of triangular segments riveted to a flat bar. These segments were sharpened with a file, normally done on any handy gate, with the help of two very simple clamps. Once completed the whole thing was replaced into the cutter bar with its finger points and ‘ledger plate’, which the segments cut against, (same principle as a hedge cutter). There was an awful lot of clattering when this machine went to work, and it didn’t travel at high speed, so there was time for the wildlife to get out of the way in safety. The work rate was lower, but so was the fuel consumption. Agriculture was different then, and it, like everything else, has had to move forward. I paid a visit to the new wetlands project at Steart recently to see how work is going to provide both sea defence and wildlife conservation into the future. The project is being run by the Environment Agency and will eventually be managed by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, (WWT) better known for their Slimbridge site

OUTDOORS

started by Sir Peter Scott. It covers some 500 hectares and will cost around £20 million to complete; it is arguably the largest wetland project in the UK. Rising sea levels led to a loss of 20% of salt marsh habitat in Kent between 1973-1988. Sea levels will continue to rise and the current sea defences around Steart will not remain effective – it’s also unfeasible to maintain them. The Steart project will disperse wave energy and reduce erosion through a series of creek systems that have been established. Over time these systems will ‘naturalise’ and the whole area will become valuable salt marsh habitat. Grazing will again return to the salt marsh, with farming playing its role in keeping the vegetation under control and producing meat for our consumption. It is hoped that the outer sea defences could be breached near the mouth of the River Parrett as early as September this year, with flooding of the area expected up to 100 times a year. There will be public access and recreational benefits, the Parrett Trail will be realigned and new access routes created. There is no such thing as ‘instant countryside’, so it will take time to mature. If you want to know more, tap “Steart Wetland Project” into your search engine to find the website. Last month’s picture was on the edge of Pelting Drove from Priddy – Norman Chivers’ shed and the beech windbreak were the clues for me. This painting has already been sold in Peter Coates’ exhibition at Wells and MendipMuseum. This month’s picture starts a different theme, it’s from my collection of rural ironmongery, but what is it, and what did it do? My new website is up and running, so please take a look at: westcountryman.co.uk where you can contact me as well.

I’m always happy to hear from you, so drop me a line at Les.Davies@westcountryman.org.uk

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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YEO VALLEY

Sunshine, Glastonbury and a great Land Rover give-away! WITH summer now in full swing we have been out and about enjoying the sunshine. Hay making can be challenging on the Mendips and last year was particularly awkward with most crops snatched between the downpours. So, this year we have been making the most of the beautiful weather and making lots of hay while the sun shines. While there is still a cooling breeze at Yoxter Farm to keep the cows comfortable when they are out in the fields grazing, the cows at Holt Farm are feeling the effects of the heat. Most days in this weather we leave the yard gates open at Holt Farm and the cows wander back into the cool of the shed around 10am and stay inside until afternoon milking before returning outside for the night. The return of Glastonbury Festival this year saw us back in position, just round the corner from the Pyramid Stage, selling our tasty yeogurt and ice cream. There were a few rain showers at the beginning of the weekend but things soon brightened up, helping us to achieve record sales. We sold over 32,000 pots to sun kissed festival goers with our Frozen Strawberry Yeogurt being the most popular choice. We tried something a little different this year and instead of our usual stand we took a tipi which offered customers a shady place to sit and enjoy their treats. Once again we provided limited edition ‘bags for life’ to festival goers as they arrived on site; perfect for transporting their Glastonbury guide, picnic blanket and a couple of cans of cider! We were very pleased to spot them being used all over the festival during the weekend. Last month also saw us return to the North Somerset Schools’ Countryside Day. The event which was attended by over 2,000 local primary school children aimed to increase awareness of food production and took them through the journey from ‘plough to plate.’ We took our purple Bedford truck along for the day and our Education Team including West Countryman Les Davies MBE and Helen Woodward, biologist and environmental expert, were on hand talking to children about insects and which are helpful or harmful to organic farming. The children particularly enjoyed holding the mini beasts and were keen to discover more creepy crawlies in a rotten log and ‘Bug Hotel’ which Les and Helen had created for the day. This event marked the end of a busy school year; the team have reached over 4,500 children through assemblies and visits to Wills Barn. The team will now take a break over the summer ready to start a new programme in the autumn.

You may remember that in April we held an on-pack competition offering our consumers the chance to win a Land Rover Freelander. Well last month we were very excited to join the lucky winner at Taunton Land Rover as he was handed the keys and got behind the wheel of his new car for the first time. Father of four Tony Graham from Tamworth, entered the onpack competition three times to win the £25,000 vehicle. From over one million entries he was named the winner, Tony said: ‘When I entered the competition, I never thought I would win, so when I received the phone call from Yeo Valley telling me I’d won the car I was completely shocked. Our family really needed a new car but we’ve been putting off the expense, so this means so much to us. I can’t wait to pull up in the driveway and show everyone – I keep pinching myself so I know I’m not dreaming.’ After being shown all the bells and whistles at Taunton Land Rover, the couple’s first journey was up to Yeo Valley HQ in Blagdon for a delicious lunch and farm tour. We will be out and about for the rest of the summer taking our ice cream van packed full of goodies to local fairs and fetes, so if you see us do come and say hello!

Yeo Valley is a family-owned farming and dairy processing business based in Blagdon and will be bringing us a monthly report on their activities. The Holt Farms organic farming operation has 1250 acres on the Mendip Hills and in the Yeo Valley beside Blagdon Lake. www.yeovalley.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 61

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I n pr a i s e o f h y dr a ng ea s AUGUST can often seem a difficult month in the garden. The abundant flowers of May, June and July have gone over and the With MARY autumnal “bloomers” PAYNE MBE are yet to come. The recent spell of hot weather has contributed to the problem with lawns starting to dry up and borders starting to wilt. It is also far too tempting to buy plants that perform early in the season and forget that August will always come around. A simple solution to add colour from shrubs in August is to use hydrangeas. Once the blousy pink or blue mopheads were very out of fashion, but like many things in life, fashions come around again, and hydrangeas are now definitely IN. One cannot but admire their length of the flowering season. The buds appear in June and by July are in full swing ready to give of their best in August, but it does not end there. Many retain their flower heads and the colours change as they age, often retaining attractive shades well into autumn. If the heads are cut and dried the colours just last and last. Most hydrangeas prefer a little light shade and a bit of moisture but you see them growing in full sun with no apparent source of moisture and they appear very contented. Many of the small types can be grown in pots giving you the opportunity to turn the pink ones blue by the addition of Hydrangea Colourant, available from your local garden centre. This product is simply aluminium sulphate and it is the aluminium that gives them their blue colouring. In an alkaline (chalky) soil the aluminium gets locked up so the plants cannot extract it. In a naturally acid soil this does not happen. However a white hydrangea cannot be turned blue or pink. New varieties are being marketed every year but the old ones still hold good. The old varieties of Lacecap hydrangeas, with their large flat heads of flowers surrounded by sterile florets, such as ‘White Wave’, and ‘Blue Wave’ (or pink) are still hard to beat but more recent varieties including ‘Zoro’ and PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

‘Twist and Shout’ offer easier pruning as they will flower on new growth, as well as the previous season’s wood. ‘Zoro’ also has striking black stems which are an asset during the winter months. If the mopheads appeal to you then ‘Madame Moulliere’ is an excellent white, ‘Masja’ is deep pink (and does not go blue), while ‘All Summer Beauty’ can be pink or blue and flowers on both old and new wood. The Hydrangea serrata varieties tend to be smaller and prefer moister, shadier conditions coming from the woods of central Japan. Their more modest stature makes them more suitable for smaller gardens and for growing in pots. H. serrata ‘Tiara’ offers delicate heads of pink or blue with excellent autumnal foliage tints. Hydrangea paniculata produces giant conical heads of flowers usually starting white and fading to shades of pink as the season progresses. For the largest flower heads these varieties, such as ‘Phantom’, can be hard pruned in spring, removing all but a couple of inches of the previous season’s growth. ‘Limelight’ has lime green heads that mature to white while ‘Vanille Fraise’ starts white and deepens to a strong pink. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is a great favourite. She has enormous heads of white flowers if hard pruned in spring or more numerous heads of small flowers if left un-pruned. The choice is yours. Do not be tempted by ‘Pink Annabelle’ as the stems are too weak to support the flower heads sufficiently. For larger gardens the dramatic foliage

Hydrangeas Preziosa'

of Hydrangea aspera grows to three metres or more with large hairy leaves and broad heads of lace-cap style flowers. This prefers a sheltered position in a shady spot. For a shady corner the oak-leaved hydrangea, H. quercifolia, offers handsome foliage which takes on good autumnal tints and plumes of creamy white flowers. The so called climbing hydrangea, often seen, is H. petiolaris, which loses its leaves in winter but is a useful selfclinging climber for a North facing wall. It is a bit slow to get off the starting blocks when planted but then takes off at a great pace. Hydrangea seemanii is evergreen, and also self-clinging, but needs a slightly warmer aspect. I have left a great all-rounder until last. Hydrangea ‘Preziosa’ is one of my favourites. The foliage is bronze tinted when young becoming flushed with purple during summer and turning to dark red in autumn. The smallish flower heads are pink (purple on acid soil) and appear from June onwards. It grows to about one metre. If you thought you did not like hydrangeas why not give them another try. They have so much to offer for late summer and you may yet change your mind. Gardening Classes – I will be running these popular classes again in the autumn at Cadbury Garden Centre. To register an interest please phone the Garden Centre on 01934 875700 and ask for Customer Services, saying you wish to join Mary Payne’s Monday morning gardening class.

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GARDENING

AUGUST GARDEN TIPS

G Reliable hardy annuals and biennials can still be sown. Californian poppies (Escholscholzia) are so easy and should be sown directly into a well prepared seed bed in full sun where they are to flower. Brompton Stock, Forget Me Not and Sweet Williams are old favourites that are best sown in a row to be transplanted to the flower border in autumn. G Take cuttings of Fuchsias, Pelargoniums and other tender plants now. Either use a half and half mix of Vermiculite or Perlite and compost with the cut ends dipped in fresh hormone rooting powder and the top covered with a thin clear polythene bag (leave Pelargoniums uncovered). G Keep the show going in your pots and baskets by increasing feeds of Miracle Gro or Phostrogen and regularly removing fading flowers (don’t let them set seed!) G Remove the leading shoot when your greenhouse tomatoes have set five trusses of fruit. This will encourage all the fruit to ripen before late autumn. Regular feeding with a tomato feed will help and also makes the fruit tastier! G Take cuttings of border pinks (Dianthus) this month. They root easily, even in a glass of water, and it is a plant that benefits from being regularly rejuvenated with ‘new’ plants. G Check greenhouses for whitefly. They are a little bigger than midges and will fly up in clouds if you disturb them. Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

PERFECT PAVE LTD

Patios Block Paving Driveways t: 01934 740163

www.perfectpave.com MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Beside the seaside

Lowarth Garden and Landscape Design Chelsea Flower Show Silver Gilt medal winner

< Beautiful, practical gardens < Inspiring planting < High quality hard landscaping < Treehouses and other structures < We aim to exceed your expectations Please contact us to arrange a free consultation Alistair Barlow Mobile: 07971 264261 Tel: 01373 812031 Website: www.lowarth.com

Earth Timber Stone is a wildlife garden design specialist, based in the Chew Valley, Bristol. If you're looking for a relaxing, stylish garden that's been professionally designed to exceed your garden requirements, look no further. Contact us now for a free consultation (daytime or evening) or visit our website to see more of what we do.

‘BARUM’ is an informal third of an acre plantsman’s garden in Clevedon, gently sloping to the south-east, with an unusually mild, coastal micro-climate which has been exploited to include many unusual and tender plants from around the world. Marian and Roger Peacock found a largely neglected garden in 1991, which has been reclaimed by hacking back large areas and planting an eclectic collection. There is a patio with raised fountain bed, a pergola of climbers including a Dregea sinensis that exudes a powerful aroma throughout July and August. The top section of the garden contains three areas growing flowering shrubs, with one successfully growing acid preferring plants despite the garden being on the limestone bedrock. Beyond a trellis is another eight beds, one with a collection of succulents, another with two Iochroma australis (white and blue flowered), also a Grevillea rosmarinifolia and many other plants from the southern hemisphere. There is also a vegetable patch. NGS opening details: Thursdays: August 1st, 8th and 15th, 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Admission: £3.00, children free. Contact Information: Marian and Roger Peacock 01275 341584 barum@blueyonder.co.uk Website: www.barum.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk ‘Barum’, 50 Edward Road, Clevedon, BS21 7DT.

Find us on Facebook for regular wildlife gardening tips and advice.

Professional Tree Surgeons and Consultants 01761 241871 info@alltree.co.uk www.alltree.co.uk PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk

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Guides get gardening

WHEN Blagdon guides heard about the RHS Edible Britain Campaign they decided that the scheme fitted very nicely with their desire to be involved in more community projects this year. The initiative will see community gardening groups and schools create 2,000 edible gardens in public spaces across the UK. The guides made contact with Blagdon Orchard Group and Wild Tree Services for help. Once fully established the guides were able to place planters with herbs around the village. Guide Freya said: “Edible Britain is about improving the environment, enhancing lives and bringing communities together through gardening. It will see new public herb and vegetable gardens planted across the UK, bringing access to tasty produce to thousands.” This is just one of several community projects the Blagdon guides have been involved with this year. If you are interested in helping get in touch with Janet Hellier on 01761 462039.

GARDENING

Tree Stump removal and Stump Grinding Services throughout the South West

See our website at www.groundlevelcontractors.co.uk or e-mail us at info@groundlevelcontractors.co.uk Prefer to talk to us? Tel: 01934 710135 • Mob: 07799 014639 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Timberwork Buildings Bespoke buildings to suit you We specialise in the manufacture of quality standard and bespoke garden buildings to suit your individual needs including:-

GARDENING

Norton Green Farm Nursery and Garden Centre WELCOMES YOU THIS SUMMER • Summer bedding plants, Hanging Baskets, Planted Containers, etc • Comprehensive range of fertilisers, pest control, weedkillers and lawn treatments • Terracotta, Glazed and Plastic pots, Troughs, etc • Composts, Mulches and Barks • Wild Bird feeds and treats • National Garden Gift vouchers sold and redeemed • Selection of plants, including Roses, Climbers, Shrubs and Trees etc

WORKSHOPS/GARAGES GARDEN SHEDS SHELTERS & STABLES PLAYHOUSES

Also available: • Decorative aggregates, sand, gravel, paving & walling, etc • Fencing, posts & trellis etc.

Let our dedicated team assist you in your choice whatever your budget . . . Full design, installation and delivery service available – customise your shed to suit your needs

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PENNY YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT US AND SEE OUR SHOW MODELS – OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

THE TIMBERYARD • SHUTE SHELVE • CROSS • NEAR AXBRIDGE Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk e.mail: timberbuildings@aol.com

R M

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CRUSHED CONCRETE All sizes graded and single size

ROAD PLANINGS LIAS STONE Hand dressed for house building

Large or small quantities supplied Delivered or collected

01761 241387 www.pennyplant.com PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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PROPERTY

Buyers return to the market

THE South West housing market continues to show signs of recovery, with rising house prices and increased demand, says the latest RICS Residential Market Survey. It found 21 per cent more chartered surveyors in the South West reported prices rising rather than falling, making this the strongest month for house prices since February 2010. The outlook for future prices is showing signs of improving with 12 per cent more respondents reporting that prices will rise rather than fall over the coming three months. This rise in prices has mainly been fuelled by increasing numbers of prospective buyers returning to the South West market. Last month, a net balance of 35 per cent more chartered surveyors reported a rise in new buyer enquiries. In a clear sign that market confidence is gradually being restored, and that funding schemes are making a difference, demand from prospective buyers has been in positive territory since January. Reflecting this slightly more positive mood, surveyors also expect home sales in the South West to rise over the coming three months, with a net balance of 56 per cent more respondents (from 29 per cent in May) predicting sales will increase. This is the most positive reading in this series’ history, which began in April 1999. Despite the increasing appetite to purchase property and the added support to do so, the rental market continues to be important in providing housing. Overall demand for rented property rose to a net balance of 57 per cent (from 26 per cent).

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE

AUGUST 2012

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Chilcompton celebrates

Mandy Broadway and Dougie perform on the live music stage

Megan, 12, helps create a colourful willow sculpture at the Forest School stand

Paulton parties

Scrumpy the barn owl with Phil Dampier. The pair were helping to promote the Hawk and Owl Trust’s work at Shapwick, near Glastonbury

Chef and cookery school owner Bini Ludlow with Rob Ware, one of her former pupils PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

DESPITE the sweltering heat, almost 1,000 people turned up to Paulton’s Party in the Park. The event was opened by the village’s reigning Queen, Dorothy Bull, who is pictured with the Rev Guy Edwards and Jenette Ford from Poppies flower shop.

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EVENTS

Beckington Village Day

Members of The Lawmen, a wild west show team. Members come from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and Gloucester. Its chairman is Martin Frankham (Doc), from Weston-superMare

Plant stall holder Chris Balch, enjoys a few moments of peace in the sun

Gemma Turnbull, from Beckington, raised more than £1,200 for Dorothy House Hospice by having her head shaved. Her efforts were in memory of her uncle, Simon Lindley, who died in the hospice in 2007 and her step-brother Guy Websper, who died there last year

Organisers of this year’s Beckington go-kart rally staged mini races on the playing field. The main event takes place on Sunday, September 29th. As last year, all proceeds will be shared between Beckington preschool and the youth development programme at Beckington Cricket Club. For more information, visit: www.beckingtongok artrally.co.uk

Some of the children from the village’s Springmead School who sang on the main stage

Malcolm King, who runs Mushin Shotokan Karate in Beckington, demonstrates some of his skills MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 69

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Love your Landie!

LAND Rover lovers flocked to Shepton Mallet for a weekend of 4x4 action and displays. The Bristol and West Land Rover Show at the Royal Bath and West showground celebrated 60 years of the iconic vehicle – in all its guises.

A monster truck in the display arena

Layci Griffiths enjoys a ride in a model Land Rover brought to the show by her parents who are members of the Birmingham Land Rover Group

Not for the faint-hearted: the driver of a Range Rover pushes on through four feet of water and mud

Ex-military clubs took part in the static demonstrations

The permanent off-road course at the showground offered people the chance to test their skills PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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MOTORING

SHIPHAM MOTOR GROUP Turnpike Road, Shipham, Winscombe BS25 1TX

• • • • •

Volvo Warranty Compliant Independent Servicing on New Cars Volvo Accredited Master Technician Specialist Volvo Diagnostics and Software Downloads 01934 842350 Air Conditioning www.shipham.co.uk MOT Testing Volvo Parts & Accessories

VOLVO

With a vast experience of old and new models, you can be sure that your Volvo will receive the highest quality service but without Main Dealer prices!

co FR u E ca rte E rs sy

•

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES MG ROVER & LAND ROVER SPECIALIST

Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs ALL MAKES SERVICING – VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, AIR CONDITIONING, MECHANICAL & BODY REPAIRS Collection/Loan Car by arrangement

MOT TESTING STATION

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ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE

BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY SERVICE

QUALITY USED CARS

Your peace of mind is our priority

CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY BS40 6PG Telephone: 01761 462275 (24hrs) www.ubleymotors.co.uk

For servicing, repairs and sales of all makes of caravans and motorhomes

Bailey approved body shop and workshop

G Caravan Servicing G Annual Habitation Checks G Alu-Tech Bailey Approved Repairers G Warranty Maintained G Damp Repairs G Accident Repairs G Insurance Repairs G Accessory Fitting

Our shop stocks a full range of accessories and equipment

Open Monday - Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday 9am–1pm

Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 71

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Stunning setting

THE Wellsway offers a diverse setting for any occasion. Nestled between the rolling Mendip Hills and the stunning Chew Valley, this once country pub is exclusively yours to hire. Join them on Wednesday September 18th for their Pamper night with a wedding twist. Try mini-treatments and enjoy a spot of retail therapy or relax and unwind with a drink from their licensed bar. The Wellsway stands out from the crowd. Enjoy a celebration with them, organised and styled by their inhouse event’s co-ordinator or select and arrange all the details yourself; from caterers and entertainment to table settings and decoration. Contact them for a no obligation look around at a time suited to you.

Lap of luxury

CHEW Valley Hire provide luxury mobile showers and portable toilet units for small and major events throughout the South West and are the largest suppliers to the Glastonbury Festival (VIP and backstage). This recent picture shows how the units were built into the wedding marquee adding a touch of elegance and saving the guests having to go outside. A company spokesman said: “Our clients don’t always have the toilets draped and their own staircase built so this was very special.”

Toasting the bride and groom

ALTHOUGH a national organisation, The Toastmaster Partnership is centred here in the South West, and prides itself on offering the best value in the country. Each toastmaster is fully qualified and membership determines his appearance and working practice. The fees are also as competitive as any in the UK. When you have made all the decisions about how you want your wedding to run, the receiving line, speeches etc., the toastmaster will ensure your wishes are carried out, while offering advice to those who will speak, about the giving of gifts and the proposal of toasts. To add that extra something that will ensure your day runs smoothly and to time, contact the Toastmaster Partnership.

Toastmaster

• Arranging to meet both Bride and Groom prior to the wedding day to discuss their wishes regarding the receiving line, speeches etc. • To ensure that both Bride and Groom, together with the host and hostess fully enjoy the special day with the relaxed assurance that someone is present who will organise the occasion in a friendly and informal manner and advise them during the period of the civil ceremony and reception. THIS IS WHERE THE TOASTMASTER PROVES INVALUABLE

John Lambert LRAM ARCM FTCL LGSM

– 01934 713761 –

www.johnplambert.co.uk • e-mail: john@johnplambert.co.uk The Toastmaster Partnership

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Coach house wins award

PENNARD House is a beautiful Georgian manor mouse situated in 130 acres of glorious woodland, meadows and apple orchards at

East Pennard near Shepton Mallet. The house has been in the same family for more than 200 years and is now available for weddings and private events. The 18th Century Coach House at Pennard House is not just an ideal flexible event space for 50-200 people but it is also the winner of a major award. It has been named the best small commercial building in the Local Authority Building Control awards scheme for the South West. Designed by Llewellyn Harker architects and completed by builders SM Brine Ltd, The Coach House is laid out over two floors, with state of the art lighting and sound systems, a dance floor, bar, intimate seating booths and modern facilities. At the same time it retains the historic fabric of the building and period features, including wooden stable stalls, iron troughs, cobbled flooring and large coach doors. LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: “The Coach House is a wonderfully converted 18th century coach and stable building, aesthetically renovated to provide a flexible modern space. Its success is a testament to the close working relationship developed between the owners, builder and local building control.” Paul added: “Our regional building excellence awards are an opportunity to celebrate good practice. All our winners demonstrated how attention to detail and a positive working relationship with Building Control departments can achieve high quality and sustainable buildings fit for the future. Our awards are unique because they recognise how the work of local authority surveyors helps to improve building standards and boost sustainability and efficiency.”

FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

Classic wedding flowers

CLASSIC Flower Designs are well known for their country style flowers. Seasonal flowers, herbs and foliage are blended together to make natural looking designs, each one created to the bride’s individual ideas. From their shop in the heart of the Chew Valley, they offer a bespoke service that includes as many consultations as you need in the shop or wedding venue, delivery of all your flowers and they’ll even move your arrangements to a second venue on the day! Classic Flower Designs can create all your flowers for your wedding day. From pretty bouquets, which smell as good as they look, to table centres, pedestals, buttonholes, flowers for the cake or your hair – all things are possible! They are recommended florists at Folly Farm and work regularly at Ston Easton Park and Coombe Lodge. So you can be sure you’re in safe and experienced hands. Get in touch soon to discuss your wedding – it’s never too early to book!

The Wedding Florists based in the heart of the Chew Valley. Natural, country lowers for your wedding day

A traditional %lower shop selling cut %lowers, planted containers and ready to go arrangements. You can also buy gifts, handmade treats and cards.

You can -ind them at Unit 5, Fairseat Workshops, Stoke Hill, Chew Stoke, Bristol BS40 8XF Tel: 01275 333095/0780 1953638 • www.classic-lowerdesigns.co.uk ‘Seasonal %lowers, herbs and foliage mixed with a little country chic . . . the English cottage garden in a bouquet’

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 72

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Choice and quality

THE Bridal Boutique has become a little gem in the small village of Winscombe. Opened just over a year and a half ago by Claire Cooke, it has already established its wellknown name through its beautiful collections and friendly team. They have created a boutique that offers superior quality designer collections with modern styling and timeless romanticism, giving their brides a bespoke range of dresses to choose from The boutique stocks a range of top designers such as Alan Hannah, Mia Mia, Timeless Couture, Watters and WToo and Venus as well as a beautiful collection of “must have accessories” from Rainbow club, Elen Henderson and Alan Hannah. Their experienced friendly team offer one-on-one consultations giving all brides-to-be a unique and memorable experience in a friendly environment.

Becky’s classic designs INSPIRED by the ancient Greeks, Becky Steward decided there was just one name suitable for her new bespoke floristry business: Flowers of the Hesperides. Floristry is a new venture for the 24-year-old, who lives near Cameley. Becky had been studying in London for a degree in Classics and was considering a move into law when a chance meeting with a florist led to a complete change of career. Becky returned to the family home and completed a course in Bath with the Tallulah Rose Flower School before deciding to take the plunge and start her own business. Running Flowers of the Hesperides means a frequent 5.30am start for Becky with a visit to Bristol Flower Market. After a discussion with a bride-to-be about the theme of her wedding day, Becky will Bespoke flowers for any occasion, including free deliveries within the Bath and Bristol areas

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Becky prepares flowers in the stable she uses as a workroom

get to work on a mood board, creating a powerpoint demonstration to ensure all the details are exactly right. Becky, who has started to attend wedding fairs in the area, said: “The response from clients has been very positive.” Weddings are Becky’s priority but she will also provide flowers for funerals, birthdays and other occasions. Becky also believes that her unusual career path can provide inspiration for other young people: “As my business grows I want to be able to take on workers and also provide classes. But my long term goal is to become a business coach, in particular, for young people. “I want to encourage people to realise that, if you are determined to succeed, it is always possible to change your career path.”

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Sit back, relax and enjoy your day . . .

tel: 01934 843800 web: thebridalboutique.biz

• Peace of Mind • Flexibility • Fabulous food • High levels of service • Years of experience

Contact Becky on 07765 892004 or becky@flowersofthehesperides.co.uk Find us at www.flowersofthehesperides.co.uk or www.facebook.com/flowersofthehesperides

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36A Woodborough Rd, Winscombe, BS25 1AG PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Call us all now on 01275 333308 or visit our website @ www.toplinecatering.co.uk

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Tipi team on a high

FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

FOLLOWING another succesful event at Queen Square for Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, the tipi team are currently setting up weddings and events across the country. With over 30,000 people visiting the tipi village at Queen Square, the team were very proud to present the new formation of tipis that created the main arena where live music, bars and tapas restaurant were situated. Tipi Events have a wide range of services not to mention their stunning tents that provide an inspriational event whatever the theme. The Giant Hat Tipi structures can come fully equipped with flooring, heating, designed interiors and atmospheric lighting. You can also download their brand new APP from itunes and design your own event, floor plan and quote so search for INVENT A TENT – TAP OUT A TIPI APP. If you are interested or simply want a brochure then please email info@tipievents.co.uk or phone on 01934 862156

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 74

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More than poppies

THE Street Branch of The Royal British Legion has made a donation to the Amenities Fund at Somerset Legion House, Weston-SuperMare. Keith Moore from Street is pictured making the presentation to Bryan Irwin. Somerset Legion House on the seafront offers 47 en-suite bedrooms to serving and exservicemen and women and/or their dependants who are in genuine need of a break.

Flying high for charity

THE Lions clubs of Radstock and Midsomer Norton welcomed other clubs from throughout the area to their tenth charity golf day. Penny Lawrence, from Great Western Air Ambulance, is pictured above receiving a cheque for £1,000 from president elect Trevor Hipwood (left), with competition organisers, Derek Yelling and Geoff Moore. Meanwhile the club presented a cheque for £3,153.50 to Bath Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends appeal, towards a new cancer centre. Pictured below (l to r) are Margaret Small, fundraising committee member, president Robert Briggs presenting the cheque to Zoe Tainton, the charity’s community fundraiser, Barry Rogers, concert organiser, and president elect Trevor Hipwood.

Legion there for generations to come

Jane Wood (second left) receives a certificate of appreciation from Sue Potepa, from the Royal British Legion, as branch chairman Jane Norris (left), new appeal organiser Maggy Daniell and Dickon Moore, the mayor of Frome look on

FOUR generations of people – including veterans of the Second World War – attended the official handover of the Poppy Appeal in Frome from long-standing organiser Jane Wood to Maggy Daniell. The handover took place on June 6th, the anniversary of the DDay Landings and one of the people present – Charlie Boswell – saw action in the early stages of the landings. Another veteran present at the handover event was Denis Edwards. Some 50 people attended the gathering, at Frome Cricket Club, including cadets from the ATC. The commanding officers of the ACF were also present, as was the newly elected mayor of Frome, Dickon Moore. Jane Norris, chairman of the Frome and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, paid tribute to the veterans, noting the date, and to Jane Wood – in the six years she was in charge, the annual appeal raised more than £130,000. Regional fundraiser Sue Potepa presented Jane with a certificate and a special ornamental brooch, and read out a letter of appreciation from the national Head of Poppy Appeal.

Four generations: some of the guests at the legion event in Frome. The Standard Bearer is Bill Baxter.

To find out more about the Frome branch of the RBL, contact Jane Norris on: 07776 208531. If anyone can spare a couple of hours to help with the Poppy Appeal in November, phone Maggy Daniell on: 07854 818286.

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Ambulance aid

THE Great Western Air Ambulance, the oldest in service in the UK, is in need of replacement and Somerset Freemasons have donated £2,000 towards the campaign to raise £250,000 towards leasing a new helicopter, which would be four minutes faster from its Bristol base to the scene of an incident in North Somerset. Details: www.greatwesternairambulance.com 0303 444 999 • www.pglsomerset.org.uk

Science can be fun

Volunteers update

CHARITIES

SOMERSET Sight, the local charity for people who are visually impaired, held a meeting at Coxley Memorial Hall, Wells for some of its volunteer visitors in Mendip. Anne Fowler, the charity’s training officer, gave refresher training on guiding people who are visually impaired. The volunteer visitors are pictured wearing Simspecs which simulate different types of sight loss. Claire Packwood, the local co-ordinator, gave an update on changes to the service telling the volunteers that so far in 2013 they and others have given approximately 1,000 hours of their time to helping people who are visually impaired, many of whom have no sight at all. Anne gives interactive free talks to groups and schools and can be contacted on 01823 333818. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer or know someone who may benefit from the service get in touch with Claire on 01643 708382.

Summer of fun

SOROPTIMISTS International of Weston-super-Mare held its fifth Skirting Science event, encouraging girls to consider a career in science, at Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College. Over 160 girls from all over North Somerset and Bristol took part in the event, which won a project award in 2011 at the Convention of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation with 90,000 members, which concentrates on issues affecting women and girls. Organiser, Ruth Thomas, said: “Skirting Science has been extremely successful this year and the feedback from the girls and their teachers very positive. One girl said that she has realised that science can be more exciting than just equations and lab coats.”

WESTON-super-Mare RNLI volunteers are planning a series of activities to help pay for improvements to their launching facilities. First up is the RNLI Raft Race to be held on the Marine Lake on Saturday July 27th. On Thursday, August 15th there will be a sandcastle building competition and on Sunday August 18th Newfoundland dogs will rescue anyone who has raised £100 in sponsorship. Details: www.westonrnli.org.uk or from Don Sutherland 07720 579144.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 77

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Drivers triumph at RDA national finals

The Somerset Levels Carriage-Driving Group’s team of support volunteers and rosette-winning drivers – and their ponies (Millie left and Beryl right).

FOUR Somerset disabled drivers secured rosettes at the first ever carriage-driving event at the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) National Finals. Having qualified for the National Finals at a South West regional event in May, all four members of the Somerset Levels RDA Carriage-Driving Group came away with rosettes in the two carriage-driving classes. The Novice Class was won by Somerset Levels RDA CarriageDriving Group member, Julia Gibson, driving the group’s 21-yearold New Forest pony, Beryl. Second place was taken by the Somerset team’s Louise Blanch, driving the group’s “gentle mare”, Millie. Competing against established national drivers in the Open Class, the Somerset group’s Yolanda Hansford took fourth place, driving Millie, while fellow group member, Ann Turner, drove Beryl to sixth place. Chair of Somerset Levels RDA Carriage-Driving Group, Caroline Sturgess, said: “We were thrilled that the RDA National Finals now includes carriage-driving. It was a fantastic day and, provided we qualify, we look forward to attending again next year. We must thank the many volunteers who supported our four competitors at this inaugural event, staged at Hartpury College, near Tewkesbury.“

Lions at large

Music hall fun-raisers

THE Woodlanders welcomed representatives from 15 different organisations to East Woodlands Village Hall, near Frome, where they were presented with cheques worth £3,000, raised from last year’s highly successful Music Hall. Last year was the The Woodlanders 35th consecutive year of raising money by staging a week of Music Hall concerts at “The Woodlands Hippodrome”. Over the years more than £100,000 has been raised from the shows with many local charities, organisations and community groups benefitting from the proceeds in this way. Donations were made to: Society of Disabled Artists, Positive Action on Cancer, Gym Finity, Mendip Community Transport, Frome Carnival Committee, Frome Memorial Theatre Trust, Samvantva Juniors Carnival Club Warminster, Be a Brick The Forever Friends Appeal, Life Education Wessex, Kids Out, East Woodlands Village Hall (The Woodlands Hippodrome), Dorothy House, Frome Carnival Committee, Frome Autistic Support Team, MU Family Contact Centre. This year’s Woodlanders Music Hall will take place every evening from Monday September 30th until Saturday October 5th. Details: Joy Chant, 01373 463643

Defibrillator appeal

AN appeal has been launched to raise funds for a defibrillator in Draycott, with the possibility of a second unit in Rodney Stoke. It was launched after a demonstration at a recent WI meeting, showing how they can provide vital help to heart attack victims. The fundraising is being lead by Annette and Richard Wills, Jean and Roger Reeson and Teresa Wyatt. Details: 01934 744108

Inca challenge

CHEDDAR Vale Lions together with staff from Cheddar Library, hosted a ‘Storytime with the Lions’. Later Cheddar First School pupils Jack Millard and Archie Young received book tokens and certificates from Lions president Janet Clark. PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

GRADUATE, Tom Pettinger, from Winscombe, plans to tackle the Inca Trail in Peru this summer, raising money for the Epilepsy Society. He has just graduated from the University of Portsmouth and as part of this trip has trained as an adventure leader, taking responsibility for everyone involved. Details: www.justgiving.com/thomas-pettinger

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CHARITIES

Party on the hill

ST JOHN Ambulance, Wells Rugby Club and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were the beneficiaries of an Italian-themed picnic at Penn Hill near Wells. Formerly known as the Romulus and Remus Festivals, Picnic On The Hill brought many of the area’s Italian community and their friends together for an afternoon if food and music. More than £1,600 was donated to the organisations. G Members of the area’s Italian community will gather at the former Thales site – once an Italian prisoner of war camp – on the edge of Wells on Thursday, August 8th for a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the camp being liberated.

Wells MP Tessa Munt with organisers and representatives of the groups which benefitted from the party Tim Pitman entertains the crowd

Members of the Guidi family were celebrating two wedding anniversaries

Hayley-Ann James, who’s from Walton, sings to the crowd

The youngest party-goer: Isabella, aged eight weeks, from Street is cradled by Veronica Brunt, also from Street

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 79

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Getting to grips with ME

A WESTON College student won a £1,000 award and four weeks’ work experience for her ingenious mobile and tablet App showcased at the New Designers Exhibition in London. Amelia Hurrell, aged 22, of Shepton Mallet, won the Sky Award for her ‘ME & You’ App communication tool for young people with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Amelia, who has gained a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design at Weston College in partnership with Bath Spa University, said: “My sister has ME, and her experiences at school inspired this project and I cannot believe how far it has come. ME affects individuals in unique ways, and I discovered how difficult young sufferers find it attempting to explain complications and symptoms to teachers and how this impacts school work. “The App, and the range of other communication tools I developed, help eliminate this struggle, using an easy to understand unique visual language. It also offers tips for teachers on how to help and better integrate those with ME into the classroom.”

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Young designers win Rotary award

(L to r) are Dot Cretney, president Frome Rotary, Ailsa Williams, highly commended, Molly Allan, joint winner, Jenney-Lu Deane, joint winner, Naomi Rudge, judge and Gaby Wakefield, Frome College teacher.

YEAR 10 GCSE textile design students at Frome Community College spent three months working on their competition entries for the Young Textile Designer award organised by Frome Rotary Club, and sponsored by Frome based footwear business DUO.

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Learn from Sidcot’s approach to taking exams

EDUCATION

WHEN choosing a school you will hear a lot about exams, which is as it should be. At Sidcot their approach to exams is informed by their Quaker values: they look at them in the context of a student’s life and well-being. It matters to them that exam choices come from a love of learning and a consideration of individual values, not from an anxiety about competitiveness. They don’t ask their students to make exam decisions before they are ready to do so. They give them time and space to find out who they are and what kind of future they want, to explore their interests and consider where their strengths and their enthusiasms lie. They reflect and discuss their observations with their tutor, in an atmosphere that isn’t pressurised or judgmental. Their ‘Maths Gym’ is just a small example of their approach to exams. Run by a member of the maths department, this pre-exam ‘workout’ gives students a chance to limber up mentally with a few maths puzzles over a croissant and a cup of tea on the morning of the exam. It’s light-hearted with a serious aim; a way for students to calm themselves and feel supported by friends and staff in the period directly before a test. It’s very popular with the students and has a transformative effect on the atmosphere in the subsequent exam. When their students do make their choices about which exams to take – whether GCSE, A Levels or IB – they are motivated and engaged, and that, Sidcot believe, is the key to their success at the school: their exam results speak for themselves.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 81

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Health and app-iness!

DO you want to check your body as often as you check your e-mail? Well you may soon be able to, thanks to Scanadu, a personalised health electronics company, which specialises in affordable “DIY vital signs devices”. The company believes these scanners will be “the biggest innovation in home medicine since By Dr PHIL the invention of the thermometer”. It launched HAMMOND last year with a scanner that you hold to your temple and in less than ten seconds you get an accurate reading of pulse transit time, heart rate, electrical heart activity, temperature, heart rate variability and blood oxygenation. So what’s next? It sounds like a hypochondriac’s dream but Scanadu aims to interpret your data sensibly, helping you decide when it’s safe to leave well alone or when you need urgent help. In future, it hopes to add in software that will make the diagnosis for you if you fill in a symptom sorter and send off a photo of your rash. Its glitzy advertising promises variously to “send your smartphone to medical school”, “give you a doctor in your pocket”, “be your doctor’s new best friend” and “enable anyone to conduct sophisticated physical exams in a snap”. A new app will link up with your phone to analyse your breathing rate and blood pressure without the need for a cuff, and check urine for blood, protein and infection. Then there’s the saliva cartridge that tests your spit for assorted micro-organisms such as Strep A, Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus and RSV. They’re working on an add-on to spot pregnancy complications. And it surely won’t be long before a USB brush does your cervical smear and checks you for herpes, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia at the same time. New technology will undoubtedly have a big role to play in empowering patients to stay healthy and manage their chronic diseases better, and remote technology is already being used in the NHS for patients with lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. I recently used new technology to do a whole range of medical tests on patients of BBC1’s new health special, Long Live Britain, using only a tiny amount of blood and getting the results back in minutes rather than waiting a week. However, technology will never replace the human effect and it’s hard to be your own doctor when results are confusing or equivocal as they often are. Trials of new home-testing technology have only been shown to work and save the health service money when patients have quick access to experienced clinicians who can talk them through what to do. The slick Youtube film for Scanadu promises that you can diagnose your own sick child, “saving you worry and an unnecessary doctor’s visit”. But rare serious illness in children tends to creep up on you suddenly and there’s always a danger of being falsely reassured by a machine. So long as Scanadu doesn’t overpromise in its battle for our cash, it could be of huge benefit. However, it needs to be evaluated in a proper clinical trial with all the data it produces joined up with the rest of your medical record so everyone who needs to see it can do. And doctors are going to have to learn to live with: “Please come quickly. Scanadu says it might be serious.” Phil Hammond is a GP turned hospital doctor, journalist, comic and broadcaster. He will co-present Long Live Britain at 9pm and 10.30pm on BBC 1, July 22nd. For books, DVDs and new tour dates, go to www.drphilhammond.com

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We’re all going on a summer holiday

SUMMER holidays are in full swing and we jet off to sunnier lands. Before we leave the house Mendip Dad and I balance one oversized suitcase on the bathroom scales. It weighs in at one kilogram short of the weight limit and on arrival at the check-in we wait nervously to see if we can seriously get away with packing everything else in our hand luggage. This is the kind of pre-holiday fun you can have if you fly with a budget airline. The cabin crew, resplendent in synthetic fibres, welcome us on board hiding their fatigue as they prepare for their tenth flight that day. On arrival we transfer to a strange underground bunker which houses the car hire company. I’m feeling nervous – even though I managed to persuade Mendip Dad to upgrade from a Ford Ka-sized car to something resembling a Ford Focus – I’m still worried that five people, five wheelie cases and one massive suitcase can’t possibly fit inside a vehicle of those proportions. Somehow we manage to squash and squeeze everything in without the assistance of a panel beater. What we had not considered though was the strain on the car as Mendip Dad drives full pelt down the motorway. It is hailing and the hailstones are bouncing off the ground. Mercifully, as we near our holiday home the hail turns to driving rain. Less than five miles from our destination it feels like we run over a brick, the car swerves and I glance at Mendip Dad: “Don’t panic,” he warns under his breath. He knows me as the irritatingly nervous passenger that I am. I know that if he is telling me not to panic it definitely means that I should be panicking. The car skids to a halt on the hard shoulder. Mendip Dad gets out of the car and inspects the shredded tyre. He then proceeds to jack up the car, as the rain lashes down. We remain in the car (on his instructions) and the children take the opportunity (while he is out of ear-shot) to bicker knowing that they cannot afford to test his patience within the confines of the car. Fortunately after this mini-drama we arrive safely at our holiday home and the sun comes out. Our hosts, who live in the neighbouring property, are kind if not slightly eccentric. He had made a small fortune in the eighties knitting jumpers with slogans, worn by an eclectic mixture of celebrities from Bonnie Langford and Princess Diana to Gyles Brandreth. It also transpires that they have opened up their house to all the abandoned dogs in the area. Apparently these poor pooches have fallen victim to their country’s economic misfortunes. I try to see the positive in such a magnanimous gesture but 11 dogs barking at the crack-of-dawn! Happy holidays everyone. MENDIP MUM

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Practice recognised by the BDA

HEALTH & FAMILY

PETER SEDGWICK

B.D.S. (U.Brist) D.P.D.S (U.Brist)L.F. Hom (Dent)

TIM COATES

B.D.S. BSc (Hons) Ph.D

SALLY CANTWELL Hygienist

WEDMORE Dental Practice has recently been recognised by the British Dental Association as being committed to good practice, receiving Silver status, after seven years in the Good Practice Scheme, which is a significant achievement for the team. This means that the practice meets nationally recognised standards in providing the best possible care for its patients. As a member of the scheme, each member of the dental team has committed to all aspects of patient care and ensuring that their needs and preferences are considered and that they can take informed decisions The practice ensures a safe environment by undertaking risk assessments and managing potential hazards within the practice. They follow current guidelines for preventing crossinfection They only recruit staff who are competent to undertake the duties associated with their role and provide training where required and encourage on-going professional development for all members of their team. Having been awarded their Investors in People recognition in April of this year, their 13th year, it’s been a very full year so far and they are looking forward to continually improving in the future, providing existing and new patients with a pleasant visit, offering conventional, preventative and advanced cosmetic procedures where appropriate.

JANE FELLOWS Hygienist

Preventative, conventional and advanced cosmetic treatments

New Patients Very Welcome Please phone or call in for an information pack

Coronation House, The Borough, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EG Tel: 01934 713013 • www.wedmoredental.co.uk email: enquiries@wedmoredental.freeserve.co.uk

How yoga can help

MOST people will experience back pain during their lives, but for some it can become a chronic debilitating condition. In 2011, just over 35 million sick days were taken for musculoskeletal problems – the majority for back and neck problems. Now a team from the University of York have found that specialist yoga classes could slash the number of days taken off work for the agonising condition. Patients experienced less discomfort after a 12-week course of yoga They reported less discomfort, performed better physically and were more confident in performing everyday tasks than those offered conventional GP care. Yoga teacher Jo Webb said: “Within its confidence-boosting, gradually-progressing environment, the gentle ‘Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs’ course addresses joint mobility, musclestrengthening, emphasis on the breath, mental attitude to pain and perspective on life lessons, postural awareness and low back education, relaxation techniques, and advice about other potentially health-giving techniques and benefits.”

Contact Jo Webb for class details

07730 397396 Jo.webb@mbzonline.net MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 83

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MENDIP TIMES

COMMUNITY

Tim e t o h a v e y o u r s a y MEMBERS of Parliament being recommended for what many feel is an over-generous pay rise, the ongoing debate about women By SIMON bishops… any many SELBY more. Religion and politics used to be two areas which prompted a passionate response from people – and two subjects usually best avoided in the pub – and for some that’s still true; however I sense that generally we are becoming more detached from both. Maybe it’s because some of the issues which have been considered are so divisive. Perhaps we simply no longer have faith in the people running the country; I must admit, I don’t know. What I do know is that caring and participating in what happens in society at an individual level is vitally important. Most of our rights were achieved through struggle and sometimes bloodshed. If people fail to participate I would suggest that they give up the right to complain about society’s inadequacies but, more fundamentally, they risk the system changing in their absence. Given all of this apparent malaise, I am pleased to report that there are some really powerful signs of interest within our young population. Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is generally taught although, ridiculously, it still lacks the importance it

The youth parliament in session

should have, especially regarding the curriculum. During my 26 years of policing I became very annoyed about arresting people who, for want of education, thought they were outside of society and therefore it didn’t matter to them – they simply failed to grasp that civilised behaviour is a pre-requisite for a happy society as we are “all in the same boat”. Each year, the young people from our schools in the north of the Mendip Times patch meet to discussion issues and projects they feel passionate about. These aspirations or concerns are presented to an assembled audience of young people and adults from authority (police, local

New support service for young people JULY saw the launch of the new P2i (Pathway to Independence) support service for young people across Somerset. P2i is an innovative partnership project between Somerset County Council, the five district councils (Sedgemoor, South Somerset, Mendip, Taunton Deane and West Somerset) and a number of housing providers. The service offers support for homeless and vulnerable young people aged 16 to 24. The service will cover joint needs assessments, family mediation, housing advice, emergency accommodation, supported housing, floating support and signposting to other services. Each district has established a P2i “hub” providing a single point of access for young people in each local area. This way, they’ll be able to access mediation and joint support from relevant agencies to get the best possible help available to them. Councillor Frances Nicholson, Cabinet Member for

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authorities etc.) before being debated. Once the different proposals have been considered there is a vote and a commitment is given by all present, including the adults who hold the actual power, to make change if at all possible. Some projects and aspirations have included discussing an emotional health and wellbeing campaign for young people led by other young people (this year’s winner), concessionary bus travel for rurally-isolated young people, safe places to play and many other ideas. This is a version of a Youth Parliament and there is absolutely no reasonable reason why it can’t happen elsewhere, if there is the will to make it happen.

Children and Families at Somerset County Council, said: “It’s so good to see the launch of this fantastic partnership project. It demonstrates how, by working together, we can develop an effective and efficient service that makes a big difference to young people’s lives. “No young person should be living on the street. It’s our priority to support and help young people to live a safe, healthy, stable and independent life. This new service will reduce the number of young people who are homeless in the county and will give vulnerable young people a more positive future.” Preventing homelessness amongst young people is a key feature of the new P2i service. A targeted programme of housing and homelessness education in schools, colleges and youth groups, will be delivered, along with a family mediation service, to encourage young people to stay at home wherever possible, and offer them the support they need to do this.

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The chequered history of Lamb Leer cavern GIBBETS Brow is the summit of the hill on the Old Bristol Road to Wells, a mile beyond the Wellsway Inn. Just to the south, Lamb Bottom With PHILIP descends to the east. It HENDY has been extensively worked in the past by lead miners, who around 1674 discovered a natural cave passage leading off from the bottom of a 20 metre shaft. The passage, which contained several veins of galena, or lead ore, opened out into the side of a vast cavern, Main Chamber, reached by crawling over a floor of pure white aragonite. Variously known as Lamb’s Lair or Lamb Leer Cavern, the cave came to the attention of John Beaumont, a surgeon at Ston Easton. He made a visit and, accompanied by miners, passed a huge stalagmite boss, the Beehive, and came to the head of the pitch. None of the miners would descend, even when offered double salary, but Beaumont persuaded them to let him down on a rope and later wrote “…being down about two fathom I found the rocks to bear away from me, so that I could touch nothing to guide myself by, and the rope began to turn around very fast, whereupon I ordered the miners to let me down as quick as they could, and upon the descent of 12 fathom I came to the bottom”. Beaumont published his account in the Philosophical Collections of the Royal Society and described how he found a cavern about 110 metres in circumference, 36 metres high, and 27 metres long. Later, he had a rope ladder made and then took

Lamb Leer winch

some miners down with him. They found more lead ore and, under Beaumont’s instruction, drove a level for some distance to discover another chamber. Although Beaumont’s description of the cave is generally good, there is a disparity between the known length of the level, or Beaumont’s Drive as it is now known, and his own measurements. The most likely cause is a typographical error when the account was printed. However, at the time Lamb Leer cavern was probably the world’s deepest explored cave. Over time the cave has had a chequered history. The entrance was lost for many years, until in 1880 Bolton & Partners, a mining company, decided to relocate the cave and search for lead. After descending many of the old shafts dotted around the area, the cave was found, not in Beaumont’s original shaft, but in another. It seems that there was still plenty of ore to be won, but the fame of the cave soon spread, and another source of income for the company was in allowing sightseers in to look around. The chamber at the end of Beaumont’s Drive has a fine flowstone slope along one wall, with a trickle of water running down it. It is called The Cave of Falling Waters and in 1894 Thomas Wilcox, manager of the St. Cuthbert’s Lead Works at Priddy, carved his initials in the flowstone. Later Herbert Balch, although he deplored this act of vandalism, added the date, so future cavers could estimate the rate of calcite deposition. At the latest examination, no change could be seen! By the early 20th century the shaft was in a dangerous condition and, as mining had ceased, the entrance was allowed to collapse. As caving became popular after the Great War, efforts were made to reopen

CAVING

Lamb Leer beehive

the shaft, and success came in 1934. In 1937 the British Speleological Association met in Bristol and an aerial cableway was erected across the Main Chamber to the start of Beaumont’s Drive. Although the cableway was abandoned in 1939, the old miners’ platform remained until it was replaced in the 1960s. A major discovery was that of Valentine’s Series in 1957. Climbing up the wall of Main Chamber opposite the pitch led to a ledge, St. Valentine’s Landing. A corkscrew squeeze led to a cross passage, with December Chamber to the left, and Pond Rift to the right. In 1965 Dave Turner climbed 12 metres up an overhang to enter Turner’s Grotto. This exploration had been spurred by a geophysical survey conducted by Prof. Leo Palmer in 1938, when it appeared that there might be a large chamber, almost as big as Main Chamber, to the north-west. So far, all attempts to find Palmer’s Chamber have failed, and in fact a recent geophysical survey has suggested that this mythical chamber is in fact an anomaly on the fault line. However, there is a suggestion of a void existing some hundred metres west of Main Chamber. Access to Lamb Leer via the existing entrance is currently denied, so in 2004 a team of Shepton Mallet Caving Club members, led by Alan Butcher, began to excavate an old miners’ shaft on the opposite side of the road to Lamb Leer. Progress has been slow due to flooding, but a natural cave passage has been entered which follows the line of the main fault along which Lamb Leer has been formed. The dig is approaching a small chamber, Turner’s Grotto, high in the wall of Main Chamber, and optimism prevails, as it does with all cave digs.

Phil is a member of Wessex Cave Club and has been caving for the last 44 years. Still active, his main interest is in digging to try to find new caves. He has published a caving cartoon book and collaborated on the recently-published Swildon’s Hole – 100 Years of Exploration.

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Photography by Phil Hendy

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MENDIP TIMES

Battle of the Atlantic

A NEW exhibition has opened at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest campaign of World War II, beginning on the first day of the war and continuing until the German surrender in 1945. The battle to control the shipping lanes across the Atlantic involved thousands of ships and cost the lives of more than 30,000 Merchant Navy seamen. Its loss would, in all probability, have meant defeat in the war. For both Britain and Germany, it was the battle that neither side could afford to lose. The year 1943 is seen as the point at which the balance of success in this battle shifted in favour of the Allied Forces – an advantage they maintained for the remainder of the war – so this year has been chosen to commemorate the 70th anniversary of this pivotal battle. The Fleet Air Arm Museum’s new exhibition dramatically displays a Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Fulmar and the newly restored Grumman Martlet.

Arthur’s medal

HMS Searcher with Martlets on the flight deck

In addition to the aircraft on display there is a representation of a German U-boat conning tower along with a rare example of a German Gyrocopter. The aircraft, the people, the ships, the submarines and the technology – all

ARTHUR Staynings, aged 90, is one of those who waited most of their lifetime to get recognition for their part in protecting the Russian convoys during World War 2. His daughter Vanessa Havard, from Compton Martin, insisted on applying for the Arctic Star for him. He was a Royal Marine, deployed on Arthur Staynings HMS Jamaica, protecting convoys from German U-boats and the German battleship, the Scharnhorst. He was also part of the bodyguard at Yalta, when Churchill met Roosevelt and Stalin. He and his wife, Edna, used to live in Churchill, but now live near one of their two sons in Marlborough. They have eight grandchildren. PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

played their part in this decisive battle and feature in the new exhibition, telling the story of the Battle of the Atlantic, its importance to World War II, and the Fleet Air Arm’s vital role in it.

Arctic Star medals

John Walker and John Wyatt

TWO local men who attend Weston Hospicecare’s Day Hospice have been honoured with the Arctic Star Medal after their service in the Arctic Circle with the Royal Navy. John Walker, aged 93, (left) from Burnham On Sea and John Wyatt, aged 89, from Weston-super-Mare served in the Royal Navy during World War II. John, who was a Medic on the HMS Smiter, said: “I only did one run up to the Arctic Circle; I remember it was freezing, so cold that sometimes your eyelids froze. I was part of The Russian Convoy Club but we disbanded 12 months ago and I don’t get to see the men anymore. I’m glad to receive the Arctic Star Medal, but it’s a shame it didn’t come sooner as there aren’t very many of us to accept it now.” John said: “We left Scapa Flow and were told we were heading to Russia. There was only one duffle coat to share, once we finished our watch we would hand it to the next shipmate so he could keep warm on his watch!”

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Abbey conservation project begins THE Abbot’s Kitchen in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey is the focus of a major conservation project taking place in the coming months. The striking building – one of only a handful of medieval kitchens surviving in the world – has been shrouded in scaffolding to allow experts begin the task of protecting it for future generations. The conservation work will involve the removal of damaging materials used in earlier repairs and the stabilisation of vulnerable stonework. The Abbot’s Kitchen demonstrates the wealth of the Abbey in medieval times. When Edward III and Queen Philippa visited in 1331, £800 – about £350,000 today – was spent on food, accommodation and splendid ceremonies. Ironically, it will cost £350,000 to carry out the restoration work, which is expected to take until October to complete. The kitchen will be closed to visitors except for special guided tours to see the conservationists at work. Funding for the work has come from a £280,000 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company and Glastonbury Abbey’s own appeal called “Rescue Our Ruins”. The kitchen’s eight-sided interior boasts four huge corner fireplaces, each with a different function: roasting, boiling, baking and washing up. An exhibition about the Abbot’s Kitchen opened in July in the visitor centre and features drawings by Augustus Pugin, co-designer of the Houses of Parliament, in the 1830s. Pugin’s drawings, contained in his book “Examples of Gothic Architecture”, have been loaned to the Abbey by Somerset Heritage and Library Service for the exhibition. A short film about the conservation project has been commissioned from the Bridgwater-based company, Somerset Film. The film contains fascinating insights into how and why the Abbot’s Kitchen is so important to conserve and includes interviews with the specialists involved. The film and exhibition will be show until January 26th, 2014. Peter Brears, an expert on traditional English cookery, has produced a reconstruction of how the interior of the kitchen may have looked. Janet Bell, the Abbey’s Director, said: “Peter believes the remains of two stone piers in the north and south walls suggest there may have been an arcaded gallery, from which the head cook could supervise the kitchen staff.” Mary Gryspeerdt, Assistant Curator, said: “The Abbot’s Kitchen is evidence of the wealth and influence of Glastonbury Abbey. As head of the richest monastery in England after Westminster, the abbot lived and entertained in considerable splendour.” The current conservation of the Abbot’s Kitchen is part of a wider programme at the Abbey, which will include the Lady Chapel, Crypt, Galilee (western porch to the Abbey Church) and the north wall of the precinct. A drawing by Thomas Shaw of the Abbey ruins

HISTORY

Abbey director Janet Bell outside the Abbot’s Kitchen

Ghosts of Glastonbury

MYSTERY, magic, kings and saints come together in ‘About Glastonbury’, a history of the town, the Abbey and the surrounding area. Writer and broadcaster Polly Lloyd relates the facts and the legends that make this remarkable place so special. Alongside the familiar stories of King Arthur and Joseph of Aramathea, there are characters such as King Eadwig, who was so bored by his coronation ceremony that he walked out, Dr John Dee, a 16th century alchemist credited with uncovering the mysterious Glastonbury Zodiac and Frederick Bligh Bond, the Edwardian architect who claimed he was guided by the ghosts of monks. Tracing the history of the area from the earliest settlers on the Somerset Levels to the present day, fact and legend combine to explain the strong spiritual attraction Glastonbury holds for so many people. ‘About Glastonbury’, newly re-printed, is published by Bossiney Books at £5.99 and is on sale at a number of places, including the Abbey bookshop.

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MENDIP TIMES

HISTORY

Professor Mick Aston and the Winscombe and Sandford project The death of Prof Mick Aston, at the age of 66, has shocked everyone who knew him. The former Channel 4 Time Team presenter and university professor last appeared in Mendip Times in March, with the publication of his book on Shapwick, Interpreting the English Village. He was leading a similar study in Winscombe and Sandford where he lived.

THE Winscombe and Sandford Archaeological Survey Project, under the direction of Professor Mick Aston, began four years ago. The main aim of the project was to learn more about how the places in the parish developed, who lived there, what they did and what they left behind. The multi-disciplinary project involved many of Mick’s friends, with their specialist knowledge, as well as members of the local community and schools. Mick had completed the project on Shapwick and he decided that Winscombe would be a good local comparison. The recently published work ‘Interpreting the English Village’, written by Mick and Professor Chris Gerrard, gives some idea of what can be gained from this sort of study. A great deal of historical and documentary research was carried out in advance and the archaeology was assessed. Over the last few years many of the early buildings have been surveyed and recorded by the Somerset Vernacular Buildings Research Group. Research has also been carried out on the 50 or so ‘Victorian Villas’ in the parish and the reasons for their construction. The project results so far, confirm the dispersed settlement pattern within the parish with several large hamlets and a number of smaller farmsteads. Documentary research carried out by Mick indicates that Winscombe was a parish with a wood pasture economy where arable farming was of minor significance. Mick’s major discovery in 2010 was a previously unidentified deserted medieval hamlet in the parish of Winscombe called Wyke which may have been abandoned as a result of the Black Death. In order to identify tell-tale traces of medieval and earlier people, 130 test pits have been dug in the village and residents have also been encouraged to bring in finds from their own gardens. Many ‘pottery days’ have been held in the village in order to record and date the finds and Mick regularly reported his findings at meetings in Winscombe, Sandford and elsewhere. The main fieldwork for the project consisted of the digging of test pits under the direction of Mick and his partner, Teresa Hall. The group on a dig

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Mick and his partner Teresa Hall

These days were some of the times that Mick enjoyed the most, both archaeologically and socially and the break for tea and cakes was always a highlight of the day. Finds from the test pits in Winscombe, dating from the Bronze Age to the 20th century, are currently being sorted and analysed by Teresa. Test pits were also dug at the annual Michaelmas Fair in Winscombe and at the May Fair on the Millennium Green where there were also photographic displays relating to the project. One of these displays can be seen in the Railway Inn in Sandford. Mick and Teresa also recently spent a day at Sandford School when the children were able take part in digging and collecting finds and they also brought in pottery sherds from their own gardens for Mick to identify. Mick was very much part of the Winscombe and Sandford community and was happy to talk to anyone and everyone about archaeology. Many sociable evenings were spent in the Railway Inn with friends, chatting about anything and everything but especially the project. Mick was a long-standing member of the Winscombe and Sandford Archaeological and Local History Society and many of the members were closely involved with the project. Mick was also the Honorary President of The Friends of St James the Great, a group recently formed in order to preserve the only Grade I listed building in the parish of Winscombe. Many tributes to Mick describe him as a great communicator. When he gave lectures his enthusiasm and passion was apparent to see and even though he was primarily an academic he spoke to his audience in a way that could be understood by all. His talks often also showed the personal side of Mick and his sense of humour and his enthusiasm for his subject was infectious. We will all miss him. Maria Forbes and Nick Bristow

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Death of Glyn England

MY grandpa Glyn England has died aged 92 at his much-loved farm in the Chew Valley, where he spent the last 40 years of his life. Born in 1921 in Tonyrefail, South Wales, he left school at 18 and cycled to the South East looking for work. In 1942 he married Tania and after gaining an engineering degree and serving in the war, they had two daughters Gill and Jan and settled in Hertfordshire, where Glyn served as a Labour county councillor and JP. Work brought them to the West Country and Glyn was made chairman of the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB) in 1971. They bought Woodbridge Farm from Valley family, Don and Evelyn Prosser. Having made a home here, Glyn was reluctant to move when, in 1977, he became chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). After spending the week in London, he thoroughly enjoyed his weekends with Tania in the peace and tranquillity of the Mendip Hills. Later he balanced consultancy work with recreation, which he described as “actively enjoying the countryside”. Glyn was most content at the wheel of his tractor, carrying out extensive conservation work, tree and wild flower planting. He was a keen vegetable gardener and adored eating home-grown food cooked by Tania, surrounded by his family. Together, Glyn and Tania enjoyed walking and were members of the Bristol branch of the Ramblers’ Association as well as the Mendip Society, of which Glyn was president between 1999 and 2001. In 2009, Tania died, ending 67 years of happy marriage. Glyn moved into a converted pigsty on the farm where he loved feeding and watching the birds and other wildlife. He was always keen to hear about the deer my sister and I had seen on our walks, and if we’d spotted the owl in its tree hollow. In recent years, Glyn hosted the Chew Valley U3A writer’s group meetings and appreciated its camaraderie. Passionate about education, he relished the U3A’s learning for life philosophy. Always liking to have a project on the go, at the age of 90, he became chairman of the trustees at the Bayswater Institute, a small policy consultancy. Every few months he would travel to London for meetings and come back tired but mentally energised with a sparkle in his eye. Politically active throughout their lives, Glyn and Tania were founder members of the Social Democratic Party and, later, committed Liberal Democrats. During last year’s local elections, Glyn was proud that aged 91, he helped deliver Lib Dem campaign leaflets around Chew Magna by car. Glyn was also enjoying being interviewed by the British Library about his life and career for its research project, “An Oral History of the Electrical Supply Industry”. Last summer, he decided he would like some chickens, having had them as a boy, and a few weeks ago, watching them peck and scratch in the sunshine, he said to me: “It’s a great life.” His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and in the farm’s inspiring landscape and rich wildlife. Lucy Glynn Granddaughter

Bells will ring again

NEWS

THE bells of St. Matthew’s Church in Wookey, which have been silent for more than two years, will ring again thanks to an award of £43,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The six-bell peal and its 17th century bellframe will be restored to full working order in the tower of the Grade 1 medieval village church. The oldest of the bells dates from 1480. There will be an educational programme about the restoration and a competition for a new piece of bell music, commissioned by the parochial church council. Nerys Watts, HLF’s Head of South West said: “The enthusiasm of Wookey Bells to enable their community to hear their peal again encouraged us to support this project, which will not only restore the historic bells and bell frame, but will also enable a wide range of people to understand more about the rich heritage of bell ringing.”

Mendip Society walks

THE Mendip Society’s Walking Festival will take place from September 27th-30th. The high spot for committed walkers will be (hopefully) the entire Mendip Way from Weston-super-Mare to Frome. This runs through the length of the Mendip Hills, and while many walkers will have covered the original West Mendip Way, which reached as far as Wells, rather fewer will have undertaken the entire Way over a three-day walk. As well as the main walk they are holding a variety of long and short walks using some much-loved paths as well as some lesserknown ones. They are also providing some “heritage” walks (with assistance from local guides) which will enable visitors to the area to learn more about Wells Cathedral, Axbridge, Frome and the Strawberry Line. Details: www.mendipwalkingfestival.org.uk

Save our loos!

AN action group has been formed to try to save the public toilets in Burrington Combe. North Somerset Council is working with the owner of the site, the Mendip Hills AONB Unit, Burrington Parish Council and local businesses to find a way to keep the public toilets open. It needs to save the majority of its £400k budget for public conveniences. Rather than closing these facilities the council has been working with town and parish councils and other groups to take them over and so far out of the 27 facilities, 22 are now being run by other groups. For Burrington Combe, the cost is £4.5k a year. The toilets are an important facility for the large numbers of sightseers, walkers, cyclists and outdoor activity groups who visit Burrington Combe. They cannot be kept open beyond October of this year unless a new way of covering cleaning and maintenance costs is found. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 91

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Blagdon summer fun

Tea and cakes from (l to r) Jo Ford, Clare Greatorex and Claire Gore

Compton Martin

EVENTS

The cake stall (l to r) Sue Daniel, Mrs C. Hall and Paula Walton

Dave Gourd showed off his collection of motorbikes

Donkey rides were part of the fun PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Soaking up the sun

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New governor

LION Marianne Warren of Cheddar Vale Lions Club has been sworn in as District Governor for the year 2013/2014 for District 105SW covering Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. She, along with fellow Lions from the other 12 Districts in the UK, and from across the World, were sworn in at Lions Clubs International Convention held in Hamburg earlier this month. Janet Clark is the new president of Cheddar Vale Lions Club, taking over from Brian Airey.

Sculpture at the Palace

VISITORS to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells will be able to enjoy this year’s Summer Sculpture Exhibition, featuring works by figurative sculptor, Jo Jones, and rock sculptor, Duncan Elliot, in the beautiful gardens. The work of these two contemporary sculptors contrasts strongly, but harmoniously, and brings another dimension to the remarkable setting of The Bishop’s Palace. Over 13,000 people enjoyed last year’s Summer Exhibition and more are expected this year as the Palace continues to enjoy its highest visitor figures to date.

Raft race ready to launch

IT’S the time of year when Wells Lions are busy organising The Moat Boat Race, at the Bishop’s Palace, the biggest event in Wells events’ calendar. They raise thousands of pounds – but are looking for help. There are a few stalls left, but are appealing for more sponsors and programme advertisers, as well as more raft entries and volunteers. The races are on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26th. Details: Philip Payne 0845 8336736

Anyone for tea?

NEWS

PENSFORD’S Tower Tea Party was a damp affair, with most people succumbing to the temptation of tea and cakes in the church rooms, though some did venture up the tower, under the guidance of James Todd. Jane Flower, who set up the Friends of the Tower group, said: “Everyone was pleased with the party and we made over £250.00.” The Tower is open on most days for visitors and to those wishing to use it for a quiet space. Details from Jane: 01761 490234 or 07703 699123.

Lifeboat plans Bristol Channel appeal

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution is launching a major appeal to improve facilities in the Bristol Channel. It’s looking to raise £180,000 towards a new lifeboat station in Portishead and £300,000 to upgrade facilities in Westonsuper-Mare. The two projects will be run under the wider title of The Bristol Channel RNLI fundraising appeal. This will allow the charity to run other fundraising projects around the area, as and when they are needed in the future. The volunteers at Weston operate under poor conditions and have had to put up a temporary “tent” to protect their boats. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 93

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Solarsense crowned

ONE of the South West’s leading renewable energy firms, Solarsense, triumphed at the recent Bristol Post Business Awards by winning both the Environmental and Community Contribution categories. Sarah Pullen, Head Judge, said: “Solarsense is a great example of a local firm which is completely embedded in the community it serves and is recognised, quite rightly, as a market leader.” General Manager at Solarsense, Kerry Burns, commented: “We are delighted to have won both awards and to be recognised by our local business leaders and wider community as a company that ‘walks the talk’. The future is really bright for renewable energy and it’s now an integral part of our present and future energy mix for businesses and households.”

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PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Est. 1951

IN TH WI IUS Y D ER A LIV E R NG DE -MIL UDI OL E E 0 CL T FR A 5 IN BRIS

Director Richard Simon with some of the Solarsense team and their awards

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Top award for Dandos

RO Dando and Sons Ltd has won the award for best domestic alteration at LABC’s West of England Building Excellence Awards, for its work on a grade 2 listed 15th century farmhouse in Chew Stoke. The farmhouse had been in such a poor state of repair Bath and NE Somerset Council had put it on the buildings at risk register in 1993. It had no proper sewerage, no electricity, mains gas or water and by the time work started many of the outbuildings were in ruins. LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: “This project involved a fine balancing act with the architect having to design a scheme that satisfied the listed building requirements while bringing the farm into the 21st century. The stunning finished home is a testament to how they have succeeded.” Company director, Roger Dando, said: “We as a company are very happy and proud to have been given such an award. The high standard we achieved is largely due to the client’s requirements, the vision of the architect, and the ability and dedication of the whole site team.”

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JACKSONS

J a c k s o n s Fe n c i n g – n e w s , t o p i c a l treats and more . . . I last wrote in June, mentioning that it was the summer show season and hoping that you would come and visit us at the various shows we were attending in your area . . .

One of Jacksons show stands featuring the new premium stable

I CAN only think that you took me up on my invitation, because we certainly had a lot of visitors to our stands, so thanks for coming to see us. You may, or may not, have noticed I skipped a month in July, as I went off in search of the sun, as there was precious little here in Blighty! I hope by the time you read this in August we will be basking in full summer sun…hmmmn, well I can hope! We’ve got a new offer for you to run throughout August and September, which may spur you on to leap in to action and get the garden project done, that you wish you’d started earlier in the year. We are offering half price delivery on products in both the Good Fencing Guide and the new Equestrian ranges, full details as ever are on your local page: www.jacksonsfencing.co.uk/bathlocal Jakwall used as a retaining wall

I N

R A I S E D

A C K S O N S B E D

K I T

To be in with a chance to win one of our raised bed kits simply log on to your local page, address below, and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 30.9.13. Previous Prize Draw winners are posted on the web page. To enter go to: jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal

Jacksons Photo Competition – Hots Up! We’ve been enjoying the photos very much, that you’ve been sending in response to our photo competition. Originally we were running it through to the end of July, but we’ve decided to extend it through to the end of August now, as we are receiving so many good, and funny pictures of you, your family, friends and animals with your Jacksons products. So please keep them coming. The prize is £300 of Jacksons vouchers and there are ten extra runners up prizes too. It’s great seeing just how our products are being used, like this lovely Jakwall (left). Full details on how to enter are on the local page: jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal LOUISE TOMLIN

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 97

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MENDIP TIMES

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Changing rooms – a

ON Wednesday April 18th, 1945 at precisely 7pm, Primrose Cottage in Woolavington went under the hammer in the Prince of Wales Inn just round the corner. We don’t know what price it reached. What we do know is that the property comprised an entrance lobby, a parlour, a kitchen (including a Guidewife range), a scullery, a pantry, two bedrooms, a boxroom and a wash house. The rates were £10.8s.0d per annum and electric light and water were “laid on”. The present owner of Primrose Cottage, Kate Golding was looking at the poster for the sale that took place 68 years ago and trying to come to terms with how things have changed in, what for many of us, is less than a lifetime. She said: “The odd thing is that Primrose Cottage really hasn’t altered much in terms of layout

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over th to say w many o were.” taken a century Primros be muc Kate reality i and scu anymor change and our with it. Kate Cottage sensed

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oms – and changing windows

945

nt ce

it s that

fe wo wash .0d and

rose

ale and how for

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over the years. Yet I find it hard to say with any certainty where many of these rooms actually were.” A photograph, probably taken at the start of the 19th century proves the point. Primrose Cottage today seems to be much as it was then. Kate said: “I suppose the reality is that parlours, pantries and sculleries just don’t exist anymore. Technology has changed the way we use rooms and our terminology has changed with it.” Kate moved into Primrose Cottage in 2003. Even then she sensed the layout was somewhat

HOMES & INTERIORS

illogical, but considered that this was (and still is) part of the charm. One problem Kate had to address was the single glazed windows that allowed the cold in and the warmth out. She said: “With heating bills constantly on the increase, I had to take action to replace the windows and accordingly asked a number of firms to quote. “Some gave me ridiculously high prices, only to drop them when they knew I was getting other estimates. I didn’t trust them. The only people who impressed me were Kingfisher. Their prices were good and they never push or rush you.” The new windows at Primrose Cottage have been much admired locally. Far from altering the character of the cottage they have enhanced it and ensured that, whatever the rooms inside are called, they stay warm in winter.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 99

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Balkan, Celtic and dub fusion group Ushti Baba were one of the festival highlights

James Slater

Pupils from Wells Blue School perform during their Legacy Project concert

Clowning around on the village green

The next generation

Children from Priddy preschool dance to songs they learnt in music sessions funded by the festival PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL 2013

Hurdles restored

Alan Butcher, Rachel Thompson, Robin Maine, Alan Hutfield and Bill Small admire the new hurdles

THE famous sheep hurdle stack on Priddy Green which was destroyed by fire in April was replaced in time for an official “opening” during the folk festival. Volunteers from Priddy rebuilt the hurdles before thatcher Simon Dench set to work on the new roof. The hurdles were unveiled during a brief ceremony on the green which included songs specially written about them by local duo The Drystones.

A Priddy parasol – the musthave item during the hottest festival for years

A packed Swildons Marquee

Simon at work on the roof Thatch lies ready to be worked

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 101

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Jazz in the park

WELLS Jazz Collective puts on its first bandstand event in the city’s park near the Bishop’s Palace moat on Sunday, August 4th, from 3pm-5pm. Its aim is to celebrate the wealth of jazz talent in and around Wells. Students, amateurs and professionals will all take part. Organiser and sax player Paul Cannon said: “Having discovered the WJC soon after it was founded four years ago I was amazed by the quality of musicianship and by the commitment to bring on new talent. “The bandstand session is the perfect opportunity to show off both! The concert will be anchored by a professional trio supporting some superb singers and players.”

Choir bids farewell

MUSIC

MENDIP Male Voice Choir held a gala dinner at the Conygre Hall in Timsbury to say farewell to musical director Kate Courage and her assistant and pianist Carl Speck who are both leaving the choir after nearly 10 years. Kate is expecting her first baby in a few weeks time and Carl is taking up a new teaching job in London. In the last ten years the choir has grown from 28 members to over 80. Chairman, Andy Green, presented them with Bristol Blue Glass and a cheque from members. Both Kate and Carl replied saying how much they had enjoyed their time with the choir. The new musical director Jamie Knight is looking to push the choir to new heights and there is room for new members. The choir meets on Mondays, 7.30pm, at St. John’s School, Timsbury during term time.

Buzzing in Backwell

BACKWELL Festival just gets bigger! Now in its fifth year, the event has added a chefs’ tent, classical music and a Sunday concert to the festival weekend of September 7th and 8th. The Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra string ensemble will be playing, alongside a wealth of local talent, including electro pop singer Nancy, Mange Tout, Those Crazy Horses, The International Banjo Band, Rosie Southern and Pete, Brockley Forest, Chris Hewitt, Pearl Love and the Backyard Super Band with the Sugar Snaps. As well as music there is a variety of food and drink available, plus plenty of festival entertainment for the kids. The festival is raising money for Children’s Hospice South West and Backwell Junior School. PAGE 102 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Prize night at Mendip

GOLF

THE final round of the Men’s and Ladies’ Club Championship at Mendip was played on a blistering hot weekend, when competitors were faced with a fast running course and fair but interesting pin positions. With over 125 people taking part the event did not complete until 7.30 in the evening and this was followed by the presentation of prizes. Men’s Club Championship – Gross 1st George Morgan – 145 Frost Cup – Net 1st John Tweed – 140 Ladies Club Championship – Gross 1st Gill Brown – 176 Berkeley Hall winners Andrew Jones (left) and Neil Clarke

Mendip Club Champion George Morgan. Club Captain Hugh Glandfield and Frost Cup Winner John Tweed

Ladies Club Championship – Nett 1st Edwina Willis - 157 Ladies Champion Chasers – 1st Liz Rose – 33 pts On July 3rd with a Shotgun Start at 6pm the Berkeley Hall Foursomes took place. Berkeley Hall Foursomes – Medal 1st Neil Clarke and Andrew Jones – 69 net 2nd Neil Onslow and George Morgan – 70.5 net 3rd Dan Middle and John Tweed – 72 net The club has recruited over 40 new members since April 1st.

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 103

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Horses need help

COMPETITION horses are athletes just like human ones and if you think about what the average event horse does in a week it is no surprise With CELIA that they have twinges GADD and aches and pains that need addressing, just like we do. For a horse to perform at its peak capabilities it needs to be pain free, and learn to work and use the correct muscle structure to prevent injuries when they are jumping and galloping. Often it is a combination of physiotherapy, and correct working both under saddle and from the ground that can produce a fit and gymnastic equine athlete. There are many different types of equine massage and treatment to choose from, but it is always a good idea to find someone that comes highly qualified and recommended if possible as you want to make sure you are getting safe and cost effective treatment for your horse. It is also useful I feel to find someone to treat your horse who is a rider and experienced horse person themselves so they have a solid empathy and understanding with your training requirements and what each horse may be physically capable of. Horses come in all different shapes and sizes, and the varying conformation of the horse means that some will find the work much easier physically than others, although it is often the heart and attitude that makes the difference between a ‘superstar’ and an ‘also ran’.

Molly Fursman is a chartered human and animal physiotherapist who moved to live in Easton, Wells over two years ago. While Molly has extensive experience in both the human and animal physiotherapy field, having practiced in a diverse range of clinical areas from neurology to private out-patient settings as a senior human physiotherapist, her passion lies within the world of veterinary physiotherapy. Molly comes from a non horsey family and as hard as her mother tried to convince her and put her off as a young child (naughty bucking, snapping ponies!), the more determined Molly was to get out there and compete! This determination saw Molly through to the pony club national championships as a junior and senior representing her branch as an individual and team member and she was fortunate enough to leave school with a sponsorship that enabled her to compete and train with some of the leading riders and GB squad coaches. Molly was also fortunate enough to work with Lesley Law during his Olympic gold medal year in 2004 and has also trained extensively with an Olympic showjumper and junior showjumping squad coach. Nevertheless, it was always Molly’s intention to become a chartered physiotherapist and she began her training alongside competing. Having qualified as a human physio is invaluable in order to go on to qualify and practice as a chartered vet physio. All the skills and knowledge from the human side can be directly transferred to the equine side and help with the clinical assessment and treatment of the horse.

August 2013 show dates Saturday 3rd: Unaffiliated dressage at Urchinwood Manor, Wrington Sunday 4th: West Somerset Vale Horse and Dog Pony Show at Sawlea Farm, Stogursey Unaffiliated dressage and combined training at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Thursday 8th: Clear round show jumping at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th: BS Seniors at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Sunday 11th: Clear round show jumping and cross country at Urchinwood Manor,

PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

Wrington Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th: BS Juniors at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Sunday 18th: Mid Somerset Agricultural Show – Shepton Showground, Shepton Mallet Tuesday 20th: Affiliated dressage at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Sunday 25th: Unaffiliated show jumping at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Saturday 31st: Unaffiliated dressage at Urchinwood Manor, Wrington

Even with her biomechanical and physiotherapeutic expertise, her background as a rider really helps to set her ahead in the physiotherapy field in understanding the levels and training required for each discipline, and in looking and understanding the horse and its requirements as an athlete. Although Molly’s existing practice remains in the Midlands the move to Somerset has expanded the practice to cover Somerset as well, with a seven-day mobile and clinic based service, which has expanded greatly in the last two years. She would like to thank the Stables Vets, with special thanks to Tim Randle for all his support. “Somerset is now my home and where I belong. Driving back from my clinic days in the Midlands along the Wells road looking over the Somerset Levels only affirm this, and now my horses are here, I’m here to stay too, as is Fursman physiotherapy!” As well as offering treatments, Molly also offers talks and clinics to groups such as riding clubs and pony clubs etc. Taunton Vale Fox Hounds Horse Show, Taunton racecourse Saturday, September 7th Chew Stoke Harvest Home Horse Show. For schedule, visit: http://www.blackdownmendiprc.co.uk or tel: 07879 812507. Sunday, September 15th Banwell Pony Club Open Show, North Somerset Showground, Wraxhall. Details: www.banwellponyclub.co.uk

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Rescued pony has new home

SCHOOLCHILDREN at Sidcot in North Somerset have joined forces with the animal welfare charity HorseWorld to give a rescued pony a second chance at life. Seven-year-old Hamish, who was rescued by the RSPCA and HorseWorld after he was abandoned by his owner, has arrived at his new home at Sidcot School in Winscombe. The school responded to an appeal by HorseWorld to help rehome the hundreds of neglected and mistreated horses that have been rescued by the charity since the start of the recession. Sidcot’s Equestrian Centre’s manager, Jane Keep, said: “When we heard Hamish’s sad story we just could not say no! He is such a sweet, sensitive pony and we will really spoil him at Sidcot – I am sure it will only be a short time before he is everyone’s favourite on the yard.” Hamish was rescued in February 2012. His owner had left the country and the little black and white pony was left to fend for himself. He was severely underweight, neglected and

Ride for Yvonne

MENDIP Bridleways and Byways Association is staging a special 10-mile fun ride in memory of its treasurer Yvonne Sommer, who sadly died earlier this year. It is a pre-booked event for 100 riders, taking place on Sunday, July 28th around Westcombe, near Evercreech and will raise funds for the British Lung Foundation and MBBA. The route is a one-off with special permission from local landowners and is also available to walkers and cyclists; walkers are being asked to make a donation and cyclists to pay £5. MBBA chairman Cherry Lawson said: “Yvonne was a huge contributor to the village and a wonderful committee member so we are hoping for a good turnout. Every rider will be presented with a rosette. “This ride will be a oneoff, so we are very grateful to local landowners for allowing us to ride over their land, but Yvonne was a popular person who contributed so much to the community and perhaps this will be a small recognition of her enormous amount of time and energy she contributed to Batcombe and Westcombe Yvonne Summer and MBBA.” For more details, tel: 01749 830243 or 01749 831276 or visit: www.mbba.org.uk

RIDING

Sidcot’s Equestrian manager Jane Keep (centre) pictured with Hamish and Sidcot groom Francesca Gould (right) with Bridgwater College student Lucy Austen, who is carrying out her work-based diploma at the yard.

suffering from diarrhoea when he was picked up by the RSPCA and taken to HorseWorld in Whitchurch. Hamish will be joining 24 horses and ponies and Nigella the Pig who are currently in residence at the school’s BHS approved Equestrian Centre and Livery Yard. The centre is also an outreach centre for Bridgwater College and open to the public for adult and child riding lessons and hacks throughout the year. Children will be able to meet Hamish and hear more about his story if they sign up for “Own A Pony” Days during the school holidays.

Hamish was neglected and abandoned by his owner who left the country

Details: http://www.sidcot.org.uk/equestrian-riding-school/

MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 105

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B i g w in f o r S o m e r se t a t N o r t o n By Mark Adler

MIDSOMER Norton Cricket Club hosted its first women’s county championship match when Somerset cruised to victory over Team Wales. A good crowd watched the home side secure a nine-wicket win in the 50-over Division Two match with opener Sophie Le Marchand finishing on 79 not out as Somerset chased down 151. Leg spinner Lorraine Szczepanski had earlier taken three Welsh wickets for 31 in her ten overs. Norton cricket club chairman Kev Tabb said: “It was the first time we’d hosted a ladies match game and it has gone very well indeed. It’s been an excellent day.”

The last Welsh wicket falls when Claire Thomas is bowled by Jenny Withers, from Blagdon Team Wales

Somerset opener Elwyn Campbell sets the pace

Scorers Linda Williams (left) and Cecilia Szczepanski

Kev Tabb (left) and Nick Potter, captain of Norton’s 1st X1

The Somerset Women’s side PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Cycle ride for soccer club

SPORT

Findlay and Toby with the other cyclists at the start of the ride

MORE than 40 cyclists took part in a 30-mile ride around part of Mendip to raise hundreds of pounds for Chilcompton Sports Youth Soccer Club. The annual event began from the Somerset Wagon in the village and the riders passed through villages including Holcombe, Kilmersdon, Buckland Dinham and Wellow before returning to the pub. The youngest riders were Findlay Button and Toby Morris, both aged seven.

Tandems head west

HUNDREDS of tandem cyclists from all over the UK and other countries will be descending on Somerset for the UK Tandem Club’s 2013 national rally. The rally, which takes place in Lympsham near Weston-super-Mare from August 10th – 17th will be the largest gathering of tandems this year and promises to be a major local tourist event. During the rally, groups of tandems will be seen every day across North Somerset exploring places as far afield as Frome, Taunton and Bristol. Riders will be enjoying the flat countryside of the Somerset Levels as well as climbing the Mendips and discovering the delights of the Bristol Channel coastline. The Tandem Club UK, which is affiliated to the UK Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), is the only club specifically for people who ride bikes designed for two or more people. Tandem cycling is currently enjoying a boom in popularity, with sales of new and second-hand tandems breaking records as people discover how cycling together increases their

Cyclists leave the Somerset Wagon for their 30-mile trip around Mendip

enjoyment. Members of the club come from all ages and levels of experience, from families who enjoy cycling together, to couples just starting. A few members have owned the same tandem for many years; in one case, ever since they were married more than 50 years ago!

Details: Jane Termini Taylor on tjohnandjane@btopenworld.co.uk or Peter Weeks on peter.weeks@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 9686010 / 07730 925759 http://tandem-club.org.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013 • PAGE 107

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MENDIP TIMES

Keinton Mandeville pupils won the competition

Keinton players are ace

YOUNG tennis players from Keinton Mandeville, near Street, have claimed the title of winners of the South Somerset Schools’ Mini Red tennis competition. The finals were the culmination of a long journey with hundreds of young people from South Somerset taking part in “cluster” competitions over the last two months. Keinton Mandeville school won the final at Martock Tennis Club, beating Milford Junior school by four games to two. The project has been funded by the The finals underway

PAGE 108 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

South Somerset Tennis Development Group, which was set up by the Sports Development team at South Somerset District Council. South Somerset School Games Organiser, Steve Gass, delivered the final event in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association. Steve said: “The cluster competitions have been really successful with some exciting tennis being played. “We were really pleased with how the competition went. A special thank you must also find its way to Stanchester Academy who supported the event with

eight exceptional Young Leaders.” Jake Hannis, Senior Sport and Healthy Lifestyles Officer at South Somerset District Council said: “Local professional tennis coaches have been leading sessions in schools right across South Somerset for hundreds of pupils to introduce them to the sport. “More than one hundred pupils who showed enthusiasm and ability were then given the chance to take part in five weeks of coaching, which has really developed their skills.”

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SPORT

James skis for GB

Boules contest hots up

JAMES Bartlett, from Glastonbury, has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Water Ski Racing Championships being held in Tenerife this September. James, aged 37, has been water ski racing since he was a boy, following in his father’s footsteps. He has seen success as Junior Boy champion in 1991, Men’s F3 champion in 2008 and 09, and is now hoping for a world ranking this September. His racing team, Pushin’ On, will also be joining him in Tenerife; Damian Hopkins, a building contractor from Glastonbury and Mark Anderson, a landscape gardener, from Chard. James said: “I have been training hard for this all winter and skiing in minus temperature water conditions has obviously paid off! But the real hard work starts now, I need to be training two to three times a week on the water and in the gym. It’s hard when you also work full time to try and financially support yourself doing the sport you love.”

John Pike, Garry Carr, Mark Parnell and Brian Kirkup, from the Rotary club of Wrington Vale. Brian is this year’s District Governor

He’s appealing for sponsors to support him. Details: misspamelakevans@yahoo.co.uk

Divers cook up a boat

THE annual Wells Charity Boules Tournament attracted a record number of teams from far afield. As the sun baked down on the Market Place, 54 teams battled it out for the trophy – and the bragging rights! The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Wells and the Rotary Club of Avalon. Each year it raises money for the Nepal Trust – Rotarians and friends make regular trips to the country to build new health care centres. They are about to head off in September to complete work on a new birthing centre in one district. The trust has recently been awarded a total of £35,000 thanks to fundraising efforts by the clubs and grants from Rotary District 1200 and Rotary International. This year’s contest raised more than £5,000 for the project. And the winners are: Bistro La Barrique beat Les Rosbeufs in the final

A summer scene in Wells, not the south of France!

MEMBERS of Street Divers Sub Aqua Club, known as Street Divers, have managed to buy a new boat by cooking up breakfasts for Glastonbury Festival goers. They’ve been doing it now for 25 years, even serving up egg, bacon and sausages for campers at 3am in the morning. The new boat cost £40,000 to buy and install with the necessary navigational equipment. Details: www.streetdivers.co.uk or www.bsac.com

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Head for the Frome Cheese Show IT may be only August, but some people are already making plans for Christmas – and that includes many of the visitors to the Frome Cheese Show! Organisers say that many visitors to the September show buy their seasonal gifts on the day or make a mental note to order online or by post. The 136th show takes place on Saturday, September 14th at the West Woodlands showground. Show secretary Brenda Scott said: “A great many visitors tell me that it’s somewhere where they look for those gifts with a handmade difference to

give their family and friends at Christmas. “We’ve sold more than 350 trade stand spaces this year, entries for all of the competitions, from the best bull in show to the children’s craft classes, are already flowing in and with entries for the Cheese Awards coming from literally all over the world – we’ve even had an enquiry from Thailand – and everything else that will be on offer, Frome Show 2013 will have something for everyone.” The last statement is certainly true, from outstanding livestock entries, and demonstrations of traditional rural skills to stunning floral displays and more. The show, one of the biggest and most important events of its kind in the region, will be heaving with attractions of all kinds, from dogs showing off their agility to stunt motor cyclists risking life and limb to entertain the crowds that will be packed around the Village Green. Brenda added: “We’re very much aware that people’s pockets are still being squeezed so we’ve held ticket prices at last year’s levels. Last year’s show was the best ever and while it will be hard to match, the success of that show and the publicity which the Global Cheese Awards have given us point to this year’s event being one to remember too.” For more information about the show, visit: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk – it includes copies of the schedules for the show’s many competition classes and information about hiring mobility scooters for the day.

M B E R S

PATRONS H I P PACKA

MENDIP Times has teamed up with the show organisers to offer one lucky winner the chance to experience the show in style by winning our special competition. The prize is a Patron Membership package worth £100 offering: two admission tickets, two lunch tickets, a ringside car pass, a catalogue voucher and free use of the Members Marquee where the winner and their guest can sit and relax whilst watching entertainment in the main ring. To enter, please answer the following question: which country surprised show organisers when they received a query about the Global Cheese Awards? Please send your answers on a postcard to: Frome Cheese Show competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, BS40 7RG. Entries must be received by Friday, August 16th. The first correct entry chosen will win the prize. The editor’s decision is final. PAGE 110 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

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Family fun at beer festival

ORGANISERS of this year’s Wessex Beer Festival at Chilcompton are putting on a series of family-friendly activities on the Saturday afternoon of the event. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting and other activities – and entry will be free for children. The festival is being held at The Court Hotel, starting on the evening of Friday, September 6th and continuing throughout the next day. There will be live music on both days with rhythm and blues on the Friday along with jazz and world music on the Saturday. The Rotary Club of Somer Valley, which is again running the festival, says there is still an opportunity for businesses to sponsor individual barrels of real ale and cider at £100 a barrel. All profits from the event go to the club’s charity fund. Tickets for the festival (£7 in advance, £9 on the door) are now on sale via the festival website or at the club’s ticket sales centres: Paul Loader Butchers, in Radstock; Norad Travel Agents, Midsomer Norton and The Court Hotel, Chilcompton. For more information, visit: www.wessexbeerfestival.co.uk The Rotary Club of Somer Valley always welcomes visiting Rotarians and new members. For meeting details go to www.somer-rotary.org.uk

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

WHAT’S ON

The 8-Week

Mindfulness Meditation MBCT Course

A course of clear mindfulness meditation instruction combined with CBT to help lift mood, prevent depression, anxiety and stress (NICE Approved).

September, February and April in Bath, Wells and Bristol For information call John Waller UKCP: 01761 437214 or Email: jlwaller@uk2.net www.mindfulnesscoursesbath-bristol.co.uk

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

Friday 9th August Wednesday 14th August Friday 16th August Friday 23rd August Friday 30th August

COMING UP:

The Lone Ranger (12A) Percy Jackson Sea Of Monsters 2D & 3D (cert tbc) Plans 2D & 3D (cert tbc) We Are The Millers (15) Grown Ups 2 (15) One Direction – This Is Us 3D (cert tbc) Kick Ass 2 (cert tbc)

Book in person Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

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Friday 26th – Sunday July 28th Lions Club of Weston-super-Mare beer festival on the Beach Lawns, preceded by a Race Night on the Thursday. Details: www.westonlionsrealalefestival.org.uk Saturday July 27th Somerset Chamber Choir in concert, 7pm at Wells Cathedral. Including Mozart’s Requiem and James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross. Tickets: www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk 01823 336344 or Wells Cathedral shop. Sunday July 28th Compton Dando, St. Mary’s Church. Teas and cake served between 2 – 5pm. Profits to the Church Funds. All welcome. Friday August 2nd Open Mic Night at Redhill Village Club, BS40 5SG, from 8pm, hosted by Jerry Blythe. All welcome, free admission. Saturday August 3rd –Sunday 4th Nailsea & District Horticultural Society Summer Show, Golden Valley playing field, 12.30pm. Stalls, refreshments, Filton Town Band, line dancing, falconry display and a fun dog show as well as flowers fruit and veg.

Saturday August 3rd Nunney’s 38th Annual Street Market and Fayre, 10am-5pm. Includes live music in front of Nunney Castle. Details: www.visitnunney.com Jumble Sale 10.30am – 12.30p.m. at Wookey Hole Community Hall (near Crazy Golf). Free parking, coffee & biscuits. All proceeds to Dorset & Somerset Air PAGE 112 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

T i m e s

Ambulance. Donations can be collected: 01749 674697 or 675415. Artisan Fair, Browne’s Garden Centre. Wells. Raffle in aid of Ellie Payne’s Walk 2 – The British Heart Foundation. Stallholders include homemade muffins and cakes, chocolates, homemade fudge, pies, handmade decorations, stone carving and much more. Stalls still available at £15. For more information contact Vanessa@vlancaster.co.uk or call 077 898 74402. Sunday August 4th Summer garden party at Southfield Farm, Farleigh Rd, Backwell, 2-5pm, in aid of St Bridget’s Church, Chelvey. Southfield Farm gardens feature in the National Garden Scheme and are well worth a visit. There is plenty of off-road parking with disabled access to most areas.01761 463888 or 07768 991997. Compton Dando, St. Mary’s Church. Teas and cake served between 2 – 5pm. Profits to the Church Funds. All welcome. Wells: “Jazz in the park” with Wells Jazz Collective, park bandstand near the Bishop’s Palace moat, 3pm-5pm. Friday August 9th Walk: Lavender Farm, Faulkland, 10am. Details: www.dontwalkalone.co.uk Saturday August 10th Mark Harvest Home – harvest lunch, family games, afternoon tea, children’s disco, tug of war and evening entertainment. Details: Mel 07875 058525 or Jeff Fear 01278 783261. Sunday August 11th Priddy Abseil / Zip Wire Event, 12 noon from Priddy Church Tower – try with guidance from professionals, or just climb up inside the tower if you prefer! Stalls and refreshments. Details: pam.main@hotmail.com Compton Dando, St. Mary’s Church. Teas and cake served between 2 – 5pm. Profits to the Church Funds. All welcome. Monday August 12th “Night of the Shooting Stars” – join the Wells & District Astronomers at Cheddar Scout Hut, The Hayes (behind Cheddar First School) to look for the Perseid meteor shower and other wonders of the night sky. Talks and exhibition from 8pm until late. Details: www.wellsastronomers.org.uk Thursday August 15th Classic Car Evening at Redhill Village Hall, BS40 5SG, from 7:30 -10:00pm. Hog Dogs etc., Bar. All welcome.

W h a t ’ s

Friday August 16th Wedmore Harvest Home, procession 10am, lunch, children's sports, tea, evening entertainment. Details: www.wedmorehh.com Saturday August 17th Bleadon Village Market – 9-12.30 in the Coronation Halls. Details: www.bleadon.org.uk/market Writhlington Flower Show & Fete in the Village Hall. 2.30pm. Details: 07851 363955. Barrow Gurney Flower festival, village hall. Sunday August 18th Mid-Somerset Show – see page 12. Compton Dando, St. Mary’s Church. Teas and cake served between 2 – 5pm. Profits to the Church Funds. All welcome. Walk in Faulkland, 10am. Details: www.dontwalkalone.co.uk 55th Timsbury Horse and Dog Show – at a new venue, Sleight Farm (next to the Warwick Arms) Clutton, BS39 5TF. Details: stabledoorequestrian@hotmail.co.uk or kim_mcgarva@hotmail.co.uk 01761 235704 or 07514884777. Somerset Wildlife Trust, East Mendip group, walk around Mells and Great Elm with Jim Rosser. Wednesday August 21st Priddy Sheep Fair. Saturday August 24th –Sunday August 25th Glastonbury Wool Festival – activities

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linked to the British wool industry. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, 10am-5pm, free entry. Saturday August 24th – Bank Holiday Monday August 26th Mendip Rotary Mower Racing & Beer festival. Beers and food galore plus live music. Old Coach Road, Lower Weare, nr Axbridge,BS26 2JB. Details: 01934 750513.

Flower Festival ‘Music in Bloom’ in St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip BA3 5QQ. Daily 11am-4pm. Local history exhibition and refreshments in the Memorial Hall. Saturday August 24th Somerset Showcase in Axbridge. Arts & crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, Medieval Square, 10am until late. Details: www.somersetshowcase/info See page 50. Wedmore Produce Market, The Borough, Wedmore, 9am-1pm. Sunday August 25th Rodney Stoke Companion Dog Show, plus horse show and teddy bear show. Details: Jane Holmes 01749 860467. Monday August 26th The City of Wells Lions & City of Wells ATC Moat Race, Bishop’s Palace, Wells. Details: cityofwellslions@aol.com Thursday August 29th Family Harvest Fun Day, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, various events, free drop-in Friday August 30th The Buffalo Gals – Appalachian, blues, gospel and bluegrass with percussive stepdancing. Buckland Dinham Village Hall, 7.30pm, Bar. Tickets £10, 01373 461897 or 464156. Friday September 6th – Sunday 8th Tenth Wookey Hole Music Festival, Wookey Hole Club, various artists including local musicians’ showcase. Details: www.wookeyholemusic.co.uk Saturday, September 7th Railway "Rev Up" 10am to 4pm. Meare,

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near Glastonbury. BA6 9SX. Displays of vintage tractors, commercials, steam engines, motorcycles, stationary engines and more, Continues Sunday, September 8th. Supporting Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. For more information, call Ivan 01458 259401 (after 6pm). Saturday September 7th – Sunday 8th Fifth Backwell Festival – bands, chefs’ tent, children’s entertainment, plus jazz on Sunday. Money raised goes to Backwell Junior School and Children’s Hospice South West. Details: www.backwellfestival.co.uk Sunday September 8th Redhill Village Harvest Fair & Produce Show plus classic cars display, 12 -5pm. Outdoor open mic hosted by Jerry Blythe, Bar, barbeque, cream teas. Free entry. Harvest Church Service at 4.30pm. Details: 01934 862619. Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Fun Day. Midday to 4pm. Free entry. Trade stands £10 in advance or £12 on the day. Contact Sue on 0780 1721162. Wednesday September 11th Daffadowndillies, a talk about the many facets of narcissi by Susan Chouthlay for Nailsea & District Horticultural Society,.7.30pm at the United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea. Saturday September 14th Winscombe Michaelmas Fair, from 1.45pm at the Community Centre, Sandford Rd, Winscombe. Many exhibits, stalls & games.

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 3

COMPETITION WINNER

Last month we ran a competition to win a pair of tickets to see Bryan Ferry at the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza on August 11th. The first winning entry drawn was from Rob Hawkes of Malvern Wells, Worcestershire.

Entertainment by Bold Brass, Community Choir and Chalice Morris. Enquiries: 01934 843776. Saturday September 21st Bleadon Village Market, 9am-12.30 in the Coronation Halls. Details: www.bleadon.org.uk/market Saturday September 22nd Axbridge annual Blackberry Carnival with procession, floats and funfair in the medieval square. All welcome. Street Chrysanthemum, Dahlia and Vegetable Society annual show, 12pm till 5.30pm, Crispin Hall, High Street, Street, refreshments available, free admission, donations appreciated. Sunday September 29th Beckington Go-Kart Rally – closing date for entries is Sept 13th – forms, photos and all details: www.beckingtongokartrally.co.uk

Discovering Black Down project – August events

Monday 12th August 6pm-8pm Black Down Bridleways – bring along your horse to join in this free guided ride on the bridleways of Black Down. Booking essential. Tuesday 13th August 2pm – 4pm Bee- utiful Burrington Ham and Black Down – search for bumble bees. Wednesday 14th August 10am to 2pm Discover Black Down and Burrington ham – in a six-mile walk. Wednesday 14th August 8pm-10pm Bats about Burrington – with the Somerset Bat group. Booking essential.

Friday 16th August 2-4pm Burrington Bugs – search for creepy crawlies Tuesday 20th August 2pm-4pm Stone Age Bone Age Stories – take a wander back in time with storyteller Michael Loader. Voyage underground and up the Combe to get a closer look at the ‘Grand Designs’ of our Stone Age ancestors. Bookiing essential. For details of all events contact Stuart Bardsley Black Down Project Officer email sbardsley@somerset.gov.uk tel 01761 462338.

ANSWERS TO THE MENDIP MINDBENDER

O n

18/7/13

ACROSS: 1 Chew Valley, 6 Aces, 10 Birdcages, 11 Elton, 12 Emu, 13 Neckerchief, 14 Eyelid, 15 Niger, 18 Ideas, 20 Seesaw, 25 Essentially, 26 Box, 27 Ebola, 28 Dissonant, 29 Mode, 30 Unassessed. DOWN: 1 Cabled, 2 Earful, 3 Vacancy, 4 Logical, 5 East End, 7 Cuttings, 8 Sandford, 9 Beacon, 16 Time Team, 17 Pensford, 19 Sundae, 20 Swindon, 21 Enlists, 22 Anymore, 23 Uboats, 24 Exited.

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East Harptree concert

THE Chapel Choir of University College, Durham is visiting East Harptree on August 30th to perform a programme of light summer music. The choir performs weekly services in the college chapels and occasionally sings evensong in local cathedrals such as York and Durham. In the previous two years the choir has toured to Milan, Edinburgh and most recently they performed Bach’s B Minor Mass at part of World Heritage Day in Durham Cathedral. The conductor is James Day, who has brought the choir to his home village. He has just graduated from Durham University and is taking up a scholarship to study conducting at Royal Academy of Music in September. Tickets (£8/£5/Free for U18) can be reserved from 01761221500/07970152098 or by emailing jjames.day@googlemail.com

Make me smile

SINGER Steve Harley says his return to the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza this August will be “a joy”. It will be the second time the Seventies legend has taken to the stage as support act with Cockney Rebel, this time opening the show ahead of Bryan Ferry and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, in the grounds of the historic ruins. Steve, who last played at the event in 2010, said: “What a setting! And the Eavis family make it all comfortable and decent backstage and onstage. It’s always a joy.” Perhaps best known for their hit Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel have been playing the song for nearly 40 years, but Steve says he still looks forward to the moment he performs it to another audience each time. He said: “I love to sing that song. It’s never the same twice, to be honest. The feedback, the singing from audiences all over the world brings a lot of smiles to a lot of faces.” Tickets for the Extravaganza on Sunday, August 11, are being snapped up after the event took a break last year, following a 17-year run. With a busy touring schedule taking in festivals as well as smaller shows, Steve said both kinds of performances had their appeal: “All shows have their own special moments. Five hundred-seat concert halls or theatres are wonderful to play, especially when it’s our three-man acoustic set, which we take to many different countries. But I love the big events with the rock band just as much. A big Glastonbury crowd will do for PAGE 114 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2013

WHAT’S ON

The Daleks are coming!

FIFTY years after the Daleks were first seen on our TV screens they are planning a terrifying return to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on August 10th and 11th. Together with their evil accomplices Davros, Scarecrows, Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Pig Slave and many more, this year’s visitation will feature some new family activities and entertainment including the ever popular Audience with the Daleks when you can ask the more friendly of them the questions on everybody’s mind such as: “How old are you and how do you get up stairs?” The event will take place throughout three Halls of the Fleet Air Arm Museum with the performances taking place in front of a dramatic new Space Station set under Concorde. To add to the fun and terror of the day, children are encouraged to wear sci-fi fancy dress.

Steve Harley will take to the stage at the Glastonbury Extravaganza

me, anytime!” The live music will be followed by the traditional fireworks display that brings the Glastonbury Extravaganza to a close. Advance ticket prices are £35 adult, £20 for an accompanied child aged six to 16, £95 for a family of two adults and three children. Gate prices are £40 adult, £25 for a child aged six to 16, £120 for a family of two adults and three children. Accompanied children aged five and under do not require a ticket.

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