What’s On

Palace garden festival returns

THE Bishop’s Palace and Gardens will be holding its popular three-day Garden Festival opening on Friday, June 17th.

Returning for its eighth year, the ever-popular festival will once again reunite garden-lovers with specialists from around the country. Designed to celebrate the Great British Garden, the stunning 14-acre palace grounds will feature guided tours, live music, expert speakers, delicious food, skills and crafts and stalls, including some fabulous nurseries selling unusual and popular plants.

Headlining on Friday is Mark Bobin (Head Gardener, Minterne Gardens), who will be talking about the Himalayan garden deep in the Dorset countryside. He'll also be sharing tales and footage from his plant-hunting trip to the Himalayas. Troy Scott Smith (Head Gardener at Sissinghurst) and Sarah Venn (Incredible Edible Bristol) will also be giving talks over the weekend. The palace’s own swan expert, Moira Anderson, will also be giving a talk.

Before the festival, the palace will be joining the local community to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Celebrations at the palace are particularly poignant because the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who resides at the palace, has stood at the monarch’s side at each coronation since 1179.

From Thursday, June 2nd there will a Jubilee Exhibition at the palace highlighting the significance of the Queen within the local community. All items featured have been generously loaned by local people, each with their own unique and interesting story. Visitors will also see the magnificent coronation cope on display at the Palace. First worn in 1902, this intricate, golden cope has been worn by the Bishop of Bath and Wells at every coronation since.

Families are invited to join in with a community picnic on the croquet lawn on Monday, June 6th, where the Palace Croquet Team will be on hand for demonstrations and have-a-go sessions.

The Garden Festival is returning for its eighth year

A night of cop cars and cornettos

AROUND 450 people sat down to an outdoor screening of the iconic comedy Hot Fuzz on the lawn of the Bishop’s Palace to celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary of being released.

The police car used in the film, which was largely shot in Wells – the home city of director Edgar Wright – made a special appearance next to the big screen for the event organised by Wells Film Centre and the palace.

The Vauxhall Astra was driven from its base in Greater Manchester where it is owned by a company specialising in hiring out police cars for film and television productions. The car was joined by two others from Webbs Garage in Wells.

Brent-James Pinder, from Action Media Hire, said: “I think it was just over a 400-mile round trip from our base in Bury down to the Bishop’s Palace and despite it being a long couple of days, it was great to take part in the 15th anniversary for such a great modern British cult classic like Hot Fuzz.

“It was my first time visiting Wells but my business partner, Helen, loves the place and showed me around the film location before the screening. After my visit, it became clear how much detail Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg put into the film and all the hidden jokes that are scattered throughout the movie.”

The palace lawn was the venue for the screening Wells neighbourhood PCs Darren Pearson and Dan Williams greet filmgoers

Sally Cooper and dad Derek, from Wells Film Centre, with the Hot Fuzz car

An independent eye at the first Photo|Frame

AN exciting new festival called Photo|Frome is set to bring worldclass photography to Frome when it opens on Tuesday, June 21st.

The festival will showcase all types of photography from local, national, and international photographers at six exhibition venues. There will be talks, workshops, a book fair, portfolio reviews and more. The inaugural theme is The Independent Eye, celebrating photography as an art form. The festival runs daily for almost four weeks, until Friday, July 15th across seven venues and is free.

Highlights include Dave Grohl, Oasis, U2 and many other bands coming to town in the photographs of one of the UK’s leading music professionals, Danny North. Astronauts will be landing in Frome too, thanks to John Angerson’s unique photos of the training programme for NASA’s Space Shuttle STS-72 mission.

Photographers from eastern Europe will be joined by Exmoor’s Chris Chapman while dramatic street portraiture of strangers in East London by Trinidad-born Robert Huggins celebrates the capital’s diversity.

There are also three group shows. One features many of Frome’s professional photographers. Another is dedicated to the work by Frome Wessex Photographic, one of the region’s most successful amateur groups. The third is a large-scale display of contemporary photographs from across the world. Photo|Frome’s talks programme offers sessions from Robin Ravilious, Chris Chapman, Olga Karlovac, and John Angerson. They are Snow storm in Dubrovnik by Olga Karlovac joined by Justin Quinnell with a talk on pinhole photograph and Tim Gander will speak about his photodocumentary of Frome’s abandoned Saxonvale industrial site.

There will also be an event discussing the work of former resident Alice Seeley, later Lady Harris. Run in collaboration with Frome Heritage Museum, who are currently featuring her in their “Celebrated Women of Frome” exhibition, the photographer shocked the world in the early 1900s with her images of human rights abuses in the Belgian Congo, which led to King Leopold's withdrawal.

Photo|Frome 2022 – a Community Interest Company – will also put on a series of workshops ranging from Polaroid-based photowalks to “camera-less” cyanotype photography.

Visit www.photofrome.org for full details and tickets

THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR JUNE 2022

We’re happy to list entries for community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge, but please send them as a succinct single paragraph that can be copied and pasted quickly. Other entries cost £25.

Friday May 27th to Sunday May 29th

Wells Comedy Festival – see: www.wellscomfest.com

Saturday May 28th

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Weston Walking Group walks, 7-9 miles every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston. Details: www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Congresbury Folk Music Night 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Castle Cary Saturday Stitch coffee morning

10am-12, Market House. Details: 07929 097374.

Glastonbury Abbey Open Day:

www.glastonburyabbey.com

Monday May 30th

Wessex Stationary Engine Club meeting, last Monday every month, 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough. All welcome.

Wednesday June 1st

Trio Paradis 2pm All Saints Church, Castle Cary. Family friendly, church café open 1.30pm. Details: www.trioparadis.com

Thursday June 2nd to Saturday June 4th The Royal Bath and West Show Thursday June 2nd to Sunday June 5th

Chilcompton Art Club Exhibition, Downside Abbey visitor centre.

Friday June 3rd

Trio Paradis 2.30pm St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, donations welcome. Refreshments. All proceeds to Friends of Leigh Church www.trioparadis.com

Saturday June 4th

Fundraising Sale for Chew Valley Ukrainian Support Network, 10am-12 Millennium Hall, Chew Magna. Please bring donations of cakes, nearly new, plants, nice books, raffle prizes 910am. Cheddar Vale Lions duck race, Cheddar Gorge, 2pm. Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk

Sunday June 5th

Friends of Pensford Tower tea party, Pensford church rooms and churchyard, 2pm. Details: Jane 07703 699123.

Tuesday June 7th

The Genius of Stradivarius. AGM at 10am, then talk at 11am by Tony Faber for the Arts Society Mendip. Croscombe village hall, and via Zoom. Guests welcome, £6: tasmendip.comm@gmail.com

Wednesday June 8th

Kilmersdon Gardeners Duncan Bird on the Silent Spring 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome £3 (incl tea/coffee) www.kilmersdongardeners.org

Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers

free cream tea 2pm-3.30 to celebrate National Carers’ Week. All welcome! Plants, cakes, books on sale, Backwell WI Hall.

Saturday June 11th

Dorothy House Midnight Walk. Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market, Parish Hall, 10am-12noon, details: 01278 760308. Christian Garrick Duo, 8-10.15pm, Cossington Village Hall, TA7 8JN. £12.50 from 01278 451187 rogercollett.sounds@talktalk.net Coffee morning 10am-12, Old Rectory, opp St Bridget’s Church, Chelvey, in aid of church funds. Waves of Harmony anniversary show, with Weston Brass Band, 7.30pm St Paul’s Church, WSM, BS23 1EF. £12 from 0333 666 4466, on the door or www.wavesofharmony.co.uk Litton Village fete, from 11am. Collett Park Day Shepton Mallet: stalls, entertainment, displays and more. 10am-5pm. Free. Details: www.collettparkday.co.uk

Sunday June 12th

Zalifenta: classical concert 3pm St Andrews Church, Chew Stoke, BS40 8TU. £5 from www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Summer concert in aid of Wells Royal British Legion. Bishop’s Palace, with Yeovilton Military Wives Choir & Wells City Band. Details: wellsrblsecretary@aol.co.uk Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells, 7.30pm. £4pp, tables of up to six people. To book: Terry 01749 672342. Chew Valley 10K – tenth anniversary! Starts 9.30am from Bishop Sutton village hall. Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, Rugby club, Chew Stoke, BS40 8UE. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Refreshments. Parking. Details: 07831 336444 or Facebook page. Summer teas 2.30-5pm St Mary’s Church, Compton Dando – also throughout the Jubilee weekend then every Sunday until the end of August. Shepton Open Gardens. In aid of Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Project. Buy a map and follow the trail. 1-5pm. £6 (children free). Ffi: www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk

Monday June 13th

Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8pm-10, St James Church Centre Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853. RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch Meeting 11am Street Inn, BA16 0DR. Talk “RAF in the Falklands War” optional pub lunch. Details: 01458-224057 or rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com

Thursday June 16th

The Odyssey by David Mynne. A hilarious interpretation of Homer’s epic, 7.30pm Yeo Valley Garden, BS40 7SQ. Tickets: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Cheddar Valley u3a 40th anniversary

celebratory picnic, 12noon Parsons Penn Cheddar (Village Hall if wet).

Friday June 17th

Jenny Peplow Singers fundraising concert for Romanian dog rescue charity, 7pm Chilcompton village hall. Donations. Details: 01373 812093.

Saturday June 18th

Folk evening with Barry Walsh and Hilary Pavey, 7pm St James’s Church Hall Winscombe. In aid of Weston Hospicecare. Wells Goes Green event 10.30am-2.30pm, free, Recreation Ground, with mass cycle ride through the city, 12noon. See page 7. Bleadon Village Market 9.30-12, Coronation Halls BS24 0PG, 30+ stalls every third Sat. Details: 01934 812370. Classical guitarist Ross Morris, 3-4pm All Saints’ church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Free, retiring collection.

Sunday June 19th

Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, Rugby club, Chew Stoke, BS40 8UE. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Food & drinks available. Parking. Details: 07831 336444 or Facebook page.

Tuesday June 21st to July 15th

Photo|Frome exhibition. See page 94.

Tuesday June 21st

Walk the North Side of Cheddar Gorge. Meet 7pm Cufic Lane, Cheddar BS27 3QH. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events

Thursday June 23rd

Open Day & Plant Sale for Somerset Wildlife Trust at Greenbush private nature reserve, Doctor’s Hill, Wookey, 11am-4pm. Help welcome! Refreshments. Details: susanmbates@hotmail.co.uk

Saturday June 25th

Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society concert 7pm, Tickets: www.wcos.org.uk Jazz ‘n pizza in the garden 5.45pm Churchill Court Lodge, Church Lane, BS25 5QW. Details: www.churchillmusic.org.uk Valley Arts presents: The Grimm Sisters –the brains behind the Brothers Grimm! 2pm. St Andrew’s Church Hall, BS40 8RD. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Congresbury Gardening Club Summer Show &

Village Fete from 1.30pm St. Andrew’s Paddock, Details: congresburygardeningclub.com

Monday June 27th

Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8pm-10, St James Church Centre, Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday June 28th

Winscombe Folk Club 7.30-10.30pm, upstairs bar Winscombe club BS25 1HD. All genres of acoustic performers welcome, £2 towards room hire. Details: 07551 197685 or winscombefolkclub@gmail.com

Wednesday June 29th

Harptrees History Society guided walk, Pulteney Estates, Bath 12.30pm. Own transport. £5pp, to be booked in advance by 22nd June: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting

1.30pm Backwell WI hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Friday July 1st

Trio Paradis 2.30pm St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, donations welcome. Refreshments. For Friends of Leigh Church www.trioparadis.com

Saturday July 2nd

Nailsea Concert Orchestra “Summer Celebration” in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society, 7.30pm St Francis Church. Details: www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org Congresbury Singers “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, 7.30pm War Memorial Hall. Tickets £10 inc refreshments from PO & Re-Store, Congresbury. Camerton Jazz night, 7.30pm St Peter’s church. Details: Jill 01761 470249, Cyril 01761 470336.

Stoke St Michael Primary School PTA

summer fair. 2-5pm. Moonshill Road, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5LG.

Valley Arts classics

ANoriginal collection of performances will grace the Chew Valley this June, as Valley Arts brings more live performances to local venues. On Sunday, June 12th at St Andrew’s Church, Chew Stoke, Zalifenta will take a remarkable journey through 17th and 18th century classical music. Zalifenta musicians Frances Zagni, Richard Little, Hazel Fenton and John Talbot, whose surnames form the name of the group, will introduce the pieces and talk about their fascinating instruments including a Viola da Gamba, ancestor of the cello, and a spinet, an early form of piano.

Culture meets comedy on Thursday, June 16th over at Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Blagdon, when veteran actor David Mynne will perform his one-man show Odyssey. Based on Homer’s epic poem, this laugh out loud compelling adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Meanwhile on Saturday, June 25th, Scratchworks Theatre bring their lively show Grimm Sisters to Chew Magna’s church hall.

Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Show preparations in full swing

Wilfred Emmanuel Jones – the Black Farmer

ENTRIES have opened for a full complement of classes at this year’s Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show.

Last year’s event – on the new showground site at Cannard’s Grave on the edge of Shepton Mallet – was still feeling the effects of the pandemic but the 2022 show promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This year’s show takes place on Sunday, August 21st and organisers have launched an e-ticketing scheme for people to buy parking spaces in advance. Entry on foot remains free.

Amongst the celebrities being lined up for the show is the Black Farmer, aka Wildfred Emmanuel Jones, who will be judging one of the cheese classes.

All the usual attractions will be at the show with some new additions including a group of dry stone wallers building a permanent structure on the site and there will also be a display of hedge laying skills by Clive Bethell, the new organiser of the show’s annual hedge laying competition. Making a popular return will be the Shetland Pony Grand National in the main arena.

The show is appealing for more people to consider becoming volunteer stewards. Secretary Christine Barham said: “It’s a great way for people to put something back into the show and really feel part of a big community event. Stewards are our lifeblood.”

The showground will be the venue for Shepton Mallet’s official Jubilee Beacon on Thursday, June 2nd. Gates open at 7.30pm and attractions include a choir, bagpiper, an open mic session and food and drink before the beacon lighting ceremony at 9.45pm.

For full details, visit: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk

Axbridge tickets on sale

TICKETSare now on sale for the Axbridge Pageant, which will take place August 27th-29th in the town’s medieval square.

The event is normally staged every ten years, but was delayed for two years by the pandemic. Directed by John Bailey, it has a cast of 300, plus around 100 people behind the scenes.

Downside’s Jubilee weekend

DOWNSIDEAbbey, standing proudly between the villages of Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Chilcompton, will open its doors and grounds in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Over the four days of the celebratory extended bank holiday, the abbey and grounds will host a wide variety of events aimed to offer something for everyone.

The visitors centre is to host an exhibition of local artists from the Chilcompton Art Club. This will be open each day between 10am and 4pm.

Thursday June 2nd starts the celebrations with the lighting of a jubilee beacon on the abbey. This is a free event with vintage music, The Orchard Brass Band, licenced bar and refreshments. Doors open at 7.30 for 8pm with the lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm.

On Saturday, June 4th, 4-9pm they will be hosting a family “Big Lunch Picnic” on the terrace. On Sunday, June 5th, 10am-2pm the courtyard will host a table top sale with vendors selling both new and used goods. The day will be enhanced by a performance from the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Silver Band.

Details: www.visitdownside.co.uk email: info@visitdownside.co.uk

Help us record an historic celebration

WEplan to have a comprehensive round-up of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in our next issue, but with so many events planned we can’t possibly get to them all! If you would like your event to be featured please send us photos and a few details by Friday, June 10th, preferably by email to news@mendiptimes.co.uk

Visit Midsomer Norton South Railway Station and enjoy travelling on a section of the original Somerset & Dorset Railway track bed!

WHAT’S COMING UP!

H From May 30th: On Monday & Fridays during all school holidays our newly-arrived DMU will be operating. H From June 1st: On Wednesdays during all school holidays come and ride along the full length of the line on our unique Wickham trolley. H June 4th: The Big Street Party. Midsomer Norton Jubilee celebrations with steam and afternoon street party hosted at the station from 1-8pm. H June 5th: Diesel and a pint day. Sample a pint whilst travelling through the Somerset countryside. H June 19th: Fathers Day. Drive the diesel whilst the family travel behind in the train. H June 26th: Midsomer Cream Tea Sunday. Sample a locally-sourced cream tea in our buffet coach.

For a full list of all events, details and booking visit: www.sdjr.co.uk Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EY. Tel: 01761 411221. Email: general@sdjr.co.uk

Father’s Day loco treat

Driver Phil Jones at the controls of the DMU

DADS can fulfil their childhood dreams and take to the controls of a diesel/electric shunter loco at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Station at Midsomer Norton on Sunday, June 19th.

It’s just one of many events being planned for June at the living heritage site, including taking part in the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

As well as its two resident steam locos and diesel locos, the line recently acquired a two-car Diesel Multiple Unit, which is proving hugely popular with enthusiasts and families alike as it offers a “driver’s eye” view of the journey.

Meanwhile, Year One children from Welton First School, along with their teacher, Mrs. Debbie Stevens and helpers, spent a day visiting the uniquely-preserved station at Midsomer Norton last week. The children walked to the station along the path of the original railway line, now part of the National Cycle Network, to meet staff at the station who were dressed in the uniforms of the 1950/60s.

Are you ready to party?

THE 2022 season of Shepton Mallet’s independent markets got off to a great start in April with a springtime-themed event in the town centre.

Next is “May Mayhem” on Sunday, May 29th before June sees the “Shepton Party” on Sunday, June 26th with a local DJ in residence all day delivering tunes for all ages and tastes, a stilt walker, circus games for young and old and high-quality stalls offering street food, craft, and baked goods. All markets run from 10am-3pm.

Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for organisers, The Shepton Experience CIC, said: “After such a terrible couple of years for everyone we are over the moon with the support we have received from the community of Shepton Mallet and the surrounding area.

“So, in June we hope to bring a party spirit to our town and are looking forward to bringing the local community together to support the independent traders and enjoy a great day out.” l Organisers are seeking volunteer stewards and first aiders to help out throughout the year. For details, visit the market’s Facebook/Instagram page: @thesheptonexperience, at www.thesheptonexperience.co.uk or email: info@thesheptonexperience.co.uk