Issue 6 - Volume 15 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 15 ISSUE 6

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

NOVEMBER 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: CARNIVAL • FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY • SPORT • COMMUNITY • ARTS & ANTIQUES • EVENTS Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

AXBRIDGE, Castle Cary and Frome have kicked off the carnival season and we look forward to the Guy Fawkes series coming up in November. The Mendip Ploughing Match was another great day out, celebrating its 150th anniversary.

We’ve pictures from these and many other events, including arts trails, food festivals and apple days. Mary James reports from the Dairy Show.

Our sports section is packed this month; one highlight was the Witham Friary conker championship! We were there.

Mendip is rightly famous for its caves and Phil Hendy brings us news of fresh discoveries underground. Above ground, Sue Gearing takes a ramble around Rowberrow.

We meet some of the people who jumped off Wells Cathedral for charity and find out why cows and pigs were allowed inside it.

We turn the spotlight on Chew Valley in the first of our seasonal features – look out for more next month. Many thanks to the advertisers who support them.

Without our advertisers’ support we could not devote the space we do to charities, community groups and our free what’s on listings.

Welcome to your latest guide to life on Mendip.

December 2019 deadline: Friday, 15th November 2019.

Published: Tuesday, 26th November 2019.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@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 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: Grandad’s Poppy: Poppy Hobson at Castle Cary Children’s Carnival. Photo by Mark Adler, see page 56.

27

A tribute to Ted – Shepton’s wartime flying ace

56

All glitz and glitter – carnival season is here

105

68

Heaven’s above – Bishop Peter’s charity abseil

It’s a winner – going bonkers over conkers Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE ..........10 Internet and Crossword ..............14 Food & Drink ...............................18 Arts & Antiques ...........................28 Business.........................................44 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......57 Walking Sue Gearing ....................58 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........60 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......62

Charities........................................66 Property ........................................74 Health Dr Phil Hammond .............76 Community ...................................81 Homes and Interiors ....................92 Caving Phil Hendy ........................97 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE.....98 Sport ............................................101 Music & Theatre ........................107 What’s On...................................109 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 3

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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 330330

The carnival season is upon us and Christmas will soon follow. Whether or not the Brexit uncertainty will continue into 2020 is anyone's guess.

At BGW the last few months of the year are usually very busy with conveyancing clients wanting to be in their new homes before Christmas. On the subject of conveyancing one of the things that we have noticed in the last few years is that unregistered property titles are now being perceived as problematic.

Since the early 1990s titles have to be registered whenever a change of ownership takes place. Most titles are now registered but many still are not, although an unregistered property should be perfectly saleable.

However, many solicitors are now unfamiliar with unregistered conveyancing and are reluctant to advise a buyer to proceed unless the seller first registers the title with the Land Registry. This can cause delay.

In fairness there are good reasons to register the title to your property before it is offered for sale. It makes the process simpler and owners of a registered property are less likely to be subject to a property fraud.

Fees are usually very reasonable. If you'd like to discuss this, please contact any of our branches for information.

Castle Cary: e Old Exchange, Church Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7EJ. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Bath Street Chambers, Bath Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3AA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Rail 999 exercise is a first

FIRE crews from across the area took part in a railway emergency exercise at the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway heritage line at Midsomer Norton Station.

The evening exercise – involving “casualties” and a “fire and chemical incident” on board a train – was a first for the line.

Crews from Bath, Chew Magna, Frome and Wells were joined by the Environmental Response Unit from Patchway in the joint exercise between Devon and Somerset and Avon fire and rescue services.

Graham Jackson, from the railway, said: “The facilities at the railway had been offered to the fire and rescue services as a training venue. This provides them with a first-class and safe environment in which to learn their railway procedures without the worry of high-speed trains passing close by.

“The railway is pleased to offer this facility to support our communities’ emergency services.”

Crews prepare to don full chemical protection suits after the arrival of the environmental response unit

Appliances arrive at the station

Boarding the train to tackle the fire as colleagues give first aid to a casualty on the ground

Exploring Somer Valley

Firemen approach the train not knowing what they will discover on board. In reality, the station would have been evacuated and a protective cordon put round the area

THE fourth Somer Valley Walking Festival was blessed by cloudless skies as walkers from the area and beyond as far as Weymouth enjoyed explorations of the beautiful landscapes and industrial and other heritage of the area.

Deborah Porter of Cam Valley Wildlife Trust fascinated an audience in the Radstock Museum with an illustrated talk on the local animal, bird, plant and insect life. This was followed by a variety of walks over the weekend.

John Bull, chair of the steering committee behind the festival said: “It was wonderful to see so many people out and about discovering our countryside and its rich heritage and I would like to thank all the walk leaders and others who gave up their time to help.

“We are always open to offers to lead walks in the future and also suggestions for themed walks. Do get in touch with me on if you have ideas for future festivals.”

Details: john.a.bull@btinternet.com MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Barking up the wrong tree

FAMILIES gathered at Haddon Wood at Alhampton, near Castle Cary, for a day of activities aimed at attracting more people to enjoy the 28 acres of countryside.

Top of the to-do list was a “tree-sure” hunt to discover models of trees hidden in the woodland, along with woodland games and craft demonstrations.

Haddon Wood was created in 2013 when landowner Anne Haddon was approached by a neighbour, Gert Schley, to ask if he could plant trees along the border; from that sprang the idea of a proper woodland and Anne donated the farmland to the Woodland Trust The free event – called Barking Up the Wrong Tree – was organised by the Friends of Haddon Wood, which works with the trust to maintain the grounds which feature a large pond, community orchard and open glades as well as the woodland, featuring hazel, willow, oak and elder. Access is free.

Joanne and Mark Curtis. Joanne is group secretary and Mark is one of the volunteers who helps to maintain the wood. He has been nominated for a Woodland Trust award for his efforts

Hil Harrison (left), chair of the Friends of Haddon Wood, with Gert Schley, who had the idea of a woodland, and Alistair Watson, Woodland Trust events and fundraising. Hil is holding the tree-sure hunt trophy

Never mind the rain; outdoor games in the woodland

Haddon Wood offers 28 acres of woodland and open space for all to enjoy

Craftsman Jack Labanowski, who lives in Alhampton, at work PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

For details, visit: friendsofhaddonwood.wordpress.com

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Hedgehog watch

PRICKLES Hedgehog Rescue in Cheddar is warning that small underweight hedgehogs can be found out wandering in daylight at this time of the year.

If you should find a little one or any hedgehog which appears wobbly and unwell you can contact them on 01934 742120.

They say if you support feeding fully-grown hedgehogs in your garden in readiness for their winter hibernation, never give bread and milk as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant.

ENVIRONMENT

Improved status for Mendip Hills?

Mendip leads on recycling

MENDIP will be the first area in Somerset to have the new Recycle More service from June 2020, Somerset Waste Partnership has announced.

The new kerbside collections will see a wide range of extra materials added to weekly recycling collections, including household and food plastic pots, tubs and trays, Tetra Paks and other beverage cartons, small electrical items and household batteries.

The partnership says research and trials show that recycling these extra materials every week will leave far more space in resident’s rubbish bins, so these will then be collected every three weeks.

SWP managing director Mickey Green said: “With more plastic pots, tubs and trays being taken to our 16 recycling sites than ever before, we know that public appetite to be able to recycle more remains strong.”

Details: https://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/recycle-more

Refill scheme flying in Frome

THE total number of businesses and community spaces signed up to the national Refill scheme in and around Frome has now reached 30.

Launched by the Bristol-based charity City to Sea in 2017, Refill Refill Frome bottles are on sale in the town encourages people to ditch the plastic and refill their reusable water bottles. Frome town councillor Sheila Gore said: “Reducing plastic is at the front of many people’s minds and at the shortlisting event for the up-coming People’s Budget vote there was a lot of public support for the idea of water fountains for the town.

“It was pointed out that we already have something similar in place, where local residents and visitors can access free drinking water across the town via the Refill scheme.”

For details, visit: www.discoverfrome.co.uk/refill-in-frome/

Cllr Nigel Taylor with the review

THE Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership has welcomed the findings of the Designated Landscapes Review.

It says the review’s central proposition that AONBs are strengthened with new purposes, powers and resources, and renamed as National Landscapes is a powerful and fundamentally important step in ensuring the benefits of the AONB designation are optimised.

Currently funding of all AONBs in the country costs each taxpayer less than 20p per year. With increased resources and a supportive policy framework in place, it says the future for the nation’s most beloved areas looks bright.

Cllr Nigel Taylor, chair of the Mendip Hills AONB Partnership said it was a timely review given the nation's concern over climate change and the threat to our wildlife.

He said: “A review of AONBs is long overdue and here on Mendip we'll be looking at the document as a way of recognising the role of the partnership while reinvigorating it.

“Reading the review we find many sensible proposals that have a direct relevance to the Mendip Hills AONB. The document ranges from improving boundary reviews, to fundamental name changes and much forward thinking to ensure the relevance of the AONB designation for years to come. This should be recommended reading for all local authorities and our partners.”

Details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designate d-landscapes-national-parks-and-aonbs-2018-review

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Schools show how to save energy

AN education programme trialled by schools across Bath & North East Somerset to teach young people about energy and how to make their schools more energy efficient is being rolled out nationwide.

The Energy Sparks project for primary and secondary school pupils shows pupils, teachers, school management and the wider school community how to save money and benefit the environment.

Now the scheme has secured £500,000 from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to make improvements to the programme and roll it out to schools across the country.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has backed the project, which was developed by Transition Bath, a local charity working to reduce carbon emissions and climate change, in collaboration with Bath: Hacked, a local community interest company whose aim is to promote the use of open data.

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “Addressing the climate emergency is an issue that young people really care about and the Energy Sparks programme enables pupils to take real action to reduce their school’s carbon footprint.”

Warrick Barton, head teacher at Pensford Primary School, said: “The children are motivated by the competitive element as well as the desire to save money and energy.

“For example, having devised a system to ensure our old electric water heaters are turned off, the children have been able to calculate the resulting savings using the website. They have been

ENVIRONMENT

Pupils using the Energy Sparks system

really pleased to discover that we could save £600 per year from this change!”

Schools participating in Energy Sparks have been able to demonstrate real energy savings in a short period of time. Pupils at Freshford Church School used Energy Sparks to identify energy wastage of £740 per year from an inefficient freezer.

They wrote to school management to recommend a more efficient replacement freezer. The electricity savings paid for the investment within four months and over the ten-year life of the freezer will save the school around £7,000.

Claudia Towner, Energy Sparks project manager, said: “Pupils can act as strong advocates for change in schools. Energy Sparks’ educational activities can also provide pupils with skills in understanding energy and greater awareness of its environmental impact.

“This extends the impact of the programme to their homes and families and can be applied in their future lives.”

Details: https://energysparks.uk

Shutting the gate on rural crime

AVON and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens visited farming communities to hear how rural crime affects them as part of Rural Crime Week of Action.

The commissioner and Avon and Somerset officers visited the current chair of the Avon and Somerset Rural Crime Forum, James Small, at his Warren Farm at Charterhouse. Following this, the commissioner met Jim Hardcastle the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty manager and his team.

The proactive team work hard alongside the police to ensure that people visiting the area are safe from crime. During her visit, they also discussed crime prevention, the need to reassure rural communities, intimidation and how technology can be used to disrupt criminal activity.

The commissioner said: “For residents in more rural areas, their farm is both their home and business. Fly tipping, poaching and theft have a significant impact on their livelihoods and personal lives.

“I was delighted to meet with both James and the Mendip Hills AONB Unit and hear their concerns about the crimes that affect rural communities. I would urge those who live in rural communities to join Farm Watch, Horse Watch or Neighbourhood Watch schemes; by using your knowledge and

Jim Hardcastle and police commissioner Sue Mountstevens

awareness of what is happening on and around your land, you can help the Constabulary to deter criminals.”

Jim said: “The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a special place for farmers, residents and visitors but unfortunately it attracts different types of rural crime.

“We work closely with the local PCSOs and beat managers to share intelligence and look forward to other opportunities including specialist training that will protect the livelihoods of land managers and means visitors have a great time here.”

For more information about crime prevention advice and Watch schemes, visit: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-advice/ and https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/services/watch-community-schemes/farm-watch/

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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TRANSPORT 4,6 and 8 wheeled tipper Lorries for hire and muck away. Low loader, beaver tail and road brush hire.

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EXCAVATIONS Large and small excavations. Specialist works include Equestrian all weather surfaces, drainage and bulk excavations.

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MENDIP TIMES

Another successful Dairy Show THE Dairy Show held at the Bath and West Showground on October 2nd proved to be as popular as ever despite the uncertainty of Brexit. I wonder if that cloud has lifted by the time you read this article. Anyway, it was a great show with some special awards.

With MARY More than 6,000 visitors turned out see JAMES MBE some excellent cows and particularly to discover the latest technology to improve efficiency in the years ahead. Not only were there more stands than ever before with plenty of cutting-edge equipment on offer alongside the latest research and advice to boost cow health, welfare and productivity.

Producers learnt how they could use technology to free up labour and improve decision making. There was the example of a fabric roof that lets in more light and reduces costs, while robotic milking and feeding machines could improve milk and feed efficiencies.

Awarding the Supreme Dairy cow championship is always exciting to watch. At the end of the day each breed puts forward its champion to be judged. There are marks out of ten but a judge cannot mark his own breed.

The resounding winner was a three-year-old Ayrshire heifer Allstar Tricio Joybell who was quite a long way from home, from Loughborough, Leicester in fact.

Livestock farming relies on the capabilities and expertise of its vets on a daily basis. The award for the Dairy Industry Vet of the Future was won by Catrin Davies who submitted projects on various subjects produced in the final year of their studies. Miss Davies is employed at a veterinary practice in Aberystwyth.

A well respected local dairy farmer and cheese maker was awarded the prestigious Dairy Industry Award. Richard Calver farms at Lower Westcombe Farm, Evercreech where the tradition of cheddar making on the site has been there since the early 1900s with the Calver family being involved since the 1960s.

Richard brought his son Tom into the business, a trained chef, and the dairy has gone from strength to strength winning multiple awards for its cheddar, Caerphilly, Ricotta and other cheeses. Richard Calver has also contributed a

huge amount to the running of the Royal Bath and West Show and the Dairy Show being a chief steward at both events.

I have to say that not many consumers attend the Dairy Show as it is so specialised but it’s a shame because I wish they could have seen the two special stands selling dairy produce, which was a treat to see.

It was the national show of the English Guernsey Cattle Society and Chew Moos was there with their premium luxury gorgeous ice-cream from Guernsey milk of course. Also, other Guernsey breeders were showing the products they make from Guernsey milk such as butter, yoghurt, cheese and cream.

It is worth noting that a Guernsey breeder in Pilton, Judith Freake, produces purely organic yoghurt, crème fraiche and panna cotta.

When there have been some dry days farmers have been able to harvest maize but there have not been many dry days so the whole operation across the area has been a nightmare or quagmire perhaps.

If the fields are away from the farm buildings it has been inevitable there would be mud on the road so I was delighted to see a message on a village Google group, from a lady farmer, apologising for the mud and the reason why, assuring everyone they would be cleaning up promptly. Very thoughtful.

Peridot Mogul Savoire Fare, bred by exhibitor Rebecca Reed, won the Holstein junior in-milk class (having calved twice). The pair are pictured with Derek Biss, from sponsor GTH and judge Andrew Dennison

Ollie Seymour, a former member of Wedmore YFC, was exhibiting this laser-guided concrete screeder – thought to be the only one of its kind in Somerset

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Richard Calver, from nearby Evercreech, a respected dairy farmer and cheese maker was honoured at the Dairy Show, earning the prestigious Dairy Industry Award. Richard is pictured receiving his award from Mrs Annie Maw, 2019/2020 society president

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FARMING

Entries in the Jersey Cattle Society national show junior in-milk class (having calved twice) await the judge’s verdict…

… The winner was Trengothal Tequila Bandanna, pictured with handler Sarah Howie, Hannah Smith from sponsor UK Sire Services and judge Jeff Sayles

Crowds along the main trade stand avenue. Organisers were delighted by the number of younger visitors

Three-year old Ayrshire heifer Allstar Triclo Joybell scooped the coveted interbreed championship as well as the interbreed pairs alongside her herd mate Sandyford Provider Fragrance

Other services now available: Various size 360 diggers available All aspects of digger work considered Agricultural or domestic Experienced operators with relevant tickets Call for more information MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Ploughing Match

THE Mendip Ploughing Society’s 150th meeting saw hundreds of people descend on 100 Acres at Yoxter, near Priddy for competitions involving ploughing, hedging, produce and dry stone walling.

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Novice dry stone wallers

The ladies who prepared lunch

Hedging competitor Matt Jones from Bristol

Bob Quantrill (centre) from Weare took along his threshing machine. He's pictured with his son Alan (right) and Roger Penny

Tina Bath with her son Charlie's winning pumpkin which was turned into soup at the Hunter’s Lodge

Children from Chew Stoke School enjoyed a day out

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Judging the produce

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John Mattingley from Wraxall with his Shire JD and Percheron Marcel

Andrew Melrose from Wells and Matt King from Axbridge took along their steam ploughs

MENDIP PLOUGHING MATCH

First-time competitor Clifford Pearce from Chew Magna Ed Champeny and his County 1164

The hills were alive – with the sound of tractors

Hans Wilson Compton Martin

Some fine adjustments – Charlie Reynolds from Wells

Local winner Gary Haberfield from Farrington Gurney

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 13

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INTERNET

Things you might not know about email

EMAIL predates the internet by 20 years. Electronic mail was first sent by an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) employee (to himself, as a test) in 1971. He was developing a messaging service for ARPANET, a military communications protocol, and the internet’s precursor. The message’s title? QWERTYUIOP. Dots are irrelevant One of our lesser-known email tips is that if someone’s email address is rover.75@ISP.com, an email sent to rover75@ISP.com would still reach them. The same is true in reverse. Dots are typically added to improve legibility in addresses structured in the forename/surname style, for example.

Messages don’t have to be sent at once Email services like MailChimp can distribute emails at predetermined times, including bulk mailings. Many providers have the service – on Gmail there is an arrow next to the Send box – click on that and you have Schedule send, so click on that to select when you want it sent.

Email account passwords are too basic A computer hacker attempting to view your email inbox would have a good chance of gaining entry by suggesting “password” or “123456” as a password. In terms of optimising safety, email tips include choosing a lengthy password with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, and numbers.

Tuesday is the best day to send important messages Bank holidays fall on Mondays and people often take Fridays off to enjoy a long weekend. Little known email tips include Tuesdays being the optimal day for receiving responses and maximising engagement, with 10am consistently being a popular time for messages being read.

Subject lines are crucial Almost half of email is read based on their subject line, reinforcing the importance of creating a compelling introduction or call-to-arms. At the same time, words like “free” and “win” are frequently blacklisted by spam filters. Surveys have suggested a subject line of seven words (or 40 characters) is optimal.

Two-thirds of email is read on mobile devices Our migration away from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets has resulted in evolving email habits. This is an important consideration when designing responsive messages suitable for compact portrait screens and as well as in terms of positioning key information on top of the message body.

Nothing is free Email is a free service because (a) it’s cheap to provide, (b) account providers learn about their customers, and (c) it enables them to sell homepage or in-app webmail advertising. Some ISPs provide free email accounts, but withdraw them when customers leave – the Post Office does this immediately, Virgin Media after 90 days.

Email remains the default workplace communication method Despite the rise of collaborative messaging tools like Slack, and project boards such as Trello, 86 per cent of professionals list email as their preferred communication method. Being aware of email best practice has never been so important…

Submitted by IT for the Terrified: Cheddar Village Hall, Church St, Cheddar BS27 3RF 01934 741751 (usually goes to answer phone) www.itfortheterrified.co.uk • itfortheterrified@btconnect.com

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Sound of moving quickly (6) 4 Wraps – especially babies (8) 10 Cantankerousness (3,6) 11 A harmless fast-moving snake from North America (5) 12 Smiled broadly (7) 13 Discharge by an old Minoan perhaps (7) 14 Watering hole in a desert (5) 15 Dull-wittedly (8) 18 Cain, Crippen or Ellis (8) 20 The village hall here is host to the annual Chew Valley beer festival (5) 23 Goodbye (7) 25 Casual way to indicate who’s boss (5,2) 26 Bodily fluid that sounds like a lounge maybe (5) 27 A wide strap on a horse going around the back and belly (9) 28 Commerce and trade (8) 29 Next to Panborough, village said to provide best beer (6)

DOWN 1 Home to Butcombe brewery (8) 2 There are a lot of these in the North Sea (3,4) 3 This sort of revolver has a very short barrel (4-5) 5 English county Malvern is situated in (14) 6 An order of architecture (5) 7 Of milk (7) 8 Preceded by Regent in London’s west end and home to Clarke’s in Somerset (6) 9 ‘Wait a moment’ (4,4,6) 16 How one might be at the sight of blood (9) 17 The users end of a microscope (8) 19 You don't need so much stupid! (7) 21 A pasta dish (7) 22 A beetle of sacred significance to ancient Egyptians (6) 24 An invader of Britain 46 AD (5) by greendandelion

This month’s solution can be found on page 113

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

A decade of promoting Somerset carnival THE Carnivals in Somerset Promotion Project has celebrated its tenth anniversary and volunteers are once again out and about during the 2019 carnival season.

CISPP was formed early in 2009 by a small group of carnival folk who were very concerned that the unique heritage of the Somerset illuminated carnivals could be lost in the future unless efforts were made to encourage more people to take part.

The aims of the group who won a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to buy a van to house a touring display – are to promote the historical and contemporary importance of the unique West

CISPP are on the road again

Country illuminated carnivals, disseminate an interactive mobile carnival exhibition unit so that communities can experience the heritage and culture of the annual celebrations.

As well as visiting schools and community projects and events to spread the word, the team has helped curate exhibitions in local museums and produced several DVDs. Earlier this year, CISPP produced a “Scary Carts” halloweenthemed DVD and are developing a circus/shows DVD and a bygone clubs DVD covering past folded clubs.

Carnival dates 2019

This year’s Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association processions take place on: Saturday, November 2nd: Bridgwater (6pm) Monday, November 4th: Burnham-on-Sea (7.30pm) Friday, November 8th: Weston-super-Mare (7.15pm) Saturday, November 9th: North Petherton (7pm) Wednesday, November 13th: Shepton Mallet (7pm) Friday, November 15th: Wells (7pm) Saturday, November 16th: Glastonbury (7pm) *Midsomer Norton Carnival (not part of the official circuit): Monday, November 11th (7.30pm)

For details about CISPP, visit: www.cispp.org.uk See pages 54 and 56 for pictures from Frome Carnival and Castle Cary Carnival.

Morris men and women

Ian Westrope pausing to let his 1925 Bullnose Morris Oxford cool off after scaling Deer Leap

MORE than 30 cars took part in a Bullnose Morris Club weekend rally, taking in the sights and challenges of the Somerset countryside. The routes on both days were around 80 miles long.

They included hill climbs and vistas from Cheddar to Wells, Wookey Hole, the Chew Valley and the mystery that is Nempnett Thrubwell. Running repairs en-route were the norm, as many of the cars were more than 90 years old, but there was much expertise on hand.

Route organisers Christopher Lewis and Alan Grant were delighted with the turnout, and the weather showed off Somerset at its best.

Zombie walk was dead entertaining

The Zombies are unleashed after a flash mob dance

ZOMBIES once again took over Glastonbury High Street for their annual parade in aid of the Children’s World charity.

People’s imaginations ran wild – as did the zombies

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 15

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Axbridge Carnival

Cheddar guides as St Trinian's

The civic party Free-wheeling

One of the walking entries

Independent Women of Axbridge

Off to Market was entered by Jack and Chloe Caple

Carnival queen Hannah Chattwood (left) with attendants Lily Carr, Sophie Hollyfield and Alissa Durbin

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Land girls Patsy Newton (left) and Kelly Gardner helping to publicise next year's Axbridge Pageant

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

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

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

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MENDIP TIMES

Back to proper cooking

A pot of something bubbling on the stove, warm smells drifting through the house, it’s time to hunker down for winter. The game season is under way, seafood is at its best in our cold With JUNE MACFARLANE waters and the fire festivals bring some sparkle into our lives. Good food starts here!

MUSSELS, BACON & LEEK CHOWDER

A chunky one-pot seafood stew, INGREDIENTS named for the (for four) cauldron in which 500g fresh mussels, cleaned it was once 75cl cider cooked. Choose 1 tbsp butter rope grown 100g smoked bacon lardons mussels for 2 leeks, cleaned quality.

2 large potatoes, cubed METHOD 3 sprigs thyme Put the mussels 1 bay leaf in a large pot 150ml double cream with a big splash Black pepper of cider. Cover Handful parsley with a lid and set over medium heat, shaking once or twice, until the mussels open. Drain, reserving the liquid.

Remove meat from about half the mussels, discarding any that remain closed.

Rinse pot, melt butter in it and add lardons.

Cook gently to render fat. Remove bacon and reserve. Chop cleaned leeks into half-moons and soften in bacon fat. Add potatoes and the rest of the cider. Cook until potatoes start to soften.

Add reserved mussel liquid avoiding any grit.

Add thyme and bay leaf. Simmer until potatoes are cooked. Add cream, stir in mussels and bacon.

Season with black pepper to taste. Remove from heat before cream boils. Allow to sit for a few moments. Garnish with parsley.

Chowder: a chunky one-pot meal for two

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

A sweet treat on Bonfire Night

CHOCOLATE ORANGE FRIDGE BARS

A great chocolate/orange combo for a sweet tooth. Keep them in the fridge for an adult treat on bonfire night (or substitute orange juice for the alcohol).

METHOD Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Soak the sultanas in the Cointreau for 30 mins. In a large heatproof bowl over barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the butter, syrup, zest and salt, stirring occasionally until combined. Remove from heat. Mix in the sultanas, Cointreau and biscuits.

Transfer to lined tray, smoothing the surface. Allow to cool, then wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate. Cut into bars.

Serve from the fridge.

INGREDIENTS

(makes 24) 100g sultanas 2tbsp Cointreau 300g good dark chocolate, roughly chopped 120g unsalted butter, cubed 100g golden syrup Zest of 1 unwaxed orange Pinch salt 170g digestive biscuits, broken

PARTRIDGE WITH SAGE, THYME & CIDER INGREDIENTS

(for two) 2 oven-ready partridges Small bunch sage Small bunch thyme 1 head garlic Olive oil 2 tbsp butter 100ml cider 150ml dbl cream 1 tsp Dijon mustard Seasoning

A brace of partridges makes a lovely dish for two. Don’t be frightened of the garlic – its flavour softens in the cooking!

METHOD Pre-heat oven to 200°C. Put the partridges in a small roasting dish. Add herbs, and garlic halved horizontally.

Season well. Splash with olive oil and put knob of butter on top of each bird.

Roast for about 25 mins, until skin is golden.

Remove dish. Remove birds and rest upside down in warm place. Place roasting dish over medium heat. Add cider and simmer. Add cream and mustard. Simmer until sauce is reduced.

Taste for seasoning.

Return birds to dish.

Serve with the sauce.

A bracing dish – but the garlic flavour will soften

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What’s new from

Myrtle Farm

FOOD & DRINK

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

A union of varieties – a new special edition Farleigh Cider for Bath Rugby WE’VE toasted the renewal of our Bath Rugby partnership with a new special edition cider, pressed from apples grown in the orchard at the team’s training ground, Farleigh House.

Marking the eighth year of our partnership, we went along to Farleigh House to hand-pick the apples with Bath Rugby players including Chris Cook and Elliott Stooke.

We’ve made a limited run of 120 bottles of Farleigh Cider. The bottles will be signed by the squad and auctioned, with all proceeds made from this exciting project donated to the Bath Rugby Foundation and Thatchers Foundation to help raise money to support local communities throughout Somerset.

Thatchers chief cidermaker, Richard Johnson, who blended the new cider, and invited the players along to Myrtle Farm to taste it, said, “At 5.5% abv, Farleigh Cider is a fantastic union of varieties. Like a scrum the apples used are a blend of strength and guile and

Martin Thatcher and Eleanor Thatcher with players Charlie Ewels, Will Chudley and Mike Williams

all have their unique contribution. Pour this cider into your favourite cup and let it tackle your taste buds!”

Through our partnership agreement which has been renewed for the next three years, we will continue to be a key part of the matchday experience as the club’s official cider at the Rec and support milestone activations such as The Clash – Bath Rugby’s showpiece fixture at Twickenham Stadium in April.

Martin Thatcher added: “To toast this partnership with our special edition Farleigh Cider is a really exciting experience. For the Bath Rugby players to have been involved in picking the apples, tasting the cider as it was being made, and now being able to auction the cider in aid of good causes, has been a great way to mark the special relationship we have with the club.

This is a cider that’s been eight years in the making.”

Bath Rugby players Elliott Stooke and Chris Cook, with coach Luke Charteris, help pick the apples at Farleigh House

Tasting the new Farleigh Cider at Myrtle Farm for the first time with chief cidermaker Richard Johnson are Bath Rugby players Mike Williams, Will Chudley, Charlie Ewels

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA

2019 • PAGE 19 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2017

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MENDIP TIMES

Seventh heaven for foodies

THE Wells Food Festival celebrated its seventh anniversary with almost 200 stalls, demonstrations and activities for all the family. l Congratulations to Mendip Times contributor June MacFarlane, who won one class and was highly commended in another in the festival food photography competition.

Autumn colours frame the stalls around the Bishop’s Palace

Stallholders were kept busy throughout the day

Alex Firmin, from Root Connections, which works alongside the Elim Connect Centre to help people in recovery

Time for a taster on the Somerset Charcuterie stall PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Alice Coombes, from Coombes Micro Dairy at Blackford. The dairy also took part in the Charlie Bigham’s Discover Zone area

Bioaqua Farm, from Blackford, was named best street food stall.

Owners Antonio Paladino and Amanda Heron are pictured with Cathy Morris-Adams (left) and Sue Macey, from sponsors Lodestone Property

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GARDEN FOOD

Some spice for the winter

THIS year we didn't get around to growing many chillies, but luckily we've had a chance to buy some lovely locally grown ones from the fantastic fruit and veg stand which is held on Thursdays and Saturdays at Rocky Mountain Nursery.

With JAKE Among them were searingly hot WHITSON scotch bonnets and rocoto chillies (pictured here with their tell-tale black seeds), lemon drop ajis and lovely, medium hot jalapenos.

They all have their different uses – I love to take jalapenos, halve them and remove the seeds, then fill the halves with cream cheese and top with little bit of diced bacon. After 20 minutes in a hot oven, the finished “jalapeno poppers” make a delicious spicy snack to have with drinks.

I used the scotch bonnets to make jerk chicken (or rather pheasant), which, although tasty, was almost too hot to eat. I used two chillies to make the marinade and removed the pith and seeds from threequarters of them.

However next time I would remove all of the pith and seeds to make it a little more edible!

More successful however has been my home-made chilli sauce – the secret is to ferment the chillies a little first.

To do this, roughly chop whichever chillies you like and toss them in a very generous sprinkling of salt.

Stir them well and leave on the countertop for two or three days (as pictured here), until they have softened a little (don't leave them too long, and watch out for mould).

Then add a generous amount of peeled garlic cloves, lemon zest and some chopped rosemary, and around twice the volume of chillies in cider vinegar, then blitz with a hand blender until sauce-like. Add salt, if necessary, to taste – it will then keep indefinitely in the fridge.

The fermentation really adds flavour to the sauce – almost all commercial sauces such as Tabasco are fermented in this way – and it somehow gives the heat of even the hottest chillies, such as scotch bonnets, a more pleasant character.

Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder.

He is currently working on setting up a small sustainable goose farm in Somerset with his partner Johanna.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Having a “puff” ball!

AT this time of year my fungi forays are in full swing. The aim is always to help participants gain knowledge and experience to take away with them. We only select one or two specimens of each species (and not necessarily to eat) as it’s for educational purposes don’t you know.

With ADRIAN To facilitate this we visit as many BOOTS different habitats as possible e.g. meadows, pasture, woods, trees and hedges. It is simply stunning the variety of edible mushroom species you can find. However, with all the best will in the world sometimes there are just not that many fungi around. Let me explain.

Fungi, like some actors, seem to require certain circumstances to be met before they’ll put in an appearance. If it’s too dry, too wet, too cold or there is an abundance of food then it could be a no-show. They (fungi, not actors) could have all just been and gone by the time you were planning to go out.

They can simply pop up their variously sized, shaped and coloured sleeping caps, reproduce, then go night-night and retire to the comfort of a warm, earthy blanket counting spores. Nature is a cruel mistress and cares not for the forager!

But it’s not just Nature one has to contend with, oh no, it’s other foragers too. They say pride comes before a fall and on one occasion I brought a group to a spot that I had visited only the day before to find not the abundance of great edible fungi I was expecting but nothing at all, except for the bases of some beautifully cut cep stems.

It appeared that someone else knew of this location. I was disappointed and a little embarrassed as I had spent a good deal of time floridly pontificating on the delights of ceps and now there wouldn’t be any “king of mushrooms” to show people.

However, there is always one fungus that can be relied upon, is incredibly common and seems to be avoided by those that insist on only picking celebrity A-list fungi.

Common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) has a rounded head covered in creamy white/brown conical spines that are easily broken, the head continues to a defined stem 2-5cm wide, 38cm tall. They are found on soil, decayed wood and leaf litter in deciduous and coniferous woods. Found in late summer and throughout the autumn into winter, they are very common and when mature “puff” as the name suggests.

So, in the end what happened on the fungi foray? Well apart from a lot of fungal discussion (there is so much more to a foray than picking a mushroom!) we did find other mushrooms.

Most of all we had fun and laughs on a beautiful autumnal day with a group of fantastic like-minded people. You could say we were having a “puff” ball!

Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his website: www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 21

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Awards night on the menu for festival organisers

Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds

THE shortlist for the prestigious National Outdoor Events Association Awards 2019 has been announced and local event organisers eat:Festivals are celebrating after being named in four categories.

Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds, the duo behind 16 food festivals around Somerset, have been shortlisted in the following categories: Best Practice, Event of the Year, Event Organiser of the Year and Event Team of the Year.

Bev said: “We are over the moon to be recognised for our efforts by our peers on the national stage. We are especially pleased to have the broader production team recognised in the Event Team category. We have worked hard together to create our festivals and the handpicked team of professionals we work with are top of their game.”

The awards will be announced at the association’s convention and dinner in Bath on Wednesday, November 27th. Susan Tanner, NOEA’s chief executive, said: “This year again saw an increase in entries, and the quality of the submissions was also very high. It’s been a real challenge for our judges to decide on the three or four shortlisted in each category.”

The broader eat:Festivals family is also celebrating after the shortlist for Best Caterer was revealed with all four finalists being members. Sarah Milner Simonds said: "We set out to ensure you can taste some of the best food and drink in the county at our 16 festivals but now we know you can sample some of the best food of the country. Blu Fire, High Steaks, The Mighty Soft Shell Crab and Kinori are exceptional hot food traders."

THE RED LION VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT Sutton Hill Road, Bishop Sutton BS39 5UT

01275 333042 The Red Lion – the pub at the heart of the community

AUTUMN LUNCH SPECIAL! 2 courses for *£9.95, Mon – Sat

DELICIOUS DECEMBER Christmas Party-style lunches available with all the festive trimmings – call us for details!

*Quote MTRL to receive this offer!

Opening hours: Closed Monday day time and open at 5 for drinks only • Tuesday – Thursday 12 noon – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm. Open all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

(Photo courtesy of Orbit Photography)

MENDIP TIMES

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Christmas shopping at Lye Cross

FOOD & DRINK

NEW for Christmas, Lye Cross Farm Shop will have a pop-up Christmas plant, flower and gifts stall on Sunday, December 15th from 10am.

The shop boasts fantastic butchery, cheese, delicatessen and bread counters, with milk, bread, fruit and veg delivered daily from the local market.

It also has fresh fish delivered every Thursday, has a great range of local beers, cider and wine, and is a must-see, onestop shop for great quality produce at excellent prices.

(Photo courtesy of Sam Ross)

Farmborough gets fruity

p f a

THE fourth Big Family Apple Day held at Farmborough community shop welcomed families and fruit lovers from surrounding villages and beyond thanks to a fortuitous break in the downpours.

Donations raised from pressing raised over £100 in support of the shop.

v c o a W

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

PART OF THE GLUTEN FREE GOURMET GROUP

l A 100% gluten/wheat free bakery/café l Specialising in dietary requirements l From homemade puff pastries to savoury afternoon teas l Hot & cold food to take away from our in-store bakery l Vegan & dairy-free options l Open Thurs-Sun 10.30-4.00 l Available for outside catering, events & private functions Unit 22 The Gauntlet, St John’s Square, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9QL. Tel: 07964 035959 www.glutenfreesomerset.co.uk

Great tastes

PEOPLE who are on a glutenfree diet or have other dietary requirements need not miss out on enjoying some festive treats – just pay a visit to Pie and Tart in Glastonbury.

Pie and Tart offers everything from Christmas cake and mince pies to sweet Pastel de Nata. It is based in The Gauntlet shopping thoroughfare.

Welcome to the Strode Arms – an outstanding country inn

A cosy winter venue

WITH British Summertime at an end and the nights drawing in, it’s time to think about visiting a pub which is warm and cosy with perhaps a log fire burning brightly.

The Strode Arms at Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet, could be just that place to visit. With Fleur and Matt Bond now happily settled in at the helm, the pub has quickly established a reputation for a welcoming atmosphere and high-quality food and drink.

The couple took over in April and are now busy planning for the festive season. With a 60-seater restaurant as well as the bar area, the Strode Arms offers an idea venue for private functions whether an office party, wedding reception – or even a wake.

Fleur and Matt have introduced a cocktail menu to complement the quality ales, ciders and wines on offer and have launched a Wednesday night steak night – two, eightounce sirloins with the trimmings for £25. They are also looking to host occasional live music events.

Matt said: “Since taking over in April, we’ve been working hard to make the pub attractive to villagers and visitors alike.”

Gina and Mike wish you a warm welcome – now serving hot dishes alongside our light lunches

Now taking function bookings for our 60-seat restaurant: from weddings to office parties. Buffet & a la carte menus available CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU NOW AVAILABLE (see our website for details) Wednesday night Steak Night (two 8oz sirloins for £25) A SPECIAL OCCASION? TRY OUR NEW COCKTAIL MENU

Occasional live music Open for food & drinks seven days a week

e Strode Arms, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4JQ Tel: 01749 880450 E: info@thestrodearms.co.uk

e White Hart Old Coach Road Cross BS26 2EE 01934 733108

Homemade Soups, Chilli, Casserole and Cauliflower Cheese – from £4.95 to £7.95 Served weekday lunchtimes 12-2.30pm • Weekends 12-3pm Opening hours: Closed Mondays • Tuesday 6-11pm Wednesday, ursday, Friday 12-2.30pm and 6-11pm Saturday 12-3pm Sunday 12-3pm

ewhitehart2019@gmail.com PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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FOOD & DRINK

THE CONGRESBURY ARMS

The team behind the Bath Arms in Cheddar are delighted to have been awarded two AA Rosettes for their new property in Congresbury.

Opened in March 2019 after an extensive refurbishment, the Congresbury Arms is blessed with a beautiful grade II listed building and incredible garden space.

To showcase the new property, the team have put together a fine dining set menu which will change weekly and an example is below. The menu is available Monday to Thursday between 12 noon and 3pm and also 6pm to 7pm. Priced at just £14.95 for two courses and £17.95 for three courses, it offers exceptional value.

Please call 01934 782283 to reserve a table or book online via our website.

SAMPLE MENU

Two Courses £14.95 - Three Courses £17.95 Monday to Thursday 12 – 3pm / 6pm – 7pm Soup of the day, homemade breads (v) Chicken & leek terrine, tarragon mayonnaise, ciabatta crisp Crab & shrimp ravioli, dill veloute, spinach Beetroot & goats cheese gnocchi, butternut squash purée, pine nuts (v) *

*

*

Roast sirloin of beef, mushroom & truffle risotto, roasted onions, baby leeks, red wine jus Pan seared hake, tomato & chorizo lentils, buttered spinach, pancetta crisp Slow roasted pork belly, creamy mash, savoy cabbage, apple purée, calvados jus Thyme & garlic roasted cauliflower steak, romanesco cous cous, tenderstem broccoli, pernod grapes (v) *

*

*

Date & muscovado sticky toffee pudding, stem ginger ice cream Crème brulee, raisin shortbread Dark chocolate fondant, raspberries, vanilla pod ice cream Local cheddar & Draycott blue cheeses, crackers, chutney

We look forward to welcoming you to the Congresbury Arms High Street | Congresbury | Bristol BS49 5JA 01934 782283 | info@congresburyarms.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

Flagging up Glastonbury

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis attended a meeting to discuss the flag festival idea at Yeast Scrapstore

PLANS have been announced for a flag festival in Glastonbury next year to bring even more colour to the town centre.

The flags – possibly up to 70 in number – will be made from recycled materials, including discarded Glastonbury Festival tents and ripstop fabric from hot air balloons and will be made mostly at the town’s Yeast Scrapstore, with help from local artists. It is hoped businesses will sponsor the flags, to be made by individuals and community groups.

The idea has the support of Glastonbury Town Council and was inspired by flag festivals in Mortonhampstead in Devon and Alveston in Cumbria. Yeast Scrapstore, based in a unit at Dyehouse Lane, is a volunteer-run community charity.

For details, visit: www.yeastscrapstore.co.uk

Christmas shopping

MENDIP will benefit from free parking on Saturday, December 7th for Small Business Saturday.

Mendip District Council is offering free car parking in one car park in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells to support the Small Business Saturday event which takes place on the first Saturday in December each year.

It highlights small business success and encourages consumers to “shop local” and support small businesses in their communities.

Free coach parking boosts tourism

AN 18-month free coach parking trial in Glastonbury and Wells has been given the green light to continue.

Back in April 2018 a trial was set up by Mendip District Council to look at the benefits of offering free parking at Northload Street West coach park in Glastonbury and Princess Road in Wells.

The council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood Services, Cllr Nick Cottle, said: “Following informal customer and business feedback, the free parking facility for coaches has seen an increase in tourists and has been positively received by both bus and coach companies as well as the visitors.

“We hope that by fully adopting the free coach parking in the two locations, we will see continual growth in the number of visitors and thus increasing tourism, footfall in the high streets and use and support of our local businesses.”

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Harvest service was a moo-ving celebration

Lottie Hill, one of the YFC organisers, leads a cow down into the cathedral

LIVESTOCK joined the congregation in Wells Cathedral for a special harvest service which celebrated the 85th anniversary of young farmers clubs in Somerset.

The service was the culmination of a series of events to coincide with the Love British Food campaign and were jointly organised by the Diocese of Bath and Wells, Somerset Young Farmers Clubs and the Mells Group of Parishes led by Fr Clive Fairclough.

Also present was the harvest torch – the campaign symbol – which was brought to the West Front of the cathedral by tractor. During the service, the diocesesan Rural Affairs Advisor, Rob Walrond, was also commissioned as chaplain to the YFC; Rob is himself a farmer. l A harvest lunch in Norton Malreward on the same day raised £1,216.

Livestock during the service

The tractor bearing the harvest torch arrives at the cathedral

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NEWS

Four strong friends in Frome

FROME welcomed guests from its twinned towns in Poland, Germany and France for the annual Quadripartite, bringing them together to share ideas, build relationships and learn from each other.

This year it was Frome’s turn to host the prestigious event and 30 guests from each of the visiting towns were entertained with a full programme of activities, including the opportunity to see Frome Carnival which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.

Frome’s twinned towns are RabkaZdrόj in Poland, Murrhardt in Germany and Château-Gontier in France.

Mayor of Frome, Mark Dorrington,

The welcome ceremony was held at Frome’s Memorial Theatre

said: “A huge thank to Frome for giving our guests such a warm and friendly welcome during their visit, from local residents who opened their homes to the organisations that shone a light on what makes our town

unique.”

As part of the celebrations four silver birch trees were planted by the Rabka Gardens in Victoria Park to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the twinning with Rabka-Zdrόj.

For details, visit: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/twinning/

Tributes to wartime test pilot

A SECOND World War test pilot who flew dozens of different fighter aircraft during his career has died aged 97.

Edwin “Teddy” Madgwick, who grew up in Keswick but later moved to live in Shepton Mallet, had been sent to Canada originally to train as a Bomber Command pilot but instructors spotted his potential as a test pilot instead.

At one point he was stationed at RAF Drigh Road in Karachi, ahead of the Burma Offensive. Newly-built aircraft were transported to the base in crates and Ted’s role was to push them to their limits once they had been reassembled. As well as Spitfires, Ted flew Hurricanes, Mustangs and Thunderbolts amongst many others.

After the war, he worked for the Post Office, later British Telecom and moved to Darshill at Shepton Mallet with his late wife Ann when he worked in Bristol. He originally commuted to work on a motorcycle but later switched to a Reliant Robin.

In 2013, his family took him to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford where he was reduced to tears when sitting in the cockpit of a Spitfire and was the guest on honour at Shepton Mallet’s Collett Day Festival in 2015 where the centrepiece of a Battle of Britain tribute was a replica Spitfire and Ted was once again able to enjoy the view from the cockpit.

Friends and relatives of Ted with the RBL representatives after the funeral

Ted in the cockpit of the replica Spitfire in Shepton Mallet in 2015

Ted’s coffin is carried into the service; amongst the pall bearers was close friend Garfield Kennedy, one of the organisers of the 2015 Collett Festival Battle of Britain commemorations

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Art auction supporting health projects

BLAGDON-based artist Andrea Bonetti plans to auction a unique series of art to raise money for the Mendip Hills Fund.

Andrea entered five pastel and charcoal drawings, entitled Happy, as part of a competition supported by Somerset’s Areas of Outstanding Beauty and Somerset Public Health.

Money raised will support more community-based projects on the Mendips that help people to access nature-based health experiences.

The piece can be viewed at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton until November 9th when it will be sold to the highest bidder.

Details: https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/HappyMendipHills?fbclid=I wAR1zJXihAmhQdrOMMIB_GSP7DWq4d41mnyeiJQkH sYSUzyNpzTSbk-AjcwU

ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE CLOCK SALES

Antique clocks expert

LANGPORT Clocks is owned and run by Steve Brown.

Originally from the north east of England, Steve originally trained and worked as a bespoke guitar maker for “Overwater Guitars”.

This experience led him to make guitars for many of the best musicians/stars of the time, including most notably Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

Around 1987 he moved to Langport where he worked as a partner within an international clock restoration business. The workshop in Langport worked almost exclusively for the clock trade and furnished two connected retail outlets in Kensington, London and Madison Avenue, New York.

Throughout the life of this partnership Steve worked on many of the best clocks in the world including antique clocks made by notable makers such as George Graham and Thomas Tompion.

Setting up Langport Clocks in 2013 Steve now offers a more retail focused, visible and approachable service. Set within the Shakspeare Glass and Arts building, Steve offers clock and cabinet restoration services as well as bespoke horological commissions.

With an eye on sustainability it is also possible to up-cycle many old and un-desirable clocks, re-designing them or refinishing them for a more modern and contemporary lifestyle.

As well as restoration, Langport Clocks also strives to offer a selection of restored antique clocks for sale. And with a wealth of experience in clock restoration, if a customer has a particular style, colour or design in mind, Langport Clocks will endeavour to source a clock to suit your requirements.

Turnip opens

THE Turnip Prize, Wedmore’s answer to the Turner Prize, starts taking entries from Thursday, November 1st. Entries should take the least amount of effort possible to create.

To enter contact Trevor Prideaux 01934 710004 or 07812 848011 or The New Inn, Wedmore. BS28 4DU. The closing date is Thursday, November 21st.

Cam Valley artists CAM Valley Arts Trail is a fantastic, free, community Specialist in all aspects of clock restoration and repair including cabinet-work and French polishing.

Bespoke Clock making to customer or period specification.

Please call to discuss your requirements or to ensure a guaranteed appointment.

Shakespeare Glass Building Westover Trading Estate Langport, Somerset TA10 9RB Steve Brown 0755 744 2229

Website: Langportclocks.co.uk Email: langportclocks@gmail.com

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

event which takes place in venues across the Cam Valley in the villages of Clutton, Timsbury, High Littleton, Paulton, Temple Cloud and Tunley.

Individual artists showcase and sell their original, handcrafted work in painting, printing, textiles, ceramics, felt, glass, pastel, silver, wood, Batik, and more. They also host free “taster” art workshops.

Details: www.camvalleyartstrail.co.

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Regal portrait turns heads KILLENS saw another healthy entry of almost 600 lots in their sale of Antiques and Collectables held on October 5th. It was a day when it was confirmed that quality attracts keen interest.

The Mendip Auction Rooms attract buyers seeking quality watches and clocks and there was strong bidding for those on offer with a mixed metal Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch with a gold dial selling for £2,500 and a stainless steel Cartier Tank Francaise small model watch realising £1,000.

Jewellery selling to advantage included an 18ct gold bracelet with two charms that achieved £840 and a single strand of pearls that made £520.

Quality furniture saw stronger interest with a George II style walnut low boy making £1,300 and a George III oak dresser base £1,200.

Whilst some interior decorators are getting more vocal in support of brown furniture – particularly furniture that makes a statement – it does seem as if it

may take time for the younger generations to appreciate the virtues of furniture that is well-built and which has lived when compared to white furniture from IKEA, but there are indications that the appreciation may come.

There was an excellent variety of paintings and pictures on offer, including contemporary art that would look great in any modern home. The star of the show, however, was a 17th century portrait miniature of Charles I painted on copper and which attracted keen interest from within the saleroom, over the internet and the phone. With an estimate of £400-600, two potential buyers clearly had their taste buds salivating and the gavel eventually fell for £2,900.

Some excellent ceramics were also on offer with a Moorcroft vase of baluster form and decorated in the Eventide pattern selling for £400, a large Chinese porcelain floor vase making £300 and a pair of Doulton

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

stoneware vases decorated by Hannah Barlow realising £300.

During each month, the team at the Mendip Auction Rooms run a busy schedule of sales with two sales of Victorian and Later Effects, including household effects, and a sale of Antiques and Collectables. It is possible to drop items off at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday with valuers being present. Alternatively, members of the team are content to visit you free of charge at home.

Our next sale of Antiques and Collectables will be staged on Saturday, November 2nd starting at 10am

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

“Isolated, bereft . . . yet optimistic”

John McCarthy: the prison revived memories of his years in captivity

WORLD-renowned writer and broadcaster John McCarthy spoke of his feelings during his five years as a hostage in war-torn Lebanon when he visited B-Wing, a multi-media exhibition in Shepton Mallet Prison held during Somerset Art Weeks.

A close friend of Geoff Dunlop, one of the participating artists, John said:"That really touches something that I remember."

Voices in a darkened cell, rickety ladders reaching for the sky, poetry, installations and a portable companion guide revealed a new side to the prison in the exhibition, which was created by eight artists.

John added: “When I thought about the horrors of the solitary cells that prisoners were kept in over hundreds of years, it struck me as a brilliant idea to use the prison as a venue for art.

“It’s very hard for people who have not experienced it to get a sense of what loss of liberty feels like, and how that affects your mind. To have that interpreted through a variety of artforms is fascinating – it’s coming from artists’ imaginations.”

John is a patron of Freedom From Torture a charity which campaigns for change and provides therapy and support for survivors of torture around the world.

The project received an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant as well as funding from Somerset Skills and Learning and included workshops, talks and tours.

SOMERSET ART WEEKS

Marvellous murals add to mystic magic

In the pink: (l:r) Jill Barker, from the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, Kim von Coels, artistic director, and Pat and Liz

GLASTONBURY’S mural trail is to be repeated next year, organisers have announced.

Completed in time for Somerset Art Weeks, there are 26 murals plus other points of interest for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The trail was opened by Somerset county councillor Liz Leyshon and her mother Pat, an artist who Faye Suzannah: Sunflowers, in St John’s car created the park town’s very first mural in the 1960s when she decorated the outside of her shop in Glastonbury High Street.

Trail leaflets are available from the Glastonbury Information Centre

First for studio

John McCarthy with seven of the eight artists who took part in B-Wing

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

THE Old Stores Studio – a Community Interest Company – in Evercreech took part in Somerset Art Weeks for the first time.

Pictured are some of the organisers and artists (l:r) Nik Slade, from the studio, jeweller Theodora Gould, Maria Cauchi, also from the studio, felt/ceramicist Suzie Gutteridge, printmaker Cath Bloomfield and painter/designer Kate Cochrane.

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Skater set to melt hearts

CLEVEDON Salerooms’ pre-Christmas Quarterly Specialist Sale on November 14th will include this charming Art Deco bronze figure by celebrated sculptor Ferdinand Preiss (18821943).

Measuring 34cm high the skater is estimated at £5,000£7,000 and she is expected to create international interest.

Emanating from the previous design period, the Art Nouveau, is this Glasgow School brass faced wall clock designed

by Margaret Gilmour (1860-1942) featuring sinuous whiplash lines typical of the movement and Margaret Gilmour Glasgow School Wall Clock £400 – £600 a pair of

Art Deco Skater by Ferdinand Preiss £5,000 – £7,000

elegant maidens flanking the dial.

Discovered during a valuation in Cheddar, the 44cm square wall clock is estimated at £400-£600.

The sale includes as always a select offering of particularly fine jewellery and watches including a choice of gentleman’s Omega watches from the second half of the 20th century with estimates varying from a few hundred pounds to over £7,000.

The fully illustrated online catalogue is available from Friday, November 1st at www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Every lot in every auction, illustrated and sold with live internet bidding

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE ANTiQuE VALuATiON DAYS

Rolex Oyster Perpetual £4,000 - £6,000

Millennium cut diamond ring £2,000 - £3,000

18th & 19th November

9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery Sale Thursday 28th November Sale starts at 10.30am On view day before 10am – 6.30pm

Tel: 01934 830111 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Ferdinand Preiss Skater £5,000 - £7,000

Pair of Famille Rose vases £1,000 - £1,500

Quarterly Specialist Sale

Thursday 14th November at 10.30am Viewing day: 13th November 10am – 6.30pm Sale day from 9am Online catalogue available 1st November MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

Arts and crafts in Leigh-on-Mendip

PEOPLE living in and around Leigh-on-Mendip showcased their artistic abilities with a weekend-long exhibition in the village’s Memorial Hall.

As well as exhibiting their own work, many also helped to create models of hot air balloons which decorated the ceiling and stage.

A teddy bears’ picnic, created by Gill Odolphie

Ceramicist Jenny Vesty and painter Alf Smith

Auction success Our Brent Knoll parish hall auction on September 29th was a huge success!

It was our third auction but our first in Brent Knoll. While there were less lots consigned than in previous auctions, the quality was good and the attendance the following Sunday more than made up for it!

The hall was packed. Some 48 new bidders signed up and good prices were achieved. A vintage ladies’ Rolex Datejust watch sold for £2,250 before buyer’s premium, a beautiful Zircon,

diamond and platinum ring exceeded its commission bid and sold for £620 before buyer’s premium.

The owner of a telescope and stand was over the moon to see a bidding war as it was a prize possession that belonged to her mother, a strong and determined lady who desperately wanted to study physics and astronomy but could not because she was a woman.

Her scrapbooks and images of the surface of the moon, accompanied

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

the telescope which delighted the new owner. Once again this exceeded the guide price of £120 - £180 and got away at £340 before buyer’s premium.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who came along.

The atmosphere was friendly, exciting and enjoyable, and what can I say about the bacon sandwiches and the cakes … just delicious! The next sale is on November 24th at Draycott Memorial Hall.

Dozens of hot air balloons decorated the hall

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

House clearance reveals a star

An oak octagonal coffee table, carved with a single mouse, A 19TH CENTURY maritime chart of the Straits of Singapore possibly by Robert “Mouseman” Thompson attracted lots of published by Richardson Bros was the star of the show at Cooper interest with two competing telephone bidders pushing the and Tanner’s Antique and Collectables Sale on the 2nd October. hammer price to £360 making one of them a very happy winner.

The framed map was spotted amongst a collection of pictures Jewellery always does well with a 9 carat gold double Albert from a house clearance, with a flurry of bidding on the day the watch chain selling at £350 and a 9 carat gold open faced pocket chart was knocked down at £1,400 to a telephone bidder.

For those with an interest in comics there was a super collection watch making £315. An exquisite sapphire and diamond cluster ring making £280 at the hammer. of Eerie, Creepy and Vampirella books. Vampirella was an Their next Antique & Collectables sale on the 6th November inhabitant of the planet Drakulon, a world where a vampiric race lived on blood and where blood flowed in rivers and they certainly has a stunning collection of jewellery going under the hammer, to include a nine stone diamond cluster ring, a diamond and sapphire got the bidders’ blood flowing with the whole collection making half hoop ring, a pair of Mabe pearl £530 at the hammer selling to and diamond ear studs, a line an online and room bidder. bracelet of 47 cut diamonds, a A very unusual Black Forest continental gold bracelet and much carved wooden nutcracker in the more. form of a bird also created a bit of a flutter in the room with the Cooper and Tanner are having winning bid going to another an Antiques valuation morning at telephone bidder for £300, a their Street Office on Wednesday cracking result!

13th November. Auctioneer Transportation of the twoGareth Wasp will be present, it wheeled variety had some starts at 9am and runs until 1pm.

No appointment is necessary just competitive bidding as well on the pop along on the day for a free day with a Motobecane scooter valuation. Please feel free to call selling on the book for £380 and a the office on 01373 852419 if you Puch Maxi scooter selling in the The Straits of Singapore chart which sold for £1,400 have any further questions. room for £250.

COOPER AND TANNER SALE ROOMS HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR OCTOBER SALE

Black Forest Nutcracker.

Sold £300

Motobecane Scooterette. Sold £380

Oak octagonal coffee table possibly by Robert “Mouseman” Thompson.

Sold £360

Nine carat gold double Albert watch chain. Sold £315

SALE ROOMS Gareth Wasp Telephone 01373 852419 The Agricultural Centre, Standerwick, Frome BA11 2QB gareth.wasp@cooperandtanner.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Rural Services Ltd. Our quality Xmas trees will be for sale at the Rookery Farm Christmas Market (Sunday, December 1st), and from our base at Haydon, near Wells Logs and kindling now available • Winter servicing of all your lawnmower and garden machinery • New stock now in for the 2020 season Enter our raffle to win this AL-KO Highline 42.7 P-A 16" push mower (T&Cs apply) plus other prizes to be won.

Draw December 21st.

In aid of Red Rooms pre-school in Chewton Mendip.

Springfield, Haydon Drove, Haydon nr Wells BA5 3EH

Phone 07974 259766 • Workshop 01749 674077 www.mendipruralservices.co.uk email: mendipruralservices@outlook.com

COUNTRY STORE AND MORE IN THE HEART OF MENDIP Just 10 minutes from Wells, Shepton & Midsomer Norton

Quality Christmas trees for sale

IT is said that thanks from satisfied customers are the best endorsements – that is certainly the case for Aaron Coleman, who runs Mendip Rural Services.

His specially sourced Christmas trees, which were sold at Rookery Farm at Binegar, earned Aaron nothing but praise and he is aiming for the same high standards this year.

Aaron will be supplying trees at the Rookery Farm Christmas Market on Sunday, December 1st where they will be on sale with a 10% on-the-day discount through Greens of Mendip. They will also be on sale directly from the Mendip Rural Services base at Haydon, near Wells. Aaron said: “I received some lovely comments from customers about the trees last year.”

Aaron is also offering some extra Christmas cheer: a raffle with a first prize of an AL-KO petrol lawnmower. Runners-up prizes will include merchandise and bags of logs. Any profits will go to the Red Rooms pre-school at Chewton Mendip.

Christmas cheer for charity

THOSE who have been to the Mendip Christmas Fair before will know what a fun and worthwhile experience it is.

Whether you’re looking for edible, wearable, luxurious or simply practical presents, it has have 40 stalls selling gifts for everyone, with coffee, home-made cakes and light lunches also available.

And the best thing about it is that all the profits raised are shared equally between the Guild of Friends of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Children’s Hospice South West. Last year they made a fantastic £17,000.

It will be held at the Aldwick Estate on Saturday, November 2nd, 10am-5pm and Sunday, November 3rd, 10am-3.30pm.

Entry is £4, children U-16 free.

Details: www.mendipchristmasfair.org

Pet food & accessories

Seasonal items

Paws to Claws grooming

Gifts, clothing & more

10% discount on in-store purchases during the Rookery Farm Christmas Market on December 1st – and our own in-house raffle!

Unit 1, Rookery Farm, Binegar, BA3 4UL Tel: 01749 841293 Email: greensofmendip2016@outlook.com www.greensofmendip.co.uk PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Pets at Christmas

GREENS of Mendip at Rookery Farm has everything imaginable with which to pamper your pets this Christmas.

And with a ten percent in-store discount on offer on Sunday, December 1st, it’s the perfect opportunity to buy everything from stocking fillers to food and toys.

Emma Green, who runs Paws to Claws, says she has seen a big increase in demand from pet owners for raw food and natural treats.

The shop also stocks a wide range of the increasingly-popular Perfect Fit harnesses; its modular design allows for a secure and comfortable fit for almost any shape or size of dog.

Emma said: “As well as Rookery Farm’s Christmas raffle, we’ll be running our own. And with plenty of gift ideas for humans also, we’re looking forward to seeing everyone on market day and in the run-up to Christmas itself.”

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Support local businesses

GLASTONBURY Chamber of Commerce is urging people to use this festive season to kick-start their own individual year-round support for local businesses.

It has launched a Shop Local campaign – with the A shout-out for this year’s hashtag #Local – aimed not Glastonbury Frost Fayre on just at high street shoppers, Saturday, November 30th – a but anyone who in search of perfect opportunity to shop local a particular service which, they say, will almost certainly be on offer within the Glastonbury area.

Chamber chair Jill Barker said: “The unique character of a town is defined in large part by the local businesses within it. Local businesses are owned by people who live in the community and are more invested in the community’s future. By continuing to support these local businesses people ultimately support their community.

“Our new Shop Local Campaign is about getting that message out to people to support our local businesses that work so hard throughout the year. Spending local for Christmas is a great way to say thank you our local shops. We are giving Chamber of Commerce members even more support during this campaign so we invite as many local businesses as possible to join for an extremely low yearly fee."

Get ready for Christmas at Rookery Farm

WITH at least 36 stalls – and all the separate on-site businesses – to browse and enjoy, Rookery Farm at Binegar could be the only place you will need to visit to stock up on just about everything for Christmas.

Sunday, December 1st is the day of the Rookery Farm Christmas Market with plenty of fun on offer for all the family besides the myriad of shopping opportunities.

The stalls – ranging from artisan makers to charities – will be housed under a number of marquees and there will be a family-friendly Santa Trail around the site.

Father Christmas will be visiting and there will also be some endearing alpacas to meet.

A special raffle with a top prize of a hoverboard could provide someone – young or old – with a perfect early Christmas present.

Market organiser and Rookery Farm owner Adelle Hobbs said: “We’re building on the success and popularity of last year’s Christmas event and going all out to make this year’s market a very special day for all the family.

“Many of the businesses based here will be hosting their own entertainment or Christmas-themed offers, from gingerbread decorating to mulled wine and mince pies and beer hampers and there’ll be live music and a choir.”

FLY A GLIDER! THE IDEAL GIFT!

Mendip Gliding Club is located near Cheddar and offers a variety of Glider Flying packages including Introductory Flight Vouchers (from £50), or regular membership and “Fixed Price To Solo” options. Club is open all year on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Suitable for aged 12 upwards – no upper limit! Fly with BGA-rated instructors in dual control gliders. For further information, please visit our website at:

www.mendipgliding.co.uk or email mikesp230654@yahoo.co.uk if you have any questions MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING YOUR CAR SOON?

Duncan Wood, a local independent car specialist, can save you time and money.

Buying – I can help you decide on the best car for your needs, find one nearby and then negotiate to make sure you don’t pay more than you should.

Selling – I can help you decide what your car is worth, where to sell and how best to do it, or I can sell your car for you.

Please see my website for more about my services, client testimonials and my blog. Please email or call me with no obligation on your part whatsoever.

Based in Blagdon covering Bristol, Bath and the West Country

Email: duncan.wood@bristolcarconsultant.co.uk Website: www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk Phone: 07983 262310

Motorists – save time and money!

BRISTOL Car Consultant has been trading in the Chew Valley and beyond for five years now, helping motorists save time and money when buying or selling their car. In every case, Duncan Wood says he has saved his clients considerably more than he has charged.

Duncan can advise you on which car to buy for your needs (accepting that car buying is often a heart versus head decision) and then help you find and buy the perfect car for your budget.

He can also help you decide how to sell your car and, if you decide to sell privately, to get the most for it to reduce the risks and associated hassle.

At this time of year in particular, he says you need to ensure your car is ready so that you can keep yourself and your family as safe as possible. Winter car advice starts with ensuring your battery is performing well – running lights, heating etc. works the battery harder.

For longer journeys, consider carrying warm clothes, a fully charged mobile phone and even a spade if the snow comes.

Finally, ensure your tyres are in good condition with a least 3mm of tread to ensure traction in slippery conditions. You could also consider winter or all-season tyres, which give better grip in temperatures below seven degrees.

Details: www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk 07983 262310 or email duncan.wood@bristolcarconsultant.co.uk

High Class Family Butcher

Quality you can trust

Christmas in Chew Magna

Traditional service Meat and produce from local farms Order Now for Christmas

High Street, Chew Magna Tel: 01275 332417 PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

The school choir last year

CHEW Magna Christmas Fayre will be held on Saturday, December 7th, organised by the Chew Magna Society and the village primary school, from 3-6.30pm.

As well as stalls and a visit by Santa in the Millennium Hall and Old School Rooms, there will be an artisan food fair in the Baptist Chapel, food, mulled wine, children’s activities and live music.

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FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

Inheritance tax – a basic reminder SOMETIMES it can be useful to remind oneself of the the basic law on Inheritance Tax for sensible tax planning undertaken in good time can save a considerable amount of tax. So here goes.

There’s normally no Inheritance Tax to pay if either: • The value of your estate is below the £325,000 threshold • You leave everything above the £325,000 threshold to your spouse, civil partner, a charity or a community amateur sports club If you give away your home to your children (including adopted, foster or stepchildren) or grandchildren your threshold can increase to £475,000.

If you’re married or in a civil partnership and your estate is worth less than your threshold, any unused threshold can be added to your partner’s threshold when you die. This means their threshold can be as much as £950,000.

Inheritance Tax rates The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40%.

It’s only charged on the part of your estate that’s above the threshold.

Reliefs and exemptions Some gifts you give while you’re alive may be taxed after your death. Depending on when you gave the gift, ‘taper relief’ might mean the Inheritance Tax charged on the gift is less than 40%. For farmers agricultural tax relief may also be available.

Gifting your home You can pass a home to your husband, wife or civil partner when you die. There’s no Inheritance Tax to pay if you do this. If you leave the home to another person in your Will, it counts towards the value of the estate.

If you own your home (or a share in it)

your tax-free threshold can increase to £475,000 if: • you leave it to your children (including adopted, foster or stepchildren) or grandchildren • your estate is worth less than £2 million Gifting your home before you die There’s normally no Inheritance Tax to pay if you move out and live for another seven years.

Gifts There is no Inheritance Tax to pay on gifts between spouses or civil partners. You can give them as much as you like during your lifetime, as long as they live in the UK permanently. Otherwise people you give gifts to will be charged Inheritance Tax if you give away more than £325,000 in the seven years before your death.

Exempted gifts You can give away £3,000 worth of gifts

each tax year (6 April to 5 April) without them being added to the value of your estate. This is known as your ‘annual exemption’.You can carry any unused annual exemption forward to the next year - but only for one year.

Each tax year, you can also give away: • wedding or civil ceremony gifts of up to £1,000 per person (£2,500 for a grandchild or great-grandchild, £5,000 for a child) • normal gifts out of your income, for example Christmas or birthday presents you must be able to maintain your standard of living after making the gift • payments to help with another person’s living costs, such as an elderly relative or a child under 18 • gifts to charities and political parties You can use more than one of these exemptions on the same person - for example, you could give your grandchild gifts for her birthday and wedding in the same tax year.

Small gifts up to £250 You can give as many gifts of up to £250 per person as you want during the tax year as long as you have not used another exemption on the same person.

The seven year rule If there’s Inheritance Tax to pay, it’s charged at 40% on gifts given in the three years before you die.

Gifts made three to seven years before your death are taxed on a sliding scale known as ‘taper relief’.

This article is intended to be merely a summary about Inheritance Tax. It is always wise to take professional advice on the topic especially if you wish to become involved in detailed tax planning.

Edward Lyons

Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients. l l l l

Chew Magna 01275 332168

Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts Property – sales and purchases

OFFICES AT: Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Chew Valley Arts Trail

Artists new to the trail at Compton Martin village hall (l to r) Tamsie Wiltshire, Emma Taylor, Drew Forsythe and Seb Illis

Natasha Clutterbuck with some of her organic work

Arts trail organiser Sandy Bell

Milliner Alison Wright with some of her work

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

New exhibitor Mary Liddell, South Widcombe

Nick Hasell, who creates images in glass

Textile artist Cat Christopherson and felting artist Sarah Midgley

Pictured (l to r) Suzanne Casselden, Sally Ray, Moira Robertson and Sally Mellersh with some of their work at the Baptist Church Hall in Chew Magna

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New Budgens store for Chew Valley

AFTER a six-month period of clearing the site and extensive refurbishment, Chew Valley Budgens is due to open on Friday, November 1st. This is the latest incarnation of the Brent family business, a village shop which they hope will become the heart of the community, a place for shopping, meeting, chatting.

The business originated in 1930 when Frederick Ernest Brent purchased the Forge Garage, then a blacksmith’s in Bishop Sutton, from his former employer. Fred saw in the advent of the motor car, bringing changes to the business, which then passed into the hands of his two sons, Michael and Jeffrey, in the late 1960s.

Michael’s sons, Philip and Richard, went on to continue the hard work of their predecessors, looking after their customers’ vehicles until they finally hung up their spanners for the last time in March 2019.

They believe passionately in delivering excellent customer service, great choice and quality, whilst trying to improve their environmental impact, and working with local suppliers, and believe that their partnership with Budgens will help them with this.

On offer will be Smokin’ Bean fresh coffee, hot and cold food to go, COOK ready meals, full off licence, newspapers, lottery, groceries and flowers. Local suppliers include Pullins Bakery, Arthur David Food with Service, Butcombe, Lilleys Cider, The Good Egg Company and Lye Cross Farm.

They say they are very excited to be bringing this great asset to the village of Bishop Sutton and look forward to welcoming you all to their new store.

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

The family team behind the new Budgens in Bishop Sutton (l to r) Philip, Tracey, Richard and Carol

MENDIP VALLEY ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES Open everyday up to Christmas Day 10.30am til 4pm.

Come and see the lovely Christmas gifts we have in stock including jewellery, watches and other curiosities.

Public and Traders Welcome New Manor Farm Shop, Widcombe BS40 6HW Contact: mendipvalleyantiques@gmail.com 01761 221001 • 07966 387252 • Please visit our website: mendipvalleyantiquesandcollectables.co.uk FIND US ON FACEBOOK

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

R.O. Dando and Sons Ltd Builders, Decorators & Roofing Contractors

FAMILY BUSINESS BASED IN THE CHEW VALLEY FOR OVER 100 YEARS

Santas set to invade the valley

THE Chew Valley Santa Scramble and Mini Santa Scramble is in its third year and is arguably the best way to clear the cobwebs during the festive season! Simply run, walk, sprint or toddle around a gorgeous marshalled 5k-ish or 1k route on Sunday, December 15th dressed like Santa!

Organised by the team behind the Chew Valley 10k, ably assisted by Chew Valley School A-level students as part of their course, the aim is to encourage activity amongst all ages, whilst raising much-needed funds for Chew Valley School Society.

All entrants will receive a Christmassy medal, Santa suit, including hat and beard and clementine in the price of entry (£14 for adults, £10 for over 60s and under 18s and £7 for under 11s.)

There is also free car parking, changing, showers, toilets, bag storage, Christmas music and a Santa Sleigh, along with a few extra surprises! Hot festive refreshments and food will be provided by Chew Valley School Society.

Details: www.chewvalleysantascramble.co.uk or social media

Promoting the arts Mendip Times in Chew Valley

Call us or visit our website for more info:

01275 333603 • www.dando.org.uk

Commercial Landscape Maintenance Ltd Specialising in commercial work across the whole of the south west of England.

£10m site insurance – safe contractor registered

07831 825527

reduces travel costs

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

Orchard House

peterbattltd@hotmail.co.uk

Chew Stoke

Comfortable self-catering and bed & breakfast accommodation

Ann Hollomon

01275 333143

orchardhse@ukgateway.net www.orchardhouse-chewstoke.co.uk PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

THE Valley Arts Fringe Festival gets underway in November and the forthcoming Secret Cabaret night at Yeo Valley HQ, where Jeremy Irons is guest speaker, has completely sold out. The festival promises a feast of entertainment.

The charity is embarking on a three-year plan to secure the funds needed to build a state-of-the-art theatre next to Chew Valley School. See What’s On for details of festival events.

Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

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FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

What is happening to the Chew Valley housing market?

Tom Killen has a look

AS I write this, the outcome of Brexit remains uncertain, but it is quite possible that by the time you are reading this, we may have left the EU either with or without a deal. As such, it is incredibly difficult for me to predict what is likely to happen to the housing market!

Over the past ten years, the Chew Valley has become increasingly popular as a destination for those seeking a new home. Bordered by the Mendip Hills to the south, the valley is a stone’s throw from Bristol and Bath and remains as attractive countryside dotted with livestock farms and stone-built villages with Chew Valley Lake being the dominant feature.

Protected from new development, apart from some in the centre of the existing villages, the supply of properties is always likely to remain constrained at a time when those leaving the South East are seeking a home close to Bristol.

Once, the Cotswolds was the main focus for those relocating but there is now greater interest in North Somerset as there is increased recognition of the area being unspoilt, not over-run with second homes and being close to excellent schools.

The general trend in the housing market has been similar to that experienced across the UK. Brexit uncertainty has led to fewer homeowners putting their properties on the market with less enquiries from potential buyers leading to the rise in values levelling off.

Values remain high and, unlike some parts of the UK, are not falling. Our team at our Chew Magna office have found that

Thrubwell Farm on the market through Killens at £2.5 million

whilst there may be fewer buyers looking, the quality of potential buyers is excellent with most being able to buy quickly and where properties are realistically priced then sales can be achieved after a short period of marketing.

So looking forward, whatever your view on the merits of Brexit, I suspect that we all look forward to the removal of uncertainty.

As we move forward with greater certainty, confidence will return and there is an increasing feeling that pent-up demand will be released.

Industry pundits have been heard to say “uncertainty is bringing with it opportunity” and “if you want to live there long-term, buy now” and they may well be right. The charms of the Chew Valley are clear to see and it has to be anticipated that properties in the area will be keenly sought. Whether buying or selling, now may be the time to get engaged with the market.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Exciting times at Chew Valley Rugby Club AFTER celebrating its 50th anniversary and winning promotion, it is a season of change at Chew Valley Rugby Club with a focus on building the best club for future generations at the forefront of their vision.

Chairman, Shane Cameron, said: “After such a successful year with the promotion to South West 1 for our first team, the securing of additional land and the continual success throughout each and every one of our teams, we are excited to be expanding the club to accommodate more community activities and encourage inclusive sport in the local area.”

This has already begun to take place across the club with their growing junior girls’ team, the Chew Valley Vixens, beginning to build their link with The Valley Cats after a successful first year.

Cats chairwoman, Fiona Penfold, said: “This integration has proved to be a really successful step forward, with the girls enjoying the opportunity to focus on non-contact skills with the senior ladies, as well as being a huge help to minimise the fear of progression from girls to ladies’ rugby, as for some this can seem a very large step to make.”

The expansion of the club and growing community involvement also includes the building of their partnership with Lottie Bryant, the organiser of Café Magna and summer fundraiser for the Chew Valley Family Trust, in memory of her sister and former Valley Cat, Georgia “Porge”.

Another new initiative is their Get Back into Rugby programme, running every Tuesday from 7pm. Organiser,

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PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Silas Cox, said: “We hope this will offer the opportunity for a range of new players to join and increase the inclusivity of our club.”

They hope to be providing not only brilliant rugby on the weekends but also chances to get together as a community and enjoy really good events.

Diary dates: Every Tuesday from 7pm – Get Back into Rugby November 15th – Sports Quiz and Curry Night December 15th – Santa Scramble and Christmas junior matches December 21st – Après Ski Party Night l Since promotion the 1st-15 have won four and lost two of their games. The club will host the Chew Magna Society’s fireworks night on November 1st, 6pm.

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Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 13:52 Page 43

Brazilian designer joins Angel Interiors ANGEL Interiors, Kitchen and Bathroom showroom in Winford say they are delighted to welcome an exciting, hugely talented Brazilian designer, Gabriela Trindade, to their team.

Director Robert Newman said: “We are a family business, so it is vital when appointing a new member to the team that they share our ethos of offering a personal, respectful and creative service which delivers on budget with no compromise on quality or style. Gabriela is a gifted, experienced designer who is a perfect addition to our team.”

Gabriela said: “I am thrilled to join Angel Interiors, I am passionate about my work, my style incorporates colour, textures and an appreciation of the use of space. Crucial is building a brief with my client, to have an understanding of their lifestyle and how they wish to use the room I am designing for them.

“The ultimate challenge is to take a space and enhance it in a way the client cannot imagine. Easily the most

enjoyable part of my job is seeing the design unfold and the look of joy from my client on completion.”

Gabriela joins in-house award winning designer Tim Baber, who joined the company in 2017.

Tim specialises in creating stylish, sophisticated, sometimes edgy, never

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY mundane living spaces. His work has been described as “elegant and timeless with an eclectic twist”.

Launched in 2016 Angel Interiors is an inspirational “one stop” kitchen and bathroom showroom, dedicating downstairs solely to 14 kitchen displays, appliances, tiles and worktops, while upstairs has numerous bathroom displays ranging from full suites, showers, wetroom options, mirrors and accessories.

Jonathan Newman said: “We take pride in the service we provide, we appreciate a new bathroom or kitchen is a major investment and can appear daunting. We not only design and supply but install too if required, we find many customers prefer not having to arrange their own installers, electricians, tilers etc.”

If you are considering a new kitchen or bathroom pop into the showroom, draw inspiration from the displays, speak with the designers, discuss your wish list and together they will create your dream kitchen or bathroom.

Details: www.angelinteriors.co.uk info@angelinteriors.co.uk 01275 595359

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES

Book your tour now

SOUTH West Coaches was created in 2000 by merging AG Hulbert & Son and Wakes Services which together have over 100 years’ experience in the bus and coach industry. They employ more than 100 staff and operate a fleet of more than 100 vehicles from their three depots in Wincanton, Yeovil and Portland.

They operate a wide range of day excursions and holidays throughout the UK and Europe. These are put together three times a year and are available in brochure format or on their website.

Please ask if you would like to be added to their mailing list.

They have just had their very exciting Tours Brochure printed for 2020 featuring both UK and European tours. They are one of the very few coach companies that have a door to door pick-up service. This means you can wait for the start of your tour in the comfort of your own home until the driver arrives to pick you up and carry your cases to your transport.

Details: www.southwestcoaches.co.uk call 01935 475872 or email info@southwestcoaches.co.uk

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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Double birthday celebrations!

THIS is a very special year for Midsomer Norton solicitors, Thatcher + Hallam LLP. Not only is the firm about to celebrate the 250th birthday of its founding back in 1770, but 2019 is also the 35th birthday of the firm’s renowned free legal surgery.

Managing Partner, William Weller, said: “With the neardisappearance of legal aid, providing access to justice becomes ever more important.

“With reduced legal access it is hardly surprising that our weekly Thursday evening surgery attracts people from all over the Mendip area, from Frome to Chew Magna and from Wells to Temple Cloud.”

William himself is a specialist personal injury solicitor acting for clients involved in road traffic and workplace accidents to animal injury claims and sports injuries. He has helped recover many millions of pounds in compensation for his clients.

He said: “Many people however still do not know whether they have a valid claim or not. This is why the legal surgery is so important. It provides a free ‘no obligation’ opportunity to speak to a dedicated personal injury team that can be trusted.

Because we are local, we can also arrange home or hospital visits.

“Our initial assessment is of course free. In addition, we offer No Win No Fee.” For anyone requiring further details or wanting to fix a free appointment to discuss a claim, then either Will Weller or his colleague Lauren Steele can be contacted on 01761 414646 or visit www.th-law.co.uk

BUSINESS William Weller

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

Experienced HGV Technician/Mechanic Wanted!

We are a small business with a big heart and tackle virtually anything on wheels. A family business of over 80 years situated in Bruton. We are seeking an experienced and passionate HGV Technician who is looking for a varied role including a full range of servicing, safety inspections, repair work, and general maintenance. We are a MOD contractor and a trailer manufactures agent and can offer a varied and diverse role. Full time position – standard hours (not shift), some overtime, pay commensurate to experience and efficiency and a good environment with a happy crew!

Interested? Apply now by ringing 01749 813655 and ask to speak to Gordon Fry.

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Contact: 01275 472471 www.jwandtjpearce.co.uk

Can-am ATV’s and SSV’s Westwood ride on lawnmowers Ariens zero turn and push mowers Echo Power tools Agricultural Machinery and servicing Call into our shop to find: u Tools u Fasteners u Fixings u Timber u Fencing u Electric fencing u Oils u Lubricants u Water fittings u Clothing u Spares u Parts

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

5% Discount for NFU members on Can-am ATV’s and SSV’s

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 13:44 Page 47

BUSINESS

Insurance broker Higos champions difference with re-brand

HIGOS, the personal and business insurance broker with 13 branches throughout the South West, has just rebranded. The bold new identity reflects Higos’ tailored approach to insurance and celebrates the individuality of local people and commerce using the line “We love different”.

Matthew Hartigan, managing director, said: "'Different' is at the heart of the Higos brand. While other insurance companies are leaving our high streets in favour of centralised call centres or webbased solutions, we're not following the herd. We're maintaining our local, personal approach, staying loyal to the communities that have helped to build our business over the last 30 years.

"We understand that all our personal and business customers are different and have unique insurance needs. By taking time to talk to people properly, either face to face or over the phone, we can give clear advice on their specific insurance requirements and tailor policies to ensure they get the protection they need, without paying

for cover they don't.

“When you consider there are 34 million adults, 30 million homes and six million businesses in the UK – and in our experience no two are ever exactly the same – you can see why we think this approach makes good sense.

"Our personal approach has other benefits for local people, making it possible to arrange cover for specific risks such as homes in flood risk areas, thatched cottages, barn conversions and

specialist builds for example.

"Our business insurance solutions cover a wide range of local industries large and small, from manufacturing and construction to factories, fishing, holiday lets, shops and offices.

"And, of course, accidents happen and the unexpected occurs. Our personal claims team is here to liaise with the insurer, help to recover losses and get our customers back on their feet again with the minimum of disruption."

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 47

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MENDIP TIMES

Hairdressing for charity

P & C Logs Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941 Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

Salon owner Suzy Furber (left) with Lexie, Dannii and Heidi

A CAKE and coffee event at the Suzanne Elizabeth hair salon in Faulkland has raised £515 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

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Experienced Mechanic for Job Share Wanted!

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We are seeking a experienced Mechanic who is looking for a job share role. Preferably someone who is able to carry out MOT’s as well as servicing, repairs and other car workshop duties. We are looking for someone who is interested in all vehicles including classics, not solely the modern vehicles! We are MOD contractor and trailer manufactures agent and can offer a varied and diverse role.

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PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

We are a small business with a big heart and tackle virtually anything on wheels. A family business of over 80 years situated in Bruton.

Some overtime, pay commensurate to experience and efficiency, paid holiday and a good environment with a happy crew!

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 13:44 Page 49

BUSINESS

Will disputes – what to do when a verbal promise isn’t honoured

“ONE day all this will be yours…” It’s a familiar saying, particularly among the farming community, where family businesses are passed down through the generations. But what happens when there’s no evidence of this verbal agreement in the deceased’s Will?

Frustration. Disappointment. Possible legal intervention.

Proprietary Estoppel Claims If a family member, let’s call her Jane, doesn’t automatically get what they’ve always been promised, she may wish to pursue legal action in the form of a “proprietary estoppel” claim. Essentially, this means Jane will attempt to enforce the promise made. Unsurprisingly, it is common within the agricultural sector and an area we have experience in at Mogers Drewett.

How do I go about making a claim?

Proprietary estoppel claims often rely on a verbal promise as evidence of the deceased’s intentions. However, the promise usually needs to have been made

over a number of years and the claimant must have believed and relied upon it. For example, when Jane was growing up, she was told that she would inherit the family farm.

Jane would say that this incentivised her to work long hours on the farm for low pay rather than try to establish her own farming business. In other words, Jane will say that she acted to her “detriment”. A court will need to see evidence of any such detriment.

Before a proprietary estoppel claim can proceed, the court will need to hear how the promise came about and the context in which it was made. Any evidence from a third party (with nothing to gain) can help support the claim.

Once a claim has been established, the court would need to consider “quantum”, namely the extent to which the promise can be honoured. It’s the role of the court to ensure justice is brought about. This means that Jane might receive the whole of the farm or only part of it.

This kind of claim can be extremely hostile and expensive, with the losing party taking responsibility for the winning party’s costs. Therefore, it may be advisable to seek the help of a specialist solicitor to try and help resolve any dispute. It is always a good idea to attempt to keep the dispute out of the courts – this can help minimise the financial impact and help make a difficult time that bit easier for everyone involved.

Luke Watson, Partner, Mogers Drewett Dispute Resolution Team

If you have any concerns about a legal matter, visit www.mogersdrewett.com or call 01749 342323

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

Meet the head – Laurel Penrose, principal of Bath College How is college different to school?

Further education at college is a great alternative to sixth form for those who are looking for excellent vocational, technical and employability skills. The college sets high and exacting standards while offering a different learning environment where our students are treated as adults and where employability skills are central to the study programmes. We offer a broad range of subjects, qualifications and pathways (including apprenticeships), with all our Level 3 courses carrying UCAS points, enabling progression onto higher education if desired.

How do you choose which courses to run?

We regularly reach out to local employers and make sure our courses are offering what they are looking for in new recruits. In addition, we research local, regional and national employment trends and need analysis. This has resulted in 93% of students progressing onto positive destinations in their chosen field of study or career.

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Our curriculum is reviewed annually and amended in line with proven demand and needs. An example of this is the newly-introduced courses of Psychology & Law, Fashion, Business & Retail, both of which have proved incredibly popular. We also believe partnerships enhance the learning experience. Good examples of this are

our Bath Theatre Academy for Performing & Production Arts which works with the Theatre Royal, our Engineering department working with Rotork and our Catering Academy connecting with Michelin star restaurants.

When are you proudest to be Principal?

When students flourish, achieve and progress and our community of staff prosper.

Where do you see Bath College in five years?

I have big ambitions for the college over the next few years, pursuing excellence in all that we do. Ofsted graded us as “Good” which we are delighted with, but it’s just the starting point. I am ambitious for the college and everyone who works and studies with us. By 2022 we aim to be the most sought-after college in the region, in the hope that by 2025 we will be the most sought-after college in the UK, not necessarily the biggest but definitely the best.

Education section.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 13:59 Page 51

Frome College celebrates exam results

FROME College’s guest of honour at this year’s GCSE certificate presentation on Thursday, November 21st is BBC1 TV presenter, Sarah-Jane Bungay.

The evening at the Memorial Theatre in Frome, is a celebration of the incredible exam results of their Class of 2019 who sat their GCSE exams in the summer.

This is a formal presentation with music, special guests, staff and friends of Frome College to congratulate their last year’s Year 11 students and their families for all their hard work.

Doors will open at 6.30pm for a prompt 7pm start. They look forward to seeing everyone, and catching up with friends about their chosen next steps.

EDUCATION

Sixth form open evening

THE Sixth Form at Frome College is thriving; with a combination of great facilities, high quality teaching and a wide range of vocational and academic courses, we can help you shape a vision of your future and get you there.

Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, 14th November, 4-8pm, is a chance to look around our facilities, meet some of our current students and ask our staff about the courses on offer. Our broad curriculum offer includes core academic subjects as well as modern languages, criminology, food, fashion and music technology.

After another summer of recordbreaking exam results, we want you to experience the buzz of being part of our Sixth Form, and understand why Frome College has a growing reputation as a centre of academic and creative excellence.

Dr J Sadowski Head of Sixth Form

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

Dear Mendip Times, A couple of years ago I bought a box of paper work at an auction sale. Having taken out what I wanted I was left with "stuff" that was not of interest to me.

I wondered if you could find interested people who would like it. One is a certificate for fourth prize for young milker at Mid Somerset Agricultural Society show on September 2nd, 1913. The name is E or S Reeves. It would be good to give it to a family member rather than bin it.

The second item has two photos stuck together on card of our Queen during her coronation year driving by children and parents of Langford J M School.

It would be great if these were recognised by someone. Seems a shame to let them disappear, Diana Emery Hallatrow

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Dear Mendip Times, Recently I picked up a copy of the Mendip Times (always a good read) at a pub near Wedmore. The issue is for Oct 2019. On page 53 of Reader's Opinion I was fascinated to see a photo of an armorial plaque from a house in Street. The house owner, Janice Robertson wonders where the plaque might come from.

I have a hunch – I have researched heraldry in over 200 locations in my own county of Wiltshire and believe similar plaques might appear in the north of the county, near to the former Long-Wellesley estate of Draycot Cerne (near Chippenham).

From what I remember the estate cottages in that area do have the Wellesley crest (lion with pennon) plus an earl's coronet (as appearing on the stone plaque at Street). The estate passed from the Longs of Wiltshire to the Wellesleys (both earls of Mornington and earls of Cowley).

Just possibly some of the estate cottages were demolished when the great house at Draycot itself went the sad way of so many great houses between and after the two world wars.

Perhaps parts of the estate houses ended up with reclaimers and found their way into properties all around the West Country – who knows, just a hunch of mine.

If Janice Robertson would like to contact me re the above, please feel free to pass on my email address, I'd be more than happy to be in touch.

With all good wishes, Steve Slater Fellow of the Heraldry Society of England Shrewton Salisbury Plain Dear Mendip Times, When my brother entered a care home three years ago, despite repeated assurances that his faulty hearing-aid would be fixed, he was often without a working aid for long periods. Due to facial cancer, saliva regularly blocked the aid for his one functioning ear.

His distress continued in two hospitals. Staff believed hearing aids were the responsibility of an audiologist, requiring a medical referral and a wait of several weeks. Yet, a volunteer with minimal training could solve the problem within minutes.

My brother’s mental health deteriorated in the weeks that his faulty aid sat on his locker. Conversation entailed shouting single words, staccato, into his “good” ear. The dementia that slowly engulfed him was clearly related to his social isolation and sheer frustration.

After his death I circulated health and social care organisations across the UK and beyond to learn about experiences elsewhere. Public services were silent but voluntary organisations reported that few health and care staff had even a basic knowledge of hearing loss; some, I was told, do not know that aids need re-tubing every few months.

Yet the essentials of maintaining hearing aids are not complex; they can be learned by sitting next to Nellie.

Voluntary organisations expressed anger that service providers fail to recognise how, at little or no cost, they can transform the lives of their patients.

My report on the survey, When silence is no longer golden, asks the government to clarify the legal rights of deaf people and to strengthen the regulations to require homes and

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Dear Mendip Times, On page 53 of your October edition, entitled Reader’s Opinion, you carried a letter penned by Colin Booth, of Westbury -sub-Mendip. Rarely have I seen such an illinformed and blatantly incorrect article!

It is a great shame that Colin Booth had not checked his facts prior to submitting his manifestly fake news.

He begins by stating that the owners of Westbury Quarry, Alford Technologies, offered a young girl a prize of blowing up a car.

WRONG! Alford Technologies had kindly offered me the use of the quarry that day, in order to host a joint Mendip Hills AONB/Earth Science Centre/Mendip Cave Rescue/Mendip Society and other bodies, to enable them to run a Mendip Rocks day for the benefit of those groups and the wider public at large.

I myself, had offered the “prize” of pushing the button to blow up the car. As an explosives engineer in my own right and as an active conservationist, I was only to happy to present this and raise monies to be shared by way of a raffle to the participating bodies. It was the girls’ mother who actually fired the blast.

Alford Technologies played absolutely no part in this apart from their kindness in offering their site to these charitable bodies free of charge.

Mr Booth, who has over several years been proactive in railing against the quarry site regardless of the

hospitals to clean and re-tube faulty aids in a timely manner.

Following my brother’s death earlier this year, family and friends raised money in his memory and are funding training schemes for local staff and volunteers; this will help to safeguard the interests of some of our most deprived and isolated citizens.

If you would like an electronic copy of When silence is no longer golden or want to know how you can help people with hearing loss in local homes, please email Wally Harbert agecare@btinternet.com Wally Harbert Frome, former Director of Social Services Avon County Council Dear Mendip Times, WE are all of us surrounded by the very growing presence of the reduction of our own unique rural surroundings by the growing menace of what appears to be the unrestricted growth of housing.

I know that new housing is needed to meet the requirements of an evergrowing population together

with its supporting infrastructure.

Surely it cannot be beyond the wit of man to realise that in order to achieve this it is in all of our interests to build on land that is much more suitable to this purpose, rather than to sacrifice our dwindling supply of valuable virgin areas that go to make up our Mendip Hills and surrounding areas.

In plain and simple words, why do we not choose to develop brownfield sites in preference to greenfield ones?

Our present prime minister is on record as saying that planners

READER’S OPINION

overwhelming good their activities provide to security and police services all over the world in combatting terrorism, uses his letter as yet further attack upon the company.

He continues by talking of an illegal construction of a quarry safety bund at the top of the quarry, WRONG AGAIN! Natural England were fully aware of the situation and Mendip District Council planners gave their permission for this safety bund.

This self-appointed expert continues by saying “More worryingly, the Alfords blow up cars and train others to do so….etc; etc”.

WRONG again! The company train specialists to attack potential bombs hidden in vehicles by disrupting the devices and the company’s products are used by both the British Army and several UK police forces to save lives as a direct benefit of their inventions and the training they provide.

His last sentence amounts to nothing more than perversely trying to support his fatuous argument.

If only Mr Booth had bothered to visit the two public open days and help out these organisations, he would also have seen the pleasure on the faces of those 250 members of the public who are now far better informed of what happens behind the gates of Westbury Quarry, be it either orchid spotting in the reserve, peregrine and raven watching, geological walks etc etc.

Nigel Taylor

must attempt to aim to develop these brownfield sites first. A sceptic might say that he was only telling us what he wanted us to hear at that time!

Surely to goodness the very fact is that if a developer builds on "green" fields, then that patch of land has gone forever. The society’s own team of planning officers attempt do what they can to stem this relentless tide in what might be seen as a thankless task.

On a much broader scale, the AONB have a much more professional and measured approach which never fails to impress me. Do not overlook the national efforts of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), who do much sterling work in our county area to hold back this tide of unwanted and sometimes un-needed action by house builders.

The CPRE's analysis has shown that the government aims to builds one million homes and that there are sites available for 1.1 million of them.

My children used to pick strawberries in Axbridge on land which is now covered by a housing development. This area now looks like this entire stretch of land joins up Axbridge and Cheddar into one long zone.

That area of land no longer connects our children to the land and we wonder why they now stare into pocket computers.

On a more hopeful note, I look forward to Wednesday, November 6th when at the Wells and Mendip Museum, there is a lecture "The Future of the Mendip Hills Area" given by Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills AONB manager.

It starts at 7pm. and please book your seat with Les Davies MBE at les.davies@westcountryman.co.uk (01458 445233).

Richard Frost, Mendip Society For details of all events visit www.themendipsociety.org.uk and Facebook ‘The Mendip Society’

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

Bumper carnival delights crowds

THIS year’s Frome Carnival has raised more than £4,000 for local good causes, thanks partly to efforts to attract more clubs to take part in the main evening procession.

For the first time, the event had joint overall winners – Kipling Carnival Club and Cary Comedians.

Borris and the Johnsons – members of Frome’s Sunday Afternoon Theatre Club

Carnival royalty ahead of the afternoon children’s procession The Guiding in Frome group with Fantasyland

Carnival collectors prepare for their evening’s work Kipling CC’s Blue Smoke entry

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

A scene from Magnum CC’s tableau entry Through the Raven’s Eye

A Stardust Majorette with The Wookie from MK Garrison’s Star Wars walking entry

My Fair Lady – one of the cast on the Merlin Theatre’s cart

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 14:06 Page 4

EVENTS

A trip down memory lane

TRACTION engines, vintage vehicles and even rock ‘n’ roll dance demonstrations took visitors back in time at the annual Somerset’s Festival of Transport at Frome Showground.

Waiting to get up a head of steam

Graham Northover makes some adjustments to this 4” scale Tasker engine; the boiler was built in 2007…

Melksham Rock ‘n’ Rollers; the informal dance club meets at Broughton Gifford

Admiring the vintage transport on display

… before taking a tour of the showground

Jenny, Harry and James Duncombe, from Shaftesbury, on their 1919 Marshall roller called Beryl

He may be only five-years-old, but Albie gets behind the wheel of this Wheelhouse horticultural tractor in the main area. Albie is a member of the family-friendly Happy Days Vintage Group which raises money for local charities including the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Come rain or shine, Cary likes its carnival

SUNSHINE for the afternoon children’s procession the previous week; rain on the main parade night – Castle Cary Carnival had it all.

Di Pinnions, chair of the carnival society, said: “To get such a good crowd when the weather is wet shows what a big heart our community has. A big thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a great night!” l This year’s carnival raised £2,300 for local charitable causes, a little down on last year.

The procession makes its way past the Market House Carnival royalty in Ansford Academy ahead of their big night

Pupils and staff from Castle Cary Primary School ahead of the Anne Hallett children’s procession

Stardust Majorettes

Hot Rock CC’s dramatic feature Voyage to Valhalla Local club Castle Cary Comedians with this year’s entry Klingons from Uranus

Grease – the Mini Revellers Carnival Club PAGE 56 OVEMBER 44 • MENDIP TIMES • N JULY 2019 2019

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WILDLIFE

“No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds – November”*

By CHRIS SPERRING MBE

WELL, not quite when it comes to birds.

Winter is just around the corner so it’s time to tidy the garden. Though it’s less common to burn vegetation these days it’s still just as important to check thoroughly before lighting any garden fire in case a hedgehog has taken refuge inside.

Their defence when frightened, which is so often their downfall, is to curl up and stay still, so they stand no chance of escape once

the fire is lit.

As well as being the month of bonfires November also sees the arrival of many of our winter visiting birds. One of my favourites has to be the redwing. It always gives me a buzz to hear their contact calls as they fly overhead at night, knowing that their journey probably started in Northern Scandinavia.

These members of the thrush family may just be passing through en-route further south, or they may decide to stay and spend the winter locally to us. As cold weather starts to creep in from the Arctic they begin moving southward away from their summer breeding grounds in Scandinavia.

As I write this in early October there is little sign of a mass movement of birds out of Sweden so far (according to my wildlife colleagues in mid-Sweden). Indeed, they go on to say this is a relatively new pattern where the normal mass movement of small birds out doesn’t occur like it used to, and sometimes they still have birds such as blackbird and song thrush (which would normally have all left) still resident right up until Christmas and New Year. The effect on us here is that we don’t see the mass number of wintering birds that we used to. So, what’s going on?

Some of the reduction of over-wintering birds will be due to decreasing numbers of such birds; however, that may not always be the case. Maybe a clue to what’s going on comes from an owl species I know well. The long-eared owl is an extremely rare breeding bird in our area and is becoming scarcer each year.

In winters gone by, and up until 2005, there were also wintering groups of these owls across South West England, some of which contained ten or more individuals.

But this is now a rare occurrence. Again, decline across northern areas is possible, but as a Swedish scientist said to me recently it is likely to be a direct result of climate change.

What’s been happening over the last few years is that the long-

eared owls which would have left Scandinavia and overwintered with us are now leaving much later due to milder, shorter winters, and are having to travel less distance to find somewhere mild enough to spend the winter.

This means that many owls, and other birds, may not even need to travel further than southern Scandinavia, or perhaps northern England, or if they do then it’s much later in the season than it used to be.

Migration is not limited to birds which we only see in the summer or winter, but many of our resident species also migrate as well. Obvious A long-eared owl – a rare winter visitors like redwings breeding bird in this area and fieldfares will be joined by chaffinches, jays and even woodpigeons making the journey across the North Sea. Milder winters are likely to mean less winter visitors reach us here in the South West, and those which do are likely to arrive later.

So, how about we try a Mendip Times listening survey? Just after dark go into your garden and just listen out for the flight calls of redwings flying overhead. The sound is a little like a descending “tseep” (if in doubt then listen to the sound online, there are lots of recordings of their flight calls on YouTube, for example).

It would be interesting to find where they’re heard first and on what dates. If you’d like to join in then send me a text with your location and date heard to 07799 413918.

We’re booking up owl and general wildlife walks throughout autumn and winter, so please go to my Facebook page @ChrisSperringwildlife to find out the latest events taking place. *November, a poem by Thomas Hood Blackbird – staying in Sweden?

Starlings – the murmurations will be starting soon

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 07799 413 918 or chris.sperring@btinternet.com

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

A ramble around Rowberrow

HERE is a wonderful winter tonic in the heart of Mendip in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, combining the old mining hamlet of Rowberrow, near Shipham with Rowberrow Bottom, the edge of Black Down and then the superb Dolebury Warren and Dolebury Hill Fort. It’s great at this time of year

as the leaves turn and then when the trees are bare you enjoy more light in the woodland. On a clear day there are superb views across to Wales. We follow the old Slaggers Path used by miners in the past, along the fast flowing stream, across a ford and up through the woods. Finish with a drink or food at the 18th century Swan Inn. It is a walk of uphills and downhills, although none of them very steep. There is a set of rather uneven steps, over 170 of them, down from the hillfort.

Underfoot it should not be too muddy, except in a few parts. This circle is a good one for dogs too.

PARK: The Swan Inn at Rowberrow, near Shipham where they are pleased to give permission to park, on condition that you have refreshment of some kind there. It’s good to support our wonderful country pubs and the Swan’s car park is in a prime position but it doesn’t want to get full up with people who are not customers.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

START: Rowberrow is an ex-mining village. Along with its larger neighbour, Shipham, it was the centre of zinc mining in the area. The Swan has been created from three knocked-through miners’ cottages. The pub has been

around since the late 1700s, and started life as a cider house. Cross the road from the car park and go down the side of the pub in School Road. Follow it along, past the old school on the left and down into Rowberrow Bottom.

1. ROWBERROW BOTTOM Ignore the turning left, and a right fork further on. Just keep straight on passing a very modern timber-clad house and then another modern house. You are following the stream which, as you will soon see, has been dammed and staggered in parts to control the flow of water. Continue until you reach a fenced Bristol Water compound ahead and a ford.

2. FORD Cross this left and follow the path which forks up left, beginning your climb out of the valley. Simply follow this track, ignoring side paths, and going over junctions, soon climbing more gently but still in the beautiful woodland of Rowberrow Warren.

3. WOODLAND Further on, when your track bends right, leave it and take another track straight on. After well over three-quarters of a mile from the ford back in Rowberrow

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WALKING

Bottom come out of the woodland through a gate ahead onto the edge of the open area of Black Down, the highest hill on Mendip although we are not going up to the summit, known as Beacon Batch.

4. BLACK DOWN The name "Black Down" comes from the Saxon word “Blac” or “Bloec” meaning bleak, “Dun” meaning down or fort. Turn left on the grassy swathe dropping downhill and getting glorious views across to Dolebury Warren and hillfort and beyond. Further down, the path becomes narrower and more uneven going through bracken and gorse. Cross a stream on a boardwalk and carry on, trying to descend gently all the time, more or less in the same direction.

5. JUNCTION At the foot reach a track junction at a noticeboard about Black Down and Burrington Ham. Turn left through the gate following the Limestone Link and keep on the path all the way to another junction with a marker post. Turn right and shortly, reach a gate and stile on the left leading to Dolebury Warren.

6. DOLEBURY WARREN This is one of my favourite areas of walking on Mendip. Dolebury Warren is a site of an Iron Age Hill fort, but is now filled with wildflowers and rare butterflies. The flowers vary from early

Le

OS Explorer 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 450 583, postcode of the start at the Swan: BS25 1QL. 4.75 miles, about 2 – 2.5 miles walking

purple orchid to bell heather and the unusual mixture of wildflowers makes this an important site for all wildlife.

Continue ahead on the grassland, ignoring a fork right, and start to climb gently heading for the hillfort. Cross a stile by a gate and maintain direction.

Eventually reach a marker post for the Limestone Link on your right. Bear right here. Soon it bends left through a wooded area. Then it is out again into the open and continue the easy climb.

7. DOLEBURY CAMP Go through another gate and soon see ahead the outer east banks of the Iron Age hillfort, known as Dolebury Camp. It is owned by the National Trust and managed by Avon Wildlife Trust. Go through the east gate into the hillfort and straight on, still climbing. You are at a height of about 600ft. Soon come to the stony remains of what was once a medieval three-storey warrener’s house.

His job was to farm the rabbits which lived in long man-made pillowmounds up here. The rabbits produced valuable meat and fur. There may also have been a watchtower. The hill fort is the starting point for the Limestone Link, a 36-mile footpath to Cold Ashton, Gloucestershire.

Continue straight on down,

finding the widest grassy path through the centre of the hillfort. Reach the west gate and here go up left onto the bank and follow it along. On the “corner” drop down to a lower ledge, and then go right down steps.

8. STEPS It is a steep drop down from the hillfort with about 175 steps and some nonstepped sections. Watch your footing.

There is a bench seat over half-way down. At the foot reach a gate to a rather muddy parking area and then left again through another gate and on along the track which leads round the foot of the hill fort. After several minutes, you may spot a dilapidated corrugated shed on the right and not long past this keep your eyes open for a narrow path right and single wood spar bridge over a small stream. Follow this stony path all the way up to the lane at the top which leads into Rowberrow.

9. LANE It is just over a third of a mile on the lane back to the start. Turn left, passing the pretty church of St Michael and All Angels, Rowberrow. It has a renowned set of six bells, cast in 1752 by the famous bell maker Thomas Bilbie of Chew Stoke.

Carry on to the welcoming Swan.

The Swan, Rowberrow, 01934 852371 opens at 12noon.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

NOVEMBER, the month that marks the beginning of winter and with the rain we’ve been having, I don’t know how much more can be left up there! Spike Milligan of the Goon Show fame, wrote a series of “silly” poems for children, which includes this: There are holes in the sky, With LES Where the rain gets in, DAVIES MBE But they’re ever so small, That’s why rain is thin.

Not too sure about the “thin” bit, some of the rain I have experienced is quite thick!

The 150th Mendip Ploughing Society Match was a great success with 126 ploughs, as the pages of this month’s copy of Mendip Times will bear witness. My feelings on the morning of the match were those of concern, but the closer I came to Mendip the happier I became. The rain clouds cleared and a wind picked up to dry the ground.

There were a couple of showers, but these didn’t detract from the sheer pleasure of the day. Those who came despite the rain were there because they wanted to be, no one forced them. They were “Country” people for whom the rain was just another part of life. As for those ploughing, well they were in “Heaven” as it was described to me by one competitor.

The soil turned with a shine on the furrows and burnished the plough mould boards to a mirror-like finish. This most basic of cultivation is centuries old and days such as this are a celebration of those who over time have worked the land to provide the food and ensure our survival.

For me there was also a very special occasion and that was the return to Mendip of a six-furrow Fowler’s steam plough, built in 1918, that had taken part in the 100th match. Sold off from Mendip into obscurity in Cornwall, this plough has been brought home and is once again turning Mendip soil.

There were more dry stone wallers than you could shake a stick at, with the highest entry ever of 15, thanks to the Mendip Hills volunteers. There were 11 hedge layers, with roots, grain and produce all being part of the day. I must also thank those who brought along vintage vehicles and machinery that added so much to this special event.

It was suggested to me that with the demise of Priddy Fair, this ploughing match is becoming the “go to” rural event on the Hill. For me it was the last match under my chairmanship. To all the committee members and to the ladies who take on the gargantuan task of looking after us every year, I say “THANK YOU”!

This is without doubt, the best committee I have ever had the pleasure to serve on.

Still a bit of autumn left I hope. The leaves are changing now and my Virginia creeper in the garden is a riot of red. So what is happening in the woodland and hedgerow as everything gets ready for winter?

Trees are already making preparations for their winter hibernation. All summer long they have been producing food through their green leaves. This photosynthesis is essential as the tree hungrily “stuffs” itself with sugars in order to sit out the winter months and be able to start again next year.

Within the deciduous tree that sheds its leaves every year, the

green pigment in the leaf, chlorophyll, allows it to turn sunlight into energy. This chlorophyll is now being broken down and absorbed back into the tree. The red and yellow colours we associate with autumn have always been there, but now the predominant green has gone, they show again.

As daylight hours shorten the trees sense it’s time to discard their unwanted leaves and so form a corky layer behind the stalk called the abscission layer. This finally cuts the contact between tree and leaf, resulting in the latter falling to the woodland floor to become humus. Jettisoning these leaves also reduces the “sail” like effect on the tree, reducing the risk of it blowing over in a winter storm.

There’s still lots of preparation within my world before the onset of winter. I have to get the tractor saw bench going and cut up a good supply of firewood. The coppiced hazel timber from Foxwood has been down all year and although a little damp on the outside the wood itself will be seasoned.

Apple picking is now finished and I’ve collected enough cob nuts from the bush in my garden to provide that essential Christmas snack (that’s if they last that long). I also need to get my act together and find some sweet chestnuts to roast… all this talk of food is making me hungry!

Now something for your November diary. First is a talk by AONB Manager Jim Hardcastle about the future of the Mendip Hills and other protected English landscapes. It is a joint Royal Geographical Society/Mendip Society and AONB venture at Wells and Mendip Museum on Wednesday, November 6th at 6.30 pm.

There is no charge, but a donation to the Mendip Hills Fund would be greatly appreciated and can be given on the door. If you would like to go please contact me through the Westcountryman website shown at the bottom of this column.

Go to the “Contact Les” bit and send me an email. It helps me with numbers attending.

Then on Wednesday, November 20th there’s another Royal Geographical Society talk by explorer Chaz Powell, who explains how he set out to walk Africa’s rivers in a battle against wildlife crime. Doors are open at 7pm with tickets at £4.

Refreshments are also available. More information on: www.rgs.org/whatson.

This month’s picture is from the Mendip Ploughing Match showing an old school friend of mine, Andrew Melrose and his ploughing engine Margaret making their exit at the end of the day. Something this big is going to leave a couple of wheel ruts after all.

Finally, don’t forget to alter your clocks at the end of the month!

You can always contact me through my website: Westcountryman.co.uk

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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Christmas is just round the corner and the fabulous events team here at Yeo Valley HQ have lined up some rather special events for December.

There’s something for everyone, but places will fill up fast so booking is going to be essential. To book visit www.yeovalleyco.uk or call 01761 258155.

5th December – Merry Pop Up Supper Get your balls a jingling and your taste buds tingling with our first festive feast of the year – one of your last chances to visit HQ after dark in 2019.

All the usual favourites with some festive trimmings.

Tables from 7pm (last booking 9pm) Suitable for ages 16+ £35 (3 Course) or £42 (4 Course) 6th December – Yeo Festive Night It’s going to be a ‘Christmas Cracker’ of a night at Yeo. So, come all ye faithful for a festive feast, with extra sparkle.

Let’s eat, drink and be very merry!

Arrival from 6.30pm, carriages from 11pm

YEO VALLEY

Ticket includes 3 courses….

Suitable for ages 16+ £35 pp 20th December – Christmas at Yeo Get your glittery groove on at our final fling of the year!

Fuel up with our fabulous 3 course festive T feast, keep your tank ‘topped OU up’ with our premium bar offering LDand hit the dance O floor to strut S your sequinned stuff till the earlies.

Ticket includes 3 courses and DJ. Dress: glittery with extra glitter.

From 7.00pm (carriages at midnight) £40 pp 24th December – Christmas Eve Brunch Kick off your Holly and Ivy and fill your stockings with our festive brunch.

Sit back and let us take the heat whilst you chill before the big push!

Tables from 9am (last booking 12pm) Adults £20 / Under 12’s £8 We hope you can join us!

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Let your house plants do the cleaning!

With MARY PAYNE MBE

HOUSE plants are back in fashion. Out with the imitation ones and in with a vast array of greenery to enhance our homes. But looks are just one of the benefits of real

plants indoors.

Back in the 1980s the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) started to look at ways of purifying the air to create a life-support system in preparation for planned moon bases.

This work also extended into the realms of office buildings where workers suffered from “sick building syndrome” (SBS) caused by some of the many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) given off by modern materials such as paint, carpets, furniture, and office machinery.

Symptoms of SBS include allergies, asthma, sinus congestion and headaches among others. The chemicals being given off include formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene. It was found that some plants are very effective at “cleaning” the air by absorbing these chemicals, thus purifying the air.

So, what are the best plants to have in your home to “do the cleaning” for you?

The best on test is the Areca palm. Ideal for the larger spaces, it is easy to grow in good light positions. This palm also transpires an impressive amount of water vapour into the atmosphere, which is also good for us.

A 1.8 metre palm can lose one litre of water in each 24-hour period so make sure you keep the composts moist at all times.

Close behind the areca palm are other palms, all of which prefer reasonable room temperatures.

The traditional large-leaved rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is also very efficient, but these days has been largely superseded in our homes by the small leaved Ficus benjamina. Even the humble ivy rates very highly and is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions especially where cooler temperatures are used.

The peace lily is one of the UK’s most popular house plants and is also highly respected for helping with the household chores. It is one of the few foliage house plants that can also be relied upon to flower. They normally flower in our autumn, so don’t despair if yours has PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Cyclamen

steadfastly refused to bloom all summer.

Give it a bit more light, some feed and it should respond. What it boils down to is the greater the surface area of leaves a plant possesses, the more efficient it is at cleaning the air.

For those who think they are rubbish at keeping plants alive in their homes then try the snake plant (Sanseveria) often known as the Mother-in-law’s Tongue. This impressive plant is hard to kill – yes really – it requires very, very little water or even any attention for weeks on end.

The strap-shaped leaves, often with a yellow margin, are thick and succulent, hence it can cope well if neglected and is also well rated for its cleaning properties.

Most plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) by day and give off oxygen during daytime photosynthesis, but some plants from arid regions have adapted to keep their stomata (breathing holes in the leaves) closed by day when temperatures are at their highest and open them at night when temperatures are lower to absorb CO2.

This process known scientifically as crassulacean acid metabolism also applies to Aloe vera, another popular “cleaning plant” and well known for the beneficial effects of the sap on burns.

The well-known variegated spider plant is less tolerant of neglect as the tips of the leaves will go brown if watering is erratic.

We are fast approaching the appearance of the festive seasonal house plant selection in the shops and garden centres.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) come from Mexico and can grow into large shrubs. It was introduced as a house plant in 1830 by Joel Poinsett – hence the

common name – but is was in the 1900s before it was grown commercially.

These prefer normal room temperatures but hate draughts, so keep away from doorways. This includes a drop in temperature on the way back from the shop perhaps in the boot of the car and never consider purchasing one that has stood outside a shop. Once again, they are reasonable at air purification having a large leaf area which includes the colourful red (pink or white) bracts.

The small flowered cyclamen for autumn pots have flooded the market during September and October and are followed by the large flowered hybrids that are more suited to indoor but must be kept in cool good light conditions.

Remember to twist and pull out spent flower heads rather than cutting them off and try to water from the base rather than getting water lodging in the crown of the plant.

The moth orchid deserves its place in our homes as one of the longest flowering house plants available to help out with the cleaning. The routine is simple. Stand in water for five minutes every ten days or so, drain and return to good light but no direct sun.

An occasional weak feed will help, and your diligence will be rewarded with years of flowers. Other orchids are creeping into the market but are not as easy as the moth orchid to re-bloom.

All the plants I have mentioned are recognised as being good “air cleaners” so take time to look after them and enjoy them not only for their beauty. Any plant indoors is going to be beneficial but like all things in life, some are better than others.

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NOVEMBER GARDEN TIPS

• If you are not planting up your tubs and hanging baskets for winter and spring colour (why not?) take them down, empty them out and put them away for winter.

• Move plants in pots together so that they protect one another in cold weather.

• Protect tender alpine plants from the cold and wet. Many are protected by several feet of snow where they grow in the wild.

• If you haven't done it already, trim the dead flower heads off summer and autumn flowering heathers.

• If the soil is not too wet or actually frozen it's still a good time for planting of hardy plants.

• Fork over borders and work into the soil a slow release feed such as fish, blood and bonemeal.

• Plant tulip bulbs (if not done already). Urgently plant any other bulbs.

• Check potted bulbs that you are going to force into flower early. Make sure that they are well watered. If they have made sufficient roots and, in the case of Hyacinths, the flower bud has emerged from the bulb, they can be put into a well-lit warm place to start the forcing.

• Pot up Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs. Use quality multipurpose compost and leave the top third of the bulb standing proud of the compost. Water very little until leaves appear. Re-pot older plants into fresh compost now too.

• The winter flowering Cyclamen coum will be in stock this month, plant with the autumn flowering Cyclamen hederifolium for an extended display of colour.

GARDENING

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MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Basking in their basket glory

Legion winner

The competition winners with their basket entries

JOANNA Miln, Gill Gould and Helen Dauncey were the winners of Fosseway Gardening Club’s Autumn in a Basket competition.

Their baskets were filled with fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves which made a colourful backdrop to the club’s October meeting. All three are members of the club, which meets at Pylle Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month. l Alan Eason will talk on Old and New Gardens and Parks in Paris on Tuesday, November 12th at 7.30pm. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For details call Jill Swindale on 07772 008594.

Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

THE Mendip Group of the Royal British Legion was awarded an award and cup for their entry into the Outdoor Memorial Garden competition.

The cup was presented at the Yatton Memorial by Alenia Baird (pictured right) of Yatton Parish Council to Megan Thurger, the gardener, and Simon Reakes chairman of the Royal British Legion Yatton group.

Call for entries for countywide competitiion

ENTRIES have opened for the 2020 Somerset Gardens Competition, organised by the Somerset Gardens Trust.

There are sections for individually-owned gardens and entries from schools and are aimed at celebrating the wealth and diversity of historic and modern gardens in the county.

The judge for the private gardens category is Alan Power, from the National Trust’s Stourhead estate; Alan Ketley, former head of horticultural studies at Cornwall College will judge the competition for schools.

Entries close at the end of April with visits and judging taking place in May and June.

For details, visit: www.somersetgardenstrust.org.uk/competition

PERFECT PAVE

Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and offers a wide choice of projects.

Now supplying – as well as installing – landscaping products to the commercial and domestic trade Wider range and cheaper prices than builders’ merchants or garden centres

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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Churchill Village Show

GARDENING

Honey fans make a bee-line to Castle Cary

Judge Suzette Perkins (right) from the Somerset Beekeepers’ Association with club member Simone Ash

Trophy contenders

SOUTH East Somerset Beekeepers have held their annual produce and craft show at Castle Cary’s Market House.

Guy Clothier returned for another demonstration of weaving wicker beehives called skeps

The cakes looked great

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Tel: 01934 626093/813261 www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Bench is a tribute to Tony

Barbara, Tony’s mother, with members of JMBRO. Tony used to ride a 1980 Kawasaki 1,000 which he owned from new

A GROUP of motorcycle enthusiasts who organise rides for charity gathered at the Tuckers Grave Inn at Faulkland to pay tribute to one of their supporters and fellow riders.

They were attending the unveiling of an oak bench with an inscribed plaque in honour of Tony Denning, of Coleford, who passed away earlier this year. Tony’s mother, Barbara, was also there.

The bikers organise the Jeff Mountjoy Big Ride Out, an annual event held in early May in Paulton to support The Freewheelers EVS Blood Bikes and Dorothy House Hospice Care.

The bench was built by Tony’s friends Chris, Dan and Ben Brodrick, with the plaque inscribed by Shane Bridle.

Runners lead carnival procession

Rachel and fellow runners at Victoria Park in Frome ahead of the Carnival Mile

DOZENS of runners joined fundraiser Rachel Clark on a jog around Frome Carnival’s children’s procession route.

Rachel, a police officer in the town, is running a mile a day for 365 days in aid of local charity We Hear You. The runners set off ahead of the afternoon procession.

For details, visit www.wehearyou.org.uk or find Rachel on Twitter @ladyraquel

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Robert rode for hospice

Robert on the 100-mile route

ROBERT Pattison, from Dulcote near Wells, was one of ten people who took part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on behalf of charity Children’s Hospice South West.

The annual event is a 100-mile cycling event for amateur cyclists, which begins at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with cyclists riding through London and out to the Surrey Hills of Leith Hill and Box Hill before coming back into London and finishing on The Mall.

This was Robert’s fifth time taking part in the event and he completed it in his best time to date – six hours and one minute, raising £1,373 in sponsorship. He said: “It was my pleasure to represent CHSW at this year’s RideLondon, I have tried to support smaller or local charities before. Hopefully the money raised will help in some small way.”

Finding happiness

THE charity Livability is holding a free Happiness Course in Wells in November. This will be the fourth time they have run the course and they expect it to book up quickly.

The facilitators aim to help people learn about the latest psychological research into happiness and to think about how they might create lasting happiness in their lives.

Over four weeks, the course explores various subjects including the meaning of happiness, forgiveness, gratitude and relationships. It also draws on scientific research, ancient wisdom and real life experience which aims to encourage people to reflect on what constitutes a good life.

The course was written by disability charity, Livability and draws from leading experts in the fields of positive psychology and personal development.

It will be held weekly at St Thomas Church, Wells from November 7th, 7.30-9pm.

Christmas card

A UNIQUE poem written by novelist and former MP Jeffrey Archer will feature in Weston Hospicecare’s 2019 Christmas card – and Lord Archer hopes the verse will help propel the exclusive card to record sales.

The poem is printed on the inside of the card, which also features a stunning cover design by renowned local watercolour artist Rosie Smith.

Details: www.westonhospicecare.org.uk

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Have fun – and support the homeless

BATH charity Julian House is calling on board game fans to join them for their first Bath Board Game Day, taking place on Sunday, November 3rd. This one-day only pop-up event will see hundreds of families, friends and board game enthusiasts gaming for a good cause in the auditorium of Komedia, Bath.

Gamers, new and experienced, can choose to go along for the whole day or just four hours and will have the opportunity to play lots of different games suitable for all ages, including big blockbuster hits, classics and indie gems.

Whether it's a quick and playful game of bluffing and laughter or a lengthy game full of strategy and skill, there’s something for everyone.

Organiser, Jessica Gay, said: “Bath Board Game Day is Bath’s very own ‘pop-up’ board game café. It’s all about having fun with friends and family for a good cause. You can feel great knowing your ticket is contributing to Julian House and all the work we do to support vulnerable and socially excluded individuals.

“It’s a chance to be part of something bigger and join us in our mission to alleviate homelessness in and around Bath.”

Julian House was founded over 30 years ago to offer direct support to some of the most marginalised people in society – the homeless. Initially this was limited to offering food and shelter.

The charity now runs more than 40 different projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises across the South West aimed at supporting those who are not only homeless but also at risk of becoming so. This includes those escaping domestic abuse, the long-term unemployed and adults with learning difficulties.

Details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bath-board-gameday-tickets-69283553975

Santas for charity

CHARITIES

COUNSELLING charity We Hear You (WHY) is calling on the local community to sign up for their annual Santa Dash, a 4k fun run for children and adults at The Old Showfield, Frome on Sunday, December 8th.

As in previous years, the event is sponsored by Frome Running Club and Frome Cricket Club, with all proceeds going towards WHY’s free professional counselling service for anyone affected or bereaved by cancer or a life threatening condition.

Registration is via Eventbrite.co.uk and costs £10 per adult (£8 with early bird discount until November 10th) or £5 per child (age 6-17 – all children must be accompanied).

Under-fives run for free but will need to take their own festive outfit. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £25. Booking will close once places are filled, or on Wednesday, December 4th.

We Hear You provides free professional counselling to anyone affected by cancer or another life-threatening condition at various locations across B&NES, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Details: info@wehearyou.org.uk or call 01373455255

Hannah’s legacy supports cancer research

HANNAH’S Willberry Wonder Pony charity, established by inspirational young event rider, Hannah Francis, has announced a new PhD research project into osteosarcoma.

This new three-year project, which builds on the success of an earlier two-year research grant funded by the charity, Friends of Rosie Children’s Cancer Research Fund, will continue at The University of Manchester.

It will be led by Dr Katherine Finegan, whose team found that a protein, called ERK5, can control the growth and spread of osteosarcomas. By removing ERK5, they were able to slow the growth of osteosarcomas and prevent their spread to the lung.

The PhD being part-funded by Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony will build on these exciting preliminary findings to explore exactly how ERK5 controls osteosarcoma progression.

Rachel Francis of Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity said: “We’re delighted to be helping to take the very encouraging findings from the project funded by Friends of Rosie to the next stage. We’re working hard to collaborate with fellow charities and ensure our research activity is joined-up to ensure the greatest chance of success.

“We know Hannah would have been proud that her charity has enabled further research into this devastating disease.”

Hannah, who lived near Frome, founded her charity in March 2016 to raise money to fund research into osteosarcoma and to provide equestrian experiences “Willberry’s Wishes” to seriously ill people.

The charity made strong progress under Hannah’s leadership before she died and has gone from strength to strength, raising more than £1million in its first 24 months.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Cathedral abseil total tops £50,000

A SERIES of abseils from the North West Tower of Wells Cathedral has raised more than £50,000 for the Shepton-Mallet based charity SOS Africa.

A total of 350 people made the 124ft descent, many in bookthemed fancy dress. The abseil was the charity’s most ambitious to date; previous abseils have taken place from the top of Cranmore Tower, St Mary’s Church in Bruton and the Glastonbury Festival pyramid.

A speciallyconstructed scaffold platform ensured that none of the abseilers could touch the exterior of the cathedral

The Rt. Rev Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, was the first person to abseil from the tower Wells police constable Alex Stacey (left) in uniform with Helen Jenkins alongside

Mary Poppins and friends ahead of their descent

Back on the ground, the bishop – wearing a mitre rather than hard hat – greets the Dean of Wells, the Rev Dr John Davies, who also made the descent with other members of the cathedral staff PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

BBC Somerset presenter Charlie Taylor finds time for a wave on the way down

Rob, Dave, Christine, Jonathan and Trevor, a team from Cranmore who wore fancy dress

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CHARITIES

Tiggi and Jackie lead the way

A COMMUNITY fundraising group has been launched in Cheddar to help the Guide Dogs charity.

Affectionately known as “The Strawberries” the volunteers are working hard to raise funds and awareness of the charity’s work.

They will be organising local events and are keen for more local people and businesses to get involved.

The group is being held by guide dog owner and volunteer group coordinator Tiggi Trethowan, a successful television director on programmes ranging from dramas to the Antiques Roadshow but who, in 2018, was diagnosed with an incurable eye disease which will lead eventually to total blindness.

Tiggi, who lives at Draycott, said: “Losing my sight, my world faded away taking my very self with it. This amazing organisation supported me.

“Guide Dogs changed my life! Enter my gorgeous guide dog Jackie who has brought stability back to my existence.”

Tiggi hopes the group will enable more people living with sight loss to access support. She added: “My future ambitions as a volunteer and ambassador for Guide Dogs is to pave the way for others with sight loss and highlight to everybody how donations

Tiggi and Jackie

are so important.

“Jackie is not simply a dog at the end of a lead, she gave me my life back.”

Krissie Isaac, Community Fundraising Development Officer, said: “Many of our volunteers say that volunteering with Guide Dogs has given them the opportunity to connect with their local community whilst making a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people and we are excited to see what The Strawberries have got planned in the months ahead.”

To apply to become a member of The Strawberries register online at www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call the local team on 0345 143 0204.

Rotary golf day

ROTARY, Nailsea and Backwell recently held their annual charity golf day, involving 34 teams, which raised more than £6,000.

Each year a large proportion of the proceeds goes to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Bristol Children’s Hospital in memory of Jane Tucker’s premature son, Jack, who passed away 24 days after birth in 2003.

Rotary have been donating to this cause

Charity ball launch

for the past eight years which has enabled the purchase of 30 pieces of essential specialist equipment for use in the SCBU. On Thursday, October 3rd, Jane attended the Rotary meeting to be presented with a cheque for £3,000 from club president, Gary Wilkins.

The president also expressed the club’s gratitude to Steve Tilley who recruits teams to take part with remarkable success.

Later in the year, a presentation of £2,500 will be made to Prostate Cancer UK and the residue, approximately £500, will go to Rotary local charities.

Details: https://www.wehearyou.org.uk/events/

THE Mayor of Bath, Councillor Gerry Curran, has hosted a reception to launch the 2020 Big Hearted Valentine's Ball to be held again at The Apex Hotel in Bath on Saturday, February 15th next year.

Founded by coach operator, Gerald Creed, from Clutton, the launch was attended by the surgeon who saved his life after a heart attack, Professor Raimondo Ascione Professor Ascione, from The Bristol

Heart Institute said the equipment purchased by The Big Hearted Charity

Details: www.bigheartedvalentinesball.co.uk

after the 2019 ball is now saving lives in the intensive care unit of The BHI. MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

Award for charity founder

DAVID Constantine, founder director of wheelchair charity, Motivation, has been named as one of Britain’s most influential disabled people in The Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 List.

David is recognised for dedicating his professional life to empowering disabled people in developing countries through his work.

For nearly 30 years, the charity and social enterprise, which was based at Brockley before moving to Bristol, has provided low-cost wheelchairs and development programmes to over 100 countries.

David said: “Through my work, I have come to understand a great deal about my own disability and ability and to see how lucky I am to have been born, live and been rehabilitated in a society that embraces me and my needs.

“It has given me an opportunity to fulfil my ambition and take part in my community. There are millions who don't have that opportunity.”

Details: www.motivation.org.uk

Street fashion show

CRISPIN Community Centre are joining forces with the NSPCC and hosting a day of luxury gifts, pampering and fashion shows on Saturday, November 23rd, with doors opening at 10am and fashion shows at 11.30am and 2pm.

Tickets are £5 on the door and there will be a raffle with amazing prizes. All proceeds will be equally split between Crispin Community Centre and the NSPCC. PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Lifeboatman’s reward

Sir Tim presents the award to Mike

MIKE Buckland, lifeboat operations manager at Weston-superMare has been presented with his 20-year award by the vice chairman of the RNLI, Sir Tim Lawrence.

Mike joined the Weston RNLI lifeboat volunteers as soon as he was able.

He developed his love of the volunteer service during a visit as a cub scout when he was inspired by Richard Spindler the longest serving member of the crew.

Mike went through the demanding training to become a helmsman Mike as a cub for the lifeboats. As a helm he has taken part in many rescues and saved many lives. When Richard Spindler retired as lifeboat operations manager some 18 months ago, Mike agreed to take over the role.

Sir Tim said he hoped the team could soon look forward to moving to a new permanent home from their temporary base at Knightsone Island.

He said: “The crew at Weston have done exemplary service in saving lives at sea despite the difficult conditions they have to work with. At last now we have a definite plan which should give our team the station they deserve. It is good to see what a strong team, crew and fundraisers, we have here.’

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CHARITIES

Game, set and match

Lions club welfare officers Margaret Small and Russell Ford with SWALLOW members and staff at Chilcompton Village Hall where the charity holds an activity day each week

A SET of Boccia – a game which is part of the Paralympics – has been presented to SWALLOW, the Midsomer Nortonbased charity supporting teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, by Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions Club.

Boccia is a version of bowls which can be played easily by people in wheelchairs or who have limited physical mobility.

The set includes a specially designed ramp down which the

Boccia is a highly competitive Paralympic game, but is also great fun

balls can be rolled to enable people who can’t reach down to the floor to play.

Nicky Tew, fundraising and finance manager at SWALLOW, said: “We are very grateful to the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club for this donation; it is something our members have been asking for and will be very well used.”

For details about SWALLOW, visit: www.swallowcharity.org

Chelwood tea party

Giving thanks – and £800

Frome IW president Sue Ruddick with the items donated for the auction

THE Macmillan vintage tea party, arranged by Katy Booth and held in Chelwood Village Hall was a great success and made £895 for the charity.

Hall committee member, Stephen Meale, said: “Katy Booth and all her assistants and bakers put on a fabulous event with beautiful flower posies on every table and using vintage tea service with a vast array of home-made cakes.”

AN auction during Frome Inner Wheel Club’s harvest festival has raised £800 for the Bath Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends appeal.

Club president Sue Ruddick welcomed farmers, friends and members to the annual event at Standerwick Conference Centre. The service was conducted by Father Clive Fairclough and poems were read by Hilary Daniel and Jonathan Cheale; hymns were accompanied by Rotarian Kim Hyde.

Lauren Noble, senior community fundraiser for the appeal, gave a talk on the new service planned for the RUH before the auction conducted by Rotarian Dennis Barnard.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 71

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MENDIP TIMES

Fitness fun for CLIC Sargent

THEY walked, they ran – some did a combination of both – and they cycled: but the 80+ people who took part in the annual Mells 10k were all helping to raise money for child cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The event – now in its sixth year – was organised by Su and Nige Critchley in memory of their late son, Benny. Individuals and groups took part, including a team from Mendip District Council which has adopted the charity as its charity of the year.

Friends of the couple even took part in their own 10ks overseas – from Australia to the Middle East, as well as Manchester!

This year’s 10k raised £5,000 alone, bringing the amount the couple have raised for the charity to more than £350,000. They hope eventually to raise £1m.

CLIC Sargent’s Jenny Mullen and Rachel Webster, with the cyclists

Nige and Su before the start of the 10k run

Rachel Webster, CLIC Sargent’s outgoing head of fundraising, (left) with the Mendip District Council team

A sneaky start: Nige Crutchley steals a march on the other runners The now-traditional mass warm-up

Halfway round and time for a wave

Next year’s Mells 10k will take place on Saturday, October 10th. For details, visit: www.mells10k.com

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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Quiz profit

THE Keynsham Mencap annual quiz was held at the Fear Hall, when 70 quizzers enjoyed some healthy competition and answered questions on a variety of subjects, raising £700 for the charity.

CHARITIES

Gifts bound for Romania

INNER Wheel district chairman Maureen Netherway is pictured with Frome club president Sue Ruddick and members with the 33 Christmas boxes they have donated to be sent to Romania by the Bridgwater-based charity South West England European Prayer and Support.

Making music

MUSIC for Miniatures is celebrating its fifth birthday and has now become a registered charity.

Founder Julie Payne felt there were no opportunities to take her two young children to local concerts where it didn't matter if her then 18-month-old wandered around and her then four-year-old asked loud questions.

She said: “Classical music has been proven to be calming for children of all ages and hearing it live is even better. At a Music for Miniatures concert you can experience the magic of live music with your little one and let the beautiful music relax you both.”

When her daughter then started school, Julie found another gap – concerts for children of school age, so she started Crescendo Concerts to introduce children to instruments in a fun and engaging way.

As well as organising various concerts for youngsters, Julie also teaches oboe and supports several local choirs.

This Christmas the charity is producing and touring a version of The Nutcracker and is looking for support. They have been given a grant for £9,080 from Arts Council England but still need to crowdfund for £4,000.

Details: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-story-of-anutcracker

Charity record

LEE-ANNE and Roger Sperring from East Harptree have set a remarkable running record, completing 101 long distance events for charity.

The Bristol half marathon brought up their century – and they have run the Cardiff half since then. Overall they have raised £25,000 for Sense, the charity for deaf/blind people.

Lee-Anne, who works at New Manor Farm Shop, said: “I may not run like a traditional runner, my method is to run a bit and walk a bit.”

Their runs, covering 966 miles, have involved three 5ks, 51 10ks, four ten-milers, 39 half marathons and four full marathons.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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PROPERTY

Developer payments for North Somerset communities Brexit does not deter bidders!

BREXIT tension did not deter buyers at David James and Partners recent property and land auction. Auctioneer Richard Nancekivell commented that business was brisk with five lots of land totalling 14.64 acres making an average of just over £13,000 per acre.

The land varied in size and location from Flax Bourton to Blagdon and East Harptree. There was standing room only with the liveliest bidding of the night for Staddle Stones - a detached bungalow in East Harptree offering huge potential along with eight acres of pasture. Two building plots in Langford achieved on or over their guide prices.

Whilst the country seems divided on the Brexit outcome the confidence in land and property remains buoyant. David James & Partners final auction of 2019 takes place on November 26th and lots are being invited.

Details: Richard Nancekivell or Sharon Everett on 01934 864300

Auction 26th November 2019, Mendip Springs Stone built former coach house/garage (113 sq.ft) with adjacent garden (23.6 sq m) occupying an elevated, rural position on the edge of the popular village of Blagdon.

Ref: 25626

Blagdon • Guide Price £25,000

W NE

Stunning Grade II listed period cottage with spacious accommodation (approx.1950 sq ft). Boasting a wealth of period features including fireplaces, ceiling beams etc.

Two reception rooms, large kitchen breakfast room, pantry/ utility, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Pretty terraced garden with views, parking for three vehicles. Ref: 25734

Axbridge • Guide Price £500,000

COMMUNITIES in North Somerset are benefiting directly from developer payments to address the pressures of housing growth.

The Community Infrastructure Levy was introduced by North Somerset Council last year. Developers are required to pay the levy to help fund the cost of infrastructure such as schools and transport improvements.

Fifteen per cent of the money is passed by the council to the town or parish council where the development takes place. This increases to 25 per cent if the council has an adopted neighbourhood plan. The rest is retained by North Somerset Council to spend on infrastructure to support development.

The fund is expected to build up year-on-year for the first few years. Payments are made to town and parish councils every six months and the latest payments made this month are the biggest yet totalling £107,424. They include: Yatton – £49,324.82; Weston-super-Mare – £24,615; Winscombe and Sandford – £13,464.69; Locking – £11,491.59; Backwell – £2,740; Pill and Easton-in-Gordano – £2,233.79; Wrington – £1,250.37; Kewstoke – £1,167.96; Congresbury – £673.32; Banwell – £400.80.

Town and parish councils can spend the money as they choose, providing it is for some form of infrastructure to support development.

W NE

A detached two bedroom bungalow in centre of village close to all amenities and primary school. Large garden, parking and garage. Great potential to modernise and extend or equally suitable for retirement or downsizing purchasers.

EPC: G ref: 25725

Bishop Sutton • Guide Price £340,000 Amazing views to Blagdon Lake and beyond! A spacious detached 4 bedroom property with quarter acre garden and plenty of parking.

Accommodation on ground and first floor, comprising: Sitting/dining room, kitchen, utility, 2 shower rooms and bathroom. Plenty of scope for further extension.

EPC: E. Ref: 22382

Nempnett Thrubwell • Guide Price £575,000

Contact the Wrington Office: 01934 864307 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

Dogs not drugs (again)

I KNOW I’ve covered the health benefits of dogs in this column before, but I get excited when new dog-related research pops up. Canadian researchers recently did a meta-analysis – combining all the welldesigned dog studies they could find into one big study.

By Dr PHIL They lumped together ten dog studies of HAMMOND 3.8 million people followed up over an average of ten years and found dog owners were 24% less likely to have died of any cause and 31% less likely to have died of cardiovascular disease.

A Swedish study following people up over four years found dog owners were 21% less likely to have died after a heart attack and 18% less likely to have died after a stroke.

These were not randomise-controlled trials, so we can’t definitively say that dogs are the reason that dog owners live longer. It may be that people who let strange animals into their house have better hearts in the first place.

But we know the daily ingredients of health are CLANGERS – Connect, Learn, (be) Active, Notice, Give back, Eat well, Relax, Sleep – and, if you’re a dog person, a dog not only helps you achieve all eight, but they make them a joy to do.

You form a deep, loving connection with your dog and – to a lesser extent – other dogs and dog owners.

Dogs train you as much as you train them. They keep you active, not in a sweaty gym but in the glorious outdoors where you notice the beauty of nature around you. You have someone to care deeply for that adds meaning and purpose to your life.

A dog reduces your portion size and cholesterol (by eating your food). Train your dog to be calm and she will calm you too. And dog owners often sleep better, even with the dog on the bed (yes, they’ve done studies in that too).

A dog, as we all know, is for life and not just for Christmas.

Not everyone has the time, money, space, compassion and patience for a canine companion. They are a big commitment.

But sharing your dog with someone less fortunate is also beneficial. Dogs return the unconditional love of complete strangers.

If you hug them, they reduce your blood pressure. Your partner may not look at you but a dog will and it’ll keep looking until you take it out for a walk.

Above all, dogs are much easier than humans to form a relationship with. Dogs don’t mind if you get their name wrong, or come home smelling of another dog. Humans are much less forgiving. A dog will never wake you up at midnight to ask “if I die, would you get another dog?”

And a dog’s parents never visit. Dogs keep you supple as your bend down to pick up the poo. And dogs expose you to bacteria you may not have otherwise encountered, keeping your microbiome refreshingly varied. Dogs can even be trained to be your eyes and ears, to lick you out of a diabetic relapse and distract you from your pain or suicidal thoughts.

For most of the stresses in life, you’re better off with a dog than a doctor. If you aren’t lucky enough to own one, see if you can find one to befriend. Dogs not drugs, you know it makes sense…

Just email me at phil@drphilhammond.com

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Plop the Raindrop

THE power of water never ceases to amaze me. I’m a tiny water droplet, barely visible to the naked eye. But when millions and millions of us join together, we can cause havoc. Just look at what happened with the typhoon in Japan recently.

As it happens I was there the week before that and saw a lot of fat men chasing a funny-shaped ball. I believe human beans called this the Rugby World Cup. It’s yet another unintelligible human activity that seems to make no sense.

Unintelligible is quite a big word. Bonkers might be a shorter way to describe it. What’s the point of chasing a bag of wind around a field and running into each other? Don’t you people have something better to do?

By the time the typhoon arrived in Japan, I’d fallen into a place called the Ebro Gorge in Spain in a gentle shower of rain, dodging golden eagles and vultures on the way down.

Again that was a very interesting place, showing how the power of water can cut through massive mountains to leave deep wooded valleys. I’ve seen similar examples in the Grand Canyon in America and nearer to you in Cheddar Gorge and Ebbor Gorge.

I hate to think how long it would take to do that. Actually I was partly responsible in a very small way. Over millions of years I’ve probably run up and down all of these gorges many thousands of times, adding my miniscule contribution.

Miniscule is another grand word, which just means very small.

To give you some idea of the process, imagine you are sitting watching a dripping tap. Every ten seconds or so a water droplet like me falls out of the tap. How long would it take to wear the sink away?

Perhaps that’s a question they could ask in a school exam.

Obviously the tap would probably get fixed; otherwise you could sit there for a lifetime or more without seeing any discernible damage to the sink.

Discernible is another long word, but I’m sure you know what it means.

Then imagine what would happen if that small drip from the tap was a raging torrent, strong enough to pick up boulders and trees, smashing a way through anything in its path.

That’s when water can be really exciting for me, but really mean for you, knocking down houses, washing away cars and destroying crops.

I’d like to apologise but can’t promise to behave very differently. At the moment I’m bumping into relatives from thawing glaciers and icebergs that I haven’t seen for millions of years. Trying to remember all of their names is quite a challenge.

It means the sea is getting deeper, which means a very boring time for me when I get stuck in it. I’d far rather be roaming the earth in clouds or go floating down an idyllic river gorge.

In Spain I got sucked into an irrigation system watering vines and ended up in a bottle of wine. I’m told I’ll be ready to drink in about five years.

Time for a snooze.

MENDIP GRANDAD

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Bridging the generation gap

CHILDREN from Saplings Preschool in Westbury-Sub-Mendip have been making some new friends at Court House Retirement Home in Cheddar. Jenny Rogers, Saplings pre-school leader, said: “We’re planning more visits so they can all get to know each other better and develop these unique and mutually beneficial friendships."

Chris Dando, Court House manager, said: "We’ve always put the personalised care planning of the residents at the heart of what we do. We have residents from all walks of life living here, including ex-school teachers, who all have so much knowledge.

CLARE HALL

“Being able to share this with the children makes them feel valued again. There was a real buzz at Court House when the children visited, and the residents are very much looking forward to the next visit.”

Ston Easton • Radstock

Nursing and Residential Care

Luxury New Rooms Available

For viewings please call 01761 241626 or email: admin@clarehallnursinghome.co.uk

COURT HOUSE

Ground Floor & Courtyard Rooms Currently Available

e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is offered.

Rated by the CQC as good in all areas and outstanding for Care

The Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 77

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MENDIP TIMES

New flavours

EFLAVOURZ, the Glastonbury-based vaping business, has launched its own range of new flavours. There are four flavours: Parma Violets (an instant bestseller), Sensational Strawberry, Peach and Passionfruit and Blackcurrant and Lemonade.

The range was developed by owner Jamie Morgan.

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

The benefits of healthy hearing

WE all visit our dentists and opticians regularly to keep our teeth and eyes in tip-top condition.

But how many of us look after our ears with regular check-ups?

Action On Hearing Loss, a UK charity, states that hearing loss affects around 11 million people in the UK alone, with an estimated 900,000 people suffering from a severe or profound loss of hearing. Untreated, hearing loss can lead to withdrawal from social situations with friends and family, distress and even depression.

Without the stimulation of good quality hearing, the brain can suffer as well, with research suggesting that hearing loss can increase the risk of developing dementia by up to 500%.

Research also suggests that hearing aids may help to reduce these risks.

Hearing aid technology has vastly improved over the past few years and the days of wearing a cumbersome “beige banana” behind your ear are over. The latest technology includes tiny, discreet hearing aids that are worn in the ear and are virtually invisible. You probably know someone who wears these type of hearing aids and haven’t even realised!

Knowing where to go for help is difficult. The NHS offers a limited hearing healthcare service, but independent audiologists offer the best customer service and largest range of the latest hearing technology from the world’s leading manufacturers. This means independent stores are able to offer the most suitable solution to each person’s hearing needs – not just a “best fit” from a limited range of products.

And, as you always see the same audiologist each time you visit, you will receive continuity in your aftercare. This is incredibly important for patients and assures them they are getting the best from their hearing.

South West Hearing Care is one of these dispensers and can offer free impartial advice on your hearing healthcare concerns. Call 01458 55 55 33 for further information.

Simon Swindells and his team

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Puddle Ducks swim into a new venue

TRUSTED local swim school Puddle Ducks will launch new baby and pre-school lessons on Monday, November 4th at Mendip Farm Pool. Situated just outside Chilcompton, between Radstock and Shepton Mallet, the privately-owned pool is being opened for lessons for the very first time.

Owners Tiffany and Ben Saunders, who also run Mendip Self Store from the site, are super-excited about the latest addition to the business portfolio. They’ve invested in a refit of the changing rooms and showers to create a safe and inviting environment for parents bringing their little ones to lessons, which take place overlooking their beautifully landscaped garden.

Under the expert guidance of teachers Stephanie and Laura (on Mondays and Fridays/Saturdays respectively), customers can experience the unique Puddle Ducks lessons as water confidence is nurtured and natural ability encouraged.

Stephanie and Laura’s goal is that every child grows to love swimming, respect the water and swim beautifully.

Stephanie said: “I can’t wait to start teaching at Mendip Farm Pool! It’s such a lovely venue – I think the kids will love spotting the sheep on the way into class!”

The baby and pre-school classes have limited sizes to ensure everyone has the attention they need and incorporate

rhyme (with bespoke songs written by professional musicians) and movement, based on extensive child development research. They’re a great way to introduce babies and children to the water.

Puddle Ducks will run sessions suitable from birth up to age four at the toasty warm pool (a cosy 34 degrees, perfect over the winter months) on Monday, Friday and Saturday mornings and will be adding their popular Swim Academy lessons for school-aged children to the programme in the New Year.

Puddle Ducks also teach on Wednesdays at both The Campus pool in Weston-super-Mare and Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, and at Harry’s Hydro pool in Frome on Saturday afternoons.

Details: puddleducks.com/bb

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

In memory of Derek Mead THE Princess Royal visited Sedgemoor Auction Centre at Junction 24, Bridgwater to officially open the Derek Mead Health Room, a free health clinic for farmers and agricultural workers.

It is open every second and fourth Saturday of the month, both busy auction days, and not only offers physical

Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals Theas’ Footcare, Mobile Foot Clinic Mobile: 07849 033 055 Email: thea-m-1@hotmail.co.uk

HEALTH & FAMILY

health checks but also provides mental and emotional support to anyone in need of help.

Farmers can pop into the clinic, which is conveniently located next to the auction ring, with no prior appointment and speak to a nurse in confidence.

Katherine Hawke, director of Junction 24 and care, especially, needs to be chairwoman of The Derek more accessible.”

Mead Health Room Derek Mead died in a Committee, said: “We opened tractor accident. The Princess the Derek Mead Health Room in memory of my father.

“He was well known in the farming community and was a passionate advocate in the efforts to provide farmers with the care and support they need. He always believed that more could be done for the farming community and that health

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Royal congratulated the team behind the clinic and said she hoped that others would follow their example.

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COMMUNITY

Library plan

Cheers to local causes

QUARTET Community Foundation has donated £1,000 to Peasedown St John Residents’ Association to help set up the village’s first community library.

Claire Wynn-Hughes from Quartet is pictured with library volunteers Anne, Jenny, Felicity and Nathan.

WEDMORE Real Ale Festival celebrated another record year distributing £19,000 to local worthy causes.

Some 17 organisations received cheques at the annual presentation night at The Swan in Wedmore.

This year’s fundraising was the most successful yet, surpassing 2018’s total of £18,150 and bringing the total amount of money raised for local organisations over the festival’s 19-year history to £205,221.

The beneficiaries for 2019 include Children’s Hospice South West, Somewhere House Somerset, Wedmore Playing Fields and Cheddar Valley Food Bank.

Spokesman James Turbitt said: “It was especially gratifying after our decision to move to a new site for this year’s festival, which we think worked really well: we’ve had some great feedback from the punters about the new set-up and this has been backed up by our record takings.”

Ark launched

OCTOBER saw the long-awaited unveiling of the Inner Wheel Club of Wrington Vale’s knitted Noah’s Ark! This has been the project of a weekly knit and natter group who started with blankets, teddies and baby hats, then progressed to knitted people for a 2019 calendar which was sold in aid of children’s charities.

The idea for an ark was a simple one: each of the eight knitters took on a pair of animals. The ark will be raffled in aid of children’s charities, in particular, one relating to Bristol Children’s Hospital where new procedures in heart surgery are being trialled.

How music matters

MUSIC Matters, previously known as Singing for the Brain, meets fortnightly on Tuesdays in Axbridge Town Hall, supporting people with dementia and their carers.

There’s tea and coffee from 2.30pm with singing from 3pm, with the chance to meet and share an afternoon of song, gentle movement and laughter. The sessions are facilitated by Maureen Campbell, a trained singing leader and movement psychotherapist.

Forthcoming sessions are on October 29th, November 12th, December 3rd and December 17th, returning on January 7th.

Volunteers are welcome. The sessions have been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Wedmore & Axbridge Community Fund.

Details: Maureen 0789 4099031

Time to think about your lantern design

Some of the parade organisers at one of last year’s workshops

FREE workshops for this year’s Shepton Mallet Lantern Parade begin in the town on Saturday, November 30th ahead of the 10th anniversary procession on Saturday, December 21st.

The workshops will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am-4pm in the Paul Street Community Centre.

Lantern bearers will meet in Collett Park at 5pm ahead of the parade through town and will again be accompanied by musicians.

For details, visit: http://www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk/

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 81

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MENDIP TIMES MENDIP TIMES

Air force commemoration

A SERVICE commemorating the Battle of Britain and the Royal Air Force’s contributions to subsequent conflicts was held at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Shepton Mallet.

It was arranged by the Mid-Somerset branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, supported by local RAF Air Cadet Squadrons, and was led by the Rev Dr Jonathan Hunter Dunn rector of the Shepton Mallet benefice.

The service incorporated the laying-up of the standard of the Royal British Legion Shepton Mallet women's branch and was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Shepton Mallet cenotaph.

The event was supported Somerset’s Lord Lieutenant, Annie Maw, MP James Heappey, the chairs of Shepton Mallet Town Council and Mendip District Council and the mayors of Wells and Axbridge.

The Royal British Legion was represented by Shepton Mallet branch president Brigadier Tony Dalby-Welsh and pastpresident Major General Ray Pett.

The squadron commanding officers led a strong contingent of over 40 RAF air cadets from 914 (Glastonbury and Street), 1182 (Shepton Mallet) and 1955 (City of Wells) squadrons.

The banners of the three squadrons, together with the standard of the RAFA Mid-Somerset branch were paraded.

The laying-up of the standard of the Shepton Mallet Women’s Branch of the RBL was a dignified ceremony supported by trumpeter Hamish Cargill from Stoke St Michael, a student at Norton Hill School, sounding the Last Post and Reveille.

New support group

A NEW group called Time for Me has been set up in Wedmore to support carers and ex-carers. It will meet at The Swan twice monthly on Thursday mornings.

Organisers say carers are often the forgotten, unsung heroes of care, who have spent many years devoting their time to looking after their loved ones at no cost.

The aim of the group is to re-integrate these people, showing them it is ok for them to join activities now that their spouses or partners are being cared for by professionals in residential and nursing homes.

They will offer a platform for speakers on many subjects which will benefit these people. A similar group called Follow On has been started in Weston-super-Mare.

The first meetings are on November 7th and 21st and December 5th and 19th.

Details: Anne 07923 055241

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

COMMUNITY

Membership boost for community group

Welcome: Club president Patricia Naish (left) and presidentelect Nick Candy (third left) with Richard McNairn and Lorraine Sloan

LORRAINE Sloan and Richard McNairn have recently become members of Rotary Midsomer Norton and Radstock. Further new members are welcome.

For details, visit: www.rotarynr.org.uk

New emergency action group

THE Emergency Volunteer Action Group Trust (EVAG) was formed as a registered charity following the disastrous floods in Somerset when many volunteers came forward to help in

many different ways.

Among these were Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs, who were heavily involved until only some months ago when the last residents were finally back home.

They found that a serious limiting factor during those exceptional circumstances was the absence of co-ordination and control of volunteers.

This was recognised by a number of Rotarians who got together with their Inner Wheel colleagues and Somerset Community Volunteers to set up an organisation able “at a moment’s notice” to call out and organise volunteers in the event of emergencies.

EVAG are now officially recognised as the “management and coordination of volunteers” by Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset County councils.

The photo shows EVAG volunteers David Welch, John Salmon and Patrick Simpson recruiting in Wells Market Square.

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COMMUNITY

Sewing in the chapel ONE of Castle Cary’s hidden gems – a Victorian cemetery chapel with views towards Glastonbury Tor – is receiving some loving care from a group of friends with a passion for tapestry.

The now non-denominational chapel was built in 1897 and is simply furnished. It is owned by Castle Cary Town Council and has its own support group, The Friends of the Cemetery Chapel.

Although it is still used for committals, the chapel – off Jubilee Avenue – is available for hire for small meetings and gatherings. Power comes from a small wind turbine and solar panels; there is even a compost loo!

The friends decided the altar wall needed brightening up, so group member Ann Simon enlisted some fellow tapestry makers to create four

Four seasons in one day: (l:r) Sue Begg (spring), Liz Anderson (summer) Ann Simon (autumn) and Gillian Sinclair (winter)

panels representing the four seasons of the year.

The tapestries will hang from two large hooks where the altar cloth used to be suspended. They are based on

paintings by local artist and bee expert Paula Carnell and are due to be completed by next spring when they will be unveiled formally at a celebration at the chapel.

The chapel is open to visitors at weekends and bank holidays from 10am-4pm. For details visit: www.castle-cary.co.uk

Family fun in the orchard

RESIDENTS of the hamlet of Stoney Stratton, near Evercreech, celebrated Apple Day with friends at a party in their own orchard. Apple pressing, live music – and a chance to gather fruit from the trees – was on the menu in the Neill Orchard.

The Rev Richard Neill, whose family owns the orchard, gets to work on the apples

Picking apples was the easy part – carrying them proved harder

Stacey Bennett and daughter Summer on a trail through the orchard

The Somerset Russetts – their first performance in an apple orchard!

Rachel, Adam and Emma came from Lyme Regis with a car load of fruit – Adam has plans to produce cider brandy

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 83

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MENDIP TIMES

Kids, crocus and clubs

ROTARY club members in Frome along with ten children helped to plant 8,000 crocus corms in Frome Old Showfield in a bid to raise awareness about polio.

The work was overseen by Frome Town Council ranger Mark Branson. Frome Rotary Club president Margaret Gilmour said: “Rotary clubs throughout the country plant these bulbs which flower purple in the spring.

The Purple 4 Polio campaign hopes to raise awareness of the ongoing battle against polio in the world.”

Mark said the town council was delighted to work with Frome rotary clubs and Haysdown First School to plant the bulbs.

Communities “are crying out for support for young people”

LOCAL people want more support for young people, according to a survey by Quartet Community Foundation.

Its Vital Signs 2019 report shows that young people are the number one priority for 36% of people in the West of England.

The 26-page report collates data from many sources plus the results of a community survey conducted with over 500 local people in its service area B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The report shows that school exclusions are on the rise while one in eight five-19year-olds has a mental health problem.

Director, Sue Turner, said: “We can’t stand by and let the health, wellbeing and

future prospects of a generation of young people be stunted by lack of support to prevent problems and give them a good start in life.

“We’ll be using this report to grow local giving to address these issues and ask for more support and collaboration from politicians and the public sector.”

This year the Vital Signs report focuses on ten key areas of interest mapping trends, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for improvement.

Key findings include: Young people are a top priority: 36% of local people want more money spent on services for children and young people.

Worrying levels of school exclusions: the Details: https://quartetcf.org.uk/report/

“Bake off” stories related

Club president Sue Hopkins (left) with Linda Hill

LINDA Hill, of Harptree Court, spoke to members of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner Wheel about the two series of the Great British Bake Off television programme filmed in the grounds of her home.

New members are always welcome at the club. Call 07944 298036 or 07543 973666 for details.

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

number of secondary school aged children facing fixed-period exclusions has increased across the whole area, reaching 11% in B&NES (up from 9.7% the previous year) and 18% in Bristol.

Generation Z is stressed and depressed: one in every eight (13%) children and young people aged 5-19 have a mental health disorder.

Thousands of homeless young people: in 2017-18, 2,028 young people aged 16-24 in the West of England presented to their council as homeless or at risk of homelessness.

By age five inequality is clear: across the area children on free school meals aren’t doing as well as their peers.

Rotary in action

ROTARY members in Axbridge have been planting bulbs along the road into Axbridge from Cheddar. They planted 1,000 purple crocus, the symbolic colour of Rotary’s worldwide campaign against polio.

This is the first of four sites where the group aims to brighten up the environment. The next venture is clearing an overgrown inaccessible footpath.

Axbridge is a small satellite group keen to welcome new members to help the group grow.

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COMMUNITY

Not just another brick in the wall THE sun shone down on 160 veterans as they started their epic march across Hadrian’s Wall, to raise money and awareness for victims of post-traumatic stress disorder.

All taking part had to carry at least one brick with the name of a lost comrade. The weight of the brick was to symbolise the burdens troops carry following service.

Paul Thorner, a local veteran from Paulton, carried a back pack weighing 21 kilos. This contained five memorial bricks for Glyn Woodland from Peasedown St John, family members Barry Thorner, Graham Thorner, Margaret and Eric Goddard and David and Karen Goddard.

The bricks had all been painted by local artists Max Buckland, Grant Johnson, David Youdle and Glyn’s family.

The bricks will be going to the Light Infantry Museum at Bodmin to form a memorial wall.

Paul said: "I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I have been

training for ten months. The weather was hot and the terrain rough, with very steep hills, but the views were breathtaking.

The banter along the way kept us going. It was quite emotional seeing the bricks standing together, makes you realise how many comrades we have lost in service, through ill health and suicide."

The 47-mile march ended in Heddon on the Wall, where supporters lined the streets to see the veterans march through the village, led by a motor bike escort and veteran riders.

Paul’s target was to raise £1,000 and he reached this within a week of setting up his giving page. At the last count he had raised over £7,500. This was achieved through the generosity of the public, family and 21 local companies that sponsored him.

Paul said he would like to thank everyone for their very kind donations and the support he has received.

Details: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-thorner

Benevolence begins at home

A MASONIC lodge which meets in Wells has donated £1,500 to local dementia organisation Heads Up. The grant by Benevolent Lodge 446 follows on from a £25,000 donation in 2017

by Somerset Freemasons to enable the charity to create a men’s shed, now known as a community shed because it welcomes men Somerset masons present the cheque to (seated): Claire and women.

Hak, Heads Up fundraising officer, and Bridget Harvey, That gift celebrated the charity director 300th anniversary of the forming of the United Grand Lodge of England. Wells lodge charity steward, John Law, said: “This is a very deserving charity and we as a lodge, together with the Somerset Masonic Charities are pleased to be able to continue to support them in the excellent work that they do.”

Benevolent Lodge was formed in Wells in 1837 and, having met at the Swan Hotel, Wells Town Hall and Wells Cathedral, it now meets at the Wells and Mendip Museum. It was originally known as The Swan Lodge of Benevolence.

For details about the lodge, visit: www.somersetfreemasons.org

Support for dementia hub continues YEO Valley Lions Club is now well into its third year of sponsoring Alzheimer’s Wrington information hub/cafe.

It is part of its commitment, as a dementia friendly organisation, to help to develop services to support families living with dementia in the Yeo Valley area.

The hub takes place on the first Tuesday in the month from 10am to noon at the Reading Room. People don’t have to be a resident of Wrington to attend. l The next meetings are on Tuesday, November 5th (a talk about Tyntesfield and its history) and Tuesday, December 3rd (dementia friendly carol service at 11.15am at All Saints Church, Wrington with tea and mince pies after).

For details, contact Helen on 07740 456706 or e-mail H.HarveyFoster@alzheimers.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 85

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MENDIP TIMES

Caring for the carers

I’ve won! Pig racing underway in the main marquee

AROUND 50 young carers enjoyed a day in the countryside with their families as part of a new initiative by Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club.

The club worked with Bath Carers Centre to organise the day at Bathway Farm at Chewton Mendip, owned by club members Tina Veater and Martin Spiller.

The rotary club says that in the Bath, Radstock and Midsomer Norton area there are around 450 young carers supporting their parents and siblings and was aimed at offering these “unsung heroes” in the community an opportunity to have fun and be themselves for the day unshackled from their normal routine.

On offer were activities ranging from arts and crafts to archery and go karts as well as a chance to see the resident alpacas and chickens.

Patricia Naish, club president, said: “I would like to thank everyone for engaging with the event; to Tina Veater and Martin Spiller for giving us the use of their land, to Martin Carter for arranging the event, for food laid on by Ian Huxham.

“I would like to thank all the people that came to help: Inner Wheel, Coleford scouts, cubs and young explorers who helped make the day such a success. Also to the sponsors who help fund the equipment.”

Feeding the alpacas brought a smile to the faces of these youngsters

Don’t copy me…

Club president Patricia Naish with (left) president-elect Nick Candy and Martin Carter, who organised the day

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Frome Town Archers ran their have-a-go activity

Coleford scouts provided go-karts (and the power)

Lunchtime on the farm

The Rotakids are all right!

COMMUNITY

MIDSOMER Norton and Radstock Rotary Club has welcomed nine new members – all under the age of ten!

St John’s C of E Primary School in Midsomer Norton had expressed an interest in developing a new afterschool group in the name of Rotary.

The new members are known as Rotakids, an initiative aimed at sevento 12-year-olds. It is the first group of its kind to be formed in this area and one of just a handful in Rotary District Each child was presented with a special badge and welcome certificate 1200 which covers Somerset, West Each child was Dorset and West Wiltshire. presented with a District governor Dennis Stevens was special badge amongst the guests at a special and welcome assembly at the school when the certificate

The Rotakids president with (left) Patricia Naish, president of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club, and (right) head teacher Siobhan Waterhouse

children were welcomed into the organisation.

All the children made the Rotakids pledge: “As a Rotakid I endeavour to be fair to all, to serve my community and to show respect for others.”

Rotakids meetings run in a similar way to an adult rotary meeting with members elected as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. They have even appointed press officers! The club will meet once a week to discuss and plan projects.

Their first projects include plans for a litter pick and to visit a local residential

Morris tribute to Mike

MENDIP Morris have created the Mike Hebdon award in memory of their long-standing musician, Mike, who sadly passed away this summer. This will be presented annually for outstanding service to the side.

The first award was given to Rick Brock for his outstanding commitment in running their new beginners’ group.

Mendip Morris meets on Monday evenings at 8pm and every other Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Congresbury Memorial Hall and welcomes new members.

home to play games with the residents.

They will also be planning fundraising events to help their local community and with national and international projects, including Shelter Box. Martin Carter, the rotary club’s Rotakids mentor, said: “When I first met with the children I was really impressed with their enthusiasm and ideas but what really struck me was why they wanted to be Rotakids.

“They told me they wanted to ‘help others’, ‘make a difference in their communities’, ‘raise some money and have fun’.”

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 87

(Photo courtesy of Nick Spratling)

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MENDIP TIMES

Library celebrates

TIMSBURY hub and its community library have now been open for a year! They have seen 3,000 books borrowed and have signed up 130 new library members.

Membership gives you access not only to all the books they have but to millions of books/audios/DVDS within Libraries West.

They are having a special celebratory morning on Saturday, November 30th, 9.30am12.30pm, with crafts and a “library hunt” for the children, cakes and a special question and answer session at 10.30am from the bestselling local author Katherine Webb (pictured).

Library service

Helping dementia sufferers

MEMBERS of the Inner Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge have been busily knitting a new batch of Twiddlemuffs after their first batch were gratefully received by Denise Perrin, the village agents manager, for people suffering from dementia.

Twiddlemuffs are knitted using different coloured yarns of different textures and with interesting bits and bobs attached inside and out, for dementia sufferers, who find it soothing to twiddle with the bells, bows, ribbons and beads sewn onto the knitted material.

Pictured (l to r) are Marjorie Robinson, Sandra Blair and Linda Quinn.

Timsbury to turn purple

SOMER Valley Rotary has worked with the parish council and residents of Timsbury to distribute and plant purple crocus corms around the village as part of Rotary International’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio.

Rotarian Wendy Simmons contacted Mary-anne Ansell in Timbsury about the idea Mary-anne Ansell with Imogen Hill and club president Bob planting crocus at St Mary's school Taylor and members Sunder Ganapathy and Jackie Partridge joined local people and groups including the Brownies and St Mary’s School for the planting weekend to highlight the Purple 4 Polio campaign.

Community roadshow

A VOLUNTEER from Midsomer Norton has been presented with two awards in recognition of her long history of supporting Bath & North East Somerset Council’s home library service.

Eileen Colburn began giving her time to the service more than 40 years ago and has been co-ordinating all of the service volunteers for 35 years.

Details: library_volunteers@bathnes.gov.uk

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

COMMUNITY Council for Somerset village and carers agents are going on tour, running a series of free cafés offering support, health and information drop-in events across Mendip’s rural communities.

The next one is at Buckland Dinham on November 11th.

Others will follow in Evercreech, West Pennard and Easton.

There is free transport from surrounding villages to all of the venues.

Details: 07535 277 433 carole@somersetrcc.org.uk or www.somersetagents.org/popupcafemendip

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Picnic time for inner wheelers

Members of the Wells IW club at the district picnic

EDGAR Hall in Somerton hosted the annual Inner Wheel District 20 picnic – attended by 11 members of the Wells club.

The idea of the event is to share food and drink and there were speakers from three of the charities supported by Inner Wheel: School in a Bag, Water Aid and Period Poverty.

The October meeting of the Wells club was treated to a talk

by Len Sweales, the Wells town crier. He told members that there had been a town crier in Wells since 1503; he began his role in 2002.

Snowdrop Festival poetry competition

Planting snowdrops ahead of next year’s festival in Shepton Mallet

Selling snowdrop bulbs (l:r) Sandra Morris, Gretal Marsh, Chrisi Kennedy and Amanda Hirst, from the Shepton Snowdrop Festival

THE planting of new snowdrop bulbs is underway and entries are now open for the poetry competition for the 2020 Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival.

The celebrations will take place on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th.

Poetry writers from all over the UK and abroad entered nearly 700 snowdrop-themed poems in 2019. They came from children and adults to celebrate snowdrops and the life of James Allen who pioneered growing snowdrops in Shepton Mallet a century ago.

There are three age categories: 11 and under (prize £50); 12 to 17 (£70) and 18 and over (£200). The competition is free to enter for under-18s. It will be judged by poet Jane Draycott.

The closing date for entries is 11pm on December 31st.

For full details, visit: https://www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk›poetrycompetition

COMMUNITY

Hutton anniversary

HUTTON Friendship Circle, with a membership of 120, has celebrated its 50th birthday. A special birthday cake was cut by the chairman, Greta Cooper and life member Muriel Light (pictured) when 84 members gathered in the village hall to acknowledge this anniversary.

It was Muriel and friend Margaret Owen, who suggested, in 1969 forming the group to cater for people of mature years. The delicious fruit cake was made by member Jean Webb and each member received a birthday pen.

Brownies celebrate 70 years

Mavis Flower who set up the unit in 1949

CLUTTON Brownies enjoyed a fun-filled day as they held their 70th anniversary party. It was attended by Mavis Flower, who set up the unit in 1949 and other previous leaders including Lucia Rogers, Betty Smith, Jenny Bush, Rachel Sparrow, Caroline Radford, Kathy Withers and Mary Loakes. A handful of the original 1949 Brownies also attended the party.

Some of the Brownies with Snowy Owl, Colette Cawley, and Tawny Owl, Kate Webber

Details: cluttonbrownies@yahoo.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 89

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MENDIP TIMES

New SsangYong dealer

THE exciting and highly acclaimed SsangYong brand has a new home in Frome with the Platinum Motor Group, which was founded in Frome in 1976.

The business, which represents several automotive brands, has expanded steadily, establishing itself as one of the leading automotive players in the South West of England.

Nick Laird, managing director at SsangYong Motors UK, said; “SsangYong Platinum is an outstanding dealer and we are delighted that they have joined the SsangYong family.

The Platinum Group has a superb reputation and we look forward to a positive and professional working relationship

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PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

with them.”

In April 2019, the Platinum Motor Group underwent a relocation project for some of its brands, making way for SsangYong Motors UK to run alongside the Platinum Vauxhall dealership, Ollie Broughton, of Platinum SsangYong, said: "We endeavour to provide a high quality of service to all of our customers by employing highly trained, motivated staff, which I believe is the key to our success.”

Details: www.platinumssangyong.co.uk

Motoring page.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 14:19 Page 91

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MENDIP TIMES

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A plumb job for father and son

The distinctive Castlebrook van is now a familiar sight in Shepton Mallet

CASTLEBROOK Plumbing and Heating – formerly based in Compton Dundon but now located in Shepton Mallet – is a family-run business offering an extensive range of services.

Established by Steve Marshman, who now has son Max, aged 19, working alongside, Castlebrook Plumbing and Heating covers the whole of Somerset – and further afield, if required.

Steve is a former shoemaker who turned to plumbing in 2001 when Foot and Mouth Disease closed the many county shows and fairs he used to attend with his footwear brand. He founded Castlebrook Plumbing and Heating 14 years ago.

Father and son share the same principles – offering a high-quality service whether it’s maintaining an oil or gas-fired heating system or fitting new bathrooms and wet rooms. Established clients have even called on Steve to work on properties overseas.

Steve said: “We enjoyed a pretty solid client base when we were in Compton Dundon – and still do – but wanted to make people aware that we are now here in Shepton Mallet.”

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Newglaze celebrates its 40th anniversary IT’S an exciting year for Newglaze, who started selling their white uPVC double-glazed windows and doors in 1980. Even from humble beginnings, they always dreamed big. Now, on their 40th anniversary, they’re ready to celebrate with an incredible 40% off their designs.

Their trusted ten-year guarantees have accompanied their customers through the decades, as their ranges grew to include timber windows and doors, uPVC fascias, soffits and guttering.

But their creative customers always want more and they do too! They expanded their options to offer coloured uPVC windows, doors and conservatories to fulfil every possible desire.

They know the importance of trust and reputation, so they have worked to live up to their name in more ways than one.

In 2014, they were thrilled to add triple glazing to the Newglaze portfolio, making their windows even more efficient, stylish and cost-effective.

Again, they weren’t going to stop there! 2019 saw the launch of their Ecoglaze and Ecoglaze Plus ranges for double and triple glazing respectively. Keeping out the cold and intruders alike with the latest technology at no extra cost, it’s all part of their goal to go above and beyond for their customers.

They say they’re proud to host two stunning showrooms in Blandford and Poole, the largest of their kind in Dorset.

They display their fully customisable range in a home

HOMES & INTERIORS

setting, making them ideal to see all the options available.

A spokesman said: “It’s been quite a journey and we’re thrilled with every single home improvement we’ve carried out. With Newglaze, you’re getting the experience of a trusted, family-run company. We’re as passionate now as we were 40 years ago, if not more so!

“Our portfolio continues to expand, but one thing that will never change is our commitment to our customers. Join the ranks of Newglaze’s highly satisfied homeowners and visit our beautiful showrooms to take advantage of our 40% off anniversary promotion.”

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 93

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Installing your dream kitchen

LOOKING for a high-quality kitchen makeover for up to 50% less than a new fully fitted kitchen?

Why not pay a visit to Dream Doors North Somerset? Highlyexperienced owners Colin and Camilla promise you a warm welcome.

More importantly they will help you design and create your ideal kitchen using their impressive range of high-quality products and can typically reface your kitchen in as little as two to three days.

Dream Doors is the UK’s #1 kitchen makeover specialist and will take the hassle out of your kitchen revamp from the very beginning. They also offer all-new kitchens.

Once they’ve arranged a free, no obligation visit to your home – at a time that’s convenient for you – they will measure up your kitchen. No matter if your style is traditional, contemporary, exclusive, modern or classic they have a range of doors and worktops that will suit you and your style.

A team of local, professional fitters carry out the work with the minimum of disruption. So why not call or pop into Dream Doors in Congresbury today and get started on creating your ideal kitchen?

Dream Doors North Somerset, 5 Brinsea Rd, Congresbury, BS49 5JG. Tel. 01934832361 • www.dreamdoors.co.uk

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Looking down on Wells

TERESA and Bryan Dors live in what was once a Somerset longhouse. Today the original house remains intact but it has been carefully extended to become a quite beautiful property looking down on the city of Wells.

The house, aptly named Hilltop, originally belonged to Teresa’s parents and it is where she was born and grew up.

She said: “It’s hard to imagine it now but back then if you wanted to get from one end of the house to the other, you had to walk through bedrooms – but you thought nothing of it!”

What that whole way of life did do however was instil in her a set of values and sense of perspective that would encourage her always to see the bigger picture and take the longer-term view.

Bryan shares these values. He worked for Foster Yeoman Quarry for 46 years, joining when he was 19 and eventually ending up running the maintenance division. In the early days, before the emphasis on safety and the use of more sophisticated equipment, his was quite a risky job; but with only a few bumps and bruises, he came through unscathed.

As we sit drinking coffee and looking out towards Wells and beyond, we talk a little more about what is important to them. They enjoy travelling but what really comes across is a feeling of contentment without any complacency.

They’ve been married for almost 55 years, have brought up two sons and have provided the kind of stability and security that represents all that’s good about family life.

So it’s no surprise that their home obviously means a great deal to them and that the conservatory we are sitting in has just been upgraded by Kingfisher with a solid roof and stone sills.

Bryan said: “The work was completed just before last Christmas and the place is now so much warmer. It’s made it possible to get far more use from our conservatory and know that, whatever the weather, we’ll be comfortable.”

Teresa and Bryan have known and used Kingfisher for their windows and conservatory installations for many years. “Everyone at Kingfisher is excellent,” is Teresa’s verdict,” their workmanship is first class and when they tell you something you know you can trust them.”

Tony Thurling

THE WAY THEY’RE MEANT TO BE #R9journey • High Security • Thermal Efficient • Alternative to Timber • Traditional Hardware Ideal for Conservation Areas

40+ colour options available

www.residence9.co.uk

01275 342656 www.seal-lite.co.uk Unit 1, Tweed Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 6RR

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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New caves discovered on Mendip

DISCOVERING new caves on Mendip is a bit like waiting for buses. Nothing happens for ages, then several arrive at once. The last few months have been a bit like that with several finds having recently occurred.

The longest is under Stockhill Woods at Priddy, where cavers mainly from the With PHILIP Bristol Exploration Club have been HENDY extending Stock Hill Mine Cave beyond the sizeable chamber discovered in May 2017.

A choked descending passage at the end of this chamber has been dug and blasted to enter open passage, followed by a squeeze into a dip passage around four metres high and up to six metres high in places.

A steep slope leads to a side passage which connects with a streamway, ending in a shallow sump at a depth of 66 metres.

An upstream passage leads to within eight–nine metres of the surface. Water comes from Stock Hill Swallet, 100 metres to the north and the cave is around 170 metres long, heading roughly east towards Tankard Hole.

Alison Moody and Wessex Cave Club members obtained permission to dig in Bagpit, the largest closed depression on the Mendip plateau, above Draycott Glider Station. Digging for two metres in a low rockface at the side of the depression gained entry to choked phreatic tubes running parallel to the cliff.

A small passage on the left led to a small bedding chamber.

The cave is around 150 metres long and thanks to a short pitch, about 25 metres deep. There are some formations, including cryogenic stalagmites and stalactites.

These were broken and moved when the cave was filled with permafrost during the last Ice Age and there are some cryogenic crystals, formed under similar conditions. We are only now beginning to realise how many broken formations were damaged by ice and not by earth movements as originally thought and researchers, both here and in other caving regions, are trying to learn more about the phenomenon.

In Spider Hole in upper Cheddar Gorge a three-metre decorated extension has been found and a draught is spurring the diggers on to greater efforts. Sadly, the opportunity of pushing Vurley Swallet, on the top of the Gorge, past its

Ice damaged stalagmites

CAVING

Peacock Passage

current depth of nearly 80 metres below four pitches, cannot be taken, as the cave still has dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide.

A recent re-survey of the Charterhouse rakes led to the investigation of a mineshaft which was covered with a grating.

The 12-metre shaft in a NW – SE trending rift was descended, and a 30-metre mined side passage was entered. This proved to be Charnel Shaft, discovered by the Mendip Caving Group in 1963.

It was named after the cattle bones found at the bottom, but was subsequently lost. It is 400 metres from its supposed original location.

Finally, serendipity led me to discover some background to Herbert Balch’s accident in Lamb Leer in the late 19th century.

While leading a party of visitors down the cave, Balch was lowered first down the 25-metre pitch into the Main Chamber by workmen winding the rope on the hand winch.

There was a lighter line to prevent the main rope from spinning. The main rope should have been tested by first lowering a miners’ skep full of stones. This had been neglected and a few metres down the rope broke, precipitating Balch into the darkness.

By a stroke of luck, he grabbed the guide line, which kept him upright, so that although he cut his fingers to the bone, he landed upright. He became unconscious, but later recovered, and managed to light a candle which let those above know he was alive. New ropes arrived from Wells, and he was rescued.

I was loaned a book by Graham Livings recently, Destination Unknown, the autobiography of W. Percy Withers, who was born in 1894 at Upper Milton Farm, and lived there until he served in the Great War with the Somerset Yeomanry.

Withers writes about a deep hole on the edge of Dursdon Wood, which was explored by Balch with Thomas Wilcox (manager of St. Cuthbert’s Lead Works at Priddy) and Richard Harris to a depth of about 60 metres, with a gallery at the bottom leading to another shaft.

Here there was a wooden windlass, which collapsed into dust as they approached. The rope used was the fateful one later used in Lamb Leer. It had been kept by a gamekeeper at Rookham, but stored in a damp place. Being made of hemp, it rotted.

This shaft and others in Rookham Wood have long been lost, but there are several shallow pits, which may be lightly covered with branches and leaf litter, hiding deep mineshafts.

Even in Withers’ day, visitors to the wood were advised to tread cautiously.

Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves

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Shall I buy a headcam?

(Photos courtesy of Jasmine Punter Photography)

THAT is it! If it happens again I am definitely pushing the button on my laptop that will secure me a top of the range webcam for my riding helmet.

Actually, I’ve had a good ride today, some very nice new Wookey Hole residents kindly stopped for me and Tam. With RACHEL We had a friendly exchange that made me THOMPSON feel a whole lot better than yesterday, MBE when a driver in a white car drove straight at me and went past very fast, despite a polite request to please slow down.

My laminitis-prone horse needs to have exercise. Anyway she gets grumpy if, like me, she doesn’t get a daily fix of exercise and recreation out in the landscape. Many of my friends have given up hacking, not from an age perspective, but driven off by the unfriendly few who don’t seem to worry about half a ton of horse on the bonnet, a manslaughter charge and the £1.8 million cost of scraping a dead horse and rider off the road.

So, we soldier on regardless, otherwise Tam will have to be shot and ground up for dog meat or buried to feed a tree.

Well what would you do with a dead horse in a carbonconscious world?

Before someone starts mumbling that horses shouldn’t be on the road, I would ask you politely to reflect that horses have used the roads for thousands of years, the roads were not (in the main) built for cars, merely surfaced for the convenience and safety of vehicle drivers. Car tax is paid on the basis of the polluter pays. Roads are maintained from general and local taxation – which we all pay and horses (for information) are carbon neutral and anyway don’t need Tarmac, signs or any other highway paraphernalia.

Lily Dadswell

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Talking horse-sense: one of the signs around Hutton

The horse riders and carriage drivers of Hutton are so concerned with traffic dangers that they have invested much time fund raising to buy themselves a sign in an effort to keep themselves safe. Just recently the Weston Mercury published an article on the “unacceptable number of near misses” through the village where 800 drivers A DAY have been caught speeding.

The Mendip Hills AONB is surrounded by heavilycongested dangerous roads (roads built mainly by the Romans, just saying). Traffic on the B3135/B3134 is so fast this road is generally referred to as the Mendip Raceway.

Ringing the hills are the A371, A39 and A38. Even the single-track lanes that cross the top from Priddy to Charterhouse and to Shipham carry a high number of large vehicles.

Having said all that, I am always thrilled to see that there are still children and ponies out hacking across the Mendips.

Usually there is nine-year-old Lily Dadswell, younger brother Harry and mum, Ruth, on a bike. It takes a lot of grit and determination to carry on regardless. That same grit, determination and responsible pony ownership has carried Lily to 12th place in the regional under-21 My Quest into Dressage competition. Well done Lily!

Once we are all off the roads onto the Waldegrave Estate rides, Pen Hill, Durston Drove, Eastwater and Lower Pitts and the rides around Charterhouse all the happy hackers who remain give grateful thanks to all those landowners who have helped in whatever way to keep horse riders safe and out enjoying the countryside. Often the paths are steep and narrow, shared with bicycles and folk on foot with dogs and children but people out enjoying the landscape – instead of rushing through it – are generous with their smiles, patience and co–operation.

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RIDING

Horsepower on festival site

SOME 170 horse riders, cyclists, walkers – and even a few runners – enjoyed the open spaces of the Glastonbury Festival site for a fundraising event for the work carried out by Mendip Bridleways and Byways Association.

Landowners opened up the paths and tracks for rides varying from three miles to around 12.

S t w

m P

# W

Part of the 12-mile route passed through the sculpture-filled woodland on Worthy Farm

# m # a # #

An extraordinary contrast between the festival throng and a peaceful Sunday morning

# # #

Riders could go as fast or slow as they wished

The festival bus station site was the start and finish point for the rides aimed at all the family

Time for a chat

A chance to canter

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RIDING

Shire’s recovery

HEAVY horse enthusiast and actor Martin Clunes has lent his support to an appeal by charity HorseWorld to buy a harness, cart and harrow for a rescued Shire, Dime.

The 17hh, five-year-old mare was rescued in 2017 as part of a large operation and now resides at the charity’s base at Whitchurch.

As an old English breed of Shire horse, the charity hopes that Dime can be trained to work like her ancestors did, turning her life story from one of abandonment and neglect to a future as a working Shire, something that these days is a rare and special sight. It’s launched an appeal to buy the equipment.

Details: www.horseworld.org.uk/dime

Dime in training

“Banger” racing at Wincanton HorseWorld cancels open day

Number One: Marcus (left) with Jamie and Craig Overton and Ecco, a Paul Nicholls-trained horse which won a maiden hurdle race

RECENTLY-retired Somerset and England cricket legend Marcus “Banger” Trescothick joined fellow county players Craig and Jamie Overton for a day at the races at Wincanton.

During an interview with course Harry Cobden returns with Ecco to the commentator Richard winner’s enclosure Hoiles, Marcus spoke of after victory his work with the Professional Cricketers Association to raise awareness of mental health issues affecting players. The British Horseracing Authority is also working with jockeys on similar matters.

Marcus and his former team-mates were guests of racecourse non-executive director Geoff Derham.

PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

HORSE rescue charity, HorseWorld, was forced to cancel its charity open day because of recent bad weather, which stopped it using its fields for car parking.

Managing director, Mark Owen, said: “Cancelling the event is a massive blow for the charity. Our open days are not just an opportunity for our fantastic supporters and our great local community to come and see the charity’s work first-hand, but they are also essential dates in our fundraising calendar.”

The charity expected to raise at least £8,000 from the event, which would have gone a long way towards meeting winter feed bills at its busiest time of year.

HorseWorld are already nearing maximum capacity at their site in Whitchurch where they are currently caring for over 100 rescued animals.

Sarah Hollister, equine welfare manager, said: “We know that over the next few weeks we’ll be getting more calls to the welfare team, there will be more requests for help from other charities and we are going to be hard-pressed on all fronts.”

In an attempt to make up for the loss in donations from the event, the charity is asking supporters to make a donation in lieu of what they would have contributed on the day.

Details: www.horseworld.org.uk/donate

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SPORT

The cycling network

CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE

MANY factors have made cycling more and more popular over the years. The benefits to health and wellbeing are now well recognised, city bike hire schemes have increased accessibility and the government backed cycle to work scheme has made buying a bike more affordable.

The success of British Cycling in Olympic events and British riders winning the Tour de France has also increased public awareness as

a sport.

One of the lesser known and often understated influences has been the good work that Sustrans (Sustainable Transport) do in promoting and developing a safe cycling network. It was formed in Bristol in 1977 by a group of cyclists and environmentalists.

Their motivation was driven by emerging doubts about the overdependence on cars and the lack of specific provision for cyclists in British cities, in contrast to major European countries.

A decade earlier, many British railways that the government considered underused and too costly had been closed. One such railway was the former Midland line between Bristol and Bath, closed in favour of the more direct Great Western railway between the two cities.

Sustrans with the help of council funding leased part of the old route and created its first cycle route, the Bristol & Bath railway path. The path has now become an iconic and popular traffic-free route enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and runners alike and recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its opening.

The next phase in developing the cycle network was during the 1980s. Sustrans were involved in improving towpaths along some canals resulting in greater use by the public, especially cyclists.

Then in 1995 with millennium lottery funding the National Cycle Network was formally established with the aim of extending the network to smaller towns and rural areas.

Each year an estimated five million people now use the network; which totals over 16,000 miles of traffic-free paths and existing minor road routes.

Each route on the network is numbered and distinctive blue signs with red numbering make each route easy to follow. There

At last, we’ve got a champion!

RISING boxing star Cameron Walker has been named Western Counties Champion in his category despite losing his bout in the Development Championships in Bristol to a points decision.

Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club fighter Cameron, fighting in the 66kgs/70kgs category, lost over three, closely fought rounds at Whitchurch Sports Centre to Manny Mohammed, an unbeaten southpaw from Essex. However, Cameron was the only Western Counties representative left which gave him the counties title.

NRABC head coach Sean Jenkins said: “His name will go down in local history alongside boxing champions of the past

are two notable and popular traffic-free routes in Mendip – the Strawberry Line and Colliers Way. The Strawberry Line (route 26) takes in a variety of landscapes from the flat marshes and cider apple orchards around Yatton, via steep wooded valleys and a tunnel through the Mendips, to historic Axbridge and the spectacular Cheddar Gorge.

The Colliers Way (route 24) connects Dundas Aqueduct with Frome via Radstock making use of disused railway lines and quiet country lanes through the picturesque Somerset countryside.

Both offer traffic-free cycling and are perfect for cycling with children or simply to get away from the traffic. They are supported by volunteer groups who work with Sustrans to maintain the paths for us all to share.

Passing through the heart of Mendip is a major artery of the national network (route number 3). The 328-mile route connects Lands End in Cornwall to Bristol and is a stunning long-distance challenge for cyclists passing through spectacular scenery.

It crosses the Somerset Levels, Mendip Hills and the Chew Valley on mainly country roads passing through Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Chew Magna.

The route is often used by riders cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats – you can usually spot them by the fully loaded panniers on their bike! Some complete this epic journey on major roads to save time. But for those looking for quieter roads and spectacular scenery the National Cycle Network is the route planner to use.

From restoring disused railway lines into local cycle paths and developing a national network of cycle routes, Sustrans has done a remarkable job over the past 40 years.

the likes of Ellis Grubb and Royston Fuller and will be forever immortalised in the club’s history; I’ll make sure of that.”

Cameron said: “I tried my best, but Manny was just too strong and tall for me but I’m over the moon with still walking away with the Western Counties title. I was a bit surprised because we didn’t know I was still entitled to it after losing my bout so we were walking away from the ring when one of the county representatives called me back and gave me the badge and certificate.

“I work hard in the gym with my coach Sean so even though it goes down as a loss I still feel like a winner, as my coach always says ‘hard work does pay off'.

“I’d like to say thanks to my gym mates for coming along and everyone who has left me messages on Facebook and wish Manny all the best in his next bout.”

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This was just a practice session!

MOTOCROSS enthusiasts pushed themselves and their machines to the limits at the Frome and Motor Cycle Club course at Leighton, near Frome, despite it being just a practice weekend.

Solo riders, sidecar duos and also some quad drivers turned out in good numbers with some describing track conditions on Facebook as “awesome” after the rain of the previous few days.

Luke Peters (left), a former British sidecar champion, and Sam Harris; they came from Oxford for the weekend Lee Phillips, another local rider, also from Frome

Josh Brine, from Frome

Jos’s triumphant return to home village

One of the quad bikes in action

Taking off at the first jump

ENGLAND cricket star Jos Buttler made a triumphant return to his home village, Wedmore to see the village’s new sports pavilion and receive an Unsung Hero award.

The former Somerset player is now with Lancashire. He’s pictured with some young fans in Wedmore.

PAGE 102 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

For details about the club, find them on Facebook

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SPORT

Shepton’s judo champions

SHEPTON Judo Club are again celebrating winning a huge haul of medals at another prominent competition.

Six members of the Shepton club were part of a squad of 12, which competed in the prestigious masters’ judo commonwealth championships held at Walsall University campus. All 12 squad members regularly train together at the Shepton Mallet based club.

The day saw judo players from all across the commonwealth exhibiting top quality judo, in a bid for victory. The day finally concluded with Shepton Judo Club having crowned three of its members commonwealth champions - Dianne White, Jo Gregory and Colin Francis who all took gold for England.

Donna Riggs and Mandy Gregory were silver medallists and Frank Boardman a bronze medallist. Dianne White (5th Dan) head coach said: "I am so proud to have coached and fought alongside the other members of the team, and would like to thank the rest of the club, for their help in preparing the team for this championship."

Pictured (l to r) Mandy Gregory, Dianne White, Colin Francis, Donna Riggs and Jo Gregory

Shepton Judo Club trains weekly at Doulting, West Pennard and Wells and is open to anyone over the age of five to give it a go.

Details: Dianne on 07940 716737 or find them on Facebook

Timsbury awards night

THE clubroom of Timsbury Cricket Club was packed for the annual presentation evening with all three teams well represented. It had been a difficult season for the first eleven but this had not been reflected in the club atmosphere which remained buoyant throughout the campaign.

Club person of the year Ashley Davis with Club chairman club president Malcolm Tucker Austin Sage praised the efforts of all the players and was delighted with the number of people working for the club.

Ashley Davis, who is standing down after seven memorable years as third team skipper, was voted club person of the year.

First team vice-captain and wicketkeeper/batsman Adam Brinkworth was first team player of the year.

Adam Workman picked up the second team accolade with teenager Oliver Hulbert the third team’s choice. Kevin Sibley collected the S.G. Taylor Cup for the best individual performance of the year, an innings of 99 against Stapleton.

James Rawlings was awarded the Roger and Eve Bird Cup as Junior Club Person of the year while Rob Clothier won the John Newth Cup for the fastest 50 of the season.

Rising stars at Shepton

SHEPTON Mallet Gymnastics Club travelled to Bath to compete in the Rising Stars girl’s competition, returning with 23 medals including three overall champions.

More than 200 Some of the winners: (Back) Natalie Lythaby gymnasts and Alice Dillon. (Front) Megan Stevens, competed Florence White, Mia Turner and Lily throughout the Hoddinott day from the South West area. Amongst the younger Shepton medallists were Amelia Rood, Elsie Seager, Mia Turner and Hazel McEntee.

Senior gymnasts also shone with Alice Dillion and Natalie Lythaby both bringing home a haul of medals. Lilly Hoddinott did herself proud with her performance on trampete taking a gold and a silver as overall champion.

Head coach Clare Smith said: “Everyone at the club are so proud of the gymnasts as it’s been an interesting year for the club with the move to Shepton Prison back in May and back to their home at Whitstone School over the summer.”

The club is still searching for a permanent base. To help contact the club via: sheptonmalletgymnasticsclub@gmail.com

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Writhlington celebrates ten years WRITHLINGTON Tennis Club held its tenth anniversary club championships with 13 cups up for grabs and with qualifying rounds held all through September there was something for everyone.

The tennis centre was also celebrating its tenth anniversary and there was memorabilia on show to celebrate ten years of tennis.

Ashley Ward an upcoming junior won three cups, U-14 and U-16 singles and he won the U-16 doubles with Oliver Aldred.

The doubles competitions were closely fought and showed why their ladies’ team are in the top division of the Avon Summer League. The eventual winners were Francesca Beg

and Amanda Baldwin who beat Alex Hull and Eleanor Nobbs 6-7, 6-2, 10-3.

The men's doubles was equally tough. In the end Jon Doel and Nathan Jackson beat Patrick Lodge and Samuel Perryman 6-2, 4-6, 10-6.

Member of the Year went to Christine Hunt, current chair of the club and committed member who organises social activities as well as being a valued and active player.

Jenny Perez received Volunteer of the Year, for creating summer photo themes each week and for communications coverage for the club which has increased substantially over the last year.

Francesca Beg & Amanda Baldwin – Ladies Doubles Winners

Nathan Jackson & Jon Doel – Mens Doubles Winners

Christine Hunt – Member of the Year 2019 PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Ashely Ward

Jenny Perez - Volunteer of the Year, presented by Mandy Stonier

Details: http://www.writhlingtontennisclub.net

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SPORT

Coombes conkers his rivals

OLLY Coombes was crowned king of the conkers at the annual charity championships in Witham Friary, near Frome.

The village resident beat fellow villager George Hyde in the final to seal victory after a string of other players of all ages fell by the wayside.

The competition – held in the garden of the Seymour Arms – raised £415.20 for the charity Cerebra which works with children with brain conditions and their families.

All conquering: Olly Coombes

King Conker (right) in action against his son

This is child’s play – making conker necklaces after the tournament is over

The Witham Friary Conker Committee

The pub garden hosts the championships each year

The competition was open to all ages

Paul Uphill won the plate competition for third and fourth place

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Festival Run for worthy causes

Michael Eavis before the start of the 2k race

AROUND 750 runners of all ages and abilities enjoyed the Glastonbury Festival Run around Worthy Farm at Pilton.

Festival founder Michael Eavis was on hand to start the 2k, 5k and 10k races which raised money for local good causes: Avalon School’s hydrotherapy pool appeal and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Summer is over!

Kevin Durney (left) with Dave Mills

WELLS Tennis Club held its annual finals day in September, with many members coming out to enjoy the sunshine, refreshments and some top quality matches.

Results: Mens singles: K Durney bt D Mills 6-4, 7-5 Ladies singles: G Smith bt C Moule 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 Mens doubles: D Mills and N Coleman bt R Hole and M Holliday 6-2, 7-6 Ladies doubles: M Bruckshaw and J Nest bt W Edwards and C Moule 6-2, 6-0 Mixed doubles: K Durney and J Nest bt M Bruckshaw and J Williams 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 60+ Mixed: B Heather and M Holliday bt K Hole and R Hole 6-4, 6-2

Twenty years of hashing

The start of the 2k race

Anna Hind (left) acting head of Avalon School and Friends of Avalon chair Sabrina Cains with the runners’ medals

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SPORT

THE Mendip Hills Hash House Harriers have celebrated their 20th anniversary with the “opening” of a replacement kissing gate on one of their favourite routes.

The anniversary run was from the Wookey Hole Club with 41 members taking part.

Founder member Martin Berkeley cuts a birthday cake made by fellow runner Pat Challis

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Society’s new conductor

THE English Chamber Orchestra will join Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society under new conductor Jeremy Cole for joyous and moving choral and instrumental music on Saturday, November 16th.

The choir will sing one of John Rutter's most celebratory and glorious works, Magnificat, and Morten Lauridsen's poignantly beautiful Lux Aeterna (Eternal Light).

ECO, one of the world's leading chamber orchestras, will accompany the choir and also perform Arvo Pärt's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Brittan. The soprano soloist is Elizabeth Atherton.

Conductor Jeremy Cole is currently acting organist and master of the choristers at Wells Cathedral, having been assistant organist since 2017.

Of his new role with the choir he said: ''I am delighted to be taking on the role of musical director of the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society for the 2019-20 season. For this concert we are offering a wonderfully varied programme.”

Details: www.wcos.org

Christmas concert

MUSIC & THEATRE

Concert has sax appeal

A PRESENTATION by the iSax Saxophone Quartet will take the audience on a musical journey from medieval times to the present day.

What does it matter if the saxophone didn't appear until the middle of the 19th century? The quartet will demonstrate the amazing ability of the instrument to interpret almost any style of music.

The concert is at St Mary’s Church, Yatton on Saturday November 30th, 7.30pm. Tickets, £8 YMS members, £10 nonmembers can be obtained from the church office or on the door on the night.

Details: www.yms.org.uk David Ford 01934 830255 e-mail david.ford@yms.org.uk

Singing the praises of the “Mendip Men”

CHEW Valley Choral Society returns to St. Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna on Saturday, November 30th to celebrate Christmas with the evocative and atmospheric Midnight Mass by the 17th century French composer Marc Antoine Charpentier.

The concert will also include a selection of beautiful Christmas choral anthems as well as popular and favourite Christmas carols.

Details: 01275 333014

Mendip Male Voice Choir

MENDIP Male Voice Choir is well on the way to making it a record fundraising year for charity as members continue to celebrate its centenary.

In the space of one week, they performed in concert firstly at St Mary’s Church in Bathwick in Bath with two other choirs: Cantilena, a young persons’ choir, and Vox in Frox, a ladies’ choir, in aid of Bath Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal.

The following Saturday, the Mendip Men joined Glastonbury Male Voice Choir for a sell-out concert at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.

Mendip Male Voice Choir welcomes new members. Visit on any Monday at St Mary’s School in Timsbury at 7pm.

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MENDIP TIMES

MUSIC & THEATRE

Shipham Players

Seaside trip helps theatre

SHIPHAM Players staged another of their popular Murder Mystery evenings, featuring a short play written by Fiona and Paul Phillips.

FROME Memorial Theatre’s restoration fund received a welcome boost with entries for a competition to win a family day out at the seaside.

The competition – supported by Butlin’s – raised more than £100 for the fund; the winner was Sandra Davies, pictured receiving her prize from theatre trustees’ chairman Humphrey Barnes.

Choir plans for Christmas

Christmas in Street

CRISPIN Hall in Street is planning a Kids Do Christmas performance on Sunday, December 15th and is looking for local children who would like to take part.

Children aged six plus are welcome to join in and once a child signs up, they will get training and an information pack with all the songs and lyrics included.

THE Chorus of Disapproval is a mixed-voice community choir based in Wells. It started in June 2012 and has grown dramatically in size, now with more than 50 members from Wells and the surrounding area.

The choir is conducted by both Verity Stoffell and Andrew Brooke, two secondary school teachers. The concept for the choir started from a chat over coffee in a very small school music office about a desire to create an all-inclusive music opportunity for members of the Wells community.

As a result, they invite the widest mix of ages and backgrounds to join them in their vocal endeavours! Their philosophy is simple – all you need to join is a love of singing. You don’t have to audition and you don’t have to read music.

They have a very mixed repertoire – from the Beatles to Benjamin Britten. If it’s good, they’ll learn and sing it – and usually have a jolly good laugh in the process.

They rehearse every Monday during school term time, 7.30-8.30pm at Stoberry Park Primary School in Wells and have biannual concerts. Their next is on December 7th, 7.30pm at St Thomas Church.

They invite you to go along for some festive performances – and a glass or two of mulled wine!

Details: Andrew Brooke 01749 673375 or email ABrooke@educ.somerset.gov.uk or visit their Facebook page

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Details: Michaela Edmunds 01458 447248 info@crispinhall.co.uk

Singing success for St John’s

THE choir of St John’s, Glastonbury is enjoying musical success after three of its past choristers were recently installed as head and deputy head choristers at Wells Cathedral.

Meg Curl and James MacGeoch are the new head girl and boy choristers, while Sophie Harbridge is deputy head girl after singing in the cathedral choir for only one year. All three sang at St John’s before being accepted by the cathedral.

Meg said: “Singing at St John’s was such fun and without that experience I would not have got into the cathedral choir.

I had never sung in a church choir before and St John’s is really friendly; everyone helped me so much.”

Matthew Redman, director of music at St Johns said: “We are thrilled and very proud of these three amazing singers.

We were sad to see them leave St John’s, but knew that they would rise to the challenge of singing at the cathedral; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for them.

“We are proud to be maintaining this wonderful choral tradition at St John’s; there are very few choirs like this left now. The choir is still strong after all these years, but I am always happy to talk with children (and adults) who are interested in singing with us.”

(Photo courtesy of Louis Smith)

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Boney M at the Bath and West Showground FOLLOWING their appearance in Somerset during this year’s summer festival season, Boney M are returning to play at the Bath and West Showground.

Rasputin, Daddy Cool, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring.

Everyone knows Boney M’s classic disco hits. They bring their unique sound to Somerset on December 14th with original band member Maizie Williams joined by three new dynamic vocalists.

Bath & West Enterprises Ltd and Hayes Catering Ltd will present The Old Skool Party Night which promises to be The Best Christmas Party In The West and a taste of the many great music events coming to the showground in the near future.

Internationally acclaimed DJ Steve Adams with an impressive ten million You Tube hits and fabulous collection of Old Skool compilations, completes the party spinning the ultimate disco

hits of the era in his own unique style.

Tickets to join the party are available for a special limited offer of £40 for a pair of tickets or get a group of friends together – buy eight tickets and get two free (subject to booking fee).

You can boost your “Boney M at

Details: www.bathandwest.com/tickets

WHAT’S ON

Bath & West experience” with the “Daddy Cool VIP Dinner” package!

Entry includes dinner, priority parking and exclusive VIP area at £45 per person (subject to booking fee). Due to high demand, tickets for the dining package are now limited. Don’t miss out.

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Red carpet treatment on offer

WELLS Film Centre is inviting groups and organisations to apply to benefit from a charity gala screening in 2020. The complex has hosted two events in the past month, raising more than £500 for The Outward Bounds Trust and more than £800 for The Lawrence Centre in Wells. Cinema manager Becky Cooper-Collett said: “We have been doing them for at least 25 years, sometimes we have one a year, other years we have had about four or five. We would like to thank everyone for their support.”

If you would like to hold a charity gala at the complex, email Becky at: Becky@wellsfilmcentre.co.uk

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

Starts Monday 4th November Starts Friday 15th November Starts Friday 22nd November Starts Friday 29th November

EVENT CINEMA FOR NOVEMBER

Aeronauts (PG) Le Mans '66 • Sorry We Missed You (15) Frozen 2 • Midway (12A) • The Good Liar (15) Last Christmas (12A) • Charlies Angels 42nd Street (PG) 10th 4.30 & 12th 7pm Shakira In Concert 13th 8pm Lionel Richie at Glastonbury 19th 7.30pm Timons Of Athens 20th 7pm

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

New team behind Shepton Mallet’s sunday market

THE monthly Sunday market held around the Market Cross in the centre of Shepton Mallet will now be run by a new company.

Shepton Mallet Revival CIC is trading as The Shepton Experience and is a “not for profit” community interest company. It has been set up by a group of Shepton Mallet residents who feel passionate about engaging with the community and wish to see the continued improvement in the community spirit in Shepton Mallet grow further.

The first market will be held on Sunday, November 24th with a special Shepton Christmas theme. Organisers are hoping for 40 stalls. There will be free parking available in the town.

Subsequent markets will run on the last Sunday of each month, from March through to November, so as not to compete with other established markets in the area, with two additional special events: one to take place on Sunday, December 22nd – the day after the town’s Lantern Parade in December – and the other with the Sunday of the Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival in February.

Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for the group said: “Our primary aim is to carry out events which will benefit the community of Shepton Mallet with particular emphasis on regeneration of the town centre. The Shepton Experience will strive to be ‘not just a market’ but a monthly event incorporating live music, DJs, street performances, themed attractions and fun competitions.”

Jude added: “The continued success of the market is reliant on the support of the local and surrounding community and we also welcome all independent and suitcase traders in the area to come and trade with us.”

The Shepton Experience, supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council, has a licence for 12 months.

The markets run from 10am-3pm. For details visit the Facebook/Instagram page: @thesheptonexperience, www.thesheptonexperience.co.uk or email: info@thesheptonexperience.co.uk

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Lecture will honour geologist who mapped the way

WHAT’S ON

Quilters’ exhibition

Draycott Quilters are staging their biennial show of work on Saturday, November 9th in Draycott Memorial Hall, BS27 3UE. Quilts will be on display between 10am and 3pm.

There will be a sale of handcrafted gifts and Christmas goodies.

The £3.50 admission charge includes a hot drink and slice of delicious home-made cake.

This small group of experienced and highly skilled quilters has been in existence for over 15 years and uses various techniques of hand and machine piecing and quilting.

One of their joint projects has been the making of a large quilt, 7ft 8 inches square, which took almost a year to complete and consists of hundreds of separate elements.

They have been raffling the quilt over several months and the amount raised currently stands at almost £1,300. Money raised will go to Guide Dogs. Once every two years the group selects a new charity to support and then they start to plan their next show.

They hope to raise over £2,500 for Guide Dogs.

Details: draycottquilters.co.uk

A section of a map by William Smith

THE man widely known as the father of modern geology will be celebrated in Frome Society for Local Study’s annual Ashworth Memorial Lecture in November.

William Smith was born in Oxfordshire in 1769 but it was in Somerset that he did much of his early geological mapping and, while working as a surveyor on the Somerset Coal Canal, developed the concept of layering of strata, a science now known as stratigraphy.

Peter Wigley, a geologist with a long-standing interest in Smith’s maps, will deliver the lecture on Saturday, November 16th in the Assembly Rooms in Frome. Peter will show examples of Smith’s early geological maps around Bath. His original survey of the canal, together with Jeremiah Cruse’s map of the canal, will be discussed using modern geology and high-resolution elevation data (LIDAR).

Of all the counties of England that Smith mapped geologically it was Somerset that he knew best, yet little of his detailed mapping of the county survives. One exception is a John Cary County Map of Somerset which includes some of his geological line work. This map has now been reconstructed and will be discussed during the talk with emphasis on the areas around Frome. l Peter has created an interactive website of Smith’s maps at www.strata-smith.com The lecture begins at 2.30pm in the Assembly Rooms (behind the Memorial Theatre). Visitors are welcome (£3).

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Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of less than 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. We may not be able to use entries which are too lengthy or submitted as posters or leaflets. Commercial entries cost £25.

Until Saturday November 16th Open Art Exhibition Black Swan Arts, Frome BA11 1BB, Mon to Sat, 10am–4pm. 01373 473980 www.blackswanarts.org.uk Until Saturday November 30th Radstock Museum Exhibition: The Double Hills glider tragedy of 1944 & the Arnhem campaign.

Wednesday October 30th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall, talk on the Calibre audio library. All welcome. Details: 01275 462107.

Coffee Morning 10.30am at The Link (the old Methodist chapel) Bishop Sutton. Christmas cards & wrap on sale for Save the Children’s 100th anniversary.

Weston Walking Group, moderate 7m Rodney Stoke. All welcome www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Harptrees History Society talk on Henry VIII by Prof Ronald Hutton, 7.30pm West Harptree Hall BS40 6EB. Details: 01761 221758.

Mendip Society walk a moderate 5.5m from Wellow: www.themendipsociety.org.uk Thursday October 31st Mendip Ramblers moderate 6.5m King’s Wood, Crook Peak: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Radstock Museum children's activities: arts & crafts, carnival theme, 10am-12, kids £3, adults £1, babies free!

Friday November 1st Vienna Ballet presents Snow White 7.30pm Frome Memorial Theatre. Tickets £21, £20, £16 from 01373 462795.

West Harptree Community Cinema “Alien, the Director’s Cut” 7pm: www.westharptreehall.com Redhill Club Open Mic Night Church Rd, BS40 5SG. Hosted by Jerry Blythe, 07900 587646.

Friday November 1st to Sunday November 3rd Christmas Artisan Market Bishop’s Palace Wells, 10am-4pm. Entry to whole site reduced to £7 adult, 518 £3, U-5s free www.bishopspalace.org.uk Somerset Festival of Death & Dying: events in Frome, Glastonbury & Wells: “because not talking about death deprives the dying of the best possible death and isolates the bereaved”. www.deathfest.co.uk Saturday November 2nd Mendip Society walk moderate 4m from Upper Langford. Details www.themendipsociety.org.uk Frome Fireworks Display 7.30pm. Old Showfield open from 6pm with refreshments & music.

Admission free, collection. Organised by Town Council with Rotary Clubs.

Lantern Walk through Claverham to seasonal gathering at St Barnabas. Meet 4pm village hall to make lanterns, then walk to church for short service at 5pm with songs, storytelling and cake.

Kingston Seymour market 10am-12, village hall.

Fairtrade goods, cakes, crafts & more. Tables £2, contact 01934 830553.

Yatton branch Royal British Legion AGM, Yatton Rugby Club, 7.30pm with a talk by David Young about his experiences with the bomb disposable unit and IEDs (improvised explosive devices).

Sunday November 3rd Mendip Ramblers moderate 11m Leigh on Mendip, Mells. Details www.mendipramblers.co.uk Oxfam Quiz, 7.30pm Britannia Inn, Wells. Teams up to six, £2.50pp. Please book: Terry 01749 672342.

Puppet show & workshop with Tallulah Swirls.

Mexican Day of the Dead. Ages 4+. Art Bank Café Shepton Mallet, 12 and 3pm. Free. Tickets: PAGE 112 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

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www.makethesunshine.co.uk Valley Arts Fringe: Wardrobe Theatre’s Deep sea seekers: undersea adventure for ages 3-8. £8pp. £28 family. 2pm Dundry village hall BS41 8LN www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Monday November 4th Mendip Ramblers easy 3.5m cup of tea walk Shepton Mallet. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome Tuesday November 5th Coffee from Arabia to the coffee house talk by Christopher Bradley for The Arts Society Mendip 11am Bath & West Show Ground, BA4 6QN. Guests welcome www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk Somerset Wildlife Trust talk about Exmoor Ponies, 8pm Caryford Hall, Ansford BA7 7JJ. Adults £3.

Bygone Days talk "The loss of the Titanic: a tale of three captains", 7.30pm the Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton BA3 2UH. £4.

Wednesday November 6th Mendip Society talk “The future of the Mendip Hills AONB” by Jim Hardcastle, manager of AONB team, 7pm Wells and Mendip Museum BA5 2UE. Donations. Please book: les.davies@westcountryman.co.uk or 01458 445233.

Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers & ex-Carers talk by Gina Merrett-Smith on Marianne North of Kew Gardens, 2pm-3.30, WI Hall, Backwell.

The Tale of the Cockatrice, Mumblecrust Theatre, St Paul’s School Shepton Mallet, 3.45-4.45pm. Ages 711. Free. Tickets: www.makethesunshine.co.uk Thursday November 7th Yatton Cancer café, 2-4pm, St Mary’s Chapter House, for anyone living with cancer, their family and friends. We offer a warm welcome, support, companionship, activities and cake!

Congresbury Gardening Club talk by Gina MerrettSmith on the life of Marianne North, Victorian botanic artist 7.30pm Methodist Hall: www.congresburygardeningclub.org Mendip Storytelling Circle: tall tales, myths, legends & riddles. Free, donations, 7.30pm Chewton Mendip village hall, BA3 4NS. Details: Colin mendipstorycircle@gmail.com Bingo 6.30 for 7.30pm Camerton Community Hall.

Bar www.camertoncommunityhall.co.uk Friday November 8th Barn Dancing 7.30pm Ditcheat Jubilee Hall, £4.

Music by Jeroka. All welcome. Organised by caller, Peter Bolton: 01749 672911.

'Birds of the Cam Valley' talk by John Arnold 7pm Camerton Community Hall, £5 incl refreshment. Bar www.camertoncommunityhall.co.uk Yatton Firework Display, 7pm Rugby Club. Food, drinks & stalls from 6pm. Advance tickets £4 (£12 family 2 adults & up to 4 children), or on the night £5 single, £15 family. All ticket proceeds to Yatton Schools Association.

Redhill Club Ladies Night 6-9.30pm £2.50 on door.

Ladies get a free drink! Church Rd, BS40 5SG. Valley Arts Fringe: Sticky Ends, The Spooky Edition. Brave Bold Drama’s comedy for ages 4-11. £6pp £21 family. 5pm Bishop Sutton Primary, BS39 5XD www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Friday November 8th to Sunday November 10th Remembrance Weekend Open Days, Low Ham, TA10 9DR. Displays on local history and both world wars in a former Nissen hut. Details Facebook: The History Hut or kerrincook@hotmail.co.uk Saturday November 9th Trinity Singers concert with Churchill Academy Chamber Choir, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Weston-sMare. Tickets £10, £5: www.trinitysingers.co.uk The Eclectic Apples – flute & piano concert 12noon

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St Nicholas Church, Uphill Road South, WSM. £10 incl refreshments.

Somerset Plant Heritage “Stumperies, ferns & shady friends” 2.30pm with Andrew Tolman, Edington village hall TA7 9HA. Non-members £4. Details: Pauline 01278 451631.

Swan Singers’ Concert Victoria Requiem of 1605, 7pm St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells. Tickets £10 on door or 01749 676906.

Cats Protection Coffee Morning 10.30am -1pm Seager Hall, Wells BA5 2PU. Christmas cards, calendars & gifts. Details: Janet 01749 880545.

Draycott Quilters exhibition & sale 10am-3pm, Memorial Hall, Latches Lane, BS27 3UE. Admission £3.50 incl refreshments draycottquilters.co.uk Mendip Society walk: a moderate 4.5 miles from Uphill. Details www.themendipsociety.org.uk How does this politics thing work then? Comedy for children 7+ for Valley Arts Fringe. £8pp £28 family. 2.30pm Winford Primary, BS40 8AD www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Strictly Sherlock an extraordinary one-man show for Valley Arts Fringe, £12.50, £10 teen, 7.30pm East Harptree Theatre, BS40 6BA www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds & cds.

Sunday November 10th Nearly New Sale for Meningitis Now, 2pm -3.30 Ubley village hall, BS40 6PN. Babies & childrens’ clothes, equipment, toys & games. Details: Kate 01761 221444.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 12m Sherborne Country Way leg 5, fromTrent. Details www.mendipramblers.co.uk Monday November 11th “The Opening of the Royal Albert Dock by Edward VII & Queen Alexandra” Jean Routley for Nailsea & District Local History Society 7.45pm Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2 www.ndlhs.org.uk Mendip Folk Dance Club 8pm-10 St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. £3pp. No experience necessary. Details, Pat 01934 742853 Tuesday November 12th Fosseway Gardening Club “Old and new gardens and parks of Paris” by Alan Eason 7.30pm Pylle village hall, nr Shepton Mallet. Visitors welcome, details 07772 008594.

Clevedon Art Club, Richard Kay “Trick or treat, fakes & forgeries” 7.30pm Sixth Form Centre Clevedon School BS21 6AH. Non-Members £3.

Congresbury Over-60s Club Reflections Singers, 2.30-4pm War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm 01934 832004.

Wednesday November 13th Wells Civic Society “Secrets of the Silver Screen”.

Film extras Andrew Fawcett & Richard Green talk about films shot in Wells. 8pm, after AGM at 7.30.

Wells & Mendip Museum. Guests welcome. www.wellscivicsociety.org.uk Nailsea Horticultural Society AGM followed by talk from Maggie Fordham on the history of John Brown’s shop, Nailsea. 7.30pm United Reformed Church Hall.

Mendip Society walk: a moderate 4 miles from Shipham. Details www.themendipsociety.org.uk Thursday November 14th Mendip Ramblers moderate 12m Sherborne Country Way leg 5, from Trent. Details www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday November 15th Axbridge Shopping evening 7pm, Town Hall.

Seasonal gifts for all. Entry £1, children free.

Kilmersdon Village Hall 7.30pm, talk by Dennis Chedgy “Mystery of Writhlington Manor & its George Washington connections” £5. Details: 01761

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Line Dance Social Evening 7.15pm Cheddar village hall, BS27 3RF. £6, in aid of the hall. Refreshments and draw. Details: Trish 01934 740396.

Gertrude Lollipop's Magic Flip Flops: adventure story for little ones 0-4 for Valley Arts Fringe. £4.

10.15am Bishop Sutton Library, BS39 5UU www.valleyartscentre.co.uk George Egg DIY chef: comedy with food and power tools. £12.50, £10 teen. 7.30pm Chew Valley School Hall, BS40 8QB. Valley Arts Fringe Festival: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Saturday November 16th Skittles evening & buffet 7pm Orchard Inn, West Huntspill, for Friends of St Peter & All Hallows Church. Members £10 non-members £12; SAE to Janet Hill, 1 New Road, West Huntspill TA9 3QE. Christmas Craft Fair, 2-4.30pm Binegar village hall, in aid of the village and Move the Mind.

Refreshments & festive treats: Facebook.com/bagsgroup2018 or 07982 867302.

Fosse Group YFC Auction of Promises 7pm Keinton Mandeville village hall. Ticket £10 incl food, from Laura 01458 850870.

Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society concert with the English Chamber Orchestra, Wells Cathedral, 7pm.

Details: www.wcos.org Monday November 18th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.

Tuesday November 19th The Barn Poets meet at the Bookbarn, Hallatrow Business Park BS39 6EX. Café 6.30pm for readings 7-8.15pm. Poets, readers, listeners welcome!

Bleadon Horticultural Society talk by Paul Evans, head gardener at Tyntesfield, 7.30pm Coronation Hall, BS24 0PG. All welcome, £2.

Radstock Museum fossil identification with Simon Carpenter. Bring your finds, 11-4pm. Usual entrance charges.

Redhill Club Quiz Night from 8pm, enter as a team of up to six or individuals £1pp. Cash prize for winning team. Bar. Refreshments during break.

Church Rd, BS40 5SG. Mendip Society walk: a moderate 5.5 miles from Bleadon. Details www.themendipsociety.org.uk Luna: a play about the Moon for age 7+, part of Valley Arts Fringe. £8pp £28 family. 2.30pm Compton Martin hall, BS40 6JN. www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Strange Face, adventures with a lost Nick Drake recording, The Times’ top pick of the Edinburgh Fringe, £12.50pp. 8pm Chew Magna Old School Room, BS40 8SH www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Science in Radstock talk 'The mystery & misconception of tides' by Ian Brown, 7.30pm Radstock Working Men's Club: £3, U18s free.

Wednesday November 20th Royal Geographical Society: Meet the explorers, Chaz Powell on walking Africa’s rivers in the battle against wildlife crime, 7pm Wells & Mendip Museum, BA5 2UE. Non-members £4.

Henton & District Gardening Club, talk “Wild flowers of Somerset” by Liz McDonnell, 7.30pm village hall www.hentongardenclub.weebly.com Teddy Bear’s Picnic: live classical music for ages 04, £4, Valley Arts Fringe. 10.30am Chew Magna Baptist Church BS40 8SP www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Thursday November 21st Mendip Ramblers moderate 6m Blagdon Lake.

Details www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday November 22nd Jacob and Drinkwater, 8pm Meadway Hall, Compton Dundon. Tickets £10: cdvillagehall@gmail.com

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Somerset Vernacular Buildings Research Group “Heating, cooking & lighting in the medieval home”

by Nick Griffiths, 2-4.30pm Tintinhull village hall. £8 on door, £5 advance: 01935 822202.

Quiz Night 7.30pm Radstock Working Mens’ Club.

Teams of four, £5pp. Please book: publicity@radstockmuseum.co.uk Saturday November 23rd Christmas Craft Market 10am-4pm Wells & Mendip Museum. All stalls by local artisans. To book a stall: admin@wellsmuseum.org.uk Brue Boys Choir and friends, Doulting village hall.

In aid of Bowel Cancer UK and St Aldhelm’s Church.

Bar. Tickets £10 from 01749 342995.

Sustainable Witham Friary workshop on the art of composting: do’s, don’ts and questions! 2pm village hall. Free.

Nailsea Concert Orchestra: New World Symphony and an overture from the Magic Flute 7.30pm Nailsea Methodist Church. £12, £10, U18s £2.50 from Nailsea Music Shop or on door.

Christmas Gifts & more 10am-3pm St Mary’s Church Timsbury BA2 0LG. Coffee, lunch & afternoon tea.

Christmas Fayre Evercreech village hall 9.30am12.30. Gifts, crafts, cards, face painting, wreaths, refreshments. Father Christmas arrives 10am.

Christmas Coffee Morning & Art Exhibition 10.30am-1.30pm Wookey Hole Community Hall, in aid of hall fund. Refreshments & sales.

Mendip Society walk: a moderate four miles from Kilmersdon: www.themendipsociety.org.uk Valley Arts Fringe Festival: The Fire Catcher. Fastpaced theatre & storytelling for ages 3-11. £7pp. £25 family. 2pm Chew Magna Baptist Church BS40 8SP www.valleyartscentre.co.uk John Kirkpatrick, Tunes from the Trenches part of Valley Arts Fringe. £12.50. 7pm Chew Magna Baptist Church BS40 8SP www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds & cds.

Saturday November 23rd and Sunday November 24th Christmas Fair, 10am-4pm St Bridget’s Church, Chelvey & Brockley, nr Backwell. Many stalls, refreshments.

Saturday 23rd November to Saturday 21st December Pictures & Dioramas exhibition: the magical world of Corinna Sargood. Black Swan Arts, Frome BA11 1BB, Mon to Sat, 10am–4pm www.blackswanarts.org.uk Sunday November 24th Redhill Hall & Club Christmas Fair 1pm-4. Many art & craft stalls, refreshments & bar. All welcome.

Free entry. Church Rd, BS40 5SG. Monday November 25th 'Christmas Delights' Myra Cox will demonstrate swag making. Bring foliage and have a go!

7.30 Parish Rooms, Somerton. Visitors welcome £3.

Details: Anita 01458 272333.

Mendip Folk Dance Club 8pm-10 St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. £3pp. No experience necessary. Details: Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday November 26th Congresbury Over-60s Club talk ‘Doorstep wildlife

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& beyond the garden gate’ by Higgy, YACWAG. War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

Wednesday November 27th Harptrees History Society talk Stuart Burroughs "Out of the earth – Bath's mineral wealth: coal, stone & clay" 7.30 West Harptree hall BS40 6EB. Details: 01761 221758.

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Talk about local library services for the disabled & visually impaired. All welcome. Details: 01275 462107.

Thursday November 28th Chew Valley Wildlife Group: Born to bird 2. Talk by Mya-Rose Craig 7.45pm Chew Magna Old School Room, £2.50.

Mendip Society talk ‘A history of knitting patterns’

by Sarah Harris of the Spinning Weal, Clevedon, 2.30pm St James's Church Hall, Winscombe BS25 1BA. Members £2, Visitors £3.50.

Westfield Christmas Lights switch-on from 6.30pm, top of Elm Tree Ave. Father Christmas, refreshments, carols. Organised by parish council.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 7.4m Bradford on Avon: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday November 29th Mendip Ramblers moderate 5m Corsley Heath with pub lunch: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday November 29th to Sunday December 1st Nativity & Angels display 10am-12pm Trinity Westfield Methodist Church. Refreshments. Free knitted Angel for every visitor: radstockwestfieldmethodists.co.uk.

Saturday November 30th Mendip Society walk, moderate 5 miles from Clevedon: www.themendipsociety.org.uk Yatton Christmas Fayre 10am -2pm at Primary school. Father Christmas arriving in his sleigh at 10.30, coffee & cakes from 10am, lunches from noon.

All welcome!

Frome Society for Local Study: The Revised Pevsner for Dorset, by Michael Hill. 2.30pm Assembly Rooms, rear of Frome Memorial Theatre.

Visitors welcome, £3. www.fsls.org.uk ‘iSax’ Saxophone Quartet 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Yatton. £10, members £8 www.yms.org.uk Winscombe Christmas Fair 9.30am-12 Community Centre. Santa’s grotto, craft stalls etc. To book a stall: deedavis276@btinternet.com Christmas Fayre 2pm Darlisette House, Sandford Station. Free entrance. www.stmonicatrust.org.uk/villages/sandford-station Chew Valley Choral Society: Charpentier Messe de Minuit & other Christmas music, St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna. £12 (£6) from 01275 333014 or on door.

Timsbury Hub & Community Library first anniversary celebration, 9.30-12.30pm. Crafts, children’s library hunt, cakes. Q & A session with local author Katherine Webb at 10.30.

Radstock Museum children's Christmas activities: come dressed as any pantomime character you fancy! www.radstockmuseum.co.uk Candlelight Concert Somerset Choral Society, Wrington Youth Choir & harpist, 7pm All Saints Church Wrington. £10 from 01934-843727 or on door.

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Whoosh 4. Swaddles 10. Ill humour 11. Racer 12. Grinned 13. Excrete 14.

Oasis 15. Obtusely 18. Murderer 20. Ubley 23. Cheerio 25. Heads up 26. Rheum 27.

Surcingle 28. Business 29. Theale. DOWN: 1. Wrington 2. Oil rigs 3. Snub nosed 5.

Worcestershire 6. Doric 7. Lacteal 8. Street 9. Hold your horses 16. Squeamish 17. Eyepiece 19. Useless 21. Lasagna 22. Scarab 24. Roman MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019 • PAGE 113

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

Christmas shopping at Bishop’s Palace THE Christmas Artisan Markets will return to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells once again in November for the fifth year running.

This hugely popular event will take place from November 1st-3rd, 10am4pm, and visitors can head along to the medieval site to get their Christmas shopping started with a bang.

There will be a plethora of unique, unusual and inspirational artisans in attendance from throughout the heart of the West Country to get everyone in the mood for a spot of seasonal retail therapy.

The medieval rooms of the palace, upstairs and downstairs, will be filled with a variety of enticing stalls, offering hand-made and unique gifts that are the perfect inspiration for those difficult to buy for friends and family, whilst also supporting local small businesses.

This year, the team has sourced a large number of new artisan stalls, alongside a few regular favourites.

Edgar and musicians

If all the shopping means you’re in need of refreshment, then head over to the café for seasonal food and drink or sit down in the chapel to enjoy some of their musical performances.

This event is in aid of The Bishop’s Palace and tickets are available at a special reduced price (£7 adult, children 5-18 £3, U-5s and palace members free.

Details: 01749 988111 or online www.bishopspalace.org.uk

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