THEeffects of climate change are worrying our contributors. This month Chris Sperring writes about his concern for the loss of little owls.
Nick Green warns of a possible food shortage because the long, wet winter has made the land too wet for farmers to work. And Mary Payne says there are some plants that she can’t grow any more.
More optimistically, Phil Hammond says the news on ageing isn’t all bad. And Jane Paterson hails the return of the hobby horse – much cheaper than the real thing!
We have a tribute to our caving expert, Phil Hendy, who died recently at a cave dig near Priddy.
We meet the father and son building a pink tractor for charity and look forward to the start of summer with a packed What’s On guide.
We also have a busy sports section, with tennis, karting, rugby and the results of the iconic Mendip Table Skittles league.
With all of our regular features and contributors, Mendip is gearing up for summer.
A NEW play area at Frome’s Old Showfield has officially opened with pupils from Critchill School and Selwood Academy on hand to cut the ribbon and try out the new equipment.
The new area had been due to open in November, but work was delayed by rain and it also rained during the ceremony at the end of March.
Mayor Philip Campagna, who cut the ribbon with Critchill student Alfie Doman, said: “We had hoped to open this wonderful new park last November but, as everyone knows, there has been rain, rain and more rain. And true to form, it rained for the opening… but the planting has had some time to establish and we’re heading for the drier part of the year, so fingers crossed there will be many lovely days for everyone to enjoy the new park.”
Frome Town Council worked with the Green Play Project on the new area. Ali Montero, designer at Green Play Project, said: “With an emphasis on community, inclusivity and nature, the brief for the Old Showfield site excited the team at Green Play Project from the very start.”
THREE new exhibition spaces have been opened formally at Wells & Mendip Museum.
Two new galleries on the first floor explore the social history of Wells and new complementary installations on the ground floor have been created to enable people with limited mobility to share in the stories.
The former study of the museum’s founder Herbert Balch – a local postmaster, caver and self-taught archaeologist – has been restored and brought into the visitor experience for the first time. Items on display include personal effects including Balch’s desk and the magnesium lamp which he took down to explore and document the caves below the Mendip Hills.
The new spaces were made possible thanks to an award of £194,600 from The
CHELWOODBridge Rotary Club’s Water Survival Boxes are helping earthquake victims in Morocco, after a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck, resulting in widespread destruction, particularly in the high-altitude Atlas Mountains.
Colin Robinsom, from the club, said: “Working with our partners in the region, Action For Humanity, Water Survival Box (WSB) set in motion the transportation of the first 200 boxes to be sent by WSB to the area.
“These boxes provide essential tools for survival and purifying water, mitigating the risk of contamination, and preventing waterborne illnesses like leptospirosis. A further 200 WSB will be heading for Morocco later this month.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all WSB supporters for making what we do possible.”
Details: www.watersurvivalbox.org
National Lottery Heritage Fund and a bequest from the late Jean Imray – a former museum trustee and Wells City Archivist.
This funding has also supported a threeyear programme of activities, under the title “Search & Learn” (Herbert Balch’s motto). The museum team has worked with Somerset Art Works and Wells-based charity Heads Up Somerset to deliver a series of artist-led courses and events. A new ceramic mural, depicting Herbert Balch and two key figures from the history of Wells (Bishop Bekynton and Dean Turner), has been created for the museum garden by a team of volunteers led by local artist and museum trustee Philippa Threlfall.
David Walker, the museum’s curator said: “I'm so pleased to see the new galleries open, and the associated
For details, visit: www.wellsmuseum.org.uk
community and learning activities taking place. It is great to see the work of dozens of people over several years finally realised.”
COMPTON Dando’s annual bluebell walk was enjoyed by villagers as they ambled through the bluebell woods.
One of the organisers, Jenny Davis, said: “We all enjoyed our annual walk and the bluebells and wild garlic were stunning. We returned to St Mary’s Church for tea and cake to round off the afternoon.”
The church’s summer teas will be starting again on Sunday, May 26th, 2.30-5pm, running through to Monday August 26th and including two bank holiday Mondays.
Details: Jenny 01761 490727
TRAFFIC-free days in Cheddar Gorge are one step closer, following a consultation exercise by the Mendip Hills National Landscape team.
The proposal is to limit vehicle access to the Gorge on one day a month and the public consultation was open for six weeks to capture as much feedback as possible.
The team says it was delighted to see a huge amount of interest in the proposal. Over 1,700 people submitted a response, far more than anticipated.
Over 80% of the respondents agreed that the Gorge could be more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-vehicular visitors.
Additionally, a third of responses said they would like to see live music events and a quarter selected theatre performances.
Jim Hardcastle, manager of the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team, said: “We have received many comments expressing support from those who would be more likely to visit the Gorge on traffic free days to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the area.
STAFF from the five quarry companies operating on the Mendip have cleared more than 20,000 items of litter from local roads in the space of a week.
The Mendip Quarry Producers annual litter pick saw 42 people work on a rota to clean up the area’s roads, as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean 2024.
Between them, the volunteers cleared an estimated 1,740kg of rubbish from more than 18 miles of roads around their premises. Teams came from Tarmac, Morris & Perry, Aggregate Industries, Heidelberg and John Wainwright & Company. They each worked a day-long shift to remove litter from verges and hedgerows.
Matt Bishop, Wainwright’s Safety, Health and Environment Manager who co-ordinated the initiative, said: “It’s staggering to see how much litter accrues beside our roads.”
“There were some respondents who raised valuable and interesting points which we will carefully consider. These include the speed at which cyclists may come down the Gorge, the impact on local businesses, the provision of parking and space for vehicles to turn around, and concerns about the length of the diversion route and impact on other roads nearby.
“We are confident that we can take these concerns into account when deciding on the next steps in the process. Over the next few months we will be working with partners and the Highway Authority to decide on the best options. Look out for updates from us later in the year.”
Details: www.mendiphills-nl.org.uk
WEDMOREVillage Farm, a new Community Benefit Society, officially launched on March 23rd, when they opened their gates to over 100 people from the local area.
There was much enthusiasm, and lots of cake eating, whilst helping the farm plant trees and a new native hedgerow.
Established in 2023, the farm offers a space for the community to connect with their land, their grower and their food.
They also run services that help the community, such as a Care Farm scheme helping adults with learning difficulties and working with organisations such as Somewhere House who support people convalescing from addiction issues.
On the open day, families got to take the new farm trail learning about the role that nature plays in food production. The farm itself raised over £1200.
STORYTELLERS,Martin Horler, Janet North and Colin Emmett joined Avon Needs Trees to bring to life stories inspired by the landscape.
The site was near Pensford, transformed as part of the Great Avon Wood, and is being planted by volunteers over three seasons.
The amazing Publow Oak, 500 years plus, brought stories focused on the land and the spirit of nature.
Details: www.avonneedstrees.org.uk www.mendipstorycircle.com
WHENI first realised that I had a hidden meadow here at Hillview it was very, very exciting as more and more wildflowers appeared, apparently from nowhere once I had stopped the sheep from grazing in the field.
Most surprising were the orchids, common I know, for they were the Common Purple Orchid but stunningly beautiful and special to me. In 2014 I counted just three in the bottom north east corner of the field.
Then there were seven the next year, 17 the year after and so on until now there are just too many to count and they have also spread to the adjoining field just a few at a time.
First to appear is a rosette of deep green leaves with deep purple oval splodges. When the flowers first open in early spring, their sweet smell attracts bees and other insects to pollinate them, despite having no nectar.
The flowers are designed to attract pollinators. There may be up to 50 flowers on a tall spike. They have a hood-like structure above and a three-lobed lip at the base on which the pollinator can land and gain access to the flower.
Once fertilised, the smell becomes unpleasant. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, references are made to the early purple orchid as “long purples” and “Dead Men's Fingers”.
How do these orchids spread always in small clusters and not too far away from each other? This I found is another wonder of nature. Nothing to do with humans.
The seeds are tiny, no bigger than a speck of dust, the tiniest seeds in the world. Vast numbers of the spindle-shaped seeds are dispersed by wind. They are so light because they have an
embryo and a small amount of protein, but the rest is air (80%).
There are no stores of food to rely on until the first leaves are out and able to make food by photosynthesis. There is no rudimentary root, shoot or seed leaf. One seed capsule can contain 5,000 seeds and the whole plant produce about 90,000 seeds. Therefore, the seed must have an alternative way of germinating.
It seems fantastic but the seed not only needs to fall on a place with just the right conditions of soil, light and moisture but it must also form a relationship with a mychorizal fungus that lives under the ground and penetrates the seed and its embryo with a fine thread called a hypha to provide the seed with water and nutrients.
There's more. The seed can only generate in the dark. Therefore, it has to be trampled on or washed below the soil's surface. Quite a feat of survival! Scattering huge numbers of seeds with the wind increases the chance for at least some of the seeds to find their specific fungal partner.
Long distance dispersal would mean that the same amount of seed is spread over a larger area which would actually lower the odds of finding a compatible fungal partner in a suitable location.
Thus, orchids are found separate but relatively close to each other because the chances of finding a host fungus is greater. Though this propagation method seems wasteful the plant has not had to spend very much energy on producing seeds so instead can produce prodigious numbers.
It is possible to grow these orchids from seed but it's an investment in time and patience because seeds can take up to two years (or longer) to show any leaf growth. It might take four to eight years for orchid seeds to produce a plant capable of blooming. It is also possible to buy them online.
Incidentally the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) is home to over 2.4 billion seeds representing over 39,000 different species of the world's storable seed.
This is the most diverse wild plant species genetic resource on Earth – a global insurance policy to store and conserve seeds from common, rare or endangered useful plants.
It is based at Kew Gardens in London. However, the largest Bank of all has been created by Norway and is situated in the permafrost zone way beyond the Arctic Circle.
l Methods of mole control have improved significantly since I first experienced them. Thanks to all those who pointed it out!
DIANA REDFERN
By Direction of David Shears esq
Tytherly Farm
Hinton Charterhouse
Bath BA2 7SY
Deadstock Dispersal Sale by Auction on the Premises of SuRPluS FARm ImPlemeNTS machinery & miscellanea including; New Holland TX34 Combine, Deutz DX450 2WD, massey Ferguson 1200 4WD & Caterpillar D2 Crawler Tractors, moffat loading Shovel, Ploughs & Cultivation equipment, Roller, Hedgecutter, Bale Wrapper, Trailers, moores uni Drill. Also – Vintage & Collectable Items
Included by permission:
MF35 & David Brown 990 Tractors, John Deere Baler, Post Bumper, etc
In all some 250 lots –on
FRIDAY 10TH mAY 2024
COmmeNCING AT 10.30Am PROmPT
For Further Information:
Please Contact Simon Whaley at the Auctioneers 07971 571612 simonwhaley@scauctioneers.com
Further Details & Catalogue in Due Course
The Auctioneers Office: Southern Counties Auctioneers
Salisbury Auction Centre
Netherhampton Road
Salisbury SP2 8RH www.scauctioneers.com
I HAVEspoken about the weather a number of times over the last few months and the impact it is having on the farming calendar. It might seem as though I have been exaggerating saying the continual wet weather is stopping farmers sowing crops, but it appears that hasn’t been the case. Locally we had limited success sowing arable crops in the autumn and some of these have rotted because they have been stood in water for months on end.
We were hoping the area we missed in the autumn sowing window would have been sown with spring arable crops instead. Unfortunately, many of these areas have remained too wet too late and we haven’t been able to sow these crops.
We now have a choice, leave the land fallow (don’t plant a crop), sow grass and use the grass for feeding to livestock or sow maize. The maize can be used for feeding to livestock or for anaerobic digestion for producing energy.
Whilst sowing grass and maize for feeding to livestock might seem a reasonable answer, there is a limit to how much of either crop we need for our cattle. There is an argument we could grow it this summer and store it for the winter 2025 – 2026 rather than 2024 – 2025 but this is a huge cost tied up.
With the unsown land we have we would have over £150,000 in stock for up to 18 months. It’s like buying all the family food for winter 2025 – 2026 and keeping it in the cupboard. It’s not a very practical solution. That’s the farmer’s side of the story.
The other side is the potential impact it will have on the consumer. The media have picked up on the very small area of crops currently sown in the UK and some have suggested 2024 might be the first year since WW2 there hasn’t been a harvest.
Whether that is the case or not remains to be seen but it is s sobering thought. Whatever happens, the Government needs to start taking note of how fragile our food security situation is.
Summer is showtime in the countryside. Locally we have the North Somerset Show on the first May Bank Holiday followed by the Bath and West at the end of the month and the Mid Somerset in August. Then in September there’s the Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show.
Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.
2 Part of the area on an archery target (5)
3 The County town of Somerset (7) 4 A dissolute or dishonourable man (4)
6 Village in the Mendip hills close to a lake of the same name and host to Yeo Valley Organic (7)
7 Appetite stimulator of an italian meal (9)
8 Word used by audiences asking the performer for more (6)
way of describing the smallest (8)
24 Small light boat adapted for sailing and rowing (5)
25 Alcoholic drink made from fermented rice (4)) By greendandelion
Clues in italics are cryptic
It’s actually NOT raining as I write this and my hope is that spring might just have arrived (famous last words). If so, I’ll be getting out the picnic basket and blanket! I have my mum, Sally, and my granddaughter, Nelly, to thank for two of these recipes – some ideas to please all generations!
Nuggets inspired by granddaughter, Nelly
I made this recipe as a weaning food for Nelly. She’ll eat anything if dipped in tomato ketchup! But If you add more seasonings they make a very acceptable light lunch, dipped in garlic mayo or guacamole … or tomato ketchup!
METHOD
Put all the ingredients in a blender, apart from the peas, and blitz to a thick paste, then stir in the peas. Shape into nuggets and fry gently for five minutes on each side. I froze all mine raw, on a tray, before bagging up; I just grab a couple out when Nelly visits.
INGREDIENTS (Makes 20 large nuggets)
250g raw chopped potatoes (skin on is fine)
250 fresh white fish
150g onion
1 egg
Tsp each salt, pepper, cayenne, mixed herbs and garlic
50g fresh parsley, I used just the stalks
150g defrosted peas
Bake the potatoes for this recipe in advance, if you like
I wasn’t too sure about this recipe when I first thought of it, but after a few tweaks it turned out looking quite impressive. You can prep the day before and then it cooks in just 45 minutes. METHOD
Bake the potatoes and set aside. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl or plastic sandwich bag and “unroll” the chicken pieces before adding them to the marinade, making sure everything is well coated. Leave for an hour or overnight, if you are making in advance.
To assemble, stick a skewer into each baked potato and thread two bits of chicken onto each one. Thread on the tomatoes and pour over any remaining marinade. Roast in the oven at 180 ˚C for 45 mins.
Serve with the cooking juices. If there isn’t much, stir into some plain yoghurt to serve on the side.
INGREDIENTS
(serves four)
8 skinless and boneless chicken thighs
4 large baking potatoes
12 cherry tomatoes
For the marinade:
1 tbs each ground cumin, sage, tarragon, ginger, garlic
25mls olive oil, juice of a lemon and a big glug of your preferred chilli sauce
Looking forward to the summer
My mum used to make these for us, but used double cream, whereas I used yoghurt and they were much tastier (sorry mum!).
METHOD
Make the strawberry jelly a quarter less than it says on the instructions, around 400mls. Leave to cool and then whisk in the yoghurt and chopped strawberries. Divide into pots and cool in the fridge. They are perfect for packed lunches and picnics.
(Makes six)
Pack strawberry jelly
300ml strawberry or plain yoghurt
250g strawberries
Have you ever wanted to forage for wild food and edible mushrooms? Have you ever wanted to find food for free? Do you want to connect with Nature, her seasons and experience something new?
Adrian Boots, Landscape Ecologist and Wild Food Expert guides you through the When, Where and What of foraging and how to easily and safely identify the Four F’s: Foliage, Flowers, Fruit and Fungi. How to safely pick and prepare foraged edibles, health and safety, legalities, conservation, recipe ideas and much more are covered to make your experience as fun as possible.
Packed with essential knowledge, this inspirational book is your doorway into the wonderful World of Wild Food & Mushroom foraging.
Sat, Apr 27th The Bowel Movement Cream Tea Event: 2-5pm
Sat, Apr 27th Elevation Live: 8.30pm
Fri, May 3rd The Ceili House Band: 8.30pm
Sat, May 4th El Toro: 8.30pm
Sun, May 5th Adam Harding: 3pm
Sat, May 11th The Agonist Band: 8.30pm
Sat, May 18th Dogz Royale: 8.30pm
Fri, May 24th Be Like Will: 8.30pm
Sat, May 25th D-State: 8pm
Sun, May 26th The Road Trips: 2pm Venue
WILD FOOD EVENduring a cold, wet and windy spring, one can reliably find the green leaves and bright golden yellow flowers of this plant. Everyone (well, nearly) recognises it and as it grows abundantly in grassy areas, even in gardens, you shouldn’t have to travel too far to find them. Most of this plant is edible, from the roots, leaves to the flowers although the flower stem is left out.
What we have here is a super common and well-known plant that is nearly 100% edible and was historically known as “the official cure for all ailments”. What could be more enticing than dandelion?
Speaking of names, the French called it “dent de lion” (lion’s teeth) due to the serrated leaves, this being the origin of our common name dandelion. Old Somerset names include: “fairyclocks” and “golden suns”, no doubt references to the flower head following the sun through its daily path.
It was also known as “wet-the-bed” after the French “pissenlit”, alluding to this plant’s reputed nocturnal diuretic and detoxification abilities. Careful on those quantities then.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial plant with yellow flowers 25 to 40mm across, on long hollow stems. The leaves form a basal rosette and are deeply lobed or toothed. Dandelion is very abundant and can be found everywhere there is grass flowering March to October.
With so much to apparently recommend dandelion, what does it taste like? This is where opinions divide. The leaves can sometimes be bitter, so are best picked when young, fresh and a light green colour. The older darker leaves are definitely bitter.
The flower petals are delicate and look lovely sprinkled over a dish. The root is OK, somewhere between a not sweet at all parsnip and just soil; definitely starchy. The root can also be dried to make the infamous dandelion coffee.
It is palatable, although ironically, dandelion coffee does not taste anything like real coffee (no matter how much sweetness or cow juice is added) and certainly does not deliver a caffeine kick, which is no doubt why it quickly fell out of flavour.
Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist and expert forager running wild food forays, events and activities. Please visit: www.hedgerowcottage.co.uk for more information or email him at: hello@hedgerowcottage.co.uk
ALTHOUGHMay is the entry point to summer, there can still be wintry feelings on dull days. Absence of sunshine has been a feature of much recent weather and has delayed growth, especially of new plantings.
If it stays cold in early May, it's worth keeping any fleece covers on until about the 10th. After that, it can quickly get too hot underneath fleece. After that time I use no fleece covers except on courgettes, if it’s cold after transplanting.
Spring so far has been particularly difficult for slugs and snails. They have built a large population during the damp conditions since July. The best approach is to minimise their habitat as much as possible, by removing any old wooden sides to beds, all older leaves from plants, and keep grass cut short where close to vegetables.
I had this feedback on Instagram: “I live in the wet North East, but have seen significantly less slug damage after reducing slug homes. I removed wooden bed sides where possible and moved rocks and pots to a distant corner.”
Take every chance to stay on top of weeds and the easiest weeding is when you remove them small. Either tickle the surface with a hoe, or pull individually by hand, grasses in particular. Both methods are easier when you are no dig and have soft compost on the surface of beds.
For pathways I recommend a thin cover of woodchip. If there are many weeds it’s best to lay cardboard, first, then 3cm woodchip on top, no more than that. Cardboard is necessary only if you have a lot of weeds to smother.
In May and until August, I recommend not to sow anything like rocket, mizuna or spinach, because it's their flowering season. Your harvests would be light. On the other hand, early May is a great time to sow climbing beans, chard, Brussels sprouts, kale, and autumn cabbage. Sow courgettes and cucumbers mid-month, sweetcorn and squash 20th-25th May.
A positive from any extensive cloud cover is higher night temperatures, but one frost often happens during the time of the “ice saints” between 12th and 15th May. Best wait until after that, before planting out tomatoes and courgettes.
Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. Currently he grows vegetables in Somerset. He has written 14 books and gives talks plus courses at home and abroad.
With ADRIAN BOOTSOpen Wednesday – Sunday 9am – 4pm - for over 15 years for –Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Sunday Lunch and Afternoon tea.
Now featuring –Fryday is FISH DAY
Hartley’s at Rookery Farm, Binegar, BA3 4UL
Telephone: 01749 841718
www.hartleyscafebistrot.co.uk
email: info@hartleyskitchen.com
REMAINING creative is one of the keys to the continued success and popularity of Hartley’s Café Bistro at Rookery Farm at Binegar.
Starting life in a converted cow shed, Paul and Lynda Hartley established a café bistro, sourcing local food as their signature style of cooking. It worked and people still flock to Hartley’s for their fab breakfasts, lunches and posh afternoon teas, making it a place well worth visiting.
Sevier
TELEPHONE: 01934 244362
THEGolden Lion in Wrington will hold its third Community Day on Sunday, June 9th, when landlord Sam Glenn and his team welcome villagers to a day of music, merriment and food!
The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew will be performing alongside Mendip Morris dancers. Both have proved to be very popular in previous years.
There’ll be a range of food on offer, together with awardwinning ice cream from Bo Bom Gelato, winner of several
Taste of the West awards. There will be face painting and other activities for youngsters.
Sam said: “These events have always proved to be very popular, making the pub central to the local community.”
The fun starts at 12noon and goes on until 6pm.
Centre stage: two of Jackie’s helpers with some of the children who visited
A VOLUNTEER who helps run the Oakleaf Community Café at Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall organised an Easter-themed fun session for young visitors.
Jackie Bally laid on a number of games and activities, which ran alongside the busy café. Jackie said: “It was the first one; I just wanted to do something to entertain the kids.”
l The café is usually open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. For details, find Oakleaf Community Café on Facebook.
Just one of the families having fun down on the farm
The children had lots of interesting questions and were very excited when “Jo” went for a wander.
and Events.
ONEof the largest species of bat in the UK, this fascinating creature is one of our Champion Species because it is quirky, rare and an indicator of a healthy and functioning ecosystem.
They rely on hedgerows and dry stone walls to navigate the landscape. They feed on large insects like orange underwing moths or dung beetles, which means they need healthy grasslands to forage over and they congregate in caves and stone buildings across Mendip to roost.
They don't emerge from their roosts until it is fully dark and usually return before dawn, so seeing them is unlikely but you can use a special detector to hear them if you are lucky.
Greater horseshoes, and all other bats, are protected by law. It is not permitted to disturb them in any way
without a licence, which made filming them recently extremely tricky.
What makes this film so special is that we were able to access a roost that is increasing in numbers but we
www.mendiphills-nl.org.uk
couldn’t introduce any extra light into the cave so parts of our film were made in complete darkness.
The greater horseshoe bat population has reduced by about 90% in the last 50 years, due to a combination of factors. Modern farming methods, like worming medicine for cattle that kills dung beetle larvae, housing developments, such as barn conversions which affect roosting opportunities, and light pollution, they avoid brightly lit areas, all have had a negative impact on the greater horseshoe bats.
Bats love the Mendip Hills because there are large areas of darkness, for bats and stargazing alike, and we have a host of organic or regenerative farms that are helping reduce environmental impacts and provide better habitat and feeding opportunities.
Carrie Osborne, from Swan Artworks, will be the first, exhibiting a collection of her handmade linocut prints at the studio/workshop from May 2nd to May 31st. Carrie recently exhibited at the Cam Valley Spring Sale. Other invited artists will be showcased over the summer. Visitors are welcome.
The workshop is open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30am3.30pm at Unit 18, Old Mills Trading Estate, Paulton, BS39 7SU
Thereare occasions when a valuation of the contents of a property is desirable; at other times it is a necessity. The former includes valuations for insurance and general inventory, the latter, valuations for inheritance tax, capital gains tax and matrimonial division.
Toby Pinn said: “ensuring that my clients understand the basis of the valuation they require is the starting point. An insurance value is the sum required to replace an item in the normal retail market.
“In contrast, clients are often surprised by the difference between an insurance value and the lower figures adopted for a current market valuation; defined as the value an item would achieve on the open market on a given day. This is the basis of valuation stipulated by hMrC for inheritance tax purposes.”
With more than 20 years’ experience in this role, Toby is also a trustee of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives and advises the museum service on fine and applied art acquisitions.
Supported by a team of specialist consultants, Toby is the first choice for many of the region’s probate solicitors who insist on the quality assurance instructing a rICS regulated Chartered Arts & Antiques Surveyor provides.
Toby is always happy to discuss your requirements.
Tel: 0117 2517251 www.tobypinn.co.uk
SWAN Artworks Picture Framers in Paulton is to start hosting work by a featured artist on their main display wall.ON April 13th, the Dore & rees Classic Cars auction in Frome saw successful sell-through rates and a packed saleroom.
Leading the pack was a Ferrari 360 Modena F1 which went off to its new home for £47,040 (incl. fees). head of Motoring Nick Wells commented: “We were delighted to welcome a large number of enthusiasts to our first classic car auction of 2024. Spirited bidding saw many lots finding new homes, with a good number exceeding their pre-auction estimate.
“We are now consigning for our next auction on 22 June, so if you have an interesting collectors car of bike to sell, we would love to hear from you.” Contact Nick on 07920 500 091.
The Private Collection of the Late “Great” George Withers, part IV, is offered on April 26th. regular readers will recall the previous “100% sold” auctions mentioned in this column in recent months. This auction is the final dedicated auction for this collection, with a wide selection of ceramics and collectables offered, mostly with no reserve. Further selected pieces from the collection will be offered in the upcoming specialist auctions, the May 20th Fine Asian Art and June 5th Fine Silver auctions.
The Fine Asian Art auction takes centre stage in May, with viewing in London at Asia house on May 12th and 13th and viewing in Frome May 17th – 19th. A large and rare underglaze blue and copper-red “Star God and Deer” lantern vase will be offered at an estimate of £20,000 –£30,000.
An exciting programme of auctions is planned for the rest of the year, offering a variety of opportunities for sellers. In particular, the specialist auctions of Fine Silver and Fine Jewellery & Watches in June are a good opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to source interesting pieces.
The team at Dore & rees can help you understand the value of items in your collection by arranging a valuation appointment at your home or at Dore & rees auction salerooms in Frome.
Why not join us at our Valuation Day on April 29th, contact the team on 01373 462 257 or by email: enquiries@doreandrees.com to arrange an appointment?
A large and rare underglaze blue and copper-red “Star God & Deer” lantern vase Yongzheng/ Qianlong period, estimate: £20,000–£30,000
VALUATION DAYS
29 April: Jewellery, Silver, Watches
20 May: Fine Asian Art
5 June: Fine Silver
5 June: Fine Jewellery and Watches
22 June: Classic Cars – The Summer Auction
3 July: Curated Interiors: The Collection of the Late
Mrs. Henry T. Ford II
Visit: www.doreandrees.com for more details
A LARGE 19TH CENTURY SILVER-GILT MODEL OF A HARE WITH REMOVABLE HEAD TO FUNCTION AS A CARAFE ESTIMATE: £500–£600
PROVENANCE: From the Private Collection of the Late George Withers (1946-2023)
COMPTONDando Art Group members had an enjoyable morning, displaying artwork produced during the spring term. Peter Coombes’ painting of a very humorous emu won first prize.
The group was started 18 years ago by Sonia Priest, who said: “Many of the members have supported the group over the years and although inevitably some of the group have moved from the area and some have sadly passed away there has been a solid core of dedicated artists.”
The Cheddar Arts Walking Trail takes place over the bank holiday weekend, May 4th-6th, showcasing the work of 28 artists and crafts people.
It will include paintings, jewellery, ceramics and photography with something for every pocket and taste, as well as several workshops. There will also be refreshments, a secondhand bookstall and a plant sale in aid of charity.
With CHRIS YEO
WITh spring firmly upon us you can’t help but notice the now obligatory round-up of predictions for this year’s hottest trends in interior design and decoration. having trawled social media feeds and lifestyle magazines – sacrificing a precious weekend in the name of research – I’m happy to report that anyone with an interest in keeping up with what’s “in” indoors should look no further than the captivating world of antiques.
Auction houses – having worked hard to shed their former, rather mysterious image – now welcome private buyers with open arms. At Clevedon Salerooms
we offer a curated selection of items to furnish your home, which respond to today’s trends with flying colours.
To give you just one example amongst many, one current trend is to introduce a single statement piece into your room. A well-chosen piece such as a 1960s teak and glass G-Plan “Astro” coffee table, with its very contemporary, sculptural lines, answers this perfectly.
And have you considered that antique and vintage furniture can offer a way to express ourselves in a way that modern –
particularly flat-packed – furniture can’t even begin to? A couple of decades ago a certain well-known Swedish furniture retailer ran an ad campaign imploring us to “chuck out the chintz”.
Well, to this I say “Fling out the flatpack!” If you can get a Georgian chest of drawers for £100 to £150, which is beautifully made and wonderful to look at, why on earth would you want to sacrifice two hours of your life assembling a flat-pack?
regardless of what is trending, the key to buying at auction is always to find an item that you fall in love with.
I’ll leave the predictions to the influencers, but I will say that going vintage or antique is a way to a happier, more fulfilling and, above all, stylish life.
Chris Yeo is a valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Please visit the website www.clevedonsalerooms.com for more details
THE one good thing that might be said about the recent wet weather was that there was a good flow of water in the River Frome for the annual Witham Friary Duck Race. Races – sponsored by local companies, organisations and individuals – took place throughout the afternoon. The event raised £800 which will be donated to Witham Friary Village Hall.
Two members of the Crossman family – who won the opening Read Agri Maiden Stakes race – with two of the organisers
IT can be upsetting to find out you have been excluded from a loved one’s will, but you need to act fast if you think there has been a mistake. Here is a summary of the grounds on which you can contest a will, and how to go about it.
The deceased did not have required mental capacity
Firstly, you could make a testamentary capacity challenge. This requires you to raise concerns that someone did not have full mental capacity when they made the will, or did not understand what they were signing.
If you manage to raise suspicion that the person who made the will lacked capacity – and you’ll need some evidence to do this – then the burden of proof falls to those seeking to prove the will that the deceased was of sound mind.
There was “undue influence” over the contents of the will
If you believe someone was coerced into writing the will, you can bring a claim for undue influence. It’s on you to provide evidence that there is no other reasonable explanation for the will to be as it is unless the deceased was coerced into making it, or some terms within it.
The deceased did not fully understand the terms of the will
If you’re concerned that the deceased would have been unable to understand the terms of the will they’d signed – for instance, because they were hard of hearing, had impairedvision, or perhaps
low levels of literacy – then the court may ask those seeking to prove the will to provide evidence that they understood the will’s terms and approved what it contains. The will has errors or is unclear There are examples where individuals have been incorrectly named or not clearly identified, so you could also argue a will is unclear. The court will usually try to rectify any errors to reflect the intentions of the deceased.
The will has been forged
If you don’t believe a signature on the document is genuine then you could also claim the will is fraudulent, which would render it invalid – but you might need to get the opinion of a handwriting expert. Making a provision claim
Rather than challenging a will, individuals – including children of the deceased, former spouses and ex – can make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for “reasonable financial provision” if you feel you haven’t been left enough money. Being merely disappointed by the amount of your inheritance usually isn’t enough to make a claim– you usually need to be in some form of financial need.If an ex-partner and the deceased were not married and shared a property when they were together, but the ex-partner has not been given any the property in the will, it may be worth considering a claim under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA).This lets a court
decide on ownership of the property, and who can remain living there – rather than just sticking to the terms set out in a will. Act fast
There are different time limits depending on whether you are making an Inheritance Act claim or directly challenging the will. Financial provision claims must be raised within six months of probate (the official administration of the estate) being granted.
There’s also a six-month limit to point out any errors that need to be rectified. Before deciding on whether to challenge a will it would be sensible to take independent legal advice.
EDWARD LYONS
l Pensford based workshop
l Locally-sourced wood available
l No job too small
l Furniture, odd jobs, interior/exterior work
l City & Guilds qualified
l Competitive hourly rate
l Quotes upfront available on request
I am Duncan, always up for a chat about your projects –call: 07984 693131 • email: duncan.e.parker@gmail.com
100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business
Are you looking to run a traditional and picturesque country gem in the heart of Backwell village? Choose the George Inn, the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Guests love this rustic, dog-friendly pub with original features, including stone walls and wooden floors, with cosy and contemporary touches. There are seven en suite letting rooms on the first floor, a large beer garden at the rear and a good-sized car park for 20 to 30 cars.
For special occasions, guests feel whisked away in the private stonewalled function room, with space to laugh, drink and dine with loved ones. An imaginative and creative operator will make the most of this asset.
The George Inn is a fantastic place to be all year round. Whether guests are snuggling by the woodburning fire during the winter or catching the rays in the courtyard during the hotter months, the George Inn is the perfect place to chill, relax and hang out with friends. After a long day exploring the historic village, the large beer garden provides a refreshing backdrop for guests to indulge in delicious food and drink.
Every tipple is covered: real ales, craft beers, carefully curated cocktails, and a broad wine list. There are many cask beers to choose from.
The George sits in the heart of the village of Backwell in Somerset, about seven miles southwest of Bristol, just south of the A370 to Weston-SuperMare. Blackwell shares its train station with Nailsea, and you can reach Bristol Temple Meads in 25 minutes.
With the Mendip hills on your doorstep, you’ll be proud to have an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as your neighbour. Seize the opportunity to love your life in a paradise for walkers, with wild landscape ready for adventure with everything from short strolls to challenging gorges.
You’ll be a creative and dynamic operator who loves their pub and local community – the ultimate host. We’re looking for an empathic character who cares about and listens to their guests’ stories.
You’ll ensure that your team does the little things perfectly. The George pub needs a driven and enthusiastic operator experienced at running bed and breakfasts.
Your service style must be effortless, charming, confident, and relaxed but on the ball. The George requires an experienced food operator.
You’ll excel in all aspects of your business, ensuring consistency from the kitchen to the cellar. You’ll also bring the pub to life on social media.
If you are interested in applying, please email recruitment@punchpubs.com quoting reference ‘George Inn’
In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, where data has become the cornerstone of business operations, safeguarding the privacy and rights of individuals has gained paramount importance. The General Data Protection Regulations (EU GDPR), implemented in May 2018, represents a significant milestone in the global effort to protect personal data.
The regulations not only empower individuals, with greater control over their data, but also places considerable obligations on businesses to ensure compliance.
UK GDPR refers to the adaptation and continuation of GDPR in the UK postBrexit. After the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020, the UK maintained its own version of data protection laws closely aligned with GDPR, in the form of the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you have a UK business and process personal data relating to individuals in the UK, then UK GDPR will apply. If you process data relating to UK individuals in the EU, or process personal data in the UK relating to individuals who are based within the European Economic Area, then both EU GDPR and UK GDPR will apply.
All organisations that collect personal data should ensure that data subjects can review their privacy policy, which needs to set out a number of measures including:
• The categories of data the business collects,
• The lawful basis for processing
• Data subject rights,
All businesses should also have an internal privacy policy relating to the collection of employee data. If personal data is passed to any third parties in the operation of the business, then a data processing agreement may be required.
If you run a business with more than 250 people, then you are required to appoint a formal Data Protection Officer (DPO) and register this person with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). If your business does not reach this threshold, you are still required to appoint someone internally who will be responsible for data protection. This must be a person with sufficient knowledge, seniority, and autonomy within the business.
What
The ICO regulates data protection and monitors compliance in the UK and has the authority to conduct audits and inspections. Non-compliance with GDPR can result in significant fines and
penalties, making it crucial for businesses to understand and adhere to the requirements of the applicable regulations to ensure the protection of individuals’ privacy and avoid legal consequences.
If you have any concerns over current procedures and policies in your organisation it would be wise to seek professional advice.
Victoria Darvall Associate Solicitor Corporate and Commercial Mogers Drewett
CHELWOODBridge Rotary Club
between
Full details: www.chelwoodbridgerotary.com
A GOODFriday tractor run from Stanton Drew to Pensford raised £660 for Hidden Valley Bushcraft, which helps the recovery of injured veterans, military personnel and emergency service workers.
Despite the poor weather, 16 vintage tractors turned out to support and chaperone the Easter Bunny from Stanton Drew Village Hall to The Travellers Rest in Pensford.
Organisers Grace Dursely as the Easter Bunny, Carrianne Summers and Dom Lowe
rainbow colours and green hearts to signify their love of their planet. One of their members, Janet Thornhill, also knitted a topper of Easter chicks for the post box outside the village post office and stores.
MEMBERSof Bishop Sutton and Stowey WI again decorated the village green cherry tree with their knitted Easter Chicks in
TWO schoolgirls and their family have become the first tenants of a new shop in Shepton Mallet run by a charity which aims to help start-up businesses get their feet on the retail ladder.
The Little Farm Shed was selected from 27 contenders to kickstart the retail incubator project – a cornerstone of a strategy to breathe new life into the town centre. The programme offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to trial their high street ideas rent-free for nine months. The support package includes a £1,500 capital grant and mentorship, culminating in the potential transition to a permanent commercial space.
Laurel and Rosie Barnes, from Shepton Mallet, set up The Little Farm Shed to earn spending money for the
Glastonbury Festival, selling eggs and produce from their grandfather’s farm. Their venture quickly grew from family and friends to serving the wider community. With Laurel, aged ten, at the helm of new business ideas and Rosie, aged eight, crafting fruit and veg boxes for delivery, they’ve now partnered with top local suppliers to expand their offerings. As the business has grown, it’s become a family operation, with support from their parents, Jordan and Rob, who have given up their jobs to help the youngsters.
The transformation of 10 Market Place marks a significant milestone opening under the new ownership of Interim Spaces. The charity, having succeeded in raising £264,000 for the property
SOMERSET Morris, previously known as Somerset Maids, are this year celebrating their 50th anniversary and hope that past dancers and musicians will join them to celebrate.
There are a couple of original founder members who have been dancing with the side since its formation in 1974, along with a number of members of long-standing as well as some more recent.
To celebrate this anniversary, they can be seen at various events throughout the year dancing traditional Cotswold Morris and Stave dances, which originate in the Somerset/Dorset/Wiltshire area, using new gold hankies to celebrate the occasion.
On October 19th past and present members are invited to celebrate with a day of reminiscences, along with refreshments,
purchase and refurbishment, is now ready to enrich the community with a vibrant selection of music, arts, and wellbeing classes, above The Little Farm Shed.
The building was purchased by Interim Spaces in September 2023 and was renovated using funds awarded from the Community Ownership Fund and the Somerset Community Foundation.
Interim Spaces is a registered charity that transforms otherwise empty buildings into affordable workspaces, artist studios, fringe arts venues, lowcost hire spaces for artistic development workshops and classes, and pop-up retail shops, unlocking opportunity for artists, freelancers, entrepreneurs, non-profits and creative organisations.
dancing and music.
They are particularly keen to make contact with any past dancers or musicians who would like to join in with these celebrations and invite them to get in touch using the email.
Details: sm50reunion@gmail.com
Bev with Sarah and Emily at the awards evening
SWALLOW, the charity based in Westfield which supports teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, was named Charity of the Year at the 2024 Somerset Business Awards.
Bev Craney, SWALLOW Chief Executive and Michelle Gibbs, SWALLOW HR Manager attended the ceremony, along with two members of SWALLOW, Sarah and Emily.
Bev said: “It was an amazing evening and such an honour for SWALLOW to be recognised in this way, we accepted the award on behalf of everyone involved in SWALLOW Charity – our wonderful members and staff and volunteers and supporters.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved in our 30 years. The work that SWALLOW does, supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the local community, improves lives and empowers people.”
For details, email Nicky Tew on nickyt@swallowcharity.org call 01761 414034 or visit: www.swallowcharity.org
ST MARGARET’SHospice has launched its Glorious Gardens fundraising campaign, with 60 gardens open across the county.
Sponsored by Greenslade Taylor Hunt, this year's campaign aims to raise over £20,000. Among the notable newcomers is Hill Head Close in Glastonbury, a multiaward-winning garden proudly recognised for its beauty and transformation.
Details: st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/glorious-gardens
SEVERALnew charity trips have been booked at the Bristol Hippodrome, raising money for the British Red Cross. Organiser, Chris Cox, has added Mary Poppins, Riverdance, Grease and Tina Turner.
Prices start from £43 and include coach travel from Curry Rivel, Langport, Somerton, then either Keinton Mandeville and Shepton Mallet or Street. Glastonbury, and Wells.
Details: charitytheatretrips@btinternet.com or phone 01458 273085
THEWells Spinathon planned for July 20th continues to gather momentum but is appealing for the support of the local community. It aims to raise £9,000 towards a specialist piece of mobility equipment, an Innowalk, for Poppy Garton, the young disabled woman, who desperately needs this vital piece of equipment.
The spinathon will be held on the forecourt of Kingdom Training Gym and will involve 20 bikes continuously spinning from 7am to 7pm.
Poppy’s Mum, Lisa Reakes, who lives in South Horrington with Poppy, has been approaching local individuals and businesses for their support, with collection boxes in businesses in Wells High Street.
Details: https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/keepmewalking
DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance raised £20,000 with a gala dinner in Blandford Forum. The special fundraising event was in celebration of the charity’s 24th anniversary and was attended by 100 guests.
The charity will once again be holding its 5K Twilight Shift on Saturday, July 6th at its Henstridge base and there are only 500 places available for those who wish to take part.
Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WESTONHospicecare’s Mendip Challenge 2024 will be taking place on Sunday, June 2nd. Now in its 33rd year, the challenge has four routes participants can choose from - 30 miles, 20 miles, ten miles and five miles.
All participants register at Weston Cricket Club before the 30 mile and 20
mile walkers get coached to their starting locations (at Wells and Draycott respectively) and the ten mile and five mile commence their circular route, all finishing back at the cricket club for their finisher medal. The walk takes in some of Westonsuper-Mare and the Mendip Hills’ best viewpoints and is open to all individuals,
teams, families and dogs.
With only 20% of funding coming from the NHS, the fundraising event provides an opportunity for participants to not only challenge themselves and have fun, but also raise money for Weston Hospicecare.
Registration closes at midnight on Sunday, May 26th.
Details: www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/events/
ANNIE Maw, a former Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, is preparing to climb Glastonbury Tor in a wheelchair in a huge fundraising “push” for Festival Medical Services, the Somersetbased charity which delivers nursing and medical care at Glastonbury Festival and other outdoor events around the UK.
Annie, the patron of FMS, has never been to the top of the 158-metre iconic landmark – even before she had her horseriding accident in 2002 which led to her becoming a wheelchair-user.
Now she’s attempting to do it in a specially-adapted chair on Saturday, May 4th in an event billed as AAA – standing for “Annie’s Assisted Ascent.”
FMS intend to give the sponsorship money Annie raises to two other medical charities. They have been doing this throughout their 45-year existence and have raised nearly £1.5 million for medical projects in the UK and around the world. This time the money will be split between Motivation and Humanity & Inclusion. Motivation is an international disability and inclusion charity, based in Bristol. They provide wheelchairs, training and support to empower disabled people in Africa and India to gain independence, improve their confidence and transform their own lives. They are providing the all-terrain wheelchair that Annie will use.
Humanity & Inclusion work alongside disabled and vulnerable people around the world – particularly in countries affected by conflict, natural disaster and poverty.
Former nurse Annie said: “I’m taking on this terrific challenge for two reasons. Firstly, I want to highlight that being a wheelchair-user can bring many difficulties in getting around to places that able-bodied people take for granted – but we must keep pushing the boundaries and proving there is more and more we can achieve.
“Secondly, I’m doing it to highlight the hugely important work undertaken by Festival Medical Services as they head into the festival season in 2024.
“Of course, everyone who goes to Glastonbury or Reading Festival, or any other of the many outdoor events they cover, plans to have a marvellous time and never need to see a doctor or a nurse, but life isn’t always like that.”
FMS chair, Nich Woolf, said: “We are calling the event AAA for Annie’s Assisted Ascent, but in the world of music festivals it stands for “Access All Areas”, so we thought they mirrored each other nicely.
“Annie already commands the respect and affection of people throughout our county from her time as Lord Lieutenant, but we think she will win even more admirers for taking on this dauntingly tough challenge – and rightly so. We are extremely fortunate to have her as our patron.”
To sponsor Annie, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/access-all-areas
Aurora, aged nine, helps Tanys
A TEAM of volunteers gathered at Wells Town Hall for the latest session in a unique fundraising effort being staged by mayor Tanys Pullin.
Tanys Transformations will see around 100 wedding dressed turned into ballgowns and wedding dresses to be sold later this year in aid of local charity Heads Up.
Using sewing techniques and artists materials, Tanys and the volunteers have been decorating the dresses with individual designs. The completed dresses will feature in a catwalk on August 10th.
Tanys, whose year in office ends in May, is seeking £500 sponsorship for each dress. She hopes to take the collection around the country at a later date.
For details, find Tanys Transformations on Facebook
THE RNLI Chew Valley branch is running a fundraising event at Lady Farm, Chelwood, on Sunday, May 19th.
As well as access to the famous gardens, 11am-3pm, there will be trad jazz, sea shanties and folk music, plus an assortment of refreshments, RNLI merchandise and fun for the youngsters.
The event will help celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. During that time the volunteer crews have saved over 144,000 lives.
Tickets are £10 for adults, children U-12 free, also available on the gate.
Details: rnlichewvalley@gmail.com 01275 331074
DOROTHYHouse is using virtual reality videos to help reduce symptoms and improve relaxation in patients.
Using 360°cameras, the project team has been creating videos that virtually transport patients outdoors.
It’s made five videos itself, including a walk from Avoncliff to the Firefly Woods at Winsley. A new partnership with Forestry England offers patients 18 new videos of woodland.
Marika Hills, Deputy Director of Patient & Family Services, said: “This technology has a huge amount of scope and we’re really keen to see how it can benefit not only our patients, but also be more broadly be applied to other areas of patient care.”
The hospice’s midnight walk will take place in Bath on Saturday, June 15th, with a pyjama theme, offering 5k and 10k routes. Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk
JULIE Chamberlain of Blagdon decided to have her hair cut and donate it to the Little Princess Trust to be used to make wigs for children with cancer.
For her birthday, she had at least 12 inches cut off and also raised some money for the trust through her JustGiving page.
Hairdresser, Kate Lippiatt from Wrington, said: “I love when one of my clients decides to donate hair. It's a brave but very rewarding thing to do. I am sure it puts smiles on many faces, not just the recipient of the wig but their family's and friends’ faces too.”
Details: https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/
FRIENDS and colleagues of a village baker who died at the end of December from heart problems have completed a virtual sponsored cycle marathon to raise funds in his memory.
They raised more than £1,100 for the British Heart Foundation, the charity of choice of Andy Hunt, who worked at the Co-op in Evercreech. They cycled the equivalent distance from Evercreech to Andy’s home town of Watford –
some 123 miles.
Co-op staff, including Matt, the manager, Christine and Juliet, were joined by family members and a number of customers to get them over the target, managing a total of 150 miles.
A FATHER and son team from Shepton Mallet plan to restore a vintage tractor, paint it pink and auction it to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Tobias Daniels, 36, and his son Oscar Daniels, 16, started their tractor restoration project “Father & Son Tractors” as a family hobby in 2021. Oscar is studying to be an engineer and has his heart set on an apprenticeship at Rolls Royce.
So far, the duo have restored a number of vintage Fergussons. A highlight was winning a rosette at last year's Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show for fully restoring to working condition a grey 1950s Fergusson TED-20, using all original parts, right down to the bolts.
Tobias has sadly lost some family members to cancer, and decided to fundraise the only way he knew how. He said: “I’m not great at running and didn’t fancy sitting in a tub of baked beans.
“I do know my tractors though, so I reached out to breakers and was kindly donated a 1947 TE-20 Continental, for free. Once this beauty is restored to her full glory, and painted a lovely pink, for Cancer Research UK, it’ll be auctioned off, with all the proceeds directly helping the charity and ultimately saving lives.”
The pair are also running a competition in partnership with The Art Bank Café in Shepton Mallet to guess the tractor’s name.
Oscar suggested starting a YouTube channel and Instagram account and the project now has hundreds of subscribers, with the quirky upbeat videos attracting thousands of views.
For details, visit: gofund.me/5cbaa355
Organised by the charity, the day featured live music by members of its youth committee, an Easter egg hunt and indoor activities which included green screen filming of dancing to music, where a digital background is added in the editing process. Once edited, the film will be available on Facebook.
The charity was supported on the day by Glastonbury Town Council and the town’s carnival committee. Guest of honour was Rob Beckley, the High Sheriff of Somerset.
THEnew Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed its first patients.
The purpose-built centre brings together many of the RUH’s cancer services under one roof to provide a cancer services hub for over 500,000 people in the South West.
Cara Charles-Barks, RUH Chief Executive said: “This is a major milestone for our community – we know cancer affects many lives and this new centre will help transform the care we provide for the people we care for and their loved ones, as well as providing an exceptional working environment for our dedicated staff.”
The centre includes the RUH’s oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, a 22-bed in-patient ward, a dedicated pharmacy, research team and nuclear medicine and physics teams.
The new centre is backed by over £40m in Government funding. It was supported by an additional £10m fundraising campaign from RUHX, the hospital's official charity, including a £4m donation from the James Dyson Foundation and £1m by the Medlock Charitable Trust.
Rhyannon Boyd, Head of RUHX said: “We are so proud of and grateful to all of our wonderful supporters who helped create this transformational new centre for their community, for today and in the future. Over 11,000 amazing donors raised ten million pounds to make the Dyson Cancer Centre extra-extraordinary.”
After visiting the centre, James Dyson said: “Both of my parents died far too young from cancer, so I’ve always tried to support causes that involve treating or researching this terrible disease.”
One of the artists whose work features in the new centre is Natasha Clutterbuck from Stanton Drew.
The duchess, with Sophie and Martin Snell
THE Duchess of Edinburgh gave one little girl a day to remember when she took her hand during the Field to Fork farming education event for schools at the Royal Bath & West Showground.
The duchess led the young pupil from Stalbridge School –who was also named Sophie – into a pen housing Doreen, a large black sow, and some of her three-week-old piglets, to pet the animals and chat to farmer Martin Snell.
Later, the duchess opened the new offices of the Wells Cathedral Choir Trust offices in the city before travelling to Hazel Farm above Compton Martin where owners, Yeo Valley, have worked with the Trails Trust on a governmentfunded project to create improved access to the countryside.
WELL,we have survived this altogether erratic first four months of 2024 – but only just! There have been casualties –some walks have had to be cancelled with the risk of being blown off the hills and work parties have been unable to even get onto the land of the reserves.
In March on this page, we wrote about a new venture we are planning, making use of the mountain of brash we have left after our winter hedge laying days. We had planned a day in April making bio-char, the fast growing weapon in the fight against global warming.
In a controlled process called pyrolysis, the wood brash and other vegetation is burned in a container (kiln) with very little oxygen, releasing little to no fumes. The result is a stable form of carbon that can’t easily escape into the atmosphere.
It looks less like the hard charcoal we are all familiar with and more like a softer charcoal compost. This can be spread straight onto the garden – or in our case onto our woodland floor. But, with the biochar kiln mud-bound in a wood somewhere and access to our reserve blocked for the same reason, we have had to postpone the event.
But we are determined to give it a go –assuming the ground ever dries out. Visitors will be welcome.
What is not mud-threatened is our annual Society Quiz which is open to all to take
part in. The date is Friday, May 10th, starting at 7pm. We are open to get settled in from 6.30pm, finishing at 9.30pm.
This year we are very lucky in that we have been offered the use of a newlyappointed meeting room in the Mendip Activity Centre in Churchill, full address Lyncombe Drive, Sandford, Churchill, Winscombe BS25 5PQ.
There is no charge for the evening through the generosity of the company and snacks and drinks are available to buy for our half-way break, they do a very tasty selection of paninis and pizzas.
Pre-booking as an individual, when you will be assigned to a team on the night, or as a team, is essential. The questions will be far ranging and not exclusively Mendip based, with prizes for the winning teams.
To book call 01761 221995 or email prj1099@gmail.com Information will be sent prior to the event. The room is on the top floor but there is a lift available right from the car park level should you need it.
We will definitely be hoping the summer has finally arrived by the time of our Open Day in Slader’s Leigh Flower Meadow on Sunday, May 19th, 11am-4pm. It is of course open access all day every day.
The meadow is a designated Local Nature Reserve at ST 422562 lying alongside the Strawberry Line Cycle and Walkway at Shute Shelve Tunnel, Winscombe Hill. It does everyone good to be able to walk amongst the wild flowers, feel the sun and air on your face and just absorb its calming influence.
As it’s a family day, there will be activities for both children and parents, such as flower and leaf printing, a scavenger trail, den building, and plant surveying, plus “creatures of the pond”, with John Dixon. Other conservation groups may join us on the day, so activities may vary, along with the weather conditions but there
will be something for everyone to enjoy. Drinks will be available, plus a toilet facility. Bring a picnic to enjoy.
But the day is also an occasion for remembrance. At 2.30pm there will be a brief quiet time for us to gather, together with Les Davies, our president, around our new seat in the meadow. This is to be dedicated to the memory of previous chairman, Paul Harley, and Dorothy Sage, society members whose families donated the cost of having our lovely seat made by Somerset Wood Recycling especially for the reserve they loved.
The meadow can be reached either by walking 15 minutes south along the Strawberry Line from the Winscombe playing fields car park or by parking in the NT car park at the top on Winscombe Hill and walking down the lane opposite. Although closer, this way is very worn and rough and may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties. For information ring 01275 874284 or email judith.tranter1@btinternet.com In case of doubtful weather please look at our website www.themendipsociety.org.uk
There is just room to add a reminder that we have a talk, open to all, by geologist Dr Andy King on Saturday, April 27th in Draycott Memorial Hall. Entitled “Where the Hills meet the Sea” Dr King says it is “The Mendip Hills and beyond as you’ve never seen them before”.
The reason for that is – it’s a drone’s eye view – filmed whilst monitoring habitats and geological features we know on the ground. Contact and information as above.
JUDITH TRANTER
By CHRIS
WHILST many local resident birds will have had young and fledged already, there are more arriving from the south yet to begin their breeding season.
The ability to reproduce is key to the success of any species and the failure to replace the adult population with offspring can literally make some species nosedive in numbers. One species which highlights this is the little owl which is generally shorter-lived than the larger tawny or barn owls.
I must not forget to inform you that it’s not a native species, but one that was introduced during Victorian times by, sosay, Victorian fruit growers who mistakenly thought that this small owl would help with deterring bullfinches from eating blossom.
I was recently looking back at my notes from 20-30 years ago and the clutch sizes from little owl nests were mostly ranging from four to six eggs of which most would fledge, whereas in the past 10-15 years this clutch size has reduced to between one to three; obviously there are exceptions, but this is a classic example of population reduction due to the inability of the parents to rear bigger broods.
There could be many reasons for this, but I would argue that, primarily, it’s the quality of the food supply.
I have mentioned before about the reduction in numbers in once very common birds such as house sparrow or starling, and I can point locally to the exact same thing happening, whereby the reduction in numbers is caused by the lack of breeding success. I think we can look at a link between the three birds I have mentioned, and even though the little owl is quite capable of preying on both sparrow and starling, the common link between them is the supply of insects.
During a study I carried out in the
1980s of little owl pellets (regurgitated parts of animals that the bird cannot digest), I discovered that the prey of little owls would vary during different times of year. For example, during winter a greater small mammal portion of their diet was being taken, and during spring and summer, whist small mammals were still taken, it was insect material which increased the most, anything from soil debris from earthworms, beetle wings and earwigs and much more besides.
As a small owl, the little owl was clearly exploiting the insects which were probably easier for it to catch than small mammals or birds and this ability to feed fast, often in the day or night, during the breeding season was probably key to the overall higher young production success.
A chance meeting with an older farmer just recently kind of points towards this scenario as well, when he said: “We used to have little owls on our farm, you could watch them running on the ground especially near dung and they would be
eating dung beetles; we don’t see as many of these beetles now, as we used to.”
I would be really interested to hear from anyone who still observes or hears little owls, please do let me know, contact details below.
And a big thank you to all the farmers, especially with your concerns about little owls, whose comments have inspired me to write this.
The Hawk and Owl Trust Somerset Barn Owl webcam is live at https://hawkandowltrust.org/livecameras/barn-owl-cam-live-somerset
At the time of writing this article the female was incubating five eggs, by the time you read this they should have begun hatching.
And, lastly, I have written a chapter in a book which is available to pre-order now. The book is called “The Great Misconceptions –Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings” and is available from Whittles Publishing.
A DIFFERENTlandscape from recent walks of mine. This beautiful circle explores the moor and gentle country around Baltonsborough, which was the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous saints, St Dunstan. Indeed, you may be walking here on May 19th which is the feast day of St Dunstan celebrating his death in 988 at the age of 79. Our route this month follows a mill stream and the River Brue, passes an ancient church, a weir junction and wild swimming pool and then continues along quiet lanes and droves with pleasant views, including across to Glastonbury Tor. This easy route which is flat, with one or two stiles, gives you a taste of this rural open country –once the heart of cider apple country. And, what’s more, for those of you struggling with the mud over the last few months, you will be glad to know it should be dry underfoot most of the way. There is a fair bit of walking on quiet lanes.
With Sue Gearing
PARK: At Baltonsborough which is situated east of Street and south east of Glastonbury. Park at the village hall in Ham Street in the heart of the village, or if there is an event on, there is plenty of onstreet parking.
START: This rather scattered village stands on a slight rise beyond what would have been a sea of water between it and Glastonbury. The highest point, now known as Windmill Hill, would have been the site of the settlement, ringed round with ditches and palisades.
Turn right from the hall in Ham Street and continue to a junction. Cross.
Here is an unusual war memorial – a naval shell – alongside a more traditional cross. On the right is the Greyhound pub (open in the day for drinks only at the weekend from 12-3.30pm).
Turn down Church Lane and pass a line of houses.
Over right a short way ahead is the village shop if you want something for the walk.
Turn left through a kissing gate and coming onto the edge of Church Moor.
Come to the church of St Dunstan. Dunstan was born in Baltonsborough and became, successively, Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury, later canonised. His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English Church. He served as an important minister of state to several English kings. He was the most popular
saint in England for nearly two centuries, having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness, not least among which were those concerning his famed cunning in defeating the Devil. Dunstan became patron saint of English goldsmiths and silversmiths because he worked as a silversmith making church plate. (It is worth reading about the remarkable life of this man).
Reach an information board and then cross on a bow bridge the mill stream which has been diverted from the River Brue. Turn left along the bank on the other side. Go through a gate into Martin Street orchard, one of the old cider orchards.
The old cider apple orchards are slowly disappearing, accelerated by the closure of the Cider Mill in the 1950s and the unrealistic price offered by modern apple juice and cider factories.
Continue along the river through a couple of gates and a stile. You will see signs showing you are following the village Heritage Trail and you pass another information board.
Cross a track and continue all the way along the Mill Stream. Shortly before a large weir, pass a metal footbridge and go on a few more metres until you come to the weir – Baltonsborough Flights.
This is where the mill stream and the River Brue unite again and the large pool on the right is known as a favourite wild swimming spot – created by Lois Venn for the Outdoor Swimming Society.
Return to the metal bridge and cross, turning right along the opposite bank.
Head through two gates with a plank between and on to go through two more gates separated by a small bridge. There are two more gates, a remnant of a plank between. Then continue on to a stone slab stile and along a small side stream on the narrow path.
3. CATCHAM
A gate takes you out to a road at Catcham, one of the hamlets adjoining Baltonsborough. Turn left and then take the first lane right heading for Southwood. Continue for about 0.75 miles, passing two droves on the left, which you could take but they can be very muddy and wet, and then pass a new build house on the right of the road. Here look for a drove left (Back Lane Drove on the map) which is a marked bridleway with metal field and bridle gate.
5.1 miles, about 2.5 to 3 hours walking.
OS Explorer Map 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 543 350, postcode BA6 8PX; what3words:suave.pitching.trick
Follow the hard surfaced track all the way noticing at one point that there may be a carpet put down by the farmer on concrete to soften the passage for cattle. A gentle rise brings you to farm buildings near a road. Turn left through a metal bridle gate. Follow this concrete track all the way to the end then stay ahead going through a wooden bridle gate to the road.
4. HAM STREET
Turn right and continue to a junction in the hamlet of Ham Street. Turn right and immediately left in Teapot Lane. This quiet lane soon drops gently giving pleasant views across country. Come to a junction with Tilham Lane and here follow it left.
THISis one of many legends about St Dunstan and the devil. The story goes that this saint from Baltonsborough had bought up a large stock of barley, for brewing beer, which he hoped to sell in competition with the local beverage, Devonshire cider.
The devil offered to blight all the apple trees, so that there would be no cider, in return for Dunstan’s soul. The saint, good at driving a hard bargain, argued with him, and eventually a compromise was reached whereby the devil had Dunstan’s soul for certain
5. TRACK
Soon take a track on the left by a large boulder and follow this for half a mile all the way to a farm. Then keep straight ahead on the lane.
6. FOOTPATH
Reach a road and turn left and shortly, at a bend, go left on the footpath track by a boulder. Follow the footpath through a gate and over a stile, following the right hedge, over another stile and along the side of another field. There’s a Bristol Gate at a junction, with the recreation ground in Baltonsborough ahead. Cross to where you started.
days each year, while, for his part, he would blight the apple trees on three days: 17,18 & 19 May.
Even to this day it is not unknown for an air frost to roll down through the Vale of Avalon and knock out the apple blossom here.
THEmerry month of May! Well, let’s see just how merry it is as we go into spring for real. British summer time began at the end of March, giving us as one person put it “one hour’s less rainfall per day”. May is however well known for its cold weather. There’s still a “sting” left in the meteorological tail, but I’m hoping things will get better.
This is the month of agricultural shows, of outdoor events, open gardens and so much more in our English rural calendar. It’s also a month to take extra care when you’re out and about in the countryside.
Easter was early this year and the weather is anything but kind to the emerging wildlife. I have already heard of encounters between adders and dogs, encounters which I must say leave the dog at a disadvantage. Cold weather will make the adder slow to respond, emergence from hibernations means extra strong venom.
Snakes don’t want confrontation and much prefer to keep out of the way. However, a grumpy “Hissing Sid” will have only one defence if it can’t get out of the way and that is to strike. Watch out for yourself as well. Check before you sit down or put your hand on a wall.
The roe deer will be calving in May. This is their most vulnerable time, when the young fawns are left alone whilst the mother goes off to feed. The only defence they have is to stay motionless. They have no scent to give them away but can be compromised by inquisitive dogs and well-meaning humans who think they have been abandoned.
If they are handled, they will be abandoned by the mother. This along with the ground nesting birds and everything else that’s in full reproduction mode, makes for a pretty delicate countryside at this time of year.
This month is full of blossom. From the apple orchards bedecked with the pink, white and cream through to the hawthorn. Plums and pears will have preceded them in this riotous display. The bees and all the other pollinating insects will move into top gear.
Sue Gearing is taking you on a walk in and around Baltonsborough this time and in doing so makes mention of the orchards there and of St Dunstan, the first Abbot of Glastonbury and a man still linked to local legends. This area and its orchards have special memories for me.
In 1979 I moved down from Long Ashton Research Station to become the Orchards Advisor in the mid-Somerset area for Shepton Mallet cider makers, Showerings Ltd. The Vale of Avalon was my main patch and the last stronghold of traditional cider orchards in the county. I look back now on what was a thriving farm enterprise in this area.
Orchards fitted in well with the dairy and sheep system. They were low input, low output enterprises providing grazing but with the added bonus of an apple crop. As one farmer put it: “Not every day you can bend down and pick up a penny.”
I was readily accepted by the farming community, mainly because of my farming background and by coming from Long
Ashton Research Station. This world-famous scientific institute dedicated to cider was established in 1903 thanks to the efforts of Robert Neville Grenville, the Squire of Butleigh.
As with everything in life, it’s no good telling people you’re good at what you do, you have to show them! I had to do just that. I did a lot of tree grafting that made my “share price” go right up as it was a skill highly thought of in the area.
These orchards were not only a valuable part of the farming economy, but they also provided me with a living all year round. There was winter pruning and tree sales; tree planting, grafting, working in the tree nursery. Then come autumn there was apple buying.
This meant visiting all the farmers that supplied the company with fruit, estimating their crop and drawing up a contract with delivery dates. I would buy up to 1,000 tonnes of apples in this mid-Somerset area and dealt with some very colourful characters in doing so.
Many of those old countrymen, along with the orchards they cared for, are now gone. Nothing will go on forever and the farm orchards cannot supply the amount of fruit required by today’s cider producers. They do however live on, but in many cases only as shadows of their former glory.
Broken down and covered in mistletoe they are more of a wildlife haven than a commercial entity. It does go to prove that grant money alone cannot maintain an agricultural system, it has to be financially viable. I have always said that the heart of Somerset beats strongly in its cider orchards and so does mine!
Still on a rural theme, let me remind you that the North Somerset Agricultural Show is on May 6th at their showground near Wraxall. I will be there as commentator in the countryside arena, so please bring some fine weather with you.
On Sunday, May 18th, the Mendip Society is holding an open day on its Slader’s Leigh Nature Reserve alongside the Strawberry Line near Winscombe. Bring a picnic (and more fine weather) from 11am until 4pm. For more information check the society’s website at www.themendipsociety.org.uk
This year’s Royal Bath and West Show will be held from May 30th until June 1st. Again, I will be there with the Youth and Environment Awards scheme in the Dulverton Building, part of the Countryside and Forestry section, so come along and take a look . . . lots to see and lots to do over those three days.
Finally, this month’s photo was taken several years ago at the village of Hornblotton near Shepton Mallet. It’s a good job there’s no sound with it, as the buzz of insects and the birdsong would have sent everyone off to sleep . . . soporific is (I think) the word I’m looking for.
ON March 20th Phil peacefully passed away in the company of friends and fellow cave diggers whilst participating in his favourite activity, cave digging. Although he hadn’t been able to go underground for some years due to a heart condition, he was a vital part of the team providing essential surface support.
Phil was certainly a well-known personality amongst the various caving circles, not least for his articles in Mendip Times which he had written since 2008. He was great friends with many of his caving contemporaries within the Wessex and other caving clubs.
He would be a beacon to those visiting the club’s headquarters at Priddy, eagerly sharing his knowledge on cave related subjects.
Phil was widely knowledgeable on cave history and exploration and most fortunately for the club he took the opportunity to manage and meticulously maintain the club library and records, even writing a book or two himself if a space appeared on the shelf. Previously he also served as honorary secretary 1975-78 and chairman 1980-88.
Phil's caving journey followed the way of many cavers. Enthusiastically learn the “trade”, build bonds and trust of fellow companions in sporting caving activities, join a club, go on expeditions, organise local and national caving adventures and activities, then move on to finding, digging and pushing forward into new caves and all the while learning and translating the knowledge from the practical to the academic.
I’VEbeen caving and cave diving for over 20 years and I can safely say that this inspiration and access to the incredible underground world, as well as the Mendip Hills, has been entirely down to my Uncle Phil.
His passion for Mendip caves was unwavering and his quest to find new underground spaces never faded. He passed away at his favourite spot, always clinging to the hope that he one day may break into the “Wookey Master Cave”.
Very little of Phil’s life was approached without humour; the time he was crawling out of a body-sized cave, having removed his helmet, and a bat had the same idea, crawling over his head to escape…
Then there was a time when I organised a day out for the club at Clearwell Caves with three options of caving trip on offer, with three different levels of difficulty. Unfortunately, the cave leaders got the trips mixed up and I don’t think he ever forgave me for getting on the wrong one, having had a four-hour horrendous epic!
The knowledge and ability to use these acquired skills was Phil's strength that benefits all who have an interest in the subterranean and karst landscape of Mendip today.
Artistic interest and a sense of humour would bode well for the more perhaps unusual activities that seem to go hand in hand with many caving clubs. Cavers though, seem to go the extra mile to dream up and extend the excesses of unusual games and feats of endurance.
Phil was a key and passionate member of the Wessex Cave Club and not unusual for Mendip cavers, also of the Hunters Lodge Inn community, where many a tale of caving exploits are shared.
Phil will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow cavers.
Phil’s love and fascination for wildlife was also notable, with a zoology degree and very little fear which did once land him in hot water, when an adder was just a bit too quick for him and gave him a nasty bite.
There are so many stories and anecdotes around Phil that we wouldn’t know where to start and these memories are sacred, as we miss him so terribly.
Philip’s sense of humour, intelligence and kindness is something that has supported and influenced me and I’m sure many others for a very long time.
Mendip, the Hunters Lodge on Priddy and the Wessex Cave Club will be all the poorer without him.
May he rest in peace, knowing he was loved by so many, and may he find caverns measureless in the great karst of the sky, with his digging pals who have passed before.
Christine Grosart Caver, Cave Diver, Phil Hendy’s niecePhil’s funeral will be at the Mendip Crematorium on Friday, May 3rd, 1.30pm, followed by a celebration of his life at the Hunters’ Lodge.
It’s all in the genes . . .
EVER since humans started growing plants for food, they have been selecting to improve their qualities, especially yield, by natural selection, until the Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel published his work on peas in 1886. Often varieties were selected for their very local potential. The Martock broad bean was selected in the village of Martock in Somerset.
It dates from the medieval period and was first mentioned in parish records as early as the 12th century. It was grown extensively in England in the Middle Ages. Seed of this variety is still available from the Heritage Seed Library.
The science of genetics is now well established and forms an essential part of our agricultural and horticultural industry today, with the potential to increase yields, reduce fertiliser, pesticide, and herbicide usage, apart from the potential to eliminate some medical problems associated with nutrient deficiencies in less well-developed countries.
New varieties are also selected by natural mutation. The popular orange stemmed dogwood, Cornus “Midwinter Fire” was spotted in a hedgerow in Holland, as a natural mutation of the native hedgerow dogwood, so common also in the UK.
The mutated branch was propagated vegetatively by cuttings and gradually bulked up, before launching onto the market. Vegetative propagation by cuttings, layering or division gives genetically identical individuals known as clones.
Gardeners have become familiar with seeing the term “F1 Hybrid” next to the variety name on our seed packets. These seeds are invariably more expensive than open-pollinated forms. Two pure bred lines must be established, bearing the qualities required.
These are then crossed, often by hand, to produce a variety with the assets needed, including hybrid vigour and
uniformity. Home gardeners may not want all their Brussel sprouts to be ready on the same day, but commercially, this makes a dramatic difference to mechanical harvesting.
Two million cans of baked beans are eaten daily in the UK, with the majority being grown in China, Canada, and Ethiopia. In future we could be growing our own.
Standard plant breeding techniques have already given us many varieties, particularly of vegetables and fruits that show resistance to various problems. Blackcurrant varieties have been bred to flower later to avoid spring frosts.
Tomato and potato varieties with resistance to potato blight are available to amateurs, along with carrots resistant to carrot fly and brassicas resistant to club root disease.
Roses will need some serious work. As our atmosphere gets cleaner the problem of fungal disease in roses gets worse. Escallonia, a fast growing, salt tolerant evergreen, used as windbreak hedging in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, has succumbed to fungal disease and virtually all have been removed.
We hear much about the so-called evils of genetic modification (GM), although this has so much potential, but less about the huge benefits that gene editing (GE) can bring. Gene editing is simply a way of speeding up traditional plant breeding and is now permitted in the UK, whereas GM is not.
Already we are starting to see the benefits. The haricot bean (baked bean) is not normally well suited to our climate but has been gene edited by scientists at the University of Warwick to be more tolerant of our conditions and the first crop was harvested in Lincolnshire last year.
Being a legume, this crop requires less fertiliser, as it makes its own nitrogen via bacteria in nodules on its roots. Less fertiliser means less cost, less run off, and less river pollution.
There has been much in the news about the problems of “sugar beet yellows virus” dramatically affecting the yield of
sugar beet grown mainly in East Anglia. Some farmers have this year been given permission to use a neonicotinoid pesticide to control the greenfly that spread the virus.
These pesticides are known to be harmful to bees, but what is less well known is that no bee will bother to visit a field of sugar beet, as they are harvested before they flower. Gene editing can be used to speed up the production of varieties that are resistant to this problem. Thus, no pesticide required.
As smaller houses are built on large gardens the emphasis on ornamental plants has turned to producing dwarf varieties more suited to smaller gardens and for growing in containers. We now have a range of Buddleja varieties varying in height from 30 centimetres to three metres. Clematis can range in height from less than 30cm to 20 metres or more.
Gardeners are avid collectors and sadly too many new plants are launched into the garden centres without adequate trialling. The Chelsea Plant of the Year Award has not helped in this respect. Anemone “Wild Swan” is a classic case. It received this award in 2011, but is now rarely seen in gardens, as it dies out in wet winters.
Sadly, the list of plants that I no longer use, because of their susceptibility to pest or disease problems, is growing rapidly, and now includes box, Viburnum tinus and V. opulus, escallonias, heucheras, hebes, fuchsias and many roses.
Our plant breeders are doing a fantastic job, but we must all play our part by buying British grown plants and not allowing more pests and diseases from abroad to establish.
• Time to plant up your hanging baskets and containers.
• Give some of your border perennials the “Chelsea Chop”. If you cut some of them back by about half now it will delay flowering but extend the display longer in your garden.
• Harden-off annual bedding plants ready to plant out soon. Put them in a shady spot, keep well watered but bring them back inside if frost is likely. Keep a close eye on them and they will be toughened up ready to plant after about a week.
• Be ready to cover tender plants with horticultural fleece if frosts are forecast. Check the forecast every day this month.
• Order Slug nematodes and rid your plants of this pest the natural and safe way.
• Stake border perennial varieties that are tall growing and that tend to flop over. Either use pea sticks (tree and shrub prunings are good) or use purpose-made support systems.
• Trim foliage off early flowering perennials to encourage fresh new leaves. Lungwort (Pulmonaria) responds particularly well.
• Hostas divide well this month. Lift clumps and split them up making certain that each shoot has plenty of root attached.
• Wait until spring flowering bulb leaves die back naturally before removing them.
• Watch out for scarlet lily beetles. This pest can eat your lily leaves in a few days! Control with Provado Ultimate Bug Killer.
THEEaster arch appeared as usual at St. Andrew’s Church in Cheddar. The arch has a display four times a year –Easter, harvest time, a Poppy display and Christmas.
The displays are organised by Pam Bell (right) and helpers.
A SECLUDEDwalled garden containing wide borders, kitchen garden beds, shrubs and fruits trees; the lawns lead to a six acre woodland garden of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias.
Address: Spaxton, Bridgwater TA5 1AG.
Contact: Donald & Bee Rice.
Opening dates and time: Thursday, May 16th, 2-5pm.
Admission: £6.50, children free. Please pay using cash only.
With stunning views of the Somerset Levels, Burrow Mump and Glastonbury Tor.
Address: Curload, Stoke St Gregory, TA3 6JA.
Contact: Charles & Charlotte Sundquist, 01823 490852, chazfix@gmail.com
Open for the NGS: Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th 1pm to 5pm. Visits until June, by arrangement, for groups of 5 to 30.
Admission: £5, children free.
TEL: 017 49 8 41014 FAX: 0 1749 84105 5 www.rockymountainnurseries.co.uk ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Visit our MASBURY’S CAFE
Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm (Sun 10am-4pm)
Serving breakfasts until 11.30am; lunch 12-2.30pm; afternoon teas
Tel: 01749 841155
Four acres, with three distinct gardens laid out around house.
Address: West Bradley, BA6 8LS.
Contact: Keith Anderson & David Mendel, 01458 850604, andersonmendel@aol.com
Open for the NGS: Saturday May 4th and Saturday August 24th, 11am to 5pm. Visits also by arrangement for groups of ten+
Admission: £6, children free.
Architectural terraces with views of Wells Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon.
Address: Old Bristol Road, Wells, BA5 3AQ.
Contact: Simon Tudway Quilter, 01749 679341, www.miltonlodgegardens.co.uk
Open for the NGS: Sunday, May 12th, Sunday, June 9th, Sunday, July 14th, 2pm to 5pm. See website for other open days.
Admission: £5, children under 14 free. Card or cash. Discount/membership/vouchers not on NGS days.
To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Garden Visitors Handbook, or the Somerset County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://ngs.org.uk/
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BANWELLGardening Club held a successful Spring Show, with 41 adults and 23 children exhibiting across the 65 classes. The total number of individual entries was 218.
The 19 trophies were presented by Neil Humphrys-Smith, club president. The club’s Horticultural Show is on Saturday, September 7th.
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THE first Bath & West Food & Drink Festival attracted big crowds to the Royal Bath & West Showground for a two-day feast of produce and fun, which also featured the 28th British Cheese Awards.
TV presenter and Great British Bake Off contestant, Briony May Williams, food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden and social media food blogger Lisa Gadd, known as the Fuss Free Foodie, were amongst some well-known faces who took to the Farmhouse Kitchen Stage.
A small mould-ripened fresh cheese called Snowdrop was named Supreme Champion at the cheese awards. Made by Cote Hill in Lincolnshire, the cheese took the top prize in a field of more than 600 entries from across the UK and Ireland.
Malcolm, Jean and John, from Batch Farm Cheesemakers, based near Shepton Mallet
Joanne and Archie, from Squeeze and Go, based in Castle Cary. Joanne launched the enterprise with her other son, Patrick, who has severe autism, to raise awareness of the condition and to help with his social and life skills
Browsing the many food and drink stalls
The festival offered something for all the family
Blogger Lisa Cadd (left) and GBBO contestant Briony May Williams
By DrPHIL HAMMOND
FIRST the good news. Growing old may not be as bad as you think. In the UK, only 3% of those aged 70-74 have dementia, rising to just 11% at 80-84. Even at 9094, 70% don’t have dementia. And in the UK census data from 2021, less than 4% of those aged 80-84 were in care homes and only 20% of those over 90.
Whilst the debate about assisted dying rages on, there is plenty of assisted living that can be done to ensure people enjoy ageing and delay disease for as long as possible.
One fabulous example is Chew Chat, spearheaded by the indefatigable Sam Oliphant, which brings over seventies from all over the Chew Valley together to connect, participate and have fun. Give that woman an honour!
Alas, healthy ageing is not evenly distributed and the chances of enjoying it depend a lot on your genes, upbringing and wealth. For example, the life expectancy of a girl born in the least deprived areas of England is 86.3 years, of which she can expect to live 70.7 years in good health and 15.6 years in poorer health.
In contrast, a girl born in the most deprived areas can expect to live 78.3 years, with just 51.9 years in good health and 26.4 years in poorer health. Not only does poverty make your health poor and earnings less, but it also greatly increases your need for the NHS, social care and sickness related benefits.
If you’re poor, ill-health often kicks in when you are trying to be a parent and so has a profound effect on your children too. To make sure everyone has a chance of a decent later life, we need to invest for health.
People need decent jobs that offer stability, a living wage and a purpose. There also needs to be a “minimum
infrastructure guarantee” – investing in decent affordable housing and community services (both state and private) that are essential for healthy living.
It requires substantial planning and funding, and preferably cross-party agreement over 20 years, but the potential rewards of healthy living are huge. In 2021, one American study estimated that extending healthy life expectancy by just one year would yield $38 trillion for the US economy alone.
Most diseases get more common with age (cancers, heart disease and dementias) and as we live longer, we accumulate more and become frailer, which increases our risk of falls and infections. We also tend to end up on multiple medications, some of which have unpleasant side effects and contribute significantly to falls and admission to (very expensive) hospitals.
So, there’s a huge amount of life to be enjoyed and money to be saved by any extension in the years we spend in good health. Exercise, a good and modest diet, refreshing sleep and social connections benefit everyone, personalised medicine and genetic interventions may in future help some.
But for all the recent advances in medical science, stopping smoking has had the greatest benefit.
Medicine has become too focused on length of life, with a global increase of 19 years since 1960. Now, the number of 65 and overs on the planet exceeds the under 5s. But we have neglected quality of life. Most 80-year-olds would swap two years of good quality living for five years of suffering.
The bottom line is that unless we can delay disease – mainly through better lifestyles, houses, jobs and environments – so people remain independent and productive and have a much shorter period of ill-health before they die, the NHS, social care and the economy will sink.
THERE’Ssomething quite comforting about hiding away in a deep dark cave. The temperature is cosy and the soft tinkling sound of water lulls me to sleep.
It’s totally dark, which isn’t a problem for a water droplet like me. I remember when people lived in caves and invented fire to give themselves warmth and light.
The smoke wasn’t very pleasant. Neither was the smell of roast mammoth. How I still miss mammoths. Why did you human beans have to eat them all?
Nowadays, you find the odd spider, feeling its way in the dark, and there are bats of course, creating massive mounds of pooh.
But generally, it’s peaceful and safe, apart from the odd caver passing by, admiring the rock formations and playing in the mud.
I wonder if you can imagine a journey that takes about 10,000 years? I’ve only done it a couple of times. I got swallowed by bats on other occasions, so you can guess where I ended up.
This is a magical mystery tour in the dark, that starts with a wispy white cloud in the sky. The rain falls on Mendip, soaking through the peaty soil, and sliding into the limestone rock.
From then on, it’s literally downhill, one drip at a time, over hundreds and hundreds of years, down into underground streams that get warmer as they sink lower into the ground.
I’d like to tell you about all the fairies and goblins that live down there in jewelled caverns lit by dancing fireflies. Never mind the fire-breathing dragons.
But I slept most of the time and confess I didn’t see any. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist . . .
It’s an epic journey that ends at the Roman baths in Bath, where the hot, steamy water finally emerges.
I remember having an immense feeling of disappointment the first time this happened to me after all that time and effort.
To end up in someone’s bathtub!
MENDIP GRANDAD
REGISTRATIONShave opened for the first ever regional dementia awareness conference, being held at St John’s in Peasedown St John on May 21st. Organised by the Peasedown Community Trust, Creating a Dementia Friendly Community will offer an opportunity to meet charity leaders and experts working in the field of dementia research and awareness.
Details: peasedowncommunitytrust@gmail.com
100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business M
Tel: 07933 842112
PRACTITIONERS from many different disciplines are joining forces to create a healing hub in Shepton Mallet to share their skills through courses, talks, workshops and weekend sessions for the local community as well as with the wider community through non- residential retreats.
The Healing Hub, in the Market Place, will launch on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th with two days of taster sessions offering people the chance to meet the team.
The goal of The Healing Hub is to help others to feel well, offering take home tools that can be easily learnt, such as deep breathing, meditation, gentle movements and energy balancing, to mention but a few.
For people on low incomes or who are unemployed, The Healing Hub will be offering “Free Fridays”. There are empowerment circles for teenagers as well as pre-exam workshops in May for calming the nervous system and learning techniques to focus the mind in high-stress situations.
They are also offering corporate toolbox packages for local businesses, which will include short courses on how to de-stress in three minutes, helping companies to keep employees happy and healthy.
Tommy, who grew up in Frome, studied fine art but has always maintained his love of street art, opening the Bristol Graffiti Workshop to host courses. He has built his studio inside a reclaimed 40ft lorry trailer on Whitelake Park, in Pylle, which is used as part of the Glastonbury Festival site and is home to various arts events, featuring breathtaking installations, sculptures, mutated vehicles and street art.
The young artists worked both independently and collectively as a group on multiple projects, getting hands-on with a spray can straight away learning free hand and stencilling spray methods. They also learnt about the history and legalities of the art form.
Tommy’s mother, Mary, is a retired teacher who used to work at Leigh-on-Mendip Primary School. During the Easter holidays, Tommy led an art project in Street, organised by the Crispin Community Centre. In a few weeks, he’ll move onto the festival site itself to work with world-famous artist Joe Rush, who created the site’s Car Henge installation.
For details, find Bristol Graffiti Workshop on Facebook
STREET artist Tommy Sturgess has opened a new studio near Shepton Mallet and is teaching young people the right way to unlock their creativity. The students with (top) Tommy and Joe and Deb Rossiter, who own Whitelake Park at Pylle
A TEAM from Cheddar Valley u3a joined Simon Parkin on BBC Radio Somerset to take part in his mid-morning quiz.
They got third place, just two points off the lead. They said they thoroughly enjoyed the fun experience, which came across loud and clear on the airwaves!
Their AGM takes place on May 30th, 1.30pm at Sharpham Road Pavilion –you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
MEMBERS of a coffee club in Chilcompton celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special lunch.
The Friday Club started in 1984 for the elderly and lonely and also for anyone wanting to drop into the village hall for tea and cake. It soon grew to more than 30 visitors.
The club enjoys great support from nine volunteers, who work on a rota basis plus a dedicated regular cake maker. Incredibly two volunteers were there at the beginning and are still giving their time to the cause.
Marlene Pickford, from the club, said: “Grateful thanks are due to all the helpers and supporters over the years including the village hall committee.”
CONNAUGHT Freemasons have donated £500 towards a fundraising effort for two new support unit vehicles for the St John Ambulance Brigade.
The effort is being made by Steve Collings, provincial charity steward, who skied across the Arctic in aid of the appeal and who gave a talk to the lodge’s April meeting.
The lodge also donated £500 to the Stroke Association, made as lodge member Alastair Slade’s charity of the year as Worshipful Master.
For details about the lodge or to apply to join, email Secretary3573@btinternet.com or visit: www.connaughtlodge.org
BLAGDONScouts held a banquet and awards evening at the village club to celebrate 30 years of scouting in Blagdon. There were 40 scouts present. The Scout of the Year award went to Aidan Durbin and the Veater Cup for Endeavour was presented to James Day.
Following the meal provided by parents, the group had one of their own ex-scouts, Ben Jones, as speaker. Ben described his adventures in Kyrgyzstan with the British Exploring Society last summer. Ben is now an adult leader with the group’s Cub unit.
SOMERSET Day 2024 will be celebrated on May 11th and 12th with The Big Somerset Picnic! Besides great food and drink, the picnic aims to bring people together, provide opportunities to fundraise for local causes and celebrate everything that Somerset has to offer.
Somerset Day, organised by the not-for-profit Passion for Somerset CIC, aims to inspire and empower communities, businesses and all who live and work in Somerset to share a passion for the county.
Celebrated annually on May 11th, it says it's a day to cherish shared traditions, culture and the sense of belonging that makes Somerset truly unique.
It suggests organising your own picnic in your local village, town hall or community centre or get your local school or nursery involved. It says care homes, offices and shops can also join in the fun.
Details: www.somersetday.com/picnic
THE village of Wrington has secured a third defibrillator, following a hugely successful community/village fundraising campaign led by the community of All Saints' Church in the village.
The campaign culminated with a coffee morning and raffle in the church on Saturday, March 16th, attended by over 70 people. Many businesses, village clubs, and friends made donations and helped in any way they could.
Following discussion with Tina Huckle-Mills, Community Development Officer for the West of England Rural Network (WERN), a bid was made to Defibgrant UK and was successful in securing a part-funded defibrillator from the Department of Health and Social Care.
The defibrillator is outside the Reading room, The Triangle, Wrington. BS40 5LB
SHEPTONMallet u3a visited Old Bowlish House in Shepton Mallet, where its owner, historian Ian Keys, gave them a talk and tour of the 17th century house and garden, followed by a walking tour of the ancient settlements of Bowlish, Ham and Darshill.
These contain many beautiful old buildings linked with the clothmaking for which Shepton Mallet was famous in the 18th and 19th centuries – wool and later silk. Most of the mills were powered by the little River Sheppey, now a picturesque stream, running along the valley.
Details: www.sheptonmalletu3a.org.uk
01749 344627
BRENT Knoll Parish Council has confirmed the go-ahead for the redevelopment of the village’s public toilets to also provide a shell building for the Community Shop.
The shop now needs to raise £25,000 to make the building fit for purpose. Organisers are encouraging existing shareholders to purchase additional shares, as well as attracting new shareholders.
Details: https://brentknollcommunityshop.co.uk/ share-issue
WITH National Walking Month in May, North Somerset is celebrating all things walking. Walk Fest programmes are available from local libraries in North Somerset and Cheddar or download one from their website.
The month includes details of walking routes and groups, with activities planned every day.
Details: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/nswalkfest
01275 882730
THE Strawberry Line WI at Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet, will be hosting a craft competition open to all in May to coincide with its annual meeting.
The meeting will be held at Cranmore Memorial Hall on Tuesday, May 14th at 7.30pm when Harriet Rose, from nearby Dean, will also be running a printing workshop. The theme of the competition is Pride, ahead of Pride Month in June. l Visitors (£5) are welcome.
THEorganisers of the Glastonbury Dragon Parade are seeking a new home for the costumes.
Preferably in the Glastonbury area, it would need to house the dragons, their wardrobe and maintenance kit –the dragon heads won’t fit through normal-sized doorways.
The team are looking for a ground floor space of approx. 40 sq. metres with electric light and easy access. It would ideally be a space where dragon maintenance can be done as well.
Their next parade is on Sunday, May 5th at 1.30pm.
For details or to offer space, find Glastonbury Dragons on Facebook
A TOTAL of £5,000 was presented to community groups working in the Radstock and Westfield areas at the end of a Dragons’ Denstyle event.
Ten organisations received £500 each after making presentations to a 70-strong voting audience at the Westfield Sports and Community Centre. In this case, the dragons performed a different role, supporting the groups making their pitches.
The event – attended by the High Sheriff of Somerset, Rob Beckley, as one of the dragons – marked a decade of the funding scheme being run in the area by the Radstock & Westfield Big Local.
The winners were: Fosseway School, Off The Record, Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club, Writhlington Village Hall, Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band, SWALLOW Charity, Radstock Wellbeing Group, Welton Primary School, Natural Theatre Company and Youth Connect South West.
The next Dragons’ Den will take place towards the end of the year. For details, visit: www.radstockwestfield.org.uk
ST MARY’SWedmore will hold its annual tower open day on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th.
The Friends of St Mary's will be raising funds to maintain the church; £7 per person includes tea and cakes.
Booking is essential as numbers are limited.
Details: 07984 924432
weekly and for festivals.
David Rawlins cuts the cross from their Xmas tree that they keep for Easter and Dolly Blacker decorates the cross and uses local stone to make a miniature tomb for display in the church.
A total of three large bags of “one use” plastic, metal
and glass bottles were recovered. This amount is nowhere near the massive amounts recovered in the “noughties” when large skips had to be employed.
Robert Drewitt, who has stood down as High Sheriff of Somerset after his year in office, looks back on a busy 12 months.
SO, what I have taken away from the year?
Firstly, what a big county Somerset is (!) but equally how vibrant a community lives within its boundaries. I thought that I knew the county reasonably well, but I realise now that I was only scratching the surface. To meet so many committed individuals and groups, whose sole aim is to improve the lives of others, often without any formal recognition, has been both inspiring and also humbling.
Yes, there are challenges aplenty out
there (particularly the youth of offenders and the current prevalence of knife crimes) but the positivity of the sheer energy and commitment of those volunteer groups far outweighed the feelings of negativity that I experienced.
Serving as High Sheriff meant a busy year - some 300 engagements, many in uniform - but it was an enormous privilege and the memories of the many inhabitants of Somerset that I met during my year will remain with me for a long time.
l Robert, a deputy lieutenant of Somerset, who lives near Bishop Sutton, has been succeeded by Rob Beckley, a former Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police who has just stood down as an Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan Police. Rob lives near Taunton.
ENTRIES are filling up for the annual Butleigh Cavalcade of Motoring, which will take place in the village on Sunday, May 19th.
Organisers are hoping around 50 vehicles will gather on the playing field for a display from 10.30am before a tour of the area, leaving at 1pm.
Last year’s event attracted 35 cars and raised £840 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Butleigh Playing Field Association, who will again both benefit from the day.
Mendip Times is available from over 900 outlets across the Mendips from superstores to village stores and post offices, farm shops, supermarkets, garden centres, pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, libraries and tourist information centres.
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Keith Otton, who organises the event with Sue, his wife, and who owns a 1972 Triumph TR6, said: “We started the cavalcade as a way to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2022. It’s open to anyone with a classic or ‘interesting’ vehicle and is vey informal and great fun, with a cream tea at the end.”
For details, find the Butleigh Cavalcade of Motoring on Facebook or call Keith and Sue on: 01458 850313
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BASEDin the heart of the west country with a design studio in Cheddar, ArchiWest is a Chartered architectural practice with a passion for the adaption and regeneration of unique existing buildings. Commissions cover the residential and heritage sector, with the majority of clients based in and around Somerset.
The practice celebrates its fifth birthday this month, having been established by director Luke Weston in 2019 to answer the ever-growing need to sensitively adapt older buildings for modern living, balancing heritage values with sustainable credentials. Recent projects have included specialist work at the prestigious Newt in Somerset along with unique barn conversions and multiple extension and refurbishment projects to local listed buildings.
“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers and dedicated team who have been essential to our success.”
The friendly team at ArchiWest draw on a combined 75+ years in the design and construction industry, with a diverse range of experience and backgrounds that also include interior design, archaeology and project management. Sustainability and Heritage values are at the core of the practice ethos and an adaptive, flexible approach is brought to every project.
IN a world of delays and increasing administration, going to auction is simple, transparent and efficient in delivering a result that both vendors and buyers seek, according to Richard Nancekivell at rural chartered Surveyor’s Nancekivell & Partners.
Their first spring auction sold 5/7 lots including a smallholding in Winford with ten acres at £100,000 over the guidelines to make £675,000.
Nancekivell & Partners’ next auction on Tuesday, May 14th has a further five lots, all unique and rare to the market.
For more details:
www.nancekivellandpartners.co.uk
DEMANDfor properties in the Chew Valley is increasing as every week of spring goes by. We are seeing plenty of sales and are delighted that so many people are registering with us to help them find their dream home. Some are local and want to move around the Valley, whilst others are coming to us from everywhere and anywhere.
There are some great properties coming onto the market and our vendors are being realistic in their pricing. This is a point we regularly emphasise and we use our unrivalled knowledge of local conditions to advise people on the true value of their homes.
That means we go to the market with a bang and don’t end up gradually reducing the price over time to eventually go
out with a whimper.
In fact, we are finding that some properties are not only selling for the asking price, but even exceeding it. When we put one house on the market recently, it attracted so much interest that we needed to arrange no fewer than 18 viewings in the first few hours.
People often ask me what they should be doing to get their house ready for the market and at this time of the year I always suggest making sure the garden is neat and tidy.
There aren’t many buyers who don’t want a garden, whether it’s large or small, so you can make the very best first impression by cutting the lawn, weeding the flower beds which attract the bees and trimming the hedges, though be very
careful about doing that when the birds are starting to build their nests, because the last thing you want to do is disturb the wildlife.
An attractive garden may not add value to your property but it will add what I call “Buying Appeal”. That means it gives the potential vendor a feel-good factor which gets them thinking about the lifestyle they would enjoy if they bought your house. It’s just one small example of how we employ our knowledge and experience to provide you with the very best advice on how to handle the sale of your most valuable asset.
Selling a house is not just a case of taking photographs and arranging viewings. My team will provide a personal service right through the whole process,
dealing with the negotiation, speaking to mortgage brokers, surveyors, solicitors and steering you through to exchange and completion.
It sounds like a daunting process and I’m not going to pretend that it doesn’t have its stresses, but what I can assure you is that we will be with you every step of the way and you can trust us to help get you moving.
JOANNA TILEY
THE specialist developer of luxury homes for the over 55s, Blue Cedar Homes, has only two homes remaining at its exclusive Holden Gardens development in Wedmore.
Eager buyers have been keen to snap up the luxury homes at this collection of just ten properties located in one of Somerset’s most desirable locations as the development hits the two-thirds sold milestone.
The two available homes, each with two double bedrooms, ensuite facilities, and built-in wardrobes, have been finished to a
very high specification, boasting high-quality fixtures and fittings, well-planned layouts, and generous room sizes.
These stylish detached houses enjoy living areas with French doors opening out to a landscaped private garden, as well as an oversized garage and parking space.
Life at Holden Gardens is about doing more of what you enjoy. To help make this possible the dedicated visiting Estate Manager takes care of homeowner’s private gardens and exterior property maintenance, as well as the communal gardens and the overall development, to ensure they always look their best.
Lauren England-Shepherd, Sales and Marketing Manager at Blue Cedar Homes, said “We are delighted with the reaction and high level of interest we have received for our properties in Holden Gardens.
“With only a handful of homes now remaining, the feedback we are receiving is that quality and design of our homes, and the generous size, combined with such a sought-after location is ensuring our bespoke homes are attractive to prospective buyers.
The final homes at Holden Gardens are available to reserve now from £585,000.
WELL we kept on hoping for a better spell of sunshine, but as everyone will know, it just didn’t happen. The Easter holidays were a washout, but the grass is growing slowly as the soil temperature rises and, despite the storms and gale force conditions we have had, the horses are enjoying a few hours of turnout each day.
We have now had an influx of some nasty little midge-like “cleggies” which bite ferociously and drive the horses crazy, so a shopping trip for fly repellant, anti-histamines and soothing lotion set me back another shedful of money this morning.
Have you seen the T-shirt that says Poverty is Owning a Horse?! It can be hard at times to remember that it’s worth every penny, as the wind nearly blows you over and you are soaked to the skin.
A lot of people thought it was an April Fool when they read that Hobby horses are making a comeback. Seriously? Yes, it’s true!
A toy horse, made from what is essentially a wooden stick, with a moulded and decorated horse’s head on one end, is the latest musthave for young people (mainly girls I have to say) who love to trot, gallop and canter round a ring, pigtails flying, even completing a course of jumps.
The BSPS, or British Show Pony Society is introducing a competition with a £300 first prize sponsored by Le Mieux. When the championships are held, competitors will have to perform a freestyle show using balance and body control to woo the judges who can award further points for overall performance.
It’s a great way to keep the kids fit and the hobby horse does not need feeding, mucking out or shoeing, plus there are no vet or livery bills, so what’s not to like? Hobby horse activities are big in Finland apparently, and it seems they’re catching on here.
In the real world, the Mendip Farmers Pony Club young members all passed their efficiency tests recently. Congratulations to Holly Horsecroft, Libby Cruze, Esme Sampson, Rosina Downton and Olive Coombes who gained their D+ certificates, and Jemima Tooley, Izzy Penfold, William Falango, Lily Clare, and Tilly Dorrington on gaining their C Test.
The hard work and revision paid off, so it’s onwards and upwards now towards the next level. Well done everyone.
As well as the efficiency tests proving their knowledge and skills at horse and stable management, Pony Club teams also competed at Kings Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre to try and qualify for the show jumping championships at Bicton later in the summer. The Mendip Chicks came 1st in the 70cm class and are through to the championships. Brilliant.
Then came the rather damp Pony club Easter camp at Mendip Plains. The Rain in Spain stays mainly on the Plain was a phrase that sprung to mind . . . but they carried on regardless. The cross
We all passed!
country course was understandably not open, but the instructors kept things going with the use of the large arena, and introduced activities which kept everyone upbeat and happy. Not easy. Hats off to the adults who made it happen.
At home, our young Alfie the Connie will be four in May. He has had a full set of shoes put on by the farrier and has been out for a few proper Big Boy hacks around the lanes with a more experienced older horse to give him confidence and get him used to a bit of passing traffic.
Which reminds me, all drivers, please try and stick to the “Pass wide and slow” rule. A maximum of 10mph and two metres away from horses is recommended by the Highway Code. Accidents are still too many and too often. Your considerate driving can save lives.
Can you believe we are nearly into May and the Badminton Horse Trials will be happening any minute? I can remember years when we worried about the ground being too hard, with aerating and watering equipment being the main talking point.
But this year I should think that the water table is already high enough to cope with a spell of dry weather, should we be lucky enough to get one. For the first time in a long while, the wait list for entries this year was minimal.
Riders are allowed three entries instead of the usual two this year, although not many people will have three top class horses to have qualified. At the moment, 87 horses and riders are listed to compete, and Harry Meade who is based at Chippenham, is the only one riding three. It’s going to be exciting.
In this prestigious 5-star competition we have two local riders to support, Selina Milnes from Yatton and Alex Bragg from Chilton Polden. Both have ridden at Badminton before, so are well acquainted with the huge atmosphere, massive spectator presence, and the sheer awe of competing at what is widely considered to be the world’s best in the sport of Eventing.
Eleven nations will be represented, making it a truly international competition. The Olympics will be following later – here comes summer.
THE riding school industry all over the country is suffering from a big problem with unlicensed companies offering horse riding. So how do you know if the place you are looking at is operating legally and safely with high animal welfare standards and health and safety for you and your family a priority?
The first thing you should ask for is to see a copy of the licence which permits the school to hire a horse for you to ride. Be wary of any “loan” scheme. Some people are using the term loan when hiring out ponies to try to get around the licensing laws, these people do get visited by the licensing inspector and are invited to get a licence.
What does the licence mean? Firstly, that the ponies, the place and the way the animals are looked after has been inspected and approved. This ensures good standards of horse welfare and what rider wouldn't want to know that their horses and the equipment used on them is safe? The ponies are also checked by a vet during the inspection to ensure they are fit and well and of a suitable type for the work they are to do.
The licence gives you the reassurance that all this is checked,
as well as insurances, health and safety and training of the person in charge. The gold standard, however, is a BHS approved and ABRS yards, these are yards that are inspected over and above what the licence requires. These organisations do spot inspections and look not only at the licence but at the standard of coaching and the facilities on offer. The BHS do spot inspections which really keeps a yard on their toes; it is the equivalent of OFSTED in the riding school world and a full mark of highly commended on these inspections is something to be very proud of.
Pat Bishop, Divoky Riding School
FINALLY, the weather has changed! Let’s hope we have seen the end of those persistent showers and muddy lanes for a while and get the chance to enjoy some warmer weather for cycling. With the extra light now available in the evening, the cycling time trial season has returned. The 8.3 mile course around Chew Valley Lake is one of the most popular.
It is also one of the most scenic, but that doesn’t matter to the riders in the “race of truth”.
With riders leaving at one-minute intervals there is no drafting and it is a true test of the rider against the clock. The rules are simple – the fastest time is the winner. Each rider is also racing against themselves – to try and beat their own best time or stay level with it.
But in cycling, age slows you down! To overcome this and give everyone an opportunity of winning, the organisers Bristol South Cycling Club have a handicap system based on the riders’ previous times. The slower you are on average the more handicap time is given to you.
The actual race time is adjusted by the handicap, and then points are awarded for each finishing place. At the end of the season the best six scores for each rider determine their overall position and the ultimate “winner” of the league.
The good thing about this system is that if you have a bad day it doesn’t matter, there will be more chances across the season. And the other plus point, is that it gives ageing cyclists like me a glimmer of hope!
Unexpectedly, the introduction of traffic calming measures and 20mph speed limits has had an effect on cycling time trials. That was brought to a head recently when the governing body for cycling time trials (CTT) announced that “generally, 20mph limits and time trials are incompatible”.
They explained: “Riders can travel between 20 and 30mph. Riding at that speed is capable of causing public outrage and danger to riders and other road users who will not be expecting vehicles to be approaching so fast. Such conduct could cause the Government to review the existing permission for time trials to take place on public roads.”
With that in mind they advise “where a section of a course is subject to a 20mph limit, riders must not exceed that speed. Otherwise, the event will no longer be a race of truth because a rider who exceeds the limit will gain an unfair advantage over one who does not”.
That ruling will no doubt cause a stir amongst the organisers
of time trial races, but the safety of riders and the public are paramount. It is worth noting that time trial courses are already subject to risk assessment and have to be approved by the CTT and police beforehand.
Also, where there are 20mph zones, if they are on a hill or on the approach to a junction, that speed is unlikely to be reached on a bicycle anyway.
In other news affecting roads and cyclists, Mendip Hills National Landscape have recently announced the results of a proposal to close the road in Cheddar Gorge for one day a month.
This bold idea is to allow people to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the area by limiting vehicle access. The intention is that cyclists and horse riders would be able to enjoy the benefit of the scheme as well as pedestrians, in particular those with limited mobility.
There was an extensive consultation process including a survey where more than 1,700 people including myself did respond. The majority of respondents (71%) said they preferred to see the road closed on a Sunday, but Saturday was also a popular choice with 43%, while 17% of respondents were not in favour of the road closure.
I like cycling up Cheddar Gorge, but I would always advise doing it when there is little traffic to make it an enjoyable experience. The road is quite narrow in places, and I have seen too many occasions where cars have tried to overtake when it was not safe to do so.
During lockdown, the road was closed for a short while to cars and it was an absolute delight to cycle there.
This is a far-sighted move by the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team. Regardless of whether the proposal is successful they should be applauded for their vision, to make the Gorge more accessible and a nicer place to be.
Captain, Matt Flannigan, said it was his last game after 40 years. His match report ended:
“Ladies and gentlemen, it has been an absolute honour and privilege to play for Chew Valley. It has been an even greater and humbling honour to captain such an amazing bunch of men. But, all good things must come to an end.
“During a family photo shoot, and interview with the nice gentleman from The Mendip Times, retirement for this report writer was confirmed.”
The riders gather for the briefing
AROUND 80 cyclists of all abilities took part in the 13th Mendip Madness Sportive, organised by the Somer Valley Cycling Club, raising funds for the Great Western Air Ambulance. The riders tackled either a 40-mile or 60-mile circuit, starting and finishing at Ston Easton Village Hall. The longer of the routes took in Cheddar Gorge and the Somerset Levels.
SOMERValley Tennis has enjoyed a successful winter in the Avon Tennis mixed leagues, ably led by captains/coordinators Will Knight, Darren Thompson and Janie Bullus.
Their mixed 1st team were promoted to Division 1 last year and held their own in the toughest mixed division in Avon.
Their new 2nd mixed team started in the bottom division (6) as all teams do when they start or when a second team is added. The team finished top of the division and will be promoted next year. The team included two married couples, Tom and Marie Craig and Tina and Chris Lindley, the first time that two couples have represented the club in its 15-year history.
The senior mixed team was made up of a number of men and women from the club all keen to play at least one match. Darren Thompson, coordinator was spoilt for choice and with a wealth of availability the team was second in the league.
Details: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SomerValleyTennis
Triathlete couple Steve Sayer and Joanne Stacy (both from Cheddar), got 2nd place in the Tri Cheddar Sprint, with Joanna winning Queen of the Gorge
TRI Cheddar took place on Sunday, April 14th based at Kings Fitness & Leisure Centre, with 250 competitors and two different distances including Cheddar Gorge and a flattish course through Nyland.
Organiser, Kelli Coxhead, said: “It is great to see so many people taking on a triathlon for the first time. Many people had to challenge themselves to learn to swim to take part, others it was a way of celebrating birthdays, including a couple of 60ths.
“We had age group winners taking the podium, from 18-yearolds through to David Knight taking the 70 plus win.”
Martin Thatcher presented the prizes.
Sprint Race winners George Manning and Sherrie Ann Derrick; super sprint race, Steve Barber, Joanne Burk; KOM sprint in the Gorge Jamie Iles, Joanne Stacey.
A BRISTOL Rovers legend has been honoured by his former club. Goalkeeper, Bernie Hall, played 162 games for them during the 60s before his career was ended through injury.
Bernie, aged 81, is a resident at the St Monica Trust’s Russets and Sherwood Care Home at Sandford.
The trust’s wellbeing coordinator, Jim Forrest, said: “Bernie mentioned during our one-to-one session that he’d like to attend a match with his grandson.
“I got in touch with the club to ask if they could provide some match tickets and whether they could do something a little bit special for him on the day.”
Between them, Jim and the Rover’s Community Trust CEO, Adam Tutton, arranged an unforgettable day for Bernie and his grandson for the home match against Carlisle United at the end of February.
After arriving at the Memorial Ground, they were given a tour of the stadium before being taken to the home dressing room, where he was given a round of applause by the Rovers First Team and presented with a club pennant.
He then enjoyed a pre-match meal in the executive box where
he met club president, Wael Al-Qadi, CEO Tom Gorringe and Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees.
At half-time, Bernie and his family were invited onto the pitch where he was introduced to the 9,000 strong crowd.
The day was a complete surprise for Bernie and he was overjoyed with the experience. He said: “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be presented to crowd at half-time and now I know. It was fantastic!”
THE Mendip Table Skittles league’s titles were dominated this year by the Bell, Banwell and the LionHarts from Redhill, who took first and second places respectively in the league, while the latter triumphed in the Cup Final, overcoming a great effort from the Shipham Sheep Worriers.
The pairs final was played out between members of the two top teams and only Kerry Cross, winning the singles for the second time and representing the Crown Regil, spoiled a clean sweep for the top two.
It’s a special league and they would welcome anyone interested to join them when the next season starts in September.
CHEDDARTennis Club, currently celebrating its centenary year, held its 101st AGM at which the winners of two annual awards were announced.
Men’s captain Mike Neslen was this year’s recipient of the Ace Award which recognises his outstanding contribution to the club over the last year.
Presenting the award, chairperson Sarah Strawbridge commended Mike on his tireless work in organising men’s and veterans’ league matches as well as inter-club tournaments.
Under his captaincy the men’s membership has swelled, with a healthy number enjoying fun and competitive men’s club nights. Sarah also thanked Mike for his willingness and involvement with various maintenance jobs at the club.
Head coach, Stephen Pearce, announcing 11year-old Darius as the winner of the Most Improved Junior Award, said: “Darius has shown excellent commitment to his tennis this year playing eight hours a week and begging his very supportive parents for more!”
THISyear marks the 20th anniversary of Axbridge Cricket Club, after local residents, Harry Mottram and Mike Day, called a meeting in April 2004 in the back room of The Lamb in Axbridge to canvas interest for re-forming the club to play friendly fixtures.
Historic photographs of the town from the 1920s reveal both an active men's and women's team from this period and older residents recall cricket being played on the Furlong field in the 1950s and 1960s.
The remnant of the former square was occasionally used for inter-town games, but in 2004 the club was formally established again, and six friendly fixtures were played that season at the nearby cricket ground at Allerton. The first game against Cheddar caused something of an upset with Axbridge winning by nine wickets.
The photo shows founder members Mike Day, who is now club president having served for 20 seasons as fixture secretary, Phil Saunders, an ex-chair of the club, Paul Davies, an excaptain of the club, Tony Wilson, another ex-chair, long standing member Andy Manning, current chair, Dan Ward, current captain and Ollie Ward, Dan’s son, with the current
Since its reformation, the club has gone from strength to strength and in 2024 it will play 22 friendly games with a mixture of mid-week evening and Sunday afternoon games against local village clubs.
It also has a long history of father and son combinations playing for the club, of which the Wards are the latest.
President, Mike Day, said: “We play for fun and friendship. The club tries its best to win, but only after ensuring everyone who wants to have a bat, bowl or both can do so.”
If you fancy a game, or just want to know more, contact Andy Manning 07765 89678, Dan Ward on 07910 240472 or email axbridgcc@gmail.com
FORMER players of Midsomer Norton RFC gathered at the Norton Down clubhouse for an end-of-season gathering.
Supporters and friends of the club also attended the reunion ahead of Norton 1st XV’s final home league game of the season, against Cinderford IIs, which Norton lost 17-24.
Norton IIIs played at home the same afternoon, going down 29-56 to Walcot IIs.
When the going gets tough . . .
“THAT’S the most fun I have ever had on two wheels,” said one mud-spattered motorbike rider at the end of the Jack Ball Chase at Lamb’s Lair.
It was hard to tell if he was genuine or being ironic –conditions on the course certainly looked challenging.
The event was organised by the North Somerset (Bristol) Motor Sports Club; their next meeting is the Colin Stanner Electrical Time Trial at Pensford on Saturday, May 4th.
TOthe names Jenson Button and Lando Norris, Somerset motor racing stars, we might have to add the name Alfie Garrett, aged eight.
In his first big race meeting since stepping up to MicroMax Cadet, he came third in the British O-Plate at Whilton Mill.
In the first round of the Superone Series at Glan Y Gors North Wales he won! Alfie, from Holcombe, has been racing since he was five and has achieved numerous podium finishes.
His sister, Ava, aged six, has started with electric karting, as he did. They both go to Bishop Henderson School in Coleford. Alfie is now racing against youngsters up to ten years old at speeds up to 58mph.
He and Ava have a racing pedigree. Their dad, Luke, is a threetime Division 2 British truck racing champion. He and his wife Lisa run a haulage business.
AN anniversary concert in Theale village hall will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cecil Sharp, who began his journey collecting traditional songs and tunes in the Mendip area.
As well as meeting musicians and noting folk dances he is said to have collected over 1500 songs and tunes in England and over 3000 in three trips to the Appalachian mountains in America.
As well as writing down the words and music he heard, he photographed many of the performers, most of whom were ordinary working people, shepherds, sailors, factory girls, farmworkers, as well as inmates of the Victorian workhouse.
Seven Somerset musicians and singers will give a flavour of the material he found, along with a slide show of photographs from the time and a commentary by Chris Storie, local Cecil Sharp enthusiast.
The concert is on Friday, May 24th, tickets £10, with bar proceeds going towards renovation of the hall.
Details: https://punchsfolkclub.yolasite.com 01749 670212 or 07855 297861
THREE talented young musicians took part in Wrington Vale Rotary’s unique competition for primary schools.
Pianist Max played pieces by Martin Miller and Anton Diabelli, followed by his own composition. Violinist Anna chose Rajasekar, Carse and Anderson, while guitarist Morgan’s music was from Calatayud and Albeniz.
The adjudicator, Alison Cooper-White, chose Anna as the winner, but organisers said these three very talented musicians were all winners; Alison had an impossible task to do!
CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club are presenting their third annual country music festival on May 18th and 19th at Petruth Paddocks campsite in Cheddar.
They have some amazing acts on stage, or you can dance or watch the Westerners Show team give shootout Displays.
There will be food and drink outlets and specialist traders. Camp for the weekend (Friday – Sunday) or just go for a day.
This year they have a limited number of half price day tickets for locals at £6 a head and £3 for 10-16-year-olds (U-10s are free).
Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk email country@cheddarvalelions.org.uk
BRISTOL-based musicians, Sephanie Gilbert (flute) and Helen Reid (piano) will perform at St Mary’s, Yatton, on May 18th. It will be the final concert of the Yatton Music Society’s spring season.
Stephanie is an alumna of Millfield school, the RNCM and Guildhall School of Music. Helen was a keyboard finalist in the BBC Young Musician competition.
The concert starts at 7.30pm, tickets £10, half price for students over 16, children free.
Details: www.yms.org.uk
Even more to enjoy at this year’s Royal Bath & West
THE Royal Bath & West Show returns from May 30th until June 1st, with attractions old and new to delight every member of the family.
Green-fingered visitors will love the return of the Horticulture Village, whose new enhanced look proved popular in 2023. This year’s Pop-Up Gardens Competition promises to stimulate the senses, with the entries hoping to inspire and educate visitors about sensory awareness and sustainable living. The professional and amateur categories give new as well as experienced designers the perfect opportunity to showcase their skills.
Art lovers will find plenty to enjoy with the Artists in Action marquee hosting live art demonstrations at 11.30am and 2pm every day, and you may see 2023-24 Art Scholarship Winner Holly Bendall sketching around the showground.
Food and drink are always a favourite part of the Royal Bath & West Show, and The Great British Kitchen returns with a new line-up of well-known chefs performing cookery demonstrations over the three days. The judging of the British Cider Championships will also be taking place, giving cider lovers plenty of award-winning tipples to sample.
Pet parents will be delighted to learn that this year there is an entirely new section of the show dedicated to our four-legged friends. The Bark & West will feature trade stands, an agility ring,
and displays from show favourites Pawsability Dog Agility; a must-visit for you and your pet!
Regular visitors to the show will be pleased to see the return of many regular features, including the Pony Club Games, heavy horses, showjumping and vintage vehicles in the main ring; the Sports Village, Woodland and Countryside Arena and, of course, Lakeside Farm.
With all this and thrilling motorbike displays from the team at Jamie Squibb Freestyle to enjoy, the Royal Bath & West Show is a great value, fun-filled family day out.
THE31st Priddy Folk Festival will be held this year from July 12th-14th with a ticketed programme packed full of musical treats including Breabach and Gnoss from Scotland, The Haar (Ireland), Sheelanagig, The Fugitives (Canada), the Sam Sweeney Band, Reg Meuross, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Suntou Susso and many more.
Together with comedy (David Eagle), and storytelling (Martin Maudsley), ceilidhs and the wonderful Ford Dimensional 4D Folk Disco, ticket holders are in for a glorious weekend’s entertainment.
As well as the ticketed programme, there will be lots to do for free. There will be visual arts with Libby Bove’s Museum of Roadside Magic, dance demonstrations and workshops, choirs, and walks.
The children’s marquee will host a variety of activities for the young and there will be music sessions in the Market Field where you will also find the Fringe Festival, and a wide variety of traders and craft demonstrations. Add in bars and a range of cuisines from the food traders and visitors can be sure of a great time, come rain or shine.
The festival is a not-for-profit event run entirely by volunteers with surpluses ploughed back into the local community and environs and into promoting folk music and the arts.
THEFrankie Howerd OBE Trust is hosting the 100th performance of the much-acclaimed play, “Howerd’s End”, about the relationship between Frankie Howerd and his manager/partner, Dennis Heymer, who lived many years in Cross.
The play will be performed on Saturday, July 6th, 5pm, in the Memorial Hall, Cross BS26 2EL, just across the road from their house.
Tickets are £15 and can be purchased in their café/hub in Loxton BS26 2XE, any day between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-frankie-howerd-obetrust info@frankiehowerdobetrust.org
Sundays, May 12th and 19th, Wednesday, May 29th –Wickham Rides
Sunday, May 5th –Brake Van Rides
Saturday, May 11th –Old Tyme Musical event. Performances 7pm and 8.10pm. Train Rides Included
Forthcoming highlights:
* Sunday June 16th – Fathers Day Diesel Driver Tasters
* Saturday June 22nd –Steam Punk Day
* Saturday July 6th & Sunday, July 7th – Wickham Weekender
* Pines Buffet open 10.30am-15.30pm every Sunday in the season
Check out operating days, future events and booking at www.sdjr.co.uk
AN inspired movement of creativity and imagination, with a backdrop of Victorian England that’s one way to describe steam punk, where modern technologies are reimagined and realised as elaborate works of art, fashion and mechanics.
Midsomer Norton South Station, home to the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway heritage line, is hosting its first steam punk event on Saturday, June 22nd, with performances, displays, live music – and trains running every 30 minutes from 11am.
Before then, the station will be hosting on Old Time Music Hall evening, with the Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society, on Saturday, May 11th. Trains will be running during the evening.
The line has enjoyed a successful start to the year and, as well as regular services on its diesel multiple unit, there will be a chance to enjoy a ride in the brake van on Sunday, May 5th and the iconic Wickham Trolley will be out and about giving rides on Sunday, May 12th and Sunday, May 19th as well as making a special appearance on Wednesday, May 29th during the half-term break.
For details and to book, visit: www.sdjr.co.uk
THENorth Somerset
Show on Bank
Holiday Monday, May 6th, promises entertainment for the whole family, as well as being a showcase for local food and farming.
It will feature the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show and the North Somerset Strongest Man competition.
There will be the usual favourites, like tractor pulling and sheep dancing alongside displays including a D-Day reenactment.
Both the main ring and countryside arena have busy schedules, with show jumping, terrier racing, falconry and vintage tractors, culminating in the grand parade of livestock. With dozens of stalls to browse and a wide range of food outlets, it’s a great day out! Mendip Times will be there so pop by to say hello.
THE Wessex Beer Festival – a fundraiser in aid of the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock – returns in June with plenty of new attractions to tempt the taste buds.
Taking places at Chilcompton Sports Ground, on Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th, there promises to be a tantalising range of real ales and ciders as well as a gin and prosecco bar.
Making the event go with a swing will be a great range of live music, from classic rock, and soulful ballads to energetic pop hits, including the Honky Tonks, Call the Shots and the Original Barn Finds, Keith Horler and Open Road Somerset – along with many others still to be announced.
The festival is a charity fundraising event for the club and all profits from the event will go into its charity trust fund. A spokesperson said: “Our mission is to bring people together through a great selection of beers and ciders, a range of bands and performers and a terrific atmosphere, and above all to enjoy!”
Tickets are now on sale at: www.wessexbeerfestival.co.uk
We’re happy to list entries for non-profit community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge. Please send them written as a succinct single paragraph, in the format below, to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk
Entries sent in as posters or which take time to re-write may be charged for at the commercial rate, £25.
Saturday April 27th
Timsbury Village Market 9.30-11.30am Conygre field BA2 0JQ. Wide variety of locally produced food, plants, refreshments and more! Details on Facebook or www.growtimsbury.org.uk
Inner Wheel of Mendip concert with Cameo Orchestra Bristol in aid of the RNLI, 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church Cheddar. Tickets £10 from 01934 710573 or on door.
Karolos Quartet 7.30pm All Saint’s Church, Wrington BS40 5LF Tickets: Champions £15.50; others £19.50; U18’s £1 from Ticketsource, holly@churchillmusic.org.uk or 07442 672805. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.
The Mendip Society AGM 10.30am followed at 11.30 talk by Andy King: “The Mendip Hills as you’ve never seen them before” filmed by drones. Draycott Memorial Hall, BS27 3UE. Nonmembers welcome. Details 01275 874284 or secretary@themendipsociety.org.uk
Sunday April 28th
Tunley Coffee Morning 10-12 Rec Centre BA2 0DZ. Details 07849 618221.
Monday April 29th
Cheddar Valley Singers: Mondays 7-8.15pm Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Contact cheddarvalleysingers@gmail.com Facebook @cheddarvalleysingers
Tuesday April 30th
Joyful Voices: Fill your afternoon with song! Tuesdays 1.30-3pm. Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Contact joyfulvoicesafternoon@gmail.com
Wednesday May 1st
Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers: Yvonne Bell “Edwardian Occasions” WI Hall, Backwell 2 to 3.30pm.
Sing2breathe for breathlessness – techniques for breathing control and improved posture. 1.45-3pm every Wed, Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.
Thursday May 2nd
Chew Valley Death Café meets 12-1.30pm Community Library Bishop Sutton, first Thurs every month. A safe supportive space to talk about life, death and loss over tea and cake. All welcome. Please contact: bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com
West Mendip Walkers moderate 10m circular walk starting 9.30am from Pewsey Downs car park, SN8 4LU. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Irish Set Dancing 8pm-10 every Thursday Dinder Village Hall BA5 3PF. £3 incl refreshments. Fun, friendly, no need to book. Details 01458 210051 paulrharper@btopenworld.com
Bath Railway Society talk by Mike Beale “S&DJR – 1874-2024” 7.30pm The Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Rd BA12RH. £5. Cheddar Valley u3a AGM 1.30pm Community Pavilion, Sharpham Rd, Cheddar.
Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society, a visit to Leigh Down Stone Circles led by the owner, Nic Colton. Details 01458 851443. Mendip Morris dancing in Congresbury at the Plough pub at 7.30pm.
Paulton Folk Night Red Lion, BS39 7NW. Sing a song, play a tune, or just listen. All welcome 8:3011pm richardlm397@gmail.com
Claverham Ladies’ Guild talk “We are what we eat” by Mike Amos, 2pm village hall BS49 4GG. Visitors welcome £3. Details: 01934 838017.
Friday May 3rd
The Twerzels 7.30pm Felton village hall, BS40 9XA. Tickets £12.50, incl a ploughman’s supper, from 01275 472802 or 07919 094725.
Saturday May 4th
Temple Cloud in Bloom Plant Sale 10-12 Temple Inn car park. Details: tcibinfo@yahoo.com
Chilcompton Garden Club Plant Sale 10am11.30 Village Hall, BA3 4EX.
Bruton & District Horticultural Society Plant Sale & coffee morning 9.30am-11.30 Bruton Community Hall, Silver St, BA10 0EB. Free blood pressure checks 9am-1pm Midsomer Norton Farmers Market. Free, no appointment needed. Organised by Somer Valley Rotary. Wedmore Wellbeing Day: information, displays and activities 9.30-2.30pm, village hall, Masonic hall & St. Mary’s.
Saturday May 4th to Monday May 6th
CHAFF Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival, various venues. Details: www.cheddarartists.com
Sunday May 5th
Nempnett Thrubwell village walk, BBQ & children’s treasure hunt. Meet village hall. Details: Gill 07884 187391.
Avon Needs Trees' Great Avon Wood: two guided walks: 7-8.30am “Birdsong” and a 3m walk from 10.30am-12.30. Sign up for details: https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/events/ St Lawrence Church, Rode, cream teas, organised by the Friends of St Lawrence, 3-5pm, also May 26th.
Bank Holiday Monday May 6th
North Somerset Show. Details: www.nsas.org.uk Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Shipham & District Gardening Club afternoon walk around a Patch Wilder.
Tower Tours, St Mary’s Wedmore, from 10am. £7, booking essential. Details: 07984 924432.
Tuesday May 7th
Backwell Sequence Dancing: 7.15pm-9pm every Tuesday, Backwell WI Hall, BS48 3QW. Couples always welcome. Details: Paul 07710 460550 or email backwellsequencedance@gmail.com
Congresbury Plant Sale 10am-12 Methodist Hall www.congresburygardeningclub.com
Yatton Local History Society: The great and not so good of Arnos Vale cemetery! Alan & Jane Bambury talk about a few less well-known there, 7.30pm Yatton Methodist Church, BS49 4DW. Details: www.yattonlocalhistorysociety.co.uk
The Arts Society Mendip: Contrapuntal Forms: Barbara Hepworth and Terry Frost with Justine Hopkins. 11am, Croscombe Village Hall and by Zoom. Guests welcome £10. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk
Rising Waters casting workshop. Your chance to act in our community play! 6.30pm-8.30, Bishop Sutton Village Hall. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Wednesday May 8th
Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St
Thomas’s Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed every month. Details: 01749 674920.
Mendip Storytelling Circle: stories for a grown-
up audience, 7.30 to 9.30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, BA3 4DA. Details: www.mendipstorycircle.com
Blagdon Local History Society talk by Eamonn McGivern about the Stanton Drew Stone Circles and Cove, 7.30pm Court Lodge BS40 7TQ. Visitors welcome. Details: www.blagdonlhs.com
Thursday May 9th
Chew Valley Gardening Club talk about Pond Gardens by Higgy of Somerset Wildlife Products 8pm Stanton Drew Village Hall.
Mendip Morris dancing at the Golden Lion, Wrington at 7.30pm.
Wells Gardening Club talk “Plants for enthusiasts” by Keith Ferguson 7.30pm Wells Town Hall www.wellsgarden.club
West Mendip Walkers moderate 9m circular walk starting 9.30am from Ham Hill TA14 6RW. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Friday May 10th
Save the Children Lunch 12.20pm Shipham village hall. £5.50 for soup, bread & cheese. Come and join us!
The Mendip Society Quiz 7-9.30pm Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill BS25 5PQ. Disabled access. Individuals or teams. Free, but pre-booking essential: 01761 221995 or email prj1099@gmail.com
Cheddar Male Voice Choir concert 7.30pm
Draycott Memorial Hall. For Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Tickets £10 from: contactcheddarmalechoir@gmail.com
Friday May 10th and Sat May 11th
Sutton Theatre Company presents “The Tor Bus (Summer Holiday goes to Glasto)” 7.30pm Bishop Sutton village hall. Tickets £10 from www.suttontheatre.com or 0771 1503 343.
Saturday May 11th
Trinity Singers concert Laudate Dominum –Alleluia! 7:30pm All Saints Church, WsM, BS23 2NL. Details: www.trinitysingers.co.uk
Chew Magna Society duck race and school fete. Details on Facebook.
Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.
Charity art auction with work by the late Joan Wills and others, 7pm Glastonbury Town Hall. Viewing 5pm. Details: 07775 897888.
Bristol Ensemble Concert: Einaudi and Vaughan Williams 7.30pm St. Andrews Church Hall Chew Magna. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Mendip Male Voice Choir and Jenny Peplow Singers 7pm Downside School Theatre.
Sunday May 12th
Wessex Dexter Cattle Group Show 10am-3pm Herbie’s Field, Glastonbury, incl fun dog show/agility, stalls, tractors. Public admission free. Details: bb.welacre@gmail.com
Stoke St Michael Fun Dog Show & Scurry from 1.30 at the playing field, fundraising for field maintenance. £2 per dog/class. Hot drinks and cakes.
Monday May 13th
Congresbury War Memorial Hall Club
Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Nailsea & District Local History Society: “The Mendip Hills through a time tunnel” with Les Davies, 7.45pm Nailsea School. Visitors welcome £3. Details: www.ndlhs.org.uk
RAFA mid-Somerset meeting: talk “They bend ‘em, we mend ‘em! part 2” by Paul Ashmore at 11am then optional lunch. Wells Golf Club BA5 3DS. Email: Lunchrafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458 224057.
Priddy Folk Night Queen Victoria Inn Priddy BA5 3BA. Sing a song, play a tune, or just listen. All welcome 8:30 – 11 pm richardlm397@gmail.com
Tuesday May 14th
Timsbury Gardening Club talk by Brian Jaques “Vegetables – a sideways look” 7.30pm Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £2. Details:www.timsbury.org.uk/activities/environmen t/gardening-club/
Wells & District Wildlife group walk: Booming Bitterns and more . . . 7pm-9pm RSPB Ham Wall. Details: www.wdwg.org.uk or 07415 350062. Shipham Rowberrow & Star HS talk by Gina Merrett-Smith about Marriane North, a lady of some renown! 7.30pm Shipham Village Hall BS25 1SG. Members £2; guests £4. Details: 01934 260784
Tuesday May 14th-25th
Draycott Art Club exhibition, Wells & Mendip Museum, free. Details: Ann Pittman 01749 676173.
Wednesday May 15th
Henton & District Gardening club talk by Chris Smith “The Edible Garden” 7.30pm Henton Village Hall B3139. Visitors welcome £5. Details www.hentongardenclub.weebly.com
Baby Boppers with Music for Miniatures, an interactive pre-school music class with lots of fun! 10.30am, Chew Magna Baptist Church. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Friends of Weston Museum talk: ‘A history –old shops of Weston’s High Street’ by Jane Hill 2.30pm Weston Museum, BS23 1PR Members £2,Visitors £4 Details: https://westonmuseum.org/events or 01934 876670.
Thursday May 16th
Cheddar Valley u3a Coffee Morning 10am-11.30 Cheddar village hall. Shipham & District Gardening Club afternoon walk around a Patch Wilder.
Mendip Morris dancing at The Swan, Rowberrow at 8pm, along with Chalice Morris. Shepton Mallet Area History Group part 2 of Len Ware’s slide show “walk” around Shepton 1880-1900. 7.30pm at the Salvation Army. West Mendip Walkers moderate 10.5m circular walk starting 9.30am from Nether Stowey Medical Centre TA5 1NW. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Friday May 17th
North Somerset Quilters talk “From Fabric to Quilts” by Sally Ablett. 7.30pm Backwell WI Hall, Station Rd, BS48 3QW. Visitors welcome, £7. Details Karen 01275 463119.
“Beautiful, evil things” – a one-woman storytelling show, 7.30pm The Old School Rooms, Chew Magna. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Friday May 17th and Sat May 18th
Sutton Theatre Company presents “The Tor Bus (Summer Holiday goes to Glasto)” 7.30pm Bishop Sutton village hall. Tickets £10 from www.suttontheatre.com or 0771 1503 343.
Saturday May 18th
People for Packsaddle Jumble Sale, 12noon The Bennett Centre, Vicarage St, Frome BA11 1PU. Jumble donations wanted, please email pfpjumblesale@gmail.com
Bleadon Village Market: 30+ stalls, 9.30-12
Coronation Halls, BS24 0PG. Tel: 01934 812370. Street Chrysanthemum, Dahlia & Veg Society plant sale 8am-1pm, library gardens, Street. BA16 0HA. Details on Facebook or www.streetcdvs.org.uk
Rock n Roll for the RNLI with Cheddar U3As “Vintage Cheddar” and Winscombe folk club, 8pm Winscombe Church Centre, Woodborough Rd. Tickets £8 from universe.com/winscombe or text 07551 197685.
Charities Day, Banwell Scout Hut, various charities selling items to raise funds, 10am-2pm, free entry, refreshments. Details: Laura Batt 01934 863679.
Blagdon Village Fete, 1-4pm Blagdon Court. Stalls, sideshows, children’s entertainer, refreshments. Details: blagdonvillagefete@gmail.com
Claverham Market 10am-12pm village hall. Butcher, veg. crafts etc. 01934 830553. Plant sale Fosseway Gardening Club 10am-12 at Ditcheat Village Hall BA4 6RB. Refreshments. Details: 07772008594.
Chew Valley Choral Society: Anthems and sacred pieces across the centuries. 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna. Tickets £15/£6 on door or www.chewvalleychoral.org.uk
Stephanie Gilbert (flute) & Helen Reid (piano): 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Yatton, Tickets £10: www.yms.org.uk
May Day Fair Stoke St Michael School.
Sunday May 19th
RNLI fundraiser Garden Party 11am-3pm Lady Farm, Chelwood BS39 4NN. Jazz, folk, sea shanties and refreshments in beautiful gardens. Tickets £10 (U12s free) from RNLIchewvalley@gmail.com or 01275 331074.
Family Open Day 11am-4pm at the Mendip Society Reserve, Slader’s Leigh Flower Meadow. Free. Details: www.themendipsociety.og.uk, or 01275 874284.
Tunley Coffee Morning 10am-12 Rec Centre BA2 0DZ. Details Philippa 07849 618221. Weare Plant sale & seed swap, stalls, refreshments 10am-12, Weare Memorial Hall, Notting Hill Way, BS26.
Monday May 20th
Congresbury War Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Timsbury Nats Film “The Limit” 7.30pm Conygre Hall BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £3. Accompanied U16s free.
Chew Valley U3A AGM 10.30am Ubley Parish Hall followed by Greg Chapman’s magic show. Winscombe District U3A AGM & talk: “Clifton Suspension Bridge & the daredevil feats around it” by Laura Hilton 2.30pm Winscombe Community Centre, BS25 1HP. Visitors welcome.
Tuesday May 21st
Wrington Local History Society: “From boy to man in the Somerset Coalfields” by Bryn Hawkins, 8pm Wrington URC Chapel, Roper's Lane BS40 5NF. All welcome, visitors £2.50 to include tea/coffee. Details: osmansteve@yahoo.co.uk
Open Mic Night 7.45pm The Pony, Chew Magna. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Wednesday May 22nd
Wells Folk Night City Arms, BA5 2AG. Sing a song, play a tune, or just listen. All welcome 8pm10.30. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com
West Mendip Walkers strenuous 12m linear walk
starting 10am from Ledbury Railway Station HR8 1AR. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Thursday May 23rd
Mendip Morris dancing at The Strawberry Special, Draycott at 8pm, along with Wild Moon Morris.
West Mendip Walkers moderate 10m circular walk starting 9.30am from British Camp car park WR13 6DW. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Friday May 24th
Save the Children Lunch 12.20pm Shipham village hall. £5.50 for soup, bread & cheese. Cecil Sharp 100th anniversary concert, Theale village hall BA5 1PN. £10, with bar proceeds towards the renovation of the hall. Details: https://punchsfolkclub.yolasite.com
Saturday May 25th
Timsbury Village Market 9.30-11.30am Conygre field BA2 0JQ. Wide variety of locally produced food, plants, refreshments and more. Details on Facebook or www.growtimsbury.org.uk
RNLI Bicentennial Plant & Garden Sale 10am Winscombe Community Centre, BS25 1HP. Details: meejlfh@gmail.com or 01934 842304. Castle Cary Saturday Stitch Group: meet creative folk and dip into our stash of fabrics, wool and other craft items. 10am-12 Market House, BA7 7AH. Details: 0792 9097374.
Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.
Saturday May 25th to 27th
St Andrew’s Church Flower Festival, Compton Dundon celebrating all the village organisations in flowers and pictures, 10am-5pm. Plants, produce, refreshments.
Sunday May 26th
Vintage Transport Rally in aid of the Strawberry Line Café, Yatton Station. 10am-4pm Yatton Station car park, cafe side BS49 4FF. Details: www.strawberrylinecafe.co.uk/ or David 01934 876670.
Somerset Horse Show (unaffiliated). MidSomerset Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4GF. Free entry for spectators. For details: 01749 938044 or email: admin@midsomersetshow.org.uk
Compton Dando Church Summer Teas 2.30pm5pm every Sunday. Details: Jenny 01761 490727. Harptrees History Society guided visit to Stanton Drew Stone Circle. 6.30pm, £5. Booking opens May 8th: email: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org with subject line “May 2024”.
Monday May 27th
Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Tuesday May 28th
Chilcompton Garden Club talk: “Gardening for moths” by Colin Higgins, 7.30pm village hall, BA3 4EX.
Wednesday May 29th
Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas’ Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed every month. Details: 01749 674920 or www.wellsfdc.co.uk
Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.
Thursday 30th May
West Mendip Walkers moderate 9m circular walk starting 9.30am East Harptree Woods BS40 6DA. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Thursday May 30th to Sat June 1st
Royal Bath & West Show: www.bathandwest.com/royal-bath-and-west-show
MENDIP Male Voice Choir and the Jenny Peplow Singers are to feature in a fundraising concert in May to help a unique sports project in Midsomer Norton.
Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club is organising the night in aid of its sports boots project, where youngsters can swap good condition boots they have outgrown for a new, or nearlynew, pair.
The concert takes place in the Fleischner Theatre at Downside School, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, on Saturday, May 11th.
Boot Swap takes place in Midsomer Norton in August and September and allows children, up to 18, to exchange their outgrown sports boots for a larger size. In the case of trying sports for the first time, children can obtain their first pair of boots. The club aims to offer a mixture of brand new and lightly used boots suitable for football, rugby and astroturf. There is no cost to the families, all the club asks is that boots to be exchanged or donated should be clean and laced.
The club said: “We would like to thank Downside School for allowing this concert to take place in their wonderful theatre which has bar facilities. There is plenty of free parking available.”
Doors open at 6.15pm. The concert runs from 7-9.30pm. Tickets (£10) are available from the club website: www.rotarynr.org.uk
CHEDDARMale Choir’s next concert on Friday, May 10th, will raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
They promise an unforgettable evening filled with showstopping performances spanning musicals, chart-toppers, and timeless male voice classics.
Doors open at 7pm at Draycott Memorial Hall, tickets £10 and can be obtained from Deane’s of Cheddar, any choir member, or purchased at the door on concert night.
Details: contactcheddarmalechoir@gmail.com
