What’s On

Palace’s magical festive December

THE Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells will once again be offering visitors the chance to celebrate the magic of the Christmas season with festive events, outdoor Illuminations, workshops, Father and Mother Christmas, music and food throughout the month of December.

The rooms of the medieval palace building will be decked out in their Christmas finery with seasonal foliage from the Palace Gardens creating stunning adornments to complement the historic interiors. Visitors will enter the Entrance Hall with its roaring fire and explore the rooms of the Palace, which will also include the return of the popular local Schools Eco-Exhibition.

Outside, visitors can explore the magical inner gardens which will be illuminated with festive decorations and illuminations during special late-night openings. The illuminations begin at 3.30pm on the late opening evenings and last entry will be 6.30pm, with the inner gardens open until 7pm.

The Bishop’s Table café will be serving its festive menu and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings Denela’s Bakery will also be tempting visitors with their delicious hog roast. Father and Mother Christmas will be returning to meet local families (very limited tickets available).

Storytellers will also be sprinkling some festive magic with tales of Christmas past on December 11th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st (11am and 1.30pm). No booking is required.

On December 10th and 17th (11am, 12.30pm and 3pm) Wells Theatre Company will perform an epic reading of the classic Dickensian tale “A Christmas Carol” within the atmospheric Undercroft. Again, no booking is required.

Creative types may be tempted by two festive workshops – wreathmaking on Saturday, December 3rd (10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm) and candle making on Sunday, December11th (11am-2pm).

The “Swing into Christmas” concert on Saturday, December 3rd at 7.30pm welcomes John Prescott and the Capitol Band who will perform a wide repertoire of songs from the great American songbook.

The Christmas illuminations at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens

For full details and tickets, visit: www.bishopspalace.org.uk

A family’s passion for film

NOVEMBER 1992 saw Derek and June Cooper open a one screen cinema in Princes Road in Wells; now celebrating its 30th anniversary under the family’s care, the venue has evolved into a modern, three screen, digital complex.

Sally Cooper, the current proprietor, said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone, especially after the last few years of struggles during the pandemic. We are so grateful to our customers for their support during the lockdowns, not only from the words of encouragement but also for those who kindly donated through our Just Giving page and sponsoring a seat.”

Wells Film Centre offers the city and surrounding areas the latest blockbusters and arthouse movies. Lots of films are shown in the afternoon at their tea matinees. Sally said: “The line-up of films for 2023 is the best it’s been in years. We are pleased to be able to continue to offer a range of products and screenings like our popular tea matinees, autism-friendly shows and our annual outdoor screenings at The Bishop’s Palace, and cannot wait to reintroduce, in 2023, event cinema, Wednesday morning tea matinees, Tiny Tuesdays and Saturday morning family shows.

“Times change but what won’t change is our passion and love of cinema.”

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

Christmas at Downside Abbey

THERE’Ssomething special this year at Downside Abbey Visitors Centre, an illuminated Christmas nativity trail.

Outdoor rooms of themed lights and effects lead to their life size stable and nativity, with children’s activities along the way to find the lost shepherds and kings with a prize at the end for each child.

Then make your way into the Christmas courtyard where there will be stalls selling gifts, games and of course traditional mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies.

To enhance the Christmas spirit, they have a wonderful vintage fairground organ playing seasonal tunes and at various times they will be joined by their resident Orchard Brass Band with a selection of Christmas numbers.

Entry to the visitors centre, shop, tea rooms and courtyard is free and this is open daily from 4pm to 8.30pm. Christmas week will close on Saturday, December 17th with a special carol service in the Abbey Church, with composer Matthew Coleridge along with a massed choir of up to 100 singers from across the West Country, accompanied by Daniel Robert Cushing on the Abbey’s Compton organ and the Orchard Brass Band.

Details: www.visitdownside.co.uk

Santa Specials –and a new visitor in the New Year

Swan Coffee & Chat Group enjoying their time on board the train

THE team at the Somerset and Dorset heritage railway at Midsomer Norton have entered one of the busiest times of the year as they make final plans for a series of weekend Santa Specials in the run-up to Christmas.

The rides begin on Saturday, December 3rd with five journeys on the schedule each day. Santa’s grotto is being prepared and the whole station is buzzing with excitement! There will also be driver experience opportunities between Christmas and New Year on both diesel and steam locos.

On New Year’s Day the railway will be running its steam and mince pie specials, which will be the last chance to ride behind visiting engine, Austin 1, before it returns to its home in Llangollen in early January. But, early in the New Year, they will be welcoming another steam visitor – Cranford, which was built in Bristol – on hire from the Appleby Frodingham Railway in Scunthorpe.

The winter season had begun with a Halloween weekend, where children in fancy dress rode for free. The line was also delighted to welcome a group of people from the Swan Coffee & Chat Group, who enjoyed fish and chips in the buffet car while riding on the train.

For details and to book, visit: sdjr.co.uk

(Photograph courtesy of Chris Ruddick)

T HE M ENDIP T IMES W HAT ’ S O

Covid is still causing problems so please check before travelling that events will take place. We’re happy to list entries for non-profit community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge, but please send them as a succinct single paragraph, in the format below, to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Entries that take time to re-write may have to be charged for at the commercial rate, £25.

Thursday November 24th

Reptiles and Amphibians of Mendip, talk by John Dickson for Avon Wildlife Trust, 7.45 Chew Magna Old School Room, £2.50.

Friday November 25th

West Mendip Orchestra Concert 7.30pm All Saints Church, WSM, BS23 2NL. £10 on the door. Details: www.west-mendiporchestra.org.uk.

St Margaret’s Hospice Christmas Market,

Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill Crewkerne, 124.30pm, craft stalls, entertainment, refreshments. Whitchurch Art Club Craft Fayre. 2.306.30pm Fortfield Rd Community Centre BS14 9NT. Free entry, affordable gifts. New members welcome any Thursday 7-9pm. Details: avril.csve@gmail.com

Glastonbury and Street Lions Music Quiz,

7.30pm Ashcott village hall. Teams up to six, £5pp, take own refreshments. Details: 01458 210926 or 210445. Valley Arts Fringe Festival, Godot is a Woman, Silent Faces Theatre, St Andrew’s Church Hall, Chew Magna, 7.30pm. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Saturday November 26th

Festival of Carols, 7.30pm Our Lady Queen of Apostles church, Cheddar BS27 3HU. Tickets: www.somersetchoralsociety.com Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Congresbury Christmas Sale, 10am-12 Methodist Hall. Coffee, plants, crafts. The Note Warehouse Concert 7.30pm St Mary’s, Yatton. See: www.yms.org.uk Timsbury Christmas Gifts & more, St. Mary's Church, 10-3.30pm. Tunley Craft Fayre 10am-3 Recreation Centre BA2 ODZ. Bishop Sutton Theatre Co. Panto: Snow White & Seven Silly Super Heroes. Coffee Cakes & Crafts 10.30-1pm Westburysub-Mendip village hall. Entry £2.50 incl refreshments U-11s free. Also fresh produce, white elephant etc.

Congresbury: Weston Light Orchestra

Concert 7pm St Andrew’s Church. Tickets £10 from local shops and PO. For local Rotary charities. Godot is a Woman, Silent Faces Theatre, Axbridge Town Hall. Valley Arts Fringe, The Return of the Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show, Compton Martin village hall, 3pm. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Saturday November 26th and Sunday Nov 27th

Lantern workshops ahead of the Shepton Mallet Lantern Festival. Details: www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk AONB meeting: “Seeing the Mendip Hills through new eyes”, hosted by Mike Dilger for their 50th anniversary forum, 1 to 5pm, Yeo Valley Canteen. Free. Details on Eventbrite.

Sunday November 27th

Valley Arts Fringe Festival, Hansel and Gretel, PaddleBoat Theatre, Winford Primary School, 2.30pm. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Monday November 28th Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm St Mary's Church, Timsbury BA2 0EJ. Donations requested. Refreshments available. Wessex Stationary Engine Club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough. Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in, 24pm Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Wednesday November 30th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support

meeting 1.30 pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila, 01275 462107. Harptrees History Society Dr Amy Frost on the WW2 Bath Blitz, 7.30pm Harptree Memorial Hall. BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome, £3. Please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org

Thursday December 1st

Cheddar Valley u3a Christmas Revue 2pm village hall, admission by ticket only: cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk

Friday December 2nd

Save the Children lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. £4.50. Trio Paradis 'Winter Wonderland' 2.30pm Leigh-on-Mendip village hall. Christmas Fair 6pm St Giles Church, Leighon-Mendip. Cheddar Festive Night: music, stalls and Santa, throughout the village & Gorge. See p36.

Friday December 2nd to Sun Dec 4th

Crib Festival St Cuthbert’s Wells.

Every weekend until Christmas

Santa Specials at the Somerset & Dorset Heritage Railway. Valley Arts Fringe, I’m Super Thanks, Proteus Theatre, Chew Stoke Church Hall, 8pm. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Artisan Christmas Market, West House Farm, Chiltern Polden TA7 9DR. 2pm-7.30, with live music, stalls, food.

Saturday December 3rd

Churchill Music! Leia Zhu on violin, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Wrington BS40 5LF. Details: tickets@churchillmusic.org.uk Bleadon Christmas Market. 9.30-12.30, BS24 0PG. Over 50 stalls, see Facebook for details. Costanzi Consort 7.30pm All Saints church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Coffee Morning 10-12 St. Mary's Church Timsbury. Free entry & glass of sherry. Coffee, mince pies, gifts. Chew Magna Christmas Fair, 3-6pm.

Ashwick & Oakhill Christmas market. Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm St Phillip & St James Church, Norton St Phillip. Details: www.Mendipmen.co.uk Kingston Seymour Market 10am-12pm village hall. Butcher, veg. cakes, books etc. 07525 040472. Blagdon Christmas Fair 10am-12 at St Andrew’s church, with Father Christmas! Bishop Sutton Theatre Co. Panto: Snow White & Seven Silly Super Heroes! East Huntspill Christmas Bazaar 11am in the Church Hall. Crafts, gifts, refreshments, games & family fun. Details: 01278 788665 or allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com Wedmore Christmas Fayre, 9.30-12.30 St Mary’s Church. Children’s activities, market, gifts, music, food. Handel’s Messiah: Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society 7pm in the cathedral. Details: www.wcos.org.uk

Saturday December 3rd and Sunday 4th

Lantern workshops ahead of the Shepton Mallet Lantern Festival. Details: www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk

Sunday December 4th

RNLI Winscombe Reindeer Run, 2K and 5K trails, meet 1pm for 2pm start: Cricket Club Car Park, BS25 1AZ. Details: Tim@moransonline.com Mells Winter Fayre, 10am-4pm Walled Garden & Tithe Barn. Christmas craft fair and cake sale 1.30-5pm Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faulkland. In aid of the Bowel Movement charity. Free. Stall space available, call Jo: 07849 734307. Valley Arts Fringe, Cinderella II or Buttons Bounces Back, East Harptree Theatre, 3pm. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Monday December 5th Congresbury War Memorial Hall Friendship

evening & bingo, 8pm. All welcome. Christmas Coffee Morning 10am-1pm Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Burnham-onSea. Details: www.helpthechild.org.uk

Tuesday December 6th

Yatton Local History Society talk by Clive Burlton “the Port of Bristol: the gateway to the world”. 7.30pm Yatton Methodist Church BS49 4DW. Details:

N G UIDE FOR D ECEMBER 2022

yattonlocalhistorysoc@gmail.com The Arts Society Mendip ‘Cartier: Jeweller of Genius’ 11am Croscombe village hall & Zoom. Guests welcome £6. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk

Tuesday December 6th to Sat Dec 17th

HEPTAD exhibition in Somerton. Textiles and mixed media.

Wednesday December 7th

“Somerset Spiders” talk by Francis Farr-Cox for Mendip Hills Area Group of SWT. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events

Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in

first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com Congresbury Christmas Fair 6pm-8.30pm War Memorial Hall. Wood turning, jewellery, jigsaws, books, preserves, soft toys etc. £5/table: 01934 832004.

Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for

Carers Christmas lunch 2–3.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Please book by Sunday Dec 4th: 01275 463215 after 6pm. Wedmore by Lamplight from 5.30pm. See P57.

Thursday December 8th

Wells Scottish Dancers 6.30-9pm Portway Annexe, BA5 2QF. Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or email, to check class is on: ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com

Friday December 9th

Avon Wildlife Trust ‘Wildlife photographs Kenya, Ode to a Snail / Quiz’ 7.30pm Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham. Members £3, visitors £4. Mendip Male Voice Choir: carols at Bath Christmas Market, 7 to 8pm. Folk Dance, Ditcheat Jubilee Hall (opp. church) 7.30-9.30. Beginners welcome. Live music. £4. Bring own drinks. Wrington Dickensian Fayre See P72.

Saturday December 10th Brent Knoll Bazaar & farmers’ market

10am-12, Parish Hall. Details: 01278 760308. Brent House Farm Christmas market at the farm shop until 3pm.

Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm Shepton Mallet. Details: www.Mendipmen.co.uk Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Winscombe: come and sing carols with Weston Brass Band! Santa arriving at 4.45pm, singing from 5.30pm.

Parkinson's NW Somerset Support Group

meeting 10.30-12.15, St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea. Entertainment by The Magpies. Ragtime & boogie woogie, Mike Denham & Julian Phillips, 8pm Cossington village hall. Reserved seats £12.50. Details: Roger Collett 07726 911484. Stanton Drew Community Café 10-12.

Sunday December 11th

Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells. 7.30pm. Teams of up to six, £4pp. Raffle prizes welcomed. To book: 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com Mells Winter Fayre, 10am-4pm Walled Garden & Tithe Barn.

Saturday December 10th to Sunday 11th

Christmas Tree Festival, St Giles Church, Leigh-on-Mendip.

Monday December 12th Nailsea & District Local History Society talk:

“Historic tunes, dances & songs” 7.45pm Nailsea School. Details: www.ndlhs.org.uk

Weston Light Orchestra fund-raising concert

7.30pm Holy Trinity, Weston.

Wednesday December 14th

Carols By Candlelight 7pm All Saints church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Harptrees History Society, Somerset Stories, with Martin Horler, 7.30pm West Harptree Memorial Hall. BS40 6EG. £10 incl supper. Cash bar. No tickets on door so please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Weston-s-Mare Family History talk by Margaret Flux: “My wonderful curio cabinet” 2.30-5pm Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, BS22 8HQ.

Glastonbury Male Voice Choir concert

7.30pm St John’s Church.

Thursday December 15th

Wells Scottish Dancers 6.30-9pm Portway Annexe, BA5 2QF. Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or email, to check class is on: ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com Cheddar Valley u3a coffee morning with songs & carols, 10am village hall. Yatton & District Horticultural Society: Myra Cox, Christmas Cracker fun with flowers 8pm, Hangstones Pavilion. Members £2, visitors £2.50 incl festive refreshments. Creative Communities Craft session, Shepton Mallet.

Friday December 16th

Save the Children lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. £4.50.

Saturday December 17th

Claverham Market 10am-12pm Village Hall. Butcher, veg. crafts, preserves, books etc. 01934 830553. RAFA Christmas Lunch Wells Golf Club BA5 3DS. Traditional Christmas lunch. Details and to book: www.branch.rafa.org.uk/mid-somerset Shepton Mallet Lantern Festival, meet 5pm Collett Park then procession to the Market Place. Details: www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk

Sunday December 18th

Service of Nine Lessons & Carols, 6pm St John’s, Glastonbury.

Wells Rotary Christmas Family Fancy Dress

parade (instead of reindeers). Priddy Santa Run. In aid of Childrens Hospice South West. Five or ten-mile run/walk around Mendip. Meet Queen Victoria Inn 10am. FfI: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/markwalton15

Monday December 19th

Timsbury Natural History Group. Chip shop supper & film “The weird fish lady” 7.30pm Conygre Hall BA2 0JQ. Supper must be booked in advance: visitors £7 members £4, by emailing: janemartin75@googlemail.com

Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm St John's Church, Midsomer Norton. Details: www.Mendipmen.co.uk

Bruton Choral Society Christmas concert,

7.30pm St Mary’s Church. Chew Valley u3a, 10am Ubley Parish Hall, Christmas nibbles and drinks.

Tuesday December 20th Glastonbury Brass Christmas Concert

7.30pm, St John’s Church, Glastonbury. Details: events.stjohnsglastonbury@gmail.com

Congresbury Singers & St Andrew’s School

Choir: Unto Us a Child is Born, 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church. Tickets £10 inc refreshments, from Congresbury PO & Re-Store.

Wednesday December 21st

Mendip Storytelling Circle Christmas tales & cake, 7.30-9.30pm Ston Easton village hall, BA3 4DA. £5 entry for Trussell Trust Food Banks. mendipstorycircle@gmail.com

Tuesday December 27th

Binegar’s Bonkers Barrow Race. Meet Horse & Jockey, Binegar, BA3 4UH for 3pm start. Fund-raising for Somer Valley Food Bank.

Wednesday January 4th Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in

first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Monday January 9th Nailsea & District Local History Society talk:

“The Bristol Terriers” 7.45pm Nailsea School. Details: www.ndlhs.org.uk

Tuesday January 10th

Arts Society Mendip ‘Art & architecture: estranged bedfellows’ 11am Croscombe village hall & Zoom. Guests welcome £6. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk

Wednesday January 11th

Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Chris Sperring on British Owls, 7.30pm village hall, BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome £3, inc tea/coffee. Details: www.kilmersdongardeners.org

Friday January 13th

Avon Wildlife Trust ‘Seabirds of the Outer Hebrides’ with Bob Medland 7.30pm Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham. Members £3, visitors £4.

Samba time in Shepton Mallet

Jamma da Samba make their way to the Market Place

THE Jamma da Samba band will once again lead the Shepton Mallet Lantern Parade on Saturday, December 17th.

Lanterns assemble in the darkness of Collet Park at 5pm and process through the town. The theme for 2022 is “Wild Things” and a very special lantern is being created by Mandy McKenna, who made The Ram for the parade a few years ago.

Workshops for all the family to create their own lanterns will be held at the Paul Street Community Rooms on Saturday, November 26, Sunday, November 27th and also the following weekend.

The parade is one of the highlights of a series of community-led events in the town being supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council, which has just launched a new website called Hello Shepton to promote the town and surrounding area.

Following last year’s very successful Winter Series, Shepton Mallet Town Council decided to bring back the programme for a second consecutive year.

The series started as a way to support the arts and creative industries post-pandemic, ensuring local people were still able to access cultural activities at a difficult time. The council says the need and importance to bring locally accessible entertainment and activities for all ages continues to be as relevant this year, and with a full programme that runs until March 2023 there is something for everyone.

Christmas competition –spot the rabbits!

OUR fiendish festive competition is back – find the hidden rabbits within the pages of this month’s issue of Mendip Times and you could be the lucky winner of a Christmas hamper of wine and cheese, thanks to Ford Farm Cheese and Wookey Hole Caves!

There are five rabbits to be found and here’s a clue: one is on the advertisement for Ford Farm’s Cave Aged Cheddar; your task is to find it and the four others to earn a chance to win.

The secret to the unique taste and texture of Ford Farm’s Cave Aged Cheddars begins with high quality milk and ends in the maturing process 200-feet below ground in Wookey Hole Caves where they are left to mature. The caves have been used since the Paleolithic period and today the caves are still used to mature the cheeses, as the constant low temperature (11° Celsius) and the humidity ensure spectacular texture, aromas and flavour!

Please send your answers on a postcard to: Cheese Competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG. Entries must reach us by Monday, December 11th. The first correct entry chosen will be the winner. The editor’s decision is final. We will endeavour to deliver the hamper to you in time for Christmas.