Issue 6 - Volume 17 - Mendip Times by Media Fabrica

Mendip Times

Front cover designs.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:42 Page 7

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

NOVEMBER 2021

IN THIS ISSUE: CHEW VALLEY FOCUS • YOUNG SKITTLERS • FARMING • MARATHON MEN • STOURHEAD WALK • MUSIC Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

Kingfisher ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 11:19 Page 1

Contents page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:11 Page 1

MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WE put the spotlight on Chew Valley this month, where last month’s successful arts trail will be followed this month by its most ambitious fringe festival to date. We’ve news and pictures from right across the area, including the Mendip Ploughing Match and the Dairy Show and a dozen pages devoted to community events. We meet a Mountain Dog who can’t climb the stairs and a group of lads who have decided that skittles is the new goto sport. Three other local men have been taking part in one of the world’s toughest marathons. We look back with nostalgia to the heyday of the Bell Folk Club in Banwell and look forward to ambitious plans to create greenways on Somerset’s former railways and byways. Former members of the Royal Observer Corps have said farewell to their Mendip bunker. Chris Sperring suggests we look out for redwings and roe deer as autumn draws on, while Mary Payne and Les Davies write about the colours of autumn. We welcome our new food writer, Katy Beauchamp. With all of our regular contributors and features, thanks as usual to them, our readers and advertisers for their support. December 2021 deadline: Friday 12th November 2021 Published: Tuesday, 23rd November 2021 Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888

or email: news@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk

Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates. Front cover: Skittles team Large and in Charge. Photo by Mark Adler. See page 105.

Play dough – family fun at food festival

Carnival is back – Castle Cary’s night to remember

107

Arts in focus – Chew Valley puts on a show

Desert storm – the men who faced a Saharan heatwave

Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Nick Green .....................10 Internet and Crossword ..............14 Food & Drink ...............................18 Arts & Antiques ...........................30 Business.........................................36 Property ........................................51 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......57 Walking Sue Gearing ....................58

Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........60 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......62 Charities........................................68 Health & Family ..........................72 Community ...................................78 Caving Phil Hendy ........................90 Sport ............................................102 Riding Jane Paterson ...................108 What’s On ...................................111 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 3

Oriental Rugs ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 11:38 Page 1

News page 5.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:12 Page 1

MENDIP TIMES

(Photo courtesy of Jesswhittinghamphotography)

Battle of Britain service

Town centre future up for discussion

NEWS

The last post

THE Mid-Somerset branch of the Royal Air Forces Association commemorated the Battle of Britain with a service and wreathlaying ceremony at St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset was represented by Rear Admiral Brian Perowne and the county High Sheriff by Jennifer Duke the High Sheriff (designate) for 2022. Other civic dignitaries were joined by representatives of the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association. RAF Air Cadets from 1955 (City of Wells) and 1182 (Shepton Mallet) Squadrons paraded with style the branch standard and their squadron banners. After the service, the wreath-laying at the church war memorial saw the playing of the Last Post and The Reveille by trumpet player Nina Tyrrell prior to the laying of wreaths.

Get ready to enter snowdrop competitions

Mendip planning policy officers Anna Blackberry (left) and Collette Haynes (right) with residents Kate and Martin Lovell during an event at Shepton Mallet library

RESIDENTS and businesses are being asked for their views on the future appearance of Shepton Mallet town centre. Mendip District Council has commissioned environmental and planning consultants LUC to develop a masterplan to form the basis for funding bids for future regeneration and environmental projects in the town. The consultants have identified a range of issues and opportunities based on mapping many key features and characteristics in the town and their initial discussions with Shepton Town Council. Mendip will be using the masterplan and people’s views to develop and support funding bids from the government’s Levelling Up fund, which was announced at the 2020 Government Spending Review. Bids to the fund are based on parliamentary constituencies and focus around three themes – smaller transport projects that make a genuine difference to local areas; town centre and high street regeneration; and support for maintaining and expanding cultural and heritage assets.

Planting snowdrops in front of Framptons on Charlton Road

ONLINE entries for the 2022 Shepton Snowdrop Festival poetry and photography competitions will open on December 1st, organisers have announced. Shortlisted entries will be on display during the festival – on Saturday, February 19th and Sunday, February 20th – with the winners announced on the Sunday afternoon. The poetry judge is Pascale Petit, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, whilst Carol Sharp, whose work has included Chelsea Flower Show posters and sets of Royal Mail stamps, will judge the photography classes. Meanwhile, festival volunteers have been out around the town planting thousands of snowdrop bulbs in public places for people to enjoy. For details, visit: www.sheptonsnowdrop.org.uk

Linda Meadows (centre) makes a point about the need for biodiversity

Consultation with the local community is taking place online through a consultation hub until November 1st: www.mendip.gov.uk/sci MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 5

Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:09 Page 6

MENDIP TIMES

Greenways are go!

A COALITION of Somerset based and national organisations has come together to launch the Somerset Greenways Vision. They plan to use existing and proposed routes to link local communities using a combination of traffic free paths, former railway lines and quiet lanes to enable people of all abilities to make journeys by foot, cycle, mobility scooter and horses. There’s been good progress during the pandemic. The Frome Missing Links Group is heading north out of the town while the Strawberry Line volunteers have opened a path from Wells to Dulcote and plan to push on towards Shepton Mallet. Around Shepton it’s hoped to open up the viaducts and tunnels on the old Somerset and Dorset Line. Andrew Combes from the Somerset Rail to Trail Project said: “The idea of using disused railway lines has been rattling around for 30 years, with everyone saying what a great idea. “The climate emergency and Covid have given it more urgency now and

Finishing the path to Dulcote

local volunteers are doing an amazing job. “Local councils are very much behind the project as well as community groups and companies like Foster Yeoman who are for some sections providing stone for surfacing free of charge.” Various groups have now come together to form the Somerset Active Travel Forum to collaborate with each other and local authorities. The forum includes the Somerset Rail to Trail Project, Frome’s Missing Links, The Strawberry Line, The Steam Coast Trail, The Trails Trust, Greenways &

Frome Missing Links building path north from the centre of Frome towards Selwood Manor

The Strawberry Line team's original plan PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

The expanded network

Details: andrew@combes1.plus.com

Cycleroutes, Isle of Wedmore Access Group, Somerset Ramblers, Disabled Ramblers, Mendip Bridleways Association, South Somerset Bridleways Association, The British Horse Society, Cycling UK and Sustrans. The Rail to Trail Project says: “We challenge the notion that these routes will be used purely for leisure. With the advent of electric bikes and electric cargo bikes, the distances which our communities are able and willing to travel by sustainable means has increased significantly, especially given the overarching concerns of climate change and of improving public health, which we are all facing together.” It believes that when good quality infrastructure is provided, these routes will be used for “utility journeys” – commuting, shopping, accessing vital amenities as well as for exercise and leisure, with benefits to economic development, carbon reduction and habitat creation. The forum is encouraging local authorities, parishes and community groups to join in with their plans and fill in any gaps in their map.

Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:09 Page 7

Repair – don’t despair

ENVIRONMENT

Art supports river group

Phil Gray repairing a vacuum cleaner

A MONTHLY Repair and Share café has sprung up in Farmborough, the brainchild of Sam Ross, who was behind Seedy Saturday, which she started in the village back in 2010. The café is being held every second Saturday of the month at Farmborough Memorial Hall, 10am-1pm. Their volunteers can manage electrical, mechanical and sewing, but they would welcome more. They can repair most things – so far they have repaired sewing machines, dolls, radios, vacuum cleaners, clocks, kettles, lawn mowers, lamps, fans, soft toys, chairs, cushion covers, clothes plus lots more. The café, which is organised by Farmborough Community Shop, serves bacon baps, homemade cake and hot drinks for you while you wait for repairs to be done. Sam said: “Our repair café has had a success rate of over 70%, keeping many items in use which would otherwise have been sent to landfill. On average the repair and share café has seen between 11-14 visitors for the first three months, but we had 25 visitors in October! “Every successful repair brings a spark of happiness to the person who thought that their item was no longer useful. Sometimes the item is so sentimental, that fixing it brings them to tears of joy. “We welcome people to come along with items, or just to take a look and see what goes on, and meet with friends and neighbours for a drink and some cake, or a bacon bap.” Other repair cafés are held in High Littleton and Peasedown St John. Let us know of others in our area. Birgit Plucknet working on a radio

DAVID Robinson, a member of local volunteer group The Land Yeo Friends, has recently painted the river as it runs through Nailsea on its way to Clevedon, eventually running into the Severn Estuary at Clevedon Pill. It is hoped that selling the painting will go some way to financing the group who have tirelessly worked throughout the pandemic to keep the river flowing freely and carefully measuring pollutants and removing rubbish. Apart from buying David’s painting, the group say companies and individuals can also support their work with donations. Details: www.landyeofriends.org www.robinsonart.co.uk • www.artgallerysw.co.uk

Surviving winter

PRICKLES Hedgehog Rescue in Cheddar says it would be grateful to receive tins of cat meat in jelly to support overwintering hedgehogs who are either unwell or too small to survive hibernation. If you should find a hedgehog out in the daytime, they ask you to contact them on 07806 744772 for help and advice.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 7

Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:09 Page 8

MENDIP TIMES

A lasting legacy as history is made in Wells CHILDREN at a junior school in Wells planted a very special tree as part of a national initiative to mark next year’s 70th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne. The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mrs Annie Maw, along with three Deputy Lieutenants and the Mayor of Wells, joined pupils at St Cuthbert’s CofE Junior School for the ceremony as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project. Mrs Maw said: “I am proud and delighted to gift this beautiful celebration tree on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to St

ENVIRONMENT

Guests at the tree planting ceremony

very environmentally aware and wholeheartedly support this important initiative which promotes the planting of trees across the country.“ The QGC is encouraging all schools to get involved in planting Jubilee trees, with free tree packs available through the Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers. l All Jubilee trees can to be added to the QGC Map, which will create a digital record of the green canopy of tree planting projects across the country: https://queensgreencanopy.org/mapeducation-hub/qgc-map/#/

Members of the school council

Cuthbert’s CofE Junior School as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Today’s occasion marks the beginning of this year’s tree planting season and as someone who is absolutely committed to the project, I very much hope that schools all around Somerset will follow suit enthusiastically and plant their own tree.” The tree – a Pyrus Chanticleer – was one of 70 to be gifted nationally by the Queen’s Green Canopy. Mrs Maw told members of the school council, who helped with the planting: “When you are all grown-up I hope you will all return to this school in years to come to see how much the tree has grown. This is a very special day.” Helen Mullinger, headteacher at St Cuthbert’s, said: “We feel very privileged that St Cuthbert’s Junior School has been chosen to have a tree gifted to us by the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Our children are

Tackling climate change

GRANTS are available to tackle carbon emissions and fuel poverty in Bath and North East Somerset. The Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) Fund grant programme is back for a ninth year. Applications for grants of up to £5,000 are invited before November 5th. BWCE was set up in 2010 to develop and own renewable energy projects and has since become one of the largest community-owned energy companies in the UK. As a Community Benefit Society it gives surplus income to the BWCE Fund, which has asked Quartet Community Foundation to administer the funding programme, giving grants to community groups and local environmental organisations. Since 2015, the BWCE Fund has awarded 69 grants worth

Mrs Maw presented a gift of books for the school to head boy Austin Hoey and head girl Keevah Grantham

almost £207,000 through this grant programme. Sophie Hooper Lea, chair of trustees for BWCE Fund, said: “This is a decisive decade for climate action and our fund is here to help charities and community organisations to play an important and much-needed role in reducing carbon emissions and tackling fuel poverty.” Angela Emms, from Quartet Community Foundation, said: “As the government warns of a difficult winter ahead due to rising fuel costs, this grant programme has the double benefit of supporting projects which reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. “This year we would particularly welcome applications relating to fuel poverty/affordable warmth, ensuring that everyone can access and afford energy this winter.”

Details: https://quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/bath-west-community-energy-2/

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Page 9 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:37 Page 1

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:22 Page 10

MENDIP TIMES

Securing farming for the future

THE Mendips are classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and, as such, those with responsibility for looking after the area With NICK have access to public GREEN funding from time to time. A recently launched scheme called Farming in Protected Landscapes in Somerset supports farmers and a range of land managers, who can apply for project funding. As a guide, the value of a project that would be considered would be up to £50,000 but if there is an exceptional proposal that would benefit the Mendip AONB on a wider scale it would be considered. There are four main themes in the scheme. Climate, Nature, People and Places. These cover a wide range of

objectives including carbon storage, increasing biodiversity, improving and expanding natural habitats, providing more opportunities for the public to explore and enjoy the landscape, conserving historic structures and enhancing the quality and character of the landscape. Lastly, but by no means least, it aims to help increase farm business resilience. It is imperative farmers run their businesses profitably. Without farmers the countryside wouldn’t be like it is and without profit, farmers wouldn’t be able to afford to do what they do keep the countryside how it is. As well as farmers, others with responsibility for looking after land in the AONB are eligible to apply. Further information can be found online or by contacting the AONB office. There has been much in the news over the last few months about food shortages and a lack of lorry drivers. Whilst there

may be some exaggeration in some of what the media have presented to us the core issue remains. Many of our food chains are too long and rely on multiple inputs to make them run effectively. Why not take a step back and see what you can do to change this? How about eating seasonal food from local farmers and growers? Not only would this reduce the risk of not getting your supplies, it would help local producers secure the future of their businesses and help the local environment. Details: Megan Godley (Farming Engagement Officer) megan@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk

Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. He is responsible for the farming and estate business and is passionate about British food and farming. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.

We are now stockists of ASPEN Fuels

l Ready mixed for 2 stroke engines l Burns cleaner than ordinary fuel l Virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents making it less harmful than regular petrol, therefore breathing much cleaner air when working with power tools l Better for engines, longer storage staying fresh for years therefore easier starting l Reduced toxic emissions so better for the environment

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:22 Page 11

New health hub for farmers

FARMING

A NEW National Health Servicebacked scheme launched at Frome Livestock Market could help save the lives of farmers and their families too busy to make doctor’s appointments. Frome Market Health Hub offers farmers, their families and agricultural workers free access to confidential health checks, without the need to book an appointment. Hundreds of rural workers attend Frome Livestock Auctioneers sales every week and the hub, launched by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and based on the market site, will operate on the second Wednesday morning of every month. SFT believes the hub will provide an important gateway for the farming community who are often the hardest to reach through traditional health service channels. It follows the success of the Derek Mead Health Room at Sedgemoor Auction Centre. Other hubs may be launched at a later date. NHS Operational Manager for the health hubs, Jane Fitzgerald, said: “We recognise farmers and farm workers often put the health and welfare of their livestock above that of their own wellbeing and will often put off seeking help, when it could help to save their life. “This is a great opportunity for those living and working in rural areas to access free health checks in a place and time which is convenient to them.” The hub will also be the base for additional, independentlyrun clinics for specialist problems. Separately-funded foot clinics will be held twice monthly, thanks to a grant from Somerset Community Foundation. Health Hub clinics will rely on volunteers from farming and community-based charities like Farming Community Network and Mendip Health Connectors. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, who attended the opening of the hub, said the project was only made possible thanks to businesses and organisations like Mole Valley Farmers, based next to the market at Standerwick.

Guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset at the opening of the Frome Health Hub

The next health hub dates are November 10th, December 8th and January 12th. For dates of Wednesday foot clinics at the market, visit the FLA Market Report website which will have regular updates. MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 11

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:22 Page 12

MENDIP TIMES

Princess Royal presents awards to local farmers SEVERAL local people received Royal Agricultural Society awards at a ceremony at the House of Lords attended by the Princess Royal. The recipients are commended for going over and above the call of duty in their contribution to the betterment of the food and farming sector, also supporting charities, innovation and

Pictured 3rd left Anita Simmons, Yew Tree Farm, Kingston Seymour; 6th left Richard Simmons, also Yew Tree Farm; 2nd right Professor David Barrett, University of Bristol, Langford; 5th right Duncan Forbes, Kingshay, Bridge Farm, Glastonbury

Pictured 2nd left James Small, Warren Farm, Charterhouse; 1st right Peter Alvis, Lye Cross Farm, Redhill; 4th right Johnny Alvis, also Lye Cross Farm

excellence in furthering research, advancing technology and

development or holding voluntary roles which underpin the sector. Nick Green, chairman of the society’s English panel, said: “We are delighted to be able to organise such a fitting ceremony to highlight individual personal achievement in such a historical and grand setting.”

Police issue poaching alert

WELLS Neighbourhood Policing Team have seen an increase in reports of hare coursing/deer poaching in the Chewton Mendip, East Harptree, Red Quar and Charterhouse areas. They say padlocks and chains are being cut to enter farmland and cause hundreds of pounds damage to mowing grass and crops. The incidents nearly always involve people with lurcher-type dogs and 4x4 style vehicles. The team is appealing for people who see any suspicious vehicles to contact them or Crimestoppers. They say: “Wells Neighborhood Policing Team work closely with our local farmers and landowners. “We take a zero tolerance approach on rural crime and continue to progress intelligence in order to shut the gate on poachers in our force area.”

PAGE AGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 P 12 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:23 Page 13

Galhampton

FARMING

Shop & Country Store

Animal Feeds and Bedding Timber Supplies Tools | Hardware | Gardening Workwear | Logs and Gas Local Food | Home Essentials

Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 7.30am – 5.30pm | Sun 10am – 4pm 01963 440464

Family-run, rural country store on A359 between Castle Cary and Sparkford

Fir Tree Business Park, High Road, Galhampton, Somerset, BA22 7BH sales@galhamptoncountrystore.co.uk

Your main Kubota dealer for Somerset and South Gloucester Main Road A370, Hewish, Weston-super-Mare BS24 6SE

MENDIP ENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 13 M TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 13

Crossword page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:24 Page 1

INTERNET

The Snipping tool – screen capture

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

SOMEWHAT hidden away in Windows is a very useful little utility called the Snipping Tool. (Macs have a similar app called Screenshot). If you are unfamiliar with it, try typing ‘snipping’ in the search bar and it should show up and if you find it useful you can add it to your taskbar at With NICK the bottom of the screen. SPARKS It is essentially used for a screen capture, but you can select exactly what part of the screen you want then save it to the clipboard or as a file, for use in other documents etc. If you click on it, to use it, a small window will appear usually at the top of the screen giving the option, under mode, of capturing the whole page, a rectangle, a window, or free form shape. For example, clicking on rectangular snipping will change the cursor to a cross, the screen will

fade a bit, then position it on one corner of the area you wish to capture, hold down the left mouse key and drag to select the area you want. A new window will then open showing your selection with additional options to save the snip, copy it to the clipboard so it can pasted into another program or include it in an email. There are also options to add notations, highlight areas or edit it further with the Paint programme. You may also see a notification that the tool is being replaced by Snip and Sketch with new features but for the moment they are very similar and both utilities are available on machines that are fully updated. There is a keyboard shortcut for the new version, using the Windows logo key+shift+S at the same time which will bring up a truncated small menu at the top of the page. This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified itfortheterrified@btconnect.com or it4ttcvh@gmail.com Submitted for IT for the Terrified by NicK Sparks. Although we have ceased our one to one tuition at Cheddar, a number of us will continue with this column under the heading “IT for the Terrified” to keep the name alive.

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

ACROSS 1 Recently elected Mayor of Yeovil (5-5) 6 I watch what I eat as I am able to keep continent (4) 9 & 8 Bath-based Architectural practice that won this year’s Best Show Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show (5) 10 The possible results of a surgeon's use of a scalpel (9) 12 Locomotive using liquid fuel to produce power that propels the vehicle (6-8) 14 American name for a lift (8) 15 Swiss city on the Rhone River (6) 17 Having physical features enabling the wearing of earrings (6) 19 Condiment of Chinese origin (3-5) 21 A liquid explosive (14) 24 Select a particular point of view (4,5) 25 Short beginning (5) 26 Hearing this number a German would think he was being refused (4) 27 Not meant to happen (10)

DOWN 1 Call, servant or leaf (4) 2 When the afternoon meal is consumed (7) 3 Fulfilments, gratifications (13) 4 Take no notice of or fail to make allowances for (8) 5 Be outstanding, shine (5) 7 Flog with cat-o'-nine-tails as punishment (7) 8 See 9 across (10) 11 James Bond’s employers (6,7) 13 Here in Somerset is a monument, the largest three sided one in the world (10) 16 An American pit viper (8) 18 Signal or prophesy (7) 20 Undo ten of no repute (anagram) (7) 22 McMillan Theatre Bridgwater will be featuring this sex pistol on November 12th (5) 23 Title formally given to a baron (4) Clues in italics are cryptic By greendandelion

This month’s solution can be found on page 102

Haven Timber ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 11:43 Page 1

Ian Keys (left) and Alan Stone in Shepton town centre

A NEW app has been launched to encourage residents and visitors to discover the history of Shepton Mallet in a series of heritage walks. Historians Alan Stone, from the Shepton Mallet History Group, and Ian Keys, from the Darshill and Bowlish Conservation Society, worked with Shepton Mallet Town Council to develop the app which takes walkers on a choice of eight routes around the area lasting between 40 minutes and three-and-a-half hours. The walks are narrated by former television and radio broadcaster Christopher Kelly, who lives in the town, with a soundtrack provided by local musician Al O’Kane. The app is free to download. It was financed by the town council with funds previously used to support the now-closed Shepton Mallet tourist information centre. Alan said: “We wanted to make the walks accurate historically and for them to be interesting to both local residents and visitors.” The launch of the app coincides with a growing campaign for Shepton Mallet to be declared an official “Walkers are Welcome” town. The Walkers are Welcome organisation says 1,100 names are needed on a petition for it to consider the application. Details: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sheptonmallet-walkers-are-welcome

Moonwalk above the nave

VISITORS to a special exhibition in Wells Cathedral watched in awe as tightrope walker Christopher Bullzini became the “man on the moon”. Christopher, from Evercreech, showcased a series of balancing skills high above the cathedral floor as part of the Festival of the Moon – featuring the Museum of the Moon, a giant seven metre wide sculpture of the moon created by Bristol artist Luke Jerram. PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

SCULPTOR Antony Gormley – whose work called DOUBT is currently on view on the West Front of Wells Cathedral – has donated a signed lithograph to a prize draw which will help fund school visits to see the controversial piece. DOUBT has been installed in niche 338 and interest is running high for the contemporary MANIFOLD sculpture. The work is loan from the artist and will be in place for 18 months. Project Factory CIC, run by volunteers, raised the money to bring the work to Wells and have it installed and is running the draw for the lithograph named MANIFOLD, made with Edition Copenhagen. The lithograph is currently on show at GBS Fine Art in Sadler Street in the city. Meanwhile, a series of arts talks called CHATS – Cedars Hall Arts Talks DOUBT at Wells Cathedral Series –will take place each month whilst the sculpture is in place. In April next year, Antony Gormley himself will be in conversation with Prof Stephen Bann from Bristol University. Draw tickets cost £20. For details and to enter, visit: www.niche338.org For details of the talks, visit: https://www.projectfactory.uk/chats

The spectacular moonwalk, high up in the cathedral

d) l C

Gormley competition will help schools

History trail is “right up your street”

NEWS

MENDIP TIMES

(Ph t

News page 16.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:13 Page 1

Wanderlands ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 11:45 Page 1

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 18

MENDIP TIMES

With KATY BEAUCHAMP

FOOD & DRINK

This month we welcome a new contributor to our Food and Drink pages: Katy Beauchamp, of Oakhill. Katy, born and brought up in Somerset, has many years’ experience in catering backstage at music festivals and at private functions and parties for both children and adults. Katy’s philosophy is to create easy and convenient, yet wholesome food. Many of her recipes can be made from scratch but, for those in a hurry, ready-made bases and other shop-bought ingredients offer an ideal substitute. With her experience in catering for functions, many recipe ideas contain ingredients which can be easily scaled-up in amount to cater for larger numbers of people. Many are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans!

CARROT AND CHEESE PATE

PIZZA PINWHEELS

Carrot and cheese pate

This recipe is one my mum, Sally, used to make me and my sisters when we were young. She used carrots, but it works just as well with pumpkin – a great way to use up the scooped-out the flesh from making Halloween lanterns – and it makes a great vegetarian starter served with crudites or bruschetta. METHOD Fry the onions and grated carrot (pumpkin) in the oil and butter in a large frying pan for five minutes, add garlic, cumin and salt and pepper and cook for a further 2 mins, add just enough water to cover ingredients and simmer gently until all the liquid has been absorbed. Leave to cool for ten mins before blending it with the cheese and dash of soy sauce until smooth, divide into four ramekins and put in fridge to cool completely. Serve with anything you fancy; mum used to give it to us on toast! INGREDIENTS (For four) Tablespoon of olive oil Tablespoon of butter Three medium carrots (grated) or the equivalent of pumpkin flesh Half a chopped onion One clove of garlic One heaped teaspoon of cumin Dash of light soy sauce 100 grams Red Leicester cheese (but any hard cheese will do)

“TOFFEE” APPLE CUPCAKES Toffee apple cupcakes

Chilli pinwheels You can make these as homemade or as shop-bought as you like! METHOD Place a rolled sheet of pizza dough on a chopping board and slightly stretch it in the corners to make it square-ish. Next, spread the beans or chilli over leaving a border of one inch all the way round. Sprinkle the grated cheese over and roll it up into a big sausage roll. Cut into one-inch slices and lay them on a baking tray with space around each wheel and bake for 15-20 mins at 200° degrees. Wrap them in foil and napkins to eat at your local fireworks event. INGREDIENTS Readymade pizza dough – but homemade is better, if you have time! Three quarters of a tin of baked beans (for veggies or vegans) or a homemade chilli 100gms of grated cheese of your choice

You can use any flavoured sponge for these treats. I’ve used a Victorian Sponge recipe.

METHOD Beat together butter and sugar until pale in colour. Beat in the eggs and fold in the flour. Put a heaped teaspoon of the mixture into a cake case, add half a teaspoon of apple sauce and a square of fudge on top, along with a tiny sprinkling of flaky salt). Cover with another teaspoon of cake mixture. Repeat until all the batter is used up and bake at 180° for 12-15 minutes. NB: let them cool as the insides will be hot!

INGREDIENTS (For two) 120gms butter 90gms caster sugar 2 eggs 120gms self-raising flour (add some green food flavour colouring if you fancy!) Five teaspoons stewed apple (can be from a jar) Shop-bought fudge (the soft, chewy kind – supermarkets often sell their own brand wrapped individually – I tried toffee but it didn’t melt in time)

Save your little tins eg. tuna, half tins of beans etc. for next month’s easy Christmas cake recipe to make, bake and gift! PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 19

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 20

MENDIP TIMES

Cosy bars and restaurant

Family and dog friendly

A traditional family run country pub tucked away in a beautiful corner of the Chew Valley with a delightful garden and front patio Food served from 6pm Thursday and Friday From 12noon Saturday and Sunday

Regil, Winford, Bristol BS40 8AY

01275 472388

www.thecrownregil.com info@thecrownregil.com

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

A warm welcome this winter Sunday lunches a speciality

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 21

WILD FOOD

Colours of autumn

IF you were to ask me “what my favourite things are about autumn?” I would have to say that it is the change in colour. As the temperature drops, the evenings draw in and the leaves of trees begin their slow turn, it is this riotous contrast in colour that is one of my favourite things about autumn. And With ADRIAN mushrooms. BOOTS Colour is a major factor in the identification of this particular edible fungus and is also a great giveaway in finding it. So what are we looking for? The place to start looking is on the large scale: we need a landscape with woods and trees so habitats such as woodland, heathland, scrubland and common land will do it. Then within those habitats we need to look for the presence of birch trees and colour plays an important part here too. For example silver birch at this time of year wears a bright autumnal dress of small yellow leaves, the silvery bark of the branches and trunk easily giving it away. Then as we narrow our search down further we study the ground around the base of the birch tree – and if you are lucky you may find an orange cap cheerily peering back up at you. The Orange Birch Bolete (Leccinum versipelle) has a rounded cap 8 to 15cm with a dull orange surface overhanging the edge. The stem 10 to 20cm tall by 2 to 5cm wide is quite long, slightly swollen at the base is a dirty grey-white colour but importantly is covered in small almost woolly dark brown to black scales. It almost looks like a covering of soot. The tubes are a dull grey with a hint of yellow, the flesh when cut is whitish at first but then dulls to grey. Whilst related to the boletus family (it even has ‘bolete’ in its name) it is a Leccinum species, the distinction is made because of its long scaly stem. It is quite common and found from late summer through autumn. Whilst looking for the orange cap of the Orange Birch Bolete, don’t ignore the brown cap of its cousin the Brown Birch Bolete (can you see the pattern here?) it too is found under birch and looks superficially similar but, you guessed it, has a brown cap. Pick them when they are young so that they are at their firmest. What better way to enjoy the colours of autumn. Avoid poisonous plants and fungi or those causing allergic reactions. Make sure you are 100% sure of your identification before eating any plant or fungi; avoid busy roadsides, dog walking areas, or places where chemicals may have been used. It is illegal to uproot or destroy any wild plant without landowner’s permission, but you can pick small quantities of leaves, nuts, and fruit on public rights of way. Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his website: www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

Squash or potato?

A NEW one for me this year, Baked Potato Squash, so named because it is supposed to taste like baked potato when cooked. I'm a little sceptical about this however. Although the colour is more similar to potato than many other squashes, the flavour is With JAKE very much like a squash! WHITSON Having said that, it is an exceptionally fine flavoured squash, sweet and with a lovely juicy, melting texture. I'll definitely be growing it again, as it's done really well for us this year. I've not been able to find much information on this variety's keeping qualities, but we're going to treat them like the rest of our squashes and see how they do. To cure squashes we simply cut them when fully mature from the vine, leaving a small amount of vine attached to each side of the stem – this seems to help prevent rot getting in through the stem of the squash. After that they are kept for a couple of weeks in a warm, well ventilated spot in the house. Once they've cured they can then be stored in a cool dry place, at around 10c – we find our garage works well. Baked potato squash lends itself well to autumnal salads – I like to roast it in large chunks, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and ground coriander seed, in a hot oven for half an hour or so until tender. When cooled but still warm, tear the chunks into pieces and arrange on a plate with peppery salad leaves and a vinaigrette made with wholegrain mustard, olive oil and cider vinegar. To make a more substantial meal, I like to add cold soft boiled eggs, cut in half, a few anchovies torn into little pieces, and a crusty roll to mop up the dressing. Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder – he divides his time between the Mendips and Pembrokeshire.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 21

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 22

MENDIP TIMES

FOOD & DRINK

butchers * fishmOngers * delicatessen

l Fresh meat

(

g p y

)

l Fresh fish

l Local cheeses

l Fresh pastries Open nOw in & pies winscOmbe! Open: monday – saturday 7am-6pm • sunday 10am-4pm

e cross, union street, cheddar, somerset bs27 3na • 01934 742521 email cobbsofcheddar@outlook.com

Country shopping at its best

New Manor Farm Shop

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US!

Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM

TEA ROOMS

BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS LUNCH – AVAILABLE FROM DECEMBER 1ST Hot & cold meals • Delicious cream teas • Full English breakfasts • Come and enjoy our lovely Sunday roast lunches

CHRISTMAS TREES, HOLLY WREATHS & HIYACINTHS Feast with us this Christmas

FABULOUS CHOICE OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS Cakes, Mince Pies, Christmas Puddings and more

Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm • Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment

Farm Shop: 01761 220067 • Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 23

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:26 Page 24

MENDIP TIMES

Pizza, paella . . . and play!

ARTISAN food and drink stalls, live entertainment and wine tasting were on the menu for the 2021 Wells Food Festival – back in real time after going online last year due to the pandemic. An estimate 15,000 people packed the Market Square, the Recreation Ground, town hall and along the moat to enjoy the best of Somerset produce and treats from further afield. The festival was organised in conjunction with Charlie Bigham’s Food Factory. Jon Abbott, festival organiser and director, said: “We were absolutely delighted by the turnout this year, of both our wonderful producers and visitors, estimated at over 15,000. “We had put in lots of measures, following government guidelines, to keep people feeling safe and the day felt a real celebration – in all sorts of ways. It’s been a tough 18 months and this was a glorious way to bring everyone together.” The awards shone a spotlight on a wide selection of the producers, with judges’ comments of passion, enthusiasm and commitment running throughout as a common theme with all the winners. Dan Massey at The Happy Forager, near Radstock, won both the Clearspace Award for Cook’s Ingredients and Charlie Bigham’s Best in Show. On presenting his award, Charlie Bigham Said “Dan at The Happy Forager stood out as someone who personifies all that is best about Wells Food Festival. A passion for his product, local sourcing and a beautiful stall.” Over in the Recreation Ground, a constant stream of people visited the new feature areas including the Celebrating English Wine marquee with three sell-out wine tasting sessions. In the Fun Kitchen marquee, cookery workshops were at full capacity through the day with 130 children making apple scone bread twists under the watchful eye of Simon Gray. Jon added: “I’d also like to thank everyone who helped on the day, from Mardons Carnival Club, Wells Community Network, and all our friends, supporters and sponsors.” l The 2022 event will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary and more volunteers would be welcome. Visit: www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk

Stalls around the Bishop’s Palace moat

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Paella – perfect in the autumn sunshine

Preparing woodfired pizzas in the Market Square

Getting ready for a session in the Fun Kitchen

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:27 Page 25

FOOD & DRINK

Zed prepares to get messy – the Fun Kitchen attracted 130 youngsters

(Photos courtesy of John Law)

The Harlem Rhythm Cats perform on the Recreation Ground bandstand

Charlie Bigham (centre) with award-winning stallholder Dan Massey (left) and festival director Jon Abbott

A helping hand on the Lievito Bakery stall

Crowds in the Recreation Ground, which feature several new areas

Iona gets to grips with apple scone bread twists in the Fun Kitchen MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 25

Food & Drink section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:27 Page 26

MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

FOOD & DRINK

Page 27 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:12 Page 1

News page 28.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:13 Page 1

MENDIP TIMES

Frome’s centenary service

STAFF, students and governors, old and new, celebrated Frome College’s centenary at St John’s Church. The service created a “warm community spirit” and was accompanied by performances from current college students. College principal, Emma Reynolds, said: “It was fantastic to hear such talented musicians who showed such confidence, poise and professionalism.” A reading of the poem To Frome College’s Green Space, written by 10Y4 as part of Big Green Week at the end of the September, was evocative and at the centrepiece of the service. Speeches came from chair of governors, Max Wide, Emma Reynolds, the Rev Colin Alsbury, former teacher Roland Hurrell and former principal Barry Bates.

Covid rates increasing

A centenary exhibition has been held at Frome Museum

WITH Covid rates increasing sharply across the South West, Bath & North East Somerset’s Director of Public Health is urging everyone to stay alert to the virus to protect themselves and others. Rates recently reached over 800 per 100,000 in parts of B&NES, the highest rate in England. Rates have more than quadrupled in some districts throughout the South West. Cases are increasing most rapidly amongst teenagers, younger children and people in their 40s. With half-term, families are asked to think about whether they can meet outdoors, or if they have to meet indoors to keep rooms well ventilated. Council leader, Cllr Dine Romero said: “We have all worked so hard over the past 20 months to keep each other safe and it is very concerning now to see the figures rising so rapidly. I am urging people to get back to the basics of mask wearing, hand washing and regular testing to try and bring these numbers down.” Put your postcode into this map on the government website to see the latest rises in cases in your local area: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map/cases

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

New school opens – one year late

NEWS

(L-R): Jason Cisneros, project manager from BAM Construction; Bishop Ruth; Suzie Svenson, headteacher; Mike Keal, Somerset County Council programme manager (school build); councillor Faye Purbrick, former cabinet member for Education; Liz Smith, SCC service manager (schools commissioning) and King Ina pupils

THE new King Ina Church of England Academy in Somerton has been officially opened – months behind schedule after the discovery of an Iron Age settlement on the site. Somerset County Council invested £7.6m to develop the new primary school which can accommodate up to 420 pupils and 52 early years children. Up to now, the school has been split over two sites at opposite ends of the town. Plans for the school to open in September last year were delayed due to archaeologists uncovering evidence of an Iron Age settlement at the site ahead of construction. The Wessex Archaeology team carried out excavations and discovered ancient burial sites that have shed significant light on life and death in Roman Somerset, as well as evidence of roundhouse buildings and other artefacts including pottery. Once the archaeological work was complete, construction of the new school went ahead and pupils started attending in April 2021. The official opening event was then postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. The school was officially opened by the Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton, on Wednesday, September 29th. It has 14 classrooms, a pre-school, a school hall, a production kitchen, sports pitches and a multi-use games area. Bishop Ruth spoke to the children before presenting a plaque to the headteacher Suzie Svenson. Bishop Ruth then joined several pupils and dignitaries for a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the main entrance, before the group headed to the school field to plant a new tree gifted by Bishop Ruth as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative for the Platinum Jubilee. Headteacher Suzie Svenson, said: “We are pleased to finally have the opportunity to celebrate the opening of our new school with a visit from Bishop Ruth and to be able to thank all of those who were involved in the building of our school. It has been fantastic to see all of the children working and playing together on one site, as one big King Ina family.”

Page 29 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:10 Page 1

NeeDS YOu! Background

Banwell Branch

e Royal British Legion was founded in 1921, in the aftermath of World War One, to support those who came home and to help care for the dependents of those who didn’t. Later that same year, the Poppy was adopted as the symbol of Remembrance for all communities who suﬀered from the conflict.

e following activities are planned: Trip to Royal Mint National Arboretum – weekend event Battle of Waterloo themed event Lunch at local Golf Club Wine Tasting January 2022 – Party For more information about joining the Branch please contact: Penny Mottram at: penanbill@aol.com

By becoming a member, you will be entitled discounts and oﬀers as well as having access to exclusive Legion events. You will help provide support to the local community but also each other. new members are now being actively sought across the area – did you know that there was a local branch near you? You do not have had to have served in the armed Forces to join, all are very welcome.

hutton, oldMixon and locking Branch We are a small branch which normally meets at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month in Hutton Village Hall. Our social events include a Summer Dance and Christmas Dance and we try to arrange two or three speakers per year on as wide a range of topics as possible. We are trying hard to increase our membership and would be delighted to welcome any prospective new members to any of our events. For more information about joining this branch, please contact liz Brown at: 158lizbrown@gmail.com

Portishead Branch e following activities are planned: Monthly RBL Awareness breakfasts at the local Wetherspoons (Please ask for dates). e Branch is 100 this year, and are holding a Centenary dinner in November 2021 at a hotel in Bristol. For more information about joining this branch please contact Berkeley harris at: Portishead.chairman@rbl.community wrington Branch is branch covers the parish of Wrington which includes Redhill, Burrington & Butcombe. For more information on joining this branch please contact John & Judy gallop at: canter@hotmail.co.uk

Arts & Antiques pages.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:16 Page 30

MENDIP TIMES

Personalised gifts

TRACEY Bowes lives in Clevedon as a fulltime artist creating a range of original paintings, prints and cards. Tracey sells her work online and provides a friendly service for collectors and those looking for a special gift. She sells prints which are eco-wrapped and delivered across the UK for free. Enjoy browsing her straightforward online gallery. You can select to have gifts sent directly to a recipient with a personalised message. You can choose from a large collection of stunning greeting cards, or opt for a fully customised version. Tracey combines her passion for painting with her love of animals. You can commission her to create affordable traditional oil paint pet portraits which you can treasure forever. She also creates lively illustrative pet portraits which are great family gifts. Her reviews are exceptional. Mendip Times readers are eligible for a 20% discount - please enter MENDIP20 at checkout. Details: www.thefineartistshop.com 07446 919331 thefineartistshop@gmail.com Facebook: thefineartistshop Instagram: @thefineartistshop

SOUGHT BY LOCAL COLLECTOR STAMP COLLECTIONS, ALBUMS AND POSTAL HISTORY

PLEASE CONTACT IAN APPLIN HOME (after 7pm): 01275 331821 • MOBILE: 07768 093576 EMAIL: ipakeeper@gmail.com

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Arts & Antiques pages.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:17 Page 31

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Mendip expert’s choice – a snake of love and wisdom EACH month, a member of the Killens team based at the Mendip Auction Rooms will do an “Expert’s Choice” detailing an item that they like which has been recently sold or is in a future auction. This month, Steven Ferguson, senior valuer at the auction rooms, gives his opinion. Steven covers all aspects of antique valuations and his specialty is jewellery and silver. He is a graduate gemmologist with The Gemmological Institute of America and often sees jewellery from 16th century Renaissance pieces to 1970s designers such as John Donald and Andrew Grimma. Our next Antiques Jewellery and Collectibles auction takes place on Saturday, November 6th and Steven has chosen his favourite item as Lot 85. He states: “It is an early Victorian gold and garnet serpent necklace circa 1850. “The head is set with a large red garnet cabochon and it has ruby eyes

on a highly articulated snake link chain necklace, the clasp secured in the jaws of the snake with a heart shaped garnet cabochon set memorial pendant with quartz crystal back and is even in its own original red leather fitted box. “In Victorian jewellery the snake symbolised eternal love and wisdom and it is still a sought after item in the

modern auction market with an estimate of £300-£500.” Valuations can be undertaken on a drop-in basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday and Killens have professional valuers and experts on hand to advise. Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits.

Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 31

Arts & Antiques pages.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:18 Page 33

ARTS & ANTIQUES

How Weymouth became Bath with some help from France

THAT domestic goddess of the Victorian era, Mrs Beeton, claimed all creatures eat, but “man only dines”. If she was still with us, With Mrs B. would surely CHRIS YEO be aghast to learn that the dining room is fast going the way of the dodo. With today’s taste for informality in all things, the room that was once the very definition of middle class respectability has been brought to the brink of obsolescence by kitchen suppers and take-aways in front of the telly. Before you drown in grief, let’s not forget that what, how and where we consume our food has always been subject to the vagaries of fashion. Around 10,000 B.C. the happy Homo Sapiens of Cheddar caves washed down their meals - usually animal, occasionally human - with the Stone Age equivalent of Chateauneuf du Pape from a human skull passed from person

to person (archaeologists have yet to discover whether “pinkies” were raised). The etiquette of Georgian dining demanded a myriad of plates, tureens and dishes to provide the necessary wow factor to impress your guests. Your dinner service said a lot about who you were or who you wanted to be, as events at Longleat in 1789 show.

Sevres soup plate

In that year, George III announced he was coming to stay and bringing 100 people with him. Lord Weymouth, Longleat’s owner, went into overdrive preparing for the visit and bought a dinner service from Europe’s most fashionable pottery. The Sevres factory had been founded just outside Paris in 1740 and quickly became the go-to place for porcelain of the highest quality, attracting the likes of King Louis XIV and his queen Marie Antoinette. What better way for Lord Weymouth to impress the King than with a huge dinner service from this most regal of makers? The service he ordered was delicately hand-painted with tiny flowers – no two pieces were alike. Was the King impressed? No. He said, as a German he would have much preferred to have eaten his dinner from a Meissen plate but he did reward Lord Weymouth with a title, making him Marquess of Bath. A plate from this service recently appeared at auction and made a very tasty £2,000.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 33

Arts & Antiques pages.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:20 Page 34

MENDIP TIMES

Miner’s artwork for sale

PAINTINGS and other art work by the late Robert Bailey of Pensford, will be sold at the annual Christmas Market on Saturday, December 4th at All Saints Church in Publow, 10am-12.30pm. One of the local history group, Sidmouth in Devon Lyndsay Cooper, said: “Robert, who ran Pensford Evergreen Club for many years along with his late wife Margaret, was an accomplished artist in his own right and this is your chance to own a very special piece of his artwork.” The former miner and historian, who died in 2019, left a vast collection of slides and photographs which his family has donated to the society, which is digitising them. Proceeds will go to All Saints’ Church and the history group. Details: http://www.publow-with-pensfordpc.gov.uk/wp-content/PDF/bailey_catalogue.pdf pensfordhistorygroup@gmail.com

We’ve got it covered Mendip Times Distribution Points

Art on show

Mary Griese

DOZENS of artists and crafts people opened up their homes and studios for this year’s Chew Valley Arts Trail. Local author Mary Griese is pictured at her Fairseat workshop in Chew Stoke with some of her paintings of agricultural and rustic scenes. Full story P50. = Mendip Times Distribution area

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. ALHAMPTON AXBRIDGE BALTONSBOROUGH BACKWELL BADGWORTH BANWELL BARROW GURNEY BARTON ST. DAVID BATCOMBE BECKINGTON BISHOP SUTTON BLACKFORD BLAGDON BLEADON BRENT KNOLL BROCKLEY BRUTON BUCKLAND DINHAM BURCOTT BURRINGTON BUTLEIGH CAMERTON CASTLE CARY CHARTERHOUSE CHEDDAR CHELYNCH CHEW MAGNA CHEW STOKE CHEWTON MENDIP CHILCOMPTON CHURCHILL CLANDOWN CLEEVE

CLUTTON COCKLAKE COLEFORD COMPTON DANDO COMPTON DUNDON COMPTON MARTIN CONGRESBURY COXLEY CRANMORE CROSCOMBE CROSS DITCHEAT DOULTING DRAYCOTT DUNDRY EAST HARPTREE EASTON EAST PENNARD EMBOROUGH EVERCREECH FARMBOROUGH FARRINGTON GURNEY FAULKLAND FELTON FROME GLASTONBURY GREEN ORE GURNEY SLADE HALLATROW HIGH LITTLETON HINTON BLEWETT HOLCOMBE HUNSTRETE

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

HUTTON KEINTON MANDEVILLE KILMERSDON LANGFORD LEIGH on MENDIP LITTON LONG ASHTON LYDFORD ON FOSSE LYMPSHAM MARK MARKSBURY MASBURY MELLS MIDSOMER NORTON NAILSEA NETTLEBRIDGE NORTH WOOTTON NORTON MALREWARD NORTON ST PHILIP NUNNEY OAKHILL PAULTON PENSFORD PILTON POLSHAM PRIDDY PYLLE RADSTOCK REDHILL REGIL RICKFORD RODE RODNEY STOKE

ROOKSBRIDGE ROWBERROW SANDFORD SHEPTON MALLET SHIPHAM SOMERTON STANDERWICK STANTON DREW STANTON WICK STOKE ST MICHAEL STON EASTON STONE ALLERTON STRATTON ON THE FOSSE STREET TARNOCK

TEMPLE CLOUD TICKENHAM TIMSBURY TRUDOXHILL TYTHERINGTON UBLEY UPHILL VOBSTER WALTON WANSTROW WEARE WEDMORE WELLOW WELLS WEST HARPTREE

WESTHAY WEST PENNARD WESTBURY SUB MENDIP WHITCHURCH WINFORD WINSCOMBE WITHAM FRIARY WOOKEY WOOKEY HOLE WRINGTON WRITHLINGTON YATTON

Arts & Antiques pages.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:20 Page 35

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Antiques valuation day at new property office

COOPER and Tanner will be hosting an antiques valuation day at its new offices in the heart of Midsomer Norton. As part of several upcoming valuation roadshow venues, Cooper and Tanner invite you to meet their salerooms team for a free jewellery, silver and antiques drop-in valuation morning on Friday, November 12th between 9am and 1pm. There is no need to book in advance. Valuers Gareth Wasp and Rachael Boothroyd will be on hand to give you a free appraisal of your items, even if you are just curious about their history. If you are unable to attend on the day or have a larger collection of items that you would like valued, then please call the salerooms on 01373 852419 for a free home visit. The salerooms at Standerwick near Frome, hold a monthly, two-day sale of jewellery, antiques, collectables, silver, and a huge variety of other items. They also offer a range of services including probate valuations, house clearances and valuations for insurance purposes.

Cooper and Tanner offer their full range of professional estate agency and surveying services from Midsomer Norton including residential, commercial, and agricultural property matters. So, feel free to drop in to discuss your property requirements with one of their estate agents or surveyors.

18ct half hunter pocket watch, sold on the hammer for £1,500

Cooper and Tanner can be found at: 14 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HP. Tel: 01761 411010 or email: midsomernorton@cooperandtanner.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 35

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 36

MENDIP TIMES

Flying start for Global Independent Travel

BUSINESS has got off to a flying start for Global Independent Travel, following the opening of new premises in Clevedon and a lift in travel restrictions. The Clevedon-based travel firm moved into a new shop earlier this summer. The new position on the Clevedon Triangle, along with the government simplifying UK travel restrictions has led to a surge in holiday bookings. Managing director, Lisa Weakley, said: “We have noticed an increase in foot flow since we moved shops and our fresh new look has been an added attraction, but we are equally happy that our long-term clients have remained loyal. As travel restrictions continue to be lifted, we are seeing more and more holiday

The new shop

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Lisa (left) and Laura

enquiries coming our way.” Lisa added: “The latest news of the USA opening up for UK visitors in November has just made holiday options that little bit easier too. After the Covid-19 pandemic, I think so many of us can’t wait to get away. It’s been a long time coming!” As the world of travel continues to open-up for the fully vaccinated, there are still some last minute 2021 bargains to be had. Popular places for Global Independent Travel clients include the Canary Islands, Greece and Cyprus. Meanwhile those planning in advance are seeking bucket list destinations such as South Africa in 2022, Florida for 2023 and tropical honeymoon destinations, including the faraway shores of the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Global Independent Travel is open for walk-in enquiries but for convenience is also offering an appointment service, or you can telephone, e-mail or contact the agency through Facebook.

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 37

BUSINESS

New protection for victims of domestic abuse

SADLY domestic abuse touches many people in the course of their lives so it is welcome news that on 5 July 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force. The Act aims to provide further protection to victims of domestic abuse, as well as strengthening measures to deal with perpetrators. There are some key definitions of what counts as domestic abuse, how the parties must be related or know each other, special measures for victims of domestic abuse in family proceedings, local authority support, and prohibiting expenses for medical evidence. For something to be classed as domestic abuse, there must be three components: • The perpetrator and victim are both aged 16 or over; • The behaviour is abusive; and • They have a relationship that makes them ‘personally connected’. “Abusive behaviour” consists of any of the following: • Physical or sexual abuse – this may include where one person carries out physical or sexual acts without consent. • Violent or threatening behaviour – the perpetrator does not necessarily have to carry out the behaviour, but it is still abuse if it is threatened. • Controlling or coercive behaviour

• Economic abuse – the Act explains that this means any behaviour that adversely effects the victim’s ability to ‘acquire, use or maintain money or other property’ or ‘obtain goods or services’. • Psychological, emotional or other abuse – abuse may be verbal and designed to impact the victim psychologically and emotionally. It is irrelevant whether the behaviour occurs as a single incident or a course of conduct. The behaviour may still be towards the victim even if the conduct is directed at someone else, for example, the victim’s child. The new Act introduces an assumption that the quality of a person’s evidence and their participation in court proceedings are likely to be diminished by reason of vulnerability. This applies when the person is a party or witness in family proceedings and is, or is at risk of being, a victim of domestic abuse. So as a victim of domestic abuse, the victim will be automatically eligible for access to special measures applied by the court which can include: • Preventing a party/witness from seeing another party or witness; • Allowing a party/witness to participate in hearings and give evidence by live link; • Providing for a party or witness to

participate in proceedings with the assistance of an intermediary; and • Providing for a party or witness to be questioned in court with the assistance of an intermediary It is to be hoped that these new provisions will allow victims to more readily use the services of the family court in the knowledge that they will be better protected from the conduct of their abusers. EDWARD LYONS

Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients. l Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes l Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills l Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts l Property – sales and purchases OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 37

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 38

MENDIP TIMES

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01761 417100 www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

Rubbish problems?

Burning wood safely

AS a local provider, Ebdon Firewood is making it easy for customers to find wood fuels that have been certified to meet new legal requirements. Under the new regulations wood fuel will need to be certified as Ready to Burn. The regulations aim to prevent harmful pollution from domestic burning of all solid fuels by ensuring wood sold in volumes of under 2 cubic metres is certified as having a moisture content of 20% or less. Ebdon Firewood customers can be confident that the wood fuel being sold is ready for immediate use by looking for the Ready to Burn logo along with the supplier’s name and unique Ready to Burn certification number. Simon Ebdon and Vicky Abbott, owners of Ebdon Firewood, said: “The new legislation is all about helping to reduce particulate emissions and improve air quality. Certified wood fuels will give you more heat from each piece of Ready to Burn wood fuel burnt. “They burn more efficiently than unseasoned, green wood and reduce the environmental impact of burning. Using proven dry wood is also better for your appliance and chimney and will help reduce maintenance and fuel costs. “The Ready to Burn certification scheme makes it easier than ever for people to identify fuels that meet legal requirements, so they can have complete confidence in what they’re buying.”

Seasoned hardwood logs Kiln dried logs Kindling

Firelighters

Smokeless coal

Call Nigel: 01761 231 238 PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

01934 734662

Order online at www.ebdonfirewood.co.uk

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 39

Shop local – it makes sense!

BUSINESS

HAVE you ever felt let down with your online purchases? Do you struggle to get good aftersales care when things go wrong? Do you know where your purchases are actually being made and what they are made of? Jill Humphrey from Pretty Sitting in Cheddar offers this advice. Today many of us are thinking much more carefully about our purchases and about what happens to stuff when it wears out. At Pretty Sitting in Cheddar we think about these questions all the time. As a small independent interiors business we are constantly talking about our core values, which are: • To offer locally made, handcrafted, recycled and sustainably sourced products for the home • To make the best quality furniture, soft furnishings and homewares so that they last a very long time and are truly loved! • To work with UK based manufacturers and suppliers who promote high environmental standards and quality products • To recycle and reuse our own offcuts and waste materials to create new and interesting products • To encourage our customers to restore, reuse and re-love their old furniture All of this does not make us the cheapest but with our great customer service and unique offering, it makes us head and shoulders above any online competitors. We are looking forward to welcoming customers to our new shop on Bath Street in Cheddar where we unique, handcrafted and eco-friendly gifts and soft furnishings.

P & C Logs Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941

Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery). MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 39

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 40

MENDIP TIMES

Can Somerset be brought out of the digital slow lane? AS we continue to pave out the normalities of working and home life post Covid-19, returning to offices for the typical Monday – Friday 9 until 5 most likely won’t be the answer. What is looking more certain, is working from home for all or part of the week, as we continue to embrace the benefits of truly flexible working. However, the long-term necessity of bringing all aspects of family and working life under one roof isn’t a welcomed thought for thousands of households. And that unfortunately, is due largely to outdated broadband that’s plunging families into daily frustrations because of its inability to cope with the surge in demand. Covid-19 has brought to light how poor connectivity impacts our daily lives. So if we’re to look at what the future realistically has in store, broadband infrastructure that can handle our ever increasing demands needs to be a top priority. Fit for purpose broadband is particularly problematic for Somerset as its cultural significance and areas

of outstanding natural beauty make building new infrastructure difficult and costly. Having been left firmly in the digital slow lane with its outdated copper networks for years, prioritisation of easy to connect cities leaves rural Somerset dealing with sub-standard connectivity. Connecting to multiple devices at the same time is a daily necessity, particularly with multiple people working from home under the same roof. However, using multiple devices is increasingly problematic for part fibre and copper-based systems. These networks are being brought to their breaking points with the surge in demand, leaving no room for additional requirements and data inflation later down the line. A scary thought when we think how rapidly technology is evolving and how much our reliance on broadband has changed in only a few years. Despite the somewhat gloomy outlook this paints, the good news is there is a very real long-term connectivity solution in sight. The

BUSINESS

answer to what broadband provides the perfect solution to all your online need for years to come, is full fibre networks. These brand-new networks are ultrafast and deliver reliable connectivity 24-7, no matter how many devices are being used at the same time. By connecting full fibre cables directly into every property (no outdated copper wires or splitting of cables in sight) the speeds you get are guaranteed. This means stress-free, reliable connectivity that allows you to video call, download and upload files in seconds and send emails whilst that all important online meeting takes place in the background. The great news is, Somerset is steadily having its digital divide closed thanks to independent internet service providers lobbying for change in the region. Truespeed is connecting residents and businesses across the county to its ultrafast, full fibre network – delivering much-needed, guaranteed speed broadband.

Place your order at www.truespeed.com and you could be enjoying all the benefits of full fibre broadband sooner than you think. PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:33 Page 41

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:40 Page 14

MENDIP TIMES

Looking their best at dairy show

A JERSEY heifer called Rivermead Bubba Lexi took top honours at the Bath & West Dairy Show. Owned by the Davis family, of Tiverton, the 13-month-old heifer was joined in winning top honours by its slightly older sibling Rivermead Casino Sunbury. The Langley family, from Farmborough, also enjoyed success on the day winning the interbreed calf championship with Valebook Dumble Holly. A crowd of 6,000 enjoyed the one-day event.

Taking a break between classes

James Heritage (centre) welcomes society VIPS to the Redlynch Engineering stand

Justina, Elissa and Jo Langley with Valebrook Dumble Holly

The Read Agriservices stand was busy throughout the day

Lissa Langley, from Farmborough

On its way to victory: Rivermead Bubba Lexi

The Langleys celebrating success PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Stowey Jordy Rainbow Red ET, from the AJ Limond Holstein herd, took first prize in the Holstein in calf heifer category

Farming section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:40 Page 15

DAIRY SHOW

Judge Emma Greendale presents the champion Guernsey award to Emma Eve Excalibur Rosie, shown by sisters Jazza and Rosa Wells

A quiet moment in the ring

Heading for the judging ring

Dairy specialists Kingshay, based near Glastonbury, were celebrating the 30th anniversary of their launch – at the 1981 dairy show

The show attracted hundreds of farmers and dairy industry experts

Taking photos of award-winning entries is not always glamorous

Young farmers from Wiltshire with their goodie bags from the trade stands MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 43

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:19 Page 16

MENDIP TIMES

Crowds flock to Castle Cary Carnival

CARNIVAL returned in style to Castle Cary – one of just two towns in Somerset to decide to put on processions. Families lined the streets for the celebrations, which took on a different format this year due to the pandemic preventing clubs from getting together to fundraise and build the traditional carts. Instead, there were plenty of walking entries, lanterns, majorettes and baton twirlers and a few, smaller carts. The other carnival took place in Chard.

Enigma Twirlers ahead of the procession

The carts might have been missing, but the costumes were still spectacular

Festive fun from Shambles Carnival Club

Lantern entries made their first appearance at carnival

HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band

Rebecca Baker, from Spirit Carnival Club

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Castle Cary scout group

For results, visit: www.ccas.org.uk

Oasis carnival club from Frome

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:19 Page 17

EVENTS

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 45

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:56 Page 46

MENDIP TIMES

Harvest festival

Church wins Lottery grant

Josh and Max

PUPILS and teachers at Chew Stoke Church School were able to hold their harvest service at their local church of St Andrew’s for the first time in two years. They were greeted at the door by the new vicar of the parish, the Rev Dr Ian Mills. The service was led by Angela Fraser, who is the Wells diocesan youth chaplain. There was a collection of tinned and dried food from the children and the church congregation for the Community of the Sisters of the Church in Bristol to support their work with homeless charities.

High Class Family Butcher

Quality you can trust

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

High Street, Chew Magna Tel: 01275 332417 PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

ST LAURENCE Church in East Harptree has been awarded a £294,900 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore its 15th century tower, to conserve its wall paintings, stained glass and bells and to undertake a wide range of activities locally and with a school for disadvantaged young people in South Bristol. The project also focuses on conservation projects and activities with East Harptree Primary School, East Harptree Environment Group and Harptrees History Society and a range of other community groups. The overall project budget is £750k so this award is a major contribution to their fundraising. St Laurence churchwardens Guy Stobart and Mary Cookson said: “We are thrilled and grateful to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are confident the project will improve the lives of young people locally and in south Bristol, contribute to the community spirit and wellbeing in East Harptree as well as preserving and making more accessible important local heritage”. Details: https://eharptreechurch.co.uk

Pre-school on the move

Elianne enjoys playing in the sand

STANTON Drew and Pensford Pre-school held an open afternoon to celebrate their move from Stanton Drew to Norton Malreward and raised nearly £300 in donations. Pre-school leader, Nicky Sparkes, said: "The open afternoon was to thank all who had helped us with the move, to say ‘hello’ to our new neighbours and to promote the setting in the area. “We ended up with about 40 visitors - neighbours, families and their children.” The pre-school is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Staff preparing refreshments (l to r) Michele Miller, Kelly Seymour and Nicky Sparkes

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:56 Page 47

Tintinna – stirred but never shaken?

SANDY and Ian Bell have been running the company since 1999, using their lifetime of experience in communication and creativity, combined with living in the Chew Valley for nearly 30 years, to provide a wide range of services to their clients. It’s no exaggeration to say there isn’t a topic they haven’t Sandy and Ian Bell covered and they can turn their minds and hands to anything you can throw at them, making crucial connections that make all the difference to your business. And don’t imagine the artwork side is restricted to canvas. Sandy has perched precariously whilst painting sea creatures in the Lazy Lobster in Chew Magna, has produced a huge shaggy dog in the new Pet Hub and took care to make sure the Druids were happy with her Stanton Drew pub sign. They’ve even just been acknowledged in a new book about the intelligence service – but that’s top secret!

Trees available

CHEW Valley Plants Trees is looking for land to plant trees, from the size of a garden to a field. It aims to double tree cover by 2030 to capture carbon and provide wildlife habitats and corridors. One of the founders, Jackie Head, said: “Last year we planted 1000 oaks across the Chew Valley as well as other mixes of native trees. We have been developing little tree nurseries of whips to plant and this year we want to find new land to plant on.” They would like to hear from landowners, farmers or gardeners. Details: https://www.chewvalleyplantstrees.co.uk/ email chewvalleyplantstrees@gmail.com

Orchard House

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

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

CHEW MAGNA

Moira, Denise and Carol wish customers old and new A Merry Christmas

07748 994543

Chew Stoke

Comfortable self-catering and bed & breakfast accommodation

Ann Hollomon

01275 333143

orchardhse@ukgateway.net www.orchardhouse-chewstoke.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 47

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:56 Page 48

MENDIP TIMES

Craft days are back

Tea party for Harvey

Caroline and Marie Coombs from Pensford

Pictured (l to r) Ruth Watson, Gary Hall, Robert and Carol Bryant and Alex Turasiewiz enjoying tea and cake and showing the sunflowers they had purchased

COMPTON Dando village was buzzing again as craft days resumed, with just over 20 people sharing crafts and techniques. Organiser, Harriette Dottridge, “We hope to run another three days this winter and welcome anyone who would like to bring their own craft and work alongside other like-minded people or learn something new.” The next craft day will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd 10am-4pm at Compton Dando Village Hall. Details: Harriette on 01761 490445 or at hdottridge@hotmail.com

AFTER a break of a year or so, Janet Parsons held another vintage tea party at her home in Stowey with her sister Maggie Davies. Janet has held events for various charities in memory of their mother Elizabeth Davies. This time it raised money for the Harvey Hext Trust – A Sibling’s Wish appeal. Sarah Hext, who set up the trust after Harvey’s death, said: “The garden party was a resounding success, the support on the day was overwhelming with a staggering £1660 raised for The Harvey Hext Trust. “This was entirely due to the hard work and enthusiasm shown by Janet, Maggie and their fabulous team of volunteers. We are extremely grateful for their support and the support of everyone who attended the vintage tea party.” The annual Harvey Hext scarecrow trail was also held around Chew Valley in October.

PET SHOP | GROOMER | SELF DOGWASH | FREE PARKING Open: Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm Sunday 10am – 4pm • Closed Monday

www.chewvalleypethub.co.uk Email: info@chewvalleypethub.co.uk Tel: 01275 627265 chew valley pethub chewvalleypethub Glebe House, Harford Square, Chew Magna BS40 8RA PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2019

Sarah Hext

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 49

Valley Arts Fringe Festival takes the stage

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

CIA Munch Mission

THE Valley Arts team says it’s delighted to bring the performing arts charity’s fifth annual Fringe Festival to local venues across the Chew Valley. Starting on October 29th, the festival runs through to the end of November, and this year is bigger and better than ever. It features a wide range of professional performances from comedy and drama, to folk music, poetry and even beatboxing. In fact there’s something sure to appeal to everyone. Valley Arts chair, Geraldine HillMale, said: “Tickets are already really flying. It’s great to have so much local support for the Fringe Festival and what we are doing.” The festival recently won support from Arts Council England, which means Valley Arts is able to provide an even greater range of entertainment, and bring a much-needed boost to people after so many months in lockdown. Performances include BBC2 Folk Award winners Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman at Ubley Parish Hall, comedy from Catherine Bohart and Stuart Goldsmith at Bishop Sutton Hall and the superbly entertaining poet John Hegley performs his show Peace Love & Potatoes at Compton Martin Village Hall. Highlights for children include Roustabout Theatre’s thought-provoking drama This Island’s Mine. Filled with magic, music and mayhem, it will be performed at Winford Primary School. Meanwhile the audience turns detective in Brave Bold Drama’s hilarious interactive comedy CIA Munch Mission. (Photo courtesy of Polly Hancock)

John Hegley

The full line-up, which includes a range of free workshops and ticket information can be found on the Valley Arts website. www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 49

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 50

MENDIP TIMES

Arts Trail success

WONDERFUL autumn sunshine welcomed visitors who turned out in large numbers for the 19th Chew Valley Arts Trail, which had to go virtual last year. Organisers were delighted and are already looking forward to the 20th anniversary exhibition on the second weekend of October next year. Patrick Waldock

Blagdon artists (l to r) Margaret Avery, Liz Goodall. Rose Carter and Alison Gibson

Adam Egginton

Brother and sister Samantha and Josh Dury

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Sheila Steel (left) and Sandy Bell

Natasha Clutterbuck

Amelia Sommer

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 51

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

Claims of a cooling housing market may be premature Sally Killen looks at the Chew Valley housing market

IN the early stages of the pandemic, there were widespread suggestions that the housing market would collapse as a consequence. Instead, over the past 18 months we have seen a period of extraordinary growth as some households found they had increased savings coupled in many cases with a desire for more space. Values are now 13% higher with the average house price over the past year in the Chew Valley standing at £554,617. In August, according to Nationwide, nationally house prices grew by 2% but this slowed in September to 0.1% with the looming end of the stamp duty holiday being blamed for the slowdown. Whilst some economists consider that rising inflation is likely to dent house price growth, other economists believe prices are likely to be sustained in the

6, South Parade, Chew Magna on the market with Killens at £600,000

coming year by continued low interest rates and constraints on supply from the lack of new housebuilding. Rightmove have reported that there is the “hottest ever competition to buy, with buyer demand per property for sale more than double pre-pandemic levels” and throughout our area we are still seeing continuing demand for homes and sales being achieved quickly.

Prices are being sustained due to an incredibly low number of properties on the market. If you are considering moving but are reluctant to put your property on the open market, we encourage you to talk to us. With known buyers seeking the right property and others seeking to sell, we may be able to help you sell and find your dream property quickly.

The Chew Magna office of Killens can be contacted on 01275 333993 chewmagna@killens.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 51

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 52

MENDIP TIMES

Geni Printing of the Chew Valley

GENI Printing, based in Chew Stoke, prides itself on providing a high-quality in-house design, print and publishing service. Always conscious of competition, Geni makes every effort to keep prices affordable. Geni is an accredited member of The Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce and The British Association for Printing & Communication (UK). Established for over 50 years, the business naturally has many customers, many of whom have enjoyed Geni’s excellent service and customer support over the years. Their specialities include paperback and hard back books, booklets, wedding and funeral stationery, brochures, leaflets, programmes, posters, greetings cards, labels, frozen food sleeves, tickets and invitations. They also specialise in printing exercise and year books for schools both local and further afield. They offer a wide range of various stocks, including silk, textured, linen, satin, pinstripe, hammer, pearlescent and parchment paper and card. “State of the art” Konica Minolta digital colour presses ensure a 1300 dpi, high resolution print quality. All inks are vegetable based. Wide format printing and signage is also available. So try them out! – they’re local and almost zero miles for any Chew Valley customer!

Help for Edie

CHELWOOD Bridge Rotary Club is again supporting Edie Browne, aged nine, from Chew Stoke, who has many health issues and disabilities. We first reported on Edie in 2016 when the club agreed to help get her a special Hart walker, which transformed her quality of life. She used the unit on an almost daily basis and in February 2017 she stunned everyone by taking some independent unaided steps. Now the club is helping to fund a Vanraam specialised wheelchair bicycle, which costs £8,000. It is organising crowdfunding through the GlobalGiving platform. Details: www.chelwoodbridgerotary.com • http://goto.gg/54324

Pumpkin challenge

Pictured (l to r) Julia Young, Claire Brooks, Cherryl Taylor and Jenny Harris

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

THE latest challenge of Bishop Sutton & Stowey WI was to see who could carve the best pumpkin. Members now look forward to December when it is their turn to set up the Chew Valley Group of WIs’ carol concert. This will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Bishop Sutton on Monday, December 6th at 7pm and will be a service of carols and readings.

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 53

A simpler way to extend your home CHEW Valley Garden Studios are a local business, combining over 60 years of experience in design expertise and construction. As a small business, their reputation is of utmost importance and they only produce finished products that they are proud to call their own and are happy to put their name to. This includes creating contemporary garden buildings that not only increase

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

the value of your property but also stand the test of time. They are passionate in ensuring that each build has longevity of use. Designed from the ground up, they control every step of the process. They will work with you to create your ultimate garden studio, from initial concept and design, to build and installation. They even offer a full decorating service, complete with a choice of floor coverings. All their garden studios and buildings are bespoke and they pride themselves

in offering a professional and personal service. They hand make their garden studios in their workshop to reduce build times on-site, using their in-house skilled master carpenter and joiner. They use an exceptionally strong and robust framework, finished in either a choice of timber cladding or PVC composite cladding in a choice of colours for zero maintenance. Fully insulated, with “A” rated double glazed windows, your finished garden studio will be ready for you to simply move in and start enjoying your additional space.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 53

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 54

MENDIP TIMES

Windows

THE CHEW VALLEY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED WINDOW COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR CONSERVATORIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS IN HARDWOOD OR UPVC

HARDWOOD JOINERY SPECIALISTS www.rhwindowsltd.co.uk

Telephone: 01761 452171 Fax: 01761 453342

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:57 Page 55

East Harptree challenge

CHEW Valley Cycling Club held its annual hill climb race up Smithams Hill, East Harptree, with 47 riders competing. The event raised £200 which will be donated to East Harptree Primary School, as in previous years. In the past the school has used the money to provide “bikeability” cycling proficiency training for the children. The 2km time trial involved riders setting off at one minute intervals to see who could set the fastest time. Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club) was the men’s winner in a time of five minutes, two seconds. Lucy Driver (Bridgwater Cycling Club) was the women’s winner in six minutes 51 seconds. National champion Andrew Feather also took part and set a course record of four minutes 51 seconds but unfortunately incurred a time

Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce FOR the last 20 years Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce has provided members with the two key services of a forum for meeting up and a representative voice for the business community. We have not met face to face since early in 2020 but are planning an in-person social in the next few weeks to get back to having some fun. However, we’ve kept in touch through Zoom meetings and have continued to keep members informed with relevant information, such as what business

support funds were available. Those meetings have been really useful, allowing us to keep up with the issues affecting our members and understand what was going well and what was more of a challenge. We’ve discussed matters of concern, such as the impact the Bristol Clean Air Zone could have on our area and only recently heard from a new employment service in Bath and North East Somerset which was able to provide useful information about a range of topics. Sandy Bell President

A Professional Company serving the South West

Details: www.chewvalleychamber.co.uk or email tintinna@aol.com

Team prize went to Bristol Road Club (l to r) organiser Mark Jerzac with Phil Stonelake, Harvey Thomas and Steve Thomas

(Photo courtesy of www.meglovellphoto.co.uk)

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

penalty for missing his start time, so did not win! Great support was shown by local residents who came out to cheer on the event.

Choral society is back with November concert

CHEW Valley Choral Society is back with its first live public concert of choral masterpieces since 2019. On November 27th the generous acoustic of St. John’s, Keynsham will resound to Haydn’s joyful Nelson Mass and Fauré’s elegiac and atmospheric Requiem. Under its director, the composer David Bednall, the society has established a reputation for excellent performances of the masterpieces of the classical choral repertoire supported by outstanding soloists. The soloists are soprano, Emma Huggett, alto, Naomi MacLeod-Jones, tenor, Iain MacLeod-Jones and bass,

Christopher Sheldrake. Tickets £15, students and children £7.50 from the Parish Office 1, The Park Keynsham BS31 2BL, from members on the door or phone 01275 333014.

Intruder Alarms U Fire Alarms U CCTV Systems U Insurance approved U Installation, maintenance, repairs and upgrades U Central Station Monitoring U Local engineers Tel: 01275 331914 sales@chewvalleyalarm.co.uk www.chewvalleyalarm.co.uk

Relax knowing your property is protected

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 55

Christmas feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:39 Page 56

MENDIP TIMES

Free festive parking

MENDIP shoppers, visitors and businesses can enjoy free parking during the run-up to Christmas and on New Year's Day. Free car parking will be available in all Mendip-owned pay and display car parks during the holiday period, for one week, from Saturday, December 18th until Friday, December 24th. There’s also a fee-free day planned to support Small Business Saturday, December 4th in car parks at Cranhill Road in Street, St John's car park in Glastonbury, Union Street in Wells, Great Ostry in Shepton Mallet and the Cattle Market in Frome. Details: https://www.mendip.gov.uk/carpark

Festive grants available

Santa at a community Christmas meal at Heads Up, Wells in 2019

CHRISTMAS

Collecting Christmas gifts

CHRISTMAS gifts will be distributed by Wells Foodbank thanks to Hannah Wall, who is collecting new or preloved items for people in need. Last year Hannah ran a shoebox appeal which was so successful that gifts were provided for the foodbank, the Salvation Army, Fusion Somerset and YMCA Wells. Hannah said: “Christmas is all about giving – especially for children. By giving a gift to a child who might not otherwise have much, or who might have been through a difficult time due to cancer, you are making a huge difference to someone at this special time of year.” Items can be dropped off at LA Moore Demolition, Old Railway Yard, Haybridge, Wells, BA5 1AH. Alternatively you can choose items from as little as £2 on an Amazon wish list, which you can find by visiting the Foodbank’s Facebook page. Sue Marland, pastor of Wells Vineyard Church who runs Wells Foodbank said: “Demand for the foodbank has risen during the last two years and is nearly six times higher than in 2019. “That means there are a lot of families in the area who will find it almost impossible to celebrate Christmas this year without your help. In addition to this year’s shoebox appeal, we are also in need of financial donations which used to purchase fresh food stocks and purchase items in short supply.” Financial donations can be made to Wells Vineyard Christian Fellowship’s HSBC account: Sort code: 40-46-06, Acc No: 31387170. Please use “Wells Vineyard Church” as the reference. Money donated will be used to purchase fresh food stocks and purchase items in short supply.

Christmas boxes

SOMERSET Community Foundation (SCF) would like to support community groups in Somerset that can help to reduce loneliness and share some Christmas cheer through food and festive activities. The Festive Fund for Somerset offers up to £300 to groups if they can tell SCF how their work can combat the isolation and loneliness that many people can feel in the winter months. Applications close on Friday, October 29th. Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/festivefund

Pictured (l to r) Penny Savill, Mel Jameson, Maggie Bone and Sheila Dobbs

Sale starts Friday, November 26th PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

CHILDREN and parishioners across the Chew Valley are busy packing shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for those less fortunate than themselves. They do this through Operation Christmas Child, which is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, run by the Christian relief and development organisation Samaritan’s Purse. Chew Stoke resident, Mel Jameson, who has been collecting boxes for more than 12 years, launched this year’s collection with a coffee morning which raised £360.

Wildlife page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:12 Page 40

WILDLIFE

From redwing to roe deer – signs that winter is on its way

THE bird feeders are cleaned and back up and awaiting the hungry hordes; birds that are especially busy as the daytime temperatures start to drop. The autumn cleaning of nesting boxes is also now underway, ready for a spring that seems an eternity away. By CHRIS When I’m out at night at this time SPERRING MBE of the year surveying owls, I keep an ear out for redwings flying overhead. These small members of the thrush family give themselves away at night by their sound; to be precise, their flight calls. A lot of their movement is done through the night or more than likely through the darkness of the early evening. Some will have started their journeys in the far north of Scandinavia to spend time with us during winter. If the weather turns cold, then the redwings will begin stripping the berries from hawthorn bushes and the like. They may even start picking over fallen apples but then, as temperatures recover, they will switch back to open fields and woodland edges where they can feed upon worms, etc. As it starts to get dark during November have a listen out for redwings flying over your home; the sound they make is a high pitched “zeezee”. If you’re out walking in first light or near sunset, you may come across roe deer, one of our native deer species,

Roe deer may begin to gather together in quite large numbers

venturing out from their scrub or woodland hideaways into the more open landscape. During winter, these normally solitary deer will gather in larger numbers; some have said to have seen up to 12 together and they will be feeding on quite a wide variety of vegetation from grasses and buds to shrubs such as bramble. Not everyone can get out to the countryside to watch wildlife and, of course, we know from the many scientific papers that been produced that being close to or immersed in nature is very beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing. Instead, there are things we can do to get nature to approach us, such as feeding the birds. Providing a food source or bird feeding station will allow us close-up views and help us understand which species we have in our neighbourhood. One drawback to this, maybe, is that you or your neighbour don’t want the risk of attracting rats. Just a quick Google search reveals there are now companies producing rat and squirrel-proof bird feeders which are well worth exploring to offer peace of mind. If you have mobility issues and want to enjoy nature away from your home, then there are nature reserves in, or close to the Mendip Times area, that have “access for all” policies, such as wheelchair-friendly tracks and ramp access to hides. If you’re planning a nature trip and have mobility issues, then take a look at this website before you set off: https://www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk/somerset Christmas is coming and here are some ideas for wildlifethemed presents. Bird nesting boxes for a garden can make great presents for the family member who wants to study birds; even better if it’s got a camera that links to the family TV or computer as now you will have your own “Springwatch” to watch when you want to. With a camera you can study the secret life of nesting birds without ever disturbing them. I have mentioned bird feeders already and these can be purchased as kits which can also include a camera for that “better than what’s on the telly” experience. Instead of animal adoptions, The Hawk and Owl Trust offers an “adopt a bird of prey or owl nesting box” along with information about the species your box will hopefully attract. These are simple, yet affective presents which can and do enhance the nature learning process for us all. The Hawk and Owl Trust adopt-a box-scheme can be found at: https://hawkandowltrust.org/index.php/membership/adopt-abox-membership Happy Christmas shopping! Inset photograph: Redwings can be heard at night

After an absence of more than a year due to Covid restrictions, I will be starting the owl walks once again on Mendip and in other areas. Please contact me if you wish to join me on one of these walks. Ring me on 07799 413918 or email me at: Chris.Sperring@hawkandowltrust.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 57

Walking DPS.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:08 Page 58

MENDIP TIMES

Enjoy autumn colours around Stourhead

A BEAUTIFUL autumn or winter walk from King Alfred’s Tower down to Stourhead to enjoy the changing colours in the woodland and estate. Go from the tower down through woodland to the waterfall, grotto, temples and the Bristol Cross at Stourton and then go by the main house, past the sun obelisk and down into the open green valley of Six Wells Bottom. It’s a moderate circle with no steep hills – just two or three modest climbs and only two stiles. Walking is mainly good underfoot. In Stourton there is a great little snack outlet and the pub. You could also go up to the main cafe at the NT visitor centre (membership not needed). It’s not the first walk I have

With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

done from here but this is a variation and well worth doing. Expect Stourton to be very busy on a sunny day at the weekend during the autumn! PARK: At the NT Trust car park for the tower on Kingsettle Hill, East of Bruton, or park somewhere at the roadside between there and the tower. There are two lay-bys right by the tower. Cross the road onto the wide grassy swathe and turn right to the magnificent tower.

1. TOWER King Alfred's Tower, a 160 ft (49m) brick folly was designed by Henry Flitcroft in 1772 for Henry Hoare II in 1772. It is believed to mark the site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops in 878. The tower commemorates the accession of George III to the throne in 1760 and the end of the Seven Years War. The tower is usually open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but check before you go. Go on past the tower, to the left of it, and straight on nearly to the end of the grass, soon joining a path going into the woodland. This is a quite small, windy path and there may be some mud in places.

2. WOODLAND It may not always be a very clear path, particularly if buried under autumn leaves, but just keep along it. The path bends left. Reach a crossing track and go left. You are now walking along near the edge of Kingsettle Hill with some views down through the trees. Ignore side turns. Reach a junction with a broad crossing

track and here go right only a few yards and then take the first right downhill. It bends round. Ignore a track joining from the left.

3. TRACK CROSSROADS Near the bottom arrive at a crossroads of tracks and turn left. Along here you are soon on the edge of the woodland with fields on the right. It drops down and then levels out, gradually going a little deeper into the woodland. At the next T-junction, turn right on a track, stony at first. At a fork, follow the yellow arrow straight on with open ground on the left. 4. GATE Reach a five bar gate with a stile alongside which takes you along a path, next to a fence into the open – a pleasant contrast with the woodland. Follow this and reach a point where a track joins from the left through a gate, but you just keep straight on along the yellow arrowed path. Woodland is now on your left and grassland estate on the right. Pass a cottage over left in this parkland on the Stourhead estate. 5. LAKE Soon reach a pretty inlet on the Stourhead Estate’s Garden Lake. Follow the main track on through a gate by a cattle grid. Pass a poem by Virgil exalting the open countryside. A large bank on your left supports the main lake and a smaller area of lake is on your right. Soon ahead on the right is a waterfall right and an old water wheel. An information board here is helpful. Carry on past the 19th century

Walking DPS.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:08 Page 59

WALKING

pump house and come up to the road.

6. ARCH Turn left and immediately go under a dramatic grotto arch. Up right is the Temple of Apollo. Like others on the estate it was designed to give beautiful views over the lake. The architect was Henry Flitcroft, a friend of the Hoare family.

7. STOURTON Arrive at Stourton village at a very picturesque spot with the Bristol Cross. This was known as the Bristol High Cross – a monumental market cross erected in 1373 in the centre of Bristol at the crossroads of four main streets. It was built on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon cross to commemorate the granting of a charter by Edward III to make Bristol a county, separate from Somerset and Gloucestershire. It became the site of special events – not always happy ones – in particular a number of beheadings. In the mid-18th century the cross was moved to the Stourhead Estate. Here is a magnificent view over the lake and bridge to the Pantheon and the landscaped gardens. Over right is the church and on the left some of the estate cottages. Continue on to the Spread Eagle and courtyard. There is a snack and ice cream bar (great paninis) and of course the pub itself. Go through the courtyard and parking area and along the path ahead which climbs uphill. After two bends, reach a signpost. Go left over the bridge across the road towards the main house and into the walled vegetable garden of the estate. Before crossing the bridge, you can make a short detour here up right and soon

OS Explorer 142 Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East, grid ref: 749 357, postcode BA10 0LB • 5.6 miles, about 3 hours walking.

come up to the main visitor centre and cafe. No membership needed. Turn right in the walled garden and come out on the main drive to Stourhead House, with the castellated gatehouse entrance on your right. Turn up the drive left, passing three venerable sweet chestnut trees surrounded by hoop fencing. One of them is thought to be about 500 years old. Pass the stable yard on the left.

8. STOURHEAD HOUSE Reach the magnificent Palladian mansion of Stourhead House. The Stourton family owned the estate from before the Norman Conquest. In 1717 the family sold it to Henry Hoare I (1677-1725), a wealthy banker from London. Henry Hoare replaced the Stourton home with a Palladian-style country house and started to develop the lake and landscape gardens. This Palladian mansion was home to eight generations of the Hoare family of bankers. In 1946, triggered by the tragic death of his only son and heir, Harry, in WWI, Henry Hoare gave the house and most of the grounds to the National Trust. The house itself has limited opening hours but visitors need to be members or pay. You can, however, go down steps into the basement to see the exhibition which is free to all. Pass in front of the house, go through a gate and then left on the Stour Valley Way. There is a gate ahead with a cattle grid. If you want to avoid this take the pedestrian path on the left and then, once through, rejoin the track through Stourhead Park. Over left soon see the Sun Obelisk. This was first built in 1746 as an

Egyptian symbol of the ever shining sun. It has been restored twice – once after crumbling and later when it was struck by lightning in 1853. A memorial plaque on the side facing the house was placed there by Colt Hoare 1815, in memory of his grandfather, Henry Hoare. The track leads to a gate by a lodge house. Go through and immediately left on the Stour Valley Way, over a stile and onto a path in woodland. It takes you down quite steeply to a crossing path. 9. SIX WELLS BOTTOM Turn right and a gate leads you into the grassy valley of Six Wells Bottom. This valley has springs which are the source of the River Stour. Turn right up the valley for about half a mile to St Peter’s Pump.

10. PUMP Originally built in the 14th century this pump house marking the source of the River Stour dates back to1786. Previously it was in Bristol for over 300 years and formed a major part of the Bristol water supply. Here at the base of the pump is the only remaining one of the original six wells. At the pump go left over to a stile into woodland and follow the path up. At the junction at the top, with a signpost, go more or less straight on in the direction of Alfred’s Tower. This track takes you out of woodland and all the way along towards the road at the top. Just before the road, turn left on the grassy swathe. Cross two tracks and then reach an information board about the tower. Here go out to the road with the car park opposite or find where you parked along the road.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 59

Outdoors page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:42 Page 64

MENDIP TIMES

OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

IT’S November and the next stop is Christmas! I can’t help but pray the fine weather continues, because there is plenty of time for the rain and cold to inflict itself on us later. Writing this in the middle of October, as the autumn sun shines and the trees still hang onto their leaves, gives me With LES hope, but in reality I know the weather will DAVIES MBE soon change. Once it does there will be no going back, so I’m enjoying every minute of this and look back on what has been a pretty good autumn. If you managed to get to the Mendip Ploughing Match on September 29th, you would have had a great day out. We have been “starved” of days such as this and people made the best of it. With 113 ploughs booked in on the day, there were only a couple who had to withdraw due to breakdown or transport problems. The dry-stone walling section had 11 entries, thanks to the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) volunteer rangers and members of the Mendip Society. This is possibly the first time that walling entries have been greater than the hedge laying. Conditions for ploughing couldn’t have been better. The previous day a huge amount of rain fell on dry ground and was quickly absorbed; the softened top soil turned like a dream. As always the ladies from the society provided lunches and tea to every competitor on the field as well as stewards, judges and members of the public. All of this happens every year from a tent in the middle of a field on Mendip! This is a true rural celebration, attended by people who want to be there, whether they’re a spectator, competitor or member of the committee who will have worked all year to make this happen. In today’s high-tech world it’s a comforting thought that organisations and events such as this still exist and bring the message of a working countryside to everyone. Take a look at the pictures from that day in this copy of Mendip Times…. God speed the plough! Winter walks will soon be with us, so check out your clothing and footwear. Boots are something that may only be worn occasionally and as such we take them out, using the old excuse “well they are so comfortable and I would have to break a new pair in”. I did just that until my old boots started to leak and found out that modern boots ARE comfortable and you DON’T have to break them in. I also chose a pair one size bigger and found the extra room a real advantage. I could put some good quality insulating insoles in, improving comfort and insulation. It was a game changer for me and led to much less fatigue. Kicking through the piles of autumn leaves was, and still is, an experience filled with child-like joy. It’s not only the sound, but the sight of the leaves scattering in front you. It brings back memories of bonfire nights and the preparation for them. If they do take place these days, Covid allowing, they are group organised, being strictly controlled and delivered. There was a time families had their own small bonfire and fireworks in the back garden. A lot of effort was spent collecting leaves and anything that would burn to make this “beacon”.

I only remember one such case in my childhood when we had a bonfire. It was situated in an old quarry below the farmyard and my grandfather spent all evening worrying about the sparks reaching the hay barn. Suffice to say we didn’t have another! Spare a thought however for those leaves and how they have reached the end of their working life. Digging way back into the memory vaults, many will recall school biology lessons describing photosynthesis and the green chemical chlorophyll that makes the process of food production for a tree possible. These arboreal solar panels spend all year converting sunlight into food and sending it to the root system via the vascular system of the tree, just like a pipeline. As the temperature starts to drop, the tree realises it’s heading into winter. Deciduous trees which drop their leaves and become dormant, will start preparations. Dumping the leaves no longer needed in the dormant season, will reduce the freezing effect on the tree and eliminate the wind resistance from winter storms. The tree also reduces the amount of water it holds to prevent freezing, reducing water uptake as early as July. The tree will take back all the chlorophyll and sugars from the leaf, sending it down the trunk for storage in the root system until required again next spring. This results in the colour change we see when reds, yellows and other colours become evident. They have been there all along, but masked by the chlorophyll giving the leaf its green colour. There is one final job for the leaf and that is to act as “toilet paper” for the tree. It pumps its waste into the leaf before settling down to sleep, similar to our visit to the bathroom. Thus the leaf has fulfilled its task on the tree and a corky layer of cells called the “abscission layer” cuts it free. Falling to the ground they become compost to feed the soil and complete their part of the carbon cycle. You will notice not all trees have the autumn colours. Ash and alder are nutrient rich and flaunt their wealth by jettisoning leaves when they are still green. Conifers will pump natural anti-freeze into their needle-like leaves, so they can get an early start in the spring, which helps in the colder climates they are meant to grow in. Finally, this month’s picture is the horse chestnut, or “conker”. There was a time when no small boy was complete without a satchel full of these, a metal meat skewer to bore holes in them and boot laces on which to string them… gladiatorial combat in the school playground!

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

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Yeo Valley page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:35 Page 1

Gardening section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:46 Page 62

MENDIP TIMES

The colours of autumn

SADLY, this year has not been good for glorious autumnal tints and many leaves have fallen prematurely due to the dry September. Autumn can be a magical month with the foliage tints changing almost day by day, but it takes certain conditions to encourage a stunning display. First the plants must receive With MARY a trigger to start shutting down for the winter. PAYNE MBE The shortening of the day length is the starting gun. This reduces the production of hormones which in turn starts the ageing process. A layer of corky cells develops between the leaf stalk and the twig. This in turn reduces the return of sugars out of the leaf for storage and as a result the green chlorophyll starts to break down exposing other colour pigments, previously masked by the green. Oranges, yellows and reds are the most common, but browns occur frequently in oaks and beech due to the amount of tannins in the leaves. It is the presence of the tannins that make the leaves of these species slow to break down into compost. The development of these pigments is also influenced by climatic factors. Crisp cold nights and bright sunny days are the ideal conditions to encourage good autumn colours. But other factors are inevitably involved. Plants need to be grown in the sun for best colours and clones can be selected for their ability to colour well. A classic example is the sweet gum, Liquidambar, which is normally raised from seed and the resulting colours can be disappointing. Named varieties that colour well are propagated vegetatively to produce clones. Worplesdon and Lane Roberts are two worth seeking out. Do not be fooled when buying potential autumnal tint plants in garden centres. If the colours are vivid they may be starved which also leads to bright colours. So, what plants would I recommend for the best autumnal show? The winged spindle Euonymus alatus reliably puts on a shocking pink display and for smaller gardens the Compactus form is ideal. Indeed, our native hedgerow spindle offers spectacular foliage accompanied by pink fruits that split to reveal bright orange seeds. Japanese Maples in all their varied forms can be spectacular, but require careful positioning away from drying winds in spring and shelter from excessive sun in summer. Osakazuki and Seiryu are to be recommended. My favourite tree for small gardens is Crataegus persimmilis Prunifolia Splendens, a form of hawthorn, offering white spring blossom followed by a good crop of red fruits amidst red, orange and yellow foliage. For larger gardens my pick of the bunch is Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze selected for its ability to put on a stunning show most years. The ever-popular Virginia Creeper is at its best when allowed to climb trees and then cascade rivers of red from the branches as it looses its grip. Its cousin, Boston Ivy, is much better at clinging on tightly, and will never fall off. Some plants flower in the autumn and are welcomed by bees and other insects. They are rarely in vibrant colours, but advertise their presence by a strong perfume. The evergreen hedging plant, Elaeagnus x ebbingei flowers in October and November, followed by edible fruits know as silverberries. This shrub also has the unusual property of fixing nitrogen in PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Chrysanthemum Hillside Apricot

root nodules, although not belonging to the legume family commonly associated with this ability. Also scented is the upright Mahonia Charity. The flowers of this genus are sensitive and if landed on by an insect the stamens clam shut remarkably fast around the stigma to ensure good pollination. If you would like to light up the landscape for miles around try the flambuoyant Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia rooperi, sporting large bright orange red heads on two metre stems. The flowers of late season ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis varieties will stand all winter adding much needed interest to many gardens. Late flowering asters are still performing despite having undergone catastrophic name changes. Little Carlow now correctly known as Symphyotrichum Little Carlow is a must for the autumn garden and is followed by Chrysanthemum Hillside Apricot (see picture) a hardy single flowered variety that never fails to please. For snowdrop addicts there is a November flowering form appropriately called Armistice Day, but I prefer to wait for the post-Christmas display. Clumps of naked ladies (Colchicums), brighten up rough grass areas where their unpleasant foliage is disguised. Nature’s “berried treasure” provides food for wildlife throughout the winter months and such plants are well worth including in your garden. Most crab apples fall by late October, but Malus Red Sentinel will keep its fruits well into the New Year as if decorated for Christmas. Cotoneasters, in all their variety, are loved by birds. An excellent plant for a north facing wall is C. horizontalis, its fanshaped twigs are effective all winter long after its spectacular display of red leaves and berries have finished. Our native mountain ash (rowan) berries are rarely left on the trees for long. The birds seem to prefer the native species to those of the Chinese “take-away” berries on offer from the pink fruited Sorbus hupehensis. Our own native Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus, puts on a matching display of red leaves that nearly mask the shining clusters of red berries. Sadly, this plant is being ravaged by the viburnum beetle which weakens the plant and may kill it. Its brother the Wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana appears not to be so tasty. Enjoy nature’s rich tapestry of autumnal colours before we snuggle down for the winter ahead and the promise of spring’s glory.

For more details go to: www.queensgreencanopy.org

Gardening section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:46 Page 63

NOVEMBER GARDEN TIPS

• Check fruit trees for signs of canker. Cut off infected shoots if small but for larger important branches it will be necessary to brush away the dead loose cankered tissue, tidy it up with a sharp knife and then paint the wound. • Attach sticky Glue Band Traps to the trunks of fruit trees. These will trap the winter moth on its way up the trunk to lay its eggs. Do the stake too! • Apply Winter Wash to fruit trees and bushes now to control any insect pests that are over wintering in cracks and crevices • Remove any fruit that has brown rot. Burn or bin it. This infected fruit often hangs on the trees as mummified clusters lurking ready to infect next year’s crop! • Pinch immature figs off outdoor plants. These will not grow on if left but will rot on the tree so are best taken off now. Anything smaller than the size of a pea can be left to grow on and should survive the winter to ripen next summer. • Check stored fruit regularly. Remove and eat any that are ripe but check for any that are rotting and remove them promptly. • Plant fruit canes and bushes. Many varieties of containerised and pot grown are in stock now. • Complete autumn digging in the veg patch, leave the ground rough and let the frost and rain break it up. Add Clay Breaker and plenty of organic matter (Revive, Mushroom compost or Farmyard Manure etc.) to improve heavy clay soil and very light sandy soil too. • Plant tulip bulbs (if not done already). Urgently plant any other bulbs.

NORTON GREEN

GARDENING

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NURSERY MASBURY, NR. WELLS, SOMERSET BA5 3HA TEL: 01749 841014 FAX: 01749 841055 www.rockymountainnurseries.co.uk COME & SEE OUR FINE RANGE OF FRUIT TREES, SHRUBS, GERANIUMS & FUCHSIAS

Visit our MASBURY’S CAFE

Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea Delicious homemade meals. Sunday Roasts, Outside catering, buffet lunches delivered, themed cuisine events. Telephone 01749 841155 for further details.

BROWSE AROUND JAMES STORE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.ROCKYMOUNTAINNURSERIES.CO.UK

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES –

GARDEN CENTRE

READY NOW! PANSIES, VIOLAS, WALLFLOWERS, BELLIS DAISIES, POLYANTHUS, PRIMROSES, SWEET WILLIAM and SPRING/WINTER FLOWERING HEATHERS

AVAILABLE NOW!

ONION SETS, SHALLOTS & SPRING FLOWERING BULBS QUALITY BRICK PAVING VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES NEW COLOURS

Fantastic choice of compost now in stock including full peat-free range, topsoil, horse & farmyard manure, soil improvers, decorative bark, aquatic soil, bulb fibre & more! Superb selection of shrubs & herbaceous perennials for autumn colour and interest in the garden

WELLS ROAD, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4RR Telephone: 01761 232137 Open Mon–Sat 10am to 4pm • Closed Sundays

FRESH CUT, NON-DROP CHRISTMAS TREES AVAILABLE END OF NOVEMBER

WINTER HOURS: Weekdays 7.30am-4.30pm • Sat 9am-2pm • Sun 10am-2pm

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 63

Gardening section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:46 Page 64

MENDIP TIMES

South West triumphs at Chelsea

SOUTH West in Bloom was itself a winner at Chelsea winning Gold for its garden and the trophy for the best of 42 exhibits in the Floral Pavilion. It was a triumph for Stonebarn Landscapes and John Wheatley from Chew Magna who designed and built the garden with Terry Porter from Hutton, with help from Sidmouth in Bloom. Plants were largely grown by Terry and Jane Wheatley. Large quantities of plants were also grown for the COP26 Garden. A spokesman for the team said: “The valleys Chew and Yeo led the way on climate change and had a major influence on this year’s Chelsea with the success of Yeo Valley with Gold in the large garden design category and People’s choice award, to the success of the Bloom garden in the Great Pavilion.”

Timberwork Buildings

Blooming lovely

HUTTON has been named champion village in the South West in Bloom awards, winning both Gold and the Cox Cup. A spokesman said: “The volunteers that make up the team, organised by Mark Perry, have done a fantastic job and the displays have been outstanding this year. Thanks go to all our sponsors and Hutton Parish Council for their continued support.” There were also Golds for Glastonbury, Radstock and Westonsuper-Mare, a silver for Lympsham and Eastertown and silver gilt for Bleadon.

Flower show is back

Bespoke buildings to suit you

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

WORKSHOPS/GARAGES GARDEN SHEDS SHELTERS & STABLES PLAYHOUSES Let our dedicated team assist you in your choice whatever your budget . . . Full design, installation and delivery service available – customise your shed to suit your needs

We also do: Chicken Houses Dog Kennels • Bin & Log Stores YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT US AND SEE OUR SHOW MODELS – OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Jane Hares receiving her trophy from Ann Gunner, president of Congresbury Gardening Club

AFTER a gap of two years, due to Covid, Congresbury gardeners welcomed the Gardening Club Autumn Flower Show and despite the erratic summer weather, they responded with colourful exhibits of fruit, flowers and vegetables, and increased entries from the allotment growers. Dawn Odi beat the competition with vegetables from her allotment. Bill Maggs’ enormous onions gained him the cup for the best vegetable exhibit, and Jane Hares’ vegetables of lengthy runner beans, tomatoes and squash gave her the most points for a trophy. Bramley apples, grown by Judy Brook, were judged the best fruit, while the cup for best flowers was won by Penny Baker's Michaelmas Daisies. Other award winners were Denise Smith in the domestic classes, Gordon Bunney in photographic and George Baker in children's photography.

Gardening section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:46 Page 65

GARDENING

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

Christine’s farewell

Friendly - Reliable - Qualified Licensed - Experienced

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

CHRISTINE Costello, a professionally trained gardener, will no longer be helping the residents to tend the garden of the Wells Almshouse Trust behind St Cuthberts’s Church. She says that their proudest moment was when they picked up the Wells Gold Cup in 2019. Chris said: “I volunteered after attending an open day in 2017. The residents had managed to maintain the garden wonderfully since Wilf Beer, one of the residents who had cared for it for 25 years, was no longer able to do so. “I have enjoyed working all weathers, all seasons, organising the tasks for the occasional Heads Up visits before the pandemic and since Covid have arrived earlier, from 6.30am when light allowed, in order to leave the site before the residents needed the space. “So I’ve not seen as much of them as I would have liked and I have not been able to say thank you and goodbye. Naturally there have been no public open days. This was regrettable as the garden looked its best in summer 2020 in my opinion. “It is with great regret I will no longer be able to tend the garden. I would like to thank all the residents for their support, interest and friendship and I look forward to keeping in touch them all.”

Licensed for PA1PA6 Pesticide Knapsack Spraying • Mowing • Strimming • Harrowing • Rolling • Hedge & Tree Trimming • Garden Clearance • Fencing • Jet Washing Areas covered: Somerset and surrounding counties

For free quotations Tel: 01934 615396 • Mob: 07702 095607

Weston Garden Machinery Garden Machinery & Woodburning Specialists

Tidy the garden with Weston Garden Machinery

Behind Shell Garage Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS

Tel: 01934 626093

PERFECT PAVE

www.westongarden.co.uk

Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and oﬀers a wide choice of projects. It’s not only friendly, professional service that sets us apart, we can’t be beaten on price and ensure our prices beat those of builders’ merchants and garden centres.

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 65

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:18 Page 14

MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Ploughing Match Words and pictures by Annie Egginton and Mark Adler

THE 151st Mendip Ploughing Match was held at Green Ore Farm with huge crowds in near perfect conditions.

Steam ploughing in action

The hedging contest drawing to a close

The ladies who prepared lunch Jim King show secretary for more than 50 years

Dry stone walling competitors

Judging the produce

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:18 Page 15

EVENTS

Ancient and modern as far as the eye can see at Green Ore

Enjoying the view from the footplate of the Jack of Herts steam plough being steered by Rob Jenkins

Setting off on a tour of the match

Society president Rob Uphill

Professional hedgelayer Alex Bown, of Oakhill, is the ploughing society’s new chairman

John Cole and Rosie in the classic class Straight and narrow: judging underway

Scrumpyjack the dog keeps an eye on ploughman Ian Cradock’s work

The autumn weather was kind for the match

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 67

Charity section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:35 Page 68

MENDIP TIMES

Charity’s top award JHF staff

CLEVEDON-based charity, The Jack Hazeldine Foundation, was named Breakthrough Charity of the Year at the esteemed Third Sector Awards Ceremony in London. The charity aims to support and empower disadvantaged children and young people in North Somerset through the strength of positive relationships. They achieve this with an extensive programme of mentoring, tutoring and therapeutic provision. The accolade is for the creation of their unique, outdoor learning space, The Orchard - a stunning multifunctional outdoor classroom situated just outside Clevedon. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to adapt JHF programmes became apparent very quickly and, working hand in hand with the community, the Orchard was created. The project began by securing a piece of land from a local farmer, then planning started. The swell of community support and inspiration grew and their workforce soon expanded beyond staff members to include school teachers, rugby teams, trades people, local businesses, and community volunteers. Throughout the pandemic The Orchard enriched the wellbeing of many young people and their families; it was home to hundreds of hours of mentoring and tutoring and a range of inspirational outdoor workshops.

Theatre trips are back

LANGPORT and District Red Cross are hoping to resume their fundraising coach trips to the Bristol Hippodrome next year. They are now booking for shows including Bourne’s Nutcracker, the Lion King, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and others. The group has a new link on Facebook at Charity Theatre Trips. Details: www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk email Charitytheatrerips@btinternet.com or call Chris Cox 01458 273085

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Volunteers needed

AGE UK Somerset is looking for volunteers to help with its new Active Befriending service. Each volunteer will be matched with an older person who lives near them. They will join them for a walk and chat once a week, for eight weeks initially. The aim is to improve each client’s mental and physical wellbeing by providing some company alongside gentle exercise. It says loneliness is endemic among the older population and for many this is coupled with anxieties about going out following such a long time indoors. Details: volunteers@ageuksomerset.org.uk or call 01823 345623

Veterans march for charity

LOCAL veteran Paul Thorner and Paulton Councillor Grant Johnson were among 150 veterans who walked 50 miles of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset raising funds for The Rifles Charities – Care for Casualties, which supports veterans suffering with PTSD. They set off from Lulworth Cove for the three-day march, finishing at the RNLI station in Lyme Regis. After months of fundraising, Paul and Sharon Thorner, from Paulton, Paul and Sharon Thorner with their managed to raise a commemorative trophy huge £6,821 and counting. On top of this, Grant Johnson raised a further £800 from his own Just Giving page. Paul said: “I’d just like to thank everyone that has supported me to achieve such a great sum for a really important cause. We had loads of support along the walk, which made it that much easier to keep going, especially over some of the extremely steep cliffs we had to climb.” It’s hoped the walk will raise about £100,000 for the charity. Details: JustGiving and search for Paul or Grant’s name

Charity section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:35 Page 69

Jam or cream first? Hospice tea is a sell-out

CHSW regional fundraiser Heidi Roberts (second from right) with some of the team serving teas

A TICKET-only cream tea afternoon at St John’s Church Hall in Midsomer Norton has raised £600 for Children’s Hospice South West. The sell-out event was organised by the Midsomer Norton Friends of CHSW.

Charity golf day

Sixty people sat down for the cream tea fundraiser

CHELWOOD Bridge Rotary Club held its annual charity golf day at Farrington Park, with 52 players taking part. Club president, Tony Quinn, had chosen the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as his charity for the year and together with earlier events the club was able to hand over £1,590 to the charity. Tony is pictured with Cystic Fibrosis Trust ambassador Siobhan Coles who said how important it was for the trust to receive such donations to enable it to continue its vital research into the condition which affects so many young people.

CHARITIES

Coffee, cake and more in Cary helps cancer charity

All the Js! Jan Snook, Jane Weeks and Janet Loe from the Castle Cary branch of Macmillan Cancer Support

A COFFEE morning, raffle and plant sale in Castle Cary has raised more than £800 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Douglas Macmillan, who founded the charity, was born in Castle Cary and had watched his father die from cancer.

Members of a group of cyclists who ride each year from Weston-super-Mare for the coffee morning, with Janet Loe

The annual event is a fixture on the Castle Cary calendar

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 69

Charity section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:35 Page 70

MENDIP TIMES

Farm charity is the winner in conker contest

The Witham Friary Conker Committee

THE annual Witham Friary conker competition has raised more than £400 for the agricultural support group The Farming Community Network. Around 90 competitors – young and old – took part in the garden of the Seymour Arms, with previous champion Paul Uphill beating Sue Charlton in the final. The competition has been held for at least the past 40 years, taking a break last year due to the pandemic.

Church appeals for money – old money

THE Friends of Axbridge Church are appealing to people to donate pre-decimal and pre-Euro coins and notes – and any unwanted foreign currency or commemorative coins – to be turned into cash to boost their funds to maintain the building. The group will be running a stall at Axbridge Farmers Market on Saturday, November 6th and Saturday, December 4th where they are asking people to donate the old money. Money can also be places in an envelope or bag and posted through the door of 1, Moorland Street, Axbridge or call 01934 733034 to arrange collection.

Reducing fuel bills

Paul Uphill on his way to victory…

Kaz Adams (left) with customer Noreen Busby

Each player enjoyed at least two games in the contest

JR (left) and Whizz in action PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

A LOCAL charity is offering free membership to its oil buying scheme to over-70s to help them avoid fuel poverty this winter. The West of England Rural Network’s (WERN) community oil buying scheme welcomes applications from all residents, village halls, schools, churches, local community buildings and businesses from within Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bristol. Membership normally costs £20 a year for domestic users. But thanks to a grant from Quartet Community Foundation from their “Surviving Winter” fund, WERN is offering free membership to domestic heating oil users aged 70 and over. Kaz Adams, oil scheme co-ordinator from the Chew Valley based charity, said: “One of our charitable aims here at WERN is to reduce rural fuel poverty. Our oil buying scheme enables many rural people to reduce their oil bills. “We place a single, large order once a month and negotiate with multiple local suppliers to get the best price for all our members, often achieving between five to six pence per litre less than your average, high street oil price.” Details: Kaz Adams 01275 333701 07825 202043, email: karen@wern.org.uk or visit http://www.wern.org.uk/community-oil-buying-scheme/

Charity section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:35 Page 71

CHARITIES

Charity beats holiday blues

MEMBERS of Keynsham Mencap were enjoying their first group holiday together for two years in Cornwall when one of their two minibuses broke down and had to go back to the dealer for repairs. Staff and volunteers ensured this didn’t impact on the holiday by organising taxis and additional cars to ferry people around. Whilst on a day trip to the beach one member said: “It is so good to be by the sea I haven’t seen it for over two years, thank you for taking me on holiday.” Trustee Niall Tomlins hired a mini bus and set off at 6am on the morning of departure to rescue the members and take them safely back to Keynsham. A second holiday taking another group of members on holiday to Devon was planned for a month later and a minibus had to be hired to take the 16 members, six volunteers and their luggage on holiday. The charity says holidays for people with learning disabilities are so essential to their wellbeing. They are subsidised with additional fundraising and need a team of six volunteers to make breakfast and lunch every day for over 20 people and provide care for the more vulnerable members.

Details: http://easydonate.org/MINI

SHOSCOMBE Church School has recently welcomed Bonnie and Truffle into the classroom to help increase children’s confidence with animals. They have been supplied by Dogs for Health, a non-profit organisation founded in 2020 currently covering Frome, Shepton Mallet, Coleford, Westbury and Warminster. School head teacher, Ruth Noall, said: “They provide a shoulder to cry on and a welcome distraction when children are feeling upset, whilst also helping to keep children active at break and lunchtime. “It is well-researched that dogs can help children's mental health and wellbeing in many ways from listening to children read, being a companion for a walk or playing a game of ball. “Having Bonnie and Truffle in school has been amazing. They are kind, caring and a joy to have around!” Details: https://dogsforhealth.org.uk/ www.shoscombeprimary.co.uk

Getting help with energy bills

WITH energy bills likely to soar this winter, Age UK B&NES is urging people to see if they are eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme which saves households £140 off their electricity bill. The charity is concerned that for some, the rising prices could mean choosing between heating or eating and is encouraging older people to take advantage of their free, simple benefit check. Information & advice manager, Gill Adams, said: “We help hundreds of people a year save money on their energy bills and would really encourage people over 65 to give us a call and see if they could be saving – many people do not even realise they are eligible!” The Warm Home Discount Scheme is different to the Winter Fuel Allowance which all people of pension age receive. It is a one-off payment of £140 paid through your supplier, taking money off your electricity bill. Pre-payment meters and pay as you go meters are included. If you receive pension credit or are on a low income, you could be eligible.

(Photograph courtesy of Ben Adams)

School’s new recruits

Operations manager, Laura Jefferies, said: “We are so grateful to our volunteers who pulled together to make sure members still had an incredible time and that the unforeseen difficulties that were faced didn’t impact on the members’ experiences. “For some members this is their only opportunity to go away with friends and feel more independent, it also provides essential respite for parents and carers.” The charity has set up a fundraising page to meet the additional costs of more than £2,000. It says along with a drop in income experienced over the pandemic it needs to replenish its funds to make sure Christmas activities will not be affected and scaled down.

Details: 01225 466135 or advice@ageukbanes.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 71

Health section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:51 Page 72

MENDIP TIMES

Don’t blame it on the GP

MOST people like and value the service their GP practice offers. They just want more of it. In the last national patient survey, 83% of us rated it as “very good” when we actually got to be seen. The problem is that it’s getting harder to be seen in a service short of 6,000 GPs coping with a backlog of unmet need built up over 18 months in a pandemic. By Dr PHIL GP shortages are nothing new. Back in 2016, the Daily HAMMOND Mail lead with a headline “a month to see a GP”. The government then promised 6,000 extra full time GPs and has manifestly failed to deliver. Whilst the total GP headcount has gone up a little, the number of “full time equivalent” GPs has fallen by 6.4% since the promise was made. The good news is that the number of GPs in training has risen by 36% (from 5026 to 6855). The challenge then becomes retaining doctors in a service when they are over-worked and blamed by the media and government to cover up for its own failings. The Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Prime Minister and Health Secretary are all demanding more face-to-face GP appointments, irrespective of clinical need, just a few months after former health secretary Matt Hancock declared that the NHS should have “a digital front door” with 85% of contacts dealt via email, video consultation or over the phone. Telegraph columnist, Allison Pearson, described GP services as "cruel, negligent and, frankly, inhuman treatment". In fact, many patients prefer a phone call or video consultation to visiting the surgery. Just remember we wouldn’t be in the position to slag off general practice if general practice hadn’t delivered 70% of the Covid vaccines. We’d still be counting the bodies. As it is, we still have the highest Covid infection and death rates amongst rich European nations because we are allowing the delta variant to run free and infect all those unvaccinated or for whom the vaccination hasn’t worked. If we all pile back down the GP surgery over winter, we can expect all sorts of respiratory viruses to be exchanged in the over-crowded waiting rooms. There is no simple answer in the short-term to health services not being able to cope with demand. We are all responsible for the funding and staffing of the NHS – we pay the taxes and choose the politicians to distribute them – and we have far fewer health and social care staff than most other rich countries. For example, we have 2.8 doctors per 1000 people compared to the EU average of 3.7. Eleven-hour ambulance waits outside emergency departments and long queues inside is the winter norm in the UK. Many more people die prematurely in the UK because they can’t or don’t get quick access to the highest quality healthcare for cancer, heart disease and stroke than will ever die from Covid. And yet we accept it. The rich can buy their way out of trouble and generally live ten years longer than the poor, with 20 more years of disease-free living. A decade of austerity will take a decade to reverse. Life expectancy increases have stalled in women and are falling in men. There is no magic doctor tree. So don’t take it out on the staff. There has been a sharp uptake of aggression, and occasionally physical abuse, towards health and care staff as frustration boils over. General practice as we know it could collapse if we don’t cherish it. Staff at all levels, from receptionists to senior partners, are walking away from the job, fed up with the flak and the inability to provide safe care. Whatever solutions the government comes up with, they must be built on compassion and understanding, not blame and aggression. Dr Phil is author of the best-seller “Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook” and “Staying Alive. How to Improve your health and your healthcare”

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Plop the Raindrop

THIS is one of my favourite times of the year, when we get the chance to dress up depending on what the weather is doing. I’m not talking here about wellie boots, coats and hats. I’m talking about a total transition. In the autumn we water droplets can look like ghosts and go swirling all over the place. Dressed as mist we go curling around the bottom of the valleys or sit like a hat on the top of the hills. We often like to float across the Somerset Levels and lakes like Chew Valley. Mist is a good place to play hide and seek, scattering wet autumn leaves as you go. Watch out for birds doing the same thing to find food. Or a mammoth hiding up a tree. I swear I saw one once, though it might have been a giraffe. On many occasions I’ve landed on someone’s coat as they brushed by and got a lift back to their home. Warm and snug, with the coat drying by the fire, I usually doze off and then find myself shooting up the chimney in an invisible puff of steam. That’s how we can end up in clouds and when they get angry I change again into a fat rain drop, which might come and whack your window. Sometimes those clouds clang together in a storm, like the world’s noisiest drums. Then we’ll run off down the road like a giant snake slithering down a drain. It’s only when it turns colder that we can start to wear our brightest clothes. I know some of you like a lot of glitter. Bet you can’t match me on a crisp frosty morning! We glint like diamonds in spiders’ webs and tree branches in delicate sparkling jewels. Our ultimate transition, though, is when we coat the hills in snow. Millions of sparkling crystals, shining in the sunshine, like a magic cloak - until you lot trample all over us, make snowmen, or crush us into snowballs. I could write about the transitory nature of transition, but I don’t want to bore you. Enjoy the weather, whatever it does!

MENDIP GRANDAD

Health section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:51 Page 73

HEALTH & FAMILY

OUR HIGHLY SKILLED CLINICIANS ARE ABLE TO USE THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO INVESTIGATE THE HEALTH OF YOUR EYES!

• • • •

Join our Eyecare Plan:

Unlimited advice on all your eye care needs Great discounts on all your spectacle requirements Repairs and adjustments to spectacles We offer a range of contact lenses, dry eye lubricants, solutions and myopia (Short-sightedness) management options. As predictions indicate that by 2050 half of the world’s population will be myopic • OCT scans and Optomap imaging of the health of your eyes Orriss and Low Optometrists, Corner House, Woodborough Road, Winscombe, BS25 1AQ 01934 843713 • www.orrissandlow.co.uk

COURT HOUSE

AWARD WINNING CARE HOME

e Care Home with a diﬀerence. We oﬀer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is oﬀered. Rated by the CQC as good in all areas

e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 73

Health section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:51 Page 74

MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Health section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:51 Page 75

Strike up the band

HEALTH & FAMILY

WELLS City Band performed a special outdoor concert for residents and guests at the Crandon Springs retirement complex in the city as part of its Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising coffee morning. The event was just one of the latest to be organised for residents by the team at Crandon Springs. Each week they head out in their minibus to enjoy a local outing, typically supporting a local business. A recent trip saw them pumpkin picking at Farrington’s Farm Shop and Conductor and trumpet player Paul Denegri (right) with fellow band members, Bethany Chattwood, from Crandon Springs, and residents Amy Edwards and Pat Edwards

Philip Welch, the mayor of Wells, was amongst the guests. Wells Macmillan Cancer Support group is his mayoral charity

they are currently running a pumpkin carving competition. People under 16 are being asked to submit photos of their creations to be judged by the residents on Sunday, October 31st as part of their Halloween activities. They also support local charities including the dementia care and mental wellbeing organisation Heads Up. Crandon Springs opened in April this year and is designed so that each person it cares for feels completely supported in every aspect of their lives. It is set within beautiful south facing landscaped gardens. It is also ideally situated within a short walking distance of the city centre.

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 75

News page 76.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:14 Page 1

MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Frome Walking Festival returns FROME’S annual Walking Festival returns in November after group activities were cancelled due to the pandemic. The town’s Walkers Are Welcome team and Frome Town Council have worked together to create a diverse programme of walks, covering subjects ranging from the town’s trees and pubs to history in conflict and in peace and much more. The festival takes place from Friday, November 12th to Sunday, November 14th and offers guided and self-guided walks, trails and activities for all ages. Town councillor Rich Ackroyd said: “It was bitterly disappointing to move the festival online last year, but that just makes the 2021 Walking Festival even more exciting. “After a long time where walking was a solo activity, it’s more important than ever to show the value in sharing an outdoor experience, learning along the way. The programme this

Walking leader and local historian David Lassman (right) prepares to lead one of the 2019 walks

year is once-again packed with high quality walks.” Most guided walks cost £6 but there are several events for those who’d prefer to head out in their own time, including selfguided walks and family friendly trails.

For details, visit: www.discoverfrome.co.uk/frome-walking-festival/

Village artists return in real time

MEMBERS of the Leigh-on-Mendip village art and craft group were able to stage their first actual show together after the pandemic last year forced them to go online. A two-day gallery in the village’s Memorial Hall showcased work ranging from wooden items to embroidery, paintings, photography and quilt making.

Back together – some of the artists who took part (l:r) Julian Back, Barry Nicholls, Vicki Taylor, Roger Orpwood and Nancy Freeman

Help wanted for Bernese Mountain Dog who can’t climb

REGULARS are rallying round to help Rico, a Bernese Mountain Dog, who has become trapped downstairs at the Wellington Arms pub in Rooksbridge after breaking both cruciate ligaments in his back legs. For the last three months landlords Steve and Jen Grubb have had to move downstairs into a restaurant room to look after Rico, who has already had two operations on one leg. Steve said: “Unfortunately we cannot continue to live downstairs forever as we need the room for customers. Rico is too big to help up and down our steep stairs and will not be able to return to our living quarters upstairs.” Regulars have come up with the idea of getting a lift put in for Rico. After a favourable structural survey, Liftech Solutions of Bridgwater have offered to fit a suitable lift at a reduced price of £10,000. Children of regulars are planning to raise the money by holding a skittles marathon on Halloween weekend October 30th and 31st. They aim to knock down 10,000 skittle pins over the weekend and are asking people to sponsor them at £1 a pin. Jasmine and Dennis, both 14, who are stickers up for skittles teams at the pub, are preparing for a very hard weekend.

They said: “If we can raise the money to give Rico a lift it’ll be brilliant and worth the effort. We just hope people will support us.” Everyone who donates will be entered into a draw for a £30 voucher to spend at the pub.

Details: gofund.me/5be8c28d Facebook: @ricoskittles

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:18 Page 13

EVENTS

Small school – big heart

IT may have just 56 pupils, but Lovington primary school’s parent teacher association staged a fundraising day to remember. After an afternoon of free activities for the whole family, the association hosted a live music event in the evening, opened by Michael Eavis. In recent months, the PTA has raised more than £6,000 with a recycling challenge which funded vital repairs to the school swimming pool. Harvest queen Bella Sinclair, aged 11, with members of the Somerset Army Cadet Force silver bugles band and fellow pupils

Churches together on one of the stalls The day opened with country dancing by pupils

Samantha Dingle and daughter Willow were selling programmes

The fete offered fun for all the family

The ACF silver bugles band MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 77

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 78

MENDIP TIMES

Another record year for real ale festival fundraising

WEDMORE Real Ale Festival celebrated another record year by distributing £20,000 to local worthy causes. Some 16 organisations were handed cheques at the annual presentation evening, making it a fantastic comeback year for the 20th festival. When it was last held in 2019, the total raised was £19,000. After missing last year, the festival has now raised £226,320 in total. The beneficiaries include Children's Hospice South West, Weston Hospicecare, Weston-super-Mare Samaritans, Wedmore First School PTA and Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund, which received £3,000. Health fund secretary, Shirley Wederell, said: “On behalf of the trustees I would like to publicly thank the committee of the Wedmore Real Ale Festival for their generous donation. Also many thanks for their hospitality of a hog roast supper. “Also huge congratulations to them for all the support they give annually by financially supporting local charities.” Festival committee member, James Turbitt, said: “Everyone welcomed the return of the festival with open arms, helping make it one of the largest local social events in Wedmore. “This fundraising feat would not be possible without our

Some of the team

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Some of the recipients

sponsors and our committed and enthusiastic team of volunteers who help bolster the organising committee to keep the festival running smoothly: those 6,500 pints and 246 wine and prosecco bottles don’t pour themselves!” This year’s beneficiaries were: Wedmore in Bloom £350.00 Let's Make Wedmore Sparkle £400.00 Green Wedmore £400.00 Holy Trinity Church, Blackford £400.00 Wedmore Scout Group £450.00 Wedmore Tuesday Club £500.00 Blackford Village Hall £700.00 Weston-super-Mare Samaritans £850.00 Weston Hospicecare £1,000.00 Wedmore First School Academy & Nursery £1,000.00 Isle Of Wedmore Junior Football Club £1,000.00 Hugh Sexey C of E Middle School £1,000.00 Children's Hospice South West £2,500.00 Wedmore School PTA £2,750.00 Somewhere House (Somerset) Limited £2,950.00 Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund £3,000.00 The donation to Wedmore PTA includes their £750 share of the takings from the festival raffle, which they helped to run, which generated a record breaking £2,025 worth of takings.

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 79

Reading challenge

DR PHIL Hammond presented certificates to youngsters who completed their summer reading challenge at the Chew Valley’s community library in Bishop Sutton.

Details: www.chewvalleylibrary.org.uk

Meetings resume

CHEDDAR Valley u3a’s first speaker since resuming activities was former BBC local radio presenter, Emma Britton, who is now a qualified celebrant. She was introduced by new organiser, Roy Fisher.

Details: u3asites.org.uk/cheddar-valley/welcome

Survival boxes

TONY Quinn from the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge was guest speaker at Paulton Hub Library to talk about the club’s water box survival project. The boxes are put together by volunteers in a unit on the Westfield industrial estate ready to be sent to disaster zones around the world.

Details: www.watersurvivalbox.org

COMMUNITY

Playtime in Peasedown

Cllr Karen Walker presents a cheque to Sarah Carney, children’s worker. Also pictured are Meg Tucker, play worker, with club members (l to r) Keon, Emme, Pippa and Dylan

A POPULAR children’s after-school club in Peasedown St John has been awarded a grant for new play equipment from the Peasedown Community Trust. The SJ’s After School Club, based at St John’s Church Hall in Church Road, runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3.15pm to 5.45pm, with up to 15 children attending the club each day. Details: www.stjsgroup.church/afterschoolclub or contact Sarah Carney 01761 300410 email Sarah.Carney@stjsgroup.church

Suppporting good causes

CHURCHES in Peasedown St John and Wellow have given away £10,000 this year to local, national and international causes thanks to the generosity of parishioners. St John’s has adopted the biblical principle of giving away the first ten percent of its income each year in a bid to practice what it preaches. Over the last ten years, it has given The Rev Matthew Street away £100,000 in charitable giving! Church leader, the Rev Matthew Street, said: “The overseas projects we support often have a personal link for our church so we can receive regular feedback on how our donations are being spent. “We are also extremely pleased to be supporting local initiatives such as the Timsbury-based charity Bibles for Children and Somer Valley Foodbank– an essential project that supports local people in food crisis.” Meanwhile, St Julian’s Church in Wellow has given £1,000 to several charities, including Send a Cow, Carer’s Centre, Radstock and Nepali Children’s Trust.

Details: Rob Bubyer 01761 300410 email office@stjsgroup.church www.stjsgroup.church

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 79

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 80

MENDIP TIMES

Praise for community groups THE High Sheriff of Somerset, Thomas Sheppard, and the chief executive of Quartet Community Foundation, Suzanne Rolt, joined forces to thank a host of community groups across BANES and North Somerset. They visited eight projects funded through the foundation in the last two years including the SWALLOW café at The Hive in Peasedown St John and the Strawberrry Line café in Yatton. Suzanne Rolt said: “Starting my new role during the pandemic has meant that I’ve had to wait for restrictions to lift before getting out and about to see all these extraordinary projects. It’s certainly been worth the wait. “Meeting the people who run them has reinforced for me the astonishing

SWALLOW café, Peasedown St John

levels of passion and commitment that drive our smaller charities and voluntary organisations. I’ve been inspired too by the positive impact Quartet’s grants are having in our local communities.”

Strawberry Line Café, Yatton

Quartet has awarded grants to well over 1,000 community projects in B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire since the pandemic began. Thomas Sheppard said: “This year I want to shine a light on the great work going on in local charities across Somerset. These eight projects may serve different communities, but they all have one thing in common: their commitment to creating opportunities and improving life for some of the most vulnerable members in society.” Sally Wilcock from the Strawberry Line Café, which received a grant of £5,000 in May 2020, said: “This grant offered us a real lifeline. Very simply, the cafe probably would not have survived and still be operating without it. “Jobs would have been lost, particularly for our employees with learning disabilities. The grant gave us a much-needed breather, enabling our energies as directors and volunteers to go into retaining our staff, planning for the lockdown and beyond and maintaining our premises.”

Details: https://highsheriffsomerset.org.uk/current-high-sheriff/ https://quartetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Walking to Wellbeing in Wells

AN informal social and wellbeing walking group is back upand-running after the lockdowns and would welcome new faces. The Wellsbeing walkers group was formed eight years ago by members of an official walk who were disappointed when it folded. They meet every Tuesday at Morrisons in Wells (by the disabled parking bays) for an 11am start for a leisurely walk lasting about an hour before returning to the store where

some enjoy a coffee. The walk is normally paced to suit the less able and they never cross muddy fields unless by accident, having a good chatter on the way. Although currently a small group, they have walkers from far and wide including Wells, Shepton Mallet and near Taunton. The walk is not affiliated to any organisation and anybody can join them; there is no registration, no fee, no commitment and no catch.

For more details, contact Martin and Dora Errington at: mad_umpires@hotmail.com

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 81

COMMUNITY

Flower power and more at recovery project open day

VISITORS to a unique market garden project at Stratton-on-theFosse came away with everything from the last of the season’s cut flowers to pumpkins, honey and more. Root Connections – which helps the homeless and those in recovery through growing produce at Manor Farm – held an open day to show what goes on behind the scenes. Root Connections is a Community Interest Company, which works with the Elim Connect Centre in Wells and Manor Farm tenants Rob and Suzanne Addicott. Manor Farm is home to the Dairy House which offers wraparound support to offer residents the best chance of recovery and progressing positively. It is supported by Mendip District Council, Elim Connect Centre and the Addicotts. As well as offering Dairy House residents the opportunity to learn horticulture and other skills, Root Connections has an army of volunteers and runs a food delivery service across Mendip.

Suzanna with the last of the season’s tomatoes in one of the polytunnels

Rob Addicott takes visitors on a tour of Manor Farm

Some of the Roots Connections team

William with pumpkins fresh from the field

Visitors were welcome to wander around the vegetable and flower gardens

Chloe – Roots offers a fresh flower delivery service from April to September

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

Visitor Sandra Donson

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 81

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 82

MENDIP TIMES

WESTON Rotary has unveiled a commemorative blue plaque in the town’s High Street to mark its centenary of service to Weston and communities around the world. The plaque was unveiled on the site of the original meeting place of Weston Rotary Club in 1921. President George Horsfield said: “I am proud and honoured to officially unveil our blue plaque in the High Street to celebrate Weston Rotary’s 100 years of service to the local community. It is located on the site of Brown’s Café, the original meeting place of Weston Rotary 100 years ago.” Cllr John Crockford-Hawley said: "Weston Rotary has given a century of comradeship to its members and unstinting charitable assistance to countless local worthy causes. This blue plaque reminds us of the importance that volunteering still plays in the communal life of our town." Details: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/westonrotaryclub

Venues wanted for café-style concerts (Photo courtesy of Martin Veal/Fromedia)

Rotary centenary

MUSICIANS Trio Paradis have been awarded National Lottery funding to bring a series of caféstyle concerts to small venues around Mendip. The trio have been the inresidence afternoon performers at Midsomer Norton town hall since 2012 and also give monthly daytime concerts at several venues around the South West. Trio Paradis concerts are informal, with cafe-style seating and refreshments. Linda Stocks (cello), Now they are looking for Jacquelyn Bevan (piano) and village halls, churches and other Lisa Betteridge (violin) community buildings around Mendip for a series of concerts starting next year. Organiser and pianist, Jacquelyn Bevan, of Radstock, said: “Our concerts are as much social hubs as musical events; a great place to meet friends and make new ones, and socialising is so important for wellbeing and mental health.” Entrance is by donation so everyone can attend, and people are invited to join in and contribute cakes and read poems, as well as helping to set out tables and chairs and publicise the events. During the Trio’s 2014-18 tour of their Arts Council-funded show, Women of World War One, they visited many rural venues and were struck by the demand for live performance. Jacquelyn added: “Many people do not have transport and would love to have regular events in their local community.” For details, contact Jacquelyn via trioparadis@icloud.com or WhatsApp (Facebook @trioparadisbath) or visit www.trioparadis.com www.wsmRotary.uk Twitter

(Photo courtesy of David Chedgy)

Frome hosts gala Inner Wheel dinner

Pam Brewster (centre) with guests at the dinner

THE Inner Wheel Club of Frome has celebrated the inauguration of one of its members, Pam Brewster, as chairman of the District 20 group of clubs, with a gala dinner. Frome hosted the evening get together with approximately PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

90 guests from all over Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. The national association president of Great Britain and Ireland, Betty Roberts, attended, together with three other district chairmen and Rotarian District 1200 governor Michael Fernando.

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 83

Marathon walk for village schools

MORE than 30 walkers tackled a 26-mile route across east Mendip to raise £6,300 for two village primary schools. Called 40 for the Federation, the route began and ended at Stoke St Michael primary school passing its federation partner Croscombe primary school. The money raised will improve play facilities at both schools. The event was organised by David and Tam RichardsonAitken, whose children attend Stoke school. They were supported by the staff, Friends of Croscombe School, Stoke PTA and communities of both Croscombe and Stoke schools and Little Roots Pre-School, as well as the wider village communities and local businesses.

And they’re off – with 26 miles of Mendip ahead

COMMUNITY

The walkers gather for a briefing ahead of the day

The route included Coleford, Mells and part of the East Mendip Way

Passing through Mells

Celebrations at the end of the walk

Nick Cramp ran the entire route MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 83

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 84

MENDIP TIMES

Community at its core

Peeling apples for fritters

THE Market House in Castle Cary was the venue for the town’s annual apple day celebrations. All things “apple” were on offer, from juice pressing to freshly cooked fritters, live music and children’s activities. The day ended with an illustrated talk in Caryford Hall about apples in art, by Colin Wiggins.

Stewards needed for lantern parade

More volunteers are needed

SHEPTON Mallet’s lantern parade will definitely be taking place this year and the festival committee is looking for more volunteers to act as stewards on the night. This year’s parade – on Saturday, December 18th – will see road closures in place as the procession makes its way from Collett Park to the Market Place. Kate Lovell, chair of the lantern festival committee said: “Stewards are absolutely vital to the success of the lantern parade. We need volunteers on the night to keep everyone safe and make sure the parade goes smoothly.” Volunteers are also needed for lantern making workshops in the run-up to the night. The workshops will take place at Paul St Community Centre on the weekends of November 27th/28th December 4th/5th and December 11th/12th. There will be a small charge for materials. Families are particularly welcome.

Cider and apple juice sellers were busy throughout the day

The spectacular ram from the 2019 parade

Hello Hopeville performing on the steps of the Market House PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Kate at katemartin.lovell@btinternet.com or visit: https://www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk/

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 85

Festival celebrates diversity

MANY of Frome’s estimated 50-plus nationalities were represented at the town’s one-day Multicultural Festival. Poland, Eritrea, Turkey, Spain, Tibet, China, Venezeula, the Czech Republic and Spain – along with England and Wales – were amongst the countries running stands and staging displays at the free event at the Cheese & Grain. Visitors were able to enjoy typical food and activities including Japanese calligraphy and folk art as well as live music and performances. Organised by the community group Multicultural Frome, the day was opened by Frome’s deputy mayor Sara Butler. Turkish food delights

COMMUNITY

Amy Morris demonstrates the Chinese game cat’s cradle – fan sheng

Jez Pearson and Alyson Evans were representing Frome’s Welsh community

Some of the dancers from Mr Wilkins’ Shilling clog morris side

Kunchok Nyima, from Tibet

Frome’s deputy mayor Sara Butler (left) with organisers Lenka Grimes, Radek Evans and Azeema Caffoor

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 85

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 86

MENDIP TIMES

Sara’s marathon

Community café is back

SCHOOL cook, Sara Box of Temple Cloud, has raised money for the Royal British Legion by running this year’s London Marathon. Sara, who is cook at Cameley CEVC Primary School, said: "This was my first marathon and I completed it in 6hrs 22 mins! I followed a 16-week training plan for this race but have been running for about three years. “It was a truly magical experience and, yes, I did weirdly enjoy it. I met some lovely people along the way too. Thank you to everyone who has donated. “I have so far raised over £800 for the Royal British Legion. As both myself and my dad were in the Royal Navy, I thought it was appropriate to raise the money for them. When dad died in January they were a great source of comfort for mum.”

STANTON Drew Community café is back to its monthly café morning, after a long break due to Covid. It’s held on the second Saturday of the month in Stanton Drew Church, 1012noon, Brenda Dale unloading jams and preserves raising funds for the church, local organisations and good causes. One of the organisers, Anne Bennett, said: “We serve bacon rolls, good coffee and hot drinks and lovely homemade cakes. Visitors can also purchase crafts, sometimes plants and wonderful homemade jams, marmalades and pickles. “There is always a happy atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to meet old friends for a catch up, as well as new ones.” The café has raised thousands of pounds since starting in 2015.

Painting project

Dogs helped by Lions

Lion president Derek White presenting the cheque to Rosie Blanning from Dogs For Good PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

YEO Valley Lions held their annual golf day at Tall Pines Golf Club hosted and organised by Lion president Derek White assisted by members of the club. The event raised £3,000 for the charity Dogs For Good, which supplies fullytrained dogs to work with people with special needs.

Pictured (l to r) Rotarians Graham Foster, Roger Smith, Ted Potter, and organiser John Churchill

ROTARY Nailsea and Backwell have added a new school project to the many they have undertaken over the years. They have been busy painting benches, fences and outside walls at Wraxall School before the onset of winter. John Churchill, the Rotary contact with the school, said: “Wraxall School is a great environment for the students. We are delighted that Amy Townsend and her team have welcomed us in to help them. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 87

Café volunteers praised

COMMUNITY

Party returns

AFTER a two-year break, Peasedown St John’s popular Party in the Park festival is to return next year as part of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It will be held on Beacon Field on Friday, June 3rd, 12–7pm, with crowds of 2,500 expected. Details: www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk or Facebook

A gift horse for village school

DELICIOUS homemade food encouraged villagers to flock to Congresbury Community Cafe for a double Macmillan coffee morning, which raised £1,106. Café manager Ian Sheppard said how good it was to see so many people supporting this worthwhile cause, praising the hard work of the café volunteers and thanking the sponsors, Debbie Fortune estate agents and Hearmore U.K.

School challenge

Ken Lloyd with headteacher Anna Hind, reception class teacher Verity Baker and some of Squirrel class

NUNNEY resident Ken Lloyd knew exactly who would appreciate an antique rocking horse he spotted whilst attending an auction – the village schoolchildren. Having bid successfully for the item, Ken was invited to Nunney First School to unveil the gift and see the delight on the faces of pupils in the Squirrel reception class, where the emphasis is on learning through play. Ken, a former governor at the school, said: “I’d gone to the auction to bid on another lot and just knew the rocking horse would be perfect for the school.”

Foodbank open

CHILDREN at Cameley primary school were delighted to take part in a Maths challenge at King Edward’s School in Bath. School head, Hannah Maggs, said: "They did so well and loved the opportunity, even if they were not placed." The photo shows the two teams (l to r) George, Joseph, Emily and Amelie, proudly holding their certificates of participation.

THE Keynsham foodbank team say they are getting ready to help an increasing number of people, many of whom never thought they would ever need such help. Project manager, Garry Wheadon, said: “The volunteer team at Keynsham Foodbank often take calls from people in urgent need of food. If you, a friend, family member or colleague need our help, please do not wait until the cupboard is bare. You do not need to sell the TV. If you need us, we are here for you.” The third Keynsham Foodbank centre is now open at Victoria Methodist Church. Earlier this summer, the Keynsham Foodbank volunteer team restarted their “collect-from-our-door” service at St Mary’s in Saltford, swiftly followed by St Francis in Keynsham in September. The re-opening of Victoria marks the final stage in Keynsham Foodbank’s re-opening for collection and “return to usual”. Details: info@keynsham.foodbank.org.uk 07512 591734

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 87

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:06 Page 88

MENDIP TIMES

Banwell gets a new scout HQ

IT may have taken a little longer than expected, but Banwell now has a brilliant new amenity for use by scouting, girlguiding and other organisations within the village. It was back in 2016 that trustees of the local charity the Kathleen Jones Family Charity (KJFC) made a surprise offer to help replace an old RAF hut, which had been scout HQ for 40 years. After four years of planning, on February 17th 2020 under the watchful eyes of KJFC trustee Wally Rice and 1st Banwell Scouts project manager Brian Peat, MIH Builders Ltd “gently” brought the old hut down to the ground. The new building then began to rise in spite of delays caused by the pandemic. On September 19th trustees of the charity and members of 1st Banwell Scout Group came together to officially open the building. Jeremy Birkett, Axe District Scouts representative, said: “Undoubtedly, without the generosity of the KJFC charity and its trustees there would be no new scout hut in Banwell. So huge thanks go to them. Before . . .

Official opening: Kathleen Jones Family Charity trustees cutting the ribbon (l to r) Joseph Rice, Roy Rice, Andrew Hebden, Lorna Adams, Laura Wainwright and Wally Rice

“But we must also recognise the support provided by Banwell Parish Council, Burnham & Weston Solar Fund, National Grid Hinkley Connection Project and Thatchers Foundation. “It is a perfect example of how a local community can work together to make something happen.”

Rotary talent show returns

EACH year The Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton & Radstock host a Talent Show which gives individuals between the ages of 11-18 an opportunity to perform before an audience and the chance of winning the esteemed Richard Jones Memorial Cup and other cash prizes. Do you sing? Are you musical? Do you dance? Tell jokes? Juggle? Perform magic? Or perhaps something more unusual? If so, drop the club an email or call and join them for an audition to be held in January-February 2022. Club member John Dando, one of the organisers of the event, said: “We haven’t had a chance to show off our talents lately, so now’s the time to get on stage and share your flair with the community.” Please save the date, March 19th, 2022 to experience an evening of creative talent at The Dragonfly Theatre, Writhlington School. If you are able to help the club advertise the event by displaying a poster, or would be interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact them. Want to be be part of the show? Get your submissions in! Send an email to: RotaryMSN@gmail.com or phone Ian: 07811147535 or John 07592393420

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

. . . and after

Ringers appeal for new members

Postlebury Bellringers in the tower at St Leonard’s Church

POSTLEBURY Bellringers held an open day at St Leonard’s Church in Marston Bigot to showcase their skills and to try to recruit some new members. The group ring regularly at the Postlebury group of churches in Marston Bigot, Nunney and Wanstrow as well as organising social events and visits to ring at churches around the country. They say bellringing is open to anyone over the age of ten, no musical skill is required nor is being a church member. For details, contact tower captain Helen Parkin on 07714 504466

Community section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:07 Page 89

COMMUNITY

Coleford rocks the night away THE Coleford Revival Group community organisation brought back live music to the village’s Royal British Legion hall with a night to remember. The evening began with a solo set by Rodney Allen, from Pilton, and was headlined by a Beatles tribute band – The Cavernites – who hail from Liverpool. The CRG organised the night as a post-pandemic celebration for the local community and is currently hard at work – under new chairman Nicola Phillips – finalising plans for a free Christmas lunch for the village’s pensioners with the option of delivering festive hampers to anyone who prefers to stay at home. They hope to revive Coleford Village Day next year after it was twice cancelled due to the pandemic.

CRG committee members with The Cavernites

The Cavernites

Rodney Allen. The specially-painted backdrop was a homage to the Cavern Club

Duane Conn, from the Weston-super-Mare based rockabilly band Duane Conn and the Connections

Andy O’Connor, lead singer of Slidestone, a rock and blues covers band

For details, visit: www.colefordrevivalgroup.org or find them on Facebook

Collecting apples

APPLE gifting has recommenced in Blagdon after Covid restrictions put a halt to it, with children from Blagdon School being taken around Eldred’s Orchard by Suzanne Wynn, who runs the Blagdon Orchard Group. The children gave apples to the elderly members of the village lunch club. Suzanne said: “We are delighted to have restarted this tradition after a break owing to Covid. “The only aspect that we didn’t incorporate this year was the children gifting the apples in person and singing their harvest songs at lunch club. Instead, a recording of their harvest assembly was played to keep the event Covid secure.”

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 89

Caving page.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:41 Page 48

CAVING

Exploring Mendip’s minerals

FOR more than a thousand years the Mendip Hills have been known as a rich source of various minerals. Lead ore or galena was exploited by the indigenous Iron Age people and the mines were quickly exploited by the Roman invaders, who most likely used the local miners as slave labour. The only nonWith PHILIP metallic mineral, coal, was mined on eastern HENDY Mendip, from Nettlebridge north to Bristol and Gloucestershire. The mines are of little interest to cavers. Lead was the commonest mineral, being largely found in the carboniferous limestone. Mines were opened all over central Mendip and much ore was extracted close to the surface. The extensive trenches or “gruffs” at Charterhouse testify to the scale of the operation. After the Roman occupation, the heyday of lead mining was from the medieval period onwards, tailing off towards the end of the 19th century, although working of ancient lead-rich slag continued into the early 20th century. Processing the ore into lead ingots requires water and there were four “Mineries”; two at Priddy, The Waldegrave and St. Cuthbert’s works at Charterhouse, and also on Smitham Hill. Independent miners took their lead to these works to be processed and paid a tithe of “lot lead” for the privilege. It is thought that over the years in excess of 180,000 tons of lead was extracted from the mines. The metal was used for roofing and for holding the pieces of glass in stained glass windows. As an alloy with tin or copper, it makes pewter, for tableware. Associated with the lead were two other valuable metals, silver and arsenic. The Romans knew about the silver, which was present in the galena at about 0.009%. It was originally extracted by cupellation, by which the lead was heated and oxidised, leaving metallic silver. By the late 19th century, however, the Pattinson process was developed, which was much more efficient. Although it is thought that the Romans exploited the best silver-bearing ores, it is estimated that the Pattinson plant at Charterhouse was producing up to 100 pounds weight of silver annually between 1858 and 1878. The value of arsenic was not at first realised; in fact it was a dangerous nuisance. Carried aloft in the smoke from the lead smelting process, it was known to poison the surrounding land, causing illness and death in livestock and people. Long flues were built to cool the “flight”, allowing the arsenic to condense on the walls. Periodically it was scraped off and sold. The use of arsenic as a poison is well-known, but other uses included herbicides, wood preservatives, and, until the danger was realised, as a cosmetic. Second only to lead was zinc, mined all over Mendip as the carbonate, calamine, in the dolomitic conglomerate. The main area was around Shipham, where evidence still abounds in the numerous spoil heaps. One of Mendip’s longest mines, Singing River Mine, was originally excavated in the search for calamine. There are also mines around Sandford and in Harptree Combe. Around 100,000 tonnes of zinc were extracted from the hills, much being used to make brass in mills along the valley of the Bristol Avon. Iron was also mined at various places across Mendip. This ore

Charterhouse rakes

came in two main forms; the hard haematite, smelted to make metallic iron, and the softer red or yellow ochre. The metallic iron was used to make tools and other implements, the Fussell’s edgetool works in the Wadbury valley being particularly well-known, exporting its products across the world as well as throughout the UK. Each region has its own preferences regarding edge tools and Fussells willingly catered for these idiosyncrasies. Yellow ochre was found across the hills, notably around Sandford and Banwell and on Axbridge Hill. Some was extracted close to the surface, but there are deeper mines, rediscovered by cavers, which are more extensive. One such is Shute Shelve Cavern, while higher on the hill Axbridge Hill Cavern still has substantial amounts of yellow ochre and some mining artefacts. Winford Red, from mines around that village, was famous; the deep red colour could be enhanced by roasting the rock. Red ochre was also dug at Compton Martin Ochre Mine, now a protected bat roost. Ochre was not usually smelted to obtain metallic iron. Its main use was in paint manufacture and a thriving Bristol industry grew around it, remember Valspar? It was also used in the linoleum industry. This was a widely-used hard-wearing and waterproof flooring material before the invention of vinyl. There were a small number of manganese mines, most notably at Higher Pitts, south of Priddy. Manganese oxide, or Wad, is soft and dull black. It is a powerful oxidising agent, although the main uses were for clarifying glass and giving a black appearance to pottery. Barytes, or barium sulphate, is often found in conjunction with other ores. It is a dense mineral and the use of the barium meal when X-raying the intestinal tract is well-known. Usually, the barytes was not worth harvesting, although it was sufficiently plentiful at Banwell to be mined for making white paint and quality paper. Strontium, as the sulphate or celestine, is used to give a red colour to fireworks and has been used in Germany for refining sugar beet. Some was mined between Dinder and Westbury-subMendip, but the main mines were further north, at Yate and Chipping Sodbury. Mining and the reworking of slags ended around a hundred years ago and many sites have been lost, due to land reclamation and for safety reasons. The industry has been well-documented over the years and enough mines can still be explored to give us an idea of what it was like to have been a Mendip miner.

Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

(Photograph by Phil Hendy)

MENDIP TIMES

News page 91.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:14 Page 1

Nuclear veterans call it a day

NEWS

Words and photos by Ros Anstey

IT was a sad day for former members of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Association when they met for the last time at their outpost in West Harptree. The underground bunker is a leftover from WW2, when members kept watch in case of nuclear attack. The outpost, numbered 12/66, is in a field behind the Wellsway Inn and has been maintained since the ROC stood down in 1991 by a small team led by chief observer Mike Parfitt. It has even opened for visitors, or anyone interested in going down and seeing what the officers had to deal with when they spent days at a time down in the bunker. There have even been a couple of well-known visitors, including Fred Wedlock, who would visit quite often, and Acker Bilk. Until 1991 volunteers from the ROC were prepared to sit out eight-hour shifts in this tiny bunker which is 14 feet below the ground, ready to report any blast of a nuclear attack. Mike said: “We have decided to close it as it is getting into a sad state of repair and most of us find it difficult to visit regularly as we are all aging and most of us live a fair distance away. Many members have also passed away.” It was a sad day but also an enjoyable one as members reminisced about times past. During the day Mike was awarded a commendation by the national secretary of the ROC association, Jenny Morris. It was “in acknowledgment of the meritorious service he had rendered”. After the reminiscing, members went on to enjoy a meal at the nearby Castle of Comfort. According to the ROC records, during WWI a need arose for plotting and reporting enemy airships. This role was given to the local police forces who on identifying the enemy reported to the authorities from the nearest phone. They informed the Flying Corp, thus enabling fighter aircraft to intercept and destroy the air ships, hopefully before discharging their weapons. In around 1925 a more permanent system was deemed appropriate and the Observer Corps was formed to locate, identify, give height and direction of hostile aircraft. The Corps was updated prior to WW2. After the war, The ROC continued to monitor aircraft in case of nuclear attack. The Corps had posts approximately ten miles apart in every direction and a considerable number of volunteers, on average ten per post. About 1,560 underground posts were built in Britain and Northern Ireland and the post at West Harptree is one of the few left.

West Harptree at its standing down on September 29th, 1991 (l to r) Observer Jim Calloway entering the post, Chief Observer Mike Parfitt, Observer Lieutenant Bill Pitman and Group Observer Roger Wilsden

Acker Bilk about to go down the bunker, with (l to r) officers Rex Chapman, Bill Pitman and Mike Parfitt

Mike Parfitt being presented with his commendation by ROC national secretary Jenny Morris

Former volunteers MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 91

Events feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:17 Page 12

MENDIP TIMES

Crowds flock to Wellow duck race

ST JULIAN’S School in Wellow held its annual duck race, raising £1,450 for school funds. The day included maypole dancing, games, tombola, cake stall and more. School head, Ruth Noall, said: “It was a fantastic evening with activities for the whole family.” Details: www.stjuliansprimary.co.uk

Dectectorists support Forever Friends appeal

AROUND 1,000 metal detectorists from around the world travelled to a site near Marlborough for a charity weekend of metal detecting, raising £36,847 for The Forever Friends Appeal at Bath’s Royal United Hospital. The event, The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally, was set up in 2018 by Gary Cook in memory of his dad Rodney who died from cancer in 2017. Proceeds from the ticket sales, raffle and extras will go towards the Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH. Gary, a member of the Trowbridge and District Metal Detecting Club, said: “The staff who cared for my father at the RUH were quite simply incredible, caring and wonderful people. I felt compelled to try and do something to raise some money for The Forever Friends Appeal to repay that kindness. So, from something awful, the RCM Rally was born. “This year was our third event, as the 2020 rally was cancelled due to the pandemic. This year’s event was a huge success, we were blessed with the weather and we raised a new record amount of £50,000 for local cancer charities. “Many amazing finds were made over the course of the weekend, including Roman and Saxon coins along with some Celtic coins. “Since its inception, the Rodney Cook Memorial Rally has raised a staggering £116,000 for charity, an amount we are all truly proud of. I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation and running of this year's event, everyone who has

supported us and those that attended, please accept our heartfelt gratitude.” Laura Cherry, events and community co-ordinator at The Forever Friends Appeal said: “Over the year, the Rodney Cook Memorial Rally has raised an exceptional amount, £75,325 to be exact, towards the Dyson Cancer Centre. “On behalf of everyone at the charity, I would like to say a massive thank you to all the supporters of the rally, the incredible amount they have raised, as well as the awareness they have driven about our work, it’s truly inspiring.” The rally organisers are always looking for new sites to hold future events.

Details: www.rodneycookmemorial.co.uk

PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

News page 93.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:15 Page 1

Remembrance poppies

Pictured (l to r) Sue Lyons, Cathy Walters, Patricia Ardon and Jane Winsley

AFTER decorating Chilcompton Bridge during the first lockdown, then making red poppies for Remembrance Day last year, the village’s Knit and Natter group have now created an altar cloth of poppies to be used on Remembrance Sunday in the village’s St John’s Church. Other group members involved were Ann Brown, Marg Wilcox, Fenella Williams and Sue Coombes.

Santa needs helpers

RADSTOCK and Midsomer Norton Lions are preparing to take their carol float around Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Farrington Gurney, Hallatrow, High Littleton, Timsbury and Peasedown St John, but need more help. They say it’s an ideal opportunity for caravan owners to test their reversing skills negotiating the float around the streets! They also need people to carry collecting buckets and knock on doors. They collect from 6pm-8.30pm during December up until Christmas. Call Derek Livsey 01761 416254 if you can help. Details: www.rmnlions.org.uk

Inspired to change the world

NEWS

Make the Sunshine’s Louise Lappin-Cook, headteacher Chris Partridge and deputy head Caroline Owen with some of the pupils at St Paul’s School at the launch of the project

SCHOOL pupils in the Shepton Mallet area are joining forces in a new creative project to improve their local communities. Called 374 Ways to Change the World, the project aims to explore the power of performance and creativity to challenge, question and inspire action in young people. Creative organisation Make the Sunshine CIC and Shepton Mallet Town Council are working with support from Creative Mendip through Mendip District Council. The schools involved are Bowlish Infant School, St Paul’s CofE VC Junior School, Shepton Mallet Infant School, St Aldhelm’s VA Church Primary School in Doulting, and Croscombe and Stoke St Michael School Federation. Young people will design their own “social action” project working alongside a professional artist. It could be cheering up the local doctor’s surgery, or it could be creating a tea party with residents at a local care home; it could be an environmental craft campaign to MPs or staging a flash-mob performance for local key workers. Students will create a series of bespoke community events, campaigns and performances, as well as staging a production written and inspired by the process. It is part of a wider programme of work under the same name supported by Wells Festival of Literature, Shepton Mallet Town Council, Strode Theatre and Take Art’s Barn Development Programme and Somerset Community Foundation. Louise Lappin-Cook, from Make the Sunshine, said: “We are so excited about working with young people again locally – and this project feels especially poignant coming out of lockdown. “We are so looking forward to seeing what aspect young people focus on and it’s going to be an amazing opportunity for them to try something new and to hopefully see the impact they can have on the world.”

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 93

MENDIP TIMES

Transport festival for all

VISIT OUR LARGE NEW WORKSHOP AND SHOP!

STEAM-powered vehicles joined cars, lorries, motorbikes and other machinery at Somerset’s Festival of Transport at the West Woodlands Showground, near Frome. The Mangled Wurzels on stage in the pavilion

Caravan and Motorhome Servicing All makes and models l Caravan Servicing l Annual Habitation Checks l Alu-Tech Bailey Approved Repairers l Warranty Maintained l Damp Repairs l Accident Repairs l Insurance Repairs l Accessory Fitting

THE NEW SHOP

Collecting for the Poppy Appeal Little and large in the main arena

MASSES OF SPACE

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs

THE NEW WORKSHOP Open Monday - Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday 9am–12 noon

Approved

A37 • Gurney Slade • Radstock BA3 4TQ Call: 01749 841051 • Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

ALL MAKES SERVICING – VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, AIR CONDITIONING, MECHANICAL & BODY REPAIRS Collection/Loan Car by arrangement MOT TESTING STATION

COMPETITIVE PRICES ON TYRES, BATTERIES AND EXHAUSTS

ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY SERVICE

QUALITY USED CARS Your peace of mind is our priority

CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY. TEL: 01761 462275 (24hrs) www.ubleymotors.co.uk

MOTORING

A serious face in the middle of a display of vintage tractors

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 95

Music & Theatre feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:40 Page 96

MENDIP TIMES

Music night in Holcombe

COMMUNITY group Holcombe Hive staged seven hours of live music on the village playing fields.

Anne and William Golledge running the token stall for the bar

The Man Band – singing boy band covers

Lighting up the night on the playing fields

Some of the members of Shepton Mallet Big Band

Talented soloist

YATTON Music Society is looking forward to a concert by its own local musical protégé, Joss Wort. During his time at Backwell School, Joss gained his grade 8 piano with distinction. Following this he has been taught by Helen Reid, a former BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard finalist, and has taken part in masterclasses with Malcolm Young and Shelley Prior. Joss has now entered the Royal Welsh School of Music and Drama at Cardiff where he hopes to augment his piano studies with forays into conducting. Through his studies, he has developed a love for the works of Schubert, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and especially Beethoven. For the Yatton concert at St Mary’s on December 4th, he will include music by Bach and his other favourite composers. The concert starts at 7.30pm, tickets £10, half price for students over 16, children free.

Five Spice – young local singers

Details: www.yms.org.uk or contact David Ford daford220@gmail.com • 01934 830255

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Music & Theatre feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 13:40 Page 97

MUSIC & THEATRE

Memories of The Bell Folk Club

ARTHUR Brown was one of the enthusiasts behind the very successful Bell Folk Club in Banwell, which attracted both national and internationally acclaimed stars to the pub’s cosy skittle alley from 1975-1984. He’s also played guitar and mandolin in bands Magenta, which is recording a new album, Bulldog and Tex Braithwaite. When the pandemic stopped live performances, he decided to write a book about the Bell, drawing on a vast collection of posters and photographs collected years ago. For good measure he then wrote a book about Tex Braithwaite, fronted by his friend Jerry Blythe. He previously wrote a book about his journey through India and Afghanistan. Arthur, who lives in Cross with wife Jo, said: “We’ve not been able to go out anywhere, so I decided to write the books. The folk club met fortnightly on a Saturday and hosted some amazing people.” He’s publishing the books himself in small batches. His books about Bulldog and Magenta will be published this month.

Arthur Brown

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby at the Bell around 1982

Poster from 1984

Bert Jansch played at the Bell in 1979 and 1980

Details: 07970 525826 email agb@ncs.u-net.com

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 97

Homes section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:41 Page 98

MENDIP TIMES

A fire pit is not just for Christmas but for life! Fire pits and BBQ accessories, the perfect Christmas present.

✆ 01934 734662 ✉ ebdonfirewood@icloud.com ❂ www.ebdonfirewood.co.uk

Fast & Reliable WINDOW INSTALLATION

Boasting a stunning range of aluminium and uPVC window designs and hardware, we’re confident that we have a highly energy efficient and tempting style to suit your South West home or client.

FACTORY & SHOWROOM IN CLEVEDON

We understand how important it is to homeowners and businesses alike, to actually see the quality of products up close. So, why not drop into the Seal-Lite showroom? Come in and see the products for yourself!

Access to Showroom by appointment only PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Homes section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:41 Page 99

HOMES & INTERIORS

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 99

History feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:48 Page 100

MENDIP TIMES

Letters home, 1943, Sydney Richard Andow, 1914-1944

As Remembrance Sunday approaches, the thoughts of many families will be turning to relatives lost in the war. Sue Emmett has been researching the story of one soldier through the letters he sent home.

ON the wall of the parish church in Stowey is a simple, oblong, Westmoreland green stone memorial, commemorating a soldier who died in WW2. These days, researchers can learn a lot from online sources, which is where some of the information below was found, although in this case there are also people locally who remember him, including relatives who have some family documents. Sydney Richard Andow, known as Dick, was the son of the carter, sometime cowman, at Manor Farm, Stowey and the family lived in a cottage opposite the farm. As well as the memorial inside the church, his name also appears on his parents' gravestone in the churchyard, plus on the 1939-45 war memorial plaque in the church at Chew Stoke, where he is listed as Richard Andow and on identical memorial windows in

Last resting place, Anzio Military Cemetery, Italy PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

both Holy Trinity, Bishop Sutton and the former Methodist chapel, Bishop Sutton. These windows were paid for by subscriptions from the villagers. Dick was actually born in Chelwood, where his father, William, is described as a gardener in the 1911 census. When the 1921 census is released, we may be able to work out more about his early childhood years. What is certain is that in 1937 he was appointed as a postman in Chew Stoke and that within a year he had married Florence Clark, who was from that village. They were living there, in Scott Cottage up on Pagans Hill, when their son, David, was born in 1939. However, very soon Dick found himself caught up in world events. By 1940 he was with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Norway, in what has been described as a disastrous campaign, taking with him a photo of his beloved wife. He was then back in Britain for several years, so presumably was able to get home to visit his family, but early in 1943 the battalion set sail for Tunisia. They left there in December that year, landing in Taranto to serve in the Italian campaign. Sadly, Dick was killed in fighting at Anzio in January1944, only a few weeks after arriving. A few of Dick's letters to his wife from this time survive, in the care of family members, and I have been privileged to be allowed to read them. He obviously loved his wife and son dearly, writing to them weekly with many a fond message, although probably not all letters arrived safely. Certainly it seems that he had received no Christmas mail in December 1943, the rumour being that the boat had been sunk. So no cigarettes from home to replace the Indian ones then being provided by the army, which he disliked very much. His messages were resolutely reassuring and cheerful, although he

Sydney Richard Andow

describes the “blistering heat” in Tunisia, where the wind “burns like a furnace”. He was in Africa during the malaria season and they were having to be very careful with the food and water. They were able to visit the coast and sometimes go into Tunis, but generally he preferred to be in the shade. A bathe in the warm waters of a Roman bath was much enjoyed. There was no electric light in the camp, so they managed with light from a tin of oil, with a wick. However, they were receiving news bulletins every night at this time, and later on the officers read to them from the French newspapers. The battalion were in Italy for Christmas 1943, waiting to go up to the Front. Conditions were not good, either for the soldiers or for the local population. It was bitterly cold, the nights were long, the only light being from their tins of oil and heat from a tin of charcoal in the tent. But their Christmas dinner had been “lovely”. Dick's last surviving message is a postcard of Vesuvius, which he sent to his son, describing what a wonderful view there was from the snow-capped top. Florence, at this sad time, was at home in Chew Stoke with David, now about five years old, and her mother nearby, visiting Dick's parents in Stowey, with their beautifully tended garden, when she could. She sometimes helped out at the

History feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:48 Page 101

HISTORY Florence – the photo Dick took to Norway

A card from Italy, December 1943

village shop, especially at busy times. Her eagerly awaited letters to Dick do not seem to have survived. She later remarried, living locally until her death, aged 86, in 2003. The Andow family played a big part in the life of Stowey for many years, with Dick's mother an active member of the parish council and his brother Sam

(real name Albert) farming at Stowey Mead Farm. He kept poultry in the studio formerly used by painter Henry Strachey, where the wall paintings for Stowey Church were created. When Sam died, in 1996, he left a very welcome legacy to Stowey church for the upkeep of the churchyard, where his parents are

Dick with his family in 1939

buried. And Sydney/Richard/Dick's plaque has been on the wall in Stowey church for 70 years now. At least one local resident remembers being there as a young girl in 1951 when it was dedicated. The text is below - full marks to the eagle eyed amongst you who can spot the error it contains.

IN MEMORY OF SYDNEY RICHARD ANDOW, GDSM, 2ND BATT, SCOTS GUARDS. KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN ITALY ON 30, JANUARY 1944.

Tribute to Burma Star veteran

A WORLD War Two veteran from Frome, who was awarded the Burma Star, has died aged 101. Ron Stone was a familiar face at Remembrance Day services in front of the Memorial Theatre in the town, where he recited the Kohima Epitaph. Ron, who was born in Frome in November 1919, joined the Royal Marines in 1940 and went on to serve with 44 Commando in Dakar (West Africa), India and the Burma Campaign down in Arakan and in the infamous Ron Stone outside Frome’s Memorial Theatre Battle of Hill 170. Ron was always proud to have “Royal Marines, second to none.” Norris from the Frome branch of the served with the Royal Marines and on At his funeral in Corsley, Ron was laid Royal British Legion reading the his 100th birthday was invited to the to rest to the singing of Amazing Grace, Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. A passing out parade at Lympstone, after which, in tribute to his wartime guard of honour was formed by members where he was presented with a plaque experiences, a Royal Marine bugler from of the Royal Marines Association and Royal British Legion and standards were of the Marine Monument at HM Royal Marines Collingwood blew dipped in respect. Achnacarry. His favourite saying was: the Last Post and Reveille, with Jane

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 101

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 102

MENDIP TIMES

Riding the trails across Mendip

MOUNTAIN bike riding along trails is not every cyclist’s cup of tea. Many (including me) prefer the speed and relative safety of the road CYCLING along good surfaces, with EDMUND LODITE allowing longer distances to be travelled. Others are simply happy with the odd commute here and there, or to simply use cycling as a form of exercise. But if you want to escape from the traffic and get to see some of the best views that only walkers and hikers can reach then you’ll need to go off-road. Mountain bikes are the solution – designed to cope with the tough terrain they are a perfect way to explore and find adventure on a bike ride. Fortunately, we are lucky that the Mendip Hills are criss-crossed by bridleways and trails perfect for exploring on mountain bikes. Depending on the skill and ability level there is something for everyone, from easy paths like the Strawberry Line to forest trails and technical descents for the very experienced rider. The best routes are at the west end of the Mendip Hills. I like riding in Rowberrow Forest because the connecting paths are in good shape and the terrain isn’t too tricky for me. There are more demanding purpose-built trails (e.g. Vicious Valley, Yee Haw) for the more experienced and skilled riders. These are constructed and maintained in a sustainable way by Ride Mendips – a charity that aims to promote off-road biking across the Mendip Hills and surrounding areas. They also do a fantastic job in promoting a code of conduct for riders and play a pivotal part in managing the relationships with other users of the forest. For example, there are signage boards at the trails which indicate their difficulty and show the recommended routes back to the start – to try and keep other bridleways clear for walkers and horses. Riding a mountain bike on difficult terrain needs good bike handling skills. In some ways it’s a bit like skiing. The body needs to be loose, responsive and weight needs to be shifted according to the incline. It can feel counterintuitive but holding speed in tricky terrain is necessary to maintain momentum and balance. And, unlike a road bike you don’t stay in your

PAGE 102 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

seat all the time! Like learning any new skill, it takes time and practice to do well. At my age I’m happy to leave the likes of Vicious Valley to those who have successfully mastered the skill required! On leaving the forest, the open area on Black Down leading to Beacon Batch is a pleasure to ride. At the highest point on the Mendips there are far reaching views extending in all directions. There are several options from here but a worthwhile one is to head via Charterhouse towards Cheddar and take the bridleway around the top of the Gorge. The resulting view across the Gorge towards the Somerset Levels makes the effort all worthwhile. The National Trust hold an annual event (Covid permitting) called the Mendip

Murmuration that includes trails at the top of the Gorge which are not normally open to the public. It also picks up the trails in Rowberrow and Black Down and extends out to Crook Peak. This is an example of how far off-road cycling in Mendip has come in the last few years. Gone are the days when debates would take place over who caused most erosion – cyclists, horses or walkers. Now all groups work sensibly with each other and manage the landscape in a sustainable way with the Mendip Hills AONB. I don’t go off-road that often so when I did recently, I decided to upgrade and hire a decent mountain bike from Cheddar Bikes. Several hours later I’d worked hard, experienced some glorious riding and fantastic scenery – so it may not be that long before I am off-road again!

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Potts-Jones 6. Asia 9. Grant Associates 10. Excisions 12. Dieselelectric 14. Elevator 15. Geneva 17. Lobate 19. Soy-sauce 21. Nitroglycerine 24. Take sides 25. Intro 26. Nine 27. Unintended. DOWN: 1. Page 2. Teatime 3. Satisfactions 4. Overlook 5. Excel 7. Scourge 11. Secret Service 13. Wellington 16. Moccasin 18. Betoken 20. Unnoted 22. Lydon 23. Lord

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 103

SPORT

Club honours long-standing supporters

FIVE long-term stalwarts of Midsomer Norton Rugby Club have been awarded life memberships in recognition of their decades of support. Bob Browning, Neil Denning, Bob Ladd, Simon Mollison and Robert Porter have had their names inscribed on the clubhouse honours board. The ceremony took place during the club’s former players reunion at Norton Down where Neil was also honoured by the Somerset RFU after standing down recently as chairman after 19 years at the helm. He is replaced by Alex Davis. Norton 1st XV then played Gordano in a close Tribute Western Counties North league game, running out 33-28 winners.

The reunion took place in Norton’s refurbished clubhouse

Norton’s James Fuller (in red and white) takes the game to Gordano

Thank you for your hard work. Pictured are (back l:r) Simon Mollison, chairman Alex Davis, club president Nigel Rowles and former chairman Neil Denning. Front: Robert Porter and Bob Browning

Luke Murphy crosses to score Norton’s opening try

Alex Davis is the club’s new chairman

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 103

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 104

MENDIP TIMES

Timsbury’s successful season CAMERTON Village Hall was packed for the annual presentation evening of Timsbury Cricket Club with all three teams well represented. The evening began with applause for all those associated with the club who had been lost over the last couple of years. Club chairman, Ben Hosford, who was celebrating his first year at the helm, said he was delighted at the way the club had developed over the last year. Over 50 members had paid up, the All Stars and Dynamos had attracted loads of children, the new kit had been very popular, new sight screens had been purchased and the coaching sessions led by Lloyd Davies had been very well attended. He added that coaching master classes with Marcus Trescothick and Richard Dawson had been arranged for next season. First team captain Jon Strand reviewed a season that had seen the side eventually achieve a creditable third place in the

Senior Division of the Bristol and District League. Will Rawlings gave an excellent speech as captain of the under 19s. He said that Timsbury was a club where young players felt wanted and where they wanted to play. Laurie Jones, captain of the third eleven, said that his aim had been to make the team more competitive and to encourage

younsters. The team had finished fourth in Division 14. Ben Hosford then turned to his role as second team captain. The team had celebrated another excellent season which had seen them win Division Six and achieve promotion for the fourth successive season. Malcolm Tucker

Best individual performance Sol Thompson

Clubman of the Year Greg Passingham

Junior, Liam Hosford

Fastest 50 Paul Cracknell

Outstanding teenager Oli Hulbert and chairman Ben Hosford

Players of the year (l to r) Dan Hill 2nd XI, Graeme Webb 1st XI and Neil Hulford 3rd XI PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Young all-rounder of the Year Sol Thompson with Joe Kinnear

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 105

SPORT

Skittles right up their alley for a good night out

THEY call themselves Large and in Charge and the Paulton and District Skittles League has probably seen nothing quite like them for some time, if at all, in its 88-year history. LAIC is a group of 40+ friends from the Midsomer Norton area who have decided to take up the traditional pub sport and whilst only eight can compete in each match, the rest can usually be found supporting them… even drinking one of their away venues dry! The team is based at The Riverside in Midsomer Norton and are competing in the lowest division, Division Six, of the league in their first season. The league itself boasts more than 80 teams. Kitted out in personalised polo shirts, LAIC can certainly be a little lively and post regular photos and videos on Twitter from their matches, already gaining several hundred followers.

Cheering on their players

LAIC at home at The Riverside

The evening’s opponents, the Riverside Rollers, also based at the Midsomer Norton pub

Find LaicSkittles1 team on Twitter. For details about the league, visit: www.p-d-s-l.com

Croquet’s successful year

CAMERTON and Peasedown Croquet Club has had an exciting year, despite Covid, welcoming over ten new members, taking part in regional and national competitions, with Colin Britt winning the ‘A’ level series and Andy Loakes gaining second place in the All England Championship. But the icing on the cake must be Finals Day when players of all skill levels battled it out and games were won/lost by only one point. The Level Doubles was won by Jill and Craig Shaw by 7 to 6 against Christina Sandford and Robin Oldland. The Handicap Singles was won by Steve Perry 7 to 5, with Steve and Phil Hendy fighting for each hoop. The Handicap Doubles was another well fought match, which Mo Boys and Tony Brooks won against Andy Loakes and Nigel Wulcko by 7 to 5. The Level Singles pitted the club’s two best players against each other, seeing Andy Loakes winning against Colin Britt by 7 to 6.

The High Handicap Singles pitted Marylin Hendy against Nigel Wulcko and after another momentous battle, Marylin just won by 7 to 6. Association Singles was won by Colin Britt, who won by only one point against John Rowley (15 to 14). The Short Croquet Final was won by Mo Boys against David Milford 14 to 6. The club plays croquet throughout the year.

Details: Mo Boys 01225 708540. No equipment needed

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 105

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 106

MENDIP TIMES

Practice weekend is a thriller

AROUND 300 riders enjoyed a weekend of motocross thrills – and some spills – at the Frome Motorcycle Club track at Leighton, near Frome. Two wheels, three wheels and four were all represented as individual riders, sidecars and quads took to the track. Organisers have thanked Aggregate Industries, the Kelston Sparkes group and JF Pearce and Sons for their help in preparing the track.

A chance to hone their sidecar skills

The start of one of the practice sessions One of the quad riders in action

Sessions were split into different categories – including the not-sospeedy

Waiting for the off

PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

l Brothers Arthur, aged, 15, and Olly Macdonald, 12, from Hornblotton, are celebrating success in the British Quad Bike Championships, held over ten rounds since February. Olly finished second in the 100cc group and Arthur was third in the 250cc group.

Sport section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:36 Page 107

SPORT

Extreme heat hits desert marathon

THREE local men have survived the world’s toughest road race, the Marathon Des Sables, running 260km in seven days across the Sahara in Southern Morocco in temperatures above 50ºC, nearly twice the normal average for this time of the year. Cheddar postman Ian Maclachlan and paramedic Chris Hewett, also from Cheddar, were among the 352 runners who completed the marathon out of a field of nearly 700. They were yards away when one runner collapsed and died; another three had heart attacks. Organisers normally expect 95 percent of runners to finish. The oldest runner in the race, accountant David Exell, aged 79, from Wrington was on the point of collapse when he was airlifted out of the desert. Having completed the marathon four years ago, he said: “Conditions this time were more hellish than hell.” Ian met Chris while on his post round, which covers Draycott and the centre of Cheddar, and then they discovered they had both entered the Marathon des Sables, which involves covering more than 20 miles a day, carrying provisions with you. Ian said: “It’s difficult enough without being hit by a

Chris Hewett (left) and Ian Maclachlan

heatwave. One temperature gauge stopped working when it hit 62ºC. The whole camp was hit by heat-induced diarrhoea and vomiting. “My feet were blistered and swollen beyond recognition. At one point I was dehydrated to the point of collapse, when a passing Berber tribesman gave me the last of his water. “It was quite a beating seeing a man die. I was ready to give up the race, but Chris persuaded me to carry on. By the morning my mental attitude had strengthened and I thought that if it had been me who died I would have wanted the others to carry on.” Chris, who has competed in ultramarathons before, said: “By chance, I bumped into Ian, our local postman on his rounds. A short conversation about running shoes was followed by a realisation that we had both signed up for a week of torture in the Sahara desert. “We went for a short run together and it all seemed to gel. It was a match made in heaven – ready for a trip into hell.” The two men were raising money for Hounds for Heroes, which trains assistance dogs for ex-servicemen and the total had reached £8,000 as Mendip Times went to press.

Details: justgiving.com/fundraising/postiesjourney www.postiesjourney.co.uk

David’s experience

IN 2017 I completed the whole course – albeit rather slowly – and following some miraculous heart re-plumbing three years ago, I was fully confident of notching up another success this time. We all set off with high hopes, but temperatures soared to almost 60ºC (140F), and, despite my attempts to keep going, I succumbed to the heat, and dehydration. It was truly, as Ranulph Fiennes described it, “more hellish than hell”, and I collapsed. After vomiting copiously over a French doctor, I was whisked away with five other miscreants in a helicopter from which I had a bird’s eye view of other

competitors staggering along, but was then mercifully discharged medically and disqualified mortifyingly. It was no consolation to find that by the end one 50-year-old man had died, and a record 321 competitors had withdrawn out of 672 who had started, owing to the unprecedented conditions. There is one huge redeeming feature which sustains me, however. It is the extraordinary willingness of so many people to sponsor me, so very generously, in my mad endeavour, and contribute to the charity, Bristol After Stroke, of which I am treasurer, so that I feel the whole thing has been worthwhile.

David in training before the marathon

Details: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/davidexell1 or cheque payable to Bristol After Stroke, David Exell, Uplands, Wrington, BS40 5NP MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 107

Riding section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:43 Page 108

MENDIP TIMES

Pony Stars, Changing Lives and keeping sane

SO many people have said that their horses have kept them sane during Covid. Having to keep to a routine of caring for them has meant that whatever rules and restrictions have been introduced, their horses have been blissfully unaware of the fact that most of the world has been in a state of anxiety. Routine has helped With JANE PATERSON people to stay grounded. At a time when the British Horse Society (BHS) is trying to encourage more people to become involved in the sport, its new initiatives could not be more welcome. Learning to ride and knowing where to go for lessons can be a minefield. Many centres have closed their doors recently owing to a variety of issues, but one riding school in the Mendip area which is going from strength to strength is Divoky Riding School near Shepton Mallet, owned and run by Pat Bishop. I was intrigued to know where the name Divoky came from and Pat told me it is Czech for “wild”, in the feral sense. Pat once worked with a Czech girl who described her as being “divoky” and it stuck! I found nothing wild about the school. It oozed a feeling of calm and contentment, which came from the staff and pupils as well as from the horses and ponies. Divoky is a BHS approved riding school which has gone full pelt into setting up new initiatives from the equine charity which offers support, training and education. You can learn to ride at any age, but for young would-be champions, the BHS Pony Stars challenge is a great place to start, and you don’t have to own your own pony. The challenges start with Shetland Striders, moving up through Dartmoor Dazzlers and Welshie Wizzers to Connemara Champs, in Pat Bishop manageable stages. Supported by BHS approved coaches, many of whom have been with Pat since they started riding themselves, children can start around five years of age and come for an hour a week for lessons which involve pony care, stable management and riding. At Divoky there is plenty of room for parents

PAGE 108 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Pony Stars riding lesson

to relax while their children are learning and the children have a superb classroom where they fill in their books and gain stars and stickers for their achievements as they move up the Pony Stars pathway. Written work done, they head out to the school for mounted instruction on carefully selected ponies who allow them to follow their dreams. Situated in stunning countryside, and set around an old Manor House courtyard where there are tubs of flowers and herbs, an aviary, and plenty of hens, tuition encompasses learning not only about riding and pony care, but also about plants, biodiversity, and even climate change, all in a natural way which comes from being encouraged to become observant and being surrounded by excellent resources. Another of the BHS initiatives is Changing Lives through Horses. Pat takes a variety of young people for this programme. Some are troubled youngsters who may be “school refusers”, or children who have been excluded from school, or they may be young offenders. Whatever their problems, they can be given a chance to wind down and engage with horses for varying periods of time, and this can have an amazing effect on their behaviour. The results have been astonishing and have confirmed undoubtedly that being around horses and caring for them can be therapeutic on all sorts of levels. All children in education can be funded for alternative programmes if school is failing them for some reason and the mission of Changing Lives sets out to give young people, regardless of their background, the opportunity to develop their skills, enabling them to return to education or employment, and reconnect with society. To do this at Divoky riding school must be absolute heaven for young troubled children and the staff seem to have a natural empathy and understanding that is reflected in the atmosphere and ethos of the school. As one young person on the BHS video about Changing Lives said: “It didn’t change my life, it saved my life.” That in itself is one good reason to keep supporting this charity which does so much for people from all walks of life.

Riding section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:43 Page 109

Horses head out on Redlands Ride

RIDING

(Ph t

h t

)

DOZENS of horseriders enjoyed the return of the Redlands Ride, organised by the Mendip Bridleways and Byways Association. They took to a choice of three and nine mile routes around the Evercreech area on well-marked routes covering farmland, tracks and lanes through undulating countryside.

Rosie Meek on Neptune, Henrietta Woodward on Podge and Belinda Payne on Bob

Seraphina Rowe on Dolly and Sophie Underwood on Lulu

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip NOW AVAILABLE TO HOME-EDUCATED STUDENTS Linked to key stages of literacy, maths and science

Reluctant to get back in its box after a enjoyable morning

Our mission is to empower young people, regardless of their background, with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge enabling them to engage with education and/or gain employment 10am-12.30pm each Tuesday during term time. No prior knowledge of riding required, but a love of animals essential (this can be a non-riding or riding course) *e course should be regarded as a long-term commitment used to support home learning

Dozens of riders returned to Higher Redlands Farm for the second year running

Divoky Riding School, Manor Farm, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4LG www.divoky.co.uk T: 01749 880233 • M: 07971 207037

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 109

Mendip Times web ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 17:44 Page 1

Mendip Times

in print and online!

ONLINE

FREE! access to all of our recent

magazines from our website

FREE! links to all of our

advertisers’ websites

FREE! links from our features and

editorial pages

More information – more enjoyment No annoying pop-ups – Mendip Times pure and simple

FREE! service for readers

and advertisers

www.mendiptimes.co.uk

What's On section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:15 Page 111

MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 111

What's On section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:15 Page 112

MENDIP TIMES

T H E M E N D I P T I M E S W H AT ’ S O N

Covid cases are rising very quickly again throughout this area so we advise that you check that these events will take place. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge. Commercial entries £25. Please send entries as a single paragraph of less than 25 words. Thursday, October 28th Chew Valley Wildlife Group, “New Methods of Tracking Birds” Mike Bailey, 7.45pm Millennium Hall, Chew Magna. St John’s Glastonbury concert: Avalon Recorder Consort 1pm, entry by donation. Thursday October 28th to Saturday November 6th Private Lives by Noël Coward at the Theatre Royal Bath. A new production starring Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge, directed by Christopher Luscombe. Details: www.theatreroyal.org.uk Friday October 29th and Saturday October 30th Frome Memorial Theatre “That'll be the day 30th Anniversary Tour” 7.30pm. Tickets £26 from 01373 462795 www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk Friday October 29th to Sunday November 28th Chew Valley Performing Arts Fringe Festival is back! Over 20 very varied performers and workshops, for all ages, throughout November. See p49. Full programme & tickets: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Saturday October 30th U3a Open Day Cheddar village hall 10.302.30pm, free entry, lots of displays and demonstrations. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds. Halloween Family Scare Walk 6-8pm from Hillside Cottage, Holcombe BA3 5DG. Tickets £3 incl a surprise for each child. Details www.ticketsource.co.uk/holcombe-hive Tuesday November 2nd Somerset Wildlife Trust talk about Hedgerows 8pm Caryford Hall, Ansford BA7 7JJ. Tea/coffee from 7.30pm. Adults £3 children free. WellsBeing Walkers meet every Tuesday at 11am by the disabled parking bays at Morrisons, Wells. See p80. Mendip Storytelling Circle 7.30-9.30pm Temple Cloud village hall BS39 5BD. Lose yourself in myth, legend and folk tales, £5 donation suggested. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com The Arts Society Mendip talk “Signs, Symbols & Iconography” Leslie Primo will reveal the stories in Italian Renaissance art. 11am Croscombe village hall and simultaneously via Zoom. Guests welcome, on request to tasmendip.comm@gmail.com Guest donation £6 requested. Thursday, November 4th Globe Carnival Club AGM 8pm The Tramways, Wells. New members welcome. Details: victoriabeal@hotmail.co.uk Congresbury Gardening Club talk by Nick Wray on Bristol Botanic Gardens 7.30pm PAGE 112 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Memorial Hall (note new venue). Visitors welcome. Frome Memorial Theatre presents “Paul Zerdin - Hands Free” 7.30pm Tickets £20 from 01373 462795 www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk Friday November 5th Frome Memorial Theatre presents “Barry Steele in the Roy Orbison story” 7.30pm Tickets £23.50 from 01373 462795 www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk Red Hot Jazz Club Glastonbury presents Annika Skoogh – a fabulous evening of Latin, swing and soul. Tickets £8 in advance /£10 otd 7.30pm. Details: www.redbrickbuilding.co.uk Saturday, November 6th Big Drop for Weston Hospicecare 10-12.30pm Wedmore First School car park. Donations of all kinds welcome. Details: Shirley 01934 712089 / 07812 391962. RNLI Winscombe Folk “Granny’s Attic” St James’ Hall BS25 1BA. Two sessions, 7pm to 8 and 9pm to 10. Entry only by e-ticket, £14, from James Barattini: winscombe.folk@gmail.com Kingston Seymour Market 10am-12pm Village Hall. Fairtrade goods, cakes, crafts etc Ffestiniog Railway Group sale of railway books, DVDs & memorabilia 10am-1pm Frome Cricket Club BA11 2AH. Free admission. Details 01373 471103. Saturday November 6th and Sunday November 7th Bishop’s Palace Wells Christmas Artisan Market 10am-4pm. See p114. Sunday November 7th Mendip Society walk, a moderate 5.5m from Chewton Mendip. Meet 1.30pm in the church car park. ST596530. Contact: Peter Janes 01761 221995. Non-members welcome. Monday November 8th Nailsea & District Local History Society talk by Cat Lodge “The Local Authority Archaeologist's role & interesting discoveries in North Somerset", 7.45pm, Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2 www.ndlhs.org.uk Wednesday November 10th Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Dave Moon, "RHS gardens" 7.30pm Kilmersdon village hall BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome, £3 (incl tea /coffee) www.kilmersdongardeners.org Frome Market Health Hub – NHS health checks for farm workers, second Wednesday every month. See p11. Thursday November 11th Glastonbury Townswomen’s Guild meeting, Town Hall 2.30pm. A fun afternoon with a bring-and-buy. Visitors welcome. Thursday November 11th to Saturday November 13th The History Hut open days, 11am-4pm Netherham Farm, Low Ham, Langport TA10

9DR. Displays, books, local history. Entry free (donations) Details: Facebook or Tel: 01458 250661. Friday November 12th Fosseway Gardening Club talk by Emily Utgren “The Remarkable Trees of Stourhead” 7.30pm Pylle Village Hall. Visitors welcome. Details: Jill 07772 008594. Friday November 12th to Sunday November 14th Frome Walking Festival, see p76. Saturday November 13th Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds. Sunday November 14th Croscombe village hall 7pm-8.30. Dance show by one of the UKs leading Krump (street dance) groups. Details: www.takeart.org/whats-on Monday November 15th “The Ferns of Somerset” talk by Helena Crouch for Timsbury Nats. 7.30pm at the Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £3, refreshments. Details: Rod Bruce: 01761 433013. Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome. Wednesday November 17th Mendip Gardening Club, The Hedgehog Predicament with Colin Varndell, 7.30pm Ston Easton village hall. Saturday November 20th “The show must go on” popular music from Congresbury Singers 7.30pm St Andrews Church, £10 inc. refreshments, from Congresbury PO or otd. Booking advised. La Vie en Rose, Gypsy-style Jazz, 8pm Cossington Village Hall, TA7 8JN. Tickets £12.50 from 01278 451187 or rogercollett.sounds@talktalk.net Claverham Village Market 10am-12pm Village Hall. Vegetables, butchery, crafts etc. Christmas Gift & Craft Fair 11-3pm Compton Martin village hall BS40 6JN. Free entry, refreshments. Disabled access. In aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Details Victoriawalker29@yahoo.com Saturday November 20th and Sunday November 21st Pilton Christmas Market, Tithe Barn BA4 4EE. 10am-4pm, 35 local traders, refreshments, free parking. Monday November 22nd Paulton Library talk by local author Mike Gould (The Amazing Fairywood/Reluctant Travellers) 7pm. All welcome. Sir David Suchet at the Theatre Royal Bath: “Poirot and More, a retrospective” 2.30pm and 7.30pm. www.theatreroyal.org.uk Wednesday November 24th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support hopes to meet at 1.30pm in Backwell WI Hall. Details:

What's On section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:15 Page 113

ON GUIDE

FOR

NOVEMBER 2021

Sheila 01275 462107. Harptrees History Society talk by Tony Coverdale ‘Later Avon Valley copper & brass industry’ 7pm for 7.30 start, West Harptree Village Hall BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome, £3. Chairs socially distanced so please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Thursday November 25th Avon Wildlife Trust talk by Mary Wood about the wildlife of Arnos Vale cemetery, a site with scarce plants and nationally rare insects 7.45pm Chew Magna Old School Room, £2.50. Thursday November 25th to 27th Craft4Crafters Show, Bath & West Showground, 10am-5pm, crafting supplies, learn a new crafting skill or finding Christmas gifts, with leading local and national exhibitors, £10, £9 concessions. Details: www.craft4crafters.co.uk Friday November 26th Whitchurch Art Club Christmas art & craft fayre, 3-6 pm Fortfield Rd Community Centre BS14 9NT. Gifts, refreshments, car parking. New members welcome – every Thursday 79pm. Details: avril.csve@gmail.com Frome Memorial Theatre presents “Forbidden Nights” 7.30pm Adults only. Tickets £25 from 01373 462795. www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk Unravelling Wilburys charity concert 7pm St Thomas’ Church, Wells. Tickets £15 from Swan Hotel and Globe Inn. In aid of Wells Food Bank and Lions’ charities:

wellslionsevents@gmail.com Saturday November 27th Churchill Music Exultate Singers “From Darkness to Light” 7.30pm All Saints Church Wrington BS40 5LG. Details: tickets@churchillmusic.org.uk St Mary’s Church, Timsbury “Christmas Gifts and more” 10-3.30pm. Stalls, refreshments, lunch, raffle. All very welcome. Somerset Choral Society Vivaldi Gloria & Pergolesi Magnificat, 7.30pm Axbridge Church. Tickets £10 from members or tel: 01934 843727. Cash bar. Details: SomersetChoralSociety@hotmail.com Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds. Chew Valley Choral Society Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Fauré’s Requiem, 7.30pm St. John’s, Keynsham. Tickets £15, students £7.50 from 01275 333014 or otd. Details: www.chewvalleychoral.org.uk Glastonbury Frost Fayre midday to 7pm. See p113, Facebook or www.glastonbury.gov.uk/frost-fayre/ Saturday November 27th – Sunday November 28th Lantern Making workshops start for www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk. See p84. Monday November 29th Wessex stationary engine club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough BA3 4SA. All welcome. Details: www.wessexsec.org

WHAT’S ON Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome. Friday December 3rd Red Hot Jazz Club Glastonbury presents The Jazz Defenders, an amazing original jazz band. Tickets £8 in advance /£10 otd 7.30pm. Details: www.redbrickbuilding.co.uk Saturday December 4th Piano Concert by Joss Wort: 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Yatton, Tickets £10, details: www.yms.org.uk Christmas Market 10am-12.30 All Saints Church Publow, will include paintings and artwork by the late Robert Bailey of Pensford. Tuesday December 7th The Arts Society Mendip “Glad Tidings: The Story of the Annunciation” Imogen Corrigan discussing 4th to 16th century images, 11am Croscombe village hall and simultaneously via Zoom. Guests welcome, on request to tasmendip.comm@gmail.com Guest donation £6 requested. Monday December 13th “Music Hall Memories” talk by Ron Davies for Nailsea & District Local History Society Christmas special 7.45pm, Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2 www.ndlhs.org.uk

Two good reasons to celebrate with Glastonbury Abbey

NEW Year's Eve is set to be celebrated in style at Glastonbury Town Hall as Glastonbury Abbey hosts its first-ever New Year's Eve fundraiser. One of Britain's best reggae bands "Captain Accident & The Disasters" will welcome in 2022 in feelgood style, ably supported by Glastonbury's own psychedelic pop heroes "Flipron". Award-winning comedian Mark Olver will host the evening with prizes offered for fancy dress costumes, door prizes and random prizes throughout the night. There will, of course, be a bar and allnight curry and rice to keep up your energy. Doors open at 8pm and the event concludes at 1am. Last entry is 11pm and all proceeds go towards maintaining Glastonbury Abbey for future public benefit. Meanwhile, the "Kids go FREE" promotion that Glastonbury Abbey offered during Summer 2021 has been extended indefinitely. Each paying adult

to Glastonbury Abbey can take two children with them absolutely free and enjoy the 36 acres of open-air grounds, accredited museum, costumed tour guides and family activities. The Glastonbury Abbey gift shop offers a range of locally inspired gifts as

well as a great coffee and even an ice cream for those sunny winter days. Anyone who visits the abbey can upgrade to a membership within 30 days of their visit and have the cost of their original visit discounted from the cost of their new membership.

The abbey is offering free entry to visitors during the town’s Frost Fayre on Saturday, November 27th with choirs singing in the Lady Chapel from 2pm

New Year’s Eve tickets are on sale now at: https://bit.ly/GlastoNYE

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021 • PAGE 113

What's On section.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 16:15 Page 114

MENDIP TIMES

New faces at Bishop’s Palace artisan market

THE Christmas Artisan Market will return to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells for its sixth year in November. This hugely popular event will take place on Saturday, November 6th and Sunday, November 7th (10am-4pm) and visitors can head along to the medieval site to get their Christmas shopping started with a bang. There will be a plethora of unique, unusual and inspirational artisans in attendance, curated from throughout the heart of the West Country to get everyone in the mood for a spot of seasonal retail therapy. The medieval rooms of the palace, upstairs and downstairs, will be filled with a variety of enticing stalls, offering hand-made and unique gifts that are the perfect inspiration for those difficult to buy for friends and family, whilst also supporting local small businesses from the South West of England.

PAGE 114 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021

Artisan stalls in the Undercroft

This year, the team has sourced a number of new artisan stalls, alongside a few regular favourites and offerings will include handcrafted goods such as: Stained Glass by Debra, Echo Candles and Jewellery by Small Print. There will be plenty of gift inspiration, decorations, cards and much more! If all the shopping means you’re in need of refreshment, then head over to

WHAT’S ON

the café for seasonal drinks or enjoy some of our live musical performances. l The market is being held in aid of The Bishop’s Palace and tickets are available at £8 adult, children 5-17 £4 (under 5s and Palace Members free), including entry to the whole site (normally £15), and are available from the ticket office, by telephone 01749 988 111 or online www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Greenspace ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 14:37 Page 1

Haskins ad.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2021 15:43 Page 1

Issue 6 - Volume 17 - Mendip Times

Articles inside

Riding Jane Paterson

What’s On

Sport

Caving Phil Hendy

Community

Charities

Gardening Mary Payne MBE

Health & Family

Outdoors Les Davies MBE

Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE

Walking Sue Gearing

Arts & Antiques

Food & Drink

Internet and Crossword

Farming Nick Green

Property

Environment