24 minute read
Community
Supporting the supporters
Pictured (l to r) Mel Kibby, Beverley Cook, Rotary member Graham Cannon, and volunteers Chris Gannon and Chris Scott
ROTARY Nailsea and Backwell presented a cheque for £90 to Backwell and Nailsea Support Group for Carers to help cover their expenses for their monthly meetings at Backwell WI Hall.
The meetings are very informal, mostly held in the hall from 2–3.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
All carers, any age or gender, are made welcome by volunteers Beverley Cook, Carol Hunt, Cath Prideaux and Chris Gannon, other helpers and group members.
Rotary Nailsea and Backwell has been serving the local community for 45 years. It has 38 members and holds weekly meetings at Mizzymead Recreational Centre in Nailsea on Thursday evenings.
Club meetings restart
CHEDDARValley u3a is bouncing back after a short post New Year break because of Covid restrictions.
The speaker meetings restart on March 3rd, 2pm with a talk from Nicholas Boyd about beekeeping and honey. Coffee mornings also resume on March 17th, 10.30am, also in the village hall.
Looking further ahead there are plans to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, prior to which a “bunting party” will be held and anyone wanting to join in making the decorations will be very welcome.
This year also sees the 40th anniversary of the founding of u3a, so they are looking forward to a double celebration – platinum and ruby! New members are always warmly welcomed.
Details: annfiler020@gmail.com • 01934 740065 Helen Batt 01934 743474
Paulton’s party
PAULTON’SParty in the Park will be back after two years celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Saturday, June 4th from 2pm in the Memorial Park.
There will be live music, dance and martial art displays, vintage cars, various stalls, food and drink.
The Red Lion, Paulton’s quiz night on March 13th will raise money for the event.
Lions’ jubilee
CHEDDARVale Lions Club celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and hopes to make it a bumper year for fundraising events.
The first will be their Spring Fair on April 30th alongside the Cheddar Arts Festival weekend.
The fair was first held in the village hall in April 2018 and was repeated the following year but had to be cancelled for the last two years because of the pandemic.
Bookings for stalls are now open. They hope to offer a showcase for arts and crafts people across the area. All funds raised go to local good causes.
Youth club reopens
Soft play area
NEWyouth work sessions at the Hive Community Centre in Peasedown St John are proving to be a big hit with the village’s young people. In total, 60 youngsters are now accessing the services on a regular basis.
The Hive’s youth worker, Nick Blythe, said: “Last term, we launched our ‘open access’ youth work sessions and opened the youth club for the first time since the pandemic struck.
“It felt great to re-open and to get back to connecting with the young people in our village. We have had over 60 different young people access the sessions with a weekly turn-out of around 50 young people.”
Nick and the team are also planning a mentoring programme. The Hive Youth Club is open Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Details: nick@bathyfc.co.uk www.hiveyouth.club
New theatre season
CHRISCox’s charity theatre trips have taken people to 262 major shows at Bristol Hippodrome since their launch in 2004, raising over £66,000 for the Red Cross and local charities.
The coach starts at around 5pm in Curry Rivel picking up in Langport, Somerton, then Keinton Mandeville/Shepton Mallet or Street/Wells.
Chris is now booking for shows starting in April.
Details: Chris Cox at CharityTheatreTrips@btinternet.com 01458 273085 www.CharityTheatreTrips.com
Hoedown is good for town
VOLUNTEERS armed with hoes, spades and buckets have taken part in Frome’s first street and verge clean-up of the year.
They gathered at several sites around town for the Frome Hoedown, removing grass, leaves and vegetation from pavements and walkways. At Wallbridge, for example, they opened up around a metre of footpath leading to the Asda store which had become overgrown.
The original idea of the hoedown came from Green Party town and district councillor Shane Collins. In return for the weeding and cleaning, Mendip District Council is able to avoid the use by contractors of glyphosphate weedkiller such as Roundup in accordance with its environment policies.
Mendip stopped using glyphosphate in September 2019 and the hoedown is part of its manual weed management trials. Shane said: “It’s a win-win all round. We keep the paths clean and tidy and make them safer and wider for people to use and we’re helping the environment and wildlife by not using weedkillers.”
It also offers a chance for neighbours and friends to get together the help the community. Carol Holt, who helped clear part of The Butts, said: “I live nearby and walk my dog along here, so it seems sensible to help to keep the area clean and tidy.”
Shane and Carol get to work on the pavement at The Butts
Carol empties the vegetation into the nearby hedgerow where it will rot down
The crew at Wallbridge
The hoedowns take place on the last Sunday of the month. For details, find Frome Hoedown on Facebook
New chairman
PENNYCrawfurd has retired as chairman of Blagdon’s village lunch club after 11 years, but will continue to help prepare lunches. She said: “I would like to thank all those people who have supported me in the role over the years, both members and helpers. The atmosphere has always been very friendly and I do thank you all for this.” A medlar tree was among the presents from members. Debs Campbell, who is an experienced cook and has worked in a management position for many years, is taking over as chairman.
The lunch club provides a two-course meal each week for members.
Co-op’s donations to local food banks
FOODbanks across the south are to receive donations totalling £30,000 thanks to Southern Co-op members scanning their cards as they shopped in December.
Membership cards were scanned on nearly 300,000 separate occasions which the independent co-operative is converting to 10p per swipe and rounding up to £500 per food bank.
Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op’s Director of Sustainability and Communications, said: “Not only does this demonstrate that there is power in co-operatives and our members, but it also shows that our members care about their local communities and small gestures go a long way."
Food banks receiving donations include Banwell, Bath, Fair Frome, Keynsham and Nailsea.
Between April 2020 and March 2021 food banks in the Trussell Trust network gave out 2.5million emergency food parcels across the UK.
Rotary’s charity donations
FROMESelwood Rotary members celebrated Christmas late this winter by holding their annual festive dinner in January and presenting a total of £10,000 to local charities and schools as well as £1,500 internationally.
Guy Parkinson, the club’s president, explained that although Rotarians enjoy the social side, they take their service to the
Jenny Bennett (front left) and Cindy Groves-Veen with their Paul Harris Fellow awards, with Guy Parkinson and Dot Cretney, Assistant District Governor Guy Parkinson (seated left) with charity recipients, back row, Young People’s Trust for the Environment, Peter Littlewood, YMCA, Mark Willcox, Frome Community Club, Pete DaymanJohns, Harry’s Hydro, Malcolm Westgate; front row, Selwood Academy, Clare Cardnell, chair of governors, Life Education Wessex, Jeanette McPhail and Harold the Giraffe, and NovaSport, Jenny Rutter.
community and fundraising very seriously.
At the same dinner the club awarded Paul Harris Fellows to two members, Cindy Groves-Veen and Jenny Bennett, for their involvement in the Rotary in Frome Charity shop.
Rotary is always looking for new members, to enjoy the social side and gain new skills as well as extend its service to the community.
First market this year
THEsale of marmalade did well at Publow Church’s first monthly market of the year, helping raise more than £300 for church funds.
One of the organisers, Kate Matthews said: “It was a bright sunny morning and so good to see so many familiar faces, and some new ones too, enjoying getting together with coffee and biscuits.
“On offer was our popular home baking stall, marmalades, preserves and a pre-loved gifts/bring and buy stall, all of which went very well.”
The next market will be on Saturday, March 5th, 10-11.30am at All Saints Church, Publow.
Pictured (l to r) Janet Smith, Gillian Wookey, Barbara Avery and Lyndsay Cooper
Details: Judith Hillman 01761 490324, Janet Smith 01761 490584 or Gillian Wookey 01761 490336
Children’s support charity seeks volunteers
A LOCALcharity which supports vulnerable children and young people is looking for more volunteers.
PROMISEworks helps a young person to build the resilience needed to move forward and achieve their full potential –this could be staying in school, keeping out of trouble or getting to university.
John Chambers, PROMISEworks caseholder for Mendip, said: “There are 21 young people aged between seven and 25 already receiving long-term mentoring from our local volunteers, but I still have 46 in Mendip awaiting help, and every week I receive more referrals.
“Each youngster has a different reason to be on the waiting list but all have one thing in common, they are asking for our support. With 250 young people in Somerset awaiting a mentor, we need many more generous hearted people to step forward, train with PROMISEworks and commit to helping one young person in the local community.”
John and his colleagues provide training and continuous support to volunteer mentors throughout the time they are part of the PROMISEworks family.
Volunteers come from all backgrounds and walks of life as well as all ages.
John said: “Volunteering is good for your local community, but it is also good for your health. Recent research has shown that helping others leads to improved physical health and increased feelings of emotional wellbeing.”
Holocaust memorial
A SPECIALtree planting ceremony was held in Peasedown St John to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the Association of Jewish Refugees.
Founded in 1941, the AJR provides social and welfare services to Holocaust refugees and survivors nationwide. About 70,000 refugees, including approximately 10,000 children on the Kindertransport, arrived in Great Britain from Nazioccupied Europe in the 1930s.
To mark the occasion the AJR launched a campaign, 80 Trees for 80 Years, which saw 80 native oak trees planted around Britain.
Locally, the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation was chosen as a partner organisation. Patron, Sarah Bevan, who is the daughter of a survivor of the Holocaust, said:
“Jewish refugees have contributed enormously to British life since first arriving here over 80 years ago, and so to have Bath & North East Somerset selected as one of the locations for an oak tree is immensely humbling.”
The oak tree was planted on Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27th in the Eckweek Lane Play Park, Peasedown St John.
Michael Hilsenrath, the son of a Holocaust survivor and sponsor of the tree, travelled from London for the event.
Let’s make it a jubilee to remember!
THE Lord Lieutenant of Somerset is calling on the county’s residents to come together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and make it an event to remember.
Mrs Annie Maw is encouraging communities to make the most of the once in a lifetime chance to commemorate this unique milestone in the nation’s history.
The focus of celebrations will take place over the extended Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2nd to Sunday, June 5th. The queen formally started to celebrate her personal Platinum Jubilee year on Sunday, February 6th – the date of her accession to the throne in 1952.
In Somerset, there is the chance to mark the occasion with a range of activities over the Jubilee weekend, not least the beacon celebrations which are due to be lit at 9.45pm on Thursday, June 2nd, and the traditional street parties or village hall parties on the Sunday. Mrs Maw said: “The queen has devoted a
lifetime of service to our country and, particularly after the very difficult times over the last two years, we can make this an occasion we will all never forget. “I know that preparations are already well underway in some parts of the county, but it would be wonderful if we could all come together to mark this historic occasion.” Mrs Maw hopes to see at least 70 beacons being lit – so far 36 have been registered on the official jubilee website for Somerset. Mrs Maw added: “I want to ensure that I am able to get a full understanding of everything that is taking place across Deputy Lieutenant Ted Allen (left) at the planting of 21 jubilee trees at the MidSomerset Showground in Shepton Mallet. Ted, a show society trustee, is pictured with secretary Christine Barham and Peter Munford, Hannah Sturgess and David our county and to create a record and an archive for future generations to come. “I will also be arranging for picture and film archive of some of these events to be included in a county record of this most memorable year.” Meanwhile, the county’s contribution to the Queen’s Munford from forestry specialists Oliver & Green Canopy tree planting project continues to grow with Lang Brown some 3,000 trees registered on a map on its website.
Annie Maw, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset (seated) at a jubilee tree planting in Shepton Mallet’s Collett Park
Tina’s talk enthralls club members
Tina (right) with club president Jackie Emm
FROM hedge-laying and drystone walling to tracing her family tree back to 1696, Tina Bath gave an enthralling talk to the January meeting of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner Wheel at the Old Down Inn at Emborough.
Tina, the national hedge-laying champion, spoke of her fascinating life and achievements. She was a warden for Somerset County Council for 15 years, a long-time member of the Mendip Ploughing Society and is currently chairman of the Mendip Society.
The club has enjoyed several recent get togethers including a fish and chip supper followed by a film show on Inner Wheel Day when food was also collected for the Somer Valley Food Bank. ASHWICK& Oakhill village hall committee is celebrating after being awarded £10,000 from The Prince’s Countryside Fund to support its plans to build a community café in the village hall at Oakhill.
The committee has been working to support the community since 1982 when Bryan Wells (pictured far right, front row) alongside other local volunteers, built the hall on land gifted to the parish nearly 100 years ago.
The current strong team of volunteers are fully committed towards the success of this project with a desire to deepen community spirit and re-invigorate village life by creating a more accessible and useable space.
Their aim is to create a bright and welcoming meeting area with both indoor and outdoor seating, a community book swap service and local history archive.
The funding from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which is a UK-wide charity that empowers family farms and rural communities to survive and thrive will see a valuable community resource created that will serve the village residents and surrounding areas for many years to come.
Andy North, chairman, said: “We’re delighted that the Prince’s Countryside Fund has recognised the work of our committee members. The support of the Prince’s Countryside fund alongside other successful fundraising activities means that building works will begin in March with the aim of a grand opening in the early autumn.”
Candlemas
THEpupils at Chew Stoke Church School each made a special paper candle for Candlemas. They were used to decorate St Andrew’s Church in Chew Stoke for its Candlemas service.
The photo shows (l to r) Sophie, Mason and Ben.
Boost for village hall plans
Cash grants available
FROME-based community groups, charities or not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding to make their event dreams a reality.
A total budget of £25,000 is available through Frome Town Council’s People’s Budget Events and applications can be made for up to £10,000 per project. Some of Frome’s most loved events such as, Light the Night, Frome Window Wanderland and Frome Festival have been supported by the People’s Budget.
Applications should be for events that benefit residents and meet the council’s strategic objectives. The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday, March 21st. Any suitable ideas will be taken forward to a public and the vote which will take place from 25th March until April 4th. Successful applicants will then have 18 months to stage their community event.
Jubilee trees in Winscombe and Sandford
Pancakes return
Three of the competitors in 2020
PANCAKEraces are to resume in East Harptree after a break last year. The races, for children and adults, will be held in Whitecross Road, on March 1st, starting at 11am.
Organiser Jenny Cruse, from East Harptree WI, said: “Please bring your own pancake and lightweight pan. There will be chocolate egg prizes!”
Donations will go to East Harptree Playground Upkeep Fund.
Details: Jenny Cruse 01761 221627
Men’s shed gifts to school
KILMERSDONC. of E. VA Primary School recently took delivery of two multi-coloured buddy benches made by MSN Men’s Shed, a part of Midsomer Norton Community Trust.
The buddy and book benches are part of their project to assist primary schools in the local area by helping pupils’ emotional wellbeing.
The school said: “These benches will help our children enjoy their playground experience and any child who feels lonely or bullied at any time can sit on a bench.
“One of our playground helpers or a member of staff will come along and help the child who needs friendship or support.”
The Men’s Shed have again thanked Charltons and Protek for their donations of materials and also Andy and Tish Jeffery at Farrington’s for their continued support.
The Men’s Shed are a friendly group of generally older people who meet on Tuesdays and Fridays, 9.30am-1pm, at Farrington’s in Farrington Gurney.
The Jubilee team
THEvillages of Sandford and Winscombe marked the 70th anniversary of The Queen's accession on February 6th with a service of thanksgiving at St James’s Church, Winscombe followed by ceremonial tree plantings for the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign.
The oak trees were planted by a group of invited guests from the local communities representing both villages, including John Penrose MP, Archie Forbes, chairman of the parish council, Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, the Rev Andrew Hiscox, vicar of Winscombe and Sandford, Sandford resident Tony Callow and Winscombe resident Lois Brenchley.
Both Tony and Lois have given many years of voluntary service to their communities and organisers said this was a small way of recognising this and thanking them for their excellent community spirit.
A very special silver spade was used for the planting. Kindly lent by Hugh Gunn, the spade was used to cut the very first sod of the railway line, now known as the Strawberry Line, on February 26th, 1867, by Mr Gunn's great great grandmother, Anna Victoria Yatman.
More recently it was used by Mr Gunn’s mother when work started on the Millennium Green in Winscombe on February 27th, 1999.
The tree planting marks the start of a whole series of events that is being organised across Winscombe and Sandford to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee which will culminate in a grand Jubilee Festival on June 4th.
Tree planting in Blagdon
Pictured (l to r) Merv Walford, Tom Harvey, WI committee members Paddy Brading, Jane Venner-Pack, Judith Swetman, Carol Marsh, WI president Pat Hicks, and Yeo Valley’s Mary Mead
ONa rainy afternoon in February, Blagdon WI planted a Rowan tree to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
It was planted on Blagdon Church field upper green footpath by Yeo Valley’s Merv Walford, aided by Tom Harvey, by kind permission and with the help of Mary Mead of Yeo Valley Farms.
Blagdon WI secretary, Jane Venner-Pack, said: “A commemorative plaque will be placed by the tree later in Jubilee Year.”
New work performed
THE first performance of a new work called “Reflections”, which was delayed by high Covid levels, will take place at St Bartholomew’s Church, Ubley on Sunday, March 6th.
Written by Paul and Rachel Branston, it will be part of the benefice’s eco hub launch. The work is designed to be performed as a whole or as separate anthems/songs for churches who have smallish choirs that might not be able to sing more complex works
Rachel has taught through her professional career and now writes music predominantly for the benefice choir of Blagdon with Charterhouse, Ubley and Compton Martin.
CDs will be on sale raising money for the benefice churches, the Salvation Army and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The service starts at 2.30pm.
History walk
SOMEof Stanton Drew primary school’s pupils are planning to write a leaflet about their village and set out on a walk to carry out research.
It took in the village’s famous stone circle, the church and surrounding countryside. Teacher, Zoe Abbott, said: “We had lots of help from parents and visitors of the school and we asked lots of questions that we now need to find out about. We decided that our village is the best!”
Julie’s honour
A LIFELONGmember of the guiding movement, Julie Harrington, or Tawny Owl as she is known to so many, was presented with her 40-year long service award in Paulton.
Julie started her Guiding journey as a Brownie at Paulton Brownies and took over as Guider in charge of 2nd Paulton Brownies in 2011.
Sue Lake, a member of the Guider team, said: “Not only does Julie and her team plan and run weekly meetings, she also arranges special trips and events, including pack holidays giving the Brownies fantastic opportunities and experiences.”
Paper needed
PRICKLESHedgehog Rescue in Cheddar say they are grateful for all donations, including food and money, but they need more newspapers to help with cleaning.
If you find hedgehogs out in the daytime who look unwell and hungry following their winter hibernation they ask you to call 07806 744772.
Community café
THEWellbeing Café in Bishop Sutton is seeing customer numbers going up each week. It is held every Wednesday, 11am-1pm at The Link, Bishop Sutton.
It is run by the Chew and Yeo Baptist Network, a family of local Baptist chapels across the area, in partnership with Renew Wellbeing. It is a café style space where volunteers encourage wellbeing through conversation, shared activities, or by simply sharing in the company of others.
One of the guests, Lillian Baker, said: “It’s good. We normally do games and activities and puzzles, which is fun, and which also exercises our brains.”
Her neighbour, Marian Mason, added: “I love it as it is so nice to be in the company of others, especially after the lockdown we went through.”
Marian and Lillian were also praising the cakes which Catherine O’Mally makes and brings in each week to go with the coffee and tea.
Margaret Blakey, who is associate pastor and runs it with the
Pictured (l to r) Margaret Blakey, Marian Mason, Lillian Baker, the Rev John Miles, Steve Penney and Patsy Lonasney
pastor, the Rev John Miles, said: “We have had a good start with several new regulars joining us. We have also had good contact with the village agents who have been helping to signpost us. There is still plenty of room for growth though.
“The café is all about community and having a place where we can allocate somewhere where people can enjoy themselves and also feel safe. We even have a prayer space where you can pray, practice mindfulness, meditate and even do yoga.”
Details: margaret@renewwellbeing.org.uk
Walkers are back
BISHOPSutton and Stowey WI have started their monthly walks after a break for Christmas and the New Year.
Members set up their walking group over a year ago and it has proved to be very popular. The latest walk took them through lanes and fields near Chew Valley Lake.
Pictured (l to r) Julia Young, Pat Smith, Cherryl Taylor, Nita Wendover and Sue Owen
A fond farewell
A SURPRISEpresentation was made during Compton Dando’s latest monthly coffee morning to Steve Rendell, who has been a large part of Compton Dando’s village life. He and his wife, Sarah, are moving to Wales after 23 years in the village.
Presenting a scrapbook, PCC member, Jenny Davis, said: “During that time he has been a PCC member, bell ringer, has organised fetes and Christmas crackers (bazaar in church), as well as organising the churchyard working party.
“Both he and Sarah will be missed very much, and we
The village’s farewell gift
wish them well in their new life.”
Meanwhile, the monthly coffee morning, which has seen numbers begin climbing again after lockdown finished, welcomed 30 guests that morning.
The next coffee morning will be held on Saturday, March 12th 10.30am-12.30pm.
Villages celebrate 100th birthday
Preparing for his flight The Bahamas comes to Chew
STACEYRees from Compton Martin has celebrated his 100th birthday in style, with parties in his home village and Chew Magna and a flight in a light aircraft during which he took the controls.
Compton Martin held a party in the Old School where his birthday cake was made by Jean Luckett. Stacey was joined by the village’s youngest resident, Oliver, eight weeks, and his mum Sarah.
In Chew Magna, events were organised by Chew Chat, formed four years ago. Organiser, Sam Oliphant, said: "Stacey has been involved from the first tea party I organised so we have been talking about how best to celebrate his big birthday for a few years! "Initially Stacey joked about going to the Bahamas with all of his Chew Chat friends but obviously this would be tricky so instead Chew Chat organised a Bahamian Beach Party at the church hall in Chew Magna. We also planned a surprise lunch at Chew Kitchen on his actual birthday.”
With a glass of bubbly in his hand he was steered towards the back of the room where his brother John, aged 96, and his wife Queenie were waiting to be reunited after a four-year gap.
To top it all, he was given a flying lesson vouncher to fly over Filton, where he used to work, a Concorde cake and Airfix model, plus a Biggles-style flying hat.
Stacey lives on his own with support from his “wonderful neighbours and friends”. During lockdown he kept himself busy writing plays and a lecture on “reaching 100”!
Arriving at his party with Sam Oliphant Stacey with his brother and sister-in-law
