Mendiptimes - Volume 10 - Issue 5

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 5

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

OCTOBER 2014

IN THIS ISSUE: AU T U M N O N M E N D I P MINERS’ MEMORIES F O O D & D R IN K WHAT’S ON

Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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Our Services Include: Commercial and Residential Property Wills and Probate Litigation and Personal Injury Criminal and Family Law Agricultural, Business and Commercial Employment Shepton Mallet: 57 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AQ. Tel: 01749 330330

Glastonbury: 11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DL. Tel: 01458 832510

We have had a busy summer at Bartlett Gooding and Weelen. We hardly had time to catch our breath after the Mid Somerset Show before enjoying our staff summer party in Bristol, on a barge of the River Severn. The weather was beautiful and it was a lovely occasion.

Then only last weekend, Bridget Cleaves from our Castle Cary office celebrated her 60th birthday earlier in the year by abseiling 100 feet down the Bridget Cleaves (left), from our Castle Cary office with her friend Helen Higgins after wall of Yeovil Hospital accompanied by abseiling 100 feet down the wall of Yeovil her friend (and former colleague) Helen Hospital Higgins. Bridget (who is normally terrified of heights) described the stunt as exhilarating, is said to be still buzzing from the experience and keen to try it again. Best of all, Bridget and Helen raised just over ÂŁ13,000 for the building of the Special Care Baby Unit at the hospital. An excellent achievement of which they should both be very proud.

Despite all the excitement we are continuing to work hard and the up-swing in the property market has continued into September. Our conveyancing department has strengthened enormously in the last couple of years and the feedback that we get from clients and other professionals is that we provide excellent value for money. If you are thinking of moving house please contact any of our offices to discuss how we might help you.

Castle Cary: Old Bank House, High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AW. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Roley House, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WITH the harvest safely gathered in, autumn is the season to celebrate, with harvest homes, ploughing matches and shows – and we have them all in abundance this month – as well as pictures from Frome Show where once again it was a pleasure to meet so many readers and the North Somerset Ploughing Match.

We’ve news of a new book about the last years of the Somerset coalfields, written by children from three schools around Midsomer Norton, and meet the Chew Valley schoolgirl who has spotted 3,700 different birds around the world.

We meet the local craftsman who has made a new altar for St. Mary Redcliffe in Bristol and hear how a village united to raise more than £20,000 for Children’s Hospice South West.

Our caving expert, Phil Hendy, has stayed above ground this month to take us on a fascinating tour of ancient rock shelters around Mendip, while Sue Gearing plots a walk from Charterhouse to Velvet Bottom.

We’ve a huge choice of venues in our food and drink section, as well as further news of local food festivals, while forager Adrian Boots explores the treasures of the beech woods. Mary Payne offers advice on how to prepare a show of spring bulbs.

Summer may have been hectic, but the fun isn’t over yet – now we have the carnival season to look forward to!

November 2014 deadline: Friday, 17th October 2014.

Published: Tuesday, 28th October 2014.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888 or: email news@mendiptimes.co.uk or: letters@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: Relaxing during the grand parade at Frome Cheese Show (see page 12). Photo by Mark Adler.

11

Furrowed brows – the North Somerset Ploughing Match

45

Book of memories – schools celebrate miners’ lives

68

Playtime in Frome – new community facility opens

86

All aboard – ten years of the Bath & West Railway

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Food & Drink...............................14 Arts & Antiques ...........................30 Internet and Crossword..............37 Business ........................................38 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......49 Walking Sue Gearing....................50 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........52 Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......54

Health Dr Phil Hammond.............64 Community Simon Selby .............68 Charities .......................................72 Property........................................77 Caving Phil Hendy........................78 Homes and Interiors....................80 Motoring .......................................85 Riding Celia Gadd ........................90 Sport..............................................92 What’s On ....................................94 MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 3

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LEATHER, SUEDE & SHEEPSKIN REPAIRS Do you know about our repair and alteration service for sheepskin, suede and leather clothing? Whether it’s new zips, repairs to rips and tears, sleeve shortening or re-styling, we should be able to help. We also repair motorcycle leathers.

Four Seasons 105 High Street STREET BA16 0EY Tel: 01458 442500

Four Seasons 16 High Street GLASTONBURY BA6 9DU Tel: 01458 832061

We also still offer our part-exchange service where you can trade in your old sheepskin, suede or leather coat against a new one.

Please telephone for details.

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MENDIP TIMES

Village remembers

Graham Harris with part of his collection of photos; it took him more than a year to organise the exhibition

A FLOWER festival with a World War One theme and an extensive exhibition of old photographs were amongst the ways villagers in Leigh-on-Mendip commemorated the outbreak of the conflict.

Almost 20 flower arrangements filled St Giles church in the village, with themes ranging from the Christmas Truce of 1914 to the role played by Queen War in the Air – one of the flower Alexandra’s Royal arrangements complete with model Army Nursing Sopwith Camel Corps.

The local history exhibition in the Memorial Hall next to the church was organised by keen collector Graham Harris.

The photos ranged from 1890 to 1950 with the emphasis on the war and its impact on the village and surrounding community.

The weekend was held to raise funds for the upkeep of the medieval church and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Carnival is coming!

NEWS

A night to remember – the carnival season is underway

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for this year’s carnival season on Mendip which will see a re-invigorated procession – and new route – in Midsomer Norton.

Organisers of the annual Midsomer Norton and District Carnival are celebrating a decision to approve the new route which will take the procession through Midsomer Norton and Radstock once more.

The carnival has been taking place between Radstock and Westfield in recent years because of concerns that some of the carnival carts were too big for the town centres.

But after a trial run earlier in the year, Midsomer Norton town council and Bath and North East Somerset council reached an agreement to share the funding of changes to the traffic island outside the town hall which will allow the vehicles to turn safely.

Organisers hope this will encourage more of the bigger carnival clubs to take part in the procession. The carnival will take place on Monday, November 10th, beginning at 7.30pm in Silver Street in Midsomer Norton and will go through Radstock to finish in Westfield.

The Heritage Lottery-funded Carnivals in Somerset Promotion Project is planning to celebrate the return of the Midsomer Norton event by helping with a special carnival exhibition at Radstock Museum to coincide with the procession. The exhibition opens on Wednesday, October 1st.

Castle Cary children’s carnival procession takes place on Saturday, October 4th, followed by the main procession on Saturday, October 11th. Castle Cary and Ansford’s carnival committee donated £2,100 from last year’s events to local causes. Cary is part of the Wessex Grand Prix circuit, which has already begun, and which also included Frome. That took place as Mendip Times went to press (see next month’s issue).

SOMERSET CARNIVAL DATES 2014

Over the Top and part of the Which Hat displays

Saturday, November 1st: Bridgwater (7pm) Monday, November 3rd: Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea (7.30pm) Friday, November 7th: Weston-super-Mare (7.15pm) Saturday, November 8th: South Petherton (7pm) Monday, November 10th: Midsomer Norton (7.30pm) Wednesday, November 12th: Shepton Mallet (7.30pm) Friday, November 14th: Wells (7pm) Saturday, November 15th: Glastonbury (7pm) MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

This is what we do

By Mark Adler

SEVERAL thousand visitors seized the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Mendip’s busiest working quarries.

Wainwright opened the gates of Moons Hill Quarry at Stoke-St-Michael to the public for the first time in eight years for a ticket-only event.

Output at the quarry – especially its asphalt plant – is booming and Wainwright managing director Peter Barkwill said the time was right to showcase its success of recent years.

As well as guided tours of the quarry workface, visitors could inspect the giant equipment and meet the drivers and operators. There was also the opportunity of a bird’s eye view of the quarry from a cage suspended 50 metres from the top of a crane as well as tethered balloon rides.

The Somerset Earth Science Centre, based next door to the quarry and supported by quarry operators on Mendip, was also open for a series of activities.

Welcome to Wainwright – company MD Peter Barkwill was on hand to welcome visitors Harry is dwarfed by some of the machinery on show

Connie and Freddy with their balloons as the tethered balloon takes off behind them

Waiting to go on a tour of the quarry

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Wainwright recently commissioned its new £3.5m aggregate plant

ENVIRONMENT

Behind the scenes with Mendip Rocks!

50-metres up – a view of some of the displays on the ground

Mendip Hills AONB practical volunteers group clear the quarry face at Castle Quarry in readiness for the event

Contrast – how haulage has changed in recent years The sight of a tethered balloon taking off welcomed visitors to the open day

QUARRIES play a significant role in this year’s Mendip Rocks! festival of geology, which begins on Saturday, September 27th.

Tours of Moons Hill, Whatley and Torr Works – all must be pre-booked – will be held during the fourth year of the festival, which offers a chance to explore some of Mendip’s best-kept geological secrets.

The festival opens to the public with Burrington Rocks! a fun event for the family and continues with walks, talks and events throughout October. The festival is supported by the Mendip Hills AONB Partnership in collaboration with the Somerset Earth Science Centre and Somerset Wildlife Trust.

One of the highlights will be a special outdoor event at Castle Hill Quarry in Nunney on Saturday, October 4th when dramatic images of local quarries collected by the Quarry Faces living history team will be projected onto the quarry face. The evening will start with the call to order by Stephen Thomas blowing a Victorian blasting horn used by his great grandfather George Colman who ran both Castle Hill Quarry and then the larger Holwell Quarry.

Ruth Worsley, the festival co-ordinator, said: “Whilst enjoying the breathtaking views above ground on the Mendip Hills, the events will bring alive the fascinating stories of the rocks beneath our feet that have shaped the landscape.

“We aim to explore this geological diversity throughout our festival events. No prior knowledge of geology is required, and all will be revealed as we explore together.”

The Nunney event runs from 6.30-8.30pm and is free (donations to the Mendip Hills Fund) but bookings are essential. To book, contact Andy Mallender via e-mail at: amallender@somerset.gov.uk or call Ruth Worsley on: 01761 232898. Visitors are advised to bring a rug, brolly and folding chair! Hot refreshments will be available.

For full information, visit: www.somersetwildlife.org/rocks

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

New Mendip fund launched

THE newly-launched Mendip Hills Fund is a partnership between Somerset Community Foundation and Mendip Hills AONB Partnership, providing a new community fund to conserve and enhance the environment, communities and economy of the Mendip Hills.

The Mendip Hills is an area rich in natural and cultural heritage, with ancient monuments, steep craggy slopes, gently undulating plateau, spectacular gorges, flower-rich grasslands and ancient woodlands.

The central and western area, including the Chew and Blagdon lakes, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in recognition of its landscape quality and being one of England’s finest landscapes.

Grants will be awarded to support projects that meet the fund criteria. This includes: landscape conservation e.g. management of natural or historic features; education and interpretation projects to increase awareness, understanding and enjoyment; social and economic initiatives, including enhancing community facilities and

ENVIRONMENT support for start-up of social enterprises e.g. local food initiatives.

The Mendip Hills Fund income is raised from grant applications for specific projects and pooled donations from donors including visitors via the Mendip Hills Visitor Giving Scheme as well as online, text and phone donations.

Visitor giving is the process of asking visitors to voluntarily support conservation and enhancement of the area they enjoy by donating a very small amount of money via their bill or fees.

Businesses participating in the scheme will help to raise money which will be used to support a range of projects across the Mendip Hills – projects which are delivered by the many committed organisations who are working hard to look after the things that make the Mendip Hills special.

The Mendip Hills AONB Unit help and support businesses in joining the scheme. This includes provision of materials to inform their customers about the exciting projects they are supporting.

Local businesses are also promoting the Fund by selling Chalkhill Blue butterfly and Greater Horseshoe bat badges.

Details: For further information on applying or donating to the fund see www.somersetcf.org.uk/special-projects/mendip-hills-fund. Businesses interested in the Visitor Giving scheme please contact: Sarah Jackson email:sjackson@somerset.gov.uk or Tel 01761 462338.

Campaign makes progress

M E N D I P W E AT H E R S C E N E

CAMPAIGNERS have had a breakthrough in their bid for a new path for walkers and cyclists, avoiding the busy road from Axbridge to Cross, the former coffin route to Compton Bishop.

Landowner Michael Clements has agreed to consider a path on the edge of his land at the junction of the A38 and A371 Cross Lane crossroads. Members of the Coffin Lane Campaign have been busy cutting back the hedge and brambles.

Campaign co-ordinator, Tess Gill, said: “This is a matter of public safety and it is gratifying that a local landowner is willing to take this matter seriously and discuss a solution.”

Golden October

Details: www.coffinlane.com

I CHOSE this headline as we are approaching that time of the year when some of the most pleasant weather can occur and October is second or third on my list of most favourite months.

Summer may have gone, but October is still a long way from being a winter with DAVID month. Mean daily maximum MAINE temperatures early in the month are still around 16˚ or 17˚ Celsius and 20˚C is not uncommon on a sunny day, so a trip to the south coast can still be quite worthwhile (the sea temperatures early in the month are still around 15˚ or 16˚ C for those hardy enough to take a dip).

Even the overnight minimum temperature is still near 10˚C as we start the month. We often see the first frost during October but it is usually just an early morning touch, often

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followed by a day of warm sunshine.

With the leaves beginning to turn on the trees and a bit of early morning mist, This year’s Double Hills ceremony at the countryside can Paulton was bathed in warm sunshine sometimes be as (see page 60). pleasant in October as at any other time in the year. October, though, often sees quite a big change in the weather from the beginning to the end and the first of the big winter storms usually affects our shores before the end of the month. Next month it will probably be a completely different story!

Remember that British Summer Time ends on Sunday, October 26th – time to put the clocks back!

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

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

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

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MENDIP TIMES

Putting the record straight

LAST month I wrote of falling beef prices and now it is falling milk and wheat prices so the farming industry is in for a rough ride again. Watch the prices in the supermarkets and see if they reflect this situation. Evidently it is all down to market forces, sanctions against Russia etc With MARY – or is it?

JAMES MBE Over the years the farming industry has tried very hard to promote itself to the consumer so they can really understand where their food comes from and how it is produced. There have been Open Farm Sundays and Farmlink in our area that works with schools, bringing children out to the farms to work on projects within the core curriculum.

Hundreds of farms take individual school visits and do a wonderful job. There have been many Buy British campaigns.

Then there are The Archers and especially Countryfile with Adam Henson who really does describe his farming practices very well.

So I was appalled to read that the Daily Mail (August 30th) ran an article called ”So that’s why you are dog tired, it’s the curse of modern life”. The author, a so-called top GP, Dr Sohere Roked, evidently appeared to have a very loose grasp of fundamental facts in the farming industry.

She was completely and utterly wrong to say “that UK dairy cows are injected with hormones to keep them producing milk all year round”. They are most definitely not.

• Lightweight and easy to handle • Removable inner tray complete with nesting box and roost.

• Air vent/sight glass fitted.

• Houses 4-5 hens • Two access hatches for both feeding and removal of eggs.

• Built-in external rainwater harvesting feature.

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

She also implied that British cattle are given hormones to boost meat production which again is wrong because the practice is banned in the UK. Then she went on to claim that antibiotics pass into our milk. She should be aware that there are strict withdrawal periods to prevent that. Every tanker load of milk is tested and if antibiotics are found the whole load is rejected.

Animals do become ill and they have to be treated with antibiotics and other forms of medication when necessary, but as little as possible.

There were many other spurious claims against the food industry. I tried to get a full copy from the Daily Mail website, but they withdrew it! I hope they had a lot of complaints. The press is a good friend most of the time but it can be a hell of a bad enemy Then, to cap it all, around the same time ITV2 was running an “ident” between programmes which showed people walking on top of round bales. Now this is really irresponsible. The NFU complained to both the Mail and ITV2.

Those round bales, whether they be hay or silage, can weigh up to a tonne and if they are located on uneven ground they can roll and kill either the persons rolling on them or people in their path. Tragically many accidents on farms involve children, some who live on the farm, but also those who have wandered onto farmland to play and are unaware of the dangers. Take care.

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North Somerset Ploughing Match

FARMING

Vegetable class

Lesley Hurford (left) was teaching children how to make corn dollies. Children William Down, Elsa Gray and Thea Down are pictured with mum Charlotte Down

Orchards get a little help from their friends

THE Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group has received a £40,000 boost for its efforts to give Somerset orchards a new lease of life.

The aid – over two years – will fund advice and training for orchard owners, allowing them to restore, manage and plant orchards – with the aim of returning them to full health. The donation came from the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill after local government funding was cut.

Ben Thorne, from FWAG SouthWest, said: “After the County Council decided to withdraw its support, many orchard owners were left needing help.

“It’s fantastic news that The Shepton Cider Mill has been able to step in to provide support and grant aid. This demonstrates Shepton Cider Mill’s commitment to the tradition of orcharding in Somerset.”

Bob Chaplin, master cider maker at The Shepton Mallet Cider Mill said: “Healthy orchards are critical to the long-term success of the cider industry.

“But more than that, orchards are a much loved and important part of the Somerset landscape and our heritage. As well as providing people with fruit for production and adding to the beauty of our countryside, they are crucial for wildlife in the area.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

The grand parade, seen from a telehoist above the main arena (with thanks to Andy Bolan from Weiderman dealer Wacker Neuson)

Judging underway in the Global Cheese Awards

Organisers of the cheese awards raised funds for the Wallace and Gromit children’s charity. Rachel Phillips, from the charity, is pictured with Chris Edwards, from Arla Foods (left) and committee member Graham Hunemman

Terry Mole prepares his display of giant vegetables Terrier racing on the Village Green

Carriage driving competitors in the main arena PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Still growing: Longhorn bull Stoke Mudlark, one of the stars of the Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve at Shrewton, is still growing to maturity. He’s pictured with judge Bernard Llewellyn (left) and reserve manager Simon Hope

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FROME CHEESE SHOW

Not the dead parrot sketch: Suzanne (with Mad Max), Penny and Jacqui (with Morgan), were promoting the nationwide Birdline Parrot Rescue charity

The busy auction – when award-winning cheese is sold to the public – underway

Dog tired? Taking time to relax after a long day at the show

Woodcarver and furniture maker Stephen Stokes, was creating date of birth year plaques to raise money for Downside Abbey’s restoration project

Under-13 players from Frome Collegiates FC were collecting donations at the Frome Scaffolding viewing platform towards their planned trip to Europe in May next year.

Matches are being lined up in Holland, Belgium and Germany

Tony Bishton won the award for the best deli. The competition was run by the organisers of the Global Cheese Awards.

Tony, from South Petherton, is pictured with Jessica Kimber-Holloway, from the awards MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 13

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Well preserved!

NOTHING offers such a feeling of satisfaction as a row of jewel-coloured preserves gleaming in the provisions cupboard. The bounty of the harvest is turned into food for the cold months, all its goodness captured and instantly available.

Emma Macdonald, of The Bay Tree Food Company, has a new book out called, With JUNE appropriately, Preserving and, as promised last MACFARLANE month, I bring you three more recipes from it. * Preserving by Emma Macdonald © Nourish, Watkins Publishing Limited 2014

SWEET TOMATO CHILLI JAM

Everybody ought to have a jar of this in the cupboard. It’s good with cold meats and burgers and it’s great with fishcakes.

METHOD

With a sharp knife cut a cross in the top of the tomatoes, cover with boiling water and leave for two-three minutes, then drain.

Peel off and discard the skins; roughly chop the flesh.

Put the tomatoes, lemon juice, chilli flakes and sea salt in a preserving pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes until the tomatoes have softened.

Add the sugar to the pan and stir until it has completely

CARAMELISED PEPPERS INGREDIENTS

1 tsp yellow mustard seeds 1.25 kg/2lb 12 oz yellow peppers 1.25 kg/2lb 12 oz red peppers 200ml/7floz/scant 1 cup cider vinegar 300g/10½oz/1.5 cups granulated sugar ¼ small bird’s eye chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

These sweet and sour peppers look so pretty and are lovely served either hot or cold.

They make a great topping for bruschetta or on a baked potato.

METHOD

Put the mustard seeds in a non-stick frying pan and dry fry, tossing continuously, for about one minute until lightly browned.

Set aside. Cut peppers in half, remove core and seeds, slice thinly and cut into 1in pieces.

Put vinegar and sugar in a preserving pan and bring slowly to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

Reduce heat and boil gently for about five mins until reduced by a third.

Add mustard seeds, sliced peppers and chilli, increase the heat and boil rapidly for about 20 mins until mixture is thick but peppers retain their shape.

Meanwhile sterilise your jars (see above) with vinegarproof lids. Fill the jars, seal, label and store in a cool, dry, dark place. Leave to mature for a month before using and refrigerate after opening.

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Caramelised peppers

INGREDIENTS

1kg/2lb 4oz tomatoes dissolved. Boil rapidly for juice of 2 lemons 10-15 mins until setting 2 tsp dried chilli flakes point is reached. ¼ tsp sea salt Meanwhile sterilise your 1kg/2lb 4oz/4½ cups jars in the oven at 180°C granulated sugar for 20 mins.

Remove the pan from the heat and allow to rest for 15 mins. This helps to stop the tomatoes rising in the jars.

Ladle the jam into warm, sterilised jars, cover with a waxed disc, dampened cellophane round or a lid, label and store in a cool dark place. Refrigerate after opening.

BOOZY CHERRY AND WALNUT MINCEMEAT Make this now and it will be ready in good time for your Christmas mince pies.

By all means substitute fruit juice (orange or apple) for the alcohol, but remember alcohol is a preservative so the mincemeat won’t keep for so long.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

250g/9oz cooking apples, peeled, cored and grated 275g/9¾oz/1.5 cups glacé cherries, halved 100g/3½oz/1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped 500g/1lb 2oz/3 cups mixed vine fruits 375g/13oz/scant 1¾ cups Demerara sugar 100g/3½oz/¾ cup shredded beef or vegetable suet 1 tsp ground mixed spice 300ml/10½fl oz/scant 1¼ cups sherry

Put everything in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and leave to macerate for 48 hrs, stirring occasionally.

Sterilise enough jars in the oven (see above). Pack mincemeat into warmed, sterilised jars, taking care not to leave air bubbles. Cover immediately with a waxed disc and dampened cellophane or a lid. Label and store in a cool, dry, dark place. Leave to mature for at least two weeks before using. Refrigerate after opening.

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THE QUEEN ADELAIDE BLAGDON

01761 463926

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Travelling through, walking local trails, or living in the village, if the doors are open – come in and enjoy what Blagdon’s little country pub has to offer.

FOOD & DRINK

Booking highly recommended

BOOKING NOW FOR CHRISTMAS!

GOOD FOOD, LAGER, ALES AND LOCAL CIDER GLUTEN-FREE ON WEDNESDAYS

Now open until 8pm on Fridays FRESH FISH DAILY . . . AND COOKED JUST FOR YOU BOXED . . . FOR YOU TO ENJOY Hot fish lunches or seafood suppers, proper fish & chips, from beer-battered Cod to Dover Sole Don’t want to wait? Phone ahead and order Sundays are available for private dining, birthday lunches, or a relaxed get-together with friends OPENING TIMES Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am till 7pm Major credit cards accepted

SEASONS FISH KITCHEN Farrington’s Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney, Bristol BS39 6UB

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 15

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A foraged feast in Wells

PORK from a pig brought up entirely on food waste and cooked nose to tail; local wild game and foraged herbs; vegetables not beautiful enough for supermarkets; sweet treats from the autumn hedgerows; bread and other local products donated by local market stalls, food shops and allotments – all the ingredients for a spectacular foraged feast as part of this year’s Wells Food Festival!

The Forgotten Feast’s Autumn’s Banquet will be held in the Bishop’s Barn and hosted by acclaimed eco-chef and Observer Food Monthly Award winner Tom Hunt. Tom’s Forgotten Feast is a roaming restaurant that supports the ugly, the unwanted and the

Tom unloved. It creates an unforgettable Hunt celebration of taste that champions the use of wild foods, wasted foods and foods that have been forgotten or ignored by the modern world. Some 150 people will enjoy the £30 per head banquet. To draw attention to the problems of food waste and awareness of the unexpected foods available in Somerset there will be a short talk

by Patrick Holden of the Sustainable Food Trust.

The festival, a feast for food lovers across the South West, is returning for a second year running on Sunday, October 12th. The one-day festival will welcome thousands of foodies, bringing together the very best artisan producers from across Somerset in a dedicated covered market, as well as hosting two lunch spectaculars, and a wealth of talks, walks, workshops, stalls and competitions to get involved in. Other speakers include Mendip Times contributor Adrian Boots, an expert on foraging, who will be hosting a ‘walk and talk’ event.

Anne Furniss, Organiser of the Wells Food Festival, said: “We are following in the footsteps of the hugely successful festival last year, which attracted 3,500 people. We have built on the success of last year, to create an even bigger and better festival this time.

It’s all about welcoming foodies, families, and friends to join us in celebrating the fantastic produce and ingredients Somerset has to offer.”

Autumn & Winter at BEAH • Breakfast Menu available from 10am – noon • New lunch menu from 12noon – 2pm (3pm on Saturdays) • New Prix fixe Dinner menu: £12 for two courses £16 for three courses • Full a la carte menu with daily specials • Bespoke menus for private parties from 20–60 upstairs in our ‘Chapel’ function room • Christmas Lunch & Dinner party menus available now

Christmas Party Menu Starters Smoked bacon & white bean soup Tuna tartare with fennel coleslaw Ricotta cheese & cranberry parcels (V) with rocket & red chard salad Kefta briouats with tomato & coriander salsa & yoghurt dip Mains Somerset turkey with all the trimmings Turkey & apricot tagine with cous cous Lamb shank & prune tagine with cous cous Sole tricolour in white wine & tomato sauce seasonal vegetables Chunky vegetable paella with rustic artisan bread

• Looking for a less formal Christmas party this year?

Find out more about our Christmas buffet party menu. Email or call for details

Puddings Christmas pudding with winter berry compote Fig & pistachio cheesecake Chocolate crepe filled with cointreau cream

• Open Christmas day for lunch – menu available soon

Somerset cheeseboard (£2.50 supplement)

Find us at Union Street, Wells Call 01749 678111 Email: info@beah.co.uk

2 courses £18.50 3 courses £22.50

www.beah.co.uk Relaxed and friendly dining in the heart of Wells PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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New tearoom in Winscombe

FOOD & DRINK

CHARLOTTE Oliver’s love of baking has led her to open her own business – Charlotte’s Tearooms in Winscombe.

Based in the former HSBC bank, it’s proving to be very popular.

Charlotte, aged 24, was a grocery manager at Morrison’s in Worle, when she decided to try something different.

Supported by mum and dad, Steve and Carol, who run Shiplate Farm Fishery at Bleadon, and grandparents, Pat and David Oliver, she’s turned her hobby into her tearoom.

Her father, who worked as a builder when he was younger, transformed the former bank, with his friend Roy,

in three weeks. Her friend, Sarah Lewington, has given up her job in a residential home to work with her.

Since it opened customers have been flocking in. The cakes and scones are all home-made and there are gluten and dairy-free options. The space in front of the old bank is now a sunlit patio area and Charlotte plans to open a garden at the back next year.

There’s no wi-fi and mobile phones are discouraged.

Charlotte said: “We want people to talk to each other and have a nice rustic atmosphere. The reception has been really good – we already have our regulars.”

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

New brewery launched

Quintessential English country pub | Under new management and refurbished | Log fires | Imaginative seasonal menus Events catering | Garden | Dogs and horses welcome (biscuits and carrots provided) Planning your wedding? Come to our Wedding Fair on Saturday, 18 October, 10.30am – 2pm, and meet the professional caterers, events planner, photographer, florist, B&B hosts, dress maker and marquee hire company who can help you organise your perfect day at The Strode Arms.

Wednesday 5 November Enjoy our explosive Guy Fawkes menu Special Christmas menus available Book your Christmas celebration now

Tel 01749 880 450 | info@thestrodearms.co.uk www.thestrodearms.co.uk East Cranmore Lane | Cranmore Shepton Mallet | Somerset BA4 4QJ Mention “lucky boat” when you visit the pub and enjoy a free cup of coffee

DOM Lowe and his friend Matt Stalker (left) have turned their love of home brewing into a business, launching the Chew Valley Brewery in Pensford.

Both had been keen amateur brewers before a trip to Masters Brewery in Wellington changed their lives – on the way home they decided to set up their own brewery. They returned to Masters for training and after six months experimenting with various malts, hops and yeast launched their own beers, which are now selling in local pubs.

The beers are designed to reflect the earthiness and history of the area, with a traditional malt flavour. Dom said: “We wanted to get away from modern snazzy, zesty hoppy beers. One of our customers, who is in his 80s, said he hadn’t tasted anything so good since he was a boy.”

Apple Day in Wrington

NOW in its third year, the annual Apple Pressing Day in Wrington has really established itself as a great day out for the whole family and is a firm favourite in the village calender.

Hosted by The Plough Inn at Wrington, you can bring your own apples to be pressed, as well as tasting last year’s produce in its juice form, or as a delicious cider (careful now!)

In addition there will be a fantastic BBQ, live music throughout the afternoon, an outside cider bar and many activities, art and games for adults and children.

If the BBQ does not interest you, why not just enjoy one of The Plough’s famous Sunday roasts or simply relax in their beautiful garden.

O U T S I D E

C I D E R

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

B A R

Real beer, made in the Chew Valley 0775 368 6179 enquiries@chewvalleybrewery.co.uk

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GARDEN FOOD

New discovery

ANOTHER new discovery of mine, Toona sinensis, also know as Toon or Chinese cedar, is not a cedar at all but a deciduous tree widely cultivated as a vegetable in China.

The young shoots are used as a strongly flavoured vegetable or herb and have an With JAKE extraordinary roasted garlic/onion flavour, WHITSON with hints of spice. Quite bitter and astringent raw, when cooked they become sweet and flavoursome, and are delicious in all manner of cooked dishes.

Although almost completely unknown as a vegetable in this country, it is however occasionally grown as an ornamental, usually the cultivar ‘Flamingo’, which has especially pink stems and leaves – if you have this growing you may be pleased to discover you also have a perennial vegetable patch already established in your garden.

Perennial plants like this take almost no maintenance to keep on providing you with edible shoots throughout the growing season. If left to its own devices the tree can grow to 10m or more, but if the shoots are picked regularly you can keep the shrubby and no more than a couple of metres high and wide.

A regularly cropped tree will need a little feeding and a yearly mulch of rotted manure will go most if not all the way towards this. I grew these little trees from seed and so I haven’t had lots of shoots to experiment with as yet.

I would suggest researching Chinese recipes for the shoots, or else add to stir fries or, my favourite so far, add to omelettes, coarsely chopping the shoots and stir frying for a minute before adding the eggs and plenty of salt and pepper.

Jacob Whitson is a chef and food writer who has worked in many of the West Country’s most prestigious restaurants. He is currently working on his first book, a travelogue detailing the regional foods of Japan.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Find treasure in the beech woods

AS a forager you start to become attuned to the landscape and where one is most likely to find edible goodies. For example, in my mind I always associate the Bay Bolete mushroom with beech trees, mainly because I only seem to find them in/near beech woods.

So at this time of the year I just look for With ADRIAN the wonderful copper leaves of the beech BOOTS trees as a marker for these mushrooms. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worked many times for me.

On one particular occasion I was driving along with my wife when I noticed an abundance of dark, bay coloured caps scattered along a road-side bank. It was like someone had overcooked some buns and decided to dispose of them out of the window of their car whilst driving down an obscure country lane.

We came to a dramatic halt which did upset my wife a little but then oh happy days for me! There were Bay Boletes everywhere.

Guess what trees they were growing under….

Bay Bolete (Boletus badius) has a relatively round cap eight to 15cm across feeling tacky when wet but has a very matt appearance when dry. The cap is quite a dark chestnut or bay in colour, thus the name! The stem is five to ten cm tall, one to four cm wide and has a brown wrinkled appearance on a yellow background getting paler towards the top of the stem.

The tubes or pores are very small, pale yellow and easily bruise blue. They are found most commonly in broadleaved and coniferous woods.

The best time to catch Bay Boletes is when they are fairly young and firm as the older they get the more likely they will absorb moisture (a bit like us I suppose) and assume the texture and taste of a damp bathroom sponge. And if you’ve ever tried a damp bathroom sponge you’ll know what I mean.

Fortunately they are very common and seem to be fairly maggot free, the tubes/pores of many other boletus species making a convenient maggot shaped home. Bay Bolete may not have the culinary headline that ceps command but they are very good nonetheless.

Try drying them out and storing them in a jar in anticipation of that occasion when you are desperately trying to think of how to improve the flavour of your autumn soup. Bay Bolete could well work wonders for you!

Interested in finding out more? Why not join me for a ‘talk and walk’ at the Wells Food Festival on Sunday 12th October or on one of my Fantastic Fungal Forays on Sunday November 16th.

Please call 01761 462162 to book or go to the website below.

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

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 19

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Food and drink producers showcase their skills

OPPORTUNITIES to lean about the skills behind many of Somerset’s traditional and not-so-traditional food and drink will be showcased at the Somerset Food and Drink Fest in October.

The exciting new event being hosted at the Royal Bath and West Showground on Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20th will feature some of the best in local food and drink producers from within the county of Somerset and the surrounding areas.

Cookery demonstrations, wine tastings, farmhouse cider, real ale, and food to eat and try all feature on the agenda for the festival. Cider makers, real ale brewers, cheese producers and retailers, wine and spirit makers, butchers, bakers and chocolate makers – together with hot foods, cold foods, spicy and tasty – are just some of the demonstrations visitors will be able to see and sample.

Organisers Graham and Tracy Walton, from GW Publishing, say the emphasis is very much on making the weekend a family event with craft making, a puppet theatre, rides and face painting. Youngsters still have time to enter the “Best Brownie competition” via the festival website with a chance to win £100 for their school and a family ticket (worth £60) to visit Wookey Hole Caves.

Graham and Tracy say there will be lots of musical entertainment throughout including The Mangled Wurzels

who will be playing on both days.

The aim of the event is to raise money for Chidren’s Hospice South West. Community fundraiser, Julie Patterson, said: “Thankfully few of us will ever have to cope with the loss of a child but sadly there are many who will. Family life changes forever when a child is diagnosed with a lifelimiting illness. Parents, who often have to give up work to care for their sick child, face challenges that can threaten their relationship, whilst brothers and sisters can feel confused, left out and alone. Children’s Hospice South West’s three hospices provide respite care and support to those children and their families who have to cope with the most difficult of situations.

“We rely on the generosity of our donors and supporters to continue to deliver this valuable lifeline, we are extremely grateful that GW Publishing has chosen to support Children’s Hospice South West through the Somerset Food and Drink Fest 2014”.

G Book tickets in advance and save 20% and get a free programme voucher. Two tickets cost just £10 in advance.

Call now on 01749 813899 or visit www.netaticket.com or visit your local tourist information centre to save 20% and get the free programme voucher. There is still time for exhibitors to book space. Call 01749 880168 or visit the website and download the exhibitor entry forms.

Visit: www.somersetfoodanddrinkfest.co.uk or email:

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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Preserving is my passion

FOOD & DRINK FANTASTIC FUNGAL FORAY with Adrian Boots

Join me on a fantastic wild food foray enjoying the best wild edibles the autumn season has to offer!

Sunday 16th November 2014 10am to 1pm £35 per person Please call 01761 462162 to book your place or for more info visit: www.gowildactivities.co.uk

Join us for a half-term Halloween Spooktacular! Weds 29th –Fri 31st October

Emma Macdonald in the kitchen of her home at Hornblotton, near Shepton Mallet

BUSINESSWOMAN Emma Macdonald didn’t hesitate when the publisher of her first cookery book invited her to write a second one.

The theme was close to her heart and the recipe for the success of her company Bay Tree Food – preserving.

Television programmes have caused a massive resurgence in interest in home cooking skills such as baking and there’s probably a good chance that preserving – especially with this autumn’s glut of produce in gardens and hedgerows – will one day feature on screen as well.

Called simply Preserving, Emma’s book offers a range of recipes from around the world. Although many were adapted from Bay Tree’s commercial recipes, a huge amount of work went into their development for domestic kitchens.

Emma said: “Preserving is what I do, what we do and the publishers were keen for me to write a book about the subject.

“It wasn’t just a question of reducing the quantities in the recipes; they had to be very carefully adjusted to achieve the right balance when making them at home. Simply reducing the amount of herbs and spices wouldn’t work; it could have resulted in a completely different result.”

Emma added: “I am thrilled with the new book, especially the photography, and I really enjoyed the challenge of devising recipes for curing and drying.

“Preserving is not just about pickles, but there are recipes for gravlax, jellies and even lemonade!”

Preserving by Emma Macdonald © Nourish, Watkins Publishing Limited 2014

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 21

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MENDIP TIMES Country shopping at its best

Taste of Somerset

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM

CELEBRATE AUTUMN WITH US!

Time to think about Christmas and our home-produced meat

Enjoy a good Sunday roast

Emma Bridgewater China & other Christmas gifts

Geoff’s fresh fish every Friday

Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas

TEA ROOMS Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Full English breakfasts Come and enjoy our lovely Sunday roast lunches

FUNCTION ROOM AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE

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 - 5.30pm

Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment

Farm Shop: 01761 220067 Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

THE Taste of Somerset, held as part of Hutton’s festival week, was popular with both stallholders and visitors.

Hutton Friendship Circle (pictured) sold jams and preserves for charity.

Parish celebrates

EACH year a barbecue is held by the parish of Publow, Compton Dando and Chelwood as a thank you to all its helpers.

One of the organisers, Mrs Judith Hillman, said: “The parish barbecue has become an annual event and is held as a ‘thank you’ to a lot of people who help behind the scenes with cleaning, flower arranging, etc. and also our neighbours, who smilingly put up with living next door to All Saints’ Church.”

Pictured (left to right) are Peter Owen, Andrew Hillman and Charles Wookey getting the barbecue going and Alfie, aged seven and Billy, aged two, enjoying their food.

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Clive and Sam have plans for the Ring O’ Bells CLIVE Mead and his partner Sam, the new landlords of the Ring O’ Bells in Wookey, have come west from the home counties to find their perfect pub.

The 14th century Ring O’ Bells in Wookey, with its brasses and beams, certainly fits the bill and they have received a warm welcome from locals.

Clive had some experience with the brewers, Charringtons in East London, back in the 1990s, but was working in an office in sales and customer services, when he and Sam, who was a teaching assistant, decided to pursue their dream of running their own pub.

They looked at pubs elsewhere before returning to Wookey, the first place they had visited, and “just loved it”.

Sam said: “It just felt right. We loved the views and when we visited before moving in we just loved the area and talking to the people here.”

Their emphasis is going to be on keeping a decent pint – they have five real ales and three ciders – and providing a range of home-cooked traditional pub food, at reasonable prices. For example there’s ham, egg and chips at £6.99 or a choice of chicken curries at £8.95, sandwiches at £3.50, children’s menu at £5.50, including a drink, and a range of gluten-free and vegetarian options.

But being traditional doesn’t mean being boring. The pub has a skittle alley, used by three teams, and they have plans to organise a darts team, but they also plan to hold

FOOD & DRINK

frequent discos, as well as putting on live bands and a Northern Soul night. The next disco will be after a kids’ Halloween afternoon on October 31st.

They will be holding Sunday quizzes once a month.

RING O’ BELLS HIGH STREET • WOOKEY • WELLS BA5 1JZ • 01749 678079

Clive and Sam welcome you to this 14th century inn 5 real ales • 3 ciders • 2 lagers Traditional home-cooked food – Humble Pie and curries a speciality!

Skittle alley • Darts • BT Sport Look out for live bands and discos Monday – 4pm-late Tuesday – Thursday 12.30–late Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12noon–late

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 23

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Preparing for the festive season at Bowlish House

WITH its elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere, Bowlish House in Shepton Mallet is the ideal place in which to enjoy Christmas and New Year with friends and family.

Busy preparing for their second festive season at Bowlish, owners Martin Gibson and Len Muircroft are building on the success of last year’s celebrations at the hotel and restaurant.

Chef Stephen Frost has designed some wonderfully balanced and tempting menus. They include a Christmas party menu – available at lunch and dinner from late November onwards – for office parties or more informal gatherings. Bowlish House is ideal for an intimate dinner for two or its dining rooms can be made available for private parties. Amongst the starters on the party menu is a prawn and salmon gravlax salad with lemon oil and a choice of main courses from poached and pan roast escalope of turkey to braised shin of beef wrapped in pancetta and a woodland mushroom wellington with beetroot puree and truffle velouté.

Christmas Day lunch is suitably celebratory and a gala dinner on New Year’s Eve will include fireworks at midnight with a pianist adding to the elegance of the occasions.

Martin said: “Our rooms will be available for New Year’s Eve and the people who stayed with us last year said they had a fantastic time.”

Not that Martin, Len and the team are concentrating solely on Christmas at this time of the year. Bowlish House will host several large weddings – complete with luxury heat marquee – around the festive period as well as several other family events, including a reunion with guests coming from Australia.

Bowlish House is currently seeking to add to its full and part-time front-of-house team. Please contact Martin or Len for further information.

Santa’s on his way

AS part of the Wells Rotary Reindeer Parade, children can visit Santa in his grotto at the Best Western Plus Swan Hotel on Sunday December 7th, from 11am until 4pm.

Tickets are available on the day, cost £5 and include a present from Santa. Profits will be donated to local charities.

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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FOOD & DRINK

Celebrate Christmas and New Year at Bowlish House Christmas Day Menu 2014

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Menu

Champagne and Canapés

Champagne and canapés

STARTERS

AMUSE-BOUCHE

Parsnip and apple Soup with chive crème fraiche (V) or Home cured Salmon Gravlax served with Atlantic prawns, Cornish crab, pea shoots and lemon oil or Duck Rillettes, marinated and confit leg, with red onion chutney, shallot and red wine vinaigrette or Exmoor blue and Somerset Brie Soufflé, with a watercress, apple, beetroot, hazelnut salad and hazelnut dressing (V) or Chille Marinated Ogen Melon (V)

Jerusalmen Artichoke Velouté (V)

MAIN COURSES Roast breast & leg of Turkey served with sage, chestnut and cranberry seasoning, roast potatoes, chipolata & bacon and Madeira sauce or Marinated and roasted Mediterranean vegetable Tart, glazed with goat’s cheese, served with tomato and basil sauce (V) or Roast fillet of Hake with a herb crust, served with a warm potato salad and smoked haddock chowder or Beef Wellington, west country fillet, wrapped in spinach & puff pastry, roast shallots, wild mushrooms & parsnips, red wine sauce All main courses are served with a selection of seasonal vegetables

DESSERTS Homemade Christmas pudding served with brandy cream or Treacle Tart served warm with lemon mascarpone and mulled fruit ice cream or Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse, Layered White, Milk and Dark chocolate, served with praline and orange curd

TO START Home Cured & Poached Salmon, Wrapped in Herbs & Smoked Salmon with Potato Salad, Herb Oil or Baked Goats Cheese Crotin, Spinach, Confit Cherry, Tomatoes, Balsamic Syrup & Tapenade (V)

INTERMEDIATE Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Parfait with Red Onion Chutney, Toasted Rye Bread or Toasted Pine Nut & Spinach Risotto with Parmesan Crackling (V)

MAIN COURSE Fillet of West Country Beef, Root Vegetable Dauphinoise, Roasted Shallots, Madeira & Truffle Sauce or Woodland Mushroom Wellington, Roasted Red Pepper Puree, Grilled Artichokes (V) All main courses are served with a selection of seasonal vegetables

DESSERT Assiette of Chocolate: White, Dark & Milk Chocolate Mousse, Tart & Brownie or Baked Orange Cheesecake with Orange Mascarpone & Vanilla Ice Cream

West Country cheese and homemade mince pies

TO FINISH Coffee and petit fours

Selection of West Country Cheeses, Homemade Chutney & Biscuits

£79.50 per person Children (under 10) Nice – Half price Naughty – Double price

Coffee & Petit Fours

Our Christmas Party Menu is also available from late November to the end of December.

Lunch – Two Courses £18.50 ree Courses £21.95 Dinner – Two Courses £22.95 ree Courses £26.50

£74.50 per person

An intimate Dinner for two or aCompanyCelebration for 60 . . . it’s time to Book yourChristmas Party!

Email: reception@bowlishhouse.com or info@bowlishhouse.com www.bowlishhouse.com e Bowlish House, Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5JB MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

Christmas at The Holcombe Inn

We are now taking bookings for Christmas Day Lunch, party bookings and New Year’s Eve. See our website for all details and menus.

The Holcombe Inn promises a beautiful, festively-decorated restaurant with roaring log fires and delicious Christmas menus.

A choice of Christmas Party Menus available from £21.00 Our ever-popular

New Years Eve Banquet & Dancing n (Dance Floor And DJ) • £45 Per Perso pper Ticket includes table and banquet su Dress this year . . . Glitz & Glamour!

The Holcombe Inn

Stratton Road, Holcombe, Bath BA3 5EB. Tel: 01761 232478 • Fax: 01761 233737.

E-mail: bookings@holcombeinn.co.uk Website: www.holcombeinn.co.uk PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Holcombe has it all

A festive scene in the bar of the Holcombe Inn

WHETHER it’s popping in for a pint of English organic lager and a sandwich or relaxing over a three-course meal with fine wine, the Holcombe Inn is the place to visit.

And with people travelling from all over the world to stay in its luxury bedrooms, the inn always has a buzz about it from breakfast time to closing time.

Jules Berry has been running the Holcombe Inn for almost four years – the anniversary is in February – and there is usually some project underway to enhance its award-winning reputation.

The roof has recently been replaced – no easy task when it comes to an historic 17th Century building – improvements to the kitchen have been carried out and two log cabins are being built in part of the garden to increase the amount of accommodation available (dogs will be welcome to stay in the cabins). Then work will begin to restore the three-tiered Victorian section of the garden.

Inside, Jules and the team are about to turn the snug area of the bar into a coffee lounge, open from 8am, with speciality coffees on offer.

Jules said: “When we moved here, we had a five-year plan for the inn, from refurbishing the bedrooms to creating a welcoming environment in the bar. Right now we are looking forward to Christmas.”

The Holcombe Inn is offering two different party menus for the festive season. Dishes include stuffed ballotine Of turkey, seared scallops with pea puree and chorizo, turkey wellington, roasted rolled saddle of venison and homemade ravioli filled with bocconcini mozzarella.

Christmas pudding with rich brandy sauce is – obviously – on offer but so is a white chocolate brûlée served with cranberry compote & shortbread biscuit.

Jules added: “Our Christmas Day lunch is always very popular and our New Year’s Eve party is everpopular.”

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FOOD & DRINK October 11th is Keynsham’s 10th Birthday Market

OCTOBER 2014 DATES

Wells: every Wednesday 9am-2.30pm at the Market Place All other markets 9am-1pm unless otherwise marked*

Saturday 4th Axbridge & Midsomer Norton Sunday 5th SFM@ The Frome Independent (10am-3pm)* Saturday 11th Frome & Keynsham Saturday 18th Crewkerne Saturday 25th Glastonbury & Yeovil (9am-2pm)* Friday 31st

Burnham-on-Sea

follow us @SFMMarkets For more information phone 01373 814646 or visit www.SomersetFarmersMarkets.co.uk

Powering Farming’s Future Tel: 01225 667151 Web: www.yourenergyuk.com

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Chew Stoke Harvest Home Pictures by Ros Anstey

Sophie Febrey and Matthew Thorneywork from Hoop Pixie demonstrating hooping with their fairy face hoops

Chanel, aged seven, and Charlotte, four, with Lexil, who they were entering in the fun dog show Chartered engineer Kevin Slater from Manor Farm Engineering in Chew Stoke, with his prize winning iced cake

Gillie Slater from the Chew Stoke RNLI, with Anna Mccoll and two-year-old Bethan as they try out one of the lifeboats

Adults and youngsters sides pulling in the tug of war PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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Stratton shines to celebrate two stalwarts

EVENTS

THE lives of two much-loved residents were celebrated by the staging of this year’s Fun Day in Stratton-on-the-Fosse.

Over the years, the event has raised funds for improved facilities in the village, such as the village hall and community gardens.

Richard Jones and Bill Quinn were two Stratton-on-the-Fosse parish councillors who sadly passed away this year. Both were much-loved villagers who did a great deal for Stratton, including helping to raise money for the hall and garden.

Organiser Suzanne Kingsbury said: “The day celebrates the depth of community feeling here in Stratton. There’s been a huge amount of support from people in the village.”

Star of the future? Sophie Curtis, who regularly performs at the village’s Bluebird Acoustic Café, is being hailed as a star of the future

Barb Quinn and Jan Pain were amongst the volunteers who ran the tombola stall

Sam Blomfield (left), with Quinn, and Sally Dixon, with Minstrel, were from the Holcombe-based Harness Goat Society

Scout Zak Bendall, 13, ran a skittle alley to raise funds towards the £3,000 cost of his trip next year to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan. Zak, from nearby Stoke St Michael, is a member of the 1st Radstock Scout Group

A dog’s life: puppies Florence, Hugo and Rufus enjoy their afternoon in the sun MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

info@churchhousedesigns.co.uk

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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New altar at St. Mary Redcliffe

A NEW altar has been created for St John’s Chapel in St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, by Congresbury furniture maker Robert Coles, as part of the refurbishment of the chapel to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The design was inspired by, and reflects the maritime connection that Bristol and St. Mary Redciffe has, with shipping and the sea.

Robert said: “Having been born and bred in South Bristol, as were my ancestors, it has been a great honour and privilege to be asked to make this altar and to contribute something back into the community which I hope will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

The chapel, in which a commemorative WW1 candle will burn continuously for the next four years, has been refurbished by Wedmore architects Benjamin and Beauchamp, and includes new lighting, restoration of the medieval windows and a makeover of the famous sculpture of Queen Elizabeth 1.

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ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Promotion for Tony Pinn

MARC and Marianne Burridge, directors of Clevedon Salerooms, have appointed Toby Pinn, MRICS Chartered Arts and Antiques Surveyor and Auctioneer a director of Clevedon Salerooms.

Toby has been with the firm since 2000 and the appointment reflects the continued growth of a firm with roots reaching back 120 years.

Toby offers vendors professional valuation advice in the sale of antiques and fine art through the firm’s calendar of specialist auction sales promoted on a global platform.

As one of a very limited number of RICS Chartered Art and Antiques Surveyors covering the Bristol and surrounding area, Toby is regularly instructed to compile contents valuations of antiques and fine art for inheritance tax purposes to RICS ‘Red Book’ standard.

He is the first choice of many Bristol tax and estate practitioners and probate solicitors for this specialist field of work that demands a broad knowledge base combined with sensitivity in dealing with families at a difficult time.

Toby can be contacted at tp@clevedon-salerooms.com and 01934 830111.

Some gems from previous

Specialist Jewellery Sales

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS

£19,600 £3,550

6 7 8 October 20 21 22 October 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

£69,000 £5,150

£4,600

Free Jewellery, Silver & Watch

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Valuation Day At the Salerooms Tuesday 28th October 10am – 4pm

Next Specialist Sale Thursday 20th November MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 31

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Turning snaps into art

THE mobile phone is capable of taking great photos and videos.

Peter Froome, of Wild Country Lane Studios, was asked recently whether there is any need to hire a professional photographer or videographer when the phone seems to do everything you want.

To try to answer that, he used his phone to photograph an orchid on a window sill in his house. The picture he took is the inset in the illustration. It’s a perfectly nice snap, but nothing exceptional.

The main picture is the same plant taken with a DSLR fitted with a close-up lens and lit with two studio lights.

This makes the orchid look really very special.

As a video example, he used his phone to film someone getting a car out of the garage. If you head to their website, you can see how he then transformed this everyday scene into quite a drama.

Details: www.wclstudios.co.uk

Boost for arts group

Children enjoy a hands-on workshop

NORTH Somerset Arts is celebrating after the Charities Commission awarded it registered charitable status. The organisation which was founded by Annie Taylor is renowned for its biennial North Somerset Arts Week, which see community halls, private homes and artist studios opening up as exhibition and performance spaces across the region.

Since its inception the voluntary group has grown in its ambition to develop the arts provision in the area, making the arts more accessible through activities, educational events and by helping artists to network, promote and showcase their work.

Its recent project work has included intergenerational and multicultural storytelling and song writing, family-friendly handson workshops and artist networking and critique sessions.

In 2013 North Somerset Arts received funding from the Arts Council England to recruit a freelance development officer to write a business plan allowing a clear path for the organisation to become more sustainable. Charitable status will help give the group greater prominence and abilities to move forward.

NSA chair, Lorraine Jones, said: “Gaining charitable status is a great achievement for North Somerset Arts. It will help to protect the future of the organisation and our trustees. It is fantastic that the Charities Commission have recognised what we are trying to achieve for the North Somerset Community.”

The volunteer led organisation is currently taking submissions for next year’s Arts Week. Entries can be made online, by post or at one of their ‘Face to Face’ submission days, on Thursday September 25th 6.30pm – 9pm at Old Town Quarry, Queens Road, Weston-super-Mare and on Saturday October 4th, 10m – 4pm at Tyntesfield Cow Barn Café foyer, Wraxall.

Details: www.northsomersetarts.org or by emailing hello@northsomersetarts.org PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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Francis Drake draws Scottish bidder

ARTS & ANTIQUES

APPROXIMATELY 500 lots of antiques and collectables went under the hammer at Mendip Auction Rooms’ September sale.

There was an excellent entry of jewellery with almost 250 lots of rings, necklaces, bracelets and watches drawing many specialist bidders. The offering of a rare Royal Doulton Sir Francis Drake character jug led to strong interest beforehand and a buyer drove from Scotland on the sale day in order to secure it for £1,000 whilst up against many internet bidders.

Other items selling to advantage included a 19th century buffalo horn with detailed carving (£700), a Wemyss mug (£500), a Troika vase (£390) and a good collection of model trains (£480). The next sale of antiques and collectables will be online and will be on October 11th.

The general sale of Victorian and later effects at the end of August saw standing room only and almost a complete clearance of the 600 lots on offer. At these sales there is always a good range of furniture, collectables, ceramics and household items and an excellent atmosphere is created. The next general sale will be on October 21st.

Entries are now invited for our sales in October and valuation days are held at the auction rooms every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am – 5pm. Alternatively the valuers from the auction rooms are always content to make a home visit free of charge at a time to suit you.

The auction rooms can be contacted on 01749 840770 or log onto www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 33

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Tim’s journey from quarry to gallery QUARRYMAN Tim Rumble, from Haydon, Radstock has swapped his drill for an artist’s paint brush and will be holding an exhibition of his work at the Victoria Hall Gallery in Radstock.

He spent 25 years in the industry, working in the Bath stone mines at Corsham, Limpley Stoke and Combe Down and in opencast quarries at Holwell and Doulting. His last mining contract was the Combe Down stone mines stabilisation project.

Whilst quarrying and mining, he quite often carved pieces of

stone but didn't really recognise this as being creative.

Eventually he was talked into attending evening classes in sculpture which led to a diploma in art and design.

During the diploma he applied to Norwich School of Art and Design where he completed a BA Hons degree and an MA in fine art (painting) whilst continuing mining and quarrying in his free time.

The exhibition is running from 7pm Friday October 3rd until Thursday October 16th.

Vintage and vinyl at Wells Trading Post NAT King Cole is on the gramophone and Lois Wickett looks like she has just stepped from the pages of a 1950s glossy magazine – welcome to a typical day at Wells Trading Post.

The business has always had a slightly retro feel about it but Lois, a professional stylist who has worked for Harper’s Bazaar, is bringing the vintage feel to life. Her love of the 50s era was inspired by her grandmother and her parents have owned a series of classic cars.

Lois, who has also appeared as an extra is several television series, said: “I love the history of clothes and fashion which have stood the test of time and have a story to tell.”

Vintage is generally now taken to be pre-1980s and Wells Trading Post is a popular haunt for people keen on nostalgia.

Owners Tanith and Robin Tothill are preparing for the annual Halloween rush of partygoers wanting a gothic look.

They’re currently building up their stock of vinyl records and have acquired a gramophone on which customers can play tracks to check for scratches. Tanith said: “The shop is so vibrant at the moment – we’ve had people dancing in here!

“Where else can you visit to buy a wardrobe, an axe, a 50s dress

Old Priory Mill, West St, Wells, BA5 2HG. Tel: 01749 671454 www.wellstradingpost.co.uk • email:tanithtradingpost@gmail.com PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

and an Abba record at the same time?”

G Tanith and Robin are keen to hear from people with classic jazz and reggae vinyl as well as punk and metal from the 1950s to 1980s but by appointment only.

Vintage look: Lois wearing a 1950s Horrockses cocktail dress

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Collectors flock to sale

Page 35

AT Tamlyns’ recent auction of collectors’ items, a Victorian coin-operated polyphon made top price of the day of £1,300.

Although the case needed some attention, the movement worked well and having a double comb meant that the quality of sound was excellent. Polyphons play large circular metal discs that have a series of holes punched in them which raise metal lugs on one side, these then “play” the comb as the disc revolves. Simple really but very effective.

A private collection of railway memorabilia and uniforms from South Devon totalled just over £1,100 with a group of mixed luggage labels selling for £85 and an accident register and other books £90.

The postcard section included a collection of local postcards from a deceased estate – postcards seem to continue to be more and more popular – a group of cards of North Petherton and locality from around 1903-1920 sold for £360 and a group of Bridgwater cards £250. A 19th century flintlock pistol by Tayler & Mander sold for £400; a de-activated Pietta revolver £320 and a de-activated Webley revolver £250. Amongst the toys and games a jigsaw puzzle by Holtzapffel & Co made £150; a Shackelton clockwork lorry £200 and a Wells Brimtoy clockwork tinplate lorry £170.

Other items of note were Royal Mint gold “proof” sovereign £210; quantity of modern commemorative coins £195; fourteen

ARTS & ANTIQUES

early aviation postcards £170; MZ ETZ 125 motorbike £300; group of five WWII medals Imperial Service medal etc £250; Corgi Ecosse Racing Car Transporter, boxed £85 and assorted unboxed play-worn Dinky vehicles £100.

The next collectors’ sale will be on November 18th. Entries are already being accepted so if you would like to put anything into this sale contact the auction rooms on 01278 445251.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 35

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Come up and see us!

AN introduction through mutual friends has led to the opening of a new art gallery at Pylle Emporium, near Shepton Mallet.

Emporium owner Tony Hopkins and retired businessman Charlie Berridge immediately “hit it off” and later began to discuss how they might be able to work together.

Charlie is a keen collector of art and sees the partnership as a way to indulge his passion. He has taken over an upstairs gallery at Pylle Emporium, next to Jon Thorner’s on the A37 south of Shepton Mallet, to display a range of paintings which he says will “appeal to all tastes”.

Known as Mr B’s, the gallery also

Charlie (left) and Tony discuss a painting by Jasmine Eavis in the revamped upstairs gallery at Pylle Emporium

features some of Tony’s furniture along with other art including sculpture.

But the venture doesn’t end there: the pair have also taken space at Barton House Antiques on Catherine Hill in Frome, where they’ll sell a limited range of modern art and furniture.

ANTIQUES Pylle Emporium

Stockwood Business Park, (on A37 south of Shepton Mallet) Pylle BA4 6TA

Charlie said: “I have always been interested in art and the timing is right to see if it can work as a business.”

Tony added: “I suppose you could say we are enjoying the ‘honeymoon period’ and it seems to be working very well.

People seem to like what we are doing.”

&

ART

Mr. B’s Art Company

Opening at Barton House Gallery, 14 Catherine Hill, Frome BA11 1BZ

www.pylleemporium.co.uk • e-mail: antiques@pylleemporium.co.uk • tel: 01749 838783

BUY

SELL

PYLLE: Five showrooms housing a mix Antiques • Vintage furniture • Silver Chinese Porcelain • Art Deco • etc.

Open Day, Saturday, October 4th 10am-4pm

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

RESTORE

FROME: A ‘Bijou’ Gallery with mainly Contemporary Art and some exquisite items of small furniture and Bronzes

Open Evening, Saturday, September 27th 5-8pm

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INTERNET

Keyboard shortcuts for iPhone and iPad continued

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

More tips to help you master these keyboard shortcuts to speed up touch typing on your iPad, iPhone or iPad.

Tip #6: Typing the whole sentence in capital letters is often considered rude but there can be instances where you may have to type a word or two in uppercase.

So unless you change the settings, you’ll have to tap the Shift key after typing every single character but you can “Enable Caps Lock” under Settings –> General –> Keyboard and then double-tap the shift key to turn it into a Caps lock key. They will stay dark until you press the key again. No need to “unset” it; it will only work when you want it to. The keyboard changes to look uppercase, so you know when it’s active.

Tip #7: While you are on the internet, type only the domain name and then press and hold the dot (.) key. It will offer you an option to add popular domain extensions like .com, .org or .net to your web address so just tap the one you want.

Tip #8: You can also use the dot key in the Mail app of your iPhone or iPad to type email addresses quickly. While typing an email address in Mail, press and hold the dot (.) key and you’ll get a list of domain extension to auto-complete your email address.

Tip #9: You can split the iPad keyboard into two and type faster with both your hands while holding the device. While the onscreen keyboard is visible, press and hold the keyboard icon in the lower right and choose the Split option. If the option isn’t available on your iPad, go to Settings -> General -> Keyboard and toggle the Split Keyboard option.

Tip #10: The “@” symbol is not available on the alphabetic keyboard so you’ll first have to switch to the numeric keyboard (?123), tap “@” and then again switch to ABC mode. But there’s a quicker way – just press the ?123 key, slide the finger (don’t lift) to reach the “@” key and then lift the finger up to release the key. You can use the trick to type numbers, punctuations marks, currency symbols and all other characters that are found only on the numerical keypad of your iPhone or iPad. Submitted by IT for the Terrified : The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934 741751 www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com We also run a Computer Club Drop in session 1.30-3.30 Thursday afternoons. Call in for a quick word of advice/help/info.

This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. For more in depth information, please contact us.

We offer individual training, at a pace to suit you; a session lasts 2 hours and costs £10. We can cover a range of subjects – including absolute basics; photo management; shopping online; emailing; Word processing, spreadsheets; basic web design; etc. on a range of devices, including Windows XP/Vista/W7/W8: Macs: Tablets: iPads: smartphones. See our website or contact us for further details. Or if you can spare two hours and week have skills on any level – especially iPad – that you would like to share with others, please get in touch.

ACROSS 1 Place in Croscombe where holiday flights are bought and sold? (7,6) 8 Stalk seen as move towards rational communication (4,5) 10 Recorded every part of a score? (5) 11 May be read in attic or at civil disturbance (4,3) 12 Adult . . . whose beans are ready? (5-2) 13 Crack had reduced chance of gorgeous competition (7,4,4) 16/21D/25 Elementary school got second-rate golf improved by further education (8,7,2,3,3,10) 21 Changed to a more expensive version? Admitted (5,2) 22 Now is the time for the submarine from 18? (7) 23 Point in space for performances (5) 24 Now retaliate and mix in curry (9) 25 See 16 DOWN 1 Circus pet trained to find bargains (3,6) 2 By yourself holding 50 thousand and losing the lot!

(3,4)

3 Madame built a US stud for herself (7) 4 Sounds cooling? That should be naice! (3) 5 Spilled ink people put down to the family (7) 6 Greek giant and I have article for the Fairy Queen (7) 7 Bored with feeling bloated?

(3,2) 9 Our tent erected according to the Magnetic Pole . . .

(3,4) 14 . . . and personally I’d be at far end of no through road (2,5) 15 On no occasion found unprepared for power (4-5) 17 Lead man in African organisation (7) 18 Where the deep-cover agents hang out in Bristol? (7) 19 Tile got loose – forget it (3,2,2) 20 Therefore holding a business qualification attracts a limit on publication (7) 21 See 16 Across 24 It’s her day tomorrow (3)

Answers on Page 97 MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 37

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10% discount off NEW A/W Clothes Quote: AW14MT

Chew Valley Hire

LUXURY MOBILE TOILETS

Fashion week in Castle Cary CASTLE Cary fashion and beauty stores are holding a 'Fashion Week' from October 6th to 11th with late opening on Thursday the 9th until 8pm.

This is a great opportunity to see all the new season's fashion ranges and to find out just how many fabulous brands are available in this beautiful market town.

Several stores are taking part, including some offering hair, beauty and health treatments. Special offers on all new clothing ranges will also make your visit during Fashion Week really worthwhile.

College celebrates success

01761 221105 E: info@chewvalleyhire.co.uk • W: www.chewvalleyhire.co.uk

We give personal help and advice, deliver and collect on schedule and pay immaculate attention to detail.

We provide a wide range of luxury and standard mobile toilets, showers and trackway for special events including:

• Weddings • Corporate Events • Fashion Shows • Film Shoots

Outdoor Clothing, Footwear and Accessories

SPECIALITY BOOT WEEK 11th–18th October • Hillmaster Boots ONLY £100 (RRP £160) • Walker 3 Socks ONLY £10 (pack of 2 pairs) • Expert fitting and advice Broad Street • Congresbury (opposite Ship & Castle)

01934 877333 www.countryinnovation.co.uk PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

THE largest graduation ceremony in Weston College’s history saw hundreds of students awarded degrees validated by Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England.

More than 350 students gathered with their families at Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Gardens to pick up their gowns and mortar board hats before processing from the College’s University Centre at Knightstone Campus to the parish church of St John.

Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE welcomed those gathered to a college celebrating both an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ grade and a successful bid to be recognised as a Further Education and Higher Education establishment.

He said: “It only seems the other day that we started off with just nine graduates. We now have 800 students on our degree courses, and very high aspirations for Weston to become a university town.”

There were many great stories of success among those receiving Bachelor and Foundation Degrees in Health and Social Care, Public and Environmental Health, Applied Computing, Musical Theatre and Graphic Design, among many other subjects.

Grace Davies, 21, from Paulton and Keith Kilpin, 25, from Weston-super-Mare, both achieved First Class Honours in BA Graphic Design. For the past year, they have been a couple, having met on the course. She specialises in print design and he in digital design, games and apps.

Grace recently won the Design Council’s prestigious Future Pioneers award out of approximately 1400 students who exhibited at New Designers in London. Keith works for Aardman Animations as a junior designer, a post which started as two weeks’ work experience.

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BUSINESS A

Photo by Ignyte Limited Radstock

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Award winning Children’s Day Nursery

Next Steps Childcare Centre

Baby room - Nursery - Pre-school - Forest School

Highly qualified team. Excellent secure rural location.

Funding available for 2-3-4 year olds Gardening, Yoga, Music & Dance, Cookery

01749 346808

www.nextstepschildcare.com The Royal Bath & West Showground Shepton Mallet BA4 6QL

A fond farewell

An exclusive Children’s Day Nursery delivering exceptional care & education in an award winning environment Babyroom

Preschool

Forest School

Nursery

Ofsted 2010 “Children have developed good language and number skills and show a passion for exploring and investigating their world.”

“These skills will help support their future learning”

Funding now available for 2-3-4 year olds

Wells Road Latcham Wedmore BS28 4SA

Ofsted 2009 “Outstanding partnership with parents”.

“Children have great fun freedom exploring the world outside in the fresh air, Excellent organised activities.”

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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

01934 713527

www.littleowlschildcare.com

CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

Duvets & Bedspreads washed & dried Sheets and Duvet covers washed and pressed Professional efficient service Collection & delivery service in the Chew Valley

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk

Five Weddings last year, one this year, maybe the next one could be yours if you are single and looking for that special someone?

Caroline Crowther is a truly local personal introduction agency helping you meet someone new in your area. We offer a long term personal service until you find your perfect match.

For a professional and personal service call 0800 056 3179 or 01934 744788 PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

IT’S the end of an era for Next Steps, based at the Royal Bath and West showground. Their early years education team always share a great sense of pride, getting the preschool children ready for “big school”.

It’s always emotional, but this year has been particularly sad, because the Hawkins family finally left them after ten years. Karen Thayer, who has looked after all four Hawkins children, said: “It has been an honour taking care of the family throughout their time with us.

“We have had great fun and they are a pleasure to care for. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Ed and Rowen Hawkins for their support, and wish them well for the future.”

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Organisation is the key to success

I HAVE always longed to be a really organised person and sometimes, just occasionally, I seem to manage it. It’s always the way though, isn’t it, that, as they say, the ‘best laid plans of mice and men’ come a cropper on a regular basis when reality hits the fan.

Thus it is that we, Probusiness, that is, have very happily agreed to sponsor some local events and, as in previous years, we were looking forward to enjoying active involvement in them. However … yes, there is a substantial one of these … however: we also needed to book a holiday.

As with so many of us, we have a number of commitments so choosing a time when we could take a break was a little bit tricky.

Having congratulated ourselves on booking a break which avoided children’s birthdays, parental commitments and all pre-arranged hospital trips for the older friends etc… we sat back. However, when we checked the diary, we realised that we had made a fairly substantial ‘whoopsie’. We had, in fact, managed to organise our holiday to clash with one of our favourite sponsored events, the Wells Festival of Literature which takes place between October 10th and 18th. Aaargh!

We are very excited this year as we are supporting two lovely ‘events’. One is the ‘Two Steves’ who use their skills in schools all across the world to encourage children’s literacy and the other is the evening of Andrew Motion’s wonderful poetry. Fortunately we have people on our team who are as excited by the festival as we are and they will be there to support on our behalf.

The moral of this story is, when trying to be organised – especially in business – check very carefully at all times! We are getting closer to January 31st and the personal tax return deadline, so, please be prepared! The Revenue is hotter off the mark than ever before and we don’t want anyone to have to pay fines and penalties which can add up to quite crippling amounts so very quickly.

So, good luck and enjoy the events that we are going to miss.

JANE BOWE

BUSINESS ECATCHER MOL Now does wasps

NO WASP NO STING

Telephone 01761 451384

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01275 332966 mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

Business Accountants & Advisors 01749 677989 www.probusinessuk.com

is proud to sponsor

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Cuttings of Glastonbury’s holy thorn tree A CUTTING of the holy Glastonbury thorn tree which flowers in spring and at Christmas is an ideal gift. Now available in patio size, these trees are associated with the legend of Joseph of Arimathea and have been propagated by

llllllllllllllllllllllllll

A GLASTONBURY HOLY THORN TREE Crataegus Monogyna Biflora – It’s The Real Thing!!!

Available from Malcolm Slocombe Four Seasons 16 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DU Telephone No: 01458 832061 Now available in Patio size

llllllllllllllllllllllllll

lllllllllllllllllll THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT

grafting since ancient times. A flowering sprig is sent to the British monarch every Christmas.

Legend tells us that following the crucifixion of Christ, Joseph of Arimathea arrived at Glastonbury with the Holy Grail. Tired and weary, Joseph thrust his staff into the ground on Wearyall Hill where it took root and grew into the holy thorn.

Four Seasons of Glastonbury have sourced a supply of Crataegus Monogyna Biflora cuttings (The Glastonbury Thorn).

These are now on sale in both tree and patio sizes.

Details: Malcolm Slocombe on 01458 831243

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QUALITY MARQUEES FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

• High Peaked Roofs • Clear Roofs and Window Walls so ‘Conservatory Ends or Entrances’ can be created. Also Flame Towers.

• Furniture • Starlight Lining • Dance floors • Lighting • Fridge trailer hire

Call the Marquee Specialists, Tel: 01761 221366 Email enquiries: info@jgmarquees.co.uk Website: www.jgmarquees.co.uk

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Achieve your potential with Strode College

BUSINESS

STRODE College in Street is inviting year 11 pupils to visit the college on Thursday October 23rd, 6-8.30pm, to find out what makes a great sixth form experience.

It’s important to choose the A Levels or vocational course that will help you to achieve your ambitions and to choose the college where you will achieve your potential. For many this means moving to a specialist sixth form college like Strode College.

Official reports show that the outstanding teaching and support at Strode helps students to gain excellent results and better advanced level grades than predicted following their GCSE results (Ofsted 2012, League Tables and ALPS 2014).

Strode offers the widest choice of A Levels in Somerset, excellent vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. Students enjoy learning in an environment with people of the same age where the teaching, support, facilities and social activities are tailored to their needs.

Find out more and register for the Open Evening: www.strode-college.ac.uk

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Commissioner’s award

Janet Turner is presented with a Commissioner’s Commendation Award by deputy county commissioner Stuart Ballard

JANET Turner, who has been district commissioner for Wansdyke Scouts for the past ten years, stepped down from that role at the recent annual meeting – all scout commissioner roles have a tenyear lifespan.

At a packed meeting in Radstock Scout Hall, district chairman John Mander recalled that during Janet’s leadership numbers had risen by 70%, compared to 25% nationally. She had put a team together which saved the Radstock Scout Group from closure, organised two district jamborees and had enabled the founding of a new scout group in Chew Stoke and an explorer scout unit in Clutton.

Mr Mander said: “Janet has led this district with enthusiasm and dedication. She is a brilliant listener, very patient, and has an infectious sense of humour. Wansdyke Scouts have been very fortunate to have had a committed leader who has been so generous with her time.”

While the search for a new district commissioner continues, Avon deputy county commissioner Stuart Ballard from Keynsham will take over.

Other presentations during the meeting were made to three retiring members of the district executive committee: former chairman Roger Dowse, Roger Lewis and John Church, who each received a caricature skilfully drawn by local artist Fiona Bishop.

A 40 years service certificate was presented to assistant district commissioner Tony Clutten.

Church’s tribute to WWI fallen

NEWS

THE congregation at All Saint’s Church in Nunney have held the first in a series of acts of remembrance to honour servicemen from the village who were killed in World War One. The plan is to mark the 100th anniversary of each serviceman’s death, on or very close to the actual date at the evensong service.

The first person from Nunney to be killed in action was Albert Hillier of Ridgeway, who died in France on September 22nd, 2014 at. He was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment). A service was held on Sunday, September 21st.

The next act of remembrance will be on Saturday, November 1st at 6pm when the church will honour Reginald Keates. There will be further gatherings in the coming years until 2018 when the congregation will commemorate the end of the war.

Meanwhile, Nunney church will be hosting the travelling exhibition “Somerset Remembers” during October.

G Everyone is welcome at the services. The dates will be published each month in Postlebury News, on the Visit Nunney website and on the church notice boards. A small exhibition about the men who died will be on display.

Natalie’s mission

NATALIE Ashford will be holding a 12-hour ‘Knit-a-thon’ on October 4th to help raise funds for her to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan. She will start at 9am (finishing at 9pm), at Mandy Wools in Mill Street, Wells.

All knitters and crocheters are welcome, regardless of ability, to help her create as many 4”x4” blanket squares as possible.

Natalie is a 20-year-old student, shop assistant and scout leader at 1st North Mendip, based in Binegar. She has been scouting for over 14 years.

Wine festival in Wrington

MEMBERS of Wrington Twinning Association are organising a wine festival to raise funds for its youth exchange visits.

The festival, on Thursday, November 6th, will celebrate wines produced both locally and from Languedoc region of France, where Wrington is twinned with Villeneuve les Beziers.

Aldwick Court Farm will host the event, which is also supporting The Gurkha Welfare Trust, and some of their wines will be available. Two local winemakers, Ingrid Bates and Luke Ford, will have examples of their wines available for tasting.

Details: http://natalietojapan2015.moonfruit.com/ MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 43

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A glimpse of the future An architect’s impression of the new Learning and Community Engagement Centre

THE Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury reopened the doors of the Abbey Barn for two days to offer visitors the chance to see its redevelopment plans and to meet the team behind the project.

The opening was part of this year’s Heritage Open Days. visitors met the architect working on the project, saw a model and visualisations of the new galleries and learnt about the archaeological excavations which have taken place on site.

It was the last chance for visitors to see inside the Abbey Barn before building work commences on the entire site.

Cardboard couture

ART and Design students at Strode College in Street showed impressive skill and creativity in their first week at college, making cardboard couture costumes for the college catwalk.

Students worked together in small groups to create sturdy but stylish costumes in less than two days before the project finale which was a catwalk show in front of other students and staff.

Students who worked on the costumes are studying Art and Design Level 3 Extended Diploma and Art and Design Clara models her team’s cre- Foundation pre-degree Diploma. ation: ‘Chinese Dragonballs’ One of them was Clara Mumford-Turner, who lives in Wookey Hole, and was on the team that created ‘Chinese Dragonballs’.

Clara said: “We wanted to create something that was large and impressive – something ambitious. The head alone took two days to make.”

Duncan Cameron, Strode College’s Foundation Art and Design course manager, said: “We always kick off the year with a project to warm up the students’ creativity after the summer holidays and to get them working together in small groups – we want them to hit the ground running with this fun induction! They’ve shown great design and construction skills and created some fantastic costumes in only 48 hours, using recycled cardboard, brown tape, paper and string.”

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Gold awards for Axbridge and Frome

NEWS

Axbridge Market received a gold award along with Frome

SOMERSET Farmers’ Markets are celebrating after two more of their regular venues – Axbridge and Frome – gained Taste of the West gold awards.

The honours are recognition for their quality and range of produce and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the local producers who attend. Taste of the West Hospitality and Retail Awards assessed more than 300 local food outlets across the whole of the South West.

One definitely worth a visit is the monthly market at Axbridge which offers a city-sized market in a tiny medieval town on the first Saturday of each month.

Feedback from the judges praised the 25 stalls and their excellent mix of high quality local produce. Equally important, they found all of the stallholders were very friendly, and keen to talk about their products and explain their methods of production.

The judges summed up their visit: “The site is wonderful as it is located in a traditional market square with the wonderful back drop of the ancient church and market square houses located on a pedestrian area. We felt the value was wonderful and that there was something for all purses.”

Meanwhile the judges had a different but similarly impressive experience at the Frome Farmers’ Market held on the second Saturday of the month. The event is held in the historic Cheese & Grain market hall, now adapted for the 21st century, which provides a solar powered indoor venue, plus café, holding up to 36 farmers and food producers.

It is one of the largest stand alone farmers’ market in the region. A market this size offers customers a wide range of high quality products and plenty of choice – a very attractive proposition for the loyal Frome customers.

Both Axbridge and the Frome Cheese & Grain Farmers’ Markets have over the years genuinely taken root within their respective communities becoming valued local assets.

Shopping becomes an eagerly anticipated social event bringing the community together – producers and customers alike!

For more information about the markets or the producers who attend, please visit www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk and you can also start following SFM on Twitter @SFMMarkets.

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Mining heritage celebrated

MEMORIES of working in the Somerset coalfields have been celebrated in a new book created by students from three schools in the Midsomer Norton area.

Mining the Past – the last years of the Somerset Coalfields – features interviews with former miners and other colliery workers.

The book was launched at the annual Miners’ Reunion lunch at Radstock Museum, organised by the Somerset Miners’ Welfare Fund and supported by local organisations including the Radstock Co-Operative Society and L&F Jones.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, students from Norton Hill, Somervale and Writhlington schools spent the past year talking to the miners and researching the industry’s history.

Their work is now recorded in a permanent exhibition at the museum.

Members of the welfare fund committee were joined by students and Mark Everett, headmaster of Writhlington School at lunch

Former mine workers Rex Ladd, Mo Duery, Tony Salvidge and John Church are joined by pupils and staff from the three schools at the book launch

The book is available from Radstock Musuem, priced £3.50. For more information, visit: www.radstockmuseum.co.uk

Springhead celebrates town’s heritage

A RESTORED springhead at the awardwinning Silver Street nature reserve in Midsomer Norton has been dedicated to the legacy of the miners who worked the Somerset Coalfields.

The springhead was built by miners in

the 1700s to provide water for Norton House. The Friends of Silver Street – a volunteer group – launched a campaign to restore the feature and won the support of Midsomer Norton Town Council which gave a grant to allow the

Paul Myers, the mayor of Midsomer Norton, unveils the plaque as James Edwards, chairman of the Friends of Silver Street, looks on

work to be carried out.

An interpretation board was unveiled to celebrate the completion of the work; it also coincided with a party in the reserve to mark the fourth year running that it has won a Green Flag award.

Clive Norman, Robert Bailey, Bill Morris and Bryn Hawkins, from the Somerset Miners’ Welfare Trust, are joined by Lucy and James Edwards, from the Friends of Silver Street nature reserve and Paul Myers, the mayor of Midsomer Norton MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

Binegar Village Day

Baltonsborough Show

Rain dance! The Desert Divas were determined to put on a show, despite a downpour

Make a noise: Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Brass Academy join members of the Binegar Playing Fields Association in front of the climbing frame which needs to be updated

PROCEEDS from the second Binegar Village Day will go towards the cost of renovating play equipment on the playing field next to the Memorial Hall.

Members of the Binegar Playing Fields Association organised the community event as part of their ongoing efforts to improve facilities in the village.

Too much choice: Oliver had a hard decision to make when he visited the cake stall

Never too shy: a traditional attraction at the event PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Duncan Macleod, from Hornblotton, with his three daughters and grandchildren

Clare Rands won first prize for Jane Swayne was selling handmade chocolates in the local this display . . . food marquee in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice

Raining hats and dogs

. . . while her father Major Ian Rands won first prize for this marrow

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EVENTS

Coleford blooms at Village Day

MORE than 18 months of discussions, planning and fundraising paid dividends with the success of the revived Coleford Village Day. Organisers joined forces with the village’s flower and craft show committee to stage the events on the same day.

The Coleford Revival Group was formed in February 2013.

They planned originally to stage a village day last year but decided they needed more time and expertise to run it properly.

Chairman Phil Horler said: “It was brilliant to see it all come together. I can’t emphasise how much it was down to a huge team effort. I am absolutely chuffed!”

As Mendip Times went to press, the group was due to hold its annual general meeting when a decision about staging a similar event next year was due to be taken.

Fundraising events in the pipeline include a Halloween party in the village’s Royal British Legion hall and a Christmas lights event. The CRG is also planning to host a Christmas meal for elderly residents in the village.

Teamwork pays dividends: some members of the Coleford Revival Group with Ted Phillips (centre), a long-serving member of the community who opened the day

Two of the zumba dancers who gave a display on the sports field

Vintage tractor enthusiasts soak up the atmosphere

Sue and Howard Butchers, from Peasedown St John with their rare automatic 1972 MGB GT. More than 50 classic cars took part in the show

Lakitta (left) and Tegan with Kiki the dog

Vera Cowley won first prize for Paddington Bear

Chloe Reynolds (left) and Lucy Francis were raising funds for the Irish Retriever Rescue group MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 47

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Bird girl of the Chew Valley

MYA-ROSE Craig, or Birdgirl as she is known, is passionate about birds, wildlife and conservation. The 12-year-old from Compton Martin attends Chew Valley School and wants to combine her passion for nature with a love of writing.

She writes the “birdgirl” blog and a column in the Chew Valley Gazette; September saw her first article in the big selling Bird Watching magazine; and there was an interview with her in BBC Countryfile magazine.

Mya-Rose has been birding all her life, going on her first trip at only nine days old to the Isles of Scilly to see a lesser kestrel. Her fourth word was “birdie”, whilst pointing at a very rare black lark on Anglesey. As she grew older, MyaRose became passionate about birds, nature and conservation, appearing as an engaging seven-year-old in the 2009 BBC4 documentary “Twitchers: A Very British Obsession”.

She goes birding regularly at her local patch, Chew Valley Lake, and is involved in the bird ringing station there most weekends. This is part of the British Trust for Ornithology’s scientific studies on birds, where they catch birds in nets, examine them, and put rings on their legs before releasing them.

Mya-Rose also goes birding around the world and last year became the youngest person to see 3,000 birds. With a list now of 3,700 birds, Mya-Rose returned in early September from a six-week trip to Malaysia and Borneo. She saw beautiful birds like rhinoceros hornbill, storm stork and saw six species of pitta, which are beautiful but notoriously difficult to see.

Some of the rarest birds across the continents that Mya-Rose has seen are turtle dove in Europe, yellow-headed picathartes from Africa, Jamaican blackbird from North America, dusky Stork-billed kingfisher

Mya-Rose ringing a baby blue tit

starfrontlet from South America, mountain serpent eagle from Asia, and Christmas Island frigatebird from Australasia.

Her favourite bird in the world is southern cassowary, which is a huge prehistoric looking bird with strong legs that can kill.

She said: “I still love looking at birds locally and seeing the change in them over the seasons. It is interesting just to Mya-Rose on her latest expedition

watch birds in your garden and really exciting when you get special birds come in like goldcrest, bullfinches and marsh tit. My favourite British bird is common kingfisher with its striking colours and ability to fish.”

Soon after returning from her latest trip, Mya-Rose attended a conference in Cambridge organised by young conservationists. Some 200 young people came together for the UK’s first ever youth conservation conference, A Vision for Nature. Run by “A Focus on Nature”, it was about looking forward and asking the question: “What do today’s young people want the natural world in 2050 to look like, and how do we get there?”

Mya-Rose said: “It was amazing to meet so many young people interested in conserving our world. I came away feeling part of something big and really motivated to persuade more people my own age from school, guides and scouts to get involved with nature.”

Details: Read Mya-Rose’s blog at http://birdgirluk.blogspot.co.uk/ For more information about A Focus on Nature http://www.afocusonnature.org PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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WILDLIFE

Wild gardens for autumn

OCTOBER is the start of the bonfire season: a time to burn some of the garden waste like fallen or cut branches and leaves.

By CHRIS If you are planning SPERRING a bonfire and make a MBE pile to dry for a few weeks before burning, please move the pile around before lighting and check there are no hedgehogs hiding inside.

Now is the time they are looking for warm places to sleep during the day and for potential hibernation places.

I have been seeing hedgehogs in my garden recently so have set up a couple of nice warm boxes for them. They need to be placed in undergrowth and filled with hay or dead leaves and should have a tunnel on the front or a baffle inside to stop foxes or badgers reaching them inside.

There are some good plans and advice here: http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/leaf lets/L5-Hedgehog-Homes.pdf Other ways to help hedgehogs are to go organic and stop using pesticides, make sure there is access for them to enter and leave your garden (just a small gap under a fence is enough) and put out fresh food and water at night.

They love dog food, which is very good for them, but never give them milk which is really bad for them.

If you have dogs or cats likely to be Blue tit

in your garden at night you could make a cat-proof feeding house to put the food in, with an entrance tunnel of around 14cm in diameter.

For those who don’t feed the birds all year round, now is the time to begin filling up the feeders once again, ensuring they are fully clean before use. We've been adding different feeders in our own garden with great success and the list of species visiting regularly grows by the week.

Two of the newcomers are house sparrow and starling, which had virtually disappeared over the last ten years or so. Greenfinch is another welcome return, its absence having been caused by a disease called

Young starling

Trichomonas gallinae, which is a parasite probably spread from one bird to the next via partially eaten food at bird tables, which is why it’s so important to disinfect feeders regularly.

Other species were affected by this disease, which was first noted in 2006, but greenfinch was one of the worst hit.

Feeding garden birds has been an enjoyable pastime for many decades. It gives people real pleasure to see the variety and number of birds that visit their garden and is a great way of bringing wildlife to us. Budding wildlife photographers can use garden bird feeders to practice taking photographs of wild birds, and will get some interesting shots with patience (the pictures accompanying this article

Wood pigeon

Photography by Chris Sperring

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were all taken by sitting in a small hide close to my own feeders).

Apart from the pleasure of watching birds at close quarters we can also gain knowledge and, through trial and error, find out which foods are most enjoyed.

Counting the various birds in the garden is also interesting and your data can be fed into long-term national studies.

There are two regular national surveys that take place (these are a really good way to get children interested as well): 1: The RSPB have a dedicated weekend in January: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjo ynature/discoverandlearn/birdwatch/ho w.aspx 2: The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) run a Garden Bird Watch: http://www.bto.org/volunteersurveys/gbw I have found the most popular foods in my garden are: sunflower hearts, suet pellets, peanut kibbles (chopped peanuts), suet blocks and balls, mixed corn (which I put on the table so that the wood pigeons eat that instead of the more expensive seeds which I buy for the smaller birds), dried mealworms and a good quality mixed wild bird seed. If you don’t have cats coming in to your garden you could also set up a ground feeder to attract blackbirds and thrushes, which love suet as well as soft fruit like apples and pears.

Enjoy your wildlife watching!

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

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 49

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A touch of Mendip velvet

AUTUMN berries, mist, golden bracken, gorse and heather with buzzards and ravens circling above, all combine to make this the best time of year for this beautiful short ramble through Ubley Rakes and then along the top of Velvet Bottom in the heart of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Charterhouse before walking up through the valley itself.

It’s a short, but very sweet walk taking you through the fascinating rakes and humpy bumpy ground created by former mining and then along the top of Velvet Bottom with great views. To finish we

With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

follow Velvet Bottom back up to the start observing the changed landscape resulting from former mining and resmelting of lead. It is now transformed into a very peaceful area full of butterflies, birds, rabbits, amphibians, wildflowers and close cropped grass – hence the name ‘Velvet’ Bottom.

The walk is gently graded, with no steep uphills, and just one steepish drop down. It is a good walk for dogs but they may have to cope with being well controlled in fields with animals grazing and may need some help over one or two stiles. There is no refreshment en-route.

PARK: In the stony car park for Blackmoor Reserve, behind Charterhouse Centre. Take the B3134 road up Burrington Combe which then crosses Mendip. Turn towards Charterhouse and after a couple of minutes at a crossroads – with Charterhouse Centre on your left and St Hugh’s Cottage right – turn left down the side of the centre to the rough car parking area at the end. Here is an information plinth about the Romans, Victorians and mining on Mendip to set the scene for this interesting and beautiful walk.

START: Take the small path to the right of the plinth between boulders. Soon pass on your left the remains set into rocks of former stables for the horses that worked in the re-smelting industry, some of them patiently turning the buddle wheels to wash the lead ore. This was during the mid-19th century when

there was a revival in re-smelting the waste from earlier mining. Three centres were set up on Mendip and this at Charterhouse was one of them. The revival was headed by Cornish miners who had lost their jobs and came up to Mendip with new ideas for using the old lead waste.

Continue on the path to a slightly more open area with three paths. Take the left one, which is more or less straight on and then begin to climb. The path becomes quite narrow and when I came was flanked on each side by high rosebay willow herb, heather, gorse and bracken.

Up on the right in the clump of trees on the hill was the house of the captain of the mine.

1. UBLEY WARREN Go through a gate and enter Ubley Warren Nature Reserve owned by Somerset WildlIfe Trust and on the information board is a list of some of the wild plants you may hope to see. Follow the path on up. You may see small flocks of tits or finches attracted to the bright red hawthorn berries. Then fork left heading for a large barn roof in the distance. After a few yards bear right and find you are walking with a long rocky gully on your left – part of the mined rakes.

2. LADDER STILE A little further on look to the right and see the top of a large wooden ladder stile. A path bears right to reach it and goes down and up a small gully en-route.

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WALKING

There is a gate at the side if you prefer.

Now head across bearing slightly left.

Stay on this small path and it will lead to a wider track which bears slightly right and then curves round right to bring you to a wide grassy expanse – almost like a very shallow dry valley, all part of the nature reserve. Go on along here with the humpy bumpy ground on each side, all the way to a gate on to the Charterhouse road.

3. ROAD Turn left up the road and at the top, turn right on the drive to Warren Farm, farmed by the Small family, starting to get the first of the views over the Velvet Bottom valley, across to the highest point on Mendip at Black Down.

4. FIELD FOOTPATH Before you get to the farm, take the marked public footpath on the right over a stile, and head across the field bearing over towards the end of woodland on the left. You now have a good view across to the Observatory at Charterhouse Centre and St Hugh’s Church.

Cross a stile on the left – a few yards along from the end of the wood – and go straight ahead across the field, keeping parallel with the top fence and wood.

Take the next stile and continue on staying reasonably close to the top. When I came in early September swallows were excitedly gathering together on the electric wires.

5. TRACK Reach a point near a gate on the left where a footpath comes in from the left.

Bear right down the track for a few yards and then left, to continue the direction

3.75 miles, about two hours walking OS Explorer map, 141, Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, Grid ref: 504 556

you were in before along the valley side on the top grassy ledge.

Stay close to the fence all the way until you reach a slight open area. Ahead is the Black Rock valley and the sheer rocky side of an abandoned quarry, and up on the left is a large metal gate.

6. SMALLER PATH The path, smaller now, bears down right, winding between the bracken. Reach a larger path and join it, going left, on the flat for a short while with the abandoned quarry down in the valley on your left.

Continue all the way to a grassy, stony headland, where you look down to the end of Velvet Bottom valley and a large metal gate.

A well-defined stony track takes you steeply down right to reach the gate at the foot. Go through into Black Rock valley,

and turn right for two or three yards and then right through a gate into Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve.

7. VELVET BOTTOM An information board explains the flora and fauna of the valley and the evidence of former mining which you will be able to see as you progress.

Carry on, going up a series of dams and large flat grassy ledges which were catchment and settlement tanks for the water from the reworking of the lead ore.

Up right you can see the top where you were earlier. Just follow the path as it continues along the side and then through the valley over the humpy ground.

Further on the path is surfaced with shiny black galina, which was left over from the re-smelting. There are two separate sites on the left of former buddle pits – round pits where the lead ore was washed – but you will be hard put to locate them now they are covered in vegetation.

8. CONCRETE BASE Pass a concrete base on the left which is all that remains of the large hut, known as the Mendip Adventure Centre. Stay with the path and it is somewhere up here on the left where some of the buddle pits were sited.

It’s not long before you see the road ahead and the drainage tunnel underneath. Go through a gate on to the road and right a few yards.

Then go left through another gate and follow a path on. Come out through a gate onto the lane which you drove down and turn right back to the parking area.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 51

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s Diary

IT’S damp and misty in the mornings, but by about mid-morning the sun is still managing to get through and make its presence felt. By mid-day it can be quite warm in the pleasant autumn sunshine that still holds some of its summer strength.

With LES I always think that sunshine at this time DAVIES MBE of year is a blessing and although there is nothing quite like a summer, such as we have just had. the bonus of fine autumn weather is always well received.

The days are shortening and time moves on with the coming of autumn – already the leaves are beginning to change colour. Would it be too greedy to ask for a splendid autumn as well?

This is the season of Harvest Home and of the ploughing match, both of which celebrate and give thanks for another good year – and this one has been a good year. I had a wonderful day with everyone at the Wedmore Harvest Home, the pictures of which appeared in last month’s issue.

Other communities are having their celebrations as well.

It’s something that is so very English, and so very rural.

Long may such a tradition remain on our calendars. I’ll write more about the Mendip Ploughing match in next month’s edition, suffice to say we are all hoping for good weather on the day.

Such is the power of the press, that as a result of my article in last month’s Mendip Times, I have been contacted by Eric Brain from Clutton about the old Victoria stationary engine that I wrote about last month. Eric writes for the Stationary Engine magazine and was able to tell me that this engine has been restored and is residing in Rangeworthy near Bristol.

It was one of only a few 7hp models made and is estimated to be post WWI, although the serial number is no longer legible. Eric remembers it from the days he used to deliver cow cake, in an old Albion lorry, to Hales Farm in the 1960s, stacking it in the very building I was talking about.

It must be a couple of years back now that I wrote about the discovery of the old Bedford lorry from Hales Farm. It’s has now been restored, and haulage contractor Jeff Manship took it for its first outing to the Mid-Somerset Show in August. Jeff has done an amazing job in restoring this vehicle, even reinstating the sign writing on the cab doors – WG McEwen-Smith and Son, Hales Farm Tickenham Som. I’ve got to thank Mark Adler from Mendip Times for taking the trouble go and see Jeff and sending me some photographs.

Another member of my family has departed this life. Geoff Tavener (my uncle) died in the early hours of August 21st.

Geoff was well known as a postman in Nailsea, but it was his farming background that gave him most pleasure in his lifetime. You may be able to take the boy out of farming, but you will never take farming out of the boy!

This sentiment was very strong with Geoff and his connection with Hales Farm in Tickenham stayed with him throughout his life. He had many other jobs, but underlying them all was a connection with the land.

When he started school, at the age of five, Geoff had to

walk to Wraxall School from the farm on the Failand road every day. There was a family at the top of Tower House Lane who were meant to take him, but they rarely waited. So it was that Geoff would take himself to school, but oh how many distractions there were on the way. So many things to see and places to explore and, as often as not, he would arrive late at school. He wasn’t destined for an academic career on leaving school – he was destined for the land.

As a small boy I spent a lot of time with him and other members of my family on the farm. I was able to be involved, and learn, in a way that would be impossible in today’s highly mechanised and health and safety dominated world. He drove the first tractor that I can remember, an old Fordson Standard with cast iron front wheels. The smell of TVO (Tractor Vaporising Oil) still takes me back to the time I spent perched alongside him on that old tractor.

My first driving experience was on this machine. With my legs dangling from the cast iron driving seat, I was instructed to steer a course across the field, as he pitched hay off the trailer for the cattle. Any deviation from the desired course was rectified by Geoff who, with a pitchfork that came past my ear, would turn the steering wheel in the direction he wanted to go.

I could write at length about him and his antics, but will close this short tribute with the observation that he was a kind man who helped others. He gave his time freely to the North Somerset Agricultural Society as a steward, both at the show and their annual ploughing match. Above all he liked animals. Not everyone who works with animals is an ‘animal person’ but he was.

The picture I’ve chosen was taken of Geoff in 1957; it’s from my collection and is in my presentation ‘To Follow the Plough’. Geoff is with a Shorthorn bull he raised from a calf.

With the pedigree name of Tickenham Herald, he was known to Geoff as simply ‘Pup’ and I remember him as a very gentle animal. When the time came for him to go, Geoff was devastated and became infuriated with the cattle lorry driver who used a stick to drive the bull onto the lorry. He hated cruelty and for him this was just too much to bear. I think the driver was lucky that day!

We’ve laid him to rest with his wife, mother and father in Tickenham church. It’s a reminder that we should all appreciate those who are around us, for they will not be with us forever!

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

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YEO VALLEY ‘Over the next few months Yeo Valley will be bringing you a wide selection of guest writers from different areas of the family farm. Ranging from news from the garden, the farm team, the Mead family plus many more, we’ll be sharing a little about what’s going on behind the scenes here in the valley. Happy reading!’

ANOTHER exciting year has almost passed for us here in the Yeo Valley Organic Garden.

We have had a record numbers of visitors to the garden again this year – enjoying the delights of our Garden Tours, Guest Speakers, Flower Arranging Days, Compost Talks, Cookery Demonstrations, Plant Fairs and not to forget our Suppers in the Garden! Here are a few of the team’s highlights from this season . . .

The making of our TV programme ‘Hive Alive’ was the most challenging thing by far this year for the Garden team! Trying to keep the noise down during the filming each day proved to be quite a difficult thing. Machinery was pushed quietly, voices were kept low and tip toeing through the tulips became a reality for those who spotted the mic sticking up above the hedge!

We also experienced lights, camera…and complete darkness with Sir Roy Strong when he began his fantastic lecture in May! A power failure was not going to stop him delivering a great talk though and he still awarded us 10 out of 10 when he took a tour of our gravel garden!

A trip for the garden team to Staverdale Priory had us all green with envy as we admired the topiary display. A real show of skill and patience had been used for such fantastic creations.

Look out next year in our garden to see if the influence has rubbed off.

The real highlight for any gardener this summer though was the fact that the sun came out, and it stayed out. It made watering a challenge, digging impossible and our new solar panels work their socks off!

So the Garden team survived celebrity campout, endured power cuts, got topiary envy and watered non-stop- all in the name of gardening. We hope you enjoyed your garden as much as we enjoyed ours, and thank you to all of you who visited.

To finish the season, please do come and see us out with a bang(er!) on Friday 7th November. We’d love you to join us for our toasty autumnal ‘Sausage Sizzle’, a toasty autumnal. As we’re a working farm, we’re featuring Bangers & Mash rather than fireworks, but arrive from 7pm to warm up by the fire and enjoy a drink, before tucking into a hearty 3-course supper. It’s BYO for alcohol but we’ll supply the marshmallows!

Booking essential. For further information: Call Jill on 01761 461425 or email events@yeovalley.co.uk.

We hope to see you there – or if not, when we reopen in 2015!

The Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Bath Road, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7SQ

See what else is on at yeovalley.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 53

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L ig ht u p t he g a r de n w it h sp r in g b u lb s THE garden centres are awash with tempting, colourful packets of spring bulbs and there is no doubt that spring flowering bulbs light up the garden before the main body of plants have got off their starting blocks.

When buying bulbs look for those that are With MARY the largest and heaviest of the variety as PAYNE MBE these will give the best display. Avoid bulbs that look bruised or are mouldy. It is best to purchase bulbs early and keep them in a cool dry place until planting. Shops and garden centres are subject to fluctuating temperatures and warm weather will further dry out the bulbs.

Most bulbs should be planted as soon as possible, with the exception of tulips, which are better kept until November.

Snowdrops are best planted when in growth, that is what we call “in the green”. If planted in the autumn as “dry bulbs” the failure rate can be dramatic.

Snakes Head Fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris) have small bulbs that desiccate very rapidly when out of the ground and so should be purchased early and planted immediately. The dry tubers of winter aconites and anemones look very lifeless and it is a good idea to soak these tubers overnight in a shallow dish of water before planting.

Planting depth is important and the majority of bulbs should be planted at the bottom of a hole hree times the depth of the bulb so the bulb is covered by twice its depth of soil. Like everything in life there are exceptions and the Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) and nerines should have the tip or nose of the bulb just proud of soil level.

Tulips give us the most vibrant colours and there are many, many colours and shapes to choose from. While it is a joy to see the early flowering ones I prefer to use the later varieties as the blooms are less likely to be damaged by adverse weather.

Daffodils are more weather resistant and can be used to give earlier colour. They can usually be relied upon to perform year after year while tulips are best planted afresh every year if a good show is required.

This spring was very wet and tulips suffered badly from a fungal disease known as tulip fire which causes spotting on the leaves and flowers. There is a danger that the fungal spores of this disease are still in the soil so I would advise planting in a different area if possible.

All bulbs can be grown in pots and it is easy to move the pots of colour to where they are needed in the spring. For the best display in pots be generous and put two or three layers, alternating the compost and bulbs. Top the pot off with some winter flowering pansies, bellis daisies or dwarf wallflowers and wait for a stunning show in spring. This method works equally well for tulips and daffodils, indeed you could put a layer of each such that the daffodils flower first and then the tulips.

Small bulbs like iris work well in shallow pots and can be stood on a garden table where their beauty, and often scent, can be better appreciated. Look out for Iris histrioides ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’; the blue flowers have much more substance that the more usual Iris reticulata types. For something a bit different in a shallow pot try Ipheion ‘Albert Costillo’. The simple white flowers are strongly scented although the foliage smells of onions, but only if bruised.

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Tulip 'Ballerina'

There is no need to go to the expense of buying bulb fibre when potting bulbs. Simply use a multi-purpose compost and add a little grit to ensure better drainage during the winter rains.

It is well worth planting some dwarf bulbs under deciduous shrubs. Bulbs such as Anemone blanda and scillas will thrive, making the most of the light while the shrub has no leaves.

They all go dormant for the summer so need no light. Hardy cyclamen are very versatile, but are best purchased as growing tubers in pots rather than the dry tubers you often see for sale.

The autumn flowering cyclamen (C. hederifolium) flowers from August through to October, or even later and, as its name suggests, the flowers are followed by attractive ivy shaped foliage creating a winter green carpet.

They can also be grown under large trees, even evergreen ones, and are one of the joys of the autumn garden. Their cousins Cyclamen coum take over and flower from January to April. Once established both of these cyclamen will be spread around by ants who are attracted by the sweet coating around the seeds. The early summer flowering hardy cyclamen (C. repandum) will also spread well if happy, but is not so easy to please.

Ornamental onions have become very popular in recent years and are ideal for making the transition from the spring bulbs to summer perennials. The very large flowered ones can be very expensive but Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is excellent and will pop up year after year. Allium christophii has metallic lilac heads the size of footballs and make a dramatic addition to a border and are quite reasonably priced these days.

If you wish to plant daffodils in an area of grass that you wish to mow then do not be tempted to purchase a bag of mixed varieties. The bag may contain early, mid-season and late flowering varieties and you need to leave the foliage of bulbs at least six to eight weeks after flowering before mowing. The late flowering ones may mean delaying mowing until well into June.

Buy your bulbs as soon as possible but don’t forget to plant them!

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OCTOBER GARDEN TIPS

G Sow Meteor Pea for the earliest crops of garden peas.

These round seeded varieties are hardy and reliable G Pick maincrop varieties of apples and pears. Choose only the unblemished sound fruits to store, the others should be discarded or eaten straight away. Apples can be stored quite well in ordinary clear freezer bags.

G Sow mustard and cress for a nutritious salad or garnish. Grow them on a windowsill in damp kitchen roll lined trays or punnets. Sow each thickly but sow the mustard 2 days later. Cover the seeds with paper until the seeds are 25mm (1") high then remove the covering. Keep moist by regular watering.

G Aquadulce broad beans can be sown from now on.

This autumn sowingwill produce the earliest crop and invariably avoids attack from blackfly.

G Remove any 'mummified' fruits from apples and plum trees. These will have been infected with 'Brown Rot' and the spores on these dried up fruits, often stuck together in clusters, could infect next year’s crop if left on the tree or the ground underneath.

G Pull up runner bean plants and put them on the compost heap. Store the poles in a dry place for next year.

G Cover tender veg with polytunnels or cloches.

G Plant all forms of fruit trees, bushes and canes this month; this is the best time for planting!

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

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Tel: 01934 813261 www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 55

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Blooming marvellous! Mendip celebrates South West In Bloom THERE have been celebrations throughout our area in the South West in Bloom awards with Gold awards going to Wells, Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Paulton, Silver Gilt to Chew Magna and Temple Cloud and Silver to Glastonbury. The judges were full of praise for the hard work and community spirit shown by the entrants.

One of the judges, Terry Porter, with the Pride in Paulton team

Paulton’s war memorial has pride of place in the village

Glastonbury

Midsomer Norton

A glorious display in a replica coal tub next to Radstock’s iconic colliery wheel

Pupils from local schools contributed to this display in Wells PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Penniless Porch in Wells

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Plan and plant for spring!

GARDENING

Norton Green Farm Garden Centre and Nursery

WELCOMES YOU THIS AUTUMN

Just some of the spring flowering bulbs now in stock

ROW after row of spring flowering bulbs and racks upon racks of seeds begging to be sown are the first sights to greet customers at Norton Green Farm garden centre and nursery on the edge of Chilcompton.

Regular visits to the centre are one way to tick off the seasons as the stock in the family-run business reflects the year going by.

Now the emphasis is on providing some colour in the garden to last through the autumn, to plant that mass of daffodils and to browse the seed catalogues in preparation for 2015.

Mike Selway, who runs the centre, said: “This autumn has arrived early; we’re already seeing some trees bronzing and dropping their leaves. Autumn is a very good time to garden, to get some colour in for winter and to prepare the ground for next season.”

Mike said he has noticed an increasing trend for people to want dwarf varieties such as narcissus and dwarf tulips and added: “Our botanical range is very popular indeed. People are looking for plants which are less than 12 inches tall, either for underplanting or for containers.

“We hope people will be impressed by our range when they see what’s available and we are always happy to offer advice.

Customer service is very important to us.”

• Autumn bedding & container plants now available incl. pansies, primroses, polyanthus, wallflowers, ornamental cabbage • Shrubs, trees, climbers, herbaceous perennials, herbs, fruit trees etc. (Autumn sale offer still on – 25% off!)

• Spring flowering bulbs – daffodils, narcissus, tulips etc.

• Grass seed, fresh turf (weekly deliveries), Autumn lawn treatments • New seasons seed collections now in stock incl. Unwins, Fothergills, Johnsons & Country Value • Compost, mulches, soil conditioners & barks etc. incl. multibuy & special offers • Wild bird food and feeders • Terracotta, glazed, fibreclay, plastic & wood pots, troughs & containers • National Garden gift vouchers • Calor gas LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10.30am-4.30pm

Wells Road, Chilcompton, Nr. Bath Tel: 01761 232137 E. nortongreenfarm@tiscali.co.uk

Just some of the spring flowering bulbs now in stock MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Garden Design • Planting Schemes • Horticultural Consultancy Courses in Gardening and Garden Design www.christinepritchard.co.uk • info@christinepritchard.co.uk tel: 01761 221166 • mobile: 07966 172282

Start planning for 2015

IF you felt your garden lacked lustre this summer now is the time to resolve to do better next year. Garden designer and tutor Christine Pritchard is running a number of short courses to suit enthusiastic new gardeners.

You can choose to redesign your whole garden or learn more about putting plants together in your borders. You can even learn how to illustrate your garden plans. The sessions take place at Stoke Lodge, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, from January 2015 onwards.

You don’t need to be a knowledgeable gardener or fluent in Latin to enjoy these informal courses.

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PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Wrington Road, Congresbury BS49 5AN Tel: 01934 876337 www.middlecombenursery.co.uk

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GARDENING

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Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk • e.mail: timberbuildings@aol.com MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 59

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The first casualties of Arnhem Words and pictures by Mark Adler

SEVENTY years on and the memories had not faded; Sir Kenneth Warren’s voice cracked as he recalled the day he witnessed the crash over Paulton in September 1944 of a glider carrying troops bound for Arnhem.

Sir Kenneth, a former MP, was giving the address at the 35th Double Hills ceremony to remember the 21 sappers and two pilots of the Horsa glider who were killed in the crash. He was staying with his aunt in nearby Farrington Gurney when the air was filled with the sound of aircraft on their way to take part in Operation Market Garden; the servicemen in the glider – known as Chalk Number 389 – were the first casualties of the battle.

Sir Kenneth said: “I began watching one Horsa in particular.

It was at about a thousand feet, slightly off to my left, tugging a bit on its tow rope, then starting to sway into two gentle, soft, roll oscillations, left, right, back and forth. I assumed it was in the slipstream of its tug.

“Suddenly – it just stopped. No more forward flight, shredded into a hundred pieces, falling in streaming, coloured ribbons … no explosion, no flames. The silence of the break-up was eerie.”

Sir Kenneth rode on his bike to the crash scene and tried to pull two men from one section of the fuselage when there was an explosion in which he suffered serious injuries.

Former and current service personnel, relatives, villagers and many others gathered for the ceremony. Ironically, the man due to be the Reviewing Officer for the ceremony could not attend.

General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of the General Staff (the professional head of the Army), who was due to retire the following day, was forced to remain at his desk because of the crisis in the Middle East.

Friends from the Royal Observer Corps Association

Guests arrive for the start of the event

Vintage military vehicles brought VIPS to the ceremony

Some of the standard bearers who came from across the south west and Wales

Sir Kenneth Warren addresses the hundreds of people at the ceremony

Double Hills organiser Peter Yeates PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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HISTORY Piper Ian Wyllie of Portishead

Lt. Col. Johnnie Humphreys, 92, a Chelsea pensioner, who saw action in Arnhem and twice escaped from POW camps, alongside serving officers

Guests of all ages gathered in front of the Double Hills memorial

An occasion to remember Preparing to lay wreaths – service personnel reflect

Arthur Shackleton salutes the Double Hills monument after laying a wreath

A bugler plays the Last Post MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Doulting Produce Show

ORGANISERS of the annual Doulting Produce Show held a scarecrow competition as part of the event for the first time.

Scarecrows appeared throughout the village

Grow your own seems to be the message

One of the prize-winning displays in Doulting village hall

A feast for the eyes – just some of the homegrown produce entered into the show

Whitchurch Village Fete

BBC presenter Alex Lovell opened the Whitchurch Village Fete.

She's pictured with fete princesses Sophie Maddocks and Rosie Thompson PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

It’s a sailor’s life for me!

Not just flowers

IT wasn't all about flowers at Stanton Drew Flower Show in the Chew Valley. Several people were there manning stalls and promoting their projects, including the Pensford Publow and Stantons Community Trust and Wansdyke Telecom.

Pictured (left to right) Sue Elsbury, Cllr Liz Richardson, Sue Osborne, Simon Whittle and Evan Wienburg.

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EVENTS

Somerset Showcase Axbridge

Grease was this year's theme

Pied Piper Jonathan Weeks with Rubin, Erin and Kitty

Axbridge town crier Gladys Yvonne Chamberlain is retiring in May after 40 years

Storyteller Bernard Coulter had the children enchanted MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Go sober in October?

DO you fancy going sober in October? It rhymes and chimes almost as much as a dry July. You may have already had a dry January – which doesn’t even come close to rhyming but is fuelled by festive over-indulgence angst and the feeling that you ought to do something to say thank you to your liver for taking such a beating on your behalf.

The beauty of sober October is that you raise money for the

By Dr PHIL cancer charity MacMillan too – if you want to – and can thus feel HAMMOND doubly smug. According to the website, there are lots of health benefits of a month off booze, and they appear to have been compiled by the Professor of Common Sense at the University of the Blindingly Obvious: G Increased energy levels, higher productivity G Clearer head G No more hangovers G Sleeping better/snoring less G Weight loss G Clearer skin G Healthier bank balance/Save money G Sense of achievement G Fresh approach to alcohol consumption G Generally feel healthier G Doing something positive for a good cause I would add less domestic violence and fewer road traffic deaths too (note women are overtaking men on drunk driving convictions). There are some caveats to drying out, however. Apparently you can only take part in Go Sober if you are 18 or over. I don’t quite get that. The people who really need to sober up quickly are the 12-yearolds.

Also, Go Sober “does not encourage people to increase their alcohol consumption immediately prior to 1 October 2014, nor will it promote excessive drinking from 1 November 2014”. And sudden alcohol withdrawal for heavy drinkers is not without the risks of cold turkey and the DTs: “We advise heavy drinkers or people dependant on alcohol to speak with their GP first before signing up to Go Sober for October.”

There is evidence that if you rid your world of processed food, extra salt and alcohol, and get breathless every day, you can notice some benefits in terms of blood pressure, cholesterol and liver enzyme levels over a month but if you then return to your old pattern of consumption, your risk factors for heart attack, stroke, cancer, liver and kidney disease return to their previous levels.

Healthy changes need to be changes for whatever you have left of your life.

Statistically, it may be that a month off heavy boozing adds a day or so to your life but the greatest benefit is realising how much more you can do with your life if it isn’t blurred and diminished in a fog of Dogbolter. As the poet Mary Oliver put it: “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and previous life?”

Our lives are over in the blink of a geological nanosecond and no man ever said on his deathbed: “I wish I’d spent more time with a headache, memory loss or picking up a public order offence for urinating outside a kebab shop.”

Alcohol is there to be savoured – find a taste you like, and drink it slowly so you appreciate the taste and the afterglow. Drink to remember, don’t drink to forget – as the Eagles should have sung – or you’ll be stuck in Hotel California (or your local Weatherspoons) for life. I won’t be doing Dry October but I will make a donation to MacMillan which – along with Cancer Research UK – is one of our finest cancer charities.

And the best advice I can give for your liver is not just to take a month off, but two days off a week, every week – and take them consecutively after any binge. But if you fancy the challenge of a month off booze, go for it. You may find you don’t miss it at all, give it up entirely and suddenly have the energy for Morris Dancing (if it is possible to do that sober, please let me know, either way, with photos).

Dr Phil’s wonderful new book, What Doctors Really Think, is available at www.mgp.ltd.uk

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

A roaming aroma

I REMEMBER a trip to our local farmshop with eldest child. She was only twoyears-old and we had not long relocated from the city to Somerset. I was excited by rural life and was pointing out the farm animals and beautiful countryside.

She sat listening quietly in her car seat, beside the open window (to let in the fresh air). She eventually announced: “It stinks.”

Sixteen years later and I am driving her back from Cheddar where she has been working on a stall at an event. The window is open beside her but this time something malodorous is emanating from inside the car. We may be in Cheddar but from where I am sitting it smells more like Gorgonzola.

I am ashamed to admit that the car has been known for a while as the “bin on wheels” because cleaning the house will always take priority and as Mendip Dad points out: “The children have no respect for your car.” A quick inventory reveals the following items which I believe do not belong in a car: G An odd sock G A scattering of Dr Who Topp Trumps cards G A book of first class stamps G An address book G A cellophane wrapper from a card (written in haste and posted just in time) G A bottle of nail-varnish remover (an emergency purchase on the way to an important meeting) G A cable (for transferring photos onto a computer) G A leaky biro and a highlighter pen G An ice-cream wrapper However, in conducting the inventory my main motive is to find the source of the sickening smell. We are onto something when youngest son detects that “it smells like a cheese show has taken place in your car”.

After lifting up the rear seats of the people-carrier, which incidentally you can never look cool in driving along with the windows down blasting out your favourite track from the ’90s; the source of the stink is revealed. A packet of mozzarella had slipped beneath the seats having fallen from a shopping bag as we drove home from the supermarket two weeks ago.

The cheese has fermented and its brine exploded onto the carpet with devastating results…

MENDIP MUM

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New services at Somerset Podiatry

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HEALTH & FAMILY

SOMERSET Podiatry Clinic has announced the introduction of a new treatment for fungal nail infections and a new member of staff.

The Erchonia® Lunula Laser is a revolutionary low level laser device bringing new hope to people suffering from painful, discoloured and disfigured toenails associated with onychomycosis, or fungal nails.

New staff member Dave Coulson is a former RAF remedial therapist with over 25 years’ experience in remedial therapy, sports massage and biomechanics – specialising in the golf swing.

Somerset Podiatry are open five days a week, Monday to Friday, with clinics in Congresbury, Langford and Bristol.

Home visits in the North Somerset area are also available for patients unable to attend the Congresbury and Langford clinics. They also visit residential and nursing homes on a monthly basis to attend to residents’ footcare.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 65

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Bluebird flies after landing in Mendip

A Real Alternative

What We Offer

Bluebird Care offers a realistic cost-effect alternative to residential care. We can provide all the support you need whilst you tay in familiar surroundings, close to all the people and possessions that matter the most to you.

We offer everything from domestic support and personal care to social visits and shopping trips. We also offer overnight and live-in care.

Everything you need to stay in the comfort and security of your home.

A NEW Frome-based homecare business hopes to create around 100 new jobs a cross Mendip within the next two years. Bluebird Care Mendip only started as a business in July this year, but already employs 11 staff and has just signed a contract with the county’s Adult Social Care department to help provide homecare across the district.

The company currently delivers its homecare and support services to Frome and surrounding villages but plans to expand to Shepton Mallet and Wells around September/October and then to Street and Glastonbury in December 2014/January 2015.

Managing Director Masen Naidoo said that Enterprise Mendip – a partnership between Mendip District Council and the local chambers of commerce which aims to offer advice and support to new start-up businesses – had played a key role in attracting him to the district.

He said: “Through Enterprise Mendip I was able to attend networking events, business breakfast meetings and free courses, which were a huge help to me and gave me some valuable advice on starting the business.”

Cllr Tom Killen, Portfolio Holder for Business Development and Growth and Deputy Leader of Mendip District Council, said: “I’m delighted that Bluebird Care Mendip has got off to such a successful start and wish the company all the very best success for the future.”

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For further details call 01749 330455 • 01278 788077 01458 840958 • 01934 743139 www.singleprofessionalassociation.co.uk

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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HEALTH & FAMILY Mendip Times reduces travel costs

New clinic in Wells

MIRANDA Robarts-Arnold, who already has a busy practice in the Chew Medical Practice, is starting a new clinic at Wells Osteopathy and Chiropractic Centre in the Priory Health Park.

She said: “I offer solution focused hypnotherapy which is a combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis. This type of therapy is optimistic and forward looking.

Through solution focused hypnotherapy, you learn how you can use your full mental resources to achieve your goals and give you tools that you can use right now, and for the rest of your life.”

Miranda says that hypnotherapy can aid you in removing negative thoughts, improve mental health and thereby physical health and correct bad habits.

She said: “Many people think that undergoing therapy is a painful experience – almost that you have to feel worse to get better. Absolutely not! Hypnotherapy is a very pleasant experience because we focus on what you would like life to be like, rather than what’s wrong. While you are not asleep during hypnosis, the mind and body is incredibly relaxed.”

Miranda trained at The Clifton Practice, the leading hypnotherapy training centre in the UK, and has over 15 years’ experience in the fields of mental health, hypnotherapy and recovery.

She specialises in anxiety problems, sleep issues and chronic pain as well as offering hypnobirthing to pregnant women.

Hypnotherapy can also help with other wide ranging issues including fears and phobias, IBS, OCD, depression and alcohol problems.

Hypnosis is a relaxed trance state that we naturally go into many times a day for example when daydreaming. Miranda said: “I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to. My goal is to help you get what you want from life. Please get in touch if there is anything I can help with.”

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Come and have a talk to see how I can help you get back on track, call 07717 170 865 to book an initial consultation or visit www.mirandahypnotherapy.com Clinics held at: Wells Chiropractic & Osteopathy Centre BA5 1XJ Chew Medical Centre BS40 8UE

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Putting all of this together with the very special care given by dedicated staff that respect and give privacy and dignity to all who live here, you can see why people who come to live at Court House are so happy to have found this very special place.

Respite Care also available

“One of the most beautiful and well kept retirement homes I’ve ever seen”.

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Please contact Chris Dando 01934 742131 Website: www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 67

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Doorstep scams – beware SOME things in life don’t change; they just come around in cycles. This can certainly be said of the various scams which target all of us,

By SIMON especially the elderly SELBY and vulnerable.

It therefore came as no surprise to me to see yet another warning issued by the local constabulary regarding a group of door-to-door cleaning products sales people operating in our area, most recently in Pensford, Hallatrow, Midsomer Norton and Farrington Gurney.

It is an offence to try to sell on the doorstep without a proper pedlar’s certificate and police arrested one “knocker” – from Nottingham – for selling goods without a valid certificate.

He was released with a caution.

While peddling without a certificate is not exactly the crime of the century it is

(Photo courtesy of Fred Devey)

Honour for Horace

also worth mentioning that when these peoples appear in an area there is often a rise in various crimes shortly after; draw your own conclusions. That is why it is important to let the police know if you receive such a caller (on 101, or via your Neighbourhood Watch). You should also make sure you are completely happy that any caller is who they purport to be – ask them for identification and read it!

When I was a crime reduction officer and used to give talks aimed at stopping bogus callers I used to talk about identification and hand around my warrant card. I would then ask if everyone had thoroughly checked it before asking the audience what was actually written on there. Hardly anyone could tell me, prompting me to consider having one with the details of some notorious person on it to see if anyone would spot what was wrong About ten years ago we had a major problem with bogus callers and that lead me to thinking about what would

PRISTON Jubilee Morris recently paid its final respects to founder member Horace Broomfield, by dancing and forming a guard of honour at his funeral. Horace passed away aged 94, but his last dance was with Priston Jubilee at the Priston Festival in 2009, when he was a mere 89 years young.

Priston Jubilee Morris is a Cotswold Morris side that has been entertaining the locals both far and wide since 1977. The group began, with Horace, in commemoration of the Queen’s silver jubilee.

They practice on Monday nights at Priston Village Hall from 8pm and this year they will be focusing on some new dances as well as looking to update some of their existing repertoire.

Details: www.pristonmorris.org.uk email: pristonmorris@hotmail.com or contact Dave Bush on: 07932 745825.

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

strengthen my Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. I saw an article in a magazine about a small pot called “Message in a Bottle”, which was running successfully in Australia. The idea was that if you suffered from an illness, or had medication which made you liable to collapse you wrote the details down on an information sheet, with your next of kin, doctor etc. and put it into a plastic bottle. The bottle is put in the fridge (because generally everyone has one, they’re easy to find and they don’t burn).

And lastly, you stick a sticker on the fridge door and the front door to alert the emergency services if you ever need assistance.

I arranged a launch of a similar scheme for the South West and a Lions Club from Weston-Super-Mare joined in. The scheme was launched by the Princess Royal and the bottles also used to come with advice about bogus callers. I’d be interested to know if they still contain that advice.

Farewell to Pam

AFTER many decades, the village of Sandford has lost its final girl guiding unit. 1st Sandford Brownies had been running for over 30 years, but had its final meeting on September 9th.

Pam Avery, who had been Tawny Owl and Brown Owl for nearly 30 years, had to retire a year ago, when she reached her 65th birthday, but stayed on as an assistant while a new leader completed her leadership qualification.

But the new leader left, after being offered a place at university, leaving no-one to take her place. Both Sandford’s Rainbow and Guide units had previously closed, because no leader could be found.

A former guide contacted Mendip Times to say: “Finally, a big ‘well done and congratulations’ to Pam Avery for 30 years of service – Brown Owl will be missed.”

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New community play area in Frome Residents enjoying the opening event

MORE than 40 residents had a fun afternoon when a new play area opened in Frome.

The community space in Dorset Close was developed by Aster Communities as part of the housing provider’s recent improvements on the estate. A grant from an Aster’s neighbourhood panel for Frome has also funded new seating and a picnic bench.

David Allford, Aster’s customer involvement and community development manager for Somerset, said: “This new community space was all about providing somewhere safe for youngsters to enjoy playing.

“It was a great afternoon and really helped us to show residents what was available and the fun times that can now be enjoyed by everyone in this new, smart area.”

School reunion

A GROUP of people who left Writhlington Secondary School in 1979 were reunited in Peasedown St John, to share stories, memories and reminisce about years gone by with some of their former teachers.

Karen Walker (nee Latus), who grew up in Peasedown St John, was part of the class of '79 and one of the reunion's organisers. She said: "The world might have moved on and changed in the past thirty-five years, but our memories of school haven't.”

COMMUNITY

A season of mellow fruitfulness for young people

A SERIES of grants have been made around the Mendip area which will benefit its young people.

A total of 16 Somerset youth clubs shared £48,000 in grants from Somerset County Council to help run popular activity sessions, buy equipment and employ staff. Teenage members of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group allocated the funding with the grants supporting new and existing projects across the county.

Sam Foulder-Hughes, a group member, said: “The bids from Mendip were all very exciting. Young people in Frome, Glastonbury and Wells love their youth clubs and it was fantastic that we were able to fund them. This process has been really rewarding and I’ve loved seeing everything that is going on around the county.”

In Mendip, grants were made to: G Frome Youth and Community Centre – £4,980 toward the delivery of youth club sessions on Wednesday evenings.

G Connect Youth Club in Wells – £2,440 for staffing costs to continue delivery of open-door youth club on Friday nights.

G The Red Brick Building in Glastonbury – £2,930 toward the costs of staffing for the Friday night club.

In South Somerset, amongst the organisations to benefit were: G The Youth Matters group from Castle Cary and Ansford – £2,000 toward the cost of the evening youth club.

G The Charltons Senior Youth Club – £3,300 toward the costs of staffing and programme for the coming year.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Somerset County Council, Councillor Frances Nicholson, said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting young people in Somerset by helping voluntary groups and communities across the County to provide youth services.

“Involving the Somerset Youth Parliament in the allocation of these funds has been a real success. I am extremely impressed by the way that these young people are helping to make important decisions, within the set criteria, that affect other young people in the county.”

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 69

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Plea for support

A GROUP of parents of preschool children in Paulton is rallying together to form a new community playgroup “Messy Tots @ Paulton” to prevent the closure of their much-loved messy play group.

The group was formerly run by B&NES Children’s Centre services but the support is being withdrawn due to government cuts and redirection of funds.

The longstanding group has provided a place for local parents to bring their pre-school children on Thursday mornings for many years at Paulton Scout, Guide and Community Hall. The group offers differing activities each week which encourage exploration, imagination, creative play and development of key skills.

Despite the loss of council support in running the group since July, the organisation has been able to provide support and training for the parent volunteers of the group, who are determined to keep it going.

Charley O’Connell, chairperson of the new Messy Tots @ Paulton group said: “We think it is really important to continue to provide a fun, welcoming and exciting playgroup for all.

There is no other group in the community like ours so we must fight to keep it going.”

The new group plan to open their doors on November 6th and run every Thursday (term time) from 10 – 11.30am at the same venue. In order to do so, however, they will be looking for both extra volunteers to help with the weekly tasks of running the group and above all they need to raise funds for the initial startup and then ongoing costs of running the group.

Details: 07791746606 (Charley, Chair of Messy Tots @ Paulton).

A lifeline for the elderly

AGE UK Somerset has received £15,000 from Somerset Community Foundation to continue and expand its vital work tackling loneliness and isolation among older people.

The funding – £5,000 per annum over three years – will support the charity’s befriending service which is nothing short of a lifeline for many. Age UK Somerset’s befriending volunteers provide companionship, social contact and support to older people. It might just be offering up some time to chat over a cup of tea, visiting the shops together or going to a café.

Alan Bartle, chief executive of Age UK Somerset said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding which will help us to expand what is an essential part of our work. The relationships formed through our befriending service promote wellbeing and confidence and can also help people in later life to remain independent in their own homes. We currently support 190 befriending partnerships across Somerset and North Somerset and this funding will help us in our efforts to recruit more volunteers.

“Our volunteers receive full training and usually spend an hour or so a week with an older person. Their visits can make such a huge difference to someone if they’re feeling lonely. But it’s worth pointing out that many of our volunteers get as much enjoyment from their visits as the clients.”

Justin Sargent, chief executive of Somerset Community Foundation, said: “Supporting vulnerable older people and improving communities affected by rural isolation and loneliness are two of our key focus areas. We are happy to provide funding to the Age UK Somerset’s befriending service and recognise that this project has the potential to truly transform the lives of older people in Somerset.”

Age UK Somerset is a local charity providing essential services for 9,000 older people, their families and carers in Somerset and North Somerset.

Details: www.ageuksomerset.org.uk or by following Age UK Somerset on Twitter @AgeUKSomerset or Facebook www.facebook.com/AgeUKSomerset

Cheddar youngster finds top gear TEENAGER Hannah Tripp is celebrating after beating hundreds of other youngsters from across the country to be crowned the UK's Best Young Driver – before she is even old enough to officially drive.

Hannah, who is just 13, finished top in the 11-13 age category at the national finals of the 2014 Young Driver Challenge in Birmingham. She was crowned overall champion after the judges praised her control of the vehicle, precise manoeuvres and quick-thinking behind the wheel.

More than 350 young people initially entered the competition, organised by Young Driver which offers driving tuition for under-17s. Hannah was among the 40 who made it to the final of the contest – which was open to those aged between 11 and 16.

As well as being marked on their practical driving skills behind the wheel of a dual-control car at one of Young Driver’s 33 venues, the entrants were also judged on their performance in the Goodyear Driving Academy.

Hannah, who attends Kings of Wessex Academy, said: "It was

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Hannah Tripp

an amazing feeling even to be in the final. To then learn I'd won the whole event was just incredible, I’m stunned. It was quite a challenging test and we knew the judges were marking our ability based on a lot of different driving skills and manoeuvres.”

Young Driver was established in 2009 with the aim of helping to teach youngsters to drive over a longer period, therefore encouraging a safer generation of new drivers at 17.

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Hannah’s a winner in Rotary competition

THE annual Rotary Young Chef competition for students at Kings of Wessex Academy, in Cheddar was contested by 11 year-10 students, who were given two and a half hours to prepare, cook and serve a two-course meal.

The winner was 15-year-old Hannah Bird who created Jamaican cod fritters with pineapple chutney, followed by Cola BBQ Ribs with Jenga chips and slaw.

We’ve got it covered

Our readers turn medal detectives

NEWS

BACK in August Mendip Times reported the mystery of how a World War One victory medal had been found in a field on Mendip back in the 1950s. It had belonged to Private William Wareham, but who was he and how did it get there? Two of our readers Richard Loxton and Ian Brown have been investigating.

They confirm that the soldier in question attended Chewton Mendip School and that his family lived at Shooter's Bottom in 1911. At least two other members of the Wareham family from Chewton Mendip fought in WW1 and survived but there are several prospects for who they were.

It’s possible they were visiting the pub at Green Ore which was run by another member of the family. Perhaps they were celebrating and William dropped his medal on the way home.

Ian has been doing research into his family history.

Wareham was his great grandmother’s maiden name and he believes she had a first cousin, William Wareham, who was farming 40 acres at Binegar Batch in 1881.

He had a son, William Charles Wareham, born in 1901, who was assisting his father faming at Rush Hill Farm, Ston Easton in 1911. They believe he was the soldier who lost his medal in the field at Green Ore.

Mendip Times Distribution Points

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MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 71

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Fun day for children

Good heavens – moat race ended by rain!

Bishop Peter prepares for the first race

HEAVY rain caused an early finish to the annual Wells Moat Boat Race but not before some serious – and not too serious – competition on the water took place!

The Rt. Rev. Peter Hancock, the recently-installed Bishop of Bath and Wells, joined in the fun, competing in the Bishop’s Palace’s Queen of the Moat raft.

Proceeds from the races are split between the bishop’s chosen charity and the 1955 Wells Air Cadets and City of Wells Lions who organise the day.

Glastonbury Players, an amateur dramatic group, once again claimed the best fancy dress prize Seeing red – one of the military cadet entries

Event organiser Matt Shellard with (l:r) Steve Bellamy (with Charlotte), CHSW lottery fundraiser Louise Turner, Julie Patterson and Diana Tincknell (with Elizabeth)

DOZENS of families enjoyed a fundraising fun day at Tincknell Country Stores in Wells in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West charity.

Attractions ranged from a go-kart and pedal tractor track to a chance to get up close to animals including dogs, geese and donkeys.

The event raised £1,500 and was organised by staff – led by Matt Shellard – and members of the Tincknell family who were on hand to welcome visitors. It was supported by companies including Uphill agricultural engineers, Tincknell Fuels, Berg Toys, Wookey Hole Circus and two local carnival clubs: Key Kids CC and Wick CC. Steve Bellamy, Retail Manager at Tincknells, said: “We are all thrilled at both the amount raised and also the sheer number of people that supported us. It was great to see so many new faces and we hope to see them return to us in the lead up to Christmas. Matt, who organised the whole event, did a fantastic job and is already thinking of ideas for next year.”

Julie Patterson, community fundraiser for CHSW, said: “We are so grateful to Tinknell Country Stores for putting on such a fabulous event in support of Children’s Hospice South West.

The Kids Fun Day was a true community event in every sense; involving local businesses, organisations and members of the public.”

Ruby and Alexis take a ride on the pedal tractors

Well done – this team from Honiton won the first race

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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Raising a glass for charity

CHARITIES

HUNDREDS of real ale and cider fans gathered in Chilcompton for the eighth annual Wessex Beer Festival organised by the Rotary Club of Somer Valley.

The festival this year featured beers mostly from Kent although the vast majority of the 30 ciders on offer had their origins in the West Country.

Proceeds from the weekend, in a marquee at the Court Hotel, will go to local, national and international charities. Last year’s festival raised money for everything from the installation of a defibrillator in Peasedown St John to typhoon disaster relief in the Philippines.

Live music from the Honky Tonks, Jack by the Hedge and others kept visitors entertained.

Here we go – some of the team behind this year’s festival prepare to welcome festival-goers

Dawn, Richard and Max sample the drink

Trevor and Moggie enjoy the atmosphere

Runners aid charity

EVERY year, the Bath Half Marathon raises funds, which are channelled through Quartet Community Foundation and invested back into Bath & North East Somerset.

The funds come from donations raised by race entrants and are used to support local community-based charities and groups who offer sports, healthy lifestyles or play-based activities. Applications are now invited for this year’s grants round and the deadline is 17 October 2014.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. This year one award of

The live music began with local musicians Doug Siddons and Mandy Broadwater, known as Lady and the Tramp

£5,000 will be made with other awards of up to £2,000.

Jilly Edwards, development manager at Quartet said: “Accessibility is key, as is offering a range of activities which people may not have had the opportunity to try before.

Projects reaching all sections of the community have benefited and the range of activities has been amazing: wheelchair football for children, Tai Chi for people with disabilities, flexercise classes for older people and play equipment for pre-schools.”

Details: Quartet – Bath Half Marathon Fund or call the Community Foundation’s Bath office on 01225 420 300 or email julie.newman@quartetcf.org.uk.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

Village unites in memory of Tessa THE August Bank Holiday weekend saw three days of events organised by Blagdon Valley Gun Club as a memorial to Tessa Moore, the daughter of Colin and Sophie and sister to Joe. Tessa was born on January 30th and was diagnosed with Full Trisomy 18, Edwards Syndrome a severe life limiting condition.

During the ensuing 40 days Tessa met many people particularly in Blagdon leaving a lasting impression. Sadly on March 11th her short time on this earth ended.

We were determined that this should be a beginning and not an end so we set about planning a suitable memorial. Our chosen charity was The Children's Hospice South West, an organisation that had given the Moore family so much help in their time of need.

Friday, August 22nd was the date of the first event – an auction of promises from all around Blagdon and the surrounding area held at Blagdon Village Club. In the last few days promises poured in and we ended up with just over 100 lots. Our auctioneer certainly had his work cut out to get through the list with around 200 people in the marquee.

Our initial target figure for the entire weekend had been an optimistic £10,000 with a more realistic £7,500 looking a fair bet a couple of weeks prior. So just imagine our delight as lot after lot smashed expectations, resulting in a total of £10,366! All this ignoring a successful raffle and bar sales.

Saturday was another day of setting up ready for the clay shoot and evening party on Sunday but nevertheless saw an evening of long alley and table skittles run by the teams at Blagdon Village Club and raised just over £800.

On Sunday we held a 100 target clay shoot at the club ground at Middle Ellick Farm, which was attended by shooters

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

from all around the South West. The high gun score was 88 achieved by Richard King a leading UK shot based in Dorset.

Second was our very own Glen Hooper with 85 and third, another of our members Jerome Barry with 84. In all the shoot raised in excess of £2,000 for the charity.

Sunday lunchtime we held a children's party at the village club with an entertainer, face painting and a fully uniformed Star Wars Imperial Storm Trooper. Whilst this was not primarily intended as a fundraiser but more as something to involve the village children we managed to raise around £200.

Sunday evening saw the closing party with a pig roast, bar and a jazz/swing band consisting of talented local drummer James Paton and friends featuring the outstanding saxophonist James Morton. All this housed in the marquee at the village club. There was a great turnout early on although rain and colder weather did somewhat curtail numbers as the evening progressed but a great time was had by all.

Bar sales, the pig roast and various raffles over the three nights brought in proceeds of around £3,500. The publicity we had created in the village and via Facebook and Twitter for the cause brought

in donations of about £3,500.

Our total costs for staging the event, all of which had been underwritten by Blagdon Valley Gun Club, came to approx £2,500. Therefore the total raised over the three days has come in at just over £18,000 after costs. To this we can add tax relief, from gift aided donations, of in excess of £2,500 so the total figure to date is an amazing and quite overwhelming £20,500.

We say to date because we have several other amounts promised such as a charity football match and BBQ being arranged by Wrington FC in the next few weeks and the proceeds of the Blagdon Golf Society dinner. We are still receiving donations to this very worthy cause and if you would like to contribute please send a cheque made payable to The Children's Hospice South West to Ian Pratt at Westerly, Rhodyate, Blagdon, Bristol, BS40 7TR. Grateful thanks are due to all the organisers and helpers of whom there were many. This fundraiser worked because of the fantastic spirit and attitude of the many hundreds of people who were involved with setting up, running and attending the events. There was a permanent air of positivity throughout the weekend and there were people from every walk of life all pulling together to achieve a result we had never envisaged.

In particular the shooting and fishing communities came up trumps giving great help and creating 'one off' auction lots that generated huge interest and vigorous bidding. Old acquaintances were renewed, new friendships and contacts made and the weekend was one to be remembered for a very long time as will the memory of Tessa, whose 40 amazing days of life will help so many other families.

Ian Pratt Chairman, Blagdon Valley Gun Club

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Monte Carlo or bust for Rowan and Amy Rowan and Amy at the end of the ride

Golf day success for Cancer Research

CHARITIES

Yatton group chair Pam Hale (centre) with winning team Dave McGovern, Alex Rendall, Brian Penguin and Peter Hill (shown left to right).

UNIVERSITY graduate Rowan James had never ridden a road bike before taking up a challenge to cycle all the way to Monte Carlo for charity.

Rowan, of Peasedown St John, was one of five novices who joined around 50 riders on the journey of 820 miles over nine days. He was joined by his girlfriend Amy Frank on the adventure to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The ride was called Inspired Living in memory of Amy’s mother, who died from cancer three years ago.

Rowan, who studied international relations at Birmingham University and is now looking for a job in the insurance and international risk sector, said: “The ride was awesome.”

He hopes to raise at least £1,000 for the charity. People can continue to donate by visiting: www.justgiving.com/RowanJames/

The riders celebrate in Monte Carlo

Festive handbags

THE Rotary Club of Nailsea and Backwell has come up with a new idea to raise money for local charities. It’s appealing for ladies to donate unused handbags to sell in it pre-Christmas charity shop.

It has more than 100 already but would welcome more. They can be delivered to the rotary bookstall outside Waitrose in Nailsea on September 27th, before 4pm.

Details: Roger Smith 01275 854076.

A CHARITY golf day raised over £3,000 for Cancer Research UK. Over 50 golfers took part in a team stableford competition which was organised by the Yatton group of the charity and held at Mendip Spring Golf Club.

The golf day was organised in memory of Jan Chilcott, who lost her fight against cancer in June 2013. The day was particularly well supported by members of Yatton Rugby Football Club, where Jan was active over many years, both administratively and socially.

The team stableford format required three out of four players to score on each hole and the winning team, on countback, was Dave McGovern, Alex Rendall, Brian Penguin and Peter Hill who scored a total of 117 points.

All participants enjoyed a fine day which was rounded off with a well- supported auction, raffle and social evening.

The Yatton group of Cancer Research UK has been campaigning for over 30 years and, during that time, has raised almost £500,000 for the charity.

St John Ambulance celebrates in Wells

WELLS Cathedral hosted a celebration of St John Ambulance volunteers and their life saving work, on Saturday, September 13th. Hundreds of the charity’s first aiders from all over the South West region, which includes Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the former county of Avon attended the ‘Spirit of St John’ event.

Following a cathedral service of celebration and thanksgiving, Cathedral Green was filled with displays of the charity’s work, historical re-enactments and a performance from the SJA regional band. His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the Order of St John, led the VIP guests and spent time meeting many of the charity’s volunteers.

St John Ambulance’s free first aid demonstrations continue throughout Save a Life September and you can find out where and when your nearest event is or get first aid advice online at: www.sja.org.uk/sals MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 75

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EVENTS

Hutton Show

The start of the sack race

Bernard Cox and Mary Beckett sold plants in aid of Hutton Horticultural Society

Scarlett Davidson, aged five, had the best flowers in a jam jar. She also won the sack race

The vegetables were impressive . . .

The main exhibit from Hutton Main Road Allotments PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

. . . and so were the flowers

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Save pounds, save the planet

TRANSITION Wells is hosting a free Energy Day on Saturday, September 27th in Wells Town Hall for local businesses and residents to meet with a range of organisations and companies that offer support to those who want to become more energy efficient and reduce energy bills.

The event has been organised by Transition Wells in partnership with Tincknell Green Energy with speakers, trade stands and workshops. Chris Briton, the Mayor of Wells, will open the event at 10am.

Transition Wells is a community group set up to improve the sustainability of Wells in light of rising energy prices.

Visit their website for further details and to book free tickets for the talks: www.transitionwells.org.uk and /or join our facebook page for regular updates: https://www.facebook.com/transitionwells

Buyer demand slips HOUSE price momentum slowed in the South West in August, and new buyer enquiries fell for the second consecutive month, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

In the South West, 25% more chartered surveyors saw a rise in prices in August, compared to 59% in July 2014 as house price increases in the region begin to moderate. New buyer enquiries also declined for the second consecutive month.

However, this decline comes on the back of a long run of positive activity.

Although the number of agreed house sales has also dipped for the first time since June 2012, the overall picture shows a return to a less volatile market, with more stable price expectations over the next three months. Sales expectations, meanwhile, remain a little more positive with 21% more chartered surveyors anticipating a rise in activity in the next three months.

Prices across the region are still projected by surveyors to rise over the next year but the extent of the anticipated gain has moderated to 1.6% from an

average of around three per cent in the first quarter of 2014.

The concern over a potential rise in interest rates could be a contributing factor to the fall in buyer interest and the number of agreed house sales with members reporting a rise in the time taken to process sales. On balance, members are indicating that the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) – and an increasingly acute shortage of conveyancers – is adding between 2-4 weeks onto the time it takes to complete a transaction. A lack of supply remains a challenge for the market in the South West, with members reporting that new instructions have fallen in eight of the nine last months.

ARIMIS

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HEWISH, NORTH SOMERSET

A superb equestrian establishment located in a rural backwater yet with easy access via the A370. A modern detached 4/5 bedroom house, stabling for 14 horses plus additional outbuildings. Menage.

About 12 acres. EPC rating TBC. Ref: 24762 PRICE GUIDE £775,000

UPPER LANGFORD, NORTH SOMERSET

Superbly presented and thoroughly renovated detached Victorian house with separate 3 bedroom cottage annexe standing in gardens and paddock of 2.7 acres. Five bedrooms in main house, 3 en suites.

Bespoke kitchen and dining room with French doors onto the large garden. Ample parking and turning areas, triple garage, orchard and paddock. EPC: C Ref: 24741 PRICE GUIDE £775,000

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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES Planning Applications Listed Building Building Regulations Care & Repair New Houses – Extensions Conversions & Refurbishments For a free consultation, please contact Rob Tel: 0800 458 4283 Mob: 07818 212 532 Email; arimis.ads@gmail.com

AUCTION – NOVEMBER 25TH 2014 (UNLESS PREVIOUSLY SOLD) To be sold individually: Three ‘Mews Style’ modern cottages located in a private rural cul de sac on the edge of the village with large gardens, plenty of parking and lovely south facing views. Move into condition with central heating and double glazed windows and doors.

EPC: C. Ref: 22843 PRICE GUIDE £200,000–£240,000

Wrington Tel: 01934 864300

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 77

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FOR anyone caught out in a sudden shower of rain, a convenient rock overhang in a cliff face makes a useful temporary shelter. For With PHILIP some, the shelter may HENDY be a more frequent or prolonged refuge. Of the 20 or so rock features on Mendip known as shelters, around half have yielded archaeological material, showing that they have been used as dwellings of various periods and duration, or as places of burial. Some, lying close to a more traditional constructed building, were useful as stores or somewhere to keep animals.

Rowberrow Bottom Shelter, for example, is close to derelict hovels once lived in by miners, and would have been a useful ‘garden shed’.

Not all of the so-called shelters have an association with human activity, and there appears to be no clear definition of what a shelter is. Size is not everything, as some shelters can be more than eight metres long and up to the same in vertical range.

The longest, Barton Shelter, is 14 metres long, and could reasonably be called a small cave. Some shelters, such as Roadside Hole at Cheddar or Smoky Shelter in Ebbor Gorge, are mere arches in a rockface, but all shelters have some length, with sides as well as a roof – a mere overhang in a cliff or outcrop could not be described as a shelter.

Roadside shelter

Barton Shelter

Many shelters on Mendip have yielded archaeological material – tools and bones, both animal and human. Probably the richest was Flint Jack’s Cave, low down in Cheddar Gorge. This was excavated around 1893 by the eccentric entrepreneur Roland Pavey. He found Late Palaeolithic flints and human bones, which were displayed in Pavey’s Cave. This is a roofed-over quarry, constructed by Pavey as he wished to have a cave of his own to rival George Cox’s spectacular stalactite cave a few metres higher up the Gorge.

The finds from Flint Jack’s Cave were placed in open boxes, so it not surprising that a lot of the collection was lost to souvenir hunters. The whereabouts of most of the rest is unknown. Pavey’s Cave has now been connected to Cox’s Cave, and contains the Crystal Quest, one of the attractions at Cheddar Caves.

Most of the other shelters were also excavated by antiquarians, who usually cleared them out down to bedrock. Very little detailed knowledge of the finds and stratigraphy of these sites exists, which makes it almost impossible to conduct dating or other tests. A report on the dig at Barton Shelter has never been published, and that was excavated as late as 1950.

For other sites, we know a little more about what was found, and its age. Herbert Balch dug many of the small caves and shelters in Ebbor Gorge around a hundred years ago. In Beaker Shelter, he found a deposit from the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago. There was also a floor of limestone flagstones, associated with a possible burial. The Late Pleistocene deposit in Bridged Pot Shelter consisted mainly of bear bones, but some Neolithic material was also found. Little Shelter contained Neolithic bones and flints.

Near Cheddar, Chelm’s Combe Shelter was also excavated by Balch, who found Romano-British material. Under this was a Late Palaeolithic deposit, which included an engraved bone and a whistle, both rare finds. Sadly, the shelter was quarried away before modern archaeologists could reexamine the site. Hay Wood Rock Shelter, on Bleadon Hill, was dug by the Axbridge Caving Group between 1957 and 1965.

They found flints suggesting it was being used as a temporary shelter during the Mesolithic period, but the remains of 10 human skeletons were dated to the Early Iron Age, suggesting that it then became a burial site.

A small Roman-British deposit was found by archaeologists from the Mendip Nature Research Committee at Dinder Wood Shelter in 1933, but further

Photograph by Phil Hendy

Rock shelters

Phil has been caving for more than 47 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in produ

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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CAVING

Rock Of Ages, Burrington Combe

excavation would be difficult, as after the second World War, large concrete cubes used as an anti-tank defence line were disposed of by being dumped inside. There is a so-called rock shelter in Canada Combe near Hutton, where it appears that a short cave may have been unroofed to provide building stone. There is a short choked passage at the end of the shelter.

Probably the most famous shelter on Mendip is not really a shelter at all; it is an open sloping rift on the side of Burrington Combe. Here, according to the story, the Reverend Augustus Toplady, curate of Blagdon, took shelter from a storm in the late 18th century, which inspired him to write the well-known hymn ‘Rock of Ages’, from which the cleft gained its name. The nearby Aveline’s Hole would have made a better shelter, but this of course was not discovered until 30 years later.

Today, our rock shelters provide little interest for cavers, and virtually none for archaeologists. They are still, however, handy places to escape from a sudden downpour.

Smoky Shelter

roducing several caving publications and is a caving instructor in Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

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PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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MENDIP TIMES

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PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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Jacksons Fencing – news, topical treats and more . . .

JACKSONS

Amazing gates!

SORRY for the dreadful pun everyone. I wanted to get your attention, but probably all I’ve got from you is a groan.

You may have guessed from the headline that my subject this month is ‘gates’. Here at Jacksons, we know that at this time of the year enquiries for, and sales of gates, go up. We don’t know why they do this, but can hazard a guess or two. It may be that people concentrate more on garden projects like replacing fencing, creating decks and pergolas earlier in the year, because what they have in mind is making the most of their outdoor areas, so they can enjoy ‘al fresco’ living in their gardens, throughout the summer months.

So it may be that later in the year the less ‘sexy’ projects raise their heads and prick the conscience, when people realise they had promised themselves they would get that done this year and suddenly in autumn they think: ‘Hey I’m running out of time to do that this year!’

I think it could be that and a mixture of other reasons, one being the darker evenings are coming and it may well make you think of tightening up your home and garden security – that’s never a bad thing. Making sure your gate, or gates are in a good state of repair is a very good place to start. I have mentioned in these pages before how illogical it is to have the perimeter of your garden fenced to keep unwanted visitors out, but then to leave the gate unlocked. We know a lot of thieves are always on the lookout for a chance to take what is not theirs. They may try a

Venetian fence panels with matching gate are secure and aesthetically pleasing

Hythe Courtyard gates from Jacksons make the right first impression deterring potential intruders

few gates – if your gate stays shut, then they will move on to the next one, it’s as simple as that. Of course, if the gate has seen better days and is a bit of a rickety old creature, then no amount of locking is really going to stop someone coming through, which is another good reason to make sure that it is a good sturdy gate and not a pushover!

All this seems to be focusing on goings-on at the back of the property, with the inference that it’s only there that sneaky thieves will operate, but presenting the front of the house in a proper way makes good sense too.

Visibility is important in more ways than one. Don’t let hedges get too tall and out of hand, they can create dark pockets in the front garden, where potential intruders can lurk unobserved, giving them time to work on getting downstairs

windows open. This unkempt foliage can also create the impression that you are a bit lax with your property’s upkeep, you may well be like that with your security as well. By the same token, good strong gates at the entrance to a property send the right signal, they say we take our security seriously and we invest in the right stuff to keep you out. First impressions count, believe me.

We have a special half price delivery offer* on all gates in the Good Fencing Guide range throughout October and November, to find out more go to your local page, www.jacksonsfencing.co.uk/bathlocal, or call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre. * T & Cs apply louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 83

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MENDIP TIMES

HOMES & INTERIORS

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Telephone: 01761 452171 Fax: 01761 453342 PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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MENDIP TIMES

Full steam ahead

By Mark Adler

HUNDREDS of model railway enthusiasts will gather at the Royal Bath and West showground in October for a weekend celebration of their passion.

The East Somerset Society of Model and Experimental Engineers, which runs the Bath and West Railway, were invited to host the event – which will feature appearances by at least 60 locomotives – as they mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of their line at the showground.

Members of the 7 ¼” Society will gather from across the UK, Europe and

Lucy Dixon this year became the 100,000th paying passenger. Lucy, from Chelwood, is pictured with daughter Millie and Caitlin Jefferies, receiving a commemorative cap from ESSMEE president The Rev. Canon Roger Davis

Members of the Royal Bath and West Society, take to the trains after Lord Julian Fellowes took over as this year’s president

further afield for their annual general meeting and celebration. The Edmund Rack Pavilion will be transformed into a giant marshalling yard with a speciallydesigned and built turntable in the centre. A temporary line will link the pavilion to the railway itself. The event is not open to the public and the railway will not be running rides.

There is more than a glint of excitement about the challenge in the eyes of ESSMEE members as they plan the event; the railway has come a long way since a meeting when its then chairman Cliff Almond and outgoing Royal Bath and West Society chief

Members of the Royal Bath and West Society, take to the trains after Lord Julian Fellowes took over as this year’s president

executive Jane Guise came up with the idea of creating the set-up at the showground.

Earlier this year, the railway saw its 100,000th passenger and it has hosted royalty on many occasions from Prince Charles and the Duke of Kent to the Countess of Wessex.

ESMEE member George White, who is overseeing the organisation of the weekend, said: “The society has to have an annual meeting and it is held somewhere different each year.

“Once the business side is over, it’s a chance for a good old steam up, to swap ideas and meet people!”

Lowering the bridge – the key part of phase three – int

For more information about the weekend and the society – w

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

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BATH & WEST RAILWAY The railway yard

Organising the weekend has been a big challenge for ESSMEE, which has around 110 members. Vice chairman Roy Lipscombe said: “We had a long, hard think about whether we could host the event as we knew it would take a lot of planning.”

e – into position

Consolidation is now the watchword at the Bath and West Railway itself, with ongoing maintenance of the track and facilities. Nearly all of its rolling stock is owned by its members but work is underway to build the society’s own steam locomotive.

G The society AGM weekend is not open to the public; however there is one last chance to enjoy the railway on Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th when the society hosts its Open Weekend for the public between 10am and 4pm.

Prince Charles enjoys an impromptu ride

y – which welcomes new members – visit: www.essmee.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 87

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Merit for Merrett!

AVALON Marshes and Natural England volunteer Julie Merrett has won the national 2014 Octavia Hill Volunteer Wild Hero Award.

As featured in the September issue of Mendip Times, Julie was one of two people from Mendip Julie with son Isaac who were nominated for the awards, organised by the National Trust, the Wild Network and BBC Countryfile Magazine and which celebrate people who work to protect and enhance green spaces for wildlife and local communities. Edward Harding, from the Welton Free Rangers Forest School in Midsomer Norton, was nominated in the professional category.

Simon Clarke, Senior Reserve Manager at the Somerset National Nature Reserves, said: “Thank you very much to all those that voted for her. The team here feel this is certainly fitting recognition for the wide and amazing volunteer contribution Julie makes across Shapwick, the Avalon Marshes and beyond.”

Shirley and Pete on patrol

GOOD neighbour Shirley Edwards has taken on a new role for Stanton Drew parish council, ensuring the gates on public footpaths are kept clear.

She patrols the area at least three times a week with her husband, Pete, and dog Fudge, trimming back hedges and undergrowth.

Shirley also keeps the children’s play area tidy and has been litter-picking around the village for years. She was one of the winners of the Good Neighbour of the Year in B&NES community awards.

She’s asking anyone who notices a path needing attention to contact her 07855 272542.

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

Bishop’s Palace appeal to save the Great Hall

VITAL conservation work will begin on October 6th to ensure the preservation of the medieval Great Hall at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells.

The Great Hall, dating from the 13th century and built for King Edward I, has suffered from years of exposure to the elements and now stands to lose essential parts of its tracery and outstanding windows unless conservation work is carried out as soon as possible. The stonework became exposed to the elements when the hall was turned into a Victorian folly and is now in a very fragile condition.

The palace has raised enough money to carry out an exploratory pilot scheme of urgent remedial works, beginning with the most vulnerable section of the Great Hall wall. It is hoped that these important first works will be carried out throughout October, finishing in midNovember 2014.

Chief executive, Rosie Martin, said: “The first section of the wall is in a highly delicate condition and so we are extremely excited to be able to press on with this work. Our priority is to ensure the safety of visitors and to conserve this wonderful structure.”

The pilot scheme will determine the scale and likely success of the full conservation scheme, which it is hoped will take place from spring 2015 if the funds can be raised in time.

The ‘Great Hall, Great Future’ fundraising scheme will launch officially on October 1st. The Rt Rev Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, said: “We are delighted to be able to commence a project designed to ensure the future of this spectacular building and sincerely hope that the public will support us in our endeavours.”

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MUSIC

From cider to sake

Band receives new bugles

Bath Male Choir members. One of the tour sponsors is cider maker and singer Bob Honey. The tour jackets were supplied by locallybased workware company Dickies and carry the Midford Cider logo on the reverse

ONE of the UK’s best-known male choirs will take the taste of Somerset to Japan when they set out on a ten day concert tour of the country at the end of October.

Bath Male Choir will become the first amateur English male choir to perform to audiences in Kyoto and Tokyo. There will be 42 members on the tour party which will include singers and some partners.

The tour was instigated by Stuart Axtell who lives in Tokyo with his partner, Fumiko Akimoto. Stuart was born and bred in Timsbury and moved to Japan in 1991. Stuart and Fumiko run a garden design company and on Saturday, November 8th the choir will be guests of Yamadera San, the owner of Kingswell Gardens.

Stuart said: “I have followed the success of Bath Male Choir since their national TV appearances on Last Choir Standing and during visits to Bath in the last few months have met the boys and dropped in on their rehearsals.

“We will have a great day with them when they come to Kingswell Gardens. They will sing in the fabulous concert hall, tour the gardens and I know this will make a memorable final day for them on the Japan tour.”

Choir’s proms success

LOCAL choir, Sing Out Loud UK, conducted by ex BBC Proms soloist Elizabeth Glen, performed at The Last Night of the Proms on BBC 1. They had taken part in a BBC challenge to record and submit a video of themselves singing the Mary Poppins song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, and were thrilled to see their submission had been accepted on the live BBC broadcast.

It was shown as part of a larger choir put together from individuals and groups from around the country. Musical Director Elizabeth Glen said “I was particularly proud to see our choir feature, because we learnt and recorded the song in one evening.”

PRESIDENT Terry Gilbert of Weston-super-Mare Rotary Club presented two new bugles to Lieutenant (Bandmaster) Scott Bunker and Cadet Bugle Major Rosie Bunker of the Somerset Army Cadet Force Silver Bugle Band based in Uphill.

The Silver Bugle Band is one of the most prestigious cadet bands in the country bringing great credit to Somerset and Weston in particular. It performs to audiences throughout the country and on occasion to members of the royal family including the Queen.

Mr Gilbert said: “The club is delighted to make this donation in support of the pursuit of excellence by the young cadets of Weston.”

Details: www.westonrotaryclub.org.uk and www.facebook.com/westonrotaryclub or telephone Secretary Bernard Land 07970 184301.

The open-to-all community choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at “The Campus” Worle, and put on several concerts a year in aid of local charities.

Their recent concerts in Blagdon, and Wick St. Lawrence, were sell-out successes and raised hundreds of pounds

for their chosen charities.

Their next concert, in aid of Weston Hospice, is on Saturday October 4th at St. Andrew’s Church, Congresbury at 7:30pm. Tickets, £7.50, are available on the door, from liz@lyrica.co.uk, or by phoning 01934 832283.

MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014 • PAGE 89

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MENDIP TIMES

Brave lady

EVEN though I spent many hours galloping across country on a variety of horses during my eventing and team chasing days, a few years ago now, I have always been in complete awe of the bravery and dedication of the jockeys.

Whilst eventing it is just you and your With CELIA horse against a range of obstacles (although GADD definitely still not for the faint-hearted) and although in team chasing there are four of you galloping at top speed, the rest of the team are on your side and certainly mean you no harm (however, I have to admit we had some pretty close scrapes in our team chasing career!)

However, when you are riding in a race, you are neck and neck with other very competitive people, with all of you riding to win, and often when you combine that with the fact that you may be riding very inexperienced horses, on ground that is far from ideal, it is indeed a brave person that takes part.

I was thus very impressed with the inner determination, and obvious talent of Lisa Corfield, aged 20, when I met her this month.

Lisa was brought up on ponies through the Weston Harriers pony club and it was her lovely pony Sparky, who first tweaked her interest in race riding. Having competed in all disciplines on this willing and talented pony, it was race riding that really got into her blood and this is the path she has followed ever since.

Whilst still at school she worked for Gerald Ham for two years, riding out and exercising his string. Then after leaving school she went on to work for Emma Mellor (nee Jackson) for four years with her various race horses and point to pointers.

After a further year at Cannington College Lisa was delighted to be accepted into the British School of Racing and after nine weeks there she got a place at the yard of the famous top trainer Phillip Hobbs.

However, whilst at the racing school there was an incident on the gallops that left Lisa in a lot of pain when she landed badly on the saddle of a bucking horse and was taken into hospital. At the time nothing was diagnosed and she left there to carry on working and riding.

October 2014 show dates

Wednesday 1st Lower unaffiliated evening show jumping at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Thursday 2nd Karen Whiston Dismounted workshop, Christon, Axbridge Saturday 4th Polden and Bridgwater Riding Club open dressage at Cannington Equestrian Centre Sunday 5th Blackdown Hills Riding Club Autumn show at Heazle Riding Centre, Clayhidon Unaffiliated dressage at Kingfisher

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

Equestrian Centre, Castle Cary West Somerset Hunt Fun Ride at Brampton Raulph, Taunton Mendip Farmers Hunt Fun ride at Chewton Field Farm, Ston Easton West Somerset Vale Hunt Hunter trial at Stockland Lovell Manor, Fiddington The Mendip Fun Ride: approx. 10 miles with optional jumps across Mendip and beautiful private land.

Entries on the day from 9.30ammidday. Adults £17, children (14 and under) £12. Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult. Also horsey car boot sale. Mendip Plains

Lisa Corfield on Lily

A few weeks later whilst lifting hay at Phillip Hobbs yard she suddenly became in terrible pain and after a trip to hospital and X-rays and scans she was found to have a broken back.

After waiting six months for surgery it was a further year off from riding which surely would have been enough to put most people off the thought of riding in a race.

But no – Lisa is still quietly determined that this is the path she is going to follow. Obviously a hard-working and conscientious young lady she has taken over the wonderful yard at Totney Wick Farm, Mark, owned by Richard and Penny Weight and is now taking in full and part liveries.

Penny suffered a very unfortunate accident earlier in the year and as Lisa was working for her at the time it has been an obvious transition for Lisa to take on the livery side of the business.

This is an idyllic spot, quiet and spacious, and set in the middle of Mark Moor which has some fabulous droves and lanes around which to hack in peace.

The yard will house nine horses when full and Lisa can offer full care, an all-weather arena, top quality hay and haylage and winter turnout too. Lisa is also happy to help with other local horse owners who may need exercising or care for their horses and can be contacted on 07896689176.

I look forward to following her progress onto the race track over the next few years.

Equestrian Centre, Ston Easton, BA3 4BX. Ffi: 07707 398136 Wednesday 8th Higher unaffiliated show jumping, Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Tuesday 14th Karen Whiston Dismounted workshop at Christon, Axbridge Wednesday 15th Lower unaffiliated show jumping at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Thursday 16th Hunting schooling day at Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Sunday 19th Taunton Vale Hunt Pony Club

Hunter trial at Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Wednesday 22nd Higher unaffiliated evening show jumping at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Thursday 23rd Aldon Park Horse Trials, Yeovil Saturday 25th Unaffiliated dressage at Pontispool Equine Science Centre Sunday 26th October Tack sale at Blackford Village Hall, Blackford, Wedmore

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Now is the time to prepare for winter THERE is something really quite lovely about the early mornings at this time of the year, many of our Mendip equestrian friends are already out autumn hunting and getting ready for the last hunter trials and events of the season.

Although the weather still is being kind, and there is plenty of grass about, it is this time

of year when you need to start thinking about making the transition towards winter management and feeding of your horse. It is probably a good idea to start introducing them to some time in the stable, even if they are still living out at night so that when the weather turns it is not such a sudden change in diet and routine if you have to bring them in off the ground.

Most horses are happier with as much time out as possible, and in certain parts of our Mendip Times area this is possible for most of the year, while for those down on the Levels there is definitely less chance of 12 months of the year turn out.

It is time to check out those

Open day at HorseWorld

RIDING

rugs, make sure your winter turnout rugs are in good order, and give your stable rugs a clean if you forgot to do so in the spring.

As usual the cost of keeping horses has risen again this year and if you have the storage space and budget it is definitely cost effective to try and buy in your winter supply of hay and bedding now, rather than waiting until midJanuary when everyone’s stocks are getting low and the prices will rocket.

Although owning horses during the winter can be tough, there is also a great sense of satisfaction when you see your horse warm and dry in his stable, when the rain is pouring down outside.

It is obviously not so nice though when you have to go out in it to exercise them.

Let us all hope that this winter does not bring the flooding and devastation that last did to our friends down on the Somerset Levels.

PONY/RECREATIONAL PADDOCKS FOR SALE AT DEANE, BETWEEN SHEPTON MALLET & FROME

2 Paddocks, approx. 4.5 acres each, south facing, set 150 metres back from main road, in a peaceful setting with pleasant views over surrounding countryside.

Set in an excellent horse riding area, each paddock has direct access onto a well-used bridle path which leads to a network of other bridle paths in large public woodlands near quiet country roads.

Both paddocks have good free-draining soil, water, with planning passed for mixed equestrian and agricultural use. Wide, stoned, main road access, and both paddocks have wide, stoned tracks along their full length. Located in a neighbourhood watch area.

Assistance with fencing, ménage building, etc. is available if required.

To be auctioned in October please ring for further details on 01749 673428 or 07801 347287

Lessons Taster Lesson £10 (Adult or Child come and have a try at Riding) Show Jump, Flat Work or Cross Country Training on your own horse/pony from £15 per 1hr Groups Most Saturdays and some Sundays Riding School Lessons £25

Try something new or just brush off the cobwebs and remember the wonderful time in years gone by you had getting in the saddle. In association with Sport England and e British Equestrian Federation. Hill Farm Equestrian is very proud to be offering a seven week course “Take Back the Reins” – this has been designed specifically for those wanting to find a little “me time” – e sessions will not only include riding, but also enjoying a coffee with fellow participants each week – £20 per week. Enquiries now being taken for New Courses starting throughout September.

Livery MEMBERS of the public will have the chance to visit HorseWorld’s busy rescue and rehabilitation yard, Keynes Farm, which is not normally open to the public, on Saturday October 4th, 10am - 4pm.

The open day in Whitchurch will enable visitors to meet the rescued horses and the grooms who are dedicated to caring for them. Entry is free but the charity is asking for donations to support its work.

Details: www.horseworld.org.uk

DIY, Part, Full, Schooling & Holiday Livery available.

Purpose built stable yard and New American Barn style stables.

Fantastic facilities including – 2 x All Weather Arenas, Show Jump Paddock with XC Jumps, Wash Box, Meeting Room, Tuck Shop, Saddlery Goods for sale, Free Lorry/ Trailer Parking.

Reduced Price Lessons. Plus other excellent facilities.

British Horse Society Approved Riding School & Livery Yard (Highest Rating) Local Authority Licensed Riding School Hill Farm Equestrian, Hill Farm, Burtle, Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 8NB 01278 723415 or 07891 555151 or 07977 122047 Hillfarmequestrian.com or hillfarmequestrian@hotmail.co.uk

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Award for Chew Valley FC

Pictured (l to r) Lee Hedges (Head of Finance for Somerset FA Youth Council and Level 2 youth coach for Chew Valley FC ), Dave Hedges (Chew Valley FC chairman ), Sarah Bardi (club representative for Midsomer Norton league), and Colin Moore (Chew Valley FC committee member).

CHEW Valley Football Club has received an award for FA Community in Youth Development at the Somerset Football Association’s annual county awards evening, Special guest, Lucy Wellings, the regional business manager for the FA, presented Chew Valley FC chairman, Dave Hedges, with the award as Charter Standard Development Club of the Season.

Dave said: “It is wonderful to see the club’s hard work recognised, especially during such a difficult period. The good news is we continue to grow and develop youth football in and around the Chew Valley.”

The award winners will go on to be judged at regional and then national level, by a panel which includes Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Trevor Brooking.

The club is now in its 18th year and has over 130 children under the guidance of qualified coaches. It trains at Pensford between 4pm and 8pm on Thursdays, depending upon age group. New recruits are always welcome to join their training sessions.

Details: Dave Hedges 07821 021733

10K for Ben!

A TEN-kilometre fundraising event which is open to cyclists, runners and walkers is being held in Mells on Saturday, October 11th.

The event has been organised by Nige and Su Crutchley in memory of their son Ben, who died from cancer in 2012.

Nige and Su originally set themselves a target of raising £50,000 for CLIC Sargent but have now raised it to £1m because of the support they have received so far! Previous events for the Benny Boy Crutchley Fund have included running half marathons and marathons, climbing Kilimanjaro, cycling from Paris to London (in four days) and London to Bath in a day, golf days and more.

The event, which starts at 11am, will go through the grounds of the Mells Park Estate, normally closed to the public.

For information, visit: www.mellstok.com

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Honour for groundsman

ROD Neale, head groundsman at Frome Town Football Club, received a highly commended award at the Football Association’s Groundsman of the Year ceremony at St George’s Park.

Rod was nominated for the honour by the club and that, combined with the marks obtained from visiting clubs and match officials and an inspection by the FA, meant he reached the award stage.

Meanwhile, the club is looking for three people to assist them on first team matchdays to help increase the experience of those attending the Blindmans Brewery Stadium. It is looking for two people to act as car park stewards before the game, making sure the visiting team coach is parked up and also being the first point of call for any supporters’ queries.

The club is also seeking a suitably qualified first aider to be on duty in case of any injury or illness for spectators and the post holder will need an in-date and relevant first aid qualification.

Entry to all home matches for club volunteers is free.

If you think you can help contact club secretary Ian Pearce on 07811 511222 or email: ian@frometownfc.co.uk

Rebels in play-offs

THE semi-final groups for speedway’s 2014 Premier League Championship-deciding play-offs have been announced and it will see the ‘Cases’ Somerset Rebels, the defending champions, face Scunthorpe and Ipswich in their particular group.

Edinburgh, who pipped Somerset to top spot in the Premier League table with their win at Glasgow, had the “honour” of having first choice of group opponents and will be in a group comprising Workington and Berwick.

The three teams in the respective groups will face each other home and away, the top team in the respective groups then going head-to-head on a home and away basis in the Grand Final, with the top scorers on an aggregate basis being crowned the 2014 Premier League Champions. The dates for Somerset’s Play-Off matches are: Friday, September 26th – Scunthorpe (away) Weds, October 1st – Scunthorpe (home) Thursday, October 2nd – Ipswich (away) Friday, October 10th – Ipswich (home) Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Whichever way the groups went it would always look to be a tough assignment but at the end of the day, all six teams are in the play-offs for a reason in that they are the best six sides in the league; to borrow a sporting cliché, there are no easy matches when you get to this stage of the championship.

“At the start of the year I set reaching the play-offs as our target for the season, but now having got here the riders are determined to make it through to the final and retain the title we won last season.”

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Ready for the challenge

By Mark Adler

WELLS Rugby Club will be facing new opposition – as well as a few familiar faces – as they start life in their highest league in their history.

The First XV won promotion comfortably last season to Tribute South West 1 West from Southern Counties South and are expected to face some tough challenges when they take on the likes of Bridwater, Clevedon and North Petherton as well as strong Cornish sides Camborne and St Austell and Gloucestershire teams such as Drybrook and Matson.

Head coach Peter Kennedy has strengthened his team by recruiting Roy Davies as his assistant. Onfield sees new players emerging from the club’s Colts team.

The Wells first XV squad for 2014/2015

Peter Kennedy (left) with first XV captain Jake Knight, vice-captain Alex Payne and new coach Roy Davies Winger John Branch on his way to scoring the opening try in the 35-12 win over Newbury

Former international referee Tony Spreadbury took the whistle for the club’s pre-season friendly against Newbury. Tony wore a commemorative shirt to mark the 125th anniversary of the Somerset Rugby Referees Association, the oldest of its kind in the world

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Halloween fun at Hullabaloo TICKETS go on sale at the beginning of October for this year’s Halloween fun party at the buzzing Hullabaloo soft play and party centre in Shepton Mallet.

Last year’s party was so successful that the team at Hullabaloo has decided to stick to the same formula of spooky decorations and games; this year’s party

Pat (right) with Emma, one of her team of eight

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The impressive play frame. The centre has plenty of seating for adults to enjoy a coffee and watch the children play

takes place on Friday, October 31st, from 6-8pm complete with a competition for the best costume.

Hullabaloo, part of the Haskins Retail Centre, is run by Pat Chappell and her husband Mac. They opened the play centre in July last year after discovering there was nowhere in the immediate area offering such a facility for their two children.

The 4,500 square foot centre, directly opposite Tesco, is designed for children aged 0-ten. It boasts an eight by ten metre play frame full of interesting activities to keep kids entertained: rope bridge, climbing nets, slides, ball cannons, a trampoline, rolling tubes, as well as a toddlers’ assault course, a mini zip-rail and a soft padded baby pond.

The centre features an onsite café offering wholesome meals and snacks and a selection of hot or cold drinks. Pat was adamant that no fried food should be sold.

Pat, a former marketing manager for Clark’s, said: “The response from both parents and children since opening has been amazing with comments like ‘finally there is a place to take the kids that is local, clean and safe as well as fun!’. The free Wi-Fi is a nice little touch that adds to the grown-ups’ enjoyment whilst the kids have tons of fun on the bouncy castle, a big winner with kids of all ages.”

The centre has an area which can be set aside for parties and the whole venue is available for private children’s parties in the evenings with laser lights and music.

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Ready to set your pulses racing

WINCANTON Racecourse opens its gates for the new jump season on Thursday, October 16th with a renewed accolade to boast about.

The rural racecourse has once again featured within Visit England’s 2014 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme as one of the top ten tracks for visitor attraction in 2013.

The prestigious acknowledgement provides the perfect backdrop for the launch of the season which takes in 17 fixtures from October to May 2015.

Wincanton’s General Manager, Steve Parlett, said: “We are immensely proud to have retained our position within the top ten racecourses in England. It is a real testament to the continuing hard work and commitment of the team; whilst we may be a small workforce, we have a huge passion to make our track the heart of rural racing. What we might lack in numbers we certainly make up for in a desire to deliver an

excellent customer experience.”

Under Starter’s Orders launches the season with an informative parade of numerous equine superstars and indepth interviews with leading West Country trainers for yard updates and guidance on horses to follow.

Sunday, October 26th sees the course stage its inaugural Families and Armed Forces Raceday with the aim to thank serving military personnel, veterans and their families for their service to the nation and also to raise money for the Combat Stress charity which provides essential clinical treatment and social support to more than 5,400 veterans across the nation.

The day will also be the culmination of a series of fundraising events in aid of Combat Stress in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. It will be a spectacular day of highly competitive racing, children’s entertainment, a beer festival and a range of innovative fundraising

WHAT’S ON activities and entertainments for Combat Stress. Charity race day packages will be offered to suit all pockets.

Founded in 1919, the charity’s aim is to ensure veterans receive the right mental health care, in the right place, at the right time.

November brings about the exciting renewal of the Badger Ales Trophy. The valuable chase – worth more than £60,000 – will once again be the target of Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls with a Mark Woodhouse-owned thoroughbred.

Six meetings in 2014 culminate with the seasonal social highlight on Boxing Day. The meeting attracts the highest raceday attendance, with more than 10,000 racegoers on-course, and provides the perfect venue for family fun and post-Christmas enjoyment ahead of a busy New Year racing calendar.

Full details of Wincanton’s 2014/15 season is available online at www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk Follow @WincantonRaces on twitter for daily updates.

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Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. Commercial entries cost £25.

Wednesday September 24th Macular Research – a talk by Julie Edwards from the Macular Society, 1.30pm-3.15pm at Backwell W.I. Hall, Station Road. All welcome. Contact: Sheila, 01275 462107.

Thursday September 25th West Mendip Walkers 6.5 miles around Axbridge.

OS Map:Explorer 141 Grid:ST438544 Start 13.30.

Park Cheddar Reservoir. Contact: anthonyestrange@gmail.com Chew Valley Wildlife Group: “Born to Bird” with 12-year-old Mya-Rose Craig, Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm. Visitors £2.50.

Saturday September 27th – Sunday September 28th Heroes and Villains of Olde England at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells. 11am-4pm. Listen to tales of days gone by when the springs of Wells were seen as a magical place www.bishopspalace.org.uk Art & Craft Exhibition, Leigh On Mendip Memorial Hall, BA3 5QH. 11am- 4pm Free Entry. Wide range of locally produced arts & crafts. All welcome.

Refreshments available.

Saturday September 27th Backwell Market, 10.30am-1pm in the WI Hall, BS48 3QW. Hands-on children’s workshop, bacon butties, stalls of organic local produce. Free. Details: www.backwellvillagemarket.weebly.com Family History Open Day, 10am-4pm at UWE Conference Centre, Frenchay, Bristol. Talks on WW1, advice from Family History Societies, etc. Details: www.bafhs.org.uk or opendays@bafhs.org.uk Mendip Society walk, Meet 2pm at Heron's Green lay-by on the west side of Chew Valley Lake, BS40 8XD. Mod 5-6 miles, ST 554 594. Contact: David 01761 221145.

Tuesday September 30th Autumn Festival at Frome Country Market, 9am-12 noon, Cheese & Grain BA11 1BE. Competitions for chutneys and children's best carved pumpkin. Foods & crafts for Hallowe'en and bonfire night. Details: 01373 301049.

Genocide in Gaza: Origins and Implications. A talk

by Ilan Pappé, Israel's foremost and most forthright historian. Cheese & Grain, Frome, 8pm. £5/£3, www.cheeseandgrain.com/events October 1st – November 30th.

Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnivals Exhibition.

Radstock Museum. Model carts, carnival art, Photographs, artefacts, videos: the complete history.

Details: www.radstockmuseum.co.uk Every Wednesday & Saturday in October: Wells Cathedral Stained Glass 'Window Walk', 11.15-11.35am in the Chapter House. Stairs to Chapter House are steep; sadly not wheelchair accessible. Free www.wellscathedral.org.uk Wednesday October 1st Free Mendip Health Walks – Glastonbury Health Centre. 10am for 10.15. Easy, mostly level walks of about 1.5 miles around Glastonbury. Optional café stop at the end. Details: vicssullivan@hotmail.com Thursday October 2nd The Pun is Mightier than the Sword – a talk by Ralph Jerram for Cheddar Valley U3A, Church House, Cheddar (opp St. Andrew's Church) 2.15pm.

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T i m e s

Visitors welcome, www.cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk.

West Mendip Walkers: leisurely 8.2mile circular walk from Dundry into Somerset countryside. OS Map:Explorer 154 Grid:ST554668. Start 10am, car park Dundry Down. www.mendipramblers.co.uk Wells Evening Society, John Singer Sargent, talk by Mary Alexander, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm.

Charity fashion show with Anna Perra showcasing her casual-elegance Autumn/Winter collection. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Charlton House Hotel, Shepton Mallet. 7.30pm. Tickets £20pp (inc. glass of prosecco and canapés). Ffi: Dominee Worman on 0844 2483830 or Anna Perra: 01749 343945.

Friday October 3rd Open Mic Night at Redhill Club, BS40 5SG, from 8pm. Hosted by Jerry Blythe. Free. All welcome, singers, musicians and spectators. Tel: 01934 862619.

Bingo at Wrington Friendship Club, 2.30pm Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street. New members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

Quartz Festival, Queen's College, Taunton, TA1 4QS. 7.30pm, Price: £10/£6. Details: 01823 340829, www.quartzfestival.org.uk Saturday October 4th – Sunday October 12th (closed Monday/Tuesday) ‘Echoes’ – an exhibition of contemporary textile art

by Gordano Textile Artists, 11am-5pm, Sidcot Arts Centre, Sidcot School,BS25 1PD. Free. Refreshments.

Details www.gordanotextileartists.co.uk Saturday October 4th The Galliard Wind Ensemble 7.30pm St. John the Baptist Church, Churchill. BS25 5QW. Tickets £14.50; Champions of Churchill Music! £10.50; U18's £4 from: Ursula Dornton 01934 852919, tickets@churchillmusic.org.uk or pot luck at the door.

Jumble Sale, 2pm at the Community Centre, Top Road, Charlton Adam TA11 7B. Please bring jumble that morning from 10am.

Sunday October 5th Wells Cathedral: Newspaper Theology Discussion Group, 11.15 – 12.15. Join the Dean of Wells to consider one of the stories in the news. No Booking required. www.wellscathedral.org.uk Monday October 6th Alzheimer’s Society drop-in session at Glastonbury Health Centre, 10am-12.30pm. An informal meeting where people with dementia and their carers will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out about the support available. All welcome.

Winscombe District U3A. Coffee Morning at Winscombe Community Centre, 10am. Entrance £1.

RAFA meeting: “An up-date on Air Bus & some history of Filton Airdrome”, a talk by Flt Lt John Blackburn, 11.00 at The Britannia Inn, Bath Road, Wells BA4 3LQ. Non-members welcome, contact john.hawkins@rimelo.com if you wish to attend.

Tuesday October 7th Congresbury Over-60s Club. Entertainment from Mike and his Music, Congresbury War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

History of the Somerset Carnivals a talk by John Dando at Radstock Working Men’s Club at 7.30pm.

Details: www.radstockmuseum.co.uk Thursday October 9th Line Dancing for beginners starting in Chewton Mendip village hall, 2-3.30pm, £4. Contact Sally 07522 674644 or Jennie 01761 241309. Come and enjoy the fun.

Wells Cathedral Lunchtime Organ Recital, 1:051:45. Simon Williams of St George’s, Hanover

W h a t ’ s

Square, London. Free. Retiring collection in aid of Wells Cathedral Music.

Friday October 10th Camerton Mines – a talk by Mike Chapman and a display of photos and artefacts from Camerton Local History Group. 7pm at Camerton Primary School, BA2 0PS. £5, incl refreshments, U-16’s free.

Trinity Singers Quiz Night, Burrington Village Hall, BS40 7AD. 7.15 for 7.30pm. Light supper, bar and raffle. Teams of 6 but can be made up from smaller numbers. Tickets £6 from 01934 852123 or choir members.

Saturday October 11th Wessex Vintage Machinery, Antique and Bygone bring and buy sale, East Somerset Railway, Cranmore, sellers’ pitch £5, entrance £1. Details: 01225 754374.

Congresbury Book Sale, 9am -1pm, at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Craft Fair at the United Reformed Church, Street, 10am -2pm. Stalls include local honey, jewellery, wooden crafts. Refreshments. Proceeds for church funds.

Somer Valley Singers’ Charity Concert, 7.30pm at St John’s Church Midsomer Norton. Tickets £6 from 01761 436042 or on the door. All proceeds to Forever Friends, and St John’s Church. www.somervalleysingers.co.uk Yeovil Concert Band with Millfield pupil soloists, 7.30pm at Johnson Hall, Millfield School, BA16 OYD. Tickets £7 include glass wine or fruit juice, in aid of Children’s Hospice SW, from 01458 447384 or on the door.

Mendip Society – a moderate 5.5 mile walk around Sidcot. Meet 2pm in the car park behind Woodborough Inn, BS25 1HD. ST 420 576. Contact Jo, 01749 870813.

Jumble Sale, at Wookey Hole Community Hall (near crazy golf at bottom of School Hill), 10.30am-1pm.

Free Entry. Home made refreshments. For jumble collection tel: Jenny on 01749 670772 or Margaret on 01749 675415. Proceeds towards hall funds.

Sunday October 12th Leading environmental writers debate future of Somerset’s natural environment- morning event hosted by Somerset Wildlife Trust during Wells Festival of Literature. Tickets & full details of all events: www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk Tuesday October 14th Roman and Medieval Gardens, a talk by James Bond, Landscape Archaeologist, for WANHS, 7.30pm at Victoria Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, W-sMare, BS23 1XU. Visitors welcome £2.50.

How to use egg tempura –a talk by Poppy James for Clevedon Art Club, 7.30pm, St Mary’s church Hall, Walton in Gordano. Non-members £3.

An ideal partnership: Lutyens & Jekyll. A talk by James Bolton to Mendip DFAS, 10.30 for 11.00, Westex Suite, Bath & West Showground, BA4 6QN. Details: www.mendipdfas.org.uk Guests welcome.

Thursday October 16th Cheddar Valley U3A meet & greet coffee morning, Church House, Cheddar (opp St. Andrew's Church) 10.30-12 noon. Computer group here to answer questions. Visitors welcome, www.cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk West Mendip Walkers mod 8.75 mile circular walk from Cheddar to Crook Peak. OS Map 141 Grid: ST456539. Start 10am. Park nr King’s Head pub. www.mendipramblers.co.uk

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Friday 17th October Youthful Spirit Gospel Choir in concert at St John the Baptist Church, Axbridge, 7pm. Tickets £7.50 from Penny, 01934 733304. Arranged by FOAC. Free Mendip Health Walks – Glastonbury Health Centre. 10am for 10.15. Easy, mostly level walks of about 1.5 miles around Glastonbury. Optional café stop at the end. Details: vicssullivan@hotmail.com Wells Cathedral School Symphony Orchestra, 19.30–21.30. Tickets: £8/£15 from 01749 834483. www.wellscathedral.org.uk Saturday October 18th – Sunday October 19th Hestercombe’s first Book Sale, supporting Hestercombe Gardens Trust. 10am-5pm. Free entry to book sale, normal entry charges apply to visit the gardens and house: TA2 8LG. Saturday October 18th Craft & Gift Fayre Farmborough Memorial Hall, 10.30am-4pm, entrance 50p. Variety of stalls, refreshments. Proceeds to Hall funds.

Bleadon Village Market 9-12.30 at the village hall, Bleadon, BS24 0PG. Over 30 stalls with crafts, collectables, local produce etc. Refreshments. See www.bleadon.org.uk/market Sherborne Town Brass Band’s “Last Night of the Proms”, the Prospect Theatre, Writhlington School, 7.30pm. Bar. Tickets £10 from any Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions member, 01761 414140 or 235556.

Redhill Club Pool Competition from 8pm, BS40 5SG. Come and have a go – all levels of player welcome. Prize for the winner.

Kilmersdon Apple Day, 2-4pm. Juicing from 11am.

Competitions, children’s activities, Beetlecrushers Clog Dancers, Village band, teas. Kilmersdon Village Hall, BA3 5TD Contact 01761 437372 www.kilmersdonvillagehall.co.uk Book sale & Freecycle event in aid of Winscombe Community Association, 9am-12.30pm. Please leave donations (books, CDs, DVDs, jigsaws) on the book trolley in the Community Centre at the Thursday market, 9-12.00 or call 01934 823609 or 842250.

Mendip Society – a special interest geology walk from Stoke St Michael. Moderate 5 miles, meet 2pm outside Knatchbull Arms, BA3 5JJ. ST 665 468.

Contact Roger 01761 490458.

Instant Wit, quickfire comedy, Ubley Village Hall, 7.30 for 8pm, late bar, £10. Details: 01761 462379 or 01761 462133.

Monday October 20th Winscombe District U3A. "How Things Have Changed" a talk by Yvonne Bell at Winscombe Community Centre. 2pm for 2.30. Members £1.50, non-Members £2.00, includes refreshments.

Honey Buzzards a talk by Steve Roberts for the Hawk and Owl Trust. 7.45pm at the Star Inn, Tickenham, BS21 6SE. Members £2.50, nonmembers £3.50, U-18s free. Details: Carrie 01275 462908.

Tuesday October 21st Congresbury Over-60’s Club. ‘Colour in the Garden’, a talk by Chris Cudlipp, 2.30-4pm at War Memorial hall. Details: 01934 832004.

Arabian Nights – Life and Art in medieval Cairo, Rachel Ward for the Mid-Somerset DFAS illustrated lecture, 11am, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ. £6. Details: 01963 350 527.

Wednesday October 22nd Clevedon and the First World War – -a talk by Mark Neathey for the Friends of Weston-s-Mare

O c t o b e r

Museum, 7.30pm at the museum, Burlington St. Visitors welcome, small fee.

Thursday October 23rd Chew Valley Wildlife Group: Tales From The Cutting Room Floor – Orangutans, with Peter Brownlee of the BBC Natural History Unit at Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm. Visitors £2.50.

West Mendip Walkers mod. 6 mile circular walk from Barrow Gurney to Flax Bourton. OS Map:Explorer 154 Grid:ST529682. Start 1.30pm.

Park as close as possible to Post Office. www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday October 24th Wrington Friendship Club, 2.30pm. Members experiences of Zimbabwe and National Service.

Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street. New members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

The Fosse Bells and Friends, 7.30pm, Church of St Mary the Virgin, Charlton Mackrell, TA11 6BN. Tickets £8, from Charlton Adam Shop, 01458 223785 or 223227. In aid of Muscular Dystrophy and Charlton’s churches.

Saturday October 25th Free Indian cooking masterclass, 11am at Backwell Market (10.30-1pm), WI Hall, Station Rd, Backwell BS48 3QW. Contact: 07870 598770.

Congresbury Book Sale. 9am -1pm at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Coffee Morning, Regil village hall, BS40 8BD, 1012. Crafts & cake stalls. £1 includes refreshments. All profits to Bristol Oncology Unit and Singing for Heads. FFI Gwyn, 01275 472705 or Pat 01275 472077.

Mendip Society walk – Autumn colour at Ammerdown. Meet 2pm at Ammerdown House, BS3 5SW for an easy 6 miles through parkland. Contact Gill, 01934 742508.

Sunday October 26th Meet The Minstrels day at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells, 11am-4pm. At half past every hour the Medieval Minstrel Troupe will play a short set. In between they will talk about their Tudor instruments, the social context of the music and answer questions.

Car Boot Sale Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, 12noon – 4pm, £5/table, in aid of Little Fidgets preschool. Details: Margot 0744 6281391.

Wednesday October 29th Radstock Museum Children’s event: join in making carnival masks and face painting, 10.30am-1pm.

Details: www.radstockmuseum.co.uk “Castles” Family Activity day at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells. Find out why people built castles and make your own castle to take home. Giant garden games – including bouncy castles www.bishopspalace.org.uk Cheddar Vale Lions Club ‘Tea with the Lions’ at Nanny Ida’s, Wedmore, 3 -5 pm. Free team and coffee.

Thursday October 30th West Mendip Walkers mod 10.6 mile walk in the

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 4

Quantocks. OS Map:Explorer 140 Grid:ST188366.

Start 10am. Park at Forest Office. www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday October 31st Free Mendip Health Walks – Glastonbury Health Centre. 10am for 10.15. Easy, mostly level walks of about 1.5 miles around Glastonbury. Optional café stop at the end. Details: vicssullivan@hotmail.com All Sixties Night starring tribute band The Berries, 8 11.30pm at Weston-s-Mare Football Club, Winterstoke Rd, BS24 9AA. Tickets £8 from 01934 423960 or 612618. In aid of Weston Hospicecare.

Saturday November 1st -Sunday November 2nd Cam Valley Arts Trail: free workshops, demonstrations & exhibitions for all ages. 11–5pm across 12 venues. Details: www.camvalleyartstrail.co.uk Saturday November 1st Christmas Craft Fair, at Chilcompton Village Hall, BA3 4EX, 10am–4pm. In aid of St John’s Church, Chilcompton. Refreshments & parking. Enquiries: Janet 01761 233301.

Monday November 3rd Warmer Improved Somerset Homes (WISH project) drop-in session at Glastonbury Health Centre.

10am-12.30 pm. Find out how to make your homes warmer, reduce energy bills and improve your health.

Tuesday November 4th Angelica Kauffman: an artist in 18th century England. A talk by Leslie Primo for Mendip DFAS, 10.30 for 11am, Westex Suite, Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet. Details: www.mendipdfas.org.uk Guests welcome, contact 01749 670652.

Thursday November 6th Wells Evening Society, Britain’s Pagan Heritage, with Ronald Hutton, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm.

Friday November 7th Open Mic Night at Redhill Club, BS40 5SG, from 8pm. Hosted by Jerry Blythe. Free. All welcome, singers, musicians and spectators. Tel: 01934 862619.

Saturday November 8th Charity James Bond Dinner Dance, dress to impress Bond-style for a 3-course dinner with music & casino at Cadbury Hotel, BS49 5AD. Tickets £28 – to rebuild Backwell Judo Hall – from Gloria, 07870 598770.

The Avon Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Christmas Market. 11am-3pm, Long Ashton Community Centre, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, BS41 9DP. Beautiful handmade items including hand spun, woven, dyed and felted items. There will also be tea, coffee, cakes and a raffle. Ffi: www.avonguild.org.uk Thursday November 9th West Mendip Walkers easy 6.3 mile circular walk over Tickenham, Clevedon & Nailsea moors. OS Map:Explorer 154 Grid:ST457715. Start 1.30pm.

Park opp church on Nailsea Causeway. www.mendipramblers.co.uk

ANSWERS TO THE MENDIP MINDBENDER ACROSS: 1 Charter Market, 8 Talk sense, 10 Noted, 11 Riot act, 12 Grown-up, 13 Cheddar Duck Race, 16/21D/25 Somerset College of Art and Technology, 21 Owned up, 22 October, 23 Arena, 24 Elettaria.

DOWN: 1 Cut prices, 2 All gone, 3 Tussaud, 4 Ace, 5 Kinfolk, 6 Titania, 7 Fed up, 9 Not true, 14 Up close, 15 Ever-ready, 17 Mandela, 18 Redland, 19 Let it go, 20 Embargo, 24 Eve.

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WHAT’S ON

War horse writer fills Wells Cathedral

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

COMING UP:

From Friday 26th September A Most Wanted Man (15)

What We Did On Our Holiday (12A)

Sunday 28th September Wednesday 1st October

From Friday 3rd October Friday 10th October Coming Soon:

Box Trolls (PG) Billy Elliot The Musical (12A) 1.30pm & 6.30pm LIVE

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PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2014

A scene from the National Theatre production of War Horse

ORGANISERS of the 22nd Festival of Literature in Wells have made more seats available for the opening event in the city’s catherdral.

All the initial 500 seats quickly sold out to see

author Michael Morpugo, author of War Horse, launch the festival on Friday, October 10th. As a result, 200 extra seats in the aisles of the nave – with limited view – have gone on sale.

The festival offers something for all tastes from talks by fiction writer Gabriel Gbadamosi (whose first novel was chosen by Fay Weldon on her Radio 4 Good Read), the Costa’s overall prize winner, Nathan Filer, through the ever popular Katie Fforde, to crime’s most enduring author, Ruth Rendell.

Comedy, current affairs, cookery and World War I and II are also on the agenda for the festival which will mostly be held in a marquee in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace.

G Everyone at Michael Morpurgo’s talk, sponsored

by Carter Jonas, will be able to enter a competition to win two tickets for the opening night of the National Theatre’s production of War Horse at the Bristol Hippodrome in January.

Visit: www.wellsfestivalofliterature .org.uk to see full listings and to book tickets.

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