Mendip Times
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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 3
FREE
Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas
AUGUST 2021
IN THIS ISSUE: SUMMER EVENTS • MUSIC & THEATRE • CAVING • HEALTH & FAMILY • CHARITIES • PROPERTY • WILDLIFE Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news
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MENDIP TIMES
CONTENTS
Welcome
WE’VE managed to dust off our cameras and get to various events this month, including a visit to East Somerset Railway’s new museum, a spectacular medieval fayre at Glastonbury Abbey and the village fete at East Harptree, among others. Priddy Folk Festival organisers even managed a mini-festival for the village, hoping the main event can return next year. With more big shows coming up there’s a real sense of life returning to something like normal. Yet a huge surge in demand at foodbanks like Wells Vineyard Foodbank and the increase in Covid cases shows we have a long way to go yet. Our pages devoted to charities and community groups show the resilience of Mendip communities and a packed business section also shows how the business community is bouncing back. Our farming expert, Nick Green, suggests a roadmap - not out of the pandemic, but where to find quality food. Adrian Boots has been out looking for raspberries and Mary Payne has a guide to taking cuttings. With all of our regular contributors and features let us be your guide to a Mendip summer.
September 2021 deadline: Friday, 13th August 2021 Published: Tuesday, 24th August 2021 Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:
01761 463888
or email: news@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk
Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates. Front cover: Sculptor Fiona Campbell at Frome Festival. Photo by Mark Adler. See page 84.
18
30
Monkeying around – fun times at mini food fests
The train now leaving – heritage line’s big day
93
Showing the way – Glastonbury’s new mural trail
71
Priddy’s finest – Drystones celebrate ten years at “secret” gig
Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Nick Green .....................10 Food & Drink ...............................14 Internet and Crossword ..............22 Arts & Antiques ...........................26 Business.........................................32 Charities........................................44 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......49 Walking Sue Gearing ....................50
Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........52 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......54 Health & Family ..........................58 Community ...................................62 Caving Phil Hendy ........................74 Home & Interiors.........................76 Riding ............................................86 Sport ..............................................88 What’s On.....................................94 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 3
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MENDIP TIMES
NEWS
School makes its own Glasto fun
StuDeNtS at Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet put the disappointment of the cancellation of this year’s Glastonbury Festival behind them to support a fundraising day in aid of a new parent teacher association. Festival originator Michael eavis
Michael Eavis signing copies of the festival book as PTA member Rachel McEntee (left) and assistant head Maz Turner look on
Students, staff and members of the new PTA gather outside ahead of Whitfest
visited students, staff and parents on what should have been the opening music day of the 2021 festival to support their efforts, signing copies of a book celebrating 50 years of Glastonbury which were later put up for auction. Called Whitfest 20/21, students paid £1 each to dress down for the day before a disco in the evening in the school hall decorated with posters and festival
Further Stowey Quarry sentences Further details have emerged of illegal dumping at Stowey Quarry above Bishop Sutton. the environment Agency says it found that 2001 tonnes of metal, foam and plastic shreds from end-of-life vehicles were sent from tilbury Docks in London to the quarry under the guise of non-hazardous “mechanically treated soil substitute”. Stowey Quarry’s operator, Mark Foley, was not allowed to receive such waste and was supposed to be accepting a limited amount of clean, inert waste to create bunds and embankments as a waste recovery enterprise. he is serving a custodial sentence and his firm was fined £72,000. Now a major scrap metal exporter and a middle-man broker have been ordered to pay a combined total of over
Moat races postponed
PLANS for this year’s Wells Moat Boat race have been postponed due to the impact of the pandemic. City of Wells Lions, which was organising the annual August fundraiser, said: “the combination of uncertainty about easing of restrictions, the concern about being able to raise sufficient sponsorship and the difficulties that many of the businesses who support this event are facing has, sadly, meant that we cannot go ahead this year. “We hope that throughout the coming months we are able to restart significant fundraising, in particular for the local charities which we regularly support and that by next summer we are able to bring Wells the Moat Boat race once again.” however, the club has remained active in the community. A recent appeal for unused laptops resulted in around 50 being donated. they were refurbished and cleaned for free by local companies Microbitz and Wellscope and presented to schoolchildren. the Wells Coronavirus Network worked with the club on the appeal.
memorabilia. Devlina Main, the school’s business manager, said: “Perhaps it was not on the grand scale of the festival that normally takes place over the last weekend in June, but the students made the most of dressing up in festival glitter, clothing and wellies and enjoyed a very realistic varied day of showers and sunshine which is indicative of a good festival.”
£800,000. they admitted to playing a part in the exploitation of the quarry as a cheap way to dispose of unpermitted waste and save money instead of paying for disposal through legitimate sites. rebecca Kirk of the environment Agency said: “this is the conclusion of one of the biggest criminal investigations we have conducted in the South West. It has taken many years and forensic analysis of criminal behaviour at many levels in the supply chain. “Sadly, the sentences cannot undo the environmental harm that has been done and the distress to the community, but they will serve as a deterrent to anyone who thinks waste crime is a soft option that doesn’t carry consequences.”
Ten commandments
St John’s Church, in Peasedown St John, recently saw its tenth parishioner take up the calling and enter the clergy. Anna Mayo is the latest to train to become a vicar in the last 15 years, joining Jennifer Cole, Joel Sales, Joel Mennie, James taylor, Sally taylor, tom Morgan, rich Miles, Martha Brothers and Adam Pitt. Anna said: “ten new clergy from one parish in less than 20 years is a lot! Investing in and sending out people is part of the DNA at Peasedown St John.”
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MENDIP TIMES
Tackling climate change
ThE Adapting the Levels project team says it’s developed a way to make plans for climate change action and see how they might work before committing the resources. It’s launched a “unique and pioneering new web-based app” which will enable individuals, communities, councils and businesses to design and co-create plans to prepare and adapt whether for their home, business, community or the wider local landscape. It says the new Adaptation Pathway tool, which focuses particularly on the challenges of flooding and drought on the Somerset Levels, has turned a proven technique which is being employed around the globe to plan for climate change, into an interactive tool. The user-friendly website has launched with a number of pathways created for a variety of climate scenarios such as those in the home and garden, surface flooding in local villages, and on agricultural land. Users of the web app can input their ideas and thoughts, and also see how actions can directly and positively impact in those scenarios. Users can also “vote up” certain actions so people and communities are able to ‘own’ their own climate adaptation solutions. Details: https://www.adaptingthelevels.com/ http://pathways.adaptingthelevels.com/
Steep Holm open for visitors
ThE charity trustee owners of Steep holm Island, The Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, have resumed sailings from Westonsuper-Mare for the first time since March 2020. The island has been inhabited on and off for centuries, is full of hidden surprises and is steeped in history. It is a nature reserve, bird sanctuary, and with seals and muntjacs, it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Sailings from and back to Weston can only take place at high tides, making it a 12-hour day trip. Sailings are planned for August 9th, 11th, 22nd, 24th, and September 7th, 9th, 21st and 23rd. Details: www.Steepholm.online
Funding boost for Mendip AONB
View from Crook Peak
A MAJOR new fund to help farmers and land managers in the Mendip hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has been announced called Farming in Protected Landscapes. The AONB unit will be awarding £450,000 between now and the end of March 2024. The fund will be available to help farmers in all our “Protected Landscapes” – National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Andy Wear, vice-chair of the Mendip hills AONB Partnership and a local farmer said: “This is a game-changing amount of money for the Mendip hills AONB and has come along at just the right time. “Farmers have shaped the way the hills look for generations and this funding will help them to alter their practices to let nature recover, adapt for climate change, improve access and adjust to the new farm payments system post-Brexit. “By supporting the farmers, land managers and people who live and work in these areas, we can help protect these exceptional places and support local communities.” The programme is part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan, developed by Defra with the support of a group of AONB and National Park staff from across the country. The Mendip hills unit will be appointing a Farm Engagement Officer to help farmers apply and a local assessment panel to ensure awards are independently decided. Details: https://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/caring-aboutthe-aonb/farming-in-protected-landscapes/
Another wheelie great bike jumble
FROME’S annual Bike Jumble has raised £3,000 towards the town’s Missing Links project which is aiming to create a trafficfree, multi-user path from the town centre to the Colliers Way route running from Great Elm to Radstock. The jumble – the fourth of its kind – was a community-led day supported by Frome Town Council with more than 20 volunteers involved in making it happen, including four students on the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme from Frome College.
In the lead-up to the day more than 8o bikes were donated by the community which were then checked over by the team and fixed up ready to sell at the event for a great price. Clothing, helmets and biking accessories were also available to purchase. ding Frome were there to help with maintenance and bike checks through their Pay-It-Forward scheme. Town councillor Rich Ackroyd, who is also chair of Frome’s Missing Links, said: “It’s great to see the Bike Jumble has become such a well-loved part of the
The bike jumble underway outside Frome Library
town’s annual event calendar. The team were busy all day selling and giving cycling advice, from sizing and style to practical biking tips, and the funds raised will take us another step closer to our goal!”
For details about the Missing Links project, visit: https://fromesmissinglinks.org.uk/
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Great walks but where is the signage?
FOR a very long time my wife and I have been meaning to write asking you to pass our very sincere and grateful thanks to your regular walks compiler, Sue Gearing. We have followed her suggestions for many years in the Mendip Times and other publications to which she has contributed her inspirational ideas. We rarely miss trying out her routes and have built up a thick folder of her cuttings so that we can often repeat her walks. her last two – “Beauty from an industrial past” around East harptree in your June issue, and “A wander around the Isle of Wedmore” last month – we found absolutely superb. The first was made especially enjoyable by the magnificent swathes of bluebells (and the fact that the Waldegrave Arms was there to provide much-needed refreshment half-way round!), and the second, which skirts the Somerset Levels, was like walking back in time, taking us through a landscape that probably has changed little in a couple of hundred years. Sue’s historical notes always add extra interest: we didn’t know the Romans worked salt pans on the edge of the tide at Westham, or that Roman burials and other artifacts were discovered in the past at heath house. however, neither did we see any sign of the poor unfortunate lady who gave her name to Madwoman’s Lane at Blackford! The footpath signage on the East harptree walk was excellent and a credit to whoever is responsible for maintaining them. however, there was an almost total absence of such signs or direction posts around Wedmore, which puts to shame the public rights of way official covering that area, where many of the links also seem badly in need of a little TLC. Those matters are out of Sue Gearing’s hands, and we eagerly await the regular delivery to local outlets of the Mendip Times, so that we can see and try out her future efforts. Ian and Sue Tabrett Cross, near Axbridge
ENVIRONMENT
Threat to hedgehogs
PRICKLES hedgehog Rescue in Cheddar is asking members of the public to watch out for flystrike when flies will lay their eggs on any open wound or on a hedgehog that is lying still. It usually means the hog is very sick but also flies can target orphaned babies that cannot curl to protect themselves. The eggs look like specks of pollen which quickly develop into maggots. Details: 07806 744772
Environment festival
A NEW festival for Bath and North East Somerset is taking place in September to showcase individuals, organisations and businesses that have taken action to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies. The B&NES Climate and Biodiversity Festival will run from September 13th to 26th to enable the district to link with national debate ahead of two significant international environmental conventions taking place this autumn. These are the Convention on Biological Diversity in China in October and the UN Conference in Glasgow in November. The council is inviting communities across B&NES to shape the two-week programme of events by running their own activities on the theme of carbon emissions and nature including food, travel, waste, renewable energy, biodiversity, buildings and finance. Details: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/climate-andbiodiversity-festival or email sustainability@bathnes.gov.uk
Campaigners win gas plant battle
CAMPAIGNERS have won their campaign to stop a gas generation plant being built in Midsomer Norton. Conrad Energy is now proposing a battery storage scheme at Midsomer Enterprise Park. There was outrage that the gas plant was given the go ahead by B&NES council officials during lockdown. Protestors picketed the company’s offices in Abingdon and collected a 1,800 name petition. The new facility scheme would house eight containerised battery units, each consisting of hundreds of cells, receiving electricity from the grid when demand from customers is low and releasing it back to customers when there is need. Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader responsible for climate and sustainable travel, said: “I’m delighted that the new plans would not impact on air quality or emissions locally and would also help us towards our goal to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.”
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MENDIP TIMES
Funds to cut carbon footprint
A £50,000 Climate and Ecological Emergency Fund has been launched by Mendip District Council as part of its drive to encourage residents and businesses to do more to tackle climate change. The authority has announced a number of initiatives to encourage behaviour change, including a “Climate Action Pledge Card” which suggests lifestyle swaps, such as buying local produce, planting bee-friendly flowers, and switching to a green energy supplier. It says every pledge residents sign-up to will make a difference to their carbon footprint, and to Mendip’s overall emissions. The emergency fund is available to community organisations who can apply for up to £2,000 to support eco projects such as tree planting, sustainable food production, greener travel and renewable energy schemes. The installation of electric vehicle charging points in council-owned car parks is due to begin shortly with partners Franklin Energy. Charging points will be located in Frome, Glastonbury, Street, Wells and Shepton Mallet. Mendip’s Portfolio holder for Strategic Policy and Climate Change, Councillor Tom Ronan, said: “The launch of the ‘Pledge Card’, the new eco fund and our air quality campaigns are of course welcome – but to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 we need an 80% reduction in district-wide emissions.” Applications for the Climate Emergency Fund close on August 1st. For details, visit: www.mendip.gov.uk
Wildflowers thrive in cemetery
The cemetery at Holy Trinity Church in High Littleton
MEMBERS of the high Littleton and hallatrow Environment Group planted 200 square metres of the cemetery at holy Trinity Church in the spring with wildflower seeds as part of the Wider Churches initiative by the Diocese of Bath and Wells and Somerset Wildlife Trust. A botanical survey has been done in the cemetery and the churchyard which will result in a management plan for mowing and planting in the future. PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
ENVIRONMENT
Garden visitors dig deep for snowdrop festival
Amanda and Ian at Old Bowlish House
AN open garden event in Bowlish, on the edge of Shepton Mallet, has raised £800 for the town’s annual snowdrop festival. Amanda hirst and Ian Keys welcomed visitors to Old Bowlish house where they have spent the past 16 years bringing the gardens – on several terraces – back to life. The Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival celebrates the life and work of Victorian plantsman James Allen, the first person to develop a hybrid of wild snowdrops, who lived in the town. The money raised will go towards restoring the obelisk on his grave in Shepton Mallet Cemetery. For details about the festival, visit: www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk
Plant invader
Lucy Hawker, Bonnie Wilding and Badger the dog having fun pulling up the plants
MORE than 20 people answered the call to help remove invasive himalayan Balsam from Lords Wood, at Pensford. Simon Jackman, who lives in a farm near the wood, called for volunteers, following similar clearances last year. Villagers joined him and the wood’s owners, Andrew and Judith hillman, and 20,000 or more of the plants were pulled up. Mr. hillman said: “It was very pleasing to note that areas that were tackled in similar events last year were much less infested. Unfortunately vastly more plants remain and it is hoped to have another such evening in a few weeks’ time.”
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MENDIP TIMES
Follow the roadmap to quality food
WITH staycations being the most certain way of getting a summer holiday this year it provides a great opportunity to think of doing something With NICK different. How about GREEN following a food and drink roadmap and just to make it interesting only use goods with a Protected Geographical Status? While this might be a bit of a mouthful and many of the consuming public won’t know much about it, for those businesses which rely on this particular stamp of approval for what, where and how they make their products, it is vitally important. One of the elements of the Protected Geographical Status is the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). A red and yellow or blue and yellow star shaped logo on qualifying foods shows it has been
grown, made, reared and processed in a certain area and in a certain way. With the exception of Northern Ireland, you could go the length and breadth of the United Kingdom following a PDO roadmap. Orkney beef or lamb would be a good start before moving south to sample Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire Cheese. Lamb features again with Lakeland Herdwick followed by Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb before travelling west across to the Isle of Man for some Isle of Man Queenies – queen scallops that have been caught in the territorial waters of the island. Back to the mainland and there are plenty of cheeses to choose from. Single Gloucester, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar and Stilton are a few of many. Travelling south from the Mendip Times area we can enjoy Cornish clotted cream, Jersey Royal potatoes and Fal oysters amongst other delights. And to wash it all down, there are plenty
of English and Welsh wines to choose from. We live in a golden triangle of food and drink in our area but it doesn’t take much research to see others are equally as lucky. If you fancy a Melton Mowbray pork pie, Scotch Salmon or a Cornish Pasty you’ll have to follow a PGI route instead. Maybe 2021 is the year our taste buds are awakened and we explore the many golden triangles elsewhere in the country.
Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. He is responsible for the farming and estate business and is passionate about British food and farming. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.
We are now stockists of ASPEN Fuels
l Ready mixed for 2 stroke engines l Burns cleaner than ordinary fuel l Virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents making it less harmful than regular petrol, therefore breathing much cleaner air when working with power tools l Better for engines, longer storage staying fresh for years therefore easier starting l Reduced toxic emissions so better for the environment
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FARMING
Your main Kubota dealer for Somerset and South Gloucester Main Road A370, Hewish, Weston-super-Mare BS24 6SE
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MENDIP TIMES
An alternative road run for much-loved cars
EVENTS
East Harptree village fete
Entertaining the crowd, Team Galaxy from The Dance Project Tony and Sue Williams, from Shepton Mallet, with their 1958 MGA
AROUND 100 classic and historic cars took to the Mendip roads in a Covid-compliant event. The Mendip Alternative – replacing the usual annual Mendip Tour which ends on Wells Cathedral Green for visitors to admire the entries – began and finished behind closed doors at the Royal Bath and West showground at Shepton Mallet. Organised by the Classic and Historic Motor Club, the drivers and passengers enjoyed a 60-mile tour before judges awarded prizes for the best entries.
Enjoying a cuppa (l to r) Eleanor Burdge, Jan Burdge and Jenny Cummins The WI cake stall
The mayor and mayoress of Wells, Philip and Caroline Welch, flagged off many of the entries before taking part in the rally themselves in their 1974 MGB Roadster
A 1983 Trabant P601L with Holger Laux and Dave Lenihan on board, makes its way through Shepton Mallet
For details, visit: www.candhmotorclub.co.uk
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Teddy Tombola with guides Neve, aged 12, (left) and Clementine, aged 11
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NeeDS YOu! Background
Banwell Branch
e Royal British Legion was founded in 1921, in the aftermath of World War One, to support those who came home and to help care for the dependents of those who didn’t. Later that same year, the Poppy was adopted as the symbol of Remembrance for all communities who suffered from the conflict.
e following activities are planned: Trip to Royal Mint National Arboretum – weekend event Battle of Waterloo themed event Lunch at local Golf Club October (AGM) Trafalgar Night themed American Supper Wine Tasting January 2022 – Party For more information about joining the Branch please contact: Penny Mottram at: penanbill@aol.com
By becoming a member, you will be entitled discounts and offers as well as having access to exclusive Legion events. You will help provide support to the local community but also each other. new members are now being actively sought across the area – did you know that there was a local branch near you? You do not have had to have served in the armed Forces to join, all are very welcome.
hutton, oldMixon and locking Branch We are a small branch which normally meets at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month in Hutton Village Hall. Our social events include a Summer Dance and Christmas Dance and we try to arrange two or three speakers per year on as wide a range of topics as possible. We are trying hard to increase our membership and would be delighted to welcome any prospective new members to any of our events. For more information about joining this branch, please contact liz Brown at: 158lizbrown@gmail.com
Portishead Branch e following activities are planned: We promoted the Portishead Summer Show 24th & 25th July. We are launching RBL Awareness breakfasts on 1st August and 5th September. For more information about joining this branch please contact Berkeley harris at: Portishead.chairman@rbl.community wrington Branch is branch covers the parish of Wrington which includes Redhill, Burrington & Butcombe. For more information on joining this branch please contact John & Judy gallop at: canter@hotmail.co.uk
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MENDIP TIMES
FOOD & DRINK
Is it August already?
We are in high summer now and by rights that should mean buckets and spades. If you are holidaying, have a With JUNE wonderful time! If you MACFARLANE are staycationing, we have dishes to make it feel like a holiday anyway. No need to fear courgette overload, try a preserved lemon relish and experiment with brown sugar meringues. BROWN SUGAR MERINGUES AND GOOSEBERRIES
Red gooseberries are sweeter than green and ideal with this meringue
Brown sugar gives these meringues a delicious caramel flavour. I used red gooseberries, which are a bit sweeter than green.
METHOD Preheat oven to 130°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. Whip the egg whites to firm peaks. Add the sugar a little at a time until thick and shiny. Spoon dollops on to the baking tray, making a little dent in the middle of each. Bake for 1.5 – 2hrs depending on how chewy you like them. Turn off oven and allow meringues to cool before removing. Poach gooseberries gently with sugar until juices INGREDIENTS run but let them keep (For four) their shape. Cool. 4 egg whites Whip the cream and 200g soft light brown sugar drizzle the honey 350g gooseberries, top ‘n’ through. tailed Pile the cream 2 tbsp sugar into the centre of the 150ml double cream meringues and top 1 tbsp runny honey with the gooseberries.
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Courgette overload? These fritters are ideal if you have a glut of them
COURGETTE FRITTERS WITH TOMATO SAUCE INGREDIENTS If you have a glut of courgettes this is perfect. They are mainly water, so you can use up lots.
(For two) 250g courgettes, washed and trimmed 1 tsp salt 1 egg ½ tsp baking powder 3 tbsp plain flour Vegetable oil for frying 2 shallots, thinly sliced 1 fat garlic clove, finely chopped 300ml passata Salt & black pepper
METHOD Grate the courgettes coarsely into a colander. Mix the salt through. Leave to drain for 30 minutes. Make the sauce by softening the shallots and garlic in oil, then add the passata and allow to reduce and thicken. Taste for seasoning. Make a thick batter with the egg, baking powder and plain flour. Squeeze the courgettes really hard to get out the water and add to the batter with a grating of black pepper. Heat oil in a frying pan and drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the oil, flattening the tops. Cook until a brown crust forms, then flip and repeat. Serve with the sauce.
HAKE WITH PRESERVED LEMON RELISH
Preserved lemon relish is easy to make at home – or use shop-bought
It’s very easy to make your own preserved lemons, but there are good brands available in supermarkets.
INGREDIENTS
(For four) 2 hake fillets, trimmed Butter for frying 100g preserved lemons 1 large garlic clove Good olive oil 10 stems flat parsley, leaves picked 10 sprigs mint, leaves picked 40 g kalamata olives, stoned 1 tsp caster sugar Juice of ½ lemon
METHOD Rinse and quarter the preserved lemons. Scoop out the flesh. Chop roughly. Finely dice the peel and add to flesh. Finely chop the garlic. Chop the parsley and mint leaves and the olives and add to the mixture with the sugar. Add enough oil to bind loosely and lemon juice to taste. Taste for seasoning. Season the hake with a sprinkle of salt and pan fry in butter until cooked, about two minutes per side. Serve with crushed new potatoes and the preserved lemon relish.
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Thatchers Orchard Day
EMBRACInG the philosophy that quality cider starts in the orchard, Thatchers Cider has held its annual apple growers day at its farm at Sandford. Twenty apple growers from across the West Country attended this year’s event, which offered a chance to see behind the scenes, learn more about the cider maker’s ethos and drive for quality, and share experiences with other growers. This year the day included a tour of Thatchers own Somerset orchards, guided by Chris Muntz-Torres, Thatchers orchard manager; a review of the last 12 months including two new cider launches from chief cider maker Richard Johnson; and an informative presentation by head of marketing, Philip McTeer who touched on the long-term trends in the cider market, how the pandemic impacted performance, and how Thatchers has delivered market leading growth across the portfolio, introducing two new products, Thatchers Cloudy Lemon, and Thatchers Zero. Fourth generation cider maker, Martin Thatcher was also on hand to chat to the growers. He said: “Some of our growers have worked with us for many years, others are much newer, but they all have one thing in common, and that’s taking great care of their apples and meeting our expectations of quality. Their commitment plays a huge part in Thatchers success.” Of particular interest to the growers this year was seeing how Thatchers is continuing to invest in the development of its
orchards, with trials of new varieties of apples, and growing methods including root stocks and trellising. new planting of culinary (dessert) apples is currently being carried out, as well as classic and French bittersweet varieties, within Thatchers Somerset orchards. Richard Johnson said: “We have invested for many years in trialling new methods of orcharding with traditional apple varieties and took part in the research led by the national Association of Cider Makers of 29 new varieties introduced back in 2010. “As the cider market evolves, and tastes change, new styles of cider become popular, and as a cider maker it’s important for us to look ahead and plant the varieties of apple that create contemporary style ciders. Apple trees take up to seven years after planting to crop effectively, so with our growers we take a long-term approach to the varieties we grow. “Our orchard day is all about working in partnership with our growers, and how they contribute to us making the highest quality cider for a rapidly changing, competitive market.”
Details: www.thatcherscider.co.uk
Country shopping at its best
North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 9am - 5.30pm
Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment
TEA ROOMS
Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Full English breakfasts Function room available for hire
MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM
Barbecue time with our home-produced meat
Emma Bridgewater China & other gifts
Enjoy a good Sunday roast
Reduce plastic – with our reusable glass milk bottles
Farm Shop: 01761 220067 • Tea Rooms: 01761 220172
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WILD FOOD
Fruity wonders
I AM lucky to have a garden and to be able to appreciate the greenery around us. Many people grow fruits in their garden, me included, although I would characterise our fruit and veg patch as wilderness rather than tidy garden and my excuse is that it benefits the bugs, insects and birds of course. With ADRIAN Even with the abundance of overgrown BOOTS vegetation, collecting fresh fruity favourites to sprinkle on my breakfast muesli (banana, raspberries and some diminutive wild strawberries this morning if you must know), is a privilege. Obviously I didn’t grow the banana. In essence I forage in my own garden! So from dislike and avoidance of one activity (weeding) to the love of another (foraging) getting out and discovering a patch of wild fruit is a real treat. You may not have a garden with fruit bushes but there is a joy to be had if you can get out to the countryside where you might be surprised and delighted at what you find. Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus) is a slender shrub with a long arching woody stem, up to 2m high with only a few spines. The leaves are toothed and oval, paler underneath. Flowers are small and white drooping in clusters. The berries are a rich red consisting of a number of drupelets appearing July to September. It is widespread throughout the UK, found in hedgerows, woods and heaths. Raspberry is related to the abundant and famously prickly blackberry but whilst the fruits look superficially similar in an under-ripe way, the lack of prickles is made up for by its sharper flavour. As a result it works so well with anything creamy: summer pudding, Eton mess, pavlova – need I go on? Or how about razzing up plain yogurt or vanilla ice cream with your own homemade raspberry ripple? Delicious! This year, so far, has been a good year with plenty of fruits, so let’s get out and enjoy what we have left of the summer, try to forget the difficulties of the past year or so and simply appreciate some of the many fruity wonders our countryside has to offer. Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his website: www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.
FOOD & DRINK
GARDEN FOOD
Victorian peas
BIJOU are a variety of pea that I have grown for many years and this year is no exception. They are a very special pea, of the “giant sugar” type very popular in the Victorian era, though now practically extinct. This variety is the result of a five-year With JAKE reintroduction project by The Real WHITSON Seed Catalogue, one that started with a handful of dry peas found in a jar in a cellar. The result is a variety that matches contemporary descriptions and engravings exactly, even down to the pattern on the seeds and number of seeds per gram. It is truly a wonderful variety, cropping massive pods up to 7” long through the season and the whole pod is edible, cooked or raw, any way in which you might prepare a sugar snap or mangetout. They also represent real economy in terms of picking, as they are so large that it takes much less time to pick a comparable weight of them than, say, mangetout. The one small downside, so small I am reluctant to mention it, is that the slightly hooked, scoop shape pods can, in a patch of wet weather, collect water and then discolour slightly as the water sits there. This scoop shape however is also an asset – no other vegetable I can think of is so perfectly made for dipping! We particularly like them with humous, which the sweet crunch of the pea contrasts with perfectly; however cream cheese based dips are also a winner. It may not be very authentic, but I also like them shredded up, tossed with roasted peanuts, and dressed with a Thai style dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, fresh chilli, garlic and sesame oil.
Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder – he divides his time between the Mendips and Pembrokeshire.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 17
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MENDIP TIMES
Sunday best for food fest
STREET hosted the first in a series of Sunday mini food festivals aimed at encouraging shoppers back to Mendip’s high streets. Organised by eat:Festivals, with support from Mendip District Council, Street High Street welcomed around 25 traders selling everything from cider to fermented cabbage. Bev Milner-Simonds, from eat:Festivals, said: “It has been a really exciting challenge working with different council departments and the local parish and town councils to make this happen in a short space of time. “It’s been such a challenging 18 months for everyone – including our freelance crew – and it’s all about welcoming people back to towns and the city in Mendip to enjoy the best in local produce such as cheese, beer and cider.”
Spirits were high amongst customers at the Boulton Spirit stall
Street mayor Laura Wolfers with eat:Festivals creators Bev and Sarah Milner-Simonds
l A festival in Shepton Mallet is due to take place on Sunday, August 8th with an event in Wells postponed until Sunday, September 5th.
Amy Willoughby, from the Plotgate Community Farm in Barton St David
Flying the flag: the team on the Passion & Smoke stall
PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Shepton Mallet cider maker Alan Stone
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FOOD & DRINK
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 19
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MENDIP TIMES
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New shop opening in Winscombe! Cobb’s Charter now running the galley at Cheddar Sailing Club – another great reason to become a member open: monday – Saturday 7am-6pm • Sunday 10am-4pm
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History feature.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2021 14:00 Page 31
Bird’s eye view of cathedral conservation work
A PILOT programme of conservation to the central part of the West Front of Wells Cathedral is nearing completion. A team from Cliveden Conservation – which has a workshop near Kilmersdon – has been cleaning and repairing the stonework and sculptures including The Apostles high above Cathedral Green. The work will establish best practices and guide the way future conservation is carried out to the whole of the West Front. Scaffolding is due to be removed in August in time for the installation in an empty niche on the West Front of a piece of art by the sculptor Antony Gormley.
HISTORY
The scaffolding is due to be removed in August
Many of the sculptures are showing signs of wear and tear
Berenice Humphreys, Cliveden Conservation's senior project manager Conservator Andrea Walker at work at the top of the West Front
DOUBT is coming to Wells
IN conjunction with Project Factory CIC, Wells Cathedral has announced that Antony Gormley’s sculpture titled DOUBT (2020) will be installed on the West Front of the cathedral on Thursday, August 26th. The West Front exhibits many renditions of the human form; from Old Testament stories to resurrection; kings and bishops to angels and apostles. Cast in iron and just over life-size, the sculpture will be loaned by the artist and occupy Niche 338 below the North-West tower of the cathedral. The sculptor said: “I am very aware of the paradox of placing an object called DOUBT on the facade of a building devoted to belief, but it seems to me that doubting, interrogating, questioning, are all part of belief. For me doubt can be a positive force and the imaginative engine of future possibility. “I have chosen this niche on the West Front of Wells Cathedral for its exposed position and visibility: the book at the end of the bookshelf. Most of the figures on the west facade
stand facing the world in an open attitude of confidence, proudly displaying their attributes – regal, military, and divine. In contrast, I have used the orthogonal geometry of our modern habitat to evoke the body as a place. “DOUBT is literally on edge and teeters uneasily out of its niche, one foot perilously off the ledge and one shoulder jutting forward. This cast iron body has collapsed into itself, compressing torso to pelvis; energy is drawn inwards but the head juts out enquiringly into space at large.” Fundraising and community involvement is being coordinated by Project Factory CIC. Emma Lefevre, from the project, said: “The people and businesses of Wells have been wonderfully generous! Although the sculpture is on a free loan from the artist, we need to bring it to the city and have it installed. We are delighted to say that we have reached our first fundraising target and the work will arrive just in time for the bank holiday at the end of August.”
For details, visit niche338.org or follow the story on Instagram: @niche_338
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 21
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INTERNET
Windows 11 is on its way
DESPITE claims that it wouldn’t change again, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be retired in 2025. Windows 11, its “next generation” operating system, will be available later this year, (likely late October) with a redesigned and refreshed look. The new software will let Android apps run on the Windows desktop. They promise smaller, faster security updates, and said they would happen in the background. (But they said that before!) It will also let users configure multiple desktops for work, home, and gaming, like on a Mac. There is also going to be a yearly update of the new operating system, similar to Apple’s efforts with macOS. There is also a huge redesign of the Microsoft Store, allowing Android apps from the Amazon App Store to be used, so you can download TikTok and other apps if you wish. Windows 11 will be available as a free update to existing Windows 10 users – although some devices will not have the right specifications. These include a minimum of 64 gigabytes of storage and four gigabytes of RAM. Microsoft says there are currently about 1.3 billion devices running Windows 10. You can connect instantly to people with Microsoft Teams. Call or chat for free on any device. The Start button is at the bottom-centre of the screen rather than left-hand side. (Leads one to ask why!) And the “blue screen of death” will now be black. (See previous query!) https://www.microsoft.com/engb/windows/windows-11 Quick note on text scams – if you get a text you think is a scam, you can report it by forwarding it to 7726, the network operator. 7726 are the digits on a telephone keypad that spell out the word “spam”. If you did agree to pay for something and then realise it’s a scam – contact your bank asap.
Submitted for I.T. for the Terrified by Lynne Duckett. Although we have stopped our one-to-one tuition, we will continue with this column to keep the name alive. This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified itfortheterrified@btconnect.com or it4ttcvh@gmail.com
PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
CROSSWORD
The Mendip Mindbender
ACROSS 1 Central Asia desert one of the largest in the world (4) 3 Compensation paid to the family of a murder victim urging them to forego revenge (5,5) 9 Test on an old morning (4) 10 Red or white blood cells (10) 11 Wrote using symbols instead of letters (7) 13 Horizontal underground plant stem (7) 14 Occasions when an issue is decided by the electorate (11) 18 Where on a car its registration is displayed (6,5) 21 Maybe a poetic layer of railway tracks (7) 22 Village 15 miles south of Bristol. The parish includes Rowberrow and the hamlet Star (7) 23 Dying out before rebellion (10) 24 The longer bone of the forearm (4) 25 American term for financial comfort (4,6) 26 A dull pain (4) DOWN 1 Hamlet on crossroads not far from Nedge hill on A39. Probably got its name from lead mining (5,3) 2 Elon Musk must be looking forward to it (5-3)
4 5 6 7 8
12 15 16 17 19
20 22
Comedian star of the silent movies renowned for his daring stunts. Safety Last (1929) saw him hanging from the hands of a street clock (5) Of a time especially convenient or appropriate (9) The fourth longest river in the world (11) The admiral at the Battle of Trafalgar 1805 (6) Those who always agree with their superior (3-3) Footballer born in Bath, went to Millfield on a scholarship, plays centre back for Aston Villa (6,5) The person who puts a candidate forward for election (9) Broad-based, all encompassing (8) What relationship Ezri Konda has with 12 down (8) Village on A370 3 miles from Bristol Airport has demolished a pub called the Lord Nelson and found the remains of a mail station that served Yatton before railways existed (6) The opposite and anagram of unties (6) Keep the boiler fuelled (5)
Clues in italics are cryptic
This month’s solution can be found on page 88
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MENDIP TIMES
EVENTS
The sunshine made it!
FAMILIES enjoyed a day in the sun in Shepton Mallet with theatre, performances and activities organised by the community interest company Make the Sunshine. Called All the World’s Our Playground, the free celebration of the arts took place in the grounds of St Paul’s Junior School – but spread throughout the town with walkabouts by the dazzling Mirror Men, from Higher Beings Circus and a silent disco led by Cheryl Sparkler.
The Chapel Dance Studio ahead of their performance
FA pe co C art thr fro Pic #1 Sh Sn #2 #3
Cheryl Sparkler leads young and old on a silent disco dance on Town Street
#4 #5 #6
#7 Cr
#8 the #9
Youngsters from the Chapel Dance Studio in the school playground
Helen Reader – the town’s Fairy Godmother
PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
The Mirror Men with staff from the Mad Hatters cafe
Make the Sunshine founder Louise LappinCook
Flea circus: Craig, from Squashbox Theatre, with his Curious Creatures puppet show
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NEWS
Wookey Hub supports foodbank WellS Vineyard Foodbank has seen a huge increase in demand this year, providing over 43,600 meals to local people in need and additional food for their pets in the six months to June. Pre-pandemic figures show that 9,000 meals were distributed during 2019, and 39,000 in the whole of 2020. Pastor Sue Marland, of Wells Vineyard Church, who co-ordinates the foodbank, said: “So many people are facing unprecedented financial hardship as they have lost their jobs or have been on reduced salaries as part of the furlough schemes. “The donations that people generously give are more essential than ever as we can only continue to help people as long as we receive support from the community.” She welcomed support from Wookey Hub, village shop and café, which is asking people to donate money to its foodbank gift card, which helps to provide the foodbank with fresh fruit and vegetables and other essentials. Owner, Andy Childs, said: “We have
always wanted our business to be the hub of the village and to support our community in the best way we can. An important part of this is our foodbank gift card, which we created at the start of the pandemic last year. “Anyone can put money onto the gift card either when you get the bill in the shop or café, or by donating over the telephone by ringing us on 01749 672784. All the money raised goes directly to supplies for the foodbank and we are able to buy all the items passed on to the foodbank at cost prices, which helps the foodbank’s fund to stretch even further.” Sue Marland said: “These funds are absolutely vital if we are to provide a balanced and healthy food box. We urgently need your help to raise more money as donations have definitely been declining over the past four months, whilst the demand for food parcels remains high. “Thankfully some of our clients are back on their feet now, but many are still struggling due to the pandemic. We
Annette Healey from Wookey Hub delivering oranges to the foodbank
are also concerned that client numbers may continue to rise further as the furlough scheme is withdrawn. “i am so grateful for how Wookey Hub and the community have stepped in, with both fresh and tinned goods. This was unexpected but so welcome.”
Details: Sue Marland: 07149 679 870 info@wellsvineyard.com Facebook: Wells Foodbank and Furniture Storehouse Project
Bird expert’s honour Nigel Crocker, from Ubley, has been given a top award by the British Ornithologists’ Union. The Janet Kear Union Medal is awarded to members in recognition of distinguished service to the union and ornithology. Neil Bucknell, vice president of the BOU, said: “Nigel Crocker is one
such person, having served the union in two key roles over many years, as honorary treasurer from 1984 to 2000, and subsequently as chair of the trustees who look after the union’s investments.” Nigel was brought up in Cornwall. His interest in birds was encouraged
from an early age, both by a neighbour and his grandfather, who bought him his first pair of binoculars. After school, he began a long career with National Westminster Bank, eventually reaching a senior management position, working in various parts of the country, before he and his wife, Beryl, settled in Ubley 30 years ago. Nigel has participated in many BTO surveys and undertaken fieldwork for the Somerset Breeding Bird Atlas project. His particular interest is in waterbirds and waterside birds. He has been a member of the BOU for 35 years. Nigel said: “i am both honoured and humbled to receive this medal today. The dedication of this medal to Janet Kear is most appropriate in my case as Janet served variously as editor of ibis and the Checklist Series as well as president during my tenure as treasurer and became a dear friend, still sadly missed.”
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 25
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MENDIP TIMES
Academy showcase for Laura Archive project wins anniversary funding
LAurA Shaw, a Year 12 student at Frome College, has had this photograph selected for the highly prestigious royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show. Thousands of pieces of work were judged by art professionals with selected works displayed online and onsite at the royal Academy of Arts until August 8th.
Artists celebrate
CompTon Dando Art Group is hoping to resume painting in September, but before then members met up to celebrate the group’s 16th anniversary over coffee and lunch. The celebration included some of the original members pictured (l to r) Trish Baker, Barbara Hooke, Sonia priest, Jean Harnaman, mary Shaw, artist, molly Griffiths and maureen Baker.
Artistic heritage: (l:r) Philippa Forsey, creative wellbeing manager, Sarah James, director, and Pete Crooke, the charity’s longestserving trustee
CreATIVITY Works, the arts and health charity based in radstock, has received a national Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £7,000 for a project to mark its 40th birthday. The project focuses on the preservation and sharing of the oral histories and memories from previous project participants, partners, artists, and volunteers from the past four decades. Creativity Works runs high quality arts projects, increasing health and wellbeing for those living with mental health challenges, and from disadvantaged sectors of society. now the charity would like to hear from anyone who has been involved in any previous projects either under its current name or when it was known as Wansdyke Arts Council, north east Somerset Arts or nesa to get in touch. The aim is to collate oral histories and memories which can be used to inspire future arts projects, curate a free public exhibition and a new online archive. Sarah James, Creativity Works director, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to national Lottery players. “The 40th year feels like the right moment in time especially coming out of a world pandemic to share how our local community came together 40 years ago to improve conditions for local people (as they did in the pandemic) and the power of creativity to increase positive mental health.”
History of Frome
Frome Society’s Yearbook, its 24th since 1987, has been published, full of fascinating stories about the town and its history. one article looks at the evidence that Shakespeare might have spent a night in Frome. The book is available from Frome museum and Winstones Hunting raven bookshop.
Details: www.fsls.org.uk
PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
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ARTS & ANTIQUES
Hands go up for clocks and watches at Mendip Auction Rooms KILLenS are seeing a good attendance of potential buyers on viewing and sale days at the mendip Auction rooms with many enthusiastic to see a return to normality. Killens are encouraging those attending to show consideration to others in wearing face coverings and observing social distancing. During July, three successful sales were conducted with over 2000 lots having been offered. Victorian and Later effect Sales continue to provide buyers with an opportunity to purchase more modern items including household effects whilst the monthly Antiques and Collectables Sale attracts buyers from across the world. At the July Antiques Sale, jewellery and silver continued to be in demand with excellent prices achieved. There are also regular buyers as well as private individuals seeking quality clocks and watches and the auction rooms tend to offer a good number. The highlight in the clocks section was a late 19th century oak bracket clock by Winterhalder and Hoffmeier, marked “A W pridham, 8 Stann’s Square” which attracted strong bidding and achieved £1200. An 18ct gold fob watch, London assay mark, and requiring some restoration made £580. Valuations can be undertaken on a drop-in basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday and Killens have professional valuers and experts on hand to advise.
Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 27
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MENDIP TIMES
Summer paintings in Somerton Collected the world over A SerIeS of intriguing paintings by Yorkshire-based artist Jackie Waring is to go on display in Somerton in August. Jackie is fascinated by myths and mysteries arising from the natural world. She frequently makes small plein air studies which capture a sense of place and space experienced locally and on her travels. These,
Green Man of the Hedgerow
together with drawings from the life model, contribute to larger images in oils creatively composed to explore narratives, ideas, the human figure, or the possibilities of paint itself. Jackie takes cues freely from various art traditions whether traditional or modern , and is open to inspiration from many other artists. Her exhibition runs at the SomArTon Gallery, in West Street in Somerton, from August 17th–22nd.
THe Somerset Guild of Craftsmen is proud to announce its maker of the month for August is ceramicist Heidi Warr. The guild’s gallery in Broad Street in Wells is the ideal place to see Ceramicist Heidi Warr a selection of Heidi's beautiful ceramics, in a special display throughout the month. Heidi, from South Somerset, creates individually hand built and hand thrown earthenware vessels and decorates each piece using traditional methods, for example, fine slip- trailing, sgraffito, incising and various brush and masking techniques using layers of under- glaze colours, stains and oxides and the careful detailed application of lustre. each stage of decoration is a lengthy meticulous process, creating complex intricate patterns and designs. Heidi's ceramic designs have been very well received by collectors, galleries, and museums at home and internationally.
New businesses in Axbridge
AxBrIDGe has two new businesses – ripley Antiques has welcomed The Hidden Boutique Company, a high-end fashion boutique, while the Almshouse Café now also has a bookshop. Louise Cooling, from ripley Antiques, said: “Axbridge has so much potential to become a thriving and innovative hub for small independent businesses. There are so many creative and talented people in the town. “Working against us is the fact that many of the small independent shops have long been turned into private houses and sadly it is doubtful that this will ever be reversed. “Therefore, creative business owners are forming exciting collaborations which complement each other perfectly.” The boutique company’s founder, Claire Warren, is one of many to decide on a career change during the pandemic and is ploughing all her efforts into what she loves – and that is shopping, styling and making it feel oh so very special! She can be found in the town’s medieval square, where there are also two pubs, two hairdressers, a fantastic museum, a beautiful church, a post office and lots of free parking. Axbridge Square @ Ripley Antiques A gorgeous little clothing boutique, pre-loved and new with tags, labels, designer and vintage.
OPENING SAT 4th SEPTEMBER AT
Come and meet Claire and relish in a unique shopping experience. Find us on Facebook and Instagram Email: info@thehiddenboutiquecompany.com
PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
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1966 and all that – back to the Swinging Sixties
AS she embarked on her journey to international stardom, I wonder if it occurred to Diana ross that she might one day be compared to a fork? In the unlikely event that it did, then 1965 would have been an auspicious year for her as that was when Design magazine opined that it would With be a “great day when British furniture and CHRIS YEO cutlery learn to swing like the Supremes”. of all the decades of the 20th century, the 1960s still exerts the most powerful grip on popular memory. Think of the design of the period and it’s the usual suspects – minis (cars and skirts), Beatles album covers and psychedelic posters – which hog the limelight. Less well remembered is the impact the decade’s dynamic creativity had on the home – a glaring omission given this was the decade that “design” as we know it arrived in British homes for the first time. With near-enough full employment, young people enjoyed unprecedented levels of disposable income. They had money in their pocket, took their fashion tips from Carnaby Street and the audience on Top of the pops and, when the time came to set up a home of their own, they had no intention of copying their parents’ regency stripe wallpaper. British manufacturers quickly realised that if they wanted to get on, they had to get with it. Long established firms like poole
ARTS & ANTIQUES Whitefriars “Banjo” vase, 1967 – current value £700-1,000
pottery and Whitefriars Glass kept their fingers on the pulse, recruiting graduates from the art schools who translated the trends of Carnaby Street and the artistic avant-garde into material form with the result that a teapot, vase or table can be as evocative an expression of ’60s style as a mary Quant mini dress. Sixties design is now back in a big way, thanks to the popularity of all things mid-Century, so take a fresh look at your ’60s heirlooms. You could be in for a pleasant surprise.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 29
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MENDIP TIMES
HISTORY
Rail museum brings back memories for Mandy A DAUGHTER of the late wildlife artist and heritage rail enthusiast David Shepherd was the guest of honour at the opening of a new museum at the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore. Mandy Shepherd and her sisters spent many hours at the line as their father devoted much of his energy to the railway preservation project. It was Mandy’s first visit to the railway – a charity – in 25 years and she was reacquainted with some of the volunteers who worked alongside her father and who are still there today. Mandy, who is a wildlife and military artist based in East Sussex, said: “My dad really was one of the boys. He loved getting stuck into the hard work and getting filthy. “This visit brings back great memories
Mandy Shepherd in the new museum. Behind her is a display celebrating her father’s involvement with the line
and he would have been delighted to see what has been achieved.” The former GWR line closed to passengers in 1964 and to quarry freight
The museum has been created out of the former ticket office and waiting room
Mandy Shepherd with Dick Bellchambers (left) and Jeff Bown, two of the early volunteers who worked alongside her father, and longtime supporter Pam McCleave
PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
four years later. David Shepherd bought the line to house two steam locomotives he had acquired and the railway opened to the public in August 1974.
Driver Graham Watters and fireman Gary Amos prepare to take guests at the opening on a ride
Some of the East Somerset Railway volunteers – along with Barney, the station dog – who worked on the museum project. They are now working on creating a permanent home for some of David’s artwork
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Mendip TiMes
Businesses support new scheme to help school leavers
Businesses and staff supporting the new hub
Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar is setting up a new employability and learning hub to help school leavers into work, thanks to support from several local businesses.
The academy is part of Wessex Learning Trust and one of its 14 partner schools, Weare First school, has opened a new forest school at its Rainbow Woods pre-school.
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page 32 • Mendip TiMes • augusT 2021
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Business
Changes in divorce law
no fault divorce is due to come into effect in April 2022. The government confirmed in April 2019 that divorce law in England and Wales would be changing with the introduction of no fault divorce. This means that couples will be able to get divorced without one person needing to lay blame on the other. Current divorce law in england and Wales in order to be granted a divorce in England or Wales the court needs to be convinced that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, to a point where it can't be saved. Under current laws unless a couple lives separately for at least two years they can only get a divorce if one person blames the other for this irretrievable breakdown of their marriage, and this must fall into the category of either adultery or unreasonable behaviour. These blame-based options are two of five legally recognised reasons for the breakdown of a marriage under current laws. The others are: • Desertion (where one person has deserted the other for two years or more without explanation). • Two years’ separation (provided both people agree to the divorce). • Five years’ separation (without this agreement). This means that, unless a couple has been separated for at least two years, one
person must document examples of the other’s behaviour during the marriage and present this as evidence to the court. The court will then decide whether they believe this behaviour resulted in the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
no fault divorce explained This is all set to change in spring 2022, with the introduction of no fault divorce. Here is a breakdown of what the divorce law reforms will look like and how no fault divorce will work after these changes have come into effect: 1. Divorce can be granted without one person blaming the other: The most important element of no fault divorce is, of course, the removal of blame from the divorce process. Under the new laws, couples will be able to get divorced solely on the basis that the marriage has broken down, without needing to cite one of the five reasons for (as is currently required). 2. Couples will be able to apply for divorce jointly: Under current laws, one person needs to issue the divorce proceedings against the other, but under the no fault divorce system, both people will be able to make the application jointly. 3. There will be a minimum of 20 weeks between application and divorce becoming final: A minimum timeframe of 20 weeks has
been introduced to counter concerns that the reforms will make divorce a quicker and easier option for couples rather than trying to save their marriage. This “period of reflection” will give couples an opportunity to reflect and work through their differences before committing to a divorce. 4. it will no longer be possible to contest a divorce: Under the current system of fault-based divorce one person submits a divorce petition, citing their spouse’s behaviour as the reason for the divorce, and their spouse can contest this. Under the new no fault divorce system this option will be removed. edWard Lyons
Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients. l Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes l Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills l Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts l Property – sales and purchases OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168
Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506
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preparing for life after the pandemic AFTER such a seismic upheaval to the business world as we have all just experienced, the pattern we all knew is unlikely to re-establish itself in a hurry, if at all. now that the country is reopening, despite the rapidly increasing numbers of the Delta variant of Covid and whatever other variants may follow on, we will need to be prepared for these changes. There is no doubt that many businesses have been assisted by the Furlough scheme and also by the rates and rent holidays and it will make a significant difference to bottom lines as these schemes and concessions come to an end. Bounce-back loans, which kept many businesses afloat, are also now starting to need repayment, so costs could be increasing above pre-Covid levels. Before the pandemic struck; let’s pause for a second, because pandemic is a big word and it isn’t something that can be blamed on anyone however much we might wish to do so; before the pandemic struck, you may have established a successful and profitable business model. now, as things come back to life, it is
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probably time to review that model really closely to work out if it still stands, or if serious changes are in order. We are all aware how High streets are changing. i am not going to join with the doomsayers here, who say that they are “dying”, but i do agree that they need to change. if i had the time, i would bore you to death with my amazing and innovative ideas! However, we do know that many more of us are shopping online. A lot of small businesses have opened an online presence and it has been a lifesaver for them. now is not the time to think that an increased presence in the High street will put paid to that necessity. Quite simply, some of us will never go back to the traditional shopping model. i suspect that this will be the case especially while we await the eventual dying down of the pandemic and learn how to live with this particular Coronavirus just as we live with the annual ‘flu which rampages through the population each winter. our café culture has also changed enormously. Who knew that takeaway
catering would offer a lifeline to restaurateurs, or that pop-up eating places under canvas would prove so popular – even during the cold months of the year? Whatever else, after two winters of meeting clients under canvas while howling gales were blowing around us, i would suggest that the next generation of polar explorers will most definitely be former suit wearing professionals… so, it is important that if you have made changes which might continue to be useful, or if you are just now able to reopen your business in this brave new world, take a good look at your business model. With help, if you need it, develop the strategies which will drive growth in this changed environment. if you are thinking of starting a new business, include these changes in your plan and don’t assume that things will eventually “go back to normal”, because it’s my view that normal will never be quite the same again. good luck, and stay well! Jane BoWe proBusiness
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The joys of wild camping!
WiLD camping, like wild swimming, has become a very popular term over the last few years, but what’s all the fuss about? Wild camping is all about getting away from the busy campsites and caravan parks and taking yourself out into the silent, empty and vast wilderness to spend time truly alone with the world. The Wild Camp ground at Chesterblade Hills (15 minutes outside Frome) has been created with just that sentiment in mind. Meadows bursting with wildflowers, open clearings where you can watch hares and deer aplenty, forested areas home to owls and the like and endless walks through rolling somerset hills, not to mention the gorgeous views as far as the eye can see. secluded areas such as “The Contemplarium” have also been set up to enable campers to switch off from the fast pace of life and get the most out of the serenity and beauty of the surroundings. The campground also offers several water taps, a hot shower, a flushing toilet and two compost toilets and a large fire pit, providing just the right balance between a wild experience and amenities for comfort. it’s the perfect place to disconnect from the stresses of life and reconnect with nature and as one recent camper said: “it’s hard not to be enchanted by this wild place.” The Wild Camp ground is available for single pitch bookings, as well as group bookings and exclusive hire. Just a stone’s throw away from the Wild Camp ground is the green Heart space, a beautiful and peaceful off-grid activity space perfect for family and group camping, retreats, workshops, small weddings and educational activities.
The green Heart space has a large, fully equipped wooden cabin, ideal for cooking and preparing food, relaxing in the chill-out area and keeping dry in the wet English summer. The space also has compost toilets, a hot shower, a stone circle, firepits, steps down to a wooded stream, and much much more! These two sites form part of the land at Chesterblade Hills, a project involved in mitigating climate change through woodland creation and other environmental activities, creating wildlife-rich habitats and providing places where people can reconnect with the land. There is still some availability throughout the summer. https://chills.org.uk
P & C Logs
Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941 Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).
Items you can find in our shop • Jewellery • Throws and Cushions • Dried Flowers • Vegan Chocolate and Sweets • Giftware • Large range of Indoor Plants • Cards For Every Occasion • Macrame • Locally Made Soap • Local Postcards • Fresh Flowers • Helium Balloons
Beautiful & peaceful off-grid site in nature
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(Photography by Kookie Blu@DreamFieldLab)
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What happens if parents disagree over vaccination of their children? WiTH the UK’s medicine regulator approving the Pfizer vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15 last month, the government has indicated that it will roll vaccines out if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and immunisation recommends it. if this happens, then it is likely that some children who are offered the vaccine may be faced with parental opposition from parents who do not wish their children to be vaccinated. so, what happens when there is a disagreement on whether a child should be vaccinated? Family Lawyer Victoria Cobham discusses the options for parents. This is a minefield for most parents but for those who have separated and have a duty to consult with one another in relation to any major decisions in a child's life, both points of view are equally important. What happens when they cannot agree?
allowing a court to decide whether to vaccinate a child if parents disagree on whether to vaccinate their child, and their child is unable to provide their own consent, an application can be made to the court to decide whether to allow the vaccination to proceed. such cases are likely to be tense, adding an additional pressure on family life and by bringing this before a court places a life changing decision in the hands of the judge to make a medical decision for a child despite having no medical qualifications. By the very nature of medical intervention cases, only one party can “succeed” and the effect of having a decision imposed on a child against one parent's wishes may fracture family relationships. Mediation one alternative to court is for parties to try and resolve the issue through mediation. Mediation is a form of dispute resolution which is focused on finding a solution to
Victoria Cobham
problems with the parties working together in an amicable way. it provides a neutral forum for parents to sit down and discuss the issue constructively with a view to reaching a positive solution that works best for the child and family. For more information on how to reach a solution to a disagreement about your child’s medical treatment whether you and your partner are separated or not please get in touch with our family team for advice and support on how to reach a solution that works best for all involved.
please contact Victoria on 01749 342 323 or victoria.cobham@mogersdrewett.com
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expert financial advice
LisA Anderson is the latest professional to join the nationwide team of financial advisors at Continuum. Lisa has 17 years of experience in financial services within her local area of Wells, glastonbury and the Mendip region. With both Chartered and Certified status, Lisa is passionate about working closely with her clients – which include farmers and small businesses as well as private individuals. she said: “strong relationships are vital and trust is central to this. Every client has different goals and i spend time understanding these together with their financial challenges. Through delivering a holistic approach i am able provide support, guidance and advice to address these and other concerns they may have.” Lisa explains that her move to
Continuum will help make her advice even better: “Because Continuum is an independent business, it lets me select the best plans and products from the entire market. i am then able to put in place a bespoke solution for each client, which means that i can make a positive difference to people’s lives.” Managing Partner, Martin Brown, welcomes Lisa: “With the post-Covid details: www.mycontinuum.co.uk
situation, demand for expert financial planning is higher than ever. Lisa allows us to deliver it and strengthen our presence in somerset.” if you are in the mid-somerset area, and are ready to look at your financial arrangements, contact Lisa for a free initial consultation on: 07776 300 265 or email: lisaanderson@mycontinuum.co.uk
SUMMER SALE
Wednesday 28th July @ 10 a.m.
Great reductions on clothing, accessories and footwear. We look forward to welcoming you for a fun experience in a Covid-free environment!
15, The Borough Mall, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EB
01934 710479
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Truespeed guide to Wi-Fi do’s and don’ts
We’ve all been there – mid way through a video call or film when the Wi-Fi drops out, goes slow or cuts out altogether. Whilst there’s a wide range of things that can cause broadband buffering and drop outs, one of the most important aspects to consider is the location of your router. This handy guide delves into Truespeed’s top WiFi do’s and don’ts. do: pLaCe in a CenTraL LoCaTion Your Wi-Fi signals will transmit from every direction so make sure to place your router in a central location in your house so it reaches more spots of your house. if you place your router by a wall on the edge of your house or by a window your WiFi will be going outside rather than spreading to more areas in your home. The best thing to do is look at all the rooms in your house and work out where the Wi-Fi is being used the most. if for example your main Wi-Fi usage is at the left side of your house, you’d want your router on the left side. This would give a much stronger and reliable connection. do: aVoid oVerCroWding deViCes People often have that one corner where they have their
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laptop, wireless printer and loads of other Wi-Fi devices, which seems like a good spot to put the router. But these will all be competing for your broadband connection and will reduce the Wi-Fi spread for the rest of your house. Try to keep at least one metre away from any other wireless devices that might be competing for your Wi-Fi.
do: LeaVe one-MeTre Free spaCe Keeping your router in an open space where there is at least one metre away from anything else will be really beneficial for your Wi-Fi. Keep your router visible and make sure nothing is covering it. This way your Wi-Fi reach won’t be blocked and will have a better chance of fairly distributing the Wi-Fi throughout your property. do: aVoid MeTaL Try to keep metal away from
your router. This includes electrical objects and decorative household ornaments. seems crazy but trust us it makes a difference.
don’T: puT iT on THe FLoor in the same way we don’t recommend putting your router by the window or on the edge of your house, putting your router on the floor will mean it’s sending your Wi-Fi straight to the ground. Try putting your router on an open self or placing it somewhere up high, this will help give out stronger and more reliable Wi-Fi signals.
don’T: Hide your rouTer We totally understand that routers are not the most attractive. However, hiding your router in a cupboard or even in a bookshelf will have a negative impact on your Wi-Fi. The same applies for boxes that hide the router. As unattractive as they are, hiding them away will only reduce the strength and reach of your Wi-Fi. Just like you might hide smelly foods in cupboards to minimise the smell in the rest of the room, hiding your router in a cupboard will minimise the Wi-Fi connection for the rest of the house. Hopefully these do’s and don’ts will help you decide what is the best for you and your Wi-Fi when deciding to place your router or use your internet.
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Joined-up thinking to help tackle driver shortages onE of Mendip’s leading transport companies has joined forces with Mendip District Council to deliver a purpose-built logistics training academy to try to plug the supply chain gaps caused by a lack of skilled drivers. The academy, to be based at Willmotts Transport, will offer training and employment, plus apprenticeships and reskilling opportunities. it’s hoped courses will begin before April next year. Located between shepton Mallet and Frome, Willmotts’ expansion plans will also see them convert their forklift truck fleet to an all-electric one. Andy stott, managing director of Willmotts Transport, said: “This purpose-built logistics training academy is a great example of a local council and businesses working together. We can promote real opportunity for local people and help them develop the skills that are needed. “There are high demands to fulfil consumer and international trade needs. now we can begin to tackle this driver shortage issue in the region and raise the profile of Mendip and somerset.” support for the partnership has been received through the somerset Business Rates Retention Pilot programme. The aim of the programme is to stimulate and encourage increased economic prosperity in the area, and nationally, through reduced unemployment (and benefit payments), increased personal and corporation tax revenue and increased business rates revenues. Councillor Ros Wyke, leader of Mendip District Council,
Bespoke garden buildings in traditional or contemporary style HOME OFFICE • STUDIO SPACE LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION • ADDITIONAL LIVING SPACE Please call or email for a no-obligation discussion of your requirements
www.avocetpoducts.co.uk/banwell/ email info@avocetproducts.co.uk Tel 01934 824092 page 42 • Mendip TiMes • augusT 2021
Business
said: “i am delighted that financial support for this innovative project will help the residents of Mendip and the wider community. “While many are appealing to the government for help, local logistics companies such as Willmotts Transport are doing their bit by enticing people to the industry with the offer of excellent facilities, first-class training and real employment opportunities.” The new academy is based at Willmott’s HQ at Waterlip
new skills centre for shepton
soMERsET skills and Learning is opening a new training centre in shepton Mallet, based in the former Tourist information office. it says it will provide the local and wider community with high quality courses and workshops to help improve lives through learning. Chief executive, Kathryn Baker, said: “i’m very much looking forward to opening our new centre in the heart of shepton Mallet where we will make community and adult education accessible to local people. “This has never been more important than now, as we start to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.” Tracy Aarons, deputy chief executive of Mendip District Council, said: “it’s great to see a new centre opening in shepton Mallet where people will be able to easily access community and adult education. “The investment in this new facility will bring opportunities both locally and to the wider community. We look forward to welcoming and working with somerset skills & Learning and wish them every success in their new location.” This is the fifth centre in somerset, with others in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Frome. ss&L are also continuing to expand their distance learning and online offer, which means accessing their courses throughout somerset has never been easier. Courses will be available in shepton Mallet from later this summer. details: sslcourses.co.uk
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Competition clicks with young photographers Hiding in the Rain
A CHEDDAR Valley-based charity providing support to children and young people in the area has held its first photography competition with the theme of nature. The Space was founded in late 2017 and provides counselling, a weekly youth club, activities and information services for young people aged four to 18 years old experiencing mental and emotional distress in the area. Doreen Smith, operations director for The Space, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the number of entries from young people. The standard was quite breath-taking, and our judges had
Hot weather affects wildlife
Golden Forest
a real challenge choosing winners and runners up in our two categories.” RESULTS: 4-9 Years Category Winner: Tian Mazi-Thomas for Hiding in the Rain Runners-up: Henry Munday for The moon at dusk shining through springtime blossom and Tommy Boothman for Pinky Winky 10-18 Years Category Winner: Poppy Day for Golden Forest. Runner-up: Hayden Leigh Rowe for Kermit.
SECRET World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill has been busy with lots of wildlife casualties arriving dehydrated. At the same time staff and volunteers are having to work in stifling temporary portacabins while their new treatment
Buzzard trapped in soccer net
Dehydrated hedgehog
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centre is being built. So far this year the centre has dealt with 2000 casualties. It says the heat is affecting all species with several hedgehogs arriving close to death.
Details: 01278 783250
(Photograph courtesy of Dream Creative Media)
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Covid support
Pictured (l to r) Kate Dewfall, Clevedon Aid, Pearl Cross, JHF, Julie Buck, JHF and Jane De Budé, Clevedon Aid
TWO North Somerset charities have formed a partnership to provide Covid-19 recovery and support for vulnerable young people In March this year Clevedon Aid allocated £4,000 of a £26,000 government grant to The JHF Youth Charity (The Jack Hazeldine Foundation) for bespoke mental health and outdoor learning workshops this spring/summer. The funds will also allow the charity to offer all schools in Clevedon outdoor learning workshops this summer. The charity says: “The pandemic unearthed a bigger need for community support, and this partnership is a fantastic example of how two dedicated North Somerset charities are making a vital impact on the lives of local young people.” The JHF charity “empowers and inspires young lives through the provision of bespoke mentoring, tutoring and therapeutic programmes”. Clevedon Aid is a grassroots aid and support group for the Clevedon community, established by Lizzie Harvey in April 2020. It supports those whose lives have been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic but will be continuing to help and support the Clevedon community post-Covid. Details: www.thejhf.org • https://www.clevedonaid.org.uk/
Hats off to Inner Wheel
CHARITIES
Lift-off for air ambulance cycle challenge
DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance says it’s delighted to announce that its Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will take place this year on Sunday, September 5th after its tenth anniversary event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. This year the ride, which normally takes place in May, has been moved to September to kick start Air Ambulance Week 2021. Due to the change of date, the normal starting point of Watchet Harbour is not available, so this year’s 55-mile route will start from Washford Cross Park and Ride in Watchet at 11am and finish in the beautiful Dorset seaside resort of West Bay. A shorter 11-mile route starts at the Royal Oak public house in Drimpton at 2pm and also finishes in West Bay. The ride is not designed as a race and involves cycling through some of Dorset and Somerset’s most beautiful countryside. Participants can enter as an individual or as a team and the charity is hoping that anyone who is fortunate enough to gain a place, will also use the opportunity to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. Bill Sivewright, the charity’s chief executive officer said: “It was terribly sad to have to cancel our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge in 2020 and then postpone again earlier this year. “However, given the year we have just had, it now makes us extremely happy to be able to confirm the new date of Sunday, September 5th. Over the past nine years, our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge has gathered amazing support, generating over £563,000 for the charity.” Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk
Beach Walk is back All smiles. The tea party in the garden of IW member Emma Phillips
THE Inner Wheel Club of Wrington Vale ended its year with a mad hatter’s tea party, raising money for both the Great Western Air Ambulance and Read Easy charities. The club’s president for the coming year, Nic Lucas, has announced that she will be supporting GWAAC during her year in office.
WESTON Hospicecare’s Moonlight Beach Walk is returning this year on Friday, September 17th. The event sees hundreds of ladies gather on Weston seafront at night to walk either 5km or 10km along the beach for the hospice. Event manager, Grace Dibden, said: “We are so pleased to be bringing back the Moonlight Beach Walk in September to raise money for our fantastic hospice. “It promises to be a wonderful event and we cannot wait to see all our amazing ladies there on the night.” Details: https://register.enthuse.com/ ps/event/MoonlightBeachWalk2021
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Ground to air cover
GREAT Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has recently introduced three new critical care cars to their response vehicles, alongside their helicopter. The cars were purchased thanks to a one-off grant from the Department of Health and Social Care in 2019, and will allow their crew to respond to more people in urgent need across the region. In 2020, the charity’s critical care cars were more important than ever in keeping their service running, as COVID-19 restrictions meant that their helicopter had to be decontaminated after each mission. They responded to over 70% of their 1,726 missions last year by car, ensuring that those in need could still receive urgent care. In the first six months of this year the charity has seen a 30% rise in the number of call-outs compared to 2020, responding to 981 patients in urgent need. Chief executive, Anna Perry, said: “As expected, we’re experiencing high levels of calls with the easing of lockdown restrictions. We want to be able to respond to everyone who needs us, yet sadly, that’s not possible with the numbers we are seeing at the moment.” Earlier this year, the charity launched their first ever urgent appeal, as Covid-19 restrictions mean they are facing a £250,000 loss in income. Details: www.gwaac.com
Panda appeal
BISHOP Sutton's resident panda has been seen again. For the second year running he has been sitting outside a house in Church Lane, next to a stall which was laden with all sorts of plants and cuttings, kindly provided by local residents. Children and adults alike exchanged a few words with him – and a passing van driver even offered to buy his chair! A variety of plants were available and passers-by were invited to make a donation to the Children's Hospice, South West, which relies heavily on fundraising, needing to raise £11million pounds every year. PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Veterans to benefit from Janine’s experience
Janine Whitley en-route to a combat zone
WITH 25 years in the Royal Navy and four tours of Afghanistan behind her, Janine Whitley is ideally suited to her new role as Veterans Clinical Advisor (South-West) for the armed forces charity Help for Heroes. Janine, 43, is a nursing specialist who also served around the world in Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Jordan, Norway, and the Philippines, as well as spending time based in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and working for 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, in Chivenor, Devon. She said: “On my last tour we shut down the hospital in Bastion, ready for the handover back to the Afghan people – which was good to see it to the end. I was also nurse in charge of a small surgical team sent out on a humanitarian aid mission to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, in 2013, where we had a small surgical facility on HMS Illustrious.” One of the attendees at a Leavers Link SW networking event she co-hosts for service leavers – which linked service people up with businesses – was her former commanding officer in Afghanistan, Carol Betteridge, now Help for Heroes’ Head of Clinical and Medical Services. Janine has more than 40 veterans currently on her books and more expected as restrictions continue to ease. She said: “I’m a clinical advocate for the charity’s veterans; I determine what the need is and refer them to the necessary medical support teams, removing barriers to their care, liaising with other charities or services, and contacting GPs or consultants to request specialist referrals. “It’s not hands-on clinical and we’re not a crisis service – but we can certainly make a difference in their care pathways, whether it’s the NHS or other specialist organisations.” For details and to access support from Help for Heroes, visit: helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support, email getsupport@helpforheroes.org.uk or call 0300 303 9888
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Royal award for charity worker
CHARITIES
RNLI to the rescue
BOTH of Weston-super-Mare’s RNLI lifeboats were launched to rescue a small motorboat drifting in the Bristol Channel after its engine failed and its anchor line broke. This was the 26th “shout” for Weston lifeboat’s volunteers so far this year. The two people on the motorboat were rescued unharmed. Cai Budd, deputy launching authority for RNLI Westonsuper-Mare said: “This was a positive outcome for all involved with some lessons that can be shared for anyone venturing afloat. “RNLI safety advice saves lives, and we encourage anyone venturing onto the water to follow the guidance given to help you stay safe.”
Telling tales
MEMBERS, staff, volunteers and trustees alike will all be getting their walking shoes on this August to raise funds for Frome-based charity, OpenStoryTellers’, which supports around 50 people each year with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. The fundraiser, Trek2Taffy, is supported by the very first Storytelling Laureate, Taffy Thomas, who is patron of OpenStoryTellers. He works as an ambassador for the charity from his home in Cumbria. The trek will see the team walking the 400 miles from Cornwall to Cumbria, with lots of treks in Frome, stopping at landmarks on the way to tell stories. You will be able to hear these on their Facebook page as they trek. Taffy himself will also tell a story, when the team reach their 400 mile target. The charity says people with learning disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, being up to six times more likely to suffer worse outcomes as a result of the virus. It says: “As we navigate our recovery from the pandemic, the charity is seeing a significantly greater demand for their creative and innovative work. OpenStoryTellers would be delighted if you would be able to support their work and make a donation.” Details: https://localgiving.org/appeal/trek2taffy/ www.openstorytellers.org.uk
MEG Abernethy-Hope, aged 24, from Bishop Sutton, has been recognised with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award. Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex. Meg lives with the incurable immune disease, ITP, needing incapacitating treatments. After her diagnosis at the age of 17, she started the campaign Increase the Profile and raised £80,000 for the Bristol Royal Infirmary, helping to transform the hospital into a centre of excellence for ITP. After the loss of her younger brother, Billy, Meg turned her grief into helping rough sleepers, launching the Billy Chip to continue her brother’s legacy. She expanded his token system which allows homeless people to get access to free food and drink. More than 50 outlets have signed up to it and it now looks set to go nationwide. Towards the end of the month the BillyChip® will be launching a new website and recruiting volunteers to help expand the scheme throughout the country. Meg said: “If you feel you would be able to spare a little of your time when you’re next purchasing a coffee to speak to the outlet about becoming part of the BillyChip® scheme, please head over to the website and sign up as a volunteer.” The citation for her Princess Diana award says: “Despite her own challenges, Megan’s demonstration of love for humanity always shines through.” Details: www.billychip.com
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THE MENDIP SOCIETY
The Mendip Society emerges from lockdown – but the countryside is way ahead of us!
THE society is currently reviewing the walks programme; together with the walk leaders we are planning a fresh approach and booking system. A new summer/autumn walks programme will be published on our website soon. Like so many other groups and societies, Zoom was my first starting point when l took over from Richard Frost as chairperson back in March, making committee meetings rather strange for a newcomer. The society had several grant applications in progress, some of which have been awarded; Somerset Wildlife Trust requested funding towards remedial work at Draycott Sleights in relation to a number of dangerous trees that had to be removed along a public roadside; our society walling team volunteers will help rebuild the damage to the dry stone wall line. A member of the Winscombe & Sandford Millennium Green Trust received funding for a bat detector to carry out national survey work along the length of the Strawberry Line, and in the future will teach others by running monitoring group sessions. A new charity, Wanderlands, is Bristol-based but has land in Croscombe where businesses can buy and plant trees to off-set carbon emissions. The Somerset Reptile and Amphibian Group will be clearing out the dew pond there in September and the local secondary science school and our volunteers will also be getting involved. The society has set up a Small Grant Scheme aimed at private landowners and farmers who wish to restore or create new landscape conservation and wildlife habitats. These must be on or connected to open access land or adjacent to a public right of way where there is a public benefit.
Tania's Wood school visit PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Slader's Leigh
It is our intention to attend agricultural shows and other outdoor events to increase public awareness of this and other aspects of our work. Plenty of work has been ongoing at both of our reserves; at Tania’s Wood, Ubley, our society members and other volunteers were busy before the end of spring with hedge laying, tree and hedgerow planting, and latterly a very big “cut and brush-up” in time for the visit of the top class of Blagdon Primary School. It was their farewell Forest School day before leaving for “big school” (aka secondary). Slader’s Leigh flower meadow has been left to get on with doing its own thing, which has been the making of phenomenal growth in every part of the reserve. Manager Judith Tranter says it is looking the most beautiful in all the years she has been involved with its maintenance. Don’t forget you can visit it easily from the Strawberry Line, just north of the Shute Shelve Tunnel, on Winscombe Hill. We are in the process of setting up dry stone walling courses for later in the summer and after that, in Slader’s Leigh, it will not be very long before the annual ritual of scything and raking will start. And if all goes well with the country there is the return of the talks programme for the winter. The Mendip Society monitors and makes representation on many planning applications for developments which are both situated within or are on the outskirts looking towards or out from the Mendip Hills, from the expansion of Bristol Airport, to new housing development billboard signs. There are a huge number of housing estates that have shot up in villages such as Cheddar, Langford, Churchill, Wrington and around Wells. Only now are the knock-on effects being felt – such as increased localised flooding, traffic congestion, and not being able to book doctors’ appointments for weeks on end. Remember – if you think a planning application will affect your neighbourhood in an adverse way – don’t leave it to someone else; please respond via the council planning website yourself. Tina Bath & Judith Tranter www.themendipsociety.org.uk
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How’s the barn owl season going?
AS it’s now high summer I’m currently engaged in owl nest monitoring. This data is important as it sets down the foundation for conservation decisions and planning for the future. Several regular readers have asked “how is the season for barn owls going”? There is as always By CHRIS tremendous interest in these owls, not just SPERRING MBE from the farmer/landowner community but also interest from the public as well. So, for this article I will just focus on what’s happening to Barn owls so far in 2021 breeding season. I will have to do it in two parts. The story so far. Because there are so many private and internet (webcam) cameras focused on barn owl nests it’s possible to gauge quickly how the season is shaping up. Food is the key to success and the barn owls’ needs are quite simple to say the least, as its prey item is the short-tailed vole, a small mammal living in long grass, so if there are many voles breeding early in the spring the barn owl should be in for a good year. Through being able to watch some private A silent hunter webcams, I witnessed an unusual occurrence of one pair of barn owls laying eggs two months earlier than textbook normal, so by the end of February eggs were laid and this pair’s nesting season had begun. Clearly food was abundant enough to stimulate this pair into taking the huge risk of breeding so early.
A mixed season so far for our barn owls
WILDLIFE
A barn owl in flight
During incubation the male is hunting for food for himself and for his mate, so not too much pressure here, but with six eggs laid and hatching due at the end of March that would be the time when the pressure would build for these owls. Weather-wise, the end of February and early to mid-March was mild, but as the eggs hatched and small owlets demanded more food for growing the weather turned worse. For us April was superb, we looked out from homes to an outside that was wall-to-wall sunshine thinking it was T-shirt weather until, of course, we went outside and smartly went back to our homes to collect jumpers and coats. Yes, it was cold, indeed frosts were regular right up until the first week of May. For the voles that feed on the fresh grass this meant that normal grass growth was supressed due to the very drying wind, constant sunshine and frost. Our early barn owl nest dealt with this by going into survival mode and as owls lay each egg at different times this meant that from six owlets the number began to reduce from six to five, to four, to three and finally to one. This was nature in the raw the owls compensating for the environmental pressure. Meanwhile other pairs of barn owls began to lay eggs at their textbook normal time middle of April to early May. Now these barn owls, of course, had escaped the weather effect with again males just feeding themselves and their mates. Another weather event happened in May, which saw lots of rain. Silent flying owls need their stealth to surprise their prey. Unlike birds of prey they don’t have or need speed, so instead have incredibly well adapted feathering for silent flight which becomes compromised if the feathers get wet. When heavy rain falls at night then the owls are unable to hunt and just sit it out. If these conditions last too long then not only does the hunting owl’s condition deteriorate but also that of any dependent owlet. The rains though eased off as hatching got near and though some hatching owlets were affected many got through this. Next month I will conclude this season, as I’m still out monitoring now, and I will introduce you to a very special brood of barn owls. Before I finish can I please say a massive thank you to all the farmers and landowners who call me for advisory visits and who give permission for me to monitor nest sites.
If you wish to get in touch please ring me on 07799 413918 or email me at: Chris.Sperring@hawkandowltrust.org.uk Also, our Hawk and Owl Trust Somerset Barn Owl Nest Camera is still live. Visit: www.hawkandowltrust.org.uk
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 49
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MENDIP TIMES
On track for the hill fort
THIS is an interesting circle in midMendip taking in a huge old viaduct and railway tunnels hidden in a deep wooded valley and an Iron Age hill fort. It is a not too strenuous walk from Rocky Mountain Garden Centre, Masbury, going south, picking up the East Mendip Way and then detouring to the magnificent viaduct and tunnels in Ham Woods. After that it is across open fields, on a quiet lane, a track and past a golf club before heading across and up. Thus we end on a high with a panorama from Maesbury Castle hill fort. Walking is on lanes, tracks and across fields. There is a longish steady ascent and then a gentle downhill before a fairly easy uphill to the hillfort. In high summer some
tracks may be overgrown so take a stick. There are a number of stiles, including several solid well-used stone stiles. The garden centre welcomes Mendip Times readers to park there and it is a great place to have refreshment and to browse their 12 acres of nursery. There is nowhere else for refreshment on this circle.
START: Turn right from the garden centre and after a 2-3 minutes take the first lane right signed to Croscombe and Dinder. Follow this quiet route for just over half a mile. En-route go across the line of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway – the green embankment on the left gives you a clue! It was a much-loved line known as the "Slow and Dirty" and ran down to Burnham-on-Sea – a journey well remembered by locals as it took them right down to the seaside, a new destination for many. The line ran to Masbury, the highest point. The station, now a private home, is next door to the garden centre and opened in July 1874. Ignore a lane right and then take the next stony track on the right after 2-3 minutes. If you reach Upper Thrupe Farm you have gone too far.
1. TRACK This old thoroughfare bends left by a renovated barn and continues south between hedges. As it drops, start to get good views south across country. After about 20 minutes, look for a crossing footpath and go left over the stone slab stile – the first of several.
With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
2. EAST MENDIP WAY You have now joined the East Mendip Way. In the field, head for the far left
corner and exit through a kissing gate by a large gate. Go down to the lane. Turn left going uphill for a few minutes and look out for a stone slab stile right and an East Mendip Way sign. Bear left across the field, over a stone stile, and head on in the same direction towards the dramatic line of trees which is the top edge of Ham Woods. After a wooden stile, continue alongside the woods. The beautiful Ham Woods occupy a very steep valley created by glacial action and have been the scene of quarrying over the years. Go through a kissing gate and carry on. Go through another kissing gate and in this field you leave the East Mendip Way, which goes centrally across the field, whereas we are on a lesser walked path which aims for an opening in the top left corner. Maintain direction, going up, passing a lone dead ash tree and reach the hedge-line on the left and follow this on. At the end, go over the stile by a large gate and come on to the old railway line. 3. VIADUCT AND TUNNELS Our route goes straight across over the stile opposite, but stop awhile and enjoy an interesting detour – or two! Turn right a few yards and come onto the remarkable viaduct which carried the Somerset and Dorset railway across the immensely deep valley in Ham Woods. Look over the edge to see how high you are! It is also worth carrying on along this old line for another 7-8 minutes and reach one of a pair of tunnels that carried the line under Windsor Hill. This is the old down tunnel. About 60 yards before the tunnel if you want see the other tunnel, take a very short path that bears up left and at the top, take care, and
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you can look down to the right and see the up tunnel. The tunnels were closed to traffic in March 1966. The line was ripped up pretty much overnight as it had huge sentimental value and British Rail maybe feared an attempt to keep the line running. There is a particularly moving video about the S&D, "All Change at Evercreech Junction". Even just before the line closed, some houses along the way still didn't have running water and the only water they had was delivered weekly by the train. Soon after it was closed, the down tunnel (239 yards long) was used by Rolls Royce to test the engines for Concorde. No evidence of this remains now. The tunnels are owned by Highways England and they were closed by the Dept of Transport because of the bat population. However, a group – the Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels – is campaigning to redevelop a network of paths along this rail line and through the tunnels. The group plans to submit a public right of way claim for the tunnels, based on historic usage – and they want people to send in their memories of walking through the tunnels and across the viaduct. But the group insists it “completely support the preservation of all wildlife” and believes “bats and humans can co-exist in the right habitat”. Return along the old line and across the viaduct to where you came in. Go across and over the stile and down the right edge of the long grass in the field downhill. Enter woodland, cross a stile and go over a footbridge. Head straight up across the next field. At the top, aim for a gap in trees ahead and you can see a large gate. Go through the kissing gate at the side and head on down this long field. Soon you can see Windsor Hill Farm ahead. 4. FARM Go through a kissing gate and down the grassy swathe to the farm complex below. This is an active community, sharing skills
WALKING
6.17 miles, or 6.87 miles, if you detour to the old tunnel in the woods. About 3-4 hours walking. OS Explorer 141, Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East, grid ref: 603 472, postcode for Rocky Mountain Garden Centre, BA5 3HA
and caring for the land and woodland. Go left up the lane. At the next junction, turn left and follow this quiet route passing beautiful Windsor Hill House and other homes in this complex and begin to ascend gently. Eventually go round the corner right and shortly, at a T-junction, turn left up the Old Bristol Road now a dirt track.
5. OLD BRISTOL ROAD This is a steady climb of about 20 minutes which levels out at the top by a communications tower at the crossing main road. There are beautiful views south unfolding behind you.
6. GOLF CLUB Go straight over onto the lane that leads past Mendip Golf Club. Follow this on and downhill for about half a mile, going past the golf club building and ignoring a lane right. You are now getting views across country to the north.
7. PATH At the foot, at the right bend, turn left and take the path/track which at first is rather overgrown. Follow this under trees all the way to a stile into the first of four fields. Follow the bottom of these, going over stiles. At the end of the fourth field is a stone slab stile. Ignore this. Stay in the field and turn left up the hedge. Very soon cross a small stream and immediately turn left following the stream gently uphill. Go through a gate and now continue uphill
towards the hillfort, keeping left of the hedge, through fields until you go through two kissing gates and come into the fort area. It is not a strenuous ascent.
8. MAESBURY CASTLE HILL FORT Maesbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort occupying an area of over six acres, 950ft high, with views in many directions. The name is derived from maes, meaning field or plain in Brythonic Welsh, and burh, meaning fort in Old English. It was on the boundary between the Romano-British Celts and West Saxons during the period 577-652 AD, when the nearby Wansdyke fortification comprised part of the border. It could have been a settlement of high status, occupied on a permanent basis and enclosing the summit of a round hilltop, on the southern side of the Mendip Hills, with defences. Go ahead and up onto the steep encircling bank. You are aiming for the far side – just to the right-hand end of a wood. So either go round the embankment enjoying good views or head straight across the centre. On the far side find a small, short and steep path leading off the bank. Take care down here. Then go ahead a few yards and turn right to a marked stile. Once over follow the arrow down the field and you will soon see a large gate below. Next to this is a stone slab stile which you cross onto the road. Turn right and return to Rocky Mountain Garden Centre.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 51
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MENDIP TIMES
OUTDOORS
West Countryman’s diary
INTO July and while writing for the August edition, I am looking out of the window from my desk as the rain comes down. An icon With LES on the tool bar at the DAVIES MBE bottom of the computer screen is also telling me it’s raining. What more do I need to know? A lifetime of looking at the natural world for an indication of the weather is no longer needed, neither are the many anecdotes such as “if you can see Wales from Black Down it’s going to rain… if you can’t, it’s raining already”. This normally gets a groan from those I tell them to, but there are many sayings that are misconstrued or are only half right. Cattle will turn their backs to the coming weather, but when they lie down that is not a certain sign of rain on the way. Pine cones will close up, but this is as a reaction to the damp conditions and not a sign of rain to come. We humans can also sense a change in the weather. Many people suffer physical discomfort with a drop in air pressure. Check your barometer the next time you are feeling a bit “under the weather”. It might hold some clues and point the way towards “meteorosensitivity” a complaint that we still have a lot to learn about. The list of natural indicators, or of perceived natural indicators over the years, has been added to or distorted. What I will say is that meteorology has become far more accurate as advances in science have provided better tools. My computer icon now tells me that the rain is going to stop and it has! Can I believe that I was talking about sheltering from the sun in last month’s column? No doubt we will be doing so again, but at the moment it’s low pressure in control. Everything in the countryside is green and lush. I can’t remember seeing so much grass in the fields which, with good harvesting conditions, will be needed through the coming winter (no predictions being made). Gardens have also been grateful for rain and my vegetable patch looks better than it has been for quite a while. New
potatoes are my dream crop and this year even though they went in late the reward is still worthwhile. Garden peas and green beans help my vegetable intake, which I must admit is somewhat limited outside of sprouts. Longer days mean a better chance for an evening walk if you are someone with a “real job” that takes up your time. If it has been hot during the day, evening temperatures are a welcome relief from the relentless sun. Sunsets in this part of the world are always spectacular if the weather is set fine for the following day. Watching the sun going down is for me quite a melancholy event. The passing of another day and whilst there have undoubtedly been days in my life that I would not want to live through again, it can lead to moments of reflection. It is also a time when the sky can become filled with wonder. Watch the sun as it slowly sinks and then see how quickly it disappears below the horizon. For someone living on the other side of the world a new day is about to begin, but for us the afterglow remains in the west, illuminating clouds that can look like a mountain range or lake shore where the water is dotted with small islands. Like faces in the trees, this is where my mind runs away with me to escape from the real world. Such fantasy worlds as are created by these sunsets captivate me and unlike the moving, fickle shapeshifting daytime clouds, these hold the form into which they have morphed. Yes… This is true escapism, no “X” box, no computer screen, you just need a gate to lean on and it’s all free! If there is one good thing to come out of the recent pandemic, it’s that people have started to discover their surrounding
countryside. Families have been out and about on the hill and elsewhere often, I am pleased to say, with a copy of the walking book Mendipity in their hand, or a copy of Sue Gearing’s latest walk from Mendip Times. Having been somewhat scathing about technology in the preceding paragraph, I have to admit the number of “Apps” available to help you identify plants seems rather useful. Plant identification, like any other tool, becomes better the more you use it. These tools however take a lot of the frustration out of identification, when everyone looks at the plant uttering such phrases as: “I know it but can’t think of it at the moment” or: “I’m pretty certain it’s so and so”. When the mobile phone delivers the App’s final verdict, arms go up in the air with expressions of relief such as: “That’s it, I thought it might be!” When they really had no idea in the first place! This month’s photo is for me a classic. If you think you’ve got problems, then look at what someone else is dealing with! Amongst my many “Lesisms” is a description of engineering accuracy that relates to the fit of one piece of work with another. Engineers work to very fine tolerances measured in thousanths of an inch (old money that is). In the countryside I refer to “agricultural tolerances” which could be plus or minus anything. Take a look at this gate on the moors. Now I am not suggesting for one moment that’s how it was originally fitted, the post has leant over. It’s the other gate used to close the gap and the string used to secure it as a method of correction that interests me. Long live individuality!
You can always contact me through my website: Westcountryman.co.uk
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MENDIP TIMES
Prune, propagate, pick, protect and plan
With MARY PAYNE MBE
THERE is no time to stand and stare. Plenty still to do in the garden. The months of May, June and July are “full on” in the garden, planting out, staking, and weeding, so we might think we can take our foot off the pedal in August. If that were the case, we could relax and enjoy the fruits of our labours, but sadly, the plants and weeds in your garden have
other ideas. August is the ideal time to think about taking cuttings to increase your stock of plants, either for your own garden, or to give to eager friends. Deciduous shrubs such as weigelas, deutzias and philadelphus are all easy at this time of year. Take 150mm (6”) long terminal shoots of the current season’s growth, pinch out the immature tip and cut straight below a leaf joint, leaving a 100-150mm (4-6”) length. Dip the base in fresh hormone rooting powder if you have any, if not, don’t worry. Insert the cuttings round the edge of a pot filled with a 50:50 mix of multipurpose compost and grit. Water. Pop a polythene bag over the top and secure with a rubber band. Stand in a light position that gets no sun at all, but is sheltered from rain. Do not remove the bag until you can see roots emerging from the bottom of the pot or new growth inside the bag. Many evergreens like cistus, ceanothus, box and hebes can be done using the same method. Do not attempt to pot-on the rooted cuttings into individual pots until next spring when they start into growth. Keep in a sheltered place outdoors or in a cold greenhouse or frame overwinter. Dianthus (pinks) are also easy to multiply now. Pull the top 3” of the new growth out, pot up and keep in a shaded place until rooted. Cuttings of tender perennials including pelargoniums (geraniums), penstemons, argyranthemums and Osteospermums should be done in August, so they establish before the winter. Pelargonium cuttings should be prepared and left overnight before potting up. Do not use a polythene bag for these. Pick cut flowers regularly to encourage further blooming and delay seed setting. In the greenhouse tomatoes should be starting to ripen well, and the tops should be pinched out at 45 trusses as later fruits may not ripen. Keep feeding and take care with watering to avoid “blossom end rot”. This occurs through erratic watering and inhibits the movement of calcium around the plant, so the blossom end of the fruit goes black and sunken. Pick cucumbers regularly to prevent them being overloaded. Laterals can be pinched out after the first leaf. Watch out for red spider mite attacks and order the biological predatory mite Amblyseius immediately if spotted. This works better in hot spells than Phytoseiulus if we get one! Plums will also be ready to harvest this month. In the vegetable garden, harvesting will be in full swing, but quick maturing crops can still be sown such as lettuce, rocket, and radish. Lettuce germination can be tricky in warm weather so try sowing in the evening and water in well. Bare areas can be sown with a green manure to protect and PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Cuttings
improve the soil structure. Crimson clover or Italian ryegrass are ideal and can be dug in after the winter. Spring planted garlic should be ready for lifting this month. Watch out for cabbage white butterflies and protect brassicas with fine net or fleece. In the fruit garden, summer pruning of espalier/cordon apples and pears should be done now as this season’s growth has ceased and winter buds have been made. Prune back all new growth to 2-3” from where it started this year. There will be a cluster of leaves at the base of the shoot. If you have a heavy crop of fruit, especially on young trees it is advisable to thin the fruit leaving one per 6”. If this is not done the trees may go into “biennial bearing” when you get a big crop one year and then nothing the next. Plum and cherries can be pruned now after picking the crop. Prune as little as possible. They are never pruned during the winter months because of the prevalence of silver leaf fungal disease. After cropping, all the leaves can be cut off strawberry plants and the bed cleaned. Raspberry canes of the summer fruiting varieties should be cut out now and the new canes tied in to prevent wind damage later. The long lengths of wisteria growth that are not required to extend the framework should also be reduced to about 15” cutting just above a bud. Hedges can be pruned now and will stay neat over winter, but check carefully for active late birds’ nests. Pots and hanging baskets will be starting to feel hungry by now if the slow-release granules have been used up, so start or continue liquid feeding with a high potash tomato feed, to encourage continued growth and flowers well into the autumn. Plan for next year. Order bulbs for spring flowering. If your garden starts to wind down at the end of July it is a good idea to visit gardens that open in August to get ideas for extending the season in your own garden. If you are looking for oriental garden ideas then visit the amazing Japanese garden in Glenarm Walk in Brislington which is open on August 14th and 15th, booking is essential via www.ngs.org Watch out for news about “The Queen’s Green Canopy”, an initiative, supported by the Woodland Trust to encourage individuals, groups, companies, villages, indeed anyone to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee” to honour our Queen’s 70th anniversary on the throne.
For more details go to: www.queensgreencanopy.org
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AUGUST GARDEN TIPS
• Reliable hardy annuals and biennials can still be sown. Californian poppies are so easy and should be sown directly into a well-prepared seed bed in full sun where they are to flower. • Keep the show going in your pots and baskets by increasing feeds and regularly removing fading flowers (don’t let them set seeds!) • Prune climbing and rambling roses now, and Wisteria (if not done last month). • Plant snowdrop bulbs just as soon as you can. They can be difficult to get going but by planting really early they establish much more readily. The longer they are out of the ground the more dormant they become and difficult to re-awaken. • Autumn flowering crocus should be planted as soon as possible, as they will flower this October. They flower before the leaves appear earning them the common name “Naked Ladies”. • Cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts and other brassicas get a multitude of pests at this time of year. Regular sprays of Garlic Barrier keeps them all away without making your vegetables taste like garlic! • Prune fruit trees that have fruits containing stones rather than pips now. Plums, cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines are best pruned during the summer when they are less likely to get infected with the incurable Silver Leaf disease. • Keep picking runner beans and courgettes regularly. If you don’t they will stop growing more. Both can be used to make excellent chutney or can be given to neighbours and friends.
GARDENING
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MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 55
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MENDIP TIMES
Open garden
N GS GA R D EN S OF THE MON TH
Henley Mill
AN open garden at Blagdon Court, home of Mary Mead, of Yeo Valley, raised £1,000 for St Andrew’s Church. One of the organisers of church events, Penny Crawfurd, said: “The afternoon went well despite the weather being rather cloudy and damp. A steady flow of people came and all were greeted by Mary on their arrival. The garden looked beautiful and of course it was set off by the wonderful view of Blagdon Lake.”
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PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Henley Mill will not be opening again after the end of this September as the owners have sold and are moving to a smaller property and garden in Wells. So this year is your last opportunity to see this fantastic garden. This 2½-acre garden has been developed over the last 32 years around the River Axe which runs under the house and through the property. Immediately behind the house the warm sheltered borders are arranged formally with roses and scented plants. A deck overhangs the mill leat and looks down onto Gunneras, Siberian Iris and Miscanthus Morning Light. The bridge over the mill race leads to the entrance to a secret garden. Crossing another bridge takes the visitor to the enclosed vegetable and cutting garden. Address: Henley Lane, Wookey BA5 1AW. Contact: Peter & Sally Gregson, 01749 676966, millcottageplants@gmail.com, www.millcottageplants.co.uk. Period of Opening: April to September by arrangement. Admission: £5.50, children free.
Other Gardens Open for the NGS
Sunday, August 1st The Hayes, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BU, 11am-4pm, adults £6, children free. Also open August 2nd. Monday, August 2nd Park Cottage, Wrington Hill, Wrington, Bristol BS40 5PL, 11am-5pm, adults £5, children free Friday, August 6th Downs Preparatory School, Wraxall BS48 1PF, 10am4pm, adults £6, children free. Also open Saturday, August 7th. To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://www.ngs.org.uk
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GARDENING
Flower show is back
CLUTTON Flower Show is being held on Saturday, August 14th, 1pm, at Rudge’s Field, near Clutton Church. The marquee will be opened at 2pm by Mary Payne, MBE, gardening correspondent of the Mendip Times. Entertainment has been booked for all afternoon into early evening. This includes music, ferret racing, a tug of war, strongman demonstration, horse riding, a dog show and agility dog course as well as a display of old cars, tractors etc. For the children Elsa will be entertaining all afternoon with songs and a magician will perform mysterious tricks for all to watch. The tea tent will have some wonderful homemade cakes and the licensed bar will be busy all day. Entrance is £2.50 for adults, £5 for a family, U14s free. Schedules are available from Roger Snary 01761 453063 and Pat Williams 01761 452183, or check online or Facebook.
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EAST Harptree Flower and Craft Show will be held at the village playing field on Saturday, September 18th, 2.30pm. The show was started in 1991 and raises funds for the village children’s play area.
WI planters
THE Garden Gang of Bishop Sutton & Stowey WI, has been at it again, providing plants for the planters in Bishop Sutton playing fields, which the group took over last October. The group’s president, Jenny Harris, said: “We walked home rewarded by the feeling that as a group we had done a good job.”
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PERFECT PAVE
Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and offers a wide choice of projects. It’s not only friendly, professional service that sets us apart, we can’t be beaten on price and ensure our prices beat those of builders’ merchants and garden centres.
Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 57
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MENDIP TIMES
Living with Covid
FOR the millions of English citizens who were led to believe football and freedom were coming home this summer, it’s turning into something of a disappointment. England has combined a superlative vaccine attack with a dismal border defence, with the net result that By Dr PHIL 52% of the population is protected by HAMMOND full vaccination but we still have uncontrolled spread of the highly infectious delta variant. It may peak soon, have already peaked or carry on rising. But in the meantime, millions of people are being told to isolate by the Covid app or Test and Trace, despite having no symptoms, negative tests and full vaccination status. Time will tell if the damage to the economy from mass isolation outweighs the damage from the virus now we have high levels of vaccination. But those who hoped double vaccination would buy them complete freedom are understandably angry. And don’t even mention foreign travel… Personally, I would pay a lot of money to avoid Covid, short or long, but I feel the same about, say, pancreatic cancer and dementia. The fact that two free jabs and a few sensible indoor precautions dramatically reduces the risk is something of a miracle. I wish the same applied for pancreatic cancer and dementia. The challenge with all infectious diseases are that they are infectious. Personal choice can’t be divorced from public consequences. If mask wearing in the crowded indoors dips below, say, 70% it is likely to be much less effective. Likewise, if the notion of “freedom day” dissuades some adults from bothering with vaccinations, others will also pay a price. The good news is, and always has been, that the great outdoors is very Covid safe, so get out there, have fun, enjoy the Valley Fest (I’ll be there) but be mindful of those less fortunate. There are 3.8 million clinically vulnerable people out there for whom much touted freedom day may actually lead to more fear. We need to respect the fact we are all different, but need to live kindly and sensibly together. Oh, and buy my book (please). Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook is out on August 19th available for pre-order now. His Radio 4 series, Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner, starts on August 26th at 6.30pm.
PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Plop the Raindrop
I THINK it was a cow that started things off. It was bawling just as the first golden wash of sunshine started spilling across the valley. This is probably my favourite time of the day, a new dawn which could offer a day of new adventures. But in the cool of the morning, before the sun got too hot, I was happy to snuggle down in the crook of an oak tree’s branches. Later there is a danger the heat could whisk me back in the sky along with billions of other little water droplets. Then heaven knows where we might end up. It’s nice to imagine, at first light, that you are the first thing awake, like a pioneer of some sort discovering a new world for the first time. It’s magical while it lasts, before the sound of traffic noise starts and you human beans turn on those phones and laptop thingies. But obviously I wasn’t the first thing awake, because the cow had woken me up. I wondered why it should send such a blood-curdling bellow at 4am in the morning. Perhaps it was thirsty – it was a warm night. Perhaps it was giving birth. Perhaps it just couldn’t sleep and wanted to annoy everybody else. Well it did. Suddenly sparrows everywhere started tweeting like a thousand dripping taps. I know a lot about taps. Then the seagulls started screaming, yak, yak, yak, yak, yak, spinning past on their way to newly-mown fields. The farmer had cut and turned the grass yesterday and would come back later, when it was dry, to roll it into big plastic bags. I got stuck inside one once and it was a very sweaty experience. Above me a couple of collar doves started to have a chat. You have probably heard them, repeating over and over: “How are you? How are you?” I’ve never heard one reply. Then the rooks got going, rolling out of the treetops like a squadron of old fighter planes in a totally random formation. It’s a mystery they don’t crash into each other. They were also heading for the fields. Over the fence, jackdaws have launched a dawn raid on some bird feeders, but are being chased off by magpies. There are about 100 starlings sitting on the roof above, chattering louder than a Mad Hatter’s tea party. I’ve heard about such tea parties, but can’t say I’ve ever actually seen one. The cow also woke the other cows, who all started mooing. That woke the cockerels who started strutting their stuff. Then all the dogs got barking. Inevitably curtains started twitching in lots of bedroom windows as the world woke up to a new day. And the magic was broken. MENDIP GRANDAD
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New lease of life for Elliscombe House
SITUATED atop a hill in Higher Holton, between Wincanton and Castle Cary, sits the Edwardian Elliscombe House. Built in 1901, it was a family home before being extended and turned into a nursing home, then sat empty for some time. New owners Glenn and Catherine Trotman have spent many months restoring and improving the house, completely incorporating state of the art systems whilst maintaining the integrity of the building. They are now ready to unveil it as a luxurious residential and nursing home. Externally the overgrown garden, with magnificent trees, has been tamed; whilst the area around the house has been landscaped with terraces, pathways and planting which will become a sensory feast during the spring and summer months. A magnificent orangery has been added on the south side of the house, in a style which is sympathetic to the original building. The owners have retained as many original features as possible and the house still boasts a heavy, Spanish style front door, with impressive iron hobnails; stunning fireplaces, and a dramatic Edwardian panelled staircase. Antique furniture, befitting of a large country house, sits alongside traditional and contemporary artwork and lighting and is teamed with upholstered furniture, manufactured in Yorkshire and designed especially to meet the needs of the elderly. Every step of the way, the owners’ aim has been to create a nurturing environment with a homely feel, as far removed
HEALTH & FAMILY
from “institutional design” as is practically possible. The design of the shared spaces also incorporates as much flexibility as possible – the newly-built Orangery, for example, is designed for sitting or dining; but also contains an audio-visual system for film nights and is wired to accommodate a huge Christmas tree as a focal point during the festive season. The management team has an impressive background in NHS and residential care settings, and is keen to use its extensive experience to benefit the new residents at Elliscombe House. The manager, Carla Bowman, is already planning a number of social events at the home when regulations allow, ensuring that residents can continue with current interests and find new ones.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 59
A p
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MENDIP TIMES
Holistic massage
JO Wilkins of Serenity Massage Therapies in Axbridge has just joined Hampden Osteopathy in Winscombe on Tuesday mornings. She has availability in the clinic for holistic treatments to help with muscular issues, pain, stress and tension. Treatments include: targeted deep tissue massage, Thai foot massage, acupressure massage and pregnancy massage. Jo gets a lot of satisfaction from helping people feel better both physically and mentally and gets great feedback from clients. Details: 07739 205590 www.serenitymassagetherapies.co.uk
Orriss and Low Optometrists Corner House Winscombe BS25 1AQ 01934 843713 www.orrissandlow.co.uk
PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business
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HEALTH & FAMILY
COURT HOUSE
Ground Floor & Courtyard Rooms Currently Available
e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.
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e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 61
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MENDIP TIMES
Play area plan
tHe team managing the new Hive Community Centre in Peasedown st John are hoping to create the village’s first indoor play zone for children. Jill souter, who is co-ordinating the project, said: “this last year has been so difficult for families. We would love to give them something really exciting to look forward to that is right on their doorstep and open to everyone, whatever their ability,” the play area, which is set to cost around £12,000, has secured grants from Quartet Community Foundation, Curo, the parish council and local councillor Karen Walker’s empowerment fund. the centre is appealing for support to raise the rest. Details: www.thehivepsj.org
Improving services
tHe Discovery Community Fund has launched a consultation across somerset to shape its future support for people with learning disabilities and autism. organisations as diverse as People First, the somerset Wildlife trust and the Calvert trust are amongst a wide range of organisations and groups that have successfully bid for funding ranging from £500 to £50,000 through the fund in the past. ruth Hobbs, director of somerset’s Parent Carer Forum, which is conducting the consultation, said: “Hearing from individuals with learning disabilities and/or autistic people that live in somerset is essential if we want to design services that support their needs. “things have changed a lot over the last year and it's important to understand this. We want to see as many people as possible get involved so the way the Discovery Community Fund is used is shaped by them.” Helen orford, managing director of Discovery, a social enterprise, said: “under our contract with somerset County Council, half of any surplus we make is reinvested back into the county via the Community Fund. “In that way, Discovery aims to make life better for everyone with a learning disability or autism across somerset.” Details: www.somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk
PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
President’s award to John
JoHn lyde, a retired lieutenant colonel, has been presented with an award for his many years of service to the shepton Mallet branch of the royal british legion. brigadier tony Dalby-Walsh, president of the branch, announced John with the president’s award at its annual meeting last september that John, of shepton Mallet, should be honoured with the president’s award for his work. but due to Covid, it was only in June that branch chairman andy ransom was able to present John with the award. In his time as a member, John has had many roles and is currently the branch’s assistant treasurer.
Time for tea
Pictured (l to r) Lion president, Keith Cook, and Lions Jan Clark, Marion Adcock and Lyn Wood with Tom Anderson and Marcus Chaplin outside the Wyvern Coffee Co shop
directly to fund the club’s projects.
CHeDDar Vale lions Club now have their own lions’ breakfast tea after linking up with local company Wyvern Coffee Co in Cheddar Gorge. they say the beautiful Ceylon has a malty and sweet finish with notes of slightly burnt caramel. all profit from the tea will go
Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk
Rotary donations
Weston rotary has announced two donations to causes supporting people in the town who are affected by loneliness or mental health issues: £6,000 to Weston samaritans and £2,000 to the Holly Hedge animal sanctuary’s combatting loneliness project. norma Johnston, outgoing president, said: “rotary members have dug deep to help local charities at the front line of providing services for the wellbeing of people in the town.”
Guild is back
Glastonbury tor townswomen’s Guild is looking forward to its first meeting since the start of the pandemic on thursday, september 9th at 2.30pm in Glastonbury town Hall. the first meeting will be a welcome back, with tea, cake and a “good natter” and to discuss future plans. new members are welcome. Details: 01458 832599
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Greening their golf course
COMMUNITY
Cary community larder is here for all
Open for business – the community larder is up-and-running Chaplin outside the Wyvern Coffee Co shop
FLORA team (l to r) Pat Roscow, Elaine Davidson, Jennifer Wring, Jane Ball and Sue Forshaw
last year four like-minded ladies from Farrington Golf Club got together with the aim of increasing wildlife on the golf course. they had been inspired by the native wildflower seeds sown under the tee box on the 12th hole by head green-keeper andy Grabham and his team. the resulting amazing, colourful bank of wildflowers attracted the eyes of all golfers and hundreds of bees, butterflies and birds. since then the team Flora (Farrington ladies organising rewilding activities) has been hugely supported by ladies from the club offering to fundraise, plant and sow. In July the Flora team, Pat roscow, elaine Davidson, Jane ball and sue Forshaw planned a fundraising day at the club, with ladies wearing appropriate flowery golf attire to play a pairs competition, which raised £600, adding to the £1,000 they had already raised. one of the team, elaine Davidson, said: “the aim now is for us to start planting bulbs and saplings, supporting the greenkeepers during early autumn and to continue sowing at appropriate times of the year. Many thanks go to all the ladies for their support.”
Gardeners and crafters share sale success
a yarD sale held jointly in Ditcheat by the saturday stitch Club and Fosseway Gardening Club at Ditcheat has raised almost £500 to be shared between them. Jill swindale, from the gardening club, said: “Many thanks to all who generously supported us and made the event a success.”
a neW community larder has opened in Castle Cary with the message that it is “available for everyone”. Castle Cary town Council in collaboration with Churches together and Cary Cares – with the support of local businesses – is running the venture at Millbrook Hub. It is being run by a team of volunteers who say the larder is a twoway process: people are welcome to donate surplus foodstuffs or essentials and take home anything they might need. shops are donating goods that are close to their sell-by date. the local eat Cary growing group is donating fresh salad produce and vegetables and the larder has the backing of the town’s Co-op store and also Morrisons supermarket in Wincanton. the larder will also act as the distribution outlet for the town’s food box scheme with people being encouraged to collect and make up their own food boxes rather than them being delivered. l the larder is open on tuesdays and thursdays from 8.3010.30am and 3-5pm and on saturdays 10am-midday. Mark Hutton and Philippa Biddlecombe – two of the volunteers
Admiring the many plants on sale at Ditcheat
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MENDIP TIMES
Banwell WI resumes
banWell WI managed to arrange a get-together at village pub, the brewers arms, and enjoyed cakes made by Jane’s Deli and a good natter. With the easing of Covid restrictions, they are looking forward to more events in the near future.
Welly walkers
CHIlDren at st Julian’s school in Wellow have taken part in a sponsored welly walk, raising £800 for school funds. the whole school took part in the walk, with Pta members and staff acting as marshals. Details: www.stjuliansprimary.co.uk or call 01225 833143
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Mendip School’s new sensory room
Pictured (l to r) Rhiannon Gogh, governor, parent and St James Place, Kirsty Campbell, SCF, and Emily Massey, CEO of The Partnership Trust
a neW sensory room has been unveiled at the Mendip school, on the bath and West showground, thanks to the generosity of the st James’s Place Charitable Foundation and somerset Community Foundation. Donations totalling over £15,000 enabled a room to be transformed into a stimulating and exciting sensory space. Head teacher, natalie Hanna, said: “this amazing new resource will encourage the development of motor and communications skills, movement, engagement, relaxation, regulation and play. It adds another amazing resource for us to personalise the education for all our young people with special needs.” the school caters for children from four to 19 with a diagnosis of George enjoying the autistic new room spectrum disorders and speech, language and communication needs. the room will be well used in school time and with holiday play schemes, afterschool clubs and for local support groups. the school continues to seek support for other fundraising projects. Details: Lucy Beattie lbeattie@themendipschool.com 07789 934195
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COMMUNITY
Trustees wanted
soMerset Community Foundation is looking for up to three people to join their board of trustees. successful candidates support sCF’s grant-making programmes and helping to grow their philanthropic services. Chief executive, Justin sargent, said: “by setting the strategic direction of the foundation and supporting our work, our board of trustees has an essential role in the success of the foundation. “Given the breadth of the causes we support and the diversity of donors we work with, it is also a very rewarding way to contribute to the wellbeing of local communities across somerset, not least as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”
Hands-on hobby week enjoys VIP visits
Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/about-us/vacancies
Funding for small groups
soMerset Community Foundation has grants up to £2,500 available for core costs for smaller charities, community groups, sports clubs and social enterprises based in the county. It manages the somerset Fund which supports groups that run on less than £100,000 per year. It receives support from business donors and the county council. Kelly Hall, development manager at sCF said: “examples of things the fund will support include village halls or community centres, community shops, cafés or foodbanks, sports clubs or playing fields, or community events, groups and activities.” shepton Mallet ukulele Group received a grant for £682 for equipment for their community performances. Chairman, ray smith, said: “We’re delighted that now the coronavirus restrictions are starting to lift we’re getting booked up again. “It’s well known that people with dementia respond positively to music, and I think it’s really important to help people in need in your community, especially the elderly, if you can; it’s a simple thing to be able to enhance their lives.” applications to the fund can be made through sCF’s website and the deadline to apply is 5pm, Friday, august 13th. larger grants from other funds are also available from sCF. Ray Smith
Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/apply email info@somersetcf.org.uk or call 01749 344949
The High Sheriff with pupils at Bruton Primary School
tHe High sheriff of somerset visited bruton Primary school and upton noble Primary school as part of a hobby week in which pupils met members of the community from many walks of life. thomas sheppard and his wife Michelle visited the schools – which make up the east somerset Federation – to thank all the staff for their work over lockdown, to see the improvements and upgrades made across both school sites and to rededicate and officially open the dedicated outdoor learning areas at both locations. the children enjoyed a whole Enjoying a visit from some calves week of visitors who spoke to them and delivered workshops about their hobbies and jobs. among them were football coaches, journalists, martial arts specialists, farmers and their animals, doctors, artists, dog groomers, chefs, olympic torch bearers, museum curators and cheesemakers. l bruton Primary school would like to say a huge thank you to all in their community who gave up their time to visit and deliver such interesting and enjoyable workshops across the schools.
Pupils are put through their paces
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MENDIP TIMES
Pupils say thank you
Fair is back
WInsCoMbe Community association say they are very excited to announce the return of their revamped Michaelmas Fair, Covid19 and weather allowing. the not the Michaelmas Fair, on saturday, september 11th, 11am-4pm, will be a slightly simpler occasion than usual, without competitions/entries/classes for produce, artwork etc. but new additions include a bring-your-own picnic, delicious cream teas, plus games and several new stalls. there will be a bar and bbQ and entry will be free. organisers are appealing for help and donations. Details: Jackie 07811 292909
Willow class pupils (l to r) Roly, Ruby, Harper and Olivia
Ducks return
PuPIls at Cameley Primary school have been hard at work thinking of ways to thank everyone who has helped them during their school year. their cards and posters were on display at a special thank you Day held at the school.
Wildlife haven
ubley Churchyard working party has started up again and has met monthly over the past three months. organiser, nigel Crocker, said: “It is so good to get some work done after a period of inaction.” they meet on the third saturday of each month so their next meeting will be on august 21st. they hope Pictured (l to r) Rosie Boyce, to create a haven for Diana Coles, Hugh Currell, Gerald wildlife and erect bird and Coles, Ann Leech, Norman bat boxes. Crocker and Christie Peacock Details: nigelberylcorax@btinternet.com
PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
CHeDDar Vale lions’ duck race is back, but later this year, on august bank Holiday Monday, if Covid rules allow. the last race was in May 2019. tickets should be on sale from the beginning of august and details of how to obtain them will be released on their website. the lions hope to be out and about in the Gorge on the saturday and sunday of the august bank Holiday weekend to sell tickets. Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk
Axbridge Rotary’s new chairman
rIC Canham has handed over as chairman of axbridge rotary to Paul bateman. ric helped set up the group three years ago. the pandemic made it a difficult start, but the club is now hoping to move on to bigger and better things. one project, working with the Men’s shed, is to plant an orchard and sensory garden next to the strawberry line.
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COMMUNITY
Welcome to our world
artIsts, craftspeople, performers and musicians opened the doors of their studio and workshop spaces in parts of Glastonbury’s former Morlands factory site to showcase their efforts to turn the buildings into vibrant community spaces. the beckery Island open Day saw hundreds of visitors explore the iconic ZigZag building and the soon to be restored C building which will be converted into a community arts space, recording studio and craft workshops with the help of the Glastonbury town Deal fund from the government. Rohan Black and Jade Allcock, who live next to the ZigZag Building
Morgan poses in a “speaking in symbols” installation by resident artist Jess, recreating tableau scenes from times gone by
Po, the “wonder tap dancer” entertaining visitors
Inside the ZigZag Building
“Bella’s Fields” book launched PHotoGraPHer John Fleming used the open day to launch his new book of photos celebrating life in the theatre and Circus Fields at the Glastonbury Festival. since 1991 John, of Glastonbury, has spent his festivals capturing the spirit of the areas which were the idea of the late arabella Churchill, who founded the Pilton Pop Festival –
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One of the captions John has written John Fleming in the C Building with some of his photos
now the Glastonbury Festival – with Michael eavis. Proceeds from sales of the book – called “bella’s Fields” – will go to the Children’s World charity, founded by arabella. l the book is on sale at the red brick building and other outlets in the town.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 67
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MENDIP TIMES
Churchyard tea
Carol Davis and Jenny Gully James
VIsItors once again poured into Pensford Churchyard for the tower Friends’ latest tea and cakes event, which raised £215 towards the restoration of st thomas à becket Church’s clock face and safety rails on the tower roof. Instead of the monthly tea and cakes, the next event will be a charity Garden Gig on august 22nd in the Hollies Garden in Pensford, home of tony and Guilly Jones.
School visit
CHIlDren from shoscombe Church school had a special trip to bristol Harbour to visit the Matthew, before walking down to see the ss Great britain.
Happy Birthday St. John’s!
Details: 01761 490456
Lottery award
tHe Hive Community Centre in Peasedown st John has been awarded £3,500 by the national lottery towards its children’s play area. the centre is also home to the village’s post office, community library and swallow Café. www.thehivepsj.org
U3A great Cheddar safari
CHeDDar Valley u3a members recently enjoyed some fun, walking the winding lanes and footpaths around the village searching for exotic and previously unnoticed creatures. Members working in small groups, took part during two afternoons, following fiendishly tricky clues to discover many (inanimate) animals. Who knew for instance that a hippo and elephants reside in Cheddar? unravelling the mysterious clue of “the fire station with no siren, but a hooter” revealed a large owl model perched atop the tower at the rear of the fire station – not an easy spot! these non-competitive afternoons entertained around 50 members, all thoroughly enjoying the sunshine and being able to meet up again outdoors, after the long restrictions. a spokesman said: “We live locally, laugh a lot and learn all the time – completely in keeping with the u3a ethos of live, laugh and learn and we’d love you to join us and enrich your life.” Membership is currently free. Details: u3asites.org.uk/cheddar-valley/welcome
PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
st JoHn’s Primary school, Midsomer norton, has been celebrating its 300th anniversary with a series of celebrations. the school was founded in 1721 after money was left in the will of ann Harris to educate the poorest 40 pupils in the parish. today the school is attended by over 430 pupils who are enormously proud of the school’s long history. the 300th year festivities began on st John’s Day, thursday, June 24th, when the school held assemblies where the children learnt more about the history of the school. they took part in a treasure hunt to find key features on the site from commemorative plaques, bricked up doorways, historic fireplaces and the school bell, which was tolled for all to hear. In the afternoon they held a picnic on the field in class bubbles and enjoyed cakes, donated by the Pta, and party games. earlier in the month, alun Williams, Ceo of Midsomer norton schools Partnership, headteacher Danielle West-Gaul and pupils from year 3 officially opened a new outdoor classroom. later this year the school will be installing a stained-glass window in the school hall which is being designed by edgar Phillips. Former pupils and local residents can make a donation to go towards the installation. Details: http://gofund.me/09844bd6
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Garden party
Rotary awards
aFter holding meetings and church services through Zoom during the pandemic, parishioners at st Michael’s Church in burnett, near Compton Dando, decided to have a social gathering in the gardens of Whitson lodge, the home of rosemary and David turner. the morning was a success with everyone saying they would like to do it again.
Outgoing president Tony Quinn (left) presenting the Paul Harris Fellowship award to Spike Parker
Lodge supports NHS
MeMbers of Connaught lodge in Midsomer norton celebrated the national nHs Day on Monday, July 5th by observing the two minutes silence at 11am and then clapping outside the Masonic Hall in the evening. During the evening the lodge made four donations of £1,000 to charities that work in conjunction with the nHs by providing vital support services, and a further £1,000 to the nHs Charities together. Jerry Hake from the Freewheelers blood bikes received the donation from charity steward Colin lunt; secretary tony Cooper passed the cheque to Ken Hutton of the Dorset & somerset air ambulance. Connaught’s Worshipful Master brian Parry presented the £1,000 cheque to richard lewis who was representing the Great Western air ambulance. this was followed by Chris James, communications officer, presenting the donation to emily Mitchard of the Children’s Hospice south West. representing the nHs, emergency care assistant Hayley biggins received a £1,000 cheque on behalf of the nHs Charities together from her husband, Connaught member sean biggins. teddies for loving Care were given to sean for use by the south Western ambulance service nHs Foundation trust. all the recipients were given a teddy as a personal gift from the lodge. Details: Tony Cooper, email: secretary3573@btinternet.com
COMMUNITY
Incoming president John Palmer (left) and Tony Quinn
MeMbers of the rotary Club of Chelwood bridge met to witness the traditional handover of the leadership of the club from tony Quinn to John Palmer. the outgoing president made several awards: the President's Cup for overall commitment to club aims, rob taylor; the Fellowship Cup, John Palmer, for the outstanding programme which kept members entertained and engaged throughout the year; the Visitors' Cup, Mike Hedges for the significant number of Zoom calls he had taken part in. Mr. Quinn said: “I was also extremely pleased to present a Paul Harris Fellowship award to spike Parker for his excellent contributions in the background over the year and also for the outstanding commitment he has given to Wizzybug, the bath based charity. “Colin robinson was awarded a second Paul Harris Fellowship award for the huge amount of work he has put into developing our outstanding website and social media presence.”
Playgroup’s art show
Clutton Playgroup threw open its doors for people to see their children’s art – and raised £86.45 selling strawberry teas. leader, Jenny bush, said: “they had so much fun making it and we hope you had as much fun looking at it.”
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MENDIP TIMES
Gifts from Uganda
CHeW stoke Church school’s owl class received a very exciting parcel from their partner school in uganda containing some beautiful hand-made hats, hand-carved gorillas and hand-made personalised mats for the head teacher, ben Hewett and re subject lead, Carole Hope. the school has been partnered with Christian life Pre and Primary school since september 2020 and despite the difficulties of the last academic year has managed to communicate with the school on a regular weekly basis, exchanging letters, videos, e-mails, cards and presents. In particular the children have really enjoyed learning about the endangered gorillas of the Mgahinga national Park, which is home to 40% of the world’s gorilla population and which is very close to their partner school in uganda. Carole Hope said: “the children really enjoy having a partner school in uganda and have learnt a great deal about life both in africa and around the world from our Connecting Classrooms work with the british Council. “It is so important that we extend their learning outside of the Chew Valley and regularly discuss global issues with all ages, to prepare them for life in the 21st century.”
Time for tea
Pictured (l to r) Ciaran and Kitty Scurr, Maddy Dunn and Trevor Scurr
tHe rain held off until 4pm at the first of the popular summer sunday teas, which have resumed at st Mary’s Church in Compton Dando, in the churchyard rather than inside. It raised £126 for church funds, including sales of lorna Howarth's jams and chutneys. teas will be held in the church every sunday from 3-5pm throughout august.
Rotary centenary
Weston rotary has announced George Horsfield as its new president in its 100th anniversary year. George said: “I am honoured to be elected as the 100th president of Weston rotary and look forward to tackling the year ahead with energy and enthusiasm. “the club has great community and fundraising projects all planned and ready to go but, more than anything, we want to celebrate the achievements of the amazing Weston rotary members over the last 100 years.” George Horsfield Pounds for Pines
Details: https://www.facebook.com/westonrotaryclub www.wsmRotary.uk
PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
The tea team (l to r) Trish Vowles, Harriette Dottridge and Jan Gough
Chris Dibble from Compton Dando
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Mural trail is an inspiration for pupils Glastonbury’s ever-expanding mural trail has led to the transformation of a play area at one of the town’s schools. Children in year 5 at st benedict’s have been working with professional artists Mark noble and Julie lovelock – who is also a parent/governor at the school – to decorate a bike shelter and drab concrete walls with their own street art. the school grounds already boast other street art by parents and local artists but arts Council funding has allowed Mark to work directly with the youngsters. they went on a tour of some of the murals and met artist Frank Harwood who was working on his latest mural – adam and eve – just around the corner from the school. Mark, who is autistic, is a firm believer in the value of art to wellbeing in both youngsters and adults. He said: “I have been teaching them some of the techniques of painting, but have left their work to their imaginations.” Meanwhile, an updated version of a free mural trail map has been published along with the launch of an interactive website. launched in 2019 with 28 murals, the Glastonbury Mural trail has seen amazing growth in the past months, now featuring over 50 murals dotted throughout the town. the website, designed by local web designer Matt Witt using funds from Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, was created by local artist and founder of the Glastonbury Mural trail, Kim von Coels. Maps are available from the Glastonbury Information Centre at st. Dunstan’s House, the rogues Gallery at 8a High street or Heart of the tribe at 74 High street.
COMMUNITY
Some of the Year 5 pupils with artists Julie Lovelock and Mark Noble
Artist Frank Harwood in front of Adam and Eve in St Benedict’s Close. The mural was completed too late for inclusion in the hard copy of the map
Pupils at work in the play area Jacob’s Ladder is full of street art
The launch of the new trail map. Pictured (l:r) are: Jill Barker, from Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, mural trail curator Kim von Coels and Glastonbury mayor Jon Cousins
For details, visit: www.glastonburymuraltrail.co.uk To see Mark Noble’s work, visit: www.marknobleart MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 71
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Busy time for Inner Wheel Club
Handover held in president’s garden
Heather (centre) with Dorothy House manager Nick Greeves and deputy manager Gemma Hand
tHe Midsomer norton Dorothy House shop has received a donation from volunteer Heather langridge as part of her time in office as president of the Inner Wheel Club of Midsomer norton and radstock. the shop was one of three charities supported by Heather and the club. Heather is succeeded as president by Jackie emm, who has promised “fun and friendship”. l Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the old Down Inn at emborough. new members are always welcome. For details contact secretary elaine Muir on 07543 973666.
Sue (left) with Kate
outGoInG president of the Inner Wheel Club of Frome, sue ruddick, hosted a tea party in the garden of her home when she handed over the chain of office to incoming president Kate lewis. sue had held the position for two years due to Covid-19, a year longer than usual.
Coffee break
Heather was presented with a pot plant and garden voucher by retiring members Betty Jones (right) and Betty Pratten on behalf of the club
Funding available
MenDIP District Council has extended the deadline for applications for both its Communities Fund and its Climate and ecological emergency Fund, to september 30th. the one-month extension follows feedback from community groups who argued the government’s delay in lifting national Covid restrictions gave them less time to submit their projects. Details: www.mendip.gov.uk/cf and www.mendip.gov.uk/ccf
PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Pictured (l to r) Steve Rendell, Barend ter Haar, the Rev Denise Calverley, Arwen Calverley, Richard Davis and Elizabeth Penny
CoMPton Dando’s monthly coffee mornings have resumed with free tea, coffee and cake from the village’s community association. next month’s event will be held on tuesday, august 10th, 10.30am-12 noon at Compton Dando village hall. Details: Alice Prescott 01761 490600
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COMMUNITY
Teddies for sale
Pandemic diary
Jenny Davis (left) admiring Heather Maggs' teddies
Jeff Dowson, Alison Hoddell and Andrew Troup with copies of the book
CoMPton Dando’s weekly sunday teas now have knitted teddy bears for sale, as well as lorna Howarth's jams and preserves. Farmer’s wife, Heather Maggs, has been knitting teddies for tragedy for quite a while, but because of the pandemic has not been able to send them abroad. she’s now selling them in aid of the village’s st Mary’s Church.
Couple re-elected
CHeW stoke has a written record of life during the pandemic, thanks to contributions from scores of people in the village. a year like no other – Glimpses of life in Chew stoke During the 2020 Pandemic is a fascinating collection of stories, experiences, poems, photos, cartoons and drawings accompanying memories from children at local primary and secondary schools. the book is now available, priced £10, with money going to parishes in the Chew Valley. It is a remarkable achievement by all involved, including the curators/editors alison and stephen Hoddell. the book is dedicated to the memory of all the villagers of Chew stoke who died during 2020. Details: andrewtroup@hotmail.co.uk
Showtime in Cheddar robIn and elizabeth Weelen have been re-elected as both president of shepton Mallet 41 Club and chairman of shepton Mallet ladies tangent Club at a joint meeting in the garden at their home. Due to Covid restrictions last year, all the clubs’ officials were invited to stand again.
More than 35 scarecrows and many delightful gardens will be seen on the Flower and scarecrow trail in Cheddar from august 14th-28th. Chris sims, chairman of Cheddar Flower show committee, said: "It promises to be a lovely way to celebrate summer and our gardens this year, in place of our traditional indoor flower show.” there will also be a virtual showcase during august when the show’s Facebook page will be opened up so that people can post photos of anything they have made or grown. Details: Cheddar Flower Show Facebook page or email cheddar.flowershow@yahoo.com
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 73
MENDIP TIMES
Digging – a triumph of hope over expectation
CAVERS rightly celebrate the discovery of a new cave or extension, as we recognise the tremendous amount of effort that has gone into the find. Often years of hard work by a dedicated team of cavers digging more in hope than expectation has eventually led to the breakthrough. It is true that occasionally With PHILIP the chance removal of a boulder, or a five HENDY minute dig in a “likely” depression will give results, but these discoveries are exceptional. In 1918 Scottish diggers found a new cave after only three minutes work, to enter 151 metres of passage in Uamn Nan Clachan Dubhan, the Cave of the Black Stones in Sutherland. This was enough to win the prestigious J-Rat Digging Award, given annually. Similarly, while digging in Swildon’s Four, Alison Moody during a “rest” period, climbed to a high-level passage which allowed eventual entry to the Watergate passage. This headed back to St. Paul’s Series, part of the Short Round Trip. Most cave digs, however, go on for months or years, until either a discovery is made, or, more likely, the team loses interest. Even though cavers leave for various reasons, others often take their place. An entirely new team may take over. The dig at Hillgrove Swallet was commenced in 1903 and at least four clubs have dug there over the years, sometimes making more than one attempt. So far, a length of 65 metres has been achieved, with a depth of 25 metres. As yet, the expected streamway which feeds outlets at Biddlecombe, Wookey Hole and Rodney Stoke, has not been found. I have been involved with cave digging for almost as long as I have been a sporting caver. My first dig was with the Severn Valley Caving Club at Rookery Farm Swallet near Green Ore. We tried extending an earlier dug shaft, which entailed me removing the remains of an extremely dead calf. Abandoning that, we turned to the stream sink, where I had to be dug out from a collapse which buried my legs up to the knees. Not an auspicious start and the dig was soon abandoned. The club turned its attention to Eastwater Cavern, where the 380 Foot Way below the entrance boulder ruckle ended in more boulders. This dig did not last long and it was years later that the glory fell to the Bristol Exploration Club, who pushed through to connect with the extensive West End Series. There are some long-lived groups which have had the same core membership for many years, although they welcome like-minded diggers to join them. Two such are NHASA (The North Hill Association of Advanced Speleologists) and ATLAS (Association of Thrupe Lane Advanced Speleologists). These groups formed when digging North Hill Swallet at Priddy and Thrupe Lane Swallet near Croscombe respectively, but stayed together after discovering these caves to have other successes, notably at Manor Farm Swallet at Charterhouse and the Viaduct Sink at Windsor Hill. There have been several other less productive digs. For the past 44 years I have mainly dug with NHASA, starting at Windsor Hill Swallet. We have dug at several sites on central Mendip, though earlier successes have not so far been repeated. There have been three long-term digs, starting with Twin T’s
CAVING
Templeton
Swallet at Priddy. Extending the earlier dig, a descending passage eventually broke through to a low decorated chamber, with a choked shaft. This was dug for six years, until, although prospects looked good, bad air and strained relations with the farmer forced us to leave. We then moved to the Yoxter Ranges, where, over eight years, Lodmore Hole was dug down to a depth of 37 metres. Again, there were promising signs, but the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease led to abandonment. When lockdown ended, the Axbridge Caving Group restarted their dig at Templeton, high above Wookey Hole. NHASA joined them in 2002. We are still there, although none of the original NHASA is still alive, and there have been many who have come and gone over the years. We now call ourselves the Templeton Diggers and meet once a week. There have been a few minor finds, but the big breakthough still eludes us. Anyone who starts digging for cave on Mendip in the hope of a rapid breakthrough is sadly deluded, although there are other, more remote parts of the country where someone might stumble across an open hole. Digging, particularly in the long term, requires a certain mindset and determination. Although we sometimes joke that that if prisoners were made to work in such places, they would reckon it to be cruel and unusual punishment, generally a dig meet is good fun, even though there is usually a tedious amount of spoil to be moved. Problems arise, and many ingenious solutions have been devised when they do. Most digs take place in the evenings, to accommodate those with day jobs, but we make sure we down tools in sufficient time to get to the pub for much-needed rehydration therapy and the chance to discuss progress and plan ahead. The ultimate goal is, of course, to find a new cave or extend a known one, but deep down, most of us know this will not happen. Diggers are however an optimistic bunch, and although it would be wonderful to arrive, we have a lot of fun travelling hopefully.
Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves
PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
(Photograph by Phil Hendy)
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Looking at the lettings market
PROPERTY
Jackie Cary from Killens looks at the rental market WITH a continued shortage of houses to buy and rent, it should come as no surprise that the demand for houses to rent shows no signs of weakening with 60% of letting agents seeing an increase in demand during June and July but a continued shortfall in instructions. Over the past year, rents have climbed by an estimated 13% and the average rent outside London now stands at over £1,000 per month. At Killens,we are letting properties almost immediately and many do not get openly marketed so do register with us if you are seeking a property to rent. Even with house prices rising, letting a property can deliver a competitive yield. If you have a property to let and are new to the lettings market, we do strongly advise that you seek advice from an agent. Agents can reduce the stress and hassle involved in letting a property as well as provide guidance and advice, provide a safety net if something goes wrong, create a barrier between yourself and the tenants and ensure that the legal aspects are covered. The lettings market is a legislative minefield at the moment and using an agent can help steer you through the maze. There are many things to consider: EPC, gas safety certificates, right to rent, deposit protection as well as the legalities of agreements and how to obtain possession.
Once you have found a tenant, it is important that they are referenced effectively. A local agent will be able to professionally reference any potential tenants for you. At Killens,our lettings team offer an effective and professional service that can be suited to your requirements at a competitive rate. Contact us for an appraisal of your property on 01275 333993 or 01749 671172.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 75
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MENDIP TIMES
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HOMES & INTERIORS
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MENDIP TIMES
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HOMES & INTERIORS
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NEWS
Heritage railway mourns Roger Worner
A VISITING steam loco which was the star of the show at the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway gala weekend in Midsomer Norton was decorated with a wreath after the death just a few days earlier of popular volunteer Roger Worner. Roger, a former engine driver in Bristol, had been due to be part of the team on the footplate of the Austin 1 – as well as other locos – during the steam and diesel event. His colleague Stuart Garner said: “Roger, an ex-MOD employee, had three main passions in his life, his family, his dogs and railways. “He had extensive experience as a steam loco driver in the heritage sector and was responsible for training new drivers at Midsomer Norton. He was a true railwayman.” Dozens of enthusiasts and families enjoyed the weekend of journeys behind the Austin – on loan for at least the rest of the summer from the Llangollen Railway in Denbighshire in Wales – the Midsomer Norton line’s resident loco Joyce and its two diesel engines.Rides on vintage buses and the line’s Wickham Trolley – were also on offer.
Roger Worner – he had worked at St Phillip’s Marsh in Bristol as well as on the Bristol Harbour Railway
Mike Abbott on the footplate of the Austin 1
The Austin 1 with the wreath next to resident loco Joyce
Heritage artist Janet Riley, from Batheaston, with one of the visiting vintage buses
The Wickham Trolley in action MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 79
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NEWS
Library reopens after makeover
Lily, aged 21 months, in the new-look children’s section
SHEPTON Mallet Library has re-opened, following its refurbishment to make it a more versatile community space. Somerset County Council has worked with Shepton Mallet Town Council and members of local community interest group, 7 Starlings CIC, to agree a new
Exhibition launch was a wizard idea
model for the library – it will see the building used as a venue for a wide range of community-based activities outside the library’s regular opening hours. The refurbishment includes new furniture, improved areas for children and young people, as well as versatile
A SUMMER of workshops and events inspired by the Wizard of Oz has been launched at the Art Bank in Shepton Mallet. Many people dressed in their favourite characters for the opening of the Wizard of Woz which also includes a special film made with the help of Somerset Film. They were led in a signed dance routine from the Market Cross to the Art Bank. The Wizard of Woz was created by the Rubbish Art Project – based at the café – a not-for-profit organisation. Since April 2018 it has worked on developing a hub where people and groups can come together in a creative environment.
Dimitris, Abby and James lead the way to the launch trailing the yellow fabric road
PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Librarians Ruth Boyt, Janet Rundle and Mel West with CIC member Kate Lovell and Shepton Mallet town councillor Martin Lovell
shelving which will allow the rooms to be reconfigured for events. Some of the funding for the project also came from Glastonbury Festivals. A Love Your Library day of celebrations was due to take place as Mendip Times went to press.
Abby adds the finishing touches to Nathan, the Tin Man
We three witches: Morgan, Sue and Mandy
For details, visit: www.artbank.org.uk
Motoring page.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2021 10:10 Page 1
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RETIRED long distance lorry driver Norman Carpenter is preparing to show off his latest pride and joy – a fully-restored 46-year-old Ford transporter lorry. Norman, of Welton, Norman with the lorry spent months working on the D Series lorry. The lorry is already booked in to make its debut in the Vintage Field at the Mid-Somerset Show.
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Norman’s lorry conquest
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MENDIP TIMES
Abbey’s medieval habits return Photography by Mark Adler
Jousting in the main arena
GLASTONBURY Abbey welcomed back living history enthusiasts when it held its open-air and Covid-compliant medieval fayre. Visitors were treated to everything from full-on jousting to falconry displays and demonstrations as well as the chance to meet the re-enactors and talk about their favourite periods of history. Katherine is helped on with her armour by Neal, from the Oxfords group Rival knights battle it out in the main arena
Members of the Landsknecht German militia group. The soldiers were renowned for their fighting skills and were allowed to wear uniforms of their own design
Rob Sim – What a Palaver – thrilled the crowds with his fire eating skills
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EVENTS
A spectator gets close up to a bird of prey during a falconry display
Sabina Lohr – a “wise woman” – explaining some of the medicinal plants and herbs used at the time
Horsepower – riders were challenged to show off their skills
Jay, Emma, Redford and Keeleigh – the Plymouth Time Travellers
Members of the Plymouth Medieval Society after a display
Metal-to-metal – a bespoke suit of armour can cost several thousand pounds
Local artist Marianne King had a stall at the fayre. Her painting of the Lady Chapel was used as the front cover of the abbey’s latest membership newsletter MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 83
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THE Frome Festival has celebrated its 20th anniversary with 11 days of talks, walks, culture and pop-up fun. Last year’s festival was cancelled entirely due to the pandemic and some of this year’s planned mass-audience events had to go the same way. Martin Bax, Frome Festival founder and president, gave a talk about the early years of the event with the inaugural Bob Morris lecture, in memory of its former chairman who died earlier this year.
Festival president Martin Bax (front left) with Frome mayor Andy Wrintmore, director Martin Dimery and chairman Gavin Rea
(Photo courtesy of David Chedgy Photography)
Festival is thriving – 20 years on
The newly-formed embroidery group Independent Stitch Hub, formerly Frome and District Embroiders’ Guild. Pictured (l:r) are chairman Mary Housley, Pam Hemmings and Nanette Stevens
val
Bellydancer Anna Kemper who performed with the Turkish group Hazir in Frome’s Victoria Park
Sculptor Fiona Campbell, from Cranmore, with her work on show at Frome Museum which is part of a touring exhibition called Inch by IN:CH PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
Musician Paul Kirtley entertained visitors at a pop-up café in Rook Lane Chapel run by the charity We Hear You. He is pictured with (back) Katie Eacott, Biz Kendall and Helen Sprawson-White and (front) Adrianna Cereda. The venue hosted an exhibition celebrating the history of the festival
Midsomer Norton-based multiinstrumentalist Carl Philip Louis performing in a jam session outside French General Trading
Artist Rachel Applegate with her silk paintings and light catchers on display at St Mary the Virgin church
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Wells enjoys a weekend of music
EVENTS
WOWFest, Wells orchestral weekend, saw a variety of orchestras, choirs and bands from all over the country entertaining crowds in bright sunshine at the Bishop’s Palace. Organisers said it was the perfect way to welcome musicians back to the stage. The festival was created in 2018 by the International Music Exchange, Wells whose patron is local conductor Charles Hazlewood. This year’s celebrations were called an Ode To Joy and to Music in recognition of the return of live music events after the pandemic.
Enjoying the music on the lawns of the Bishop’s Palace
Community choir, the Priddy Singers made its concert comeback for the first time in 18 months with a set of well-loved songs. New members are welcome. Details: www.priddysingers.org
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 85
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Horse trials overcome the hurdles THIS year’s Nunney International Horse Trials took place behind closed doors but has been declared a success despite the challenges faced by organisers. With no paying spectators and no trade stands, the atmosphere at the three-day event felt very different as hundreds of riders and horses battled it out for top honours. Three days of competition culminated in the international classes with the CCIS3* being won by Gloucestershire-based Helen Bates riding Carpe Diem V. Vicky Tuffs, from Monmouthshire, and Jasper, were winners of the CCI-S2*. Vicky also won the 5-year-old section with CFH Dakar Hill. Joint organiser Bridget Parker said: “We’re very happy that’s its been a
Lucy Wheeler on Ringwood Kenco in the showjumping arena
successful weekend. All the competitors were happy with the course and Helen West, our course designer, did a brilliant job. The rain meant the going was
Italian rider Alberto Giugni on Galwaybay Talent on the crosscountry course
A steward takes to the water to repair a fence
PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021
excellent. Well done to all the team here at Nunney and we very much hope to welcome back competitors and trade stands next year.”
Paolo Torlonio, another Italian competitor tackles the water obstacles on Mistral Mish Mash
Helen Bates and Carpe Diem V won the CCI-S3*
ANIMAL or veterinary chiropractic is a hands-on treatment that helps to improve joint function and movement and restore normal motion. Animal chiropractors can be either qualified human chiropractors or vets who go on to complete a postgraduate diploma in veterinary chiropractic. This enables them to treat any animal with chiropractic therapy, but most usually horses and dogs. When a joint and its supporting structures aren't moving normally, this can cause abnormal motion, pain and dysfunction for your animal. A full history of your horse’s health and current activity or behaviour changes is taken, followed by a hands-on assessment to find areas of restriction and tenderness. These are then released using gentle specific manipulations and stretches to restore normal movement and relieve pain. Animal caregivers are very astute at noticing changes in behaviour – more grumpy, appetite changes, changes in movement, lameness – all these signs could indicate a problem chiropractic treatment could help with. Your first step should be to consult your vet to ensure there is no underlying disease or emergency. If they decide the symptoms are due to a benign musculoskeletal issue, then you could discuss referral to a chiropractor for assessment and treatment. Many caregivers choose chiropractic care to support sports performance and ability. Much like a human athlete, they will benefit from regular care to ensure they are functioning to their best ability. Treatment improves performance, whilst reducing the risk of injury by ensuring they are carrying out their sporting activities without restriction from tight or sore muscles and joints. As your horse ages, many owners notice signs of arthritis, such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness and reluctance to move. Chiropractic care can improve joint movement, reducing pain and stiffness for improved quality of life. We all get aches and pains and so do our horses. Keeping them a healthy weight, ensuring they get plenty of sleep, always have a clean supply of water and getting any concerns checked with your vet are essential. Adding in regular physical therapy also irons out any niggles before they escalate into a more chronic concern and is as beneficial to animals as it is to us. Your horse will thank you for it! Bronwen
More donations and volunteers are welcome. Details: www.movethemind.net or find them on Facebook
The Animal Chiropractor CALL: 0117 2141153 l Experienced and qualified animal and human chiropractor l Covering Bristol and surrounding areas l Horses – home visits/Dogs – treated in Warmley l Therapies include joint and muscle manipulation, low-level (type 2A) laser therapy and infrared/red light therapy l Treating musculoskeletal complaints and for activity and sports performance enhancement l Registered with: GCC, BCA, RAMP and IAAT What owners say: "Thank You So Much" “Feedback from riding Jack, he was not hanging on to his right side at all, and although he was still super quick, he was relaxed through his head and for the first time ever, he did a really relaxed walk on a long rein . . . he has never done that!! So 10/10 for his treatment, it’s a starting point and I can start getting him balanced. Thank you so much xx (Lucie Peters)
Bronwen Henley: E: contact@animalchiropractorbristol.co.uk W: www.animalchiropractorbristol.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 87
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MOVE the Mind, a hands-on equestrian and farming project which helps young people on the autistic spectrum, has received a £500 boost from the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner Move the Mind founder Nicole Gillard Wheel Club. and her wonder horse Harvey with MtM, based near Heather Langridge (left), the club’s Kilmersdon, is trying outgoing president, and next year’s to raise £5,000 treasurer Sue Hopkins towards the cost of installing electricity on the site. Founder Nicole Gillard launched the not-for-profit group four years ago to offer animal therapies to youngsters and their families. Most of her work is based around horses, but the project also uses farmyard animals and dogs. It currently helps around 40 young people.
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Registered chiropractor Bronwen Henley – who runs Bristol Chiropractic Clinic – explains her work with horses.
Club’s donation to equine therapy project
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What is Veterinary Chiropractic?
RIDING
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MENDIP TIMES
Easy as riding a bike
Ed Miliband, politician, and former leader of the Labour Party recently revealed that he only mastered the art of riding a bike aged 50. CYCLING admitting that he had with EDMUND LODITE been a “very, very nervous rider” as a child he had considered using an adult tricycle when lockdown started but was worried about the stigma and photos by the paparazzi. it wasn’t until he hired an electric bike on holiday in France that he “had an epiphany” and realised bikes were fun. Back in London he started venturing out on local journeys – even cycling to work and now says he has “the zeal of a
Channel swim success
Sian andrews, a children’s nanny from Long ashton, has succeeded in swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team to raise money for aspire, a charity which helps people with spinal injuries. Lockdown hampered her preparations so much she was using a family’s ten-metre backyard pool for her preparations, instead of swimming in the Bristol Channel. She said: “i was the third swimmer, so my first swim was at 2am. Water temp was 15c. The first 20 minutes of swimming i was excited that my dream had become a reality. i'd trained hard for this and now was my time to shine.” www.justgiving.com/fundraising/s ian-andrews15
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convert”. Such candour from a politician is refreshing and will strike a chime with many who can relate to the emotions he expressed. With that in mind i’ve been pondering whether the saying “it’s as easy as riding a bike” is really true? i don’t remember the exact steps my parents went through with me on my first bike. There is no set approach, a lot depends on giving the child confidence. The best age to teach a child is between four and six years and the process should take about 45 minutes. The recommended first step is not to use the pedals. By removing them and lowering the saddle slightly it allows the child to push themselves along, learning how to balance and turn the bike. Then with pedals returned and saddle height re-set the adult holds the child (not the bike) from behind to provide stability while the child learns how the bike reacts as they pedal. Hopefully, it then isn’t too long before the child is released to take their first few pedal turns towards freedom and adventure. For adults returning to cycling or learning to ride later in life the challenges can be different. The physical process of
balancing and pedalling is more straightforward, but now the mind starts to throw in unfounded doubts over safety, risk, traffic etc. Confidence is the key – the best approach is to start simple and be proud of every ride no matter how far. Little and often is the best way to increase strength and confidence. Traffic-free paths like the Strawberry Line and Colliers Way are a good place to build confidence. We are also lucky that Mendip is criss-crossed by country lanes with low levels of traffic. Positioning on the road is important. a common misconception is that cyclists should ride as close to the kerb as possible, but this is wrong. Vehicles may try and squeeze past when there’s not enough room, so it’s best to assume a wider position on the road, about 1m from the kerb. This makes the rider more visible and allows some flexibility for manoeuvring. i know a few people that have returned to cycling later in life. Like Ed Miliband any concerns quickly disappeared and after a few rides a new world had opened. Young or old, cycling is the same – pleasurable, healthy, an environmentally friendly way to travel – and it’s easy!
AUGUST CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS: 1. Gobi 3. Blood money 9. Exam 10. Corpuscles 11. notated 13. Rhizome 15. Referendums 19. number plate 21. Lineman 22. Shipham 23. Extinction 24. Ulna 25. Easy Street 26. ache. DOWN: 1. Green Ore 2. Blast off 4. Lloyd 5. Opportune 6. Mississipi 7. nelson 8. Yes-men 12. Tyrone Mings 15. nominator 16. Catholic 17. Teammate 19. Cleeve 20. Unites 22. Stoke
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SPORT
Top tennis award
SaRaH Strawbridge, chairman and welfare officer of Cheddar Tennis Club, has been crowned the 2021 LTa Volunteer of the Year. Earlier in the year she had won the Somerset County and South and South West regional volunteer awards putting her into the national finals. Launched in 2015, the Cathie Sabin award, named after the former LTa president, recognises the thousands of inspirational individuals throughout the country who give their time to contribute to tennis at grassroots level. Leon Smith, Great Britain davis Cup captain, who presented the virtual ceremony, paid tribute to Sarah’s outstanding
Boost for Wells Cricket Club
Wells U-13s
WELLS Cricket Club is celebrating after securing a £1,000 grant towards new training nets. The Old School Lane club has won the funding from housebuilder Persimmon Homes Severn Valley. The club provides cricket for more than 100 young people aged five to 18 every week. Rachel Richards, of the club, said: “Our juniors section has grown rapidly in recent years, but our facilities haven’t been able to keep up. “Currently, most juniors training takes place on the grass, which isn’t able to recover from the wear and tear quickly enough, and training is frequently cancelled due to poor weather. “Training nets will allow us to train even if it has rained, allowing us to get more children and adults playing cricket.” The project has been quoted at £30,000, but the club has been able to bring that cost down with its army of volunteers and have already raised more than £10,000.
contribution to Cheddar Tennis Club, mentioning the countless hours she spent in the last Covid pandemic year creating a safe environment in which to play tennis. He also praised her tenacity in securing grants for improvements at the club and her passionate promotion of diversity, welcoming everyone and making the club a truly inclusive venue. Receiving the award Sarah said she felt humbled and overwhelmed but honoured and appreciative to receive such an accolade. at a recent club afternoon Jennie Colton, president, presented flowers to Sarah in appreciation of her amazing contribution, saying her award is richly deserved and is an outstanding achievement.
From Wells to Wimbledon
WELLS Tennis Club player Mark Preston will represent Somerset at Wimbledon this summer. On Saturday. July 10th, Mark won the county final beating competition from across Somerset at the Lawn Tennis association’s largest national junior competition, The Road to Wimbledon. He will take part in the national final with a day out at the famous courts in august. Mark Preston will play at Mark is trained by Wells Wimbledon Tennis Club coach Kevin durney and is on the Somerset under 14s team. Kevin said: “These experiences are a once in a lifetime opportunity, a great achievement and very well deserved. Mark has put a lot of effort into improving his game and is a pleasure to work with on court.” Mark, aged 14, said: “i’m really looking forward to playing at Wimbledon. Everyone has been really supportive, i’d like to thank Kevin, my coach. now i just need to buy some white tennis shorts!” Wells will be hosting an open weekend on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, august 1st for anyone wishing to try the sport, with free play, coaching and other activities. For details, visit: www.wellstc.co.uk
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MENDIP TIMES
Water welcome back to runners! Photos by Mark adler
FaMiLiES and friends in Frome turned out in force to support runners in the 2021 Frome Half Marathon and its junior races – on one of the hottest days of the year so far. not only did they cheer on the participants, but brought out their hosepipes to offer them a welcome shower of water as they tackled the various distances. More than 1,000 runners of all ages took part in the family fun run, 5K, 10K and half marathon races, which started and ended at Selwood academy School rather than the popular event’s usual venue of the nearby Frome Town FC stadium due to Covid requirements. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Leigh Evans at the start of the half marathon. He finished in a time of 02:05:06
Time for a hosedown: half marathon runners Ali Holman (left) and Jack Hurrell on Nunney Road
Runners were set off in “waves” to adhere to Covid regulations The start of the family fun run – but some were taking it seriously
e charity
Lili Breese was running for From We Hear You
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SPORT
Elizabeth Eyers in the 10km race
Some of the runners in the family fun run which kicked off the day
Smiles from Paula Allen in the half marathon
fun run Ollie Francis was first home in the in a time of 04:21
Tracey Heatley (left) and Becky Cooper-Collett were just two of the runners raising money for Coleford-based charity Time is Precious
Robin-Mark Schols, running for Frome charity Active and In Touch
For results, visit: www.theraceorganiser.com
Alexander Coombs, from Wells City Harriers, heading home in a time of 1:24:20 in the half marathon
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MenDiP TiMeS
Let music be your inspiration
Finding the motivation to learn a musical instrument as an adult comes in many unexpected ways, although it would be hard to match the surreal way June Walsham fell in love with the idea. it coincided with a shopping trip to Lidl where, as she randomly browsed one shopping aisle, she caught sight of something that was going to change her life. June had always been curious about learning a brass instrument and there was her answer – a trumpet for £79. June said: “There were two trumpets for sale, each with an instruction book and case. i’ve never seen one for sale since and i almost doubt myself now, looking back. i just liked the look of it and bought it.” She was in her late 50s when she had her musical epiphany in a shopping aisle. now aged 68 she is a regular with the Frome Town Band where she is among a growing number of players who started to learn an instrument later in life. As the band looks to expand and recruit new members, it is not only looking towards the younger generation but adults who might need a bit of a nudge to pick up a brass instrument. For June that spontaneous decision to buy a trumpet has led her on a musical journey which she has embraced. She said: “i wouldn’t describe myself as a confident player. i painfully learnt how to read music. it certainly didn’t come naturally to me. When i first
moved to Frome and joined the band i was happy to go in with the beginners. Then i was asked to join the main band where those around couldn’t have been more encouraging. “Everything about the band is accessible and supportive, at an incredibly low cost. There is no barrier to anybody joining, whatever their age or experience. You don’t even need an instrument to be part of the band, they lend you one. There is an extra level of support and nurturing that is very special. “When it comes together it is quite an emotional sound. For me, it is a hotline to your heart, particularly when you hear the band playing outside. i’m not a fan of the clever, concert brass. For me that does not have the same kind of heart – that grassroots grown in the community feel. i have a sense that the whole being of the band is greater than the sum of its parts.” Fellow player Alan Sills first joined a band more than 40 years ago. His son Philip started to learn the cornet at the age of ten and, after sitting at the back of the hall and watching, Alan resolved to give it a go. He said: “i started off teaching myself from books, a tune a day, and i would play duets with my son. They let me join the band (where we lived at the time) as a Third cornet and from there i progressed to Seconds and then ended up at the front.” He said the attraction of picking up a
Alan Sills
Practice – with social distancing
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Details: contactfrometownband@gmail.com
June Walshamtle
brass instrument and being part of a band remains a massive motivation, he is also a member of the Radstock Brass Band. He said: “Hearing all the different sounds – from the bass to the middle to the higher pitch is something. You get nine or ten instruments all playing together, producing some wonderful harmonies and sounds. it is a real musical experience.” Besides the benefits to mental health, Alan is keen to emphasise the way in which learning a brass instrument has helped him physically. now aged 78, he said: “i’m sure my lung capacity and breathing have benefitted from the discipline of playing.” The band says it offers a chance to meet new people and learn a new skill while benefiting your health.
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MuSic & TheATre
A Priddy special night
PRiddY Folk Festival organisers staged a special live streaming of a concert in a secret village location to mark what would have been the event’s 30th anniversary. Three bands – including local heroes The drystones celebrating ten years together – played in front of a small, invitation-only audience at the village hall. The event was also streamed live to the garden of the Queen Victoria inn. Called Wish You Were Here, the concert was headlined by festival favourites Baraka. no dancing was allowed and Covid restrictions were complied with. it was the second year running that plans for a proper folk festival had to be shelved, but organisers are hopeful it will return in 2022.
Devon-based The Dillyboys opened the night
Baraka boast global beats with their fusion of African and caribbean influences The Drystones on stage
Baraka ahead of their set
Baraka’s Ben Baddoo is also an in-demand session player
To view the concert via YouTube, visit the festival website: www.priddyfolk.org
Jazz nights are back
JAzz enthusiast Roger Collett returns to Cossington Village Hall for a series of fine jazz evenings until the end of the year. Providing there are no further problems with Covid, his August 21st evening will feature top violinist Mike Piggott and ace guitarist nils Solberg. On October 9th Hot Fingers take centre stage, playing acoustic jazz from the early days and featuring the incomparable Tom “Spats” Langham.
The november 20th evening is a special occasion as Roger and his wife celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary, with the highly entertaining gypsy jazz band La Vie en Rose. Finally on december 11th the ever popular pianist Mike denham is joined by trumpet player Ben Cummings to play various genres of jazz with a hint of festive fun. The concerts support Bridgwater Hospital League of Friends.
Details: 01278 451187 or e mail rogercollett.sounds@talktalk.net
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Ramblers planning walking festival return
A THREE-day free walking festival organised by Mendip Ramblers is due to take place – Covid restrictions permitting – over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Last year’s festival was postponed due to the pandemic, but the ramblers are hopeful it will take place this time. The festival will be centred on Shipham and offer four walks each day: a short family-friendly walk of about three miles, a medium walk of about five miles, an intermediate walk of about eight miles and a long walk of about ten miles. The main walks all start at 10am with the family walk starting at 1.30pm. All walks begin at Shipham Village Hall. Elaine Dadley, from the ramblers, said: “All are welcome, ramblers, non-ramblers, visitors to the area, and those from the surrounding area. We hope that the variety of walks will encourage new walkers too. “Children with their families are especially welcome; the short afternoon walks might be a good introduction to the pleasures of walking? If allowed tea and cake at the end of each walk is the reward.” For details, visit: www.mendipramblers.co.uk or phone Kevin on 01749 672996
Wells Festival of Literature opens its doors . . . and its windows
LAST year the Wells Festival of Literature was one of the few events in the country which featured live people – both speakers and audiences – at Cedars Hall in the city. But it also opened windows to the world by live streaming every event and beaming in some of the speakers who were unable to travel because of local lockdowns and other Covid restrictions. The plan this year is for every speaker to appear in person, but the organisers will continue to cater for the expanded virtual audience by live streaming again. This year’s festival takes place between Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 23rd. The festival competitions – an integral part of the event – are truly international, with entries flooding in from every continent except (so far!) Antarctica. Now audiences are following suit: amongst the first to subscribe to the Festival’s Friends scheme this year were a couple from Florida. And those logging into the streamed events did so from all over the UK, as well as from France, Primary school children celebrate their love Germany, Spain and the USA. of reading Fans of the festival, now in its 29th year, might fear that this worldwide growth could change the unique flavour that has made Wells so successful. Richard Manning, WFL chairman, disagrees. He said: “The festival remains an organisation run and managed entirely by volunteers, the largest in the country able to claim that; it takes place in one venue with no two events happening at the same time. So, it’s always possible to attend every event. And now our ever-expanding audience can enjoy the whole festival online from the comfort of their own armchairs.” Richard added: “But what really marks WFL out is our continuing commitment to providing support for local state schools and colleges. Using our profits to encourage a love of literature amongst the younger generation has been a stated aim of the festival since it started. “With the disruption to education caused by Covid, WFL’s support in opening doors for these youngsters has been needed more than ever. And it’s been given – in the form of virtual author visits, book donations, poems by post and even a reading shed!” Full details of this year’s programme will be published in brochures and on the festival website in August. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, September 6th, although priority booking (for Friends and Sponsors) opens on Tuesday, August 31st. For details, visit: www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk
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summer family fun at museum STAYCATION families will find plenty to enjoy this summer at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. The museum has teamed up with the Royal Bath and West of England Society to stage a “living exhibition” with a vibrant programme of family events and activities that capture the spirt of the Royal Bath and West Show. The museum is currently alive with craft demonstrations, “create and make” activities and visiting animals. Special events include a craft fair, visiting shire horses, birds of prey and donkeys, and demonstrations in pottery, pole lathing and felt making. In the museum’s Mapstone Gallery, visitors can enjoy specially commissioned contemporary film and photography. Robert Drewett, chairman of the Royal Bath & West of England Society, said: “The Bath and West has been at heart of rural life in Somerset for almost 250 years, and although our role has changed and developed over the years, it is still a
vitally important one as a showcase for farming and rural life in the region. So, we are delighted to be part of this exhibition, which will bring to life our past role and present activities in a way that everyone can really enjoy.” Meanwhile, at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, visitors can discover an inspirational array of cartoons and art by the Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown. See the original covers for some of the Horrible Histories and discover more of Martin’s work from his beginnings as a humorous graphic artist and fan of cartoons. The Horrible Histories books, written by Terry Deary, were launched in 1993 and are now world bestsellers. They have inspired TV series, stage shows, exhibitions and even a feature film. The series re-launched in 2021 with new titles including a history of flight called “Up in the Air”. Martin said: “The most important thing about drawing is enjoying it – having fun. And one of the best ways to have fun
For details, visit www.swheritage.org.uk
WHAT’S ON
Farmer Jess Maynard at the Royal Bath and West show
drawing is by doodling cartoons. Cartoons don’t have to look ‘right’, in fact they are supposed to look silly. I should know, I’ve been drawing sillily for years.”
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(Photograph courtesy of Peter Hall)
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Where there’s a Will . . . others may follow
VISITORS to the Mid-Somerset Show’s new site on the edge of Shepton Mallet this August will hopefully be blissfully unaware of all the behind-the-scenes efforts that have gone in to make it a success. Designing a new layout for the show from scratch – amidst the knock-on effects of the pandemic – has made the past year or so especially challenging for the team led by show society chairman Ian Harvey. But key to making the showground run as smoothly as possible on the day itself – Sunday, August 15th – has been its young volunteer showground manager, Ian’s son Will. At just 31, Will has been instrumental in creating full-scale site plans, working out where the different aspects of the show should be positioned on the society’s permanent site, at the same time as creating a sense of space so visitors will feel comfortable. Will, who lives in Wells, is following in the footsteps of Roger Eddy, who oversaw preparations for the show on its former site and who Will assisted for several years – along with doing any other jobs that we needed ahead of the event and on show day itself. He said: “As it’s a completely new site, I’ve been able to look at it with a fresh pair of eyes and in, hopefully, a logical way. Inevitably, we will have to make some tweaks as we go.” Will, who studied for a business management degree before working for Glastonbury Festivals, now hopes to be joined by other – younger – people who might be inspired to join the show
WHAT’S ON
Will Harvey – hoping to attract more young people to the show society
society in some way. He added: “There are so many aspects of running the show – and the society’s other events such as wassail and hedgelaying competition – that I’m sure it will appeal to others. “There’s a real opportunity for young people to get involved and bring their own ideas and interests, yet still maintain our agricultural show traditions. They might want to help with preparations or on the day itself, whether they’re interested in farming or arts and crafts. Being on the new site gives everyone a chance to get involved and create an exciting future and I’m hoping to arrange some sort of open event after this year’s show to reach out to them.” l Entries in all classes have been extended until Friday, July 30th.
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T H E M E N D I P T I M E S W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E
as Covid-19 numbers are rising, we advise that you check that these events will take place. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge. Commercial entries £25.
Until September 5th Cary 21. A history of Castle Cary by the Cary History Society, Town Council and museum. Victorian Assembly and Billiard Rooms, MonSat: 10am-4pm. Sun: 3-5pm. Admission free. Saturday July 31st Coffee Morning, St Bridget’s, Chelvey and Brockley, 10am–12.30pm. Parking at Chelvey Court, or for disabled drivers by the church gate. Sunday August 1st a triple-bill of theatrical shows with a street circus twist at Croscombe Playing Field. Advance tickets only: www.takeart.org/whatson sunday Tea, St Mary’s Church Compton Dando, 3-5pm every Sunday in August. Congresbury Book sale 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds. Then held every Saturday. Friday August 6th to Sunday August 8th sea shanty Festival WsM. Details: www.wsmshantyfest.com Saturday August 7th and Sunday August 8th Volunteers’ weekend Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway, Midsomer Norton,10am4pm. New volunteers welcomed. Shop, buffet,
museum, engineering. Details: www.sdjr.co.uk Saturday, August 7th Wedmore street Fair, St Mary’s Church and Church Street. Sunday August 8th shepton Mallet eat:Festivals event. See p18. Monday August 9th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm, visitors welcome. Next on August 23rd. Thursday August 12th street & glastonbury u3a enrolment day, 10.30-noon, Glastonbury Town Hall. An opportunity to choose activities to start in September. Details: www.streetu3a.org Saturday August 14th Clutton Flower show from 1pm. See p57. Saturday, August 14th to Saturday August 28th Cheddar Flower & scarecrow Trail. See p73, Facebook or email cheddar.flowershow@yahoo.com Sunday August 15th Mid-somerset show – see p97. Saturday August 21st Jazz night at Cossington Village Hall. See p93. Details: RogerCollettsounds@talktalk.net The adventures of Madame Carol sell and Mr Popsy. 3pm Collett Park, Shepton Mallet. Free. Details: TallTailsTheatre.com Barton st. david Carnival. Free. TA11 6BS. Details on Facebook.
Old and new attractions combine at show FOLLOWING an absence of over two years, the Bath & West show returns later this month in its one-off guise of The Bath & West Country Festival, with a mix of new attractions and old favourites. Taking place from August 27th-29th, the festival retains the Main Ring, Main Lawn, Woodland and Countryside Arena. New features include Lakeside Farm, which offers interactive farming fun for the family with a Sheep Show and Dog & Duck Show; and Canine Corner, featuring a show from Pawsability, Great British Dogs, and a Fun Dog Show. The ever-popular Food & Drink Hall remains a major part of the festival. It has relocated to the Showering Pavilion, the largest permanent building on the Showground, and has a new sponsor, Jon Thorners. Amongst the delicacies available at the food stands in the hall and on the main lawn will be retro and Spanish street food, pizza, curry, and homemade brownies; and The British Cider Championships will also take place during the three-day event. Roaming performances are part of any festival, and The Bath & West Country Festival is no exception. Liver Cottage’s comedy chefs Hugh Fearn and Lee Whittingstall will be presenting alternative cookery demonstrations from their mobile kitchen garden, creating “fusion food on the move”;
FOR
A U G U S T 2021
Tuesday August 24th Rime of the ancient Mariner from Tor Theatre, outdoors at The Cross in Croscombe. Advance tickets only. Details: www.takeart.org/whats-on Friday August 27th night at the abbey. See p96 and www.glastonburyabbey.com Friday August 27th to Sunday August 29th Bath and West Country Festival, see p98/99. shipham: Mendip Ramblers Walking Weekend, see p94. Saturday August 28th and Sunday 29th Flower Festival, St Mary’s Church, Wedmore. Monday, August 30th Cheddar Vale Lions duck race, in the Gorge from 2pm. See p66. Fun on the Field, Castle Cary, a free afternoon of family events, 2-6pm at Fairfield. Details: markethouse.bookings@castlecary.co.uk or 01963 351763. Friday September 3rd RnLi fundraiser, Chew Valley Lake sailing club, tea & cakes, cash bar 3-6pm, adults £5, children U10 free. Details: 01275 854623. Friday September 3rd to Sunday September 5th Love Cleeve Community Festival. Family fun, theatre, walks & talks about climate change, nature, community and faith. Details & tickets: www.lovecleeve.co.uk
whilst The Jelly Roll Jazz Band will be playing 1920s standards and putting their own spin on more modern songs on the Main Lawn, and wherever else they fancy. A new musical feature for this year is The Greenwood Stage, which will be located at the top of the showground and will have live music from 2pm until 11pm on Friday & Saturday, and 12–4pm on Sunday. The headline acts are Bath & West favourite The Leylines, (Friday night); the South West's No.1 Blues Brothers tribute band Blues Others (Saturday); and reggae fusion group Irie Fire (Sunday). Americana band Hello Hopeville, country band Black River Sinners, and sea shanty singers The Merchant Men add to the varied line-up. If this wasn’t enough entertainment, thrill-seekers can enjoy the Paul Hannam Stunt Show in the main ring, where the UK’s only multiple roll-over quad will be jumping over anything the team can get their hands on twice a day. With a vintage fairground and machinery, great festival wall, and sports village, there is something for everyone in the family – including the dog! Transport is sorted too, as First Bus will be providing a shuttle bus service all day on Friday and Saturday (8:30am – 6pm), with pick-ups and drop-offs in Wells, Shepton Mallet and the Bath & West Showground.
details: Tickets are available now at https://www.bathandwest.com/tickets
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WHAT’S ON
(Photograph courtesy of Jason Bryant)
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