What’s On

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 of reading Germany, Spain and the USA. 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.

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 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.”

For details, visit www.swheritage.org.uk

Farmer Jess Maynard at the Royal Bath and West show

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 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.

Will Harvey – hoping to attract more young people to the show society

THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR AUGUST 2021

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.

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

Old and new attractions combine at show

FOLLOWINGan 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”; 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.