Community

Christmas market

Carol Fear and Victoria Walker from East Harptree

EAST Harptree School PTA held its Christmas Market in the village theatre instead of the school and needed the extra room.

PTA chair, Jody Judd, said: “We raised a fantastic £630 for our wonderful school. I would just like to thank all of the PTA members and all of the local village and people from the Valley coming to help support this event. It was a huge success.”

Poppy Brake and Julianne Evans were serving teas

Lions’ pre-loved sale

CHEDDAR Vale Lions are replacing their normal jumble sale with a pre-loved sale on February 26th in the village hall.

This means they will take donations of good condition items only and will resell them to support their work in the community.

They will not be able to accept shoes, underwear (unless new and packaged), electrical items or furniture, but will accept good quality bric-a-brac and books.

Items can be delivered to the hall on the day after 12noon, so that they can be sorted ready for the opening at 2pm. There will be an entrance fee of 20p, with refreshments available.

Support for hospice

Phil Smith and Brian Barton who were managing the cake raffle

Waiting to serve (l to r) Liz Davis, Jacky Kerley, Lorna Collins and Tina Smith

BLAGDON’S Weston Hospicecare support group decided to hold a Christmas coffee morning, instead of the usual Christmas fair, and raised nearly £600.

One of the organisers, Tina Smith, said: “Thank you all once again for supporting the hospice and helping us raise this fabulous amount.”

Music evening

CLAVERHAM musician Paul O’Donnell set feet tapping in Congresbury Methodist Hall when Cameo members met for an evening of music and mince pies.

He has recently had a tough year with cancer and asked for donations for Cancer Research. The next Cameo meeting is the New Year meal at the Mediterraneum on January 12th.

Winter walking on our rights of way

(Photograph courtesy of Chris Parkes)

Work in progress

THE New Year carries a lot of hope for better times for all. Two years ago Covid 19 was an unknown term, but now we know just how fragile our world can be. Hopefully we’ve all learned from this experience, perhaps most of all how to value quite ordinary experiences.

For Mendip Ramblers the pleasures of walking are no longer taken for granted! We hope that our Winter Walking Programme will be a straightforward affair and we’ll try not to grumble about muddy fields and rainy weather!

And we’ll be grateful that our voluntary working party have been hard at work in 2021. Although their activities were curtailed, they have been out whenever possible. This ensures that reported access problems on the rights of way are addressed. All walkers benefit, especially during winter as broken bridges and wet weather are not a good combination!

As well as our usual weekly walks there are plans for some social events and some holidays – fingers crossed! We may even get to Brittany in the autumn, but meanwhile how lucky we are to live in a beautiful part of the world and that the UK itself has such a wonderful variety of scenery.

So, even if you’re not a rambler, keep walking and if you’d like to try group walking there are opportunities across the Mendip area. New walkers are always welcome. Unfortunately, printed programmes are not currently being produced but details can be found on our website: www.mendiprambers.co.uk.

Elaine Dadley for Mendip Ramblers

Christmas quiz

The hall was busy

NEARLY 60 villagers and friends took part in Norton Malreward’s Christmas Fun Quiz, the first since Covid struck curtailing all village fundraising activities.

A hot buffet was provided during the interval, there was a well-stocked bar and the evening ended with a raffle with a good selection of donated prizes suitable for Christmas.

The total raised for the village hall amounted to £625.

Organisers, David and Rosemary Ballinger, said: “It was encouraging to see new faces on the teams and a very enjoyable evening was had by all.”

They plan to hold another quiz in the spring and urge villagers to watch out for details of other events in the hall, including Wednesday evening badminton sessions which are open to all.

Quizmasters Caroline and Kevin Sweet

Feeding the needy

PEASEDOWNCommunity Trust is aiming to feed 30 of the most deprived households in the village again this Christmas time.

Chairman, Gavin Heathcote, said: “So many people in Peasedown St John could miss out on a festive holiday this year because they don’t have the money to put food on the table.

“A cold Christmas ahead with a family to feed, when you’ve lost your job, is a situation that nobody wants to be in.”

Successful sale

Jane Hares buying a raffle ticket at the stall manned by Ernie and Royette Chapman

LOYAL villagers braved the storm to fill Congresbury Methodist Hall for a Christmas sale and coffee morning, which raised £450 for the Friends of St. Andrew's.

This was the first fundraising for nearly two years and the money will be used for repairs and improvement to the church and Refectory.

Vicar of Congresbury, the Rev Matthew Thomson, thanked the many volunteers who donated items and gave their time.

Christmas gifts

PUPILSof Sandford School and their parents collected 32 shoeboxes of gifts and useful goods to be distributed to poorer children abroad by the international charity Operation Christmas Child.

Members of the school council are pictured with the shoeboxes, which have barcode tracking so they can check where they go.

Surviving winter

SOMERSETCommunity Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal raised a phenomenal £100,000 in its first month thanks to the generosity of local donors who donated their winter fuel allowance. The team have been busy distributing funding across the county and aim to support over 500 vulnerable older people in Somerset with a Surviving Winter grant again this winter.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter

Co-op supports Men’s Shed

MIDSOMERNorton Men’s Shed has received a donation from the Co-op Community Fund. The presentation was made in front of the Co-op’s Marksbury store by manager Ben Rowe and Community Trust pioneer Tina Curtis.

Chairman of the Shed, Steve Swift, said: “We really appreciate the financial support from the Co-op and its customer members who have so kindly provided the funds.

“Thanks to this donation, we were able to purchase an immediate replacement pillar drill for our workshop as the old one had just expired. The remainder of the money will enable us to have a little more financial security in the medium term.”

Midsomer Norton Men’s Shed is part of Midsomer Norton Community Trust and is open to anyone over 18 years who wants to socialise and learn new practical skills.

The Shed is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9.30am behind the big barn at Farrington Farm Shop.

Details: Steve Swift 07775 735789 stephenkhswift@gmail.com

Council wins funding to support low-income families

VULNERABLElow-income families struggling to feed their children or pay spiralling energy bills are set to receive financial help from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The council has been awarded almost a million pounds by the Government to help households with increasing living costs this winter.

The money will be used to provide £250 grants to support lowincome households to meet rising energy costs and provide food vouchers to households whose children receive income-related free school meals.

The council is also allocating £100,000 from the funding to the district’s Citizens Advice Service to help vulnerable residents pay their rising energy bills.

Councillor Kevin Guy, council leader, said: “We’ve all felt the impact of the recent rise in the cost of living and in particular rocketing energy prices and this has resulted in some people having to make difficult choices between feeding their family or keeping them warm.

“This is unacceptable. Clearly, we can’t help everyone, but this funding will ensure our most vulnerable families are supported.”

Christmas meal is back on the menu

MEMBERS of the Coleford Revival Group served up a treat when they held their annual Christmas meal for the village’s elderly residents.

The popular event, in the Royal British Legion Hall, was unable to go ahead last year due to the lockdown. Instead, the CRG – a community group behind events such as Coleford’s live music day and village day – went round the village with hampers.

The group was due to deliver more hampers this year to elderly residents unable to attend the roast turkey meal.

CRG chair Nicola Phillips serves Robin Bradbury (left), aged 97 and the village’s eldest resident, and Jack Spencer, aged 75 The meal is a popular fixture on the village’s calendar

Coleford vicar, the Rev Clarissa Cridland, says Grace

Patricia and Laura Beale on the raffle stall Members of the CRG just before the start of the meal

Grants available

CHARITABLE groups in North Somerset are being invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000 from Quartet Community Foundation.

Last year it awarded more than 100 grants worth over £670,000 to charitable projects in the area.

Julie Newman from Quartet said: “So many of these groups now need our help. This grant programme can help them keep on delivering for some of the most disadvantaged people in our North Somerset communities.”

The deadline for applications is January 27th.

Get ready to celebrate Shepton’s Snowdrop King

A COLLAPSED obelisk that once stood on the grave of Shepton Mallet’s “Snowdrop King” James Allen is being recreated by two local artists.

The carved stone memorial to the 19th century Victorian horticulturalist has long since fallen into a state of disrepair. But Shepton Snowdrops, set up to celebrate his legacy and the organisers of the annual snowdrop festival in the town, have raised funds to recreate it.

The work is being carried out by wood carver Amelia Crowley-Roth and stone carver and sculptor Sam Lee, who live near Shepton Mallet.

Dominic Weston, a director of the Shepton Snowdrops Community Interest Company, said: “Thanks to the remarkable James Allen, Shepton Mallet holds a very special place in horticultural history.

“The restoration of his grave and the creation of a new obelisk by two such talented crafts people are a fitting remembrance of a man still known 100 years after his death as the Snowdrop King.”

Together, Amelia and Sam are creating a new design for the 3.1-metre obelisk inspired by flowers bred by Allen in his home town – snowdrops Magnet and Merlin.

The new obelisk will be a focal point of the Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival which returns after a year off due to the pandemic and takes place from February 14th – February 20th.

Meanwhile, festival organisers have announced that Dan Pearson, an award-winning landscape designer, horticulturalist and gardener, will be the first Shepton Snowdrops patron. RHS gold medal winning Yeo Valley Garden will open specially and donate proceeds to the Snowdrop Festival.

Dan Pearson: delighted to become the festival patron

Entries for the 2022 snowdrop poetry and photography competitions are open. For details, visit: www.sheptonsnowdrops.org

Charity lunches return

CHEWStoke’s monthly soup lunches have resumed after a long break because of lockdown with packed halls raising £261 for Crisis at Christmas in November and £257 in December for inHope, a Bristol charity for homeless and marginalised people.

One of the organisers, Cynthia Troop, said: “We started in 2006 and have served soups from October to May every year except for the last because of lockdown.

“It is a St Andrew's Church initiative. The lunches started in aid of Christian Aid, but now only May is for that and other charities (mostly local) are chosen for each month by popular vote.”

Jonathan and Judith Longhurst were running their popular Traidcraft stall, raising nearly £150 for the producers in developing countries.

Mr Longhurst said: “Our main supplier is Traidcraft, based in Gateshead, and they are reporting that many of their packers are off work with Covid and that orders will therefore be significantly delayed.”

The next soup lunch will be held on January 5th, 12.30-2pm at Chew Stoke Church Hall.

Pictured (l to r) Anne Summers, Gill Wring, Linsey SuensonTaylor, Sheila Limburn, Liz Wormald, Alison Letts and Cynthia Troop

Supporting and helping others

Postmistress Jill Champion receives her award SELFLESS Somerset people who have gone the extra mile to support their communities have been recognised for their contributions at the Somerset County Council Chairman’s Awards. A total of 16 individuals and four groups were presented with certificates and pin badges by the authority’s acting chair Councillor Mark Keating at a ceremony in Taunton.

The roll of honour included parish council stalwarts, dedicated volunteers, community lynchpins, and even a longserving Taekwondo teacher.

Amongst the individuals to be honoured were: l Jill Champion, the postmistress in Compton Dundon for many years who has made the Post Office a valuable community asset. Jill also oversees the use of a computer and printer with internet access for residents to use as a community hub. l Mary Hossack formed the “Love Somerton” group which helps to run several events in the town, including organising a Christmas Lights switch-on event every year which brings thousands of people into the town. l Sally Meek was nominated for her dedicated volunteering at The Gateway Club for adults with learning needs based at the Bay Centre in Burnham-on-Sea.

Meanwhile, Axbridge Litter Pickers received a group award. They are a group of residents led by Louise and Barry Walsh along with Malcolm and Mary Owen, who have worked tirelessly to keep the village clean and tidy.

Although the Chairman’s Awards are traditionally held annually, this was the first time they had been held since 2019 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Cllr Keating said: “It is always a great joy to hear the stories of the amazing work our award winners have done to support and help others. Everyone who received an award has done something remarkable and has made a real difference in their communities. It is a privilege to be able to thank them on behalf of the council in this way.”

President gets the bird

Jan Osborne receiving her cockerel sculpture with (l to r) Hazel Wedlake, Sheila.Dobbs, Liz Botham , Jessica McInnes and Joan Williams

CHEWStoke WI president, Jan Osborne, got a surprise gift when she agreed to stay on although she has served for more than four years.

She said: “During the meeting, Pat Peel, our treasurer, surprised me with a gift on behalf of the members. From a large box, a lovely metal chicken emerged.

“I had recounted the antics of our two chickens in members’ newsletters during lockdown and so I was really touched by this thoughtful present.”

Members said it was the most entertaining AGM they had ever attended. It included a free supper for members, as they had so little in return for their subscriptions during the lockdown.

Their new year begins on Wednesday, January 19th with a talk on The History and Practice of Aromatherapy, starting at 7.30pm in Chew Stoke Church Hall.

Ringers get new bells

STANTON Drew Handbell Ringers now have a complete set of bells thanks to the Pensford, Publow and Stantons Community Trust (PPSCT).

It has given the ringers a generous grant to buy three Whitechapel handbells to complete their two octave chromatic set owned by the village church.

As a thank you the handbell ringers entertained trust members and members of the 100 Club at their annual Christmas prize draw in the village hall.

Mary Payne, from Stanton Drew, introduced the team of Jill Tovey, Hinton Blewitt, Sue Curtis, Winscombe, Gill Lewis, Catherine Davis and Pat Roderick, all from Chew Magna, together with Lucy and Liz Tout, Midsomer Norton.

Mary said: “New members are always welcome. Our team visit many venues both at Christmas and during the year raising money for Cancer Research.”

Village award

Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker from the trust with Katie

KATIE Chun has been named as the first ever winner of the new Peasedown St John Community Civic Award.

Peasedown Community Trust, which organised the award, said Katie had gone “above and beyond” in her service to the community this year with her voluntary work at the school and at the Hive.

Gold awards

Pictured (l to r) Mary Gray, Jenny Prall and Sue Curtis

DURING The annual Christmas celebration held by the Chew Valley Trefoil Guild in Bishop Sutton, Gold Voyage awards were presented to two members, Sue Curtis and Mary Gray to add to their bronze and silver awards. They were presented county Trefoil chair Jenny Phall.

Sue said: “Everyone enjoyed the celebrations and it was so good to get together and catch up with each other and share many memories of past Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger camps, sleep overs, pack holidays, Youth Hostel weekends and International trips.”

Antlers –but no reindeer

Gimme a kiss – Philip Welch, the mayor of Wells with Caroline, his wife and mayoress watched by Andy Coulson and club president Wendy Ray

Wells City Band opened the live music

WELLS Rotarians staged a fundraising Mistletoe and Music event in the city’s Market Square to highlight the umbrella organisation’s campaign to end polio worldwide.

Unable to hold the annual reindeer parade, club members sold mistletoe and felt antlers whilst visitors were entertained by ZZ Birmingham, Helena and Wells City Band. The day raised £727 for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and £330 from donations to the Rotary Polio Plus campaign.

Lunch was an absolute cracker

MORE than 40 people sat down to five-course feast at the Stoke St Michael Christmas Senior Lunch.

Unable to take place last year, the traditional get-together was organised by the Memorial Hall committee with extra volunteers helping to serve.

Teresa Taylor-Wolff, from the committee, said: “Our thanks go to Wainwrights Quarry for the welcoming drink and contribution to raffle prizes, Somerset Community Foundation for the additional equipment which help the hall produce such a wonderful meal, Somerset Food Resilience for food contributions and of course the additional volunteers who come to help on the day.”

Some of the organisers of the senior lunch One of the tables of friends from the village

Festive fun

For details about events at the hall, visit: www.stokestmichaelhall.co.uk

Museum reaches out to families

TWO days of free season craft activities have been held at Wells and Mendip Museum as part of a drive to encourage more families to get to know its collections and exhibitions.

The museum is planning more family-friendly events in the New Year after receiving £190,000 in National Lottery Heritage funding in the summer for its Search and Learn project.

Lily, aged three Sophia, aged four Rosie, aged eight, with her completed angel

Spring concert

YATTONMusic Society has Emily Heathcote and her husband Jason Anderson playing as the Sforzandi Duo to open their spring season at St Mary’s on Saturday, January 29th.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, tickets price £10, half price for students over 16, children free.

Jason Anderson

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

Singing their hearts out

The group in the barn at Manor Farm in Stratton-on-the-Fosse

A LADIES singing group based in Chilcompton entertained visitors to the Roots Connections Christmas fair in Stratton-on-the-Fosse.

Sing your Heart Out are led by musical director Viv Moon and are available to sing at local functions and events.

They practice on Wednesday evenings at St John’s Church Hall in Chilcompton.

Choral swansong

Eric (left) presents Peter with an inscribed tankard from the choir

MENDIP Male Voice Choir chairman Peter Beaven has said goodbye to fellow members after singing with them for 14 years.

For the past seven years, Peter has been chairman of the choir. He is relocating to be near his son and grandchildren. He said: “lt has been a great pleasure and privilege to be part of the choir.”

Secretary Eric Baldwin added: “Peter has been a real asset to the choir having a good voice and an amazing ability to stay calm in the face of different opinions. It goes without saying Peter you will be greatly missed.”

Cathedral’s first female vicar choral

WELLS Cathedral has announced the appointment of Natalie Manning as an Alto Vicar Choral.

Natalie is the first woman ever to have been appointed to a full-time position in Wells Cathedral Choir in its 1100-year history. She currently sings in The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge where she is also Choir Administrator.

Prior to relocating to the UK, she was a professional singer and high school choral director in her hometown of Dallas, Texas. A vicar choral is a lay position.

Singers wanted

CONGRESBURYSingers are looking for new recruits, particularly tenor and bass singers. The new term starts on January 11th in the Memorial Hall, Congresbury, 7.45pm. All are welcome.