What’s On

Pauline’s passions: farming, photography and the countryside

A PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition documenting two decades of farming life on the Blackdown Hills opens at the Somerset Rural Life Museum on Saturday, January 8th.

Pauline Rook, who is based in Somerset, was commissioned in 2002 by the Countryside Agency to create a photographic record of the area. Her brief was to capture the Blackdowns’ “spirit and essence”. The commission ignited a love of this unique corner of Somerset and Pauline has now been photographing the landscape for almost 20 years.

Over this period she has explored hundreds of miles of country lanes and paths, getting to know the individuals, countryside and buildings that make the Blackdowns so distinctive.

Pauline, who was a dairy farmer for 20 years, said: “My principal passion continues to be working in the rural environment. I built up a photographic archive for the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty when it was newly designated.

“This relatively under-populated and inaccessible landscape of small farms and many lanes continues to fascinate and delight me. I love to include farm animals in my pictures – my years of farming and having my own flock of sheep have come in handy.”

The exhibition will bring together more than 50 photographs and includes a selection of Pauline’s most recent work, captured using the infrared techniques she began to learn during lockdown.

On Saturday, January 8th and Saturday, February 12th Pauline will be at the museum for a Meet the Artist event. Also on the 12th, Pauline will be giving an illustrated talk as part of the museum’s Talk and Tea series.

Sam Astill, Head of Museums for the South West Heritage Trust, said: “The photographs tell a tale of rural survival as well giving an insight into the working practices of an accomplished Somerset photographer. We’re delighted to be exhibiting Pauline’s work in the museum whose many exhibits further explore the history of farming in the county.”

Hello –Suffolk cross sheep near Dalwood

Charity concert

NAILSEALions are planning a Sea Shanty and Folk Concert on Saturday, February 26th, featuring two excellent, local groups who are well known throughout the South West.

High and Dry, based in and around the Mendips, have been singing sea shanties for a number of years and recently performed at the St Ives Shanty Shout and organised the Bristol Shanty Festival.

BadgerSet are a band of folk singers, musicians and dancers. The concert will be in the auditorium at Nailsea School, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost just £7.50.

The main beneficiaries will be the RLNI and Children’s Hospice South West.

The exhibition runs until March 19th. For more information and to book your visit go to www.srlm.org.uk

Libby Lister milking her golden Guernsey goat at Dennetts Farm, Wambrook

Hippodrome hosts world premiere of musical

ENTER a world of magic and fantasy as Disney’s classic movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks makes its world premiere as an exciting new musical at the Bristol Hippodrome.

With the original songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), including Portobello Road, The Age Of Not Believing, The Beautiful Briny, and new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill; Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be brought to life by award-winning theatre-makers Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison.

When the three orphaned Rawlins children are reluctantly evacuated from wartime London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead.

Upon discovering Eglantine to be a trainee witch, they join forces to search for a secret spell that will defeat the enemy once and for all. Armed with an enchanted bedknob, a bewitched broomstick and a magical flying bed, they encounter surprising new friendships on their journey from Portobello Road to the depths of the beautiful briny sea.

This magical new musical flies into The Bristol Hippodrome from Wednesday, January 26th – Saturday, January 29th, so book your tickets today! It’s time to start believing.

Reflections on life

MUSICIANS Paul and Rachel Branston have written a new work, Reflections, which will be performed at St Bartholomew’s Church in Ubley on Sunday, January 2nd, 3pm.

Paul said: “It gave us the opportunity to be able to produce something which hopefully will cause people to stop and think about the state of The Earth and our place in the universe. Perhaps it will help prompt us to value what we have and protect it for future generations.”

They are inviting singers to take part and will be selling CDs in aid of local churches, the Salvation Army and PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Details: www.rachelbranston.co.uk or 01761 220102

Have you visited recently?

BEINGrun by the oldest agricultural society in the country, that was founded in 1777, the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet is an integral part of the area’s community.

If you have not visited recently, you may not realise that the showground is the home of a whole host of different events taking place every weekend throughout the year.

After a challenging 18 months, the showground is finally getting back to its busy post-Covid calendar, with events including the Giant Flea Market, Boden Clothes Sale, Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, The Royal Bath & West Show & NASS Festival making a return to the showground this year. The showground will also be welcoming some new events later in the year.

THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR JANUARY 2022

As Covid cases are rising so quickly we advise that you check that these events will take place. We’re happy to list entries for community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge. Commercial entries £25. Please send entries as a single paragraph of less than 25 words.

As you can see, we had a huge response to our Spot the Rabbit competition. Shirley Hoskins from Cheddar is the lucky winner of a hamper of cheese and wine from Ford Farm Cheese and Wookey Hole Caves. Congratulations!

Until Sunday January 9th

Cinderella, Bath Theatre Royal.

Monday December 27th Binegar’s “Bonkers Barrow Run” festive

wheelbarrow race. Teams of four £10/team. Pre-booking essential: 07528 169533. Horse & Jockey 3pm. Raising funds for The Mendip School.

Wednesday December 29th

Christmas Music at Draycott, 7pm St Peter’s church. Details: 01934 744838.

Friday December 31st

New Year’s Eve Spectacular Glastonbury Town Hall. Details: www.glastonburyabbey.com

Thursday January 6th

Congresbury Gardening Club talk by Colin Higgins “Gardening for insects”, 7.30pm Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.

Saturday January 8th

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds

Sunday January 9th

Mendip Society walk: 5.5m from Blackmoor to views over Blagdon and Chew Valley lakes. ST505556. Meet 1.30pm Blackmoor Reserve car park nr Charterhouse BS40 7XR. Nonmembers welcome. No need to book. Contact Peter 01761 221995.

Monday January 10th “The Backwell Brick and Other Industries

of a Somerset Village” talk by Roy Ackrill to the Nailsea & District Local History Society, 7.45pm, Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2. www.ndlhs.org.uk

Tuesday January 11th

The Arts Society Mendip “Georgia: Land of the Golden Fleece” Ian Osborne describes the origins of the legend, 11am Croscombe village hall; simultaneously via Zoom. Guests welcome on request: tasmendip.comm@gmail.com Guest donation £6.

Wednesday January 12th

Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Helena Crouch "Flora of the Cam & Wellow Valleys", 7.30pm Village Hall BA3 5TD All welcome. visitors £3, incl tea /coffee. www.kilmersdongardeners.org Mendip Storytelling Circle 7.30 – 9.30pm NEW venue, Ston Easton village hall BA3 4DA. An evening of folk tales and more. £5 donation. Confirm details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com

Saturday January 15th

Aquinas Piano Trio 7.30pm All Saints Church Wrington BS40 5LG. Tickets £12.50 to £16.50 from tickets@churchillmusic.org.uk or

Somerset Rural Life Museum Wassail,

Glastonbury. 6.45 for 7.30pm. Adults £12, children over 5 £8, incl refreshments. Booking essential: www.swheritage.org.uk/somersetrural-life-museum Claverham Market 10am-12pm Village Hall. Butcher, vegetables, jams & chutneys, books, jigsaws, crafts etc. 01934 830553.

Sunday January 16th

Glastonbury Abbey Wassail 2 to 3.30pm. Singing, toast & cider. Normal admission charges: www.glastonburyabbey.com Bishop Sutton Wassail from 3pm in the orchard, Bonhill Rd, BS39 5TS. Please park elsewhere in the village. Adults £5, children £2.50 inc hotdog. Tickets from 07742 252723 after Jan 1st. Raising funds for village school.

Monday January 17th Congresbury Memorial Hall Friendship

evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.

Saturday January 22nd

Jumble & Upcycle Sale 2pm, Winscombe Community Centre. Bargains, refreshments and raffle. Please bring donations from 9.30. Details: 07811 292909. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds.

Wednesday January 26th

Harptrees History Society: An Historical Miscellany of short talks, 7.15pm for 7.30 West Harptree Village Hall BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome, £3. Please wear mask. Chairs wellspaced so places must be booked: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org

Backwell and Nailsea Macular Support,

Backwell W.I. Hall, 1.30pm. Details: 01275 462107.

Thursday January 27th

“Snow Cats and Snow Wolves” talk by former Natural History Unit editor Pete Brownlee about films made with Gordon Buchanan. 7.45pm Chew Magna Old School Rooms, £2.50.

Saturday, January 29th

Sfortzandi Duo Concert: clarinet and piano, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Yatton, Tickets £10, details: www.yms.org.uk “Comic and Curious” an evening of songs, music and verse by local performers, 7pm Allerton Church. Drinks & nibbles for sale. Tickets £5 from: 01934 351098 / 710188 or 713402.

Saturday January 29th and Sunday 30th Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show

Bath & West Showground. Indoor static tractors with auction on 29th. Details: www.somersettractorshow.com

Monday January 31st

Wessex stationary engine club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn Embourgh. All welcome. Congresbury Memorial Hall Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome

Tuesday February 1st

The Arts Society Mendip “The History and Culture of Al-Andulas” Ian Cockburn tells of the Moorish Invasion and culture of Iberia from 711 to 1492. 11am Croscombe village hall; simultaneously via Zoom. Guests welcome, on request to tasmendip.comm@gmail.com. Guest donation £6.

Monday February 14th

“The History of Clifton Observatory” talk by Mary Coward to the Nailsea & District Local History Society, 7.45pm, Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2. www.ndlhs.org.uk

Monday February 14th-20th

Shepton Snowdrop Festival. See P72.

Thursday February 17th

Shipham Gardening Club talk by Ian Anderson: “The nature of Somerset”, 7.30pm Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. All welcome.

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