Issue 9 - Volume 16 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 16 ISSUE 9

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

FEBRUARY 2021

IN THIS ISSUE: • WILDLIFE • BUSINESS • COMMUNITY • STEEP HOLM • PILTON WALK • ASH DIE-BACK • READERS’ OPINION • NEW YEAR HONOURS

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

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

PERHAPS one of the most alarming statistics to come out of the pandemic, apart from the number of infections and deaths, is the growing reliance on foodbanks.

In 2019 in Wells some 9,000 meals were supplied by the foodbank there.

Last year that figure had grown to nearly 40,000. All foodbanks have seen similar increases.

It’s heartening that so many people have offered to help right across the area – we’ve details of some who have been honoured for their work. One village postie also got a special delivery – a scrapbook from his customers to mark his retirement.

Trees are big this month – they’ve been planting them in Oakhill and there’s a big effort in Stanton Drew to save the rare Stanton Plum. We meet the contractor who is giving away saplings to replace some of the trees he’s had to fell because of ash die-back.

We’ve news of an Iron Age fort above Chew Valley Lake and a threat to the future of Somerset Speedway. Our opinion pages highlight more concerns about housing development.

Pancake races might be out, but June MacFarlane offers a delicious pancake recipe. We have all of our regular features and contributors. Let’s hope that spring brings happier days.

March 2021 deadline: Friday, 12th February 2021 Published: Tuesday, 23rd February 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: Vicar’s spadework – community tree-planting in Oakhill.

Photo by Mark Adler. See page 6.

34

51

Open to all – villagers launch community food larder

70

Threat to wildlife – fields lost to housing

69

On the ball – Miners’ derby delight prelockdown

Cinders goes to the ball – thanks to the internet Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Nick Green .....................10 Internet and Crossword ..............12 Food & Drink ...............................14 Arts & Antiques ...........................20 Business.........................................24 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......35 Walking Sue Gearing ....................36 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........38

Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......40 History...........................................43 Health & Family ..........................44 Coronavirus ..................................48 Charities........................................56 Caving Phil Hendy ........................66 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE....67 Sport ..............................................68 What’s On.....................................70 MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Nich’s work recognised with honour

PARAMEDIC and international medical volunteer Nich Woolf, from Burnham-on-Sea, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.

Nich, aged 67, is a long-serving member and trustee of Evercreech-based Festival Medical Services, who run medical facilities at Glastonbury and Reading music festivals and raise money for medical causes in the UK and around the world.

FMS celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019 and had raised more than £1m for small-scale medical projects around the world before the Covid-19 pandemic halted its work and fundraising.

As reported in the December issue of Mendip Times, Nich became stranded in one of the world’s remotest – but Covid-free – communities, where he was working as an emergency medicine volunteer. He originally travelled to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in February last year to work with emergency ambulance crews and should have been back by April, but the country closed its borders to preserve its virus-free status.

During his time on Santo island, Nich helped the local people recover from category-five tropical cyclone Harold whose 190 miles per hour winds bore down on the country in March destroying villages and homes in its wake. He eventually returned home in October.

Nich, who retired last year from the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “I have always believed in using my skills to help other people keep safe and have fun – as at Glastonbury Festival

Nich in Vanuatu with colleague Jerome Sesse

– or to help them improve their own skills and ability to keep their local population safe and well.

“I have been fortunate to have been able to travel widely and have learnt as much from meeting people from other countries and cultures as ever they have learnt from me.

“I am very pleased to receive this totally unexpected recognition for my contribution.”

Further honours for Mendip residents KAREN Deverell, the former chief executive of the YMCA in Mendip and South Somerset, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.

Karen, who lives in Wells, received her honour for services to young people in the county. She worked for the YMCA in Mendip for more than 25 years, including 17 years as the chief executive.

Karen left the YMCA 18 months ago to become a foster carer and a volunteer with Wells Coronavirus Network. She said: “I am very grateful to receive this honour, but I hope that all staff I worked with over my 25 years at the YMCA will feel that it is also testament to all we achieved together.

“Although people would be impressed by large building projects like Street Foyer,

the key to the success of YMCA Mendip & South Somerset was the standard of the face-to-face work with young people. Those frontline staff were working in often challenging situations trying to help a young person feel safe and secure so that they could settle and start to think about a more positive future.”

Other people to be honoured include: l Rebecca Cobbin MBE, of Evercreech, Family Jurisdictional Support Manager, H.M. Courts and Tribunals Services – OBE for services to the administration of justice. l Zoe Taylor, of Wraxall in North Somerset, Chief Executive Officer, Sparkol – MBE for services to exports. l Simon Hoar, of Babcary, near Castle Cary – BEM for services to the community

Karen Deverill, who received an MBE

in Babcary l Nikki Watson, assistant chief constable Avon and Somerset Police – Queen’s Police Medal for leading the force’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

All smiles at family wassail

LISA Williams, partner Dale Race and children Lucas and Lena were determined to wassail this year despite lockdown so they staged their own family ceremony at a community orchard in Leigh-on-Mendip.

Part of their ceremony was to plant the final tree, an Ashmead Kernel, in the orchard.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Wild about the “Rec”

Volunteers gather ahead of the tree planting

VILLAGeRS in Oakhill have planted a number of native trees at the Recreation Field as part of a project to encourage wildlife.

The 11 trees – a mixture including birch, maple and crab apple – have filled gaps between an existing line of trees on the boundary of the field, known locally as the “Rec”.

The field is managed by the Ashwick and Oakhill Village hall and Recreation Field committee which applied successfully for a grant from the Mendip hills Area of Outstanding Beauty to develop a wildflower meadow, plant the trees and put up bird boxes.

The trees were paid for with the help of a grant from the Mendip Hills AONB

Fight to save nature site continues

TALKS are being held to discuss the future of an open space on the edge of Frome which has been earmarked as a potential site for a social The entrance to East Hill Field. Signs urge housing people not to enter because of the risk to wildlife development. living there east hill Field, opposite the town’s Asda superstore, was originally included as part of a review by Mendip District Council of its land holdings as it seeks to build social houses for the first time in many years.

People opposed to the idea of developing the site say it is rich in wildlife and – being next to busy main roads and the railway line – is too noisy to be considered for housing. They have formed the Friends of east hill Field and say that, whilst they support the idea of social housing in the town, the field is the wrong location.

Mendip councillors have agreed to a pause on deciding the site’s future until further evaluations can be carried out. An initial ecological survey identified at least 30 endangered and protected species living on the land.

Oakhill vicar, the Rev. Richard Priestley, gets to work Fun in the snow

The Friends of Trendlewood Park have launched a new website to show people what a rich variety of wildlife the area has to offer.

They are a group of volunteers who work with North Somerset Council to seek to maintain, preserve and enhance an area of open parkland that lies within the Trendlewood area of Nailsea.

The park of about 14 acres runs from Nowhere Wood in the west, across Trendlewood Way to the River Kenn in the east. The friends also manage two meadows on Golden Valley, which are rich in wildflowers, insects and birds and are a favourite foraging area for many species of birds and bats.

The website helps to bring the park to life by introducing you to the people involved, history of its development, activities that happen at the park, along with some fabulous photos taken over the year. New volunteers are welcome.

Details: https://friendsoftrendlewoodpark.org.uk

PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

(Photograph courtesy of Andrew Town)

Volunteers welcomed

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ENVIRONMENT

Still time to save field for the community

Volunteers thanked

Margaret Chambers (left) and trust secretary Judith Hurley at the site. The sapling behind them is an oak grown from an acorn by King Ina Academy pupils which came from Windsor Great Park

The Mendip hills AONB Partnership have given their Volunteer of the Year 2020 award to all 34 volunteer rangers, rather than one individual.

The rangers spent 500 hours patrolling the Mendip hills area after Covid-19 restrictions started. During August, which was by far the busiest month, they set a new record of 117 hours in a month for the successful hills have eyes campaign that raised awareness around antisocial behaviour and litter.

Lauren holt, ranger volunteer coordinator, said: "They are the eyes and ears on the ground making sure residents feel safe and visitors are welcomed and helped. They are part of the local fabric and are hugely important ambassadors for the area.

“Without their support the AONB Unit would not be able to function as it does. We are incredibly proud and thankful for the effort of these individuals who give up their time so freely and capably."

The AONB unit will be holding a volunteer ranger recruitment open evening in the New Year.

CAMPAIGNeRS trying to buy land in Somerton currently used as a school playing field as well as a fairground and cricket pitch are hoping news of an offer of a £100,000 donation from a benefactor with links to the town may encourage more people to help them reach their £750,000 target.

Kirkham Street Field Community Trust says it is thrilled by the donation as the deadline nears for a decision on the future of the 1.5 acres of land. Somerset County Council must sell the site to offset the cost of a new primary school in the town built to replace the out-ofdate King Ina Academy.

The land is just a short walk from Somerton town centre and has been recognised as an Asset of Community Value. The A possible design for the field council is offering to sell it should the trust be successful to the trust – a charity – if it in its bid to buy the land can meet the asking price, otherwise it will be sold on the open market. The trust fears the land could then be sold for development. As well as donations, the trust is hoping for news of an £15,000 Climate emergency Fund grant from the county council. A decision on the grant has been delayed until at least March after council staff were diverted to help with the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.

Trust chairperson, Margaret Chambers, said: “We hope news of the incredible offer will demonstrate to other people how important it is to save Kirkham Street for the community and that it is treasured by the people of Somerton.”

The trust has drawn up design proposals for the site which would make it accessible for the whole community with the emphasis on being low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly with opportunities for horticultural projects and intergenerational community gardening.

For details, visit: www.kirkhamstreetfield.org.uk

Details: http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/caring-aboutthe-aonb/volunteering/

Exploring Mendip’s geology

GeOWeeK in the Wells and Mendip area this May will ask what the government’s climate change plans will mean for the area.

Organisers are planning a new field trip “Net Zero by 2050”, which is being piloted beforehand by the Wells U3A geology group.

Some of the questions they will be asking are: Could the Mendips be used for carbon storage? Could we install ground source heat pumps for houses across the area?

Could the area supply crushed rock for enhanced weathering and carbon drawdown? Could we supply the raw materials for electric cars and a charging network?

It says: “Then, when we have the answers to these questions, the next question is: Should we?”

GeoWeek celebrates the fact that Wells has the most varied geology within walking distance of any city in england and aims to bring the remarkable story of the 200-million-year journey of the Wells area to life.

Details: https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/geoweek/

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

(Photograph courtesy of Andrew Wilson)

Steep Holm seeks new leaders

The Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, the charity which owns and manages the island of Steep holm in the Bristol Channel, is looking for a new chair and company secretary.

The 63-acre island, with its limestone cliffs and caves, has been inhabited on and off since prehistoric times.

Its history is told by stories of Celtic gods carved in stone, Vikings and pirates, monks and Captain Kidd’s treasure.

The military encampments of the recent past can still be seen today – the Palmerston Fort and cannons of the 1860s in preparation for a Napoleonic invasion, 1st and 2nd world war gun, ammunition and searchlight emplacements, military barracks and a historical museum.

Steep holm is now a nature reserve, bird sanctuary, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare plants. It attracts seals and is home to muntjac deer.

The charity and its volunteers seek to preserve and enhance the island’s natural beauty and landscape, together with its antiquities, wildlife and scientific interest for public enjoyment and education.

Normally it organises regular day trips to the island, all cancelled since the start of the pandemic.

The trust says these roles are needed to add to the charity’s existing board of trustees and to broaden the skills of the governing body. Both positions are unpaid.

The Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust was formed to perpetuate the memory of Kenneth Allsop, a remarkable pioneer journalist and conservationist who died in 1973. The trust was able to buy Steep holm by public subscription in 1976.

The search campaign is being managed by Sandy hinks, head of Charity Practice at Moon executive Search, 01275 371 200 or recruit@moonexecsearch.com quoting Ref: JN2113 TKAMT. Details: www.steepholm.online/kenneth-allsop

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

ENVIRONMENT

Helping to save Planet Earth

WILDLIFe filmmaker, Richard Brock, is publishing a book and three new films, which he hopes will be an antidote to “conservation fatigue” showing wildlife’s losers can be turned into winners in the fight for survival.

Planet Crunch – the Life (or Death) of Planet Earth also refers to about 100 films on similar subjects that he’s made in the last four years, which are available on YouTube and Vimeo.

Richard, from Chew Magna, was a producer in the BBC’s Natural history Unit for 35 years, working on landmark series with Sir David Attenborough. he says this project is a legacy for his sister and mother who died aged 102. he will make no profit from it, but is suggesting a donation of £10 to charity. he said: “It’s difficult these days with the pandemic to get attention, let alone action. The book and films are my attempt to help.

“There’s still time to save the planet. Watch these free films of different lengths to inspire you to take action. They’re free to watch and share with as many people as possible. Use the series to give you ammunition to help save the planet.”

Details: www.brockinitiative.org

Toad patrol ready

TOADS and frogs are starting to return to their ancestral ponds to mate and Cameley Toad Patrol is looking for more volunteers to help them across the road.

Margaret Finn, who manages the Margaret Finn and David Wood patrol, said: “The migration period usually starts here in the middle of February and we’ve saved close to 1,000 toads and frogs during the past three years. Dozens of newts have also been saved from being run over.”

Local B&NeS councillor, David Wood, said: “It’s great to be part of such an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Villagers in Temple Cloud and Cameley run all sorts of volunteer projects, and we have a strong community here.”

Toad Patrols are organised nationally by Froglife, a charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Details: cameleytoads2@gmail.com

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MENDIP TIMES

The changing farming calendar

BEFORE the widespread use of tractors and a move to specialist farms, the majority of farming operations were based on a mixed range of With NICK animals and crops GREEN with horses providing the power. With different species of animals giving birth and raising their young at different times of year, small numbers of cows being milked and crops being sown and harvested also at different times of year the farming calendar was evenly balanced.

A part of the annual cropping were cereals sown in spring. These were grown in the ground after a crop of turnips had been grazed by sheep. Turnips provided a feed for the sheep and by default produced a bi-product in the form of a manure spread evenly over the field.

This natural fertiliser formed the basis of the nutrients for the following crop. Typically, the cereal crop was oats for the horses, barley for the farmed livestock or wheat for bread making. Land was ploughed a small area at a time through the late winter.

With the demise of horses and introduction of tractors, it allowed farmers to do more ploughing in less time. Plant breeders recognised this and started to breed cereals hardy enough to be sown in autumn and survive winter. This, along with higher yields, have meant autumn sown cereals have dominated for decades.

However, things are starting to change.

Weather patterns over the last few years have meant the land has been too wet to sow seed in the autumn so it has had to be left in the barn through the winter. Stubbles

from the previous crop have remained and provided a feed source for farmland birds.

Although yields are slightly lower, the inputs required are also lower. On that basis, all is not lost and as long as nature provides the weather to grow the crop, it’s down to which crop is grown as to how profitable it is.

Everything goes around in circles but while there is an increase in spring sown cereals I don’t think we’ll see the return of teams of horses plodding up and down ploughing Mendip fields.

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.

Hedgelaying axed

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BOTH the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society and the Wrington and Burrington Hedging Society hedgelaying competitions have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The current lockdown and the uncertainty over when it might be eased have led to the decisions.

Sponsors of the Mid-Somerset event have donated their monies to the society. They include Alec Jarret Ltd, Burton Sweet, Carter Jonas, DB Gibbons, Howard & Sons, Old Mill, Shepton Vets and Tincknell Fuels.

The society says it is pressing ahead with plans for its annual show in August but says that in what format it will take place is still unclear.

Show called off

THE 161st North Somerset Show, due to be held on Monday, May 3rd, has been cancelled. Instead organisers hope to run smaller market style events from June to October, with one larger event in mid-September.

Show secretary, Tim Ledbury, said: “At the moment this is only a proposal, but we are hopeful that the wider roll-out of the vaccination will enable these events to take place.”

It’s hoped the show can go ahead in 2022 on Monday, May 2nd.

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FARMING

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MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 11

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INTERNET

A blast from the past!

WE have looked at shopping safely online before, but a timely reminder might be in order.

TIP! Double-check that you are ordering what you think you are ordering. There is so much choice on everything now, that you look at hundreds, then decide on the one you thought you wanted, but it might not be the one you thought it was. Always doublecheck. And check if you are ordering in inches that the order doesn’t say centimetres! And you are really ordering two items, not two kilos of items etc!

TIP! Make sure you create a strong password for your email account and all of your other online accounts. A strong password can be created by simply choosing three random words to put together to create the password. Do not use the same password for all of your accounts and never use words that are related to you and can be easily guessed.

TIP! Make sure you have suitable antivirus.

TIP! Always download the latest software updates as soon as possible after you received them as these contain vital security upgrades which help keep your devices secure.

TIP! Beware of people offering you a deal below the current bid or reserve price, especially if they contact you direct. Be especially careful when buying things from people with little or no selling history.

TIP! Don’t pay directly to individual sellers, only to a registered company or intermediary website. Stick to the communications channels provided by the website, and use a secure online payment method, which helps to protect you. If possible, pay by credit card or Paypal.

TIP! Ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol is showing in your browser before entering card details.

TIP! Check products before you sign for them – they might not be what they are advertised as.

TIP! Do not immediately click into unknown adverts or email links – these can contain malware. Just because you can see an advert on a well-known trusted site, it does not mean that the site has verified the company in any way – they are completely independent. You will need to do your own research to confirm its credibility.

TIP! Be cautious when paying by direct bank transfer. Criminals often say that the secure online payment method failed and ask you to pay by direct bank transfer instead. However, unless you pay on a credit card, you have no security. Remember that sharing payment information via email is not secure – don’t do it!

TIP! Check the URL in the web browser. A tactic often used by fraudsters is to change the address very slightly. For example a real address such as ‘. . . @COMPANY.com’ could be changed to ‘. . . @COMPANYS.com’.

Search for “a guide for consumers.gov” for more in-depth info.

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PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 The Col’s mistake (anagram).

Village on the Mendips 4 miles east of Shepton Mallet (5,2,7) 9 Put to one side or be in the side as a spare (7) 10 Dad covered a run and made more distance (7) 11 On the road to Highbridge a village claiming to be the longest in England (4) 12 This would describe the weather for tomorrow not next week! (5-5) 14 Perspires (ladies would glow) (6) 16 In biology this can join with another of the opposite sex to form a zygote (4,4) 19 A container for gas under pressure (8) 21 Village about 5 miles south of Bath known for its Neolithic chambered tomb called Stoney Littleton Long Barrow or Bath Tumulus 25 Simply untrue (10) 26 Short money gives lots of support (4) 28 Someone who has lost a leg (7) 29 On a sunny day, look up.

What colour do you see? (34) 30 Owning a passport would fulfil this need (14)

DOWN 1 Husbands one’s resources (7) 2 Keep an eye on, respect (7) 3 Take ‘long’ start away but bring in the money (4) 4 Support the babies get ready to take solids (6) 5 What ‘au courant’ or ‘au fait’ mean (8) 6 Description of thick framed spectacles (4-6) 7 Improve the look of (7) 8 Prolonged, painful or horrific experience (6) 13 In 1956 William Rees-Mogg bought a house bearing the name of this village 7 miles north of Shepton Mallett (4,6) 15 Ask for a reason (3) 17 Sign of a lion maybe (3) 18 Disease ascribed to the lack of vitamin B1 (8) 19 Man’s long, belted tunic worn in the near east (6) 20 Claud Monet painted this part of a water plant many times (4,3) 22 Rock on the banks of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen that produces an echo said to be that of a maiden who drowned herself because of a faithless lover (7) 23 High Noon maybe (7) 24 Oats, nuts, dried fruit and milk eaten at breakfast (6) 27 Upmarket Swiss watchmaker (4) Clues in italics are cryptic

This month’s solution can be found on page 69

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Library makeover could begin in the spring

NEWS

PLANS have been agreed for Shepton Mallet library to receive a substantial makeover and serve as a hub for the local community.

Subject to any Covid-19 restrictions, work could begin in the spring as part of proposals to make use of the building outside of normal opening hours.

Work is expected to take approximately eight-12 weeks. the library will be closed while the work takes place, but the mobile library will visit during this time.

Somerset County Council’s Libraries Service team had been in discussions with Shepton Mallet town Council and members of local community interest group, 7 Starlings CIC, to agree a new model for the library. this follows a successful public campaign in 2019 to keep the library in its current location which led Shepton Mallet town Council to agree to invest £75,000 in the library over five years.

A contribution of £8,000 per year for five years has also been received from Glastonbury festival co-creator, Michael eavis, further helping to maintain a viable long-term future for the library in the Market Place. the 7 Starlings will be promoting use of the library during evenings, weekends and outside regular opening hours during the week. Kate Lovell, chair of 7 Starlings CIC said: “We are delighted to be part of this tremendous opportunity for Shepton Mallet and surrounding communities. the new library model will be a great resource in the heart of our town. the aim of 7 Starlings CIC is to create a habitat for as diverse a range of talents, ideas

and communities as possible.” the county is investing in the library’s refurbishment, which will include new furniture, improved areas for children and young people, as well as versatile shelving which will allow the rooms to be reconfigured for events.

Councillor David Hall, whose cabinet responsibilities includes libraries, said: “this is great news for Shepton Mallet and shows what can be achieved by working together to improve people’s lives. As a result of the library’s makeover and working with our partners, we hope that people will be tempted to come and find out what is on offer. the library will become a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone in the local community.’’ the town council funding will enable increased opening hours and an increased level of staffing. the team will have more capacity to develop new activities and schemes, including outreach activities around the town.

Matt Harrison, chair of the town council, said: “As high streets re-invent themselves to be more experiential and less reliant on traditional retail, libraries are becoming ever more important community spaces. “the town council’s financial investment is evidence that we see our library as critical in playing a central part in our town’s life; not just physically but educationally and culturally too. the innovative way various groups and the community have come together to make this happen just shows what the Shepton community can achieve when it works together.”

Celebrations in 2019 when it was confirmed the library would remain in the Market Place

More community events – such as this library day – will be held once renovation work is complete

Village’s plum job

After nearly going the way of lots of disappearing varieties of fruit, Stanton plums are to make a comeback thanks to a group of people in Stanton Drew.

Back in 2019 at the local flower show the winner in one of the sections was a beautiful golden vodka, homemade using Stanton plums. they used to be quite common in the village and have a sweet distinctive, delicious flavour, although the plums are not good keepers. But if you look online at the numerous plum varieties available you will not find anyone selling Stanton plum trees.

Local councillor, Liz richardson, called

on the village’s horticultural expert, Mary Payne, for advice, first putting an advert in the parish magazine to find any trees. they had to wait until the summer to positively identify the trees from the fruit and took cuttings in the autumn.

Mary said: “Nothing will happen for some months, so patience is required. Leave the cuttings in situ until next autumn, by which time they have hopefully produced roots and shoots. they can then be transplanted and grown on or potted up. We hope to have plants available during 2022.”

Liz said “Our aim is to generate some young trees so that residents in the village

Pictured (l to r) Mary Payne, Liz Richardson and Ed Field taking cuttings

can continue to grow these tasty fruits. It is a fantastic community project. Any surplus will be sold at the 2022 village flower show in aid of the Pensford, Publow and the Stantons Community trust.”

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 13

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MENDIP TIMES

FOOD & DRINK

Bright food for dark days

The new season’s citrus arrives in the middle of winter to With JUNE brighten our MACFARLANE lives and is at its best right now. A spicy vegetable dish will warm the heart of your loved ones and hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day comes Shrove Tuesday – a great day for a sweet pancake treat.

CITRUS SALAD WITH CAPERS INGREDIENTS

(for four) 2 heads red chicory 1 red grapefruit 1 navel orange 50g butter Juice of ½ orange 2tsp capers, drained

Colourful and vitaminrich, a salad with zing!

METHOD Trim and quarter the chicory. Remove the core and slice leaves vertically.

Cut off the top and bottom of the whole fruits, then slice down to remove both peel and pith. Halve vertically and slice thinly. Melt the butter and allow to colour slightly but do not burn. Add the orange juice, then the capers. Remove from heat.

Arrange the chicory and citrus on a plate and spoon over the dressing.

INGREDIENTS

(for four) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 2 medium white potatoes, peeled & diced 2 tsp harissa 8 cherry tomatoes, halved 250g red lentils 500ml vegetable stock 500ml water Yogurt to serve

Spice up February with this lentil stew

SPICY RED LENTIL STEW A hearty, warming and golden dish.

METHOD Fry the carrot, celery and potato in the oil, stirring, until golden. Add the harissa and stir. Add the tomatoes and lentils, then the stock and water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for about 20 mins, until the lentils are soft. Taste for seasoning. Serve with yogurt.

BANANA PANCAKES WITH RASPBERRIES AND HONEY

INGREDIENTS

Pancake races might be off the menu, but this banana version is delicious

(for four) 350g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 2 very ripe bananas 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 250 ml milk Butter for frying Raspberries and honey to serve

Pancakes for the ones you love!

Some welcome colour at this time of year

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

METHOD Sift together the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mash the bananas to a purée; whisk the eggs and vanilla together and add to the bananas. Stir in the milk. Add to the dry ingredients and stir well to make a smooth batter. Melt a scrap of butter in a pan and drop in 2 tbsp of batter for each pancake. Flip when you see bubbles appearing on the surface. Serve warm with raspberries and a swirl of honey.

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MENDIP TIMES

Blagdon’s online wassail

butchers * fishmongers * delicatessen

THANKING OUR CUSTOMERS NEW AND OLD FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT

open: monday – saturday 7am-6pm • sunday 10am-4pm

e cross, union street, cheddar, somerset bs27 3na • 01934 742521 email cobbsofcheddar@outlook.com

BLAGDON went ahead with its traditional wassail by prerecording it and showing it on Zoom. Bex White was the Apple Queen and Roger Keel took over shotgun duty from Alan Barwick, who had done it for many years.

Julie Chamberlain, one of the organisers, said: ““We met the Saturday before and filmed the ceremony and in time honoured fashion it sleeted down on us. But the tree was blessed with mulled cider and given the traditional piece of toast, the incantation read and the evil spirits scared away.

“With everything else that is going on there’s no way we were going to risk the cider crop too.”

Details: https://youtu.be/DVHwyxgb7Os

• Fresh produce and dairy • Freshly baked food to go • Smokin’ Bean coffee to go • Fresh flowers • Local Suppliers • Laithwaites wines • Remarkable COOK ready meals We would like to thank our local suppliers, particularly Arthur David, Greenacres Farm Eggs, Cam Valley Foods, Lye Cross Farm, Hunts Foodservice, Cotteswold Dairy, Chew Moos and West Country Honey, Butcombe Brewery, Twisted Oak Brewery and Rapide Stationery Supplies

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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WILD FOOD

The chives have it!

With ADRIAN BOOTS

AFTER some recent fan mail about the misidentification of edible fungi, it gave me an idea: why not run a series of articles about wild plants and fungi that should be avoided?

“Not wild food” so to speak. Whilst I am sure it would be amusing to describe the gruesome results of ingesting something you shouldn’t, I decided to stick with the wild larder and maybe mention confusing look-a-

likes best avoided.

Even with the recent cold spell, chives are making an appearance so let’s give them the chance to brighten our lives during these dark days.

Chives (allium shoenoprasum) are a member of the onion family which includes garlic, leeks and wild garlic. They are a hardy perennial, with a long, hollow and cylindrical stem topped during the summer with purple-pink globe-shaped flowers and are great at attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Chives can grow up to about a foot tall (30cm) and both flowers and stem are edible. They have been used medicinally for over 5,000 years, are believed to be good for the blood and to have antiseptic properties.

They are found on grassy banks, verges and lane sides most often near houses, although they can colonise grassy areas away from habitation.

Chives add a mild oniony note to a salad, invigorate cheesy sauces and literally make a potato salad (otherwise it would just be potato mayo... right?). For me, scrambled eggs on thick toast topped with chopped chives and seasoned with black pepper gets my vote.

You would have to go a long way to mix chives up with anything else, maybe grass or hard rush, both of which are nonfatal. At his time of year everything is just popping its head above ground so some plants could look superficially similar.

Ultimately, one should wait a while and then let the nose decide. If after snapping off a tiny bit and there is no clear aroma of onions, you can be sure you don’t have chives. So when it comes to an easy to identify, early edible green that is versatile and delicious, the chives have it. Here, here!

Avoid poisonous plants and fungi; make sure you are 100% sure of your identification before collecting; avoid busy roadsides, dog walking areas, or places where chemicals may have been used. It is illegal to uproot or destroy any wild plant without landowner permission.

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

Winter lettuce

WE’VE been trying to improve our winter vegetable growing so that we have a little more around during the “hungry gap”. One of the best books we’ve found for guidance on this for the British climate is Winter Vegetables

by Charles Dowding, who runs a With JAKE market vegetable garden in Alhampton WHITSON near Castle Cary.

The book is absolutely rammed with great advice on growing vegetables for the winter and especially useful are the sowing dates for all the different vegetable types. In the case of the pictured “Jack Ice” lettuces, this was around August 25th.

We grew them in soil blocks in the conservatory to start them off but this meant they had rather a shock when they were planted out in late September.

They recovered slowly in the milder patches and are just coming good now – and very welcome they are too at this time of year.

The leaves of these lettuces are wonderful in sandwiches but we eat them mostly as salad and having a lot of different dressings up your sleeve is key to avoiding monotony. We like the classic vinaigrettes made with mustard, oil and vinegar but once we tire of those one thing we like to make is an Asian style dressing.

To do this we combine roughly equal parts lime juice and soy (or fish) sauce, another part olive oil, a dash of sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, chopped fresh chilli, a little grated garlic and ginger and lots of chopped fresh coriander (and basil if available).

This makes a wonderful dressing for lettuce leaves on their own or combined with shredded spring onion, beetroot, grated cabbage or any other crunchy seasonal vegetables.

Toasted and crushed peanuts or almonds scattered on top make this an extra special salad – to make it a meal we eat it either with fresh bread or steamed rice.

Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder – he divides his time between the Mendips and Pembrokeshire.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

New growth rising from the ashes

Joe Taylor (left) and Bo Walsh

THOUSANDS of ash trees are being cut down across Mendip as ash die-back takes its toll. But one man helping to cut them down has also come up with a plan to replace some of them.

Joe Taylor of tree contractor MTL at Haydon is making logs available for a donation and is using the money to supply saplings free of charge to landowners and local organisations.

He’s bought about 6,000 so far and has also given the Mendip AONB unit £2,000 for its own tree planting scheme.

Nationally the Tree Council says

Trees removed from Black Rock in Cheddar Gorge

Mendip is the centre of the ash die-back “pandemic” which could cost £15.6 billion nationally to remove dangerous trees. Ash is the dominant tree on Mendip.

Joe said he first spotted the problem in 2014 at Thrupe Lane, near Wells, and his men have been working extensively with Somerset County Council. The A39 into Wells has been closed while they carry out work.

Huge numbers of ash trees have been cut down in Cheddar Gorge and elsewhere.

Details: info@mtlgroupltd.co.uk

Joe said: “This has got to be done, but I felt a responsibility in trying to manage the landscape and thought that planting new trees would be a good way to help.”

Mendip District Council’s tree officer, Bo Walsh, said the majority of emergency tree felling notices seeking permission to fell trees, were for ash trees with ash dieback.

He said: “They don’t all get it, but those that do can become weakened or dangerous and I’m afraid most of them will have to go. The ecological and landscape impact is going to be huge.”

Death of Peter Garrett

WELL-known Winscombe resident Peter Garrett has passed away after illness, aged 97.

Peter, a Second World War veteran, was Winscombe Rugby Club’s oldest life member and longest-serving vice president. He played a major part in establishing the club in 1962 and developing the multi-sports facilities at Winscombe Recreation Ground.

A retired estate agent, Peter was originally a farmer in Shipham and was one of 13 children. He served on the parish council for a time and was a popular figure in the area, said his eldest son Jeremy, who lives in Salisbury.

He added: “My father grew up on Mendip and loved the hills. He was wellknown and well-liked by so many people; revered almost. I know of people in the village who bought a house from him and still live there today. His first love, however, was farming.”

Peter served in the Royal Navy and saw

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

action on a minesweeper at the D-Day Landings – he suffered shrapnel wounds to his face – was on board the ship which dropped off commandos sent to attack a German heavy water facility in Norway and was serving on HMS Colossus on its way to liberate Singapore from the Japanese when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He witnessed the conditions inside the notorious Changi prisoner-of-war camp. In later years, he would lay a wreath on the war memorial in Shipham.

Jeremy added: “My father died in his sleep in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, peacefully and without drama; just as he wished. He decided it was time to go.”

Winscombe RFC president Chris Marsh said: “He liked to recount how the club’s first treasurer Jack Thomas, the local Lloyds Bank manager, phoned him to say he had deducted £25 out of his account to pay for the club’s first set of shirts.

“Many former players will remember

Peter on land he planted in Loxton

his Christmas Eve parties that he would throw at his home which sometimes lasted into Christmas day. Although he became a little less mobile during his later years, he was still driving up to a year ago and in true style even managed to get a speeding fine in 2019.” l The family is hoping to arrange a memorial service for Peter when circumstances allow.

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MenDip TiMes

The Fine Artist

Tracey Bowes is a professional fine art painter. She has worked exclusively in the creative arts sector, winning awards and working for the finest brands and discerning clients. She is well known for her ideas and enthusiasm for visual language.

She lives in Clevedon as a full time painter creating a range of original paintings and prints. Her work spans both the local area and the landmarks in Bristol and Bath. She has developed a successful online shop where collectors can safely choose or commission art for their homes. Collectors can choose from an expansive range of artwork in a range of sizes.

Tracey combines her passion for painting with her love of dogs.

Majestic pier

She has created some stunning traditional oil paint dog portraits which truly convey their individual characters.

Tracey also creates mixed media dog portraits which are combined with typography and the flora and fauna of their favourite walk.

She is offering Mendip Times readers a 15% discount – please enter MENDIP15 at checkout. She is also donating ten percent to Holly Hedge for each dog portrait commission.

Have suitcase, will travel

thefineartistshop@gmail.com Facebook: thefineartistshop Instagram: @thefineartistshop

AN artist-led travelling exhibition is due to hit the roads of Somerset and the South West from May until October – with works exhibited in a travel case.

IN:CH, based in Bath, is taking art out of the gallery and into community spaces and other small-scale venues as part of Inch by IN:CH. Each of the 11 artists involved will display works including painting, assemblage, projections and sculptural installations, and will blur the boundaries between.

At each location, artists will engage with the audience and, developing from the themes and works in the show, workshops, talks and performances will be arranged, depending on Covid-19 restrictions. The touring schedule will include libraries, rural museums, festivals, railway stations, village halls, and other local venues.

One of the venues is the East Somerset Railway line at Cranmore, close to the home of artist Fiona Campbell, who said: “Our aim is to bring art to people who don’t normally experience it. The locations we’ve chosen are unexpected venues. We plan to offer a unique, intriguing exhibition.”

Inch by IN:CH has already achieved donations from private individuals and organisations but is looking for more financial support. The exhibition will open at Fringe Arts Bath (May 28th to June 13th) and end with Somerset Open Studios, (September 18th to October 3rd). Donations welcome: http://bit.ly/inchbyinchdonate Details: www.inchbyinch.uk or find them on social media

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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Auctions continue despite Covid DuRINg these continued uncertain times, Killens are continuing to adapt and successfully conduct auctions at the Mendip Auction rooms in a Covid compliant way. We have made a bright start to 2021 so far, holding a successful Victorian and later effects sale and a 450 lot antique and collectables sale, with prices throughout being good. unusual furniture, silver, gold, watches, oil paintings, 19th century ceramics and much more helped make the sale a success. Highlights from our January 16th antiques and collectables sale included a ladies’ two-tone Rolex Oyster perpetual Datejust wristwatch, circa 1980s, which came with its original box and paperwork, sold for an impressive £1,900.

Due to the current restrictions we all find ourselves in, we are unable to allow members of the public into the auction house for viewings and the auction house itself. However, fear not, our team will readily assist with condition reports and other enquiries on items in upcoming sales, whilst on sale day internet bidding through thesaleroom.com and our own website continue to increase. Telephone bidding can also be arranged.

We are open Monday-Friday 10am-3pm conducting valuations on a contact-free drop-off basis in our marquee, where you can drop your items off and one of our valuers can look over them whilst you wait or they can be left with the relevant details and we get back to you as soon as we can.

Commission rates for selling are 15% plus VAT, alongside a £1 lotting fee per lot. Collections from auction work on a click

ArTs & AnTiques

and collect style basis in our car park.

We thank all our clients, both buyers and sellers, for your continued support during these online-only sales and your understanding with contactless deliveries and collections.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 21

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MenDip TiMes

Orlando the Marmalade Cat goes to Clevedon ORlANDO and his adventures were and remain a favourite bedtime story character for generations of children. Clevedon Salerooms were instructed to sell a collection of over 40 lots of works by the creator and illustrator of the series, Kathleen Hale OBE (1998-2000).

The collection included oils, watercolours and a large collection of signed Orlando books, in various translations including Japanese and Korean.

One of the more unusual items was this mixed media collage and reverse glass painted Kathleen Hale – signed book – Orlando depiction of a tiger at the seaside sold for £120

ArTs & AnTiques

Kathleen Hale – Mixed Media – Tiger & panther sold for £950

and black panther in an abstract jungle landscape, measuring just 15cm x 20 cm, the picture sold for £950.

Top price went to an oil of the artist’s garden at £1,300 whilst a signed copy of Orlando’s Seaside Holiday sold for £120.

Clevedon salerooms are operating within the latest lockdown rules with consignments strictly by prior appointment. see our website for more information and stay safe.

SucceSSful SaleS under lockdown

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

We continue to operate online only sales in accordance with lockdown rules For details of future sales, see our website or telephone us Tel: 01934 830111 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

Diamond ring

Sold for £7,500

Mary Potter Oil

Sold for £5,500

Pair of Pepperbox revolvers

Sold for £6,000

Comb-back chair

Sold for £1,300

Free online valuations

email images to info@clevedon-salerooms.com for an auction estimate

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Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2021 11:49 Page 24

MENDIP TIMES

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE

Nature Gift

Telephone 01761 417100 www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

Give a tree to family & friends

Donors receive a Gift Certificate & exclusive Open Day invitation to visit their tree www.chills.org.uk/naturegift

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Leasehold reforms

During the course of this year profound reforms to leasehold property law are expected to be enacted by Parliament which are intended to provide fairness for 4.5 million leaseholders and chart a course to a new system altogether.

Millions of leaseholders will be given the right to extend their lease by a maximum term of 990 years at zero ground rent These changes are intended to help make home ownership fairer and more secure. under the current law many people face high ground rents, which combined with a mortgage, can make it feel like they are paying rent on a property they own.

Freeholders can increase the amount of ground rent with little or no benefit seen to those faced with extra charges. it can also lengthen and lead to increased costs when buying or selling the property.

The proposed changes will mean that any leaseholder who chooses to extend their lease on their home will no longer pay any ground rent to the freeholder, enabling those who dream of fully owning their home to do so without cumbersome bureaucracy and additional, unnecessary and unfair expenses. For some leaseholders, these changes could save them thousands of pounds.

The government is also establishing a Commonhold Council – a partnership of leasehold groups, industry and government – that will prepare homeowners and the market for the widespread take-up of

BUSINESS

commonhold.

The commonhold model is widely used around the world and allows homeowners to own their property on a freehold basis, giving them greater control over the costs of home ownership. Blocks are jointly owned and managed, meaning when someone buys a flat or a house, it is truly theirs and any decisions about its future are theirs too The creation of the Commonhold Council should help to reinvigorate commonhold, ensuring homeowners will be able to call their homes their own. under current rules, leaseholders of flats can extend their lease at a zero ‘peppercorn’ ground rent, but usually only for 90 years. Leaseholders can also face high charges to extend their lease. For leasehold house owners, which face slightly different rules, they can also face barriers when they look to extend their leases.

The proposed changes mean both house and flat leaseholders will now be able to extend their lease to a new standard 990 years with a ground rent at zero.

A cap will also be introduced on ground rent payable when a leaseholder chooses to either extend their lease or become the freeholder. An online calculator will be introduced to make it simpler for leaseholders to find out how much it will cost them to buy their freehold or extend their lease.

Further measures will be introduced to

protect the elderly. The government has previously committed to restricting ground rents to zero for new leases to make the process fairer for leaseholders. This will also now apply to retirement leasehold properties (homes built specifically for older people), so purchasers of these homes have the same rights as other homeowners and are protected from uncertain and rip-off practices.

Leaseholders will also be able to voluntarily agree to a restriction on future development of their property to avoid paying ‘development value’.

Let us hope that these long overdue reforms lead will promote some fairness in an area of property law which has been out of step with society’s requirements.

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

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

BUSINESS

Has cash ever been king?

The phrase “Cash is King” was purportedly coined by the CeO of Volvo in 1988 when looking back at the global equity market crash the previous year and it was trotted out again in 2008 during the global financial crisis. in truth cash will always have a place as it should be seen as both a reserve fund that we access to pay for known expenditure (home improvements, holidays, gifts etc) and also an emergency fund for the unplanned short-term expenditure. it is suggested that we should all hold at least 12 months known expenditure in cash as a reserve.

With inflation (CPi) currently at 0.60%* but expected to rise and the Bank of england base rate at its lowest level for 325 years at 0.10% deposit interest rates are close to 0% and therefore we should not expect our cash savings to keep pace with the cost of inflation in 2021.

One lesson we all learned last year is the importance of having a cash reserve as a safety net should the unexpected happen and whilst we would all like to see a real return on our cash savings the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have access to cash if needed should not be underestimated.

The key point you should look at when reviewing your cash reserves when most interest rates are at an all-time low has therefore got to be deposit protection. The FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) protects cash deposits up to

Stuart Doughty

£85,000 per person, per institution. national Savings & investment (nS&i) have no protection limit as they are backed by hM Treasury, see https://www.nsandi.com/get-to-know-us/security/protect-yourmoney The only limit is the amount that can be held in the type of account. Therefore, if you are worried about consumer protection, research nS&i, but accept there is a trade-off for interest rates v protection, with their Direct Saver paying 0.15% (gross) and income Bonds now down to 0.01% (gross).

After an unprecedented 2020 speaking to a financial planner about how to deploy cash to match your objectives in 2021 has never been more important. *source ONS 16.12.20

Contact us today on 01225 308333 or email Stuart.Doughty@mogersdrewett.com for a free no obligation financial review

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Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2021 11:49 Page 27

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Make this a time of opportunity TODAy, as well as keeping a weather eye on the through-flow of tax return information as we work from home, i am making bread and doing some ironing. i am also getting a little over-excited by the possibility of trying out a new recipe using veg from our weekly veg box delivery while watching a variety of birds (including some very shouty starlings) at the feeding station in the garden. yes, once again i present to you the picture of lockdown in a Shielded household.

Weirdly, though, life is far from dull, despite the fact that a lot of change has happened to us all throughout this last year, and not all of it welcome. A considerable number of people are without employment, often through no fault of their own, so how do they pick themselves up and forge a way forward?

Well, it will come as no surprise that i am suggesting that one way to improve our lot is to embrace the change and build our own future. if you are unfortunate enough to be in that position and have ever had an idea which you have considered might translate into a business, now is your moment! in my time, i have worked in the marketing division of a high commission in London, for a manufacturing business, two charities, set up my own business, brought up a family and now i bring all aspects of the experiences i have gleaned to working alongside my husband and his team of skilled accountants.

Together, we do our best to support our clients in strengthening and developing their businesses.

My work path has most certainly not always been smooth, but it

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

has been full of rich experiences (though you might refer me to the back of the matchbox maxim which read “experience is what you get when you are looking for something else”...).

So, if you feel you have an idea and can possibly take a bit of a bumpy ride (don’t believe those who try to suggest it will always be absolutely straightforward – it won’t); if you can handle the vagaries of relating to a wide variety of people, and if you are prepared (and, believe me, this is key) to turn to other professionals around you when you need help, then “you’ll be a man, my son” . . . oops, no sorry, that’s rudyard Kipling isn’t it?

My version finishes with: then there has never been a better time to consider starting your own business and please don’t forget, before you do, have a (free) chat with people like us who will most likely be amongst your key supporters during your exciting and challenging new life. good luck and have a good spring!

Jane Bowe Probusiness

(Photograpgh courtesy of rspb.org.uk)

MENDIP TIMES

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2021 11:50 Page 29

BUSINESS

New business club established for South West companies

ChiLDren’S hospice South West has launched a brandnew initiative for companies based across the South West – the ChSW Business Club. The charity is encouraging others to join with them to show their support for ChSW’s work with local children and families in what is its milestone 30th anniversary year.

Several businesses based in Bristol and Somerset have kickstarted the club by becoming Founding Members. These include: ABL (South West) Ltd, Moon executive Search, national Friendly Financial Solutions (nFFS), Triangle networks, and Wise Coaching.

The ChSW Business Club has been set up with the aim of recruiting 100 businesses in 2021, each paying £300 for their membership, which could see £30,000 being raised for the charity in its 30th year.

Paul Courtney, Director of Fundraising at ChSW, said: “We’re urging companies to stand with local children and families and help us raise £30,000 which National Friendly Financial Solutions is could pay for pleased to be a Founding Member of the 1,500 hours of CHSW Business Club.

care. Whether it be providing home visits, virtual therapy sessions, or end-of-life care in one of our hospices, you’ll be helping to make a difference to families who need us now more than ever.”

There are a range of benefits to joining the ChSW Business Club including building connections, raising awareness of your business and, crucially, helping make a difference to local children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. national Friendly Financial Solutions (nFFS), a Bristol-based specialist telephone financial intermediary service, wholly owned by national Friendly, is proud to be one of the Business Club’s founding members. its Pr and Corporate Partnerships executive, Kurtis reece, said: “We are encouraging all businesses, who operate locally and throughout the South West region to join the ChSW Business Club and see it as a great opportunity to be supported, engage and network with other businesses during this unforeseen time. We are supporting ChSW because we want to create an ever-lasting impact on business development.”

Since the founding of the charity in 1991, ChSW now has three children’s hospices in the South West: Little Bridge house in north Devon, Charlton Farm in Somerset, and Little harbour in Cornwall. The hospice teams provide vital care to over 500 children with life limiting illnesses and offer much needed support to families.

If you are interested in finding out more about or joining the CHSW Business Club simply visit www.chsw.org.uk/businessclub or call Amanda Gallagher, CHSW Corporate Fundraiser, on 01275 866 600.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

Truespeed’s 2021 technology predictions A spotlight on bandwidth

ASK anyone in the working from home gang about connectivity and they will impress on you the importance of fast, reliable broadband. home workers’ struggles with spinning wheels and dropped video calls has led to a surge of interest in what infrastructure is required to work productively and effectively from home.

As we move into 2021 we will see this translate into home workers comparing not just upload/download speeds but also the bandwidth capacity for different packages. As bandwidth enters the consumer lexicon it will become a key differentiator for broadband services – following the lead set by the mobile phone industry where we now all buy our plans based on data not speeds.

Mesh WiFi to the rescue

yeArS of confusing claims by some broadband providers means there is a general misconception that advertised broadband speed guarantees apply not just to the

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

speeds at the router but to other areas of the home served by a WiFi connection too. Thick walls and the distance from the router are two of the main reasons why these expectations are often not met.

To counter this, this year we will see a surge in the adoption of mesh WiFi systems, which provide a more stable WiFi connection throughout the home – a boon for those home workers who don’t want to balance their laptop on top of the router to do a Zoom call. An added advantage is that these systems also allow parents to safeguard their children’s online activities, offering a range of advanced parental controls.

The adoption of these systems, with their ability to serve all areas of the home, will coincide with smart appliances such as doorbells, fridges and TVs becoming more widespread.

The gradual demise of misleading marketing messages

VinCenT garnier, Director general of the Fibre To The home (also known as full fibre or Fibre To The Premise) Council, suggested that a key step to help accelerate the rollout of fibre networks in areas where

BUSINESS the footprint is still limited is to “set up labelling or rules on advertising standards to signal the benefits of FTTh vs other technologies when consumers are confused or unconvinced of the benefits.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. in 2021, buoyed by growing industry demand for less obfuscation, and home workers becoming more savvy about the quality (or otherwise) of their broadband service, we will see more transparency in the marketing of different flavours of fibre broadband.

And, over time, a phasing out of misleading promotional and advertising messages by the partcopper brigade altogether.

Ringing in the changes with gigabit broadband at home

WiTh many office workers expected to be working from home for at least part of the week even after the threat of Covid-19 has receded, demand for homes with gigabit-capable broadband will surge. While the availability of full fibre broadband has featured as a big plus in estate agents’ particulars for a few years now, in 2021 it will become even more of a differentiator for people wanting to move out of the major conurbations and work from home in rural splendour. And new legislation from industry regulators making it mandatory for property developers to provide access to gigabit broadband infrastructure will be music to the ears for any new home buyer.

The great news is, Truespeed’s gigabit capable full fibre broadband is now live in more communities than ever before. And with a brandnew range of guaranteed speed packages available from £29.99 per month and speeds up to 900Mbps, there is the perfect broadband solution for everyone. Discover more and choose your perfect package at www.truespeed.com

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MENDIP TIMES

We design, manufacture and install superb quality bespoke garden buildings for virtually any purpose you can imagine.

BUSINESS Fully insulated garden offices from £6,500.00 including installation

HOmE OFFICE Office or studio space for working from home

ANNExE Accommodate a growing family or use as guest accommodation

LEISURE Summerhouse and entertainment spaces, outdoor kitchens, playrooms and treehouses

HOLIDAy Holiday accommodation, Air B&B

STORAGE Strong, dry, secure storage All produced here in our own North Somerset factory.

Why not call or email for a no obligation discussion of your requirements and see how we can turn your ideas in to reality?

www.avocetproducts.co.uk/banwell/ • email info@avocetproducts.co.uk • Tel 01934 824092

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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An ode to the loss of agricultural land

{Photograph courtesy of Ann Dale)

I AM, and as I imagine are many of your readers, dismayed by the sheer volume of new housing that is being built in the Vale of Wrington. It seems that wherever I look new housing is springing up at an alarming rate and the green fields on which these houses are being built are lost forever.

Prime agricultural land is being subsumed, no doubt to the delight of the developers who see a problem-free i.e. maximum profit site that a brown field site would never give them.

Successive governments have long stated that we have a housing crisis. We have a population crisis, and the failure of governments to control this crisis can be seen all around us in the disastrous effect it is having on the countryside.

When the first wave of new housing in the Vale of Wrington hit us, I wrote a poem that reflected my feelings at the time. Almost three years on my feelings remain unchanged, and the desecration of green fields continues unabated.

We all wonder where the dead hand of the developer will strike next, and wait anxiously to see the feared and dreaded “Coming soon” signs.

I have attached the poem which you might think suitable to share with your readers.

Mike McLennan

PASTURES OF THE VALE

READER’S OPINION

“T’other day, my dear, I heard a tale, But don’t know if it’s true, That came as such a nasty shock Just like a bolt out of the blue.”

“Space, my dear, to build their homes, Desecrate our land, Where we walk now, across these fields, New houses soon will stand.”

“Well, my dear, I heard it said That where we walk today, These lovely fields of sweet, green grass Will soon be swept away.”

“I know, my dear, we love our fields, The luscious grass, the rich red loam, But we must go ‘fore they destroy Our soft and gentle, farmland home.”

“What’s that, my dear, that troubles you, Is it something very bad That makes your big, brown liquid eyes Appear so very sad?”

“Whatever do you mean, my dear, ‘Will soon be swept away?’

We’ve grazed upon these fields for years And this is where we’ll stay!”

“I’m sure you’ve got it wrong, my dear, It will never come to pass, They’d never rob us of the land With its sweet, lush meadow grass.”

“Perhaps they’ll plough the land my dear Then sow it in the spring And the grass will grow again and then We’ll hear the skylarks sing.”

“My dear, why would they sweep away Such a peaceful, tranquil place?”

“Because, my dear, we’ve what they want And what they want is space.”

“You know, my dear, in days gone by, When these lovely fields were ploughed, Who’d have thought upon this spot, That rows of houses soon will crowd?”

“I hear the cowman calling, dear Could this be the final time We meander to the parlour In our shuffling, straggling line?”

“Yes my dear, the time has come, No more we’ll tread our wavering trail, Today we say our last goodbye To the ancient pastures of the Vale.”

RIP The Vale of Wrington, beautiful rural countryside, sacrificed by North Somerset Council to “developers” for the insatiable demand for homes.

The view across Wrington Vale

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Wildlife threatened by village expansion

THE village of Yatton is becoming a small town of over a thousand new houses at the expense of green fields and rare wetland wildlife habitat as well as the loss of at least one historic orchard, the threat to another, and some potentially very significant archaeological sites.

Yatton is surrounded by the rhynes and ponds of the North Somerset levels; very rich in wildlife. This land is now gradually being drained a little more with every housing development – which not only changes the ecology of surrounding fields but also affects existing homes.

On a recently built estate the ground level was raised by more than five feet, causing a neighbouring garden to now

{Photographs courtesy of Somerset Wildlife Photography)

Rare Yellow Loosetrife bee

flood. Workmen also found an old Roman cemetery with finds of potentially international importance.

Yatton has only minor “B” roads, not built or designed for heavy traffic. As well as the extra cars from the new estates, we have seen huge increases in traffic from the M5 through Yatton to the A370 at Congresbury. The roads are at breaking point, with huge delays and congestion commonplace. If the airport expansion goes ahead that will only get worse.

New roads or a bypass are not the answer as they would simply carve up and divide the valuable and nationally rare “marsh grazing land” as well as invite further development along its length.

Our MP Liam Fox said in parliament recently that there are other sites in North Somerset, both in Weston-super-Mare and on the southern edge of Bristol, where it would be more appropriate to build the

READER’S OPINION

Roe deer on the edge of the village

homes that are needed.

We know that homes must be built, but to be sacrificing this land and history itself to build homes when other areas or brownfield sites exist is crazy! This is aggressive and needless destruction of wild habitat which is being allowed to happen by North Somerset at the same time as it actively promotes “rewilding” for our area!

I was born in the local area and spent my childhood roaming the local moors.

Since retiring as a police officer I have spent time volunteering on many different projects that support local conservation and have recorded or photographed some rare visitors to the area.

I have a small business specialising in “all things wildlife” www.somersetwildlifeproducts.com and run a free platform to support local conservation groups www.northsomersetnaturenet.org Colin “Higgy” Higgins

Climate-resilient Somerset? What you can do to help

SEDGEMOOR, low-lying and with a long coastline, has the UK’s third-highest flood risk.

In 2019, the five Somerset councils published clear, thoroughly-researched plans to mitigate these risks in “Somerset’s Climate Emergency”. It’s a fascinating and an easy read – find it at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/climate-emergency Other areas have had to devise similar plans: astonishingly, given the current crisis, none are supported by our government. A ray of light is the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, due for parliamentary debate in March. It details what we must do to manage our carbon emissions, account for our carbon footprint and conserve our natural world.

The climate crisis, like Covid, is something we’re all in together. Unlike Covid, failure to control it will quite shortly wreck our planet forever. Many scientific reports have presented clear evidence backing this up. Scientists helped formulate the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, which outlines what Britain can do to avert the natural disaster facing us, leading the world by example.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, fewer than 100 of the 650 MPs in Parliament are currently supporting the Bill. Despite clearly presented and persuasive evidence in Somerset’s Climate Emergency the Wells MP, James Heappey, is one of those not

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

An Extinction Rebellion protest in Wells last August

supporting the Bill. As one of his constituents I urge others to keep urging him to do so. The debate in March is soon – contact him now: email: james.heappey.mp@parliament.uk post: James Heappey, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Do we want our world to exist for future generations? Right now: “Every warning on the dashboard is flashing red.” (Carolyn Lucas, Green Party MP).

By Trisha Fine – member of Wells Extinction Rebellion

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WILDLIFE

The latest lockdown – a chance to make more local discoveries

WITH travel being restricted due to Covid-19 it can be very exciting to actually explore close to home, discovering what’s on your

By CHRIS doorstep and, yes, SPERRING MBE even in a built-up area.

January and February are the two months for us that can feel like the new beginning. Nature can be much the same.

Though cultivated snowdrops can begin pushing through the ground in December, their wild counterparts won’t begin to properly appear until February. Snowdrops, being one of the earliest plants to flower, can be vital for insects like bees that emerge hungry and fly during the milder days of mid-to-late winter.

If you’ve got a pond in your garden or within your local community, then how about, from now, starting to watch out for amphibians returning to their traditional breeding ponds? In January 2020, for example, my incredibly small garden pond had frogs back and extremely active by January 5th, but by the same date this year, no frogs had returned.

Of course, collecting data like this can be extremely valuable when looking at trends, but obviously it's not just frogs but also species such as toads which will begin to move during February during milder damp evenings.

Their movement can be en-masse with large numbers sometimes crossing very busy roads to get to their breeding ponds.

Blackbirds may be common, but they’re fascinating to study

So, February also normally marks the return of the annual toad patrols, amazing local people who give up their time to help a few more toads who might go on and produce the next generation. Some food for thought for this year: if we're still in lockdown during the main toad migration then in theory there should be reduced traffic, so on future population graphs we should therefore see higher numbers of toads produced in 2021.

Birds, of course, will be most noticeable and in most locations, as they begin preparing for spring. Dunnocks will begin their song in the more hedge-lined roadside verges and gardens. Their song, delivered at speed and with virtually no power, will be obscured by March by other, louder bird song, so now is an important time to tune in to them. Also, watch out for the dunnock dance. As the leaf canopy hasn’t yet formed, you can clearly observe this interesting bit of behaviour. Mostly it will be single dunnocks performing this ritual, but occasionally three or even four dunnocks may join in. Dunnock breeding behaviour is, shall we say, interesting but that’s an article for another time.

The blackbird will be another bird we can see and hear wherever we are during the lockdown and, carrying out our local walk/exercise, try counting how many blackbirds are singing in your local area. If you have a garden, watch out for the favourite place the blackbird likes to sing from and, of course, ask yourself the question, why is it doing that? And ask, why does it choose that location to sing from?

Now is an ideal time to listen out for the dunnock

l I’m still delivering lectures and talks via Zoom so, if you’re from a group or society that would like a talk, please let me know.

With Zoom, of course, these can be booked in very quickly. Also, if you’re a school that still has key workers’ children attending or indeed you're a school that is delivering lessons online, then I’m still carrying out the school visits that I have always done, just via Zoom.

If you wish to contact me, my phone number is 07799 413918, email chris.sperring@btinternet.com or via Facebook @chrissperringwildlife Stay safe everyone.

Snowdrops will provide bees with an early flowering food source

I have resumed giving talks again but only online, so if your groups want to book me for a talk please message me through my Walks and Talks page on Facebook @ChrisSperringwildlife

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

A ramble around North Wootton and Pilton

A MAGNIFICENT restored tithe barn, the River Redlake, a ford, two interesting churches, the village of Pilton and the story of the stolen and found brass chandelier, all make up some of the features of this rural circular ramble.

Lanes, fields, orchards and footpaths weave their way through the quiet countryside connecting North Wootton and Pilton where we do a bit of exploring.

There are good views across country to Glastonbury Tor for much of the way and then a different view to the north across the undulating landscape.

I can’t promise you dry, mud-free walking given our recent weather.

However, most of the going is pretty good underfoot, but there is one large field that could be pretty muddy. There are kissing gates and a number of stiles, some of them double (although I have a detour to miss one line of stiles). The Crossways, in North Wootton, once Covid is over, should be able to provide refreshment and lunch and there is a shop, cafe and pub in Pilton.

My thanks to Pilton Village History Group for their invaluable help.

Please be aware of Covid restrictions before setting off on this circle and if necessary keep the details and do the walk when life has returned to a normality.

PARK: At the Crossways, North Wootton where the manager has kindly given permission for MT walkers to park there.

Park out of the way of customers. North Wootton is a compact rural village on the small River Redlake, 2.5 miles SE of Wells, and 3.5 miles SW of Shepton Mallet.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

START: Come out the main entrance of Crossways by the stone-walled round bed with a power pole and turn right. Stay on this lane, going over the crossroad on the Pilton road climbing gently.

1. MONARCH’S WAY Not far along, find a gate on the right by Penmayne signed with the Monarch’s Way long distance footpath sign. Go through and follow the right edge. There’s another gate and then go over to the kissing gate on the right leading into an old orchard.

Drop downhill with pleasant views across country to Glastonbury Tor. Go through rough ground and then more orchard and continue along the foot to a stile. Once over, follow the bottom of the field. Go over a stile by a gate into an organic orchard and along the foot. In the corner cross a stile onto a drive. Turn down right all the way to a junction with a lane, still on the Monarch’s Way. Here is the entrance to a collection of holiday lodges.

2. LANE Turn left along the lane which should be pretty quiet. Bend left, and shortly turn left up the next lane. Here we leave the Monarch’s Way. Take the first lane right, Tanyard Lane, which leads to a kind of mini-hamlet of country homes. On the right bend, leave and go ahead through a small wooden gate next to a large metal field gate. Then continue on across grass following the line of birches on your right and then turn up the hedgeline to a kissing gate in the top corner.

3. FIELDS Once through, follow the left hedge and now stay in this easterly direction through a number of fields and gates for a total of about 0.75 miles to the A361. On the way,

after crossing a footbridge, you have to cross a large field which may be muddy.

Then go over a stile and through a small field. Go through the hedge to another small field and on through a gate by a magnificent line of poplars onto a crossing track. To visit the Pilton community orchard, go right a few yards down the track. The orchard is down on the left. It is a fine example of an early community orchard dating back to 1998 and stocked with some traditional Somerset varieties.

Return, cross the track and go on through another small field, kissing gate, and woodland. Another gate leads onto a path which takes you on and then down to the A361. Cross with care onto the lane opposite leading into Pilton, passing the old school house on the left.

4. PILTON The village once sat on the edge of a shallow tidal lake. According to legend, in the 1st century it was a landing place then known as Pooltown, where Joseph of Arimathea landed in Britain. It is a historically interesting village known internationally for the Glastonbury Festival held in fields to the south. For more information on Pilton history contact the helpful Pilton Village History Group (details at the end). Reach the side gate of the magnificent church.

Go through and down to the church. It is well worth a visit and has a comprehensive history guide inside. Of special interest is the fine chandelier in the chancel dating back to the mid-18th century and discovered by Les Davies in a quarry centuries later. He elaborates on this in his column on the next page.

From the main entrance go down steps onto the lane below. Maintain direction, passing beautiful Manor House next to the

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WALKING

church. This was once the favoured summer residence of the Abbots of Glastonbury, built in the mid-13th century.

Five centuries later it was extensively rebuilt. The cellars are still medieval, and a dovecot remains in the garden.

Cross the stream and just after this follow the footpath right over a stone slab stile signed to the Tithe Barn. Go up through woodland and at the top turn left and immediately right through the arch in the wall to the glorious restored 13th century barn itself. There is a special commemorative limestone seat here to the Women’s Land Army – a fine place for a picnic overlooking the barn.

5. TITHE BARN There is a fascinating history of the barn on the wall and you can access it through a gate at the side of the main entrance and see it inside in all its glory. The barn was wrecked by fire in the 1950s. However, it was stunningly restored in 2005 thanks to a grant of £400,000 from English Heritage, alongside a further £100,000 from Michael Eavis and Glastonbury Festival. Builder Peter McCurdy (the brains behind the rebuilding of London’s Globe theatre) was called in to bring about the amazing transformation.

Come out under the arch and turn right staying on the track/drive (footpath only signs). Continue on to a lane along the top of Pilton. Turn right and enjoy a good view of the church from here. Shortly, turn sharp back left on a Tarmac footpath. It drops down, crosses the stream and reaches a lane. Go over to a crossing path. Turn left and come out onto the lane opposite the church. Now turn up right and shortly on the right see the well converted building housing the Working Men’s Club, the village shop and cafe and village hall.

This was the site of a guest house belonging to Glastonbury Abbey. By the late 19th century in a poor state, it was largely rebuilt for community use thanks to a generous gift from local benefactor Edmund Clerk. Go straight on up the No Through lane to reach the main road. On the way look out for the interesting wooden sculpture associated with the festival up on a bank on the left. Cross over to Totterdown Lane. Here on the corner is the village pub, the Crown Inn with a beer garden behind.

6. TRACK Go up the lane, climbing, and take the first public footpath up a track on the left. On this route we soon reach a series of stiles through fields ahead. To avoid these, just

OS Explorer 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 565 414, postcode BA4 4EU. 5.2 miles, about 2.75 hours walking.

stay on up Totterdown Lane and at the crosssroads turn left on Stoodly Lane. After half a mile you reach the stile where the footpath route joins. Follow details from 7.

Stoodly Lane.

Reach a cottage at the end of the track.

Go to the right of the cottage and cross a stile ahead. Follow the right hedge and do the same in the next field having crossed another stile. Go over a double stile and footbridge, and then bear up right through the hedge to another double stile/footbridge. Head up the right field edge to a double stile in the top corner onto Stoodly Lane.

7. STOODLY LANE It’s left along here. Ignore a left turn and track and just follow the lane which soon drops downhill into the valley of the Redlake River, enjoying beautiful pastoral views north towards Worminster as you go.

At the foot, just before Stoodly Bridge, go left on a track – Mill Lane.

8. MILL LANE It leads along for about half a mile and then reaches a converted millhouse, one of many mills that used the power of the Redlake. At a junction with a lane do a bit of a dog leg to the footpath opposite through a kissing gate. Follow the River Redlake which meanders along on your right. After another gate, continue as before. At the end go through a gate not far from another converted mill house and turn right over a footbridge to come into an orchard. Go straight head and then turn along the bottom. Ignore a stile and

footbridge on the right, but at this point head left across the orchard to a marked gate and footbridge over the Redlake and on to a path. At the end of the path go through a gate into North Wootton and turn right on the lane.

9. NORTH WOOTTON After 2-3 minutes, at a house, Upwey, turn right on the marked public footpath and on through a Bristol Gate. Follow the field edge to a small gate and then along a path, through a gate and on out to the end of a lane. Ahead is the old stone bridge by the ford. It’s worth a quick detour across the bridge if you are interested in village churches. St Peter’s has been an important part of the village since medieval times.

Opposite the church is a community orchard and recreation area. Then return, re-cross the bridge and follow the lane out.

At the junction go left all the way back to the Crossways. l Copies of Sue’s new book Mendipity with Les Davies are still available from Sue: gearings@btinternet.com The Crossways, North Wootton, 01749 899000.

The Crown Inn, Pilton, 01749 890762 Covid permitting.

Coffee shop in Pilton at the Co-op open Wed-Sat from 10am. Covid permitting. piltonvillagehistorygroup@gmail.com From them you can get a copy of the updated Pilton Village History Trail.

1.5 miles.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

WELL into 2021 and I’m full of hope for a better year. It’s not starting too well, with lockdown and the like, but to parody William Shakespeare in With LES Richard III... “Now is DAVIES MBE the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by these Covid vaccines”.

Well it went something like that I think!

Perhaps we can get back to some sense of normality in the months to come. I fear however life will never be quite the same again. Maybe that could be a good thing!

Exercise and mental wellbeing are vitally important. We may consider ourselves more fortunate than those who live in urban areas. I believe that access to open spaces and parks still exists and these green spaces are crucial in keeping people fit and well. I was however disappointed to hear of the two women who were fined £200 each by Derbyshire police for travelling a short distance to exercise.

They were also informed that the hot drinks they carried constituted a “picnic”.

On this occasion all reason seemed to have been forgotten. Were they also prosecuted for walking on the cracks in the pavement?

Happily since then, common sense has prevailed, the fines have been dropped and apologies offered by the police.

For the brave who have ventured out in the recent cold conditions… well done!

We’ve had a few days of freezing conditions where the temperature has hardly risen all day and heavy overnight fog that froze everything into a winter wonderland of ice.

Sue Gearing’s walk in this issue mentions a chandelier that hangs in the chancel of St John the Baptist, Pilton. This is a very impressive brass dated 1749 and inscribed “Lumen tenebris ennuit” which, as I’m sure everyone knows, means “Light from darkness”. It was made in Bristol from the proceeds of a £50 fine levied upon a Mr Hamwood for failing to pay duty on imported soap.

This soap was used by local stockingers to wash the wool before it was spun and knitted into stockings. The woollen industry was a huge part of the local economy at the time, especially hosiery. I would hate to think what £50 in 1749 would be worth today, but Mr Hamwood

must have been truly repentant!

During one dark night in 2000, thieves broke into the church and, amongst other things, stole the brass chandelier. The inscription came true and indeed there was “Light from darkness” when, as the Mendip warden, I discovered a sack inside the gateway of the old Perch Quarry near Shipham.

Inside the sack was Mr Hamwood’s chandelier which had been taken apart after its abduction from the church. It was no doubt abandoned after being found far too hot to handle. At the time I had no idea of its origins, but realised it was valuable. It was in Cheddar Police Station that Sergeant Paul Knowles made some phone enquires and connection was made.

This delighted me as I had for several years been helping Pilton set up their community orchard close to the church.

The chandelier was collected by Mrs Anne Dowling and borne home with all the care and love for a newly-born child. Finally it was returned to its rightful place… don’t you just love a happy ending!

Another happy ending for you now when I tell you that I have been contacted by George Withers’ son who now lives in Vancouver, Canada. Steve was delighted to

hear of the interest in his father and grandfather. He has kindly provided me with a very humorous poem from George that pays tribute to the outside lavatory.

So here is Sanctuary, a little “toilet humour” in trying times. I checked out “aperients” and it means laxative!

Finally, this month’s picture of the Hamwood Chandelier in Pilton Church has been provided by the good folk of Pilton History Group. My thanks to them for all their help and enthusiasm.

SANCTUARY by George Withers

I must go down to the Loo again, to that old fashioned countryside Loo. It came furnished complete with a nice wide elm seat, designed to accommodate two.

With an old Daily Mail hanging limp on its nail, and the door opened wide for the view And a dose of aperients to aid the experience… I simply must go to the Loo! I must go down to the Loo again, with that old crescent moon in the door To assist observation, and through ventilation of what someone left there before.

To perform one's ablutions in these institutions is character building, it's true; One's attitudes harden as one strolls down the garden to do what a man's got to do!

I must go down to the Loo again, down that long, winding, slippery path Where the rich, spicy fragrance discourages vagrants, and the chill nearly cuts you in half.

As you muse on that seat, with your pants 'round your feet and wait for the trains to come through To obey calls of nature "Aux toillettes champetres" you need to dress warm in the Loo! I must go down to the Loo again, for ten minutes respite from toil And the old "low tech" bucket – if you've somewhere to chuck it – is wonderful good for the soil.

You may daily give thanks to Armitage Shanks (as a lot of you city folks do) But you can't grow Clematis, or Early Potatoes like us, who've an earth closet Loo. It's lovely to be in this Loo again, although in my ninety seventh year.

It's very rewarding surveying the garden, and waiting for things to appear.

I've cherished this Loo since Nineteen Oh Two and I know that it's no use complaining, But-- the whitewash is flaking, and my hands won't stop shaking, I'll be glad when they put the main drain in!

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

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MENDIP TIMES

No time to stand and stare – with plenty to do in the garden

I AM not sure that the Welsh poet William Davies (1871–1940) had our gardens in mind when he wrote these lines from his memorable verse Leisure – “What is this life, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare”. But, having stared out of the window at a gloomy, seemingly rainWith MARY sodden January it is high time that we take PAYNE MBE stock of what we have to do.

If you have not already done so, order your seeds as a priority to help avoid the delays experienced last year. Look out for new varieties that are offering disease resistance, to help avoid the need for pesticides. Rust resistant leeks, clubroot resistant cabbage and carrot fly resistant carrot seed and more are all on offer.

Seeds that are slow to germinate, or slow to grow, can be sown this month. Antirrhinums and begonias are particularly slow and should be sown as soon as possible. Vegetables such as peppers/chillies and onions can be treated likewise. Always use fresh seed compost for seed sowing.

Pruning can be started this month. The mild spell in January will have encouraged new growth so make a start. Avoid pruning any woody plants that tend to “bleed” if pruned when the sap is rising. These include birch, acers, lime, walnut, hornbeam, mulberry, poplar, and vines (Vitis species including grape vines and ornamental vines e.g V. coignetiae).

Hydrangea paniculata varieties and the popular H. ‘Annabelle’ should have last season’s growth reduced to a couple of buds. Leave the lacecap and mophead hydrangeas until later; do not even remove their dead flower heads yet.

Apples and pears can be done but NOT plums due to the presence of silver leaf disease spores at this time of year.

Many vigorous deciduous woody shrubs can have some old growth removed from the base of the plant now or this can be delayed until after flowering e.g., forsythia, philadelphus, weigela, deutzia. I prefer to leave pruning buddlejas and evergreen shrubs until late March/early April to avoid possible frost damage.

Planting can continue if the ground is not frozen. Roses should be planted with the graft union (the knobbly bit) just buried. Tree ties should be checked before the rapid expansion of the trunks during the spring growth flush.

There is still time to take hardwood cuttings of deciduous shrubs such as dogwoods, buddleja, weigela. Last year’s growth, about as thick as a pencil, can be cut into 30cm (12”) lengths cutting above a bud at the top and just below at the bottom. Stick them in the soil with only one third above ground and wait patiently until next autumn!

Whilst still dormant root cuttings can be taken from many herbaceous perennials, such as oriental poppies, Japanese anemones and phlox.

Inspect dahlia tubers that had been lifted and stored, and box them up in old damp compost to start them into growth, ready to take cuttings in about a month. Canna tubers can also be potted up and watered lightly.

When the weather permits, and the soil is dry enough to stand on, cut back herbaceous stems that were left for their winter structure and for the birds to feed on, but look out for emerging bulb foliage. Some daffodil varieties will be in bloom and may be attacked by the small black keel slugs, so PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

Wild daffodils

use the safe slug pellets based on ferric phosphate very sparingly.

Sadly, if the soil temperature is below 5ºC the biological slug control using nematodes may not be effective.

Lawns may start to grow in mild spells and the urge to mow may overcome you. First rake off any debris and set the mower blades to “high”. You do not want to scalp the lawn while it is not growing vigorously.

Indoor plants, given as Christmas gifts, may be coming to the end of their decorative life. Some, such as poinsettias, are tricky to keep and get to “bloom” again. Cyclamen can be grown by giving occasional doses of tomato food, then dried off during the summer and re-potted in the autumn as new growth emerges.

Azaleas should be fed after flowering and grown on, putting them outdoors in a lightly shaded place, once the frosts are past. Take care to keep them watered, they are thirsty plants.

Amaryllis bulbs seem to get bigger every year, and give more and more spectacular trumpet flowers. When the flowers fade, cut off the heads leaving the stem. Feed, again with tomato feed, and grow them on in good light conditions. They too can be put outside for the summer.

Put the pots in a frost-free shed in the autumn so the bulb receives a chilling for about ten weeks with temperatures between 9º and 13ºC. Then re-pot in fresh compost, leaving the top one third of the bulb above the surface. Water lightly and bring indoors again for, hopefully, another show of blooms.

Prepare the greenhouse for the season ahead. Light levels start to improve from a plant’s point of view, in March, so clean any green algae off the glass both inside and out, and have a thorough spring clean.

Once all these jobs are done then you can reward yourself and muse on the final two lines of William Davies’s poem: “A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.”

Make time to enjoy your garden and others this year. They gave us much solace last year during these troubled times.

Sadly, the National Gardens Scheme have had to cancel all garden openings for its annual Snowdrop Festival this year but hope to be able to resume activities later in the season.

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GARDENING

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

FEBRUARY GARDEN TIPS

• Prepare runner bean trench (sweet peas too). Dig a trench a full spade depth and dig plenty of well rotted compost or manure into the bottom.

• If your apples suffered from bitter pit (corky dead patches just under the skin), a generous mulch now will help to minimise the risk of it occurring again.

• Sow early peas and broad beans outside.

• Sow early carrots, parsnips and onions but only if your soil is now warm enough.

• Finish planting garlic and asparagus.

• Top dress rhubarb and spring cabbage with sulphate of ammonia.

• Avoid compressing wet soil when planting and sowing by working off planks to spread your weight. Growing in raised beds avoids this problem.

• Spray peaches, apricots and nectarines against peach leaf curl disease and cherries against bacterial canker.

• Attach a sheet of polythene to act as a curtain to help protect wall-trained specimens against infection and to improve the fruit set.

• Apply sulphate of potash to fruit to encourage good fruit growth. If your fruit trees are growing amongst grass, apply sulphate of ammonia too.

• Cover any veg being attacked by hungry birds with netting.

• Sow early lettuce seed under protection. Plant out later for really early crops. Tom Thumb is a good tasty variety to grow now.

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Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

GARDENING

Snowdrop festival challenge THE Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival won’t go ahead as usual this year, but organisers are appealing to families and businesses in the town to celebrate the

Festival volunteers have been working to prepare the iconic snowdrop containers which are a familiar sight around Shepton Mallet town centre during the snowdrop season

plant in a Covid-19 secure way.

Their challenge to the people of the town is to create their own displays, real or handmade, by penning a poem or writing a story. The organisers want people to show their snowdrops and poems where others can see them, in windows, gardens or community spaces.

And they say that, as parents cope with the challenge of children at home and home schooling, these are perfect activities to give a sense of purpose and keep them occupied.

The annual festival celebrates not just the flower but Shepton Mallet’s own James Allen, who produced the first cultivated varieties of snowdrop. He was known in Victorian times as The Snowdrop King.

The organisers say: “Help us to flood the town with snowdrops. Over the years we’ve worked with volunteers to plant tens of thousands of bulbs. We’d love to make 2021 a record year with

Snowdrops emerge at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells which local visitors will be able to enjoy each weekend from the end of January until February 21st

snowdrops everywhere in the town, real or handmade. We’ll publish poems and stories on social media and add a few to our website, and the snowdrops people create and show will make our Snowdrop Trail the best ever.”

For details and ideas, visit: “www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk

Taking the garden online

IN these difficult times many people are turning to their gardens for relief, comfort or simply something to do, so garden designer and tutor Christine Pritchard has adapted her popular gardening courses to be available online during the current lockdown restrictions.

She said: “This is the busiest time of year for gardening classes and to cancel would let down our learners when they have greatest need.

The uncertainty has made planning very difficult but we are now able to continue with our online classes knowing that we can return to classroom sessions when the situation improves.”

To take part in online courses you need to enrol with the relevant college (see advertisement) and then you will receive a link via email to allow you to “attend”. All you need is a laptop, an iPad or something similar.

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

Details: www.christinepritchard.co.uk or 01761 221166

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A glimpse into the Iron Age at Burledge Hillfort EVIDENCE of a long-lost Iron Age settlement at Burledge Hillfort, a scheduled monument within the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking Bishop Sutton, has been found through a new archaeological project.

The Burledge Hillfort Project undertook a geophysical survey of the hillfort in October 2020 revealing traces of several roundhouses and other signs of settlement. The work was funded by Historic England and is being led by a team of local archaeologists.

Project director, Andy Mayes, a professional archaeologist who lives in Bishop Sutton, said: “Burledge Hillfort was known only from the ditch and bank earthworks and a few test pits that were dug in the 1950s. The new geophysical survey shows that pottery, bone and other artefacts found in the dig relate to a small village consisting of several roundhouses probably built around 800 BC.” Burledge is one of several hillforts located between Clutton and Westonsuper-Mare. The hillfort is located on a promontory overlooking the Chew Valley and has a near 360 degree view, but it is not known whether it was built for defence, to guard an important trade route, or as symbol of status.

Whatever its primary purpose, the hillfort would have served as a local “central place” for small farms located in the Chew Valley to possibly store crops and trade livestock, including cattle and sheep. One such farmstead, also dating to the Iron Age, was found during

The present day view

HISTORY

Artist’s impression by Jeremy Mayes

archaeological work prior to the construction of Chew Valley Lake in the 1950s.

From the standing remains, it is thought that the fort had at least one large ditch and bank around the whole site. Large gates were located at entrances to the east and west. The ramparts were probably stone faced and up to five metres high and topped with a timber fence.

Although the ramparts were partially quarried for building stone during the 19th century, the geophysical survey shows that the interior of the site is well preserved below the ground surface.

The archaeological project team now intend to undertake further research into the hillfort to create a new learning resource for local school children and the wider community.

Historic England projects officer, Nick Croxson said: “Following on from recent conservation work funded through our Heritage at Risk programme, this project presents an exciting opportunity to help Details: www.burledgehillfort.com

Nigel Harvey of Geoflo undertaking geophysical survey work

the local community and others to learn about, enjoy, and care for this important ancient monument.

“Landowners Jill and Graham Nicol have been fantastic in their support of the project and for allowing the work to go ahead.”

The hillfort interior can be easily viewed from the public right of way which is also believed to have been the original access route through the fort in the Iron Age. MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES

Vaccinate for victory

I HAD my first Pfizer BioNTech jab on January 13th at my hospital, the RUH in Bath. Thank you. I had mild side effects, which are a good sign the immune system has started to respond to the vaccine. I posted a photo on Twitter and someone commented “nice blouse that old lady is

By Dr PHIL wearing”.

HAMMOND A few of my younger NHS colleagues have had worse headaches, arm pain, enlarged lymph glands and higher temperatures post-vaccination, especially those who have already had Covid. However, nearly all recovered fully in 48 hours.

The UK is leading europe on vaccine roll-out, with 14.9 million of our highest-risk citizens promised a first jab by February 15th and a further 17 million by spring. It’s a tough ask and government promises have depreciated markedly in value over the past year, but NHS GPs and pharmacies have a good track record delivering vaccines and the addition of hospital centres and regional mega-hubs could make this achievable, provided supply can keep up with demand.

According to a YouGov poll, 80% of Britons are willing to have a Covid-19 vaccine, although BAMe citizens may need more reassurance.

There are excellent information leaflets at www.gov.uk on vaccine types, ingredients (no pork or beef), indications, side effects and protection.

If you want to delve deeper, the Green Book is the vaccination bible for NHS workers and contains much of what we currently know about the virus and the vaccines. It is also freely available on the www.gov.uk website (chapter 14a).

You may get more than one invitation for a vaccine (from GP, pharmacy and regional mega-hub), so only accept one. If anyone asks for money or personal details, it’s a hoax. Make a note of your NHS number and take it with you to clinic.

Don’t have a post-vaccine party. Protection takes at least three weeks to kick in. We don’t yet know if vaccines prevent transmission or infection, or just reduce severe infections and death. We don’t yet know if the 400,000 people who have had two doses will have significantly better protection than the four million who have had one.

With the over-80s at least partially protected, Covid deaths should fall from next month, but the median age of an intensive care patient is 58, so hospitals will remain busy.

There is light at the end of this very long tunnel, so don’t put yourself, or others, at risk before we all reach it.

Dr Phil is author of Staying Alive, Medicine Balls and Sex, Sleep or Scrabble?

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

Plop the Raindrop

I’ve always been surprised by your human beans’ need to count everything all the time. I’ve seen you counting the number of chips on your plate and teenagers counting the number of spots on their faces – not a pretty sight.

You split the days into hours, minutes and seconds, the months into weeks and the centuries into years. You even have a thing called a millennium, which is almost impossible to spell.

I’m told that a millennium measures a thousand years, but a thousand years is just a mere blink in time as far as I’m concerned. We water droplets are ageless and indestructible so I could quite easily just go to sleep in an iceberg for a thousand years.

But as a few weeks or months seems to be quite a lot of time to human beans I don’t understand why you waste so much of it. I’ve seen you – playing games instead of getting on with your homework, or just lounging around the house when it’s really nice outside.

I’ve just spent a very interesting few days in a hedge with a hedgehog. Have you ever seen one? Did you know they grunt when they’re asleep?

I’d fallen down in a rain shower, landed on a leaf and slid down slowly until I fell – right onto the hedgehog’s spiny back. His spikes are very sharp – one went straight into my bottom!

It was warm and cosy next to the hedgehog’s skin, so I settled down for a sleep, despite the fleas. You often find quite a lot of fleas living with a hedgehog but they don’t bother us water droplets. Unfortunately my warm, cosy, peaceful sleep didn’t last long.

Someone came along with a dog, snuffling under the brambles. Was that you? The person, I mean, not the dog!

Anyway, the hedgehog straightaway rolled into a ball, which spiked the dog’s nose, and he ran off.

So then we went walkabout. The hedgehog and his passengers (that’s me, a few dozen of my water droplet friends and a few hundred fleas. I’m not quite sure exactly how many as there were rather a lot of us).

Do you know a hedgehog’s favourite food? He ate worms, lots of them, before we returned to his warm nest in the hedge.

We weren’t alone. Spiders, mice, birds, butterflies all came and went. Cows came looking for blackberries and deer grazed the fresh grass.

So this time, because I wanted to tell you this story, I counted 22 different creatures – sorry I don’t normally count things, that’s what you lot do. But it’s quite interesting there should be so much wildlife in such a small area.

Hopefully, if you human beans can sort out climate change, it will stay that way.

Inevitably this rural idyll was about to be rudely interrupted. Hedgehogs don’t have many natural enemies, but there is one – the badger. I was woken by a really pongy smell, which had obviously alerted the hedgehog as well.

So he ran for a hole in the fence too small for the badger to get through and escaped. We’re all now safely settled in a warm compost heap amongst the tea bags, eggshells, cabbage leaves and donkey poo. Lovely!

MENDIP GRANDAD

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Funeral plans – Rod says seek advice first

A ReCeNT increase in the advertising of low-cost funeral packages on television and online has led Wells funeral director Rod Major to urge people to seek professional advice before signing up to them.

Rod, who runs Wells Funeral Services, recommends that anyone considering taking out a plan should talk first to Rod Major any funeral director – either one they know or one who is recommended to them.

He said: “Many funeral directors – including me – offer funeral plans, but we are experienced, professional, deal with funerals on a daily basis and are on the end of the phone for a chat.

“My fear is that some of the plans being advertised might be unsuitable for some people and are being sold by organisations with little or no experience in funeral care. I liken it to this situation: you wouldn’t call out a plumber to fix an electrical problem?”

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Getting you and your kids moving in lockdown

IN these tricky times it is so hard to exercise the children in your lives when they have all their school work to do and are not allowed to go outside in groups.

Balance, in Timsbury, can provide a platform to socialise in the home in a group via their exercise classes on Zoom.

Why is exercise for kids so important?

Balance says it is proved that exercise increases concentration, which will help with their school work, therefore improving academic results; it builds stronger hearts, bones and healthier muscles; encourages healthy growth and development; and improves self-esteem.

Balance are providing three classes a week for two age groups: Tuesdays, at 4.30pm, 30 minutes cardio class for five to 11-year-olds; Tuesdays at 5pm one hour of teen yoga for 12 and upwards; Thursdays at 4.30pm 30 minutes cardio class for 12 and over.

They also have a bounce class for anyone with a mini trampoline at home and all are welcome to join in these too – see website for times.

There are also plenty of classes for adults across their timetable.

Details: www.balancethecountrysidegym.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 45

M T

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MENDIP TIMES

HEALTH & FAMILY

How these goats from Chew Stoke are helping skin conditions from Penzance to Scotland

LOCAL STOCKISTS

A herd of prize-winning goats supply milk to a family business in Felton, who make skin creams, lotions and soaps. These products use natural oils designed to help those with sensitive skin. The business has recently exceeded over 1k Facebook followers and received 40 positive reviews, where the products have helped those with eczema and psoriasis. They have seen an increase in stockists in the last few months, throughout the UK from Penzance to Scotland, mostly in farm shops. Listed here are local stockists in the Mendip Times area. Goats of the Gorge offer an online shop, www.goatsofthegorge.com and accept telephone orders 07958 261971. Now working in partnership with Yeo Valley Organic in their online farm shop, where purchases can be made on their health and beauty page using Yeokens.

New Manor Farm Shop Alvis Lye Cross Farm Puxton Park Farm Shop Gatcombe Farm Shop Newton St Loe Farm Shop Blackmore Farm Shop Hartley Farm Shop Berry Barn Farrington Farm complex Noahs Ark Farm Shop Just For You Gifts Cheddar Chew Pharmacy Banksia Flowers Chew Magna The Art Cohort Bath Scoop & Spice Winscombe/Yatton Kyffins Health Shop Burnham-on-Sea Winford Community Shop Farmborough Community Shop Trowbridge Gallery Castle Cary

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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 PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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MENDIP TIMES

Lockdown musicians

Musicians, Barry and Louise Walsh, from axbridge have seen a surge in interest for their Music Lockdown challenge group on Facebook and YouTube.

Each week members of the group are given a subject or word and asked to perform a song under that theme.

Barry said: “it is now worldwide, with singers from usa, canada, France, south africa, Hong Kong, australia and new Zealand taking part.

“The group now has over 1100 members and is still growing! Each week we get on average over 120 songs posted for each challenge, with hundreds of people posting comments having viewed the song submissions.

“The group is immensely supportive and friendly and we are so proud of the community feel all the members have brought to it.”

The couple have also come up with another way to help people keep their minds off present day worries by “switching off” for 20 minutes a week as they listen to a show put out by them.

Power fund supports charities

sWaLLoW, the radstock charity which provides support for teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, received a £750 boost from Western Power distribution’s “in This Together – community Matters Fund”.

The fund was established in april to help those most affected by the pandemic and has awarded £1million to hundreds of charities. nicky Tew, from sWaLLoW, said: “it allowed us to give each of our members a christmas activity pack including a special present and organise a fun christmas party.”

Phil swift, Western Power distribution chief executive, said: “We’re all in this together – and i’m grateful that we have been able to help charities and the many people they reach through their work.”

Postmaster’s honour

Students say thank you

FroME college’s Year 9 Health and social care class have been making keyrings to thank local nHs staff at Frome community Hospital for their work during the covid-19 pandemic.

The students say they wanted to show their appreciation for the amazing job that keyworkers and health care professionals do and decided to make rainbow keyrings for the staff.

PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

PEnsFord postmaster, umang Patel, has been honoured by the rotary club of chelwood Bridge for his work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club said he has given outstanding support to the local community, especially the most vulnerable. also, as a member of the club, he has been at the centre of fundraising activities, helping to raise £1,000 for local charities including Keynsham Food Bank.

Former president of chelwood Bridge rotary club, Mike Hedges, pictured with umang and his wife, Vailshali, said: “in recognition of these efforts umang has been awarded the prestigious international award of a Paul Harris Fellowship.

“The award is given in this country to honour those people who have given that extra hour, made those extra journeys, spent that extra time, and travelled that extra mile, over and above what we can reasonably expect.”

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Bringing a little cheer to Coleford

MEMBErs of the coleford revival Group have presented gifts to 75 elderly people in the village after their plans to hold their annual christmas pensioners’ lunch were scuppered by the covid-19 restrictions. in recent years, the community group hosted the free party for around 100 people in the royal British Legion hall.

Nicola Phillips with Pat

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS

Getting ready to deliver 75 hampers around the village

Keith Wadley presents a hamper and card to Tony and Sue

Keith Wadley with Sheila

Needle time is music to the ears of festival founder

GLasTonBurY Festival founder Michael Eavis was amongst the first Mendip residents to receive a covid-19 vaccination and urged others to do the same.

The 85-year-old was vaccinated on new Year’s Eve and said: “it is amazing to be in one of the first groups of people to have the covid-19 vaccine in somerset. “it is great that everyone across the country will be offered the vaccine in due course. it is really important that everyone takes the opportunity to have the free vaccine when it is offered to them – it is our only real chance of protecting ourselves and our friends and family from this disease.”

Michael received his vaccination at the GP-led community vaccination site at

shape centre Mendip district council offices in shepton Mallet. GP-led sites have been developed by primary care networks who have been working closely together to develop detailed plans to deliver vaccinations in community locations, including the West Mendip Hospital in Glastonbury and Frome Medical centre. dr amelia randle, GP at Park Medical Practice and vaccination lead for the central Mendip primary care network, said: “We are delighted to be starting the vaccination programme for our most vulnerable patients. it has been a huge amount of work, in a short space of time, but we have seen fantastic teamwork from all our colleagues from neighbouring GP practices and, together, we have been able

Delay to show announced

THE organisers of the royal Bath and West show have put back plans for a new-style covid-19 compliant family event from June to august.

The showground at shepton Mallet is one of the venues for the nHs vaccination programme and the royal Bath & West society says that, while it is delighted to be part of the programme, it is clear that: “life is unlikely to be back to any semblance of normality until well into the summer, making it a challenge to host mass public gatherings safely and securely until later in the year.”

A shot in the arm: Michael Eavis hopes the start of the vaccination programme could spell good news for this year’s festival

to set up the next local vaccination services.” l The nHs is urging people not to contact them to seek a vaccine; they will contact you. You do not have to pay, so beware of scam messages asking for payment details.

Trustees have agreed to postpone the Bath & West “country Festival” from early June to august 27th- 29th. They say moving the showcase event will allow the greatest opportunity for the society to host a safe and holistic event that the whole family can enjoy without the threat of the pandemic hanging over them.

The society will continue with its plans to run the agricultural trade show, Grassland uK, on May 6th and the Bath & West Equine showing show on May 21st and 22nd; however they will be constantly reviewed in line with Government guidance.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

Heritage trains given the signal to proceed THE team at the Midsomer norton south heritage railway line have praised the fast response of Bath and north East somerset council after they were given the go ahead to run services on new Year’s day just hours after new covid-19 restrictions were imposed.

The volunteers feared they might have to cancel the popular services as a result of B&nEs being put into Tier 3 on new Year’s Eve but environmental health officers at the authority responded quickly and said they could continue after being told of the charity’s planned health and safety precautions. dozens of families enjoyed the trips along the line towards chilcompton on board carriages pulled by the line’s resident loco, Joyce. Everyone who was required to wore face masks and there was a one-way system in place inside the carriages which were disinfected between journeys. and it was a new Year’s Eve to remember for Joyce’s fireman Harry Mcconnell – he spent the night at the station making sure there was sufficient heat in Joyce’s boiler and no pipes froze during one of the coldest nights for months. He then joined driver Mike abbott on the footplate for the day.

Strict Covid-19 measures were in force

Joyce in action on New Year’s Day

A safety “token” – they are passed between a train’s crew and a member of staff on the platform to ensure only one train can run at a time on a single-track line

Time to enjoy some treats after the journey

Joyce prepares to depart on her first journey of the day

The next trains are due to run on the line at Easter. For details, visit: www.sdjr.co.uk

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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Support for local charities

THE somerset coronavirus appeal, launched by local charity somerset community Foundation (scF) at the start of the pandemic, has raised a phenomenal £1.5 million. The funding has enabled the foundation to award grants to over 300 local charities in just ten months. it says this is thanks to the generous support of local individuals, businesses, charitable trusts and public sector partners, as well as funding from a national appeal run by The national Emergencies Trust (nET). donations to the somerset coronavirus appeal are continuing to help provide grants of £100 up to £5,000 to local groups and charities, helping those across the county who are most impacted by the outbreak, including vulnerable older people, domestic abuse survivors, people experiencing mental health problems, and children and families living in poverty.

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS Justin sargent, chief executive at scF said: “We’re truly delighted to have reached such a considerable milestone in our fundraising. “our grateful thanks go to all the donors who have supported the somerset coronavirus appeal so far and so generously since the launch in March of last year, and especially to our local charities on the frontline, who have worked tirelessly to ensure our vulnerable neighbours across the county have been cared for and supported through these most difficult of times.

“These generous donations will go a long way to helping local charities to not only continue delivering essential services, but to help mitigate the significant financial impacts of the coronavirus outbreak in light of the challenges of fundraising during lockdown.”

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/appeal or call 01749 344949

Community larder is up and running

THE War Memorial Hall in stoke st Michael has become home to the village’s own community larder offering free food and essentials to anyone in need.

Hall committee members have worked with somerset Food resilience and Fareshare to set up the larder which makes use of surplus – mostly tinned produce but also items such as tea bags and cereals as well as toiletries – from many supermarkets. it has also received support from somerset community Foundation to install a freezer offering frozen meals.

The larder is not a foodbank and is open to all. The volunteers have also opened a summer house at the back of the hall stocking essential food supplies round-the-clock.

The committee says: “We encourage visitors to come to the larder and take away the donations we have received to help us make room for different stock. although we expect nothing in return if you have any abundant items that you no longer need, they will be gratefully received and can be swapped for other things we have. “swapping helps us to provide a much-needed variety of what we are able to offer and helps us keep our food stocks moving.”

The larder has the support of the P&i village stores next door where people are encouraged to buy their milk, vegetables and fresh food. Volunteer Teresa Taylor-Wolff said: “We want to get the word out that the larder is up and running and no-one should feel uncomfortable about calling in. it’s making use of food surpluses that might otherwise go to waste.” l The larder is open from 2-4pm on Tuesdays and 9.30-11.30am on Thursdays. For details call 01749 841493, 01749 840181 or text: 07960 295425 or visit: www.stokestmichaelhall.co.uk

GranTs of between £2,000 and £3,000 have been awarded to a number of foodbanks across somerset as part of somerset’s Food resilience Programme.

The funding will help foodbanks to cope with increased demand and enable them to bolster their food capacity should there be covid-19 outbreaks in their local area.

The grants are being administered by somerset’s five district councils with more than 25 foodbanks in receipt of funds so far. in sedgemoor, cheddar and Highbridge foodbanks have received help. in Mendip, money has gone to Glastonbury & street Bridging the Gap Foodbank, Fair Frome, the salvation army, and Wells Foodbank.

Bruton Foodbank, Bruton Food drop and somerton Foodbank are amongst those in south somerset to receive support.

The Food resilience Programme is investing in a number of projects that will help communities cope with the immediate impacts of the pandemic, and projects that will enable them to respond to future incidents and support people in need.

Meanwhile, the Wells coronavirus network – backed by 350 volunteers – says its work will continue well into 2021.

Thirty-five of its volunteers acted as marshals to help with the start of the vaccination programme at West Mendip Hospital in Glastonbury.

Here to help: Teresa Taylor-Wolff, Jacqui Gait and Karen Pearce, three of the volunteers running the larder. The money box pig is for donations

Grants to foodbanks to meet winter demand

For details about WCN’s work, visit: www.helpwells.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

Shining a light with Frome Inner Wheel Gill Barnes’s candle was lit throughout the day

Lions launch IT project

cHEddar Vale Lions have set up a project to provide iT items to children who do not have the equipment to keep up with online learning.

The project has been launched on social media and is already creating a lot of interest, with offers of items coming in.

They will be checked and tested before being sent direct to those in need or via schools. cheddar First school, Fairlands and Kings of Wessex have said they need equipment and have technicians who will check and PacT test the items. if the project grows, the club hopes to help other schools within the cheddar Vale area.

The club have also been given support from Tom anderson at Wyvern coffee in cheddar Gorge who are holding a raffle to raise extra money for the project.

Details: information@cheddarvalelions.org.uk www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk via Facebook or www.wyverncoffee.com

Supporting families in need

THE inner Wheel club of Frome asked all their members to celebrate World inner World day on sunday, January 10th by lighting a candle or a lantern in their window so that the rest of the world could see that they are still very much “alive as a worldwide organisation”. club correspondent, Gill Barnes, said: “We wanted to share our celebrations with the community. in these strange times people cannot get together and meet; normally our club would have organised a fundraising charity ‘soup & Puds’ lunch in chapmanslade Village Hall, but the covid-19 situation made that impossible, so we thought that we would like to invite all our neighbours and members to light a candle or lantern instead.”

a scHEME to provide £40 supermarket vouchers to families whose children are eligible for free school meals is being extended by Bath & north East somerset council to cover February half term and the Easter holidays. some 3,750 vouchers were issued to families in need before christmas. The electronic vouchers can be spent in a range of supermarkets.

The Government has announced that a national voucher scheme will be in place so that all eligible children can access free school meals in term time while schools remain closed.

For the next school holidays, the council will be extending its voucher scheme. it is part of a wide range of community support for vulnerable families including food clubs, food banks, welfare and financial support. councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are always working to ensure that parents are able to put food on the table so i’m delighted that our voucher scheme has made a difference to so many families.”

Delivering supplies to foodbank

THE rotary club of nailsea and Backwell, on behalf of the Trussell Trust, delivered almost six tons of donated food from Waitrose in nailsea to the clevedon foodbank last year.

They were helped by adam o’neale, the grandson of a rotarian, when some more vulnerable members were self-isolating. in total, some 4,528 local people received the donated food items which were donated

by Waitrose customers.

The club said it would like to thank local residents for their contributions and Waitrose for their support. club president, Ken rock, is pictured (left) with roy ackrill.

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Slimmers thanked for caring

JainE Tucker, from Felton, who is a slimming World consultant, asked her groups if they would help support a local foodbank. she said: “i was so surprised at the generosity of the group members. We filled two cars with food and i even needed help to take it to the foodbank. i have a lot of really lovely, caring members!”

Tracey Phillips, who manages the foodbank at the Withywood centre, Bristol, said: "approximately 80-120 people a week were fed through the foodbank last year. “over the christmas period this rose to over 300 and with the current problems everyone is facing this figure may rise again."

Lockdown memento

rEsidEnTs in chew Magna have produced a full colour 57-page book on life during lockdown, including a wide variety of contributions, photographs and verse.

They say: “Given as a present or held as a keepsake, it is an excellent reminder of a strange spring and summer.” all proceeds go towards the st andrew’s Bell restoration Fund and copies can be bought in chew Magna Post office, £10 or two for £15.

Details: Lewis 01275 332324

Foodbank sees big increase in demand

WELLs Foodbank has seen a huge increase in demand in the last year, giving out over 39,480 meals to local people in need along with their pets, compared with 9,000 meals in 2019. sue Marland, pastor of Wells Vineyard church who runs Wells 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. Every tin and packet that goes into the donation bins is absolutely vital as we continue our work through the latest lockdown.”

Mike Tolley, foodbank coordinator, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of families requesting help and a new requirement to deliver parcels to those who are shielding. This has only been possible due to the unstinting efforts of our

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS

Lockdown love A poem for Valentine’s Day

as cold, as cold, as cold, can be, i wish you close, so close to me, i look up at the endless night’s sky My heart aches for you, for you and i.

We look at the same bright shining star, it makes me feel close, when you are afar, i need, i want, i desire you so, i’ll never leave, or want you to go. i long to be near, so near to you, My soul, my body, desires you too.

Even though we’ll have to wait a bit, You’re worth every hour, i’ll hang onto it.

My lockdown love i know it now, i’ll show you soon, as you know how.

Wanting, loving, longing, i feel, This time will end i know it will. so gentle, so warm, so lovingly kind, a beautiful soul, an exciting mind.

Touches so soft, so dear to me, Totally yours, but yet so free.

You make me feel so amazingly high My soulmate, my best friend, i cannot deny.

My ying to my yang both night and day My lockdown love, what more can i say.

KAZ Karen curtis, from cheddar on a long distance relationship

volunteers and those who support our cause in the community.

“The original team of volunteers has worked incredibly hard through 2020 and deliveries have been made possible by a number of new volunteers who are acting as delivery drivers to distribute food parcels to people’s doors.” shoppers can help by donating food especially tinned meals e.g. tinned macaroni, meatballs, Fray Bentos pies, tinned fruit and desserts, tea, coffee small bags of sugar, tinned soups, noodle pots, instant meals, cereals, toiletries, laundry cleaning pods, cleaning supplies and pet food.

Food donations can be dropped off at supermarkets, in the Wells branch of santander in the Market Place or directly to the foodbank at the Wells Vineyard church, Keward Mill Trading Estate, Jocelyn drive, Ba5 1da. alternatively, financial donations can be made to Wells Vineyard christian

Sue Marland

Fellowship’s HsBc account; sort code: 40-46-06, acc no: 31387170 and use “Wells Vineyard church” as the reference. during the latest lockdown, the foodbank will continue to open between 10.30am12.30pm on Wednesday and saturday mornings.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 53

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Bringing a little cheer to Coleford

MEMBERS of the Coleford Revival Group have presented gifts to 75 elderly people in the village after their plans to hold their annual Christmas pensioners’ lunch were scuppered by the Covid-19 restrictions.

In recent years, the community group hosted the free party for around 100 people in the Royal British Legion hall.

Nicola Phillips with Pat

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS

Getting ready to deliver 75 hampers around the village

Keith Wadley presents a hamper and card to Tony and Sue

Keith Wadley with Sheila

Needle time is music to the ears of festival founder

GLASTONBURY Festival founder Michael Eavis was amongst the first Mendip residents to receive a Covid-19 vaccination and urged others to do the same.

The 85-year-old was vaccinated on New Year’s Eve and said: “It is amazing to be in one of the first groups of people to have the Covid-19 vaccine in Somerset.

“It is great that everyone across the country will be offered the vaccine in due course. It is really important that everyone takes the opportunity to have the free vaccine when it is offered to them – it is our only real chance of protecting ourselves and our friends and family from this disease.”

Michael received his vaccination at the GP-led community vaccination site at

Shape Centre Mendip District Council offices in Shepton Mallet. GP-led sites have been developed by primary care networks who have been working closely together to develop detailed plans to deliver vaccinations in community locations, including the West Mendip Hospital in Glastonbury and Frome Medical Centre.

Dr Amelia Randle, GP at Park Medical Practice and vaccination lead for the Central Mendip primary care network, said: “We are delighted to be starting the vaccination programme for our most vulnerable patients. It has been a huge amount of work, in a short space of time, but we have seen fantastic teamwork from all our colleagues from neighbouring GP practices and, together, we have been able

Delay to show announced

THE organisers of the Royal Bath and West Show have put back plans for a new-style Covid-19 compliant family event from June to August.

The showground at Shepton Mallet is one of the venues for the NHS vaccination programme and the Royal Bath & West Society says that, while it is delighted to be part of the programme, it is clear that: “life is unlikely to be back to any semblance of normality until well into the summer, making it a challenge to host mass public gatherings safely and securely until later in the year.”

A shot in the arm for Michael Eavis, but vaccines came too late to save this year’s festival

to set up the next local vaccination services.” l The NHS is urging people not to contact them to seek a vaccine; they will contact you. You do not have to pay, so beware of scam messages asking for payment details.

Trustees have agreed to postpone the Bath & West “Country Festival” from early June to August 27th- 29th. They say moving the showcase event will allow the greatest opportunity for the society to host a safe and holistic event that the whole family can enjoy without the threat of the pandemic hanging over them.

The society will continue with its plans to run the agricultural trade show, Grassland UK, on May 6th and the Bath & West Equine Showing show on May 21st and 22nd; however they will be constantly reviewed in line with Government guidance.

MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Worth the wait, say customers IT seems like the age-old story about London buses – you wait for ages for one to arrive, then two come along at once – has come true in Wells.

Post Office services have been restored to the city centre – in the information kiosk at the bus station – after the original office in the Market Square closed in August last year.

The bus station site is a temporary solution until the Post Office can find a permanent solution – possibly inside a shop in nearby Queen Street. Wells City Council came up with the idea. Customers at the new office – currently open on weekdays – said they were delighted to see it open and were critical of the fact that the city centre had been without a post office for so long.

Meanwhile, the organisation has added a second counter at the Post Office inside Budgens in St Thomas Street on the edge of the city to cope with demand, especially during the pandemic.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We have worked with Wells City Council to find suitable premises at the bus station to allow us to restore Post Office services to the centre of the city. This is a temporary solution, whilst we finalise plans for a permanent solution. We have an interested retailer who

wants to take on Wells Post Office. We are progressing their application.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Wells Post Office. This has been an exceptional time with the coronavirus pandemic and the knock-on effect on retailers. The branch had been due to move to the Peacocks store before the business went into administration. We were unable to maintain a Post Office at the existing premises as the lease had expired.”

Very nice to see you again! Customers greet Maria and Rachel, who both worked at the Market Square post office. Maria used to run the sub-post office on Priory Road until it closed

The travel office is now the temporary home to the Post Office

Visitor survey

THE Mendip Hills AONB unit has appointed Dr Kelly Davies as a visitor data project officer to help investigate when, where and how people visit the Mendip Hills area.

The project will work with volunteers and land managers to help evaluate the impacts, both good and bad, of access and recreation on the local environment and society.

Dr Davies said: “Counting people on Mendip will help us better understand visitor behaviour so that we can develop a more informed approach to promoting the hills, which is more

Mayor of Wells, Councillor Philip Welch, with Rachel Sherfield and Maria Williams in the new post office at the bus station

sustainable and reduces impact on the natural environment.

“This in turn will help conserve and enhance this nationally protected landscape for both people and wildlife."

The new role is part of the Counting on Mendip Project supported by £20,000 of funding from the National Grid Community Grant Programme, linked to the Hinkley Connection Project taking place in the area.

This will make the AONB area pylon-free for the first time since the 1960s.

Details: mendip@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

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Mendip Times is available from over 900 outlets across the Mendips from superstores to village stores and post offices, farm shops, supermarkets, garden centres, pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, libraries and tourist information centres.

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MENDIP TIMES

Bikers support air ambulance Memories of Jamaica

WeLLS Classic Motorcycle Club, which has just celebrated its 20th year, decided to waive all current members’ annual subscriptions, but invited donations and held a raffle to support the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, raising £787.

Due to Covid–19 regulations the draw took place outside the Britannia Inn, in Wells where the club has met since 2000. Chris and Joan Weeks are pictured making the draw.

The club is well known for its annual Tortoise and hare motorcycle run which attracts entrants from far and wide, raising funds for the air ambulance. The 2021 event is scheduled for Sunday, June 6th.

The club is normally very active and new members are always welcome.

Details: www.wellsclassicmotorcycleclub.weebly.com or contact Chris 01749 675991

Charity walk postponed

WeSToN hospicecare’s Men’s March has been moved from Saturday, March 20th to Sunday, April 18th due to concerns over any potential lockdown extension.

The ten-mile charity walk usually follows a glorious route from the Grand Pier to Sand Point and back. Participants are then greeted with a cider from event sponsors Thatcher’s Cider, a collectable pint glass and a Pieminister pie.

It was due to take place during the last weekend of the Six Nations rugby tournament. But the hospice is concerned that if there is any extension to the current coronavirus lockdown it would mean the event would need to be suspended anyway.

Comprehensive precautions and safety measure plans led to the hospice being confident it would be safe for participants to take part. The plans were approved by North Somerset Council and the hospice’s health and safety providers.

The hospice’s director of fundraising, Mark Flower, said: “As we have shown with the postponement of our Strictly Fun Dancing, Mendip Challenge, Moonlight Beach Walk and Light Up a Life events, we do not hesitate to ensure the safety of our incredible fundraisers. especially in the context of this pandemic.”

The cancellation of events and closure of shops has had a

The chairman of Langport & District Red Cross group, Chris Cox, has published a book to raise funds for the charity, while its shop and theatre outings have been hit by the pandemic.

It tells the story of his year teaching in Jamaica, with chapter titles including Rule Britannia in the Blue Mountains, how Not To Make Tea, Another Chris reading his book Lovely Funeral, Mirror on the Ceiling, Five in a Bed, Gold Teats, The Gut Buster, Taking a Machete to a Banana, There’s a Crocodile Behind You, and Birthday Suits in hedonism. he said: “Laugh along with the author and his wife as they fall in love with Jamaica and its peoples. In advance I thank you for your support. If you enjoy reading it please tell all your friends. If you don’t...sorry!”

It’s now available as an e-book or a paperback from Amazon. Just type in Total experience Corner under Books and it should come up.

Happier times

huge impact on fundraising to support the hospice’s services over the last year.

Those who have signed up already for the Men’s March have been contacted and their spaces have automatically been transferred to the new date.

Registration remains open and early bird spaces are still available at £15 per adult and £10 per child.

Details: https://bit.ly/MensMarch21OT

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Honour for lifeboat fundraiser

Pete and his wife Bridget

PeTeR elmont, the chair of the RNLI’s Weston-super-Mare fundraising branch, was awarded a British empire Medal for services to maritime safety in the New Year’s honours list. he has been involved with Weston RNLI for almost 25 years and received a Cabinet office Point of Light award in 2019. he and his wife Bridget work tirelessly raising funds, running the very successful RNLI shop at the Cove and working closely with the Weston RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew.

In championing the appeal for a new lifeboat station, he was set a target of £300,000 in three years. he achieved that in two and has now reached over £1m towards the cost.

This means two members of the team in Weston have been honoured. Richard Spindler was awarded an MBe in 2016.

Don Sutherland, chair of Weston RNLI Lifeboat management group, said: “Peter is a source of inspiration to us all. he knows everybody, works all hours and is one of the reasons Weston RNLI is in such good health. he thoroughly deserves this honour.”

Fundraising photo success

AN auction of a photograph of a wintry-looking Midsomer Norton has raised £250 for the town’s Rotary club at a time when their fundraising efforts have been curtailed by the pandemic.

The highest bidder for the image, donated by photographer Chris Burch of Glastonbury, was David Matthews, a director of the Northavon Group which relocated to Midsomer Norton from Peasedown St John last autumn. The photo will hang in their offices.

Meanwhile, the club members have been continuing to meet via Zoom, with guest speakers including Community Development Manager (West), Melanie Tiley, from Brain Tumour Research. The club donated £100 to the charity.

Isla’s charity success

Isla before . . .

. . . and after

CHARITIES

ISLA Pearson, aged 12, from Bishop Sutton has raised an amazing £2,042 for the Tourette’s charity by having her head shaved, having set herself a target of £500.

Isla said: “I was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when I was seven but recently it had got stronger, with people beginning to notice.

“I want people to understand Tourette's Syndrome and know that I can't help what I say or do. Sometimes it's funny but sometimes it hurts me. It can also be a bit embarrassing!

“I wanted to shave my head to raise awareness – so that people understand that Tourette's doesn't define me. I am still just Isla.” her mum, Abbey Pearson, said: “We are so proud of her and the charity Tourette’s Action have already expressed their thanks writing a social media post about Isla.”

Isla said: “A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me with my head shave and thank you also to Rebecca Dix hairdressing for doing such a fabulous job!”

Rotary club president Nick Candy (centre) with Tony Flook and Beth Selway from Northavon Group. The photo featured on the front cover of December’s Mendip Times

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Mencap’s music makers

KeYNShAM and District Mencap Society launched their first online Christmas donation appeal and raised £1,000, after the pandemic meant it had to rethink its usual Christmas fundraising efforts.

Fundraiser, Amanda Leonard, said: “We had an overwhelming response to the appeal from the local community, who we are truly thankful to. This money will go a long way to enabling the staff and volunteers to continue to reach out to the members

during these ever challenging times.”

The appeal ended with a virtual musical performance by the Music Man

Project, the charity’s music tuition group. Members have continued to meet on Zoom to practice and learn songs.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/MusicManProjectKeynsham

Growing money from trees

DoRoThY house hospice Care ran its fifth annual Christmas tree collection fundraiser in partnership with the Justhelping charity, raising over £66,000 to fund hospice care.

Volunteers picked up around 3,689 trees in two days from across the area, supported by many local businesses.

While 90% of the money raised, after costs, will go to Dorothy house, ten percent will go to other local charities.

Steph Cox, community fundraiser for Dorothy house said: “This is our fifth Christmas tree collection and recycling scheme, and has come at a time when many charities are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, so we are especially pleased to have raised a record-breaking sum of over £66,000 in

Family supports the homeless

A PeNSFoRD family has given sleeping bags and ten rucksacks full of toiletries, hats, gloves, chocolates and other “goodies” to the charity help Bristol homeless.

Kate Croker had the idea of collecting essentials for the charity at the end of last year and was given the rucksacks and sleeping bags by the Christadelphians.

With the help of her three children and the local community she set about filling the bags and was overwhelmed by the response.

She said: “A massive thank you to all those who donated to our rucksack appeal.” help Bristol homeless is based in Spring Street, Bedminster and helps to rehome and rehabilitate homeless people in Bristol.

A spokesman said: “We believe that having a home is not an entitlement, it is a right. everybody should have the opportunity to live in a place they can call their own. our mission is to change the face of homelessness in Bristol.

“Through the support of our trustees, volunteers and supporters our vision of a gated community of self-contained micro flats, created from shipping containers, and the amenities needed to support our residents is becoming a reality.

vital funds to support local hospice care.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers and donors for their generous help and support.”

Nat, Ella and Becky Croker loading the car

“We are able to provide temporary accommodation for more than 15 residents until they can each move on to a more permanent home. Your help and support to complete the vision is vital.”

Details: https://helpbristolshomeless.org/

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CHARITIES

Soup kitchen up and running in Street

Crispin Hall has taken all necessary steps to make the soup kitchen as safe as possible

The team at the Crispin hall in Street has opened a weekly soup kitchen with food available for free to everyone in the community to enjoy The project is a continuation of the work they have been doing since the first lockdown with supplies of food from FareShare South West. Usually, the food is used to prepare meals for Crispin hall’s lunch clubs, family breakfast sessions and in their community café.

A spokesperson for the hall said: “We’ve been able to change our food profile with them to support the work we’ve been doing since the first lockdown. Along with our friends at The Salvation Army, we’ve offered cream teas, pizzas, fruit cake and more to our community to help keep spirits up!

“The Soup kitchen is a continuation of this work; we can offer hot, homemade soup or a cup of tea to a member of our

Fresh food from FoodShare

The kitchen is open every Tuesday until the end of March

community to help them through the day. Whether that reason is loneliness, hunger or you just happen to be walking by on your daily exercise, all are welcome!” l The kitchen is open every Tuesday from 4pm-6pm until the end of March.

Charity event’s tenth anniversary

RoTARY Nailsea and Backwell will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its Nailsea Charity Walks and Runs, due to be held on Sunday, June 13th.

If Covid-19 restrictions still apply, as they did last year, people will again have the chance to walk or run a choice of routes at any time between June 13th and July 31st.

In the past few years more than £20,000 has been raised each year – even in 2020 with all of the changes forced by the pandemic. The event was a great success: 280 people took part, despite the difficult circumstances and – as always – it was great fun!

This year organisers are challenging the community to put out a record number of people and raise a record amount of money. The effects of coronavirus have hit charity incomes so local charities are short of funds and need help probably more than ever before.

Graham hunt, from the organising committee, said: “People can register with confidence. We are committed to ensuring that people can once again walk or run safely in 2021, and have contingency plans, including a virtual event, which proved so popular and effective in 2020. “our hope – dare we say expectation – is that the vaccination programme will

have enabled us to return towards a new normality by June.”

There are three routes, all starting from, and finishing at, the Scotch horn Centre in Nailsea, the 5K, 10K and 20K.

Details: nailsearotary.org or contact Graham Hunt 07970 771845 grahamjeanhunt@tiscali.co.uk

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MendiP TiMes

Villagers have a wonderful time

Mulled wine, mince pies and other treats were on sale at the start of the trail

FAMILIES took to the streets of Oakhill for a fun trail which also raised funds for the village hall.

The challenge was to find 29 letters stuck outside houses and arrange them in order to create a festive phrase. The correct answer was: The most wonderful time of the year.

Keeping your home warm this winter

IF you are struggling to pay your bills after Christmas, Citizens Advice Mendip says free advice is readily available.

It says just under one in ten households in the Mendip area are in fuel poverty, where more than ten percent of income is spent on fuel bills, so, a lot of local people are affected. Chief executive, Ian Byworth, said: “Cold homes are a health issue, not just because of their effects on people’s physical health and wellbeing. They have a psychological impact too.

“The cold causes people to worry about the cost of heating their homes and about getting into debt with their energy suppliers. The good news is that there are things you can do to tackle the situation.”

It says energy suppliers are duty bound to help and grants may be available. Contact Citizens Advice Mendip for more information. l With their offices affected by the pandemic, the five Citizens Advice services in Somerset have launched a free county-wide Adviceline telephone and email service and are appealing for more volunteers to run it.

Details: 08082 787842 or www.citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk www.citizensadvicemendip.org.uk

Cider security The Willmott family entered into the festive spirit

Campaign nears target

TRADITIONAL Somerset wassails have all had to be curtailed but villages throughout the Mendip Times area have been very imaginative in their efforts to try to ensure that we can still hope for a decent crop of cider apples come the autumn.

Some families in the Chew Valley have been holding wassail ceremonies in their own gardens – we’ve been promised pictures for our March issue. Let us know what you have been doing.

THE Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Ruth Worsley, has once again pledged her support to the Surviving Winter campaign run by Somerset Community Foundation. It urges people to make a donation from their Winter Fuel Payment to help older neighbours who are struggling to heat their homes.

With support from more than 450 people it’s close to reaching its target of £120,000 this winter.

Bishop Ruth said: “Pensioners who can’t afford to heat their homes are going to bed early, cutting back on food and are often living in one room simply so they can stay warm.

“Making a donation from your Winter Fuel Payment to Somerset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal will help support some of the most vulnerable in our community. Please consider donating if you can.”

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter or call 01749 344949

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CoMMuniTy

school gets boost from trail FARRINGTON Gurney’s first Christmas Windows Trail raised more than £380 for Friends of Farrington Gurney School Parent Teacher Association.

Claire rippon’s silhouette display

sidney Chivers with his family’s gingerbread house window

rotary supports food project

SOMER Valley Rotary Club has donated £200 to Paulton’s Village Larder. Club treasurer, Phil Edmonds, said: “We are really happy to support such a good cause here in Paulton. We hope to be able to provide long-term financial assistance for the coming year.”

Kayleigh Paul who runs the Larder is pictured receiving the cheque from club president, Jackie Partridge.

Kayleigh said: “This donation will make a huge difference and with ongoing support, we can make sure our stock levels are always maintained. Many thanks again to Phil for getting in touch and I look forward to working together in 2021.”

Also pictured are Paulton councillors, Liz Hardman and Grant Johnson who helped Kayleigh set up the Larder back in March.

alissia and archie radnedge.

Their house won first prize

online meeting for inner Wheel club

THE Inner Wheel Club of Wrington Vale held its last meeting of 2020 via Zoom – and still managed to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

A competition to guess the number of beads on a stocking – the actual number sewn by Kate Arklay was 5,528 – was won

by Brenda a festive feel to the club’s meeting online Moorhouse who said there were 5,550. The competition raised £150 for the Read Easy charity in Weston-super-Mare. The Christmas raffle raised £405 for the group’s chosen charities.

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Wanstrow window trail

evelyn-rose and Tyler outside one of the homes in Wesley Close which took part in the trail

VILLAGERS in Wanstrow took part in an advent window trail which was accompanied by a word quiz.

The trail was organised by Liz Sargent, Ellie Weyman and Bex Badenhorst and was inspired by an Easter-themed event to keep children amused during lockdown.

Hamper deliveries were more than just about the food

Carry on packing – despite the cold outside

MORE than 100 volunteers delivered food hampers to people alone or isolated in their homes in Frome on Christmas Day – but just as importantly, they took the time to say hello and chat.

A total of 143 hampers – filled with donations from local food companies – were delivered as part of an initiative led by Frome Christmas and supported by Fair Frome, Active and in Touch and Health Connections Mendip. The hampers were packed at Black Swan Arts by a team of helpers.

Frome Christmas came up with the idea after their plans for their annual Frome’s Big Christmas Get-together – a Christmas Day lunch at Frome Football Club for some 120 people who would otherwise be on their own – were derailed by the pandemic. The lunch had been running for almost ten years.

Janet bromley (left) with Liz sargent, one of the organisers of the trail

Club determined to carry on THE Inner Wheel Club of Mendip says it has done its best to continue its commitment to serve the community and maintain its strong friendships, during the current challenging times.

As an example, before the latest lockdown it provided 36 Christmas gift bags for the residents of St Michael’s Cheshire Home at Axbridge.

Club members catching up with a socially distanced walk around Cheddar reservoir

Page 62 • MendiP TiMes • February 2021

The scene inside the round Tower at black swan arts

Frome College students, Jude rawlins and alisha Fewell from year 12, helped with packing

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CoMMuniTy

Village bids farewell to Postman Pete Villagers in Bishop Sutton gave their postman, Pete Marsh, a fond farewell on his retirement, presenting him with a scrapbook of memories. This is an extract from it.

OUR village postie, Pete has lived in the village all his life initially with his mum Vera, dad Fred, twin brother Paul and brothers John and Andrew. If there was one characteristic that would sum up Pete and his family it would be hard working.

There were two bakeries in the village; Tibbs’ and Montgomery’s. Pete worked for both starting to work for Tibbs’ whilst he was still at school, carrying on there full time after leaving school. He later worked for Montgomery’s too.

Any spare time he had he worked at the petrol station that used to be next door to Tibbs’ bakery. He eventually left these village businesses and became our postman; a role he stayed in for 30 years.

There is no doubt that he was the “eyes and ears of the village”. Even before you were close by he would turn his head and wave as if he had eyes in the back of his head and knew you were approaching!

He knew who was away and would keep an eye out on your house, keeping post back until you returned. If there was a special delivery and you were out he would take the trouble to return later when you were in or leave it safely somewhere and let you know.

One time he was first on the scene when a lady cut her finger badly on an axe. Pete told her he was no good with blood but still stayed with her and dressed it. He shopped for his neighbours and ran errands.

He carried dog biscuits in his pocket even though he had been bitten a few times on post or bakery rounds. He would be given a box of dog biscuits as a Christmas present so he had a supply to feed them!

One such dog was Ruby Simon’s dog who waited every morning for him by the gate, as many others did. Once a family moved to a new house in the village and their dog started to chew the post that was put through the letter box.

Pete happened to find a letter box in a skip to put into a wall, thought of their predicament and took it along – 28 years ago!

Of course in his younger days he had his moments with his

Village collection

SANTA Claus and his young passenger, Joe Prescott, collected £145.32 as they wandered round the village of Clutton, collecting money for Clutton School PTFA and The Cabin preschool.

Pete (left) receiving the scrapbook from local resident Pete Tibbs

mates, chatting up the village girls. One opportunity for this was with the girl guides through the toilet window in the old village hall!

We all remember the many chats and conversations we have had with Pete by our front doors or along the road, “chewing the cud”, passing on village news, putting the world to rights and arguing that all he ever delivered was bills and money demands.

Pete himself said: “I didn’t do very well at school but my mother always taught me good manners.”

This along with his cheerfulness, dedication to the Post Office and to the village is what we know and love him for. We have received many cards and good wishes for Pete, but as one resident said: “The postie we have now has better legs!”

The village wishes you a very happy retirement. Stay well and keep smiling!

Lantern parade

a previous event

BLAGDON’S lantern parade will take place on Saturday, February 27th, with a lantern making workshop via Zoom on February 15th, with kits costing £4.

The parade will cover more of the village, but people are being asked not to join it, but to wave, shout, cheer and show their homemade lanterns as they go by.

Details: blagdonlanternparade@gmail.com F blagdonlanterns

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Slow float for Santa

YEO Valley Lions decided to operate their carol float in a changed socially distanced format, after running it for 20 years.

The float was not allowed to stop as it progressed around the villages in North Somerset, but proceeded slowly around the streets in order to bring some Christmas spirit to the community.

The club was still able to produce a programme, with sponsored adverts for local businesses, so all residents knew exactly when Father Christmas would be arriving in their road.

This year a donation envelope was included within the programme. This together with a bucket on the float and some residents donating by bank transfers meant the club was able to raise £9,000.

A spokesman said: “This total was even more amazing as there were no door to door collectors allowed and only two people were following the float, by car, for health and safety reasons.

“The whole carol float event made the club realise how valued Yeo Valley Lions Club is by the community.”

Grants available

GRANTS up to £2,500 are now available for smaller charities and grassroots groups from the Somerset Fund, which is managed by Somerset Community Foundation.

Charities and community groups that run on less than £100,000 per year can apply. The closing date is February 22nd.

The Somerset Fund has already supported 84 good causes in the county and awarded more than £120,000 in grants to local grassroots charities. The Friends of the Blue Association Trust, in association with the Blue School in Wells, received a grant for £1,500 to improve their conservation area.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/somersetfund or call 01749 344949

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Ringing the changes for the coming months

ramblers out and about, despite restrictions

IN our small corner of the world, Mendip Ramblers know that we have been quite fortunate.

In the midst of difficult times, the chance to go walking is a treat; like everyone else we have had our freedoms curtailed but have been able to enjoy some group walks, inevitably rather restricted. We hope that 2021 will bring easy walking for all – that’s easy walks and easy access to walks.

Ramblers nationally have been busy, even in the past difficult year, reclaiming lost footpaths and Mendip Ramblers have played their part. More than 49,000 lost paths have been found, 9,000 of them in the South West. These are paths in the countryside, in villages and towns which are walked but didn’t appear on the map – if they’re not registered by 2026 they will be lost!

So, some members have been walking and checking in their local area. Others have been out, when permitted, to check routes and repair and renew the gates and stiles and bridges and finger posts so that walking is easier for all who use those paths. These working party volunteers deserve credit!

Since holidays abroad currently remain difficult, maybe we should all resolve to explore our own backyards? Mendip Ramblers were chiefly responsible for creating a linear route that encircles the Mendips. This is the Mendip Ring, 117miles long, in nine stages, that follows the Mendip boundary.

Two people from Shepton Mallet are planning to complete this at Easter, raising money for charity. Perhaps this will encourage others to explore the wonderful variety of the Mendip area, from the Somerset Levels to the high points around Burrington Combe.

It is possible, of course, to walk anywhere. Many new walkers have found lovely routes on their doorsteps, but why not venture a little further afield and join in group walks?

There’s always someone at hand to help. And what happened to that January resolution to be more active? Some walking could be the right choice!

By Elaine Dadley for Mendip Ramblers For details about the Mendip Ring and the ramblers locally, visit: www.mendipramblers.co.uk

(Photo courtesy of Peter Gatenby)

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Santa’s tractor run raises hundreds for the NHS

santa and Mrs Claus

VILLAGERS turned out in their dozens to support a Santa tractor run, as 14 tractors, one Elf mobile (VW camper) and two cars travelled round the Chew Valley raising funds for the NHS. Their route included Bishop Sutton, West Harptree, Chew Stoke, Chew Magna, Stanton Drew and Pensford.

Santa Claus and his wife occupied one

Tractors in the procession

of the last vehicles while the elves were busy dashing round collecting money from the sightseers.

Organiser, Carrianne Summers, said: “In December I was sitting with my son thinking that he wouldn’t get to see Santa this year. It would have been his first time. I believed that others would be feeling the same so I asked a few

Sports centre concerns

THERE are fears that Churchill Sports Centre is under threat of permanent closure. A working group of ex-sports centre members, regular users, instructors, local residents and councillors have formed Mendip Villages Fitness to assess its future.

Their online survey is asking residents if they would support the centre and what activities they would like to see there, saying keeping fit with regular exercise is vital for physical and mental wellbeing.

They ask: “Do people want a fully equipped gym that also offers judo, Zumba and yoga classes?

What about tennis courts and netball?

“Are parents having difficulty finding swimming lessons and holiday clubs for their children or a canoe club for older children? Should we consider mother and baby classes as well as gentle exercise for the ‘less young’, a coffee lounge or physiotherapy? Does aqua therapy appeal?

“With your help and support, and simply knowing your views, Mendip Villages Fitness working in collaboration with North Somerset Council, the ten parish councils in the surrounding area and Churchill Academy, will find the right fitness solution for our communities.”

The survey will run until Sunday, March 7th, with paper copies in local shops.

Details: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MendipVillagesFitn ess hello@mendipvillagesfitness.co.uk

CoMMuniTy

Seeking help

friends about the idea of a tractor run with Santa.

“When Grace Mabbs-Godfrey and Dom Lowe got on board things started to take off. We couldn’t believe the response. We know it’s a trying time and we just wanted to bring a little magic to the valley.”

The event raised £800 for the NHS.

Halloween night fun

THIS year marks the 65th anniversary of the start of 1st Blagdon Brownies and its leader, Chris Burton, is looking for support.

She said: “I love every minute of running the Brownie Pack, but I need some help. Would anyone be interested in just coming along to a meeting to see what fun it is and find out if they would like to get more involved?

“I’m not asking for any commitment at this stage.”

Details: blagdonbrownies@gmail.com

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CAVING

Major finds despite Covid-19

OWING to the several lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, caving activity was severely curtailed in 2020.

Curtailed, maybe, but With PHILIP not entirely HENDY abandoned. Even the flooding of caves due to the autumn storms did not prevent trips to Swildon’s Hole and G.B. Cave. Digging also proceeded whenever circumstances allowed, and in November Martin Grass and Stuart McManus of the Bristol Exploration Club announced the winner of the 2020 J-Rat Digging Award.

This is presented to the team which found and surveyed the most cave passage during the year, on Mendip and Scotland, the late Tony Jarratt’s favourite digging areas.

Normally the ceremony is held at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn, but due to restrictions, the award committee met on a windy Mendip hillside to make a video of the ceremony. This can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/sH0xb-ojAho Developments at Wookey Hole led many to believe that the award would remain on Mendip, but once again, a cave in what we like to call North Mendipshire (actually northwest Scotland) snatched glory from our local diggers.

In 2019 Toby Speight of the Grampian Speleological Group discovered Umah na H-Aiseirigh (Ashery Pot), at Applecross, near the coast overlooking Skye. Last year, Toby and the Grampian, with help from the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club based in Yorkshire, enlarged the entrance and extended the cave by 740 metres, finding a long roomy stream passage and a dry upper series.

There are some good formations and exploration continues. Toby was unable to leave Scotland to receive the award, but the video shows it being presented to a rather dubious Scotsman, with an even dodgier accent.

At Sandford, a mixed group of diggers has been extending Pearl Mine, finding a large inclined rift named Bill Frith’s Big Rift. This was climbed for ten metres using bolts to reach a miners’ hauling platform constructed using rocks jammed into the rift. Another rift, Bill Frith’s Mid

Rift, was found, above which is a choked shaft leading to the surface. In all, 50 metres of mine were rediscovered, containing some mud formations, pick marks and a sharpening stone.

Last year, Stock Hill Mine Cave at Priddy won the award, with 658 metres of passage found and surveyed. Digging by the Bristol Exploration Club began in 1991, when they re-opened a ten-metre mine shaft to enter natural passage. The dig was taken up by Trevor Hughes in 2016. In 2020, a further 250 metres of cave has been found, a remarkable effort considering the on-off nature of visits due to the pandemic.

The most exciting local discovery has been at Wookey Hole Cave, as the opening of Chamber Twenty to the public in 2015 has allowed access to non-diving diggers. Since then, a team which also digs in the nearby Hallowe’en Rift, which may lead to the dry upper series of Wookey Hole near the entrance, has been examining leads in Twenty.

At the end of a long passage to the east of the chamber, a dig led to a sump, which due to its proximity to Chamber 24, was named Sump 23¾. There is a connection to the known divers’ route, and it was dived by Duncan Price and Maxwell Fisher, but unfortunately it is impassable. In the summer of 2016, attention was paid to a dig at the west end of Twenty, but due to frequent flooding and slumping this was abandoned.

The diggers returned in 2018 to the east passage, digging down for six metres in a flood-prone pot, then sideways through two small choked rifts.

At the end, a trickle of water flowed from above, and this was followed until in January 2020 a roomy chamber was entered. This is 15 metres long, six wide and six high.

Covid put paid to digging for a while, but when the site was resumed, a new dig, which draughted, was started. In the meantime, divers in Chamber Twenty Four dug at the end of a long constricted passage, to discover an extension, Beginner’s Luck, which is less than 10 metres from Sump 23¾.

In the large chamber, a new dig was started in August. Following the draught, a tight choked passage was cleared,

Land of Hope and Glory

permitting access to a small chamber.

Still following the draught, by removing boulders, a squeeze, Fuzzy Wuzzy, was passed in September to enter 300 metres of roomy passage and a large chamber.

It was found close to Battle of Britain Day, so it has been named Land of Hope and Glory. A short climb led to walkingsized passage, then another narrow climb to a rift which after 40 metres opened into a large steeply-sloping chamber aligned east-west. The geology in the new cave is varied and interesting, with a Neptunian dyke, cryogenic calcite, evidence of hydrothermal activity, and some mud cone formations.

Not content with this amazing find, the diggers then attacked a site close to Sump 23¾, and in December forced a dry route to Chamber Twenty Four, connecting with Beginner’s Luck. It will not however provide a viable alternative to diving, since it is a very awkward passage to negotiate, with some very difficult climbs up on the return.

The total length of new passage found in 2020 is more than 277 metres, bringing the total length of Wookey Hole to 4,380 metres. The vertical range is 150 metres, bearing in mind that some of the sumps descend below sea level. The highest point of the cave is now in the roof of the big rift in Land of Hope and Glory.

Whenever possible, work will continue at all of these sites, and at plenty of others both on Mendip and in Scotland.

Who will win the 2021 J-Rat Award is anybody’s guess.

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 66 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

(Photograph by Mark Burkey)

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Moments of light in the dark days of winter

IF you, like me, have been listening to Radio 4’s Today programme you have heard people discussing those “moments of light” which give people comfort as the long days of winter and the Covid pandemic lockdown drag on.

I work and live alone high up in the With RACHEL Mendip Hills and every day Tam and I THOMPSON venture out to wander in the landscape, MBE usually at dawn, finding that moment of light that will sustain us through the day.

As the earth tilts, sending the sun higher in the sky, the days lengthen and as we ride or long rein around the lanes, some days treading carefully through ice and frost and others splashing through great lakes lying between the hedgerows, we can see the signs of a new spring.

Jackdaws, so recently a mass raiding party on the garden bird feeders, are cuddled up in pairs on the telephone wires.

Wrens are flitting in and out of the stables, squatters bagging an old nest and soon a moss dome will appear over the mud cradle left by a swallow gone south.

When the rain stops the birds sing and, as we pass, a new melody floats out from the hedgerow, a sudden excitable burst from the song thrush tuning up for spring. Buds are appearing on honeysuckle and pussy willow and catkins dangle along the lanes.

Tam and I keep fit on our one outing a day by alternating riding, walking on foot with me by her shoulder and long reining which invites walk, trot and run. On riding days, we drift over the hills checking the pregnant ewes out on lonely winter grazing, clambering down the steep deer paths, jumping the rushing streams tumbling below and pausing for a while on the banks of Waldegrave Pool to watch the wild geese swimming and the heron fishing in the gold light cast by the rising sun.

Other days, we roam around the forest keeping off the

A Tam’s eye view of Waldegrave Pool

RIDING

Long reining on quiet paths

beaten track, cantering and trotting on little known paths weaving between the trees. Sometimes I get off and walk, attaching the lead rope tied onto my saddle to the thin rope halter Tam always wears. This halter was such a lifesaver the day Tam caught and pulled off her bridle when I was opening a gate, suddenly seeing a mangled heap of broken leather and bit lying on the ground.

Long reining on quiet roads, tracks and bridleways over varied terrain is the best fun. Tam loves marching along in front, leading the way. From behind or to the side it’s hypnotic to watch the flick of her ears, the rhythmic sway of her body, the proud lift and swing of her tail and to see a contented look in deep gold flecked eyes. Listening to the echo of horse hooves on the ground, wrapped in the peaceful energy that flows from her to me, induces a meditative state and, as I walk, I drift and sing and dream.

A sudden halt and a long stare into the distance is her way of telling me that there is something to see; a deer basking in a sunlit hollow by the path, a brown hare jumping the wall, a barn owl (a white ghostly shape floating over the valley floor), a bright-eyed squirrel dancing through the leaves, a doe with a wobbly-legged fawn, the outstretched wings of a peregrine falcon gliding overhead. These are all our moments of light.

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How far is local?

With restrictions back in place, exercise is once again one of the few "reasonable excuses" for leaving home – but this time things are slightly CYCLING different to previous with EDMUND LODITE lockdowns. last year the weather was good and the days were getting longer. there was a surge in the number of people cycling, with many bike shops struggling to keep their racks stocked. Others brought their old bike out of the shed and returned to riding during those sunny, largely traffic-free spring and summer days.

We may not have the weather on our side this time around but everyone is still encouraged to get inspired again and continue cycling – whether for daily outdoor exercise or for essential journeys.

Compared to lockdown #1 there are more cars on the road and fewer cyclists and that is probably straight down to the weather. Yet staying active is a vital tool

Fencer honoured

Gillian aghajan, who worked at St Katharine's Primary School at Felton for 12 years, has been named Fencing Personality of the Year by British Fencing members for the most outstanding contribution by a volunteer.

She took up fencing in her late 40s, encouraged by her daughter, a Great Britain fencer, who had to give up because of a knee problem.

Gillian joined Bath Sword Club, then British Veterans Fencing, where she was a committee member for ten years, the last six as chairman, producing their newsletter.

She has been team manager for the GBR Veterans squads at both European Veterans

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021

for safeguarding our physical and mental wellbeing during what is set to be another challenging few weeks ahead. the government guidance in England says exercise should only be undertaken once a day and within your local area. But it is the definition of “local” that has caused much debate.

Walkers can walk several miles locally and that could be a couple of hours of healthy exercise. Cyclists riding within the same vicinity would only take a fraction of the time, so it makes sense that the guidance is open to interpretation. after all living in a village is completely different to a city.

Keeping the interpretation of “local” open allows for different circumstances to be taken into account – which i think is fair. Whilst critics would say the wording is vague it avoids unintended unfair consequences for some. there have been a few attempts at interpretations such as “if you can, go for your exercise from your front door and come back to your front door, that’s my view of local.” and, “if you can get there

under your own steam, and are not interacting with anybody, that seems perfectly reasonable”. a good one i heard recently was “if you can still see where you live then that’s local” – mind, this was looking down from the Mendip hills!

So it was no surprise that the Prime Minister’s ride at the Olympic Park, seven miles from no 10, provoked a mixture of responses. his political rivals were quick to accuse him of not following guidance – but this was not a Dominic Cummings moment by any means. On the contrary, a significant number of commentators suggested that an enthusiastic cyclist Prime Minister, trying to lose weight, was exactly the role model the times required! as far as i’m concerned, the important thing is the intent of the guidance. i’ve stopped going on longer rides for the time being and am happy to ride closer to home, or use the hill nearby in a looped circuit.

Cycling is a great way to stay fit and retain some normality in an unreal situation, so stay local, stay safe and come back smiling!

Championships and Veterans World Championships for several years and will continue this role when Covid-19 allows events to be run.

She said: “Fencing is a great sport. it is like physical chess – you are constantly trying to outwit your opponent and it is a real adrenaline buzz and sense of achievement when you score a hit you intended. My favoured weapon is sabre, but i also fence epee sometimes.

“Family commitments have not allowed me to train and compete as much as i would have liked to in recent years but hopefully when Covid-19 allows fencing to resume fully, i will start training again.”

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Coalfield Classico entertains tWO first half goals by midfielder Morgan Marsh after an opening strike by James Rustell set Radstock town on the road to a 3-0 Boxing Day win over local rivals Welton Rovers. allowed to take stage under tier 2 restrictions, the match at Rovers’ West Clewes ground attracted a good crowd eager to defy Storm Bella and enjoy some live sporting action. the derby is known locally as the “Coalfield el Classico” and was one for the “Green army” to forget, having been at the top of the toolstation Western league Division One table – and the “Miners” in mid-table – before the lunchtime clash. the season has since been suspended.

Radstock almost make it four

The Miners celebrate their third goal

Welton on the attack in the first half

Speedway falls victim to pandemic

SOMERSEt Speedway has announced it will not compete in the 2021 season – should it take place – amidst ongoing concerns regarding the financial credibility of the club. the family behind the club says its income streams have been badly affected by the pandemic, with the Oak tree arena at Edithmead – home to the Rebels for 20 years – unable to host indoor functions. the Somerset Rebels were due to compete in the SGB Championship, the second tier of British speedway's three-tier set up and race from april to October, but club promoter Debbie hancock said: "it is with a truly heavy heart that dad, Garry and i have reached the decision to put our licence on hold. "as a family-run business, we have always prided ourselves in ensuring all riders and suppliers are paid in a timely manner and not run up any debts, but our concerns are that our income streams could be tested too greatly for that to be the case in 2021.

“We have first-hand knowledge of how the Oak tree arena operation has been greatly hit financially with no regular income as a consequence of the pandemic, and indications are that it will be a while yet before indoor functions are likely to be sanctioned again by the Government.”

Debbie added: "We respect the beliefs that a number of clubs hold for a return to a season of racing at some stage in 2021, but from our perspective, unless we could be assured of a full campaign, and it is obvious that nobody can give those assurances at this stage, then as promoters of Somerset Speedway we cannot commit to the risk of operating at a loss, and therefore have decided to withdraw and allow the riders as much opportunity as possible to find alternative team places.”

FEBRUARY CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Stoke St. Michael 9. Reserve 10. Farther 11. Mark 12. Short-range 14. Sweats 16. Germ cell 19. Cylinder 21. Wellow 25. Fallacious 26. Bras 28. amputee 29. Sky blue 30. identification.

DOWN: 1. Scrimps 2. Observe 3. Earn 4. teethe 5. informed 6. horn rimmed 7. Enhance 8. Ordeal 13. Ston Easton 15. Why 17. leo 18. Beriberi 19. Caftan 22. lorelei 23. Western 24. Muesli 27. Cyma MENDIP TIMES • FEBRUARY 2021 • PAGE 69

(Photography courtesy of Chris Challis)

SPORT

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

Panto time across the county

VENUES in Somerset have come together to create the perfect solution for panto in a pandemic. Each scene of In Search of Cinderella was recorded at a well-known theatre or arts centre as part of an online performance.

Producer, Richard Crowe, said: “We’re the county people drive through without stopping, and we’re the county that punches above its weight. We don’t always acknowledge the amazing things that happen here, such as carnival and all our local traditions.

“This is an opportunity to join across the county and

Socially-distanced panto!

celebrate what we’ve got and who we are.”

The participating venues are Strode Theatre, Street, Taunton Brewhouse, The Regal Theatre, Minehead, Bridgwater Arts Centre, The David Hall, South Petherton and the performance will end with the Prince and Cinders’ wedding at Glastonbury Abbey.

Children at Butleigh C of E Primary School recorded their “It's behind you” moments for the performance.

In Search of Cinderella premiered online on Wednesday, January 20th. Donations will be in aid of the participating venues to help support them in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

The video is available until the end of February.

details: insearchofcinderella.com

Get the abbey habit and raise vital funds

GLASTONBURY Abbey’s 36 acres of grounds have been a place of exercise, reflection and calm throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from the full lockdown in early 2020, the abbey has been able to make the grounds available to visitors so that local people can enjoy the peace and tranquility that the space has to offer.

In August there were even some very popular reduced capacity events such as Night at the Abbey and One Enchanted Evening.

While the winter months are always quieter for visitors, this winter has seen a significant reduction due to the pandemic and this looks set to continue into the spring while it does what it can

The abbey grounds offer a welcome break from lockdown for local people, young and old alike

One Enchanted Evening

to reduce transmission of the virus.

As an independent charity, Glastonbury Abbey relies almost entirely on visitor income to maintain and conserve the grounds and ruins for public benefit. In order to raise much needed funds, the Glastonbury Abbey Recovery Appeal was launched where members of the public can adopt an artefact from the abbey collection or make a one-time donation to the abbey.

Membership is a great way of supporting the abbey at this time and benefits you with free entry on the days it is open and also offers further benefits by the way of shop and cafe discounts, discounted events for “plus” members and more. At less than £1 per week for an adult member, membership is great value and assists by supporting the abbey with its more than £3,000 per day costs.

You can find out more about Glastonbury Abbey membership and the recovery appeal at www.glastonburyabbey.com

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