14 minute read
Sport
Back on the road again
Approaching the start of the race
“ThERE’Sa lot of cyclists out there today” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot recently, from family and friends. Although the pandemic has seen a surge in recreational cycling, this recent increase is due to the return of organised cycling events across Mendip – albeit with some social distancing still in place. From road races to sportives, it’s good to see normality returning as cyclists take part in organised events again.
The best regional male and female riders were in action twice. First racing several laps of the “rifleman’s route” around the shooting range near Priddy. Then a few weeks later completing several loops of the hillier and more challenging Stowey circuit. The best juniors from across the country also took part in the three-day Tour of the Mendips.
These races require a lot of preparation and involve much more than the cyclists. The casual observer will first see a marked car giving notice and warning oncoming traffic that the riders are approaching. Mobile marshals on motorbikes (quite often ex-traffic police) will pull up at junctions to warn that the race is approaching.
Static marshals will also be positioned at key points on the course. Accredited marshals have the power to legally stop and hold the traffic temporarily so should be treated in the same way as a red traffic light.
As the riders pass by in a blur of colour the commissaire’s car will follow the main bunch of riders to ensure fair and safe conduct during the race and give instructions to the marshals. After the riders there will then be any team cars and medical assistance.
All involved are volunteers, receiving only out-of-pocket expenses for accredited positions, so if you do happen to be stopped briefly be nice to them and enjoy the spectacle!
Now there may be a very small number of people who cannot bear for their car journey to be a few seconds longer and think racing on open roads shouldn’t be allowed. In response, I’d say it doesn’t happen very often and the roads that are used generally have lower levels of traffic. Events also usually take place on Sundays when it is quieter, and by the way…it is allowed!
All courses or circuits must be approved by the police. Usually, a circuit will be designed to be ridden anticlockwise so that any turns are lefthanded, so as not to cross oncoming traffic. Applications to use an approved course or circuit for a race must then be submitted to the police weeks in advance and all events must comply with “Cycling
Racing on the highways” regulations. The purpose of the police approval, safety marshals, highway regulations and the race convoy cars etc is to ensure the safety of all road users during the race. CYCLING Now, you may also have seen many with EDMUND LODITE riders, or even taken part, in the Great Weston Ride, a popular sportive starting in Long Ashton and ending at the seafront in Weston-Super-Mare. Sportives are non-competitive and riders follow a signed route. Unlike the fast procession of a road race, you’re more likely to see a gradual trickle of riders along the route. I’ve ridden it before and the thing that makes it stand out for me is that a lot of the riders are doing it as a personal challenge and/or are raising lots of money for good causes. There is no race in this event, everyone’s a winner so well done to all those who took part!
Great Weston Ride
SEPTEMBERCROSSWORDSOLUTION
ACROSS: 1. Katy Did 5. Twin bed 9. Tsars 10. Plane tree 11. Eye contact 12. Chew Stoke 16. Architectural 19. Australasians 20. Sash 22. Egocentric 26. Flower bed 27. Evoke 28. Breathe 29. Retired. DOWN:1. Katie Glass 2. Trade gaps 3. Disconcert 4. Depot 5. Thatchers Cider 6. Item 7. Burgh 8. Die 13. Welch 14. Attainment 15. (See 1d) 17. Illegible 18. Reservoir 21. (See 12a) 23. (See 5d) 24. Creed 25. Belt 26. Fib
Paulton v. Liverpool!
Ex-England international Mark Wight leading the Liverpool Legends out with mascot Jack Tovey, aged seven, son of Paulton assistant manager Paul Tovey
OvER 1,200 people attended a community day at Paulton Rovers where some of the veterans of the club’s 2009 FA Cup side took on a team of Liverpool Legends.
The Liverpool players included England internationals Mark Wright, Alan Kennedy, now in his late 60s (looking fit but missed a penalty), Paul Walsh, Scottish international, John Wark, Don hutchinson and Ireland star Jason McAteer.
The Paulton players were managed by Andy Jones who took Paulton to the 1st round of FA Cup in 2009 and many in the team played in that game. The match ended in a 3-3 draw and helped raise funds for the club after months of Covid closure, with a collection for Prostate Cancer Research.
The two squads greeting each other
Wearing their tops with pride
Martin Feeney, RBL branch chairman, John Swift, junior section chairman Midsomer Norton RFC, and Pattie Nicol, branch fundraising officer
ThE Midsomer Norton and Radstock branch of the Royal British Legion have sponsored 15 training tops for the junior section coaches at Midsomer Norton RFC.
Martin with some of the coaches
Tennis tournament returns
Ladies tournament players
WELLS Tennis Club hosted its first tournament in almost two years at the beginning of August.
New ladies captain Ginni Smith organised the competition which saw action on all five courts as 20 players competed in 15-minute-long rounds. Chie Preston was the overall winner with 26 games and Clare Mather a close second with 25 games.
Ginni said: “I’m delighted that we were able to enjoy a fastpaced afternoon of tennis followed by a long overdue catch-up with friends.”
Showcasing their skills at skate park
Photos by Mark Adler
BMX riders, scooter fans and skaters descended on Shepton Mallet’s West Shepton Skate Park for an afternoon of competitions and fun.
The event was organised by Shepton Mallet Town Council as part of its summer series of free activities for all ages.
It took place before the skateboarding and BMX events at The Olympics but shared the ethos of competitors cheering each other on – and also showing respect and consideration for younger or lessable users on the skate park.
Youngsters gather at the skate park with the team from wheeled sports events organisers Camp Rubicon
Curved air
Reuben is an enthusiastic scooter
Competitors were judged on technique and difficulty of the tricks they performed Skateboarders practice ahead of the competition
Cricketers promise lashings of fun!
ALLERTONCricket Club are hosting and playing a T20 game against the Lashings World XI a team of former international players including Devon Malcolm, Monty Panesar, Chris Lewis and Adam hollioake.
The world famous ex-professionals are renowned for their games against lesser-known cricket clubs and they certainly know how to entertain the crowds.
Allerton Cricket Club are a non-
league team of village cricketers, of varying ages and abilities, so this is certainly a David vs Golliath battle that will be a delight to watch.
It will take place on Friday, September 3rd at Allerton from 4pm. Along with the fast bowling and big hitting international superstars, legendary BBC Test Match Special commentator henry Blofeld will be commentating on the match.
The club has already sold 300 tickets for the pre-match players’ lunch and over 180 tickets for gate entry.
England victorious in golf croquet “three nations” in North Somerset
NAILSEA and District Croquet Club welcomed teams from England, Scotland and Wales for the 2021 Golf Croquet Internationals.
The matches were played in North Somerset even though Wales was the official tournament host for the doubles and singles matches which saw some interesting match-ups. The Welsh manager, Ian Burridge, faced his son, Euan, who was playing for England. Locally, Martin Murray, from Bristol Croquet Club, played for Scotland whilst Nailsea’s own James Galpin played for England. James started at NDCC as a junior and has now reached international status, playing last year in Australia.
At the end of the two days, England took the trophy with 12 wins. Wales were second with eight wins, with Scotland winning four. The club is hopeful that it can host this event in future years, but other high-level matches are on the calendar for 2021/22 for both Golf Croquet and Association Croquet. Spectators are always welcomed to watch this fascination game.
For details, visit: www.nailsea-croquet.org.uk
The winning English team (l:r) Euan Burridge, Stuart Smith (capt), Steve Leonard, James Galpin Ian Burridge running a hoop for Wales
Twiglet is back in action
A horserescued following a sickening attack where he was left for dead in the road with fractured bones is now fully recovered and working with vulnerable children at horseWorld’s centre at Whitchurch.
Named Twiglet, because he was so emaciated, he has made a remarkable recovery and is now a fully trained equine Assisted Learning pony working with children who are outside mainstream schooling or struggling to learn in a classroom environment. horseWorld yard manager, sarah hollister, said: “Twiglet had been through a horrific ordeal. We were called out in the middle of the night to pick him up. he had collapsed in the road.
“he was weak, painfully thin and had a fractures in his back and neck which we discovered on return to horseWorld when our vets examined him. he was emotionally shut down, there was no life in his dull, sunken eyes.”
Twiglet on arrival
Details: www.horseworld.org.uk/discovery-appeal
Glenda Spooner Farm reopens
GLeNdA spooner Farm, World horse Welfare’s recue and rehoming Centre near somerton, is reopening after being closed to the public for almost 18 months due to the pandemic. sally Page, centre promotion officer, said: “everyone at Glenda spooner Farm is getting excited to welcome back familiar and new faces when we reopen. Whilst we have been closed the yard have been busy helping a large number of rescues, rehabilitating them ready to go to new homes.
“We have a wonderful herd of horses and ponies, including some gorgeous foals, just waiting to see you all again and don’t forget that our coffee shop will be open for a drink and a bite to eat after you explore our new walks out amongst the fields. We all look forward to seeing you soon and we have some exciting upcoming events too.”
With the impact of Covid-19 causing a 20% decline in income the charity is introducing a small charge for visiting the centre and to help support the visitor facilities. The charge for a general visit is £3 each, with children U-5 free. dates and event details will be available soon on the website.
Details: www.worldhorsewelfare.org
Mendip triumph in pony club games
A MeNdiPFarmers pony club team came away winners from a mounted games competition held at southfield house, Nunney. six teams of four or five riders and ponies took part in a series of exciting and exhilarating races that involve a mix of turns, handovers, skills tests, vaulting and galloping against each other.
The children develop skills such as improving accuracy, agility, concentration, speed, hand co-ordination, team work and sportsmanship, as well as having lots of fun playing some imaginative games.
The Mendip Farmers branch of the Pony Club entered a team for the novice class in a competition organised by the Wylye Valley Pony Club and won!
They faced stiff competition over two days, sometimes in the pouring rain, and came away with the biggest rosettes they had ever seen, as well as a medal each.
Children, with parents and helpers, camped alongside the ponies, and spent a damp night with not much sleep, lots of laughter, and too many sweets.
The team members were Mae Jackson, aged 13, Charlotte smith, 10, isabella Penfold, nine, William Falango, nine, and Bella smith, six. one of their parents said: “Well done Mendip, and thank you to all the organisers, dedicated trainers, and very patient ponies!”
Bella Charlotte Izzy Mae William
The Cary Hoard comes back home
A HOARD of 152 silver coins dating back hundreds of years is to go on show in Castle Cary in September. The hoard –cared for by the South West The Cary Hoard Heritage Trust was discovered under floorboards in a building in Paddock Drain in the town in 2006. It is believed to have been hidden during the English Civil War with the most recent coin dated to 1644.
On Friday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 5th (10am3pm) members of the trust team will be bringing the hoard, along with other items from Castle Cary, to Castle Cary Market House. On the Sunday, the team will be joined by the finds liaison officer for Somerset who will be running a finds surgery where members of the public can bring in their own archaeological objects for identification.
The weekend also marks the last days of the free exhibition Cary21: Cary Through Time in 21 Objects.
Party at the country market
Stallholders gather round the birthday cake as the celebrations begin
GLASTONBURY Country Market has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a birthday cake and live music in the town hall. The weekly Tuesday morning market sprang from the former Women’s Institute markets and has developed into a community hub with a café. Whilst food – especially baked goods –has always been popular, the market has become a go-to place for arts and Guitarist Ian Perry added to the party atmosphere crafts. It is run as a co-operative with members paying 5p to join – the market would welcome more bakers to join them – and it’s main criteria is that all produce and crafts must be handmade and unique.
Dip into deepest Somerset
The front cover is a wood engraving of the Burrow Mump and the Levels by Howard Phipps
A NEW book about people and places in Somerset is to be launched in September, with proceeds supporting the work of three local charitable organisations.
Deepest Somerset, by journalists Gay PirrieWeir and Fanny Charles, is a portrait of the remarkable county, looking at its people and places, contemporary and traditional cultural life, the industrial past, present and future and,
of course, the food and drink.
The book has an introduction by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, reflecting on the importance of the connection between people, farming, food and the landscape.
Contributors include Michael Eavis, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the Lord Lieutenant Mrs Annie Maw, Costa Book Award-winner Jasbinder Bilan, bird photographer Carl Bovis, conductor Charles Hazlewood, artists James and Kate Lynch, National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.
Fanny Charles was the editor of the Blackmore Vale and Fosse Way magazines. Gay Pirrie-Weir was the magazines’ arts and planning correspondent, and was co-author of Not Afraid To Dream, a history of the arts in Somerset. Deepest Somerset is the third in the Deepest Books series, following Deepest Dorset and Deepest Wiltshire. It is illustrated with outstanding photographs by David Blake, Len Copland, Ian Sumner and Matilda Temperley.
Proceeds of Deepest Somerset will support the work of Somerset Community Foundation, the Children’s Hospice South West (Somerset) and the Farming Community Network.
