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What’s On

Will Keel celebrates five years in business

WILLKeel is celebrating the fifth anniversary of his business, WJ Keel Rural, which has continued to expand both in terms of equipment and the number of people it employs.

His original Robocut machine which he purchased just over five years ago, which operates remotely cutting grass, scrub and brambles on steep slopes and areas with restricted access, was replaced earlier this year as it had become worn out!

The company also has a range of other equipment for groundworks, spraying, fencing and other agricultural jobs.

Will said: “The expansion of the business has been largely through recommendation, the fact that in uncertain times people can be sure about the quality of the work we do.”

He was joined by Fraizer Kent almost two years ago and more recently by Rob Phippen, as well as his wife Hannah, who looks after administration.

Fraizer’s main role is on the groundworks and fencing side whereas Rob’s role is mainly operating the Robocut with Will helping out where needed.

He said: “As a small team we all need to be able to work with each other depending on the labour requirements of each job.”

He worked for various local agricultural businesses before investing in the Robocut and starting up on his own.

He said: “We’ve gradually increased the range of services we offer, particularly groundworks, although the Robocut is still busy. Our customers seem to like the fact that we are a smaller family-run business prepared to turn our hand to anything within reason.

“We would all like to wish everyone especially our existing customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Details: Will Keel 07779467760 willkeel@hotmail.co.uk Facebook “W J Keel”

Watch this space

WITHthe power of computer chips getting more powerful and them getting ever smaller the search for more uses of these miniature chips continues to expand. One of the first things to capture the interest of manufactures of personal With NICK SPARKS devices was the wristwatch. There are now many Smart watches on the market taking advantage of sensors that can be built in, allowing the watch to know where you are, how fast you are running, give you an indication of your sleep patterns and measure your blood pressure to mention but a few.

They have their own apps, may have GPS built in, or allow you to pay for goods at the check out. Prices for one range from around £25 to several hundred pounds depending on its features.

Connect it to a smart phone using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and it can receive information from there to give you reminders and notifications. Some can even be used to make calls. Their faces are small screens and a few can be made to mimic the most expensive of watches or allow you to design your own face. Most can be customised from a range of downloadable apps to some degree.

There is a downside however; they are small devices so can only use small batteries. A full charge will power a basic one for about a week whereas a full featured type may need charging daily, but they all keep very good time!

To find one that meets your needs and interests needs a bit of research by trawling through the internet. Perhaps start by using Google or YouTube to find suggestions for the “Best Smart Watches of 2022”, make your choice, and then quickly add one to your Christmas list for Santa!

This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified <it4ttcvh@gmail.com> Submitted for IT for the Terrified by Nick Sparks

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS

4 Glass ship (8) 8 Spanish dish of rice, fish and seafood cooked and served in a shallow pan (6) 9 Addictive drug, especially an illegal one (8) 10 Euphemistically a person’s lover (8) 11 Erstwhile, foregoing (6) 12 Sailing (8) 13 Use water typically for crop cultivation (8) 16 The Estate that owns 24 across (8) 19 Not at a convenient moment (3-5) 21 Lengths of wood fixed side by side to make a barrel (6) 23 Piece of iron acting as a keeper for a magnet (8) 24 Hotel in Cheddar being demolished to be used as a temporary car park (4,4) 25 With great interest or enthusiasm (6) 26 Factory that produces butter and cheese (8)

By greendandelion Clues in italics are cryptic

DOWN

1 The sack for postal workers (7) 2 Toy (9) 3 Japanese plant with a thick green root, tasting of horseradish and served with raw fish (6) 4 In a way that makes use of extra, energy, power, success, etc that is achieved by two or more people, companies or elements working together (15) 5 The previous diocese of

Bishop Michael of Wells (8) 6 Nothing very severe has a smell (5) 7 As clear as day (7) 14 Old person receiving special care (9) 15 Feel the heat (8) 17 Al fresco (7) 18 Rubber on the end of a walking stick for 14 across (7) 20 The latest and very recently thankful village (6) 22 Panorama or landscape (5)

New machinery on the Mendip Hills

TECHNOLOGY continues to advance at a rapid pace, and while sometimes the old ways are the best ways, sometimes there is room for improvement.

Farmers can access funding to buy new technology and equipment to help their businesses operate more sustainably. The Farming Investment Fund can help with farming equipment and technology, the next round of which is open for applications until January 7th.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is also able to support farmers in the Mendip Hills AONB to purchase some innovative technologies to make a farm more nature-friendly.

One farmer in St. Cuthbert Out parish was able to purchase a tractor-mounted bale unroller with a contribution from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

This piece of kit allows a round bale to be unrolled and spread across a field. Spreading the hay also spreads out the wildflower seeds in the bale, which over time may encourage more species into the pasture.

The unroller has also been enormously successful at reducing soil damage, as it spreads out the cattle for feeding, instead of congregating around a single feeder each day. The farm now has more flexibility over where they feed their animals, and the cows are like excited puppies following the unroller along.

The new kit makes life easier for the farmers, keeps the cattle safe and well fed, and protects the special limestone grasslands which support many wild species. This equipment will not be suitable for everyone, but for this farm it has been a success. Other farms will have other ways to maximise the sustainability of their businesses.

There are plenty of new technologies out there to give you greater control over your farm and create space for nature at the same time. For inspiration, you can see what’s on offer through the Farming Investment Fund, browse through a brochure for nearby machinery stockists, or head out to one of the Ag Shows over the summer.

For ideas for other projects, and to see the incredible variety of work going on on farms across the Mendip Hills, check out the case studies page on the AONB website.

You can also get in touch with the AONB team to find out more about the FiPL programme and arrange your own free advice visit.

Contact the Mendip Hills AONB Farming in Protected Landscapes Team for more information

Celebrating 50 years of farming on the Mendip Hills

The Mendip Hills AONB Service is offering funding towards accessing specialist support and advice for Farm Carbon Auditing –ask us today for a pre-filled application pack. Or speak to us about applying for funding for other projects on your land.

Mendip Hills AONB Charterhouse Centre, BS40 7XR Office telephone: 01761 462338 Email: mendip@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk

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