Issue 10 - Volume 13 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 10

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

MARCH 2018

IN THIS ISSUE: POINT-TO-POINT • EASTER WHAT’S ON • THE GREAT FLOOD • MUSIC & THEATRE • PROPERTY

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

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Welcome

CHEDDAR Man made national headlines this month, after experts used DNA to show what the 10,000-year-old skeleton might have looked like. He was found in Gough’s Cave 100 years ago.

Mendip’s caves have given up many other treasures – Phil Hendy has a guide to what you can find in our local museums, while Adrian Boots explores Cheddar Man’s likely diet.

Last month we asked for your memories of the Great Flood of July 10th, 1968 and we’ve had a great response – thank you. We start our 50th anniversary series this month with the floods in Congresbury and Blagdon. We will have more pictures and stories over the next few months.

Radstock Museum has shown that history doesn’t mean being stuck in the past, with new state-of-the-art virtual reality equipment bringing mining to life.

Two of our villages, Mells and Farmborough, are celebrating news of their community-run shops, while Somerset Wildlife Trust has announced a major new project in East Mendip – as usual we have pages devoted to community, news and charities.

With Easter approaching, many of our local attractions are gearing up for the start of a new season – we have an extended What’s On section and a preview of Mendip Farmers’ Point to Point.

With all of our regular contributors and features, welcome to spring on Mendip.

April 2018 deadline: Friday, 16th March 2018.

Published: Tuesday, 27th March 2018.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@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 or: letters@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: Captain Cattistock winning at Wincanton. Photograph by Mark Adler. See page 83.

CONTENTS

18

36

Hare’s looking at you kid – cathedral holds children’s festival

Blagdon 1968 – memories of the Great Flood

66

Carnival cheques – Cary says thank you for support

83

Schooling over fences – race day for education Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE ..........10 Internet and Crossword ..............16 Food & Drink ...............................22 Business.........................................30 Arts & Antiques ...........................38 Education ......................................42 Charities........................................44 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......49 Walking Sue Gearing ....................50

Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........52 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......54 Health Dr Phil Hammond .............60 Community ...................................64 Caving Phil Hendy ........................70 Homes and Interiors ....................77 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE.....82 Sport ..............................................84 Music & Theatre ..........................88 What’s On.....................................92 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 3

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Our Services Include: Commercial and Residential Property Wills and Probate Litigation and Personal Injury Criminal and Family Law Agricultural, Business and Commercial Employment Shepton Mallet: 57 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AQ. Tel: 01749 330330

Glastonbury: 11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DL. Tel: 01458 832510

Those of you with long memories may remember the BGW baby boom of a few years ago. This now seems about to be repeated!

Hannah Phillips, who is a Legal Executive at our Shepton Mallet office specialising in conveyancing, has informed us of the safe arrival of her baby son Archie (pictured with proud mum Hannah) who arrived at 3.15am on 1st February weighing 6 pounds and 13 ounces.

Readers can expect further announcements over the next few months.

The arrival of a child (especially the first one) causes us to re-assess our lives in many respects. It is very important for anyone who has young child or children to make a Will to ensure that they are provided for if a catastrophe should strike. We make no apology for mentioning Wills yet again since, even these days, when we are better informed than ever only a small percentage of the population has an up to date Will.

Please contact any of our branches if you wish to discuss this.

Castle Cary: Old Bank House, High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AW. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Bath Street Chambers, Bath Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3AA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk

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NEWS

A brush with fame

WELLS Civic Society and the Rotary Club of Wells have unveiled their latest blue plaque tribute to famous people and organisations with connections to the city.

The plaque on what is now a house in Portway recognises the location of one of the city’s brush factories run by the Brine family from Victorian times.

To date, six plaques have Another of the Wells plaques – this one at the city’s Recreation Ground been unveiled with more in the pipeline. The latest was pays tribute to a fleeting appearance by cricket legend W.G. Grace the idea of local historian

Brushing up on history: (l:r) Chris Winter, from Wells Civic Society, with home owner John Devane, civic society member Philip Welch, Rotarian Geoff Haskins, and local historians Clare Blackmore and Sarah Villiers

Sarah Villiers, who researched the Brine family at Wells and Mendip Museum.

Remembering the Basle air disaster – 45 years on THE village of Wrington will feature in the BBC Radio 4 series Aftermath, which looks at how communities face and cope with sudden and devastating disasters.

It will mark the 45th anniversary of the Basle air crash on April 10th, 1973, when Invicta Airlines Flight 435 from Bristol hit a mountain, while trying to land in a snow storm.

Nearly 140 people, mainly mothers

Apprentice scheme recognised

from North Somerset, were on a day out to go shopping and sightseeing and 108 people died.

The programme will be broadcast on Tuesday March 6th at 11.02am. Some of those in Wrington who lost loved ones talk about their feelings then and now and why they want this awful moment in Wrington’s history never to be forgotten.

The villages of Axbridge, Cheddar, Details: 01934 861294

BROOKSIDE Academy in Street has been named as the only school in the national Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list for 2017.

The school currently employs 12 apprentices working on sports tuition, business administration, finance, nursery education and specialist education. Apprentices spend one day a week at Strode College to gain a qualification in their specialist area. After two years they can seek employment or higher education.

The list, now in its sixth year, is run by the National Apprenticeship Service to showcase the breath of employers who offer apprenticeships. During the last six years, 37 apprentices have been placed with Brookside Academy, with 86 per cent remaining in the education sector at the end of their programmes.

Headteacher Brian Walton said: “Apprenticeships are providing an exciting new pathway into the world of working in education for young people in Somerset. I’m delighted that we’ve made the Top 100 Employers list for the second year in a row.

“I would encourage all local employers to consider apprentices when planning for their business. For our school they’ve contributed in so many ways, bringing new ideas and

Congresbury and Yatton will also be mourning the tragedy, which left 45 children motherless.

The Sunday following the broadcast will be Mothering Sunday, and the Rev Tom Elkin will hold sung Evensong at 6.30pm in All Saints’, Wrington giving everyone time to reflect on the programme after the passing of the years.

Current apprentices with headteacher Brian Walton (centre) and business manager Sandra Cinicola (left)

enthusiasm in everything they do. Without apprentices we would not be able to offer extra services for families such as holiday clubs for disabled children and we’re now sharing our experiences with other schools in the region.”

Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service added: “This year’s winners are all shining examples of how apprenticeships develop outstanding talent whilst enhancing the incredible work of employers. I am certain all of our winners have a bright future thanks to the enriching benefits that apprenticeships bring.”

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Waste-into-power project takes shape

CONSTRUCTION of a new £252 million project to turn waste into power from Somerset and other parts of the west country is underway.

Foundations at Viridor’s Resource Recovery Centre in Avonmouth are now taking shape with concrete piles creating a solid base for the main development. The Avonmouth RRC is the latest project in a £1.5bn investment in next-generation recycling and recovery facilities by Viridor’s parent company, South West-based Pennon Group Plc. Once operational the centre will offer an alternative to landfilling non-recyclable waste from households and businesses and safely transform it into enough renewable energy to power around 44,000 homes. As well as switching tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish from costly, wasteful and polluting landfill, Somerset Waste Partnership is launching a new collections contract in 2020 with extra materials – including a range of plastic packaging – taken every week at the kerbside using a brand-new fleet of vehicles.

Mickey Green, managing director of Somerset Waste Partnership, said: “The Somerset Waste Partnership manages the How the resource recovery unit will look once complete

A site visit to Avonmouth to see the foundations of the new centre

waste from more than 250,000 Somerset homes, with one of the highest recycling rates in the country and recycling in the UK 94% of what we collect.

“The Avonmouth RRC forms the cornerstone of our ambitions to help Somerset residents to waste less, recycle even more and – for whatever is left over – switch from a reliance on landfill to resource recovery from 2020. We value our partnership with Viridor, which helps us ensure Somerset’s waste is never wasted but given new life as a valuable resource.”

To mark the construction progress to date Viridor welcomed members of its local authority partners to review the work underway at the Severn Road construction site. Sir John Parker, chairman of Pennon Group Plc, said: “We were delighted to host our partners and interested parties to see at first hand the excellent progress made by the onsite team in the last few months.

“We are using our experienced team, drawn from across our UK energy recovery network, who have proven how to safely build energy recovery facilities on time and on budget to ensure that we are able to offer a vital landfill diversion service to our local authority partners and businesses in the Bristol area from 2020.”

Charities call for protection of the environment

FOUR major environmental charities in the West of England have come together to create a single voice to call for better protection and enhancement of important wildlife areas.

Avon Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, the RSPB and the Woodland Trust have jointly called for changes to protect nature and wildlife in the proposed West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) which will help the region meet its housing and transport needs for the next 20 years, to 2036.

Spokesman for the four charities, Ian Barrett from Avon Wildlife Trust said: “We welcome the strong recognition in the plan of the value of our natural environment, including the commitments to maintain and enhance the network of green spaces which we PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

know will deliver multiple benefits for people, places and nature.

“But we want to see the plan go further and ensure that protecting nature and these spaces is fully integrated into the plan and has sufficient funding. We know there is a commitment and that the political will exists to deliver a gain for nature and biodiversity while planning for housing growth and transport.”

The four charities have called for: • Environmental protection and provision for green infrastructure – the network of green spaces which support nature and benefit people – to be fully integrated into the JSP. • The development of the Green Infrastructure Plan to be fully funded to ensure that it has parity with other

planning and is ambitious and able to deliver.

• A comprehensive and robust Habitat Regulations Assessment to ensure protection of the West of England’s precious natural environment and the rare species it supports.

This is seen as vital given their proximity to sensitive ecologically designated sites, such as the North Somerset and Mendip Bat Special Area of Conservation and Severn Estuary Special Protect Area.

The charities have said the plan has the opportunity to deliver for nature and people in local communities but needs to have the right delivery mechanisms in place to protect important places and maximise the opportunity to provide for nature alongside economic growth.

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Protecting our local landscape

UBLEY Parish Hall is hosting No Finer Life, a play

by The Archers’ Graham Harvey, raising funds for the Council for the Protection of Rural England’s Avonside branch.

It features the memories of Elizabeth, a Somerset land girl, from 1940 to the present day, reflecting that our relationship with the land and issues of national identity, are timeless.

CPRE says: “Perhaps now, more than ever, our local countryside and farmland is under threat from unprecedented levels of house and road building. CPRE Avonside are hosting this play to raise funds to help continue the fight for a beautiful and thriving countryside that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“We want to make sure that we get the right homes built in the right places and that our transport infrastructure is sustainable. It is vital that we don’t damage the landscape and natural beauty that draws so many people to the West of England to live, work and visit.”

It says current pressures include the four West of England Councils’ plans for mass development in North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire over the next 30 years.

It’s also concerned about further expansion of Bristol Airport and is making the case for minimising the airport’s sprawling car parks by having well-planned access with good public transport links.

The show, which was performed at Yeo Valley’s HQ last year, features new live music performed by award winning composer Alastair Collingwood. Elizabeth is played by Rebecca Bailey (pictured), and the show is directed by James Le Lacheur, who has recently spent a year in London’s West End in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

It will be staged on Tuesday March 6th, tickets cost £12 and include an after-show discussion with Graham Harvey.

Details: cpreavonside.org.uk

Sustainable Wells – the return of Recycle

RECYCLE – a car boot-style event where no money changes hands – will return to Wells in March.

Organised by Sustainable Wells, the morning event is a chance to clear out unwanted items and find something for free.

It takes place on Sunday, March 4th from 10.30am-midday in the Priory Road car park.

For details, visit: www.sustainablewells.org.uk or find them on Facebook

ENVIRONMENT

Digging for history

The historic tithe barn in Midsomer Norton

RESIDENTS of Midsomer Norton are being invited to join in a community archaeological dig in a bid to discover more about the medieval history of the town.

The initiative, open to all ages, is being led by Bath and North East Somerset Heritage and Planning services and the Midsomer Norton Society with the aim of involving as many local people as possible in the big dig on Saturday, July 21st. This is when people living in the town will be invited to excavate a one-metre square patch of ground in their gardens.

Michael Rich, chairman of the Midsomer Norton Society and a Midsomer Norton town councillor, said: “This is an incredibly exciting initiative. The more people take part, the more excavation squares we can have, and thereby build up a clearer picture of the nature of Midsomer Norton on the ground in medieval times to add to the extensive research amassed by the society. We’re really keen to have children and families all working together.”

The history of buildings such as the XVth century tithe barn next to the Catholic church and the Old Priory are well-known. The annual Midsomer Norton Fayre can trace its history back to 1248, although from medieval times to at least 1910, the fair operated more as a cattle fair, where dairy cows were sold.

The “Midsomer Norton Knight” is a very rare tomb effigy made in Bristol between 1300 and 1350.

The society worked in partnership with Bristol Museum to conserve and bring home the effigy to St John’s church. ● An initial registration day for people interested in the Big Dig event was due to take place as Mendip Times went to press.

The Midsomer Norton Knight

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Litter heroes wanted

This rubbish was collected by just one person in the space of 45 minutes on a lane near Shepton Mallet

LOCAL authorities including Mendip District Council and South Somerset District Council are offering their support to local litter pickers as part of a nationwide campaign taking place in March.

The Great British Spring Clean, run by Keep Britain Tidy, is taking place across the country from Friday, March 2nd until Sunday, March 4th. It aims to bring people across the country together to clear up the litter that blights towns, villages,

countryside and beaches.

The campaign is encouraging a growing army of #LitterHeroes who have had enough of other people’s litter and are willing to do something about it.

Councillor Nigel Taylor, portfolio holder for Mendip’s Neighbourhood and Community Health Services, said: “We are aware that there are a number of communities across Mendip in towns and villages that carry out litter-picks and I am hopeful that the Great British Spring Clean campaign will encourage even more communities to take part.”

Like Mendip, South Somerset District Council, is offering to loan equipment and provide sacks for rubbish. Its Streetscene Services has a number of litter pickers, litter bags, gloves, wet and dry wipes, plus other equipment to loan out that’s needed to undertake a clean-up.

Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, SSDC’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for environment said, “We are delighted to be supporting this campaign and we encourage as many groups, individuals and organisations as possible to take part.”

For more information on how to get involved and organise a community litter pick, sign up on the campaign website: www.keepbritaintidy.org

Big Local plan will bear fruit A PROJECT has been unveiled to turn parts of Radstock and Westfield into a “Fruit Forest”.

More than 100 fruit trees will be planted across the area for the community’s health and happiness, keeping the heritage of the old varieties alive for future generations and encouraging families to eat healthily.

Thirty trees have already been planted on land behind the library and car park in Radstock Church Street Recreation Ground as part of a collaboration with Radstock Town Council and there are hopes that a good amount of fruit will be ready for harvesting in three years’ time.

The Fruit Project campaign is led by

ENVIRONMENT

Cheddar Man revealed How Cheddar man would have looked

EXPERTS have revealed for the first time how Cheddar Man, Britain’s oldest complete skeleton, may have looked. They have analysed the DNA of the skeleton found in Gough’s Cave over 100 years ago and found he probably had dark skin, was blue-eyed and had black curly hair.

The evidence was shown in a Channel 4 documentary The First Brit: Secrets of the 10,000 Year Old Man. Leon Troake, operations manager at Cheddar Gorge & Caves, said: “The latest findings are fascinating. We now know so much more about this very special individual who lived in Cheddar Gorge 10,000 years ago.”

Cheddar Man’s skeletal remains are now kept on loan at the Natural History Museum in London, in the Human Evolution Gallery. Today, a replica of the skeleton is exhibited in Gough’s Cave close to where it was discovered back in 1903.

The death of Cheddar Man remains a mystery, although a hole in his skull suggests violence and that the man may have also been suffering from a bone infection at the time.

Radstock and Westfield Big Local, a group of residents who have volunteered to ensure one million pounds of lottery money is invested in making the community an even better place to live.

Robin Moss, chair of the project, said: “Supporting the production of local food is one of the priorities the people of Radstock and Westfield asked Big Local to deliver on and the Fruit Project is an exciting, engaging way of bringing people together to make locally grown fruit available to everyone. In addition, we believe a really nice touch is in using Old English varieties, especially ones similar to those growing in the linear orchard along the Colliers Way old railway line.”

Rob Wicke (left) community development worker and Robin Moss in the new fruit orchard overlooking Radstock

For details, contact programme coordinator, Sarah Westell at: info@radstockwestfield.org.uk

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(Photo courtesy of Channel 4 Plimsoll Productions)

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SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s new phase of East Mendip work SOMERSET Wildlife Trust is pleased to launch a new phase of its work in East Mendip. Building on the success of the work carried out over the last few years, Mendip Wildlife Links aims to connect communities, farmers and other landowners in the area to the wonderful habitats and wildlife found there and inspire them to work together to secure a long term future for the county’s species.

The project will include an extensive event programme, offering all age groups the opportunity to participate in nature based activities whether practical volunteering, a health and wellbeing activity or a creative skills workshop.

Pippa Rayner, Engaging with Nature Coordinator for Mendip Wildlife Links says: “There are so many amazing places in East Mendip and this project will give people more opportunities to really discover them and to connect with the wildlife that they support.”

The Mendip Wildlife Links programme of events starts now and runs until December. Activities include training local volunteers and landowners in habitat management and restoration techniques such as coppicing, pond creation and scrub clearance.

The project’s Conservation Officer Lila Morris will also be providing advice to landowners that wish to manage their land with wildlife in mind and will be working with the Engaging with

Nature Co-ordinator to hold nature walks, bird identification sessions and even Tai Chi in the great outdoors!

The Mendip Wildlife Links project is funded by Somerset County Council and Aggregate Industries through the Torr Works Environmental Enhancement Fund.

One of the events in the programme that’s not to be missed is Wildlife and Wonder at Asham Wood on May 5th, supported by the Hanson in the Community Fund. The day will involve a day of woodland crafts, workshops, walks and nature connection with the opportunity to carve your own spoon, learn about the calls of woodland birds or try Tai Chi in this beautiful but little-known woodland.

Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/MendipWildlifeLinks or follow @SWTMendips on Twitter.

MENDIP WILDLIFE LINKS PROGRAMME POND CREATION AND RESTORATION WORKSHOP When: Sunday 4 March Where: Westbury-sub-Mendip WOODLAND BIRDS AND FLORA WALK When: Saturday 14 April Where: Harridge Woods Nature Reserve, near Nettlebridge WILDLIFE AND WONDER AT ASHAM WOOD When: Saturday 5 May Where: Asham Wood, near Downhead WHATCOMBE FIELDS WILDLIFE DISCOVERY When: Tuesday 22 May Where: Whatcombe Fields, Frome NIGHT-TIME WILDLIFE SAFARI WALK with Chris Sperring MBE When: Fri 15th - Sat 16th June Where: Long Wood Nature Reserve, near Cheddar WILDFLOWERS, ORCHIDS AND MEADOW MANAGEMENT WALK When: Saturday 30 June Where: Eley’s Fields, Private Nature Reserve, Great Elm THE GREAT WHATCOMBE FIELDS THISTLE PULL When: Saturday 9 June Where: Whatcombe Fields, Frome TAI CHI IN A MEADOW FOR NATIONAL MEADOWS DAY When: Saturday 7 July Where: Edford Meadows Nature Reserve, nr Holcombe

WILDFLOWER WALK FOR NATIONAL MEADOWS DAY When: Saturday 7 July Where: Edford Meadows Nature Reserve, near Holcombe SMALL WONDERS WALK When: Saturday 11 August Where: Coleford VALLIS VALE BAT WALK When: Saturday 15 September Where: Vallis Vale SSSI, Great Elm SCRUB CLEARING VOLUNTEER DAY When: Sat 20th Oct Where: Norwood Local Wildlife Site, East Cranmore COPPICING VOLUNTEER WORK DAY When: Sat 24th Nov Where: Asham Wood SSSI, Downhead COPPICING VOLUNTEER WORK DAY When: Sat 15th Dec Where: Asham Wood SSSI, Downhead

Booking essential. For more information about each of these events please visit: www.somersetwildlife.org/MendipWildlifeLinks or call 01823 652400 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 9

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A guide to cattle – in black and white

TALKING to a reader one day recently she declared she had no idea which breed of cow was which, so I decided to do one or two articles on the different breeds of dairy cows with help from a dedicated breeder of British Friesians in our Mendip area, Mary Mead.

With MARY Looking at a field of black and white JAMES MBE cows they could be British Friesian or British Holstein. They may be pedigree, which means their ancestry can be proven on paper, or they may just be a mix of both breeds.

To a trained eye the British Friesian will be a strong cow being more black than white and the Holstein will be larger and taller with more white on her than black. The difference is more than just colouring.

The British Friesian is a strong cow, able to walk and graze easily, she produces a good bull calf suitable for beef, lives to a good age and sells well when she is barren. The Holstein is a larger cow with the capacity to eat much more food and produces more milk but with a less valuable bull calf and perhaps not such a long life.

The history of the two breeds is quite complicated. Dutch cattle were much favoured by British farmers as early as 1683.

When the Dutch were involved with the draining of the Lincolnshire and other east coast fens, it is likely they brought their Friesian cattle with them. Substantial numbers were

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Lakemead Lovely 15

exported from northern Europe across the globe over the years especially to America where some became known as Holstein.

After WW2 Holsteins were imported from Canada and registered in their own herd book. Eventually the two breed societies merged, firstly under the banner of Holstein Friesian and latterly just Holstein UK. Pure British Friesian numbers had declined and I suspect there was a good deal of politicking at that point.

Anyway the British Friesian continues to be registered in the same herd book as the Holstein, enabling farmers to choose their preferred option. The British Friesian does have its own club opened to all interested people and its own link to the Holstein website Mary Mead, who oversees Holt Farms, Blagdon is a very well-known breeder of the British Friesian. It is through Mary’s hard work and breeding programme that the breed has been rejuvenated. She has bred excellent young bulls whose semen is now available not only in the British Isles but worldwide through the use of artificial insemination In 1990 Mary tragically lost her husband Roger. It was Mary who took over Holt Farm with her son Tim in charge of yogurt production. A start was made on converting the farm to organic and the milking herd was already pedigree, purchases having been made from the late Dick Pearce of Yanleigh Farm, Long Ashton.

It takes years to build a herd to full pedigree status but this was achieved. The Lakemead herd has been able to sell bulls which in turn helps other herds. Now, the Lakemead herd consists of 400 milking cows, split into two separate dairies with a separate calf unit and over 200 followers. It has been a long hard road for Mary but she has achieved so much to be proud of.

Next month I will be looking at Guernsey and Jersey cows.

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Advice on cattle lameness

FARMING

FOOT health and lameness can be a challenge for many cattle farmers through the winter. Optimal housing can prevent a lot of problems; there’s a wide range of different housing systems that exist and can work well on different farms, and an interesting area of a farm vets’ work is to assess whether an element of an animal’s housing may be contributing to a lameness problem.

Some key elements to helping prevent lameness include ensuring cubicles have a conforming bedding surface, and are of sufficient size and quantity to allow cows to get down and stand up without crashing into metal work.

Foot bathing regimes can also make a big difference, as can routine trimming of cows’ feet and regular scoring of the herd to ensure any new cases are picked up and treated quickly. Research performed through the University of Bristol and Langford Vets has shown clear evidence that better cure rates and less relapses are seen when cases are treated promptly.

If you’re interested in learning more about cattle lameness, Langford Vets will be running a practical foot trimming course on March 21st to help you develop the skills to prevent and treat lame cows.

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New enterprise centre

A NEW Rural Enterprise Centre has opened at the Royal Bath and West Showground.

Around 100 guests saw show president,

Mary Prior, cut the ribbon.

The facility is set to become the hub of rural enterprise across Somerset and the West of England, encouraging knowledge sharing, education and business growth amongst the rural community.

To help celebrate the launch of the centre, the winner of the new joint Thatchers Cider and The Royal Bath & West of England Society Award was announced as Janet AndrewsMackay from Jeams Super Mixes in Long Sutton.

The society’s chief executive, Rupert Cox, said: “We’re delighted to mark this momentous occasion by welcoming our members and supporters to our fantastic new Rural Enterprise Centre. We are pleased so many people have come today to tour the new facility and hear our vision for the future of the centre.”

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FARMING

Grassland is coming

HELD on a working farm next to the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet, Grassland UK covers every aspect of forage production, from seeds to feeds, with machinery demonstrations, a technical advice area, seminars, silage clamp demonstrations and trade stands from all sectors of the industry.

The one-day triennial event – taking place this year on Thursday, May 10th – attracts more than 8,000 visitors from across the UK and beyond, showcasing a vast array of machinery demonstrations over the 100-acre site.

Visitors will be able to see the latest equipment in action, learn about new grass varieties and technology, and speak to experts on any related topic. Machinery exhibitors will be demonstrating loading/handling equipment using the mown grass in the farm silage clamp.

Muck and slurry demonstrations will also take place throughout the day, with more than 140 trade stands showcasing everything from seeds and fertiliser to mowers, balers, tedders, livestock handling and feeding equipment.

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Deere-ly beloved . . . … THEY were gathered over one weekend to celebrate the modern and notso-modern farming workhorse that is the tractor.

And pride of place at this year’s Somerset Vintage Tractor Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet was a fine display of John Deere machinery.

The annual showcase – organised by Pat and Nick Bryne, of Sutton, near Ditcheat – has raised thousands of pounds for charity and this year’s show was no exception.

Amongst the beneficiaries were the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Yeovil Freewheelers.

Ivor Grant, of Taunton, who brought along five John Deere tractors as well as a Marshall.

Ivor said: “I started work on John Deeres and have always had a soft spot for them.”

Pat and Nick Bryne with their 1927 Fordson F. Originally imported from the U.S.A., Nick bought the tractor unrestored and completed the project last year

Nick Gilliam at the wheel of a 1969 apple box collector, one of just two thought to have been built as part of a college engineering project. Nick, of Muchelney, owns the monster with Tim Grey and Simon Wright and it is used occasionally when the friends make cider

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Edwin and sister Lizzy – they’re the sixth generation of the Eades farming family from Bath

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TRACTOR SHOW 2018

Presentation time: donations from the show were made to Yeovil Freewheelers, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Hot Rock Carnival Club, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Yeovil Heartbeat and Taunton-based SURE (Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment)

Bill Vellacott, from the Devon-based farming charity BOAT (Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust), at the wheel of a Massey Ferguson tractor – the prize in a draw Ancient and modern: one of the showground halls full of machinery

The sign says it all about this example in need of some tlc

Stop me and buy one: stallholder Colin Lancaster from Staffordshire

Farming in miniature – part of a model display on show

In good working order

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 15

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INTERNET

iPad tips

PASSWORDS often contain a mixture of letters and numbers, so to save a little time, tap and hold on the "123" button and slide up to the character you want to input. When you let go, the screen will jump back to the alphabet keyboard.

Instead of typing a full stop and space, just tap the space bar twice, which adds a full stop, a space, and capitalises the next letter. It may not seem like much, but when you're composing a lengthy message, this little hack will really improve the speed of your typing once it becomes second nature.

When typing a web address, you can quickly access common domain names, just hold down the full stop key to quickly add a domain in the search bar.

If you want to type the word – “we’ll”, the autocorrect won’t necessarily change it to the contraction, as well is a word in itself, of course. So type welll (three L’s) and it should autocorrect to we’ll. Also words for “its” to “it’s”, and “were” to “we’re”.

Your earphones can be multi-purpose too. If you have the camera active, you can take a photo with the volumne button. Or if you are playing music, you can back or forward a track.

If you use messaging on your iPad, you can tap , touch and hold a photo, then tap More. Select additional photos, then tap Save Images. They’re saved to your Camera Roll.

Instead of typing a reply, try using a tapback! Double-tap a message bubble, then choose a response.

Siri can be useful for all sorts of questions, but “she” can also act as an alarm – just ask her to wake you in three hours, for example.

Or you can send a message with Siri (assuming you have messaged them before) – just say Tell Chris I’ll be 10 minutes late.

Submitted by IT for the Terrified: Cheddar Village Hall, Church St, Cheddar BS27 3RF 01934 741751 (usually goes to answer phone) www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com I.T. for the Terrified – for all your computer training needs. A skill-sharing, community project.

Run by a Committee – Staffed by Volunteers Registered Charity No. 1130308 : Company No. 06779600 This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. For more in depth information, please contact us.

We offer individual training, at a pace to suit you. We can cover a range of subjects – including absolute basics; photo management; shopping online; emailing; Word processing, spreadsheets; basic web design; etc. on a range of devices, including Windows: Macs: Tablets: iPads: smartphones.

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

Test your knowledge of people and places belonging to Mendip and surrounding areas

ACROSS: 2. Excellent spot to view the Somerset Levels near to Ebbor Gorge (4,4) 6. ___selwood, village south east of Bruton (3) 8. Kevin –––––, Notts County manager and a regular visitor to Glastonbury Festival (5) 9. See 19 across.

11. Mary –––, daughter of Wells and Olympic Gold Medallist (4) 12. ___ Hole, village south of Wrington (3) 14. See 17 across 15. Town near the Devon border known as Cerdre in the Domesday Book of 1086 (5) 17 & 14A. Journalist and novelist born in Dulverton (7,5) 18. Found on the heel of a riding boot (4) 19, 9A & 7D. The Mendip Hills are designated one of these (5,2,11,7,6) 22. Nature reserve near Charterhouse (6,6)

DOWN: 1 & 5D. Prominent feature near the western end of the Mendip Hills (5,4) 3. ___ Blyton, novelist inspired by Somerset (4) 4. Somerset parish comprising of West and East –––– (4) 5. See 1 down 6. Village situated 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Somerton (6) 7. See 19 across (7,6) 10. See 13 down 11. Ilchester-born philosopher, author of the Opus Majus (5,5) 13 & 10D. Composer born in Wells known as ‘The English Mozart’ (6,7) 16. William –––––––, 17th century Somerset-born explorer and writer (7) 17. ______ at a decision (6) 20. A model of sports car made in Somerset by the Ariel Motor Company (4) 21. Cole–––, village situated on the Mells River, five miles west of Frome (4)

Answers on page 97

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Congresbury

By Congresbury History Group

THE "In The Village" column of the magazine, written by Mervyn Davies, provided an accurate and eloquent account of the disaster: "Floods following phenomenal rainfall, brought terror, drama, havoc and untold damage to many parts of the West Country. Congresbury suffered less than some, more than most. Houses and shops in Broad Street, Station Road and High Street, were quickly flooded in varying depths.

“In the lounge bar of the Ship and Castle it was six feet five inches; in the Old Inn it was four feet and in the Plough about two feet. Telephones were out of order and in many buildings the lights failed. Water swilled into property in Kent Road.

“Getting around the village shortly after the water subsided, the writer of this page was struck by the tremendous ‘grin and bear it’ spirit of the people who were most

Barmaid Carla Knight shows the height of the flood in the Ship and Castle at 6' 4" at 3am in the morning

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Broad Street showing cars washed away by the flood

affected. Typical was the farmer's wife who had just found three calves and 280 head of poultry drowned. She smiled and said: ‘People have been so kind’.”

The parish council records showed: "Some 5.1 inches of rain fell in six hours on the afternoon and evening of the 10th July. By early evening some roads were inches deep, the surface water drains being unable to cope. Shortly before midnight the river Yeo overflowed its banks and High Street, Broad Street, Paul's Causeway and Station Road were under water in depths varying between a few inches to some seven feet.

“Kent Road was also flooded by water coming over the new river bank in one particular place. This overflowing appeared to have been caused by river water rising above the level of the top of the bridge arch and building back up stream to where the banks were slightly lower.

“Throughout the night the police and public did valiant work to ensure that everyone in the affected area was out of danger. It was clear that many people had lost all their food or were without means of cooking or heating. The police arranged for bread to be sent up from Weston which was distributed in the morning. Milk had earlier been taken round by boat and other means.

“During the morning of the 11th July a canteen was organised for hot drinks and hot food was distributed around midday for those who needed it. This action was repeated in the evening.

“Late on the 11th July the water was still

flowing over the low bank between the paddocks behind and beside the Plough.

With the exception of Station Road, the water had cleared from the other roads by 10pm on the 11th.

“In the meantime volunteers had started helping the affected families to sort out and clean up. Most of the debris on the roads was cleared that night. On the 12th July a request was made to RAF Locking for manual help and a detachment gave considerable help on the 13th and 14th.

They also loaned a number of paraffin heaters to help with the drying out.

“The same evening members of the Yeo Valley Lions Club arrived in force to offer their assistance and worked throughout the weekend and during the evenings of the following week. They and the club later undertook rehabilitation works at a number of houses.

“Teams worked consistently, for several days, to get rid of all the rubbish as quickly as possible so that there was no danger to public health. An attempt was made in the Refectory to dry out wet carpets and upholstery but the heat and high humidity affected the upstairs floor so this had to be stopped.

“The names and addresses of the known 93 affected families were sent to Axbridge RDC. We now know that the combined total of the relief fund and the Government grant are unlikely to cover all the losses involved.

“The Bishop of Bath and Wells made a substantial grant from his relief fund which was distributed by Rev. Cran."

Some local people described their

(Photograph courtesy of D. Darch)

Viewpoint, the parish magazine, reported in its August edition: "The great flood of Wednesday night, July 10th, has caused wide-spread havoc in the village. Over 90 houses have been inundated."

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THE GREAT FLOOD

Blagdon – aftermath

memories. Janet Kitt, who lived in Paul's Causeway, remembered that at the height of the flood “a wall of water hit the cottage at the bottom of Broad Street”.

Janet's neighbour, Greg Krawzenko, described his experience of the event: "Andrew Warren and I went at midnight to see how high the river was. We had to swim home from the Ship and Castle and were washed as far as the Old Inn. A policeman in a boat asked me if I was all right. Before I could reply he was washed down towards the moors!"

Ray Atwell said: “July 10th, 1968 we had 24 hours of nonstop rain, real hard rain. The water was so deep at one time (at 2 ’O clock in the morning at the height of the flood) that the telephone kiosk in between the trees in Broad Street was completely covered.

“The water washed a car out of the Ship and Castle car park and that landed on Mrs Standen's wall – the cottage is gone now. It was near where the take-a-way shop is now. They had to deliver the milk and the bread next morning in a boat. As a matter of fact the scouts did that. The water was so deep by the Old Inn an elderly lady in a cottage next door was taken out of her bedroom window straight into a boat!”

Mr Charlie Citroe spent most of the night marooned on the roof of his father-in-law's ironmonger's shop and Mr Harold Harvey took refuge for some time in a nearby tree.

The old garage in Bath Road

Laburnam Cottage

The scene outside the village school

We want to hear your stories. Write to: The Great Flood, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG, email news@mendiptimes.co.uk or call 01761 463888.

Grib Lane MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 19

(Pictures courtesy of Blagdon Local History Society taken by Molly Day)

The scene outside the Ship and Castle as the waters subsided

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Tourists in “their own town”

The name is John . . .

Mayor John

NEWS

Glastonbury mayor Emma George welcomes Adam Jones to the town hall, as Gerard Tucker, Wendy Best (Glastonbury Abbey) and Morgana West (Glastonbury Pilgrim Visitor Centre) look on

BUSINESSES and tourist attractions in the Glastonbury area came together for the town’s first Tourism Assembly.

The aim was to share ideas and to learn more about how the area’s economy is influenced by visitor numbers.

The assembly was organised by Gerard Tucker, deputy clerk to the town council in conjunctions with Mendip District Council’s economic development team.

It included a drop-in event to meet organisations such as the National Trust, Avalon Marshes, Somerset Rural Life Museum and Glastonbury Abbey – and billed as “visitors in your own town” – before a talk from guest speaker Adam Jones, tourism ambassador for the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s south west regional board and one of the team behind the successful launch of the Aerospace Bristol visitor attraction featuring Concorde.

The man with the golden chain – Wells mayor John North with one of the Blofeld Bucks to be used on the gaming tables

NEVER say never could be the motto of John North, the mayor of Wells, after setting himself a target of raising £10,000 for charity during his year in office.

He has announced details of his biggest single fundraising event – a James Bond-themed night at Wells Town Hall on Saturday, March 10th.

Casino Royale will feature Bond-themed cocktails, cars similar to ones used by 007, live music and dancing with special guests and roulette and blackjack tables.

Proceeds will be divided between Heads Up, a local charity working with people affected by mental health issues or memory difficulties, and the Wells squadron of the Air Cadets.

John, whose year as mayor ends on May 19th, said: “I want this event to be the highlight of my year and I am certain we can reach the target.”

Many businesses and organisations which are dependent upon tourists attended the assembly The event was a chance to share ideas and thoughts on further improvements to the town to support visitors

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

John (centre) with (back l:r) Sarah and Sean Sloan (Enosis Events), Zoe Newton and Mark Tobin (Swan Hotel) and (front l:r) Fran Fawcett (Wells Air Cadets) and Bridget Harvey (Heads Up)

Tickets for the event cost £20 and are available from the Swan Hotel in Wells and Wells Town Hall. For more details call Sarah Sloan from organisers Enosis Events on: 07941 506800.

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And the Oscar goes to . . .

THE late Katharine Hepburn not only holds the record for the most Oscars for Best Actress (four), she also made great chocolate brownies; so here is Katharine Hepburn’s Chocolate Brownie recipe to nibble on as you watch the awards (or the rugby).

With JUNE Your mum deserves an Oscar too, so with MACFARLANE Mother’s Day, and then Easter at the end of the month, there are lots of celebrations to cook for.

Star performers – these chocolate brownies are delicious

KATHARINE HEPBURN’S CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Always better made with cocoa and do use unsalted butter. Don’t overbake – they should be fudgy.

METHOD Pre-heat oven to 160°C. Butter and line a 20cm square baking tin. Melt the butter and cocoa powder over a low heat. Remove from heat, add sugar, stir to dissolve. Add vanilla. Add eggs, gradually. Beat until glossy. Add salt, flour and nuts, mix well. Pour into tin. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely in tin before turning out and cutting into squares.

SLOW ROAST SHOULDER OF LAMB WITH TOMATOES AND BEANS 1–2 kg shoulder of lamb 100ml olive oil 4 cloves garlic, sliced 1 shallot, sliced Small bunch thyme 4 anchovies, chopped 350g cherry tomatoes 400g flageolet beans, tinned or frozen 35cl chicken stock 35cl white wine 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

INGREDIENTS

This is a lovely dish; the lamb falls apart, the vegetables are bathed in its juices and the whole thing is perked up by the balsamic vinegar. And it reheats beautifully.

METHOD Marinade lamb in olive oil, garlic, shallots, thyme, overnight in freezer bag in fridge.

Bring to room temp.

Preheat oven to 150°C. Put lamb in baking dish with marinade, anchovies, tomatoes, beans, stock and white wine. Season lightly. Cover with foil.

Bake for five hours.

For last hour remove foil and add balsamic vinegar. Do not allow to dry out.

Good served with boulangère Shoulder of lamb deserves the red carpet potatoes. treatment

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

LEMON POSSET

INGREDIENTS

(makes 12 pieces) 115g unsalted butter 65g cocoa powder 200g sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs, beaten Pinch salt 50g plain flour 100g walnuts, chopped

INGREDIENTS

Like many Hollywood stars – these possets are very, very rich

(makes 3-4) 2 unwaxed lemons, 1 zested, both juiced 125g caster sugar 300ml double cream 1tbsp pistachios, crushed ½ tbsp lemon zest

An old dish making a comeback. Very, very rich so serve small helpings.

METHOD Add lemon zest and 100ml juice to sugar, bring to boil over low heat to dissolve. Set aside. Bring cream to boil over low heat. Pour into syrup. Whisk to combine. Sieve into a jug. Fill serving dishes, cool, chill. Serve decorated with crushed pistachios and lemon zest.

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What’s new from

Myrtle Farm

Our photo diary

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FOOD & DRINK

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

IT’S only March and we’ve already had a busy year that’s taken us out into the orchards and into the heart of our community. Here’s some of our favourite pictures.

Our orchard year got off to a great start with the traditional Wassail Ceremony held at Myrtle Farm. The trees were blessed, evil spirits warded away – all in the name of a successful apple harvest.

Learning about apples – Myrtle Farm scientists Laura and Ruby presented their primary school science programme, Pip’s Adventure, to Winscombe year 5 pupils. Pictured are Molly, Freya, Seb and James.

Apples are our pride and joy – and we couldn’t be without the people who grow them. Our Growers of the Year for 2017 have been presented with commemorative goblets to mark their commitment to quality. Pictured with our Chief Cidermaker Richard Johnson are left, James Skittery who has supplied us with consistently high quality fruit for over 20 years, and on the right, Will Whittall who is one of our newer growers and in just three seasons has quickly become one of our top quality growers.

The Thatchers Foundation presented a cheque for £3000 to Churchill Music to enable pupils in four Somerset primary schools to enjoy the experience of making music with taster violin lessons.

Pupils Daisey and Jago, from Winscombe Primary School, are pictured here with Trevor Smallwood and Susannah Read from Churchill Music, and Andrew Farron Trustee of the Thatchers Foundation.

Cheers from us all at Myrtle Farm

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2017 2018 • PAGE 23 MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER

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The Burrington Inn Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills

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PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

SAT 3rd Axbridge & Midsomer Norton SUN 4th SFM@Frome Independent SAT 10th Keynsham and Frome (C&G Market Hall) SAT 17th Crewkerne SAT 24th Glastonbury* (9am-2pm) FRI 30th Burnham-On-Sea

Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

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GARDEN FOOD

Gone fishing

ON a recent trip to Sweden I got to do a little ice fishing and was rewarded with several lovely pike. Unlike here, pike is a much-loved eating fish in Sweden and I was reminded of the unfortunate disregard we show for almost all freshwater fish in this With JAKE country.

WHITSON Pike must be one of the most underrated fish in Britain – it has a clean, mild white, slightly gelatinous flesh, not too dissimilar to cod, and very similar to “river cobbler”, the cheap cod substitute (actually a kind of catfish) commonly sold in supermarkets.

On top of that, pike are often of a size that you get nice chunky fillets, albeit a bit bony. Having said all of that, they do need careful preparation and I thought I'd share with you some of the things I'd learnt about that here, if you'll forgive the diversion from the usual garden theme!

A freshly caught pike can be ruined if you let the mucus covering the skin come into contact with the cut flesh – it has a slightly off flavour – therefore you should scale them and then rinse very thoroughly under lots of running water while scraping the skin with the edge of a knife.

Once all of the mucus is removed, you can gut and fillet as you would any other large fish, such as bass. There are methods for removing all the unusual pitchfork shaped pin bones from the flesh (just consult YouTube), but to be honest I don't usually bother, and just pick them out as I'm eating.

They lend themselves to all kinds of preparation, including battered and fried, and looking up catfish recipes from the US south has been a particularly good source of suitable recipes for pike.

The best so far has been a pike étouffée, which I made by first simmering the head and bones of one large pike and then picking off the meat. Then I made a dark brown roux, added lots of chopped pepper, celery, garlic and onion, sweating them until tender, then enough pike stock to make a thick gravy-like sauce, the pike meat, and plenty of seasoning in the form of cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt and thyme.

It’s delicious served with plenty of fluffy white rice.

Jacob is a former chef turned food writer, smallholder and mycologist. He divides his time between the Mendips and his nine-acre forest garden project in Pembrokeshire. Details: www.chaosfungorum.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Following in the footsteps . . .

YOU may have noticed in the news recently that new DNA techniques have allowed scientists at the Natural History Museum to extract DNA from the skeleton of the Mendip’s Cheddar Man. This is exciting stuff as it has allowed them to identify that he had dark skin, hair and probably blue With ADRIAN eyes.

BOOTS Cheddar Man lived around 10,000 years ago and is the oldest almost complete Mesolithic skeleton.

Amazingly, today the UK’s population still shares about 10% of their genetic ancestry with Cheddar Man’s contemporary hunter gatherer populations originating from the Iberian Peninsula and Central Europe.

What I find fascinating is trying to understand from the archaeological record what our hunter gatherer ancestors actually hunted and gathered? Evidence of charred remains of animal and vegetal matter found in the Mesolithic fire pits of their seasonal hunting camps make up our understanding of their diet.

These “western hunter gatherers” were hunting game such as red deer, aurochs (very large and rather angry wild cattle, the ancestor of our modern cows), catching fish and gathering nuts and seeds. Also in the fire pits were the remains of tree and shrub twigs and buds reasonably assumed to be just part of the kindling, small twigs used to build a fire up to burning bigger pieces of wood.

Okay so they were “hunting” animals and collecting seeds, nuts and berries (possibly fungi as was discovered recently in Spain) but what could possibly be found to gather in the early spring when there are no fresh berries, nuts and seeds? We all know that buds from hawthorn can be eaten and are whimsically known as “bread and cheese”, so this got me thinking about buds from other species.

Well why not, they are the fastest growing part packed full of nutrient to help power leaf formation? So I embarked on a very quick and completely unscientific experiment to test if buds from berry, nut and seed-bearing species such as hazel, lime, blackthorn, beech, crab apple, elder, mountain ash, or field maple were indeed edible.

So after an hour of picking and eating buds I can tell you that they mostly seemed okay to eat. A bit woody. Oak and beech are quite astringent as they are rich in tannins (beech is definitely the better tasting of these two and I certainly wasn’t a fan of elder and mountain ash was bitter) but pretty much everything else was fine, obviously in moderation.

What a great snack, pick a few energy-packed buds and chuck them straight in your mouth and give a good chomp or warm them near a fire for a more nutty flavour! So next time you are out and about and feeling a bit peckish, why not follow in the footsteps of Cheddar Man and make a connection with our ancient Mesolithic hunter gatherer ancestors by gathering a few edible buds to eat!

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.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 25

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Bread & Beyond TEA ROOMS AND PROVISIONS

Organic free trade coffee and selection of Miles' tea • Cream teas Proper afternoon tea (bookings only) • Homemade bread, teacakes, traybakes and cakes • Local eggs, milk, cream, bacon and ham and selection of West Country cheeses.

Currently available – Alice's famous marmalade and, always available, Bread & Beyond's even more famous pies.

Beautiful and collectible Burgess and Leigh china. Vintage gifts and original paintings by noted artists from Andelli Home and Andelli Art. Simnel cakes available until Easter and orders taken for hot cross buns.

Cyclists, walkers and dogs very welcome

Bread & Beyond

Open: Monday to Friday: 7am - 4.30pm Saturday: 7.30am - 3pm

High Street, Chewton Mendip, BA3 4LJ

01761 240820

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THE RED LION VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT SUTTON HILL ROAD, BISHOP SUTTON BS39 5UT

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ad

1 O 0% th FF is

email: breadandbeyond@outlook.com

01275 333042

Great Pub Food, Lunch or Dinner Wide selection of pub classics with smaller portions available

Home produced food served 12 noon–2.30pm, 5.30pm–8.30pm • Sunday Roasts 12–4 Please call to make a reservation

A choice of real ales, ciders and quality wines Tasty Roast Dinners available for Sunday Lunch • BRAND NEW LUNCH MENU • PENSIONERS LUNCH AVAILABLE • BRAND NEW EVENING MENU FULL MENU AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE www.redlionbishopsutton.co.uk

The Red Lion – the pub at the heart of the community

OPENING HOURS: Monday 12–3pm, 5pm–close | Tues, Wed, Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–close, Saturday and Sunday – Open all day PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Fridge scheme is really cool – but don’t abuse it

Peter Macfadyen at the Community Fridge

A PIONEERING scheme in Frome to redistribute unwanted food items saved nearly 24 tonnes of items last year that would otherwise have been thrown away.

The aim of the Community Fridge is to reduce food waste and is now collecting around 4,000 items each month.

Located in the Loop de Loop Gallery in the Cheese and Grain car park, it is open from 8am to 8pm every day.

Volunteers collect the food from local shops and food outlets and record the food in the fridge's log-book. The food is then available for anyone to take and make use of.

Volunteers are also involved in making sure the fridge is clean and at the correct temperature.

Sadly, there have been a couple of occasions where food has been taken and thrown around and a stool (which is essential for one of the disabled volunteers) has been stolen a number of times. If the problems continue, organisers warn the fridge may have to close earlier or other action may be needed.

Frome town councillor Peter Macfadyen who helped to set up the project in 2016, in partnership with Edventure Frome, said: “Sharing food that would otherwise be wasted makes a lot of sense. Valuable water and land are used to produce and package our food, transporting items creating pollution and, when thrown away in landfill, food waste gives out harmful methane as it decomposes, contributing to climate change.

The fridge is a simple solution to enabling people to share this surplus.”

The organisers are keen to stress that the food in the fridge is for everybody and it is not just for those in need. Fridge co-ordinator Helen Johnstone said: "Most items in the fridge need to be used up quickly, so if you can make use of them, please don't be shy about taking them.”

The success of the scheme, which was the first to open in the UK, has encouraged many other fridges to open across the country, in places as diverse as Sheffield, Norfolk and Dorking.

To support the project, contact helen@edventure.org or pop into SHARE on the Bridge. Full details can be found at: https://edventurefrome.org/enterprisesinitiatives/fridge/

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FOOD & DRINK

Young chefs prepare tasty treats at Backwell School

THE morning of Tuesday January 16th saw a major change in the curriculum for 11 pupils at Backwell School. The morning was spent cooking up an individual two-course meal as their entries in the Rotary Young Chef Competition sponsored by Rotary, Nailsea and Backwell.

Originally 32 students applied to enter the competition and those who took part were tasked with preparing a compulsory lasagne and a pudding of their choice. The standard was excellent and the three judges had an extremely difficult task selecting the winner with very few points separating all of the entrants.

Rotarian Pete Hoare, one of the judges, said: “This really was a great demonstration of the skills of the students. The food was

Eva Watson, Lois Wilkinson and Theo Sutton-Marceau display their certificates

Young chef competitors

delicious, the standard extremely high and the final decision on the winners was very tight.”

The final decision went to Eva Weston with Theo SuttonMarceau in second place and Lois Wilkinson third. Each received a cash prize and a certificate of achievement.

The club said it would like to thank Mo Jenvey and her colleagues at Backwell School for arranging the competition in conjunction with Rotary.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 27

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Lily’s starring role

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KILMERSDON wassail queen Lily Garnett took the leading role in the village’s annual celebrations.

The 13-year-old, who lives at nearby Charlton, led the procession to the community orchard for the ceremony, which was later repeated around an apple tree in the garden of the home of Michael and Francis Horler, who organised the event.

Guests drank cider partly made from the fruit of the trees.

EVENTS

Singing the Kilmersdon wassail song

Martin fires a shotgun into the tree

Lily and Martin ahead of the procession

The wassail ceremony was repeated around a tree at the organisers’ home

Lily pours cider around one of the trees in the community orchard The last part of the ceremony involved burning an “ashen faggot” in the fire

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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CHARLES JARVIS LTD Bespoke shepherd’s huts • Guest accommodation • office space • somewhere to relax

1, Madbrook Farm, Chalford, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3RB Telephone – 01373 858241 Email – kim@charlesjarvisltd.co.uk

TOPSOIL AND STONE SUPPLIES Dry high quality screened or unscreened Topsoil. Recycled aggregates and quarry stone supplies, road planings and building stone.

DEMOLITION AND STRIP OUT All types of demolition works. From small household to main contractor projects, including rail, schools and city centre redevelopments. Complete range of specialist equipment and services available.

ASBESTOS Asbestos removal and collection. Roof sheets, tiles and guttering. Call for information.

TRANSPORT 4,6 and 8 wheeled tipper Lorries for hire and muck away. Low loader, beaver tail and road brush hire.

PLANT HIRE Wide range of plant. 360 excavators, Dumpers, Bulldozers and Crushers.

EXCAVATIONS Large and small excavations. Specialist works include Equestrian all weather surfaces, drainage and bulk excavations.

Tel: 0800 097 8611

www.johnhodge.co.uk | e-mail: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE | BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | YATTON | WEDMORE

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P & C Logs C a ll P h i l o n 0 7 7 3 4 0 9 8 3 2 3 , o r C o l l ee n o n 0 7 7 8 5 2 5 0 0 3 3 or on E v en i n g s 0 1 9 3 4 7 4 1 9 4 1

Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).

Learn the Art of Draping on a dress stand Draping a garment on the dress stand is one of the oldest ways of creating a dress designs without the use of a pattern.

This is a two-day class were you will learn draping principals so you can then create your own designs. This class is suitable for serious home dress makers, fashion design students or budding designer entrepreneurs.

Next Class dates: 28 & 29 April Classes are held in Chew Stoke Church Hall, Church Lane, Chew Stoke BS40 8TU Please email: Lee for class information: Lhollahan@mac.com

Marquee Staff

One full time vacancy Summer staff (ideal for students)

To work in a small team, later running your own team. Erecting marquees, installing furnishings. Must enjoy working outside, around the local area.

Help make someones’ event special.

No experience required, will be trained.

Pay £7–£11 per hour Monday – Friday 8.30- 5.30.

Must have own transport to drive to work.

CV to Jeremy Griffin, JG Marquees, Nettwood Farm, East Harptree, Bristol, BS40 6DA. Tel: 01761 221366 email info@jgmarquees.co.uk

FREE Fox Control Please ring or text if you have a Fox problem.

07809 839460

LECATCHER MO

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01275 332966 www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Control of foxes

IF you are suffering predation of livestock around your farm or smallholding, Andy Hamblin is able to solve your problem. He currently controls fox populations at a number of Mendip locations, operating mostly at night, although daytime raiders can also be dealt with.

He employs the very latest in thermal spotting and night vision sights and can assure a totally humane and discreet service. He can also offer ongoing visits, to ensure any further issues are avoided, particularly at lambing time or when poultry are overnighting outdoors.

He is fully insured with BASC, with references available.

Your own family history

WHAT do the owners of a leading West Country garden centre, a successful local entrepreneur, a retired agricultural contractor from Dorset and a former RMP and

Clarks employee have in common?

They are all among the clients who have recently commissioned a memoir from professional local writer Mandy Bloom.

Mandy trained as journalist more than three decades ago and has since freelanced for many local and regional publications. She has recently completed a full-length memoir for Somerset entrepreneur Richard Stone, the founder of over 40 businesses, and is currently working on biographies for a small number of other clients in the Mendip area.

She stresses that everyone’s story is worthy of capturing in print, no matter what their background is. Memoirs are produced following personal interviews which are edited and illustrated with photographs.

The result is a book for families to treasure for years to come.

She will also advise on format, design and printing.

Details: 01458 223251 enquiries.mandybloom@gmail.com or www.mandybloom.co.uk

CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

Duvets & Bedspreads washed & dried Sheets and Duvet covers washed and pressed Professional efficient service Collection & delivery service in the Chew Valley

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk

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BUSINESS

What happens to a business on divorce?

IN a divorce the sharing out of the family assets can become tricky if a business is involved. Broadly speaking a “family asset” means property acquired during the marriage otherwise than by inheritance or gift.

If the business is a family asset then its’ value will usually be shared equally between the parties. If it is not a family asset it will not be shared except in a very limited set of circumstances (for instance where there is a significant capital need which would not otherwise be met). The present thinking of the court appears to be that: • A business built up before or inherited during the marriage will not be a family asset.

• A business built up after the permanent separation of the parties (without using existing matrimonial assets) will not be a family asset.

• The fact that the family may have benefited during the marriage from the income of the business does not of itself make that business a family asset.

• If capital from the business is used, say,

to buy a matrimonial home then that home will be treated as a family asset.

• If during the marriage the business which is a non family asset grows the increase in value will not be regarded as a family asset unless active steps were taken to increase its’ value.

If the business is a family asset then the spouses may well be encouraged by their advisers to try and reach a negotiated settlement which allows the business to continue for that may well be to the benefit of both of them. As an example, if it is not possible to raise a one-off capital sum against the business to pay off the other spouse one potential solution is to agree a succession of lump sum payments over a period of years.

The court has limited powers at its disposal so the use of family mediation and the greater flexibility it offers may help to achieve an imaginative settlement which the court might be unable to order.

For instance it may be possible to negotiate a re-structuring of the business to achieve the desired outcome. At all

stages parties should be aware of the potential tax implications before concluding any settlement.

The use of pre-nuptial agreements or pre-marital shareholder agreements can often be an effective way of reducing any issues about the business which may arise in the unfortunate event of a marital breakdown.

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. ● Family & Divorce Law ● Co-habitation disputes ● Inheritance disputes ● Wills and Living Wills ● Powers of Attorney ● Administration of Trusts ● Property – sales and purchases OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 31

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Eastern promise

GLOBAL Independent Travel is holding another of its popular presentation evenings on Tuesday March 27th in the drama centre at Sidcot School, from 6pm. Wendy Wu Tours will highlight what’s on offer in China, Japan, India and South East Asia, all growing destinations for its fully-inclusive group, private and tailor-made tours. Global Independent Travel, which has offices in Winscombe and Clevedon, held two very successful events last year with Viking River Cruises and Saga. Charlotte and Karen will be on hand to give out advice and refreshments. Attendance is free but places need to be booked in advance.

Balloon flights over the Chew Valley, Mendips and Somerset Levels

NEW BUSINESS EVENT IN NORTH SOMERSET THE first quarterly business networking event was hosted by YMCA Somerset Coast at Barley Wood, Wrington on Friday February 2nd.

The event was attended by over 40 employers including owners and managers of local businesses from across North Somerset, who joined representatives from YMCA Somerset Coast.

It is the first in a series of events planned to discuss and raise awareness of topical issues that could impact the local business community while also providing individuals with an opportunity to network with other employers.

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YMCA Somerset Coast chief executive, Martin Hodgson, said: “We wanted to offer something fresh to the county’s business networking scene, Barley Wood is ideally situated at the heart of Somerset and we are lucky to be able to host these events in such a beautiful and historic venue.”

David Eccles, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Hinkley Point C – EDF Energy was the key speaker at the event who spoke about the opportunities the Hinkley Point C development will provide to the local business community now and over the coming years.

He said: “I think these events are good for businesses, good for individuals, the locality and in general the people.”

YMCA Somerset Coast, a community-based charity, provides opportunities and support for young people and families in the Somerset Coast region.

These events are free and include a continental breakfast, tea and coffee with the next one scheduled in May.

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BUSINESS

For more information: www.mendipgliding.co.uk or contact Patrick Haxell on 01761 232080

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BUSINESS

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Cathedral fun

Family dog show

Impetus, a group from West Somerset, perform on stage in the cathedral

MORE than 300 youngsters and adults enjoyed a day of fun activities in Wells Cathedral during its annual Children’s Festival.

Worship was combined with circus skills, crafts, music and even animals for the one-day festival of family-friendly events open for four to 11-year-olds.

The theme this year was "Noah and the Flood". The day was developed in partnership with the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Wells Cathedral’s education officer, Jessica Witchell, said “Every year the Cathedral opens its doors to 4-11-year-olds for a fun-filled day of workshops and worship.”

Amongst the organisations running events were Puxton Park and Christian Aid with music workshops led by David Williams and circus skills led by Geoff Gardner.

There was even a chance for youngsters to build their own crafts and scrap ark with Angela Fraser and Dianna Greenfield.

Meeting some of the animals from Puxton Park, including this rescued hare

In a spin: Reese, Lauren and Nancy during a circus workshop

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Evie and Rory with Poppy

A FUN dog show was held in Frome supported by Blue Cross, the abandoned/rescue national pets charity. The show included fun competitions for dogs with a demonstration by the K9 Dog Club and trade stalls, providing a fun family outing for the many dog owners who attended.

Cheddar and Shipham

Cheddar Stage Society staged Sleeping Beauty as its pantomime this year, directed by Paul Brice.

Shipham Players’ pantomime this year was Seeking Sleeping Beauty

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EVENTS

Don’t forget thy cider!

By Mark Adler

DOZENS of people attended the second Midsomer Norton Wassail which featured a procession through the town.

The event was hailed a big success despite a couple of minor hiccups, including organisers forgetting to bring along the mulled cider and fruit juice for the ceremony.

The wassail was organised by the Midsomer Norton Society and the Midsomer Norton Community Trust and began in the town hall with the crowning of the wassail king and queen before a procession to apple trees planted last year in memory of four stalwarts of the town in the Friendship Garden and at St Chad’s Well.

It was as the ceremony was about to begin that it was realised that the cider and fruit juice had been left behind in the town hall and members of Cam Valley Morris staged an impromptu dance whilst the drinks were fetched.

Paul Myers, from the society said: “Hands up – it was just one of those things!”

Paul Myers with wassail king and queen Oliver Bird, aged eight, and Monica Evans (age unknown) – Monica agreed to be crowned queen at the last minute

The wassail ceremony went with a bang – once the cider arrived

Cam Valley Morris dance in the Friendship Garden

Oliver and Monica with Cam Valley Morris

Drinking from the wassail cup – German visitor Ingeborg Neldner has spent the winter in Somerset enjoying traditional events such as carnival and wassail

Abbey Road, Norton style? The procession makes its way to St Chad’s Well

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 37

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Susannah Garland Artist and Sculptor

Exhibition of Watercolours @ South Cloister, Wells Cathedral Friday 6th April – Thursday 19th April Opening Times; Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am–5pm

Susannah is happy to discuss and undertake commissions Website: www.susannahgarland.co.uk Email: susannah.garland@gmail.com Tel: 07932 681017

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New exhibition by Susannah Garland

AN exhibition of water colours by artist and sculptor Susannah Garland will open in the South Cloister of Wells Cathedral in April. This will be her third visit to the Cathedral since 2014.

Susannah is a wellknown artist and sculptor and her paintings and sculptures have been exhibited extensively in East Sussex, London, Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwall, as well as in

France.

In 2017, she was accepted by the Society of Architectural Illustrators (SAI) after five pieces of her work were judged by their selection committee. Her work is sold widely, including at National Trust properties in Somerset and Dorset, and is on permanent display at the exhibition centre, La Maison de Pays de l’Auxois Sud in Burgundy, France.

Susannah will also discuss and undertake commissions and can be contacted via her email or website.

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Sporting memories

WITH the Bath Half Marathon taking place at the beginning of March and the London Marathon in April, Swan Artworks in Paulton is getting ready to welcome athletes wanting to frame their medals.

Carrie Osborne, who runs Swan Artworks with husband Tony, said: “We frame all sorts of sporting achievements from London Marathon and Iron Man Challenge medals, cycling and equestrian medals and rosettes, to gymnastics awards - even a leotard worn by a young lady who is training with Team GB and hoping to be selected to represent her country at the Olympics.

“Good luck to all this season's sports people!”

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Sleeping beauty’s careful owner

CLEVEDON Salerooms’ quarterly specialist sale on March 15th includes this 1969 Alfa Romeo 1300 GT Junior.

Languishing in a garage unused for half its life, this remarkable motor car is offered with two sets of keys, original instruction book, toolkit and, Auctioneer Toby Pinn with the Alfa 1300GT Junior in daylight for the first remarkably, the time in a quarter century back seat still retains its original clear plastic covering that a less careful owner would have removed on the first day of ownership!

Alfa aficionados are expected to come from far and wide to try and secure this sleeping beauty, estimated at £2,500 – £3,500, and rouse her from her slumber.

The sale also includes a wide range of furniture from 18th century antique to midcentury Eames & Ercol, fine art, collector’s items, silver, jewellery and watches, plus an extensive collection of primarily steel-framed racing cycles, mostly from the second half of the 20th century.

For more information visit www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Every lot in every auction, illustrated and sold with live internet bidding JaegerLeCoultre Atmos Clock £400 – £600

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS 19th & 20th March

9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery Thursday, 5th April

Sale starts at 10.30am On view day before 10am – 6.30pm

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789

The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com

2.35ct Solitaire diamond ring £3,000 – £4,000 John Whitlock Codner, Oil £400 – £600

Chinese Cloisonné Cabinet £500 – £800

Quarterly Specialist Sale Thursday 15th March at 10.30am

Viewing Days: 13th March – 2pm – 5.30pm and 14th March – 10am – 6.30pm – Sale Day from 9am On line catalogue available from 3rd March MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 39

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Brave pigeon flies to grand heights THE latest monthly sale of Antiques and Collectables staged by Killens at the Mendip Auction Rooms attracted the largest crowd ever seen for such a sale and came only four days after a sale of Victorian and Later Effects that also saw a huge crowd of potential buyers in attendance with fierce bidding seen at both.

At the antiques sale, there was a good entry of quality pictures with an oil on canvas by Fred Morgan of children playing with kittens generating strong interest, eventually selling for £1,800.

Most interest was seen however for a portrait of the war pigeon, William of Orange, which was awarded the Dickin medal for bravery for delivering a message from the Arnhem Airborne Mission in World War 2. Keen bidding eventually saw the portrait sell for £1,300.

Interest from oriental buyers was strong and a Chinese white jade carving of a dog measuring only 4cm wide sold well above estimate for £850. A good entry of jewellery saw strong prices achieved for those items on offer. An 18ct white gold solitaire ring set made £1,000, a 9ct gold curb bracelet £870 and a 9ct gold ingot pendant £380. Silver was also in demand.

On April 3rd, Killens will be staging a grand sale combining the Antiques & Collectables and Victorian & Later Effects sales scheduled for the first week in

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ARTS AND ANTIQUES

April. Viewing will take place on March 29th, 30th (Good Friday) and April 2nd (Easter Monday). Filming will also take place for the Antiques Road Trip and entries are invited.

The next sale at the auction rooms will be of Victorian and Later Effects on March 6th and the team will be staging a valuation morning on Wednesday March 7th, 10am-1pm at the offices of Killens in Sadler Street, Wells so do go along and take advantage of their expertise.

Otherwise, valuers are on hand every weekday morning to accept entries or are happy to undertake free home visits. Also ensure that you follow the auction rooms on Facebook to see the latest news or register with them to receive the catalogues

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HISTORY

Mining museum leads the way

By Mark Adler

AN award-winning pioneer of virtual reality technology says Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum is leading the way in offering a new experience to visitors.

The team at the museum has unveiled a unique virtual “mine” allowing people to see first-hand what working life was like in a Somerset coalfield.

Catherine Allen, based in Bristol, won a BAFTA for her virtual reality work, and was one of the guests at the launch of the new system.

Catherine – The VR experience will be known as an available at the museum at immersive weekends

Former mine workers Francis Hillier and Selywn Rees are joined by youngsters from St John’s School in Peasedown St John and Patrick, Edan, James and Scott from the locallybased under-18s theatre group Blackhound Productions

media specialist – said: “The museum really is at the forefront of VR of this kind; there are no other examples in this area that I know of.”

The project was developed by Bath College media students Georgina Hill and Barry Lewis who are now working on an updated version offering an even more

interactive experience.

Museum chairman Nick Hall said: “This is the just the latest development to offer an improved and updated experience for visitors.”

Catherine added: “VR has the same potential to change our lives as the introduction of television.”

Francis Hillier, chair of the Somerset District Miners Welfare Trust, has donated his collection of mining artefacts to the museum, including a rare example of a guss and crook

Miranda Litchfield, the museum’s development co-ordinator, with a VR headset

Work in progress: Catherine Allen tries out an updated version of the experience as developers Georgina and Barry monitor her progress

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Downside offers a day option as well as boarding

AT Downside what the teachers strive for on behalf of all the girls and boys can be summed up in the words “A life fully lived”. The aim is for the pupils to leave school as powerful ambassadors for good, with a genuine concern for the good of others; fully human as well as fully qualified.

Downside is known as a full-boarding school, however, there is a lot to be gained as a “day” pupil in this environment. One shining example of this idea in action is the opportunities and advantages offered to those who can make the most of a longer day and more contact with teachers.

Downside’s results put the school on a national as well as a regional stage and its teams in some 25 sports are known throughout the South West. The activities, clubs and societies are in their number and diversity astounding and are on offer for day pupils as well as boarders.

As well as this, the day option makes possible a combination of features that helps not only the pupil, but the whole family to live a full life, too. There is a regular minibus service to Bath, Frome and the Chew Valley.

However, day pupils can stay as late as 9pm, meaning that prep and exam revision can be done in a supervised environment, surrounded by other pupils doing the same thing.

Again, parent feedback reports that this is not only

EDUCATION

effective, but makes for a more relaxed home life.

Furthermore, all meals, including supper if required, can be taken at school. So, you can relax and let the award-winning caterers take the responsibility of feeding a hungry teenager!

With a host of sports facilities all available on one campus, and with meals and after-school supervision included in the fee, it is easy to see how the day option at Downside offers value for money unparalleled in the South West.

Find out for yourself at an open day on Saturday March 10th or Saturday May 19th.

Details: email admissions@downside.co.uk or call 01761 235103 to book a space.

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Pupils create mosaic

PUPILS of Trinity Church School in Radstock have designed and created a mosaic in the reception entrance, which was unveiled by the Bishop of Taunton, the Rt. Rev. Ruth Worsley.

The mosaic features five main elements including local scenes and the school’s emblem, a white dove, as its centrepiece, created by the pupils with the help of mosaic artists, Frances Campbell and Angela Nash.

Governor, Jen Hird, said: “The children all thought what was important to them about the school before they designed it and I think that this is reflected in the finished mosaic. It looks absolutely amazing and the pupils are very proud of it.”

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Handbags required

Charity cheque was on the birthday list

ROTARY, Nailsea and Backwell will again be running their popular handbag stall at Nailsea Community Market on the morning of Saturday March 17th.

Previous stalls have raised vital funds for the benefit of disadvantaged local children. As a result of the stall’s success, new and replacement stock is always needed so, if you have any unwanted new or good-condition used handbags, contact Roger on 01275 854076 or roger.jan@blueyonder.co.uk.

Charity lunch supports hospice

AROUND £335 has been raised by the Weston Hospicecare support group in Blagdon after they held their annual soup and pud lunch in the village club.

Pictured (l to r) Tina Smith, Jill Bentley and Linda Marshall sorting out some of the puddings.

Details: Angela Smythe 01761 462601.

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Paul presents the cheque to Jane (left) and Clare Tierney, the manager of the Midsomer Norton BHF shop

ROCK’n’Roll drummer Paul Brimble decided to celebrate his 70th birthday by thanking the people who probably saved his life – by asking guests at his party for donations to the British Heart Foundation.

Early intervention meant medics spotted Paul, of Midsomer Norton, was suffering the early signs of a stroke. He was later diagnosed with heart problems and has had several pacemakers fitted since then.

Paul, a founder of the Sneakers – a 60s covers band still going strong – 45 years ago decided to have a draw and collection on the night for the British Heart Foundation as a thank you for the treatment and help that he received.

Around 150 people packed the clubhouse at Welton Rover FC for the night and Paul raised more than £600 for the BHF. Paul said: “I was in the bank cashing the notes and coins and a woman in the queue and asked ‘Is that for charity’ and when I told her it was she took a fiver out of her purse and said ‘I have had a good win on the bingo’ and put it into the collection bucket.”

Jane Turner, BHF fundraising manager for Bath and Wiltshire, said: “It’s only because of the dedication of people like Paul that the BHF can continue its vital work fighting heart disease, “Our research has already helped save thousands of lives. Every pound raised from his 70th birthday celebrations will be spent on funding new scientific breakthroughs.”

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Cycle marathon

CHARITIES

Kids at heart

Terry Cornelius as the Pied Piper

OAKFIELD Academy pupils from year six in Frome have presented a cheque for £325 to the dementia care unit at Bath’s RUH. Oliver, Fleur, Seren and Edward together with all the other students and staff raised the money during a spinning bike charity event supported by Frome Leisure Centre, Train Station Gymnasium and Frome Town Council's rangers.

In total the pupils cycled over 592km (the equivalent of Frome to Paris)!

Support for advice charity

Details: www.westonrotaryclub.org.uk and www.facebook.com/westonrotaryclub or telephone George Horsfield 07900 160111.

Some of the costume parade entrants

(Photos courtesy of Mike Lang)

WESTON Rotary Club members have stepped in to support their local Citizens Advice North Somerset (formerly Citizens Advice Bureau or CAB) with funding to help with their forced move from The Badger Centre in Wadham Street to The Boulevard.

In 2016/17 they helped over 7,000 people across North Somerset with over 22,000 issues. Their 81 professionally trained volunteers and 24 paid staff provide a service to all sectors of the local community, particularly the most vulnerable families.

They are a charity and rely solely on grants and donations. At a recent meeting Weston Rotary president Marian Barber (pictured left) presented a cheque for £1,000 to Citizens Advice North Somerset’s Chief Officer Fiona Cope.

THE theme for the annual governor’s party of Moose International Lodge 123 was children’s stories and many of the guests attended in fancy dress.

The lodge – based in Burnham-on-Sea – was raising money for governor Jim Dolan’s chosen charity Cots for Tots and for lady circle president Pat Burge’s charity Weston Hospital Scanner Appeal. ● The lodge meets on fourth Thursday of each month; the ladies circle meets on the same evening. New members are welcome. For lodge details, call Terry Cornelius on 01278 784645 or Chris Harris on 01278 760486. The ladies circle can be contacted via Rita Harris on 01278 760486 or Dorothy Austin on 01278 786299.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 45

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The Big Frisbee Golf Challenge Music for the mind

Details: https://www.bfgevent.co.uk/

Supporting Lindsay’s appeal

THE appeal for Lindsay Game’s charity The Forever Friends Appeal has raised a staggering £16,552 and is and is set to be boosted by Chew Stoke’s drama society.

Lindsay died on June 21st 2017. Chew Stoke Amateur Dramatics Society will be supporting her charity appeal at their next production of Last Chance Hotel, March 15th-17th.

There are evening performances from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th at 7.30pm, with a matinee on the Saturday at 2pm.

Tickets are priced £8 each. For tickets either grab a member of the cast (the usual suspects) or text 0737 992 9921.

Details: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lindsay-gam

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Vocal Works gospel choir

THE organiser of a charity concert for the mental health charity MIND is calling on others to arrange their own events to highlight the challenges faced by many people.

Richard Lowe held his first concert in 2008 in memory of his brother James who took his own life. Richard, who runs a local training company, will stage his 2018 Music for the Mind concert in Cedars Hall in Wells in September but wants others to replicate his idea.

Richard said: “When I look back, I believe James was concerned about the stigma that can often be associated with those suffering from mental health conditions which is why it’s so important to encourage greater understanding.

It’s my hope that Music for the Mind will continue to help fund local mental health services, community and business education to Richard Lowe support those experiencing emotional distress and mental health issues.”

Richard said this year will be just as meaningful as his inaugural Music for the Mind initiative from 2008: “Back then, I wanted to volunteer my skills to do something positive to remember James and raise mental health awareness. The vision, ten years on, is to build on the original concept and inspire others to organise their own Music for the Mind fundraising event.”

Local Mind charities provide practical support and advice for local communities and employers and it’s hoped that businesses and individuals will affiliate with Music for the Mind, to stage an array of musical extravaganzas across Bristol, Bath and South Somerset as organisers, volunteers or sponsors.

Richard’s own fundraising concert will be held on Saturday, September 15th, and will feature the Bath-based Vocal Works Gospel Choir who will take to the stage, backing an ensemble of musical talent. ● To get involved, contact participating Mind charities or download a Music for the Mind fundraising pack from www.neighbourly.com For tickets for the Wells concert call 01749 834483 or email: boxoffice@wells.cathedral.school

(Photo courtesy of Andrew Wells Photography)

THE Rotary Club of Wrington Vale has a long and proud tradition of raising substantial amounts of money for charities. But it is now planning an ambitious new fundraiser which might well be its biggest project yet.

In collaboration with Mendip Outdoor Pursuits and Thatchers Cider, the club is promoting the Big Frisbee Golf Challenge over the weekend of April 21st/22nd in aid of mental health charities working with children, teenagers and young adults and other charities supported by Rotary.

Originating in the USA, disc golf is just like traditional golf, the difference is it’s played by throwing a flying disc into a metal target in the fewest throws – instead of hitting a ball into a hole.

The club is building Europe's biggest ever Frisbee golf course – a unique, professionally-designed 54 basket course that winds through beautiful woodland and farmland across the stunning Mendip Hills between Churchill and Sandford.

The event starts on Saturday April 21st with a sponsored family fun day consisting of disc golf activities and endurance challenges suitable for all ages and abilities.

You can also join a Yeti hunt or try your hand at archery, rifle shooting, axe throwing and welly wangling!

The fun continues on Sunday April 22nd, which is reserved for serious, experienced disc golf players, who can compete in the 10K Discathon race or the Ultimate Endurance 54 Challenge, an event unique to the UK and is not to be missed.

The event will raise funds for YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people. Their local charity is In Charley's Memory, based in Burnham-On-Sea.

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Students’ fashion show

FROME College’s Charity Fashion Show will be held on Friday March 16th, 7pm in the Merlin Theatre, in aid of the charity MIND South Somerset.

Sixth Form students will model their own hand-made designs and creations, accompanied by the college’s highly talented music students who will perform during the show. A fully licensed bar will be available.

Tickets cost £4, available via ParentPay or at the Merlin Theatre Box Office 01373 465949.

Somerset carers service launch THE Community Council for Somerset has officially launched its carers’ service, which is designed to support individuals who care for others in an unpaid capacity.

It hosted a high profile event for council leaders, MPs, stakeholders, partners and other key charities and organisations from across Somerset.

The service has carers’ agents in each district across Somerset, as well as a dedicated advice line, text service, online “live chat” and online carers’ forum and is working in partnership with the Somerset Partnership NHS Mental Health Carers Service and Spark and Engage, who support the service by finding volunteers.

Chief executive, Keeley Rudd, said: “Caring for another person is very rewarding, but can be overwhelming and lonely at times and some people may not even recognise that they are a carer, especially if it involves looking after a close family member.

“Somerset Carers Service can help link people to groups and events in their area, to find facts and information that will help the person they are caring for with their particular needs.”

Details: www.somersetcarers.org or www.somersetrcc.org.uk

Adam’s Adriatic adventure

Adam Merrick, from Temple Cloud

A 24-year-old cyclist is preparing to ride 3,500 miles across Europe in the spring to raise thousands of pounds for the Huntingdon’s Disease Association.

Adam Merrick, of Temple Cloud, has set himself a target of raising at least as many pounds as the miles he covers.

On Thursday, March 22nd he will leave London to ride solo through France, Italy and Albania

along the Adriatic coast.

Adam said: “I am fundraising for the Huntingdon’s Disease Association as this disease is in my family and I have therefore seen my loved ones affected.

“Donations can help fund vital research and there have recently been some huge advancements with Huntingdon’s research.”

To follow Adam’s progress and to donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/adamcycles4hd?utm_id=27

Trustees wanted

CHARITIES

CITY of Wells Almshouses is looking to widen the range of skills and experience within its board and is seeking applications from suitably motivated and qualified individuals to join the charity as trustees.

The charity has 32 almshouses centrally located in the city and traces its origins back to 1424. In recent years they have been undertaking the progressive modernisation of their properties. They are also looking to create additional accommodation in the near future.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday March 29th.

Details: www.wellsalmshouses.org.uk or contact Althea Howarth, CEO for an application pack 01749 675813/07455 678088 email ceo@wellsalmshouses.org.uk

Legion’s fundraiser

THE Royal British Legion is inviting people to take part in a fun It’s a Knockout event on Sunday, June 24th at Greville Smyth Park, in Bristol, to help it support former members of the armed services.

Participants must be aged 16 years or older and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Each team can have a minimum of six and maximum of 12 people. The entry fee is £120 per team and the minimum sponsorship is £600 per team.

It’s one of several regional fundraising events being planned by the RBL. Details www.rbl.org.uk/knockout or https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraise/challenge-events/

Zambia anniversary

A JUMBLE sale in Chew Magna raised £565 for St. Andrew’s Church’s Zambian link, which has supported its link parish of St Mary and St John in Kwacha in Kitwe, Northern Zambia for 20 years, raising money for a new church roof, pews in the church and a toilet block.

Mary Spencer and Raynor Nixon Now a priest’s house is preparing for the sale needed so St Andrew’s parishioners are holding a series of fundraisers to help raise money for this new project.

It is 40 years since the link with Zambia was established by Bishop John Bickersteth while he was Bishop of Bath and Wells and to mark the anniversary celebrations and services will be held in Zambia in April and in Bath & Wells in July.

Zambian Link representative, Jenny Biggs, said: “We are also looking forward to having Archbishop Albert Chama and his wife Ashella with us here in Chew Magna for part of their visit.”

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Expansion plans causing concern YOU may have noticed the days getting longer, but it’s still very cold and winter is still making its presence felt. As I drove over the Mendips the other night, I watched my windscreen wipers clear drizzle, then rain, then sleet, and a feeble attempt at snow.

All this in a few miles!

Never mind as things are still hot with society events and plans now getting in their stride. There’s been plenty of local activity as the last edition showed with lots of wassails being held at numerous villages in our hills.

I attended quite a few and was struck by a noticeable increase of visitors attending these events and being totally captivated by the whole thing. Why not?

Our beautiful country has lots of local and regional things going on throughout the year, for example Well Dressing in the Peak District etc.

What passed through my mind was just how popular German Christmas Markets have become in the UK, so why don't we get the message out to the rest of the population and inform them of wassailing!

It would encourage lots of people to visit us and bring much-needed cash into the local economy, proving that tourism is not just a summer thing.

Maybe Visit Somerset and the hotels could get together and plan a campaign?

Talking of vision, how nice it was to see Yeo Valley and Aardman Animation getting together so that ordinary people can have a go at modelling themselves.

See their website for details. This local organisation is in the forefront of

Steep Holm

animation and they do it superbly and with worldwide success.

I remember when I was a child, spending hours of fun playing with a pile of Plasticine making all sort of shapes. No batteries either!

We experienced a brilliant start to our talks programme when Dave Wallace gave a very interesting talk all about Steep Holm, that quaint island anchored in the Bristol Channel. It’s one of those places we can all see, but most people do not know how to get there and a mark of its popularity was the hall was full to capacity!

Dave told us many tales and facts which has resulted in the society making some serious plans to have a days visit there to see it for ourselves. If you're interested, then keep an eye on our programme.

On a more serious note, the government's plan to build thousands more houses stretching from Weston, Banwell, Sandford and Churchill seems to have gripped everyone's attention, and rightly so. This planned development, if carried out, will change this area for ever more.

This contentious subject is not just confined to Mendip and is

THE MENDIP SOCIETY

A summer view over the channel

evident across the entire country.

Needless to say, our planning representatives are hard at work in an attempt to trim off the excess of these plans. Witness the television programmes devoted to this subject on BBC recently.

All this seems to tie-in with a major planned extension of Bristol Airport.

Nobody can deny this growing facility needs more space, but access to it would appear to be the main growing cause for concern for the residents and businesses nearby. At least the airport authority have gone out to the public with a consultative plan which has a few options to work with.

The saga of Shute Shelf Tunnel continues to rumble on with many hands tied by the weather and the resident bats. We look forward to the spring and forthcoming months in order that the contractors, who have done a great job so far, can be allowed to continue their work.

Richard Frost

Details: www.themendipsociety.org.uk or ring 01275 874284/472797

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WILDLIFE

Sing for spring – some birds may already be breeding

FIRSTLY, thank you for all the comments about last month’s rabbit article – lots of observations from gamekeepers, farmers, gardeners, motorists

By CHRIS and even rabbit SPERRING breeders; virtually all MBE agreed that wild rabbits were either declining or missing which was having an effect on the landscape that wasn’t, in most cases, positive.

However, Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) contacted me to say that in at least two of their areas (Cadbury Hill and Yatton railway walk) rabbits were back after an absence and their presence was helping with conservation management, proving that they were missed.

March will bring with it an increase in birds singing, with blackbirds now in full song and some already with eggs in nest.

With trees and scrub still in their winter skeletal state, seeing the birds that are singing is relatively easy and well worth a stop to listen and watch whilst you are out and about.

The song thrush, with its loud repeated

Love-a-duck – a shelduck

whistles, is fairly easy to identify with its single or double notes and, as with other birds, the males that are singing will choose favourite places to sing from to get maximum impact for their efforts.

Indeed, it could be another way to recognise which bird you’re listening to just simply by its singing position in the environment. A wren, as another example, will sing low to the ground from low scrub or branch in woodland trees.

If you’re someone that walks regularly, why not find out how many song thrushes you have on your local patch? As you walk just jot down on a map where you hear each song thrush, then the next time you do the same route and with the same weather conditions see if they are still singing from the same position and area.

You will find an interesting pattern forms, and as your knowledge grows you will be best placed to notice localised rises and falls in population.

Snowdrops have been flowering since January, primroses have been bursting through during February, and so now in March the bluebells start flowering. Hedge plants such as hawthorn are now coming into flower, which will help the bumble bees as they come out of their winter slumber and begin feeding.

If you are near a willow tree and notice it’s in flower try listening to the tree, as on warm sunny days the tree may literally hum with the sound of bees.

Also, in March, if you’re walking around the Severn Estuary the movement of winter birds heading north, mixing now with summer migrants, will be obvious.

You may even have one last chance to see wintering redwing or fieldfare, whilst also watching the first wave of chiffchaffs arriving from Africa.

Whilst looking out across the estuary mud look out for the shelduck as their numbers build throughout this month.

This large black-and-white bodied, redbilled duck, will be seen towards low tide appearing to comb the mud with its specially adapted bill. As they build up their numbers they will become quite vocal with the larger males also noticeably and aggressively driving off rivals as pair bonding begins. As the month draws to a close, the shelducks may be found further inland looking for suitable places to breed.

March is a fast paced and exciting month in the natural world. To celebrate the beginning of the bird song season I will be leading bird walks across Mendip.

Contact me for more details.

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 07799 413 918 or chris.sperring@btinternet.com

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A ramble around Radstock and Midsomer Norton

THIS is an interesting, quite long, railway ramble from Radstock through Midsomer Norton enjoying the dry, easy going on two of the routes from the town. We go out on one rail path and back on another. The fascinating Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Museum is en-route (open Sundays and Mondays, with a cafe) and then further

on is a surprising gem, the beautiful church in a hamlet on the edge of Chilcompton and a very welcoming cafe, the Holy Cow. Some of the walk has an urban feel and we spend about ten minutes walking through Midsomer Norton to join the railway to go back.

Apart from three fields it is all on Tarmac and dry tracks, so ideal after our wet winter. There are only very gentle slopes and a few stiles. It’s an ideal walk to kick off the rambling season, enabling you to stride out and cover the miles.

PARK: To be safe, you need five hours parking. The start is at the museum in the centre of Radstock by the colliery wheel. You can park there for free on Sunday with unlimited hours, but otherwise go to the free car park in Church Street where there is a five hour limit (need a ticket). For this, go to the roundabout by the large Co-op and turn towards Haydon, then turn right again still towards Haydon and the car park is signed up on the right.

Go out the bottom right corner and make your way to the museum by the colliery wheel.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

START: From the museum, cross the main road on the crossing and take the Norton Radstock Greenway which takes you along parallel with the River

Frome and past a children’s playground and toilets. Reach a former coal truck from Middle Pit Colliery. Here leave the Tarmac and take the old rail route on a stony path following the raised bank.

1. BRIDGE Continue to the bridge over five arches (we go under at the end) and as it ends, turn back down right on steps and across to the Tarmac path. Turn left. At a signpost, turn left again past an industrial building to the main road.

2. ROAD Cross and take the Westfield Heritage Trail opposite joining another old rail route which gently ascends. Continue all the way through gates to join a crossing track at a sign about Our Park.

Turn right and almost immediately, on the bend, bear up left. Ignore side tracks. Stay on it all the way to the road on the edge of Midsomer Norton.

3. MUSEUM Opposite is the Railway Heritage Museum, at the old Midsomer Norton South station, a station on the Somerset and Dorset Railway between Bath Green Park and Shepton Mallet. The station was immortalised in 1964 in the song "Slow Train" by Flanders and Swann. It closed in 1966 with the

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closure of the S&D under the Beeching Axe. The station was on a fairly steep slope which took the railway up from the valley floor at Radstock into the Mendips, heading south to the summit of the line at Masbury. It had extensive gardens which were cultivated by the station staff and won many prizes. The station buildings are still well-preserved. Open Sundays and Mondays, it is a fascinating stop on our ramble and the buffet car is very welcoming.

The station is now preserved by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust which has returned full-size steam locomotives to the station in recent years.

There are special Steam Sundays in March.

To continue, go into the nature reserve and at the first signpost keep straight on up. Bend right at the top, going below the station, and come into a field. Go along the top, and then join a path alongside the railway line, looking down across the valley. Further on, there may not yet be a fenced path, but this is due to be installed soon as work continues on extending the line. So just continue to parallel the line.

There are pleasant rural views as you go.

At the end, by the old Chilcompton Tunnel cutting, cross the marked stile ahead into a field. Keep straight on, gently rising, following the right edge.

Pass a brick pillbox over right. Continue on, cross a stile ahead and then bear left towards the lane, where there is an overgrown pillbox, and cross the barrier by the gate (the stile is no longer there).

4. LANE Turn right, on Tunnel Lane soon coming

WALKING L

7.8 miles, about 4.5 hours walking OS Explorer 142, Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 689 550

over the end of the old railway tunnel.

Continue downhill to the road on the edge of Chilcompton. Turn left a few yards and cross. Take the walkway by the stream at the side of the phone box.

Reach a lane at the other end, with the old school opposite, and turn left. Soon come to the beautiful 15th century church of St John the Baptist, well restored.

5. HOLY COW CAFE Carry on past the church to Manor Farm complex. Here is the delightful Holy Cow cafe. Open daily it serves homemade, locally sourced food. Follow the lane on and come round to the road.

6. FIELDS Turn right a yard or two, and over left is a choice of footpaths. Go over the stile left into a field and cross diagonally to a stile on the far side (aim for the telegraph pole with double cross bars at the top in the hedge of the next field).

Take care crossing the stile. Once over, follow the left edge of the field straight on. You are paralleling the railway line which is up right. Go through a pedestrian gate at the side of a large metal gate and then along the left edge in the next field and join a sunken grass track in the field leading to a gate with an old stile at the side 7. TRACK Follow the stony track straight on between hedges. At the end turn left

alongside playing fields. At the railing corner, turn right following a path by the school. Turn left to the main road in Midsomer Norton.

8. MIDSOMER NORTON Cross and turn right. At the roundabout, our route goes left up Church Lane, crossing onto the raised pavement. At the junction, head over onto the Tarmac path opposite between fences. This leads to a residential road. Here go left, drop downhill and follow the lane out to the main road.

9. OLD RAILWAY Turn right and continue along, over the Wellow Brook, and up to join the railway line which goes right. Further on, at a T-junction, go up left to continue on the old line. Continue on and cross a road bridge and carry on d for about three quarters of a mile.

Return to the signpost where you were earlier. Keep on along the old line, ignoring the steps where you came down, and go under the Five Arches.

You will see the fifth arch a little further on. Follow the route all the way back to the start.

Radstock Museum, check opening times, 01761 437722 cafe and shop don’t require a museum entry ticket.

The Holy Cow, open daily from breakfast serving home-made and locally sourced food. Delicious coffee.

Tel: 01761 410497.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 51

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

I THINK that I really have had enough rain now! I know I keep on about it, but every time it starts to dry up, down comes a few more centimetres of Mendip precipitation. March no doubt intends to offer us more in the way of wind and rain, hence its given name of Martius from the With LES Roman god of war Mars.

DAVIES MBE The Anglo-Saxons gave it the name of Hiyd Monath meaning loud or stormy month. Well, not much comfort for me from the ancients in these words! Will it come in like a lion and out like a lamb? Only time can give us that answer.

I cannot help but notice the litter that lies strewn along the road verges on Mendip and everywhere else come to that. It is a sad reflection of our throw-away society and of the attitude that once it’s finished with, throw it out the window. Not all I suspect is the result of idle littering.

I have seen some incidents of all the same size of plastic bottles on the roadside near Chewton Mendip. I very much doubt this is the result of a serial litterer who casts an empty milk bottle from the car window at exactly the same spot each day. A more likely answer could be a re-cycling vehicle with side-bin doors insecure.

The other upshot of all this litter and fly tipping is that “someone else” has to clear up the mess. Having done a fair bit of this work myself, it’s not pleasant. It can also be very dangerous with today’s volume of traffic using the roads. This subject was raised at a Mendip Society management meeting the other day and is, I know, close to the heart of the AONB team at Charterhouse.

So as always comes the question: “What can be done about it?” As always we hang a label on this that reads “SEP” or Someone Else’s Problem, but it shouldn’t be. There – monthly “rant” now over, let me move on to more pleasant things!

I have been delving into Terry Mathews papers again and found a couple of incidents of amazing good fortune born out of poverty and misery. He was the former head of centre at Charterhouse. As with all stories things may have become “embellished” with the passage of time. I have heard such stories before and there will always be a grain of truth, even if the tale has been altered a little.

In the second half of the 1800s hundreds of men and women were employed in the “Mindry” at Charterhouse. Small boys were employed at the rate of 2d per day (that’s the old money rate) to shovel fuel into the furnaces that drove the lead processing on Mendip.

One such boy, Joseph Day, born in Blagdon during 1841 was employed in this work at the age of ten, when his shovel picked up a bright ring of gold. This turned out to be an Elizabethan ring with a small cameo of Mary Queen of Scots.

The ring was never sold and I don’t know the whereabouts of it now, or if it even exists.

A similar good luck story involves another Blagdon boy, Charles Somers, who was also working at Charterhouse. It is said he unearthed a beautiful cameo broach with his shovel and used the proceeds of its sale to emigrate to America and make his fortune. He did return to Blagdon and is buried in

the churchyard there.

Don’t we all like a “feel good” story when someone makes it good from an impoverished background? The lead worker’s lot was not a happy or healthy one. They have been described as being white and ill-looking from the lead poisoning, with no doubt a short life expectancy. I would like to think some of the Mendip Times readers can shed a little light on these stories, even if it does burst the bubble. I am however still looking at the mole hills for treasure.

The evidence of this Mendip mining activity is still there to be seen today. To the unaware eye they are a series of humps, hollows and mini Cheddar Gorges. This is where the lead was extracted by the ancients long before the Romans arrived.

They are not so prominent as they used to be, as agricultural improvements have led to many being filled in even within my memory.

Thankfully times have changed and changed for the better when it comes to working conditions such as are described in many accounts of the working scene of the 19th century. We look at this landscape and wonder at its beauty – yes, rugged and wild it can be, but it is so very special. Let’s, however, not forget that wild and poverty-ridden past.

Nature has taken back the industrial wastelands of the lead mines and turned them into rich and diverse habitats that are the home to many different species of plant, bird and animal.

In her turn, nature still tries to heal the rubbish and fly-tip by shrouding it in vegetation. We can all forget it, until the cloak of greenery is removed and we are made aware of just what we are doing to our countryside.

Next month I am going to run the first in a series of articles originally written for the Mendip Society newsletter nearly ten years ago. They describe what life as Mendip Warden was like in the late 1980s and 1990s. Always I am reminded that your past is for your reference and not for your residence – time has moved on since then!

I’m leaving you with this month’s picture of the Charterhouse lead works from the air and a few words of a Wordsworth poem called “Lines written in early spring”.

Hopefully it’s not too far away.

“The budding twigs spread out their fan to catch the breezy air, And I must think, do all I can that there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent, if such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament what man has made of man?”

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

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YEO VALLEY

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Ready, steady SOW

MARCH is a busy month in the garden as it is the main seed sowing month. The days are lengthening and the light levels improving which makes a huge difference to germinating seedlings. Understanding a little about the germination of seeds can improve one’s chances of success.

With MARY Which seeds need to be sown indoors, PAYNE MBE (greenhouse or windowsill) and which can be sown direct outside? So-called “hardy annual” flowers, such as nasturtiums, Californian poppies and love-in-a-mist can be sown direct outdoors where they are to flower. They germinate quickly and grow quickly, blooming from about June onwards.

Half-hardy annuals, such as antirrhinums, Nicotiana, petunias and begonias need a much longer growing season and if sown outdoors in April may not flower until September. So, we extend their growing season by sowing them earlier under glass or indoors and giving them a bit of warmth and encouragement.

It is now well-established that the best way to sow half-hardy annuals is to prepare the seed tray or pot, then soak it from below in just a quarter of an inch of water. When the surface glistens, allow it to drain, then sow your seed evenly and thinly over the surface of the compost. Cover very lightly with horticultural vermiculite. This product keeps the seeds moist but also lets light through.

Light is essential for the germination of very many (but not all) seeds. There is no need to water again. Simply wrap the tray in cling film and place it in the light at a suitable temperature for that plant. This is usually about 15º to 20ºC for most plants. Don’t forget to label them!

Watch them very carefully and at the first signs of germination remove the cling film and ensure that the seedlings get plenty of light to prevent them becoming leggy. Once they are big enough to handle they can be moved into individual cells or pots. Any vegetables can be done in the same way e.g. onions.

It is interesting to raise hardy herbaceous perennials from seed too, but a slightly different approach is required. The seeds of these plants, such as achilleas, campanulas, and rudbeckias often prefer to be chilled before they will germinate. To do this, either sow in the autumn and leave the trays/pots outside, or if sowing in the spring do not keep them in the warm initially.

Stand them outside for three or four weeks. Then bring them into gentle warmth. The plants may not flower in their first season, but will then return year after year, hopefully for many years to come. The primula family can be quite challenging to germinate as the seeds are prone to become dormant if the temperature gets too high. This can also happen with lettuce when sowing during the summer months.

Some seeds, such as lupins, morning glory and sweet peas have very hard seed coats that are unable to absorb water easily. To overcome this, they can be soaked overnight in hand hot water (in a thermos flask). In the morning check and remove for sowing the seeds that have visibly swelled. Return the remainder for another 12 hours and repeat.

An alternative is to scratch the surface of the seed. The easiest way to do this is to sandwich the seeds in a tray between two sheets of medium grade sandpaper. Rub the top PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

sheet around gently to scratch the seed surface. Then sow as normal.

Large, easily handled seeds can be chitted prior to sowing.

This involves putting them on damp kitchen paper in an air tight container and keeping them at a suitable temperature for the seed, until JUST the tip of the root can be seen emerging from the seed. Each pre-germinated seed can then be planted individually in cells or containers.

Sowing seeds outdoors direct where they are to grow is an altogether simpler operation but still requires attention to detail. This applies to many vegetables, such as carrots, beetroot and parsnip; hardy annual flowers perhaps being grown in rows for cutting.

The trendy cut flowers this season are sunflowers, Ammi majus, Love Lies Bleeding and Panicum Frosted Explosion.

The latter is an easily grown grass and is currently appearing in a bouquet near you!

Seasonal herbs such as coriander and dill are all suited to this method. The seed bed needs to be weed-free and prepared to a reasonably fine tilth. Use a garden line to mark the row and take out a shallow drill using a stick or corner of a hoe. Then carefully water the drill. The commonest cause of failure with direct sown seeds is they dry out as they are sown quite shallowly. Watering the drill before sowing helps avoid this.

The seeds are then sown, thinly along the drill and covered over lightly with soil. For a belt and braces (and fun) approach.

Take some ready swollen SwellGel and whizz it down in a liquidiser to a smooth paste. Put this in a plastic bag, poke a hole, and squeeze a thin line of the gel into the drill rather as if icing a cake. The gel will help provide the moisture required for successful germination. Last April was particularly dry and was the cause of many failures in germination outdoors.

It is always worth sowing a row of foxgloves outdoors in May. Thin the seedlings when large enough to handle and then transplant to their flowering site in the autumn. For the price of a packet of seeds and a little effort you will have a grand show the following early summer. The same goes for wallflowers but sow a little later in June.

If you have always been a bit afraid of growing your own seeds – give it a go – it is easier than you think and very rewarding.

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MARCH GARDEN TIPS

GARDENING

It’s time to sow ageratum, alyssum, antirrhinum, asters, begonias, marigolds, pansies, petunias, stocks and many other flowers in a cold frame or greenhouse.

Cell or plug packs are becoming increasingly popular for raising young plants. You can sow or transplant seedlings directly into them.

Apply a general fertiliser to all beds and borders.

Make a concerted effort to get on top of weeds now, they are about to make a serious spurt of growth! Remove by hand or spray with the weed killer.

Time to get planting new herbaceous perennial plants.

Astrantia, anemone, campanula, echinacea, hardy geranium, rudbeckia and verbenas are the most popular varieties at the moment.

Prune most roses now, (climbing, rambling and shrub roses are best pruned in summer after the main flush of flower). Start spraying roses for blackspot, rust and aphids.

If you haven’t done it already, prune buddlejas back to about waist height and trim lavatera back to healthy new shoots.

Early varieties of seed potatoes can be planted out in sheltered spots now but delay planting maincrop varieties until the end of the month.

Protect early flowers on peaches, nectarines and apricots from frost. A curtain of polythene may be all that is needed. Hand pollinate blooms with a very soft brush.

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

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Society’s 30th anniversary

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THE Daffodil Society Wessex Group will hold their annual show on Sunday April 8th. This is a milestone for the group as it is the 30th consecutive show since the group was formed in the 1980s.

The area now covered is the historic Wessex Region and the Mendips are bang in the middle.

Anyone living in the area is entitled to submit an entry. It had a nomadic start with its show venues until 16 years ago it discovered Henton Village Hall, Henton, just outside Wells. It has remained there ever since.

Initially the organisation was formed by a small group of daffodil enthusiasts in Somerset and one of the leading lights was Frank Calcraft a horticulturist well known to many.

Frank passed away a few years ago but his memory is still strong as a class is named after him at the show and also at other societies’ spring and summer shows in the neighbourhood.

It is probably the most comprehensive specialised daffodil show in the area. Saying that, a strong relationship has been built up with Henton Gardening Society and there are special classes for local entries from the residents of Henton and other societies in the Wells and Wookey area.

The show is unique as it does not charge for entries. As a result there are no monetary prizes but cups and rosettes for the winners.

It is a must-see show. So why not go along? Entry is free.

New exhibitors are always welcome and a warm welcome awaits, with refreshments and a raffle on offer. The show is open to the public from 2pm.

PERFECT PAVE

Details: 01275 855675 or email b.c.billinger@talktalk.nett

Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and offers a wide choice of projects.

Now supplying – as well as installing – landscaping products to the commercial and domestic trade Wider range and cheaper prices than builders’ merchants or garden centres

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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NAILSEA PATIO SUPPLIES

GARDENING

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MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 57

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Volunteers wanted

TREE & PATHWAY SERVICES Family run business All your gardening needs From full garden transformation to trees and shrubbery trimmed or removed Please call for a free written quotation

Tel: 01278 588530

Now’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for the weather ahead. I’ve wasted countless days and a small fortune, maintaining tired wooden fences that looked dreadful and always need more work. Discovering Colourfence has changed things forever! It’s scientifically tested and rated to ensure when professionally installed it withstands gusts of up to 130mph. Colourfence won’t

VOLUNTEERS who look after the St Thomas a Becket Church garden in Pensford are looking for more volunteers to help them.

One of the volunteers, Jane Flower, said: “We meet for an hour on the first Monday of the month at midday and everyone is welcome to come along and help, even if for only an Jane Flower, Catriona Ree and John hour.”

Crane digging up a bed so they can One of the plant a few shrubs volunteers, Jane Flower, said: “We meet for an hour on the first Monday of the month at midday and everyone is welcome to come along and help, even if for only an hour.”

Details: Catriona 01761 490863 or Jane 01761 490234.

rot and it resists weather that damages wooden fences, it has none of the drawbacks of wood but plenty of added benefits and it’s better value too! The materials and fitting are so good that Colourfence is guaranteed† for 25 years.

To find out how Colourfence might benefit you, arrange a free no obligation quote by calling the numbers below to arrange a FREE no obligation site visit.

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GARDENING

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Gurn yourself younger

CAN facial exercises make you appear more youthful? It’s certainly a lot cheaper than fillers, Botox and the latest antiwrinkle miracle cream. A modest study of 27 American women aged 40-65 had two 90-minute training sessions from a “facial exercise instructor”.

By Dr PHIL They were then supposed to do the HAMMOND exercises for 20 weeks (30 mins daily for the first eight weeks, every other day thereafter). These Happy Face Yoga exercises aimed to enlarge and strengthen muscles, to give a firmer, toned, younger looking face.

Sixteen women did all the exercises for 20 weeks. Two blinded (not blind) dermatologists looked at before and after photos, without realising which was which, using standardised aging scales.

The raters found that upper cheek and lower cheek fullness was significantly enhanced by the exercises and women who looked 50.8 years at the start looked just 48.1 years after 20 weeks of gurning.

If you can lose three years in 20 weeks, could you look like a baby again after 20 years of Happy Face Yoga? Only time, and longer, more independent studies will tell.

This was co-authored by Mr Happy Face Yoga himself, Gary Sikorski, who was no doubt delighted with the results.

On his website, he boasts: “Happy Face Yoga works – and we have the science to prove it” – as well as three competitively priced exercise programmes.

However, there was no control group in the study, so even though the women were apparently highly satisfied with the results and noticed improvement in nearly all their facial areas, we can’t be sure it was the Gary’s gurning that caused it. As with all your muscles, from your pelvic floor to your face, the more you use them, the more they firm up.

I say pucker up and squeeze everything you’ve got, at least five times a day. No amount of cosmetic surgery can transform a face, and the faces of those around you, as much as a simple smile. And it’s free.

Dr Phil is performing in Frome on April 15th and Bristol on April 29th www.drphilhammond.com PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Plop the Raindrop

WHAT do you call a raindrop with a big bum? Plum bum!

What do you call one who is fat? A splat!

What do you call one who is thin? A drip!

What do you call one who is a twit? Fart face!

Actually, not all of this is true. I’d like to say we are never nasty to each other – but there are limits. Imagine you were all crowded together in your classroom for a whole week without going home at all! Do you think you might get a bit ratty?

We water droplets are often stuck together, floating on clouds or bobbing around in the bottom of your toilet. So we need to stay friends with each other, be kind to each other and make sure we don’t fall out, especially if we’re stuck inside a whale or in a glacier for years and years.

I got very ratty once when I was stuck at a sewage farm, but it didn’t do any good. I just upset all my friends so they were horrible to me for ages.

We do have other ways of dealing with very smelly places or boredom – we can hibernate.

Sometimes we sleep for hundreds and hundreds of years. But you can’t really do that, can you?

We have to go where water flows, so we can’t really complain or choose any sort of alternative. If we’re floating in an ice-berg, we’re there until it melts. If we’re stuck in a cloud, we’re there until it rains.

You can make choices! Think of three things that you’d like to do if you’re bored. What’s your favourite game? Do you enjoy making patterns with numbers? (Adults call that maths). What made you laugh today?

If your room is a complete mess, it could be good to tidy it up, especially if it makes your mum happy. Who knows what you might find? I know a girl who found a box of biscuits and sweets under her bed. They were left over from the Midnight Feast she and her friends had shared on New Year’s Eve. And she didn’t find it until LAST WEEK! Some of the sweets were still wrapped up so probably still OK to eat – but she’s lucky the mice didn’t find them first. Or perhaps they did – how can you tell if mice have been in your house?

But I digress. Another difference between us is that water droplets are indestructible and will live forever, so we have no need to worry about time – or anything else. But we don’t grow up – we’re a bit like Peter Pan, I suppose.

Whereas, in no time, you will be grown up and have no idea how water droplets live. Only children can know that.

And you might get to be as boring as grown-ups if you are not careful. Is there anything else that you think kids do better than adults? When do kids turn into adults?

In the meantime, you can listen to us and follow what we have to say. You can hear our messages in the sounds that we make.

Plop: chill out and relax.

Trickle: what about a walk or a bike ride?

Roar: score a sensational goal!!

Mendip Grandad

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How to handle food cravings

HEALTH & FAMILY

FOOD cravings are those overwhelming desires for a specific food. Differing from hunger, which can be satisfied by just about any food, cravings are a continuous calling regardless of a full or grumbling belly.

Generally, craved foods share a high-fat, high-calorie make-up along with a low showing of protein and fibre.

Can’t get chocolate off your mind? You are definitely not alone. Chocolate is one of the most craved foods in Western society, followed by ice cream, salty snacks and baked treats.

Combating cravings isn’t an easy task. However there are multiple approaches to consider to this challenge, according to Balance Lifestyle and Fitness in Timsbury.

Exercising can decrease food cravings, which is a positive for those combining efforts of exercise and diet for weight loss. This was shown in both fit and obese women performing 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise.

Is giving into cravings that bad? Maybe, if the quantity and frequency are excessive. The coveted “cheat” meal is ok, but just a small serving of ice cream (with a drizzle of chocolate sauce) and not the entire carton!

They suggest finding alternatives or modifications that will appease those cravings, so instead of chocolate consider a bowl of strawberries with a smear of chocolate sauce, just enough to experience and savour the flavour.

Details: www.balancelifestyleand fitness.co.uk

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Expert help

SALLY Davies, VODDER MLD CDT. RGN is a specialised local practitioner based in East Pennard who can perform a gentle type of skin massage as part of any lymphoedema treatment, with the aim of encouraging any extra lymph fluid to move away from a swollen or damaged area so it can drain normally.

If you think Sally can help you, contact her on 01749 860356 or by email: sallydavies469@hotmail.com

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Sally Davies VODDER MLD DLT. RGN

Telephone: 01749 860356 www.mlduk.org.uk Email: sallydavies469@hotmail.com PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Single and looking for a social life . . . then join SPA

An enthusias c and friendly group of single people who enjoy organised events For more informa on go to www.spasinglesocialgroup.co.uk email: spasocialgroup@gmail.com Or contact Jackie – 01458 840958

Marathon woman

TURNING 40 can be daunting for most but mum-of-two Emily Denham has decided to celebrate her big birthday with something really extraordinary.

The Head of Learning Disabilities for Sirona care & health plans to run Emily training not one marathon but six in six days in Lanzarote across the Sahara desert. And for every day of the multi-stage event she needs to beat camels to the finishing tape while carrying all her kit including food and water.

“I am no athlete,” she laughs, “I used to be the fat one bunking off PE but over recent years I’ve realised life is what you make of it and make of it you must. So I’ve done a bit of running for a while now and wanted to challenge myself to something really extraordinary for my looming 40th birthday.”

Emily will be taking part in the Marathon des Sables (MdS) known as the Marathon of the Sands and will be raising money for the Sirona Foundation, the charitable arm of Sirona. She said: “It’s billed as the toughest foot race on earth, it’s all about getting back to basics – eat, sleep, run, repeat. I can’t wait. I am most excited about the night of the ‘long stage’, where we will have to complete 50 miles in 24 hours. We’re due a full moon, and the thought of running in that environment, with the moon and stars gives me goose bumps”.

She has been training for nearly two years including on sand dunes in Lanzarote which involved sleeping in the crater of a volcano on one night as that simulates Sahara conditions: “It’s been tough and I know it’s going to be tough in the desert but I’m also enjoying it and want to use the experience to benefit local charities.

“Within the Learning Disability service in Sirona we have a hydro pool and we are fundraising for a new hoisting system which costs £25,000 so I’m hoping to be able to contribute to that.”

She is also raising money for Fair Frome and Springboard Nursery in Chippenham. But that’s not all – she is also challenging her colleagues at Sirona, a not-for-profit social enterprise providing health and care services across South Gloucestershire, parts of Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset to get involved too.

Emily, who lives in Frome, has challenged people to run, walk, crawl, hop or shuffle 26.2, 50 or 100 miles from March 1 to March 31. She said: It’s open to everyone with the £20 entry fee boosting the fundraising and it will be fun for everyone to have a go at their own pace. It’s going to be an adventure for all of us.

“Working in learning disability services is a privilege.

Every day we get to work with people making the most of every opportunity. I think doing things that challenge us is good for us, I am hoping that my colleagues will join me outside of their usual comfort zones.”

This year’s MdS runs from April 8 to April 16. To donate visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/emilydenham1?V iew+your+page=View+your+page

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Dementia-friendly Shepton Mallet

SHEPTON Mallet is stepping up its efforts to become a dementiafriendly community that supports and helps those living with memory difficulties.

The town now has a Dementia Action Alliance which was formed by a number of people who initially came together through events last year to showcase the care and support available in Shepton for people with dementia, their families and carers.

The DAA wants to create a number of local “Dementia Champions” and a strong network of “Dementia Friends” as well as working with other local organisations and looking at issues such as transport in the town and surrounding villages.

DAA meetings are to be held on March 14th and March 20th – see our What’s On listings for details.

• Rented self contained, en suite accommodation for the active elderly • A home cooked 3 course mid-day meal • 24 hour emergency cover • Lift to first floor & sitting room • Independent living within private community • Close to the centre of a thriving, picturesque village • Spacious landscaped gardens • Friendly, home from home • Activities and outings • Guest accommodation • Views of the Mendip Hills • Welcome to people of any faith or none • Charges are fully inclusive For news on current vacancies please contact the Resident Warden 01934 843746 • warden.sewell@btconnect.com Sewell House, Belmont Road Winscombe BS25 1LQ www.sewellhouse.org.uk

Sewell House is managed by Sidcot Friends Housing Society Ltd – a not-for-profit organisation

COURT HOUSE A beautiful Georgian Retirement Home set in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word

The Manager – Chris Dando 01934 742131 chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 63

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Grants available

HINKLEY Point C Community Fund Small Grants Programme, which is managed by Somerset Community Foundation, is open to applications from charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises and the next deadline to apply is Friday March 2nd.

Organisations or community groups with an annual income of less than £100,000 are encouraged to apply and successful applicants can expect to benefit from grants of up to £5,000 for projects, measures or initiatives that help to mitigate impacts from the construction of Hinkley Point C in their community. ● EDF Energy has donated £5,000 to the foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign, which encourages pensioners to donate their Winter Fuel Payment to help those in need. There is still a little way to go before the appeal reaches its target of £100,000 to help 500 older people this winter.

Cashing in for cancer trust

Pictured (l to r), Paul Jenkins, Katie Crossey and president John Murphy

THE Wrington Vale Rotary Club’s third Charity Casino Night held at Thatchers Cider was once again a huge success, raising over £8,000 for charity.

This year the main beneficiary will be the Teenage Cancer Trust with the balance being distributed to other charities which Rotary supports. In total this brings the amount raised for charitable causes over the last three years to around £20,000 A total of 248 guests enjoyed cocktails, an excellent meal, dancing and using their “fun money” to play roulette and blackjack over tables presided over by professional croupiers.

A cheque of £4,000 was presented to Katie Crossey of the Teenage Cancer Trust on the night by Rotary president John Murphy supported by Paul Jenkins, the event’s principle organiser.

Rose’s award

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

ROSE Jones, a student at Nailsea School, won second prize in the senior age group of Rotary’s Young Photographer award. She was presented with a gift voucher and certificate by the Rotary District 1100 Governor, Alan Hudson.

Help with bereavement

Dorothy House Hospice Care Tea @ 3 group

MENDIP District Council has launched the End Loneliness in Mendip campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the support available for older people who might be feeling lonely.

The council is working alongside a number of leading local health and wellbeing service providers, including Health Connections Mendip, Somerset Public Health and Mendip general practices.

Each month the campaign highlights different services that might support people if they are feeling lonely. The current focus is on support services for those who have been bereaved.

One of the local organisations supporting the campaign is Dorothy House Hospice Care. Spokesman, Wayne de Leeuw, said: “Losing a loved one can be an extremely difficult time in someone's life and if the person who dies is a spouse or partner the grief you experience may be magnified by the loneliness that is felt after they have gone.

“Unless they want to, no-one should have to face bereavement alone and there are organisations, including Dorothy House Hospice Care, who may be able to help.

“The important message is that not all of the support available will suit all people. It may be that one-to-one counselling with an organisation such as We Hear You is useful for some, but for others it may be contacting Cruse or attending a bereavement support group like Coffee, Care and Cake in Frome.

“At the hospice we try and offer the families and carers of patients we have supported similar options and so we have a drop-in bereavement support group in our outreach centres on Sundays, one-to-one counselling with our volunteer counsellors or drop-in support when people just need to have someone to talk to.

“These services are specifically for people whose family we cared for, but even if we were not involved, don't feel that you need to cope alone. Contact national support organisations such as the Good Grief Trust www.thegoodgrieftrust.org.uk who will be able to find local support to meet your own unique needs.

“Or call Health Connections who can signpost you to services in the community 01373 468368 or visit their website for more information www.healthconnectionsmendip.org You may be surprised at just how much support could be available to you during this time.”

Details: www.endlonelinessinmendip.org.uk

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COMMUNITY

Delegates at an event to discuss possible uses of the barn visit the site

Bishop’s Barn winners announced

WELLS Recreation Ground Trust has announced the winners of its first Into the BARN scheme.

The trust offered the use of the historic barn and surrounding recreation ground for free to locally-based groups, organisations and individuals for community-related events. Ten projects have now been selected, ranging from theatre productions to a beer festival.

Trustees are also in discussions with several other theatre companies and organisations keen to work within the barn. As well as raising up to £2,600 for The Bishop’s Barn development fund the scheme aims to provide new cultural and community opportunities in Wells.

Councillor John Parham, chair of the Wells Recreation Ground Trust said: “This is a great opportunity for Wells and one we hope will be embraced by the community and bring new life, ideas and events to rejuvenate a building already rich with a great history.”

The trust is currently in the process of applying to Heritage Lottery Fund for re-development and renovation of the medieval barn and grounds and putting forward a business and funding

Russell Lilliford, from the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust, explains the barn’s history to the visitors

plan demonstrating local partnerships and community commitment to the barn.

This August also marks the 130th anniversary of a celebration event thanking Bishop Lord Arthur Hervey for his gift – giving the recreation grounds and Bishop’s Barn to the people of Wells as a space for recreation and amusement.

The ten winners are: • A week-long professional theatre production of Macbeth by SouthBay Productions in October • A free family Mayday and peace celebration organised by Wells Labour Party • A Party in the Park-style event by Bekabar, including live music and possibly a ceilidh in August • The Craft Unit will transform the barn into a craft space for a week with work produced by artists with learning disabilities or who experience marginalisation • Wells Theatre Festival launches in 2018 and will use The Bishop’s Barn as one of the core venues for this new festival • Wells City Lions will host a three-day beer and cider festival featuring the very best regional produce with local music

Some of the winners of the first Into the BARN competition with Jane Sharp (Mendip District Council) and trustees Roy Mackenzie and Celia Wride

For more information, visit: thebishopsbarn.wordpress.com Facebook @thebishopsbarn or email thebishopsbarn@gmail.com

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 65

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Carnival royalty and organisers with representatives of the organisations who received donations on the night

Carnival says thank you

MORE than a dozen donations have been made to local organisations by Castle Cary and Ansford Carnival Association from their collections during last year’s processions.

Amongst the groups to benefit were Castle Cary Scouts, St John’s Ambulance and Castle Cary Museum. Galhampton Village Hall, local officers from Avon and Somerset Police and Castle Cary Fire Station also received donations.

The presentations were made in front of a large audience in the hall of Ansford Academy. For the first time, students from the school – and from the town’s primary school – took part in their own right in carnival. Last year the carnival celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Gemma Potter, from Castle Cary Cygnet Majorettes, receives a cheque on behalf of the dancers

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Carnival queen Lyla Mae Bailey and attendant Liam Blackwell present a cheque to Toy Box Pre-School

Roy Higgins (left) from Castle Cary Scout Group and David Lawrence, from the carnival association, with carnival royalty Lyla Mae and Liam

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COMMUNITY

Grant is in the post

(Photo courtesy of Caroline True)

The shop has been open since 2009

VOLUNTEERS and staff who run the community shop, post office and café in Mells were given some further good news when they attended a function to thank them for their efforts.

Shop chairman Rob Waller took advantage of the 50-plus gathering at Mells Manor to announce a grant worth £20,500 from the Post Office Community Fund.

The fund offers investment for postmasters to support the growth and long-term viability of their business. Rob said it was

Volunteers wanted at palace

THE search is on for 12 people who have some time to spare and would like to volunteer at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells.

Volunteer co-ordinator, Siobhan Goodwin, said volunteers make a vital contribution: “They are so dedicated and hard working. With our busiest time of year approaching we would like to welcome a dozen more volunteers into our friendly team.

“There is always plenty to do here but we would particularly like to hear from people who have some time to spare at weekends. It is a great way to gain skills Volunteer Pete makes coffee

And the winner is: Rob Waller (far right) announces the news of the grant to the thank you party at Mells Manor

“a vote of confidence from the Post Office in Mells Village Shop.”

The grant will be used to transform the shop interior with a new open-plan format for the post office counter, increased retail counter space, new shelving and a contribution towards new chillers and a freezer which will in part be paid for by fundraising.

The community-run facility – opened by celebrity chef Mary Berry – has catered for residents of Mells and surrounding villages since its opening in 2009 as well as serving as a social hub for tourists and visitors.

and experience if you are just starting out into the world of work, trying to build

your CV, or simply feel that you’re at a stage in your life when you have time to give something back.”

The team gets together throughout the year for social events and training.

Mavis, who has been volunteering at the palace every week for the last seven years, said she loves meeting people from all over the world: “I enjoy sharing my love of the palace and hearing the wonderful comments from visitors particularly about our gardens.”

There will be two drop-in sessions in the Stableyard room at the palace for anyone interested in finding out more.

Just pop in any time on Sunday February 25th, 2-4pm or Monday February 26th, 10am-12noon.

Details: siobhan.goodwin@bishopspalace.org.uk or call 01749 988111 ext 202 www.bishopspalace.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 67

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Put through their PACEs

PACE members meet staff in the Frome Town Hall reception

FROME Town Council has hosted a visit by members of the town’s Personal Achievement & Creative Experience disability group at the town hall.

PACE is a social group for people with disabilities and they visited the town hall to test-drive the facilities and produce an accessibility review.

Mayor Sheila Gore said: “Many members of PACE are wheelchair users and as part of the wider 'Access For All' campaign, led by Fair Frome, they have been testing accessibility around Frome.

“We invited them to check out access around the town hall.

Their feedback will be incredibly valuable for us and help us in our continuing improvements. The town hall is a widelyused community space so it’s important that it works for everyone.”

Carol Harper, co-ordinator of PACE, said: “All the PACE members had a very interesting and productive day at the town hall completing the accessibility review, which had a very positive outcome.”

Park life – 2018-style!

A SERIES of fun events has been announced to encourage more community use of Shepton Mallet’s Collett Park.

The weekly “park run” is already a huge success but the aim is to make the area even more family-friendly.

An Easter “eggstravaganza” on Saturday, March 31st, a fun run and sports day on Sunday, July 8th and a day-long music festival at the end of July are already being planned by the team behind the Collett Park Café.

This year’s Collett Festival community event takes place on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th.

Ian and Jo Murray have reopened the café for the new season

For details, visit: www.collettparkcafe.com

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Village opens its own shop

The Farmborough Community Shop management committee celebrate the commencement of the groundworks for the new community shop

AFTER six years of planning and fundraising, Farmborough Community Shop became a reality on Thursday January 25th when two purpose-built modular buildings were lifted into place behind Farmborough Memorial Hall by a 95-tonne crane.

Since their arrival, the modules have been covered with cedar cladding to soften the visual impact and help them blend into the local surroundings. Works are set to continue apace over the next couple of months, with the installation of airconditioning and the connection of utility services, plus landscaping around the shop to allow level access.

The shop will then be fitted and stocked, a shop manager appointed, and volunteers trained. If everything goes to plan, the community shop will open in May with a grand opening ceremony and celebratory cream tea afternoon.

The new community shop will be managed by a paid member of staff and run by volunteers from the local area. It will stock a combination of household essentials and occasional treats, including local alternatives that are not commonly available in most general stores or nearby supermarkets.

By popular request, there will also be a seating area for shoppers and visitors to take a break or to meet up for a cup of tea/coffee and a slice of home-made cake.

In advance of the shop opening, a farmers’ market is being held on February 25th in the Farmborough Memorial Hall from 11am to 2pm. The market will showcase local food from around the area and everyone will be welcome to go along and provide feedback on items that could be stocked in the new shop.

Management committee chairman, Mark Swabey, said: “The creation of a new shop in Farmborough has been a long time coming and has only been possible thanks to the tireless work of the management committee, the support of local residents who have invested over £26,000 to become members of the shop, grants of over £83,000 from the LEADER programme and £30,000 from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, and a donation of £10,000 from Blue Cedar homes.

“In total, £163,000 has been raised to build the shop, through grant applications, donations, events, and community funding.

The committee would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported this project along the way and we look forward to welcoming everyone to your new community-run shop in the spring.”

Details: info@farmboroughshop.co.uk

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COMMUNITY

Potato Day has community at its roots

AMONGST the potato tubers, packets of vegetable and flower seeds and onion and garlic sets on sale at Somerset Potato Day in Castle Cary were the first shoots of a pioneering new project to offer practical support to anyone affected by cancer.

Members of a group called Macmillan Help About – part of Macmillan Cancer Support – were promoting what they call a community resilience scheme, connecting volunteers willing to do anything from gardening and dog walking to shopping – or simply having a chat over a cuppa – to people in the Shepton Mallet, Castle Cary, Bruton, Wincanton and Queen Camel areas.

Macmillan Help About supports carers and family members affected by cancer as well as someone with a diagnosis. To access the service people need to be registered with one of the following GP surgeries: Millbrook Surgery (Castle Cary), Grove House Surgery (Shepton Mallet), Park Medical Partnership (Shepton Mallet and Evercreech), Oakhill Surgery, Wincanton Health Centre, Bruton Surgery or Queen Camel Medical Centre.

Shepton Mallet-based GP Amelia Randle, based at the Park practice, said: “We were invited by Pennard Plants, organisers of the Potato Day, to come here to talk to people about the service; it’s a perfect opportunity to show how healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle can help everyone, not just those affected by cancer.”

John with daughters Elsie (left) and Isla choosing seeds

(l:r) Kate Hill, Cathy Adkins and Amelia Randle at the Somerset Potato Day at Caryford Community Hall

The group has around 15 trained volunteers so far with people offering just a few hours to make a difference. Macmillan Cancer Support was founded in Castle Cary by local resident Douglas Macmillan in 1911.

Spuds you like: a wide range of specialist seed potatoes were on offer

To find out more, call 07793 241147 or email: helpabout@macmillan.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 69

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Treasures in our local museums

A LARGE number of Mendip caves have yielded fossil and archaeological material, dating from before Britain was inhabited by humans, With PHILIP to modern times, if we HENDY include the caves explored and exploited by miners.

Many of the finds which are currently known to exist are lodged in various museums around the country, although inevitably much is in storage, as given the range of cultures and history, such cave material can only be given limited exhibition space.

Sadly, a lot of bones and artefacts have been lost over the years, through the disposal of the private collections of antiquarians and other means. Much of the collection held by the University of Bristol Speleological Society was destroyed in a bombing raid during the war.

Valuable material from Aveline’s Hole, dating to the Mesolithic period, was lost, although the society still has an impressive collection. This is not available to the general public, but there are several other museums in the region holding collections of material from Mendip.

The Museum of Somerset at Taunton is dedicated to all aspects of life and history in the county and so Mendip cave finds constitute only a small part of the display.

Some flint knives, blades and scrapers from Gough’s Cave are shown, together with a replica of one of the perforated bone “batons de commandement” and

bones altered by humans.

Animal bones from Banwell Bone Cave, Bleadon and Hutton Caverns, and Sandford Hill caves are also on show.

These include lion, hyaena, reindeer, woolly rhino, bison, wolf, wolverine bear, Steppe mammoth and wild horse. These species are now extinct or not seen in this country, although some, such as otter, fox and hare are still present.

The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery has an even wider remit, although flints from Gough’s Cave are on display, with a Bronze gold ornament and Iron Age bowl from Tom Tivey’s Hole. The fragment of a jadeite axe from Ebbor may not have come from a cave, although there is a replica of an Iron Age bowl from Rowberrow Cavern.

The museum also shows examples of stalagmitic formations from Mendip caves

Bear skull, Badger Hole

Skull cup, Gough’s Cave

– these were generally salvaged before the caves were destroyed by quarrying.

At the western end of Mendip, Weston Museum was completely refurbished and reopened in 2017. There is a splendid gallery starting with local geology and fossils, passing through time to end at a magnificent Roman mosaic. The caves featured here are Banwell Bone Cave and the caves of Uphill Quarry, now mostly quarried away.

Banwell Bone Cave was discovered by miners in 1825, and was found to be almost filled with the remains of prehistoric animals from 80 to 55 thousand years ago. The cave was excavated by William Beard, a farmer at Wint Hill near Banwell. He removed most of the more interesting bones, leaving the leg bones of mainly deer and bison stacked around the walls.

Some of the bones found their way into museums and Weston has bison bones including a horn core, and the bones of wolf and bear, next to a portrait of Beard framed by some of the bones.

Uphill caves yielded flint tools from 40,700 to 30,700 years ago, together with contemporary bones of birds and animal bones gnawed by hyaenas, together with their coprolites (fossil poo).

Wells and Mendip Museum devotes itself mainly to Mendip and its environs, with the cave exhibits largely excavated by its founder, H.E. Balch. This tireless man dug in many local caves during his long lifetime and is credited with being instrumental in the discovery of Swildon’s Hole and Eastwater Cavern at Priddy.

His archaeological work included

Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing severa

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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(Photograph by Phil Hendy)

Wookey Hole and associated caves and the small caves and shelters in Ebbor Gorge.

The most famous exhibit is the partial skeleton of the ‘Witch of Wookey’, dated to the late Iron Age or early RomanoBritish period.

A mammoth tusk and bear skull from Badger Hole are on display and the visitor can also see exhibits featuring local geology and minerals, plus mining relics.

An associated exhibition, Netherworld of Mendip, gives an excellent insight into the cavers’ world, where the history of Mendip caving is explained, with insights into digging for caves, and cave diving.

Mendip’s two showcaves also have exhibitions. The Museum of Prehistory at Cheddar is devoted mainly to Late Upper Palaeolithic finds in Gough’s Cave, together with the cannibalised human bones and skull cups from around 14,500 years ago. Cheddar Man, approximately 9,500 years old is also featured.

The actual skeleton is held at the Natural History Museum in London, but Cheddar has an excellent facsimile, and a tableau depicting his burial and later discovery.

There is also a display of the kind of tools and artefacts used by the prehistoric hunter-gatherers, and in the summer months, re-enactors demonstrate flint knapping and fire lighting, with other skills of the time.

Cave diving began at Wookey Hole in 1935, so appropriately, there is a fine exhibition there showing the equipment used, from the early hard-hat and lead boot diving dress (fed with air by a hand pump) to the latest multi-gas scuba gear.

There is also a well-presented Prehistory

CAVING

Cave diver, Wells

Flint tools, Gough’s Cave

museum, featuring bones and artefacts from Wookey Hole and nearby caves, from Pleistocene animals, through the Palaeolithic hunter-gathers via the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages to the Roman occupation.

Although some exhibits are reproductions, most are the actual finds, and confirm Wookey Hole and its ravine as being of international importance.

Not everyone can, or wants, to go caving, and very few are lucky enough to make an archaeological discovery.

The displays in our local museums therefore give everyone the chance to experience at least some of the thrills of exploration and discovery, and to marvel at the wide variety of wildlife that our region was once home to, and the skill of the prehistoric people who lived here.

everal caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 71

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We’ve got it covered Mendip Times Distribution Points

= Mendip Times Distribution area

Mendip Times is available from over 800 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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PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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MOTORING

Car fans have a heart

For servicing, repairs and sales of all makes of caravans and motorhomes

Members of the White Cottage Restaurant defibrillator group receive their cheque for £250

ORGANISERS of the annual Bridgwater Classic and Vintage Club show have presented cheques to two communities raising funds to install defibrillators.

The show traditionally raises funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance but other charities also benefit.

This year it was the turn of the White Cottage Restaurant at West Huntspill and the Lighthouse pub in Burnham-on-Sea which are both hoping to install the potentially life-saving equipment. ● The club’s main show takes place in August at the Bridgwater Morganians ground.

(Photos courtesy of Mike Lang)

Julie Plested with the Lighthouse’s fundraising thermometer – it also received £250

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Local family retire with the fruits of their labour!

THE renowned Chew Valley Fruit Farm has come on the market for the first time.

The Mellish family, latterly of Ham Farm, in Bishop Sutton had a house built on their land in Bonhill Road in Bishop Sutton back in 1952.

Initially the property and land were run as a dairy farm and diversified into soft fruit with strawberries and raspberries in the early 1960s. Over the next 15 years or

so the family ran a small dairy herd and fruit farm offering cream teas using their own fruit and cream.

By the mid-1970s the farm was supplying fruit to the Bath and Bristol markets, until Pick Your Own came in during the 1980s. The cream teas continued and latterly the orchards have produced many a bottle of fruit juice.

Malcom and Marie have now decided

Details: Sharon Everett 01934 864307

PROPERTY

to take a well-earned retirement and hence the sale of the farm.

The farm is being sold by auction at Mendip Springs Golf Club in Congresbury. Auctioneer, Richard Nancekivell, expects a busy night with various lots of land and property for sale including two building plots at Nailsea and West Harptree and a house and garden at Tickenham.

W

NE

Clu,on, Chew Valley • Guide Price £325,000

EXCEPTIONAL DETACHED HOUSE! Beau+fully presented and up-to-date 3 bedroom detached house with south facing garden, drive, parking and garage. Si-ng room with woodburner, contemporary kitchen, en suite and cloakroom. Conservatory and u+lity room. Gas central hea+ng and double glazing. EPC: D. Ref: 25464

Loxton, West Mendips • Guide Price £665,000

DETACHED HOUSE IN GLORIOUS POSITION WITH 3.91 ACRES! An interes+ng ¾ bedroom house in super rural loca+on with stunning southerly views. Located up a private drive with large gardens, orchard, stables, agricultural building and land. The interior has an ‘arts and cra s’ atmosphere with high ceilings and large windows taking full advantage of the posi+on. EPC: G Ref: 25397

FOR SALE BY AUCTION W

Hinton Blewe,, Chew Valley • Guide Price £385,000

FOUR BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE IN RURAL VILLAGE. Excellent value equidistant Bristol and Bath in quiet village in Chew Valley School catchment. A detached four bedroom house. Si-ng room, dining room, kitchen, conservatory, bathroom, cloaks and en suite. Former double garage and parking, sheltered secure garden. Some upda+ng required.EPC:D Ref: 25415

(unless sold prior – March 2018)

NE

Bishop Su,on, Chew Valley • Guide Price £750,000

Former Chew Valley fruit farm with detached house, detached flat, substan+al outbuildings & land. Located on the outskirts of Bishop Su,on and offering huge poten+al. In all 6.71 acres. For sale as a whole or in three lots. EPCs: G & E Ref: 25464

Cheddar Village, Somerset • Guide Price £180,000

A detached one bedroom co,age located in the older part of the village.

Kitchen and dining room, si-ng room with woodburner, double bedroom, bathroom and adjoining workshop. Parking to the front and small courtyard garden. EPC; F Ref: 25463.

Tickenham, Nr. Bristol • Guide Price £520,000

A superb opportunity to acquire a detached house in this pres+gious loca+on. A detached dormer house occupying gardens of over half an acre and commanding southerly views over Nailsea, beyond to Brockley Woods. The property does require modernisa+on and extension (subject to pp), and currently has three bedrooms, two recep+ons. Plenty of space and parking. EPC: G Ref: 25455

Wrington 01934 864300 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 75

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Lodestone Property – passionate about Somerset WHAT is the attraction of living in Somerset and in particular, the Mendip area?

That is a question often asked by the team at Lodestone Property, based in Bruton – not of themselves, but their clients – and the reason why it is posed is a clue to their astonishing growth over the past 17 months since it was launched by good friends Sue Macey and Cathy MorrisAdams.

Lodestone believes that the reason many people choose to live in Somerset is because of the lifestyle. So they often ask vendors what it is that they find attractive about the area in which they live. That profile is often a compelling selling point about their property, whether it’s the village school, shop or pub – or even the relatively easy commute to London.

What is more, Lodestone has a team of viewing staff who have a specialist knowledge that often cannot be beaten – they live or have grown up in the area they serve which has proved invaluable to applicants who are viewing their houses. Sue said: “Having a team of competent, knowledgeable and mature viewing staff allows our officebased team to look after the needs of our clients, to respond quickly to emails and phone calls whilst getting a real understanding of what people want when they are looking to buy or let a house.”

It’s a business model which appears to be working well and allows Lodestone to cover a wide geographical area, although

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

PROPERTY

Cathy (far left) and Sue (far right) with the Lodestone team – they’re based in the iconic former signal box at Bruton railway station

its core is still centred on Mendip. They are marketing houses from £250,000 to £6.25m as well as a wide range of lettings.

One of its biggest projects to date has been to market the pioneering Cubis development on the edge of Bruton with three of the low energy, efficient properties reserved already.

Lodestone is also as good as its word about supporting the communities in which the team lives and works. It supports the Wells Festival of Literature, Wells Comedy Festival and Frome Festival, amongst others. ● Lodestone Property has been entered in the south west finals of the prestigious Estate Agent of the Year Awards, for its client feedback. The shortlist is due to be announced on Thursday, March 1st.

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New bathroom and tile showroom

Page 77

IT'S a new year and spring is fast approaching so why not treat yourself to a new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom with the help of Firenza's friendly team?

Join them from 9am on Saturday April 7th for the grand opening of their new bathroom and tile showroom in South Road, Midsomer Norton.

They already have a small range of bathrooms and tiles in their existing kitchen, bedroom and bathroom showroom on Radstock Road, but say they are excited to announce the opening of a second Firenza showroom.

This will give them the opportunity to showcase additional products, giving their customers more options to choose from.

They will have a variety of beautiful porcelain and ceramic wall and floor tiles on display which will be available to order, along with tile accessories such as tile trims, grout and adhesive which you can pick up and take away the same day.

Stunning bathroom displays will demonstrate the numerous options on offer, from shower baths to walk-in showers, his and hers basins to vanity units with semi-recessed basins, plus fitted bathroom furniture to streamline your bathroom and conceal all those annoying dust-collecting nooks and crannies.

They also look forward to seeing you for a beautiful display of Crown and Firenza kitchens at their original showroom.

HOMES & INTERIORS

NEW BATHROOM & TILE SHOWROOM Opposite South Road car park, Midsomer Norton

GRAND OPENING Saturday 7th April from 9am AND WE ARE STILL AT: The existing Firenza Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms showroom Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2AD T: 01761 419114 • E: enquiries@firenzaltd.co.uk • W: www.firenzaltd.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018 • PAGE 77

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Things are looking up . . .

Outreach worker – Jason in action with David Coles Chimney Services in Street

BIRD guards and other measures to deter our feathered friends from nesting in chimneys do not have to look unattractive, says Jason

Beasley, who runs Jason Beasley Access.

Some of his latest installations would not look out of place in the garden as supports for plants!

February has been a hectic month for Jason and his team and not just with bird guards and cowls – Jason also works alongside tree surgeons and other specialists who require high level access, especially when it comes to some awkward-to-reach areas. ● To see more examples of Jason’s work, find Jason Beasley Cherrypicker Hire on Facebook.

Repair or replace

THE All Glass and Locks team are fully trained to have the expertise and skills to be able to provide a wide range of repairs, services and maintenance to windows, doors and locks, including an emergency board-up service, in your office or home.

Misted double-glazed units can be replaced easily and immediately improve the look of your home. Hinges, handles and locks, if looked after with adjustment and special grease, can last longer avoiding replacement or even security issues.

But if parts have already failed they can be repaired by them rather than your whole window – saving you time and money.

They specialise particularly in sash window repairs and take pride in making each window look as good as they did when they were first installed.

If you require further information about the services they offer then give them a call or send an email for a free no obligation quote.

HOMES & INTERIORS

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PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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HOMES & INTERIORS THE WAY THEY’RE MEANT TO BE

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PICTURE an ordinary, but useful, type of horse – similar perhaps to Ross Poldark’s black cob.

Let’s call him Ned. Ned is a gentle, With RACHEL obliging chap; for THOMPSON centuries. horses like MBE him have worked in the service of mankind. In Poldark’s time, he carried Ross to town, out hunting or applied his one horse power to taking the cart to market or school, pulled the plough in the fields or the trolley in the mine, producing food and wealth.

The industrial technology driven by two world wars changed everything for horses like Ned. He and many horse types and breeds were consigned to the scrap heap in post-war Britain, overtaken by multi horsepower engines. What use is Ned in hungry, war-torn Britain. except as horse meat?

The horse has an outstanding ability to adapt to life in the service of humans. That it has survived to enjoy the diverse range of leisure, sport and working careers in 21st century Britain is due to a handful of people with vision and passion in the remaining breed and horse societies. In 1947, with amazing foresight, the Horse and Pony Club and the National Horse Association merged to become the British Horse Society. Under the leadership of Colonel, The Hon Guy Cubitt, a handful of staff and 5,000 members rose to the challenge of securing the future for our equines.

This year, the British Horse Society is celebrating 70 years, and so it should. It is Britain’s largest, best-known and most influential equine charity, commanding international respect for its work. Consider

An equine partnership at Mendip Byways and Bridleways Association’s Glastonbury Festival ride

these statistics: if Ned were alive today he would be one of 944,000 horses and Ross one of 2.7 million riders; 19 million consumers support an industry worth £4.3 billion.

The horse has adapted from (mostly) working animal to sport and leisure animal. Ned has had to sharpen up his dressage, perfect his jumping, learn to cope on busy roads and live in a livery yard. Traditional horse knowledge passed down through the generations ensured that professional grooms and country folk instinctively knew how to care for their horses – the true “nags men” of their time.

Today there are large numbers of first time horse and pony owners, many of whom need support, education and knowledge throughout their riding careers and equine partnerships.

For seven decades, the BHS has evolved with the horse, solving challenges in welfare, access and education – not only at a national level A training session for BHS members at Millfield Equestrian but at a local one at Millfield School in Street too. Look around

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

Mendip and you will find dedicated BHS volunteers and affiliated access organisations caring for local bridleways, running riding clubs offering opportunities to socialise, train and compete and serving on the county committee dedicated to welfare, education, road safety and access.

Learning to ride or want to improve?

The BHS operates an approval system for local riding schools and offers a wide range of professional qualifications to ensure that instructors are properly trained. Approved livery yards ensure that horses and owners are supported from initial purchase, care, management, welfare and end of life planning. Go to www.bhs.org.uk for a mine of information.

The British Horse Society is here for all of us. A Somerset committee member told me “good horse welfare is dependent on people having the right knowledge so, as an organization, we deal with people – because people have the capacity to ensure that horses and ponies are respected, protected and enjoyed by those who are knowledgeable and caring.”

But most important of all, for 70 years the society has been here for Ned. Happy Birthday BHS.

(Photography courtesy of True To You Photography)

The survival of Ned

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Youngsters on home turf

Turf accountants – King Arthur’s pupils with Ollie McPhail (far right), programme director of Racing to School. See www.racingtoscshool.co.uk

PUPILS from King Arthur’s Community School in Wincanton were amongst the latest youngsters to enjoy a day at the races with the pioneering free education charity Racing to School.

And they were very much on home turf as the visit was to Wincanton Racecourse on the outskirts of town on its Midweek Jumps day in February.

Literacy and numeracy were amongst the subjects on the timetable as the Year 8 youngsters enjoyed a behind-thescenes tour of the course facilities – and a full day’s racing which included another victory for rising star Bryony Frost, one of the country’s leading female jockeys.

Bryony became a conditional jockey after climbing through the ranks of the pony racing and point-to-point circuits and is Bryony Frost in the winner’s being hailed as a role model enclosure with the Paul for young women in the Nicholls-trained Captain jockey world, tipped by Cattistock and stable lass Kate some as a future champion.

McCormack, from Street

Is your horse in pain or just misbehaving?

RIDING

THIS is a surprisingly common question and something many horse owners wrestle with on a regular basis, wondering “do I need to arrange a veterinary investigation to identify an underlying problem?”, or “does my horse need more rigorous training?”

There are many painful conditions that can manifest as behavioural changes making a horse difficult to handle, reluctant to work, or to resent being tacked up. The most common of these conditions tend to be bucking or napping due to joint problems such as arthritis or gastric ulcers, or even headshaking due to dental pain or neurological disease. If your horse undergoes a change in personality from very amenable to grumpy or reluctant to work, this is often an indicator that they are experiencing pain.

Before spending time, effort and money addressing behavioural issues or non-specific back pain it is always worth getting a vet to check your horse over. If a painful condition is identified many of these conditions can be treated effectively and result in the reappearance of your normal, happy horse.

To learn more about this topic and discuss your questions go along to Langford Vets’ Owners Evening on June 14th.

Details: www.langfordvets.co.uk/

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Thorn in the side

BESIDES the obvious one of it being colder there are two things that make cycling at this time of year different for me.

Firstly it’s the CYCLING increased risk of a with EDMUND LODITE puncture from sharp cuttings and thorns as hedgerows are cut. The sight or sound of tractors in the distance may be the first clue as to what may be in store further along the road.

Secondly, it is the different views.

With the trees and hedges out of foliage there are clearer views that you would never see along the same route in the summer. For example, the routes along the lanes near Regil, Butcombe and Nempnett offer fantastic views over the lakes of Blagdon and Chew Valley towards the Mendips.

Along the myriad of lanes you are unlikely to meet any traffic, but if you do it’s more likely to be a horse than a car!

Cycling on quieter roads is a more pleasant experience. However there are times when busy roads need to be used because they are faster or in a better state of repair. That puts responsibility for safety on the road with both the car driver and cyclist.

The debate about cars and bicycles on roads has been brought to the forefront recently following a proposal by Highways England to ban cyclists from a stretch of the A63, near Hull. The route is regarded as the fastest ten-mile time

New croquet season

trial course in the UK and was once used

by Bradley Wiggins in 2015.

The agency said it was seeking the ban “in the interests of road safety” after six crashes involving cyclists and vehicles in the past five years, including one fatal collision. Yet, as British Cycling point out, there have been nearly 300 crashes involving only motor vehicles along the route over the same period.

Decades ago there were fewer cars and the roads could be shared safely with bicycles. But things have changed. There are now a lot more vehicles, being driven faster, and that has fuelled a misplaced view amongst some car drivers that they have priority.

There are also some strong views about cyclists from car drivers. One of the most common is that cyclists don’t follow the rules of the road – yes, there

CAMERTON & Peasedown Croquet Club is holding a fiveweek beginners’ course starting at 2pm on Sunday, April 8th through to Sunday, May 13th.

Don’t worry if you can’t make all five Sundays, comprehensive notes are provided as well as ample time to practice already covered or missed topics with the club’s five qualified coaches. They say that by the end of the first session, you will be well into experiencing the buzz of the game.

It costs £25 for the whole course, laced with free tea or coffee, and with the use of the club’s own equipment. All they ask is that you wear flat-soled shoes, like trainers.

Many of the last year's course members are now avid players, like David Christie, who won the club’s fun-packed 64 Challenge Handicap Tournament in October that drew many from around the South West.

can be some truth in this when cyclists ignore stop signs and red lights (usually when there is no traffic).

But pedestrians do the same, car drivers commit speeding offences, or cause accidents through bad driving or by using mobile phones – what matters are how often these things happen and the relative consequences.

In cities, cycle lanes and modern traffic infrastructure alleviate the problem to some extent. But in rural areas like Mendip the reality is that both cyclists and car drivers have a shared responsibility for everybody’s safety on the road. Banning cyclists is not the answer.

Cycling in busy traffic is done out of necessity. After all, which would you rather have a view of – the back of a car or Blagdon Lake!

If, after being smitten by the new sport, you decide to join CPCC, your course fees will be fully refunded.

Details: 01225 708540 and ask for Brian or Mo or ring 01225 427525 for Ros.

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The 2018 Chew Valley 10k opens for entries

THE next Chew Valley 10k will take place on Sunday June 10th at 9.30am. This year the race HQ is at Bishop Sutton Football club, from where the race will start before following the same scenic, rural route as last year.

The 2017 Chew Valley 10k race was won by Graham Wadsworth (36:23) and the fastest female was Victoria Baker (40:48). By coincidence both runners were running in support of St Peter’s Hospice, which will again be one of the event’s main four beneficiaries, together with Blood Bikes NICU Support, Bishop Sutton Primary School Society and Chew Valley School Society.

Entry to the 2018 event costs £18.50 (or £16.50 for anyone affiliated to a running club) and includes a free technical T shirt and event medal plus a free (printable) photo download of each runner taking part in the race, as with the 2017 event.

The event is chip-timed and fully licensed by UK Athletics, with live streaming of results and a video clip of every runner finishing. As well as all the category winners’ trophies, runners can join together to enter the Team Trophy.

Ground move back on?

SPORT

Charlie Willcox goes over for Wells 1st XV to score their first try in a 22-24 defeat to Old Richians at the Haybridge training ground.

The main pitches at Charter Way were unplayable just days after the club announced the ground move was back on the agenda

PLANS by Wells Rugby Club to relocate to their training ground on the edge of the city may have moved a step closer.

Club members were told at a meeting that a possible deal was now back on the table. Officials want to move from their ground next to Wells Leisure Centre to Haybridge where they would build a new clubhouse with several pitches and other facilities. ● Former Wells Angels ladies player Sophie Peters has made her debut for Bristol Ladies in a win over Harlequins.

Wells go on the attack but lost with Old Richians scoring a penalty in the closing minutes

Details: www.chewvalley10k.co.uk

Netball star drops in

Former Team Bath England and Superleague goal attack netball player Pamela Cookey paid a visit to a Tor Netball Club training session at Strode Leisure Campus to meet members of the club's senior and junior squads and offer advice.

The Old Richians pack were larger and more powerful in the worsening conditions

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Wedmore international

SPORT Winner Jason Mathias

Peter “Wedmore Winner” Young, Tim “Tickler” Hector, “Welsh” Rob and Andre “Oh La La” Jordans

THIS year’s International Spoof Competition held at The New Inn, Wedmore, attracted entries from far and wide including Bagley, Badgworth and Barcelona.

The finalists were Jo Stafford, Mike Blod, Jason Mathias and Duncan Mannure. In last place was Mike with 16 points (and buying the beers), in third place Jo with 17 points, in second place was Duncan with 23 points, in first place was Jason Mathias from Barcelona with 24 points.

Cricket history

MIDSOMER Norton Methodist Cricket Club has recently published an updated history of their club entitled Towards 70 Years of Methodist Cricket in the Midsomer Norton Area – Memories, Statistics, Reports and Miscellaneous 1949 – 2017.

Founded by members of the former Redfield Road Methodist Church shortly after the 2nd World War, the club is well known around the Mendips and will be playing this season in Bristol & District Saturday League Division 10.

Veteran club captain, Jim Eyles, said: “I’m very pleased to report that we are still playing the game in the right spirit!”

Under team captain, Stuart Green, the players hope to give a good account of themselves again this summer.

Details: copies of the booklet (limited edition) may be obtained from the editor c/o Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street, Midsomer Norton BA3 2DR (price if posted £10).

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Helping young athletes

SOMERSET sports charity TS5C is celebrating after one of its sponsored athletes, Cameron Kurle from Glastonbury, was selected for Team Off to Oz – Glastonbury swimmer Cameron Kurle England’s Swimming Team at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

TS5C has also added three new talented athletes to its grant allocation roster.

For Cameron, who represented Team GB at the Rio Olympics, this will be his first Commonwealth Games. He said: “It means the absolute world to me to be selected for Team England at the Gold Coast. I went to Rio but that was for Great Britain, to represent England is an absolute honour. The Commonwealths are a massive thing and I am excited to go.”

The three aspiring young athletes who will now benefit from a TS5C grant are: Tristan Marshall, a 14-year-old Nordic skier champion from Wembdon, Bridgwater; Bettine Harris, also 14 and a UK champion sailor from Axbridge, and Emily Syme, 17, an England U18 footballer from Taunton.

For details about TS5C, visit: www.ts5c.org

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Blagdon

PANCAKE DAY EVENTS

Winscombe

East Harptree St James' Church

Children lining up for the pancake contest in Blagdon village club

Getting ready for one of the races

Congresbury

Youngsters enjoying a pancake tea at Blagdon village club

St Andrew's Church

Chew Stoke

Denise Stirrup, Janet Palmer and Pat Gallop serving the fillings and salads for the pancakes at Chew Stoke pancake lunch.

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Future secure for memory choir

FROME Town Council has stepped in to help a singing group which supports people in the area who experience memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Singing for the Brain was threatened with closure when the Alzheimer’s Society withdrew funding for the sessions.

Relatives and carers, together with singing teacher Emily Gerrard, decided to establish their own group, Songs for the Memory, to keep the sessions going and launched a couple of successful, small crowdfunding campaigns to fund the costs of room hire and teas and coffees at Frome Community Hospital. They also applied to the town council for financial support, which awarded them £1,000.

Songs for the Memory secretary Debbie Webster said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received in recent months and are particularly grateful to Frome Town Council for this grant.

“It really is so important to us that the group can carry on meeting, for some this is the highlight of their week and they come alive when they sing. It gives us a chance to come together and do something together, build a social network, share experiences and experience the joy of people remembering a song.”

The council’s community project officer Kate Hellard added: “The absolute determination of this group of carers

Frome mayor Sheila Gore (centre) with Songs for the Memory

already stretched in their roles looking after their loved ones has really paid off and we are so pleased to be able to support this new group as they move forward.

“Not only have they received a grant from us, but we have also been able to help with fundraising advice and support, training and a bit of help in understanding what is possible in terms of organisational structure.”

Churchill Young Musician competition CHURCHILL Music’s Young Musician of the Year competition saw eight students from Churchill Academy perform, including cello, voice, piano, clarinet and violin.

The adjudication panel chaired by international violinist, Ruth Rogers, with Alice Harper and Adrian Trapp – both accomplished musicians – expressed how high the standard of the competition was and how hard it made their jobs.

Lucy Buncombe (Yr13) won the overall prize for her vocal performances with Lucy Taylor (Yr12) winning a runner-up prize.

Prizes for the evening also included the junior trophy which went to Ella Hutchinson (Yr10) for her performance on the cello.

The audience voted for George Skeen (Yr 12). The final prize of the evening went to George Derry (Yr12) who won the Raymond Hayter Song prize.

Chris Hildrew, headteacher, said: “We’re extremely proud of all the young musicians, whose energy and enthusiasm make the night all the more special. They delivered some truly unique performances and it was a privilege to listen to them tonight.”

All the students are now invited to play at the Young Artists’ Showcase at St Georges, Bristol. Jan Murray, from Churchill

Music, said: “What a fabulous night of music-making. The standard was extremely high. We cherish our partnership with Churchill Academy, where music is such an integral part of their students’ education.”

Harmony is golden at Lions’ charity concert

THE Bristol Male Voice Choir – celebrating its 50th anniversary – will be singing in Wells in March at the latest Wells Lions Club charity concert.

Violin virtuoso Poppy McGhee, aged 13 and from Wookey, will be supporting the choir at St Cuthbert’s Church on Saturday, March 17th. Poppy received a £200 grant from the lions club towards her musical training.

The two-hour concert, starting at 7.30pm, will feature

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more than a dozen classic male voice choir songs, performed by more than 40 voices singing in four-part harmony. Proceeds will go to Children’s Hospice South West. ● Tickets for the concert – sponsored by Bowleys Garage and The Square – are now on sale priced £15 for the centre pews and £10 for a side seat. For tickets, telephone 01458 210926, or email millerburt@btinternet.com.

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First concert of the year

SING Your Heart Out have returned from their Christmas break and are busily preparing for their next concert in March.

In October, they joined the U3A ukulele group Crazy for Uke for a concert to raise money for the “loo fund” for St Andrew's Church in Holcombe.

The Christmas period was as busy as ever and saw the choir carol singing at various venues and events including Whitehaven Care Home in Westfield, the Memory Café at St John's Church and Christmas fairs at Radstock Museum and St Vigor & St John Primary School.

The singers also enjoyed providing entertainment at the Farmborough Floral Arts Group's Christmas party, and joining with the Mendip Brass Band for the candlelit carol service at St John's Church in Chilcompton.

Sing Your Heart Out's next concert is on Saturday March 3rd at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, fundraising for Beat, a charity close to the choir's heart, which provides support for eating disorder sufferers and their loved ones.

They will be performing popular songs from Abba, Queen, Dolly Parton, Adele and many more. For tickets call 01761 232490 or 01761 233461.

They will always welcome new members – no need to be able to read music, and no auditions – just lots of enthusiasm required! If you would like them to sing at an event you are arranging, do get in touch.

They rehearse on Wednesday evenings during school term times, 7.30-9pm at St John’s Church Hall, Chilcompton. Over Lent, the church use their hall on the Wednesday evening so rehearsals will be held at St Vigor & St John Primary School, Chilcompton, throughout Lent until rehearsals resume after the Easter break.

Details: Viv Moon on 01761 232490 07780 861868 or Eugenie Hailston on 01761 411909.

Wells Good Afternoon Choir – a clarification

DUE to incorrect information supplied by the organisers (New choir in Wells – Mendip Times, February 2108), we incorrectly stated that the Wells Good Afternoon Choir meets on Monday afternoons at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells.

In fact, the choir meets on Tuesday afternoons (2-4pm). We are happy to make that clear.

For details visit: www.goodafternoonchoir.org.uk

MUSIC & THEATRE

Wrington drama

The whole cast and crew

WRINGTON Drama Club joined forces with Wrington Youth Drama to present Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl, adapted by Richard George.

It was directed by Alan Milne, with artistic director Julie Kingcott, produced by Richard Kingcott, with choreography

by Laura Leggett.

Chamber choir concert

THE Maesbury Singers are joining forces with young star cellist, Joe Prichard, from Witham Friary for a concert in All Saints Church, Castle Cary to raise funds for repairs to the church roof.

Joe was a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016 and will be joining the choir in performing John Taverner’s Svyati and French composer Maurice Durufle’s Requiem.

The audience will also have the chance to hear Joe both sing and play in the solo work Lamentatio by Italian composer Giovanni Solima.

The concert is on Saturday March 24th, tickets £10, U-16s free.

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Music expo strikes the right chord

By Mark Adler

MUSICIANS, promoters, festival organisers and many more gathered in Frome for the first Music Expo, organised by music fan and community radio presenter Mike Mihalas from Midsomer Norton.

The one-day gathering at the Cheese and Grain was aimed at bringing the local music community together and included a talk by Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis.

Mike, who presents shows on Somer Valley FM and also organises the music marquee at the Royal Bath and West Show, said: “This event is about connecting the

Organiser Mike Mihalas – bringing the Somerset music community together

music community and welcomes everyone from musicians and music fans to the just plain curious.”

Doug Siddons, who runs Maltings Audio

Bristol University PHD student Alastair Shuttleworth is the brains behind The Bristol Germ, a magazine dedicated to the city’s underground and avant-garde music scene. See www.facebook.com/thebristolgerm/

Isobel Holly, from Bath, is a name to look out for in the future PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

in Oakhill, was one of the exhibitors. Doug said: “I’ve had a couple of good inquiries and it’s been a great opportunity to see some new faces.”

Celebrated fantasy artist Rodney Matthews was at the show with a print of his latest work Lost on the Road to Eternity – the cover painting for legendary heavy metal band Magnum’s latest offering released in January. The original took 390 hours to paint

Two of the members of Black Wasp – a teenage band from the Radstock and Bath areas with a determination to be anticonformist

Doug Siddons provides sound systems for bands, festivals and events

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Classics for Your Pleasure!

Pictured (l to r) Samuel Warner, Lions’ president Alan Denham and Rainer Dolz

RADSTOCK and Midsomer Norton Lions hosted the Bath and North East Somerset Schools Philharmonic Orchestra at the Methodist Church in Midsomer Norton.

They played a varied programme of pieces, conducted by Rainer Dolz, supported by assistant conductor, Samuel Warner who conducted the string section in his arrangement of “Tonight” from West Side Story.

The Lions hope to present another concert from the Schools Music Service next year. There will be another opportunity to hear the orchestra at a concert at the West Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, on April 14th, where they will be performing the entire Dvorak New World Symphony.

They will be joined at this event by the South Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra. The Schools Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Service is supported by Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Arts Council of England, Department for Education.

The concert is an example of the fundraising that Lions do to support their charity work in the community.

Details: Google Radstock Lions secretary@rmnlions.org.uk

Bernstein centenary THE centenary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor, will be celebrated with an exciting concert at Wells Cathedral.

The cathedral's Oratorio Society will mark the occasion by performing the full orchestral version of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, with orchestra, solo quartet, boy treble, trumpets, trombone, timpani, percussion and strings. The conductor is Matthew Owens.

Two works by Aaron Copland, who Bernstein called his "only real composition teacher", are also in the evening's

MUSIC & THEATRE

Top young musicians

THE Rotary District 1200 which covers Somerset and parts of Wiltshire and Dorset is holding the district final of the Young Musician Competition on Sunday, March 11th at Kings of Wessex School in Cheddar starting at 2pm.

This is the second round in a national competition in which successful students from preliminary rounds held recently will compete for places in the South West regional final.

Organisers are confident of a high standard in this year’s concert/competition and are encouraging people to support the students, who are performing on a variety of instruments as well as vocalists. Admission is free.

About 8,000 young musicians took part in this competition last year, with local winner, talented violinist Cristina Dimitrova (pictured) winning through to the national final.

This is one of several competitions supported through local Rotary clubs in this area. Others this year include Young Writer, Young Chef and Young Artist. These are all intended to give an extra-curricular challenge to local students.

programme: Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring, performed by Southern Sinfonia orchestra. Completing the American theme is Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings.

The Oratorio Society will also sing the Gloria by Sir John Rutter, patron of the

society. This work is often heard alongside the Chichester Psalms, and Bernstein lovers will find the final syncopated rhythm of this piece brings his music to mind.

The concert is on Saturday 24th March, 7pm.

Details: wcos.org.uk or email boxoffice@wells-cathedral-school.com or call: 01749 834483

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New attraction at Puxton Park

WHAT’S ON

PUXTON Park is opening its newest attraction, the Puxton High Ropes Course, on Saturday March 24th.

The course will be one of the most exciting and challenging in the west of England and will be unveiled by the one and only, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.

Making its journey from the United States and costing over £300,000, the course will stand over 20 feet high and make a great shared experience for the whole family to enjoy. Even better, this attraction is included in the admission price!

Managing director, Alistair Mead, said: “We are thrilled to unveil the new High Ropes Course. With construction underway, our excitement is growing and we can’t wait to witness children and parents alike enjoying this new attraction for years to come.

“Since opening over 10 years ago, we have worked hard to add new and exciting attractions every year, but I must say, this may be one of my favourites.”

G AME FAIR T ICKET W INNERS

Last month we gave you the chance to win one of three pairs of tickets to the West of England Game Fair. The first correct answers drawn were from Mrs A. Hicks from Barton St. David, near Somerton, Mr and Mrs MT Tucker, of Yatton and EC Lewis, of Langford. Enjoy your day out!

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Festival will come alive with the sound of music

THE third Wells Festival of Film will have fans singing in the aisles – and on their deckchairs – when it celebrates the musical at the end of April.

Once again, the Bishop’s Palace will host an outdoor screening as part of the The Bishop’s Palace will again host celebrations. The film this an open air screening on the year – on the opening night opening night of the festival of Friday, April 27th – will be The Greatest Showman Sing-Along. Performers from Wookey Hole Circus will be in attendance. Tickets – £20 per person – include a BBQ and drink but cinemagoers are encouraged to bring their own seating or blanket… and an umbrella in case of April showers!

Other highlights include a screening of West Side Story in Cedars Hall on Sunday, April 29th.

Becky Cooper, manager of Wells Film Centre which is organising the festival, said: “The weekend is going to be full of excitement and fun. With so much going on, you will definitely find something for the whole family.”

For full details and tickets, visit: www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk

From Friday 23rd February From Friday 2nd March From Friday 16th March From Friday 23rd March

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD NOW SHOWING: Finding Your Feet (12A) • The Mercy (12A) Red Sparrow • Shape Of Water (12A) Peter Rabbit (PG) • Mary Magdalene (12A)

Duck Duck Goose • A Wrinkle In Time (PG) 3D/2D

Tues 13th: Macbeth (film) 7pm EVENT CINEMA MARCH Weds 14th: My Generation 6.30pm

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

● Book in person ● Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk ● Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

Celebrating the opening of the recent line extension

March 10th/11th: SPRING GALA WITH VISITING JINTY March 17th: REAL ALE TRAIN Tickets from the station, Redan Inn, or via website

March 18th: JINTY-HAULED PASSENGER TRAINS and “Driver for a Tenner” Info/bookings visit: www.sdjr.co.uk Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Street, Midsomer Norton BA3 2EY. Reg charity no: 1045547

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100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

Steam celebrations at heritage railway

Volunteers have been working hard to offer an even better experience for visitors. Pictured are (left) John and Tony and Kirsteen who work in the garden. Linda (front) is found in the gift and railwayana shop; Doug with the wheelbarrow is a gardener. At the back is Keith, a painter and carpenter, then Barry and Rich (back right) who are helping to renovate the Midland coach

RAILWAY line extensions laid by volunteers at Midsomer Norton Station have been completed in time for the new season of trains and more at the attraction run by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust.

The new length of running line means that visitors will soon be able to travel almost up to the Chilcompton tunnel by train.

Celebrations begin in March with the opportunity to ride behind a Jinty tank engine. Jintys used to be the workhorses on the old Somerset and Dorset Railway.

Shunting in the yard at Radstock and bringing empty coal wagons up to Norton Hill pit, shunting the yard here and then returning to Radstock with full coal wagons would be a typical day's work for such a locomotive.

Visitors will be able to ride behind Jinty 47406 and the line’s resident steam loco, Joyce, at the Spring Gala on Saturday, March 10th and Sunday, March 11th. The very successful Real Ale Train event where customers enjoy drinks on the train will be repeated on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, March 17th (ticket only).

The following day will see more rides behind the Jinty and a “Driver for a Tenner” opportunity on the Diesel 08.

There are still some places left on the driver experience course which will be on the Jinty engine on Thursday, March 22nd.

More volunteers are always welcome. For more details call 01761 411221 or drop in on a Sunday or Monday.

For information on times and ticket prices visit: www.sdjr.co.uk

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Even better days out

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ORGANISERS of this season’s point-to-point fixtures at Charlton Horethorne and Ston Easton are offering even more entertainment to attract visitors and racing fans of all ages.

The Mendip Farmers Hunt, which organises the Ston Easton meeting, is offering something rather different ahead of its point-to-point races on Sunday, March 25th – camel racing!

Brave riders are being sponsored to climb on board the camels for three races, starting at 11am.

The first of the six-race main card goes under starters orders at 1pm and will be a change from the usual Confined Open.

Instead, it will take the form of a novice and veterans race.

The fixture has also attracted new sponsors, including Skinners Pet Foods, and will once again finish with pony racing.

George Pullen, from the hunt said: “We decided to change the format of the opening race to attract more riders and the camel races are certain to get the meeting off to a lively start!”

Before then, the Charlton Horethorne meeting, on Sunday, March 11th, will for the first time stage a qualifier for the Skinners Pet Foods Ladies Open Point to Point Series.

It is one of 20 qualifiers across the country which culminate in a final worth £12,500 at Stratford in June. In addition, the fixture – organised by the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt – will stage the Wessex Area Novice Riders National which is over a slightly longer course than the other races. Prize money has been increased to a first prize of £350. The ladies race will be one of six races on

WHAT’S ON

Pony racing will take place at both meetings

the card starting with the Hunt Race at 12.30pm.

There will be two pony races after the point-to-point races which hopefully will include local riders Charlie Sprake and Freddie Gingell who were the leading riders in their groups last year. Former winners of pony races at Charlton Horethorne include professional jockeys Harry Cobden and Bryony Frost.

There will be a hound parade during the afternoon when the public will be invited into the paddock to get up close to the hounds and there will be a larger screen to show all the action this year. ● Admission to the Charlton Horethorne meeting is £25 per car to admit all occupants with a discount for single occupants and £10 for pedestrians. Discounted advance tickets for the Ston Easton meeting are now available online via: www.mendipfarmerspointtopoint.co.uk or www.pointingwessex.co.uk

SUNDAY MARCH 11th (first race 12.30pm)

SUNDAY MARCH 25th (first race 1pm with camel racing from 11am) MENDIP FARMERS’ POINT-TO-POINT Ston Easton, (off A37, 8m N of Shepton Mallet, BA3 4DH)

Advance discount tickets now on sale via www.mendipfarmerspointtopoint.co.uk • facebook.com/mendipfarmersp2p • www.pointingwessex.co.uk

TEL: 07879 645364 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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M e n d i p

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. We may not be able to use entries which are too lengthy or submitted as posters or leaflets. Commercial entries cost £25.

Thursday February 22nd Mendip Society talk: The Art of Storytelling in Wildlife TV–a talk by Lizzie Bewick, BBC Natural History Unit, 2.30pm St James’ Church Hall, Woodborough Rd, Winscombe BS25 1BA. Friday February 23rd Camerton Community Centre double bill of local history, Julie Ann Biggs second book on Camerton and Bryn Hawkins "From Boy to Man in the Somerset Coal Field", 7pm, £5 includes refreshments.

Saturday February 24th Jumble Sale, 2pm in the Village Hall, Cheddar.

Please bring donations from 12, or arrange for collection: 0845 833 7402 or email via: www.cheddarlions.org.uk Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall, good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Winscombe Community Association Book Sale at the Community Centre, Sandford Road, 9am12.30pm. Entry free, refreshments.

Mendip Society walk a mod 4 miles passing a waterfall, meet 1.30pm, Heron’s Green lay-by on the B3114, west side of Chew Valley Lake. ST 554 592.

Details: Peter: 01761 221995.

Churchill Music presents: Gesualdo Six + Owain Park, renaissance polyphony, 7.30pm St John the Baptist Church, Churchill BS25 5QW. Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/387039 or Susannah Read 01934 844106.

Frome’s twin towns: Dinner celebrating Murrhardt, Rabka-Zdroj and Chateau Gontier, Trinity Church, 7.15pm, three-course meal of French, German and Polish cuisine. Tickets: £14 members, £15 nonmembers, U-11s £7 from Justin: worringham@btinternet.com Somerset Plant Heritage, Members’ Plant Sale, 1.30pm then a talk at 2.30pm: “The Churchyard Yew”

by Mark Hinsley, arboreal consultant, Edington Village Hall TA7 9EH, visitors welcome, £4. Details: 01278 451631.

Lochrian String Quartet’s performance of popular music from operas. 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Yatton. Members £8, non-members £10, includes refreshments. Tickets: church office or on the door.

Details: www.yms.org.uk or david.ford@yms.org.uk Frome Civic Society and Society for Local Study, building archaeologist Jeremy Sampson on Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey, Assembly Rooms, 2.30pm.

Saturday February 24th & Sunday February 25th Snowdrop Celebration, Bishop’s Palace & Gardens, first to be held, plus stalls in the stable yard. Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Blagdon Lantern Parade to light up the end of winter, leaving the New Inn 6pm, going past St Andrews Church to the Mead and then along the Bath Rd to Blagdon Primary School, hosted by Blagdon school PTA. Details: Nicky Orr 07967619260 www.facebook.com/BlagdonprimaryPTA/ Sunday February 25th Gospel Singing Workshop day. 11am, Wedmore Village Hall, BS28 4EQ. Joined later by choir Joyful Spirit for a free performance at 5.30pm. All welcome Workshop £10, Students £5: 01923 743953.

Monday February 26th The Green Gardeners 'Organic Gardening and Pest Control' by Paul Harding, Parish Rooms, Somerton, 7.30pm, refreshments, visitors welcome (£3) PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2018

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Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, non-members welcome, 8pm Congresbury War Memorial Hall.

Mendip Folk Dance Club Evening, 8-10pm, St. James Church Hall, Winscombe, BS25 1AQ £3pp.

Details Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday February 27th Chilcompton Garden Club, Chilcompton Village Hall, 7.30, Dave Moon from the NGS, a talk about some of the wonderful gardens open for charity during 2018.

Wednesday February 28th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support group, Backwell WI Hall, 2pm, speaker Clare Bailey, Bristol Eye Hospital Consultant. Details: Sheila, 01275 462107.

Thursday March 1st West Mendip Walkers mod circular walk 10m from Forestry Office car park, Cockercombe. OS: Ex 140 ST188366. Start 10am. Contact Andrew Paterson: 01934 741690 or aepat@btinternet.com Congresbury Gardening Club: No Dig Gardening

by Stephanie Hafferty. 7.30pm, Methodist Hall, High Street, Congresbury. Visitors welcome.

Friday March 2nd Redhill Club Open Mic Night hosted by Jerry Blythe. 8pm, just off the A38 south of the airport at BS40 5SG. Acoustic singer-songwriters at their very best. Details: Jerry 07900 587646.

Bring Your Own Craft & Chat Session, 2.30 pm, Cheddar Library, BS27 3NB. 0300 123 2224. New members welcome.

Saturday March 3rd Mendip Society walk, a mod 6m circular to Eastwater and Priddy – possibly through gorge if dry, meet 1.30pm in the NT Deer Leap car park, Ebbor, BA5 1E. ST 521 485. Details: Brian 01749 672457.

Friends of the Somerset River Frome. Litter pick 10 to 12am. Market yard next to Cheese & Grain Hall, Frome. Children welcome must be accompanied by adult.

Sing Your Heart Out concert, Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, fundraising for Beat, which provides support for eating disorder sufferers. 7.30pm.

Tickets: 01761 232490 or 01761 233461.

Angel Heart Theatre presents Snow White, Shipham Village Hall, 4pm, tickets £5, U-3s free) from Shipham School, Hansfords or Tess 07919 243540.

Tuesday March 6th Anatomical drawings of Leonardo da Vinci – a surgeon’s view by Guy Rooker, Bath & West Bar & Restaurant, B & W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QN. 11am, guests welcome. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk 01934 862435.

Congresbury Over-60s Club Friendship Hour – tea, biscuits and chat with friends! Congresbury War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

Somerset Wildlife Trust Talk on Stourhead's Tree Sparrow Project, by Tamsin Holmes of the National Trust. 8pm, Caryford Hall, Ansford, Castle Cary BA7 7JJl. Tea & coffee from 7.30pm. Adults £3, kids free.

Thursday March 8th “Back in Time” Winscombe & Sandford in 1940s with archive photos plus short report of W & S Millennium Green, 7.30pm, Winscombe Recreation Ground Clubhouse, BS25 1AX. All welcome.

West Mendip Walkers walk 6m from Radstock museum. OS: Ex142 ST689549. Start 12.30pm Free carpark Waterloo Road. Contact Jill Ollis: 01934 713068 / 07709 767907 or ill.m.ollis@gmail.com Hawk & Owl Trust: “Why Save Vultures?” Jemima Parry Jones, 7.30pm in The Concorde Room, BAWA Club, Southmead Road, Bristol BS34 7RG. Tickets £10: http://hawkandowl.org/events/save-vultures-talkjemima-parry-jones/ Proceeds fund work on

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Mendip Society Talk: “The Future of the Mendip AONB” by Jim Hardcastle. 2.30pm St James’ Church Hall, Winscombe BS25 1BA. Saturday March 10th Mendip Society walk a moderate 4.5 to 5 miles around Winscombe, meet 1.30pm in car park behind Woodborough Inn, BS25 1HD. ST 421 576. Details: Mary 01934 843789.

Friends of Westbury Church afternoon of music, tea and cake in celebration of the beautiful carpet of primroses in the churchyard of St Lawrence's Church, Westbury-sub-Mendip. 3 to 5pm with singer/songwriter Lin Phelps, in aid of church funds.

Frome Civic Society and Society for Local Study, Tom Mayberry on Somerset Rural Life Museum, Assembly Rooms, 2.30pm.

Ubley School PTA Jumble Sale 2pm-3.30pm, Ubley Village Hall. Donations of cakes, clothes, shoes, bric a brac, books, dvds etc can be left from 9am. No furniture or electrical items please. Contact: Catherine: 07823 336453.

Croscombe Spring market, 10am-2pm at the village hall, Fayreway BA5 3RA, local produce, crafts, preserves, plants, tombola, easter egg hunt, teas and light lunches. Details: marylucia.cadogan@gmail.com or 01749 572875.

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Will Barnes Trio 8pm Cossington Village Hall, nr Bridgwater TA7 8JN. Reserved seats £10: 01278 451187 or rogercollett.sounds@talktalk.net Supporting Bridgwater Hospital League of Friends.

Monday March 12th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo. Non-members welcome. 8pm Congresbury War Memorial Hall.

Mendip Folk Dance Club Evening, St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. 8 to 10pm. £3. Details: Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday March 13th Cheddar Male Choir invite new members to join two open workshop evenings, (13th and 20th March) 7.30pm, Lynch Chapel, Winscombe, BS25 1AR. www.cheddarmvchoir.co.uk Clevedon Art Club, "Sculpting with Scrap" at the 6th Form Centre, Clevedon School BS21 6AH. 7:30pm, non-Members £3.

Wednesday March 14th Nailsea Horticultural Society: “Daffodils & other bulbs” 7.30pm, Nailsea United Reformed Church Hall. Members £2, Non-members £3, includes refreshments. All welcome.

Langford Vets & Stables Equine Owners Evening: ‘What to do in a crisis’. 7pm. Free. Stables Equine Practice, BA5 1NH. Details: www.langfordvets.co.uk Shepton Mallet Dementia Action Alliance session to develop more dementia friends, 6pm-7.30pm St Cecilia Nursing Home, Hitchen Lane, Shepton, BA4 5TZ. Free refreshments. Details: Peter 07970 665036 or gphillman@hotmail.com Wells Civic Society Steve Jackson, former head of Wells Blue School, on 21st century education, Wells and Mendip Museum, 7.30pm.

Thursday March 15th West Mendip Walkers mod circular walk 10m from St Mary’s Church Thornbury. OS: Ex167 ST634906.

Start 10am. Park in road near church. Contact Tony Strange: 01934733783 / 07415517355 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday March 16th Resonate Strings, a quintet from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in concert at Chewton Mendip church, 7.30pm, adults £15, child/student £8 from

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07940 801407 or www.takeart.org Proceeds to local parishes.

West Mendip Orchestra: Concert of English Music, 7.45pm, Christchurch, Chapel Hill, Clevedon BS21 7LL, tickets £10 at the door (concessions £8, students £2). Details: www.west-mendip-orchestra.org.uk Frome College Fashion Show in aid of MIND South Somerset. 7pm. Sixth Form students modelling their handmade designs. Licensed Bar. Tickets £4 via ParentPay or the Merlin Theatre Box Office. 01373 465949.

Rubber Stamping for Spring Cards – Craft & Sewing Group, 2.30 pm Cheddar Library, BS27 3NB. 0300 123 2224. New members welcome.

Andrew Chiffers Memorial Ceilidh in aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Meadway Hall, Ham Lane, Compton Dundon TA11 6PQ. 7.30pm. Tickets £10 including Hog Roast from 01458 445463 or 01458 447223.

Saturday March 17th Mendip Society walk a moderate 4 miles along Brean Down. 1.30pm in the National Trust car park just before Brean Down, TA8 2RS, ST 296 585.

Details: Pauline 01934 820745.

Wessex Stationary Engine Club Vintage sale, East Somerset Steam Railway, West Cranmore BA4 4QP. Exhibitors 9am Public 10am details 01225 754374.

Claverham Village Market, 10am-noon, village hall Bishops Road, opp. the school. Wide variety of food & craft stalls, tea/coffee. Details: Jean 01934 838017.

Supporters of St Peter’s Church Draycott Lent lunch 2pm-1.30pm, in church, £5 – soup, bread, cheese, cake tea/coffee.

Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” Nailsea Concert Orchestra, narrated by John Telfer from The Archers,7.30pm, Nailsea Methodist Church, tickets £12 (£10 concessions U-18s £2.50) Nailsea Music Shop or on the door, in support of Nailsea Community Trust. Details: www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org Wine & Cheese tasting 7pm, Chewton Mendip Village Hall. Raffle, quiz, music – over 18s only £10 in advance £12 on the door: chewtonpta@hotmail.com Spectra Musica singing “Motets, Madrigals and More” 7.30pm, St Luke & St Teresa’s Church, Wincanton. Tickets £12 from 01963 350160, tickets@spectramusica.co.uk or on the door.

Congresbury Singers – spirituals and work songs 'from the deep south', 7:30pm The Old School Rooms, Congresbury. Tickets £8 include refreshments from Congresbury Post Office, or on the door.

'The Brue Boys' – songs from the shows, spirituals and classical, 7.30 pm, St Benedict’s Church Glastonbury. Tickets £8 on the door. Details: Sandra 01458 835067.

Monday March 19th Easter bingo, Priddy village hall, luxury Easter egg prizes, raffle and refreshments, doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm, all proceeds go to Priddy & St Lawrence’s Primary School.

Tuesday March 20th Eating with Queen Victoria: a Greedy Queen. The Arts Society illustrated lecture, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary BA7 7JJ, 11am, £6. Details: 01963 350 132.

Congresbury Over-60s Club Friendship Hour – tea, biscuits and chat with friends! Congresbury War Memorial Hall 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

Families for Children, learn more about adoption in Somerset. 4pm-6pm at Monks Yard, Horton Manor, Ilminster TA19 9PT. Enquiries: 01364 645480.

Shepton Mallet Dementia Action Alliance session to develop more dementia friends, 6pm-7.30pm Council Chamber, Mendip Shape, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton, BA4 5PT. Free refreshments. Details: Peter

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07970 665036 or gphillman@hotmail.com Midsomer Norton Townswomen’s Guild agm, 2pm at St John’s Church Hall BA3 2HX. Details: Glen Hepworth 01761 413528.

Wednesday March 21st Langford Vets Farm Animal Practice Farmers’ Meeting – ‘Practical Foot Trimming in Cattle’ 10am– 3pm. £50. BS40 5DU Details: www.langfordvets.co.uk Glastonbury Positive Living Group: 'Hemptation Special', 21st Anniversary of “Hemp in Avalon”.

Town Hall, Glastonbury, 7pm £5. FFI: 01458 835769.

Henton & District Gardening Club: Gardens & Landscapes of Sicily – Nick Wray of Bristol Botanic Gardens, 7.30pm Henton Village Hall, BA5 1PD. Mendip Gardening Club, “The Path to Paradise a journey through the Stourhead landscape” Dawn Collins, 7.30pm, Ston Easton Village hall. Details: Hilary 01761 750139.

Thursday March 22nd Chew Valley Wildlife Group: Costa Rica–The Wildlife by Derek Trendell. Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm. Admission £2.50; Season available.

West Mendip Walkers mod circular walk 6m from Breach Hill. OS: Ex141 ST539598. Start 12.30pm.

Park roadside(not on common). Contact Roger Mead; 01934 743088 / 07724 800882 or rogermead1941@hotmail.co.uk Friday March 23rd An Evening of Magic for Bristol Eye Hospital, 7pm Butcombe Village Hall, BS40 7UX, with Magic Circle member Stephen Wells. Delicious pies, bar and raffle. Adults £18, Children £10 from 01761 462269 or georgina.jefferies7@gmail.com Mendip Society AGM followed by a talk by Steve Egginton, editor of the Mendip Times, 6.30pm Draycott Memorial Hall, Latches Lane, BS27 3UE. Castle Cary Choir concert. 7.30pm, Methodist Church, High Street, Gillingham, SP8 4AG. Tickets (£8) from Gordon (07817 379006), from The Copy Shop (High Street, Gillingham), directly from the church or on the door. Proceeds towards general church funds. Ffi: www.castlecarychoir.org Fife & Strum Folk Band, Friends of St Andrew's Church, Chew Magna, 7.30pm Old Schoolroom, tickets £10 (U-11s free) from Chew Magna PO or 01275 332897.

Saturday March 24th Maesbury Singers present Duruflé Requiem with cellist Joseph Pritchard. For repairs to the church roof, All Saints Church, Castle Cary, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 on the door or 01761 232042.

Spring Sale in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

10am-12noon, Seager Hall, Union St, Wells. Many stalls, teas/coffee. Details and donations: 01749 674223.

Congresbury Gardening Club Spring Show 2.30pm, Old School Rooms, Congresbury. www.CongresburyGardening.org.uk Mendip Society walk – a moderate 4-5 miles around Camerton. ST 685 574. Meet 1.30pm, Church of St Peter off Camerton Hill BA2 0PU. Contact: Roger 01225 872777.

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

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Somerset Plant Heritage, “The Art of Topiary and Ornamental Hedges”, Andrew Tolman, 1.30pm.

Members’ plant sale, 2.30pm. Edington Village hall TA7 9HA. All welcome. Visitors £4. Contact 01278 451631.

Frome Civic Society agm 2pm followed by Dr Adam Stout, The Glastonbury Spa Story, Assembly Rooms, 2.30pm.

Sunday March 25th Redhill Classic Car & Motorcycle breakfast gathering 9am-11am (BS40 5SG), all enthusiasts welcome to park up for a chat and meet like-minded people. Details: 01934 862619.

Monday March 26th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with Bingo. Non-members welcome 8pm Congresbury War Memorial Hall.

Wells United Friends “Sing along for Easter”, 2pm4pm, Seager Hall, Union St. Tea, coffee, biscuits. All welcome. Contact: 01749 674223.

The Green Gardeners 'Growing Up – Vertical Gardening' by Clare Hart. Parish Rooms, Somerton, 7.30pm. Refreshments afterwards. Visitors welcome: £3.

Mendip Folk Dance Club Evening, St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. 8 to 10pm. £3. Details: Pat 01934 742853.

Wessex Stationary Engine Club, "A giant in the air: The Brabazon" by Chris Bigg, 7.30pm at The Old Down, Emborough BS3 4SA. Free. All welcome, details 01225 754374.

Mendip Male Voice Choir concert, Camerton Community Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets (inc. light refreshments) £8 in advance (£10 on the door) from any committee member, Bryn (01761 471350), Eric (01761 414070) or Nick (01761 413842. Ffi: www.camertoncommunityhall.co.uk Tuesday March 27th Congresbury Singers: Stainer’s Crucifixion, 8pm, Nailsea Methodist Church. Free. Retiring collection in support of the Wellspring counselling service.

Wednesday March 28th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support, demonstration by VISION AID, 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Thursday March 29th West Mendip Walkers mod circular walk 11m from Black Rock Gate. OS: Ex141 ST482545. Start 10am.

Park Black Rock Gate. Contact Tony Strange: 01934733783 / 07415517355 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Good Friday March 30th to end of October Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre, a Victorian gem on the Strawberry Line, BS25 5AA. Open weekends & Bank Holidays from 11am–4pm.

Restored ‘Sentinel’ engine, carriage & trucks. Hot & cold drinks, cakes etc. Admission free.

Saturday March 31st Mendip Society walk – a mod circular 6m from Croscombe to Wells. ST 587 444. Meet 2pm by the village hall, Croscombe, BA5 3RA. Do not use the hall car park. Contact: John 01934 842868.

Easter Eggstravaganza, Collett Park, Shepton Mallet. Easter egg hunt, bouncy castle, face painting and BBQ. Ffi: www.collettparkcafe.com or Facebook

MENDIP MINDBENDER ANSWERS FOR MARCH ACROSS: 2. Deer Leap, 6. Pen, 8. Nolan, 9. Outstanding, 11. Rand, 12. Lye, 14.

Waugh, 15. Chard, 17. Auberon, 18. Spur, 19. Areas of, 22. Velvet Bottom.

DOWN: 1. Crook, 3. Enid, 4. Lyng, 5. Peak, 6. Pitney, 7. Natural Beauty, 10. Lindley, 11. Roger Bacon, 13. Thomas, 16. Dampier, 17. Arrive, 20. Atom, 21. Ford.

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Tours, family activities and Easter at Wells Cathedral

RECENT winners of the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards and Silver winners in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, a visit to Wells Cathedral can be a great way to take time out in England’s smallest city.

Take a peek into one of the few chained libraries in Britain or learn the stories behind the architecture of England’s first entirely gothic cathedral. A number of tour dates are available and can be booked via the cathedral’s website.

Or why not keep the little ones entertained over the Easter holidays at the Cathedral’s free family creative workshops? On Wednesday March 28th little ones can create their own Easter gardens or a piece of artwork, using materials found in the garden.

Cathedral guides will also be available to give mini-tours discovering how Easter is marked around the cathedral. Two workshop sessions are offered at 10.30am-12pm or 2pm-3.30pm.

All materials are provided; workshops are free but donations to help cover cost of materials are gratefully received. No need to book, just turn up and have fun! All details of services over Holy Week and Easter are also available on the cathedral’s website.

Details: www.wellscathedral.org.uk

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Bringing history up-to-date

Ancient and modern – falconry keeps up with the times

COUNTRY pursuits may appear to be stuck in the past but a visit to this year’s West of England Game Fair in March will quickly dispel that myth – just take time to admire a display by falconer Ben Long, for example.

Falconry is an historic past time and one of the oldest sports in the world, but Ben is bang-up-to-date with his thinking and techniques – he even uses radio-controlled “prey” to show off his birds at their best.

Ben’s falconry school in Gloucestershire has been in the forefront of testing these devices. His demonstrations at the two-day fair at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet will focus on simulated hunting with Harris hawks and falcons. Of course, there will be some audience participation which will bring the audience as close as possible to the art of falconry.

Taking place on Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th, the show’s other features will include an onsite clay shoot with Bristol Clay Shooting, BASC shotgun coaching, ATEO air rifles have-a-go and coaching, fly-casting demonstrations, gundog training, archery, racing ferrets, vintage tractors and machinery, smallholders area, the Taste of Game cookery theatre and much more.

With the opportunity to grab great show offers on guns and accessories, fishing equipment, gundog equipment, game feed, gifts, clothing, paintings, prints, food and much more in the indoor countryside shopping village, this is the perfect day out for all the family.

Vintage tractors and other machinery will also be on show

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