What’s On

Last market for the year –but the fayre is back!

SHEPTON Mallet’s monthly independent Sunday market comes to the end of its 2022 season with their Autumn Market on Sunday, October 30th – but there’s something special to look forward to in November!

The market will boast live music from local bands in the Market Place, a free carved pumpkin competition for under-12s, and lots of artisans, crafters, bakers, and makers bringing their unique products in time for some festive shopping.

Sunday, November 27th sees the return of the ever-popular “Victorian Fayre” with a fancy dress competition, stalls selling handmade crafts, plants, Christmas trees, cakes, mulled cider and rum, street food and more.

Both events run from 10am-3pm. Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for The Shepton Experience, said: “There have been a few months where the weather was not kind to us but overall, everyone has had a great time. We are really looking forward to coming back next year with our first market on Sunday, March 26th.”

For details, visit the market’s Facebook/Instagram page: @thesheptonexperience, www.thesheptonexperience.co.uk or email: info@thesheptonexperience.co.uk

Walking festival choices

Walkers gather outside the Cheese & Grain for the start of last year’s festival

FROME Walking Festival returns in November with some regular favourites and some new additions.

The 2022 programme, developed by Frome’s Walkers Are Welcome and Frome Town Council, boasts 19 walks centred around history, nature, the countryside and even dancing. It takes place from Friday, November 11th to Sunday, November 13th and features guided tours, countryside hikes and self-guided activities with a special walk on the Sunday around Frome’s war graves to mark Remembrance Day.

The festival will, for the first time, be offering an accessible walk highlighting the town’s history, a “buggy walk” and familyfriendly trails.

Meanwhile, schoolchildren are being encouraged to take part to “walk to Poland” as part of the festival; to collectively walk to Frome’s twin towns in France, Germany and Poland. During the week leading up to the festival, primary school pupils who walk, cycle or scoot to school will have their active travel miles counted and combined to see how far Frome can “travel” across Europe together.

During the 1,260 mile trek, there are three key stops: ChâteauGontier in France; Murrhardt in Germany; and finally RabkaZdrój in Poland which are its twin towns.

For details, visit: www.discoverfrome.co.uk/fromewalking-festival/

Palace café award

THE Bishop’s Table café, located in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, has been awarded a prestigious Quality Food & Drink Accolade by VisitEngland.

Assessments are based on scores gained during an annual Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment by VisitEngland. Marks were allocated for the outstanding experiences attractions provide to visitors across a number of categories.

Head of Catering at the Palace Trust, Nick Hampson, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Bishops Table café has been recognised in this way. Our staff always go the extra mile to offer a warm welcome to all visitors as well as delicious, locallysourced food and drink.”

Mediaeval Baebes in Glastonbury

WEAVINGtheir story-telling magic and exalting the true spirit of Christmas with hauntingly joyous music, the Mediaeval Baebes are performing at St John the Baptist Church, Glastonbury on December 17th as part of their MydWynter Tour.

Evoking thoughts of the of the winter festival and its pre-Christian origins, the Mediaeval Baebes will be performing Christmas carol classics, traditional folksongs and showcasing arrangements from their new MydWynter Album.

This spirited show of beguiling choral music will also include innovative settings of ancient and romantic poetry, along with captivating storytelling that uncovers the origins and folklore behind the lyrics.

Accompanied by a dazzling array of exotic and period instruments, this unique take on early music, traditional culture and the magic of folklore brings a unique opportunity to be uplifted and enchanted in this beautiful, historic church.

The Mediaeval Baebes are one of the most successful female-led, early music and folk ensembles in Europe. They have won an Ivor Novella award for their performance on the BBC serialisation “The Virgin Queen” and have received two Emmy nominations, in addition to a Royal Television Society award alongside composer Martin Phipps for their soundtrack to ITV’s hit period drama, “Victoria”.

Their unique, classical vocals have led them to perform in many historically significant venues across the world, embracing castles and caves through to nightclubs and renaissance fayres; as well as touring with Jules Holland, supporting Michael Flatley in Hyde Park, and performing at the The Game of Thrones Festival in Canada.

MydWynter is the 11th studio album and due for release on November 25th, with many of the tracks being performed live for the very first time in this Christmas celebration. Tickets cost £26.50 each and £11.50 for a child.

Details: www.mediaevalbaebes.com

Christmas market returns to Wells

Stalls by the Bishop’s Palace moat

SAVE the date! Mendip District Council will host its famous Christmas market in Wells on Saturday, December 17th!

The traditional “Christmas in Wells” market will operate from 9am-3pm, with up to 100 stalls expected to line the Market Place for half-mile through to the Bishop’s Palace Green.

Visitors will be treated to seasonal gifts and local food and drink in the beautiful city centre and can embrace the holiday season with live music and entertainment to enjoy.

The council aims to deliver an unforgettable experience and hopes residents and visitors alike will join in the Christmas spirit and support stall holders at this important trading time.

Councillor Simon Carswell, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “I'm very excited that our much-loved Christmas market is returning to Wells.

“Anything that brings extra footfall into the city will be welcomed by the whole business community in Wells.

“It's a busy time of year and I'm sure that the atmosphere will be wonderful. I'm certainly looking forward to attending and stocking up on gifts.”

For details visit the Facebook and Instagram pages at @WellsChristmasMarket, or www.mendip.gov.uk/markets

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Christmas comes early at the Bishop’s Palace

THE popular Christmas Artisan Market returns to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells on Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th.

Running each day from 10am until 4pm, visitors can get their Christmas shopping started with a bang as the medieval rooms of the palace, upstairs and downstairs, will be filled with a variety of stalls, along with live music.

The market offers people the chance to buy hand-made and unique gifts that could be the perfect inspiration for those difficult-to-buy-for friends and family, whilst also supporting local small businesses from the south west.

The Bishop’s Table café will be serving seasonal drinks (including the always popular flavoured hot chocolate) with views over the croquet lawn.

The event is in aid of The Bishop’s Palace and tickets include the market and free access to the palace gardens. Available at a special reduced price (£8 adult, child 5-17 £4, under 5’s and palace members free), they can be

purchased by telephoning 01749 988111 or online at: www.bishopspalace.org.uk

The palace will be filled with artisan stalls over the weekend

T HE M ENDIP T IMES W HAT ’ S O

Covid cases are rising quickly again so please check before travelling that events will take place. We’re happy to list entries for non-profit community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge, but please send them as a succinct single paragraph, in the format below, to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Entries that take time to re-write may have to be charged for at the commercial rate, £25.

Thursday October 27th

Avon Wildlife Trust talk by Alys Laver, site manager, Steart Marshes: “Reshaping the Coastline for our Future” 7.45pm Chew Magna Old School Room, £2.50. “Destiny” 7pm Croscombe village hall. Details: www.takeart.org/whats-on

Saturday October 29th

Vintage Model Railway Show 10am-4pm King Alfred Academy, Highbridge TA9 3EE. Details: www.somersethrca.org.uk Glastonbury Zombie Walk 5pm, Dragons parade 3pm. In aid of Children’s World. Mendip Rocks! “Gorge-ous Cheddar! Details: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/events Congresbury Folk Evening, 7.30pm War Memorial Hall. Fauré’s Requiem, a tribute to Queen Elizabeth, 7.30pm Cheddar Catholic Church. Details: www.somersetchoralsociety.com Cats in Distress Halloween Fair, 10.30am, Beckington. Gifts, competitions, produce. See p43.

Sunday October 30th

Sing for Ukraine, St. Peter’s, Draycott, 5pm. Details: sfu301022@gmail.com Timsbury Craft Fair 10am-4pm, Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. Details: 07410 452685.

Monday October 31st

Wessex Stationary Engine Club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough.

Tuesday November 1st

Yatton Local History Society talk by Roy Ackrill on “Backwell and the brickworks” 7.30pm Yatton Methodist Church. New members welcome. Details: www.yattonlocalhistorysociety.co.uk ‘Bruegel: The Seasons and the World’ talk by Gavin Plumley to The Arts Society Mendip, 11am Croscombe village hall & Zoom. Guests welcome £6. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk

Wednesday November 2nd

Backwell & Nailsea Carers Support making Christmas floral decorations, 2-3.30pm, Backwell WI Hall.

Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in

first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Thursday November 3rd

Cheddar u3a Bob Burton talks about '150 Years of the Clifton Suspension Bridge' 2pm Cheddar village hall.

Friday November 4th–Sun December 4th Valley Arts Fringe Festival

www.valleyartscentre.co.uk See p64.

Friday November 4th

Save the Children lunches 12.30pm alt. Fridays, Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. £4.50. Trio Paradis concert 'Travelling with the Gypsies' 2.30pm Leigh-on-Mendip village hall. Fireworks, Chew Valley Rugby Club. See p59.

Saturday November 5th

“Big Drop” for Weston Hospicecare, bring items for donation to Wedmore First School, 9.30am-12.30. Good condition, please. Details: Shirley 01934 712089. Kingston Seymour Market 10am-12pm Village Hall. Butcher, veg. cakes, books etc. Details: 07525 040472. Frome Society for Local Study 'Autumn Fires' lecture by Tim Hill, 2.30pm Assembly Rooms, BA11 1EB. Non-members welcome, £3. Details www.fsls.org.uk Jumble Sale Winscombe, 2pm Community Centre, in aid of Old Station Millennium Green. Please bring jumble that morning or call 01934 843461.

Saturday November 5th and Sun Nov 6th

Mendip Christmas Fair 10am-4, Aldwick Estate, BS40 5AL. £4, children free. Profits to BCH and Children’s Hospice SW. See p94. Cam Valley Arts Trail. See p30. Artisans Market, Bishop’s Palace. See p95.

Sunday November 6th

Mendip Hills Area SWT walk, River Axe, 10am. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events

Monday November 7th

RAFA meeting “An ordinary wartime airman 1942 to 1945”, 11am Street Inn, BA16 0DR. Optional pub lunch. Details: 01458 224057 or rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com

Congresbury War Memorial Hall Club

Friendship evening & bingo, 8pm. All welcome.

Tuesday November 8th

Fosseway Gardening Club, Roy Cheek: “My Low Maintenance Garden” Pylle village hall. Visitors £2. Details: Jill 07772 008594.

Tuesday November 8th to Sat Nov 19th

Wells Painting Group exhibition 10am-4 Tues to Sat Wells & Mendip Museum. Admission free. Details: 07779 259190.

Wednesday November 9th

Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Mervyn Reed on David Austin roses, 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome £3, incl tea /coffee www.kilmersdongardeners.org Mendip Storytelling Circle 7.30pm Ston Easton village hall, BA3 4DA. Folk tales and more. £5 donation requested. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com CAMEO, Anita Wright will describe being an ex-pat in the Middle East & India, 7.30pm, Congresbury Methodist Hall, £2 inc. tea /coffee. All welcome.

Friday November 11th Community Café East Somerset Railway

10.30-12. Come along for a natter & wander around! £2pp for hot drink & cake. Please book: contact.bistrocatering@gmail.com Avon Wildlife Trust ‘Somerset Wildlands’ with Alasdair Cameron, 7.30pm Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham. Members £3, visitors £4.

Friday November 11th to Sat Nov 12th

History Hut Open Weekend Hext Hill, Low Ham, TA10 9DR. Rural life during both world wars.10.45am-4pm. Free. See Facebook.

Friday November 11th to Sun Nov 13th

Frome Walking Festival – see p92.

Saturday November 12th Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market

10am-12, parish hall. Details: 01278 760308. Nailsea Concert Orchestra, 7.30pm Nailsea School, in aid of Winston’s Wish. Details: www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. RNLI Winscombe Folk duo Alden & Patterson, 7.30pm Church Centre, Woodborough Rd, BS25 1BA. £14 from 07703 538861 or winscombe.folk@gmail.com Come & Sing Brahms Requiem 2pm St John the Baptist, Glastonbury. £20 to incl music. Performance 5pm, no tickets, just donation. Stanton Drew community café, village church, 10am-12noon.

Parkinson's NW Somerset Support Group

meeting, 10.30-12.15, St Francis Church, Nailsea. Coffee, friendly chat and quiz. The Stowes, Gaelic jigs, reels and blarney, 8pm Cossington village hall TA7 8JN. Reserved seats £12.50. Details: Roger Collett 07726 911484.

Saturday November 12th and Sun 13th

Christmas Fair St Bridget's Chelvey,10.30am4pm, local artists, crafts, home-made cakes etc. Parking, BS48 3JJ.

Monday November 14th Nailsea & District Local History Society

talk: “The architecture, sculpture & symbolism of a Victorian garden cemetery” 7.45pm Nailsea School. Details: www.ndlhs.org.uk

Tuesday November 15th

Mendip Society talk ‘Cecil Sharp & folk songs of Somerset’ 2pm Wells & Mendip Museum. Non-members £3. See p48.

“Little Jumpers – a cricket or a

grasshopper?” talk by Fred Giles for Mendip Area SWT, 7.30pm Cheddar Pavilion. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events

N G UIDE FOR N OVEMBER 2022

Wednesday November 16th

Henton & District Gardening Club Nigel Cox on “Permaculture & Polytunnels” and the Bleadney Bow Project, 7.30pm village hall. Visitors welcome £5. Details: Hentongardenclub.weebly.com Mendip Gardening Club “Organic gardening” with Olly Jones, Ammerdown Centre. 7.30pm Ston Easton village hall.

Thursday November 17th

Shipham & District Gardening Club talk by Paul Evans about the gardens of Tyntesfield, 7.30pm, Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. Cheddar u3a Coffee morning, 10am village hall. Rotary Nailsea & Backwell whist drive, Tithe Barn, 2pm, £3 inc refreshments. “Gardening for wildlife” talk by Colin Higgins for Yatton & District Horticultural Society 8pm Hangstones Pavilion BS49 4HS.

Friday November 18th

Shipham Save the Children Lunch, soup & cheese, 12.30pm village hall. £4.50.

Saturday November 19th

Congresbury Singers: "Songs for long nights” – winter tales & tunes. Memorial Hall. Tickets £10 from PO, Re-Store, on door. Frome Society for Local Study 'Storyland' author Amy Jeffs in conversation with folklorist Lisa Kenwright, 2.30pm Assembly Rooms BA11 1EB. Non-members welcome, £3. Details www.fsls.org.uk Blagdon Christmas Fair 10-12, village hall.

“50 years, and more, of Mendip in Film”

Shipham village hall. Tickets £10. See p48 and www.themendipsociety.org.uk/events Litton Coffee Morning 10.30am-2.30pm village hall BA3 4PW. Wiltshire Air Ambulance fund raising Claverham village market 10am-12, fresh produce, preserves, crafts etc: 01934 838017. Bleadon village market, 9.30-12, Coronation Halls, BS24 0PG. 30+ stalls, see Facebook.

Saturday Nov 19th to Sun January 22nd

Group 7 – Connections: paintings, prints, sculpture: www.blackswanarts.org.uk

Monday November 21st Congresbury War Memorial Hall Club

Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm. Timsbury Natural History Group talk by David Goode, “My local patch” 7.30pm Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £3. Chew Valley u3a David Thomas with sea shanties, 10am Ubley Parish Hall. All welcome.

Tuesday November 22nd

Winscombe Folk Club 7.30pm Winscombe Club BS25 1HD. All acoustic; performers & audience welcome, £2. Details: 07551 197685 winscombefolkclub@gmail.com Chilcompton Gardening Club Myra Cox with Christmas fun and flowers, mulled wine, mince pies. 7.30 pm village hall BA3 4EX.

Thursday November 24th

Reptiles & Amphibians of Mendip talk by John Dickson for Avon Wildlife Trust, 7.45pm Chew Magna Old School Room, £2.50.

Friday November 25th

West Mendip Orchestra Concert 7.30pm All Saints Church, WSM, BS23 2NL at 7:45pm. Tickets £10 on door. Details: www.westmendip-orchestra.org.uk.

St Margaret’s Hospice Christmas Market,

Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill, Crewkerne, 124.30pm, craft stalls and festive entertainment. Whitchurch Art Club Craft Fayre. 2.306.30pm Fortfield Rd Community Centre BS14 9NT. Free entry and affordable gifts. New members welcome any Thursday 7-9pm. Details: avril.csve@gmail.com

Glastonbury & Street Lions Music Quiz,

7.30pm Ashcott village hall. Teams up to six, £5pp, take own refreshments. Details: 01458 210926 or 210445.

Saturday November 26th

Festival of Carols, Cheddar 7.30pm Catholic Church: www.somersetchoralsociety.com Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Congresbury Christmas Sale, 10am-12 Methodist Hall. Coffee, plants, crafts. The Note Warehouse Concert 7.30pm St Mary’s, Yatton. See: www.yms.org.uk Timsbury Christmas Gifts & more, St. Mary's Church, 10-3.30pm. Tunley Craft Fayre 10am-3 Recreation Centre BA2 ODZ. Downside Abbey Concert, 6.30pm See p98.

Sunday November 27th

Shepton Mallet Victorian Fayre. See p92.

Monday November 28th Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm St Mary's Church, Timsbury. Donations, refreshments available. Wessex Stationary Engine Club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough. Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in, 24pm Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Wednesday Nov 30th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support

meeting 1.30 pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila, 01275 462107. Harptrees History Society Dr Amy Frost on the WW2 Bath Blitz, 7.30pm Harptree Memorial Hall. BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome, £3. Please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org

Friday December 2nd

Save the Children lunches 12.30pm alt. Fridays, Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. £4.50. Trio Paradis 'Winter Wonderland' 2.30pm Leigh-on-Mendip village hall. Leigh-on-Mendip Christmas Fair 6pm St Giles. Cheddar Festive Night, from 6pm, with music, stalls and shopping through the village and Gorge.

Friday December 2nd to Sun Dec 4th

Crib Festival St Cuthbert’s, Wells. Worldwide nativity sets on display, with music, refreshments. 10am-4.30pm, Sun 11.30am4.30pm.

Saturday December 3rd

Chew Magna Christmas Fair see p58. Churchill Music! Leia Zhu on violin, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Wrington BS40 5LF. Details: tickets@churchillmusic.org.uk Bleadon Christmas Market. 9.30-12.30, BS24 0PG. Over 50 stalls, see Facebook. Costanzi Consort 7.30pm All Saints church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Timsbury Festive Coffee Morning 10-12 St. Mary's Church. Free entry & glass of sherry. Coffee, mince pies, gift stall.

Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm St Phillip & St James Church, Norton St Phillip. Details: www.Mendipmen.co.uk

Sunday December 4th RNLI Winscombe & District Branch

Reindeer Run, 2K and 5K trails, meet at 1pm for 2pm start: Cricket Club Car Park, BS25 1AZ. Details: Tim@moransonline.com

Tuesday December 6th

‘Cartier: Jeweller of Genius’ talk to the Arts Society Mendip, 11am Croscombe village hall & Zoom. Guests welcome £6. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk.

Wednesday December 7th

“Somerset Spiders” talk by Francis Farr-Cox for Mendip Hills Area Group of SWT. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events

Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in

first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com

Friday December 9th

Avon Wildlife Trust ‘Wildlife photographs Kenya, Ode to a Snail /Quiz’ 7.30pm Baptist Church Hall, High St, Keynsham. Members £3, visitors £4. Mendip Male Voice Choir Carols at Bath Christmas Market, 7 to 8pm.

Saturday December 10th Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market

10am-12, parish hall. Details: 01278 760308.

Mendip Male Voice Choir Christmas

Concert 7.30pm Shepton Mallet. Details: www.Mendipmen.co.uk

Monday December 12th Nailsea & District Local History Society

talk: “Historic tunes, dances & songs” 7.45pm Nailsea School. Details: www.ndlhs.org.uk

Wednesday December 14th

Carols By Candlelight 7pm All Saints church, WSM, BS23 2NL

Downside concert has history on its side

ONSaturday, November 26th Downside Abbey Visitors Centre are presenting an evening of music featuring the abbey’s amazing Compton organ with talented young organist Matthew Walters.

Matthew has carefully selected a collection of pieces from composers such as Bach, Buxtehude, Hans Zimmer, Mendelssohn, Handel and other well-known composers.

The selection not only demonstrates the versatility of the organ but also demonstrates Matthew’s playing ability and understanding of this special instrument.

The Compton organ is the third one to occupy its position in the gallery of the south transept where it sits behind a carved oak screen designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The organ console was built by the John Compton Organ Company in 1931.

It is a versatile and expressive instrument with a wide range of tone colours. The wood on the console was taken from HMS Bellerophon, the ship which transported Napoleon after the Battle of Waterloo.

Tickets are available from the Abbey visitors centre (open Thursday & Friday 10am–4pm) or online at www.visitdownside.co.uk

Organised by Chew Valley Films with Mendip Times

*Quote ref mt 1122