Issue 7 - Volume 16 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 16 ISSUE 7

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

DECEMBER 2020

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A CHRISTMAS HAMPER See page 86

SEASON’S GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS! Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WISHING everyone a happy and healthy Christmas may seem a bit inappropriate given what we are going through with the pandemic. But life goes on and our local communities continue to respond brilliantly.

Several places held Remembrance services early to beat the latest lockdown, while observing social distancing, and we have pictures from many of them. Dr Phil Hammond assesses the likely effectiveness of vaccines. Let us hope for better times next year Les Davies has memories of Christmas past while June MacFarlane cooks up some Christmas cheer. Sue Gearing’s walk starts from Pensford, where the village is planning its usual nativity trail.

Many businesses are hoping for a seasonal boost and we have special features this month on Chew Valley, Cheddar, Shepton and Wrington, as well as a very busy Business section.

The traditional Holy Thorn will soon be on its way to the Queen – there’s a new book on the plant’s history. Some traditions continue, thank goodness.

On a lighter note we meet Kee Kee the cat burglar of Wells and celebrate the refurbishment of the village hall in Puxton.

With all of our regular contributors and features, let us keep you company this Christmas. May it be a happy and healthy one for you.

January 2020 deadline: Friday, 4th December 2020 Published: Tuesday, 15th December 2020 Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888

or: email: news@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates.

Front cover: Rotary fundraiser solution to lockdown restrictions.

Photo by Mark Adler. See page 35.

19

30

Meet Kee Kee the cat burglar – and some of her spoils

Striking a pose – Shepton businesses on show

67

Spring bulbs – kids keep planting

50

A moving tribute – wreaths leave for London Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Nick Green .....................10 Internet and Crossword ..............12 Food & Drink ...............................14 Arts & Antiques ...........................20 Business.........................................24 Charities........................................32 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......43 Walking Sue Gearing ....................44

Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........46 Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......48 History...........................................51 Health & Family ..........................56 Education ......................................62 Homes & Interiors .......................76 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE....80 Caving Phil Hendy ........................82 Sport ..............................................83 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 3

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Tony Hucker TV Service – Sales – Rental

• • • • • •

Satellite Installations Aerial Systems TV wall mounting Custom Installations Networking Signal Solutions

01275 332888 www.tonyhuckertv.co.uk Email: tony@tonyhuckertv.co.uk Unit 4, Fairseat Workshops, Chew Stoke BS40 8XF Open: Mon – Thurs 9.00am – 5.30pm Fri – 9.00am – 5.00pm

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

Christmas is approaching fast.

This has been a year that most of us will want to forget and it will be nice to turn the page and look forward to 2021 with a little more optimism.

Our offices will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 23rd December until 9am on Thursday, 4th January to allow our staff to enjoy a wellearned break and time with their friends and families.

Traditionally, Christmas is the time of year to be thankful so . . . a big thank you to all our staff whose energy, enthusiasm and diligence enables us to provide the service of which we are justly proud. They have been truly magnificent this year and have always gone the extra mile to help us to deal with the challenges that Covid-19 has presented.

Thanks also go to our professional and other business contacts. We have very much enjoyed working with you this year despite the difficult circumstances and we hope to do more in 2021. Most of all we give sincere thanks to our clients. Whether regular or occasional, we value each and every one and we are touched by the loyalty shown by those that return to us, sometimes after several years, because they remember our good service. We are grateful to all of you and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Castle Cary: e Old Exchange, Church Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7EJ. 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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To the manor drawn

Yeo Valley has revealed plans to revive 500-acres of woodland in the Mendips and make them accessible to walkers and, eventually, cyclists.

The 500-acre woodland at Hazel Manor Farm, above Compton Martin and Ubley, was bought by Yeo Valley’s Holt Farms in 2019.

Now the family dairy business is outlining how it will restore the uncared-for woods, Tim Mead originally planted in 1999.

Yeo Valley’s Tim Mead said: “This is a really exciting project.

We’re eager to improve and enhance this beautiful area of woodland which has been left unmanaged for a considerable time. We’ve already seen the wildlife increase since we removed the old deer fencing put up 20 years ago, when the trees were first planted.

“There’s a lot of work to do on the woods and to make the perimeter accessible while respecting the ecology of the area. It’s all an incredible undertaking but a brilliant project to be custodian of.”

Yeo Valley’s conservation team has been working with woodland experts including Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission on the best approach for managing the area, which is facing the large-scale impact of ash dieback.

The first walk around the perimeter of Hazel Manor woods, called the Yeo Valley Way, is featured in a new walking book

by Sue Gearing and Les Davies, called Mendipity (see page 13).

You can buy the book from the Yeo Valley’s website www.yeovalley.co.uk Somerset Wildlife Trust has recently launched a campaign and appeal to support their work on ash dieback on their own managed woodland across the Mendips.

High Sheriff’s almshouse visit

Gorge closed to cut down dying trees

NEWS

THe road through Cheddar Gorge has been closed so that Somerset Wildlife Trust can tackle advanced ash dieback on its Black Rock reserve.

The trust is felling all ash trees within striking distance of the road and public rights of way, as it says these trees will pose a significant and ever-increasing risk to public safety if left standing.

The road was due to close on November 23rd and is due to remain closed until December 14th from the edge of the village up until where the road splits to become the B3371 and Plummer’s Lane.

Work is also being carried out along the bridleway running through Black Rock reserve. This is due to finish on December 7th. Walkers and visitors are reminded to stick to paths, follow diversions and other signs and not visit this reserve at all during high winds, as this can be dangerous.

The trust’s specialist assessment estimates the most urgent safety work needed across its reserves will cost £600,000.

It says: “This is just the start of what will be a long-term emergency response and recovery plan for these woodlands, the habitats they provide, their wildlife and for the people and communities around them.

“Although the works will have a striking visual impact along Cheddar Gorge, there is one silver lining; removing these ash trees will effectively create a strip of woodland edge habitat, and the extra light that will then reach through the canopy will encourage the growth of ground flora and understory plants.

“This will increase the structural diversity of the woodland running through the gorge and should be beneficial for the strong resident population of dormice there, as well as woodland butterflies and other invertebrates.”

It has launched an Ash Dieback Fund to help secure funding for the work and welcomes donations.

Mary-Clare Rodwell (centre) with trustees Sandra Freeborn and Ernie Woodford

A VISIT to Shepton Mallet’s almshouses by the High Sheriff of Somerset took place just before the start of the second lockdown.

Mary-Clare Rodwell’s tour of the properties had been delayed by the first lockdown but she was finally able to meet residents and a number of the charity’s trustees. Jeff Curtis, the chair of trustees, said: “our charity is delighted that she did so and her positive mood lifted the spirits of all those she met.”

Dying ash trees at Black Rock

Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/ashdiebackfund

(Photo courtesy of Chris Eyles)

MENDIP TIMES

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Residents have vision of community garden

Campaigners on the site which is enjoyed by local residents

a caMPaIGN is underway in Frome to protect and enhance a wildlife haven and former allotment site for community use.

The site – a ten-minute walk from the town centre – is being called Frome’s “last undeveloped green space” and there are fears it could be developed for social housing by owners Mendip District council (see panel opposite).

The site is situated behind houses on Broadway and oakfield Road and local families are backing the campaign by

the Broadway allotment and community Garden association. More than 500 people have signed a petition to save the site, which is close to three schools. The land – along with similar plots throughout Mendip – is included in a review by the authority as it looks at ways to build its first social housing in almost 20 years.

The group’s proposal is to: “Preserve the land for ecological benefit and community use, and to secure the area as a green space for everyone to enjoy.”

Campaign continues

LocaL campaigners in cross and compton Bishop have been celebrating the completion of a pedestrian island and road crossings on the a38 just north of the junction with cross Lane.

Where there was only an uneven grass verge alongside a ditch there is now a surfaced path up to the gate into the footpath across the fields to axbridge.

Somerset county councilor, Bob Filmer, cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new path and said: “I am pleased to be able to join local campaigners who have worked so hard to gather support for the safe crossing on the a38.”

Tess Gill, the campaign chair, said there was still more to do.

The new path ends at the gate into the fields and the landowners of those fields have not agreed to improvements on the right of way up to axbridge so it is accessible and safe for all.

She said: “as heavy traffic with many lorries on the a38/cross Lane junction and cross Lane is increasing all the time due to construction of Hinckley c and also house building

PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

It has enlisted a garden designer – Polly coupland – to develop a plan for the site, which would see the creation of wildlife habitats, allotments, a community orchard, play area and nature trail.

Surveys have revealed that the area is home to badgers and is used as a hunting ground by bats. Large parts are completely overgrown by bramble which volunteers are starting to clear to reveal its ecology.

John clarke, chair of the association,

in cheddar Valley, axbridge, and cheddar, an off the road safe route all the way from the a38 junction to axbridge is essential for pedestrians and cyclists.”

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ENVIRONMENT

Five sites chosen – more on their way?

The site sits between housing on the western edge of town

said: “We are certainly not opposed to social housing. There is a desperate need for such housing. However, this site offers a unique opportunity to create a special place for all the community of Frome. We believe our proposal offers a strong case to protect what is now the last undeveloped green space in Frome. We are seeing more and more encroachment onto green fields around Frome for the building of homes.”

Helen Sprawson-White, a district

councillor for oakfield Ward, is supporting the campaign as is Frome Town council. Helen said: “I do believe that due to the heavy wildlife and ecological presence it would be difficult to justify using the land for housing and their proposal meets much more readily the council’s objectives for green and sustainable impact for our communities, valuing the importance of community resilience and safeguarding the ecological and biodiversity of such spaces.”

Play time in one of the areas cleared of brambles

Starting work on information boards for visitors

aN ambitious scheme to provide up to 160 much-needed affordable houses across five sites owned by Mendip District council in Frome, Glastonbury and Street has been backed by councillors.

The council says it will continue to look at options for other “underutilised” parcels of land across the district as part of a plan to build up to 500 homes. Two of the sites are in Street, in cemetery Lane and in half of cranhill Road car park (furthest from the High Street). The others are Norbins Road car park in Glastonbury and Easthill in Frome.

The fifth site earmarked for development as part of this first phase of affordable housing delivery, is at North Parade car park in Frome, where a pilot scheme for highly sustainable, modular housing is being considered. apart from the North Parade site, the plots will be transferred to a housing association. Detailed development proposals for the first phase of new homes are expected go before Mendip’s planning board in the spring.

The council says the scheme delivers on its corporate priorities of “making Mendip a fairer place” and makes progress on its climate and ecological commitment. The construction works will create jobs and boost the local economy, meanwhile occupiers will enjoy reasonable rents, greater security and have a place they can call home.

In Mendip, there are currently 1,685 households registered on Somerset Homefinder looking to access housing at social rent, with a further 250 households requiring other forms of affordable housing.

In a brief statement regarding Broadway a spokesperson for the council said: “Mendip District council is looking at all its holdings.

The area you refer to is not part of our current development programme.”

For details, visit: https://www.broadwaycommunitygardens.com/ or their Facebook page Friends of Broadway Allotment and Community Garden Association.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Help shape Frome’s Rodden Meadow

ENVIRONMENT

PEoPLE who enjoy the Rodden Meadow area in Frome are being asked for their views on a possible tree planting scheme there.

Frome Town council launched its Wild about Trees project in February when people gathered to plant 1,200 whips in the field below the allotment site on Birchill Lane and at Weylands. Now the council is looking at other green spaces and looking at what other areas may benefit from some tree planting; Rodden Meadow, close to the town centre, is the first to be considered.

Rodden Meadow is just minutes from Frome town centre

Town mayor Ali Barclay visited the first drop-in session prelockdown at Rodden Meadow

Gas plant protests

a series of drop-in sessions at the meadow had to be postponed due to the second lockdown, but the council is keen to hear views online. councillor Mark Dorrington said: "The main meadow area will remain open and focus on the single mature oak situated there, in all its glory. and we're interested to hear your views on any further planting which could take place; whether there are any trees that would bring seasonal colour and areas of shade that you'd like to see. or any species which you think would sit well in the meadow. We will also be looking at succession planting which is important for the future of the space. We want this area to be enjoyed by the community for years to come.” l Feedback will be fed into the main proposal for the area.

Email Helen Viner, Wild about Trees officer, on hviner@frometowncouncil.gov.uk or visit the Wild about Trees page at www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk

MIDSoMER Norton residents are protesting about plans for a gas plant in the town and have delivered a petition to the company behind the scheme, conrad Energy in abingdon.

Resident, Luisa Kozlowski, said: “We got over 1500 signatures on the petition in just over two weeks, an incredible result. It shows just how angry people are about this power station pumping out toxic air pollution right on their doorsteps and only 175 metres from the local school.”

The campaign unites residents with other environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion Bath. The site on Midsomer Enterprise Park is 100 metres from the nearest house, 175 metres from Welton Primary School and 300 metres from Welton Free Rangers Forest School Nursery.

The project was approved by the B&NES council officers in May 2020 and many local residents were outraged at the lack of consultation. The decision was made during lockdown without a full committee hearing.

The mayor of Radstock, environmental biologist Dr Rupert Bevan, said: “To the east and north east are the hills and batches of the Somerset coalfield and with the prevailing wind coming from the South West, gas plant emissions will tend to migrate towards Radstock.”

Local residents are being encouraged to sign the petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-big-no-to-use-offossil-fuels PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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MENDIP TIMES

Use it or lose it – that goes for farms too

AT this time of year I always like to look forward to the next 12 months. It’s nice to consider what may or may not happen both by design and by accident. The last year has been one that none of us will forget and no doubt there will huge changes as a consequence.

With NICK I think of all the things that have changed in GREEN our area over the last 50 years. How many country pubs have been lost? How many village shops have been lost? How many rural post offices have been closed down? There

GALHAMPTON Country Store

A fAmily-run VillAGE shop And storE on thE A359 BEtwEEn CAstlE CAry & spArkford

Pet, poultry & horse feeds

Livestock feeds & farm supplies Timber, gardening & hardware

Daily home essentials

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Mon-Sat 8am-5.30pm/Sun 10am-4pm Tel: 01963 440464

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

was a time when all the villages on Mendip had these places as a focal point in their community. These places and people were the glue that held everything together. Even with the lack of village amenities it’s good there are those that still keep things going.

Farming is no different. The industry has changed enormously over the last 50 years. In villages around the Mendips, where there used to be numerous small herds of cows, there are now just a couple of herds with hundreds of cows in them. Economics, availability of labour and government policy have combined to force small herds out and encourage larger herds. Still the same number of cows but looked after by a lot less people.

As long as we continue to drink milk, eat cheese, butter and yoghurt there will be cows. With our exit from the EU there will be big changes in British farming. This is all well and good and no doubt we can all enjoy and benefit from the changes. Where it falls down is if those farmers who are experts at producing food profitably find it more beneficial to change tack and farm the environment to the exclusion of food production. Ask anyone who has stopped milking cows would they start again? The answer, invariably, is no. A farm is no different than any other rural business. We need to use it or we will lose it.

Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. He is responsible for the farming and estate business and is passionate about British food and farming. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.

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FARMING

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 11

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INTERNET

Tips and tricks for Gmail

IF you have a Gmail account, there are lots of different ways to use it, and here are a few. Smart Compose can finish your sentences for you. When you begin typing out an email, Gmail will guess what you’re trying to say. If you don’t want that suggestion, just keep typing. Or by pressing the tab key, the suggestion will automatically appear in the email. It’s like we’re finishing each others. . .

To turn on Smart Compose, go to a Settings (cog in top right corner) a [All settings] a General, then scroll down and click to turn the “Smart Compose” button on. By simultaneously enabling “Personalization,” Google’s AI will tailor its composition suggestions to your preferences and habits. You can even provide feedback for Smart Compose so that this feature can learn your preferences and style. To do this, go to the “More Options” button at the bottom of your email toolbar next to the Trash Icon and select “Smart Compose Feedback”.

If you want to compose an email and then send an email later, Gmail can schedule it for you, so you can decide when an email gets sent by clicking the little upward arrow next to “Send,” and selecting a time and date. When you’re finished with your email, click the down arrow at the bottom left of your new email next to the “Send” button. You will be prompted with “Schedule Send.”

Click this option and pick a date and time to send the email. Once this is selected, click “Schedule Send” and the email will send by itself.

I think we have all clicked Send and suddenly realised we’ve mis-typed something, or made a mistake. Well Gmail can give you a chance to change your mind.

To set it up, go to the Settings icon in the top right hand corner of your Gmail homepage, choose Settings a General, then click on “undo send.” You can decide how long you have before the option to call your email back from the ether. However, this only stays active if you don’t click anything else.

You can make your emails work like Snapchat – in that the email you send will sort of “self destruct” after a certain time.

Click on the “lock and clock” icon at the bottom of your Compose email. You will get the option to set an expiry time. The recipient will know you have set it. You can set a passcode if it’s very confidential. The person receiving the email won’t be able to do anything with it, just view it, and then after the allotted time it will disappear. Spooky!!

Submitted by IT for the Terrified • Not training at the moment, but contact us for a word of advice on your computer use. Cheddar Village Hall, Church St, Cheddar BS27 3RF www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com 01934 741751 IT 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.

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Not the Public school in Godalming but an auction house in Sherborne (12) 8 Fruit grown at Myrtle Farm, Sandford (5) 9 Sustenance; nourishment (9) 11 Move cargo between vessels (5-4) 12 The first letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 13 A person or thing set up for easy criticism, also a game involving throwing sticks or balls at a target (4,5) 16 Pieces from “Times” (5) 18 Settle debts (3,2) 19 Very narrow item of clothing worn round the neck (6,3) 20 Name used on two-way radio to indicate you understand (5) 22 Small village on the river Chew 5 miles from Keynsham. Has a lake and house taking the name of the village (9) 25 Turn from liquid into gas (9) 26 Artery in the pelvis supplying the legs (5) 27 Lad Terry, teed off for this important occasion (off indicates an anagram!) (36,3)

DOWN 1 The office of leader of the team (9) 2 The near east has such regions (5) 3 What you get when you move the decimal point one place left (5) 4 Settler of taxes to a local authority (9) 5 Rusting is an example of this chemical process (9) 6 Sooty’s friend (5) 7 In 1887, in this village a labourer called William Currell unearthed 1,496 Roman coins (4,8) 10 The process of moving something from one place to another (12) 14 American football annual championship game (5,4) 15 Stop believing that success is possible (4,5) 17 One end or the other (9) 21 Another fruit grown at Myrtle Farm, Sandford – see 8 across (5) 23 A sibling’s daughter (5) 24 Usually last in the frame (5) Clues in italics are cryptic by greendandelion

This month’s solution can be found on page 86

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pennys

www.pennysgroup.co.uk info@pennyplant.com +44 (0)1761 241387

No order too big or too small Suppling quality topsoil, compost and aggregates Asbestos removal and collection Recycling, muck away and grab hire Plant hire Demolition Earthworks and construction pennys waste management.

Weston Garden Machinery Garden Machinery & Woodburning Specialists

Christmas greetings to all our customers

Behind Shell Garage Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS

Tel: 01934 626093 www.westongarden.co.uk

pennys materials.

pennys plant.

pennys demolition.

pennys construction.

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MENDIP TIMES

FOOD & DRINK

The Big Little Christmas Feast 2020

NOT quite the Christmas we all had in mind, but whether you spend it on your own, or with five other people, or on Zoom, I wish you the very best of Christmas cheer. I know where to find the mandarin orange and I’ll show With JUNE you how to make a mini version of a MACFARLANE Mendip hog roast, stuffed with garlic and herbs, and if you only have a tiny bit of space left I have a sorbet to fill it. See you in 2021!

PORCHETTA

Give yourself plenty of space, roll up your sleeves and take a deep breath. It’s easy!

METHOD In a dry pan toast the fennel seeds and chilli flakes lightly. Pound with the garlic, salt, rosemary and olive oil to make a paste. Score the flesh of the pork belly and rub the paste into it. Trim the tenderloin to fit and roll the pork belly around it. Tie

GOLDEN BEETROOT AND MANDARIN SALAD

firmly with string at 5cm intervals.

Refrigerate uncovered overnight. Bring back to room temperature before cooking.

Preheat oven to 160°C. Pat meat dry and place on a rack in a generous roasting tin. Roast for four hours then turn the heat up high and roast for a further 20-30 mins to brown the crackling, watching it carefully. Rest for 30 mins.

Make your usual gravy if you like.

Bright colours and fresh zingy flavours to start a meal.

METHOD Preheat oven to 180°C. Wash and A bright and colourful starter for a dark trim December beetroot.

Wrap in tinfoil and roast in oven for 40-60 mins, until very tender. When cool enough to handle, peel skins and set aside to cool completely. Toast walnuts in a dry pan until lightly coloured.

Cool. Steep shallot in INGREDIENTS lemon juice for ten mins. (for six) Slice beetroot and 500g golden beetroot mandarins into half2 tbsp walnuts, broken moons. Add olive oil 1 tbsp finely diced shallot and honey to shallots.

Juice of 1 small lemon Season and taste.

6 mandarins, peeled Arrange beetroot and 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil mandarins on a plate.

2 tsp honey Sprinkle walnuts over.

1 tbsp finely sliced fresh mint Spoon over shallots and leaves dressing and scatter the mint over everything.

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

The main event: this porchetta is a mini Mendip hog roast

INGREDIENTS

(for six plus sandwiches) 3-4kg boneless pork belly, unrolled 1 pork tenderloin 6–8 cloves garlic, crushed 1tbsp fennel seeds 1tsp dried chilli flakes 30g sea salt 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 1tbsp olive oil

RASPBERRY SORBET A little fruity treat.

INGREDIENTS

(for six) METHOD 250g caster sugar Simmer the caster sugar 400g raspberries with 250ml of water until Juice of ½ lemon sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool completely. Whizz raspberries and lemon juice to make a puree. Push through a fine sieve to remove seeds. Stir in sugar syrup. Churn in ice cream maker. Alternatively put in a container in freezer and stir every hour until frozen. Store in freezer and put in fridge for 20 mins before using.

This dessert can be prepared by freezing or churned in an ice cream maker

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

INN OL D

DOW N

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

Now taking bookings for our Christmas menu l Two courses: £18 l Three courses: £22

Wishing you all a safe and peaceful Christmas . . . from the Old Down team! e Old Down Inn, Emborough, Radstock BA3 4SA W: www.theolddowninn.co.uk • T: 01761 232398 E: theolddowninn@hotmail.co.uk

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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WILD FOOD

White Christmas waxcaps!

WE all dream of a white Christmas. Well some do, others dream of somewhere hot and dry (Bahamas anyone?) and to be fair many would rather be anywhere else than here right now. Nevertheless, somehow the idea of a white Christmas has found its way into our zeitgeist and the very thought of With ADRIAN the slightest chance, the mere inkling of a BOOTS snowflake, sends many into a spin.

Well I can’t promise snow on the morning of Christmas Day, waking up to the gifts of cold crisp air, a totally pristine white landscape with diamonds twinkling in the sun, so how about Snowy Waxcaps instead?

The Snowy Waxcap (Hygrocybe viginea) has a cap about 34cm in diameter, convex then flattening with a broad raised centre. The texture of the cap is waxy and they are completely white which accounts for its common and Latin names!

The stem is 34cm, the gills are thick, broadly spaced, waxy and decurrent meaning that they run down the stem. Look out for them in the late autumn, early winter in short grass (gardens and mown meadows) and they particularly like it in moss.

Often growing in complete or partial rings but you can just find one or two together.

Our Snowy Waxcap has a pleasantly mild flavour which, whilst not standing up too well if cooked with other strong flavours, if mixed with other Waxcaps (e.g. Meadow Waxcap) and gently cooked in butter to release their subtleties, they make a delightful Christmas morning breakfast.

Interestingly, if you have Snowy Waxcaps growing profusely in your garden there may be an argument that the garden or indeed whole plot was once agricultural grassland, a meadow or pasture field and you are now the benefactors of that history.

Here’s wishing you all a very merry White Christmas . . .

Waxcaps. It might be the only snow you’ll see this year!

Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his website: www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

The joy of pak choi

WE’VE grown a lot of pak choi this year and it’s really coming in handy now – as many other vegetables have wound down in the garden the pak choi seems to be on the up. It thrives in the cool, moist, low light conditions of late autumn, forming With JAKE plenty of crunchy leaves and stems WHITSON which are delicious in all kinds of Asian food, as well as just shredded up and steamed as a stand-in for cabbage.

We sowed our plants in mid-August in soil blocks in the conservatory and planted them outside around the beginning of October – I didn’t have a lot of hope for them because they were immediately covered with cabbage whites, hit with hail, torrential rain and wind.

They’ve stood up to the weather well, however, and we only had to pick caterpillars off once as the cooler weather put paid to the butterflies, so by the beginning of November we had plenty of pretty respectable plants.

We almost always cook pak choi quite briefly – it is acceptable raw but rather stringy, and overcooked it becomes soggy and sulphurous, like overcooked cabbage. Stir fries, or brief immersion in a tasty stock or curry, suit it best.

The closest I come to serving it as a meal in its own right is in this dish of pak choi and onion in a sesame sauce.

Quarter a few small pak choi heads and slice an onion into half centimetre slices. Add a tablespoon of sesame seeds to a hot pan and toast until golden, then add a spoon of oil and a sliced clove of garlic, cook briefly, then add the vegetables.

Stir fry over a high heat for just a minute, then add a cup of rich chicken stock with a teaspoon of cornflour stirred in, a splash each of sesame oil and soy sauce, and salt. Stir as it comes to the boil and thickens, season with salt and more soy sauce if necessary, and serve immediately with plenty of rice.

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

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Halloween in Holcombe

Taylor and Georgie

A SPOOKY trail around Holcombe featuring creepy characters and the mysterious “disappearance” of a resident has raised almost £750 for the village playing fields.

Chloe prepares to jump out of the bushes to scare oncomers Scary monsters

Meeting one of the undead

Villagers entered into the spirit of the occasion

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Watching the detectives: organisers Lynne Cox and Laura Carter with some of the families who enjoyed the trail

Zombies on the footpath

Look into my eyes: Bob behind the mask

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NEWS

Naughty Torty’s stack of loot GEORGIA Careless knows that whatever small present she wants for Christmas, her cat Kee Kee can probably get it. The seven-year-old tortoiseshell is a true cat burglar.

She’s taken so many stolen goods home in Wells that Georgia’s mum, Nikki, put out an appeal on Facebook asking people to reclaim what they have lost.

The feline felon has brought home a Ted Baker bikini, top and bottom; four pairs of socks, carried in one at a time; gloves; knickers; T-towels; feather dusters; car washing sponges and much, much, more.

What would she want with a

shuttlecock?

Kee Kee also has an eye for food, stealing gherkins, cheese, ham and lifting lettuce from a neighbour’s tortoise.

Georgia, aged 21, a beautician and hairdresser, said: “She brings in the weirdest things. We call her Naughty Torty.

She is worse in the summer, when people have their doors open.

“She’s crafty and never seems to get caught. She brings things in along the top of the fence and then through three cat flaps before leaving them for us.”

What will the mystic mog conjure up next?

Villagers “outraged” over homes plan RESIDENTS of Coleford who opposed a plan for 63 new homes on the edge of their village say they are outraged that the proposal has been resubmitted to Mendip District Council.

The original application for the site off Anchor Road was rejected on the grounds of the “significantly harmful visual impact on the character of the area and landscape” but opponents say the new plans are identical.

The villagers, who say they will fight once again to stop the development by Gladman, say the main reason for refusal –

road safety concerns along Charmborough Lane – was not accepted.

Parish and district councillor Alan Townsend said: “The parish council had produced evidence of over 30 recent accidents on or close to the lane but county highways insisted that as there was no personal injury on their database there was no problem.”

He added: “The proposed housing mix bore no relation to the recent housing needs survey in the village.”

Festival succeeds despite pandemic

THE Wells Festival of Literature has been declared a success despite the obstacles it faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Forced to reduce audience numbers for its speakers, the festival went online as well. In all, 2,000 people attended events in Cedars Hall with a further 3,500 registering to enjoy the live streaming, donating more than £8,000 towards festival funds.

Speakers included Charles Moore, Rachel Clarke, Rachel Johnson, Max Porter, Pragya Agarwal, Michael Eavis, Simon Armitage, Michael Wood, Jeremy

(Photo courtesy of Jo Shepherd)

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine

Vine and Charles Spencer.

The international poetry, short story and children’s book competition attracted record international entries with more than 1,000 for the open poetry alone.

Local poet Roger Adams won the Hilly Cansdale Local Prize with his poem, Lights Out. Simon Heathcote’s short story The Price of Feet claimed the Wyvern local prize and Val Mote’s book Mind Dump took the local prize for children’s fiction.

Donations and ticket sales also allowed the festival to continue to support local

children. The residents of Baltonsborough set up a Kids Half Term Lunch Club and the festival provided free books to be offered with the lunches. The festival also continues to support children’s authors through virtual visits to schools.

Chair of the volunteers, Richard Manning, said: “We were overwhelmingly minded to go ahead … it has been a more challenging festival than the last 27, but we don’t regret the decision which has been met with huge appreciation by our speakers and audiences of all ages.”

The Baltonsborough book club MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 19

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MendiP TiMes

Artist returns to roots

Originally from Somerset, educated in Wells and at the Somerset College of art, i worked as a designer in london before moving to Paris in the 1970s where i worked for an acclaimed design studio. i developed a distinct style of

Rocks at Chapel Porth

design creating my own collection of (now vintage) prints for furnishing and fashion fabrics which were sold globally. returning to the UK, i channelled my passion for art, spending 36 years teaching in Essex, inspiring the next generation (or two) of budding artists, designers and photographers.

To escape the pressures of work, i found tranquillity on the coastal paths of west Cornwall. This beautiful landscape inspired me to grow as an artist, whilst discovering new digital art skills in the process.

Specialising in fine art, i was inspired to create high definition studio paintings using layered paint and subtle washes to reveal in meticulous detail; the dynamic colour, texture and drama of this honest, unforgiving and beautiful landscape.

My passion for art, however, does not stop there. a devoted photographer, i have spent many years photographing

Cape Cornwall from Carn Gloose

west Cornwall on both Slr and digital cameras.

Since my well-earned retirement from teaching, i have expanded my approach to mark-making, exploring the medium of digital art using the iPad as another creative tool. after 50 years of creativity, i am pleased to invite you to explore through my websites a selection of my expanding body of work. i hope you find something that appeals or inspires.

Jonathan Foster

Contact me on 07771-903093 or email admin@jonathanfoster.art – explore my paintings: jonathanfoster.art

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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studio sale attracts keen interest KillEnS have continued to operate at the Mendip auction rooms with sales having been staged online-only with the team working hard in providing condition reports to potential purchasers and additional photographs.

Hopefully, it will be a return to some form of normality in December with viewing days allowed. The latest updates will be found on the website, www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk During november, Killens staged a successful sale of antiques and Collectables with the entry of an impressive sale of paintings, sketches and works from the family of the italian artist, georgio Matteo aicardi (1891 – 1984) and the works attracted keen interest from around the world, particularly italy.

Over 700 lots went under the hammer with collectables, silver and jewellery continuing to generate strong online and telephone bidding.

Two general or Victorian and later Effects sales are staged each month in addition to the monthly sale of antiques and Collectables and the auction rooms are continuing to receive a strong level of entries with a wide variety of items to

ARTs & AnTiques attract interest. if you are buying a home for the first time, buying at auction is a great opportunity to purchase some quality furniture at a reasonable price so do browse the online catalogues.

With the auction rooms getting busier, Killens are getting set for the new year with the strengthening of the team. neil grenyer is joining Killens as Senior Valuer and auctioneer having previously worked with lawrences at Crewkerne and will strategically oversee the auction rooms and undertake home visits and probate valuations, whilst niall Fry is joining as a Valuer and auctioneer from Brighton and Hove auctions.

The next sale of antiques and Collectables at the Mendip auction rooms will be on Saturday, December 12th and will be preceded by a sale of Victorian and later Effects on Tuesday, December 8th. Entries are invited are invited for all our sales.

Contact the auction rooms on 01749 840770, email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk or visit the website for further assistance.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 21

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MendiP TiMes

“Turnip” attracts record entry

lOCKDOWn has spurred on entrants for the Turnip Prize, Wedmore’s irreverent version of the Turner Prize, with 120 entries. The presentation will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, December 1st online, the winner being the artwork deemed to have taken the least amount of effort.

Back to the Fuschia

Lock down

shut The duck up

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Rock On Tommy

Art online

THE nine-day Cam Valley virtual arts trail featured over 30 artists and was a feast for the eyes.

Due to Covid-19 the physical trail could not take place, so it was held online instead.

Many of the artists had created videos of themselves at work or explaining how their particular art or craft was created.

The group hopes to be back next year at their usual venues and are likely to incorporate an element of online exhibition as well. it has decided to keep the webpage open for the rest of november due to the second lockdown.

Jane Woodman

details: https://www.camvalleyartstrail.co.uk/2020arts-trail.html

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ARTs & AnTiques

not just for Christmas . . .

ClEVEDOn Salerooms’ pre-Christmas Quarterly Sale will be held on Thursday, December 10th at 10.30am. The online catalogue is available to view now and includes an eclectic mix of the fine and decorative arts.

This French papier-mache bull dog with nodding head and chain operated jaw and bark has already seen easily more than one hundred Christmases and if this year is a little different there’ll soon be another one. already house trained with an excellent pedigree, he will not chew any furniture or eat your slippers and is estimated at £400 – £600.

Talking of pedigree, how about a royal Bucket from Frogmore cottage, also estimated at £400 – £600. From one royal Family to another, in the ceramic world at least, is a folio of 29 watercolours depicting protype designs for Beswick’s range of Beatrix Folio of Beswick Beatrix Potter designs £800 – Potter £1,200 figures. This unique archive is estimated at £800-£1,200.

The sale will be held online only behind closed doors and viewing will be available by prior appointment. Clevedon Salerooms would like to wish all of their customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year and look forward to a more normal 2021.

Late 19th Century French papier-mache dog £400 – £600

Every lot in every auction, illustrated and sold with live internet bidding Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE & Safe, Drive-through VALUATION DAYS

Late 19th Century Clock Garniture

£3,000 - £4,000

14th & 15th December

Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery Auction ONLINE ONLY AUCTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 7th January at 10.30am VIEWING STRICTLY BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT – Contact the Salerooms

2.7ct Diamond ring

£8,000 - £12,000

NEW DATE

Dylan Lewis – Bronze Rhino

£3,000 -£4,000

Tel: 01934 830111

Quarterly Specialist Sale of Antiques, Fine Art, Collector’s Items, Jewellery, Silver and Watches

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

Thursday 10th December at 10.30am Live online only sale – Viewing by prior appointment MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 23

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Mendip TiMes

return land to nature

Nature Gift

Give a tree to family & friends this Xmas

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

P & C Logs

Chesterblade hills on the edge of the Mendip hills near shepton Mallet is becoming a hub for local efforts to mitigate climate change, create wildlife-rich habitat and provide a place where people can reconnect with the land. ed Green’s family have farmed here for seven generations and where once society demanded just food production, now the emphasis has changed to one that requires a different kind of custodianship.

Nature Gift is a project at Chesterblade hills, which is returning land to nature and giving people the opportunity to be part of this conservation work, planting trees, creating ponds and natural dams, growing new hedgerows and establishing wildflower meadows. all 100 percent of each Nature Gift donation goes towards a specific tree or pond and is ascribed an individual location that donors can visit for themselves on an annual open day.

It’s a perfect Christmas gift this year online. there’s also a beautiful and peaceful off-grid space called the Green heart, perfect for workshops, classes, corporate away days, educational activities and camping. details: https://chills.org.uk/green-heart-space/ www.what3words.com www.chills.org.uk www.chills.org.uk/naturegift

Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941

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).

Seasons Greetings to all our customers page 24 • Mendip TiMes • deceMBer 2020

Sale starts November 28th

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Business

Buying and selling property – beating the stamp duty deadline the huge increase in demand to buy property after lockdown, combined with the stamp duty holiday, has put massive pressure on the property market. buyers face huge delays at almost every stage of the process. the time it takes to buy a home has seemingly ballooned, and it can now take 12 to 20 weeks. so there is an increasing risk that you may not be able to complete your property transaction before the stamp duty deadline on 31 March 2021. here are some suggestions which may be of some help: selling a property: • Instruct a solicitor at the point of marketing your home, complete all property forms and supply the necessary supporting evidence such as warranties and building regulation certificates.

• You will need your energy Performance Certificate, title deeds and, if the property is a new-build, any guarantees and warranties. If you have done any work on the property, you will need the relevant consent and sign-off forms from the planning authorities.

• those who own a flat in a block are likely to need to get an external wall fire review safety form (eWs1). Without a valid eWs1 form, banks will not offer a mortgage on a property.

• leasehold owners should order leasehold packs direct from the freeholder or managing agent as soon as they have accepted an offer. the process can take three to five weeks, but it is not worth

ordering earlier. the information only lasts six months and can cost £100 to £400 to obtain.

• If you are a seller you might do well to order your own local authority searches as there could be significant delays in obtaining them due to short staffing.

Buying a property: • Find a solicitor that has capacity to readily carry out the work.

• Organise the survey as soon as you have found a property to buy.

• Organise the searches as soon as possible. saving delay in getting a mortgage: • Using a mortgage broker can save you time as they know which lenders offer the best rates in the quickest time frame. You can save two to three weeks by engaging with a broker early, rather than after they have made an offer.

• You can often speed up the application process by having your documents ready. employed applicants need three months of payslips, plus extra documentation if they have received bonuses or overtime payments, three months of bank statements and evidence of their deposit funds, plus a passport and proof of address.

• self-employed applicants face a more complex process and need to supply their tax returns. If they are the company director of a limited company, they need to supply the last two years of the company’s accounts. It is likely that lenders will want your 2019-20 tax year calculations the pandemic means few banks are willing to

lend using financial information from 18 months ago.

• doing your 2019-20 tax return in advance of the January deadline will therefore save up to a month of the mortgage processing time. self-employed workers also need to provide information on how they have been affected by the pandemic and if they have received Government support.

• larger deposits can speed up the approval process as sometimes applications can be automatically approved. always consider taking early legal advice on these matters as that could also help to save valuable time. edward Lyons

Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients. l Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes l Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills l Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts l Property – sales and purchases OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 Mendip TiMes • deceMBer 2020 • page 25

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Mendip TiMes

Business

l Seasoned hardwood logs l Nets of Kindling l Home/business delivery l Competitive prices

Tel: 01761 472140 • Mob: 07591 574399

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

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

Home oFFice Office or studio space for working from home Annexe Accommodate a growing family or use as guest accommodation Leisure Summerhouse and entertainment spaces, outdoor kitchens, playrooms and treehouses HoLidAy Holiday accommodation, Air B&B storAge Strong, dry, secure storage

Delivery service available – details on the website

All produced here in our own North Somerset factory.

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

Friendly - Reliable - Insured Experienced Horse Handler Fully insulated garden offices from £6,500.00 including installation

www.avocetproducts.co.uk/banwell/ email info@avocetproducts.co.uk • tel 01934 824092 page 26 • Mendip TiMes • deceMBer 2020

Mowing • Rolling • Harrowing Hedge Trimming • Stock Fencing Tractor fitted with Turf Tyres Areas covered: Somerset and surrounding counties For free quotations Tel: 01934 615396 • Mob: 07702 095607

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Mendip TiMes

preparing the ground for a successful future as I am writing this, some leaves are still hanging on the trees (just!) and we are starting to prepare the garden for winter. at least, that’s what we tell people. What we are actually doing is hoeing a few weeds away and burying the rest in mulch. so, that’ll ensure a good crop of them next spring then!

In those rare moments when the sun catches the garden, some of the smaller trees, more recently planted, catch the brightness. a few of them, chosen for their foliage, have the most beautiful bright red leaves and they absolutely glow. by contrast, a couple of big old ash trees which have grown from neglected hedging (long before we arrived here, I hasten to add) have got the dreaded ash die-back and have to be brought down. they become “spongey” and unsafe if left, especially as there are mediaeval farm buildings nearby which would be put at risk. so, if you’re now wondering what this has to do with business, let me enlighten you. In these times, as during every major economic depression we have lived through, larger, older corporations tend to suffer from their own form of “die-back”. the rot sets in and it seems impossible for them to diagnose the causes and develop the right cure. We have only to look at some of the older and formerly well-loved high street retailers to see this.

Now, sticking with my tree metaphor (quite pleased with this actually!), in the garden, some new shoots don’t make it to adulthood either. Perhaps they’ve been planted in the wrong place (I have memories of an abortive attempt to grow a tulip tree – so sad!) or they may have accidentally been mown off by someone

page 28 • Mendip TiMes • deceMBer 2020

Business

who was only trying to help and didn’t actually notice the tiny little thing hidden in some long grass – well how was I to know? however, others, like an oak we were able to rescue from a small pot where it had become rather thin and a bit sad, is now, in its fourth year with us, about ten feet tall and really doing well. these successful trees do well because the soil has been prepared well, the positioning has been carefully considered and often, a protective sleeve put around the narrow, young trunk, to prevent squirrels and rabbits nibbling the bark away and killing the tree. so, if you are forced or are choosing to change from working in a big organisation, and thinking about setting up your own “sapling” business, do please take all the care in the world of your precious seed of an idea. remember that there are people like us around you who have a specific expertise in this. think of us as your consultant tree surgeons. We know what it takes to get a business off the ground – often because we have done it ourselves! We can help you to avoid the pitfalls and prepare the soil for solid, steady future growth with a potentially lively and successful outcome. so, on that note, let me wish you well in whatever the future holds for you and may your Christmas be peaceful and as happy as it can possibly be. Personally, I am off to lie in a darkened room with a cool towel on my forehead. It isn’t often that I can carry a metaphor that distance without dropping it with a clang and I am exhausted! take care.

Jane Bowe, probusiness

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MENDIP TIMES

Advent trail in Oakhill

CHRISTMAS ON MENDIP

Villagers star in Christmas trail One of the kings

Huxley Gilchrist admires one of the advent windows

AlMOST 30 households in Oakhill have signed up to a Christmas window trail to raise funds for the local village hall.

Many of the houses will display a printed letter for people to find which will spell out a festive phrase. The trail coincides with an advent trail organised by the village church.

The village hall committee will be selling maps, mulled wine and mince pies at the start of the trail, which will run from december 19th to december 24th to allow families to take their time and observe social distancing. Completed maps will be entered into a prize draw.

Early Christmas cards

PenSFOrd’S nativity trail will start on Friday, december 4th and end on Christmas day, featuring life-size figures in the village lock-up and other venues. if some faces look familiar, don’t be surprised. Paul Baxter who made them modelled the faces on local people in the village.

The trail will be open from dusk until 9pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening and takes around 35-45 minutes.

Trail maps and guides will be available at the start in the lock–up. Walkers are advised to carry lanterns or torches and be aware that some of the ground is uneven.

The shepherds

Children at Bishop Sutton Pre-School and Forest Club have started making Christmas cards, while staff there are organising a virtual raffle after having to cancel their Christmas fair.

Committee chairman, Jennifer Pattison, said: “We are so very proud of the pre-school and are desperately fundraising to try to weather the storm and make up for the impact the pandemic has had on the finances and ability to fundraise.”

Details: Jane Flower 01761 490234/07703699123 or email flowerj@live.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

Looking to the future

THE success of community events such as October’s Shepton on Show are helping to buoy the atmosphere amongst businesses and residents in Shepton Mallet.

Although the pandemic put paid to plans for this December’s Christmas celebrations – the lights and Christmas tree decorations will still be switched on, however, and there’s a late night shopping event on Thursday, December 17th – the town is determined to remain forward-thinking.

Shepton Mallet Town Council has published its first town plan, a document that sets out the strategic vision for the authority for the next four years. Some of the specific aims include resurfacing the Market Place and Town Street, renewing all signage, celebrating volunteering networks in the town, developing a tourism plan to develop the work of the now-closed tourist information centre, investing in new play equipment and better facilities in Collett Park and sponsoring projects to improve Shepton on Show featured live theatrical biodiversity and events in the windows of the town’s shops ecological including music in a barber shop from Al protection.

Cosnett and Isabel Ashman

Family-run – that’s Right Price DIY

THE banner at the entrance to Right Price DIY on the edge of Shepton Mallet says it all: “12,500 stock lines in store”.

It’s no wonder that the centre at Downside is popular with trade and public customers alike – especially since the first lockdown came into effect – and the family-run business is seeing a boom in repeat business.

Initially forced to close their doors, Suzie, Mark and the team owners Mark and Suzie Nixon then set recently collected more up a pre-order collection service and than £1,200 through the people from a wide area were soon sale of Remembrancequeuing for much-needed items. themed masks for the Lockdown 2:0 sees the store very town’s RBL branch much open for business – although the collection and delivery service remains in place – and a decision to introduce a one-way system in-store has paid dividends.

Suzie said: “Regular customers knew exactly where to go to find the product they required, but they’re now seeing other items and buying them also, particularly towards the rear of the premises.

“A lot of people were first-time or occasional customers during the first lockdown and we have kept those customers as we’re very local, knowledgeable and convenient. And not everyone wants to buy online!”

Late night shopping will go ahead in town SHEPTON Mallet Chamber of Commerce will be supporting the many shops and businesses in the town who decide to stay open late to welcome visitors and celebrate the festive season on Thursday, December 17th.

The town offers a great mix of

independent shops where you can find your perfect gifts, and several eateries to sample delicious Christmas fare.

So, wrap up warm to enjoy everything on offer. The evening runs until 7pm.

They are encouraging visitors to continue using face coverings when out in the open as well as indoors and

to remember to adhere to the government social distancing guidelines of two metres.

The chamber says: “Shop local this Christmas, enjoy the fantastic atmosphere, and support the amazing businesses in Shepton Mallet.”

Visit @sheptonchamber or www.sheptonchamber.co.uk for the latest details.

PAGEP??

AGE •M 30ENDIP • MENDIP TIMES TIMES • DECEMBER • DECEMBER 2011 2020

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Antiques centre is star of the shows

FOCUS ON SHEPTON MALLET

Eclectic and diverse – Somerset Antiques and Interiors

IT may not be possible at present to follow literally in the footsteps of the presenters of popular television antiques shows, but lovers of quality furniture and collectibles can most certainly do that online by visiting Somerset Antiques and Interiors’ comprehensive website.

The shop, in the heart of Shepton Mallet town centre, features regularly on television programmes such as Antiques Road Trip and presenter and dealer Paul Martin filmed there just a few weeks before the second lockdown came into force.

Run by Paul Moody, Somerset Antiques and Interiors is a destination shop, attracting visitors from across the country and the website is enjoying a boom in viewers at present, especially as Paul can arrange for purchases to be delivered not just nationally, but internationally.

Paul said: “All of our diverse and eclectic stock can be viewed online and we are proud of the fact that many customers are regular buyers.”

Every town should have one!

The snowdrop stalwarts

Next year’s snowdrop festival has been cancelled, but volunteers have continued to plant bulbs around the town and are hoping to bring back the distinctive galvanised planters to the town centre

Shepton’s own craft cider

CIDERMAKER and historian Alan Stone is a familiar sight at Shepton Mallet’s Friday market, selling his range of locallymade Stone’s Cider craft ciders.

Together with son Richard, Alan has been producing Stone’s Cider since 2009, winning prizes at country shows such as the Mid-Somerset Show and the Bath and West Show. As well as being on sale at the weekly market, the cider is available in many local pubs, shows, festivals and other events.

Somerset Antiques & Interiors

Extensive showroom offering a wide range of antiques, vintage & contemporary furniture & collectibles

All our stock is available online! We offer a nationwide & overseas delivery service Friendly & knowledgeable service; we will do our utmost to help you find the item you are seeking

Somerset Antiques & Interiors, No2 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5AN. Tel: 01749 345468 • Mobile: 07999 871429 www.somersetantiques.co.uk • Email: enquiries@somersetantiques.co.uk

Feeling festive: Colin Wilson in the Dredge and Male shop

IT is impossible to pigeonhole the family-run Dredge and Male shop in Shepton Mallet town centre.

From small gifts – ideal for Christmas – to hardware, ironmongery, cooking utensils and stationery, the shop, run

by Colin and Naomi Wilson, really does offer it all. It really came into its own during the first lockdown when it was able to remain open as an essential outlet – as it is now – and Colin and Naomi pride themselves on being part of the Shepton community, supporting many local events. They have just relaunched their Facebook page as well as unveiling a new Dredge and Male logo.

DREDGE & MALE

10 High Street Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 5AN Telephone: 01749 342702

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

Star joins rugby charity

DANNy grewcock, formerly of England and Bath, has joined the Wooden Spoon Charity (Bristol, Bath and Somerset Region) as an ambassador – helping to fund projects to help children and young adults in the region who are living with disability, disadvantage or long term sickness.

Danny said: “i’m thrilled to be a part of Wooden Spoon – a fantastic charity Danny Grewcock driven by rugby, where every penny raised is used to help improve the lives of our kids in the region."

Danny has won 69 caps for England, and five with the British Lions. he currently has a crucial role with Bristol Academy and Clifton College focusing on high performance rugby.

Bob Densley, chair of the region, said: “Danny is a great addition to our group of ambassadors. We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and well respected people who are prepared to give up their precious time to champion our cause."

Danny joins Phil de glanville, Rhys Priestland, Piers O'Conor, harry thacker, Sarah Burns and Simon halliday as Bristol, Bath and Somerset regional ambassadors.

Details: Mike Elliott at bristolbath@woodenspoon.org.uk

Remember loved ones

Light Up A Life is Weston hospicecare’s annual appeal and sees hundreds of people honour their lost loved ones at Christmas. this year, three specially-organised church services will be led by Weston hospicecare’s chaplain, Karen Murphy, at St Paul’s Church in Weston-super-Mare on Monday, December 7th at 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm. the services will be open to advanced ticket holders only and limited to approximately 50 guests per service, two per family.

Event manager, grace Dibden, said: “We know that this year is unlike any other and that a lot of our fantastic supporters will not be able to attend a service this year. “the 7.30pm service will be streamed live on our website. it will then be made available to watch at a later date.

“Christmas is a hard time for those missing a loved one. their absence will be deeply felt, whether the loss was recent or several years ago.”

Supporters are asked to make a donation in exchange for their dedications. they can be arranged by calling 01934 423960.

Alternatively, you can visit their website to download a dedication slip which must be returned to Jackson-Barstow house by Sunday, November 29th.

Details: www.westonhospicecare.org.uk

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Riders support prostate charity

thE highly-acclaimed great Weston Ride will be back again in 2021 after its 11th outing this year overcame the coronavirus challenge and was rated a huge success by the people who matter most – the riders themselves. the ride has acquired a well-deserved reputation over the years as an ultra-friendly challenge ride that encourages and attracts all manner of people, from cycling beginners right through to seasoned riders.

Now the event has even been held up to Sport England by British Cycling as a shining example of how to deliver a safe and enjoyable event even in the most difficult of circumstances. to date participants have helped to raise over £260,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, the event's official charity partner, and almost £400,000 now in total for a wide range of charities and good causes.

Event organiser, Darren McKimm, said: "Despite Covid, we still wanted the gWR to be as normal as possible for our riders and so we worked very hard to put suitably robust and clear measures in place to enable us to deliver an event that was both safe AND enjoyable.” the spectacular city-to-coast route starts in Bristol and then takes riders through some stunning countryside and picturesque Somerset villages as it weaves its way through the Mendips and across the Somerset Levels before finishing on the seafront in Weston-super-Mare. the next event will be taking place on Sunday, July 18th 2021.

Would-be participants are advised to sign up early as it also seems highly likely that the event will sell out well in advance again, as it did this year.

Details: www.greatwestonride.com

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Lions team up with Men’s Shed

Lion Jan Clark with Rebecca and Mark

ChEDDAR Vale Lions have presented two boxes of craft items to the St Michael’s Leonard Cheshire home based in Axbridge.

A carer, Rebecca Luscombe, received the gifts with two residents, Mark henley and Jackie Purbrick.

Rebecca said she was overwhelmed by the amount of items the club had put together and said it would keep the residents busy for some weeks making Christmas cards and decorations.

Like all similar places, she said they have had a difficult time keeping the residents occupied. the presentation took place at the Axe Valley Men’s Shed in Cheddar, where Covid-19 rules could be observed. the two groups have formed a “working together” relationship to benefit both charities.

Find out about adoption

thE charity Families for Children is holding online information sessions to give people the opportunity to find out more about their service. you will hear from adopters and talk to their experienced adoption team about how you can adopt, the qualities needed to be a great adopter and of course about the children waiting. the sessions will be held on Friday, January 15th, 2-4pm; tuesday, February 9th, 6-8pm and Saturday, March 13th, 911am.

Details: https://familiesforchildren.org.uk/book-onlineinformation-event/

CHARITIES

School’s canine friends

ChiLDREN at St Julian’s Church School in Wellow welcomed some special four-legged friends into class from local charity Dogs for health, which uses dog therapy to tackle loneliness, isolation and mental health issues in humans. the charity founded in January currently covers Frome, Shepton Mallet, Coleford, Westbury and Warminster, with trustees James Lewis, Amy Wood and Ann Swift. they say: “through our individual careers in the health care profession, we were regularly caring for elderly and often lonely patients, who would speak fondly about how much they missed the companionship of their pet dog, now that being housebound owning their own was no longer an option. “this sparked an idea, why not set up a dog therapy charity?

A charity that would connect volunteers and their dogs with isolated members of the community.” their volunteers visit people in their own homes, hospitals, care homes and schools to support people through activities, education and professional therapy with the help of their dogs.

School head teacher, Ruth Noall, said: “they visited school with their owners with a view to becoming regular visitors in our school. “it is well-researched that dogs can help children's mental health and wellbeing in many ways from listening to children read, being a companion for a walk or playing a game of ball so we are very excited at the prospect of a weekly doggy visit!”

Details: www.dogsforhealth.org.uk

Appeal for trustees for wildlife group

SOMERSEt Wildlife trust is looking for more people to become trustees of the organisation. it says its trustees steer the charity and its governance at a really critical time. Putting nature back into recovery to reverse the decline in biodiversity and bioabundance, tackle and adapt to the climate crisis, and reconnect people with nature has never been more important. it is looking particularly for people with experience in nature-friendly/regenerative farming practices as a land or estates manager; charity finance, including strategic financial planning, and business management; engaging with people and new communities through a community organising approach; creating experiences through digital engagement and marketing.

The deadline is Monday, January 4th. For details, visit: https://www.somersetwildlife.org/jobs/trustees-voluntaryrole

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Help for young homeless

LOCAL charity, youth With A Future, says its Christmas appeal is more important than ever this year since fundraising has been stopped by coronavirus. the charity supports young people aged 16-25 in the Mendip area who are homeless or threatened with homelessness and works alongside Mendip yMCA. it provides a moving-in grant of around £100 for each young person moving into rooms in the yMCA supported housing schemes or their own privately-rented/social housing flats, to buy essentials such as cooking equipment, bedding and crockery. these items are their own to take with them when they move into more permanent accommodation later on. in 2019 the charity donated just over £5,000 to young people and youth projects, which included move-in grants to 20 young people. Since its formation in 2002, the charity has donated over £100,000 in support of young people.

At Christmas-time yWAF also ensures that each of the young people in the supported housing projects in Frome, Shepton Mallet and Street receives a £20 Christmas gift card. yWAF also gives grants to young people and youth groups across the Mendip area who need extra support with education, training and employment, developing talent and positive activities.

Details: www.ywaf.org.uk

Online advice and support

ALthOUgh their youth clubs have had to close, the local yMCA has continued to support young people in varying ways.

Mendip & South Somerset; yMCA Brunel group (previously yMCA Mendip) has gone online to offer help thanks to continued support from local town and parish councils in Street, glastonbury, Frome, Coleford, Shepton Mallet and yeovil.

During the second lockdown, the group launched a new initiative encouraging all young people to stay connected and book a specific time slot with them on weekdays between 6.30pm-9.00pm.

Details: www.mendipymca.org.uk

Keeping fit this winter

AgE UK Somerset is opening up its online exercise classes to all people over 60 in Somerset and North Somerset.

Previously only existing clients could take part. it says for many older people, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to both a decrease in general physical fitness and increased loneliness and isolation.

Previously the charity held hundreds of community based classes, bringing older people together and helping them maintain their strength, balance and general fitness levels.

Opening up online classes in July, allowed many to stay in touch with friends and exercise safely. the classes are all led by experienced instructors and supported by a member of the charity’s Ageing Well team. there are a variety of class options, including yoga, tai chi, strength and balance and general fitness.

Details: www.ageuksomerset.org.uk or email onlineclasses@ageuksomerset.org.uk

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

RNLI to the rescue

thE dramatic moment when a woman was saved from drowning was captured by the crew of the Weston-super-Mare lifeboat and shown on the BBC programme Saving Lives at Sea. the woman said: “there was this moment when i just couldn’t swim anymore and i could feel i was giving up.”

She was one of three people rescued as she was being swept out to sea, in one of the station’s most critical operations ever.

Liam McDermott, volunteer helm at Weston-Super-Mare, said: “the pager can sound any time of night or day, but as soon as it goes your mindset changes as you know someone is in trouble and that day is one i won’t forget.

“Launching to people in the water certainly gets the adrenalin running and as we were preparing to rescue two people, we were told a third person was attempting a rescue and they too were in difficulty.” he’s pictured (centre) with crew members Paul Sargent (left) and Dave Ridout.

Rescue underway

Christmas appeal

thE Keynsham Mencap Christmas appeal launches on Friday, November 27th and will run through to Saturday, December 19th, rounding off with a virtual raffle, poetry reading and online Christmas concert performed by the Music Man Project.

Fundraiser, Amanda Leonard, said: “A second lockdown not only put additional pressure on us financially but more importantly caused more confusion for our members and their families.

“We want to make Christmas as special as possible. We will continue reaching out to our members, provide activity packs, sweets and treats, Christmas crafts, doorstep visits, Christmas carols, Zoom sessions and the virtual Christmas concert.” the society provides essential leisure opportunities through ten projects to 150 local residents who have profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex needs.

Details: www.keynshammencap.org.uk

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CHARITIES

Photographs for a purpose

thOUghtS turned to winter when members of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club tried to come up with ways to continue to fundraise despite the pandemic. their annual events such as golf day, race night and charity concert all fell by the wayside – along with many other fundraising opportunities.

So, club member Lorraine Sloan turned to her friend, photographer Chris Burch, who had lost the majority of her wedding and other photo shoots and she has allowed them to turn two of her images of a snowy Midsomer Norton high Street into Christmas greetings cards.

One of the images has been enlarged and framed and will be available to buy via eBay. Chris, who lives in glastonbury, told the club: “i sincerely hope the prints manage to raise funds for you.”

Club president, Nick Candy, said: “Our rotary club is thrilled

Rotary club member Lorraine Sloan (left) with photographer Chris Burch

that Chris has permitted us to use these two terrific photos and we hope that our community will support our mission and back us in implementing our programmes and initiatives.”

For details about the enlarged photo, visit the club’s Facebook page or https://www.facebook.com/MNRRotaryClub Chris can be found at: https://somersetphotographer.co.uk/

Rescued Charlie on the mend

N D an S m

A ShEtLAND pony with horrifically overgrown hooves has been rescued and is now looking forward to a much brighter future.

Equine rescue charity, horseWorld, were contacted by the RSPCA after they removed the pony called Charlie from a neglectful home near yatton.

Charlie was not on the correct grazing for his breed and size which had resulted in him developing laminitis, which damages the hooves. to make matters worse, he also hadn’t had his feet trimmed for a very long time. they had grown and twisted into a distorted shape resembling Aladdin’s slippers.

Once he has recovered, the Whitchurch-based charity hopes he can take part in their Discovery Courses.

Welfare yard manager, Sarah hollister, said: "Rescued horses work alongside vulnerable children and those who are outside of mainstream schooling to build confidence, self-esteem and communication skills. Charlie has the perfect temperament for it.” the charity is currently running an appeal to raise funds to replace the worn-out, damaged rubber flooring in the stables, where Charlie is being kept.

be vu on sh P re

Details: www.horseworld.org.uk/safe

Act your age – so Martin did just that!

WhEN Martin Carter left his rotary club in Kent to move to Somerset, he brought something with him – his Pudsey fundraising outfit.

And on Children in Need day Martin put it to good use, wearing it on a 63-mile cycle ride around his home village of Leigh-on-Mendip.

CiN had urged fundraisers to “Act your Age”, so Martin decided to match the number of his forthcoming birthday with 21, three-mile laps, raising more than £1,000 – his target

was £250.

Martin, a member of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club, said: “My former club was in Ashford and on Children in Need day we used it to collect money at the Ashford international railway station. the outfit came with me to Leigh, so i thought i could do something with it.” he added: “that is the furthest i’ve ever cycled – and i only thought of doing it on the tuesday when i heard the Rickshaw challenge on the One

G

Martin prepares to set off on his 63-mile challenge

Show had to stop what they planned – so no time to train!”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 35

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Mendip TiMes

emptying the well

Cheddar Vale Lions Club members took on the annual task of emptying the Wishing Pool in Cheddar Gorge. due to the recent heavy rains, this was not going to be an easy task. due to the Covid-19 rules, only two or three Lions at a time were allowed in the tight space to hand up the coins in bucket loads whilst at the top, other members washed out the mud

and sieved the coins.

In previous years the amount raised has averaged £400, but not having so many visitors to the Gorge this year, it will be lower. half of the money goes to Bristol Water in aid of their own charity, Water aid, and the remainder is used by Cheddar Lions to aid their charitable work in the local community.

Focus on home and interiors

Pretty Sitting Upholstery & Interiors in Cheddar specialises in traditional and modern re-upholstery and hand-crafted soft furnishings. In the New year they will be opening a new showroom on Bath Street and launching a handmade curtain service. they are a small business with a focus on restoring, re-using and re-loving old furniture, creating products from waste materials and supporting UK suppliers working towards better environmental standards.

Shortlisted for environmental Business of the year 2019 in the South West they show how we can keep our old furniture, and other textile waste, out of landfill to recycle and love it again! their online shop sells restored furniture, British wool throws,

rugs and blankets made from recycled plastic bottles, handmade cushions from offcuts of fabric and kelim-covered footstools with natural fillings. New Christmas stock includes Persian rugs, handmade Christmas decorations, home wares and gifts.

Visit their website at www.prettysittingvintage.co.uk/shop

Pretty Sitting

CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN

UPHOLSTERY & INTERIORS

for locally produced Meat Poultry and Game.

Order forms available on our website or from either of the shops.

Offering an excellent selection of Fresh Foods including: Cheese & Deli Goods, Homemade Pies & Pasties, Filled Rolls & Barista Style Coffee Fresh Meat Order Collection Service now available

www.hansfordsbutchers.co.uk sales@hansfordbutchers.co.uk 01934 842879

Reupholstery • Soft furnishings Curtains • Vintage Furniture Barrows House, Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HU 01934 752725 info@prettysittingvintage.co.uk www.prettysittingvintage.co.uk

page 36 • Mendip TiMes • deceMber 2020

CHEDDAR NURSERY

For Christmas trees and wreaths

Sharpham Road, Cheddar BS27 3DR 01934 742135

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Focus on cheddar

how one cheddar company coped with coronavirus

WELL what a year it’s been on so many fronts for all of us. Jules Sayer and his family run the Petruth Paddocks campsite in Cheddar and share their experiences.

On March 22nd we took delivery of our new amenity blocks – our biggest investment yet. that afternoon we were told we had to close. I guess you never know how you are going to respond to disasters be they physical, mental or financial until they hit you.

My immediate reaction was to take a deck chair, sit in my favourite spot, drink wine and take stock.

I then spent the next three days compiling a business contingency plan that showed me exactly where we would be financially based on being allowed to open at various future dates.

If we were able to postpone our second order of four further units and cut spending to the bone, we could break even IF we were able to open in July. Understanding this I was mentally able to re-focus on what needed to be done to re-open successfully. hours and hours were then spent communicating with customers, asking them to postpone rather than cancel – the vast majority really appreciated our approach and our situation and agreed to postpone until later this year or next – something we are so grateful for – if you are one of those customers, thank you. as a family we agreed that camping would be seen to be the most likely holiday for people emerging out of lockdown. We simply had to make it the “safest step” possible for them. We engaged a local health and Safety expert to advise us on just what we needed to do to achieve this environment and to prepare and document all the procedures we needed to follow to ensure people’s safety. the outcome was a cleaning regime requiring a sixfold increase in labour and products along with signage, dispensers and moving to contactless check-in. Our efforts were rewarded with the Visit england “Good to go” accreditation a hard-to-earn seal of approval for tourism businesses that have met the safety standards required of a Covid-safe place to stay.

We had cancelled all marketing activity so diverted this budget; however we would only have a budget if the campers came. In addition to these increased costs we had to reduce our pitch capacity by 50% to enable greater distances between units so were going to be squeezed from both ends…

On June 23rd the Government announced we could re-open on July 4th. the next ten days were the longest and craziest we’ve ever experienced! Our online booking system was processing over 100 bookings a day, we were receiving a similar number of emails and phone-calls every day.

It took two of us working 16-hour days simply to keep vaguely on top of things but we somehow managed and on July 4th

opened our gates to 700 people. the weekend was a real success – all our planning had proved to be worthwhile and the post-stay reviews confirmed this – here’s just one from arwen from Bristol:

“

camping and infection control done as it should be. the escape this public health worker needed. I was anxious about stepping into the real world after working relentlessly since February but I needn’t have been. the infection prevention and control measures are exemplary, and done in a way that doesn't make you feel dictated to.

What this wonderful team have done should be a blueprint for all other businesses. Best toilets on a campsite ever, wonderful setting and a bloody amazing team of staff! I shall be singing your praises (appropriate socially distanced of course, singing is still an increased risk of spreading the virus) from on high to anyone who’ll listen. hopefully that won’t mean I’m then “unable to book…

Bookings continued to flood in during the rest of the summer and whilst our weekend booking limit disappointed some, most people were in a position to simply move to a weekday so we saw an unexpected doubling of stays Monday to thursday.

Our customers have all acted responsibly and our team have been truly amazing in so many ways – spotting opportunities each and every day to help our customers step safely out of their homes and into the Mendip countryside to relax and recharge for whatever lies ahead.

We look forward to being that “safe place” for you, your friends and families next year.

Go well and stay safe.

”

Tel: 01934 257155 or go to www.petruthpaddocks.co.uk Mendip TiMes • deceMber 2020 • page 37

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Mendip TiMes

COURT HOUSE

Ground Floor & Courtyard Rooms Currently Available

e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is offered.

Rated by the CQC as good in all areas

e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk page 38 • Mendip TiMes • deceMber 2020

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Remembrance Day in Cheddar

Focus on cheddar

helping hedgehogs

thrOUGh the winter, Prickles hedgehog rescue in Cheddar continues to care for both sick and small hedgehogs who would not survive hibernation. they say they would be most grateful for donations of cat food in jelly and disposable gloves.

PERFECT PAVE

if you can help please get in touch on 07806 744772.

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.

It’s not only friendly, professional service that sets us apart, we can’t be beaten on price and ensure our prices beat those of builders’ merchants and garden centres.

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat

Cheddar & district Funeral directors are here to help you every step of the way, providing dignity and respect to you and your loved ones. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Funeral arrangements can be made at our office or in the comfort of your own home.

Direct Service (No attendance)

£1499.00

Traditional Service (Without Limousine)

£2799.00

Traditional Service (With 1 x Limousine)

£2949.00

Mendip TiMes • deceMber 2020 • page 39

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MENDIP TIMES

Watch pantos from the sofa

The shows will go on – via YouTube

AMATEUR dramatic group The Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society is taking to YouTube this December to bring pantomime to homes across the country.

It will be streaming, free-of-charge, three of its recent pantomimes so families do not miss out on this festive treat.

Plans for this year’s GSMCS version of Cinderella were in full flow earlier in the year, but ongoing restrictions and the temporary closure of its home at Strode Theatre in Street, meant it would be impossible to stage what would have been its last panto.

People can watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Wednesday, December 2nd, Jack and the Beanstalk (Wednesday, December 16th) and Goldilocks and the Three Amazing Bears (Wednesday, December 30th). All the shows start at 4.45pm and will feature a ten-minute break before act two gets underway from 6.15pm.

The society has worked with film production company Flying Tiger Productions and pantomime script writer Matthew Maisey on the project. This year was expected to be the last in a decade of pantomime performances for GSMCS at Strode Theatre, after managers there announced earlier this year they were shaking up their Autumn programme as it looked for a more sustainable financial footing, with professional live arts joining community shows and independent cinema. l Although the online streamings are free, the society would be grateful for any donations via its website: www.gsmcs.co.uk

Corrections

IN our story on Paulton Library Hub last month, we should have said Anne Lyons is chairman of the hub management committee, not parish council chairman. That position is held by Gail Garlick.

The little girl featured in our story about the Farmborough Fairy was Lois not Lucia and the quote should have been attributed to Sadie Samways. Our apologies.

Brownies celebrate

BLAGDON Brownies are celebrating their 65th anniversary and would like to hear from anyone who has memories and photos they can share with the present Brownies.

Brown Owl, Chris Burton, said: “It is 65 years since the Brownie pack was started in 1955 by a very special lady called Cynthia Clarke (soon to become Cynthia Filer). All those who have been Brownies since 1955 give her a big thank you.”

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

A little bit of magic

NEWS

THE Covid-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the annual Shepton Mallet Lantern Parade, but organisers are still hopeful of bringing some of its magic to the town nearer Christmas.

Instead of the parade from Collett Park to the Market Place, shops will display new and previously seen lanterns in the lead-up to the festivities from December 17th.

Kate Lovell, chair of the organising committee said: “People will be able to view them in their own time, safely and socially distanced. It will be great to see the wonderful Shepton Mallet Ram again as well as all the other fantastic creations that people have made over the years.”

The Shepton Mallet Ram, created by local artist Mandy McKenna, led last year’s parade and will be on show again this December

Lantern-making kits will be available throughout December from Dredge and Male and the Hive. For details, visit: www.sheptonlanternfestival.co.uk

Early days

Details: blagdonbrownies@gmail.com

Mendipidity ad.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2020 11:22 Page 1

Have a Merry Mendipity Christmas!

Just in time for Christmas, here is an exciting new book of 12 walks on Mendip, called Mendipity, written by Sue Gearing and Les Davies, both well known to Mendip Times readers, and authors of several walks books together. This year, walking has become an even more popular and this book should be just the thing to give you a range of new destinations and interesting information about the routes – a serendipity of Mendip, in fact.

It will make an ideal Christmas present, with circular walks ranging from 3.25 miles to 8 miles all over the Mendip area from Bleadon in the east to Faulkland and Nunney in the west. Also, there’s lots of interesting information about what you see and pass en-route.

And there is an EXTRA SURPRISE – the launch in the book of a brand new trail, the Yeo Valley Way, set up this autumn by Yeo Valley Organic on the northern edge of Hazel Manor Estate overlooking the Chew Valley with great views.

The walks in the book include a castle, hill fort, crumbling mansion, lake, folly, lavender fields, a gorge, forest, nature reserves, former industrial remains, limestone grassland, high open land and splendid views. They are based on circles that have been in Sue’s Mendip Times column over the last few years, now updated and amended.

It is available NOW by mail order through Mendip Times (see form below). Mendipity will also be on sale in local bookshops and outlets. Mendipity is in the same mould as the last walks book

by Les and Sue, Miles More Mendip, with full colour pages, ring bound, OS maps, clear instructions and lots of interesting information about nature, geology and history.

All of this for only £9.99. Available now through Mendip Times by mail order (just add postage and packing). (See form on right). Also available in local bookshops and outlets.

BUMPER CHRISTMAS BUNDLE For Mendip Times, Sue and Les are also making up a Bumper Walks Bundle comprising Mendipity and their previous Mendip book, Miles More Mendip (published 2016). Normal price would be £19.98, but for Mendip Times readers it will be just £15 (plus p&p).

Walking P44 – Outdoors P46

READERS’ OFFER

MENDIPITY only £9.99 (plus p&p)

A new book of 12 circular walks on Mendip by Sue Gearing and Les Davies Please send me: 1 book @ £9.99 (p&p £1.50)..........................................£11.49 2 books (p&p £1.95)........................................................£21.93 3 books (p&p £3.40)........................................................£33.37 4 books (p&p £3.40)........................................................£43.36 Total

£...........

Name:..........................................................................................

Address:....................................................................................... ......................................................Postcode:...............................

Bumper Pack of MENDIPITY and MILES MORE MENDIP only £15 (plus p&p) 1 pack @ £15 (plus p&p, £1.95).....................................£16.95 2 packs @ £15 (plus p&p, £3.40)...................................£33.40

SPECIAL OFFER:

Send cheque payable to Sue Gearing, to 33 Garstons Close, Wrington, Bristol BS40 5QT Or pay by BACS. Details: Nat West, Mrs Susan I Gearing, Book Account: Sort code 60 23 32, Account 81294956.

Please mark it for Walks Books.

Could Mrs F. Goddard who sent a cheque for one copy on October 31st let me have her address so I can send the book.

Any queries to Sue Gearing: gearings@btinternet.com

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MENDIP TIMES

THE MENDIP SOCIETY

Trees, trees and more trees – but the right one in the right place SO here we go again with the second period of restrictions which, as we know from earlier this year, will affect us all in various ways. Just when we were gearing up to set out our new programme of walks and talks, we then had to face putting them back into the pending tray yet again. That's not to say that other society activities

are on “stop”.

With such a great growing season this past summer, our two nature reserves are still in need of much maintenance and attention, planning applications are still flowing in and we need to keep a watchful eye for unsuitable developments and our Heritage Fund is still open for business, perhaps even more relevant in the current climate. Please contact the secretary (details on the website) in the first instance for details.

It’s great to see that Sue Gearing and Les Davies have released their latest Mendip walking book entitled Mendipity, just in time for Mendip folk to buy for that special Christmas present. The society is proud to say that we, along with Yeo Valley Organic and the Mendip Hills AONB, have sponsored this "must have" book.

There is nothing more relevant just at the moment than being able to get out into the great piece of the outdoors we have on our doorstep and just walk.

But the thing which fills our airwaves and newspapers and is everywhere brought to our attention is the fact that this great asset we have right here, that we enjoy so much, is under the greatest threat we have known – climate change and the disappearance of our natural landscape, together with all its wildlife.

The Government has at last woken up to the fact that “something must be done about this” and has promised money for a lot of things (as is usual, it has to be said); the most promising of all is that trees are valuable to stop the climate heating up, so “we” must plant a lot more trees. They are absolutely correct of course, trees are vital to the landscape, but who are the “we”?

The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which encompasses a large part of the range of hills facilitates a group called The Mendip Hills AONB Partnership which brings together

many organisations and interests and provides a strategic and coordinated lead to the protection and enhancement of the AONB. In March it was just about to hold a bi-annual meeting, followed by a Tree Forum for all concerned and interested parties, including Mendip landowners, when the first total lockdown was declared. The forum was going to discuss the subject of trees on Mendip, what the problems are, what could be done about them, how and where, and by whom. It had to be cancelled.

The hills are well served by groups dedicated in different ways to protecting the environment and wildlife of our landscape, with many designated and managed areas; each has several hundreds of members and volunteers they can call on. Most work with different sections of the community, adults of all ages, children in schools, the disabled and disadvantaged, and those unattached to any group of any kind – the general public.

The numbers run into the many thousands – these are the “we”.

Or put it another way – the “we” is “you and me and us”. Our local trusts and charities already have ambitious plans in place and there is a wealth of help available, from advice and grants to free trees for schools and community groups.

All are contributing to making sure that the right trees are planted in the right place, that if that place would be better suited to grassland, then it is left as such, that if a wood should regenerate naturally then it is helped to do so and now, at the current time especially, trees are made safe for the public to move about freely.

In our nature reserve, Tania’s Wood in Ubley, we have planned a programme of work over the winter season which will enable us to replace some trees which need removing with trees which will enlarge our coppicing rota. We also have a lovely donation of hedging whips which we can use this February to bulk up or replace some of the ancient hedges we have bordering the historic deer leap.

To find out more simply search for “tree planting on Mendip” and find the groups to get you started. Or if you don’t use the Internet, contact us on 01275 874284 or secretary@themendipsociety.co.uk Richard Frost, Judith Tranter

Hedge planting group in March

The hedge in July

For details of all events visit www.themendipsociety.org.uk and Facebook ‘The Mendip Society’

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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Let’s talk corvids, not Covid this month

THROUGHOUT the world there’s been a lot of talk about the demise of vulture species and how their loss is worrying because they are

By CHRIS nature’s “clean up” SPERRING MBE birds; they actually help contain disease by their consumption of carrion.

There are a number of birds and mammals in this country that also fulfill this key role – maybe we should rename them service providers!

Some of these are the corvids, members of the crow family.

In the UK we can observe six types of corvid; the largest is the raven, then the carrion crow, the rook, magpie, jay and jackdaw. Corvids are well known for their intelligence, reportedly having an equal brain mass ratio to that of non-human primates.

Crows and ravens have been extensively studied for their ability to solve problems and make tools. Magpies and other members of the family show self-awareness in mirror tests.

During December this group of birds may display some interesting behaviour.

Once they have fed, you may see ravens displaying, or having “fun” as they may chase each other in flight, often reaching such a speed that to slow down they may have to fly upside-down. The ornithological term for this is “whiffling”.

Birds may do this to slow down more quickly or, in the case of ducks, use this

sudden descent to evade a predator and get down to water quicker. Ravens performing this manoeuvre seem to incorporate it into what can seem like a game of aerial chase.

As an early breeding bird the raven will already be showing signs of breeding activity by stick shaping and carrying.

Rooks are one of the iconic species of the rural village scene. Their rookeries can form a large

A rook with acorn

complex of nests at the top of mature trees and their cawing noise and nest building can be the first sign that spring is really on the way. At this time of the year rooks will gather during the daytime in open fields and even woodland.

In the woodland they work together collecting food such as acorns. Note the picture of the rook with an acorn delicately placed in its beak; it is flying to a point in an open area of fields where it can store the acorn.

Obviously this is great for oaks as some of their acorns will be forgotten, germinate and grow into a new oak sapling!

Magpies may go around in extended A crow with carrion family groups; look

WILDLIFE out for some interesting stick-shaping and nest building behaviours. December is a long way off their breeding season, so look at this as a form of practice run; if you watch closely you will see that male and females work together, testing sticks in trees, breaking sticks off, and using their beaks to shape the sticks.

Lastly, and back to the beginning where we started, do watch out for members of this group providing a clean-up service for us.

Carrion crows and other corvids will watch for roadkill and of course in the fields and woodlands will be constantly watching for predator and prey incidents which may leave leftovers for them to clear up.

Just recently I watched a sparrowhawk take a wood pigeon; four magpies landed close by and waited until the hawk had killed and opened up the pigeon. Then one magpie walked towards the hawk which leapt forward towards it whilst the other three approached from the rear, pulling and tugging the hawk’s kill away from it.

Working together, solving problems, using tools and their higher memory functions all make corvids a fascinating bird group to watch. What interesting observations have you seen?

Happy Christmas to all Mendip Times readers and especially to the many who correspond with me. And, of course, please everyone: stay safe.

Magpies will work together

I have resumed giving talks again but only online, so if your groups want to book me for a talk please message me through my Walks and Talks page on Facebook @ChrisSperringwildlife MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 43

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History in the walking

This is a moderate circle from Pensford that weaves together the historical threads of the area: from a lock-up, to a church on an island with a medieval church tower, a magnificent viaduct and a stone walkway over a weir, to Neolithic stone circles and a fascinating return through a former coalmine on the somerset Coalfield. it’s mainly flat, a very beautiful ramble following the River Chew for some of the way, with good views across country.

There are no stiles so bring your dog too. if open, there are pubs at stanton Drew and stanton Wick as well as Pensford. My thanks to people in the village who were very friendly and helpful. Please observe any lockdown restrictions.

PARK: As the A37 comes downhill into the heart of Pensford turn off the main road, opposite the Celtic cross war memorial, on the road signed Publow.

Fork right in front of the George & Dragon pub and continue all the way uphill. At the top, on the flat, is a fairly good place to park but please be mindful of the local residents. Walking should be pretty good underfoot, mainly through fields, with one muddy section near the end of the mining area.

START: Walk back down the road towards the George & Dragon, passing the Gospel hall and then down to the grassy triangle. here is the iconic old lock-up dating back to the mid-18th century. Bear left and cross over the A37 towards the Memorial cross then along the old high street towards the dramatic viaduct. Pass Wick Lane on your left and cross the bridge to

With Sue Gearing

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

the church. Notice the high tide mark on the wall by the church gate showing the height of the devastating flood in 1968 which wrecked the church and damaged the railway viaduct so badly that it never reopened.

a kissing gate and along the fenced grassy track ahead.

2. VIADUCT The 16-arch viaduct was built in 1874.

The last scheduled passenger train to cross it was from Frome to Bristol on October 31st 1959.

Go under the viaduct, following the path with the river on your right. Go over a footbridge, down into a field and head on towards a house ahead at Byemills, once a copper and battery mill from mid-1600s and later a paper mill.

5. STONE CIRCLE VIEW stanton Drew is the third largest complex of prehistoric standing stones in England, with three circles and three more stones, the “Cove”, in the garden of the village pub.

1. CHURCH st Thomas à Becket Church Tower is on the English heritage critical list and is usually open at weekends. After the flood, the church became derelict and was eventually put up for sale. The Victorian nave was bought by a young Bristol couple, Paul and Laura Baxter, who have turned it into their home.

Go back to Wick Lane, follow it round right and take the footpath which takes you along with the church down right. As you reach the viaduct, it’s worth going right to stand on the stone footbridge over the weir by the old mill – a beautiful spot.

4. LANE The gate at the end takes you onto a lane.

Cross over and through a Bristol Gate then go along the right hedge and through a gate back onto the lane. Take the Bristol Gate opposite and continue on, soon seeing the tower of stanton Drew church ahead. Go through a gate and on in the next field. After another gate go on over to the right to join the Tarmac track going up along the hedge.

Come to another gate which has a pedestrian gate on the left. This is where our main route changes direction. however, before taking this, go up a few more yards to a gate in the right hedge where you get a very good view of the stone circles although no admission is allowed here.

3. BYEMILLS Go along the wall of the house – the former mill manager’s house – and on the bend we need to take the gate ahead then continue along with the river on your right through three fields. At the end of the third, go up to the top left corner, through

6. KISSING GATE – options: To visit the stones, carry on up the track through the farm to the road. immediately turn sharp right to reach the entrance to the stones where there’s an honesty box for £1 entry fee.

To see the Cove and visit the Druid’s Arms pub (closed during lockdown) go out of the farm track, bear left downhill then turn left into stanton Drew, with the village hall on the right. Go past the hall to the Druids Arms, then continue along the

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WALKING

road, take the first lane left and rejoin the route at (7. school).

For our main route: go back and through the kissing gate (6). Turn up to the top of the field. Take the kissing gate ahead (ignore the path left) and in this field follow the left hedge straight on to the corner. Go out through a Bristol Gate and along a track by stanton Drew school.

L

7. SCHOOL Turn left on the road through Upper stanton Drew. ignore a lane on the right and continue ahead on a raised footpath above the road. Come down at the end and cross over into Tarnwell. Go ahead for a short way before bending right and continue, passing more houses. Then go on to reach another couple of houses and a small grassy area on the left with a footpath arrow on a power pole.

8. FIELDS Go left through a kissing gate into a field.

Once through, turn right through a Bristol gate and bear up across the field. Drop down to a footbridge and up steps into another field. Follow the field’s right edge and reach a pedestrian gate. Once through, go up the field and through another pedestrian gate. Follow the left hedge until you reach a pedestrian gate in the hedge left. Go through and follow the arrow right in the field, cutting across the corner to a gate. This leads to another field which you go up heading for the top left corner.

Nothing now remains, but you are crossing what was once a tramway which connected Bromley Pit in stanton Wick to the main colliery. There are some beautiful views behind up to Dundry hill.

Near the top corner, go through the kissing gate to join the lane which goes straight on. At the junction, turn left in stanton Wick.

9. STANTON WICK This hamlet was once on the main road to Bristol. it was an important mining area with several small bell pits and, later, Bromley Pit which closed in 1957.

Go along here, past the Carpenters Arms. The pub is near the site of a major glassworks, going back to the mid-17th century, which later moved to Nailsea.

The lane bends down left.

10. OLD COLLIERY After a few minutes reach some of the remaining red brick buildings of the old Pensford Colliery which shut down in

OS Explorer 155, Bristol & Bath, grid ref for parking: 623 632 5.25 miles, about three hours but allow much more to take in all the history

the mid-1950s after about 45 years. Go on to reach the tall brick building on the right, the old winding house, now a substantial residence. Opposite is a bungalow on the site of the old bath house.

Just at the end of the old winding house garden take the footpath up right.

This is a very pleasant path which crosses the open grassy and tree area and then continues downhill, winding its way past old spoil heaps. Then it straightens up and continues down, through an area which can be wet and muddy. Go through a gate, bend left and cross the old railway embankment. Go out into a field and bear down across before

heading down to a gate below. here join a track which takes you to the A37.Turn right on the pavement for a couple of minutes.

11. FOOTPATH Cross and follow the footpath on the left going steeply up steps, through a kissing gate and up into a field. head up and across to the right, through a pedestrian gate and then left in the next field. Go down the fence a short way then bear across to a gate on the other side leading to steps. Reach the road and turn left back to where you parked. l Pensford’s nativity walks take place in December – see page 29.

The Rising Sun, Pensford, 01761 490006 • The George and Dragon, Pensford, 01761 492568 • The Druids Arms, Stanton Drew, 01275 332230.

The Carpenters Arms, Stanton Wick, 01761 490202.

Amendment to Kilmersdon walk, October

John King a keen walker and Mendip Times reader had a problem on the Kilmersdon walk in the October Mendip Times. When sue went to investigate she found that the route had changed, so here is the amendment from 5. Farm: 5. FARM Turn right up a Tarmac drive towards Luckington Manor Farm. Go through the large wooden gate ahead, then right through a Bristol Gate (with pedestrian access) and then left and across to a kissing gate. Once through, head down fields keeping parallel with the right edge. here you may encounter some of the resident alpacas and even a rhea! Reach the hedge at the far end. A few yards left from the corner go over a wooden stile tucked into the hedge. Come into a field and follow the right hedge, ignoring a gate on the right. soon after, reach a stile right rather hidden in the hedge. it can be wet here. Cross the stile, go under trees and out into a large field. Go straight down following the left edge and then veer away heading down to the far right corner. here cross a barrier stile and now follow a fenced path.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

HAPPY Christmas! How can this be?

Where has it come from? I cannot believe where this last year has gone. We are being spared the usual high powered Christmas sales pitch in the shops, so this may be a quieter affair.

Having said that the shops should re-open With LES in early December, so I hope that they DAVIES MBE won’t be too damaged. This will certainly be a very different Christmas and maybe one where the true spirit of a family gathering can be appreciated and the material trappings are slightly less.

What an autumn! I can’t remember a year when the leaves held on for so long. The colours have been amazing and the high winds have been kind enough to leave them on the trees for our enjoyment.

I have rediscovered the Glastonbury Abbey grounds, where many years back I cared for the orchard. When working there I never had the opportunity or the inclination to explore the place.

Now however I’m able to appreciate its space, trees and the tranquillity of the whole site.

It’s well worth a visit if you are in the area. I used to take my family there at Easter for a day out and picnic. Perhaps next year I can do the same with my grown-up family and grandchildren.

I always look back at this time of year with warm feelings for those things that will never be again. Beware the trap of nostalgia however, because tomorrow can be lost when you reach back too much for yesterday. Those iconic moments of Christmas past that stay with me. The days when chicken was a treat, only on the table at Christmas and Easter.

It was a “real” chicken with lots of flavour and crinkly, crispy skin, stuffed with breadcrumbs and thyme that gave off the most wonderful aroma when the bird was taken sizzling from the oven.

Potatoes were field grown and roasted to a golden colour, all flaky and dripping with fat. As for vegetables, well it had to be sprouts, again field grown that would have had at least one frost on them.

Sprouts are that Marmite-like vegetable; you either hate or adore them. I adore them, but only when cooked soft enough to be cut with the side of my fork. I still cut a cross in the stem and add bicarb before cooking. No doubt that will be bad for me in some way. After all, the things that I was brought up on such as beef dripping and salt on bread (or better still toast), are now considered to be unhealthy.

Always and without fail Christmas dinner was on the table at 1pm. There was never a late meal at No 1 Hales Farm Cottage.

Enough of food!

Television had only two channels and the Queen’s speech was a must on the radio or TV. There was always the “White Christmas” film starring Bing Crosby, because it wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Neither would it be Christmas without those two icons of comedy, Morecambe and Wise.

Their Christmas special held families spellbound and in stitches of laughter, as these two lovable fools crashed their way through a series of impossible sketches. Normally serious guests allowed themselves to be ridiculed beyond belief… brilliant! My grandmother used to become infuriated by Ernie Wise as he affected his pretentious characterisation. I don’t think she grasped that it wasn’t real!

If enough television had been absorbed then there was always the Compendium of Games. A box filled with board games such as snakes and ladders and draughts. There were “tiddly-winks” where coloured plastic discs or counters were flicked into a plastic cup. No doubt this would need protective glasses or even face visors today.

Dominoes could take up the whole kitchen table, depending on how many were playing. Housie-housie or bingo could also accommodate several people. It must always be remembered that when you have your heap of buttons, know your limits and gamble responsibly!

Cards were a firm favourite where the button tin was again providing “casino gaming chips”. My grandmother would spend hours playing solitaire, a game that as a child (even as an adult) I could never see the point of. Other card games were enjoyed, not least Snap and Happy Families.

Cards never really did it for me, probably because I was no good at them. That has saved me a lot of money in my life, especially having watched some serious card games where old buttons were certainly not used!

Decorations were simple and mainly of paper. I still have many of them in my “Christmas trunk” today. Paper bells that opened up, paper chains that could be made with strips of coloured paper stuck together as links and many other tree decorations. I don’t, however, put real candles on the tree any more!

As a child it always seemed so sad when everything was taken down and the excitement of Christmas had passed. I think that as an adult I’m just a bit too eager to clear everything away. As for exercise, well that was the afternoon walk as everything was cleared away ready for tea. Farming however meant that animals still needed tending and dairy cows milking. Life goes on in the countryside much as it has for generations, but maybe the intensity has changed.

That brings me nicely onto George Withers and his poem I featured in last month’s edition. Thanks to a wonderful response from his friends and members of his family, I know a lot more about him. I am also about to learn a lot more about his father, Percy Withers, a tenant farmer from Wells.

With all this coming together nicely, I intend to expand on this story in my New Year column, but in the meantime thank you to Pamela Hull, Margery Hookings, Ann Smith and John Waltham from North Dorset. All have been so helpful and I hope to do justice to George’s memory.

I am going to miss the carol service at St Hugh’s this time. That is always the start of my Christmas. This picture however captures the spirit of the lesson I normally read . . . it’s the shepherds keeping watch in the fields, although I think they must have gone to the pub in this shot.

Happy Christmas everyone.

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

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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More tips for an easier garden

LAST month, to make our gardens easier to manage, we looked at the layout including paths, mowing strips, border shapes, and With MARY trees in grass etc.

PAYNE MBE This month we will focus on garden maintenance including weed control, pruning, hedges and plant support. The major problem faced by most gardeners is weeds and how to keep them from taking over.

It is worth remembering that a weed is any plant in the wrong place. The first thing to master with weeds is their life cycle. Are they annual or perennial?

Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one season and are therefore easier to cope with, provided they are not allowed to seed e.g. groundsel, chickweed, and cleavers.

The old wife’s tale “One year’s seed gives seven years weeds” is so true.

The plant does not germinate all its seeds in one year, it saves some to annoy you for the next seven years or so. It is worth noting that the vast majority of seeds need light to trigger germination. So, covering the soil with at least a two-inch (5cm) layer of wood chip mulch will help prevent germination of both annual and perennial weed seeds.

Perennial weeds on the other hand persist from year to year, indeed some for many years, with extensive underground root systems. The real “baddies” are bindweed, couch grass, ground elder, marestail and enchanter’s nightshade. It is hugely important to control perennial weeds before any new planting scheme is undertaken.

The most effective way to clean an area prior to planting is to spray using a glyphosate-based herbicide applied in late June and repeated in September.

However, alternative products containing pelargonic acid (extracted from pelargoniums) can be effective if applied during warm weather and repeated but may not permanently kill deep-rooted weeds.

Covering the land with black polythene or old carpet for 12 months may also be effective but this will delay planting considerably.

Once the land is clean planting can be done, followed immediately by the PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

application of a two-inch (5cm) minimum layer of a wood chip mulch.

After three years or so the mulch will have broken down adding valuable organic matter to the soil and may be topped up if required.

It is important that wood chip mulch is NOT incorporated into the soil but simply laid on the surface immediately after planting. Mixing wood chip mulch into the soil can lead to a deficiency of nitrogen, but this does not happen when it is applied to the surface.

Garden hedges should be chosen with care. Those that need cutting more than once a year are best avoided. These include privet and the tiny dark green leaved Lonicera nitida. Beech and hornbeam are ideal as they keep their browned leaves through the winter giving added screening and wind break effect.

For an evergreen hedge, yew is attractive and makes a suitable background for a border but can be tricky to establish and dislikes wet feet!

Box, for smaller hedges, is best avoided these days as either box blight or the box caterpillar could be a major problem. As an evergreen alternative I recommend using Euonymus japonicus “Green Spire”, a naturally columnar form of the Japanese spindle.

Shrub pruning is rarely done on an annual basis but left until the plant exceeds its allotted space and more drastic action needs to be taken. Most vigorous, deciduous shrubs can be thinned out, removing the oldest wood from the base every year. This encourages the development of new wood and keeps the shrub to a manageable size.

Ideally this is done immediately after flowering, but spring will do. Slow growing shrubs, such as hibiscus and hamamelis need only dead, diseased, damaged, and crossing wood removing and this includes many broad-leaved evergreens. Shrubs that flower late on current season’s growth, such as buddleja and lavatera are best hard pruned in spring, removing virtually all the previous season’s growth.

One job that rarely gets done on time is staking plants before they fall over.

This is my least favourite task so anything to avoid this is worth noting.

The obvious solution is to avoid growing plants that regularly need

staking. Fabulous stately delphiniums, sadly, are sure to need support.

When creating planting schemes for clients I try to avoid using anything that needs staking as I know it is unlikely to happen. I try to find a plant that knows how to cope. Tall blue flowered monkshoods (aconitum) make a reasonable substitute for delphiniums.

Veronicastrums stand tall and rigid as do most of the New England Asters (Symphiotricum noviae-angliae) and these are also resistant to the powdery mildew so common with traditional Michaelmas Daisies.

Another approach is to use the Chelsea Chop for plants that bloom in mid to late summer, plants such as sedum, Michaelmas daisies, and phlox.

About the third week of May, traditionally Chelsea Flower show time, is ideal. Cut back your plant to near the base and it will sprout again but, in the time available, will not grow as tall but still flower.

Staking using bamboo canes should be avoided if possible as more accidents are caused by these than by mowers and sadly these accidents often involve eyes. Half circle metal hoops with two legs are handy or for heavy plants like peonies metal grids are ideal. If you have an abundance of hazel twigs, then these can be positioned around the clump and the tops bent over to form a latticework through which the plant grows. Rather time consuming but attractive.

Next month we will look at your choice of plants. What to grow and more importantly, what not to grow, to make your garden easier to manage.

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DECEMBER GARDEN TIPS

GARDENING

• Move pots of tender plants inside or close to the house walls. The shelter of the house wall can make a big difference!

• Dead-head pansies, violas and cyclamen to encourage more flowers.

• The autumn sown sweet peas should have the tips pinched out after the second pair of true leaves open.

• Dormant trees and shrubs can be moved now. Minimise root disturbance to increase chance of success and rapid reestablishment.

• Continue planting if the ground is not too wet or frozen.

• Prune out old wood to rejuvenate shrubs. Wisteria pruning can be completed now along with vines.

• Plant roses, fruit trees and bushes. Transplant trees and shrubs that lose their leaves in winter now.

• Fork over borders and dig some goodness back into the soil.

• Move potted “prepared” hyacinths into warmer rooms to gradually force them into flower in time for Christmas. If they are coming on too fast move them back into the cool again.

• Prune raspberries, (except autumn fruiting varieties due in March), blackberries, loganberries and other hybrid fruits now (if you haven’t already done so). Cut out all old stems that bore fruit this year • Prune apples and pears to improve their shape, encourage younger growth, remove disease and control the amount of fruit bud they have. Don’t prune fan, espalier and cordon trained trees as these should be pruned in summer.

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MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NURSERY

More bulbs planted

GARDENING

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www.rockymountainnurseries.co.uk COME AND SEE OUR FINE RANGE OF HOUSE PLANTS, SHRUBS, PERENNIALS AND CLIMBERS Fresh Cut Christmas Trees from £15.00 – Pot Grown Christmas Trees from £3.50 – Lots of Christmas Plants & Gifts, AVAILABLE NOW

VISIT OUR MASBURYS CAFÉ – 01749 84115 Full menu of home cooked food available, 7 days a week Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Tea • Now serving Roast lunches every Sunday. Only £8.50 for 1 course or £10.00 for 2

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ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Shirley Edwards with (l to r) Sidney, Madeleine and Martha

AFTER the mammoth planting of daffodil and crocus bulbs last month by some of the children of Stanton Drew primary school, they were out planting again, thanks to more donations from villagers, which enabled the organisers, Shirley and Pete Edwards to buy more bulbs.

Shirley said: “Without the Rory and Daisy planting bulbs support of Stanton Drew Primary School and members of our community this would not have taken place.

“The original plan was to plant 500 daffodil bulbs along The Causeway, but we had more financial donations which meant we could purchase another 500 bulbs.”

Lucas, Poppy and Will planting their bulbs

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HISTORY

New Keynsham history book

KEYNSHAM and Saltford History Society has published a 176-page, full-colour book with over 200 illustrations that tells the story of the area since the end of the war.

Starting with the VE Day celebrations in 1945, it runs up to just before lockdown this spring, with longer sections on the story of Somerdale, the 1968 flood and Keynsham Hospital.

The book was edited by society chairman Richard Dyson, who said: “We felt it was important to describe our recent Keynsham's last blacksmith, Bob Trott, who retired in 1966 and died in 1968

The livestock market on Bath Road, which closed on December 31st, 1975

history in a way that local people would enjoy.

“I am very grateful to all those who have shared their memories, lent us pictures or made other contributions to what has been quite a big project.”

Details: www.keysalthist.org.uk email books@keysalthist.org.uk or call 0117 9864453

Story of a legend

AS is traditional, a sprig of Glastonbury’s famous Holy Thorn will soon be on its way to the Queen in time for Christmas.

The iconic tree, which flowers twice a year at Easter and Christmas, is the subject of the first academic study by writer and historian, Dr Adam Stout, who has been a visiting research fellow at the Universities of Wales, Leicester, Exeter and Southampton.

He says: “The Holy Thorn of Glastonbury is the stuff that myth is made from. Stories Adam Stout

Tinted postcard printed by Walter Tully in 1908

grow on this famous tree like fruit, and wrap around it like creepers. It’s a shape-shifter. This book is the biography of a symbol.”

The Glastonbury Thorn: Story of a Legend is published by Green & Pleasant Publishing. ISBN-10: 1916268609. Available all over Glastonbury, online from Amazon or, postage free, from green-and-pleasant-publishing.square.site

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

Happy birthday!

New shop in Chew Magna

KIRSTEN Breguet and her daughter Madelaine have opened Banksia on South Parade, Chew Magna, selling flowers, cards and gifts.

They opened in August and have survived the pandemic by selling online through their website and offering click and collect.

During lockdown they have left plants outside, with people able to pay at the post office next door.

They also offer both a local and national delivery service.

ROS Anstey, one of the area’s best-known journalists, will celebrate her 80th birthday on January 8th, and is still going strong.

She’s been covering the Chew Valley and Blagdon areas for many years for the local press and joined Mendip Times as a freelance when we launched the magazine 15 years ago.

Linda Quinn, from the Inner Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge, said: “I first met Ros and her camera when I moved to Pensford in 1995 at one of the local events. She loved to be at all that went on locally and took lovely photos for her articles for the local papers.

“Ros and her camera are a legend – but it is always hard to get a photograph of her.”

We wish Ros our sincere congratulations.

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

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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New village attraction

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

Merry Christmas from Chew Valley

Bryony and Jasmine Bennett admiring the Halloween display

PEOPLE in Chew Stoke have come up with an innovative way to tackle the Covid-19 blues. They have turned the village’s old red telephone box into a “Happy Box”!

Bryan Thompson, resident in Chew Stoke for over 50 years was asked to look at the history of the K6 type kiosk, which has been in the village since at least 1953.

A small “Covid-6” group was set up consisting of Keith and Joan Williams, Ruth Donlevy, Kate Donlevy, Lowri Knight and Matthew Knight, who started on repairs and painting.

The first display was a Halloween scene to replace trick and treat. Hand sanitiser was set up in the box to be used before and after enjoying a small, wrapped sweet from its scary occupant!

The next project was a Remembrance Day tribute, organised by a group of mums from the village, led by Laura Down and Karen Heverin, who made a mass of poppies to hang in and around the box along with tributes to local soldiers, previously put together by St Andrews’ Chew Stoke Church wardens, Alison Hoddell and Andrew Troup.

Future plans include a display supporting the NHS and an Advent display before Christmas.

The village school’s PTA is also organising a festive window trail.

Orchard House

RESIDENTS across the Chew Valley have been busy packing Christmas boxes filled with gifts for children in need abroad. They do this through Operation Christmas Child, which is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, run by the Christian relief and development organisation, Samaritan’s Purse.

Chew Stoke resident, Mel Jameson, who has been organising the boxes for around 12 years, still managed to collect 39 boxes, despite the pandemic, including a shoebox from local resident, Doris Smart, who is 102.

Mel said: “Doris does a box every year, and usually

knits a few hats and gloves too, and this year did one along with her daughter and granddaughter.”

Last year the boxes Mel collected went to children in Serbia.

CHEW MAGNA

Moira, Denise and Carol Wish customers old and new A Merry Christmas

Tel 01275 332430 07748 994543

Chew Stoke

Comfortable self-catering and bed & breakfast accommodation

Ann Hollomon

01275 333143

orchardhse@ukgateway.net www.orchardhouse-chewstoke.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

High Class Family Butcher

Quality you can trust

Traditional service Meat and produce from local farms Order Now for Christmas

High Street, Chew Magna Tel: 01275 332417

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

RH

Windows

THE CHEW VALLEY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED WINDOW COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR CONSERVATORIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS IN HARDWOOD OR UPVC

HARDWOOD JOINERY SPECIALISTS www.rhwindowsltd.co.uk

Telephone: 01761 452171 Fax: 01761 453342

Chew Valley feature.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2020 14:08 Page 55

FOCUS ON CHEW VALLEY

Chew Valley housing market comes out of lockdown fighting KILLENS are continuing to see a very active housing market in the Chew Valley as buyers rush to find homes in rural areas with gardens and workspace and sellers hurry to list their properties in order to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday.

Rightmove have reported an increase both in average asking prices and the number of deals being struck whilst the Office of National Statistics report that prices in the South West have risen by over 6% over the past year with the average property value now standing at £307,246.

Killens have seen strong interest from those seeking to relocate from London and the South East as well as from Bristol and are readily agreeing property sales.

Milly Hicks of the Chew Magna office, said: “We have seen interest for homes of all sorts and sizes. The stamp duty has stimulated demand and whilst more homes have come to the market, demand still outstrips supply.”

The Royal Institution of Chartered

Surveyors, the ultimate property trade body, undertook a poll of its members, including Killens, and this confirmed that new buyer enquiries, instructions

to sell properties and agreed sales all rose sharply during the summer with the stamp duty holiday playing a big role.

The market could be affected by a possible resurgence of Covid-19, the impacts of job losses and the ending of government support measures but the implementation of a vaccine programme and the demise of the virus could lead to demand for properties remaining firm.

Sally Killen, who oversees the property agency teams at Killens, believes the market will continue to be busy in the short term and has become more positive for the medium to longer term.

She said: “In North Somerset, we are in an area in demand and we desperately need homes to sell to satisfy the requirements of buyers. I had been uncertain for the future but the positive news regarding the introduction of a vaccine is likely to help the property market to recover further and remain bullish.”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

A vaccine to the rescue?

tHe world would be less populated and less well-travelled without the vaccines that prevent cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis, measles, meningitis, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rabies, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, Japanese encephalitis, tuberculosis, typhoid, varicella, yellow fever and cervical

By Dr PHIL cancer. the fact that only one infectious HAMMOND disease has been eliminated (smallpox) shows how hard it is to defeat microbes, but vaccines have enhanced and prolonged the lives of hundreds of millions.

As UK Covid-19 deaths exceed 50,000, news that safe and effective vaccines for Covid may soon be with us is cause for cautious celebration. there are over 200 coronavirus vaccines in various stages of development but first to go public with a “90% effective” press release was one developed by the German company BioNtech with backing from the US drug giant Pfizer. Personally, I prefer such information to be independently verified by a peer review journal before it’s announced.

It was “a great day for science and humanity” said Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairman and chief executive. It was certainly a great day for Bourla, who had scheduled the sale of 130,000 of his Pfizer shares that day and made £5.6m as the price rocketed.

All legal, but appearance is everything and this was more grist to the anti-vaxxers’ mill.

If a company produces a vaccine that gets the pandemic under control, it deserves its profits. But for the boss to cash in before it has been tried in the real world suggests it might not stand up to the competition.

BioNtech was founded in Germany by the children of turkish migrants, husband and wife team Prof Ugur Sahin and Dr oezlem tuereci. they are so dedicated to defeating disease, they spent their wedding day in the lab. their vaccine is based on the genetic code for the spike protein on the surface of the

virus. this instructs the body’s cells to make that same spike protein which then triggers an immune response. By not using any live or inactivated virus, the hope was that side effects would be minimal.

Some 43,538 participants were recruited into a double-blind trial, with half receiving two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart, half receiving two doses of placebo, but neither researcher or volunteer knowing which they got. researchers waited until 94 participants had caught Covid (naturally). An independent committee then “unblinded” the study and found that about 90 percent of the Covid cases were in the placebo group. the trial, and the progress that results from it, would not have been possible without volunteers willing to take a risk on a new technology for the common good. this will also be the case when the vaccine is rolled out, and people will be offered it without long-term safety data. As with all new drugs, we will only know how safe and effective they are when they are given to more people. most will accept that risk, including myself. I’ve had all my recommended vaccines, never had serious side effects and never had a disease I was protected against. However, I don’t believe in mandatory vaccination. Forcing any treatment on a competent adult against their will would set a dangerous precedent.

Informed consent is key. You can choose to have a vaccine which has passed its short-term safety assessment, appears to protect you and may well protect others. or you can wait for others to try it out first to see how well it works in real life, although you will remain at higher risk of Covid. You decide.

I’m a believer in vaccines, so I will be rolling up my sleeve.

But as a journalist who’s exposed more than my share of health scandals, we must also fight for truth and transparency, especially when things go wrong. the Pfizer Biotech vaccine is made in Germany and Belgium, and its transport is time and temperature critical. We’ve bought 40 million doses. So there must be no hold-ups at our borders in January…

Dr Phil Hammond is author of “Staying Alive – How to Improve Your Health and Your Healthcare” (Quercus, £9.99).

SCA support continues

SomerSet Community Foundation (SCF) launched the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal in late march just as the country went into lockdown and within a week had awarded their first grants to our local foodbanks.

Since then, they have built a fund worth £1.25 million thanks to support from individual donors, local charitable trusts, businesses and the National emergencies trust’s Coronavirus Appeal.

So far they’ve awarded almost £800,000 of grants to 250 local projects across the county, including food and medicine deliveries, free online counselling, and support for struggling families. three streams of funding from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal are currently available. Local groups can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to continue their response to the coronavirus pandemic through the winter; grants of up to £5,000 for recovery from financial difficulty and to build more resilience for the future (for groups with a turnover of up to £250,000); and blended funding of grants and loans up to £20,000 for recovery from

Volunteers from Elim Connect in Wells

financial difficulty and to build more resilience for the future (for groups with a turnover over £250,000).

A spokesman said: “In 2021 SCF will continue to do everything we can to support our amazing local charities in their hour of need, providing grants to help offset losses from fundraising and preserve the great work that our charities deliver, that will be needed more than ever in the years to come.”

Any community group wishing to apply for funding from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal should visit the SCF website where they can find guidance on how to make an application.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk email info@somersetcf.org.uk or call 01749 344949.

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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Keeping the elderly warm

HEALTH & FAMILY

SomerSet Community Foundation is urging people to donate their winter fuel payment so Somerset’s elderly don’t have to choose between heating and eating this winter. It says this is a choice faced by hundreds of older people, made worse this year by the coronavirus outbreak.

It is taking part in the Big Give and online donations made to Surviving Winter during the week-long Big Give Christmas Challenge – midday tuesday, December 1st to midday tuesday, December 8th – will be doubled. So, not only will donations be worth twice as much, but even more older and isolated people across the county will get the support they need this winter.

PETER EVERETT Registered Osteopath 12 Woodborough Road Winscombe BS25 1AA

T: 01934 844764

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

LOCAL STOCKISTS

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

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

Recently the business introduced a range of luxury goats milk candles, made with 100% soy wax.

These new items go perfectly with the skin care gift baskets and goats milk bath salts, making ideal Christmas gifts.

Sales team 07958 261971

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 57

M T

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MENDIP TIMES

Hopes of a vaccine may have given us all hope that an end to the pandemic could be in sight. But for the time being its effects are still having a profound effect on everyone’s lives.

Firemen support the ambulance service

Covid-19 hits hospice

Lucy Green

Ambulance and fire service personnel at an event in July attended by the Prince of Wales to celebrate the partnership

FIreFIGHters across the region will support the ambulance service this winter through a new partnership with the south Western Ambulance service nHs Foundation trust (sWAsFt).

Under the agreement, firefighters will support ambulance crews by driving vehicles and working alongside clinicians to provide care and assistance to patients. the mutual aid project, which first ran from April to August, will last for four months. the ambulance trust says the initiative is part of a wider plan intended to safeguard the trust’s delivery of safe and effective patient care during anticipated surges in demand.

Will Warrender, chief executive of sWAsFt, said: “We are delighted to have secured a second agreement with our fire service partners to work together during what we expect will be a challenging winter.

“We collaborate closely with the fire services every day when we co-respond to road traffic collisions, property fires and various other types of emergencies. “this strategic partnership will significantly benefit our response to Covid-19 and our overall care to patients throughout the south West.”

Lee Howell, chief fire officer of Devon and somerset Fire and rescue service, said: “our firefighters supported south Western Ambulance service with ambulance driving earlier this year. “this was a fantastic example of blue light collaboration and helping the public at a time of need. We are very much here to help each other, our teams and partner organisations when they need it the most.” sWAsFt was the only ambulance trust in england to approve and train fire personnel to drive on blue lights for the first phase of the partnership.

It invested in a fleet of 15 additional ambulances, which were used by fire service personnel as they responded to more than 6,000 emergency incidents. several firefighters have since secured roles with sWAsFt as emergency care assistants.

PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Weston Hospicecare says it’s seeing an increase in demand and has launched a Christmas pledge appeal which means donations from supporters will be doubled by matched funding.

It says the coronavirus pandemic has not only had a severe impact on fundraising, it is also sadly leading to increased patient demand.

Community nurse specialist, Lucy Green, said: “We are already seeing an increase in demand for our services, caused by late diagnosis, and we are fully expecting this demand to escalate even more next year.

“It is simply crucial that we raise enough money to care for everyone who needs us. our entire care team are working tirelessly to ensure every person is given the help they desperately need.

“We never want to be in a position where we have to cut our services and therefore ask you to help us.”

A network of local individuals and businesses has pledged £30,000 to match donations made to the appeal.

Details: westonhospicecare.org.uk 01934 423900

Lockdown novel

JAmes Bailey, an author from Congresbury, is celebrating lockdown by publishing his first novel, the Flip side. the romantic comedy has already been a number one e-book best-seller on Apple Books, attracted interest from Hollywood production companies and is set to be translated into nine foreign languages. the book is set in Bristol, where James is a teacher at QeH school, which he attended as a pupil.

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Lockdown walkers boost charity

tHe popularity of walking during lockdown has boosted sales of the latest in a series of books of local walks, raising £500 for the Water Aid charity. the book Twenty Circular Walks Not Far From Timsbury, each featuring water is the fourth book produced by timsbury residents Peter Bradshaw, Larry Cunningham and sue Fraser.

Larry said: “each of our books proved very popular during the first lockdown and there was a surge in walking activity which is likely to be repeated during the current restrictions. sue said: “timsbury Parish Council and radstock museum benefit financially from sales of our earlier books but we chose to support Water Aid with this one because each of the walks in it visits one of the rivers, canals, lakes or reservoirs in our area.” the book received a Wessex Watermark award when it was published in may. It mirrors the successful format of their three previous books with clear directions, maps, information about points of interest on each route and colour photographs.

Peter said: “We seem to have hit on a format which suits a wide range of people with some longer walks for serious ramblers and shorter alternatives for those just keen to stretch their legs.”

All four books remain on sale and each raises funds for worthy causes. they are on sale from Connies, Health & more and Canine Craze in timsbury, Farmborough Community shop and by 'phone from oldfield Park Bookshop (01225 427722) for postal delivery.

Rotary supports food bank

WHen Covid-19 struck, the rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge agreed to give £200 a month for six months to Keynsham Food Bank which has seen a five-fold increase in demand from Keynsham, saltford and the Chew Valley. now the club has been given £500 from the tesco Bags of Help Covid-19 Communities Fund, which it has also donated to the food bank. Club president, tony Quinn, said: “I am very pleased that Chelwood Bridge rotary Club has been able to help Keynsham Food Bank and the challenges they face.”

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS

Choir’s solo outing

PoPULAr Chew Valley choir, Vox in Frox, managed to stage their only concert of the year, before the latest lockdown was announced. they sang, while social distancing, for communion at Camerton Church at the end of october. Choir leader, Caroline Lowe, said: “It was so wonderful to be back together and singing! thank you to tony roake at st Peter's in Camerton for making it all possible.” there hasn’t been any other appearance since then and it doesn’t seem likely that there will be another this year.

Caroline said: “We are living in some strange times.”

Vox in Frox is just one of the several choirs which Caroline manages and performs a wide range of music from gospel to sacred, folk to pop and everything in between. one audience member said: “I was cheered up immensely by this performance. A big whoop to Caroline and the girls, though I’m not sure big whoops are appropriate for communion, but hey let's celebrate whatever.”

Samaritans under pressure

tHe samaritans in Weston-super-mare say the Covid-19 pandemic has put extra pressure on callers as well as the charity’s volunteers.

Branch director, Paul slade, said: “A survey within the organisation suggests that one in three callers have talked about coronavirus with many people feeling more anxious and distressed than before the pandemic. “our team has made Herculean efforts to keep the lines open for those in distress but we would love to have a larger pool of volunteers to call on.” social distancing regulations mean the branch has had to suspend regular volunteer information sessions at its base in Weston but potential volunteers can go online to find a host of information on what it takes to be involved.

Christmas is always a busy time for samaritans and the branch is expecting more calls than ever during the festive season.

Details: www.samaritans.org/volunteer or email WestonSuperMare.Recruitment@Samaritans.org

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

“I think you need me” – Nich’s lockdown adventure By mark Adler

sAnto is a very long way from somerset and paramedic nich Woolf did wonder when – or whether – he would see his Burnham-on-sea home again after he was stranded on the Pacific island by the pandemic. the authorities in Vanuatu, over 1200 miles due east of Brisbane, closed its borders at the outset to try to stop the virus reaching the population – something they succeeded in doing – but it meant that nich, who had been working as a volunteer with a medical charity, was well and truly stuck. the 67 year old, who has spent much of his career volunteering in difficult environments such as Afghanistan and Haiti, found that even he was unprepared for what was to follow.

Cyclone Harold, a category five super-cyclone with 190mph winds, hit santo a few days before easter, devastating homes, roads and the island’s infrastructure. nich had planned to return home in march, but had no choice but to stay put. It was october 22nd before he was able to return home. nich is a long-serving member and trustee of Festival medical services, based in evercreech. Fms run the medical services at the Glastonbury and reading music festivals and raise money for medical causes in Britain and around the world.

Children left dazed by the devastation which included the destruction of their kindergarten

A cellphone mast buckled by 190mph cyclone winds

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Nich and colleagues in Vanuato

nich said: “I thought to myself ‘I am really stuck here now’ and said to the charity ‘I think you need me’. It was the easiest job interview I have ever had!”

Working alongside his three trainees, nich helped wherever he could, not just providing medical care but helping to design cyclone-proof children’s nurseries. eventually he was able to secure a seat on a cargo plane to begin the long journey home but not before one further crisis struck – his passport had run out! thanks to the British High Commissioner in Vanuatu, a new one was issued just in time. nich said: “I’ve been away from home for two or three months at a time but have never not known if or when I would be returning home.” Home for several weeks would actually be his camper van where he quarantined as his partner, sue, is a key worker.

Fms celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019 and in that time has raised more than £1m with the money going to small-scale and fully accountable medical projects around the world. the absence this year of Glastonbury, reading and other live events means months of uncertainty lie ahead for the charity and the projects it supports – another consequence of the lockdowns. l resuscitating Afghanistan, originally published on Kindle, is nich’s journal which he kept throughout the three years he spent teaching resuscitation to staff at a public hospital in northern Afghanistan and has a foreword by veteran broadcaster sandy Gall. It will soon be available as a book.

All that was left of a village

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Helping victims of domestic violence

LoCAL support providers in Avon and somerset say they have seen an increase in numbers of victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault throughout the pandemic.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) sue mountstevens heard from a number of local services about the challenges they have faced during Covid-19, how they have adapted their services to continue to support victims and the impact of backlogs in the criminal justice system. these services have received Covid19 extraordinary ministry of Justice Funding from the PCC to help further strengthen their response to changes in demand and complexity of need during the pandemic. the funding has helped the services set up and continue to offer remote support to victims including webchats, phone and Zoom counselling, online group sessions and even online yoga and art classes. sue mountstevens said: “this year has been a scary and uncertain time for those who are in domestic abuse environments or relationships. It was incredibly inspiring to hear about the work that these local services are doing to ensure victims and survivors of past and present crimes are being supported during the pandemic. “these services have had to go above and beyond to adapt, and I know they are still delivering vitally important advocacy, emotional and psychological support to local people. I want victims to know that services do not judge; they are there to listen to you and support you on your recovery journey, whatever form that might take.

“Finally, please remember that household isolation instructions do not apply if you need to leave your house to escape domestic abuse. If you do not want to speak to the police, speak to someone.”

Victims can access help whether they choose to report to the police or not, no matter how long ago the crime took place.

Details: https://www.thisisnotanexcuse.org/

MENDIP V CORONAVIRUS

Care homes get iPads

CAre home residents across Bath and north east somerset will be able to keep in contact with loved ones virtually, thanks to the provision of 39 new iPads from the nHs which are being provided to 27 homes.

As well as enabling residents to keep in touch with relatives and loved ones via video calls, the mobile touchscreen technology will also provide a vital resource for care home staff. they will be able to work with GPs to provide a Covid-secure virtual ward round, sharing patient charts and images to assist with diagnosis and treatment plans.

A resident sharing her poetry

Covid wardens appointed

tHe four district councils in somerset, including mendip, have appointed two additional Covid-19 wardens. they say they will be on hand across the area to help council staff make sure that residents and businesses are Covid-safe and to offer help and advice.

Based on geography and population centres, the wardens will be out and about across somerset. they will be issued with the latest technology to help focus on the areas that need additional help and to keep in touch with other council staff. they will be recognisable via their pale blue waterproof coats with CoVID Warden clearly marked on the back and will carry masks and sanitizers to hand out if necessary. mendip District Council says: “the new, public-facing wardens will complement staff in the district councils already specifically tasked with Covid-safety duties.

“Working behind the scenes, these teams are dedicated to keeping up with the latest Covid-19 related guidance, legislation and working practices, as well as responding to queries from businesses and members of the public across the district, providing advice and guidance in relation to pandemic related guidance and legislation including the Business & Planning Act 2020 and the most up to date version of the Health Protection regulations.”

Feeding Somerset’s needy

tHe somerset Food resilience taskforce, Community Council for somerset (CCs) and somerset County Council have been working together to provide food for residents in the county.

CCs village agents and volunteers have delivered nearly 1,000 meals to families in need to help prevent holiday hunger and have also recently delivered nearly a tonne of donated potatoes to people in need, distributed through ten community groups. now they are on the hunt for anyone in their local community providing meals or access to food to help with funding, advice, equipment and ingredients. this could mean providing the tools to set up a food bank, collection services or funds to purchase fridges, freezers and other equipment to help store food safely and help stock them with food. raj singh, acting chief executive of CCs said: “We have had full support from all of our community here in somerset helping us feed individuals and families throughout the pandemic. Please get in touch and join our movement, you will be warmly received." one volunteer said: “I feel for people who are struggling right now. I’m a professional person and I’ve retired now but in the early 90s I found myself in a similar position through no fault of my own when the business I worked for collapsed suddenly after a government problem. As a single parent I found myself going to bed hungry and it’s no fun.”

Details: www.ccslovesomerset.org.uk/food call 01823 331222 or email ccssmartcomm@somersetrcc.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Getting the best start in life

Draycott and rodney Stoke cE First School (including Pre-School) has an exceptional setting in which to start your child’s educational journey. We are a small but dynamic school community, nestled at the heart of the vibrant village of Draycott on the edge of the Mendip Hills, a designated area of outstanding

For children aged 2 – 5 years Dedicated 2 – 3-year-old year old room Term time only The only MEAB accredited Montessori Nursery School in Somerset, reaccredited in June 2018. The week includes teachers specialising in – Montessori, Dance, Music, Cooking, Messy Play and Forest Rangers The Rainbow Montessori Nursery School The Lynch Chapel, The Lynch, Winscombe BS25 1AR www.winscombemontessori.co.uk e-mail rainbows@winscombemontessori.co.uk Tel 01934 708325 to arrange a visit.

Natural Beauty.

We provide a stimulating learning experience for all our children, aged from three to nine years old, and work closely with parents and carers to develop the “whole child”, focusing on their emotional, spiritual, moral and academic development. the school boasts a small school feel and benefits from being a part of a “three-tier” system with year 4s transitioning onto the nearby Fairlands Middle School in cheddar. there are strong community links within the school and a close relationship with the nearby church which plays host to a range of activities throughout the year. the school is led by the executive headteacher, Will Ewens, who is passionate about

Montessori, Music & Sensory Play Sessions for babies and toddlers

helping every child achieve their potential and being prepared for the modern world. there is an on-site pre-school to offer children the best transition into education and wraparound care provision for all children is available to support parents from the earliest possible opportunity.

Draycott and rodney Stoke cE First School is part of the

Wessex Learning trust, one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country, which believes in providing an outstanding 21st century education to all from two to 19.

Each school in the trust maintains its own distinctive ethos, while also benefiting from the support of partner schools to help them grow for your children.

For details or to arrange a visit please visit: www.drsfirstschool.co.uk or call 01934 742052 To find out more, or arrange a visit, please visit: www.drsfirstschool.co.uk or call 01934 742052

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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What matters when choosing a nursery?

EDUCATION

Happy children We believe that a child’s happiness is the most important thing. children at Sidcot Nursery spend much of their day playing both inside and outside. We let the children take the lead in their learning and use the children’s interests as a way of moving their learning forward.

Outdoor space as well as a fantastic dedicated Early years outdoor space, the school sits in 150 acres of the Mendip Hills, so there are always new places to explore in our numerous gardens, forests and fields.

A broad and balanced curriculum We understand that one size does not fit all and every child in Sidcot Nursery is treated as a unique individual with their own interests and experiences. this is why the learning opportunities we provide are tailored to the interests and needs of each child.

A wide range of opportunities children at Sidcot Nursery experience a wide range of activities which extend beyond the classroom; from swimming in the school’s indoor pool to exploring the onsite forest school, even learning to cook and to playing musical

instruments, there is something to suit everyone!

An individual approach our small class sizes allow the staff to really get to know what excites each and every child. We believe the personal touches make a big difference in children feeling valued and important.

Learning beyond the curriculum as well as learning the curriculum the children at Sidcot learn skills and values which will stay with them for life such as resilience, curiosity and the confidence to take risks.

Your child can join as soon as they turn three years old. Contact our admissions team for more details at admissions@sidcot.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Trombone tribute to the fallen

The standard is lowered at the stone tablet at Westfield, ready for a two-minute

Somerset poppies return to the palace

The service in Wanstrow took place in the churchyard

VILLAGERS in Wanstrow gathered outside St Mary’s Church for a simple Remembrance Day service, where the Last Post and Reveille were played by trombonist Steve Dayman-Johns.

Retired Royal Navy commander Mike Parkinson places a wreath on the war memorial inside the church

Legion revives war grave tradition

SoME 2000 metal poppies were planted in The Quiet Garden of The Bishop’s Palace in Wells in time for Remembrance weekend.

In 2018 there were originally 7,986 poppies made by local school children, one to mark each serviceman lost from Somerset during WWI. Some were sold to raise money for SSAFA and the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion.

It was agreed that the palace should retain 2000 poppies to continue to display them inside the grounds.

WAR graves in the Midsomer Norton area were “dressed” with posies of poppies by the local branch of the Royal British Legion in a Covid-19 revival of the tradition.

In the absence of the usual Remembrance Sunday services, graves in nine cemeteries were visited by legion members and supporters; many of the dead are not listed on local war memorials.

Socially distancing guests and standard bearers at Midsomer Norton cemetery

Nathan Hall, 18, lays a posy at a Commonwealth War Grave in Midsomer Norton in memory of Private Elizabeth Barnes, of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, who died on July 10th 1945, aged 24

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Twins Milo and Fraser Young, aged ten, lay a posy of poppies at the headstone of their great grandfather, George Taylor, a founder member of the Midsomer Norton legion branch

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-minute silence

Early services to beat lockdown

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

Legion member Chris Copeland receives a poppy wreath, to be laid with others, around the cenotaph at Midsomer Norton

THE Midsomer Norton and Radstock branch of the Royal British legion decided to have very brief and informal wreath laying ceremonies in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Westfield ahead of the new lockdown coming into effect.

The standard is lowered at the stone tablet at Westfield, ready for a two-minute silence

Village honours its war dead A SMALL Remembrance Day service took place at Binegar’s Holy Trinity Church to remember the 14 servicemen from the village who were killed in the two world wars.

Amongst the dead were three brothers, Gerald, Herbert and Augustus Brine. Wreaths were laid on the war memorial inside the church and on the grave of Sgt. A.J. Wood, a Royal Air Force air gunner who was killed in January 1944, aged 27.

Graham Jagger, another member of the branch, places a wreath at the Radstock war memorial

Banwell

Trumpeter George Wareham, a student at Wells Cathedral School, prepares to play the Last Post. The service was led by priest-in-charge, the Rev. Richard Priestley

Churchwarden Patsy Scadding reflects after placing a wreath on the grave of air gunner A. J. Wood

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Poignant moments in Wells

SEVERAL low-key – yet still moving – Remembrance Day services took place in Wells, with the lockdown adding to their poignancy.

The Dean of Wells, the Very Rev. Dr John Davies, stands in silence as hundreds of paper poppies fall from the ceiling of the nave. The cathedral remains open for individual prayer and reflection

Philip Welch, the mayor of Wells, lays a wreath from the city council on the war memorial outside St Cuthbert’s Church as Aaron Cooper-Collett, chairman of the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion, looks on. The church later hosted a scaled-down Remembrance Day service

Council’s eco-wreaths tribute

KNITTED and crocheted poppies made by residents have been turned into wreaths by florists and laid to mark this year's Remembrance Sunday by Mendip District Council.

The wreaths were laid on behalf of Wells, the four towns and local rural communities by cabinet members Ruthie Dixon, from Street: queen of the and councillors. crocheted poppy Councillor Liz Leyshon was been responsible for arranging the creation of the eco-wreaths.

Council chair Helen Sprawson-White will be making a donation on behalf of the council to the Royal British Legion, which will be exactly the same donation as other years.

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Alan and Margaret Williams, who helped organise a fundraising campaign to create the Harry Patch memorial outside Wells and Mendip Museum, stand in reflection after a brief ceremony

Council chair Helen Sprawson-White lays a wreath at Frome’s war memorial

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REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

Poppies to Paddington

Lt. Cdr. Richard Burdett, who live in Butleigh, with the HMS Flying Fox wreath on Castle Cary station

REPRESENTATIVES from the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton and HMS Flying Fox in Bristol were at Castle Cary train station to take part in an Armistice Day tribute.

They handed over wreaths to Great Western Railway staff on board the 0852 to London Paddington, one of the trains which carried dozens of wreaths to the station ahead of a remembrance service at the war memorial on Platform one. The Poppies to Paddington operation involved nine train services and more than 60 stations.

Winford

Bruton

Warrant Officer 1 Baz Firth MBE, from RNAS Yeovilton, hands over a wreath to a member of the GWR team on the London-bound train

Yatton

Timsbury

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Rotary’s big slim

Bennetts is a niche and boutique commercial law firm operating out of modern offices at Barley Wood Stables, Long Lane, Wrington.

Our lawyers combine specialist legal knowledge with broad practical experience.

We can be relied on to give clear and positive advice on a wide range of complex or routine matters whether preventative or remedial.

Bennetts Solicitors Attorneys & Notaries Barley Wood Stables, Long Lane, Wrington Bristol BS40 5SA Phone: (44) 1934 862786 • Fax: (44) 1934 862404 Webpage: www.bennettlaw.co.uk e-mail: info@bennettlaw.co.uk

WRINGTON Vale Rotary Club held a sponsored slim in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, raising £3,300 with gift aid.

Over a month, 11 members took part, supported by friends and family, and shed a total of 104lbs which they say equates to half a large Rotarian!

The money was received by Katie Morrison who said over Zoom that the pandemic had cost Macmillan £100 million in income this year.

Looking after customers and their cars

MOT testing, Servicing and repairs to most makes including full electric and hybrid vehicles Engine ECU remapping for greater power, economy or both Four wheel alignment, Tyres, Wheel balancing, Exhaust, DPF repair and replacement Air conditioning servicing, repairs, system clean and deodorise including the new HFO-1234YF gas Loan cars and loan van, Local collection and delivery service available Free reminder service via E-Mail or text

PAGEP??

AGE •M 68ENDIP • MENDIP TIMES TIMES • DECEMBER • DECEMBER 2011 2020

WRINGTON Motors would like to thank all of their customers for their support during the coronavirus pandemic. The wellbeing of customers and staff is of utmost importance, so perspex screens have been installed in the reception area, along with car and key cleaning routines.

For the time being customers are not being given a lift home as sharing a car risks transmission of the virus, however Wrington Motors offer a free collection and delivery service from the surrounding area. They also have manual and automatic loan cars and a loan van.

They are members of the Independent Garage Association (IGA) who inspected the premises in July and confirmed that the necessary Covid secure procedures were in place. Wrington Motors are members of the Trust My Garage scheme which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and run by the IGA. Their technicians have many years’ experience and are qualified to MOT, service and repair your car or light commercial vehicle to a high standard. In addition they have been trained to safely service and repair hybrid and full electric vehicles. Free itemised written estimates for the service or repair of your vehicle can be provided by the technically qualified service receptionists.

Classic cars are also serviced and repaired. The owner, Melvyn Freeman, has over 37 years’ experience and has worked mainly on British makes including Jaguar, Rover, Triumph, Aston Martin, Lotus and Bentley.

Wrington pages.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2020 12:35 Page 69

New shop in Wrington

KELLY Moylan’s Zero Waste Pantry has expanded in Wrington, now based in a new shop in the High Street after previously sharing premises in Broad Street.

She made the move in August when lockdown made social distancing difficult at her former base. It meant she could open the new shop full time and give up working part-time as a veterinary nurse.

It’s also given her the space to extend her product range to more than 1,000 items, which can be booked online.

She’s supporting local suppliers and local people have been supporting her.

She said: “Early on there was a rush for flour and yeast, it was really busy. The village has been super supportive, I’ve had loads of customers and I’d like to say thanks to all of them.”

HELPING YOU TO REDUCE FOOD PACKAGING AND FOOD WASTE

Bring a clean box, jar or bag and we fill with it only what you need from a large selection of herbs, spices, teas, grains, flours, dried fruit, nuts and so much more. Eco friendly cleaning and bathroom products also available.

Our focus is making ethical and comfortable choices with organic, local or UK produced wherever possible.

HHH NOW OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK HHH 4A High Street, Wrington BS40 5QA

Visit the website for opening times www.zerowastepantry.co.uk or follow us on Facebook or Instagram @zerowastepantrywrington

Bring this in for 10% off your next shop

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

Happy first birthday Buglers

PAUL and Carly Butchers are celebrating their first year of owning Buglers Stores in Wrington – and they say they are “loving it”.

Paul said “The support we have had from the whole village has been totally amazing. We love what we do and the people here make it all the better.”

Paul previously managed Cadbury Garden Centre, before taking on the shop in October 2019. Carly previously worked within local primary schools as a family support worker and still assists a local charity, South Weston Activity Network (SWAN), supporting young people and their families within the south ward of Weston-super-Mare.

They have four children, Jack, 20, Charlie, 17, Freddie, 15 and Olivia, 11 and live locally.

They have worked hard to update the store to give the village the shop it deserves, using reclaimed units and shelving that has been made from up-cycled pallets.

The revamp has allowed them to expand their range with a key focus on locally sourced fresh produce, including fruit and veg, Bakers of Nailsea butchered meat and Winnies of Weston’s fresh bread as well as everything else you could need from your local convenience store.

BUGLERS WRINGTON For all your convenience store needs

Fresh and frozen food Fresh fruit, veg and meat Alcohol and tobacco Full range of groceries Newsagent Buglers Stores, High Street, Wrington BS40 5QA Tel 01934 862351

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

Wrington Remembrance Day

Family tradition

DAVID Bush believes that following historical craftsmen associated with magnificent buildings is a true testament to the value of timber over the centuries.

His son, William, also works alongside David, who said: “Hopefully, he will continue to build in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather who were both carpenters and joiners.”

David Bush Joinery • Unit 4b • Burnett Industrial Estate Cox’s Green • Wrington • BS40 5QR Tel/Fax: 01934 862430 • Mobile: 07875 367789 www.davidbushjoinery.co.uk • david@davidbushjoinery.co.uk PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES

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Volvo Servicing and Repairs on all models, including Electric Hybrid Vehicles. New Car Warranty Compliant • Volvo trained and qualified • VIDA Software Downloads & Upgrades • Diagnostics • Parts & Accessories • MOT Testing • Air Conditioning • CAR SALES • Free Loan Cars

Turnpike Road, Shipham, N. Somerset BS25 1TX • www.shipham.co.uk • 01934 842350 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 71

) D dd

THOUSANDS of potholes have been filled and approximately 173,000 square metres of roads resurfaced, equivalent to the area covered by 24 football pitches, across Bath and North East Somerset this year.

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s highways team have completed their road resurfacing programme on time and on budget.

In total over the past seven months, the council says 2,794 potholes have been filled; 5,114 planned highway safety inspections have been carried out; 1,805 reactive inspections have been completed; 8,690 highway gullies have been cleaned and 1,330 street lighting faults have been repaired.

fS

renewable energy that supports the farm, local houses and elements of Glastonbury Festival. That power will also be used to charge the new electric Land Rovers. worthy Farm is working with Cardiff University and Oxford-based conversion company Electrogenic which has won an Innovate Uk Sustainable Innovation Fund award, to develop low-cost technology to convert Land Rovers to all-electric.

The vehicles will be running around worthy Farm doing Down on the farm: Michael Eavis with the usual jobs, one of the farm’s Land Rovers while Electrogenic capture as much data as possible. This will allow Cardiff University to build a computer model to predict how the vehicles will perform on other farms and in other environments.

t

GLASTONBURY Festival founder Michael Eavis is to trial a project which converts fossil fuel-powered Land Rovers to all-electric.

Four vehicles used every day around the worthy Farm site at Pilton will be used to test the green technology in a working environment. It is the latest development as the farm seeks to move closer to net zero carbon. worthy Farm has already introduced solar panels and an anaerobic digester, both of which help create clean,

On time and on budget

h

We are going electric . . . shortly

MOTORING

(Ph t

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MENDIP TIMES

Hopes of “speedy” transfer of city assets

ONGOING discussions between Mendip District Council and Wells City Council over the future ownership of the Bishop’s Barn and Recreation Ground are raising hopes of a speedy transfer of the assets to the community.

The barn and grounds have been under Mendip’s control since 1974 and it became the sole trustee when the Wells Recreation Ground charity was formed in 1982. City mayor Philip Welch, who led talks with the district council, said: “After more than 45 years returning control of the Recreation Ground and Bishop’s Barn to Wells is in sight.

“In late Victorian times the Bishop of Bath and Wells gave both assets to the people of Wells for their enjoyment and recreation under the direction of the city's aldermen. Then in 1974, under a local government reorganisation, the newlycreated Mendip District Council was handed control of the Wells Recreation Ground and Bishop’s Barn.

“The Wells Recreation Ground Trust Committee was established in 2013 and given delegated powers by the trustee to manage the day-to day operations of these community assets. It is time they were returned to Wells and I hope the long wait will soon be over.”

Leader of Mendip District Council, councillor Ros Wyke, said: “This council likes to see local communities shape their own future and make use of key community assets. That’s why we are delighted to be working with the new mayor in Wells on this exciting offer. We have discussed options and anticipate these much-loved facilities will be successfully handed back soon.”

The Bishop’s Barn – along with the Recreation Ground – could soon be in new ownership

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

A school run with a difference

Friends and family were on hand to cheers Tabby home

KEEN runner Tabby Maidment decided to step in when the pandemic put an end to the usual fundraising efforts by parents and staff at her village school.

Tabby, whose own two children attend Evercreech C of E Primary School, challenged herself to run 50km around the village, setting off at 6.45am and crossing the finish line just after noon to be greeted by friends and family. She admitted to hitting the “wall” at 44km and the last two kilometres were “absolutely hideous”.

Her efforts have raised £1,000 for the school’s Association of Parents and Teachers – her original target was £250!

Tabby passes the primary school

Finding time for tea

Agony and ecstasy as Tabby reaches the end of her run

Sitting in the summerhouse at the home of past president Angie Horne are (l:r) Angie herself, Pauline Alvis, Sandra Newton, Brenda Moorhouse and Joan Hunt. The photo was taken by club secretary Yvonne Greenwood

WRINGTON Vale Inner Wheel club has begun a series of get-togethers strictly following the “rule-of-six” but allowing members the chance to catch up on their news.

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Building community links

THE Bishop’s Palace in Wells has started a new community membership scheme to encourage local not-for-profit groups and organisations to make the most of the site.

It says the health benefits of visiting beautiful places with wonderful gardens, open water and a tranquil atmosphere are well known.

To launch the scheme the palace trust has given 50 complimentary memberships to local groups including The Lawrence Centre, which provides day opportunities for older people with memory loss and health issues.

The centre’s manager, Maggie Charlesworth, said: “Already it has made a real difference to some of our members, carers and volunteers. Some of our more vulnerable members haven’t been out at all during lockdown so it really is a wonderful place to ease people back into the community.”

Membership lasts for 12 months and entitles the holder to free entrance to The Bishop’s Palace and gardens daily during opening hours, along with members-only events, and also to reduced admission rates at Hestercombe Gardens, Kilver Court and Forde Abbey.

Organisations are also able to purchase a membership on behalf of a group at a reduced rate.

Details: siobhan.goodwin@bishopspalace.org.uk 01749 988111.

Hall launches tree scheme

TRUSTEES of Camerton Community Hall have launched a memorial tree planting scheme which will also help the environment.

They are inviting people to buy and plant a tree on land next to the hall as part of a Commemorate and Enhance initiative.

COMMUNITY

Helping the homeless

GRANTS worth over £70,000 have been awarded to eight local charities and community groups directly supporting homeless people to move into independent living. The funds were awarded from The Somerset Move-In Fund, managed

by Somerset Community Foundation.

After consulting a range of homelessness charities and community groups earlier in the year, SCF were told that many homeless people couldn’t move into their own homes because they couldn’t afford essentials such as curtains, carpets, furniture, white goods, and pots and pans.

Val Bishop, programmes director at SCF, said: “Last year we published our Hidden Somerset: Homelessness report which showed that hundreds, if not thousands of people continue to sleep rough or live in inappropriate or insecure housing across Somerset.

“In light of recent government initiatives to provide temporary housing for all rough sleepers in Somerset, we have an unprecedented opportunity to help potentially hundreds of local homeless people into their own homes and dramatically reduce homelessness in our county over the next two years.”

The Somerset Move-In Fund has been designed to help local charities give homeless people the best possible chance of finding a place to live and make it a home, with each individual receiving up to £500 of support.

The organisations that have been awarded the grants include Citizens Advice Mendip, Shepton Mallet, £10,000; Elim Connect Centre, Wells, £10,000; the Nelson Trust, Bridgwater, £10,000; YMCA Brunel Group, Mendip and South Somerset, £10,000.

Details: 01749 344949 or visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk

Online calendar

Members of the Redman family plant a tree in memory of their mother and father Jean and Peter who lives in the village

For details, visit: www.camertoncommunityhall.co.uk

COMPTON Martin will have its own online Advent Calendar, recorded by Rachel and Paul Branston. Their 15-minute selections of music and readings will be available daily from December 1st.

They say they hope it will help to bring a little joy into people's lives in the run-up to Christmas and are inviting contributions.You can subscribe to it as a podcast on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you get podcasts for your phone or go to their website.

Details: www.HereComesChristmas.net

MENDIP MENDIP TIMES TIMES • D•ECEMBER AUGUST 2020 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

Rotary fundraiser

ROTARY Nailsea and Backwell’s charity walks and runs event attracted almost 300 people and is expected to raise more than £20,000 for local good causes.

Normally run in June, it was postponed until October because of coronavirus and instead of being run on just one day, participants could run or walk on any day from the 11th to the end of the month.

The popular event will celebrate its tenth anniversary next year and is due to be held on June 13th.

Organisations with largest numbers taking part this year included Lions Brass 4 Youth, Nailsea School PTA, Carers Support Alliance, Parkinson North Somerset, Portishead RNLI, CLIC Sargent and St Peter’s Hospice.

Details: www.rotarynailsea.org

Festive balloons

EVERCREECH Explorer Scouts will spend Christmas taking part in a virtual balloon race, raising funds lost because of the pandemic.

Balloons are only £3 and there are a large variety of prizes on offer, with a first prize of £500.

The race starts on Christmas Day and competitors can watch their balloon live as it leaves Santa's Village in Lapland and travels across the world.

The scouts hope this makes it a great activity for families over the Christmas break. Balloons can also be gifted, so it suggests giving one this Christmas to the person who has everything. They also make a great eco-friendly gift.

Balloons can be bought online from tinyurl.com/y4p8maq9 or gunnerexplore@gmail.com

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Village hall’s new lease of life

Members of Little Kickers

RESIDENTS are celebrating the completion of a project to refurbish Hewish and Puxton Village Hall near Weston-superMare, which was made possible thanks, in part, to a grant of £50,000 from Enovert Community Trust.

The refurbishment has involved the installation of cladding and insulation to the hall’s interior walls, new toilets and kitchen facilities, and the redecoration of the main hall.

A drop-in café and meeting room have also been created to host mother and toddler sessions and to provide a venue for parishioners to meet their parish councillors.

Lynda Redding, chair of the village hall management company, said: “The villages of Hewish and Puxton have lost so many valued community amenities over recent years, including two churches, a post office, shop and a garage.

“The village hall now provides a vital facility and focal point for village life and events and we’ve heard from many local residents that the revitalisation of the hall has been a real boost for morale locally.

“New users have been flocking to use our facilities since we re-opened, including a toddler group, the Scouts, a ballroom dancing class and a tap dancing team. We regularly host a wide range of community and private events and we’re hoping to add further groups over coming months if restrictions are lifted.”

Hewish and Puxton Village Hall Ltd, which maintains the premises, purchased the site in July 2018 to protect it from development and to maintain the hall for the benefit of local residents. A previous project to replace the leaking asbestos roof was completed in September 2019.

Enovert Community Trust provided a grant through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF), an innovative tax credit scheme that enables landfill operators to contribute money to a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites.

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Pub opens village shop in record time

John and Emma outside the pub in Leigh-on-Mendip

LEIGH-on-Mendip has its own village store, thanks to the quickthinking of publicans Emma and John Hitchins.

With support from Pub is The Hub, the not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services, they turned a laundry room into a shop in just two weeks taking advantage of John’s skills as a carpenter and builder.

The couple, who took over the Bell in September, opened the shop in time for the second lockdown. The nearest shop is two miles away.

The Pub is the Hub Community Services Fund gave the couple a £3,000 grant to carry out the work. The shop sells a range of essentials including fresh milk from a local farmer, fruit and vegetables, bread, meat, cereals, eggs and drinks. Lockdown has prompted the publicans to increase the range of products to include items such as nappies, shampoo and conditioner.

Emma said: “When we took over the pub I asked local residents if they wanted a shop and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“There is limited local transport in the area and we have a number of older people as well as families living here that needed a shop closer to home.”

Pub is The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation initiated by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001, which offers independent specialist advice on rural services diversification or community ownership of pubs, so they can provide viable local services at the heart of the community.

Record poppy collection

THE centenary of Congresbury War Memorial Hall was celebrated with a record collection for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Despite being unable to go door to door or to use around 50 business premises, the collection has raised over £10,400 with every collector saying that the response from the public was one of almost overwhelming generosity, many donors coming from the surrounding areas of Congresbury.

On November 11th a short service conducted by Rev Matthew Thomson stopped the traffic and the two minutes service was observed by around 50 villagers.

Poppy appeal organiser, Irving Prowse, said: “Thank you to all who donated this year, your generosity means a lot to our service personnel who put their lives on the line to protect us and our country.”

COMMUNITY

School supports Pudsey

CHILDREN at St Julian’s School in Wellow were given the chance to dress up to support Children In Need.

School head, Ruth Noall, said: “Everyone that did donated £1 towards supporting children and families across the UK who need extra help and support.

“We were so impressed with how ‘bright and beautiful’ our children looked! We raised an amazing £110.75. Well done to everyone.”

WI keeping busy

BISHOP Sutton and Stowey WI have been carrying on as best they can during lockdown, their latest venture being to repair planters in the playing fields behind the village Pictured in this “selfie” (l to r) Nita hall.

Wendover, Christine Hall, Jenny Harris, Julia Last month the Young and Alison Ewins group also set up a Knit and Natter group, knitting twiddlemuffs for elderly dementia sufferers. The first four were delivered to Stanton Court Nursing Home.

Members have also been enjoying Zoom meetings, the latest one demonstrating how to make Christmas wreaths with Chew Valley’s pressed flowers artist Denise Stirrup.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

Natural Gas, LPG and Oil boiler installations Boiler repairs, breakdowns and boiler servicing Oil tanks Underfloor heating Unvented cylinders Commercial gas and oil work Bathrooms General plumbing All work guaranteed North Somerset Gas Services Call: 01275 461168 Mobile: 07944 975650

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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NSGS

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HOMES & INTERIORS

A window of opportunity

I HAVE to admit that a few months ago, as difficult as things were, I was looking forward to our “getting back to normal”. I’m not sure now if those past years were really normal and if indeed we will ever return to them. Or if we truly want to.

It’s a bit of a cliché I know, but every challenge presents an opportunity and whilst this pandemic has dealt some devastating blows, it has made us take stock and consider those things in life that really matter.

Obviously working within Government guidelines, at Kingfisher we have been fortunate enough to be operating fairly “normally” since May and in this time one of the real positives that I have seen is an emergence of a more caring and thoughtful society. In short people are beginning to appreciate more fully, things that they may once have taken for granted. Top of the list, of course, comes family and friends; but, with holidays and travel so difficult to arrange, many of the people I have been talking to are taking a long-term view about investing in their property.

So it’s no coincidence or real surprise that a good number of our customers are upgrading the appearance (and value) of their homes by choosing from products such as the Residence collection of windows and doors.

Residence 9 is a window and door system designed to authentically replicate 19th century timber designs. The traditionally elegant flush exterior and stylish interior create a classic aesthetic and a combination of design, innovation and advanced technology are the reasons Residence 9 outperforms all its competitors.

Residence 7 could be said to be redefining windows and doors.

Beautifully flush, both inside and out and available in a range of maintenance–free finishes and styles, it offers versatility without complication.

Residence 2 is symmetrical and sleek and perfect for modern interiors. Clean lines and superb performance emphasise the genuinely unique qualities of this outstanding window.

The entire Residence range offers double or triple glazing and a huge choice of standard colour ways. The energy ratings are A++ and there is a wide selection of accessories available.

As we always say, family values are hugely important to us at Kingfisher, so our thoughts are very much with every family this Christmas. Whatever you’re doing, enjoy the moment and look forward to a wonderful 2021.

Angie Hicks

All Showroom Visits by Appointment Only MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 77

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MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

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All Showroom Visits by Appointment Only MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 79

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MenDiP TiMeS

Young and fun with Mendip Farmers’ Pony Club

WHO would have thought that the best fun was to be had on horseback with that “must have” priority lockdown item, the loo roll?

Catch from the right pass to the left, edit and set to music?

As many people know, Mendip Farmers’ Pony Club is always up for fun and laughter, With RaCHeL even more so in these challenging times.

THOMPSOn Video chat has transformed our lives, so it Mbe was fun for me to invite joint district commissioners Clea Frost, from Polsham, and Ruth Dadswell, from Priddy, virtually into my home for a chat. How is the club coping with keeping fit active ponies and pony mad youngsters amused? Clea and Ruth interact with energy and enthusiasm in the role they have shared since 2018. Ruth says: “Clea does most of it.”

Clea replies: “I have more time!”

During lockdown, with the weekly rallies and the Easter camp cancelled, they organised online photo and colouring competitions as well as the loo roll challenge, then hit the ground running with junior and senior three-day camps and weekly rallies when lockdown lifted.

Founded in 1929 the Dedication to the cause! Joint district Pony Club is a fantastic commissioner Ruth Dadswell

Hannah Frost riding Spartan practicing cross country at this summer’s senior day camp

RiDing

new members bella, Rose and amelia at the recent Halloween rally

international voluntary organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding. Under the banner “Your Sport, Your Choice” nine different equestrian sports are on offer promoting team building and challenging individuals to compete. Choose from dressage, endurance, eventing, mounted games, polo, polocrosse, pony racing, show jumping and tetrathlon (https://pcuk.org/).

Numerous exciting badges can be earned too covering a wide range of diverse equine and non-equine subjects from horse care and feeding to countryside access, map reading, farming and bird watching – so there is definitely no excuse to be bored. Clea and Ruth are full of praise too for the leadership and guidance shown by the national Pony Club organisation during a difficult time.

Clea says that the opportunities and facilities for young equestrians has improved immensely over the last few years. The club enjoys rallies and camps at a variety of locations – Mendip Plains, Kings Sedgemoor and Hill House Equestrian Centres are close by as are livery yards with facilities such as Redmond Bottom, Vale Hollow and Wells Hill Bottom Farm and, farther afield, Downlands and Pontispool.

Ruth is keen on the Young Coaches Scheme where older and former members, many well on their way to teaching qualifications themselves, help teach the junior members, keeping close ties with the local club, helping it to thrive.

The members enjoy fun and dressing up and it’s clear from the Halloween Rally photo that the horses and ponies really enjoy it too. Clea and Ruth are busy planning an “oven ready” Christmasthemed dressing up rally as soon as Lockdown 2 has passed, involving mad hats, tinsel and glitter.

In the meantime, the members are still out exercising their horses and sharing news and photos on the Mendip Farmers PC Facebook page – “keeping a little bit of happiness circulating”.

Mendip Farmers’ PC has 75 members; membership starts from age four until about 25. Clea and Ruth are keen to encourage and support young people to join, passionate about equality and fairness. They say: “It doesn’t matter if you own a pony or just have access to one, or if it’s just brought straight out of the field covered in mud, it’s all about having the fun and experience and the opportunities are huge.”

For details, visit https://branches.pcuk.org/mendip or find Mendip Farmers’ Pony Club on Facebook

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CAVING

What a strange year it has been

IT has been a strange, frightening and frustrating year for all of us and the worst may yet be in the future. For cavers, the first few months of lockdown saw an end to all caving and digging and the closure of huts and headquarters. This has had a serious effect on income, although the With PHILIP opportunity was taken to do repair and HENDY remedial works which would have been difficult with too many people around. Camping was possible at some premises, but this will be less attractive during the winter.

We are lucky in the South West to have had among the lowest rates of Covid-19 infections and this has been reflected within the caving community. After another month of forced inactivity, we have to start all over again.

As social distancing measures became more relaxed, some caving and digging started up again, with small groups.

There have even been a few discoveries, most notably in Wookey Hole, in a dig at the end of Chamber 20, opened to the public in 2015.

Cavers from the Bristol Exploration Club have discovered around 300 metres of passage, ending in a large chamber, heading towards Chamber 24, currently only accessible to cave divers.

On the Mendip plateau, a dig at Bagpit has yielded several bones of the extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs. These cattle extended all over Eurasia and were much larger and more aggressive than their descendants, our mdern cattle.

These bones are very old, although the aurochs finally went extinct in Europe in the 17th century. Another site nearby has been found and is currently being dug.

Lack of numbers has slowed progress at the two digs I am involved with at Priddy, though one is now more than 20 metres deep, in water-worn conglomerate boulders. In the

Gough’s Cave in happier times

Aladdin’s Cave (Gough’s)

other, the opportunity is being taken to haul out a vast amount of rock, the result of digging and blasting.

Here, carbon dioxide levels can reach more than 1% – uncomfortable, but not impossible to work in. Higher levels in other digs, such as Vurley Swallet above Cheddar Gorge, and Eighteen Acre Swallet at Priddy, mean that they have been “furloughed”.

The back-end of the year is when clubs normally hold their annual meeting and dinners. These have been abandoned and we do not know when it will be possible to hold them. This, of course, means loss of income for the venues we use.

In the world of commercial caving, the outdoor pursuits companies have taken a hit, but more shocking was the news that Cheddar Caves closed at the end of October. Even with the relaxation of rules, it was only possible to allow public access to the museum and Jacob’s ladder and the parent company, Longleat Enterprises, took the decision to close completely. There have been closures and job losses at Longleat as well.

With the caves closed until 2022 at the earliest, could this mean the end of show caves at Cheddar? These enterprises began in 1838 with the opening of Cox’s Cave by George Cox. Richard Gough then opened what is now Gough’s Old Cave to the public in 1877, and in the 1890s he explored and gradually opened Gough’s Cave.

My period there as a caving instructor and guide was the most interesting and rewarding time of my life. I had never worked with such friendly and dedicated people, who sadly will now be dispersed, taking their knowledge of the Gorge and caves with them.

At the same time, Longleat Enterprises are in negotiations with the Council of Southern Caving Clubs regarding access to the cave on the south side of the Gorge. In the meantime, access has been denied to all of these caves.

Several are scheduled bat roosts, so are not visited during the winter months anyway, but digging in Gough’s Cave, Reservoir Hole and Spider Hole has been suspended. We hope that the situation is resolved soon.

None of us can predict what the future holds; further lockdowns seem inevitable, but all of us are doing our best to try to carry on as normally as possible, so that eventually our sport can move forward.

Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

(Photography by Phil Hendy)

MENDIP TIMES

Twelve days to Christmas cycling

THE seasonal change in the weather and shorter days tend to inspire hibernation rather than activity, and heading out on a bike ride might not seem that attractive.

So, to bring a bit of brightness and inspiration back, here are my 12 days of cycling ideas for Christmas. Enjoy!

CYCLING Wash your bike. Country lanes at this with EDMUND LODITE time of year can get fairly dirty and muddy. A quick clean after each ride will keep the bike safe, efficient and reduce wear and tear. “Mucoff” have a good range of cleaning sprays that I use on my bikes.

Wheels are meant to go round, but unfortunately in winter they sometimes don’t. Crumbling roads, grit, salt, water, etc all conspire to give your wheels and tyres a real battering. It makes sense to fit winter tyres with a bit more tread for a better grip in the wet and slippery conditions.

See and be seen. Bright lights that knock out the lumens are easy to find and they don’t need to cost the earth. Most are now USB rechargeable and my front light can even act as a power source if my phone runs out of battery. It may seem obvious but much more powerful lights are needed in country lanes than in street lit roads.

Avoid the Christmas present confusion. Expecting a noncycling relative to get you your ideal cycling gift may instead see them finding a cheap alternative in a supermarket.

Be specific, or just buy it yourself and let them lovingly wrap it!

Dress for the weather. The saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing” is spot on. There can be a big difference in temperature and conditions along the top of the Mendips compared to the valleys below.

Be a night rider. Re-discover the routes you know in the hours of darkness. With a good set of lights, night riding is an illuminating way to discover familiar lanes and trails. The darkness makes you more aware of sounds, particularly from wildlife.

Try another sport. Bike rides tend to be fewer and shorter in the winter months so take on another sport to bridge the

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Dear Mendip Times, I read with interest Edmund Lodite’s piece on Smitham Hill/East Harptree hill – only after I’d ridden and written about it myself! I was riding it because I had contacted Ben Lowe from VeloViewer (you used an image from his website in the piece) to ask if he would have a leaderboard for the road cycling climbs on the Mendips.

Amazingly for someone who provides software to the professional cycling teams he said yes! So I wondered if you would mention it in your excellent publication please? Your readers can cycle up the climbs and if they record them on Strava then they can be “ticked off” on the leaderboard.

They just need to be a member of the

SPORT

exercise gap. Long country walks are popular at this time of year and a brisk walk is really good exercise, and importantly keeps you active and provides some fresh air. Alternatively, put on some trainers and go for a run. I find it’s a good quick way to burn off the calories.

Try and fit mudguards without getting annoyed. Attaching mudguards can be a pain because they can be hard to fit and keep straight. But, at this time of year they are necessary to stop the muck on the road being sprayed onto you, and on anyone behind you!

Enjoy a family ride. Encouraging children to ride is good for their health and wellbeing and also develops selfconfidence. The lockdown earlier this year saw a boom in families cycling and that is at least one good thing to hang on to. Bear in mind any restrictions that may still be in place due to the pandemic.

Get inspired and look for challenges. There are a few good cycling books around but I reckon that Simon Warren and his book of “100 Greatest Cycling Climbs” has probably inspired more cyclists than other publication. Start there and the next thing you’ll be heading to the Alps – I did!

A Christmas Day Ride – should you or shouldn’t you? A quick blast of fresh air in the morning along quiet roads will no doubt set you up for the day and build an appetite. Just be prepared to do the washing up afterwards though!

And finally . . . enjoy Christmas Day. Unless you’re a professional cyclist the diet can wait until the New Year.

In any case, there are no events on the horizon so eat, drink and be merry in any order that pleases you!

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas.

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Strava VeloViewer club, it's free to join. I have listed 18 climbs but I would love to know of any that your readers think I have missed. I have written about some of the climbs on

my blog at https://posternostalgia.co.uk/2020/10/2 0/mendip-climbs/ I sell cycling posters as a hobby so I have attached a photo of me with Ellie Powell the artist (we both live in Yatton, she is the daughter of someone who I cycle with) and a print of the Cheddar Gorge one.

I am not making any money out of this, it is purely for my joy of riding up climbs – I’m currently ticking off the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs by Simon Warren, which Cheddar Gorge happens to be the first one in the book.

Thanks, John Lamb 07967755956 @posternostalgia

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 83

(Photography courtesy of Chris Challis)

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MENDIP TIMES

Youngsters try a new form of rugby

THE wind had been howling all night, the rain had been lashing at the windows and puddles had formed on the ground, but there was no way that following the Super Saturday Guinness 6 Nations that this bleak Sunday morning would stop many of the Chew Valley Rugby Club boys and girls getting their teeth sunk into their first Ready 4 Rugby “R4R” matches at their home ground.

In the light of Covid-19, this new form of non-contact rugby was born. The new rules enable two teams to engage in training and match activity whilst keeping a mindful eye on social distancing for all players.

It forces all those on the field, including the formidably lumbering forwards, into playing an incredibly quick-thinking, ultra-fast paced rugby, something that was totally unheard of before. Spare a thought for the referee learning the new rules and trying to keep up.

The Chew Valley U13s boys’ team hosted a formidable Bath squad and after a quick warm up, two matches were soon underway.

It was painfully obvious all the children played their hearts out with the knowledge that this may well be the only match they are able to play in 2020, but it is also clear to see that R4R may have also had a positive impact on the future of rugby if we are now to see the slow paced forwards matching the speedy backs for pace!

Catherine Stewart

Anyone for tennis?

THE derelict tennis courts at the bottom of Benedict Street in Glastonbury are being refurbished by the town council, after volunteers had offered to do the work.

The council is using Section 106 contributions, which are generated through contributions from residential developments.

The Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr. Jon Cousins, said: “When members of our community demonstrate that they are passionate enough about a project that they set about delivering it themselves, they deserve our wholehearted and full support.”

The courts are also used for five-a-side football, netball and basketball.

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Club hopes to expand

CAMERTON and Peasedown St John Croquet Club has plans to build a new clubhouse to cope with an increase in players.

Local councillors Sarah Bevan and Karen Walker are supporting the application. Cllr Bevan said: “The club has given lots of residents a new opportunity to get out of the house, take part in regular exercise and make new friends.

“As well as that, in these uncertain times, it’s one of the few sports that can be played under Covid! Players can easily socially distance, and games are played outside.”

Big investment in leisure centres

MAJOR repair works are to be carried out at Backwell Leisure Centre to enable it to re-open next year.

They are part of a £730,000 investment by North Somerset Council in its leisure centres which will also see work carried out at Strode in Clevedon and Hutton Moor in Weston-super-Mare.

Councillor Mike Solomon, the council's executive member for communities, tourism and leisure, said: "Leisure centres play a vital role in our local communities by improving residents' physical and mental wellbeing.

"The council is committed to supporting leisure provision across the district at a time when maintaining a good level of physical and mental health is more important than ever for our residents."

At Backwell, which has been closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the boilers responsible for heating the building and pool will be replaced and extensive repairs carried out to the leaking roof.

Councillor Solomon added: "During the period of the first lockdown it became apparent that significant maintenance work was needed at Backwell. Work to establish what was required to enable the centre to operate again has been completed and I now look forward to this being done and the centre re-opening as soon as possible in the new year."

In addition to the work at Backwell, repairs will also be carried out at Strode and Hutton Moor leisure centres to ensure the buildings remain as efficient as possible. Both of these centres, along with Scotch Horn in Nailsea and Parish Wharf at Portishead, are currently closed due to the latest lockdown restrictions.

At Strode tiling in the pool changing rooms will be replaced and work to strengthen internal columns carried out.

Building cladding in poor condition will be replaced at Hutton Moor where fire safety works and repairs to leaks in the pipes servicing the swimming pool have already been completed.

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Legion branch closure causes concern

Previous march from the club

PAULTON’S Royal British Legion branch has closed a year short of its 100th anniversary and its clubhouse and site is being offered for sale by the RBL nationally.

It puts at risk the future of the village’s snooker and billiards club, one of the most successful in the Radstock and District league.

Last year the snooker team won division two while the billiards team won the knock-out cup for the second year in a row.

Snooker club secretary, Alan Weaver, said: “Members of the club are devastated. The closure would have wider implications as it would affect the league, which has lost a lot of venues recently.

“Much more hangs in the balance than money. The recreation and wellbeing of the members of the club and to a certain extent the Radstock league are at stake.”

It’s thought one of the snooker club’s members is considering a bid. The old corrugated iron and wooden building has one of the best snooker tables in the league.

The building was moved from Salisbury Plain after WWI by volunteers using a lorry provided by local haulier H. Snelling.

Over the years, it’s been used by various local groups.

But the current RBL committee are all in their 80s and decided to step down. The fate of the club should be known shortly.

No chance to celebrate for hockey club

SPORT

THIS has been an interesting year for Mendip Hockey Club to say the least. In March, with just one or two games left in the 19/20 season Mendip had three of their five teams sitting top of the table and looked set to win their leagues, before Covid-19 put a stop to everything.

Thankfully, those in first place were given their titles and promotions, but a true celebration for this great achievement was cruelly snatched from the club.

It was seven months before Mendip, based at Chew Valley School, would be allowed to play competitive hockey again but the squads did their best to keep spirits and fitness levels high. A group “Strava” and various challenges were set up where, even in isolation, the competitive nature of the players remained! Training resumed in August with various measures in place and preparations began for the start of the 20/21 season, albeit later than normally scheduled.

Two games into the new season and “Lockdown 2” brings the season and training to a halt once more. Newly promoted Ladies 1st team only managed to play one game in the Premier Division 2B before lockdown, due to a postponement. Their opener against rivals Shepton Mallet ending 2-0 against Mendip, with captain April Callow the stand-out performer.

The Men’s 1st team, also promoted into Central 1, got the campaign started brilliantly with two wins against some tough opposition. Their first game against Bridgwater saw them win 3-1 with their second match versus newly relegated Clifton Robinsons ending even better with the score 4-1. Will Lawton and Caleb Rowe both earned man of the match awards for the games respectively.

Another team which only managed the one game before lockdown, the Ladies 2nd team also faced Shepton Mallet.

After a tougher pre-season build up for the ladies, Mendip managed to gain a solid point in a 1-1 draw against a good side. “Stand-in” captain, Connie Glover, played well and was given player of the match.

The Men’s 2nd team faced life in a new division after being promoted to West Central 1. However, both of their games have unfortunately ended with losses, 4-1 and 3-1 versus Old Bristolians and Clifton Robinsons respectively but confidence remained high. Youngster Daniel Holliwell scored his first competitive goal in the league opener, whilst Edward Whittaker scored his first in eight years in the second game.

A tougher start for the Ladies 3rd team when they played Bristol University in the first game of the season. Nothing seemed to work for Mendip with the score line in double figures against them. However, in their following game against North Somerset they performed much better and narrowly lost 2-0. The player of the match awards went to Lula Le Page and Colbie Roberts.

With the country in lockdown again Mendip must wait again for their season to resume. We are confident that, when it does begin again, the 20/21 season will be a good one for both players and supporters. l Follow Mendip Hockey club for all their updates at @MendipHC on social media.

By Edward Whittaker, from Mendip Hockey Club

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 85

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WHAT’S ON

The rabbits return – your chance to win a festive hamper!

ONCe again, Mendip Times is delighted to offer readers the chance to win a Christmas hamper featuring award-winning cheese.

In conjunction with Ford Farm Cheese and Wookey hole Caves, we’re running our ever-popular competition to locate hidden golden rabbits within the December issue of the magazine.

There are five rabbits to be found and here’s a clue: one is on the advertisement for Ford Farm’s Cave Aged Cheddar; your task is to find the other four to earn a chance to win a hamper of cheese (a variety weighing approx. three-four kgs), wine, port and crackers.

Ford Farm’s Cave Aged Cheddars start life at the dairy in

Spring is coming

The Bishop’s Palace in Wells is already looking forward to spring with snowdrop weekends planned from January 30thFebriuary 21st. head gardener, James Cross, said: “We’ve noticed that the snowdrop season seems to be beginning and ending earlier each year, so don’t leave it until the last day to visit, as you might find they’ve already gone!” each weekend a children’s trail will also be available from the ticket office with a small prize upon completion.

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2020

Dorset where they are made using milk from local herds that graze lush west country pastures including the Ashley Chase estate at Litton Cheney. The cheese making process follows traditional handmade methods before the cheddars are carried by hand, 200-feet underground into Wookey hole Caves where they are left to mature. This is truly self-isolation and social distancing – cheddar-style – and all the better for it!

The cave atmosphere bestows the cheddar with a highlydistinctive, earthy flavour. l Find the five hidden rabbits and tell us exactly where they are located within the December issue. Please send your answers on a postcard to: Cheese Competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG. entries must reach us by Monday, December 7th. The first correct entry chosen will be the winner. The editor’s decision is final. We will endeavour to deliver the hamper to you in time for Christmas.

DECEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Charterhouse 8. Apple 9. Nutriment 11. Transship 12. Alpha 13. Aunt Sally 16. Items 18. Pay up 19. String tie 20. Roger 22. hunstrete 25. evaporate 26. Iliac 27. Red letter day. DOWN: 1. Captaincy 2. Areas 3. Tenth 4. Ratepayer 5. Oxidation 6. Sweep 7. east harptree 10. Transference 14. Super Bowl 15. Lose heart 17. extremity 21. Grape 23. Niece 24. Third

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