Community

Yard sale has bargains galore

eVerCreeCH’s second yard sale trail attracted dozens of buyers looking for great deals on everything from clothes and DVDs to arts and crafts. trail maps took bargain hunters to just about every road in the village. the event was held to raise money for acorns Pre-school. a refreshment stall raised almost £130 alone. l Pilton’s annual jumble trail will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31st.

Stella and daughter Mahala in Maesdown Road

Charlotte and Charlie on the family stall in Enfield Road Rufus and Gulliver visiting the cuddly toy tombola stall on Prestleigh Road

New Post Office opens

POstOffice services have returned to Peasedown st John at the Hive Community Centre, which opened earlier this year.

Joy Fraser, chair of the centre’s management committee, said: “Over the last few weeks, as lockdown restrictions have eased, the centre has become a hub of activity with the new swallow Café opening, and the community library continuing to provide an essential service since the start of the year.

“now residents will be able to access a Post Office in the building as well – open six days a week!”

Post Office manager, Lorna Hills, said: “a community the size of Peasedown st John needs a Post Office. With so many people relying on these services on a daily basis, the option of providing facilities at the Hive was an opportunity not to be missed.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the public and providing a first-class service.”

Joy Fraser (left) and Lorna Hills

Flower crowns for Jack

Free flower crown making sessions were held in evercreech as part of village May Day celebrations after Covid restrictions once again forced its Jack in the green parade to be postponed. the sessions were held in the Old stores studio as part of its notfor-profit community work. May 2019 saw several hundred people take part in a day of Tight rope maestro Christopher Bullzini shows off his other circus skills celebrations including a procession through the village led by Jack before a community party in the Bullzini circus field.

Blossom at work in the Old Stores Studio Lucy and Sue with their completed crowns

May 2019 and the first Jack in the Green procession in Evercreech

School tree project

CHiLDren at Peasedown st John Primary school have been learning about the environment as part of a new tree planting project. Pupils and staff planted 15 trees in the school grounds, donated by the Peasedown Community trust. the trust has set itself the ambitious target of planting over 500 trees in the village this year. Others have been planted at Peasedown Croquet Club, the Dementia Friendly Community garden and in residents’ gardens school head, Damian Knollys, said: “the decline of our natural environment and climate change is the single biggest issue facing the planet.

“the more we can educate our children and young people –the next generation – the more equipped we are for the future for looking after our natural and local habitats.”

Lions in action

CHeDDarVale Lions Club have finally been able to present their Centenary Bench to Wedmore after it was put in storage due to the pandemic. it’s in Worthington Woods, Wedmore’s new community woodland at the bottom of the Lerburne.

Lion president Keith Cook and Lions Jan Clark and sylvia Cook are pictured with Polly Costello and rod Pring from Wedmore parish council. the Lions were also busy over the early May Bank Holiday, joining forces with helpers to clear Cheddar gorge and surrounding areas of litter.

Hall renovated

West Harptree Memorial Hall has been renovated, with support from the national Lottery. supporters are planning to show off the refurbishment at a reopening day on June 26th from 2pm. the day will include games, cakes and a BBQ. the bar will be open and there will be a table top sale, with a range of sellers, which they hope will become a regular event, potentially with a craft and farmers’ market. they ask people to go along to see what groups currently use the hall and have a say on what they would like to see happening, possibly new groups/events.

Reading raises school funds

Fred and Jimmy dressed as Mr Men on the school’s special book day

a tWO-WeeKreadathon held by Church stoke Church school asked children to read as much as they possibly could and record their reading in minutes. then, for every minute read, family and friends were asked to sponsor them.

Head teacher Ben Hewett, said: “Our aim was to raise £600 to buy new books for the classrooms, however we managed to raise the fantastic target of £2,500.” in recent league tables the school has come in the top one percent of schools nationally for attainment in reading.

Mr Hewett said: “statistics show that children who read for pleasure are more likely to succeed in every area of their school career and indeed in later life. We hope that all of our initiatives increase the children’s love of reading even further.”

The great outdoors

CHiLDren at Cameley Primary school are having to be taught in the village hall while building work goes on at the school. But Chestnut class got outdoors to see some lambs and sheep in the village.

Head teacher, Hannah Maggs, said: “it is great to see the children able to get out and about in the local environment, getting close to nature and away from their screens.”

Holcombe plans to celebrate

HOLCOMBeis planning to hold a fun community sports day for all ages to celebrate the opening of a new path and raise much-needed funds for the village playing field and recreation ground. there will be lots of sporting events to take part in, including sprint races, egg and spoon, penalty shoot-out and hobby-horse gymkhana, to name but a few! there will also be sports demonstrations to watch, such as trampolining and Zumba, games to play, a raffle to take part in and food, drink and ice-cream to enjoy while you listen to local bands. it will all culminate in a medal ceremony for the top competitors. it promises to be a wonderful family day. gates will open at 12pm on saturday, July 17th with the opening ceremony due to start at 12.30pm. the event will close at 5pm. the event is organised by Holcombe Park and recreation ground Committee, a registered charity. entry is by advance ticket which can be purchased for £3 per person from www.ticketsource.co.uk/holcombeplaying-field.

Tribute to Prince Philip

sOMerset Freemasons are planning to provide support for young people to take part in the Duke of edinburgh’s award scheme. they are looking for 100 young people of any ability aged 14–24 to take part in the scheme remotely. they funded a three-year bursary of £16,500 between 2016 and 2018. the new appeal to members for funds will be in memory of Prince Phillip, himself a Freemason for 69 years, the deputy head of the somerset Freemasons, Ben Batley, said: “Our members are honoured to be able to support the bursary scheme once again so that those disadvantaged young people in somerset not aligned to any supporting school or organisation can seek assistance to take part and develop life skills through the award.

“We aim to announce the amount raised on June 10th which would have been the occasion of Prince Philip’s 100th birthday.”

Over the course of the pandemic somerset Freemasons have donated more than £175,000 to help local communities with various projects including food banks, PPe manufacture, women’s refuge and giving tablet PCs to local hospitals.

Keeping Axbridge tidy

LOuiseand Barry Walsh have become official litter-pickers in axbridge. they have an agreement with sedgemoor District Council to collect litter in the council’s blue waste bags and leave them next to the litter bins in the town. the council also supplied the litter pickers.

Barry said: “a quick email to notify the ‘clean surroundings’ team at sedgemoor results in them being collected within days. We are also keeping the axbridge bypass clean and tidy and hope that our efforts will encourage residents of other towns and villages to do the same.”

Details: Clean.surroundings@sedgemoor.gov.uk

Market date

WeLLsu3a, university of the third age, will have a stall at Wells Market on Wednesday, June 2nd when the u3a is being promoted nationally. the stall, bedecked with bunting to promote the branch, will be giving away cupcakes and selling a cookery book compiled by members and illustrated by their painting group. they are expecting a visit from the mayor around 11.30 and the town crier will be announcing their presence.

Pop-up shop brings cheer to residents

staFF and residents at the Orchard Vale trust centre near Wookey have opened an in-house pop-up charity shop giving everyone the chance to buy or donate clothing. three support staff at the trust, which has played a leading role in supporting adults with learning difficulties throughout somerset for more than 30 years, came up with the idea after one of them was having a clear out of her wardrobe and residents were eager to play their part during the pandemic. a spokesman for the trust said: “Luckily at Orchard Vale trust, support staff and residents alike have shown incredible resilience, strength and creativity throughout this time.

“not only has the atmosphere lifted throughout the residential home as a result of this exciting project (we all know the powers of retail therapy), but the rekindling of community connection and engagement has reminded residents, staff and organisations supporting vulnerable people alike that we are not alone and that despite the challenges we’ve seen over the past year, the somerset community will work together to re-build what we have lost during the pandemic.”

Staff and residents at East Court, near Wookey

A panoramic view of the pop-up shop

Woodland refuge is in demand

it’s been a busy year for Hidden Valley Bushcraft, based at

Pensford, since nick and Louise golding featured in Mendip Times last July. they have been running their bushcraft courses for Covid key workers, as well as service veterans, able to relax around the campfire. they have also replaced their eco cabin, thanks to support from the armed Forces Covenant trust Fund and Veterans

Foundation. staying in this privately owned woodland, veteran families can have their own mini adventures and create long-lasting memories. in addition to this project, the armed Forces Covenant trust

Fund have provided funding for an additional 144 military veterans to access HVB's Woodland Warrior Programme over the next two years. this provides free therapeutic activities for armed forces reclamation, Design scaffolding, rH windows, ashmead personnel, veterans and members of the emergency services. roofing supplies, Flooring superstore and Crafty Claires the new project has been developed in response to the Covid Bristol. pandemic which has had a huge impact on the mental health and nick said: “Having a good relationship with local family-run wellbeing of families, in businesses means you’re supporting them, helping people particular, injured connect whilst boosting the local and rural economy.”

ENDIP TIMES ENVIRONMENT veterans who some of the wider conservation jobs that were more involved A w woodland r retreat a away f from C Covid-19 were already than expected saw nick calling on alide Hire services for the uiet woodland near Pensford, Nick and L uise Goldsmith are preparing to welcome some of those who have been badly traumatised fighting the coronavirus By Steve Egginton suffering with their own mental health use of a mini digger which meant he could clear surrounding field drainage ditches for first time in years. these are now p ndemic. Key workers, care staff or shop workers as well as hospital staff, are eligible to conditions. teeming with life! apply to spend a day with them “refocussing” by learning bushcraft and survival skills in a camp under the trees. The first 50 free spaces on their key worker project were snapped up within hours. Within 24 hours they had to start a waiting list for places. Nick and Louise, with Fin, aged 13 months, and their dog Tilly the upgraded cabin has been With the help of local tree surgeons and the labour of many veteran volunteers, close to 1,000 trees have now been planted This day for key workers is based on the successful “Woodland Warrior” programme, which Nick, a former Royal Marine commando, started to help military veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, as he does. Woodland Warrior has gained a national kindergarten they run to subsidise the warrior programme, is closed by lockdown. The kindergarten has been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted. Similarly the corporate clients who make up most of their income have had to cancel. Nick said: “It’s remarkable that we to offer places to key workers living further afield. Nick said: “Some of these people will not have seen their families for weeks, quite apart from dealing with the horrors of the virus. Hopefully they can come back and bring their children with them in built using local or re-purposed wood and tons of locally produced wood chip used to reinstate sections of lost river bank. reputation, with support from Prince Harry’s Endeavour Foundation, the Armed Forces Covenant and most recently the bought this unloved patch of land and managed to turn it into a business.” It’s obviously far more than that, since happier times.” Louise said: “With what we’ve been through in our careers, we can empathise including offcuts the site is now home to 36 bird boxes, a handful of bat boxes V terans Foundation. Some 72 veterans went through the course last year, some showing remarkable s ns of recovery, even starting their own b inesses. Next year they hope to a ommodate 144. With the growth of their company, the whole seven and a half acre site is a haven for wildlife and has been transformed since they bought it in 2012. They added a field running down to the River Chew last year and Nick has planted 400 trees there. He said: “The amount of support we get with what they have seen. The grant is fantastic. We’ve been given this unique opportunity to help people.” and using an army of an owl box and now even boasts a beehive. it is hoped this will produce honey as early as autumn which will be sold Hidden Valley Bushcraft, Louise left her job with Avon and Somerset Police last A ril after 11 years. She was a detective constable in child protection. Woodland Warrior is now registered as a not-forp fit community interest company. Normally these woods would be filled from local people, companies and schools is just astonishing.” The key worker project is being funded by the Chelwood Community Fund, through the income it gets from the village’s solar farm. It’s for key workers living locally, but the couple are busy volunteers. Local locally to further fund these conservation projects. nick said: “the Hidden Valley is for anyone that wants to with children’s laughter, but the forest applying for wider funding to enable them Fire lighter –bushcraft style companies who come and spend time in the woodlands learning new physical supported the and life skills. project, included “We focus on maximising what this little corner of england Dandos, Vears has to offer our armed forces and emergency services by Construction, tesa prioritising its upkeep in creating an optimal environment for camp fire The outdoor dining table Details: www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk electrical, Jat them to recuperate, recalibrate and re-engage through our P 8 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2020 reclamation, Wells Woodland Warrior Programme.”

Louise and Nick in the new eco cabin

Details: https://www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk/ •

Threat to Axbridge Post Office

axBriDgeChamber of Commerce is concerned that the town’s post office is under threat, after the royal Mail announced it plans to close the sorting office there and move it to Winscombe. the chamber fears that without the sorting office the post office is likely to be unviable and could eventually be forced to close.

it says the chamber has 40 members with every business reliant on the post office for sending and receiving parcels. it said: “it cannot be underestimated how important the post office is as a centre for the community bringing people together and as a stationery and general goods shop.” it has launched a campaign with the town council, political representatives and all community groups calling on royal Mail to suspend the closure and consult with all interested parties. it’s asking all those affected to lobby the various individuals and organisations that could bring pressure on royal Mail, including writing letters to the Queen.

Developing youngsters –through rugby

CHeW Valley rugby Club has launched a pioneering scheme to help youngsters who are in need of support. the star scheme stands for support to achieve through rugby and the club is seeking to raise £75,000 to run initially for three years. it will focus first on the Chew Valley and south Bristol, but rFu officials are already talking about it being a model for a national scheme. its aim is to show how rugby clubs, through mentoring and team work, can welcome youngsters with mental health issues or other challenges to a “family”. it will help fund match kit, subs and transport and will appoint a Community Liaison Officer to run the scheme.

Chew Valley’s u-16s coach, Dan Wooler, has been the driving force behind the idea after watching the development of Daley noel from Hartcliffe in Bristol, who arrived at the club having dealt with several challenging early life experiences. six years later he has been invited to join the Bristol Bears academy. His mother, Kelly, says the male role models he found at the club stopped him going off the rails.

Dan said: “i had a word with the other coaches at Chew Valley and discovered that there were numerous young people in the club who had already benefited from their association with the sport of rugby.

“if you think that in Bristol there are 10,000 children with diagnosable mental health issues, you can see the extent of the problem. and that was before the pandemic.”

the club is working initially with Chew Valley school, Fair Furlong school in Hartcliffe and the Bristol charity Youth Moves, which is supported by england rugby international ellis genge, who was born in Knowle West. it has formed a management committee with Dan, club chairman, shane Cameron, coach, Bruce Wellman and businessman Matthew Burke. skylark Media, based in Chew stoke have made a video to launch the scheme.

Details: https://vimeo.com/skylarkmedia/review/547918663/685495a8da • Funds for the Future (virginmoneygiving.com)

Welcome for new vicar

an elaborate but socially-distanced service was held at Winford Church to celebrate the arrival of the new vicar designate, the rev Dr ian Mills.

He has been appointed to the planned new benefice of Chew Valley West, covering Chew stoke, nempnett thrubwell, Winford with regil and Felton. ian and his wife Kelly ann, a consultant in foetal medicine at st Michaels, Bristol, have moved into the rectory in Winford. the service was led by the rt rev ruth Worsley, Bishop of taunton, and the Venerable Dr adrian Youings, archdeacon of Bath. ian was ordained in august 2017 and since september 2018 had been a curate in a group of parishes near Belfast. Before studying at the Church of ireland theological institute, ian worked as organist and master of the choristers in Derry Cathedral.

Great national litter-pick

The village's last litter-pick

COMPtOnDando is one of the villages that can’t wait for June 6th, the date chosen by Keep Britain tidy for their big spring litter-pick.

Liz stanbury is one of those who volunteered every February to collect rubbish from around Compton Dando and surrounding villages. she said: “Our villages have suffered extra litter and flytipping during lockdown with the influx of large numbers of visiting people in our lanes. it is thanks to many generous volunteers that our countryside is kept as clean as it is.

“as June 6th is designated as a national litter-picking day, it would be great if people took out a bag of some sort on that sunday and just picked up any odd bits and pieces they spot.”

Mendip Geoweek raises questions for the future

Doulting quarry

WHILEthey were not able to run all their original plans for GeoWeek in the Mendip area, organisers did manage to run some events, in Covid-secure groups of six.

Their “Springs of Wells” visit began in the Bishop’s Palace gardens where the springs flow out, giving Wells its name. They used a piece of rubber tubing, water and dye to show how the wells work and how their sources have been dyetraced.

They then visited Tor Woods to see the evidence that springs were flowing in a similar way 200 million years ago. Maybe these are the longest-flowing springs ever recorded!

They enjoyed a great visit to Doulting quarry, one of the oldest and longest-worked quarries in the UK. Jurassic limestone from the quarry was readily cut and carved and so was used to build parts of Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury Abbey and many buildings across the Mendips.

If you live in a stone-built house you will probably find the corner stones and the window and door surrounds are pale yellow or buff-coloured Doulting Stone.

They say it was then great to be able to visit the 12th century Doulting Church and the 15th century tithe barn in Doulting village, both built of the local stone, and St Aldhelm’s well, a spring flowing from the Doulting stone at its boundary with the underlying clay.

Their “Net-zero” visit was to Sand Point near Weston, overlooking the Severn estuary. They welcomed two separate groups to discuss the potential impact of the government “Net-zero by 2050” target on the local area.

They examined the five metre-high raised beach, formed by higher sea levels in the past and discussed how a fivemetre rise in sea level today might impact the region. They looked at what a tidal barrage electricity generating system might mean for the estuary and how the Welsh coast wind turbines might affect our coastlines in the future.

They investigated the rock structure to see if it was suitable for carbon capture and storage (CCS – it is not) and, by reference to the nearly visible Hinkley Point power station, whether the rocks are suitable for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste (they are not).

They considered whether the nearby outcrop of basalt lava rock might be used to remove carbon from the atmosphere by spreading on local fields for enhanced weathering, and a range of other options. They decided that there are big issues, with no easy answers.

You can see their GeoWeek “Net-zero” launch event, hosted by the director of the British Geological Survey, at https://earth-science.org.uk/geoweek/ and sheets discussing many of the “net-zero” options at: https://www.earthlearningidea.com/home/Net_zero.html

GeoWeek will be held again in May next year, when organisers hope to be able to run more visits and to welcome many more people to join them, when Covid is, hopefully, a distant memory and climate change is high on the agenda.

Investigating the springs of Wells