Issue 11 - Volume 14 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 11

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

APRIL 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: SPRING IN CHEDDAR • COMMUNITY • EVENTS • RIDING • WHAT’S ON • WIN ROYAL BATH & WEST TICKETS Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WE’VE remarked before on the strong sense of community there is across Mendip and that’s reflected this month in a record number of pages devoted to voluntary organisations and charities.

This includes pictures from Castle Cary where the scouts celebrated their centenary and a festival supporting the Somerset Crimebeat Trust.

There are more photos from the Wrington and Burrington Hedging Society’s match and the West of England Game Fair, as well as from other events across the area.

Sadly Mendip has lost the last member of its secret army, set up in the early days of WW2 to counter any German invasion. Verdon Besley has died, aged 93. We look back at his life in a special feature on Cheddar, where he lived.

With the rugby season reaching its climax, league leaders Chew Valley celebrated their 50th anniversary with a lunch attended by former players and officials. We report on the rider making her debut at Badminton.

Phil Hendy reveals where you can find ancient beaches on Mendip while Mary Payne has advice on caring for roses. We also give you the chance to win tickets to the Royal Bath and West Show.

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

May 2019 deadline: Friday, 12th April 2019.

Published: Tuesday, 23rd April 2019.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888

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

Front cover: Celebrating Somerset’s diversity in Wells.

Photograph by Mark Adler. See page 85.

53

Head for heights – taking on the cathedral challenge

55

A Mendip tradition – Blagdon hosts hedge layers

100

99

Trophy time – point-to-point in pictures

Leading the way – lurchers at the Game Fair Plus all our regular features Environment ...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE ..........10 Food & Drink ...............................16 Internet and Crossword ..............22 Business.........................................26 Arts & Antiques ...........................36 Charities........................................50 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......57 Walking Sue Gearing ....................58 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........60

Gardening Mary Payne MBE.......62 Health Dr Phil Hammond .............72 Caving Phil Hendy ........................76 Property ........................................78 Community ...................................80 Homes and Interiors ....................91 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE.....98 Sport ............................................101 Music & Theatre ........................106 What’s On...................................108 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 3

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Finally, we are into Spring. British Summer Time starts on March 31st which always makes everyone feel better. However, at the time of writing this piece the weather is still very cold, although Storm Gareth (nothing to do with our director Gareth Reynolds!) seems to have left us.

Fortunately, the uncertainty over Brexit has still not affected the property market in this part of the country. Most people seem to be thoroughly fed up with hearing about it and have decided that whatever the outcome life will still go on.

Clients and readers of Mendip Times will know that in August 2018 we merged our Glastonbury and Cary offices and we are now based in new, spacious premises in Castle Cary. With the recent sale of the former Glastonbury office we have had many enquiries from some former Glastonbury clients as to the whereabouts of their Deeds, Wills and other Securities.

We are pleased to confirm that these have been transferred to the Castle Cary office and are being stored safely. If anyone has questions about the merger, please telephone the Castle Cary office and our staff there will be pleased to help you.

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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MENDIP TIMES

Frome celebrates 16 years of Fairtrade

Ruth Knagg from Fairtrade Frome hands the renewal certificate to Frome Mayor Richard Ackroyd

BACK in 2003, Frome was in the vanguard of the Fairtrade town movement, becoming only the seventh certified Fairtrade town.

Now there are more than 600 in the UK and the Fairtrade mark has become pretty much mainstream, being one of the greatest successes

of the ethical consumer movement.

To remain a Fairtrade town there are various things they have to demonstrate including support from the town council so the committee were pleased to present current mayor, Richard Ackroyd, with the renewal certificate from the Fairtrade Foundation.

Details: www.fairtrade.org.uk www.fairtradefrome.org.uk

Axbridge prepares for its pageant

PREPARATIONS are underway for the ten-yearly Axbridge Pageant, which will be held next year in the town’s medieval square. It’s a two-hour long spectacular, involving over 500 people, telling the history of the town.

A pageant exhibition will be held on Saturday, April 6th, in Axbridge Town Hall with a full film of the 2010 pageant, with older extracts, plus costumes, photographs props and the Axbridge Tapestry, based on scenes from the last pageant.

A presentation about the pageant will be held in the town hall on Sunday, May 5th, 3pm and 6pm, for people wanting to know more about it.

The message is: “Take part now or wait until 2030!”

There will be three performances next year starting on Saturday, August 29th, running over the bank holiday weekend.

It’s being directed by John Bailey who directed the pageants in 2000 and 2010.

Details: www.axbridgepageant.org.uk

NEWS

Wells creates new award

THE first formal presentation of a new civic award called The Council’s Award was made by Wells City Council to Tony Scrase, the distinguished historian of Wells, at a special reception in the ballroom at Wells Town Hall. The Mayor of Wells, Cllr Celia Wride, presented Mr Scrase with his award.

Wells City Council created the new award to stand between a Mayor’s Award and the Freedom of the City. It can be awarded only once in a quadrennium, that is once in the life of each council.

The mayor said: “It was conferred on Tony Scrase in appreciation and recognition of his outstanding and dedicated service to the City of Wells over many years, as an esteemed historian of Wells who has made a unique and invaluable contribution to our knowledge of the city and its origins. He has created a legacy for the city and for generations to come.”

Tony was a principal lecturer in the Built Environment Faculty at the University of the West of England, Bristol, until 2000. During his academic career, he shared his findings through many books and articles about aspects of Wells.

Wells City Archivist, Dr Julia Wood, said: “Tony has been studying Wells in depth since 1979. He is the preeminent expert on its history. Our historic city is now highly dependent on the tourist industry.

“This industry is extremely reliant on the research which has been done into the history of Wells and its buildings – in particular by Tony Scrase. Tony’s exceptional publications add another dimension for visitors and help bring the city’s past back to life. He tells the story of what made our city what it is today.”

At the event the mayor also expressed the council’s gratitude to all those who volunteer in Wells City Archives, 15 of whom were present. She then awarded Mayor’s Awards to the four people who worked on the Wells remembrance trail with her: Clare Blackmore, Michael Johns, Eric Preston and Julia Wood.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Getting back to the land

Identifying seeds

TIMSBURY’S tenth Seedy Saturday dedicated to gardening, growing and community activities was bursting with stallholders and keen gardeners this year.

There were 500 visitors, over 150 more than in previous years, including a group from Belgium who were visiting friends locally.

Sam Ross, event organiser, said: “There were lots of new faces to the event this year, alongside those for whom this is an annual event, with record numbers of seeds both bought and swapped.

“We received many lovely comments about the friendly community feel of the event, which is what we set out to do.

“So I would like to thank all the volunteers and stallholders who helped to make it so successful, plus the generous support from our sponsors and the continued interest from the local community without whom Seedy Saturday wouldn’t continue to grow and thrive.”

Love the landmark

Gone fishing – for weed: volunteers Kevin Rowbottom, Len Rossiter and Rob Churches at work in the horsepond

A GROUP of residents in Castle Cary have launched a fundraising campaign to restore and improve the town’s historic horsepond.

They are working to clear blanket weed from the bottom of the pond which suffocates beneficial plants and deters fish before planting oxygenating plants to bring colour and life to the water which flows from springs on Lodge Hill above.

The Horsepond Restoration Project wants to raise £4,500 for a three-phase scheme starting in April. They have the support of the town council.

The town’s war memorial stands in the water and the volunteers hope their work will enhance the area as a respectful backdrop.

They also hope the pond can become a useful learning tool for local primary schoolchildren.

Kevin Rowbottom, one of the volunteers, said: “Over the years, people have cleared the weed off their own backs, but the time has come to really improve the character of the pond.

“The pond stands alongside the Market House, Bailey lock-up and All Saints Church as one of the defining historical landmarks of Castle Cary.”

The hall was packed

The horsepond is home to small coarse fish, water shrews, shrimp and newts

For more details and to donate, visit: www.horsepondrestorationproject.uk or find them on Facebook.

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Trust feeling chipper

Very early bird

ENVIRONMENT

The chipper in action

SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has received a grant of £16,500 from National Grid through its Community Grant Programme to support long-term habitat management and scrub clearance at Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve.

SWT’s project, “Power to Grow” involves large-scale removal of scrub and selective tree thinning which will improve ground light conditions across a variety of specialist habitats, encouraging biodiversity on a wider scale on this very special reserve.

The grant has enabled the reserve team to purchase a wood chipper which will dramatically save time, enabling staff and volunteers to focus on other habitat restoration tasks.

The wood chippings can also then be used to improve visitor access to the site, keeping the footpaths dry and accessible to the public.

Westhay volunteers will also be trained to use this equipment safely and effectively and also give them the time and opportunity to get involved in other practical habitat restoration projects.

Mark Blake, SWT’s senior reserves manager, Levels and Moors, said: “Having the right equipment is vital if we are to maintain and restore the quality of the habitats across this SSSI Nature Reserve in a cost-effective way.”

New walks around Timsbury

TO meet the growing popularity of walking, Timsbury Parish Council is sponsoring a further book of circular walks produced by three of its villagers.

Over 1,000 copies of Peter Bradshaw, Larry Cunningham and Sue Fraser's first book, Twenty circular walks in and around Timsbury, have been sold and for this new book they have gone a little further afield.

Sue said: “People from all around seem to love the first book and a second that we were asked to produce for Radstock Museum, so this time we've widened the area covered and chosen some of our favourite walks within a few miles of Timsbury.”

The new book, Twenty circular walks close to Timsbury, mirrors the successful format of the first two with clear directions, maps, information about points of interest on each route and colour photographs, with walks ranging from 2.1 to nine miles in length.

All profits from the books go to the parish council for the benefit of the village. Chairman Veronica Packham,

THE peregrine falcons nesting at St John’s RC Church in Bath have surprised everyone by laying their first egg a full ten days earlier than usual at 6.33am on March 7th.

Peregrines have nested at the church since 2006 on a nesting platform provided by the Hawk and Owl Trust.

Birds had been present at the church since 2000.

Peregrines are still scarce, although numbers are slowly rising as these birds recover from the devastating effects of DDT through the 1950s-80s.

Traditionally considered birds of coast and uplands, they are adapting extremely well naturally to using our towns and cities as man-made “cliff replacements” and nesting on tall urban buildings is now a well-known phenomenon.

Details: webcam https://hawkandowltrust.org/index.php/web-camlive/bath-1

Veronica Packham (second right) with co-authors Sue Fraser, Peter Bradshaw and Larry Cunningham

said: “I'm sure that this new book will once again help people to explore and enjoy the beautiful countryside that surrounds us.”

Details: visit www.timsbury.org.uk and select Walks from Activities in the main menu

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip pledges action on climate change

MENDIP District Council have declared a “Climate Emergency” following a motion to full council which won virtually unanimous support.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Shane Collins who said: “We should be under no illusions. Unless we make systemic changes we are looking at food shortages, increasing areas of the world becoming uninhabitable, flooding of coastal cities and mass migration in 30 – 40 years.

“The science is clear, as the recent IPCC reports confirms: to have a chance of keeping below 1.5ºC increase we need zero emissions in the UK by 2030 or around 11 years.”

The council agreed a target to make the area carbon neutral by 2030, pledging £100,000 to help achieve this.

Cllr Tom Killen, deputy leader, who suggested the funding, said: “The decision to increase the funding that we pledge in support of this decision was made to ensure that we have the officers in place to guide this and to be able to offer support to local businesses who will have a part to play in cutting emissions but also to grasp the commercial opportunities arising from tackling climate change.”

Cllr Ros Wyke, who seconded the original motion, said: “Our world leaders are not responding quickly enough to this crisis, so there is a need for us to highlight the urgency of the matter.

“In addition to what councils and individuals can do to sustain the world’s ecology and environment, it is important for councillors as community leaders to highlight the impact of climate change and actively encourage action locally to protect Mendip’s environment.

“I am delighted to see cross party support for this motion.”

North Somerset and B&NES councils have agreed to take similar action. Councillors in B&NES have also voted to oppose the expansion of Bristol Airport.

Details: www.mendip.gov.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Unique study into new development and flood risks

A REVIEW of drainage systems across Somerset has been carried out for Somerset Rivers Authority, as part of a plan to reduce flood risks and make places better to live, work and visit.

A total of 20 recently-built sites were inspected, including big housing estates, retirement apartments, industrial units and offices, an arts centre, and a hotel and pub.

The review found little evidence of provisions for wildlife or public amenity being built into drainage designs, and very little evidence of explicit consideration of water quality, although several sites included features that would improve water quality.

Inspections at some developments still being built showed poor site management practices, allowing sediment and pollution to enter surface waters. Individual defects were also identified, such as poorly-constructed permeable paving, nonnative vegetation, and road and car park levels being higher than the entrances to properties, thereby raising the risk of water flowing down into them.

The survey was done for Somerset Rivers Authority by Somerset County Council’s Flood Risk Management Team, working with Wessex Water and contractors JBA Consulting.

Together, they assessed 438 elements of the selected sites’ Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

The SRA took a partnership approach, with consultation and review by the SRA partner organisations including Wessex Water, Environment Agency, the IDBs, Natural England, District Councils, and Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. CIRIA and Highways England were also consulted.

SuDs aspire not just to control and reduce flows of water, but to improve water quality and to make places greener and pleasanter for people and wildlife. This can be achieved through using natural measures such as streams, ponds and reed beds and techniques such as rainwater harvesting, permeable paving and tree-planting.

Councillor John Osman, SRA chairman, said: “This review of developers’ SuDs’ schemes is a unique and impressive piece of work, that’s only happened because Somerset has the SRA. “We’ve funded it because we know that people do worry about the run-off of water from new developments. So we wanted to see how SuDs are working.”

He added: “We’ve found that there are good examples of SuDS in Somerset – but there are also areas where the SRA and its partners can work with developers to try and achieve more.

We are now aiming for improvements across Somerset.”

Tackling plastic

THE newly-formed Plastic Free Glastonbury group’s first event was a community clean-up around the Red Brick Building and River Brue. It was a great success involving ten people with over ten bags of litter collected.

They are aiming to achieve Plastic Free status for Glastonbury, which Wells has already achieved. Strode College are currently also working on it.

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A few sites showed visible signs of oil pollution and algal growth in surface water features, although the survey was not able to identify whether these were from spills or wider runoff from the site

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

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

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

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MENDIP TIMES

Celebrating the old and the new IT was a pleasure on March 18th to attend a celebration of International Women’s Day held at the Rural Enterprise Centre at the Royal Bath and West Showground.

Annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and president-elect of the show, introduced four young ladies all experienced in their With MARY world of business. The ladies passed on JAMES MBE their knowledge of how they succeeded in their business and gave plenty of advice and tips.

Catherine Look, with a farming background and a husband who farms on the Somerset Levels, told everyone how she has been in her family’s business (residential parks), trained in business and management skills, and is now managing director of Oaktree Parks Ltd. Lisa Cadd, the founder of Fuss Free Foodie, began writing and sharing how she shopped and cooked and started workshops using blogs, Facebook and internet. One of her top tips was “Have strategies for reducing food waste”. Jen Hunter, farmer’s daughter and partner of well -known local sheep farmer Andy Wear, has a wealth of experience working with livestock. With the benefit of a Nuffield Scholarship, which took her on a trip around the globe to see how farmers used wool, Jen is campaigning to raise awareness of the benefits of using wool.

Debbie Howarth, the society’s commercial enterprise manager, outlined all the exciting developments happening at the Royal Bath and West showground.

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www.readagri.co.uk • 01749 850528 Station Road, Wanstrow BA4 4SY

Supplying all your countryside needs for the last 40 years

Well worth a visit

Pictured (l to r) Catherine Look, Annie Maw, Jen Hunter, Debbie Howarth and Lisa Cadd

We were sitting in the new Rural Enterprise Centre and across the way we could see the growing new restaurants and conference centre, on two levels (seating capacity 850) that will be ready for the show, May 29th–June 1st.

It was good to see these women inspiring the younger generation who were present.

After a morning indoors it was good, a day later, to get out into the sunshine (yes there was some) on March 9th to attend the Wrington and Burrington Hedging Society annual hedging match, held this year at Blagdon with kind permission of Yeo Valley.

It was the most beautiful site. After viewing the hedgers at work we sat in an open fronted marquee eating lunch with the most amazing view across Blagdon Lake.

There were good entries in five different classes. The length of old hedge to be laid varies, according to the class, from five to nine metres. The winner of the Open Champions class was Steve McCulloch from Devon and the Champion of Champions was Colin Clutterbuck from Stanton Drew.

There were two young ladies watching who are already taking lessons in the art of hedge laying. Evie Welsh is 15 and Marcia Bath is 14. In this age of technology with computers etc. and robots it is so good to see the hedging and ploughing societies and agricultural shows keeping alive the old skills, all environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Hedging – see page 55 www.oaktreeparks.co.uk • www.fussfreefoodie.com www.fernhill-farm.co.uk

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Wedmore’s got talent

WEDMORE Young Farmers had a successful time at the South West Area activities weekend in Weymouth.

The juniors started the ball rolling with third place in the reading final, represented by Emily Bell, Elizabeth Bell and Maddie Rousell.

The club then took to the beach to build a fantastic sandcastle and were narrowly pipped to the post by Cornwall.

Then in the evening club chairman Lloyd Hewish and secretary Sarah Howe took to the ballroom with some members from Yeovil to come second in the ballroom dancing final and qualify for the national finals in July.

The weekend ended with the entertainments final where the club performed Our House and did brilliantly to come third.

They are now look forward to their annual show at the George Hotel on Saturday, April 13th.

FARMING

Tractor run for charity

TRACTOR enthusiasts will once again gather near Meare on Good Friday, April 19th, for their annual road run in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Organised by Ivan Sparks and a team of volunteers, the tractors will gather at the Railway Inn for an 11am start, before heading off across the Somerset Levels, returning around 2.30pm. All are welcome.

For details, contact Ivan on 07891 939055 or ivan.sparks@hotmail.co.uk

• LOG SPLITTING SERVICES • ROOF REPAIRS • CHIMNEY LINERS • SECURITY LIGHTS • CHIMNEY BIRD GUARDS • TREE REDUCTION WORK

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Show’s new attraction

ORGANISERS of this year’s North Somerset Show have teamed up with a Nailsea gym to stage the first ever Strongest Man challenge in the show’s 160-year history.

With more than 20 heavyweight contestants from all over the area due to compete, the new contest is guaranteed to pull in the crowds alongside established favourites such as cattle and horses.

The contest will feature axle deadlifts, a heavy carry medley, throwing weights, vehicle pull, log press and the ever-popular tyre flip.

The 160th North Somerset Show will be held on Bank Holiday, May 6th at Wraxall near Bristol.

Family business celebrates silver anniversary

SANDRA and John Marshall started their business 25 years ago in a small patch in Nailsea selling patio slabs and aggregates. They outgrew it within five years and are now a three-generation family business on a large site by Nailsea and Backwell Railway Station.

It is now the ultimate one-stop garden shop for all landscaping materials including paving slabs, aggregates, fencing, a water garden centre, DIY and hardware shop.

They can supply virtually everything you need to make your garden paradise including a large array of pots and garden furniture.

Their policy is to buy as locally as possible and most of their suppliers are family businesses. All plants including water plants are grown locally and roses are grown in Kent.

Nailsea Patio Supplies is a very community spirited company. They have been fundraising for the Jesse May Trust that looks after local very sick children and have sponsored the North Somerset Show since it moved to the Wraxall site.

You will find them facing the main ring and they will give you a warm welcome and some special show offers.

You can also visit their Aladdin’s Cave and be amazed at what they stock.

Keep following them on Facebook for special anniversary offers.

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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Farm machinery specialists

NORTH SOMERSET SHOW 2019

H.CURTIS & Sons in Stanton Wick, nine miles south of Bristol, specialise in the supply of quality agricultural and ground care machinery and walking floor, bulk tipping and low loader haulage.

In the late 1950s, the Curtis family began farming at Stanton Wick and over three generations the company now hosts a strong network of franchises from specialist grass care products to tractors and farm machinery.

Carrying extensive stock of spare parts and kitted with a fully equipped workshop to provide support and backup to all its customers, their highly trained technicians are always on hand to provide service and support in the field.

The company are proud to be main dealers for Merlo telehandlers, the world leaders in telehandler design. The Merlo group founded in 1964, exports over 90% of production all over the world through a commercial network divided into seven subsidiaries and over 600 dealers.

Today Merlo is the market leader in telehandlers with its rotating turret, patented suspension cab and hydrostatic transmission.

For further information or assistance with you next machinery purchase visit www.hcurtis.co.uk or call 01761 490372

Experts in farm and garden

SJH Machinery are renowned for being one of the UK’s leading stockists of garden and agricultural equipment, with a vast range of products catering for a task of any size to suit any garden or agricultural task and stock some of the world’s leading brands including Fleming, Karcher, Mountfield and many more and are also official dealers of Kubota.

Since they were first established, their stock has expanded and they now sell a vast range of products other than just garden and agricultural equipment, including groundcare equipment, vehicles and also cleaning products.

Not only has their stock expanded but so has their knowledge and expertise. With many years of experience they know each product inside and out so if you are unsure about anything their team are there to help, either come and visit them at their workshop or call them on 01934 830000.

SJH Machinery also offers a servicing and repairs service, their workshop is equipped with the latest tools and technology.

All the staff are factory trained and regularly attend training courses to ensure they are up to speed with all the technology in the workshop.

NSS TICKET WINNERS

Last month we teamed up with North Somerset Show to offer you the chance to win tickets to the show on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th. The first correct answers drawn were from Joanna Stevens, Whitchurch, Bristol, Mrs P Jefferies, Wrington, Mrs B Fowler, Backwell, M Egan, Headley Park, Bristol, Max & Kate Robertson (children), Writhlington, Liz Dennis, Westbury-sub-Mendip, Mrs J Turner, Priddy, Mr K Wyatt, Ashcott, Stephen Masters, Polsham and C. Baker, Cheddar.

Your main Kubota dealer for Somerset and South Gloucester Main Road A370, Hewish, Weston-super-Mare BS24 6SE

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 13

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

World Book Day

Workhorses take centre stage

Pupils at Longvernal Primary School in Midsomer Norton celebrated World Book Day

Diesel replaced steam for a weekend of rides

Children in Priddy also took part . . .

TWO diesel locomotives normally used for haulage when the public are not present enjoyed a weekend in the limelight at the Somerset and Dorset heritage railway at Midsomer Norton.

David J Cook, an English Electric loco numbered D1120, and a British Rail 08 class shunter, numbered D4095, hauled passenger and freight trains along the line.

Passengers were able to enjoy the views from a newly-restored coach which is the only one remaining from the last passenger train to run over the Somerset and Dorset Railway in 1966.

Graham Findley, Operations Manager at the station, said: “Although we are giving our diesels a treat this weekend by allowing them to pull passenger trains these workhorses are usually employed in pulling enormous loads of ballast, concrete sleeper, rails and all the heavy stuff we are using to restore the railway.”

Returning to the platform: some of the journeys were “double headers”

. . . as did the staff

Pupils at Cameley Primary School

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

D4095 in action

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MENDIP TIMES

This earth, this realm, this Mendip

April sees Easter, the Queen’s birthday, Shakespeare’s birthday and St George’s Day, all within the same few days.

It’s at times like these that I’m With JUNE thankful to live in rural Mendip, MACFARLANE surrounded by farms and food producers, so this month let’s focus on the best of our truly local produce and resolve to eat more of it!

ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH GOAT’S CHEESE AND CROUTONS

The asparagus season starts this INGREDIENTS month so seek out (for four) a local grower 500g asparagus, trimmed and enjoy it while Rapeseed oil it lasts. Really rind and juice of 1 lemon fresh asparagus seasoning is sweet even 125g soft goat’s cheese when raw.

Oven baked croutons Grilling brings (optional) out that sweetness and a little light charring adds even more flavour. Soft, cool local goat’s cheese is a rich touch and I like to add croutons baked crisp in the oven. Rapeseed oil is perfect for this dish.

METHOD Put the asparagus in a roomy bowl and splash liberally with rapeseed oil, a squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper. Heat a ridged grill pan to very hot on the stove. Grill asparagus spears until just tender then plunge into very cold water to keep their colour. Drain on kitchen paper.

Arrange on plates with nuggets of goat’s cheese and the croutons (if used) and scatter lemon rind over. Finish with a simple dressing of rapeseed oil, lemon juice and seasoning.

By George, this simple asparagus dish tastes so good

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Don’t get hot and cross – this dessert is simple

HOT CROSS BUN & BUTTER PUDDING

If you didn’t eat all the hot cross buns on Good Friday, this is a delicious pudding for the family. Ready spiced and fruited, it couldn’t be easier.

INGREDIENTS

(for six) 40g soft butter 6 hot cross buns 300ml double cream 600ml milk 4 eggs 100g caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Apple jelly to glaze

METHOD Preheat oven to 160°C. Butter a large shallow oven proof dish liberally. Cut buns diagonally into slices and arrange overlapping in dish. Warm cream and milk together gently. Whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl.

Continue to whisk while adding cream and milk mixture slowly. Pour over buns and allow to soak for 15 mins. Press buns down gently into custard.

Place in a roasting tin and pour in boiling water to come half way up the sides. Bake for about 45 mins until set. Remove from roasting tin.

Heat apple jelly to dissolve. Brush over lightly to glaze the dish. Serve warm.

ROAST CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

(for six) 110g butter, room temperature 1.5–2kg free-range chicken Seasoning 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, peeled Bunch of spring herbs

Time was when chicken was a special meal, eaten on days like Easter Sunday.

As chicken became commonplace, and tasteless, the roast bird lost its allure. If you find yourself the best free-range locally produced bird you can afford, and cook it with care, it will be worth it.

I like to use chervil in this recipe, just coming into season in the spring, but tarragon is also good.

METHOD Preheat oven to 230°C. Smear the butter all over the chicken and put it into a roomy roasting tin. Season and squeeze lemon juice over. Squash the garlic. Put herbs and garlic into cavity with lemon halves. Roast chicken for 10–15 mins, baste, turn oven down to 190°C and continue roasting for about another 45 mins, basting occasionally, until the bird is golden brown all over with a crisp skin.

Turn off the oven. Rest the chicken in the oven with the oven door open for 20 mins before carving. Serve with the juices from the tin.

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What’s new from

Myrtle Farm

FOOD & DRINK

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

Howzat! Cricket and cider go hand in hand

IF you love cricket, and you love a pint of Somerset cider, then this is the year for you! We’re delighted to announce that Thatchers is to be the official cider of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. Held from 30th May to 14th July in England and Wales, there’ll be 48 matches played across 11 venues – including The County Ground in Taunton and The County Ground in Bristol – in what will be the year’s largest sporting event in the UK. If you’re attending any of the matches, you’ll find Thatchers Gold and Thatchers Haze served in each of the venues for the duration of the matches, as well as in eight official fan zones being organised during the six-week celebration of cricket.

Here’s to a fantastic summer of sport!

Easter offers

Take your first steps into trading

THE award-winning Eat:Festivals has once again announced that there’ll be a number of first-time trader bursaries available for 2019 that we’re delighted to be supporting here at Myrtle Farm. Ten start-up businesses will be given the opportunity to develop their food or drink offering by attending one of the hugely popular Eat:Festivals events being held throughout the year. If you’re interested in applying, take a look at www.eatfestivals.org and complete the simple form.

Celebrating Somerset Day at The Railway Inn

IN the run-up to Easter we have some special spring offers for you in our Cider Shop to help with your celebrations – including our 5 litre Gold keg, and our 12 pack of Haze.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Don’t forget you can also find our brand new Thatchers Rosé in the Cider Shop. Deliciously sweet and sparkling, Thatchers Rosé uses a blend of naturally sweet, rosy-red dessert apples, including Pink Lady, Fuji and Gala.

SOMERSET Day takes place on Saturday 11 May and we’re really looking forward to hosting another fun-filled event for all the family at The Railway Inn. Come along and enjoy some beautiful Somerset cheeses – and cider of course! We’ll be raising money for the St Margaret’s Hospice Great Somerset Tea Party, and there’ll be live music from The Mangled Wurzels as well as entertainment from Mendip Morris. Put the date in your diary and join us for plenty of Somerset fun.

Easter Monday at the Railway Inn – live music from 2pm to

STOP PRESS: 4pm with local '80s tribute band Silver Train. See you there!

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

MENDIP • APRIL 2017 2019 • PAGE 17 MENDIP TIMEST•IMES NOVEMBER

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MENDIP TIMES

The Churchill Inn Bristol Road Langford BS25 5NL 01934 852757 the churchillinn.co.uk

A new look A new menu Same warm welcome

Russ and Bernie’s relaunched pub

Sarah Raven seeds and Spring plants

MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM

Country shopping at its best

Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas HOT CROSS BUNS AND EASTER BISCUITS

EASTER GIFTS AND FLOWERS

TEA ROOMS

Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Full English breakfasts Come and enjoy our lovely Sunday roast lunches

New Spring Emma Bridgewater collection FUNCTION ROOM AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE

Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 8.30am - 5.30pm

Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment

Enjoy a good Sunday roast

Treat mum to Mother’s Day with us

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW Farm Shop: 01761 220067 • Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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GARDEN FOOD

A new project

THOSE of you who have read my column for a long time may recall that I have something of a passion for keeping geese, particularly our very own local rare breed, the West of England.

Recently my partner and I have With JAKE decided to take this hobby to the next WHITSON level and start breeding and rearing them on a small commercial scale.

It is very hard to find good birds of this breed these days and we have been working for a number of years to find individuals that have the right characteristics, not least of which are the right size (up to 9kg for the ganders) and auto-sexing characteristics – females have a mottled saddleback grey pattern, and the ganders are pure white, making them easy to sex, even at hatch.

From these we have formed breeding groups, which should produce enough fertile eggs to start offering Christmas geese for sale next year. An interesting thing about breeding geese is that the females don't fully come into their own until their second adult year; in their first spring the eggs that are laid tend to be smaller and less fertile and this gives rise to smaller offspring. It is therefore important in selecting breeding birds not to be too hasty in your decision making!

The West of Englands that we reared for ourselves for last winter were quite simply sublime, smaller than the more usual Embdens or Legarths but not by much and imbued with an incredible depth of flavour that I have never tasted in those breeds.

It is our hope that we can help bring this breed, which used to be the most popular goose on British farms, back from the brink, and that its sublime flavour will once again take its place on our tables.

Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder.

He is currently working on setting up a small sustainable goose farm in Somerset with his partner Johanna.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Soupy loveliness

THIS month’s article is a slight reversal for me. It has been inspired by the discovery of one simple ingredient within a dish that makes all the difference to the flavour and enjoyment of the food rather than finding a few “bits on twigs” in a woodland somewhere, then writing about a dish created With ADRIAN from that. So what’s the story?

BOOTS Whilst fortunate enough to enjoy a recent snowy trip to the mountains, I was delighted to visit a restaurant (being very hungry at the time) and discover the variety of mountain speciality dishes.

Being rather peckish but not wanting the full on “tartiflette made this body” experience, I decided to go for the French onion soup. Hold on a minute you say, onion soup isn’t particularly a speciality of the mountains! And I would agree with you.

Except this bowl of soupy loveliness was served in a huge traditional stalked soup bowl, think chalice, stacked full of toasted “pain tradition” and packed with the most delightful, melted, mountain fromage.

Yes that’s right, the soup bowl was full of layered bread and cheese, not the few croutons and a measly sprinkle of grated rubber I’ve had here in the past. I was in mountain food nirvana! There was a note of something other than onion I thought I recognised but just couldn’t put my finger on. Oh well, don’t worry about it just enjoy the lunch.

Later in the week, we returned to the same restaurant and no prizes for guessing what I ordered. It had obviously been on my mind – what was that mysterious, slightly spicy and aromatic note that the soup possessed? I decided to tackle my second formidable bowl of onion soup with a more scientific approach, in other words I didn’t get stuck into the bread and cheese first. And then I found it or rather them. Tiny, dark, spheres of intense flavour – juniper berries!

Would you believe that onion and juniper are flavour soulmates in the world of soup? I didn’t until that moment and I can guarantee you would love the flavour too.

I’m not going to give you a recipe for French onion soup as there are so many out there. Try different ones until you are happy. All you have to do is add a few juniper berries to the cooking process and oh, it’s important to sweat down the onions very slowly until they go dark and marmaladey.

Maybe add a little sugar to aid this. So why not give it a go? If you can find a suitable bowl, as like tea, beer, wine etc (I probably shouldn’t go on) what you imbibe the liquid from has a massive impact on your enjoyment of its contents. It shouldn’t but it does, trust me.

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

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 19

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MENDIP TIMES

FOOD & DRINK

A L D W I C K V I N E YA R D

What a gem!

With ELIZABETH LAVER

APRIL marks the launch of a new red wine in Aldwick’s portfolio – our 2017 Regent.

It’s a grape variety which may require an introduction. Developed in Germany in 1967 and released in 1995, Regent is an interspecific hybrid with complex pedigree, bred to be fungal disease resistant. Despite not being purely Vitis vinifera, it achieved ‘quality’ wine

status in 1996.

Regent derives from Le Régent, the Indian diamond that graced the French Crown of Louis XV in 1722. Aptly named, it’s a jewel of a vine to tend!

Who best to approach for an appraisal of our lovingly nurtured grapes, vinified by winemaker Steve Brooksbank, then aged 4 months in new French oak barrels? Somerset winegrowers’ treasure, Kelli Coxhead, proprietor of the Winscombe Wine Shop and ardent champion of our endeavours.

Regent evokes Victoria plums and Christmas spices for me, especially when sampling free-run juice at pressing.

Kelli’s expert palate discerns vibrant red cherries and cranberries, noting soft, smooth, integrated tannins with a crisp finish. She recommends it to accompany Carole’s Aldwick Sunday Lunch menu charcuterie platter and roast meats.

Why not decide for yourself?

Elizabeth Laver is Vineyard Manager

For wine & vineyard tours visit www.aldwickestate.co.uk PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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Irish eyes are smiling

Mainline action at heritage railway

NEWS

Green is the colour: Shepton Mallet town crier Andy Neale – wearing his recently-commissioned new outfit – with members of the Blackrock School of Irish Dance

IRISH music and dancers entertained shoppers at the St Patrick’s Day-themed Shepton Mallet Sunday market.

The market runs on the third Sunday of each month, with a break in August.

May fair cancelled

CITY of Wells Lions Club has announced that it will not be staging its May Day Fair this year after it failed to agree safety terms with the event management team at Mendip District Council.

The club has accused Mendip of “an overzealous and inconsistent approach” and says it does not have the resources to devote to the “extensive requirements” that the council is seeking to impose.

Now there are fears that other events – including the Wells Moat Boat Races – run by voluntary organisations could be in jeopardy.

Groups including Wells Rotary Club, Priddy Folk Festival, Wells City Band and Wake Up Wells, gathered in the city to discuss their concerns.

In a statement, the Lions club said: “We have been holding community events in the city for 44 years and have staged the May Day Fair for the last 14 years, without incident.

“We fully understand the safety of the public at any event is paramount, but the demands placed upon us by Mendip District Council this year means that as a small voluntary charity group, we do not have the resources to devote to the extensive requirements that the council is seeking to impose.

“Wells Lions and other voluntary organisations have been subject to an overzealous and inconsistent approach by Mendip District Council. This is demonstrated by the council’s failure to apply the content and implementation of its own event management plan to its own organised events.”

In reply, the council said: “We are aware that some concerns that have been raised about the support of the Mendip Safety Advisory Group which is overseen by the council but is also made up of partners including Avon and Somerset Police, South West Ambulance Service, Somerset Fire and Rescue, and Trading Standards.

“The key to a safe and successful event is ensuring that there is a strong event management plan and risk assessment in place.

Provided a clear plan with mitigated risk are presented to Mendip SAG there would be no reason for an event to not go ahead. All of the partners involved in the Mendip SAG do not set out to prevent events, the aim of the Mendip SAG is to ensure safe and measured events take place across the district.”

The train now arriving: the visitors arrive at Cranmore

AROUND 400 people packed a mainline train from London on a day trip to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore.

The UK Railtours “Somerset Strimmer” travelled from Victoria Station, pulled by a Class 59/2 – a type of diesel locomotive used by the Mendip quarry industry. It is rare for mainline trains to visit the heritage line, which is connected to the Mendip Rail line.

The diesel engine next to the line’s resident Ivatt class loco

Passengers included former Shepton Mallet resident Liz Treby who, alongside husband Paul, used the journey to catch up with old friends

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 21

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INTERNET

How to take a screenshot

SOMETIMES you want to be able to print or save what is on your screen – particularly useful if you have an error message, so you can show it to your techie so he can more easily sort it out.

First; your whole screen 1. Tap the Print Screen button on the top right of your keyboard.

The screen shot is now stored in your clipboard ready to paste somewhere, such as Word or Paint.

2. Type "paint" into the search bar next to the Start menu. (Without the quotes) 3. Click on Paint 4. Click "Paste" 5. Save or print it – you can crop off bits if desired.

To take a screenshot of just the active window 1. Hit Alt + Print Screen.

2. Proceed as before To take a screenshot of a specific part of your screen 1. Type "snipping tool" into the search bar next to the Start menu. (Without the quotes.)

2. Click on "Snipping Tool" 3. Click "New" 4. Click and drag to select the area of the screen you want to use; release the cursor once you’ve selected the space you want to capture.

Your screenshot is open in Snipping Tool, or you can paste it where you want it.

You can also download a Snip and Sketch app.

For a Mac, hold down Command+Shift+3 to take a screenshot of the full screen (or screens if multiple monitors), and save it as a file to the desktop.

Or hold down cmd+Shift key+4 then click and drag to select.

Or cmd+ctrl+shift+4 saves it on the clipboard for you to paste where you want it.

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

A skill-sharing, community project.

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

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

Or if you would like to share basic skills with others, please get in touch

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Panda food (6) 5 Sir --- Baker, Forth Rail Bridge co-designer born in Frome (8) 9 Come to terms (3,1,4) 10 Remains unchanged (6) 11 This lad went up a hill in Kilmersdon, but his descent was disastrous (4) 12 Castle Cary penal feature (5,5) 13 Wheelers (10) 16 Islamic holy man (4) 17 Stock market debuts (1,1,2) 18 Critics (10) 19 Engineer lacks power to create employment areas (10) 22 Inquires (4) 24 Commotion (6) 25 Loathing (8) 26 Hill south of Bishop Sutton (8)

27 --- Reservoirs, on the Chew (6) DOWN 2 Popular island resort in the Netherlands Antilles (5) 3 Frequently suffered by boxers (5,4) 4 Set aside by higher authority (9) 5 What Baltonsborough possibly means (7,8) 6 Scented (5) 7 Texan mission (5) 8 Without hope (2,7) 14 Off the cuff (9) 15 China clay mining centre (2,7) 16 On the way (2,7) 20 Brent --- is on the Levels, but isn't level (5) 21 Tempted (5) 23 Former Japanese capital (5)

The Mendip Times Scribble Pad

This month’s solution can be found on page 113

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Pancake Day celebrations

East Harptree

Pancake Day in Blagdon: the weather stopped the racing but didn’t stop the pancakes!

Pancake Day fun in Winscombe

Lighting up the sky

Chew Stoke lunch, pictured (l to r) Maggie Patch, Elaine Symes, Denise Stirrup and Denise Cutler

THE second lantern parade in Blagdon was a huge success. A fantastic dragonfly crafted by the community flew and danced to the stomping beats of the North Somerset Samba band.

Huge fish, a butterfly, bees and even a mosquito glowed in the dark along with hundreds of home-made creations.

A grant from Awards for All meant organisers could work

with four local village schools, all the scouting groups as well as offer free community lantern making workshops delivered by lantern artists, the Lamplighters.

One of the organisers, Nicky Orr, said: “This meant we had were able to plan a bigger event and had worked with over 500 children and their families before the parade even started!"

The event raised over £1,000 for Blagdon village school.

Details: www.facebook.com/blagdonlanterns PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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MENDIP TIMES

Pale Blue

Women’s clothing and other lovely things

Save the date: Visit our Clevedon Branch for our 3-day Linen Extravaganza (Glass of fizz and Giveaways . . .

Bring a friend!!) on Thurs 25th, Friday 26th & Saturday 27th April 1 The Borough, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EB Email: paleblueclothingltd@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 01934 713773

COUNTRY STORE AND MORE IN THE HEART OF MENDIP Just 10 minutes from Wells, Shepton & Midsomer Norton

Pet food & accessories

Seasonal items

Paws to Claws grooming

Gifts, clothing & more

Unit 1, Rookery Farm, Binegar, BA3 4UL Tel: 01749 841293 Email: greensofmendip2016@outlook.com www.greensofmendip.co.uk PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

New look for shop and grooming centre

GREENS of Mendip and Paws to Claws at Rookery Farm at Binegar is to relaunch on Saturday, April 20th after a facelift and rebranding exercise.

Based at Rookery Farm for the past three years, it is still the same, locallyowned family business, but with a bigger emphasis on natural treats and high-quality food for dogs, now stocking a range of raw food along with the everpopular kibble types.

Greens of Mendip also now has a pet food expert in-store from Tuesdays to Teniesha, aged 20, will Brave the Shave Saturdays, to offer on Saturday, April 20th to raise money advice on nutrition; for Macmillan Cancer Support in you might be memory of her late grandfather Steve. surprised at what an She is pictured with Emma, but hairdresser Laura McDonald will wield improvement even a the clippers. The event coincides with an small change in your Easter Fun Day at Rookery Farm from dog’s diet could have 10am-2pm on them. The shop is now a Perfect-Fit harness stockist and fitting centre and also stocks a range of bird feed, cat food, gifts, cards and an everincreasing range of items for your home with many large items available to order!

Paws to Claws has a smart, rustic country new look but the same staff in Emma Coleman and Teniesha Gunter, loved by dogs and their owners alike.

Recruiting now

HHP was established in 1998 by Andy Ham, with a fully equipped joinery workshop following in 2005. They are based in Somerset but cover a wide area of the South West, with around 25 employees as well as numerous loyal subcontractors.

HHP pride themselves on the workmanship provided, with a fully qualified, trustworthy, dedicated and experienced workforce – the foundation of the company's success. Why not join them?

HHP cover a vast array of projects from simple single storey extensions, major renovations and new builds, also undertaking projects within the commercial and public sector.

Contact them for further information on joining this awardwinning company.

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After Brexit . . . who knows?

IF anyone begins reading this with the idea that all will become clear by the end, let me disabuse you right now!

Sadly (though how I wish it were different, because thus could I make my millions) I have absolutely no idea how things will pan out for us all, but this morning in Wells I saw a couple of things which gave me cheer, so I thought I would share them.

They relate to both ends of the age spectrum and I hope they give you the same lift that they gave me.

Firstly, I decided that after a gruelling session in the gym, I would treat myself to a cup of coffee. A conversation was going on between a young mother and her little daughter, who was probably not yet three years old. “Now,” said mother, “before we go off to play, we must pay our bill.”

The café was quite busy and there was a group of people around the till, but the child was lifted and the girl behind the counter took time to have a conversation with her, thanking her for her money, handing her some change and giving the little one an opportunity to enjoy an experience and to gain some confidence in talking to new people.

As an onlooker, I was touched by how the time and care was taken with this small child.

The second incident occurred just ten minutes or so later, when I visited one of our city’s small independent shops. I was second in line to an elderly customer who was struggling with steamed-up spectacles and on top of that couldn’t hear too well.

Without any fuss, a second member of staff came from the back of the shop to serve me; however, having an elderly

BUSINESS parent, I felt my “fuss-o-meter” revving up, and I was wondering whether to try and help.

Thankfully, I managed to mind my own business whilst the proprietor calmly chatted to the elderly customer about the weather and the products available and eventually, in her own time and without fluster, the lady chose what she wanted.

Once again, I had witnessed patience and kindness by a local business owner enabling someone to fulfil a task effectively and with dignity. No help was required from a fuss-pot, just the time and space which was willingly given.

As I left the shop with my purchases, I realised that these episodes had created such a good feeling for everyone involved.

So, when Brexit comes, whatever happens, it would stand us in good stead to remember these examples of patience and kindness.

It struck me that these attributes of good service will help small businesses stand head and shoulders above the competition. Ultimately, it is the little differences which will help us survive and thrive in a market place which is increasingly turning away from the vast and impersonal and towards a style that values individuals.

So, I suggest that after Brexit, we should continue to develop these skills and, hopefully, they will help us overcome whatever Brexit-caused problems we may encounter.

Have a happy spring!

Jane Bowe Probusiness

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Underwood Lamb at 60 – aged to perfection!

CHEW Magna based accountancy practice, Underwood Lamb, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Being a small general accountancy practice who pride themselves on providing a cost effective, timely and professional service to clients, they can enjoy getting to know clients and their business and personal tax situations to enable them to provide advice and support tailored to individual needs.

Their offices are situated in the lovely village of Chew Magna just south of Bristol in the heart of the picturesque Chew Valley.

The practice has a broad and varied client base but clients are predominantly local family/owner-managed businesses together with a large number of personal tax return clients.

Around 95% of clients are situated within a 15-mile radius of their offices allowing Underwood Lamb to be on hand and easily accessible whenever clients need to speak to them. They also have a number of clients throughout the country as well as in the Chew Valley itself and their high level of investment in and utilisation of IT means that distance is no obstacle to providing a high level of service to all clients.

The practice, its management and staff take a strong interest in the local Chew Valley community assisting a number of voluntary and community groups with their accounting requirements, and are also one of the founding members of the Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce for which they provide office and administrative resources.

Managing Director, Rod Podger, who recently celebrated his 30th year with the firm, said: “When I first joined the firm as a trainee, there were still comptometers (mechanical adding machines) in the office store room and some clients still used old cashbooks with pounds, shillings and pence columns.

“The firm was beginning to use computers although only large, green-screened monsters with unreliable external 5.25-inch floppy disk drive storage and very noisy dot matrix printers. The term desktop in those days meant it did literally fill an entire desktop!

“Those devices are a million miles away from the mobile devices, virtual desktops and cloud-based accounting systems we use today.

“We have clients that have been in business for many decades and would still prefer to keep manual records. The somewhat hurried and prescriptive move to digital records under the Making Tax Digital initiative would, in my opinion, have been better implemented on a voluntary basis and only made compulsory for new businesses.”

The first phase of the Making Tax Digital initiative will now affect VAT registered businesses with an annual turnover of over £85,000 with all business likely to need to make changes over the next few years.

Underwood Lamb are assisting and urging clients and all businesses to understand how the changes may have an impact on how they record and report their business transactions.

Details: Rod Podger 01275 332612 or email rod@ulco.com

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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BUSINESS

Put a spring in your step

COUNTRY Innovation is now fully ensconced in their new home in The Stables Business Park, on the A38 at Rooksbridge.

It’s a beautiful spot with countryside views and easy parking and five minutes from junction 22 of the M5.

They will be having their annual walking boot week from April 8th-12th, when you will be welcome to visit and try them on in a relaxed and stress-free environment.

All staff are fully trained on fitting and advice and for every full-priced walking boot/shoe purchased throughout the week, you will receive a FREE CARE KIT worth £30!

They have a lovely selection of leather and fabric boots/shoes at really affordable prices, so pay them a visit if you want to get out into the countryside this spring. They are tucked behind the NFU and are open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm.

Cruise along the coast

BOOT WEEK 8th – 12th April

FREE CARE KIT worth £30

with every shoe/boot purchased!

Expert fitting and advice from friendly staff

The Stables Business Park, Rooksbridge, BS26 2TT

01934 877333 • www.countryinnovation.com

VISITORS to Weston-super-Mare will soon be able to cruise along the coast seven days a week, thanks to an enhanced summer bus timetable provided by First West of England.

Customers using the operator’s Somerset Coaster services, which link Weston-super-Mare with Sand Bay and Burnham-on-Sea, will enjoy a more frequent service to coincide with the busy summer season.

Chris Hanson, the company’s head of operations, said: “We expect the services to be more popular than ever this year. We’re really pleased that not only are we bringing back our summer timetable for the summer period, but also offering additional journeys based on what our customers have told us.

“The summer months are a really busy time for the region, and we hope our revised summer timetables will help people explore and enjoy the attractions in the area.”

Service 126, which runs between Wells and Weston via Cheddar, also takes in some of the popular tourist destinations in the region. Typically a Monday to Saturday service, the 126 will have a Sunday and public holiday summer timetable reinstated between March 31st and November 3rd inclusive.

Details: Timetables for the services can be found on the First West of England website: www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/routes-andmaps/somersets-coaster

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

Retirement auction with much to offer

ASH, MARTOCK TEL: 01935 823261 MOBILE: 07808 303591 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

RETIREMENT AUCTION

Old established Wells building firm

To be held on Saturday, 4th May 2019 at 10.30am at Harters Hill, Coxley, Nr Wells BA5 1RD (Turn by Church) Viewing Friday, 3rd May 9am to 7pm and morning of sale from 8am

To consist of tools and equipment:

Workshop machinery, hand tools, plant, fixtures, fittings, trailers, mixers, scaffolding, paints, nails, screws, planks, timber, doors, etc.

Architectural salvage and collectables

Witness box from Wells Courts, doors, cast iron, flowerpots, tubs, chimney pots, metalwork etc.

Plus large selection of picture frames and quantity of local Somerset pub signs

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Jeffrey Allen with mum Elsie, and wife Ruth

THE old-established Wells building firm, G.C. Allen, is closing after more than 60 years, with an auction of tools, equipment and various items collected over the years.

Gordon Allen met Elsie whilst working with the Forestry Commission in Cornwall. After their marriage they returned to his home in Wells.

They started the firm of G.C. Allen Building and Flooring Contractor in 1957, first working out of a lock-up in the Fountain Inn car park, relocating to Mill Street in 1960.

Jeffrey Allen joined the firm in 1972 doing his apprenticeship in carpentry.

Gordon broke his back in an accident and Jeffrey took over the running of the firm in 1983 and moving away from flooring to carry out more church and listed building work, one highlight being the building of The Black Dog in Tor Street for Kennedy and Phillipa Collins.

When Gordon died, the firm’s next move was to the present site at Coxley, leaving the old premises and converting them into retail units.

Robert Packer, the last and longest serving staff member retired after 40 years and Jeffrey carried on doing smaller jobs, but after 50 years he feels it is now time to clear away years of accumulated materials and memories – his two girls are not into the building trade and he says he does not blame them.

The auction on May 4th will include a witness box from Wells courts, a quantity of Somerset pub signs, tools, equipment and a large quantity of architectural salvage and collectables.

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BUSINESS

EU regulations and Brexit – how will this affect your Will?

THERE was great excitement when the new "European Succession Regulations No. 650/2012"(known as"Brussels IV”) was introduced on August 17, 2015. In essence this regulation allowed individuals who had assets in member states of the EU to have the option of applying the succession laws of their nationality or "habitual residence" to apply to any property which is situated within an EU state.

Previously the local succession laws of the European State in which your property is situated was applied at the time of death due to the more common “forced heirship" rules which apply to most European states.

Those rules usually divide the estate within the bloodline of the deceased according to a strict application of division between the bloodline (usually the spouse and natural children). This could mean hardship for spouses and potentially allow beneficiaries to inherit against the wishes of the deceased.

The introduction of this new Regulation allowed the law of the deceased’s nationality of their habitual residence to apply with regard to succession wishes (i.e whom you would wish to inherit). This obviously has much more flexibility when inheritance planning and ensuring the security of any surviving spouse who may remain. When this was introduced the member states of the EU agreed to allow the succession rules of the individual’s nationality or place of habitual residence to take precedence over the EU state in which the property is located.

As long as a proper election clause is

included within the Will any individual can make this election. For example a UK national with a property in Spain could elect for the English Succession rules to apply. He can then either leave his Spanish property to his spouse or other beneficiary without being tied to the inheritance rules of the country in which his property is located. The local tax laws would still apply but his property could be left to any individual he chose.

Although the UK opted out of this agreement, UK nationals could still take advantage of the rules for property located in the member states who had"opted in”.

This was particularly relevant to UK nationals with holiday homes or property abroad.

Following the vote to leave the EU there was great concern as to whether the UK could still take advantage of these Succession Regulations once we formally left the Union. However under current regulations if you were, for example, an Australian National with property within the EU Area which has opted in, then you could apply for the succession laws of Australia to apply to your UK property.

Australia is not a member of the EU but Australian citizens could still take advantage of this Regulation.

It would seem to follow that the UK should also still be able to take advantage of the Succession Regulation even if it is not a member of the EU. The rules could be changed at any time, but as they currently stand it would seem (for the time being at least) that UK individuals with property within the "opted in" member

states* would still be able to apply for the succession rules in the UK to apply to their EU property. This means they can leave their property to the persons they would wish to inherit under their Will not those"forced" upon by the inheritance rules of the EU states.

It would seem unlikely that the UK would be singled out and not allowed to take advantage of this Regulation when it is a non member as this would need to apply to all the other non-EU countries which currently are able to take advantage of the Regulation. It is therefore important to ensure that the relevant election clause is incorporated within your UK Will. * Currently Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark have"opted out”.

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 Chew Magna 01275 332168

OFFICES AT: Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

Can’t find the answers to your payroll questions?

Outsource your payroll and come to the team which cares

• Fast & cost-effective solutions for your business • large or small • PAYE • Security payslips • Auto-enrolment • CIS

Call us today: 01761 414009 Email: gayle@bourneandbargery.co.uk www.bourneandbargery.co.uk/bb-payroll The Byres, Manor Farm, Church Lane, Chilcompton, Radstock BA3 4HP

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Bourne and Bargery are ready to help

WITH payrolls and pensions becoming increasingly complex issues for small businesses to handle – let alone coping with the demands of Making Tax Digital – the friendly team at Bourne and Bargery are anticipating a big rise in demand for their services.

Bourne and Bargery, based at Manor Farm at Chilcompton, are payroll specialists and have a growing list of clients who outsource that side of their business to them.

According to a recent survey by the Federation of Small Businesses, half of small businesses are not currently ready to comply with MTD, which comes into force on April 1st. More than a quarter (27%) of firms have not started preparing for MTD, and a further one in five (23%) have received quotes for software that will make them compliant but are yet to purchase access to any.

On top of that, the government’s workplace pension scheme and increases in the minimum wage are giving many businesses a headache. Gayle Shakespeare, who runs Bourne and Bargery with Nicky Genge, said: “People are starting to realise they are not going to be able to cope with the extra burdens and still be able to focus on running their business successfully.

“That’s where we come in; we take away the hassle.”

Making mobility easy

FOR 20 years, AHM Installations have paved the way for mobility in the home, helping both the elderly and people with additional needs to feel safer in the bathroom.

The company was started by Julie and Simon Symcox and originally the focus was on mobility scooters and stairlifts. It wasn’t long before customers began asking if they could also fit mobility bathrooms.

With so many enquiries and a clear gap in the market, they decided to add them to their business. The demand for mobility bathrooms grew so much that they quickly became AHM’s focal selling point.

Specialists in bathroom adaptations for the elderly and disabled, AHM Installations can provide wet rooms, walk-in showers, walkin baths, automatic toilets, raised toilets, grab rails and shower stools. Every customer receives a free bathroom survey and a no obligation quotation, as well as free advice on available government grants.

Those who choose AHM Installations can also rely on trustworthy tradesmen who will share their vast knowledge and expertise of bathroom and wet room installations every step of the way. AHM Installations have showrooms nationwide and one of these is at Blackdown Garden Centre, Taunton, Somerset TA21 9HY.

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A unique venue for weddings and more

A BEAUTIFULLY restored former church at Godney is enjoying a new lease of life as a venue for weddings, parties and other gatherings.

The Glastonbury Wedding and Events Venue is in an idyllic location. A dwindling congregation led to Holy Trinity Church closing in 1998 and it was deconsecrated two years later.

But under the ownership of the Churches family who have farmed next door at Godney Farm for generations, the church building is now a flexible, quirky venue. It is unique in being the only church building to be licensed for civil ceremonies but could be used for birthday parties, cream teas and meetings – Michael Churches has already received inquiries about it being the start and finishing point for tractor and vintage vehicle runs. Its on-site parking is an added bonus.

Michael added: “We have very strong family ties with this church building, farming right next door to it. We have long wanted to find a way to bring it back into use.

“It’s also another example of how farming families have to diversify in this day and age.” l Glastonbury Wedding Venue will be holding an open day on Sunday, April 14th with a marquee alongside the church showcasing a select range of suppliers – mostly local – from photographers to wedding dress and suit makers. For details, visit: www.glastonburyweddingvenue.co.uk

BUSINESS

Balloon flights over the Chew Valley, Mendips and Somerset Levels

P & C Logs 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).

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 33

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 14:08 Page 34

MENDIP TIMES

BUSINESS LECATCHER MO

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01761 417100 Court of Protection • Probate and estate administration • Children • Elderly and vulnerable client affairs • Trusts and succession planning • Care proceedings • Domestic abuse

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

Haskins ad.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2019 14:55 Page 1

Arts & Antiques section.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:48 Page 36

MENDIP TIMES

North Somerset Arts Week

THE familiar sight of pink pennant flags will signify the return of the popular biennial North Somerset Arts Week. All the participating artists are members of local charity North Somerset Arts and work together to raise the profile of the arts in our region.

The 2019 Arts Week runs from May 3rd–12th and brings together over 200 local artists displaying their varied talents simultaneously across 45 exhibitions at venues throughout the whole North Somerset region.

This year there is also the opportunity to own one of the artworks on display by participating in the new Arts Week Treasure Trail competition.

Another new feature this year is the launch of an Arts Week App featuring an interactive map as well as more information and photos from all the artists involved. Get it free from your app store from mid-April – #NSAW19 #followtheflag – get on the Arts Trail.

Details: Brochures should now be available around the area or download one from northsomersetarts.org

An artist’s year

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

FOR me, the first few months of the year is predominantly taken up with designing and making the new sculptures ready for the forthcoming exhibitions which begin this year at Easter and then spread throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

In between the exhibition sculptures there are also commissions to be worked on, but I like to start each year with a completely new series of sculptures. This is important for me as it ensures the work is always evolving, moving forward. I feel it is essential to keep exploring new forms and ideas and sometimes new materials too. It Seed Pod 2 – one of Ian’s all feeds the mind and soul of an artist. new sculptures The new series of works for 2019 is based around the idea of seeds and seed pods. Nature is abundant with these miniature structures that have a beauty all of their own.

Taking inspiration from what are often delicate forms and transforming that inspiration into bold sculptures in stainless steel is as fascinating as it is rewarding.

One of the great things about art is that the creative process is as enjoyable as the finished product itself. That process can often be demanding and challenging, but those aspects make it interesting and so offer their own positive rewards. At the end of the day it is always intrinsically satisfying developing new ideas, especially when you see a new body of sculptures rising up before you and knowing that they work on so many levels.

By Ian Marlow

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Raise a glass to jade and Chinese ceramics THE market for jade and Chinese ceramics was very strong at Cooper and Tanner’s Specialist Antiques and Collectables Sale on 13th March.

The sale had a huge amount of interest from all over the world, with a variety of items selling very well.

A beautiful two-colour jade carved pendant depicting a squirrel eating berries was strongly contested by bidders online and on the phone, selling for £1,400 on the hammer. A small, but perfectlyformed jade carving of a seated deer on fitted wooden base, measuring just 3.7cm in height, sold for £1,200.

A number of other Chinese items went under the hammer including a pair of 20th century Chinese hat stands in famille rose palette that sold for £440.

Also in the sale was a private collection of agricultural machinery and implements, which

was varied and fascinating. It was particularly popular with local buyers and there was competitive bidding for all lots.

Yet again whisky was incredibly popular, reflecting the current market trend at auction. Seven lots were entered into the sale of 13th March, with all selling above estimate. The most popular was a Lagavulin 12-year-old Islay Malt Whisky by White Horse Distillers that sold for £700.

The next Specialist Antiques and Collectables Sale will be held on 1st May and the closing date for entries for this sale is 17th April.

Auctioneer and valuer Gareth Wasp will be holding a free antiques valuation morning at the Cooper and Tanner Warminster office on Tuesday 16th April from 9am to 1pm. Gareth is always happy to visit you at home if you have anything you would like him to look at, please call the office on 01373 852419 to book.

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

A Lagavulin 12-year-old Islay Malt Whisky by White Horse Distillers, sold £700

COOPER AND TANNER SALE ROOMS MARCH SALE HIGHLIGHTS

A two colour carved jade pendant, of a squirrel and berries, sold £1,400

A 20th century Chinese hat stand with colourful painted decoration together with a similar hat stand in famille rose palette, sold £440

A pair of 20th century Chinese hat stands each in famille rose palette painted with decorative birds and flowers, sold £440

A Chinese jade carving of a deer, seated on a fitted wooden base, sold £1,200

SALE ROOMS Gareth Wasp Telephone 01373 852419 The Agricultural Centre, Standerwick, Frome BA11 2QB gareth.wasp@cooperandtanner.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Time flies at Clevedon Salerooms’ specialist sale GOOD things come in small packages might best describe the first quarterly fine art sale of 2019 at Clevedon Salerooms, held on Thursday, March 7th when the sale performed strongly with over 85% selling.

It was the first sale to be featured on the firm’s brand new website, www.clevedonsalerooms.com For a change, the sale began with the clock section which included. A German carved bracket clock from a Weston-superMare property, which doubled hopes at £1,000. Top price in the section was for a rare 17th century Charles II lantern clock

by John Ebsworth of Lothbury, which made a multiple-estimate £5,500 to a Midlands buyer.

The watch section included a fabulous Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore automatic chronometer stainless steel Diver’s watch, probably never even worn, and at just a year old with warranty, manual and certificate in original boxes.

Managing director and watch specialist Marc Burridge had even brought the white gloves out to

handle the valuable timepiece. He was duly rewarded when it surpassed its estimate to achieve the day’s top price of £16,500.

Also performing well were an 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual at £4,200 and a lady’s diamond-set blue enamel pocket watch at £2,200.

The jewellery section included an impressive Art Deco style 9ct gold and chainmail evening bag with three-colour design and this captured interest at £1,500.

Also selling well was a rare George IV 1823 £2 gold coin, which almost doubled lower estimate at £1,100.

The Oriental section always throws up a surprise result or two. A pair of Cantonese Famille Rose dishes sold for a multipleestimate £1,200, and a “dream stone” panel was competed by bidders in the room and on the telephone from mainland China up to £1,000.

From slightly nearer home, an AngloIndian ivory work box, sourced from London by director Toby Pinn, due to another which he had found and sold back in November, exceeded top estimate to sell for £3,200.

The Paintings section included a watercolour by local Bristol Savages founder Arthur Wilde Parsons, whose view of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, sold for an impressive £1,500. Eclipsing this

Raising the roof in Congresbury

CLEVEDON Salerooms’ valuers, director Toby Pinn MRICS and Mark Huddleston, attended Congresbury village cafe recently for a successful valuation afternoon raising money for the planned village hall.

Organisers had thoughtfully created two ways to donate to the fund: a valuation event (with donations made to have items valued) and a gifting event, where local residents donated their items to be sold for charity, free of charge, on behalf of the village hall fund. Some of the incredibly generous donations will be auctioned across two sales – with the select highlights on June 13th, with all proceeds donated to the Congresbury Village Hall fund.

was the second of two shipping watercolours by Charles Dixon.

Consigned by the same vendor, the first performed well enough, tripling lower estimate at £450, but the second slightly larger work amazed the room as it sold for £2,800. The third major success in the section was a striking watercolour of terns by renowned bird artist Keith Shackleton, which again tripled expectations to sell for £1,900 to an absentee bidder.

The furniture section concluded the sale and featured two charming Black Forest carved bears. The first, a hallstand modelled with adult and cub, was saved from being chopped up for the woodburner when the owner sent images by email! It sold for £850.

The second example was a single bear, but of earlier date and finer quality. This was borne out when the lot sold for an impressive £3,000.

Thanks to these excellent results, the overall sale total was above expectations and the auctioneers are already sourcing choice lots for another another eyecatching quarterly sale on Thursday, June 13th.

Why not send images of items you may be thinking of selling for a free valuation to info@clevedon-salerooms.com

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

£2,800

Black Forest carved bear

Audemars Piguet Chronometer

Vizagapatam sewing box

FREE antiquE VaLuatiOn DaYS

Free Jewellery, Watch, Silver & Gold Valuation Day at the Salerooms Monday 15th april, 10am-4pm

19th Century Faience drug jars

£16,500

8th, 9th & 29th, 30th april

9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm. Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery 4th & 25th April – Sales starts at 10.30am On view day before 10am – 6.30pm

£3,000

£5,500

Charles II Lantern clock

£1,100

Clarice Cliff Vase

£3,200

Ladies gold, enamel diamond set fob watch

Sold in March for £2,200 On the above date our experienced Valuers will be offering free no-obligation verbal estimates on all items of jewellery, watches, silver and gold at the Salerooms with the 13th June Specialist Sale in mind. No appointment necessary. For further information contact Toby Pinn MRICS on 01934 830111.

Tel: 01934 830111

The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT

www.clevedon-salerooms.com

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

ARTS & ANTIQUES

More monthly sales at the Mendip Auction Rooms AS the Mendip Auction Rooms goes from strength to strength, the team are staging more sales each month with their two monthly antiques and collectables sales turning into a two-day affair. The next two-day sale will be held in April on Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th.

The auctions starting at

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

10am on both days and with online bidding as well.

This two-day sale complements the two general sales held each month. The team are always looking for items to sell and free valuations take place at the auction rooms Monday to Friday from 10am until 1pm.

Alternatively valuers can visit you at home free of charge.

Killens can also organise house clearances for you.

Their professional contractors provide an excellent service ensuring that items that can be sold are sold through the auction rooms to your advantage.

At their antiques sale on March 9th Killens saw an interesting array of different lots go under the hammer with a frequent comment heard being “there is

something here for everyone”.

Silver and jewellery once again attracted keen interest with a white metal dress ring set with a rectangular cut emerald achieving £1,500, a white metal abstract cluster ring set with diamonds £1,250 and a yellow metal curb double Albert chain £700.

Gold sovereigns going under the hammer met with strong online bidding. An interesting red Japanned 18th century style bracket fusee clock also met with keen interest with it being secured for £1,450.

The next sale at the auction rooms will be of Victorian and later effects on Tuesday, April 2nd starting at 10am.

The team at the Mendip Auction Rooms aim to make

selling and buying at auction straightforward and great fun. The auction rooms are open from 10am until 5pm Monday to Friday and the valuers are happy to visit you at home free of charge to provide valuation and selling advice. The auction rooms can be contacted on 01749 840770.

If you have any questions, find us on Facebook – Prowse Antiques and Interiors or call us on 01934 712453 or 07860 837 680

News page 41.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 13:44 Page 1

Some big issues – youngsters join the debate SEVEN teams from local primary schools took part in Wrington Vale Rotary Club’s annual Rotary Youth Speaks competition.

Subjects included electric cars, endangered elephants, the perils of plastics, and the effects of social media.

The winning presentation from Winscombe Primary School was on rewilding. The winning team consisted of Marley Prashad as the chairperson, Nelly Crossey, the speaker and Freya Cox who proposed the vote of thanks.

Individual prizes went to Grace

Pictured (l to r) Nelly Crossey, Freya Cox and Marley Prashad with Rotary president Merlyn Saunders

NEWS

Williams from Burrington Primary School as the outstanding chairperson, Ethan Leggett from Wrington Primary School Team 1 for the outstanding speaker and Finley Riches from Wrington Primary School Team 2 for providing the outstanding vote of thanks.

Competitors from Banwell, Burrington, Churchill, Winscombe and Wrington

Working together for the town

TOURIST destinations and other organisations joined forces in Glastonbury to share ideas and discuss new ways in which to promote the town.

The third annual Glastonbury Tourism Symposium in the town hall included a talk about the recently-launched Bittern Cycle Trail which links the town with the Avalon Marshes. The event was organised by Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce.

Exhibitors at the symposium included Children’s World, Glastonbury Abbey, Chalice Well, Somerset Local Food Direct, Somerset Rural Life Museum and Jill Barker, from the chamber of commerce (centre) Mendip District Council. with exhibitors

Fire with a view

CHEW Magna fire station crew tackled a blaze in the bracken on Knowle Hill Tump between Chew Magna and Chew Valley Lake. It took an hour for them to bring it under control, while they could also appreciate the lake view.

The station is looking to recruit on-call firefighters.

Details: https://yesyoucan.careers/on-call-firefighter MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Cheddar craft fair

CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club are holding their Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, April 27th in Cheddar Village Hall, 10am–2pm.

There will be a wide variety of crafts on display as well as a raffle and refreshments. If you are a crafter and would like to attend there are a couple of stalls left. Entry forms and terms and conditions are on their website.

Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk

Getting creative

TREEHOUSE Buildings are a small team of carpenters based in Cheddar. Their unique “Create Together” approach lets you get involved as little or as much as you like.

They say creating is fun; some people find pictures of things they like and they do the rest. Other people like to pick up a hammer and help with the build which saves on labour.

“The important thing is that your new space suits you, the garden and your budget. We are always keen to try new shapes styles and have a range of solutions for tricky locations,” they say.

They describe design as a process and say the challenge is finding a balance between quality and price. They do not markup materials, all costs will be on the table so by getting involved in the design, you can help make those decisions to ensure the project delivers best value.

“Let’s get creative!” is their motto.

Looking for that dream outdoor space?

Porcelain

from £33m2 inc. VAT

River Sandstone from £19.20m2

en look no further see the full range at our showroom. Want to install yourself? We can offer supply, guidance and practical tips. Installation teams also available, offering a full install service.

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

inc. VAT

2B Valley Line Industrial Park, Wedmore Road, Cheddar, BS27 3EE or call us on 01934 740163 Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat

Smooth Sandstone from £24m2 inc. VAT PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Follow us on . . .

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Top of the Gorge Festival returns

AFTER a wildly successful launch last year, on a sunsoaked weekend in June, the Top of the Gorge Festival is returning to the Mendip Hills this year with an even bigger line-up of adventure and alfresco entertainment.

The weekend-long event, organised by the National Trust, takes place on a beautiful meadow just outside Cheddar, above Black Rock, with views through the worldfamous gorge and over the Mendip Hills to the Somerset coast.

Campers and day visitors alike can take part in all sorts of pursuits, ranging from trail-running and mountain-bike challenges across various distances, to climbing and caving, guided walks and more sedate experiences such as star gazing, food foraging, yoga and campfire cooking.

The event is very family friendly, and has activities that will inspire everyone from the complete beginner to the most experienced runner or rider.

Across the day there will be talks from famous outdoor athletes, explorers and authors, and in the evening the site turns into a concert amphitheatre, with bands and a DJ getting people up and dancing.

All weekend, carefully selected vendors will be offering a sensational array of flavours, with produce on sale including craft cider, ales and small-batch spirits made in the Mendips, and international streetfood inspired by the cuisines of the world, but cooked with local ingredients.

New additions to the sporting line-up this year include a road-cycling experience called the Mendip Lakes and Lumps, which will send participants right through the gorge and along lanes that wend between the area’s signature sights.

Bands include local favourites The Drystones and Kindred, while the speakers line-up features ultra-runner Susie Chan, internationally renowned alpinist and climber (and Mendip local) Matt Helliker, “World Bike Girl” Ishbel Holmes and Bristolian Ben Smith, who once ran 401 consecutive marathons around the world and is about to take on another huge expedition in the United States.

All this and much more is happening on the weekend June 14th–16th. Don’t miss out.

FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

Rebel with a cause IN June Bev Hemmings will celebrate the second anniversary of opening her salon Rebel Hairdressing in Union Street, Cheddar and has had a busy couple of years.

She’s been joined by stylist, Hayley Chidzey, and junior stylist, Abby Davies, to help cope with demand.

Hayley has a special interest in creative colour and Abby is keen to expand her skills in precision cutting.

Bev and her team specialise in long hair styling, including weddings and prom packages and have recently worked on a vintage Avant Garde photo-shoot.

Last year Bev worked on location doing hair on a short period drama film, which was shown at a few film festivals internationally.

The Rebel team are

inspired to create the perfect cut and/or colour and offer free consultations to ensure their clients receive the right advice on what will suit them.

Bev said: “I’m really pleased with how the business has grown, we’re in a great location here and are very well supported by our clients”.

Specialists in creative colouring, cutting and long hair styling.

Wedding and Prom packages can be arranged Union Street, Cheddar Call 01934 744913 Opening times Monday 9am – 5.30pm Tuesday 9am – 5.30pm Wednesday 9am – 3pm Thursday 10am – 8pm Friday 9am – 5.30pm Saturday 9am – 3pm Sunday Closed

Details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/topofthegorge

CHEDDAR NURSERY Strawberries and bedding plants when available Garden shrubs and plants Compost, pots and accessories Sharpham Road, Cheddar BS27 3DR 01934 742135

CHEDDAR

● Extensive range of quality greetings cards ● Stationery and office supplies ● Foreign currency ● Photo booth and passport check and send service

TEL: 01934 741022

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip loses one of its unsung heroes

By Steve Egginton

THE last remaining member of Mendip’s secret army, Verdon Besley, has died at the age of 93. The “auxiliary units” were set up at the start of WW2 to provide resistance in the event of a German invasion. They were disbanded 75 years ago this year.

Verdon, who was born in Axbridge and lived in Cheddar, joined at the age of 16, part of the Sandford Levvy Patrol, which used a mine at Winscombe as its hideout. There were similar patrols with bases in caves and underground in Cheddar, Wrington, Compton Bishop and Blagdon.

Verdon recalled in a book by Donald Brown: “I had to sign this secret form. Not even my parents knew. They thought it was just Home Guard.”

The book recalled in detail how caves and mines housed bunk beds, stores and ammunition. One of its members in Wrington Wood had a thumb and half his hand blown off with a detonator.

Verdon described some of the training: “Down at Cliff Banner’s house he’d be practising blowing down his trees. I remember him giving me this explosive, it was like Plasticine.

We had fuses, red, green, yellow and blue timed from instantaneous up to so many seconds or minutes. It was all stored in Cliff’s house.

“He took us to Sandford Quarry to throw Molotov cocktails.

We made our own with petrol in bottles.”

At the age of 18, Verdon joined the Queen’s Royal Regiment and went all the way through to Berlin at the end of the war.

At one point they were holed up in a farmhouse on the Dutch-German border. Using his auxiliary unit training Verdon threw a phosphorous grenade to get the Germans out. When the Germans counter-attacked he fired his last bullet through the window at a man shouting in German.

It turned out the man was Robert Maxwell shouting at the Germans to surrender. The newspaper tycoon won the Military Cross for his action, on the day after Verdon’s 19th birthday.

Verdon later appeared in Maxwell’s autobiography and he and his wife Dorothy were asked on to a television programme, This Is Your Life, devoted to him.

After the war Verdon joined the railways and was a signalman at Axbridge for a time. Dorothy said: “At that time the embankments were covered in strawberries, it was a lovely sight. When the telegrams came,

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PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Verdon and Dorothy

they were loaded up and sent to market.

“He worked at various stations. On the main line he remembered seeing the Queen and the Beatles.”

The couple had been married for 40 years.

Verdon was one of the founders of the local Royal British Legion and read the roll of honour on Remembrance Sunday last November at St Andrew’s Church, Compton Bishop. He was told he had prostate cancer four years ago.

There was a large congregation for his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in his home village, Axbridge.

Mendip has lost one of its modest unsung heroes.

Mendip Times MAGAZINE

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

COURT HOUSE

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 and outstanding for Care The Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

Charity fashion show

KATIE-Boo has launched its new spring/summer range and this year it will not disappoint.

They stock three independent South West companies: Lily and Me, Brakeburn and Lazy Jacks along with gorgeous accessories brands and the ever-popular bamboo socks.

On May 10th they are holding their annual fashion shoe at Draycott village hall. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets are available from the shop and are £6 in advance or £7 on the door – to include a glass of wine/orange juice.

All money raised will go to Weston HospiceCare. Local craft stalls and beauty treatments will be available after the show.

Ladies Fashion and Accessories Shop 2, Dorchester House Union Street, Cheddar Somerset BS27 3NB

01934 741899 Email: Karengraves747@yahoo.com

Butchers n Fishmongers n Delicatessen n Hog Roasts n Celebration Cheese Towers

Arts festival has 20 venues

PLANNING is well underway for the Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival (CHAFF), which takes place in and around Cheddar on the May bank holiday weekend May 4th6th.

In its third year, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with 34 Cheddar artists and up and coming young artists

By Matthew Baker from local schools exhibiting in 20 venues around the village.

The event, which last year attracted as many as 200 visitors per venue per day raised over £600 for charities. It is unique in the way it directs Cheddar villagers and tourists alike to parts of the village visitors don’t always see.

Look out for festival programmes, which include a detailed map and act as your definitive guide to all things Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival 2019.

Details: www.cheddarartists.co.uk

Antiques and collectables

RIPLEY Antiques & Vintage in Axbridge and Ain't Too Proud to Browse in Cheddar sell antiques, vintage, vinyl and collectables. So if you're home needs furnishing with quality items that can tell a story and add something more soulful, while also being more ethical and environmentally friendly, then make sure you look there first.

Ripley Antiques hold a monthly Bistro which is proving very popular and a lot of fun! They invite people to contact them for more information. They are holding their first auction in Axbridge Town Hall on Sunday, March 31st, viewing 12.30pm, sale 2.30pm and will be taking in items the day before. They are planning to make it a regular event.

They offer a professional clearance and probate service and also buy quality items. Customers can email photos or pop in and see them, they are always welcome.

n

Ripley Antiques & Vintage offer you a warm welcome to peruse quality items perfect for a beautiful and stylish home.

Once a month, Ripley Antiques becomes a Pop up Bistro which offers a tasty and wholesome 4 course meal and a whole lot of fun!

Look out for the newest venture - AUCTION in the Town Hall: 31 March. (Call in or visit www.ripleyantiques.co.uk for details) Jools and Lou of Ripley Antiques and Ain’t too Proud to Browse offer a friendly and reliable Removal and Clearance service.

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

Kings’ Sixth is a large, exciting, vibrant and successful community

AT the heart of our ethos is our motto: “Believe and Succeed” to inspire students to achieve their potential and we are proud of our traditional values as a centre of excellence.

Teaching and learning is first class within an informal, calm and wellordered atmosphere. Learning is stimulating, nurturing and personalised and our modern facilities make Kings a happy place to be and to study.

Our employability agenda prepares

students for their next steps: a Year 12 Work Experience placement, career talks, mock interviews and a Higher Education programme.

Exciting enrichment activities make studying fun and every year the Senior Student Team organise the lively Charities Week (a must!).

At Kings, we care and love the whole child so that you grow into confident and resilient adults.

Believe and Succeed!

A Level Courses • Biology • Business Studies • Chemistry • Computer Science • Design & Technology (Product Design) • Economics • English Language • English Literature • Film Studies • Fine Art • French • Further Mathematics • Geography • German • History • Mathematics • Music • Philosophy & Ethics • Photography • Physics • Psychology • Sociology • Textiles BTEC Level 3 Diplomas • Applied Science • Business Studies • Performing Arts • Sport and Fitness Services Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma • IT in Digital Media Level 2 BTEC • Work Skills GCSEs • English Language • Mathematics

The Kings of Wessex Academy | Station Road | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3AQ 01934 742608 | office@kowessex.co.uk | kowessex.co.uk | @kowessex

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 47

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MENDIP TIMES

Meet Bouquet’s expanding team SINCE 2015 when Carol and Claire Willcox took over the running of Bouquet Florist in Cheddar they have successfully built up a team of over ten amazing florists, designers, drivers and support staff.

The busy flower shop is located on the corner of Redcliffe Street and Cliff Street in Cheddar. They deliver seven days a week throughout Somerset. Meet the team.

Claire, (florist, weddings and events co-ordinator and director, is the daughter of the mother and daughter team and lives in nearby Nyland. She has a little boy called Jasper who can normally be found in the shop with her.

Carol, head florist and director, has been a member of the team at Bouquet for over 15 years, taking over the shop with daughter Claire in 2015. She is a farmer’s wife and farmer’s daughter from the Wedmore area so knows lots of local faces!

Nikki, florist, can be found in the shop or behind the scenes preparing floral designs ready for delivery. She is also a teacher at the Bouquet Flower School.

Rachel, florist, is the newest member of the team and is an experienced florist. She is a Cheddar girl and has lived in the village all her life.

Charley, apprentice florist, is currently building up her skills in the floristry industry. She has an amazing creative eye and brings her own unique style to the design team.

Lindsey, office manager, is Carol’s niece and is currently on maternity leave, after having a beautiful baby girl, Harriett.

Lindsey is in charge of all the office and administration aspects

FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

of the business. Linz, shop assistant, is always there to welcome customers with a smile and assists with the day-to-day running of the shop. Jane, delivery driver, is a retired school teacher from nearby Axbridge, and also helps as a workroom assistant.

Julie, head of plants and horticulture, is Carol’s sister, and is a farmer and joins the team part-time to assist with plant care and ordering. Sue, conditioning and flower care, has been a member of the Bouquet team for over 30 years.

Honor, administration, joined as an after school girl helper and has now progressed to assisting with business administration and social media.

Lottie, shop assistant, is head of floristry preparation and stock, making sure all the florists have everything they need to create amazing designs.

Esmee, workroom assistant, helps out after school, tidying up after the florists at the end of busy days. She is developing lots of skills and they look forward to her growing with the business.

Easter treats

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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.

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PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Traditional Service (Without 1 x Limousine)

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HANSFORD’S are gearing up for Easter at their popular deli in Cheddar and their butchers in Shipham. Easter specials will include hot cross buns, Easter biscuits and cakes to order.

Both offer a warm, friendly welcome and specialise in supplying local meat and produce.

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MENDIP TIMES

Gerald’s new challenge

Pictured (l to r) Valentine’s Ball trustees consultant cardiac anaesthetist, Dr Chris Monk, Gerald Creed, Loraine MorganBrinkhust, Professor Raimondo Ascione, Jim Currant, MD of Islington Ford, Martin Curtiss, MD of Bath Bus Company and James Freeman, MD of First West of England

GERALD Bugler’s Big Hearted Valentine's Ball attracted 150 guests to Bath's Apex Hotel on Saturday, February 9th, raising money for a Fibre Optic Intubating Laryngoscope for the Intensive Care Unit at The Bristol Heart Institute.

Professor Raimondo Ascione, one of the UK's leading heart surgeons and a pioneer of the 'Beating Heart' operation was the guest speaker. He carried out a triple heart by-pass on Gerald last year.

Now Gerald, who runs Bugler Coaches in Clutton, is planning another mega event to raise the other half of the money needed.

He said: “Thanks again to all of our friends in the bus and coach business for their support and sponsorship and making me proud to work in an industry that comes together to raise money to save lives.”

Fly fishing charity

MEMBERS of fly fishing charity, South West Fishing For Life, are among those getting eager to get out on the water and start fishing again! The charity was set up 11 years ago for women who have had breast cancer.

The gentle exercise of casting helps to build up muscle and tissue around the chest area after surgery. The group also offers support and helps members build new friendships with like-minded people.

Fishing For Life now has 11 groups over the country. The sessions are all monthly and free to people who have suffered or are suffering with breast cancer. All the groups are run by volunteers and qualified coaches who give their time.

The organisation is run by a group of four volunteer trustees all based on Exmoor near Wimbleball Lake.

Details: www.southwestfishingforlife.org.uk

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Mendip staff wear red for Ben

MENDIP District Council’s charity of the year, CLIC Sargent, asked people to wear red in honour of Ben Crutchley from Frome, who died from cancer in 2012. His family have been supported by two CLIC Sargent nurses ever since Ben was diagnosed.

It was the council’s dress-down day on February 22nd and many of their staff wore red to honour and remember Ben, as well as donating money to support CLIC Sargent to help other families in a similar situation.

Ben's family have been working hard over the years to raise funds for CLIC Sargent and have now raised almost £230,000, with the aim to raise £1million.

They organise the Mells 10k held in October every year in honour of Ben. Anyone can sign up to either walk, run or cycle a 10k route around Mells.

Details: www.mells10k.com • www.clicsargent.org.uk

Parkinson’s support

WORLD Parkinson’s Day is on Thursday, April 11th and members of the NW Somerset branch of Parkinson’s UK will be at the Community Hub, 54 High Street, Nailsea between 10.30-2.30pm to welcome all those with Parkinson’s, their family members, friends and carers who would like to drop in for information, a chat and coffee.

During that week there will also be information boards in libraries around the area. In Portishead on Saturday, April 6th, 10am-12 noon, there will be a coffee morning drop-in at the Eve Wigan Room, Folk Hall, 95, High Street.

The usual monthly branch meeting will be on Saturday, April 13th, 10.30am-12.15pm at St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea, with guest speaker Lynne Griffin from Age UK talking about scams and the scammers who want your money!

The annual coffee morning at Yatton Methodist Church Hall raising funds for the NW Somerset branch of Parkinson’s UK will be on Saturday, April 27th. There will be stalls selling cakes, bric-a-brac, plants and books.

Details: 01934 834060

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Jason’s close shave supports youngsters

JASON Preston went a year without shaving his beard, raising more than £1,100 for Radstock Juniors, a social group for young people with a learning disability.

During this time he dyed his beard various colours for different events including decorating it at Christmas.

Some of the young people from the group cheered him on as he had the beard shaved off at Diamond Scissors in Radstock.

The club meets every Tuesday and is part of Keynsham and District Mencap Society a self-funding charity that recently celebrated 40 years.

The money will go a long way to providing new and

Strawberry Line challenge

YEO Valley Lions Club will be holding its ninth Strawberry Lion Challenge on Sunday, May 19th.

Three routes start from Yatton Station, a leisurely five-mile return trip to the Fishing Lakes Café at Congresbury, a 13-mile return trip to the Millenium Green at Winscombe and a 20-mile return trip to Axbridge.

In addition to walking or running, entrants have previously used various modes of transport including mobility scooters and cycles.

Participants can raise money for their own club or charity and contribute to the Lions chosen beneficiary. Last year the Lions were able to present a cheque for £1,700 to Springboard Opportunities Group.

This year their charity is Cintre, an organisation that supports adults with a

CHARITIES

exciting activities that will broaden the horizons of the members of the club.

Jason is an avid supporter of the society and the club and is a dedicated fundraiser. So far he has taken part in sponsored bike rides from Midsomer Norton to Weston, from Midsomer Norton to Brean and took part in the Prudential 100-mile bike ride in London.

He also organised a fundraising disco party. Since 2013 Jason has raised over £4,600 for the club.

Get in touch if you would like to know more about the clubs that are run by Keynsham and District Mencap or to volunteer or raise funds.

Details: laura@keynshammencap.org.uk

variety of behavioural challenges within North Somerset and surrounding areas.

The event in past years has been well supported by the local Guides and Brownies, sports and youth clubs, charities and individual families who Details: www.yeovalleylions.org.uk

just want a fun day out to raise money for a good cause.

Local businesses generously contribute by allowing the Lions to provide a pack of drinks and snacks for all entrants.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

Somerton show supports charity MADE in Somerset returns to Somerton on Saturday, May 4th with a fresh new mix of talented stallholders for its fifth consecutive year.

Started in 2015, each year it has grown and this year is no exception with two venues: the top floor of ACEarts Gallery and for the first time The Parish Rooms, just across Somerton’s historic Market Place.

The event offers a unique selection of stallholders as all are

Last year’s event

handpicked and individually invited by the organisers and all must be based in Somerset. There will be 35 there this year.

The show is a fundraising event for local charity Etatu, which aims to improve the lives of children in Kenya through a focus on education.

This year for the first time, two girls sponsored by Etatu will go on to university, whilst a further five will attend college. Without Etatu’s support they would have been unable to attend secondary school.

Founder of Etatu, Jacquie Lindgren, who grew up in Kenya and now lives in Street, said: “Etatu sponsors girls through secondary school who, because of extreme hardship or family circumstances, would otherwise not be able to stay in education.

“The group of girls who will this year go on to further education demonstrates the life-changing difference we can make to these young people. Direct support, targeted to where it is needed, can be exactly the right help at the right time which can transform these children’s lives.”

Details: Jacquie Lindgren 07775 997227 jacquie@etatu.org.uk Virginia Banks 07799 412440 virginiabanks@woodlanehouse.co.uk Hannah Rowe 07711 068005 hannah.rowe66@btinternet.com

Wings and prayers

JOHN Collins is planning a wing-walk to raise money for the charity Myeloma UK which supports patients and funds research into this rare blood cancer.

The retired health worker from Shipham will take to the skies at Staverton airport in Gloucestershire on June 21st.

He and his partner, Danny Lynch, are among the 37 volunteers at Lenny’s café in Shipham, which itself raised £5,000 for charities and the village’s St Leonard’s Church last year.

June is Myeloma Awareness Month and the café’s June takings will go to the charity. In August it will support Weston HospiceCare, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

John, aged 60, moved to Shipham from Worcestershire about a year ago. He was diagnosed with myeloma in 2013 and had chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and is now in remission.

He said: “It’s such a friendly, welcoming place. I’m really pleased we made the move here. Even before I do the wing-walk people have donated nearly £1,000.”

Lenny’s, which started 22 years ago, is open

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Pictured (l to r) Lenny’s volunteers Margaret Howell, Danny Lynch, John Collins, Mo Armstead and Janet Leek

Monday-Thursday 11am-3pm and on Saturdays 10am-12noon.

Run entirely by volunteers, it’s now added fresh meals and specials to its home-made cakes, soups and teas.

One of its aims this year, apart from raising money for charity, is to put flushing toilets into the church, replacing the current compostable loo.

Details: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Collins37

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Walking for charity

THE ever-popular Nailsea Charity Walks and Runs sponsored and organised by Rotary, Nailsea and Backwell and now in their eighth year, are to take place on Sunday, June 9th.

Last year, two new records were set. Over £26,000 was raised for and by local causes and more than 300 people registered for the event. In the seven years since it started the event has raised £120,000.

You can participate alone, with family and friends or as part of a fundraising activity for your favourite good cause, walking three, six or 12 miles. There is a registration fee of £7 per person aged 18 or over; those aged 17 and below go free.

Details: Google enter Rotary Nailsea or contact Graham 07970 771845 or e-mail grahamjeanhunt@tiscali.co.uk

Charity climb

Aidan, Matt and Naftali

CHURCHILL-based charity, Mend the Gap, has a new young supporter for its school projects in Kenya.

Aidan Cattell, aged seven, was so inspired by a talk from the charity’s head, Naftali Onchere, that he’s planning to climb Snowdon this Easter to raise money for it – and he’s taking his father Matt with him.

Naftali spoke at Norton Fitzwarren Church School, near Taunton about how the charity strives to help children and families in Kenya who suffer from hunger, drought and disease.

Aidan’s father said: “Aidan lay awake that night thinking of a way that he could help this community and the children who are less fortunate than he is.”

Aidan has already received support from as far away as Europe and America on his JustGiving fundraising page. He practices and exercises every day in preparation for the climb.

Details: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthewcattell3 www.mendthegap.org.uk

CHARITIES

A towering challenge

Taking on the challenge: (l:r) cathedral CEO Jackie Croft, the Very Rev. Dr John Davies, the Dean of Wells, SOS Africa founder Matt Crowcombe and abseil specialist Ian Burton from Aardvark Endeavours

PEOPLE with a head for heights are being invited to sign up for a unique charity challenge this autumn – to abseil from the north west tower of Wells Cathedral.

It will be a one-off opportunity to abseil freefall-style the 124 feet from the tower, raising money for SOS Africa and the cathedral itself.

For the past ten years, the Shepton Mallet-based charity has organised eye-catching fundraising events, ranging from an abseil from the top of the pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival site to a 24-hour lock inside Shepton Mallet prison.

The festival abseil raised £40,000 alone.

SOS Africa founder Matt Crowcombe said: “In my opinion, this is the greatest challenge to date, and we cannot wait to get started!”

Amongst those expected to take part is the Dean of Wells, the Very Rev. Dr John Davies, who abseiled down Derby Cathedral when he was dean of the city.

The abseils will take place from Friday, September 27th to Saturday, October 5th, from 9am to 6pm. Participants will descend from a cantilever scaffold platform extending from the tower, so they won’t touch the side of the building. The platform will be built by Riley’s Cranes and Montana Scaffolding.

SOS Africa Charity was founded in 2003 to fund the education of underprivileged South African children and now operates four education programmes supporting 178 children across the country.

Entries are now open. For details, visit www.sosafrica.com/wellscathedralabseil

Bikers support charity

WELLS Classic Motorcycle Club will run its popular Tortoise and Hare run on Sunday, June 2nd. Last year’s event raised £4,500 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, plus a small donation to Blood Bikes.

The coffee stop for this year will be Winscombe Community Centre so the routes can take in more of the area’s outstanding countryside. They are looking for some riders to sign up as marshals. Entries are limited so the advice is to book early.

Details: tandhwcmc@hotmail.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

CHARITIES

Cancer specialist

Marching for hospice

Charity show

MORE than 170 walkers took part in the inaugural ten-mile Men’s March in aid of Weston Hospicecare from Weston to Sand Bay and back.

They were rewarded with a free pint of cider when they crossed the finish line thanks to event sponsor Thatchers.

Those looking to get involved in another walking event for the hospice should check out the Mendip Challenge on Sunday, June 2nd. The charity’s flagship event is expecting a bumper year to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

There’s a choice of ten, 20 or 30-mile routes across the Mendips.

CANCER support group, Macmillan Help About, is hosting an evening on Thursday, April 11th with oncology consultant and author, Dr Sam Guglani.

He will be speaking about why human relationships are as central to the practice of medicine as are science and technology – and how sometimes storytelling can help us understand this.

Sam chairs the Gloucestershire Hospital Trust’s law and ethics group and holds master’s degrees in ethics and creative writing. He is the founder and director of Medicine Unboxed, which utilises the arts and creative industries to bring different perspectives to medicine.

This event, at the Market House, Castle Cary, 7pm-9pm, is free, but numbers are restricted, so tickets are essential and can be collected from the Bailey Hill Bookshop.

Macmillan Help About are a group of volunteers who offer practical help to people affected by cancer and cover the Shepton Mallet area through the local GP surgeries.

Peter Wells (left) presenting the cheque to Peter Bailey from Meningitis Research

Coffee for children

DESPITE having only two months of rehearsals and coping with the weather, the Sutton Theatre Company supported its founder Peter Wells, by performing a wonderful show one weekend, raising £2,500 for the Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of Peter's late wife, Maggie, who died from meningitis in January 2018.

WEDMORE-based Help the Child charity held a spring coffee morning at Wedmore Golf Club, raising more than £1,100.

The money will go towards purchasing specialised equipment for children in Somerset. The charity said: “The event was extremely well attended. Help the Child would like to thank Wedmore Golf Club for their kind hospitality.”

For details about the charity, visit: www.helpthechild.org.uk PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Details: westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendip/

Helping deaf children

A £300 donation from Clevedon Lions Club was presented at a convention for all Lions Clubs in the South West recently in support of the Lions’ regional project to provide specially trained dogs for severely deaf children in our area.

The dogs are trained to alert their owners to door bells, telephones and alarms etc as well as being a friend to the child in what is a lonely, quiet world.

Clevedon Lions are pictured with Wren, one of the trained cocker spaniels.

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EVENTS

Hedging in Blagdon

WRINGTON and Burrington Hedging Society’s 187th annual competition was held at Holt Farm, Blagdon, courtesy of Mary and Tim Mead.

It attracted 43 competitors, including 12 beginners, 12 improvers, four veterans and nine each in the open and champions’ classes.

The produce classes were also popular.

Some of the winners

It was quite a challenge

Best beginner and U-25 George Ruddle-Hellier, originally from Wells, with Bristol supporters Jessie Greenwood and Alex Wilson

Before . . .

Time for tea

After

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

Time to get out this summer

IN this unique part of the country it has always amazed me that there are so many differences between all the villages and towns that coalesce to form the place we know as “Mendip”.

I like the fact that the people of Winscombe are different from those at Paulton and in fact from all the other scattered inhabited hills and valleys and that their different aims, social agendas, business locations and many other factors all go together to make up and enrich the wider Mendip community.

Just a read through the Mendip Times shows the many faceted, numerous and varied activities going on all around us.

I am continually pleased by the wealth of these activities going to make up the overall spirit that binds us all together.

Last month, Dr Phil Hammond listed a whole raft of the many varied interests and activities that take place in community groups of which one, some, or even all would interest the majority of us. His message of feeling valued and connected made me think of just how much social change goes on around us all the time.

Just as the NHS is changing, so is our community. One example is that of social media. I belong to many organisations and groups and over the years I have noticed the same familiar faces whilst I constantly hear the complaint of "Where are the youngsters?"

Well, they are not just staring into their phones, but have discovered a whole new method of communicating!

Within my own village of Winford, it’s nice to see that the appeal for

Tea break

volunteers to take over the running of the local Post Office has been mainly done through social media and the whole scheme is taking shape as a result.

Change indeed. As Doctor Phil says: “The real health service is not within the walls of your GP practice or hospital, but in community groups – anything which makes you feel connected, valued, included and welcomed does more for your health than any pill.”

So, as he suggests, go out and join something and you will see that it’s a gateway to meeting new people who are friends you have just not yet met.

To this end The Mendip Society is very pleased that it can partner several all-inclusive groups that enable people to get out into the countryside and indeed that it can run a programme of

Charcoal sticks

training and events of its own that do so too.

We are very lucky to have two lovely nature reserves, a wood and a flower meadow, where visitors and workers alike say they can feel the peace and calm of the place and are very much at home.

We quite often have new visitors, who through no fault of their own have lost any feeling of their own worth or connection with any community, who say to us: “I’m just going to try it, just this once you understand” (be it hedging, walling, clearing or planting) but who then stay and become valuable members of our team. So we know you are spot-on, Dr. Phil.

Working in partnership with other community groups, we can enable far more members of the public to try, enjoy and excel at new activities, sometimes something they thought they would never, ever do.

There are quite a few events coming

THE MENDIP SOCIETY

Home-made kiln

up this summer on Mendip where a whole day of fun, challenge and exercise can be had, sometimes for a small charge, but more often at no cost at all.

But first, for all those who like a challenge and feel that they know this Mendip area well, on Friday, April 5th our president, Les Davies, will be quizmaster at “Mendipity”, the Mendip Society fun quiz evening at the Burrington Inn, Burrington Combe.

Make up a team of friends or clubmates, or join one on the night, for a good evening all served up with a ploughman’s supper.

And for those who like to try a bit of a “first” for us – on Saturday, April 13th in our Tania’s Wood Reserve we have a charcoal making day, interwoven with an artist-led class in charcoal drawing with our own-made willow charcoal. Ring 01275 874284 for all details.

And as Dr. Phil says “We need to rekindle ourselves, our families, and our communities”, so do let the many friendly groups and societies we have all over Mendip help you get out and do it – this summer.

Richard Frost and Judith Tranter

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

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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WILDLIFE

A jay – could they be declining in numbers, asks Chris

The jay – a stunning and clever bird

WHEN was the last time you encountered a jay – a colourful member of the crow family?

Based on personal observations over

By CHRIS the years I would SPERRING MBE say that the European jay, although still classed as common and widespread, is not as common as it used to be.

The jay measures around 34cm in length, making it comparable in size to the Jackdaw, and at close quarters it is a stunning bird to say the least. In flight it gives itself away with its iridescent blue wing patches and light ruddy upperparts. Its crown is streaked with black on a white background and it has blue eyes and pinkish feet and legs.

The jay is widely distributed, with more than 30 sub-species occurring in many different countries, each appearing slightly different. The European jay is mainly a woodland bird, but spends a lot of time in urban parks, especially during autumn and

winter.

We tend to see more here in the winter, not only because the leafless trees make observation easier, but also because we have an influx of birds from northern Europe which come here for the milder climate and nut harvest.

The harsh, rasping call of the jay is easily recognisable, but it is also an excellent mimic. I have been fooled many times by jays mimicking tawny owls during daylight and they are also noted as deliberately mimicking other predators such as goshawk, buzzard and sparrowhawk.

Like other members of the crow family, they have a wide and varied diet, which can include live prey, but they are most famous for their autumnal nut collections. It’s not unusual to observe jays staring at the woodland floor and what they are probably doing is using their incredible memory to record where they see small mammals burying or collecting nuts and seeds.

They store this information and steal the stashes when food is short. It’s interesting to note that it is thought the jay’s fondness for acorns is the reason

why the English oak spread so quickly after the last Ice Age and may also be the Jays influence in recent times that has helped in the rapid spread of Holm oak.

During March and April, the male will start to bring food offerings to the female as part of an elaborate courtship.

They will construct a cup-shaped nest made of small twigs and branches, usually within tall scrub or woodland tree, into which four to six eggs are laid and hatch after around 20 days.

Fledging normally takes around three weeks.

Later in the season watch out for jays using their intelligence to employ another animal’s services. This happens most commonly in woodlands where nests of large, aggressive wood ants can be found. The jays will land on the ants’ nest and roll around, sometimes beating their wings to deliberately annoy the ants so that they angrily try to defend their nest by spraying formic acid over the threat. It is thought that this acts to cleanse the bird of parasites and help keep the feathers in good condition.

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him via chris.sperring@btinternet.com

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

A spring ramble around Wrington

HERE is a choice of a three or two-hour circle from my home village of Wrington which explores the beauty of Wrington Hill and gives glorious south-facing views. There are flat fields, woodland with bluebells in season, blossom trees, the open land of fields on the hill and a woodland stretch above Goblin Combe. I saw my first two blooming bluebells on this walk this year on March 8th – not bad – so expect bluebells to be much earlier than usual.

There is a steady climb up through woodland after the flat fields and shorter and more gentle uphill stretches, but the

With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

rest is fairly level apart from the downhill back to the village enjoying the sun and views across to the Mendip Hills. Expect some mud in woodland particularly on the longer route depending on the weather. The first part of the walk has been transformed by metal kissing and small gates replacing stiles. So, with only about three stiles, it is good for dogs too. Expect some noise from overflying planes from the airport.

Back in Wrington are two pubs and a great cafe with a new organic “food scoop” shop at the back.

PARK: Somewhere safe and suitable in Wrington. The village lies in Wrington Vale between the A370 at Congresbury and the A38 about three miles south of Bristol airport. The village was formerly a market town under the Charter of King Edward.

START: At the lychgate to the fine church with its stunning tower, a landmark for miles. Go through into the churchyard and round past All Saints Church renowned for its pinnacle tower.

When the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt in 1835 after destruction by fire, it is recorded that architect, Sir Charles Barry, used the proportions of Wrington tower as a basis for his design for the "Victoria Tower" of Parliament. Go out through the other gate and into the Triangle. John Locke, one of the foremost philosophers of the 17th century, was born in a cottage in the Triangle – now demolished – but he never lived in the village. Turn left into the residential road Ladywell. Ignore a

private drive and shortly turn right up a marked footpath.

1. FIELDS Once through the gate at the other end, turn left in the field, through a kissing gate and on through another kissing gate.

Keep on, with hedge on right and, near the field corner, turn right through a gate and then left through another in the same direction as before. Not far past a large pylon, turn left through a gate and now it’s right with the hedge back on your right. They are continuing a big programme of clearance and regeneration along here and it may still be muddy.

At the field end take the gate ahead of you and shortly continue on through another gate. In this field head diagonally across to a kissing gate in the far corner which leads onto a hedged footpath.

Reach a drive/track. Now follow this to the main road, the West Hay Road.

2. ROAD Cross and go left a few yards and then right up the drive to Stonewall Grove.

Just past the house, take the gate ahead and go on between fence and bank, where you may well find llamas grazing.

Cross a stile and in the field turn right along the hedge to the corner and take another stile into woodland.

3. WOODS Now begins a steady climb where in season you can enjoy the first of this walk’s bluebells. Stay on the main path avoiding side turns. Come up to the end of the wood and a kissing gate into a field. Head straight across passing two

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WALKING

oaks and leave the field through an opening between gorse bushes, brambles and a large holly. Maintain direction in the next field, going through a gate in the top left corner and ahead across the hill with fine views across Wrington Vale to the Mendip Hills. Ahead another kissing gate should be visible. This takes you onto a track.

4. WRINGTON HILL Go left and reach the road on Wrington Hill. It’s right now for a few yards to the first footpath/private drive left.

Here is a choice.

For the short route stay on the road, round the bend and take the footpath on the left which leads up across an open field. On the far side a kissing gate leads onto a track. This is the top of Old Hill.

Turn left. The track then bends right.

Ignore a side track and just continue through gates until you near Meeting House Farm up left. Reach a tree seat right and follow the longer route from 8. TREE SEAT turning right at first.

For the longer route, go left. Follow the track/drive past a few dwellings including Wrington Hill Farm. At the end go through the gate ahead coming into the edge of Goblin Combe Reserve woodland.

5. GOBLIN COMBE Shortly, just after the wall corner, fork right, ascending on a smaller path to reach a crossing track. Turn right and continue uphill for a short while along near the edge of woodland in Goblin Combe Nature Reserve. This reserve, centred on a limestone gorge stretches from Redhill near Bristol airport through to Cleeve and has contrasting areas, from airy grasslands to craggy sides, a valley and woodland. It is noted for its butterflies and hazel dormice.

At a fork of paths, stay right. Continue on. A path comes up from the left but you just maintain direction, staying parallel with the wood edge. The path may well be muddy in stretches and is smaller now.

It bends right and after about 42 large paces you reach a fork shortly before the left path starts to drift left.

6. FORK* There is a pine tree ahead between the fork of these two small paths and a small post in the ground. Turn right and the path winds back to nearer the wood edge again. Follow it through the woods for several minutes with the wood edge not far away on your right. Then the path

Le

OS Explorer 154 Bristol West & Portishead, grid ref: 465 628 5.8miles, about 3 hours walking, and a shorter route of 4.5 miles about 2 hours.

bends left when you reach a corner in the woodland. Carry on close to the righthand edge and all the way, winding along until you reach a bigger track. You are nearly out of the wood with fields ahead.

Turn right under an avenue of beech trees. Go to the very end of the avenue and join a track. Turn left a yard or two and then right on a fenced path

7. FENCED PATH It leads between fields to a stile into woodland. Go on a few yards to a choice of footpaths and turn right. Cross a stile into a large field. Go diagonally left across between power poles and when you reach the fence on the other side, turn along it left. Soon, at the fence corner (not the field corner), drop down to a larger grassy track below. Go down right, through a Bristol Gate (with a pedestrian gate built in) and down, passing a small industrial estate. Just past the speed bump, turn right through a small metal gate linked to a large gate.

Follow the fence on the left, behind which is a gorgeous bluebell wood.

Continue to the drive which you follow, past a line of cherry trees, with beautiful Meeting House Farm right.

8. TREE SEAT Then, turn left by a wooden tree seat with the saying “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit under”. Go under another avenue of blossom trees and into a field. Follow the left hedge

down, round the corner and continue to a footpath on the left. This takes you downhill through woodland – bluebells again – under a wooden bridge and up into a field. Carry on along the hedgeline starting to get great views. On the far side of the field go through a gate and left down the field edge and along the bottom. Go through a gate and drop down to a drive. Carry on downhill until you reach a crossing track, which is Old Hill.

9. OLD HILL Turn left downhill to a junction at the top of Wrington by a triangle of grass with a seat and the site of the old “hanging tree” where convicted felons drew their last breath. Go straight on, down School Road which leads to the village centre and a junction. The Plough Inn is a few yards to your right, or turn left and then right into Broad Street where markets used to be held. The Golden Lion is here and then further on, the Little Red Hen cafe and Zero Waste Pantry behind. *If you miss the fork, don’t worry – simply follow the path as it winds downhill and eventually bends round to join a broad crossing track just outside the wood. Turn right uphill all the way to a junction with a fenced path going left.

Continue from FENCED PATH. The Plough Inn, O1934 862871 The Golden Lion, 01934 861189 not always open lunchtimes Mother Hen, 01934 863889

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

THERE is a storm battering the outside of the house as I sit down to write this month’s column. I don’t know which letter of the alphabet we are up to in naming these things, but they seem to be more frequent these days. Again I wonder if it’s climate change making itself known With LES to us?

DAVIES MBE As always, I have a short memory when it comes to the weather and forget the warm spell we had a couple of weeks back. Then I was saying “We need a cold spell now to hold the trees back... I’ve still got a lot of pruning to do!” Are any of us really happy when it comes to the weather?

In truth the pruning and other tree work has gone well. My orchard workshops have been held in good weather, which is always a bonus. We take much more notice when the sun is shining, instead of being in a survival mode.

In March I took the “Westcountryman” road show to South Gloucestershire and Dorset, together with one at the Somerset Rural Life Museum and even a session at Eldred’s Orchard in Blagdon. Practical skills have to be handed on.

After all, what is the value of knowledge unless we can hand it on to others?

There is a thirst for practical skills now more than ever, as most people’s lives are driven by technology and a less practical world of employment – there is something deep within us that needs to create and do work with our hands apart from pressing the keys on a computer.

I have managed to get up to Foxwood and carry out some coppicing work. This is something I missed last year, but was determined to do this time. It will provide my winter supply of firewood, more bean sticks for the garden and maintain the woodland structure.

I have always said that what I do is not like a “real job”.

Sitting up there in the sunshine with a flask of tea and a pancake from Clive Higgins’s Pit Stop sandwich van in Wells, can there be any better place in the world? In truth I am guilty of a rose-tinted view of life.

There was a whole industry that literally grew from these woodlands and a wide range of timber products that came from them. Today many of those products have been replaced by manufacturing using modern materials. The original skills and knowledge are only being kept alive by a few enthusiastic and committed individuals.

Nostalgia is not what it used to be! I look at some of those old black and white photos taken in the 1920s and 30s. They are all posed and portray the rural worker as being happy with their simple lot in life. In truth it was probably far from that and many would have held a desire to escape from it – but to where?

Some were lured to towns and cities in search of their own pot of gold. Of course the vast majority never attained the dream and some of their descendants drifted back to find the countryside changed forever, they were strangers in the landscape. Yet another dream remained elusive. Others stayed in the countryside and discovered their own reality of family ties and a belonging to the land.

I don’t think that anyone can really understand this feeling of a tie to the land unless they have worked it in some way or another. This does not mean for those who have not, that the “pull” of contentment and a feeling of belonging is not there, it is just slightly different.

Well here we go into the month of April and being traditionally a month of sunshine and showers, I wonder what it holds for us this year? Taking its name from the Greek word for “opening” this is the growing month.

Everything should be starting to kick in from now on, as the daylight hours increase the plants will begin to grow. I never fail to be astounded by the complexity of plant chemistry that starts with that increase in daylight. Wow! We think we are so clever and superior, but when it comes down to plants, especially trees, we come a very sorry second.

Anyway, you have heard all of this from me before, so let’s just sit back and enjoy that explosion of colour from the hedge bottom, the grassy bank and the woodland floor. Take advantage of any fine weather, even showery weather, to be able get out and enjoy the natural world as we know it.

In the meantime there is a lot of work to be done in my garden getting the vegetable patch ready for the food I just love to grow – potatoes, beans and onions. Being on the garden veg patch puts me right back to the days of my childhood, when I would watch my grandfather work his ground and how he would give me a lift home in his wheel barrow at the end of the evening.

If you fancy an inspirational book for those quieter spring days, why not try A Wood of One’s Own, written by Ruth Pavey? It’s the tale of her return to Somerset and the chance purchase of a small piece of derelict woodland near Aller and how that had a profound effect on her. I know Ruth and I know her parcel of woodland and I think that you will enjoy it! Published by Duckworth Overlook, it’s coming out in paperback very soon.

Finally, don’t forget to put the clocks forward at the end of the month as summer time starts. The Mendip Society are holding a quiz evening at the Burrington Inn on Friday, April 5th, so if you fancy making up a team, or just being in one, contact the society secretary via the website on: www.themendipsociety.org.uk. We even have a team from Mendip Times taking part!

This month’s picture is one to fill my heart with joy! An apple orchard in bloom... the swallows will soon be back with us.

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

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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YEO VALLEY

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MENDIP TIMES

Raindrops on roses – a guide to how to grow them

THE rose is voted the nation’s favourite flower time after time, while the bluebell and primrose vie for top spot for our favourite native wildflower. I am prepared to bet that more rose bushes are sold per year than any other single plant species, but if they all survived, we would be kneeWith MARY deep in roses. So, let’s try to simplify rose PAYNE MBE growing.

They can be bought as bare root plants, usually these days via nurseries online. This is the cheapest option, but this type of rose is only suitable for planting during the winter months.

Plants can be purchased in pots at any time of year but ideally planting in the dormant season is preferable.

Every nursery/garden centre will have roses in pots for sale about now but “buyer beware”. Once the bare root season has finished in spring the remaining plants are potted and may be put out for sale by unscrupulous traders. You will be buying a pot of compost; a pot and a bare root rose for a lot more money, so make sure the rose is well established in its pot.

Roses prefer a reasonably well-drained, moisture retentive soil and will also thrive in clay, but often fail to thrive in sandy soils. Over the years there has been differing advice as to how deep to plant a rose.

The current thinking is to bury the “knobbly” bit between the shoots and roots. This is where the rose was grafted in the nursery by placing a single side shoot bud into the stem of the rootstock; unlike fruit which are grafted so that the rootstock controls the vigour of the variety and the graft union must never be buried; with roses it is purely for convenience for plant production.

It is not advisable to plant a rose where a rose had previously been planted. This is due to a problem known as “rose sickness”. Ideally the soil should be changed in that area prior to replanting.

The use of mycorrhizal fungi is recommended, such as Rootgrow. This is available from garden centres and should be scattered in the base of the prepared hole so that the base of the root ball is in contact with the product. This encourages a better root system which should result in better flowering, more vigour and better drought resistance.

Modern roses are often claimed to be disease resistant, but I have yet to come across one except for Rosa rugosa varieties.

Black spot is the main problem and a little care when choosing your variety will help.

Roses with dark green, shiny foliage tend to be more resistant to the disease as their waxy surface makes it harder for the disease spores to germinate on the leaf. Picking off affected leaves as soon as possible will also help as will picking up fallen leaves in the autumn and surface mulching the area.

This helps to prevent the disease spores being splashed back onto the new foliage in the spring. Greenfly are the biggest pest, but can be squashed if your blue tits cannot keep pace with the invasion.

I am often asked what the difference is between a climbing rose and a rambling rose. Ramblers flower on the previous season’s growth and are very vigorous and take a lot of training unless allowed to scramble wildly into an appropriately sized tree.

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Rose Bonica and Clematis Arabella

The thorns on a rambler usually point downwards, like a cat’s claws thus enabling them to grip onto tree bark.

Climbers are simply vigorous forms of normal bush type roses with traditional thorns and need to be tied into a suitable support.

Many books have been written on rose pruning, but let’s simplify it. First, cut out dead, damaged, diseased and weak wood followed by crossing branches to keep the bush open for good air circulation. The trick to remember is the harder you prune the less flower you will get but the quality will be better.

So, for hybrid tea style roses prune hard to 10–30cm from the ground. For multiheaded floribunda style varieties prunes less hard, say 30-50cm from the ground, always cutting to an outward pointing bud. For climbers cut back the growth that flowered last year to a side pointing bud.

For ramblers trained on walls cut out the growth that has flowered immediately after flowering and train in the new growth arching it over. Many old roses can be rejuvenated by cutting one third of the bush HARD back and they usually respond especially if fed and mulched. Patio and miniature roses need less pruning, indeed trying to maintain their vigour is vital.

Roses can be grown in pots, but like anything else in a pot you are duty bound to give it everything it needs by way of food and water during the growing season and the stress of being in a pot may make them more prone to problems.

All roses will perform better given a spring feed of a general and this should be repeated in summer after the first flush of flowering. There are many proprietary brands to choose from. Most will also contain some iron and magnesium.

The choice of which variety to buy is a very personal one often based on colour, size and scent. Too often these days we are tempted by names such as Remember Me or Happy Anniversary. I have to admit that I rarely find these to be the best garden plants.

My all-time top rose is Bonica, a semi-double mid pink bush rose with good foliage and it bears a crop of red hips for added winter interest. This closely followed by Graham Thomas, a yellow English rose, which has been voted the World’s Favourite Rose.

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APRIL GARDEN TIPS

• Plant main crop potatoes. Early varieties may need earthing up to exclude the light from the tubers. Cover shoots with fleece to protect from frost damage.

• Sow more peas and broad beans. Support early sown varieties. Make a first sowing of French beans towards the end of the month.

• Sow vegetable varieties that have inherent pest and disease resistance – Beetroot Boltardy (doesn’t run to seed), Carrot F1 Flyaway (carrot fly), Cucumber F1 Bella (mildew), Parsnip F1 Albion (rust and canker) and the blight resistant tomato F1 Fantasio.

• Start spraying your vegetable plants regularly with Garlic Wonder. This will keep masses of pests away without tasting of garlic. It’s especially good with the cabbage family.

• Sow perpetual spinach, leeks, radish, turnips, lettuces, carrots, beetroot, Swiss chard and summer cauliflowers outside.

• Protect flowers on peaches, nectarines and apricots from frost. Use a soft brush to hand pollinate blooms and increase chances of a good crop.

• It is now safe to prune plum and cherry trees. They are vulnerable to the silver leaf disease if pruned in autumn or winter.

• If your apples and pears suffered from scab last year, spray with Systhane Fungus Fighter now.

• Pot grown fruit trees and bushes can still be planted this month but it’s getting late!

GARDENING Welcome to Cleeve Garden Centre Your local, independent and traditional garden centre Expert and friendly Advice Great plants grown in our own nursery Gift ideas Coffee Shop Café

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We specialise in the manufacture of quality standard and bespoke garden buildings to suit your individual needs including:-

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THE TIMBERYARD • SHUTE SHELVE • CROSS • NEAR AXBRIDGE Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk e.mail: timberbuildings@aol.com

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

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CONSTRUCTION - RENOVATION - MAINTENANCE Moss Control • Weed Eradication • Organic Fertiliser Programmes • Verticutting • Topdressing • Cylinder & Rotary Mowing • Aeration/Drainage Improvements • Seeding/Turfing • Pest & Disease Control • Thatch Removal • Root Pruning Regular Maintenance Visits Or One-Off Treatments Domestic and Commercial Properties

S. Collins – Independent Greenkeeper Mobile: 07971 677790 • Office: 01749 595224

Weston Garden Machinery

Time is precious – free up your weekends

WEST Hill Garden Services offers professional grass cutting, from just £15, covering Wells, Cheddar, Glastonbury and the surrounding towns and villages.

Their grass cutting service using commercial grade mowers can be done weekly, fortnightly, monthly or on a one-off “holiday cut” basis. Strimming and edging is included giving you a healthy and well-kept lawn and all grass clippings are removed and recycled.

West Hill Garden Services recommends mulching your grass cuttings periodically as a great way to add nutrients back into the ground. Special mulching mowers can “mulch” the grass clippings by cutting and re-cutting into fine sections allowing the grass to decompose quickly into the ground and not leaving an unsightly looking lawn.

They offer both a domestic and commercial service covering small lawns to large orchards and paddocks.

Call them on 01749 321123 or email admin@westhillgardenservices.co.uk to arrange a free quote

Gardens support hospice

Garden Machinery & Woodburning Specialists • Sales & Spares • Service & Repairs of Garden Machinery • Arborist Supplies • Woodburning, Multifuel & Gas Stoves

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

Tel: 01934 626093/813261 www.westongarden.co.uk PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

WESTON Hospicecare is inviting people to open their gardens to raise funds. The Open Gardens event raised more than £10,000 last year.

There were gardens open in Blagdon, Hutton, Wrington, Burnham-on-Sea, Weare, East Huntspill, Worlebury, Weston town centre and at the hospice’s own garden on the JacksonBarstow House site in Uphill.

Community fundraiser Sue Harding said: “If your garden is attractive and made special by your hard work, love and care, please think about opening it to raise funds for Weston Hospicecare.”

The charity celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Details: 01934 423900 or email sue.harding@westonhospicecare.org.uk

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NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Rose Cottage, East Harptree

GARDENING

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NURSERY MASBURY, NR. WELLS, SOMERSET BA5 3HA TEL: 01749 841014 FAX: 01749 841055 www.rockymountainnurseries.co.uk COME & SEE OUR FINE RANGE OF FRUIT TREES, SHRUBS, GERANIUMS & FUCHSIAS

Visit our MASBURY’S CAFE

NESTLING into the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills, the one acre hillside cottage garden has panoramic views over the Chew Valley.

The beautiful colours and scents of spring bulbs and blossom will greet visitors to Rose Cottage in April. It is carpeted with narcissi, primroses and hellebores and magnolias in blossom.

The garden is bordered by a stream and established mixed hedges which encourage wildlife into the garden. There is also a wildlife area and pond in the corner of the car park field opposite the cottage.

There are plenty of seating areas, including a large arbour and gravel garden, to enjoy the views and teas as well as the music of Congresbury Brass Band.

Address: Smithams Hill, East Harptree, Bristol BS40 6BY. Facilities: Home-made teas in aid of St Laurence Church, dogs allowed, plants for sale, limited wheelchair access, hillside setting.

NGS opening details: Sunday, April 14th, 2pm-5pm.

Admission: £4.50, children free. Also open by arrangement April-June, home-made teas, admission £5 with accompanied children free.

Details: Bev and Jenny Cruse, 01761 221627 email: banjcruse@gmail.com

Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea Delicious homemade meals.

Sunday Roasts, Outside catering, buffet lunches delivered, themed cuisine events.

Telephone 01749 841155 for further details.

BROWSE AROUND JAMES STORE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.ROCKYMOUNTAINNURSERIES.CO.UK

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES –

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He also offers a range of landscaping services.

His many projects and customer feedback can be found at https://markhamlin.co.uk

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

e-Mail: mark@markhamlin.co.uk • Tel: 01934 835919 • Mob: 07976 018653

OTHER GARDENS OPEN FOR THE NGS To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or local county leaflet, available from local garden centres, or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk

We cover all aspects of Tree surgery including felling, crown reductions, pollarding, tree surveys, hedgecutting and stump removal

For a free quote give Alex a call on 07764 633003 / 01761 462968 or email us: holroydtgs@gmail.com www.holroyd-tgs.com

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

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Dear Mendip Times, The Shepton Mallet branch of the Royal British Legion wishes to say a heartfelt thank you to the people of Shepton Mallet.

This year’s Poppy Appeal, which commenced on 1st October 2018, has already reached over £23,000 and is still growing. This is an unprecedented amount for Shepton Mallet and proves beyond doubt that it is a small town with a BIG HEART. Last year – 2018 – saw the Royal British Legion joining the nation in saying Thank You to the First World War generation. Here in Shepton Mallet we had the Poppy of Honour at our Armistice 100 Day in Collett Park, where a new memorial bench paid for by individual donations was dedicated, an oak tree was planted by direct descendants of a WWII Shepton veteran, and poppy plaques were placed on houses around the town where the A cheque for £105 has been presented by WWI fallen of the the Shepton Mallet branch to the Royal town had lived.

British Legion’s Dunkirk Memorial The money raised House in Taunton for the residents’ amenity fund. Pictured (l:r) are Robert through the Poppy McDonald, Somerset county chairman, Appeal will help the Anne Lewin, DMH manager and Andy legion provide Ransom, the branch chairman information, advice and guidance to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans and their families all year round with specialist recovery centres, recovery through arts projects, jobs, careers, financial and business advice, adventure and family respite breaks.

Personnel Recovery Centres is an initiative delivered in partnership with other service charities, designed to assist wounded, injured and sick service personnel to recover and either return to duty or move successfully into civilian life.

For our veterans and their families, the legion provides household adaption services, Admiral Nurses for those requiring dementia care within the community, financial advice, Aids to Independent Living and a Man with a Van for those small household repairs and minor adaptations. Care Homes situated around the country provide specialist care, including dementia care, for ex-service people and their dependents.

After an amazing year commemorating WWI, we must not forget WWII and the numerous conflicts in which the British Military has fought since, including Suez, Palestine and many others, with more recently Falklands, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s a sobering thought that there has only been one year (1968) in which a British service person has not been killed.

Your help continues to be needed to ensure the memory of those who have given their lives are remembered and honoured, and those who survive conflicts are given the

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

support they require.

Thank you Shepton Mallet for your continued support and generosity. l The Shepton Mallet branch meets on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm at The Club in the High Street. A Veterans Breakfast Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 9.30am the Shepton Brasserie. For details email Jan Crewe at: jdcrbl20@gmail.com Jan Crewe, honorary secretary, Shepton Mallet Royal British Legion Dear Mendip Times, I agree with Richard Sudworth’s letter re litter and waste (March issue). Unfortunately these days there are so many takeaway boxes, tins and bottles everywhere. We could have a £1 deposit on these items and many people would soon clear them up.

Also all plastic bags should have a charge, not just in supermarkets. I believe the government have been discussing these ideas for years. Other countries have similar deposit schemes which work well.

David Attenborough did a wonderful programme about plastics killing huge numbers of sea creatures and of course this happens on land.

One of the worst examples of litter and waste are the many music festivals around the country. The roads leading to these places are always heavily littered at festival time. I have seen people empty out their cars of rubbish in the countryside.

Also any community behaviour order should include criminals keeping all areas litter free. Compulsory DNA samples would simplify detection of all crime, including littering.

Any cost for better recycling facilities should be paid by taxes on producers e.g. builders, restaurants, fast food shops and festivals etc.

If areas are clean and tidy they are mostly kept that way, but once they are littered, then many people do not care and children grow up considering this is normal.

All schools should have strict no littering rules and the children dropping litter or behaving badly would have to clear it up. Their parents would be responsible for their behaviour and any repeated littering by children would have to be cleared by these parents and children together.

John Whiteman Moorlinch

Dear Mendip Times, I look forward to your magazine every month; your contributors always produce an interesting, well written page of local interest. West Countryman Les Davies featured the risk of early spring snow on Mendip, recalling my sheep lambing in early April when he was the A.N.O.B. Warden at Charterhouse, half a mile down the road from our farm.

During one horrendous week-end of freezing snow with newborn lambs being brought in from the fields coated in a layer of ice, I had four warming boxes powered by fan heaters thawing and reviving them; when the ice brought the power lines down, a disaster was unfolding.

Within minutes Les arrived with a petrol generator which he set up and many lambs were saved. He said “our power went down and I thought of you and all these lambs”. No-one had contacted him, he just turned up, a true neighbour and countryman. Thanks Les, it will not be forgotten.

John Small, Warren Farm, Charterhouse

Reader's Opinion DPS.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:43 Page 67

Dear Mendip Times, I fully agree with Richard Sudworth’s comments about litter (letter in March issue). Since there is little that can be done about the morons who cause the problem the only solution in the short term is for more people to clear it up.

As councils don’t seem to do this, it is down to individuals. This need not be a big commitment or require complex organisation, just take a bag and some old gloves when out for a walk and be sensible about what you pick up and where.

Of course, people may say: it’s not my job, I’ll look silly, it’s dirty, it won’t make any difference, etc. etc. None of these objections holds water and the fact is that to make any improvement people have to take action; just deploring the situation is not enough.

As an added incentive, think what litter does for property values and tourism; it shouts out “people around here don’t care”.

In the longer term we need government actions to tackle the problem and its causes. Here are some ideas: 1. Make the proper disposal of rubbish easy and free. Fund this by a charge on anything that will end up being thrown away unless covered by a deposit/return scheme.

2. Ensure that litter bins are plentiful and frequently emptied.

3. Require deposit/return schemes for drinks bottles and cans and re-usable cups for take-away drinks.

4. Require parish councils and other public bodies to clear litter from public spaces and allow them to recover costs from companies whose products frequently constitute litter.

5. Make clearing litter a community service within the criminal justice system.

6. Educate people to make littering socially unacceptable.

Of course, vested interests and naysayers would raise objections but where there is a will there’s a way. At present that will is lacking.

Peter Janes West Harptree

A hornets’ nest

I am sure that it will already have been pointed out to you that the picture on page eight of your March edition is not of an Asian Hornet.

This is less than helpful as it is likely that we will now be inundated with people reporting European hornets as Asian hornets. I hope you will be able to publish a correction in your next edition.

David Capon North Somerset Beekeepers Editor: Apologies and thanks to the many readers who pointed this out.

READER’S OPINION

Dear Mendip Times, We are blessed on Mendip to have two of the country’s most iconic natural wonders – Wookey Hole and Cheddar Gorge.

What a pity they are both left to the management of complete morons.

Wookey Hole famously lost its bowling green to a grotesque pirate feature, an utter desecration of this site.

Then Wookey Hole built a mock-Camelot hotel which has destroyed the vista for anyone walking on the Mendip ridge above.

Fortunately both Wookey Hole features are cheap and nasty and may be reclaimed by nature in the fullness of time.

Preferably sooner rather than later.

But where were the “Twonks” of Mendip District Council when all this was allowed to happen? The late, great Alan Goode would have had much to say about an outfit that deals in cheap publicity stunts but doesn’t give a stuff for the local community or the environment.

You can say the same about Cheddar Gorge. I’ve railed before about the fact that owners Longleat don’t do anything to promote Cheddar.

The continuing dereliction of Cox’s Mill is testament to that, as are the empty premises in the Gorge. Hopefully the crazy idea for some sort of chair lift has died, but the Gorge desperately needs investment.

I’ve previously suggested that the dreadful concrete monstrosities housing Cheddar Gorge’s management should be demolished. Perhaps they should move to Cox’s Mill?

Meanwhile, it’s a pleasure to see that Cheddar village itself is thriving, thanks to new businesses like Cobb’s.

Tourism is important to the Mendip area, so why is it almost totally ignored by an outfit called Visit Somerset?

I gather this organises various worldwide junkets for its officers, but won’t mention anywhere that doesn’t pay its extortionate fees. Come back Alan!

Keep up the good work, George Jackson Midsomer Norton MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

HISTORY

Saving history from the skip

A FORMER worker at the world-famous J.W. Singer foundry in Frome has been hailed for his role in saving invaluable archive material about the business from being thrown away.

Singers documented all their output of statues by photographing them, in the early days using glass negatives to record images.

Steve Francis intervened when the fragile plates were about to be thrown from the upper storey window of the factory’s drawing office into a skip. The negatives are now housed at Frome Heritage Museum.

Steve was amongst the special guests at the museum at the unveiling of a year-long project called Casting the World which opened on what would have been foundry founder John Webb Singer’s 200th

Steve Francis prepares to cut the birthday cake on what would have been J.W. Singer’s 200th birthday

Celebrating one of Frome’s finest: (l:r): Diana Richards, whose father worked for Singers for more than 50 years, former worker Paul Hillier, Steve Francis and Jane O’Brien, a great-great-great granddaughter of Singer

birthday, cutting a celebration cake.

Other guests at the launch included a great-great-great granddaughter of Singer, Jane O’Brien, and Sarah Staniforth, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund which has supported the project featuring a town trail, book and other events. l Casting the World: The Story of J.W.

Singer & Sons, is a partnership between Frome Heritage Museum, Rook Lane Arts Trust, the Frome Society for Local Study, Frome Festival, Frome Town Council, Black Swan Arts, Home in Frome, Johnson Controls (formerly Singers) and supported by an education programme devised with Frome Learning Partnership schools.

(l:r) Museum chair of trustees Emma Robinson, Steve Francis, Martin Bax, mayor of Frome Paul Ackroyd, project curator Sue Bucklow, Sarah Staniforth from the NLHF and project co-ordinator Tabitha Clayson

History of Mendip – the stones will talk!

THE geological history of Mendip will come under the spotlight during GeoWeek, which runs from May 4th. After the success of last year’s festival, there will be five different events this year.

The Churches of Wells will examine the stones that were used to build St Thomas, the cathedral, St Joseph and St Teresa and St Cuthberts, involving thousands of kilometres of plate travel, seas and mountains, storms and deserts, as well as architectural splendour.

The Halecombe Quarry Experience will begin at the Somerset Earth Science Centre with an introduction to Mendip geology.

The ancient tropical seas and volcano of Middle Hope will show how rocks record the geological tales that can be read by anyone who knows what to look for – and be amazed!

There will be a chance to ask a geologist in a session at Wells and Mendip Museum on Saturday May 11th – take your rocks, fossils, minerals – and questions.

The deserts, seas and mountains will tell the story of Burrington Combe and how the rocks there record how the tectonic plates have moved over the Earth's surface, carrying the area through deserts and seas before crumpling them into the Mendip Mountains.

Details: chris@earthlearningidea.com https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geoweek/

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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EDUCATION

All Hallows introduces new innovative sports programme ALL Hallows school has introduced a weekly performance programme for athletic development called “Body Armour”.

This is an inclusive voluntary programme, open to all pupils in Year 7, but soon to expand to other year groups.

The programme aims to assist pupils in becoming less injury prone and more robust; developing fundamental movement skills for strength and conditioning; sprint mechanics; preparation for sports scholarship and working on individual power and speed.

The philosophy behind the programme is not a fitness class, but instead places an emphasis on the long-term benefits of good movement patterns, mental well-being and a rounded, positive approach to being healthy and fit.

The programme is being delivered by All Hallows sports staff including Olly Biddulph, former Team GB bobsleigh pilot, Tammie Anderson, a member of the England senior squad for rounders, Maddie Smith an Olympic skeleton athlete and Sandra Smith who is British record holder and European champion power lifter.

Pupils will also take part in a workshop at Bath University Sports Training Village which includes presentations on speed for sport, hand-eye coordination and a Q&A session with Team Bath athletes.

All Hallows is one of a few prep schools in the country to set up a programme of this type that not only supports the

children’s physical development but also prepares them for a lifetime of sport, physical activity and physical well-being.

“Body Armour” is one of many opportunities available to children at the school: pupils are busy, happy, energetic and share a love of the outdoor life with a curriculum that allows them to study a broad range of subjects enabling them to find their own particular strengths and passions.

Art, creative design, music, performing arts, sport and countless enrichment opportunities are offered to everyone.

Staff strongly believe every child has a contribution to make to the community and pupils are celebrated for who they are, as well as the milestones they reach along their educational journey.

For more information visit allhallowsschool.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

Tough love and muddy knees needed IN these days of ever more sophisticated technology, it appears that tough love is increasingly an essential part of effective parenting. It is highly unlikely that many will ever know as much about computer games or social media as their children.

In fact, in a current survey of social media, 54% of children stated that if parents knew what happens, they would be a lot more worried! The status of simply being a father or mother does, nevertheless, imply that parents should know more about what is good for children and indeed teenagers.

It is widely evident why children enjoy gaming so much – the graphics are brilliant, competition or challenge is very appealing, particularly to boys, and the interactive nature of the games and social media seemingly brings friends together.

Indeed evidence clearly shows that teens do not value face to face communication with friends as much as they used to, the growth conduit being video chatting and social media.

Simultaneously whilst 78% of parents believe themselves to be good media and technology role models, we spend on average nine hours and 22 minutes a day in front of a screen, the vast majority of this time being on personal screen media.

This surely is inappropriate modelling of the behaviour we wish for our children.

Like it or not, technology is now forever embedded into our culture and we must not lose sight of its incredible benefits.

The alarm bells are ringing, however, as we struggle to

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

anticipate its effects on children.

Research into the effect of screen time on children is mixed.

However in my experience there are few educators that would argue long periods of personal screen time are good for anyone, not least a young child/early teen.

Indeed at DPS we are increasingly able to identify each morning those children who have sat in front of Fortnite for too long; their vacant expression gives the game away and clearly illustrates that they are certainly not ready for learning.

Although research indicates a large minority of parents are unaware of parental controls, many are in evidence. There also exists some excellent online guidance as to how to keep youngsters safe and healthy – both physically and emotionally.

Safety Online and Common Sense Media immediately come to mind. Ultimately however, it is down to parents to determine how and for how long a child is allowed to use a mobile device to game or to socialise.

Children will inevitably claim they are being treated unfairly, that little Jonny down the road is allowed to play Fortnite all day – it is a means of manipulation used for generations. Parents, however, do know best.

There is the need to demonstrate tough love, without feeling guilty, as it is much to every child’s benefit. There remains a place for creative games, muddy knees and fresh air in every child’s development.

Marcus Gunn Headmaster

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Sidcot offers an inspirational education SIDCOT School’s motto is Live Adventurously and the school has always made the most of its beautiful setting.

Today students have 150 acres of countryside to explore. The school’s motto is embodied by a focus on outdoor learning.

Taking learning out of the classroom means students leave school with a deep understanding and appreciation for the environment and with skills and attributes that can’t simply be measured by an exam result.

Our approach means we develop and appreciate every aspect of a student – not just the academic part. This is what makes Sidcot special.

We want Sidcot students to have an inspirational education that’s as much about nurturing the spirit as it is about outstanding academic success.

Sidcot lives and breathes the Quaker values of truth and integrity, equality and community, peace, simplicity, and sustainability. We welcome students and staff of all faiths and none.

We encourage individual thought,

questioning and exploration, whilst ensuring our students are supported to grow as individuals. Students leave Sidcot with a well-rounded, holistic education, prepared for life. After all, isn’t this a better demonstration of success than outstanding exam results

EDUCATION

alone?

We encourage prospective parents and students to come and see just what Sidcot can offer at our Open Day on May 6th.

Iain Kilpatrick Head of Sidcot School

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 71

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Game of drones

THOSE of you quietly weeping in the corner over the embarrassing fiasco that is Brexit will doubtless be happy we are nearing the season finale. Unfortunately, this is only season one and like Game of Thrones we might have another nine to enjoy over the next decade.

By Dr PHIL The Mendip Times deadline coincides HAMMOND with another fascinating cliff edge. Will a sufficient number of Conservative and DUP MPs support Theresa May’s deal in round three, having variously described it as “a turd”, “obnoxious”, “rubbish”, “riddled with 40 fatal flaws”, “bad for Britain” and “far worse than the deal we have already”?

They are trapped in a dilemma where they may have to support a deal they think will cause far more harm to the economy and our future prospects than the status quo, just to satisfy the “will of the people”.

I was quietly amazed that the hardest of Brexiteers David “SAS” Davis came over to May’s deal for the second “meaningful” vote, along with North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who looked like he was being held hostage while eating his own excrement.

Jacob Rees-Mogg would complete a triumvirate of astonishing U-turns but not before Parliament “remoaners” are roundly blamed for not implementing the will of the people with a no-deal Brexit.

No deal can never completely go away, as it is the legal endpoint of any process other than revoking article 50, but the fight to achieve it looks increasingly tough. Perhaps legendary filibusterer Rees-Mogg could talk continuously about his collection of English-only spoons until March 29th.

I’m a remainer and still think that’s the best option for us, but I accept the result of the referendum (provided a subsequent public inquiry doesn’t show that the extent of illegal funding and overseas interference materially affected such a close result). What I find harder to accept is just how incompetent the Conservative Party has been. The writing was on the wall when Theresa May lead them into a disastrous election. If she had such trouble convincing the public of her competence, what chance the EU? Then was the time for a true Tory Brexiteer to step up to the plate and lead the charge.

History will judge whether May has made more mess than she’s fixed, but the seeds of failure were sewn by the Conservative Party’s early cowardice, from which they have never recovered. It’s made for a gripping and chaotic political drama, but I would far rather it remained a drama rather than a reality. The best comedians, like the best politicians, unite us rather than divide us. A poll on EU membership, like a poll on the death penalty, was always going to be hugely divisive and require great political leadership and wisdom to achieve any unity.

It doesn’t appear Jeremy Corbyn has that either, but it was the Tories who opened the Brexit box and unleashed such division and misery. They are responsible for putting the lid back on.

Dr Phil is doing an Edinburgh Fringe warm-up at Bath Komedia on July 4th. Details: www.drphilhammond.com • Unites not divides….

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Plop the Raindrop

AS water droplets, my friends and I don’t get any choice about where we go. I’ve told you about some of my adventures in the past – getting stuck in glaciers or in different animals.

And of course we also go charging about in floods or float across the world in clouds.

I’ve spent a lot of time getting moved around inside people’s bodies as well. I’ve usually escaped down the toilet. Perhaps that was me you flushed away when you had a wee before bed last night!

But you will also find us in every single plant there is on earth.

Without water, like us, life as we know it just couldn’t exist.

When you bite into an orange or grapefruit, the juice trickling down your chin might be me! When people cook potatoes or tomatoes that might be me escaping in the steam.

I think my favourite fruit is a coconut. They smell and taste lush and inside their hard shells we’re kept safe from harm for quite a long time.

Sometimes coconuts bob across the sea and end up on deserted islands. It’s a good way to see the world.

Some fruits, like melons and figs, are so juicy that there are lots of us together and we can have a party! (That’s another good thing about coconuts). But getting stuck inside root vegetables like swede can be a bit lonely and boring. Are all Swedes boring?

Sometimes plants make us change colour!

Beetroot makes us turn purple; strawberries sort of strawberryish; sprouts greenish; blueberries blueish.

It’s a bit like when you play dressing up. I think beetroot is my favourite – because that purple colour is so strong we’re still purple when you wee the next day! What’s your favourite dressing up costume?

We spend a lot of time either inside or sitting on top of trees and plants; sitting on a leaf on top of an oak tree one week or stuck in seaweed in the sea the next.

One of the most common plants is grass, which can be a bit of a problem. If it’s eaten by cows we might end up in a nasty wet fart – or even worse, a cow pat. Cow pats are really, really, smelly sticky places to get stuck – you take my word for it! Just be careful that you don’t tread in one.

We have lots of other adventures – plants are eaten by all sorts of animals, so it’s pure chance knowing where we will get to.

With berries, I can end up inside birds or bears; squirrels and mice like nuts; ducks love duckweed; some people like swede! Honestly.

Whales eat acres of plankton, which is I suppose a kind of plankt.

And once these creatures swallow me, I never know what will happen. Sometimes I end up in their bloodstream having a tour for a while or sink to the bottom waiting to get out.

Since I’m timeless and indestructible that doesn’t really bother me at all!

But it’s a mystery to me how all of these plants manage to drink.

You humans just open your mouth and pour stuff in, right?

How do plants do it?

I’ve generally been fast asleep and oblivious, down in the earth, before waking up inside a plant, having no idea how I got there.

Someone told me something about roots (or was it routes?) Do you know?

MENDIP GRANDAD

(Photo courtesy of Shannon

MENDIP TIMES

(Photo courtesy of Shannon D’Arcy Photography)

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HEALTH & FAMILY HEALTH & FAMILY

New facilities

Pictured (l to r): Cllr Philip Ham, Paul Hooper and Rupert Cox from The Royal Bath and West Society with Cllr Dick Skidmore, chair of Mendip District Council

A THIRD Changing Places facility has opened in Mendip thanks to the Royal Bath and West Society.

Changing Places is a national campaign which aims to see new public toilet facilities introduced across the country for people with acute physical and learning disabilities Paul Hooper from the society said: “The society is keen to provide up-to-date facilities for the visitors to the showground and is pleased that we are also able to provide this facility for general community use.”

Similar toilets have been opened in Frome and Wells.

Any organisations within Mendip that is interested in opening a Changing Places facility can contact Mendip District Council.

JENNIFER MORECROFT BDS (U.Bris) MFGDP (U.Brist)

PETER SEDGWICK BDS (U.Bris) DPDS (U.Brist)

SALLY CANTWELL Hygienist RDH JANE FELLOWS Hygienist RDH

Details: www.changing-places.org

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

Skydive in aid of free events for families in Frome

A VOLUNTEER with an organisation behind free events such as the Frome Children’s Festival and Toy Library will be taking to the skies above Wiltshire in May to raise funds to support their work.

John Clarke, who lives in Frome, has already helped at several Purple Elephant Productions events and is now planning to test his nerve by jumping out of a plane for the charity.

As well as the children’s festival and toy library activities, Purple Elephant is behind the town’s free sports festival week, Christmas party and school holiday activities.

John’s skydive is due to take place on Saturday, May 11th at GoSkyDive in Salisbury. He said: “I want to not only experience the thrill, hopefully not terror, of a skydive but also make it an opportunity to support a local organisation which does such great work with the most disadvantaged in our community.”

His appeal is via Local Giving which is running a competition during April to find the fundraiser with the highest number of sponsors. The top 20 fundraisers will have extra funds added to their total. l To support John, visit: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/johns-skydivesupporting-purple-elephant/ or search for John’s Skydive supporting Purple Elephant.

Campervan and comments

Canvassing for comments (l:r) Meryl Sammut, Becky Angle and Julie Draper at Shepton Mallet’s monthly Sunday market

STAFF and volunteers from the independent health and care champion Healthcare Somerset have taken to the county’s roads to find out what people think about their local services.

Its Campervan and Comments Tour saw the team travel almost 260 miles across the county, visiting places ranging from Frome to Watchet to gather the views of people of all ages.

Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset manager, said: “We want to reach at least 500 people from all over Somerset in just one week. We thought it would be a great idea to hire a campervan and visit places where people might not have heard of Healthwatch before.”

The role of a Healthwatch is to gain feedback from patients and users and take the findings to organisations which plan, pay for and deliver health and care services.

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07879 008 262 angie@angie-hayes-hypnotherapy.co.uk www.angie-hayes-hypnotherapy.co.uk PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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Top quality dentistry close to home IN October 2018, the SpaDental group became the owner and manager of the well-respected Main Dental Partnership in Glastonbury.

SpaDental is expanding the practice to offer a wider range of essential, cost-effective treatments to meet all your dental needs.

Meet the team James Main is an established, skilled and considerate Glastonbury dentist. Having placed over 1,000 dental implants, he has witnessed their life-changing benefits.

James is highly motivated to help patients achieve a comfortable mouth so they can enjoy life fully.

Lucy Smith joined the SpaDental Glastonbury team in March from the SpaDental Plymouth practice where she is a firm favourite with her patients.

Lucy has a special interest in helping nervous patients access the dental care they Lucy Smith

HEALTH & FAMILY

need. Offering essential preventive and restorative care, she takes time to get to know her patients, building trust and confidence. For patients with a higher level of anxiety, she is qualified to administer IV sedation too.

Enjoy a coffee and chat James Main SpaDental Glastonbury invites you to visit the practice on Thursdays during April to ask questions and enjoy a cup of coffee. The reception team are always happy to chat about the range of treatments and explain payment options.

The practice is conveniently located at 3, Lambrook Street, close to the High Street.

To promote local artists, the practice displays art work in the reception areas. The current exhibition is of atmospheric landscapes captured throughout our beautiful region by Rich Wiltshire. His work is printed to a high quality, tastefully framed and limited edition. Any sales are made by Rich himself through RGW Photography.

To get in touch with the SpaDental team call 01458 832193 email glastonbury@spadental.co.uk to make an appointment or ask for further information

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 75

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CAVING

Caves on the Mendip shoreline

THE Carboniferous Limestone of Mendip is a sedimentary rock, laid down over millions of years at the bottom of the sea as eroded material With PHILIP washed in from the HENDY land.

These soft sediments gradually solidified and were later raised above the sea. Earth movements faulted and tilted the rocks, so that today the limestone dips to the north and south on either side of a more-or-less central line of sandstone hills, where the overlying limestone has been weathered away.

The dip can be easily seen where the limestone is exposed, particularly in Cheddar Gorge, and in Burrington Combe.

The exposed edges of the beds form a series of steep steps. In very few places are the limestone beds truly horizontal.

Yet occasionally a level surface is encountered, while the bedding is still seen to dip. The scouring action of glaciers can be discounted, as it is known that during the last Ice Age, glaciers came no further south than Gloucestershire and Mendip was covered with a layer of permafrost.

At various times in the past Mendip was surrounded by sea and the water level changed several times, in each case staying at a certain point long enough to produce a level beach or wave-cut platform. They are not common, but interestingly, two of the known examples have caves associated with them.

In 1993 at Greendown above Litton, members of the Wessex Cave Club assisted farmer Jim Young in excavating a shallow depression fed by a ditch. The depression was always damp, but never flooded. Jim used an excavator to scrape away the overburden of soil and thinly banded dark lias shales to expose a level wave-cut platform.

In the middle of this was a clay-filled shaft, some four metres wide and two metres long. The sides of this shaft were deeply fluted, particularly where the ditch water entered it. The diggers enthusiastically tackled this new site and soon showed that the shaft continued in limestone beds dipping steeply to the north.

Over the next two years a depth of six metres was reached and with an extension

Cutler’s Green Sinkholes. Shafts in wave-cut platform

to the right a length of 16 metres was achieved. The fill was mainly clay with some boulders, so the dig was named Clay Holes.

Jim Young is very inventive and the steel ladder used to access the dig was also used as a guide for a digger bucket, lowered and raised with the use of the loader arms on a tractor. Digging was fairly rapid, and removing spoil to the surface using the bucket was effortless.

However, although the right-hand passage showed promise, the dig flooded.

Attempts were made to pump the water out, with little success, and reluctantly the dig was abandoned.

In July 2012 I was contacted through Mendip Times by Kevin Clinton, a landowner at Cutler’s Green near Chewton Mendip. He had dug a carp pond in a depression near his house many years earlier, finding many fossils of plesiosaur and plants and ironstone in the two metres of clay in the course of excavation.

Suddenly, the water disappeared into the ground, taking the carp with it.

Six tonnes of concrete were poured into the hole, but this failed to block it. Mr. Clinton had then excavated around the area and to his surprise found a wave-cut platform in limestone. Several choked shafts were seen in the floor.

It was thought that the excavated limestone would repay investigation and cavers from several clubs, headed by Estelle Sandford, took up the challenge.

With the aid of a digger, a large shaft was found, surrounded by eight satellite shafts. All of these were dug, but attention has centred on the main shaft, an impressive opening some five metres

across and six deep.

The steep limestone walls are rich in fossil corals. A passage was found just below surface level, but effort is now being concentrated on a roomy passage which descends gently to the northeast, heading towards Chewton Rising, the source of the River Chew in Chewton Mendip. Just over a metre of spoil has been deposited in the base of the shaft, so it is necessary to step down into the passage.

This begins horizontally and is about a metre high. A tramway has been laid to ease the removal of spoil in buckets placed in a tub. Beyond this, the cave descends in a series of steps to a roomy passage, around a metre wide and two metres high.

It currently ends in a wall of solid mud interspersed with boulders, which is being excavated.

The dig can flood after heavy rain, which slows progress. Small air spaces have been found in the roof and there are some small stalactites and patches of flowstone. Quite a lot of ochre has been found, in colours ranging from yellow and red to bright pink.

The distance between Cutler’s Green Sinkholes and the nearest resurgence is about 1300 metres, with a fall of 34 metres. Thus the hydraulic gradient is quite low, which suggests that much, if not all, of the cave will be choked. However, with more than 200 metres of cave found to date, enthusiasm is still high.

Clay Holes and Cutler’s Green Sinkholes, with their associated wave-cut platforms, have contributed to our understanding of the geology of Mendip and so, although the caves are less than spectacular, they are important features.

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 76 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

(Photograph courtesy of Estelle Sandford)

MENDIP TIMES

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WORK is underway to fit out a brand-new mobile library which will hit the roads later this spring providing a full lending service across Bath and North East Somerset.

The brightly-coloured, custom-designed £120,000 vehicle will ensure a reliable mobile library service is provided to communities across the area.

It will be more fuel-efficient and as it is slightly slimmer than the existing library vehicle it will be better able to cope with country lanes.

The vehicle will be based at the council’s main distribution centre at Haydon near Radstock.

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Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 77

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MENDIP TIMES

Open Day 30th March & 27th April By appointment only.

Complete Spring 2019

Whitecroft Developments – providing high quality developments in Bristol and the South West Homes Inspired by Character Whitecroft is a property development company that prides itself on creating unique developments in and around Bristol and Bath, currently building in West Harptree and Whitchurch Village

• Small development with 18 uniquely designed homes, with high quality specification • Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with Chew Valley Lake and Mendip Hills nearby • Village lifestyle and community with shop and Doctors surgery • Excellent road links to Bristol and Bath • Modern open living space, designed to maximise natural light • Award-winning developer • Completion Spring 2019 • Prices from £450,000 to £760,000 To book your visit, please contact Carly Hales, Sales Manager on 01761 490092 or e-mail: carly@whitecroftdevelopments.co www.whitecroftdev.co.uk

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

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Helping smooth the stresses of bereavement LOSING a loved one is obviously a distressing time for those who are left behind and mourning is not made any easier by the administrative tasks that arise. The team at Killens recognise the unwanted pressures that arise and can either assist executors in handling with affairs or point them in the right direction.

Whilst appointing a solicitor to handle matters is not vital, it can smooth the process and draw matters to a quicker conclusion. In this part of the world, we are fortunate to have good local legal practices that can readily assist in advising on what steps need to be taken so probate is granted and property can be transferred to or sold on behalf of the beneficiaries. Killens can guide you to those who can help.

As part of the application for the grant of probate, a valuation of property is often required and this should be undertaken by an RICS qualified valuer to ensure that the valuation is judged sound and the application is not delayed by any investigation by HMRC. Tom Killen undertakes many valuations

for probate purposes of all forms of property and comments: “I have seen many instances where reliance has been made on valuations undertaken by unqualified estate agents that have either been questioned leading to delays or been too high possibly leading to a higher tax liability.

“Sometimes, agents value highly feeling that they are also pitching to sell the property. At Killens, our focus is firmly on providing a professional service and we are fortunate to be able to inspect and value property and

PROPERTY

possessions in one visit.”

Clearing homes, selling chattels and marketing property can be very distressing and Killens are well placed in being able to handle all of these aspects.

They can arrange a house clearance, for items to go to auction at their Mendip Auction Rooms, preparing a property for sale and marketing the property. They have dedicated teams who can handle each aspect.

Tom Killen said: “Personally I know the difficulties that arise from the loss of a relative and we are on hand to assist in managing the affairs that can arise. We recently acted for the children of parents who had recently passed away within a relatively short period. The children did not know in which direction to turn.

“They were advised to consult with us and soon realised we could sort everything for them. At our first meeting, there were literally tears of relief and we disposed of the property and chattels in a sympathetic yet advantageous manner.”

Contact your nearest office of Killens for assistance.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES MENDIP TIMES

COMMUNITY

Community heroes rewarded

INDIvIDuaLS and businesses that make a positive contribution to the local community by putting people first and inspiring others to get involved have been recognised at Bath & North East Somerset council’s community awards. a record 158 nominations were received for this year’s awards with the winners announced at a special ceremony held at the Guildhall, hosted by the council’s chair councillor Karen walker.

She said: “There are so many people and organisations across the district that do so much for our community, but whose work often goes unsung. The community awards enable us to celebrate and recognise their dedication to helping others and we heard many inspiring stories at the awards ceremony.”

The Young volunteer of the Year was Max Feeney, who has volunteered for the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Royal British Legion since the age of 11. he is a standard bearer and attends all official parades and funerals, carrying the Royal British Legion Standard on behalf of veterans. he also holds the position of vice chairman and assists with organising the yearly parade and annual poppy fund count.

The young carer of the Year was chloe l’anson, aged 17,

Clevedon Lions’ awards

TwELvE local organisations have received cheques totalling nearly £6,000 from clevedon Lions club to help with their community work.

The money was raised over the christmas period from collections and supermarkets and on the Lions’ Santa float.

This is the fourth year that the Lions have helped local clubs, schools and societies in this way with over £23,000 donated to many local beneficiaries over that time. club president, Sue Miller, said: “It is wonderful to see how the money

Max Feeney and his dad with Cllr Karen Walker

from the Somer valley, who helps care for her family while studying at sixth form. She cooks meals, walks the dog and does other household tasks such as ironing, washing and cleaning.

If her brother's carers do not attend for any reason, chloe has to take on the full caring role and carry out all the tasks necessary to support her brother – including washing and using a hoist.

generously donated by the public at christmas can make a difference to the many people who are members of these

groups themselves. Over the years thousands of local people will have benefitted in some way.”

Lions support diabetes service Grants awarded Each year, clevedon Lions’ christmas Tree of Light is used to collect donations from the public who wish to remember a loved one during the festive season. Last December one of the charities selected for support was above and Beyond, the charity which fundraises for the Bristol hospitals.

The Lions specifically requested that their £500 donation was used for work in connection with the growing problem of diabetes – a topic supported by Lions clubs worldwide.

The photo shows the cheque being passed to the diabetes and endocrinology staff by Lions ann Meredith, Sandy hill and Paul Pollock.

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

BaTh and North East Somerset community wellness Fund has awarded grants totalling £16,000 to 12 community groups and charities to improve mental ill-health and loneliness across the area. virgin care is responsible for the grant programme as part of its contract with B&NES and the local NhS and the programme is managed by Quartet community Foundation which runs the application and grant award process as well as tracking outcomes. claire wynne hughes, philanthropy executive for B&NES at the foundation said: “These 12 groups are great examples of the kind of small, local good causes Quartet supports in Bath and North East Somerset.

“Our vital Signs research highlighted many of the challenges faced in the area including high levels of childhood obesity in Twerton and Radstock so we’re so pleased these grants will support groups in their work to promote health and wellbeing in the area.”

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Cary celebrates scouting centenary

COMMUNITY

ThE official reopening of the scout hall in castle cary after an extensive refurbishment marked the start of celebrations for 100 years of the movement in the town. current and former scouts and beavers and guests packed the building for the cake cutting following a service at all Saints church opposite. amongst the guests was Bob aubertin, who joined the scouts in 1945. Bob was awarded the chief Scouts badge and – with two friends Gerry Brine and Dave Burrows, who Gathering outside the scout hall ahead of the official reopening also received the honour – was able to keep the pack going in the 1950s attracts youngsters from castle cary and which supported the refurbishment despite having no leader. surrounding villages such as Ditcheat. project with a substantial grant, also Today the 1st castle cary group Dan cooke, from viridor credits, attended the celebrations.

Zac, a beaver, and Sapphire, a scout, with (l:r) group chairman Malcolm Wake, Bob Aubertin and Dan Cooke, from Viridor Credits

Bob Aubertin, thought to be the oldest surviving scout in Castle Cary, with his original shirt

Bob Aubertin prepares to cut the cake with the help of young scout Sapphire

wELLS city carnival presented cheques to local charities at wells fire station.

First up was the hope for Tomorrow group, based at Musgrove hospital, who travel the South west administering chemotherapy to patients near to their own homes. The carnival committee gave them £1,000 to kick-start their fundraising this year.

Next up were the local First Responders. Now well-known in wells, they are completely self-funded and receive no money from local government.

They received a cheque for £500 to thank them for their support on carnival night.

Finally a cheque for £500 was

presented to the wells fire station commander to be used for the wells fire station de-fib fund to service, repair and

replenish the defibrillator that the carnival, with others, gave them a couple of years ago.

Carnival cheques

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 81

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MENDIP TIMES

Wells walks are celebrated

ThE health walk which started at wells Leisure centre in 2013 has evolved into the weekly wells Social walks and celebrated its sixth birthday recently with many of the original participants still walking. about 12 people of all ages and abilities take part in these walks, now starting from Morrisons, every Tuesday at 11am come rain or shine and take a leisurely walk of about 45 minutes on easy ground which is usually dry by choice.

There is no membership, registration or commitment – just turn up, enjoy the walk and chatter finishing with an optional drink in the café afterwards. It is such a friendly group that some people join them for the drink after if they have been unable to walk that week.

Ladies’ Night success

ShEPTON Mallet 41 club members got together with wives, partners and friends for their annual Ladies Night held at wells Golf club. The annual event was organised by John Neale and Robin weelen, who was also Master of ceremonies. club president andrew Liggatt proposed a toast to the ladies and guests to which Shepton Mallet Tangent Ladies chairman chris harding responded. a raffle held in aid of the Macmillan cancer unit raised £400 plus.

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Church wins lottery funds

St Laurence church in East harptree has secured National Lottery support to help with conservation work and provide wider access to the building.

It’s been awarded £82,700 to help progress its plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £294,900 at a later date.

The project is called Project Newton after the fine 16th century memorial of Sir John Newton in the south porch of the church, which is Grade 2 listed.

The project will involve major works of repair and conservation to the tower, the wall paintings at the east end of the church, the roof of the chancel, the stained glass and the south porch.

Project Newton also aims to significantly improve inclusive access to St Laurence and is working with the East harptree Environment Group to install nesting boxes to support the swift population and make other environmental improvements in the churchyard.

The project team will be working closely with East harptree Primary School, harptrees history Society and the local community on creating an exhibition area in the church which will particularly focus on Sir John Newton and the harptree hoard – a collection of Roman coins discovered nearby in the 1880s.

Bristol Museum will also be an important partner in the project as they hold coins from the harptree hoard and the flagon in which the coins were found. There will be opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills as well as participate in courses and workshops.

Project Newton is being led by Guy Stobart one of the St Laurence churchwardens. he said: “we are delighted that we have received this support thanks to National Lottery players. St Laurence is a very special place. we want to do urgent works of conservation but also to enable wider access to the church, while at the same time safeguarding the church as a place of worship.”

Lottery grants available

cOMMuNITY projects across Mendip are being urged to apply for grants of £500 from the Shape Mendip community Fund. The grants are from the £10,000, accumulated from the Shape Mendip Lottery. cllr Philip ham, portfolio holder for Transformation at the council, said: "a £500 grant can make a big difference to a project and with a total grant pot of up to £10,000 there will be a positive impact on local communities across the district. we are looking forward to seeing the variety of applications we will receive for projects across Mendip.”

The Shape Mendip Lottery is a weekly lottery that directly supports good causes which benefit the Mendip community. There are currently over 45 causes signed up from village playgroups to animal shelters, village halls to community radio stations.

Every time someone plays the Shape Mendip Lottery 60 percent of their ticket price goes to good causes, like happy Landings animal Shelter based in Pylle, which is raising £1,716 a year from taking part in the lottery.

Details: www.mendip.gov.uk/communityfund

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Frome groups helped by Rotarians

providing these young people with the support that they need. a second cheque was presented to Lucia chadwick with other volunteers of active and in Touch. It will help active and in Touch continue their work in visiting, helping combat loneliness and befriending people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them.

Frome Rotary Club president Norman Elmer presents cheques to Lesley Hooper from Frome Refresh and to Lucia Chadwick and volunteers from Active and in Touch

Boost for foodbank

Club president Judi Rice (left) and member Janet Fulford with Helen Stevens from the Salvation Army

DONaTIONS from the Inner wheel club of Shepton Mallet have been presented to the town’s Salvation army for their community food bank. l The club’s free Music Therapy project for those living with dementia and their carers will be held at the Salvation army hall in the town every second Friday in the month from 1.30-3.30pm beginning on Friday, april 12th.

Bloomers and guide dogs

Club president Sue Hopkins with Jane Dyson and her beautifully dressed dolls

ThE history of ladies’ underwear fascinated Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner wheel members when Jane Dyson shared her knowledge and set imaginations reeling.

Jane took her audience from Tudor to victorian times and had dressed several dolls in the era of clothing that she was explaining.

Later, the club heard from guest speaker Linda Dowsett with her “Love on the Nile” experiences. Linda fundraises for Guide Dogs for Blind in memory of her late husband Gordon.

It was Linda’s second visit to the club and she will be returning next year.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 83

(Photos courtesy of Ernie McKenna)

chEQuES for £1,000 each have been presented by Frome Rotary club to two community projects working in the town and surrounding villages.

Frome Refresh is project to help young people from disadvantaged communities in the town to have access to basic toiletries. Frome Refresh works closely with local schools to ensure that they are as effective as possible in

COMMUNITY

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MENDIP TIMES

Welcome to our mill villages

Schoolchildren Toby, Jude and Thea unveiled the signs watched

by Peter Gatenby, Len Sweales and the Rev Paul Clarke as other villagers and schoolchildren looked on

FIvE villages and hamlets to the west of wells have joined forces to celebrate their milling history.

Inspired by the sight of hundreds of village signs in East anglia and Kent, Peter Gatenby came up with the idea of installing individual signs welcoming people to wookey, worth, Yarley, henton and Bleadney.

Peter is chairman of The Mill Stream villages association and said he believed communities in Somerset and the west country had been slow to take up the signage idea. he added: “I had been walking in Suffolk and learned they had more than 300 signs; there are more than 600 in Norfolk and even in Kent there are more than 450, so thought ‘why not here?’ It’s taken about two and a half years to get to this point.”

The first of the signs – all designed by wells artist chris Lee – was unveiled at a ceremony outside Burcott Mill, the last flour mill in operation. children from wookey Primary School joined villagers, wells town crier Len Sweales and the Rev Paul clarke, vicar of St Matthew’s church in wookey to unveil the sign. The others are due to be installed by the summer. l cards celebrating the signs are now on sale in aid of The Mill Stream Wookey parish council clerk Denise villages Boulton cuts a celebration cake association.

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Paulton on track

SOME of Paulton's younger residents took their scooters and bikes and waited for a break in the clouds to formally open the village’s improved BMX track.

The track, which residents had been consulted on in 2016, has been completely refurbished, widened and resurfaced and a new berm added and the grass reseeded. Due to the hot summer it took a while for the grass to grow but now looks great! ashton Toone and Paulton Parish council's groundsman Paul Davidson held the ribbon; it was cut by Kitty howson, accompanied by Eli Stott and friends.

Have a drink on us

Water for life: Rotarians on the stand at Midsomer Norton Farmers’ Market

ShOPPERS at Midsomer Norton Farmers’ Market were invited to have a drink from a kit which literally provides water for life.

Members of the Rotary club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock showed how effective the Rotary-funded water Survival Box can be in emergencies and disasters across the world.

Key to the box, designed for a family of five in the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster, is the water purification kit. In the demonstration in Midsomer Norton the rotarians used earth from a fellow member’s garden to show how the kit works. club members will be back in Midsomer Norton on Saturday, april 13th, offering free blood pressure advice and checks in conjunction with The Stroke association and St John ambulance.

Water Survival Box is run by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge. For details, visit: www.watersurvivalbox.org

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COMMUNITY

There be dragons

High Sheriff Denis Burn, who lives at Cleeve

The dragon-led procession prepares to leave the Recreation Ground

The cast in Wells Cathedral

Performer Sarah Mooney leads the procession

Avtar Panesar, from Avtar Indian Dance

Fun outside the West Front of Wells Cathedral with storyteller Michael Loader

Performing arts students from Strode College

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 85

(Photo courtesy of Nick Spratling)

a FREE family festival, followed by a concert performance including a reading by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, has raised funds for the Somerset crimebeat Trust.

The event, centred on wells cathedral, was based on an idea of Denis Burn, the high Sheriff of Somerset, to celebrate his year in office. called Sumorsǣte ealle, the day began with a dragon procession through the city followed by workshops and performances celebrating the county’s culture. Sumorsǣte ealle is Old English for “all the people of Somerset”.

The day was devised and designed by a creative production team of staff and students from Bath Spa university; Jeremy Irons is chancellor of the university.

Performers included Bath Spa Ladies choir, Knights of King Ina, Bolly Bhangra, wells cathedral School, Strode college, amanda Boyd, crystal Spring, Ian Ross and Friends, Pocketfluff Productions, Shoebox Theatre and wassail Theatre.

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MENDIP TIMES

Hats off to them!

GLOvES, scarves and hats covered the railings and bollards

by St John’s church in Glastonbury as part of a giveaway scheme to help people in need.

YMca Mendip, the west Mendip Project Team, Glastonbury Youth club and Youth council provided the clothing.

Grants to culture and diversity groups

If the glove fits and you’re in need … please take them

Mosque’s 40th anniversary

Cllr Karen Walker with Imam Mohammad and congregation members at the Al-Muzaffar Mosque

ThIS year marks a significant milestone for the 2,000 members of the Muslim community living in Bath and North East Somerset.

The al-Muzaffar Mosque, based in Pierrepoint Street in the centre of Bath celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. cllr Karen walker, chairwoman of Bath and North East Somerset council, was invited to visit the mosque and said: “Our district is a diverse and varied community made up of residents from many backgrounds, cultures and religious traditions. “when I was sworn into office last year, I made a pledge to promote inclusion and opportunities for all. The 2,000 members of our local mosque contribute a lot to the life of the city, whether it’s through their professions, voluntary work or the community events they organise for others to attend.”

Mohammad Gamal abdelnour, who was recently appointed as the mosque’s new Imam, said: “It’s a huge milestone for us to be celebrating our 40th anniversary and what better way to start our year of celebrations than with a visit from the chairwoman of the local authority.”

Details: www.bathmosque.org.uk

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

SOMERSET Diverse communities Small Grants Fund has distributed £5,921.54 and a total of 22 grants across Somerset in the last 18 months to support black and minority ethnic (BME) community groups in the county.

Most of the applications were directly from BME communities/community groups with 70% of those from informal community groups, so it is worth putting in an application if you need support with your group or idea even if you’re a small informal group!

The scheme has a very simple application process and can be used by community groups for a wide range of proposals, including activities and equipment, for grants of up to £500.

Beccy Jesson, community engagement worker, said: “The accessible and welcoming nature of the small grants scheme has allowed many groups who would not usually apply for funding to access support.

“It has been a catalyst for further conversations about the long-term aims and stability of the groups and helped facilitate access to additional services and other communities in a now growing network locally and countywide.

“It has also enabled some wonderful activities and events to take place for both the BME communities and wider community!”

The feedback for a cultural education session run by Multicultural Frome said: “Your passion and enthusiasm for the theme shone through and I know our children enjoyed it. we loved the fact that you asked about pupils’ heritage.

“They and I learnt a good deal about each other and I believe this fostered some respect and understanding. a huge thank you again for brightening and enriching our day!”

The next round of funding will be in May. Details: check webpage or Facebook https://somersetrcc.org.uk/our_work/supportingindividuals/diversecommunities/

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COMMUNITY

A view of the past

MEMBERS of the congregation of St John’s church in Glastonbury were given an exclusive view of how work has progressed on a major renovation project. around 30 worshippers were allowed to see the nave of the church from behind a wooden screen after the flagstones were lifted to reveal the extent of more than 100 years of decay.

Part of the floor of the church had collapsed which led to the start of a fundraising campaign called Securing the Future. as well as making the floor stable, the project – backed by the National Lottery heritage Fund – will see new facilities installed to open up the church to more community use.

The renovation project is being undertaken by specialist firm Ellis and co. and is expected to continue for the rest of the year.

Larry Schenck, Securing the Future project manager

The exposed nave floor; the flagstones will be reinstated

A member of the congregation views progress

Library in new hands

a TEaM of volunteers will head the management of castle cary Library from Monday, april 1st when it passes from Somerset county council to a community library partnership. a Friends of the Library group has been launch to support the library through a number of activities including coffee mornings, authors events, encouraging links with schools and storytelling sessions at the library.

Graffiti revealed on the base of the alabaster tombstone of John Camel, who died in 1487. He was lay treasurer of Glastonbury

The volunteers who will run Castle Cary Library from April 1st

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 87

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MENDIP TIMES

New seat of learning

ThE Rotary club of Mendip has funded a story-teller chair for Draycott and Rodney Stoke First School to complement benches provided by the school’s PTa. The chair is the focal point outdoors where a teacher sits while the children gather around on the benches to hear stories or engage in learning activities.

Rotary president adam Travis is pictured with PTa members charlotte, Gill, Elaine and claire.

New group for older people

a MEETING will be held in Redhill on Thursday, april 11th to launch chew valley connect – a new group aimed at helping older people make new friends.

Jocelyn Ryder-Smith, one of the organisers, said: “I know that sometimes, whatever your life is like, if you live with someone else, or on your own, you may want to find new friends and new rewarding things to do.

“I’m quite old now, so for me, chew valley connect, is about finding ways for older people to meet and explore where we could go together.” ann English, who is working with Jocelyn and others, added: “Young people tend to have a variety of ways to meet new friends – but it isn’t always so easy for older people. I’m not so young myself and welcome the chance to meet more people locally.”

The free event at Redhill village hall – with tea, cake and scones – takes place between 2.30-5pm. l For details, contact Lyndsay Newman, village agent with the west of England Rural Network on 07967 345559 or 01934 225184 or email lyndsay@wern.org.uk

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Good Neighbours set to launch

ThE community council for Somerset has won funding from The National Lottery community Fund to start the first local Good Neighbour scheme in Somerset.

The scheme is intended to partner willing volunteers and helpers with anyone needing help with small one-off tasks, such as lifts to medical appointments, dog walks, or even simply sharing a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

The pilot scheme will be in about ten communities where locals have expressed an interest and want support to help get started. ccS has developed a toolkit with helpful advice. chief executive, Keeley Rudd, said: “whilst we know many people already act informally to support each other, we wanted to give others a helping hand to get started.

“Good Neighbours schemes improve neighbourly spirit and help reduce loneliness and isolation by building strong social networks, improving confidence and self-esteem and promoting a sense of belonging.”

Details: info@somersetrcc.org.uk

Community arts in Evercreech

PLaNS are underway for a new Jack in the Green community arts event and procession in Evercreech in May. It is the idea of two arts world professionals who moved to the village recently and have since become firm friends.

Nik Slade, who runs The Old Stores Studio – it is also her family home – and Maria cauchi hope villagers of all ages will join in workshops ahead of the procession and community picnic on Saturday, May 4th.

The pair currently run a series of art and craft events at the studio, ranging from wooly wednesday knitting sessions to mother-and-baby craft get-togethers as well as inviting other artists to run affordable workshops. They are currently setting themselves up as a not-for-profit community Interest company and are exploring ways to source funding. Nik has plans to turn part of her garden into an area for local schoolchildren to grow fruit and vegetables.

Nik said: “Our key focus here is to provide high quality art and craft learning and participation. Our aim is to support local artists, makers and creative practitioners to share and develop creative skills with the local community through regular groups, workshops and inclusive events. we have had encouraging feedback so far from the local community.”

Maria (left) and Nik

For details, visit: www.theoldstoresstudio.wixsite

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Dog show returns

COMMUNITY

Go for gold – help the award-winning team

Bookings manager Karen Walker (right) and charity directors Laura Moore, Katie Burton and Sally Campbell and their canine friends, Slade and Ralph

ThE charity, Funding animal Futures, will be organising a dog show at this year’s Peasedown Party in the Park, following the success of the first dog show there last year.

Director, Sally campbell said: “we had a lot of entries and enthusiastic dog owners at last year’s dog show.

“Many people like to bring their dogs for a day out, so what better way to have fun at the village’s biggest event than enter your dog into a competitive show where they can win prizes?”

Party in the Park is on Saturday, June 8th, starting at 12noon.

Details: fundinganimalfutures@hotmail.com www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk

GLaSTONBuRY In Bloom is aiming to build on its goldwinning efforts in last year’s South west in Bloom competition.

This year sees a change in the judging criteria; whereas previously floral content carried 50% of the total marks that has now been reduced to 40% with 30% for community and 30% for the environment.

There is also a new national initiative called the Blue campaign to encourage individuals and/or small groups to “re- wild” small areas of parks and gardens to encourage the re-establishment of plants and animals. These areas will be denoted by a blue heart sign. a poster competition for schools has also been launched and the Glastonbury in Bloom committee is appealing for more members of the public to support them. Gerald Morgan and Mark Penton, deputy chairman and joint coordinators of Glastonbury in Bloom, said: “The town’s floral content will increase and improvements have been made in a small way to the local environment e.g. the old well head in Old wells Road and the town council has adopted an environment charter. There are some additional In Your Neighbourhood projects which are part of and included in the In Bloom competition, but more needs to be done if the town is to score well in these areas!”

They added: “Glastonbury has a lot to be proud of and building on the success of last year we hope that greater success will follow, so come and join in and become a member of the ‘Gold Team’ building a golden dream.” l To become a member of the Gold Team, contact Glastonbury Information centre.

Frome’s litter warriors are on the warpath!

a GROuP of people in Frome have come together to tackle litter in the town.

More than 20 volunteers under the banner of The Litter warriors took part in the first outing on the Stonebridge estate, collecting 19 bags of rubbish in just one hour.

The Litter warriors include both young

It might help being so close to the ground

and old residents from all over Frome with a shared passion – keeping the town’s streets clean. They plan to have regular litter picking events and are inviting more people to get involved.

Deputy mayor, Mark Dorrington said: “It’s great to see the community coming together to make a positive difference.

Don’t forget we have free equipment

The Litter Warriors on the Stonebridge estate

available to borrow if you fancy organising your own litter pick with friends, family and neighbours.” l To find out more about the next litter pick, join the mailing list via: www.eepurl.com/gfyzhf or if there is an area of Frome that you would like the Litter warriors to add to their list email info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

More helpers wanted to run Paulton Library

LIKE other branch libraries in B&NES, Paulton library is becoming a volunteer–led community library in May under the management of Paulton Parish council.

They have been operating as a community hub together with an independently run cafe since 2013 and were a flagship initiative to use a combination of library staff and volunteers to open on six days a week instead of the previous 2.5 days.

Now the volunteers are going it alone they need some help and are looking to recruit additional volunteers to fill the hours that were previously covered by the library staff.

If you have a couple of hours to spare they would like to hear from you.

Details: LibraryHubCoordinator@gmail.com or clerk@paultonparishcouncil.org.uk

Radstock welcomes royalty

ThE countess of wessex visited Radstock as part of twin celebrations in the town.

This year sees the 150th anniversary of the Radstock co-operative Society and the 20th anniversary of Somerset coalfield Life at Radstock Museum being established in the former Market hall.

During her visit, the countess met local schoolchildren, museum volunteers and some of the Radstock co-operative team, even sitting in on a lesson in the museum’s victorian classroom.

Volunteers honoured

SEvERaL volunteers in Pensford were nominated for the annual chairman of B&NES' community award.

One of them volunteer, Margaret Stenner (pictured), has been helping with Pensford's toddlers group for over ten years. She also knits baby clothes for the Ruh. another Pensford resident, Yvonne Phillips, was nominated by Julie Bragg clerk of Publow with Pensford Parish council, for all her voluntary work in the village over nearly 40 years.

The countess joins children in the schoolroom for a lesson Victorian-style

Meeting some of the local primary schoolchildren who attended the visit

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY

Former Somerset Coalfield workers Bryn Hawkins (left) and Francis Hillier are introduced to the countess by Nick Hall, chairman of the museum trustees

Homes section.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 14:55 Page 91

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MENDIP TIMES

Building on their reputation NORTHAVON Group – one of the rising mechanical, engineering and construction stars of the regional business community – has launched a new surfacing division aimed at the residential market.

The company, which dates back to 1990, specialises in delivering an array of projects to government, public, private, charity and residential sectors. Clients including Larkfleet Homes, Wessex Water,

Call on the experts at Northavon to transform your driveway

PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Thames Water, Rolls Royce, ‘eight2o’, Affinity Water, Ringway, JH Group, Bristlewand and Volker Highways.

This thriving business is becoming renowned across all industry sectors for high levels of expertise, innovation and an unwavering commitment to market-leading customer service. The Northavon senior management team has strong connections to the wider Somerset community and have been active in their support and sponsorship of events such as music and literary festivals, along with local rugby and football clubs.

Building on this enviable reputation, the recently-formed Residential Surfacing

Northavon can install or resurface tennis courts and other sports and play areas

division, which is led by experienced Operations Director Tony Flook, specialises in driveways, car parks, tennis courts and multi-use games areas, is currently working across the Somerset region and able to offer some amazing project discounts to new private residential and commercial customers. l To discuss your own surfacing project and find out if you qualify for an amazing Spring deal, contact the Residential Surfacing Team on 01761 435493 or via info@northavon-residential.co.uk.

Alternatively visit www.northavonresidential.co.uk and enter your postcode to generate a unique discount code.

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As seen on TV

TINCKNELL Heating engineers Lee Tidball-Zapp and Ollie Smart are supporting the BBC’s programme DIY SOS: The Big Build by installing a whole new heating system and boiler for a deserving family in Westonsuper-Mare.

They are being supported by two local plumbing merchants – Wolseley in Glastonbury and Jennings Plumbing & Heating in Bridgwater who have donated some of the materials provided for the project.

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MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 93

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MENDIP TIMES

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MENDIP TIMES

HOMES & INTERIORS

Chapel restoration project

GEOFF Collard believes in carrying out restoration work to doors and windows to his very best ability – and says the key to success is to do it in the traditional way rather than cut corners.

Geoff, who runs Bath Furniture Makers based near Peasedown St John, says some restorers – especially some advertising on the internet – may use more filler than A restored window at the wood. He said: “Either they patch chapel at Rudge bits of wood in and fill around all the massive gaps or they don’t use wood at all and use the miracles of products like Filltite wood fillers and the like.

“I’m not knocking them in anyway and they may work wonderfully, but when dealing with listed buildings I believe there should be more wood than filler put back. That’s not to say I don’t use filler, but I keep it to the barest minimum.”

A recent project was to restore the 178-year-old door and arch windows at the Old Chapel in Rudge, near Frome. Layers of thick paint had to be removed before the door and window frames could be revived.

Geoff added: “The glass was one of the most important parts to safeguard with the fantastic ripples and faults that refract the light and mostly this was accomplished, albeit with a few panes missing and the odd casualty.”

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Designed with consideration, installed with care

Adam & Louise welcome you to their new relocated showroom in the village of Winscombe.

‘We have always insisted upon quality brands and service at idesign. We are excited to add Samsung integrated appliances to our portfolio’.

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01934 844144 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 97

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Pass wide and slow . . . please!

DID you see the recent TV news item featuring a fat horse on some weighing scales?

The Blue Cross charity says “that it now deals with more horses and ponies affected by obesity-related diseases than malnourishment”. So are we killing our With RACHEL horses with kindness and what can we do THOMPSON about it? The Blue Cross has produced some MBE very helpful papers on obesity prevention and management. I particularly like “Fat Horse Slim”.

Tam and I have been engaged in the fat war for over a year now. Last summer (hot, dry, remember?) Tam was “footy”.

“Definitely slightly lame,” said Corinne the osteopath on her annual visit.

Sam the vet roared in. “Touch of laminitis,” he pronounced.

“Everything’s got it,” he added gloomily. “Get some weight off!”

I drew up battle plans. Weigh horse, weigh food, sub-divide paddock, strip graze, more exercise.

We walked many Mendip miles, in hand walking (we became friends!) morphing into long reining up hill and down dale, then hacking, one hour, two, three. We rode around villages only glimpsed on the map – Burrington, Dolebury, Rowberrow. Tam

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Harry and Lily Dadswell riding home from Priddy School

shrank down the weigh tape: 498, 478. The year waned, the wind howled, it poured with rain and then the snow came and Tam’s rugs remained firmly hanging in the stable, 458 and finally now 438kgs.

Corinne arrives. “Trot up,” she says. Tam waggles her hips and struts her stuff. Corrine is quiet. “Wow,” she says, “100% passthe-vet-inspection sound” and “ooh look at those muscles?”

“Long reining!” I say.

Catherine the vet arrives (second flu jab). “Condition score 3.5”, (out of 5) she pronounces. Oh what? “Don’t worry,” she says, kindly. “Carry on with the exercise; that is the most important thing for decreasing insulin levels and stopping insulin resistance (which leads to laminitis).”

I have a theory about this obesity crisis. The thing is, it’s really difficult to exercise horses these days isn’t it? The roads are busier, the traffic bigger and faster. We have to travel roads for exercise, for transport and to get to bridleways and byways.

Interestingly, more children are riding – they want to ride to school! Incidents and dramas are reported daily on social media, adding to the fear of hacking out – a car on the wrong side of the road catapults two horses into the air, a carriage horse lies dead under a sheet, a horse spooks so badly at a deer it crashes onto the road.

So, what can we all do? Well, as drivers we should always expect to see a horse around a bend or over a brow and when we pass – please pass wide and slow. A horse can spook at over 50 miles an hour, that’s a tragedy if the car is travelling at 50 mph too. Horse riders and carriage drivers: please be seen in fluorescent gear, be clear in asking drivers to stop and wait if necessary, smile and say thank you. Webcams are increasingly sported on helmets and yes, the police have and do prosecute on the basis of incident footage. Cyclists, please be nice and say hi.

We all share the roads!

Self-help and publicity to increase awareness helps too. Horse riders and carriage drivers in Hutton are fundraising for a flashing speed limit sign (£1,800) to help prevent numerous incidents at the Canada Combe junction. If you live nearby, helping with fundraising or making a contribution will be very much appreciated – find Hutton Horse Riders on Facebook messenger. l Badmnton hopefuls, see page 105.

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Tommie’s gunning for further success JOCKEY Tommie O’Brien achieved his first ever treble when competing at the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point-topoint meeting at Charlton Horethorne.

His success was even more impressive as he effectively rode two horses in the same race! The opening race, the two mile four furlong Open Maiden, was divided into two because of the high number of runners and he guided home Get Prepared in the first division followed by Presence of Mind in division two. He then won the three mile Open Maiden on Cadzand.

A total of 71 horses took to the redesigned course during the main racing which was followed by two pony races, one of which featured Katherine Sprake, aged just nine years old!

RIDING

Clearing the first fence in the opening Open Maiden race

Jockeys ahead of the pony racing

Myla Coppins, aged ten, sets off for the start on Wellstan Louisa in the 138cms and under pony race Looking relaxed in the paddock: Bryan Carver on the Roger Pennyowned Earth Leader

George Hiscock (centre) on his way to victory on Robin de Boss, trained by Jo Hepburn

Natalie Parker (right) rode the Rose Loxton-trained Virak to win the Mixed Open Race.

Rose trains near Bruton

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 99

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Game for a laugh and more Photos by Mark Adler

DEMONSTRATIONS and have-a-go activities combined with music and dozens of stalls were the key to the success of this year’s West of England Game Fair at the Royal Bath and West Showground.

Country casual – friends dressed for the occasion gather for a drink and a chat in the food and drink area

Chef Rachel Green is a familiar face at the BASC Taste of Game cookery theatre

Members of the Weston-super-Mare band The Leylines – they are usually a five-piece – entertain visitors. They’ll be one of the headline acts on the Pilton Stage at this year’s Royal Bath and West Show

BASC tutors teach shooting skills to youngsters – the windy conditions were a challenge for all

This pointer x lab makes light work of the bales on the retrieve course

This striated caracara – known as the Johnny rook in its Falkland Islands habitat – goes by the name of Sparky

Flycasting lessons were sponsored by Pass it on Young Sports

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 100

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Chew Valley’s 50th anniversary celebration

Valley Cats

CHEW Valley Rugby Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lunch in the clubhouse for more than 100 people, including former and current players and officials. It coincided with the last game of the season for the women’s team the Valley Cats.

Founder chairman, Guerwyn Thomas, aged 90, said: “I’m very

Chris Small the club's first captain

SPORT

very proud indeed about the progress the club has made. Rugby is a beautiful game. Sport is the greatest leveller that there is in life, whether male or female, young or old.”

Chew Valley are currently top of the league and face secondplaced Midsomer Norton on April 6th.

Founder chairman, Gerwyn Thomas and his wife Jean, with subsequent chairmen (l to r) Richard Martin, Shane Cameron, current chairman who plays for the 3rds, Chris Miller, Dean Wring, Matt Broderick, Andrew Tanner, current president, and Victor Pritchard.

Missing Peter Markham, Robbie Walsh and Ken Wheeler

Founder chairman Gerwyn Thomas and his wife Jean

In their last game of the season Valley Cats beat Hucclecote 51-7 to be third in Womens NC South West 1

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 101

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A tour around Bath

THE Bath Two Tunnels circuit has been described by the Independent as “one of the most scenically varied and sightseeingrich couple of hours of cycling anywhere in Britain”.

The 12.5 mile circular route follows marked cycle trails along canal towpaths, CYCLING former railway tracks and also includes the with EDMUND longest cycling tunnel in the UK. This LODITE makes it perfect for families, recreational riders and it is also a good way to see and explore Bath.

There are plenty of access points along the circuit. I chose to start at Dundas Aqueduct where the Kennet & Avon canal crosses the river Avon. In the cafe you can pick up a copy of the trail map (also available online at somersetcoalcanal.com).

Heading anti-clockwise on the towpath towards Claverton (cycle route 4) there are fine views to the right towards the woods in the distance. At Bathampton, the path becomes paved and as you approach Bath there is a marked increase in the number of walkers. It’s only fair to let pedestrians know that you are approaching so a cycle bell is recommended for this ride.

Just by Holburne Museum the longer circuit heads off right following cycle route 4 into the city. This is a good chance to explore Bath by bike before the route picks up the towpath running along the river Avon.

A more peaceful and scenic option is to carry on past the flight of locks on the highlighted route towards Widcombe.

Then, following a short ride through the picturesque Lyncombe Vale you re-join the full circuit mid-way between the “two tunnels”.

The iconic Two Tunnels path opened in 2013 completing the circuit from Bath. The route links parts of the Kennet & Avon Cycle Route in the east with the Colliers Way in the south and the Bristol to Bath Railway path in the north. Where once steel rails guided the trains of the Somerset and Dorset Railway on

their way to the south coast we can now cycle or walk.

The shorter Devonshire Tunnel exits just before the connection with Lyncombe Vale. From there the path soon approaches Combe Down Tunnel which is just over one mile long.

Inside there is dim lighting but it’s sensible to also have front and rear lights so that you can be seen approaching in the distance. Halfway along there is a sound and light artwork installation that makes the journey even more evocative.

After leaving the long tunnel, the landmarks continue as the route crosses Tucking Mill Viaduct and then descends slightly on the slopes below Midford Castle. The pretty village of Monkton Combe is reached along quiet lanes and then the cycle path returns to Dundas Aqueduct.

There is no doubt that this circuit is a unique cycling experience suitable for everybody. With plenty to see and do and many places to eat or drink there is no need to rush round it. The description as one of the most scenically varied and sightseeing-rich couple of hours of cycling anywhere in Britain is a bold one, but to be honest I’ve not seen any better.

SHEPTON Mallet Gymnastics Club has started 2019 with unbelievable success with five tumblers gaining places in the English Championship being held in a few months’ time.

In the trials, in Southampton, the youngest of the club’s team, Millie Rood, took gold in NDP 1 level. Millie joined the club just over a year ago as a complete beginner. Her training partner, Lottie Wheeler, also became champion in the next level, NDP 2. This will be Lottie’s second year competing at the English Championships.

The club’s teenagers all proved themselves at NDP 2 with Alice Dillion qualifying after taking silver and Darcie Snaith gaining a place in the next round later this month. The higher-level tumblers also excelled themselves as both Izzy Wheeler and Uther Salter took gold; Uther will also be competing at the championships for the second year in a row also.

Other tumblers, Natalie Lythaby and Calla Scott, both achieved three clean runs.

Back (l:r): Darcie Snaith, Uther Salter, Izzy Wheeler, Natalie Lythaby. Front (l:r): Calla Scott, Lotty Wheeler and Millie Rood

Shepton tumblers off to English Championships

PAGE 102 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Speedway stars of the future come to Somerset

SPEEDWAY fans will get an opportunity to see some of the sport’s talented youngsters in action when the Oaktree Arena – home to the Somerset Rebels side – hosts the second semi-final of British U21 championships on Good Friday, April 19th.

The event will provide the final batch of qualifiers for the final which is being held at Berwick on April 27th.

Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: "We are proud to be hosting this event and we hope that being on Good Friday will attract supporters both locally and even from surrounding counties.

“The meeting is an evening start, our usual 7.30pm, and that means that both fans from Poole and Swindon – who meet much earlier in the day at Poole – will have time to make the short trip to the Oaktree and offer their backing to these young stars.”

The Rebels are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

They will launch their season with a special commemorative anniversary meeting against Poole – the coming together of last season's SGB Premiership cup and league winners – on Wednesday. April 3rd.

Tickets are now on sale for an anniversary dinner at the arena clubhouse on Saturday, April 6th. The 2017 world speedway champion Jason Doyle has confirmed that he will be attending.

Doyle, who has ridden for the club in four seasons including the double winning year of 2013, led the club to their highest ranking piece of silverware, the 2018 Premiership Knockout Cup.

Mark Moor open day

MARK Moor Bowling Club has an open day on Saturday, April 27th, 11am-4pm. The welcoming and friendly club is situated right next to the village hall in a very pleasant and quiet rural setting.

They have their own clubhouse with a bar together with changing rooms and ample car parking. They are looking for new members of any age from eight to 80 and beyond!

You will not need any special equipment to start – just flat shoes or trainers without heels. They say free training in this great game will introduce you to a brilliant way to keep fit and also make new friends.

Regular club evenings will take place on Mondays and Thursdays if you cannot make the open day.

Details: Elaine 01278 326051 or Joan on 01278 641625

In the net

SOMERSET Netball is running a new course in Chilcompton to encourage players to return to the sport.

Sessions begin on Monday, April 1st at the village’s sports centre; players of all abilities are welcome.

Sessions cost £4 and run from 7-8pm.

For details, contact Sammy: samantha.kemmish@englandnetball.co.uk 07738696362

Winter bowls

SPORT

WRINGTON Bowling Club starts its summer season on Saturday, April 13th and is probably the only club in the area that could carry on playing outside all winter.

The reason? Back in 2000 when it opened at the village’s sports and social club, founder members had managed to raise £72,000 to put in an all-weather rink.

Their event on April 13th is Captains’ Day and on the following day they will have an open day at which all new players will be welcome.

Free coaching

CHEW Stoke Bowling Club is inviting new players to free coaching days, by appointment, with equipment provided. It’s also hosting open days on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th, with stalls and cream teas.

Chairman, Martyn Edmonds, said: “Come and join us for a fun and family day out and try your hand at bowls.”

Details: martynjoedmonds@gmail.com 01275 474729

Players say thank you to club membership secretary Ruth and Dan at the Wells Tennis Club AGM

MEMBERS of the 200-strong Wells Tennis Club gave many thanks at their annual meeting to Ruth Clarke for eight years of looking after them.

Ruth has welcomed every new member to the club, managed subscriptions and the introduction of online bookings long after she stopped playing herself. She hands over to Clare Mather.

Club chairman Dan Cooke said: “A community club is only as good as its volunteer committee. Ruth has been a great example of dedicated effort to make sure every new member feels welcome and has the best start at our club and, of course, that we collect all our subs to remain an efficient enterprise!"

During the AGM, Dan spoke about another successful year of competitive and social tennis, a drive to encourage more young people in the area to enjoy tennis, and on progress of a potential move with Wells Rugby Club to a new site at Haybridge.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 103

(Photography courtesy of Mike Lang)

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Boxing was the winner

Norton fighters Cameron Walker and Jayden Walker with coaches Sean and Katy

NORTON Radstock Amateur Boxing Club held its very first boxing event much to the delight of the local people who came out in their hundreds.

Held at Paulton Rovers FC the night featured 13 bouts involving boxers – male and female – from as far afield as Weston-super-Mare, Wimborne and Swindon.

NRABC head coach Sean Jenkins said: "These bouts are designed to give the boxers the experience of boxing in front of a large crowd, going through the whole procedure backstage of having a medical and the weigh-in plus the nervous wait of being called up.

“It’s also a great way for the coaches to learn about their boxers on how they handle the whole experience and at the end of it both boxers get a trophy for their efforts that hopefully starts off their collection."

Assistant coach Katy Simmons agreed the night was a great success. Katy said: "It was not only great to see our own club boxers boxing, but it was also fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the visiting boxers who were all keen to box on this historical first show, the first of many we hope.”

Club secretary Jeff White added: "Overall the night couldn’t have gone any better; the appreciation shown from the strong crowd showed just how much people had enjoyed the evening and the skills on show.

Hearing and reading people’s comments on social media made all the months of hard work worthwhile, onwards and Lydia Williams, aged 16, from the host upwards.” club with coaches Sean and Katy

PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

Five not out for cricket club

CHILCOMPTON Sports Cricket Club is looking forward to its fifth season under that name after 2018 marked the most successful to date for the senior side.

The club, based at Chilcompton Sports Club, saw the 1st XI finish as runners-up in Bristol & District Division Six and will play in Division Five this season.

The Saturday 2nd XI finished mid-table, just missed out on the Picked for Somerset: Alexandra promotion places and Baughan was named Young Player of will play in Bristol & the Year at the club’s awards night District Division 13 whilst the Sunday XI also finished runners-up in North Somerset Division Four and will play in Division Three.

Following in the footsteps of Joe Fussell in 2018, the club saw Alexandra Baughan being selected to represent Somerset in 2019.

Alexandra is one of the club’s promising girls playing in the mixed U-11 and U-13 sides.

Last season also saw the opening of its new nets. At their annual meeting, the club thanked Steve Davis Building Contractors, Tesco Bags for Help, Aggregate Industries Ltd, Morris & Perry Ltd, The Irma Sperring charity amongst others for their support. Main club sponsors are Parker Transport SW, Spectrum Form Design and PG Owen.

Fundraising to complete the project is continuing with a race night planned for Friday, June 7th.

Junior training sessions will be held again at Chilcompton Sports Club on Wednesday evenings, starting on April 17th.

Senior outside nets will start on Thursday, April 4th. l The club is keen to recruit more players for the new season.

Contact Dave Travis for further details on 07725 458404 email dave.travis@hotmail.co.uk or visit: www.chilcomptonsports.com/cricket/

New players welcome

WRINGTON Vale Croquet Club is offering a free taster session to teach “first-timers” the basic rules and tactics of the game and all equipment is provided. They are a member of the England Croquet Association.

They have a very modest membership fee and players are not expected to attend every week – go and enjoy the advantages of gentle exercise in pleasant surroundings with a social tea break.

Last year they played home and away friendly games against The Palace Croquet Club of Wells and the results were evenly divided. They look forward to repeating the fixtures this year.

They meet at the Wrington Recreation Ground at 2.30pm every Thursday during the spring and summer months starting on April 11th.

Details: John Rhodes 01934 862838

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Japanese rugby referee takes in the sights

Clare and Mizuki on a visit to Wells

RUGBY referee Mizuki Morimachi was the guest of the world’s most capped female referee, Clare Daniels, on a visit to the West Country.

Clare, a match official development officer for the RFU, began her refereeing career after playing for Tor Ladies in Glastonbury. In 2016, she became the first female fourth official in Premiership Rugby history at a game

between Bristol and Exeter.

Clare and Mizuki met at a women’s rugby competition in the Far East and during her stay, Mizuki took the whistle in a match between Old Bristolians and Yate. She also visited RFU headquarters with Clare, at Twickenham, and watched Bath v Saracens at The Rec.

Bowled over by hospital’s work

Trevor Francis (far left) and Bryn Hawkins (far right), from tournament hosts and winner Purnell, present the cheque to some of the ward team

A FLOODLIT charity bowls tournament between six Mendip teams has raised £1,600 for the Dolphin Ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Paulton, Purnell, Norwest, Prattens, Frome Selwood and Frome Park bowls clubs have staged the competition for several years, raising more than £30,000 in total. The winner this time was Purnell BC. Purnell committee member Bryn Hawkins said: “Thanks must go out to all the bowls club members who play and look forward to this social/competitive event every year.”

SPORT

Club is a winner

PENSFORD Tennis Club has been named county winner of the Club of the Year Award by Avon LTA. Volunteers with coach, Dan Church, have enabled the small community club to restore its courts to a professional level and more than double its membership in three years. It is now planning a new clubhouse.

Details: www.pensfordtennisclub.co.uk

Badminton beckons

SHEPTON Mallet rider, Millie Dumas, is due to make her debut at next month’s Badminton Horse Trials, which begin on May 1st.

Millie’s family run Rosamund Green Farm, Shepton Mallet, a cross country school facility

used by many top riders.

Millie, aged 26, has a wealth of experience behind her, winning at various levels. But Badminton is her biggest challenge to date.

She said: "I'm really excited to be competing at my first Badminton this year, it feels like a privilege to have been accepted, this will be the next big step in my career which has always been the vision since a young age. I hope that we can have good solid first attempt at it that will set me up for years to come."

Amateur rider Alexander Bragg, aged 38, a farrier from Bridgwater is also competing. He made his Badminton debut in 2017 with Zagreb. The pair impressed cross country but had to withdraw before show jumping. They returned in 2018 to complete in 36th place.

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New members welcome

THE annual meeting of the Tabor Ringers saw Angie Poole reelected as leader and Annette Rhymes remaining as treasurer, with Barb Spalding taking over as secretary from Ruth Bailey.

Although it had been a challenging year, the meeting heard the group still seems to be going from strength to strength, with 18 engagements being undertaken during the course of the year.

Bookings have already been taken for 2019 with a possible radio appearance and interview.

If anyone is free at 2pm on a Monday afternoon and would like to go along to Tabor Church, Timsbury to listen or consider joining, they would be welcomed.

Night of Russian classics

Details: Barb Spalding 01761 752177

Ladies who sing

SOMER Valley Singers practice every Thursday evening, 7.309pm, at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton, under the musical directorship of Dave Simmonds.

They sing a variety of music ranging from modern, popular items through songs from musical shows to more traditional classical choral pieces.

The choir performs mainly at local residential care homes but also performs at larger venues from time to time.

If you are interested in joining, go along and give them a try – no auditions necessary!

Their next big concert is on Wednesday, June 5th when they will sing at the lunchtime concert at St. John's Church, Midsomer Norton.

Details: Shirley Parker 01761 433325 or Sue Mortimer on 01761 413725.

AN evening of Russian music performed by the acclaimed Russian pianist Yulia Chaplina and her husband Jonathan Deakin will be held at St Mary’s in Yatton on Saturday, April 27th.

Yulia won first prize and the gold medal in the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Competition in 2004, going on to perform regularly as a soloist in many of the world’s finest venues.

Jonathan has performed as a pianist and cellist on Radio 3 and the BBC Proms. Their programme will include solo performances by Yulia and also piano duets with Jonathan by well-known Russian composers.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, £8 YMS members, £10 non-members including complimentary refreshments, can be obtained from the church office or on the door on the night.

Details: www.yms.org.uk or contact David Ford 01934 830255 e-mail david.ford@yms.org.uk

Spoken Word special

Young talent on show

MARK Junior Theatre is presenting Singin in the Rain Jnr at the Strode Theatre, Street. This is the second year they will be performing at this venue. Last year’s performance of High School Musical Jnr was a huge success.

They are a talented group of young people, aged nine-19 who attend local schools and colleges. Performances are on Thursday, March 28th, Friday, March 29th and Saturday, March 30th at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Details: Tickets £10, £7 concessions from Strode Theatre Box Office 01458 442848 or online at www.strodetheatre.org.uk

PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

CHEW Valley Spoken Word, a new community not-for-profit venture, opens for its first event on Friday, April 26th at Chew Magna Baptist Chapel, Tunbridge Road, BS40 8SP. This wellappointed chapel is a popular venue for concerts and meetings.

Supported by Liz Brownlee, award-winning poet from Chew Magna, and Colin Emmett, local Mendip storyteller, this will be the first of a new series of entertaining evenings of poetry, story, music and song.

Both performers and listeners are welcome to share or just to enjoy a relaxing evening's entertainment.

Performance slots, which will be available on the night, start at 8pm. Get there at 7.30pm, when tea and coffee will be available, to book your turn – a maximum of ten minutes. It's your chance to share your contribution with a relaxed and supportive audience.

Refreshments will also be available during the interval. Entry is free, with a suggested £3 donation in the hat.

Details: Colin Emmett 01275 332735 chewvalleyspokenword@gmail.com

Easter concert

THE Congresbury Singers will perform John Stainer’s ever-popular The Crucifixion at St. Peter’s Church, Draycott in Holy Week on Tuesday, April 16th, at 8pm.

Their director Gordon Pullin will also be singing the tenor solos. Formerly a member of the choirs of St. John’s College, Cambridge, York Minster and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Gordon will be joined by Bristol-based baritone and choral director Canon Bruce Saunders,

Charity performance

the former sub-dean of Southwark Cathedral, who will sing the bass solos.

Members of St. Peter’s church choir will also be taking part. Playing the organ will be local resident Barry Rose, who as organist of Guildford Cathedral made the 1969 EMI award-winning recording of the work.

Since then has orchestrated it and recorded it in the cathedral. In March 2018, Barry also directed the BBC Singers in a live broadcast from

AVALON Phoenix Players are presenting Twelfth Night at St Benedict’s Church, Glastonbury from Friday, March 29th-Sunday March 31st.

All the profits will go to Mind in Somerset.

Performances start at 7pm.

Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £8 available on the door.

Details: Avalonphoenixplayers.weebly.com

Travelling players

SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has teamed up with Somerset-based Wassail Theatre Company to create an all-new production of The Somerset Charabanc.

The charabanc itself is a 1920s miller’s cart pulled slowly by two Suffolk Punch horses and audience and performers share the space for the duration of the storytelling performance.

This year’s story and adventure will be delivered in association with two of Somerset's most exciting and inventive performance companies Mumblecrust Theatre and Pocketfluff Productions.

It will be set against the backdrop of Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve

MUSIC & THEATRE

Guildford Cathedral, when the work was broadcast all around Europe, as BBC Radio 3’s contribution to EBU Broadcasting Day. Admission to the Draycott performance is free, with a retiring collection in aid of the church’s organ fund.

Raising a glass to choir’s centenary year

MENDIP Male Voice Choir has commissioned a special ale to mark their centenary celebrations.

Musical director Jamie Knights is Cheers to us: (l:r) Peter Beaven, choir chairman, Jamie Knights, musical director and Phil working the Gait, treasurer choir hard in rehearsals with many new pieces making sure they are in perfect condition for the first concert on Saturday, May 11th at the Methodist Church in Radstock and then Camerton Community Hall on Saturday, May 18th.

The real ale – called “Bring I’m Home” – has been brewed by Twisted Oak Brewery in Wrington and is now being sold in bottles, casks and mini-kegs.

– Somerset’s Wildlife Trust’s most iconic, and internationally acclaimed wetland reserve on the Avalon Marshes.

Generous funding has been received from Arts Council England and The Mackintosh Foundation.

The all-new story, written by Details: www.somersetwildlife.org

Wassail’s Nick White, will focus on important socio-environmental issues surrounding the topic of climate change.

Performances will run from May 29th-June 16th with tickets going on general sale from April 23rd.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 107

(Photo courtesy of Louis Smith)

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Rocking Wells Cathedral

ROCK legend Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull will be performing The Christmas Jethro Tull Concert at Wells Cathedral on Friday, December 13th at 7.30pm.

Over the last 12 years, he has performed in many of the great cathedrals and churches in the UK helping to raise much-needed funds for their preservation.

Based on a Christmas-themed concert, he features the work of Jethro Tull since 1968, several pieces of re-worked classical repertoire, and traditional pieces from the musical liturgy of the Church of England. The cathedral’s choristers will also be performing at the concert.

Ian said: “Whether your Christmas is a secular affair of giftgiving and family gatherings or a more worshipful recognition of one of the two biggest days in the Christian calendar, join us for some uplifting Christmas spirit, music, readings and maybe even a prayer or two."

The Dean of Wells, The Very Rev Dr John Davies DL, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Ian Anderson and his team to Wells Cathedral in December. These concerts have a reputation for selling out quickly so I advise anyone interested in attending what will be a very special evening to secure their seats as soon as possible via the Wells Cathedral website!”

PAGE 108 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

(Photograph courtesy of Dimitris Koutroumpas

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(Photograph courtesy of Dimitris Koutroumpas www.dreamersarewelcome.com)

Down the rabbit hole

A NEW exhibition opens at the Art Bank in Shepton Mallet in April dedicated to Alice in Wonderland.

Alice in Rubbishland is the work of artist-inresidence Dimitris Koutroumpas and takes muchAlice in Rubbishland loved characters from the Lewis Carroll “Alice” books and offers versions of them created from a variety of materials otherwise destined for landfill, including plastics, broken brollies and off-cut fabrics.

Characters represented include Alice, the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and a many others placed within the Queen of Hearts garden.

Since January the Rubbish Art Project at the Art Bank has been offering free Alice-themed creative activities. Thanks to funding from Somerset Skills and Learning people from all backgrounds have helped the artists create content for the exhibition, which opens on Friday, April 26th for seven weeks. l Workshops continue until Thursday, April 11th and include jewellery making, sculptural work using recycled objects and weaving with plastics. For details, visit: www.therubbishartproject.co.uk or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/therubbishartproj and www.facebook.com/artbankcafe

Festival line-up confirmed

THIS year’s Wells Festival of Film will see a mix of special screenings and events all packed into just three days.

The festival – celebrating Heroes on Film – opens on Friday, April 26th with a charity lunch at the Swan Hotel in aid of MediCinema, In the evening, Wells Film Centre will be showing The Kid Who Would Be King with special guests in attendance.

Highlights on Saturday include a morning screening of Wall-E with an introduction by local director Darren Cavanagh, who worked on Disney’s marketing campaign for the film and will reveal the secrets behind making a great trailer.

Members of the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion will attend the film They Shall Not Grow Old on Sunday, following an awards ceremony at the cinema.

The festival will close with an exclusive screening of ExDominatrix followed by a question and answer session with the director Darren Cavanagh.

For full details – and to find out how to enter a short video competition – visit www.wellsfilmcentre,co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Museum opens at Easter

AXBRIDGE and District Museum opens for this year’s season on April 1st. The opening exhibit will be on an archaeological survey carried out by members of the Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society (AALHS) in a field in Chapel Allerton. It’s open daily 1pm4pm and from 11am-4pm on the first Saturday of each month, to coincide with the local farmers’ market.

An Easter egg and a glass of wine?

PEROLD Wine Cellar is offering a four-wine tasting for just £5 during the Easter Trail day at Rookery Farm at Binegar on Saturday, April 20th.

Easter Trail maps to guide visitors around Rookery Farm will be available from the wine cellar on the day and they will also be operating a cash bar. l The wine tasting runs from 11am-4pm and features four wines from the cellar’s monthly selection with tasting notes.

The Burrington Inn Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills

We still have limited availability for Mothers Day Restaurant • Bar • Function Rooms • Live music

Open despite A368 road works!

The Burrington Inn • Burrington Combe • Nr Blagdon North Somerset BS40 7AT 01761 462227 • Email: enquiries@theburringtoninn.co.uk

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD WELLS FESTIVAL OF FILM

Fri 26th to Sun 28th April – three days celebrating Heroes on Film

Avengers Charity Luncheon Fri 12noon. The Swan Hotel Wells Cinema: The Kid Who Would Be King (PG) Fri 7.30pm Wall-E Sat 11am, Pick Of The Litter (PG) 2pm Sanctum 3D (15) Sat 4.30pm, Shongram (15) Sat 7.30pm Award Ceremony Sun 2pm They Shall Not Grow Old 3D (15) Sun 4.30pm Ex-Dominatrix: A True Story (15) Sun 7.30pm Pick up a full Festival programme or visit our website

● Book in person ● Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk ● Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

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Bishop’s Palace gears up for Easter THEY are looking forward to a busy Easter at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells.

The holiday fun kicks off on Saturday, April 6th when the new Easter Egg Trail will be in place.

Then there are various activities in the Undercroft and gardens over the next couple of weeks.

For something a little different, join Raptorcare on Saturday, April 13th for the palace’s Medieval Falconry Day. The Society of Graphic Fine Art is staging an exhibition at the palace from May 22nd until the end of June.

The palace’s 14 acres of gardens will be open daily throughout the Easter Holidays and the Dragon’s Lair Play Area is the perfect place to exercise little legs.

There’s also a choice of The Hungry Dragon Snack Bar (adjacent to The Dragon’s Lair), serving drinks and snacks, or The Bishop’s Table Café, which is open daily, serving childfriendly menus alongside lunches,

PAGE 110 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

cakes and hot drinks to refresh the grown-ups too! l The City of Wells was awarded the top prize for Coach Friendly Destination at the British Coach Tourism awards. It follows two years of partnership working involving Wells Cathedral, The Bishop's Palace, Wells and Mendip Museum, Wells Civic Details: www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Falconry display

Society, town council and chamber of commerce.

The Bishop's Palace was awarded Coach Friendly Attraction which was a fantastic surprise for the site given that it was up against some prestigious and very well-known visitor attractions such as Blenheim Palace, RHS Wisley and Rosemoor and Chatsworth.

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A view from the hill

DOCUMENTARY and fashion photographer Matilda Temperley has focussed her camera on home territory for a new exhibition about Somerset, currently on view at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury.

Matilda was commissioned by the South West Heritage Trust to produce an exhibition, book and documentary film. The exhibition is called Matilda Temperley: A View From the Hill with an associated photobook which further explores the people and places that are close to her heart.

Matilda, who grew up and still lives near Glastonbury, said: “Having a commission to explore my own area has been wonderfully eye opening. Looking a little harder at my surroundings has been an incredible adventure.

“It is more diverse and Rocky the Jacob Ram at the Royal interesting than I ever Bath and West Show imagined, and I have

WHAT’S ON

A fire is lit during the Beltane celebrations at Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury. People are invited to jump over it to signify new beginnings

only scratched the surface.”

With brother Henry Temperley, and sister-in-law Lara Stower, Matilda has also produced a documentary about the county.

Sam Astill, Principal Museums Officer with the South West Heritage Trust, said: “As well as capturing Somerset’s wonderful distinctiveness, the project documents some of the issues facing rural communities. It will be an important contribution to the story of Somerset already explored by the Museum. Matilda’s striking images capture the county today but also evoke its rich past and uncertain future.” l Matilda Temperley: A View From the Hill, is open until June 1st. Admission is as part of museum entry.

For details, visit: www.srlm.org.uk

Cheesemaker Tom Calver in his cheddar cheese cellar at Westcombe Dairy

Meet the authors

WELLS library is hosting monthly author events where authors talk about their books and the inspiration behind them.

Damien Boyd started the year with a fully-booked talk about his Somerset-based books featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.

Dr Justin Newland gave an illustrated talk on The Great Ming Code and Karen Genge read extracts from her Utopia Swing Set series. Between April and August, the library will be hosting Sheila Jeffries, R.L. Endean, Paula Williams, Jan Ellis and Alison Knight.

Details: search Wells www.somersetlibraries.co.uk or email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk

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T H E

M E N D I P

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. We may not be able to use entries which are too lengthy or submitted as posters or leaflets. Commercial entries cost £25.

Wednesday March 27th Harptrees History Society talk by Oliver Hulme, "Secret Bunkers in Somerset" 7.30pm West Harptree hall BS40 6EB. Details: 01761 221758 or 221941.

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support “The Life & Music of Frank Sinatra” 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall.

Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Mendip Society talk: “Surviving the Last Ice Age” new evidence from Ebbor Gorge, Prof. Danielle Schreve, 7.30pm Henton Church £5 on door. Details: jennycrossley@mbzonline.net or Terry 01749 679128.

Thursday March 28th Chew Valley Wildlife Group: “Faulklands – conflict & wildlife” Derek Trendell. Chew Magna Old School Room, 7.45pm £2.50.

Social table tennis all abilities 7.15pm Compton Dando village hall, £3pp. Details: Richard 07968 269841.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 6m Kilmersdon. Start 10am Kilmersdon Church BA3 5TL, ST685524.

Details: Trevor & Val: 01761 232311 07976 629342.

Friday March 29th Valley Arts, two events today: Dragonbird Theatre for 0-5 years, £5pp at 10am & 11.15am Chew Magna Church Hall BS40 8RJ and a Comedy Night, 7.30pm Bishop Sutton village hall, £12: Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Lions Brass 4 Youth Concert 7.30pm Nailsea School. Tickets £7.50 U-17s £4 from 01275 464240 or chris.j.perry@blueyonder.co.uk. For Rotary Nailsea & Backwell local charities.

Quiz Night, 7.30pm Chew Valley School hall. Teams of up to six. £10pp includes chilli supper. Raising funds for the school. Tickets: 01275 332272 cvschoolsociety@outlook.com “From Shoes to Films” talk by Neil Clark (40 years with Clarks) 7pm Camerton Community Hall. £5 incl. hot drink.

Mendip Society agm, guest speaker Gerry Cottle, 7pm Wookey Hole Community Hall.

Friday March 29th to Sunday March 31st Twelfth Night, Avalon Phoenix Players. All profits to Mind in Somerset. 7pm St Benedict’s Church, Glastonbury. Tickets £8 on door or: Avalonphoenixplayers.weebly.com Saturday March 30th Churchill Music Peter Donohoe, All-Mozart Piano Series part 1, at 4.30pm & 7.30pm, St Johns Church, BS25 5NW. (Part 2 on 18th May). Tickets: Mary 01934 852589 or Ticketsource.

Magna Jazz 7.30pm Litton village hall. Bar. Tickets £10 incl Ploughman’s from: Mike 01761 241446 or Maggie 01761 241522.

West Mendip Orchestra Concert Weber, Mozart, Dvorak, 7.45pm St Mary's Church, Yatton £10 (£8) Students £2, on door.

Clash of the Choirs, St Mary’s Church Wedmore, 6.15pm. Tickets £8, U-14s £3, from village store.

Carlea Theatre Arts Hewish & Puxton village hall 9.30-1pm. Children’s dance classes. Contact Leanne 07534 242119.

Easter Craft Fair Ston Easton village hall 11-3pm.

Stalls, children’s activities, refreshments. For Chewton Mendip Primary School.

Congresbury Gardening Club Spring Show 2.30pm Old School Rooms, £1. Details: congresburygardening.org Gardens of WW1 by Christine Stones for Somerset Plant Heritage 2.30 pm Edington Village Hall TA7 9HA. Visitors £4. Plant sale 1.30pm. Details: 01278 451631.

Spectra Musica singing 7.30pm St Luke & St Teresa's Church, Wincanton. Tickets £12: 01963 350160 tickets@spectramusica.co.uk or on the door.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society,7pm. Tickets: 01749 672773, cathedral shop PAGE 112 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

T I M E S

or www.cos.org.uk Love the Library Day Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AZ. 10am-4pm. Free activities for all, author readings. See Facebook.

Sunday March 31st Stories for Change 7pm Holy Trinity Church, Cleeve BS49 4PN. Live world music. Middle Eastern refreshments. Free, donations welcome. Contact Rev. Nigel 01934 283340.

Monday April 1st Mendip Ramblers easy 3.5m cup of tea walk Bruton.

Start 1.30pm free CP nr Station Rd BA10 0ET, ST684349. Details: Mary & Julie 07780 387045 07811 930171.

Tuesday April 2nd ‘As Good as Gold’ Alexandra Epps on its significance & symbolism, 11am Bath & West Show Ground, BA4 6QN www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk.

Guests welcome. Details: 01934 862435.

Thursday April 4th Congresbury Gardening Club Minimum Effort for Maximum Effect by Mary Payne, 7.30pm Methodist Hall High Street.

Mendip Storytelling Circle short tales, old & new.

Free, donations welcome. 7.30 pm Chewton Mendip village hall BA3 4LL mendipstorycircle@gmail.com.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 6m Glastonbury circle.

Start 10am Bretenoux Rd, Tor end BA6 8DY, ST503381. Details: Francoise 01458 831823.

Spring Fashion Show. In aid of Help the Child.

Show by Lime at Wedmore Village Hall. 7pm. Tickets £20 inc. supper. FFi: Lime of Wedmore & the Frock Shop 01278 760800 or admin@helpthechild.org.uk Witham Friary History Society: The Sweetland Organ. 7pm, St Mary’s church, Witham Friary. Enjoy a glass of wine and listen to some organ music played on the newly-repaired Sweetland Organ. All welcome.

Friday April 5th Shared Reading groups every Friday. Join in, or just drop in to relax with a coffee & enjoy listening.

Glastonbury library 10.30am-12; Wells library 11am 12.30. Details: 0151 7292200.

MENDIPITY: Quiz on all things Mendip! 7pm Burrington Inn. Enter teams of 4 or as individuals. £10pp incl Ploughman’s. Book: Judith 01275 874284 or secretary@themendipsociety.org.uk Open Mic Night Redhill Club, BS40 5SG. 8-11pm.

Hosted by Jerry Blythe: 07900 587646.

Memories Over Elevenses – a cuppa & a trip down memory lane. Come & reminisce at Radstock Museum, 10.30-12noon. £3.

Saturday April 6th “Wakey Wakey” free post hibernation check for your tortoise. Tortoises on display. Vet advice.

Refreshments. British Chelonia Group 10am-4pm Felton village hall BS40 9XA. Frome Memorial Theatre: "Jive Talkin' perform The Bee Gees Live in Concert" 7.30pm. Tickets £20 from 01373 462795 www.fmt.website Chew Valley Choral Society Haydn’s Creation, St Andrew’s Church, Blagdon. Tickets £12, students £6 from CVCS members, on the door or 01275 333014.

Free Prostate cancer testing 10am-2pm, St Thomas Church, Wells BA5 2XG. For appointment: 01458 441669 or peterhopwood46@gmail.com www.cityofwellslions.org/prostate Coffee Morning with a delicious cake stall! 10am-12, St. Mary's Church Timsbury BA2 0ER. Congresbury Singers: Bach's setting of St Luke's Passion, 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, £8, incl. refreshments.

Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre, 11am– 4pm BS25 5AA. Open weekends & Bank Holidays until end October. Victorian gem on the Strawberry Line. Admission free. Teas.

Bishop’s Palace Wells launch their Easter egg trail.

Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Axbridge Pageant Exhibition displaying their tapestry, costumes and film of the ten-yearly historical pageant 9am-1pm Town Hall.

Kingston Seymour Market 10am-12 village hall.

Fairtrade goods, cakes, crafts. Tables £2: 01934 830553.

Concert by The Brue Boys. Ditcheat Village Hall, 7.30pm. Organised by the Rotary Club of Shepton

W H A T ’ S

Mallet in aid of Bath RUH Forever Friends Appeal.

Tickets £12 (inc. ploughman’s supper) from tickets@sheptonmalletrotary.org.uk. Licensed bar.

Meet the Media – talks & workshops from local, national & international media professionals 2pm7.30pm, ending with drinks & networking at The Beinghuman Warehouse, Frome, BA11 4AR. Tickets £15 from www.beinghuman.com Saturday April 6th and Sunday April 7th Kilmersdon Art Group Spring Exhibition, village hall,11am -4pm. Free; donation to charity. All welcome. Refreshments. Details: Debbie: 07701009616.

Sunday April 7th Mendip Society walk from Glastonbury, moderate 4.5m. Meet 2pm Market Cross, BA6 9HD. Details: Peter 01761 221995.

Monday April 8th "The History of Kings Weston House" talk by David Martyn for Nailsea & District Local History Society 7.45pm, Green Lecture Room, Nailsea School. Visitors £2 www.ndlhs.org.uk Mendip Folk Dance Club 8 -10pm, St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. All welcome £3pp.

Details Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday April 9th Clevedon Art Club, Pete Brown, Landscape Artist 7.30pm Sixth Form Centre Clevedon School, BS21 6AH. Non-members £3 www.clevedonartclub.co.uk Wells Floral Art Club demonstration by Angie Blackwell ‘Easter Extravaganza’ 2.15- 4.15pm St Thomas Church Hall, Wells. Practice class last Tuesday of month. Details: Janet 01934712809.

Congresbury Over-60s Club friendship hour: tea, biscuits & chat. War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm.

Details: 01934 832004.

Wednesday April 10th Weston-s-Mare Music Appreciation Society 7.30pm St Jude's Hall St Peter's Church, Baytree Road, BS22 8HG. Details: simonrawlings9@gmail.com or Dianne 01934 814752.

Wells Civic Society – Welcome to Wells! with Andy Webb, Tudor Hopkins & Ross Young, 7.30pm Wells & Mendip Museum.

"Climbers galore" talk by Christopher Bond for Kilmersdon Gardeners, 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. Nailsea Horticultural Society talk: Gardens at Bishop’s Palace, Wells. Nailsea United Reformed Church Hall, 7.30pm. Non-members £3, includes refreshments.

Thursday April 11th Welsh National Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. Evening Charity Theatre trip to Bristol Hippodrome. To book & for details of future events: Chris 01458 273085. www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk Social table tennis all abilities 7.15pm Compton Dando village hall, £3pp Details: Richard 07968 269841.

Macmillan Help About: an evening with Dr Sam Guglani, Market House, Castle Cary BA7 7AH, 7pm9pm. Free; numbers restricted. Tickets: Bailey Hill Bookshop.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 6 miles Clapton. Start 10am village hall, BA3 4EB, ST642535. Park nearby roads. Details: Trevor & Val 01761 232311 / 07976 629342.

Friday April 12th Barn Dancing with music by Jeroka, 7.30pm Ditcheat Jubilee Hall, admission £4. All welcome.

Organised by caller, Peter Bolton: 01749 672911.

Saturday April 13th Wedmore Friends of Weston HospiceCare Big Breakfast, sittings 8.30am & 10.15am, with table service, at the Bowls Club. Adults £10 (Bucks fizz extra), Child £5 from Paper Shop or 01934 712089 713483.

Weston Hospicecare Easter Fayre 10.30-2pm The Radio Wing, McCrae Rd, Locking Parklands BS24 7LZ. Free, all welcome.

Medieval Falconry Day Bishop’s Palace Wells.

Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Mendip Society walk from Cleeve, an easy 4m. Meet 2pm CP Cleeve Hill Road, BS49 4PQ. Details: Clive 01275 848052.

Timsbury Horticultural Society Spring Show &

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Coffee Morning 10am-12 Conygre Hall. Free admission.

Mendip Society charcoal making Tania’s Wood Reserve with an artist-led class in charcoal drawing.

Details: 01275 874284.

Wells SOUP lunch as four charities tell you what they do, 1pm Connect Centre, junction Chamberlain St/Portway, Wells. Details: 07715 770454.

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds, cds, talking books.

Sunday April 14th Vintage Day, Wessex Stationary Engine Club & Wessex Society of Model Engineers, 10am- 4.30pm White Horse Country Park Coach Rd, off the A350, BA13 4LX. Temple Cloud Easter Fayre 11am-4pm village hall.

Egg hunt, Dog Easter outfit competition, scent-work demo, stalls. For Mutts with Friends Dog Rescue.

Details: Margi 07714 050704.

Frome Memorial Theatre Children's Easter Disco 2.30pm Assembly Rooms. Tickets £6/child. Adults free: 01373 462795 www.fmt.website Redhill Classic Car Breakfast Gathering 9am – 11am. Vehicles on Recreation field, full English breakfast in village hall. For children's play area fund: 01934 862619.

Daffodil Society Wessex Group Annual Show, Henton village hall, 2-4.30pm. Free. Details: 01275 855675.

Social table tennis all abilities 2.30pm Compton Dando village hall, £3pp Details: Richard 07968 269841.

Monday April 15th “The Living Jigsaw Explained” talk by garden writer Val Bourne for Fagus Garden Club, Nailsea.

8pm Methodist Church hall, Silver St. Members £2 Visitors £4.

Wildlife Photography in Central America, talk by Kathy Farrell for Timsbury Natural History Group, 7.30pm Conygre Hall. Non-members welcome, £3.

Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Bingo evening 8pm. Non-members very welcome.

Mid-April to mid-May Cameley House Garden open for group bookings, by prior arrangement only. Adults £7.50, children free, teas £2.50, for the National Garden Scheme. Nr Temple Cloud, BS39 5AJ. To book 01761 451111.

Tuesday April 16th Congresbury Singers: Stainer's Crucifixion 8pm St Peter's Church, Draycott. Free.

'Soup & Sweet', 12noon The Link (old Methodist Chapel) Bishop Sutton. Hosted by WI. Details: Denise 01275332912.

Bleadon Horticultural Society The Importance of my garden to me by Sally James, 7.30pm Coronation Hall BS24 0PG All welcome £2.

Candlelit Compline 6.30pm at the island Church of St Mary, Orchardleigh estate, nr Frome BA11 2PH. Wednesday April 17th Oakhill & Ashwick Local History Group AGM & Quiz, 7.30pm Oakhill village hall. Details: 01749 840200.

Mendip Society walk from Wellow, a hard 5.5m.

Meet 1.30pm Station Rd car park BA2 8QB. Details: Martin 01249 720809.

Considering Adoption? Families for Children Trust information session 2- 4pm Wells & Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green, BA5 2UE. Details: 01271 612004.

Henton & District Gardening Club “Aquaponics: The Future of Farming” by Antonio Paladino, 7.20pm Henton village hall.

Thursday April 18th Mendip Ramblers moderate 7m Festival Trial Walk.

Start 10am Dobbies, Shepton Mallet BA4 4PE, ST629427. Park away from store entrance. Details: Roger 07803 791414.

Rock of Ages evening musical Charity Theatre trip to Bristol Hippodrome. To book & for details of future events: Chris 01458 273085 www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk Friday April 19th Tractor road run. In aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Railway Inn, Meare, nr. Glastonbury

F O R

A P R I L

BA6 9SX. Gather from 10am to leave at 11am, returning 2.30pm. All tractors welcome on the day.

Ffi: Ivan Sparks 07891 939055 or ivan.sparks@hotmail.co.uk Sunday April 21st Mendip Ramblers moderate 12m Sherborne Country Way leg 1 circular. Start 10am Cadbury Castle CP, BA22 7HA, ST631253. Details: Bob & Rosemary 01749 346023.

Monday April 22nd Mells Daffodil Festival. 40th anniversary. Opens 11am. Exciting programme of events in aid of village community groups. ffi: www.mellsdaffodilfestival.co.uk Tuesday April 23rd East Mendip Gardening Club talk by Sally Gregson, Putting the Right Plant in the Right Place, Oakhill village hall, 7.30. Details: 01749 840200.

Chilcompton Garden Club, 7.30pm village hall, talk ‘the Ammerdown Estate’ by Richard Kitley.

Wednesday April 24th Harptrees History Society talk by Mike Hooper "Victorian Bristol in Slides" 7.30 West Harptree hall BS40 6EB. Details: 01761 221758 or 221941.

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support Open meeting at which members can explain how they cope with sight loss, 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Weston-s-Mare Music Appreciation Society 7.30pm St Jude's Hall St Peter's Church, Baytree Road, BS22 8HG. Details: simonrawlings9@gmail.com or Dianne 01934 814752.

Thursday April 25th Social table tennis all abilities 7.15pm Compton Dando village hall, £3pp Details: Richard 07968 269841.

Mendip Ramblers moderate 6 miles Gurney Slade Bottom. Start 10am Oakhill village hall BA3 5AN, ST633475. Details: Gus 01749 840349 07840 926769.

All Saints Church, Weston-super-Mare FREE concert given by the wonderful Charnwood Voices of Loughborough, retiring collection for Charnwood Voices and All Saints’ church, 6-7pm.

Friday, April 26th Chew Valley Spoken Word: local performers celebrating poetry, story, music & song 7.30pm Chew Magna Baptist Chapel, BS40 8SP chewvalleyspokenword@gmail.com Frome Memorial Theatre presents "Psychic Sally – 10th Anniversary Tour" 7.30pm. Tickets £24: 01373 462795 www.fmt.website Saturday April 27th Giant Jumble Sale 10am-12 Conygre Hall, Timsbury BA2 0JQ. Donations from 8am-10 please. Admission 30p. Organised by St. Mary's Church. Refreshments.

Cheddar Vale Lions Spring Craft Fair 10am-2pm Cheddar village hall. Refreshments. Entry forms for crafters from www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk Yatton Music Society hosts Yulia Chaplina, acclaimed Russian pianist, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church.

Tickets £10, (Members £8) www.yms.org.uk Mendip Society walk from Compton Dando.

Moderate 5m. Meet 2pm village hall BS39 4JZ. Details: Roger 01225 872777.

Jumble sale organised by Binegar & Gurney Slade Fundraisers 2.30pm Binegar village hall, BA3 4TR. Raising funds for the hall and Riding for the Disabled.

Castle Cary Gardening Association Plant Sale 8am-12 Market House. Refreshments. Stalls include Tools for Self-Reliance & Cary Beekeepers.

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 9

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws, dvds, cds, talking books.

Styles of Somerset, free Street art & DJ's 11am 10pm Glastonbury Skate Park BA6 9NU facebook.com/stylesofsomerset/ Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th Chew Stoke Bowling Club Open Days 10.30am6pm, BS40 8XN. Stalls, cream teas. Try your hand at bowls, equipment provided. Contact: martynjo.edmunds@gmail.com 01275 474729.

Sunday April 28th Mendip Ramblers moderate 12 miles Upper Coxley to Wookey Hole. Start 10am Ash Lane, Wells BA5 2LR, ST544463 where W Mendip Way crosses.

Details: Gus 01749 840349 / 07840 926769.

Monday April 29th "The Later Avon Valley Copper & Brass Industry" talk by Tony Coverdale for Wessex Stationary Engine Club 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough BA3 4SA. Green Gardeners: Hedgerow Medicine by Helen Kearney, medicinal herb farmer. Parish Rooms Somerton 7.30, Visitors welcome £3.

Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Bingo evening 8pm. Non-members very welcome.

Mendip Folk Dance Club 8-10pm, St James Church Hall Winscombe BS25 1AQ. All welcome £3pp.

Details: Pat 01934 742853.

Wednesday May 1st Art on the Edge 7pm St. Barnabas Church, Claverham BS49 4PA. Talk by local artists and opportunity to create your own art. Refreshments.

Free, donations welcome. Details: Rev. Nigel 01934 283340.

Thursday May 2nd Mendip Ramblers mod 6 miles Black Down. Start 10am Burrington Combe nr the inn, not in pub car park BS40 7AT, ST477590. Details: Margaret P 01761 232042 / 07910 873853.

Friday May 3rd Memories Over Elevenses – cuppa and trip down memory lane. Come and reminisce at Radstock Museum, 10.30-12, £3.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Beauty & the Beast. Evening Charity Theatre trip to Bristol Hippodrome. To book & for details of future events: Chris 01458 273085. www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk Shared Reading groups every Friday. Join in, or just drop in to relax with a coffee & enjoy listening.

Glastonbury library 10.30am-12; Wells library 11am 12.30. Details: 0151 7292200.

Saturday May 4th Cakes & Plants Sale Chapel Allerton Church with Somerset Wildlife Trust 10am-4pm. Lots of plants; also preserves, produce, coffee, books, kids miniscavenger hunt.

Cam Valley Arts Spring Exhibition Conygre Hall Timsbury BA2 0JQ 11am-5pm. Free entry www.camvalleyartstrail.co.uk Made in Somerset artisan show, 10am-4pm ACEarts & Parish Rooms, Somerton, 35 stalls celebrating five years, raising funds for Etatu, local charity supporting education in Kenya.

Mendip Society walk from Blagdon. Mod 6m. Meet 2pm north end Blagdon Lake dam, BS40 7UN. Details: Richard 01275 852786.

Evercreech Show Society Spring plant sale 9am-12, village hall. Refreshments, raffle, mini market. Please bring donated plants cakes etc Friday 3rd May at 6pm.

APRIL CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1 Bamboo, 5 Benjamin, 9 Cut a deal, 10 Stands, 11 Jack, 12 Round House, 13 Bicyclists, 16 Imam, 17 I P Os, 18 Detractors, 19 Workplaces, 22 Asks, 24 Uproar, 25 Aversion, 26 Burledge, 27 Litton.

DOWN: 2 Aruba, 3 Black eyes, 4 Overruled, 5 Baldur's Stockade, 6 Nosed, 7 Alamo, 8 In despair, 14 Impromptu, 15 St Austell, 16 In transit, 20 Knoll, 21 Lured, 23 Kyoto.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019 • PAGE 113

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

Celebrate the best of British Cider LOVERS and makers of cider will flock to this year’s Royal Bath and West Show to take part in the British Cider Championships.

Cider has grown in popularity in recent years as makers have branched out to produce artisan ciders that are sweet and crisp on the tongue – a far cry from the traditional farmhouse scrumpy.

The cider championships are now the biggest in the country, attracting over 600 different ciders, meaning visitors can check out every kind of cider they can imagine. The competition attracts entrants from large commercial manufacturers down to small hobbyists making cider in their garden shed.

Alan Stone has been making cider for ten years, drinking it for much longer and has spent several years judging cider and running cider bars at the Royal Bath & West Show.

Making cider is quite simple, says Alan, who has had his own successes with Stone’s Bittersweet Cider, winning two golds and a second at the show with his son, Richard.

So how do you professionally judge cider? According to Alan there are four different categories of cider apple: sweet, bittersweet, sharp and bittersharp and most farmhouse ciders are a blend of those four.

When judging any kind of cider he says firstly consider the colour and how it smells in the glass, which is affected by how it was made and stored.

When tasting cider, he said: “The cider tastes differently in various parts of your mouth – if you just swallow it you don’t get

half the taste. The ‘length’ of the taste in the throat as you swallow is another factor to consider.”

The British Cider Championships has grown year-on-year and as a result more classes and judges have been introduced.

Alan said: “Around eight or nine years ago there were just 130 entries of farmhouse cider, all judged by the same pair of judges – as you can imagine that was quite challenging. So, with so many more now we have split the classes and we have three pairs of judges for the farmhouse classes and 34 judges in all now.”

The Royal Bath & West Show will be held from May 29th– June 1st. For the first time children can go free during the May half term, with a £5 discount on early adult bookings.

WIN TICKETS TO THE ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW

Mendip Times has teamed with the Royal Bath and West show to give five readers a chance to win a pair of tickets. Just answer this question: how many ciders will there be in the British Cider Championships? Answers on a postcard to Royal Bath and West Competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG. Deadline Friday, April 12th. The first five correct entries drawn will win the tickets. The editor’s decision is final.

Details: www.bathandwest.com 0844 776 6777

Feeling a little crafty this April . . .

PAGE 114 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2019

THE Craft4Crafters Show at the Bath and West Showground from April 11th–13th will be the biggest yet, with an amazing collection of craft businesses, displays, textile artists, workshops, Make & Takes and competitions.

There are over 130 exhibitors, 50 workshops and ten features at the show this time and with stands over two floors, new workshop rooms and larger restaurant and cafes the show is simply one of the best in the South West!

The Craft4Crafters exhibition features a mass of crafting delights, including textile displays, demonstrations, lectures and workshops.

If you would like to take part in one of the many workshops being run at various times throughout the day, go to the website www.craft4crafters.co.uk and you can book online by selecting the booking link. There’s a £2 discount for booking online in advance.

Alternatively, if you don't know what day you are attending the show, you can book when you arrive simply by visiting the stand where the workshop will be taking place. Keep checking the website for more details on demonstrations and workshops so you can book your spot in advance.

Make it a date in your diary!

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