THERE’Sa definite feeling that spring is in the air. We’ve been driving away winter demons at wassail ceremonies and the first snowdrops are out.
Chris Sperring is watching the stirrings of birds and other creatures, while Mary Payne and Charles Dowding are preparing seeds.
Spring is being welcomed at new nature reserves in Wrington and Yatton and at the new community farm in Wedmore.
Farmers have also been out in force for charity tractor runs – we have photos from several. In other charity news, Rachel Clark ran a mile every day last year and Andy Manning is about to cycle across the US.
Les Davies tells us how he recognised a farmer in a mystery photo, while Sue Gearing reports on a new walking route near Charterhouse.
We bid farewell to several well-known Mendip characters and welcome the return of Plop after his Christmas holiday.
Our sports news includes croquet and tiddlywinks. Mendip is full of surprises! With all of our regular contributors and features here’s our early guide to spring on Mendip.
March 2025 deadline: Friday 14th February
Published: Tuesday 25th February
Editorial:
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Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk
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Lisa Daniels lisa@mendiptimes.co.uk
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Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk
Publisher: Mendip Times Limited
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Front cover: Blagdon Wassail. Photograph by Steve Egginton. See page 20.
Tractor run was just for fun
A VINTAGE tractor run drew admiring glances on its route which included passing through Castle Cary.
Around a dozen enthusiasts began and ended their journey in Evercreech, at the home of one of the organisers, Rod Gillard, who drove his Massey Ferguson 135.
Rod is currently busy finalising details for the tractor run which will be a feature of the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society’s Countryside Day, being held at the Mid-Somerset Showground in Shepton Mallet on Sunday, February 16th.
New police office
WORK has begun at Enterprise House in Wessex Fields retail park, Frome to bring the town’s police enquiry office under the same roof as the neighbourhood police station.
A unit on the ground floor of Enterprise House is currently being refurbished to convert it into the new Frome enquiry office, which is expected to open in the summer.
This move would bring the enquiry office into the same building as Frome’s police station, which is located on the second floor of Enterprise House but does not currently have a public facing front office.
The current enquiry office is in Frome’s library. The enquiry office will remain in use at the library until the new office opens.
Chief Inspector Andrew Pritchard, said: “Bringing the enquiry office into the same building as the police station will give us better connectivity between our enquiry officers and our neighbourhood policing team, which will in turn improve the service we provide for the public.”
WELLS Cathedral opened its doors to Cam Valley Morris to welcome in the New Year by performing a series of dances.
Visitors to the historic space burst into applause at the end of the display in the transept – although a few were clearly bemused by the event.
Earlier, the side had made a brief appearance dancing beneath the balcony of Wells Town Hall – their plans to dance in the Market Square were thwarted by heavy rain.
Cam Valley made their first appearance in the cathedral last New Year by special permission from the cathedral authorities.
The side were due to perform at several wassails in January and at Midsomer Norton Wassail on Saturday, February 1st and Weylands Wassail in Frome on Saturday, February 8th.
Dancing in the transept
Cam Valley make their way to the cathedral through Penniless Porch
Caroline Taylor
Rod Gillard
King’s award for conservation
CHRIS Johnson of East Harptree was invited to meet King Abdullah II of Jordan to receive a Silver Jubilee Medal, an award given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the country.
It was for the nature conservation and ecotourism work he carried out for the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a large Jordanian NGO that has a national responsibility for protecting biodiversity.
In 2010 he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth for his services to nature conservation in Jordan. Since being back in Harptree, Chris has been called upon to help prepare a development plan for a protected area in the Gulf of Aqaba, which is of world importance for its coral reefs.
He has devoted his life to nature conservation, helping to launch Avon Wildlife Trust, where he was its first director.
He remains busy in his retirement and co-founded the East Harptree Environment Group, which is working on several volunteer projects to help nature recovery in the parish, including swift, bats and hedgerow surveys and the creation of new wildlife corridors and a churchyard nature reserve.
Death of Richard Brock
Highly respected wildlife television producer and conservationist, Richard Brock, died on December 30th, aged 86.
Having always had a passion for wildlife, Richard studied zoology and botany at Cambridge University and joined the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol as a general assistant moving into television in 1964.
Richard’s big break came when David Attenborough, then Head of BBC2, invited him to produce his series set in Southeast Asia. Eastward with Attenborough was released in 1973 and was the start of a successful working partnership between the two.
The pair collaborated again on the groundbreaking series Life On Earth (1979). Richard was series producer for the second of David’s epic Life trilogy –The Living Planet broadcast in 1984.
Richard went on to make a multitude of programmes for the NHU but left the BBC after 35 years, concerned about its lack of willingness to address the state of the environment.
is also working on a book of his memoirs which he hopes to publish in the coming year.
He went on to set up his own production company, Living Planet Productions, which made over 100 films at his own expense on a wide range of environmental topics.
A highly determined conservationist, Richard also set up The Brock Initiative, and the Wildlife Winners and Losers YouTube channel highlighting conservation issues using his own and archive footage.
In 2021 he published a book and three new films, which he said he hoped would be an antidote to “conservation fatigue” showing wildlife’s losers can be turned into winners in the fight for survival.
Planet Crunch – the Life (or Death) of Planet Earth also refers to about 100 films on similar subjects that he had made in the previous four years, which are available on YouTube and Vimeo.
At the time he said: “There’s still time to save the planet. Watch these free films of different lengths to inspire you to take action. They’re free to watch and share with as many people as
Details: www.brockinitiative.org
possible. Use the series to give you ammunition to help save the planet.”
Richard had lived in his cottage in Chew Magna right by the River Chew since the 1970s and was a popular figure in the local community.
Chris
Planting for the future
SHEPTON Mallet Town Council is planting more than 30 more trees in Collett Park with a grant from the Forestry Commission.
There are nine different species including sweet chestnut, acer, hornbeam and a walnut. Garden expert Angela Morley, who advised the council on tree selection, said: "The new trees for Collett park have been chosen because
Saved
for nature!
ENVIRONMENTALISTSare claiming a small victory for Nature in Yatton, where residents have rallied to help them take a one-time opportunity to buy a new piece of land.
Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group chairman, Tony Moulin, said: “The field next to our original Kenn Moor Reserve came up for sale and that prompted a discussion between local residents and YACWAG about a partnership to buy the four-acre site next door.”
The group have been creating nature reserves around the two North Somerset parishes for 25 years and now have 15 fields where nature is a priority.
During that time barn owls and kestrels
they are long-lived natives, therefore linking with the wider landscape.
“The new trees will ensure an interesting park in 100 years’ time especially bearing in mind the ash dieback which will affect a great proportion of the existing trees in the park.”
“Long-lived trees, unlike cherry and birch, should grow to old specimens
which will provide shade and seasonal interest to park users, they will complement the already fantastic treescape of Shepton Mallet as well as support a huge range of biodiversity such as birds, bats and insects.
“In the long term, some of the trees will produce nuts and fruit, look out for crab apple flowers and fruit, walnuts and chestnuts.”
have returned to Congresbury Moor thanks to the rough grassland management which encourages an abundance of the voles they feed on.
On Kenn Moor Reserve, YACWAG has created damp conditions that are enjoyed by wetland birds like snipe that spend the
Details: www.yacwag.org.uk
winter there. The fields are also used by badgers, otters, deer and foxes.
The new site will be allowed to recover slowly from years of horse grazing. In many of their fields rare plants have unexpectedly come up. Light grazing by cattle will help insects and let the land recover.
YACWAG was only able to make a financial contribution to the purchase because money was left to the charity by two local residents in their wills.
Tony Moulin said: “These are tough times for nature, with climate change affecting most wildlife and our green spaces under all kinds of pressures, but with the support of the community YACWAG can continue to provide safe havens to give nature its best chance.”
The group is a registered charity 1076362 and has over 300 local members, runs walks and talks, carries out practical conservation work on the Strawberry Line and its own nature reserves, and is always looking for new volunteers and supporters.
Trustees and residents celebrate
Barn owls were attracted to breed in the large custom-built nest boxes put up by YACWAG and in the last 25 years over 100 young have fledged in Yatton and Congresbury
How plants allow us to live
FROMthe loftiest of trees to the tiniest creeping plants, each has its own strategy for survival. Two recent TV programmes called “The Secret Genius of Plants” have shown, by using modern sophisticated technology, just how complex the behaviour of plants is and that we, as yet, know very little about the life of plants.
Yet plants are our life support system. Only plants can make food. “Is there any food that does not come directly or indirectly from a plant?” This was a question I asked as a teacher. At first answers came fast but gradually we realised that there is no such food. An exception would be salt.
Once while on a Wildlife Biology course at Bristol University I had the opportunity to look at a leaf through a very powerful microscope. It was extraordinary, opening up a whole new world. I had no idea that this was the real leaf. To the naked eye leaves look shiny, smooth and green.
They are connected to the main tree by a small stalk called a petiole. The microscope revealed much, much more that was explained to us.
The outer leaf, called the upper epidermis is a transparent, waxy layer that is waterproof to protect the underlying cells in the lower epidermis. It also helps to prevent water loss but allows vital light to pass through to the cells.
These cells are extremely active full of tiny pores called stomata. Each one can be opened or closed according to need by two guard cells. There may be up to one million stomata per square centimetre.
Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere passes through the stomata to the cells below. Water originally from the roots is passed out in a process called transpiration.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make food. Chlorophyll that gives leaves their green colour must be present to absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight. These with water are converted into energy in the form of glucose (sugar) with the byproduct of oxygen which is released into the atmosphere so keeping all other living things alive.
The stomata regulate the flow of sunlight, carbon dioxide and
Leaders wanted
water depending on weather and light and dark. They close whenever conditions are unfavourable including during the night and during harsh weather.
Sugar is distributed to all parts of the plant by veins and vascular tissues (phloem) so that it has the energy to produce more leaves, flowers and seeds to reproduce. It seems that recycling is nothing new.
Thus, without plants we humans and all other living things simply could not exist. Not only do they make their own food but we and other creatures need that food too plus other raw materials such as timber, rubber, fuel, paper and cardboard.
Not only that. Photosynthesis also provides us with oxygen for respiration and it absorbs much of the carbon dioxide that we exhale. The plant achieves all this though it cannot physically move being literally anchored to its home by the roots.
Evergreen leaves also photosynthesise but their leaves are much smaller, more waxy and often long and thin. This is to reduce the loss of water during inclement weather especially in the winter when deciduous trees have discarded their leaves. Conifers do not lose their leaves all at once but replace them individually over a period of three to four years.
As the weather cools in autumn leaves receive less sunlight. Less sunlight triggers chlorophyll to break down revealing the colourful pigments underneath giving colourful autumn displays. The plant cuts off the leaf to save energy by abscission. It falls to the ground.
But buds have already formed ready to repeat the cycle come spring.
DIANA REDFERN
THE Mendip Hills National Landscape Partnership is looking to appoint a new chairperson and vice-chair.
The partnership brings together organisations and interests to provide a coordinated approach to looking after the Mendip Hills. Manager, Jim Hardcastle, said: “We know people are rightly concerned about the future of the countryside they love and want to help shape the future, this is an exciting opportunity.
“It's a voluntary two-year role that places you at the heart of environmental decision making for the Mendip Hills.”
Nominations need to be submitted by February 27th.
Details: mendip@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk
Time to reduce food miles
IT seems everywhere I look at the moment cows are being blamed for our environmental woes. This is all very well but the argument needs to be in balance. The majority of British cows have grass as their main food source and this has been proven to be a major carbon sequester. Whilst methane comes from cows, carbon sequestration is really important as well.
Some farmers in the UK are trialling a compound called Bovaer to see if they can reduce the emissions from their cows. Whilst this trial is being conducted in good faith it has raised serious concerns amongst some consumers about interfering with a natural process.
There is a lot of other work being done to reduce emissions which has been going on for ages. The farmer is continually exploring ways of reducing the impact of their farming system. I sometimes wonder if other industries match the effort of farmers.
Recent local consultations have addressed the potential expansion of Bristol Airport. The impact of the airport on our local infrastructure is noticeable. Cars parked all over the place for extended periods and traffic chaos is part and parcel of
living and working within striking distance of the airport.
Of more concern is the air shipment of “out of season” goods which are airfreighted around the globe. Although the majority of vapour trails in and out of Bristol represent leisure travel there are airports in the UK which receive large amounts of foodstuffs every year. Times are challenging for Mendip farmers and these imports don’t help.
As a nation, we need to consider where our food comes from and its impact on the global environment. It’s all very well the UK being squeaky clean and not damaging the environment from home production but if we are exporting our environmental woes to another country to produce our food are we really saving the planet?
A few years ago, there was a campaign to put food miles on menus and consumers appeared to engage with the initiative. It seems now, with the exception of a few outlets, this has disappeared into the background and food comes from anywhere where the price is right. Is this really saving the environment?
What came first, the Mendip cow, the ship or plane? As consumers, we can make a choice. We can follow the misguided belief that importing food will help the global environment by Britain ticking all its environmental boxes or we can make an effort to understand a very complex situation and make consumer choices based on facts.
When everything is taken into consideration, a balanced diet based on what is available from your Mendip Hills will no doubt benefit your health and our environment. Mendip farmers want to produce food for you. You can help them by kicking air miles into touch and buying local.
Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.
With NICK GREEN
Vapour trails
The Mendip Mindbender
1 Elastic with Y fronts launch (8)
5 &15A Drinking establishment (6,5)
10 Left with the groundsheet in a mess for Mendip –5 & 15A (3,7,5)
11 Dawdles (7)
12 Mozart made us a recomposed triplet (7)
13 Sage and onion perhaps? (8)
15 See 5 Across
18 Old Queen after pub’s secret (5)
20 5 & 15A Churchill serialised on Netflix! (3,5)
23 Small rodent (7)
25 Awful ale felt publicity (7)
26 An Englishman’s home provides solace for Mendip –5 &15A (6,2,7)
27 Caricature (6)
28 See 3 Down
1 Bovine creatures (6)
2 TT Hotline out of order for village 5 & 15A (3,6)
3 & 28A Foxtrot with frolicsome superhot female in Rickford –5 &15A (5,2,8)
4 Bloomer carried with elan (5)
6 Let loose (7)
7 Kitchen utensil (5)
8 Seen moving around on board in pieces (8)
9 Musical instrument (8)
14 In-house telephone system (8)
16 Not wanted (9)
17 Headwear for retirement (8)
19 Flustered (7)
21 Dreamt I could be manipulated to confess again (7)
22 Standing (6)
24 Skinflint (5)
25 Wealth can be surprisingly cruel (5)
By
This month’s solution can be found on page 72
Fairlight Cryptic Clues are in italics
Future farming –how can you help?
EVERYJanuary thousands of farmers, growers, environmentalists and researchers congregate at the Oxford Real Farming Conference to take part in something inspirational; a rapidly growing movement towards farming and producing food in harmony with the land rather than in competition with it.
In the centre of Oxford, across various fascinating venues, speakers and panellists outline their vision for a regenerative system that benefits both farmers and consumers, with practical take-home advice about how to increase productivity without damaging soil or compromising on food quality.
For many farmers, this event is a rare opportunity to meet other like-minded people. The National Landscape’s Farming in Protected Landscapes team attended this year to forge connections and participate in the conversation about the future of funding for farmers and land managers.
“Connection” was a recurring theme, to the land and to each other. Amongst impassioned pleas to end the exploitation of the global south for resources and explanations from civil servants doing their best to stretch budgets, we met an elderly farmer from West Wales who told us: “It’s so lonely being a farmer.”
We look forward to a future in which farmers are properly supported in their vital work to minimise damage to the land and produce our food.
Many farmers and land managers are connecting with nature on the Mendip Hills, guided by the Nature Recovery Plan for the National Landscape. But the plan is not just for people that look after large areas of land, why not see what the plan says for your area and how you can help?
mendiphills-nl.org.uk/caring/nature-recovery-plan
New Year celebration
A BITof rain couldn’t dampen New Year’s Day spirits in Priston where the duck race went ahead, organised by the cricket club, with dancing, music and refreshments afterwards.
The start
Young hopefuls
Rag Morris from Bristol
Braving the rain
Puppet Mummers Play organised by Barley Rye Choir
Members of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band
Soup and hotdogs were welcome
The winners
Christmas tractors
THE Chew Valley Christmas Eve tractor run involved 49 tractors and one fire engine! It raised £6,000 which will be split between the Royal Marines Charity and the Dundry Legion club who will be putting on an event for veterans within the Chew Valley Area.
Santa and his helpers
Christmas lights
Down into Stanton Drew Heading around Chew Valley Lake
Collecting from onlookers
Elves on the road
With KATY BEAUCHAMP
An up-to-date twist on some classics
A mix of homemade and readymade and just a hint of Valentine’s Day in these slightly retro dishes. More chocolate mousse, anyone?
STILTON STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Serve these as a tasty starter
METHOD
Make up the stuffing as per the instructions on packet and set aside to cool. Mix the suet, Stilton, walnuts and salt and pepper into a bowl. Tip in the warm stuffing and use your hands to smoosh it altogether. Divide between the two mushrooms, piling it up into a dome. Bake in an oven at 160˚C for 45 minutes. Serve with salad as a starter.
INGREDIENTS
(Serves two)
2 large mushrooms
60g packet stuffing mix
60g vegetable suet
30g crumbled Stilton
20g roughly chopped walnuts
Salt and pepper
FISHY TRAY BAKE
METHOD
Pour some oil from the sundried tomatoes into a saucepan and gently cook the leeks and cauliflower. Stir in the chickpeas and their liquid and the tomatoes and give a quick mix. Tip onto a baking tray. Mix together tamarind, honey, garlic and olive oil and mix through the veg, cover and bake for 25 minutes at 180˚C. Uncover, stir through the fish and bake for a further 10 minutes uncovered. Serve with a dill cream sauce or maybe Hollandaise?
INGREDIENTS
(Serves two)
Small cauliflower cut into florets
1 can chickpeas
8 sundried tomatoes inc. oil from jar, roughly chopped
1 large leek chopped into fat discs
250g of your favourite fish, I used a frozen fish mix
Prawns (optional)
1tbs tamarind paste
1tbs honey
1 clove of garlic (minced)
3 tbs olive oil
LUXURY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Chocolate mousse is never out of flavour
I used to make this for a restaurant I worked at in Bath. This quantity will make six portions, the egg yolks make all the difference in the silky texture! Homemade meringues are a nice touch, if you feel like making them.
METHOD
Pour cream, chocolate, butter and salt into a saucepan and melt gently. Whisk until smooth and leave to cool. Then whisk in the yolks (you don’t want to scramble them if the mixture is still warm, which I first did back in 1981!) and pour into serving bowls, cups or glasses. Serve with shortbread fingers, fruit, meringues – or all three!
INGREDIENTS
300g of chocolate (dark or milk)
400g double cream
50g salted butter
2 egg yolks (I used the whites to make pink meringues)
Pinch of sea salt
Fresh or frozen fish can be used here
Down on the farm –something stirs
WEDMOREVillage Farm is gearing up for a busy year of expansion, starting with Spring Equinox celebrations on March 22nd with the Langport Mummers, music from Betty Blight and Ben Hicks, a bonfire, food and drinks.
On May 24th there will be a Kids Festival, a day full of nature, creativity, arts and crafts, theatre, storytelling and more.
Then for the summer solstice on June 21st, Wedmore Theatre will present a Midsummer Night's Dream on the farm, an afternoon of high farce with a picnic and drinks.
That’s all happening while the team continue to develop their organic beds across the five-acre site, with a plan to start vegetable boxes in June. They are opening a community sauna, with natural plunge pool, and a small campsite.
Profits support the work they do with
food banks and the schools they support in Glastonbury that have a high number of
families that live in food poverty. They also receive grants for providing courses for adults with learning disabilities.
The farm has come a long way in less than two years, since Tristan de Vieuxpont was encouraged by Wedmore’s Green group to take on the former chicken farm. He had previously set up the Food Forest Project, providing community growing spaces.
Wedmore Men’s Shed and its 50 members moved in and built a workshop and meeting room and help out with other jobs. They also built a compost loo, which was donated by the Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund. Somerset Stoves donated a stove.
There are plans to install polytunnels this year as well as a refectory by Charlie Bigham’s showing how to turn the farm’s produce into nutritious meals.
Wedmore Community Energy Group gave a grant of £25,000 for solar panels
One of the beds
Men’s Shed –time for breakfast
Tristan in the new sauna
WILD FOOD
A fellow forager
THISis a strange one and a total departure for me, almost into the realms of wildlife writing (but not photography I’m sad to say) so please bear with me, there is a foraging link in here somewhere. Just not for us. For a number of years now, I have been regularly followed, harangued, sweetly sung to and generally delighted by the presence of robins.
They are so precocious and, as gardeners will know, love nothing more than to watch you at work in the garden, ready to swoop in for a free snack. This relationship between people and birds goes back millennia. It clearly works for them and certainly brightens our toils in the garden.
There are two distinct families of robins that are attached to our garden/paddock/me. One I have named “Striper” (not after the American rock band) and the other “Songster”. Clearly one has pale feathers or stripes along its wings, the other is tremendously vocal.
He/she sings right in my face! But both of them have developed an interesting relationship with myself but in slightly different locations I might add as they don’t tend to get on with each other and are quite defensive of their “patch”.
Now don’t panic, I am not suggesting for a second that we eat robins, far from it, I like them too much. So what might you ask is the wild food foraging link? The link is that I do the foraging and the robins do the eating!
It’s very simple, every day I roll over a stone, pull back a piece of tarp or a rubber mat and eh voila… a drum roll of fast beating wings, a blur of red in the corner of my eye, a sweet cascade of notes all announce the arrival of my fellow forager. Then a very happy robin snags worms, grubs, larvae etc.
An example of mutual benefit across the species divide. It is a wonderful experience to have a robin land on one’s welly boot, wheelbarrow, or shoulder all in an attempt to grab attention and prompt some sort of disturbance, ultimately revealing fresh food. Clever.
Now you might ask what’s in it for me? The robin has been fed but my belly is empty. Do not worry readers, whilst my tummy might not be full, my heart is overflowing with this small moment of joy and let’s face it that’s a rare commodity.
I’m just a forager helping out a fellow forager and the best bit, everyone wins. Except the worms. Sorry worms, the robin made me do it . . .
Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist and expert forager running wild food forays, events and activities. Please visit: www.hedgerowcottage.co.uk for more information or email him at: hello@hedgerowcottage.co.uk
GARDEN FOOD
February jobs
WINTERoften comes in February, but days are longer and spring approaches. There’s plenty to do right now. I hope that you spread compost in late autumn and early winter, because it will have softened by now. Thanks to drying and wetting, wind, and frost. On any dry day, this allows you to knock out the lumps with light tickling, using a rake. Be gentle and stay shallow.
Swing the rake through compost only, with a skimming and horizontal motion. This is a chance also to pick up plastic from the compost, I always find more than I had expected. And often there are stones or gravel, which I throw onto the nearby grass.
Now is still a good time to spread compost on any bare surfaces, and around growing plants. If it’s weedy, lay cardboard on the weeds, then the compost on top.
l I spread compost once yearly on all soil, to feed its life and improve structure.
l I give the same amount whether I plan to grow carrots, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes or flowers.
Weeding
It’s so worthwhile to weed in winter, removing any grasses, bittercress, poppies, chickweed, bramble seedlings, and any others that are common in your soil. Grow a habit to pull weeds when tiny, when they pull easily from the surface compost of no dig.
Seeding time, under cover only
In spring there is no rush, because later sowings catch up. Prepare a germination space with some warmth, preferably in your house, which I hope is warmer than outside. Here I keep sown trays about one week in the house, then move trays to the greenhouse after I see germination.
l For the first 5-7 days after sowing, germination can be in darkness, just anywhere warm –15 to 30°C/60 to 85°F.
Sowing mid-February onwards are onions, spring onions, lettuce, spinach, radish, turnips (Hakurei type if you can such as Tokyo Cross F1), broad beans, peas for shoots, cabbage, cauliflower, calabrese, kohlrabi, fennel.
You can multi-sow radish, turnip, onions salad onions, spinach. All grow well in my CD module trays.
Chit potatoes for planting later
Select small ones of your own, and any “seed potatoes” you have bought. Medium size is best and set them in a light place, together in a shallow tray, so that new sprouts are short and firm. This is to avoid the long, weak shoots on any potatoes kept in a dark bag. Planting in April is then more successful.
Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. Currently he grows vegetables in Somerset. He has written 14 books and gives talks plus courses at home and abroad.
With ADRIAN BOOTS
With CHARLES DOWDING
Blagdon Wassail
Shotgun Roger Keel
Wassail queen Elizabeth Keeping (left) and MC Nicky Orr
Making a noise
Procession to the orchard
Was-hael! Alan Barwick
Priston Wassail
The crowd in the orchard
Wassail queen Bee Kidney leads the parade to the orchard
Postcard art auction
PROFESSIONAL and amateur artists are submitting postcardsized works of art for an auction in February which will help Wells & Mendip Museum and local community causes.
Some of the pieces will be by well-known artist but all will be sold anonymously and can be viewed via an online catalogue which is being updated until the close of the sale itself at a live auction on Saturday, February 22nd.
The museum is working on the project with Wells Rotary and pieces can be submitted in any medium, apart from giclee.
Wells & Mendip Museum is having a fundraising event in February, which Wells Rotary is actively supporting. There is a reserve price of £20 on each piece. All of the cards will be displayed in the museum on Thursday, February 20th (4-8pm), Friday, February 21st (10am-6pm) and from 10am-5pm on the 22nd.
The lots can be viewed by visiting: Wells Rotary –welcome
PAINTING AND DECORATING SERVICES
W h a t o u r re a d e r s s a y a b o u t u s . . .
A fascination with “Bill”
Lin’s book will be launched on February 22nd
ACADEMIC turned biographer Lin Thorley has produced what is thought to be the first definitive work about an 18th Century pioneer whose legacy can still be seen across the top of Mendip and on the Somerset Levels.
Please contact for a free quotation Tel: 07703 286687 www.aspire-decorating.com aspire.camdan@gmail.com FB: Aspire Decorating Limited
I'll take this opportunity to thank you for giving us the Mendip Times every month. Through news and information and wonderful photos it does so much to foster community both in the individual towns and villages and helps us all to appreciate the riches of the Mendips: the people and the land. Stewart Castle
Mendip Times –The local monthly magazine
But even Lin who, with husband David, lives in Oakhill, admits much of John Billingsley’s life remains shrouded in mystery. Known as an agricultural pioneer and entrepreneur, Billingsley spent all his life in neighbouring Ashwick. An early member of what is now the Royal Bath & West Society, he was also one of the major owners of Oakhill Brewery.
At his peak, Billingsley – who lived from 1747-1811 – farmed around 4,000 acres on Mendip and the surrounding area and was a pioneer of agricultural theories at the time.
Lin says Billingsley was probably Ashwick’s most famous son, but many people have never heard of him or his work. The book – with a foreword by Anthony Gibson, from the Royal Bath & West Society, will be launched at a special event on Saturday, February 22nd at Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall when Lin will be signing copies.
John Billingsley 1747-181 is published by Hobnob Press and is available on Amazon or from Lin directly: linthorley@hotmail.com
Rock pool
John Billingsley
The battle for a rare Trafalgar medal
WHENone thinks of famous British battles, one’s attention tends to be drawn towards the Battle of Trafalgar. The famous naval battle commanded by Vice-Admiral Nelson took place on October 21st, 1805, over 219 years ago, west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, between Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Before the battle started, Nelson gave out his famous signal to his fleet: “England expects that every man will do his duty.”
Under Nelson’s leadership, the British fleet, which was outnumbered 33 to 27, swept to victory against the French, which resulted in British naval supremacy for over 100 years.
Just over 450 British men were killed during the battle, compared with 4,395 casualties from France and Spain.
During the battle, Nelson was fatally wounded by a French sniper a few hours after giving his signal. His body was preserved in brandy and he was transported back to England where he was given a state funeral.
A piece of British naval history was recently sold at Clevedon Salerooms in the form of a pewter medal. It is believed that these were quicky commissioned by Alexander Davison, Nelson’s agent, to be awarded to the crew of HMS Victory who
took part in the Battle of Trafalgar and were also in London at the time for Nelson’s state funeral.
The intention was that Victory’s crew members would wear the medal during the funeral ceremony and the great procession.
This example, which was unnamed as issued
came to the salerooms on a Monday Valuation Day. This rare Alexander Davison’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805 was quickly identified and placed into the December 4th Winter Specialist Sale.
There was a battle in the saleroom against internet and telephone bidders, with the latter victorious securing the medal for £3,400.
With HENRY MICHALLAT
Specialist sales are amongst the jewels in our crown
COOPER and Tanner will be holding their Specialist Fine Jewellery, Silver and Watch Sales three times again this year.
These hugely successful sales have grown from strength to strength over the last four years and their next sale, on Wednesday, March 12th, is no different, with over 200 lots already consigned, including some stunning period pieces.
Some of the highlights of this sale so far include a gorgeous Colombian emerald single stone ring, a mid-Victorian necklace with teardrop-shaped drops and rock crystal and an Art Deco style step cut diamond ring.
Not only is selling at auction an excellent option for
VALUATION DAYS
Friday 31st January Cooper and Tanner, Bridgwater office
Friday 7th February Bluebird Café and Bar, Wedmore
Monday 10th February Cooper and Tanner, Wells office
Tuesday 11th February Cooper and Tanner, Cheddar office
Wednesday 12th February Cooper and Tanner, Frome office
Further valuation days will be held at our offices throughout the year, with Specialist Fine Jewellery, Silver and Watch Sales in the summer and autumn.
jewellery owners but it is also a fantastic option for buyers. You can find the most fantastic pieces at auction; many pieces are vintage or antique and often so many pieces are individual and something that you can’t find anywhere else.
Predicted trends for the jewellery market this year include chunky, statement pieces, especially earrings; charms, as pendants, brooches and more traditionally on bracelets; and colourful gemstones, all of which can be found at auction as well as on the high street.
If you’ve never bought at auction before and would like guidance or have any questions, please do get in contact with our friendly team or sign up to our mailing list through our website – www.cooperandtanner.co.uk/salerooms
There’s still time to come and see us at our residential sale offices for our March sale (entries in by Friday, February 16th).
l For larger collections or for those who are unable to make it to the offices, home visits are offered and there is no charge for this service. We are also able to provide probate valuations for full house contents, please note fees apply for this service.
If you would like an appointment, please call 01373 852419 or email jewellery@cooperandtanner.co.uk
Interiors and motoring auctions in February
A 2023 Ducati V4R Panigale. Estimate: £22,000-£27,000
PRIVATE collections of high calibre items lead the forthcoming Interiors auctions. Starting on February 12th with the Select Interiors auction, a wide range of furniture, pictures and decorative objects are consigned including a sizeable collection of modern prints which will lift the spirits of any interior space.
A number of private collections are consigned for the March 12th Curated Interiors auction including the Collection of Hemington House featuring high quality pieces of furniture, pictures, prints, Asian works of art and more. Contact Guy Tayler, Head of Interiors, if you have pieces to be considered for inclusion in this auction.
Our Motoring team continue to grow their partnership auctions, the first of the year is at The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show on February 23rd. Head of Motoring Nick Wells and his team are presenting a wide selection of classic bikes through to modern super bikes. The 2004 Confederate Hellcat featured in the advert was in a prominent US car and motorcycle collection until being acquired by the vendor some years ago. Under 50 are known to have been made, a number of which were destroyed (along with the tooling) in Hurricane Katrina, so no more will be produced.
A 2023 Ducati V4R Panigale will be offered at an estimate of £22,000-£27,000 and gives a competition track style ride. Nick’s next auction of Collector’s Cars and Automobilia will be on Saturday, March 29th; contact Nick to discuss selling your classic car and motoring memorabilia.
Looking ahead, The Alan Bostock Collection of Fine Japanese Works of Art will be offered on March 19th and our market leading Fine Asian Art auctions will be held in May and November.
Jewellery, Watches and Silver auctions are scheduled for June and November. Please get in touch if we can assist with appraisal of items and offering your items at auction, our friendly team are ready to help – email us at enquiries@doreandrees.com or call on 01373 462 257.
We look forward to seeing you at the Dore & Rees auction salerooms.
UPCOMING AUCTIONS
Select Interiors: 12 February
The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show Auction: 23 February • Curated Interiors including the Hemington House Collection: 12 March • The Alan Bostock Collection of Japanese Works of Art: 19 March Automobilia and Collector’s Cars: 29 March
AFTER many years of being held in North Wootton, the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society’s annual wassail has moved to a new home.
This year’s traditional ceremony took place in the recently-planted orchard at the Mid-Somerset Showground on the edge of Shepton Mallet.
Special guests this year were Frome Street Bandits who entertained visitors enjoying food and drink
Historic setting adds to the magic
THE magnificent early 14th century Tithe Barn in Pilton hosted the village’s wassail, organised by a combined team of Pilton Players and Gabriel’s Community Orchard.
Around 200 people of all ages enjoyed the celebrations with Cam Valley Morris performing two sets of dancing, Pilton Village Voices singing wassail songs and the crowning of the 2025 Wassail Queen. This was followed by a Mummers’ Play by Pilton Players.
Wessex Purchase fires a shotgun to ward off evil spirits
in the showground barn
Wassail queen Lizzie O’Neill lights the bonfire
Celebrations in the orchard
(Photo courtesy of Sam Landrigan)
Cam Valley Morris dance beneath the spectacular roof of Pilton Tithe Barn
Starry night
THIS stunning image of Wells Cathedral was captured by Peter Welsh of Wells while he and his wife, Victoria, were out walking their puppy Ottie.
Peter said: “We love Mendip Times especially the cycling and walking articles which always inspire some active travel in our family!”
Entries open for Chew 10k
ENTRIESare now open for the Chew Valley 10k, which takes place on Sunday, June 1st, starting from Bishop Sutton at 9.30am.
Organisers say now’s the time to enter and get the training plan under way, with 100 entries already in!
The early bird entry price for this year’s race is £25 (£23 for UK affiliated club members) or £15 for juniors (15-18 years). Runners will enjoy a UK Athletics, chip-timed race and receive a prized Chew 10k medal at the finish line.
This year’s event will also have a Team Cup, with a prize for the best dressed team. The course doesn’t disappoint with lots of countryside views, African drummers from Bishop Sutton Primary School, a performing choir and a few water pistols as you reach the finish!
With a strong community atmosphere, the pre-school’s homemade cakes and a mildly challenging hill, lots of runners come back year after year to enter this popular race. All profits raised are put back into local community clubs and local charities.
Details: chewvalley10k.co.uk
Death of Arthur David
ARTHUR David, founder and chairman of A. David and Sons food distributors, has died aged 86. He started the company in 1962 using an old Post Office van.
It grew into a multi-million-pound business, based at Hillside Farm in Bishop Sutton. The company said: “A hero to many of us, Arthur leaves a huge hole in the lives of the people he touched, and our very kindest thoughts and love go to everyone in the family at this incredibly difficult time.”
Hospice appeals for support
DOROTHY House Hospice Care has launched a new campaign to address a critical financial shortfall which, it says, threatens the specialist end of life care it currently provides to patients and families across its 800 square mile patch.
It says rising costs, National Insurance and minimum wage hikes, alongside stagnant government funding at 20% of total costs, has had a major impact on the financial sustainability of the hospice.
It is appealing to MPs, local influencers and its loyal community to stand together to highlight the gravity of the situation through its Adversity Appeal.
Chief executive, Wayne de Leeuw, said: “We urgently need the support of our community and the government to ensure we continue offering the specialist care and support that our patients and their families deserve.
“No-one should face death alone and yet this financial gap places huge pressure on our workforce to make difficult decisions about who can receive our care, at a time when we want everyone to have equal access to our specialist support.”
Last year Dorothy House cared for more than 3000 patients and 1000 loved ones. Over the past three years, the cost of running the hospice has risen from £46,000/day to £52,000/day, with the number of people needing specialist end of life care predicted to rise by 25% by 2048.
Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk
Yatton tractor run
THE annual tractor run from Yatton round the villages to Weston-super-Mare had 144 entries and raised £8,500 for Prostate Cancer Research and for Royston Baber from Redhill who is undergoing treatment.
It was organised by farmers George Atwell and George Knowles.
Lantern parade fires the imagination
WILDLIFE of all shapes and sizes were amongst the most popular artworks at the annual Shepton Mallet Lantern Parade.
The community-led event began with a procession from the town’s Collett Park to the Market Place, led by a samba band.
Christmas decorations
Father Christmas hitched a ride
Edna Baber, Royston’s mother
We made these!
The procession arrives in the Market Place
Some lanterns were made at home; others at a series of workshops in town
In good voice
A TEAM from the Blue School in Wells will contest the district final of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition at the beginning of February.
The three-strong team – debating the motion “Social Media has hindered society’s ability to debate.” – faced rivals from Ansford Academy in Castle Cary in the local heat run by Shepton Mallet Rotary Club.
Bob Thornton, from the rotary club, said: “The principal aim of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition is to offer young
people experience in speaking on a public platform as a member of a team.
“Each team has three members (Chair, Proposer, Opposer) and we had two very good teams (Ansford Academy and The Blue School, Wells) battling it out vigorously.
“It was a most enjoyable evening with great applause when The Blue School was announced as winners.”
l The final takes place at Taunton School on Saturday, February 1st.
The Blue School team –Nana, Emma and Jacob with Michael Flack (Immediate Past President of Shepton Mallet Rotary Club)
The best participant on the evening was chosen as Jacob, from the Blue School. He is pictured with Michael Flack and the adjudicators (l to r): Chris Partridge, Ted Allen and Lynne Evans MBE
New business
COLETTE’S laundrette opened in Midsomer Norton in November, owned and run by Colette and her husband Sam Hyden.
They offer self-service washing and drying facilities and also serviced washes for busy people who don’t have
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time to pop into the shop and do it themselves.
They have services for Airbnbs for bedding etc through to sports kits, all including pick-up and delivery and have capacity to suit all sorts of laundry.
They said: “We feel this will be a much-needed addition to a busy local high street where customers can pop their laundry into us and visit some of the amazing small shops and businesses along the street and hopefully increase the footfall at the same time.”
They asked to thank their landlord, Ken Cottle, for his tremendous help in setting up this business, saying he is passionate about the High Street and has owned shops in Midsomer Norton for 60 years.
Landlords –prepare for change
THE Renters' Rights Bill 2024, introduced by the Labour government, proposes significant reforms to England's private rented sector. Landlords must familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and adapt their property management practices accordingly.
The Bill seeks to eliminate Section 21 “no fault” evictions, which currently allow landlords to terminate tenancies without providing a reason. Under the new legislation, landlords will need legitimate grounds to regain possession of their properties, such as intending to sell, requiring the property for personal use, or tenant misconduct like rent arrears or property damage.
This change aims to provide tenants with greater security and stability in their housing arrangements.
The Bill proposes replacing fixedterm tenancies with periodic tenancies, offering tenants more flexibility to end their tenancy with appropriate notice. Landlords will need to adjust to this shift, as it alters the dynamics of tenancy agreements and may impact long-term rental planning.
The legislation intends to limit rent increases to once per year, requiring landlords to provide at least two months' notice before implementing any hike. Additionally, rent increases must align with market rates, preventing disproportionate hikes and offering tenants more predictable rental costs.
To promote fairness and transparency,
the Bill prohibits landlords from soliciting or accepting offers above the advertised rent. This measure aims to prevent competitive bidding that can drive up rental prices, ensuring a more equitable process for prospective tenants.
The Bill includes provisions to prevent discrimination against tenants based on characteristics such as having children or receiving benefits. Landlords must ensure their tenant selection processes are compliant, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunity in the rental market.
For the first time, the Decent Homes Standard, traditionally applied to social housing, will extend to the private rental sector. Landlords are required to maintain their properties to this standard, addressing hazards promptly –within 14 days of being reported – or face potential fines. This initiative aims to improve living conditions across the rental market.
The Bill mandates improvements in energy efficiency, with all rental properties expected to meet specified standards by 2030. Landlords should plan for necessary upgrades to ensure compliance, contributing to environmental sustainability and reduced energy costs for tenants.
The legislation introduces stricter penalties for unlawful eviction and harassment of tenants, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal procedures and respecting tenant rights.
Landlords must exercise due diligence in their interactions with tenants to avoid legal repercussions.
The Renters' Rights Bill 2024 represents a comprehensive overhaul of the private rented sector, emphasizing tenant security, fairness, and property standards. Landlords must stay informed about these developments and take proactive steps to comply with the new regulations.
This may involve reviewing and updating tenancy agreements, planning for property improvements, and ensuring fair and transparent dealings with current and prospective tenants. Engaging with legal professionals or landlord associations can provide valuable guidance during this transition, helping landlords navigate the evolving landscape of rental property management.
EDWARD LYONS
Top award for female entrepreneur
FROME-based entrepreneur
Natalie Bernasconi has been recognised as one of the UK’s most inspiring female business leaders in Small Business Britain’s prestigious f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign.
As the founder of Social By Natty Ltd, an award-winning social media marketing agency, Natalie has redefined how businesses navigate the digital landscape. With over eight years of experience, she has coached more than 100
brands, trained over 4,000 entrepreneurs, and built a thriving global online community of more than 10,000 followers.
The f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign celebrates female founders who excel not only in business but also in mentoring, volunteering, and supporting their communities. Natalie was recognised for her remarkable achievements and her dedication to making digital marketing more inclusive and accessible.
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said: "Natalie’s work exemplifies the incredible
impact female entrepreneurs have on both business and their communities."
Drawing from her own experience with ADHD, Natalie has become a pioneering advocate for neurodivergent entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools and confidence to succeed. She is equally passionate about supporting female founders in building impactful and sustainable online brands.
Balancing motherhood with running a business has been one of Natalie’s greatest challenges - and triumphs. After an unpaid maternity break to raise her son, she rebuilt her agency from the
ground up, demonstrating resilience and determination while caring for her family. She said: "Mentoring and empowering women-led businesses is at the heart of what I do. This recognition celebrates the many roles women juggle in business, and I’m thrilled to continue inspiring and uplifting others while driving meaningful change in the industry.”
New shop opens
A LARGE crowd gathered in sunshine for the official opening of the newly-built and equipped Brent Knoll Community Shop.
Almost five years since opening as an “Emergency Shop” during Covid, the village now has a purpose-built and professionally fitted modern shop thanks to the redevelopment of outdated public toilets.
The official opening was conducted by the chairman of the Community Shop, David Yates, with the ribbon being cut by the chairman of the parish council, Bob Filmer.
They were followed by the arrival of Tim Dean, a gifted poet and musician, who has been Brent Knoll’s “postie” for the past 28 years. He used his 20-minute rest-break on his delivery round to deliver a typically humorous poem to mark the occasion.
With so many people present, including many who had never before explored the Community Shop, the day’s takings broke the £1,000 barrier for the first time!
Hospice cheque
BANWELLWI’s first meeting of the New Year heard from Esther Biggs from Weston Hospicecare, who is pictured receiving a cheque from WI president, Vivienne Bailey. Their next meeting is on February 13th,7.30pm, in the village hall with the “Free Wheelers”. Visitors and new members are welcome.
Walking into 2025
STOKE St Michael Walking Group brought holiday cheer to the community with its annual Christmas Village Walk.
Starting and ending at the village church, the event drew enthusiastic support, despite the winter weather.
Organiser, David Richardson-Aitken, thanked everyone who participated and helped make the walk a memorable occasion.
For details about the group, find them on Facebook
Village bid to buy pub
VILLAGERSin Barrow Gurney have been forging ahead with plans to rescue the Prince's Motto and set it up as a communityowned pub at the centre of village life.
Their steering group has drawn up a plan to restructure the pub’s finances, backed by a long-term business plan which would allow a new landlord to make a decent living and rebuild the pub’s reputation.
The bid to buy the pub received overwhelming support at a public meeting in October. The initial appeal for pledges towards the share issue has now reached £132,100.
The minimum target for the Public Share Offer is £200,000, a figure which they say they are confident they can reach in due course. They expect they can then raise additional funds totalling £250,000 from other sources.
The newly-established Barrow Gurney Community Benefit Society is at the heart of the campaign.
Details: www.princesmotto.com
The festive walk gets underway
First public meeting
Gift supports playground
YEOValley Lions’ Kingsmour playground has received a boost from the father of an autistic child who uses it.
For 25 years the playground near Kingston Seymour has been used by literally hundreds of families who have children with special needs and by organisations which support them.
Recently, Dan, the parent of an autistic child, Leo, successfully completed a 100K Ultra Challenge in the Lake District, the Peak District and on Exmoor.
His aim was to raise £9,999 for three charities who work within the autistic community.
He’s pictured presenting a cheque for £3,350 to Yeo Valley Lions.
BAGS of energy
Preparing to head off
DOGS and many of their owners donned fancy dress for a fundraising walk around Binegar and Gurney Slade.
The walk – organised by the Binegar and Gurney Slade community group – replaced the usual wheelbarrow race around the area and was followed by an afternoon of games inside the Horse and Jockey, raising almost £500 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Hound dogs – Bassetts joining in the fun
Debbie Rawlings (wearing a poncho) was one of the organisers of the event, with husband Steve Fancy dress for some, but not all, walkers
Rotary gift
Longvernal Primary School’s Acorns Nursery has received funding from Somer Valley Rotary Club to purchase some new tricycles for their youngest pupils.
Headteacher Karen Courtier-Hird said the new tricycles will be much used. She’s pictured with Alan Bowhay, president of Somer Valley Rotary Club.
Warm in Wedmore!
CHEDDARVale Lions answered the call from Wedmore Parish Council to participate in “Warm in Wedmore”, offering a welcoming warm space on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am2pm during the winter months.
They hosted the first week of opening in 2025 and were pleased to have lots of visitors to the Masonic Hall,
This was the third year Cheddar Vale Lions had participated in this very successful and worthwhile community initiative.
Bishop has an eye for a good news story
A COMMUNITY lunch where four local charities leave with grants after making presentations has been held inside Wells Cathedral for the first time – thanks to Michael, Bishop of Bath & Wells.
Bishop Michael first visited a Wells SOUP! event two years ago and said he hoped to see it hosted in the cathedral. The Dean of Wells was amongst the guests.
The January SOUP! saw 120 people fill tables set up in the cathedral transept for lunch before hearing presentations by the four charities: Owl Enlightenment, Music for Wellbeing, Dance for Parkinson’s and Wells Youth Club.
Then the audience marked their crosses on the voting forms supplied, with the youth club getting most votes and receiving half the £700 prize money which will be spent on a trip to an activity centre. The other three shared the rest.
Bishop Michael said: “SOUP! is one of the best things that happen in Wells and I am really grateful to the Dean and Chapter and Virgers for making this possible.”
Wells SOUP! is organised four times a year by Wells Independents. For details, visit: www.wellsindependents.org
Online auction
CHELWOODBridge Rotary Club’s latest online silent auction raised £1,360, with 75 lots donated by club members and local businesses.
Bishop Michael with the four teams
Owl Enlightenment enchanted the audience with some friends
Alan Sanderson, Roger Bowker and Theresa Warrell
Winter workshops
Caroline Coombs from Pensford, teaching Jenny Thomas and her granddaughter Thea, aged 12, how to crochet
THE monthly craft workshops, held in Compton Dando during winter months, will come to an end for this season on Tuesday, February 11th.
Despite dreadful weather, the January event was well attended with 20 people doing crafts and a couple of people dropping in at short notice.
The workshops will start again next October.
Details: hdottridge@hotmail.com
Cheers and congratulations
Village says thanks
A SPECIALchurch service was held in Peasedown St John to celebrate the 20 years of dedication to the community of the village’s vicar, the Rev Matthew Street and his wife Jane.
As well as St John’s in Peasedown he is also the vicar of St Julian’s in Wellow, St James’ in Foxcote and St Julian’s in Shoscombe.
Nigel Vening, one of the church wardens at St John’s Church in Peasedown, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for Matthew and Jane’s 20 years of support, encouragement, leadership and friendship.
“We couldn’t let this milestone pass without saying a special thank you and coming together, in prayer, to mark their years of service.”
MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton & Radstock have held an evening of appreciation and presentations.
Sponsors of last year’s Wessex Beer Festival were thanked along with volunteers from groups including Mendip & District Ladies Circle, Norton Radstock Tangent, Mendip & District Round Table and Norton Radstock 41Club for their support for the festival
During the evening at Chilcompton Sports Club, past club president, Kevin Chard, presented a cheque for £5,000 to Dorothy House Hospice, one of his selected charities during his year in office.
Current club president, Debby
Huxham, awarded Tim Curtis a Paul Harris award. Amongst Tim’s many achievements was overseeing the development of the sports club.
For details about the rotary club, visit: www.rotarynr.org.uk
Club president, Debby Huxham, presenting Tim Curtis with a Paul Harris award
Past club president, Kevin Chard (left), with Paul Hewitt of Dorothy House
Foodbank collection
MEMBERSof Axbridge Rotary had a busy Christmas. They held a collection for Cheddar Foodbank at the Axbridge Christmas market which filled six crates with tins, and other heavy items.
There were also 12 large bags of cereal boxes, toilet rolls, toiletries and other supplies, plus £175 was donated in cash.
Their Christmas charity raffle raised £140, split between the foodbank and EVS Blood Bikes.
Lions in Wells
CITY of Wells Lions have a quantity of free “Message in a Bottle” containers, which are recognised by emergency services.
They are a great aid for vulnerable people living alone. There is a small sticker for the front door, which alerts emergency services to look in the fridge for the container, which contains all medical and contact details.
Their Tree of Light moved to St Cuthbert's church this Christmas. The blessing of the tree was included in the Longest Night service, when names were read out.
Lions Eve and Mary are pictured with three of the people who welcomed the opportunity to hang a star.
The Lions have announced the return of Loose Ends on Friday March 28th, following their successful gig at St Thomas's church.
Pictured (l to r) some of the volunteers Jane Garner, Eilish McNickle, Pam King and Jenny Gully
THEfortnightly soup lunches held at the Old Schoolroom in Pensford started a year ago this month and have gone from strength to strength, with the summer seeing ploughman’s lunches being served instead.
The organisers have never charged, relying on a donations bucket on the table for people to give whatever they wish. As a result, they have managed to buy new pans for the soup and have also been able to give £400 towards the restoration of the windows in the Old School Room.
One of the volunteers, Eilish McNickle, said: “Our soup lunches are not fundraisers. They are being held as a community event, helping people come out and enjoy the company of others every fortnight. It is somewhere for them to go and enjoy a warm meal with others and enjoy other people’s company.”
In February lunches will be held on February 5th and 19th, 12-2pm.
The lunches are always popular
Details: Jane Garner 07780 677253 Eilish McNickle on 07907 910520
Lions’ grant to school
GLASTONBURY and Street Lions Club has made a grant to Baltonsborough CE VC Primary School, which wants to create an outdoor area where children can explore the world around them.
The grant has been made from the Howard Martin Memorial Fund. Howard Martin was a member of Glastonbury and Street Lions Club for many years and previous to that he had been both a Lion and a Leo in other parts of the country.
He passed away in March 2023, leaving a very significant legacy to be used to support young people and the groups, schools, clubs and organisations in which they are involved.
A club spokesperson said: “It was Howard's wish that his legacy be used locally to help children and we believe that this project captures the essence of what he wanted to achieve and support.”
Other recent grants have included providing football kit to a local youth football team, sponsoring a musical workshop at a local infants’ school and helping the Sea Cadets complete a refurbishment project of a Portacabin at their headquarters.
They will be welcoming further applications in the future.
Details: gandslionsclub@gmail.com
Flying start to the year
CHEDDAR Valley u3a members are beating the winter blues with social events as well as a full programme of group activities.
The Day Trippers Group start the ball rolling with an afternoon tea at Wedmore Golf Club on February 5th, hotly followed by the first of the new speaker meetings on February 6th at 2pm in the village hall.
The lunch club will be dining at The Bath Arms on February 19th and the increasingly popular coffee morning is on the 20th from 10–11.30am.
As if that wasn’t enough there are plans afoot for a Spring Variety Show, which will showcase the many hidden talents of their members.
Details: https://cheddar-valley.u3asite.uk
Charity cheques
TABORChurch and Timsbury Royal British Legion raised more than £1,000 at their joint Christmas Bazaar.
Organisers said they were absolutely astounded at the resilience and loyalty of all who attended with Storm Darragh raging around them.
Tabor Church’s carol service was led by Margaret West and featured items from the Tabor Ringers.
They provide their services free of charge but do accept donations which, after expenses, are handed out to local charities.
They presented cheques for £150 each to Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, SWALLOW and Youth Connect South West.
Axbridge
supper
THEAxbridge Progressive Supper raised £1,800 for two local charities, with cheques being presented at the Farmers’ Market just before Christmas by organisers Anna Dawson and Margaret Cowie (pictured) to members of the Cheddar Food Bank and Axbridge School's Parent Teacher Association of £900 each.
The annual supper sees diners in the town move from course to course –each at a different host's home. Dating back decades, the supper has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.
Tabor Ringers’ leader Angie Poole with representatives of the charities
Lions Ronnie Harkness and Chris Ford presenting a cheque to members of staff at the school
(Photo courtesy of Clair Sage)
Looking forward to spring
By CHRIS SPERRING MBE
I’VE received some nice correspondence over Christmas and into the New Year from readers suggesting some aspects of wildlife I should perhaps cover this month, so here goes!
February for wildlife, flora and fauna is a month of rebirth, the first flowering plants are emerging and, if it's mild, the first birds will begin nesting. It's also a time when and if the temperature’s right in the evening, amphibians start their journey back to water.
Snowdrops have already begun showing well in many parts but are well and truly on the way to peaking. Their importance, as with other early flowering plants, cannot be understated as some early bee species will, on warmer days, emerge and these plants may well be the only flowers available to them.
It’s literally life or death for them and lays the foundations of the spring and summer yet to come. Dandelion will be another of these early plants to emerge and one plant that we have forgotten how to tolerate in our lawns. If only our greatgreat grandparents could share their
wisdom on just how important the dandelion is to insects, birds and even us, we would not be so keen to get rid of them.
Bird song chorus will have started by February and species such as dunnock, great tit and wren will occasionally burst into song. By the end of the month, depending on the temperature, we will possibly hear the three mighty thrushes –blackbird song and mistle thrush – join the chorus,
It is possible that some bird species will begin nest building in February so, if you’re tidying or cutting hedges, it makes sense to check before you begin or, indeed, don’t tidy at all; pull up a chair and just enjoy being next to wildlife. Another early nester could be the tawny owl. Again, food supply will be key, this perhaps more so than temperature, though the two may well be linked.
Tawny owls can prey upon a wide variety of species, from tiny shrews up to rats and also earth worms and beetles.
During the great amphibian movement back to water after the winter, the tawny will be one species that may well be waiting for them. It won’t be alone, as other birds such as herons can well hunt both during the night and day. The sheer number of these amphibians on the move will also attract other predators
Dandelions provide a vital source of food at this time of year
such as fox and otter.
There’s also a group of humans that meet annually at this time of the year. These amazingly dedicated people gather near to amphibian crossing points and you’ve probably seen them as they are dressed in high-vis clothes armed with torches and buckets. They help amphibians cross wellknown pathways that traverse major roads. Although they go under the name of Toad Patrol Crossings it's not just toads they help, but also common frogs and all three UK species of newt. Over the next month, why not look up your local patrol group and see if they would like help? Most of the groups have Facebook pages or websites.
I hope I have managed to incorporate some of the requested items for this month. Enjoy.
Blackbird
Two frogs
Dunnock
A walk that has the velvet touch
SET out on this short, virtually flat walk in the heart of Mendip from Charterhouse, which has an exciting addition – a new path put in by the Yeo Valley company to link existing rights of way and open up a different area. This part of Mendip, once dominated by mining, is now peaceful and very beautiful with high open views on the plateau. It encompasses the interesting grassy “humpy bumpy” land which skylarks and rabbits now inhabit – and you may spot an occasional red kite hunting above. We pass the old condenser flues and follow a beautiful beech avenue. Then head down a drive past a racing stables to one of the Yeo Valley farms. Follow the new multi-use path and later descend to Velvet Bottom. Here turn right back up to the start. Much of the route is on good dry
With Sue Gearing
paths and tracks. In parts the path may be churned up by horses and animals and may also be uneven, so go prepared with good footwear. There is one ladder stile.
PARK: In a layby on a bend in the valley below Charterhouse centre and church where Velvet Bottom starts. It is reached on a small road which runs SW from the B3134 cross-Mendip road coming up from Burrington Combe. The layby straddles a storm drain – the local name for this parking area.
START: This section of the road crosses a large pipe which was installed to drain the valley after the terrible floods of 1968 when the road was washed away and the valley almost drowned.
Turn right from the parking layby (towards Charterhouse) and immediately take the good flat path on the right. On either side is “humpy bumpy” ground known locally as “gruffy ground”, the result of former lead mining.
The track you are on was a mineral line that carried trolleys of material to the lead smelters.
When you reach the gate at the end, look ahead to the rising ground.
Those with a keen countryside eye may pick out the remains of centuries-old ditches that were once the Roman fort. The Romans were on Mendip by 46AD and exporting lead to their empire. Much of this fort was destroyed when this area was worked for lead again in the 19th century.
Turn right and head along to a small car parking area for Blackmoor Reserve with
an information plaque about the mining activity.
1. TRACK
Bear left on the main track. Ignore a right fork and continue on, passing over left quantities of shiny black stone known as smitham melted at very high temperatures. At a junction of paths turn right, passing a ruined building right associated with the mining industry.
On your left come alongside the remains of the condenser flues which were linked to a furnace and chimney, both now gone. Think of the people – small adults and children – who were sent down the flues to chip off the lead.
This track soon becomes a beautiful beech avenue. After a kissing gate, continue on and come alongside a larger track on your right, but this is often very muddy and wet so stay where you are. There’s a large metal gate and soon join a concrete track and over left see the large house, Nordrach.
2. NORDRACH
It is now a beautiful private home, but it has a history. In 1899 a TB hospital was opened at the former farm here named after a sanatorium in the Black Forest, Germany and was thought to be ideal for patients because of its clean, fresh air and remoteness. During WW2 the Bristol Children’s Hospital was evacuated here. It returned to treating TB patients again until closure in 1956. It soon reopened for refugees from the Hungarian uprising and then it was sold into private ownership in
1958, becoming a country club for a short while.
Reach the main road.
If you are here at the weekend, there should be a mobile coffee and tea wagon over left on the other side of the road . . . the Crafty Squirrel – well worth a visit. But, to continue, turn right on the grassy verge by the road and through a layby. Turn right on a drive towards Limekiln racing stables. Follow this down past the stables and horse paddocks and then up to reach Ubley Warren Farm, run by Yeo Valley Farms.
3. FARM
Turn left onto the grassy track where it may be muddy. Continue and reach the main farm drive to Ubley Warren Farm which is on your right. Turn left away from the farm and almost immediately, by gates, take the grassy track on the right.
4. NEW PATH
This leads along to a kissing gate and the start of one of the new multi-use paths put in by Yeo Valley Farms. Go through the gate and left in the field passing a small, easily missed, plaque in the wall celebrating 50 years of the AONB, now called Mendip National Landscape. Follow the left edge on through another field to reach a round barrow.
Ancient burial mounds like this are scattered across the Mendip landscape. The ancients believed the way to the next
world was through the “underground”. Mendip fitted this well!
Stay to the left of the barrow. Another gate soon leads into a field, known as Hundred Acre Field, where you follow the right edge with Ubley Warren Nature Reserve on the right.
5. FARM DRIVE
Reach the road and go more or less straight over down the drive towards Warren Farm. The footpath, thanks to work by the Small family who farm here, will soon be slightly altered, so be sure to follow the signs.
Probably you will soon be directed right into the field. Then turn left and go along the edge towards woodland, and on round the corner and continue to a newly installed gate on the left. There are two rights of way marked. Take the one signed down right to Velvet Bottom. Find a ladder stile in the wall below – take care when crossing it. Then turn left on an uneven grass path along the fence which turns down to reach the crossing path in Velvet Bottom by a large beech tree.
6. VELVET BOTTOM
This valley was given its name due to the closely grazed surface created by rabbits. It was likened to green velvet and the name “bottom” is that given to a shallow valley. In WW2 the area was used as a firing range for the Home Guard and the Gloucester Regiment stationed nearby at Yoxter Camp.
Turn right in Velvet Bottom, on the old mineral line again and the track returns you to the storm drain where you began.
NEW BOOK OF WALKS
This walk is very similar to one that I have written with Les Davies for an exciting new book of walks for the Yeo Valley company taking in the variety of landscape on much of their land and new paths. It should be out around Easter time.
3.2 miles, about 1.75 hours walking • OS map 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West. Grid ref: 504 555. Nearest postcode Charterhouse Centre BS40 7XR. What3words: cowering.finally.repair
West Countryman’s diary
DRY January it may be for some, who feel they need a rest after the seasonal consumption of alcohol, but dry January it is not out on the moor. Having surveyed the scene from Deer Leap I had to visit an orchard near Wedmore where the extent of the flooding was really brought home. Our predecessors never did anything just for the sake of doing it and so it was with housing. Out there the settlements were built on the higher ground and it’s easy to see where the Isle of Wedmore came into being. The whole area of what is now termed the “Moors and Levels” would very quickly revert to fen if the drainage system collapsed.
The medieval monks and the agricultural revolutionary John Billingsley all played their part in taming the fen through drainage. They created fertile grassland that was in great demand for grazing brood mares as far back as Henry VIII.
A relatively quiet part of Somerset is Wedmore, where the last time they were big news was in 878AD, when King Alfred the Great made the Danish King Guthrum sign the Treaty of Wedmore after he had been defeated by the West Saxons.
Another Saxon tradition I have been busy upholding is the Wassail. Chasing away the evil spirits and encouraging the good ones into the apple orchards is a serious business. I’m often asked about the importance of this ceremony and I tell people that if it didn’t work we wouldn’t do it. As I’ve mentioned, this was a pagan insurance policy that ensured a good crop and prosperous year.
Houses and livestock were likewise wassailed. Nothing was left to chance. Now this is a very serious job and the fact that everyone has a jolly good time is purely coincidental. It’s when I look at ceremonies such as this that go back over a thousand years, I realise that they are as important today for lifting the human spirit in a dark,
damp, stressful world.
The other thing that lifts our spirits is the landscape in which we live. Many of you will be aware of this and ties to the land also have pagan roots. We are a nation of gardeners and for those who cannot work the land it gives an opportunity to “earth” themselves out. I have spoken about this in the past but make no apologies for doing so again.
Even a window box can provide greenery to lift the soul. As with the autumn leaves that hang on as long as possible, I’ve noticed a few “chancers” in the plant world poking their flowers above ground. Chief amongst these is the primrose. Edith Holden in her classic publication The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady, makes reference to this flower’s habit of blooming in January, so it’s not just global warming.
I have to confess that I’m not quite so “double rugged” as I used to be. These damp cold days do not bring joy in my later years, if they ever did before. Back in the day I was able to endure them and have memories that now make me shiver. Pruning the orchards from January through to the end of March was a repetitive job that gave little chance for any great movement.
Up the ladder and down the ladder, but with plenty of arm movement. Before the advent of power pruners everything was hand driven with pole saws, hand saws and secateurs. The most memorable cold job was being on the side of West Pennard Hill near Glastonbury.
It was February and I was pruning trees I had grafted the year before. Boy . . . was it cold, so cold that I remember the tea in my cup going slushy with ice in a short space of time.
With the Territorial Army I would arrange winter survival training for my soldiers on Mendip in February. It was not that we were going to be in the Arctic but being truck drivers I felt they needed to know how to survive a vehicle breakdown without immediate support.
We would sleep on Yoxter training area
in –5º below, without tents and cook our own meals. They learnt how to skin chicken and rabbit, how to light a pit fire. It was all good “scouting for boys” stuff but it built self-reliance.
Nowadays I prefer to employ the survival tactics of looking out the window with a cup of tea (not iced though). I still carry a bag in my Land Rover with an emergency light and some food. A tin of baked beans can be eaten hot or cold and a chocolate bar will give energy. The same bag goes into the bottom of my rucksack when I’m out. I got picked up at the airport because of my tin of beans. I was told it needed to be examined as there could be something in it. I replied there is . . . beans. Doesn’t the whole word just love a smart ass? I should have kept my mouth shut that day.
My final story is of a photo that came home. Having been invited to an evening meal at the farmhouse of some friends, I noticed a picture in the hallway. A farmer sat on his tractor, complete with dog. I asked if it was a relation and the answer came that it was unknown, having been found in a charity shop in Bristol.
I was confident I knew this man in the picture. In the background was Glastonbury Tor and I could place the field from that. The man also has distinctive features and although younger than from when I knew him, this was definitely Glastonbury farmer Marcus Govier who I used to buy apples from in the 1980s.
So, thanks to Historic England, he lives on as part of the John Gay Collection. How this came to arrive in a Bristol charity shop can only be guessed at. However, Marcus Govier and his dog sit on the tractor, captured forever and not five miles from where the picture was taken back in 1958.
Don’t forget you can always email me on: Les.davies@westcountryman.co.uk
With LES DAVIES MBE
Succeed with seeds
YOUmay have whiled away an hour or so browsing through the seed catalogues, probably online, as the sound of paper copies plopping through the letter box seems to be quite rare these days. It is quite easy to get carried away and order far more than you can cope with. I make a list and then “sleep on it”, before reducing it, often repeating the process.
It is also tempting to open seed packets on arrival to inspect the contents – probably finding there are far fewer seeds than you expected. I am still amazed that what appears to be a packet of dust, can turn into a riot of colour, or something tasty to eat.
Understanding a bit about what conditions are required for a seed to germinate will, hopefully, increase your success rate.
Most seeds are dehydrated living organisms just waiting for the right combination of conditions to arrive. Water is the first thing they need to rehydrate them. Water is absorbed through a miniscule hole and/or through the seed coat, but the latter may be very tough and need softening.
Oxygen is also required, so a well-drained compost is essential. Specific seed compost is better, as it has a lower nutrient status. Some seeds e.g. antirrhinums are extremely sensitive to the levels of nitrogen in a compost.
Distinct species respond to different temperatures for germination. Some require a constant day/night temperature, while others need day/night fluctuations. Others, often including tree, shrub, and alpine seeds, may need prolonged chilling and should be sown in the autumn and left outdoors over winter. Always read the instructions carefully as they should indicate what temperature is required.
Once you have the water, oxygen and temperature levels sorted, your seed may still not germinate. You may have unwittingly reduced their chances by the
way that you are storing them.
Many seeds now come in a foil packet inside the paper one. It is important not to open the foil packet until the time for sowing, as moisture will get in, and the quality of the seeds will start to decline.
Store packets in a cool, dry place. Once opened seed packets, or seeds you have saved yourself, should be kept in an airtight box containing silica gel, (three to four times the fresh weight of your seed). So, hang on to all those little bags of silica gel that arrive with electrical equipment, cameras etc.
Finally, put the box in the fridge! Part used tomato seed packets will store like this for 20 years!
There is one more problem to solve, and that is seed dormancy. This is nature’s way of ensuring that seeds germinate when the conditions are most suitable for each species. We must find ways of breaking that dormancy so that we can grow them.
Some seeds have a very resistant seed coat, that in nature would be slowly broken down by fungi and bacteria in the soil. We can speed this up by scratching the surface of the seed (scarifying) by rubbing them between two sheets of sandpaper before sowing.
The seeds of beetroot and related plants contain a chemical that inhibits germination until it has been washed out. Soak the seed overnight in a glass of water, and you will see the change in water colour. This why it is so important to keep beetroot seeds moist during germination.
Seeds of many temperate trees and shrubs need a period of chilling or stratification. For large seeds e.g. maples, try putting the seeds in a plastic bag with moist vermiculite and pop them in the fridge for a week or more. For smaller seeds simply sow as normal in moist compost. Wrap the tray in cling film and pop it in the fridge.
After the appropriate chilling period, light will be required to trigger germination. Some species, notably peony, have a double dormancy. If sown in the autumn and kept outdoors, the root will germinate in the spring, but the shoot requires another period
of chilling and will appear the following spring.
Forest fires are often thought to trigger germination and in some cases this is true, but often the heat is required to open the seed pod to release the seeds. However, in many cases it is not the heat, but the chemical combination of the smoke, given off by a complex combination of species that breaks the dormancy.
Restios, grasslike plants which grow in the fynbos habitat in S. Africa are such a plant. Filter papers impregnated with “fynbos” smoke can be soaked in water with the seed, which then germinates freely.
For seeds that are large enough to handle, try “chitting” them. Line the base of a plastic container with damp kitchen paper, sprinkle on the seeds, and cover to prevent drying out. Then put the box in the suitable conditions for the plant.
Watch them frequently and remove as soon as the tiny root can be seen, and pot them up individually, or in trays. This works very well for sweet peas and is an excellent way of encouraging children to get involved with seeds.
To find the right conditions for each species go to the RHS Germination guide. We tend to blame the seed company if our seeds fail to germinate, but taking the time to check the particular requirements will pay dividends and give you the confidence to be more adventurous with raising plants from seed and enjoying the magic of a “packet of dust growing and blossoming”.
The Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival runs throughout February –see https://www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk
With MARY PAYNE MBE
Seeds “chitted”
• Before the usual spring rush, paint fences and sheds and get other general maintenance jobs done. If plants are trained onto fences to be painted make certain that the paint you use is plant safe.
• Check variegated plants for shoots that have reverted to all green. Remove these by trimming them back to the point where the leaves are uniformly variegated.
• Construct a cold frame to get early crops going.
• Go through your shed and remove any out of date and discontinued chemicals. The local authority recycling centre should be able to help you dispose of them safely.
• Re-pot perennials and shrubs that are growing in pots. Use good compost and add slow release fertiliser to the mix. This will feed the plants for most of the year.
• Trees that have lost their leaves can be pruned now. Cut out dead, diseased and damaged wood. Thin out overcrowded areas but avoid removing too much in one year.
• Check that climbers are securely tied to their supports and check that old ties are not constricting older thicker stems
• Prune clematis this month. Those that flower after midsummer should be cut back hard (they only flower on newlygrown shoots) but those that flower before mid-summer should be more lightly pruned to about 75cm.
• Put plenty of well-rotted manure around your roses.
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Garden’s last festival?
SOMERSET’S famous cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor will be holding what may be its final annual Festival of Snowdrops as it is hoped new owners will take over in the spring.
The celebrated plantswoman and gardening writer, Margery Fish, who created the iconic cottage garden, was a fan of double flowers so it is not surprising that she was delighted by a gift of the double snowdrop, Galanthus ‘Ophelia’.
It sparked her interest in the genus and she became an avid collector of rare snowdrops, which she planted in an area she named The Ditch, fashioned from the drainage channel between two orchards.
Current owner, Mike Werkmeister, said: “It’s such a welcome sight to see the sides of The Ditch carpeted with snowdrops in February and it’s where all the unusual snowdrops named for previous owners were found, most notably G. ‘Margery Fish’. It’s the sight I shall miss most when I move.”
Time for snowdrops NGS GARDENS OF THE MONTH –FEBRUARY
ELWORTHYCottage is a one-acre plantsman's garden in a tranquil setting. Island beds, scented plants, unusual perennials and ornamental trees and shrubs provide yearround interest.
In spring it has pulmonarias, hellebores and more than 350 varieties of snowdrops, planted to encourage birds, bees and butterflies. It has wildflower areas and a developing wildflower meadow, decorative vegetable garden and a living willow screen.
Address: Elworthy, Taunton TA4 3PX.
Contact: Mike & Jenny Spiller, 01984 656427 mike@elworthy-cottage.co.uk www.elworthy-cottage.co.uk
Opening dates and times: Wednesday February 5th, Friday 14th and Tuesday 25th, 11am-4.30pm. Further dates throughout the year.
Admission: £5, children free. Cashless payment available.
East Lambrook Manor Gardens
Festival of Snowdrops throughout February; open for NGS February 14th.
Address: East Lambrook TA13 5HH.
Contact: Mike Werkmeister 01460 240328 enquiries@eastlambrook.com
Admission: £7, children free.
Other Gardens Open for the NGS
To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Garden Visitors Handbook, or the Somerset County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://ngs.org.uk/
Successful club
CONGRESBURYGardening Club has continued to thrive by attracting members with interesting talks, visits to local gardens and garden shows.
At its annual meeting, treasurer Jacqui Coulson (pictured) reported a healthy membership of nearly 100, with new members continuing to join.
President, Ann Gunner, praised the hard work of the committee, chairman Liz English, secretary Janet Edwards, Maggie Bissett, Pam Biffen, Dave and Jane Hares, Maggie Shrubshall and Karen Spears.
Clara is back
MEMBERSof Temple Cloud in Bloom are celebrating the return of Clara, their plant pot sculpture, which formed part of their tenth anniversary sculpture trail. She vanished mysteriously – but was returned after an appeal on Facebook.
The volunteers started the New Year on a beautiful, bright, frosty morning, clearing leaves and pruning a border, perfect for wearing their new warm, waterproof jackets. Their next gardening morning is on Saturday, February 8th, 1012noon, meeting at the garage.
NORTON GREEN GARDEN CENTRE
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GREAT CHOICE OF GLAZED & TERRACOTTA POTS & PLANTERS
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Telephone: 01761 232137
Open Mon–Sat 9am to 4pm • Closed Sundays
Prestow Wood Nature Reserve
PRESTOWWood is located on the northern edge of the village of Wrington and over the last 200 years, it has served as a limestone quarry with two lime kilns, a cycle velodrome, and even a rubbish tip. For many years, the wood had a single little-used, overgrown path running through it.
Inspired by the village’s “rewilding” project, a group of volunteers saw the potential for Prestow Wood to become a valuable community resource by enhancing its biodiversity and accessibility.
They formed the Prestow Wood Conservation Group to plan and coordinate efforts. After consulting with residents, they received widespread support for the new project.
During 2023 and 2024, around 40 volunteers contributed over 400 hours to transform what is now the Prestow Wood Nature Reserve. The project is supported by Wrington Parish Council and the local history society with woodland management advice being provided by Avon Wildlife Trust.
Funding was secured from the Bristol Airport Community Fund, the Tree Council, and local residents. The Woodland Trust and community members have donated trees for planting.
In order to make the area more accessible, volunteers removed dying ash trees, cleared ivy and brambles, sowed wildflower and grass seeds, and widened the main footpath. In addition, dead hedges have been built and a variety of native tree saplings planted.
Boost for cathedral project
WELLS Cathedral has been awarded a grant of £800,000 from The Julia Rausing Trust to support the Vicars’ Close project.
This award halves the outstanding fundraising target, meaning that the project, which will cost £7.1m to deliver, now has just under £800,000 left to raise.
Toby Wright, Dean of Wells, said: “Vicars’ Close is the oldest intact medieval street in Europe (1348) still used for its original purpose: to house the cathedral’s adult choir.
New footpaths have been established with steps and benches installed to allow the community to enjoy the nature reserve and Mendip viewpoints.
At the bottom of the wood, close to the limestone quarry, exist two disused 19th-century lime kilns. It is reckoned that the western kiln dates from around 1850 whereas the eastern one is earlier, estimated around 1813. The kilns burned limestone from the quarry to produce quicklime for agriculture and building.
The Enovert Community Trust agreed to fund a restoration of the western kiln, which is now one of the best-preserved examples of a dwindling number of these structures, evidencing our heritage and industrial past.
They also installed a safety fence around the eastern kiln. All work was successfully carried out by local contractors and recently completed to a high standard.
In December information boards for both adults and children were erected and future plans will include managing invasive plants and installing more bird and bat boxes. Accessibility will be further improved and bicycle racks and picnic facilities will be added.
With these improvements, the woods will become more accessible, enjoyable to explore, and vibrant with plant and animal life. It will also become part of a wildlife corridor that extends the benefits of the nature reserve at Goblin Combe and stretches towards the Mendip Hills.
“This crucial project will create a legacy that will safeguard the future of this extraordinary heritage and enable an exciting, new, visitor experience and programme of events to uncover and celebrate this remarkable place, opening it up to the public for the first time.”
The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust is one of the largest philanthropic funds in the country, donating £400 million to causes across health, welfare, and the Arts, primarily within the UK.
THE annual Kilmersdon Wassail has always been a familyfriendly event, but probably none more so than this year.
From one-year-old Oliver to 91-year-old Mike, more than 100 people gathered for the ceremonies firstly at the village’s community orchard and then at the home of organisers Martin and Frances Horler.
The shooting party in the community orchard . . .
. . . and back in Kilmersdon
Wassail queen Ffyon Samways, aged ten, with the ashen faggot, Martin Horler, Cam Valley Morris and musicians
As the oldest person present, Mike had the honour of setting fire to the ashen faggot
Martin crowns Ffyon as the 2025 wassail queen
Pam enjoys a sip of cider from the wassail mug
Bishop Sutton Wassail
Shotgun party Del Dowling (left) and Ali Pearson
Wassail Queen Hollie Parker puts toast into the tree
Leading the procession MC Colin Emmett, wassail queen Hollie Parker and Green Man Nick Warbrick
Somerset Morris
Leading the singing
The event attracted big crowds
Comedy with a message Plop the Raindrop
By DrPHIL HAMMOND
AFTERselling out at the Chew Magna Wine Rooms’ Christmas gig, my local comedy tour took me to the University of the Third Age in Ubley (January 20th) and will now take me to the New Inn Blagdon lovers’ quiz (February 3rd) before ending up where I started, at Blagdon Women’s Institute (back by popular demand, February 13th).
To be honest, I much prefer running away to the Edinburgh fringe to be vulgar in front of strangers I will never see again, rather than embarrassing myself in front of friends, neighbours and the parish council.
We had three walk-outs at the Wine Rooms, at the mention of the word “clitoris”, and it still gives me sleepless nights. On the plus side, I got a standing ovation from everyone at the back who couldn’t hear properly.
My lovely wife Jo says people should be grateful to hear an ageing comedy icon in Ubley Village Hall for £1 (includes tea and a biscuit) but I’ve done Ubley before (for the wonderful Valley Arts) and they demand their pound’s worth.
And those who still have a memory might want me to say something new, so for the benefit of those who can’t make it, here’s what I’m going to say that’s new(ish).
In my 35 years performing in chilly provincial theatres and village halls, I’ve always tried to do “comedy with a message”. Properly funny comedians will tell you this is a cop-out – you should simply try to be funny.
But I reason that if the comedy fails, at least you can leave people with a message, and over the years, mine has variously been “how to fix the NHS”, “how not to die yet”, “how to pleasure yourself in a safe and sustainable way” and “how to die”.
For my next show, I’m going to talk
about growing older (you’d never guess it from the photo but I’m 63). It’s called “a slow descent into kindness” because –like many men – there are times in my life when I’ve struggled to be kind, and we all know the damage that unkind men inflict on the world.
As a boy and young man, I had bright ginger hair and an aggressive, competitive over-achieving “win at all costs” streak. Under pressure of thinking I might die at 38 like my Dad, I threw myself into five careers (medicine, comedy, journalism, broadcasting and teaching) whilst trying to simultaneously be a husband and parent without taking time to reflect on the effect my workaholism was having on me and others around me.
I also had (and still have) a childish exhibitionist’s desire to shock which can cause all sorts of problems, particularly with the neighbours.
Now I have outlived my Dad by 25 years I’ve had time to reflect and I have found – much to my delight – that I’ve got much kinder and less competitive with age. It has helped enormously marrying a kind woman and having a faltering testosterone level, but you also have to learn to be kind to yourself (a skill my Dad sadly never mastered). To hear more, it’ll cost you a pound (including tea and one biscuit only please) in some chilly hall somewhere sometime.
Dr Phil is at Blagdon WI on February 13th. Please bring your own clitoris
I HOPEyou had a good Christmas and New Year. I had hoped to go skiing but got trapped inside a mince pie. Until someone ate it and you can imagine where I then ended up.
While you were opening presents, I was probably swimming around a loo, with lots of other tiny water droplets.
Anyway that seems a long time ago now. It did mean I celebrated the New Year in the sea. That’s where most of your sewage seems to go these days.
I first came across mince pies hundreds of years ago when soldiers from the crusades brought the recipes back from the Middle East.
They’re sticky yummy things full of fruit and spices. I’d been stuck in an old jar for years until someone decided to make mince pies for Christmas. So I was spooned into a blanket of pastry and got put into a very hot oven. There was literally steam coming out of my ears, but there was no escaping the pastry. Someone bit into it and burnt their tongue. So they drowned it with cream, which helped to cool me down.
Then of course I got eaten and joined the mush of roast potatoes, chocolate and other stuff in someone’s stomach. I won’t go into detail, in case you are squeamish. The effects of sprouts can be terrifying.
In the past I’ve spent ages inside people, sometimes only escaping when they start to sweat or cry. On this occasion, the person had obviously over-indulged and I was in and out in no time.
So down the drain I went, through a labyrinth of pipes and tanks, down a stream, into a river and down into the sea. As you can imagine that gave me the chance to see an awful lot of relatives.
It was a relief to get outdoors – I’d been stuck in that jar for years. No wonder the poor person was ill.
Luckily, I’m virtually indestructible, which is why I’ve managed to survive for so many years. Another year . . . more adventures!
Ask Dr. Hannah
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Wellbeing walks
NEW nature walks to boost wellbeing are being launched in Somerset by Winscombe based community interest company, Mudita Salus, thanks to National Lottery funding.
Connect 3 is a free, guided nature connection project designed to support mental wellbeing, social connection, and time outdoors.
Starting in February, the walks will be held in Weston Woods, Weston-super-Mare, Portbury Wharf, Portishead and Winscombe & Sandford.
Kim Stone, Founder of Mudita Salus, said: “These walks offer a gentle, supportive way for people to prioritise their wellbeing, build meaningful connections, and experience the benefits of nature.”
Details: https://www.muditasalus.co.uk/
Milestone for health service
SOMERSET has marked half a million patient tests through its community diagnostic centres. The programme offers 21 different diagnostic tests across a number of sites throughout the county.
It’s run in a collaboration between Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, GP practices, and organisations from the independent sector.
Programme director, David Craig, said: “When the programme first began in 2021, our diagnostic services were in a strong position nationally, thanks to the committed and highly qualified diagnostic teams already in place.
“But the additional investment by NHS England in community diagnostic centres since then has allowed us to grow our diagnostic capabilities from strength-to-strength, which has been particularly crucial as we recover our waiting times from the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the additional demand of up to 7% every year.
“In fact, we’ve seen a 17.5% improvement in diagnostic waiting times since the programme began. Feedback has been great too with 98% of patients who’ve been through our community diagnostic centres have said they’re either satisfied or very satisfied with their care.
“Alongside the new facilities, funding has been secured to invest in almost 90 pieces of new or replacement diagnostic equipment to improve the range and quality of services that our colleagues are able to provide.”
Wedmore Dental Care @Home
At Wedmore Dental Practice our vision is to “share our passion for health” and our reputation is built on providing personalised care for every patient. Our Practice Principal, Jennifer Morecroft, has long recognised the lack of domiciliary (care that takes place in someone's home) services in Somerset. With this in mind, we are delighted to be able to offer a new domiciliary service. “Wedmore Dental Care @ Home” is a private dentistry service provided for those patients who are unable to access our practice to have their check-ups or treatment carried out; instead, we come to you in your own home/care setting.
It is recognised that other illnesses such as heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral germs can cause. One of the primary advantages of domiciliary care is that individuals who cannot, through physical or mental disability, reach a dental surgery can receive care within the familiar surroundings of their own homes. This environment promotes a sense of comfort, security, and emotional well-being, which can significantly enhance the overall health outcomes and quality of life for those in need of assistance.
To find out more information about this service and the treatments available please visit our website and go to our “Dental Care @ Home” information page or phone us on 01934 713013 to speak to one of our reception team who will be happy to help.
CHEDDAR Male Choir has presented a cheque for £1,400 to The Space, the Cheddar-based charity that supports young people with mental health issues.
Choir members had been raising the funds through a series of concerts and sponsorship, over the previous six months.
The cheque was received by Sandy Legg and John Pimblott from the charity at the choir’s Christmas concert.
Details: https://www.thespacesomerset.org.uk/
Mayor’s donation to lifesavers
Zipline challenge in Bath’s Royal Crescent
DOROTHYHouse Hospice Care is planning a first for Bath – a zipline on the lower lawn of the Royal Crescent. It will offer supporters the chance to take on a hair-raising fundraising challenge from February 28th until March 2nd.
There will be a pop-up shop, as well as stands highlighting the services Dorothy House delivers. Visitors will also get the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers who care for patients and their families and who support the work of the hospice.
Chief executive, Wayne de Leeuw, said: “With an aging population causing ever increasing demand for end of life care our ambition remains to ensure we are there for everyone who needs us.
“The additional National Insurance cost just adds to the perfect storm facing hospices at a time when we already desperately needed more support.”
Registration for the Bath City Zipline is £35 and participants are expected to raise £150.
Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk
Cycle for charity
DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has opened online registration for its Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge, taking place on Saturday, May 10th. This year marks the charity’s 25th anniversary.
It says this milestone event is a celebration of community spirit, stunning scenery, and 25 years of providing critical care to those in need.
There’s a 55-mile challenge starting at Watchet Harbour finishing at West Bay in Dorset and an 11-mile challenge starting at the Royal Oak in Drimpton, also finishing at West Bay.
There are 600 places available and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship.
Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk
Christmas bonus
THE mayor of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Sharon Perry, has presented a cheque for £600 to the team running the town’s RNLI lifeboat station after she chose the organisation as her charity of the year.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies said: “This is a well-received donation, which will help us continue saving lives at sea. Our crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of the time of the year.”
BRAVINGwinter’s chill, 150 volunteers set out to collect an astounding 2,065 Christmas trees, raising a record £32,000 for St Margaret’s Hospice.
The hospice said: “The event is a shining example of community spirit across Somerset, bringing together people from all walks of life to support a shared cause. Many volunteers return year after year, drawn to the camaraderie and sense of purpose this fundraising event inspires.”
Station representatives Phil Counsell and Marc Smith with mayor Sharon Perry and Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies
Going that extra mile was a leap of faith
RUNNING a mile a day every day throughout 2024 has helped Rachel Clark raise £15,000 for the Frome-based cancer support charity We Hear You.
On the way Rachel, a police inspector, was joined by family, friends and well wishers, some of whom completed up to 92 miles of the journey. Around 5,000 people joined in the effort. Rachel decided to fundraise for WHY in 2012 after the charity supported her late mother during her battle with leukaemia.
A large crowd joined Rachel to run her final mile around the Frome Rugby Club pitches on New Year’s Eve; ironically 2024 was a Leap Year which meant going the extra mile to achieve her target, which was originally to raise £10,000 in 2024 alone. Afterwards, Rachel announced that she would not attempt to repeat the challenge but would look at other ways to support WHY, which offers professional counselling to anybody affected by cancer and living in Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
Fitness instructor “Cheryl Sprinkler”
For details about WHY, visit: www.wehearyou.co.uk
from Mojo Moves, who led the warm-up, with Frome town crier, Martin Scott, who started the runners and walkers on the final mile
Rachel with some of the team who joined her on many of the daily miles
Ending with flair: Rachel reaches the finish line
The warm-up underway in front of the clubhouse
Andy’s challenge –to cycle across the US
ANDYManning from Brent Knoll plans to cycle 3,000 miles across the USA in aid of the charity Cure Parkinson’s.
Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological disease in the world, with over ten million sufferers, including celebrities like Billy Connolly, Linda Ronstadt, Jeremy Paxman, Muhammad Ali, David “Kid” Jensen and Neil Diamond.
Andy said: “In the UK alone, one person is diagnosed with Parkinson's every two hours. The condition currently affects almost 150,000 people, which is 50% more than the population of Bath.”
One of those with Parkinson’s is Julie Evans who grew up in Bath and after a career in London and Amsterdam, now lives in Brent
Knoll, with her husband Roger. In 2017, Julie noticed small changes in the movement of her fingers and toes so she visited her GP. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019 and has now come to terms with the reality of living with the condition.
She is a strong supporter of Cure Parkinson’s and Andy is among her friends and neighbours who have come together to organise several local fundraising events in aid of the charity.
Andy’s epic 3,000-mile challenge to cycle across the
USA during March and April will see him crossing eight US states, from San Diego in California to the finish in St Augustine, Florida.
That’s over three times as far as Land’s End to John O’Groats, and equal to cycling across Europe.
His goal is to raise £9,000 for Cure Parkinson’s, which equates to £3 per mile. A donation of £30 is equivalent to one pence per mile.
THE Great Western Air Ambulance was called to a record number of incidents in 2024, responding to 2,272 people in urgent need of critical care –an increase of around 15% compared to 2023.
Since the charity started in 2007, incident numbers have steadily increased and the demand for its helicopter and three critical care cars is now higher than ever.
Operations officer, Tim Ross Smith, said: “We're now seeing six patients a day on average within our operating hours. Demand generally across the NHS is up and we're getting more requests for assistance from our local land ambulance crews on top of the traditional air ambulance call-outs for incidents like road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests.”
The crew was called to 501 people in cardiac arrest (22% of all missions) meaning it is still the biggest single reason that its service might be needed.
The crew was also attended more babies, children and teenagers in urgent need of critical care than ever before.
The next most common type of incident was road traffic collisions with 338 people needing GWAAC’s help at the roadside.
Across its region of North Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and parts of Wiltshire, GWAAC’s crew responded to 77% of call-outs in one of the charity’s fully-equipped critical care cars and 23% in its bright green and blue helicopter.
Details: www.gwaac.com
The route
Andy Manning
Julie Evans
Ambulance support
AFTER two years of fundraising, Sandford WI members raised an impressive £5,751.73p for the Great Western Air Ambulance charity. They organised coffee mornings with delicious homemade cakes, sold handcrafted cards, brought in loose change, had donations from a former WI member selling craft materials and organised a Harvest Moon Charity Dinner at Aldwick Estate with super raffle prizes donated by local companies.
Free energy advice
THE Community Council for Somerset is warning that soaring energy costs have resulted in it dealing with more than 600 requests for help in the last three months.
It says this January, the UK Government increased the energy price cap by 1.2%, raising the average annual electricity and gas bill for households to £1,738.
This marks the second consecutive increase, coinciding with a sudden drop in temperatures and heavy snowfall across many parts of the UK.
It says: “As the pressure to keep heating on rises, the Community Council for Somerset (CCS) is stepping up to provide support for Somerset residents.”
Its Village Agent Service is also dealing with issues of isolation and loneliness. In one case, Sheila in her 70s, who was afraid to use her cooker, received a free energy assessment, a heated blanket, draft excluderrs, low-energy light bulbs, and a free air fryer.
She said: “I am now not so anxious as I was about my energy and food bills.”
In another case the CCS Village Agent worked with Citizens Advice, the local energy supplier, and other agencies, to help a man get free energy advice, introduce small but important energysaving measures and to apply for a grant towards updating the heating and windows.
It’s been holding a series of events across the county aimed at reducing energy bills for individuals and organisations.
It’s also holding its “Knit for your Neighbour” campaign for the second year running. This encourages individuals and groups to knit hats, gloves, and scarves for the most vulnerable members of the community.
Donations can be dropped off at any Talking Café venue across Somerset, with Village Agents ensuring the items reach those in need.
THE charity BillyChip, which supports rough sleepers, has released a documentary featuring how its foundation is supporting Tackling Minds, an organisation which promotes fishing as a means of encouraging better mental health.
The video sees Jack Gascoigne of BillyChip and Simon Pickering from Tackling Minds fly fishing on Chew Valley Lake with John Horsey, a professional fishing guide and renowned international fisherman.
The BillyChip Foundation has supported Tackling Minds since 2024. Each time a BillyChip token is purchased a donation is made to the BillyChip Foundation, which provides grants to grassroots causes who support the homeless community.
Jon Hope, from Bishop Sutton, co-founder of BillyChip, said: “We’ve really enjoyed finding out more about Tackling Minds and helping to support their important work.
“Some of our own team have found first-hand how important fishing can be to mental health – the combination of being able to be outside, with others, in a common activity offers a real sense of connection.”
David Lyons, founder of Tackling Minds, said: “We're incredibly grateful for their generous donation of £2,000, which will help us expand our services to work with homeless individuals, introducing them to the therapeutic benefits of fishing. We're creating lifelines for those who need it most."
John Horsey said: "Fishing is a wonderful way to spend time and be at one with nature. When my own father was seriously ill, the only respite I had at that time was days spent on or near the water. This was just one of the reasons I was happy to be involved with this project."
Details: https://youtu.be/L0Bw61zD02M
Pines for pounds
WRINGTONVale Rotary Club’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised £1,400 for Weston Hospicecare’s Pines for Pounds appeal. In total the hospice hoped to collect nearly 1,000 trees, raising £14,000.
Wrington Vale Rotary provided two trucks with large horse boxes, thanks to John Alvis and Angus Murray. On Saturday, March 22nd the club is holding an evening of frog racing in Shipham village hall!
Details: Angie Biggs 07790 400718
The Nancy Camel mystery
and historian Rob
has been involved in a number of Mendip cave discoveries and is the author of Somerset Underground and co-editor of Mendip Underground.
NANCY Camel’s Hole is located in Darshill Wood, close to the sewage works, just a mile or so west of Shepton Mallet town centre.
The cave itself is a fairly minor affair, consisting of a stooping and winding passage which can be followed for only a handful of metres until it gradually peters out. Repeated attempts by cave diggers over the years have failed to find anything of further significance which suggests that there is probably nothing more to be found.
Despite these relatively modest dimensions the cave is well-known, mainly because it was once the home of “Nance”, a local woman who lived in it c.1700 following the collapse of the local stocking industry. Reported to have been “queer in the head” she soon earned the unenviable reputation as a local witch and would often be found collapsed in a drunken stupor upon The Shambles in Shepton Mallet’s Market Place.
One night, in late November 1703, an enormous storm swept the area, unleashing bolts of lightning so powerful that they melted the bells in the town’s steeple. Amidst the general tumult, a loud piercing shriek was heard, along with the cracking of a whip, the creaking of wheels, and some devilish laughter.
In the morning, some residents journeyed out to Darshill Wood to see how “Nance” had weathered the storm. According to the legend, Nance, her donkey and her cart had
all completely vanished and the discovery of two deep ruts apparently seared into a flat stone slab in front of her cave was taken as solid evidence that the devil had finally come to claim his own.
Undoubtedly one of the strongest meteorological events ever recorded in the British Isles, the Great Storm of 1703 was responsible for the destruction of 2,000 chimneys in the City of London, where the lead roof was ripped clean off Westminster Abbey. No less than 700 ships were piled up in the Port of London, and an estimated 5,000 riverside properties were destroyed.
Elsewhere, 1,500 men perished on the Goodwin Sands, when several naval vessels were wrecked while returning from action in the War of the Spanish Succession. In the West Country, hundreds of people drowned on the Somerset Levels and the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Richard Kidder, and his wife were killed in their bed when a chimney stack crashed through the roof of the Bishop’s Palace.
Bristol, Plymouth, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight were all badly damaged and the first Eddystone Lighthouse was taken by the sea, along with its builder, Winstanley, and his men. It is thought that as many as 300 assorted Royal Navy vessels anchored along the South Coast were lost and estimates about the number of lives lost in the disaster vary between 8,000 and 30,000. An extremely detailed account of the disaster was published by
Rob “Tav” Taviner Cave explorer
“Tav” Taviner
Daniel Defoe in his first book, The Storm, which is often considered to be the first substantial work of modern journalism.
Back in Darshill, the cave entrance was excavated in 1888 and post-medieval remains supporting occupation around the period in question were discovered. Hidden among the general graffiti are a profusion of scratches which may have been ritual protection marks, designed to help ward off evil and protect an inhabitant. More commonly found in buildings, “witch marks” are relatively common in caves and have been recorded elsewhere locally, notably in the caves of Cheddar Gorge and in Wookey Hole.
Assuming that “Nance” really did exist, then can we actually identify her? Although Camel does appear in placenames in Somerset, it is a very unusual surname and many years ago this author suggested that Nancy Camel may actually be a corruption of Nan Scammell, a surname which is a far more commonplace locally. Nancy Camel’s Hole also carries an alternative name of Betsy Camel’s Hole and the suggestion is that sometime during the mid-to-late 17th century, a local woman, Elizabeth “Betsy” Scammell, lost her job as a hand knitter following the introduction of automatic machinery.
Out of desperation, she became a “nan”, a late 17th century derogatory term for a prostitute, and her fall from grace led to her exile in the woods and, ultimately, her disappearance. Phonetically, “Nan” Scammell is identical to “Nance Camel”, which thereafter morphed into Nancy Camel, the modern variation of the name.
The name Elizabeth Scammell can certainly be traced back to the right period and records show that there was at least one person of that name born in the vicinity. While it may ultimately prove very difficult to narrow it down to a particular individual, it does at least, sound plausible.
Nancy Camel’s Hole at Darshill
ENTRIES for this year’s Mendip Vintage & Classic Tour open to non-members of the Classic & Historic Motor Club from Saturday, February 1st.
The annual event, which ends on Wells Cathedral Green, is due to be held on Sunday, May 18th and attracts around 170 cars each year. The route changes each year exploring the Somerset
countryside before judges gather on the green to choose the winner. This year’s charity to benefit from the tour will be Marie Curie. A club spokesperson said: “A big ‘thank-you’ is also owed to the team responsible for organising this event for all their hard work, and of course to all the marshals who help to make everything run smoothly.”
For details, visit: www.candhmotorclub
SHIPHAM MOTOR COMPANY LTD.
Independent VOLVO Specialist
Volvo Servicing and Repairs on all models. New Car Warranty Compliant
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Ready for the new holiday season
CARAVAN and Motorhome Repairs, based in Gurney Slade and established since 2008, are recruiting for a full-time, permanent, workshop technician/repairer. Previous experience would be an advantage but not necessary as on the job training will be provided.
Their parts and accessories department has everything you need, including leisure batteries, Wi-Fi kits, lighting – and even electric bikes to make your touring holidays even easier!
It’s still very much a family affair run by Sandra Adlam and her brother, Steve Case, with Sandra’s daughter, Adrianne, Steve’s daughter, Leia and his partner, Linda and the star of the show, Roxy their family dog.
There are currently five staff in the workshop, which is managed by Stuart Edmonds. It prides itself on the quality of its work on all types of caravans and motorhomes and has a new four-poster ramp to cater for those extra wide vans.
They are Bailey and Swift warranty
approved, work with a variety of insurance companies and are AWS certified. With spring and summer on the way, the team are busy preparing for the new season ahead.
The workshop
Spares and accessories
Roxy
Ready for whatever 2025 has in store
WEhave started the New Year with a bang, already seeing some cracking sales and receiving some great instructions on properties you will be seeing in the near future. It all bodes well for us to retain our reputation as the estate agent of choice for this area, whatever the market throws up.
Over the last few years we have seen a broad spectrum, from red hot periods where houses have fetched high prices and buyers have been queuing to snap them up, to other times when sellers have had to be realistic and modify their expectations about the value of their property.
That’s where our experience of changing markets and our indepth knowledge of the local area comes into play. We can deal with anything that is thrown at us and we can reassure clients who entrust their most valuable asset to us that they will get the best possible outcome, no matter what, and that they are being looked after by people who will always do everything that is in their best interests.
No one can be sure about what the coming months have in store, and in changing circumstances you need to be completely confident that you are working with a team who won’t panic if there’s a shift in the market, but rather will apply their knowhow and give their clients the confidence they are in safe hands. Why would you take any risk in uncertain times with something so important?
And our talents are not only restricted to the process of selling your property. We can do much more than that. For example, you might be thinking about putting your house on the market when the spring comes and the Chew Valley starts to look at its beautiful best. If so, there are things you can be doing right now to maximise the value of your home.
Get in contact with us today and my team will get to work to help with what I call the saleability of your property and to enhance its appeal to a buyer. I am not talking about a major renovation, but there are lots of little, inexpensive things that you can do which will make all the difference when someone comes to view your home.
That’s all part of the Dedication, Imagination and Delivery which describe the beating heart of my business and you can be sure my team are ready to apply their enthusiasm, experience and skills to provide you with a quality service to get you moving.
JOANNA TILEY
First auction of 2025
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 7pm
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Set in 4acres as a Whole or 2 lots
LAND AT WEST END NAILSEA 7acres
PARKLAND AT GREENDOWN 10.5acres
LAND AT CLUTTON HILL 13acres
VALLEY LAND AT PENSFORD 22acres
WOODLAND AT WRAXALL 1.5acres
Early May 2025 Auction –Taking Entries
Preliminary Notice New Government Policy –Encouraging Strategic Development land edge of Village Promotion
as below
Looking forward to the eventing season
FOR many horse owners the pivotal date in the calendar is December 21st with the shortest day of the year. We have now passed this day by over a month and slowly the days are drawing out. If I escape from work quickly in the evening, then I can just about get to ride after work for an hour now which is progress. Roll on February when we increase each day by minutes and not just seconds.
The eventing season starts in 17 weeks which is a bit scary with all the calendars now being out for Cotswold Cup and British Eventing. I love a spreadsheet and with the release of the events, I have been having a geek moment putting it all together.
January sees the opening of box offices. Both the big Bs are now open. Badminton and Blenheim. Blenheim was pretty eye watering to get tickets for, I went for the showjumping as it is holding the European Championships this year and it will be exciting to see who is crowned champion.
Hosting the European Championships is not cheap so I can understand why the pricing is as it is, they must get all the facilities and equipment to Blenheim which has no permanent infrastructure in place, so everything must be bought in and is temporary for the event.
Badminton box office is now open, and I have also gone for showjumping tickets. I last watched the showjumping in the great mud year of 2022 so hoping this year we see nicer weather. With January comes goals, aims and resolutions. With horses,
you write your goals in concrete and your plans in sand. One of the things I have learnt over the years is that failure at the time will hurt but you will learn the most from it and it’s how you bounce back.
Horses are great levellers and one minute you can be flying high and the next hitting the deck. Sometimes it’s hard to bounce back from the knocks especially when your brain is yelling at you that it’s not safe.
A few years ago, I had a complete confidence crash riding, and it really impacted me. I got professional help in the form of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and it worked well for me. I still have nerves/anxiety now but have got better at managing them. For me it was not worrying so much about things.
A book called Bounce by Matthew Syed fundamentally changed the way I thought about things and has helped me understand that to achieve 10,000 hours of purposeful practice in horses to become an expert would take me 18 years whereas in my job it would take 3 1/2 years! With horses being prey animals and being very sensitive to stress and anxiety, its vital that we make every effort to not add to any stress and worry they might have by controlling our emotions.
Finally, I am a complete podcast addict, and we now have some brilliant horses’ ones available. Some of my favourites are Talk Horse with Pippa Funnell, Shut Up and Ride with Ben Atkinson & Jenny Rudall, Eventing Weekly with Mitch & Brayden and In Stride produced by Ride IQ.
They are a great way of breaking up journeys or listening while mucking out. Until next month, keep going. You are through January and February is thankfully a short month!
With LUCY COUNSELL
Lucy Counsell is a lifelong equestrian with a passion for eventing. She set up the riding club, Equestrian Training South West, served on Area 12 Riding Club committee and has her UKCC2 qualification to coach riding
2025 is a big year for these guys who are now three and will be backed in the summer together. Field mates: Mumble the Mule on the right owned by Jancis Weal and Eris on the left who is my first ever homebred
SOME New Year resolutions may have faded into the distant memory already but, just because February is upon us, it’s still not too late to take up a new hobby in 2025.
Horse riding could be one way to tick an awful lot of boxes, from improving fitness to learning a new skill and making new friends – but the key to all these things is to remain realistic. Make it short and achievable considering what time your “thing” will take and if you can afford to do it. It is said that you
start of something new?
experimental chef
with such diverse topics of interest and has such amazing coverage of small and larger local events –that would otherwise go un-heralded! It’s a total joy, from the excellent pictures capturing a great moment and snapshot of humanity to the encouraging features bringing hope in the restorative efforts of communities and nature’s own recovery. It puts our local free paper to shame in terms of the showcasing of community events and people’s fundraising or community-spirited efforts.
need 100 hours of practice to become proficient at something, but you can learn a new skill in just 20 hours. So, think of a class that you would like to take up and cost out 20 hours.
If you start in February with one hour a week then you should pretty much have the hang of it by mid-June. Find a good coach/trainer/class and take that first step with the mindset that by June you will know if this is a hobby for life or just something to say: “I did it.”
Pick up the phone today and call to make an inquiry. If you get a good feeling from the place you contact then make that first appointment; if you don't, call another one! See if they hold an open day or offer taster sessions. Call in and watch a class taking place if possible.
Remember life is not a dress rehearsal, this is “IT”, we don't get a second chance at it so make it the best it can be and who knows where that first step will take you.
Here at Divoky, we look forward to seeing some new faces in 2025!
By Pat Lawrence, Divoky Riding School
and they can be for any financial amount. All vouchers are valid for 12 months.
H Vouchers can be emailed once payment has been received.
H Vouchers can also be gifted forward if the original recipient doesn’t wish to take them up.
H (e rider must be within our weight limit and complete a registration form)
The
London-based
Whyte Rushyn (left) – owner of Whyte’s – and his partner and marketing expert Livi Akers enjoyed a lesson at Divoky whilst on a visit to nearby Batcombe
Sarah Crosse
Conquering the chill
THE crisp air, the glistening frost, the unique serenity –winter cycling offers a distinct charm that sets it apart from the warmer months. While the days may be shorter, colder, and wetter, with the right preparation and mindset, winter cycling can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Staying warm and dry is paramount.
“Know that a man in the cold is not necessarily a cold man” is a quote from exercise physiologist David Bass highlighting that skin tissue temperature matters more than air temperature. His point is that cold air can be insulated against.
Layering is key. A close-fitting, moisturewicking base layer will draw sweat away from the skin, preventing chills. An insulating mid-layer, such as a fleece or a well-insulated cycling jersey, will provide warmth without bulk.
Finally, top it off with a waterproof and windproof outer shell to provide protection from the elements. A jacket with strategically placed vents (usually underarm) will allow airflow and help with temperature regulation during periods of exertion.
For the lower half of the body, it’s worth investing in winter leggings with waterresistant panels on the front. Ankle zips offer flexibility and allow for quick and easy adjustments over cycle shoes.
Between 40-45% of body heat is lost through the head and neck so these are vital places to keep warm during winter rides. A neck warmer will provide protection against the wind and cold and a thin cap or buff under the helmet will prevent heat loss from your head.
These are small and light items that can be easily removed or added to control body temperature.
The hands are usually the first part of the body to suffer when cycling in wintery conditions. Unlike other parts of the body, they don’t move very much so it is worth investing in a good pair of thermal and waterproof gloves.
Similarly, the feet can suffer so thermal socks and waterproof overshoes are essential to keep your feet dry and warm.
Visibility is crucial, especially during the shorter days and darker evenings. A strong white front light and a red rear light are not only essential safety equipment but also legally required between dusk and dawn. The exact type of light depends on where you are cycling.
In well-lit areas the point is to be seen but on unlit lanes and roads the emphasis is to light your way.
While research on the effectiveness of hivis clothing is inconclusive, contrasting colours can significantly improve your visibility to motorists. A brightly coloured outer layer is more likely to stand out against the winter landscape.
It’s worth incorporating retroreflective elements into your kit. These materials reflect light back to its source, making you more visible to traffic in the dark. Attaching reflective strips or accessories to moving parts like your head, legs and arms significantly increase your visibility and safety.
Some bike maintenance is essential for safe and enjoyable winter cycling. A bit of mud on the frame doesn’t matter but it pays dividends to clean and lubricate the drivetrain (chain, cassette, and derailleurs) regularly.
Use a wet lube, which is designed to withstand the elements and provide better water resistance. Attaching mudguards will protect yourself and other cyclists behind you from spray and also keep your bike cleaner.
Consider investing in winter-specific tyres.
Wider tyres with a slightly lower tyre pressure provide better grip on wet and icy surfaces.
Yet beside all these ways of countering the winter weather there is something that is more fundamental. In 2024 researchers from Brock University in Canada examined the impact of cold temperatures on cycling performance.
Previous studies into the effect of cold-air exposure on endurance capacity had seen participants enter a cold room and begin exercising. The key difference with the Brock study was that the subjects started cold.
Stephen Cheung one of the scientific authors said: “In our study, they were cold beforehand and, despite exercising quite hard, they just couldn’t warm up enough to maintain performance.”
The big takeaway from that study was that there was a significant difference between riding in the cold – and already being cold before you start riding. To minimise the impact of cold on your performance, the advice is to warm up thoroughly before heading out.
Engage in light cardio activity like jogging or jumping jacks to increase blood flow and prepare your body for the exertion.
Winter cycling presents unique challenges, but it also offers a distinct charm. It’s worth embracing the slower pace, to focus on enjoying the scenery, and remembering that winter miles contribute to a stronger and fitter you.
CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE
ACROSS: 1. Catapult 5 &15. Public House 10. The Hunters Lodge 11. Loiters 12. Amadeus 13. Stuffing 15. See 5 Across 18. Inner 20. The Crown 23. Hamster 25. Leaflet 26. Castle of Comfort 27. Paraody 28. See 3 Down. DOWN: 1. Cattle 2. The Litton 3. Plume of Feathers 4. Lotus 6. Unleash 7. Ladle 8. Chessmen 9. Triangle 14. Intercom 16. Unwelcome 17. Nightcap 19. Rattled 21. Readmit 22. Status 24. Miser 25. Lucre.
Steve Worrall MBE
WESTON-super-Mare RFC and Chew Valley RFC have been mourning the death of coach Steve Worrall. He died on January 2nd, aged 63.
Steve was Weston-super-Mare's head coach between July 2011 and October 2014 before spending ten years with Chew Valley, initially as Assistant Coach and then becoming Head Coach.
Steve returned to Weston last November, where his drive and enthusiasm for the game were rewarded with two victories before the festive break.
He spent several years as a coach at North Walsham RFC and Peterborough RUFC and as a player, head coach, and assistant director of rugby with the Royal
Air Force Rugby Union.
He captained the Combined Services against the All Blacks in November 1993, and Steve, playing at scrum-half, claimed the Services only points with a penalty from near half-way.
Steve's love of sport was not restricted to rugby. He joined Uphill Castle in 2000 and opened the batting for the 2nds for many years. After retiring from league cricket, Steve went on to play for the Uphill Strugglers and the Uphill Castle Golf Society.
Both clubs observed a minute’s silence before games. A spokesman for Weston said: “Steve was widely respected and liked in many circles, not just in rugby, and his passing will leave a significant
Tiddlywinks goes platinum
PLAYERS warmed up for the 70th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the modern game of tiddlywinks by competing at the annual Somerset Invitation tournament in Emborough.
On January 16th 1955 a group of undergraduates met at Christ's College in Cambridge and devised the rules of the modern game, which is broadly the version played in matches and tournaments now.
According to the English Tiddlywinks Association, the students wanted to invent a sport in which they could represent the university. The Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Association was formed in 1958 and famously played a match against the Goons.
The Somerset Invitation came about due to family connections between keen player and former Cambridge club president Professor Stewart Sage and Chilcompton. In recent years, it has been held at the Old Down Inn.
gap in those communities.”
Chew Valley said: “We are heartbroken to share that Steve Worrall, our beloved former coach at Chew Valley RFC, has passed away unexpectedly this morning.”
A weekend of winking: Stewart Sage and Nick Inglis (rear) with (front l to r) Patrick Driscoll, Tim Hunt, Sarah Knight and Andrew Gerrard. There was a seventh player, Harley Jones Sarah plays a tactical shot
Harley in action
Olympic hopeful
MENDIP Activity Centre are sponsoring local bobsleigh athlete Jens Hullah for the second season in a row.
Jens, from Shipham, represented the Great Britain Bobsleigh Team at the Europa Cup 2024 and achieved a top six finish. He hopes to continue this success and reach the Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026.
Jens' passion for winter sports started during his time at Churchill School; it was as a student there that he learned to ski at Mendip Activity Centre.
The experience on Mendip's dry ski slope led to a school ski trip in Austria and that enthusiasm has led him to pursue bobsleigh.
Details: https://www.instagram.com/jensyhullah/
Star pupil
CHEW Stoke Church School pupils were treated to a special surprise – a personal video message from former student and Formula 1 racing star, Lando Norris.
The talented McLaren driver, who attended the school as a child, took the time to thank the pupils for their letters and messages of support throughout the racing season.
There was also a personalised signed print and a replica helmet for the school along with a special gift for every student who wrote to him.
Head, Ben Hewett, said: "It's wonderful to see one of our former pupils achieving such incredible success on the world stage.
Death of Geoff Weeks
A LARGEcontingent of the Seniors section of Fosseway Golf Club joined with family and friends of Geoff Weeks to say a last goodbye to the oldest member of the seniors’ section at his funeral at Radstock Church.
Geoff, who celebrated his 100th birthday in June, was still an active playing member well into his 90s and still joined everyone at the club every Tuesday and Thursday until shortly before his death.
The club said: “A true gentleman, Geoff will be very much missed.”
Paige and Oscar with gifts
“Lando's message of encouragement and the generous gifts will undoubtedly inspire our current pupils to pursue their own dreams with passion and determination.”
Geoff's last competitive win in the Seniors section with Pat Cray
Like chess –but played on a lawn
CAMERTONand Peasedown Croquet Club is expecting a busy year with beginners’ courses starting in March.
Over several weeks new players are introduced to all the strokes that they need to play a full game and they can then claim a reduction on the annual membership fee if they subsequently join the club.
The club runs a number of internal club tournaments, summer and winter, to suit players of all skill levels; there is a special tournament for beginners, so no-one is left out.
Club teams also compete in the South West Croquet Federation Leagues for Golf Croquet, Short Croquet and Association Croquet. There are four weekly club sessions when players can simply turn up and play a social game.
There is also a social side to the club with regular lunches, including the new for 2025 Soup and Hoop Mondays, and Quiz evenings in a local village hall.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season CPCC will be entering teams in Golf Croquet Level Play and Handicap Leagues and in Association Croquet and Short Croquet competitions.
They are excited to be hosting the Croquet England Golf Croquet “All England” Handicap Finals in September. This will be a chance to watch some of this country’s best players in action on the lawns of the Mendip Hills.
Last year it hosted two important national events and the Croquet England On-Ball charity event in aid of The British Heart Foundation.
Success came last year with wins in Division 4 of the South West Federation Autumn short croquet tournament and with their Golf Croquet Handicap ‘A’ team topping their group in that league.
Success also came to Andy Loakes and Colin Britt as members of the Somerset team when they won the England National Division 1 Inter-County Championship at Southwick. They also had individual success through the season and, as a pairing, achieved equal third in the 2024 National Doubles Championship at Budleigh Salterton.
A MEMBER of Nailsea and District Croquet Club has won a national award from the sport’s governing body, Croquet England.
Erica Malaiperuman was presented with the award for the most improved female Association Croquet player of 2024, which was determined by the Croquet England Handicap Committee.
Erica has been playing Association Croquet for 13 years and this year exceeded all her expectations by winning two Nailsea tournaments and improving her ranking grade by 117 points. She is currently the13th ranked female player in the UK.
Kathy Wallace, President of Nailsea and District Croquet Club, presented Erica with the Steel Memorial Bowl. Erica said: “I am delighted to receive this award, and I would like to thank all those who have helped me improve my game.”
l The new croquet season at Nailsea will start on April 1st. New members are welcome. For details, visit: www.nailsea-croquet.org.uk
All four lawns in action
A charity event
Erica Malaiperuman (left) receiving her award from Kathy Wallace
(Photo courtesy of NCC)
Ringing the changes
THEChew Valley Handbell Ringers, formerly known as Stanton Drew Handbell Ringers, raised a total of £684.80 from a busy Christmas season.
They entertained a wide variety of groups, including Whitchurch History Society, Leigh-on-Mendip Women’s Institute, Audley Redwood Retirement Village, Nailsea and Backwell Rotary and Chew Valley Garden Society, as well as Stanton Court Nursing Home, St Mary’s, Stanton Drew carol service and the community café held monthly in Stanton Drew Church.
Leader of the group, Mary Payne, said: “After £112 has been paid to the Stanton Drew PCC for the insurance for the twooctave set of famous Whitechapel handbells, the remainder has been donated to Cancer Research UK.”
They are now looking to hear from any group who would like to hear the bells and “have a go.” The group will be playing for the Chew Valley History Society on Wednesday, March 5th in Chew Magna at 7.30pm.
Details: cvhandbells@gmail.com
Have your say
VALLEYArts is celebrating its tenth anniversary and is seeking views on what people would like to see in the next ten years across the Chew Valley.
It’s issued a two-minute questionnaire, with the chance to win one of four prizes. It says: “Your input will directly influence the type of events, workshops and exhibitions we create and ensure we build a brighter, more inclusive future for Valley Arts.”
Details: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3Y8CV62
Guitar virtuoso
The orchestra was formed in 2020 as a group of amateur guitarists who enjoy playing the classical guitar together, and who are based in the village of Puxton and Hewish near Weston-super-Mare.
A Wyvern is a two-legged dragon, a version of which is on the flag of Somerset, and Afinado is a Spanish word meaning “in tune” or “polished”.
They will be joined and supported by Craig Ogden, who will play some solo repertoire, a guitar and flute duet with Nicola Russell, as a member of a WAGO quartet, and as part of the full guitar orchestra.
Described by BBC Music Magazine as “a worthy successor to Julian Bream”, the Australian born guitarist is one of the most exciting artists of his generation.
Additionally, there will be a premiere performance of a new composition by Gerald Garcia for guitar orchestra entitled “Westland Wyvern”, named after the famous Westland carrier-based strike aircraft of the 1950s.
The concert starts at 7.30pm, tickets are £12, students £6, children free.
Details: www.yms.org.uk
THE Wyvern Afinado Guitar Orchestra with Craig Ogden will play at St Mary’s Church, Yatton on Saturday, March 1st.
Craig Ogden
Great Baldini, February 20th
Appeal raises first £1million
THE Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal has now raised more than £1m in donations and pledges towards its overall £2m target.
It says this landmark moment was achieved just before Christmas and is the result of the generous support of many people in Wells, across the South West and the wider UK.
The Dean of Wells Cathedral, the Very Rev Toby Wright said: “The Cathedral organ is in a rapidly deteriorating state, and it is becoming increasingly urgent that we restore this once magnificent instrument to its full glory.
“Until now, our wonderful organists have masked the decline of the organ’s
performance, concealing its flaws from the ears of the thousands of people who come each year to attend Cathedral
services, recitals and concerts.
“Reaching the appeal halfway point is a landmark moment and we owe our thanks to everyone who has found a way to support the appeal with such generosity.”
The chairman of the appeal committee, David Morgan-Hewitt, said: “Progress being made on the fundraising side of the appeal has allowed us to begin more detailed planning and we now have a proposed timetable of works for the organ’s refurbishment.
“It is likely that the organ pipes will be removed at the start of 2026 and will be taken away for repair and refurbishment. At the same time, work
will begin on crafting new sets of pipes for the 32 foot stops and the new trumpets.
“It is hoped that the organ will be reinstalled by the end of 2027 or early in 2028. The process of refurbishing the organ is a very complex, specialised and labour-intensive challenge and will mean a couple of years with a temporary instrument.
“But the end result will be worth the wait and will create a greatly improved and fully revitalised instrument that is ready to continue its work for the next 50 years or more.”
The appeal committee is now refocusing its efforts on raising the second million.
Organ from the nave
David Morgan-Hewitt
Dean of Wells
Inside the organ
Festival
FINAL preparations are underway for this year’s Shepton Snowdrops Festival, on Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd with several other events taking place in the preceding days.
And fans of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time are in for a snowdrop-related treat when a special programme is broadcast on February 14th, recorded in front of a live audience at the town’s Kilver Court.
No-dig pioneer and Mendip Times contributor, Charles Dowding, who lives near Ditcheat, will share his gardening wisdom and experience in a talk at the festival on the Friday afternoon –book now to be sure of a place. For keen gardeners and plant collectors there’s a wide range to buy: snowdrops, other spring bubs and plants, tender, half-hardy and hardy climbers, plants for shade, and organic seeds with a special focus on medicinal herbs.
Art and craft lovers can enjoy work from some of the West Country’s finest makers; willow basketry, glass, fine wirework, hand painted birchwood decorations, silver jewellery, artisan home furnishings, ceramics and lots more.
The range of workshops at this year’s festival is the most extensive so far and places are booking fast; make a willow kokedama, a dried flower wreath, a wire flower and foliage arrangement or try painting and etching on glass.
For children and families there’s storytelling with The Professor, a magical snowdrop grotto and creative art and craft activities, and a one-day puppet and animation workshop. Many of the events are free.
Not to be missed are the James Allen Heritage Walk and the Fashion Show, featuring incredible and hugely creative outfits designed and made using upcycled, recycled and pre-loved materials.
Festival director Amanda Hirst said: “We have a unique connection to the snowdrop. As far as we know, no other town in the country can boast a connection to a Snowdrop King. James Allen, an amateur horticulturist, bred over 100 cultivars of snowdrops.
“Born and bred in Shepton, he was given the title by his 19th century galanthophile peers. It’s to commemorate his legacy that we celebrate the snowdrop each year with the annual festival.”
Recording underway. The panel never know the questions in advance
For more information and booking details visit www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk
GQT team Peter Gibbs (compere) and panellists Pippa Greenwood, Ann Swithinbank and Matthew Wilson are flanked by (l to r) Dominic Weston and Amanda Hirst and Angela Morley, some of the festival organisers
The snowdrop festival is now well-established on the town’s events calendar
Inspiring a new generation?
CHILDREN and young people are being offered the opportunity to try their hand at recreating heritage crafts, some of which are at risk of dying out.
Brick making, hurdle making and rag rug making are amongst the activities on offer in a series of events, starting in February.
On Monday, February 17th a woodworking workshop will be held at Avalon Archaeology, at Shapwick, where young people can discover woodworking techniques through time. Participants will use flint, bronze and steel tools to experience how people made wooden objects, from the Stone Age to the Saxons. Amongst the crafts being taught is hurdle making. Participants will also try hewing; the process of shaping a log to create flat surfaces using only hand tools.
On Saturday, March 8th, families are invited to go along to a free Rag Rug Workshop at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, where they can learn about the history, how rugs were made, and have a go.
On Saturday, March 22nd families are invited to attend a free Brick Making Workshop at Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater, where they can learn about this aspect to Somerset’s industrial heritage and have a go. The making of clay bricks by hand or in small batches is now an endangered craft. The decline of the brick and tile industry began with WWI and it was all but over by the 1960s. The kiln at Somerset Brick and Tile Museum was last fired in 1965 and the last brickworks in the county closed in Wellington in 1996.
The events have been made possible after the South West Heritage Trust teamed up with MAKE Southwest, the Heritage Craft Association and D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust to highlight the Heritage Crafts Red List produced annually by the Heritage Craft Association to assess the viability of traditional crafts.
All children and young people must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are free to attend, with a refundable deposit required for booking. Booking required via swheritage.org.uk
Update –ticket price and Booking Fee
Thank you so much for your wonderful support. We can now say due to that support we are extending the £5 ticket offer into 2025. (not inc. Event Cinema)
Please note from 1st February our booking fee will be £1.50 per transaction. We are sure you will agree this is reasonable to be able to secure your seat. Many cinemas in the area charge £2 or more per ticket. Your continued support of our Concession Shop and Bar is so vitally important as we don't have to give Film Distributors 60% of those sales as we do for
Rag rug making at the Somerset Rural Life Museum
T HE M ENDIP T IMES W
Commercial entries cost £25. We’re happy to offer entries for non-profit community group meetings and charity fundraisers free of charge. If you feel that your entry fits our criteria for free publicity please state why – and send a succinct single paragraph, in a format that can be copied and pasted to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk
Wednesday January 29th
Harptrees History Society: Philip Ashford, ‘Travel in the Severn Estuary before the Age of Steam’. Visitors welcome, £3. Please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Subject “January”
Sing2breathe for breathlessness – learn techniques for breathing control and improved posture. 1.45 to 3pm every Wed, Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595745884.
Thursday 30th January
West Mendip Ramblers strenuous 12m circular walk starting 9.30am from Clevedon BS212 6YJ. W3W: dine.gears.unit. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Wells Scottish Dancers the Blue School Dance Studio BA5 2NR. Every Thurs 6.30–8.30pm. Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or email ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com
Sing2breathe for breathlessness – for breathing control and posture 2.15-3.30pm most Thursdays, Priory Health Centre outpatients, Wells. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.
Friday January 31st
Whitchurch Local History Society: “The social history of public adverts” by Mike Hooper, 7.30pm United Reformed Church, 24 Bristol Rd, BS14 0PQ. Visitors welcome £4. Details: 01275 830869.
“A year in the life of an old country orchard” talk by wildlife film-maker and author Nick Gates, 7.30pm Regil Village Hall, The Street, Regil, BS40 8BD. Details www.valleyartscentre.co.uk/
Saturday February 1st
RNLI Winscombe & District Branch Quiz 7 for 7.30pm Shipham Village Hall, BS25 1SG. £12pp or £72 for a team of six, incl Ploughman’s Supper. Bar & raffle. Details: meejlfh@gmail.com or 01934 842304.
The Mendip Society Wassail: meet 6.30pm Burrington village square to choose the Wassail Queen, then to the orchard, then supper. If staying to eat (adults £5, children free) please contact to help catering numbers: 01761 221995 or membership@themendipsociety.org.uk
Alhampton Wassail: traditional family event with singing, dancing, hot soup and sandwich and mulled cider. 6pm, the Alhampton Inn, BA4 6PY. Midsomer Norton’s Wassail starts with family workshops at 10am then a procession at 12 from the Town Hall. Details: www.somervalleyrediscovered.co.uk/event/wassail
Sunday February 2nd
Chew Magna: Tree Care and Planting, with refreshments, every Sunday morning 10.30 to 12.30 during February and March. Please email bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com
Monday February 3rd
Bath NATS talk with Peter Cooper “Harvest Mice” 7 for 7.30pm BRSLI, 16 Queen Square, BA1 2HN. Visitors welcome £3.
RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch: talk by Roger Cowie “From Russia with Love” 11am then optional lunch, Wells Golf Club, BA5 3DS. Details: 01458 224057 or email rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com
Congresbury Memorial Hall Club: Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Cheddar Valley Singers, Mondays 7pm Cheddar
Catholic Community Hall. Details: cheddarvalleysingers@gmail.com or Facebook.
Tuesday February 4th
The Arts Society Mendip: “Fakes & Forgeries” by Marc Allum. 11am Croscombe Village Hall and Zoom. Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk Weston u3a meet for coffee every Tuesday, 10am Friends Meeting House, 6 High St, WsM BS23 1JF. Come and make new friends!
Yatton Local History Society talk by Elizabeth Vaughan “Frontline health care in WW1” 7.30pm Methodist Church BS49 4DW. Details: yattonlocalhistorysoc@gmail.com
Wednesday February 5th
Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers, Grassy Knoll Ukelele Ensemble (open to public) 2pm-3.30 Backwell WI Hall.
Cheddar Valley u3a afternoon tea with Day Trippers at Wedmore Golf Club.
Clevedon Gardener’s Club 1st and 3rd Wed. each month, 7.30pm Kenn Rd Methodist Church Hall, Clevedon BS21 6LH. Details: clevedongardeners.chessck.co.uk
Pensford Super Soup Lunch 12 to 2pm, Old School Room. All welcome. Details: Jane 07780 677253.
Chew Valley Local History Society talk “King Charles II” by Professor Ronald Hutton, 7.15 for 7.45pm, Millenium Hall, Chew Magna, BS40 8SH. Details: russpeters@btinternet.com
Thursday February 6th
Chew Valley Death Café meets 12-1.30pm Community Library Bishop Sutton, first Thursday every month. A safe supportive space to talk about life, death and loss over tea and cake. All welcome. Please contact: bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com
Wells Scottish Dancers the Blue School Dance Studio BA5 2NR. Every Thurs 6.30–8.30pm. Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com
Draycott Art Club sessions 10am-1pm & 2-4pm every Thursday, Memorial Hall BS27 3UE. All welcome. Details: draycottartclub.mendip@gmail.com
Paulton Folk Night 8.30pm Red Lion. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com
Congresbury Gardening Club talk by Rob Handy “Perennial vegetables”. 7.30pm Congresbury Methodist Hall. Visitors always welcome. Details: www.congresburygardeningclub.com
Cheddar Valley u3a talk: “A writer’s life for me” 2pm Cheddar Village Hall BS27 3RF. West Mendip Walkers moderate 9m circular walk starting 9.30am from Wells City Hall, BA5 2RB. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Friday February 7th
Radstock Folk Dance Club, every Friday 8-10pm St Peter’s Church Hall, Westfield. Beginners welcome, partners not essential. £3 incl refreshments. Details: heather.m.leverton@gmail.com
“Looking for me friend” fun cabaret based on the music of Victoria Wood, 7.30pm, Chew Stoke village hall. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Wanstrow: “Coping with Drought and flooding in the garden” by Sally Morgan, 7pm Wanstrow village hall. Tickets £5 from Geoff 07515 868785 or Bob 07928 521162.
Wells Natural History & Archaeology Society talk by Amal Khreisheh, curator of archaeology at SW Heritage Trust, about the discovery in 2020 of the Cheddar Brooch. 7pm Wells & Mendip Museum, Non-members welcome, £4. Save the Children lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall. Soup, bread and cheese, biscuits, tea/coffee £5.50. Do come and join us.
Saturday February 8th
Tell a story if you can! Listen and learn – storytelling techniques for grown-ups, 1.30 to 3pm Chew Valley Community Library, Bishop Sutton, BS39 5UU. Accessible former Methodist Chapel with car park. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com
Frome Society for Local Study: Dr Adrian Webb: A seventeenth century scoundrel, 2.30pm Memorial Theatre BA11 1EB. Visitors welcome, £5.
Congresbury Book Sale: 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books & Jigsaws etc. Trudgeon’s Trad Jazz Troubadours 7.30 to 10pm Caryford Community Hall, Ansford, Castle Cary. Tickets £10, £12 on the door.
Banwell Methodist Church Sale, 10am-12 Youth and Community Centre, coffee, tea and homemade cakes too!
Temple Cloud in Bloom gardening morning 10am-12. Meet at the garage. Details: tcibinfo@yahoo.com
Parkinson’s NW Somerset Support Group, 10.30-12.15, St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea. Coffee & chat and a celebration of the 30th birthday of the local group's foundation. Join us! Saturday February 8th and Sun Feb 9th Blowzabella folk weekend Baltonsborough Village Hall, Ham Street. Dance on Sat 8th at 7.30pm and a concert Sunday 9th at 2pm. Tickets: https://blowzabella.co.uk/live
Monday February 10th
Priddy Folk Session 8.30pm Queen Victoria. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8-10pm St James’s Church Centre, Winscombe BS25 1BA. All Welcome, £3 incl refreshments. Details: Pat 01934 742853.
Nailsea & District Local History Society talk by Roy Ackrill “Transport and roads in Backwell and beyond” 7.45pm Nailsea School, BS48 2HN. Visitors most welcome £3. Details: 01275 463479 or www.ndlhs.org.uk
Norton Radstock u3a talk by Martin Horler on the role of The Royal Mail Guard in full livery. 2pm-4pm Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2UH. Visitors welcome. Details: www.norad.u3asite.uk
Tuesday February 11th
Clutton History Society: talk by Martin Elsbury: “Glimmers of Light” 7.30pm village hall, Venus Lane, BS39 5SP. All welcome. Visitors £5 incl tea/coffee. Details: 07341 266986 or chris.border@live.co.uk
Compton Dando Craft Day: craft in company, 10-4pm village hall, BS39 4JZ. £8 incl homemade lunch. Details: hdottridge@hotmail.com 01761
N G UIDEFOR F EBRUARY 2025
490445.
Jazz Jam with the Valley Arts House Band, 8pm The Pelican, Chew Magna. Details: www.valleyarts.co.uk
Cricket Society, West of England, A trio of umpires: Graham Burgess, Mike Burns, Sam Hollingshead, 2pm, Widcombe Social Club, Bath BA2 6AA, £5 to include tea, coffee, biscuits. Bar available.
Wednesday February 12th
Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas's Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed every month. Details: wellsfdc.co.uk
Mendip Storytelling Circle. Stories to entertain a grown-up audience. 7-30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, Green St, BA3 4DA. www.mendipstorycircle.com
Blagdon Local History Society AGM and Gems from our Archive with Sheila Johnson 2.30pm Court Lodge BS407TQ. New members' programme available. Details: Details: www.blagdonlhs.com
Chew Valley Garden Society talk: “Plant hunters and pioneers”, by Caradoc Doy, 8pm Stanton Drew Village Hall, Sandy Lane, BS39 4EL. Easy access and parking.
West Mendip Walkers moderate 7.7m circular walk starting 9.30am from Kilmersdon, BA3 5TD. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Friday February 14th
Keynsham Avon Wildlife Trust talk by Mark Funnell, “Seeing the woods for the trees” 7.30pm Baptist Church, Keynsham BS31 1DS. Visitors welcome £4.50 incl drink.
Chew Magna Valentine’s Bop with “Old Pops” and his merry band! 7.30pm, Church Hall. £10, in aid of the hall, incl supper and a glass of punch. Details: oldpopsmusic@gmail.com
Saturday February 15th
Claverham Market: 10am-12pm Village Hall. Butcher, veg, crafts etc 01934 830553. Mayor of Glastonbury’s concert, 7pm, St John's Church, Glastonbury, in aid of Glastonbury Mental Health Network, with Glastonbury Cantilena Choir and other musicians. Tickets from Eventbrite and at the Glastonbury Town Hall information centre. Monday February 17th
Winscombe District u3a illustrated talk by Lee Newton, North Somerset Archaeologist, on recent finds in the area. Refreshments from 2 for 2.30pm Winscombe Community Centre, BS25 1JA. Visitors welcome, £2.50.
Chew Valley u3a talk by Ian Caskie “SS Great Britain from launch to relaunch”. Refreshments from 10am Ubley Parish Hall. All welcome. Members £1, visitors £2.50. Congresbury Memorial Hall Club: Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.
Play-in-a-Day drama workshop for ages 6 to 10 and a puppet-making workshop for 9 to 13 yr olds. Half-term events at Chew Magna Baptist Church. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Tuesday February 18th
Arts Society Mid Somerset lecture ‘Inspired by Stonehenge’ 11am Caryford Hall, Castle Cary BA7 7JJ. Coffee from 10.15. Visitors welcome, £7. Wrington Local History Society: talk “The history of aviation in Weston-super-Mare” by Simon Begent, 7.30 for 8pm Wrington URC
RSPB Bath ZOOM talk by Laura Vaughan-Hirsch “The White Stork Project”. 7.30pm St Andrew’s Community Church, Combe Down, BA2 5QA.
Henton & District Gardening Club talk by Hilary and Austin Little about the flora of Chile: “High & explosive”. 7 for 7.30 Henton village hall, Nr Wells. Refreshments and plant sale. Visitors welcome, £5. Details: www.hentongardenclub.weebly.com
“Some-Body” a talk by Dr John Robson on forensic identification. Tickets £8, £10 on the door, 7.30 to 9pm Caryford Community Hall, Ansford, Castle Cary.
Pensford Super Soup Lunch 12 to 2pm, Old School Room. All welcome. Details: Jane 07780 677253.
Thursday February 20th
Wrington Gardening Club: “Composting” by Kate Eastman and other members of North Somerset Master Composters, 7:30pm Wrington Memorial Hall BS40 5QL.
Shipham & District Garden Club talk by Barry Hamblin, “Lavender, the forgotten herb”, 7.30pm Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG.
The Great Baldini – fabulous family magic show for ages 3+. 2.30pm Compton Martin Village Hall. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Cheddar Valley u3a Coffee Morning 10am-11.30 Cheddar Village Hall, BS27 3RF.
West Mendip Walkers moderate 9m circular walk starting 9.30am from Ash Lane, Wells, BA5 2LR. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk
Yatton & District Horticultural Society AGM with cheese & wine buffet. 8pm Hangstones Pavilion, Stowey Rd BS49 4HS. Details www.yattonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk
Thursday February 20th to Sat Feb 22nd
“Avast Behind!” traditional panto – with pirates. 7.30pm Croscombe Village Hall. Tickets £12/£6 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/croscombe-frolics
Save the Children lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall. Soup, bread and cheese, biscuits, tea/coffee £5.50. Do come and join us!
Friday February 21st and Sat Feb 22nd
Bishop Sutton beer festival, village hall, in aid of local charities, plus food, music, bouncy castle and big screen showing Six Nations rugby. Details: www.bishopsuttonbeer.co.uk
Saturday February 22nd
Frome Society for Local Study: Dr Joanne
O’Hara: Saving the Toneworks, 2.30pm Memorial Theatre BA11 1EB. Visitors welcome, £5. Congresbury Book Sale: 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books & Jigsaws etc. Clevedon Gardeners’ Club 65th Spring Show 1pm to 4.15, Clevedon Community Centre, Princes Rd, BS21 7SZ.
Sunday February 23rd
Castle Cary Concert by renowned cellist James Halsey, 4pm All Saints’ Church. Refreshments. Fund-raising for an accessible ramp at the church. Tickets from Bailey Hill Bookshop, the Market House or the church website.
Monday February 24th
Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8-10pm St James’s Church Centre, Winscombe BS25 1BA. All
Welcome, £3 incl refreshments. Details: Pat 01934 742853.
Chilcompton Gardening Club talk: “Ornamental & vegetable gardening” by Jane Moore, 7.30pm Village Hall, BS3 4EX. All welcome. Details on Facebook.
Open Mic Music Night 7.15pm, The Pony, Chew Magna. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Wells & District Wildlife Group: “Forgotten little creatures” (update) by photographer, artist & researcher Victoria Hillman, 2.30pm Wells Museum. Details: www.wdwg.org.uk
Wednesday February 26th
Wells Folk Night 8pm City Arms. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com
Harptrees History Society talk by Michèle Day, “The art of Henry Strachey in Somerset and beyond.” Visitors £3. Book by email from February 12th: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org
Subject line: February.
Friends of Weston Museum talk: “Mayors and Manors” by the current Mayor of Weston-s-Mare, Cllr John Crockford-Hawley. 2.15 for 2.30pm Weston Museum, BS23 1PR. Members £2, Visitors £4 Details: www.facebook.com/ groups/friendsofthemuseumwsm/ Cricket Society, West of England: Patrick Eager, one of the world’s leading cricket photographers, shows some of his favourite images and describes how they were taken. 2pm Widcombe Social Club, Bath BA2 6AA, £5 include tea, coffee, biscuits. Bar available.
Thursday February 27th
Avon Wildlife Trust Chew Valley Group talk “Mendip Hills – Botanical Treasures” illustrated talk by Helena Crouch on the characteristic and iconic plants of Mendip. 7.45pm Old School Room, Chew Magna. £2.50. West Mendip Walkers moderate 11m circular walk string 9.30am from Nether Stowey, TA5 1NW. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Sing2breathe for breathlessness – for breathing control and posture 2.15-3.30pm most Thursdays (not March 13th) Priory Health Centre outpatients, Wells. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.
Friday February 28th
Whitchurch Local History Society: “Birnbeck Pier: past, present and future” by Peter Lander of the Pier Regeneration Trust, 7.30pm United Reformed Church, 24 Bristol Rd, BS14 0PQ. Visitors welcome £4. Details: 01275 830869. Radstock Folk Dance Club, every Friday, 8-10 at St Peter’s Church Hall, Westfield. Country dancing at a steady speed. Beginners welcome, partners not essential. £3 incl refreshments. heather.m.leverton@gmail.com
Colin Hoult: hilarious stand-up comedy from a star of BBC’s Ghosts. 7.30pm Bishop Sutton Village Hall. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk
Saturday March 1st
Annual Harptree Charity Hop, with a live band, dancing, bar. From 6:30pm West Harptree village hall. £10. Details: www.westharptreehall.com
Tell a story if you can! Listen and learn – storytelling techniques for grown-ups, 1.30 to 3pm Chew Valley Community Library, Bishop Sutton, BS39 5UU. Accessible former Methodist Chapel with car park. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com
New beer festival
THEfirst Bishop Sutton beer festival will take place in the village hall on February 21st and 22nd, with all profits going to local charities.
As well as a wide range of drinks and food, there will entertainment for children and a big screen showing Six Nations rugby.
Details: www.bishopsuttonbeer.co.uk
Wassails continue in February
MIDSOMER Norton’s annual wassail ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 1st with an afternoon of free events and entertainment.
The ceremony starts at the new Market Square on The Island at midday, followed by a procession to the Town Park. Free activities begin at 10am.
The wassail celebration is free to attend for everyone and is being run by Somer Valley Rediscovered, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Midsomer Norton Community Trust.
Cam Valley Morris, Frome Street Bandits, the Langport Mummers and the Merriman Theatre Group with a giant puppet will lead the procession to the entrance of the Town Park.
The afternoon’s entertainment in the Midsomer Norton Town Park will include a folk play, Morris dancing, Frome Street Bandits and the wassail ceremony. Cider and apple cake will be available.
l The Mendip Society is also holding its wassail on February 1st, meeting in Burrington village hall at 6.30pm to choose the wassail queen. Society president, Les Davies, will be leading the proceedings.
There’s also a wassail at the Alhampton Inn, starting at 6pm.
