What’s On

Festival’s 30th anniversary

ACTOR and author Sheila Hancock kicks off Wells Festival of Literature's 30th anniversary celebrations this autumn as star guest at the opening event in Cedars Hall on October 14th. Funny and feisty at 89, she writes a vivid portrait of old age, launches a tirade against the injustices she perceives in the modern world, and yet finds that there are always reasons for joy.

From 60s television comedy The Rag Trade, right up to her recent adventures with Gyles Brandreth on TV's Great Canal Journeys, Sheila's career spans more than seven decades and has gained her a host of honours and awards.

The festival, which runs from October 14th-22nd, will also include many other well-known writers covering literary genres from fiction to current affairs, from science to history, from arts to poetry.

Booking for festival events opened on July 25th. Details: www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk 01749 834483, 9.30am-12noon.

Festival spirit at museum

FAMILIES pining for the Glastonbury Festival – and those who could not get there – can enjoy a flavour of its magical atmosphere at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury with a summer of imagination and celebration ahead for visitors.

Visitors are being invited to join the party with a celebration of festivals and fetes. Glastonbury returned after a two-year absence and the museum is marking the event with a display of photos.

“Music, Mud, Mayhem: Photographing Glastonbury Festival” brings together images from 20 years of the iconic festival. They have been captured by Somerset-based photographer Jason Bryant who has chosen his personal favourites for the exhibition.

For families there will be festival vibes with themed activities taking place throughout the holiday. Young artists will find plenty of ways to express themselves with a variety of arts and crafts on offer. These include making festival flags and friendship bracelets, flower power crafts and making a musical instrument.

For the movers and groovers there is juggling, hula hooping and a bubble bonanza. There will also be donkey rides.

For details visit: www.swheritage.org.uk/events

Glastonbury Festival band to headline Night at the Abbey

THIS August bank holiday is set to be a packed weekend at Glastonbury Abbey.

On Friday, August 26th, its award-winning Night at the Abbey returns with a fantastic line-up across three stages, headlined by Bristol-based Cut Capers, which has added the abbey to its summer tour and comes hot on the heels of its performance at the Glastonbury Festival. The event runs from 4.30pm until 10pm.

The following day, the Terrible Tudors move in for the next stop of their Horrible Histories’ national tour, a chance to get a warts-and-all history lesson with all the nasty bits left in. There are two performances at 3pm and 6pm.

Both events offer discounts for children, members and for advanced tickets bought online. Tickets for some shows will also be available on the door, but at full price.

The bank holiday weekend concludes on Sunday and Monday with free re-enactments of the Monmouth Rebellion from the Taunton Garrison, featuring cannon demonstrations, weapon displays and a chance to look around a living history campsite.

For details and for advance tickets, visit: www.glastonburyabbey.com

Summer fun at heritage railway

AUGUST and September are shaping up to be especially busy months at the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage line at Midsomer Norton, culminating in a special appearance by a guest locomotive to mark a moment in history.

With the summer holidays in full swing, the trust which runs the line – on part of the former Somerset and Dorset Railway – is operating its diesel unit on Mondays and Fridays, its unique Wickham Trolley on Wednesdays and a steam loco on Sundays.

September will see the 60th anniversary of the last running of the Saturday Manchester-Bournemouth Pines Express.

To celebrate, the station will be running a gala on September 2nd-4th and on September 16th and 17th, there’ll be a visit by LMS Ivatt Tank 2-6-2T 41312.

For a full list of all events, details and booking visit: www.sdjr.co.uk

Silver Street Midsomer Norton BA3 2EY Tel: 01761 411221 Email: general@sdjr.co.uk

Visit Midsomer Norton South Railway Station and enjoy rides along a section of the original Somerset & Dorset Railway behind one of our historic engines.

Our Wickham trolley operates on Wednesdays

A guest engine will join us in September Our DMU runs on Mondays and Fridays

Steam train rides on Fridays

In September we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the last “Pines Express” with a gala early in the month followed by a special guest engine appearance on September 17th & 18th

A bit of anarchy in Shepton

THE Shepton Mallet Monthly Independent Sunday market is gathering momentum with their Summer Sizzler event on Sunday, July 31st promising to be a wonderful family day of fun and laughter, with a traditional Punch and Judy and balloon modelling for the kids, live music from local bands and fantastic artisans, crafters, bakers and makers bringing their unique products to the town centre.

Then, on Sunday, August 28th, there will be a day of anarchy where visitors are being encouraged to enter a Steampunkthemed fancy dress competition, with prizes for the best outfit. There will be a local DJ in residence all day delivering tunes in keeping with the theme but mindful of all ages and tastes. With the usual offering of various stalls, street food and more, It is sure to be a day to entertain all.

The markets are open from 10am – 3pm and there will also be shops and cafes open in town too. Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for organisers, The Shepton Experience, said: “The Sunday Market always has a great atmosphere and brings people together. ”

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

What a show!

CLUTTONFlower Show and village day will be held for the 84th time on Saturday August 13th, with over 700 exhibits of flowers, vegetables, cookery, crafts, children’s classes and much more.

There will be more than 50 stalls, food, drink, live music, classic cars, tractors and motorbikes, a dog show, Clutton’s Strongest Person competition and a new attraction, Historia Normannis, a medieval reenactment group, whose village opens at 12noon. EAST Somerset Railway’s ever-popular nostalgia weekend The Way We Were returns at the end of August with entertainment – and train rides – for all the family.

For serious WW2 enthusiasts or just the curious, many wartime re-enactment groups will be in attendance representing organisations such as the Home Guard and ARP wardens. There will also be a 1940s police station, many military groups and vintage vehicles.

Live music will add to the atmosphere over the August Bank Holiday weekend with the Grey Dogs Jazz Band playing on both the Saturday and Sunday and Ruby Jazz on Bank Holiday Monday.

The compere for the weekend will once again be the mischievous entertainer Dickie Lines, who will be serenading visitors on the platform with his humourous songs and banter. For younger visitors there will be Punch and Judy shows each day, a number of traditional outdoor games and a craft area where would-be evacuees can make their own evacuee “label” and gas mask container.

All things vintage at heritage railway

Wartime “evacuees”

For details and to book, visit: www.eastsomersetrailway.com, email info@eastsomersetrailway.com or call 01749 880417

THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR AUGUST 2022

Covid-19 cases remain very high and some events may have to be cancelled. Please check with organisers.

Friday July 29th and Saturday 30th Uphill Horticultural Society Village Show

Victory Hall, 2.30-6.30pm Friday, 10.30am-5pm Sat. Details: www.uphillvillage.org.uk or 01934 415581. See page 67.

Friday July 29th to Sunday 31st

Jubilee flower festival, Holy Trinity Church, Norton Malreward, with Chew Valley Flower Club. Organ recital 7.30pm Friday, church open Sat and Sun. Plant sale, refreshments. Details: 01275 832144 or 07765 774511. Weston Lions Real Ale Festival. Details: www.westonlionsrealalefestival.co.uk

Saturday July 30th

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Weston Walking Group, 7-9 miles every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston. Details: www.westonwalking group.co.uk Somerset Chamber Choir concert, Mozart Mass in C minor, 7pm, Wells Cathedral. Details: www.somersetchamberchoir.org HorseWorld’s 70th anniversary open day, adults £5, children free. Details: www.horseworld.org.uk/events/open-day

Sunday July 31st

Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet at Chew Stoke Rugby Club –CANCELLED. Donkey charity fundraising afternoon, tea, cakes, stalls, music. See page 77.

Monday August 1st Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship

evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.

Wednesday August 3rd

Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers North Somerset Birds of Prey talk, 2-3.30pm Backwell WI Hall.

Friday August 5th

Trio Paradis, “Songs of travel” 2.30pm St Giles church Leigh-on-Mendip. Free entry, refreshments on sale.

Friday August 5th to Sunday August 7th

Shanty Festival Weston-s-Mare. Details: www.wsmshantyfest.com. See page 69. Valley Fest, Chew Valley Lake. Details: www.valleyfest.co.uk

Saturday 6th August to Sat August 20th

Cheddar Scarecrow Trail details and pdf maps, Cheddar Flower Show Facebook page or email cheddar.flowershow@yahoo.com Printed trail maps in some village shops. See page 69.

Saturday August 6th

“Peter Pan” open air theatre Manor Farm, Corsley BA12 7QE. Picnics from 5pm, show starts 6.30pm. Details: www.theelizabethanevening.com Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza. Details: www.glastonburyabbey.com Bristol Fuchsia & Geranium Society Show 124pm St Lukes Church Hall, Brislington BS4 4LS. Coleford Music Day. Bands from 2pm at Royal British Legion Hall. Free. Details on Facebook: @ColefordCRG

Sunday August 6th and Sunday 7th

Children’s World Family Festival Paddington Farm Trust, Wick nr. Glastonbury. 11am-5pm. Performance, music, workshops. Tickets £5, U-5s free: www.childrensworld.org

Sunday August 7th

Nempnett Thrubwell village fete, 2pm.

Tuesday August 9th and Tuesday 16th Gleaning community art project workshop

10am-12 Collett Park bandstand Shepton Mallet. Free. Details: www.gillsakakini.com

Wednesday August 10th

Mendip Storytelling Circle, an evening of folk tales and more. . . 7.30-9.30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, Green St BA3 4DA. £5. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Carrie Pakenham "the cultivation and growing of unusual herbs" 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome £3 incl tea/coffee. www.kilmersdongardeners.org

Friday August 12th

Community Café, East Somerset Railway 10.3012, come along for a natter & wander around! £2pp for hot drink and cake – please book: Di contact.bistrocatering@gmail.com Wildlife walk at Shapwick, see: www.hawkandowltrust.org.uk

Friday August 12th to Sunday 14th

Banwell Local History Weekend: exhibition, film show & tours of the Bone Cave. Details: www.banwellarchaeology.co.uk

Saturday August 13th

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market 10am12, parish hall. Details: 01278 760308.

Clutton’s 84th Flower Show and Village Day,

including GQT with Mary Payne. Details: lisa.weeks1@tiscali.co.uk See page 96. Steepholmers Concert 3pm-4, All Saints’ church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Free, retiring collection, refreshments. Details: 07932 699188 or judeforth@outlook.com Wells & Mendip Museum free family activities day, drop-in 10am-3.30pm. Workshop for ages 8+. Other activities for younger kids. Details: www.wellsmuseum.org.uk

Monday August 15th

Chew Valley U3A monthly meeting, Ubley Parish Hall, 10am Rachel Branston on "Singing for Health". Visitors welcome.

Thursday August 18th

Gleaning community art project workshop 24pm St Peter & St Paul church, Shepton Mallet. Free. Details & to book: www.gillsakakini.com

Friday August 19th to Sunday August 21st

Flower Festival St Cuthbert’s Church Wells. Frid & Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 12-4.30pm. Free entry, refreshments, donations for Heads Up and the church. Details: 07579 006258 or 07966 654307.

Saturday August 20th

Timsbury Gardening Club Annual Show 2pm4.30, Conygre Hall. Entry £1. Details Keith 07975 754956. Bleadon Village Market 9.30-12, Coronation Halls BS24 0PG. 30+ stalls every 3rd Sat. Details: 01934 812370. Cheddar Flower Show 2pm village hall. Schedules from cheddar.flowershow@yahoo.com or see Facebook. See page 69. 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' at Parish's House, Timsbury BA2 0ND. Gates open 3pm for picnics, 4pm start. Booking: www.quantumtheatre.co.uk or 08454 505157. See page 91. Claverham Village market, BS49 4NF. Every third Sat, 10–12. Produce,books, crafts, teas/coffee. Details debbiepope5@icloud.com Wedmore Harvest Home. Details: www.wedmoreharvesthome.co.uk

Carymoor Environmental Trust open day

10am-2pm. Dimmer Lane, Castle Cary, BA7 7NR. Details: www.carymoor.org.uk or Facebook.

Sunday August 21st

Mid Somerset Agricultural show. Details: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk. See page 12.

Monday August 22nd Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship

evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome.

Tuesday August 23rd

Winscombe Folk Club 7.30-10.30pm, upstairs Winscombe club BS25 1HD. All acoustic performers welcome. £2. Details: 07551 197685 winscombefolkclub@gmail.com

Gleaning community art project workshop

10am-12 Market Cross, Shepton Mallet. Free. Details & to book: www.gillsakakini.com

Thursday August 25th

Wells & Mendip Museum free family activities day, drop-in 10am-3.30pm. Workshop for ages 8+. Other activities for younger kids. Details: www.wellsmuseum.org.uk

Saturday August 27th

High Littleton & Hallatrow Village Day from 12noon, City of Bath Brass Band, dog show and agility, stalls, car boot, teas. Barn dance with Pipley from 4.30-6pm. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Meet the Sikhs 12-4pm Cathedral Green, Wells. Free. Organised by Wells Rotary & KhalsaAid. Sikh storytelling, chapatti workshop, Rotary projects, music by Eternal Taal, food, turbans and more.

Saturday August 27th to Monday August 29th

Axbridge Pageant. Details: www.axbridgepageant.com. See page 90. “The way we were”: East Somerset Railway’s nostalgia weekend. See page 96. Mendip Ramblers Walking Festival: a variety of free led walks from Stratton-on-the-Fosse village hall. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk. See page 66.

Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th

City of Wells Lions Club Moat Race, Bishop’s Palace. See page 65.

Wednesday August 31st to Sunday September 4th

Hutton Festival “Taste of Somerset” showcase, horticultural show, proms and other events. Details: clerk@huttonsomerset.org.uk 01934 813871. See page 65.

Friday September 2nd

Trio Paradis, pieces for piano and strings, 2.30pm St Giles church Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, refreshments on sale.

Saturday September 3rd

Theale Show, from 2.30pm, homemade produce and craft stalls, kids activities and the Chris Jagger Band. Details: www.thealeflowershow.com

Sunday September 4th

Wag Walk for Bath Dogs and Cats Home. See page 77. North Somerset Ploughing, hedging, crafts, produce. Claverham Court Farm. Details www.nsas.org.uk

Cheese show is back to full strength

THIS year’s Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show, on Saturday, September 10th, promises to be bigger and better than ever with the return of some old favourites and plenty of new attractions for all the family.

The shopping and rural craft marquee and the food hall marquee are both back at the West Woodlands showground, giving back more space to the world-famous cheese competitions in the pavilion which includes the popular celebrity kitchen where multi award-winning chef and restaurateur Aldo Zilli will be showcasing his skills. Also cooking up some treats will be a chef from the Cookery School in Bath.

The Horseshoe Stage is the setting for family-friendly entertainment throughout the day with live music and appearances by children’s television presenter Stefan Gates, known as the Gastronaut, with his adventures in food and science.

Arena attractions include the heavy horse parade and the Shetland Performance Display Team, celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Entries are now open in all classes, including livestock which has received a boost this year with the generous support of the Richard Oatley Federation. Set up in memory of Rode farmer Richard Oatley, the trustees were keen to see the classes back to full strength post-Covid and are allowing the show society to increase the prize money on offer; Richard’s family will be special guests of the society on the day.

This year’s show president is former Somerton and Frome MP David Heath, who said: “It is a huge honour and great responsibility to play a part in keeping up a tradition spanning over 160 years.” l Advance saver tickets are now on sale until Friday, September 9th and Berry’s Coaches will again be running a shuttle bus service from Frome town centre.

Fun with food and science with Stefan Gates Italian chef Aldo Zilli will be appearing at the show

For details, visit: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk or find them on Facebook