What’s On

Show honours its patron in Jubilee year

WE received a fantastic response to our competition to win tickets and membership packages to this year’s Royal Bath & West Show. The winners are: Mrs B. Chapman from Midsomer Norton and Janet Lukins from Mark. Congratulations! The answer was the cattle classes.

THE Royal Bath & West Show returns in June after a two-year absence and organisers are planning additional features to celebrate the platinum jubilee of its patron, HM The Queen.

Taking place from Thursday, June 2nd to Saturday, June 4th, there will be a display to link in with the Queen’s Green Canopy, whilst floral artists can show their skills in themed classes including “Tea at the Palace” and “Jewel in the Crown”.

There will be a “Jubilee Award” in the cattle section and a “Platinum Jubilee Grand Prix” for horses, as well as jubilee mugs for all competitors in the Pony Club Games. Over in the produce area, The Queen on her visit to the Royal Bath & West Show jubilee-themed classes are planned in both the in 1985 Orchards and Cider and Bees and Honey sections.

Around the showground will be images of the Queen visiting the show, which she has done three times: in 1948 whilst she was still Princess Elizabeth; in 1966 with Prince Phillip and finally in 1985.

Numerous other attractions for all the family include The Paul Hannam Stunt Show, Pawsability Dog Agility Display, Lakeside Farm and the debut of The Great British Kitchen, alongside such regular favourites as the sheep show, heavy horses, vintage vehicles and the Bath & West Railway.

Tickets are on sale now at www.bathandwest.com/tickets

Comedy comes to Wells

A HOSTof top names will be appearing at Wells Comedy Festival, described as Somerset’s “weekend-long comedy jamboree” with more than 40 shows at various venues in the city. Those appearing include Harry Hill, Phil Wang, Al Murray The Pub Landlord, Shaparak Khorsandi, Isy Suttie, Mark Watson, Mike Mark Watson Wozniak, Lou Sanders, Stuart Goldsmith, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Esther Manito and Jessica Fostekew. It will take place over the weekend May 27-29th and tickets are selling quickly.

Details: www.wellscomfest.com

MAYCROSSWORDSOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Glad-rags 5. Chorus 9. St. Thomas 10. Slalom 12. Arch 13. Small-timer 15. Covered bridge 19. Infinitesimal 23. Mother-to-be 25. Apse 28. Treaty 29. Eurostar 30. Heehaw 31. Long shot. DOWN: 1. Gustav Holst 2. Aztec 3. Roof 4. Grammar 7. Role model 8. Somerset 11. Glad 14. Even 15. Cafetiere 16. Eve 17. Rime 18. Mismatch 20. Ta-ta 21. St. Beuno 22. Regret 24. Extra 26. Patch 27. Gong

Morris dancers wanted for Beltane and beyond

THE Greenmen and Glastonbury Border Morris are calling on members of the public to take part in a special community event in Glastonbury on Sunday, May 1st.

Beltane Celebrations return in earnest after two years of smaller events due to lockdowns. This year will be special, with plans to bring together the Four Perpetual Flames of Glastonbury in the spirit of solidarity and unity, throughout the town and across the whole world. Druids, Bards and a plethora of performers look forward to welcoming the public.

Daniel de la Bedoyere, of one group of performers, Glastonbury Border Morris, said; “We love performing every year at Beltane and this year will be exceptional. As always, we welcome new members, both dancers and musicians. Any ability and no experience necessary!” l Glastonbury Border Morris practice on Wednesdays at 7pm at St Edmund’s Community Hall, Chinnock Road Glastonbury.

For details visit: www.glastonburymorris.co.uk or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/glastonburymorris

Folk festival line-up highlights

PLANS are progressing well for this year’s Priddy Folk Festival, taking place from Friday, July 8th until Sunday, July 10th.

Set around picturesque Priddy village green, the main, ticketed programme boasts more than 20 bands. Headliners include Jiggy from Ireland, Manran, from Scotland, and De Temps Antan, from Canada, as well as many others representing established and emerging strands of the folk tradition.

Alongside the main festival run the Fringe, children’s and dance festivals which are all free to attend, with an exciting programme being developed for each one. There will be a wide variety of craft stalls and demonstrations, along with an interesting mix of other traders (including clothing, and musical instruments) together with a great selection of food and drink outlets. Priddy Primary School PTA’s renowned Green Cow marquee will also be back serving a range of tasty dishes throughout the weekend to raise funds for the school.

The festival is a “not for profit” organisation run by volunteers, and this year it is hoping to raise £20,000 for local community causes, including providing music bursaries for the Blue School in Wells. There are still some stewarding opportunities available: in return for two four-hour shifts, volunteers will receive a free weekend ticket (together with camping if required), a warm welcome and a great time! l Weekend tickets are still available (with or without camping) but are expected to sell out soon.

THE MENDIP TIMES WHAT’S ON GUIDEFOR MAY 2022

As Covid cases remain high we advise that you check for any infection precautions that organisers request, and that indoor events will still take place. We’re happy to list entries for community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge. Commercial entries £25. Please send entries as a single paragraph of less than 25 words. Until June 5th

Somerset Portraits & Voices exhibition, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. Details: www.srlm.org.uk

Thursday April 28th

Banwell Gardening Club, Rob Handy “Growing unusual perennial edibles” 7.30pm, village hall. Visitors welcome, £2.

Saturday April 30th

Cheddar Vale Lions Spring Fair, village hall. Details: information@cheddarvalelions.org.uk Concert piano and organ 12noon All Saints’ Church Weston-s-Mare. £10 on door, incl lunch. Charlton Mackerell walking jumble sale 10am2pm. Details: enquiries@projectcharlton.org

RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch 75th Anniversary

Lunch 12.15pm Wells Golf Club BA5 3DS. Tel: 01458 224057. Organ Recital 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Yatton, Tickets £10: www.yms.org.uk Weston Walking Group walks, 7-9 miles every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston. Details: www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Charity Tea Party for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, 1.30-3.30pm Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faulkland. www.thebowelmovement.uk. See p18.

Saturday April 30th to Monday May 2nd Cheddar Arts Festival Sunday May 1st

Painting spring blooms at Sheppy’s cider farm: www.chandosartistssociety.uk

Monday May 2nd

North Somerset Show,Wraxall. Shipham & District Gardening Club Plant Sale on the village green 1pm-4pm.

Monday May 2nd-Saturday 7th

Wells Little Theatre presents Big Fish. Details: www.wellslittletheatre.com

Tuesday May 3rd

Perdita Robinson, talk by Karin Fernald for the Arts Society Mendip 11am Croscombe village hall, also via Zoom. Guests welcome, £6, email: tasmendip.comm@gmail.com

Wednesday May 4th

The Arts Society Sedgemoor, Jane Tapley talk on Jane Austen, 2pm, 37 Club, TA7 8AD. Visitors £8. Details: www://theartssocietysedgemoor.org.uk Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers “Driving Miss Daisy”, talk by Clare Filer, 2pm -3.30 Backwell WI Hall.

Thursday May 5th

Cheddar Valley u3a AGM, 2pm Cheddar Community Pavilion, Sharpham Rd, followed by a talk: 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

Friday May 6th

Trio Paradis concert 2.30pm St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, donations welcome. Refreshments. All proceeds to the Friends of Leigh Church. www.trioparadis.com

Friday May 6th to May 14th Wedmore Arts Festival:

www.wedmoreartsfestival.co.uk

Saturday May 7th

Chilcompton Gardening Club Plant Sale, 1011.30am village hall BA3 4EX. Glastonbury Town Deal open event 10.30am2.30pm, St John’s Church: www.glastonburytowndeal.co.uk Frome Climate Film Festival. See p98.

Sunday May 8th

Cook’s Field walk, Mendip Hills Area Group, SWT. Meet 10am car park Deer Leap, Grid Ref ST518 492. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events Taunton Military Wives Choir Concert, 5.30pm St John's, Glastonbury. Admission free, donations welcome.

Monday May 9th

Mendip Folk Dance Club 8pm-10, St James Church Centre Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details 01934 742853.

Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship

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

Wednesday May 11th

Kilmersdon Gardeners talk “Family friendly wildlife gardening” with Colin Higgins, 7.30pm Village Hall BA3 5TD. All welcome, visitors £3. www.kilmersdongardeners.org Somerset Day events throughout the county: www.somersetday.com Mendip Storytelling Circle, 7.30-9.30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, BA3 4DA. An evening of folk tales and more... £5 donation. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com

Saturday May 14th

Kilmersdon Gardeners Plant Sale 10.30am-12.30. Village Hall BA3 5TD. Plant Sale, 2pm St Peter`s Church, Camerton. Homemade cream teas. All welcome free admission. Details: 01761 470249. Churchill Music, The Illyria Trio 7.30pm St. John’s Church, BS25 5QW. Tickets: 01934 852589 or at the door. Plants & Cakes sale, 10am-1pm Chapel Allerton churchyard, raising funds for the church and Somerset Wildlife Trust. Details: 01934 710188. Congresbury Gardening Club Plant Sale & coffee morning, 10am-12 Methodist Hall. Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.

RNLI Winscombe Plant & Garden Jumble Sale,

Studley’s Forecourt opp. Co-op, 10am-12. Details: meejlfh@gmail.com or 01934 842304. Bristol Military Wives Choir 7.30pm St Mary's Church, Timsbury BA2 0LG. Tickets £10 U12 £7 from 01761 479506 or 472448. Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market, parish hall 10am-12noon. Details: 01278 760308.

Sunday May 15th

Wessex Stationary Engine Club Tuckers Grave Crank up from 10am. Free entry, donations please for cancer research and Dorothy House. Details Eric: 01225 754374. Fosseway Gardening Club Plant Sale, Harvester Yard, Ditcheat BA4 6RB. 10.30am-12.30. Details: 07772 008594.

Monday May 16th

Chew Valley u3a AGM 10.30am Ubley Parish Hall. All members welcome. “Barn Owls” talk by Gary Kingman for Timsbury Natural History Group 7.30pm Conygre Hall. Visitors welcome, £3.

Wednesday May 18th

Henton & District Gardening Club, 7.30pm Village Hall with James Cross, Head Gardener at The Bishops Palace Wells. All welcome. Details: hentongardenclub.weebly.com or Facebook.

Thursday May 19th

Mendip Society, Bedminster coalfield walk, visiting the sites of old collieries. Members free, £2 visitors, restricted to 12. Details: 07745 834513 or richardfrost608@gmail.com Cheddar Valley u3a Coffee Morning 10am Cheddar village hall.

Friday May 20th

Toddler Explorers: play and active learning sessions for parents/carers and children aged one to three. Somerset Rural Life Museum Glastonbury. £5. Booking essential. Details: www.srlm.org.uk

Friday May 20th and Saturday May 21st

“Chew Valley Song” a comedic take on the fight to save Moreton, the village that is now beneath the lake. Also May 27th/28th. Tickets: Eventbrite

Saturday May 21st

Blagdon Village Fete, 1pm, Blagdon Court BS40 7RN. Everyone welcome but please leave your dogs at home. Somerset Choral Society Concert 7.30pm –St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells. Details: www.somersetchoralsociety.com Freewheelers EVS, Blood Bikes, 30th anniversary evening at the Bishop’s Palace Wells. See p44. Claverham Market 10am-12pm village hall. Butcher, veg, preserves, crafts etc. 01934 830553. Entertainment Extravaganza, 7.30pm Wells Town Hall. A variety of acts, raising funds for Ukraine. Bar, raffle. Glass of fizz included in ticket, £10 from Wells Town Hall, tina.blackwill@live.co.uk or 07450 367805. Kramer Durcan Duo violin, piano/organ, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Yatton, Tickets £10, details: www.yms.org.uk Street CVDS Plant Sale 8am-12 Old Library Gardens, BA16 0HA. Details: www.streetcdvs.org.uk Cynefin Trio clarinet, cello, piano, 3pm-4, All Saints’ church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Free, with retiring collection. The Brue Boys, 7.30pm St John’s, Glastonbury. Tickets £8: www.stjohn’s-glastonbury.uk>upcoming-events

Monday May 23rd

Mendip Folk Dance Club 8pm-10, St James Church Centre Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details 01934 742853.

Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship

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

Tuesday May 24th

Chilcompton Gardening Club, talk by Susannah Applegate on growing vines in the Polden Hills –with an opportunity to buy some. 7.30pm Chilcompton village hall.

Wednesday May 25th

Harptrees History Society Guided tour of the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, at 12.30pm. Own transport there. £10pp paid in advance before Wed May 18th please. Priority given to members: email info@harptreeshistorysociety.org

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting

1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: Sheila, 01275 462107.

Thursday May 26th

Mendip Storytelling Circle, Ston Easton evening of tales and tunes to raise funds for Ukraine. See p22.

Friday May 27th to Sunday May 29th

Wells Comedy Festival – details: www.wellscomfest.com. See p94.

Saturday May 28th

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc. Congresbury Folk Music Night 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Castle Cary Saturday Stitch Coffee Morning

10am-12, Market House. Meet us and bag a bargain! Details: 07929 097374 or sallyyeoman@btinternet.com Glastonbury Abbey Open Day, see p95.

Thursday June 2nd to Saturday June 4th

Bath and West Show, see p99.

Thursday June 2nd to Sunday June 5th

Holcombe Platinum Jubilee events – see p61.

Free film festival will help the planet

THE Climates, the first Frome International Climate Film Festival, is coming to the town hall on Saturday, May 7th.

Free tickets are available now for the film screenings, the awards ceremony and the free workshops being run throughout the day.

The Climates will also contain a series of talks from the film makers, and a whole host of hour-long workshops, a session for budding nature experts on how to use a wildlife camera and map your efforts, and advice on how to make an engaging film using only your mobile phone.

Film entries for the festival will be screened online from Monday, May 2nd before the town hall event.

All tickets are free but booking is essential. For details, visit: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/the-climates

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