Mendiptimes Volume 11 - Issue 10

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 10

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

MARCH 2016

IN THIS ISSUE: FOOD & DRINK • SPRING GARDENING • CHARITIES • MUSIC • SPORT • WHAT’S ON

Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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CONTENTS

Welcome

THERE’S a definite stirring this month as the year bursts into life and our What’s On listings grow like topsy.

As gardeners prepare, Mary Payne provides a guide to growing seeds. We also preview Seedy Saturday at Timsbury, now in its seventh year.

As riders get ready for the new season, Rachel Thompson writes about the “jaunts and jollities” ahead.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have launched a new fundraising campaign – we have details.

Last month we previewed the 50th anniversary of the closure of the old Somerset and Dorset railway line. This month we hear how paying passenger trains are set to return to Midsomer Norton to commemorate the anniversary and show some rare photographs.

We also reported on Fernie, the labrador who can read, a story picked up by local television and the press. We go to Winford C. of E. Primary School to put him through his paces.

We hear how former seaman Stanley Guise has been awarded a posthumous Arctic Star medal and why cyclists replaced stock cars at Mendips Raceway. We also meet a singing policeman.

With six pages devoted to charities and all of our regular features and contributors, welcome to another slice of local Mendip life.

April 2016 deadline: Friday, 11th March 2016.

Published: Tuesday, 22nd March2016.

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

01761 463888 or: email news@mendiptimes.co.uk or: letters@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates.

Front cover: Somerset Vintage and Classic Tractor Show. See page 11.

Photograph by Mark Adler.

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Meet the flippers – Pancake Day celebrations

Lunch is served – beefing up a community tradition

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Marathon man – putting Chew Valley on the map

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Hitting the high notes – acoustic café’s success

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Internet and Crossword..............12 Arts & Antiques ...........................14 Food & Drink...............................20 Education......................................29 Business ........................................30 Charities .......................................36 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......45 Walking Sue Gearing....................46

Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........48 Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......50 Property........................................58 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............62 Homes and Interiors....................68 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE ....74 Caving Phil Hendy........................76 Sport..............................................77 Music.............................................82 What’s On ....................................85 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 3

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SPRING CLEANING? Bring your rugs in!

C L E A N I N G • R E S TO R AT I O N • VA L U AT I O N

Our Services Include: Commercial and Residential Property Wills and Probate Litigation and Personal Injury Criminal and Family Law Agricultural, Business and Commercial Employment Shepton Mallet: 57 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AQ. Tel: 01749 330330

Glastonbury: 11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DL. Tel: 01458 832510

Over the past few months we have noticed an increase in the number of clients visiting us to discuss Settlement Agreements. ese agreements are often presented to employees by employers when redundancies are unfortunately being made or both have simply agreed to part ways in exchange for compensation.

It is very important that you obtain legal advice about such agreements before signing them to ensure that you understand your rights and the effect entering into a Settlement Agreement will have.

Usually the employer will pay for you to get legal advice. If you or anyone you know are offered a Settlement Agreement and need legal advice, our Dervla Nash and Robin Weelen specialise in employment law and will gladly help you.

Castle Cary: Old Bank House, High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AW. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Roley House, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk

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Chemists inspire students

STUDENTS at Norton Hill and Somervale schools in Midsomer Norton enjoyed a rare opportunity to use cutting edge technology when they were visited by two University of Bath postgraduate chemistry researchers.

Lauren Agnew and Andy Hall shared their experiences and skills to give the students an insight into their latest work, courtesy of the Andy with some of the Somervale Royal Society of students Chemistry.

Year 13 chemistry students from the Midsomer Norton Sixth Form were able to use an infra-red spectrometer to analyse the purity of aspirin and paracetamol compounds they had made as part of their ‘A’ Level investigation coursework. High-achieving Year 8 students at Somervale School were also treated to an introduction to the world of analysis, using equipment to look at infra-red and visible light radiation and ways to match evidence to samples in a mock-up of crime scene results.

Later in the day Year 12 MSN Sixth Form students were able to use the same equipment to begin their studies on methods of instrumental analysis and also interpreted data using skills and knowledge about mass spectrometry they had learned during their first year of ‘A’ level chemistry.

Peter Hannan-Young, a Year 13 student, said: “I got to perform some proper analysis of the aspirin I made. I’m really pleased that my synthesis techniques produced such pure compounds. It has given me lots to discuss in my coursework.”

Molly Roach, a Year 8 Somervale student, added: “It was fun seeing our faces on the infra-red camera after putting ice on our noses and I was shocked to find it was my friend Ellie who had murdered (our science teacher) Mr Richards.”

Holy wed-lock!

CASTLE Cary’s historic Round House is now available to hire for wedding ceremonies. The tiny cylindrical prison with a domed roof is one of only six in the country and the only one licensed for wedding ceremonies.

It was originally used to forcibly incarcerate miscreants and drunkards. Now bride and groom are able to make their vows under lock and key… and manacles if necessary! Castle Cary Town Council has also licensed the nearby Market House for wedding ceremonies.

Details: www.castle-cary.co.uk/weddings-at-the-markethouse call 01963 351763 or email markethouse.bookings@castle-cary.co.uk

Save our cinema

NEWS

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to safeguard the future of the Roxy Cinema in Axbridge, following a complete breakdown of its sound and projection equipment.

Rescue the Roxy! got off to a fantastic start with a crowd-fund launch, supported by the Community Council for Somerset.

The Roxy is a tiny, quirky, art-deco styled cinema, run entirely by volunteers, which offers low cost private hire, theatre, training and talks, as well as films. It also needs to repair or replace old fixtures and furnishings and finish its kitchen.

Chairperson Juliet Maclay said: “The Roxy really is an open door for the community, often hosting local groups, the brownies, Roxy babies, adults with learning disabilities and mentoring young volunteers who are interested in film.

“We want to remain at the heart of our community for many years to come and with the support of CCS and the public I hope we will achieve our goal.”

Details: www.axbridgeroxy.org.uk

Literacy charity launched

ORGANISERS of the annual Wells Festival of Literature have thrown their support behind a charity which aims to tackle child literacy issues in the south west.

Ginny Lunn, CEO of Beanstalk, Amelia The festival is Shaw, Susan Belgrave, who founded the charity, and Sue Rye helping to fund a co-ordinator who will recruit and supports trained reading helpers to work in primary schools with children (chosen by the school) who are struggling or reluctant readers.

Beanstalk is a national charity with more than 40 years’ experience but, until now, has had little presence in the west country. The festival says more than 1,000 children left primary school in Somerset unable to read to the required level.

Beanstalk’s work in Somerset will be managed by Amelia Shaw.

Amelia said the first volunteers in Wells, Yeovil and Taunton would be recruited by July, with work starting in September. She added: “Somerset will act as a catalyst for much bigger things.”

Sue Rye, a WFL committee member who has been coordinating the project, said: “This partnership with Beanstalk goes to the very heart of our vision at Wells Festival of Literature.”

For details, visit: www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk

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Litter-free campaign begins A NEW coastal officer for Burnham-onSea is calling on the community to work together to reduce marine and beach litter and improve the resort’s bathing water quality.

Burnham’s beach received a “poor” rating last November after bathing water quality standards become much stricter across Europe.

Whilst the quality of the seawater was no worse than it had been in the past, it was clear that more needed to be done to involve the local community in finding a solution, in addition to work already underway by Wessex Water, Sedgemoor District Council and the Environment Agency.

Harriet Yates-Smith, who runs the independent community campaign called Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset says she wants to harness Burnham’s community spirit to consider and reduce their own impacts on water quality through targeted campaigns, events and

Harriet Yates-Smith

education.

Litter Free Coast and Sea was first set up by the Dorset Coast Forum in 2011 and was started as an attempt to find and address the root causes of litter across the Dorset coastline. After five years of successful collaborations, events and campaigns with the community the project is being rolled out to Burnham and hopefully, in the future, to the rest of the Severn Estuary coastline.

Harriet, who has a background in environmental science, marine management and community engagement, said: “I have been out and about in Burnham for a month now and I can

Villagers target litter

VOLUNTEERS turned out once again for the annual litter pick in Compton Dando and surrounding villages. Despite the after-effects of Storm Imogen, around 20 people turned up, some to man the hall and the rest to collect litter.

They piled on to the tractor and trailer, provided by Simon Kinnersley and Roger Piercey, to be dropped off at various points around the lanes.

They had finished after a couple of hours and went back to the hall for home-made soup and bread, leaving four trailer loads of rubbish to be collected by B&NES, who also provided the pickers, gloves and reflective jackets.

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already see how passionate everyone is about their town. The future of Burnham’s bathing waters and keeping the beach free from litter is everyone’s responsibility including local authorities, water companies, dog walkers, farmers, local residents, visitors and businesses.

By working together it is possible to make a difference and start reducing our impact on Burnham’s beaches and bathing water.”

The campaign is being led by the Severn Estuary Partnership, an independent estuary-wide initiative. For details, visit: http://www.severnestuary.net/sep/

New name, wider aims

A COMMUNITY group in Wells which campaigns for a low carbon future, has changed its name to help the public better understand its aims.

From now on, Transition Wells – formed in 2008 – will be known as Sustainable Wells as it targets wider issues ranging from local food to persuading shopkeepers to keep their doors shut in cold weather to save energy.

Sustainable Wells was launched at Wells market, where members of the public were invited to show their “love” for particular issues by writing on heart-shaped notes – it was (l:r) Laura Sorensen, the group’s campaigner on the eve of food issues, Maddy Milnes, group co-ordinator, Valentine’s and Bill Mackay, one of the founders of Day, after all!

Transition Wells, at Wells market For details, visit: www.sustainablewells.org.uk

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New role for Sarah

SARAH Jackson, manager of the Mendip Hills AONB team, is leaving after 20 years to take up a new post with Bath and North East Somerset Council.

She arrived in 1995 on a three-year contract to draw up the area’s first management plan. After a spell on maternity leave for the birth of Madeleine, now 18, she returned as permanent manager at the AONB’s Charterhouse base.

Since then she’s drawn up three more management plans and has another daughter, Maisie, aged 13.

The AONB team liaises with landowners, local authorities and other bodies concerned about protecting and enhancing the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sarah said: “There’s a growing awareness of the benefits to health and wellbeing of being more active outdoors. Extra people obviously puts more pressure on the landscape but managed appropriately, increasing tourism has a beneficial economic impact on the area. People are looking for a high quality experience not just in terms of the landscape, but in local produce, accommodation and so on.”

Black Down has probably come under greatest pressure and with £250,000 Heritage Lottery funding for the Discovering Black Down Project 2013-2016 work has been underway to protect ancient monuments and reduce erosion there.

The AONB budget is generally around £280,000 a year and Defra has just agreed slightly increased funding for the next four years.

The team helps establish projects like Cheddar Walking, teaming up with local businesses to encourage more ramblers to the area. There will be a Cheddar Walking Festival from August 27th-29th.

As Mendip Times went to press the AONB was organising a tourism workshop at Bristol Water’s Woodford Lodge to develop a marketing strategy for the area and a seminar for professional planners on the areas special qualities and planning issues to be held at Yeo Valley HQ. Sarah set up the Young Rangers scheme in 2005 and has seen 90 young people go through the two-year programme.

She also set up the Mendip Hills Fund, with Somerset Community Foundation, to help projects like the restoration of the AONB’s finger signposts.

In her new role she is B&NES’ Green Infrastructure Coordinator in charge of Bathscape, a project seeking funding from Heritage Lottery to engage people with the landscape surrounding the city and conserve and enhance its special character.

The AONB’s Planning Liaison 0fficer, Paul Bryan, has been appointed acting AONB Manager.

ENVIRONMENT

A brighter future for the Somerset Levels

THE Hills to Levels Partnership launches its community engagement programme in March. Through a programme of free events, local people are invited to share their views on what makes the Somerset Levels special.

The project’s community outreach officer, Steve Mewes, said: “We’re here to help people from all across the Levels shape a ‘common vision’, a vision which sets the way for a brighter future for the Levels. To achieve this we need input, knowledge and passion from everyone, young and old.”

There will be a series of meetings from March to May in Langport, Curry Rivel, Huish Episcopi, Shapwick, Othery and Stoke St. Gregory with experts on subjects ranging from water management and the history of flooding to archaeology and wildlife.

Hills to Levels is a partnership between Somerset farming and nature charities that is helping landowners and farmers to farm in a way that reduces flood risk throughout the county while enhancing wildlife and producing high quality food.

The project is funded with support received from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The partnership is led by The Royal Bath & West of England Society and includes the RSPB, FWAG SouthWest and the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Details: www.hillstolevels.co.uk

Join the “Clean for the Queen” campaign

MENDIP District Council is lending its support to a national campaign which aims to tackle the blight of litter by encouraging community clean-ups across the country.

The “Clean for the Queen” campaign hopes to inspire a million people to take action and organise community litter-picks, to make the places where they live more beautiful.

Mendip is working with its contractors The Landscape Group to assist with the campaign and will be collecting full Clean for the Queen branded rubbish sacks free of charge, as well as providing hi-vis jackets and litter picking equipment to community groups, while stocks last. The campaign will take place in the run up to the Queen’s 90th birthday on Thursday, April 21st, with the majority of clean-up events set to take place from Friday, March 4th to Sunday, March 6th.

Councillor Philip Ham, Mendip’s Portfolio Holder for Transformation, said: “Litter is a blight on our beautiful countryside and while the council works hard to collect rubbish and keep our wonderful district looking clean and tidy, we can only do so much.

“There are already a number of towns and villages in Mendip which organise their own community litter-picks and I’m hopeful that the Clean for the Queen campaign will encourage even more communities to take part.”

For more information on how to get involved and organise a community litter pick, sign up on the campaign website: www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk or visit the council’s website www.mendip.gov.uk/litterpicks

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Cider orchards boost

TREES from an internationally important collection of cider apple varieties are to be planted on National Trust land at Glastonbury Tor. Slack-ma-Girdle, Netherton Late Blower and Billy Down Pippin are just three of the apple varieties in the almost 300strong National Cider Apple Collection, which has been established over the course of more than 25 years by collector and donor Henry May. His gift to the trust will help to secure the collection’s future and help stop many of the rarer varieties becoming lost forever.

Glastonbury is one of seven sites in the south west and Herefordshire to receive the trees.

The trees are expected to begin bearing fruit in around seven years’ time, when it is hoped that many of the apples will be used to produce cider.

ENVIRONMENT

Walking festival planned

MENDIP Ramblers’ free festival of walking will be based in Cheddar from August 27th – 29th. There will be four walks on each day, of varying lengths, with the afternoon walk being the shortest. As usual, tea and cake with be available at the end of each walk. Mendip Ramblers say they are pleased to be working in collaboration with Cheddar Walking, who were instrumental in gaining accreditation for the village from Walkers are Welcome.

Only the fifth community in Somerset to gain the status, Cheddar Walking succeeded in winning local support from traders for the idea of putting the village firmly on the map for walkers.

The walks will start from the scout hut at Cheddar First School, The Hayes, Cheddar BS27 3HN. Details: Martyn 01761 471891 or visit www.mendipfestival.co.uk

Celebrate the marshes at a special weekend!

PLANS are underway to celebrate the success of the Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership with a special weekend of events in June.

On Saturday, June 4th there will be a day of talks, films and presentations by personalities such as writer and broadcaster Stephen Moss, archaeologist Dr Richard Brunning, historian John Allan and Mendip Times wildlife expert Chris Sperring. It will take place at Strode Theatre in Street. This will be followed

by the Avalon Marshes Open Day on Sunday, June 5th when everyone is encouraged to explore the area and see what has been achieved.

The Heritage Lottery-funded partnership has been running for over three years. It has been hailed a great success for its work to help conserve and enhance the built and natural heritage of the area and engage people in its conservation, enjoyment and understanding.

M E N D I P

W E A T H E R

S C E N E

Tickets for the day at Strode Theatre will go on sale in March. For details, visit: www.avalonmarshes.org

Spring at last

I SUSPECT most people will be glad to see the back of winter this year.

It hasn’t been a “proper” winter in the true sense of the word with lots of frost, ice, snow or fog, but more a case of a test of endurance, with weeks of dull mild weather and lots of wind and rain. with DAVID No records for the cold have been MAINE broken for several years now, the last really cold winter month being December 2010. Records have been broken, as I’ve said in the last two or three issues, but only for mildness and rain. On Saturday, February 6th, I recorded 50.7mm of rain, which was the wettest day here since October 15th 2002!

That was followed by Storm Imogen with many national newspapers showing dramatic photographs of waves lashing coastal towns. Somerset County Council’s highways team responded to around 30 reports of fallen trees as Storm Imogen raged across the county. This followed the service’s busiest weekend since the 2014 floods with around 200 out of hours emergency call-outs between the Friday night and Monday morning.

So now we move on into spring, although I say this with some caution, because the early part of March can still produce some nasty surprises and there have been some

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Storm Imogen brought down this tree on the Westhay Road at Meare, near Glastonbury

heavy snowfalls in this area around this time in the past.

It is to winter what early September is to summer after all, and one can often get, and indeed expect, some warm sunny days then.

March, as I have often said in the past, is not one of my most favourite months of the year as it can be quite deceptive. The sun is as bright as in late September but the wind can still be very cold and once the sun goes down the temperature can drop quite quickly with frosts still quite common.

April can be equally deceptive but that’s a month I will be writing about next time.

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Give us fair treatment for our farmers

A LOOK at current farming issues this month. Readers may remember a Groceries Code Adjudicator was appointed by the government last year, namely Christine Tacon. Her report was published at the end of January 2016 in which she slammed Tesco for its treatment of suppliers.

With MARY The supermarket has been ordered to JAMES MBE overhaul its treatment of them after she found the supermarket intentionally delayed payments in order to meet financial targets. Did you see the programme on TV about this where a chocolate manufacturer was almost bankrupt because Tesco delayed payment for so long?

It is worth noting that these cases have only come to light because of the investigation of the GCA – before that producers were frightened to complain in case they lost their contract. Now we need the adjudicator to have the power to levy substantial fines on the perpetrators.

Farm incomes have taken another substantial knock in the last year for the second year running. The biggest worry is the number of dairy farmers leaving the industry. Add together low milk prices plus many herds shut down with bovine TB and you have a recipe for disaster.

Here in the South West, TB is a big problem. Two local farms lost 89 cows at the beginning of February. The government, at the end of last year, issued a five-point plan to improve disease prevention on farms – taking steps to minimise wildlife access to

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cattle, their feed and their housing. This is nothing new, the message has been sent out before.

Can someone tell me how the local farm that has complied with all those steps lost another 63 cows recently and has been shut down since 2006? It does not seem to matter how high or deep a fence is erected, the badger can still dig underneath. As well as that we have plenty of wild deer in the area who jump in and out of fields all the time – and they can carry TB as well. The cost of these measures is horrendous.

The pig industry is on the verge of a mass exodus. Prices are at an eight-year low, producers are currently losing an average £10 on every pig they produce. All British pork should be labelled, the consumer needs to know if they are presented with a cheap imported product. Always check whether the pork, bacon, ham and sausages you buy are British. Don’t forget the Red Tractor.

Tesco and Asda have not committed to sourcing 100% British pork.

At a time like this when so many farmers are struggling it is good to know that there is a national farming charity. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) whose work is funded by donations, investments and legacies can help working farmers suffering financial hardship due to an unforeseen crisis.

For retired and/or disabled people the RABI provides regular and one-off grants for living costs as well as home-help costs and specialist equipment. They also have two retirement homes. Other charities are the Farm Crisis Community network and the Addington Fund.

By the time you read this I hope a lovely warm spring will be on its way.

John Hiscox – farmer and poet

JOHN Hiscox, of Stoke St Michael, who died in January aged 71, was one of Mendip’s bestknown farmers and characters.

A dairy farmer who lived his whole life at Yellow Marsh Farm, John was as enthusiastic about life on Mendip as he was about his herd of cattle.

John Hiscox – there was standing After the herd was room only at his funeral service sold in 2001, John took up golf with a group of friends from the village and surrounding area and they were a familiar sight on the fairways at Frome Golf Club.

John was also well-known as a poet, settling down to write about anything that had amused him.

John passed away suddenly, but peacefully, at home on Sunday, January 17th. He and his wife Hilary have five children – James, David, Nick, Kate and Liz – and grandchildren Ben, Sam, Abbie, Josh, India, Marco, Luca and Isabella.

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Not just for show

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FARMING

By Mark Adler

HUNDREDS of enthusiasts packed the exhibition halls at the Royal Bath and West Showground for the annual Somerset Vintage and Classic Tractor Show.

Around 200 agricultural vehicles were on display during the weekend, with some still in use despite their age.

Profits from the show are donated to charity; this year, organisers handed out £8,200 to eight groups.

Students from Wiltshire College’s agricultural engineering centre at Lackham are put through their paces to dismantle and rebuild a tractor against the clock

One person’s scrap. Spare parts and memorabilia were in big demand

Show organisers Nick and Pat Bryne and Mike and Margaret Mitchell with some of the organisations who received donations. They included Hot Rock Carnival Club, St John Ambulance and St Margaret’s Hospice

Tom Vailes, from Farrington Gurney, with his Fordson Major V8, built in 1954 and still used for baling hay

A 1950 Fordson P6 owned by Matt Bryne, of Ditcheat

THIS year’s National Vintage Tractor Road Run will be held at Smeatharpe, near Honiton and is expected to attract around 500 vehicles. It will be hosted by the East Devon Tractor, Machinery and Engine Club who are running a raffle with a Massey Ferguson 35 as first prize. Pictured are Bob Ball (left) and Richard Galling, two of the organisers. For details, call Ian Minshull on 01822 810027 or email: blacksheep@thealecrafts.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 11

INTERNET

Podcasts

LAST month we looked at listening to Live Radio, but Podcasts are an alternative. They started, I think, for people to use on MP3 players, but they aren’t limited to that any more – you can listen on any compatible device; such as smartphone, tablet etc.

We’ll concentrate on the BBC as it’s the most well known, but there are various ones out there, and I’ve listed a few below.

Go to www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts, which takes you to the iPlayer Radio Dept. There’s a list of popular Podcasts – in my example it’s Radio 4, but there is more, including World Service.

You can wander round and see what takes your fancy, or search for something special. When you have found what you want, just click on the pink Play button, but you need the Internet at a reasonable speed to listen. In the bottom right of your chosen programme is countdown of how much you have done followed by the length of the programme. You can pause; skip along the recording etc, as usual with most systems.

Or if you click on the Download MP3, it will save it to your Downloads folder – on most devices this will put a box in the bottom left of your screen, and you need to click on it and then click Install or similar. Now you can listen at your leisure, with or without the internet. On a Mac, it downloads to iTunes.

Some programmes work slightly differently. On Radio 2, for example, if you click on Steve Wright, you get a choice of guests he has had on his programme, so you hear the interview but it cuts out the music, which is slightly odd, as he will say “Let’s listen to …” but the chat just goes straight on.

At the top of your download, you get a pause button, followed by a volume slider, then there’s a logo of the programme concerned, with a bit of info about it next, and underneath that (very small) is the black progress bar, so you can skip along, skip back and replay a bit you missed etc. In my example, there is 1min 5 secs left to play.

If you scroll down the page you will see the various BBC choices. Unfortunately, you can’t get Just A Minute, but can find a few short clips – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02jrpxz Other sources are: Oxford University: https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/ http://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2014/jan/18/10-bestlesser-known-podcasts-miranda-sawyer http://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/comedy-drama/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/the-best-podcasts-forstories-fiction-and-poetry/ Submitted by IT for the Terrified: The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934 741751 • www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. For more in depth information, please contact us. We offer individual training, at a pace to suit you; a session lasts two hours and costs £10. We also run a Computer Drop in session 1.30-3.30 Thursday afternoons. Call in for a quick word of advice/help/info. Or if you can spare two hours a week have skills on any level that you would like to share with others, please get in touch.

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CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Accident on the ski slopes ? (6,5) 7 Take 5 cards and fall asleep (3) 9 Ancient vehicles deliver processed meat (7) 10 Smooth and get older a long time ago (4,3) 11 Disappointing treat for Cockney's old lady ? (5) 12 The sort of neatness I find totally lacking feeling (9) 13 All the runners keep their eye on the ball (5) 14 Connect with colleague (9) 17 The Spanish bend with space – needed to swing a cat ? (5-4) 19 As she comes between, finds the remains of the fire (5) 21 Alice pops out – the first woman bishop ? (9) 24 Mends socks underground ? Could be smelly (5) 25 Of Fanny Burney's three girls – the musical one ?

(7) 26 The quiet American and historian of Rome (7) 28 Buddy Holly's Peggy may go to court (3) 29 Pudding for a hot day near the north pole ? (5,6)

DOWN 1 Approached by mouse (3) 2 No, no Miss Newman (7) 3 I am told to follow and make up (3,6) 4 Do abstain from inflicting pain (9) 5 So player takes his leave (5) 6 Kinswoman lacking aims is understood (5) 7 Returned again to find painter on the border (7) 8 Peers scored by having ancestor (11) 11 Fencer is fed up with no simililarities (11) 15 Is coming back delayed and covered in dirt – or made to look that way (9) 16 She and I among two hundred meeting Chicago gangster of some antiquity (9) 18 With verve revolutionary made a little cake (7) 20 The way to tell it as a reporter (3,2,2) 22 Bracelet without art – one of only minor importance (5) 23 Bankrupt but goes out for a jape (5) 27 Research covers marine area (3)

Answers on page 89

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Stained glass specialist

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PERIOD features are an important part of many houses in the area. Where stained glass has been lost over the years, Andrew Patch specialises in its replacement, using authentic designs and traditional hand crafting. From research and design to fitting, a complete local service is provided.

Internal openings and doors offer the opportunity of having beautiful custom-made windows in a style and colour scheme to suit your home. Contact Andrew to see how stained glass can enhance your home, conservatory or give a focal point in the garden.

A potter’s tale

Mike Dodd describes how he decided to become a potter: I WAS about 12. I was out for a walk and noticed in the corner of a field, on top of a freshly ploughed furrow, a yellow patch.

Something drew me to it. It was clay, soft and vulnerable. I formed it into a ball in my hand and I kept it there for a few hours until the warmth of my hand dried it and it fell apart.

Later, Donald Potter, a teacher at Bryanston School and a former student of Eric Gill, reintroduced me to clay. I learnt to throw, and found the whole process of making, glazing and firing, fascinating.

There followed a period of academic study and a university placement to study medicine. But I kept disappearing into the galleries of pots, both at the Fitzwilliam and British Museums, and on one particular day, a deep realisation determined my life as a potter, a life I have never regretted.

EASTER Come and join us in wonderful Wells The Somerset Guild of Craftsmen has a wonderful selection of individual, local, handmade crafts, including beautiful jewellery from local makers.

Open weekdays and Saturdays 10 – 4.

23a Broad Street, Wells BA5 2DJ

(through the archway beside Pickwicks Café).

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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Tamlyns to sell a large collection of children’s books

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

OVER 4,000 children’s books are to be sold by Tamlyns in their books and maps sale on Thursday March 17th.

The large quantity of books was amassed by a couple in Wales and includes a number with Enid Blyton interest.

Blyton, whose real name was Mary Pollock, has, for many generations, been a popular author for children – with over 600 million of her works being purchased since her first publication in the 1930s, most notably the Famous Five and Secret Seven books.

Amongst the first editions is a signed book by the author and, whilst her signature is not uncommon, it is highly sought-after by collectors.

Also included in the auction is a quantity of Modern Boy magazines, which was published from 1928-1939.

The magazine was used most notably by Captain W.E. Johns, the author of the Biggles books, who used the magazine to publish new and original stories which formed part of the popular books.

Entries for future book sales are always invited and the next sale following March is proposed for July.

For a free book valuation with Tamlyns’ book specialist, Ed Bailey, or to discuss larger collections or consigning items into auction, contact Ed at the saleroom on 01278 445251 or via e-mail at ed.bailey@tamlyns.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 15

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Drawing on Bath’s architectural heritage

JOHN Wood, or Wood of Bath as he is often referred to, was born in 1704 in Bath and has become known as the architect whose influence formed the entire character of the city we know today.

His first important projects were the North and South Parades in 1728 followed by Queen’s Square (1735), Prior Park (173548) and the Royal Mineral Water Hospital in 1738.

Of course it is The Circus, completed in 1764 after his death by his son John Wood the Younger, and The Royal Crescent 1767-75, again executed by Wood the Younger from his father’s designs, that he is most famous for.

His major works outside Bath were the Exchanges of Bristol and also Liverpool. He died in his home city in May 1754.

This drawing set dates from about 1745 and was made by Thomas Heath of London and comprises a silver rule, an ivory rule, an ivory sector rule and six instruments. The silver fishskin covered case bears both the engraved Coat of Arms of John Wood and his name in script.

The set will be offered at Clevedon Salerooms’ Quarterly Specialist Sale on March 10th with a pre-sale estimate of £4,000 – £6,000.

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers Accession of Queen Anne gold medallion 1702

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS

£1,000 - £1,500

14 15 16 March

9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary Lacquered long case clock

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

£1,800 - £2,500

Wedgwood Fairyland lustre bowl

£2,000 - £3,000

Quarterly Specialist Sale Thursday 10th March at 10.30am VIEWING: Tues 8th March 2pm – 5.30pm & Wed 9th March 10am – 7.30pm

Fully Illustrated catalogue online 27th February

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Film festival is a first for Wells

WELLS is to host its first-ever film festival to coincide with the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in April.

Events range from a black tie screening at Wells Film Centre to an outdoor film night at The Bishop’s Palace.

The festival is themed Kings and Queens and also celebrates St George’s Day and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. It is being run in partnership with The Bishop’s Palace, The Watershed in Bristol, British Film Institute Film Hub Southwest and the Wells Journal.

It opens on the afternoon of Thursday, April 21st with a traditional tea party at the Spinning Wheel tea rooms in the city followed by A Royal Night Out at Wells Film Centre.

On Friday, April 22nd, The Bishop’s Palace will screen The Huntsman Winter’s War. The admission price includes BBQ food, a drink and a souvenir programme.

Other films include King Arthur, The Pirates! An Adventure With Scientists, Henry V (1944) and the closing film, A Little Chaos, which will pay tribute to the late actor Alan Rickman. The evening screening will be introduced by composer, musician and broadcaster Charles Hazlewood, a friend of Alan Rickman.

For full details, visit: www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Excellent quarterly sale in prospect TWO excellent sales are due to be held at the Mendip Auction Rooms this month with the new extended auction rooms coming into use.

On March 12th, the Quarterly Sale of Antiques and Fine Art together with the Sporting Sale will commence proceedings with an excellent entry of lots including furniture, pictures, silver, ceramics and an excellent collection of jewellery.

The Sporting Sale immediately follows the Quarterly Sale and includes a good entry of items associated with all sports including guns and fishing items. The General Sale of Victorian and Later Effects will take place on March 22nd and a strong entry is anticpated. The general sales at the Mendip Auction Rooms

provide an ideal opportunity to find a bargain and to furnish your home at reasonable cost.

Entries are being sought for future sales and the valuers conduct valuation days every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or will be content to undertake a free home visit.

WANTED – VINTAGE FISHING TACKLE

HARDY, ALLCOCKS ETC. Also BRASS & WOOD REELS EARLY LURES & BAITS, RODS ANGLING BOOKS TAXIDERMY CASED & MOUNTED FISH

01934 625810

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 17

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Blagdon Pancake Day

EVENTS

Wind in the Willows

A SPECTACULAR production of The Wind in the Willows was staged in Wrington featuring a cast of nearly 40 from Wrington Drama Club and Wrington Youth Drama Group, directed by Julie Kingcott, with scenes filmed as a backdrop to the stage.

Hudson s Supplies and Service Heating, Plumbing

Bristol Drains Ltd Camera Surveys, Blo cked Drains, Jetting & Septic Tanks

For a genuine plumbing, heating or drain enquiry, a 24 hour call-out service is available 365 days a year. Please feel free to call us for a highly competitive quotation at fixed hourly rates.

HUDSON PLUMBING AND HEATING SERVICES LIMITED

BRISTOL DRAINS LIMITED

Tel: 0117 902 5820 • Fax: 0117 964 4666 Email: info@hudsonplumbing.co.uk Hudson Plumbing & Heating Services is a well-established local business located in the Bristol area. With over 20 years experience, we have built up an enviable reputation for quality workmanship, high levels of customer care, reliability and value for money.

Tel: 0117 940 0074 • Fax: 0117 964 4666 Email: info@bristoldrains.com At Bristol Drains, you can be assured of first-class work carried out by our own experienced and professional engineers.

You can be assured of first-class work carried out by our own experienced and professional engineers.

Whether you have a blocked drain at your home or office or if you require a buried drain traced/detected – CALL US NOW – no job too small.

• Boiler Repairs • Boiler Servicing • Boiler Upgrades • System Upgrades • Power Flushing/System Cleansing • New Radiators • System Overhaul • Leaks • Bathroom Installations • Wetroom Specialists • Bespoke Adaptions for Disabilities.

• Waste Pipes • Toilets/Sinks/Baths • Water Jetting • Septic Tanks • Drain Repairs and Replacements • Gully Emptying • Camera Surveying and Reports • Domestic Drain and Pipe Cleaning • Sewer Cleaning

Units 5a & 5b, 75 Whitchurch Lane, Bishopsworth, Bristol BS13 7TE (Entrance in Cater Road) A C C R E D I T A T I O N S

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

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

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

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Three fish dishes for lent FROM Ash Wednesday to Good Friday we are in the 40 day period known as Lent, from the Old English word “lenten” meaning spring.

In remembrance of the 40 days Jesus spent in the With JUNE wilderness before his MACFARLANE crucifixion, many Christians perform some sort of penitence which often involves food. Abstinence from meat on Fridays is one tradition, thereby leading to more fish dishes.

I do think we should all eat more fish, so here are three.

GRILLED STUFFED MUSSELS Mussels are in season right now, and this is an easy dish that tastes amazing.

(for two) 1 kilo rope-grown mussels 1 glass white wine For the stuffing 120g butter at room temperature 4 good sprigs parsley, chopped 2 tbsp fresh picked thyme leaves, chopped medium clove garlic, finely chopped squeeze of lemon juice 5 tbsp white breadcrumbs 3 tbsp grated Parmesan

METHOD Mash all the stuffing ingredients together. Clean and scrub the mussels, discarding any that are broken or refuse to close when tapped. Put into a roomy pan with the wine over a moderate heat. Cover with a lid and allow to steam open for a minute or two, shaking once. Lift out the mussels, discarding the top shell as you go. Arrange flat on a baking tray and fill with a teaspoon of the stuffing. Preheat the grill and bake until golden.

(for six fishcakes) 500g Maris Piper potatoes 400g fish, a mixture of salmon, smoked haddock and cod milk to cover 1 tbsp chopped chives 1 tbsp capers 1 tbsp horseradish sauce 1 egg, beaten flour for dredging 50g white breadcrumbs or panko 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp oil

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

BAKED SEA BASS WITH LEMON AND TARRAGON (for two) 2 fillets of sea bass, skin on 75g butter, melted 5g fresh tarragon leaves salt, pepper small red onion, thinly sliced rind of ½ lemon, julienned

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

Baked sea bass with lemon and tarragon

CHUNKY FISH CAKES

You could make this with bream or any similar fish.

It’s fun to open the packet and smell the lovely aroma of tarragon.

METHOD Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Put the melted butter, tarragon and some seasoning into a food processor and blitz to a dressing. Cut two pieces of baking parchment and fold to make a packet; put a fillet of bass in each; top with onion rings, lemon rind and a few spoonfuls of dressing. Fold up the parcels and secure (I use a bulldog clip). Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Open at the table.

No mystery ingredients – just real fish and real potato. Fish cakes freeze really well and can be baked or pan fried. The secret to not having them fall apart is to add a little beaten egg to the mixture. Mine also have a dollop of horseradish for a bit of extra zing.

METHOD Peel the potatoes and cut into even chunks. Boil in salted water until just tender. Drain thoroughly and put back in pan. Mash roughly. Meanwhile simmer the fish gently in milk for four minutes. Drain and when cool enough to handle flake into the potatoes with the herbs, horseradish, and a little egg to bind.

Form into six chunky cakes, dredge with flour, egg and crumbs and refrigerate for at least 30 mins. Melt the butter and oil together and fry the fishcakes gently for five minutes each side until golden.

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The tale of Kitty Banks

WHEN Mary Kathryn Holman moved to Wells in 1920 to take up a positon as waitress at the Swan Hotel she can’t have had any idea how her legacy would live on in the city some 96 years later.

Whilst Julie, son Jake and niece Francesca Stephens waitressing, who works with them Mary met Arthur Banks – he delivered the milk to the hotel, the two fell in love and were married. It was at this time that Mary took her middle name and became Kitty Banks.

That name now lives on at number 15, Market Place, where her granddaughter Julie and great grandson Jake have started a family-run venture. Kitty Banks is a café, deli and gift shop in the heart of Wells.

The café offers freshly made food including sandwiches, tartlets, salads and a wonderful selection of cakes. With seating on two floors you can even sit in the upstairs window and watch the world go by.

Then there is the deli with a chilled counter stocking a variety of local cheeses alongside Italian specialities like cheese dipped in Prosecco. The deli shelves are stacked with jars of chutney and jams, crackers, snacks and locally made chocolates. Hampers are always available for foodie gifts too.

If that wasn’t enough the gifts and homewares section upstairs has a wide variety of design styles from vintage to modern including clocks, lamps, mirrors and cushions, as well as smaller gifts and cards.

If Kitty were here today she would be proud of the business her family are building in her name.

FOOD & DRINK

Kitty Banks DELI - CAFE - GIFTS

Details: for more information or to book a table call 01749 670220.

MARCH DATES Wells Each Wed 9am—2.30pm Street Every Thursday 9am—2pm

All other markets 9am-1pm unless otherwise marked*

SAT 5th SAT 6th

Axbridge & Midsomer Norton SFM@Frome Independent 2016 start delayed until April 3rd

SAT 12th Frome (C&G Market Hall) and Keynsham SAT 19th Crewkerne FRI 25th Burnham-on-Sea SAT 26th Glastonbury & Yeovil (9am-2pm)*

Open seven days a week Freshly made salads and lunches daily Homemade cakes First floor gifts, fine cheeses, Hampers made to order for that personalised gift

Kitty Banks

15 Market Place, Wells BA5 2RF

Tel: 01749 670220 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 21

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THE DARLINGTON at Redhill

Open all day from 11am Tuesday - Sunday (closed Monday) Food Served 12 ’til 3 & 6 ’til 9 Tuesday to Saturday Sunday Roasts served 12 ’til 5 Booking recommended Book now for Mother’s Day to avoid disappointment Bunch of flowers for all Mums

01934 862247 www.thedarlingtonatredhill.co.uk

Bread & Beyond TEA ROOMS AND PROVISIONS

Organic free trade coffee • Warming winter lunches Home-made tarts, pies, cakes and bread Local milk, cheeses and eggs Cards, prints and paintings by local artists.

Home-made Easter biscuits and simnel cakes Delicious afternoon teas – ideal gift for Mother’s Day

Bread & Beyond

Open: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm • Saturday 7.30am-4pm

High Street, Chewton Mendip, BA3 4LJ

01761 240820 email: breadandbeyond@outlook.com PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Darlington Arms restored

THE Darlington Arms, on the A38 at Redhill, has undergone a transformation with new owners Neil and Helen Maxwell.

It now has a lounge area, with a log fire, where customers with dogs are welcome; a wellstocked bar, with table skittles, darts and pool; and a stylish south-facing restaurant.

The refurbishment continues, with the garden due to be ready by the summer and seven en-suite rooms available in a few months’ time.

The wide choice of drinks and food are mainly locally sourced – the ham in the ham, egg and chips (£8.95) comes from Alvis Brothers down the hill; two of their beers, Butcombe and Twisted Oak are from Wrington; and they have a range of Thatchers ciders.

The menu includes pub classics as well as starters like wild mushroom and Stilton soup (£5.95) and a vegetarian goat’s cheese burger with spiced cabbage (£8.95).

You can expect a warm welcome from managers Paul and Dee Thomas and chef James Kennedy.

Natural food in Chew Stoke NOURISH Wholefoods is the Chew Valley's first natural/health food shop.

Opened by 23-year-old Sofi Fernywork in January it’s definitely worth a visit.

It has fresh organic veg supplied by the nearby Community Farm and fresh organic bread from Hobbs House Bakery supplied twice weekly and now also fresh gluten-free breads.

It stocks a vast range of vegan, gluten and dairy-free

foods, as well as bulk wholegrains and spices, ecofriendly toiletries and household cleaning products, supplements and so much more!

Pop in and get some friendly advice or sign up for an upcoming workshop in the newly opened kitchen/community space. Visit the shop at Fairseat Workshops in Chew Stoke, Tuesday to Saturday, or find the shop on Facebook for the latest news on upcoming events and new products at Nourish Wholefoods Chew Valley.

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Whatʼs new from Myrtle Farm A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

Bumblebee of the month

WHEN you are out walking this month, keep a look out for the Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – which is the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Bumblebee of the month. The Trust explains that the queens of this species are usually the first to emerge from hibernation in the UK, although this year it seems many have already emerged, due to the mild winter. Here at Myrtle Farm we love the bumblebees as they are a great asset in helping pollination in our orchards. We have planted many of our orchard margins with their favourite wildflowers to help them feed.

FOOD & DRINK

Gift ideas

IF you’re looking for a gift for friends or relatives this spring, why not pay a visit to our Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm. Here you’ll find the complete range of our Somerset ciders, as well as local cheeses, chutneys and other delicious goodies. During March we’ll have a special offer on our 24 pack of Gold cans, and of course, don’t forget that our two new Special Vintage “cidermakers specials” are only available while stocks last – they are proving very popular! You can also ask for them at the bar in The Railway.

Our shop also sells gift vouchers for £5, £10 and £20 denominations, which can be used in both the Cider Shop and the Railway Inn.

Special Spring events at the Railway Inn

THE Railway Inn is laying on a special three course menu for Mother’s Day, alongside our regular menu. All mums visiting the Railway Inn on Mother’s Day will receive a pretty posy of spring flowers, and for those dining, there’ll be some delicious chocolates to mark the special day.

Why not join us over the Easter weekend? On Easter Friday at lunchtime and in the evening, our chef will be preparing a special fish menu with four exciting fish dishes. On Easter Sunday, in addition to our popular beef and lamb roasts, we will be adding a turkey roast. We do recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Watch out for the Easter Bunny too – we’re inviting the younger generation to put on their detective hats for an Easter Egg hunt starting at 11.30 (weather permitting) on Easter Sunday.

For bookings, call the Railway Inn on 01934 611518.

Cheers from us all!

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA Tel: 01934 822862

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 23

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New menu at Farrington’s

FARRINGTON’S has become a popular name on locals’ lips when it comes to food and this month sees the launch of their exciting new Udder Room menu.

The Udder Room Café bridges the gap between café and bistro with cosy, contemporary décor, log burner and cow mosaic centrepiece. It’s the perfect venue to grab a fresh coffee, cake and lunch.

The new menu has been inspired by the talented Farrington’s team who focus on seasonal, home-grown produce, showcasing the best local flavours. Farrington’s embrace that “best ingredients make great dishes” and the café reflects this.

Dishes are made with organic vegetables grown on their farm and sourced from trusted local West Country producers like Jon Thorner’s butchers, Ivy House dairy and Blackacre Farm eggs.

From Monday to Saturday, the café will offer deli-inspired snacks and pastries such as scotch eggs, pork-pies and sausage rolls, all hand-made at Farrington’s in their kitchens. Everything is home-made from the fresh salads, coleslaw to chutneys and pickles, which are all offered as side dishes.

The Udder Room at Farrington’s bridges the gap between Café and Bistro.

It’s simple food, hand-made in our farmhouse kitchens using the freshest home-grown and locally sourced produce.

A cosy place to catch up with friends over coffee, breakfast or lunch.

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GARDEN FOOD

Getting the best from beans

ONE of my favourite meals at the moment, especially for lunch, is steamed rice, a simple salsa made with roasted peppers or tomatoes, and refried beans.

I buy the rice and beans in bulk (and organic) and it is therefore a very delicious, eco-friendly and thrifty meal With JAKE indeed. I have found that turning dried WHITSON beans into something delicious can be somewhat tricky, so I thought I'd share with you here some of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years.

Firstly, contrary to many recipes, beans do not necessarily need soaking overnight – four hours is enough, which makes it possible to start soaking them in the morning for dinner time (indeed in México, the home of beans, they generally don't soak them at all, but this makes for a longer cooking time).

Once soaked, bring them to a boil in their soaking water for ten minutes or so, then reduce to a very slow simmer for an hour or two.

If your beans are still gritty at this point, add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda – the pH of the water is usually to blame for gritty beans. Cook for another 10 minutes or so, then test the beans (and repeat if necessary).

Once cooked, allow them to cool in their own juices or move straight on to the refrying part – finely chop an onion, and fry it in hot lard (preferably home-made or skimmed off a roast) until greatly reduced and starting to turn dark brown.

Add a couple of cloves of thinly sliced garlic and let those get golden brown before adding five or six of the beans and their water. Simmer together for a few minutes and then mash the beans – I like to have a coarse mixture of mashed and unmashed beans, and to leave them a little soupy too. Season well with salt and pepper, and maybe some chilli.

Jacob is a former chef turned food writer, smallholder and mycologist. He divides his time between the Mendips and his nine-acre forest garden project in Pembrokeshire, and runs the business jakeswildfungi.co.uk, making specialist mycorrhiza products for tree planting.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

Mendip thymes

EVERY thyme (uh, oh) I see these wonderfully aromatic herbs I always comment to any who will listen that I should really write an article about them.

There are many reasons I have not gotten round to it: leaving it far too late so they have gone over or finding something else With ADRIAN that has captured my eye. I’ve seen this BOOTS herb so often dotted around the Mendips that I think that it is about thyme (ooh) this situation was rectified.

In milder winters, hidden in protected rocky nooks and crannies, I’ve picked the hardier (read woody) leaves of this plant well into the New Year.

Garnering the local name ’Mother Thyme’ it was associated with menstruation and was used to treat blood loss, stomach pain and cramps amongst many other things.

Historically, before going into battle Roman soldiers would take a bath infused with thyme as the herb was associated with bravery and courage.

Traditional medicine has it that it cured headaches, giddiness and sleepiness – all things unhelpful to a soldier before entering the fray. The last thing you want is a migraine getting in the way of ducking a wild swing from an opponent’s sword!

Thyme (Thymus drucei) is an upright perennial with a woody stem up to 50cm tall. It has small oval purplish flowers arranged in opposing pairs. Flowering June to September, but often well into October, it can be seen in dry rocky grassland.

Picking the fresh leaves as an ‘amuse-bouche’ whilst on a walk is fun but the smell of roasted chicken with thyme is difficult to beat. So thanks to friends Chris and Sue I now have a splendidly quick way of roasting chicken.

Spatchcock a chicken (if you are not confident enough to do this yourself without making a complete mess then ask your butcher to do it. But please buy the chicken from the same butcher as they might take a dim view of being presented with one from Tesco).

Spear the carcass with three to four metal skewers, normally for BBQ-ing. This method helps weigh it down and transfers heat speeding up the cooking time. Mix thyme leaves with salt and pepper then rub into the chicken.

Add oil and finally sprinkle on a few sprigs. Some 45 minutes later, ta-dah, you will have a mouth-watering, deliciously aromatic dish to liven up any lunch or dinner thyme...

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

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 25

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Treat mum to something special

IF you want to give your mum the day off from the daily grind and treat her to something special, book Sunday lunch at Jon Thorner’s bistro, The Den. Just off the A37 in Pylle, near Shepton Mallet is a small haven of freshly cooked, chef-inspired dishes.

This busy bistro offers an eclectic menu whether you are stopping by for breakfast, lunch or a coffee break. On Mother’s Day, Sunday March 6th, The Den’s full Sunday lunch menu is available and you can enjoy a range of starters before tucking into prime Somerset beef with all the trimmings or succulent roasted chicken, followed by a selection of home-made desserts.

The Den is a fully licensed bistro, serving wine and locally brewed beers and ciders. If you would like to book a table call 01749 838938, it’s open seven days a week.

THE RED LION VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT Sutton Hill Road, Bishop Sutton BS39 5UT

01275 333042

A la carte menu and excellent special boards served Monday – Saturday 12.00–2.30pm and 5.30–8.30pm

Selection of delicious roasts on Sunday, served from 12.00–6.00pm Please see our website www.redlionbishopsutton.co.uk to view our menus

• MOTHER’S DAY – SUNDAY 6TH MARCH • EASTER SUNDAY – MARCH 27TH

Please book early to avoid disappoint

The Red Lion – the pub at the heart of the community

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 12 noon – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm. Open all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Willows and Wetlands welcomes market

SOMERSET’S well-loved Levels Best Farmers’ and Craft markets are adding more markets at a new venue, the Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre at Stoke St. Gregory.

For over 13 years now Montacute House has been home to the Levels Best markets, which have established a great reputation as the place to go for excellent quality, locally made produce with character and flavour.

You will now be able to visit them at the Willows and Wetlands centre from 10am-2pm on March 26th (Easter Saturday), June 18th, September 10th and December 10th.

The December event will be combined with the Willow and Wetlands’ annual Christmas Fayre which has become a hugely popular event. There is ample free parking and entrance to Willows and Wetlands is free.

Dogs are welcome and there are ample walking opportunities nearby. There’s much more to explore at this new venue after you have enjoyed shopping at the market, including the Lemon Tree Coffee House, craft units, Willow Basket shop and a museum of willow curiosities.

Levels Best Farmers Markets at Montacute House begin again on March 19th and then run on the last Saturday of each month, apart from August, completing the year with a Christmas Market on December 17th.

Details: Willow and Wetlands Visitor Centre, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton TA3 6HY 01823 490249 info@coatesenglishwillow.co.uk www.coatesenglishwillow.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

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From field to food

12:32

MORE than 1,000 schoolchildren are due to take part in a new food-related learning day at the Royal Bath and West Showground in April.

Field to Food is aimed at educating the next generation about agriculture and food production. The day has evolved from the foundations of the Royal Bath and West of England Society’s charitable core remits of educating the public about agriculture.

The event is aimed at children aged seven to 11 and will be held on Wednesday, April 13th. Society chief executive Rupert Cox said: “This new event is the beginning of a new era for the charity as it brings education and learning to the showground with youngsters to experience how agriculture plays an important role in daily life.

“It is vital that, as the world population increases and food production methods change, the next generation needs to understand not just how important good food is to their own health, but to the health of the planet, and I believe our Field to Food event goes someway to achieving that.”

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FOOD & DRINK

Bowlish makes an impression

A VISIT to Bowlish House hotel and restaurant at Shepton Mallet for lunch, dinner or a family event usually leaves a lasting impression – just ask owners Martin Gibson and Len Muircroft.

More and more people are recommending the warm welcome, fine dining and elegant Georgian surroundings to friends and family. Martin The elegant exterior of Bowlish House is matched said: “People have come here by the quality of service inside for Sunday lunch and told their anniversary of Care UK coming to friends how much they enjoyed it or have booked us for a family event for 40 Shepton Mallet and an event for a local people or more on the spot.” food producer.

More than a dozen weddings are More immediately, Bowlish House is booked in for this year alone – Bowlish preparing to welcome families to its House can be reserved in its entirety to special Mothering Sunday lunch on make it a “big house party” and it is Sunday, March 6th and for its Easter licensed for marriages – and the team Sunday lunch on Sunday, March 27th – pride themselves on offering a personal booking for both is essential.

Martin added: “We take great care to service, whatever the occasion. create the right atmosphere in which Bowlish House also regularly hosts people can relax; the elegant setting business functions such as a party for certainly adds something.”

150 people to mark the 10th

Mothers’ Day Menu. March 6th, 2016 STARTERS Broccoli & Stilton Soup with Homemade Bread (v) Chicken Liver Parfait with Red Onion Chutney & Toast Salmon Gravlax & Atlantic Prawn Salad with Marie Rose Sauce Galia Melon with Parma Ham & Ginger Puree Smoked Mackerel Pate with Gooseberry Sauce & Toasted Sourdough

MAIN COURSE Roast Sirloin of Beef, with Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes & a Red Wine Sauce, Pan Roast Breast of Chicken with a Mushroom Cream Sauce Roast Salmon Fillet, Roast Asparagus, Lemon Crushed New Potatoes & Hollandaise Sauce Mediterranean Vegetable & Goat’s Cheese Tart (V) All main courses are served with a selection of seasonal vegetables

DESSERTS Dark Chocolate Fondant with White Chocolate Parfait & Orange Curd Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream Cheese & Biscuits with Tomato Chilli Chutney Raspberry Crème Brule Traditional Sherry Trifle

Two Courses £19.95 • Three Courses £23.50

Easter Sunday Menu, March 27th 2016 STARTERS

Book now for these special springtime celebrations

Leek & Potato Soup with Chive Crème Fraiche (v) Ham Hock & Chicken Terrine with Red Onion Chutney England Crab Cakes with Remoulade • Galia Melon with Parma Ham & Ginger Puree

MAIN COURSE Roast Leg of English Lamb with Rosemary & Garlic, Roast Potatoes and Redcurrant Sauce Roast Breast of Norfolk Turkey with Stuffing and a Red Wine & Sage Sauce Herb Crusted Fillet of Cod, Crushed Lemon Potatoes & Hollandaise Sauce Goat’s Cheese & Caramelised Onion Filo Tart (V) All main courses are served with a selection of seasonal vegetables

Email: reception@bowlishhouse.com or info@bowlishhouse.com www.bowlishhouse.com The Bowlish House, Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5JB PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

DESSERTS Lemon Posset with Shortbread Warm Chocolate Fondant with Orange Curd & Vanilla Ice Cream Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce Cheese & Biscuits with Tomato Chutney

£25.00

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EDUCATION

What would you Love2Learn this Easter or summer?

BATH College’s Easter and summer workshops are the perfect way to learn a craft and pick up new skills. Take time out during the holidays and let their professional tutors guide you through a four-day programme.

Courses range from embroidery, millinery and printed textiles to glass techniques, jewellery making and portraiture. Enrol now to secure a place on a ceramics workshop, one of the most popular courses on offer at Bath College.

Students will get the chance to create a ceramic piece or vessel while investigating a variety of building methods. The course is suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners who have already taken part in courses at the college.

For the first time, Bath College is offering Sculpting in Metal as an intensive four-day workshop, giving students the chance to use their welding facilities. They are also

running a very successful papermaking course, led by master papermaker Elaine Cooper.

Gabrielle Malcolm is looking forward to welcoming students enrolling on creative writing workshops in April and July. She said: "There have never been so many outlets and platforms for publishing as there are now.

“More choices than ever are open to writers. So what do you want to write?

If it's genre fiction or a blog, a novel, short stories or pitches for TV and film – this course offers you the chance to get started, develop, and finish your ideas.

“Different techniques and formats are taught that will get your work off the ground and to the readers and audience out there."

Anna Dawson coordinates Bath College’s part-time Love2learn programme, arranging courses on Saturdays, evenings and during holiday Details: www.bathcollege.ac.uk

Papermaking

time. She said: “Our tutors are experts at helping to bring a subject to life and are passionate about what they teach.

“These courses are great taster experiences if you’re thinking of enrolling on a longer course. It’s a great way to spend time in Bath and enjoy Bath life at the same time.

“People do come from all over the country, especially for courses like our papermaking courses, which is a masterclass in this skill and not available elsewhere.”

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 29

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TOOL SHARPENING SERVICE WHILE–U–WAIT

@ BATH, TROWBRIDGE, STREET, TAUNTON, CADBURY, WELLINGTON, EXETER. For full details and prices contact: www.cuttingedgecraft.co.uk franksynekartisan@gmail.com

Ladies Fashion and Accessories New Spring lines now in Shop 2, Dorchester House Union Street, Cheddar Somerset BS27 3NB

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Duvets & Bedspreads washed & dried Sheets and Duvet covers washed and pressed Professional efficient service Collection & delivery service in the Chew Valley

New range at Katie-Boo

SPRING is on the way and those at Katie-Boo cannot wait. It has been a long wet winter but with spring just around the corner they have lots of beautiful new clothes in just waiting for the sun.

They have gorgeous dresses, tunics, tops, skirts and thin knits ideal for summer as well as a range of accessories to complement your summer wardrobe.

They say Seasalt, Lily and Me and Lazy Jacks have not disappointed this season with their new ranges. A happy smile awaits you at Katie-Boo in Cheddar.

Half term surprise

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk

P & C Logs

Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).

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PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

01934 713527

Babyroom • Nursery Preschool • Forest School Ofsted 2015 - Staff support children's emotional well-being extremely well and have a very good knowledge of their individual needs, positively supporting children's learning with effective modelling and questioning

CHEDDAR Chamber of Commerce announced the winner of their Cheddar Festive Trail which ran through December into January and local boy Joshua Bass was delighted to pick up the winning prize of a family ticket to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, just in time for the school holidays!

Joshua received the prize from Lynne Hebborn, chairperson of Cheddar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who didn't just present the winning voucher but had slaved over her sewing machine creating the 40 festive characters which were distributed amongst chamber members in the village and gorge.

She’s pictured with chamber secretary Huw Davies (left) with Joshua, his dad Simon and sister Jessica.

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Somerset Solders – a name to be proud of

BUSINESS

Photo by Ignyte Limited, Radstock.

Business section:Layout 1

Mark with Natasha (centre) and Lisa

A KEY supplier to the electronics industry based in Chilcompton is playing its part to spread the word that Somerset is home to more cutting-edge businesses than many people imagine.

Somerset Solders Ltd is run by Mark Day, who has spent his working career in the electronics industry, starting out working alongside his father at a company in Bath before they launched a family business making printed circuit boards in Temple Cloud.

Today, Somerset Solders Ltd supplies everything from solders to specialist anti-static protective workwear, and from soldering irons to PCB assembly tools. Customers range from the automotive industry to stained glass artists and hobbyists.

The company sells all over the UK and exports overseas and can claim some blue chip clients – all from a unit at Northside on the Wells Road. Somerset Solders also welcomes customers who call into the unit – with many revealing they had no idea such a company was on their doorstep.

Mark runs the company with sales and administration manager Lisa Burfoot; his daughter, Natasha, has recently joined the team. Mark said: “We treat every customer the same, whether they’re a major plc or someone turning up at the door.

“Not only are we extremely proud of the products we offer, we’re also proud to be based in Somerset – Somerset Solders is a very strong brand.”

Mark added: “Most of our business is via the internet or on the phone, but we are very much a local Somerset company.”

Away from work Mark, who lives in Kilmersdon, can often been seen playing in a local band Bobby Martian and the Planets. The band has played at Kilmersdon Village Day and elsewhere in the area and has just secured a series of gigs at the Jolliffe Arms Somerset Solders is proud to be based in the pub in the county village.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 31

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LEATHER, SUEDE & SHEEPSKIN REPAIRS Do you know about our repair and alteration service for sheepskin, suede and leather clothing? Whether it’s new zips, repairs to rips and tears, sleeve shortening or re-styling, we should be able to help. We also repair motorcycle leathers.

Four Seasons 105 High Street STREET BA16 0EY Tel: 01458 442500

Four Seasons 16 High Street GLASTONBURY BA6 9DU Tel: 01458 832061

We also still offer our part-exchange service where you can trade in your old sheepskin, suede or leather coat against a new one.

Please telephone for details.

Chamber’s new president

MEMBERS of Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce have elected their first female president.

Sandy Bell, who runs the communications company Tintinna Ltd in Chew Stoke, will be taking over from Rod Podger, who has stood down to become vice president after

four years in the top job.

Sandy said: “I do hope that my appointment will encourage more women who are running successful businesses in the Valley to get involved with their local chamber of commerce.

Their opinions and enthusiasms will be greatly valued by us all.”

She said her three priorities are to improve bus links and broadband coverage in the area and to try to solve parking problems in Chew Magna and other local villages.

Details: www.chewvalleychamber.co.uk

The future of clean energy

CLEAN, green energy is not only part of our future it is also a great British success story. As more and more people become aware of the effects of climate change – the flooding, the storms and unseasonal weather – they are looking to take action directly. One of the ways you can bring about change is to make positive investments into clean energy generation through local community energy companies. Another option is to switch to buying green energy. Mongoose Energy is a community energy company that specialises in locally owned solar energy.

Details: www.mongooseenergy.coop

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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BUSINESS

How do I know if I need a water softener?

THIS is a question that On Tap Water Treatment says it often hears from people who live in certain parts of the West Country.

It can be difficult for a householder to appreciate the benefits of softened water and it is often after returning from holiday in an area such as Scotland or Cornwall that the light turns on.

The return home can be a shock especially when a shower seems to be like washing in gravel.

Where your water supply has been drawn across chalk strata the evidence in the home can be all too obvious with lime scale marks on sinks and shower screens as well as the scale collecting in the bottom of your kettle.

Some consequences of hard water are more easily seen than others. The visible signs in the kitchen and bathroom are just the tip of the iceberg. The hidden menace of hard water can be more serious.

Build-up of scale on the heating surfaces inside the hot water tank or in the heat exchanger of a combination boiler causes excessive heating bills and shortens equipment life. It’s a bit like insulating your hot water tank on the inside instead of the outside. The scale has to be heated before it can start to heat the water.

Low flow from shower heads and taps is another obvious sign that all is not well. Fitting a water softener can be like installing

a maintenance system since scale build-up will quickly disperse to leave shower heads clear and hot water heating at full efficiency.

The company warns: “You get what you pay for. We’ve all done it, buying and immediately regretting, those special offers seen in the colour supplements or on the internet. There is no substitute for a correctly sized water softener specified by a professional.”

On Tap Water Treatment offer a free no obligation home demonstration where using a small portable water softener, some of your water is softened and the full dramatic effect of a different world of soft water is shown. The logistics of installation will also be discussed and any questions answered.

Details: to book a free no obligation survey call 01458 274289

VISIT www.on-tap.co.uk

HARD WATER PROBLEMS?

WATER SOFTENERS PRIVATE SUPPLIES BORE HOLES UV FILTERS ACID CORRECTION DRINKING FILTERS PURIFIERS

To request our crystal clear guide or arrange a free, no obliga!on survey, please call

01458 274 289

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 33

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BUSINESS

Mendip business awards

CALLING FARMERS – LANDOWNERS WANTED – LAND TO LEASE

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For more info contact: gaps@gappleton.co.uk or tel. Ginny 07900361631

New Spring Collection

ENTRIES are now being taken for this year’s Mendip Business Awards, with owners able to enter one of ten categories.

The winners will be announced during the evening celebrations at the Royal Bath and West Showground on Friday June 3rd.

This year features several new awards, including Business Personality of the Year and Family Business of the Year among others.

Cllr Tom Killen, deputy leader of Mendip District Council said: “The 2015 awards strongly demonstrated the wealth of local talent in our business community and the judging panel was delighted with the quality of entries and winners last year.”

Stockists of: Great Plains • Masai • Oui • Brax • Adini • Cream • Mes Soeurs Et Moi • Part Two • Two Danes • Elisa Cortes Co-ordinating accessories

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PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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Relax knowing your property is protected

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Fernie’s a star

OUR report last month on Fernie the labrador’s reading skills have made him a TV star, with an appearance on BBC Points West, as well as in other media.

He’s become part of the team at Winford C. of E. Primary School, where he regularly “listens” to children reading, as well as taking part in other activities.

Headmaster Nik Gardner demonstrated how Fernie can now obey four written instructions. He said: “It’s a real encouragement to some children who might think that if a dog can do it, then they can read as well.”

But he says Fernie has a way to go – other specially-trained school dogs can “read” up to 20 words. Like Fernie, they are trained by the Devon-based charity Dogs Helping Kids.

It says: “Our dogs can teach children and young people to improve academic achievement, increase literary skills, calm behaviour down, increase social skills and selfesteem, increase confidence, teach responsibility and respect to all life, help prevent truancy and motivate children who are often not that attentive.”

Its aim is to have a dog working and helping in every school and library in the country.

Details: www.dogshelpingkids.co.uk

NEWS

Inside historic Vicars’ Close

THREE homes in Wells Cathedral’s Vicars' Close are to be featured in the current series of The Great Interior Design Challenge currently showing on BBC Two. Vicars' Close was completed by 1363 and, despite later work, is believed to be the only completely medieval street left in England.

All its buildings are Grade I listed and the current occupants still include all 12 men of the Vicars Choral, plus the organists, and vergers. The Vicars Choral have remained at the heart of life at Wells Cathedral since the 1100s and are now recognised as a world-class choir.

The programme is presented by architectural historian, Tom Dyckhoff. In each episode amateur designers are challenged to transform three similar rooms in three similar neighbouring properties following a brief from the owners.

Vicars’ Close will feature in the semi-final of the current series which will air on March 1st at 7pm.

Dr Paul Richards, Wells Cathedral administrator, said “Vicars’ Close provides us with a unique snapshot of medieval England and, together with Wells Cathedral, is a significant landmark in the south west of England.

“As the buildings are Grade 1 listed, we worked closely with the production team to ensure the integrity of the makeovers and to provide a rarely-seen look inside three of these unique properties.

“All materials used in the properties were either fully in keeping with the traditional crafts used in buildings of this heritage or, if modern, were installed in such a way that they could be removed in future without any impact on the historic fabric.”

Maja’s winning ways

MAJA Corns, aged eight, from Flax Bourton C. of E. Primary School, is the junior champion in Rotary’s national photographic competition, both locally and at district level.

She received her certificate and book token prize at a presentation held in Gloucester and now goes on to the national final.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 35

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Geoff’s charity challenge

GEOFF Wessell, a senior commander with Avon and Somerset Police in Somerset, is preparing for his second London Marathon in April – as well as organising a big charity event for the MS Trust charity.

His marathon run last year raised £6,342 for the MS Trust, more than twice what he was expecting. His wife, Jo, a nurse has been living with MS for a decade.

This year Geoff is going one better with a big fundraising event at Yeo Valley’s headquarters at Blagdon on March 17th.

The main speaker is Norman Croucher OBE, an inspirational speaker, who lost both his legs in a railway accident when he was young.

This hasn't prevented him going on to a lifetime of climbing some of the highest mountains in the world. Geoff has climbed with him.

Radio Bristol morning programme host, Emma Britton, formerly at BBC Somerset, will act as the compere for the evening and four-times gold medal winner Stephanie Millward, who suffers from MS, will be there, depending on her training schedule for the Rio Olympics.

Geoff said: “I’d like to thank Yeo Valley, Lye Cross Farms, Butcombe and Sutton Ridge Wine for supporting this.”

The event includes a three-course meal from the Yeo Valley kitchen at their Rhodyate Headquarters in Blagdon along with a raffle and other fundraising activities. Tickets are £35 each.

Details: geoff.wessell@icloud.com or mobile 07786 748070.

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Get ready to run

ST. MARGARET’S Great Somerset Colour Run will be held on Sunday May 29th at Hazlegrove School, Sparkford.

While hundreds of participants run, walk, skip or hop the 5k route, an army of volunteers will be taking aim and throwing brightly coloured powder paint, making the kilometres race by!

Last year’s event raised £70,000 for the hospice with over 1,600 people taking part.

Julia Poulton, head of fundraising, said: “Last year’s event was truly amazing – there was such a vibrant atmosphere, but also the opportunity for reflection and at times it was really quite emotional. When the paint went up at the party finish, it really did give you goose bumps.”

Tickets start at £10 for children and £15 for adults.

Details: registration is online at http://www.somersethospice.org.uk/events/VIEW/76.

Medical forum

THE Friends of St Chad's and Chilcompton Surgeries is a charity that helps to give better facilities to patients of both surgeries by purchasing equipment and holding two medical forums a year.

They are holding their spring medical forum on the subject of hearing problems and hearing aids on April 13th at 7.30pm in The Methodist Church Hall in Midsomer Norton.

Entrance is free to the public as are the refreshments.

Details: Alan Webb, chairman of the friends 01761 232188.

YMCA seeks volunteers

KAZ Marsh, deputy chief executive of Mendip YMCA in Wells is pictured receiving a cheque for £2,695 from Somerset freemason, Mike Perrée, of Kenneth Kinnersley Lodge, which meets at Midsomer Norton.

Mike said “I consider becoming the Master of a Freemasons Lodge a privilege and a position to be proud of. I am delighted we are able to support the work of Mendip YMCA.” The money will go towards the costs of funding training and support for volunteers. The YMCA is looking for volunteers for its youth clubs, particularly in Street and Glastonbury, and also for their new Street Foyer, which is opening soon.

Details: Glenda Collier 01749679553 or email gcollier@mendipymca.org.uk

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CHARITIES

Hannah runs in memory of her mum HANNAH Robertson, from East Brent, has been offered the chance to run in the London Marathon in aid of the Congresbury-based charity Vine Counselling and in memory of her mum, Lynette, who lived in Mark.

Hannah, a former infants’ school teacher, and her husband, Steve, have two children, Ben, aged four, and Chloe, aged two. Hannah explains her reasons for running: “It feels so difficult to put pen to paper and start to explain the reasons why I'm so elated and honoured to run the Virgin London Marathon for Vine Counselling Services in April.

“Many roads led to these feelings; the first my own fascination that I've had with the London Marathon! I remember watching it each year since I was very young and being utterly inspired – that runners from all backgrounds and abilities come together to complete this challenging course – all the hours of training and determination being pounded out on the streets of London for so many personal reasons.

“As I watched last April I thought about how much I'd love to do it. So I started to train! I got the 0-5k app on my phone and walked/jogged for seven minutes at a time

Brush up your cookery skills

and with sheer determination I got there!

As I ran further distances, I felt a huge sense of achievement and so good about myself. It has really turned me around!

“This brings me to explain another ‘road’ – my family’s own experience of mental health issues. My mum bravely fought and struggled with depression and anxiety for three years before it overcame her and led to her passing away. It's still so incredibly heart-breaking to talk about and I talk about it rarely as I am still coming to terms with it. However, I obviously think about her many, many times each day.

“I see people that suffer with mental health problems as so incredibly brave – to have a constant battle going on inside your mind, as well as living day-to-day. I saw, and experienced, the despair that it can lead to and I promised I would try and help in any way I could.

“This is where my two roads link: the inspirational people I saw running the marathon in previous years and my desire to make a difference to those suffering with mental health issues.

“The determination I have to train and complete this Virgin London Marathon is fuelled by those brave sufferers and their families who are fighting this illness each Details: www.vinecounselling.org

FREE cookery courses for the over 55s have been organised in Keynsham and the Chew Valley. The six-week Cook and Eat courses are being run by Age UK B&NES and Adult Community Learning at Bath College. Ketyn Jepson from Age UK B&NES said: “We’ve already run similar courses at The Hub in Midsomer Norton and they were so popular we’ve decided to run sessions in Keynsham and Chew Magna too.

“Whether you’re a skilled cook whose nutritional knowledge could do with a brush-up, or you don’t know how to turn the cooker on, this course can help. Courses will be led by a qualified tutor and all ingredients and equipment will be provided. At the end of each session, those taking part will share and eat the dishes they have made together.”

In Keynsham the course will take place on Mondays from 11am to 2pm at Community @67, Queens Road from February 29th to April 11th. The Chew Magna Cook and Eat course will run at Chew Magna Baptist Church Hall, Tunbridge Road on Fridays, from 11am to 2pm from April 1st to May 6th.

Details: to register in advance please call Ketyn on 01225 484510/466135 or email active@ageukbanes.co.uk

day. Vine Counselling Services is a charity who can help by supporting sufferers and their families with professional and affordable counselling which is not restricted to a certain number of sessions or the ability to pay and meets people at their point of need.

“I am therefore so proud to be able to help support their work.”

Rotary tries to keep India polio free

ROTARIAN Tony Quinn from Paulton is supporting National Immunisation Day by travelling to India to immunise thousands of children against polio.

Tony from the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge is joining a group of 106 volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland, the largest to have ever travelled, and will also meet up with other Rotary International members from Belgium, Luxemburg, USA and Japan.

Although India was declared free from the disease in 2014, there is still the real risk of re-infection from cases found in nearby Pakistan.

Tony said: “It is incredible to think that since making the pledge in 1985 to eradicate polio, Rotarians have pulled together to combat the disease all over the world. Travelling to India and working with fellow Rotarians illustrates how important it is to be involved in community projects that are not just on your doorstep.”

The aim of this year’s National Immunisation Day is to vaccinate over 172 million children under the age of five.

Details: www.rotarygbi.org

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 37

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Saving lives at sea

Weton D Class in action

WESTON-super-Mare RNLI volunteers saved more lives in 2015 than nearly all other coastal stations. They launched 48 times, rescued 29 people and saved 13 lives.

In total the RNLI’s lifeboats launched 8,228 times and rescued 7,973 people, saving 348 lives. Lives saved are defined as immediate risks to life – if the lifeboat hadn’t arrived the person would not have survived.

Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station was the RNLI’s busiest coastal station, launching 142 times and assisting 120 people, saving nine lives. Minehead launched 41 times, Burnham 32 and Portishead 19.

The peculiar environment of the Bristol Channel with its second highest range of tide in the world and fierce raging currents means anyone getting into difficulties at sea there is at major risk, so the lifeboat stations are very busy and lives are easily put in jeopardy.

Weston-super-Mare RNLI is operating from a temporary container while it waits for a brand new station to be built.

As Weston itself is one of the busiest seaside towns in the UK it is perhaps not surprising how many people get into trouble in the Weston area.

Charlotte Conroy, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Weston, said: “What is remarkable is that my crew saved so many lives despite working in difficult conditions in our temporary station.

“I am very proud of them. We would wish that more people paid attention to the warning notices along the seafront so they could enjoy the sea safely.”

Weston's temporary lifeboat station

Details: www.westonrnli.org.uk

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Two years of fundraising

The Midsomer Norton RUH Fundraising Group at Welton Rovers Football Club with Big Ted from The Forever Friends Appeal.

A GROUP of volunteers in the Midsomer Norton area which raises funds for the Forever Friends Appeal for Bath’s Royal United Hospital is celebrating its second anniversary.

The Midsomer Norton RUH Fundraising Group meets once a month at Welton Rovers Football Club to organise and take part in fundraising events and activities in the local community.

The Forever Friends Appeal is the primary fundraising charity of the RUH and is currently trying to raise a minimum of £8.5million towards the £17m cost of a pioneering new cancer centre.

One of the Midsomer Norton group’s most successful fundraising ideas has been its Supermarket Spinathons, which they have held twice at Tesco in Paulton, raising more than £2,500.

Graham Darke, one of the group’s members, was referred to the RUH 14 years ago following unexplained blackouts. An xray revealed a grapefruit-sized mass between his lungs and his ribcage, which turned out to be a rare form of cancer – related to testicular cancer.

After four spells in hospital for chemotherapy over the three months following his diagnosis, Graham is now fit and well – with no sign of the cancer returning. Graham is a keen cyclist and, prior to joining the group, he cycled 84 miles with his cousins from the RUH to Musgrove Park, Taunton and raised more than £2,000 for charity, to celebrate his tenth anniversary of recovering from cancer.

Graham said: “I joined the Midsomer Norton Group with the aim of helping to organise similar active challenges to help the RUH build a state-of-the art facility and get over the limitations their war-time buildings have.

“These challenges are always more fun when shared with other enthusiasts. One challenge I would like to set up, for instance, is to cycle from Welton, through the newly re-opened Somerset and Dorset railway tunnels up to RUH in Bath and then possibly onto the cycle track to Bristol and back again.”

Details: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or call Laura 01225 821535

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CHARITIES

Musical youth (and some adults too)

Crochet for Emma – and a place in the record books

Have a night in – and raise money instead

Victoria with Daisy Bear

THE banqueting room at Wells Town Hall was packed for a fundraising concert in aid of STAR, the Somerset charity which provides mentoring services for young people.

Hosted by the Brue Boys men’s choir, the evening included performances by Wells Cathedral School Jazz Combo, Gail Cornish – accompanied by Carolyn Young on harp – and two spin-offs from the choir: The Silver Strands and The Village Folk Group. The evening raised almost £2,000 for the charity.

ST. MARGARET’S Somerset Hospice is calling on people to have friends round for an evening and donate what they would have spent going out to the charity.

They are offering to provide fundraising packs containing posters, tips and even a collection box to people, whether they host a gourmet, five-course dinner or just offer drinks and nibbles.

The hospice says £20 will pay for an hour of nurse-led telephone support during the night; £100 pays for a home visit from one of its specialist nurses assisting with pain control.

For details, call 01935 709485 or email: ruth.morgan@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk

Night at the theatre

CHRIS Cox from Somerton has raised nearly £50,000 for charities by organising theatre trips to the Bristol Hippodrome.

They are so popular he is already taking bookings into 2017 and he has hundreds of happy customers.

Coaches pick up in Curry Rivel, Langport, Somerton, Keinton Mandeville, Street, Wells and Shepton Mallet and all profits go to charity.

To date British Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Society and Italian Twinning have received donations of £47,235.

Details: www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk or phone Chris on 01458 273085.

THE best friend of determined fundraiser Emma Welch, who died last year, is calling on people to pick up their crochet needles and help claim a place in the

Guinness World Records.

Victoria Roberts, 15, wants to break two world records in memory of Emma, who died aged 14 just days after taking 135 teddy bears to the top of Mount Snowdon to host the largest teddy bear picnic on a mountain top. Despite illness, Emma’s other astonishing achievements included climbing the height of Mount Everest on a climbing wall and riding 1,000 miles on a bike. Emma, of Chilcompton, had been involved since the age of 12 in raising awareness and funds for brain tumour research after her church minister Andrew Stammers was diagnosed with the disease.

Now Victoria, a student at Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton, wants people to join in the world’s largest crochet session, which currently stands at 485 people. The attempt will take place at The Forum in Bath on Saturday, June 4th, the first anniversary of Emma’s death. The Forum can hold 1,600 people.

Emma Victoria said: Welch on “I decided that Mount Emma was Snowdon such an inspiration and she always put others before herself that I wanted something to be done in her memory.

“We had found one of the bears that went up to Snowdon with Emma and renamed her Daisy as that was Emma's middle name. My mum crocheted some daises and put it on a headband and Daisy Bear suddenly had her own Facebook page. She now has over 1000 friends.”

Victoria’s second attempt is to beat the world record for the largest display of crochet items. Victoria, her friends and family have been crocheting daisies in pink, white and yellow and need to crochet about 15,000 to display at The Forum on the day. They have managed to get 3,000 daisies already but the world record currently stands at 13,000. The plan is to sell the daisies afterwards with proceeds going to brain tumour research.

If you are able to crochet daisies, find Daisy Bear on Facebook, phone 07526 570677 or email Daisybear2015@btinternet.com – anyone wanting to take part in the 15-minute crochet session in Bath can book free tickets on www.eventbrite.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 39

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Let me entertain you

SHEPTON Mallet 41 Club president Neville Dyke provided the entertainment at a cheese and wine evening at Cranmore Memorial Hall, which raised £400 for the Stroke Association.

Design a birthday poster

DOROTHY House Hospice at Winsley is holding a Dotty Day poster competition for primary schools throughout the area to celebrate its 40th birthday.

The winning posters from two age groups will be enlarged and displayed in the windows of its 29 shops and will feature in their newsletter. Entries must be received by 12pm Monday February 29th – Dotty Day itself – and winners and runners up will be notified by March 2nd.

Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

Grants available

TWO new rounds of grants funding opened on February 1st, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of local people living in Bath & North East Somerset.

The Healthy Lives, Healthy People and Supporting Communities grants are being funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council Public Health and groups must apply to Quartet Community Foundation to see if they qualify.

The grant funding aims to support the start-up of new groups or to develop existing services or activities that benefit physical and mental health. Both funds are aimed at groups or charities targeting loneliness and isolation, and at promoting healthy lifestyles.

The deadline for applications is March 11th.

Details: Andrew O' Sullivan or Julie Newman on 0117 989 7700, email applications@quartetcf.org.uk or go to www.quartetcf.org.uk

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Blooming lovely

Pictured (l to r) Phil and Farida Parkyn, Sara Hincks, Sue James and Henry and Jane Parkinson

THIS group from Wedmore found a good excuse to dress up, marking Mental Health Research UK’s Blooming Monday.

It’s held on the third Monday in January to brighten up the day, which is known as Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year.

The charity asks people to dress up in bright clothing to cheer up the day and to show they care about mental illness, which can affect at least one in four of us.

Wedmore’s event included a quiz aimed at dispelling some commonly held misconceptions about mental health and a Best Dressed Award, won by Phil Parkyn, who went on to win the national award.

He said: “I was just pleased to have the opportunity to dress up in such silly clothing and to learn more about mental health issues. Receiving these awards was such a surprise and the small chocolate rabbit I received for winning in Wedmore was awesome.”

Mental Health Research UK is the first charity in the UK dedicated to funding research into the causes of mental illness and helping to develop much better treatments to reduce the misery resulting from it. It pledges to use at least 95% of all donations to fund its high-quality research as its running costs are very low.

Details: www.mentalhealthresearchuk.org

Creatures great and small

FROME Friends of Dorothy House Hospice, who have already raised over £40,000, are holding an All Things Animal event on March 19th at Rye Hill Barn, Longbridge Deverill, BA12 7DE. This is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dorothy House.

There will be up to 40 animal attractions including a Companion Dog Show, horse rides, dog demos, goats, lambs, reptiles, bouncy castle, refreshments and much more.

Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/events

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All change at twenty one

The Good Gallery in Stoney Street in Frome is hosting an exhibition of photographs of local people who have been affected by cancer. The gallery features local artists whilst support from Santander until spring means that all commissions from sales go to We Hear You. Artist Tess Chodan, one of the artists who works as a volunteer at the gallery, is pictured with some of the photos by Rachel Palmer

A FROME-based counselling charity has undergone a rebranding exercise as part of its efforts to reach a wider community.

Positive Action on Cancer reached its 21st anniversary recently but felt the name no longer reflected its work with families and friends of people with cancer and other lifethreatening illness. The charity started out as a telephone helpline for women affected by breast cancer, but has developed and grown into a highly respected charity providing a professional – and always free – service to its clients.

From now on, PAC is to be known as We Hear You. A spokeswoman said: “While PAC is a brand that is well known and loved in its hometown of Frome, despite lots of hard work, we have very little recognition outside this area.

“As an organisation we are struggling to communicate the increasing need for our service and therefore finding it hard to reach new communities. We know we are only seeing a fraction of the people who need our help across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire.

“With referral rates at an all-time high and with more people needing support it is vital that we attract more supporters. We hope our new brand will make us more visible and more easily recognisable as a service providing emotional support.”

For more information visit www.wehearyou.org.uk or call 01373 455255.

Brian’s birthday gift

CHARITIES

BRIAN Wells celebrated his 80th birthday by donating £700 to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

At his party he asked for donations rather than gifts, which raised £500, and gave the rest himself. The presentation was made at Mendip Golf Club where he is pictured with air ambulance representative Marie Park and his friend Nicola Fitzgerald.

Brian, a parish councillor for 48 years, is a key member of the Somerset Football Association, holding the post of chairman of the Cups Committee and president of the Mid Somerset League.

He was the driving force with his late wife Jilly in securing the building of the village hall and dressing rooms at Oakhill recreation field and he did a lot of the building work himself.

Club’s charity cheque

Emily Chanter with President Gordon Fozzard

WESTON Rotary Club has presented a cheque for £500 to ReVitalise, a charity which provides holidays for wheelchair users, after hearing from one of its members Emily Chanter.

She’s pictured with club president Gordon Fozzard.

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Hospice memories wanted

DOROTHY House Hospice Care is looking for stories about patients and their families in the run-up to its 40th anniversary celebrations.

Based at Winsley, the charity has outreach centres in Peasedown St John and Trowbridge and covers an area of more than 700 square miles including Bath and North East Somerset, parts of Wiltshire and Somerset. A spokeswoman said: “Whether at our base in Winsley or out in the community and homes, our aim is to help patients, their families and carers live life together to the full. We have seen weddings, reunions, concerts, tears, laughter and dignified deaths through the care and support we provide.

“Dorothy House Hospice Care has encouraged patients to learn new skills or rediscover old ones. We have hosted gatherings and celebrations for patients, their families and friends and encouraged communication and companionship every step of the way.”

There are a number of easy ways to share your story: 1: Email your story and any photographs, press cuttings or pictures to stories@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk 2: Post your story to Dorothy House 40th Birthday Stories, Dorothy House Hospice Care, Winsley, Bradford on Avon BA15 2LE 3: Visit: www. dorothyhouse.org.uk

CHARITIES

Gala night boosts campaign

Organisers of the gala night after the sho

A GALA screening of Dad’s Army at Wells Film Centre raised £605 for the campaign to make Wells a Dementia Friendly City.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of this disease, for which there is no cure, and provide more services for those living with dementia and their carers.

Staff support charities

Uplifting work

Carol Taylor (left) chair of Mendip Sports and Social Club and Helen Sprawson-White, fundraiser for We Hear You

GIRL guide Isabel Jones, of 4th Frome Guides, has managed to collect more than 1,700 bras in aid of Breast Cancer Research, having originally set herself a target of 500.

The bras are sent off to developing countries by a textile company, which made a donation to the charity.

The charity said: “Thank you Isabel, you are a real credit to girl guiding. We hope your confidence and determination inspires other young women just like you to make a positive difference, not just in their local community, but to the wider world too.”

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MENDIP District Council staff have donated over £1,130 to their charity of the year, We Hear You, formerly known as Positive Action on Cancer.

The Frome-based charity focuses on offering counselling and support to those affected by cancer and their families. The staff held various fundraising events through their Mendip Sports and Social Club.

This year the council staff have voted to support Age UK Somerset.

Details: www.wehearyou.org.uk or www.ageuk.co.uk/Somerset

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Milestone for fundraising couple

Farrier’s success

FORMER Chew Valley School pupil, Rory Everett has recently qualified as a registered farrier DipWcf – Diploma Worshipful Company of Farriers. He completed his foundation course at Hereford before moving on to Warwick and a five-year apprenticeship.

He qualified in November 2015 and celebrated his graduation at a ceremony at The Honourable Artillery in London, where he was presented with his diploma by Guy Hurst, Master – WCF. This qualification enables Rory to practice as a registered farrier – a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming, balancing and shoeing of horses’ hooves.

The Worshipful Company of Farriers is a City Livery Company with its origins dating to 1356 when it was established as a Fellowship.

Details: contact Rory on 07546 506632.

New attraction at Sandford

SANDFORD Station Railway Heritage Centre will have a new attraction from this Easter, a restored Sentinel shunting engine, like

those that worked at Sandford from 1948 – 1963.

A survivor of this iconic fleet has been rescued and restored by the Sandford Station charity trust at the Severn Valley Railway workshop and will soon be on permanent display at Sandford Station.

The engine will feature in a talk by author Robin Thornes at the centre’s agm on April 7th at Winscombe Community Centre, at 7.30pm, as well as the wider story of Mendip’s limestone quarries and railways. All are welcome.

The centre, which is run entirely by volunteers, reopens at Easter and will be open at weekends and bank holidays 11am – 4pm until the end of October.

Details: www.sandfordstation.co.uk • 01934 843868.

NEWS

TERRY and Caroline Wynn, who run the League of Friends charity shop in Paulton, have reached a major milestone – helping to raise a staggering £500,000.

Nikki Woodland, head of integrated inpatient care for Sirona Care and Health, which runs Paulton Memorial Terry and Caroline with Nikki Hospital, (centre) at the tea party congratulated them at a special tea party at the hospital organised by the league.

Nikki said: “It’s fantastic for us that we have such a supportive League of Friends which in turn is hugely supported by the community. This achievement is fantastic and has been possible thanks to those living and working in Paulton also giving their support alongside the devotion of Terry and Caroline to running the charity shop and the army of other volunteers who give their time so freely.”

Last year, the league, with the support of their shop, funded the latest technology to create a special area at Paulton Memorial Hospital transforming a four-bedded bay and two side rooms to make them less clinical and more relaxing.

Terry and Caroline were appointed MBEs for their services to Paulton Memorial Hospital in 2011.

Car tour entries open

THE 22nd Mendip Vintage and Classic Tour organised by the Classic and Historic Motor Club will take place on Sunday, May 8th.

Entries are now open for the fundraising day, which Cars arrive in Wells after last year’s tour is open to 150 pre1995 vehicles. This year’s tour will start at Farrington’s Farm, follow a route of 85 miles across Mendip for a lunch stop at Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, then on to Wells to finish the day with a spectacular display of the cars on the Cathedral Green.

It will raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

For details and entry form, visit: www.candhmotorclub.co.uk or contact Entry Secretary John Blackburn at blackers57@btinternet.com or call: 01934 713769.

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Somerset Wildlife Trust appeals for funds

Tim Youngs

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

The trust's Draycott Sleights reserve

value green spaces and understand and appreciate their value in their lives and for the next generation.

Any gift given to the fund will go directly to wherever the need is greatest on Somerset Wildlife nature reserves.

Adel Avery, volunteer warden Harridge Woods

Details: www.somersetwildlife.org

(Photography courtesy of Brian Phipps)

SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has launched a new fund aimed at safeguarding the county’s most precious wild places and secure critical investment for the longerterm protection of vulnerable iconic species and their fragile habitats “in the face of the increasing impact of climate change”.

The Somerset Nature Reserves Fund will provide vital funds for some of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s most urgent conservation projects distributed across the county, including internationally important wetlands, rich grasslands and some of the county’s most diverse and precious woodlands.

Tim Youngs, director of land management at the trust, said: “Our reserves have an extremely important part to play in providing essential areas of secure habitat where species under threat can not only survive, but thrive. They also act as stepping stones within the wider landscape to ensure that Somerset as a whole remains a county as rich in nature as it was in decades gone by.

“We simply don’t have the funds at present to restore priority habitats as quickly as we need to or on a larger scale which would allow far greater movement of wildlife within and between our sites, which strengthens existing populations and enables new ones to establish themselves.

“We need additional funds to ensure that the successes we have achieved to date are future-proofed, and that we are able to build on them and fund important work in the future.”

The trust hopes to garner support from existing members and conservation enthusiasts and from the wider public who

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WILDLIFE

The rise of the goldfinch

IT’S often too easy but probably more appropriate to talk about species and habitats that are in decline or have become worryingly scarce.

But we forget that amongst the doomladen corridors of nature conservation there are in fact some species doing well

By CHRIS and very much on the rise. One of those SPERRING species is the beautiful goldfinch and I MBE would challenge anyone who knows even a little bit about birds that they have not seen one these finches recently.

The goldfinch measures around 12cm from head to tail, with a wing span of around 25cm and weighs in at around 18 grams, making it one of the smaller members of the finch family in the UK. Both sexes look similar, but it’s often said that the male’s red mask extends further behind the eye than the female’s; however be warned, you would either have to have the bird in the hand or have taken a very close-up picture to tell them apart.

Its most characteristic feature is its red face giving way to the black cap and almost white sides to the rear of its face; its upper parts are light brown whilst the underparts are much lighter. The wings are black and gold and, as they fly away from you, it’s the gold flash from their wing that is very noticeable.

Some UK finches have large thick bills for cracking large seeds, others have delicate small bills; the goldfinch, however, has quite a long, straight bill easily seen to be adapted for seed Goldfinches were once caught in the wild to become cage birds

Teasles and thistles are favourite sources of food

feeding. Its diet consists of small seeds with one of its favourites being the teasel. Many goldfinches can be seen congregating on other species of thistle as well and, of course, many other seed bearing plants.

During the breeding season and whilst raising young in the nest, they will need insects such as aphids. During the winter, goldfinches will form into what can be a flock of around 50 to 100 individuals, sometimes these will be mixed flocks as accompanying them will be other species of finch.

During March, which is pre-breeding, the goldfinch should start singing. The song, which is normally done from a vantage position on top of bush or tree, is full of fast bubbly notes and like other finches it has a unique flight call as well. So, even by the end of February, the winter flocks may start to break up.

The nest is made by the female and she creates a deep cup nest a few metres above the ground which normally are constructed towards the end of the branches of shrub or tree.

Four to six eggs are laid, incubation is around 14 days and carried out again by the female with the male providing food for her. The young take around 18 days until they leave the nest and goldfinches have been known to have three broods per year, although the more typical is two.

Goldfinches have been closely associated with humans for a long time. In early Christianity they are linked to Christ’s crown of thorns and in the 19th century they were caught by the thousands for use as cage birds and very often they would be crossed with canaries to improve their song. Now, of course, it’s illegal to capture wild goldfinches and this bird owes its thanks to one of the first campaigns launched by the organisation we now call the RSPB. According to the British Trust for Ornithology there are an estimated 1.2 million breeding pairs of goldfinch in the summer.

The number has been rising, so this is good news story for many reasons, but probably most important is that this success is more than likely down to kindhearted people who feed them in their gardens and farms and, as I have said many times before, people can really make a difference for nature in a positive way.

Happy goldfinch watching.

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust. Contact him on 07799 413 918 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com. Please visit www.swp.hawkandowl.org for more information

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Something of everything on Burrington walk

HERE for the end of winter/start of spring is a new circle I have devised for Mendip Times from a favourite starting point for walks – the bottom of Burrington Combe in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Surprisingly I have never done the whole of the circle like this before. It is varied and very beautiful, taking in the lower open slopes of Black Down, fields, Blagdon, Rickford and Burrington villages. There are no major hills – the main climb is at the start – but, depending on the weather, it can be quite challenging along the Limestone Link.

Wear good boots and maybe wellies if

the ground is still saturated and a walking pole could be a help. It could be wet crossing the two swallets, East and West Twin Swallets. We pass a pub in Blagdon, another at Rickford and the Burrington Inn at the end. A highlight of the circle is the fine views for much of the way. There are some stiles but these shouldn’t be a problem for dogs.

PARK: At the bottom of Burrington Combe on the B3134 cross Mendip road.

On the left going up, at the side of the Link, and before you get to Self Storage and the Burrington Inn is a car parking area. There is another further up past the Burrington Inn. This is a fine place to start with perhaps a cuppa before you go and lunch or tea on return. But don’t clog up the inn car park while you are walking.

Use one on either side.

START: From the lower car park cross the road and go up Link Lane which climbs steadily for about 7-8 mins to get us out of the valley. Get a few views over Wrington Vale as you climb and then go into trees.

The track becomes rougher. Go through a gate alongside a cattle grid.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

1. BARRIER Opposite a large low black hut used by Bristol Speleological Society, turn left off the track through a barrier and head into the more open bracken and grass area below Black Down. The path takes you over small ups and downs which were runoffs for small streams off the hill when I came. Reach a low marker post and junction of paths and turn left on what is

now the Limestone Link long distance path (but no signing at this point or further along – some attention is needed here). It is a route of 36 miles joining the limestone of the Cotswolds to that of the Mendip Hills. Up on your right now is Black Down. Ahead start to get a good view of the dramatic rocky side of Burrington Combe.

2. WEST TWIN After several minutes start to approach a side valley – West Twin – and the path bends down and takes you across the bubbling brook. This is a classic example of limestone scenery, where the porous rock is crafted over millennia into caves, gorges, sink-holes and vast subterranean systems.

Bear up left on the path on the other side and when you are up continue on in the same direction as before, getting even better views of the side of Burrington Combe. There may well be ponies grazing up here.

3. EAST TWIN Follow the path until you reach another side valley, not so steep, which is West Twin Swallet, and cross this, climb out and continue as before. Continue on with open fields on your left now and good views up to Black Down, where it will be a picture in bluebell time. The bluebells come out later than others here because of the height above sea level and can be magnificent.

4. MARKER POST Eventually reach a tall marker post and sadly what is probably an open muddy

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WALKING

area at the junction of several pathways.

Turn left and go through a gate, following the path down to Middle Ellick Farm and the road at the top of Burrington Combe.

5. ROAD Cross with care and turn right alongside the road, and go through a gate by a cattle grid. Then follow the footpath left down a farm drive.

6. FIELDS Near the end, go right over a stile into a field and follow the left fence along. Go into another field and maintain direction.

Cross the stile on the far side (going over a crossing path) and head on, diagonally across the hill towards a stile near the far right corner. Enjoy the views which unfold now to the north across Wrington Vale, Blagdon Lake, Redhill and to Bristol Airport and left to the Severn Estuary.

Bear down left, beginning to drop off the hill. Go through to another field and carry on down heading to the left of the cluster of buildings which is the headquarters of Yeo Valley. Follow footpath arrows to carry on down through the field. Pass fairly close to the hedge corner right and continue to drop and go through a gate down on the right. Then head straight across towards houses on the edge of Blagdon. Go through a kissing gate and carry on across here all the way to a garden wall to find a stone slab stile near the corner and cross onto a path. This leads to the road in Blagdon with the old chapel on your right.

7. SEYMOUR ARMS Go over the road to the back of the Seymour Arms, a welcoming pub for a break. Take Liberty Lane at the back which cuts across to the main road.

Cross and turn right on the pavement.

Soon pass tennis courts (if you go down the Tarmac path at the side there are picnic tables with good views behind the courts if you want a picnic) and then a community orchard for the village.

8. FOOTPATH Just past a bench, go left on the footpath through a kissing gate and stay close to the left edge (don’t fork up right). Reach a Tarmac path below and go left through a gate to find Tim’s Well which used to be the water source for Blagdon village. Go up the path a few yards only and then right through a gate onto a flat Tarmac path going along with a good view right up to the church and its impressive tower.

OS Explorer Map 153, Cheddar Weston-super-Mare & Bleadon Hill, grid ref: 476 590 • 5.6 miles, about 3.25 hours walking

Go through another gate and continue to a road in the village.

9. BLAGDON Turn right and after about a minute at a slight bend, fork off left and bend left going along a residential road. At the bend at the end, go ahead through a kissing gate. Cross the field along the side of the hill and in the far right corner go through to another field. Carry on following the right hedge and in the corner take the kissing gate and a small path leads to quiet Bourne Lane.

10. BOURNE LANE Turn right passing cottages on Coombe Lodge estate built in the estate style – stone, half-timbering and plasterwork.

Soon you will see the lodge itself up ahead. This large mock Tudor mansion with many gables and mullioned and transomed windows was built in 1932 for Sir Vernon Wills and is now a conference, wedding and party venue. The lane passes behind Coombe Lodge and its gardens.

Carry on for about ten minutes and just before the lane drops even more, go up left to a marked stile.

11. STILE There is a Beware of the Bull sign, but no bull! Go straight across just below a low grassy bank. Go through two more fields and in the second head towards a white cottage on the far side. Cross the stile to the left of it.

12. RICKFORD Go down the lane and bend round into

Rickford. Turn right by the Plume of Feathers set picturesquely by the stream which flows through the hamlet. On the left is the Victorian gauge house where Bristol Water controls the flow from the lake above on its way to Bristol and Barrow Tanks. The lake which was once a mill pond serving a flourishing flour mill and later a paper mill, is fed by the main Rickford Rising not far away.

The clear waters of the stream support water crowsfoot, watercress and yellow monkey musk which grow along its edges. There is a popular annual duck race along here in the summer.

Continue to the ford, go alongside it and up to the main road. Cross with care. Take the right-hand of the two routes ahead – Burrington Lane – which is, in fact, a Tarmac footpath taking you through to Burrington village.

14. BURRINGTON Continue straight on to a junction in the village with the school and church opposite. Turn left. The church is well worth a visit. As you climb up the road, pass the old walled pound on your left. At the junction at the top, turn right on the Link and follow this down to the road at the bottom of Burrington Combe and to where you began.

Burrington Inn, 01761 462227, open daily 10am-11pm Seymour Arms, Blagdon (closed Mon) 01761 462279 Plume of Feathers, Rickford, 01761 462682, open daily lunch and evening

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s Diary

FEBRUARY “fill dyke” certainly seemed to live up to its reputation! I am hoping that March will be a bit drier as we head closer to what was always called “spring”, but this winter seems to have turned everything on its head.

Summertime will begin on Sunday March With LES 27th, which is also Easter Sunday, whilst DAVIES MBE Mother’s Day is Sunday March 6th. Can it be too much to hope that we can return to some sense of normality in the countryside?

I always remember March being the time to start planting.

Spring Barley would be drilled and rolled and the arable fields would have been “worked” down to a suitable tilth to receive it.

My recollections of this month are still the work at home on Hales Farm in Tickenham, when I was a teenager.

At the age of 13 I felt immensely proud of being given the job of rolling the spring barley on Easter weekend. With the cynicism of hindsight, it was probably because everyone else wanted some time off, but that didn't matter to me.

What was even more flattering was that I was entrusted to do it unsupervised with the farm’s Massey-Ferguson 35, which was much more impressive than the old grey Fergy. The roller was a Cambridge or ring roller that acted as a soil press, breaking the remaining surface clods and sealing the ground.

Time had taken its toll on this old set of rolls and there was a certain amount of what I term “agricultural tolerance” between the rings. They clanged, wobbled and squeaked along on the shaft but still did the job and so with dust rising from behind them I worked my way across the field.

Going home for dinner (not lunch) was an important part of the day as well, so slung around my neck on a piece of string, and tucked inside my coat, was an alarm clock set to go off around 12.45. I remember the whole day being dry and dusty and when I finally parked the roller and pulled out the draw bar pin, there was a fine layer of brown dust all over me and the tractor.

Draw bar pins in those days were anything you could lay your hands on that kept the tractor and trailer together. There was a bolt kept in the tool box for just this job. That was until someone (not me I must add) had an incident when the trailer hit a bump in the field, the pin jumped out and the trailer loaded with bales stayed behind, gently rocking on the wooden draw bar.

Lynch pins were introduced shortly after this event to prevent the same incident ever happening again. Life after all is one continual learning process.

I'm really waiting to get stuck into my garden as well.

Potatoes, onions and beans are my staples but I will need to get the ground dug over first. That’s a real thinking job, with a lot of time spent leaning on the spade. You can’t rush this operation; it puts me back in touch with the soil and all those who have worked this ground before me.

I dig up bits of bone that must have been discarded from the remains of a meal long ago; I dig up bits of broken clay pipe and pieces of broken pottery long thrown away. Never anything of great value, but I suppose it's what you “value” that makes it special. For me it’s those little bits from a time gone by, perhaps

This month’s picture is of another very proud young man, my late uncle Dennis. He’s sitting on the grey 'Fergy' when it was new(ish) around 1947. I learnt to drive and reverse a trailer on this same tractor many years later. I wonder where it is now?

a button lost from a coat, bits of a broken child's tea set that would tell its own story.

There are also little bits of 1980s plastic from my own children's childhood that bring back memories, thoughts of “I remember when they had that” or “gosh, that was a long time ago” bring those moments of quiet reflection.

My accompanying robin is often waiting on the fence by the vegetable patch to see what I'm going to turn up for him next when I'm working the ground over. He cocks his head on one side, then looks at me with a “come on then, get going” expression as if I was only there for his benefit. He knows that I am no threat to him, so will come quite close.

The blackbirds will now do the same. If I leave the house and they are working the front garden for food, they take no notice of me at all. Fear is the “unknown” to a great extent and they know I am part of the place where they live. Animals seem to know animal people and I always maintain it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it that matters.

Body language is also very important; try making eye contact with a cat and they will soon look away (but watch out if they don’t). Don’t however try the same with a dog who may consider it to be aggressive and a challenge of “come on if you think you’re hard enough”.

We all need to learn these lessons and apply them to our dealings with other people. After all attitude affects behaviour and behaviour affects attitude, so begins the downward spiral of communication and the upward spiral of confrontation.

March is a time of daffodils, even though they have been seen out for quite a while now. The countryside starts to take on the optimism of spring and the promise of warm sunny day to come. It’s all too easy to slip into the groove of pessimism, when instead we should be lifting our eyes to the future and enjoying every moment we have.

Get out onto the hill and into the countryside whenever you can, it’s the stuff that inspires and comforts. With that in mind I will leave you with a little bit of Wordsworth, whose famous “Daffodils” poem I often quote. This short extract from another of his poems sums it all up for me: And hark! how blithe the Throstle sings, He, too, is no mean preacher; Come forth into the light of things Let nature be your teacher.

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

PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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T i m e t o s o w a n d g ro w AFTER an incredibly mild but wet winter our thoughts can hopefully turn to the season ahead in the garden and March is the ideal time to sow With MARY many flowers and PAYNE MBE vegetables.

Have a browse through the schedule of your local village flower show and decide what classes you would like to enter and what you would like to grow to decorate your garden or eat.

Some folk seem to regard germinating seeds as somewhat mysterious, but if a few basic rules are followed many plants can be raised this way quite cheaply.

Always use clean containers for seed sowing, the chances of disease carrying over on the remains of old compost is not worth the risk.

Simply wash containers in water and washing up liquid and allow to dry.

Secondly, use a compost specially recommended for seed sowing. Some composts, even some multi-purpose composts, have levels of nutrients too high for young germinating seeds.

Antirrhinums and begonias are particularly sensitive to this. A proprietary seed compost has lower nutrient levels.

Once you have filled your seed trays, then stand them in a tray of water and let them suck up what they want until the surface of the compost looks damp. Sow your seeds evenly over the compost. The vast majority of seeds need light to germinate. For this reason, do not cover the seeds with compost, use horticultural vermiculite instead. This material absorbs water thus keeping the seeds moist and it also lets light through.

A few seeds prefer dark conditions and this should be stated on the packet. Wrap the entire seed tray in cling film and this will stop water evaporating and avoid the need to water again until the seeds have germinated. It also keeps out unwanted bugs and diseases. Ensure that you label each pot or tray!

The container can now be put in whatever environment is suitable for that plant. Do not assume that all seeds require heat and put them in the airing cupboard. The seeds of hardy herbaceous perennials such as phlox, asters, heleniums and dicentras should be allowed to have the natural fluctuations PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

of day and night temperatures, so do not put them in a heated propagator.

Half-hardy annuals, such as asters, petunias and cosmos can usefully be given a little warmth. It is vitally important to keep a close eye on your seeds and at the very first signs of germination the cling film must be removed and the seedlings given plenty of light. If growing them on a window sill turn the pots or trays daily.

Once the seed leaves have fully expanded and the seedlings are large enough to handle, then move them on into trays, cell pots or individual pots of a multi-purpose compost. Handle the seedlings carefully by one of their, (usually two), seed leaves. Give the seedlings a couple of days to recover from this operation, laying a piece of fleece or even cling film lightly over the plants will help considerably. This gives them a slight more humid environment to sustain them while they grow new root hairs.

Large seeds, such as sweet peas or morning glory (Ipomoea) can be “prechitted”, and then potted once the tiny root starts to emerge. Take a plastic air tight box, such as the old ice cream boxes or modern clip-it containers. Put a couple of layers of kitchen paper in the base and dampen it. Scatter in the seeds, put the lid on and place in a suitable temperature for that plant.

Keep a close eye on them and as soon as the tiny root shows they can be potted individually. Do not delay potting, or the root may snap as you try to extricate it from the kitchen paper.

The alternative to sowing seed is to buy plug plants from a garden centre or online. These come in various stages of development, and therefore price. If you have no greenhouse and your windowsills

are rather dark, then it is worth going for the larger plug plants that can be potted up and only require a short time to establish before planting out.

On arrival through the post, unpack and stand the plugs up in a tray with a little water to allow them to re-orientate. Then pot into cell pots using a multi-purpose compost.

Seeds sown outdoors have to take their chance, but it is worth protecting them against slug damage on emergence. The slug pellets based on ferric phosphate are approved for organic culture and are safe for pets and children, but even so, treat them with respect and only scatter a small amount along the rows.

A mini-tunnel made out of wire netting can be useful to stop your neighbour’s cat, or even your own cat, from taking advantage of the newly tilled soil. It is worth preparing your seed drill and then watering it before sowing your seeds.

This ensures that the seeds stay in contact with moist soil while germinating.

Always sow seed very thinly, especially carrots, as the need to thin the crop is then reduced. Thinning may damage adjacent seedlings and the smell released can attract the adult carrot fly.

Do not be tempted to sow seeds too early, either outdoors or indoors. Low outdoor temperatures will simply delay germination so later sowings will catch up. Indoors or under glass the low light levels are the real enemy, so later sowings will also catch up and be more sturdy.

I have never lost the fascination for growing plants from seeds that appear to be inanimate bits of dust in a packet and hopefully following these simply guide lines will enable you to have greater success too.

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GARDENING

MARCH GARDEN TIPS

G Cut dogwoods (Cornus alba types) and willows (Salix) that are grown for brightly coloured winter stems down to almost ground level now. This encourages young new shoots that always have the best colour.

G Protect newly emerging Clematis shoots from attack from snails, especially those growing low down. Gypsophylla and Hostas will benefit from a drench of liquid slug killer as this kills many slugs that live in the soil and chew the shoots off as they emerge. To control slugs and snails above ground use Growing Success Advanced Slug Killer pellets (certified for organic use).

G Prune most roses; climbing, rambling and shrub roses are best pruned in summer after the main flush of flower. Cut back to 6-8" from the ground and cut just above a bud; prune out any branches that are crossing to leave an open centre. Remove any root suckers as close to the roots as possible (neatly tearing them off discourages more). Cut out any weak, dead or diseased shoots.

G There is still time to transplant evergreen shrubs before it is too late but remember to disturb the roots as little as possible and keep as much soil attached to them as you can.

Don't be afraid to trim the tops back a little as this will definitely help establishment. Be sure to water thoroughly and regularly throughout this year.

G If you haven't done it already, prune Buddlejas back to about waist height and trim Lavateras (Tree Mallows) back to healthy new shoots.

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

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The 16-92HD Edition is a 92cm twin-blade tractor powered by a Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engine, with a hydrostatic transmission. The 220L box efficiently collects grass clippings and is easily tipped with a telescopic lever.

Comfort features for the new model include a more comfortable high back seat.

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

Tel: 01934 626093/813261 www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 51

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Special spring show

THE Wessex Group of The Daffodil Society was formed almost 30 years ago and holds an annual spring show.

For the last 12 years this has been held at the village hall, Henton, on the outskirts of Wells. This year’s show will be on Sunday April 10th.

It is probably the largest daffodil show in the area and attracts the top amateur growers from a wide area. There are a large range of classes to cater for all varieties of daffodils from the classic large cup to miniatures.

A class was recently introduced for American hybrids, the winner being awarded the American Daffodil Society Ribbon.

This coveted award is one of the few rarely awarded in the UK, an indication of the quality of the show and the exhibits on display.

Local growers are not forgotten. In conjunction with the Henton Gardening Society, there are special classes for residents of Henton and neighbouring societies in Wells and Wookey.

It is quite a spectacular sight and is open to members of the public from 2.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Details: 01275 855675.

Stump Grinding and Tree Services, throughout the South West

See our website at www.groundlevelcontractors.co.uk or e-mail us at info@groundlevelcontractors.co.uk Prefer to talk to us?

Tel: 01934 710135 • Mob: 07941 908832 PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Open your garden

THE National Gardens Scheme (NGS) is always looking for gardens of quality, character and interest with owners willing to open them to the public to raise money for charity.

Would you like to help raise much needed money for charity?

Have you thought that your garden looks beautiful?

Do you think other people might like to visit your garden?

Would you like to meet fellow like-minded gardeners?

If the answer to these questions is 'yes', then why not open your garden for the NGS and help raise money for important caring charities at the same time?

The size of your garden is not critical; some are small town gardens and some are large country gardens. Your garden may be a colourful cottage garden, an immaculate formal garden, a wildlife friendly haven or even a welltended allotment.

Most gardens open individually on chosen dates. Some smaller gardens open in pairs or as a group in a village.

Many gardens also offer ‘by appointment’ visits, giving garden clubs and tour groups an opportunity to visit at a convenient time.

Any potential new garden needs to contact the NGS through the Local County Organiser, who will then assess and hopefully approve the garden for opening during the year prior to the first opening.

In 2016 more than 3,800 NGS gardens across England and Wales will welcome over 750,000 visitors. Last year the NGS gave about £2.6 million to the charities it supports: cancer, nursing, caring and gardening charities, as well as many local charities.

The main beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen's Nursing Institute, Perennial and a guest charity: Parkinsons UK. If you would like to become part of this happy group of Somerset gardeners and are interested in opening your garden for charity get in contact with the Somerset county organiser, Laura Howard 01460 282911 or email laura.howard@ngs.org.uk G In March Ash and Alison Warne open their garden, Waverley at Moorland TA7 0AT by arrangement. Call 01278 691058 or email ashwarne@btinternet.com Other Gardens Open for the NGS To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, soon to be available from local Garden Centres. Or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk

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New garden at Kilver Court

OPENING in March the latest project from the famous English Julian Hight with designer, Roger Saul, is a stunning new garden nursery at his his new book Kilver Court Designer Village in Shepton Mallet.

Roger, who is known for being a serious plantsman as evidenced in his Great Lives interview about his hero Gertrude Jekyll, is opening the new nursery and shop adjacent to the 3.5 acre garden which lies at the heart of Kilver Court.

He said: “I have been itching to offer the kind of garden shopping experience that Monty, my wife and I enjoy – finding a treasure trove of specialist plants and seeds that inspire you to go home and get busy; weird and wonderful ‘one-off’ garden ornaments, plus the best in sensible tools and equipment.

“The garden nursery is a natural link between our

GARDENING

extraordinary garden and designer outlet village. Many of the items sold in the nursery shop will be designer items sold at outlet prices, reflecting the vision I have for Kilver Court and the retailing approach that today’s savvy consumer is seeking. I call it smart shopping with sustainability at its heart.”

In the new garden nursery Roger aims to provide a total experience for garden lovers. There will be an eclectic mix of the very best herbaceous, alpine and subtropical plants for sale which Roger has found by scouring the country and selecting from specialist plant suppliers and growers.

The original garden, which has appeared on BBC Gardeners’ World, is tucked away behind Victorian mill buildings. It is known locally as the Secret Garden of Somerset, and was originally created by industrialist Ernest Jardine in the late 19th century.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 53

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Seed swap grows in popularity

A GLASTONBURY HOLY THORN TREE A UNIQUE EASTER PRESENT

Crataegus Monogyna Biflora – It’s The Real Thing!!!

Available from Malcolm Slocombe Four Seasons 16 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DU Telephone No: 01458 832061 Now available in Patio size

See next month’s edition for Honda’s exciting announcement of their Spring 2016 offer

www.mendipmowers.co.uk

SEEDY Saturday is back at Timsbury’s Conygre Hall on Saturday March 12th, 10am to 2pm. Now in its seventh year, it continues to offer growers at all stages and ages a fun and practical way to share their own seeds; exchange tips and experiences; buy local products; and learn about community activities. The event has a reputation for being lively and full of surprises as it grows year on year, with a wealth of stalls to browse, and a hall that bustles with people keen to swap their locally grown seed varieties for something new and different for the coming growing season.

Sam Ross, Seedy Saturday co-ordinator and author of the website Get Seedy! said: “Seedy Saturday is the must-attend event for seed swappers, amateur gardeners, allotmentholders, horticulturalists, and people passionate about their local environment and communities.

“It encourages people to have fun growing and saving local and heritage seeds, plus they can eat many of the results of their hard work too! Seedy Saturday has grown into a popular event over the past seven years, but at heart it remains a community seed swap for both experienced and aspiring growers who want to share their seeds, and tips on how to grow them.”

Details: entry is £1, children under 16 free www.seedysaturday.org.uk

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

WORKSHOPS/GARAGES GARDEN SHEDS SHELTERS & STABLES PLAYHOUSES Let our dedicated team assist you in your choice whatever your budget . . . Full design, installation and delivery service available – customise your shed to suit your needs

We also do: Chicken Houses Dog Kennels • Bin & Log Stores YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT US AND SEE OUR SHOW MODELS – OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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Prepare for spring

GARDENING

THE saying goes that ‘March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers’. If this is true, then now is the time to protect your current fencing. You may consider replacing with new panels and posts if the existing ones are damaged or weakened in case of strong winds or other storm damage.

Once your fencing is secure it is time to consider the forthcoming ‘May flowers’ and how these can be encouraged to grow to create an attractive springtime display. Trellis can be used to create barriers and partitions within a garden, either to divide the garden into distinct areas or provide extra cover along a fence or wall.

Using trellis to grow flowers and other plants will not only protect them from the wind and animals but can also encourage upward growth.

Somerlap stocks a wide range of fencing products and trellis to suit most garden types. It also stocks a range of garden planters, ideal for smaller gardens to grow herbs, or to create a separate display on a patio area. Somerlap is holding a free prize draw to win a Mothers’ Day planter, full details of which are available on their website.

Somerlap supply quality garden products to people and businesses in Somerset and beyond and celebrate their 35th anniversary this year.

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

Opening 8.00am – 5.00pm Mon – Fri. 8.00am – 12.00pm Sat

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 55

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“We wish he could have seen it”

HISTORY

By Mark Adler

THE package, when it finally came in the post, arrived without ceremony but it signalled the long-overdue end of a campaign by a family from Wells for a Second World War seaman’s bravery to be recognised.

Stanley “Tubby” Guise, a Royal Navy armourer, was a veteran of 14 incredibly dangerous Arctic Convoys as part of Operation Dervish. Not only were the ships at the mercy of German attack but sailed in the very worst of winter weather where snow and ice were as much a threat as bombs and torpedoes.

Stanley had joined the navy at 17 in 1942 and served on carriers for the next eight years until his demob in 1950.

During Operation Dervish, he served on the escort carriers HMS Vindex and HMS Campania. He wrote about his experiences afterwards in a document he called “Clyde to Murmansk”. After the war he served as an armourer on HMS Ocean from 1947 to 1949 and was also on HMS Glory.

The heroics of the crews went unrecognised by successive governments until a campaign was launched for them to be awarded Arctic Star medals. Stanley looked Zoe and Adrian with Stanley’s Arctic Medal and some of the naval memorabilia he collected over the years

Recognition at last for Stanley Guise PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

on and read how friends and colleagues had received their medals, but despite his own efforts he heard nothing.

Sadly Stanley, a former chorister at Wells Cathedral, died in August 2012 aged 87, but son Adrian, daughter-in-law Zoe and their family continued to lobby the Ministry of Defence for him to be posthumously awarded the medal.

Ironically, the Russian government had been quicker off the mark, honouring the veterans with similar medals. The Russian Embassy even took over County Hall in Trowbridge to host a ceremony for veterans from the West Country.

Finally, after protracted correspondence with the MOD, Stanley’s family were eventually successful with the MoD confirming the award of the medal.

Stanley was a member of the HMS Ocean and Adrian and Zoe travelled to Stafford for the group’s annual meeting where they were presented with the medal by vice president Captain Bob Turner, the first commanding officer of Ocean L12.

Adrian said: “Dad would have looked upon the award as recognition not only for him, but also for all the comrades he served with during those perilous years.”

He added: “I was over the moon; I wish he could have seen it. I took it with me when I visited his grave and told him about it.”

The couple said they were grateful for advice and support they received from former Yeovil MP David Laws, who had taken up the campaign for his war veteran constituents. Zoe said: “I would say to anyone else in this situation that they have to persevere and eventually you’ll make the right connections and go through the proper channels.”

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Classic cars on show

MOTORING

For servicing, repairs and sales of all makes of caravans and motorhomes

THE Lions Brimar classic vehicle event will take place on Sunday April 24th, leaving Cadbury Garden Centre, Congresbury at 10am, arriving at Salthouse Fields in Clevedon at 12noon, after a 25-mile drive through North Somerset.

More than 100 vehicles are expected for the event, now in its ninth year, which was previously organised by Brian and Mary Curtis from Street. The vehicles will be on display at both locations where a collection will be taken for the Children’s Hospice South West and Great Western Air Ambulance.

It will be opened by Alex Lovell from Points West. Entrants must book in advance.

Details: clevedonlions@gmail.com

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES MG ROVER & LAND ROVER SPECIALIST

Bailey approved body shop and workshop

G Caravan Servicing G Annual Habitation Checks G Alu-Tech Bailey Approved Repairers G Warranty Maintained G Damp Repairs G Accident Repairs G Insurance Repairs G Accessory Fitting

Our shop stocks a full range of accessories and equipment

Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs ALL MAKES SERVICING – VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, AIR CONDITIONING, MECHANICAL & BODY REPAIRS Collection/Loan Car by arrangement

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ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE QUALITY USED CARS BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY SERVICE Your peace of mind is our priority

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Open Monday - Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday 9am–1pm

Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 57

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Looking at the local commercial property market SOMERSET’S economy is very dependent upon the success of small and medium sized enterprises and all the local authorities seem to be firmly focussed on supporting new start-up businesses and existing businesses to grow.

In spite of increasing concerns regarding the state of the world economy, there is increased confidence that local businesses can be established and expanded and the people of Somerset can be commended on being entrepreneurial, confident and determined.

Any new business needs to be carefully planned and there are a raft of organisations, such as the local councils and chambers of commerce, able and willing to assist. Those looking to take on new premises are well advised to take professional advice prior to entering into any agreement.

Over the past 12 months, there has been a significant improvement in demand for smaller industrial units of between 500 and 1,000 square feet in size and small retail units in the local market towns in particular.

There are those keen to buy as well as to rent but many are frustrated at the lack of availability of suitable premises. Whilst not as buoyant as other parts of the country, a steady firming in rents and freehold values is being experienced.

Since 2010, demand for small-scale premises has grown steadily and, with demand now exceeding supply across the

country, there is a need for the greater provision of suitable industrial and retail space in particular and hopefully more investors and speculators will enter the market.

Jake Smith of Killens stated: “Since the New Year, we have seen an increase of new enquiries from those seeking to rent shops, industrial units or offices and there is definitely a shortage of supply. At Killens, we are able to offer a professional service in selling and letting commercial premises that clients can trust.”

If you are looking to let or sell your commercial property, contact Jake Smith and the commercial department of Killens on 01749 671172 or jake@killens.org.uk.

PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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New recruit

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KATHERINE Lane has recently joined the David James team at Wrington as a graduate rural surveyor, after graduating with an MSc in Rural Estate Management from the Royal Agricultural University.

She previously studied geography with Exeter University at their Falmouth campus, graduating with a 2:1 BA (Hons).

Katherine is very familiar with the local area, having attended Kingswood School, Bath while growing up on a Chew Valley dairy farm. She says she is looking forward to meeting new clients in her training to become a chartered rural surveyor.

Katherine will be assisting John Williams with the March auction for which they are now taking entries.

Page 59

Spring is in the air!

DAVID James’ spring auction on March 22nd is attracting some interesting lots of property and land, including woodland, land and a pond at Chelwood, land in Chew Magna and Cameley and various lots of land and buildings in North Somerset.

Partners are seeing keen interest in a cottage at Langford – the property is called ‘Adullam’ the Hebrew for refuge – which quite accurately describes this small modern cottage tucked away down a track between Langford and Iwood.

Adullam is a detached two-bedroom cottage approached from a private track with an outbuilding to one side and approximately three-quarters of an acre of ground behind the cottage. The guide price is £175,000.

Another property being auctioned on March 22nd is Railway Farm at Cheddar – a large detached stone farmhouse close to the centre of the village. It’s available as a whole or in two lots – the farmhouse guided at £350,000 for 2,500 sq ft of accommodation and £75,000 for the detached stone barn.

PROPERTY

Partner, Richard Nancekivell also reports that Court Farm on the Clevedon Court Estate which has been held by the Dodds family under the Agricultural Holdings Tenancy Act since 1959 is being offered for re-let with effect from March 25th by tender.

Mr Dodds took the tenancy 50 years ago with 40 cattle and ten calves which could often be seen walking the roads to grazing on the edge of Clevedon! In 1988 his son Peter succeeded the tenancy and is now closing the gate on the Dodds’ 57 year history at Court Farm.

KINGSTON SEYMOUR, NORTH SOMERSET

CHEDDAR – AUCTION – 22ND MARCH 2016

WEST MENDIPS, NR WINSCOMBE

LANGFORD – AUCTION – 22ND MARCH 2016

A handsome Grade 11 listed Georgian house located in the centre of the village and offering well proportioned family accommodation.

Modernised, but with plenty of character features: flagged floors, fireplaces, stripped pine doors, shutters and sash windows. Three/four reception rooms, 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Double garage and parking, large level predominantly walled gardens. Epc: Exempt. Ref: 25006.

PRICE GUIDE £685,000 A large detached family house with additional detached guest house on the western end of the Mendip Hills (AONB. )Main House: Six Bedrooms, three reception rooms, Kitchen with Aga. Guest House: Kitchen, bedroom, sitting room, shower room.

Outbuildings: Stables, hay store and heated swimming pool. In all 3 acres. Epc: F Ref: 24999 PRICE GUIDE £875,000

A detached four bedroom farmhouse with approximately 2600 sq ft of accom. Parking, garage and garden, with detached barn with separate entrance comprising 767 sq ft. To be sold as a whole or in 2 lots.

EPC: E ref: 25003.

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Located down a long track some 320 meters from the main road. Two bedroom accommodation, kitchen, porch, cloakroom and bathroom. EPC. Ref: 24749/1 PRICE GUIDE £175,000

Wrington Tel: 01934 864300 MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 59

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Golden age of steam

By Mark Adler

THESE images of some of the final days of the Somerset and Dorset Railway have never before been published.

They were taken by Bristol schoolmaster Peter Brown, a railway enthusiast who passed on his love of steam to his son Nigel, a reader of Mendip Times.

Nigel, 56, a professional gardener, helped at the Avon Valley Railway in the 1970s, was a volunteer driver for many years on the Dean Valley Railway in the Forest of Dean – as well as taking on many other roles – and is currently a volunteer with the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust at Midsomer Norton.

Here, Nigel shares some of his memories of the golden age of steam.

73049 prepares to leave Bath’s Green Park Station for Bournemouth West on May 24th, 1963: “You can just see me in the bottom right hand corner of the photo.”

43107 pilots 80138 at Green Park Station on the 3pm from Templecombe. This was the penultimate timetabled train to run north over the S&D on March 5th, 1966: “Grown men were crying.

You can see that health and safety was very different in those days.

We could get very close to the trains.”

Special train hauled by 34006 Bude and 34057 Biggin Hill arrives at Bath on the last weekend on March 5th, 1966: “For years, I couldn’t visit Green Park Station because it brought back too many sad memories. Too many ghosts.”

Steam celebration at Midsomer Norton A JINTY class locomotive – number 47406 – will be the first mainline steam engine to run on the old Somerset and Dorset line at Midsomer Norton with paying passengers for 50 years at the end of February and in early March.

Trains will be running to mark the 50th anniversary of the official closure of the

S&D on Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th and again on Saturday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th.

Jinty locos were a familiar sight on Mendip, working at local collieries and at Masbury where they supported freight trains. Jinty 47406 was based in the north

Andy Chapman (left) and Nigel Dickinson at work on the Sentinel.

It’s been undergoing restoration since 2010.

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

of England and was sent to a scrapyard in South Wales at the end of its working life before it was rescued and restored by enthusiast Roger Hibbert.

Event Organiser John Baxter said:“We are very pleased that we were able to get Roger Hibbert’s restored Jinty engine which has been especially hired from the

Jinty 47406 will be in steam at Midsomer Norton

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HISTORY

A train arrives from Bath at Midsomer Norton. The photo is undated: “These engines were only used on the S&D between 1963 and 1966.”

Engines waiting to be taken away for scrap on March 19th 1966, a few weeks after closure: “I was always trying to get a ride on a footplate when the trains were running and some drivers were very good about it; not sure it was strictly allowed.”

44422 at Midford on the 3.20pm to Templecombe. Taken April 18th, 1964: “Midford was probably my most favourite part of the S&D, because it was so scenic. Dad and me would spend hours there with mum sitting in the car, probably completely bored.”

S&D 53808 has been brought from Barry scrapyard and is displayed at Bristol’s Bath Road depot open day before going to Radstock for preservation – the loco is now working on the West Somerset Railway: “These engines were unique to the S&D and built in 1925 to a design of 1914.”

Getting the station ready for the celebrations: volunteers Dave Rogers and Keith Greenwood at work. The fence supports have been made from track salvaged from Radstock

Midsomer Norton station siginal box has been restored to working order

Great Central Railway for the 50-year anniversary of the closure of the line.”

Brenden Hill, chairman of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, said: “Getting the Jinty steam engine here is only a small part of the story. We owe a lot to all the volunteers who have organised the steam weekends as well as everyone who works here regularly, laying lines, renovating buildings and fences and

working in the gardens. And we would be happy to welcome even more volunteers on our working Sundays and Mondays.”

Getting the tracks down and passed as competent to operate trains is only part of the story at Midsomer Norton South Station. Renovating the signal box and getting it into full working order has been the icing on the cake to enable trains to run as they did in the 1960s.

Organisers of the weekends hope that the resident Sentinel engine, undergoing long-term restoration, will also be in steam. *The station will be open from 10am5pm each day, with trains running from 10.30am at £5 per head per return ride. The restored signal box will be officially opened by the Chairman of B&NES Council Ian Gilchrist on Saturday, March 5th.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 61

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Healthy mind, healthy body

WHY is the physical health of those with mental illness so poor? A study published in October found that those with mental ill health have almost five times more emergency hospital admissions compared to those without. And yet the vast majority of these emergency admissions were for physical health problems.

By Dr PHIL Despite the government’s promise of “parity of HAMMOND esteem” for mental and physical illnesses, those with mental illness have much higher rates of physical illness and struggle to get adequate help for both their mental and physical health problems.

Hence, far too many mentally ill patients end up in emergency departments and prison cells. And there are clear links between austerity and the increased number of male suicides since 2008.

Mental health care provision is really struggling at present. Some 40 percent of mental health trusts have had their income cut despite rising demand. Last year there was a 23% increase in patients being hospitalised far from home, bed occupancy rates routinely exceeded recommended safe levels and only 14 percent of patients say they received “appropriate care in a crisis”.

Without sufficient funding, the outlook for mental health services and the people who rely on them looks bleak. And the challenge of improving the physical health of those with mental illness needs urgent attention. The main cause of early death in those with mental ill health has for many years been untreated or poorly treated physical illnesses.

Deaths from causes related to mental ill health, such as suicide, account for under one third of the total.

People with serious mental ill health die on average 10 to 17 years earlier. For people with psychoses, the under-75 death rate is more than three times higher than in the general population. And yet the commonest causes of premature death are heart, lung, liver and kidney diseases, obesity, stroke and diabetes.

Forty-six per cent of people with a mental illness also have a chronic physical illness, compared to 30% in the general population, and all of the main chronic physical conditions occur at higher rates for those with severe mental illnesses.

The reasons for this are complex – it’s hard enough overcoming the stigma of mental illness and seeking help and to have disabling physical illnesses too makes it even harder. Most GPs still have tenminute appointment slots that make it impossible to properly assess those with such complex problems.

Accessing any treatment when you’re feeling confused, anxious and unwell isn’t easy – travel, parking, finding your way around poorly signposted NHS buildings. Anti-psychotic medications can have side effects that make drowsiness, mobility and confusion worse. The answer may well be to offer outreach or home services to patients who need them most – education, lifestyle coaching, monitoring – but these are expensive.

And yet the alternative – waiting for avoidable illnesses to become emergency hospital admissions – is even more so.

The division of illness into mental and physical is in itself divisive.

All illnesses have mental and physical causes and consequences, and both need treating together. The distress caused by untreated illness that can lead to people finding a way to “anaesthetise” their distress, which makes it worse in the long-run. Self-care begins with self-compassion.

Don’t be embarrassed to love yourself.

Dr Phil is at the Thornbury and Frome festivals and the Edinburgh Fringe www.drphilhammond.com

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Crunchy-nut crazy

CAN your family get through a week-day morning without descending into chaos? I have learnt, by trial and error, that mornings will generally run smoothly if I wake early and am as organised as possible the night before. However, families are complicated…

The other week youngest child’s bag was packed and by the door the night before I woke at 6am. I had an early morning meeting and departure time was 7.15am.

I was designated driver; responsible for ensuring middle child, two other village children and a neighbour reached their city destinations.

I had also instructed eldest child on the various tasks that needed completion to ensure the ten-year old arrived at school on time.

Middle child was taking part in a school concert that evening. As I sped along the 2+ lane into town, feeling smug with my car-load of passengers, we discussed what she would wear to the concert. She explained that she had borrowed her sister’s shoes.

“Does she know?” I had to check because the borrowing of clothes, shoes, make-up and hair styling products and equipment are regular sources of sibling dispute.

“Yes, she said I could borrow them as long as I French-plaited her hair and let her borrow my trainers twice.”

My neighbour and I exchanged glances between our front seats. From an adult’s perspective this was not a fair trade in favours but clearly eldest sibling’s rights had triumphed.

The next time I glanced in my rear-view mirror middle child had her mobile phone at her ear. The other two teenage passengers were using their phones in the normal manner; as in-car entertainment devices.

Middle child was telling eldest child to calm down.

Of course it was my fault entirely. I shouldn’t have left her in charge, left early, brought sugary cereal for a treat. In fact I have prided myself over the years, in not buying the sugar-laden varieties that line the supermarket aisles.

Chocky, rocky, tang-tastic flavours and wildly, coloured cereals are not allowed in my house.

However, on this occasion, I had decided that some crunchy, nutty flakes might serve as a rare indulgence (probably because I was feeling guilty about the early meetings).

It transpired that youngest child had decided to fill his boots. Eldest child, acting in loco parentis, had proceeded to empty his bowl back into the packet and served a regular portion instead. So began a wrestling match with the cereal, which ended with a fair amount of flakes spattering the floor.

The situation was eventually resolved, with some conflict resolution, delivered via the phone’s loudspeaker. The scenario was so entertaining that all three teenagers on the back-seat left off looking at their mobile devices for five minutes.

If a family’s ability to function is measured by their ability to leave the house capably and calmly then mine is clearly dysfunctional.

MENDIP MUM

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Charity relaunches – with a little help LOCAL charity Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorder Association (SWEDA) is moving into a new home in Shepton Mallet, with a little help from the team at Community Payback.

Community Payback, which involves offenders in community service, has helped the charity refurbish their new offices at Harvest Court in Park Road, Shepton Mallet.

Paula Blight, chief executive of SWEDA said: “We have been successfully supporting people with eating disorders from across Somerset and Wessex for more than 20 years. For many, our services have been a real lifeline.

“We support individuals to take control of their own recovery through our counselling services, support group and outreach programme. We’re delighted to be able to relaunch our project in

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Shepton Mallet following our successful bid to the Big Lottery.

"We were so pleased when the Community Payback Team agreed to help us out too. There was a lot of work involved, but our new premises really do look fantastic now, thanks to them.”

SWEDA are holding an Open Day on Thursday February 25th.

If you have a project in the South Somerset and Mendip areas that requires practical support please contact Joy Ellery, Community Payback team manager on 03000 492627.

Details: 01749 343344 or email support@swedauk.org

Archers of Sandford

ST. MONICA Trust’s Sandford Station hit the target with an archery session for residents, led by archery coach, Paul Maines, chairman of Gordano Valley Archers.

He said: “For most of the people that came along, it was the first time they’ve ever tried archery and they all showed a remarkable willingness to have a go.

“We had one lady, who I discovered later was 90 years of age, hit the target three times in a row and told me that she’s definitely coming back next week.”

The sessions, now being held weekly, are organised by retired construction engineer, Colin Hopwood, aged 87, who has been a resident at the Sandford Station retirement

community for four years.

He said: “People think that most activities for older people involve sitting down, but I’m not like that. Being a construction engineer, I’m used to doing things. I thought we could do something that gets people up off their backsides.”

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East Harptree Pancake Day

EVENTS

Winscombe Pancake Day

Members of St James' Church social committee

Amelie and Jacob lining up for their race

The races were called off because of the weather – but the tea afterwards wasn't

Start of the women's race

Ready for the off

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 65

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Dementia care award

THE Heads Up organisation in Wells has been awarded a grant towards its work with carers of people with dementia.

Somerset County Council has given them £2,390 as part of a total of £20,000 in one-off grants to organisations and community groups to help the county meet obligations Heads Up at West Horrington is part of under the Care Act. a campaign to make Wells a dementiaHeads Up will friendly city use the grant towards its information and advice service, one-to-one support, opportunities for alternative therapies and carer days to provide respite. Bridget Harvey, Service Manager of Heads Up, said: “Caring is a 24 hour a day job and I have spoken to a number of carers who really appreciate the respite services that Heads Up offer. The grant from Somerset County Council will enable us to set up services specifically to help carers access local support.”

Other organisations to receive funds so far include Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.

G The fund is due to end at the end of March 2016. More information on the fund and how to apply can be found on the county council website: http://www.somerset.gov.uk/getinvolved/community/community-funding-sources/

Lions cheque for bereavement service

Lions club members with maternity services staff

RADSTOCK and Midsomer Norton Lions have donated £500 to a fundraising campaign by the Bereavement Team within maternity services at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Staff at the unit want to improve the service they offer, including the refurbishment of the “Forget Me Not” suite. They have already raised more than £1,000.

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Bus service clocks up 150,000th passenger

Jennie Cook, of Westfield, is welcomed on board with a bouquet of flowers by Paul Myers, the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, on behalf of the Dial A Ride team

MIDSOMER Norton and Radstock Dial a Ride is celebrating a remarkable milestone since it started in 2004.

The charity bus service has completed its 150,000th passenger journey and membership is increasing so much that it needs more volunteer drivers and new trustees. Dial a Ride started with just one coach; it now has three coaches and one MPV operating from Monday to Friday, covering much of the Bath and North East Somerset area, excluding Bath and Keynsham.

For more information, contact charity chairman Phyllis Gay on 01761 433669 or trustees Will and Pattie Nicol on 01761 413982.

Disaster relief team visit

Peter Davey (third left) and district governor Bob Acland, from the Rotary Club of Mendip (far right), with fellow Rotarians including Peter’s wife, Sandra

THE president of Rotary International in Britain and Ireland paid a special visit to a unique disaster response project, based in Westfield.

Peter Davey met members of the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge which set up the Water-Survival Box project in 2004 in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. The project is now run by Worldwaterworks Limited, managed by eight senior members of the club who are also trustees of the registered charity.

During the past nine years, 11,500 boxes have been packed at a warehouse at Westfield Business Centre and sent in response to 47 disasters in 27 different countries across the world, helping to protect some 110,000 people from water-borne disease.

Each box contains a water purification pack to provide clean drinking water and a range of essential survival items. These include utensils for feeding and drinking, health and hygiene items, basic shelter, simple tools and various household items.

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COMMUNITY

Have lunch on us!

By Mark Adler

MEMBERS of Stoke St Michael Youth Club hosted their second annual lunch for villagers aged over 65.

The club revived the tradition last year and welcomed almost 50 people for a three-course meal of vegetable soup, roast beef and apple crumble.

Helped by youth club leaders and volunteers from Stoke St Michael, the youngsters met guests arriving at the Memorial Hall with a glass of sherry before serving the meal and joining in the conversations.

Beforehand, the youngsters wrote to local companies for support for the lunch which was part of the club’s aim to encourage different generations of villagers to get to know each other.

Youth club leader Stuart Rouse said: “The lunch was a tradition in the

Youth club members get ready to welcome their guests

village for many years and the youth club thought we should revive it.

“As well as being enjoyable for the young people, it has an inter-

generational benefit, It means that older villagers will get to know the younger people and talk to them if they meet them out and about.”

Sharing a joke over a glass of sherry

Local companies and organisations supported the lunch

Villagers settle down for lunch

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 67

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• SERVICING • PERIODIC INSPECTIONS • MAINTENANCE (including Oil Fired Boilers) • REPAIRS AND UPGRADES TO ALL TYPES OF SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS • SERVICING AND INSTALLATION OF UNVENTED MAINS PRESSURE HOT WATER SYSTEMS

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Page 68

HOMES & INTERIORS

Get your system checked

THOUSANDS of homeowners continue to reap the benefits from the many solar thermal hot water systems installed in recent years. The technology has improved greatly since the pioneering days of the early 70s and the UK solar industry has reached maturity, generally offering high quality, well specified and reliable installations to the market.

Stuart Danning, director of Solarscotia Southern Limited says: “As with any system that incorporates moving or serviceable parts, solar heating systems require routine inspection and maintenance. As spring arrives, there's no better time to ensure your solar systems are in full working order.

“Even though oil and gas prices have plummeted, unlike heat from the sun, they'll never be free!”

In addition to solar hot water systems, Solarscotia Southern also install, repair and service oil-fired boilers and unvented hot water stores throughout the South West.

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JACKSONS

Jacksons Fencing – news, topical treats and more . . .

EARLY spring is the perfect time to start planning a garden makeover. It’s exciting thinking about what changes you can make to your outside space. Something to keep in mind is making sure you move fast, so you can complete your project in plenty of time to fully enjoy the summer.

One of the things that can make a huge difference to the time you spend in the garden is to create a structure or shelter.

This not only adds an interesting visual element, but obviously has a use as a handy outdoor room.

TV programmes like George Clarke’s ‘Amazing Spaces’ and ‘Shed of the Year’ have broadened our minds to the potential of existing structures like chalets, caravans, sheds and even shepherd huts, that can be ‘up-cycled’ to make a quirky haven in the garden, where we can relax, entertain friends and family, or spend time on our own hobbies and pastimes.

However, not everyone has the time,

How to create a stylish hideaway in your garden

money or imagination to conceive of renovating a shed that’s already in situ, or making something from scratch. Perhaps this is where the smart choice is investing in a ready-made structure like the Retreat or the fantastic new Curve from Jacksons Fencing.

The Curve is a sleek and simple structure – one continuous curve arching gracefully from the ground. There’s no need for posts, with this seemingly gravity-defying contemporary garden shelter. It’s fastened securely to the ground with three strong steel blades that are dug in on each side.

The generous interior space is big enough to set up a dining area, leaving ample room for a chill out zone. This is enhanced by the unusual effects produced by sunlight shining through the horizontal slats, which creates a calming setting for relaxing in.

The clear polycarbonate sheets covering the panels, lend the Curve a shower-proof

quality, and this also adds some protection from the wind.

If you are looking for something a little smaller the Retreat is available in two styles; one with the original Venetian-style infill panels, the same as Jacksons very popular panels of the same name and the other version has the new woven infill panels, which gives it a very different look (shown below).

As with all their products, Jacksons garden shelters are hand made in Kent from Jakcured timber guaranteed for 25 years, so you can enjoy them for many years to come. Find out more by going to your dedicated page: www.jacksonsfencing.co.uk/bathlocal where there are links to these and many other products and features. louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

WIN £300 OF JACKSONS VOUCHERS

To enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win £300 of Jacksons vouchers simply log on to your dedicated page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 30.4.16.

To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal

For info on any of Jacksons products or brochures please call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2106 • PAGE 69

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Tincknells adds to its fleet

THE distinctive coloured tankers of Tincknells, often seen driving through the countryside, have three new additions to the fleet, which will run out of Wells and Gillingham fuel depots.

All are specifically designed for the safety of the driver and improved driving efficiency as they are fitted with Euro 6 Engines, drastically reducing pollutants which means a cleaner environment for us all.

Two of the new vehicles are Volvo narrow track fuel tankers and have an overall width of 2.3 metres making delivery down narrow lanes and with limited access much easier.

Ashley Whitelock, from the Wells Depot, who has been driving for Tincknells for 22 years, will be in charge of one of the narrow tracks and said: “Having the narrow track means that I can move into very narrow lanes and driveways much easier.

HOMES & INTERIORS

“There are also reversing sensors front and back, helping enormously when delivering fuel in tight spots in and around the Mendip area.”

His colleague in Wells, Andy Davies, who has been with Tincknells for 20 years, will be driving the new six-wheeler which can carry 18,000 litres of fuel for bulk deliveries. He said: “All round cameras are fitted which give full vision covering blind spots, all very important to improve public and driver safety out on the road.”

Operations Manager, Mike Brown added: “Tincknells have invested in new modern tankers to keep in line with environmental policies and public safety whilst helping to maintain our high service level to our customers.”

Coming soon it will take delivery of a fourth truck, a narrow track, which will be on show at the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers Expo in Liverpool in April.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 71

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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SPRINGTIME! Whilst the hunters are being turned out for a well-earned snooze in the sun (hopefully), the rest of the equine community are buffing up their horses’ hooves for a season packed with hacking, rides, shows and competitions – what Jorrocks would call “Jaunts and With RACHEL Jollities*”.

THOMPSON Since spring is all about growth and MBE development, I thought it would be fun to interview a young competitor. Enter Little Lily Dadswell aged (just) six, who lives in Priddy! Chatting took place on the move with mum, Ruth, in tow. I admired last season’s wall of fame (rosettes, sashes and medals), then a sideboard of cups, trophies and photos and finally Lily’s bedroom, packed to the rafters with pony books, games, pictures and a fabulous under the bunk play area of stables, horses and jumps. It could have entertained me for hours.

What did she ask Santa for at Christmas? “Warm riding gloves and socks, whip, chaps.” Pocket money is spent on tail bandages and treats for her pony. This is serious, then.

Asking Lily to “woah” for a nano second to tell me about her ponies was tricky. Lexi, an 11.1” Welsh Section A was

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G Combe & Plait their manes and tails G Ride a pony G Feed your pony a birthday carrot Party Details Cuddly Clip Clop Pony Parties cost £20 per child, min four children & maximum 10 children – please call us if your requirements differ – we can be flexible. We have a room for you to hire to bring your own food for £15.

T`s & C`s Apply.

Contact: Tel; 07891 555151 or 01278 723415 hillfarmequestrian@hotmail.co.uk www.hillfarmequestriancentre.co.uk Hill Farm Equestrian, Hill Farm, Burtle, Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 8NB www.hillfarmequestriancentre.co.uk or email: hillfarmequestrian@hotmail.co.uk

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Lily and Rocky on their way to winning the mountain and moorland lead rein class at the Mid Somerset Show.

(Photo courtesy of Jayphotos.co.uk)

Thumbs on top!

acquired as a yearling filly from Priddy Fair with the help of close friend Ashley when Lily was a mere yearling herself.

Child and filly grew up together so that backing, toddling and riding became synonymous, with mum and Ashley ensuring that Lily and Lexi went correctly from the start.

However, controlling two four-year-olds (Lily and Lexi) was a little challenging so halfway through Lily’s first show season Ruth acquired 14-year-old Rocky (Craydon Rockstar 11.2” Welsh Section A).

With a little help from mum, Lily feeds Rocky wet hay and feed daily and rides every day except Mondays – that’s gym and Rainbows. “What do you love about having a pony Lily,” I asked. “I love my pony, I love hacking, I love hunting, I love winning!”

Rocky and Lily hack out behind mum off the lead rein now. The other day the bin men roared with laughter when she had to help mum and Max past the waste lorry. What else? “Hunting on the lead rein with mum on foot was great, mum needs to run faster!”

Worst experience Lily? “Falling off at Pony Club and hurting my bottom,” she sighed. Lily joined the pony club in November and already has five badges. Best experience?

Being the 2015 Moor Dairy Show Champion. Lily showed me the equine apps on her Kindle.

When she’s not riding Rocky there’s virtual horse care, riding and jumping to contend with. Ambition? Lily’s determination to succeed springs from within, she isn’t pushed, says Ruth. So – showing in Mountain and Moorland working hunter pony classes – she needs to learn to jump – that will be the next bug then mum! Ruth thinks a wellrounded sporting approach might involve trying Tetrathlon – riding, swimming, running and shooting. “Shooting?” Lily wrinkles her nose. “Not animals,” Ruth reassures her, “just targets, darling”.

Lily’s hot tip(s) for other riders: “Thumbs on top (of the reins), heels down, sit up straight, make sure you’ve got the right stuff (equipment), take proper care of your pony!”

Out of the mouth of babes then… that’s surely good advice for us all. *John Jorrocks, a Cockney grocer and hunting fan and one of the great comic characters of English literature, created by the novelist Robert Surtees.

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New tack shop opens

LIN Rafferty and her daughter Kerry are proud to open their new Head 2 Hoof equestrian shop in Burrington Combe on March 5th.

They are a friendly, family-owned equestrian business, established in 2010, and are moving from Old Mills at Paulton.

Being horse owners themselves, they use their own products every day, whether it's wearing the latest clothing or using the newest products on their horses and take pleasure in sourcing the very best quality equestrian products at the best prices from the top suppliers in the industry.

They stock equestrian equipment, clothing, footwear, safety equipment and accessories to suit every budget from the professional rider to the happy hacker, everything from hat fitting and body protector fitting services to horse rugs and head collars.

They also have dog supplies, with BETA approved top brands, and offer services like rug washing, embroidery and repairs.

They have a loyalty scheme and gift vouchers, free parking, and promise competitive prices.

New at Mane Event Saddlery

RIDING

MANE Event Saddlery, next to Jon Thorner’s at Pylle, near Shepton Mallet, has some exciting Mother’s Day offers in store.

Debbie and Chris are offering 20% off Falabella jewellery and 10% off their extensive range of gifts. Mendip Times readers can claim a free bag of horse or dog treats by presenting the Mane Event Saddlery advertisement when they spend £30 or more.

The store also has a new and exciting range of small animal toys and accessories and stocks a wide range of dog feeds to suit all breeds. For horse owners, lots of supplements, lotions and potions are available to keep their animals happy this summer and there is a reminder to treat horses and ponies by the end of March at the latest for Sweet Itch, a horrible condition.

G Does your riding hat meet the new regulations?

Mane Event will be happy to advise and assist when purchasing a new hat, all its staff are fully trained in hat and body protector fitting.

Telephone: 01749 830706

e Combe, Burrington BS40 7AT (B3134) next to the Burrington inn Pub in the beautiful Mendip Hills.

nEW TACk SHOP OPEninG SATuRdAy 5TH MARCH 2016 Join us for a glass of bubbly and nibbles from 9:30am Free prize draw on the day Everything for Horse & Rider Open Tues - Sat 9.30 - 5.30 (closed Sundays & Mondays)

01761 462777 www.head2hoofequestrian.co.uk enquiries@head2hoofequestrian.co.uk

A one-stop shop for all your horse and pet needs

Bring this ad to receive a free bag of horse or dog treats when you spend £30 or more in store

NOW STOCKING:

# A wide range of cat and dog food, including Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Autarki and Dr John’s # Toys and accessories, including beds and crates, leads and collars # Rug washing and repairs # Clipper blade sharpening and clipper servicing # Hat and body protector fitting # Full leather workshop (onsite saddler) Jo Baker

Unit 5a, Stockwood Business Park, Pylle, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6TA. www.maneeventsaddlery.com

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 75

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Mendip caves grow even longer

ALTHOUGH no new caves have been found under Mendip recently, many metres of passage have been found in known sites.

It all adds to our knowledge of the underground drainage of the hills and in some cases narrows the gap between being able to enter a swallet on the hill top and With PHILIP emerging at the resurgence below.

HENDY Three caves in the Cheddar catchment, apart from Wigmore Swallet, have yielded new extensions. In Reservoir Hole, Duncan Price and Conor Rowe have dived the static sump at the bottom of Dingley Dell. This intersects flowing water, but the stream flows in too small a passage to follow.

There is, however, a draughting passage above the sump pool, which needs investigating. High level passages in the Frozen Deep have been pushed, but no great breakthrough has been forthcoming.

In Charterhouse Cave, the terminal sump has been dived for 30 metres, to a depth of nine metres. It ends in an impenetrable mud slot. Further up the cave, a static sump leads to Skeleton Passage, with another sump at the end. This was first dived by Andrew Atkinson, who forced his way along a low passage. A squeeze led him downwards, until he thought he could see an airbell, but returned.

Later, Duncan Price dived to open passage, which was of walking size, with digging buckets washed in from higher up the cave by floods. It was then necessary to traverse at a higher level, to a static sump on the left, and a terminal sump 200 metres beyond the previous sump. They are still 20 metres above the lowest part of the cave.

Vurley Swallet is a new dig above the Gorge and is in the most westerly of a line of closed basins along the southern scarp of Mendip. A small collapse at the bottom of the depression kept subsiding. In April 2015 a digger excavated through mud to a depth of around ten metres to a tiny hole close to what was thought to be bedrock. The hole was piped and backfilled.

The ‘bedrock’ was a large boulder, but the bottom of the pipes have been stabilised, and digging has progressed through waterworn rock to a small chamber. This was loose, but has been stabilised and dug to Kate’s Chamber. This has a solid wall on a fault, with some formations. The dig is currently 35 metres long and 20 metres deep and still going.

In Burrington Combe, Tween Twins Hole was first dug in the 1960s, but revived more recently by Jim Rands and Paul Weston, both sadly no longer with us. Maurice Hewins and other members of the Wessex Cave Club have continued the dig. A solidly mud-filled ascending passage was excavated, until in February, 2015 the diggers broke up into the decorated Valentine’s Rift. A low draughting phreatic passage was explored for some distance and further progress was made by lowering the floor.

In June a small pretty chamber, Rands’ Revenge, was found.

A rift in the floor was dug to enter a 7.5 metre pitch, named Stannah Stair Rift in honour of the aged diggers. The cave is now 46 metres long beyond the breakthrough point, bringing the total cave length to 85 metres. It appears to be heading towards

CAVING

Tween Twins Hole. Barry Wilkinson in the crawl

Goatchurch Cavern.

Sandford Levvy is a passage mined in the mid-19th century to try to intercept lead veins believed to exist at greater depths than could be reached by shafts sunk on the hilltop. The Shepton Mallet Caving Club and others have been working upwards in an infilled mineshaft at the First Crossroads, to enter around 100 metres of mined passage.

This had dangerous loose deads in the roof, which were stabilised with cement. A dig led to open passage, then a downwards fluted shaft. A climb up led to a shaft lined with deads, supported by rotten stemples. An eight-metre shaft was descended, again with rotten timbers supporting the deads. Mud balls with finger-holes were found, also a pecked depression for a stemple, and some rusty nails.

An ascending passage with cave pearls and gours led to another ascending shaft, where the inscription ‘A Hancock 17**’ was seen. This shaft is around 25 metres high, and walled on both sides. Some natural passage was also discovered. At the top, a slope of deads leads to a narrow boulder-filled passage, backfilled from above.

An extensive crawl leads over the deads. These workings are older than the Levvy and the shot holes show that they were driven from the hilltop. The mine explored to date appears to be about 25 metres below a blocked shaft on the top of the hill.

Digging here involves working under a massive boulder, which is causing problems.

At Hutton, Upper Canada Cave was greatly extended last year by members of the Axbridge Caving Group. Discovered in 2009, a digger was used in 2012 to open a large depression, with several small cave entrances found. It was again enlarged by a digger in November 2013 and other small caves in the depression and nearby – Maytree Cave, Primrose Cave, Gallery Pit and West Shaft Cave – are part of the same system.

In March 2015 100 metres of large cave passage was found, Upper and Lower Glebe Passages. Upper Glebe was forced to the Paddock, at the end of which was a boulder choke, the Barn Door. This has now been blasted to enter 17 metres of loose passage. Around 130 metres of passage have been found in this cave last year.

Digging continues here of course and at many other sites around Mendip. We await this year’s J-Rat digging award event in November to learn about more discoveries under our hollow hills.

Phil has been caving for more than 47 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and is a caving instructor in Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 76

(Photograph by Phil Hendy)

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SPORT

Cyclo-cross at Mendips Raceway FOR the first time ever, Mendips Raceway near Shipham was used as a cyclo-cross venue, where cyclists ride across CYCLING different surfaces, in with EDMUND the penultimate LODITE round of the Western League’s winter series.

Event organiser Steven Green from Bristol South Cycling Club had been on the look-out for suitable cyclo-cross venues for a couple of years, when he went by and thought what a great venue it would be. Suitable off-road locations with different terrain and proper facilities can be hard to find and the Raceway, normally home to stock car racing, was a good match.

The cyclo-cross circuit on the day made use of the grassy inclines surrounding the Raceway and also took riders across gravel, Tarmac and sections where they needed to dismount

(e.g. concrete steps) and carry or push their bikes. The weather played its part.

The promise of fantastic views over Somerset in the pre-race build-up diminished as the fog rolled in and rain made the course wet and muddy underneath.

In an open event over 70 riders took part, including league riders where there was a lot to be gained from a good finish and also riders just looking for a race. Cyclo-cross used to be a way for cyclists to maintain their fitness during the winter, but increasing participation and a surge in its popularity has made it a sport in its own right.

As the race involves going round a circuit a number of times, the rider is always part of the race regardless of their position. As Steven explained, you’ll always be racing because there’ll be someone in front of you and someone chasing you. For the spectator, it can be confusing to work out who is in the lead, but you do get to see a lot of action.

Armed forces raceday

Soccer players pitch in for charity

Winner Joe Griffith

After 15 laps and 55 minutes Joe Griffiths was the first to finish and win the men’s category. Other category winners were Andrew Bam (veterans), Marianne Britten (women), George Kimber (junior) and Sam Smith (youth).

It may have been over 50 years since Bristol South Cycling Club last organised a cyclo-cross event but based on the success of this event it won’t be that long before the next one.

Edmund Lodite has been a life-long cyclist who took up road bikes after competing in triathlons.

THIS year’s charity race day at Wincanton Racecourse will once again raise funds for the armed forces charity Combat Stress.

The first Families and Armed Forces Race Day in October 2014 raised £50,000 for Combat Stress, the mental health charity for veterans.

Organisers hope this year’s meeting – on Sunday, October 23rd – will raise more than £60,000. A spokeswoman said: “We are delighted that the Jockey Club and Wincanton Racecourse are allowing us to repeat the occasion.

The charity is now supporting more than 5,900 veterans – a greater number than at any time in its history.”

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, ranging from single auction items to tables for lunch in the Paddock Pavilion.

Visit: www.combatstress.org.uk

Wells MP James Heappey attended a training session and the cheque presentations to Maria Hanlon from Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance and Angela Davies from Children's Hospice South West

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance and Children’s Hospice South West are each £500 better off thanks to Burnbridge Wanderers Junior Football Club and the owners of the Oaktree Arena at Edithmead.

Burnbridge train and play matches at the arena but, rather than pay a fee for the pitches, owners Bill and Debbie Hancock ask for the money to be donated to their chosen charities.

MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 77

(Photographs by Rich Lewton)

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Football for over-50s

THEY may not look like trend-setters, but these members of the Odd Down Walking Football group are at the forefront of one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports for the over 50s.

Described as ‘the beautiful game, only slower’, walking football is reviving a passion for sport among men whose onthe-ball skills may be as good as ever, even if they last broke into a sprint in the days of Kevin Keegan’s perm.

The skills, tactics, and all of the rules of walking football are the same as the speeded-up version of the sport, but walking football has one rule which if broken means a free kick – no running is allowed.

There’s a chance for more men to get involved with a series of sessions kicking off at Twerton Park in Bath at the end of February. They will run every Wednesday from 2.45 – 3.30pm, from February 24. As a special introductory offer the first 10 sessions will cost £2 on a pay-as-you-play basis.

The sessions are being organised by local charity Age UK B&NES and will be run by coach Nick Dewfall from Inclusive Sport and Fitness, who already runs popular sessions in Odd Down and Midsomer Norton.

Details: call 07411013516 or email inclusivesportandfitness@gmail.com or go to www.ageukbanes.co.uk

Cheddar success in regional championships

STUDENTS from Cheddar's TAGB Tae Kwon-Do Club were amongst the medals in the sport’s South West Championships in Westonsuper-Mare.

Instructor Jane Lambert from the club, which trains at Kings Fitness and Leisure, said: “There was an amazingly friendly atmosphere and everyone enjoyed the day. Watching my students support each other and compete with great sportsmanship was wonderful. They all performed well and I’m proud of each and everyone of them. It was a great warm up for the English Championship in March and we have lots we can improve on.”

A total of nine Cheddar club members were amongst nearly 450 competitors at the event. The medal winners were: Alex Cullum: Silver Black Belt Boys Middle Weight Sparring Rob Lambert: Gold x 2 Red Belt Mens Patterns and Welter Weight Sparring Caitlin Teagle: Gold Green Belt Girls Peewee Sparring Monty Pratt: Bronze Green Belt Boys Patterns

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Norton rugby reunion

Facing up to the challenge: Norton’s pack has performed strongly this season

EX-PLAYERS, friends and supporters are being invited to the annual reunion at Midsomer Norton Rugby Club in April.

The get-together will be held on Saturday, April 23rd when the 1st XV is due to entertain Dorchester RFC in the last league game of the season; Norton got the better of their opponents in the reverse fixture on the opening day.

Norton Firsts are currently riding high in the Southern Counties South League and carried off both the Somerset Vase and Bath Combination Plate last season. The club continues to field four teams on most Saturdays and continues to expand its facility at Norton Down. It is currently funding major works to bring the surrounding land into the playing/training set up.

Scrum half Martin Blackmore goes over to score Norton’s opening try in a 40-10 victory over Walcot to maintain their drive for promotion

Anyone connected to the club who wishes to attend the buffet lunch should contact president Nigel Rowles on nigel@crfencing by April 16th.

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Sailors celebrate boat’s 60th anniversary

SAILORS from Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club on Cheddar Reservoir celebrated the 60th anniversary of one of the bestloved boats sailed at the club. The Enterprise dinghy, easily spotted thanks to its distinctive light blue sails, is one of the largest fleets of boats sailed at Cheddar.

To celebrate, the club held a special anniversary race, which was won by Alice Allen crewed by 12-year-old Abigail Campbell, who took victory by winning both races giving them the distinction of being first lady helm, 1st lady crew, 1st helm over 40, and 1st junior.

Bristol Corinthian boasts one of the largest Enterprise fleets in the country. The boat remains one of the most competitive classes to sail in, with challenging and highly tactical racing.

In May the club will be hosting the Enterprise Inland Championships, which attracts top racers from all over the country to compete in this two-day event.

Alice Allen, who has been Enterprise Ladies World Champion, will be taking part, and hopes that West Country talent will be at the front of the fleet.

She said: “We will be holding race training sessions at the club between now and May to ensure our club members have the best possible opportunity to race well against sailors from all over the country.

“It’s a great opportunity to get our younger and up and coming sailors, like Abi Campbell, on the water and competing against some of the best British sailors in this type of boat.”

SPORT

Ref’s reward

THE Mark Box referee trophy has been awarded to Ian Hawkins who had the highest average mark given by clubs in the Midsomerset league during the last season.

The presentation was made before the game between Somer Valley and Tunley Res on the superb 4G pitch at Somervale School. Ian only took up refereeing last season after a glittering playing career with several local clubs.

He’s pictured with Sara Box and league chairman Bryn Hawkins.

The Cats are back

Time for bowls

PRATTENS Bowls Club at Westfield, near Midsomer Norton, is hosting a pre-season event in March to encourage more people to take up the sport.

The outdoor club is open to men and women. The season starts in mid-April and runs until mid-September. Club nights are held on Mondays from 6pm when new members are also welcome. Coaching is available and bowls can be borrowed.

The club’s pre-season meeting takes place on Saturday, March 19th at 1030am.

For details contact Barrie or Pauline Dando on 01761 412705.

AFTER an absence of a few years the Valley Cats are back, training at Chew Valley Rugby Club. The ladies meet every Thursday at 7pm.

Details: Porge Bryant 07884 184734 or Proge or Becca Hodson on Facebook.

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Marathon shows off the Chew Valley FOLLOWING 2015’s successful inaugural event, rated fourth best trail race in the UK by Trail Running magazine, the second Rok the Stones Trail Marathon and Relay took place on Saturday January 30th.

It was initially conceived by Judith Chubb-Whittle as a way to fill the race calendar during her quest to run 100 marathons, achieved in September 2015 on Wells Cathedral Green, as reported by the Mendip Times.

The marathon showcased the beautiful scenery in six Chew Valley parishes to the 99 solo and nine teams of relay runners. The event proved to be a terrific way to build community spirit, with a team of over 40 local marshals, ten helpers in the village hall, and the renowned baking skills of Stanton Drew WI combining to create a nationally recognised event.

The race also helped to boost trade in the local B&Bs and pubs. The event raised over £1,300 for the Pensford, Publow and the Stantons Community Trust (PPSCT), of which Judith is a trustee.

The wet weather prior to the event provided an additional challenge and, as a result, the team worked closely with Avon Wildlife Trust to modify part of the route.

After some other minor last minute route changes, the first wave of runners were sent on their way at 8.30am by Tim Warren, the leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, with the second wave of relay and elite runners starting at 9.30am.

On the day conditions were ideal for runners – dry and sunny but with a cool wind. Starting out with a circuit of the Stanton Drew Stone Circle, the runners headed out along the River Chew, under

Runners at a watering station

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Simon Whittle (race director), Tim Warren (B&NES council leader), Judith Chubb-Whittle (trustee PPSCT) and Andrew Hillman (chairman of trustees PPSCT)

Pensford viaduct, on through Woollard to the first water station at Compton Dando, returning through Lord’s Wood, to Stanton Drew hall for refreshments after 10.6 miles.

The second loop, a very tough 6.6 miles, took them past the Toll House, up to Dundry ridge, around Maes Knoll, before descending through Norton Malreward to the River Chew and back to Stanton Drew hall. The route changes meant that the final ten-mile loop, up through Stanton Wick, around Folly Farm, down to Stowey and back through Knowle Hill and Moorledge was probably the hardest.

Stretched-out between 1.10pm – 3.50pm, there was a steady stream of tired, but happy, runners making their way up Sandy Lane to the finish line ready to celebrate their achievement with

a souvenir mug and a bowl of homemade veg chilli, hot drinks, snacks and cakes.

The fastest male runner, Stuart Henderson (Team Bath), took a stunning 4 hours 19 seconds and the first female runner, Nina Davies (Bristol and West AC) finished in an impressive 5 hours and 50 seconds. The relay was won by the “Chew Valley Anaesthetic Doctors” in a remarkable time of 3 hours and 47 minutes and the solo team prize by Bristol’s Town and Country Harriers.

In addition to runners from the surrounding counties, plus Pembrokeshire, Cornwall, London, West Midlands and Northamptonshire, there were a number of local runners, including Mark Finn (4th overall), Michelle Gordon, Lu Willson, Stefan Zurakowski, James Reed, Ivan Batchelor and Judith

Members of Stanton Drew WI who provided refreshments

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Chubb-Whittle.

One of the runners summed up the day: “Absolutely loved it and will be back again! Brilliantly organised and met a lot of fabulously friendly, amusing and supportive people. Thanks everyone.”

The organising committee said it would like to thank everyone involved in supporting the event. The PPSCT makes grants to local community projects, and recent recipients have included the local pre-school, Pensford Memorial Hall and the gardening club at Stanton Drew Primary School, which gardens with the residents at Stanton Court nursing Home.

For more information about the Trust, please visit www.ppsct.org.uk The date for next year’s Rok the Stones marathon is February 4th, 2017.

GILLIAN WOOKEY

Runners at Publow

SPORT

The start at Stanton Drew stone circle

Timekeeper Clare Jones from Stanton Drew

Sarah Turner and Jo Peasland from Westbourne RC tackle some bystanders MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016 • PAGE 81

(Photographs by Martin Elsbury, Raoul Chandrasaker and Clarke Osborne)

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Bluebird Café flying high

By Mark Adler

It’s only sausage roll, but I like it! Elswyth Osborne sings a selfpenned tune about the savoury snack at a Bluebird Acoustic Café session

MUSICIANS of all ages and abilities are welcome and the cakes are always home made; not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The Bluebird Acoustic Café is a community-based venture which meets every month in the village hall at Stratton-on-theFosse and the emphasis is firmly on being family-friendly.

Founded by Gary Maule just under three years ago, the café’s relaxed atmosphere attracts both professional musicians and young players just starting out. People are also more than welcome to simply turn up and listen!

Gary, a police community support officer, has been playing in bands – ranging from rock and roll to country duos – since he was 16. He said: “One of our top priorities is to encourage young performers to play and this is our reason for running the Bluebird between 3pm–6pm on a Sunday and not having alcohol available. We think this contributes to having a fun and relaxed environment and we encourage our “older” musicians to engage and support our younger ones, and of course give our younger musicians the opportunity to show the ‘Old Dogs’ a few new tricks!”

Gary is hoping that café performers will get the opportunity to appear at more community events such as in Midsomer Norton and there are plans for café-promoted gig nights. He added: “People do it for the love of music and I feel strongly that there is a gap in the market for venues where young people can get up and play.”

The popularity of the café has led to Gary and the team organising outside music events at places including Stratton-onthe-Fosse Village Day, Coleford Village Day and Open Farm Sunday celebrations at a nearby farm. The family-friendly approach also led to the first Bluebird Camp, a weekend of music in Dorset which is likely to be repeated this year.

Two of the café’s biggest supporters are Tony and Carrie Osborne, picture framers who run Swan Artworks in Paulton.

The couple are big music fans and daughters Elswyth and Elora have played at the café.

Carrie said: “We first got to know Gary when he brought some flyers about the café into our old shop in Midsomer Norton. As music fans, we were keen to support him, went

Tony, Jen and Gary at the Bluebird Café

For details about the café, visit: www.bluebirdacousticcafe.co.uk e-m 07762 546757. A full PA is available, so musi

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MUSIC

Harry and Cody play in Stratton-on-the-Fosse village hall

along and that was it. We were hooked!”

Business and pleasure often mix at Swan Artworks, where music is always on and Tony can often be found practising on guitar. A member of several bands, including the quirkily-named Bilbo Baggins and the Dark Destroyers, The Mutineers and Three Peas in a Pub, Tony is a familiar face on the music scene.

The couple also specialise in framing music memorabilia – especially the unusual. Projects have ranged from the headstock of a guitar smashed during a Glastonbury Festival to drumsticks, a Motorhead drumskin, Bon Jovi plectrums, vinyl, posters, ticket stubs and, of course, autographs. Tony and Carrie use UV glass to protect items such as autographs from fading.

Tony said: “One of the great things about the business is that you never know what is going to come through the door next!”

The café is also supported by Becky and Mark from Abbey Piano Services Ltd. who take along a Yahama U1 acoustic piano.

The company moved last year into new, larger premises on the New Rock Industrial Estate in Chilcompton, with a larger showroom containing a range of both new and second hand grand and upright acoustic pianos.

Becky said: “We are pleased to say, apart from a few finishing touches we are pretty much there, and we would welcome as many local pianists and music enthusiasts to come a long and support us in our new space!

“We have also been able to expand our workshop, and we now have much more space dedicated purely to restoring and repairing pianos.”

Tony – surrounded by some of the rock memorabilia he has framed – with his latest pride and joy, a Fender Stratocaster

Doug and Fi

uk e-mail them at: bluebirdacousticcafe@gmail.com or call Gary on musician need only bring their instruments.

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Musician of the year

EIGHT musicians took part in Churchill Music’s Young Musician of the Year competition for students at Churchill Academy.

Katie Barber won the overall prize for her vocal performances of Lying There from the musical Edges and Dream a Little Dream.

Other prizes included the junior trophy which went to Joe Richardson for his bass guitar performance. The audience voted for Naomi Mills who played Chopin and Beethoven from memory on the piano. Anna Lalande won the Raymond Hayter Song prize.

The judges, Richard Dickins, Alice Harper and Adrian Trapp, said they had incredibly hard decisions as the standard played was testament to the talent of the young musicians.

Jan Murray, from Churchill Music! Said: “What a wonderful evening for music. We thoroughly enjoy seeing the musicians, who continue to astound us with their talent. This evening really does highlight what Churchill Music are so passionate about – bringing music and education together.”

Chris Hildrew, head teacher, said: “The Young Musician event shows what can happen when you combine talent, passion and dedicated practice. The performances were spectacular and these musicians are superb ambassadors for the academy.”

New players welcome

THE Tabor handbells and chimes group, based at Tabor Church, Timsbury, is taking bookings for the year and is looking for new members.

It had ten engagements last year in the church and around the area entertaining various social/lunch groups/residents of care homes within the local community.

The group were also invited to play at Jeanne Shute’s funeral at Tabor in December. Jeanne had been a playing member who had gone on to lead the group for a number of years.

Many years ago she donated money to the group in memory of her husband Len. This allowed for a set of hand chimes to be purchased which complemented the bells.

Jeanne, together with her grandson Alec, had also rewritten music to conform to the group’s range of bells and chimes.

The group says playing is not too strenuous and they have fun as they go along - no knowledge of reading music is required. Rehearsals are held on Monday afternoons from 2pm-3pm at Tabor Church.

Details: Freda Brimble 01761 470891.

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Young musicians praised

MUSIC

The competitors with president Mike Batchelor

EIGHT young musicians from four local primary schools competed for the first Young Musician of the Year competition held by Wrington Vale Rotary Club.

The performance and ability of the participants was extremely high and the adjudicator, Paul Harrison, was extremely complementary in his remarks to each of the children when giving his analysis of their individual presentations.

The winner was soloist Poppy Hill from Burrington Primary school; Emily Kendrick, piano, and Kimi Powell, drums, both from St Andrew’s, Congresbury were second and third respectively.

The club plans to make this an annual event.

Chalice supports charities

THE Chalice Handbell Team, based in Yatton, would welcome new members. They play at care homes and other functions, raising money for charity and meet on a Thursday afternoon.

They are heading towards their 20th anniversary in 2018 and ring by number notation, so no great music theory is required.

Last year it raised money for the charity Keysteps in memory of one of its firm supporters, Isobel Cummings from Yatton. Its chosen charity this year is Weston Hospicecare.

Details: Eileen and Geoff Marchant 01934 834550.

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WHAT’S ON

New exhibition at palace

THE Bishop’s Palace in Wells is hosting an exhibition celebrating the extraordinary craftsmanship of the textile industry from 14th century to the present day, featuring some of the most beautiful and rare vestments and ecclesiastical textiles from around the country.

Telling the story from medieval times up until today, the exhibition will include items not seen on public display since 1930 and ancient pieces such as the 1350 embroidered cope panel.

It’s being held in association with Downside Abbey and Wells Cathedral and will run from April 16th – September 2nd.

• OPEN DAILY • CAFE AND SHOP • EASTER EGG HUNT • WEDDING FAIR 13th MARCH • SCHOOL HOLIDAY FAMILY ACTIVITIES • RARE PLANT FAIR 20th MARCH

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Haynes International Motor Museum – explore, experience, discover

BY the mid-1980s, fuelled by a passion for collecting fine cars and anything related to them, John Haynes OBE had amassed a collection of 29 cars and three motorcycles. He wanted this collection to be accessible to the public, so after extensive redevelopment of an old joinery on the current site, The Haynes International Motor Museum first opened its doors on July 10th 1985.

The collection of cars, motorcycles and automobilia continued to grow as did the museum with regular extensions including the development of a test circuit adjacent to the main building. Investment in the site and the collection has continued to this day.

Now, after an extensive £6m redevelopment completed in April 2014, the museum boasts over 400 cars and motorbikes in 15 very distinct exhibitions; a stunning entrance foyer and reception area; a large museum shop selling auto related gifts for both young and old as well as specialist memorabilia; Café 750 which serves delicious home-cooked food; state of the art conference and hospitality facilities for 10 to 400 guests and Haynes Workshop Services.

The exhibitions, from the “Dawn of Motoring” through to “Supercar Century” take you on a journey from early beginnings to present day supercars taking in vehicles from across the globe along the way. The museum will give you unrivalled access to explore, discover and experience the history, designs and technologies of motoring from around the world.

The museum also offers fun for all the family with Haynes Motorland including an electric go-kart track, the Vroom Room (indoor soft play barn), scooters, Haynes Garage, and activity play frames and vehicles.

Within the museum they also have Paint-a-Mini, a go-kart simulator, an auto-games area, dressing up and photo points as well as brass rubbings and kids’ activity trails. Added to this they have an extensive programme of events for both children and adults throughout the year.

Whether you are a motoring enthusiast, a family looking or a fun day out, or a group of friends young or old, the Haynes International Motor Museum offers an unrivalled experience.

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

Details: www.haynesmotormuseum.com

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Spin time at the abbey THE monks at Glastonbury Abbey may just have been some of the westcountry’s earliest sultans of spin.

But the way they apparently manipulated the iconic site’s history to boost both its image and their coffers has continued to resonate down the years.

The University of Reading and Glastonbury Abbey last year completed a ground-breaking project that has rewritten the abbey’s history. All known archaeological records from excavations at the Abbey between 1904 and 1979 were reassessed and reinterpreted, with some surprising results.

Research revealed that the site was occupied 200 years earlier than previously estimated – fragments of ceramic wine jars imported from the Mediterranean are evidence of a “Dark Age” settlement. The analysis also showed how the medieval monks “spin-doctored” the abbey’s mythical links to make Glastonbury one of the richest monasteries in the country.

Roberta Gilchrist, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading led the study. Prof, Gilchrist, an abbey

trustee, said: “Although several major excavations were undertaken during the 20th century, dig directors were led heavily by Glastonbury’s legends and the occult. Using 21st century technology we took a step back from the myth and legend to expose the true history of the abbey.”

She added: “Analysis has also highlighted how the monks crafted the legends to restore the Abbey to its former glory after a devastating fire in 1184. The monks needed to raise money by increasing the numbers of visiting pilgrims – and that meant keeping the myths and legends alive. We found evidence that the monks laid out the buildings in a very distinctive way to emphasise the ‘earliest church’ story.”

The legend of King Arthur is now at the centre of a series of events at the abbey, which celebrate and investigate its past.

James Stone, the abbey’s events officer, said: “The abbey’s links to the Arthurian legend are renowned around the world and this year we will be celebrating the myth.

“We decided on the theme of Arts and Arthur as Arthur is topical given the

WHAT’S ON

Janet Bell, Abbey director (left) with Prof.

Roberta Gilchrist outside the Lady Chapel

findings of the archaeological project and arts because they have always been part of the life of the abbey – this year we have so many different types of events from theatre to concerts to exhibitions.

“This year there is a packed programme and we would hope there is something for everyone.”

The legend lives on – a sign in the abbey grounds

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

Thursday 3rd March

Starts Friday 4th March Starts Friday 11th March Sunday 13th March

Starts Friday 18th March

COMING UP: Hangman 7pm NT Hail! Caesar (12A)

Kung Fu Panda 3 (PG) 3D/2D Spartacus 7pm Bolshoi Risen

Book in person Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

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M e n d i p

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. Commercial entries cost £25.

Thursday February 25th West Mendip Walkers – Moderate circular walk of 6mi/9.7km from North Wootton Village Hall, meet 1pm, village hall car park. Details: Ken Masters: 01749 670349 ken@kenmasters265.plus.com Chew Valley Wildlife Group, Urban Peregrines with Ed Drewitt, Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm, £2.50, season tickets available.

Somerset Wildlife Trust East Mendip branch, Nigel Phillips will update on SWT’s marine & coastal activities and the wildlife to be found, 7.30pm, St. Catherine’s Church Hall, Park Road, Frome BA11 1EU. Friday February 26th and Saturday February 27th Cheddar Stage Society presents “The Wrong Pantomime” at St Andrew’s Church Hall, 7.30pm each evening and 2.30pm Saturday. Tickets £7.50, U16s £5, from Deane & Sons Cheddar.

Saturday February 27th Winscombe Community Association Book Sale 9am-12.30pm. Refreshments available. Please leave donations in the Centre, Sandford Road at the Thursday market, 9-12.00 or call 01934 843986.

Mendip Society walk, Wedmore to Blackford meet 1.30pm, free car park on Cheddar Road, Wedmore, BS28 4ED. A six-mile walk with good views of the Mendips. Details: Geoff 01934 712834.

Onyx Brass, with Churchill Music, St. John’s Church, Church Lane, Churchill BS25 5NB, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Champions of Churchill Music £10.50, non-champions £14.50, U-18s £4. Details: 01934 852919 or info@churchillmusic.org.uk Somerset Plant Heritage Group, members’ plant sale at 1.30pm, then a talk on Practical Propagation: Seeds, Cuttings & Beyond by Victoria Logan, 2.30pm. Edington Village Hall TA7 9HA, visitors £4.

Details: 01278 451631.

Redhill Club Quiz Night, 8pm start, suitable for teams of six max. or individuals, £1 each to enter, prize money for winning team, hot dogs served during the break, all welcome, Church Road, Redhill, BS40 5SG. Details: 01934 862619.

Tuesday March 1st The Rose Red City & the Nabataeans. A talk about Petra, by Michael Clegg for Mendip DFAS, 11am at Bath & West Bar & Restaurant, B & W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QN. Details www.mdfas.org.uk. Guests welcome. Contact 01934 862435.

Wednesday March 2nd North Somerset Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NSDFAS), Stephen Duffy on The Founders and Treasures of the Wallace Collection, 37 Club, near Puriton, TA7 8AD, 2.15pm, guests £8.

Norton/Radstock Ramblers, Mendip Ring, Batcombe to Float Bridge and return. Hilly Walk in rural area 6.5miles, meet 10am on road below Batcombe Church. (BA4 6HA) Map 142 ST689389.

Details: Tessa 01761 470453 07811008567.

Thursday March 3rd Cheddar Valley U3A – ‘An Auctioneer’s Ten Commandments’, presentation by Richard Kay at Cheddar Village Hall, 2.15pm, entry £2, visitors welcome.

West Mendip Walkers – easy circular walk of 10.9mi/17.5km from West Pennard, start 10am, park in road near church. Details: Tony Strange, 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Winscombe Back in Time talk and archive photos plus a brief report on the W. and S. Millennium Green PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

T i m e s

Trust, Winscombe Community Centre, BS25 1JA, 7.30pm, all welcome.

Friday March 4th Open Mic Night at Redhill Club, from 8pm, hosted

by Jerry Blythe, bring your voice or your instruments, an opportunity to showcase your talent, or just watch and enjoy, free, all welcome, BS40 5SG. Details: 01934 862619.

All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare Weston Youth Orchestra with a programme including Haydn’s Clock Syphony and Badelt’s Pirates of the Caribbean, 7.30pm, tickets £9 under-18s £5.

Quiz Night at Winscombe Church Hall BS25 1BA, 7.30pm, £5 per head to include a light supper, teams of six, bar. Organised by the local Christian Aid Committee. Details: tickets from Janet Corry 01934 842657.

Saturday March 5th Chew Valley RNLI Quiz Night, 7pm for 7.30, Ubley Parish Hall, BS40 6PN. Tickets £15 include hot supper, from Tim Gracey, 01275 472639.

Remembering the Railway, marking 50 years since the closure of the S & D line, Evercreech Village Hall, 10.30am-4.30pm, £2, children free, park and ride from Royal Bath & West showground. Details: 01749 830695.

GIANT jumble sale, St. Mary’s Church, Timsbury, in the Conygre Hall, Timsbury, 10am -12noon, all the usual stalls plus raffle and refreshments, entry 30p with all proceeds going to help the everyday running costs of the church. Details: 01761 471790.

Rotary Club of Nailsea and Backwell charity horse-racing night, Mizzymead Recreation Centre, Nailsea, £7.50 inc a ploughman’s supper, proceeds for the Luhimba Project which provides funding for the education of children in a deprived area of Tanzania.

Details: John Hall 01275 859019) or John Glason 01275 463969. First race 7.30pm.

Mendip Society walk, Brean Down. Meet 1.30pm at Brean Down Cove Café, TA8 2RS. A four-mile walk with views of Weston Bay and much of historical interest. Details: Pauline 01934 820745.

Frome Civic Society & Frome Society for Local Study, “Flatpack Democracy – why only DIY politics can save the human race”, Peter Macfadyen, leader of Frome Town Council, 2.30pm at the Assembly Rooms.

Somerset Wildlife Trust East Mendip walk in Harridge Woods, led by Eve Tigwell, meet 10am at the entrance ST648484.

Easton Village Hall table top sale, bacon rolls and other refreshments, tables £5, 10am-3pm. Details Roy 01749 870585.

Kilmersdon Village Hall talk by explorer David Hempleman-Adams, bar raffle, 7.30pm, entry £5 in aid of proposed village community shop and café.

Details: Ken Hutton 01761 435193 or Yvonne Kirby 01761 433331.

Bowie tribute night with The Fantasy Orchestra supported by Bristol’s The Ambling Band, Backwell School Theatre, 7.30pm-11pm, £12. Tickets and details: www.bakwellfestival.co.uk Sunday March 6th Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hunt races, Charlton Horethorne DT9 4LJ. Details: 01963 370360.

Norton/Radstock Ramblers, circular walk from White Sheet Hill, walking on chalk downlands over White Sheet Hill, meet 10am, car park at end of White Sheet Lane (BA12 6RP) ST790351. Details: Ken 01373 812865.

Tuesday March 8th Weston-super-Mare Archaeological & Natural History Society, Ancient Glass Technology with Dyan Hilton, Victoria Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, W-s-M, BS23 1XU, 7.30 start, visitors very welcome £2.50.

Clevedon Art Club, Paul Arnott, Digital Art, the

W h a t ’ s

Marmite Medium, Clevedon School BS21 6AH, 7.30pm.

Wednesday March 9th Wrington & Burrington Hedging Society Match, Hedgers Hide, Row of Ashes Lane, Redhill BS40 5TU. Easter felt workshop, Bishop’s Palace, Wells, 10am – 1pm, £20 (£10 without materials). Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Nailsea and District Horticultural Society, spring gardening tips with Jon Mason, United Reformed Church, Nailsea, 7.30pm, £2 for members and £3 for visitors. Details: Martyn Davis 01275 855563 or Jane Knight 01275 855342.

Wells Civic Society, “Wells – A dementia friendly city”, Bridget Harvey and Wendy Attridge, of Heads Up, 7.30pm at Wells & Mendip Museum, nonmembers £2.

Kilmersdon Gardeners, Kilmersdon Village Hall, BA3 5TD, 7.30pm, “A 20th century small holding” talk by Jules Moore, visitors £2, members free. All welcome.

Thursday March 10th West Mendip Walkers easy circular walk of 6mi/9.7km from Keynsham, start 1pm, park in public car park near Keysham Lock/Lock Keeper Pub. Details: Jenny Nicholas 01934 853639/07803 722878 or jennymr7@aol.com Friday March 11th Banwell Society of Archaeology, “Starfish and Subterfuge” with Mike Chipperfield, Banwell Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Saturday March 12th Congresbury Singers Easter Concert, St Andrew’s Church, Congresbury, a selection of musical settings of Psalm 23, ending with the theme from the Vicar of Dibley, 7.30pm, £5.

Seed Swap and Potato Day, Conygre Hall, Timsbury, 10am-2pm, stalls, free talks, plus children’s activities, refreshments and more, £1, under-16s free.

Details: www.seedysaturday.org.uk Mendip Society walk Yeo Valley and through the Tyntesfield Estate, meet at 1.30pm in Lodge Lane, Nailsea (BS48 1BY) near the junction with the High Street (B3130) and parking on the west side of the road, a six-mile walk over fields and through woodland, with gentle climb. Details: Richard 01275 852786.

Draycott and Rodney Stoke PTA quiz night and fish and chip supper, 7pm, £10. Details: draycottandrodneystokepta@gmail.com All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare, choral and instrumental music by Sidcot Young Musicians, including the popular ‘Rhythm of Life’, the anthem from the musical Chess and an orchestral excerpt from Rossini arranged for flute, 12noon, tickets £7, inc light lunch and a glass of wine or juice.

Sunday March 13th Wedding Fair, Bishop’s Palace, Wells, 11am-3pm, free admission. Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Norton/Radstock Ramblers circular walk from Farrington Gurney to Chilcompton, includes part of Mendip, 7 miles. Meet 10am Gravel Car Park along lane at Farrington Gurney Village Hall (BS39 6TY) ST631556. Details: Tessa 01761 470453 or 07811 008567.

Spring Afternoon Concert at St Benedict's Church, Glastonbury, 3pm, a free concert featuring two choirs and three piano solos on their newly-restored Bechstein piano. Details: Sandra Booth 01458 835067.

Tuesday March 15th The Story of the Restoration of Barholm Castle, NADFAS illustrated lectures, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ, 11am, free parking, £6. Details: 01963 350 527.

Soroptimists of Weston-super-Mare fashion show

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and sale, Weston Football Club, proceeds in aid of Weston Hospicecare and Children’s Hospice South West, tickets £4, 6.30pm, the show starts at 7pm, bar open.

Wednesday March 16th Norton/Radstock Ramblers, in celebration of Samaritan’s Way S.W. four miles, gentle and relaxed day in town. Bring bus pass! Coffee stop in Clifton Village and lunch at Ashton Park Estate, Bristol. Meet 10am Long Ashton P & R Bus No. 505, 10.20am bus (BS3 2HB) ST558709. Details: Tessa 01761 470453 07811008567.

Somerset Vernacular Buildings Group, Dr Sue Shaw: The Vernacular Buildings of Trent, Dorset 7.30pm, £3, Meadway Hall, Compton Dundon TA116PQ. All Welcome.

Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society, The Draining of Allerton Moor: the Power of Maps with Fiona Torrens-Spence, Cross Memorial Hall BS26 2EL, 7.30pm.

Thursday March 17th Cheddar Valley U3A – Meet & Greet Coffee Morning at Cheddar Village Hall, 10.30am to 12 noon, visitors welcome. Details 01934 744241 or www.cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk West Mendip Walkers moderate circular walk of 10.6mi/17.0km from Chewton Mendip, start 10am, park near Waldegrave Arms on main road. Details: Tony Strange 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Irish Set Dancing. Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PE. 810pm. £3. Ffi: Paul Harper 01458 210051.

Friday March 18th Band night Chew Valley School with The T Tones headlining and support, licensed bar and food, under 14s need to be accompanied by an adult, tickets £10 from Chew Valley School 01275 332272 and The Ring O’ Bells Pub Compton Martin 01761 221284.

Saturday March 19th and Sunday March 20th West of England Game Fair, Royal Bath and West Showground, 9am-5pm both days. See page 90.

Book Fair, Brent Knoll Parish Hall, 10am-4pm each day. Details: Bob Filmer 01278 760760.

Saturday March 19th All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare, the North Somerset Music Service Concerto winners’ concert, including music by Bruch, Devienne and by the NS Sinfonia Concert Band and the String Orchestra, 7.30, tickets available on the door.

Mendip Society walk Bleadon Hill and Canada Combe, meet at 1.30pm in the (free) village car park (BS24 0PG), a walk of about five miles with some hills. Details: John 01934 842868.

Frome Civic Society and Frome Society for Local Study agm 2pm followed by a talk on Frome’s writing scene with Crysse Morrison, 2.30pm, Assembly Rooms, Frome.

Frome Friends of Dorothy House Hospice charity fundraiser, All Things Animal with companion dog show, doggy demos, horse rides, children’s activities and more, Rye Hill Barn BA12 7DE. Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/events Tank Sherman, a popular comedian and singer Geri at Conygre Hall, Timsbury to raise funds for Clutton Horticultural Society’s Flower Show, tickets £20, include a two-course meal. Details: Aubrey Willcox 01761 452420.

Somerset Plant Heritage, Edington Village Hall TA7 9HA, 1.30pm, members plant sale, 2.30pm “National Collections of Climbing Plants” by Jane Lindsay, holder of four national collections, members free, visitors £4. Details: 01278 451631.

Sunday March 20th Mendip Farmers’ point-to-point Ston Easton BA3 4DH. Details: 07879 645364.

Somerset Wildlife Trust East Mendip walk, The Levels in Winter around Ham Wall and Meare Heath Nature Reserves for wintering wildlife and early

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spring migrant birds, 10am with Tony House. Meet at Ashcott Corner car park ST448396.

Rare plant fair, Bishop’s Palace, Wells, 10am-4pm, £5. Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk Norton/Radstock Ramblers circular walk from Stratton-on-the-Fosse, to Holcombe, Harridge Wood & Pitcote, 6.5 miles, meet 10am Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall. Details: Carol and Kirsteen 01761 413413 1761 419384.

Monday March 21st Timsbury Natural History Group, Chris Craig on Papua New Guinea, 7.30pm, Conygre Hall, Timsbury, with refreshments and a raffle, £3, visitors welcome.

Details: Martin Hunt, secretary, 01761 433234.

Tuesday March 22nd Congresbury Singers perform Stainer’s Crucifixion, All Saints Church, Kingston Seymour, 8pm, tickets £5 on the door.

Thursday March 24th West Mendip Walkers leisurely circular walk of 6.6mi/10.7km from Huntspill OS Ex153 ST306455, start 1pm, park near church. Details: Tony Strange 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Chew Valley Wildlife Group Wolves Across Europe, with Richard Brock, Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm, admission £2.50, season ticket available.

Irish Set Dancing. Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PE. 810pm. £3. Ffi: Paul Harper 01458 210051.

Saturday March 26th Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Stoke St Gregory, TA3 6HY and Levels Best Farmers Market. Details: 01823 490249 www.coatesenglishwillow.co.uk Mendip Society walk Chew Magna, meet at 1.30pm in the public car park behind the Pelican Inn, Chew Magna (BS40 8SL), a walk of about five miles via Chew Valley Lake and Moorledge. Details: Roger 01225 872777.

Sunday March 27th Norton/Radstock Ramblers circular walk from Keynsham to Willsbridge, 7.5 miles, meet 100am The Lock Keeper Pub, Keynsham, (small car park by side of Pub) on the A4175 (BS31 2DD) ST660690.

Details: Pam and Simone 01179674030 01179323518.

Monday March 28th Medieval Falconry, Bishop’s Palace, Wells, 10am4pm, with the Raptor Foundation, included in admission, under-fives free. Details: 01749 988111 www.bishopspalace.org.uk The Green Gardeners talk, Parish Rooms, Somerton, 7.30, The Folklore of Somerset by Les Cloutman, with refreshments after the talk, visitors most welcome (£2).

Mells Daffodil Festival.

Wednesday March 30th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support, Backwell W.I. Hall, 1.30pm with a demonstration of low vision aids. Details: 01275 462107.

Thursday March 31st West Mendip Walkers moderate circular walk, strenuous in parts, 12.6mi/20km from King’s of Wessex Academy, Cheddar OS Ex141 ST456532, start 10am, park near church. Details: Tony Strange on 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Somerset Wildlife Trust East Mendip, talk by Bryan

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 6

Pinchen about the important role bees and wasps play in our gardens, St Catherine’s Church Hall, Park Road, Frome BA11 1EU, suitable for wheelchairs and limited mobility, adults £2.50, children & students £1.

Friday April 1st Redhill Club Open Mic Night, from 8pm, hosted by Jerry Blythe, free to join in and meet other local musicians, bring your voice, your instruments and showcase your talent, all welcome, Church Road, Redhill, BS40 5SG. Details: 01934 862619.

Saturday April 2nd Spectra Musica concert, St. Michael’s Church, North Cadbury, 7.30pm with Musical Director Peter Leech, singing a very varied programme entitled All In The April Evening, accompanist Anita D’Attellis.

Tickets: 01747 841263 or on the door.

Mendip Society walk, Dolbury Warren, meet at 2pm in the car park at the bottom of Burrington Coombe (BS40 7AT), a four-mile walk with a stiff climb.

Details: Peter 01761 221995.

Sunday April 3rd Irish Set Dancing. Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PE. Workshop 11am-1pm, £3. Ceilhid 2.30-5pm, £3. Ffi: Paul Harper 01458 210051.

Tuesday April 5th Mendip DFAS Take a Pinch (snuff boxes) with Ian Pickford, Bath & West Bar & Restaurant, B & W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QN, 11am, guests welcome. Details: www.mdfas.org.uk 01934 862435.

Backwell Sequence Dance Club course for absolute beginners, W.I. Hall, Backwell, 7pm to 8pm, for eight weeks at a cost of £1.50 per person per week, first week free. As dancers progress they can join the main club evening which follows from 8pm to 10.15pm at a cost of £3 per person. Details: Brian Gage 01275 463692.

Wednesday April 6th North Somerset Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NSDFAS), Tricia Passes on the Blitz and the Festival of Britain, 37 Club, near Puriton, TA7 8AD, 2.15pm, guests £8.

Thursday April 7th Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre agm and talk by Robin Thornes Quarry Stone and Railways, Winscombe Community Centre, 7.30pm, all welcome.

West Mendip Walkers moderate circular walk 8.65mi/13.84km from Cheriton Fitzpaine Memorial Hall, 100am, park at Memorial Hall. Details: Tony Strange 01934 733783 07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday April 8th Banwell Society of Archaeology, The History of Cider with John Thatcher, Banwell Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Saturday April 9th Mendip Society Cheddar Bluebell Walk, meet at 2pm by the Gardeners Arms, Silver St, Cheddar (BS27 3LE), a walk of five miles to hopefully to see the Bluebells. Details: Gill 01934 742508.

Sunday April 10th The Daffodil Society Wessex Group annual show, Henton Village Hall, Nr Wells, 2pm-4.30pm, FREE admission. Details 01275 855675.

MENDIP MINDBENDER ANSWERS FOR MARCH Across: 1 Winter break, 7 Nap, 9 Bangers, 10 Iron Age, 11 Dutch, 12 Insensate, 13 Field, 14 Associate, 17 Elbow-room, 19 Ashes, 21 Episcopal, 24 Sewer, 25 Cecilia, 26 Tacitus, 28 Sue, 29 Baked alaska.

Down: 1 Web, 2 Nanette, 3 Eye shadow, 4 Bastinado, 5 Exits, 6 Known, 7 Niagara, 8 Predecessor, 11 Differences, 15 Simulated, 16 Classical, 18 Brioche, 20 How it is, 22 Celeb, 23 Prank, 27 Sea.

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Classic bikes on display

WELLS Classic Motorcycle Club’s Tortoise and Hare Run will be held on Sunday June 5th, starting from Wells Market Place, where riders will be flagged off by the mayor at 10am.

The event caters for motorcycles and scooters of all types, with categories and distances for tortoises, snails and hares, depending on type and age.

There will be a second run in the afternoon followed by an awards ceremony at Wells Football Club.

Last year the event raised £2,750 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and is sponsored by Dickies.

Details: www.wellsclassicmotorcycleclub.co.uk or email tandhwcmc@hotmail.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Countryside at its core Ben Long will be providing falconry masterclasses during the show

SMALLHOLDERS will have an even bigger presence than usual at this year’s West of England Game Fair at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet in March.

Organisers say visitors to the two-day event will enjoy a large increase in the variety and number of stands, with many offering hands-on activities.

The show, on Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is firmly established as the flagship countryside event in the west country.

The Exmoor Halls will offer everything from willow weaving demonstrations to poultry sales and crafts. A spokeswoman said: “There is a resurgent interest in all things smallholding, from growing a few vegetables in a patio container to keeping hens in the garden, from rural crafts to wholesale self-sufficiency. For anyone wishing to find out more there is also the chance to join one of the local Smallholders Associations or to ask their advice at the show.”

Country pursuits remain at the heart of the fair which will appeal as much to confirmed enthusiasts as to the curious.

Master classes include Avon Valley Ferrets, wildfowling with the Cornish Countryman, fly casting with Hywel Morgan, gundog training with Gamegoer Gundogs and a variety of chefs in the Taste of Game Cookery Theatre.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, National Gamekeepers Organisation, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the RSPB and Pass it on Young Sports are all major associations supporting the game fair this year, which will showcase more than 300 companies.

You can keep up to date with everything happening at the show by visiting www.westofenglandgamefair.co.uk or joining its Facebook group and following it on Twitter. For exhibitor enquiries, call 01392 421500.

COMPETITION WINNERS

LAST month we offered you the chance to win three pairs of tickets to the West of England Game Fair at the Royal Bath and West Showground. The first three correct answers drawn were from: Jo Wareham, Hinton Blewett Andrew France, Langford Ruth Bruton, Langford PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • MARCH 2016

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