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Mendip Times VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
FREE Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas AUGUST 2012
IN THIS ISSUE: SET FOR THE OLYMPICS • SUMMER EVENTS • MENDIP ROCKS! • GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM • WHAT’S ON • GOLF SUCCESSES
Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news
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MENDIP TIMES
CONTENTS
Welcome WITH the bunting still dripping with rain, Jubilee celebrations move on to the Olympics this month and we capture the mood with pictures of WI members, scouts, schools and others taking part in their own Olympic events. We also report on Mary Rand’s triumphant homecoming to Wells. As we forecast last month, the odd spot of rain doesn’t stop folk around Mendip enjoying themselves. We’ve picture specials from a wide range of events and festivals, including the 21st Priddy Folk Festival – let’s hope the Green dries out soon! Last month we reported the death of Andrew Addicott of Blagdon, who bequeathed a remarkable collection of old photographs and postcards to the village. We show more of them this month. Our history pages hark back to the golden age of steam, looking ahead to a gala celebrating the Somerset and Dorset Railway, and our canal heritage. Wedmore Harvest Home is about to celebrate its 100th birthday – can you recognise anyone in the photographs? And Swildon’s celebrates 60 years as one of Mendip’s favourite caving circuits – Phil Hendy takes us on a tour. In golf, Peter Godsiff reports on success for Somerset after 12 years and on the 16-year-old golfer from Yatton who has taken the English Schools title. With all of our regular contributors and features, we hope you won’t need an umbrella to enjoy our August issue. September 2012 deadline: Friday, 17th August 2012. Published: Tuesday, 28th August 2012. Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@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: Tony Williams and Mary Rand during her Freedom of the City celebrations in Wells. Photograph by Mark Adler. See page 80
7 Apple pie order – environment at school’s core
35 Fun on the run – Mendip at play for charity
74 21 years young – Priddy Folk Festival in pictures
81 Pure gold – Wells honours its Olympic heroes
Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Charities .......................................14 Farming Mary James MBE..........18 Food & Drink...............................24 Business ........................................36 Internet and Crossword..............38 Arts & Antiques ...........................40 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......45 Walking Sue Gearing....................46 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........48
Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......50 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............58 Family Mendip Mum....................58 Community Simon Selby .............62 Caving Phil Hendy........................66 Property........................................67 Music.............................................72 Golf Peter Godsiff .........................76 Riding Celia Gadd ........................78 What’s On ....................................86 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 3
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Good news on our continuing baby front. Lyndsey’s twin girls, who had to be kept in hospital for a while, are now home, thriving and keeping the family busy. What weather! I left our little “village in a valley” early morning recently, just before a cloudburst which I later found had blocked all the exits and entrances. People have been slipping into ditches in their vehicles, water has been getting into their houses, farmers have been unable to cut hay and silage, crops are waterlogged and don’t want to grow. Whose fault is it? Well, I’m sure most of you know the answer but, believe it or not, we have had requests for advice about who to sue for rain damage. Sadly, except in cases where you can prove negligence or perhaps breach of duty of care or statutory duty the simple answer is the good old-fashioned Act of God. Even in this age of blame culture you can’t sue God or nature. However if you have queries about potential claims on anything from disputes with builders to personal injuries, take advice. You may well have a realistic chance of success. A local advert: we’re in the Mid-Somerset area and August is Mid-Somerset Show time. Believed to be Europe’s largest free-entry agricultural show! Entertainment for all the family! Shepton Mallet, Sunday 19th August, don’t miss it! Bill Bartlett
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.uk.com
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MENDIP TIMES
Skates alive!
THE award-winning Somer Valley Adventure Play and Skate Park in Midsomer Norton was the venue for a summer celebration of sports and culture. In the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics, it showcased community talent and skills with urban sports including demonstrations on BMX bikes, scooters and skateboards and a special dance by pupils from Pensford and High Littleton primary schools. The programme of events was organised through the Quest project, part of the cultural programme to celebrate 2012 across Bath and North East Somerset and coincided with the Midsomer Norton Fayre (see page 39). It also featured the South West “Battle for the Winds” – a unique theatrical tour by Desperate Men and Cirque Bijou in honour of the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic sailing events at Weymouth. Professional artists have been working with teams of “Wind Gatherers” in the South West, creating fantastical wind gathering machines and using local tales, myths and knowledge from each county to feed into the Battle for the Winds story which will be performed at the opening ceremony in Weymouth on Saturday, July 28th.
For information visit: www.battleforthewinds.com
NEWS
Minibus needs new users
CHURCHILL and Langford Minibus Society is celebrating its 35th anniversary and is looking for new members. Ernest Harbottle, treasurer of Churchill Methodist Church, donated the first vehicle and started the service with Ray Millard, church warden of St. John’s, to transport people to church. Six buses later, the service Chairman Tony Hughes provides a lifeline to local demonstrates the tail-lift people in Churchill, Langford, Burrington, Sandford and Winscombe, offering scheduled shopping trips around the area and days out. The 12 regular volunteer drivers each do half a day a fortnight. Chairman Tony Hughes said: “In the 1980s we had about 100 members, now we have 43. We used to charge £25 a year, but have reduced that to £10, plus £2 for each journey, with free transport to the weekly church lunches.” They have also opened up membership to all, not just the elderly. Volunteer John Roberts said: “We provide a door-todoor service so there’s no standing at bus stops. There are very good environmental reasons for using the minibus rather than driving a car.” Alan Purcell, who also drives the Wrington bus, said having a tail-lift is a big advantage, not only for wheelchair users, but for anybody who has difficulty climbing the steps into the minibus. Volunteer Anthony Brown said: “We also do a lot of unscheduled driving, taking people to events like Churchill Music and Trinity Singers concerts or senior screenings at the Curzon in Clevedon, as well as further afield to Bristol and other places. We’ve now started providing a service for residents at St. Monica’s Trust in Sandford.” Details: Tony Hughes 01934 852725 http://churchillandlangford.org.uk/ services/minibussociety.htm MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 5
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MENDIP TIMES
Pylon protest
THREE local MPs, John Penrose, Liam Fox and Tessa Munt joined councillors and local residents – 200 people in all – to climb Crook Peak to protest about plans to build super pylons from Hinkley to Avonmouth. They support the undergrounding of electricity cables through the Mendip Hills AONB and the adjacent countryside of the Somerset Levels to the south and Lox Yeo Valley to the north. The National Grid declined an invitation to join them.
Anyone for gardening? VILLAGERS in Binegar and Gurney Slade, near Shepton Mallet, are being asked for their views on creating community “gardens” on overgrown verges and unused land. The idea is being called Food, Flowers, Fun, Friends and could also include a community orchard and communal vegetable and herb plots Parish councillor Dawn Marshall has invited anyone in the parish to attend a meeting to discuss the proposal. Dawn said: “A few of us think it would be great to get together to do some community gardening to provide food, flowers, herbs and wildlife-friendly planting in and around our villages. We would target land which is under-used or neglected at present.” The idea follows a campaign by Incredible Edible which wants to see community gardening projects throughout Mendip and held a series of its own meetings to discuss the idea. Dawn added: “Once we have got going we might also help out occasionally in gardens where people need a hand to get on top of things for some reason – ill health or starting a new garden for instance. “And what about starting a garden-sharing scheme so that anyone with a garden which is more than they want or can manage can be matched with someone who is longing for a patch to work?” Binegar Parish Council is supportive of the idea and will give moral support and co-operation to make it happen in and around Binegar and Gurney Slade. The meeting is being held at 8pm in the meeting room of the Memorial Hall Dawn (left) with fellow would-be on August 22nd. community gardener Kim Connor PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Sowing bird forage
Boost for birds at Carymoor A KEEN birdwatcher and a local farmer have come to the rescue of a wildlife project near Castle Cary to help farmland birds over the winter months. Each year about three acres of the Carymoor Environmental Trust nature reserve is planted with a specially-selected mixture of seeds to provide food, but funding cuts put the scheme at risk until Bruce Taylor and Robert Targett offered their help. During cold spells, huge flocks of birds arrive to feed on the crop, including as many as 100 yellowhammers, more than 100 reed buntings and 30 tree sparrows, one of the last sites in Somerset where tree sparrows occur. There have even been sightings of corn bunting in two of the past three winters, a species which is rarely recorded in the county. These species are all ‘red’ or ‘amber’ list species because of the huge declines seen in their numbers in recent times. Bruce, who provided the special seed mix, said: “These crops provide a vital food source and should help birds survive during cold spells and get them in good condition for the next breeding season. I am delighted to help Carymoor to continue with this crucial project and to build on the successes they have had so far.” Castle Cary dairy farmer Robert Targett cultivated the plot and planted the seed. He has joined the Waitrose Wildcare Scheme which means he has to dedicate at least 10% of the family farm to wildlife-friendly habitats. Robert said: “It’s something we feel strongly about. Eighteen per cent of our farm is wildlife-friendly and we were only too happy to help out at Carymoor.” Carymoor’s Chief Executive Frances Stuart said: “We are so grateful to Bruce and Robert for their help with this project. These are difficult times for small charities like us and the support of our neighbours and friends means a great deal to us.” Carymoor Environmental Trust has just opened a new volunteer centre funded by Awards for All. The centre, which is constructed from straw bales, will be used by Carymoor’s regular team of volunteers. The straw bale house was previously used for storage but has been refurbished. Regular volunteer Duncan Batey said: “I really value my time volunteering at Carymoor and it’s great to be involved in a project that educates so many people about the natural world. Having a proper base for the group is really welcome and a big improvement for us hard working volunteers!” If you’re interested in getting involved at Carymoor then you can find out more about volunteering opportunities at www.carymoor.org.uk or by calling (01963) 350143.
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ENVIRONMENT
The apple of their eyes AN apple store-cum-den and a composting toilet are unlikely features of a school campus but students at Crispin School in Street will tell you otherwise. As part of their GCSE Citizenship course, more than 40 students have been constructing the sustainable buildings out of recycled materials. They were also helped by donations of materials from local companies. To be known as the Apple Store, the project began 18 months ago when pupils from local primary schools came to Crispin to graft local apple varieties
Charlie Frances (left) and Daisy Huxter put the finishing touches to the Apple Store sign
Work on the composting toilet is almost complete
ready for planting new orchards in their grounds. In order to get Crispin started on their own orchard, the charity Learning Through Landscapes gave Crispin School £1,000. Around the same time, the students in their Saturday club GroundForce expressed a desire to have their own “den” for rainy days. As part of their GCSE Citizenship, year 10 students have to write about and undertake actions that make a positive difference to society. Some of these students decided they wanted to promote sustainable building methods. After discussions with Caroline Barry, who lives in an eco-house near Butleigh, Robin Howell from the Red Brick Building project in Glastonbury and students form Crispin’s Green
committee it was decided that the building would be constructed from pallets. Science teacher David Wrathall, coordinator for the school’s sustainable development group, spoke about the project with Pete Golding, a good friend and retired builder who offered his help and the design really started to come together. Pete started going around local building suppliers and asking whether they could donate materials for the project with Snows Timber and Wollens being particularly generous. The buildings sit in the school’s garden and vegetable plot and other students have built basic outdoor ovens. An official opening ceremony is planned for later in the year.
Builder Phil Golding has overseen the students’ work
Jess Francois (left) and Frances Howard light up the pizza oven
Ashley Denham, one of the key members of GroundForce, outside the Apple Store MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 7
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ENVIRONMENT
Challenge to cable car plan THE Mendip AONB Partnership has raised major concerns about the Longleat Estate’s suggestions for a cable car, education/visitor centre and viewing area in Cheddar Gorge. It agreed that Cheddar Gorge is one of the most iconic landscape features of the Mendip Hills AONB, saying it would be impossible for the proposals to be implemented without changing the landscape character of the lower and upper gorge and detracting from its natural beauty. It said it supports the recent National Trust statement regarding the proposals. The trust, which owns the western side of the gorge, said: “A cable car would undoubtedly change the natural beauty of the lower end of the gorge and we do not feel that the public benefit would outweigh the landscape importance valued by so many people. “Specifically, it would set a national precedent if we allowed the cable cars to travel through our air space alongside the iconic Lion Rock.”
An artist's impression of how the mural will look.
Meanwhile Longleat Enterprises Ltd has teamed up with local artist, Richard Blaker, and Cheddar First and Middle Schools to create a ‘Wonders of the Gorge’ themed mural at Cox’s Mill in Cheddar, which has been vandalised since it closed. Sue Knight, Head of Humanities, from Cheddar First School and Fairlands Middle School who has been
co-ordinating the schools participation said: “The children are very excited to be involved in this project knowing that their artwork will be displayed to everyone passing through and visiting Cheddar Gorge. We also plan use the mural as an example in school to teach ecology, biology and geography to pupils.” See letters, page 22.
M E N D I P
W E A T H E R
S C E N E
Details: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk
Our variable weather
with DAVID MAINE
The rain it falls upon the just and on the unjust fella But more upon the just because the unjust’s got the just’s umbrella!
THESE lines brought a little smile when I came upon them the other day, although there hasn’t been too much to smile about recently with the weather. But as it’s my specialist subject, there’s never any shortage of subject matter to write about. It is so variable in this part of the world there is nearly always something new. Take June for example: after a glorious end to May, it proved to be just about the most appalling month in living memory, and the wettest for about 100 years, although my records do not go back before 1937. Certainly the 219mm or nearly 9 inches of rain I recorded (when the
PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
normal is about three inches) is the wettest since then, and only the second wettest of ANY month in the year. July so far has not been any better as I write, so where and when will it end? Everybody wants to know that and unfortunately the Met Office don’t really know. The jet stream (yes, that good old jet stream again) which controls our weather and determines whether we get persistent high pressure or lots of lows is, as we all know from the media, a lot further south than normal at this time of the year. The reason for this is very unclear, although a lot of research is going on at the moment. Of course, this is no consolation to anyone trying to plan a holiday in the UK and, even if we did know the answer, we would not be able to do much about it. At least the last of the hosepipe bans has now been lifted, the Environment Agency having finally admitted there
At least it’s stopped raining for the time being – a festival goer at Priddy. See page 86.
is enough water around (which water company warned it would need several weeks or months of continual rain before the ban could end) and we can now go off and fill our paddling pools or water the garden. I don’t think mine will need any for some time, though!
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Swans of Wells pendants are available from the Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset Crafts, Somerset Guild or at Erica Sharpe
The shop will be closed from 17th August – 1st September, incl.
For a free no-obligation survey call Ian Hobbs Technical Services Ltd on
01761 414356 or info@ianhobbs.com
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MENDIP TIMES
Music business
Roscoe Lipin played amidst the furniture in Somerset Antiques and Interiors
SHOPS and businesses in Shepton Mallet hosted a weekend of performances by musicians in the first Shepton’s Shop Soultsiss. Venues ranged from cafes to craft shops, a DIY store and a barber shop.
Beckington celebrations
The University of Bedfordshire Drum Corps lead the grand parade
A GRAND parade and a mini version of Last Night of the Proms were part of Beckington’s annual fair, which this year celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The annual event, on the village’s Recreation Field, raises funds for the Memorial Hall as well as local organisations. The hall committee is about to install a boules court and is looking at plans for a bike and skate track.
Soulstiss organiser Isabel Aimee Maria Barham sings in Goodfellows Ruby, Grace and Evie took part in the grand parade
Titus, aged five was successful on the coconut shy
Beverley Dors, Sean Delaney and Janet Burdett ran a strawberries and cream stall to raise funds for Beckington First School PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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EVENTS
Chewton Mendip Fête
Wedmore Street Fair
Long distance charity runner John Reynolds, with his Olympic Torch, opened Chewton Mendip Fete.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 11
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Wedding surprise
DR. LUCY-JAYNE Hodges and Sam Purcell were surprised when they left St. Lawrence’s Church, East Harptree after their wedding in June. Local agricultural contractor, James Cruse, and local florist, Bea Arnoux, had got together to decorate a flat-bed trailer pulled by a vintage tractor for their journey through the village to their reception in a marquee at home.
Working stereotypes NORTON Radstock College is challenging the stereotypes of men and women in engineering, construction and health and social care. Lorna Crouch, college marketing manager, said: “We want to raise the profile of health and social care to the male population.” The college’s “Single Equality Scheme” has been set up to promote diversity and equality to men and women in the workplace and career choices. Reece Buck, aged 19, from Peasedown St John, is studying for a Level 3 diploma in health and social care. He said: “My mum was a nurse in a care home and inspired me to do this. Men can do it as well, we’re all equally capable. There are lots of jobs for men in health and social care, why should there be barriers? It’s no different to women being bricklayers – why not?” Kelly Warren, aged 17, from Bath, is studying for a Level 2 diploma in painting and decorating. She said: “Anyone can be a painter or decorator once you learn the skills. There are plenty of opportunities for female decorators as there are lots of women who live on their own and don’t really want a bloke working in their flat or house.” For more information on Norton Radstock College and its courses, visit: www.Nortcoll.ac.uk, or call 01761 433161.
New president ROY Ackrill has taken over as president of Nailsea and Backwell Rotary Club from Mike West. He has lived in Backwell with his wife Veronica for 29 years and their children Catherine and David went to Backwell School. He retired as regional training manager with the Health and Safety Executive in 2004. PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
NEWS
Presidents in tandem
FOLLOWING Mavis Ditte’s full and successful year at the helm of Midsomer Norton and Radstock’s Inner Wheel Club, members have welcomed two presidents – Mollie Arnold and Linda Tanner – to lead them through the next. The new programme will get off to a good start with an August visit to a vineyard and a tea party at Linda’s home.
Art group celebrates
Committee members preparing to serve lunch (l to r) Maureen Baker, Sonia Priest, Ros Durber, Narbara Hooke and Jean Harnanan.
COMPTON Dando Art Group, which was founded in July 2005, has celebrated its seventh year in the village hall, with a buffet lunch. Prior to July 2005 members had attended an art class run by local artist Mary Shaw in Saltford. When it closed members decided to set up a new group in Compton Dando. They hold regular classes in the hall, when tutors and artists visit to advise and hold workshops, as well as open art demos. Organiser, Sonia Priest, said: “We also have a number of social events throughout the year, and members are advised of local exhibitions and demonstrations helping them to expand their knowledge and interest.”
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MENDIP TIMES
Students build school in Kenya
Weston Big Swim
The competitors in last year’s swim before the Race
A GROUP of 20-year-old students from all over Somerset are heading out to Kenya to help build a school, supported by local Somerset charity Mend the Gap. The young people have responded to the charity’s appeal to raise £65,000 for its educational and poverty reduction projects. Ben Ferguson and Sophie Miell from Axbridge, Henry McGinty from Mark, James Hunter from Banwell and Rosemary Harris from Clevedon are all travelling to Kenya to help build a school as part of their gap year activities. They will be building the school at Bochoroke village, Nyamira County, in Western Kenya. They have also been given the opportunity of both observing and assisting with the charity work of Mend the Gap, as volunteers at the charity’s headquarters in Langford. Part of the group and staff met Tessa Munt MP to brief her of links with Kings of Wessex School with Nyariacho School in Kenya and other activities in her constituency. The trailblazing group of young people are being closely assisted by the CEO of the charity, Naftali Onchere, in keeping the project safe and productive. While in Kenya, they will be staying and living with the local host community and will experience, first-hand, what it is like to live without electricity and running water. They will also help to teach in a number of the 14 nursery, primary and secondary schools that Mend the Gap works with in addition to helping build a school. The schools in Kenya are linked with schools in Avon and Somerset where the charity runs practical school linking programmes.
Volunteers Henry McGwinty and Ben Ferguson of Kings of Wessex Academy with Mend the Gap staff, Naftali Onchere and Helen Ferguson, with Tessa Munt, MP for Wells, (centre).
Details: 01934 853545 or email events@mendthegap.org.uk PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
THE annual Weston-super-Mare Big Swim in aid of the RNLI takes place on August 12th. This will be the event’s eighth year and it has raised over £25,000. The swimmers are transported to the end of Brean Down in the Bristol Channel and swim to Anchor Head on the north Weston shore. The distance is 2.5 miles in a straight line – however they rarely swim in a straight line as they will have to cope with the powerful tides in this, the second largest tidal range in the world. It will take them from 45 minutes to one and half hours depending on the swimmer. They will each be escorted by a kayak in case they get into difficulties and there will be a number of RIBs also escorting. Anyone interested in taking part must be a strong swimmer with experience of swimming in the sea and has to agree to raise sponsorship in aid of the RNLI. Last year the group of eight swimmers who took part raised £5,000. Details for swimmers http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N3T5DL8 Details for sponsors http://www.justgiving.com/teams/BigSwim2012
Charity trek COLETTE Gibson from Axbridge is preparing to trek the Carpathian Mountains in Romania this summer in aid of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). She’s supported charities since primary school raising money in various ways such as holding a raffle, bingo, car boot sale, sponsorship for events such as Trekking the Great Wall of China which she did in 2007, a driving challenge and the Race for Life. She is also willing to dye her hair various colours and do silly things to raise money. The WSPA has been promoting the concept of animal welfare in regions of the world where animal welfare is of least if any concern for 25 years. You can support Colette through her JustGiving site.
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CHARITIES Photog
Charity cheques Photo courtesy of Bob Bowen
Horatio’s garden
WRINGTON Inner Wheel has raised £2,500 for the Horatio’s Garden Appeal at the Duke of Cornwall’s spinal treatment unit in Salisbury. President Pauline Alvis and members are pictured presenting the cheque to Annie Maw. The money was raised from a range of charity events including a concert by Winscombe Orchestra. The garden is a lasting tribute to Horatio Chapple who was tragically killed by a polar bear in August 2011. His father David Chapple, a consultant spinal surgeon, is proud that Horatio will always be remembered, as he had been an enthusiastic volunteer at the unit. The garden was due to be opened by Frank Gardner the broadcaster and will be featured at the National Gardening Show at the Royal Bath and West showground later in the year.
Snowdrop volunteers Paulette Chivers (left) and Deborah Croxon with society director Allan Curtis
RADSTOCK Co-operative Society members have voted to support Radstock Museum and The Snowdrop Appeal, a Radstock-based group of volunteers who fund-raise to provide activities for those suffering from dementia and to provide support for their carers.
Candles of remembrance
Clem Maidment, acting chairperson Radstock Museum, with Vicki Przytocki and Grahame Pickford from the society
An abseil with a difference
FAMILIES, friends and companions gathered to Light up the Lake in memory of a lost loved one at the Marine Lake in Weston-super-Mare, with hundreds gathering to watch. Keen not to postpone the event due to the wet weather, a single raft was floated gracefully into the lake. Weston Hospicecare plans to re-launch all the candles when there is better weather. The event raised more than £3,000 for the charity.
A RARE chance is on offer to abseil from the tower of a Mendip church for charity. The event is being held at Priddy church on Sunday, August 12th with proceeds going to church funds. The event is open to anyone aged eight years old upwards under strict supervision by professionals. There will also be a chance to have a go on a zip wire. Organiser Pam Main said: “If you don’t think either of these are for you, then just climb up inside to the top of the tower and view the beautiful Mendip landscape from a position few are able to have.” For further information please contact Pam Maine on 01749 870423 or e-mail: pam.main@hotmail.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 15
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CHARITIES
Time for coffee
Revving up for air ambulance
Pictured (l to r) standing Susie McCallum (regional fundraising manager for the South West), Cynthia Castle, Ann Morris, Liz Shorney, Alan Morris, Sue Daniels and Kate Bartlett; seated Liz Balmforth, Joan Barnes, Jean Owen, Sheila Rice and Bridget Gracey.
THESE are some of the Chew Valley’s fundraising team for Arthritis Research UK, who organised a coffee morning in the garden of Liz Balmforth’s home in Bishop Sutton, which raised £269 for the charity. Organiser, Jean Owen, said: “Liz has hosted this event for three years now and the committee is very grateful for her kindness. It continues the tradition begun by Peter and Celia Handley.” The group will be holding their next coffee morning on Wednesday October 10th, from 10am until 12 noon, at Winford Manor.
The Railway Rev Up underway
PREPARATIONS are underway for this year’s fundraising Railway Rev Up near Meare, near Glastonbury. The two-day event is in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and features a display of vintage vehicles, including tractors and steam engines. New for this year will be a 75/25 auction. The Rev Up is being held at the Railway Inn on Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th. The auction will be held on the Saturday, with entries accepted from 10am with a 1pm sale start. There’ll be a car boot/table top sale on the Sunday at 10am. Entry is free but donations and items for the raffle are welcome. Anyone who would like to show their vintage vehicle or offer support should call Ivan Sparks on 01458 259401 after 6pm.
From Westbury to Rwanda JACKIE Laws from Westbury-subMendip has just returned from a trip to Rwanda to see the work of the Send a Cow charity. Send a Cow, based at Corston, near Bath, aims to encourage families in Africa to become more self-sufficient. Jackie, who was born in Africa, recently volunteered to help raise funds and give talks for Send a Cow. She financed the trip to Rwanda herself. She said: “The trip provided a remarkable insight to the country, its people and the work of Send a Cow. It was an adventure and a physical and emotional rollercoaster!” She said Rwanda was still suffering from the aftermath of the genocide 18 years ago. Sixty per cent of the population live in extreme poverty. Jackie added: “I bumped around in trucks for 10 hours a day, visiting groups of widows, orphans, the disabled and HIV/AIDS sufferers ,who are under the wing of Send a Cow.
Jackie in Rwanda
“All have to complete intensive training covering many subjects, in particular vegetable growing, using animal manure, and animal management. When considered ready, they are given a good quality dairy cow or goats, all sourced in Africa. Support remains in place for three to five years, by which time they are expected to be truly self-sufficient.
“I saw communities fractured by fear after the genocide, finding common goals, discovering they can feed themselves, make a living and gain respect in the community. Their success speaks for themselves and the national government is adopting Send a Cow’s approach right across the country.“
For more information, visit: www.sendacow.org.uk or telephone 01225 874222 PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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Wedmore’s time team
The Priddy Plaque
Children At Wedmore First School signing the clock hands
THE present clock in Wedmore’s St Mary’s Church was installed in 1881 and it looks as if the dial has never been renovated – until now. Clock experts abseiled down the tower to start work, with quite a crowd of local onlookers. Once the hands were removed, pupils from Wedmore First School indelibly signed the back of each to create a whole new form of ‘time’ capsule. The work has been funded by the Friends of St. Mary’s, set up last year to help maintain the building. The group has 100 individual members and seven corporate supporters – the Paper Shop, Roderick Thomas Estate Agents, Wedmore Dental Practice, Molar Ltd, B2 Architects, Pisces and Borough Venture Menswear.
Details: David Hopkins DAHopkins@aol.com or Box Cottage, Pilcorn Street, Wedmore, BS28 4AN.
Sue Lidgey points to the tiles celebrating her time at the school
PUPILS at Priddy Primary School have created their own lasting contribution to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year – and head teacher Sue Lidgey had no idea! Sue was taken aback when she arrived at school to find part of the wall by the entrance was covered in black plastic. Helped by retired head Brenda Finlayson – who was at Priddy from 1969 until 1982 – Sue unveiled a plaque charting the school’s history during the Queen’s reign. The plaque was composed of tiles made by pupils and included an image of herself. Sue said: “I thought there had been a problem with the wall and it had been covered up because of the rain Mrs Finlayson (left) and Sue with pupils or something.” after the unveiling MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 17
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Tough times for farmers FARMERS have a very good reason to complain about the weather. It is not just farmers though – everyone is suffering, businesses, events and families having holidays spoilt. Evidently the weather was like this 100 years ago. As I write, the sun is shining and we are With MARY tempted to cut some grass to try and make JAMES MBE some haylage, which means it is almost hay and then is wrapped. One would have a better chance at making silage, which some farmers are attempting, but the fields are so wet that the machinery gets bogged down. Spare a thought also for dairy farmers who are having to cope with the weather and perhaps TB, as well as their milk price going down. The problem in the dairy industry is that there is no base price for milk which covers the cost of production so on a whim a milk processor can lower the price it pays to the farmer. To add to the current problem there are some processors who are paying a fair price to the farmers who supply them but the others get pressurised by certain supermarkets to lower the price. The lower prices effective on August 1st could result in farmers receiving 25p per litre. General opinion in the industry suggests 30p per litre would cover the cost of production. So how can dairy farmers survive when they are producing milk at least 5p per litre below the cost of production? It will mean more dairy herds selling up and going out of milk production altogether. It is an utter disgrace – where are the Government? – still fiddling around with a voluntary code of practice for the supermarkets which is useless. The price of milk to the consumer varies so much. Have a look when you go shopping. Try comparing the cost of a litre of milk with the cost of a litre of bottled water. You will be surprised, the water is the dearest. Plenty of nutrients in milk but not a lot in water! On another subject, have you noticed the huge numbers of magpies, rooks and crows there are around, doing their best to destroy the songbirds? The RSPB are suggesting this does not happen. Do you remember the old rhyme about magpies: “One for sorrow, two for joy etc.” We have stopped counting around here, there are so many. That stalwart supporter of farming and countryside, the WI,
Jill Fidkin (left) president of Barrow Gurney WI hands the torch to Mary Magro president of Westleaze, Long Ashton WI.
has been passing the Olympic Torch around Avon – they still use the old area. Much fun and laughter has ensued with each branch thinking up bright ideas to carry the replica torch to the next branch. Barrow Gurney’s idea had a farming connection; the ladies rode on a Unimog (a large 4x4 truck) with some dressed as Wurzels and some in red, white and blue. Cider jars, straw and bunting added to the overall scene. The Avon WI Olympics event was due to be held on July 18th.
YFC seeks members
FROME Young Farmers is looking for new members. YFC is a social group and registered charity that enjoys finding fun ways to raise money – their last event was a race night held at Frome rugby club, which raised £1,000 for the air ambulance. They are also taking part in Frome Carnival and will have a stand at Frome Cheese Show. The club is divided into two, 10-15 year olds who enjoy fun activities based around agricultural and outdoor pursuits, and the 16-26 year olds who enjoy a very social, hands-on side to the club! Seniors meet fortnightly at Frome Rugby Club. Details: Naomi 07825223106 or fromeyoungfarmers@live.com PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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FARMING
New president for show society Bishop Peter takes over from Sir Henry
Sheep fair cancelled THE 664th Priddy Sheep Fair has had to be cancelled due to the exceptional weather. At a meeting between the parish council, its sheep fair committee and outside agencies including the police it was agreed there was no option but to cancel the 2012 event. Sheep Fair Committee chairman, Martin Edwards said: “This has been a really tough decision to take. We had a realistic look at all the options that were available to us, but in the end, the safety of our helpers and visitors attending the fair had to come first. The ground conditions here are terrible and the village green has been badly damaged by previous events. “We must also consider that the other fields we use are based on the goodwill of the landowners, who allow their land to be used for free, but don’t want to see the fields turned to mud.” Chairman of the parish council, Alan Hutfield, said after the meeting: “I know that a lot of people will be disappointed by this, as are we! The sheep fair committee does a tremendous amount of work through the year to organise this event. Part of their role is to consider the wider implications of holding the event, which includes a referendum within the village to gauge the support for the event. “This is still strong and the 664th fair which will now be in 2013 is being planned for; but I fully support this decision as being the responsible thing to do.”
THE Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt. Rev. Peter Price, has taken over as President of the Royal Bath and West of England Society. Bishop Peter succeeds Sir Henry Elwes, a former Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. Among the gifts he received was a case of Diamond Jubilee cider, commissioned by the Royal Bath and West Show.
Rupert Best, chief steward of Orchards and Cider presents Sir Henry with the commemorative cider
UPHILL & SON LTD Chewton Mendip 01761 241270 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 19
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Tribute to Andrew We reported last month the death of Andrew Addicott from Blagdon. His friend Byron Winter has this tribute. ANDREW was born, as his name suggests, on St. Andrew’s Day in 1933. His parents, Edgar and Florence (nee Sampson), both hailed from the immediate area. His education was received locally and then at the grammar school in Weston-super-Mare. When national service beckoned he spent three years with the RAF in the Suez canal zone in Egypt. Returning home Andrew started working in Bristol for Whitwells, a shipping agent, before joining the Safeway scaffolding firm. This connection with the building/construction industry was to stay with him for the rest of his life. Other occupations did surface however – from mini-cab driving in London to house conversion in Bristol; from running a small shop in Blagdon to producing a local publication Mendip Life with Jan Brothwell, another local resident. This was launched in 1994 and appeared monthly for about ten years. It satisfied Andrew’s long-held ambition to report upon local matters. When it came to sport, tennis and rugby were his main interests. He was a founder member of Blagdon Rugby Club (now no more) and at one time or another held all the major committee responsibilities. A chance meeting on holiday in Northern Ireland resulted in the forging of close links with the rugby club in
Andrew in his shop
Carrickfergus and for several years exchange tours were arranged – Andrew being the prime instigator. Over the years he became increasingly interested in local history and collected many old images of the area. He published a book Bygone Blagdon and many of the images can now be seen in Addicott’s Archive at: addicottsarchive.wordpress.com His business and hobby interests came to a halt, and had a limited recovery, when he was involved in a serious car accident in the Shrewsbury area. This was to affect him for the rest of his life. After a spell at Winford Hospital his recovery, if you can call it that, was regarded as complete as possible. Problems remained, however, and normal mobility was never fully regained. Undeterred Andrew returned to Blagdon and became a parish councillor – and chairman at one time – and his
Workers at Downey's sack factory, Blagdon during WW2
Burrington Combe
Prince Charles in 1977
PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
West Harptree
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ANDREW ADDICOTT
John Gallop Collection
Blagdon Station
Andrew at St. Andrew’s church fete
interest in local affairs was to remain with him for the rest of his life. Over the past few years his forays to the local “watering holes” became less frequent as his health, especially his sight and mobility, deteriorated. The only regular trips now were to the local surgeries and hospital. He will be sadly missed, not only by members of his family, but by friends, who managing to accommodate his foibles, shared his support and enthusiasm for local activities, for sport, notably rugby, and the appreciation and collation of many old and valuable photographs of the area. Certainly, regarding this alone, he deserves our thanks.
Blagdon showing the former Lake View restaurant and The George Inn
Banwell street gathering
Details: Blagdon Local History Society, sec Pip Riley 01761 462723 pip.riley@talk21.com MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 21
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MENDIP TIMES Dear Mendip Times, A new group, AATOM – Action Against Turbines on the Mendip hills – has been set up to fight proposed wind turbines. Negotiators for the two companies, ClearWinds and TUK, have held local consultations for two 300 ft turbines: The Clearwinds turbine is planned for Victoria Farm, near the Slab House Inn, and TUK are proposing one at the little Maesbury Quarry, on the Old Frome Road. Planning permission for both is expected to be requested later this summer. We are not against renewable energy, but, in this case, the visual impact of vast turbines on part of a beautiful and famous range of hills around one mile from an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty far outweighs any so-called benefits. Everyone knows by now that wind turbines cannot generate enough energy to reduce global CO2 levels to any meaningful degree, yet businesses and individuals are still jumping on what has become a gold rush bandwagon. Enormous sums are being granted to companies hundreds of miles away from Somerset to exploit our hills while consumers will pay through their electricity bills. Susan Tanner Wells Dear Mendip Times, The floods and unremitting rain have left many farmers worried about whether they will see any return from this year’s crops and on the back of further swingeing price cuts, Britain’s dairy industry is fighting for its survival. As a result, more and more farmers are already in difficulty or are facing the dilemma of whether to ride out the current literal and metaphorical storms and stay in farming, or whether they should get out of agriculture altogether. Such decisions are extremely difficult to take and it can be months before farmers can build another income stream. Not only does this leave people desperately sad at having to sell off what may be pedigree herds with long bloodlines or a farm that has been in the family for generations, they may also be at a severe financial disadvantage. R.A.B.I. (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) can help and I would urge anyone who is in difficulty, or who knows someone in such a position, to contact us for confidential help, now or in the future. We cannot help with business debts, but we can help with domestic bills and can also provide funding for training to allow people to develop and take their skills to a wider market, in or outside farming. R.A.B.I. is here to help and can do a lot more than people may think. Just ask by calling our freephone helpline on 0300 303 7373. Paul Burrows, chief executive Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution Dear Mendip Times, Shove ha’penny (or shove halfpenny) was once a well supported pub game but is now disappearing from our local area which is very sad as earlier versions were played as far back as the fifteenth century. In the game, players take turns to push coins up a slate PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
LETTERS with horizontal lines across it. The areas between each pair of horizontal lines are called “beds” and the objective is to push the coins so that they land squarely in the beds without touching the horizontal lines. To win, a player needs to get a coin in each bed 3 times which is no easy task! The Chew Valley League meet on a Monday night from October through to March with a four (or more!) person team and each team plays home and away games against each other. There is also a singles, ladies singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team knockout competition in addition to the league fixtures. We are a friendly league which urgently needs new teams. If you would like to join contact me. Ian Thick 01749 880200 Dear Mendip Times, What a splendid article by Philip Hendy in the last issue, charting the early years of tourism in Cheddar, and what a hoo-hah on your letters pages concerning plans by Sainsburys and Tesco to build supermarkets there. The planners surely let the cat out of the bag when they allowed a monstrous garden centre on the edge of the village, so I fear the arguments against the superstores are a lost cause, sad though that is. At least locals might get a better choice than that offered by some current retailers. With the market cross held up by scaffolding, and shops boarded up, the village centre really does have a sad air of neglect about it. How different it appears to have been in bygone times when the early entrepreneurs saw the potential of the gorge as a visitor attraction. So with concerns about falling visitor numbers, what do Cheddar Gorge’s co-owners, the loons of Longleat, propose? A cable car riding to the top of one of the most magnificent natural landscapes in England! I swear I saw a pig flying over the gorge on the day they made the announcement. Happily the National Trust have objected, so that’s probably the end of that. Of course the Trust hasn’t done the area many favours. It reopened its shop in the gorge in a blaze of publicity a year or so ago and then promptly closed it for the whole of the winter. What a welcome for visitors wanting information and accommodation. Welcome to Cheddar: We are shut! It seems to me that the managers of Longleat have much to answer for. Philip wrote about the Cox family opening their hotel in the gorge, with boating on the mill pond and tea in the gardens. What an idyllic picture. What we have now is a boarded-up eyesore right at the heart of the gorge. If their fatuous plans for a cable car are thrown out, what do they propose to do with it? Isn’t it time they put some real investment in to the area? That poor girl on their publicity leaflets must be close to drawing her pension by now. Why not give the building to the village to provide an interpretation centre and community resource? Why not move their own offices there and demolish the hideous concrete blockhouses that desecrate the top of the gorge? Why not give this truly magnificent area the respect it deserves, rather than try to copy the crude tack that they have at Wookey Hole? George Jackson Midsomer Norton
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All smiles at school!
Michael Eavis opens the new buildings
GLASTONBURY Festival founder Michael Eavis was the guest of honour at the official opening of new buildings at Midsomer Norton primary school. The £2.3 million improvements carried out at the school, funded by Bath and North East Somerset Council, replaced several temporary buildings and have provided a new entrance to the school, school hall, servery, reception classrooms and nursery and administrative suite. Head Teacher Damian Knollys said: “All the pupils and teachers are really pleased with the new classrooms and hall. These improvements are supporting our teaching staff to continue to provide high standards of education to local children.”
Rob’s year is underway ROB Porter has succeeded David Protheroe as President of the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock. David said: “I have enjoyed a tremendous year. I am very grateful to the club members for allowing me the honour to be their president and for all their hard work and support.” Rob said: “I am very excited about the year ahead. It’s a great honour David (left) congratulates Rob on taking over as president to represent the club.”
Club on the move
THE Rotary Club of Mendip is on the move. After 44 years at the Bath Arms in Cheddar, it’s moving to Wedmore Golf Club. It also has a new president – Mike Latham has taken over from Paul Knowles. Pupils performed a flag waving ceremony
Details: Bob Acland 01934 732086.
Birthday girls LITTON and Hinton Blewett WI celebrated their 90th Birthday in Litton Village Hall, which was originally built for the institute. They invited past members and special guests from other WIs. There was a slide show of photographs taken over the years, a wonderful poem telling of the history of their WI, and songs from many decades for them to sing. They had a special birthday cake and members provided a spectacular buffet. It was a truly memorable evening. The group photo was taken under the cherry tree planted for the Litton and Hinton Blewett WI’s 50th Birthday. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 23
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Sizzle and smoke THE aroma of outdoor cooking drifting around back gardens is a delight in even the weakest of British summers. The slightest hint of sun at the weekend and the supermarket shelves are swept clean of everything that can be slapped on a barbie. This year has been such a washout With JUNE that you can pick up quite a decent piece of MACFARLANE grilling equipment for a song and August is the month to make the most of it. One of the secret delights of outdoor cooking is that it’s a bloke thing; give him a bag of charcoal and a long pair of tongs and he’s in heaven. I think it’s the combination of fire and tools, danger and precision, that does it. But hey, no need to be sexist, I enjoy that too!
SEARED MACKEREL OVER BAY I really like cooking fish outdoors because not only do INGREDIENTS you get a great charred look and 1 mackerel per person taste, but you also save on big bunch of bay leaves on indoor cooking smells. the branch Mackerel is an oily fish and olive oil responds well to quick hot salt and pepper cooking, plus it is inexpensive 1 lemon and very good for you. If you have a bay tree that has gone into overdrive with all the rain you can lop off a few branches and use them as a soft base to cook the fish. Push some leaves into the cavity too. METHOD Gut the fish and rinse under cold water. Pat dry and anoint with a little olive oil. Season well inside and out and put a few bay leaves into the cavity. Make sure your barbecue is hot, with the coals white. Put the grill in place and give it a few minutes to heat up, then lay a bed of bay leaves on top and place the fish on top of that. Pour a little more olive oil over the fish, carefully, and a squeeze of lemon. Give the fish a good five minutes on each side until cooked through but not falling to pieces. Serve hot with new potatoes and more lemon to squeeze over. Watch out for bones!
SEAFOOD SKEWERS WITH SPICY HONEY SAUCE 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp tomato ketchup Wooden skewers, soaked in few drops Tabasco cold water for half an hour 1 tbsp Lea & Perrins A selection of seafood – 1 clove garlic, minced fantail prawns, scallops, 1/2 tsp salt or to taste squid, all cleaned and corals This gives enough for four removed from scallops people; for a crowd double or Sunflower oil, salt triple the amounts. FOR SAUCE 2 tbsp cider vinegar
INGREDIENTS
PORK CHOPS WITH RHUBARB RELISH If you bash the chops flat they are tenderised and they cook INGREDIENTS faster. Pork loves rhubarb and 1 large or 2 small pork loin this sweet/sour relish is really chops per person quick and easy to make. Plus it’s 2 tbsp cider vinegar ready to eat right away. 2 tbsp olive oil METHOD 1 tbsp fresh marjoram leaves, Combine rhubarb, white wine, chopped honey and vinegar in a small saucepan and heat gently to FOR THE RHUBARB melt the honey. Cover and RELISH simmer for two minutes, 300g rhubarb, trimmed and remove lid and simmer until chopped into 2cm pieces the rhubarb is tender. Set aside 2 tbsp white wine to cool. 2 tbsp honey Trim the pork chops. Place 2 tbsp cider vinegar between two pieces of greaseproof paper and bash flat with a rolling pin or a steak basher. Put the chops in a sealable plastic bag. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and pour into the bag. Seal the bag and rub marinade well into meat. Leave to marinate for an hour. Bring barbecue up to temperature. Remove chops from marinade and pat dry. Season with salt and black pepper. Grill for about five minutes on each side, until the juices just run clear. Serve with the Rhubarb Relish.
These are elegant and pretty to look at and a doddle to cook. Make your own dipping sauce for an upmarket twist and serve as either a starter or a main course. METHOD Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until thickened and reduced. Reserve half for serving. Thread seafood pieces on to skewers, brush lightly with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bring barbecue up to temperature. Lightly oil grill rack and grill skewers on one side for two minutes. Turn and brush with sauce, grill for further two minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.
June is a former television producer. She is currently a public relations consultant in the food and drink industry and has just started a new blog: www.thekitchenscribbler.blogspot.com PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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FOOD & DRINK
No strangers, only friends IVAN and Sue Hewitt have opened the doors of a new bistro-style coffee shop and café in Wells. Strangers with Coffee sits next to St. Cuthbert Church in St. Cuthbert Street and has already proved popular with visitors and residents alike. Ivan said: “Since opening on Friday, June 29th, we’ve already gained some Ivan and Sue outside Strangers regular customers who with Coffee in St. Cuthbert Street in Wells seem to like the fact that we are offering a more personal touch.” The name of the outlet is partly a pun on the fact that Ivan and Sue are new to the city but also that the gourmet coffee on sale is unfamiliar to many. The coffee – Fair Trade – is provided by a company called Allpress, from New Zealand, who opened an outlet in Shoreditch in London’s East End. Ivan is front-of-house whilst Sue, a trained chef, prepares everything from homemade chicken liver pate to sticky toffee and date pudding, although there is a definite Mediterranean feel to the menu. Breakfast might include Croque Madame (toasted cheese and ham with a poached egg). Frittata of the Day is on the lunch menu, which also includes homemade falafel, honey roast ham and caramelised onion tart and the very popular Deli Platter which includes locally-produced cured meats, olives, homemade tapenade and hummus. A range of sandwiches is also available. Ivan and Sue hail from West Yorkshire and have a long background in the café trade, running a bistro in Truro before discovering Wells. Ivan added: “Wells is a lovely, friendly city and, after years of travelling around both here and abroad, we are looking to set down our roots here.”
Ivan and Sue look forward to welcoming you to Strangers with Coffee Open for gourmet coffee, continental-style breakfasts, Mediterranean-style lunches, a sandwich or just a nibble. Fully licensed. There’s a coffee for everyone from espresso to caffe mocha. We use the finest Fair Trade coffees from Allpress
We’re open Monday to Saturday from 8am-5pm and Strangers with Coffee is available for private functions in the evenings
Our sheltered courtyard is open all the year round
31 St. Cuthbert Street, Wells
Telephone 07728 047233
AUGUST DATES Wells: every Wednesday 9am-2.30pm
Friday 3rd Wincanton 9am-12pm
All other markets 9am-1pm
Saturday 4th Midsomer Norton & Axbridge Saturday 11th Frome & Keynsham Friday 17th Cheddar Saturday 18th Crewkerne Saturday 25th Glastonbury & Yeovil Friday 31st Burnham-on-Sea Somerset Farmers’ Markets
Tel: 01373 814646
www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk
Your Power Proudly Supports Sustainability in Somerset Your Power is a Leading Expert in the Field of Renewable Energy. Whether it’s Domestic or Commercial, We Have the Right System for You. Call Today for Your Free Survey: 0800 924 7364 or www.yourpoweruk.com
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 25
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Fish and chips – down on the farm! DAIRY farmer Richard Curry and his family have decided to diversify – by opening a 75-seater fish and chip café and takeaway on their farm at Compton Martin. Big Rich’s Café is also offering breakfasts, snacks, teas, coffees and Sunday lunches. The family have run Court Farm since 1964, and are well known for supplying milk to the local area, also growing feed for their 400-strong herd. Now after £5.95 English breakfast processing the £3.70 milk every day, San dwiches 95 Richard puts on £5. Salads his chef’s jacket £7.20 Cod and chips and starts frying. The new café is (OAPs £6.50) 05 employing 12 £4. s chip and e Sausag people, while £3.85 Kids meals there are six £1.60 working on the Filter coffee farm. But it’s still h wit ke sha Milk very much a £2.40 ice cream family business, involving Richard’s brother
SAMPLE MENU
Philip and sister Pauline, as well as their mum Peggy. Richard said: “It’s a variation on the theme of the oldfashioned family farm, but we felt the need to diversify, especially with the price of milk dropping another 2p a litre recently.” They’ve invested heavily in their new building and car park – and the work isn’t finished yet. The Clock Tower, in the café’s title, will be arriving soon, promising an eyecatching new landmark in Compton Martin.
Open Monday – Friday 9am–7pm Saturday 8.30am–7pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm
Traditional Fish & Chips and Sunday Roasts PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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FOOD & DRINK
More tea vicar?
Country shopping at its best
North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW
A SPECIAL afternoon cream tea, held by David and Rosemary Turner in the gardens of their home at Whitsun Lodge, Burnett, near Marksbury, was a huge success, raising £462.91 for the village’s St. Michael’s Church toilet and kitchenette fund. The couple are pictured serving tea to (left to right) Peter and Barbara Godfrey and David and Diane O’Neil.
Cheddar strawberries and cream Local ice cream
Barbecue meats, kebabs, burgers and sausages
Wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables
Local apple juice, cider and chutneys
Plants and gifts including Emma Bridgwater china
Our aim is to supply only the highest quality coffee & espresso machines, along with professional, helpful, friendly service and advice, to Coffee Shops, Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Offices • Agents for CMA Astoria Espresso Machines • Refurbished Espresso Machines • Bean to Cup Machines • Free Loan Filter Machines • Repairs and Maintenance Service • Locally, Freshly Roasted Coffee • Barista Training • Purchase, Lease or Rental Terms Available
Arrange a visit to our showroom to ‘test drive’ one of our expresso machines and taste our superb, locally-roasted coffee.
Geoff’s fresh fish every Friday and Saturday
Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas
TEA ROOMS Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Sunday roast lunches Full English breakfasts Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 5.30pm Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment
Farm Shop: 01761 220067 Tea Rooms: 01761 220172 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 27
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Coffee and chat Wedding Receptions Parties Meetings Take advantage of the blank canvas of our former country pub. Create your own unique event with privately sourced caterers or draw inspiration from our events team. Flexible terms of hire Tel: 01761 221382/221635 for further details Email enquiries@thewellsway.co.uk
PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
A FREE coffee morning is held every month in the old schoolroom at Compton Martin, run by Mike and Shirley Sinden. They are pictured with regular visitor Edith Cranfield, now 101, who walks there from her home nearby. She said she enjoys meeting interesting people and catching up with friends. When she turned 100 last year the church was floodlit in her honour, it flew the Union Jack, and there was a special peel of bells in her honour, as well as a party in the village hall. The coffee drop-ins are held on the second Wednesday of each month 10.30am-12noon.
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FOOD & DRINK GARDEN FOOD
Fun with fenugreek I MUST admit, when it comes to a lot of things, I am rather impatient, and gardening is no exception. Whilst I am forward thinking enough to get my chillies and tomatoes started in March, I find these crops a chronic test of my fortitude. With JAKE It seems like literally a lifetime ago that WHITSON I planted those seeds, and still, as I write this, all I have to show for it are some tiny green tomatoes. There are some crops, however, that are so quick it’s almost hard to keep up with them. Soft, leafy herbs such as basil and coriander are among these – I sow fresh pots every couple of weeks, and even though I use them almost daily I never run out. French breakfast radishes are perhaps my favourite quick-crop – they are ready in 30 days (or less, if you want to eat them small) and the crisp, tender, sweet roots can almost be seen swelling before your very eyes. I’ve recently added another quick-fix crop to this list, and that is fenugreek. The seed, used as a spice in Indian cooking, is readily available (in supermarkets, but often it is also available loose in health food shops, and this is usually better value), and it literally takes a couple of days from sowing to get fenugreek sprouts. This can be done in a jar or on damp kitchen towels indoors, in the same way you might grow mustard and cress. I also grow fenugreek in deep trays of compost – in much the same way as I grow coriander and basil – and after a few weeks harvest the small, pea-like plants. The sprouts and leaves are wonderful added last minute to curry – I am reluctant to say that they are a spinach substitute, but the texture when cooked is similar and they have a wonderful spicy, savoury flavour.
Jacob Whitson is a chef and food writer who has worked in many of the West Country’s most prestigious restaurants. He is currently working on his first book, a travelogue detailing the regional foods of Japan.
WILD FOOD
Courtship and matrimony SOMETIMES, there is a plant that captures the senses and the imagination like no other, the holy trinity of beauty, aroma and flavour, and Meadowsweet is one such plant. Few others have this particular combination, beautiful creamy-white frothy flowers, a sensational sweet taste and the With ADRIAN heady bouquet of what . . . marzipan! This BOOTS plant really has captured the hearts and minds of people down through the ages. This attraction manifests itself in a long history of use; our Druidic ancestors held Meadowsweet in highest regard and in medieval times Meadowsweet flowers were used to flavour mead (anything that involves mead is a good thing in my book) and also as a replacement for honey, it really is that sweet. It was also ‘strewn’ on the floors of dwellings giving a soft feel underfoot and providing a pleasant smell in the rooms. It was said that the scent of Meadowsweet could make a man fall asleep and never wake! Meadowsweet has many common names, but the name actually derives not from the fact that it grows in meadows, which it does, but from its use as a sweetener in the aforementioned mead. When dried it smells of new mown hay, thus its other common names (unsurprisingly enough) of new mown hay, sweet hay, hayriff and queen of the meadow or lady of the meadow. However, my favourite name has to be ‘courtship and matrimony’ from the difference in scent before and after crushing (an amusing comment on the difference between dating and married life), sweet before then releasing an over-powering almost antiseptic odour after being crushed. The plant that is, not marriage. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a tall hairy perennial growing up to 1.2m in height. The leaves alternate between large and smaller leaf pairs, they are oval, pointed and toothed, with hairy undersides. The flower heads are made up of many small, delicate flowers with that wonderful creamy-white colour and as you may have guessed are quite fragrant. It can be found in July and August along roadsides and hedges; it can also be found in damp places such as wet grassland, meadows, woodland and river banks. Back to alcohol now as the leaves were also used to flavour claret, port and even sloe gin (anything that involves claret, port and sloe gin is a good thing in my book). That being said, there is no reason why they cannot be used to add an aromatic bouquet to soft drinks too. Medicinally, Meadowsweet leaves are said to have a soothing effect on the stomach when made into a tea. I have never tried this but after all that mead, port, claret and sloe gin it’s probably not a bad idea. But one of the most wonderful ways to use it is to impart its sweetness and aroma to fresh custard or cream. Just waft the flowers through a few times to create a unique flavour for your summer desserts. Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, researcher and farm conservation advisor. You can visit his website www.walkthemendips.com to learn more about the Mendips and his Wild Food Walks. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 29
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Kings of their sport
Licensed for civil ceremonies
PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
SCOOTERS may not be part of the Olympics – yet – but the Kings Arms Inn at Litton recently played host to some champions of their sport. Four young (L:R); Co-owner Luis Duarte , Max Peters, riders who were Ryan Upchurch, Charles Padel , Jessee taking part at the Ikeda and Findlay Hobbs outside the National entrance to the Kings Arms Inn Adventure Sports Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet chose the historic inn as their base for the weekend. Australian Max Peter, Americans Ryan Upchurch and Jessee Ikeda and French scooter Charles Padel were representing a French scooter manufacturer called Blunt at the show. Charles took first place in a competition for best trick, Max was second, Jessee third and Ryan fourth. Kings Arms Inn co-owner Findlay Hobbs said: “We were delighted to welcome them to the inn; they were a very pleasant group of young men.” Their stay came just days before the inn hosts a Greekthemed party to celebrate the opening of London 2012 on Friday, July 27th.
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FOOD & DRINK
Welcome to the Kings Arms Litton
UNA NOTTE ITALIANA TUESDAY 28th AUGUST 2012
PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR OUR GREEK MENU PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE LONDON OLYMPICS FRIDAY JULY 27th Tickets: £30 per person or £35 with wine included. Booking essential
Tickets are £30 per person or £35 with wine included
ANTIPASTI PIATTO Italian cured meats, cheeses, aubergines, peppers & olives with grilled bread MAIN COURSE Salsiccia & Fagioli – spiced sausages & Borlotti beans cooked red wine & herbs Tagliatelle al Funghi V Mushroom pasta dish THE SWEET Torta Siciliana al Limone & Mandorle (Sicilian style lemon tart with almonds) Nestled in the Chew Valley and firmly placed at the foot of the Mendip Hills is one of England’s finest country pubs. Full of local history and charm, this country retreat is wrapped in the warmth of 591 years of character. This beautiful place has built an enviable reputation, and today a polite welcome awaits you from Luis and Findlay. Historically since its opening circa 1420 the polished flagstone floors and cool cellars have created the perfect
GREEK MEZE Platter of Flatbread, Crudites, Taramasalata, Hummus, Babaganoush & Tzatziki MAIN COURSE Grilled Lamb, Chicken, Pork, Seafood & Vegetarian Skewers Greek Feta, Olive & Tomato Salad THE SWEET Cold Rizogalo (Greek creamy rice pudding & cinnamon)
condition for an evening of atmospheric dining with friends and family. Our food is sourced locally and wherever possible organic and is cooked by some of the country’s finest Chef’s with head Chef Joao Duarte leading the team with inspired ideas and simply superb creations – the tastes are just delicious!
The Kings Arms Litton, Somerset BA3 4PW. Tel: 01761 241301 or 01761 348097 www.kingsarmslitton.co.uk • email: manager@kingsarmslitton.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 31
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MENDIP TIMES
Gold, silver and bronze for Jon Thorner’s JON Thorner’s scooped a gold award at the 2012 Taste of the West awards, for their minted lamb and vegetable pie, which uses quality diced West Country lamb in a rich minted gravy. Their premier range of pies were also recognised, with silver awarded for their beef, potato and Butcombe Pie, which uses bitter from the local brewery and a bronze award for their pork, cider and apple pie. Jon Thorner’s launched a new range of pork pies last year, which are encased in a traditional, hand-made hot water pastry; these also starred on the awards list, along with their cupcakes and brand new beef, garlic and cheese truffles. In total they
THE RED LION VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT Sutton Hill Road, Bishop Sutton BS39 5UT • 01275 333042
SUMMER EVENTS
G BBQ on Thursday nights throughout August – 6pm start G Children’s Lunch Box with a served Mon–Sat 12noon–2pm drink, £3, available throughout Foodand Mon–Sat 6.30pm–9pm the Summer Sunday 12noon–4pm beer garden and car park G Children’s Ice Cream Tubs, 50p Large 5-star food hygiene rating Opening Times: 12 noon–2.30pm Monday to Thursday • 6pm–11pm all week • Open all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday
PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
received 10 awards from Taste of the West. Founder Jon Thorner said: “Receiving awards such as these for our products is fantastic recognition for us and showcases the top quality meat which is produced in the South West. But don’t just take our word for it; people should definitely try it for themselves.” Jon Thorner’s is a butchery business with seven counters across the south and also offers a catering and wholesale service. Two years ago the business expanded to include a café, the Coffee Den, on the same site as their farm shop in Pylle. The Taste of the West Award judges tasted over 1,000 products to find the very best from West Country food and drink producers.
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FOOD & DRINK
BEAH
English & Mediterranean Restaurant, Wells Between Shepton Mallet and Castle Cary on the A371 Traditional Moroccan Cuisine
# Full a la carte menu #
# Two-course £12 dinner menu # (Served Monday–Thursday from 6pm)
# Two-course £10 lunch menu # (Served Monday–Saturday from 12 noon–2pm)
# Beautiful function room with bespoke menus for all occasions #
DIARY NOTES: Thursday 9th August, from 9pm onwards Music with Tim Pitman, the ‘Voice of Somerset’ Sunday August 26th, afternoon and evening Music with Joe James – a young musician, vocalist and keyboard player. He offers a wide range of music appealing to all ages. Weather permitting this event will be held in the garden
Relaxed and friendly dining in the heart of Wells
Ever-changing ‘Chef’s Specials Board’ Catch of the Day from Samways Fish of Bridport
For more further information, call
Three regular real Casque mark ales Butcombe bitter, Bath Ales ‘Gem’ plus guest ales
Tel: 01749 678111 or email: info@beah.co.uk www.beah.co.uk Union Street, Wells, Somerset
THE QUEEN ADELAIDE BLAGDON
Now available – 5 luxury en-suite rooms The Natterjack Inn, Evercreech Junction, Somerset BA4 6NA. Tel: 01749 860253. Fax: 01749 860757. www.thenatterjackinn.com • email: natterjack@btconnect.com
Phil and Pauline promise you a warm welcome Real ales, local cider, fine wines and locally-sourced, home-cooked food
Now open seven days a week Weekdays 12noon–3pm and 6pm –11pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12noon–11pm Food served Monday to Saturday 12noon2.30pm and 6pm-9pm Sunday 12noon-5pm
Sample menu
Dog friendly Children welcome at limited times
Sunday roasts £7.95 – senior citizens and children £5.95
Senior Citizen’s lunches Tuesday lunchtime – 2 courses £6.95
Duck apricot and brandy pate Warm salads Jackets and salad Local sausages, mash and vegetables Home-made pies and trimmings Sweet chilli chicken Pork tenderloin Lamb shank Steaks
(Served from 12 – 5pm)
Wide range of snacks, lunches and meals, with vegetarian options Join us on August Bank Holiday Monday August 27th For barbecue and entertainment
All meat and vegetables locally sourced
RESERVATIONS TAKEN ON 01761 463926 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 33
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Compton Dando Fête
(left to right) George, Archie, Tom and Sol enjoying the show despite the weather
Chew Stoke Strawberry Fair
PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Compton Martin
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EVENTS
Chew Valley Bed Race
All quackers
HUNDREDS of people lined the route to cheer on the Chew Valley Bed Race, dousing the competitors with water, flour and whatever else came to hand, as the race celebrated the second year of its revival, with more teams raising money for a variety of charities. The event was sponsored by the Blue Bowl, West Harptree.
DESPITE the weather being more suited to ducks, there was a good turn-out for the Plume of Feathers annual duck race at Rickford. It raised £800 for Blagdon and Burrington preschools and the guides and scouts. Organisers said they would like to thank helpers, sponsors and everyone who turned up to support the event.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 35
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MENDIP TIMES
New mediation service
On the move
PORTER Dodson has launched its new Family Mediation Service as an option for solving family disputes. Julia Perrins, Karen O’Donoghue and Sarah Butler form Porter Dodson’s mediation team, providing a nonconfrontational approach to settling family disputes. The team is keen to promote mediation as a way of easing the pain of family breakdown, helping couples to reach solutions in a mutually acceptable way – from what should happen to their house and pensions, to arrangements for their children. There are numerous benefits to mediation: Flexibility – moving at a pace to suit the couple and allowing them to make the decisions that affect them and their family Saving expense – it is less costly than going to court Focusing on the future – not on the past Every couple’s circumstances are different. With the launch of their Family Mediation Service adding to an already well established family department, Porter Dodson offers separating couples a number of legal options to best suit their needs: mediation, collaborative family law, or the more traditional court process.
SOMER Craft Addix is moving on August 4th to Rookery Farm, Binegar. It’s owned and run by Sue Wise with support from hubby Tim and a team of talented crafters who you will see working in the shop. The business started in the winter of 2005 and has expanded since then. The retail shop sells a large selection of popular products used in card making, scrapbooking and beading to name a few. Their stock is expanding on a monthly basis to keep in line with current trends and fashions. They offer a varied selection of classes and clubs, suitable for the novice and expert. Christmas classes have started! Pay them a visit and be inspired!
Getting back to work
Details: 01935 811144 email: mediation@porterdodson.co.uk www.porterdodson.co.uk
A MONTHLY course at Weston College aimed at giving unemployed people the skills they need to find a job has been hugely successful finding work, further education or training. The ASPIRE course was launched in August 2011 and so far nearly 500 learners aged from 16 to 65 have attended the twoweek programme. Sixty-four per cent of the first cohort have been tracked and found to have gained jobs, training, or entered an apprenticeship. Over the rest of the year an average of 30 per cent of those completing ASPIRE have been quickly offered employment or found training opportunities. Weston College’s ASPIRE Coordinator Sue Estcourt said: “We are delighted with ASPIRE’s success and that so many who have completed the programme are no longer unemployed. “We believe a lot of our success is down to the dedication of those who deliver training and how carefully they match learners with relevant opportunities.” Craig Chase, aged 26, from Winscombe, was an unemployment statistic after being made redundant. He attended ASPIRE in May and has been taken on full-time by local employer Smurfit Kappa UK – one of the country’s leading corrugated packaging manufacturers and recycling experts. Craig said: “I’d worked for seven years and being unemployed was the worst experience of my life. I was desperate for work. ASPIRE helped me with my CV, to look at my strengths and prepare for interviews because I’d never had one. I am very pleased to be back at work.” PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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BUSINESS
“Green Collar” workers to boost economy? HARNESSING local “green knowledge” could provide a major boost to Frome’s regeneration plans, says its first Economic Development and Regeneration Manager. Peter Wheelhouse has been appointed by the town council to lead its three-strong team asked to identify new ways in which the town’s economy can be supported. Peter was previously the Head of Economic Regeneration at Wiltshire County Council and has spent the last 26 years supporting the development of economies across the south west of England, including a time at Mendip District Council. The post at town council level is thought to be highly unusual. Peter said: “It is a measure of the town council’s ambition.” Peter is working alongside town centre manager Karen Clements and planning and development officer Jane Llewellyn. Peter said: “I am working on the concept of a ‘green knowledge economy’ that not only builds on Frome’s strengths as an enterprising town, its community spirit and creative culture but also helps to safeguard the environment. The aim would be to make Frome much more resilient to global economic shocks in the future and to make it more self-sufficient in many respects.” Peter added: “My idea is to help grow a ‘green collar workforce’ locally – the skills necessary to respond to rising demand to cut the cost of heating and powering homes and
Peter Wheelhouse
SOMER CRAFT ADDIX Craft Shop
For all your crafting needs!
WE ARE MOVING! COME TO OUR OPENING DAY
Special offers and Demonstrations SATURDAY AUGUST 4TH
businesses. There are grants and incentives to support this investment but the infrastructure in terms of installers and skills at a local level needs further development. By working with the industry and partners in education, new opportunities could be created for younger and older people alike.” The town council has applied for a share of the second round of the so-called Mary Portas money, a government project to revive town centres.
Unit 9, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Radstock BA3 4UL (BT line pending)
mobile 07791 84359 www.somercraftaddix.co.uk
CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY We will wash and dry your DUVETS, BLANKETS & BEDSPREADS. Collection and delivery service in the Chew Valley.
Tel 01761 451787
www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 37
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INTERNET
Travel websites
CROSSWORD
The Mendip Mindbender
WE cannot be the only ones thinking of escaping the British weather/Olympics/soggy barbecues – insert your own pet hate. Why not put the internet to work to help you? We offer a small selection of the many sites you can consult, in no particular order. for last minute offers on hotels and travel bookings www.expedia.co.uk ditto www.travelzoo.co.uk ditto www.wikitravel.org travel advice, but anyone can add or edit an entry, so treat with some caution www.lonelyplanet.com travel advice, tips and destination information from the well-known Guide Book publishers www.roughguides.com ditto – everyone has their preferred publisher www.thetrainline.com UK train schedules, lowest price option, live train times www.mytrainticket.co.uk relative newcomer, sometimes has cheaper options than thetrainline www.seat61.com a fascinating read about world-wide train travel, even if you don’t go anywhere! www.travelsupermarket.com lots of bargains, even has an ‘inspire me’ button www.bristolairport.co.uk start with your local airport and see where you can fly to www.onefinestay.com ‘unhotels’ (their word) in London and New York – one for the travel dreamers www.sheepskinlife.com if you want to escape from everything and everyone! www.cruisecritic.co.uk everything you ever wanted to know about cruising, plus a well-used forum www.tripadvisor.co.uk had some bad press lately, but still useful if read with the same caution you would apply to advice from someone in the pub or at the bus stop www.quirkyguide.com ‘off beat travel ideas and inspiration’ www.fco.gov.uk travel advice for every country in the world, from the people who should know All airlines, train operators, and travel companies have websites, far too many to list here. www.lastminute.com
IT4TT cannot take responsibility for the availability or the content of any of the above sites – as always, buyer beware. Before booking a bargain room, check direct with the hotel website to confirm the savings are genuine. Check the airline website to see if that cheap flight is in the middle of the night or has a number of changes. The above list is only limited by the space we have. If you can think of a place, there will surely be a website with advice and information about it. And of course don’t forget Google and other search engines; add ‘blog’ to your search criteria if you want to read about other people’s experiences. We re-open on September 4th, with open house sessions Wednesday September 5th 1.30pm-3.30pm and Friday September 7th 10am-12noon. Submitted by IT for the Terrified: The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934 741751 www.itfortheterrified.co.uk Not just for the Terrified! PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
ACROSS 5 Southern religion takes knock in tricky situation (6) 7 Applaud catch, but it's rubbish (8) 9 Sound of phone cut short here (8) 10 Tenor confused about start of 'Tristan' – it's awful (6) 11 Musical at eg Lords? That's spot on musically (7,5) 13 Hesitates to put Queen in rollers (6) 15 Put down a right back coming from centre (6) 18 Document on dwelling in this village (12) 21 Chaps put their toes in here (6) 22 About 50 contend and finish (8) 23 Pi seldom explodes – quite the opposite (8) 24 Place to set fire to heavyweight (6)
4 Painful condition – caused by sewing? (6) 6 Napoleon's bodily state (8) 7 Tin monkey gets a little nibble (6) 8 State in a very clear way (4) 12 Using high voice is incorrect – confuses tot (8) 14 Mad Pete's wild, in a wild rush (8) 16 Fall allows a little precipitation (8) 17 Stays by sound of underground river (6) 18 Dave's first to slice fish the French cook gently (6) 19 Guess what the noise is (6) 20 Bacteria found in larger molecules (4)
DOWN 1 Clean badly under rail, find this under boat (8) 2 Improved gambler (6) 3 He tells how soldier on hill rushed back first (8) Answers on Page 90
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MIDSOMER NORTON FAYRE
Fayre comes to town COMMUNITY groups in Midsomer Norton are celebrating the revival of the town’s annual fair. St John’s Church and the Hollies garden played host to a day of medieval-themed events. Town mayor Paul Myers said: “The granting of a Royal Charter to hold an annual Fayre by Henry III in 1248 was one of the proudest moments in our town’s history. So it is fitting that so many community groups have come to together again this year to revive this much-loved event.” According to the Midsomer Norton Society, from medieval times to at least 1910, the fair operated more as a livestock fair, where dairy cows were sold and sheep penned from The Island as far as Stone’s Cross. Horses were sold outside the Hollies. The fair became a funfair and was eventually moved from the town centre. It was last held around 40 years ago.
Tim Hague, from the Knights Hospitallers of Warwickshire, a re-enactment group
Wandering minstrels Rod, Sue and Baz
Midsomer Norton mayor Paul Myers at the opening of the fayre
Joseph and Callum try out some medieval knights’ equipment
Roger the Ratcatcher entertains crowds at the Hollies
Liz Scott, from the historical group Traders, Invaders and Raiders, ran a sweet making stall, using traditional ingredients and recipes MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 39
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MENDIP TIMES Free Collection and Delivery Service
Somerset Clocks Specialists in the full restoration and repair of all types of Antique Clocks
Contact Rik Lowe for a FREE no obligation estimate Many different types of Antique Clocks in stock, fully restored and guaranteed. Phone for details or to arrange to visit our Showroom
01749 841114 All work fully guaranteed Unit 3, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Nr. Radstock, Somerset BA3 4UL www.somersetclocks.co.uk
The Mendip Saddlery Located next to the new Mendip Auction Rooms! FOR ALL OF YOUR EQUESTRIAN NEEDS INCLUDING: G G G G
Riding wear, supplements, bridlewear, body protectors, riding hats etc. Second hand goods dept. Qualified saddler, on site workshop, rug cleaning and repairs, saddle fitting and sales new and secondhand. (Good quality second hand saddles always needed to sell on a commission basis)
Mon-Fri 9.30–5.00 and Sat 9.30–4.00 Rookery Farm, Binegar BA3 4UL
Tel 01749 840838
Follow us on Facebook: MENDIP EQUESTRIAN SADDLERY www.themendipsaddlery.co.uk
PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Antiques road show FROM their Bridgwater salerooms, Tamlyns has been holding specialist auctions for over 100 years. They host monthly antique and fine art auctions and quarterly collector’s items auctions which include anything from furniture to jewellery and coins to militaria. Free valuations happen every Thursday morning where you can take your items to their experienced valuers for an estimated auction value and if you wish to sell you will be advised on a suitable sale. Regular visits are also made to Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead with all dates listed on their website. Auctioneer Claire Rawle has become something of a celebrity and a sought-after expert on popular auction television programmes FlogIt! and Bargain Hunt and the salerooms will be welcoming the cameras once again in September as Antiques Road Trip pays a visit. Tamlyns is continuing to grow in popularity due to the team’s reputation for providing a professional, friendly service and the recent re-branding with fresh new colours and logos has given them a vibrant new look – a new website has recently been launched and their swanky trailer can be seen at the MidSomerset Show on August 19th so do pop along and visit some of the team.
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Photographer: P. Davies
ARTS AND ANTIQUES
Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS 30th 31st July 1st Aug. 9am–1pm and 2pm–5.30pm (at the Salerooms)
Pair of Charles X Sevres porcelain ice cream coolers
Estimate £4,000 - £6,000
The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT
To be included in our forthcoming: Quarterly Specialist Sale of Antiques, Fine Art & Collectors’ Items Thursday 30th August at 10.30am
www.clevedon-salerooms.com
(closing date for entries 1st August)
Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 41
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Croscombe Fun Day
Terry Webb, director of coaching for the Bristol City Development Squad in Shepton Mallet, organised a soccer skills session. He is pictured with Finn Lacey, Will Parry, who uses a wheelchair and Dylan Lacey
The produce competitions inside the village hall were well supported
VILLAGERS in Croscombe put the misery of their flash flooding behind them to make the most of their annual Fun Day. Residents praised friends and neighbours who pulled together to help those affected by the water and said the event – like the fun day – typified the community spirit in Croscombe.
Lauren, Liam and Joe help out on the Croscombe village school stall PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Shipham Olympics
SHIPHAM held its own version of the Olympics starting with a Hash House Harriers family run and concluding with Finals Day on Sunday July 8th. It involved a whole range of events including table tennis, boules and squash tournaments. The village also ran a Ciderthon, devised by the Shipham Mountain Bikers, which involved a fun bike and wheelbarrow race between five local pubs, with refreshment being taken enroute! Chairman Mark Trenchard said: “The ethos was to put on a community event for young and old in the village and that was achieved. I fulfilled my aim to bring the community together, young and old.” As one villager said: “It was one of those epic village events that will stick in our memories forever.”
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EVENTS
Mendip Country Fair
Damien stretches his wings
DAMIEN, the Griffon vulture with a nine-foot wingspan, was one of the stars of the first Mendip Country Fair at Ston Easton. The falconry displays were just some of the attractions at the event which included dog shows and vintage vehicles.
The fair was held on land overlooking Ston Easton Park
Lurcher racing underway
I want to break 3! MAKING maths fun was one of the aims of a groundbreaking project in Frome as part of the town’s arts festival. Break 3 is a partnership between Rook Lane Arts and Frome Community Learning Partnership and brought together mathematicians, artists, educationalists, community and arts organisations to find ways to bring creativity back into maths, break myths and instil new enthusiasms for numbers. It is already attracting interest from other counties keen to learn from the project and its ideas. The project’s finale was held at Rook Lane Chapel with a concert by 60 children from St John’s School who have worked with Break 3 music practitioner Steph Douglas for the last month. The evening also screened films made by Nunney, Mells Linda Wynne, maths advisor to the Break 3 project, Pippa Goldfinger, Mayor of Frome and Jo Plimmer, project manager to the Break 3 project, with pupils of St John’s School in Frome (photo courtesy of Martin Bax).
Part of the Break 3 performance
and Vallis first schools working with Community Media Officer Howard Vause, all looking at different aspects of maths, from animating classroom maths resources to walking around Frome streets as maths detectives. Frome Mayor Pippa Goldfinger also helped launch the Break 3 Outdoor Maths Bags, created by the project and going out to 1,000, seven and eight year olds across the Frome schools network. The bags are designed for children to take home and continue having creative fun with maths over the holidays. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 43
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RH Windows THE CHEW VALLEY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED WINDOW COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR CONSERVATORIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS IN HARDWOOD OR UPVC
HARDWOOD JOINERY SPECIALISTS www.rhwindowsltd.co.uk
Tel: 0800 097 8611 www.johnhodge.co.uk | e-mail: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk WESTON-SUPER-MARE | BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | YATTON | WEDMORE
Telephone: 01761 452171 Fax: 01761 453342
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MENDIP TIMES
WILDLIFE
DESPITE their name, glow worms are in fact beetles and not worms at all. These fascinating creatures begin life as fearsome By CHRIS predators during a SPERRING larval stage which MBE can last for two-three years. As larvae they feed on slugs and snails, which can be 100-200 times their own body mass, but they are well equipped for the purpose. They have a set of menacing mandibles, which not only cut their way into the prey, but also inject it with powerful toxins which both paralyse and help to digest it. The best way to describe a glow worm larvae is to think of a small woodlouse and at the edge of each segment along the back they have orange spots; 11 on each side of its upper body. If you are familiar with ladybird larvae they look very similar, except the ladybird larvae has fewer spots. Both have six legs, but glow worm larvae have much shorter legs and are therefore much slower than ladybird larvae; not a problem when you’re chasing snails! As adults, glow worms do not feed and live just a couple of weeks. This makes finding a mate very urgent and they have evolved a very effective way of doing so. Males have wings and can fly and also
As well as an interest in glow worms, Peter Bright is a keen supporter of other local wildlife projects
Photography by Chris Sperring
On the trail of glow worms
have huge, bulbous eyes for seeing in low light. They are smaller than the females, at around 15-18mm in length, and their only purpose is to fly around at night until they spot an irresistible green light from below. The females, by comparison, are wingless and very slow-moving, spending their adult stage on the ground, waiting until night when they begin to pull themselves slowly up the tall grass stems until near the top. Once in position, through a process of bioluminescence, the last two segments of their abdomens produce a stunning green light, which in dark areas can be seen by the human eye for some distance. They will continue to glow for about two hours, slowly moving their abdomens from side to side in an attempt to attract flying males. If unsuccessful, after a couple hours they will come back to ground and try again the next night. Glow worms have gone through a decline in the UK. I recently presented a glow worm piece from Devon for BBC Radio 4’s natural history series “Saving Species” and was enthralled by the sight of around 25 glow worms lighting up one whole side of a field. Although scarce, there are places on
Mendip where they can still be seen and we are now in the peak of their glowing season. They need patches of long grass such as field margins and verges along tracks and, of course, can only be seen in dark sites, where glowing females are not out-glowed by human-made light sources. Good places to look for glow worms are Charterhouse, Blackdown and Priddy and indeed on the lower areas both north and south of the hill itself. One area which has become famous for its glow worms is Westbury-sub-Mendip and this is thanks to the efforts of local natural historian Peter Bright. Peter leads glow worm surveys around the village and local area and is trying to build a better picture of Somerset’s glow worm population. Please get in touch with Peter if you see, or know of, any local glow worm populations via: peterbright60@btinternet.com – the basic information he needs are date, location and number of glowing females. Peter is also leading an organised glow worm walk in August for anyone interested in learning more about these wonders of our summer nights. For more information visit the Somerset Wildlife Trust website: http://www.somersetwildlife.org/A_guide d_walk_to_find_the_GlowWorm.html
Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust. Contact him on 01275 849287 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com or follow the latest news through his Facebook or Twitter pages MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 45
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The peak of achievement
NOW’S the time to get out and get up high to enjoy unrivalled views, clear air and a sense of well-being. Choose a clear day, take a picnic and sit on a grassy tussock up on Crook Peak and listen to the skylarks or watch the wheeling buzzards...what a way to enjoy an August day! I love Crook Peak and Wavering Down near the western end of the Mendip Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, especially on a dry warm day in
summer. This is the only pointed hill on Mendip and it stands like a sentinel guarding this glorious high land, fringed by wildflowers. The views are splendid and changing and the walking is challenging but not hard. Mendip Times readers have been up Crook Peak before on one of my walks, but this is a good variation. There are three climbs as well as a downward section off the hill so wear good boots and perhaps take a stick. It’s an ideal dog outing with virtually no stiles. PARK: In a large lay-by on the WestEast road from the A370 Bleadon to the A38 Cross. It is about 0.75 miles east of the Webbington on the south side of the road and opposite a NT information plinth.
With Sue Gearing PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
START: Cross to the lay-by and take the bridleway track on the right which climbs gently, or if you want a less muddy, but narrower path surrounded by wild flowers, then go through the small wood gate at the side on to the open land and turn right on the path. It can be uneven in places and takes you back to the bridleway near the end. After a few minutes, just before an open area, turn up left onto the bottom of a grassy ridge.
1. GRASSY RIDGE Turn up left. This leads you all the way along the ridge steadily climbing. Look down onto the Levels left and the River Axe and down right over the sheltered bowl where Compton Bishop nestles. Also look across to Wavering Down where we are heading. There is a flat respite for a short distance and then a second climb to reach the foot of Crook Peak. Of course, if you wish, make a detour to the top of the peak. Enjoy the views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. 2. CROOK PEAK You may well see Dartmoor ponies grazing around this area. Bear to the right of the peak on the track and continue to a Mendip stone wall. Turn right and now follow the wall on your left – a wall that has taken volunteers thousands of man hours to repair. Walk on the flat enjoying unsurpassed views on either side. Start to climb again quite steeply along Wavering Down still following the wall and come to an impressive solid stone memorial bench engraved with ‘Only a hill, but all of life to me’. It is a superb spot to stop and rest. 3. TRIG POINT Walk on the flat for a little and then
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WALKING
reach the trig point on Wavering Down at 211 metres and enjoy amazing views from here. Drop down steeply off the hill, still paralleling the wall – I went through a wooden barrier at the top and another at the foot of the path. Reach a clump of trees and house on the left – Hill Farm, a waymarker and NT sign for Cross Plain. 4. HILL FARM Here we leave the hill and you need to follow instructions carefully as there are many paths criss-crossing the area. And our route is not very clear to begin with. At the large metal gate just before the NT Cross Plain sign, turn your back to the gate and head across the grass. Don’t fork right on the wide grassy track to the right but instead fork slightly left on a fairly unclear grassy path. Go straight on over a small crossing path, and shortly reach a marker post. 5. NT MARKER POST Make sure it is a NT post with a blue footpath marker on the top (there are
OS Explorer, 153 Weston-super-Mare & Bleadon Hill, grid ref: 392550 4.6 miles, about 2-2.25 hours walking, plus time to stop and enjoy. different ones not far away). Continue on contouring the hill. Don’t take side paths and don’t climb. Although it is a footpath it has been used by horses so there may be muddy patches. Pass above a rocky outcrop over on your left, above Cross village. Go across the grassy plateau and continue on the path. Shortly, just before a small rock on the right, make sure you bear down left onto a slightly sunken grassy path dropping downhill towards Compton Bishop church in the distance. It is not always very clear but just follow it on downhill. Carry on along the path as it continues down, still heading for the church. Ignore a right fork, stay left, dropping down with a gully on your right and come into trees and bushes. Stay descending and this section is uneven in parts so take it steady. Go
through brambles and wind your way down. 6. WOODLAND Go quite steeply down into a band of woodland. Reach a crossing path at the foot and turn right. Stay with this all the way to a stile on the left. 7. FIELD Cross into a field and go ahead parallel with the left edge. Go over a stile and on across the next field towards a cottage on the far side and a large wooden gate. 8. LANE Turn right onto a lane leading into Compton Bishop. 9. COMPTON BISHOP Bend left on Church Lane, passing the church on your right. It was built in the early 13th century of local stone and consecrated in 1236. Inside is a fine pulpit, the remains of 14th century glass and an interesting double piscine. Turn left along Butts Batch. Just past the magnificent Manor House (left), turn right up Vicarage Lane, starting your last climb of this circle. 10. TRACK At the end continue up the track. Go through a gate and ahead. A track comes in from the right. Shortly take a right fork, climbing up to the bottom of the grassy ridge which leads to Crook Peak. Take the second path on the right – the bridle path you were on earlier. Follow this back down to the road to return to your car. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 47
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OUTDOORS
West Countryman’s Diary WELL it hasn’t stopped raining yet! The papers tell me that it will rain until September and that is something I just didn’t want to know. It With LES would seem that we DAVIES MBE should expect much more of this unseasonal weather as the results of climate change are felt, hastened on no doubt by our contributions of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Climate change is nothing new but we are only just starting to wake up to its possible effects. Today I listened to a news item warning about building on the flood plains that would normally soak up our excess water run-off. They also spoke about the amount of tarmac, concrete and other hard surfacing that channels rainwater directly into the swollen rivers unable to cope with the extra volume. Our water replenishment is running to waste and not soaking away into the ground where it’s needed and in doing so it is causing even more problems. The floods of July 1968 were considered a ‘freak’ occurrence, when heavy rain fell on already saturated land. This was preceded by the Lynton and Lynmouth flooding in the early 1950s caused again by heavy rain and more recently the Boscastle and Gloucestershire floods. What was considered a rare occurrence could in the future become our normal weather pattern. Now who’s spreading doom and gloom! There was a splendid picture in last month’s Mendip Times of students from Sidcot School with Sir David Wills at the Royal Bath and West Show. Sidcot were the joint winners of this year’s Youth and Environment Awards. I would however like to expand on the caption to the photograph. This award is organised and run by the Royal Bath and West of England Society through its Youth and Environmental Awards Committee, with sponsorship from HSBC. Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) are part of this committee and carry out the initial visits to those organisations who have been nominated for entry. It is on the strength of these reports that the committee makes its final decision as to the regional winners from Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Bristol, as well as the
overall winner. This year the Judges found such difficulty in separating the merits of all the entries and took the unprecedented decision of declaring joint winners. The committee is now looking for entries into the 2013 competition, so if you are involved with any youth organisation that is carrying out an environmental project, please take a look at the website on: www:environmentalyouthawards.co.uk and have a go. My annual visit from the University of Georgia in the USA has just taken place. I aim to show them all that’s good about this landscape, to explain how it came into being and even more importantly how it’s being looked after today. They come from a vast country where there is still true wilderness; although they themselves may not experience that wilderness first-hand they are well aware of it. It is therefore a pleasant surprise to find just how much they appreciate the beauty of rural England and especially this part of it. When you consider they come from a country that boasts the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, I was pleased at their enthusiastic response to Cheddar Gorge in all its geological splendour. These islands of ours with a population in excess of 60 million would probably fit within an area of a couple of the states of America, but for them the wonder lies in the history of these islands and of their people. They like our culture and enjoyed the visit to the New Inn in Blagdon where the sun laid on a spectacular close to the day with breathtaking views across the Yeo Valley in a light that was a painter’s dream. Like them, the whole world is, for a short while, looking at us as we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of a well-loved and much
respected monarch, as well as hosting the greatest show on earth, the Olympic Games. I hope the world is suitably impressed! I like my work! As I tell people I call it “work” but many others may not see it that way. It’s varied and interesting, I don’t spend all my time tied to any one particular activity and I can act upon my own initiative without too many constraints. One of my ‘hardy annuals’ is ragwort pulling. Not a very inspiring or glamorous job I will admit but it does give me the chance to take a look around and think a little. I have recently been working in some grassland at Westbury Quarry that’s full of wild flowers. It’s a pleasure just to walk through it and see the variety of grasses and flowers that exist in the thin limestone soil. The whole area is worked by frantic insects of all shapes and sizes as they go about their daily business. That includes the horse flies whose only purpose in life is to take ‘chunks’ out of the animal or person upon which they land, thank goodness they aren’t any larger! Finally this month’s picture goes back to June 1961 at Hales Farm in Tickenham. The field was known simply as ‘the 14 acre’ and the machinery at work will interest those amongst you who are vintage or classic tractor enthusiasts. The tractor is an International W6 made in Chicago and came to this country as part of the lease/lend arrangements of WW2. It ran on petrol and tractor vaporising oil (TVO) which was similar to paraffin, and there was no self-starter – that depended on the starting handle. The baler is a Massey-Harris 701 powered by a twin-cylinder ArmstrongSiddeley petrol engine. As you can see all power transmission was achieved through belt drive without a single power take-off shaft in sight. Also known as the ‘bucking horse’ the packing ram that pushed the hay into the bale chamber is clearly seen on top. The driver is not me (I was only nine years old at the time) but the late Bob Hawling, an agricultural contractor from Failand in North Somerset, who ran this unit for many years. The photo is a bit grainy and has some water stains on it (rather topical I think). It was a wet June in 1961, but nowhere near as wet as June 2012!
I’m always happy to hear from you, so drop me a line at Les.Davies@westcountryman.org.uk PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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YEO VALLEY
School’s out! THE school holidays are here! Time for trips to the beach, ice creams and picnics in the park. Well maybe it will be waterproofs, wellies and an indoor By KATIE picnic, but never the BUNTING less the doors to our Wills Barn education facility are now shut until the autumn term. This academic year we reached over 5,000 children through our partnership with the local farm education charity, FarmLink. Fellow Mendip Times columnist and West Countryman Les Davies leads the visits alongside Helen Woodward a biologist and environmental expert who has 20 years of experience working with children and nature. Throughout the autumn months Les and Helen host assemblies in local schools before we welcome children on to our farms in the spring when the weather is more temperate (or so we hope!) The visits include activities and games which are all planned to fit the National Curriculum, and tailored to meet the needs of the school. They are a great opportunity for children, many of whom are from inner city Bristol schools, and have not visited a farm before, to learn firsthand about where their food comes from, the environment and how they can help preserve it for the future.
Alongside the many primary school visits we have also welcomed 412 students from secondary schools, colleges and universities. Since being referenced in an Applied Business ‘A’ Level exam paper last year we have been busier than ever fulfilling requests from groups hoping to find out more about our business. Visiting students were given a presentation from our Director of Communications and a lesson in the organoleptic tasting of our products, a method used by food technologists which involves all of the senses. It is a great chance for us to share our story with the students and explain how the business has grown from our family farm roots. We also supported three Bridgwater schools who held an interschool Dragon’s
Den challenge. Using our products small teams of students set about designing, making and marketing their own Yeo Valley yogurt. Two members of our staff played the role of the ‘Dragons’ hearing each team pitch their ideas before selecting a winner. We were delighted that the teams embraced our British and organic values and that there were no fluorescent orange or porridge-like yogurts which were created last year! As ever we were overwhelmed by the originality and maturity of their presentations which made it very difficult for us to pick a favourite. As well as our educational visits this year’s Farm Discovery and Food & Garden Tours are underway. These ran for the first time last year and 443 members of the public took the opportunity to visit our farms and Yeo Valley Organic Garden, as well as enjoy some of the delicious home grown, organic and locally sourced produce cooked up by our chefs. There are still tickets available for the tours taking place on the 4th, 18th and 28th September if you would like to pay us a visit! For more information and booking details for our tours and information about our education programmes visit www.yeovalley.co.uk. Finally, the most recent addition to our yogurt family hit the shelves at the end of July. Our new Limited Edition Damson & Plum combines our creamy natural yogurt with sweet and juicy fruit. Please do give it a try and let us know what you think!
Katie Bunting is communications co-ordinator at Yeo Valley, a family-owned farming and dairy processing business based in Blagdon, and will be bringing us a monthly report on their activities. The Holt Farms organic farming operation has 1250 acres on the Mendip Hills and in the Yeo Valley beside Blagdon Lake. www.yeovalley.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 49
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Raindrops keep falling on my head! THE weather in March was glorious but we are still waiting for summer to arrive and it has not stopped raining; so what effect has this With MARY had on our gardens PAYNE MBE and plants apart from making gardeners miserable? Perhaps the most obvious effect is a rise in the incidence of pests and diseases. The explosion in the slug and snail populations, making successful control almost impossible, must have affected most gardens. Young, recently planted plants, appear to be the favoured food giving us the most annoyance. Fungal diseases love warm, damp, humid conditions and so have also been having a field day. Those growing their own strawberries have probably been affected by grey mould on the fruit, whilst black spot on roses has also had ideal conditions to spread. Tomatoes and potatoes are highly likely to be attacked by potato blight and can be protected by a copper based fungicide spray, whilst those growing the Sarpo varieties of potatoes will be watching keenly to see if their reported resistance to blight is confirmed. Crops of apples and pears were reduced by the poor weather during flowering which discouraged the bees and other pollinating insect from venturing out. Some of the plum blossom flowered early enough to escape the frosts in April. The persistent cloudy days have meant that light levels have been reduced and this has led to plants growing taller than normal in search of good light. Together with the weight of rain, perennials particularly have tended to flop over, and need more staking than usual, while the normally gorgeous blousy double flowers of old fashioned roses and peonies have failed to open resulting in a mouldy soggy flower head. Lower than average temperatures have meant slower growth rates in many plants resulting in later flowering and fruiting, but flowers have often lasted longer partly due to the cooler conditions and also due to the lack of pollinating insects, as once a flower is fertilised it dies, hence double-flowered plants tend to flower for longer than single flowers. Outdoor tomatoes and peppers have not enjoyed the cool conditions, relishing each brief PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
glimpse of the sun. It has been almost impossible to find suitable times to apply weedkillers, most of which require at least four hours dry weather following application, to be effective. Meanwhile the weeds have flourished growing taller and lusher in the damp conditions. Lawns have rarely been dry enough to cut and I have seen several cases of red thread, a fungal disease that affects mainly fine-leaved grasses. My own tiny lawn is a glorious shade of green, but has needed extra feeding to achieve this. Nitrogen that improves the colour of lawns is easily leached from the soil by rain, so I have applied a foliar feed of nitrogen to avoid leaching. The wet weather has also affected, what were hoped to be, colourful summer bedding schemes. Low temperatures and rain are not loved by geraniums and petunias while the large double flowers of African marigolds tend to fill with water and go mouldy. Begonias in their various forms seem to be able to shrug off any weather and are performing to perfection. Sales of bedding and other plants have been seriously affected by the weather conditions leading to considerable losses by growers and retailers. Even sales of barbeques and garden furniture, so promising in glorious March, have plummeted. Sales of wellies and waterproofs must be through the roof so the great British public can soldier on. Spare a thought for those brave folk who worked so hard to open their
gardens, to raise money for so many charities, only to be rained off day after day. Visitor numbers to public gardens have also been down and there have been fewer opportunities to sit and enjoy your own garden. There are always some advantages and I suppose lower water bills for those who pay through water meters may upset the water companies whose revenue will be reduced. Having started the year with the threat of hose-pipe bans we have hardly needed to get the hose out yet. Even if the rain stops, the after-effects of this summer may well be felt next season as well. Woody plants have put on plenty of new growth this year but unless August and September are particularly fine and sunny the growth is unlikely to ripen properly. Poorly ripened wood means that many plants, including fruit trees, that make next season’s flower buds this autumn, will be affected leading to less blossom next year. Gardeners are a resilient lot and will shrug off this year and look forward to a better season next year. If you would like to learn more about plants and how they grow, how best to use them and what to do when things go wrong then why not join me for my “Gardening for Pleasure” classes held at Cadbury Garden and Leisure on Monday mornings between October and May. To register interest please phone Cadbury G&L on 01934 875700 and ask to be put on the list or for further details phone me on 01275 333146.
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GARDENING AUGUST GARDEN TIPS G Cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts and other Brassicas get a multitude of pests at this time of year. Use Agralan Enviromesh to protect vegetable crops against flying pests, it is particularly effective against carrot and cabbage root fly and caterpillars. G Fill spaces in the veg patch by sowing quick maturing items such as turnips or, better still, varieties that will provide tasty winter salads like American land cress, corn salad, rocket, (lamb’s lettuce) and Radicchio. G Prune fruit trees that have fruits containing stones rather than pips now. G Sow seed of autumn onion (sometimes called Japanese onion) now for the earliest crop of next year. G Keep picking runner beans and courgettes regularly. If you don’t they will stop producing more. Both can be used to make excellent chutney or can be given to neighbours and friends. G Dig up your potatoes, dry and store undamaged tubers in a dark frost-free place for winter. Late maincrop and winter salad potatoes will need a little longer in the ground and may put on a lot of tuber growth in the next few weeks. G Plant strawberry runners. Those planted now will produce the earliest crops next year. Cut old leaves and surplus runners off established plants. G Prune out summer fruiting raspberry canes that have finished cropping. G Sow green manures in any gaps. This will improve your soil. Courtesy of Cleeve Nursery
Feast of flowers
A KALEIDOSCOPE of colour greeted visitors to Kilmersdon Church at the beginning of July when Farmborough Floral Art Group delighted and inspired with members’ interpretations of “Songs from the Shows” at a three-day flower festival. Following their wins at the Bath and West Show, members’ expertise amazed visitors with 19 spectacular displays, including a mouth-watering “Food Glorious Food” spread of floral desserts near the refreshment counter. Funds raised from the festival and a raffle will help towards the £222,000 needed for church tower repairs. The picture shows Fiona, Pippa and Laura of the Jane Lilley Singers, who appeared at the festival, drooling over the “desserts”.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 51
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MENDIP TIMES NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH
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SUSAN and Tony Griffin have been developing the garden at Church Farm House since 2006. Each year has seen another project, usually involving the removal of another area of grass and more planting! The Barn Garden has been designed in a contemporary cottage style with perennials, bulbs and a mix of shrubs. They have taken advantage of the high walls there to grow climbing roses. In the split level South Garden, the planting in the deep borders has been designed to present a progressive colour sweep from whites and yellows with blues, in the partial shade under trees, through peach and apricot to oranges, then reds and plum, to end with pinks by the corner bench from where there is a fine outlook to the village church. To brighten and soften the gravel-covered old farmyard and to blend it into the garden, they tried some “experimental” planting in the gravel. Early results were surprisingly encouraging, so now they have a range of plants adding colour around the fringes and parking space is shrinking! Thirty-three very tall Leylandii trees originally stood along the west boundary. Since they removed them and let light in the battle against the once dormant weeds has been constant! They have tried to tame a part of this area with some “prairie planting”; tall grasses, Sibirican irises and late summer perennials such as Heleniums and Rudbeckia. NGS opening details: Sunday August 19th, 11am – 5pm. Visitors also welcome by appointment. Admission: £3.50, children free. Details: Susan and Tony Griffin, 01749 841628, email: smgriffin@beanacrebarn.co.uk. Website: www.beanacrebarn.co.uk Postcode: BA3 4UA. 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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MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 53
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An amazing 425 million years of geological history! WELCOME to the second year of the Mendip Rocks! festival which celebrates the fascinating and diverse geology of the Mendip Hills. The festival runs throughout August and September. Travel back through time to discover and explore the amazing 425 million years of geological history. An action-packed programme offers guided walks, family activity days, quarry tours, talks, and practical conservation activities. These will bring alive the ancient stories that lie beneath our feet and that have shaped the unique landscape and rich wildlife of the Mendip Hills. This year’s festival kicks off at Cheddar Gorge, with its impressive limestone cliffs. On Wednesday, August 1st, Somerset Earth Science Centre staff bring their Rocky Roadshow packed with family fun, hands-on activities to the Longleat conference room above Gough’s Cave. Plenty of guided walks will take you to some of the most striking limestone scenery in the Mendips including Burrington Combe, Dolbury Warren and Ebbor Gorge. You can even walk the streets of Wells or Weston super Mare to hear about their rocky connections! A series of newly launched Earth Caches is one of the exciting attractions at this year’s festival. Earth Caching and Geo Caching are a worldwide online phenomenon, which use published coordinates that you put into a Global Positioning device, in order to find specific locations. Earth Caches are aimed at providing lessons in earth sciences, taking you to unique and special geological sites. When you are there you will be instructed to carry out tasks/observations that will teach you simple lessons in geo sciences. The three new Mendip Rocks Earth Caches are: Gruffy Ground, Ubley Warren and Velvet Bottom. Find them at www.geocaching.com; with instructions and more information. These caches have been kindly permitted to be located on Somerset Wildlife Trust reserves. Please follow the cache code. The Mendip Hills are a special landscape shaped by a wide variety of rock types covering several geological time periods from the Silurian to the Jurassic. The oldest rocks are found at Stoke St. Michael and were created by a series of active volcanoes 425 million years ago. The Jurassic Period (150 million years ago) is the “youngest”, when a cream-coloured limestone was deposited on top of the eroded limestone. PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
DIARY OF EVENTS
Wednesday, August 1st:10am – 4 pm Rocky Roadshow. Longleat Conference Room, Gough’s Cave, Cheddar Gorge. A series of drop-in family fun workshops with the Somerset Earth Science Centre team and Rockwatch. Suitable for children 6yrs and over. Free – donation £3/adult, £1/child welcome towards Mendip Rocks! project. Contact Dr Gill Odolphie, 01749 840156 or gill@earthsciencecentre.org.uk Sunday, August 12th:10.30am – 4pm Guided walk to De La Beche Site and Tedbury Camp fossil collecting. Elizabeth Devon will lead a trail into Vallis Vale to investigate two different limestones at the famous De La Beche Unconformity site. Then climb steps to Tedbury Camp and walk on an ancient sea bed. Packed lunches, strong shoes and waterproofs essential. Families welcome. Free – no need to book (donations welcome to Mendip Rocks! project) Meet ST 749 492. Bridge over the Mells River where parking is available nearby, just south of Great Elm village. Contact Elizabeth Devon: elizabeth@earthlearningidea.com Tuesday, August 14th: 2pm – 4pm Ebbor Gorge Guided Walk. Walk around Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve to look at its geology and geomorphology with Bob Corns, Natural England. Meet ST 520484 Ebbor Gorge Car Park near Wookey Hole, Wells. Adults and older children welcome. Stout shoes advised and binoculars if available. Free and no need to book (donations welcome to Mendip Rocks! project). Contact Bob Corns 0300 0601207 or bob.corns@naturalengland.org.uk Wednesday, August 15th:10am – 3pm Mendip Quarry Geology. Examine geology from the unique perspective of two
working quarries. See sedimentary rocks at Whatley Quarry whilst a visit to Moons Hill Quarry will reveal igneous rocks of an extinct volcano. Somerset Earth Science Centre, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JU. Families welcome – suitable for children 6 yrs and over. Booking essential. £3 donation welcome towards Mendip Rocks! Contact Dr Gill Odolphie (details above) Friday, August 17th: 2pm – 5pm Geology, landscape and caves of Burrington Combe. Guided walk explaining the geology and its effect on the evolution of the landscape and its caves with Andy Farrant, British Geological Survey. Meet Burrington Combe (car park opposite the Rock of Ages, by public toilets). Suitable for families, but not very young children, pushchairs or wheelchairs. Walking shoes or wellies advisable for muddy paths, which may be wet. A torch may be useful for looking at some cave entrances. Free. Booking essential. Contact Andy Farrant, 0115 9363184 or arf@bgs.ac.uk Saturday, August 18th: 2pm – 5pm Westbury Quarry. See inside this former working quarry and now an amazing haven for wildlife, on a guided walk with Nigel Taylor, Westbury Quarry Manager. Parking Westbury Quarry car park, Stancombe Lane, Westbury-sub-Mendip, Wells, BA1 1HT. Adults and older children welcome. Dogs on leads with responsible owners are welcome. Steep climbs in some parts. Booking essential. Free – donations welcome towards Mendip Rocks! Project. Meet at reception within the main gate area. Contact Nigel Taylor, 07860 227815 or nigel.taylor@explosives.net Sunday, August 19th: 2.30pm Asham Woods Walk. Christine Macarthur leads a Somerset Wildlife Trust walk in Asham Woods, the largest and most diverse of the ancient semi-natural woods in Mendip. Not suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. £2 Adults, £1 Children. Meet ST 711 463 in the layby along Somers Hill, near Nunney Tuesday, August 21st:10am – 3pm Limestone Link. A linear walk along the
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FESTIVAL OF GEOLOGY Limestone Link with Andy Mallender, Mendip Hills AONB Unit. Families welcome – suitable for aged 11 and over. Booking essential. £7.50/person includes minibus shuttle back to start and tea/coffee and cake at end of walk (part of fee donated to Mendip Rocks! project). Meet ST 574585 New Manor Farm Shop, A368 west of Bishop Sutton. Contact Mendip Hills AONB Unit 01761 462338
Wednesday, August 29th: 10am – 4pm Rocky Roadshow. Somerset Earth Science Centre, Stoke St Michael BA3 5JU. Fun workshops to help us explore the world of rocks, crystals and fossils. Families welcome – suitable for children 6 yrs and over. Booking essential. Free – donation £3/adult, £1/child welcome towards Mendip Rocks! Project. Contact Dr Gill Odolphie (details above)
Wednesday, August 22nd: 10am – 3pm Drystone Walling Training Day. Learn the ancient heritage skill of drystone walling and help with the restoration of the Mendip’s historic field boundaries. £7.50 Booking essential. Contact, training course details and booking: Owen Jones mendipvolunteers@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 4th: 2pm – 4pm Wells – If walls could speak – a story in stone. Guided walk with geologist David Rowley to examine fascinating tales about the city’s historic buildings and monuments made from a variety of local stone. Meet Wells and Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green, Wells. Full disabled access – bring a hand lens and binoculars if you have them. Booking essential. £3/person. www.wellsmuseum.org Contact Wells Museum, 01749 673477 or admin@wellsmuseum.org
Tuesday, September 11th: 7.30pm – 9.30pm Quarry Faces. Somerset Earth Science Centre, Stoke St Michael BA3 5JU. Dr Robin Thornes, from the East Mendips Wednesday, August 22nd: 2pm – 5pm Community Heritage Project, unravels the The Geology and Scenery of Weston-super- hidden history of quarrying on the East Mare. This walk looks at the Carboniferous Mendips. Booking not essential. Free – Limestone exposed on and near the coast of donation welcome towards Mendip Rocks! Weston-super-Mare. Walk led by Contact robinthornes@quarryfaces.org.uk Christopher Richards, a North Somerset Council Seafront and Events Ranger. Saturday, September 15th: 2pm – 4pm Rough ground, steep slopes and steps. Asham and Westdown Quarries Wander. Sturdy footwear and clothing appropriate Explore these impressive, and now for the weather. No dogs please. Free – disused limestone quarries on a guided Donation to RNLI at their shop on the walk with Dr Robin Thornes. Booking course of the walk. Meet Mayors Parlour in essential. Free – donation towards Mendip Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare. Contact Rocks! project. Meet Somerset Earth North Somerset Council 01934 888888 Science Centre, Stoke St Michael BA3
5JU, to lift share to limited parking venue. Contact robinthornes@quarryfaces.org.uk Sunday, September 16th: 2pm – 5pm Living Limestone. Dr Lisa Thomas, a scientist at Bath Spa University, reveals the facts behind the formation of tufa. Talk with samples to examine, followed by a walk through Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Harridge Woods nature reserve to see tufa being created in a stream. Families welcome – suitable for children 9 yrs and over. Booking essential via Dr Gill Odolphie (contact details above). Free – donation £3/adult, £1/child welcome towards Mendip Rocks! project. Meet Somerset Earth Science Centre, Stoke St Michael BA3 5JU. Contact l.thomas@bathspa.ac.uk Saturday, September 22nd: 2pm – 4pm Vobster – Coleford, Somerset Coalfield. Join The Mendip Society on this guided walk exploring the legacy of the areas coal mining industry. £2 non-Mendip Society members. Meet ST705491 The Vobster Inn, Vobster. Contact Roger Moses, 01761 490458 Roger.moses@btinternet.com Sunday, September 23rd: 2pm – 5pm The Building Stones of Weston-superMare. The rich variety of rocks used in the recent reconstruction of Weston’s seafront will be examined as well as a special appreciation of the town’s own ‘local stone’. Steep slopes on pavements. Sensible footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather. No dogs. Part of North Somerset Council autumn walks programme. £3/ person. Meet at the entrance of the Old Town Quarry at the Queens Road/Cecil Road/South Road intersection above Grove Park. Contact North Somerset Council 01934 888888.
Mendip Rocks is supported by the Mendip Hills AONB Partnership in collaboration with the Somerset Earth Science Centre and Somerset Wildlife Trust. A full programme of festival events is available on the following websites: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk www.somersetwildlife.org and www.somersetearthsciencecentre.org.uk There are two excellent British Geological Survey illustrated books and maps which describe the East and West Mendip Hills, their diverse range of rock types and the rich flora and fauna they support. They cost £12 each from www.bgs.ac.uk Explore the Mendips further with the eight Wild Walks publication (£5) available at various outlets on the Mendips or order from http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications/ When out exploring in the Charterhouse area, revive with a cuppa at the historic St Hughs Church, Charterhouse on Mendip, BS40 7XS, where teas are served on Sundays throughout August and September from 2pm-4.30pm. Mendip Hills AONB Partnership funded the first Mendip Rocks programme in 2011 with a Sustainable Development Fund grant. As part of its work to encourage greater understanding and awareness of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and surrounds, the Partnership is supporting Mendip Rocks 2012 building on the success of 2011 with more partners involved and offering a greater range of activities. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 55
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YOU could be forgiven for thinking that somehow you’ve missed summer this year; it must have slipped past unnoticed when you were gazing absent-mindedly in the other direction. Nevertheless, the weather forecasters tell us (with an increasingly desperate sense of optimism) that the summer will soon be here and we can all head off to make the most of the scorching sunshine and balmy summer breezes. However, rather than sit at home twiddling your thumbs until the sun deigns to put in an appearance, why not make sure you’re fully prepared for a summer on the roads by taking a Skill for Life course with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)? Whatever you drive, and wherever you are planning to drive it this summer, the IAM can help you maximise your driving pleasure by getting the best performance and economy out of your vehicle. If you believe that driving is about not only travelling from A to B, but getting the most enjoyment en-route, then this could just be the course for you. According to a recent study by Jean Hopkin Research Associates, 90% of advanced drivers are more aware of other road users and potential hazards, with 66% of IAM members believing that advanced training has helped them to avoid an incident or collision. Our advanced driving course will sharpen your anticipation, observation and planning skills to help you to become a better, safer driver who is fully equipped to deal with the many hazards encountered on today’s busy roads. What’s more, becoming an advanced driver will help you to watch the pennies by becoming a more economical driver, improving your fuel efficiency by up to ten percent, and helping you save a fortune on those costly garage bills by reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. For instance, advanced planning and anticipation skills reduces the need for heavy or sudden braking, meaning your brake pads and discs last much longer, and your passengers have a safer, smoother ride ... it’s a win-win situation! With a long (and hopefully hot) summer ahead of us, there’s never been a better time to consider taking the IAM’s Skill for Life course, and become one of the more than 100,000 people who have benefitted from advanced driver and rider training. John Teasdale Details: Weston and Mendip Advanced Motorists on 07020 934714 or visit www.weston-iam.org.uk
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Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Something for the weekend!? Romahomes are big enough for 2, small enough to park.
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MOTORING
A Wessex wander LOOK out for some exotic cars across the Mendips from August 5th-8th. The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain’s south western division is staging a “Wessex Wander” and is expecting more than 30 cars to take part, all pre-1916. They will include a White Steam Car, Gregoire, Panhard et Levasssor, Renault AX, Humber Beeston, De Dion Bouton, and many more. The main venue will be the Centurion Hotel, at Radstock but the rally will take in Kilver Court at Shepton Mallet, a drive through Wells and Nunney and lunch stops at Stourhead and the Vineyard Hotel at Coxley. The pictures show three of the cars taking part: 1904 Humber (below) twin cylinder 10/12 hp, rear entrance tonneau, which has succesfully completed a number of London to Brighton runs; a 1904 Talbot (top right) from the Goodman collection, and a 1901 De Dion Bouton Vis a Vis (pictured right), that regularly goes to Brighton from London and took part in the Royal Automobile Club’s London to Brighton Commemoration Run on the November 23rd 1930. Details: John and Pamela Thomson 01373 832919 jrathomson@tiscali.co.uk
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CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY. Tel: 01761 462275 (24 hrs) MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 57
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Old wives’ sleeping tails Do you really need eight hours’ sleep a night? No. As we get older, we seem to need less sleep. What matters is whether you feel refreshed when you wake up. Some people seem to get by on very little sleep; Margaret Thatcher famously espoused that sleep was for wimps, a view shared by Stalin, but think how much nicer they might have been with a bit of extra kip? If you lock people who By Dr PHIL say they need very little sleep in a padded cell, they tend to HAMMOND sleep a lot and feel better for it. However much you sleep, give your body a chance to play catch-up occasionally. Does cheese give you nightmares? Probably not. This old wives’ tale dates back to Scrooge, who blamed “a crumb of cheese” for his night-time visitations in A Christmas Carol. Some people do seem to get more vivid dreams after eating cheese, particularly Stilton, but this could equally well be down to the bottle of port they washed it down with. One study took 200 volunteers and gave them a 20g piece of cheese 30 minutes before going to sleep, for a week: 72 per cent of the volunteers slept very well every night, 67 per cent remembered their dreams and none reported nightmares. However, the study was sponsored by the British Cheese Board, so make of it what you will. Can turkey help you sleep? I’m suspect Bernard Matthews started that one. The theory is that turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supposedly reduces stress and induces sleep. It’s also found in oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, other meat, fish, sesame, chickpeas, peanuts and.. er.. cheese. However, this only seems to work if you take tryptophan on its own. A more likely explanation is that when we eat turkey, we tend to eat a huge meal (Christmas, Thanksgiving), and this diverts blood away from the brain to the gut. The booze also helps us nod off temporarily. However if you eat and drink too much, it rebounds on you and wakes you up with terrible indigestion and a crashing headache. Do carbohydrates help you sleep? The theory here is that carbohydrates help circulating tryptophan to enter the brain. Some people swear by mixing a tryptophan food (slice of turkey, glass of milk or a banana) with a carbohydrate source (e.g. a biscuit). This could be were the “warm milk and cookies” idea comes from. Milk also contains casomorphins, mild opiates, but probably not enough of them to knock you off. What about a dose of the herbals? According to my alternative bible (A Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an Evidence Based Approach by Edzard Ernst) extract of Valerian, a herbaceous perennial, native to Asia, may be worth a punt. The name derives from the Latin word Valere meaning well-being, and it has been used as a medicinal herb since Hippocrates. Another plant called Kava also seems to improve the quality of sleep. Is melatonin any use? Again, it might be worth a try. It’s a neurohormone, release of which is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light. Since it is involved in the regulation of bodily rhythms such as temperature and sleep, synthetically produced supplements of melatonin may help in improving sleep quality. If all else fails, should I count sheep? Yes, this is a cheap form of cognitive behavioural therapy. The aim is to distract yourself from the worries of the day that are keeping you awake. Relaxation works well too. Sex sends satisfied men to sleep but keeps frustrated women awake. Snoring just rubs salt in the wound. Dr Phil is recording his choices for Radio 4’s With Great Pleasure on August 9th in the bar at BBC Radio Bristol. If you’d like to come, e mail me at hamm82@msn.com (first come, first pleasured). PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Today I am going to be a . . . WHEN I was five-years-old and my two brothers were a little older we sent my mum a birthday card. Underneath our signatures we listed our future occupations – a vet and a barrister and then a long list which began with ballerina and ended with teacher. Needless to say we didn’t pursue any of our wished-for occupations. The six-year-old and ten-year-old constantly talk about what they will be when they grow-up. The six-year-old recently announced to Granny that he wanted to be a footballer. She gently explained that he would need to find something else to do after the ancient age of 30 as he couldn’t be a footballer all his life. He decided he’d be a dentist. I liked this idea, it could save me a lot of money as my teeth deteriorate. Granny and I encouraged him to pursue this career choice. “But can I still be a footballer half the week?” He asked hopefully. A week or so later, talk turned to workexperience, as the younger two children described a teenager who had appeared at their school. The 14-year-old still has another year to go before she does work-experience but this doesn’t stop middle and youngest child planning their internships. The 14-year-old has more important things to think about, like how to lighten her dark brunette locks. She phones the neighbour and a short-time later they have decanted all the lemons from both houses into an old spray cleaner which the tenyear-old had been using to clean a white-board, while pretending to be a teacher. There is a sticky mess on the table and I notice bits of lemon hanging from the ends of their hair. Meanwhile, the younger two are still planning their lives. “I’m going to spend half the week helping at a school and the other half of the week I’m going around with an interior designer,” announced the ten-year-old. Youngest child pondered this for 24 hours and then I heard him asking her: “But what do you think you’ll be – a teacher or an anterial designer?” She looked at him in despair and snapped “I don’t know!” A little while later he is wondering about all this again. “I really think I’d like to be a teacher,” he says. “Well, you could be,” I reply. “Do you think you want to teach little children or older children?” At the same time I’m thinking: “What about the free dental treatment?” “I think I lack the skills to be a teacher,” he says. I bite my lip before I reply with a positive remark to soothe his self-doubt. MENDIP MUM
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HEALTH & FAMILY
From personal experience . . . SOLICITOR and former company secretary Judith Derbyshire set up her own business advising clients about probate issues after her own personal experience of very poor service. Purely Probate is just that – helping people deal with an often emotional issue at a very difficult time. Visiting Judith’s “office” is a far cry from a typical solicitor’s practice. Judith, or Judith in her “office” her colleague Beccy Bristow, see clients at Judith’s farmhouse home at West Bradley, near Glastonbury, with views of manicured lawn and woodland beyond. Judith was company secretary – head of the legal department – for Clark’s Shoes in Street for more than 20 years before deciding she wanted a new challenge; it was the “diabolical” experience of helping her husband deal with a probate issue that gave her the idea for Purely Probate. Judith said: “I felt I could offer a much better service than we had received and also a much more personal service. “Probate – especially when talking to couples about wills – can be very intimate and I wanted to get away from the High Street image of a solicitor; in any event, I really enjoy having people visit me at home.” After running Purely Probate for 16 months, Judith has earned some glowing testimonials and it has also inspired her to write a blog: oldpreneur charts her experiences of running the company. Judith chose the name after reading an article in the Financial Times about similar people who decided to start a business in mid-life for excitement, engagement with a variety of people and because they want to do something useful.
Affordable security ABBEYFIELD residents enjoy independence, friendship and support when the burden of managing their own household becomes too demanding. Abbeyfield can offer an apartment in a managed, sheltered complex or a residential home offering 24-hour care, if needed. The Abbeyfield ‘movement’ began in 1956 and today runs over 500 houses and 80 care homes nationwide with two such houses in Wells (New Street and Bath Road) which are comfortable, caring and secure. Live-in housekeepers cook two hearty meals each day, and provide friendly, non-intrusive support. Residents each have their own bed-sitting room with en-suite facilities, and there is a communal dining room, sunny lounge and large level gardens. Both houses are well managed and conveniently situated close to the shops and the city centre. The locally-run Wells society is non-profitmaking, and charges are kept within reach of those on low incomes. Because they do not provide personal or nursing care, fees may be as little as a third of those charged by a residential home. And for those who do need personal care, this can be bought in or provided by social services, just as it would in their own home. They currently have a vacancy at the The Firs, 58 Bath Road. If you are interested to see the houses or learn more about Abbeyfield why not contact the administrator on 01749 679049 or email: Abbeyfield-Wells@abbeyfield.com
You can read Judith’s blog at: http://oldpreneur.com/blog/ and Mendip Times will be running occasional excerpts in future months. 1 vacancy available, please call 01749 679049 today for further details
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 59
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Boogie woogie girls ST. MONICA Trust staff recently put on a themed WWII concert party for residents at The Russets dementia care home in Sandford Station. Resplendent in their glamorous 1940s Women’s Auxiliary Corp (WAC) uniforms Liz Miller, Alison Richardson, Jude Newson and Lucy Snape took to the stage and belted out a number of popular wartime hits. The concert party was the idea of Alison Richardson, the activity therapist, who said: “Music often promotes wellCaroline Crowther being within individuals and reaches all cognitive levels of Introducing People dementia, encouraging physical movement from the tap of a foot right the way through to full all-round Professional and movement. It also gave personal service residents’ families a special time when they could come together and enjoy a social afternoon with their lovedwww.carolinecrowther.com ones.”
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PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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HEALTH & FAMILY
Stylish retirement COURT House Retirement Home is set in the centre of the lovely village of Cheddar, whilst still having views over the beautiful Mendip Hills. It is a Georgian house of interest. The site dates back to 1240 and courts were held there from that time. The house has lovely gardens which are level and full of interest, consisting of lawns and flower beds plus a courtyard and a cottage garden with a fishpond. The village of Cheddar is set away from the famous Cheddar gorge, but is still within walking distance, and has a wide range of facilities. The historic city of Wells is only seven miles away and the lovely Georgian city of Bath and the city of Bristol are all nearby. Other attractions are Weston-super-mare, Brean, Burnham-onsea, Glastonbury and Wookey Hole caves.
COURT HOUSE RETIREMENT HOME CHEDDAR
Accommodation available now with full en-suite Court House is a very special place to live, the very fact that it is made up of different areas of accommodation adds to its attraction. The Main House with gracious large rooms with full en-suite looking out onto different aspects and personalized with Resident’s own furniture and pictures etc. A spacious Drawing Room with doors to a covered veranda and patio area leading onto lawns and flower beds. The Courtyard which has lovely vaulted accommodation with full en-suite and cleverly concealed kitchenettes where Residents can make a cup of tea or a snack for themselves or their guests and small raised gardens so that the people living there may, if they so wish plant and tend their own flowers. The lovely cottage accommodation full of character with a large Victorian style conservatory looking towards St. Andrews Church and doors opening out from a lovely sitting room to a tranquil garden. Putting all of this together with the very special care given by dedicated staff that respect and give privacy and dignity to all who live here, you can see why people who come to live at Court House are so happy to have found this very special place.
Respite Care also available
“One of the most beautiful and well kept retirement homes I’ve ever seen”. – The Photographer
Please contact Chris Dando 01934 742131 Website: www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk
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Wells Clinic: Wells Chiropractic & Osteopathy Clinic Rosebank Priory Health Centre Wells BA5 1XJ
Street Clinic: Vine Health Centre Hindhayes Lane Street BA16 0ET
www.baby-favours.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 61
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COMMUNITY
The many faces of P.E.O.P.L.E. A CHARITY based in Midsomer Norton which works primarily with ex-offenders is expanding the services it can offer to the whole community. By SIMON P.E.O.P.L.E SELBY (Providing ExOffenders Positive Learning Environments) was launched in 2002, offering help and support to low-risk offenders who have recently left prison. Its original aims – which are still at the core of its work – are to offer supported housing to men for up to 18 months, education and training and to offer advice. Dr. Jenny Clifford, who launched the
Tanya in the shop in Westfield
charity with her friend Tanya Sykes, said: “We offer a great deal more than tea and sympathy.” The charity initially concentrated on the Bath and North East Somerset area but is now expanding the services it offers to exoffenders in Mendip. Based in a spacious shop in Midsomer Norton’s High Street, the charity has just opened an internet café and a recording studio and rehearsal space aimed at local bands. A free job club is held in the café every Friday. The shop is also the base for a furniture restoration project. P.E.O.P.L.E also runs a charity shop in Westfield. As well as Jenny and Tanya, the charity employs two more people: Tymon Emery and Mike Wilton. Tymon runs the recording studio and works regularly with pupils at Fosseway School. A total of 17 volunteers staff the shops and café. Jenny added: “We are here to help people who are at a general social disadvantage and we are complementary to the statutory services.” Amongst the volunteers are Maureen Young and Mike Johnson, who started working with the charity two years ago. Mike said: “We had time on our hands and wanted to do something worthwhile. It’s also a good place to socialise and have a natter.” P.E.O.P.L.E ha recently been awarded £500 by Bath Building Society in recognition of its charity work.
Jenny (seated) with (l:r) Maureen, Tymon, Mike Wilton and Mike Johnson
Tymon in the recording studio booth
For more information about the charity, visit: www.peoplelimited.org.uk
Mendip youth has talent! STUDENTS from St Dunstan’s School in Glastonbury have been announced as the winners of a Young People Have Got Talent competition. Entrants to the contest, organised by Avon and Somerset Police and social housing company Aster Communities, were asked to explore the theme: “what the risks and dangers of cannabis use on young people means to me”. Students from schools across the Mendip area performed a range of self-penned songs, plays and presentations to compete for the top prize at Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet. The competition was judged by police district commander Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, Aster Communities regional director Margaret Wright, owner of Kilver Court Monty Saul, and town, district and county councillor John Parham. The winning group from St Dunstan’s School performed a short play about the effects of cannabis use on a group of teenage friends. Second prize went to Whitstone School B Team and third prize went to a group of students from PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
The winning students from St Dunstan’s with Chief Supt Nikki Watson and Aster’s Margaret Wright
Oakfield School. First prize was £600, second prize was £200 and third prize was £100.
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NEWS
TV star to visit major orchid event BRITAIN’S biggest orchid show is coming to the Mendip area for the first time this October and will feature on national television. The British Orchid Congress, featuring shows by orchid societies from across the UK, as well as trade stands from across Europe, is being hosted by the Writhlington School Orchid Project in Radstock. BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don will be filming at the show for an update on the pioneering work by Writhlington students. He first visited the project in 2004 describing it as: “The most extraordinary and ambitious project I have seen.” His visit will be the project’s third feature on Gardeners’ World and will use the Congress as a chance for viewers to see how the school’s work had continued to develop and grow. Chair of the organising committee is teacher Simon PughJones who has been running the Writhlington Orchid Project for more than 20 years. He said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to host the Congress. It will be the biggest orchid event to have come to this area and a chance for people in the area to see and buy the very best orchid species and hybrids.” The Writhlington School Orchid Project is the UK’s most
famous school enterprise project. Students have become experts in raising orchids from seed and selling them to support conservation work on a global scale with link projects in South East Asia, the Himalayas, Africa and Central America. The congress is being held on Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th. For more information, visit: www.wsbeorchids.org.uk or e-mail: microprop@gmail.com
Quarry faces, past and present Quarry owner Colin Keevil with children from St Aldhelm’s School
PUPILS from St Aldhelm’s School in Doulting, near Shepton Mallet, are amongst the latest in the Mendip area to discover more about their local quarries and the people who have worked in them. They visited Doulting Stone Quarry as part of the Heritage Lottery-funded Quarry Faces project. Earlier the pupils created banners using “paint” made from quarry dust. In nearby Mells, pupils at the village school met former quarry workers as part of the project’s aim to record people’s memories.
And in Stoke St Michael, Quarry Faces hosted an afternoon Talking Teashop tea party where people were invited to share their memories. Quarry Faces is working with the local community to record, and celebrate the quarrying heritage of the East Mendips. The project plans to capture memories and archive materials before they are lost through oral history recording and developing a photographic archive, both of which will be made available on a speciallydesignated website: www.quarryfaces.org.uk
Jenny takes over
GILL Barnes has handed over the reins of Frome Inner Wheel Club to new president Jenny Hulbert. During her year Gill raised over £6,500 for local, national and overseas charities through a variety of events, including the Farmer’s Harvest Festival at Frome Market, a fashion show in the Assembly Rooms, and a Showstoppers Concert held at The Athenaeum in Warminster. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 63
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DURING the post-war boom in holidays by the seaside railway lines that ran to coastal resorts experienced record numbers of passengers. Reaching a peak in the mid-1950s, this volume of summer Saturday traffic involved the staff on the routes concerned working long hours and battling hard to keep the trains on the move. One of the railway systems that took the full brunt of this was the Somerset and Dorset, with its main line between Bath (Green Park) and Bournemouth (West) Stations, and the branch line which took passengers across the Somerset Levels from Evercreech Junction to Highbridge and on to Burnham on Sea with views of the Mendips on one side and the Poldens on the other. When the Somerset and Dorset built its line over the Mendips between Evercreech Junction and Bath it had to do so with its weak financial state in mind. Although the new link between the Midlands and North of England and the South Coast had much promise and there was plenty of coal and stone traffic to be had, particularly from the coalfields around Radstock, the line had to be built as cheaply as possible. In the short-term it still bankrupted the independent S&D which was taken over jointly by the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railways. Under their management it became a well-run cross country line but nothing could be done about that route over the Mendips with ferocious gradients in both directions up to a summit at Masbury (811 feet above sea level), twisting curves and some sections of single track line which meant if one train was late others had to wait to pass it. There was a lot of beautiful Mendip scenery to see but passengers had a long time to look at it. The best train, the “Pines Express”, was given 130 minutes to cover 71 miles from Bath to Bournemouth and when heavily loaded in the summer it was hard work for the crews to run to time. To keep all these trains on the move every type of locomotive available was at the head of passenger trains. Alongside the regular express locomotives freight train engines swapped mineral wagons for coaches and even shunting tank engines could be seen working in tandem with larger machines to get the full PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
(Photography courtesy of David J. Williams).
Remembering the old Somerset and Dorset
7F 2-8-0 88 at Kentsford on the WSR
coaches over the Mendips. Finally when the holiday passenger traffic had cleared on the Saturday evenings the freight and the local passenger trains were able to reappear and those staff whose turns of duty had finished headed to home or pubs as the need for tea or something stronger took them. To the railway enthusiasts of Britain it was a marvellous show but for the passengers on the trains less so. Even if all was working as planned the journey was not as quick as they would wish and if any problem arose, be it an engine having a mechanical problem, an inexperienced crew unable to maintain steam pressure on a hard working loco or delays to passengers and luggage getting aboard then the delays multiplied. The late Ivo Peters, a true gentleman and expert photographer, was often able to photograph trains three or four times between Bath and Evercreech Junction and whilst he was a former racing driver and drove a Bentley sports saloon car all who know the roads over the Mendips will realise that the trains were not travelling up the grade at any great speed. With that background it was not too surprising that the railway management began to look at alternative routes to the South Coast. In addition in 1958 the S&D had become part of the Western Region of British Railways, then a continuation in many ways of the former Great Western Railway which had always viewed the “Dorset” as an interloper in its territory. Come 1962 and it was announced that all the through expresses, including the year-round operation of the “Pines Express” would be moved to the route via Oxford, Reading and Basingstoke, using former GWR track for
as much of the journey as possible. For the staff of the S&D and the local communities it served the news came as a major blow. They strongly suspected that this marked the start of a rundown to closure. The northbound “Pines” went out in a blaze of glory as driver Peter Smith and fireman Aubrey Punter took a 426 ton train unassisted over the Mendips, headed by locomotive 92220 “Evening Star”, the last steam engine built for British Railways (which can now be seen in the National Railway Museum at York). The following winter was one of the worst on record and railwaymen worked very long hours, sometimes endangering their lives to keep the route over the Mendips open and offering a lifeline to communities for which road transport had become impossible. The following year’s timetables made the fears for the future of the line worse. The remaining local services were unchanged, apparently “feeding” passengers into the vanished long distance trains. Schedules had never been speeded up even when more modern locomotives had come along in the 1950s and now the line itself was decaying as loyal staff wrote “sabotaged and defeated” in gathering dust. Finally the whole was marked for closure at the end of 1965 but in a final twist of the plot one of the replacement bus services was unable to operate so an “emergency service” limped on until the start of March 1966. As a tribute to the Somerset and Dorset the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala between October 4th and 7th will look to recreate some of the throughtrain era atmosphere (hopefully without
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HISTORY David Shepherd’s 9F locomotive 92203 at Watersmeet Bridge on the WSR during a previous visit to the Somerset and Dorset
any chaos). Engines of the classes which worked over the “Dorset” are being hired in and the WSR is already home to one of the 7F heavy freight engines built especially for the S&D which were pressed into passenger service on those long-vanished Saturdays. The locomotive is owned by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust which has a Museum at Washford station on the West Somerset. In addition a superb model of Bath (Green Park) station will be available to view in the club room of the Taunton Model
Railway Group at Bishops Lydeard station. David Shepherd’s 9F locomotive 92203 “Black Prince” has been booked for the event and Ivo Peters’ Bentley should also appear, courtesy of its current owner. Details of the Autumn Gala will be regularly updated on the West Somerset Railway’s website at www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk or a leaflet will be available in due course by ringing 01643 704996. Online ticket booking can be made via the website. John Simms, West Somerset Railway
Celebrating our heritage ON September 8th and 9th many of England’s historic properties will be opening their doors to the public as part of the national “Heritage Open Days” event. Organised by volunteers for local people, Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event. Last year the event under the guidance of English Heritage attracted around one million visitors. To play its part, the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society (SCCS) is planning to organise a two-day event at Combe Hay Locks. Visitors will be able to learn about the history of the Somersetshire Coal Canal and take a guided tour of a section of the lock flight and the
remains of the Boulton and Watt steam engine site. This little-known canal, which commenced operation in 1805, was once a highly profitable business venture that allowed coal to be supplied to Bath from the coal fields of Paulton and Radstock. The canal closed shortly after 1900 and most of it was drained; however thanks to the efforts of SCCS volunteers many of the locks at Combe Hay remain clearly visible today. So if you have ever wondered how many locks the Combe Hay contains or how much coal was moved each day on the canal why not pay visit on the 8th and 9th September and all will be revealed.
Venue: Railway arch opposite Bridge Farm, Combe Hay. BA2 7EE Details: Tony Yates at drtyates@hotmail.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 65
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CAVING
Swildon’s diamond jubilee
never to return. Initially, the streamway was pushed, and the flooded section, Sump I, was passed in 1936. Until that time, the only side passage known below the Forty Foot Pot was a high-level grotto, Tratman’s Temple. Here, further exploration was temporarily prevented by a small but beautifully decorated passage, which became known as Balch’s Forbidden Grotto. This was vandalised and passed in 1945. Anger at this wanton damage was reduced when it became apparent that an extensive series of cave passages lay beyond the Grotto. These were called St. Paul’s Series and Paradise Regained. The Mud Sump, a static pool, was bailed and passed in 1953 and a tight offshoot passage was dug to enter Swildon’s Four, beyond the as-yet undived Sump III, in 1957. The main passage, however, was heading north, towards Swildon’s Two, and Willie Stanton became convinced that a dry passage might be found that would enable cavers to avoid Sump I. Beyond Sump I, Luke Devenish, Willie Stanton, Howard Kenney and others began to dig and explore high level passages, leading to the discovery of the Black Hole Series in 1949. It was not until 1961, however, that Kenney and Oliver Lloyd, a Bristol University pathologist and mainstay of the Cave Diving Group, began to investigate a boulder choke at the top of The Landing, a steep rock slide leading up from the south side of the streamway. They laid and fired a charge of explosive and, on returning, cleared the rubble to enter 120 metres of passage which unexpectedly led north, away from the known cave. The nearest surface feature was Priddy Vicarage, so they named their discovery Vicarage Passage. For some time this ended in a six-metre hole, Vicarage Pot. Meanwhile, in Paradise Regained, cavers had been digging out two constricted
Photograph courtesy of Wessex Caving Club
With PHILIP HENDY
SINCE it was first entered in 1901, the exploration of Swildon’s Hole at Priddy has continued, pausing only for the two world wars, when so many young cavers went away, some
Fred Davies in Double Troubles Series 1960.
sections of passage just beyond the branch to Swildon’s Four. These soon filled with water and to this day have to be bailed and siphoned to allow cavers to pass. They were called the Double Troubles, and the name was given to the series of passages which lay beyond. These continued inexorably north and it became apparent that Stanton’s theory concerning a dry route to Swildon’s Two might become fact. Digging continued, until Doomed Grotto was discovered, leading to the Glistening Gallery, a welldecorated passage which ended in the inevitable mud choke. Kenney and Lloyd turned their attention to the southern end of Vicarage Passage and dug through a choke to a short section of passage which headed north-east – not the direction they wanted to go. However, they calculated that there was only 30 metres between the ends of Vicarage Passage and Glistening Gallery. A breakthrough was definitely on the cards. Continuing to dig, they broke into 25 metres of passage on June 30th, 1962. This was heading directly towards Double Trouble Series. A further trip was arranged on August 4th, which was Lloyd’s 51st
Dave Turner, 2012.
birthday. A team from the Wessex Cave Club, including Kenney and Lloyd, dived Sump I and made their way to the end of Vicarage Passage. Another group, from the Mendip Nature Research Committee, took the somewhat longer route to the end of Glistening Gallery. This team included Ron Teagle, Phil Davies and Dave Turner. Soon after starting to dig an aural connection was made and Kenney passed the choke in Vicarage Passage within 20 minutes. After 10 metres of crawling, the teams were on either side of the same blockage and set-to with a will. Dave, who is still digging 60 years on, recalls that the excavation was some of the easiest he has ever undertaken – the mud, although wet, could be rolled back by hand to form Swiss rolls, which were then stacked to the side. After about an hour and a half of hard work, the connection was made. They all sat down for a meal and Kenney produced an iced bun with a single candle in honour of Oliver’s birthday. “You’ll have to imagine the other 50!” he said. Then each group set off in opposite directions, so by the time they returned to the surface everyone had been through Sump I an odd number of times. The final breakthrough which opened up the famous Round Trip in Swildon’s Hole was made 60 years ago this month. Side passages have been found and extended, making this a very complicated part of the cave, but the Trip itself is still a popular undertaking, giving cavers an opportunity to sample just about every type of passage that the cave has to offer, plus some sporting climbs and wet squeezes. Above all, Sump I only has to be passed once.
Phil is a member of Wessex Cave Club and has been caving for the last 44 years. Still active, his main interest is in digging to try to find new caves. He has published a caving cartoon book and collaborated on the recently-published Swildon’s Hole – 100 Years of Exploration. PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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PROPERTY
Mow
Gloomy outlook, says RICS
FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY UPPER LITTLETON CHEW VALLEY
THE South West housing market continued to stutter during June, as demand and supply of new property fell back, says the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey. Interest from potential buyers in the South West dropped off with a net balance of ten per cent more chartered surveyors reporting a fall in new buyer enquiries. This was mirrored by a lacklustre level of new homes coming onto the market as new instructions in the South West of England also fell. Overall activity has struggled to see any considerable improvement since the expiry of the stamp duty holiday back in March. Perhaps unsurprisingly, newly agreed sales in the South West also fell with 15 per cent more surveyors reporting falls rather than rises in transaction levels in June, whilst the number of completed sales per surveyor over the previous three months remained consistent at 16. House prices across the South West continued to fall last month, with 35 per cent more surveyors reporting price falls rather than rises, the weakest reading since December last year. Regionally, London was once again the only part of the country to report rising prices, although the pace of increase has slowed significantly since the start of the year. Looking ahead, expectations for future house prices in the region also fell with net balance of 30 per cent more surveyors expecting prices to continue to fall.
A detached period farmhouse with gardens and paddocks amounting to approx 2.50 acres with stables. A beautifully presented well modernised home with character features. 3 reception rooms, 4 double bedrooms, master en suite, family live-in kitchen with Aga, utility and cloakroom. Rural views, ample parking and double garage. GUIDE PRICE £685,000
WRINGTON NORTH SOMERSET Detached stone-built period farmhouse sympathetically restored over the past few years. 3 reception rooms, kitchen with Rayburn, 4 Bedrooms, master en-suite. Self-contained 1-bed annexe. Formal gardens, parking and PP for detached double garage and additional outbuilding. GUIDE PRICE £675,000
BURRINGTON VILLAGE An archetypal detached country cottage, located in quiet lane on the edge of the village. Well presented interior with light spacious rooms. Reception hall, sitting room, living & dining room, bespoke modern kitchen, 4 double bedrooms, en suite and bathroom. Garden, parking, ‘Green Oak’ carport and lovely views. GUIDE PRICE £475,000
AUCTION – TUESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER (7.00PM) AT MENDIP SPRING GOLF CLUB, HONEY HALL LANE, CONGRESBURY, BS49 5JT
CLEVEDON. Building plot at Dial Hill Road with PP for detached dwelling of 1900 sq ft. KINGSWOOD. Investment opportunity. Victorian semi-detached house with two self-contained flats with PP for one bed annexe. LANGFORD. Investment opportunity. Detached 1930’s house, 1598 sq ft, currently being used as Honey Tree Day Nursery. FURTHER ENTRIES INVITED
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TO LET PRIDDY SOMERSET 4-bed farmhouse in Dale Lane, recently re-decorated. Gardens.
GUIDE RENT £750 PCM
Wrington North Somerset BS40 5SA Tel: 01934 864300 www.davidjames.org.uk
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 67
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Built to look back NOTHING at Harewood House in Chapel Allerton is quite what you’d expect. The front door is at the back and the house, built in 1858 by the Master of the Union Workhouse in Bradford on Avon, boasts a handsome Bath stone frontage (or should that be backage?) that is quite unlike anything else in the village. David and Mary Dixon have lived there since 1975 and even now continue, quite literally, to unearth secrets from the home’s chequered past. David said: “We removed an old lean-to garage and found a beautiful cobbled courtyard and we’re still trying to solve the mystery of an extension that is completely out-of-character with the rest of the house.” But what isn’t a mystery is why Harewood House has, and still does have, such a hold over those who have lived there. It feels like home the moment you walk through into its large, family kitchen. You immediately feel relaxed and at ease.
Mary tells of the days during the Second World War when Harewood House was a safe escape for evacuee children from the cities. She said: “They just loved this place and so many have come back since David and I have been here and told us of the happy days they spent playing in the house and the surrounding orchards. One person even made a special trip all the way from New Zealand, another from Australia.” David is a keen photographer and record keeper and he is fascinated not simply by what has been done to Harewood House over the last 154 years but why. One of the things that he couldn’t work out was why a previous owner had ruined the look of the house with totally inappropriate windows. He said: “Originally there would have been sash windows but these had been replaced by large, single panes of glass. The softwood sashes, installed just before we moved in, to be honest, were poor imitations and by last year had come to the end of their life.” Fortunately a local family firm, Kingfisher Windows, was able to help restore the house to its former glory. Being an engineer, David was impressed with the care and precision Kingfisher demonstrated, from survey through to installation, saying “I quickly acknowledged that they knew what they were doing and I could trust them. The Bygone sash windows they have fitted look superb and their authenticity has been admired by friends and family alike.” Kingfisher will also be installing windows and doors in what were once stables but now constitute a studio for artist, Dick Boulton. Mary said: “The stables have been a workshop, a table tennis room, even a spare bedroom when all our four children lived at home and the children and their families still consider Harewood House to be their country retreat.”
(Wells)
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01934 643133 www.idesigninteriors.co.uk PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Interior Design Service also available All domestic and commercial work undertaken
Tel/fax: 01749 675386 • Mobile: 07860 821496 Email: boyce.millington@btconnect.com Website: www.boycemillington.co.uk
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HOMES & INTERIORS
Some Tyte e
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Telephone: 01275 333603 PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
MENDIP TIMES •JANUARY 2012 • PAGE 70
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Pilton power FARMER and Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis has installed another 200 solar panels at his farm – after already installing one of the UK’s largest private solar roofs on one of his cowsheds, nicknamed the Mootel. Mr Eavis said he was so delighted with how well the first 1,100 panels have performed since they were installed that he got local company Solarsense back to install another 200 panels on his calf shed. The second array covers an area larger than a tennis court and will generate almost 45,000 kilowatt hours of free electricity every year for use on the farm and during the festivals. Mr Eavis said: “Generating our electricity using solar PV panels is fantastic and couldn’t get any better. It produces no smell or dirt, there’s no wages to pay for producing it and we get all this wonderful free electricity.” Hannah Spungin of Solarsense (pictured with him) said: “We are delighted to be able to help Michael Eavis cut the farm’s carbon footprint even further. We hope the latest installation will encourage other farmers and businesses to think about the benefits of using renewable energy to reduce their own electricity bills and carbon emissions.”
Boiler Servicing, Installation, Gas, Solid Fuel, Oil. Local Housing Authority Approved.
Geoff Thomas & Son Ltd Tel: 01761 437440 www.gthomasandson.co.uk
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 71
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Organist required ELIZABETH Stock, the organist at Stanton Drew Church, has retired and her husband Gordon has stepped down as churchwarden. She started playing the organ at the age of 14 and has been playing the organ at the church for 22 years. The church is now looking for an organist, but in the meantime the PCC has acquired equipment to play CDs through the speaker system of the Makin organ. They have purchased a set of 25 CDs, covering every hymn in the book, but need someone to control the system – to find the appropriate CD and channel and to tell it when to play. Elizabeth said: “It is not rocket science but it does need some willing volunteers to go on a rota to carry out these operations for the two or three services a month.” If anyone would like to find out more, or if an organist would like to volunteer their services, call Elizabeth on 01275 333673.
Priddy rocks
Musician Colin Blackmon (centre) from Midsomer Norton enjoys visiting Priddy so much he wrote a song about it and got some of the locals to appear in a video which you can see on Youtube. He said: “My father was a miner and both he and my granfer would cycle up here in the sixties and since I’ve had a motorbike I’ve been coming up here to chill out. I like the Priddy people.” He plays all the instruments on the album, On Your Bike Colin Blackmon, which he recorded at Alan Wilson’s Western Star studio in Paulton. It’s available from The Queen Victoria, Priddy, Priddy Farm Shop and Party Plus Midsomer Norton. Details: colinblackmon12@aol.com
Rock of Ages THIS year saw the 250th Anniversary of the occasion when the Rev. Augustus Toplady sheltered from a violent storm in a cleft in the rock at the bottom of Burringtom Combe; out of this came the well known hymn ‘Rock of Ages, cleft for me’ with words and music written by Toplady. The annual service in the combe attracted a congregation of over 200 people and was blessed with a lovely sunny afternoon in the midst of weeks of non-stop rain. Pictured are the Rev. Nicholas Maddock, Rector of Wrington with Redhill, Butcombe and Burrington; The Rev. Jane Chamberlain, Rector of Blagdon; Gabrielle Grace, County Ecumenical Officer and Canon Roger Medley, Diocesan Missioner for the diocese of Bath and Wells.
Making music THREE contrasting choral events involving 403 voices and the world premiere of the Same Flame, inspired by Olympic ideals (featured in Mendip Times last month), set North Somerset echoing to the sound of superb musicmaking. Churchill Music’s summer festival reached its climax with the grand finale concert in All Saints Church Westonsuper-Mare, featuring the Exultate Singers, The Trinity Singers, Churchill Academy Chamber Choir, and the choirs of Churchill, Sandford and Wrington primary schools. A CD of The Same Flame has been recorded and will be released this summer, price £10. Details: info@churchillmusic.org.uk or ring Jan Murray 01934 852245 to order your copy. PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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Orchestra in a field The great British summer failed to dampen spirits at the first Orchestra in a Field weekend at Glastonbury Abbey. The brainchild of composer and broadcaster Charles Hazlewood, who lives near Glastonbury, the two-day event aimed to take the “stuffiness” out of classical music and to allow musicians and the audience to share their experiences.
Brolly good show! Members of the audience were well prepared for the rain
Charles Hazlewood conducts one of the orchestras
Tanisha (left) and sister Jasmine travelled with their parents from Hertforshire to enjoy the weekend. They camped at Worthy Farm in Pilton
An ensemble of 16-18 year olds from Somerset and London were brought together by Superact, a non-profit Somerset-based organisation working in the education and justice sector
Jessica Edwards took first prize in a competition for children to create a musical instrument out of scrap. Amongst the judges was Paul Jefferies (pictured), Paul, a musician, presented a BBC documentary about making instruments out of scrap. The competition was sponsored by Perry’s Recycling
Musicians from Crispin School in Street performed in the Tea Tent MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 73
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A year to remember PRIDDY Folk Festival celebrated its 21st birthday with a mixture of mud, music and merriment. And the message from the crowds was simple: see you next year! A music session underway inside the Queen Victoria Inn
In the pink – the Market area during the rain on the Saturday
Grimspound in the Market Square
Tim Brine and Sue Franklin
Part of the Priddy PTA team PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Special offer: the last of the Priddy PTA ginger cakes up for sale
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PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL 2012 The Drystones playing in Swildons Marquee
Beth Porter performed with her band The Availables in the Club Tent
Eastwater by name and Eastwater by nature; the scene outside the dance festival marquee
Jackie Bayliss and Sue Cartmel, two of the festival organisers, at the birthday celebrations
Stop me and buy one
Although a festival regular, blues musician Kevin Brown, from Bath, made his debut in Swildons Marquee
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 75
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Adams selected for England SOMERSET’S leading golfer Craig Adams made his international debut for England in two tournaments in France last month. He featured in a six-man team in the Chiberta Grand Prix and in the Biarritz Cup the following week in South West France. As a result the 32-year-old ink technician from Peasedown St John is reconsidering his With PETER plans to turn professional at the end of the GODSIFF season. The Farrington Golf Club member said: “This is the biggest thing that has happened to me and was completely unexpected. I am now thinking of putting my professional plans on hold if I can break into the England set-up on a permanent basis. “The next step is to be picked for the Home Internationals but even if that does not happen I might be selected for one of the England squads for next year. In that case I will remain an amateur because the rewards as an England squad player are enormous.” Adams, who plays off a handicap of plus three – it was plusfour for a month earlier this season – has been a member of the Somerset county scene for seven years and has been playing in national events this year. He won the Easter Challenge at Saunton in horrendous
Captain’s charity golf day at Mendip
conditions of gale force winds and driving rain to move up to a handicap of four. He beat Devon county captain Adam Bridgewater, a former Farrington greenkeeper, by five shots with rounds of 74 and 71 against a field of leading South West amateurs. Then he finished third in the Duncan Putter at Southerndown and also competed in the Lytham and St Andrews Links Trophy events although he missed the cut in both events. He was fourth in the Berkshire Trophy on three-over par 290 (73 69 78 70), ten shots behind the winner and two ahead of club colleague Tom Small who was ninth (71 76 75 70). He was 41st in the Brabazon Trophy at Walton Heath. He said: “I have been hitting the ball well but haven’t found any consistency with the putter.” He even found time to break his own Farrington club record with a seven-under-par 65 in the mid-week medal at Farrington. But he discovered there is often no justice for low handicap golfers in club competitions. His net 68 was well beaten by Nigel Denham who plays off eight and recorded a level par 72 (net 64).
Jones leads Terry Russell hands the cheque to Macmillan representative Sadie Moore
MENDIP Golf Club captain Terry Russell has so far raised more than £9,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Most of the money came from his charity day that was played in a rare spell of sunshine. The event attracted 136 golfers from several clubs playing a fourball bowmaker competition and the fund was boosted by proceeds from an auction and silent auction. Competitors won prizes for longest drives, nearest the pin in one and two, a target circle on the 17th hole and putting and chipping competitions. The day was supported by local businesses and members. PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
FORMER Somerset amateur Ross Jones from Frome consolidated his lead at the top of the PGA West Region Race to Woodbury Park order of merit table by finishing third in the Bournemouth Fourball Festival. The Bath Golf Club assistant, who won his first event the Total Triumph Classic the previous week at Oake Manor, Taunton, was again in impressive form in the second tournament of the season. He shot level par 70 at Broadstone and followed with a two-under return of 69 at Dudsbury, helped by two birdies in the final three holes. He shared third with Cheltenham’s Russ Berry, three shots behind winner Matt Dearden (Vale Hotel, Cardiff) who beat Dudsbury’s Lee Thompson at the third hole of a sudden death play-off. Jones, aged 29, remains 60 points clear of Thompson and Dearden on 480 merit points in the seven-stage race. The leading three players qualify for the national play-offs with a chance of teeing up in next year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
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Somerset win South West week matchplay UNBEATEN Somerset are the South West Counties matchplay champions for the first time in 12 years after winning three and drawing two of their matches at Cumberwell Park. But the week’s big prize went to Wiltshire again. The home county romped away with the strokeplay championship and will now represent the South West in the finals at Beau Desert in September for a remarkable fifth time in six years. England international Ben Loughrey (Wrag Barn, Swindon) signed for nine-under-par 133 to beat Henbury’s Nick Day by four shots with Craig Adams (Farrington) and Phil White (Wells) a further shot behind in the individual championship. Somerset beat Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and drew with Wiltshire in the matchplay. But it all came down to the final match against Gloucestershire when a half was needed. White, Gregory, Adams, Small and Popham won the singles as Somerset took a 5.5-2.5 lead. Then Mendip Spring‘s Sam Day and Burnham’s Jamie Clare gained the foursomes win that clinched the result although Gloucestershire claimed the other three matches to force a 7-7 draw and earn the runners-up spot. Somerset captain Phil White praised all his players. He said: “The team were really focused this week and the spirit among the guys was excellent. After our Channel League title win last year this shows that we are a very strong matchplay side.” Matchplay result: Somerset 4, Gloucestershire 3.5, Wiltshire 2.5, Devon 2.5, Cornwall 1.5, Dorset 1. Somerset’s strokeplay scorers were 138 Craig Adams 67 71, 138 Phil White 65 73, 144 Jamie Clare 70 74, 148 Ellis Cook 78 70, 148 Tom Small 72 76, 152 Sam Day 75 77).
Golf shorts
G FARRINGTON pair Jackie Walker and Gail Proctor, playing with former Farrington member Chris Down who is now a Mendip member, won the visitor’s prize in the Mendip’s Open Bowmaker with 66 points. They are pictured with Mendip captain Elaine Kitchenham (second right). Carol Howerd, Patricia Rawlins and Sarah Blake (Enmore) were the first Mendip team with 74 points. The overall winners were Mendip trio Wendy Norman, Eileen Masters and May Curtis with 75 points G WELLS Golf Club held a successful annual Charity Day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Guide Dogs for the Blind and The Prostate Charity. The winning team of ‘Youth Experience’ were Sue White, Kim Lord, David Gregory and James Popham. ‘The Castle of Comfort’ were hot on their heels and ‘ALD Automotive’ were third. ‘The Pink Ladies’, including Glynis Slater, Jenny Ead, Diane Ramsay and Kathy Lane, took the ladies’ prize, while the mixed prize went to Jan and Karen Nicholls, Phil Cookson and Jane Errington.
Somerset (left to right) David Gregory (Burnham & Berrow), Matt Lea (Saltford), Matt Pearson (Burnham), Tom Small (Farrington), Phil White (Wells), Ellis Cook (Burnham), James Popham (Enmore Park), Craig Adams (Farrington), Sam Day (Mendip Spring), George Morgan (The Mendip).
Hanney’s Avon record CALUM Hannay’s reward for becoming the English Schools golf champion is a place in the England Schools international team against Scotland at Hesketh Golf Club, Merseyside, on September 10th. The 16-year-old Backwell School pupil from Yatton, a onehandicapper at Mendip Spring Golf Club, took the Calum Hanney with the trophy title with rounds of 72 and 69 for a one-under-par return of 141 at The Kendleshire. He was placed ahead of Billy Spooner (Lincolnshire 68, 73) because he posted a lower score in the second round. Another Avon boy, Josh Knight (Filton College) who plays at Wells Golf Club came 13th and wins a cap against Welsh Schools at Pennard Golf Club, Swansea on August 20th. Ron Cockitt, who has been involved with Avon Schools golf since the start, said: “This was a magnificent performance in a strong field of 48 boys and Calum has become the first boy in the 32 years of Avon’s life to win this championship.” Hannay, who stands 6ft 3in tall and has specially made clubs an inch longer than normal, has enjoyed an outstanding season. He won the Avon Schools championship at Bristol and Clifton, and the South West under-16 championship by carding a level par 69 at Exeter. He was runner-up in the Four Counties team event, also at Exeter. He has been playing golf since he was five years old and joined Mendip Spring in 2007 where he is coached by John Blackburn. He said: “I have been more consistent this year and have been working on my putting and short game. It all came together in the second round on Monday when I made four birdies and an eagle.” MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 77
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It takes all sorts BUYING a horse can be a very stressful thing to do and even though at the moment it could be said to be a buyer’s market with so many horses for sale, there are still a lot of people who end up with a completely unsuitable mount. I think the most important thing to take With CELIA into consideration at the beginning of the GADD search is to be completely honest with yourself as to exactly what you will be doing with your new horse. Many people have great ambitions about competing at a higher level than they have currently; and of being able to spend much more time than they realistically have to ride their horse and then make the mistake of ‘over horsing’ themselves which usually turns into an expensive mistake. I spent a lovely day teaching the Blackdown Mendip riding club recently and it occurred to me as the morning went on what a wide range of horses that people were riding. From cobs to thoroughbreds, ponies and warmbloods, they were all doing the riding club job very nicely indeed. The majority of horse riders in our country ride for pleasure, that usually means hacking and some schooling, fun rides and the occasional competition, and for this the temperament of the horse is paramount. In the riding club sessions there was an 18hh horse bought from Ireland who was a magnificent horse with a very laidback temperament ridden very competently by a 14-year-old girl. There was an eight-year-old thoroughbred mare who was sensitive but kind and willing, and a couple of coloured cob crosses who were all giving their riders lessons to learn but without compromising their confidence at the same time. Generally speaking bad horses are made and not born and it is our responsibility as riders to try not to over face ourselves with horses that we cannot cope with just in order to fill a vain desire to be riding a quality horse. If you are not that experienced it is a really good idea to make sure that you take someone with you when going to try a horse to buy. Even if it costs money to take a qualified companion with you this will be money well spent if it stops you buying an unsuitable mount. When deciding on what you want to buy you must write down all your wish list, but also be truthful with yourself as to the time you can put in, and unless you can ride most days and have lots of help on hand, a young horse, or a thoroughbred or
Celia Gadd BHS II BHS SM
Listed dressage judge Is now available for teaching, private or groups, flat work or jumping. Riding clubs and pony clubs welcome. Also general consultancy and advice on buying, selling, feeding, fitness or PR/Marketing advice for small equestrian businesses. celia@celiagadd.co.uk www.celiagadd.co.uk
01934 713526 – 07779 716826 PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
warm blood are probably best avoided. Don’t get me wrong, I love TB’s and have ridden many lovely, calm and genuine ones but in the wrong hands they can go badly wrong. When you first enquire about the horse that is advertised, make sure you ask in detail what sort of routine the horse is currently on, how often it is ridden – and by whom. A horse that has had daily work and been ridden by a very experienced rider will often behave beautifully in a trial situation. However, take the same horse and move it to a different yard with little exercise, too much food, and a nervous rider and this behaviour can change completely. I always try and advise people, where possible to try and buy a horse that has been successfully kept in similar circumstances to your own. For example, if the horse has always lived out then try and keep it out as much as possible. If it has always been in a strict yard routine, ridden daily and competed very regularly, then you must be prepared to keep up the work certainly for the first few months until you really get to know each other. Regular work, the correct feeding and a thoughtful and progressive training programme will prove to be a successful formula for any horse, young or old, and any breed. It has been great getting back into teaching this month and looking forward to helping some more combinations in the weeks to come. Eric (my youngest child) is now eight-months-old and my other business is going so well I can now be a bit more flexible with my time and get back to doing what I love most – being around horses. Roxie is now five and although not riding that often shows a natural sense of confidence and balance and so there may be ponies on the horizon. Generally the competition scene is still looking pretty depleted with all the bad weather and the latest casualty to the torrential rain was Gatcombe Park Horse Trials, which after the cancellation of Badminton this year will have been a disaster for many of the trade stand owners who rely on these big events for their annual income. I spent a couple of hours at a lovely open day at the new King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre at Greinton where the facilities are great and this is going to be a very useful new venue for the area. Charlotte Warman who owns the new arena has worked hard and made everyone very welcome with champagne on arrival and a fabulous hog roast so I really wish her all the best. I am really looking forward to watching our Olympic teams in action this month too and let’s hope that I am writing about some British Equestrian Gold medals next month.
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RIDING
Back on track
Spot the pony
Louis Carey and Liam Fontaine sign pony
HORSEWORLD, based at Whitchurch, has installed a Trail of Painted Ponies, a public art trail of 60 colourful painted model ponies, in shops and public spaces across Cabot Circus, Bristol, to mark the charity’s 60th anniversary. The trail is completely free and a trail map will be available to help people locate the ponies. HorseWorld has also opened its new temporary shop at Concorde Street in Cabot Circus. Footballers from Bristol City are among those supporting the trail – Bristol Rovers are also involved. Players Louis Carey and Liam Fontaine are pictured signing one of the ponies.
Sidcot School’s Equestrian Centre in Winscombe is involved with two education initiatives and post-school training to encourage young people back into learning. The first programme, Back on Track, sees disengaged pupils aged nine to 13 from local schools taught horse care and riding for two hours a week. Equestrian Centre manager, Jane Keep (pictured) said: “We have 10 students on Back on Track and they have been transformed. One 10-year-old who found it extremely difficult to make friends at school and felt very isolated has been popular and very happy here.” Another Sidcot School riding programme supported six aged 14-plus students over six weeks who had dropped out of school. Jane said: “These are young people who are not in school and I’ve seen a remarkable change. One has already signed up for a further education course with us at the centre.” The equestrian centre also takes students from Bridgwater College who study City and Guilds qualifications under Jane’s expert guidance. Student Eliza Cromwell, 17, of Moorcroft Road, Hutton, said: “I’m dyslexic and found my former school near Weston very difficult to cope with and didn’t do well there. “I’ve always wanted to work with horses and it’s wonderful here. I’ve been treated with such kindness and feel very happy and relaxed for the first time in a long while.” The centre, which is linked to the National Pony Club, has 25 ponies and horses and is open to the public for tuition and hacks.
August show dates Friday 3rd Unaffiliated dressage at Urchinwood Manor, Wrington Saturday 4th Polden and Bridgwater Riding Club unaffiliated dressage at Bridgwater Equestrian Centre Sunday 5th Clear round show jumping and cross country at Urchinwood Manor, Wrington Unaffiliated show jumping at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Tuesday 7th Wincanton and District Open Show at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater David Gray Western Riding demonstration at King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre, Greinton Thursday 9th Clear round show jumping at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th British Dressage at Badgworth Arena Saturday 18th BSJA Seniors at The Hand Equestrian Centre Saturday 25th Unaffiliated dressage at Urchinwood Manor, Wrington Friday 31st Quantock Pony club open show at Stockland Lovell Manor, Fiddington MENDIP TIMES • AUFGUST 2012 • PAGE 79
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Big Days Out
After the Olympic Torch, the Olympic sport: Mendip to celebrate the start of the 2012 Ga
Wells Big Day Out A DAY of free activities ranging from touch rugby to tug-ofwar was held at the Blue School in Wells, organised by Christians Together in the Wells Area, the Blue School Sports Centre and Wells Lions Club with support from many clubs and organisations in the area. Watch the birdie – golf lessons on the playing fields
Wells Golf Club captain Andy Williams, assistant pro Jack Heginbotham and chairman Geoff Ead were on hand to offer youngsters a chance to try their hand at golf
Frome games
Junior tug-of-war
One of the touch rugby sessions held by Wells RFC
GIRLGUIDING Frome District celebrated their own Olympic Games in style, with a variety of events organised by Gail Snook and Emma Pearce, ending with an awards and closing ceremony. PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
(Photograph courtesy of Stuart Whale).
Olympic flame OVER 100 Wansdyke beaver scouts took part in an Olympic-themed outdoor event at Chelwood. The camp fire was lit by beaver parent and Olympic torch bearer Phil Elkington.
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2012 OLYMPICS
ic sport: thousands of young people took part in a series of events around 2012 Games.
Olympians honoured By Mark Adler TWO Olympians who hail from Mendip have been honoured by people in Wells in a weekend of celebrations. Mary Rand and Danny Nightingale were given the Freedom of the City by Wells city council in recognition of their achievements.
Meeting children in one of the classes
Mary won gold in Tokyo in 1964 for her world-record breaking long jump, which is commemorated in a plaque inset into the pavement in the Market Place. Danny won a team gold in the modern pentathlon at the 1976 games in Montreal. At 22 years old, he was the youngest member of the team. Mary, who grew up in Wells, returned to the city from California, where she now lives, for the weekend and first visited the site of her former primary school where her athletics talents were first recognised. Youngsters were allowed to hold her Olympic medals and Mary opened a new long jump pit on the playing field to mark the occasion. Mary said: “I used to race against all the other kids, especially the boys, and would beat them and then I suppose I must have started long jump when I went to secondary school.” A large crowd turned out to see Mary taken by open top Rolls
Mary and Danny at the Swan Hotel dinner
Danny and Mary receive the Freedom of Wells from mayor Maureen Brandon
Royce on a tour of Wells, recreating the homecoming she received in 1964. Members of Wells City Harriers ran with the procession which ended at Wells Leisure Centre. Danny grew up in Oakhill and Shepton Mallet and used to run to Wells Cathedral School, where he was a pupil. He now teaches PE in Redcar. Danny said: “My dad used to let me keep the money for the bus fare so I was quite happy.” He added: “The freedom of the city ceremony was marvellous; it was a great honour but fun as well.” The campaign to honour the athletes was started by retired PE teacher Tony Williams, who lives in Wells. Tony was part of the Olympic Torch relay, running through Newport, rather than his home city. Tony said: “In the year of London 2012 I really thought that Wells should do something to honour its sporting heroes.”
Cutting the ribbon on the school long jump
A star of the future? MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 81
TWO week Ma coun Ma comm team was t Ma lives athle meda occas Ma beat schoo Al Wells Harri Da Scho used He but fu Th who Newp thoug
Pic
#1: M #2: M #3: C #4: A #6: M with #7: T (left) #8: M #9: D
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School games success HUNDREDS of schoolchildren competed in the first Somerset School Games, an Olympics-style event which is set to become a regular event on the sporting calendar. School Games are a national event and more than 25 sports were represented at the games, held at Millfield School in Street – the largest number of different sports in the country. More than 60 schools sent representatives to the games which were held for different age groups over three days, complet with opening ceremonies and medal presentations. The Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, which organised the event, says funding has been secured for the annual games until 2015. It hopes to increase the number of sports in future.
Pupils from Selwood school in Frome Concentration during one of the field events
Nathalie and Abbie represented Evercreech primary school
Chewton Mendip school
Champ the dog – the Games mascot
West Pennard school
National finalists AVALON Junior Hockey Club U12 boys have finished runners-up in England Hockey’s national competition – a remarkable achievement for such a young side. Their journey started in March when they won the county competition in Taunton, before winning the regional finals where they beat Swindon and Plymouth. The team with players aged between ten and 11 then travelled to Cannock to meet the rest of the country. After a tense day and some tremendous hockey, they narrowly lost in the final. Avalon captain David Greenhill is pictured with the rest of the team: Ikey Morland, Tom Perkins, Jack Martin, Ollie Smith, Will Owen, Max Jenkins, Will Perkins, Tim Stevens and Will Bourne. Avalon are starting on this adventure again with both U12
boys and girls and new next season U14s. New players are welcome and they are holding summer camps from August 6th – 10th and 28th – 31st.
Details: Teresa Simpson, lead coach, 07584095356 or email tandhockey@hotmail,co,uk PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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Tournament is unmissa-boules! By Mark Adler TWO teams which have both played in all 12 years of the Wells Boules Tournament faced each other in the final of the 2012 competition. Being a player short, The Untouchaboules team, approached a pair of local dog walkers, asking them whether they fancied a game. They found themselves competing in the final against Bistro La Barrique, a team from a Bath restaurant. The Untouchaboules were the victors. The tournament was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Avalon and Wells with support from local businesses and raised £4,000, the bulk of which will go to fund Nepal Trust projects. The remainder of the funds are distributed by the Rotary Clubs for local charities. Among the teams this year were Les Boulesheeters and Douboules Entendres who travelled to Wells for their annual “Gentlemen’s Sporting Weekend”. Members of the same family, they find a sporting event each year to take part in and found details of the tournament on The Crown at Wells’ website. Some came from as far afield as Hebden Bridge, North Yorkshire and Aberdeen. Organiser Adrian Lawrence said: “With 48 teams taking part it was a full house. Around a quarter of the teams were new faces and we have already had two or three inquiries from other teams about next year.” Adrian added: “The whole ethos of the Boules tournament was summed up beautifully this year. So many work so hard to
Members of the Rotary Club of Wrington Vale took part in the tournament
put the Boules together and we are incredibly grateful to all those involved.” Next year’s tournament has been pencilled in for Sunday, July 14th – Bastille Day! More details from: boules@crownatwells.co.uk.
The Gentlemen’s Weekend Club enter the spirit
Beaten finalists Bistro La Barrique (l:r): Peter and Gina Russell and Ann and Michael Lemoine
Competitions underway
Craig Keast (right) with Mike Higgs and Derek and Wayne Bradshaw
For further information on the work of The Nepal Trust, visit: www.nepaltrust.org. MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 83
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Doing our bit THE Olympic Games are upon us with the sailing events taking place at Weymouth and Portland between July 29th and August 11th. As Mendip Times was being published, at least one of the preliminary rounds in the overall competition for the ten medal events was underway, not forgetting – or allowing By BRIAN this to overshadow – the Paralympic sailing BROOKS events that take place between the September 1st and 6th, when three medal events will be contested. As reported in an earlier article, two of our club members are actively involved in assisting in the running of the sailing events and it has now been confirmed that Helen Martin is a part of the Results Team on the finish boat, and partner Steve Turner is a Course Marshall. However the enthusiasm for the Olympics overall has also been
Daisy’s debut
DAISY Bristow, aged 10, pictured, was the youngest competitor ever to take part in the Lexus individual heat at Chew Valley Lake, which was won by her grandfather, Paul Roach, from Wells, the only angler to take his bag limit on the day. The other qualifiers were Mark Stevens, Keith Brown, John Gumbleton, Tim Brown, Mike Brown, Tony George and Nik Tompkins. They will now join 92 other qualifiers for the grand final on Chew on September 1st. Blagdon Flyfishers won the Lexus Team Heat also held at Chew and now go on to the national final at Rutland Water on September 15th and 16th.
demonstrated in our communities and especially so with the local branches of the Women’s Institute in the Chew Valley and surrounding districts. The WI wanted to create a fun Torch-type run of their own and so decided that they would unite by passing an Olympic Torch (replica of course) from one branch of the WI to another on its journey round the Valley. As I understand it “transport” was proposed as the theme for each WI group, and so the sailing club was approached and asked if the torch could be carried by the Chew Stoke WI group to the Bishop Sutton group by sailing it across Chew Valley Lake in a dinghy; the initial transport to Woodford Lodge entrance being on horseback! With no opposition from Bristol Water and with total support from the club, this leg of the torch journey took place on Saturday, July 7th. A Wayfarer sailed by Peter Cheek and myself, with Shirley Marsh (Chew Stoke WI) carrying the torch, was the chosen mode of transport. We set off from the club pontoon in a fairly brisk breeze, in fact brisk enough to get the boat and torch onto the slipway at the picnic area some minutes before the main party could drive around from the club to meet us. Also waiting was the Bishop Sutton WI who, following a little light refreshment, then took the torch on its next leg to Temple Cloud. OK, so it’s not quite the real thing, but it does demonstrate the eagerness and attitude being shown by folk in the valley to get involved with the Olympics. Especially so the enthusiasm demonstrated by the various WI groups and the sailing club’s willingness to get involved in community activities; we are a part of this community and it was our pleasure to be a part of their enthusiasm. For those of you interested in the Olympic sailing schedule and up to date results I have found the following link to be very useful: http://www.london2012.com/sailing/scheduleand-results/index.html
Boxing club opens SHEPTON Mallet Amateur Boxing Club will open its doors on Saturday, August 4th at the Paul Street Community Centre. Sessions will then run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening. Junior sessions will run from 6.30pm-7.30pm with seniors from 7.45pm-9pm. In a story in last month’s Mendip Times about the re-opening of the club, we said that Bill McConnell is a former Amateur Boxing Association champion. He is not. He has been a coach to both amateur and professional fighters. We apologise for the error. PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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LAST month I wrote about some of the history of Farleigh House, the elite training centre for Bath Rugby at Farleigh Hungerford. By PAM Now, how about BURKE the future? Preseason training is underway and there have been some exciting developments in the re-invention of Farleigh. From a facilities point of view, the Long Barn conversion will be the hub of the training centre, containing all the features necessary to train elite rugby players. Before its completion, the players continued to create a “buzz” around the house. Their boots were piling up at the door, kit bags adorned the corridors and the house was filled with talk of training and jovial banter. The Barn is impressive. It is very long, as the name suggests, and houses the medical facilities, shower area, analysis and a “chill out” area. There is also a special “intensive care” section should any serious injuries occur with immediate access for an ambulance. It is hoped we will never have to use it, but it is an important amenity within the barn. The chill out area can also be utilised for meetings, conferences and group discussions. Inside, it is very light and the windows have been designed so that the
Photo courtesy of Sophie Elbourn
Back to the future
Danny with pupils at Horrington School
players can look outside onto the landscape with no-one being able to see in. It has a wonderful feeling of space with wooden joists running down from the rooftop where small windows have been inserted to create shafts of light along the whole length of the barn. Players will only be in the house at lunchtimes. Overall, it will be a much more settled environment for the guys as everything required for their day will all be in the one place. In the barn they will prepare for training, shower the mud and sweat off afterwards, be treated with hot and cold baths, massage and any other physiotherapy required. Bath Rugby Foundation ran their yearly awards ceremony in July, and the Community Department are organising their summer rugby camps which take place in August. Information can be
Danny prepares to “tackle” during a touch rugby game
found on http://www.bathrugby.com/events/2012/ 06. Meanwhile, Academy Director Danny Grewcock teamed up with Premiership Rugby sponsors Aviva and visited pupils at Horrington Primary, near Wells, as part of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme. Horrington is one of just a handful of schools in the country to receive an exclusive visit from one of the country’s top players and reflects Aviva’s commitment in promoting rugby in non-traditional rugby playing schools. Danny said: “These kids are already rugby crazy which shows how well the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme is working. Some of these kids only picked up a rugby ball a few weeks ago and I’m already incredibly impressed with the standard. It’s also hugely important for players to do their bit for the local community and it was great to offer advice and answer their questions.” Kim Eaton, a teacher at Horrington, said: “We’re delighted Danny has come here to visit the pupils as part of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme. We all need to encourage children to get active and take part in sport, and tag rugby is a great way to do that. It teaches the skills necessary to go on and play rugby union and the programme will also ensure that teachers receive quality coaching and provide enough equipment to leave a rugby legacy in schools for years to come.”
Pam Burke is press officer for Bath Rugby’s Community Foundation MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 85
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Wedmore hits 100! WEDMORE Harvest Home has some special plans to celebrate its centenary. Broadcaster John Craven, from Countryfile, will be guest speaker at the harvest lunch, while the Wurzels will perform during the evening. The organisers have also created some special memorabilia to mark the 100th birthday. A commemorative calendar
includes photos – some shown here – from past and present and reflects all aspects of the day. A commemorative newspaper, which is in the style of over 100 years ago, will replace the usual
annual brochure. They’re inviting everyone to join them to celebrate the day on Friday August 17th, starting with the procession at 10am.
Details: www.wemorehh.com
Family fun THIS year’s Family Harvest Fun Day takes place at Somerset Rural Life Museum on Thursday August 30th from 10.30am – 4pm. Family activities include corn dolly making, craft activities, storytelling, a harvest trail, threshing demonstrations and cooking on the range. All ages are welcome and it’s free admission. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to see a 1940s Marshall Threshing machine and Ransomes Baler in operation. Threshing machines were used for separating the grain from the stalks and husks, and were invented in the late eighteenth century. Local enthusiast Arthur Bailey is the proud owner of the threshing machine and will be demonstrating with his team of helpers throughout the day. The demonstration of a traditional harvest recipe will take place in the Victorian kitchen, using the range, in the afternoon from 2pm - 4pm. The Museum’s Dairy Tearoom will be open throughout the day from 10.30am – 4.30pm. PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
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WHAT’S ON Photograph courtesy of Neil Crick ARPS
New exhibition SOMERSET-BASED artist Moish Sokal will be exhibiting his work for the first time in the Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. Cool Summer is Sokal’s best original work, featuring paintings from his recent global travels, alongside his favourite Somerset locations, as well as showcasing limited edition prints and cards from his beloved West Country. Moish, who is originally from Israel, was encouraged by his father to develop his artistic talents from an early age. After working in the creative industries in Sydney for 22 years, he finally settled in Somerset where he discovered the magic of misty mornings, grazing sheep, hidden valleys and old churches. However he continued to travel, visiting the Middle East, India, Thailand and Australia. Moish travels light, with just one piece of luggage containing all he needs: paints, brushes, paper and cameras. The exhibition runs from August 4th – September 15th.
COMPETITION WINNER Last month we offered readers the chance to win a family ticket to At-Bristol. The first postcard drawn was from Sue Hockley of Frome. Congratulations to her.
MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 87
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MENDIP TIMES The 8-Week
Mindfulness Meditation MBCT Course
A party to remember
A course of clear mindfulness meditation instruction combined with CBT to help lift mood, prevent depression, anxiety and stress (NICE Approved).
The Members’ Marquee Shepton Mallet Showground, Cannards Grave Road
September, January and April in Bath, Wells and Bristol
Dress code: smart BBQ, licensed bar, live band
For information call John Waller UKCP: 01761 437214 or Email: jlwaller@uk2.net www.mindfulnesscoursesbath-bristol.co.uk
Sunday 2nd September 2012 Puriton Village Hall Puriton • Somerset TA7 8AF
Vintage Clothes China and Glass • Vintage Fabrics 1930s Collectables • Antiques 1950s Wares • Vintage Jewellery Retro • Kitchenalia and lots more . . . Delicious homemade cakes and refreshments with support from Puriton W.I. Come along and enjoy a lovely vintage day out
For all enquiries, tel: 07506 726652 (after 6pm) coming to a village near you soon
PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
£25 pp (tables of eight or ten)
For tickets and info contact Nick Marsh 01749 342308/07889 202528 www.midsomersetshow.org.uk
Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers just a few miles from your business
THE now-traditional pre-show party before the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show always offers an evening to remember. But this year, the party is being brought forward by a day to allow more time for final preparations on the Shepton Mallet Showground for the show itself on Sunday, August 19th. The party is organised by the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society for members and non-members alike and offers a barbeque by wellknown Italian chef Ralph Parenti and live music from Three Blind Mice. The party is being held on Friday, August 17th from 7.30pm. Bill Bartlett, from the society, said: “It is a good start to the show weekend and an opportunity to meet friends old and new. The emphasis is on good food, good company, reasonably priced bar run by a local charity and dancing to a local band.” Amongst the highlights of this year’s show – Blackthorn Cider is the platinum sponsor – is another appearance by The Wurzels. Also popular is the Addlestones Classic, Vintage and Steam Field. Included within the 147 entries is a unique selection of steam-driven engines including a working saw bench driven by a steam engine. Membership of the society offers other benefits. Various events are held during the year. In the autumn there will be a visit to show president Finn Cristensen’s farm at Steanbow, near Pilton and plans are already underway for another wassail party next January. Details of both events will be posted on the society’s website: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk
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WHAT’S ON
A show for all gardeners
Students from Norton Radstock College created one of last year's show gardens
THE National Gardening Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet is an ideal day out for gardening fans with lots of features to please everyone from greenfingered beginners to experts. Highlights of this year’s show, which runs from Friday, August 31st to Sunday, September 2nd, include: G Three celebrity speakers – Sarah Raven, Toby Buckland and Christine Walkden – all of whom are coming to inspire visitors with their advice and tips on everything from flower arranging to creating the best all-year-round flower garden G Stunning showcase gardens – a real highlight each year G The National Giant Vegetable Championships – huge vegetables break world records regularly at the show! The show will also see the launch of a unique project in which a nominated local bus stop is given a special makeover by the high-profile Edible Bus Stop team. The initiative began as a guerilla community garden project in London and is now going national. It is a great way for communities to transform neglected and disused sites along transport networks into focal points for their neighbourhoods. The winner of the competition will be announced at the show where the Edible Bus Stop’s feature will be on display. The feature will then be transported to the lucky community’s bus stop for them to enjoy and maintain. For the second year, Cheddar Garden Centre will be a main show sponsor and will again be running the popular Instant Garden Challenge. Different teams drawn from gardening clubs will be tasked each day with creating an instant garden using a selection of plants and flowers supplied. Horatio’s Garden Appeal (led by the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust) is the show’s chosen charity this year and there will be a chance to meet some of the people behind the pioneering rehabilitation garden that has been created by the high profile garden designer, Cleve West, in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.bathandwest.com or call the ticket hotline on 01749 822222 MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 89
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MENDIP TIMES
What’s On August
WHAT’S ON Supported by
To publish a classified advert of up to 20 words to promote your forthcoming event to our 100,000 readers, for just £21.00 (inc. VAT), please call 01761 463888 with your entry – date, time, venue, entrance fee, contact number and credit card payment.
Wednesday August 1st Yeo Valley Probus “What have the Romans ever done for us?” The life of a Roman legionary with guest Centurian Gary Gowans at Backwell Bowls Club, 10.30am. Details: Doug Thomson 01275 463 518. Saturday August 4th – Sunday August 5th Nailsea Summer Flower Show at Golden Valley playing field. Sat: 12.30pm-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm. Tickets £2. Under 16s accompanied by an adult –free. Nunney Street Fayre from 10am to 5pm. Thursday August 9th Goblin Combe Lodge Richard 111 – The Festival Players Theatre Company – open air performance, bring your own seating. Details: www.thefestivalplayers.org.uk or enquiries@goblincombe.org.uk Friday August 10th Walk from Kilmersdon to Holcombe. Details: www.dontwalkalone.co.uk Saturday August 11th Bar Olympics at Redhill Village Club from 8pm. Various indoor sporting events – skittles, darts, pool. Come and participate. Mark Harvest Home Saturday August 11th – Saturday August 25th Clevedon Art Club 56th annual open exhibition, the Science Atrium, Clevedon School, 10.30am-6pm daily, 2pm6pm Sundays. Details www.clevedonartclub.co.uk Sunday, August 12th Priddy Church Tower Abseil. 12 noon – 5pm. Open to everyone aged eight years upwards. Zip wire also available. Supervised by professional instructors. Special discount for family bookings. Refreshments available. Proceeds to Priddy church funds. Contact pam.main@hotmail.co.uk or 01749870423. Wednesday August 15th Yeo Valley Probus, Backwell historian Norma Knight talking about St Andrews Church, 10.30am, Backwell Bowls Club. Details: Doug Thomson, 01275 463 518. Thursday August 16th Twelfth Night – The Festival Players Theatre Company – Please bring your own seating to this open air performance at Glastonbury Abbey, BA6 9EL. Details: www.thefestivalplayers.org.uk
ANSWERS TO THE MENDIP MINDBENDER ACROSS: 5 Scrape, 7 Claptrap, 9 Wrington, 10 Rotten, 11 Concert pitch, 13 Wavers, 15 Radial, 18 Charterhouse, 21 Mendip, 22 Complete, 23 Implodes, 24 Litton. DOWN: 1 Barnacle, 2 Better, 3 Narrator, 4 Stitch, 6 Corporal, 7 Canape, 8 Aver, 12 Falsetto, 14 Stampede, 16 Droplets, 17 Sticks, 18 Coddle, 19 Rumble, 20 Germ. PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2012
Wells Film Centre Cinema, Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD 4 EASY WAYS TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS! In Person At The Cinema When Open For Films Over The Phone Just Call 01749 673195 Online 24/7 www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk At The Spinning Wheel Cafe Guard House Lane. (In Person, cash only. 9am-3pm. Mon-Sat)
Friday August 17th Wedmore Harvest Home. Details: www.wedmorehh.com See page 86. Saturday August 18th Barrow Gurney flower festival. Sunday August 19th Cream tea – raising funds for a new radiotherapy machine for Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre –from 2.30pm – at Yew Tree Farm, Cleeve Hill Road, Cleeve, Nr Bristol. Tickets £5, available from local newsagents or on the gate. Very close to beautiful walks in Goblin Combe and King’s Wood. Thursday August 23rd Concert at St Paul’s Church, Easton, Nr Wells. Local Soprano, Sarah Minns with Pro Classics Ensemble, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 include wine & nibbles after the performance, from 01749 870543 or 01749 870585. Friday August 24th Walk from Wells to Wookey Hole and the Mendip Hills. Details: www.dontwalkalone.co.uk Saturday August 25th Nailsea & Backwell Rotary bookstall, 9am -4pm outside Waitrose, Nailsea. If you have books to donate please contact Roger Smith – 01275 854 076 Sunday August 26th Save the Children horse show, companion dog show and teddy bear show at Rodney Stoke, from 9.30am. Details: Jane Holmes 01749 970467. Lovely! Summer Fair at Failand Village Hall, Ox House Lane, BS8 3TS. Local craft event with hog roast. Entry free. Saturday September 1st Chew Stoke Harvest Home and Horse Show, Chew Lane, Chew Stoke. Gates open from 12.30pm. Flower and produce show, dog show, stalls, children's games, music, tea tent, bar and BBQ etc. Horse Show event begins 9am, (gates open from 8am). www.chewstokeharvesthome.org.uk Theale Flower Show. Details www.thealeflowershow.com Sunday September 2nd Vintage at the Village, nostalgic village fair, Puriton Village Hall, 10am-4pm, adults £1, children free. Details: 07506 726652 after 6pm. Saturday September 8th – Sunday September 9th The Rotary Club of Mendip announces Lawn Mower Racing! – held for the first time in Somerset at Old Coach Road, Lower Weare, Axbridge, B26 2JB. Rounds 10 and 11 of the National Championships 11am to 5pm. Sideshows, refreshments and much more! Sunday September 9th Redhill Club Members Produce Show and Harvest supper. Friday September 14th – Sunday September 16th Priston Festival, music including blues legend Kevin Brown, food, drink, kids’ events. Details www.priston.org.uk
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