BLAGDON NEWSLETTER MARCH 2024

News and people from around our communities

The Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath & Wells, and our new priest, The Rev Katrina Dykes, at the Celebration for her New Ministry held in St Laurence’s Church, East Harptree

What we have this month....

Our cover picture shows our new rector at the celebration to install her in her new ministry, with two short articles about it on page 7. It is now pretty certain that the new benefice will be called Chew Valley South, which does seem geographically wrong when most of the churches within it are nowhere near the Chew Valley. In fact, within our own parish of All Saints, North Mendip, Ubley and Blagdon are by the Yeo Valley whilst Charterhouse is up on the Mendip plateau itself. Names matter. However, Chew Valley South we are destined to be.

In last month's edition we celebrated the re-opening of The New Inn, this month we have to report the closure of the Seymour Arms. Al over the country pubs are finding it very hard to remain viable but we obviously hope that new tenants can be found quickly for this long-established village meeting place. Another village pub facing an uncertain future is the Waldergrave Arms in East Harptree, where the community is trying to raise the money to take it over (see page 22).

Another change that is imminent as we go to press is that the new owners of Blagdon Stores are expected to take over on February 27th. Amar and Laura are moving to a village shop in Wiltshire; we wish them well in their new venture and at the same time extend a warm welcome to the new owners. Laura's farewell to Blagdon appears on page 25.

Easter is early this year and we have a list of all the church services in March across the Benefice on page 4, including the Easter services. In addition, I would like to draw your attention to another ceremony being taken by Rev. Katrina Dykes, on Thursday March 14th . This will be part of a ceremony organised by Blagdon Local History Society to unveil a plaque up on Mendip on the site where a plane crash eighty years ago led to the deaths of five young men (page 11 for details); all are welcome to attend and the Society would like to see a really good turnout to honour them.

Blagdon Newsletter does depend on local organisations keeping us informed of what's going on. So as always, if you are the publicity person for a local organisation, don't forget to let us know what you are doing – our magazine is read by hundreds of local people in Blagdon, Ubley and Compton Martin.

Ken Parsons, Editor

Who we are: Blagdon Newsletter, together with News from Ubley, is published by The Parochial Church Council of All Saints, North Mendip, in order to provide useful information to our communities. We welcome contributions of both local and general interest. Provided that the material is suitable and space is available, every effort will be made to include it. Contributors should take reasonable steps to ensure that their article is factually correct and that any necessary copyright permissions have been obtained. Any photos which show children should have parental permission to allow their use. Articles may be edited and photos cropped at the editor's discretion.

The views expressed in the magazine are those of the individual contributors and are not endorsed by the publisher. All information is published in good faith and while we try to ensure that details are correct, no liability expressed or implied is accepted for any statements made. All contributions for publication should be sent to us on or before the 20th of the month preceding publication. Please address any questions or send your copy to either: blagdonnewsletter@gmail.com or ubleynews@btinternet.com.

Benefice Worship in March

The benefice of which we are a part has now been extended to include seven churches. To reflect this, we are now including the services for all of these churches.

Friday 1st 10am World Day of Prayer St Michael's, Compton Martin

Sunday 3rd 10am Family Communion St Andrew’s, Blagdon

10:30am Service of the Word (an informal service) St Mary's, West Harptree

6:30pm Evensong St Mary's, West Harptree

Sunday 10th Mothering Sunday

10am Family Service St Andrew’s, Blagdon

10am Family cafe style Communion St Bartholomew's, Ubley

10am Family Service St Michael's, Compton Martin

10:30am All-age Service St Laurence, East Harptree

6:30pm Choral Compline (short service, choral singing) St Laurence, East Harptree

Sunday 17th 10am Family Communion with children's activities St Michael's, Compton Martin

Holy Communion St Mary's, West Harptree

Sunday 24th Palm Sunday

9:30am All-age friendly service St Andrew’s, Blagdon

10:30am Holy Communion St Margaret's, Hinton Blewett

Monday 25th 6:30pm Compline (predominantly said service) St Laurence, East Harptree

Tuesday 26th Meditation at home

Wednesday 27th Meditation at home

Provided by email. For information contact marycookson66@gmail.com

Thursday 28th Maundy Thursday 6:30pm Holy Communion with foot washing St Mary's, West Harptree

Friday 29th Good Friday

10:30am All-age Service (informal, with hot-cross buns) St Laurence, East Harptree

10:30am Walk to St Hugh's See information opposite

1pm Children's activities St Hugh's, Charterhouse

2pm Reflective Service St Hugh's, Charterhouse

2pm Hour at the Cross St Margaret's, Hinton Blewett

Sunday 31st Easter Sunday 10am Holy Communion St Andrew’s, Blagdon

10am Holy Communion St Bartholomew's, Ubley

10am Holy Communion St Michael's, Compton Martin

10:30am Holy Communion St Laurence, East Harptree

Sunday 7th April 10am Benefice Family Communion St Andrew’s, Blagdon

Good Friday St Hugh's Groups: Meet at Blagdon, Ubley or Compton Martin churches at 10:30am to walk up to St Hugh's, aiming to arrive before 1pm. Bring your own picnic lunch or hot cross buns and drink will be provided. At 1pm there will be children's activities , then at 2pm an adult Service of Reflection.

Regular Weekday Services

Mondays 8:40am Morning Prayer St Bartholomew’s, Ubley

9:15am Intercession Group St Bartholomew's, Ubley

Other Regular Activities

Tuesdays Termtime only

Wednesdays termtime only

Saturday 23rd

10:30am Mini Melodies St Andrew’s, Blagdon

3:30pm 4:30pm 10am to noon

Songs & activities for preschool children

Ukelele Band

St Andrew’s, Blagdon

For information contact rachel.branson@gmail.com

Choir practice

St Andrew's, Blagdon

Coffee Stop Blagdon Village Club

Meet up for coffee and a chat

Friday 1st 2:30 to 4:15pm Thank Cake It's Friday Old Schoolroom, Compton Martin

An opportunity for people to have a cup of tea, cake and a chat

Mothering Sunday

There will be Family Services on Sunday March 10th in St Andrew's, Blagdon and St Bartholomew's, Ubley, both at 10 am.

Do come along with your children. Posies will be available for the children to give to their mothers.

World Day of Prayer

A service will be held on Friday March 1st 10am in St Michael's Church Compton Martin for the annual World Day of Prayer. On this date Christians throughout the world will join in a service to worship together. Each year a group of Christians from a different country plan the service whose format is used everywhere in the world. The country is chosen three years before the service takes place. I am delighted to tell you that this year Christians in Palestine have planned it. Do come along. Everyone is welcome – men, women and children, people of faith and people of none.

Penny Crawfurd

Lighting up the sky – church tower illumination

The lighting up of St Andrew's Church tower commemorated:

9th February In celebration of Hazel’s birthday

The sight of the tower of Blagdon Church lit up against the night sky is inspiring. Anybody in Blagdon can sponsor this illumination to commemorate any significant event in your life, for just £5 to help cover the cost. Please contact Sarah Parsons on 01761 462371 or sarparsons@aol.com

Lent Group

The Benefice is planning to hold a weekly Lent Group starting Tuesday 20th February at 3pm at the home of the Longhursts in Ubley. We will be studying from a book entitled The Prayers of Jesus by Amy Boucher Pye. If you would be interested in attending please contact one of the following:

In Blagdon or Charterhouse please contact Penny Crawfurd on 462418

In Ubley, Judith Longhurst on 462827 or Diana Coles 462012

In Compton Martin, Helen Palmer on 221020 or James Bragg on 221368

Thank you to all of you who filled a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child.

The boxes we collected, together with the boxes filled on- line, enabled South Bristol to send 5,764 boxes to the Cardiff base of the operation. Cardiff sent on 29,385 boxes in total, an increase compared with last year. These boxes were sent to all parts of the globe such as Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, places where children are unlikely to receive anything at Christmas and possibly have never heard of God and his love for them. Please note we will be collecting shoeboxes again this Autumn

Penny Crawfurd

Welcome to Rev. Katrina Dykes

Rev Katrina Dykes and her husband Philip have arrived in Blagdon. Katrina was licensed to the Benefice on 8th February. She took her first service in St Andrew's on the following Sunday with a large congregation made up of parishioners from right across the Benefice. Quite a number of you will have already met her and/or Philip, walking their dogs around the parish, at Pancake Day in Blagdon Village Club or in other village locations. Katrina is keen to meet as many of you as possible and will when she can visit village events so please let her know if you are planning one.

Penny Crawfurd

Katrina's first service

When the day dawned of Katrina’s first service since her licensing as our Rector the skies were dark and it was raining quite heavily. By the time the congregation was gathered in St Andrew’s Blagdon at 10am the sun was streaming through the windows and the church had a golden glow.

The church was filled with the feeling of looking forward, a page being turned, of expectancy as all seven churches of the new benefice worshipped together for the first time. Uplifting, singable hymns played with gusto by Rachel and Katrina’s sermon of this being our first date and journey of getting to know each other all added to the atmosphere.

We all look forward to worshipping and working together.

Patti Simcock

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Out and About

Royal Mint Experience

Monday 25th March 9am to 4pm

Join us for a 45minute guided tour of The Royal Mint at Llantrisant, South Wales to see how the coins of the realm are produced, followed by some free time to wander at your own pace through the Interactive Exhibition, discovering the incredible processes needed to make a coin. Come face to face with British monarchs over the past 1,000 years; test your knowledge of the coins that have been made for countries around the world; get up close to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals, and listen to the stories of those whose bravery has been rewarded with the UK’s gallantry and service medals. Coffee and light lunches available on site.

Tour and return minibus fare £24.

All Welcome

For more information or to reserve a place contact Sarah Parsons by Sunday 10th March at sarparsons@aol.com or 01761 462371

Monthly talks from the Arts Society Mendip

Tuesday 5th March: The Arts and Crafts Movement in England’s Churches

Kirsty Hartsiosis, an Arts and Crafts specialist, writer and curator will describe how the movement altered the course of church decoration and eventually the design of modern churches. The talk will focus on the church at Brockhampton, Herefordshire, perhaps the finest Arts and Crafts church in England. This talk will be available simultaneously via Zoom – a link will be sent to members and guests.

Tuesday 2nd April: The Culture of Ukraine

Rosamund Bartlett, writer, lecturer and translator, will describe how shared cultures bind these multiethnic peoples together, exploring the sacred art and architecture of Kyiv with its links to Byzantium, and the distinctive characters of Odesa and Lviv. The folk traditions in song and embroidery have influenced modern painting, haute couture and borsch. The talk will begin at 11.00am in Croscombe Village Hall This lecture will not be available on Zoom.

Both talks will begin at 11am in Croscombe Village Hall. Guests are welcome for a fee of £10. Alternatively, annual membership covering 10 lectures is £53pp or £102 for a couple. Further details and full programme available on our website; www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk.

Blagdon Local History Society

From Sheep to Shirts: how wool made Somerset talk

For centuries wool was the key foundation of the Somerset economy. This talk will tell the story of how the industry developed from supplying wool to much of Europe before Somerset become a centre for cloth production. The wool industry created enormous wealth, the legacy of which we can still see today in buildings such as Wells Cathedral and even Blagdon church tower. It is a fascinating story that deserves to be more widely known.

by Ken Parsons

Wednesday March 13th at 7:30pm at Court Lodge (next to Blagdon Stores). Members free, visitors £3.

Chew Valley Local History Society

Our first meeting of 2024, on Wednesday 7th February, was a great success with 49 members and visitors in attendance. Garry Atterton gave us a superb account of his research on “Poverty in Victorian Bristol”. He covered its causes, its outcomes in terms of health and life expectancy and the measures, some effective, some not, taken to relieve it. A really great lecture - thank you Garry.

Now; a complete change. Our March lecture, on Weds 6th, again to be held in the Millennium Hall, will be by Jonathon Holt who will tell us about “Somerset Follies” mainly built as an extravagant whim of the wealthy. He will be taking us on a fascinating journey around some of the follies in old Somerset particularly surrounding Bath. The doors of the Millennium Hall will be open at 7.15. with the lecture starting around about 7.30.-7.40.pm.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served after the lecture giving all the opportunity to mingle and chat. Everyone is welcome to our meetings; the visitors fee being £3.00 per person.

The following meeting, on Weds 4th Apr, will be the Society’s AGM and the final meeting of the Society’s Winter Lecture Programme. The business part of the evening will precede a short lecture. Prior to the meeting we would love to hear from anyone who feels they would be able to help in the running of the Society in any way or has an idea for a lecture or an outing. Just approach any member of the Committee and tell us about it.

The talk following the AGM will be by Yvonne Bell and is entitled “Keep Your Hair On” Additionally, there will be more news about a summer outing.

Russell Peters. Tel:01275332741 / 07976266427. Email:russpeters@btinternet.com

World War 2 Commemoration

Blagdon Local History Society would like to invite you to join us when we unveil a plaque to commemorate those who died in a plane crash on Mendip

A B-24J similar to the crashed aircraft

In March 1944, some three months before D-day, a newly-built B-24J Liberator four-engined bomber, serial 42-110039, set off on its delivery flight from America to Europe. It flew from the southern USA to Marrakesh in Morocco via Bermuda and from there it set out to fly to RAF Valley, on Anglesey. Bad weather there caused the crew to try to divert to St Mawgan in Cornwall. Having got lost, they found Filton airfield and flares were lit to help them land, but they aborted to go round again. Making a sweep round, the plane passed over Blagdon Lake before clipping the tops of trees on The Mendip Hills and crashing near Hazel Farm, a mile or so south of Ubley and Compton Martin. Of the ten young men aboard, five were killed and five survived.

Today the site has a well-used public footpath running through it.

Blagdon Local History Society and the landowner, Yeo Valley Farms Ltd., intend to erect a plaque on the site of the crash to be unveiled on the eightieth anniversary of this tragedy. This ceremony will take place on

Thursday March 14th from 2 to 2:30pm. The location is Hazel Farm, Nordrach Lane, BS40 6LQ. The site will be signposted from the top road and there will be ample parking.

We would like to invite as many people as possible to attend this event. Our new rector, The Rev. Katrina Dykes will lead a brief nondenominational service and a representative from the U.S. Air Force will be there to unveil the plaque.

We hope you can join us on the day to honour these young men.

Blagdon Local History Society

2nd Lieutenant Russell Major, the pilot, who died in the crash

The History of Surnames

Wednesday March 27th 2024

This month the Harptrees History Society welcomes back Professor Coates, who is Professor Emeritus of Onomastics at UWE. This discipline studies proper names, especially place and personal names. His talk, which should be of interest to many, is about the project “Family Names of the United Kingdom” carried out at the University of the West of England (2010-16). Professor Coates will give a general survey of the history of surnames, and then look in detail at some of their findings, with special attention to surnames with a Somerset interest. Come along and find out if your family names are included.

West Harptree Memorial Hall. BS40 6EG Doors open at 7.15pm for 7.30pm.

Booking opens on March 7th and closes at midday on March 27th.

Our meetings often get booked up quickly. To reserve a place, please email: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org with subject line “March 2024”.

Visitors are very welcome to this event at £3 a head. You need to book in advance but can pay on the night.

Chew Valley Flower Club

On March 4th, we look forward to a visit from Graham King, whose title for his demonstration is ,"Inspirational" We hope he will inspire us too.

If you would like to come and join us, we meet fortnightly, in Compton Martin Village Hall on Monday evenings at 7.30pm. You will find a warm welcome ,and find us having fun and friendship with flowers.

Joyce Burton. 01761. 462560

As I write this I realise that 19th February is, in fact, the day on which the Women’s Institute movement came into existence. Chambers ‘Book of Days’ reports that, although regarded as quintessentially British, the organisation was founded in Canada in affiliation with the Farmers’ Institute, ' ……. for the education of rural women in domestic science and homecraft.’ Hence the ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ image. Now, not only are there many Wis in towns and cities but a glance at our programme for the next few months shows a bit of a difference.

We shall be learning about The Air Ambulance Organisation 14th March, Safe Electrics in May and Safe Driving in Today’s Conditions in June. We shall, however, still be making scones and jam for our Cream Tea scheduled for Saturday, 6th July. Our February Meeting was a delight as Dr Phil Hammond came and told us ‘How not to die (yet)’ – thank you, Dr Phil!

We welcome visitors at our meetings – the second Thursday of each month - and, of course, new members. All enquiries to our President, Judith Swetman on 01761 462007.

Jane Venner-Pack

Blagdon Village Club

High Street, Blagdon BS40 7TA 01761 462 696

f blagdonvillageclub

Your Village Club

Your place, in the heart of the village to meet old friends and make new ones

Bar

Open Wed-Sat, 6-10pm

• Supporting local producers

• Real ales, lagers, ciders

• Skittles alley, Pool, Bar billiards, Snooker

• Beer garden

Function room with kitchen facilities

• Parties

• Meetings

• Fundraisers

• Rehearsal space

Enquiries to secretary@ blagdonvillageclub.org.uk

Free entry to members weekly cash prize draw!

New members always welcome just drop in and give it a try before you join

Apply for membership at the Club bar or https://membermojo.co.uk/ blagdonvillageclub

In our May 2023 edition we published an index of general interest articles that we have published over the last three years.

All these back issues can be found online at https://elkqr.link/parishmag

Atéa Quintet: Alena Walentin, Flute; Anna Hashimoto, Clarinet; Ashley Myall, Bassoon; Chris Beagles, Horn; Philip Haworth, Oboe

Saturday 2nd March, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

All Saint's Church, Wrington. BS40 5LG

Brimming with energy and inspiration, the internationally acclaimed Atéa Quintet present an engaging programme showcasing the rich and varied sound palette of the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn. Combining the elegance and charm of Mozart, the drama of Strauss and a touch Gershwin’s jazz, this concert is sure to have something for all, alongside the opportunity to discover new composers introducing fresh and exciting styles, sounds and perspectives.

The Atéa has already wowed audiences in some of the finest halls in the world.

Brought together by their communal love of wind chamber music, the Atéa have individually received several prizes in international competitions and played with all of the country’s leading orchestras.

Tickets: Champions of Churchill Music £15.50; Non-Champions £19.50; Under 18’s £1 From: Ticketsource or holly@churchillmusic.org.uk or 07442 672805.

Chew Valley Bridge Club

If you want to play bridge with a friendly bunch, then our club is the place for you. Or perhaps you haven’t tried club bridge yet and would like to. You will be very welcome. We play at Chew Stoke Methodist Hall on Thursdays, starting at 7pm and finishing around 10pm. We are affiliated to the EBU so you can add to your master points with us. We also enjoy social functions at Christmas and mid-Summer.

To find out more visit www.bridgewebs.com/chewvalley/ or call our Chair, Lally Gibson, on 01275 332201. She would be happy to hear from you.

Blagdon Local History

Insights from the 1921 Census with Jacky Kerly, 8th February

A Census taking place every ten years gives us an insight into life at the time, but is only released after 100 years, meaning we can now access the 1921 census. It is noteworthy that the 1931 edition was destroyed by fire and there was no census in 1941 during WW2.

In Blagdon the population was 958, up from 915 in 1911: 426 men and 532 women. 22 young men were lost in the then recent WW1 so it is probable that men had to leave the village to work. We know that some went into Bristol while others worked in the South Wales mines. Three of those who died left widows, two of them with children, but the only one remaining in the village was Katie Packer who then married Frank Panes of Vale Farm. The war would have still been very prominent in the thoughts of the villagers, with lost sons and friends being mourned and the Memorial Chapel being prepared for final dedication in 1923.

As we might predict, in Somerset as a whole, and Blagdon in particular, the majority of men were employed in agriculture and related work. In Somerset the next most notable employment was mining and quarrying. In Blagdon, 43 men worked for the Wills Estate while other notable employers were Bristol Waterworks (18) and the construction company Crawfords (20). This company was working on the project to bring water from Cheddar springs via a tunnel at Rowberrow to Blagdon pumping station, en route for Bristol. Other jobs were provided by builders Milliar and Sons and Frank Puddy, as well as The Great Western Railway. Women were often employed as servants (fewer than in 1911), including as maids in businesses like the Mendip Bungalow Hotel which became very popular with visitors, the Blagdon Court nursing home and the Nordrach TB Sanitorium, Charterhouse.

Apart from employment we can learn about how people lived: the size of their homes, family members and ages, trends in employment and more. BLHS holds copies of the individual census forms and transcriptions which are available to view.

The Mendip Hotel - Yeo Valley HQ is now on the site

Local performing arts charity Valley Arts are running a fabulous programme of events.

• Baked Alaska - hilarious comedy with original music and an 80s twist.

Saturday 2nd Mar - 7.30pm, Chew Magna.

• Open Mic Music Night at The Pony - supportive audience and local music from new and established acts. Tuesday 19th Mar - 7.30pm, Chew Magna.

• Baby Boppers with Music for Miniatures - an interactive pre-school music class with lots of fun.

Wednesday 20th Mar - 10.30am Chew Magna Baptist Church

• Music Club Night with Ma Polaine's - influences in blues, jazz and country from this talented duo. Saturday 23rd Mar - 7.30pm, Chew Magna.

• Rising Waters - an exciting ongoing community project with lots of creative opportunities to get involved. Community Meeting - Wednesday 20th Mar - 7pm, venue TBC, further details online.

• Join our Adult Performance Company - Introduction Wednesday 27th Mar - 7.30pm, Chew Magna Baptist Church.

Tickets for all events can be booked via the Valley Arts website www.valley-arts.co.uk.

Blagdon Village Fete 18th May 2024

With Spring rapidly approaching, we are looking forward to the annual Blagdon Village fete 2024 which will be held on Saturday 18th May from 1pm-4pm at Blagdon Court, Station Road, Blagdon.

As usual there will be many traditional stalls and sideshows, children’s entertainer, raffle, BBQ, tea and cakes and ice-cream. We would love you to come and join us at this annual event and make it as special as ever. As it is in a private garden, we ask you not to bring your dogs. We prefer the old fashioned cash (its a great way to teach kids about money) but we will also have one card machine available.

We are still looking for a few new faces to come and help us on the day. We did have a few new volunteers last year but it really is the only way to keep events like this going. So if you are even slightly tempted or can offer anything listed below please do get in touch. Even if it’s only an hour we would greatly appreciate it. In fact, if you have helped in the past and are happy to do so again this year please do get in touch with your contact details, we have had a few new people on the committee so we may not all be aware that you are out there and willing.

There are many ways to get involved:

homemade cakes and bakes can be donated help with setting up or clearing away at the end of the event stalls to be manned

white elephant goods (on the day, no electricals)

books (these can be dropped off anytime from now if you get in touch we will let you know where)

toys (bring on the day)

raffle prizes

tombola prizes (there’s a collection box inside the church)

teddy amnesty (want to donate a teddy for adoption? get in touch and we will clean it up and find a new home)

It is a charming village event that provides the perfect place to meet up with friends and neighbours and to enjoy the beautiful gardens overlooking the lake. Volunteering at such events is a great way to meet new people and for any younger volunteers is always good to put on your CV. I will happily write you a reference or just let your headteacher know how helpful you have been!

We can be contacted by email: blagdonvillagefete@gmail.com or if you know one of the committee members they would be happy to help. The main committee this year is Nicky Fairley, Jane Wroath, Clare Greatorex, Sheila Thoy, Susie Barton, Vicky Giordani, Naomi Lyons, Karen Norman.

HPS Somerset Group

Early Spring Plant Fair

Saturday, 23rd March 2024

10:00 am –3:00 pm (Garden open until 4:00 pm)

at Yeo Valley Organic Garden Holt Farm, Blagdon, BS40 7SQ

Many top nurseries attending from England and Wales, plus stalls selling garden artefacts.

Yeo Valley products and light refreshments available from the shop and café throughout the day.

Pre-booking is essential. Admission charge will be £5. (£4 for HPS and RHS members.)

Booking opens 4th February 2024. Visit www.somersethps.com and follow the links to book.

The Cinnamon Trust needs more dog walking volunteers for Nempnett Thrubwell

We have a dog owner in Nempnett Thrubwell asking for support but we don’t have enough local volunteers to help. We are looking for volunteers to take out their delightful dog, which would love to go for a good walk.

The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity whose wonderful volunteers help people over retirement age and those in the latter stages of a terminal illness by offering all kinds of free pet care. Many elderly or ill pet owners worry about their ability to provide proper care for their animals and start looking to rehome what may be their only companion. This is where our national network of dedicated volunteers step in to offer support, enabling them to stay together. We’ll walk the dog for a housebound owner, we’ll foster pets when owners need hospital or hospice care, and even clean out bird cages or litter trays.

We would be very grateful for any help you are able to offer. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, see our websitewww.cinnamon.org.uk, email us at appeals@cinnamon.org.uk or call us Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 01736 758 701.

The Cinnamon Trust is a Registered Charity No: 1134680. The Cinnamon Trust is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: 10 Market Square, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HE. Company Number 07004861

Blagdon News

Thank you

A note of thanks and appreciation for all the care, generous kindness and support shown to Hazel and myself by the church family, friends and neighbours, during my recent spell in hospital. With constant reminders of how so many are suffering from dreadful situations around the world and closer to home, we realise how very privileged and fortunate we are to be part of the wonderfully responsive Blagdon community. Thank you.

Colin Parfitt

Refuse and Recycling in March

Standard vehicle

Small vehicle

Monday 4th Garden Garden

Tuesday 5th Rubbish, recycling, food waste Recycling & food waste only

Tuesday 12th Recycling & food waste only Rubbish, recycling, food waste

Monday 18th Garden Garden

Tuesday 19th Rubbish, recycling, food waste Recycling & food waste only

Tuesday 26th Recycling & food waste only Rubbish, recycling, food waste

Our current garden waste routes have not changed in many years. Housing growth and the introduction of an annual subscription fee has meant that the routes have become inefficient with some areas producing more garden waste than others. This means some routes have been under capacity whilst others are struggling to finish.

Where possible, the routes are changing to rebalance the amount of work expected to collect, and to align them with demand for the service.

The new routes will also reduce travel time as each will cover less of the district by collecting from zoned areas that are close together. Finally, all garden waste crews will be working in the same areas on the same days, so they can support each other more easily.

Recycling & Waste Service, North Somerset Council

Mobile Library in March: Thursdays 7th and 21st

Bottom of Village Club car park 1:35 to 2:35pm

Junction of Eastcroft and Score Lane 2:40 to 3:40pm

Please note: if the library vehicle is unable to park at the Score Lane stop because of parked cars, it returns to the Village Club car park to 3:40pm.

Blagdon Valley Minibus Association

March trips

Wells: Tuesdays March 12th & 26th

Leaves Blagdon at 9:30am, leaves Wells at 12:30, fare £3 return

Bath: Friday March 1st

Leaves Blagdon at 9:30am, leaves Bath at 2pm, fare £6 return

Bath and Wells trips pick up at Blagdon Fire Station, bus shelter opposite Seymour Arms, Blagdon School, Ubley Sawmill, Compton Martin pond

Weston-super-Mare: Tuesday March 5th

Leaves Blagdon at 9:30am, leaves Weston at 12:30pm, fare £3 return

Clevedon: Thursday March 21st

Leaves Blagdon at 9:30am, leaves Clevedon at 12:30pm, fare £4 return

Weston and Clevedon trips pick up at Blagdon School, Seymour Arms, Mendip Butchers

To book seats on any of these trips or for more Information email blagdonminibus@gmail.com or phone Tina on 01761 462432 These trips are run as a service to the community and are open to all. You do need to book your seats in advance please.

Blagdon Village Stores – A message from Laura

I’ve really loved living and working in Blagdon, I’m going to miss everyone, the only reason we are going is because we can’t find enough staff to work and I can’t carry on doing 7 days a week. That being said I will still continue to visit Blagdon and do the odd occasional stint behind the bar in Blagdon Village Club where I have been a volunteer for the past 2 years.

I’d like to thank everyone for their support and custom over the past 3 years that we’ve been here, I’ve made many friends who I shall keep in touch with, I’m going to miss you all.

By the time you read this the new owners will have taken over, on Monday 26th February, with the official handover being Tuesday 27th.

Laura Hancock

Amar and Laura

Ubley News

Ubley Parish Council News: February 2024

Looking for Councillors As noted last month, Ubley Parish Council will have some vacancies for Councillors in the Spring. It is important that we try to keep our full complement of seven Councillors to maximise the opportunities to best support the village.

There is no need for any specific skills, rather the Council would welcome enthusiasm and a desire to maintain and develop the strong community spirit in our special village. This is a great opportunity to get more involved in the community in Ubley whatever your age! If you are interested, or even just curious, please contact either Charlotte, the Clerk, on parish-clerk@ubleyparish.co.uk or the Chair, Phil, on pcollins@ubleyparish.co.uk . Or, of course, catch either of us around the village.

Village Sweeper The Council continues to look for a new Village Orderly to help with sweeping and maintenance jobs around the village. This is a part-time role and the hours can be very flexible. If anyone has any interest, or knows of anyone who might, please contact Charlotte the Clerk on parishclerk@ubleyparish.co.uk

Neighbourhood Watch After sorting out the issues we were having with the Neighbourhood Watch, the updates are fully up and running again.

If you live in Ubley and would be interested in joining please email nw@ubleyparish.co.uk.

Flooding. Through this very wet winter there have been several occasions where there’s been flooding in parts of the village. The Parish Council continues to request B&NES to get suspect drains inspected to try to ensure they cope better with the significant run-offs from the hills.

WESTlink WECA still hasn’t released its plans for changes to the structure of the zones and the service. The Chew Valley Sustainable Transport Group created a consortium to bid for the WESTlocal fund to develop a commuter service from the core of the Chew Valley into Bristol, as commuters are particularly poorly served by WESTlink. The Group has fixed up an open session on the morning of Saturday 16th March in Bishop Sutton Village Hall which will go ahead if the consortium is awarded the contract.

The Council will next meet on 7th March 2024.

Chew Valley U34 will hold its monthly meeting on Monday 18th March 2024 at 10.30am at Ubley Parish Hall when Hazel Atherton will present a talk entitled “Film Extras and Acting” members and guests are welcome.

Alan Brooker, Secretary

Withywood Food Bank The food bank which Ubley supports is in Withywood, Bristol, its official name is Carpenters Food and Support and it produces a weekly newsletter. Boxes for donations are kept in St Bartholomew’s porch. These are emptied every week, usually on Sundays.

Ubley Cares Ubley Cares continues to offer help which can be arranged with either Jonathan or Phil. To make contact with Jonathan Longhurst email jl1landjl2@sky.com, or 01761 462827. For Phil Collins email pcollins@ubleyparish.co.uk or 07973 660865.

Bath & NES Mobile Library Service

The Mobile Library will visit Ubley on Wednesdays 13th and 27th March

Stopping at Ubley Village Hall 11.20 -11.50 and at Ubley School at 11.55-12.55

The Mobile Library offers all the same services as a Branch Library. You can use Libraries West membership cards to reserve, renew and return any items from any Libraries West in the area.