Parish Newsletter - October 2022

Sunrise 7.36 a.m. Dawn 7.03 a.m.

Sunset 6.15 p.m. Dusk 6.49p.m.

Remember: - British Summer Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday October 30th. Put your clocks back one hour

To the please contact Alan Dean by telephone (01458 270057), or email to alangdean@btinternet.com

Submissions - The in print of your submitted the of the image or documents Items of poor quality may prove to be unusable.

For follow Compton Dundon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/comptondundon. Most past be seen at this website: https://issuu.com/gregjones44/docsPlease contact either: - Ally Dore (allydore51@gmail.com) or Pauline Atkins 01458 272485 (paulineatkins1944@gmail.com)

Meadway Village Hall

Weekly Events

Short Mat Bowls Monday evening and Thursday afternoon

Dance group Monday afternoon and Thursday evening

Toddlers & Baby group Tuesday morning

Pilates and Kettlebells groups Tuesday 4 to 6.30pm and Friday morning 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Line dancing Wednesday morning and evening

Table Tennis Wednesday afternoon

Yoga Thursday morning

Music With Mummy - Thursday morning

Fortnightly events

U3A sewing bee - in meeting room Tuesday afternoon

U3A quilting for all Thursday morning in the main hall Craft Club 1st & 3rd Tuesday 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Monthly events

Avalon Quilters the first Saturday in the main hall WI second Wednesday the meeting room

CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) - Coffee mornings 1st Wednesdays 10-30 a.m. to 12 noon (see page opposite)

Gardening Club - first Monday Meeting Room at 7 30 p.m.

All groups are open for you to join (Hall timetable - please see the website:https://comptondundonvillagemeadwayhall.co.uk/) Hall monthly meetings 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Are If contact Janet Davies ( Chairperson) 01458 272877 or Tiffany Kearton ( Secretary) 07855 328979

Questionnaire delivered in September newsletter:Please remember to complete and drop copies into the post office (9am-12noon) Monday to Friday.

Alternatively complete online at:https://comptondundonvillagemeadwayhall.co.uk/

Compton Dundon at the Festival

The Village Hall Committee would like to say a big thank you to Greg and the huge team of volunteers that stewarded at Glastonbury Festival.

The team worked long hours and the night shifts were exhausting and it takes many hours of organising before the festival even begins. We appreciate the work that you do to raise money for the Village Hall and thank you for your support. Tiffany Kearton

Macmillan Coffee Morning

I am holding a Macmillan coffee morning.

Tuesday 4th October in the Meeting Room at the Meadway Village Hall from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Coffee and cake, raffle and a sales table.

For further information you can contact Trish on 01458 447075.

Children's Party

Friday 16th December 6 to 8 p.m. at the Meadway Hall

All children from the Village welcome. Free entry. Parents are welcome to stay with their children. Chris Holmes will be providing the music and there will be soft drinks available to purchase.

Compton Dundon and Littleton Gardening Club

September meeting Abigail Willis lives locally and is a freelance writer with a particular interest in gardening and the arts. She is the author of several books including this one on which her talk is based 'Secret Gardens of Somerset' A Private View. Abigail pointed out that Somerset has become a destination and is no longer the county you drive through on the way to Devon and Cornwall. Her artistic background and extensive knowledge of garden history and style gave us a new perspective on a selection of better-known gardens such as, The Bishop's Palace, The American Museum, East Lambrook, Hestercombe, Hauser & Wirth, Iford Manor, Kilver Court and The Newt. Others not so well known included Barleywood Walled Garden, Batcombe House, Common Farm (cut flowers) Cothay Manor, Greencombe Gardens (Porlock), Stoberry House and Milton Lodge. All are open to be public at some point in the year and very much worth visiting.

Her talk was lavishly illustrated by Clive Boursnell's photographs (a contributor to Country Life magazine among others) and supplemented by Abigail's' own pictures. We were able to wander around the gardens (despite a torrential downpour going on outside), the early morning or late evening light capturing the beautiful setting and plants. The relationship of the gardens within the countryside and the different styles of planting have added many gardens as shown in her book to our must see list for the future. An excellent and very interesting talk. (Her book is available online at £22.00). (Thank you Celia Linney)

The competition to grow the best Fuchsia was won by Angie Roberton (whose picture appeared in the September issue).

The competition to grow the heaviest weight of potatoes was also won by Angie Roberton! (That girl has been busy!)

Congratulations and well done Angie. Some people did manage a heavier weight but did not keep to the rules, orange buckets only.

October meeting Micky Little from Avon Bulbs. Have your orders ready.

November meeting – Brimsmore Garden Centre talk on Putting your garden to bed for the winter. December meeting Ann Hassad and a Christmas Workshop.

St Andrew’s Compton Dundon Bell Appeal

The Open Day/Launch 7th September

Thank you to everyone who came along to St Andrew’s to see the displays and plans for The Bell Appeal.

We are delighted to report that over £2,000 was raised over the four hour event. The generosity of everyone who donated and the positive buzz that the event created gives us great encouragement. Thank you so much. Please get in touch to talk or receive information sheets.

Fundraising Events

Would you like to help run an event? Here are some of the fundraising ideas being considered: Appeal Ball Gymkhana

Open Village Gardens

Concerts & musical Events

Sponsored events, e.g., bike ride Village Brocante Auction

Any other suggestions for raising money for the Appeal?

If so, please contact us at comptondundonbellappeal@outlook.com

In this time of hardship for many families, we are always moved by the generosity of our neighbours and would like to thank Chris Austin (yet again!) for the wonderful donation of a full-size table football game. As the colder weather sets in and we spend more time inside, our boys will be delighted to be able to play a game that they love, which will give them opportunities to further develop their turn taking and coordination skills, encourage good sportsmanship and most of all fun. We are somewhat overwhelmed by your kindness, thank you.

As the nation mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the staff and pupils at Compton Dundon School have held two assemblies to celebrate her life and mark her passing. A poignant two-minute silence was held accompanied by the toll of the bell at St Andrew’s Church.

One of our pupils, Ryan visited St Andrew’s on 15 September and he and his teacher signed the book of condolence for the Queen.

Walking Football

It’s great to see a few people using the new football goalposts and nets on the Village Hall field.

Would anyone be interested in playing Walking Football once a month on a Sunday afternoon? It would be good fun and a sociable event. Walking Football is a gentle version of football but you can only walk and there is no contact. You must not hit the ball above waist height. It is therefore safe for all ages (18+) and levels of fitness and is suitable for both men and women. I’ve organised sessions before and will explain it all. I’ve also got smaller goalposts (if we think the others are too big) and footballs etc. You wouldn’t need any special kit, just any footwear suitable for playing on grass. Ordinary trainers are fine.

The first session is on Sunday, 9th October 2 to 3 p.m. on the Village Hall field, Ham Lane, Compton Dundon Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions - Gareth Williams at gw62it@gmail.com

Are you interested in forming a village tree appreciation group?

We are hoping to form a group to try to save as many of our magnificent trees as possible and to highlight and increase appreciation for trees in our village . We plan to start by drawing up a village map with the locations of all the significant trees in our village. The ultimate dream would be to have a village orchard and or a piece of woodland for future generations to use but this would be subject to funding. We will meet in the local pub and hopefully we will see you there. If you are interested in coming along please contact KateTowers on 07872 664543

September draw:

1st £15 Sheila Taylor # 84

2nd £10 Wendy Edwards # 34 3rd £5 Fay Ridgell # 29

For information, contact Janet Davies 01458 272877

The Parish Council

Cllr Geoffrey Walker (Chair) 446487 geoffwalkercdpc@gmail.com

Cllr Diane Churches 442078 diane.churches@live.co.uk

Cllr Kevin Fleming

Cllr Steve Lawrence (Vice Chair)

Cllr John Rowlands 07976 631321

Cllr Martyn Say

Cllr Chris Swain 440405 Cjswaintransportservices@gmail.com

Clerk: Helen Richardson Email: comptondundonclerk@gmail.com

Tel: 0789 9970173 www.comptondundon pc.gov.uk

Chairman s

On behalf of the Parish Council, can I express our sadness at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and thank her for her years of duty and service to our country. The largest bell at St Andrew's Church was tolled for 96 times on Friday 9th September, and then again for 96 times on Monday 19th September between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. before the commencement of the State Funeral.

Good news - The Castlebrook Inn is open and welcoming again! The pub is open, serving food and again part of our community.

Parish Council Planning Business

The following planning items were discussed at the Parish Council meeting held on 7th September 2022:

a) To receive notifications of district council planning determinations:

i) 22/00727/HOU: The Cedars Castlebrook Compton Dundon. Erection of a two storey extension to side of dwelling. APPROVED.

b) To agree responses to planning and legal consultations:

i) 22/02150/HOU: Walnut Tree Cottage Ham Lane Compton Dundon. Erection of a single storey lean to extension to north elevation, erection of a garden room and erection of a garden shed/workshop

ii) 22/02151/LBC: Walnut Tree Cottage Ham Lane Compton Dundon. Erection of a single storey lean to extension to north elevation, erection of a garden room and erection of a garden shed/workshop

c) Enforcement issues:

i) Access to Aphrodite House/Clarendon house

ii) 22/02290/FUL: Griffin Gin Distillery, Somerton Road, Compton Dundon

iii) Blocked Footpath L7/30

If need to contact the church, about Weddings, Baptisms or anything else, we'd love to hear from you: -

Reverend Ana Lawrence –Rector

Tel: 01458 841373 or email: revanalawrence@gmail.com

Mrs Sonia Beaty Benefice Administrator

Tel: 01458 442671 or email: churchoffice8@gmail.com

Church Warden: Pat King 01458 274926 of Church & Events - October start at 10.00am unless otherwise stated ‘Upcoming Events’ at www.swcd-churches.org.uk in the Andrew’ Compton , will be remember gratitude loved ones whom have be sent to families of those whose it has been our privilege to conduct in recent times; however, these services are open to all who would value them, whether the remembered is recent or some time ago. More details to follow.

Dear Friends,

This month we will be celebrating Harvest with special services and meals across our churches. Whether lunch in Compton Dundon or supper at Walton, it is wonderful to come alongside friends, neighbours & family and celebrate together. It is a time of year when we remember with thankfulness all the good things God gives us and for the ways in which he continues to meet our physical needs. We are truly blessed and even if we are ‘feeling the pinch’ with the cost of living crisis we have so much to be thankful for: clean water, a plentiful supply of food, clothes, homes and so much more.

Can I encourage you, in addition to our services and other events, to also set aside some time at home during the week to pause, to worship and to give God the glory. The above verse from Psalm 100, a Psalm of gratitude. There are many similar verses amongst the Psalms which contain a wealth of songs of praise (and lament) which we can read prayerfully as we come before our creator God. Why not read again some of the Psalms this month and if you’ re unsure where to start, follow the readings for each day of the week on the front of Lifeline (also available on the benefice website) which include a daily Psalm.

Whilst we can be thankful for all that we have, this should not preclude our care for others who may have considerably less than ourselves. There will be many people in the coming months who will be heavily relying on Foodbanks & may be struggling to afford to heat their homes. The ‘We heat, you heat’ project (see details elsewhere) will be starting as we open the doors of the Mission Church in the early part of October on Saturdays and the work of our local foodbanks in Street and Glastonbury will be relying on donations to keep supplies topped up.

Whether you are in need or have enough, foster an attitude of gratitude that seeks to be thankful in all things.

With my love & prayers, Ana

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm chapter 100 verse 4

We heat, you eat

This new project has grown out of a desire to respond in very practical ways to the cost-of-living crisis. As we offer a warm space to those who need this during the colder months it is good to reflect on why we might be doing this.

A number of years ago the logo ‘WWJD’ became widespread in the Christian community and people would wear bracelets with the question ‘what would Jesus do? (WWJD) in any given situation. To an extent we are asking that same question as to what would Jesus do in the cost of living crisis. Where would he hang out? The answer is throughout the Gospels where time and again we read of encounters of Jesus with those on the very margins of life, those who may feel ostracised, those who have little and Jesus offers love, compassion and mercy. As Christians, in setting up ‘We heat, you eat’, we are seeking to offer a non judgemental compassionate space that doesn’t question why people can’t afford the things we perhaps can.

‘We heat, you heat’ begins on Saturday 8th October and will run each week from 11am – 3pm in the Mission Church.

Open to all who would value it, we offer a warm space, various activities and a simple hot meal. Please pray for those from our church family, who will be serving and welcoming our guests and for all those who come along.

Foodbank

Our friends at the Salvation Army in Goswell Road, Street are working hard to ensure that supplies are stocked up and ready to be packed into parcels for those in greatest need in our community. Your donations continue to be valued. Are you able to give non perishable and other items, such as toiletries etc?

Please leave goods either in St Andrew’s Church, Compton Dundon, Holy Trinity Walton or drop them off at the Salvation Army who will be pleased to see you.

Welcoming Pilgrims

I am delighted that in early October we will also be welcoming a small group of third order Franciscan Pilgrims who will be spending the night in St Andrew’s, Compton Dundon on a short Franciscanstyle pilgrimage from Hilfield Friary in Dorset to Wells Cathedral. Ana Lawrence CHRISTMAS MARKET

Following the success of the Christmas Market at The Old Farmhouse in 2020, we are this year holding our Christmas Market in St Andrew’s Church on Saturday, December 10th . Details to follow, but if you would like to contribute Christmas themed items for sale, please contact Celia Thomas on 0044 7949 241818 (free calls to her mobile.)

Reaching Out – if not you, then who?

We have been talking and thinking much as a benefice about reaching out to our communities, showing God’s love and sharing our faith in simple and everyday ways. There have been a number of opportunities to do this, in practical ways by getting out into the community and being present as church. Sometimes there has been reluctance to join in, maybe for fear of what others might think, because of diary clashes or perhaps thinking that someone else will do this or that it doesn’t really mean me! The reality is that God calls each of us to step out and if it’s not you, then who is it?

Please be looking out for future opportunities to get involved. No-one is too busy, too old or too young to be God’s hands and feet in the communities in which he places us. See you there!

The Old Farmhouse Plant Stall

Thank you everyone who contributed plants, bought plants and helped keep the stall going this year. We raised over £900 for St Andrew's Church this year and a further £400 at the Flower Festival, so thank you! We hope to raise a little more at the Village Fete at the Cricket Club too!

Unfortunately I will not be able to run the stall again next summer, it involves more work than I find I now have time for with other commitments. If anyone else feels they would like to have a go at running a stall elsewhere I will be happy to hand over surplus pots and help if I can. It started as a Covid lockdown exercise in 2020 so we have had 3 successful years. Thank you again Celia Linney 07949241818, celiahthomas55@gmail.com

Village Cider Making 2022

Village cider making helpers (no experience necessary, all welcome) required to empty and bag up last years barrel (if not already done) and clean and prepare for this years harvest before the main event. Please contact Chris with availability week beginning October 10th; it will be half a day during the week.

Apple Picking / mashing, pressing on Sunday October 16th

Meet at The Old Farmhouse at 11am for the main event! Lunch at the Old Farmhouse from 1pm contributions welcome. Picking in the morning with mashing, and pressing after lunch. Apples are again falling early in places. You can start saving apples that are sound a couple of weeks beforehand, keep in a cool place and bring along on the day. Cider apples are generally dry to taste, although some varieties are multi purpose these are the best ones for making a good cider. Harder eating and cooking apples are OK in smaller quantities but try to seek out old cider apple trees. We can collect and pick on the day or you can deliver to The Old Farmhouse the week before. All welcome on the 16th to join in with this traditional village activity. If you have apples you would like picked

Cider availability

There is still some of the 2020 cider left, perhaps not at its best now but good for cooking and mulling.

The newly bagged up 2021 cider will also be available on the day. Bring your own containers please. Cider is available for village events and villagers throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing you soon! Contact Chris on 01458 442304 or 07971 881447 / linney.chris@gmail.com

BIG BREAKFAST

The ever-popular Big Breakfast is returning on Saturday, November 26th so Save the Date!

If you would be interested in running a Christmas themed stall on the day, the table hire charge is £10.

Please contact Trish Cox (447075) for further information and to reserve your space. Hope to see you there. or collected for the village cider please contact Chris so we can arrange this. Please join us if you can, if only for part of the day.