Westfield Warbler Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019 ISSUE 31

Produced for Westfield Parish Council

Westfield Parish Council

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Message from Contents the Chairman Welcome to the summer edition of the Westfield Warbler.

Westfield Parish Council is now entering its third term and I am very pleased to say that most of the current councillors will be taking their seats again. We also welcome Vincent Cox, who will be new to the Council and Robin Moss, who is to come back to the Parish Council after a short break. There is one vacancy, which will be filled by the process of co-option at the meeting of the 13th May. This year’s Inspirational Citizen Award was awarded to Mr Martin Bates, the Chairman of Westfield Allotment and Garden Society at the Annual Parish meeting in March. This was for all the hard work that he has put in, creating a wonderful community at the allotments. This community has become more inclusive with raised flower beds and lessons for children so that they can learn about growing their own vegetables. The popularity of the allotments has grown so much that there are more people looking to secure the use of the facility. As a result, Westfield Parish Council has secured a new site at Larch Court where work is well under way to provide more allotments for the local residents.

In 2018 the Parish Council successfully completed its Neighbourhood Plan, and further to this, we have now set up a working group to enhance Westfield’s green and open spaces. Anyone with an interest in this would be welcome to join the group. Just contact the office for more information.

Thinking of green spaces, the Parish Council will be running the Front Garden competition again this year and we would encourage people to enter.

Cllr Geoff Fuller Chair of Westfield Parish Council

8 Green and Open Spaces Working Group 9 Annual Parish Meeting 13 Westfield’s Inspirational Citizen Award goes to Martin Bates 14/15 Westfield’s Annual Fun Day 16/17 What’s On 18 Could you deliver the Westfield Warbler?

19 Front Garden Competition 24 Dragons’ Den a success The next edition of The Westfield Warbler will be in August 2019. If you would like your group to be included, please contact us by 7th August.

You can view The Westfield Warbler on the Council’s website at www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk The Westfield Warbler is produced by Ignyte Media Ltd, G5 Second Ave, Westfield Industrial Estate, Westfield, Radstock, BA3 4BH. Tel 01761 410141.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or it’s editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Ignyte Media and Westfield Parish Council do not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.

The Westfield Warbler - 3

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Donation to Fosse Way School Fosse Way School pupils recently received a cheque for £1047 from Andrew Wells.

Andrew belongs to a Freemasons Lodge in Keynsham, which raises lots of charity money for local, national and international causes. This year they chose to donate some charity money to us at school.

We are using the money to buy a nest swing for our older pupils. The swing will help pupils to become more independent in regulating their sensory needs. It also gives pupils the opportunity to practise important life skills such as sharing, working together and turn taking.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Andrew and his Lodge friends for this donation.

Fosseway School

Liam, Sophie, Grace and Ethan say ‘thank you!’ to Andrew for the cheque.

Andrew Wells hands the cheque to Mairi Lanyon, Head of School.

The Westfield Warbler - 5

SWALLOW Charity needs cyclists!

SWALLOW, the local charity supporting teenagers and adults with learning disabilities based in Westfield, need people to ride in Bike Bath on Sunday 30th June 2019 to raise money for their work.

There are three different distances, 25 miles, 50 miles and 80 miles, all fully signed through beautiful countryside in and around Bath. SWALLOW has reduced price entries and just asked participants to raise a minimum of ÂŁ100. You can also enter as a family. If you would like to know more, please ring 01761 414 034 or email Nicky Tew on nickyt@ swallowcharity.org

Here is one of our members, Lucy, saying “please join our cycling team and raise money for a wonderful cause!�

Busy times ahead for the Station gardeners Last year the area of land known as the Somervale site alongside alongside the Somerset and Dorset Railway line at Silver Street, was cleared and levelled in preparation for proposed sidings and shed.

Now that spring is here the station volunteer gardeners have been planting shrub and hedge plants along the boundary. Thanks to a generous donor they sourced indigenous plants from Chew Valley nursery. Small plants of varieties such as Hawthorn, Dogwood, Guelder Rose, Hazel, and Alder Buckthorn have been planted as a natural border between the railway and the field below. The gardeners on the rest of the site have been extending the borders and clearing the existing ones in preparation for the summer planting. Hanging baskets have been prepared and are growing well in the protection of the restored station greenhouse.

6 - The Westfield Warbler

This year there will be more running times between events and volunteers will be very pleased to meet visitors and show them what has been achieved so far.

The Diesels will be taking it in turns with Joyce the little Sentinel steam loco to give more rides during the year.

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An update from Westfield’s Green and Open Spaces Working Group Westfield Parish Council is a fundamental part of the fine community that we have here in Westfield and developing our community and its physical assets forms a very important part of the work carried out by the Council every year.

Westfield is blessed with many beautiful views and green spaces as well as woodlands and surfaced footpaths and “green lane” byways.

Last year, we carried out extensive research across Westfield residents in connection with the creation of our Neighbourhood Plan and one of the things to come out of the research was the clear and overwhelming wish of our residents to enhance our green areas, footpaths, and the wealth of industrial and ancient (Roman) history.

On that basis, the Council has set up a Green and Open Spaces Working Group to review all our options to enhance those environments.

The process will be funded by Community Infrastructure Levy. This is a payment made by developers to fund infrastructure supporting new construction such as housing and is strictly monitored and focussed on key areas nominated by B&NES. The Working Group is comprised of a wide range of Westfield community members and new members would be welcomed. If you are interested please contact the Parish Council team and come along.

We will be keeping everyone informed as we progress towards a greener, healthier, and historically aware Westfield.

Cllr Ron Hopkins Chair of the Westfield Green and Open Spaces Working Group 8 - The Westfield Warbler

Annual Parish meeting Due to the elections this year, the Annual Parish meeting took place earlier than usual in March.

Several residents came along to find out how the Councillors have been working to constantly update and improve your environment.

Speakers ranged from the Chairs of the Council and each committee that meets monthly, Youth Connect and B&NES Councillors for the Westfield Ward.

Cllrs Jackson and Moss both talked to the meeting about the issues that were highlighted to them that required input from B&NES.

Before the speakers took to the floor, though, there was the presentation for Westfield’s Inspirational Citizen 2019. Mr Martin Bates of Westfield Allotment and Garden Society won the award due to the huge amount of work he does at the allotments to make them accessible to all members of the Westfield community.

Questions from the public were predominantly about parking at Longfellow Road and the use of Wesley Avenue as a rat run, and dog mess around the parish.

Cllr Jackson said that she was meeting the Member for Environment and Transport at Longfellow Road the following week and was hoping to point out the difficulties to him. Councillors agreed to increase the signage about the penalties for leaving dog mess and to send a press release to local press, again highlighting the issue with public health.

Cllr Fuller gave an overview of activities in Westfield over the past year and highlighted what is coming up of note – hanging baskets around the shops at Elm Tree Avenue will be changing, the next Fun Day will be bigger and better than ever, the Westfield Green and Open Spaces Working Group who meet to discuss how best to utilise and protect our green spaces, a standalone pavilion at Westhill Recreation Ground, working with B&NES to develop Shakespeare Road play area and the use of Westfield in your address. A busy year coming up.

Cllr Wallbridge, as the Chair of the Environment and Development Committee, reported on events throughout the year like the Christmas lights switch on and the extended Christmas lights last year, the extension of allotments to the waste ground at Larch Court, the Front Garden competition, which is encouraging beautiful front gardens in the parish, heritage walks being led by Cllr Fuller each year and the work of the snow wardens in winter.

Cllr Wilkinson, as the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee, reported that the finances of the Parish Council are healthy, but that the precept has had to be increased very slightly due to the reduction in funding coming from B&NES. Sam Plummer of Youth Connect gave a presentation with the aid of a few of the young people that attended the youth sessions on a regular basis. They illustrated how much help they were getting from the sessions and how much it had helped in their personal life.

More information is available on our website – www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk

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8 The Street, Radstock, BA3 3PL The Westfield Warbler - 9

Non-Members are welcome at Mardons Club Despite advertising ‘free entry and all welcome’ the social club is still regularly quizzed on its membership policy. ... Do I need to be a member? ... Does someone need to sign me in?

The answer is NO! While the club does operate a membership option for regular visitors, Mardons is a community facility, open to all - new faces are always welcome, whether it’s just to pop in for a quiet drink during the week, to watch Sky and BT sports coverage on the big screen and cheer on your team, or to enjoy the great bands on a Saturday night - there’s generally no charge to enter, no signing in and no membership required.

If you find yourself visiting more frequently then the membership offer is certainly worth considering. The £5 per year membership entitles members to a discount of approximately 20% on the cost of most drinks and is therefore quickly recouped.

Wild Card are back to rock the social club The membership year runs from July to June, but anyone joining between now and July will get their membership activated immediately gaining the extra few months.

Entertainment continues at an impressive level with some great bands lined up throughout the summer - including the brilliant SilverTrain, who amazed on their first visit last year, with their 80s laden set list and lively performance.

Making their debut at Mardons are Voodoo Seven, a perfect party band, whilst popular group The Stacks, pop-rockers Wild Card and Super D, and quirky, fun-loving The Retreats will all make welcome returns.

Keep up to date at: facebook.com/mardonsclub

The amazing SilverTrain return for an 80s-packed night of music

Bath Ramblers improve footpath access to Waterside Valley A cold but sunny February morning saw a group of Bath Ramblers start some voluntary work which involved cutting down and clearing the overgrown vegetation on the footpath which runs from Linden Close into Waterside Valley.

One of Westfield’s three Westfield Heritage Trails runs the length of Waterside Valley. The work of the Bath Ramblers will improve access to the Trail, just in time for the warm weather.

Chair of the Council, Geoff Fuller said, “Grateful thanks to the Rights of Way Officer Sheila Petherbridge for arranging this voluntary work in Westfield. It was good to meet the volunteers on site. Their commitment to improving access to our green spaces is an inspiration and on behalf of the Parish Council we would like to say a hearty thank you.”

Bath Ramblers clearing the vegetation at Waterside Valley If you would like to try any of the three Westfield Heritage Walks please go to www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk/ community-information/heritage-walks/

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info@bathcollege.ac.uk The Westfield Warbler - 11

The Westfield flower displays Hi, I’m Rob Wicke, a green-fingered local with a keen interest in the communities of our beautiful area. For the past three years, I’ve had the responsibility and privilege of designing and maintaining the Westfield Parish Council summer and winter flower displays.

In my charge are twenty-five hanging baskets, two coal truck planters, one square planter, four circular beds and two raised-beds packed with herbs. They’re mostly based close to the Elm Tree Avenue shops, apart from a hanging basket tree in Nightingale Way. It’s an exciting and creative process dreaming up a variety of colourful options for the displays and slightly painful letting all bar one fade from the fantasies of my mind.

Then comes a burst of really hard graft; growing, prepping and planting. Once the displays have lift-off, I can’t just sit back and watch them grow; I then make sure the watering systems are working, that the weeds and pests aren’t winning and that my vision comes to fruition.

12 - The Westfield Warbler

Generally speaking, the designs are created to give interest for a long period of time, the plants growing and meshing together into a crescendo of colour, shape and texture, culminating in a season-ending grand finale.

This summer won’t be any different, I aim to keep the passionate and attention-grabbing hot colours powering all the way through to October. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The 2019 Westfield Inspirational Citizen Award goes to Martin Bates It was with great pleasure that Chair of the Parish Council, Geoff Fuller, presented local resident and Chair of the Westfield Allotment and Garden Society (WAGS), Martin Bates with the Westfield Inspirational Citizen Award.

Martin has been Chair of the allotments group for over five years. Currently there are about 65 members ranging from 4 years to 90 years! He has launched gardening for children and promoted this throughout Westfield, leading on to the successful Children’s Gardening Club which is open to all children.

Martin makes sure the allotments are accessible to all residents of Westfield by supporting Westfield Fun Day, Britain in Bloom and WAGS’ own open day in the summer.

He works tirelessly to make sure WAGS is a success and is always on hand to offer support and advice.

He really is an Inspirational Citizen.

Accepting the Award at the Westfield Annual Parish Meeting, Martin Bates said, “This is not just about me, it is about Westfield Allotments. These guys do a fantastic job, including the children, and I am sure that everyone who sees what has been done will love it.”

This year the Award consists not only of a medal but also a cup, which was kindly donated to the Parish Council by local resident Eddie Wilkinson.

The award of Westfield Inspirational Citizen will be open again next year in time for the Annual Parish Meeting. If you know of anyone that would deserve recognition for their work in the community please let us know.

The Westfield Warbler - 13

Westfield ’s ANNUAL

Come and join us in a wonderful extravaganza of entertainment, displays an

Join us on SUNDAY 2ND JUNE 12PM - 4PM

14 - The Westfield Warbler

FUN DAY

nd sounds on a day that is rapidly becoming a big part of the Westfield calendar.

Westfield will be seeing the 8th annual Fun Day take place on Sunday 2nd June 2019, at Westhill Recreation Ground.

New to the event this year will be a display by Pitcombe Rock Birds of Prey and a dazzling Samba Band in the ring, while a host of the regular activities will be available to enjoy.

Spiderman and Snow White will be mingling among the visitors while you compete in the skittles, pick up a bottle of something different in the tombola or win a prize in the raffle. And don’t forget Scruffs, which will return following its success last year.

The event will be opened by this year’s Westfield Inspirational Citizen, Mr Martin Bates, of Westfield Allotments.

WHAT’S ON MAY

7th

8th Tundra at Mardons Social Club. The party band return to

entertain. Music from 9pm, free entry, non members welcome.

10th Environment and Development Committee meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way

15/16th Midsummer at Midsomer event at Silver Street

train station.

Carers’ Cafe at Mardons Social Club, 10am. Meet other carers, have a drink, and chat with Lorraine and volunteers from the Carers’ Centre.

Young People’s Dragons’ Den. See the Big Local’s website, www.radstockwestfield.org.uk for further details.

11th Fundraising Zumbathon for Swallow, 2pm at

Finance and Personnel Committee Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

11th The Raskals at Mardons Social Club. Rock and pop covers

Silver Train at Mardons Social Club. Specialising in fantastic 80s covers. Music from 9pm, free entry and non members welcome.

Chilcompton Village Hall.

from the superb Bristol lads. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

13th Parish Council Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office

Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

18th 19th

22nd

28th Family Bingo Night in aid of Dweamah Dance Crew, at Mardons Social Club. 8pm start, all welcome.

29th

15th Environment and Development Committee meeting,

7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

The Stacks at Mardons Social Club. Top band playing rock and pop covers. Music from 9pm, free entry and non members welcome.

17th

30th Diesel Service, Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Street.

18th Real Ale Trains at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver

JULY

Charity Bingo Night in aid of Midsomer Norton Primary School at Mardons Social Club. 7.30pm start.

Street.

18th

Voodoo Seven at Mardons Social Club. Superb new party band make their debut. Music from 9pm. Free entry to all.

19th Running day with steam loco Joyce at Midsomer

Norton Station, Silver Street.

22nd

Finance and Personnel Committee meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

25th

1st

Carers’ Cafe and Carers’ Information Event at Mardons Social Club, 10am. Meet other carers, have a drink, and chat with Lorraine and volunteers from the Carers’ Centre.

1st

Parish Council Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

4th Front Garden Competition closes.

6th

Wild Card at Mardons Social Club. Rocking covers band.

Music from 9pm, free entry and non members welcome.

Jet Pack Jesus at Mardons Social Club. Superb pop / rock covers band, playing songs from across the decades. Music from 9pm. Free entry, non members very welcome.

Environment and Development Committee meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

JUNE

13th The Retreats at Mardons Social Club. Quirky covers

8th

2nd Westfield Fun Day. 12noon – 4pm at Westhill Recreation

band, playing unusual and fun songs. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

2nd Diesel service at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Street.

Street.

3rd Carers’ Cafe and Carers’ Information Event at Mardons

17th Finance and Personnel Committee Meeting, 7pm at the

Ground. See pages 14-15.

Social Club, 10am. Access information and organisations offering support and advice (finance, care in the home etc).

3rd Parish Council Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

16 - The Westfield Warbler

13/14th Train rides at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

20th Super D at Mardons Social Club. Stunning rock covers

band from Bristol. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

28th

Regular events

AUGUST

• Boules

Steam loco rides with Joyce at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Street.

3rd Summer Party Night at Mardons Social Club. Music from

Rooted - celebrate the 4th anniversary of the club’s move. Music from 9pm, free entry and non members very welcome.

Every Tuesday evening from 6pm to dusk at Norton Hill Recreation Ground. No need for your own equipment, just a sensible pair of shoes and a desire to have some fun!

5th

• Knit and Natter

10th

• Westfield TT Running Group

Carers’ Cafe and Carers’ Information Event at Mardons Social Club, 10am. Meet other carers, have a drink, and chat with Lorraine and volunteers from the Carers’ Centre.

You, Me And The Dancefloor at Mardons Social Club.

Pop and rock covers band - terrific fun. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

11th Family Fun Day at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver

Street.

23rd

Thrillionaires at Mardons Social Club. A special Friday night treat as the excellent Welsh party band visit the club.

Music from 9pm and non members welcome..

25th Diesel service at Midsomer Norton Station, Silver Street.

31st The Skinny Dippers at Mardons Social Club. A night of

fun party tunes. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

SEPTEMBER

Every Tuesday, 2-4 pm, Trinity Methodist Church, Westfield.

Every Wednesday four running groups, St Benedict’s School, 7pm, various paces from gentle to fast runners.

Beginner’s Group – St Benedict’s School 7pm, every Tuesday and Thursday, learning basic running techniques and a steady running group covering 4-5 miles.

Every Friday running Group – St Benedict’s School, 7pm. Trail running on local footpaths in two groups, steady and faster runners welcome to explore our amazing local countryside.

• Radstock Folk Dance Club Friday evenings from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at St Peter’s Hall, contact Dick Shilton on 01458 841400 for more information.

2nd

• Friday Social

2nd

• Coffee Mornings

Parish Council Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way. Carers’ Cafe and Carers’ Information Event at Mardons Social Club, 10am. Meet other carers, have a drink, and chat with Lorraine and volunteers from the Carers’ Centre.

7th Autumn Steam Gala at Silver Street station.

7th No Mean Feat at Mardons Social Club. Foot stomping

rhythm and blues. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

8th Autumn Steam Gala at Silver Street station.

9th

Environment and Development Committee meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

14th The Skinny Dippers at Mardons Social Club. One of the

club’s most popular party bands return. Free entry, music from 9pm and non members welcome.

18th

Finance and Personnel Committee Meeting, 7pm at the Oval Office Boardroom, Cobblers Way.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity Westfield Methodist Church, 2nd Friday of every month.

1st Friday of the month, Trinity Westfield Methodist Church, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. unless rearranged for charity. Check listings.

• Westfield Voices Every Wednesday 7.15 p.m. – 9 p.m. at St Peter’s Church.

• Messy Church First Sunday of the month, 3.30 p.m. at Radstock Baptist Church.

• English Folk Dance Fortnightly Thursday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St Peter’s Church.

Please send details of your event to us at:

news@ignyte-uk.co.uk The Westfield Warbler - 17

Could you deliver the Westfield Warbler?

We are looking for a local person to deliver the Westfield Warbler on a quarterly basis.

SPRING

The copies would be delivered to you and you would have a fortnight window in which to deliver to some 2800 homes and businesses in Westfield.

If this is something you might consider and would like to know more, please contact the Parish Clerk on 01761 410669 or email parishclerk@ westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk for more information about the fee etc.

WINTER 2018 ISSUE 29

30 2019 ISSUE

AUTUMN

2018 ISSUE 28

Photos from a sizzling Westfield Fun Day inside Westfield compet Front Garden ition win are ann ners ounced

Westfield sh

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Pari Produc Parish Produced for Westfield Parish Council ed for We Council stfield Council Parish Co uncil uncil Parish Co

Westfield Parish Council

Local Government elections There were local elections on 2nd May for B&NES Councillors and Parish Councillors.

In Westfield, there was no need of a Parish Council election, only one for those standing for election onto B&NES council. For the Parish Council, the candidates were uncontested, being ten nominations for eleven places.

Three of our Councillors did not stand for re-election – Andrew Butcher, Kevin Docherty and Lesley Mansell.

We thank all three for their hard work and commitment while they served on the Parish Council and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Cllr Robin Moss who, at the time of writing, is a B&NES Councillor for the ward of Westfield has returned to sit

on the Parish Council. Cllr Moss is welcomed back and we look forward to working with him again.

We also give a warm welcome to a new Councillor – Vincent Cox – who lives in Westfield.

As there were only 10 nominations for 11 places, there is one still vacant which we hope will be filled by cooption at the May Parish Council meeting.

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Visit: facebook.com/mardonsclub 18 - The Westfield Warbler

Front Garden Competition At this time in May, we’re sure your gardens are looking fabulous and that they have potential to be even better in a few weeks.

The Front Garden Competition will be here again soon – closing date is Thursday 4th July and the judging will be taking place very shortly after that.

Entries can come from the gardener themselves, or someone who walks past a garden in Westfield and thinks how lovely it is looking and how it deserves a prize. That is the reason it is the ‘Front Garden Competition’ and we can’t consider back gardens. The idea is that the garden is noticeable by all passers-by, giving people something to smile about while they go about their daily duties. Initial impact, colour and use of space and general health of the plants are some of the criteria that were used in last year’s judging so something to think about while you design your space.

Here are some photos of the gardens that were entered last year.

The Westfield Warbler - 19

Westfield ’s

ANNUAL FUN DAY

Programme of Events

12:00 – Opening by Westfield’s Inspirational Citizen 12:05 – MSN&Radstock Silver Band 12:30 – Jamie Woodland Academy 13:00 – Pitcombe Rock Birds of Prey display 14:00 – North Somerset Samba band 15:00 – Dog Show

Please note, all timings could be subject to change.

20 - The Westfield Warbler

Prattens Bowls Club The Green at Prattens Bowls Club is now open for the new Season.

Many readers may well have seen either indoor or outdoor bowls on television; Prattens Bowls Club plays outdoors only. Membership of our club is open to both males and females of any age; the season starts midApril and continues until mid-September.

Matches for ladies are played mainly in the afternoons; for men, mainly evenings and Saturday afternoons; mixed matches are mainly on Sunday afternoons and some evenings. There is always an “away day” mid season and this year we are going to Dawlish and the game is followed by a meal in a local restaurant.

During the closed season we hold regular social events such as skittles, race nights or quiz nights.

If you would like to try bowls why not come along to our club night - Mondays from 6pm. Coaching can be arranged by our Club Coaches – bowls can be borrowed so you just need to wear a pair of flat shoes. If you cannot make a Monday evening, other coaching is available by arrangement.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact Barrie or Pauline Dando on 01761 412705 for more information.

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22 - The Westfield Warbler

Why not join the Westfield Voices for concerts this summer?

The start of the new year has been fairly quiet for us regarding performances, so we have been working hard on some new songs for the summer.

In March, we went to sing for the Odd Down Good Companions, where we received a very warm welcome. As Katie, our accompanist, is unable to play for us in the daytime, we took her recordings of the accompaniments and used our new playback equipment for the first time in a real concert.

We were also asked to sing while the votes were being counted at the recent ‘Dragons’ Den’ event at Prattens. Another occasion where we had to sing to the recordings, and particularly appropriate as the Dragons gave us the money for the equipment last year. Thanks, Dragons, we’re using it well!

Singing to a recorded accompaniment is not the same as having a live pianist, and stretched us all (and particularly, Ruth, our conductor), but we coped, and it was good not to have to turn down a performance because our pianist was unavailable.

We are always happy to welcome new members.

You don’t need to be able to read music, and we don’t do auditions. If you have ever fancied singing with a choir come and try us out.

Our rehearsals are on Wednesday nights at St Peter’s Church Hall from 7:15 to 9:00pm.

If you want to know more, contact us via Lesley Schofield on 01761 419540 or Jane Dyson on 01761 232715 (jane_dyson@live.co.uk.)

Join the Folk Dance club this summer!

Radstock Folk Dance Club meet at 8 pm on Friday evenings at St Peter’s Church Hall, Longfellow Road, Westfield and will continue to meet until the end of July, when they break until the beginning of October.

If you fancy some gentle exercise in friendly company please come along. For further information, contact Dick and Jean Shilton on 01458 841400 or dickshilton@btinternet.com

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Dragons’ Den a success!

Radstock & Westfield Big Local’s ever popular Dragons’ Den took place on Friday 5th April at Prattens Sports and Social Club. The local community gave a warm welcome to the fourteen brave contestants who were vying to win up to £500 to make the area an even better place to live.

It was a great evening, with brilliant pitches that tugged at the heart-strings, helpful and encouraging Dragons, enchanting singing from Westfield Voices and tasty grub from the SWALLOW café.

For the organisers, it’s always a shame that some contestants come away empty-handed, especially with the high quality of pitches on display. The Big Local always offers support to those that didn’t make the cut, including signposting to other funds available in the community. They’re pleased to say that they have some very strong winners and they look forward to seeing what is achieved with the money.

The winners included Westfield Allotments and Garden Society, who will develop new allotment spaces in Larch Court; acclaimed runner and community person John Reynolds, who will take his inspirational talks on the road (including to local schools); and Mrs Catherine Whybrow, who will work with other volunteers to clean up and plant wildflowers around the Snails Brook swimming pool.

The Dragon’s Den winners: • Trinity Methodist Church, £500 to help install a new accessibility ramp.

• Fosse Way School, £500 to help purchase equipment for a new training flat.

• Prattens, £200 to help make the hall more energy efficient.

• Radstock Juniors, £500 to take young people away on an adventure.

• Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club, £500 to help replace equipment.

• The Red Box Project North East Somerset, £500 to help provide sanitary products to local schools to help end period poverty.

• SWALLOW, £500 to help buy a new chiller to display a healthier range of food for their café.

• Snails Brook project, £300 to buy wildflower seeds for the area.

• Exit Stage Left, £500 to help keep the group affordable and to hire rehearsal spaces, music and scripts.

• John Reynolds, £500 for equipment to enable a new series of talks to inspire local school children.

• Westfield Allotments and Garden Society, money will be used to help clear their new site and install essentials.

LAUNCHING THE NEXT DEN: The Radstock & Westfield Big Local are proud to announce that, this year, they will hold their first Young People’s Dragons’ Den on the 18th of June! If you’re aged between 12 and 21 then this is a great opportunity to come up with a plan to make a difference to your community and get the money to make it happen!

Please see the Big Local’s website for details on how to get involved.

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Youth Club Westfield Boules needs volunteers, can you help?

Since Christmas, Westfield Youth Club has been based at the Methodist Church hall on a Tuesday evening from 7 until 9pm. The young people have enjoyed a range of activities, including sexual health workshops, arts and cooking.

The session has become so busy now that we don’t have enough staff and volunteers to work in the building presently with 30+ young people arriving. We have currently been running sports activities and other outdoor activities on the Westhill playing field. We plan to do this for a short while, while we look to increase staff and volunteer numbers.

If you would like to volunteer please contact Sam_plummer@bathnes.gov.uk

Family owned and run A caring professional service t 01761 412132 e enquiries@midsomervets.co.uk w www.midsomervets.co.uk

With the evenings getting lighter, and the weather getting warmer, this can only mean one thing, time for the boules season to get under way.

The court has been weeded, raked and rolled, ready for the start. The court is, of course, available for use at any time throughout the day, but if you are new to the game, or want to join a fun group, then do please join us on Tuesday evenings at 6pm, from now until October at Norton Hill Recreation Ground. We are a fun group, there are no formalities, no fees, no need to book, just turn up and play, beginners more than welcome.

Diana Cooper If you would like more information, please give me a call on 01761 41515. Diana Cooper.

Puppy and kitten starter packages Puppy parties • Vaccinations and pet passports Pet behaviourist • Neutering Medical investigations and surgery Pet Health Club • Acupuncture and laser therapy Midsomer Norton and Radstock’s only independent veterinary practice

We are a smaller than average school and pride ourselves on our caring approach and our ability to meet every child’s needs, helping them develop and ensure they reach their full potential, whilst growing in the love of Christ. We welcome children of all faiths.

We also offer wrap-around care as well as an independent on-site Nursery.

www.stbenedicts.info

The Westfield Warbler - 25

The

Parish Clerk

We desperately need a local person to deliver the Westfield Warbler on a quarterly basis. The copies would be delivered to you and you would have a fortnight window in which to deliver to some 2,800 homes and businesses in Westfield. Is this something you might consider? If so, please do contact me (01761 410669) for more information about the fee etc.

A

s I write this message we have just heard that the Parish Council election in Westfield is uncontested and the 10 candidates who stood for election will therefore take office in May. We look forward to the start of another four year term and hope that Westfield Parish Council continues to go from strength to strength.

It is good to see the new play equipment go in at Westhill Recreation Ground to replace the ‘fort’ which was rotting badly. As the days get longer and warmer, we hope the play area continues to be well appreciated.

In my last message, I mentioned the Westfield Green and Open Spaces Working Group, set up to develop local projects making the most of our green spaces.

This Working Group is moving forward and if you would like to take part or just know more, please do contact me – parishclerk@westfieldparishcouncil. co.uk

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26 - The Westfield Warbler

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Work started in April on the new Larch Court allotment site, and again we thank the hard working volunteer group Westfield Allotment and Garden Society for their commitment to this project.

Lesley Close Parish Clerk

Ian Macdonald Insurance Services Limited Your Local Broker Since 1981

The local choice for ALL your insurance needs 113 High Street, Midsomer Norton Tel: 01761 416937 Fax: 01761 416266 www.ianmacinsurance.co.uk

Your Councillors

Cllr Diana Cooper 01761 415155

Cllr Geoff Fuller 01761 439198 / 07540 998603

Cllr James Honess

Cllr Ron Hopkins 01761 435852 / 07460 819007

Cllr Eleanor Jackson (Also a B&NES Councillor for the Westfield Ward) 01761 438968

Cllr Bryan Wallbridge 07974 939776

Cllr Phil Wilkinson 01761 431355 / 07803 927626

Cllr Pat Williams 01761 432630

We look forward to introducing two new councillors to you in the next edition.

Cllr Robin Moss B&NES Councillor for the Westfield Ward 07543 626184

The Oval Office, Cobblers Way St Peters Business Park, Westfield BA3 3BX Telephone: 01761 410669 Email: council@westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk @westfield_pc Westfield Parish Council The Parish Council is open from Monday to Wednesday, 9am - 4.30pm and Thursday, 9am - 3pm Due to the small number of part time staff it is advisable to telephone before visiting.

The Parish Council is accessible to the public, with a lift to the first floor office.

The Westfield Warbler - 27