Yeovil Press - Issue 22 - July 2020

YEOVILPRESS

JU 20 LY 20

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www.yeovilpress.co.uk | Edition Number 22 | FREE

FIND OUR HOW FORMER LIVERPOOL AND ENGLAND FOOTBALL STAR JOHN BARNES SURPRISED A YEOVIL POSTMAN! FOR A FOUR-PAGE TRIBUTE TO LIVERPOOL FC’S FIRST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS IN 30 YEARS INVOLVING LOCALLY-BASED LIVERPOOL FANS – TURN TO PAGES 57-60 THE YEOVIL PRESS – YOUR FREE MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER – CELEBRATES ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY. WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A BUSY FIRST TWO YEARS. TURN TO PAGES 31-34 COFFEE BREAK CHAT IS BACK! TURN TO PAGES 6-7 AS WELL-KNOWN LOCAL PUB LANDLORD PETE LAMBDEN COMES UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT.

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INSIDE

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TRIBUTES TO FORMER MAYOR ‹‹ 10

COMMEMORATIVE TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED AT YEOVIL DISTRICT HOSPITAL TO REMEMBER ALL THOSE AFFECTED

BY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE INCREDIBLE EFFORTS OF STAFF. FULL STORY – TURN TO PAGE 4

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

SCHOOL REUNION ‹‹ 43

THE WESTLANDS ENTERTAINMENT VENUE IN YEOVIL IS BACK IN BUSINESS FULL STORY – TURN TO PAGES 8-9 OPEN 9.15AM TO 1PM – MONDAY TO FRIDAY OR PHONE FOR AN APPOINTMENT CAR KEY CUTTING AVAILABLE FROM £40 KEY CUTTING – METAL ENGRAVING – GLASS ENGRAVING – PERSONALISED GIFTS – SPORTS TROPHIES

1 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HE Phone: 01935-411088 / www.atouchofglassyeovil.co.uk For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

PROM MEMORIES ‹‹ 46-47

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Personal, Caring & Professional Have you sadly lost a loved one?

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24hr Service & Private Chapel of Rest All areas covered Low cost arrangement fees 01935 508971 OR 07789 276767 (24hr) 27 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HZ 2

enquiries@stuartfosterfunerals.com For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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EDITOR'S NEWS IN BRIEF NOTE THERE seems to be light at the end of the tunnel now as we head towards some sort of normality with the easing of restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The Yeovil Press has had a reduced pagination in recent months because of the lockdown and reduced advertising because of businesses temporarily closing, but I am pleased to report that the July edition is an increased 64 pages and so things are definitely looking on the up!

But we should not become complacent! I’ve got a feeling that this coronavirus could come back to bite us on the backside if we become “too normal, too quickly” again.

So please take care.

Thank you to those that have advertised in this edition – your support is very much appreciated during these difficult times.

The number of outlets where the paper is available has also been reduced because of coronavirus.

Many thanks to James Healey, of JRH Media, for his help with design and layout, and photographer Christine Jones for her support.

The next edition of Yeovil Press will hopefully be out on August 7. If you would like to get in touch – please email yeovilpress@gmail.com .

Finally, many thanks for those who have sent me messages of condolence regarding the recent death of my step-father, Terry Wootten, as I mentioned in my notes in last month’s Yeovil Press.

It has been a difficult month or so, but the messages, cards and flowers received by all of the family, especially my mum, have been very comforting.

Take care, keep well and please stay safe.

Best wishes STEVE SOWDEN - Editor

Photo of the month

NEWS IN BRIEF >> IF any business would like to advertise in the next edition of Yeovil Press – out on Friday, August 7, 2020 - please get in touch by emailing yeovilpress@gmail.com or by phoning 0777-319-8081. >> KEEP up-to-date with the latest news from Yeovil and surrounding area by logging onto the Yeovil Press website at www.yeovilpress.co.uk >> Some of the photos printed in the July edition of Yeovil Press are available to be bought.

Anyone wanting to buy photos included in this edition – please drop us a line at 0777-319-8081 or email yeovilpress@gmail.com >> GET IN TOUCH: If you have a story or an event coming up you would like to possibly see covered in the next edition of the Yeovil Press get in touch by emailing yeovilpress@gmail.com .

THE Castaway Theatre Group in Yeovil has held a photographic competition for its members during the coronavirus lockdown and this photo was taken by Preston School student Eleanor Dawkins and clearly demonstrates how you can make the Asda roundabout in Yeovil look atmospheric! Eleanor’s entry was given a “highly commended” award in the competition which was judged by Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden and photographer Christine Jones. If you take a photo which you think could be included in our Photo of the Month feature – please email us at yeovilpress@gmail.com .

What's in your new local newspaper Pg 04: Yeovil Hospital says thank you Pg 06-07: Coffee Break Chat with Pete Lambden Pg 08-09: Screenings at the Ballroom are back!

Pg 10: Tribute to former Mayor, Cllr Phil Chandler Pg 15: News from Yeovil Hospital Charity Pg 18-19: Feature: Yeovil Squadron Air Cadets Pg 22-23: News at a Glance Pg 24-25: Around the Town Pg 26-27: On Our Doorstep Pg 28-29: Old Pubs of Yeovil Pg 31-34: Happy Birthday Yeovil Press Pg 36-37: Flashback to July Pg 38-39: Family Announcements Pg 40-41: Down Memory Lane Pg 43: School Reunion Pg 46-47: School Prom Memories Pg 50-51: Leisure Pg 52: Social Life Pg 55-56: Sport Pg 57-60: Homage to Liverpool FC Pg 61: Glovers Glory Pg 62: Yeovil Town FC For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

>> YEOVIL Press is published by Steve Sowden, of Yeovil Press, and printed by Newsquest at Fleet House in Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, or at Newspaper House in Osney Mead, Oxford, Oxfordshire.

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Hospital chief thanks you for thanking and supporting them THE chief executive of Yeovil District Hospital has thanked everyone for their “overwhelming support” during the difficult times of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The 72nd anniversary of the NHS was marked on Sunday, July 5, and although it might not really be a milestone number – it comes at a time when the NHS has come face-to-face with its biggest ever challenge.

Hospital chief executive Jonathan Higman said: “In previous years, this occasion has been a cause for celebration, an opportunity to reflect on the enormous strides taken in treatment, medicines, outcomes, access and patient experience.

“This year has been different. We are in the midst of managing the most challenging situation our health system has ever faced, and are now working and living in a different world. Here at Yeovil Hospital, there is not a person or service that has not been affected by the pandemic or has not had to adapt to ensure the safety of patients and

colleagues.

“I am so proud of our staff for what they have done and continue to do; they have shown incredible resilience and

SUPPORT OUR NHS STAFF

selflessness and, throughout the last four months, have embodied everything that is good about the NHS.2 Mr Higman continued: “In doing so, they have received overwhelming support from the public, manifested through Thursday night clapping, donations, rainbow artwork in windows, flags flying from rooves, social media posts, and letters from children and adults alike.

“Your support has galvanised us, and enabled us to maintain the focus and stamina required to deal with the pandemic.

“So today, I want to turn the tables and say ‘thank you’ to you.

“Thank you for respecting lockdown and social distancing rules to help manage the spread of the virus and prevent more local people becoming patients.

“Thank you for abiding by our visiting restrictions which have prevented many people from seeing their loved-ones during a stay in hospital.

“Thank you for your understanding when we have had to postpone appointments, or change the way we provide your care.

“Thank you to the individuals and businesses who have supplied us with all manner of services, products, food and drink, to keep spirits up during the toughest moments.

“Thank you for letting our staff go to the front of queues for supermarkets so they can get to work on time.

“Thank you to our NHS colleagues outside the hospital, in social care, the emergency services, and the whole range of voluntary sector organisations who have maintained access to essential services and support, and who have kept the most vulnerable in our communities safe.

“And thank you to every other key worker out there who has kept the lights on, the shelves stocked, and the transport running.”

Mr Higman added: “I would also like to remember those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and the families and friends they have left behind.

“As the lockdown rules are relaxed further, I would urge you to reflect on the loss these people have experienced and please do everything you can to avoid the potential spread of this virus: wear a face-covering whenever asked to do so; respect social distancing rules; regularly wash your hands; and consider how every journey, visit, and action can affect the risk of the virus being caught or passed to others.”

People stood on their doorsteps at 5pm on Sunday, July 5, for a one-off clap to say “thank you” to the NHS.

Legacy trees planted at hospital

We need you now more than ever...

Your donation could help us to purchase more equipment and support our staff During this CORONAVIRUS emergency, our staff need all the help they can get. You can help by donating:

www.justgiving.com/yeovilhospital or

Email fundraising@ydh.nhs.uk for more info Making a difference for patients 4

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A FORMER coronavirus patient at Yeovil District Hospital, John Parker, was invited to help plant two commemorative trees at the hospital loved-ones during a stay in hospital.

The “legacy” trees were planted in the hospital garden to remember all those affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the incredible efforts of staff.

John was joined by the hospital’s chief executive Jonathan Higman and Yeovil Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chairman Paul von der Heyde at the ceremony along with other members of the hospital

team.

The hospital would like to thank the Palmers Garden Centre in Yeovil for its generous donation of the trees.

PHOTO: Pictured (from left) are Yeovil Hospital chief executive Jonathan Higman; Yeovil Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chairman Paul von der Heyde; former patient John Parker; housekeeping supervisor Sharon Tucker; junior doctor Dr WaiHuang Teng; senior sister Gemma Jorge; chief nurse Shelagh Meldrum; and chief medical officer Dr Merry Kane.

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COFFEE BREAK CHAT

35 questions in 60 seconds WE are delighted to bring back the Coffee Break Chat feature to the Yeovil Press – YOUR monthly community newspaper.

We sidelined Coffee Break Chat in March to June editions with paginations reduced because of the implications caused by the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

But with the future looking more positive – touch wood – this popular fun feature is back and with pubs having recently reopened we are delighted to welcome legendary well-known landlord Pete Lambden, of the Quicksilver Mail, under the Coffee Break Chat spotlight.

Check out the Quicksilver Mail’s advert on Page 51 of this edition of the Yeovil Press.

Each month we will pose 35 questions to a member of the local community and they will give their truthful and honest answers.

It is all a bit of fun, but might provide some interesting and discussionprovoking questions along the way for Yeovil Press readers.

Coffee Break Chat has been kindly

sponsored by the No5 Café Diner which can be found at Kingfisher Close in Gazelle Road on the Lynx Trading Estate.

The extensive breakfast and lunch menu at No5 offers something for everyone and all at reasonable and competitive prices.

PHOTO: Pete Lambden.

The Beatles with (from left) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison – the Fab Four from the 1960s who’s Top Ten best-selling singles were She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Can’t Buy Me Love, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out, Hey Jude, Help!, From Me To You, Hello Goodbye and Get Back. Amazing that the likes of All You Need is Love, Eleanor Rigby, Paperback Writer, Yesterday, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields Forever, Love Me Do and Let It Be – to name but a few - couldn’t make it into the Top Ten!

1: Name: Pete Lambden.

2: Occupation: Pub landlord at the Quicksilver Mail.

3: Live: Yeovil.

4: Places of education: Buckler’s Mead School and Yeovil College.

5: Who was/were your best pal/pals at school? Jeff King.

6: What was your favourite lesson at school? PE.

Tom & Jerry, the American animated franchise and series of comedy short films, was first created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

7: Your favourite teacher? Mr Rawlins.

8: What is your proudest moment?

Birth of my son Harry.

Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring (from left) Ray Liotta, Robert Di Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci.

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Manchester City will probably have to settle for runners-up spot in the Premier League this season.

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13: What is your favourite film?

Goodfellows.

14: What is your favourite band or pop group? Beatles.

15: Who is your favourite singer?

Leonard Cohen.

16: What was the first record you ever bought? Jackson 5 - I want you Back.

17: What is something you’ve never tried but want to? Parachute jump!

18: Cinema or Theatre? Theatre.

19: What is your favourite sport?

Football.

9: What was your favourite TV programme as a child? Tom & Jerry.

20: What is your favourite sporting moment? Brazil winning the 1970 World Cup.

10: Who was your childhood hero?

Georgie Best.

21: What is your favourite football team? Manchester City.

11: What is your greatest fear? Getting old!

22: What is your favourite holiday destination? Thailand.

12: What is your favourite drink? Wine.

23: Do you collect anything? Music.

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24: If you won the National Lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Give up work.

30: If you could do anything for the rest of your life what would that be?

Travel around South East Asia.

25: If a film was made about you – what actor would you want to play you? Bruce Willis.

31: If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

Thailand.

26: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Mohamed Ali.

32: When you were little, what did you want to be?

Footballer.

27: What TV programme can you not miss? News.

33: What’s the best (clean) joke you’ve ever heard? Too many to mention.

28: Which TV programme makes you pick-up the remote and switch channel? Strictly.

34: Would you rather go into space or to the bottom of the ocean?

Space.

29: What food would you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat?

Tripe.

35: Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I like opera.

Canadian singer Leonard Cohen’s most famous song was Hallelujah and first released in 1984 on his studio album Various Positions.

Only two words are needed when describing boxer Muhammad Ali – The Greatest.

The Brazil team – featuring the legendary Pele – won the 1970 World Cup and is described as the best international team of all-time.

The mercurial footballer George Best. “I was born with a great gift, and sometimes with that comes a destructive streak,” he once said. “Just as I wanted to outdo everyone when I played, I had to outdo everyone when we were out on the town.”

Actor Bruce Willis found fame in the Moonlighting television series between 1985-89 before going on to great success in movies with the Die Hard franchise and other films including The Last Boy Scout, Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Fifth Element, The Jackal, The Sixth Sense and Red.

BACK OPEN!

8am to 2.30pm Monday to Saturday We are offering our full menu subject to any shortages in the supply chain

NEW! NEW! NEW!

Zero points from Pete Lambden for Strictly Come Dancing!

The beautiful Thailand.

Vegan Sausage Rolls Fantastic feedback from Vegan and non-Vegan customers: “Delicious” - “The pastry was just right and not greasy” “Excellent texture” - “We’ll definitely be back to get some more” Three ways to pre-order your food for collection or delivery: 1: Phone 01935-433665 2: Email orders@number5catering.co.uk 3: Direct message on No5 Catering’s Facebook page.

Or you can come to the diner and place your order over the counter.

Number5Catering.co.uk | 01935 433665 facebook.com/No5Diner | twitter.com/no5cateringltd The Jackson 5’s track I Want You Back was the first single released by the group by Motown on October 7, 1969, and became the first number-one hit for the band.

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Screenings in the ballroom are back at Westlands THE Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil reopened to the public on July 6 for film screenings in line with Government guidance to allow cinemas to begin showing movies once again.

The venue, operated by South Somerset District Council, has introduced a number of safety measures to maintain social distancing.

It is operating with a reduced capacity and additional cleaning measures are in place, with the film screenings taking place in the ballroom using a sofa configuration.

The first three weeks of programming will offer three screenings, seven days a week, with a selection of great films and live theatre content.

It opened with the Best Picture Oscar winner from earlier in the year Parasite (July 6-7) and followed by the feel-good Military Wives (July 8-11), Misbehaviour (July 20-22) and the new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma (July 14-16 and July 18) that stars Bill Nighy.

The venue will also launch a number of special genre specific screening strands. Thursday Night is Theatre Night, screening the best ‘live’ recordings from

42nd Street the Musical is being shown on July 19.

The King and I will be shown on August 2.

the National Theatre. This will begin with the hugely popular Fleabag (July 16), followed by the acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (August 6) and All My Sons (July 23) starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman.

While live musicals cannot currently be staged, Westlands will be bringing you a Sunday Musical each week, kicking off with the Broadway production of Kinky Boots (July 9 and July 12), the recent stage production of 42nd Street (July 19), Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show (July 26) and the London Palladium’s production of The King and I (August 2).

Weekends will see fantastic Family Films with Disney/Pixar’s Onward (July 11-13), Harrison Ford in Call of the Wild

(July 17-19), and Trolls World Tour (July 24-26).

Arts and entertainment manager, Adam Burgan, said: “We are very excited to welcome guests back to Westland Entertainment Venue.

“Our focus is on providing some entertainment and escapism during this difficult period whilst keeping everyone safe. It will be fantastic to see the venue open and helping to lift the spirits of our communities.”

The safety measures being put in place are following government guidelines and those released by the UK Cinema Association. Measures include: - Reduced capacity – about a third of our normal operating capacity for

Can't wait to bring back entertainment THE arts and entertainment manager of the Octagon Theatre and Westland Entertainment Venue in Yeovil has thanked everyone for their messages of support.

Both venues have been closed since the middle of March because of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, but light is now at the end of tunnel with Westlands reopening for Screenings in the Ballroom.

Adam Burgan said: “It’s great to be finally reopening at Westlands. We have launched our film programme that includes some special screenings that we hope will be an exciting opportunity for families to enjoy a trip to Westlands to enjoy a film from the comfort of our leather sofas.”

But the Octagon Theatre still remains closed – for the time being – as live performances are not permitted by the Government.

“The Octagon Theatre continues to be closed and the latest instruction from government was that theatres can reopen but could not stage live performances,” said Mr Burgan.

“We will be monitoring the popularity of the film programme and are exploring a number of other potential uses of the DIARY DATES AT A GLANCE: (Correct at the time of going to press) Friday, July 10: Military Wives – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Saturday, July 11: Military Wives – 7pm.

Saturday, July 11: Onward – 11am, 2.30pm.

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theatre until live performances can resume.

“We are continuing a programme of entertainment and classes online with free dance classes, choir and are getting ready for SHiNE Together that everyone can join in and be part of the performance.”

And Mr Burgan added: “We have been missing audiences and artists and have had so many lovely messages of support from people missing all the events and live performances. We cannot wait to welcome you back and enjoy uplifting performances, entertaining and inspiring events and lots of fun.”

The Westlands venue continues to operate as a Well-Being Hub for South Somerset District Council providing food parcels for shielded, vulnerable and those facing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of the staff from the Westlands venue and who work at the Octagon Theatre have been redeployed to work at the Hub. The hub’s food warehouse has been moved from the ballroom to meeting rooms at Westlands as demand for support has started to reduce and to enable the film screenings to start.

Sunday, July 12: Kinky Boots the Musical – 2.30pm, 7pm.

Sunday, July 12: Onward – 11am.

Monday, July 13: Onward - 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Tuesday, July 14: Emma – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Wednesday, July 15: Emma – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

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screenings.

Social distancing maintained throughout the venue, including seating layout, and one-way systems in place.

- Enhanced cleaning measures.

The venue has been closed to the public since March 17, but has been used as a Well-Being Hub providing food packages for shielded, vulnerable and those facing hardship.

The council’s health and well-being spokesman, Cllr Mike Best, said: “I am delighted to see Westland Entertainment Venue beginning to reopen to the public.

This is a significant step along the road to recovery for all of us.

“With the Well-Being Hub operating from Westland both the venue and our staff have played their part in looking after our residents and caring for our most vulnerable and I am very proud of what has been achieved.

“Now I hope our residents will support our venue and enjoy themselves by attending some of the excellent films on offer.”

For further information please visit westlandsyeovil.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01935-422884.

What's it all about?

ONE frequent visitor seen prowling about at the Westland Entertainment Venue in Yeovil will be delighted that the doors are back open – it’s Alfie the Cat! Alfie can often be seen wandering around the bar area and is sometimes cheeky enough to jump onto the chairs for a lay down or to get past security and into the main ballroom.

No event seems to put Alfie off from popping into Westland – whether it be a live music gig, a craft fair, a beer and cider festival or even an election count.

But one thing is for sure ….. people like to make a bit of a fuss of Alfie when they spot him.

PHOTO: Alfie the Cat. Thursday, July 16: Emma – 11am, 2.30pm.

Thursday, July 16: NT Live: Fleabag – 7pm.

Friday, July 17: The Call of the Wild – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Saturday, July 18: The Call of the Wild – 11am, 2.30pm.

Saturday, July 18: Emma – 7pm.

Sunday, July 19: The Call of the Wild – 11am.

Sunday, July 19: 42nd Street the Musical – 2.30pm, 7pm.

Monday, July 20: Misbehaviour – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Tuesday, July 21: Misbehaviour – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Wednesday, July 22: Misbehaviour – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Thursday, July 23: The Invisible Man – 11am, 2.30pm.

Thursday, July 23: NT Live: All My Sons – 7pm.

Friday, July 24: Trolls World Tour – 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm.

Friday, July 24: The Invisible Man – 10pm.

Saturday, July 25: Trolls World Tour – 11am, 2.30pm.

Saturday, July 25: The Invisible Man – 7pm.

Sunday, July 26: Trolls World Tour – 11am.

Sunday, July 26: Riverdance 25th Anniversary Tour – 2.30pm, 7pm.

Thursday, July 30: NT Live: Present Laughter – 7pm.

Sunday, August 2: The King and I – 2.30pm, 7pm.

Thursday, August 6: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 7pm.

For further information please visit westlandsyeovil.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01935-422884.

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Phil served the community in so many ways TRIBUTES have been paid in memory of Cllr Phil Chandler, a former Mayor of Yeovil, who died on Sunday (July 5) at the age of just 64.

Cllr Chandler had served the Newtown area for many years on Yeovil Town Council and was elected to serve the town as Mayor between 2010-12.

Members of Yeovil Town Council held their monthly meeting on Tuesday (July 7) via the Zoom conferencing technology and the current Mayor, Cllr David Recardo, said that Cllr Chandler had collapsed at home while recovering from a hip operation.

“Phil will be hugely missed,” said Cllr Recardo.

Rev Jim Pearce, the Mayor’s chaplain, spoke to councillors about his memories of Cllr Chandler.

“It’s about 25 years ago since we first arrived in Yeovil and Phil was only a few doors down the road from us,” he said.

Cllr Phil Chandler helping to support the Poppy Appeal as Mayor of Yeovil in 2011. Photo: Christine Jones.

The then Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Phil Chandler and Linda Jones, are pictured with famous theatrical husband and wife Timothy West and Prunella Scales at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil in November 2011 along with the Yeovil Arts Association’s Becky Chamberlain (left) and Liz Pike.

Photo: Christine Jones.

Cllr Phil Chandler joins in with the festivities for the switching-on of the Christmas Lights in the town centre in 2010 with an assortment of special guests including (from left) Father Christmas, South Somerset District Council chairman Cllr Ian Martin, Yeovil Town FC manager Terry Skiverton, Yeovil Town FC mascot Jolly Green Giant, Bob the Builder and some young helpers! Photo: Christine Jones.

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“I can first remember going to garden parties where he was fundraising for the community and it became more and more evident that he was putting his heart into serving the community.”

Rev Pearce said that Cllr Chandler in recent years had been instrumental in setting up The Men’s Shed project in Yeovil, while in the past he had supported the long since closed Peter’s House night shelter for the homeless when it was open.

“He served the community in many, many ways and it is so sad that he has now gone,” added Rev Pearce.

“He did things quietly, but he served the community right up until the end.”

Cllr Recardo had said earlier on social media that his deepest condolences were with Cllr Chandler’s partner Linda Jones and all of the family.

“It is with great sadness that I have to say I lost a friend at the weekend,” said

the Mayor. “Phil and I joined the council at the same time and was a good friend.

“The council and the Men’s Shed will miss you Phil and so will I.” Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden said: “Phil did a lot of good work in the community – a lot of which went unnoticed. He had a wry smile, an endearing chuckle and a great sense of humour; very down to Earth and a people person.

“Phil and Linda served the town with distinction when they were Mayor and Mayoress and we met them at many events – although I always felt a bit sorry for them when they missed out on welcoming the Queen to Yeovil in May 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee Tour by just a few days with Phil having handed over the Mayoral chains to his successor Clive Davis; such bad timing by Her Majesty!”

Former Mayor, Darren Shutler, who held

The then Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, Cllr Phil Chandler (standing third from left) and Linda Jones (standing second from left) with the then chairman of South Somerset District Council, Cllr Ian Martin, and his wife, Cllr Pat Martin, along with members of the March for Honour team in 2010. A group of Royal Marines passed through Chard, Crewkerne and Yeovil on their march from Plymouth to Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, in November 2010 to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

Wootton Bassett became Royal Wootton Bassett in 2011 in recognition of its role in the military funeral repatriations which passed through the town of servicemen and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Photo: Christine Jones.

Remembrance Sunday 2011 with the then Mayor, Cllr Phil Chandler, leading the official party followed by the then chairman of South Somerset District Council, Cllr Mike Best, the then Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Clive Davis, and the then Yeovil MP David Laws. Photo: Christine Jones.

The then Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, Cllr Phil Chandler and Linda Jones, at the Manor Hotel in Yeovil following his Civic Service in 2011 with the Mayor’s Cadets (from left) Rebecca Coombs, Matthew Green and Catherine Radcliffe.

Photo: Christine Jones.

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Cllr Phil Chandler and his long-term partner, Linda Jones, the then Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, at the reception at the Manor Hotel in Yeovil following his Civic Service at St John’s Church in in 2011. Photo: Christine Jones.

Cllr Phil Chandler, as then Mayor, speaks to the audience at the Westlands Leisure Complex in Yeovil during a variety show in September 2011 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Yeovil, Sherborne and District Samaritans – a designated charity during his time as Mayor. Photo: Christine Jones.

the role from 2016-18, said: “Phil was a prominent member of the community and I had the honour of working alongside him on the town council.

“I will always be thankful to Phil for the help and advice he gave me for when I became Mayor.

“Phil will be truly missed and I would like to express my deepest condolences to Linda and the rest of the family.”

Many messages of condolence have been placed on social media in memory of Cllr Chandler and these have been appreciated by his family.

Cllr Chandler’s partner of nearly 24 years, Linda Jones, told the Yeovil Press: “I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts. I am really overwhelmed by the sentiments expressed by so many people and they have helped me and the family at this difficult time.”

Cllr Phil Chandler prepares to lay his wreath on behalf of the people of Yeovil at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday 2011. Photo: Christine Jones.

Cllr Phil Chandler and the then Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton, Brigadier Mark Noble, of the Royal Marines, carry out an inspection as servicemen and women of HMS Heron, better known as RNAS Yeovilton, exercised their Freedom of the Borough of Yeovil in the summer of 2010 to mark the 70th anniversary of the commissioning of the air station.

Cllr Phil Chandler (left), who had been instrumental in the setting-up of the Men’s Shed project in Yeovil, is pictured at the official opening of its new premises on the Pen Mill Trading Estate in 2019. Photo: Christine Jones.

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Park School housing plans to be discussed MEMBERS of Yeovil Town Council will discuss on Monday (July 13) controversial plans to demolish the main Park School building and transform the site into a 45-home development.

Stonewater Ltd has applied to South Somerset District Council for planning permission to develop the Park School’s Kingstone site.

The plans involve the conversion of existing buildings to form seven homes, convert and carry out work to the Grade II listed Kingston House to turn it into eight homes, build a further 30 homes and demolish three existing school buildings.

The development will completely transform that area which is tucked into the corner of Kingston, Queensway, The Park and Swallowcliffe Gardens.

The Park School moved from its Yeovil site in 2018 to the former Chilton Cantelo School, but has since closed after falling into administration.

Thirty of the planned new homes will

be built on land made available by the demolition of the main school building, a link building and a coach house.

The town council’s planning committee deferred discussing the application at its meeting in June to allow more reports to be gathered.

Committee chairman, Cllr Graham Oakes, said it was in the best interests for all concerned to defer in order to allow more time to get as much information as possible together as it was a “significant application.”

Now the application will be discussed at the town council’s planning meeting on Monday (July 13) at 7pm via the Zoom conferencing technology. A final decision on the application will, however, be made by South Somerset District Council at a later date.

The Park School’s former junior school on the other side of the Queensway dual-carriageway by Park Gardens and The Armoury pub has already been demolished in readiness for a 24-home development.

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Yeovil Town Council

Programme of Meetings of Council and Committees – 2020/21 Virtual Meeting using Zoom meeting software until further notice Meeting

Day

Council

Tuesday 7:30 pm Monday 7:00 pm Monday 7:00 pm

Planning Grounds & General Maintenance Promotions & Activities Buildings & Civic Matters Policy, Resources & Finance Note: ( )

Time

July 7

Aug (4)

Sept 1

2020 Oct (6)

Nov 3

Dec 1

13

17

14

12

16

14

Tuesday 7:00 pm Tuesday 7:00 pm Tuesday 7:00 pm

Jan 18

Feb 2 15

2021 Mar (2) 15

Apr 6 12

May 4* 11 ** 17

6

7

9

11

8

24

14

15

10

12

9

18

21

22

17

19

16

25

28

29

24

26

30

26 ***

Meetings are reserve dates and will only be held if necessary

Any members of the public wishing to make comments at Public Comments or view the meeting need to email ytc@yeovil.gov.uk by 9:00am on the day of the meeting. Agendas can be viewed at: http://www.yeovil.gov.uk/current-agenda-and-minutes

Amanda Card Town Clerk town.clerk@yeovil.gov.uk

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Haircuts galore as stylists and barbers are back in business HAIR salons and barber shops have finally been able to reopen following the restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

And that means not only good news for the army of hair stylists and barbers working in and around the Yeovil area, but even better news for all those people

who have been desperately waiting for a much-needed cut.

Obviously, however, things are still not completely back to normal and safety is paramount and face masks and visors have to be worn.

Here are just a few photos from around the Yeovil area to show that hair stylists and barbers are back in business.

Team members at the Chop and Change Unisex Hair Salon in Runnymead Road, Yeovil, with their protective face visors on.

The all-important face shield protective isolation masks are on at the Kim and Clyde salon in Preston Road, Yeovil.

Yeovil funeral director Stuart Foster, of Stuart Foster Funeral Services, was delighted to finally get back to Ed’s Barbers for a much-needed trim.

President of the Yeovil Chamber of Trade, Dave Woan, was delighted to get a haircut after lockdown – thanks to Angi Hill, owner and founder of Andrea Mobile Hairdresser, who is unable to take on any more clients for the time being because of a huge demand.

Hair stylist Jane Helyar, who works at Zoe’s Hair and Beauty salon in Preston Road, Yeovil, is pictured with Laura McAllister.

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Stay alert! Phone scammers posing as police officers PEOPLE in South Somerset are being reminded to be vigilant of telephone fraudsters following several reports of scams in recent weeks in the district.

Police have been contacted by one person who lost £13,000, while officers have received four similar reports from others with the incidents happening at Winsham, Tatworth and Buckland St Mary all in the west of the South Somerset area near Chard.

In all five cases the victims received calls from scammers posed as police officers from London. They claimed the victims’ money was at risk from a rogue bank employee and asked them to make a substantial withdrawal from their bank, but not tell staff why they wanted to take out such a large amount of cash.

Two of the victims hung up on the call and reported the matter to the police.

The other three victims attended their local bank, but in two cases the bank staff felt the circumstances were suspicious and informed Avon and Somerset Police.

In the third instance, the victim took out £13,000 and left the money to be picked up by a male courier, described

as white, 5ft 10ins to 6ft, with messy hair – dirty blond to grey hair in colour – dark trousers, dark grey top, logo on the right side and of medium build, with no discernible accent.

The two victims – both women in their 70s – who were prevented from withdrawing the money by their bank, have issued advice to people who may find themselves in a similar situation.

One said: “My advice would be to discuss it with a family member or talk to someone who is close to you before you proceed.”

The second victim said: “I feel very, very stupid. I feel so small, stupid and pathetic.

“I’ve never come into contact with that side of life so it didn’t occur to me that it might be a scam.”

When asked what advice she would give to others who may find themselves in a similar situation, she replied: “Put the phone down and report it to police.”

Neither the police nor the banks will ask you for banking details or PIN numbers on the phone. Similarly, they would never send a courier to collect

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bank cards or money.

The police message is – do not discuss your finances with anyone who calls you out of the blue, even if they claim to be a police officer or a representative from a bank fraud department.

Genuine callers will be happy for you

to make an appointment to visit them at a bank branch or police station. They will never ask you to withdraw cash on their behalf; arrange for cash to be collected by a courier; ask for details about your bank card; or ask for the PIN on your card.

Warn those people who might be duped IF you know someone who may be vulnerable to this type of phone scam offence - please speak to them and share the police crime reduction tips and remind them of the threat from telephone fraudsters.

People who receive a call on their landline and are asked to contact their local police station or bank to verify the caller’s details ideally need to put the receiver down and not touch it for five minutes, just in case the fraudster has kept the line open. Ensure you have a dialling tone before re-using. Ideally use another phone such as a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone and use 101 to verify the call.

Police would also appeal to taxi drivers who are asked to collect parcels – especially from elderly – to be vigilant and contact us if they are suspicious.

DS Louise Sinclair said: “The trusting nature of elderly and vulnerable victims is often preyed on by criminals who target them.

“Under no circumstances should people withdraw cash from their bank accounts as a result of a telephone call, and if you

have received a call like this, or ever do so in the future, please do report it so we can put a stop to this crime.

“I can understand why anyone who has lost money to fraudsters in this way may be reluctant to report it because of feeling ashamed or embarrassed, but there is no need to be. We know how devious and cunning these people are.

“Any legitimate bank employee or police officer would never ask you to withdraw money, transfer it to a different account or send a courier to pick up your money. Bank staff will never ask you to reveal your full banking password or PIN and they would never ask you not to tell bank staff why you are withdrawing money.

“Contact your bank immediately if you think you have fallen victim to a scam and report it to Action Fraud.”

Anyone with information about the incidents in Somerset should call 101 and quote reference 5220128467.

More information on protecting yourself from fraud is available on the police website at www.avonandsomerset. police.uk.

YEOVILPRESS@GMAIL.COM WWW.YEOVILPRESS.CO.UK For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Euan's running not one but THREE marathons!

A YOUNG lad has really set himself a tough challenge to help raise funds for Yeovil District Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

Euan Stafford, of South Petherton, has decided to run the equivalent of three marathons for the appeal because he would like to do “his bit” for the cause.

“It’s really important we help to raise the funds to get the unit built and it will help so many people,” he said.

“I wanted to challenge myself and raising money is also a bonus to help a great cause.”

A hospital spokesman said: “This is amazing work by Euan who decided to take on this incredible challenge of running 78 miles in aid of the appeal.

“If you see him out and about running please give him a big cheer.”

If anyone would like to support his

fundraising please donate on his Just Giving page online at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/euan-stafford.

He is hoping to raise at least £700 and the latest online total was well on the way to reaching that target.

By the end of July 8 Euan had just over 54 miles to run to complete his triple marathon distance.

Proud mum Elaine Stafford said that Euan was really enjoying the challenge – even more so that he was raising money for the hospital.

“He is making us all feel so proud,” said Elaine. “He’s showing such great determination.

“I know these are difficult times, but if anyone can donate anything it would be very much appreciated.”

PHOTO: Euan Stafford running up the miles for Yeovil Hospital.

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS APPEAL ONLINE:

www.justgiving.com/campaign/breastcancerappeal YEOVIL Hospital Charity fundraiser Sarah Cherry (centre) is pictured holding a giant cheque for £1,000 which had been raised by the apprentices at Honeywell. “This is an incredible amount of money and will make a real difference to so many people at the hospital,” said Sarah.

Staying in over lockdown benefits appeal FUNDRAISERS at the Yeovil Hospital Charity were thrilled when they received a £500 donation from a lady who had saved money during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

“This was an incredible donation from a lovely lady who told us that she’d been able to save some money during lockdown because she’d not been getting her hair or nails done or been going out

and meeting friends for lunch,” said charity fundraiser Sarah Cherry.

“So with the money this lady saved she decided she wanted to give to us and put towards the hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal. Aren’t people amazing?”

The appeal has a £2m target which is needed to build a dedicated breast cancer unit right here at the Yeovil Hospital.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

CHEQUE:

Make payable to ‘Yeovil Hospital Charity’ and send to Breast Cancer Unit Appeal, Yeovil Hospital Charity, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, BA21 4AT

PHONE:

01935 383020 to talk to the fundraising team

EMAIL:

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15

Work on refreshing Yeovil town centre continues

THE detailed designs for the public realm enhancements - how the area will look overall - of Yeovil town centre as part of an exciting project are in their final stages as work on the project continues.

Despite fears that the financial impact of Covid-19 would put a hold on regeneration projects across South Somerset, it was announced last month that the new leisure centre in Chard was continuing to take shape and work will still continue with the Yeovil Refresh project.

The Yeovil Refresh project aims to create a town centre that will be a vibrant place to live, work, shop, learn and visit, with a number of key projects being delivered as part of the work.

A spokesman for South Somerset District Council, which is leading the project, said: “As part of that work, we have been looking at how the public spaces – known as “public realm” - can be improved to enhance the experience in the town centre for everyone. Final technical designs are being worked on with key partners and are expected to be

unveiled in the near future.

“Key to the standard of delivery of the public realm works is funding from the Future High Streets Fund which South Somerset District Council successfully bid for earlier this year and is awaiting to hear how much funding we will be awarded that will contribute towards the public realm works.

“Each design has been specified to a ‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’ standard and depending on the award of funding from central government will depend on the standard of finish.

“Further work has also been undertaken as part of the project including looking at access to the town centre which we hope to be able to give more details on later in the year.”

The project continues to be delivered as South Somerset District Council continues to help support residents through the coronavirus crisis.

The cost of supporting the district through coronavirus has been high and the council is currently calling on the Government to ensure it is fairly funded for the additional steps it has taken to

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help our communities and to compensate for any lost income.

Despite work continuing, the impact of coronavirus has meant that some work has slipped slightly. Construction work was expected to start in early summer however this is now likely to be late 2020 once contractors have been appointed. A sequence of works is also being planned which we will want to share with you later in the year.

The Yeovil Refresh project aims to create a town centre that will be a vibrant place to live, work, shop, learn and visit. Working with consultants and key partners, South Somerset District Council has been exploring how it can best invest in Yeovil’s future.

Consultation events were held in 2018 to help the council identify priority projects. Here’s a recap of what people said: • You’d like to see the main high streets kept clean and better kept with nicer planters and other greenery, while keeping the streets from being too cluttered.

• You’d like to see improvements in vehicular and pedestrian access into the heart of Yeovil for locals and visitors.

• There are concerns about some

vehicle access to parts of the town centre - in particular on Middle Street.

• You’d like to make the town’s open areas more appealing, using the space that is available to encourage visitors.

The council spokesman added: “But it’s not just about visiting the town centre; we want to provide opportunities for people to live there, with a mix of housing so that residents will shop local and create a vibrant town centre that other people will want to visit and retailers will want to be a part of.”

You can find out more about the Yeovil Refresh project at www.southsomerset. gov.uk/yeovilrefresh.

PHOTO: How the top part of Middle Street could look as part of the Yeovil Refresh project.

Enhancing town centre is crucial to recovery after covid SOUTH Somerset District Council has said that it is doing everything it can to support businesses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Since the lockdown was announced back in March the council has – among other things - provided business rate relief to 1,764 businesses with a value of £25m and given out grants to more than 2,800 businesses with a total value of more than £33m.

And Cllr Peter Gubbins, spokesman for the Yeovil Refresh project, believes that enhancing the town centre is vital for the future.

“We know the impact that coronavirus has and will have on the High Street in town centres so we need to make sure we are doing all we can to support businesses and attract new ones to help the town centre of Yeovil,” he said.

“Enhancing the public realm will help to attract people to our town to shop, live, work and leisure. This sort of work is going to be crucial to the recovery of local businesses and the economy and that is why we will continue to deliver this project despite the impact we have all felt over recent months.

“We are in a strong financial positon due

to our transformation and commercial investments but it’s important that we urge the Government to fairly fund the council to ensure that our communities are not unfairly hit by the impact of Coronavirus as district councils lead the economic recovery of the region.

“We are confident our bid to Government as part of the Future High Street Fund will achieve a good level of investment for the public realm works, but by investing millions ourselves into this work, we are confident that it will create a much better experience for all those that use the facilities now and in the future.”

PHOTO: Cllr Peter Gubbins.

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Services for up to 20 people now being held at crematorium

ADDITIONAL steps have been taken at of spread of COVID-19 to friends, the Yeovil Crematorium to ensure public wider community, and particularly the safety in light of new Government vulnerable. guidance regarding social distancing.

• Individuals who are shielding should South Somerset District Council’s team continue to follow the government’s at the crematorium has made it possible advice on shielding. that services in the chapel can now • If anyone becomes unwell with accommodate up to 20 people. symptoms of COVID-19 in a place of Due to the space limitations in the worship they will be asked to return home chapel, up to ten people are allowed to and follow the stay at home guidance. be seated while a further ten are able to • During services, people should avoid stand during services. singing and any spoken responses should A number of other restrictions, not be in a raised voice. This is because following guidance from the Government, of the potential for increased risk of have also been put in place: transmission.

• Religious leaders, lay people, • On entering and leaving the chapel family, volunteers, staff and members everyone should wash their hands of the public, including children should thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using Simply not Bathrooms & Crematorium Bedrooms 14x4 02/05/2018 Page 1 attend the site v3.qxp_Ad-style if they the hand sanitiser which 11:16 will be provided. have a new, continuous cough or a high A council spokesman said: “Where temperature or loss of or change to sense congregations comprise ten people of smell or taste. This is to minimise risk or greater, we ask all members of the

congregation to wear protective face coverings.

“When congregations are numbered 10 or fewer, and able to keep 2m apart, they will not need to wear a protective face covering although it is still recommended practice in enclosed spaces.

“The general advice is that children and

young people should ensure they clean their hands more often than usual and use a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes.

Young children should be supervised by the parent or guardian.”

Open air services will also continue to be offered.

The council spokesman added: “Since restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we have been working hard to keep the crematorium site open safely and in line with guidance.

“Steps we have taken including significant alterations inside the chapel including removal of soft furnishings from the chapel that cannot be easily deep cleaned.

“We will continue to clean the chapel extensively between every service to ensure public safety. Hand gel will also be provided for anyone in attendance.”

PHOTO: Yeovil Crematorium.

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17

Air cadets are flying high in search of history STAFF and cadets have started a new project to explore the history of the 1032 Yeovil Squadron Air Cadets and the Air Training Corps in Yeovil …. but they need your help!

They are looking for information from ex-staff and cadets and the local community to build up a comprehensive history of the organisation.

“Were you a family member, a cadet or a member of staff at 1032 Squadron or the Girls Venture Corps in Yeovil?” asked a spokesman on the organisation’s social media Facebook page.

“Do you have any videos, photos, website links or newspaper articles you are willing to share with us about our Squadron, our staff and cadets or Air Cadets in Yeovil?”

The spokesman added: “We are also looking for stories from former 1032 staff and cadets about their time with the Squadron, experiences within the Air Cadets and how being a cadet has impacted their life.”

The organisation’s current Royal Warrant indicates that the Squadron was founded on March 24, 1964, but there is evidence to say that an Air Training Corps Squadron existed in Yeovil towards the end of the Second World War. Officer in Command, WO Mike Metcalfe, said: “The Air Training Corps

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is one of the country’s leading youth organisations, partly supported by the RAF and partly as a charity.

“We provide a challenging environment for cadets to rise above the rest. Although some cadets aspire to join the Armed Forces, many have other careers in mind.

Whichever direction their future lay most cadets find the experience and training gained during their time in the Corps as memorable as it is invaluable.”

The Squadron is open to all boys and girls who are in Year Eight and above at school and are under 18. At 18, subject to their previous service, cadets may progress to instructor cadet status and remain in the corps as a cadet until age 20.

WO Metcalfe said: “Adults with an interest in aviation and the motivation to give our youth a leg up are also welcome to join the Corps, either as a civilian instructor, or in uniform. A rewarding career as a volunteer awaits those who have something special to give - a little time and effort!”

Anyone who can help with the history project or interested in joining the Corps as a cadet or as an adult should look out the contact details on the group’s Facebook page at 1032 Yeovil Squadron Air Cadets or go to the website at https://1032atc.com.

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19

More news from around the Yeovil area A PROLIFIC burglar has been jailed for more than two years after pleading guilty to crimes in Yeovil.

Jamie Spencer admitted two counts of burglary and one of theft and was jailed at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, July 3.

The 47-year-old forced his way into a property in Yeovil on Wednesday, June 3, where he stole a purse.

He asked the court to take two further offences into account, both of which happened the following day in Yeovil. He admitted he broke into a home to take alcohol before committing a similar theft offence at a town centre pub.

Spencer, of no fixed address, was remanded after being charged on

Wednesday, June 10. He was jailed for 876 days and ordered to pay £190 victim surcharge.

PC Jim Card, from the force’s Operation Remedy team, said: “Spencer has committed a number of similar offences in the past and we welcome the prison sentence handed out by the court that has put a serial burglar behind bars.”

POLICE are investigating a number of commercial burglaries at a trading estate in Yeovil.

Several businesses operating out of the Lynx Trading Estate reported being broken into overnight on July 1-2.

A quantity of tools, car diagnostic equipment, electrical items and cash,

among other items, were taken.

A police spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing.”

But police have urged businesses to make sure they take steps to deter thieves including protecting doors and windows with security accredited shutters or grilles; secure entrance doors; hire a security guard or a timer light switch; fit a monitored alarm to the building; lock valuable products away from the shop floor or any visible location; and buy a security and insurance accredited safe, which can be bolted to the floor and located in a safe and secluded location.

“We’re appealing for people who see these items for sale, or have information about the incidents, to contact the police

on 101 and give reference 5220144974,” added the spokesman.

A CROWD of around 250 people gathered in the churchyard of St John’s Church in Yeovil on June 7 for a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest.

People of all ages and from all walks of life took part in the event calling for racial equality in the aftermath of the well-documented death of George Floyd in the US. Demonstrations have taken place across the world.

The protest in Yeovil was carried out with social distancing very much in evidence and many wore face masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

HOLDING AN EVENT? GET IN TOUCH WITH YEOVIL PRESS YEOVILPRESS@GMAIL.COM | WWW.YEOVILPRESS.CO.UK COUNCILLOR VACANCY NOTICE OF CO-OPTION

Yeovil Town Council

Parish Council of Yeovil Town (Yeovil College Ward) VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR TO BE FILLED BY CO-OPTION Yeovil Town Council will consider filling by co-option, a casual vacancy for a Councillor in Yeovil College Ward at its meeting to be held on Tuesday 4th August 2020 at 7:30pm.

Anyone interested in serving the community in this way and who wants to become a candidate for co-option should obtain an application form for candidacy from the Town Clerk (contact details below).

Completed application forms must be returned to the Town Clerk by Friday 25th July 2020.

Information on eligibility to become a town councillor, the role of the Town Council and its schedule of meetings may be obtained from the Town Clerk.

www.yeovil.gov.uk |

Public Notice Parish of Yeovil Town Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 87 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) that one vacancy has occurred in the Wyndham Hill Ward of Yeovil Town Council.

Unless a request for an election to be held is submitted in writing before 28 July 2020 to the Proper Officer of South Somerset District Council at the Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil. BA20 2HT signed by ten electors in the Wyndham Hill Ward of the Parish of Yeovil Town, the Town Council will proceed to fill the vacancy by cooption.

3rd July 2020 @YeovilTownCouncil | town.clerk@yeovil.gov.uk

Amanda J Card

Yeovil Town Council Town House 19 Union Street Yeovil BA20 1PQ

20

Amanda Card Town Clerk

Please note: If an election is requested, a poll cannot currently take place until 6 May 2021 as a result of the Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Amanda Card Town Clerk

01935 382424 |

Town House 19 Union Street Yeovil Somerset BA20 1PQ Telephone : (01935) 382424 Fax : (01935) 382429 Website : www.yeovil.gov.uk

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Town Clerk 8 July 2020 For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Sign up now for the Samarathon and support the Samaritans THE Yeovil Samaritans group is inviting supporters to run, jog or walk a fulllength marathon in their own time and at their own pace to fundraise for the branch.

The charitable organisation has launched Samarathon - a virtual marathon designed to get people exercising during the month of July.

And the great news is that anyone can achieve it! Every participant is invited to do the distance at entirely their own pace, whether it’s a jog, a walk or even a hop, skip or a jump – the choice is yours.

All you need to do is complete the length of a marathon - 26 miles/42 kilometres – during July so you can carve it up into bite-sized chunks to suit your routine.

It has been widely proven that being active works wonders for mental wellbeing whatever your age or ability.

According to the mental health charity, Mind, exercise can promote: • Improved sleep – by making you feel more tired at the end of the day.

• Happier moods – physical activity releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy.

• The ability to manage stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts – doing something physical releases cortisol which helps us manage stress. Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times.

Branch director, Simon Hicks, said: “The point of Samarathon is that it’s truly inclusive - a challenge that literally everyone can achieve.

“It’s something you can choose to do either on your own, with the dog, or if you want to make it a more social affair, you can do it as a team with other members of your household.

“Alternatively, you can join with friends, family and work mates virtually, and support each other’s progress wherever you are.”

And Simon added: “Many of our Branch volunteers have already signed up. Faye Dimdore (pictured) has bravely taken up the NHS couch to 5k challenge and hopes to run the entire distance, in stages.”

Supporters can sign up for free at www. samaritans.org/samarathon to take part in the challenge and help to raise valuable funds to ensure Samaritans can continue to deliver a critical service to those who are in need.

Town centre economy will remain fragile for rest of year THE president of the Yeovil Chamber of Trade, Dave Woan, had a one-hour town centre walkabout last month with the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

Mr Woan said it was an extremely useful first-ever meeting with John Smith who was interested In finding out more about Yeovil.

“This was our first meeting and John and myself had plenty to talk about,” said Mr Woan. “John was particularly interested in retail trading conditions, the changing face of Yeovil town centre and the ongoing dialogue between the Chamber and South Somerset District Council on progress of the Yeovil Refresh project (turn to Page 16 for more news about Refresh).

“John in turn gave me an update on ongoing police operations in Yeovil and across the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area.”

Mr Woan added: “Yeovil Chamber enjoys a positive, pro-active relationship with the police team in Yeovil and our meeting was a great opportunity to get out and about as the town centre begins its return to normality.

“The town centre – just like any other

town centre – will eventually return to normality, but challenges remain for retailers as they slowly begin to open up.

“The town centre economy will remain extremely fragile at least until the end of the year.”

Mr Woan said that during the lockdown he took time to listen to dozens of local businesses of all sizes and across all sectors.

“They have demonstrated remarkable resilience, patience and co-operation during what has been an extremely challenging three months.

“The Yeovil Chamber has maintained dialogue and shared insight with the agencies, stakeholders, local government, our members and the wider business community.

“Despite some crippling challenges presented by the pandemic and a need to maintain focus on the changing face of the town centre, there is much to be optimistic about.

“Private investors in the town centre remain committed and are following through on their ongoing development plans and building work and the district council continues to push forward on the delivery of the Refresh project.”

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Yeovil Sherborne & District

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To find out more and apply, visit

samaritans.org/volunteer Call

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Email yeovil@samaritans.org Samaritans of Yeovil, Sherborne & District is a registered charity.

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NEWS AT A GLANCE HERE are some news stories from the Yeovil and South Somerset area. If you have any news you would like to feature in a future edition of the Yeovil Press community newspaper – please email us at yeovilpress@gmail.com.

A PLAN to help our communities recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis has been discussed by councillors in South Somerset.

Throughout the pandemic, South Somerset District Council has provided vital support to thousands of residents and businesses.

Now the council’s focus has turned to ensuring it can help both our communities and the authority recover to steer us through the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The council’s District Executive committee met recently and considered its views on a recovery strategy.

It includes plans to support businesses, developing a pipeline of brownfield sites for redevelopment with a focus on providing new homes, and a programme of community grants alongside proposals to tackle both the climate crisis and developing longterm solutions to support those facing hardship or homelessness.

The council leader, Cllr Val Keitch, said: “I am so proud of the way our council has responded to this crisis, providing essential support to thousands of residents and businesses.

But now our thoughts must turn to how we can help our communities recover. Putting this strategy before our District Executive committee is an important next step.

“Our general community life and wellbeing has been severely tested and normal freedoms have been adversely impacted while the outlook for the UK economy has become increasingly uncertain.

“To ensure we can recover and grow, we will need dedicated, collective and focussed leadership, alongside our communities, our businesses and our public services for some time, and that’s what this council will provide.

We will take decisive action to support our communities, help them recover and ensure that they are part of the decision-making process as we rebuild.”

Cllr Keitch added: “Additionally, we recognise that the climate emergency will still be there when the spread of

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Covid-19 is brought under control. This could be an opportunity to address this issue with even greater clarity with the right recovery from the pandemic.”

RESTRICTIONS in the majority of South Somerset’s playparks and play spaces have been lifted following Government advice.

As part of the Government’s proposals to ease some of the lockdown measures which have been in place since March, play areas can once again open to the public as long as a number of safety measures have been put in place.

As part of this work, South Somerset District Council teams have been: • Carrying out detailed safety inspections of all its sites.

• Continued maintenance to ensure the equipment is safe and this has included the provision of new equipment in some areas.

• Setting up a schedule of final inspections for all sites including installing new temporary signage to ensure public safety.

A council spokesman said: “We would ask residents not to use any of the sites until our teams have removed barriers or the cable ties which have been securing gates and entrances.

“If you find a site remains closed, there will be a reason and it is likely to be safety related. We will be reviewing all sites on a regular basis to ensure they can all be safely opened.

“The signage being put in place will remind people to maintain social distancing, to sanitise their hands and not to eat or drink while using play equipment.”

Cllr Mike Best, the council’s spokesman for health and wellbeing, said: “We want to thank all of our residents who have been very understanding about the need to close our parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

“With some restrictions being lifted, we are very happy to open our sites once again so people can enjoy the health benefits of the fantastic sites that can be found all across the district.

“But we ask anyone visiting to please follow the guidance that is available. This is so important for the safety of all in our communities as we try to minimise the spread of this terrible virus.”

STAFF at the Yeovil-based Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group have been stepping up to help support

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patients and the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic by swapping their day jobs for essential front line roles.

The CCG’s ‘business as usual’ and office-based functions such as developing new services, negotiating contracts and reviewing finances have changed dramatically to allow staff to focus on managing the pandemic and to free up staff who can be redeployed to the front line.

The new ‘normal’ for all CCG staff has meant changing work patterns, adapting to working from home and working hard in alternative roles within the organisation to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

As well as administrative staff, the CCG employs many clinical staff who have voluntarily returned to support care in a variety of settings such as hospital wards, community nursing, residential care homes, mental health units and COVID-19 testing centres.

Director of quality and nursing, Sandra Corry, said: “We are so proud of our staff and the work they are doing to support the Somerset system and communities at this difficult time, both providing direct care and advice or working behind the scenes.

“Whilst some of our staff have been able to put their uniforms back on and support our local NHS services, others have been instrumental in ensuring that, for example, there has been enough PPE for those who need it, and the appropriate infection prevention and control support, advice and guidance is available to our care homes and primary care colleagues.”

Among those who have been redeployed is Melanie Munday deputy designated safeguarding nurse with the CCG. A qualified nurse for 20 years, Mel found herself back in uniform and working 12-hour shifts at Yeovil District Hospital.

Mel said: “I felt like a student again at first and a bit nervous, but a sick patient is a sick patient and you never forget how to ‘nurse’ someone.

I particularly enjoyed spending time talking with patients who were not able to have any visitors.

“The biggest learning curve was getting used to the technology now used to monitor patients, but the hospital staff were very welcoming and refresher training was provided.”

Hugh Archibald, the CCG’s quality lead for urgent care and risk management, started his career as a district nurse but his years of experience working in intensive care made him a perfect fit for the intensive care unit at Yeovil Hospital.

“I looked after either one or two patients based on their acuity,” he said.

“It involved all the things I had long forgotten about - three hourly turning of patients - which seems simple, but when there are a number of machines, endless wires and infusion lines and your own PPE to top it off, it really becomes quite a task; ward rounds; hourly observations; seemingly never ending drug preparation. And I loved it!

“The amount of PPE that we had to wear was almost unbearable. When I was struggling on certain days having to wear the equipment for 12 hours with not much break to recover; I thought to those in China, Italy and London who had already been in the thick of it for weeks.

“I really enjoyed working with the team on the ground in ICU and there were great success stories with patients. You could really see the difference you were making to people’s lives at the sharp end of healthcare.”

Louise Frackiewicz is normally a CCG continuing healthcare nurse assessor, but swiftly answered the call to return to her previous role as a district nurse, at South Petherton Hospital.

“Not knowing where I would be working caused me some anxiety especially as by then the pandemic was escalating and the reality of what I had volunteered to do hit me,” she said.

“However I found it all came back quickly and before I knew it I was dressing wounds, taking blood, bandaging legs and catheterising patients again. The team were so welcoming and didn’t seem to mind when I asked lots of questions or rang them to say I was lost!”

WESSEX Water saw an unprecedented demand on supplies last month due to more people being at home and using extra water in the garden.

Demand peaked during the driest May on record in England when people watered their gardens more frequently, with sprinklers on lawns a major contributor to the surge in demand.

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Wessex Water said that hot tubs, which have increased in sales by 1,000 per cent during lockdown, were another factor in the huge May water usage figures.

Such was the demand during the final week in May that the company’s operational staff had to work extended hours around the clock to manage the water network, ensuring customers continued to have a reliable supply.

Ashlea Lane, director of water production, said: “We weren’t running out of water, but getting it through our pipes quickly enough was challenging when demand was at its highest.

“May was exceptionally dry and warm.

During peak times we were putting an extra 85 million litres of water into the network just to keep up with demand.

“We noticed that water was being used at unusual times of the day, typically peaking between 6pm and 10pm as people made the most of lighter evenings outside.

“And there’s no doubt that the Covid-19 lockdown had an effect too, with more people being at home and spending a greater amount of time in their gardens.”

While there is no water shortage or plans for a hosepipe ban in the Wessex Water region, the company is reminding customers that a few simple steps in the home and garden can make a big difference in ensuring demand is met across the region and more water is left in the environment.

With hot weather returning this week, Wessex Water is asking customers to help by: · Not watering lawns – grass will spring back again when it rains. · Re-using paddling pool and washing up water on gardens. · Watering plants in the morning, not the evening, using a watering can.

“We certainly don’t want to stop people having fun or enjoying their gardens, but filling the paddling pool with a couple of inches less water or simply using a water can on your plants makes a big difference,” added Ashlea.

Like all water companies, Wessex Water has long-term plans in place to make sure there is enough water for homes and businesses and local rivers and wildlife are protected.

Leakage has halved on its network since the mid-1990s and the company has invested £230 million in a water supply grid, enabling water to be moved around the region to where it’s needed most.

For more information and advice on how to use water wisely visit www. wessexwater.co.uk/savingwater.

THE lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic has helped to allow wildlife thrive in South Somerset and has given us a greater appreciation for nature.

Being forced to leave our cars behind and walking becoming a more regular part of our daily exercise routine has encouraged more of us to get outside where we’ve discovered a natural world we may not have noticed before.

A spokesman for South Somerset District Council, speaking last month, said: “Wildlife has thrived in our nature reserves and country parks and in our most urban site at Yeovil Country Park, we received reports of several pheasants at Wyndham Hill and deer grazing alongside the River Yeo which is a rare occurrence.

“The cygnets at Ninesprings have been the real stars of the show although it was very disheartening to see the swans lose so many to natural causes so early on.

“And the swans have company, as there are also families of moorhens and mandarin ducks who are raising their families under the watchful eye of the rangers and public and are doing really well.”

The spokesman added: “But it’s not just been wildlife that has been able to thrive; road verges have also been full of colour and life.

“Verges full of cow parsley, buttercups, dandelions, red campion and greater stitchwort provide a much needed source of nectar for the early emerging insects.

“Bluebells under hedgerows were indicative of a time past when the hedgerows trees were part of an ancient woodland, now long forgotten and turned into pasture or arable fields. Viewed from the car, often on commutes to work, these road verges may be the only connection that some people have with nature in their daily routines.”

groups and the wider community sector.

One of the ways this is enabled is through the community grants programme for projects such as community transport, improving recreational facilities, community halls and many more schemes that enhance the lives of the local community.

The council has now extended the community grants scheme to support local environment initiatives. Last year the council acknowledged the climate emergency and are now committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

This includes supporting environmental progression for communities across the district to develop existing, and kick start new exciting environmental projects.

This new extension to the existing community grants scheme will place environmental progression at its core, offering funding for communities to inspire environmental projects across South Somerset’s local landscape.

The fund will cover up to 50 per cent of the project costs and applicants will need support from their town or parish council.

Applications in the range of £100 to £1,000 will be reviewed by the district council and the relevant district councillor, while any applications for more than £1,000 will be decided by the council’s Area Committee with a maximum grant of £12,500.

Applications can be made at any time throughout the year, but revenue funding is limited so do apply in good time, especially if you have seasonal deadlines to meet.

The council’s health and well-being spokesman, Cllr Mike Best, said: “We have always considered applications for environmental focused projects, but now more than ever feel they should be encouraged. This will also serve as a reminder to all potential applicants that our community fund is here to support a huge variety of community projects to enhance where we live.”

If you would like to speak to someone about the grants programme you can email communities@southsomerset.gov. uk.

GROUPS in and around the Yeovil area looking to develop an environmental project are being encouraged to apply to South Somerset District Council for grant support.

The council has a long tradition of supporting communities, local voluntary

ALMOST a third of Somerset firms which took part in a county-wide business survey expected to make redundancies in the next three months, while half expected turnover to worsen in the next year and three quarters had no plans to recruit.

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But on the flip side, around 60% of businesses expected their workforce to remain the same in the next three months, a quarter said their cashflow had stayed the same and, surprisingly, almost 20% said they intended to upscale their companies in the coming months.

The findings are from the second quarter of the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which is organised in Somerset by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce with support from Barclays.

It is the largest private sector survey of business sentiment in the UK and the local results feed into the national survey which are closely watched by key policymakers, including the Treasury and the Bank of England. It is the first QES since lockdown and the global Coronavirus pandemic.

In Somerset, a record number of responses were received from across all sectors, with questions looking at a range of issues, including export sales and orders, employment prospects, investment, recruitment difficulties, cash flow, confidence and price pressures.

Locally, some 70% of companies reported a drop in UK sales and advanced orders, over the last three months 65% of firms reported a drop in cashflow and a quarter expected to downsize post COVID-19.

A separate survey found that in Somerset, up to the end of June, some 27% of the working age population had been furloughed, compared to a national figure of 24%.

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “There has been an unprecedented, almost overnight, contraction in the economy and the slump in cashflow is particularly worrying as that impacts directly on business activity and staff retention.

“We hope this is the low point for the economy as lockdown restrictions begin to ease but it’s essential we have these hard facts and figures to continue doing all we can to support the business community and to lobby on their behalf.”

Results of the national survey can be found on Somerset Chamber’s website at www.somerset-chamber.co.uk.

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AROUND THE TOWN New logistics centre to replace Building 166

ONE of Yeovil’s main employers is planning to create a “logistics centre” for its operations by demolishing and rebuilding one of its existing warehouses.

Leonardo has applied to demolish one of its buildings off West Hendford - near the Fosse Park residential development and near the town’s McDonalds.

The building – known technically as Building 166 – will be replaced by a new logistics and distribution centre, allowing it to consolidate its business activity.

South Somerset District Council’s Area South committee - which decides major planning applications for Yeovil – gave it the go-ahead earlier this month.

The new centre will have a total floorspace of nearly 20,000sqm and the building will include offices alongside the warehouse.

A spokesman for Leonardo said: “The development aims to consolidate existing Kuhne + Nagel and Leonardo Helicopters logistics operations stores that are currently occupied within the Yeovil area.

“Logistics centre buildings of this nature are hubs for businesses to receive and store goods from suppliers.

“This location is ideal, with the adjacent

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links directly onto the A37, A3088 and A303.

“Due to the nature of the operation, 24-hour use is anticipated, to provide flexibility and efficiency. This allows the HGV traffic to be spread evenly, avoiding concentrated movements at peak hours.”

The existing access from West Hendford will be maintained with the same number of car parking and cycle spaces at the rear.

Linda Hayden, the council’s planning officer, said the existing building had been in need of upgrading for many years, and the new structure would be more energy-efficient.

She said in her written report: “The site is situated within the defined development area of Yeovil and proposes the replacement of an existing commercial building to provide a centralised warehouse for the business.

“It is understood that the current building is in need of refurbishment being of some age, not energy-efficient and not suitable for conversion into a modern logistics centre.

“Given the existing building and use at the site, it is considered that the replacement building is acceptable in principle.”

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Have your say on new police centre A NEW police centre for Yeovil will be built to replace the existing police station at Horsey Lane which officers have said “demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering policing services from the heart of the community.”

Sitting on the same footprint as the existing building in Horsey Lane, the new police centre will include an enquiry office and a base for the neighbourhood, patrol and investigation teams.

The decision to invest in a new facility for Yeovil follows a review of design and technical challenges associated with refurbishing the existing building.

“This news marks an exciting development for staff and the community and will enable us to make best use of our resources,” said a police spokesman.

The timetable for the new build is still being confirmed, but police hope that if the planning application is approved, construction will begin in late 2020 or early 2021 and that the new building will be ready for occupation in early 2022.

“The public enquiry office will remain open at Horsey Lane for the duration of the construction work with opening hours remaining the same as those currently in place,” added the spokesman.

“Due to the covid-19 pandemic and

social distancing restrictions we aren’t able to hold a public information event as planned, but we will be holding a Facebook live session on Monday, July 13, at 11am.”

You can submit a question to us for this session by emailing Ye o v i l P l a n n i n g A p p l i c a t i o n @ avonandsomerset.police.uk .

The planning application is now available for members of the public to view and provide feedback on via the South Somerset District Council website.

Members of Yeovil Town Council’s planning committee have raised no objections to the proposals.

Originally it had been planned to remove the top three floors of the existing five-storey police station, but this was deemed not possible; so a total demolition of the current building will be replaced by the new centre.

PHOTO: How the new police centre could look in Yeovil.

Play area tidy-up A PLAY area on a small housing estate in Yeovil has been tidied up by South Somerset District Council.

The council had received a complaint about the maintenance of the play area at Hawks Rise on the Houndstone estate.

But members of Brympton Parish Council were told at their recent meeting - held via the Zoom conferencing technology – that the play area had since been tidied.

Crash on outskirts of Yeovil POLICE are seeking witnesses to a collision between a car and a motorbike on the outskirts of Yeovil.

It happened at about 9.45am on Tuesday, June 30, close to Netherton Lane on the A37 Dorchester Road, close to Netherton Lane.

A black Yamaha motorcycle and a white Fiat Panda were involved.

The motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital where he was said to be in a critical, but stable, condition.

The road was closed while emergency

services treated him and collision investigators carried out enquiries at the scene. The road reopened later that day at 4.15pm.

PC Owen Davies said: “We’re keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or was travelling in the area and may have dashcam footage that could assist us with our enquiries.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we were on the scene.”

Anyone with information can call 101 and give reference 5220143316.

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Yeovil's Rotarians support Mind in Somerset A Yeovil club member said: “We were delighted that our application was accepted and consequently, it enabled us to present £500 to the Taunton and Yeovil-based Mind in Somerset to go towards its important and increasingly needed work.”

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Mind in Somerset charity was fundraising manager Vicky Poole.

“We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Yeovil and its members

for their continued support towards our organisation,” she said. “Because our teams now provide a 24/7 service and with the issues of isolation that are coming to light in these current times, contributions to our resources are appreciated more than ever.”

PHOTO: Yeovil Rotary Club president Clive Wakely (front right) presents the cheque to Mind in Somerset fundraising manager Vicky Poole.

Exciting plans for Fairmead School

MEMBERS of Yeovil Rotary Club were delighted to have the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting – socially distanced of course – and to make a donation to an extremely worthy cause.

Having raised £250 with the club, members then applied to Rotary’s District 1200 group for a matching grant from its specially set-up fund to help support those in need of backing during the Covid-19 crisis.

Final decision still awaited on McDonalds plans TOWN councillors have backed proposals for a second McDonalds drive-thru restaurant to be built in Yeovil.

Members of Yeovil Town Council’s planning committee have given their support for the proposals to go-ahead with the application which has been earmarked for a site at 217 Sherborne Road.

But it should be stressed that a final decision on the application rests with South Somerset District Council and that has still yet to be made due to delays caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

The district council has received a number of objections from people who are worried about the Sherborne Road plans.

The plans include building a two-storey McDonalds on the site of the former FJ Chalke Nissan and Kia showroom along with car parking, landscaping and associated works and various signage.

Objectors are worried about an increased level of traffic on an already busy road, while there are concerns about a rise in anti-social behaviour in

the area if the proposals went ahead.

McDonalds already has an existing drive-thru restaurant on Lysander Road in Yeovil.

The police have been consulted on the plans and have given concerns about a second McDonalds in the town.

“The existing drive-thru restaurant has been identified as a high demand antisocial behaviour location by the local policing team and they’ve raised concerns about potential additional demand with a second restaurant if it operated late at night adding to the already busy nighttime economy demands,” said a police spokesman.

One supporter of the project, in a letter to the council, has said: “A second Maccy Dees is a great idea – jobs, less traffic heading to the restaurant at Lysander Road, plus the area by the old Nissan place is mostly derelict. We don’t want a ghost town because some people are good snobs.”

McDonalds have told the council that the planned new restaurant would create up to 65 new jobs for the town.

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PLANS are in place for a much-needed two-storey extension to be built at Fairmead School in Yeovil.

The application for the school in Mudford Road has been put forward

by Somerset County Council and also includes additional car parking, the relocation of existing bin store and new bike store, plus rearrangement of hard and soft play areas.

Fairmead School caters for 100 students with special education needs, moderate learning difficulties and those on the autistic spectrum of both secondary and primary area.

“There is significant pressure on the school to accommodate additional pupils from across the council area and the existing buildings which are in poor condition,” said a spokesman for the proposals.

“We are looking to build a twostorey extension which will provide 12 additional general classrooms and a

multi-purpose hall.

“The development will replace the two existing modular classrooms and will also create an additional parking area for 13 vehicles.”

The plans have already been supported

by Yeovil Town Council although there are some concerns about traffic.

“We appreciate that the county council consulted us about the planning application for Fairmead School which lies a short distance outside the boundary of Yeovil Town Council,” said a town council spokesman. “We support the application, but we’re concerned about traffic generation and parking in the area especially at the start and finish of the school day.

“There is a need for greater management of the traffic generated by the school.”

A final decision on the application has yet to be made by Somerset County Council.

Appeal for people to wear cycle helmets PARENTS have been urged to ensure that their children are wearing safety helmets when they are out cycling.

The call comes after Brympton Parish Council received real concerns from a resident about the issue.

Parish clerk Elizabeth James, writing on social media, said: “A parishioner has expressed concerns over the number of cyclists – especially young children – who are cycling through our lanes but without wearing a safety helmet.”

Statistics show that on average half of the road injuries received by cyclists are to the face and the head.

“Make sure your child always wears a correctly-fitted helmet to protect against head injuries should they fall,” said a cycling safety expert.

“It should be worn correctly which means it is positioned squarely on their head, sitting just above the eyebrows and not tilted back or tipped forwards.

“It must be a snug fit, but should not stop them seeing clearly or cover their ears.

“And the helmet must have its straps securely fastened and not twisted and with only enough room for two fingers between their chin and the strap.”

Speeding fears along Bluebell Road THERE are fears about the number of speeding motorists driving along Bluebell Road in Yeovil.

Recent speed indication device results for that area of Brympton – the road which runs off the Palmers roundabout and past the Airfield Tavern pub – have given local people and the police reason

for concern.

The matter has been taken up with Somerset County Council.

There are also concerns about speeding issues on the Houndstone roundabout which have been raised by Cllr Josh Williams, the area’s county council representative, with the police.

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ON OUR DOORSTEP

Farewells at RNAS Yeovilton THE Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton near Ilchester has held a number of farewell presentations.

Warrant Officer George Edwards was presented with a Valedictory Certificate – a leaving certificate - in recognition of his 33 years with the Royal Navy, while

the commanding officer of the naval air station, Commodore Nick Tindal, has also left after 34 years’ service.

A spokesman for RNAS Yeovilton, speaking on its social media Facebook page, said: “Good luck to both.”

First-ever novel has been inspired by Jemima FOUNDER and trustee of the Jemima Layzell Trust charity is looking forward to seeing her debut novel published as a paperback later this year.

Sophy Layzell, of Horton, near Ilminster, has already received some great reviews with the e-book version of Measure of Days – a young adult science fiction story – which was released last month.

The book has been inspired by Sophy’s daughter Jemima who tragically collapsed at home on March 10, 2012, and died a few days later at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol from a fatal brain aneurysm. She was just 13, but has gone on to leave a lasting legacy by being the UK’s record holder for most organ transplant recipients.

And Sophy’s book encompasses the importance of organ donation.

“The world I have created in the book includes a terrible flesh eating disease that means my characters rely very heavily on organ transplants in order to survive,” she said.

“For the past few years I have been defined, and it might sound odd, but inspired by the death of my daughter Jemima.

“She dedicated her diary ‘to those who have made the world a better place and those who never had a chance to.’ The main characters and themes have Jemima at the heart of them, their resilience, bravery and desire to change the world, come from her.

“They face day-to-day challenges that as yet, the human race doesn’t have to;

the environment is very different from today (climate change has meant water levels are now incredibly high), food and energy resources are scarce and people are battling a terrible disease that has no vaccine or safe cure.”

And Sophy added: “Everyone loves a fast paced adventure to become lost in and by writing this I have created a unique world that reflects Jemima’s and other young people’s influence on my life.

“Having worked with students aged 8-18 for many years, helping them write plays to express issues they are passionate about, this book is very much inspired by them too. My world is a better place with stories in it.”

It is expected that Measure of Days will be released as a paperback in late August.

PHOTO: Sophy Layzell’s debut novel, Measure of Days, will be released as a paperback later this year.

Historic England's boost for Chard town centre

Pictured above: Commodore Nick Tindal (left) congratulates Warrant Officer George Edwards.

Pictured left: Commodore Nick Tindal makes the first cut into a special cake baked by his Executive Assistant Lt Commander Rachel Lees.

End of an era at Bruton School for Girls BRUTON School for Girls marked the end of an era on Friday, July 3, as Nicky Botterill (right) stepped down as headmistress.

A school spokesman said: “We thank Nicky for her dedication and passion for BSG and girls’ education over the last eight years.”

Jane Evans (left) succeeds Nicky in becoming the tenth headmistress of the school which is now in its 120th anniversary year.

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CHARD town centre will benefit from a new multi-million pound fund that will revive historic high streets through the High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme.

The town was one of 69 high streets across England selected to receive a share of the £95m fund.

South Somerset District Council applied for a grant of £1m to be match funded and was recently advised by Historic England that the full amount requested would be awarded.

This means that approximately £2m will be invested in and around Fore Street in Chard over a four-year period.

The district council’s funding bid comprised of four public realm projects, the restoration of historic buildings and a cultural programme.

A full time project manager will be recruited to oversee the delivery of the programme.

Cllr Jason Baker, chairman of the council’s Area West committee and spokesman for the Chard Regeneration Scheme, said: “Everyone on the Chard Regeneration Board is thrilled to receive the full £1 million grant that we requested from Historic England.

“With the match funding as well, investing approximately £2 million in the high street over the next four years will make a huge difference in what we can do to improve the area and bring footfall to the town centre of Chard.”

The news of the grant funding is another positive for Chard after the recent news that great progress is continuing to be made on the construction of the new leisure centre at the Boden Mill site in the town.

Work resumed safely in April on the site as contractors were able to return to the site following Covid-19 risk assessments and adoption of new working practices.

The current work has seen sheet piling for the swimming pool now completed, and workers starting to pile the foundations for the main building.

Additional planned phases in the future will include commercial units, housing and public realm improvements - how the area will look overall - around the mill buildings and Fore Street.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Motorbike sale boosts church project fund

ONE hundred per cent of funds from the sale of this 1930 Norton CS1 will go towards the purchase of the former United Reformed Church building in Stoke-sub-Hamdon built by a distant relation of the bike’s owner, former RAF pilot Bill Southcombe.

The whole community is doing its bit to seal the deal on saving the church which plays host to a number of community projects.

“If we fail to buy the church it will be auctioned by the Synod, to developers probably, or left to decay,” said Bill.

“As a Trustee of the charity set up to save the church he has already donated the value of two other of his bikes.

“It’s a Congregational Church built by my ancestor, Richard Southcombe, for the community in 1866. It is Grade 2 listed and in very good condition and was given to the URC Synod in 2016 by the Elders. If we are to save it we must

pay the Synod this year, 2020.”

The Hamdon Community Arts Project is a Trust group made up of the current URC building users and needs £200,000 to buy, restore and secure its future.

“We proposed to buy the building from the Synod and develop it into a community arts centre for music, performing arts, local arts and crafts exhibitions and theatre and music workshops,” said a Trust spokesman.

“More importantly, we will retain its use by the current user groups – the Hamdon Pre-School Play Group, Stokesub-Hamdon Band, The Charity Shop and the Stoke Performing Arts Group.”

The H&H Motorcycle Sale which took place on April 7 online dispatched 129 lots for a total of £900,000.

PHOTO: The 1930 Norton CS1 sold for £27,600 which go towards funds to help save a church.

Help shape future of rural transport services in South Somerset?

PEOPLE are being asked to get involved on what needs to be done to create a better rural transport service in the district.

South Somerset District Council has been investigating for the past 12 months how things can be improved, but it needs YOUR help!

“We have been working with partners, commercial providers of new technology and the Government’s innovation arm the Connected Places Catapult, to look at creating alternatives to heavily-subsidised fixed-timetable and fixed-journey services which currently exist,” said a council spokesman.

“An important part of this work is to fully understand the needs of residents and we are delighted to announce that the Connected Places Catapult has chosen South Somerset as the subject of its research looking at a largely rural area.”

The first part of this activity is to put together a focus group of 15 people who can help design and launch the study.

“We’re inviting residents to put themselves forward as be part of the research group,”

added the spokesman.

“Initially, you would have to be available next week to take part in an online session on July 13 and participate in two tasks based around how rural transport could be improved in South Somerset.

“We are looking for a representative group of residents across the district’s rural areas, including students going to college, people travelling to work, and older residents needing to travel for healthcare.

The study will also include shopping and meeting with family and friends.”

If you would like the opportunity to shape the way that transport works in South Somerset, please apply by visiting https:// www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6TE4XP/.

A member of the team will be in contact with you should your application be successful.

“We are particularly keen to hear from people who rely on public transport to move around the district and those who are eager to switch to public transport for environmental benefits,” added the spokesman.

Rubbish Mates of Odcombe are doing great!

VILLAGERS in Odcombe are doing all they can to keep the village looking clean and tidy.

Weekly litter-picking events are held in Odcombe and the volunteers – who call themselves The Rubbish Mates - always end up with several dustbin bags full of

rubbish.

Here we see (from left) Claire Ashton, Becky Reeves, Gaynor Soulsby and Katie Wilson who spent three hours picking up litter in Old Road. Missing from the photo was Florence Soulsby.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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27

OLD PUBS OF YEOVIL

Demolished as part of Quedam development THE Albion Inn was situated in Vicarage Street, Yeovil, and was an old pub in the town for many years and was rebuilt in 1937 by the brewery.

It stood on the corner of Vincent Street with Vicarage Street, but finally closed on March 27, 1983, and demolition began on May 30, 1983, as part of the redevelopment of the area to make way for the Quedam shopping centre.

Early records show that the origins of the Albion Inn go back to the 1840s when

Willian Patten was listed as a “retailer of beer.”

By the 1890s the Albion Inn was a tied house of the Royal Osborne Brewery with a long lease owned by Earle Vincent.

When he died in 1893 his estate was sold off the following year which including the pub at £22 – about £2,200 in today’s money – and rented by Hubert Beare.

For more information about the Albion Inn – go to www.yeovilhistory.info.

PUBS have reopened following the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and welcoming back customers – albeit under strict safety rules and regulations – to mean that we are returning to some sort of cautious normality.

But it got us thinking at Yeovil Press headquarters about the town’s rich and vibrant history and all the pubs, inns and alehouses which have come and gone spanning hundreds of years.

And so - with the help of Bob Osborn and his amazing website of The A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History which can be found

Going round and round with the Catherine Wheel THE Catherine Wheel was an old alehouse in Yeovil which was first mentioned in documentation dating back to 1772.

An 1829 map of Yeovil showed that the location of the Catherine Wheel was where the Ryman’s stationers shop in Middle Street is today.

Top picture: The Albion Inn photographed in about 1975.

Middle picture: The Albion Inn on the corner of Vicarage Street (in the foreground) and Vincent Street (with the car in it) photographed in the mid-1960s.

Bottom picture: Looking down Vicarage Street with the Albion Inn, right of centre, scaffolded and awaiting demolition in 1983.

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at www.yeovilhistory.info – we thought we would launch a new monthly feature entitled Old Pubs of Yeovil.

Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden said: “I was taught on my first day in journalism 31 years ago that the ‘best place to find a story was in a pub’ and I can guarantee 100 per cent that there would have been some fantastic stories being told in these hostelries back in the day!”

Here we start with a brief look at the Albion Inn, the Catherine Wheel, the Crown Inn and the Angel Inn.

In a lease granted in 1788 it mentioned a cellar and yard and were sold as freehold property along with the Catherine Wheel public house by the executors of Ambrose Seward.

For more information about the Albion Inn – go to www.yeovilhistory.info .

Top picture: The site of the Catherine Wheel in the 1960s occupied by Willson’s dress shop – now home to Ryman’s.

Left picture: This photograph dates from about 1900 and is taken from the Borough looking to the western end of Middle Street.

Thorne’s shop, at left with the awnings, is London House (now the site of the HSBC Bank) and to the right, with the bay window at the first floor, is the old Catherine Wheel building.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

The old Crown Inn was in paradise THE Crown Inn in Huish was situated just a stone’s throw away from Yeovil Town Football Club’s old famous sloping pitch.

The first mention of the Crown comes in the Robson’s 1835 Directory when it was given the address of Paradise.

The pub was flanked by Crown Buildings to the west, Felix Place to the south and Paradise Row, a long terrace of small cottages on the north side of Huish.

Paradise Row was demolished in 1936 and the site is now occupied by Tesco’s car park.

The only building in that area which still remains today is the old Huish infants school which is now part of the Tesco store.

This area of Huish – including both

sides of the road – was known as Paradise, named after the colloquial name for a burial ground next to the school. The burial ground is now under the Tesco store car park.

Historian Bob Osborn believes the photos of the Crown Inn are not of the original pub, but a purpose-built building owned by one of Yeovil’s breweries as a tied house.

The Crown Inn closed during the 1970s and for many years was used as the regional office for Bass Brewers. The building was eventually demolished in 1991 as part of the Tesco supermarket development.

For more information about the Crown Inn – go to www.yeovilhistory.info.

The Crown Inn – photographed in the early 1930s.

The groundworks of the new swimming pool in Huish photographed in 1960. At top centre is the rear of the Crown Inn and the cottage built alongside it. At right are the rear elevation of the houses in Felix Place.

The Crown Inn – photographed in the early 1980s and shortly before its demolition.

Banking on the Angel Inn THE site of the National Westminster Bank in Yeovil town centre was once the Angel Inn belonging to the Chantry of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In 1618 an order was made that only nine licensed premises be allowed in the borough - that is the town, not that part of High Street today called the Borough - and two outside, with the rest being ‘suppressed’. The Angel Inn was undoubtedly one of the nine ‘allowed’ premises.

The Angel Inn was an important coaching inn for both London and Bristol travellers, indeed for several centuries it was the principal coaching inn of Yeovil.

It was described as a fine building with an arched entrance with a triple window over, above which stood a lead figure of an angel that now resides in Yeovil’s

Community Heritage Access Centre, together with the carved panel, both being illustrated below.

The inn was sold in 1791 and the sale details described the inn as having ten chambers, three parlours, a barn, stabling for 40 horses and standing for 12 carriages plus “every other establishment necessary for the business of an Inn.” It was completely destroyed by fire in 1637 after which it was rebuilt, but was eventually demolished at the turn of the 19th century when Whitmarsh and White opened a bank on the site in 1808. This was succeeded by Stuckey’s Bank on the same site in 1835 and the present NatWest bank was opened in today’s building in 1919.

For more information about the Albion Inn – go to www.yeovilhistory.info.

Pictured: This drawing, by Leslie Brooke, makes clearer the Angel Inn at the far end of High Street in Hendford with the figure of the angel at high level.

Inset: The lead Angel figure that once adorned the Angel Inn in Yeovil.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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CELEBRATING ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY

Thank you for your fantastic support IT was back in July 2018 that the first-ever edition of the Yeovil Press community newspaper was published and now – two years on – the paper is going from strength to strength.

Admittedly, the past few months have been difficult because of the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic; but we are still here, we’ve been able to publish each month and we are now beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

But it only seems like yesterday that Edition Number 1 was being produced and being distributed among various outlets in and around the Yeovil area.

Editor and owner, Steve Sowden, said: “I’d already launched a publication down the road at Ilminster a few months previously and it seemed a natural progression to start a Yeovil Press title in my home town.

“Little did I know back then what I was starting – but I have to say that the past two years have been hard work, but extremely satisfying, a lot of fun and we’ve attended some fantastic events.

“It seems a huge shame, however, that due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that so many of these events have had to be cancelled for this year.

“But safety comes first and I am sure that once this terrible virus is defeated that life will slowly return to normal and community events in and around Yeovil will start to flourish once again.

“The fact that I have been able to produce the Yeovil Press since July 2018 is testament to the town – the fact that traders and businesses have been able to

The first edition of Yeovil Press – printed in July 2018.

support me with advertising and I truly thank all of them.”

Steve added: “Even in these unprecedented times I have had the support of local businesses. Although I know it has not been easy for many traders and they have had to take the necessary action, I am proud to have continued to produce the Yeovil Press, albeit with a smaller pagination than normal.”

But Steve admits he could not have achieved any of this without some incredible support.

“A special big thank you to freelance photographer Christine Jones, who some of you might know better as “the lady that takes the photos” – her pictures, hard work, enthusiasm and encouragement have been key to the success of Yeovil Press,” he said.

“I would also like to thank James Healey, of JRH Media, for his superb help with design and layout each month and for putting up with my ditherings!

“Plus I would like to thank the various outlets who have agreed to take copies of Yeovil Press each month; the advertisers once again for their support; and, of

Send us YOUR ideas and views THE Yeovil Press is YOUR free monthly community newspaper and we want to hear from YOU. Since the Yeovil Press was launched in July 2018 we have introduced some regular monthly features to the paper.

We have re-started the Coffee Break Chat and Social Life features this month after a lay-off because of the coronavirus lockdown, while the Down Memory Lane lookback at old photos of Yeovil is proving very popular and we have recently started a Glovers Glory feature involving stories from Yeovil Town Football Club’s rich and vibrant history.

And, as from this month, to coincide with the paper’s second anniversary, we’ve introduced a School Reunion feature looking at old class photos from local schools, plus a historical reminisce of local pubs that are no longer in existence.

But do you have an idea that we could perhaps look at including in the Yeovil Press in a future edition or on a regular basis?

We want the Yeovil Press to be YOUR paper and so YOU are very important.

Drop us a line at yeovilpress@gmail. com – we’d love to hear from you.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

course, the readers for “We might all moan and groan from time to time, but your contributions and Yeovil is not that bad a place. words of support.

There are times when we “I know that two might get annoyed about the years is not very long traffic lights, be disgruntled in terms of longevity when another shop closes in for any business, let the town or totally dismayed alone a newspaper; when we hear of another act but in times when the of mindless vandalism. printed press is being “But looking at the positives diminished in favour of we’ve got some fantastic local digital – I’m proud that groups, clubs and societies; I keep the flag flying for our schools provide great printed newspapers.” opportunities for our young Steve continued: The July 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. people; we live in a decent “There was never any doubt in my mind part of the world; and, at the end of the that I would ever find myself with the day, I’m sure there are far worse places headache problem of “no good news we could be living!” to put in the paper” because – contrary The next edition of Yeovil Press will be to what you might see on social media out on August 7. So please get in touch – Yeovil has got plenty going for it and with your news, views and photos by plenty of things for people to be proud emailing Steve at yeovilpress@gmail. com - here’s to the next 12 months! about of their town.

YEOVIL PRESS YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

Advertisers - Readers - Contributors Many thanks for all your support over the past two years Here's looking forward to many more years of bringing you the local news and events from in and around Yeovil Email: yeovilpress@gmail.com Phone: 0777-319-8081 YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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YEOVIL PRESS: CELEBRATING ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY

YEOVIL PRESS

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TWO YEARS IN PICTURES: Here are those people who have featured each month for the past two years in our Front Page Cut-Out Picture which can be found in the top right-hand corner of the Yeovil Press newspaper next to the masthead.

You may notice that the first edition was in July 2018 and then the next was in September 2018 and the third was

July 2018

November 2018

32

in November 2018. That was because the Yeovil Press initially came out every other month before going monthly from January 2019 onwards.

And you never know – you might feature in this Front Page Cut-Out Picture slot in the months and years ahead of your favourite free local community publication.

March 2019

April 2019

May 2019

June 2019

July 2019

August 2019

September 2018

January 2019

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September 2019 For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

YEOVIL PRESS: CELEBRATING ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY

YEOVIL PRESS

YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

November 2019 March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

October 2019

December 2019

January 2020

February 2020 For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

July 2020 YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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YEOVIL PRESS: CELEBRATING ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY

YEOVIL PRESS

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THE Yeovil Press has attended dozens of events over the past two years and taken thousands of photos along the way ranging from charity fundraisers, fetes, stage productions,

music festivals, sports fixtures, school proms, public meetings and ceremonial occasions. Here is a selection of just ten photos which have appeared in the Yeovil Press.

Glastonbury Festival legend Michael Eavis (right) is pictured with Henry Simon at the 2018 Home Farm Fest music concert held at Chilthorne Domer to raise funds for the School in a Bag charity. Michael is a big supporter of the SIAB organisation. This photo appeared in the first-ever Yeovil Press edition of July 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

A fantastic Peaky Blinders charity night – where 400 people converged on the Westland Entertainment Venue in Yeovil dressed in 1920s costume in line with the hit TV drama Peaky Blinders – raised a whopping £6,000 for St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice and the Prostate Cancer UK charity. Pictured (from left) are co-organisers Louise Lee, Darren Santiago, Jane Helyar and Adam Burgan. This photo appeared in the February 2019 edition of the Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

Amazing unicyclist Ed Pratt is pictured catching up with the news from the Yeovil Press – just moments after he arrived back at the School in a Bag charity headquarters in Chilthorne Domer following his epic round-the-world adventure on one wheel.

This photo appeared in the September 2018 edition of the Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

YEOVIL PRESS

Anastacia Hayward appeared as Madame Thenardier in a fantastic production of Les Miserables at Preston School in Yeovil. This photo appeared in the March 2019 edition of the Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

It was a privilege to attend the launch of a £2m appeal to build a new and much-needed dedicated Breast Cancer Unit at Yeovil District Hospital. This photo appeared in the March 2019 edition of the Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

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OLD COPIES OF THE YEOVIL PRESS ARE AVAILABLE Did you miss out on seeing a certain photo or feature?

Members of the Yeovil Town Road Running Club are all smiles after completing the annual Yeovil Half Marathon.

This photo appeared in the Yeovil Press edition of April 2019. Photo: Christine Jones.

Would you like to buy a back-copy of the paper?

We have copies available dating back to the

Lord Julian Fellowes (right) – creator of the Downton Abbey hit drama – was a special guest at the opening night of the Castaway Theatre Group’s musical production of The Wind in the Willows at the Octagon Theatre. The classic Kenneth Grahame novel has come to life in a new West End musical with a book by the highly-acclaimed Lord Fellowes.

The Yeovil-based Castaways group was thrilled that Lord Fellowes and his wife went and watched the performance and the Oscar-winner is pictured with show director Jeremy Tustin and the group’s founder Lynn Lee Brown outside the Octagon. This photo appeared in the June 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

1st edition published in July 2018.

It will cost £5 per copy to include post and packaging.

Email yeovilpress@gmail.com or phone us

The moment when a long-held dream to create a new community centre at St Peter’s Church on the Westfield estate in Yeovil became a reality with the official opening of the £940,000 building

on 07773-198-081 for further details.

YEOVILPRESS

YEOVILPRESS YEOVILPRESS

OC 20 T 19

www.yeovilpress.co.uk | Edition

co-owner, New club chairman and tempted Scott Priestnall, could not be the to do the traditional “scarf above for this! head” photo, but we’ll settle Photo: Steve Sowden.

By Steve Sowden yeovilpress@gmail.com

of Yeovil THE new chairman and co-owner Priestnall, has Town Football Club, Scott good times back said he wants to bring the

to the club. negotiations The long drawn out ownership September 20 and were finally completed on over the club Mr Priestnall, who has taken first official press with Errol Pope, held his conference last week. that it felt a “bit And Mr Priestnall admitted club’s new owner surreal” to finally be the club for the past as he had “been around the three months.”

Press as to He was asked by the Yeovil club chairman whether he would be the new be the case. and he confirmed that would – yes,” “I am going to be club chairman to be. It’s a he said. “I actually want my mind on position that I’ve kind of changed

EE

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THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN YEOVIL TOWN CENTRE WERE OFFICIALLY SWITCHEDON DURING A FUNFILLED EVENING OF FESTIVITIES! MORE PHOTOS  TURN TO PAGES 30-31

Trophies – Personalised Gifts – Sports Metal Engraving – Glass Engraving BA20 1HE 1 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset co.uk Phone: 01935-411088 | www.atouchofglassyeovil.

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ROUND TABLE CHARITY LUNCH ‹‹ 10-11

Town council's slice of Council Tax goes up by just £1 a month

By Steve Sowden

yeovilpress@gmail.com

since I started.

I didn’t think “When I first started out actually looking about being chairman. I was it, both inside and at potential people to do

PRICE KEY CUTTING AT A FABULOUS

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YOUR FREE YEOVIL

his stripes as a Glover

engage with the He said that he wants to have been left supporters and get those who in recent years disenchanted with the club back through the turnstiles. overnight, But he knows it will not happen board outside the club. that that people will get on with the club, if but hopes “As I’ve got more involved look Yeovil Town. six or seven with the new just about the the completion had been maybe Mr Priestnall said it was not have done. I a change weeks ago, maybe I wouldn’t ownership, but also about I’m hoping to change of think I’ve got the bug now, ethos, something new, something and I’ve really of “culture, earn my stripes as a Glover me different.” got of kind It’s games. make the club got excited about He said he wanted to to be honest with but hasn’t been interested in football again, “something like it once was, you. over the in recent years.”

John Fry owners, “It was a really easy decision previous He confirmed become chairman. now no longer last couple of weeks to and Norman Hayward, were fans.”

Hopefully I’ll do right by the club. timed his press part of the Yeovil Mr Priestnall could not have asked about his hopes for when And having the Glovers “I would conference any better with pitch this season – he said: on the bounce on the the aim is won six consecutive games to finish in the play-offs, but in succession on love us which became seven victories the players playing well.” with a 3-1 success to get Pages 76-78.

Saturday (September 28) More Yeovil Town news on Bromley. over National League table-toppers

TWINDERELLA PANTOMIME HAD A BUCKET FULL OF NAUGHTY LAUGHS  OH NO IT DIDN’T, OH YES IT MOST CERTAINLY DID! PHOTO SPECIAL ‹‹ 50-51

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New chairman wants to earn

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PEOPLE are being asked to pay just over £1 a month extra to help Yeovil Town Council deliver a £1million-plus budget in the next financial year.

Members of Yeovil Town Council agreed on Tuesday (February 4) to set a budget of £1,152,589 for 2020-21.

It is only the second time in the council’s history that a budget of more than £1million has been set and follows the £1,033,517 agreed in 2019-20.

But what difference will it make to people’s pockets in order to help finance the extra £119,072 needed by the town council when the annual Council Tax bill falls through letterboxes in April?

Remembering the homeless at Christmas

By Steve Sowden

UKULELE FESTIVAL ‹‹ 30-31

yeovilpress@gmail.com A NEWLY-FORMED organisation in Yeovil is asking people to remember those who will be homeless at Christmas.

The Homeless and Vulnerable Outreach Network was formed earlier this year and volunteers meet at the bandstand area of Yeovil in Lower Middle Street on a Wednesday evening where they provide hot food for the homeless, vulnerable and lonely.

But the group has plans to grow over the

months ahead by expanding its services by providing warm clothes and bedding for the homeless, haircuts as well as assist other agencies in their work.

With Yeovil being on the Dorset/Somerset border, it’s first major milestone is to raise enough funds to purchase a horse box converted into a catering trailer, allowing volunteers to take their service into nearby towns and access the smaller homeless communities.

If anyone wants to help fundraise in order to help achieve this then they should e-mail

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havon.fundraising@gmail.com.

The group was created by Ricky Gleeson who found himself homeless at a young age and spent time living on the streets of North East England.

Thankfully Ricky – despite having problems along the way – has been able to turn his life around by joining the Royal Navy where he serves today at RNAS Yeovilton.

But he has not forgotten his difficult past and wants to help those who find themselves in troubled times.

THE END OF JANUARY 2020

1 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HE Phone: 01935-411088 / www.atouchofglassyeovil.co.uk 1

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MAYOR'S CHARITY BALL ‹‹ 20-21

It means that average households in Yeovil – in the Band D bracket – will be paying an extra £13.08 a year which equates to around just 25p a week or £1.09 a month more than in 2019-20.

This is an 11.53 per cent increase, but in real terms works out the price of just one de-

cent packet of biscuits once a month.

The overall slice of the Council Tax going to Yeovil Town Council from individual Band D households in the town will be £126.55 a year – as opposed to £113.47 in 2019-20.

It should be stressed, however, that the town council only takes a small share of the overall Council Tax bill so the final total will be a lot more.

Somerset County Council will take the largest amount with South Somerset District Council, Police and Crime Commissioner for

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Avon and Somerset, and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service also getting a slice of the Council Tax cake.

The town council agreed to ask South Somerset District Council – the Council Tax billing authority – for a precept of £1,152,589 which will be used to finance the services it provides during the next financial year along with special projects.

Among the initiatives planned by the town council will be a £10,000 contribution to the St John’s Road play area; a £5,000 contribution towards improvements at the Yeovil Recreation Centre; a £12,600 contribution towards the restoration of the fountain at Sydney Gardens; and £35,000 for the planned VE Day 75th Anniversary celebrations.

For more news from Yeovil Town Council – turn to Page 4.

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The words say it all – written on the noticeboard outside the Coopers Mill pub in Yeovil not long after lockdown was announced because of the coronavirus pandemic. This photo appeared in the April 2020 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Steve Sowden.

The most passionate and heated public information meeting Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden has attended in 31 years of local journalism took place at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil when people packed the auditorium to voice their huge objections to proposals to close the in-patient unit at St Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil. Hospice bosses still eventually went ahead with their proposals, but they were left in no doubt as to what the people thought of it. Here we see Rob Mather voicing his concerns during the meeting. This photo appeared in the September 2019 edition of Yeovil Press.

Photo: Christine Jones.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Don't panic about investments and savings says finance expert BUSINESSWOMAN Jenny Manders is more than aware that a lot of people are sitting at home right now worrying about their finances with the coronavirus pandemic lockdown still ongoing.

Jenny, the director of Manders Financial Services, which is based at Horton Cross on the outskirts of Ilminster, is passionate about helping people to protect their savings and investments which they have worked so hard for.

“There’s all kind of conflicting news out there - mostly miserable ¬- about how best to manage your savings and investments during COVID-19,” said Jenny.

“It’s an extra pressure that none of us need right now. We have so many adjustments to make in our lives and this is just another thing on the list to worry about.”

But Jenny has some useful advice for people who are wondering what to do with regards their investments and savings.

“The first thing I would say to people is not to panic!” she said. “Take control and

get some expert advice to review where you are with your financial plans.

“Our door is always open for anyone to chat through their financial concerns with the team. Whether it’s regarding pensions, savings or inheritance tax, we will do what we can to help.”

Jenny said the Government will be thinking about how best to recoup the £300 billion – according to HMRC Tax and NIC receipts of April 2020 – which it borrowed due to the coronavirus situation.

“So it is an important time to check that you are in the best shape possible,” she added. “Our clients have discovered that by just chatting through their financial concerns with us during this period, on Zoom or over the phone, it been very reassuring and definitely much better than staring at their four walls needlessly worrying.”

To contact Jenny Manders at Manders Financial Services for an initial chat, call 01460-259066 or email jenny. manders@sjpp.co.uk or go online to www.mandersfinancialservices.co.uk for further information.

Jenny Manders (seated) with her team at Manders Financial Services.

HERE TO HELP PROTECT EVERYTHING YOU’VE WORKED SO HARD FOR • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT AND INVESTMENT PLANNING • MORTGAGES AND PROTECTION

Based in Ilminster, with over 20 years of experience helping clients optimise their wealth for their future and their families.

Contact Jenny Manders and the team on 01460 259066 or Jenny.Manders@sjpp.co.uk For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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FLASHBACK The principal of Stanchester Academy, Amy Joynes, is pictured with Glastonbury Festival legend Michael Eavis.

The Glasto guru was the special guest of honour at the firstever Stanchester Festival held at the school in Stoke-subHamdon on July 6, 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

A fundraising event was held at the Quicksilver Mail pub in Yeovil in aid of St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice and South Somerset Mind charities. The Snakebyte and Cider event was organised by Jane Helyar, of HellYeah Events, and held on June 15, 2018, with live music and headlined by popular local group Snakebyte. Pictured are some of the party-goers! Photo: Christine Jones.

The Gin Festival at the Westlands Yeovil venue on July 6, 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

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YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

Fun and prosecco at the Montacute Carnival on June 16, 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo and his wife Yvonne, at The Yeovil Show July 14, 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

Somerset legend and former England batsman Marcus Trescothick (centre) officially opened the new ÂŁ345,000 clubhouse and pavilion for Yeovil Cricket Club and Westland Sports Bowls Club on June 3, 2018, at the Westland Yeovil complex off Westbourne Close, Yeovil. Photo: Christine Jones.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

IN this month’s Yeovil Press community newspaper we take a pictorial look back at some of what was featured in the corresponding edition in 2018 The July 2018 edition was the first-ever edition of the new Yeovil Press free community newspaper.

Take a look at pages 31-34 for the Yeovil Press’ Happy 2nd Anniversary feature.

The July 2018 edition of Yeovil Press included a photo special of Castaway Theatre Group’s run of the Peter Pan musical at the Octagon Theatre from May 31 to June 2, 2018. Photo: Christine Jones.

Jules Richards, Luke Simon and Darren Shutler - pictured at the Home Farm Fest at Chilthorne Domer in aid of the School in a Bag charity from June 8-10, 2018 - and they had the unenviable job of keeping the toilets nice and clean for festival-goers. Photo: Christine Jones.

The July 2018 edition of Yeovil Press included a story about Yeovil Town Council clerk Amanda Card preparing to do the Three Peaks Challenge – walking up the three tallest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours – to raise money for We Hear You, a charity which provides free counselling to anyone affected by cancer and other life threatening conditions. Amanda (left), a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy South West Region group, is pictured presenting a £150 cheque to Gemma Wilkes, of We Hear You, which was raised during the CIPFA South West’s annual dinner in Bristol.

Photo: Submitted.

Volunteers for the Action Medical Research charity joined forces at The Gateway Centre in Yeovil on June 2, 2018, to distribute around 8,500 boxed cream teas around the country. Photo: Steve Sowden.

Explosive action at the International Air Day held at the Royal Naval Air Station Station at Yeovilton on July 7, 2018.

Photo: Submitted.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

The award-winning team at Ham Hill Cider hosted an official opening night for its new headquarters on July 7, 2018, at a farm near Haselbury Plucknett. Photo: Christine Jones.

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Let us know your family news WELCOME to the Family Announcements feature in YOUR monthly Yeovil Press community newspaper.

We will be delighted to publish your announcements – whether it is Births, Birthday Greetings, Congratulations, Marriages, Anniversaries and Good Luck Messages.

We will also hopefully be working closely with local funeral directors on the sad event of death announcements and possible obituary reports.

People can submit their Family Announcements by emailing the Yeovil Press at yeovilpress@gmail.com.

Steve Sowden, editor of the Yeovil Press, said: “Family Announcements are

part and parcel of any local newspaper and I’m delighted to offer this service to the people of Yeovil and surrounding area.

“The Yeovil Press now has a print-run of 5,000 copies a month and these are distributed at various outlets within the Yeovil area where people can pick them up.”

Lineage announcements can be published for free, but if you would like to add a photo to your message there will be a charge of £7.50.

So if you have any Family Announcements that are coming up in 2020 – please let us know.

YEOVIL PRESS YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

SEND US YOUR FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Births, Birthdays, Marriages, Anniversaries, Congratulations LISTINGS ARE FREE ADD A PHOTO FOR £7.50 Email - yeovilpress@gmail.com Phone - 07773-198-081 38

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS ASHTON – CLAIRE: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 28. Love from all your family and friends.

ASHTON – CLAIRE: Hoping you have a terrific Birthday on July 28. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

BEAUMONT – KIRSTY: We hope you had a fantastic Birthday on July 6. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BEAUMONT – KIRSTY: Hoping you had a marvellous Birthday on July 6. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

BEAUMONT – KIRSTY: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 6. We hope you had a wonderful day. Love from all your friends at the Castaway Theatre Group.

BRIMBLE – SIMON: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 29. Love from all your family and friends.

BRIMBLE – SIMON: Wishing you a great Birthday on July 29. Best wishes from all your friends at Yeovil Town FC. BRIMBLE – SIMON: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 29. Best wishes from your pals at the Yeovil Press.

CLANCY – JOHN: Hoping you had a wonderful Birthday on July 5. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

CRANE – LUCY: Hoping you have a fabulous Birthday on July 20. Love from all your family and friends.

CROSS – DAVID: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 18. Have a great day! Love from all your family and friends.

DEXTER – NEIL: Hoping you have a wonderful Birthday on July 29. Love from all your family and friends.

DEXTER – NEIL: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 29. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

EDWARDS – GARWYNN: Hope you have a wonderful Birthday on July 18. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

FRANCIS – MICHAEL: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 8. Love from all your family and friends.

FREEMAN – VICKY: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 9. Love from all your family and friends.

FULLER – JO: Hoping you have a lovely

Birthday on July 31. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

GUPPY – KEIRAN: Have a fantastic Birthday on July 24. Love from all your family and friends.

HELYAR – JANE: Hoping you have a wonderful Birthday on July 20. Love from all your family and friends.

HELYAR – JANE: HellYeah! Have a great Birthday on July 20. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

HELYAR – ASHLEY: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 24. Love from all your family and friends.

HELYAR – ASHLEY: Wishing you a great Birthday on July 24. Best wishes from your chums at the Yeovil Press.

HYDE – CATHERINE: Hoping you have a wonderful Birthday on July 16. Love and hugs from all your family and friends.

KELLY – MARK: Keep the Faith Brother!

Have a great Birthday on July 27. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

KELLY – MARK: Wishing you a very Happy Birthday for July 27. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

KELLY – MARK: Hoping you have a great Birthday on July 27. Best wishes from all your friends at Yeovil Town FC. LUKINS – NEIL: We hope you had a lovely Birthday on July 1. Love from all your family and friends.

MAPLETOFT – LEE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 29. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

MAPLETOFT – NEIL: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 16. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

NORMAN – KATE: Here’s hoping you have a terrific Birthday on July 15. Love from all your family and friends.

SHIRE – ROBERT: Hoping you had a fantastic Birthday on July 9. Best wishes from your pals at the Yeovil Press.

SHIRE – ROBERT: Wishing you a very Happy Birthday on July 9. Love from all your family and friends.

SIMON – LUKE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 24. Hope you have a great day! Love from all your family and friends.

SIMON – LUKE: Congratulations for your

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Birthday on July 24. Love and best wishes from all the team at the School in a Bag charity.

SIMON – LUKE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 24. Best wishes from your pals at the Yeovil Press.

SMITH – JEREMY: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 17. Love from all your family and friends.

SMITH – JEREMY: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 17. Best wishes

from your friends at the Yeovil Press. Up the Gunners!

STALLARD – HARRY: Hoping you have a terrific Birthday on July 11: Love from all your family and friends.

SYMCOX – SARAH: Congratulations for your Birthday on July 10. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

WESTON – ANDY: Many happy returns for your Birthday on July 8. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

www.yeovilpress.co.uk yeovilpress@gmail.com THANK YOU MESSAGES

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse YEOVIL-BASED funeral directors, A. J. Wakely & Sons, have announced it has added a brand new Landy Hearse to its fleet of funeral vehicles.

“We looked extensively around the country for the right vehicle to replace our first and original Land Rover Hearse and found this one in Cumbria!” said Clive Wakely.

“Its style and colour combination fitted

our needs perfectly. The new Land Rover Hearse made its maiden first outing locally this last week for a funeral and the family were impressed by its smart appearance and neat conversion.”

Mr Wakely added: “We pride ourselves in providing the very best with all our vehicles and this compliments the fleet perfectly.”

Choice of Hearses available A J Wakely& Sons including our Land Rover Hearse

WOOTTEN – TERRY: The family of Terry Wootten, of Yeovil, who passed away on May 28, 2020, in the intensive care unit of Yeovil District Hospital, would like to thank everyone for their kindness at this sad and difficult time.

Terry’s funeral was held at Yeovil Crematorium on June 12 and his ashes

were laid to rest on June 17. Due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, both ceremonies were limited to just ten people.

The messages of support, cards and flowers which have been received have been of huge comfort to all of the family, especially to Terry’s wife Ruth.

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

Independent Family AA JJWakely& Wakely& Sons Sons Funeral Directors 1897 IndependentEstablished Family 16 Newland, Sherborne DT9 3JQ Funeral Directors

Independent Family 33 Sparrow Road,01935 Yeovil, 816817 BA21 4BT | 01935 479913 Funeral Directors Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

Established 1897

A J Wakely& Sons

– 24 Hour Service 16 Newland, Sherborne DT9 3JQ– Pre-payment plans available 01935 816817

Independent Family Funeral Directors

– 24 Hour Service –

16 Newland, Sherborne DT9 3JQ 01935 816817

Established 1897

Pre-payment plans available

www.ajwakely.com

Established 1897

– 24 Hour Service – Pre-payment plans available

16 Newland, Sherborne DT9 3JQ www.ajwakely.com www.ajwakely.com

Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

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DOWN MEMORY LANE

Yeovil story behind cup and saucer found in York EDITOR of the Yeovil Press, Steve Sowden, was recently given this decorative cup and saucer after it had been discovered in a charity shop 273 miles away in York.

The cup bears the name of Yeovil underneath a Coat of Arms, while on the bottom of the cup it has Ivelcon and some instructions of “place one cube in cup and fill up to first line with boiling water” followed by the name of Aplin & Barrett Ltd, Yeovil.

Steve knew immediately where to look for more information about this charity shop find – the fantastic A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History website which has been created by local historian Bob Osborn and can be found online at www.yeovilhistory.info .

The Down Memory Lane feature – which was launched for the first time in the March edition of Yeovil Press – is supported by the fantastic A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History website.

Bob’s fantastic work has seen him put together a website of more than 10,000 images looking back at Yeovil’s history over the years.

He has also compiled more than 20 books on an eclectic range of subjects

including many about Yeovil’s past.

But, anyway, back to this cup and saucer and Aplin & Barrett.

In 1888 James Shorland Aplin and William Henry Barrett merged their wholesale dairy businesses together for the purpose of creating and marketing cheese, cream and butter.

In 1891 the Western Counties Creamery moved to Marston Magna from Rimpton and in 1898 it was amalgamated with Aplin & Barrett Ltd. Around the turn of the century Aplin & Barrett acquired some two acres of land on the eastern side of Newton Road in Yeovil, near its junction with Middle Street, which had been the extensive grounds of Osborne House – ideally situated very close to the old Yeovil Town Railway Station and its goods yard.

The St Ivel brand was born in 1901 and applied to a range of their products even though there is no actual saint of that name.

On August 11, 1912, a fire took hold in the factory but fortunately was contained within one wing containing most of the office accommodation and part of the creamery. The fire was watched by a

crowd of several hundred but eventually put out by the fire brigade with assistance from the Sherborne fire brigade and, apparently, two members of the London fire brigade who happened to be visiting Yeovil at the time.

Even though the fire was in just one wing of the building the final estimate for the damage caused amounted to between £15,000 and £20,000 - between £1.5 million and £2 million in today’s money!

In 1957 Aplin & Barrett produced the first commercial extract of nisin, an antibacterial peptide used during the manufacture of processed cheese, meats, beverages and so forth in order to extend the products’ shelf life.

In 1960 the company was acquired by the Unigate Group who closed the Yeovil premises in 1976, transferring many of their staff to other branches, particularly Westbury, Wiltshire.

The St Ivel brand, however, continued long after the closure of Aplin & Barrett.

Much of the Aplin & Barrett building was demolished in January 1983 prior to the building of Ivel Court.

PHOTOS: This is a specially designed promotional cup and saucer to promote

Aplin & Barrett’s Ivelcon meat extract between 1908 and 1925. On the bottom of the cup were complete instructions.

Photos: Steve Sowden.

The St Ivel Cricket Club of 1913.

An aerial sketch of 1898 shows the planned factory and office buildings which were constructed by the time of the 1901 Ordnance Survey. On the left is Lower Middle Street and Newton Road runs across the bottom of the drawing.

An Aplin & Barrett’s letterhead from 1940. Notice that they were contracted to the War Office and the Admirality to help the war effort.

THIS FEATURE HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY: AN A-TO-Z OF YEOVIL'S HISTORY www.yeovilhistory.info - Find out more about Yeovil's past 40

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The St Ivel sign on the southern end of the factory – a familiar sight to many Yeovilians.

The modernist new building of 1932. Empty and awaiting demolition in 2013.

An artist’s impression of the Aplin & Barrett factory in the 1950 Yeovil Guide.

The Newton Road face of Aplin & Barrett shortly before demolition began in 1983 prior to building Ivel Court.

An advertisement in the January 6, 1923, edition of The Graphic for Aplin & Barrett’s Ivelcon meat extract.

An advertisement of 1928 for Aplin & Barrett’s St Ivel brand products.

The pie room with the dough mixer and pastry-brake on the right.

The sausage room showing filling operations (left) followed by linking, weighing and boxing.

An Ivelcon advertisement from 1918.

One of the very first advertisements for Ivelcon from the September 21, 1908, issue of the London Daily News.

Part of the Aplin & Barrett factory having been demolished in 1983 prior to the building of the Ivel Court development on Newton Road.

The filling room: Girls are seen filling the paste into glasses, preparing the tops in several stages and seaming the caps.

Finally, the pots pass to the girls on the right who place them in wire baskets.

A disastrous fire at the Aplin & Barrett factory on August 11, 1912.

THIS FEATURE HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY: AN A-TO-Z OF YEOVIL'S HISTORY www.yeovilhistory.info - Find out more about Yeovil's past For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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Wadham's Sixth Form would love to hear from students DO you like the sound of a Sixth Form where student numbers are small and you get an individualised programme to help you plan for your future?

If you want to be more than one of thousands of students on a list then Wadham Sixth Form at Crewkerne could well be the place for you!

Director of Sixth Form Learning at Wadham, Laura Brown, said: “Our results compare favourably with other

institutions in the region.

“In 2019 we had a 100 per cent pass rate for A-Levels and Level Three qualifications. Whilst these excellent results are rare, we know this is down to our small class sizes and individualised plans for students to support them in succeeding.

“Our students gained 44 per cent A-plus to B grades. We put a lot of time into ensuring student get where they

want to be after finishing their A Levels.

“In 2019, 92 per cent achieved place at first choice university and 100% achieved a place at either their first or second choice university.”

The Wadham Sixth Form was pleased to welcome Ofsted inspectors to see the work it was doing during the last academic year.

Ofsted reported: “Prior to students

beginning their courses, leaders put plans in place to support students to prepare for the demands of A-Level study.

“Students are highly complementary of their experience in the sixth form.”

Wadham would love to hear from any student wanting to progress their education at Sixth Form.

Take a look at Wadham’s advert on Page 42 of this edition of Yeovil Press.

SCHOOL REUNION

Bringing school memories back to life THE Yeovil Press is delighted to launch a new feature in the paper each month entitled School Reunion – where old school photos will be printed which should help spark memories galore for readers.

But we need YOUR help in making

the School Reunion a real success as we would love you to send us your school photos.

They can be official class photos like these here or general pictures of pupils enjoying school trips or sports days or summer fetes.

THIS photo was posted on social media by Shane Wood and also features a class from Huish Primary School, Yeovil, and dated around 1980-81.

Pictured back row from left to right: Louise ?, Scott Rhoden, Matthew Stevens, Paul Baker, Emma Cresswell, Linda Woodward, Stephen Meadows, Sarah Hindmarch.

Second from back row from left to right: Simon Locke, Nicholas Fry, Emma Blundell, Paul Hadlow, Soo Vinicombe, Tamsin Bentham, Shane Wood, Steven Stuart, Mandy Baker.

Second from front row left to right: Stuart Hendricks, Christian Tamblyn, Anna Chapman, Karen Ellis, Jane Mitchell, Catherine Andrews.

Front row from left to right: Michelle Leverton, Shaun Leverton, Neil Johnson and Andrew Holton.

Please note that some names might be spelt incorrectly or inaccurate.

SCHOOL REUNION Send us your old school photos for this monthly feature

For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

Anything that you think would be perfect for the School Reunion feature.

Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden said: “They say that the school days are the best days of our lives. That statement might not be completely true for everybody, but I certainly had some great days at school

and made some great lifelong friends.

“It would be great to share your memories here in this new School Reunion feature.”

Please send us your photos by email to yeovilpress@gmail.com and if possible include the names of those in the pictures.

THIS photo was posted on social media by Emma Grunnill and was taken during the academic year of 1979-80 at Huish Primary School in Yeovil and featured the class of teacher Dave Moore.

Eagle-eyed readers might be able to instantly recognise a certain editor of the Yeovil Press in the photo – who appears to be the only lad in the class wearing short trousers!

Pictured back row left to right: Teacher Dave Moore, Paul Barnes, James ?, Andy Weston, Daniel Holton, Guy Cresswell, Jason Daniels, Justin Rassmussen, Christopher Lang, Peter Barrow.

Second from back row left to right: David Bond, Alexander Duff, Sarah Billing, Jo Read, Jo Meadows, Jo Carpenter, Alex Dawson, Donna Gaylard, Justin Pugh, Stephen Bowring.

Second from front row left to right: Rachel Foote, Dawn Grunnill, Jo Salter, Tracey Arnold, Emma Grunnill, Karen Johnstone, Claire Stoddard, Emma Lawless.

Front row from left to right: David Gillingham, Steve Sowden, Jonathan Sibley, Stephen Bishop and Mark Eden.

Please note some names might be spelt incorrectly or inaccurate.

Class Photos - School Trips Summer Fetes - School Productions Email us your photos to yeovilpress@gmail.com along with the relevant names - if possible - of those in the pictures It would be great to hear from you and relive those school memories YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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Students can keep achieving goals during lockdown SCHOOLS across the Yeovil and surrounding area have remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, but it has meant big challenges for teaching staff.

The situation has forced leaders to approach not just learning differently but also lots of the other activities that would normally have taken place in schools.

Student leadership is one of the most important aspects of the community at Stanchester Academy at Stoke-subHamdon and so headteacher Amy Joynes was not going to let lockdown stop this year’s process going ahead.

Over half the current Year 10 applied for the position of senior student, known to the students as Blue Tie, with 44 students being successful and due to take on vital roles to support the running of the community over the next academic year.

Throughout the interviews students acknowledged the change in their role in light of Covid-19 with many commenting on the role they could play in supporting students to return to school.

As almost the whole of Year 10

returned to school in June, the successful applicants had their ties delivered to their desks and were then given the opportunity to apply for Head Student.

Mrs Joynes had been so impressed by the students’ reflections on the lockdown situation and their desire to support younger students she asked all the interviewees for Head Student to share their thoughts and ideas.

Here are some of their comments: “I love coming in to school, I am focused, it is so calm and I can really concentrate and prepare for next year.”

“There are lots of changes to the way in which we walk around the site but it’s easy to get used to and I think the Year 10 could show the rest of the school how to navigate the site.”

“I think the lockdown has actually brought us all even closer together, we had a great community anyway and now it is even better.”

“This school is about looking at individual unique qualities and helping to pull these out to ensure every students becomes the best they can be – that is going to make it easier for everyone to

return and feel happy straight away.”

Mrs Joynes said: “There is no doubt that September is going to be very different from a normal return after a summer break. It is our job to ensure our whole community feel confident in returning, reiterating that community spirit during the first week will be of paramount importance.

“We have all learnt together through this, managing a situation none of us has encountered, and we will continue to learn together, listen to one another and work through our full return to ensure the only impact it has on our community is a positive one.”

All schools are incredibly conscious of the new Year 7 intake starting. Having been unable to run the county wide induction process earlier this month, schools are making plans to ensure the Year 7 students have a successful transition.

Stanchester students have received their usual exercise books to start their transition work and will be meeting their tutors in the coming weeks as guidelines change and they are able to visit the

school. The school has organised a week of transition activities in September to ensure these students have the same opportunities as every other Year 7, but that crucially they feel safe and confident given the difference approach to learning and systems that will have to be in place this year.

THE Stanchester Academy senior students for 2020-21 area as follows: Fleur Anderson, Kitty Ashton, Daria Avram, James Broughton, Jack Cage, Mollie-Mae Crabb, Zoe Cross, Eryn Daniel, Beatrice Dicks, Jessica Evans, Grace Gaylard, Lucy Grenfell, Emily hall, Scarlett Hamilton, Lawson Hammett, Maisie Helyar, Amy Holroyd, Lauren Holt, Joshua Howell, Millie Leeson, Ashleigh Merrick, Poppy Morgan, Ruby Northam, Kayleigh Owen, Sophie Palmer, Grace Pamplin, Connor Perrin, Eleanor Poole, Millie Retter, Ruby Roberts, Warren Robins, Ruby Robinson, Harry Rogers, Troy Skipp, James Somerville, Daisy Tostevin, Joe Townson, Jasmine Tucker, Olivia-Lee Turner-Thompson, Ryan Twomey, Harry Vowles, Anthony Waterall, Mya Wilcox and Elly Witcombe.

GCSE Results Day Thursday 20th August 2020

We look forward to welcoming Year 11 back into the school

Year 7 Intake Staff and students are excited to welcome you into our community.

See you on Monday 7th September.

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PROM MEMORIES

THE coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has meant that Year 11 students have had to “miss out” on not only taking their all-important final exams, but also attending the allimportant end-of-school prom where they would have been able to dress in their finest suits Hopefully these Year 11 proms will still be able to take place at a later date when it is safe to do so, but it has been very

2019 - Looking good at Buckler’s Mead Academy Year 11 Prom at Haselbury Mill on July 4, 2019.

strange at Yeovil Press HQ over the past few weeks not to have the busy annual fun and revelry itinerary of the traditional prom months of June and July.

Here we take a pictorial look back to Year 11 proms from 2014 to 2019 onwards including students from Preston School, Buckler’s Mead Academy and Westfield Academy from Yeovil and Stanchester Academy at Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Perhaps we snapped you?

2017 - Dressed to impress are some lads at Buckler’s Mead Academy Year 11 Prom on June 22, 2017, at Haselbury Mill.

2018 – About to enjoy a night out at Haselbury Mill for the Buckler’s Mead Academy Year 11 prom on July 5, 2018.

2018 – Suited and booted are lads from Stanchester Academy for the annual Year 11 prom at Dillington House on July 12, 2018.

2017 - On the steps at Haselbury Mill for the Year 11 prom on June 29, 2017, are these lads from Westfield Academy.

2016 – Stylish ladies at the Haynes International Motor Museum for Preston School’s Year 11 prom on July 1, 2016.

2016 - Looking elegant at Westfield Academy’s Year 11 prom at Haselbury Mill on June 29, 2016.

2016 – Group photo for these young ladies on June 30, 2016, at Haselbury Mill for Buckler’s Mead Academy’s annual Year 11 prom.

2014 – A trio of girls pose for a photo at Buckler’s Mead Academy’s annual Year 11 prom at Haselbury Mill on July 3, 2014.

2018 - Looking good at Dillington House are some of the Year 11 students attending Stanchester Academy’s end of year prom on July 12, 2018.

2019 - Lined up with the impressive Brympton House in the background on June 20, 2019, for Stanchester Academy’s Year 11 prom.

2015 – Cool lads at Haselbury Mill for the Buckler’s Mead Academy Year 11 prom on July 2, 2015.

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2018 - A line-up of 14 young ladies group together for a photo at Preston School’s Year 11 prom held on July 2, 2018, at the Haynes International Motor Museum.

2014 - Delightful dresses and comfortable footwear for these girls at Stanchester Academy’s Year 11 prom held at Haselbury Mill on June 25, 2014.

2018 - A part of the large group photo of Year 11 students at Westfield Academy’s prom at Haselbury Mill on June 28, 2018.

2019 - Smiling for the camera at Haselbury Mill for Westfield Academy’s Year 11 prom at Haselbury Mill on June 26, 2019.

2014 – Looking very cool for Stanchester Academy’s Year 11 prom on June 25, 2014, at Haselbury Mill.

2019 – Smart suits were the order for the day for these lads at Preston School’s Year 11 prom at the Haynes International Motor Museum held on July 4, 2019.

2017 – All smiles for these young gents at Preston School’s Year 11 prom on July 7, 2017, at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at the Royal Naval Air Station.

2015 – These prom-goers pose for a photo at the Haynes International Motor Museum on July 10, 2015, for Preston School’s Year 11 prom.

2015 - All smiles from these Westfield Academy young ladies at the Year 11 prom held at Haselbury Mill on June 25, 2015.

2014 – Sharp suits for a big night out are these young gents from Preston School for the Year 11 prom held at the Haynes International Motor Museum on July 11, 2014.

2015 - Looking smart for Stanchester Academy’s Year 11 Prom held at Haselbury Mill on June 24, 2015.

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2014 - Posing for a photo at Westfield Academy’s Year 11 Prom held at Haselbury Mill on June 26, 2014.

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Slimming World will be back soon in "real life" groups

THE news that slimmers in the Yeovil area have been waiting for was finally announced last week - Slimming World groups will be returning to their venues in September!

Consultants were able to share with their members’ news from Slimming World Head Office that the roadmap back to ‘real life’ groups will be implemented

over the next few months.

Plans will of course need to be flexible to reflect Government guidelines and reflect the most current social distancing advice at the time, and details of how groups will return to their individual venues will be available from the consultants that run them.

Slimming World members past and

present, as well as any potential new members are encouraged to reach out to their local consultant - contact details can be found at www.slimmingworld. co.uk - because for different groups and different venues the way things work will be slightly different, and definitely different to the way groups looked before they were forced to close and move to a new virtual world.

Ultimately, local consultants will be working to run their groups in line with September’s social distancing and public health guidelines for the safety of

everyone who accesses the sessions.

It is also important to note that until September, Slimming World groups will continue to run virtually, and that these sessions are the very best place to get all the support, love, hints, tips and recipes required to Food Optimise until groups return to their venues, and also hear all the most up to date news about exactly how and when groups will be relaunched.

Contact your consultant to find out more, or visit the Slimming World Yeovil, East Somerset and North Dorset Facebook page.

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Chat "health" online with Public Health Nursing YOUNG people, parents and carers can now ‘chat health’ with school nurses or health visitors thanks to a simple new text messaging service.

Somerset’s Public Health Nursing service has boosted its health and wellbeing advice with the launch of ChatHealth - an award-winning, digital NHS-approved platform.

ChatHealth allows Public Health Nursing teams across the country to reach out to their local communities and Somerset County Council is delighted it can now offer this service across the county.

Parents, carers and families of underfives can seek confidential advice and support on a range of concerns, such as infant feeding and nutrition and parenting and child development, from their local health visiting team by text.

Parents and carers with children and young people aged five to 19 will also be able to text the local school nursing team in the same way for parenting advice and

support.

Young people aged 11-19 across the county will be able to find confidential advice and support from their local school nursing service on a range of health and wellbeing issues, including bullying, relationships and emotional health, by text.

This new service, a winner of the NHS Innovation Challenge Award, can provide advice, information and guidance, and signpost to other services if needed. It does not replace face to face services but will make it easier to get in touch with Public Health Nursing confidentially and anonymously. It also offers a way to get in touch for those who feel reluctant to talk about difficult or sensitive issues.

The council’s health and well-being spokesman, Cllr Clare Paul, said: “Children, young people and parents have often told us that they want to be able to access support through digital means when they need it, without having to go and see someone, travel to a health

venue or having to worry about what their friends or family think.

“Now they can access confidential advice, information and guidance at the touch of a button from specially trained nurses who have their health and wellbeing at the heart of everything they do.”

Jo Smith, Head of Public Health Nursing Somerset, said: “Our Health Visitors have a wealth of experience working with mums and dads-to-be, babies, toddlers and young children, and our School Nurses with parents and young people 5-19 years of age.

“Having the addition of ChatHealth will enable our teams to respond to parents, carers, families and young people making it even easier for them to access the information and support they need digitally as well as the usual methods we currently deliver. This is a really positive step in our local transformation

programme for Public Health Nursing, demonstrating a commitment by all partners involved to better respond to the needs of parents, children and young people in an innovative and timely way.”

The ChatHealth service is available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, including school holidays and excluding bank holidays.

Anyone sending a text outside these hours, will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if they require it urgently. When the service reopens the sender will then receive a reply to the message.

ChatHealth runs alongside the normal Public Health Nursing Service. Contact details are as follows: Health Visiting Under-5s Parent Service – 07480635514; School Nursing 5-19 Parent Service – 07480-635515; School Nursing 11-19 Young People’s Service – 07480635516.

Is yoga for you?

MOST people think that in order to benefit from a regular yoga practice you must be flexible, young and healthy, writes Yeovil-based yoga teacher Debbie Calleja-Atkins.

But At InYoga, over the years, I have strived to portray yoga for what it truly is – a practice that embraces each individual human being, regardless of size, age, gender and race. A Yoga for Every Body. The only thing you need to bring to your mat with you is an open mind, a willingness to take time out from the everyday hustle for yourself, to listen to the messages your body is constantly sending and to learn to love yourself.

Over the years, my style of teaching yoga has evolved to accommodate the needs of the students that I teach. These past few years have been dedicated to developing a style which I have aptly called Yoga for Mindfulness and Relaxation, purely because it does just that. This practice aims to still your mind, teach you how to be mindful of your body and to ease yourself into a state of relaxation. All this, whilst practising yoga poses and mindful movements which help to increase muscle strength, flexibility and endurance (to name but a few benefits).

“A Kundalini Yoga class leaves you feeling like you’ve gone to therapy, had an awesome workout in the gym, made it to your yoga mat and enjoyed a fun singing session with friends.” – Gaiam.

Kundalini provides a modality to connect to the teacher within you, a higher consciousness, the maximum pool

of creative potential. It is the yoga of awareness that helps free us from past karma and realise our real purpose.

Don’t just take my word for it, read what some of my students have to say: “Debbie is a fab teacher. I love my Monday classes with her. The online class I do are great” - T.G. “Relaxation class was just what I needed!

Thank you so much!!! Felt so relaxed xxx” – Z-C. “Just had my first Yoga session with Debbie and I am beyond happy! I’ve come home feeling so much more relaxed and not so stressed. She is a very friendly, non-judgemental, approachable woman who knows her stuff! Thank you so much Debbie, already looking forward to next week!” - V.J. With lockdown measures still in place when it comes to indoor group classes, I continue to teach my 121 sessions and classes online via Zoom. I am hoping that we can get back to our lovely classes at Nine Springs Natural Health Centre from September in accordance with Government guidelines.

In the meantime, if you’re not quite sure how to go about getting started, or have an injury or illness to consider, I would be honoured to introduce you to the wonders of yoga.

I’m happy to offer a brief chat to discuss our requirements, either by calling me on 07929512442 or emailing Debbie@ InYoga.co.uk.

I very much look forward to being of service to you! Namaste!

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Yoga Group Classes 1-2-1 Sessions Relaxation Therapy Crystal Healing Sound Therapy Energy Healing Kinesiology To get in touch Please call Debbie on 07929512442 Email: inholistics@outlook.com Visit: www.inholistics.co.uk YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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Children keep dancing during the lockdown CHILDREN from The Helen Laxton School of Dance and The Somerset School of Performing Arts who have been working extremely hard and having lots of fun in classes this term – via the Zoom conferencing technology.

The school has been offering over 30 different classes each week and keeping the pupils active, engaged and allowing them to improve their technique as well as offering lots of activities and competitions to prevent them from missing out whilst they have been in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

Helen Laxton has been providing dance and performing arts tuition in Yeovil and the surrounding villages for over 30 years allowing numerous pupils to achieve their dreams of becoming professional west end performers, dancers, ballerinas, television stars, models, presenters and teachers.

The dance school offers expert tuition in ballet, toddler and pre-school dance from 15 months, street dance, awardwinning RDC hip hop crews and academy, tap dance, lyrical, contemporary,

commercial, adult ballet, performance squads and disco dance.

The Somerset School of Performing Arts trains pupils from four to 18 years in acting, singing, stage dance, recording, microphone and audition technique.

The skills that pupils learn in their weekly sessions are showcased in fulllength performances, musicals, concerts and shows.

For more details about any of our classes please email helenlaxtondance@ aol.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

PHOTOS: Having dancing fun during lockdown.

The Helen Laxton School of Dance

Royal Academy of Dance Ballet, Pre School & Adult Ballet, Street Dance, Hip Hop, Disco, Commercial Dance Classes Lyrical, Contemporary Elite Beats Performance Squads, Toddler Dance Four NEW Hip Hop Competition Crews, the RDC Hip Hop Academy Classes held in Yeovil, Sherborne, Crewkerne, Norton Sub Hamdon, East Coker, South Petherton, Ilminster

The Somerset School of Performing Arts (for 7 -18 years)

& now also the NEW MINI SSPA (for 4 -6 years)

Acting, Stage Dance, Singing, Voice Production, Microphone, Recording & Audition Technique. Lots of exciting performance opportunities, lots of fun!

Classes held at The Gateway, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil For more information on all of our classes please tel 01935 863865 or visit www.helenlaxtonschoolofdancing.com www.thesomersetschoolofperformingarts.com or find us on Facebook 50

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James keeps on dancing for 24 hours TALENTED Yeovil dancer James Bamford completed a fantastic 24hour dance marathon to raise money for charity and he waltzed through his fundraising target by a huge margin.

James, 16, had set himself a modest goal of raising a modest £150 for the Acting for Others group, but with support of family, friends and well-wishers his online JustGiving page reached a whopping £2,245.

The 24-hour danceathon was streamed live on social media Facebook where people could log-on and watch James in action and post comments of support.

And James, speaking on social media once he had completed the challenge, said: “Never have I ever experienced so much love, support and kindness from so many people at once.

“It is a feeling I want to hold on to for as long as I can, a feeling that I am so, so grateful for.

“Thank you so much to everyone that liked, commented, shared, checked in, set alarms, joined in and donated – the

support I received meant the absolute world.”

James is an aspiring performer and theatre has inspired him to pursue a career in the industry in the future.

“I have been fortunate enough to have previously and continue to be taught by superb teachers, choreographers and directors whom are responsible for our country’s incredible talent in theatre and for bringing joy, escapism and entertainment to so many people,” he said.

“Theatre has taught me kindness, love, passion and truth and I will forever be in debt to this beautiful industry.”

But he said that the onset of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown has forced theatre to come to a sudden and “heartbreaking stop” with many theatres and production companies facing permanent closure if nothing is done to support them.

“As well as this, the individual performers, creatives, teachers, backstage crews and front of house staff have had

their livelihoods swept from underneath their feet,” added James. “I feel it only right that I try to do my bit for those in theatre, as they have done some much for me.”

The Acting for Others group provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need.

James was left flabbergasted at the

amount of money he raised with his 24hour dance marathon.

“Together we raised a number which is beyond any of my ambitions, a number I am so very proud of and I am also super proud to say that I achieved the task,” he said on Facebook.

But he added: “I won’t be doing it again!”

QUICKSILVER MAIL 168 Hendford Hill Yeovil Somerset BA20 2RG

01935-424721

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SOCIAL LIFE

Send your Happy Snaps to the Yeovil Press OUR regular Social Life feature is back!

We put on hold our monthly look at people out and about and having fun while we were going through the lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic.

And although the threat of coronavirus is still very much with us and we should not become complacent, the restrictions have certainly started easing towards us finally returning to some sort of normality.

The monthly Social Life feature looks to promote your fun days out, happy occasions such as weddings, birthday

parties and celebrations, holidays at home and abroad, basically anything you think might make a great picture for our Social Life feature.

Admittedly, not all those things are really possible at the moment, but the Yeovil Press welcomes readers to the latest instalment of our feature Social Life – where we invite you to send us your “happy snaps” for publication.

You can email us your photos and details to yeovilpress@gmail.com .

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Year 11 school proms may have been cancelled or postponed for this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that did not stop these friends from Stanchester Academy at Stoke-sub-Hamdon from putting on their outfits for a small get-together.

Maddie Helyar (second left) is pictured with friends (from left) Daisy, Elizabeth and Leoni.

Amy and Matt Harper, of Yeovil, taking shelter on a windy trip to West Bay.

Emma Pound, of Yeovil, sent us these photos of some scarecrows she took while out on a walk on Thorne Lane near the junction with Lufton.

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It was a bit breezy down by the coast as this photo shows with (from left) Olly Edwards, Jacob Edwards, Claire and Marc Batterbury.

Sisters (from left) Reagan, Catherine and Natalie Hyde, of Yeovil, on a visit to the National Trust property at Lytes Cary Manor.

Staff and residents at the Knoll Nursing Home in Preston Road, Yeovil, had great fun during an Ascot Day at the Races. The residents played a homemade racing game with trophies for the winning horses, while they enjoyed a cream tea and laughed at staff members who dressed up as horses for the afternoon. Many thanks to Joanna McLaughlin for sending us this photo.

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Cats Protection looks for loving homes THE Yeovil and District branch of the Cats Protection organisation is back running again and allowed to find homes for the cats in its care.

Since the beginning of the lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis Yeovil and all other branches of Cats Protection were also ‘locked down’.

No adoptions could take place and no needy cats could be taken into care.

But a spokesman said: “At the beginning of July branches were allowed to find homes for the cats in their care, but only under very stringent rules.

“In the meantime Yeovil’s homing officer had been kept busy explaining the situation and then the new procedures to anyone wanting to adopt and fortunately most people were prepared to wait and a few cats were able to move to their ‘forever’ homes in the past few days.

“At the time of going to press the branches are still not allowed to take in any cats or kittens, but it is hoped this will soon change.”

Also due to coronavirus crisis, many vet practices were unable to neuter cats and kittens. Neutering is now taking place although availability may vary from practice to practice.

With kitten season on the horizon, this could result in very many extra kittens being born in our area. To avoid unwanted pregnancies, and putting

extra stress on over-stretched vets, Cats Protection advises the following: * Keep unneutered cats indoors to prevent unplanned litters. * Contact your vet to discuss whether you can book ahead for a neutering operation. * Keep your unneutered kitten indoors – remember, cats can get pregnant from as young as four months of age. * Ensure brothers and sisters are separated – cats will mate with their siblings, so it is best to keep them apart. * Avoid the temptation of having a litter of cute kittens – access to veterinary care is currently limited. * Avoid your cat getting pregnant at the moment as all pregnancies have health risks and access to vet care is restricted at the moment. * Rehoming kittens will also be more difficult at the moment as many animal charities have limited capacity to accept kittens.

For those on benefits and needing help to get their cat or kitten neutered the Yeovil branch is there to help towards the cost with its Voucher Scheme. To apply for a voucher, provided you have proof of benefits received, please telephone Jan on 01935-507009.

For more information – checkout the Cats Protection advert on Page 14 of this edition of the Yeovil Press.

Difficult decision take to cancel summer Playday events PLAYDAYS and other summer activities have brought joy to people in the area for the last ten years but it is with great sadness that they will not be happening this year in South Somerset due to restrictions for public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alternative fun things to do are being explored to provide play for families in the district such as online play activities, much like the learning activities which can be found at www.southsomerset.gov. uk/childrensactivities.

Cllr Mike Best, of South Somerset District Council, said: “It is hard to see Playdays and other summer activities cancelled for this year, they are events that we all look forward to. But at this time we have to think about the safety of our communities and the right thing to do is to cancel.

“All is not lost, however, and we are looking into alternative ways of bringing fun to the children of South Somerset.

We are also looking forward to bringing Playdays back next year and hoping that you will join us for more family fun.”

Activities such as four Youth Days and Schools Out activities have also been cancelled. There is hope that the Schools Out programme may start again at October half term this year.

Playdays are organised and funded by the Locality Team at South Somerset District Council and offer a huge variety of activities and experiences for children and young people across South Somerset.

Yeovil Town Council and the Yarlington Housing Group contribute to the funding of the School’s Out activities for children in their local communities in Yeovil.

Several thousand people attended the Playday events last year, with the National Playday being the most popular.

Other sessions, such as Somerton, saw in excess of 800 people come and join in the fun.

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SPORT NEWS

Crowdfunder campaign tops £23k for club OFFICIALS at Yeovil Rugby Club would like to thank everyone who has supported the club’s fundraising Crowdfunder event.

The online fundraiser was coming to an end on Friday, June 10, and the total raised by supporters had exceeded a fantastic £23,250 in return for a “reward” such as match and player sponsorship or club merchandise – vital finances at a time when the club has been shut because of the lockdown restrictions due

to coronavirus.

Supporters who have backed the campaign should have received an email from club vice-chairman Paul McHugh thanking them for their generosity.

“We would like to thank everyone for their financial support at this time through our Crowdfunding campaign,” he said.

“Our members and supporters are incredibly important to us and providing

an outstanding facility to all is, of course, paramount to everybody involved.

“With your support we are hoping to continue with planned improvement projects along with the general maintenance needed and the upkeep of both the clubhouse and grounds.

“Maintaining the high standards the club has become accustomed to will ensure we continue to support current members, provide excellent opportunities

for coaching, learning and playing rugby within the club setting and to encourage the growth of the sport within the wider community.”

Paul added: “We thank you for your kind donations and appreciate the generous support given.”

Supporters who bought a “reward” through the Crowdfunder campaign will receive further details on how to claim at a later date.

Social distancing training for the ladies PHOTOGRAPHER Martin Edwards has been back at Yeovil Rugby Club with his camera for the first-time since the lockdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Martin, of totallyfocused.co.uk, is always seen on the touchline during matches taking photos and is highlyregarded at the club.

But sporting action has been rather limited over the past few months and brought the 2019-20 rugby campaign to

an abrupt halt.

So he was delighted to finally get up to the club off Dorchester Road once more and take some photos of members of Yeovil Ladies in pre-season training.

“First time I’ve really picked-up my camera since lockdown and I popped up to see what social distance training was all about,” he said.

Many thanks – as always – to Martin for giving us permission to use his photos.

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Competitive golf returns to Yeovil club YEOVIL Golf Club has been slowly adjusting to the Government’s easing of lockdown measures over the past few weeks.

Initially it was just members playing in two balls, but gradually the restrictions have been eased allowing play by members and visitors alike following carefully developed national advice for golf clubs.

The latest of these steps towards ‘normality’ saw the return of competitive golf in the form of two stableford competitions. Both followed the club’s social distancing guidelines.

The men’s competition was played over three divisions and attracted 125 entrants with the following winning scores: Division One - Elliott Maggs who edged ahead of fellow competitor Adrian Hawkins by virtue of a countback when both had finished with a score of 41 stableford points; Division Two - Andy Vanstone, 39 points; Division Three Robin Kennedy, 40 points.

Nineteen-year-old Elliott Maggs finished his round with a gross score of level par which was quite an achievement for a five-handicap golfer playing in his first competition of the year.

Elliott, who was a previous Junior Captain, said he had spent the winter

practising to get his game into shape only to find golf cancelled because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Initially it was good just to get back playing golf, but I am thrilled to be back playing competitive golf again,” he said.

“To return a gross score of level par was just the icing on the cake.”

Sixteen-year-old Chloe Northover won the ladies competitions with a score of 36 points beating second-placed Julia Farmer by a single point.

Playing off a handicap of ten, Chloe joined with Elliott in once again demonstrating the quality of the talent emerging from the club’s Junior Section.

Club manager Chris Huggins welcomed the large number of entrants into these competitions as an indication that the club is emerging successfully from the difficulties encountered by the lockdown measures.

He recognises that it will be sometime before things are fully back to normal; but in the meantime members and visitors have come to terms with limited access to the clubhouse, lack of bunker rakes and ball washers etc around the course and the need to leave pins in place when putting on the greens.

The club is, however, open for new members to join and become eligible to participate in future competitions.

Pictured above: Roger Bateman and Harley Heard finishing a social round of golf by demonstrating the ball retriever that avoids the need for players to touch the hole after putting out.

Elliott Maggs – winner of the Division One stableford competition.

Chloe Northover – winner of the ladies stableford competition.

Vixens look for new players THE Yeovil-based Pen Mill Ladies Football Club is on the lookout for new players to join one of its junior teams.

A call has gone out for any girls who will be going into Years 8-9 at school in September who would like to join the club’s Under-14s Vixens team.

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The Vixen, who play in the Somerset Girls League on Saturday mornings, are looking for players after losing a few girls due to other commitments.

Anyone wanting further information – please call 07780-686-018 or 07518144-137.

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CONGRATULATIONS goes to the Babylon team of Yeovil Netball Club who are this year’s runners-up in the Netball South West Regional League Three North.

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LIVERPOOL FC - PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2019-20 FOUR-PAGE TRIBUTE TO THE ANFIELD GIANTS FROM 232 MILES AWAY IN YEOVIL

Nick's special delivery courtesy of a Liverpool legend AFTER working tirelessly to help put a smile on so many faces during these tough times, it was time for Yeovil postman Nick Burton to receive a surprise.

When MG Motor UK asked customers to nominate their key worker heroes, Nick’s wife Shelley got in touch to make her nomination.

As a result, and with the help of MG Motor UK, former England and Liverpool FC legend John Barnes joined Reds super fan, Nick, on a surprise Zoom call to talk through the fancy-dress costumes he has been wearing to make his customers smile in the village of Hardington during the coronavirus lockdown and reward him with a VIP trip to Anfield to meet his heroes.

“Key workers across the country have been working tirelessly to keep the UK going for the last few months,” said Barnes. “The people at MG Motor asked people to nominate their key worker hero for a special prize.

“A lot of people assume it’s just doctors and nurses. They don’t understand that there are so many other people that are doing such good work. So, congratulations to Nick for doing all the good work he does. This is well deserved.”

Nick and his succession of fancy-dress

outfits while out delivering were featured in the May edition of the Yeovil Press.

“It started off with one costume,” said Nick, who has worked for Royal Mail for almost 25 years. “I was only going to do it for a couple of days. I ended up doing it for five weeks!

“I bought some costumes, I had some already and I borrowed some off friends.

It was worth it just to see the smiles on people’s faces.

‘One day, I went down one road on my round, and everybody clapped me.

I’ve had such a mad response back from people saying thank you and that I had helped make them smile every day. They said seeing me every day was something to look forward to in these dark times.

“Hardington is brilliant. It’s like being part of a big village community as everyone is so friendly.” And Nick added: “Speaking to John Barnes was amazing.

As a Liverpool fan for so many years, he’s definitely one of my all-time heroes.”

“Nick has been the most amazing postman in Hardington,’ said one of Nick’s customers, Sophie Clotworthy.

“He is the most joyous person, and we are all so grateful for having him as our postman.”

Another customer, Jacqueline Cole, said: “Nick has been so selfless keeping

a smile on all our faces throughout the lockdown. He’s a legend in Hardington.”

It’s not been a bad time for Nick as a

Liverpool fan – a Zoom call from one of his all-time favourite players and a firstever Premier League title for the Reds.

Nick Burton and his daughter Ruby are pictured with Liverpool Football Club’s very own Super Sub of yesteryear David Fairclough during a visit to Anfield – home of The Reds. Fairclough became well-known in the 1970s and 80s for coming off the bench as a substitute and having an impact on matches.

| SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT | | VIDEO EDITING| | PHOTO EDITING | DESIGN | | TRANSCRIPTION | | WEBSITE DESIGN | LOGO DESIGN | |BRANDING | PHOTOGRAPHY | Nick Burton is in shock by a Zoom call from Liverpool legend John Barnes. Inset: Postman Nick in one of his many fancydress outfits.

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Liverpool fans rejoice in championship success

LIVERPOOL fan JAMES WOOTTEN, of Yeovil, said that the Reds’ first Premier League title success was a “long-time coming.”

“Liverpool have been so close on a few occasions, but never managed to finish the season strongly,” he said. “This year we got it done early - in terms of games played rather than the date!

“But there have been so many great players that have worn the shirt over the last 30 years that have never won the Premier League. Rush, Barnes, Molby, Redknapp, Fowler, Carragher, Gerrard, Torres, Suarez and Coutinho to name but a few - none of them won the Premier League.”

James added: “I’ve been supporting the team since the heyday of the early 1980s.

I had all the classic shirts sponsored by Hitachi, Crown Paints, Candy, Calsberg.

Never stopped supporting them even through the rough times.”

And James is already looking forward

to the future.

“Jurgen Klopp has built an exciting and young team that all seem to want to stay at Anfield, improve and win more trophies,” he said.

“This could be the beginning of a new Liverpool dynasty to echo the years of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish. I’m excited for the future for my team.”

And there was no question whatsoever that James’ son TOM WOOTTEN, a student at Preston School in Yeovil, would also be a Liverpool fan.

James’ brother JONATHAN WOOTTEN, also of Yeovil, said it has been “incredible” that the Reds have had to wait 30 years for league championship triumph.

Jon, who works at Screwfix, said he was only nine-years-old when Liverpool won the old First Division title back in the 1989-90 season.

“It was great winning it then because it came a year after Liverpool had lost it to

Champions at last!

Arsenal with virtually the last kick of the season,” he said.

“But Liverpool won things back then and they kept on winning things and even at a young age you did have that feeling that this was just what happened.

“I can remember watching a Match of the Day compilation “best bits” video of the 1980s and I can remember one of the opening lines from the narration when they were comparing football between the 70s and 80s and they said that one thing that didn’t change was Liverpool kept winning throughout the decade!

“The notion that you could go from that sense of inevitability about winning the league to waiting 30 years to win the league seems incredible.”

Yeovil man CHRIS LEE said that he was more than “over the moon” about Liverpool’s Premier League triumph.

“I think it’s a magnificent achievement by the club considering what they have spent compared to the other clubs,” said

Chris. “To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement.”

Yeovil postman JUSTIN ‘STAN’ MacDONALD said: “I am extremely chuffed to see Liverpool win the title!

Last time they won it I was only 21 and had hair!”

ROB LESTER, of Yeovil, said: “I’ve been following Liverpool since the mid70s and I’m absolutely cock-a-hoop that they’ve done it!”

Well-known DOUGIE BOND, of A Touch of Glass, Yeovil, has been a Liverpool fan since childhood days and is delighted to have seen the Reds win the Premier League after all this time.

His delight was shared by MARK GROSE, also of Yeovil, who said he was thrilled to see Jurgen Klopp’s men finally do the business.

And ADRIAN VINCENT, of Yeovilbased Trade Solutions, said: “I love Liverpool and I’m so chuffed for them – they’ve been awesome!”

Magical experience of the Reds PRESTON School student JOSHUA BEAUMONT has said seeing Liverpool win the Premier League is amazing.

“I have supported Liverpool since I was little as my dad is a Liverpool fan,” said Josh. “My favourite player is Virgil as he plays in the defence like me.

“I am so proud to be a Liverpool fan. We came so close to winning it last year, but this year we were amazing and winning the Premier League, especially in these hard times, is the best.

“I watched them play and saw Salah, Mane and Firmino score as Liverpool won 3-0 – it was a magical experience.”

Photo: Joshua Beaumont.

Thirty years was far too long

LIVERPOOL fan NICK BURTON, of Yeovil, who is featured on Page 57 of this edition of Yeovil Press, is over the moon that the Reds have finally triumphed in the Premier League.

“I started following Liverpool from a young age and my first game at Anfield was against Luton Town in 1983 when we won 6-0,” he said. “Ian Rush scored

five and Kenny Dalglish got the other.

“I have been lucky enough to watch them play at home and away and in cup finals.”

And he added: “After years of suffering with Manchester United winning the league it has finally been an amazing thing to watch this season.”

Photo: Nick Burton.

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YEOVIL Round Table member SAM THORNE, of Northseam Independent Financial Planning, an ardent Liverpool fan, is thrilled at the Reds finally getting their hands on the Premier League title for the first time.

“Thirty years was far too long,” he said. “But what a style they’ve done it in!

European, World and now English champions! You’ll Never Walk Alone!”

PHOTO: Sam Thorne pictured at Anfield – the home of Liverpool.

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THE noise might not have actually been heard 232 miles away in Liverpool, but there was plenty of cheering going on in Yeovil as the Reds finally won the Premier League after a 30-year wait since last lifting the top flight crown.

When Liverpool last won the league in 1990, Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister; Madonna was number one in the charts with Vogue; we had yet to experience Gazza’s tears and the World Cup excitement of Italia ’90; and the top box office movies at UK cinemas that

year were Ghost, Pretty Woman and Look Who’s Talking.

It almost feels like a lifetime ago and for some Liverpool fans it has probably felt even like longer.

But Liverpool have deservedly won this year’s Premier League and after three decades of near misses and disappointment on the domestic front we felt it only fitting that we caught up with some of the Reds supporters here in Yeovil.

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Premier League heartache is over for James LIVERPOOL fan JAMES MALCOLM has said that all the years of disappointment in the Premier League have been wiped away by the success of 2019-20.

James, of Yeovil, said: “For me it just means so much to see such an amazing club finally win the league, but more importantly for me they won it in the same year my youngest son was born.

“My boys can now see why I love this club so much. So many years of heartache can now be forgotten.”

PHOTO: James Malcolm and his sons.

Amazing times with the Liverpool family says super fan Shaun LIVERPOOL fanatic SHAUN COUSINS has said that you have to support your team through the “good times and the bad.”

“I started supporting Liverpool when I was six-years-old and listening to Liverpool play in Europe on my radio in my bedroom,” he said. “My mum said it was the only time I was ever quiet and she knew if Liverpool were playing because she could hear me cheering when they scored!

“I think it was the excitement of the crowd that got me hooked and as everyone knows the Liverpool supporters are one of the most passionate groups of supporters in the world. So I grew

up enjoying the good times of league trophies, the European Cups, UEFA Cups and FA Cups.

“As in all walks of life things change and with Liverpool’s European ban after Heysel in 1985 started the slump in the league.

“Thirty years without the league trophy and having to put up with all that ‘banter’ with Manchester United fans.

“Oh well, what goes around, comes around! You follow your team through highs and lows, but while following Liverpool I’ve been lucky to meet people from all over the globe and from all different races which we call the

JIMMY HEALEY, of JRH Media, who has helped with the production of the Yeovil Press since it was first launched in 2018, was only six-years-old when Liverpool last won the old First Division – now the Premier League – in 1990.

“I can’t really remember much from that time,” he said. “I just remember loving John Barnes and I still do now!

“I am now 36 and have watched Liverpool win numerous cups, but never the league title. It’s a shame we are still on a kind of lockdown as I would love to go to a bus tour around the city where the players celebrate with the fans.

“I have been to loads of Liverpool games, often midweek games and getting home at 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning.”

Jimmy recalls that two games he will

never forget were at Liverpool’s FA Cup Final wins at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

“The Gerrard final against West Ham in 2006 was brilliant,” he said. “I went with my brother Alex and sat next to Yeovil Town legend Terry Cotton and his son Steve. Great times.

“The other was the final against Arsenal in 2001. Arsenal battered Liverpool, but Liverpool held firm and won thanks to Micheal Owen and his two late goals.

“I was with my dad, Bob, that day and we were sat in the very back row in with the Arsenal fans and when Owen scored the winner my dad and I went mad along with some other Reds in the Arsenal end; again great times spent with my dad.”

Jimmy added: “People will always hammer you following a club from somewhere where you weren’t born.

That’s rubbish - support who you want to support for whatever reason you like.

“I follow Liverpool because my dad is a Scouser. He moved to Yeovil when he was in the Royal Navy and was stationed at RNAS Yeovilton.

“He met my mum Jane - who supports Chelsea, but I think we have converted her - on a night out at Carnaby’s and has remained in Yeovil ever since.”

Jimmy used to work in the media

“Liverpool family.”

“Two of my sons support Liverpool and travel with me to watch matches. Thirty years of hurt are over and we are back on our perch with one of the best manager and team’s ever to grace the Anfield turf – the Fields of Anfield Road.

“We’re now looking forward to a bright future with the mighty Reds!”

PHOTO: Shaun Cousins is pictured with youngest son Tyler in Anfield Road ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League SemiFinal First Leg clash with Manchester City in 2018 – which the Reds won 3-0. It was Tyler’s first-ever Champions League match.

Incredible memories from watching Liverpool

Jimmy Healey (standing far right) with the family last year to celebrate Liverpool’s Champions League victory.

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Liverpool players and staff!

“My brother Alex is also a Liverpool fan and his twin boys are also Liverpool supporters and football mad. Last year we took them on the Anfield tour and we also watched the Champions League Final all together as a family; again another great memory.”

And Jimmy added: “Following Liverpool has certainly had it’s up and downs, but one thing for sure is that it has given me some incredible memories with my family and long may that continue.”

Alex Healey, of Healey Electrical Services, and his twin boys at Anfield.

department at Yeovil Town FC and he was lucky enough to be working at Huish Park when the Glovers drew Liverpool at home in the FA Cup in 2004.

“The night before the game we were working late at the ground when the Liverpool team bus turned up to lay out the kit,” he said. “On the bus were Sammy Lee and Phil Thompson, two old Liverpool players my dad used to watch. I got my old Nokia out and called home and passed the phone over to Phil Thompson, who gladly spoke to dad for a while, another great memory.

“The game was played on my birthday, not a bad birthday meeting all the

Bob Healey touches the famous This is Anfield sign.

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Football has a habit of being a funny old game WHILE Yeovil Town were drawing 1-1 at Runcorn in the GMV Conference thanks to a goal by Mickey Spencer, Liverpool were clinching the old First Division crown with a 2-1 success over QPR at Anfield with efforts from Reds legends Ian Rush and John Barnes.

The date was April 28, 1990, and it is doubtful whether anyone on that day thought it would take Liverpool another 30 years before they would win the championship again, while it was still very much a pipedream that Yeovil would one day lift the FA Trophy, win the Conference and with it promotion to the Football League, and if anyone had suggested that the Glovers would have a season in the second tier of the English game after winning a play-off final at Wembley Stadium they would have been laughed at!

But, as they say, football is a funny old

ground of Huish.

And it was an important one for Liverpool as they looked to bounce back from the huge disappointment of losing the race for the First Division title in 1988-89 in the last few seconds of the campaign because of that famous Michael Thomas goal for Arsenal.

While The Kop end of Anfield would be cheering on the likes of Ian Rush, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Steve McMahon and Jan Molby, the fans’ favourites of Huish included players such as Mark Shail, Mickey Spencer, Robbie Carroll and Andy Wallace.

Huish had been Yeovil’s home for 70 years and the club was preparing for its move to the new purpose-built Huish Park stadium on the outskirts of town.

The season started off in positive fashion for Yeovil with three wins in the opening five games, but early season

Tiv Lowe raises the cup aloft after Yeovil Town beat Kidderminster Harriers 4-1 on aggregate in the final of the Bob Lord Trophy on May 2, 1990.

Some of the Yeovil Town favourites of 1989-90 (from left) Steve Rutter, Andy Wallace, Neil Cordice, Mark Shail and Mickey Spencer.

game!

The 1989-90 campaign was a big one in the history of Yeovil Town FC – it was the last at the club’s famous sloping pitch

The GM Vauxhall Conference final table for 1989-90.

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optimism was dented with a run of four straight defeats.

Nevertheless, Yeovil had a decent season in the league and finished in seventh position – 24 points adrift of champions Darlington who narrowly took the title by just two points from runners-up Barnet.

The final ever game at Huish took place on May 5, 1990, when a Neil Cordice goal gave Yeovil a 1-0 win over Telford United in front of a crowd of 4,237.

Yeovil did enjoy cup success in that season, however, courtesy of the Bob Lord Trophy, the Conference’s League Cup. After getting a bye in the First Round, they had a 2-1 success at Welling United in the Second Round with goals from Robbie Carroll and Jimmy Quinn.

A brace from Nicky Dent and a goal

from Mickey Spencer saw them beat Barnet 3-2 at Huish in the Third Round and set up a Semi-Final two-legged tie with Wycombe Wanderers.

Yeovil edged the First Leg at Huish 2-1 with goals from Andy Wallace and Robbie Carroll. The Second Leg away saw Wycombe leading 3-1, but Craig Gill got one back to take the tie into extratime after which Yeovil held on to make the Final on away goals.

The Final with Kidderminster Harriers was another two-legged affair and Yeovil made the perfect start with a 3-0 success at Huish in the opening game with goals from Andy Wallace, Mickey Spencer and Paul Wilson.

The Second Leg at Kidderminster finished 1-1 with Peter Conning getting the Glovers’ goal to ensure that Yeovil won the cup 4-1 on aggregate.

But were there any links between

Yeovil and Liverpool back in the 1989-90 campaign?

Yes there was and we turn our attention to that season’s FA Cup competition and the Semi-Final at Villa Park between the Reds and Crystal Palace.

Liverpool were firm favourites to win through to the FA Cup Final having already beaten Palace 9-0 at Anfield in the league seven months earlier.

But in one of the most exciting SemiFinals of all-time Palace won through 4-3 in extra-time with midfielder Alan Pardew netting the winner for The Eagles – the same Alan Pardew who was sold

by Yeovil to Palace for just £7,000 three years earlier in 1987.

As it was Palace lost out in the FA Cup Final to Manchester United – the first trophy won by Alex Ferguson as United manager.

The rest, as they say, is history…..

Yeovil Town first-team appearances 1989-90: Mark Shail 55; Mickey Spencer 54; Tiv Lowe 52; Robbie Carroll 52; Peter Conning 49; Neil Cordice 44; Derek Dawkins 41; David Fry 37; Andy Wallace 36; Barry Blackman 33; Jeff Sherwood 32; Simon Gowans 27; Gary Donnellan 26; Nicky Dent 24; Steve Rutter 21; Len Bond 17; Jimmy Quinn 19; Craig Gill 18; Paul Wilson 16; Gerry Pearson 10; Richard Thompson 10; Paul Thorpe 7; Phil Ferns 5; P. Copeland 2; C. Rice 1; M. Stephens 1.

Yeovil Town first-team goalscorers 1989-90: Robbie Carroll 16; Mickey Spencer 16; Andy Wallace 14; Peter Conning 8; Nicky Dent 6; Barry Blackman 4; Craig Gill 4; Paul Wilson 4; Neil Cordice 2; Gary Donnellan 2; Tiv Lowe 2; Mark Shail 2; Own Goal 2; Simon Gowans 1; Jimmy Quinn 1; Jeff Sherwood 1.

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GLOVERS GLORY

What would match day be like back in 1900?

YEOVIL Town fan and a keen historian of all things about the Glovers, MICHAEL WEST, takes a trip back in time to 120 years ago and reflects on what a home match day would be like supporting the Green and White Army.

It is 1900 and the Glovers are at home to Radstock in the Somerset Senior League.

You have seen billboards all over town, advertising the match at the Pen Mill Athletic Stadium, and as a regular fan of the Yeovil Casuals you would definitely be attending. So what would your match day experience have been like?

Well firstly, if not within walking distance, you would arrive on bike or train from places such as Hendford Halt, the Town Station or even from many of the outlining villages. Even for away matches in those days ‘football specials’ were put on to take Yeovil fans to important away matches.

After you have arrived your first port of call would probably have been the Great Western pub behind the Camborne End, as it was known. The more up-market would venture into the Pen Mill Hotel and probably bump into the team before they changed for the match in a back room of the hotel. You’d share a word

of “good luck” to players such as Gilbert Vassall or the 17-and-a-half stone striker Bob Wyatt from Maiden Newton.

Pre-match scrumpy drunk, you would head over to the iron gates, which are still there to this day by the side of the Pen Mill Hotel.

You’d pay your admission fee of 3d or a shilling if you wanted to sit in the grandstand built for the visit of Oxford University in 1899. If you were a woman, it was even better, it was free entry.

The entrance was not the best it has to be said. It was once described in 1896 by a Yeovil fan as something resembling a farmyard entrance.

However, you are inside and find no terracing and no perimeter wall, but a simple rope keeping you away from your heroes, while if it was wet, planks would be put down to stand on to keep your feet dry. You and the other thousand or so fans would smell the smoke of the steam trains arriving and departing out of Pen Mill Station mixed in with wet mud and unfiltered cigarettes.

You would cheer as the boys in Green and White stripes, supplied by Mr McMillian in Middle Street, came jogging out from behind the Pen Mill Hotel. A

Get your face in the crowd at Huish Park YEOVIL Town fans can now have their face in the crowd for the Glovers play-off campaign!

With the game with Barnet on July 18 at Huish Park being played behind closed doors, nothing can replicate the sound of the Thatcher’s Stand willing the Glovers over the line, however seeing your faces in cardboard form will be the next best thing!

A club spokesman said: “The club has teamed up with Face In The Crowd who offer supporters the chance to purchase life-size cut outs of themselves for them to be in attendance for our entire playoff journey!

“If the Glovers progress past Barnet our cut-outs will join us for the whole journey being transported to each venue – including hopefully Wembley Stadium for the play-off final - so you

can back us all the way!”

For £25, your cut-out will be placed in the Huish Park main stand, in the view of the BT Sport cameras!

A limited edition VIP option is available for £35. These cut-outs will be situated in ‘prime spots’ such as in and around the dugouts with a strong chance for your face to appear clearly in the spotlight on BT Sport.

The club spokesman added: “Following the conclusion of the season, if next starts behind closed doors, your cut-out will still be standing strong in attendance, flying the flag for the Green and Whites at Huish Park!

“Continue to be our 12th man and support your club through these play offs by purchasing your cut-out now!”

For more details – go online to www. ytfc.net .

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couple of supporters would wave their Green and White top hats and umbrellas in support. Half-time would come and Mr Bennett, owner of the hotel, would have a table of beer and cider for the thirsty placed behind the goal. You would only have a few minutes though as the players ‘sucked lemons’ and changed ends.

Yeovil won against Radstock 1-0 – thanks to big Bob Wyatt’s thunderous shot at the Camborne End. A great win against one of Yeovil’s biggest rivals.

You wait behind the goal to pat the lads on the back and retire back to the pub to chew the cud with other fans about the arrogant lot from Weymouth and the rumours they were paying players.

They are coming next week for English

The gates and entrance to the Pen Mill Athletic Stadium which are still there to this day.

Amateur Cup game.

And Michael concluded: “I think, 120 years later, many fans would be happy to attend a Glovers match under those conditions. I know that I would.”

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Play-off preparations have started for Glovers YEOVIL Town manager Darren Sarll is delighted to be back in the thick of things as the Glovers step up their play-off preparations ahead of the eliminator clash against Barnet.

With the world put to a standstill, the Glovers were left to wait three months to find out their fate after flirting with promotion contention all season, and in June it was finally confirmed play-off football would return to Huish Park.

The play-off schedule was confirmed earlier this month and the Glovers will begin their promotion bid at Huish Park with Barnet visiting South Somerset on Saturday, July 18, in a 3pm kick-off.

The victors of the clash at Huish Park will then travel to Meadow Lane on Saturday, July 25, to face Notts County with a 5pm kick-off.

The final will then take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 2, at 3pm.

These fixtures will all be played behind closed doors with fans asked not to gather outside any of the venues.

All National League play-off games will be shown live on BT Sport so you won’t miss out on any of the action!

Glovers boss Sarll is pleased to be back in training with the players.

“It’s nice to see everyone, it’s a good group to be with, they always make things quite interesting and entertaining this set of players, so it’s been good,” he said. “It’s been nice to get out the house!

“I’m not one for Zoom calls and things, it’s not really my style, they’re grown men so if they needed me, they could contact me whenever they needed a question answering or an update.”

With his side not having played since victory over Dover Athletic in March, the clash with Barnet is a unique circumstance with such a long period of time building up to it.

“We’ve just got to get back to training,” said Sarll. “You can do all the road running in the world, but nothing replicates playing football.

“When you come back, you have to work through the protocols and safety

procedures that the government has put in place for elite sport, the Premier League, the EFL have had to follow it and now us.

“It doesn’t matter how many road runs you’ve done or how many times Jimmy Smith has posted his 5k times on Instagram, it’s not about that. As soon as the balls come out your body is tested and moved in completely different ways.

“We’ve just tried to get back into having

the ball, running with a ball and any sort of twisting and turning because that’s the one thing they’ve not had, and we prepare as we have to.

“The good thing for us is we have played largely the same system, utilising a similar formation and strategy for the majority of the season. So, it’s just reminders and getting going!”

PHOTO: Yeovil Town boss Darren Sarll.

Crowdfunder appeal tops its £50k target A CROWDFUNDER campaign for Yeovil Town FC saw supporters donate a whopping £52,526 to the club in return for a stack of goodies.

But even better is that the club will donate ten per cent of that total to the Yeovil Hospital Charity which will go towards helping the hospital to continue providing its services which have been more vital than ever in recent months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a fantastic gesture which typifies the magnificent effort by all fans and supporters’ groups over the last few weeks, the Green and White Supporters Club pledged to top the fund up to its £50,000 extended Crowdfunder target which came to a close on June 30.

And even after the G&WSC had done that, the total amount pledged kept rising.

Zoe Caswell, G&WSC membership secretary, said: “The Green & Whites Supporters’ Club sponsor matches and

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match day balls. We have been unable to do this in the latter half of the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We therefore decided that we’d donate to the Crowdfunder appeal any shortfall - whatever was needed to reach the £50,000 target.”

Club chairman Scott Priestnall said: “This amazing support underlines how much all fans and groups have contributed over the last few months.

“We are immensely grateful and can guarantee to everyone contributing that every penny - aside from the ten per cent going to the Yeovil Hospital Charity - will go into supporting the club’s operations over the summer including the play-off push.

“We thought reaching the original £25k target was going to be a challenge, so to achieve double that really does show we have a special group of fans and supporter groups.”

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