Yeovil Press - Issue 26 - November 2020

YEOVILPRESS

NO VE 20 MBER 20

YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

www.yeovilpress.co.uk | Edition Number 26 | FREE

MAX COBNER IS GETTING ON HIS BIKE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE BBC CHILDREN IN NEED APPEAL – TURN TO PAGE 9 FOR FULL STORY

FIND OUT WHY YEOVIL MAN HARVEY FURNEY WAS GIVEN THE SURPRISE OF HIS LIFE AND HAD 43,000 REASONS TO BE CELEBRATING! – TURN TO PAGE 8 FOR FULL STORY ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM YEOVIL DISTRICT HOSPITAL’S BREAST CANCER UNIT APPEAL – TURN TO PAGES 24-25 FOR FULL DETAILS

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INSIDE

YOUR FREE YEOVIL PRESS

YEOVIL BUSINESS AWARDS ‹‹ 14-18

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

TURN TO PAGES 35-46 FOR OUR SPECIAL 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE 2020 FEATURE Join Geoffrey as he supports

Registered charity number: 279473

this year

BEATRIX POTTER FUN ‹‹ 53

Dedicate a star in memory of your loved one Find out more: www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life

OPEN 9.15AM TO 1PM – MONDAY TO FRIDAY OR PHONE FOR AN APPOINTMENT

NEW ONLINE SHOP - WWW.ATOUCHOFGLASSYEOVIL.CO.UK ONLINE NOW – HAVE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO 1 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HE Phone: 01935-411088 / www.atouchofglassyeovil.co.uk For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

JUNIOR RUGBY ‹‹ 66-67

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FUNERALS f rom £2,497

Stuart Foster Funeral Services

Personal | Caring | Professional

PERSONAL | CARING | PROFESSIONAL Cremations . Direct Cremations . Burials 24 Hour Service . Private Chapel Of Rest . Client Parking Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Available 27 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HZ 01935 508971 | 07789 276767 (24hr) www.stuartfosterfunerals.com

Stuart Foster Company Founder

I N D E P E N D E N T LY R U N C O M PA N Y

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with Male or Female Funeral Directors Available

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EDITOR'S NEWS IN BRIEF NOTE NOVEMBER is always that time of year when we take a few moments to remember .... remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

The Acts of Remembrance 2020 have been very different to what we are accustomed to because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

But we can still remember the fallen.

And with that in mind we’ve included a 12-page pullout feature about Remembrance 2020 in this edition of the Yeovil Press in the centre pages.

While a small and social-distancing ceremony took place at the War Memorial in Yeovil on Remembrance Sunday, there have been some fantastic comments online about the special video produced by Yeovil Town Council as its way of marking Remembrance – one of the most important events of the year.

May I pass on my congratulations and thanks to the council’s town clerk Amanda Card and everyone else involved in the compilation of the video. It really was a success and greatly appreciated by many people.

You may remember we ran a story about the appearance of the redundant Beales building – better known as Denners to us Yeovilians – in the last edition of the Yeovil Press. Fingers-crossed we’re hoping that something might happen soon to make the building look slightly more appealing than it does at the moment. Turn to Page 30 for more news on that issue.

We find ourselves in Lockdown Two of the ongoing Covid-19 situation and our thanks go once again to our NHS and frontline workers for their efforts, plus our thoughts go to those businesses who have been adversely hit.

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

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 be out on December 4. If you would like to get in touch – please email yeovilpress@gmail.com .

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, December 4, 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 November 2020 edition of Yeovil Press may be available to be purchased.

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 .

SOMETIMES a photograph can give you a smile and a chuckle and that was certainly the case for the Cake Box Bakery in Yeovil when three of their girls posed for the camera to proudly show off their buns! This has been a difficult year for everyone and for so many differing reasons and it is good that we can still have a laugh every now and again. 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: News from Yeovil Samaritans Pg 06-07: Coffee Break Chat Pg 08-09: Around the Town Pg 12-13: Zwings - E-Scooter Trial Pg 14-18: Yeovil Business Awards 2020 Pg 20-21: News from On Our Doorstep Pg 22-23: News at a Glance Pg 24-25: Breast Cancer Unit Appeal News Pg 26-27: News in Photos Pg 28: Success for South Somerset Country Parks Pg 34:Download the South Somerset Heritage Calendar Pg 35-46: Remembrance 2020 Pg 48-50: Christmas is Coming!

Pg 51: School Reunion Pg 52-53: School News Pg 54-55: Health and Well-Being Pg 56-57: Family Announcements Pg 58-59: Flashback - November Pg 60-61: Old Pubs of Yeovil Pg 62: Social Life Pg 63: My Top Ten Pg 64-67: Yeovil Rugby Club Pg 68: Sporting Stories - HJC Brown Pg 69: Sport Pg 70-71: Yeovil Golf Club Pg 72-73: Local Football Pg 74-77: Yeovil Town Football Club 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.

YEOVIL PRESS YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

HAVE THE YEOVIL PRESS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR EACH MONTH Avoid missing out on getting your copy of the monthly Yeovil Press community newspaper by signing-up to our delivery service.

It will cost £25 a year to have the Yeovil Press posted to your home each month.

Email yeovilpress@gmail.com or phone us on 07773-198-081 for further details.

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volunteers to times Samaritans have adapted training in Covid-19 THE deputy director for training at the Yeovil, Sherborne and District branch of The Samaritans has said that the onset of the coronavirus pandemic meant that the organisation had to make quick changes to how it gave training to volunteers.

Back in February 2020, 12 people had just started their training to become Samaritan Listening Volunteers at the Yeovil branch and their weekly session at Morley House in Yeovil was abruptly interrupted by the pandemic.

“We had to put safety first and say we could no longer meet,” said Lynn Holiday, deputy director for training. “We hoped for a long time that we could get back to normal and meet with our trainees face to face, but it became obvious this wasn’t going to happen for now. We needed to deliver the training for our group on Zoom.”

Lynn said the training team was a little daunted but determined not to lose the special qualities of Samaritans’ training which many people find the best they

have ever come across.

“We wanted to make sure technology didn’t get in the way for our trainees and we arranged for a couple of volunteers, comfortable with technology, to join the training team and make sure no one was left behind by Zoom,” said Lynn.

Sian and Henry are two of our trainees who have both embraced the move online.

“I am surprised how well I’ve taken to it as I don’t think of myself as particularly tech savvy,” said Henry. “Obviously, it has eliminated travel which works well round my job, but I also really like how focussed and engaged it feels.

“We seem to get through so much and it feels really punchy. I’m impressed by how exceptional the trainers have been and how they have handled the technology for us. The use of ‘breakout rooms’ where your screen reduces down to three or four of you for a particular exercise is great and it’s when you get to know people.”

And Sian said she felt really frustrated

help light up the night

at being forced to take a break in the training so was glad to get started again.

“I thought I was going to miss being in the same room as everyone but it isn’t a problem,” she said. “The structure of moving from a larger online group to the small breakout rooms works really well.”

Could you volunteer with the Yeovil Branch of Samaritans? Could you volunteer at night some of the time?

We welcome your enquiry by email at recruitment@yeovilsamaritans.org.uk or you can visit our website at www. samaritans.org/branches/samaritansyeovil-sherborne-and-district .

PHOTO: Lynn Holiday, deputy director for training at the Samaritans Yeovil.

Volunteer for us To find out more and apply, visit

Samaritans branches

samaritans.org/yeovil Email yeovil@samaritans.org

A registered cha

Yeovil Sherborne & District

We need volunteers to help light up the night

Volunteer for us To find out more and apply, visit

Samaritans branches

Channel Islands

samaritans.org/yeovil Email yeovil@samaritans.org A registered charity

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Cha Islan

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ADVERTISMENT FEATURE

5 things to look out for when buying your new fence

Since lockdown began, many of us are having fun exercising our green thumbs. Your garden is the one place you can be outside, enjoy the sun and keep busy.

As you work through your gardening checklist you may notice that your fence needs some TLC. Shelley Stewart from ColourFence Dorset & South Somerset shares what five things to check for when buying your new fence.

1. Durability You want to know that your new fence will stand the test of time. This means ensuring it can withstand harsh weather. ColourFence panels withstand gusts of wind up to 130mph, ensuring after a night of heavy rain and storms, your fence will still be standing the next morning.

“You should consider buying metal fencing over traditional timber. It’s

stronger and fares better in our unpredictable British weather,” Shelley said.

“When shopping around check the length of your warranty – this is a good sign of whether it’s a worthwhile investment or not. Our fence panels are guaranteed for 25 years and will not warp, crack, shrink, rot, peel or fade.”

2. Minimal maintenance and easy care ColourFence is a metal garden fence solution that once fitted requires no treatments or repairs. Virtually maintenance-free, just an occasional hose down with water twice a year will keep your fence looking as good as new. “Our panels are made from Colorbond high tensile steel with a layer of Zincalume that doesn’t rust and if scratched the layer forms a waterproof barrier. You will never need to repaint, stain or repair your fence again,” Shelley explained.

3. Attractiveness and versatility Both sides of the panels are the same colour meaning both you and your neighbour have a stunning fence to look at year after year, helping you build good neighbourly relations.

The fence panels come in four colours – cream, green, blue or brown. You can install the trellis in the same colour as your panels or a contrasting shade.

“Our panels are eight feet wide and include the intermediate posts, unlike standard wooden panels. Whatever the shape of your garden we can step, rake or cut your ColourFence to size, allowing your boundary to follow the natural contours of your land,” Shelley said.

4. Added security The panels have no footholds and a smooth finish. You can relax knowing your new fence will deter intruders and help maintain privacy.

“Our traditional metal garden gates are ideal for front gardens or driveways.

With the ability to choose from simple drop bolts to key operated deadlocks we

can guarantee the safety of your garden,” Shelley added.

5. Ensures privacy The team can install fence panels from one metre to 2.1m tall*, allowing you to enjoy your garden in peace and privacy. *It’s worth noting that consent is usually required for a garden fence heights over 2 metres.

Can I install my new fence during lockdown?

“It’s easy for us to arrange work on your new fence safely. We’ll coordinate with you and ask for you to coordinate with your neighbours, we will let you know how long the job will take and when we’ll arrive. We can let ourselves in, minimising our contact with you and keeping to social distancing guidelines.

Feel free to stay inside or take a walk during our visit. When visiting homes, we’re being extra careful to clean everything down before we leave and are following all government recommendations, to keep our staff and you safe and well.

For a free no obligation quotation call Shelley or Andy on 01935 481013 www.colourfencesouthsomerset.co.uk For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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COFFEE BREAK CHAT

35 questions in 60 seconds WELCOME to the Coffee Break Chat feature to the Yeovil Press – YOUR monthly community newspaper – in which we ask somebody from the local community a set of random questions.

Each month we will pose 35 questions to a member of the local community and they will give their truthful and honest answers about their likes and dislikes, hopes and aspirations and childhood memories.

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

The spotlight this month falls on local funeral director STUART FOSTER, of Stuart Foster Funeral Services. Turn to Page Two for his monthly advert.

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 No5 Cafe Diner is still operating

as a takeaway outlet under the current Covid-19 restrictions with particular regards to Lockdown Two, but has an extensive breakfast and lunch menu .... while it has also just introduced its fantastic Christmas Baguette (Turn to Page 50).

PHOTO: Stuart Foster.

Bagpuss is a British children’s television series made by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate through their company Smallfilms.

The series of 13 episodes was first broadcast from in 1974. The title character was “a saggy, old cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams.” Although only 13 episodes were made, it remains fondly remembered, and was frequently repeated in the UK until 1987. In early 1999, Bagpuss topped a BBC poll for the UK’s favourite children’s television programme.

1: Name: Stuart Foster

bought? Stutter Rap by Morris Minor & The Majors

2: Occupation: Funeral DIrector

16: Going out or staying in? Staying in with Jenny, the children, munchies and a good film

3: Live: Yeovil 4: Places of education: Ansford Community School, Castle Cary 5: Who was/were your best pal/pals at school? Chris Gilbey 6: Your favourite teacher? Science teacher Mrs Russon. I had a massive crush on her at one point!

7: What is your proudest moment? The day I opened my first office providing my services 8: What is your favourite meal? Jenny’s Shepherd’s Pie 9: What was your favourite TV programme as a child? Bagpuss 10: Who was your childhood hero? My father 11: What is your favourite drink? Cherryade or Thatchers Haze 12: What is your favourite film? Batman – The Dark Knight

I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! is a British reality TV series in which a number of celebrities live together in a jungle environment for a number of weeks, competing to be crowned “King” or “Queen of the Jungle.” It was first screened in 2002 and has always been based in Australia, but the 2020 series is coming from a Gwrych Castle in Wales because of Covid-19.

Past winners of the show have been Tony Blackburn (2002), Joe Pasquale (2004), Carol Thatcher (2005), Christopher Biggins (2007), Stacey Solomon (2010) and Harry Redknapp (2018). The show is presented by Ant and Dec.

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17: What is your favourite sport? Fishing 18: What is your favourite football team?

West Ham United FC 19: Do you collect anything? Fishing tackle 20: What is your favourite board game?

Monopoly 21: What would you name the autobiography of your life? He Came, He Lived, He Left 22: If you won the National Lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Reopen the inpatient unit at St Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil 23: If a film was made about you – what actor would you want to play you? Daniel Craig 24: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? My Mum – she passed away in 2019

13: What is your favourite band or pop group? Take That

25: If you were a police officer for a day what would you do with the authority?

Race around on blue lights all day

14: Who is your favourite singer? Michael Ball

26: What TV programme can you not miss?

The Great British Bake Off

15: What was the first record you ever

27: Which TV programme makes you

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

pick-up the remote and switch channel?

EastEnders 28: Which three traits define you? Caring, professional, personal 29: What is the best book you have ever read? Never read one, unless “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” counts 30: What food would you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat?

MARMITE!!!!!

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

funeral director and to help people 32: If you had to be on a Reality TV show, which one would you choose? I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 33: When you were little, what did you want to be? A paramedic 34: What’s the best (clean) joke you’ve ever heard? Slept in the microwave last night and got eight hours sleep in ten minutes!

35: Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I am a mad keen fisherman that once caught a 43lb 4oz catfish!

Stutter Rap - No Sleep til Bedtime is a song by Morris Minor and the Majors, led by Tony Hawks. The song is a stylistic parody of the Beastie Boys, and the subtitle plays on their 1987 single No Sleep till Brooklyn. The record sold 220,000 copies.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s picture book designed, illustrated, and written by Eric Carle, first published by the World Publishing Company in 1969, later published by Penguin Putnam. The book features a caterpillar who eats his way through a wide variety of foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.

West Ham United was founded originally in 1895 as Thames Ironworks and was reformed as West Ham in 1900. They play at the London Stadium – the 2012 Olympic Stadium – having moved there from the club’s previous home of the Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park, in 2016. The club has won the FA Cup three times in 1964, 1975 and 1980, but has never won the league championship, the highest finish coming in 1985-86 when West Ham finished third. Three West Ham players were members of the 1966 World Cup final-winning England team - captain Bobby Moore (pictured centre) and goalscorers Geoff Hurst (right) and Martin Peters.

The Take That pop group was formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen. The original line-up also featured Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.

Michael Ball is an English actor, singer and broadcaster. He made his West End debut in 1985 playing Marius Pontmercy in the original London production of Les Misérables, and went on to star in 1987 as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. In 1989, he reached number Two in the UK Singles Chart with “Love Changes Everything”, a song taken from the musical Aspects of Love, where he played Alex.

LOCKDOWN TWO

Here’s what going on at No5, 1 - Full takeaway service OPEN 2 - Full delivery service OPEN 3 - Delivery vans calling to Yeovil businesses OPEN 4 - Diner sit in, sadly CLOSED until December 2

THE FAMOUS CHRISTMAS BAGUETTE AVAILABLE NOW! Please stay safe. Thank you for your fantastic support and please keep supporting local businesses.

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.

The Great British Bake Off - often abbreviated to Bake Off or GBBO - is a TV baking competition which sees a group of amateur bakers compete against each other in a series of rounds, attempting to impress a group of judges with their baking skills. One contestant is eliminated in each round, and the winner is selected from the contestants who reach the finals. The current series is presented by Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas along with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Actor Daniel Craig achieved international fame when he began starring as James Bond in the eponymous film series, taking over from Pierce Brosnan, beginning with Casino Royale (2006). He followed this with the sequels Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). Other films he has appeared in include The Trench (1999), Road to Perdition (2002), Layer Cake (2004), and Munich (2005).

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

Number5Catering.co.uk | 01935 433665 facebook.com/No5Diner | twitter.com/no5cateringltd 1 Kingfisher Close, Gazelle Road, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil BA20 2PJ YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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AROUND THE TOWN Roadworks are carried out on Sherborne Road Skinned badgers found dumped in dustbin bags IMPORTANT road surface repair works to a busy Yeovil junction have been completed.

The essential repairs work on the A30 Sherborne Road centred on the junction with Lyde Road and involved minor patch repairs and manhole repairs.

All efforts were made to minimise the impact of the work, which was carried out by Barratt Homes, but inevitably there were delays for motorists. The area affected was from St Michaels Avenue to Pen Mill Hotel - a stretch of about 200m.

Manually controlled lights were in place from 7am to 6pm and the developer’s contractor, Northavon, informed all local

residents and nearby businesses by letter before work was undertaken.

The works were not paid for by Somerset County Council but it would take over responsibility of maintenance once completed.

The council’s highways and transport spokesman, Cllr John Woodman, said: “These works may not have been welcomed in the short term, but we have to ensure the good condition of our roads which means repairs are sometimes required.

“In this case it’s important to stress it’s not coming at a cost to our council taxpayers.”

Harvey is left stunned at competition win

BAGS filled with the mutilated remains of badgers left volunteer litter-pickers in Yeovil distraught.

Jude Parsons, of the Team Yeovil litterpicking group, said that she felt “broken” after making the disturbing discovery in Stone Lane on October 19.

“This afternoon the person who dumped these bags broke me,” she wrote on the social media Florence’s Street Clean Mission – Yeovil page on Facebook.

“The lack of respect for wild animals, the lack of respect for our environment and the lack of respect for the people who clear up after them – it’s broken me.”

Jude said: “We bagged up skinned badgers and another bag containing skeletons and internal organs. We ended up covered in their blood.”

She quickly got in touch with South

Somerset District Council who came out to deal with the remains which Jude described as “evil.”

Jude took more graphic photos of the grim discovery, but they are too gruesome to be shown.

Jurassic Fibre launches ultrafast broadband network in Yeovil

A YEOVIL father-of-two said today he had never seen so much money as he celebrated a “life-changing” £43,000 prize - courtesy of online dream car giveaway company BOTB. Harvey Furney, 26, said he almost cried as BOTB’s Christian Williams surprised him by video-call to tell him he had won a Renaultsport Megane RS, worth £33,000, complete with £10,000 cash in the boot.

The customer services manager said he was left in an overwhelmed state of disbelief after learning of his win while at work.

But he said it could not have come at a better time after he and girlfriend Chloe, 24, welcomed a new baby just over a month ago and with Christmas just over a month away.

“I already have a four-year-old so Christmas is a pretty special time for us but this year it is going to be just the best,” said Harvey. “I have never seen this much money, I cannot say enough how this is life-changing for us.

“It is so amazing I really have not had time to take it all in. I have been a fan of BOTB for a while and watch the surprise videos so have always done it because

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thought was in with a chance but when it actually happens it’s just so unbelievable.

“Chloe wouldn’t believe me when I first called her so I had to wait all day until I finished work to get home and show her the video and text messages and then she finally believed me.

“We have talked about what we are going to do with the money and it will mean a very special Christmas. We can treat ourselves to nice food and perhaps more indulgent presents rather than trying to bargain hunt on everything.

“But it also means we can pay some bills and perhaps put a little amount away in savings for each of the children.

It really is life-changing.”

BOTB, listed on the stock market, hands over the keys to two stunning cars each week as well as a ‘lifestyle’ prize. Recent winners have bagged everything from a Lamborghini and a quad bike through to a holiday in the Arctic and a Rolex watch.

“I love cars too, so very exciting to have Christian call me to say I had won a new car,” added Harvey. “I am particularly a fan of Renault. I have joked about changing my Clio to an RS and now look at what has happened. Nobody will be laughing now.”

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JURASSIC Fibre has announced it has started construction of its ultrafast broadband network in Yeovil.

The expansion of the Company’s network is part of the £250 million project to deliver a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) superfast broadband network to over 350,000 premises in towns and villages across the South West.

The Exeter-based firm already covers more than 15,000 homes and businesses in its network to the east of Exeter and has started building in Honiton and Taunton.

Jurassic Fibre chief executive and founder Michael Maltby said: “Following the success of our roll-out in East Devon, we are extremely pleased to be expanding our footprint to Yeovil and South Somerset, improving connectivity for residents and businesses and anchoring

the area’s position as one of the most attractive places to work and live in the South West.”

South Somerset District Council’s economic development specialist, Joe Walsh, added: “We are delighted that Jurassic Fibre has chosen to expand its network to Yeovil, an area desperately in need of better digital connectivity.

“Reliable broadband is more important now than ever and the availability of ultrafast full fibre will be a huge benefit for people living and working in the local community.”

Jurassic Fibre takes an innovative approach to sales, offering 30-day rolling contract and allowing customers to upgrade or downgrade their package at any time.

Checkout Jurassic Fibre’s advert on Page 19 of this edition of Yeovil Press.

Attempted burglary in Monks Dale POLICE have appealing for information following an attempted burglary at an address in Yeovil.

An unknown offender climbed onto a lower level roof of a residential property in Monks Dale, Yeovil, on Tuesday, October 6, at about 7.45pm and attempted to gain entry through a partially open bathroom window. They were interrupted by the occupant and fled the scene.

A police spokesman said: “The offender was described as wearing a black top with long sleeves. Another person seen wearing a white hooded top was also

seen leaving the area shortly after the incident.”

The victim has been given crime prevention advice by officers and police have encouraged residents in the area to be vigilant.

The police spokesman added: “We would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious at the time of the attempted break in, or has information that could assist our investigation.”

If you can help, call police on 101, quoting reference 5220226846.

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

Man stabbed in assault POLICE issued an appeal for witnesses last month after a man was stabbed in Yeovil in an early morning assault.

The incident happened in St Michaels Avenue at about 4.25am on Thursday, October 15.

A police spokesman said: “A man, in his 30s, sustained a number of stab wounds and he was taken to hospital by paramedics. His condition is not believed

to be life-threatening or life-changing.

“Officers will remain in the area throughout the day as part of the investigation and are conducting houseto-house enquiries.”

Anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to call 101 and give reference 5220233677.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Olivia goes sober for October A MEMBER of Yeovil Town Council and Brympton Parish Council helped to raise £120 for charity after taking part in the Go Sober for October campaign.

Cllr Olivia Darling-Finan gave up alcohol for October and was delighted to raise some money for the Macmillan

Cancer Support charity.

Although it is believed she was even more delighted when the date became November 1.

“Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me – it really is appreciated,” she said.

Max is spinning for Children in Need

Hospital canteens are going green YEOVIL District Hospital’s catering team is striving to make a fully green eating experience for staff, patients and visitors.

In October 2019 the NHS highlighted a plan to cut single-use plastics from all hospital canteens in a bid to reduce waste and improve hospital environments.

Yeovil Hospital’s deputy hotel services manager, Mathieu Eke, jumped at the chance to make an environmentally friendly change and turned all catering outlets throughout the hospital green.

“We have always been a progressive hospital, always going the extra mile to make a positive difference for both patients and staff, so being more sustainable was a must,” he said.

The pandemic proved to be difficult with the plans of going completely ecofriendly.

Mathieu added: “We had to go back to plastic as it was the safest option for staff to take away with them, as we closed the seating areas.

“Thankfully, we did not have to wait too long until we found an appropriate, sustainable alternative. We started using Vegwear, which looks, feels and acts just like plastic, but it is completely

biodegradable and safe for staff to use.”

Having made a significant change in eliminating single-use plastics from the canteen and other retail outlets around the hospital, Yeovil Hospital will save around 1.2 tons of plastic a year.

Mathieu is always on the lookout to further improve the hospital’s sustainability - recently the hospital opted for aluminium foil trays to deliver food to patients which can be recycled and sold on to external organisations and swapped polystyrene boxes to compostable ones.

M&S staff support Mind in Somerset mental health charity

WELL-KNOWN Yeovil Town fan Max Cobner has been doing his bit for the annual BBC Children in Need charity by riding his spinning bike for 50 miles.

Max started on November 11 and was hoping to have completed the challenge

by Children in Need night on November 13.

And once again his friends have come up trumps for Max. He had set himself a target to raise £150, but by Thursday

(November 12) lunchtime he had already surpassed £425.

Max’s challenge was all part of his Rickshaw Challenge from Home initiative for Children in Need.

Max, who has Down’s syndrome, has not allowed the challenges he has faced to get in the way of enjoying life.

If you would like to sponsor Max – please go to: https://www.gofundme. com/f/the-rickshaw-challenge-fromhome .

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THE Marks & Spencer store in Yeovil has raised £2,000 for mental health charity Mind in Somerset.

In June 2019 staff voted to make their local Mind their Charity of the Year and recently they presented it with a cheque at the Middle Street store.

“We voted for a local charity because we wanted to help people in our local community,” said Maria Dennett, women’s wear manager.

“There’s a lot more awareness around mental health and illness nowadays and Mind in Somerset was the charity our 100 staff wanted to help. Most of us know someone who has suffered from depression or anxiety and so we can relate to mental health issues.”

The funds came from staff buying flowers from the shop which had reached their sell-by date. There were also collection pots at the check-outs.

M&S Yeovil has a support system which refers anyone struggling with mental health in the workplace to six counselling sessions.

“Our sickness course for managers has a whole topic on mental health and we have workplace courses to go on to train for certain situations,” added Maria.

Corporate partnerships co-ordinator at Mind in Somerset, Alison Baker, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by the staff at Marks and Spencer in Yeovil.

“We’re really grateful for their support and generosity. And as a business they really care about mental health in the workplace.”

PHOTO: Pictured (from left) outside the M&S store in Yeovil are Stacey Anthony-Kendall, Maria Dennett, Ben Pitman and Mind in Somerset’s Alison Baker.

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Light up a Life for St Margaret's charity

THE St Margaret’s Hospice Care charity is inviting the whole of the county to come together to be part of a special Light up a Life remembrance event.

It is a chance to reflect on those we have loved and lost and celebrate their lives, and the wonderful memories we hold dear. The charity is also using the event to raise money at a time when income generation and fundraising has been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s Light up a Life remembrance event will be held online and everyone in our community is welcome. The service will be filmed in the Bishop’s Chapel, Bishop’s Palace, Wells and streamed through the St Margaret’s website on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 4pm.

Supporters of the hospice will be receiving their invitation through the post over the next few days, with the opportunity to remember loved ones either online or using a Memory Star that will be placed on Christmas trees in both hospices. Names of loved ones will also be shown during the online Light up a Life service.

Geoffrey Bailey explains the care his dear friend Joan received, and why it’s so important that the community comes together to both celebrate and remember loved ones whilst supporting St Margaret’s Hospice.

“Joan and I met in 2011 and started a

friendship that just grew and grew,” he said. “After Joan was diagnosed with terminal cancer, St Margaret’s quickly became a lifeline for us both. For Joan, it was a happy, life-filled place she would visit. For me, the hospice’s advice over the phone offered me support and reassurance.

“Twice Joan went into the hospice in Taunton where their kind, expert care perked her up enough to come home. But then, in early March this year, Joan went

to St Margaret’s for her final visit before she passed away in a local care home.

“May I please encourage you to join me, and our whole community, in coming together to remember precious people like Joan who are no longer with us. And please, join me in supporting this remarkable local charity. We are all fortunate to have St Margaret’s to call upon but they need our help today more than ever before.”

Any donations received will go

directly towards the care and support St Margaret’s nurses, therapists and doctors provide for our patients and their families. A telephone counselling session, supporting someone who’s recently lost their own loved one, could be paid for with a donation of £30.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved in Light up a Life, please visit www.st-margaretshospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life

NEW measures to protect the public from Covid-19 have come into force and will last up until at least December 2 in a bid to halt a second spike in the spread of coronavirus.

South Somerset District Council took a number of actions from November 5 – in line with Government advice - to ensure public safety in line with the new guidelines.

The council’s website is being continually updated with any actions as further details around the new restrictions are released.

The local actions are as follows: The Octagon Theatre and Westlands entertainment venue are closed with all events until Wednesday, December 2, cancelled or postponed. Refunds are being offered on any bookings during this period. The box office will remain open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm for enquiries and bookings for future events.

South Somerset District Council’s offices and buildings will remain closed to the public, while council meetings will

continue online.

An emergency phoneline will be available at the district council’s Customer Connect hub in Petters Way for anyone needing urgent help with housing.

Facilities at Yeovil Recreation Centre will be closed during the lockdown period. This decision will be reviewed as we are awaiting further detailed guidance from the Government. The grounds and play facilities will still be available for daily exercise.

Leisure and gym sites owned by the council will be closed during the period of new national restrictions – this includes Goldenstones, Wincanton Sports Centre and Westlands Leisure Centre.

Cartgate Tourist Information Centre has closed for the duration of the new national restrictions.

Country parks and play areas will remain open.

The Ninesprings Café in Yeovil will offer a takeaway only service for the duration of the new national restrictions.

The district council’s Customer Access

Points will be closed where the building or supporting services are closed.

Country park volunteering will only resume when it is safe to do so in light of national guidelines.

In addition, South Somerset District Council will continue to work will local community organisations to ensure those who are vulnerable or facing hardship are supported, and facilitate a number of grants to local foodbanks.

The council will also continue to ensure anyone who is homeless or facing homelessness has a safe place to stay, while it is also preparing to accept applications and issue grants to those businesses that are entitled.

Parks and green spaces (including Country Parks) will remain open for exercise while the Zwings e-scooter trial in Yeovil (turn to Pages 12-13) will continue with additional measures in place to ensure public safety.

Council leader, Cllr Val Keitch, said: “We need to do all we can to prevent the

spread of Covid-19 and South Somerset District Council is committed to doing whatever is needed to help people directly and to support our communities and businesses through this difficult period.

“All our officers and councillors are working hard to ensure that, despite these challenges, services are delivered in the best and safest way possible. We are using all the knowledge and experience from the first national lockdown to ensure our crucial services are there for you during this period.

“Working together and following the latest guidance will get us through this next phase of the pandemic.”

If you are facing financial hardship and need support, please contact South Somerset District Council on 01935 462462, while the Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline number, 0300 790 6275, is also live to help you access help you may need, including emotional support, in the current crisis.

Actions taken to keep communities safe during new national restrictions

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Join Geoffrey as he supports

this year

dear friends, I would like to tell you “ofMy the magnificent care St Margaret’s gave to someone precious to me.

St Margaret’s became a lifeline for Joan and I. For Joan, it was a happy, life-filled place she would visit. For me, the hospice’s advice over the phone offered me support and reassurance to help keep Joan going. In March this year, Joan went to St Margaret’s for her final visit before she passed away.

I hope you might join me in supporting this wonderful local charity – and take part in their Light up a Life celebration to remember precious people like Joan.

We are all fortunate to have St Margaret’s to call upon, but they need our help today more than ever before.

”

To dedicate a star in memory of someone special or find out more about our special online service of remembrance and celebration for Somerset this December, visit:

www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life Registered charity number: 279473 For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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Twelve-month E-Scooter trial launched in Yeovil BOSSES at South Somerset District Council are delighted to be one of the first authorities to be trialling the Department of Transport’s E-Scooter scheme in Yeovil.

The E-Scooters, called Zwings, were introduced to the town on October 22 on a 12-month trial and have proved popular with people – although there was an air of caution from some at first.

Chief executive of Zwings, Joe Lewin, said: “We recognise that whilst these are new vehicles to our country’s streets and are very exciting we must remain cautious with their implementation.

“Hence, why we are starting with a small fleet and scaling incrementally.

Ultimately, our mission is to make mobility safer, accessible and more environmentally sustainable.

“The first few months will be crucial to gain an understanding of the level of community engagement. This way we can continually seek to improve our service to meet the needs of the local community, including vulnerable groups

such as the partially sighted.

“We have a number of safety focused initiatives to promote or incentivise safe and responsible scooting, parking as well as the sanitisation of equipment.

For example, our online questionnaires offer riders the opportunity of earning additional rider credits for successful completion of the questions.

“We will also undertake safety workshops at key locations across the area to encourage people to ‘trial before they ride’.

“As we are doing with other local authorities across the UK, we are keen on making available custom branded e-scooters exclusively for use by the police - if they would like them - in order to patrol on. This will help to deliver an impactful message to riders considering on misusing them.”

To rent a Zwing E-Scooter in Yeovil they are £1 to unlock via the Zwings app and then 15p per minute of rental. If you pause your ride the cost is 10p per minute.

YEOVIL PRESS

Along with regular vehicle sanitation schedules each day, Zwings are applying state-of-the-art copper tape to the handle grips, which is indicated to kill 99.98% of pathogens left on the surface.

It must be noted that any personally owned e-scooter being used is still

“This is an innovative trial and we have worked closely with Zwings, to adopt a model that fits the requirements and safety restrictions we’ve requested for this pilot scheme. We have worked with Avon and Somerset Police as part of our ongoing consultation to evolve the trial and ensure safety is paramount for users and non-users.”

Richard McKiernan, traffic management officer at Avon and Somerset Police, added: “Whilst the trial offers a new and exciting way of moving around the area, we strongly recommend that users take the time to understand the rules of their use and the importance of personal safety while on the road.

“I would urge anyone who owns a personal e-scooter to take note of the laws around their use and not to use it on roads and public areas even during this trial. Remember – an E-Scooter is a ‘vehicle’ and that any misuse can lead to penalty points being endorsed on your driving licence.”

Where are the scooters and what do I do if I want to use one?

In order to rent a Zwings e-scooter, please read the following: 1: Firstly, you need to be 16 or above and have with you a minimum of a

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We have copies available dating back to the 1st edition published in July 2018.

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PULL OUT PREVIEW ‹‹ 37-44 PLUS - EIGHT-PAGE LITERARY FESTIVAL FABULOUS YEOVIL

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.

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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

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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 will get on board but hopes that that people with the new look Yeovil Town. just about the Mr Priestnall said it was not about a change change of ownership, but also new, something of “culture, ethos, something different.” make the club He said he wanted to but hasn’t been “something like it once was, in recent years.”

John Fry owners, He confirmed previous now no longer and Norman Hayward, were part of the club. hopes for Yeovil And when asked about his he said: “I would on the pitch this season – but the aim is love us to finish in the play-offs, to get the players playing well.”

Pages 76-78.

More Yeovil Town news on

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KEY 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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YEOVIL AMATEUR PANTOMIME SOCIETY PUT ON A FANTASTIC SHOW AS IT TOOK AUDIENCES OFF ON A MAGICAL PANTO JOURNEY TO SEE THE WIZARD OF OZ. FOURPAGE PHOTO SPECIAL ON THE CENTRE PAGES ‹‹ 35-38

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GIN AND MORE ‹‹ 16-17

ROUND TABLE CHARITY LUNCH ‹‹ 10-11

his stripes as a Glover

since I started.

I didn’t think “When I first started out actually looking about being chairman. I was to do it, both inside and of Yeovil at potential people THE new chairman and co-owner the club.

Priestnall, has outside with the club, if Town Football Club, Scott “As I’ve got more involved good times back six or seven said he wants to bring the the completion had been maybe I to the club. maybe I wouldn’t have done. negotiations weeks ago, hoping to The long drawn out ownership I’ve got the bug now, I’m September 20 and think really were finally completed on stripes as a Glover and I’ve over the club earn my me Mr Priestnall, who has taken about games. It’s kind of got first official press got excited to be honest with with Errol Pope, held his interested in football again, conference last week. that it felt a “bit you. over the decision easy And Mr Priestnall admitted really a “It was club’s new owner surreal” to finally be the of weeks to become chairman. club for the past last couple fans.” as he had “been around the Hopefully I’ll do right by the could not have timed his press three months.”

Priestnall Mr to as Press having He was asked by the Yeovil any better with the Glovers club chairman conference on the bounce whether he would be the new won six consecutive games be the case. victories in succession on and he confirmed that would – yes,” which became seven chairman success club be 3-1 a to “I am going (September 28) with to be. It’s a Saturday he said. “I actually want League table-toppers Bromley. my mind on over National position that I’ve kind of changed

By Steve Sowden

MA 20 RCH 20

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New chairman wants to earn

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THREEPAGE PHOTO SPECIAL OF YEOVIL YOUTH THEATRE GROUP’S FANTASTIC MUSICAL PRODUCTON OF CHICAGO ‹‹ 45-47

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

By Steve Sowden

yeovilpress@gmail.com 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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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 decent 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 latest map of E-Scooter locations in Yeovil as of November 9.

classified as illegal by the DfT and you can be prosecuted for using one on public roads and pavements. The DfT has only enabled Zwings operated E-Scooters to be used in South Somerset’s 12-month trial and have been formally vetted.

South Somerset District Council’s environment spokesman, Cllr Sarah Dyke, said: “We are very excited to be one of the first local authorities to trial the official Department for Transport’s E-Scooter scheme. We hope residents and visitors to Yeovil will embrace this initiative and replace their short about town car journeys to this emission free alternative.

provisional licence for a one-time verification (before your first ride) when you arrive to your e-scooter. Download the Zwings app on your smart phone via your App store.

2: Find an e-scooter on the app’s map.

You will find these in any of the parking bays. Upload your driving licence details and 45 seconds later you should be verified.

3: Scan the QR code to unlock and to start your ride.

4: Enjoy the electric thrills but please scoot responsibly.

5: End your ride in any of the designated bays.

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E-Scooter your way through national Covid-19 lockdown in Yeovil YEOVIL has gone E-Scooter crazy with over 1,000 sign-ups to the Zwings app across the 45 fleet of electric vehicles which will increase to 60 to meet demand.

Statistics show that each of the E-Scooters available for hire in Yeovil are being used at least 3.5 rides per day since the trial began on October 22.

Britain’s leading micro-mobility operator, Zwings, is working in partnership with South Somerset District Council to run a trial scheme of E-Scooters across the town. The scheme is being run under the official E Scooter trials initiative, authorised by the Department for Transport.

The scheme has proved immensely popular with now over 19 parking bays sited around the town and usage of the E-Scooters being higher than similar rental services in major capital cities across the world, with over 3.5 riders per day on each vehicle.

Zwings’ ‘community first’ model involves working closely with stakeholders in South Somerset in order to continually fine-tune their transport service to best meet localised needs.

In light of the recent national coronavirus lockdown announcement,

the Government has discouraged the use of public transport wherever possible, but requested that local authority Department of Transport E Scooter trials continue.

E-Scooters provide a clean, green efficient means of socially distancing and offer riders mental health enhancing benefits whilst travelling in the fresh open air. The focus in Yeovil is therefore to support residents with an accessible transport solution for necessary journeys.

The district council’s environment spokesman, Cllr Sarah Dyke, said: “We welcome the news that we can continue the success of the Yeovil trial E-Scooter scheme throughout this new lockdown, providing a green alternative to get around and allowing for social distancing.

“As well as providing a key service to the community to make essential journeys, this innovative scheme is a great opportunity to contribute to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Yeovil. As we continue to deliver our environment strategy and move towards our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, the success of this scheme could potentially bring a ten per cent reduction in car use in Yeovil over the 12 month trial period.”

Hey Yeovil!

To meet demand, more E-Scooters and parking bays are being made available across Yeovil for residents who still need to get to work including hospital workers, key workers and the Covid-19 network.

It is important that the E-Scooter network works for the Yeovil community,

so Zwings encourage users to propose new parking bay locations. You can recommend new locations by emailing them at community@zwings.co.uk.

PHOTO: Sean – one of the Zwings Fleet Angels in the town.

Download the ZWINGS app and find your nearest e-scooter to rent.

Use offer code: ZwingItOn10 to claim 10 minutes of FREE scooting #SocialDistancingSolution

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YEOVIL CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

CELEBRATING LOCAL INNOVATION, BUSINESS, SUCCESS AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Celebrating the best of Yeovil's businesses YEOVIL Chamber Business Awards were held last month to celebrate the best of Yeovil’s businesses in what has been a very challenging year.

Despite some of the toughest trading conditions ever experienced, 64 Yeovil businesses put themselves forward across 12 categories, to showcase the can-do, resilience and positive attitude of the Yeovil business sector.

Chamber president Dave Woan said: “Every one of the 64 entrants is a winner.”

The awards were held under sociallydistanced measures whereby only a few invited people actually attended the prize-giving ceremony at Yeovil Town FC’s Huish Park stadium.

The awards were streamed live at

https://lnkd.in/eie8njc on YouTube and more than 500 tuned in with the winning recipients attending in a sociallydistanced impromptu studio.

Mr Woan added: “Despite the very testing conditions, this event has made an immediate mark on its first outing, and I’m hopeful it can become a regular fixture. Online or face to face; we now know it works.”

But he quipped: “I’m just looking forward to doing it in a roomful of people again soon!”

Among the winners were Rob and Debs Gingell, of the Cake Box Bakery, in Wessex Road, Yeovil, who won the Customer Service Award. Having only taken over the bakery just over a year

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ago they have gone above and beyond to serve the local community – especially during the lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Award winners were as follows: Young Business of the Year – Ten 3 Cleaning.

Small Business of the Year – Holloway Insurance Services. Family Business of the Year – Clement White. A Great Place to Work – Boundary Precision.

Employee of the Year – Boundary Precision. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Mark Bolton, Yeovil College. Community Champion – Yeovil Charity Recycling. Hospitality & Leisure – Tamburino. Customer Service Award – Cake Box. Manufacturing & Engineering – Garador. Environmental Award – M and

J Bowers.

Retail Business of the Year – The Emporium. Overall Business of the Year – M and J Bowers.

PHOTO: Rob and Debs Gingell of the Cake Box Bakery at the Business Awards 2020.

76 Wessex Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3LR

01935 421453

cakeboxbakeryyeovil

Yeovil Chamber provides a strong voice for business, practical support andopportunities to network with like-minded business people Congratulations to all those who took part in the Yeovil Business Awards 2020 01935-804999 - www.yeovilchamber.org For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

YEOVIL BUSINESS AWARDS 2020 INNOVATION, BUSINESS, SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Garador has been part of business community since 1948 ONE of the town’s best known employers, Garador, was proud to be a sponsor and a winner at last month’s Yeovil Business Awards.

It has been a part of the Yeovil business community for more than 70 years and is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of garage doors.

Managing director Neil Discombe said: “All these products are made within our own group, ensuring product quality can be maintained at all times. With a focus on continual investment in both production technology and product development, Garador is at the forefront of modern garage door manufacturing.”

Mr Discombe could not be present at the awards ceremony held at Huish Park to receive the Best Manufacturer award – so Yeovil Chamber president Dave Woan popped down to Garador to present it in person.

“Many congratulations to Neil and Garador for their award,” said Mr Woan.

Originally formed as part of Westland’s Engineers Ltd in 1948, as part of a diversification strategy away from military products, Garador Limited was setup to manufacture one piece garage doors. Soon after Westland’s Engineers Limited purchased a license from Canada to manufacture one piece Up and Over garage doors and became the only manufacturer of such doors in the UK through the 1950s.

A purpose-built garage door manufacturing facility was constructed in Yeovil in 1958 and the first Garador branded garage door was manufactured in Yeovil that same year.

Today, Garador is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of Up and Over, Side-hinged, Sectional and GaraRoll roller garage doors.

Mr Discombe added: “Over the last 15 years we have invested over £14 million in production technology and now have one of the most modern garage door manufacturing facilities in Europe. As a result, we have been able to produce a range of high quality, reliable products at affordable prices.

“All Garador products are produced with your safety and security in mind and are therefore certified and approved by independent established institutes to ensure they are safe.

“Through excellent engineering and uncompromising quality assurance,

we produce garage doors that are unsurpassed in the industry.”

PHOTO: Yeovil Chamber president Dave Woan (left) with Garador’s managing director Neil Discombe and the Best Manufacturer award from the Yeovil Business Awards 2020.

Bunford Lane, Yeovil Somerset BA20 2GL Garador is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of garage doors

Garador has been a part of the Yeovil business community for 70 years

Garador was proud to be a sponsor and winner of the 2020 Yeovil Chamber Business Awards 01935-443700 | enquiries@garador.co.uk | www.garador.co.uk

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YEOVIL BUSINESS AWARDS 2020 INNOVATION, BUSINESS, SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Delighted at winning Small Business of the Year award DEAN and Cath Holloway, of Holloway Insurance Services, were thrilled when they were announced as winners of the Small Business of the Year category at the Yeovil Chamber Business Awards.

“We were absolutely delighted to win the award,” they said. “Despite it being an almost virtual ceremony, we had a fab day.

“We’d like to congratulate all the other local winners as well.”

Dean and Cath are committed to finding their clients the best business insurance available and working with them to ensure they are supported at all stages.

“Being an independent broker means we are not tied to specific insurers which means we can find the best business insurance for you from over 300 separate insurers,” they said.

“We believe in treating you like a

human being, not a number and we care about your business. We want to work with you and build a relationship based on friendship and trust that delivers you the best value proactively at all times.

“Purchasing your competitively priced premiums is only the start of our time working with you, we will stay in touch throughout the year so we can modify your policy as your business grows or changes and we will provide you with up to date industry-specific information to ensure you are always fully covered.

“We understand that cost can be a factor, but cheap business insurance can leave you open to risk. We believe that you shouldn’t pay over the odds, even if you have previously made a claim, we work with the best business insurance providers to deliver the best value business insurance for your company needs.”

Visit www.hollowayinsurance or contact 01460-206588 or email info@ hollowayinsurance.co.uk for further

details.

PHOTO: Dean and Cath Holloway of Holloway Insurance Services.

Winners of the Small Business of the Year Yeovil Chamber Business Awards 2020 Dean and Catherine Holloway are proud to be insuring and supporting local businesses Expect more from your broker – expect our full spectrum of solutions Phone: 01460-206588 or 07341 663783 Email: info@hollowayinsurance.co.uk Website: www.hollowayinsurance.co.uk 16

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YEOVIL BUSINESS AWARDS 2020 INNOVATION, BUSINESS, SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Boundary Precision Engineering proud to win awards BOUNDARY Precision Engineering in Yeovil was honoured to win the Great Place to Work award at the Yeovil Chamber Business Awards 2020.

“Winning this award means a lot to the team at Boundary – a little bit of positivity in what has been a challenging year for the aerospace industry,” said a spokesman.

It was a good afternoon for Boundary because Jamie Hopkins won the Employee of the Year award as well.

Chamber president Dave Woan said: “Well done to all the team at Boundary Precision Engineering for winning not one, but TWO awards” Mr Woan recently visited Boundary Precision Engineering to learn a little bit more about the company.

“A big thank you to David Hutchins, head of business development and customer relations at Boundary Precision

Engineering, for taking me around their busy facility on Yeovil’s Lynx Trading Estate,” he said.

“It gave me a real insight into how a resilient Yeovil manufacturing business is working its way through challenging times.”

Dawn Williams, head of QA/ Compliance & PR Lead at Boundary Precision Engineering, said: “The Yeovil Chamber Business Awards was a really positive event and we were honoured to be a part of it.

“We were very proud to receive the Great Place to Work award, as well as our head of production, Jamie Hopkins, being awarded Employee of the Year.”

The company offers a wide range of engineering and manufacturing services.

Founded in 1982, Boundary Precision Engineering has grown organically through ongoing investment in capability

Yeovil Chamber president Dave Woan (left) on his recent visit to Boundary Precision Engineering with the company’s David Hutchins, head of business development and customer relations.

and capacity into today’s modern manufacturing facility. Specialising in the production of the highest quality multi axis CNC Machined, turned and milled components, assemblies and integrated kits of parts to our customers and supply chains.

Boundary Precision Engineering’s head of production Jamie Hopkins won the Employee of the Year at the Yeovil Business Awards 2020.

The company is progressive and building on its reputation for quality and schedule adherence, and utilising the latest machining, turning and milling technologies, BPE can guarantee our customers the fastest possible leads times and exceptional cost effective services.

Unit 4, Brympton Way, Lynx West Trading Estate, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2HP

CNC Programming | CNC Milling CNC Turning | Assembly & Inspection

Tel – 01935-472094 Email – sales@boundaryeng.co.uk Web – www.boundaryprecisionengineering.co.uk Linkedin – linkedin.com/company/boundary-precision-engineering For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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YEOVIL BUSINESS AWARDS 2020 INNOVATION, BUSINESS, SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Law firm Battens were proud to be an event sponsor ORGANISERS of the Yeovil Chamber Business Awards 2020 would like to thank all the companies that helped to sponsor the awards.

Among the sponsors was wellestablished local law firm Battens Solicitors Ltd, of Yeovil, which offers specialist and high quality legal advice to clients in the South West and London.

The company was delighted to be involved in the awards and sponsored the Small Business Award which was won

by Holloway Insurance Services (turn to Page 16 for more details).

Battens has been providing legal advice to clients in and around the Yeovil area for many years and is an instantly recognisable name in the profession.

“Our aim is to provide a personal service

which is practical, understandable and reasonably priced,” said its website.

“We appreciate how important it is to understand the needs of our clients and to establish long-standing relationships and as a result have many clients who return to us over and over again.

“We recognise that clients’ needs often encompass more than one legal discipline and the ability to refer to other specialists within Battens ensures our clients receive a comprehensive service.

“In the digital age all of us can be located almost anywhere in the world and our IT systems and work practises certainly reflect this. However, we are very proud of our local roots and our local connections and we encourage all our staff to get involved in the local

community.”

The website added: “Battens Solicitors Limited and our charitable trust continually support local charities, which we feel anchors us amongst our clients.

“Compliance is hugely important to us and so we are early-adopters of all the fundamental quality schemes which govern the legal market. We seldom trumpet this, as we feel that clients would simply expect this of us.

“We are proud of the fact that a significant proportion of our staff have worked for us for many years and a sizeable number of our lawyers actually trained with the firm and stayed after becoming qualified. This suggests that overall we are getting a number of

key elements right: work: life balance; flexible working hours, operating culture and working environment, to name but a few. It may also suggest that our employment packages are attractive and competitive; we certainly hope that this is the case.”

Each of the 12 award categories at the Yeovil Business Awards 2020 had a sponsor and these were Yeovil College, Battens, Albert Goodman, Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil Town FC, Old Mill Accountants, Holloway Insurance Services, Ivan Rendall Accountants, Garador, Porter Dodson, Milstead Langdon, and the Yeovil Refresh initiative of South Somerset District Council.

Battens Solicitors

Lasting Powers of Attorney and Will planning The times that we are currently living in have shown that life can change completely overnight and the future can look uncertain. The best way of dealing with this uncertainty is to ensure that all your personal planning is in place. There are two pillars to this planning – the first is executing a Lasting Power of Attorney so that your family can help you if you become ill or mentally incapacitated and the second is making your Will to ensure your estate passes to those who you wish to benefit on your death.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you (the donor) to make a choice now, when you are fit and healthy, about who you would trust (the attorney) to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf if, in the future, you lose the mental capacity to make them for yourself.

There are two types of LPA. One type is a Property and Financial Affairs LPA which allows the attorney, to make decisions about your finances and property. A Property and Finance LPA is very flexible in that it can be used whilst someone is incapacitated, but as soon as they have returned to health the attorney will step aside – it is not a permanent arrangement unless it needs to be. The other type is a Health and Welfare LPA which gives the attorney authority to make decisions for you in respect of giving or refusing consent to healthcare, staying at home and receiving support, or moving into care. A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used when a person has lost capacity.

All LPAs have to be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), before they can be used. If it appears that the attorney is abusing their position, then anyone can raise a concern with the OPG or Social Services, who will investigate.

If you have an accident or become ill, it may be too late to make an LPA and then an application will have to be made to court to appoint somebody, called a Deputy, to look after you affairs. This person may not be your choice, and appointing a deputy through the court it is also a longer and more expensive process. This can take at least three months and there are costs which include application fees, medical assessments, solicitor’s fees, deputy appointment, annual management fee and a security bond.

Your Will is used to appoint a person (your executor) who will deal with the administration of your estate after you have died. The Executor is responsible for valuing your estate, closing bank accounts, dealing with your house, paying any tax that is due as well any debts and making sure that the balance of the estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries. If there is no Will, the Law of Intestacy sets out who can inherit your estate and how much they can inherit. This may not be what you want. Making sure your Will is up to date will provide you with the comfort of knowing that your family is provided for how you want them to be even if times are uncertain.

Your solicitor will help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney and Will that gives effect to your wishes. You can then rest assured knowing that your family will benefit from your planning.

For more information, please contact Lesley Eveleigh on 01935 846275 or email lesley.eveleigh@battens.co.uk

enquiries@battens.co.uk Specialist Legal Advice and Solutions

www.battens.co.uk

0800 652 8373

Offices in: Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London

for whatever life brings - at home or at work

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Cows on stampede through town New sign goes up at Donyatt Halt

DRINKERS were left scratching their heads as to whether they had been drinking something a bit stronger than what they thought when they saw a herd of around 85 cows stampede past their town centre pub in Chard.

It was during the evening of October 23 when pub-goers at the Phoenix Hotel

saw the cows suddenly charge on down through Fore Street.

Hotel manager Steve Jones said he had “never seen anything like it before.”

Police were called out and roads were closed as the cows were safely rounded up. PHOTO: The cows stampede through Chard town centre.

Could council look to sell off Dillington House?

A SOUTH Somerset events venue could soon be sold off to prevent future losses to taxpayers following the coronavirus pandemic.

Somerset County Council currently operates Dillington House near Ilminster using the venue for adult education and training, conferences, weddings and other events.

The venue has struggled to make a profit during much of the council’s involvement and efforts to turn its fortunes around have not been helped by the lockdown earlier in the year.

The council is now considering whether it can get out of it lease over the next three years to prevent further public money being wasted.

Dillington House was once the home of Lord North, who served as Prime Minister between 1770 and 1782.

The site is held by the council on a 99-year lease, which is due to expire in March 2062, and only pays a small amount of rent for the facilities (around £1,400 per month).

However, the council is also having to spend £174,000 each year on loan repayments for improvements made to the Hyde building on site – with the repayments (including interest) set to total £2.3million by 2034.

Dillington House ran a deficit of £437,000 in 2018-19, which climbed to £495,000 in 2019-20.

In the current financial year to date, it is running a deficit of £1.33million – though this drops to £243,000 after

20

central government support is taken into account.

Ian Rowswell, the head of Support Services in Education, gave an update at a virtual meeting of the council’s policies and place scrutiny committee on November 4.

“Some small weddings have taken place since lockdown began, but most of them have been re-arranged,” he said.

“We have used lockdown as an opportunity to complete our planned programme of repairs, refurbishment and redecoration.

“There’s certainly been a number of years where it has made a significant contribution back towards the loan repayments we’ve got, and there’s been a couple of years where it’s been about a break-even or not that far away – but in most years there’s been an element of subsidy in terms of the full costs.”

Within the lease agreement, there are a number of “break points” where the council can pull out – though it may incur a financial penalty for doing so.

The next such point comes in March 2023 – meaning the council will soon have to decide whether to cut its losses and surrender the lease, or persevere and try to turn around its fortunes.

If it opts for the latter, the next opportunity to pull out would not come until March 2043 – some 20 years later.

The council’s cabinet is expected to make a final decision on the future of Dillington House sometime in the New Year.

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A NEW sign has gone up at the old Donyatt Halt railway station on the outskirts of Ilminster which acts as a permanent memorial to the young evacuees who arrived in Somerset during the Second World War. Donyatt Parish Council funded the work to have the new sign installed while Metalwise donated its costs for sand blasting and powder coating the lettering.

The restoration of Donyatt Halt was part of a community project between 2005 to 2009 which saw a group of volunteers from Ilminster, Donyatt, Knowle St Giles and Chard work together with district and parish councils to link the communities along the disused railway line with a cycle path.

The original Donyatt Halt was built in 1928 with a single platform faced with wooden sleepers and a small wooden waiting shelter.

In 1940 it became part of the Taunton Stop Line which was built by the Army to contain any German invasion of the South West during the Second World War. The Stop Line defences were 50 miles long and ran from Burnham-on-Sea on the Bristol Channel to Seaton on the English Channel comprising of a continuous line of anti-tank obstacles with pillboxes and road blocks.

A wooden statue of Doreen Ash, who was evacuated to Donyatt during the war, sits on the platform and is a reminder of all those children who arrived in the village to get away from the German bombs.

Unfortunately the Donyatt Halt platform – due to its isolated spot – has been the victim of mindless vandalism on a number of occasions.

PHOTO: The new sign at Donyatt Halt

Richard's boxing clever for environment PROMOTING environmental awareness has been announced as a key area of focus for the Yeo Vale Rotary Club.

As part of the campaign to communicate the importance of wildlife to a local audience, Yeo Vale Rotarian Richard Pither has been busy making bird boxes over the summer for donation to local schools.

Richard recently presented two of his hand-made creations to St Margaret’s School in Tintinhull.

The boxes will be used to provide a safe environment for species such as robins and blue tits to build nests, where they are protected from the elements and safe from predators.

Richard, who lives in Ash and has been a member of the Yeo Vale Rotary Club for 19 years, is also a life-long bird watcher and has spent many hours tracking and recording birds on the Somerset Levels and for his work was made a Fellow of the RSPB. St Margaret’s School headteacher,

Hayley Robinson, said: “We are delighted to receive these beautifully crafted bird boxes and will work with Richard to ensure they are mounted in an appropriate place within the school grounds to attract nesters.

“From an educational point of view, the boxes will offer the children the opportunity to monitor the birds throughout the season, tracking their comings and goings and hopefully seeing plenty of healthy chicks into the bargain, too!”

Supporting the environment is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus along with peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and economic and community development.

Yeo Vale Rotary Club invites membership from people of all ages and backgrounds. To find out more, visit the website at www.yeovale-rotary.org.uk

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Task force set up to deal with Oscar Mayer jobs blow

COUNCIL leaders have joined forces to “We are committed to working together offer support to 860 people who face to support all those at risk of losing redundancy with the potential closure their jobs, to find new work and, where of the Oscar Mayer factory in Chard. needed, retraining opportunities. We are It was announced last month that the also committed to developing a plan of owners of the ready-meals company action to support Chard, its communities were entering into consultation with and economy moving forward. employees about the possible closure of “We are convening a multi-agency task its Chard site – such a key employer in force to deal with the immediate impacts the town. of the potential job losses. We have Cllr David Fothergill, leader of already contacted the relevant partners Somerset County Council, and Cllr Val to start working together immediately Keitch, leader of South Somerset District and we are heartened by the swiftness of Council, put out a joint statement shortly their response and readiness to help. after news broke of the possible closure.

“We will also be working with Marcus “We were saddened to hear the news Fysh MP to support the convening of a of the potential loss of Oscar Mayer and business group to look at redeployment 860 jobs from their factories in Chard,” opportunities for those at risk and what Simply Bathrooms & Bedrooms 14x4 v3.qxp_Ad-style 02/05/2018 11:16 Page 1 they said. “This is a blow to the economy actions and initiatives we might take and the community of Chard at what is forward together to support the local already a challenging time. economy and its development.”

The statement added: “With Marcus Fysh, we will be seeking to enlist the support of government to ensure we have the right resources to help the economic recovery and regeneration of Chard and support the residents and communities of the town.

“Despite the other challenges we face at this time, residents of Chard should

be assured that both Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council, together with our partners are there for the town and its communities.”

Oscar Mayer bosses have said that the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic have had an adverse impact on trade and “significant action” was required to protect the long-term future of the company.

Francois Legrain, chief executive of Oscar Mayer, said: “Consulting our colleagues on a potential closure has been a desperately difficult decision to come to. We believe we have exhausted every avenue to continue future production at Chard and currently we are unable to see a way to make the economics of this site work in such a challenging market.”

PHOTO: The entrance to the Oscar Mayer factory in Chard.

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NEWS AT A GLANCE

Flights of Fantasy at Yeovil Hospital 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.

HELP is available for anyone in Somerset who may need additional support during the second national lockdown.

The five councils in Somerset have been working together since the first lockdown to provide a single phone number for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support.

Residents are reminded they can call 0300 790 6275 if they need any help themselves or are concerned about relatives or neighbours.

Although the national restrictions and guidance on shielding are different this time, it remains really important for people to stay connected and also keep active, particularly during the winter period.

Help and advice is available and phonelines are open seven days a week between 8am and 6pm to offer support with: • Personal care and support including food and delivery of prescriptions • Support for the homeless • Emotional support if you’re feeling worried or anxious • Employment, skills and business advice • Transport to medical appointments • Waste collection and disposal • Financial support The five councils will again be proactively contacting a number of those residents identified as needing additional support during the previous lockdown.

Please be alert to potential scams and remember a caller from the council will never ask for personal details or bank details. If you’re concerned, please hang up and get in touch via the helpline.

If people are interested in volunteering, for example helping people out with shopping or picking up prescriptions they can go to https://www.corona-helpers. co.uk/ to register.

WESSEX Water is offering further support to customers who may be worried about being able to pay their bill due to Covid-19.

The water and sewerage company’s Assist Scheme has been extended to any customer who has suffered a loss of income directly as a result of the pandemic and is unable to pay their bill, perhaps because of redundancy or from being self-employed and unable to work.

Wessex Water provides tailored advice and help, including lower bills based on a customer’s ability to pay until they get back on track.

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Executive director of retail and commercial, Charley Maher, who runs Wessex Water’s billing services company, said: “We recognise that some customers might be unexpectedly facing financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19, possibly for the first time.

“Circumstances have changed for so many people and you’re not alone if you’re struggling or think you’ll find it hard to pay your water bill in the future.

“We don’t want any customers to suffer in silence and would urge those who need support to get in touch with our friendly team who are on hand to listen and come up with the help you need.”

The national Talk Money Week was being held from November 9-13 – an annual campaign to encourage the UK to talk about managing their finances and raise awareness of the support that is on offer.

As well as Assist, Wessex Water is encouraging customers in the “high risk” Covid-19 group to sign up to Priority Services for extra support in these challenging times.

For more information visit www. wessexwater.co.uk/helptopay PUBLIC health leaders at Somerset County Council are asking everyone in the Yeovil and surrounding area to pull together to keep coronavirus at bay and support the #StayHomeForSomerset campaign.

Somerset has seen coronavirus cases rising at a steady rate. Although the local numbers seem comparatively low compared to other parts of the country, they have been, and continue to increase.

Lockdown will be vital to flatten the curve – and bring the numbers back down – so all must play their part.

The campaign wants to fire up the amazing community spirit shown in Somerset throughout the lockdown earlier this year – and recognise that “we are all in it together.”

From now until December 2, the county council is asking people to take a ‘selfie’, featuring the name of, or photo of, who they are staying home for. It could be to protect a vulnerable family member or friend or because you want to protect the NHS from extra pressure. The photos can then be uploaded to social media using the hashtag #StayHomeForSomerset.

Trudi Grant, Somerset County Council’s director of public health, said: “Our colleagues in our health and care services need us all to help them cope through what could be a very busy winter.

“Even with relatively lower numbers of coronavirus cases, the impact on our health services could be significant with the other winter pressures to deal with, so please help us to stop the spread of this virus by staying home.

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“Our individual actions have the power to have a much greater and wider impact on the pandemic – if we all follow the guidance, we will reduce the spread of infection. Don’t just do it for yourself, we are all in it together.”

A wealth of information on staying healthy, happy and safe at this time can be found at: www.healthysomerset.go.uk/ covid19 TEN council-owned buildings in South Somerset will be overhauled to reduce their energy use as part of a wider effort to combat climate change.

South Somerset District Council declared a climate emergency in May 2019, pledging to take a series of actions to become carbonneutral by 2030.

The council has partnered with ENGIE to carry out “energy audits” on the buildings it owns (including its Yeovil headquarters) which consume the largest amount of energy annually.

The company will then recommend changes that need to be made – such as installing solar panels or better insulation – to ensure the council meets its climate change commitments.

The ten council-owned buildings which will be part of the “energy audit” are: Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil; South Somerset District Council headquarters, Brympton Way, Yeovil; The Octagon Theatre, Hendford, Yeovil; Yeovil Innovation Centre, Barracks Close, Yeovil; Lufton depot, 7 Artillery Road, Yeovil; Yeovil crematorium, Bunford Lane, Yeovil (excluding cremation ovens); Holyrood Lace Mill, Holyrood Street, Chard; The Jon O’Donnell Pavilion, Yeovil Recreation Centre, Chilton Grove, Yeovil; Petters House, Petters Way, Yeovil; and Yeovil Country Park Visitor Centre, Brunswick Street, Yeovil.

The council’s environment spokesman, Cllr Sarah Dyke, said: “We have already implemented a wide range of carbon-saving initiatives across building management, transportation, waste management and environmental protection.

“Taking the strategy to the next level requires expert input and we were very impressed with ENGIE’s carbon-saving credentials.”

COUNCILLORS have warned that “antidemocratic” changes to the planning system will result in fewer affordable homes being built.

The Government has launched its white paper Planning for the Future, which lays out its intended reforms to the planning system by which new homes, commercial

premises and other facilities are approved by local councils.

Westminster is consulting on the proposals which Prime Minister Boris Johnson claim would cut red tape and help solve the housing crisis through “radical reform, unlike anything we have seen since the Second World War.” But South Somerset District Council has warned the proposals will rob local people of their voice and lead to housing which did not meet their needs and damage their cherished natural landscape in the process.

Cllr Mike Hewitson put forward a motion on the Government’s reforms at a virtual full council meeting held on October 15.

“Nobody would argue that the current system is not in need of reform – but sadly, this package of measures is totally inadequate and misdiagnoses the real problems in the planning system,” he said.

“The white paper intends to silence local communities on contentious planning applications.

“This government intends to rob local people of their ability to contribute to the vast majority of planning applications.

“It is my belief that the right to be heard is vitally important for our residents across South Somerset.”

Under the current system, residents of a given area can submit comments on any new planning application during a fixed consultation period, with their views being taken into account by officers and elected ward members.

The Government’s proposed changes would mean residents only being given a say on the content of their town or village’s neighbourhood plan – which is only written once every few years.

These plans will be taken into account when making decisions, along with the council’s Local Plan, but further public input on specific applications will be limited.

Instead of infrastructure contributions being negotiated locally by councils towards the cost of new schools, roads and other facilities - developers will pay a one-size-fits-all levy at a rate set by central government.

In addition, any new development of under 50 homes would not be obliged to contain any affordable housing – a massive increase on the current threshold of ten homes.

Cllr Hewitson said the proposals were “not acceptable, not democratic… and the exact opposite of what the current system needs.”

The council’s Tory group leader, Cllr Linda Vijeh, argued that the existing system was not delivering for local people.

“As an authority we are failing to deliver

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housing numbers anyway,” she said. “I can think of many examples in my area where, despite Section 106 agreements, developers have been able to wriggle out of their contributions.”

The council voted in favour of the motion to formally object to the Government’s reforms by 37 votes to five, with two abstentions.

THE Somerset Waste Partnership plans to keep the county’s recycling sites open during the second Covid-19 national lockdown.

With infections rising nationally and locally, SWP is also reminding people of Government guidance on how to dispose of personal waste if you have Covid-19 symptoms or live in a household with someone who does.

Waste like tissues, facemasks and disposable cleaning cloths should be double-bagged in disposable rubbish bags and kept separate from other waste in the home for 72 hours.

It should then go into your rubbish bin outside your home and will be picked up in the usual rubbish collections.

All residents are asked to maintain a social distance from collection crews and wash and disinfect container handles before and after putting out recycling boxes and bins.

Near the end of the lockdown earlier this year, Government guidance clarified that visits to recycling sites were considered ‘permitted journeys.’

For more information visit www. somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus and follow @somersetwatse on Twitter and Facebook.

PHYSICAL and verbal abuse of road workers must stop now, says Somerset County Council’s spokesman for highways and transport.

The Council is backing a petition to Parliament to make it a specific criminal offence to assault highway workers giving those working on the roads the same protection as emergency workers.

Tougher sentences can be handed out to those who assault emergency workers and campaigners hope to see the same for highway workers.

The petition is part of the Stamp it Out campaign, a Safer Highways industry-led initiative, involving the likes of Balfour Beatty, Tarmac and Amey – and including Somerset County Council’s maintenance contractor Skanska and one of its major project contractors Alun Griffiths.

Over the last year alone in Somerset there have been numerous incidents involving assaults, abuse being hurled at workers and dangerous driving – sometimes at workers.

The council’s highways and transport spokesman, Cllr John Woodman, said: “We absolutely support the petition and we’d encourage as many people as possible to sign it.

“We will not accept our dedicated highways teams, who are working hard to maintain our roads and protect the safety of users, having to experience this shocking violence and abuse.”

People can sign the petition here - https:// petition.parliament.uk/petitions/548480.

THE results of a large county-wide survey about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local businesses will be used to shape

Somerset’s response and economic recovery planning.

Conducted by Somerset’s five local authorities between July 24 and August 21 this year, the survey provides vital intelligence on how more than 1,300 businesses have been coping in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as giving insight into their prospects for the future.

Somerset County Council and the district councils have already put in place a number of services to directly support businesses and individuals affected by Covid-19 including Step Up Somerset, a website which signposts business and individuals for redundancy support, and the Visitor Economy Support Programme, which will help businesses improve their online offer and digital skills.

Like much of the country, Somerset’s businesses have been facing significant challenges as they adapt to new ways of working, but despite the uncertainty about what the near future holds, optimism remains.

Of those who took part in the survey, 32.7 per cent of businesses described the current outlook for their business as ‘fairly positive’, compared to 22.3 per cent describing it as “fairly negative.”

By 2022, 66.4 per cent anticipate their business will be stronger or about the same, suggesting confidence in their underlying fundamentals despite the difficulties of the Covid-19 situation.

High up on the list of challenges reported by businesses was a lack of cash flow, difficulties adhering to social distancing restrictions, and confusion about official government guidance since the start of the national lockdown in March.

Other challenges highlighted included poor digital connectivity and skills as home working increased, the sourcing of PPE, and maintaining staffing levels due to sickness or isolation.

The survey also found that with business activity being significantly curtailed across most industries - especially hospitality, food business and non-supermarket retail business turnover and profitability has been hit hard.

Almost half of businesses reported achieving less than half their normal turnover since the start of lockdown.

The survey findings are being used to support the response and recovery work of Somerset’s local authorities, including the provision of support to those who have made or are planning to make redundancies, as well as the wider provision of employment, skills and training support to help people secure work, up-skill or retrain.

OVERTAKING too closely endangers the lives of cyclists and horse riders – that’s the key message behind a major new campaign backed by Somerset County Council’s road safety team and Avon and Somerset Police.

Operation Close Pass involves taking action against motorists who endanger cyclists and horse riders by passing them too closely. Motorists should ensure there is a 1.5 metre distance when they are overtaking cyclists – it’s the law.

Police are using the campaign to highlight the importance of road users reporting incidents online of near misses and where camera footage of a road-related offence is available.

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“Operation Close Pass is about ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users,” said Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s transport spokesman.

“Motorists must give cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders as much room as they would if they were passing a car – as we’ve seen, the results can be tragic if they don’t.”

If you experience a near miss or have captured an incident on camera please report this online at: www. avonandsomerset.police.uk/roads MORE homes are urgently needed in Somerset to provide vital support to young people as they move from care into adulthood.

Somerset County Council is highlighted the need to recruit more ‘Stepping Stones’ placements during the National Care Leavers’ Week.

Stepping Stones carers support young people leaving care as they make the transition to independent living. This often involves helping them gain crucial life skills and experience such as managing bills, cooking, shopping, accessing further education and employment opportunities, whilst providing a safe place for them to stay.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of children in care has risen nationally. With more than 300 young care leavers in Somerset currently, the demand for placements far outweighs availability.

The council’s children’s services spokesman, Cllr Frances Nicholson, said: “We are so grateful for the support and dedication of our Stepping Stones providers, particularly during such a challenging time. But we do need more of them.

“With more than 150 young people in our county leaving care every year, we must go on recruiting people for this invaluable scheme throughout the pandemic, so they can provide a safe home and the support our young people need on their way to independence.”

As a ‘Stepping Stones’ provider, you need to be aged 23 or over, have a spare room in your home, and ideally live in a Somerset town as it’s important our care leavers have access to good transport links and amenities, as well as career opportunities. In return, providers receive a weekly fee, starting at

£185 per week, plus a little extra for food and utilities (up to £27.50) paid weekly by the young person from their allowance. Stepping Stones providers are also eligible for the same tax exemptions and relief as foster carers, but have much more flexibility to work full or part-time alongside their care role.

Stepping Stones placements are relatively short; anything from a few months to a couple of years.

There is no upper age limit - wisdom and experience are a bonus. We welcome people from all backgrounds and ethnicities, those who are single, LGBT, renting, or if they have children of their own already.

For more information visit www. fosteringinsomerset.org.uk or call 0800 5879900.

WESSEX Water is reminding its customers to only flush the three Ps – paper, poo and pee – after 35kg of flushed cat litter was the cause of a blockage horror story.

The water and sewerage company sent crews out to clear a blocked sewer, removing a huge amount of cat litter as well as some wet wipes.

George Taylor, director of sewerage at Wessex Water, said: “Over the years we’ve seen a number of strange items pulled from our sewers, but this is the first time I’ve seen cat litter cause a blockage.

“Animal waste should never be flushed.

We advise customers to put these types of items in the bin and not down the toilet, as they don’t break up properly in our sewers.

“If a blockage occurs in your area, it could result in sewage backing up into your home which can be an unpleasant and costly issue to resolve.”

With wet wipes also contributing to the blockage, Wessex Water is advising customers to bin wet wipes, which are often marketed as ‘flushable’ without passing the water industry’s strict Fine to Flush standards.

The company clears around 13,000 blockages on its network every year at a cost of £5million, with wet wipes contributing to the vast majority of them.

More information can be found at www. wessexwater.co.uk/stoptheblock.

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Marathon walk for Jon

BREAST Cancer Unit Appeal supporter Jon Castle has stepped out on an epic virtual marathon walk to replicate the 873-mile length of Britain trek from Lands End to John O’Groats.

Jon has already completed more than 350 miles and so still has quite a way to go before completing this virtual challenge.

If you would like to sponsor Jon and help keep him motivated whilst out there walking in the wind and rain, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joncastle2 .

A PINK Raffle was organised by the radiology department team at Yeovil District Hospital to help raise a super £236 for the hospital’s ongoing Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

Organisers would like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket and the Asda store in Yeovil for donating some of the prizes.

SUPPORT OUR NHS STAFF

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

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Appeal takes off at Leonardo Helicopters with amazing support THE Yeovil-based Leonardo Helicopters Apprentice & Graduate Association Committee has raised a fantastic £20,300-plus for Yeovil District Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

And that total includes an amazing £8,000 which was collected since the end of March onwards when the country has been in lockdown because of Covid-19 and fundraising has proved difficult with events having to be cancelled.

Several apprentices and graduates at Leonardo Helicopters UK finished their year-long positions on the Leonardo Helicopters Apprentice & Graduate Association Committee.

Formed over 30 years ago, the association works to provide a social environment for current and recent apprentices and graduates at the Yeovil site.

Alongside this, the association nominates a charity or community cause to support each year by volunteering and fundraising on site.

Starting on September 27, 2019, the trainees established a partnership with the Yeovil Hospital Charity to raise money for its Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

The unit, which has a fundraising goal of £2million, will provide a single location for all breast cancer services at the hospital which have previously been spread across the hospital estate.

Whilst charitable activities have been limited by the ongoing pandemic, the association and employees on site have continued to raise money where possible, organising digital bake off competitions, quizzes and even developing a cookbook.

These events, coupled with the fundraising completed earlier in the year,

has led to a donation of £20,306.85 to the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal. With nearly £8,000 raised since the end of March 2020, it has really demonstrated what can be achieved when people pull together.

The outgoing committee chairman, Luke Elam, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with James Kirton and Sarah Cherry from the Yeovil Hospital Charity over the last year and to support them and the community in their fundraising for the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

“Whilst the events of this year were certainly unexpected, it’s great to know that our committee and all the employees on site are partnered with a project that will have a real impact on the community for a long time to come. I look forward to seeing what the new committee has planned.”

The baton will now fall to the new committee who will continue the partnership initiated with the Yeovil Hospital Charity last year.

In light of the events of this year, Leonardo Helicopters and the Yeovil Hospital Charity are also pleased to announce that the partnership will be extended for an additional year, ensuring that the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal receives the support it needs.

Morrisons helps to bake up funds for appeal THE Morrisons store in Yeovil has been absolutely fantastic in supporting Yeovil Hospital Charity during the current pandemic.

Not only did the store in Lysander Road donate some amazing items towards the hospital’s Boredom Busting bags, but it went on to support hospital charity fundraiser volunteer Mandy Sims with her fundraising for the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

Mandy set herself the task of making 13 cakes for 13 weeks – 13 different cakes, and Morrisons pledged to support her by donating as much of the ingredients as they could each week!

“It was just fantastic to have Morrisons support and really helped me to raise as much as I could for the Breast Appeal,” said Mandy.

“As a member of the Breast Cancer Appeal committee I know how challenging

it has been fundraising during Covid-19 and I really wanted to do something to make a difference.

“Without Morrisons and the other incredible people who helped me, I wouldn’t have been able to raise as much as I did.”

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Fundraising committee boost appeal through lockdown THE Breast Cancer Unit Appeal fundraising committee at Yeovil District Hospital has had to really put on its thinking cap over the past eight months to come up with new inventive ways to raise funds with so many planned events having had to be cancelled because of Covid-19.

But cometh the hour and cometh the fundraising committee and they have certainly been busy helping to move the appeal a step closer to its £2million target to build a dedicated breast cancer unit at the hospital.

The first idea was for fundraising volunteer Mandy Sims to shave her head!

It was something she could do safely at home and raise funds online. From this point on the ideas continued to grow, especially as the restrictions began to ease.

Jewellery, cakes, raffles and the Scavenger Hunts are just some of the fantastic ideas had by the committee, which contributed to these amazing members raising nearly £12,000 during the pandemic.

And Yeovil Hospital Charity’s community and events fundraiser Sarah Cherry has been blown away by the volunteers.

“The fundraising volunteers are all absolutely brilliant,” she said. “It has been so hard to have to cancel all of our events we had planned for 2020, but this group of dynamic individuals have each thought of ways in which they can personally support the fundraising.

“They each have worked so hard to make sure that fundraising has been able

to continue and I am absolutely blown away by what they have achieved.

“I would like to say a personal thank you to each one of our volunteers. They have helped to make a very challenging time, much more bearable.”

Yeovil Hospital Charity has recently reached the milestone of £1.6million for the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

The hospital’s head of fundraising, James Kirton, said: “We are so grateful to the fantastic fundraising committee and the community, who have continued to support us during this incredibly challenging period.

“To reach £1.6million is just incredible.

We have still have £400,000 and it is now going to be harder than ever. I hope that everyone will carry on doing what they can so that we can get this project underway as soon as possible.”

Yeovil Hospital Charity is building a dedicated Breast Cancer Unit at Yeovil Hospital, which will bring all of the relevant services together.

Patients will be able to have their clinical examination, an ultrasound scan, a mammogram, a biopsy, a prosthesis fitting and an appointment with a specialist nurse all in one place. There will be shorter waiting times and no need to move around the hospital and get undressed in multiple locations.

If you would like to donate to this appeal, please go to www.justgiving. com/campaign/breastcancerappeal.

PHOTOS: The fantastic volunteers of the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal fundraising appeal.

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS APPEAL

ONLINE: www.justgiving.com/campaign/breastcancerappeal 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: fundraising@ydh.nhs.uk For more news check out www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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NEWS IN PHOTOS

Rotarians support The Hub in Yeovil

WORK colleagues Josie Bowden and Yvette Mears, of Yeovil-based Jones Building Group, have been busy knitting baby blankets which have been donated to the Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as part of its Baby Blanket Hospital for the hospital’s special care baby unit. “A big thank you to Josie and Yvette for donating their spare time to help such a fantastic cause,” said a spokesman for the Jones Building Group.

Imogen gains her Bronze Award A HARD-WORKING member of the 1st Preston Plucknett Guides in Yeovil has been presented with her Bronze Award for Guiding.

Imogen Lane to complete two “skill builders” projects – each comprising of five separate activities and ten hours of unit meeting activities on the themes of Express Myself and Have Adventures, while she also completed her Backwoods Cooking and Confectionary Badge.

Guide leader Jenny Lucas said: “Imogen has worked hard for the award and I believe her goal is to gain the Gold Award.”

The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Guide can achieve with the new programme introduced two years ago.

Imogen is the first Guide in the Preston Plucknett unit to achieve this award.

THE Rotary Club of Yeovil has donated £3,000 to The Hub - a Yeovil-based charity that provides support and training to people with learning disabilities and autism.

During the Rotary year that ran from July 2019 to June 2020, club president for that period Clive Wakely nominated The Hub as one of his chosen charities.

Consequently, proceeds raised by the club during the year were set aside specifically to support this much-needed organisation that has become a beacon of hope in many local people’s lives.

The events held by the Rotary Club included the its Last Night of the Proms Concert and popular Christmas Community Draw, together with a series of smaller fund-raising activities such as coffee mornings and raffles.

Clive said: “Being president of the Rotary Club brings with it some wonderful opportunities and being able to support worthy and much-needed local causes is right up there at the top of the list.

“Understanding the important work that The Hub and its fantastic team perform week-in and week-out and the life-changing benefits it provides the young people who attend, I was delighted that we could make it one of our Club’s

chosen charities and then hand-over the funds we had raised.”

Accepting the cheque on behalf of The Hub was the charity’s delivery manager Chris Newman who confirmed that the donation would be put to excellent use as they develop the centre’s facilities and educational services.

“Our work focuses on training to empower the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism, helping each individual to achieve their own personal independence, support their community and work together,” he said.

“Therefore, donations like this make a huge difference to the running of the Hub, particularly this year as due to the Covid-19 issues, gifts and donations have been few and far between, which makes this generous amount even more valuable.”

Dave pedals up the cash in memory of friend

Dylan is a fundraising star KIND-HEARTED Dylan Pike decided at the start of lockdown to paint some beautiful posters of positive words and rainbows for his windows at home.

After watching Captain Tom’s amazing fundraising, seven-year-old Dylan realised there were plenty of houses in his village where there were no children and therefore, had nobody to paint them a picture.

From here, his fundraising idea was born! He would paint some pictures and sell them to raise money for Yeovil Hospital Charity.

He originally set himself the target of raising £30, but he went on to absolutely smash this and raised £320.44!

Yeovil Hospital Charity’s community and events fundraiser Sarah Cherry said: “I would like to say how grateful we are to Dylan for all of his hard work and for creating such beautiful pictures to raise funds for our hospital.

“I know just how much time and effort

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he put in to doing this and it really does show in just how much he raised. Thank you Dylan you are a superstar.”

PHOTO: Dylan Pike.

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YEOVIL man Dave Gillard has raised an amazing £6,355.22 for the Dorset Hospital Charity in memory of his good friend Phil Riley.

Phil passed away last year from cancer and had received treatment in the chemotherapy suite at the hospital.

Dave decided he wanted to raise some money in memory of Phil and turned to his bike and the John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge.

He had envisaged the cycle ride would cover around 900 miles in total and had initially set himself a target of raising £1

a mile. But he soon smashed that total and while on the 11-day marathon he had reached £3,500 Dave’s partner Liz Diamond said they would like to thank everyone who sponsored him and were overwhelmed that the total raised had now surpassed £6,355.

Phil Riley was also from Yeovil and had many friends and former work colleagues in the area, although he had lived his last few years in Poole.

PHOTOS: Dave Gillard at the start and finish of his charity bike ride.

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Jake's gone yellow!

Stanchester supports the Hello Yellow campaign

NINE-YEAR-OLD Jake Curtis is all smiles as he makes his way to Preston Primary School in Yeovil on October 9, dressed in yellow as part of the school’s campaign to highlight awareness of the Young Minds mental health charity.

Photo submitted by Jake’s mum Debs Curtis.

STUDENTS and staff at Stanchester Academy in Stoke-sub-Hamdon supported the #HelloYellow campaign for World Mental Health Day on October 9.

Throughout the day students across

Strictly star waltzes in for footie fans

READERS may remember in last month’s edition we reported on three Yeovil Town fans who had got together to supply clubs, businesses and organisations with personalised face mask coverings.

GMM Brandtex was the brainchild of Glovers’ supporters Gavin Young, Mark Kelly and Michael West and business has continued to boom over the past few weeks – including the support of a couple of celebrities.

Former Home Secretary and Labour MP Jacqui Smith, fresh from TV’s Strictly

Come Dancing, and Iain Dale make regular appearances on Good Morning Britain and they co-host a weekly political and current affairs podcast entitled For The Many.

But they got in touch GMM Brandtex and ordered their face coverings which are now available as part of their own official merchandise.

“We couldn’t believe it,” said Michael.

“It was a really proud moment for us and Iain and Jacqui were a pleasure to work with.”

PRESTON School in Yeovil has congratulated Year Ten student Izzy Short on representing the school as a goalkeeper at the English Schools Hockey pathway training.

She has been excelling in front of the selectors and coaches and would like to thank all of the PE staff at Preston for supporting her.

More school news can be found on Pages 52-53.

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

all year groups learned about various aspects of metal health.

Students dressed in the traditional yellow of the #HelloYellow campaign.

More school news on Pages 52-53.

Community supports Rashford's meals campaign

THERE was plenty of local community support last month for Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford when his proposal for free school meals during the half-term holiday was turned down by the Government.

One of the first to offer free meals for those families in need locally was the Tintinhull Village Hall and Coffee Shop and received a response from Rashford on social networking Twitter (see picture).

Yeovil Town FC also offered free meals for children at the Alec Stock Lounge of its Huish Park Stadium.

“As a club deeply embedded into its community, the club has a responsibility to help wherever it possibly can, and the

campaign to End Child Food Poverty is the perfect example of this,” said a club spokesman.

Preston School in Yeovil also supported the cause and led to principal Gregg Morrison and Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh, who had voted against the free school meals proposals, having a public disagreement on social media.

Other outlets to support the cause – far too many to mention here – included the village cafe at East Coker with donations from local residents and Morrisons of Yeovil, along with the Royal George pub at West Coker and the Mildmay Arms at Queen Camel.

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Glorious country parks right on our doorstep win top awards SOUTH Somerset District Council was thrilled to announce that Chard Reservoir, Ham Hill Country Park and Yeovil Country Park had all retained their Green Flag Award in what has been a record-breaking year as more than 2,000 green spaces across the country have received the international quality mark.

If this year has taught us anything, it is how much we love and value our parks and greenspaces. Today, parks and green spaces across the country will be raising their Green Flag Award with pride in a year when millions of us have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on our doorstep.

Proudly among them will be South Somerset’s very own Chard Reservoir, Ham Hill Country Park and Yeovil Country Park, who have all successfully retained the Green Flag Award accreditation which is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and

Local Government, and recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

South Somerset’s Green Flag Award winners are: CHARD RESERVOIR: It is a local nature reserve on the eastern side of Chard. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty for both people and wildlife, where people are offered special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply just enjoy it. This will be its tenth year to receive Green Flag accreditation.

HAM HILL COUNTRY PARK: Ham Hill is a 390-acre country park about four miles west of Yeovil. Centred on an Iron Age Hillfort it boasts beautiful views over much of South Somerset and beyond. Bursting with history, wonderful countryside walks, children’s play area and picnic areas, there is something for everyone. Ham Hill Country Park receives the Green Flag award for the 15th time

and has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England for its management of its historic features.

YEOVIL COUNTRY PARK: The park, commonly known as Ninesprings, has received the Green Flag Award for the 15th consecutive year. The park is comprised of five main areas all of which have very different characteristics and land features. The landscape varies from Ninesprings which is the most heavily used and accessible section with its network of footpaths and waterways to the Riverside walk which gives the feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of town as you stroll through woodland following the path of the River Yeo. A truly wonderful place for everyone to enjoy.

South Somerset’s health and wellbeing spokesman, Cllr Mike Best, said: “Our three Green Flag Sites have seen their busiest spring and summer ever.

“Despite the additional pressures this

has put on the staffing teams, it has been uplifting to see so many people visiting our countryside areas during these times of uncertainty and it’s fantastic to see that they are treasured by so many. It makes all of the hard work that goes into managing these sites worthwhile.”

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said: “It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, South Somerset District Council has achieved the highest international standards at Chard Reservoir, Ham Hill Country Park and Yeovil Country Park demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

If you have not already discovered these wonderful places why not plan a visit? Embrace nature and nurture your wellbeing. It’s all waiting for you. Find out more here www. southsomersetcountryside.com/

Pictured above: Yeovil Country Park. Photo by Derek Harper.

Pictured top right: Ham Hill Country Park.

Pictured bottom right: Chard Reservoir. Photo by Derek Harper.

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Sisters were universally liked by all that knew them A YEOVIL family has received a posthumous award on behalf of twin sisters Katy and Emma Davis who died earlier this year from coronavirus.

The Judith Buckle Award was instigated in 2018 is offered to an individual who the Society feel has made an outstanding contribution to the Bechet’s Syndrom Society and its members.

Judith Buckle was a nurse with Behçet’s syndrome/disease who strove to raise awareness and support for others with this debilitating condition and in consequence started the Behçet’s Syndrome Society in 1983 now known Behcet’s UK. In similar vein, this is exactly what Katy and Emma did all their lives – helping others - so this could not be a more fitting tribute in honour of their memory.

The award is in recognition of the enduring support and assistance that over the years Katy and Emma offered many fellow Behcet’s UK members and patients. After the identical twins sad death, within days of each other in April, a number of members immediately got in touch to reflect the positive impact that

the twins always had on others suffering from the remitting and relapsing Behçet’s condition.

Their compassion always came over strongly.

A spokesman for Behcet’s UK said: “Many people noted that Katy and Emma routinely attended Behçet’s Group Meetings and were always cheerful and positively sharing their experience and knowledge of the condition in order to help others.

“Kind and personable, they were universally liked and their passing was really felt within the Behçet’s community.

“They were always interested in helping other patients and members as much as possible, whether by lending an ear either on the phone, or by text or email.

“When their health permitted, they attended annual general meetings, patient listening days, and the occasional stop at the pub with other patients after a clinic! It was notable how well they interacted with others in clinic; always so friendly and bright, despite their own suffering.”

The award was presented to Katy and Emma’s family during a small presentation by the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo.

“Emma and Katy were both nurses and used to giving all they had to help others even though they had their own problems and suffered from Behcet’s Disease,” he said.

“It takes very special people to nurse others while coping with their own medical condition and these two young ladies are a credit to their family and a

shining example to all that follow them.

“It is sad that Emma and Katy are not here to receive the award, but I have the honour to present this award to their parents Julie and Alan and their sister Zoe in memory of these special ladies.”

PHOTO: Zoe Davis (centre) with her parents Alan (front left) and Julie along with the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo (second left) and Behcet’s UK chairman Tony Thorburn. Photo: Steve Sowden

Positive news - we hope for Beales eyesore building THERE are hopes that moves will be made to tidy up the appearance of the empty Beales department store in the centre of Yeovil.

The Yeovil Press ran a front-page story in last month’s edition of the paper about how disappointing the building was looking and labelled it a “disgraceful eyesore” which had been left to fall into a poor state since it closed in March.

But it is understood that talks are underway to change that and to make Beales – more better known to Yeovilians as Denners – looking more attractive, although there is no real news yet on anybody taking over the large buildings.

The Yeovil Press contacted the administrators for the Beales building to see if anything could be done.

Advisory partner of KPMG insolvency administrators, Steve Absolom, said: “We have had a number of parties out to site to assess the potential options available to us to improve the façade of the stores for potential interested parties and also

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the general public of Yeovil.

“We are looking into installing full window decals (a design prepared on special paper for durable transfer on to another surface such as glass) across all street facing windows to visually improve the appearance of the stores.

“We are hoping to get these works completed shortly but in these uncertain times that is by no means guaranteed.

“We continue to explore permanent options with all stakeholders to bring the building back into use and hope a solution can be identified in the near future – although we expect progress to be severely impacted by the current and any potential future lockdown restrictions imposed.”

A spokesman for South Somerset District Council said: “We are working with the administrators for Beales and other owners with empty shopfronts, and we are hoping we will have some positive news to share in the next few weeks.”

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Theatre boss "over the moon" at vital funding support OFFICIALS at the award-winning Octagon Theatre in Yeovil breathed a huge sigh of relief after receiving a lifeline of nearly £300,000 from the Government.

The Octagon has been closed since lockdown was introduced in March because of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, while activities at its sister venue, the Westlands Yeovil entertainment complex, have also been limited because of the Covid-19 restrictions, although it has now closed again because of Lockdown Two. Money has been tight and income has been stripped bare and theatres and entertainment venues across the country have been teetering on the edge of collapse.

But the Octagon and Westlands Yeovil have received a huge financial boost.

The Government announced on October 17 a further £900,000 of funding to protect nine “cultural gems” in Somerset.

Comedy clubs, circuses, festivals, regional theatres and local museums were among 588 arts and culture organisations across England to receive a

share of £76million in essential support in the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

The biggest cash winners in Somerset were the Octagon Theatre with £298,687 and Bath Forum in Bath (£242,775).

The funding will enable sociallydistanced performances to restart where safe to do so, venues to plan for reopening, protect jobs and create opportunities for freelancers.

Arts and entertainment manager Adam Burgan said the “vital funding” would be used by the Octagon Theatre and the Westlands Yeovil venue.

“We are over the moon,” he said. “This is vital funding to help to protect the future of our venues as we continue to offer access to the arts, culture and film for residents.”

It followed an earlier announcement that 26 organisations in Somerset were being given £4.2million in the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back.

“Through Arts Council England we are

delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time.

“Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations.

“These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”

Everyone at the Octagon Theatres and Westlands Yeovil venues have got their fingers-crossed that Lockdown Two is lifted at the beginning of December

so that they can reopen for sociallydistanced events.

The Octagon has the Nurse Nellie Saves Panto production lined-up for December 11 through to January 3 (turn to Page 50 for more information), while the Castaway Theatre Group, which has been desperate to get back performing again, has A Night of Wonderful Entertainment planned at Westlands for December 6 with two sell-out crowds.

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Office staff are set-up at home and will be more than happy to assist you in this time of need – just call 01460-258949 or email matt@grinters.co.uk

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New calendar takes a step back in time THE 2021 South Somerset Heritage Collection calendar is now available to download for free!

Collated and designed by staff and volunteers at South Somerset District Council’s newly-renamed South Somerset Heritage Collection - formerly the Community Heritage Access Centre - the calendar includes a series of photographs and associated items selected from across the extensive South Somerset collections.

Heritage co-ordinator, Joseph Lewis, said: “With the 2021 calendar, we have expanded the reach to include Yeovil and four South Somerset villages - East Chinnock, Martock, Montacute and Stoke sub Hamdon.

“But I have continued the combination of photographs and related objects that people have enjoyed over the past two years. We have content that marks special

events in South Somerset history, but also objects from past industry as well.

“This year’s calendar includes imagery from the Coronation of King George V, the 70th anniversary of the Festival of Britain and costume examples from Martock Station.

“Donations to the collection over the years have created a wide ranging and fascinating record of our districts history.

We are always interested in any offers of donations related to Yeovil and South Somerset to the collection as a whole.

The Collection is closed to the public at the moment, but we can be contacted via our email address.”

The 2021 calendar, now in its eight successful year of production, coincides with a change of name for the centre with the wide selection of images and objects reflecting this change.

Yeovil was hit by several delayed-action bombs during a Second World War air raid on the evening of Good Friday, April 11, 1941. These destroyed the Medical Hall (now the site of Burger King) and the Corn Exchange behind King George Street (now the Halifax Bank). Tragically Patrol Officer Charles Gillard of the Auxiliary Fire Service was killed when one of the bombs exploded as he was fighting the blaze. A memorial plaque can be seen today on the remains of the Corn Exchange. The incident was recorded in a watch diary by an AFS colleague who was a laboratory technician working for Pittards.

Demonstrators gather in Stoke-sub-Hamdon on their way to join a rally supporting George Mitchell, of the National Agricultural Workers Union, at the “frying-pan” at Ham Hill around 1910. Yeovil was a major centre of the gloving industry and the rights of gloving workers were likely represented on the marches as well. The newly-renamed South Somerset Heritage Collection includes many tools of the trade as well as examples of the gloves produced, including a pair made by the – still operational – Southcombe Glove Company in Stoke-sub-Hamdon for the Festival of Britain, which took place 70 years ago in May 1951.

Middle Street in Montacute looking towards the King’s Arms pub in around 1910. The scene has changed relatively little in the 110 years since – although the confectioner’s store is no longer there. One relic of the village from the 19th Century is this alphabet sampler produced by Mary Ellen Cox. Needlwork samplers were popular works of embroidery or cross stitching produced as a “specimen of achievement.”

34

Sunday School scholars at the Pen Mill Methodist Chapel in Lyde Road in Yeovil are pictured here with their Sailing Boat of Hope sometime around the period of the First World War in 1914-18. Leslie Brooke’s The Book of Yeovil – published in 1978 – records the chapel having being opened in 1889 and then taken down in 1983. The Preston Road Methodist Church itself celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1988 with this commemorative mug.

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The council’s health and well-being spokesman, Cllr Mike Best, said: “The Heritage collection is a fascinating and diverse mix of objects and images.

“Seeing these pages come together to bring to life past moments in our history, or to illustrate the everyday but interesting pattern of life has been wonderful and we are especially grateful to design volunteer, Ian Tasker, for the production of the calendar and for showing our collection in its best possible

light.”

Ian added: “Designing the 2021 Yeovil calendar has been an enjoyable experience - especially expanding my knowledge of the other South Somerset villages that we have included this year.”

The 2021 Calendar is available to download at www.southsomerset.gov. uk/heritage.

PHOTOS: Some of the images used in the calendar.

The annual Christmas displays at Denners department store used to be a popular part of the festive season in Yeovil and usually included choirs, a Santa, sleigh and reindeers or – as pictured here – two ballerinas. Following the recent closing down of the Beales store, which succeeded Denners, some archive material reflecting the Denners years was donated to the South Somerset Heritage Collection courtesy of Beales including this fun invitation to a Christmas party.

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REMEMBRANCE 2020 LEST WE FORGET WE WILL REMEMBER THEM A 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM AROUND 100 people gathered – socially-distanced – in the Borough of Yeovil on the morning of November 8 for the annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

This year’s event was very different to what we are normally used to because of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions.

There was a short ceremony led by the chairman of the Yeovil branch of the

Royal British Legion, Simon Woodrow, followed by a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths around the base of the War Memorial.

Normally on Remembrance Sunday the Borough is packed with people wishing to pay their respects. But on this occasion many had – as had been advised – stayed away and made their silent tributes at home and on their front doorsteps.

Following the ceremony in the Borough,

a small group went to Yeovil Cemetery where a similar Act of Remembrance was held at the war graves.

The Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo, was at both ceremonies to represent the town.

He had also taken part in a prerecorded “virtual” Remembrance video – produced by Yeovil Town Council – and this was well-received by many people who watched it online via the YouTube channel or social media.

Despite the usual commemorations being hampered somewhat by the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions we can still remember those who made the ultimate

sacrifice and our thanks go to the sponsors of this 12-page Remembrance 2020 pullout: Northseam Independent Financial Planning; Fit and Furnish; The Glovers Trust; Turner Windows; Jones Building Group; Yeovil Rotary Club; Stuart Foster Funeral Services; JRH Media; A. J. Wakely & Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors; and Bob Osborn and The A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History website.

PHOTO: The Borough of Yeovil at the War Memorial on November 8 – Remembrance Sunday – while the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo, lays his wreath on behalf of the town. PHOTOS: Christine Jones.

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Yeovilton wreaths back Poppies to Paddington RNAS Yeovilton’s Base Warrant Officer Baz Firth took a small contingent to Castle Cary Train Station early on Armistice Day for Great Western Reailway’s ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train.

Swathes of poppy wreaths were placed

on GWR trains and carried to London Paddington station on November 11.

The special ‘Poppies to Paddington’ operation involved ten train services and more than 60 stations covering the length and breadth of the Great Western network.

Yeovilton supports Every Poppy Counts campaign

PERSONNEL from 847 Naval Air Squadron have recently been with the RFA Lyme Bay in the Mediterranean with Wildcat helicopters based at RNAS Yeovilton. But they took time out from their schedules to support the Royal British Legion’s Every Poppy Counts campaign.

With many Remembrance events in the capital and around the region suspended because of the pandemic, GWR and the Veterans Charity co-ordinated with organisations, veterans and volunteers to place wreaths on board early-morning services heading to the capital on

November 11.

On arrival at Paddington the wreaths were placed at the station’s iconic war memorial on Platform 1 in time for the 11am two-minute silence.

PHOTOS: Taken at Castle Cary Railway Station – courtesy of RNAS Yeovilton.

RNAS Yeovilton gathers at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church PERSONNEL from RNAS Yeovilton gathered for the annual Act of Remembrance at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church on Armistice Day. This year marked many anniversaries including the 75th of both VE and VJ Day as the nation paused to remember the First World War, Second World War and all conflicts since.

Due to Covid-19 Yeovilton’s Act of Remembrance was a scaled down event following Government guidance, however, all departments across the station were represented to remember the Armed Forces that lost their lives in the line of duty.

Those in attendance included serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Commando Helicopter Force, Royal Naval Reserves and the Army Air Corps. from the Air Station.

The ceremony holds an extra significance for the Royal Navy. In addition to Armistice Day, November 11 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Taranto. This year commemorates the 80th anniversary of Taranto, the famous Second World War decimation of the Italian Fleet inflicted by the Royal Navy and specifically the Fleet Air Arm’s Swordfish aircraft.

Two examples of this legendary biplane torpedo bomber with its airframe covered

in fabric are on the Station at Navy Wings - one is the only flying Fairey Swordfish Mk 1 in the world, W5856! The oldest surviving air worthy Fairey Swordfish in the world she first flew on Trafalgar Day (21 October) 1941.

The service was led by RNAS Yeovilton’s chaplain Rev Mark Allsopp. Following prayers and the reading of The Roll of Honour, the two minutes’ silence was initiated by a bugler sounding the Last Post.

The ceremony concluded with the Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton, Commodore Niall Griffin, laying a wreath on behalf of all at RNAS Yeovilton.

RNAS Yeovilton also paid its respects in front of the HQ as the bugler was piped over the station tannoy system for all to observe the two minutes silence.

PHOTOS: Courtesy of RNAS Yeovilton.

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Yeovil joined the rest of the nation in remembering the fallen A VERY simple and poignant ceremony of Remembrance was held at the War Memorial in the centre of Yeovil on November 8 as the nation stood silent to remember.

It was not an official Act of Remembrance with the Covid-19 restrictions making the usual ceremonies impossible to be held.

But what took place was enough for people to show their gratitude to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

A number of wreaths were placed around the war memorial including one from the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David

Recardo, and he later placed another wreath at the war graves at Yeovil Cemetery.

Among those at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday were serving personnel from the Armed Forces, many veterans, and representatives of voluntary and charitable groups.

A similar very low key event took place at the Preston Plucknett War Memorial on Preston Road in Yeovil.

PHOTOS: Christine Jones and Submitted.

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Nation stands still on Armistice Day

PEOPLE stood in silence at 11am on Wednesday, November 11, to mark the annual Armistice Day – the moment when the guns fell silent in 1918 to mean the end of the catastrophic First World War. The Borough of Yeovil came to a standstill as shoppers paused to reflect while the Mayor of Yeovil , Cllr David Recardo, was there at the War Memorial

along with members of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion to show their respects on this most important annual occasion.

Vice-chairman of the Yeovil branch of the Legion, Peter Forrester, said: “A big thank you to all those who stood on their doorsteps and by their windows at 11am on Armistice Day.” The Leonardo helicopter factory works siren in Yeovil sounded to start and finish the two-minute silence.

PHOTO: The scene in the Borough of Yeovil. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Smith, of Symonds and Sampson Estate Agents, Yeovil.

Poppy Appeal collectors thank those who donated VOLUNTEER Poppy Appeal collectors would like to thank everyone who donated to the annual charity drive in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. The restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has not made collecting easy this year, but organisers would like to thank all those who supported the cause.

Pictured are Poppy Appeal collectors at the main Tesco Extra store in Yeovil.

Photos courtesy of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion.

Poignant display for Remembrance at Brookie Bridge

THE Brookie Bridge Community Gardening Project is organised by the residents of the Seaton Road area in Yeovil.

The aim of the project is to transform, improve and enhance the area around Brookie Bridge at Dodham Brook in West Street, off Huish, for the enjoyment of people who use the footpaths and, in doing so, create a haven for wildlife.

Organisers are looking to populate the area with plants and flowers that are native or beneficial to insects and birds.

The project’s Remembrance display has again been beautifully created and not includes the cut-out of First World War soldier Harry, but also includes Path a service dog and a military messenger pigeon.

The Brookie Bridge Community Gardening Project won last year’s Pittards Poppy Award competition – organised by the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion – for the best display in support of the Poppy Appeal.

The area was well-known as having eight adjoining Air Raid shelters built during the Second World War which could have accommodated just under 100 people. They remained there at the Brookie for many years after the war, but have since been removed.

PHOTO: The poignant Remembrance display at the Brookie Bridge Community Gardening Project in Yeovil. Photo: Courtesy of Facebook.

GIRLS from the Pen Mill Hotel in Yeovil showed their support for the Poppy Appeal while they could before Lockdown Two came in and forced local pubs and restaurants to close their doors. Photo courtesy of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion.

AN Army tank was parked in the car park of the Morrisons supermarket store in Yeovil to help raise awareness among shoppers about the annual Poppy Appeal. Pictured stood by the tank is the store’s community champion Liz Templar.

Photo courtesy of Morrisons.

A FANTASTIC display was put up in the front garden of this Yeovil home on the corner of Gordon Road and Grass Royal to raise awareness of the Remembrance commemorations, the annual Poppy Appeal and also thanking the ongoing efforts of the NHS in the modern-day battle with coronavirus.

Vice-chairman of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion, Peter Forrester, said: “This is an example of a person going beyond the normal realms of duty in order to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. What an excellent effort.”

Photo courtesy of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion.

VISITORS to the Yeovil Country Park have been finding some wonderfully painted Poppy Pebbles along with a pin badge and poem to commemorate Remembrance Day 2020.

The kind-hearted gesture has been readily congratulated and praised on social media.

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LEST WE FORGET - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM A 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL

Film of respect, reflection and remembrance A SPECIAL Remembrance Day film made on behalf of Yeovil Town Council has been watched hundreds of times by viewers.

The council decided against holding its own traditional Act of Remembrance because of Covid-19 and the subsequent restrictions about mass gatherings.

There was a fear that had the council announced it was holding a ceremony at the War Memorial in The Borough then hundreds of people would have attended.

But not wishing to disrespect the names of all those who are etched onto the memorial a decision was taken to create a “virtual” Remembrance Day film – which would be screened to coincide with 11am two-minute silence – for people to watch within the safety of their own homes.

The film was shared on Yeovil Town Council’s website, social media Facebook channel and YouTube and can be viewed on this link www.youtube.com/ watch?v=K1qhguO_Q5A or go online to YouTube and search for Yeovil Town Council Video of Remembrance.

The film starts with mace bearer Bruce Trigger hoisting the Union flag at the Town House and is followed by the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo, paying tribute to The Fallen.

Peter Forester, of the Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion, reads the traditional Exhortation and Kohima passages stood by the War Memorial.

Bugler Bob Spiller, of the HMS Heron Volunteer Band, plays the Last Post and Reveille while Rev James Dudley-Smith, of St John’s Church, and Rev Jim Pearce, the Mayor’s Chaplain, gave addresses from within the church.

The film also contained footage of the War Memorial at Preston Plucknett on Preston Road, Yeovil, and of the War Graves contained within Yeovil Cemetery.

Filming for the production took place a week before Remembrance Day on November 1.

People have spoken on social media of their appreciation for the film and have thanked Yeovil Town Council.

Grateful thanks go to the Rich Digital for the video production along with the Yeovil Press, freelance photographer Len Copland and Bob Osborn, of the A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History website, for the photographs used in the video.

Special thanks go to Yeovil Town Council’s town clerk Amanda Card and the council’s buildings and civic matters committee chairman, Cllr Rob Stickland, along with everyone who took part in the production.

Peter Forrester, of the Royal British Legion, being filmed in The Borough. Photo: Steve Sowden.

Peter Forrester, of the Royal British Legion, by the War Memorial. Photo: Steve Sowden.

The Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo, and mace bearer Bruce Trigger at the War Memorial during the filming for Yeovil Town Council’s Remembrance video. Photo: Steve Sowden.

Bob Spiller, of the HMS Heron Volunteer Band, plays the Last Post.

The Mayor of Yeovil lays his wreath. Photo: Steve Sowden.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo and his wife Yvonne, along with the mace bearer, Bruce Trigger, by the War Memorial. Photo: Steve Sowden.

Rev Jim Pearce, the Mayor’s Chaplain, gives an address for the Remembrance video.

Rev James Dudley-Smith, of St John’s Church, gives an address for the Remembrance video.

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LEST WE FORGET - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM A 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL

We will NEVER forget them THE names published on these two pages are the very reason why we should NEVER forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during war and conflict.

Hundreds of names of men, women and children who died during the First World War, Second World War and the Falklands War adorn the War Memorial which has stood proudly in The Borough of Yeovil town centre since July 1921.

While those who served in the First World War are no longer with us and the numbers of those who fought during the Second World War are dwindling, it is still so very important for us and the generations who follow to remember those and those servicemen and women who have taken part in subsequent campaigns.

The names listed on the war memorial at Preston Plucknett on Preston Road, Yeovil, are also listed.

We owe them our freedom and our safety.

We Will Remember Them.

The names on the War Memorial in The Borough of Yeovil, killed during the First World War, are as follows: Walter John Abbott; David Henry Adams; Walter Horace Adams; Edwin Percival Aldworth; Walter William Allen; Richard Ewart Andrew; Douglas Arnold; William James Axe. Frank Bailey; Lionel John Bailey; Frederick Charles Barnes; Jack Belben; Edward Bertie Bell; George Bell; Edgar George Bennett; John James Bidgood; James Herbert Billen; William John Bindon; Herbert Charles Blake; Sidney Reginald Blake; William George Blake; Colin W. Blandford; Stanley Bowerman; Richard Brown; Robert Hall Brutton; Frederick James Burbage; Harry Henry Burbage; Albert Ernest Burgess; Stanley Burrows; William Bussell.

William John Campbell; Arthur William Channing; Bertie Thomas Chant; Frederick Ernest Chant; William James Chapman; Jesse Chislett; Jack Eustace Chudleigh; Arthur James Clements; Robert Rendell Collins; William Theodore Coombs; George Henry Cooper; Walter Gill Counter; Ernest George Cox; James Henry Crouch; Edwrd Curtis.

Henry George Dade; Reginald Frank Davey; Thomas Charles Davey; John Davis; Charles Mark Deacon; Thomas John Ambrose Denmead; Harold Dicks; Ernest Reginald Diment; Albert George Donovan.

John Charles Earl; Samuel Phillip Eason; Lionel Richard Ewens; Harry Fitkin; James Walter Fone; Ptolemy Henry Fooks; Edward Silke Foot.

William Thomas Gadd; Leonard Alfred George Gale; Reginald Gale; Edmund John Gapp; Frederick George Garrett; Sidney Garrett; Alfred James Gatcombe; Ernest Gatehouse; Norman Carter Godfrey; Harold Gosney; Stanley Reginald Gough; Bert Gould; Edward Bernard Gray; W. Gray; Alfred Thomas Lyndell Gregory.

Conrad Hammett; John Hancock; Albert Edward Hann; Frank Hardement; Edwin Hardy; Fred Hardy; Henry Charles Hardy; Frederick Walter Harrison; Frederick Hawker; Sidney George Hawker; Edwin Hawkins; Bertie John Hayward; S. E. Hayward; Horace Cyril Casley Heard; Albert Helyar; Eli Henwood; S. H. Henwood; Brynford Eaton Higgins; H. Hilborne; Arthur Theophilus Hill; Henry Albert Harry Hockey; Edward Holland; Harry Holland; Percy Lionel Holt; Frederick Thomas Hooper; Victor Hooper; William Stanley Hoskins; Frederick Arthur Hunt; Charles Hutchings; Jenkins Iver; Bert Jennings; Edgar George Jesty; Arthur Douglas Kemp Jones.

Frederick William Langdon; Charles P. Larcombe; Reginald Fred Larcombe; William Crocker Leaver; Walter John Lee; Alfred Lovell; Francis Willoughby Loxton; Ernest John Luffman; Thomas Luxton.

Frederick Major; Samuel March; Douglas D. Marnie; Edward Waters Harbin Marsh; Sidney Charles Masters; Arthur Donald Taylor Matthews; Percy Matthews; Wilfred Vernon Matthews; Rochford George Maunder; T. S. Melhuish; William John Melhuish; Bertram John Membery; John Milton; Thomas Milton; Earle Mitchell; Edmund James Munckton.

Caleb Edney Newis; A. H. Newman; Walter Henry Newman; Daniel Britton

Norman; Frederick James Norris; G. Ostler; George Frank Ostler; Herbert Percival Ostler; Harold John Palmer; Robert Parmiter; Arthur Edward Parsons; Arthur John Parsons; Harrie Parsons; Arthur John Partridge; Frederick John Patten; Wilfred Stanley George Payne; Bertie Pennell; Reginald Pennell; Frederick Henry John Phillips; William Arthur Phillips; Ben Richard Pike; B. Pike; Edward Pinney; Ira Clifford Stanley Pinney; Ralph Leonard Pipe; Imbert Stanley Pippard; James Plympton; Frederick Charles Poole; Maurice Arthur Poole; Percy William Poole; John Pound; Joseph Powney; George William Priddle; Herbert Charles Purchase; W. T. Purchase; Walter John Purchase; Wilfred Stanley Edwin Purchase; Albert Charles Purser.

Edgar Rattle; William Redman; Arthur Thomas Rendell; Frederick Harwood Rendell; Giles Rendell; Albert Charles Ricketts; Arthur Ricketts; George Ricketts; William Rodber; Clifford Stanley Rooks; William Rose; William Theophilus Ross; Charles Albert Rowland; Archibald Claud Victor Rowsell; Ernest Rowsell; Horace Baden Rowsell.

H. T. Samson; Charles Samways; George Bernard Samways; Ancil Croydon Sansom; Augustus Bertie Sartin; Francis Sidney Sartin; Ernest George Scriven; Clive Rewi Sears; Frederick Sharpe; Frederick G. Silvester; Cecil Smalley; Herbert Victor Smith; William Charles Smith; William Henry Spiller; William Stroud; William Henry Sugg; Stanley John Sumsion; Roland Valentine Sutton; William Frank Sweet; Archibald Vernon Tavender; Thomas Thompkins; T. Thorne; Alfred Charles Tuck; Clarence Endicott Tucker; Ernest Tucker; S. Tucker.

Lionel Francis Vaughan; Henry C. Vowles; Frederick Wall; William James Warren; Evered Bruce Way; Ralph Leonard Weale; John Milton Welch; H. F. Whalley Whatley; Edgar Whitby; Albert Sidney White; Henry White; Henry John White; Robert George White; William Walter Whittington; Henry George Willis; William John Willis; Percy Lionel Winsor; Stanley James Winsor; John Hedley Wright Yerbury; Frank Young; Richard Webber Young.

Fifty-three extra names of those

killed in the First World War were added to the War Memorial in The Borough of Yeovil in 2018. They are as follows: Richard Ewart Andrew; Kenneth Shorland Aplin; John Henry Strode Batten; Lionel Alfred Beare; Gerald Henry Hinuber Blake; William Blake; Albert Bowden; Richard Britton; Walter Henry Brown; Benjamin James Bucknall; Frank George Chester; Robert Selway Collins; Arthur James Cook; Albert Frank Cox; John Percy Dargue; Reginald Richard Davis; Reginald Harold Down; Harwood Walter Gillingham; Harold Glass; Stanley Glover; Herbert Samuel Goodland; Sidney Guppy; William Henry Stanley Guppy; Reginald Hallett; William Henry Hallett; John William Harris; Cecil Ernest Holwill; Ernest Horler; Aubrey Edwin Hyde; Bernard Reginald John Jeans; Albert George W J Jobbins; Leonard Stephen Knapton; Charles Langtry; John William Norris; Ernest William Nutland; Henry Osborne; Charles Stanley Ricketts; George Ricketts; William George Sartin; Albert Richard Shilston; Percy Sims; Horace John Smith; William Henry Sparks; Ernest Spear; Russell Harrison Stonnill; Reginald William Symes; Wilfred Ernest Treasure; Frederick James Turner; Frederick William Varder; Charles William Williams; Arthur Edgar Wills; Alfred Hugh Philip Witcomb; Cecil Harry Wood.

Second World War: Norman Frederick Abbott; Wreford Thomas Bagwell; Robert Sidney Courthope Baker; Arthur Ball; Lionel Arthur Bambury; Hugh William Ward Banfield; Arnold Thomas Barlow; George Ernest Barnes; Louis Harold Barnes; William Victor Bartlett; Mrs Florence Lilian Maud Batstone; Mrs Amelia Bell; John Ritchie Bennie; John William Beswick; Mrs Winifred Annie Bright; Mrs Mary Jane Bugler.

Kenneth Alfred Coombs; Thomas Vincent Cross; Mrs Jessie Emily Culvert; John Charles Dart; Lloyd Terence Rupert Davey; Miss Kathleen Joyce Denmead; Miss Joyce Dodge; Norman Sidney Durrant; Frederick Dyke; Reginald Albert Edgar Eastment; Cecil Beresford Edgerley; Frederick Paul Ewens.

Miss Elsie Farwell; Family Fitkin; Mr Leslie Forsey; Gordon Victor Foyle;

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LEST WE FORGET - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM A 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL Kenneth Harry Francis; Dennis William Galliott; Mr Norman Charles Gay; Patrol Officer Charles Henry Gillard; Master Dennis Gillingham; Ronald Arthur Green; Miss Minnie Doreen Guy; Donald Evan Haines and Rose Mary Haines; Madeline Emily Hann; William Henry Richard Harris; Myrtle Florence Mary Harrison; Reginald Stanley Hawkins; Agnes May Hayward; William George Hewlett; Albert John Hillard; Mrs Lily Hoyle and Master Trevor Hoyle; Albert Victor Hussey.

Michael Jackson; James Walter Jewell; Mrs Linda Christine Johnson; Leonard George Jukes; William David Keen; Mrs Florence Gertrude Lumber; Jack Major; Douglas William Raymond Masters; Peter George Masters; Robert William

McVeigh; Mr Albert George Mitchell; Mrs Myra Joan Morris; Mrs Hilda Mary Lambert Mulhall; Roy Clayton Alford Mullis; Mr Alfred Edward Gilbert Neville; Lionel James Norris; Bernard Felix Nowell; Charles Mark Old. Mr Alfred Aubrey Palmer; Mr James Palmer; Albert Victor Parker; George Victor Paul; Dennis Jack Pearcy; Lawrence Pearson; Philip Henry Perry; John Perry; Beaufort Read Kennan Petter; Mrs Violet Ruby Pickard; Eric William Plowman; Harold Plympton; Mr Lawrence Dreyfus Pritchard.

Cyril Henry Rendell; James Alma Rescorla; Frederick Alan Rivers; Mr Frank William Rose; Donald James Sands; John Ernest Saunders; Norma Frank Saunders; Mrs Elizabeth Jane Smith; Eric

People gather – socially distancing - at the Yeovil War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday (November 8, 2020) to show their respects. Photo: Christine Jones.

The dedication of the Yeovil War Memorial in The Borough in 1921 – 99 years ago. Photo courtesy of the A to Z of Yeovil’s History website.

The war memorial at Preston Plucknett – taken on Remembrance Sunday 2020 – which is nestled back from the roadside of the busy Preston Road in Yeovil. Photo courtesy of the Brympton Matters page on social media Facebook.

George Spearing; Ronald Ernest Leonard Stevens; Frederick Rowland Sutton; Master Lawrence Anthony Sweet; Ronald Swetman; Ronald Seymour Talboys; Douglas William Bulpin Taylor; Persons Known Only to God x Three; John Leonard Till; Ernest William Timbrell; Mr Wendell Jesse Tucker; Bernard Montague Jeffrey Vincent.

Bertram Edmund Wareham; Frank Arthur Watts; Stanley Alfred West; Harry Whittaker; Horace William Brooks Wiley; Colin Eric Willcocks; Lionel Leslie Wimbridge; James D. Wood; George Bramwell Wright; Miss Jean Elsie Young; Sydney Charles Wayman Young.

Other Conflicts - Falklands War 1982: Allan Joseph McAuley.

The names of those on the Preston Plucknett War Memorial on Preston Road in Yeovil, killed in the First World War, are as follows: William George Allen; George Samuel Batten; William Robert Boucher; Alfred James Cavell; Charles Mark Deacon; James Eastment; Charles Fox; Robert Fry; George Gefeall; Alfred John Gundry; Caleb Edney Mutter; Imbert Stanley Pippard; Sidney George Pippard; Herber Charles Purchase; John Thomas Taylor; Frederick Charles Wickestead; Harold Walter Wickstead.

The names of those on the Preston Plucknett War Memorial, killed in the Second World War, are as follows: Charles Mark Old; Thomas Henry Steel.

Flowers were placed in the churchyard of St John’s Church, Yeovil, at the plaque and tribute to those who were killed during the Falklands War of 1982. Photo: Christine Jones.

A simple but effective tribute outside St John’s Church in Yeovil created by members of the Royal British Legion. Photo: Christine Jones.

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Quiet reflection at Milford

CHILDREN and staff at Milford Infants’ School and Pre-School marked Remembrance Day in their classes.

A two-minute silence was observed

at 11am on Wednesday, November 11.

Children worked together to create large Poppy wreaths and wrote messages to the many soldiers who gave their lives in battle.

Pre-school children created their own poppies and marked the day with a quiet, reflection time.

The children’s art work was used to create a Remembrance Day display at the entrance to the school on Glenthorne Avenue.

Children are pictured on the front page of this edition of the Yeovil Press community newspaper.

Stanchester's strong links with the military STANCHESTER Academy at Stokesub-Hamdon has a long and proud association with the military and particularly RNAS Yeovilton.

Staff normally take students to the Remembrance Parade and Service at RNAS Yeovilton, but attendance was not possible this year due to Covid-19.

Instead, Stanchester installed a display of poppies at the front of the school and in addition to the red poppy, students included the purple poppy in recognition of service of animals in conflict, white for the loved ones left behind and black for the contribution of black and ethnic minority communities to the Armed Services.

A Stanchester spokesman said: “Many of our students are from military families and, as is common with military students, many of our students may start with us midway through secondary school, even mid-way through the year.

“In recognition of our military students, the poppies, each of which was made

by the students at Stanchester, were installed and made to look like they were blowing across the windows and settling, symbolising the students from military families who arrive, settle and thrive at Stanchester Academy.”

Mrs Hendry accompanied Stanchester’s head boy Connor Perrin and head girl Olivia-Lee Turner-Thompson to lay the wreath at Ham Hill monument.

STUDENTS from Buckler’s Mead Academy in Yeovil were accompanied by Mr Lawrence to lay the school’s wreath on Armistice Day on November 11 at the War Memorial in the Borough.

They then returned to school to join their classmates and colleagues for the two-minute silence.

Then and now - we will remember at Westfield WESTFIELD Academy in Yeovil has been busy remembering all of those who served and died during the First World War and Second World War – plus the ongoing current battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

A Westfield spokesman said: “We wanted to think about not only the soldiers who gave their lives, but everyone who served their country.

“We have learned about the services women and children offered during the war and about coming together as a community.

“We also remember all those who lost their lives due to Covid 19 and to everyone who still serves and sacrifices during the pandemic. We say a big thank you to the NHS and all key workers who have put themselves at risk to offer a service to others.

“The experiences of people in the Second World War and our experiences today reminds us of the importance of courage, bravery and determination, for all.

“Our display shows both the poppy and the rainbow alongside our messages of thanks to all of those who serve.”

People wear a poppy to show their respect to those that gave their lives and as a symbol of hope for a peaceful future.

While people have shared pictures of rainbows in their windows this year to show support for the key workers and as a symbol of hope that the pandemic will end.

The Westfield spokesman added: “These symbols remind us to take time to remember and thank all the people who gave and continue to give.”

Westfield would like to thank the Royal British Legion for its resources.

Bringing history to life at Oaklands YEAR Six pupils took part in a Second World War Day as part of the build-up to the time of Remembrance where they re-enacted being an evacuee.

They learnt about the impact of the Second World War on Yeovil and looked at some aerial maps. They loved the fact that there used to be a water tank where Burger King is now and that children used to play in it in the summer.

They learnt how to use a stirrup pump and looked at artefacts from the war.

They learnt how to march and took part in drills on the playgrounds.

The children looked at maps of Europe to look at which countries were involved.

They also learnt about rationing and the Dig for Victory campaign.

The children followed up with poems in the style of Flanders Fields which they read in assembly on Wednesday, November 11, Armistice Day – which was put into a video.

STUDENTS from Preston School in Yeovil ventured into the town centre to place a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of the school.

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Yeovil civilians who paid the ultimate price THE Remembrance film put together

by Yeovil Town Council poignantly takes a look at some of the names on the War Memorial in the centre of the town and the camera pans in on the names of L. Hoyle and T. Hoyle.

It is arguably one of the saddest Yeovil stories of the Second World War how little five-year-old Trevor Hoyle raced home to Westland Terrace from Huish School when the air raid siren sounded on March 26, 1941, to be with his mum Lily. Tragically their house was bombed and they were both killed.

More than 40 men, women and children were killed in Yeovil during the Second

World War when German bombers went over the town and carried out air raids.

Yeovil suffered enemy air raids on ten occasions and 107 high explosive bombs were dropped on the town killing or fatally wounding and injuring around 150 people.

Sixty-eight houses were totally destroyed, 2,377 were damaged but repairable, 309 had windows broken, and 67 were damaged by machine gun fire - a total of repairable buildings of 2,754 - accounting for a third of the borough’s houses.

The first, and most serious, raid took place on October 7, 1940, followed by

another on the following day.

The final raid occurred on August 5, 1942, two bombers flying over the town just before dusk and inflicting damage on nearly 1,000 houses.

For more news about Yeovil during the Second World War – go to the excellent website entitled The A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History at www.yeovilhistory.info .

Here we remember those civilians who were killed right here in Yeovil during the Second World War. PHOTO: The names including that of Lily Hoyle and her son Trevor on Yeovil’s War Memorial.

OCTOBER 7, 1940 THE first German air raid on Yeovil saw a number of fatalities – some sheltering in the shop premises of Messrs Montague Burton in Middle Street.

Florence Lilian Maud Batstone and her husband, Reginal James Batstone, were killed during the bombing along with Elizabeth Jane Smith and Wendell Jesse Tucker.

Sixteen-year-old Norman Charles Gay was also killed while sheltering at the shop premises, as was Linda Christine Johnson, aged 29, and Frank William Rose.

Alfred Aubrey Palmer was killed whilst sheltering in Brice’s Billiard Room over the shop premises of Messrs Montague Burton in Middle Street.

Leslie Forsey, 31, was also killed on October 7, 1940, when a bomb fell directly onto an air raid shelter at 45 Grove Avenue, Yeovil. Also killed was 50-year-old Myra Joan Morris.

Winifred Annie Bright was gravely injured in the same air raid when a bomb fell on shelter at the Vicarage Street Methodist Church in Yeovil. She died of her injuries on October 9, 1940, at Yeovil Hospital.

Mary Jane Bugler also died in Yeovil Hospital as a result of injuries sustained by the bomb falling on the shelter at Vicarage Street Methodist Church.

Forty-four-year-old Florence Gertrude Lumber was also killed in the Vicarage Street shelter hit.

Violet Ruby Pickard, 47, was gravely

injured in the Vicarage Street Methodist Church bombing and died the same day in Yeovil Hospital.

Agnes May Hayward was killed on October 7, 1940, when her house in St Andrew’s Road, Yeovil, was hit by a high explosive bomb.

Cyril Henry Rendell was killed by a bomb explosion iwhilst delivering bread in Summerleaze Park for Messrs Pulman’s Bakery.

OCTOBER 8, 1940 JEAN Elsie Young, aged 16, was killed in the second German air raid on the Yeovil when a high explosive bomb made a direct hit on an air raid shelter in the garden of 103 Preston Grove.

Nine-year-old Lawrence Anthony Sweet, who was a pupil at Huish Boys’ School, was also killed in the same incident along with 18-year-old Joyce Dodge and Myrtle Florence Mary Harrison, aged 29.

All three members of the Fitkin family were killed in the Preston Grove incident.

James Fitkin, 31, and his wife Olga Fitkin, 29, and their three-year-old son Anthony Maxwell Fitkin.

Eleven people were killed as a result of the Preston Grove attack – eight of the victims were identified, but the remains of three were so badly mutilated that this was not possible. Despite extensive enquiries the identities could not be established and the bodies were interred in Yeovil Cemetery.

MARCH 26, 1941 THE fifth German air raid on Yeovil saw houses in Westland Terrace, Westland

Road, destroyed by high explosive bombs and led to a number of deaths.

Minnie Doreen Guy, 21, was killed as was 23-year-old Jessie Emily Culvert who died of her injuries later in Yeovil Hospital.

Lily Hoyle, 29, and her five-yearold son Trevor Hoyle were killed when their house at 23 Westland Terrace was completely destroyed by a high explosive bomb.

Alfred Edward Gilbert Neville was killed in the same bombing raid at the age of 35.

Hilda Mary Lambert, 43, was killed at the Westland Aircraft Works, as was 65-year-old James Palmer. Lawrence Drefus Pritchard, 41, was gravely injured during the same attack on Westland and died the same day in Yeovil Hospital, along with Madeline Emily Hann, aged 31.

APRIL 12, 1941 PATROL Officer Charles Henry Gillard, of the Yeovil Auxiliary Fire Service, was killed in the sixth German air raid on Yeovil during the night of Good Friday, April 12, 1941.

Several delayed action high explosive bombs fell on the Yeovil town centre and one landed on the Corn Exchange in High Street.

Soldiers of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers were billeted in the Corn Exchange, four of whom were killed and five injured.

Patrol Officer Gillard, 37, of Hillcrest Road, Yeovil, was killed when the bomb

exploded as he fought the fire in the building. The official summary of the raid suggested that incendiary bombs had been attached to the fins of the bomb as the flames of the fire were described as being of a yellow colour as from broken gas pipes and the water played on the fire caused it to roar.

MAY 25, 1941 TEN-year-old Dennis Gillingham was killed at 130 Mudford Road during the ninth German air raid on Yeovil.

Amelia Bell, 57, was killed when 136 Mudford Road was destroyed in the air raid.

Donald Evan Haines and his wife Rose Mary Haines were both killed when a bomb destroyed 132 Mudford Road. Mrs Haines’ sister, Kathleen Joyce Denmead, 25, was also killed in the bomb blast.

AUGUST 5, 1942 ALBERT George Mitchell, 38, was killed in the tenth and final German air raid on Yeovil during the evening of August 5, 1942, when a single bomb dropped by one of a pair of FW 190 fighter bombers exploded in the gardens at the rear of numbers 13 to 16 Gordon Road and 2 to 8 Grass Royal.

Albert Victor Hussey, 46, a member of the Home Guard, died the same day in Yeovil Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the air raid.

Elsie Farwell, 59, died the following day after being gravely injured in the air raid after houses were destroyed in Dampier Street.

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DOWN MEMORY LANE

Seven hundred men from Yeovil marched off to war WHEN Britain’s involvement in the First World War began in 1914 it was not long before men in Yeovil were looking to sign-up.

Kitchener’s Army – the new Army – named after the Secretary of State for War, Horatio Kitchener, was initially an all-volunteer Army.

Almost 2.5million men from across the nation volunteered for Kitchener’s Army and, among them, the men of Yeovil were quick to volunteer.

Most Yeovil volunteers were sent off to Taunton where they received their kit and introduced to Army discipline and training.

They would then go to their main training camps to join their battalion and then off to fight on the Front.

Just under 700 men from Yeovil served their country in the First World War and 300 of those would be killed, while hundreds would suffer wounds and illness.

The Down Memory Lane feature – which was launched for the first time in the March 2020 edition of Yeovil Press – is supported by the fantastic A-to-Z of

Yeovil’s History website which has been created by local historian Bob Osborn.

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.

Go to www.yeovilhistory.info to have a look at Bob’s fantastic website and delve further into Yeovil’s past.

Yeovil Press editor Steve Sowden said: “I always seem to be drawn to these photos in November each year during the traditional time for Remembrance and find them so very poignant.

“Men marching off to war with pride in every step knowing they were doing their bit for King and Country; and yet also marching off to a possible horrific death.

“To think that 700 men alone from Yeovil went off to fight in the war when the town’s population was probably around just 15,000 in 1914 is shocking and puts into perspective the huge sacrifices that were made for our freedom of today.”

A postcard of soldiers and horses outside of the Globe and Crown in South Street, Yeovil, possibly of the West Somerset Yeomanry billeted in the stable at the rear of the Globe and Crown while mustering for war service in August 1914.

On August 10, 1914, just days before war was declared against Germany, D Squadron of the West Somerset Yeomanry paraded along High Street on their way to the Town Railway Station en route for Winchester.

Men of Kitchener’s Army march down Middle Street, Yeovil, on their way to the Western Front in around 1915.

Above: The famous poster featuring the Secretary of State for War, Horatio Kitchener, at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

Right: This postcard by John Chaffin & Sons of Hendford, Yeovil, was probably of two Yeovil brothers about to go off to war.

Volunteers parade through the Borough of Yeovil in 1914 preceded by a band and encouraged by large crowds of onlookers.

THIS FEATURE HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY: AN A-TO-Z OF YEOVIL'S HISTORY Ladies enjoying a rare night outYeovil's at The Emporium in Yeovil for a spot of live music. Photo taken by Social Life regular Darren www.yeovilhistory.info - Find out more about past Santiago.

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Yeovil men of the National Reservists, known colloquially as the Straw Hat Brigade, line-up in the Borough on August 4, 1914, before marching to the Town Railway Station and travelling to Taunton. War was declared at midnight that night.

The Straw Hat Brigade of the Yeovil Reservies marching off from the Borough to the Town Station on August 4, 1914.

The day after war was declared in August 1914 a Government inspector travelled to Yeovil to commandeer horses for use by the Army.

Volunteers for Kitchener’s Army march down Lower Middle Street, Yeovil, in September 1914 on their way to the Town Railway Station.

More recruits walk through Yeovil on their way to the Town Railway Station in September 1914 an off to war.

Yeovil recruits stand on the platform at the Town Station awaiting their train to Taunton in 1914. The sign on the roof of the railway carriage in the background reads: “Well done Yeovil – we are proud of you.”

Recruits march down Station Road, Yeovil, to board a Train at the Town Station. In the background, at the extreme right of the photo, is the Railway Inn in Middle Street where the William Dampier (Wetherspoon) pub stands today.

Volunteers and their families wait on the platform at the Town Station awaiting their train to Taunton in 1914.

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LEST WE FORGET - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM A 12-PAGE REMEMBRANCE SPECIAL

Memories of past Remembrance Sunday commemorations REMEMBRANCE Sunday 2020 was very different to how we have usually done things on that very special day because of the ongoing restrictions brought in by the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were no big parades, no marching bands and no mass crowds.

Just simple Acts of Remembrance in which people could remember the fallen and thank all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our

country.

Hopefully by Remembrance Sunday 2021 and circumstances may have – hopefully – changed again and we can go back to the traditional way in which we unite together rather than socially distant to remember our heroes.

Here are some photos of Remembrance Sunday events in Yeovil dating from 2010-2019. Photos: Christine Jones, of the Yeovil Press.

2015

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CONVEYANCING FO R EM ERG EN CY S ERV I C ES & A R M ED FO RC ES PER SO N N EL

We of fer this discount as a token of appreciation to our NHS, Fire Ser vices, Police, RNLI, HM Coastguard and Mountain Rescue and Armed Forces employees.

To receive this discount, the home owner must

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be an emergency services employee (in joint applications just one person must be employed to be eligible).

Please contact Joanna Shortland in our Yeovil office on 01935 426047 to discuss further and to instruct her directly to

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CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

An education is for life, not just for Christmas THE School in a Bag charity – which provides the gift of education to underprivileged children across the globe – is holding an online shop this year in its countdown to Christmas.

For the past few years the charity, which is based at Chilthorne Domer, has had a shop at the Quedam Shopping Centre in Yeovil in the weeks leading up to the festive season and has proven highly successful.

But the restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic has meant that that is not possible this year – so the charity team has launched online shop instead.

School in a Bag is a UK registered charity which was born out of the Piers Simon Appeal - a charity set-up in memory of the charity’s founder and chief executive’s brother who died in the Indian Ocean Tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004.

School in a Bag distributes SchoolBags to poor, orphan, disadvantaged and disaster-affected children around the world - to date over 119,000 SchoolBags have been handed out to children in 46 countries.

Every SchoolBag is new, individually numbered and trackable on the School in a Bag website - more often than not, donors are able to learn details and see an image of the beneficiary of their SchoolBag. A SchoolBag is a simple solution, each filled with essential resources that will enable a child to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves, eat, drink

and above all, learn.

A typical SchoolBag contains: pencils, biros, colouring pencils, a maths set, ruler, pencil case, six exercise books, a water bottle and a LunchBox with Spork.

Charity chief executive Luke Simon said: “A SchoolBag can be purchased through the School in a Bag Christmas e-shop.

“The cost to fund a numbered, trackable SchoolBag as a gift is just £20. Purchasers will receive their own SchoolBag Gift Card (digital or paper) containing the number/s of the SchoolBag/s they have funded.

“A SchoolBag can also be funded in someone else’s name, making it an ideal pressie, and with the Gift Card option as well, there’s still something to put under the tree to be opened on Christmas Day, or in email format to be sent to anywhere in the world.”

And Luke added: “School in a Bag Christmas 2020 - an education is for life, not just for Christmas.

Go to the online shop at https://www. schoolinabag.org/christmas_shop/

Plans for Santa's Grotto YEOVIL Hospital Charity’s annual Santa’s Grotto will be slightly different for 2020 – as like most things – especially now as we are into a second lockdown.

But the charity is still offering families the chance to enjoy the Christmas magic by visiting Santa, but from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

Visits will take place on an online platform and booking in advance is essential. All children will receive a gift

in advance of their virtual visit with Santa, to ensure the magic of Christmas is able to go on!

Visits are £5 for one child and £3 for each additional sibling. All money raised will be going towards the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal. To book your visit between Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 22, please email Sarah.

Cherry@ydh.nhs.uk.

Times will be flexible as Santa does have to make gifts in between visits!

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Brympton launches Christmas Lights competition BRYMPTON Parish Council is inviting all of its residents to take part in its annual Christmas Lights Competition.

Just register your address and the category you wish to enter, either by email clerk@brymptonparishcouncil. gov.uk; telephone 01935-424332 or post through the door of The Parish Office, The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, BA21 3TL (Please don’t post your entry through the door of the Community Centre).

If you prefer not to enter, but would like to nominate a property in the parish of Brympton for “The Best Decorated House” - using the contact details above, please give the address of the property you are nominating and your name and address as nominee.

Closing date for entries is December 13, 2020, and judging will take place after 7pm on December 14, 2020.

Categories and Prizes: Best Large Individual Display – Prize £50; Best Small Individual Display – Prize £50; Through a Child’s Eyes – Prize £50; Santa’s Choice – Prize £50; People’s Choice - Prize £50; Best Street – Certificate for all households that have entered.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the prizes of £50 and certificates will be paid as cheques and either delivered by hand or sent by Royal Mail.

Prize winners will be invited to attend the virtual Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm on December 16, 2020, and will be sent joining instructions.

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Christmas Carol Celebration will be held on YouTube SINGERS from across Yeovil will be taking part in a very special online Christmas Carol Celebration next month.

The Yeovil Good Afternoon Choir was started earlier this year by music-man Grenville Jones. This is the 11th Good Afternoon Choir in the South West and following Lockdown, Grenville launched a regular Wednesday mid-day online choir rehearsal, shared with Ben England and Matt Finch - conductors of his other Good Afternoon Choir across the region.

And Grenville said: “On Wednesday, December 23, we will be broadcasting online a very special Christmas Carol Celebration, which ANYONE can access Festive cupcakes THE owners of the Cake Box Bakery in Yeovil are asking children to design a Christmas Cupcake in a fun festive competition.

Rob and Deb Gingell at the Cake Box Bakery in Wessex Road will look at the entries and then choose winners from two age categories – Under-8s and the 8-12 year olds.

on YouTube.

“The online choir from across England and with members from afar afield as Australia, America and Canada, will be joining in and there will be carols for EVERYONE with on screen words, as well as a special performance by the talented Finch Family.”

Matt Finch is best known in Bath as musical director to the Bath Light Operatic Group and also leads the Yeovil Good Afternoon Choir.

Earlier this year, together with his wife Bella and children Jess and Oli performed together as a quartet on one of Matt’s Wednesday Good Afternoon

They will then turn these designs into yummy cupcakes which will be sold in the shop.

For full details about the competition go to the Cake Box’s social media page on Facebook.

Closing date for entries is Saturday, November 21, and the winners will be announced on its Facebook page by December 1.

Choir rehearsals.

“We had a fantastic response to the performance of the brilliant Finch Family and they will be one of our special groups taking part in the online Christmas Celebration on December 23,” added Grenville.

“The good thing is, that because it is on YouTube, anyone can watch it over the Christmas period and have their own Christmas Carol Celebration in their own homes.”

You can watch the online carol concert by visiting YouTube and searching for GoodAfternoonChoir/online.

A new online rehearsal Season will Christmas baguettes at No5 CHRISTMAS would not be Christmas without the legendary and delicious Christmas Baguette – courtesy of the No5 Cafe Diner.

The baguette is priced £4.50 and comes with roast turkey, sausage, bacon, stuffing and cranberry; while roast potatoes can be

start in January with Grenville, Matt and Ben. For full details see www. goodafternoonchoir.org/online.html.

PHOTO: Yeovil Good Afternoon Choir pictured in early March – before lockdown. bought for £1.50 along with gravy at just 20p.

No5 Cafe Diner at Kingfisher Close on Gazelle Road, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil, is still operating a takeaway service during Lockdown Two and has an extensive menu.

But the Christmas Baguette cannot be ignored!

Lighting up Yeovil for Christmas in a digitally festive fashion THE Love Yeovil group is very pleased to announce that Yeovil will be switching on its Christmas Lights and lighting up the town centre Christmas Tree this year and streaming the traditional switch-on digitally via its social media pages.

Sadly, as the traditional event for switching on the Christmas Lights and the Lantern Parade is not able to take place due to restrictions on large gatherings, the switching-on of the Christmas Lights and a digital lantern parade will be streamed on Thursday, December 3, at 6pm.

Love Yeovil is going to be hosting a digital lantern parade and like in past years, there will be a prize for the top 3 lanterns as judged by Yeovil’s Mayor, Cllr David Recardo.

Yeovil Town Council has generously sponsored 100 free lantern kits for

families and these have already been snapped up by families.

Love Yeovil has created a video which shows you how you can make a basic lantern at home – https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=D7RBHpD0gJo...

Love Yeovil is then asking all those who wish to take part in the digital Lantern Parade to send their pictures and/or videos of their completed lantern into Love Yeovil via Facebook or on the website, any entry needs to be sent to Love Yeovil by Monday, November 23, by 4pm.

Traditionally the Switch-on event marks the start of the late-night shopping Yeovil town centre and this year is no different - from Thursday, December 3, and then every Thursday night up to and including Thursday, December 17.

THE Haselbury Mill venue – which is located between Yeovil and Crewkerne – is inviting people to enjoy an enchanted Christmas drive-thru and takeaway experience in the weeks leading up to the festive season.

The event is to be staged daily between 3pm to 8.30pm from November 21 to December 30 and will allow visitors a safe magical experience.

They will drive through a winter wonderland and arrive at the Mill’s

fantastic Tithe Barn and greeted by Santa who will serve a special winternoon tea and present.

For more details check out the advert on this page.

Haselbury Mill is also planning to hold a Christmas Restaurant in the run-up to the festive season on December 11-12 and December 18-19.

Keep checking Haselbury Mill’s social media page on Facebook for updated information.

Festive fun at Haselbury Mill

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SCHOOL REUNION

Bringing school memories back to life WELCOME to the latest instalment of our fun feature entitled School Reunion – looking back at old school photos 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, summer fetes or school productions.

Anything that you think would be

perfect for the School Reunion feature – we would love to receive.

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 football team photo was sent to us by Darren Lintern and features a team from St Gilda’s Primary School, Yeovil, from around 1980. Pictured (back row from left) are headteacher Nick Ryan, Simon Severino, Terry Hurley, Stephen ‘Scat’ Farrant, Pete Barnes, Richard Riley and James Smith and (front row from left) are Christopher Healey, Darren Lintern, Toby Pullen, Robert Burns and Neil Housley.

Many thanks to Dave Shorey for this photo of the whole West Coker School in 1990 when John Booth was the headmaster.

SCHOOL REUNION Send us your old school photos for this monthly feature

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Chris Priddle sent us this photo of Form 3AR at Grass Royal Secondary Modern School in Yeovil from 1960. Chris has had a go at naming the names in the photo, but admits he does not know all of them and might be mistaken on a few along with a few incorrectly spelt. Pictured back row from left are Peter Fursey, Peter Burton, ??, Timothy Flew, Ronald Flower, ??, Stephen Mills, Anthony David, Tony Hansen, Donald Morgan, Chris Priddle, Raymond Failes, ??, Sidney Murphy, Leslie Munckton, Geoffrey Davies and Ronald Dacombe; middle row from left are Roy Margetts, ??, Maureen LeGallez, Lesley Dilley, Susan Costigan, Ann Hackwell, Veronica Blaynee, Susan Conway, Patricia Quinton, Patricia Clark, James Young and John Clarke; front row from left are Richard Thurston, Penelope Aplin, Joy Smith, Joyce Taylor, Pamela Jeffrey, Jacqueline Palmer, Margaret Wells, Barbara Read, Margaret Howe and Brian Darton.

This photo was sent into us by James Wootten, of Yeovil, and taken in 1986 at Huish Primary School after these pupils took part in a BBC Radio Four outside-broadcast drama recording. Pictured (from left) are David Bigenel, James Wootten, Lucy Pike, Joanna Woollard and Phillip Asprey.

The Birchfield School football team in Yeovil from 1987 which won the Junior Schools Challenge Cup with a 3-2 win over Huish School in the final played at Yeovil Town Football Club’s former Huish ground with the famous sloping pitch. Pictured (back row from left) are Scott Bray, Timothy Armitage, Stuart Gould, Steven Delvin, Mark Rolls, Ben Male and (front from left) are Martin Bull, Trevor Cooper, Lee Harwood, Simon Durricott, Andrew Willis and Nathan Pomeroy.

Preston School’s cast of the musical Carousel which was performed in the early 1980s featuring none other than wellknown TV actor Sarah Parish as Carrie with Mark Plowman playing Mr Snow, Alison Bayes as Julie Jordan, Michael Lattanzio as Billy Bigelow and Darren Holt as Jigger Craigin.

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

51

SCHOOL NEWS

Raising awareness about drugs and knife crime STANCHESTER Academy at Stoke-subHamdon held a workshop between Collaborate Digital and Year 10 students who were making videos/podcasts to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use and knife crime as part of the Safer Somerset Partnership’s School Media Competition.

More than 500 students took part in schools across the country and Stanchester has been delighted to announce that one of its groups is through to the final, which involves a public voting system.

A Stanchester spokesman said: “Well done to Rhian Spencer, Charlie White, Charlie Wiltshire and Luke Wright. We

wish them all the best of luck.”

The public vote is now up and running and will continue until 4pm on Monday, November 16.

As well as trophies awarded by a panel of judges there will be an award for the audio/video that garners the most votes from friends and family.

The Stanchester spokesman added: “So we encourage everyone to generate as many votes as possible by watching via the link add your vote.”

Visit www.collaboratedigital.com/poll and find the Stanchester Academy entry.

Don’t forget to vote.

MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Yeovil, together with colleagues from the Rotary Club of Yeo Vale and other clubs across the UK, acknowledged the occasion of World Polio Day on October 24 by planting 1000s of purple Crocuses in support of the Rotary Foundation’s World Purple4Polio campaign.

Rotary clubs have been raising money for the cause by selling purple crocus corms. Then, to increase awareness of the campaign, they have been planting them too!

Rotarians visited Stanchester Academy in Stoke Sub-Hamdon where, together with staff and pupils, crocuses were planted in the front of the school.

The Rotarians have also planted corms on the approach to the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil – thanks to the co-operation of

South Somerset District Council.

In addition, the West Coker Garden Club and East Coker Parish Council are planting crocuses in their respective villages.

Therefore, as well as raising nearly £1,000 for the Purple4Polio campaign, local Rotary clubs hope that passers-by will enjoy the sight of over 12,000 purple crocuses in the town and villages when they make their spectacular appearance in the Spring.

A spokesman for Stanchester Academy said: “This term really has been a celebration of being able to continue everything we hold dear at Stanchester despite the challenges we are faced with.

“From our community lockdown art project at the start of term, to introducing our Head Girl and Boy team to the school community through an

TEACHERS at Westfield Academy in Yeovil would like to thank the Year 11 students who have gained senior prefect and prefect status this year.

Pictured are some of the students

receiving their prefect ties and learning about their duties.

“We are sure they will do us proud in representing our school,” said an Academy spokesman.

Stanchester unites with Rotarians to get planting

52

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online whole school assembly, watching that team grow in confidence through their meetings, again online, with our Year Six children in our feeder schools and supporting important charities and events with #Helloyellow for World Mental Health Day. “And then we were delighted to be

lucky enough to take part in the Rotary Club’s Purple4Polio project when students worked with Rotarians to plant crocus corms at the front of the school.”

And the Stanchester spokesman added: “Now we just await the infusion of colour.”

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

Celebrating the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter YEAR One children at Milford Infants School in Yeovil have been learning about and sharing Beatrix Potter stories.

The children have worked hard to write sentences about Peter Rabbit, they have found out about Beatrix Potter and her life as a significant children’s author and have also created their own illustration

in the style of her books.

And to celebrate their learning, the children all came to school dressed as a character from Beatrix Potter stories or as Beatrix herself.

A school spokesman said: “The children looked fantastic and had a great day.

Thank you so much to all our families for a fantastic effort.”

Huish School supports the Lord's Larder EVERYONE at Huish Primary School in Yeovil has been thanked for the wonderful donations they made in the school’s recent collection for the Lord’s Larder.

The charity supports local families who are struggling to make ends meet by giving them shopping supplies.

The Lord’s Larder is facing an everincreasing number of people to help with the ongoing Covid-19 situation causing economic hardship.

Non-uniform day at Kingfisher PUPILS and staff at the Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil took part in a non-uniform day to help support the Yeovil Hospital Charity and raised a fantastic £226.89.

Community and events fundraiser for Yeovil Hospital Charity, Sarah Cherry, said: “We are so grateful to everyone at Kingfisher Primary who supported their non-uniform day.

“We are all facing challenges and difficulties, but to be able to take part in something like this was just fantastic.

Thank you to everyone who took part.”

Geography award recipients BUCKLER’S Mead Academy in Yeovil and has congratulated 24 students on gaining this half-terms Geography Award.

The recipients were Gyia Cairns, Cassie Jenkins, Demi Elsey, Oliver Mallinson, Alice Smith, Ella Spurdle, Oliver Skrobisz, Theo Cross, Leilana Brolly, Zac Baker, Imogen Laverty, Kaytee-Mia Ball, Luke Midwinter, Therese Alvarez, Alice Smith, Haydn Scadding, Tayla Vining, Victoria Tkacz, Katie Isaacs, Ryan Cox, Milena Castagna, Samuel Potten, Nick Rice and Joseph Perry.

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

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all the parents, pupils and staff at Huish Primary School for their generous donations for this year’s Harvest Festival,” said a Lord’s Larder spokesman.

“With more families struggling during the current situation donations have been appreciated more than ever.”

For more news about the Lord’s Larder – turn to Page 48 of this edition of the Yeovil Press.

PRESTON School in Yeovil has congratulated its senior students for 2020-21.

Hannah Blundy is head girl, while Aidan Vincent in head boy and the deputies are Viktoria Andenova and Adam Coleman.

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53

Think about the drink and your mental health

EVERYONE is encouraged to think and talk openly about alcohol, how it affects their lives and its link to mental health during this Alcohol Awareness Week which runs from November 1622.

Somerset County Council wants to encourage everyone to talk about the issues around alcohol and its effects on their mental health - now and during Alcohol Awareness Week - and to take action to change their drinking behaviour for the better.

It has been an anxious and uncertain year and alcohol has been described as ‘the UK’s favourite coping mechanism’.

Many drink to help manage stress, anxiety and depression.

A poll released earlier this year from Alcohol Change UK showed one in five of those surveyed said they had drunk alcohol to handle stress or anxiety during lockdown.

Of those who drank more heavily during lockdown (nine plus units on each drinking day), 40 per cent had drunk as a response to stress or anxiety. As lockdown eased over the summer, two in three (66 per cent) expected to continue drinking as they had been during lockdown (49 per cent), or even drink more (17 per cent).

Around one in four people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year and drinking too much is linked to increasing the risk.

Many of us are unaware of the link between alcohol and poor mental health.

Yet drinking too much or too often can mask or enhance underlying mental health problems - such as anxiety and depression - and prevent them from being properly addressed.

The county council’s health and wellbeing spokesman, Cllr Clare Paul, said: “Isolation during lockdown makes it very easy for us all to overindulge but drinking too much alcohol can cause physical and mental health issues. Some people might not even realise that their drinking has become a problem.

“I would urge everyone to consider how much alcohol they drink in any given week. If you are concerned about the volume that you are consuming, then this would be a good time to talk to someone, get some help and make changes that will benefit your health and wellbeing.”

There are many alternative ways to cope during these challenging times.

For example, the 5-Ways to Wellbeing; scientific studies have shown aiming to follow the 5 steps can improve your mental health and wellbeing. These are

- connect with others; be active; keep learning; help others; and taking notice.

Mental health charity Mind, www. mind.org.uk offers further information and support, while the Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS), delivered by Turning Point, is a free and confidential

service supporting anyone affected by alcohol and other drugs.

If you are concerned about your drinking and want to make changes, you can speak to your GP or contact SDAS directly. Phone 0300 303 8788 or click online at www.turning-point.co.uk/sdas.

Slimming World moves back to virtual groups in Lockdown Two THE recent re-introduction of lockdown restrictions have meant a return to virtual groups for Slimming World consultants and their members across Yeovil and the surrounding area.

Luckily, the transition from physical groups to virtual was made easier by the fact that this is now no longer new ground for local slimmers.

When the first national lockdown was imposed in March there was, for the first time ever, a disruption in service when

Slimming World groups were suspended for three weeks whilst the company rushed to formulate a plan for a new, virtual service.

However, once the framework for the virtual service was established - with members continuing to Food Optimise but with support from their Consultant and their group using the Zoom video conferencing platform - it was business as usual.

This meant that when the second lockdown was announced at the

beginning of November there was a virtual service waiting in the wings ready to be implemented again with no disruption in service, making losing weight in lockdown and beyond much easier.

The full package of Slimming World support continues to be available to all members including their weekly Zoom sessions backed up with exclusive website and app access as well as consultant-led Facebook pages to ensure motivation and

YEOVILPRESS

support lasts the whole week through.

It is hoped that groups will return to their venues once again in December, but with the ever-changing levels of restrictions that continue to impact on our daily lives the Slimming World virtual service ensures that a healthy lifestyle can be achieved wherever meetings are taking place.

Contact your local consultant to find out their current session times and how to secure your virtual access.

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YOUR local newspaper that covers YOUR local area Keep up-to-date by visiting Yeovil Press online at yeovilpress.co.uk Email - yeovilpress@gmail.com | Phone - 07773-198-081 54

YOUR new local newspaper that covers YOUR local area

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

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55

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 BIRTHDAY GREETINGS MARGETTS - CLAIRE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 1. We hope you had a great day! Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

SPRACKMAN – SAM: Hoping you had a terrific Birthday on November 1. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

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ANSELL – CLARE: Love and best wishes for your Birthday on November 1. We hope you had a great day. Love from all your family and friends.

GODDARD – MEL: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 2. Hoping you had a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

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LOCK – PAULINE: Many congratulations for your Birthday on November 2. We hope you had a fantastic day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

WOOTTEN – JAMES: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 2. Lots of love from Ella. XXX WOOTTEN – JAMES: Hoping you had a great Birthday on November 2. Love from Emily and Thomas. XXX WOOTTEN – JAMES: Wishing you a very happy Birthday on November 2. Love from Amy, Matt and Daniel. XXX WOOTTEN – JAMES: Hoping you had a wonderful Birthday on November 2. Lots of love from Mum. XXX WOOTTEN – JAMES: Another year older brother! Hope you had a good day on November 2. Cheers – Jon! WOOTTEN – JAMES: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 2. Best wishes from Will, Beverley and Thea.

WOOTTEN – JAMES: Happy 40th (if only!)

Birthday for November 2. Hope you had a great day. Best wishes from Steve and Christine.

WOOTTEN – JAMES: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 2. Best wishes from everyone at the Yeovil Press.

WOOTTEN – JAMES: Hoping you had a great Birthday on November 2. Love from Grace. XXX UDD – JEAN: Hoping you had a wonderful Birthday on November 11. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

RUDD – JEAN: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 2. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

CLARK – MICK: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 3. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

LOCK – TONY: Congratulations on your Birthday on November 11. Best wishes from all your family and friends.

BARNES – PETE: Many happy returns for your very special 50th Birthday on November 5. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BARNES – PETE: Another one of Preston School’s Class of 1982-87 reaches the Big 50! Many happy returns for your big day on November 5 – we hope you had a good one!

Love and best wishes from all your old Preston School classmates!

DAVENPORT – HOWARD: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 5. We hope you had a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

TROWBRIDGE – TERRI: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 5. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

GILL – KARL: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 6. We hope you had a great day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

WATTS – ALEX: Many congratulations for your Birthday on November 6 – hoping you had a terrific day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BATTERBURY – CLAIRE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 6. We hope you had a terrific day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BATTERBURY – CLAIRE: Wishing you a very happy Birthday for November 6. Hope you had a great day. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

BATTERBURY – CLAIRE: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 6. Love and best wishes from all your friends at the Castaway Theatre Group.

COLLINGS – CHRIS: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 7. Hoping you had a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

JEFFERSON – LINCOLN: Hoping you had a fantastic Birthday on November 10. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

JEFFERSON – LINCOLN: Another year older, probably not another year wiser. Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 10. Best wishes from the 48 Boys!

SLADE – SARAH: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 11. We hope you had a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

OUSEY – VICTORIA: Wishing you a very happy Birthday on November 11 – hoping you had a terrific day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

OUSEY – VICTORIA: Best wishes for your Birthday on November 11 – from all your friends at Yeovil Rugby Club.

OUSEY – VICTORIA: Hoping you had a great Birthday on November 11. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

McQUEEN – RICK: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 12. We hope you had a great day. Love from all your family and friends.

McQUEEN – RICK: Best wishes for your Birthday on November 12. Cheers – all the best from your fellow West Ham United fans!

McQUEEN – RICK: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 12. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

ROBINS – PAUL: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 13. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BOWRING – ALEX: Many happy returns for your very special Birthday on November 14. We hope you have a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BOWRING – ALEX: Congratulations for your BIG BIRTHDAY on November 14. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

BOWRING – ALEX: Another one of Preston School’s Class of 1982-87 reaches the Big 50! Many happy returns for your big day on November 14 – we hope you had a good one!

Love and best wishes from all your old Preston School classmates!

CANNON – LOUISE: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 15. We hope you have a wonderful day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

CANNON – LOUISE: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 15. Love and best wishes from all your friends at the Castaway Theatre Group.

SPROSTON – ADRIAN: Best wishes for your Birthday on November 16. Lots of love from all your family and friends.

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BOTLEY – AMANDA: Many happy returns for your BIG BIRTHDAY on November 17. We hope you have a wonderful day. Lots of love from all your family and friends.

BOTLEY – AMANDA: Best wishes for your special Birthday on November 17 – hoping you have a terrific day. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

LONG – TONY: Another one of Preston School’s Class of 1982-87 reaches the Big 50! Many happy returns for your big day on November 19 – we hope you had a good one! Love and best wishes from all your old Preston School classmates!

CAINE – KAREN: Wishing you a very happy Birthday for November 21 – hoping you have a great day. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

CAINE – KAREN: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 21. Have a fantastic day – love from all your friends at the Castaway Theatre Group.

WARLOW – ALI: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 22. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

PARSONS – KARINA: Many congratulations for your Birthday on November 22. Hoping you have a truly lovely day. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

PARSONS – KARINA: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 22. Love from all your friends on the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal fundraising committee.

BEST – SARAH: Wishing you a wonderful Birthday on November 25. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BEST – SARAH: Hoping you have a fantastic

Birthday on November 25. Best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

PILBEAM – IAN: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 25. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BAKER – SHANE: Many happy returns for your special Birthday on November 25. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BAKER - SHANE: Another one of Preston School’s Class of 1982-87 reaches the Big 50! Many happy returns for your big day on November 25 – we hope you had a good one!

Love and best wishes from all your old Preston School classmates!

HENDRIE – COLIN: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 26. Hoping you have a great day. Best wishes from all your family and friends.

REEVES – ADAM: Many happy returns for your Birthday on November 26. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

MUNCKTON – SHARON: Hoping you have a wonderful Birthday on November 26. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

SPENCER – MICKEY: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 27. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

SPENCER – MICKEY: Many happy returns to a Yeovil Town FC legend on November 27. Best wishes from all Yeovil Town fans.

O’BRIEN – ROY: Hoping you have a wonderful Birthday on November 27. Love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

O’BRIEN – ROY: Many happy returns to a Yeovil Town FC legend on November 27. Best wishes

from all Yeovil Town fans.

LEE – RUSSELL: Wishing you a very happy Birthday for November 28. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

LEE – RUSSELL: Congratulations for your Birthday on November 28. Best wishes from all your friends at the Yeovil Round Table.

LEE – RUSSELL: Hoping you have a great Birthday on November 28. Many happy returns – best wishes from your friends at the Yeovil Press.

NEAL – JANE: Many happy returns for your

Birthday on November 29. Hoping you have a fantastic day. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BRUCKEL – ROB: Wishing you a very special BIG BIRTHDAY on November 29. Lots of love and best wishes from all your family and friends.

BRUCKEL – ROB: Another one of Preston School’s Class of 1982-87 reaches the Big 50! Many happy returns for your big day on November 25 – we hope you had a good one!

Love and best wishes from all your old Preston School classmates!

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS CRAIG – SYLVIA GRACE: Formerly of Larkhill Road, Yeovil, Sylvia passed peacefully away at the West Abbey Care Centre on October 31, 2020, aged 91 years. She was the widow of Peter and mum to Lesley, Julie, Jon and Sara. Sylvia was a devoted granny and great granny. Private Funeral. Donations in memory of Sylvia for the Yeovil Hospital Charity may be sent to c/o Clive Wakely, A.J. Wakely & Sons, 33 Sparrow Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4BT. More details are available from 01935-479913. Please make cheque payable to the Yeovil Hospital Charity.

donation in lieu, please send a cheque direct to the Funeral Director made payable to The Firefighers Charity. Please send cheques to c/o Stuart Foster Funeral Services Ltd, 27 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HZ. More details are available from 01935-508971.

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse

WATTS – MARGARET MARY: Sadly passed away peacefully at the Wessex House Care Home in Somerton on October 28, 2020, aged 89. A much-loved mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother. A private funeral to be held due to the current global circumstances – but reunited with Stanley, together again. Family flowers only, but if you wish to make a donation in lieu, please send a cheque direct to the Funeral Director made payable to Cancer Research. Please send cheques to c/o Stuart Foster Funeral Services Ltd, 27 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HZ. More details are available from 01935-508971.

Choice of Hearses available A J Wakely& Sons including our Land Rover Hearse JOHNSON – COLIN FREDERICK (SPUD): Sadly passed away peacefully at The Willows at The Yeatman Hospital on October 30, 2020, aged 72.

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather and a good friend many people. A private funeral to be held due to the current global circumstances.

Family flowers only, but if you wish to make a

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.

57

FLASHBACK

IN this month’s Yeovil Press community newspaper we take a pictorial look back at some of what was featured in the corresponding editions of 2018 and 2019.

The November 2018 paper was Edition Number Three and the November 2019 paper was Edition Number 14.

If you would ever like a back copy of the Yeovil Press please email us at yeovilpress@gmail.com. Past copies of the Yeovil Press are priced £5 which includes post and packaging.

THE Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo, was delighted to play host to a group of Chinese students and teachers who were on a cultural exchange with Preston School. Cllr David Recardo welcomed the Chinese visitors at the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town House in Union Street – the headquarters of Yeovil Town Council. Preston School has forged close links with a school in China and has had a number of exchange visits and regular link-ups with its new friends. The Chinese contingent was accompanied to meet the Mayor by Preston principal Gregg Morrison and other staff members. This photo appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

A FANTASTIC Masquerade Ball at the magnificent Tithe Barn at Haselbury Mill raised a whopping £10,200 for School in a Bag charity which is based at Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil. Organisers thanked everyone who supported the event – especially sponsors Red Berry Recruitment and Stokes Partners LLP. These photos appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press.

Photos: Christine Jones.

THE highly-talented Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society wowed the crowds at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil with its fantastic production of Sweeney Todd. The blood-thirsty tale about the Demon Barber of Fleet Street gained rave reviews from audience members. These photos appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press. Photos: Christine Jones.

A CHARITY Italian Night held at the Nuova Italia restaurant in Ilchester proved a big success for two local charities. The event was organised by the former Mayor of Yeovil, Darren Shutler, and his wife Anna on behalf of the School in a Bag charity and St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.They were delighted to announce that the event raised a fantastic £601 and this will be shared between the two charities. Pictured in the November 2018 edition of the Yeovil Press are some of the diners who enjoyed the event. Photo: Christine Jones.

THE super-talented members of the Yeovil Youth Theatre put on a show to remember at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. The young stage performers wowed the audiences with the musical Legally Blonde from November 7-10 and for those who did not get tickets to go and watch – you missed a real treat. These photos appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press.

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A CAMPAIGN to raise £40,000 to help fund new treatment chairs for chemotherapy patients at Yeovil District Hospital was launched. Each year there are over 12,000 appointments in the oncology and haematology unit at Yeovil Hospital and the number of cancer patients is increasing every year. Many of these patients undergo a course of chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, patients sit in a specialist treatment chair for what can be up to six hours at a time. These chairs need to be extremely comfortable and they need to be adaptable so that patients can recline and try to relax in whatever position is most comfortable for them. Pictured (from left) in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press are admin lead Sharon Cable, receptionist Julie Baker, lead chemotherapy nurse Maria Grosvenor and chemotherapy scheduler Emma Dexter.

PHOTO: Submitted.

THE Yeovil in Bloom group scooped a Gold award once again in the annual 2018 South West in Bloom competition. The group was also awarded the special Abiss Memorial Trophy for the best horticultural municipal display in the South West for St John’s Churchyard. The Yeovil entry was rewarded in recognition of its excellent floral displays and community involvement initiatives. There were also awards won across the town with Westfield Community Association, Yeovil Junction Station and Friends of Yeovil Station all receiving Thriving Neighbourhood awards. This photo appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press.

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

MILFORD Infants’ School was very pleased to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil to the opening of its new pre-school.

The children were very excited to meet Cllr David Recardo and his wife Yvonne and show them how much they were enjoying their new facilities. The children, staff and their special civic guests celebrated the opening of the pre-school with balloons and cake. This photo of the Mayor and Mayoress of Yeovil, Cllr David Recardo and his wife Yvonne, at the opening of the new preschool at Milford Infants’ School appeared in the November 2018 edition of Yeovil Press.

THE Yeovil Beer Festival committee has presented cheques to five local good causes amounting to more than £14,000. The proceeds were raised during the seventh beer festival which was held in April 2019 at the Westland Entertainment Venue in Yeovil and the presentations allowed the volunteer Brew Crew to toast success once again. Groups to receive a donation were Yeovil Lions Club, Yeovil Round Table, St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice, Yeovil District Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal and the Yeovil Opportunity Group. Kim Duller, of Yeovil Opportunity Group, is pictured receiving a cheque for £1,067 – the photo appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

THE amazing Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society wowed the audiences at the Octagon Theatre with a superb run of the ever-popular Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. These photos appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photos: Christine Jones.

THE headteacher of Preston Primary School in Yeovil, Claire Hodgson, thanked everyone for their support on the completion of a much-needed large extension to the school’s existing assembly hall. Yeovil-based Jones Building Group carried out the work and the project provided the school with much-needed additional facilities including a new kitchen, cold and dry store, improved boys, girls, staff and disabled toilet facilities and a learning resource meeting room. Former headteacher Bernie Green was pictured (front right) with two pupils about to cut the ribbon to declare the new-look hall open in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

THERE was some fang-tastic fun at Yeovil Country Park during the school half-term holiday as it played host to its annual spook-tacular Halowe’en trail. Hundreds of children and families descended on Ninesprings to take part in the scary trail through the woods. They were able to get a trail leaflet from members of the Friends of Yeovil Country Park group and follow the pumpkin markers through the eerie woods. These photos appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photos: Christine Jones.

ORGANISERS of the 2019 Yeovil Literary Festival were delighted at the festival’s success with a succession of top names heading to the town. The 2019 festival promised to be even bigger than ever with a plethora of well-known literary figures, comedians and celebrities along with new and emerging writers visiting South Somerset – and fans were not disappointed. Among those to visit Yeovil were TV super-sleuth Poirot star David Suchet pictured with Marcus Bishop, of Yeovil’s Waterstones bookshop, along with hostage negotiator Terry Waite, who himself was taken hostage in Beirut and held captive from 1987 to 1991, and he is pictured in Yeovil with Jeremy Smith, of Symonds and Sampson estate agents. These photos appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press.

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THE Westfield community had a day of celebration as people came together for the official opening of the new £940,000 St Peter’s Community Centre. Hundreds of people converged on the new centre in Coronation Avenue for the opening and you could almost tell that Rev David Keen, chairman of the project team, was pinching himself that the moment had finally arrived.

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

THE Octagon Theatre in Yeovil announced that the charities it would be raising money for over the course of the 2019-20 panto production of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs would be Yeovil Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal and the Foyer Club. This photo appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press.

MEMBERS of the Castaway Theatre Group were hitting the right note as they prepare for their next stage show – the youth production of the School of Rock musical.

But the young stars had been getting some expert tips on how to strum their guitars correctly – thanks to local musician Simon Kearvell. School of Rock will be performed at the Octagon Theatre in 2021 as the scheduled run earlier this year had to be postponed because of Covid-19. This photo appeared in the November 2019 edition of Yeovil Press. Photo: Christine Jones.

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OLD PUBS OF YEOVIL

Everyone remembers the Sun Inn

THE Sun Inn was built in the mid1950s to serve the Monmouth Road, Charles Road and Rosebery Avenue area where a lot of new residential housing was being built.

The community pub holds a lot of

WELCOME to the latest instalment of this monthly feature looking at the Old Pubs of Yeovil – there have certainly been a few come and go from the town.

Information and photos for this feature has come from the fascinating website of The A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History which can be found at www. yeovilhistory.info and created by local history Bob Osborn.

There is so much history to be had

from public houses and it is fantastic that Bob has been able to together a comprehensive record.

In this month’s feature we take a look at the former Yew Tree Inn and the Sun Inn – two pubs which were well-known back in the day.

If you would like further information then we would highly recommended you take a look at The A-to-Z of Yeovil’s History website.

memories for many of its local customers and there was great sadness when it closed in 2003.

It was demolished in early 2004 and despite local protests it was replaced by a block of flats called Seymour Court.

The Sun Inn photographed in 1989.

The Sun Inn closed and about to be demolished in 2004.

Seymour Court – built on the site of the Sun Inn – photographed in 2015.

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Who remembers the parrot on the bar of the Yew Tree Inn? THE Yew Tree Inn on Forest Hill in Yeovil was originally the farmhouse of the Yew Tree Farm which was built in the second half of the 19th Century.

During the 1930s the building was used as a Sunday School. The Forest Hill area was developed from 1967, with a small shopping centre, church and community centre.

It was felt by the developers and brewers Eldridge Pope of Dorchester, that a public house would be a useful addition to the area. Yew Tree House, which had recently been converted into four flats, was offered for sale and was purchased by the contractor.

Contracts were exchanged in May 1968, planning permission granted in September 1968 and conversion to licensed premises began. The main contractors were Morton builders (Morton & Haim) and the architects were Messrs Crickman.

The Yew Tree Inn opened on May 22, 1969, and its first tenants were John and Betty Waller.

It closed sometime during the early 2000s and reopened briefly as the La Olivia restaurant which also eventually closed. It then briefly reopened as a public house, but finally closed on June 26, 2004.

The old Yew Tree Farm barn, photographed in 1977, at the beginning of the project to convert it into the Old Barn Club.

The old farm cottages at the rear of the Yew Tree Inn in 1987.

An aerial photograph of around 1965 showing Yew Tree Farm at centre. Running up to it is an incomplete Forest Hill and at the bottom centre is the newly-built Yew Tree Close. The Yew Tree Inn opened on May 22, 1969.

The first pint is drawn by Anthony Pope, of the Eldridge Pope brewers, with John and Betty Walter looking on. John and Betty had previously kept the Mitre in Shaftesbury as well as the Westfield Hotel in Yeovil.

Anyone remember the parrot on the bar of the Yew Tree Inn?

The Yew Tree Inn photographed in the early 1970s.

The Yew Tree Inn photographed in 1989.

The interior of the Yew Tree Inn – taken during the 1980s.

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The Yew Tree Inn photographed in 2003.

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SOCIAL LIFE

Send your Happy Snaps to the Yeovil Press 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.

In this month’s feature we concentrate on the Yeovil-based Castaway Theatre

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Group which posed a challenge to its members to send in their Hallowe’en photos. Some very spooky looking Castaways it has to be said!

The Castaways are looking forward to getting back on the stage and performing and have their fingers-crossed that their Christmas Spectacular – A Night of Wonderful Entertainment can go-ahead at the Westlands Yeovil entertainment venue on December 6.

You can email us your photos and details to yeovilpress@gmail.com .

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MY TOP TEN

When Elvis, Foundations and Rod Stewart were top of the pops WELCOME to the new monthly series called My Top Ten where we go back into the musical history books to see what songs were topping the charts on the day that local people were born.

In this month’s feature we welcome District Hospital Breast Cancer Unit Appeal volunteer fundraiser Karina Parsons, sports fan Chris Jennings and local girl Mel Goddard.

Best wishes go to Karina, Chris and Mel and everyone else celebrating their birthday this month.

The wonder of music is that even though we will delve back decades into the annals of musical history many of us

will still know the songs and instantly recognise the artistes.

If you would like to feature in the My Top Ten feature during your birthday month please get in touch with us at yeovilpress@gmail.com and let us do the rest.

The My Top Ten feature is sponsored by Jody Parks, of ML Property Management, which deals with general building, roofing, commercial and domestic clearance, garden clearance and maintenance, interior/exterior painting and window cleaning. Contact details are on the sponsorship panel at the bottom of this page.

NAME: CHRIS JENNINGS DATE OF BIRTH: November 16, 1967 INFORMATION: Loves Yeovil Town FC and Somerset CCC My Top Ten: 1: Foundations, Baby Now That I’ve Found You. 2: The Bee Gees, Massachusets 3: The Kinks, Autumn Almanac 4: Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, Zabadak!

5: Englebert Humperdinck, The Last Waltz 6: Troggs, Love Is All Around 7: Eric Burdon, San Franciscan Nights 8: Donovan, There is a Mountain 9: Long John Baldry, Let the Heartaches Begin 10: The Who, I Can See For Miles

NAME: KARINA PARSONS DATE OF BIRTH: November 22, 1961 INFORMATION: Breast Cancer Unit Appeal fundraiser and Yeovil Town FC fan!

My Top Ten: 1: Elvis Presley, His Latest Flame/Little Sisters.

2: Helen Shapiro, Walking Back to Happiness.

3: Jimmy Dean, Big Bad John.

4: Cliff Richard, When The Girl in Your Arms is the Girl in Your Heart.

5: Adam Faith, The Time Has Come.

6: Dave Bruebeck, Take Five.

7: Bobby Vee, Take Good Care of My Baby.

8: John Leyton, Wild Wind.

9: Tony Orlando, Bless You. 10: Laurie Johnson Orchestra, Sucu Sucu.

Top: Karina Parsons Above: Elvis Presley Right: Helen Shapiro Left: Adam Faith

Above: Chris Jennings Below top left: Foundations Below: Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich Below bottom left: The Bee Gees

NAME: MEL GODDARD DATE OF BIRTH: November 2, 1971 INFORMATION: Self-confessed Crazy Cat Lady!

My Top Ten: 1: Rod Stewart, Maggie May/Reason to Believe.

2: Redbone, The Witch Queen of New Orleans.

3: The Four Tops, Simple Game.

4: Al Green, Tired of Being Alone.

5: Tom Jones, Till.

6: Joan Baez, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

7: Titanic, Sultana.

8: Slade, Coz I Luv You. 9: Shirley Bassey, For All We Know.

10: Middle of the Road, Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum. Top: Mel Goddard Left: Rod Stewart Far left: Tom Jones Right: Shirley Bassey

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SPORT NEWS

Businesses show great support for club YEOVIL Rugby Club is thrilled at the overwhelming support it has received from local businesses although the 2020-21 rugby season has been decimated by the current Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions over grass roots sport.

One firm to support the club is Yeovilbased Quality Bathrooms & Kitchens run by well-known brothers Richard and Andy Reeves and based on the Lynx Trading Estate.

The brothers have both played and supported the club over a number of years and have shown outstanding commitment and investment to local

sports.

This year QBK have assisted with the refurbishment of the bar and social areas along with sponsoring all senior men’s and woman’s coaches with bespoke clothing supplied by O’Neill’s sportswear.

“As a club we cannot thank QBK enough for its continued support and hope our partnership can continue for many years to come,” said a spokesman for Yeovil Rugby Club.

PHOTOS: Andy Reeves (far left) and Richard Reeves (far right), of Quality Bathrooms & Kitchens, with coaches at Yeovil Rugby Club.

Investing for the future at club

ALTHOUGH competitive league rugby has been ruled out for the 202021 season because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic Yeovil Rugby Club is continuing to invest into its playing facilities and equipment.

The club recently took another delivery of new kit which will provide all of its teams with a variety of equipment to use for training purposes including tackle

pads, ladders, slalom poles, hurdles and more cones.

“This equipment will give our coaches and players the tools to succeed and to enjoy the training we are able to achieve,” said a club spokesman.

Members of the club’s girls team are pictured with the new tackle shields a training just prior to the start of Lockdown Two.

Lockdown Two stops play once again for Yeovil Rugby Club

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THE introduction of Lockdown Two in England means fresh frustration for Yeovil Rugby Club with no competitive or formal rugby activities being allowed to take place.

That might alter when the Lockdown is scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday, December 2, but there are no guarantees that that might happen.

A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said: “Following a vote in Parliament, England is now in national lockdown until December 2 and all team sports have been suspended. This includes club age grade and adult rugby activities below Greene King Championship and Allianz Premier 15s.

“It means that we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.

This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least December 2.”

The RFU has continued to look at organising alternative competitions in place of the cancelled 2020-21 league programme.

It might mean that come the New Year, depending on the current situation with regards Covid-19, there might be

the introduction of some localised minileagues set up to give clubs, like Yeovil, some competitive rugby.

A similar initiative was devised for the 2020 cricket season which was decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Yeovil Rugby Club chairman Paul McHugh, speaking before the introduction of Lockdown Two, said: “In terms of on-field progress, we will continue to be guided by the RFU and Government Guidelines on our return to the contact game.

“The latest indications are that this will be January 2021 but we will continue to monitor the situation and be ready to respond as required.”

The club has carried out a lot of work off-the-field to improve facilities at its headquarters off Dorchester Road.

“A number of volunteers and paid trades have worked tirelessly to improve our social areas and hopefully make the club a more welcoming venue for both members and those looking for a venue to hire,” said Mr McHugh. “We’ve made a huge improvement within the clubhouse.”

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Yeovil Rugby Women return to playing with inter-team match YEOVIL Rugby Women played their first match since March on November 1 and went into Lockdown Two on a high.

Missing rugby on a Sunday and the level excitement that it brings, the team was keen to recreate the match day experience that would be valuable for new and existing players alike.

The resulting inter-team match held at Yeovil Rugby Club was specially adapted to the RFU’s return to rugby guidance which meant no tackling or normal match contact could take place.

The new game format was developed in training sessions by new Yeovil Rugby Club coach lead George Cooper whose wealth of knowledge has been really appreciated in training over recent weeks.

Twenty-six players were involved and split into two teams; taking into consideration experience and positions and were coached by women’s team coaches Fran Long and Simon Chubb.

The occasion replicated a match day with team selections, pre-game warm up, post game meal and “player of the match” announcements all taking place.

The match was split into 15-minute quarters with breaks for hand washing to stay Covid-19 compliant throughout.

The actual match was closely contested with Dave Connolly-Mealing from Somerset Referee Society officiating.

Everyone involved enjoyed it immensely including referee, coaches and match day photographer Gary Bide.

Six of the players were new to the team and played their debut match showing some great skill and awareness of rugby.

Although the result was incidental, the red team coached by Fran Long, came out on top.

“The winners today were players, club, rugby and spectators,” said Long. “The match demonstrated what the players have worked so hard for and did not disappoint, putting on a fantastic display of non-contact rugby at a competitive level.

“The game was fast paced and the skill set was top level and it was obvious everyone was enjoying themselves which was great to see.”

Yeovil Rugby Women team captain Bea Chubb was also pleased with how the event went and the benefit it had for the team while league matches continue to be unable to be played.

“The match was a great event for everyone involved, not just the players but the coaches and some of our regular supporters too,” she said. “Training together has been great but it really felt like we were part of something again and I’m really keen to repeat it post lockdown.

“It was something to be excited about in the weeks leading up to it. To put on kit, run onto the pitch and play some rugby in a competitive atmosphere on a Sunday has been missed so much.”

“It was so good for new players to have a taste of what a game feels like and take away some of the nerves for when we can give them a second start. I’m especially proud of how everyone was so supportive of each other on the pitch and how well we all adhered to Covid restrictions during the game and in the clubhouse afterwards to make the day such a success.”

Yeovil rugby ladies train twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm when lockdown measures are not in place.

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Gary Bide Photography

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Stan steps in to help the Under-13s THE committee of Yeovil Rugby Club would like to thank Paul ‘Stan’ Mortensen who has stepped in to coach the club’s Under-13s boy’s team until the position is filled with a permanent position.

Stan is a current player with the senior men’s team and former 1st XV captain and Royal Navy player.

He has been interested in coaching for some time and gained his coaching qualifications a few years ago and after recently returning to Yeovil from working abroad, he is keen to assist and ensure the Under-13s can continue to train.

A club spokesman said: “We are always looking for volunteers that may be interested in becoming a coach within the club.

“Our fantastic youth section consists of some 12 teams ranging from the reception to Under-16 age groups. With any organisation providing sports to a community we pride ourselves on being able to provide the best training and support to our teams as possible whilst ensuring we are also here to support and improve our training facilities and coaches.

“Investing in our coaches is paramount to the development of the individual, the team and the club in its

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entirety. Working within the structure of the RFU all our coaches are offered relevant courses and qualifications to enable them to succeed within their coaching career.”

Yeovil Rugby Club currently needs help with coaches/management for the following age grades as a priority – Reception, Under-Six, Under-Seven, Under-13 Girls and Under-16 Girls.

“If you, or someone you know are interested in getting involved with the coaching aspect of the club please do get in touch with us for further information,” added the club spokesman.

“There are a number of teams and coaches that would greatly benefit from some extra coaching support, and if coaching isn’t for you maybe helping to manage a team or provide extra support in another way we would love to hear from you.”

If you want to find out more about the club’s minis and juniors set up at Yeovil Rugby Club or if you want to get involved, please visit the club webpage at https://yeovilrugbyclub. rfu.club/ where you will find a wealth of information on both the club and the youth section. To join or to find out more on how to get involved please contact Alison Bennett by email at csajcbennett@tiscali.co.uk.

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Future looks bright with a wealth of young rugby talent YEOVIL Rugby Club held a successful weekend tournament for the mini and junior sections of the club.

The tournament was held in early October – before Lockdown Two – and saw nearly 100 children taking part in the first competitive style games at the club since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis in March.

The club’s committee had worked hard to organise and plan the tournament to ensure the safety and well-being of all the children that attended and joined in.

The format of the day, working within the RFU guidelines on safe game play and training, enabled age grade teams to mix together and form nine squads on the day.

Within the juniors section the tournament brought together the Under-14, Under-15, and Under-16 boys along with the Under-15 girls.

The coaches divided each of their squads into five mixed teams with a total of 48 players in all. Following the Ready4Rugby rules each match was played for 15 minutes after which each player sanitised their hands and all equipment was cleaned and disinfected.

Winners medals went to Team 1 (as they never got round to choosing team names!) and the sportsmanship award went to the Red team as they demonstrated the best application of RFU core values. It was great to see all the different age groups playing together and certainly seemed like all those involved were having a fun time.

David Webber, who coaches the Under-14 boys, said: “My Under-14 son certainly noticed the fast pace of the play and hopefully will try and bring that back into the Under-14 training and games.

They will all have learned from each other.”

The minis tournament was much the same with the same strict attention to RFU regulations on game play and the requirements to sanitise hands and clean and disinfect all equipment used.

The minis tournament saw age groups Under-Eight to Under-12 mix together, with a total of 45 players being split into four teams.

The tournament brought an opportunity for these younger children to generally interact with other members of the club they may not necessarily have had the

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opportunity to have done so before.

The coaches saw players actively asking each other’s names and the quality of rugby improved dramatically with each passing game which was incredibly fast paced and, it should be noted, very hard for their 31-year-old ref to keep up with!

Team 4 ended up taking the winners medals, and the sportsmanship award was won by Team 1.

Every coach in attendance witnessed and commented on the success of the tournament and as each of the teams finished their final game, and returned to their team zone and just sat in a circle talking and laughing with each other which proves how successful the event was in their eyes.

All the core value winning teams also received a new water bottle each, which were kindly donated by www. wessexwater.co.uk.

A spokesman for Yeovil Rugby Club said: “We would like to thank Wessex Water for their kind donation which has helped us ensure each player within our teams has access to their own water bottle during training and games which during these current times is incredibly

important for both sanitary and health reasons.

“Feedback from the parents in attendance was also positive and gave coaches the feeling of the tournament being a resounding success as the parents praised the organisation and wanted to see more. A separate training session was held for the younger members who were also able to join in with the match meal after the games.”

Coach Sean Fellows added: “After having played nearly 45 minutes of very fast rugby, we had kids asking if there were more games! It was a real privilege for me to take part in the event.”

If you want to find out more about the club’s minis and juniors set up at Yeovil Rugby Club or if you want to get involved, please visit the club webpage at https://yeovilrugbyclub.rfu.club/ where you will find a wealth of information on both the club and the youth section. To join or to find out more on how to get involved please contact Alison Bennett by email at csajcbennett@tiscali.co.uk .

More news from Yeovil Rugby Club on Page 64.

Photos courtesy of Yeovil Rugby Club.

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What a combination - British Lions and bobsleigh team YEOVIL Rugby Club chairman Paul McHugh recently got in touch with the Yeovil Press to tell us about the fact that the club once had a player who would go on to play for the British Lions and also represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in the bobsleigh.

We decided to look into the career of Harold John Catleugh Brown who would become better known to everyone who knew him as HJC Brown.

This is the first in the start of a new series entitled Sporting Stories.

HAROLD John Catleugh Brown had the distinction of representing Great Britain in two major sports.

In 1962 he toured South Africa with the British Lions at Rugby Union and in 1968 he was a member of the Great Britain Winter Olympics Team in the four-man bobsleigh.

But there was more to the life than sport for this pocket powerhouse. He was a man of many talents which included becoming an expedition leader, a parachute jumping instructor, a property developer and a family man.

Harold John Catleugh Brown was born

in December 1935 in pre-war London in the reign of King George V, at the old Charing Cross Hospital within the sound of Bow Bells.

Patricia Anne, his only sibling was born in 1938. His father Jack was a furrier by trade and his workplace was destroyed in an early bombing raid on London, fortunately over a weekend when no-one was there.

He was, therefore forced to look for work and decided to move to Yeovil Somerset, the centre of glove making at that time.

The effect was to move the family out of the bombing, a self-determined evacuation.

They lived in Crewkerne, home of a famous School founded in 1499, the most famous old boy being Hardy of Nelson fame.

John Brown, or ‘HJC’ as he was to become known, passed the 11 plus examination to gain entry to Crewkerne School as a pupil. He was a Day Boy in a small school of about 200 pupils, many of whom were boarders.

The school played Rugby – Autumn term, Hockey – Spring term and Cricket – Summer term. HJC represented the school in all three sports but it was Rugby in which he excelled. After a match he would

lie in bed nursing his cuts and bruises, reliving every move he made in the field that day and thinking how he could have done better.

At the age of 17 he played senior rugby for Yeovil. When it was clear that he was in the running for selection for the England Schools XV he had dispensation from the school not to play hockey but to continue to play for Yeovil in the Spring Term.

It worked and he was duly selected to play v Welsh Secondary Schools XV at Cardiff Arms Park on April 11, 1953. In the match he received a heavy blow to the right thigh in a tackle and was carried off ten minutes from the end.

This injury prevented him playing v

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France at Exeter for which he had been selected. Just before the England v Wales match, a Cardiff XV came down to play Yeovil and HJC marked the legendary Dr Jackie Matthews in the match.

But HJC went on to have a flourishing rugby career with Northampton Saints and Blackheath RFC and was selected for the British Lions tour of South Africa in 1962.

HJC retired from playing rugby at the age of 35, but that was not the end of his sporting career as he was invited by the RAF – of which had carved a distinguished career away from the rugby pitch – to join its bobsleigh team and took part in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.

More of the HJC story can be found at www.hjcbrown.com.

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Spirit coaches in UK National awards finals TWO coaches from the same gymnastics club in Yeovil are celebrating reaching the final of a prestigious national competition to find the UK Coaches of the Year.

Amy Moulton and Issy Haigh both coach at Spirit Gymnastics Academy and were nominated earlier this year for recognition

by UK Coaching, the leading awarding body for coaching qualifications.

They have reached the last four in the Young Coach of the Year category and Amy is also in the final three of the Talent Development Coach of the Year. They are up against excellent coaches from swimming, wheelchair basketball, and canoeing.

Spirit’s head coach Amy Moulton said: “It feels absolutely surreal. If I’m completely honest I still can’t believe that I was even nominated but to be selected as a finalist is unreal.

“I took over as head coach in 2017 with the intention of creating a club that finds the balance between good performance and happy safe environment. I want the gymnasts to be able to call the gym a home and the people in it a family.”

Issy Haigh added: “I can’t quite believe

I’m a finalist to be honest! For me, coaching isn’t just about improving a child’s skills in the sport, but also about providing them with a safe space to be themselves and develop life skills that they will carry with them beyond their time in the sport.

“To win this award would be completely surreal, but it would be testament to the passion of the Spirit coaching team and support network as a whole.”

A director of Spirit Gymnastics Academy, Sam Carnie, said: “This year has been extraordinary for all of us in so many ways.

As an Academy, we wanted to ensure that our service to our members continued as much as possible during lockdown because it is so important for the welfare and mental health of all the children.

“Amy and Issy have really gone the extra mile this year to keep our gymnasts engaged and positive, so as a team we wanted to try to ensure that effort was recognised.”

Their efforts and innovation were a key factor recognised by the judges. Amy set up a YouTube channel and reached out to gymnasts through social media while Issy delivered hundreds of online and outdoor training sessions throughout the long

spring and summer months and again in the November lockdown to name just a few of their extra efforts.

Sam added: “We entered them into this national competition and clearly the judges agreed that Amy and Issy deserved recognition when compared across all sports in the UK. To be shortlisted was a great achievement, but for both of them to reach the national finals is incredible and shows just how much their efforts have been appreciated.”

Yeovil Press featured Spirit Gymnastics Academy back in 2018 and 2019, and their success has continued. In normal times prior to the latest lockdown well over 200 gymnasts were attending every week, with many more on a waiting list to join.

Sam said: “We would love to be able to give a place to all of the children who are waiting, but to do that we need two things to happen – first, we need Covid-19 restrictions to be lifted when it is safe to do so, and second we need more coaches!

“Anyone qualified in coaching gymnastics, or interested in getting qualified, is encouraged to get in touch with us so that we can offer our services

even wider!”

If the 2020 UK Coaching Awards are anything to go by, Spirit Gymnastics Academy seems to be the place to go for a great gymnastics experience!

The prestigious annual awards evening will this year be held online on December 3 and will honour and reward the work of coaches across the UK, in multiple sports.

PHOTO: Issy Haigh (standing, second from left) and Amy Moulton (standing, right) with a few of their gymnasts celebrating competition success.

Mixed fortunes for Yeovil and Sherborne hockey club YEOVIL and Sherborne Hockey Club has – like so many sporting organisations – been frustrated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Playing duties have been halted for the time being because of the introduction of Lockdown Two with the new season having only really just started.

The men’s first team started the season in great form coming off the back of winning “last season’s” Somerset Cup Final against North Somerset 4-2 which was played on October 17 at Cheddar.

This was a thoroughly deserved win and the performance was set as the benchmark for the coming season.

The following week the 2020-21 league campaign started with a home game against West Wiltshire.

Yeovil came out victorious winning 7-3 and again with another very convincing display; R. Walters and captain S. Membury started very well and bagged two goals each.

The next weekend saw the men’s 1sts travel to Ottery St Mary to play Sidmouth and Ottery. Despite going 3-0 up very early on Y&S allowed the home team back into the game and made things difficult for themselves.

After the half-time break, however, another two goals put the game beyond doubt with the final score being a 5-1 victory for Y&S. Again R. Walters found the net while S. Membury hit a hat-trick and new signing D. Bowles grabbed the other.

The men’s 2nds have endured a tricky start to the season – losing both their opening fixtures.

But the men’s 3rds are unbeaten after three matches with one victory and two draws under their belts. S. Watts has found himself among the goals with five to his name already.

The club’s ladies first team started their 2020-21 campaign with a long away trip down to Newquay. They faced horrendous weather, but came away with a great point in a 1-1 draw with K. Hoskins getting the Y&S goal.

The 1sts then hosted Teign and looking to build on their good performance from the previous week.

After a goal apiece early in the first-half the game was end to end with neither side able to break the deadlock, but with the game heading for a draw a great turnover in possession for Y&S saw some quick passes forward with the ball eventually falling to S. Watson who smashed home to take all three points for the home team.

The ladies 2s have only managed to play the one game so far and this was against local rivals Shepton Mallet. M. Bredow picked up from where she left off last season and bagged a hat-trick to help her team to a 3-2 success.

The ladies 4ths have played two games.

They won their opener against Taunton Vale 2-0 with L. Lambert and T. Western grabbing the goals, while they fell to a 5-1 defeat away at Gillingham.

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Colin's rich vein of form on his way to Senior Championship

Colin Leach receiving the Senior Champion Salver from Steve Pike, Chairman of the Senior Section.

Colin Leach with the 8-iron club he used for his hole in one.

YEOVIL Golf Club’s Colin Leach was certainly experiencing a rich vein of form in the run-up to winning this year’s Senior Championship over the club’s 18-hole old course.

It was a run of form that started with him holing his eight-iron tee shot on the tricky par three second hole. A shot that neither Colin nor any of his playing partners saw go into the hole whilst playing a friendly but competitive social round of golf.

According to Steve Howe it “was an eight iron, hit with a draw on to green from the yellow tee, but when we got up there none of us could see his ball - until we looked in the hole!”

Seventy-four-year-old Colin who plays off a handicap of seven then went on to score a tremendous five under par gross 66 (nett 59) during another social round of golf, again around the old course. A fantastic achievement when most senior players can only dream of shooting a gross score to match their age, never mind beating it by eight shots.

To cap his preparations for the senior

Keith Lock receiving the Senior Handicap Salver from Steve Pike.

championship Colin then eagled the par five 16th hole by chipping in from just off the green after hitting good drive and super second shot.

Once again this was in another social round of golf that was drawn to the attention of the club’s press officer by one of his playing partners.

On the day of the championship Colin was not quite able to turn in a gross score to match his age but his gross 79 (nett 72), played in testing conditions, saw him to first place over a field of 118 senior golfers. It resulted in his name being added for the first time to the scratch senior championship salver; a victory that will be remembered for some time alongside his other golfing achievements during a period of rich and rewarding form.

Also placing his name for the first time on the nett senior championship salver was fellow senior golfer Keith Lock. His nett 69 saw him in a tied position with Ian Scarborough and Jim Bunce but was able to claim the trophy by virtue of a count back.

Will is new Yeovil junior champion TALENTED young golfer Will Chesterman finished his year as Junior Captain of Yeovil Golf Club with a storming performance that saw him claim the trophies for both the gross and nett scores in this year’s Junior Championship.

The competition is held over 36 holes over the club’s Old Course with each round of 18 holes played on separate days. Due to exceptionally stormy weather conditions and despite the junior golfers bravely tackling the severe conditions, the initial second round had to be abandoned and rescheduled for late October.

Fortunately it was possible to re-play the abandoned round before the course was closed under the requirements of the second Covid-19 lockdown.

That gave Will the opportunity to finish his captain’s year in great style.

In doing so his two round gross score of

70

157 claimed the John Knight Cup which is presented to the winner of the scratch championship event. His nett score of 148 also made him the beneficiary of the Wilkinson Cup. PHOTO: Yeovil Golf Club captain Keith Funnell and junior organiser Mark Tolman with the new 2020 junior champion Will Chesterman.

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Yeovil's Chloe retains the Peter Allis Trophy TIGHT semi-final victories by Yeovil Golf Club’s Chloe Northover and Broadstone’s Chloe Haesler led to a Chloe v Chloe battle in the final of this year’s Peter Allis Match Play Trophy which is hosted by the Dorset Ladies County Golf Association.

Donated by the iconic former Ryder Cup player and current BBC golf commenter, it is a trophy that every aspiring young lady golfer would be proud to win.

Not an easy task when it is open to any girl under the age of 18 who is a member of a club affiliated to England Golf with a handicap of 36 or less.

Having won the trophy in her first ever final appearance last year, it seemed an even harder ask for her to repeat the achievement and become the first junior lady golfer to retain this prestigious trophy.

Getting off to a good start by winning the first hole of the final helped but her namesake managed to win the second hole to level the scores and set up what always looked to be another close result.

Entering the back nine two holes up, Chloe Northover managed to stretch her lead on the tenth and 11th holes before navigating a par on the tricky 15th hole

Yeovil hosts Captains Drive-In for the second time

CAPTAINS at Yeovil Golf Club have had an unusual year in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed on activities because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

So recognising that they have been unable to enjoy a full itinerary of social and golfing activities, this year’s annual meeting at Yeovil Golf Club invited the current ccaptain, Keith Funnell, and lady captain, Jill Devoto, to continue their tenure for another year.

In accordance with the club’s tradition Jill and Keith both drove off to start their new golfing year using an old wooden headed club.

Members were asked to guess the length of their drives with the proceeds from entry fees going to the captains’ charity which this year is in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

David Marshall correctly guessed the length of the lady captain’s drive, whilst

to retain the trophy by winning the match 4&3.

Members of Yeovil Golf Club have always been proud of Chloe’s many achievements during her blossoming golfing career and congratulate her on the incredible achievement of becoming the first person to retain the Peter Allis Trophy.

They know that Chloe, who is the incoming Junior Captain, will continue to be an incredible ambassador for the club and its burgeoning Junior Section.

PICTURE: Chloe Northover with the Peter Allis Trophy.

David Chapman and Karl Marles both forecast how far the club captain would hit the old wooden club.

The drive-in ceremony was preceded by a team competition which was won

by Paul Worth, Martyn Ashford, Lee Damon and Max Dicker. Their score of 97 stableford points saw them come home three points ahead of the second placed team of Ian Stamp, Jeff Watson, Baz Saunders and Chloe Saunders.

A club spokesman said: “Yeovil members hope that 2021 will see the return of a more usual calendar of social and golfing events with both the club and lady captains enjoying their continued tenure of office.”

Pictured Left: Club captain Keith Funnell.

Pictured Right: Lady captain Jill Devoto.

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Last competitions before Lockdown II kicks-in THE last week before the Government’s second Covid-19 Lockdown gave members of Yeovil Golf Club several opportunities to take part in what turned out to be their final rounds of competitive golf for at least four weeks.

Colin Leach won the Division One prize in the last Saturday Stableford Competition over the Old Course with a score of 35 points by a margin of three points from second placed Chris Warren.

Malcolm Hignett won the prize for topping Division Two with a score of 29 points by virtue of a countback from Philip Park who also scored 29 points.

Andrew Trevett also benefited from the countback rules when his score of 41 points in the Sunday Stableford Competition over the Newton Course

was matched by Peter Annal; who also scored 41 points.

Andrew’s back-nine score of 22 points was sufficient for him to claim first prize due to Peter only scoring 19 points over the same holes - the rules for such competitions awarding tied results on the basis of who has scored better over the last nine, then six and if necessary the last three holes.

Will Chesterman won the Junior Bowl Trophy with a score of 35 stableford points before going on to clinch both the scratch and handicapped Junior Championships two days later. The junior stableford competition was held on the same day as the second round of their championship event and was won by Chloe Northover.

The final pre-lockdown competition

over the Newton Course was held on the Friday before the new restrictions came into place. It was won by David Brown whose 41 points saw him finish two points ahead of Sam Kendall who finished second.

Over 100 senior members participated in the final pre-lockdown competition which was run as a fourball better ball stableford event. It raised £104 for the seniors’ charity fund and was won by Mark Barber and John Docherty with a score of 46 stableford points.

Allan Houghton and John Sheldon came second with 45 points and Hartley Heard and Roger Bateman third with 44 points.

On the same day, the Ladies Section managed to complete their friendly return fixture against the Sherborne

ladies’ team. As with all these events it was run in accordance with the England Golf social distancing guidelines both out on the course and within the club’s spacious dining room.

Adherence to those rules allowed both teams to enjoy a bacon roll before playing and tea and cakes after the match. It was a day of social though competitive golf, which as always was played in great spirit between the two rival local clubs.

Yeovil’s members are now looking forward to when the Government will be able to allow the re-opening of golf clubs.

They know the club will once again ensure that all social distancing guidelines are well prepared for and conscientiously followed by everyone playing golf over its Old and Newton Courses.

Colin Leach - winner of the Old Course Stableford Competition.

Will Chesterman - winner of the Junior Bowl Trophy.

Mark Barber and John Docherty - winners of the Seniors fourball better ball competition.

Sharon Scarlett, lady vice-captain of Sherborne Golf Club, and Isabelle Mace, lady vice-captain of Yeovil Golf Club.

SEVERAL golf clubs in the region have been able to re-establish their open competitions whilst following both Government and England Golf guidelines on social distancing measures.

In turn it has provided members of Yeovil Golf Club the opportunity of playing other courses with several successful experiences being reported to the club’s press officer.

High on the list of achievements was the team comprised of Dave Chapman, Nigel Raison and Pat Topping who won the Seniors Variable Team Open at Oake Manor Golf Club. It was a three-person team competition played in stableford

format with one score counting on each of the par five holes, two scores on the par four and all three on the par three holes.

The Yeovil team posted a score of 84 stableford points to lead the field of 34 teams and claim first prize in this popular competition that attracted players from as far afield as Bodmin in Cornwall and Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire.

Another Yeovil member, John Docherty, put in a very credible performance when he played in the Enmore Park Golf Club’s Senior Single Open. Coming fifth overall, John also took first place in the over 70’s category to make it a successful, as well an enjoyable day’s golfing on a

picturesque course.

John then went on to partner fellow Yeovil member Mark Barber to play in the Wells Golf Club Pairs Open. Finishing in second place overall they claimed the prize for being the best away team.

The club’s Senior Team also got into the act when they held both an away and home fixture against the Mendip Golf Club.

It was originally one of the numerous friendly matches that the club’s senior section organise against other quality golf clubs in the South West. These were all cancelled for the 2020 golfing season due to the original Covid-19 regulations

and guidance to golf clubs.

It was however possible to find space in the calendars of both clubs to reinstate this fixture during the autumn within the current social distancing guidelines.

The Yeovil seniors put in a credible performance when they visited Mendip, managing a 3 - 3 draw. They then went on to win the return fixture on the club’s Old Course by a margin of 5-1.

Sadly, attempts to reinstate a similar fixture against neighbouring Sherborne Golf Club were impacted by adverse weather conditions on more than one occasion which resulted in the home fixture having to be cancelled.

John Docherty who took first place in the over 70s category at the Enmore Park Senior Singles Open.

David Brocklebank, of Yeovil Golf Club, and John Brooksbank, of Mendip Golf Club, who were captains of their teams for the return friendly match at Yeovil Golf Club.

Golfers continue to perform away from home

Nigel Raison, Pat Topping and Dave Chapman following their win at Oake Manor Golf Club.

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LOCAL FOOTBALL NATIONAL LEAGUE (As at 10.30pm on November 10, 2020) P Pts Torquay Utd 7 18 Wealdstone 8 16 Stockport County 7 13 Sutton Utd 5 12 Maidenhead Utd 7 12 Eastleigh 6 11 Hartlepool Utd 6 11 Solihull Moors 6 10 Woking 7 10 Notts County 6 9 Bromley 5 7 Aldershot 6 7 Boreham Wood 6 7 Wrexham 6 7 Weymouth 7 7 Barnet 5 7 Dagenham & Redbridge 7 7 King’s Lynn Town 7 7 Chesterfield 6 6 FC Halifax Town 6 6 Altrincham 6 6 Dover Athletic 7 6 YEOVIL TOWN 7 4 Local football league tables as at the onset of Lockdown Two SOMERSET COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION P Pts Nailsea & Tickenham 7 19 Watchet Town 8 16 Chilcompton Sports 7 15 Clevedon Utd 7 15 Worle 8 14 Clutton 8 13 Middlezoy Rovers 7 10 Mendip Broadwalk 6 9 Westfield 7 9 Fry Club 7 8 Keynsham Town Res 6 8 Nailsea Utd 7 7 Stockwood Wanderers 7 6 Stockwood Green 7 6 Ilminster Town 7 5 Chard Town 8 1 DIVISION ONE Staplegrove 8 19 Saltford 8 17 Winscombe 6 14 Wells City Res 6 13 Middlezoy Rovers Res 7 11 Uphill Castle 6 9 Burnham Utd 6 9* Somerton Town 6 8 Wrington Redhill 7 7 Welton Rovers Res 7 7 Street Res 5 6 Minehead 7 5 Timsbury Athletic 7 5 Nailsea & Tickenham Res 4 2 Yatton & Cleeve Utd 6 2 DIVISION TWO Ashton & Backwell Utd Res 7 16 Glastonbury 8 14 Cheddar Res 6 13 Castle Cary 7 13 Hutton 7 12 AFC Brislington 6 12 Peasedown Miners Welfare 8 12 Chew Magna 7 11 Portishead Town Res 6 10 Radstock Town Res 7 9 Imperial 6 5 Long Ashton 7 3 Brislington Res 7 2 Fry Club Res 7 1 DIVISION THREE Ashcott 7 17 Cutters Friday 6 16 Bishops Lydeard Res 7 15 Clevedon Utd Res 7 14 Banwell 5 13 Nailsea Utd Res 7 12 Somerton Town Res 7 8 Winscombe Res 3 6 Draycott 5 6 Combe St Nicholas 5 4 Burnham Utd Res 5 3 Congresbury 6 3 Yatton & Cleeve Utd Res 5 3 Tunley Athletic 6 2 Stockwood Green Res 5 0

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DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE P Pts Merley Cobham 7 21 Westland Sports 6 18 Gillingham 7 15 Sherborne Town Res 6 12 Balti Sports 7 12 Blandford 5 10 Hamworthy Rec 6 10 Bournemouth 7 8 Dorchester Sports 6 7 Swanage Town 4 6 Holt Utd 5 6 Shaftesbury Res 7 6 Portland Res 6 6 Sturminster Newton 6 5 Bridport Res 6 0 Wareham Rangers 6 0 YEOVIL AND DISTRICT LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION P Pts Milborne Port 7 19 Queen Camel 8 18 Wagtail Athletic 6 16 Templecombe Rovers 8 12 Manot Athletic 7 10 Stoke-sub-Hamdon 8 9 Martock Utd 8 1 Odcombe 6 0 DIVISION ONE Ashcott Res 8 19 Wyndham Ath 5 15 AFC Huish 8 13 Ilchester Juniors 8 12 Barwick 6 12 South Cheriton Utd 9 10 Castle Cary Res 7 10 Bruton Utd 6 7 AFC Strode 8 6 Keinton Park Rangers 6 5 Pen Mill Athletic 7 3 DIVISION TWO Lantokay 9 20 Team Gryphon 9 19 Zeals 6 16 Ilchester Juniors Res 8 14 Odcombe Res 8 13 Wyndham Athletic Res 9 12 Stoke-sub-Hamdon Res 9 10 Keinton Park Rangers Res 8 10 Milborne Port A 7 9 Barwick Res 8 9 Martock Utd Res 8 6 Pen Mill Athletic Res 9 3 PERRY STREET LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION P Pts South Petherton 5 13 Ilminster Town Res 7 13 West & Middle Chinnock 5 9 Misterton 5 7* Crewkerne Rangers 5 7 Hawkchurch 5 6 Merriott Rovers 4 4 Chard Utd 7 4 Halstock 3 0* Points deducted - * DIVISION ONE Perry Street & Yonder Hill 6 18 Forton Rangers 6 18 Shepton Beauchamp 7 12 Watown Hounds 7 11 Misterton Res 7 9 Barrington 6 8 Lyme Regis Rovers 6 7 South Petherton Res 4 5 Pymore 6 4 Combe St Nicholas Res 6 3 Dowlish Wake & Donyatt 7 2 DIVISION TWO Forton Rangers Res 6 18 Uplyme 7 14 Netherbury 4 10 Crewkerne Rangers Res 6 10 Shepton Beauchamp Res 6 8 Ilminster Town A 4 6 Winsham Utd 5 6 Merriott Rovers Res 4 6 Chard Utd Res 5 3 Donyatt Utd 5 2 Chard Rangers 6 0

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DIVISION THREE Drimpton FC Kingsbury Episcopi Thorncombe Ilminster Town B Merriott Saints Uplyme 2nds Perry Str & Yonder Hill Res Merriott Dynamos Combe St Nicholas A Crewkerne Rangers A Chard Rangers Res Farway Utd 2nds

7 21 6 15 5 11 6 11 6 10 7 9 6 9 6 9 5 6 7 6 7 1 6 0

DORSET SENIOR LEAGUE P Pts Sturminster Marshall 7 18 Wincanton Res 7 15 Tisbury 5 13 Mere Town 5 12 Cranborne 6 10 Broadstone 5 9 Chickerell 6 9 Stalbridge 4 7 Merley Cobham Res 6 7 Poole Borough 7 6 Dorchester Sports Res 5 6 Beaminster 4 3 Hamworthy Rec Res 6 0 Westland Sports Res 5 0 SOMERSET UNDER-18s LEAGUE P Pts Bridgwater Wolves 4 12 Nailsea Utd 4 12 Locking Park 4 7 Shepton Mallet 3 6 Hutton 3 4 Minehead 2 3 Burnbridge 3 1 Westland Sports 4 1 Tiverton 0 0 Stoke 2 0 YEOVIL & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE UNDER-16s DIVISION ONE Wincanton Town 4 12 Sherborne Town 5 10 Somerton Town Rangers 4 6 Wessex Warriors 3 4 Perry Street Youth 5 3 Ashcott Youth 3 0 UNDER-16s DIVISION TWO Stoke Youth 5 12 Somerton Town 3 7 Pen Mill Pumas 4 6 Merriott Vipers 4 4 Crewkerne Rangers 0 0 Ilminster Youth 4 0 UNDER-15s DIVISION ONE P Pts Sherborne Town 4 10 Wells City 4 10 Cheddon Athletic 4 6 Somerton Town 4 6 Wessex Wanderers 4 1 Wessex Rockets 4 1 Norton Youth 0 0 UNDER-15s DIVISION TWO Milborne Port 5 15 Westland Sports Pumas 6 15 Stoke Youth 5 7 Bruton Utd Bulls 3 4 Pen Mill Warriors 5 4 Merriott Youth Eagles 5 3 Perry Street Youth 5 0 UNDER-14s DIVISION ONE P Pts Aller Park Rngrs Rovers 5 13 Castle Cary 4 10 Wells City 4 6 Perry Street 5 5 East Coker Cockerels 4 4 Pen Mill 5 4 Wessex Hawks 3 0 UNDER-14s DIVISION TWO Aller Park Rngrs Rangers 2 6 Milborne Port 1 3 Wincanton Town Warriors 1 3 Ashcott 2 3 Merriott 3 3 Ilchester Wildcats 1 0 Westland Sports Whirlwind 2 0

UNDER-14s DIVISION THREE Somerton Town Ilchester Piranhas Sherborne Town Saints Ilminster Youth Pen Mill Lionesses Girls Stoke Youth

4 3 4 3 5 3

12 9 6 3 3 0

UNDER-13s DIVISION ONE P Pts Pen Mill Panthers 2 6 Somerton Town 1 3 Wells City Blues 2 3 Mark Rebels 2 1 Martock Rovers 2 1 Sherborne Dodgers 1 0 UNDER-13s DIVISION TWO Aller Park Rngrs Rovers 1 3 East Coker Cockerels 1 3 Bruton Utd Bears 2 3 Ash Rovers Juniors 1 1 Ilminster 2 1 Pen Mill Predators 1 0 UNDER-13s DIVISION THREE Avishayes Combe Sharks Milborne Port Wessex Youth Jets West & Middle Chinnock Kings Ilchester Youth Phantoms Merriott Youth Knights

1 1 0 0 1 1

3 3 0 0 0 0

UNDER-13s PLAY-OFF GROUP A Martock Rovers Somerton Town Aller Park Rngrs Rovers Pen Mill Predators West & Middle Chinnock Kings Wessex Youth

5 5 5 5 4 4

12 11 9 7 1 0

UNDER-13s PLAY-OFF GROUP B Pen Mill Panthers Sherborne Town Dodgers Ash Rovers Juniors Ilminster Youth Milborne Port Youth Ilchester Phantoms

5 5 5 5 5 5

15 10 8 5 4 0

UNDER-13s PLAY-OFF GROUP C Wells City Blues Mark Rebels East Coker Cockerels Bruton Utd Bears Avishayes Combe Sharks Merriott Knights

5 5 5 5 5 5

15 10 9 5 4 0

FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION P Pts Watford 7 16 MK Dons 7 15 Oxford Utd 6 15 Portsmouth 7 13 Crawley Wasps 6 12 Chichester & Selsey 5 9 Yeovil Utd 5 8 Cardiff City 3 6 Keynsham Town 6 6 Gillingham 7 6 Plymouth Argyle 6 0 Hounslow 7 0 SOUTH WEST REGIONAL WOMEN’S LEAGUE WESTERN DIVISION P Pts AFC St Austell 6 16 Feniton 5 10 Alphington 5 7 Sherborne Town 2 6 Plymouth Argyle 2nds 6 6 Plympton Ladies 4 4 St Agnes 4 1 Pen Mill 4 1 SOMERSET WOMEN’S LEAGUE DIVISION TWO P Pts Stockwood Wanderers 7 17 Bishops Lydeard 6 14 Wellington 6 11 Combe St Nicholas 8 8 Paulton Rovers Res 4 7 Pen Mill Res 6 1 Porlock Ladies 5 0

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Flying start halted by Lockdown Two for Westland Sports THERE has been fresh frustration for grassroots football as the implementation of Lockdown Two because of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen fixtures cancelled until further notice.

It has certainly come at a time when Yeovil-based Westland Sports were on a roll in the Dorset Premier League having chalked-up a maximum 18-point haul from their six games played to date.

They maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a narrow 1-0 win away at Swanage Town on October 24 with Mike Rousell scoring the all-important goal on 59 minutes.

While they enjoyed a similar scoreline on October 17 with a 1-0 success at home against Hamworthy Recreation

at Alvington – Josh Payne netting the winner in the latter stages of the firsthalf.

Westland currently sit second in the table – three points behind leaders Merley Cobham who have gone one better than the Yeovil side so far by winning all seven of their games played. Westland could go level top if they win their game in hand.

But it is a very different story for Westland Sports Reserves who are still looking for their first points of the season having lost all six of their games played to date in the Dorset Senior League.

Their last game before Lockdown Two came on October 31 when they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Dorchester Sports Reserves with new signing Aaron March getting the Sports goal.

YEOVIL-BASED firm JBW Builders have sponsored the kit for Ilchester Juniors FC who play in the Yeovil and District Football League. Company directors Stephen Wass and John Byrne are pictured with the Ilchester lads in their smart kit.

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The Reserves suffered a 4-1 defeat at Wincanton Reserves on October 17 with Sam Fuller getting Sports’ goal.

Westland Sports’ Under-18s got their first win of the season in Somerset Under-18s League on November 1 when they defeated near-neighbours Stokesub-Hamdon 7-1 with goals from Louis Fergusson (two), Tyler Redshaw (two), Brad Cheney, Henry Field and Fred Bunting.

Milborne Port lead the way at the top of the Premier Division in the Yeovil and District League, but have Queen Camel and Wagtail Athletic just behind them.

Ashcott Reserves currently top Division One, although second-placed Wyndham Athletic are unbeaten and could leapfrog them if they win their games in hand.

Lantokay and Team Gryphon are the early season pacesetters in Division Two. Yeovil United, meanwhile, are midtable in the Southern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League.

While it is not great news – at present for the Yeovil-based Pen Mill Ladies sides with the first team bottom of the Western Division in the South West Regional Women’s League, while the reserves are second from bottom of Division Two in the Somerset Women’s League.

Many thanks, as always, to Martin Edwards, of totallyfocused.co.uk, for these photos of Westland Sports Reserves (blue shirts) in action at Wincanton Reserves on October 17 in the Dorset Senior League. Wincanton won 4-1.

MERRIOTT Rovers, of the Perry Street League’s Premier Division, have a new shirt sponsor this season – thanks to the support of A. J. Wakely & Sons Funeral Directors. Clive Wakely went along to make the presentation ahead of Merriott’s match with Misterton earlier this season.

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The early years of Yeovil's rivalry with Weymouth YEOVIL Town fan and a keen historian of all things about the Glovers, MICHAEL WEST, goes back to the early days when Yeovil first locked horns with Weymouth back in the early 1890s. Now Yeovil Town are set to visit old rivals Weymouth in the National League – Covid-19 permitting – on November 17 for their first competitive match since November 30, 1999.

IN the early days of Yeovil Casuals, a rivalry was formed between clubs to the North. Teams such as Radstock and Midsomer Norton. Flirtations of rivalry were also made with Wells City who found any excuse to go running to the Somerset FA with an objection if the Casuals had the audacity to beat them.

One rivalry though was a slow burner, it smoked away for a few years until fans on both sides readily accepted “we hate them, they hate us.” That of course is with Yeovil Town’s traditional rivals, Weymouth.

Weymouth Football Club were formed in 1890 roughly around the same time as Yeovil were. The first ever Yeovil v Weymouth match was on December 19, 1891. It was only a friendly, but it was not the best start as Yeovil lost 7-0.

It was not long before Yeovil gained their first victory over ‘them’ - a 2-0 victory at West Hendford on December 23, 1893. Aided by Paul Reid, the first ever Yeovil fans hero. It was also the first controversial match between the two

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teams. After the second goal, Weymouth called for offside which was refused. Like a petulant child their captain, Newport, took his players off the field and refused to return; thus causing Yeovil fans to remonstrate “forcefully.”

Yeovil had set up home in the Pen Mill stadium in 1895, and on January 4, 1896, Weymouth were invited to play in a friendly. In what must have been one of the most surreal games ever between the sides at 5-0 up at half-time the Glovers fans must have thought they were in dream land. It turned into a nightmare by the end, Weymouth crawling back to draw 5-5!

These were all friendly fixtures though, however it was not long before they met in their first competitive match; in the FA Amateur Cup in 1896 at Pen Mill.

Weymouth turned up at Pen Mill Station with two surprises. Firstly they had taken advantage of the relaxed rules and called in the best players from all over Dorset to compete for them. The second surprise was that they had turned up probably for the first and only time with a “large body of fans.”

The ringers in the Weymouth side were still not good enough, the Casuals running out winners 2-0 and 18stone striker Bob Wyatt scoring the first.

Now, for a Yeovil fan, there is no easy way of saying this, however, over the next few years Weymouth became good - very good in fact. They won the Dorset League, the Junior Cup and considered the best amateur side in the area.

Weymouth also obtained a reputation for arrogance. At the annual meeting in 1900 they half-jokingly voiced the idea of losing some matches deliberately as no team wanted to play them knowing the result would always be a Weymouth victory.

But slowly Yeovil managed to get the better of them. In January 1909, Yeovil and Weymouth were placed first and

second in the Dorset League as the battled again at Pen Mill. The whole day did not start well for Weymouth. Firstly two of their best players, Mabb and Wood, missed the train to Yeovil by a minute.

In a state of panic they commandeered a car. It broke down just past Dorchester.

They eventually arrived at Pen Mill Station on the later train just as the second-half was starting. They ran on the pitch from the Hotel End, just as Johnny Hayward was completing his hattrick to put Yeovil 5-0 up. When they did get on the field their presence made no difference. Eventually Hayward netted five in a 9-1 victory!

The underhand actions regarding Weymouth Football Club finally caught up with them in October 1909. Questions had been asked for years at how they had managed to obtain the best amateur players from all over Dorset to play for them. After requesting to see the club’s financial books, the Dorset Football Association was surprised when a month went past and nothing was forthcoming.

An extensive enquiry was called for into Weymouth. What they found shocked all football fans in the South. In a totally amateur league, where professionalism was the worst crime imaginable, Weymouth over the years had been paying all their players and labelling the payments as ‘ petty expenses ‘ and also running a secret turnstile where all the admission fees went straight into the pockets of the players.

They were suspended with a fine of £15 and all their players suspended until the end of 1910. In effect, they had their team takenaway from them. They crawled back into the woodwork for a few years. Returning a few years later as a semi-professional club in the Western League.

But it was not until after the Second World War that the “fun” really started with Weymouth.

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Sarll hopes cup victory will kick-start season YEOVIL Town manager Darren Sarll was left delighted after his side secured a place in the Second Round of the FA Cup after an away victory against Bromley at Hayes Lane on November 7.

The magic of the cup returned for the Glovers as Gabby Rogers netted his first professional goal with a last gasp strike during extra-time, securing the win over the South East London side.

In what was a dominant performance for Yeovil, latest recruit Alex Bradley made his debut at right-back following his loan move from Lincoln City, whilst Morgan Williams made his second consecutive start.

“I thought we played really well, although the only thing I was disappointed with was the performance during extratime,” Sarll told BBC Somerset postmatch.

“I think in games like these I’ve always been a firm believer that big moments decide big games and I think Morgan Williams’ block was as important as Gabby’s goal as they were the deciding factors for us today.

“What I was pleased about was that the players looked fit, were very organised, and for the normal duration of the game played some great football which was a big positive.

“I think all good runs always start with gritty wins to begin with and hopefully that is the start of that for us. I had a lot more belief in the boys today as we looked a lot more like the normal Yeovil that we were all used too. The players worked really hard this week in training and thoroughly deserved nothing but a win today.

“As a team we’re always going to make

mistakes because that’s the nature of football, but I thought we looked a lot of more like ourselves which was good to see.”

He finished: “We’ve now got to try and push that standard through in order to make some sort of mark in the league.

“We know where we are, but I was extremely impressed with how brave and brilliant the lads were in terms of their self-confidence, people taking the right touches, making the right movement and for a team who has only won one game this season which was in this competition.”

Yeovil’s luck in the draw for the Second Round was not kind – an away tie at fellow National League outfit Stockport County on November 28.

PHOTO: Gabby Rogers got the allimportant winner at Bromley.

Williams returns to Quigley joins the Huish Park on short loan Glovers on free transfer YEOVIL Town snapped up the signing of Morgan Williams on loan from Coventry City for one month.

A recognisable face to Glovers fans, the 21-year-old enjoyed a short but successful loan spell with the club over the Christmas period last year, where he made an instant impact with a clean sheet on his debut against FC Halifax Town.

Yeovil manager Darren Sarll said that Morgan was drafted in because of injuries to other players.

“After Lee Collins and Josh Staunton suffered injury at key times it was evident, we may need another type of ingredient

to ensure the team performs better.

“The option was and is still there for several senior out of work players to come into the squad but what I immediately requested Morgan because of his playing traits. He is very different to what we have, and he made a huge impression on us all the last time he was on loan.

“He knows the group, to some extent, and understands what it is to play for Yeovil, the expectations that are placed on the players and the need to win games on a weekly basis.

“It’s great to have him back and I hope he has a great experience with us again.”

Great opportunity for Warburton YEOVIL Town were delighted to confirm the loan signing last month of Matt Warburton from Northampton Town until the end of the season.

Having already scored twice for the Cobblers this season, the 28-year old has ventured to Somerset, looking for a consistent run of first team football.

The attacker is no stranger to the nonleague circuit, playing for Curzon Ashton, Salford City and Stockport County in the National League North.

The 2018-19 season saw Warburton secure promotion to the National League with Stockport County as the Hatters won the National League North. Warburton netted 18 league goals in the process, and hit 25 in all competitions, averaging just shy of a goal every other game.

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However, he would not stay in Stockport to enjoy National League football, stepping up to the EFL for the first time in his career signing for Northampton Town. His time in Northampton saw Warburton win the League Two play-offs, beating Exeter City in the final.

Speaking to the Yeovil Town media team after signing, Warburton said; “I’m excited to be here, it’s a great footballing club and once I knew there was interest from the manager, he sold the club to me and I want to be a part of it and get this team promoted.

“I don’t know too much, but everybody I’ve spoken to has said it’s a well ran club and positive about the style they play. It’s a great opportunity for me.”

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YEOVIL Town were delighted last month to confirm the signing of Joe Quigley on a free transfer from Dagenham & Redbridge for the upcoming season.

After netting a brace against the Glovers last August, the towering forward is now lining-up in Green and White.

The 23-year old began his career in the Bournemouth Academy, but after a number of loan spells across seven different clubs, Quigley decided to settle within the National League on a

permanent basis signing for Maidstone United in 2018-19.

His stay in Kent was short lived, moving onto Bromley that same season, with a brief loan spell in the National League South with Eastbourne Borough, where he scored three goals in five games.

Most recently, the former Irish Under-21 international spent the entirety of 201920 with Dagenham & Redbridge scoring five goals before the league season was cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

YEOVIL Town were delighted to confirm earlier this month the loan signing of Alex Bradley from Lincoln City until early January.

The 21-year old arrived at Huish Park with National League promotion pedigree under his belt, having made 23 appearances for Harrogate Town last season as they won the delayed National League play-offs.

A graduate of the West Bromwich Albion Academy, Bradley moved on from the Baggies in 2019 signing for the Imps in the summer transfer window, following loan spells at Havant & Waterlooville and Burton Albion.

Bradley, despite being born in Worcester has youth international experience with Finland, playing in the 2018 UEFA U19 Championships for his mother’s birth nation.

Yeovil boss Darren Sarll said: “Firstly, Lincoln were great to deal with and we thank them for allowing us to have Alex for the foreseeable future.

“Terry (Skiverton) and I watched Alex last year for Harrogate and were always impressed and that was backed by the number of our football confidents that recommended Alex to us.

“Alex has a power and energy that is vital to the way we play, he adds real depth to the right side of our defence and midfield and I have been really pleased with his character in the first few days.

He’s another player that comes off of a winning experience last season and I am really looking forward to seeing him play for us.”

Bradley’s loan spell is expected to run out on January 10, 2021.

Gaffer impressed by new loan signing

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Away terrace officially named in memory of Badger THE Glovers Trust supporters’ group was proud to see the away end terrace at Yeovil Town’s Huish Park stadium officially renamed in memory of wellknown fan Martin “Badger” Baker.

Martin had run the now-defunct Ciderspace fans website for many years and was a font of knowledge when it came to his beloved Yeovil Town.

But tragically he died unexpectedly last year and fans throughout the club were left deeply shocked.

The Glovers Trust was proud to be able to sponsor the Away End in Martin’s name after claiming the rights to the terrace in the Crowdfunder campaign run by the club during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A Trust spokesman said: “Martin was a true believer in the Glovers Trust cause.

He was one of six fans who attended the London offices of Supporters Direct in 2015 and pitched the case for setting up a Supporters Trust.

“He understood the need for an independent voice for supporters, the

desire to have a say in how the club that generations of fans had supported.

“On many occasions in the following years he gave the Trust guidance, support and knowledge which was used to attempt to persuade those in charge to listen to the fan’s grievances and points

YEOVIL Town will be hoping to get some much-needed points on the board having fallen to the bottom of the National League table.

The Glovers are still without a league win in the 2020-21 campaign and travel to face Woking on Saturday (November 14, 2020) before visiting Weymouth on Tuesday, November 17, although that game might be in doubt due to their old rivals having Covid-19 issues.

They are then back at home on November 21 when Hartlepool United are the visitors in a 3pm kick-off before they travel to face Barnet a week later on November 28 and then begin December with a game at Huish Park against Eastleigh.

After beginning the league season with two successive 2-2 draws against Kings Lynn and Wealdstone respectively, the Glovers then lost 1-0 at home to Wrexham on October 10.

That was followed by a 1-1 draw away at Halifax Town on October 13 where Courtney Duffus netted for Yeovil nd then

a 0-0 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge on October 17.

The only respite for the Glovers has been in the FA Cup where they eventually overcame the challenge of National League colleagues Dover Athletic at Huish Park in the Fourth Qualifying Round stage with a 7-6 penalty shootout victory after the game had finished 3-3 after extra time. A brace from Rhys Murphy and a Joe Quigley header were Yeovil’s goal providers in the match.

But they then suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Sutton United on October 27 where Joe Quigley got on the scoresheet for the Glovers and then endured a 1-0 loss at Huish Park to Chesterfield on October 31.

Goals have been in short supply this season for Yeovil and that needs to be addressed.

Photos on these two pages come from Yeovil’s FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round match against Dover Athletic - courtesy of Martin Edwards, of totallyfocused. co.uk.

of view.

“If Badger were here today it is more than likely he would point to the support that fans have given over the pandemic period as an example of how club and fans should work together. He would urge fans to see that it was more important than ever to have a strong Trust, able to continue the encouraging dialogue

that has developed with the present ownership. He would be looking ahead to greater cooperation and representation for all involved in this, our club.”

It is believed that Martin Baker is the very first supporter to have received this important recognition of a named stand in the 125-year history of Yeovil Town FC.

Glovers need to start scoring goals

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YEOVIL TOWN FC

FIXTURES 2020-21 Saturday, October 3, 2020 National League Kings Lynn 2, Yeovil Town 2 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 National League Yeovil Town 2, Wealdstone 2 Saturday, October 10, 2020 National League Yeovil Town 0, Wrexham 1 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 National League Halifax 1, Yeovil Town 1 Saturday, October 17, 2020 National League Dagenham & Redbridge 0, Yeovil Town 0 Tuesday, October 27, 2020 National League Yeovil Town 1, Sutton United 2 Saturday, October 31, 2020 National League Yeovil Town 0, Chesterfield 1 Saturday, November 7, 2020 FA Cup Bromley 0, Yeovil Town 1 Saturday, November 14, 2020 National League Woking v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Tuesday, November 17, 2020 National League Weymouth v Yeovil Town 7.45pm Kick-Off Saturday, November 21, 2020 National League Yeovil Town v Hartlepool United 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, November 28, 2020 FA Cup Stockport County v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Tuesday, December 1, 2020 National League Yeovil Town v Eastleigh 7.45pm Kick-Off Saturday, December 5, 2020 National League Macclesfield v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

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Tuesday, December 8, 2020 National League Bromley v Yeovil Town 7.45pm Kick-Off

Saturday, February 20, 2021 National League Hartlepool v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Maidenhead United 7.45pm Kick-Off

Saturday, December 12, 2020 National League Yeovil Town v Notts County 3pm Kick-Off

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Weymouth 7.45pm Kick-Off

Saturday, December 26, 2020 Boxing Day National League Torquay United v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

Saturday, February 27, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Dagenham & Redbridge 3pm Kick-Off

Saturday, April 17, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Boreham Wood 3pm Kick-Off

Monday, December 28, 2020 Bank Holiday Monday National League Aldershot v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, January 2, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Torquay United 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, January 9, 2021 National League Boreham Wood v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, January 23, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Solihull Moors 3pm Kick-Off Tuesday, January 26, 2021 National League Maidenhead United v Yeovil Town 7.45pm Kick-Off Saturday, January 30, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Dover Athletic 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, February 6, 2021 National League Stockport County v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

Saturday, March 6, 2021 National League Chesterfield v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Tuesday, March 9, 2021 National League Sutton United v Yeovil Town 7.45pm Kick-Off Saturday, March 13, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Woking 3pm Kick-Off Tuesday, March 16, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Bromley 7.45pm Kick-Off Saturday, March 20, 2021 National League Notts County v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, March 27, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Barnet 3pm Kick-Off Friday, April 2, 2021 Good Friday National League Altrincham v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 National League Eastleigh v Yeovil Town 7.45pm Kick-Off

Monday, April 5, 2021 Easter Monday National League Yeovil Town v Macclesfield 3pm Kick-Off

Saturday, February 13, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Altrincham 3pm Kick-Off

Saturday, April 10, 2021 National League Aldershot v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off

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Saturday, April 24, 2021 National League Solihull Moors v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, May 1, 2021 National League Wealdstone v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Monday, May 3, 2021 Bank Holiday Monday National League Yeovil Town v Halifax 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, May 8, 2021 National League Wrexham v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, May 15, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Kings Lynn 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, May 22, 2021 National League Dover Athletic v Yeovil Town 3pm Kick-Off Saturday, May 29, 2021 National League Yeovil Town v Stockport County 3pm Kick-Off

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