LocalReach Burnham May 2023

BURNHAM & HIGHBRIDGE - TA8 & TA9

GARDENING – page 4

COMMUNITY – page 7

PUZZLES – page 13

RECIPE – page 15

BOOKS – page 20

BUSINESS A-Z – page 22

Join our army of LocalReach Community Editors...

If you are community minded like us then we would love you to send us your local news, events and information. We give 100 words free of charge and want to help at least 50-75 local; clubs, groups, associations, schools, churches each and every month.

Simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the form on the Community Notices page. We want to especially help the all the clubs, groups, associations, schools, churches that have very little income for advertising. Please spread the word!

LocalReach is now on Facebook - go to www.facebook.com/localreachburnhamonsea

Are you looking for more business?

Advertising in LocalReach is a fantastic way to reach all your existing, and potentially new customers. LocalReach is delivered by Royal Mail to all homes & businesses in your postcode area every month. It is packed with community notices, interesting articles and local businesses. A massive 98% of our advertisers rebook every month so we must be doing something right!

So, if you are looking for more business then contact us now. To advertise just go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the contact form or email hello@localreach.co.uk

Community Notices are free of charge

Please visit www.localreach.co.uk and click on Community Notices page Deadline is 1st May for the June issues

Advertising from only £28+vat pm Email hello@localreach.co.uk or call 01278 238000

Deadline is 1st May for the June issues Kitchens

Disclaimer. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we make no guarantee that the content will always be current, accurate or complete. We do not approve any of the services or products provided by advertisers in this magazine. Anyone using the products, services or advice from advertisers will need to carry out normal checks to make sure businesses are trustworthy and reliable. LocalReach Ltd 2023.

Garden View

This month - Aquilegia

There is something quite lovely about Aquilegias, bobbing in the breeze. They provide exquisite flowers, which a great for cutting, in May and early June, and come in a variety of colours. Even the foliage is attractive.

Known as Granny’s bonnet or Columbine, this delicate-looking flower is actually and undemanding hardy perennial, is unfussy about soil and tolerant of full sun, or partial shade. What’s not to like? The plants grow to about 60cm so work well in the middle of a border, where they will happily self-seed and spread the joy.

If you want to plant seedlings rather than seeds, sow thinly on to moist compost in a seed tray. If they are slow to germinate, they may need stratification, the posh word for subjecting seeds to a cold - warm cycle to trick them into thinking they have been through a cold winter. Cover the seed tray with polythene and put in a fridge at 0-5°C for two to three weeks. Remove the tray and place in a greenhouse or on a windowsill at

approx. 18-21°C. Remove the polythene when the seeds start to germinate. Transplant the seedlings into 7cm pots and allow to grow on into sturdy plants. Plant out in the border about 45cm apart in groups of three – five plants for a more naturalistic look. However, at this time of year I just sow directly outdoors, where I want them to flower.

If you are planting established plants from a garden centre, remove the packaging and stand the pots upright in a bucket of water for 20 minutes, to give the roots a good drink. Then plant in prepared ground in small groups.

Once the aquilegia plants have established, they shouldn’t need additional watering. You might want to cut back the foliage after flowering if the leaves are beginning to look scruffy. Give the plant a drink and a mulch of compost, and it will reward you with a fresh flush of foliage in a few weeks.

Aquilegias need very little after care once they are established. They will self-seed and although offspring rarely look like their parents, they will still be very pretty. I personally like the naturalistic look. The plant is a member of the poisonous Ranunculus family and all parts of the plant, including the seeds, are poisonous if ingested.

To collect the seeds from your aquilegia plants, wait for the flower to die back to an attractive papery seed head. Use a paper bag to hold over the stem and tap until all the seeds land in the bag. Alternatively cut the stems and hang upside down inside a large paper bag to dry and catch all the seed in the bag. Store in a paper envelope once they are completely dry and label carefully, noting that they are toxic if eaten.

Aquilegias are quintessential cottage garden favourites with nectar-rich flowers that are attractive to pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies, and moths. This makes them a fantastic, easy-to-grow wildlife-friendly choice.

By Rachael Leverton

Nature’s Philosophy

Nocturnal birds in sibilant causerie

Forest creatures in distant revelry

While nature’s blanket dims their rivalry

And stills the air to peaceful reverie

How brief is this tranquillity

As hostile meetings in darkened shrubbery

Remind, if only momentarily

That man alone enjoys in camaraderie

Written and kindly provided by Victor Timmons

Top tips for a stress-free move

Moving house is a bit like having a baby or getting divorced – it’s up there with the three most stressful things you can go through, usually with delays along the way. While everything always works out in the end, there are a few steps you can take to make selling your home a success. Operations Manager

Kerry Llewellyn tells us some top tips for a stress free move: The number one tip for selling a house is to de-clutter to make your rooms look larger. Make use of local Facebook selling pages, donate your items to charity or visit the recycling centre with your unwanted items. Put the items you don’t need right now into self-storage. This might be furniture or seasonal items that you know you won’t need before your house move. By putting things into storage early you can potentially cut down your removal costs and save time on the day. Ensure that you use a reputable removal company who understand the size of the job and meet your required needs. We can help arrange your removals, so you don’t even need to be here on moving day.

Don’t over or under fill boxes – a box should close with a flat top and base. Ask your removal company about providing boxes, packing materials, wardrobe boxes and furniture covers etc. Clearly label all boxes to save time later.

Kerry continues “At Big Bull Self Storage, we have various unit sizes to suit every potential requirement. Whether you’re looking for temporary or permanent, large or small, we can help you decide what size you need. Our location couldn’t be more perfect as we are right next to the recycling centre on Isleport Business Park in Highbridge, meaning you can tick off two jobs on your list in one go! The 24-hour access, drive-up units mean you can get your car or removal van right up to the door for easy unloading at any time.”

online reservations.

Are you tired of the same old cooking playlist?

Want to spice up your kitchen with some fresh tunes?

Well, Better Kitchens has got you covered!

We’re putting together a kitchen-themed Spotify playlist and we want YOUR song ideas. Whether it’s about cooking, cleaning, or just hanging out in the kitchen, we want to hear your suggestions.

Think you’ve got the perfect song to jam out to while chopping vegetables? Or maybe a catchy tune about the joys of baking? Whatever your kitchen-related song idea is, we want to hear it.

Simply head over to our Facebook page and leave a comment with your song suggestion. We’ll be compiling all of the best songs into a playlist that will be sure to have you dancing around your kitchen in no time.

And that’s not all - we’ll be randomly selecting one lucky commenter to receive six bottles of wine to enjoy while cooking up a storm in their newly inspired kitchen.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get those kitchen-themed songs flowing!

www.facebook.com/BetterKitchensUK

A company like Better Kitchens can help you bring together all aspects of buying your own kitchen - measuring, designing, planning and buying. Feel free to ask us for help at every step.

If you’re looking at a new kitchen, give Better Kitchens in Weston-s-Mare a look. We’re the largest independent online kitchen supplier in the South West.

Go to betterkitchens.co.uk/get-a-quote today, or visit our 28 display showroom in Weston to find out how much you could save on your existing kitchen quote from any other supplier!

The Better Kitchens Showroom, 12 Beaufighter Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8EE

Burnham And Highbridge Sea Cadets, Cassis Close

April 30th will be our Spring Fair from 10:00am till 3:00pm with crafts stalls, games and more, entry free. Come along and meet the Cadets, volunteers and Visit our unit, see what we have to offer, do you have spare time to be a Volunteer/leader, fundraiser or helper.

Burnham & Highbridge Sea Cadets based in Cassis Close, TA8 1NN. Parade nights - 7:00pm till 9:30pm. Seniors (12-18) Mondays & Thursday, Juniors (10-11) Thursday. For more information see FB - Burnham on sea and Highbridge Sea Cadets, Sea Cadets website or email info@bhseacadets. org

Coffee, Plant and Crafts sale

Monday 1st May, 10:00am – 12noon at Stook House Farm, Littlemoor Road, Mark. TA9 4NL. Two miles from Mark Church - sign on gate. Proceeds to Cancer Research UK.

www.justgiving.com/maydaycoffeemorning

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult – property next to river Yeo. Entrance £2.50

for coffee/tea and cake. Entry at own risk –beware of uneven surfaces inside and out. Plants, cakes, craft, raffle, tea and coffee and live music.

Plant Sale of Flowers & Vegetables

Thursday 11th May. West Huntspill Horticultural Society will be holding their popular Annual Plant Sale of Flowers & Vegetables at 7:30pm at the Balliol Hall, West Huntspill, TA9 3RN. This is our first sale since 2019 so please come along and support us and get some quality, locally grown plants for your garden. All profits go towards the running costs of the summer Flower Show in August. Contact us at westhuntspillhortsociety@gmail. com if you need any further information.

Moose on The Loose!

Saturday 13th May at Burnham Baptist Church will see Moose on the Loose hosting our ever popular Coffee/Tea Morning in a new venue between 10am and 12 Noon. Coffee/Cakes/Tea etc for £4.50 and a Raffle as well! For further details chriswhite.burnham@gmail.com or call 07923 161032.

Brent Knoll Bazaar, Farmer’s Market & Parish Café

Saturday 13th May at Brent Knoll Parish Hall10:00am - 12 noon.

Locally produced fresh Pork, Goat’s milk, cheese and meat, Eggs, Pickles & Preserves, Seasonal Vegetables, Westcroft Cider, Cakes, Savouries, Handmade cards, Handbags, Scarves, Silver & Beaded Jewellery, Children’s games and toys, Local Crafts, Dog Treats, Textiles, etc. CDs, DVDs, Books and Bric-a-Brac. Plus a Raffle. The Parish Café will be serving drinks, light snacks and cakes.

Come and pick up a Bargain. Entrance FREE. Proceeds to Brent Knoll Parish Hall.

RNLI Winscombe Plant & Garden

Items Sale, Saturday 13th May

RNLI Winscombe & District Branch Plant & Garden Equipment Sale is on Saturday 13th May at 10:00am at Winscombe Community Centre, Sandford Road, Winscombe, BS25 1HP. Selling a full range of greenhouse plants; runner and French beans;

courgettes; bedding plants; garden fillers; Acers; shrubs; garden jumble; patio items; tubs; garden & domestic tools; and guest stalls all at ‘GiveAway’ prices.

Contact Allan Cooper e-mail allan.coop@tiscali. co.uk or tel 01934 842954 or Tina Joyce e-mail meejlfh@gmail.com or tel 01934 842304 for more details.

RAFA-MSB Branch PresentationBuilding RAF Mount Pleasant Airfield

RAFA MSB General Branch Meeting on Monday 15th May (11:00am for 11:15am) at the Street Inn, 1 - 3 Somerton Road, Street, BA16 0DR. A Branch Meeting followed by a presentation “Building RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands”, followed by an optional Pub Lunch.

This Event is open to Branch Members, RAFA Members from other Branches, Current and ExRAF Service Personnel (Including RAF Reserves), and Members of the “RAF Family”. Contact the Branch via e-mail rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or phone Secretary on 01458 224057 for further information.

Burnham-on-Sea & District Horticultural Society - 15th May

The next meeting at The Community Centre, Berrow Road, B-o-S is 7:00pm for 7:30pm on Monday 15th May with guest speaker Jonny Hartnoll “Nerines”. All welcome. Members £1.00. Visitors £2.00.

All-Sorts Choir - Open Rehearsal and Cake - Everyone welcome!

Have you always wanted to join a choir but were unsure about what it would involve? Come and join us for a short informal performance and refreshments. This is a chance for you to sing along if you want to and find out more about us. Our next Open Rehearsal will be from 7:30pm9:15pm on Thursday 18th May at East Brent Village Hall.

For more information please contact Sue Toon on 01278 760753 or sue.toon@btinternet.com

Find us on Facebook - All-Sorts Community Choir

Trivial Pursuit Quiz Night

Saturday 20th May, 7:00pm Start at East Huntspill

Church Hall. £2.50 per person - includes nibbles. Please bring your own drink. Maximum 4 people per team - Bring a team or come along and make one up on the night. How many pieces of pie will you collect?

Please email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook. com or phone 01278 788665 to book your place.

Cake Sale

Saturday 20th May there will be a Cake Sale at East Huntspill Church Hall, 10:30am. Homemade Cakes - Yummy!

For further details contact 01278 788665 or email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com

Burnham on Sea Pagan Group

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 23rd May. We meet at 7.30pm; Room 2, Community Centre, Berrow Road (next door to the pool) BOS TA8 2ET. Which books have inspired your chosen path? Please bring your books to share. There is also a book swap. We are a very friendly group we celebrate the wheel of the year as the seasons pass. Please contact derwen73@gmail.com for more details.

Come to Mark for a great game of lawn bowls! Mark Moor Bowling Club

We are offering a free year’s membership to new players. All ages are welcome and free coaching will get you started at this small friendly club. Outdoor club evenings start at 6.00pm Mondays and Thursdays. Find us next to Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark TA9 4NY. Free parking. There is an open day on Friday 26th May, 2.00pm - 7.00pm. Just turn up wearing trainers to give it a go!

Call 01278 641744, visit markmoorbowlingclub. co.uk or email markbowlsclub@gmail.com

Lazy Monday Classic Car Display

Monday 29th May starting at 12 noon. Bridgwater Classic and Vintage Club Car Display at East Huntspill Playing Field. An afternoon of classic cars, local stalls, games, refreshments and family fun. Free admission - donations welcome. Raising money for local causes. To enter your Classic Car - contact Paul 07831333506

For information regarding stalls contact 01278 786704 or email allsaintscommunitygroup@ outlook.com. Sorry no dogs allowed in East Huntspill Playing Field.

Stylish Times: Art Deco Design And Building Decoration

Art Deco design from the 1920s and 30s is immediately recognisable; rapid redevelopment between the world wars saw it spread, while the expanding film industry used this new style for its ‘picture palaces’. The Arts Society Sedgemoor talk for June examines this unique style of architecture with illustrations from all around the world, including buildings near here.

The 7th June talk is at the 37 Club (between Woolavington and Puriton) at 2:00pm for a 2:15pm start. Visitors welcome, at a charge of £8. Full details on our website theartssocietysedgemoor. org.uk

Every Monday and Friday - BurnhamOn-Sea Short Mat Bowls Club

Our sessions are held at St Andrews Church Hall Mondays 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Fridays 10:00am to 12:00 noon, all year round. We are a friendly bunch who will welcome newcomers of all ages, whether you are a beginner or experienced bowler. Refreshments included! Feel free to pop along or for further information contact Jen on 01278 782962 or email jenna8362@gmail.com

How safe is internet banking?

With the closure of many high street bank branches, internet banking is seen as a convenient way to manage your bank accounts, but how safe are these accounts?

In reality they are very safe as long as the devices that access internet banking are not compromised by a third party, with your unwitting help.

Most banks now rely on either a card reader which requires insertion of your bank card or a telephone as a way of approving payments, so should you want to send money, you will be required to insert your debit card into a reader, receive a text message / phone call from the bank, or have a small pin pad device that generates a code. So in theory, even if somebody got into a person’s internet banking, the would not be able to transfer money out with the approval on a secondary device. So in answer to my question, yes, internet banking is very safe, but scammers have been known to hoodwink people into approving outgoing payments, so be very wary if any third party wants you to approve a payment – speak to your bank, or even a friend or relative before doing this – it could save you a lot of money.

As always, computer security is a must and having your computer fully up to date with Windows or Mac operating systems is essential for security and reliability. The current latest version of Windows is Windows 11, version 22H2 and Mac OS latest version is Ventura. For anybody on Windows 10 or older versions of MacOS, please get in touch if you would like help on upgrading.

Crossword Across

7 Severe mental or physical pain (6)

8 Bowed (6)

9 Lease, tariff (4)

10 Wash, cleanse (8)

11 Inscription (7)

13 Fossilised tree resin (5)

15 Caustic, stinging (5)

17 Nicotine-rich leaf (7)

20 Dwellings, (8)

21 Blanched (4)

22 Forbid, ban (6)

23 Improve, embellish (6)

Down

1 Zealous, fierce (6)

2 Flat-bottomed boat (4)

3 Wreath (7)

4 Ambiguous (5)

5 Scholarly world (8)

6 Unit of measurement (6)

12 Most unshaven (8)

Word Search

14 Bragged (7)

16 Church (6)

18 Unbleached cotton cloth (6)

19 Type of farm (5)

21 Hum, murmur (4)

Mindbenders

Solutions: Turn to page 21

The Top Five Things Your Never Wanted To Know About BBQing

#1. Is it BBQ or Barbecue? Barbecue derives from the word barabicu found in the language of the Taíno people of the Caribbean and the Timucua of Florida, and entered European languages in the form barbacoa. The word translates as “sacred fire pit.” The word describes a grill for cooking meat, consisting of a wooden platform resting on sticks. Traditional barbacoa involves digging a hole in the ground and placing some meat (usually a whole goat) with a pot underneath it, so that the juices can make a hearty broth. It is then covered with maguey leaves and coal and set alight. The cooking process takes a few hours.

#2. The first commercially produced barbecue sauce was made by the Georgia Barbecue Sauce Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Its sauce was advertised for sale in the Atlanta Constitution, January 31, 1909. Heinz released its barbecue sauce in 1940. It now comes in three varieties: Classic, Sweet and Sweet & Spicy.

#3. Each year Environmental Health officers see a characteristic rise in the number of food poisoning cases through the summer period. When investigated, there is often one common factor - the barbecue!

#4. SAFETY TIP: In recent years there have been a number of fatalities and injuries as a result of people bringing BBQs into enclosed spaces and being overcome by carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous substance which is created when fossil fuels such as gas and solid fuels like charcoal and wood fail to combust fully due to a lack of oxygen. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly with no warning.

#5. In a recent survey of our clients 98% of them had never cleaned their BBQ! But don’t worry your BBQ can be restored to its clean, non-grease laden state in 2 – 2 ½ hours without you having to lift a finger – well not true – you have to pick up the phone and call Graeme Robertson at OvenGleamers on 01278 497541

Bombay Potatoes

Serves: 4-6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: Up to 20 mins for boiling potatoes, 10-12 minutes to fry.

Method:

Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the potatoes and boil until just tender, Allow to cool a little.

Ingredients:

900g Jersey Royals

Thumb-sized piece of root ginger, peeled

3 garlic cloves, peeled

2 large ripe tomatoes

4 tbsp vegetable oil

¾ tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 large onion, roughly chopped

2/3 tsp turmeric

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garam masala

½-¾ tsp chilli powder

Large handful of chopped coriander leaves

Salt, to taste

Quarter one tomato then blend together with the ginger and garlic. Heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan, then add the cumin and mustard seeds. When the cumin starts to darken, add the onion. Cook for one minute then add the ginger and garlic mixture, the ground spices and salt.

Sauté gently for one to two minutes until the garlic smells cooked but is not burnt.

Slice the second tomato into thin wedges and add them to the frying pan. Stir well and cook the mixture for three to four minutes. Tip the potatoes into the pan and cook for three to five minutes allow the flavours to be absorbed. Season to taste and finally stir in the chopped coriander before serving.

£1,990

Every Monday – Serendipity Singers

We are a singing group within the University of the Third Age (U3A) that enjoys performing. We sing songs from musicals and popular songs from all-time-classics to the present. The music is specifically arranged to suit our voices: Sopranos, Altos, and ‘Men’.

We normally give about 20 performances, with three repertoires, each year, for Friendship Groups, charities and other local organisations.

We rehearse on Monday afternoons in Burnham. At present, we would like to increase the number of Altos and Men within the choir.

Please e-mail us at singers@burnhamu3a.com

Would you like to come and join us?

The Burnham and Highbridge SHED welcomes men and ladies to make, fix, learn, try crafts, or just chat with a cuppa in our kitted out workshops. Come and join us.

MONDAY: 9:00am until 12:00pm and 1:00pm until 3:30pm the ladies wood section meet and the lady crafters meet from 9:30am until 12:00pm.

TUESDAY: 9:45am until 12:45pm and 1:45pm until 4:45pm the men’s section meet.

THURSDAY: 9:45am until 12:45pm and 1:45pm until 4:45pm the men’s section meet.

Morland Community Hub, Pearce Drive. HIGHBRIDGE, TA9 3FU.

Contact:

russelswgleed@gmail.com

meadssue@yahoo.co.uk

Mark badminton club new members wanted

We are a friendly group of people who enjoy playing badminton. All levels of play welcome. We meet every Wednesday 8:00pm - 10:00pm at the sports hall in Mark, Sedgemoor Manor school. Please come along we’d love to see you! (You don’t need to live in Mark!). Call 01278 641516 for more info or just turn up.

Beginners’ Tai Chi with Bubbling Springs

Spring into summer with one of our friendly, weekly beginners’ tai chi classes. Improve body condition, reduce stress and give your brain a new challenge! Proven to benefit many health conditions - and it’s fun to practise!

No previous experience necessary.

Thursday 9:45am -10:45am: Highbridge Community Hall

Friday 12:15pm - 1:15pm: St Andrew’s Church Hall, Burnham on Sea.

£6.50 per session. Contact Cheryl Mountford. Tel 01278 781544 Mob 07840 350334. Email bubblingsprings@hotmail.com

Table Top Sale St.Andrews Church Hall, Burnham-on-Sea TA8 2AS

Thursdays 8:00am - 12noon. Fruit, Vegetables, Eggs, Plants and Flowers, Jams, Marmalades, Chutneys, Homemade Pastries and Cakes, Wooden Garden Decor,Greeting Cards, Flower Arrangements, Children’s Toys, Hand Knitted Baby Garments, Avon, Haberdashery, Local Crafts, Bric A Brac and Collectors Items. Anyone with Something Different. Why not come along and try us. Tables Available from £5.00.

Please contact Carol on 07388672995 or email mwellman4@googlemail.com

Take your career up a gear with Somerset Passenger Solutions

Driving our state-of-the-art coaches, you will be transporting the workforce from local areas to HPC (Hinkley Point C) - one of the largest construction projects in Europe. No tickets or fares to issue, no equipment/ luggage to handle. This is a 24/7 project, so we have shifts starting from as early as 3am through to twilight and night shifts. Full and Part Time positions available.

Think you can’t drive a bus? If you have great people and customer service skills, we can teach you the rest! Our expert trainers will be with you every step of the way providing ongoing support, development, and training.

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have a full manual UK licence (held for min 12 months)

• Are aged 18 or over

• Have fantastic people skills

• Can be flexible with working hours

A summary of benefits:

• Earn £34k+ with 7 hrs overtime a week

• Pay £12.45 per hr increasing to £12.78 per hr after 6 months & £14.27 after 12 months

• 10% night shift premium

• 25% overtime and weekend premium

• 5% contributory pension matched by us

• National retailers discount scheme

• Free bus travel & reduced rail travel

• Life assurance

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Discounted gym membership

SPS has been awarded the whole passenger transport contract for the HPC project until mid2027.

For full details and to apply visit our website at www.spsbus.co.uk or contact our Recruitment team at jobs@spsbus.co.uk

Arranging a Funeral

At Impeccable Care Funeral Services, we believe that the best service we can offer is to not only listen to your wishes, but also professionally guide you through everything you need to know. When arranging a funeral, we will discuss all the relevant details with you and explain all aspects of the day. Below is a brief guide for you to better understand and prepare for the process of arranging a funeral;

Cremation

We will obtain any relevant paperwork and certification from medical practitioners in order for the cremation to proceed. In most instances, it is a legal requirement for one doctor to sign medical paperwork, which we can discuss with you in greater detail at the time. If the death is referred to a Coroner, different paperwork is required, but we can liaise with the relevant Coroner on your behalf and explain the process to you at the time of arrangement. You may want to consider options for the cremated remains in advance of the arrangement, such as collection after the cremation occurs, scattering or various urns and keepsakes for the ashes to be safely stored.

Burial

We will need to know if the burial will take place in a new or a pre-existing grave. If you are purchasing a new grave for your loved one we may need proof of

residency from the relevant council for the intended owner of the grave and for your loved one. Each cemetery has their own rules and regulations so this will vary accordingly. If you are reopening an existing grave, we may need the official deeds to the grave. We can explain these matters in further detail when you see us in person.

Whether you wish to arrange a cremation or a burial, we will require information about the deceased including their name, date of birth, date of death, address and any religious beliefs. When we arrange a funeral with you, we will discuss a number of important aspects of the funeral, including whether you are going to have a cremation or a burial, location of the funeral (e.g. place of worship, cemetery or crematorium), date and timing of the funeral, casket or coffin requirements, limousines and after-care. We will also cover all administrative tasks, including cost and payment schedule for the funeral, paperwork requirements and what you are required to arrange externally e.g. music, flowers and printing of orders of service.

Once your loved one is in our care, we will dress them in your chosen clothing or in a tasteful funeral gown. Please bring in any personal clothing as soon as possible and notify us of any special instructions. Impeccable care funeral services are here for you when you need us. Call 01278 448973

A helping hand at a difficult time

Impeccable care funeral services believe quality of care does not stop at the end of one’s life; passion, commitment, dignity, and a desire to carry out ones wishes until the very end of their journey, these are the core values we pride ourselves on.

Long Live the King

A brief history of coronations

centuries, various crowns have been used, but the most famous is St. Edward’s Crown which was originally used for the coronation of Charles ll in 1661, will be used to crown King Charles lll this month.

The ceremony also involves the presentation of other regalia, including the orb, sceptre, and ring. The Sovereign’s Orb is a golden globe surmounted by a cross to remind monarch that their power is derived from God. The sceptre represents the crown’s power and governance, and the ring is a symbol of royal dignity.

The monarch takes an oath to uphold the laws of the land and to protect the Church of England. Following this, they are robed in coronation garments and seated on the Coronation Chair, also known as King Edward’s Chair, which has been used for this purpose since the 14th century.

On May 6th King Charles’ coronation will take place, an event steeped in centuries of tradition and symbolism.

Coronations mark the formal investiture of a monarch with regal power, typically by the placing of a crown upon their head. They can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, with the first recorded coronation in Britain of King Egbert of Wessex in 802. However, it was not until the Norman Conquest in 1066 that the tradition of coronations as we know them today truly began. William the Conqueror’s coronation at Westminster Abbey laid the foundation for the ceremonies that followed, and the Abbey has since served as the primary venue for all but two coronations.

The ceremony itself is a blend of religious, political, and cultural elements. Historically, the Archbishop of Canterbury has been responsible for presiding over the ceremony.

One of the most iconic aspects of the coronation is the anointing of the monarch with holy oil, symbolizing their consecration to God and their role as defender of the faith. The origins of this practice date back to biblical times, and the anointing of the kings of Israel. The oil used for the anointing is traditionally held in the Ampulla, a gold, eagle-shaped vessel, and applied using the Anointing Spoon, which dates back to the 12th Century.

The crowning of the monarch is the climax of the coronation ceremony. The crown is a symbol of the continuity of the British monarchy. Over the

One of the most famous coronations in British history is that of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, which followed a period of cultural and political change, and reflected the power and prestige of the Tudor dynasty.

The coronation of King Charles II in 1661, followed the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell.

More recently, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was the first to be broadcast on television, allowing millions of people around the world to witness the historic occasion.

The coronation of King Charles lll will be a captivating blend of history, tradition, and pageantry, and I for one will be glued to the television.

By Kate McCarthy

A Good Read by her family to have the ‘problem’ taken care of. But she breaks free to search for her cousin Rose, who disappeared during the war. She meets Eve Gardiner, a former spy for the Alice Network, a secret organization of female spies, who now spends her day drunk, haunted by her past. Together, the two women embark on a journey to find Rose and uncover the truth about her disappearance.

As they delve deeper into the world of espionage and the aftermath of the war, they encounter a cast of characters, including former spies, soldiers, and politicians, who each have their own secrets. The two women must navigate this dangerous world, relying on their wits and the support of each other to stay alive.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

The Alice Network is set in the aftermath of World War Il though it straddles both world wars, and follows two women, Charlie St. Clair, and Eve Gardiner, as they navigate the dangerous world of espionage in search of a lost relative.

Charlie St. Clair is a young American woman who is pregnant out of wedlock. She is sent to Europe

The novel explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the aftermath of war. Its powerful narrative is a testament to the bravery and resilience of women in a time when their roles were often limited. Quinn’s novel is well-researched and beautifully written that will appeal both to fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a pageturning spy thriller.

By Tash Donovan

Fun Junior Tennis Fridays from 6:00pm @ Avenue Tennis Club

Come along and give tennis a go at the Avenue Tennis Club, Friday nights, for some fun junior tennis focussed sessions from 6:00pm till 7:00pm for juniors up to age 7 and from 7:00pm till 8:00pm for juniors over 7 years old with LTA qualified coach Vinny Duddy. Drop kids off or stay and enjoy some refreshments from our well stocked bar. Lots of other coaching and playing options available for juniors and adults alike - www.avenuetennis.com

Coffee Morning Every Saturday

East Huntspill Church Hall. Come along for a friendly chat and a coffee/tea between 10:30am - 12noon. For further information telephone 01278 786790.

Stage 2 Drama Berrow - Needs members…join now!

Stage 2 meet and rehearse in Berrow Village Hall, however as time has gone by membership has declined and

Puzzle Solutions

we have only been able to perform short plays. We need to build the group so that we can do full length plays. No pressure and we are happy to encourage and help anyone who fancies treading the boards, or just as important backstage crew. If you would like to join our small group and make it big again then please email sec@stage2drama. org

Burnham Christian Fellowship

Burnham Christian Fellowship meet at the BAY Centre, Cassis Close, Burnham on Sea, every Sunday at 10:30am for praise and worship and for free coffee morning every 2nd Friday in the month at 10:15am. Everyone is welcome.

Prickles Hedgehog Rescue

Prickles Hedgehog Rescue can be contacted if you discover a hedgehog wandering in the daytime, especially if it appears to be injured. The earlier warm spell meant the end of hibernation for some and then of course this was followed by a further cold snap. Small hedgehogs struggle to find warmth and food so please support feed if they visit your garden. In particular, please check before strimming during your garden tidy. Call Prickles for advice and help 07806 744772

Bathrooms

P.H

ROOFING

“Fantastic responsive service. It’s the 2nd time I have used Central Roofing…Went above and beyond and assisted me in issues around insurance. I would recommend this company to anyone with roofing issues.”

Cat Lady

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: CHIMNEY REPAIRS

DRONE INSPECTIONS

PITCH ROOFING

FLAT ROOFING

CONSERVATORY & GARAGE ROOFING

FIBRE GLASS FLAT

ROOFS

UPVC FASCIAS

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

ROOF, GUTTER, UPVC - REPAIR, FITTING AND CLEANING SERVICE

SERVICES – New Roofs, Roof Repairs, Under Tile Felting, Ridge Tiles

UPVC ROOFING SERVICES – UPVC Fascias & Soffits, Guttering, Bargeboards, Cladding, Dry Verge Systems

ROOF & UPVC CLEANING SERVICES – Roof Cleaning and Fungicide Treatment, UPVC Cleaning

Roofing Contractors