LocalReach Wells October 2023

GARDENING – page 5

COMMUNITY – page 6

RECIPE – page 7

PUZZLES – page 8

BOOKS – page 15

BUSINESS A-Z – page 19

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Navigating Mortgages and Insurance:

As a seasoned mortgage broker, our goal is to help you secure not just a house, but a home where your dreams can flourish. We understand that obtaining a mortgage can be a daunting task, and we are here to guide you through that journey. In this article, we’ll explore the symbiotic relationship between mortgages and insurance, shedding light on their significance and providing you with the insights you need.

Mortgages: Building Your Foundation: A mortgage is not just a loan; it’s a key to unlock the door to your dreams. It’s crucial to understand the nuances of mortgage types, interest rates, and repayment plans. Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages each have their merits, depending on your financial circumstances and goals. We work closely with you to find the ideal fit for your unique situation.

Insurance: Safeguarding Your Investment:

Homeowners insurance provides a safety net, shielding you from unexpected events such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. There are other insurances you also need to consider to protect your family this is life insurance, critical illness insurance and income/mortgage protection.

Mortgages and Insurance: A Harmonious Partnership:

Did you know that having a mortgage often makes homeowners insurance a requirement? Lenders want to safeguard their investment, and insurance helps mitigate their risk. Our team will help you navigate this interplay, ensuring that your insurance meets lender requirements while also safeguarding your interests.

Personalized Guidance:

At Liberty Money, we understand that every client is unique. Our personalized approach ensures that you receive guidance tailored to your financial aspirations. Whether you’re a firsttime homebuyer, a growing family, or someone looking to refinance, we’ll work tirelessly to find the mortgage and insurance solutions that make your dreams achievable. Our commitment to your financial well-being extends beyond the mortgage transaction. We’re here to provide ongoing advice and support, helping you adjust your mortgage and insurance plans as your life evolves. Your journey toward homeownership is just the beginning, and we’re excited to stand by you every step of the way.

Call our team now on 01275 244360

Garden View

This month – Blue is beautiful

them is to buy them ready-potted. Garden centres will sell them at this time of year.

In spite of their fussiness, they are hardy perennials. If you can get them established they’ll proliferate. In the garden divide them carefully, disturbing the roots as little as possible, every three years in the spring. If you’re growing them in pots then at the start of spring carefully scrape out some of the top compost and redress it with ericaceous compost. Keep it moist and in a partially shaded area and the flowers should return in the autumn. When the pot looks overcrowded you can try splitting them once the flowering season is over but often it is better just to buy new plants.

Gentians have a reputation for being tricky little things to grow and it isn’t entirely undeserved. They’re a temperamental lot. They will only grow from fresh seed; they require the gardener to jump through hoops to get them to germinate; they don’t like being transplanted; they insist on free-draining but not impoverished soil...the list goes on. But those gorgeous ultra-marine trumpet flowers are so desirable, especially at this time of year when not much else is flowering.

I’ve had my fair share of failures with autumn gentians over the years but still I keep trying to grow them.

Like most of us I haven’t the time to devote to primping and preening the truly diva-ish varieties: those are best left to alpine devotees. I’ve had most success with Gentian sino-ornata. These form low growing clumps some 15cm / 6inches high and 30cm / 12inches across. In the right conditions they will produce gorgeous bright blue trumpets with pale green stripes from September all the way to November.

Gentians prefer shade for at least part of the day and, I can’t stress this bit enough, there must be no lime in the soil, or they’ll turn up their pretty blue toes and expire. Unfortunately, as I garden in an area rich in limestone, (our house is actually built on a limestone ridge!) the only way I can grow them is in low, dish-shaped containers where they can spread out a bit. If you’re making up your own pots, use ericaceous compost with added grit to promote drainage. An even easier way to grow

The trouble with gentians is that they’re addictive. Grow a few successfully and you’ll get greedy for those startling blue flowers and want more. Then you’ll start to think, ‘I wonder if they really are that difficult to grow from seed…’ and you’re lost.

Happy gardening.

By Rachael Leverton

Royal Air Forces Association MidSomerset Branch October Meeting & Quiz

The Branch will hold a Branch Meeting with a Fun Quiz followed by an optional Lunch on Monday 2nd October at 11:00 am in Wells Golf Club, Blackheath Lane, Wells, BA5 3DS. It covers BS25, BS26, BS27, BS28, BA4, BA6, BA16, TA10 & TA11 areas.

Events are open to Branch Members, Members from other Branches, Current and Ex-RAF Service Personnel and Reserves, Current and ExCommonwealth Air Forces Personnel, Members of the RAF Family and Members of the public that support the aims and purpose of RAFA. Contact rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458 224057.

Improve Your National Trust Experience - Join your Local Centre

We meet monthly on the SECOND Saturday at 2:00pm at Henton Village Hall beginning on 4th October, to share experiences and consider future activities. During summer months outings to NT and other locations are arranged.

We introduce from many walks of life, speakers of their experiences and connections with interesting and often unusual activities.

A small fee covers the cost of refreshments and expenses. There is no formality, just turn up.

Contact KEITH BROWN for more information on 01749 673949; text 07734215963 or email klancslad@gmail.com

PCSO in the library

Drop in and speak to a member of Wells City Neighbourhood Policing Team on Wednesday 4th October 11:00am - 12:00pm. Whether you want advice on how to protect your belongings, more information about the work we are doing in your area, or you want to raise a concern about

an issue in your community, your Neighbourhood Policing team will be on-hand to help.

West Mendip Walkers October Walk Programme

Thursday 5th October: 10m moderate walk starting 10:00am from Chew Magna (BS40 8SU)

Thursday 12th October: 12m strenuous walk starting 10:00am from Woodlands Hill, Holford (TA5 1SE)

Thursday 19th October: 8.5m moderate walk starting 10:00am from Compton Dando (BS39 4JZ)

Thursday 26th October: 11m moderate walk starting 10:00am from Faulklands (BA3 5UY) Full details on www.mendipramblers.co.uk

Sale of Pre Loved items

Coxley & District WI are having a Pre Loved sale on Saturday 7th October at Coxley Memorial Hall. 11:00am - 2:00pm, entrance is free.

References are available.

Repair Cafe in the library!

The Repair Cafe will be in the library on Saturday 7th October from 9:30am - midday. Bring your item along and see if it can be repaired - the repairers will have a go at fixing most things brought along, either on the spot or they will take it away for mending.

October/November News from Coxley, Henton and Wookey Churches

Harvest celebrations continue: Henton are having a Harvest Thanksgiving (9:00am, Sunday 8th October) and Wookey are having a Harvest Festival (4:00pm, Sunday 15th October). There will be hymns, prayers, Bible readings and a short talk. Any food donations brought to the churches will go to Wells Foodbank.

ICE CREAM VAN HIRE

Call Stuart on 07894 323 115 stuartscurlock66@gmail.com

We’re holding our annual All Souls service (7:00pm, Thursday 2nd November) at Henton church to remember loved ones who have passed, and comfort the bereaved. Email benadmin@ chwchurches.co.uk if you would like the name of your loved one to be mentioned during the service.

Roasted Cauliflower with Spinach, Saffron, Pine Nuts and Raisins WE ARE MOVING….

We are excited to announce that on 1st November Pretty Sitting Curtains & Blinds on Bath Street, Cheddar, is moving to Tweentown and re-opening as Pretty Sitting Upholstery & Interiors. Our story began in 2013 when Jill Humphrey started her upholstery business from home in Shipham. Moving to new premises at Tweentown, Cheddar in April 2019 meant that Jill could expand operations and provide space for upholstery classes. Then Covid-19 happened: the classes were closed; Jill’s business partner left and things got a bit rocky!

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking time: 20 min

Ingredients:

1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets.

3 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion thinly sliced.

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground turmeric

Pinch of saffron, infused in 150ml boiling water.

3 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted

75g raisins, soaked in warm water.

300g spinach leaves

1 tbsp butter (optional)

Method:

Blanch the florets for 1 minute, then drain.

How to blanch.

Have ready a large bowl of ice-cold water, a slotted spoon, and a plate lined with a clean cloth or paper towel for draining.

Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Just before adding the vegetables, add a generous pinch of salt.

Add the florets to the pot in small batches so that the water continues to boil. After about 1-2 minutes remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking process in a process called ‘shocking’. When the florets are completely cool, remove them from the ice bath and drain on the towel-lined plate.

Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan then add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook on a low heat until soft then add the ground spices and cook for another couple of minutes.

Add the blanched cauliflower florets. Pour in the saffron water, add the pine nuts, drained raisins and spinach leaves. Cook until the leaves have wilted and cauliflower is soft, and you have a thin sauce. Season to taste and add the butter, if using.

Late 2020 an opportunity arose to take over a shop on Bath Street which was closing. Jill’s daughter, Molly, who trained at Cotton Mills in Truro after completing her Textile Design degree at Falmouth was made redundant due to the pandemic. With a generous landlord and business start-up grant from the local council, in April 2021 Molly set up her new enterprise making bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings. After 2+ years successful trading it’s time to merge with the upholstery and training business and join mum for the next exciting stage of the journey.

Please join us to celebrate our new venture. The first 50 customers to our new shop purchasing products or services worth £50 and above will receive a small gift bag. In addition, we are offering lovely discounts in both stores for the months of October and November.

Crossword Across

1 Dried grape (7)

5 Take place, happen (5)

8 Global, cosmopolitan (13)

9 Male relative (5)

11 Modulate, attune (7)

13 Ecstatic, joyful (6)

14 Dishevel, discompose (6)

17 Artist’s paint-mixing board (7)

18 Weary (5)

19 Hysterical with fear (5-8)

22 Beg (5)

23 Drags a riverbed (7)

Down

1 Convulsion, fit (7)

2 Object or objects for sale at an auction (3)

3 Accord, concurrence (9)

4 Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf (6)

5 Japanese kimono sash (3)

6 Anglo-Saxon King, Edward the _________ (9)

7 Rent out a property again (5)

10 Dispute, question (9)

Word Search

ant killer

bicycle bucket charcoal compost creosote

fork

hedge trimmer

hosepipe

ladder

lawnmower

mallet

oilcan

paint cans

plant pots

rake sacks spade

toolbox

trestle

twine

wood stain

12 Skin injury caused by extremely low temperature (9)

15 Conclusions, denouements (7)

16 Leased, chartered (6)

17 Appear suddenly (3,2)

20 Dastardly person (3)

21 Small barrel (3)

Mindbenders

Solutions: Turn to page 12

One leading Audiologist has sent out a plea to anyone struggling with hearing loss, after a new study has found that wearing hearing aids could help reduce the risk of dementia.

Simon Swindells, Senior Audiologist and Owner of South West Hearing Care was speaking after a study, which was published The Lancet, showed that people with hearing loss who used hearing aids were 42% less likely to develop dementia than those with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids.

Simon, who is a passionate advocate for hearing health, said: “There are approximately 11 million people in the UK with hearing loss and many of these people have never sought the help of an audiologist for their hearing.

“This study, along many others before it, is showing strong evidence that untreated hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline. My plea to anyone over 50 is to ensure you have a regular hearing check every couple of years, especially if you have started to notice you are missing parts of conversations or other sounds.”

The study looked at data from 437,704 people

taking part in the UK Biobank study. The average age was 56, and the average follow-up time was 12 years.

The hypothesis, known as cognitive overload, asserts that the brains of adults with hearing loss have to work harder to understand the same information as people with average hearing, which may put such a profound strain on the brain that it cannot perform other functions as well.

Simon, who fits the latest hearing aids from his dedicated practices in Street and Westbury, continued, “Wearing hearing aids can help to reduce the risks of dementia by improving hearing and making it easier for people to communicate. It is clear to me that this study highlight’s the urgent need for the early introduction of hearing aids when someone starts to experience hearing loss.”

To book a hearing test appointment with Simon at his clinics in either Street or Westbury, please call 01458 555533 (Street) / 01373 823076 (Westbury) or visit www.swhearingcare.co.uk

Simon Swindells - Owner and Audiologist at South West Hearing

Local Audiologist’s plea after survey shows hearing aids reduce dementia risk by over 40%

The Best Time to Sell Your Home

You don’t need me to say that selling your home is an extremely emotional and quite stressful time. It’s described as being one of the most stressful moments of our lives, alongside death and divorce!

Amongst this cocktail of highly charged human emotions, the house seller will have spent a considerable amount of time thinking through their plans to sell, when to put their house on the market and what they plan to do next.

So when is the best time to sell?

The commonly held view is the beginning of Spring. However if everybody followed this same notion and vast armies of sellers all descend on the market at the same time, your house risks being crowded out as there are only a limited number of buyers.

Another question people ask is “should I wait until the housing market goes up?” This often occurs when the market is going through a period of rising prices fuelled with salacious newspaper headlines promising untold riches from the next housing boom. However, in most

cases the seller will also be a buyer so the new home will also have gone up in price and, generally speaking, there’ll be no significant gain to be had by waiting. The housing market can change quite dramatically and a potential seller should always move when the time is right for them.

This also applies to the time of year. I’ve already suggested a counter argument to marketing in spring but the reality is, if you look at any time of year, there are pros and cons. Long summer days give an opportunity for early evening viewings, the autumn is generally seen as the last good opportunity to sell before Christmas, and January picks up buyers with ‘New Year & New House’ plans.

So find out what your house is worth now in readiness for when you do decide to sell. The EweMove website features a free online valuation tool that provides an instant valuation report or use the URL link below.

To have a chat about your moving plans please contact me 24/7 on 01749 600 339 or visit www.EweMove.com/Wells.

RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch Visit to Weston-super-Mare Helicopter Museum

The Branch will visit the Weston-super-Mare Helicopter Museum, Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8PP assembling at 10:30 am on Friday 13th October in the Museum Cafe for tour conducted by Alan Whitfield at 11:00 am followed by an optional lunch in the Museum Cafe at 1:00 pm. The visit is open to Branch Members, Members from other Branches, Current and Ex-RAF Service Personnel and Reserves, Current and ExCommonwealth Air Forces Personnel, Members of the RAF Family and Members of the public that support the aims and purpose of RAFA. Contact 01458 224057.

Mark Church Harvest Flower Festival

Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October. Tower & Bell Chamber Tours. Sing-a-long. Refreshments. Open daily 10:00am - 4:00pm. Harvest Service: Sunday, 15th October, 9:30am. Contact Heather 01278 641225

Fungi - good, bad and the ugly with Michael Jordan

Thursday 12th October, 7:30pm at Wells Town Hall, Market Place, BA5 2RB. Visitors and new members always welcome. Entry costs £3 for non-members and £1 for members.

Refreshments available.

Out and About Inspirational Textile Art Exhibition from Avalon Stitchers

Come and see an exhibition of amazing art, all incorporating fabric and stitch. Inspired by travels both local and further afield.

Avalon Stitchers would love to see you at Wells Museum from October 14th - 21st (closed Sunday and Monday).

We would love to talk to you about our friendly group and maybe you would like to join us. Entrance to the exhibition is free.

The Fear Fascination

The psychology behind why we enjoy (or don’t enjoy) horror movies

It’s Halloween, and horror movie suggestions are once again popping up on Netflix and Amazon. Horror movies have been captivating audiences for decades, drawing us into a world of the unknown, terror, and suspense. Why do so many of us sign up to being scared out of our wits while others avoid the horror genre at all costs.

One of the reasons many individuals find pleasure in a good horror movie is linked to our innate thrill-seeking tendencies. The human brain craves novelty and excitement, and horror films provide a controlled environment for allowing us to experience fear and excitement without real danger. The rush of adrenaline and the heightened sense of awareness during suspenseful scenes can be exhilarating, triggering our “fight or flight” response even though there’s no actual real threat.

Horror movies also offer a unique form of

Puzzle Solutions

catharsis, a release of built-up emotions and stress. By immersing ourselves in a fictional world of horror, we can experience a range of intense emotions in a safe environment. This emotional rollercoaster can be oddly satisfying, allowing us to confront our fears and anxieties vicariously through the characters on screen.

Paradoxically, humans seek out fear-inducing experiences as a way to gain a sense of control over their emotions. When watching a horror movie, we have the ability to pause, fast forward, or even turn off the film if things become too intense. This sense of control over our environment reassures us that we’re not in any real danger, making the fear more manageable and enjoyable.

The human mind is also naturally curious, and horror movies tap into this by presenting mysteries, puzzles, and unexplained phenomena. For some people, watching horror movies provides an opportunity to face and conquer their fears in a controlled context. The adrenaline rush and subsequent relief of surviving the fear can create a sense of empowerment and triumph. On the flip side, there are individuals who adamantly avoid horror movies. Their psychological profile is usually very different to their horror-loving peers.

People with heightened sensitivity to stimuli might find horror movies overwhelming. Some people’s nervous systems react more strongly to fearinducing scenes, leading to discomfort or anxiety. Individuals who have suffered past traumatic experiences might find that horror movies trigger memories or emotions that are too distressing to confront.

Horror movies are designed to elicit powerful emotional responses, and some people simply prefer to avoid negative emotions, opting for more positive or light-hearted forms of entertainment. For others, a vivid imagination can amplify the fear experienced while watching horror movies, making the on-screen events feel all too real.

The enjoyment - or avoidance - of horror movies involves a complex interplay of human psychology. While many of us find thrills, catharsis, and a sense of control in the suspenseful and terrifying world of horror, others are better suited to forms of entertainment that align with their emotional sensitivities. Whatever our preference, there will be a Halloween-themed movie for you this October.

By Louise Addison

Mindbender:

1: Easy peasy 2: Two for one 3: Drive over the speed limit

Hallowe’en Howlers…or Not? Dean Sheppard, OvenGleamers

A bit of fun this month from OvenGleamers – do you know which of these are true or which are not ie Howlers?!

1. The hydrochloric acid of the human digestive process is so strong a corrosive that it easily can eat its way through a cotton handkerchief and even through iron. But it does not endanger the walls of the stomach, which are protected by a film of sticky mucus (yuk!). Howler? No this is true!

2. One of the first things we learned in a Chemistry lab is how to light a Bunsen burner, a gas burner used to heat solutions of chemicals. The eminent German chemist Robert W. Bunsen invented the Bunsen burner. Howler? Yes…Robert W Bunsen did not invent it, he merely popularized its use.

3. Most plant pollen is highly inflammable. It will ignite and explode when placed on an extremely hot surface. In the early days of modern theatre, artificial lightning was produced by throwing pollen grains of the club moss onto a hot shovel. Howler? No, it’s not.

4. Human skulls have been used as drinking cups throughout history. CroMagnon (the first early modern) man scraped away muscles and flesh and hacked off and smooth the lower portion of the skull. (It is not known whether these skulls belonged to revered ancestors or hated enemies.) In the Middle Ages, the skulls of saints were used as drinking cups on ceremonial occasions. Lord Byron served wine to his visitors in Newstead Abbey in a human skull that he found in the cloisters there. A Howler or Not? Not.

Multiple fracture healing reduced from 12 weeks to one month

Paul Furlong of Yeovil usually rides a mountain bike cross country. “Recently, against my better judgement,” he confesses, “I tried jumping in the air on a push bike and went right over the handlebars. My collarbone was shatteredobliterated - my shoulder blade was fractured and a vertebra in my back was broken. I need to remember I’m 50 not 20!

“The hospital said my injuries would need a twelve week recovery period. Terrifying, because I run a tyre fitting company, which obviously involves using arms and upper body. Being out of action that long could bankrupt me.

“Then a cycling friend recommended Laser treatment and I found Matthew Jackson and the Somerset Health Practice. When I first saw Matthew, four days after accident, my arm was in a sling and if I wiggled my fingers, my collar bone would squelch and grind. Matthew treated me and 2 ½ hours later my collarbone felt much more secure. I believe that without the treatment that healing would have taken much longer.

Matthew explains, “I treated Paul with Laser therapy and PEMF, a machine that pulses repairing frequencies into the body without physical contact. He also had sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber with infra-red therapy and Chinese herbs to help the fracture heal fast. All these are proven treatments for fractures.”

“I had three weeks of quite intensive treatment” says Paul, “and one month after the accident, I fitted nine tyres. That’s physical! So a month into the predicted twelve weeks recovery, I’m back to work, earning money again.

“This feels to me like a miracle. Matthew and Becky are genuinely nice people and are achieving phenomenal results, really special. I wholeheartedly recommend the clinic and I’m telling everyone about it!”

Exclusive offer

Somerset Health Practice is making a special, exclusive offer to LocalReach readers

– A free Ultrasound scan, worth £130.

*Offer open to the first 5 readers to book shockwave sessions, quoting the offer code OVERCOME IT OCTOBER!

Call 01458 860392 before 31st October.

About Matthew Jackson…

Matthew Jackson of the Somerset Health Practice is well known locally as a trusted osteopath and acupuncturist who is truly dedicated to helping and healing people through modern natural medicine. He is also an expert herbalist and registered practitioner, having trained in London and China with world class professionals.

Matthew is always studying new ways and gaining new qualifications to help his clients, taking a holistic approach. These include Shockwave and Laser therapy for pain, injury and wounds alongside hyperbaric oxygen therapy for longevity, chronic disease healing and enhanced performance. Look online for Somerset Shockwave and Origin Oxygen and read informative e-books.

For more information and claim your free assessment * call 01458 860392

Treatments are private and easy payment plans can be arranged to suit your budget Follow us ‘Somerset Health Practice’ on Facebook and Instagram, or ‘@glastoosteo’ on Twitter

Matthew Jackson - BSc (Hons) Ost, Dip Ac/CHM (China), Pg Dip CHM (OB/GYN), Pg Cert US (MSK) MRCHM, BMUS

“This feels to me like a miracle, I’m telling everyone!”

A Good Read

Good Omens

by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Terry Pratchett’s “Good Omens,” a collaborative masterpiece co-written with Neil Gaiman, is an imaginative tour de force that seamlessly melds humour, fantasy, and social commentary. Published in 1990, the novel has become a timeless cult classic that continues to captivate readers with its wit and irreverence. The original book was adapted into a successful TV series, but the original book is definitely worth seeking out.

The story revolves around an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, who have grown accustomed to life on Earth and have developed a certain fondness for humanity. When the apocalypse looms, they join forces to prevent the end of the world, inadvertently misplacing the Antichrist in the process. What ensues is a delightful romp through absurd situations, satirical jabs at religious norms, and a heartwarming exploration of friendship.

Pratchett and Gaiman’s unique writing styles blend seamlessly. Pratchett’s penchant for witty wordplay and Gaiman’s darkly enchanting storytelling combine to produce a tale that’s as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. The duo weaves together multiple storylines, including the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a quirky witch named Anathema Device, and a bumbling witch-hunter, creating an intricate tapestry of characters and events.

At its core, “Good Omens” is a celebration of the human experience. It nudges readers to question the conventions they take for granted while delivering laugh-out-loud moments that provide much-needed levity. It’s no wonder that this book has become a cherished favourite among readers.

By Tash Donovan

Winter Colour for your Garden

Henton and District Gardening Club welcomes Louise Burks from Castle Garden Centre, Sherborne on Wednesday 18th October, who will be giving us tips on planting up hanging baskets and tubs, adding colour to the wintery days ahead. Coffee 7:00pm, talk at 7:30pm.

Raffle, plant sales and visitors most welcome (£5) at Henton Village Hall - programme details hentongardenclub.weebly.com

Wild Roots Growing for Wellbeing Group

Mondays & Thursdays 10:00am - 2;30pm, Catsham, Baltonsborough.

The Growing for Wellbeing Project welcomes people who want to get outdoors, learn new skills or use existing skills and be part of a supportive group. Our main emphasis is on horticulture and rural craft activities. Our Thursday sessions are particularly suited to neurodiverse participants.

LOCALREACH COMMUNITY NOTICES

Are you a local, club, group, association, charity, school or church?

Would you like to publicise your, news, events and information to your community free of charge?

Then simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and click on the Community Notices page, then fill in the form before 1st of each month. You can also upload a photo or logo. We will then publish in our LocalReach Community Magazines delivered by Royal Mail each month.

Your Community Notice will also appear on our Facebook pages.

Join our growing army of LocalReach Community Editors.

For more information or to arrange a visit please contact Ursula Casey at ursula@wilderwoods. org. Booking essential. Easily accessible by public transport.

Central Somerset Outdoor Learning Partnership. Registered Charity Number 1151284. www.wilderwoods.org

Mah-Jong: a beautiful game filling you with joy and curiosity

The Penscot Inn (Shipham) would like to welcome people to join their monthly MahJong group.

Whether you’re a novice, experienced Mah-Jong player or someone who would like to learn to play please come along. My hope is that we can make these enjoyable evenings playing a game that originated in the Far East. First Tuesday of each month: from 7:30pm. Free. Contact details: mark.trenchard53@gmail.com / 07815681580

Barn Dance but Better

Fancy something more than barn dancing? Come and have friendly fun and fitness with dances ranging from English to zesty American. Come alone or with a partner.

2nd, 3rd & 4th Wednesdays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm. We’ll have an energetic evening with American caller Seth Tepfer on 11th October with music by Nozzy.

Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club, St. Thomas Church Hall, St Thomas Street, Wells BA5 2UZ. Call 01749 674920 or see www.wellsfdc.co.uk

Volunteer Drivers Urgently Needed

Volunteers are desperately needed for our Community Transport Service that enables vulnerable people to attend medical appointments out of their local area when they don’t have any other form of transport.

We are looking for people with their own car, a full driving licence and spare time on their hands to join our friendly team.

We would be happy to chat with anyone interested and answer any questions. Please ask them to give us a call here at Mendip Community Transport on 01749 880613 or via email at chantel.difford@ mendipct.co.uk

Hard wearing stair carpet

Many people ask us for a ‘hard wearing stair carpet’. There are a few elite suppliers making carpet in narrow widths with designs specially for stairs, like Louis de Poortere and Roger Oates, but these are expensive, and they are designer carpets rather than being particularly hard-wearing.

Stair carpet is normally ordinary carpet cut from a standard 4- or 5-metre roll. It doesn’t matter that each step comes from a single piece of carpet - although sometimes runs of several steps do come from one piece - because a new piece has to be used where the stairs change direction, whether through a rectangular sub-landing or a kite shaped winder, to make sure the pile direction is correct. Sometimes it is most economical to use off-cuts from the other rooms, but sometimes the carpet chosen for other areas might not be the best on stairs. Carpet with a longer looser pile should be avoided because it will start to compact in the middle where most people walk.

Chunky loop piles can look clumsy, at the edges especially, and they won’t give a tight finish over the nosing, which is important for stairs where the treads aren’t very deep. If the loop is very big, an exact number of loops might not fit. If your staircase changes width slightly from top to bottom, so that the number of loops across the tread varies, you might get fraying on the edges. The answer is for the fitter to fray out the carpet and glue the spare weft to the back of the carpet to stop further fraying, which all adds time to the job and so the fitting will cost more.

Some materials aren’t suitable at all, because they are slippery or won’t wear well, like jute or seagrass, and 100% wool carpets should be avoided although we do fit quite a few of those because people like the look of them. The smaller the loop, the better – but the best option in the home is a compact twist pile, ideally 80:20 wool.

Teenage Brains, Therapy and Neuroscience

Whether you are a teenager, or an adult involved with teenagers, the teenage brain can be baffling at the best of times. A lot of the ‘flash’ responses we see in teens are because their developing brain often hasn’t ‘seen’ the hormones it is being exposed to enough to learn how to moderate the body’s response. One example of this is the stress steroid, THP. In adults, it does a great job of helping modulate anxiety. Unfortunately for teens, it has the opposite effect – increasing their anxiety instead of reducing it. This is one of the reasons teens have less resilience to stress compared to adults and are more likely to show stress-induced physical illnesses and anxious behaviours.

Hard to handle emotions including stress, worry, anger and loneliness are all linked to how teen brains respond to THP along with higher cortisol levels. Add this to an already overactive amygdala and stress response system, and you can see why mental health concerns often start in the teen years for many children who up to that point have seemed to be resilient and able to cope.

So how can therapy support a teen who is having a challenging time or has had a hard experience? Establishing a safe, therapeutic relationship with a trusted therapist allows your teen to explore their feelings and experiences in an open and honest way without shame or judgement. The advantage of creative therapy is that it allows your teen to talk (or not) and to find ways of working through the things that have brought them to therapy in a way that is personal to them alongside psychoeducation, coping strategies, and other skills to help your teen feel more able to cope with their life challenges.

Next month I will share some thoughts on filial therapy but in the meantime, you can find additional information (and more) on my website. You can also send me an email if you think I might be able to help a child or young person that you know.

Contact Elaine:

Email: hello@creatingcalm.co.uk, Website: creatingcalm.co.uk

Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?

I'm a local therapist, based in Wells, who supports children, young people and their families to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges.

Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?

Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?

Supporting children and young people to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges

www.creatingcalm.co.uk

hello@creatingcalm co uk

01749 599066

I'm a local therapist, based in Wells, who supports children, young people and their families to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges.

Working together with families and those who support children to look after themselves as well as others Elaine Hutchinson

www.creatingcalm.co.uk

hello@creatingcalm.co.uk

Five Fun things to do in October

Get lost! - There will almost certainly be a Maize Maze near where you live, often accompanied by other attractions such as pumpkin patches and hayrides. Go and get lost with family or friends for an hour, then hit the farm shop after to stock up on goodies.

Pick your own pumpkin - This is a fun activity (and cute photo op) for all the family. Head to your local pumpkin patch and choose your favourite. You might be able to carve or paint it on site too.

Take a guided ghost walk - There might be one in your town, or nearby. The guide dresses up and tells stories of hauntings and horror. Some are kidfriendly too.

Go leaf-collecting - Dress up warm and head out to the local woods. See how many different colours and types of leaves you can collect. Press them between sheets of blotting paper when you return home and use them to make pictures or decorate cards.

Read a creepy book - Cool autumn evenings are just right for curling up with a good book. Try Erin. E Adam’s Jackal, about a Black woman, Liz Rocher, returning to her predominantly white hometown in Pennsylvania to attend a wedding, and discovering a horrifying secret, that children have been vanishing in the nearby forest for years. All of them Black. All of them girls. Can Liz find the latest missing child before she’s consumed by the darkness?

By Tracey Anderson

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