Issue 4 - Volume 21 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

SEPTEMBER 2025

IN THIS ISSUE: HARVEST HOMES • WILDLIFE • SHOWTIME • WHAT’S ON • CAVE DIVING • LEVELS WALK • COMMUNITY Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

6

Welcome

THE seasons move on to a time of flower shows and harvest homes - and we have pictures from many of them, as well as the Mid-Somerset Show.

How gardeners have managed with the weather this year is remarkable. Our local reservoirs are drying out and Nick Green says cows are feeling the heat.

Sue Gearing takes us on a walk across the Somerset Levels and Martin Gass looks back 90 years to the first cave dive on Mendip.

We’ve tributes to Glastonbury councillor Nick Cottle, who has died aged 68, while Les Davies pays tribute to two Mendip stalwarts, Ron Penn and Dave Parker.

The tiny church of St Nicholas and the Blessed Virgin Mary at Stowey has remarkable murals undergoing restoration – we’ve climbed the ladders to take a look.

We’ve more heart-warming stories of local endeavour in our community and charities pages. We look ahead to arts trails, ploughing matches and festivals to come!

With all of our regular features and contributors, let us lead you gently into autumn.

October 2025 deadline: Friday 12th September Published: Tuesday 23rd September Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Lisa Daniels lisa@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888

or email: news@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk

Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ

Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates.

Front cover: Trophy presentation at the Mid-Somerset Show.

Photograph by Mark Adler. See page 12.

12

Moo-ving with the times – the Mid-Somerset Show in pictures

Look what we’ve found – discovery day on the marshes

60

In the gods – rare church murals restored

84

80 years on – VJ Day remembered Plus all our regular features

Environment .............................6 Farming Nick Green................10 Crossword ...............................14 Food & Drink..........................16 Arts & Antiques .....................27 Business ..................................34 Charities ..................................44 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE ..49 Walking Sue Gearing...............50

Outdoors Les Davies MBE......52 Gardening Mary Payne MBE...54 Health & Family .....................64 Community .............................72 Homes & Property .................78 Riding Lucy Counsell ..............86 Sport ........................................88 Music & Theatre ....................90 What’s On ...............................92

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

New book of Mendip walks

Trip of a lifetime

Les Davies, Sue Gearing and Sarah Mead from Yeo Valley

JEAN Scott, aged 92, from Somerton, has ticked off a lifelong dream – riding the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, 2,700 miles, on the back of a HarleyDavidson.

Her incredible journey wasn’t just about the adventure; she also raised funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, along the way.

Jean is a member of the Somerton Ukulele Band, which regularly fundraises for the air ambulance. So, when taking on this personal challenge, she decided to dedicate her own fundraiser to the cause as well.

Jean had dreamt of this trip since her early married days, when she and her late husband, Nowell, explored Europe by motorbike. At 92, she decided it was a case of “now or never”.

Jean has raised £730 so far and is already dreaming up her next adventure!

A NEW walking book, the Yeover Mendip Walks Book, is the latest from Sue Gearing and Les Davies, featuring 12 guided walks around the Yeo Valley.

They’ve now written 16 books in the last 25 years. This one has been produced in partnership with Yeo Valley Organic.

They said: “There is so much more to our countryside than just the hedge, the wall, woods and fields. Beneath the surface lies the evidence of those who have gone before us.

“We hope to give you an insight into that past during these explorations.”

The book is available from Yeo Valley Organic Headquarters, the Yeo Organic Garden and The New Inn, £9.99.

Supporting Ukraine

Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk

A previous convoy

AVON Fire Authority has approved the donation of two fire engines, a hovercraft and vital rescue equipment to help firefighters in Odesa, Ukraine.

It says these items are part of AF&RS’s retiring fleet and equipment that are no longer required or fit for purpose locally, meaning the donation will have no impact on frontline services or existing commitments.

Cllr Paul Goggin, chair of Avon Fire Authority, who will join crews driving to Odessa, said: “This isn’t just about vehicles – it’s about people. We want the people of Ukraine to know they’re not alone.”

The goddesses in the High Street

RED was the colour for this year’s 30th anniversary of the international Goddess Conference in Glastonbury.

The six-day long pagan event featured ceremonies, workshops, presentations, prayers and pilgrimages.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 5

(Photograph courtesy of Geoff Corris)

Goddess conference

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MENDIP TIMES

For peat’s sake

AVALON Marshes Nature Reserve hosted a free, family-friendly day of events celebrating Somerset’s peatlands.

Peat-free activities included helping to plant a new bog garden, children’s storytelling with Michael Loader and guided tours of peatland restoration sites on nearby Shapwick Heath.

Wildlife organisations including Somerset Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and English Nature were joined by the Environment Agency at the event.

This event is part of Peat-Fest South-West, a region-wide celebration of the area’s connections with peatlands, running through summer and autumn 2025. Led by the Art and Energy Collective and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it brings together youth groups, artists, heritage organisations and volunteers to raise awareness of peatland heritage through creative events, intergenerational exchanges, and storytelling.

One of the most popular events was led by the Art and Energy Collective to create a 70-metre Mossy Carpet, which will be displayed at the United Nations COP conference in Brazil in November.

A family enjoying the “archaeological “ dig

Ted helps on the mossy carpet project watched by Sue, a member of the art collective

Storyteller Michael Loader

The collective’s aims

AXEVALE Climate Action is hosting what promises to be a fascinating evening on September 9th, in Cross Memorial Hall on what happens when you bring back beavers.

Oscar Chambers-Smith, from the Beaver Trust will talk about the triumphs and trials of reintroducing beavers - and why these ecosystem engineers might just be part of our climate future.

He says there are more beavers in Somerset than is generally known and he will reveal plans to reintroduce more as he says they have a vital role to play in flood prevention.

He will be joined by Lauren Holt, National Trust Ranger for the Mendips who will discuss her plans for protecting the environment in the face of hot dry summers and wet winters.

Return of beavers

Hannah, from English Heritage

Details: Facebook ‘Axevale Climate Action’ or ccclimateaction@gmail.com

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ENVIRONMENT

Drought hits local reservoirs THESE pictures show that water levels in our local reservoirs are dangerously low. At Chew Valley Lake the ancient road bridge at Moreton is clearly visible for the first time in years.

At Cheddar, the authorities have been worried about people getting trapped in the mud and sailing has been abandoned.

A spokesman for Bristol Water said: “Our region has experienced one of the driest springs and summers in recent years, with rainfall at around half the usual levels. This means our reservoirs are lower than normal for this time of year.

“We continue to supply 280 million litres of clean, safe water every day to 1.2 million customers.

“We are working hard to manage resources effectively, reduce leakage, and support customers in using water wisely so we can continue to enjoy everything our beautiful region has to offer without putting unnecessary strain on supplies.

“Small actions – like taking shorter showers or using a watering can instead of a hose can all add up.”

Chew Valley Lake Blagdon

Cheddar reservoir

Wildlife trust plans for Catcott

SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has launched a £535,000 appeal to improve its Catcott nature reserve on the Somerset Levels.

The trust has been managing land at Catcott since the late 1960s and says its latest plans for improvement hope to strike a better balance, for both wildlife and people.

The reserve is at the heart of the Avalon Marshes, a mosaic of vital habitats renowned for its internationally significant birdlife and home to otters, water voles, dragonflies, and the elusive European eel.

The trust wants to acquire a six-hectare field that will connect two currently separate areas of the reserve by both land and water, providing a green corridor through which wildlife can move – making Catcott “bigger, better and more joined up”.

It also wants to expand a “scrape” (a shallow wading pond) which will provide a larger and richer breeding ground for wading birds, attracting and supporting vulnerable species like lapwing, snipe and curlew.

The aging Lows Hide would be replaced with an “inclusive and accessible” wildlife lookout which can be accessed just metres from the car park and the car park itself and nearby tracks will be resurfaced and bridges and boardwalks repaired or replaced for

safer, smoother access for all visitors, including those with mobility needs.

Becky Fisher, Head of Engagement, said: “For decades, the Lows bird hide has given visitors unforgettable close-up encounters with Catcott’s remarkable birdlife and wild residents, but as it ages, it no longer meets the needs of all our visitors.

“Replacing it with a spacious, accessible wildlife lookout means we can welcome more visitors to experience the wonder of nature up close.”

The appeal raised £160,000 in its first three weeks.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

ENVIRONMENT

Right time to consider planting an evergreen hedge ALWAYS green, always with leaves. What could be better for wildlife seeking shelter not only from winter cold and biting winds but also for protection from other predatory dangers plus welcome nesting sites?

On a cold winter's day or night, notice the difference between the stark outline of leafless deciduous trees and the welcoming foliage of evergreens. I know where I would rather take shelter!

Small birds can lose much body weight, up to 10-20%, during a single cold night. This weight loss is due to the energy expended to maintain their body temperature in freezing temperatures, especially when they are unable to find enough food to replenish their energy stores.

These advantages are exactly what coniferous trees such as spruce, firs, pines and cedars provide. They are mostly conebearing, though not all conifers are. Yews and junipers are classed as coniferous but they produce their seeds enclosed in red structures like berries. Larch is a coniferous tree, but it is deciduous.

Cones hold and protect conifer seeds until they are ready to be dispersed. The scales of the cone are tightly closed as shown in the picture. There are male and female cones on the same tree. Male cones are much smaller and do not last long. They release pollen.

Female cones contain ovules that develop into seeds once they have been fertilised. Male cones tend to be clustered together lower on the tree to avoid self-pollination with the female cones growing higher up.

Eventually, when the time is right for germination, cone scales open to release two seeds which are “naked”. This means that they are not protected by an ovary. This is a protective fruit in deciduous plants.

Cone opening usually happens in early autumn. Until then the seeds have been kept safe from weather extremes and hungry wildlife such as crossbills, siskins, pine martens and red squirrels.

Pine seeds PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Pine cones

Pollination is done by the wind so conifers need no bright flowers to attract pollinators.

Conifer seeds such as pine can be home grown. Pine seeds have a wing to help dispersal. Collect the cones and allow them to dry.

This will cause them to open and release many, many seeds. The seeds should be kept in an airtight container until the beginning of a year.

Sow the seeds in a prepared seed bed or in pots filled with well drained seed compost. Push each seed in just below the soil surface making sure it is in a vertical position with the pointed end facing downwards. Place the pots on a sunny windowsill and keep them moist.

Germination may take some time but is most like to happen in March or April so much patience is needed. Once the seedlings have reached six to 12 inches high they can be transplanted outdoors in a sunny position. Perhaps growing conifers from seed is a challenge.

September is the ideal month to plant an evergreen hedge not just for wildlife but that is a strong incentive to do so and not just Leylandii! Evergreen hedges have other advantages too especially when comparing them to a fence. They provide constant privacy and visual appeal due to continuous foliage.

They also block out some noise from traffic flow and protect from wind. Air pollution is reduced since leaves can absorb pollution. The root system helps to protect the soil from erosion and reduce the risk of flooding.

There are many examples of evergreens. Here are just a few all of which have an extra attraction such as fragrance, beautiful flowers followed by berries. Privet is a bit of an “old fashioned” plant but I love it. It has sweetly scented flowers followed by profuse berries.

Elaeagnus ebbingei is quite slow growing but produces fragrant flowers in autumn. Pyrocantha and Berberis thunbergia are prickly (deterrent) and produce many berries loved by wildlife.

Members of the cotoneaster family are similar. Holly and yew and pittosporum are well known but no less important.

How about a mixed conifer hedge?

DIANA REDFERN

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MENDIP TIMES

Cows are feeling the heat

WE have enjoyed another sunny month to add to the fantastic summer of 2025.

Following my comments last month about starting our wheat harvest for the first time ever in July, it was matched by finishing that part of our harvest in July as well which made things very easy.

With NICK Unfortunately, our cows haven’t enjoyed GREEN the heat quite as much. The optimum air temperature for a cow is between four and 21 degrees centigrade.

Outside of this temperature range and the cow needs to expend energy to control her body temperature. That being the case, for most of the last month, cows have been looking for shade and using energy to keep cool.

The knock-on effect of this situation is that a cow’s fertility decreases. For those farmers who calve their cows in a block in the spring to make best use of spring grass it means it is more difficult to make these cows pregnant through the hot weather.

This has been happening to many herds through the hot summer and instead of all the cows in these herds giving birth in the usual nine weeks it will be extended to 12 and maybe

Organically managed cows on a mixed herb pasture with agroforestry in the background and hedges managed per SFI

15 weeks. This disrupts the herd management, grassland management and milk sales in the next year.

Spring 2026 won’t be the easiest for many of these “block calving farms”. On a brighter note, the Government re-opened what is known as the Sustainable Farming Incentive to farmers. This is a scheme that enables farmers to do environmental work and get paid for it.

Many farmers have done this sort of environmental work voluntarily over many years using some of their farm profits to do so. With the current Government’s push to enhance nature rather than produce food there is money being offered to do things that farmers won’t profit from.

The scheme includes things such as planting herbal leys.

They are good for the soil and the livestock grazing them enjoy the variety but they don’t produce as much grass as a straightforward hybrid grass seed mix. In other words, it’s taking some of the pressure out of the current system.

Other actions include not using insecticides in arable crops, trimming hedges in a more sustainable way, planting wildflower buffer strips around arable fields and making beetle banks through the middle of fields. There are many other options to choose from.

Few of these things will increase food production in the short term but if you measure the improvement in an environmental sense it is bound to have a positive effect.

Only time will tell if the Sustainable Farming Incentive might be the way farmers can manage the environment how the Government wants it managed and produce more food to keep our growing population fed. Food for thought!

Nick Green is Farms Director for Alvis Bros Ltd based at Lye Cross Farm. As well as the business, he is involved with a number of local and national farming charities.

Match postponed

THE North Somerset ploughing match due to be held on Sunday, September 7th at Lower Stock Farm, Baker’s Lane, Wrington, BS40 5HT has been postponed until March 14th, but the crafts and produce show will still go ahead.

Organisers say conditions are too dry. Last year the ploughing was cancelled because it was too wet.

Details: www.nsas.org.uk

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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FARMING

MENDIP PLOUGHING MATCH

Mid-Somerset Show Secretary A full-time position based in the Society Offices on the Showground at Shepton Mallet The Mid-Somerset Show Secretary is responsible for providing administrative and organisational support to ensure the successful planning and execution of the MidSomerset Show and other events and activities of the Charity. This role requires excellent event management skills, attention to detail, and strong communication abilities.

• Liaise with stakeholders, including committee members, sponsors, volunteers, regulatory Authorities and external organisations as required.

• Support the planning and execution of all other activities and pre-show & post-show activities.

• Liaise and prepare the meeting room for external showground hire including agreements and associated paperwork.

Qualifications & Skills • Previous experience in event administration is preferable and within an agricultural or community event setting and or a Charity would be an advantage.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Flexible working hours, with the possibility of occasional remote work by arrangement Application – For further details Please contact the Chairman of the Society – Graham Walton Graham@gwpublishing.co.uk With your application please provide your CV 2 referees, which will be contacted if appropriate in due course, by 17th October to Graham@gwpublishing.co.uk. The appointment will be made by the end of the year with role commencing in April 2026.

The Mid-Somerset Showground, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4GF www.midsomersetshow.org.uk

155th Meeting to be held on Wednesday 24th September 2025 on land at Franklyns Farm, Chewton Mendip Match site off A39 at Nedge Hill BA3 4LY • Ploughing (including National Vintage Qualifiers) • Hedge Laying • Dry Stonewalling & Farm Produce competitions • Trade Stands Bar, Lunches and other refreshments

Further information available from the secretary: Judith Ogborne – Email: judith.mps@btinternet.com Mobile: 07783 709619

Galhampton

Registered Charity No. 1012634

Shop & Country Store

Animal Feeds and Bedding Timber Supplies Tools | Hardware | Gardening Workwear | Logs and Gas Local Food | Home Essentials

Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 7.30am – 5.30pm | Sun 10am – 4pm 01963 440464

Family-run, rural country store on A359 between Castle Cary and Sparkford

Fir Tree Business Park, High Road, Galhampton, Somerset, BA22 7BH sales@galhamptoncountrystore.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Show organisers say “thank you for your support” HUGE numbers of visitors enjoyed a day in the sun at this year’s Mid-Somerset Show in Shepton Mallet.

Advance car parking ticket sales for the one-day event – it was free for pedestrians to walk in – were set to be at an alltime high.

In a statement, the show organising committee said: “A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make this year’s show such a success! It was fantastic to see so many of you enjoying the day.

“A very special thank you goes to our amazing team of volunteers – your hard work and dedication behind the scenes is what makes the show possible. We couldn’t do it without you!

“Congratulations to all our wonderful exhibitors.

“We hope all our visitors had a brilliant day, and we can’t wait to welcome you back next year on Sunday 16th August 2026!”

Getting ready for the tractor parade

Entries in the dog show PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Somerset Young Farmers

Time for lunch

Artist Kate Field from Baltonsborough won Best Small Trade Stand

Heavy going in the cheese tent

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Four-year-old shire horse Radford Cilla was named the first winner of the Babycham Cup for the president’s choice of best animal in show. Pictured are (l to r): owner Colin Horler, show president Mark Bagnall and Lella Showering

MID-SOMERSET SHOW 2025

A proud handler in one of the young handler classes

Singer/songwriter Ruby Darbyshire on the acoustic stage

Poppy, aged four, enjoying a donkey ride Preparing one of the beef cattle for judging

Chloe Williams, who went on to win the scurry driving championships

Local band Desmond's Dawn

Tom Vailes in the grand parade MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 13

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MENDIP TIMES

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1. Rear spring located somewhere between Bristol and Congresbury (8) 5. Type of beetle (6) 9. Completeness (8) 10. Dracula film genre (6) 12. Flammable gas used in welding (9) 13. Shish, donner or shami (5) 14. When initially a car hits you it’s painful! (4) 16. Agnostic infected around hundred (7) 19. Leave to hear entertainment (7) 21. Roast (4) 24. Competitor losing first is chicken! (5) 25. Daring rep dancing on W-s-M seafront (5,4) 27. Guitar pedal (3-3) 28. Sloth (8) 29. Insist (6) 30. Blown up (8)

DOWN 1. Famous Somerset cricketer (6) 2. Original Wurzel has sharp producer (6) 3. Power thrown in field event (5) 4. Game of chance (7) 6. Top criminal seen around Mendip landmark (5,4) 7. Unusual ingredients in cheese dishes (8) 8. A missing child on stream in dysfunctional W-s-M feature (8) 11. Head arising from monster loch (4) 15. Drink shed in Draycott (5,4) 17. Sacred hotel sanctioned (8) 18. Ma in a spin after newborn child showering fizzy drink (8) 20. Near (4) 21. Bogland around east of Rickford (7) 22. Cut in two (6) 23. Deleted (6) 26. Inhabit (5)

By Fairlight Cryptic Clues are in italics

This month’s solution can be found on page 88

Flights over the Chew Valley, Mendips & Somerset Levels 01934 852875 • www.firstflight.co.uk PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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MENDIP TIMES

Ideas for a late summer lunch

With KATY BEAUCHAMP

FOOD & DRINK

As I write this, the skies are clear, the sun is beating down and no-one wants food that is heavy and stodgy. In the hope that the weather continues into September – with apologies to farming friends who want rain more than anything – here are some suggestions for a delicious light lunch or supper in the garden.

TOMATO AND OLIVE SCONES

No matter how you pronounce “scones”, these are delicious

Rub the butter and flour together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the tomatoes, olives and herbs. Stir in the milk to form a soft dough. Roll out until 2cm thick and cut your scones. Bake for 15/20 mins at 180˚. Lovely spread with cream cheese or as an accompaniment to a soup.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

(Makes seven big scones) 250g self-raising flour 100g butter 10 olives chopped 4/5 sundried tomatoes chopped Teaspoon mixed herbs Salt and pepper to taste

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

COURGETTE AND LEMON PASTA

A zesty pasta dish that’s so easy to make

Gently fry the courgettes in the butter, garlic and lemon zest until soft. Add the lemon juice and cook for a further two minutes. Tip the hot cooked spaghetti into the courgettes with 60g of cheese and mix until cheese has melted. Tip into a serving bowl and sprinkle over the remainder of the cheese.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

(Serves two) 150g spaghetti 300g thinly sliced courgettes 50g butter 60g grated Gruyère plus 20g more for sprinkling Zest and juice of one lemon 50g pine nuts Tsp garlic granules or fresh minced Salt and pepper

CHOCOLATE BUTTERSCOTCH CRUNCH

Crunchy slices that will go down a treat at anytime

Melt together the butter, cream, salt and sugar in a pan. Let it bubble for five minutes, take off the heat and mix in the chocolate spread. Tip in the cornflakes, mix well and press into a shallow dish.

Leave to set in fridge and cut into slices

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

Makes 18 squares) 300g crunchy nut corn flake 300g chocolate hazelnut spread 100g butter 150ml double cream 100g light brown sugar Pinch of salt

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N

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MENDIP TIMES

Small city, big appetite

CELEBRATNG a baker’s dozen, this is Wells Food Festival’s 13th anniversary and it’s bigger and better than ever.

Almost 200 artisan producers and street food sellers will be serving up everything from delicious dim sum to award-winning cheese. Spreading out even further, stalls will extend from the Market Place into the High Street, Sadler Street and in front of Wells Cathedral.

There’s fun for all the family. In the Recreation Ground the Children’s Zone has plenty to keep younger visitors entertained together with an interactive Children’s Trail. Pop-up cookery school, Little Joe’s Kitchen, is making its debut with Simon Gray running fishy workshops for children and also introducing his new School of Fish cookery workshops for teenagers and adults.

Sessions for both will take place throughout the day.

The Celebration of English Wine marquee returns to the Palace Green alongside a feature area from headline sponsor, Charlie Bigham’s, with upcycling on the agenda. To dig a little deeper into the food experience, then a trip to the Food for Thought marquee in the Recreation Ground provides something to chew over. Local organisations participating include Fare Share South West, the Shepton Mallet Community Fridge, Root Connections and

A taste of Spain

SWEDA. Composting is a topic of conversation with Woodland Horticulture and local horticulturalist, Charles Dowding, whilst innovation is at the forefront with the Clean Food Group and Beyond Belief Brewing.

There is still time to enter the Wells Food Festival Photography Competition sponsored by Wells Cathedral School. Open to children between the ages of nine and 18 years old, the theme is “Food, Feasts and Family” and finalists will have their work displayed in the Town Hall at the Festival. To enter, email photos to photocompetition@wells-cathedral-school.com along with name, age and photo caption by 29 September 2025.

For full festival details, visit: www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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WILD FOOD

Fruits of the grassland

WE can all agree we have had an incredibly hot and dry spring and, so far, summer.

Rainfall has been sporadic, reservoirs are very low (just one look at the levels in Cheddar Reservoir confirms) and there has been threat of hosepipe bans around the country. The soil is hard and dry, yet as predicted in previous articles, it is going to With ADRIAN be a fabulous year for wild fruits, as long as BOOTS it doesn’t continue to dry out! And the same goes for fruits of the grassland.

It seemed as soon as there was a little rain we had the early emergence of field mushrooms. All across grassy areas, little white rounded caps are popped up like so many lost golf balls.

Racing against time to reproduce in case (amongst other factors) there is no more moisture to be had, billions of spores are released. In no time the fruiting body withers and returns to the soil, a reproduction cycle complete. For now.

Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) has a white cap six to 10cm wide with white or brown silky fibres in the centre.

The cap starts off rounded then flattens out with overhanging skin at the edge. The stem is 5 to 8cm tall by 1 to 2.5 cm wide and is somewhat spindly.

As it matures, the fragile ring disappears very quickly. The gills start off pink and become brown as they mature with the flesh of the cap turning slightly pink when damaged. Found in rings or in small groups in grassy areas, grazed fields, and gardens during the summer and into autumn. Warning: do not pick yellow stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus) which looks superficially similar.

I’m often asked if there is a secret short-cut with wild edible mushrooms. The short answer is “no” – there are certain rules which must be followed to enjoy them safely.

Knowledge and experience are key and this takes time but a good introduction to this world is invaluable which is why I make the forays I run a fun and engaging experience.

However, given the unusual weather year we are having, if there was a secret my answer would be (as with comedy): Timing! And for that, one needs to get outside in the glorious countryside and witness the cycles of the fungal kingdom at work.

Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist and expert forager running wild food forays, events and activities. Please visit: www.hedgerowcottage.co.uk for more information or email him at: hello@hedgerowcottage.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

Vegetable gardening

EVEN in autumn we are still transplanting spinach and salad rocket sown in August.

You can still sow these now, in the first few days of September only. Notice the difference in two rockets. Wild rocket is Diplotaxis tenuifolia, also called wall rocket. When sown now, it is for cropping With next spring and summer.

CHARLES Whereas salad rocket/arugula sown in DOWDING August is faster to start and will be cropping through autumn, even a little in winter. Now is also good for sowing lambs lettuce, claytonia, mizuna and mustards, all to grow outside. Together with coriander and chervil.

Then around mid-month, sow any salad plants you fancy to harvest through winter, when planted in a polytunnel or greenhouse.

For green manure, sow mustard Sinapis alba in any ground you won't need for vegetables this autumn. Another option is broad beans, not for cropping, but to bring carbon into the soil through photosynthesis, also some nitrogen from their root nodules.

It's convenient that both of these are killed by frosts below about -4°C. That results in a residue of stems on the surface, which can be left to decay in place and are good food for earthworms, who come up to forage at surface level.

Many of you tell me that brassicas have been shredded by caterpillars. There is a remedy, but only a few people have heard of it. The soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis was discovered as a caterpillar preventative in the 1870s, by Louis Pasteur.

In the UK for some reason, it's not encouraged and yet it's freely available for use as caterpillar killer on box hedges. It's allowed in organic standards and does not affect any other insects, or mammals.

Winter squash are close to harvest. They are ready to harvest for winter storage when their stalks have turned from green to yellow or brown. Each variety matures at its own time and the earliest usually is onion squash/Kuri, often in early September.

They turn a bright red colour. After harvest, bring them into your house to help them dry fully. Then they can be stored in any warm, dry place. Even in sunshine!

Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of readers and viewers. Currently he grows vegetables in Somerset. He has written 14 books and gives talks plus courses at home and abroad.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 19

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MENDIP TIMES

Many happy returns – back to the Riverside!

HUW and Jo Davies are back at the Riverside Inn in Cheddar, welcoming back friends old and new and looking forward to restoring its reputation as the most popular pub in Cheddar.

It’s three years since they left, when landlords Stonegate, wouldn’t renew their lease, after they had run the pub for 22 years.

In the last three years they’ve enjoyed the chance to get away on holidays – a rare opportunity when you run a busy pub – and have been helping out at The Crown, Churchill, Mendip Spring Golf Club and the White Hart in Cheddar.

When Stonegate decided the pub had not worked as part of their managed estate, Huw and Jo jumped at the chance of a new tenancy. They moved back in at the beginning of June.

Huw said: “We were devastated when we had to leave. But under the new agreement we are not responsible for the fabric of the building, so can

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

concentrate on menus, staffing, beers and what makes this place special.”

They’ve refreshed the menu completely, using local suppliers, and

strengthened the kitchen team, including some of their previous staff.

They introduced live music on Sundays during the summer and have already committed to supporting Cheddar Festive Night at Christmas.

Huw and Jo have always been known for their commitment to the community and as a venue for community groups.

The pub caters for all kinds of customers, with live sports TV, bar and separate restaurant, plus a large patio and garden area.

Huw said: “The three years have given us the chance to look at what’s offered by different places, with some new ideas and different styles of food.

“The reaction has been exceptional, both from customers and from staff who have seen the effort that Jo and I put into the business. We are really pleased with their enthusiasm and commitment.

“It’s really lovely to be back.”

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FOOD & DRINK

What a feast!

THE Somerset Food Trail Festival 2025 – a ten-day celebration of the county’s most sustainable, locally-produced food – saw record levels of engagement, say organisers, who are delighted with the event’s success.

The festival shone a spotlight on the county’s leading naturefriendly farmers, regenerative growers, community food projects and the chefs, pubs and food businesses that support them.

Susie Weldon, co-founder of the Food Trail and trustee of Sustainable Food Somerset, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible energy and community spirit shown across Somerset this year.

“So many events were packed out, from intimate tastings to large-scale feasts. The feedback we’re receiving is full of warmth and appreciation for the producers and venues that make Somerset’s food scene so special.

“It really feels like a tipping point has been reached where people just ‘get it’ – seeing that a thriving local food system means a thriving local economy as well as a healthy environment.”

The festival is run by Sustainable Food Somerset, a local charity dedicated to supporting regenerative, nature-friendly food and farming across the region.

Details: www.somersetfoodtrail.org

Located at Chew Hill, Chew Magna BS40 8SB

Come and discover our range of exotic animals and learn some amazing facts along the way Our Park is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday We are also open on a Monday during school holidays

Our Park View Restaurant is now open Thursday & Friday evenings. We also offer a delicious Sunday Roast

Our restaurant can be used without paying admission to the park

MIX & MATCH 2 FOR £20 SMASH BURGER or PIZZA

Thursdays 5-8pm

MIX & MATCH 2 FOR £28 FISH or STEAK

Fridays 5-8pm

Tables can be pre-booked on 07711 893964

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 21

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MENDIP TIMES

Celebrate the harvest in style

Quote HARVEST when booking online

Tel: 01749 717751 • www.somerset.montigoresorts.com Charlton Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4PR

CHARLTON House is throwing the ultimate countryside festival – and it’s FREE! On Saturday, September 27th, from 12 noon until late, Montigo Resorts Somerset, at Charlton House, Shepton Mallet, will be transformed into a vibrant celebration of music, food and community.

Forget the crowds and chaos - this is an opulent countryside festival with big-stage energy. From the al fresco TIIGO walled garden to the Regency Orangery, every corner of the estate will pulse with live music, sizzling street food, and the golden glow of harvest season.

With five bands, ranging from foot-stomping folk fusion to sax-driven grooves, the event also includes fresh-off-the-grill festival grub, orchard strolls and garden lounging and Ice-cold drinks from the resort’s partners at Singha Beer. l Entry is free but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. To secure your free ticket, visit: Harvest Beer Festival Entrance Ticket – Shepton Mallet, Somerset | Montigo Resorts Somerset.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT TUCKER’S

Friday 29th August – Disco Dave 7pm Saturday 30th August – Max Output 8.30pm Sunday 31st August – Charity Classic Car Show 10am-5pm Saturday, 6th September – Fluke 8.30pm Sunday, 7th September – Sylertones 2.30pm Saturday 13th September – The Cleyhill Stompers 8.30pm Sunday 14th September – Lauren Helyay 2.30pm Saturday 20th September – Siren 8.30pm Sunday 21st September – Ben Nicholls 2.30pm Saturday 27th September – Driftwood 8.30pm LIVE MUSIC EVERY SUNDAY FROM 1.30pm to 5pm. NEW: COCKTAIL BUS! Open every Friday and Saturday, from 4pm to 10pm. Sunday 1pm to 6pm

Parlour/Café: Baguettes, locally produced pasties and sausage rolls available Friday 8am to Sunday 5pm Breakfasts Saturday and Sunday 8.15-11.30am Friday/Saturday evenings 6-9pm – Fish and chips, gourmet burgers, freshly made pizzas and more. Look out for the specials board!

Food available Sunday

OPEN: Noon-11pm (Mon-Sat) • Noon-10pm (Sun)

Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faukland, Radstock, BA3 5XF. T: 01225 962669 E: info@tuckersgraveinn.co.uk W: www.tuckersgraveinn.co.uk PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Venue Hire • Camping • Holiday Cottage

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FOOD & DRINK

Pumpkin time

FARRINGTON’S pumpkin picking festival is back this October and it's going to be better than ever. They’s been growing and picking pumpkins for 12 years, so they like to think they’ve got it down to a fine art by now.

They are in a brand-new field with fresh views and an even better pumpkin crop, with over 50 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds, all grown from seed. The festival is on weekends starting October 4th/5th and then for a week from October 24th.

Frankie Howerd’s Community

CAFÉ + Hub Open to a

Find us on Google Maps

Sevier Road, Loxton, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2XE

OPEN EVERY DAY Ample parking

Cyclists, Walkers & Dogs welcome

Serving Breakfast, Ice Creams, Cakes, Lunches Private party bookings available All our profits go to The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust

TEL: 01934 244362 • www.frankiehowerdhubandcafe.weebly.com

What's happening at Sadlers Wine Bar, Lounge & Restaurants in Wells?

For more information please call 01749 681982 or email: booking@sadlerswinebar.com Open Tuesday to Sunday for Lunch & Dinner, open all days for drinks, wine and cocktails MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Three years of toil pays off

THE first music and village day organised by Coleford Rocks Crocks has been hailed a big success after three years of fundraising to allow it to take place.

Five bands took to the stage at Tweed Farm for the event which also featured charity stalls, family events and a tractor and classic car show.

Crocks’ s next event is a special screening of the cult film Rocky Horror with the promise of lots of extra fun thrown in. It is due to take place on October 31st.

Local band Seyman on stage

The traditional-style tea tent

Enigma baton twirlers

Members of the recently formed Coleford Shedders, who meet on Tuesday mornings in The Hub. New members – both men and women – are welcome

Mark Doman, one of the event organisers, on stage with his band Seyman

For details, find Coleford Rocks Crocks on Facebook

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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New funding opportunity for nature recovery THE Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is now open for applications. A new opportunity to bring bold, place-based action to life across our shared limestone and chalk landscapes, from the Mendip Hills across to Kent. We’re prioritising impact — especially for species-rich grassland, ancient woodland, chalk streams, and projects that build local capacity and deliver genuine connectivity at scale. l Grants from £1,000 to £75,000 — with potential for more in transformational cases l No deadline, but projects must be completed by 31 March 2026 l Capital-focused: habitat creation, infrastructure, materials — not running costs.

This new capital grant fund supports ambitious, practical projects that help nature thrive in southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes. Uniting resources and expertise, and covering a fifth of England, Big Chalk aims to build a nature recovery network that will be central to the UK’s pledge to protect 30% of land and halt the decline of nature by 2030.

Southern England has some of the most iconic scenery on Earth, with its distinctive chalk and limestone vistas inspiring wonder for centuries. The globally rare interplay of geology,

soils and water creates special landscapes formed of streams, meadows, grasslands and woodlands, which support a rich diversity of wildlife.

But the climate and nature crises threaten these precious places and the nature they support. Most nature-rich grasslands have already been lost, and our chalk streams are in poor health.

The Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is funded through the Protected Landscapes Partnership, supported by Defra.

Learn more and apply here: big-chalk.org/nature-recover-fund

THE CHEW VALLEY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED WINDOW COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS IN HARDWOOD, UPVC OR ALUMINIUM www.rhwindowsltd.co.uk rhwindowsltd

Telephone: 01761 452171

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MENDIP TIMES

EVENTS

Sandford cream tea

A CREAM tea in Sandford raised nearly £1,000 for Children’s Hospice South West. It was organised by Mendip Times contributor Diana Redfern, with the support of the local WI and gardening club.

Tombola (l to r) Alex Jones, Beryl Jenkins and Jackie Hampson

Produce stall (l to r) Angela Morris, Beryl Jenkins and Pam Stewart

Cream tea, Beryl Every with Sandra and Martin Ryley

Diana Redfern (left) and Gill Cleverley

Time for tea PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

The event was well supported

Chew Valley treasures

ARTISTS and makers are looking forward to opening their studios and venues for the 22nd Chew Valley Arts Trail on October 11th and 12th, 10am-6pm daily. Well established in the Valley’s cultural calendar, this year it boasts 46 exhibitors in 26 venues.

Organiser, Sandy Bell, said: “This is a chance to meet and Kay Thomas Stoke Inn skittle talk to creative people, browse alley or purchase treasures, or learn about future workshops. Participants include painters, makers, sculptors, carpenters, jewellers, lino cutters, photographers, potters and an internationally renowned street artist!

“Our regular exhibitors, with a wide range of work on show, are joined by 17 newcomers and I am pleased that we have broadened our geographic area to include Pensford village.

“Brochures with a map are widely available and the website gives directions and places for refreshment, so enjoy visiting the Chew Valley with its famous stone circles and lakes.”

Photo festival

ARTS & ANTIQUES

THE second Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival returns to St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna, on September 13th and 14th.

Hundreds of entries will be on display showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Chew Valley.

There will also be stalls by local conservation organisations, children’s crafting, face painting, refreshments and more.

The 2026 Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival Calendar will be on sale over the weekend and there will be a number of musical performances.

The festival begins with a preview evening on Friday, September 12th, from 7pm in the church with music from the Chew Valley Handbell Ringers and the premier of a new film by Pete Brownlee on the life and work of Chew Magna resident, Richard Brock, BBC natural history film producer and colleague of Sir David Attenborough.

Bishop Michael Beasley, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, will be giving prizes to the winners of the photo competition at the Festival Service on Sunday, September 14th.

Entry is free all weekend.

Last year’s winner

Details: https://chewvalleynpf.wordpress.com/

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 27

MENDIP TIMES

Mother and daughter join forces SCULPTOR Juliet Duckworth and her daughter Olivia GraceSmith, a photographer, are opening their studio space in Wanstrow as part of Somerset Open Studios.

Olivia-Grace’s photography is rooted in nature, connection and adventures in the environment. Juliet makes sculpture, installation and land art that captures fleeting moments in

nature’s repetitive cycles.

On Wednesday, September 17th (2-4 pm) they are hosting a cyanotype workshop using organic material sourced in the garden and on Thursday, September 25th (2-4pm) there will be Clay Play – an opportunity to handle different types of clay including local and wild and enjoy making objects.

Please book – places are limited and free: https://buytickets.at/oliviagsphotographyandjulietduckworth/1803378

See artists at work

Ceramic & Stone Christine-Ann Richards & Lutz Krainhoefner Chapel House, High Street, Wanstrow, BA4 4TE Work on display both in the chapel & garden Lutz is usually working on some small, burnished porcelain pieces and hand polishing stone.

H Ikebana demo by Sara Pearch on Saturday 20th 3-5pm Venue 139 H 13th – 28th September H Open 11-5pm H Closed Monday & Tuesday

christineannrichards.co.uk • 07740 093001 Instagram: lutzkrainhoefner @christineannrichar

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

SOMERSET Art Weeks, the county’s annual celebration of art which has been running since 1994, returns in September with its iconic Somerset Open Studios event.

Organised by Somerset Art Works, the yearly event alternates each year between the Somerset Art Weeks Festival – which focuses on exhibitions and group shows – and the Somerset Open Studios – where visitors can see work directly from artists' studios.

This year, from September 13th to 28th, SAW members will once again be opening their studio doors and inviting visitors to see their creative practice in action from behind the scenes. It presents a rare opportunity to step directly into the working environments of artists.

There will be more than 150 venues to visit, from rural homebased workshops to large shared studios. There will also be a multitude of interactive workshops and talks on offer throughout, including the Family Friendly programme which takes place across each weekend.

For details, visit: somersetartworks.org.uk

Ceramics on show

RENOWNED ceramicists Christine-Ann Richards and Lutz Krainhoefner will be showcasing their work in the Old Chapel and garden in Wanstrow during the Somerset Open Studios event in September.

Christine-Ann, who lives in the chapel, has worked in thrown porcelain for many years, specialising in crackle and monochrome glazes. Since 1989 she has also been working with vitrified earthenware clay making large For sale: one of pots and water features.

Christine-Ann Lutz, who lives in Bruton, also works in Richards’s large burnished, smoke-fired pottery and glazed garden ceramic stoneware, in his case inspired by Japanese pots culture. Lutz usually sits in the studio hand moulding and burnishing very small porcelain pieces.

On Saturday, September 20th, artist and flower arranger Sara Pearch, will also being doing an Ikebana display in the studio.

Oceans of interest in historic liners OCEAN liner memorabilia have seen a remarkable surge in popularity at auctions around the world, with collectors and history enthusiasts alike vying for rare artifacts from the golden age of transatlantic travel. Among the most coveted items are those linked to legendary With HENRY vessels such as the RMS Titanic, Lusitania MICHALLAT and SS United States.

The enduring fascination with these iconic ships, particularly the Titanic, has helped drive interest and skyrocket prices in recent years.

The Titanic’s tragic story continues to captivate imaginations over a century after its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912. Items connected to the ship ranging from dinner menus and postcards to personal effects of passengers often fetch extraordinary sums.

A first-class menu from the Titanic’s final lunch sold for over £88,000, while a deck chair retrieved from the wreckage brought in nearly £150,000. The wreck site has sparked new waves of public intrigue. documentaries, exhibitions and

ARTS & ANTIQUES

anniversary events continue to fuel a global fascination with ocean liner history.

For lesser-known ships, collectors’ items from these vessels can be affordable ranging from White Star Line First Class dinner plates selling in the low hundreds, to linoleum tiles from the Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic.

As digital bidding platforms make auctions more accessible than ever, a new generation of collectors is emerging. Whether driven by historical curiosity, personal connection, or financial speculation, the market for ocean liner memorabilia shows no signs of slowing.

With each auction, the legacy of these great ships, especially the Titanic, continues to live on through the artifacts they left behind.

Entries of ocean liner memorabilia are welcome for the December 4th Winter Specialist Sale

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 29

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EVENTS

Yatton village show

Supporting guide dogs

Time for tea

Caron Ball (left) and Jonquil Brooks from Yatton Rotary PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

The show was organised by Yatton and District Horticultural Society, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary

Members of the Yatton, Congresbury, Claverham and Cleeve Archaeology Research Team

Brian Reynolds (left) and Les Miller from the Lodge of Agriculture, which meets in Yatton

Peter Hart (left) and Steve Clampin selling plants on behalf of the society

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Update from Tessa Munt MP for Wells & Mendip Hills One of the most pressing issues for this part of Somerset is the Environment Agency’s inability to carry out maintenance on our main rivers, confirmed by letter to riparian landowners. Its funding has been cut dramatically in recent years but the Agency’s total withdrawal has huge implications for this area. I’ve spoken to both the Flooding Minister, and the Chief Executive of the Drainage Boards Consortium, and will keep you updated.

Over the next four months, the Government has indicated that MPs are likely to consider the following: l Mental Health Bill l Bus Services Bill l Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill l Victims and Courts Bill l Pension Schemes Bill l Elections Bill l English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill l Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill It’s possible the Government will also introduce Bills covering the following areas: l A Rail Bill l A Hillsborough Bill l A Sentencing Bill l A Cyber Security and Resilience Bill I’m running drop in ‘surgeries’ across the area, so if you’d like to tell me what matters to you, please come along.

Friday 5th September from 08:00 to 09:00 at The Mendip Pantry, Chewton Mendip Friday 5th September from 10:00 to 11:00 at The Market Kitchen Café, Churchill Friday 5th September from 12:00 to13:00 at The Brent Knoll Inn, East Brent Friday 5th September from 18:00 to 19:00 at The Pub Night, Village Hall, Ashcott Saturday 6th September from 08:30 to 10:00 at Coffee#1, Wells Saturday 6th September from 11:00 to 12:00 at The Lamb Inn, Axbridge Friday 19th September from 09:00 to 10:00 at That Coffee Place, Yatton Friday 26th September from 08:00 to 09:00 at Edelweiss Café, Cheddar Friday 26th September from 10:00 to 11:00 at The Community Café, Congresbury Friday 26th September from 18:00 to 19:00 at The Brewer’s Arms, Banwell Saturday 27th September from 09:00 to 10:00 at The Bluebird Café, Wedmore Saturday 27th September from 10:30 to 11:30 at The Hive Craft Café, Shepton Mallet Saturday 27th September from 12:30 to 13:30 at The Coffee Bank, Winscombe No appointment is necessary – it’s first come, first served. If you can’t come to meet me, I’ll come to see you.

Thank you.

Tessa

You can contact me: Call: 01934 440639 (answerphone outside office hours) Email: tessa.munt.mp@parliament.uk Post: Tessa Munt Freepost (you won’t need a stamp!)

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2025 13:38 Page 34

MENDIP TIMES

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01761 417100

www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

CHERYL HUDSON FUNERAL & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CELEBRANT Mobile: 07789 004296 Email: cherylhudson8@gmail.com PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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BUSINESS

Highway authorities’ duty to maintain the highways – standards and liability

IT appears that in the Mendip and surrounding area we are plagued with roadworks. Highway authorities in England and Wales have a legal duty to maintain public highways under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980. This duty is central to ensuring the safety and usability of roads, pavements, footpaths, and other parts of the public highway network for all road users — including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Section 41(1) of the Act imposes a statutory duty on highway authorities to ensure that the highways for which they are responsible are “maintained in a state that is safe for ordinary traffic to use.” This includes structural maintenance (e.g. road surfaces), safety maintenance (e.g. removing hazards), and routine upkeep such as clearing drains or fixing signs.

The duty applies only to public highways, not private roads. Additionally, the extent of the duty can vary depending on the nature of the highway — a major road will demand a higher maintenance standard than a rural lane, due to expected traffic volumes and usage patterns.

Standards of Maintenance: There is no single national standard imposed by statute; however, guidance on good practice is provided by documents such as the “Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure” code of practice, published

by the UK Roads Liaison Group. This recommends a risk-based approach to inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Authorities are expected to carry out regular inspections, prioritising roads based on usage and risk. For example: Busy urban roads may be inspected monthly or quarterly whereas Lesser-used roads may be inspected annually.

When a defect (such as a pothole or raised paving slab) is identified, it should be categorised according to risk, and appropriate repair work scheduled.

Authorities must also respond appropriately to public reports of defects.

If a road user is injured or suffers loss due to the state of disrepair of a highway, they may bring a claim against the authority in negligence or under section 41.

Typical claims arise from potholes, uneven pavements, or other hazards.

To succeed, the claimant must prove that: (a)The highway was dangerously defective (b) The defect caused the injury or damage, and (c) The authority failed to take reasonable steps to remedy it.

However, under section 58 of the Act, the authority has a statutory defence: if it can show that it took all reasonable steps to maintain the highway — including proper inspection and repair regimes — it may not be liable, even if a defect caused harm.

This makes proper record-keeping and

risk-based maintenance critical for defending claims.

Highway authorities have a clear legal obligation to maintain public highways in a safe condition. While there is flexibility in how maintenance is carried out, the law expects authorities to act reasonably and proactively. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to claims for personal injury or property damage, but liability is not automatic — the courts balance public expectations of safety with the practical realities of managing large highway networks.

EDWARD LYONS

NOW 50 YEARS IN THE CHEW VALLEY Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk • Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients. l Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes l Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills l Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts l Property – sales and purchases l Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence claims OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

BUSINESS

Personalised care from your independent local vets • Neutering • Pet Health Club • Microchips and Vaccinations • Dental Treatments • Medical consultations and surgery OPEN TO NEW CLIENTS

To book call 01761 412132 or visit our website: www.midsomervets.co.uk 53 North Road, MIdsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2QE

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Successful festival

THE Frome branch of Walkers are Welcome is celebrating another successful Walking Festival, which featured 12 walks over three days, attended by more than 200 people.

One of the organisers, Les Stather, said: “We were lucky this year to be blessed with very good walking weather; no rain and no heatwave.

“Virtually everybody who joined a walk learned something about the town that they did not already know or discovered new areas that they had not walked before.”

Mayor of Frome, Anita Collier, said: “Thank you to the Walking Festival team for another wonderful event, offering the chance to explore Frome’s history and heritage, learn about plants and trees, or just take in some beautiful scenery in and around the town.

Here’s to many more!”

The Discover Frome website has details of local walks for all ages and abilities at bit.ly/walking-in-frome

Support for air ambulance

RESIDENTS of Cadbury Hall, in Yatton felt inspired by a visit

by Lauren Rolfe from Great Western Air Ambulance.

Residents and team members gathered eagerly to learn more about the life-saving work of the charity.

The morning included a powerful video presentation about the air ambulance in action, heart-warming stories of lives saved through rapid emergency response and the chance to purchase GWAAC’s adorable charity teddy bears and unique “Heli Peno” chilli sauce.

Some staff at the home are hoping to do a parachute dive in support of the air ambulance.

Sudden death of popular councillor

NEWS

TRIBUTES have been paid to Nick Cottle, a Somerset councillor who represented Glastonbury in several roles for many years, who has died suddenly aged 68.

Councillor Cottle was first elected as a Liberal Democrat Member for the Glastonbury St Edmund’s Ward at Mendip District Council in May 2007, returning to Nick Cottle serve again from May 2011 until the council’s transition to Somerset Council, where he continued as a unitary councillor until his death.

Throughout his long and committed public service, he held several important roles, including Deputy Chair of Mendip District Council.

Friend and former colleague Liz Leyshon said: “It's so sad that Nick has left us far too soon.”

Glastonbury Town Council said in a statement: “Outside of his contributions to the town council, Nick played a very active part in Glastonbury life, and many will have fond memories of him.

“Nick will be remembered not only for his tireless commitment to the town but also for his warmth, integrity, and the genuine care he showed to all those he worked with. His loss will be felt deeply by fellow councillors, colleagues, and the many residents whose lives he touched.”

Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, said: “Nick was a positive man and colourful character who tried to see the good in all and advocated passionately for and with the residents of Glastonbury. He cared about his special communities and would go out of his way to help anyone. Honest and open; he took a genuine interest in people from all walks of life.

“As a Somerset councillor he took on the role as chair of the Planning Committee East with a unique style, always looking to give people a fair say so that their voices were heard.

“His unexpected passing will be a huge loss to Glastonbury community and to the whole of Somerset.

Nick will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Fayre play as show returns

DOZENS of stalls, a busy dog show, live music and even donkey rides made sure the return of Nunney Fayre was hailed a big success.

Organised by the Nunney Community Organisation, the oneday event took up the village centre and attracted a big crowd.

This year, live music was held on a stage in the Old Quarry car park rather than in front of Nunney Castle due to ongoing problems over the safety of the connecting bridge. Performers included locally-based duo Stale Ales and the Sloe Jam band.

Jim Boulter was collecting donations in aid of Frome Town Band who played in the Market Square

Taking the reins: donkey rides in Horn Street

The Nunney Players amateur dramatic society held a fundraising treasure hunt . . .

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Theo, a one-year-old “Chug” – a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug – was named best in show

Frome Young Farmers ran the bar next to the Old Quarry car park Neil (left) and Nick performed as the Stale Ales

. . . but the White Rabbit and Cinderella managed to find time for a break with friends

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Blackford harvest home

EVENTS

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Wells celebrates exam successes WELLS Cathedral School is celebrating another year of excellent A level results, with pupils achieving outstanding outcomes across a variety of subjects.

It says these results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the pupils, as well as the unwavering support and guidance from teaching staff and parents.

Pupils have been celebrating their success across the range of subjects that are offered from sciences to the humanities and to the creative arts.

In many subjects 100% of pupils achieved A* to B or C grades, with over a third of pupils achieving A*-A grades, which is above the national average in England.

Alastair Tighe, head master, said: “We are all extremely proud of the achievements of our departing Upper Sixth and delighted to be celebrating their A Level success.

“As always, their achievements are a result of individual hard work and determination coupled with the support of our exceptional teaching and pastoral staff, as well as pupils' own parents and families.

“Moreover, they have done all this alongside brilliant achievements in so many other areas of school life, including music, sport, drama, dance, outdoor learning and so much more.

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Heads of school celebrate

“We are excited for them as they head off on the next chapter of their lives, and delighted that they leave us as such well-rounded, successful and aspiring young people. We wish them all the very best for the future.”

If you would like to find out more about what the school offers and how “excellence inspires excellence” there is an Open Morning on Saturday, September 20th.

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NEWS

Lions in action

CITY of Wells Lions have supported the Wells skateboard project, the chosen charity of mayor Louis Agabani.

They also collect mobile phones in a secure box at the Town Hall reception to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

They meet at the Lawrence Centre, 7.30pm, every second Monday in the month.

Details: 0345 833 6736 • cityofwellslions@gmail.com

Red Brick can fix it!

THE Reuse Shop at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury is still going strong after six months. The public have donated more than 300 items.

These include small electrical appliances like radios, toasters, kettles, air fryers, slow cookers, blood pressure monitors, hair dryers, drills, tools, strimmers, fans, heaters, bread makers, lamps and so much more.

They are all PAT tested and fully working, so it says go along and snap up a bargain! They are open on Fridays and Sundays,

10.30-12.30.

It says: “Log in your car reg in the foyer and climb the steps to this Alladin’s cave, save money and support sustainability.

“The UK is the second worst in the world for discarding e-waste at 1.6 million tonnes a year and the items disposed of are not fully recycled.

“If all the metals in these appliances were retrieved there would be less need for mining of the virgin materials. No more than 1% of demand for rare earth metals is met by e-waste recycling.”

Details: www.globalewaste.org

Supporting local centres

SOMERSET Community Foundation has given £200,000 to boost energy efficiency in 15 community buildings across the county.

The grants will help reduce running costs, lower carbon emissions and ensure these well-used spaces remain sustainable into the future.

The funding was administered by the foundation (SCF), with expert support from the Community Buildings Team at Thrive.

Grants have supported a wide range of energy-saving improvements, such as solar panels, insulation, double glazing, and air source heat pumps.

Clare Stephen, Programmes Manager at SCF, said: "Seeing the work undertaken by the trustees of community buildings across the county has been humbling. They are working tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of these buildings so that many local

people and groups can continue to use them.

“These buildings are often at the heart of local communities and we want to help protect them as essential assets in Somerset.”

Pauline Drew, trustee at Croscombe Village Hall, said: “This funding is a game-changer. We want to ensure the hall remains a warm and welcoming space for everyone, but the last few years have seen us struggling with aging windows and doors, coupled with a staggering rise in energy bills.

“Being able to install energy efficient glazing will mean we can keep the hall at the heart of the community, reduce our bills and do our bit for the planet. It's a huge relief for us all."

The grants awarded included Ashwick & Oakhill Village Hall, £15,000 for solar panels; Burnham & Highbridge Community Centre, £20,000 for insulation and solar panels; Crispin Community Centre, Street, £14,874 for secondary glazing; Croscombe Village Hall, £12,000 for energy-efficient windows and doors; Litton Village Hall, £20,000 for energy-saving upgrades; the Charltons Community Centre, Somerton, £10,000 for energy-efficient heating; Wedmore Village Hall, £10,000 for an air source heat pump.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/environment

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A European flavour to Wedmore harvest home ORGANISERS of the Wedmore Harvest Home welcomed scores of visitors from across Europe.

They were guests of the 41 Club of Weston-super-Mare who were treated to a traditional harvest lunch of cold meats and salads, washed down with cider.

Earlier they had enjoyed the carnival-style procession from the centre of the villsge to the playing fields, where a huge marquee was filled with around 580 diners. A children’s sports afternoon and live entertainment rounded off the day.

EVENTS

Preparing to serve lunch

Be kind to bees – members of the Wrangham, Davis and Latty families

The 41 Club hosts and visitors with port reeves Dave Tucker and Paul Horley and harvest home co-chair Jamie Wall

Harvest home royalty

Rays of sunshine

Danny (wearing hat) celebrating his 60th birthday

En-route to the playing field MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 43

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Beach walk is back

Golf day helps Heads Up

WESTON Hospicecare is holding its popular Moonlight Beach Walk on Friday, September 19th along Weston’s iconic seafront, when participants can walk 5km or 10km under the stars.

Each year, hundreds of local people take part in the walk, making it a powerful night of remembrance, celebration and community spirit.

Nicola Slark, events and challenges manager for the hospice, said: “The Moonlight Beach Walk is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and it’s certainly our most colourful!

“It’s so wonderful to see everyone donning their pink Tshirts and setting off from the Grand Pier boardwalk together.”

Tom Elson and Derek Evans from Mendip Rotary, together with Bridget Harvey, Sally Dempsey, Emma and Sue Edmonds from Heads Up

Details: https://westonhospicecare.org.uk/ event/moonlight-beach-walk/

Cancer research tea party

ROTARY Club of Mendip president, Tom Elson, together with honorary Rotarian Derek Evans, presented a cheque for £2,500 to Heads Up Somerset. The money was raised at the club’s golf day in May. Heads Up Somerset, which is based in Wells, works with adults experiencing mental ill health and dementia, as well as those with learning and physical disabilities.

They provide activity-based learning and development workshops including pottery, woodcraft, arts and crafts, gardening, health and wellbeing. The money raised by Rotary will go towards refurbishment of their kitchen.

Operations director, Michelle Payne, said: “Community contributions are vital to the ongoing support Heads Up continues to provide its many clients; and so, we were thrilled that Mendip Rotary chose our charity as the recipient of the amazing £2,500 raised at their recent golfing event.

“Our kitchen is such a key social space where people are brought together to cook nutritious meals, drink tea, chat, laugh and make friends. These funds will help us to make improvements, so this space continues to bring these benefits to our clients for many years to come. Everyone at Heads Up is truly grateful.”

Friendship – and a cheque

LOCAL residents and supporters of Cancer Research happily attended the Macmillan tea in St Andrew's Church, Congresbury, raising £300. Churchwardens Lynda Fell and Ruth Horton thanked all the supporters and volunteers.

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

SWALLOW Charity, which supports local teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, celebrated the power of friendship this August and in their Community Café in Radstock, friends and supporters gathered to enjoy a tea party.

During the event, the Somer Valley Rotary Club presented the charity with a cheque for £500 towards their work. The charity relies on voluntary income to be able to respond to all those who need support and currently helps 170 people, with more asking for support every day.

For details, visit: https://www.swallowcharity.org/friends

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Join Annie in Bath to Wells challenge SOMERSET’S former Lord-Lieutenant Annie Maw is about to embark on another charity challenge, leading walkers on a 30mile journey from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral - in her wheelchair.

Annie, who broke her spine in a riding accident 20 years ago, is raising money for the residents of Wells Almhouses and vulnerable elderly in war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Annie, who lives in Pilton, revealed details of the challenge at the City of Wells Almshouses, where the Bishop of Bath and Wells had just rededicated their 15th century chapel after major renovation.

Annie said: “Six hundred years ago our Bishop Nicholas Bubwith left a bequest for the foundation of the Wells Almshouses because he cared about the vulnerable elderly.

“We are following his example as we continue his support for elderly people in here and, as he would Annie Maw – last year she ascended have wished, we are Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair, also supporting elderly carried by a crew of firefighters

CHARITIES

Bishop Michael with (left – right): almshouses trustee Lynda Armstrong, chief executive Michelle Thomas, trustee Wendy Ray and almshouses manager Caroline Tollworthy

people in Ukraine who are suffering great difficulties, danger and deprivation because of the invasion by Russia.”

There is still time for people to join the challenge over the weekend of September 13th and 14th. Places are available for 50 walkers who must each pledge to raise £1,000 for the two causes – three quarters to Ukraine and the remaining quarter to the almshouses.

The event is being supported by Festival Medical Services, based in Somerton.

To support Annie directly, visit: Go Fund Me page (gofund.me/5b3076a3) or to join the walk, email FMS’s Stephanie Sutcliffe at stephanie.sutcliffe@festival-medical.org

Kickabout fundraiser for prostate charity

A MEMBER of High Littleton Kickabout Club has raised more than £1,250 for charity after organising a friendly fundraising football match against a Chew Magna Veterans side.

Nat Randall raised funds for Prostate Cancer UK to mark his 60th birthday. Chew Magna won the match, at High Littleton Recreation Ground, 2-3.

Members of the two teams MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 45

T

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Time for tea at heritage railway

Anna Sabine MP (on the left) enjoying her ride on the Wickham trolley

A CREAM tea event at the Somerset & Dorset Railway in Midsomer Norton has raised almost £500 for Breast Cancer Now. Local MP, Anna Sabine, was amongst the visitors who enjoyed a ride on the line’s unique Wickham Trolley, a quirky method of transport used by railway engineers. The teas were served in the buffet car and on the patio,

How to volunteer

Glow in the dark

BATH RUH charity, RUHX, is repeating its Glow Run on Friday, October 24th after the success of the first event last year.

Taking place after dark, the 3km fun run at Odd Down Sports Ground in Bath follows a flat illuminated course to guide the way.

The family-friendly event is suitable for all ages and abilities and fully accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

The event is non-competitive and those taking part can choose to run or walk (or even hop, skip or dance!) their way around the two laps. Fancy dress is encouraged, with light-up accessories available to purchase on the night.

The charity is currently campaigning to raise over £4 million for a new PET-CT scanner at the hospital.

Tickets start at £7.50, with free entry for carers and U2s. Every Glow Runner will receive a finisher’s medal.

Abseil challenge

BATH-based charity, 3SG, which supports 250 local charities, community groups and social enterprises across Bath & North East Somerset, is holding its third annual volunteer fair on Friday, October 17th.

The fair at the Apex Hotel will host 43 local charity stalls, demonstrating their volunteering opportunities and showcasing the local work they do, as well as a programme of talks and workshops on volunteering for the community.

The event will run from 11am-3pm and is free to attend.

They hope to encourage as many local residents, students, businesses and anyone interested in getting involved in local volunteering to drop by!

Details: 01225 683087 • 3sg.org.uk

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

DOROTHY House Hospice Care has announced a brandnew event, the Bath City Abseil 2025, taking place over October 24th, 25th and 26th.

It involves an 80ft descent from one of the tallest buildings in Bath, Bath College's Macauley Building.

It says: “Expect three action packed days, filled with hair-raising fundraising, a fantastic Dorothy House retail pop up, live music, food and drink all combined to offer an incredible atmosphere and joyous community event right at the heart of Bath City!”

The hospice has supported 4,254 families in the last year and says by taking on the Bath City Abseil Challenge, fundraisers will be doing their bit to support families in Bath and beyond at a time when they need it most.

Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/getinvolved/events/bath-city-abseil/

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Join walkers on Bath charity circuit JULIAN House hosts its annual Circuit of Bath charity walk on Sunday, September 21st, not only a vital fundraiser, but a much-loved fixture on the local calendar.

The route takes walkers on a 22-mile scenic route around Bath, starting from checkpoints which are open from 7.30am-6.30pm.

The circular route takes participants along the beautiful outskirts of Bath, on a diverse terrain of footpaths, canal paths, fields, through to hills which provide walkers with stunning views from Little Solsbury Hill, Lansdown and Millennium Viewpoint.

Participants can choose their own distance and start point, thanks to the five checkpoints along the route and a free shuttle service between each which allows for a shorter walk if preferred.

The whole route is family and dog friendly, with part of the route suitable for prams making it the perfect family day out.

Julian House has been vocal about the

financial pressures it is facing in a climate of rising costs and public sector budget cuts. The increase in employer National Insurance contributions has added £165,000 to the charity’s costs this year alone.

It says fundraisers such as the Circuit of Bath are vital to support their mission to help people experiencing or

CHARITIES

at risk of homelessness across the South West and to deliver life-changing and life-saving services to vulnerable people who need them for many years to come.

Last year over 500 participants took part raising over £50,000. Tickets cost £15 for an adult and £8 for a child with a discount on family tickets.

Donations are welcome on their website: https://www.julianhouse.org.uk/donate/ • Details: www.julianhouse.org.uk

Tribute to fallen colleagues FIRE fighter, Scott Butler, ran from Bridgwater fire station to Bicester to raise funds in memory of colleagues Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan who died in a fire on a business park there.

Scott joined the fire service with Martyn in 2006 and says it was the

Scott with the crew from Chew Magna

memory of his ever-present smile that spurred him on when it got tough.

He was joined by colleagues including Hannah Forbes, from Hinton Blewett for the first leg, which crossed the Mendips.

Hannah works alongside Scott on the same watch at Bridgwater.

They were met in Hinton Blewett by the fire crew from Chew Magna, who helped them cool off!

While Scott was running from Bridgwater, other colleagues cycled from Glasgow and Great Yarmouth to Bicester, raising funds for the fire fighters’ charity.

Cooling off

Details: https://watersurvivalbox.org MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 47

A as w fi

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Nempnett Thrubwell village fete

EVENTS

THE Nempnett Thrubwell village fete raised £2,000 for St Mary’s Church and its refurbished bells, which were rung for the first time in two years the night before.

One of the organisers, Rosemary Porter, said: “This was our highest ever amount and we are really pleased.”

The event was moved from the village hall to Nempnett Pasture’s barns because of the threat of rain.

Debbie Kelly and her helper Heidi, 12, on the jewellery and vintage accessories stall

Janet Parsons trying to win a prize from Jane Batten on the tombola

Ann Millers and Hayley Auty on the home-baked cakes stall

Men of Chew

Wedmore village farm fun day

PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Nature will recover from the summer dryness

By CHRIS SPERRING MBE

WILDLIFE

AS I write this in mid-August for the September edition, it is still very dry; we have had no substantial rain for so long that the garden, and indeed the countryside, are

looking so tired.

Many trees have begun dropping their leaves in order to save themselves.

Maybe you’ve noticed that with the vegetation under so much stress, some scrub plants and trees have also employed another survival strategy and that is the overproduction of seeds, nuts and berries, which will give them some future should the parent plant die, but this will also give a massive boost to some of our wildlife that has been affected by the lack of rain.

Nature will repair itself, that’s a given, and the rains will come; and I could go on and on talking about the various wild animals that are affected by these conditions. But we must also spare a thought for ourselves, as we are not immune. For proof of this, just ask a farmer how their crops are doing, or how the farm animals are coping? We do not live in isolation from the nature that surrounds us.

Autumn migration is upon us as many summer visitors begin their journeys south to escape whatever the winter brings. We have some amazing coastal

Turnstone by name and by nature

The dry summer is affecting crop yields

areas around the Mendip Times area which are well worth a visit at this time of the year.

If you are near pebbled beaches watch out for turnstones; this bird was once placed in the plover family, now though it's been placed within the family of sandpipers. Measuring just 24cm, with a wingspan of up to 57cm, its quite striking plumage makes it very camouflaged on rocky or stony beaches.

It’s brown and black back dominates the upper parts giving way to a white head with light brown flecks. The breast area is black which is dominant from wing to wing down to the start of its belly; the rest of the underside is white.

When in flight look out for the white wing bar. The beak is strong and welldesigned to carry out what its name suggests.

The diet of the turnstone is very varied, but what they are most famous for is their ability to flip over small pebbles and stones looking for crustaceans, worms and the like. Groups of turnstones may be observed working together, turning over seaweed as they work as a team looking for food.

They may also be observed probing into either sand or mud with their bills, though as the beak is much shorter than the larger wading species like curlew, the species they are trying to find will most likely be those near to the surface, perhaps looking for sandhoppers.

Turnstones breed predominantly in the Arctic, normally on the tundra close to water. However, their wintering areas can extend as far south as the tropics. In one study of turnstones in Scotland, it was found that wintering turnstones are very faithful to their wintering areas.

When I go to the coast at this time of year I always look out for turnstones, and although they may only be passing through the Severn Estuary, it’s a reminder of what very important feeding areas for vast variety of birds we have around our area. l I’m taking bookings for walks and talks at the moment so, if you or your group would like a wildlife walk or talk please get in touch. And for those of you heading to the beach, don’t forget to watch out for the turnstone.

An overproduction of berries may be a sign of a battle for survival

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSperringwildlife

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 49

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Flat out on the Levels

BEFORE the autumn comes, now is an ideal time to enjoy “the summerlands” as they were known – the Somerset Levels. This six-mile flat walk takes you exploring into the very heart of the old peat workings, past reed beds and fishing lakes in this beautiful area full of birdlife on little used paths. We then enjoy better paths and roads heading up to Meare before cutting through fields to join the road that takes us to Ashcott Corner and the RSPB centre. The next

With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

two glorious miles are along the old rail line by the South Drain. Finally, you can choose to detour to the Neolithic Sweet Track. At the end of the South Drain, reach Shapwick Road and turn right back to the Avalon Marshes Centre.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a dog suitable walk as they are not allowed in the Shapwick Reserve. Take a stick to help with possible overgrown areas. We start at the welcoming Avalon Marshes Centre with its spacious café, gift shop and archaeological centre (which has limited opening hours).

There is a café at the start and end, pub near Ashcott Corner, and refreshment shack at the RSPB car park.

START: Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay. The car park is open daily 9am-5pm. It is free but visitors are encouraged to donate £3 for the day to help with the centre’s upkeep. Turn right from the centre and at the large barn next door take the marked small gate to the left of the large metal gate. Go along the side of the barn, past barking dogs (safely fenced off). Turn right at the end through a wooden gate along the back of the barn.

Go left over a footbridge and stile.

This next section takes you right into the heart of the Levels and the paths are not often well marked, or easy under foot. Head across towards a dilapidated farmhouse. Pass to the left of it, alongside a wooden fence which is part of the original footbridge. Maintain direction parallel with the marshy, reedy ground on your right.

1. FISHING LAKES Cross a footbridge and head straight on between two fishing lakes. Then turn left passing alongside fishing lakes to a wooden cabin at the end. If there are fishermen there, take a look at their mascots set up on the fishing platforms!

By the cabin, go right over a stile to join a grassy swathe. At the end of Fenwood Mere on your right, go more or less ahead crossing a stile. Reach a crossing track with a gate on your left.

Here turn right on the broad grassy track past banks of reeds and lake.

Bend left with the track still in the heart of the old peat workings. There is a footbridge ahead to cross and keep on in the next field along the end through rough grass. On the other side is another footpath sign and a footbridge which might be a little overgrown.

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WALKING

2. FIELDS Head left down the full length of the rather uneven field, through a gate, over a concrete bridge and through a gate and straight on in the next field to a field gate in the far right corner. Take the track ahead and reach a junction.

Turn right on this very quiet lane, passing works, and arriving on Westhay Road.

3. WESTHAY Cross with care, turn right on the grassy edge. Very soon, at the side of no 46, turn left along the track through gates, past sheds on the right and keep on to the end of the field to a footbridge in the far left corner.

4. LANE Turn right on a quiet and pleasant lane (Meareway) and it is now easy walking past pretty cottages with good views left across to Mendip. After about 0.6 miles, bend right in the hamlet of Oxenpill and come to the main road in Meare,

5. MEARE Turn left and cross the road, pass bungalows and turn right soon in Millbatch. Ignore footpaths and when the lane becomes No Through, keep on.

6. BRISTOL GATE At a bend near the end, go left through a Bristol gate onto a footpath. Aim across the field, over a footbridge and

6 miles, about 3 hours walking • OS Explorer Map 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, Grid ref: ST 425 414. Post code BA6 9TT (to within half a mile of the Centre.) what3words: cave.logbook.icon

go diagonally right to a pedestrian gate to the side of the main field gate. Then walk across to the far left corner and over a footbridge.

7. ROAD Follow the bottom of this field to a stile onto the road. Turn right over the road bridge and stay on this fairly quiet Ashcott Road for about 0.7 miles. Enroute pass the Railway Inn – a favourite with bird watchers and cyclists – and reach Ashcott Corner and cross the bridge over the wide rhyne known as South Drain.

8. SHAPWICK RESERVE Our route takes us right through Shapwick Heath Reserve car park and straight on along the old railway line – the Somerset and Dorset – alongside the Drain. However, you may first like to go on for another couple of minutes to the RSPB car park where there is information, a shelter and a cabin serving hot and cold drinks etc. This is a beautiful two-mile straight and flat stretch alongside the water in the nature reserve, passing a tower hide and several benches. It’s worth crossing over the first bridge to an audio post to

hear about the rail crash on the line between Ashcott and Shapwick, on 5th May 1877. Keep on. Ignore the first path left to the Sweet Track, especially for people with disabilities and keep on a few more minutes to another sign on the left for Decoy Hide, 1500 metres and Neolithic Sweet Track, 250 metres.

If you want to go there to see a small section showing the old track across the reed swamp, it takes about 13 minutes each way, starting on the man-made boardwalk. Further along keep straight on along the Sweet Track Trail on a path of wood chippings. Cross two bridges, up two steps to an open area, straight over down to another path, across a bridge and reach a replica of the old track which was discovered by Ray Sweet, a local peat digger in 1970.

9. SHAPWICK ROAD To finish our walk, continue along the old railway line a short way to Shapwick Road and it’s about five minutes to the right to the Avalon Marshes Centre.

The Avalon Marshes Centre, 01458 860120.

Railway Inn, 01458 741428

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

HEADING into September and the nights are closing in. The mornings have a hint of mist over the moors around Glastonbury, but the weather still remains good. Good however depends upon which side of the weather chart you stand on. The grass is burnt up and the soil cracked quite deeply but my apple trees are With LES holding up well. Sugars in the apples will be DAVIES MBE high this year but moisture content lower. The trees have sent their roots deeper to look for moisture and that seems to have paid off.

As climate change leads to hotter summers and wetter winters, we may well have to think about the soil a little more carefully in the future.

From my side of the weather chart this year’s trip with the University of Georgia USA, couldn’t have been better. As always, I join them in Cambridge at the university for an overnight stop before heading north.

I am warming to Cambridge after a few visits and now I know where I’m going, I can be a little more appreciative of the surroundings. Students rushing around on bicycles are fewer, but it is holiday time. Electric scooters there are a-plenty, seemingly ridden by people who haven't a moment to wait.

The Lake District National Park couldn’t have been displayed in better weather. However, hot weather and high peaks do not mix well.

I found the going tough and explained that running over hills is something I do little of these days, being 50 years older than the students.

So, it was on the hottest day of the year I elected to act as the rear party and bring those who felt they could not get to the top of Scafell Pike back down. I took up position around a footbridge over a stream to ensure no Trolls caused problems.

Those students who could make it to the top did so and those who couldn’t came down with me. Never did I see any discrimination and this has to be one of the best groups I have been with. They all mixed in together and if you couldn't do it, you weren't looked down on.

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain and this was on the list to be looked at for visitor pressure. Again, I found a point below halfway to wait while a procession of other walkers that seemed never ending, set out to reach the summit. I meanwhile was kept company by a robin who appreciated the biscuit crumbs and fragments of bread that I exchanged for his company.

He was obviously used to the walkers who passed us one after another. No worry about getting lost here as the path is paved for most of its length, further confirming the amount of visitor pressure it takes. Please God we never have to carry out such work on Mendip!

The Isle of Skye has a mythical attraction. For the first time I saw it without the mist and rain but could not help but feel for those who lived on this island. With a population of around 12.000 it has an annual visitor influx of anything between 650750,000. This tourism obviously has a beneficial effect on the

island economy, but it comes at a cost.

The loss of fishing, crofting (small scale farming) and of language (Gallic, not Gaelic). Locals will find it difficult to buy or rent a property and the infrastructure of roads etc is under serious pressure.

People come for the landscape, but in doing so are at risk of altering if not destroying the very beauty of the place. How to “Enjoy yet not destroy” is a dilemma that is faced in many places these days and Mendip is not exempt.

Glen Coe and Aviemore both have visitor issues, but on one private estate, Rothemurches, the owner has taken the lead and instead of pushing people away has chosen to enhance the visitor experience on his terms. This estate of several thousand acres has been in the same family since the 1500s.

Previous custodians have chosen to chase people off, but a change in thinking is bringing much needed revenue into the estate. The traditional shooting and fishing still exists and with it now comes the chance to get up close with red deer stags and highland cattle.

You can go on a Land Rover safari, camp in designated areas and experience the great Highland experience with dark night skies.

Perhaps there is a lesson here about the way our countryside is managed in the future.

The tour ended with Edinburgh and finally London to look at urban sustainability issues. Much to my surprise I found London inspiring when it comes to breathing life into an urban environment. They are going a long way to meet future climate change issues through rainwater capture and CO2 absorption.

The old Covent Garden site has plants growing on the buildings and trees in the streets. Open spaces still exist and the River Thames is coming back to life after a massive rethink of the city sewers.

So, after a 19-day tour with 29 students and staff, I returned to my “telephone box” and West Country normality. Now they want me back for the next four years!

My final thoughts concern the recent death of two ex-Mendip Rangers who served with Tina Bath and myself during the days of the Wardens. Ron Penn and Dave Parker were both stalwarts, with Dave walking every public Right of Way within what is now the National Landscape of the Mendip Hills.

He also continued as the Mendip Society’s Rights of Way Officer.

Ron always had a sense of humour no matter how bad the situation appeared and escorted many of the school groups out of Charterhouse onto the Hill and was a leading figure in the Charterhouse history group CHERT – none of us go on forever!

This month’s photo is the beauty of the Lakes. No wonder Wordsworth was inspired!

Don’t forget you can always email me on: Les.davies@westcountryman.co.uk

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Barrow Gurney flower show Tombola time

Serving teas Jan Kershaw (left) and Janet Leonard

Morris teams take a seaside break

EVENTS

Mendip Morris

MENDIP Morris and Wild Moon Morris from Compton Dundon appeared at this year’s Sidmouth Folk Festival.

Emma Laister from Mendip Morris won the festival’s Jig competition, accompanied by Mark Rogers.

Wild Moon

The prize winners

Rosie Greenwood a winner in the handicrafts section

Winner Jig competition Sidmouth 2025. Emma Laister (Mendip Morris) from Wedmore, with Mark Rogers

Details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajimd3x4ihI

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

“Thrillers”, “fillers” and “spillers” AS one of the hottest and driest summers draws to a close, it is time to think about emptying out your pots of summer colour, or what is left With MARY of them, and planting PAYNE MBE them up for a spring display the following year. Our palette of plants is more restricted than for summer, but the design principles stay the same. Choosing a colour theme for your container is always a good place to start.

Cool colours are calming and make a space feel larger, whilst the hot shades of yellow, orange, and red are exciting but do make an area appear smaller.

When it comes to your choice of plants there are basically three elements needed. You need a “thriller” – a plant that adds a bit of drama to the pot. For the winter season this may be a dwarf conifer, such as the golden foliaged Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’.

This is available in a range of sizes to suit all containers. These are often available in supermarkets at this time of year. As this may not be needed for the summer display, keep it in its pot and simply plunge it in your larger pot, but take care to keep it watered.

For a container seen from one side this could be put at the back, or in the centre for one viewed all around. This will add interest through the dull winter days before the flowers get going.

For spring, a generous group of tulips can easily provide the “thrill”. There are so many colours to choose from to add drama, or even mix colours together, but make sure they will all flower at roughly the same time. For windy locations choose the shorter growing varieties.

I always go for the later flowering types. They look good all the time they are coming but look scruffy once the flowers have faded. This is a rule I apply to most plantings.

We then need some “spillers” to trail over the edge of the pot. This job is PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

often done by small pots of variegated ivy. They will not grow a significant amount before being removed ready for the summer “spillers”, or they can be left in place, and the summer plants added between them.

If you have very posh ornate pots with attractive patterns near the rim it is a shame to disguise it with “spillers”.

Instead, some large-flowered crocus could be planted around the edge of the pot and their foliage will flop a bit without hiding your expensive pot decoration.

Finally, we need some “fillers” to use the space left between the “thrillers” and the “spillers”. For spring this could be polyanthus, these are not as common as they used to be but are much better than the vast array of coloured primroses that are for sale.

They will flower from February through to the end of May and are taller than primroses, with the flower cluster held on a six-inch stalk. An alternative is double flowered daisies, in shades of white through pink to red. Look out for the Habanero Series which have twoinch shaggy flower heads.

Forget-me-nots also make useful “fillers”, and can be white, pink, or more commonly blue. For large containers traditional wallflowers are an excellent choice for their scent, as well as having a long flowering season.

A few narcissus can also be added to flower early before the tulips. For this, I use the shorter types, like the yellow and orange ‘Jetfire’, or yellow and white ‘Jack Snipe’. There are so many to choose from, but a new one that is exceptionally good is Narcissus ‘Moonlight Sensation”.

It produces up to five stems from a single bulb, and each flower stem has three to five flowers, blooming in late April creamy white flowers.

I am not a huge fan of creating a bulb “lasagne” by planting a layer of the latest flowering bulbs e.g. tulips, covered by a thin layer of compost, and then some daffodils, crocus, scillas and anything else you fancy. In theory they

all flower in succession, but in my experience, it ends up with a pot full of ageing foliage which is not attractive.

Use the same principle of “thrillers”, “fillers” and “spillers” for your summer pots.

I am often asked if the compost from our summer containers can be re-used for our autumn planted ones. I certainly do, mixing in some fresh compost and adding slow-release fertiliser granules which will be effective as the temperature rises in the spring.

If you have a well-rotted leaf heap or even well-rotted garden compost, this could be used as an alternative.

Our gardens are looking somewhat tired, after all this heat and lack of water. Be patient, your lawn will recover, try to avoid scarifying it while it is still in recovery mode. Once we have had plenty of rain and it is recovering, give it an autumn feed, low in nitrogen and higher in potash. This will help it get through the winter frosts.

It is too soon to tell if some of our border plants have survived without watering. I fear several of mine will have perished. If you do have access to water, then concentrate on the plants that are yet to perform, such as Michaelmas daisies, Chinese lanterns, and shrubs that may give us some autumnal foliage tints.

Many trees are losing leaves prematurely in an effort to stay alive, especially those that have been newly planted. I delayed a planting project that should have been done in the spring and am so glad I did, so is the client.

Look on the bright side – even the weeds have suffered this year!!

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SEPTEMBER GARDEN TIPS

• Scarify your lawn to remove old dead grass. Use a spring tine rake and put the old dead grass and moss that you rake out onto the compost heap.

• Spike compacted areas of your lawn with a fork and brush in a turf dressing of pre-mixed compost. This particularly applies to well-used areas. For larger areas use a hollow tined aerator and then brush in fine grit or coarse sand.

• This is the best month for establishing new lawns. Sow new seed or turf, both after careful soil preparation. Don’t skimp on this as it is the one chance to get it right!

• Fast growing hedges such as leylandii may need trimming again and will look better for it throughout winter. Don’t leave this too late as that might result in brown patches. Give evergreen hedges a final trim.

• This is the perfect time to plant a new hedge (or place an order for bare root plants for later).

• The first spring flowering bulbs will be in soon, with most available by the end of the month.

• Plant snowdrop bulbs and anemone corms just as soon as you can. They can be difficult to get going but by planting really early they establish much more readily.

• Autumn flowering crocus should be planted as soon as possible, as they will flower this October. They flower before the leaves appear earning them the common name ‘Naked Ladies’.

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MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

Show fundraiser

THE Temple Cloud in Bloom group raised funds at Clutton Flower Show for their planting displays in the village.

Their next morning of volunteering will be on Saturday, September 13th, 10am-12noon, with new members welcome.

Pictured (l to r) Anne Wheeler, Lin Paul, Doris Gentle, Diane Turner and Beccy Angell.

Details: tcibinfo@yahoo.com or Facebook

NORTON GREEN GARDEN CENTRE

SPRING FLOWERING BULBS NOW IN STOCK – LOTS TO CHOOSE FROM!

SPRING/WINTER FLOWERING PANSIES, VIOLAS, BELLIS & WALLFLOWERS AVAILABLE NOW! HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, HEATHERS, HARDY FERNS, HERBS, ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, CLEMATIS & CLIMBING PLANTS

COMPOST, TOPSOIL, MANURE, SOIL IMPROVER, COMPOSTED BARK, DECORATIVE BARK, GRAVELS, GRITS & SANDS GREAT CHOICE OF GLAZED, TERRACOTTA & PLASTIC POTS PLUS EXCITING NEW RANGE OF STONE STATUES & GARDEN ORNAMENTS

WELLS ROAD, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4RR Telephone: 01761 232137 Open Mon–Sat 9am to 4pm • Closed Sundays PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

NGS GARDENS OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER

Kilver Court Gardens

VISITORS can wander by the millpond, explore the formal and informal gardens and enjoy a replica of the splendid Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winning rockery where a gushing recirculated stream flows from pool to pool and waterfalls into the lake. All this set against the stunning backdrop of Charlton Viaduct with the 100m herbaceous flower border beyond. Seek out the famous Babycham whilst here!

Address: Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF Contact: The Showering Family, 01749 705279, enquiries@kilvercourt.co.uk, www.kilvercourt.com.

Opening dates and time: Thursday, September 11th, 10am-4pm.

For other opening times and information, please phone, email or visit garden website.

Admission: £7.50, children free. Discount/prepaid vouchers are not valid on National Garden Scheme open days.

Please note, on site payment is by card only.

Batcombe House

PLANTSWOMAN’S and designer’s garden of two parts, including a contemporary amphitheatre with large herbaceous borders, BA4 6HF. Opening date and time: Saturday, September 6th, 2-5pm.

Admission: Adults £8, children free.

Other Gardens Open for the NGS To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Garden Visitors Handbook, or the Somerset County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://ngs.org.uk/

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GARDENING

Well done Coleford

INCREASED entries for the 125th Coleford Flower and Craft Show were welcome news for organisers, who arranged for celebratory mugs to be produced to mark the anniversary.

The Royal British Legion was packed with both entries and visitors

Dave Button with his certificate for his winning entry of runner beans

Crowds flock to Chilcompton

Preparing the trophies: (l to r) Wendy, Tracy and Vicky

Raising a mug to mark the anniversary: committee member Tina Wadley, Somerset councillor Alan Townsend – who opened the show with wife Dawn (right) and fellow committee member Philip Ham

CHILCOMPTON Open Gardens was a great success, with glowing feedback from visitors and garden owners alike.

They sold 270 tickets not only to villagers, but people travelled from Bath, Bristol, Warminster, Mere and other locations to admire the beautiful gardens and to experience the village community.

Organisers said it was fantastic to have the involvement of the school, village hall, The Redan, St John’s Church and Root Connections, alongside all the garden owners and volunteers.

The event made over £2,330 with donations to Root Connections and to Open Gardens, a sum of £500 ring fenced for a similar future event, £80 from the book and plant sale for Air Ambulance, with the remaining funds going to Chilcompton Gardening Club to make improvements to the club.

Details: lynne20thorne@hotmail.com MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Chelwood flower show

Pictured (l to r) Carolyn Beacroft, Jackie Young and Ann Harrison

DESPITE the weather conditions this year, the 57th Chelwood Flower Show proved to be a great success with 198 entries overall.

Organiser, Jackie Young, said: “A huge thank you goes to a wonderful team of helpers for achieving this.”

PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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GARDENING

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

HISTORY

Stunning murals crown church project

A section yet to be cleaned

The work is expected to take several months

Memorial

Revealing the mural in all its glory

THE Stowey Revived project to restore the medieval village church of St Nicholas and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is reaching the final stage, with work underway on its early 20th century murals painted by Henry Strachey.

It’s been a huge £450,000 undertaking for the small parish, with various repairs and restoration including the tower, building a toilet and small kitchen, supported by National Lottery funding.

The murals are of national significance.

The artist, Henry Strachey (1863-1940), was a recognised Stowey Church portrait and landscape painter, art critic, writer and musician, with links to the Bloomsbury group.

They are being cleaned and conserved by internationally-renowned art conservators Lisa Shekede and Stephen Rickerby. Over 40 years, the couple’s previous projects included Byzantine churches in Cyprus, ancient tombs in Egypt and Buddhist caves and temples in

China.

They first got involved at Stowey in 2022 carrying out survey work, monitoring conditions, and then waiting for work to be done to the church.

Stephen said: “It’s not enough to clean them and fix flaking paint, conditions in the church had to be right.”

Their analysis showed a wax coating on the murals, which had collected dirt.

Removing that has already made a startling difference. The church also has an extremely rare royal coat of arms, which they will be working on.

The church was due to hold an open morning on Tuesday August 26th, the day Mendip Times was published.

A talk, If Walls Could Talk: The story of the Henry Strachey Murals will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd, 7pm– 8pm.

An organ recital, as part of the project, will take place on Saturday, September 27th, 7pm, with the world premier of a new work by David Bednall (See page 91).

Details: activities.stoweyrevived@outlook.com Recital sue.skinner@stoweychurch.com 01275 333456

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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CAVING

The world’s first cave dive

NINETY years ago, at 40 minutes past midnight on July 14th, 1935, a bunch of intrepid explorers made history at Wookey Hole when the world’s first proper cave dive, using breathing apparatus, took place.

That first dive began in Chamber Three, which was then the end of both the show cave With MARTIN and the known cave. Prior to the underground GASS dive, training was held in the Mineries Pool at Priddy. Graham Balcombe, the person who made this historic dive, surfaced in chamber four and, in his words, “made a limited inspection of the chamber above water”. Although the flooded passage, known as a sump, was only a few metres long, this was an historic event. The total dive time was 20 minutes.

Even more amazing for the time was the second dive, made at 0220 hrs by Penelope “Mossy” Powell. She was a petite 30-year-old divorced woman with two young children and a guide at Wookey Hole Caves and shop. A third dive, by Frank Frost, a Wessex Cave Club member, took place at 0315 hrs.

What is remarkable is that the divers all wore “standard dive dress”, which comprised a classic brass “dome” helmet, heavy leadweighted boots (8kg) and a canvas dry suit. The total weighed a hefty 180 pounds (80kg), and progress was made by walking along the bottom, which stirred up the thick mud and silt covering the floor and rapidly turned the visibility to zero. Air was supplied through a long rubber hose, which was attached to a hand-operated pump situated in Chamber Three. The dive timings reveal that a lot of preparation had to be made, with the equipment being carefully checked and rechecked between dives.

All the diving equipment was loaned to them, along with a diving instructor, by Siebe, Gorman & Co. Ltd, who insisted that all divers provide a medical certificate to prove that they were fit to partake.

Rumour at the time had it that one member had two medical certificates, one to prove he was fit to dive, the other to prove him too ill to work! Diving continued throughout the summer and the divers eventually reached Chamber Seven.

Balcombe and Powell published the results in “The Log of the Wookey Hole Divers”, which appeared in 1936. Only 175 copies were printed at 7/6d each (37.5p). Original copies of the book currently sell for hundreds of pounds, although a reprint by the Cave Diving Group is available.

Mossy Powell must have been very independently minded and clearly took no nonsense from the other divers, who were all men.

She mentions in the book, “The wife problem is beginning to look very bleak indeed, but by hitting on the magnificent The MCRA is a registered charity, a idea of bringing them non-profit making organisation along too, and decanting staffed entirely by volunteers them at a reasonable

Mossy Powell and Graham Balcombe

distance from operations, two more members of the gang were able to put in an appearance just about tea time and so get in their usual Sunday dips.”

On the August 17th, 1935, the BBC produced the very first live broadcast from within a cave, and Wookey Hole’s famous acoustics were successfully highlighted by a male voice choir who sang out as the divers disappeared into the dark depths! The broadcast generated a great deal of interest at the time, especially as one of the divers was a young female.

The programme went out at 10.30pm and included a telephone link to the divers. Herbert Balch (known as the father of Mendip Caving and the person who founded Wells & Mendip Museum) was also interviewed about the cave and the archaeological finds that had been made there.

Diving at Wookey finished at the end of August 1935, and although a return had been planned for the following year, the divers were instead drawn towards Wookey’s main feeder cave at Swildon’s Hole at Priddy, which terminated in a low flooded pool, known as Sump One. This was successfully passed in 1936 by Jack Sheppard and Balcombe and in the same year Balcombe passed Sump Two, discovering a considerable amount of new cave in the process.

At Easter 1946, Balcombe formed the Cave Diving Group, the world’s oldest technical diving group. He returned to Wookey Hole that same year and did his last dive there 11 years later.

Mossy never returned. She remarried in 1936 and had three more children before sadly passing away in 1965 at the age of 60. In 2024, the prestigious International “Women Divers Hall of Fame” voted to honour Mossy posthumously. The citation was for the first woman cave diver and co-author of the first cave diving book.

And what of Wookey Hole today? Caving and cave diving have come a long way since those first intrepid dives, and there have been several notable advances in the intervening 90 years. The current end, which was reached in 2005, lies deep below Chamber 25, where a team using specially manufactured closed-circuit rebreathing apparatus reached the formidable depth below water of 90 metres, a new British cave diving depth record.

Martin is chair of both Mendip Cave Rescue and the Cave Diving Group of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Clutton flower show

Serving tea (l to r) Anne McDermott, Millie Turner, Jan Parker and Paddy Ward

Blooming beautiful

Men of Chew

Somerset morris Chris and Anne Border from Clutton Local History Society

Mary Payne and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who opened the show, with organisers from Clutton Horticultural Society PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Sisters Hannah, aged 12, and Alice, 10, who got first and second prizes for their decorated bottles

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Putting the “extra” into abbey’s big night out

EVENTS

PHOTOS BY MARK ADLER

MUSIC fans enjoyed their night to the full at this year’s Glastonbury Extravaganza and left eagerly awaiting next year’s 30th anniversary event.

This year’s headliners were Irish band The Script who were supported by special guests, singer/songwriter Freya Ridings and Steve Whalley and his band. Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society began the evening, which culminated with the traditional fireworks display.

Stuart (centre front) was celebrating his 50th birthday with family and friends from Glastonbury and Yeovil

Let’s party in style

Cheers to a great evening at the abbey

A fan of The Script at the front of the stage

Freya Ridings

Steve Whalley

The Script lead singer Danny O'Donoghue was on dynamic form MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Volunteering your friendship

I’VE got some good news and some bad news for you this month. The bad news is improvements in life expectancy have stalled around the

By Dr PHIL world and particularly HAMMOND in the UK. The good news is you can stop worrying about it and get on with enjoying your life and helping others to do so too.

Back in 1841, the average man and woman born in England lived to 40.2 and 42.3 years old respectively. There was, of course, a huge range and some lived to a ripe old age whist many died as babies or in childbirth.

By 1920, this had risen to 55.8 and 58.7, largely due to public health improvements rather than miracle medicines (better nutrition, hygiene, housing, sanitation and less overcrowding, with a reduction in infectious diseases).

When the NHS was founded in 1948, half of us died before the age of 65 but advances in treating heart disease and cancer and a big drop in smoking meant that by 2000 life expectancy had soared to 76.6 years for men and 80.4 years for women.

This lead to wildly over-optimistic claims that we were only halfway there and we could reasonably progress to 150 years old in the wealthy west. So what’s gone wrong?

The global financial crisis of 2008 put the brakes on living forever with a decade of austerity and by the time Covid hit, we’d crawled up to 79 years for men and 83 for women, before UK life expectancy fell for the first time in a decade during the pandemic.

Will it recover? I’m not sure that’s the right question. What matters more than length of life is quality of life. And that is heavily reliant on the warmth of your friendships.

A friend of mine works as an anaesthetist

and in the NHS we put a lot of very old people asleep for surgery, in the hope of waking them up again. However, because age makes the risks higher, he has to tell them they might not wake up again and a surprising number say: “That’s OK.” The ones who are most ready to go are lonely, most of their friends are dead, their relatives don’t visit, they no longer drive so can’t get out much and they are often in pain, particularly from arthritis.

The ones who aren’t ready to go yet have enough money to live comfortably and lots of social connections, largely because they’re lucky enough to live in communities where people look out for each other.

I’ve written before about the importance of social connection for health and how lucky we are to live in towns and villages where volunteers put the effort in to keep us all connected and to help us when things go bottoms up.

There’s the WI, University of the Third Age and local history societies putting on some great talks. There are lunch clubs, sports clubs, book groups, art classes and chat clubs – and village minibuses providing transport to keep everyone connected.

There are village fetes and fayres, thriving pubs and clubs for all ages. You can play five aside football, do walking rugby, walk beautiful Mendip trails, visit the organic gardens or even try battery powered mountain biking (my latest hobby).

You can help clean the church or mow between the gravestones. There’s movement afoot to use churches more for the great public spaces and acoustics they provide, alongside the connection for those who believe.

I believe in kindness and friendship. I also believe in a sensible amount of alcohol to lubricate social connection. I know this will likely take the last two years of my life off me, but from what I’ve seen, those last two years aren’t that much fun

and I’m happy to give them up for more laughter now.

For the summer at my local, the New Inn at Blagdon, guests have not just had a stunning garden view, but they’ve been able to hug a huge combination statue of Wallace and the Big Friendly Giant (although it's easy to confuse Wallace with Colin (Anderson) – see photo).

An equally stunning view comes from the house of Debs Campbell, who not only runs the fabulous lunch club for anyone in the village (only £6!) but invites all the volunteers and their partners to a thank you barbecue.

In every village, there are people giving their lives to keep village life alive and we need to clone them. Sam Oliphant in Chew Magna is another. Her Chew Chat is so successful people come from all over the valley to attend.

The bottom line is that we shouldn’t obsess with how long we live, but how we live. Most humans need a combination of pleasure, passion and purpose. Inevitably, life involves a bit of pressure and pain.

When it does, I recommend the other three Ps (pace yourself, pamper yourself and p*** yourself laughing). But to laugh properly you need the most important P. Pals.

If you’re lucky enough to make friends easily, then make friends with those who struggle to make friends. Enjoying life for many means helping those who are less fortunate to join in. Cheers to all those volunteers.

Dr Phil is speaking at a fundraiser for Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue at Yeo Valley Canteen (October 3rd) and a men-only health charity fundraiser with food, music and games at the Old School Room, Chew Magna (October 4th – tickets from Barney 07766 078533)

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Ask Dr. Hannah

HEALTH & FAMILY

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

HEALTH & FAMILY

Sheila’s story: a legacy of comfort, care and compassion Leave a gift in your will to help hospice care live on – for all, for now, forever

SHEILA Webb has experienced firsthand the difference hospice care makes and has decided to leave a gift in her will to Weston Hospicecare, officially becoming a “Hospice Guardian”.

Sheila wanted to make a lasting difference after her husband Bob was approaching the end of his life and Weston Hospicecare helped bring comfort, dignity and peace – right in the heart of their home.

Sheila’s decision to leave a gift in her will is safeguarding the future of hospice care for all, for now, forever.

Bob had been living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. Though he didn’t receive care in the hospice building itself, he was supported by one of Weston Hospicecare’s specialist community nurses, Amanda, at his home during his final months – a reminder that hospice care is about more than just a place.

It’s about the people, the compassion, and the support provided wherever it’s needed most.

“It was the last four months of his life,” Sheila recalls. “Amanda came to talk to him, and because he couldn’t speak, she just managed to get through to him – what she was asking him, and what he wanted at the end of his life.

And it did happen. That meant everything.”

It was a moment of deep connection.

In the face of heartbreak and uncertainty, Amanda’s visit gave Bob something many people wish for – a say in how he’d like his final days to be and peace of mind that someone cared enough to help.

“It was a big, big comfort to him to know that someone else knew just what he wanted to happen to him at the end of his life,” Sheila says.

Why Sheila is leaving a gift in her will For Sheila, her experience with Weston

Hospicecare left a lasting impression and a desire to give back. That’s why she has chosen to leave a gift in her will.

“I think leaving a gift in your will is so important. The hospice gets so little funding, and it’s mostly voluntary help that they get. Just a small thing – a small amount in your will – makes a big difference to people.”

On average, gifts in wills help fund care for one in every five Weston Hospicecare patients. With only around 20% of funding coming from the NHS, the rest must be raised through the generosity of our community.

Legacy gifts like Sheila’s help to make sure that others can receive the same level of care and compassion when they need it most, whether at home or in the hospice.

Leaving a gift is simple and it matters Leaving a gift in your will to Weston Hospicecare costs nothing during your lifetime, but it creates a lasting legacy of kindness and care. It could be a fixed amount, a percentage of your estate, or even a personal item.

Whatever you choose to give, your gift will help ensure that future patients

and families continue to receive the expert, compassionate support they deserve.

Weston Hospicecare is proud to be part of the National Hospice Legacy Campaign, a UK-wide initiative led by Hospice UK encouraging more people to leave a gift in their will to their local hospice. Together, we’re raising vital awareness of the impact these special gifts make, right here in our own community.

Write your will You don’t need to wait to get started.

You can create a free will online at any time through our website with Octopus Legacy. If you’d prefer to speak to a solicitor in person, Make Your Will Week will return in 2026. During this particular week, local solicitors kindly waive their fees in exchange for a donation to our hospice.

Help care live on – for all, for now, forever Sheila’s decision to leave a gift in her will is more than an act of generosity.

It’s a tribute to Bob, a thank you for the care they received, and a way to help others in the future.

You can do the same.

Details: To learn more or write your free will today, visit westonhospicecare.org.uk/gifts-in-wills or contact Abi Smart, our Legacy & Philanthropy Fundraiser, on 01934 423922.

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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MENDIP TIMES

HEALTH & FAMILY

COURT HOUSE

AWARD WINNING CARE HOME

e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is offered.

Rated by the CQC as good in all areas

e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Village show marks hall’s silver anniversary

EVENTS

MEADWAY Hall in Compton Dundon celebrated the 24th anniversary of its opening with the annual village show, complete with stalls and a band playing outside.

Exhibits on show in the hall

East Brent harvest home

Some of the members of the show organising committee

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Darren’s rotary talk

WELLS Rotary were joined for the evening by PC Darren Pearson and his son Callum, who spoke about the challenges of community policing and how Rotary could best engage with the community policing team.

Memorial service

THERE was a huge turn-out for a memorial service in Pensford for Kirit Patel, father of the village postmaster, Umang, who died in the Air India air crash while on his way to spend the summer in Pensford.

Umang said: “Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended the memorial service for our beloved father. Your presence, kind words, and shared memories brought us immense comfort during this difficult time.”

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Farewell to Dianne

MEMBERS of Clutton Trefoil Guild have said thank you to Dianne Carter for her many years of service to Midsomer Norton and Radstock Community Minibus, now managed by Age UK. They said: “Her dedication, looking after the bookings for the minibus, has enabled us to go out most months. Our trips have included boat trips, garden centres, pantomime, willow centre, just to mention a few.

There is normally a cuppa, cake or lunch somewhere as well.

“Thanks again Dianne, we will miss you but hope to continue our monthly trips.”

They hold monthly meetings on a Monday afternoon in St Peter’s Church, Westfield, Radstock.

The guild has raised more than £1,163 for the Great Western Air Ambulance, with a sales table at their meetings and a tea and cake afternoon.

Details: Lynne cluttontrefoil@gmail.com

Helicopter visit

SANDFORD WI raised £5795.73 for the Great Western Ambulance Charity last year and, as a thank you, they were invited to their base, where they were warmly greeted by two of their charity staff and met the critical care team.

A tour of the base followed where they were shown their helicopter and emergency cars as well as the very specialised medical equipment that they carry.

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COMMUNITY

Supporting cycling

FROME Community Bike Project is seeking two new directors to join the board. The group is working hard to support and encourage people to cycle more for everyday journeys.

It provides advice and affordable bikes, repairs and servicing and supports local charity Frome’s Missing Links, who are creating traffic-free routes in and around Frome.

Emma Parker, FCBP director, said: “The role only requires you to spare a couple of hours a quarter for board meetings (all fuelled by plenty of tea and biscuits of course!) and some volunteering at our events or in the workshop, all very fun and fulfilling!

The team

“We don’t require someone with loads of board experience, just someone who’s passionate about active travel and community.”

Details: https://www.fromebikeproject.org/what-we-do/work-with-us/ • emma@fromebikeproject.org • fromesmissinglinks.org.uk

It was all about the children HUNDREDS of families enjoyed two days of interactive fun and games at the Chlldren’s World Festival, held near Glastonbury.

Fields at the Paddington Farm Trust land were transformed into s riot of sound and colour complete with performances by Somerset’ own circus troupe Devito’s.

The festival was opened by the High Sheriff of Somerset, Janet Montgomery

Famiies were welcomed by stilt walker Lucy

Bubbles of fun

Facepainting by members of the Masqueraders Carnival Club

Children’s World co-founder Haggis McLeod joins in the fun on the unicycle MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 73

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Church showcase

Blagdon’s rector, the Rev Katrina Dykes, and her husband, the Rev Phil Dykes

AN open afternoon at St Andrew’s Church in Blagdon was judged an outstanding success, with tower tours a big attraction.

The Rector, the Rev. Katrina Dykes, said: “The response to the event was wonderful and we were thrilled that so many people from the local community came to enjoy the open afternoon.”

Village supports Finley

THE community is rallying round to support Finley Devine, aged six, from Blagdon, to get a new powered wheelchair.

Since his old one broke, a fundraising campaign has raised £14,000 towards the £19,000 cost, including £1,500 raised by the auction of a painting by Blagdon artist, Martin Bentham.

The chair is not Finley with his sister, Charlotte, aged available on the NHS, ten, and artist Martin Bentham but Finley’s mum, Annaliese, says it will make a huge difference to him.

She said: “Mentally he’s fine, but he has this muscle wasting disease, which at one time meant he had to be ventilated 24 hours a day. He now has enough muscle tone to use a power chair.

“It means he can join in and interact with other children playing football and games or ride over the Mead in Blagdon or along a beach.”

Finley is due to go to Blagdon Primary School at the start of the new term.

Details: Fundraiser by Mark Hichens : Finley Needs His Freedom: A Call for Support

Rachel Branston in charge of music

Tina Smith and Naomi Lyons PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Treasure hunt

THE Strawberry Line WI’s annual car treasure hunt took place on a scorching day in August. The winners were Nanette and Dale Cheasley, while the losers’ wooden spoon went to Pam and Trevor Hoddinot's team.

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Funding success for community network

WCN supporters at the announcement of the lottery award

WELLS Community Network has received a grant of almost £244,000 from the National Lottery to expand and strengthen its work in Wells and the surrounding villages.

Launched in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown, WCN – which has recently become a charity – runs a six-day-a-week phone line helping with shopping, transport requests and pharmacy deliveries and has provided vaccination marshalling, food bank deliveries and more.

It has also launched new initiatives, including a welcome hub for displaced individuals and families and a trishaw transport service to help people enjoy time outside.

WCN says the Community Fund grant of £243,757 over three years will allow it to employ a part-time manager and an administrative assistant to build on the work it began to ensure that people in the local area continue to have access to practical, low-level support.

Emma Lefevre, trustee of WCN, said: “We are profoundly grateful to The National Lottery and its players for supporting our project and believing in the work we do. This funding is not just an investment in our organisation, but in the people of Wells.”

Cream tea

INSTEAD of their usual summer outing, Bishop Sutton & Stowey WI enjoyed a cream tea at the Soap Bar café in Clutton.

Busy market

COMMUNITY

THERE was a good turn-out for August’s monthly morning market in Publow, which raised £740.95 towards the upkeep of All Saints’ Church.

The market will be back on Saturday, September 6th, 1011.30am.

Details: Judith Hillman, 01761 490324, Janet Smith, 01761 490584 or Gillian Wookey, 01761 490336

New president

Nigel Oakley (left) and John Alvis

NIGEL Oakley has taken over from John Alvis as president of Wrington Vale Rotary, after a most successful presidential year with an extensive programme of activities.

These raised about £7,000 for Somewhere to go, Air Ambulance and the club’s very extensive schools programme, as well as the weekend away for young carers, taking youngsters to Longleat and much more.

The club’s Jazz in the Orchard event at Thatchers raised £1,100 for the air ambulance, supported by 150 people.

It has a breakfast meeting at The Mendip Outdoor Centre at 8am on the first Wednesday each month. All welcome.

Details: Angie Biggs 07790 400718

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All tractors great and small

MORE than 80 tractors took part in the annual run through Glastonbury and surrounding countryside raising vital funds for the town’s carnival organisers.

The run was hosted by the Glastonbury Chilkwell Carnival committee at the Butler Carnival Park – home to six of the town’s carnival clubs – and helped towards the £30,000 needed to organise this year’s procession, due to take place on Saturday, November 15th.

Good Karma for the drivers on their way through the town centre

Carnival president Reg Cohen (centre) with two of the run organisers

Hitching a ride Fun at the wheel of a Leyland

Ready for the start of the run

Hands-free – the tractor was stationary at the time PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Caroline Taylor on a Massey

Selling raffle tickets in aid of the carnival

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Church fundraiser

FRIENDS of Cameley Church, Bob and Fiona Medland, were out fundraising at Clutton Flower Show to help restore the church’s medieval wall paintings.

The next fundraising event will be “A Feast of Baroque Music” by world-renowned musicians from Music for Awhile, on Friday, September 19th, 7pm.

It will feature Maggie Faultless and Rachel Stroud on violins and Andrew Skidmore on cello. Wine will be available - please take cash.

Details: cameleychurch@hotmail.com or https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/music-forawhile-cameley

Anniversary celebration

ST ANDREW’S Church, Holcombe is celebrating its 140th year of continuous worship and held a flower festival and exhibition to mark the occasion.

In 1881, as the Victorian congregation of Holcombe Old Church increased and the greater number of them lived some distance from the church’s setting below Moore’s Farm, they agreed to look for land in Holcombe that would accommodate both, by building a larger, new church.

After applications for a variety of permissions, the purchase of land and the drafting of plans were approved, the churchwarden, Edward Greene engaged the builder Henry Hawkins to build the new church of St Andrew on Holcombe Hill.

It was consecrated on 19 July 1885 and formally substituted for the Old Church in September 1885.

St Andrew’s support group wanted to recognise the anniversary of this achievement and invited displays and decorations from members of the congregation, members of the village and representatives of Holcombe’s clubs and organisations.

They said: “The result was a bounty of colour and style, not

COMMUNITY

Ambulance challenge

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced the return of its popular 100 Miles in October Challenge.

It invites participants of all ages and abilities to walk, run, swim, cycle, or hop their way to 100 miles throughout the month of October, while raising vital funds for the charity’s lifesaving service.

Rosie Cornelius-Light, fundraising officer, said: "Last year, the event raised an incredible £31,223.76 and we're hoping to take that success even further in 2025.”

Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk

every display being floral and some flowers skilfully crocheted.

A wedding dress re-imagined by the craft group was stunning.

Thanks go to everyone for contributing such breathtaking wonderment!”

There was also an exhibition of photos and articles recording the history of the new church building and memories from its services and its characters.

The church will celebrate its 140th anniversary again on the day of its patronal festival on St Andrew’s Day, Sunday, November 3rd.

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Summer show time is such a delight ONE of the main reasons people from outside the area want to buy properties and live in the Chew Valley is to be able to share and enjoy our lifestyle, such as our lovely summer shows and village fetes.

Wouldn’t it be great to capture their sights, sounds and smells in a bottle and call it “Eau de Chew Valley”, so we could have a sniff in the cold winter months and remind ourselves of sunny afternoons.

All my team love getting out to support these events, whether that’s Compton Martin, Clutton, Stanton Drew or Chew Stoke.

They are all very well attended and we have the chance to chat to lots of people. A good number are often our clients, who had either bought or sold through us, or who were currently buying or selling a property.

It’s also an opportunity for people who are thinking of possibly selling their home at some point in the future to have an informal conversation about what’s involved. We are always pleased to have a chance to talk about the Dedication, Imagination and Delivery that underpins our top class service, which has made us the top performing estate agent in the Chew Valley.

We can explain about how we will be with our clients every step of the way, from advising on how best to present their

HOMES & PROPERTY

home right through to helping them with the purchase of their new property, and every part of the process in between.

But we are not just at the shows to talk business. We are happy to chat about anything under the sun, whilst doing our bit to help raise money for local good causes. For example, at Clutton, we were helping The Cabin, a play group that provides an important facility for young children and their parents.

We pride ourselves on being totally immersed in the community of the Chew Valley and we are delighted to support the hard-working volunteers who keep our village shows running and ensure our traditions will live on for many years to come.

It’s all too easy to simply assume events like these will just happen, as if by magic, but it takes a lot of commitment from a large number of people who freely give up their time to make them a success.

The same goes for the people who run businesses in the Chew Valley, providing goods and services with a personal touch which means their customers don’t have to travel far afield, or even resort to the internet.

This summer let’s celebrate what it means to live in the Chew Valley, where we can enjoy both business and pleasure.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 79

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HOMES & PROPERTY

01761 439300

Specialising in Oak staircases Free no obligation quotes Free measuring Free delivery

The Staircase Manufacturing Company Limited, Unit 2A, Wellsway Works, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3RZ email: info@staircase-manufacturing.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 81

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Times ONLINE in print and online!

FREE! access to all of our recent magazines from our website FREE! links to all of our advertisers’ websites FREE! links from our features and editorial pages More information – more enjoyment No annoying pop-ups – Mendip Times pure and simple FREE! service for readers and advertisers

www.mendiptimes.co.uk PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Upcoming auctions

AUCTIONEER Richard Nancekivell is programming his two Autumn Auctions. The Cheddar Machinery Auction will be on Saturday, October 25th, 10am at Winchester Farm, Cheddar.

It will include tractor and farm machinery, diggers and plant, cider making equipment and a new pet food wholesale section.

All entry forms are on the website.

His property and land auction at Mendip Spring Golf Club on October 14th, will include two building plots at Churchill, set in a mature garden with planning for two detached houses, with views over the Mendips.

In Ubley there’s a three-bedroom semi-detached cottage in need of modernisation with a garden and views of The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the rear. It’s a must view for starter buyers In Mark there’s a bungalow and potential development yard, with potential for 2/3 plots in addition to the existing bungalow and former nursery. It would suit a forward thinking builder.

What our readers say about us . . .

I'll take this opportunity to thank you for giving us the Mendip Times every month. Through news and information and wonderful photos it does so much to foster community both in the individual towns and villages and helps us all to appreciate the riches of the Mendips: the people and the land.

Stewart Castle

HOMES & PROPERTY

Taking entries for our Autumn Auction

Churchill – 2 Building Garden Plots – Guide price £250,000 Ubley – 3 Bedroom Cottage to Modernise – Guide price £200,000 Cross – 3 acre – Investment Land – Guide price £60,000

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Development projects confidentially available including Self-building Plots, Traditional Barns with planning, Pub sites for redevelopment and Strategic Land suitable for promotion for development

Mendip Times – The local monthly magazine MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 83

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REMEMBERING VJ DAY – 80 YEARS ON

FROME ROYAL British Legion members and guests gathered in front of the town’s Memorial Theatre to mark the occasion.

A special service had been held in Christ Church and the war memorial service was followed by an event in nearby Victoria Park.

Standards are raised after a two minute’s silence The two-minute silence

Frome mayor Anita Collyer (left) and Jane Norris, Remembrance coordinator for the town’s legion branch, hold a lantern of peace

SHEPTON MALLET

Honorary Shepton Mallet RBL branch padre Jonathan HunterDunn said a prayer for peace, wreaths were laid and the branch standard dipped at the service in Shepton Mallet

WELLS

Civic dignitaries from across Mendip attended the service in Wells PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

Paper lanterns painted by children from Hiroshima were lit and floated at dusk in a service next to the Bishop’s Palace moat

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MOTORING

Bikers ride for charity

WELLS Classic Motorcycle Club’s 14th annual “Tortoise and Hare event” was held over the weekend of July 18th/20th.

Campers arrived on the Friday afternoon in preparation for a weekend of motorcycling and local sightseeing.

Saturday morning saw the “Social Scenic Run” to Avon Valley Railway at Bitton.

Wells Rugby Club was the new venue for the event

A civic wave-off for the motorcyclists

On the Sunday morning, an early morning downpour deterred some entrants and meant a damp start to the rideouts from the event’s new location at Wells Rugby Club.

The riders were “flagged off” by the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Louis Agabani, who was ably assisted by Len Sweales the town crier.

The event had about 100 motorcycles of all ages, including a “Snail” section for low-powered machines which proved popular. It raises funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and EVS Freewheelers (The Blood Bikes).

Details: www.wellsclassicmotorcycleclub.weebly.com

The car was the star

THIS Bristol 401, from 1952 and surrounded by some of the committee members, won the Car of the Show at the annual Writhlington Flower Show. The car is owned by Richard Jordan.

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs

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CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY. TEL: 01761 462275 www.ubleymotors.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 85

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MENDIP TIMES

Strangles is causing concern across the area

WITH no sign of rain, it appears my eventing season will come to an end early. I really wanted to go to Cornbury for the International 2* but I have lacked runs because the ground has been too hard and though I am running at the weekend it will be too late for Cornbury as the entries close on Tuesday, August 19th and With LUCY Wellington is the bank holiday weekend.

COUNSELL My bank balance will breathe a sigh of relief and I can have an easy autumn with some showjumping and get Eris back to progress her a bit further now she has recovered from her wolf teeth removal.

At the beginning of August, I went to Bicton for the Badminton Grassroots regional final. It was a late decision to go and do it after picking up a ticket unexpectedly at Howick in June.

After Badminton Grassroots this year I was determined that I was once and done, but with the event not ending the way I wanted it to this year, I decided to have another crack.

I think sometimes things just work out for you and that is certainly what happened this time as a disappointing dressage had me in 12th with lots of mistakes but some hard work on my showjumping with uber coach Jo May saw me picking up a rare clear round before blasting round the cross country inside the time.

I ended up coming 2nd which was beyond anything I could have hoped for. Getting to Badminton Grassroots is not easy; it’s highly competitive and I could only go to this one regional final. To nail it and not have to wait to see if I got a wild card was brilliant.

Onwards to our last event at Wellington!

Strangles is a hot topic in this area at the moment with several yards having outbreaks. Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory infection which is why it is such a problem as it’s easy for the bacteria to be passed on.

Strangles is transmitted through direct and indirect contact. It is not an airborne disease. Indirect contact can be a major cause of strangles spread, and is caused by clumps of bacteria called fomites which travel on objects – human’s hands, clothing or boots, water buckets, feed bowls etc.

It is usually no-one’s fault when outbreaks occur and the important thing is to be responsible and to limit spread if you discover you do have an infected horse. This means that strict biosecurity measures can usually limit the spread of disease when there are outbreaks. It is also further complicated by the fact that some horses can be carriers with no symptoms and pass it onto other horses.

The yard where I am based is very small with just two liveries.

One is an elderly horse who is no longer ridden and the other is a low-level showjumper who goes off to stay away for shows.

Insey normally shares a field with the showjumper but because both are off competing, we decided it was sensible to split them up and distance them from other horses and each other.

In the past Geri who owns the yard that I am on now, used to run a large livery yard and would make sure any new arrivals were strangles tested and this should be the gold standard of any livery yard with proper isolation protocols.

I have had a few horses bought over from Ireland and we always isolate for two weeks before they are allowed anywhere near the stables and other horses as they quite often have viruses from travelling or being at the sales.

They are not ridden and no equipment is shared until the twoweek period is up. I appreciate with space often at a premium on livery yards and grazing that this is not always possible.

My local equine practice, The Stables Equine, says that the best way to avoid getting Strangles is to regularly keep good biosecurity on your yard and when out or away with your horse: l Use your own feed and water buckets and don’t share with other/unknown horses l Avoid direct contact (touching) between horses when away at equine events l Avoid using shared grazing spaces when away l Handle just your own horse when away, or wash/sanitise your hands before and after touching other people’s horses l If you travel between yards or horses, wash or sanitise your hands between horses. l Monitor your horse’s temperature when you come back from events and isolate your horse immediately if your horse has a temperature or you suspect something is wrong.

With the above advice in mind, I have stopped hand grazing Insey at events and now only use my own water. Many events have hoses, taps etc to wash horses off but until this quietens down, I will just take my own supplies to reduce the chances of her being infected.

Being on a small yard means all our kit is separate and stored in our own areas so we minimise risks of spreading anything. We also take our horses’ temperatures regularly to make sure we know what is normal for our horses and to make sure we can monitor health.

During Strangles cases vets will often recommend to clients that horses are moved. This is because the horse can go home to its owners or to a field where there are no horses nearby. This means that the owner can protect their horses from it if a yard is infected or get them over it quicker without waiting for the whole yard to be clear.

If you have to wait for a whole yard to be clear this can sometimes take several months. This should only be done on vet advice and owners should be responsible making sure others are not placed at risk of infection.

Lucy Counsell is a lifelong equestrian with a passion for eventing. She set up the riding club, Equestrian Training South West, served on Area 12 Riding Club committee and has her UKCC2 qualification to coach riding

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Nunney horse trials end

THE organisers of the annual Nunney International Horse Trials have announced that it is to end permanently.

They say the fixture date is too crowded and its national and international entries were way below expectations this year.

In a statement on behalf of the organising committee, Teresa Dufosee and Bridget Parker said: “Nunney has meant so much and will be greatly missed by not only competitors of all levels, but also to our wonderful local community who supported us year after year.

“We are immensely grateful to our loyal team of volunteers, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning.

Their dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have made the event such fun.

“Our grateful thanks to all our sponsors, our main sponsors, fence sponsors and all who have generously supported us, without whom we would never get off the ground.

“And finally, our deepest thanks go to our exceptional host, Mrs Angela Yeoman and her team. Her generosity over the years has been extraordinary — not just to Nunney International, but to many other equestrian events. While the International Horse Trials may be drawing to a close, Southfield House remains a vibrant venue, with Pony Club camps and other events continuing the legacy.”

Riding club’s anniversary

EAST Mendip Riding Club celebrated their 10th birthday with a “Hobby Horse” party at Kingfisher Equestrian, Hornblotton.

The club was set up to offer local riders a noncompetitive but supportive and fun environment for them to go with their horses. During the Some of the partygoers at Hornblotton autumn and winter months, they hold weekly clinics at Kingfisher Equestrian indoor arena, including flatwork, poles for dressage and show jumping, as well as other events throughout the year.

For details, visit: wwweastmendiprc.com find them on Facebook or email eastmendipridingclub@gmail.com

RIDING

Spare a thought for horses

AFTER what felt like two years of relentless rain, this year has been quite the turnaround.

Endless sunshine and very little rain have been the theme — something everyone has noticed, whether working the land or not.

Despite the county’s lack of reservoirs, we’ve avoided hosepipe bans, and on the lower ground the grass is still growing well.

Driving across the Levels today, the fields looked in good heart.

Grass never ceases to amaze me: one season it can be yellowed and drowned under water, and the next it bounces back with astonishing resilience.

If autumn proves mild and wet, there’s every chance of a late flush of grass. In fact, in years with a mild winter, we’ve often had grazing right through into the New Year — I can even recall grass still growing in December.

Yes, hay and forage will be harder to source and more expensive, but if the weather holds fair, turnout should remain possible, reducing reliance on hay. The real challenge would come if the rain sets in and doesn’t let up. In that scenario, farmers and horse owners alike will feel the pressure.

By Pat Lawrence, Divoky Riding School

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip

Return to riding!

We all know it can be a bit of a challenge to get back in the saddle if you’ve not ridden for a while – but we have the answers!

H Ride and coffee mornings H Sunday morning 2.5hrs horse care and riding £52 H Adult group lessons H Quiet Hacks

Call or email us for more details

Divoky Riding School, Manor Farm, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4LG www.divoky.co.uk • Email: info@divoky.co.uk T: 01749 880233 • M: 07971 207037

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025 • PAGE 87

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MENDIP TIMES

Clay, cider and smoke – cycling through Somerset’s soul

IN the south of Mendip, the sprawling flat expanse of the Somerset Levels offers a cycling experience unlike any CYCLING other. Here, miles of with EDMUND quiet country lanes LODITE weave between watery dykes and wildflower meadows, painting a perfect picture of the "land of the summer people."

This gentle route, starting in the historic market town of Langport, is an immersion into Somerset's rich tapestry of cidermaking, artisanal crafts, and history. It's a journey for the senses, perfect for a sunny day's exploration.

Looping roughly 30 km (about 18 miles), this route rolls gently across the Levels, with only modest inclines. It’s a bike ride of serene motion, punctuated by stops that celebrate Somerset’s artistic, culinary and liquid traditions.

This is a wonderfully family-friendly ride, a true tour of the Levels along peaceful lanes with little traffic.

The route begins in the ancient market town of Langport, on the tranquil path by the River Parrett. For those without their own wheels, bike hire is available at Parrett Trail Bikes.

From the path, you begin by crossing a small footbridge over the river and cycling for a mile along a former railway line, now a gentle gravel track that is part of the Parrett Trail. This stretch gives way to country lanes bordered by ancient ditches and flat meadows, offering a good insight into how Somerset earned its name.

The first stop is Muchelney Abbey, one of Somerset’s most tranquil ruins. Founded in the 8th century and reborn in the 10th century as a Benedictine monastery, its foundation walls, cloister remains, and the well-preserved Abbot’s House offer a quiet

stage for imagination.

A few more pedal strokes lead to Muchelney Pottery set up in 1965 by John Leach. He designed, what has become, an iconic range of stoneware pots based on the simple strength of English country pottery.

Inside you step into a living piece of Somerset’s craft heritage and the 60th anniversary exhibition is a must for pottery enthusiasts and collectors.

From Muchelney, a network of peaceful lanes and a gentle lift in gradient leads you to the true beating heart of Somerset cider making: Burrow Hill Cider Farm. Nestled at the foot of Burrow Hill, this iconic spot offers stunning views across the Levels.

With cider being pressed for over 150 years and Somerset Cider Brandy distilled since 1989, a visit here is a sensory experience.

You can sample a tipple of their renowned brandy or sip a chilled cider under the shade of an apple tree. The setup is charmingly rustic, welcoming, and the epitome of Somerset's enduring cider culture.

From here, it’s just a few miles of cycling through pleasant villages before reaching Barrington Court, a beautiful Tudor manor house and National Trust property. Originally a run-down estate, it was lovingly restored by sugar millionaire Colonel Arthur Lyle in the 1920s.

In harvest season, visitors are invited to gather windfalls from the ten acres of orchards for cider-making – a true connection to place and fruit. The café and picnic area are a timely place to stop for a coffee and a slice of cake.

Onwards, with the wheels humming beneath you, you glide towards Hambridge, home to Brown & Forrest, a traditional family-run smokery overlooking the Somerset Levels.

Here, they craft the finest hot and cold

smoked delights, from succulent smoked salmon and trout to rich duck, chicken, and smoked cheese. The shop and café invite you to linger, browse, taste and buy – rural indulgence at its best.

The last section follows peaceful lanes across the Somerset Levels and returns to Langport along the Parrett Trail, with the glow of cider, clay, and smoke still lingering. Your ride hasn’t just travelled miles, but centuries – through monastic hush, potter’s heat, orchard shade and smoky kitchens.

Perhaps reflect on those memories as you dip your feet in the River Parrett, or for a truly memorable end to the day enjoy some wild swimming from the jetties by the riverside path.

This isn’t cycling for speed or mileage – it’s cycling for story and sensation. Wheels carry you not away from something, but toward it: heritage, art, flavour, landscape.

It’s a cycling tour both easy on legs and rich in memory. In brief, you’ve cycled through time – arriving through monastic stones, clay turned in kiln, orchard distilled into golden dram, restored heritage, and smoke-born savour.

Each place whispers history and craft; each pedal stroke is a breath between places, a soft conversation with Somerset’s soul.

SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Backwell 5. Scarab 9. Totality 10. Horror 12. Acetylene 13. Kebab 14. Achy 16. Sceptic 19. Abandon 21. Bake 24. Layer 25. Grand Pier 27. Wah-wah 28. Idleness 29. Demand 30. Inflated. DOWN: 1. Botham 2. Cutler 3. Welly 4. Lottery 6. Crook Peak 7. Rarebits 8. Birnbeck 11. Ness 15. Cider Barn 17. Hallowed 18. Babycham 20. Nigh 21. Blagdon 22. Bisect 23. Erased 26. Dwell.

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SPORT

Bowled over

WRINGTON Bowling Club says it would like to say a “big thank you” to Anne Thatcher from Thatchers who sponsored their newlyinstalled safety rails and access ramp by donating £1500.

They said:

“It was great to have Anne at our club and we are delighted for the kind and generous donation.

“We have a wonderful facility in the centre of our village and would like to take this opportunity and remind villagers of all ages of the opportunity to join us for fun games and social activities.”

WELLS City Archers had a wonderful day at The Bishop’s Palace on Saturday, July 26th for the fourth annual Maria Eden Archery Tournament.

The tournament is unique to Wells City Archers and the Bishop’s Palace and is named after Maria Eden, 5th daughter of Robert John Eden, 3rd Baron Auckland, and Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1854 to 1869.

Maria is credited with being a keen archer and a longbow enthusiast. The tournament is held in two sessions, (morning and afternoon) and comprises of a “Palace Round” – four dozen arrows at 20 yards on a 60cm target, which was devised especially for the Maria Eden.

Competitors can use a traditional wooden longbow or a modern Olympic recurve bow, either “barebow” or sighted.

This year there were 33 archers competing across the two sessions, with 11 gold, seven silver and four bronze medals being awarded across the different shooting categories (age, gender and bow type) at the end of the day.

Trophies for the overall winners of the four main categories were awarded to Clare Hudsmith (Young Archers champion), Jayson Nickholds (Barebow champion), Dave Hudsmith (Recurve champion) and Richard Gregory (Longbow Champion).

Wells City Archers said they would like to extend their thanks to The Bishop’s Palace for once again welcoming

them back and to Indigo Archery for sponsoring the event by supplying the targets, as well as running a Have a Go range for visitors to the palace.

Wells City Archers is a friendly and active club, with a membership that currently stands at over 100. It was established in the mid-1960s and is located at Wells Sports Ground in the heart of the city, They have an indoor range, an outdoor range, kitchen facilities, WC, meeting area, kit maintenance area and club equipment.

They have monthly club tournaments, club nights and social gatherings. They have a great coaching team and offer weekly coaching sessions for all members. Their young archers have a dedicated session each week.

Details: https://wringtonbowlingclub.org/

Archery at the Palace

Details: www.wellscityarchers.com

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Autumn season

YATTON Music Society start their autumn season with a prestigious concert by the brilliant violinist Leora Cohen, a double first graduate from Cambridge University with two diplomas from the Royal College of Music.

Her accompanist, Adrian Partington, is Gloucester Cathedral’s director Leora Cohen of music, conductor of the Three Choirs Festival and an organ soloist with the Berlin and BBC Philharmonics.

The first half of their concert will be a violin/organ recital and the second half a violin/piano recital.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Yatton.

Tickets are £15, YMS members and students £10, Details: www.yms.org.uk

Singing for the Amulet

Priston festival

PRISTON Music Festival is back for its 16th year, from Friday, September 19th to Sunday, September 21st.

There’s a great line-up of 36 acts over the weekend, with gigs on two specially built stages and in the village hall, the Ring O’ Bells pub and church.

The programme also includes children’s eco-art workshops, The Story World tent, music workshop with Sing-a-Ling, and Planet Puppets performances.

There will be five music workshops to join in with; skiffle; ukulele; harmony singing; community choir; and folk workshop; also session playing and a spectacular display of dancing by five Morris sides on Sunday morning.

There will be bars, food, cream teas and other stalls. It is £10 to park a car all day (lift sharing is greatly encouraged), but the main festival is free entry, no ticket.

The opening night in the village hall on Friday with Mishra is ticketed.

Details: www.priston.org.uk/festival

Summer concert

Sue, holding a bodhran, with some of the singers

A COMMUNITY sing-along was held in Shepton Mallet to raise funds towards the campaign to buy the Amulet venue in the town.

Led by Sue Rushworth, the informal drop-in event took place in the complex in support of Let’s Buy the Amulet, a community share offer currently underway.

For details about events at the venue as well as the share offer, visit: ww.buytheamulet.org.uk

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

MENDIP Male Voice Choir closed a successful summer season performing to a packed Midsomer Norton Methodist Church at its annual summer concert on Monday, July 14th.

It was the final concert in its “Songs from Stage and Screen” season, giving the Mendip Men an opportunity to introduce some new songs, mixed with some old favourites.

Musical director, Kate Courage, said “The singers were in fine voice and it was good preparation for our forthcoming Welsh tour in September.”

The choir now takes a break over the summer before preparing for its autumn series.

Details: John Kendall PR@mendipmen.co.uk 07941 782956

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National championships

MUSIC & THEATRE

World first for Stowey Church David Bednall

GLASTONBURY Brass will be heading to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain after qualifying with their third place success at the West of England Brass Band Regional Championships back in March.

Glastonbury Brass’s division (Section 1) will hold their contest on September 13th at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Preparations for this year's competition are going strong under the band’s musical director, former bandmaster of the Grenadier Guards, Liam Grunsell.

He said: “The band is performing well, and I'm confident we will make all the right moves on the day.”

After the competition, they will be performing in Bridgwater on September 28th with a concert packed full of exciting music.

Details: glastonburybrass@gmail.com Facebook • YouTube

Somerset International Festival of the Arts

TICKETS are now on sale for the Somerset International Festival of the Arts from October 3rd-5th at St Andrew’s Church Backwell, with their resident orchestra The Bristol Ensemble.

The festival opens with Baroque ‘n’ Roll on the Friday, featuring a unique and eclectic programme of Baroque and Modern Rock classics.

On Saturday Music For Miniatures will present a magical family concert of Musical Myths and Legends, followed by a mesmerising concert that evening – La Vie en Rose: A Tribute to Edith Piaf with live orchestra by candlelight, featuring some of her most memorable works.

The festival concludes with a fabulous Viennese Spectacular on the Sunday evening, capturing the exhilarating atmosphere of 19th century Vienna with the famous waltzes from Johann Strauss II. Tickets this year will include a free interval drink and the opportunity to view their new SIFA Arts exhibition, an exciting collaboration with local artists from across the region to present their work for the duration of the 2025 festival.

Details: https://www.somersetfestivalarts.co.uk/2025festival

STOWEY Church is hosting the sixth in a series of occasional organ recitals by leading organists on Saturday, September 27th at 7pm.

The programme contains music from Mediaeval to modern and culminates in a piece specially commissioned from David Bednall by a Stowey parishioner, which will have its world premiere at the concert.

David is recognised as one of the leading composers of his generation. His appointments include Choral Director at Clifton Cathedral, Director of Bristol Bach Choir, Bristol Chamber Choir and Chew Valley Choral Society, alongside an extensive freelance career.

David is most prominent as a composer and his works are widely performed and recorded and regularly broadcast on Radio 3, 4, and Classic FM. His work has garnered superb international critical acclaim.

Churchwarden, Jill Nicol, said: “We’re very fortunate that David has agreed to undertake this recital and that it will include his new organ voluntary. The recital will be live screened within the church courtesy of the Bristol and District Organists’ Association, enabling everyone to have a good view of David’s skills on the manual and pedals.

“And we’ll all be able to see the newly cleaned and conserved mural over the chancel arch.”

The recital is one of the activities being undertaken as part of the Stowey Revived Project, a major church conservation project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tickets are £15 to include interval refreshments.

Details: sue.skinner@stoweychurch.com 01275 333456

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Choir’s “pilgrimage” coming to Wells

WELLS Cathedral will host a concert by acclaimed choir The Sixteen as part of a nationwide tour which sees them visit more than 20 locations across the span of seven months.

This year’s “pilgrimage” titled An Angel of Peace focuses on bringing peace and tranquillity to day-to-day life, with performances of today’s finest composers Anna Clyne, Arvo Pärt and Will Todd, in addition to the healing and wondrous music of Hildegard of Bingen and John Taverner.

Each year, The Sixteen highlight a new work for the choral repertory, and this year introduce Orbits by Anna Clyne for choir and solo violin.

The Sixteen, founded in 1979 by conductor Harry Christophers, are performing at Wells Cathedral on Friday, September 12th at 7.30pm. l The programme from the tour is also featured in The Sixteen’s new album on the CORO label, which is now available to download. To listen to the album, visit: https://promo.theorchard.com/iMGuKH3whoPFieAT0u4Y

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Choral excellence at Downside Abbey

DUBBED "The British Von Trapps" by The Times (2023), the Bevan Family Consort has earned a reputation for their extraordinary choral excellence, a tradition rooted in one of the UK's most illustrious musical families.

Following the launch of their third and latest album, Attende Domine: Music for Lent & Passiontide, the choir have chosen to return to their native Somerset on Friday, December 19th to give a one-off performance at Downside Abbey, where their grandfather Roger Bevan was Director of Music for more than 40 years.

Audiences can expect an enchanting evening hearing familiar works from the canon of sacred choral music by Palestrina and Byrd, as well as pieces from the late Romantic period by composers such as Parry and Stanford, not to mention those of the 20th century, including Colin Mawby and David Bevan.

The concert will be performed in aid of the Bevan Chorister Award, a recently established music scholarship in the name of the Bevan family and its long connection with music at Downside School and Abbey.

Led by the internationally renowned lyric sopranos, Mary and Sophie Bevan, The Bevan Family Consort captured the imagination of the public with their debut album in 2023, Vidi Speciosam: Sacred

WHAT’S ON

Choral Music’ (SIGCD746).

Described as “[A] lovingly curated selection of works for voices…

All received performances of exquisite subtlety and clarity”, Vidi Speciosam: Sacred Choral Music was among The Times’ Best Albums of 2023.

Their highly anticipated Christmas album, Christmas with the Bevan Family Consort (SIGCD909), was released on 18 October 2024, and also garnered critical praise.

Music Web International described the record as “technically impeccable… [the] performances fizz with Christmas spirit and will enrich any seasonal get-together.”

Attende Domine: Music for Lent & Passiontide (SIGCD892), released in spring 2025, was given 5/5 by BBC Classical Music Magazine, with its ensemble singing described as “consistently faultless”, with a “sumptuous, expressive tone”.

All three albums are available to order now from Signum Records via signumrecords.com, and to stream online via Spotify and Apple Music.

Join the Bevan Family Consort this September as they bring the warmth and wonder of a variety of music from different periods to life through their exquisite vocal talents and cherished family tradition.

Tickets: £25 / £12.50 (under 18s) available on the door or via https://www.downside.co.uk/the-bevan-family-consort-2025/

E th th h

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Festival is eco-friendly

AN author at this year's Wells Festival of Literature is on the shortlist of the 2025 Wainwright prize, a celebration of nature and conservation writing, for her latest book A Training School for Elephants.

Sophy Roberts followed in the footsteps of four elephants shipped from India to the East Stuart Maconie has a new book African coast in 1879, digging about the Beatles deep into historical records to reveal the extraordinary story of colonial greed.

Conservation is a hot topic and other such speakers include climate expert Mike Berners-Lee and naturalist James Canton.

Music is also a popular genre, and writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie's new book will be music to the ears of anyone who loved, or still loves, the Beatles.

A regular host on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 6, Maconie's book With A Little Help From Their Friends goes behind the scenes of the four lads from Liverpool whose music changed the world.

Details: www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk

There’s so much to enjoy this September

Rail 200 Gala Sunday, September 28th. Join us to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway

Wickham Trolley rides every Wednesday in September

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR OUR HALLOWEEN TRAIN RIDE SPECIALS. RIDE THE HAUNTED DMU ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! For details and to book: www.sdjr.co.uk

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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Historic venue

WHAT’S ON

THE Heywood Literary Festival, in rural Wiltshire, is one with a difference - as nearly all the events take place inside Heywood House, the listed II* Jacobean Mansion with links to Shakespeare, the UK’s oldest botanic garden and a Lord High Treasurer to Kings of England.

Headliners include Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s greatest evolutionary scientists, and Samantha Harvey, the 2024 Booker Prize Winner. It takes place on October 18th and 19th 2025. Book early as numbers are restricted.

Details: https://heywoodhousetalks.co.uk/

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MENDIP TIMES

T H E

M E N D I P

T I M E S

W H A T ’ S

Commercial entries cost £25. We’re happy to offer entries for non-profit community group meetings and charity fundraisers free of charge. If you feel that your entry fits our criteria for free publicity please state why – and send a succinct single paragraph, in a format that can be copied and pasted to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk

Wednesday August 27th Taradiddle’s UK Tour: Swiss acoustic trio with beautiful close harmonies, 7.30 for 8pm Winscombe Folk Club in “the room upstairs”, Winscombe Club, BS25 1HD. Entry free but a hat will be passed to support their travel expenses. See: www.taradiddle.ch Wednesday August 27th to Sunday 31st Hutton Festival: many different events and lots of live music. For full details see: www.huttonsomerset.org.uk Thursday August 28th Chilcompton Gardening Club visit to the American Museum, Bath. Details on Facebook.

Friday August 29th Wrington Vale Rotary Outdoor Cinema Experience: Quidditch, fireshow, food, drink and entertainment! Tickets £15. Details: www.mendipfest.co.uk Saturday August 30th Wrington Vale Rotary Mendip Family Festival Music Night. Mendip Activity Centre. Lots of live music, food and drink. Tickets from £15. Details: www.mendipfest.co.uk Stanton Drew Flower show, 1.30, village hall, paddock and church. Details: www.stantondrew.org Wrington Show, Memorial Hall, 2.30pm. Details: wringtonshow@gmail.com Midsomer Norton Coffee Morning 10am-12 Methodist Church. Raffle & cake stall raising funds for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Wednesday Afternoon Group.

Wells Repair Café, 10am-12.30 Wells Library, Union St. Bring clean, broken items of all kinds and our volunteers will do their best to fix them.

Bring leads/chargers. All welcome. Details on Facebook or: repaircafe.wells@gmail.com Sunday August 31st Cream tea and £1 square raffle from 2pm, Priddy village hall. In aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Details: Jo Creed 0796 8033050.

Poldark and Pimms, 2pm-4pm Holcombe Old Church – where some filming for the series took place.

St Hugh’s, Charterhouse: Arts and Crafts styled chapel, aims to be open each Sunday until 14th Sept, 2pm to 5pm, if we have enough volunteers!

Teas and toilets. All welcome, incl dogs. Details: chris.ball66@gmail.com Wedmore 40/30 charity cycle ride for Weston Hospicecare and St Mary’s church. Details on Facebook.

Monday September 1st RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch Meeting, 11am Wells Golf Club. Talk “The History of the Royal Observer Corps” by Dave Rogers followed by lunch. Details: rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458-224057.

Congresbury Memorial Hall Club: Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Visitors welcome.

Tuesday September 2nd Stowey Revived project “If walls could talk: the story of the Henry Strachey Murals” Stowey Church, 7pm. Details: activities.stoweyrevived@outlook.com Congresbury Singers welcome new members for PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

their autumn term, 7.30pm War Memorial Hall.

No audition! Details: 07803040175 Wednesday September 3rd Clevedon Gardener’s Club 1st and 3rd Wed. each month, 7.30pm Kenn Rd Methodist Church Hall, Clevedon BS21 6LH. Details: clevedongardeners.chessck.co.uk Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers visit to Cadbury Garden Centre for afternoon tea – booking essential – contact Beverley 01275 463215.

Pensford Super Soup Lunch 12 to 2pm, Old School Room. All welcome. Details: Jane 07780 677253.

Wrington Vale Rotary breakfast meeting at Mendip Activity Centre 8 till 9. Marine Animals.

Optional bap! Just arrive or call Angie 07790 400718.

Wednesday September 3rd to Monday Sept 15th Exhibition of “Women Change Makers” in the cloisters of Wells Cathedral. Stunning photographs and podcasts of the stories of some of the most inspiring women working today.

Thursday September 4th Chew Valley Death Café meets 12-1.30pm Community Library Bishop Sutton, first Thursday every month. A safe supportive space to talk about life, death and loss over tea and cake. All welcome. Please contact: bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com Wells Scottish Dancers the Blue School Dance Studio BA5 2NR. Every Thurs 6.30–8.30pm.

Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or email ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com Paulton Folk Night 8.30pm Red Lion. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome.

Details: richardlm397@gmail.com Joyful Spirit Choir meets every Thursday, 7.15pm Wrington Chapel, Ropers Lane BS40 5NH. If you love to sing come and join us – all welcome! Details: joyfulspiritrehearsals@gmail.com Cheddar Valley u3a talk ‘Child gambler wins back his life’ by Paul Isherwood, 2pm Cheddar village hall BS27 3RF, £2.

Congresbury Gardening Club talk by Sally Next: “Growing veg in small spaces”, 7 for 7-30 Congresbury Methodist Hall. Please allow time to pay membership fees! Visitors welcome. Details: www.congresburygardeningclub .com Friday September 5th Steve Davis, six times World Snooker Champion, speaking 7.30pm Felton Village Hall, BS40 9UF. Tickets £15 incl refreshments, from Angela: 01275 472223. For the Village Hall and Feline Fine Foundation.

Crickham, Cocklake and Clewer 3Cs harvest home. Details the3cs.ccc@gmail.com or FB. Firm Roots Cancer Prayer & Support meets on the first Friday monthly 2.30-4pm Clevedon Baptist Church, Station Rd, BS21 6NH. A small friendly group for anyone affected by cancer.

Details: www.firmroots.org.uk or call Kate 07505 580297.

Saturday September 6th Chilcompton Flower Show. Details on Facebook:

Chilcompton Gardeners.

Chew Stoke Harvest Home 12.30 to 5pm in field opp. Chew Valley school, BS40 8QB. Details: www.chewstokeharvesthome.org.uk Chew Stoke Hoedown at 7.30pm: www.valleyarts.co.uk Shipham Harvest Home. Details: Facebook.

Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Group Walk for a Life, from Quaker Meeting House, Taunton TA1 4EP, 10.30am. Details on Facebook.

Publow Church market, 10-11.30am. £1 entry incl tea and biscuits. Stalls, home baking. Details 01761 490324, or 490336.

Winford Flower & Craft Show from 2.30pm village hall. Adults £1 children free.

Saturday September 6th and Sunday 7th Pilton Show: Sat: Flowers & Fete 2-5 pm: dog show, etc. Barn Dance with Rapscallion 7-11pm.

Sunday: Five-a-side football 12.30-2.30. Live music 3pm. Bar & teas until 5pm. Details ww.piltonflowershow.org.uk Sunday September 7th North Somerset Ploughing postponed until March because of the drought, craft and produce show likely to go ahead, 10am, Lower Stock Farm, Wrington BS40 5HT. Details: www.nsas.org.uk Dave Saunders & Harry Skinner, 4pm 6pm Caryford Hall, Castle Cary BA7 7JW. Tickets £10.

Charity Garden Party: stalls, music from “Vintage Cheddar”, raffle, homemade cakes and teas. 1.30-5.30pm Hollowtree House, Folly Lane, Stowey, BS39 4DW. Raising funds for “Safe Haven for Donkeys”.

Monday September 8th Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8-10pm St James’s Church Winscombe BS25 1BA. All welcome, 2nd 4th & 5th Mondays, £3 incl refreshments. Details: Pat 01934 742853 Nailsea & District Local History Society talk by Yvonne Bell “Keep your hair on” 7.45pm Nailsea School, BS48 2HN. Visitors welcome £3. Details: 01275 463479 or www.ndlhs.org.uk Priddy Folk Session 8.30pm Queen Victoria.

Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com Cheddar Valley Singers, Mondays 7pm Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: cheddarvalleysingers@gmail.com or Facebook.

Weston Civic Society: talk giving details about the proposed replacement of the Winterstoke Rd bridge over the railway. 7 for 7.30pm Weston Museum. All welcome, £2. Details: www.westoncivicsociety.org.uk Norton Radstock u3a talk: “Having an assistance dog” 1.30-4pm Somer Centre, M Norton BA3 2HU. Visitors welcome. Details www.norrad.u3asite.uk Tuesday September 9th Clutton History Group talk “Aspects of Redland” by Bill Evans, 7.30pm village hall, Venus Lane, BS39 5SP. Visitors welcome, £5 incl refreshments. Details: 07341 266986 or Chris.border@live.co.uk Crook Peak Music Festival: Harp Recital by Mary Reid, 6pm St Andrew’s Compton Bishop BS26 2HF. £10 on door incl glass of wine or beer.

O N

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O N

G U I D E

F O R

Parkinson’s NW Somerset Support Group Singalong 2.30-4pm St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea. No skill needed! Friendly group singing well known favourites.

Jazz Jam with the Valley Arts House band, all levels welcome. 8pm The Pelican, Chew Magna.

Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Timsbury Gardening Club: Mike Horler ‘Early Life in Timsbury’ 7.30pm Conygre Hall BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £2. Details: www.timsbury.org.uk Shipham, Rowberrow & Star History Society AGM, then talk by Baz Hamblin: “Time gentlemen please!” 7.15 for 7.30pm Shipham Village Hall, BS25 1SG. Visitors £4. Details: Jan 01934 260784.

Frome Selwood Horticultural Society talk: “Dazzling dahlias” by Bella Given, 7.20 for 7.30pm Critchill School. BA11 4LD. Details: 0777 620 8531 jane.norris9@gmail.com Frome Selwood Horticultural Society talk: “Dazzling Dahlias" by Bella Given, Exeter, 7.20pm. Critchill School, Frome, BA11 4LD. Details 0777 620 8531 or jane.norris9@gmail.com Wednesday September 10th Bereavement Help Point, Shepton Mallet: an informal, supportive space where you can meet others who may be experiencing similar feelings.

All welcome. Free drop-in, 10-11.45am, Shepton Brasserie, 64 High St. Details: 0345 0310 555 or dorothyhouse.co.uk Kilmersdon Gardeners Club talk “Heritage Vegetables” by Chris Smith, Pennard Plants, 7.15 for 7.30 village hall, BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome, £3. www.kilmersdongardeners.org Mendip Storytelling Circle, Story Evening 730pm Ston Easton Village Hall, BA3 4DA. All welcome, £5. Details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com 01275 332735.

Thursday September 11th Draycott Art Club sessions 10am-1pm & 2-4pm every Thursday Memorial Hall BS27 3UE. All welcome. Details: draycottartclub.mendip@gmail.com Sing2breathe for breathlessness – for breathing control and posture 2.15-3.30pm every Thursday Priory Health Centre outpatients, Wells. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.

Chew Valley Garden Society talk by Jon Wheatley: “Britain in Bloom, the RHS and Mexico City” 8pm Stanton Drew village hall.

Easy access and parking.

Friday September 12th Wells & District Wildlife Group: Watching bats around the Bishop’s Palace moat, using a bat detector to listen to their calls. 8.30pm to about 10.30. Details: www.wdwg.org.uk or phone 07415 350062.

The Sixteen, Angel of Peace, Wells Cathedral, 7.30. Details: 0333 010 2850.

Friday September 12th to Sunday 14th Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival, St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna, various events and prize-giving by the Bishop of Bath and Wells on Sunday. Details: www.chewvalleynpf.wordpress.com/ Saturday September 13th Uphill Village Market 9.30-12.30, Victory Hall, Westfield Rd, BS23 4UH. Details: Leigh 01934 628373.

S E P T E M B E R

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws etc.

Frome Cheese Show. Details: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk Parkinson’s NW Somerset Support Group meeting, 10.30-12.15pm, St Francis Church, Nailsea, coffee and chat, speaker Les Davies on the Mendips.

Charity Coffee Morning in aid of Dorothy House Hospice, 10-12pm Simbriss Farm, Oakhill BA3 5BA. Raffle and stalls for Cats Protection, Fibromyalgia and Dementia.

Temple Cloud in Bloom invite others to join their working party. Meet at the garage. 10am to 12 with a mid-morning break for cake! Details: tcibinfo@yahoo.com or Facebook.

Backwell’s Second Saturday Fair Trade Café. Backwell Parish Hall 10 am to 12 noon.

Saturday September 13th to 28th Somerset Open Studios discover the artists and workshops in our communities! Details: www.somersetartworks.co.uk Sunday September 14th Clevedon & District Model Boat Club sail at Clevedon Marine Lake, 10am second Sunday monthly. All very welcome to come and join us to sail and chat! See: www.clevedonanddistrictmodelboatclub.co.uk 85th Anniversary Battle of Britain Service 11am St Michael’s church, Park Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BP. Multi-denominational service followed by wreath laying at the War Memorial. All welcome. Details: rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458-224057.

Oxfam Quiz Night 7 for 7.30pm St Thomas's Church hall, Wells. Teams of up to six, £5pp. No bar so please BYO. Raffle prizes welcome. To book, call Terry, 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com Tuesday September 16th Crook Peak Music Festival: the Wedmore Ensemble: cello, violin and piano, 6pm St Congar’s, Badgworth BS26 2QP. £10 on door incl glass of wine or beer.

Wrington Local History Society: talk by Clive Burlton “Trenches to Trams” – the story of George Pine, a Bristol Tommy. 7.30 for 8pm Wrington URC Chapel, Roper's Lane, BS40 5NF. All welcome, visitors £2.50 incl tea/coffee. Details: osmansteve@yahoo.co.uk Wednesday September 17th Sing2breathe for breathlessness – learn techniques for breathing control and improved posture. 1.45 to 3pm every Weds, Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.

Pensford Soup Lunch 12 to 2pm, Old School Room. All welcome. Details: Jane 07780 677253.

Henton & District Gardening Club talk by Val Bourne “Bombproof roses for the modern gardener” – managing without using chemicals. 7 for 7.30pm Henton Village Hall. Visitors welcome, £5. Details www.hentongardenclub.weebly.com Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas's Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome.

Details: wellsfdc.co.uk Friends of Weston Museum AGM (members only) at 2.15 then talk at 2.45pm by Lorraine Stanley: “30 Years of metal detecting” to which visitors are very welcome, £4. Details: www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofthemuseumw

WHAT’S ON

2 0 2 5

sm/ or David 01934 876670.

Thursday September 18th Shipham & District Garden Club talk by David Moon, “Gardens of the National Trust”, 7.30pm Shipham village hall, BS25 1SG. Cheddar Vally u3a Coffee Morning 10 -11.30 am Village Hall, BS27 3RF. £1.

Yatton & District Horticultural Society talk: “House plants” by Michael Smith 8pm Hangstones Pavilion, Stowey Rd, BS49 4HS. Wrington Gardening Club: ‘The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum and Wildside’ by Hilary Little, 7.30pm Wrington Memorial Hall BS40 5QL Thursday Sept 18th to Saturday Sept 20th Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival. Details: www.yvogardenfestival.co.uk Friday September 19th Save the Children Lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall. Soup, bread and cheese, biscuits, tea/coffee. £5.50.

Cameley Church “Feast of Baroque Music” by Music for Awhile, for the wall paintings restoration work. 7.30pm, ticket only, by email: cameleychurch@hotmail.com or www.visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/music-forawhile-cameley North Somerset Quilters. Speaker Jackie Benstead “Why I make small quilts” 7.30pm Backwell WI Hall, Station Rd., BS48 3QW Visitors welcome £7. Details Karen 01275 463119.

Samaritans quiz night, Weston cricket club, 7pm. Details: michelle.mcquarrie@samaritans.org Saturday September 20th Eat & Drink Arts Festival, Victoria Club, Street, 9-3pm, raising funds for Lime Kiln carnival club, Bridgwater. Details: eatdrinkartsfestival@gmail.com An evening with Andy McConnell of Antiques Roadshow, 7pm Kilmersdon village hall, in aid of Womankind Bristol. Tickets £12 from: https://Andyatkilmersdon.eventbrite.co.uk Claverham Market: 10am-12pm Village Hall.

Butcher, veg, crafts etc. Details: 01934 830553.

Bingo: West Harptree Memorial Hall, 6pm doors open, 7pm eyes down, all ages. Full bar.

Garage Sale 10am-4pm Easton village, on A371 west of Wells. Trail maps and refreshments at the Church Room, BA5 1EH. Saturday September 20th and Sunday Sept 21st Priston Music Festival. Events free, £10 parking.

Details: www.priston.org.uk/festival Sunday September 21st Puxton: traditional Harvest Service at the “redundant” Church of Holy Saviour, 4pm. All welcome. Collection for the Churches Conservation Trust. Any food donations suitable for a foodbank, please.

Monday September 22nd Congresbury Memorial Hall Club: Friendship evening with Bingo, 8pm, War Memorial Hall.

Visitors welcome.

Tuesday September 23rd Winscombe Folk & Acoustic Club 7.30 for 8pm in the quiet “Room Upstairs”, Winscombe Club, BS25 1HD. Open mic for music, song, poetry.

Every 4th Tuesday £2.

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

T H E M E N D I P T I M E S W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E F O R S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 C O N T.

Crook Peak Music Festival: Adam’s Apple Jazz Trio, 6pm St Gregory's, Weare BS26 2LE, £10 on the door incl glass of wine or beer.

Open Mic Music Night 7.45pm The Pony, Chew Magna. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Parkinson’s NW Somerset Support Group Singalong 2.30 to 4pm St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea. No skill needed! Join our friendly group to sing popular songs and old favourites.

Chilcompton Gardening Club: “American Museum plant and garden highlights” with head gardener Alison Stevens, 7.30pm village hall. All welcome. Details on Facebook.

Wednesday September 24th Bereavement Help Point, Shepton Mallet: an informal, supportive space where you can meet others who may be experiencing similar feelings.

All welcome. Free drop-in, 10-11.45am, Shepton Brasserie, 64 High St. Details: 0345 0310 555 or dorothyhouse.co.uk Mendip Ploughing Match on land adjoining Franklyns Farm, Chewton Mendip. Details: www.mendipploughingsociety.co.uk Wells Folk Night 8pm City Arms. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome. Details: richardlm397@gmail.com Frome Society: Dr Mark Hailwood evokes working class life in 17th century Somerset, 7 for 7.30pm Frome Cricket Club BA11 2AH. Free (charity donation).

Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas's Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome.

Details: wellsfdc.co.uk Harptrees History Society: Prof Ronald Hutton “The English Civil War” Visitors £3. Booking opens 10th Sept by email: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Subject line “Sept 2025"”.

Adult Performing Company – join our free weekly classes led by director Simon Shorrock.

7.30pm Chew Magna Baptist Church. Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Friday September 26th Radstock Folk Dance Club, every Friday 810pm St Peter’s Church Hall, Westfield. Beginners welcome, partners not essential, £3 incl refreshments. Details: heather.m.leverton@gmail.com Camelot Area u3a talk by Jeremy Prescott, ‘The miracle flower, from Flanders to the Tower’ 2.30pm, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary BA7 7JJ.

Visitors welcome, £2 incl refreshments. Details www.camelot-area.u3asite.uk High & Dry shanty band 7.30pm Old School Rooms, Chew Magna. Details: www.valleyarts.co.uk Whitchurch Local History Society ‘The Bristol Blitz’ with Robert Pritchard, 7.30pm United Reformed Chapel, Bristol Rd, BS14 0PQ. Visitors welcome. Details: 01275 830869.

Saturday September 27th Wells Repair Café, 10am-12.30 St Thomas’s Church Hall BA5 2UZ. Bring clean, broken items of all kinds and our volunteers will do their best to fix them! Bring leads/chargers. All welcome.

Details on Facebook or: repaircafe.wells@gmail.com Congresbury Book Sale: 9am–1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws etc.

Yatton Music Society: Leira Cohen (violin) with Adrian Partington (organ and piano), 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church. Tickets £15 (members £10).

Details: www.yms.org.uk Stowey Revived project – organ recital with David Bednall, Stowey Church, 7pm. Details: sue.skinner@stoweychurch.com 01275 333456 Sunday September 28th Crook Peak Music Festival Special Choir choral Evensong, 6pm St Congar's, Badgworth.

Glastonbury Brass Concert 3pm Bridgwater Salvation Army, TA6 4JS. Tickets on the door.

Discover Freemasonry Coffee Morning 10am-12 Masonic Hall, Redfield Rd, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2JN. Disabled access from the rear car park.

Families and dogs welcome. For Macmillan Cancer support. Details: Chris 07768 778169.

Monday September 29th Norton Radstock u3a Coffee morning 10am-12, Somer Centre, M Norton BA3 2UH. Visitors welcome. Details www.norrad.u3a.uk Tuesday September 30th Joyful Voices: fill your afternoon with song!

Tuesdays 1.30-3pm Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: joyfulvoicesafternoon@gmail.com Crook Peak Music Festival closes with soprano Debra and pianist Robert Anderson. Songs from 17th century Baroque to American jazz, 6pm St Mary the Virgin, Christon BS26 2XX, £10 on the door incl glass of wine or beer.

Weston u3a meet for coffee 10am almost every Tuesday at the Friends Meeting House, 6 High St WsM BS23 1JF. All welcome!

Wells & District Wildlife Group: “Somerset’s Coast – a living landscape” Nigel Phillips will describe the huge diversity of landscapes and wildlife here, 7:30pm, Wells Museum. Details: www.wdwg.org.uk or 07415 350062.

Wednesday October 1st Clevedon Gardener’s Club 1st and 3rd Wed. each month, 7.30pm Kenn Rd Methodist Church Hall, Clevedon BS21 6LH. Details: clevedongardeners.chessck.co.uk Sing2breathe for breathlessness – learn techniques for breathing control and improved posture, 1.45 to 3pm every Weds, Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.

Wednesday October 1st Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers: Ken Hunt “Travelling with Ken” 2-3.30pm, WI Hall, Backwell.

Talk: “The Roman Civil War: Republic to Empire” by Dr Michael Watts, 7.30pm Chew Magna Millenium Hall. £5pp. Raising funds to restore the Chew Magna Pound. To reserve seats email: rcade47@gmail.com Thursday October 2nd Chew Valley Death Café meets 12-1.30pm Community Library Bishop Sutton, first Thursday every month. A safe supportive space to talk about life, death and loss over tea and cake. All welcome. Please contact: bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com Wells Scottish Dancers the Blue School Dance Studio BA5 2NR. Every Thurs 6.30–8.30pm.

Beginners welcome. Tel 01934 740065 or email ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com Paulton Folk Night 8.30pm Red Lion. Music, song and good company! Free. All welcome.

Details: richardlm397@gmail.com Draycott Art Club sessions 10am-1pm & 2-4pm every Thursday Memorial Hall BS27 3UE. All welcome. Details: draycottartclub.mendip@gmail.com Sing2breathe for breathlessness – for breathing control and posture 2.15-3.30pm every Thursday Priory Health Centre outpatients, Wells. Details: Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.

Joyful Spirit Choir meets every Thursday, 7.15pm Wrington Chapel, Ropers Lane BS40 5NH. If you love to sing come and join us – all welcome! Details: joyfulspiritrehearsals@gmail.com

Showground’s festive plans

FROM sparkling party nights to unforgettable live events, the Bath and West Showground is serving up a season full of festive cheer, laughter and great company this Chrismas.

On December 5th, Bad Christmas – the Best Worst Christmas Party is a live interactive dining experience stuffed with chaos, comedy and Christmas carnage. It’s followed on Friday, December 12th with a Christmas Punch Party, with boxing legend Tony Bellew, including a meet-and-greet with the star of the ring.

Looking for a classy Christmas evening? Saturday, December 13th sees A Great British Christmas with a live show, featuring a cast of dancers, vocalists, speciality acts and musicians.

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2025

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