Mendiptimes - Volume 10 - Issue 11

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 11

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

APRIL 2015

IN THIS ISSUE: FOCUS ON CHEDDAR ARTS & ANTIQUES HEDGELAYING WHAT’S ON EDUCATION MUSIC

Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

WE’VE a lot to preview this month as we focus on both North Somerset Arts Week and North Somerset Show, with the chance to win family tickets, as well as looking further ahead to the Glastonbury Extravaganza and the Royal Bath and West Show.

It’s been a busy month as everyone gears up for spring. We’ve pictures from two local hedging competitions and a focus on how Cheddar is getting ready for the new season.

There are big changes on the way to college education in Norton Radstock, which we hear about in a special education feature this month. Weston College is also celebrating after being voted the best in the country.

Sue Gearing’s walk takes us around Burrowbridge, scene of devastating floods last winter, while residents of nearby Muchelney have celebrated the opening of a raised road, which they hope will save them from being cut off by future floods.

We hear how the Rock Flock – the famous stone sheep of Shepton – now has relatives as far away as China and how Chew Valley Lake may be home to some of Britain’s rarest bats. We also have details of the Chew Valley Bird Fair that’s coming up there, as well as dozens of other events listed in our What’s On guide.

Welcome to April – and your guide to Mendip life.

May 2015 deadline: Friday, 17th April 2015.

Published: Tuesday, 28th April 2015.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@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 or: letters@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: Remembering VC hero Wilfred Fuller in Frome Photograph by Mark Adler (see page 65).

6

Road to recovery – end of flood misery for villagers?

12

Lunch is served – Mendip hedgelayers’ contests

65

Remembering a hero – town’s tribute to Victoria Cross winner

98

Taking a tumble – point-topoint in pictures

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Food & Drink...............................22 Internet and Crossword..............30 Arts & Antiques ...........................32 Business ........................................38 Charities .......................................48 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......53 Walking Sue Gearing....................54 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........56

Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......58 Caving Phil Hendy........................76 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............78 Community Simon Selby .............82 Homes and Interiors....................84 Motoring .......................................91 Riding Celia Gadd ........................92 Sport..............................................96 Music...........................................100 What’s On ..................................102 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

By royal appointment

ANNIE Maw, a former High Sheriff of Somerset, has started her new role as Lord Lieutenant of the county.

Appointed by the Queen, Mrs Maw succeeds Lady Elizabeth Gass, who retired at the beginning of March.

Mrs Maw was a State Registered Nurse who trained at Westminster Hospital. Since 1999 she has been a guide in Wells Cathedral. In 2008 she was High Sheriff of Somerset.

She is a trustee of several charities supporting young athletes in Somerset, supporting those with disabilities and specifically supporting those with spinal injuries in the West Country. She is a director and council member of the Royal Bath and West Society; vice-president of the Friends of Wells Cathedral and Chancellor of the Children’s University of Somerset.

Mrs Maw and her husband Richard – known as Dickie – live in Pilton.

Meanwhile, Somerset County Council Chairman David Fothergill has paid tribute to Lady Gass, who served as Lord Lieutenant from 1998. Councillor Fothergill said: “Lady Gass has been a wonderful ambassador for Somerset and has done so much to promote our county over the past 17 years.

“On behalf of everyone at Somerset County Council I would like to extend our thanks to her and wish her all the very best in her retirement.”

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Somerset is an Honorary Officer appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. The office dates from the reign of Henry VIII, and the Lord Lieutenant was originally responsible for the maintenance of order and for local defence. Today, the Lord Lieutenant has a number of roles and responsibilities including arranging Royal visits and escorting Royal visitors, representing the Queen at events and advising on honours nominations.

History on show

THE mysteries and majesties of part of Bath’s Roman history came to Midsomer Norton with a visit by the Beau Street Hoard roadshow team.

Some of the 17,577 silver coins found during an archaeological excavation in 2007 in Beau Street went on show at the town hall. The team also held hands-on activities and illustrated talks.

The hoard was discovered on the site of the Gainsborough Hotel development in Beau Street.

The coins span the period from 32BC – 275AD and were found in eight separate money bags, which were Jake, eight, tries his hand at striking his own fused together. coin

No mean feet in Norton

NEWS

Paul Myers, the mayor of Midsomer Norton, with Michelle before the opening of Feet1st4U

DOZENS of wellwishers gathered at The Island in Midsomer Norton to celebrate the opening of a new business.

Feet1st4U has been launched by Michelle Targett, a reflexologist and chiropodist. Paul Myers, the mayor of Midsomer Norton, said: “The opening of a new shop is very good news for the town.”

Meanwhile, a planning application has been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council to convert two units in The Hollies in the town centre – opposite the entrance to Sainsbury’s – into a Costa Coffee shop. And Wickes Building Supplies has been granted planning permission to refurbish the former Great Mills DIY store at Paulton which has stood empty since 2011.

Jayden, aged eight, takes a closer look at some of the coins with the help of Verity Anthony, collections assistant at the Roman Baths where the coins are on permanent display

No one knows how they got there, why they were put there, or why no-one ever returned for them.

In March last year, Bath and North East Somerset Council was awarded a grant of £372,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to purchase the hoard and organise the roadshow.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

We’ll take the high road

HISTORY was made – hopefully – when the village of Muchelney on the Somerset Levels was declared to be an island no longer.

The village was cut off by flood waters last winter for ten weeks when the roads became impassable. Now a 500-metre stretch of road has been raised – by up to 1.2 metres in places – so that it can stay open even in the event of flooding on the same scale as last winter. The Somerset County Council-led project was funded by the Department for Transport and undertaken as part of the 20 Year Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan.

Councillor John Osman, Somerset County Council leader and chairman of the Flood Action Plan’s Leaders Implementation Group, performed the formal opening ceremony with the help of local youngsters and some of the village’s oldest residents, including 93-

Muchelney villagers celebrate as John Osman cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the road

year-old Bill Daniels.

They were joined by representatives from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and the Burnham Area Rescue Boat who ferried people to and from the village during the time it was

Making the impassable possible – the new raised road

Village clean-up

WHAT better way to spend a Sunday morning than join your friends and neighbours and go litter-picking round the country lanes?

This is what villagers did once again as they took part in the annual village clean-up in Compton Dando and the surrounding villages, going round the country lanes tidying up the hedgerows and gateways.

Armed with pickers and decked out in yellow reflective jackets they were soon on their way as they climbed aboard Gary Pearce and Simon Kinnersley's tractors, to be dropped off at various points. There was also a 'taxi service' from Peter Middleton and

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Chris Daubney.

Organiser, Harriette Dottridge, said: "We had a good morning's work cleaning up the lanes around Compton Dando. There were about 25 of us in all with 16 staying for lunch

cut-off by flood waters.

Alastair Mullineux, chairman of the Parish Meeting for Muchelney said: “The opening of the raised road in and out of Muchelney was a momentous occasion for the residents. We are no longer an island and even in extreme flood will be able to have access at all times. This is a great relief to us all, but particularly those who leave the village to work and for the children going to school. I would like to thank all those who have been involved in getting this project completed in a short period of time.”

G The scheme began last September and involved the work of more than 100 different people and more than 1,400 “person days” of work. More than 1,100 lorry movements were needed to move materials, including 22,000 tonnes of stone, 2,000 tonnes of topsoil and 2,300 tonnes of macadam.

afterwards.

“Thank you to everyone who tipped up and the tractor and trailer owners who not only delivered us to far flung points but worked their way back and forth collecting the bags we filled.”

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ENVIRONMENT

Getting back to nature

DID you roam as a child? Did you explore local parks and fields unsupervised, have secret dens in the wooded spots within walking distance of your home? If you are in the younger generation the answer is most likely to be no.

In the past 30 years children’s roaming radius from their homes has shrunk by 90%. Screen culture and a heightened perception of dangers have contributed to the current trend towards obesity and a detachment from the natural world.

There is now a growing body of evidence to show that our wellbeing depends on this connection. Patients recovering in hospital get better quicker and need less pain relief when they can see out of a window from their bed. This effect is amplified when they can see green space from that window.

It must follow that actually being in the woods and fields regularly is like a magic bullet! Given our millions of years of evolution in close contact with nature it is easy to understand why most of us feel better after spending time outdoors, particularly in an inspiring natural space.

Since summer 2013 over 120 children and 15 families have roamed together to discover the joy of the outdoors, with EcoWild, through animal tracking, building shelters, making and cooking on fires, expressing themselves through natural art and developing skills in tool use and crafts.

Set up two years ago by Lucy Holland and Emily Malik EcoWild is a community interest company – a not for profit organisation. Local support was appreciated in the early stages from Cam Valley Wildlife Group, as well as a grant to buy tools from the Timsbury Jubliee Fund.

Lucy and Emily said: “It began with a Thursday morning under-five group called

Nature Child, which is still going and still our favourite part of the week. We go out in all weathers and throughout the year; parents who come to Nature Child recognise that even in ‘bad’ weather they feel better for getting out and sharing some fun, a gentle walk, snacks, songs, fire, art or crafts. And there are always interesting seasonal wildlife signs to spot.

“Our next step was to take school age children for days in the woods, so they could really immerse themselves in the natural world. It is their ancestral right!

Children really benefit but so do adults, and now we are starting to make some strong links with adult services.”

Lucy and Emily have a vision of bringing people closer to the natural world

through woodland activities in an inspiring setting. Working mostly in Greyfield Woods and St Stephen’s Vale, between High Littleton and Hallatrow, they bring experience in forest school leadership, biology, conservation, expedition logistics and working with children/vulnerable adults.

EcoWild is working really hard to bring the benefits of woodland activities to Wellbeing and Mental Health services.

Adults in B&NES can now sign up for a course of six EcoWild sessions through the new Wellbeing College. This online hub brings together providers of wellbeing courses from across the region. The course is provided free, but a donation of £3 is suggested towards materials, drinks and snacks.

EcoWild has now gained support from the Big Lottery and Lloyds Bank, through the School of Social Enterprise’s start-up programme.

Also on the EcoWild menu for spring/summer are Cook-It, a healthy living course using outdoor cooking (families on low income can sign up for free through the EcoWild website), lots of children’s woodland wildlife adventures for five-12-year-olds, and a respite day for carers, provided by the Carers’Network.

Emily Malik (left) and Lucy Holland

Details: www.ecowild.org.uk or www.facebook.com/EcowildCIC MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Search is on for rare bats

M E N D I P

W E A T H E R

S C E N E

AN exciting new scheme to discover what bats live around Chew Valley Lake has just begun with the installation of over 50 bat boxes. These boxes will be monitored by Chris Barrington and Avon Bat Group who, in partnership with Bristol Water, hope this project will prove to be as successful as a similar scheme carried out Blagdon Lake over the last few years.

The boxes have been placed all around the Chew Lake and care has been taken to vary the box types and positions to give an insight into what habitat the bats prefer.

In 1995, Bristol University student Kate Barlow captured a pair of Nathusius’ Pipistrelles Pipstrellus nathusii at Chew Valley Lake, an extremely rare bat in Britain, and another student Jon Russ subsequently searched for a local maternity roost without success. At Blagdon Lake an incredible 13 of the UK’s 17 breeding bat species have been recorded by Daniel Hargreaves of Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG).

So, Daniel has been trapping at Blagdon in a bid to find out how Nathusius’ Pipistrelles are using the lakeside environment. A female was trapped and radio-tracked for a few days in May 2013, during which time it was discovered that she roosted beside Blagdon Lake, but foraged as far away as Chew Valley Lake.

Daniel also discovered male Nathusius’ giving their complex social calls to attract mates and one of the males which was trapped was found dead in Holland, making it the first British-ringed bat to be found abroad and proving that at least some of the local population is migratory.

It appears that Nathusius’ Pipistrelles fly in to the country from Europe for the winter, but regular bat transects walked

by Nigel Milbourne at Blagdon has proven that at least some are present all year round.

This summer, trapping will be carried out at both lakes, as part of a national project, in a bid to find out more about this little-known mammal living right here around the Mendip reservoirs.

A weatherman’s holiday

ONE of the disadvantages of going away for a week when, like me, you follow the weather so closely is that you stand the risk of missing something.

This might sound a bit daft when we all go away to “escape the with DAVID weather”, but it can cause problems if MAINE you are trying to keep weather records. So it happened to us this time when we went away at the beginning of March.

The first thing I saw when checking my e-mails on our return was one saying: “Did you get the snow/hail down your way this morning?” Another comment I heard was: “It was all white up on the top.”

Usually the problem is pinpointing when such events occur during a period of absence, but in this case I am able to say definitively – thanks to the e-mails – that it was Monday, March 2nd.

Another interesting fact was that there was no less than 27.6mm of rain in the gauge on our return but all the roads/verges etc. were quite dry, telling us that any heavy rain or showers occurred early in our week away.

Much of it, in fact, could have been accounted for by that brief period of wintry weather.

We now look forward to April. April showers? Well, during this month just about any type of weather can occur from warm sunshine to snow and cold winds. We

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ENVIRONMENT

Chris Barrington (top of ladder) the project leader and Ken Anstey

Organisers say special thanks should go to Dominic Goodwin of NatureCounters for his help in sourcing the boxes and to Bristol Water for their sponsorship and access to the lakesides in order to carry out the study.

If only all weather forecasts were nailed on like this hot favourite at the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Point-toPoint. See Sport page 98.

are not planning to be away for any length of time this month, so should be around to record whatever comes along.

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Plight of the small farmer – one answer is to diversify

WE turned the spotlight last month on Lye Cross Farm, at Redhill to see how a large farming enterprise is faring. This month we turn the spotlight on a small farm.

Small farms are the backbone of British farming but you may wonder what acreage and animals are needed to make a living. It’s With MARY a good question – how long is a piece of JAMES MBE string? According to statistics the average farm in England is 50 hectares (125 acres), the average herd size is 128 cows and the average age of the British farmer is 59. So what comprises a small farm?

My example is Graylands Farm, Dundry, home of the Parfitt family who own 50 acres and rent a further 75. They have 40 pedigree Guernsey cows and 60 young stock (beef and dairy) and have diversified into making wonderful Chew Moos ice-cream from the superior Guernsey milk.

Parfitts have farmed Graylands Farm for over 80 years.

Grandfather Colin still helps with milking but the main work is done by Nick Parfitt and his wife Nicola with daughter Suzanne in charge of the ice-cream making. For the last few years Nick has been running a small gardening business (30 hours per week) as well.

In the early days both Nick and Nicola benefited from a year at Cannington (now Bridgwater College). Running a small farm is a struggle but as Nick says: “If you have a wife/partner who has farming knowledge as well it makes a huge difference.

Nick and Nicola Parfitt

“An average day runs from 6am to 7pm but some evenings are devoted to computer work doing accounts, registering animals, single farm payment, cattle movement and health records. It is extremely hard work. We love it but the return we get is disappointing.”

It was at a particularly low point a few years ago that they decided to make ice-cream, using the rich Guernsey milk. It took three and a half years of planning to get started. Nicola declares it was a long learning curve, but they learnt about marketing, advertising and finding customers before they started, which proved very beneficial.

Applying for a grant from DEFRA took three and a half years to achieve. Money for the project had to be put up front before the grant was paid over. It was an extremely testing and worrying time. Chew Moos ice cream is doing well and expansion plans are exciting.

The family like to show their cows at the North Somerset Show on May 4th and The Royal Bath and West May 27th – 29th, where they have had considerable success, but they will be unable to go this year, though Chew Moos ice-cream will be available.

A final word from Nick: “I can’t see how anyone can start from scratch in dairy farming unless they have a deep pocket.”

Finally with the shows coming up I have heard some concerns that entrance to the Bath and West Show is too expensive, but you can save money if you buy your ticket online before April 7th. It is currently £17 per person and your children can go free this year.

Check the website www.bathandwestshow.co.uk

Some of the competitors at the clay pigeon shoot organised by Southfield Sporting at the Mid-Somerset Show hedgelaying competition. Ladies winner Sarah Denning (far right).

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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FARMING

50 shades of hay

THE country’s major national grassland event for farmers takes place at the Royal Bath and West showground at Shepton Mallet on Thursday, May 7th.

Held every three years, the muchrespected one-day show aims to cover every aspect of farmers’ interests, from seeds to feeds, machinery demonstrations, technical advice area, seminars, clamp demonstrations and trade stands from all sectors of the industry.

Grassland UK will be held on working farmland and will feature more than 100 acres of working demonstration grass plots. Agrii provided reseeding of the fields in 2014. While the grass must be suitable for the show, which comes round every three years, it is used for silage and grazing in between. To maintain fresh grass without reseeding, Agrii has used overseeding, with great success.

In addition to the working grass demonstrations, machinery exhibitors will be demonstrating loading/handling equipment using the mown grass in the farm silage clamp.

First held in 1985, the show has

grown from strength to strength to become the senior grassland event in the UK which is held in a predominantly livestock area on working farmland.

For details, visit: www.bathandwest.com

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 11

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Come rain or shine

COMPETITORS faced atrocious weather conditions at the fifth annual hedge-laying contest organised by the Mid Somerset Agricultural Society.

The event took place just a day after some of the competitors, including Alex Bown and Tina Bath, had met HRH the Prince of Wales when he hosted a similar competition at Highgrove.

The Mid Somerset event was held at Ditcheat, on land owned by the society’s outgoing president, Paul Barber. The contest was revived after an absence of many years after a collection of trophies was discovered by chance.

One again, a clay pigeon shoot organised by Southfield Sporting, was held alongside the hedge-laying. Roger Noble, organiser of the event, said: “Considering the weather, I think it went very well and the standard of hedge-laying was very high.

“The competition is now well-established thanks to the support of sponsors and to Paul Barber who has been extremely supportive this year.”

s

Champion Alex Bown (left) and novice and over-60 winner Clive Bethell. Alex had met Prince Charles the previous day when he won a competition hosted by the Prince Show society president Paul Barber congratulates grandson Oliver Barber on winning the junior class in the clay shoot. They are pictured with Chris Hearne (left), who won the novice class, and Andy Moon, winner of the Open class Tina Bath battles against the weather to complete her stretch of hedge

Guess the competitor! Malcolm Dowling’s trademark hat

Clive Bethell, from Shapwick, at work

MID SOMERSET AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY HEDGE-LAYING RESULTS: NOVICE CLASS 1st – Clive Bethell 2nd – Roger Parrish 3rd – Frank Midwinter

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

OPEN CLASS 1st – Alex Bown 2nd – Paul Gulliford 3rd – Mike Read

Champion – Alex Bown Reserve Champion – Paul Gulliford The best over 60: Clive Bethell

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HEDGELAYING

Hedgelayers celebrate

MORE than 30 hedgelayers of varying ages and abilities took part in Wrington and Burrington Hedgelaying Society’s annual match, held this year near Hinton Blewitt, courtesy of Colston and Celia Gay. Some of the novices were competing after taking part in one of the society’s popular courses to teach the traditional skill.

The winners (l to r) champion Colin Clutterbuck, Stanton Drew, improver Alex Hannam, Winscombe, class 2 winner, Duncan Fraser, Clevedon, beginners Hayley Dorrington, Winscombe, veteran, Roger Parrish, Devon, ladies, Tina Bath, Priddy

Hayley Dorrington, a ranger in North Somerset with the National Trust

Stalwart Stuart Ford celebrated his 87th birthday at the match – he has been hedging for 70 years. He presented the prizes and was given a cake and a loud chorus of Happy Birthday.

Alex Hannam gets to grips with the saplings

Time stands still – Roger Parrish is a familiar sight at competitions across the west country

Judging the forage competition: Ed Simmons and John Osborne MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 13

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North Somerset Show ready for action The South West’s first agricultural show of 2015 promises to offer a fun day out for all on Monday Bank Holiday May 4th!

The annual show is held just outside Long Ashton and is an opportunity for everyone to experience a traditional taste of rural life. As always, this year’s show promises to be an action-packed day, showing off the best of the region’s livestock, rural activities and pursuits, food, drink, arts and crafts.

Traditional livestock and horse showing takes centre stage, with exhibitors arriving from all over Somerset, the South West and beyond to show their animals at their best. Other showing sections include poultry and waterfowl, cavies, alpacas and new for this year – honey. There will be show jumping competitions running throughout the day and Severnside Dog Agility are putting on a dog agility competition.

Livestock showing rings will welcome new Belted Galloway (a heritage cattle breed with a distinctive white ‘belt’ around their middle) and Greyface Dartmoor (a rare breed of sheep) classes. There are a wide variety of horse classes from Shires to Shetlands, Cobs to Hunters alongside the hugely popular show jumping event.

Trade stands form an integral part of the day; you can source everything from earrings to a combine harvester. This year sees around 250 individual stands and of course the food hall; a marquee bursting at the seams with delicious pies, pastries, meat, cheese, cakes, cider and much more from around the region and beyond for you to take home and enjoy.

The countryside area, located just off the main field,

celebrates traditional crafts such as spinning, dry stone walling and gun dog handling. The Poultry and Wildfowl Show will be returning, there’s Fergus the Tractor, local bee keepers, the Avon and Somerset Police with their skate park, birds of prey, the famous sheep show and of course terrier racing – members of the public are welcome to bring their dog along and enter them on the day in this mad and hilarious affair.

Events will be running in the main ring throughout the day, and this year sees an action-packed display by the mounted section of the Avon and Somerset Police, a sheepdog demonstration and a bale wrapping demonstration. As if that’s not enough, there are Pony Club games, a machinery parade and the grand parade of champion livestock.

Advance tickets are available with savings of up to 20% until April 28th (adult £12, children £5, family £30), and can be purchased through the website www.nsas.org.uk or you can call on 01749 813899. Children under five go free, parking is free, bikes are welcome and you can cycle almost all the way from Bristol along the Festival Way. Dogs are welcome on non-retractable leads. Gates open 8.30am. Tickets on the gate: adult £15, children (14 and under) £6, family (2+3) £38, under-fives go free.

WIN TICKETS

Mendip Times has teamed up with North Somerset Show to offer two free family tickets. Just answer this question: What is a Belted Galloway? Answers on a postcard to North Somerset Show Competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG to reach us by April 17th. The first two correct answers drawn will win the tickets. The editor’s decision is final.

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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NORTH SOMERSET SHOW

Ed looks forward to the show ED Simmons three-year stint as North Somerset Show chairman comes to an end this year after the 156th show on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th, and he believes he’s achieved three main goals.

He is proud that North Somerset is still very much an agricultural show, appealing to agricultural traders and farmers, as well as having a host of other attractions. It’s family friendly, with an emphasis on educating youngsters about food production and the environment.

Thirdly he’s focused on enhancing facilities for members, including moving the members’ marquee alongside the main show ring, and he introduced a very successful pre-show dinner in the marquee on the Saturday before the show last year. This year Kate Beaven, of Lambing Live fame, is the guest.

Ed was brought up with the show. His father, Richard, who farms at Kingston Seymour, is himself a former chairman and is now a vice-president. Ed said: “As a child I was involved in setting it up and breaking it down afterwards.”

As well as helping on the farm, Ed runs the very busy Tibbs and Simmons farm vets practice, which he set up with Clare Tibbs in 2004. Based at Redhill, it covers an area from Bristol to Bridgwater, including the whole of the Mendips, and now employs seven vets.

See us at the North Somerset Show

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 15

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MENDIP TIMES

Supporting rural shows

OLD Mill accountants and financial planners are a key supporter of rural shows in the West Country and will be at the North Somerset Show as usual. They go out of their way to meet their rural clients throughout the region, where they have five offices offering a range of services.

After North Somerset they will be supporting Grassland UK, at the Royal Bath and West showground. Later in the year look out for them at the Royal Bath and West Show itself, the Mid-Somerset Show in Shepton Mallet, Frome Show and the Dairy Show at the Royal Bath and West showground.

STEAM TRAINS BETWEEN BISHOPS LYDEARD (near Taunton) & MINEHEAD

W. FIELD AGRI (Engineering) APPOINTED ZETOR DEALER FOR SOMERSET

Sales of Tractors and Farm Machinery, Repairs and Servicing on all makes Huge range of genuine parts available Come and visit us at Stand No AG18 to speak to us about the latest offers on Zetor Tractors

STEAM TRAINS DAILY MARCH 25th to APRIL 16th (except MARCH 30th & 31st) MARCH 26th to 29th: SPRING STEAM GALA APRIL 4th: MEET AND GREET WITH “PEPPA PIG AND DADDY PIG”

MAY 4th: SEE US AT NORTH SOMERSET SHOW

EVERY SATURDAY AND WEDNESDAY FROM APRIL 1st: DUNSTER CASTLE EXPRESS

Tel: 07979 291960 Stand 706 @ Bath & West

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NORTH SOMERSET SHOW

01749 850258 • WWW.READAGRI.CO.UK WANSTROW BA4 4SY OPEN: MON–FRI 8-6 SAT 8-2

YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY STORE – FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN SUPPLIES!

SEE US AT THE NORTH SOMERSET SHOW LEAF BLOWERS HUSQVARNA SPADES LAWN MOWERS AUTOMOWERS AND WHEELBARROWS MITOX MULTI TOOL RIDE-ON LAWN SECATEURS STRIMMERS MOWERS WILD BIRD SEED HEDGE TRIMMERS IN STOCK AND MUCH MORE

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

First honey show

THIS year’s North Somerset Show will host the inaugural North Somerset Honey Show, organised by Blagdon, Clevedon and District Beekeepers’ Association.

This will be the branch’s third appearance at the show and their display has grown year by year. Visitors to their marquee will have an opportunity to watch the judging take place. The schedule includes a range of classes such as cakes, biscuits and fudge, especially for non-beekeepers.

The beekeepers will also have their usual exhibits about the craft of beekeeping, such as the ever-popular observation hive where visitors to the stand can watch bees as they go about their daily routine. The hive is a great favourite with the children – who love spotting the queen!

There will be information on the branch and its many activities, details of courses available for aspiring beekeepers, honey tasting and the chance to buy local honey and honey products.

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

NORTH SOMERSET SHOW

Complete equine specialists LOCAL mobile equine vets and a regional specialist hospital make B&W a major attraction to South West horse owners.

From Failand near Bristol and three other branches B&W Equine Vets provide a full mobile service covering all aspects of veterinary care from routine vaccinations, dental care and health checks to lameness examinations and reproductive work. They can offer radiography, endoscopy and ultrasound scanning, either at your yard or at your local clinic.

Should you ever need it, their state-ofthe art hospital in Breadstone is staffed by a team of European recognised specialists in surgery, orthopaedics, diagnostic imaging and internal medicine. The surgical, diagnostic and intensive care facilities support the highest level of specialist care.

B&W mobile vets from Failand are available throughout an area stretching from Avonmouth down to Bridgwater and across to Bath and Frome, providing all aspects of equine veterinary care including:

Zone days: • On certain days of the week calls in specific ‘zones’ are FREE, available for routine work such as vaccinations, microchipping, teeth rasping, nonemergency examinations or reexaminations.

Shape-up club • The club is free to join and provides owners with advice and support as to how to achieve a healthy body condition for your horse or pony. A shape-up pack contains a weigh tape and spring scales along with feed and body condition information.

Healthy horse check • A full clinical examination including heart, lungs, eyes, and “soundness” assessment – trot up and hoof examination. A dental examination and routine teeth rasping is included but not any sedation required. Annual flu and tetanus vaccination, faecal worm egg count and a full equine blood profile complete your horse’s MOT. All for only £120 including VAT and visit fee – a 50% reduction if individually priced.

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

www.johnhodge.co.uk | e-mail: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE | BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | YATTON | WEDMORE

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MENDIP TIMES

CHILTON CANTELO

CHILTON Cantelo School enjoyed a heart-warming day as pupils, parents and staff raised funds for Comic Relief Day. The school social committee and supporting parents baked cakes and other luxuries for sale, pupils donated £1 each to wear mufti, and Red Nose Joke Books written by pupils and teachers were also up for sale.

WEARE

COMIC RELIEF

BISHOP SUTTON

Bishop Sutton’s acting head Andy Marriott decided to raffle his face for painting on Red Nose Day.

Comic Relief Red Nose Day was a bonanza of activity and fun at Weare Academy First School.

PENSFORD

Teachers Hettie Patel and Kerry Pryde getting in the Red Nose Day mood

BRIDGWATER

Besides having a bake-off for Red Nose Day the children also enjoyed dressing up and giving a donation for the privilege of doing so. Pictured (l to r) Grace and Emily with Minion Oscar.

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

HOMES in Sedgemoor staff showed off their baking skills and raised more than £130 on Red Nose Day in aid of Comic Relief.

Members of staff showed their support by baking, decorating and donating cakes for sale to colleagues. A Red Velvet Cake raffle helped top up the fundraising.

Homes in Sedgemoor is a non-profit organisation which manages Sedgemoor District Council’s 4,200 homes.

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Plans unveiled for new school in Midsomer Norton

Ewe’ve got a friend!

NEWS

Jeff Body: the rock flock has gone global in the past 10 years

Alun Williams and Michelle Parsons at Clutton school

THE federation which runs both senior schools in Midsomer Norton, along with two nearby primaries, has announced plans to build a new primary school in the town.

The new school – which could open in September 2016 – will be part of The Midsomer Norton Schools’ partnership, along with Norton Hill, Somervale, High Littleton and Clutton. It will have its own head teacher appointed by the partnership and will also benefit from the leadership of Alun Williams, the federation’s Executive Head Teacher.

According to the federation, the scale of local house building in Midsomer Norton means that in September 2016 there will not be enough reception places to meet the needs of the community.

Once approved, the new school will be close to but separate from the secondary school and will take approximately 45 reception pupils from 2016 onwards, growing year by year to take 240 pupils when full.

The partnership is now working with the New Schools Network on a development programme that provides personalised support to schools and other groups as they prepare to submit an application to the Department for Education to create so-called free schools.

Meanwhile, Clutton Primary School has become an academy and joined the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership. It already works closely with the partnership. Michelle Parsons, its head teacher, said: “We are very excited to be joining the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership. The conversion is a new chapter in the history of Clutton Primary School.

“We are looking forward to working closely with colleagues from High Littleton, Norton Hill and Somervale schools to help us to fulfil our vision and ensure that our children receive the best possible education they can; to enable them to be the best that they can be.”

Alun Williams said: “I am delighted that Clutton School are joining the partnership. There are so many exciting things planned and we all know that collectively, we can achieve far more for the children of this area. They deserve the best we can give them.”

“OFFSPRING” from the Rock Flock sheep sculptures in Shepton Mallet have gone global – the ram below is now a familiar sight in Hong Kong!

Dyed pink for a fundraising event in Cranmore, the sheep now sits proudly on the desk of Sian Dalrymple, who works for Deutsche Bank in the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon.

Sian’s offices are above the luxury Elements shopping mall, where Sian introduced the sheep to ovine members of an art exhibition to coincide with Chinese New Year – the Year of the Sheep!

The pink ram was one of a group created by Rock Flock sculptor Jeff Body to raise money for his granddaughter Eady at an event in her home village of Cranmore and was spotted

by Sian’s mother, Rosemary Ap Rees, who also lives in the village.

Eady suffers from a Rett-like syndrome, a severe disorder affecting development from an early age, restricting mobility, communication and especially hand use. Her family has set up a charity to raise funds to support her and for research into the disorder.

The Rock Flock, which sits on the roundabout at Cannard’s Grave, will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year. Jeff said: “I know that one of the lambs I made is in Tasmania but Hong Kong must be the furthest that a pink ram has travelled!”

Nice to meet ewe!

To find out more about Eady and to support her family, visit: www.eadysjourney.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 21

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MENDIP TIMES

The great Easter feast

WE make a lot of fuss about Christmas, but the big celebration in the Christian calendar is really Easter.

Some profound ideas about death and resurrection are involved, reflected in nature with the arrival of spring and the hope of summer just around the corner. By With JUNE this time of the year you had survived the MACFARLANE winter and you had a good idea of what the harvest would be like.

Here in Mendip, we are still checking the buds on the fruit trees, inspecting the first green shoots of the cereal crops and smiling at bouncing lambs – some things never change!

HOT CROSS BUNS

Hot cross buns

Have you never made your own? Go on, give it a go! They are much better than bought ones!

METHOD

Put the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, mixed spice in a mixing bowl. Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the mixed peel and raisins. Make a well in the centre, whisk the egg into the milk and add to the flour mixture. Mix to form a dough and knead until no longer sticky – about 10 mins. Allow to prove in the bowl for about one hour, covered with cling film. Divide into 10 pieces, form balls and leave to prove on baking paper lined tray until doubled in size. Towards the end of proving heat the oven to 200°C. Mix flour and water to form a paste and pipe a cross on to the buns. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown. Boil sugar and water together for three mins to form a syrup.

Glaze the buns when they come out of the oven and are still warm.

SLOW ROAST SHOULDER OF LAMB WITH HERBS AND HONEY

Lamb is a great favourite at Easter, but go for the shoulder rather than the leg. The long, slow cooking allows the fat to baste the meat. It should fall off the bone, to be eaten in chunks rather than slices.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1.4kg shoulder of lamb, trimmed ½ bunch fresh thyme, leaves only 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves only 12 fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped 1 tbsp dried oregano salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp olive oil 1 lemon, juice only 1 tbsp Somerset clear honey 125ml water

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Score the fat of the lamb.

Mix the herbs and seasonings with the honey and rub well into the surface. Put into a lidded casserole. Squeeze the lemon juice over the meat, and drizzle over the honey.

Add the water. With the lid on, put into the oven and immediately turn the heat down to 170°C. Cook for about 3½–4 hrs, adding more liquid if necessary, until the meat is falling off the bone. Pull off in chunks and serve.

INGREDIENTS

14g fresh yeast or 7g dried yeast 400g bread flour 55g sugar 5g salt 6g mixed spice 50g butter (softened) 50g mixed peel 100g raisins 200g warm milk 1 free range egg Cross: 50g flour, 50g water Glaze: 30g sugar, 30g water

LEMON POSSET

This is an old INGREDIENTS recipe that is for 3-4 perfect for Easter, 3 lemons especially if you 125g caster sugar serve it after the 425 ml double cream lamb, which it pinch of nutmeg complements pinch of ginger beautifully. Velvety 1 tbsp flaked almonds, smooth, it is rich toasted and luxurious, and 1 tbsp candied peel the contrast of the toasted almonds and candied peel with the lemon cream is brilliant!

METHOD

Finely grate the zest of one lemon, then juice the lemons. You should have about 100ml of juice. Put the zest and juice in a small pan with the sugar and bring slowly to the boil so that the sugar dissolves.

Keep warm. Put the cream and spices in a small heavy bottomed pan and bring to the boil. Pour into the lemon juice mixture. Whisk to combine, then pour through a sieve into a pouring jug.

Fill your ramekins. Allow to cool, then chill until set – about two hours. Toast the almonds in a dry pan. Combine in a bowl with the peel. Just before serving sprinkle the mixture over the lemon posset.

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LANDLORD, Duncan Ferguson, and head chef, Scott Lucas, are celebrating a successful first year at the Red Lion in Bishop Sutton.

Duncan said: “Trade has certainly improved and the pleasing thing is people's feedback about the food has been nearly always exceptional. We are ranked about 25th out of 1500 for restaurants in Bristol now according to Trip Advisor and we get a lot of repeat bookings which proves customers are happy about what we put out.”

A key factor has been the balanced menu, devised by Scott, who previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. Ranging from local ham, egg and chips, fish and chips to lobster cassoulet, liver and bacon to duck pie, the Red Lion offers restaurant food at pub prices and aims to cater for all tastes and requirements.

All of their food is freshly prepared with local ingredients where possible. They also offer a wide range of real ales, fine wines and ciders.

They have been busy running food promotions and in April they will run a pensioners’ two-for-one offer at lunchtimes, offering home-made soup and a sandwich for only £8.95 and a two-course lunch special for only £10.95.

Duncan said: “We have a great pub here now with a fantastic attitude and atmosphere. The feedback about the staff has been pleasing too with a really friendly approach to all customers.”

FOOD & DRINK

THE RED LION VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT Sutton Hill Road, Bishop Sutton BS39 5UT

01275 333042

Enjoy Easter with us

Selection of Sunday Roasts, fish and Vegetarian dishes: One course – £11.95 • Two courses – £14.95 Three courses – £17.95 Please see our website www.redlionbishopsutton.co.uk to view our menus

Restaurant food at pub prices, in a warm and friendly environment, created by award winning chef Scott Lucas.

PENSIONERS 2 FOR 1 OFFER Monday to Sat lunchtimes until May 3rd – pre-booking a requirement The Red Lion – the pub at the heart of the community

EXTENDED OPENING HOURS! Friday, Saturday And Sunday – Open All Day • Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 12noon ’til 3.00pm. 4.30pm ’til Close.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES w ith s Ne w cial u en pe M ly s i da

Café’s new edge

Laid back: Pete Cumming has an eye for the offbeat and unusual

Independent Coffee Shop in Wells Funky Teas and Seasonal Coffee Home-Cooked Food Great atmosphere Friendly dogs welcome in our courtyard Outside covered area Retro/Vintage furniture and Music (all furniture and objects are for sale) STARTING Mon to Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm (Sunday lunches now being served) APRIL Available for private evening bookings Pre-order your picnics for collection Find us on Trip Advisor

0 17 4 9 6 7 11 6 6

2 T o w n H a l l B u i l d i n g s , We l l s B A 5 1 S E coffee@square-edgecafe.co.uk

Lunches at

1 Course £9.50 2 Courses £13.50 3 Courses £17.50 OLD HILL, WINFORD, BRISTOL BS40 8DW TEL: 01275 472292 reservations@winfordmanor.co.uk PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

THE team behind the flourishing Square Edge Café in Wells is expanding as Easter brings extended opening times and new additions to the menu.

Pete Cumming and his partner Mandy Tucker had already recruited chef Jozef Miklof but have now taken on Mandy’s daughter Katie to develop the café’s concept.

Square Edge – named because it is virtually on the corner of the Market Square – is best described as individual and quirky.

The furniture changes almost as frequently as the specials board, because it is all up for sale!

Sunday lunches have proved a big hit – partly because the presentation and style is far from traditional – and the team are now planning lighter options, such as a roast beef wrap for people wanting more of a café-style lunch. The café operates a Bring Your Own alcohol policy.

Mandy said: “I think people like the café because of its laid back atmosphere. Katie has always working in the hospitality industry and her experience will be fantastic.”

Other ideas on the menu include tapas-style meals and themed evenings including plans for a Far Flung Food event with local chef and speaker Nigel Gifford OBE and a cookery course.

Mandy added: “We have enjoyed massive support from local people who very much enjoy the atmosphere and now spring is here, we can make more use of our courtyard.”

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GARDEN FOOD

Monkey puzzle

With JAKE WHITSON

THIS is a tree that most of you will be familiar with and some of you will have one or two of these growing in the garden. What you may not know is that the Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), which is native to exposed mountainsides in Chile, produces excellent edible nuts, not unlike giant pine nuts (one inch long by half an inch

wide).

Once fully grown they can give high yields, even on exposed sites with poor soil, but the catch is that they take 20-40 years to start cropping, you have to have both male and female plants to get nuts, and you can't tell which is which when they are young!

Still, I suspect that there are many people who already have a good head start on that 20 years and it is worth bearing in mind if you are planting some young trees now – try to fit in at least three or four, even if it means giving a of couple trees to your neighbours!

They are fairly easily grown from seed in a heated propagator – you need to plant the seed fresh in the autumn when they are ripe.

My trees (pictured here at two years old!) are still a long way from fruiting, though I have harvested the nuts from established trees in various places. The nuts are formed in giant cones eight inches across and these can be spotted on the female trees developing in the summer. The nuts ripen in September and the cones disintegrate dropping the nuts on the ground.

If there are no males in the vicinity you will get a load of empty, papery nut husks, but if there are you will be rewarded with firm, delicious, starchy and oily nuts. They can be treated either as pine nuts or sweet chestnuts, as I would say they lie somewhere between the two.

Peeled and toasted, they are great mixed with couscous or added to a tagine. They are also delicious simply roasted on the fire and eaten hot with a little salt. I've not tried it yet, though I suspect they wold also be delicious candied, as in the classic French chestnut product marron glacé.

Jacob Whitson is a chef and food writer who has worked in many of the West Country’s most prestigious restaurants. He is currently working on his first book, a travelogue detailing the regional foods of Japan.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

The eyes have it!

THIS dainty flower gets its name from its rather wonderful habit of opening up with the sunrise and closing up when the sun sets – a floral timepiece no less. And what is this magical time keeper? Well it’s the daisy no less.

The name is derived from The Old With ADRIAN English ‘daeges-eage’ meaning ‘days-eye’.

BOOTS Our ancestors would have noticed this process more than us making it an early clock for our forebears.

The ‘bellis’ part of its Latin name means beautiful and you can’t deny its one of our prettiest flowers.

Daisy (Bellis perennis) is a downy perennial plant with an erect stem five to 20cm, with individual flowers one to three centimetres across the central yellow disc of florets (made up of many tiny individual tubes) surrounded by white, reddish or even purplish petals.

The leaves are basal, spoon-shaped, bluntly toothed and fleshy. Found virtually everywhere in grassland, lawns and roadsides, this tough little plant grows most of the year round, if not all year when the winter is mild.

Its native habitat is old, short-grazed grassland but today we associate it with mown grass of the garden. And here’s the problem, some people appear desperate to remove daisies from their lawn but I say leave them alone, what have they ever done to you? If you must, rather than dig them up or apply herbicide why not eat them?

This will help management whilst providing you with some extra greens (being perennial they are a gift that keeps on giving!) and they’re good for insects too, a win-win situation I think.

Yes, daisies are edible and cooked in the right way are delicious too. Of course you can eat the young tender leaves in a salad or with other greens in a dish, but my new favourite way to enjoy them is with kippers on toast topped with a poached egg, c’mon!

Sorry, I got a little over-excited there. Like shopping, I should never write one of these articles when I’m hungry. Now where’s that egg timer . . .

Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, Wild Food Forager and Adventure Activity provider. You can visit his web site www.gowildactivities.co.uk to learn more about wild food foraging and activities you can do with him on the Mendip Hills.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES Country shopping at its best

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM

EASTER GIFTS AND FLOWERS HOT CROSS BUNS AND EASTER BISCUITS

Sarah Raven Seeds and Spring Plants

Enjoy a good Sunday roast

Emma Bridgewater China & other gifts Geoff’s fresh fish every Friday

Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas

TEA ROOMS Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Full English breakfasts Come and enjoy our lovely Sunday roast lunches

Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 5.30pm

Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment

Farm Shop: 01761 220067 Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

FOOD & DRINK

Fayre fun at Ring O’ Bells

AFTER two successful years, the third Cider and Cheese Fayre at The Ring O’ Bells, Compton Martin, promises to be the best yet, offering 20 real farmhouse ciders and 15 artisan cheeses that help make Somerset famous.

It’s a real family day out with plenty to keep everyone entertained. For the youngsters there will be archery, air rifles and catapults, birds of prey, a bouncy castle and some traditional fun games. A hog roast and barbecue will be on hand to help the cider go down.

The Mendip Morris Men will take a turn and a New Orleans Dixie band will also play, plus a man playing the piano, on a bicycle! A tug-o’-war will also take place for the first time this year. The fayre starts at midday and goes through until dusk.

There is an entrance fee of £3, with half of the proceeds going to Bristol Children’s Help Society. As the sun goes down, there will be more live music from 7.30pm.

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Whatʼs new from Myrtle Farm

THATCHERS

Double award win!

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford Our orchards on an early spring morning

John Thatcher (left) receives his award from Rupert Best

AS spring begins to appear, all eyes are on our orchards. This year we’re planting some 100,000 new apple trees in and around Myrtle Farm. Not only will these trees continue to provide fruit for us to meet the increasing demand for our Somerset ciders, they will add to the already picturesque landscape around us.

“A new seven acre orchard will be

Welcome Warren

home to a trial of 22 different apple varieties, including Stoke Red, White Jersey and Tom Putt,” explains Thatchers Farm Manager Richard George.

“The aim of the trial is to identify older varieties, which when combined with our new orcharding techniques, will produce fruit that makes great quality cider.”

WE’RE delighted and honoured that our work in the orchards has been recognised with two amazing awards this year. Firstly for John Thatcher, who received the Matthew Mack award from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers for distinguished achievements in the fruit industry, in particular training, education and innovation. Shortly after, we were presented with two awards at the Grower of the Year event in London.

The best cider always starts in the orchards!

THOSE of you who pass by Myrtle Farm will have noticed that development work at The Railway Inn is quickly taking shape.

We’re delighted to welcome Warren Zilch as the new General Manager of the pub. He is already becoming a familiar face around the farm, and is now busy working with the design and development team to make sure everything is on track for opening later in the spring.

As well as being a highly experienced pub general manager (he’s joined us from The Fishermans Cot in Devon), Warren has a passion for great quality, West Country produce.

You’ll be able to find out what’s on the menu at The Railway Inn on the pub’s new website, which will be launched very soon.

Warren says, “The Railway Inn is an amazing project.

Our focus is firmly fixed on making sure everything is ready for opening the doors to our customers this spring.”

Cheers from us all at Thatchers Cider!

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA • Tel: 01934 822862 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

BEAH

English & Mediterranean Restaurant, Wells

Paintings and pints

BOOK YOUR TABLE NOW FOR Easter Sunday lunch April 5th Music and Meze Friday April 24th Live music with Jazz Southwest

WRINGTON artist, Julie Kingcott, will be showing her work at The Plough during Somerset Arts Week, May 1st-10th, with a launch on Thursday April 30th at 6pm.

APRIL DATES

Reserve your table now to avoid disappointment

01749 678111 or email: info@beah.co.uk 2, Union Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PU

Relaxed & friendly dining in the heart of Wells

Saturday 4th Sunday 5th

Axbridge and Midsomer Norton

SFM@Frome Independent (10am-3pm)*

Saturday 11th Frome Cheese & Grain and Keynsham Saturday 18th Crewkerne Friday 24th

Burnham-on-Sea

Saturday 25th Glastonbury and Yeovil (9am-2pm)*

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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April is when we really feel spring has sprung and everything is feeling new and fresh.

SOME might say you can't get fresher than Tio Pepe En Rama!

Fino En Rama is unfiltered, unclarified Tio Pepe taken from the middle of the cask during spring when the flor growth is at its thickest.

Made in strictly limited quantities, Tio Pepe Fino En Rama is the freshest fino you can drink. The experience will be like tasting it from the barrel.

‘En rama’ is the local jargon used by winery Kelli Coxhead workers to refer to wine in its unrefined and most delicate state.

The wine maker, Antonio Flores, is passionate about bottling the perfect “En Rama” He will continue to select from the two oldest Tio Pepe soleras, Rebollo and Constancia. Antonio has pre-selected his favourite 100 casks (from an initial 600) from which he will select the final blend, ready for bottling in April.

Due to the limited availability of this wine it is on a pre-order basis only, delivery expected around the April 30th, 2015. It will be £15.99 for a 75cl bottlel. Call the Wine Shop 01934 708312 to pre order yours today.

World Malbec Day, April 17th

Malbec is one of the grape varieties that I've found to be loved by many people and to help celebrate the beauty of this grape we will be celebrating World Malbec Day. At The Wine Shop we will have wine open to taste with special offers such as Chakana Reserva Malbec, luscious deep black fruits, spice and smooth notes of chocolate, full bodied and elegant with a long pleasing finish. Normally £12.99, on April 17th, reduced to £9.99.

Time for tea

FOOD & DRINK

Time for tea – students and staff in the library

A MAD Hatter’s tea party with staff dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters was one of the highlights of World Book Week at Somervale School in Midsomer Norton.

The school also enjoyed a visit from local author David Gatward, who recalled tales of how he became a writer. He also hosted a session with a group of Year 9 students, discussing how to improve and expand their own creative writing skills.

The school’s celebrations raised a total of £124 for the charity Book Aid International.

MAKE SUNDAY SPECIAL! Two or three-course menu including: Traditional Sunday Roasts made with locally sourced produce, fresh catch-of-theday fish and sea food dishes as well as homemade puddings, cheeseboards and coffee – all for £19.95 for two courses or £22.50 for three (including coffee or tea).

North Road, Timsbury BA2 0JJ Telephone: 01761 752015 www.sevenstars-timsbury.co.uk

Please check the website for upcoming tasting events.

The Wine Shop is open Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 6.30 21 Woodborough Road, Winscombe BS25 1AB 01934 708312 www.thewinetastingco.com • kelli@thewinetastingco.com MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 29

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INTERNET

Using the Fn key on your laptop

LAPTOPS have an extra key which the desktop keyboards didn’t have, which is the Fn or Function key. It is usually in the bottom left of your keyboard, next to the Ctrl key.

(It shouldn’t be confused with the function keys, which are the F1, F2 keys at the very top of the keyboard, which work on their own – on the internet F11 goes full screen and F5 is refresh.)

The Fn key is often a different colour to most of the other keys, which is a clue to how it works. The Fn key only works when held down in conjunction with other keys of the same colour – so if your Fn key is blue and the rest of the keyboard is mostly white, then holding down Fn and pressing one of the blue keys will activate that function.

These are some of the usual functions: G Hold down the Fn and press the small “sun” button and your screen will go darker – better at night, perhaps. Or hold down Fn and press the big “sun” button and your screen will get darker – very useful to make working easier on the eyes.

G Fn + the volume keys let you change the volume when playing a video, watching iPlayer etc.

G Some keyboards have coloured numbers in the middle of the keyboard, so with Fn you can use that like a number pad → G On a Mac, the Fn key works in the same way, plus extra build in extras – there is no Delete key, just a backspace key, but if you hold down Fn and use the Backspace it will work like the Delete key – e.g. delete whatever is to the right of the cursor, not the left. Fn+Up Arrow scrolls up one page, or Fn+Down arrow scrolls down.

Submitted by IT for the Terrified: The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934 741751 • www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. For more in depth information, please contact us.

We offer individual training, at a pace to suit you; a session lasts 2 hours and costs £10. We can cover a range of subjects – including absolute basics; photo management; shopping online; emailing; Word processing, spreadsheets; basic web design; etc. on a range of devices, including Windows Vista/W7/W8: Macs: Tablets: iPads: smartphones.

We also run a COMPUTER DROP IN session 1.30-3.30 Thursday afternoons. Call in for a quick word of advice/help/info.

See our website or contact us for further details.

Or if you can spare two hours a week and have skills on any level with any type of computer that you would like to share with others, please get in touch.

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 6. (with 5 Down) I had TV ad, he conjured MP (5,5) 7. Rare make converted to diesel is readied (9) 9. Discharge felon into state of confusion (6) 11. All CIA duty boils down to courage (8) 12. Went bats, had breakdown, quite a show!

(4,3,4) 15. Try it in another threesome! (7) 16. Decline a prize (7) 18. Smooth circle act like royals at home (11) 20. Pen endlessly after manic rant and become calm (8) 22. Lee, man of mystery, provides cover (6) 23. The sty Ma’s built rocks!

(9) 24. In shockingly poor taste, editor compares wife to horse! (5)

DOWN 1. I sit with honour in carriage saying “cheese”!

(9) 2. Mysterious sickness trumps our heavyweights (10) 3. Plunders as a drum is beaten (7) 4. Comic gets laughs despite remaining idle (4) 5. (See 6 Across) 8. Only some of the words at half time. . . (11) 10. Rugs notably manufactured in this centre of creativity (11) 13. Back to back to hurl stick for protection (10) 14. You’re so posh! I’m mere dogsbody, digging you out something sparkled! (9) 17. Punctual priest? (7) 19. Lawyer embraces memory play (5) 21. Remember, point toe other way (4) Compiled by Felkov

Answers on Page 105

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Kate gets help with a royal commission

SCULPTOR Kate Newlyn was commissioned by the Order of St John to create a bust of its Grand Prior, the Duke of Gloucester, which is now housed in their museum at St. John’s Gate in London.

Kate, from Compton Martin, said: “My very great thanks to St John's for the commission, to HRH the Duke of Gloucester for his kind hospitality while sitting for the portrait, to John Hemsley for overseeing the whole project and to my two very talented assistants, Ian Shipton and Adam Rush, for helping out with the sculpting when I was unwell.”

Weston College student Adam, aged 21, completed the sculpture, under supervision from Kate and his tutor at Weston College, Ian. Adam said: “I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked I’d like to do the sculpture. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Kate is one of the most respected sculptors in the country, so to have been asked to take over where she left off is a real honour.”

Ian, who has taught Adam for the past three years, said he’s seen his talent as a sculptor grow: “I’m so proud of him. This is an enormous achievement and he should feel justly proud of himself.”

Adam is also undertaking another commission on behalf of Kate for a series of clay and Jesmonite figures of the Holy Family for Compton Martin parish church.

Kate, who has been sculpting since 1987, was diagnosed with MS in 2014. She continues to receive commissions, which she undertakes now with assistance. She also mentors young sculptors and is a The Duke of Gloucester volunteer arts facilitator

WEST COUNTRY CLOCK AND WATCH FAIRS Now under new management!

We will be holding two events this year at The Holiday Inn, Taunton, Somerset just off M5 Jct 25 on Sunday 12th April and Sunday 1st November Admission: From – 9.00am – £3.00 Fair closes 2:30pm

For further details please see: www.westcountryclockfairs.co.uk Tel: Owen 07804 816 724 or David 01278 691 264

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

at a camp for disabled people in Kas, Turkey.

She also runs summer creativity cruises on board a boat in Turkey.

Adam Rush and the Duke of Gloucester's bust

Details: www.katenewlyn.com

Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers just a few miles from your business

Investing in time

THE next West Country Clock and Watch Fair will be held on April 12th at the Holiday Inn, Taunton. The fair was initially set up in 2006 by Wessex Fairs before being taken over by Mike Jones in 2012 who had, and will continue to have, his own stall at the fairs.

Mike has now handed the management over to the Bristol branch of the British Horological Institute. If you are looking for a beautiful classic-style wristwatch by a quality maker from a period of hand craftsmanship, or maybe a majestic mahogany cased grandfather clock made in Somerset, join them on April 12th. There will be hundreds of fine items of horology on display and for sale, plus experts to consult.

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Beatles memorabilia is a hit

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

A COLLECTION of Beatles memorabilia totalled over £3,000 at Tamlyns recent Collectors Sale in Bridgwater.

The collection was amassed by a local man who heard them on the radio early in 1961 – the music immediately appealed to him and he bought their first album Please Please Me which he played incessantly for weeks.

He joined the local branch of the Beatles Fan Club and went to see them at the Odeon in Weston-super-Mare in 1963 and again on their last UK tour in 1964 at the Gaumont Cinema in Taunton.

Since his death the items had been stored by the family who decided to part with the collection and give other Beatles fans a chance to buy some scarce, genuine items.

The ticket stubs and programme for the Weston show sold for £650; the Taunton show ticket stubs and programme £550; an official Beatles Fan Club sixth Christmas record £150; a poster for the film Help £300; a pair of unused Beatles stockings £50 and an unused Woolworths writing pad £70.

Other notable prices in this sale were a 19th century ivory gunner’s rule £1,800; seven WWII Fougasse posters £500; a Victorian Scottish officers dirk £1,000; Gebruder Bing clockwork toy of a boy and a boat £700; a group of WWI embroidered silk postcards £230 and 55 Royal Mail Prestige (stamp) booklets £350.

Entries are being accepted for the next Collectors Sale to be held in May – contact the auctioneers on 01278 445251 for further information.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 33

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Fairtrade gold!

AT the recent South West Fairtrade Business Awards, jeweller Erica Sharpe from Wedmore was presented with a Gold Award, acknowledging that her business is one of the best Fairtrade retailers in the South West.

Ethical materials and production methods are at the heart her jewellery.

Erica said: “To say that we are thrilled is an understatement! It is an honour to be recognised and share in the achievements of the other companies and organisations in our region who are working hard to communicate the importance of making everything, from bananas to flowers to precious jewellery, fairly traded all along the supply chain.”

If you are visiting Wedmore, call in to see The Honey Makers: 14 new pieces of jewellery in Fairtrade silver and amber, shown in the gallery buzzing around their mini-hive!

Or if you are further afield visit www.ericasharpe.co.uk or Erica Sharpe Fine Jewellery on Facebook to find out more.

Strictly comes to Clevedon!

NO sooner does one specialist sale finish at Clevedon Salerooms than consignments begin arriving for the next one.

The specialist sale on June 4th will include this Beryl Cook oil titled Tenerife Nights, measuring 24 inches by 24 inches.

Clevedon Salerooms have gained a reputation for the sale of original works by Cook and have sold more works by her in recent years than any other salerooms. Owners of her works are clearly doing their homework when it comes to choosing a venue to sell them.

This picture and a second from the same vendor are coming from the other side of the globe. If you have items you may be thinking of selling why not attend one of the regular free valuation days held at the salerooms.

To speak to a valuer call 01934 830111.

Making art accessible

NORTH Somerset Arts Week has grown into a ten-day event, running from May 1st – 10th and will involve more than 80 venues and more than 320 artists this year.

This will be the seventh festival, which is held every two years, and promises music, theatre and other events, as well as the chance to see a wide range of arts and crafts right across the area.

North Somerset Arts chairperson, Lorraine Jones, said: “Our intent for Arts Week 2015 is to celebrate creativity and advocate the cultural value and positive impact it has on the communities in our region.

“We invite you to explore North Somerset, visit places and artists you’ve never seen before, connect and have conversations, participate in creative activities and be inspired.”

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers March Specialist Sale Highlights Next Quarterly Specialist Sale 4th June

Cloisonné Vase

Black Forest Bear Stick Stand

Sold for £7,000

Sold for £3,450 Barraud Clock

Sold for £12,400

Chinese reverse painted mirror

Meissen Clock

Sold for £4,700

Sold for £11,000 Two amber necklaces

Sold for £11,000

Alois Arnegger

Window seat

Rolex Chronometer

Sold for £5,800

Sold for £4,900

Sold for £3,100

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT

www.clevedon-salerooms.com MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

Hidden corners of Mells

Heather in her studio

LOVERS of art and gardens should make a note in their diaries for Sunday, April 12 when there is a wonderful opportunity to see a new collection of original paintings by Mells artist Heather O’Brien.

Heather, who studied at Rochdale and Corsham Colleges of Art and has exhibited widely in the South West and London, has been working for the past year on an intriguing new body of work of hidden corners in and around the historic village of Mells where she has lived for the last 18 years.

Her studio sits within the beautiful acre of garden she has created almost as an extension of her paintings and has been visited by many garden lovers during the Mells Open Gardens event, which takes place again in July this year.

Heather said: “For me, making a garden is about creating a harmony of colour, shape and texture, and watching the changing light add another dimension bringing it all to life. It’s these uplifting qualities I aim to capture in my paintings.”

As well as her new works of Mells, Heather will also be exhibiting her paintings of National Trust gardens and French landscapes.

G The one-day exhibition will be held in the 14th century medieval tithe barn in the centre of Mells. It will be open from 10.30am-5.30pm. Entry is free and refreshments are available.

For more information, visit: www.heatherobrienart.co.uk

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New appointment at Mendip Auction Rooms KILLENS have appointed an additional full-time valuer and auctioneer at the Mendip Auction Rooms. Nicky Houston brings additional experience and knowledge to the team having worked in the auction world for 25 years and having previously worked for Dreweatts

Nicky Houston

and Bonhams.

An antiques chartered surveyor, Nicky will assist in co-ordinating sales at the auction rooms and undertaking home visits.

Tom Killen said: “We are delighted by Nicky’s appointment and we feel extremely confident that Nicky will have a massive influence in expanding the auction rooms further and ensuring that a high standard of service is given.”

About 600 lots went under the hammer on March 7th with a diverse entry of items including furniture, pictures, silver, jewellery, ceramics and collectables together with the sporting sale.

A pair of sporting oils met with strong interest eventually selling to a telephone bidder for £2,950. Other items selling to advantage included a late 19th century

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Heriz carpet (£1,000), a pair of Japanese vases (£440), a pair of 19th century pedestals (£440) and a zebra skin (£400).

The sale of Victorian and later effects on March 17th once again saw a good attendance with very strong bidding for the 400 lots on offer. The next sale will be of Antiques, Fine Art and Collectables on April 11th, starting at 10am.

The auction rooms can be contacted on 01749 840770 or log onto www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Contemporary fashions | Smart casual 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday

15, The Borough Mall, Wedmore BS28 4EB 01934 710479 Clairebidwell9@gmail.com

CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

Duvets & Bedspreads washed & dried Sheets and Duvet covers washed and pressed Professional efficient service Collection & delivery service in the Chew Valley

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Lime opens in Wedmore

LIME is a new fashion shop in Wedmore and is the second outlet for Claire Bidwell, who has been running Lime at Portland Street in Clifton for 25 years.

Claire lives in Shipham, so she knows Wedmore well, and says the reaction to the new shop has been “absolutely fantastic”.

After 37 years in the clothing industry, she said she was impressed by shops offering occasional wear in Wedmore, but felt there was a need for a shop offering clothing with a more casual look.

She said: “I’m catering for ladies who want something different, who don’t want a High Street look, but want something more individual, and who appreciate personal service in a warm and friendly atmosphere.”

She’s already discovered one big advantage to operating in Wedmore – it’s easier to park than it is in Clifton.

Going green

GREEN Man Computers was founded by Simon Dallyn two years ago, near Shepton Mallet. After a long career as an executive in the software industry, Simon decided the time was right to step out of the rat-race and start up a small company of real benefit to the people and small businesses in the community around him.

This took him back to what originally attracted him to a career in IT in the first place, the computers themselves! And what better way to do that than refurbish quality machines from big companies, giving them a long second life and saving a lot of valuable equipment from being wasted.

Green Man Computers only refurbishes and sells top-class business quality equipment from companies like Lenovo (ex IBM) which is not normally available on the High Street. These machines are much more expensive new than consumer laptops, but unlike consumer laptops, they are built to be much more robust, and most important of all to be repairable.

Green man Computers refurbishes these items, replaces any components likely to wear out and then resells them to local individuals and businesses, and also to the wider world via shops on eBay and Amazon.

Green Man computers is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher, which means all their machines are supplied with fully legal Windows software with full recovery media and product keys.

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Taking the longer view IF we are honest, how many of us, when we are starting out with our own business, don't imagine that we have the potential to be another Anita Roddick or Richard Branson?

How many of us could honestly say that we don't dream of making a fast buck?

Sadly, that good fortune is granted to relatively few of us, but that doesn't mean to say that we can't do well enough to enjoy a decent standard of living.

I have lost count of the number of times I have bleated about the importance of good planning and taking good advice and, boring though it is, I still stand by these views. In addition to this, in these highly cautious times, it is also important to get good support from professional partners.

Trying to go it alone when a business is 'young' used to be thought of as commendable and cost effective, but I was talking recently to the CEO of an international trading company with an annual turnover of billions. When he started out on his own, he was already an experienced operator in his field, but still struggled with achieving finance and administrative support.

In the earliest stages he relied on his

BUSINESS accountant for accurate records on a regular basis so that he could keep an eye on his own progress and talk to the banks (sometimes with accountant in attendance) when seeking more finance to expand the business.

He recognised his strengths and weaknesses and used his energies on what he was good at while leaving the rest to a paid professional whose advice he respected. Later on, his company grew sufficiently to employ its own administrative section and the accountant is now only required for the usual compliance work and annual audit.

His is only one of a number of examples I could quote of people who took the longer view. Recognising that we are generally more successful when we don't try to be a Jack of all Trades but stick to being a Master of One, people like my contact stand a very good chance of creating a successful and profitable business.

This is not least because they have created more time for themselves to think clearly and plan their business strategies, relying on professional advice which is honest and relevant, not just hogwash!

Jane Bowe, Probusiness

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01275 332966 mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 39

Photo by Ignyte Limited, Radstock.

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MENDIP TIMES Jackets G Fleeces G Walking Boots G Bags G Hats, Gloves G Travel Clothing

Boots that are made for walking

G

ONLY £75! (usual price £100)

1 Broad Street Congresbury BS49 5DG 01934 877333 www.countryinnovation.com QUALITY MARQUEES FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

• High Peaked Roofs • Clear Roofs and Window Walls so ‘Conservatory Ends or Entrances’ can be created. Also Flame Towers.

• Furniture • Starlight Lining • Dance floors • Lighting • Fridge trailer hire

Call the Marquee Specialists, Tel: 01761 221366 Email enquiries: info@jgmarquees.co.uk • Website: www.jgmarquees.co.uk

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

TWO great British brands, Berghaus and brasher, have combined under the Berghaus banner to become the UK’s number one hiking boot brand, with 50 years of experience in outdoor footwear between them.

Country Innovation in Congresbury has been chosen to be one of the few premier stockists of the new Berghaus range throughout the country.

To celebrate the launch of this range they are offering all Mendip Times readers the opportunity to buy the new Berghaus Expeditor Trek for a FANTASTIC £75! (usual price £100).

Visit the Country Innovation shop at 1 Broad Street, Congresbury, North Somerset, BS49 5DG. Offer ends 30 April 2015.

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BUSINESS The Lighthouse: a great venue for business meetings, training courses and community events. Contact our Reception team to arrange a tour of the facilities or to receive our Events Courtesy Pack.

First time event booking discount: for local businesses only, we are offering a 25% discount on first time venue hire bookings. Offer valid through to the end of April 2015. Please quote ref: SCD2015 when making an enquiry.

For further details please visit our website: www.lighthouse-uk.com or contact Reception on 01373 453585, reception@lighthouse-uk.com.

From a cable free home, to home automa on, Wedmore Home Technology Solu ons can provide you with a professional service with solu ons designed around you, and for you.

WIFI

Providing wifi availability all around the home or family safe connec vity with different levels of access

TV WALL MOUNTING

Installa on and removal of all unsightly cables.

HOME NETWORKING

From addi onal data storage and shared drive access to streaming music and video around the house.

HOME CINEMA INSTALLATION Fully scalable to accommodate your requirements.

SMART HOME

One light switch to an en re house, we can make your home an extension of your smartphone, whilst retaining exis ng func onality (suitable for anybody to use!)

We’d love to hear from you to discuss what services we can provide for you. Call us on 01934 713657 or 07545 551417 • www.wedmorehometechnologysolu#ons.com

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 41

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Café Gorge – a thriving independent family-run business CAFÉ Gorge in Cheddar Gorge is celebrating a highly successful first year. Ian Keane, his wife Carol and daughter Holly have a beautiful location and a well-deserved reputation for the quality of their freshly-prepared local produce food and exceptional service.

The café was the first new-build in the Gorge for many years, sitting next to the main river flowing out of the Cheddar caves. The traditional stonework cottage-style building matches the area gorgeously, while the cosy contemporary, airy interior has glass panoramic doors opening on to a terrace above the stream.

It’s located next to The Original Cheddar Cheese Company, founded in 1870, at the dawn of tourism in the area, opposite the picturesque lion rock and the gorge cliffs. Ian and Carol bought the world famous old cheese shop business ten years ago, so they have a second anniversary to celebrate. They are assisted in the day-to-day running by Carol’s father, Trevor Burnett.

The couple have 30 years hospitality experience and are no strangers to the restaurant trade – they won the Taste of the West Best Restaurant in the South West of England Award for their previous business, Conifers Restaurant. They also opened the thriving Truckles Farm Shop in Burnham-on-sea High Street, now managed by Ian’s uncle Ron Bashford.

Café Gorge has already scored Five Stars on Trip Advisor and a five-star food hygiene rating. It prides itself on its handmade produce, particularly its pastries, pies and Cheddar

CAFÉ GORGE

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quiches, baked every day and made with real Cheddar cheese from their shop stores next door. Ian and Carol run the café with daughter Holly, a qualified caterer who prides herself on excellent customer service, and are extremely proud of passionate foodie Sophie Brooks and the team.

Ian said: “We would like to thank all our local customers and visitors for making our first year so fantastic, we have been open all year and served food and drinks everyday. It shows Cheddar Gorge isn’t just a summer tourist destination, it’s a place where locals can come to enjoy our beautiful location and quality local produce.”

Chloe is a winner

THIS year’s Rotary Club of Mendip Youth Speaks final was held at Wedmore Golf Club, taking the form of after-dinner speeches.

The speeches of all four finalists were of an extremely high quality, but with over 30 Rotarians having cast their votes, it was the passion of this year’s winner, Chloe Wilson, that shone through, with her thought-provoking speech on the History of Feminism.

Chloe received a £40 Amazon voucher and all finalists received certificates in recognition of their efforts. Youth Chairman for the Rotary Club, Charlie Lane, said: “The manner with which all students conducted themselves throughout the evening, which included a formal meal, is a credit to both Kings of Wessex Academy and their history teacher, Suzanne Powell, who organised the evening.”

Chloe is pictured receiving her winner’s certificate and prize from Mendip Rotary president Mike Hiles.

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

Girls take the biscuit

New Cheddar Chamber of Trade and Industry

The four teams of finalists for The Big Pitch 2015

TEAMS of business studies students in year 9 at Kings of Wessex Academy have spent time testing their entrepreneurial skills by entering the Rotary Club of Mendip Big Pitch competition.

Starting last October, a team of Rotarians has been working with the students during their lunch breaks, passing on business experience and skills to assist them in setting up viable and sustainable businesses.

During the exercise, the teams of students formulated a business plan, designed and manufactured their products, advertised and sold them to the public, kept accounts, and made plans for possible future development.

The winners were The Muffin Men, a team of girls, who made honeycomb, gingerbread men, fudge, and muffins which they sold at Cheddar Festive Night, Wedmore Church Fair, and two local concerts. They made a total net profit of £309.83.

Cheddar’s Traders Association has a new name with its recent affiliation to the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Their aim is to increase their membership which will now appeal to businesses on the trading park and in the non-retail sector.

Cheddar’s commercial sector has grown significantly over recent years and the chamber wants to be at the forefront in supporting all the business within the village. The Somerset Chamber promotes and lobbies for business development specific to Somerset and by combining with town chambers represents over 2000 businesses across the diverse economy of Somerset.

Cheddar’s chamber in collaboration with the Somerset chamber are committed to promoting economic growth, opening pathways to businesses which would or could not access them and to work with other local organisations looking to create opportunities for Somerset and specifically Cheddar.

Membership enquiries can be made through the chairman Mike Latham mike@lanesofcheddar.co.uk or secretary Huw Davies huw@riversidecheddar.co.uk

New season at Katie-Boo

KATIE-BOO are delighted to launch their new spring and summer range of clothing and accessories.

The beautiful new range includes Seasalt, Lazy Jacks and Lily and me/Amari. They say soft colours await you this season with stunning prints to flatter all shapes.

They also have a new bag and scarf range ideal to compliment any outfit and also new this season Braintree bamboo socks, in various styles and colours and only £5 a pair.

After a testing month, following a fire, they are back fully trading with a new look inside the shop. They say they would like to thank all of their lovely loyal customers for all their support in the past few months.

Don't forget the Katie-Boo fashion show on May 20th at Cheddar Football Club at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4.50, including a free glass of wine, from the shop. All the money raised goes to local charities.

Ladies Fashion and Accessories Shop 2, Dorchester House Union Street, Cheddar Somerset BS27 3NB

All through the school holidays – hunt the eggs in the garden – prizes if you find all 10 – Easter colouring competition LIVE MUSIC Easter Saturday: Total Madness (Tribute band) 9.00 Easter Sunday: Steve James from 2.30 Easter Monday: Local acoustic duo

BOOK EARLY!

01934 741899 Email: karen@katie-boo.com

katie-boo.com MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 43

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Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

New look for Deane and Sons The Wishing Well Tea Rooms Morning Coffee Light Lunches Cream Teas Sandwiches Home-made Cakes

01934 742142

Everything you need for the great outdoors

SPRING INTO LOVE!

The Cliffs, Cheddar, BS27 3QA Tel: 01934 742688 Online Store: www.thegorgeoutdoors.co.uk

DEANE and Sons of Bath Street, Cheddar are celebrating 71 years trading with a complete refit and new shop frontage.

The business has grown in the passing years from a small menswear, ladies and tailoring shop to a large retail shop, now stocking school uniform for many of the local schools, formal hire wear and menswear.

The Home Room, which is next door, supplied blinds and curtains as part of the refurbishment.

Visit Deane and Sons in their new surroundings to see the summer ranges from many major brands, including Douglas and Grahame, Gurteen and Magee.

First for Draycott

CHEDDAR artist, Robin Gray’s Draycott Art Club is to hold its first Draycott Art Fair on Saturday March 28th, featuring 22 professional artists. They will set up displays of their work and will talk about their various techniques and aims.

There will also be a lunchtime concert by the popular duo, Beside the Gray. Lunches and light snacks will be available and tea and coffee will be on sale all day. The fair opens at 10am and goes on until 4pm.

Details: Robin Gray 07968 287961 or at robingrayartworks@yahoo.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

Getting to grips with computers

I.T. for the Terrified started in Wedmore in 1999 as a community venture.

Originally there was a paid centre manager, but since then everyone involved is a volunteer. We are a registered charity and a limited liability company.

The majority of our customers come under the “more mature” category and have a range of needs – sometimes it’s confidence building, sometimes it’s something specific like using Skype or FaceTime to talk to relations abroad.

We occasionally get young mums looking for help with getting back into work by improving their computer skills.

Recently, the majority of our customers are either wishing to cope with the new Windows, as Windows 8 is a very different look and set-up, which can be confusing when you are used to working the way you want to work and it no longer functions that way.

But probably the biggest change in the requests we get is for tablets – either iPad, or any of the various brand names or perhaps a smartphone. Often these have been given as a present by sons/daughters/grandchildren and knowing where to start can be very daunting.

We had one customer who wasn’t in the best of health herself and was carer for her husband, so coming to learn how to shop online was a big factor in helping her to cope. And almost as important was learning how to use a Kindle so she and her husband could have books to read whenever they wanted without a long trek to the library.

We’ve had farmers coming in learning the necessary skills to cope with modern farming needs – many things now have to be done online and it’s not easy when you’ve no experience at all.

Although our name really does describe a lot of what we do, between all our volunteers we can cover most requests on most devices on most levels – anything from turning on a new machine to learning how to use eBay or managing and editing photos, through to learning how to use a spreadsheet to balance the family budget or creating a PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Beatrice McCormack-Smith and Ian Smith

PowerPoint presentation to give a talk to a club.

Recently one couple, Mr and Mrs McCormack-Smith, came in for some help with a new Windows 8 laptop and Tablet. They came with a list of a few questions that needed sorting. Probably the most important to them was when we got the photos taken on their Tablet backed up and transferred to their laptop, so those precious photos are safe and stored online, as well as being able to be shared with family members.

In the afternoon, George came in with help to transfer his contacts from his old XP machine to a new Windows 8 laptop – we managed to import the new ones into “People” – no longer called Address Book, so not only was the transfer a little tricky, but the name of

Trainer Nick Sparks

the programme had changed as well!

All very confusing when you don’t know how.

And as trainers we are learning all the time as well – new areas we hadn’t looked at before, new aspects of the computer we hadn’t noticed etc. As one of our trainers says: “I started wrestling with computers, trying to make them do what I wanted, starting with a ZX81 too many years ago. Today with the proliferation of operating systems and different types of machines this experience has taught me they will do most things the average person requires of them. The trick is knowing how to do it and which device is best suited to meet the users' multiple needs.

“This is where I.T. for the Terrified comes in. The volunteer trainers including myself have a wide range of knowledge, which they are happy to share with those who need some help. I do not know all the answers immediately but part of enjoyment of working with a client is solving a problem or finding a way to do something for them that I have not encountered before.

“With more and more services being accessible using computers those who have no or little experience can take advantage of the guidance available from IT4TT. Most importantly unlike conventional courses the tuition will be tailored to client’s particular needs and abilities, and of course there is always time for a coffee and a chat, I like that!”

Lynne Duckett

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

John’s palace appointment

CHEDDAR’S charity man, John Shaw, has been invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party in recognition of his fundraising efforts.

He’s raised more than £150,000 for Help for Heroes in the last five years and cycled thousands of miles in the process distributing his Grandad’s Grand Lottery draw cards to pubs, shops and other venues in aid of the charity.

After starting with the local pubs in Cheddar, he now has 1,000 venues in Somerset, 400 in Bristol, 500 in Devon and 500 in Gloucestershire. Nationally he sends them out to 13,000 places.

He said: “I’ve even got them in the Falklands. The great thing is that a lot of the pubs go on to organise other fundraising events for Help for Heroes.”

John, aged 63, has been invited to the palace on May 20th. A roofer by trade, he says he’s been described as Britain’s scruffiest charity worker. He said: “One

posh golf club took one look at me and wasn’t going to let me in, until they realised I was raising money for charity.

“This invitation has come as a real surprise really – a scruffy devil like me.

I’ll have to think about a suit.”

John started cycling to get his strength back after severe bouts of illness – he’s survived an operation for bowel cancer,

pneumonia, a stroke and an attack from muscle-eating bacteria – and decided he could raise money for charity by doing it.

He’s also been supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital since his granddaughter, Ella, was treated there 18 years ago, arriving at midnight on Christmas Eve, dressed as Santa, to distribute gifts to the staff.

Details: www.justgiving.com/johnshaw007 • Tel: 01934 741905.

Open day at food bank

CHEDDAR Valley Food Bank is having an open afternoon on Saturday April 11th from 1pm – 3pm at Unit 4 Wessex Business Park (behind VADO) Station Road, Cheddar on the same side of the road as Kings of Wessex Leisure Centre.

It’s helped more than 300 families, referred by various agencies, since it was set up and is looking for more volunteers.

Details: volunteer@cheddarvalley.foodbank.org.uk

Consult the local experts for all of your insurance requirements Contact: Chris Tony or Paul on 01934 742550 For all your insurance needs Bath Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3AA Tel: (01934) 742550 Fax: (01934) 744559 Email: quotes@woodburyinsurance.co.uk

WEEKDAY LUNCH One course – £7.25 Two courses – £11.50 Three courses – £15.75 SUNDAY LUNCH £17.95 (Two courses) The Bays, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3QL Telephone: 01934 742761 Email: info@franksrestaurant.co.uk Web: www.franksrestaurant.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 47

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Stirring memories

WELLS-based mental health charity, Heads Up, works with individuals who are affected by mental health issues and other difficulties. They provide vital services in order to help people towards recovery, increased independence and greater wellbeing/quality of life.

Recently, they have been greatly encouraged by the success of their new dementia workshop. Initially a sixweek workshop was run in November, but is was so popular that there is now an ongoing memories workshop held every Friday.

Fundraising and publicity officer, Sadie Lampert, said: "We are so encouraged by the feedback we have received following our recent dementia workshops, it is an absolute privilege to be able to spend time with such wonderful people from the local community who are living with dementia.

“The workshop not only provides a safe, nurturing and relaxed atmosphere for everyone to share their memories of past times, pursue hobbies and interests which may have been forgotten and to rekindle old skills, but equally importantly, to provide a few hours of respite for family or carers. We believe we are providing the only service of this kind in Wells, which only amplifies how vital it is.”

They are always looking out for reminiscence materials such as old household, gardening, farming or school items for example. The items need to be suitable for taking indoors and shouldn't be too large!

Old photographs, books, vinyl records or CDs of music from the war years etc would be of particular interest. They are also seeking volunteers to work alongside them at their premises in South Horrington.

Details: sadie@headsupsomerset.org.uk • Call 01749 670667 or go to www.headsupsomerset.org.uk

(Photo courtesy of Pat Morrisey)

Golden square

PHIL Summers, the Worshipful Master of King Alfred Lodge in Weston-super-Mare, recently celebrated 50 years of being a freemason. He’s pictured (right) receiving a certificate commemorating the milestone from Ray Guthrie, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset.

Details: www.somersetfreemasons.org

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Paul’s Scottish challenge

LOCAL businessman, Paul Phibben, of Stratton-on-the-Fosse, has been selected to take part in The Great Outdoors Challenge, walking more than 200 miles across the wildest parts of Scotland.

Starting on Friday, May 8th, Paul and his walking partner Wayne Palmer will leave the village of Dornie on the west coast heading for Stonehaven on the east coast, raising money for research into Coeliac Disease, which Paul’s son Elijah suffers from.

Because of the degree of risk involved in the challenge only those with a suitable amount of experience are selected to take part. Paul has walked in the wilds of Sweden, Morocco's Atlas Mountains, the Pyrenees, the GR20 in Corsica and has completed all 630 miles of the South West Coast Path. He’s being supported by the Gorge Outdoors in Cheddar Gorge.

Coeliac disease is a lifelong auto-immune disease caused by intolerance to gluten. It is a serious life-changing condition that effects one in 100 people.

Details: www.justgiving.com/Paul-Phibben www.justgiving.com/paul-phibben/

More volunteers needed

ROYAL Voluntary Service Good Neighbours is calling on local people to dedicate just a couple of hours a week to help older people in the community live happy, healthy, independent lives.

The service currently has around 40,000 volunteers nationally – but more are needed to reach those who most need help.

As a good neighbours/befriending volunteer you might help an older person with their shopping, to change a light bulb, or simply spare an hour or two to have a chat.

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers also perform ‘safe and well’ checks, to make sure the older people who use the service have everything they need to stay happy, healthy and independent in their own homes.

Sharon Donkin, service manager, said: “This is a really vital service for older people in the community. Taking someone out to the shops or spending time having a chat may not seem like much, but it makes a massive difference to the older people who use the service. Our volunteers are fantastic and they really enjoy what they do; they get as much out of volunteering as they put in.”

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CHARITIES

Every penny helps

Showtime concert

RADSTOCK and Midsomer Norton Lions Club collected more than £800 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Daffodil Appeal with a collection at their local Tesco. Husband and wife team, Sally and Colin Marsh, are pictured with Tesco staff Zoe Bevan, checkout manager, and Beckie Eschle, community champion.

THE Rotary Club of Somer Valley has donated the proceeds of its Autumn Showtime concert by the Mendip Male Voice Choir and the Bath Light Operatic Group to charity.

Rotarians Michael Cosh and Norman Tooze are pictured presenting a cheque for £1,000 to Caroline Gilleece, matron of the William Budd Ward at Bath’s Royal United Hospital to support the unit’s benevolent fund. A further cheque was presented to Help For Heroes.

Geoff’s marathon challenge

GEOFF Wessell, the deputy area commander of Avon and Somerset Police in Somerset, has been busy training for the London Marathon on April 26th, hoping to raise £3,500 for the MS Trust.

He’s completed half-marathons previously and has been pounding the hills preparing to run double the distance.

His wife, Jo, a nurse, has been living with MS for a decade and used to run halfmarathons herself before the condition worsened.

Geoff said: “The MS Trust is all about education and giving support to sufferers who need a positive attitude to not let it take their lives over.”

He’s receiving support himself from his police colleagues, friends and neighbours as well as sponsorship from Lockton MIS Motorsport. He’s been busy tweeting, Facebooking and blogging about his progress.

Geoff with Dexter

Details: @gwessell_aspol and www.GeoffWessell.wordpress.com

Betty’s charity sale

BETTY Silburn, from Blagdon, has decided to celebrate her 90th birthday by holding an exhibition and sale of her screenprints and etchings at St. Andrew’s Church in Blagdon, raising money for Weston Hospicecare.

Widowed at the age of 42, and with two children, she trained as a teacher, with art as her main subject, and earned a reputation for the quality of her work, exhibiting widely, For 25 years she did screenprinting and etching at the West of England Art College in Bristol producing editions, mainly of landscapes but also of Nepal, Australia, South Africa and the Taj Mahal. She was a member of both the Bath and Bristol Societies of Artists and of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen.

She also taught at Chewton Mendip School for 12 years.

She said: “I do hope people will support this venture, not only to raise money for such a worthy cause but to help me in my quest to get my affairs in good order!”

She will be holding a birthday party for 42 members of family at Coombe Lodge on April 14th. Her exhibition and sale will take place at St. Andrew’s from May 23rd – 25th, 10.30am – 5.30pm. Prices will range from £10 – £25, well below their normal value, and all proceeds will go to the hospice.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 49

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Kelston Maurice Sparkes June 6th, 1931 – February 4th, 2015 KELSTON Sparkes, who has died, aged 83, was a self-made man who left school at 14 and went on to found the Kelston Sparkes group, one of the largest plant hire and earth moving companies in the country. Today they employ 150 operators in quarries across the Mendips and on other major projects across the country.

He was born next to Chew Magna primary school, which he attended. His father, Herbert, ran the gas works in Silver Street, the only one-man gas works in the country, and Kelston helped him with repairs around the village, as well as cycling to Curls Farm, Stanton Drew, every day to help Dr Brew with milking. The farm became his home in later years.

After leaving school he worked with his elder brother Herbie in his agricultural engineering business on the site in Chew Magna now occupied by R.O. Dando. At the age of 18 he won best ploughman at The Blagdon Charterhouse and West Mendip and North Somerset ploughing matches.

At the age of 20 he bought the Carpenters Arms pub in Stanton Wick, a free house belonging to George’s Brewery, which had to be licensed in his wife’s grandfather’s name, George Cole, until he reached the legal adult age of 21.

That same year he bought his first tractor, a grey Ferguson T20 and a mower, and added a plough for winter work, founding his own agricultural business, while his wife Kathy ran the pub. He also took on his first employee, John Withey, who stayed with him for more than 50 years and still helps out at Curls Farm, as part of the Wednesday Gang, restoring steam engines, the passion of Kelston’s son Alan.

The agricultural business flourished, working across virtually every farm in Somerset and beyond, adding the spreading of liquid nitrogen, lime and basic slag to its work, as well as combine harvesters, balers and a range of other equipment to the business.

In 1955 he built a new home and business headquarters, Green Acres, next to the pub, before outgrowing that and moving to the old Bromley Colliery site nearby in 1964, where the business is still based.

As the agricultural business declined he moved into heavy plant, with his long-time general manager, John Gallop, importing the first gigantic Volvo dumper trucks seen in Britain.

He visited Sweden, Japan, Spain and the USA advising manufacturers about the design of their machines, building up the largest fleet of articulated dump trucks in the country, including the introduction of the first 100-ton excavators. He worked on major projects like the Ilminster by-pass and the

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OBITUARY

Kelston and trusty companion Ruby

second Severn crossing.

It has always been a family business. Son Alan joined Kelston from school. As well as support from his wife Kathy, daughters Shirley, Kay and Maria have all worked in the office and now two grandsons and two granddaughters have joined the team.

Kelston met Kathy (nee Smart) through young farmers. Her family had Halfway Farm at Stanton Drew. They married in 1951.

Kelston’s main passions in life were his family and his business.

He encouraged his daughters to compete at gymkhanas and at pony club. In 2007 he bought the first of three racehorses, trained

by Paul Nicholls. The highlight was Arturio winning at Cheltenham. Another was called that’lldoboy – one of his favourite sayings.

He also loved shooting – he and his brother Burnel ran Widcombe Shoot at Bishop Sutton for 37 years. He was a great supporter of charity, hosting various events at the farm as well as the Stanton Drew Steam-Ups. Hundreds of people worked with him over the years – and many went on to start their own businesses with his help.

The funeral cortege left Curls Farm and went through the business estate at Bromley, passing some of Kelston’s collection of old tractors, Alan’s steam engines and some of the company’s latest earth moving machines.

More than 650 people attended the funeral at St. Andrew’s Church, in Chew Magna. His grandsons Daniel, Anthony, Christopher, James, Kelston and Alfie carried the coffin. His son Alan read the eulogy and a poem at the end of the service, Speed the Plough. His youngest daughter, Maria, and granddaughter Michelle read other poems and grandson Daniel read a lesson on behalf of the grandchildren.

Kelston leaves his wife Kathy, son Alan, daughters Shirley, Kay and Maria, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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Society’s golden anniversary

THE Mendip Society celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 28th, 50 years to the day it was formed. Some 40 members held a walk on the Mendips, organised by Gill Davies, before gathering at the Queen Victoria in Priddy to cut a cake made by Lyn Mewes of Frome.

The society was originally formed as the Mendip Preservation Society. By May of 1967 they had joined up with the West Mendip Rural Preservation Society to bring their membership to over 500, finally changing their name to the Mendip Society in 1970.

They were the first to propose that the Mendip Hills should become an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, being instrumental in its adoption. In 1971 a huge exhibition was held in the Bishop’s Palace at Wells, attracting 23,000 visitors.

The society has published a number of books including Man and The Mendips to coincide with the exhibition. A number of special events are being planned for this anniversary year.

Details: www.mendipsociety.org.uk

Scouts night challenge

NEWS

NINE Scout Troops comprising 85 girls and boys aged between 10 and 14 took part in the annual Wansdyke District Scout Night Hike, with 30 leaders/adults helped out by ensuring safety and running bases.

Two teams learnt the importance of using a compass, as one ended up going west towards Keynsham when they were meant to go east, and another headed along the footpath towards Bath when they should had been going north towards North Stoke, ignoring a clue in the name!

But after a quick check-in with leaders they worked out where they went wrong and got back on track, having to walk an extra mile to make up for their mistake.

After bacon sandwiches in the morning prizes were handed out by Stu Ballard the District Commissioner. The overall results were extremelay close, and when the calculations were done only 1.2 points separated first to third places. First place was High Littleton Prime patrol with 68.5 points, second were 2nd Paulton with 67.7 points, third were 1st Radstock with 67.3 points.

A patrol from 1st Chew Stoke won chocolate eggs for showing the true spirit of scouting. Despite getting lost and taking the longest time, they still turned up to every check point and took on the challenges with gusto and fun. The points winners on the challenges were 1st Midsomer Norton Scout Troop.

From sylvan silver to gorgeous golden AT their silver wedding 25 years ago John and Gill Mayers from Compton Martin asked friends and relations if they would like to contribute to a tree fund instead of presents and, thanks to their generosity, the Somerset Wildlife Trust planted more than 200 trees at Black Rock Nature Reserve above Cheddar Gorge.

This was after the terrible storms of 1988 and 1989 which had brought down many trees. The planting made headlines in the local press. On Easter Monday, they will re-visit the reserve with friends and relations from their golden wedding celebration to see how the trees are getting on – they are doing fine.

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Crowds set to flock to bird fair

THE popular Chew Valley Bird Fair takes place at Chew Valley Lake on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th. The annual fair provides nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers with a great day out in the country.

It takes place on the lawns outside London Camera Exchange’s Lakeside Optics shop, next door to Chew Valley Lake tea room, giving visitors

old equipment in partexchange.

There will be a variety of talks and workshops by experts, including Chris Sperring from the Hawk and Owl Trust, Hamish Smith, co-ordinator of the Bath peregrine project, the urban birder, David Lindo, and naturalist, Ed Drewitt.

Groups attending include Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Ornithological Club, the British

the chance to view, get expert advice and buy, while testing out the equipment against this spectacular backdrop. There is also the opportunity to trade in

Trust for Ornithology, the Hawk and Owl Trust, the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Mendip Hills AONB. Chew Valley beekeeper, John Smythe, will be there, with his bees (weather permitting), with artists Martin Rumary and Ronald Swanwick and wildlife carver, Roger Francis.

Exhibitors will include all of the major suppliers of cameras, binoculars, lenses, tripods and other equipment, plus a local company Nep-inSri Travel, which offers tailormade holidays to Nepal, India and Sri Lanka for wildlife and birdwatching.

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WILDLIFE

The Song Thrush – sing for spring!

THE spring dawn chorus is a spectacle that everyone should experience.

It usually begins in March with resident birds like blackbirds

By CHRIS which perch on the SPERRING highest points they MBE can find and deliver their beautiful song at the top of their lungs. If I step outside at 6am in March, I am bombarded by the sound of six or seven blackbirds singing from different gardens, all trying to out-sing each other, creating a wave of sound that washes all around me.

Gradually, as we move into April, more and more birds join the orchestra and resident birds are now joined by those returning after wintering further south.

Though this natural chorus may seem like a wall of sound to the untrained ear, there are songsters within it which really stand out.

Blackbirds certainly have one of the most melodious songs, as does the robin, and the tiny wren has one of the loudest, but one of the easiest to identify by song alone is the song thrush.

Slightly smaller than its relative, the blackbird, the song thrush has chocolate brown upperparts and cream-coloured underparts with thick black spots. The similar-looking mistle thrush is much larger than the song thrush. The two can be told apart when flying because the mistle thrush’s tail has a white feather on each side, and the song thrush has almost yellow undersides to its wings.

The song thrush’s song will be at its height in April and is normally delivered from high vantage points like tall trees or buildings. It is a powerful song consisting of single notes and very short phrases which are always uttered twice. These vary from bird to bird and even include mimicry of sounds heard within their environment, but the tone is typical of thrushes and each note is always repeated.

This is a bird of open woodland and woodland edge, as well as mature hedgerows and scrubland. The importance of scrub for this species cannot be underestimated, and is one of the reasons for its decline. Scrub offers cover from predators, food and also thick thorny bushes in which to nest, so the removal of scrub and the ever-tidying of our countryside has badly affected this species.

Song thrushes can begin nesting as early as March, so most will be nesting by now. The female builds a mud-lined, grassy cup nest within in a bush, wall or in thick ivy on a tree. Four or more eggs are laid and incubated by the female for around 17 days and the young thrushes will fledge at about 17 days old.

Mortality during the fledging time can be very high, although it’s well-known that each female thrush can go on to have a second or even a third brood within one season, if her food supply is good enough. They will eat a variety of food including worms and snails, which they famously smash on favourite rocks to remove the shell. During the winter months thrushes turn largely to berries

A bite to eat: a song thrush devours a snail

and fallen fruit, but can also be seen turning over dead leaves searching for dormant invertebrates.

Every garden should have song thrushes, and in my youth most did.

Sadly, now they are an uncommon garden bird, probably due to factors like the removal of hedges in favour of lowermaintenance fences, as well as widespread use of garden pesticides and, of course, cats, which find groundfeeding birds like thrushes particularly easy prey.

To hear singing song thrushes head to woodland or forests like Rowberrow or Stockhill, where the rotational management of these commercial plantations seems to have created just the right mix of habitats, including that all important scrub.

I will be leading several dawn chorus and evening chorus walks this spring, so please get in touch if you would like to come along.

Sing something simple: this is one of the easiest birds to recognise by their song

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 07799 413 918 or chris.sperring@btinternet.com For news and events please visit www.swp.hawkandowl.org MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 53

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Flat out from Burrow Mump

THIS is a circular, flat walk stepping out in the Isle of Athleney on the Somerset Levels – an area which proved so vital in sealing the future of England during King Alfred’s reign. We start at the iconic hill of Burrow Mump at Burrowbridge which figured largely during the terrible floods last year. This is an excursion into the ‘land of the summer people’ and is certainly best done on a sunny day when everything is greening up or green. There are wide open flat vistas, swans in the fields and walking on old tracks across the rhynecrossed moors and along the River

With Sue Gearing PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Parrett Trail. It is very peaceful, easy walking so you can really stride out (no stiles at all!) and you don’t even have to climb Burrow Mump. Enjoy a pleasant old-fashioned Somerset pub at the start or the end, which serves good food but still feels like a pub. This is a very easy to follow route.

PARK: The free National Trust car park for Burrow Mump at Burrowbridge on the A361. Go through the gate into the Mump area and up over the 80ft high hill which is a historic site overlooking Southlake Moor.

As well as being a scheduled monument, it is also called King Alfred’s Fort for King Alfred was much associated with Burrowbridge Mump as it lies close to the Isle of Athelney. It was to Athelney that the King fell back when hard-pressed by the Danes and he lodged in a hut there. It was here that the episode of the burned cakes was supposed to have occurred. The top of the Mump was a perfect place to observe any invaders approaching over the surrounding flatlands and Alfred’s men created defensive earthworks up there.

There is some evidence of Roman occupation on the mump.

A Norman castle was replaced by a chapel of St Michael and although it survived the disssolution, it was badly damaged in 1645 after the Battle of Langport by Royalist troops. Existing

remains date from restorations in the 18th century.

On the side wall of the remains is a plaque commemorating the sacrifice of Somerset men in the last war. The land and ruin were donated to the National Trust in 1946 as a war memorial.

START: Go up and down the other side, which is less steep, or simply go right around the bottom edge. Leave down steps onto the main road. With care, turn left into Burrowbridge and the King Alfred pub.

During the flooding last year, this bridge was almost the last dry sanctuary with land to the south under water for miles. It is estimated that about 16,000 acres or 10% of the whole Levels, were under water. Many news reports and interviews took place here. The Levels is one of the lowest and flattest areas in the country and flooding over the years has been frequent.

In Roman times artificial flood defences were built to keep out the tides from the nearby Severn Estuary and ditches were dug. This created a network of inland channels or rhynes to drain large areas of floodplain marsh. Then, during the Middle Ages, the monasteries at Glastonbury, Athelney and Muchelney did a huge amount of drainage work and looked after the land.

Just before the bridge, go right into Riverside.

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WALKING

1. BURROW DROVE After about 350 yards take Burrow Drove on the right. You are now down on Earlake Moor criss-crossed by rhynes. It is stony and hard at first and later becomes grassy but still good underfoot. Continue with Burrow Mump over on your right all the way to a T-junction with Broad Drove.

2. BROAD DROVE Turn right and find that this next stretch may be a little more sticky. Follow this round bends and follow footpath arrows so you go round to the left of Burrow Wall farm to arrive at the main road.

3. MAIN ROAD Go across onto the track and soon turn left through a kissing gate into a field with the protective green bank of Burrow Wall up on your right. At the end, pass Grove Farm on your left, cackling with geese when I came, and continue on through two metal kissing gates. Now it is decidedly more green and pleasant as you maintain direction ahead. The Mump is behind you.

OS Explorer 140, Quantock Hills & Bridgwater, grid ref: 360 306 5 miles, about 2.5 hours walking.

Near the end, go through a Bristol Gate (with a pedestrian gate built into it). Turn left up a bank and onto a track. Going right, this leads to the hamlet of Pathe.

Take the lane to the right and after two or three minutes, at a junction with a lane left, you turn right over a stone road bridge.

4. BRIDGE Immediately go right on the well-marked path across a footbridge and onto Southlake Moor. Follow a rhyne on your right and with the Mump now on your right. You will see over on your left is the low banking of Challis Wall which protects the Sowy River. Stay with the rhyne for nearly three-quarters of a mile, passing sluices, and it gradually becomes narrower and more vegetation choked. On the way you may have to do a very small dogleg to

use a bridge to cross the side rhyne. But basically stay with the narrowing rhyne on your right. At the end of the rhyne, turn up right and reach the River Parrett.

5. RIVER PARRETT The River Parrett flows through Dorset and Somerset from its source in the hills at Chedington in Dorset. Flowing northwest through Somerset and the Somerset Levels to its mouth at Burnham-on-Sea, into the Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve on the Bristol Channel. The Parrett Trail follows its 50-mile course.

Turn right following the footpath arrow, with the River Parrett on your left. Now simply stay with this Parrett Trail for about a mile and a half heading directly for the Mump. As you approach Burrowbridge there is an information board giving you a historical perspective of the area Go past the King Alfred and then either go up over the Mump or round the edge back to the start.

One of our readers, Rachel Thornton, has pointed out that the inscription we included in our walk around Wrington last month was incomplete. It should have read: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit under”. It is the memorial to David Telling who restored and extended Meeting House Farm, on the edge of the village.

King Alfred’s Inn, Burrowbridge.

Closed Monday lunch.

Tel: 01823 698379.

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s Diary

WHILST I’m writing this, the resident blackbirds in my garden are busy nestbuilding. They seem spoilt for choice when it comes to With LES materials, with plenty DAVIES MBE of dead grass and leaves on the ground. They do however seem to have taken a shine to the leaves on my hornbeam hedge and will hop up onto the branches tugging so hard that the whole hedge shakes.

Their other favourite pastime is kicking the moss off the tiles on my roof in search of anything good to eat underneath. Leaving the house can at times be a hazardous occupation as they scrabble around and scatter the moss like a dung-spreader on the path below. It’s also the indignant look they have, peering over the gutter at me as if I had no right to be there in the first place. A bit like some people I’ve met recently!

I haven’t been up onto Burrington Ham for quite some time, so when I went for a look around recently I was pleased to see that the clearance work is still going on. I remember doing the initial work, probably back in 2007/8, with local contractor Jon Sealey, whose large frontmounted tractor flail made short work of the scrub and brambles.

Now it has got a real open feel to the place, although losing a few more trees wouldn’t go amiss. This is grassland that is being lost to climatic succession (that desire nature has to cover everything with trees) and being lost with it will be the archaeology that lies below. I could still make out the banks in the old field systems and enclosure and wonder what life would have been like then.

No Gore-Tex clothing or neoprenelined Wellington boots for those folks who lived, worked and died on this land down through the ages. I feel quite comfortable in these surroundings, where people worked the land before. It’s almost as if some part of them still exists within the soil. At the moment it’s my turn to stand on it, stare into the distance and enjoy it. I doubt they had the time or the inclination to do either.

We’ve waited so long for the lighter evenings and now they are finally here.

The month of April takes its name from

the Greek word for ‘opening’. As always be alert for the customary ‘April Fools’ joke, the origin of which no-one has yet been able to explain to me. There have been some pretty spectacular ones over the years, but the one that stands out in my mind was done by the BBC when they went to look at the spaghetti trees.

Using the legendary commentator Richard Dimbleby made it even more convincing to the masses who fell for this, arguably the greatest April Fool’s joke of our time.

There is quite no other month like spring in the countryside, as primroses and violets start to fill the hedge bottom.

Soon the trees and bush buds will swell and everything will be covered with leaf and blossom. It is a promise of good things to come in the year ahead. Time for me to try and catch up in the garden, as always my early potatoes will be a bit later, but that doesn’t seem to affect the time that I can dig them.

My grandfather, Charlie Tavener, was often digging his garden and planting potatoes at the same time; now that’s a real ‘one pass’ operation. William Cobbett, who lived in the early part of the 1800s (and who you have heard me speak of before), made comment of a young lady in the Home Counties who was digging her garden and planting cabbages at the same time.

He dwells upon the subject for quite a while, in fact long enough for me to suspect his interest wasn’t just in the horticultural technique being used in this particular situation. It will soon be the time of early purple orchid and I hope the return of the swallows and house martins.

Back they come every year to the barns, sheds and houses they have used for years, but seemingly in lesser numbers.

Some of it may be the fact these barns, sheds and out houses are becoming fewer as we improve everything for our habitation.

Sometimes I think we are losing the ability to live alongside one another and that’s not just other people. I have spiders in my conservatory (well that’s what I call it) that keep the flies down and beetles that clear up in the shed. I even have an impudent mouse who will scurry around the shed floor where I keep my tractor, in between chewing up the edges of my chain saw helmet ear defenders. He

seems to gain a living somehow and isn’t causing me too many problems, so I’m happy to let him be.

In my February edition I spoke of Sarah Manning, headmistress at Charterhouse School and how she found it hard to live on Mendip alone. I wrote of her description in returning from Bristol in an “open car” which was presumably a rail car. Another of my assumptions was that she would have made her way by one means or another from Burrington or Blagdon back to Charterhouse.

Steve Delaney from Tickenham dropped me a text pointing out quite correctly that the Wrington Light Railway wasn’t operational until the 1890s and was primarily in use for bringing in materials for the construction of the Blagdon Pumping Station. Steve suggest that her stop could either have been Yatton or Backwell. I am more inclined to think it was Sandford, Winscombe, Axbridge or even Cheddar as the Strawberry Line was running at that time.

Sarah Manning was unavailable for comment on this subject, so perhaps we will never know what happened. There is however one certain outcome from this debate and that is at least ONE person reads my column in Mendip Times!

The photo this month shows all you need to plant an apple tree (including a Land Rover 110 Defender). I've planted a few more again this year and have helped others do the same. Planting something for the future is a nice feeling.

Don’t forget, British summer time begins on Sunday March 29th!

You can always contact me through my website: Westcountryman.co.uk

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Don’t be fooled by false claims

APRIL 1st may be the day when your friends can try to trick you, but it seems to me that you need to be on your guard when buying plants and garden sundries every day of the year.

Various plant and garden catalogues plop through my letter box, as you can imagine, With MARY but I have to admit to being very cautious PAYNE MBE and sceptical about buying by mail order or online, although I will happily buy a book or other non-living items.

There seems to be so many more opportunities for the unwary to be taken for a ride with living material.

Over-exaggeration in plant descriptions is a common fault.

We are offered climbing fuchsias that have no ability to actually climb. To be classed as a climber a plant requires tendrils, thorns or spiralling twisting stems. The climbing fuchsia should be more accurately described as a wall shrub.

Climbing strawberries are similar and are simply stronggrowing varieties that need to be constantly tied up to a trellis.

Over-enlarged pictures of flowers giving the impression that the flowers are much larger than they actually are is another common pitfall. Claiming a plant is hardy is another trap. What is hardy in Cornwall may not be hardy even in our area. It all depends on the soil type and the aspect and microclimate that the plant is growing in.

The Royal Horticultural Society has revised its descriptive scale of hardiness into seven categories: H7 is really hardy plants tolerating temperatures as low as minus 20C; H3 is described as half hardy and covers those plants that require an unheated greenhouse or conservatory to overwinter, with temperatures dropping no lower than 1C to 5C. In our area H4 can be regarded as hardy in an average year with the plant coping with temperatures down to minus 10C. Always check the small print to see if you are to receive a reasonable sized plant for your money. Look for the pot size or size of plug plant. I have seen plants for sale at £19.99 that were in only a 7cm (3in) wide pots – hardly good value. It would be better to go to your local nursery and buy a bigger plant.

I have seen young plants, of an easily grown annual, on offer at £5.95 for five seedlings. That amounts to 90 pence per seedling. A packet of seed of the self-same plant would cost £1.95 for 100 seeds which germinate easily in four to five days.

Yes, plug plants can be an excellent way of purchasing young plants, but make sure you are getting good value and that they will be delivered in plenty of time for you to grow them on before planting out. On arrival, unpack your plants immediately and give them a good drink and plenty of light.

Over the years I must have tried every product that claims to protect plants from the dreaded slugs and snails. Spreading grit or various granules around vulnerable plants is claimed to discourage the critters from crossing them. All have failed with me, as have variations on a theme of copper tape.

I am pleased to say that recently published research has corroborated my findings, although sheep’s wool pellets may be successful for you, but not for me. The only real solution is to resort to the organic slug pellets based on ferric phosphate, which are safe and just as effective as those based on the more obnoxious metaldehyde. You will not find dead bodies as they crawl away after eating the pellets and die underground. Always PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Galanthus sps

read and follow the advice on the packet.

Another of my quibbles is the recent crop of advertisements urging us to buy expensive fertiliser that will give us vastly improved crops, probably compared with using no fertiliser at all. The unsuspecting gardener is quite justified in thinking that every plant requires a different fertiliser.

A basic understanding of plant nutrition will reveal that for plants that we wish to flower or fruit, use a high potash fertiliser such as those recommended for tomatoes. These usually contain two to three times the ratio of potash to nitrogen. For plants required to produce plenty of green leaves, then a fertiliser with a more balanced ratio of nitrogen to potash is ideal, such as good old Growmore. It is as simple as that.

In the autumn I get apoplectic about the volume of snowdrops sold as “dry” bulbs in packets. Many of the bulbs will have dried out too much and will not survive. Purchasing snowdrops “in the green” is the solution, or better still, ask a friend to lift and divide clumps now, immediately after flowering.

Do not be tempted by cheap wisteria plants. I always recommend that wisterias are purchased in flower. You then know that the plant has the potential to flower, rather than waiting up to 15 years for flowers from a seedling. You also know that it is the colour and flower shape that you want.

Beware of perennial flowers that claim to bloom in their first season. They will bloom, but are often types that are short-lived or even biennials such as Canterbury bells so may not flower again.

If all this has seemed somewhat negative, I apologise, but I do like fellow gardeners to get good plants for good value, and I suppose the saying “buyer beware” goes for everything we purchase, not just plants.

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GARDENING

APRIL GARDEN TIPS

G Plant main crop potatoes. Early varieties may need earthing up to exclude the light from the tubers. Cover shoots with fleece to protect from frost damage.

G Sow more peas and broad beans. Support early sown varieties. Make a first sowing of French Beans towards the end of the month.

G Sow vegetable varieties that have inherent pest and disease resistance- Beetroot Boltardy (doesn’t run to seed), Carrot F1 Flyaway (carrot fly), Cucumber F1 Bella (mildew), Parsnip F1 Albion (rust and Canker) and the blight resistant Tomato F1 Fantasio.

G Start spraying your vegetable plants regularly with Garlic Wonder. This will keep masses of pests away without tasting of garlic. It’s especially good with the cabbage family.

G Sow perpetual spinach, leeks, radish, turnips, lettuces, carrots, beetroot, Swiss chard and summer cauliflowers outside.

G Protect flowers on peaches, nectarines and apricots from frost. Use a soft brush to hand pollinate blooms and increase chances of a good crop.

G It is now safe to prune plum and cherry trees. They are vulnerable to the silver leaf disease if pruned in autumn or winter.

G If your apples and pears suffered from scab last year, spray with Systhane Fungus Fighter now.

CLEEVE NURSERY & BOX TREE CAFÉ

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

Timberwork Buildings Bespoke buildings to suit you We specialise in the manufacture of quality standard and bespoke garden buildings to suit your individual needs including:-

Weston Garden Machinery Garden Machinery & Woodburning Specialists

WE ARE MOVING SOON TO: Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS Behind Bournville Service Station (Shell garage)

WORKSHOPS/GARAGES GARDEN SHEDS SHELTERS & STABLES PLAYHOUSES Let our dedicated team assist you in your choice whatever your budget . . . Full design, installation and delivery service available – customise your shed to suit your needs

We also do: Chicken Houses Dog Kennels • Bin & Log Stores

In the meantime we are still at:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT US AND SEE OUR SHOW MODELS – OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Hutton Garden Centre, Banwell Road, Hutton, Weston-super-Mare BS24 9UB

Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk e.mail: timberbuildings@aol.com

Tel: 01934 813261

THE TIMBERYARD • SHUTE SHELVE • CROSS • NEAR AXBRIDGE

www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 59

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Get expert advice

IT'S that time of year when the sun comes out and we all start thinking about the garden.

Whatever your needs Batello Garden Design can help. From a full design and landscape to planting advice or a patio, they can do it all.

They work throughout the Somerset and Bristol area. Since 2008 they have been crafting original and creative gardens that are affordable, practical and perfectly tailored to you and your lifestyle. They are committed to providing the highest level of professionalism and quality workmanship; their testimonials are proof of this.

Drawing on their individual skills Paul, designer/horticulturalist and Kevin, landscaper, work together to bring out the best in your garden. They don't just leave it there, for many of their customers they do fortnightly maintenance or a yearly prune and tidy.

If you would like a free initial consultation, or if you’d just like a chat about their services then they would love to hear from you.

Stump Grinding and Tree Services, throughout the South West

See our website at www.groundlevelcontractors.co.uk or e-mail us at info@groundlevelcontractors.co.uk Prefer to talk to us?

Tel: 01934 710135 • Mob: 07941 908832

NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Stone Allerton gardens 2015 Greenfield House

STONE Allerton is a charming village nestled on the edge of the Somerset Levels near the small market town of Wedmore.

During your visit you can also visit the nearby historic Ashton Windmill which is open every Sunday afternoon.

Two distinctly different gardens will be open for visitors to walk round, enjoy and relax while picking up ideas. The two gardens are within walking distance of each other for the fitter ones amongst us, or just a short ride by car.

The more formal of the gardens is Badgers Acre where you will be warmly welcomed by the NGS Somerset county organiser, Lucy Hetherington, and her partner Jim Mathers.

The garden, covering one acre, lost over 30 elms to Dutch elm disease in 1997, leaving only three statuesque walnut trees.

However, 23 new Badgers Acre specimen trees have been planted in the last 18 years. All around the garden are mixed shrub and herbaceous borders; most are colour themed and full of all year round interest.

Over 2,000 bulbs have been planted in the last two years producing colour from February to July. Two grass beds with masses of alliums lead you down the garden path to the rockery bursting with foliage where the pond nestles at its base.

You can then choose to walk or drive the ¾ mile to the second garden Greenfield House, opposite The Wheatsheaf pub, where you will be surprised at what is hidden behind the house. There are four main gardens grass, shrub, colour and cottage. You will be fascinated by the vast range of perennials and many unusual plants. The owners, David and Vivien Bull, are very proud that their inspirational garden has been created from garden centre bargains.

Opening details: Stone Allerton Gardens (BS26 2NW) Sunday May 3rd and Monday May 4th, 2pm-to 5.30pm, admission £6, children under 16 free. Home-made teas and plants for sale.

Other Gardens Open for the NGS To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, soon to be available from local Garden Centres. Or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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Show time in Nailsea

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GARDENING NAILSEA Spring Show is being held in Nailsea School on Saturday April 4th. The show, which opens to the public at 12:30 pm, fills the atrium and restaurant areas with a blaze of colour to show that spring really has arrived.

There will be daffodils of every shape, size and colour, lots of other flowers and pot plants, vegetables, cookery and preserves, handicrafts, photography and lovely exhibits from children of all ages.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NURSERY Purveyors of the finest hardy perennials, shrubs, trees, climbers, exotics and specimens

MASBURY, NR. WELLS, SOMERSET BA5 3HA TEL: 01749 841014 FAX: 01749 841055 www.rockymountainnursery.co.uk

COME & SEE OUR FINE RANGE OF FRUIT TREES, SHRUBS, GERANIUMS & FUCHSIAS

Visit our ROCK CAKE CAFE Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea Browse around JAMES STORE Large stock of HOME BREW PRODUCTS + many other bargains

Wrington Road, Congresbury BS49 5AN Tel: 01934 876337 www.middlecombenursery.co.uk

See our website for more details www.rockymountainnursery.co.uk

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES – MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

The pond people

SOUTH West Ponds provides a complete range of pond services in Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon. They are pond builders whose experience spans every type, style and size of garden and wildlife pond.

They love what we do and take great pride in the quality of their work. They bring a mix of constructional skill, aquatic knowledge and artistry to all of the ponds they make. They also delight in bringing old, damaged or neglected ponds back to full health and beauty and keeping them looking great through regular maintenance.

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

Opening 8.00am – 5.00pm Mon – Fri. 8.00am – 12.00pm Sat

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Seedy Saturday is a winner Photos courtesy Kerry James at www.atalllongleggedbird.com

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THE sixth Seedy Saturday to be held in North East Somerset was very popular with over 360 enthusiastic gardeners and growers visiting the four-hour event.

The annual seed swap, potato day and green fair moved to the Conygre Hall in Timsbury from Farmborough this year.

Fifty children were captivated by storytelling and craft activities hosted by Kate Johns of Barefoot Books.

Once the important task of seed swapping was done, visitors moved on to browse stalls bursting with local products and home-grown produce, including heritage and organic seed, beans, herbs and over 50 varieties of potato; a colourful range of spring bulbs and flowers; crafts and gifts.

They also took the time to listen to community groups and expert talks and relaxed in the café chatting with other gardeners over a slice of home-made cake and a cup of tea.

Sam Ross, event organiser and author of the website Get Seedy said: “The move to Timsbury has been appreciated by everyone, especially our repeat visitors who were pleased to see more stallholders as a result of the larger hall.

“Everyone loves the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Seedy Saturday, with many visitors seeing the event as the start of their growing season. New gardeners find the expert advice to get growing indispensable, while families enjoy the activities for their budding young gardeners. This is what Seedy Saturday is all about.”

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Some timely advice

THE long Easter weekend is a time when many of us will start to look at beginning work on our garden projects. If you are planning to change your fence panels, install a new shed, build a barbeque or decked area or start any other garden related venture, then why not visit Somerlap on Good Friday for some tips and advice from their expert Dr. Wood.

He will be on hand to offer advice, demonstrations on fence installation and even provide you with some new ideas. There will be free hot drinks on offer as well as squash and chocolate eggs for the children.

Details: www.somerlap.co.uk

GARDENING

Norton Green Farm Garden Centre and Nursery WELCOMES YOU THIS SPRING • Summer bulb range & seed potatoes.

• Unwins, Fothergills, Johnsons & Country Value seed collections together with specialist range

by Sarah Raven & sweet peas • Good selection of terracotta, glazed, fibreclay & plastic pots, troughs & containers • Compost, mulches & barks, including multibuy and special offers • Wild bird food & feeders • National Garden Gift Vouchers sold & redeemed • Cut flowers & house plants • Wide range of gifts and cards Also available: • Gravel & grits, paving & walling • Fencing, posts & trellis etc.

• Turf available weekly to order LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10.30am-4.30pm

Wells Road, Chilcompton, Nr. Bath Tel: 01761 232137 E. nortongreenfarm@tiscali.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Taking shape – inside the Rural Life Museum

By Mark Adler

IT is very much a building site, but real progress can be seen at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury where a £2.3m redevelopment project is underway.

Largely untouched since the 1970s, the museum and its facilities had become outdated. Contractors moved onto the site in December to gut the Victorian farmhouse and pave the way for renovation work to begin. The former reception area has disappeared; instead visitors will enter through the original farmhouse entrance.

Where possible, many of the original features – such as the mullion windows – will be restored. Craftsmen are also repairing some of the original wooden window frames, retaining as much of the original timber as possible.

The biggest transformations can be seen upstairs, where the rooms have been opened up to create gallery space, and in the cowshed downstairs, where there’ll be a new café with outside seating, shop, facilities and further museum gallery space. A lift is being installed to take visitors to the first floor.

Outside, the historic tithe barn will remain largely untouched – one of the aims of the project is to enhance its setting – but possibly the biggest challenge facing the team is the lean-to

Work is expected to be completed next year

Estelle Gilbert and Russell Lillford discuss progress in the new downstairs café and exhibition area

A view of the courtyard from an upstairs room of the farmhouse

“wagon shed” building on the opposite side of the courtyard to the farmhouse. The rear wall was in danger of collapse and is being underpinned before work can begin to transform the building into a dedicated indoor learning space and activity centre. Aimed mainly at schools, the glass-fronted room will be made available for community use.

Main building works are due for completion in December, when the interior fit-out will begin. The museum is due to reopen in 2016. The project is being undertaken by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust in partnership with the South West Heritage Trust and Somerset County Council. It’s the SBT’s biggest project to date. Russell Lillford, chairman of the SBT and of the Museum Project Board, said: “When the museum was created, the people behind it had the foresight to retain as much of the character of the buildings as possible.

“Now, more than 40 years on, we are bringing it up to date and the same will probably happen in another 40 or 50 years’ time. What we have to recognise is that the farmhouse is largely a domestic space and the challenge is to make it accessible.”

The project has been made possible through funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Viridor Credits Environmental Company, Somerset County Council, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Fairfield Trust, The Friends of the Somerset Rural Life Museum and other generous donors. Ken Biggs Contractors are the main contractors for the project.

Carpenter Peter Hughes restores one of the original window frames

Estelle Gilbert in the wagon shed which will become a learning and activity centre

For more details and to follow progress, visit: www.somersetruralifemuseum.org.uk

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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HISTORY

An act of valour remembered

By Mark Adler

SERVING and former members of the Grenadier Guards gathered in Frome to celebrate the centenary of an extraordinary act of First World War bravery.

Wilfred Fuller was awarded the Victoria Cross after single-handedly storming a German trench in March 1915 and forcing some 50 troops to surrender.

It was during the battle of Neuve Chappelle on March 12th 1915, seeing a party of the enemy escaping along a communication trench, that Wilfred ran towards them and killed the leading man with a bomb. The remaining men surrendered “finding no means of evading his bombs”, according to the VC citation.

The lance corporal with the First Battalion Grenadier Guards moved to Frome after the war when he married a nurse and served as a policeman in the Somerset

Major General Sir Ray Pett (left) and Major Hubert Baillie, president of the Bath branch of the Grenadier Guards Association arrive for the service

The Last Post is sounded

constabulary.

Dozens of family members, guests and the public gathered at Christ Church where Wilfred is buried; he died in 1947. They included Wilfred’s adopted great grandson John Fuller, who lives in the town and who was one of the people to lay a wreath on the grave.

Police officers including the Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss also attended the service along with members of the Royal British Legion, Grenadier Guards Association and local cadets.

ACC Moss said: “I am delighted to be part of such a momentous occasion and to mark the bravery of a former officer.”

In addition to the celebrations locally, a group of Avon and Somerset officers went on a self-funded a trip to Neuve Chapelle to visit the site of Wilfred’s act of bravery and to lay a wreath at the Le Touret memorial to missing soldiers on behalf of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Trip organiser PC Lee Giles said: “I feel strongly that the memory of our forebears and their achievements during this conflict is kept alive. I believe that it is important to commemorate Wilfred Fuller’s VC

Victoria Cross winners: Wilfred is back row, third from right

action as he became a Somerset police officer after leaving the Army.”

The VC was awarded to Wilfred by King George V at Buckingham Palace.

Later that year, at the express wish of the Tsar of Russia, he was also decorated by the King with the Russian Order of St George. Born in Nottinghamshire in 1893, Wilfred was part of Somerset Police until he retired in 1937 due to poor health.

The Rev Neil Maxted, vicar of Christ Church and former chaplain to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Sgt. John Muers (centre) who went on the trip to France, with (l:r): Kirk Richardson, John Plumbridge, Andrew McKenna and Alan Tamblyn MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Clifton High School – a gem in the heart of Clifton CLIFTON High School is based in the heart of Clifton Village teaching boys and girls from three-18. The nursery and reception classes are happy, vibrant and caring with a warm welcoming feel that is friendly and reassuring for both parents and children.

Class sizes are small and children are taught by specialist teachers and experienced, well qualified teaching assistants.

The school is set in the most beautiful grounds; with a south facing aspect it is leafy and sunny, and it puts a real emphasis on its environment.

As well as dedicated outdoor play space, nursery and reception children enjoy the wildflower meadow, while the school has developed a mature wildlife garden, has its own pond for supervised wildlife encounters and also keeps its own bees.

Indoors the facilities are just as good, with both reception and nursery classes

having had a full refurbishment in the summer of 2014.

For many parents, the beauty of Clifton High is that it is mid-sized. With a total

of 500 pupils, the school is well-known for its outstanding pastoral care and the emphasis it puts on getting to know each individual child.

To find out more about Clifton High School go to one of their open mornings: Nursery School and Reception open morning: Thursday April 23rd; whole school open morning: Thursday June 11th.

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EDUCATION

“Best college in the country”

LITTLE more than a year after earning Ofsted's top-rating – outstanding – Weston College has been named the nation's top further education establishment.

The college took two top honours in the prestigious TES FE Awards at a glittering award ceremony in London. Weston won the College of the Year and Overall FE Provider of the Year categories.

Principal and chief executive, Dr Paul Phillips OBE, said: "It is fantastic for the work that has been carried out at Weston College to be recognised at a national level. It was particularly pleasing that the TES award judges recognised our aim of providing further education for as many members of the community as possible.

"This marks a fantastic achievement, moving from a college which was in poor financial health and providing poor quality education in 2001, to one that is now rated as outstanding by Ofsted, and where we have a wide diversity of education provision, from high standard technical courses to Masters Degrees."

The judges praised Weston's focus on staff development and its cultivation of strong links with external partners and employers. Dr Phillips said: "Our policy of putting the needs of students first in everything we do means that we meet the educational needs of everyone in the community.

“We are achieving academic excellence and working with

Dr Paul Phillips with the two TES FE Awards

major projects, such as Hinkley Point, to make sure the region has the right skills sets that it needs for the future. We've got more, exciting, plans for our future, too."

Find out more at www.weston.ac.uk

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Bringing out the best

SET in 20 acres of beautiful parkland, Chilton Cantelo School is located near Yeovil and Sherborne. The day and boarding school for boys and girls aged three -18 encourages every child to be the best they can be with learning goals and objectives tailored to the individual.

Acclaimed for its family atmosphere, Chilton Cantelo nurtures achievement and boundless curiosity from nursery to sixth form. The school provides weekly, full and occasional boarding. Bus transport for pupils around Somerset offers flexible daily routes as well as pick-ups on Monday mornings and drop-offs on Friday evenings for weekly boarders.

After-school activities ranging from chamber choir to rock workshops are provided as well as weekend activities for boarders. School fees are inclusive. There are no extra charges for after-school activities, lunches, weekend trips for boarders or learning support (where applicable). Most text books are provided either non-chargeable or are competitively priced.

Chilton Cantelo is part of Cognita Group, a world leader in independent education and the UK’s largest network of independent schools. Cognita is committed to raising standards of education and ensures that best practice is adopted in all aspects of school curricula, teaching and learning and school management.

Details: Call 01935 850555 to attend an open day or to arrange a visit at any time.

Best local primary school in Somerset

ST. BENEDICT’S Catholic Primary School, Midsomer Norton, is ‘the best local primary school’ in Somerset in terms of exceptional SATs results, according to government league tables.

They show that in 2014, 100% of year six children at St Benedict’s reached the expected level 4 and over 50% of children reached the higher levels 5 and 6 in reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) and maths, with the average for Somerset being 78%.

The school says this outstanding result is a testimony to the hard work of the pupils and the dedication, professionalism and support of all the staff at St Benedict’s who strive to achieve a nurturing, enlightened, happy and thriving community in which children learn and grow in confidence and success.

An exclusive Children’s Day Nursery delivering exceptional care & education in an award winning environment Babyroom

Preschool

Forest School

Nursery

Ofsted 2010 “Children have developed good language and number skills and show a passion for exploring and investigating their world.”

“These skills will help support their future learning”

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CHILTONCANTELOSCHOOL.CO.UK Telephone: 01935 850555 | 3-18 years | Co-ed | Day, Boarding Bus transport available PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Where every day is an OPEN DAY

Please call 01761 418594 to make an appointment We are a smaller than average school and pride ourselves on our caring approach and our ability to meet every child’s needs, helping them develop and ensure they reach their full potential, whilst growing in the love of Christ. We welcome children of all faiths. We also offer wrap-around care as well as an independent on-site Nursery Come and see for yourselves what the St Benedict’s experience can do for your child.

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Runners on track for success at King’s Bruton CROSS-COUNTRY running is becoming one of the many sports at King’s Bruton in which students are gaining wider recognition. The latest cross-country specialist, is Sophie Hamilton, aged 14, who has been selected to represent the

Beth Wilson-Brown running in South West Regionals

South West in the Virgin London Mini Marathon on Sunday April 26th.

Sophie, who is also very good at other sports like hockey, had earlier won the junior section of the South West Regional Championships.

Sophie is one of only six athletes who have been selected to run in the intermediate category of the Mini Marathon, meaning she has achieved this a year early. The athletes will run the last three miles of the main marathon course, giving them a taste of competing in front of probably the largest crowd they will have experienced.

Sophie’s selection was one of her targets for this year’s cross-country season. Another highlight of the season was her selection to run for Avon and Somerset in the Inter-Counties Crosscountry championships on March 7th.

She was also selected to represent Somerset at the English Schools National Championships in Blackburn on March 14th.

Another King’s student, Beth WilsonBrown, aged 17, was also selected for the

EDUCATION

Sophie Hamilton running at County Championships

English Schools National Championships, having improved her position in the South West Regional Championships from 8th to 5th.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

Annie Lee takes the reins at All Hallows ANNIE Lee becomes the next head of renowned and successful All Hallows Preparatory School from the beginning of April. Annie says she will treasure the ethos which has kept the school at the forefront of prep school education for 75 years and will bring innovation and strong leadership to steer the school through its next chapter.

Having waited two terms since being appointed, Annie is excited to get started: “I am thrilled to have given been the opportunity to lead this fabulous school. From the moment I first visited All Hallows I have been struck by the warmth of the whole community, the passion for learning and the excitement about offering a really innovative approach to education, where children really do matter.”

Annie joins All Hallows from Highfield Preparatory School in Maidenhead where as head she has led substantial improvements over the past five years combining high academic standards with a creative curriculum. Annie has a wide range of teaching experience in both junior and senior schools, including King’s College School and Wimbledon High School in London.

She was educated at the Ursuline Convent School and Exeter University, where her first degree was in music. More recently, she completed an MA (with distinction) in Leading Innovation and Change in Education at St Mary's College, University of Surrey. She is also an ISI Inspector. She is a Catholic with grown-up children.

Annie takes over the reins from Dr. Trevor Richards, who

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

has acted as interim head since September 2014 and who will remain at the school as deputy head, director of learning and in-house school psychologist. They will be a great team!

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Emily’s success

TWO youngsters from Cameley Primary School are celebrating success in a national competition to help save the world’s rainforests.

Emily Dryden, aged seven, was the South West regional winner and Thomas Rogers, aged nine, was the runner-up in the World Wildlife Fund’s poster competition. They are both pictured back at school on Comic Relief Day. Emily received her prize at the House of Commons from wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and she and her mum were given a tour by local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

EDUCATION

New identity – new courses

A LANDBASED Open Day will give young people the chance to move a step closer to a growing range of exciting careers in the great outdoors.

Find out about the widerange of landbased courses on offer at Bath College’s Somer Valley Campus (formerly Norton Radstock College) on Saturday, April 18 from 10am to 1pm.

You can pursue a career in animal care, horticulture, arboriculture, equine care and veterinary nursing by discussing your options with expert staff, meeting students and viewing the College’s fantastic facilities.

Staff are keen to help match young people to the huge range of careers available within the environmental conservation and technology sector.

The college’s first Landbased Open Day will feature a whole host of handson activities, including the chance to learn the basics of handling animals, wood carving, tree climbing and bandaging animals.

Head of Department Jayne Withers said the college was proud of its wide range of Level 1 to 3 landbased courses which all include related industry work placements.

She said: “It’s going to be a very hands-on open day because we want people to be fully aware of the wide range of courses we offer. We want to show everyone how

different landbased courses can lead to very specialist careers.

“These are courses for people who don’t want to be tied to an office; they want to work in the landbased and environmental industries.

We’ve got really strong links with employers and students go on to have amazing careers, working as tree surgeons to zoo keepers.”

She added: “We’re looking forward to the future; big things are planned for landbased as we strive to make the college a centre of excellence.”

The Landbased Open Day at Bath College Somer Valley Campus, South Hill Park Road, Radstock, is on Saturday, April 18th from 10am to 1pm.

Details: 01761 433161 or visit www.bathcollege.ac.uk

Early Years Practitioner required The applicant should have achieved, or be working towards, Level 3 child care (current CWDC requirements).To start as soon as possible.

We take Safeguarding Children very seriously.

Enhanced CRB check and monitoring essential For further information on joining our caring and motivated team, please contact Margaret Ballantyne, Nursery Manager, on 01761 220191 or 07976 792966.

Deadline for applications is 11th April 2015

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 71

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Building awards

AN awards presentation will take place in April to celebrate the best new buildings and other construction projects in the Mendip District Council area.

Winners in more than ten categories of the authority’s Building Excellence Awards 2015 will go forward to regional finals.

Projects range from new build to extensions and community projects.

Winners will be chosen by a panel which includes Tracy Aarons, corporate manager for the built environment service, which includes planning, conservation, building control and housing.

This year’s event will be taking place on Friday, April 17th at The Coach House, Pennard House, East Pennard, which is a previous winner of the Best Commercial Building up to £1million award.

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Page 74

House prices on the rise

THE South West has seen the pace of price rises start to accelerate again due to the demand supply imbalance, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

While nationally Northern Ireland and Scotland continue to outperform the rest of the UK, there were upward shifts in price growth across the South West and the South East, while London saw its sixth consecutive monthly price decline.

It says the upward shift in prices is in part being driven by a decline in the number of houses coming onto the market in the region, as 31% more surveyors saw declines in new supply in February in the South West compared to 26% seeing a rise in new instructions in January.

Price expectations over the next three months in the South West increased from a net balance of 3% to 5% and despite anecdotal evidence suggesting that political uncertainty may be leading to the ‘election effect’ of vendors sitting on the fence, the member forecast for house price growth over the next 12 months in the region stands at 2.8% (up from 2.2% in January).

As supply dips in the region the picture for demand is flat, with 3% more chartered surveyors seeing a fall in demand in the South West in February, compared to 22% seeing a rise in January. The national picture of demand appears to be stabilising after seven consecutive months in which the headline reading for new buyer enquiries was negative – a slightly more upbeat trend is also emerging in more parts of the country than previously was the case.

In the lettings market, demand remains flat, while instructions to let dropped. Some 46% more chartered surveyors saw a fall in new landlord instructions in the first quarter of 2015. However, the medium term view for rents with respondents is positive with respondents in the South West envisaging an increase of 2.4% over the coming year. The view for the five year horizon on rents in the region is an increase of 5.2%.

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Agency celebrates 25 years

WHEN making the most important sale and purchase of your life, there are many considerations to take into account when choosing your agent.

David James and Partners celebrate their Silver Jubilee this year and can offer a wealth of expertise and experience in many fields Richard Nancekivell, Chartered surveyor and can provide and auctioneer, Wrington office solutions throughout the sale/purchase procedure, be it on boundary or environmental issues, rights of way etc.

The rural property agency deals in the sale of both farms, land, residential and commercial property by both private treaty and tender and also holds regular property auctions when this is the preferred method of sale.

They are also experienced in the negotiation and creation of leases for both residential and commercial property. The residential property department, being part of such a multidisciplined practice, benefits greatly in practical terms and can give a more rounded and well advised service to its clients.

To complement this service, there is a dedicated building surveying and design team which can provide detailed drawings and planning applications for both residential and commercial properties, including building conversions, redevelopment and restoration.

A recent project was the design of The Jubilee Building, an energy efficient 4,000 sq ft facility for Thatchers Cider at Sandford promoting a new green vision and ensuring its integration into the orchard surroundings. The site at Myrtle Farm was visited by The Earl and Countess of Wessex in June last year.

Starting business with just two chartered surveyors based in Congresbury in 1990, the firm has grown dramatically since that time and now employs a total of 38, with 11 chartered surveyors, 11 trainees and students plus support staff.

From their three offices in Wrington, Old Sodbury and Wotton-under-Edge they offer a bespoke and specialist service for landowners, house owners, farmers and landlords alike. They can also assist with inheritance tax planning, valuations, estate management and compensation matters.

Celebrating their 25th David James and Partners have their roots firmly established in the rural property and agricultural scene.

Keeping warm

PROPERTY

WHILE reports show that this winter has been one of the sunniest since records began, a warmth scheme that works across England and Wales, including Mendip, has received more than 1,800 referrals this season from people in need of heating help.

The npower Health Through Warmth scheme works with a range of community organisations, charities and local authorities to assist vulnerable homeowners with the funding and installation or repair of crucial heating measures, such as boilers, in the home.

Since being founded in 2000, more than 85,000 vulnerable residents across England and Wales have been referred to the scheme for assistance with heating and insulation.

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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Wrington Tel: 01934 864300 MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

Not just a hole in the ground

WE now value our caves for their natural beauty and to help us understand the geological processes which form our landscape. It was not always so. From the earliest times caves have been of practical use for all sorts of people.

Our stone-age ancestors used caves to With PHILIP shelter from the elements and from HENDY predatory animals and even today they are useful refuges in times of war and strife.

Several Mendip caves, such as Aveline’s Hole and Wookey Hole, were used for burial and it must also be supposed that the deeper recesses were ideal places for secret rituals.

Palaeolithic painted caves are unknown in Britain, although they abound on the continent. Maybe pigments do not survive the British environment, although there are several caves in this country where engravings have been found, most notably at Cresswell Crags, on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border.

Some engravings have been found in Mendip caves, but these are likely to be ‘witch-marks’, cut to keep the forces of evil at bay. It used to be believed that the Devil lived underground in Hades and the ritual marks, crosses, ‘W’ or ‘M’ symbols cut near cave mouths would keep him there.

Some Mendip caves, on excavation, have revealed evidence of metal-working in the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Metallurgy was an arcane art and the practitioners would have been keen to keep their secrets to themselves. Where better than in a cave?

The smoke from the fires needed to smelt the ore and then process the metal would have made for unpleasant working conditions, but often metal has to be worked at the right temperature, indicated by its colour, so a cave would have been ideal for getting this right. White Woman’s Hole in Asham Wood was apparently used as a Romano-British counterfeiter’s den, while there was evidence of iron smelting in Rowberrow Cavern.

Much later caves were much less feared as the abode of evil and with abandoned mineshafts they became convenient places for the disposal of rubbish. This often made sense in the days before the local council took household rubbish away on a regular basis. Dead farm stock also found their way down shafts, a convenience for farmers running a black market butchers business during the war.

Wartime munitions and equipment have been discovered at the bottom of mineshafts at Charterhouse and in the less law-abiding days when Mendip mining was at its height, it was said that more than one interfering official was dropped down an old mine. There is no concrete evidence for this, although human bones found in Rushy Ground Swallet were of no great age, even though they could not be linked to any missing person.

The caves, and some mines, were also called into use during the war for more legitimate purposes. National treasures were stored underground, at least for a while, but generally they were too damp. Stories that the Crown Jewels were kept at Wookey Hole for a while are probably untrue, though they were stored for a while in the Cornhill Prison at

Goatchurch Cavern

Shepton Mallet.

Plans were being made even before the start of the war to convert old subterranean stone quarries east of Bath in the Box area. Some became underground factories, used by companies such as Royal Enfield for the production of vital war weapons and machinery.

Monkton Farleigh Quarry became a vast underground ammunition store. Marks in the asphalt floor showed that large naval shells had been stored there – after all, Bath was the headquarters of the Admiralty. Several Mendip caves were commandeered by the Home Guard, particularly the secret Auxiliary Units, as bases and hideouts.

Denny’s Hole at Compton Bishop, Great Oone’s Hole at Cheddar and Cook’s Hill Hole at Ebbor were used and at Hillgrove Swallet the shelter was dug into the side of the swallet depression.

After the war, the caves and mines were abandoned, although some found new uses. It was found that mushrooms grow well underground, although a clandestine venture by some of the Gough’s Cave guides was not very successful. They set up their enterprise in a large chamber beyond the limits of the show cave, but although the temperature was a constant 11ºC, mushrooms do better at slightly higher temperatures. After discovery by the manager, the business quickly folded. Monkton Farleigh Quarry now has a new use as a secure bonded warehouse and store.

An obvious use for some caves is to open them up to the public as tourist attractions. Of course very few caves are

Phil has been caving for more than 47 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in produ

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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large, beautiful or accessible enough for this purpose and today there are only three show caves on Mendip – Wookey Hole, and Gough’s and Cox’s Caves at Cheddar.

Banwell Bone Cave, still stacked round with prehistoric animal bones excavated by William Beard in the mid-18th century, is occasionally opened to the public. There were plans to open at least the entrance gallery of Goatchurch Cavern at Burrington to the public at the turn of the 20th century. The steps cut into the stalagmite floor, and the remains of handrails still exist.

This enterprise was not successful, neither was an attempt some 40 years earlier to do the same with the newlydiscovered Loxton Cave. It is unlikely that any other Mendip cave will be found which lends itself to being opened as a show cave.

The show caves and some easily-accessed mines, such as Redcliffe Caves at Bristol, sometimes become locations for films or television programmes. Episodes of Doctor Who and Blake’s Seven (remember that?) were filmed at Wookey Hole, and documentaries have also been made there and at Cheddar caves. The acoustics of these show caves also lend themselves to concerts from time to time.

So the next time you look into a cave or mineshaft, remember it is not just a hole in the ground, only of interest to the caving community. Burial, shelter, hideout, store, disposal site, film location or tourist attraction – those depths could be hiding all sorts of past secrets.

CAVING

Great Oone's Hole

Monkton Farleigh Quarry

roducing several caving publications and is a caving instructor in Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 77

(Photography by Phil Hendy)

Wookey Hole first chamber

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MENDIP TIMES

Referees and disease

SHOULD more technology be used in football for health reasons? I was recently chatting to a cardiologist who told me of a patient and stoical football supporter who became so incensed by a referee’s wrong decision that he had a heart attack. To be fair, heart disease can take decades to develop as the arteries slowly close over, so it can’t all be blamed

By Dr PHIL on the men in black.

HAMMOND But the stress of a perceived gross injustice can be the thing that tips us from heart disease to heart attack. Unfortunately, this man had unusual symptoms. He developed pain in his jaw, rather than his chest or left-arm, and his friends found the whole episode highly amusing.

As a result, his heart attack was diagnosed late and a lot more damage was done that could have been prevented if it had been picked up earlier.

There are a lot of lessons about spotting the signs of a heart attack. You don't always get the central crushing chest pain going down your left arm as seen on TV. You can get pain in your jaw, even pain in your right arm and pain that is easily confused with indigestion. But whatever symptoms you have, they often come on suddenly and you feel awful.

That in itself is enough to chew on aspirin if you're not allergic (it halves the size of the heart attack) and dial 999. And well done 19-year-old Miles Moorhouse and his mum Lucy who used the Chew Stoke portable defibrillator to save Jerry Moorhouse.

An equally pressing problem is the hatred and anger generated in the stands when the referee is judged to have made a mistake. We know domestic violence is more prevalent after big derby games and more so when there is a sense of injustice. I stopped going to live football games because of the palpable sense of hatred that follows any error or simulation.

It's simply not good for my blood pressure. And you get the strong sense that if the poor match official who has made the error was locked in a room with a group of wronged supporters, he might not survive.

Technology of course would not eliminate all errors, but we know from other sports that it can be fairly easily introduced to check game-changing decisions and serious foul play with minimal disruption. I've never swallowed the argument that the fans enjoy the excitement of referees making human errors. If we want more of that excitement why not tie the referee’s shoelaces together, force-feed him a bottle of rough cider and put a blindfold over one eye? Imagine the excitement of human error then?

My son Will has refereed at junior level and I'm very proud of him. I've heard some unpleasant touchline comments directed at him when he's made a tough call, but I know he is honest and referees to the best of his ability. On a good day, he might get two unbiased people to act as linesmen. On a bad day, kids will throw themselves on the ground as if they've been shot, as seen on TV, and the touchline will howl for a penalty.

Multiply that stress 1,000 times and imagine what it does to a premiership referee's heart?

The amazing resuscitation of Fabrice Muamba after a cardiac arrest on the pitch was rightly praised and covered around the globe. But my guess is that many people have suffered avoidable heart attacks because of the stress and injustice of what they believe to be a massive error. Add in the psychological consequences and even domestic abuse that can result from this and it makes a strong case for using technology to get those big decisions as right as we can.

Dr Phil is on comedy tour in Swindon on March 31st and Bristol on May 26th. Details www.drphilhammond.com. Referee Will Hammond is raising money for diabetes in developing countries https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/kerala2015

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

The endless meal

“THE endless meal” was a phrase my late mother-inlaw deployed to describe the constant sustenance required by a family. As children grow to teenagers I understand exactly what she meant.

If you’re not cooking, you’re clearing up, thinking about or shopping for the next meal and the quantities keep on increasing. We can now eat a whole pack of spaghetti in one sitting.

To make my life easier Mendip Dad surpassed himself romantically and bought me a slow-cooker. So now I can cook the dinner before leaving for work at 8.15am, making four packed lunches, unloading the dishwasher, clearing up breakfast mess and taking two of the three children to bus-stops four miles apart.

Whilst love may be a many splendoured thing, the slow cooker is used only occasionally.

My limited repertoire means menu-planning is fairly straightforward. I can shop without a list as inevitably the same dozen dinner options rotate on a regular basis.

The repertoire is along the lines of Sunday roast, leftovers Monday, pasta Tuesday, baked supper Wednesday, casserole Thursday and fajitas or curry Friday.

Come Saturday I might be a little more adventurous depending on the family’s social engagements.

Everyone seems fairly satisfied with this predictability.

Problems ensue when the unpredictable occurs.

“Jerk chicken Saturday” will go down in family history. I love this Caribbean dish and when I spotted jerk chicken paste in our local shop, knowing how much youngest son enjoys spicy food, I thought I would try something new. The trouble was the instructions on the outer label were misleading and I liberally spread the entire contents over the chicken pieces, using the remainder to spice up a sauce on the side.

Middle child had a friend staying and I gave her the option of chicken with pesto or jerk. She chose jerk. I can eat very spicy food but my mouth was on fire after the first mouthful. How our poor guest politely ploughed her way through this inferno on a plate, I will never know.

Youngest son is the least fussy of the three children; he will eat practically anything put before him, with gusto. He positively enjoys trying new food. This phenomenon is a blessing. However, the extent of his culinary audacity was revealed today.

After scrabbling about in the freezer this morning hoping it would throw inspiration at me from its frosted depths, we were left with a cobbled-together meal of sausages, fish with a crispy coating, mash, gravy and vegetables.

Middle child declared the sausages “lush”. Youngest son replied: “It’s lucky really because it’s pot luck with sausages.” I tried to explain that the sausages were made to a fairly regular recipe.

He looked surprised: “I thought they were pigs’ willies.” “And you still ate them?” exclaimed the eldest.

Endless meals are worth it for moments like these!

MENDIP MUM

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About Friendship Force

HEALTH & FAMILY

IN 1977 a group of people from Altanta USA got together and contacted the UK city of Newcastle with an idea for a new way to travel and make friends. Instead of travelling like tourists and staying in hotels, the group would stay as guests in the homes of the people of Newcastle. A reciprocal visit took people from Newcastle to stay with families in Atlanta. This first “cultural exchange” was a huge success creating a great many friendships.

From then on the idea grew and grew.

Friendship Force Somerset are making arrangements for their 2015 trip abroad, this year to Tallinn and Riga. In September they expect to be hosting a party of members from Oklahoma.

Learn more about this organisation and the opportunity to stay with families in Estonia and visit Latvia during May 2015.

Wednesday 15th April, 2015.

BEAH Wells 11-1pm – Free event.

A chance to learn about travel from a local Somerset based group.

Just turn up!!

To find out about this event or Somerset Friendship Force (including the visit to Estonia & Riga) contact: jo.webb@mbzonline.net or ring 07549190744 to hear a recorded message.

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

Put a spring in your step – with hypnotherapy

Never too old to dance

SPRING is here and it is the season of hope but if you dread getting out of bed in the mornings after a dreadful night’s sleep and life seems difficult, hypnotherapy can help.

Miranda Robarts-Arnold says hypnotherapy is relaxing, safe and can help you to make changes in your life that have seemed beyond reach. Perhaps you want to sleep better or drink less alcohol. Maybe you would like to lose weight or just generally get your life in order.

Hypnotherapy can help.

CAN’T SLEEP? AWAKE AT 4am?

ANXIOUS? DEPRESSED? NOT COPING?

HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP! Initial consultation and relaxation CD

£30

MIRANDA ROBARTS-ARNOLD BA (Hons) HPD DHP SFBT (HYP) MNCH (Req) AfSFH CNHC CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST and PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Come and have a talk to see how I can help you get back on track, call 07717 170 865 to book an initial consultation or visit www.mirandahypnotherapy.co.uk Clinics held at: Wells Chiropractic & Osteopathy Centre BA5 1XJ Chew Medical Centre BS40 8UE

Sally Kingston Fitness and Health Coach Personal Training and Nutritional Advice

Mob: 07921 105 716 e-mail: info@sallyfitnessandhealth.co.uk Web: www.sallyfitnessandhealth.co.uk PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

SUGAR Water Curls Dance Group, a community group formed seven years ago to encourage the over-50s to exercise through dance, is looking to boost its numbers for its next project, to present a show at Strode Theatre also involving primary school youngsters.

It says: “Are you 50+ years of age and proud of it? Are you anxious to tone up those bits which – shall we say – seem to have developed a certain loosened character over this period of winter chills? Would you be dreaming of dancing the flab away to the glo-glo-glo rythm of the beat?”

Then you would be welcome at the group’s sessions on Thursday mornings, either in Wedmore or Glastonbury.

They will be working on a dance routine, spurred on by Viv Gordon of the Mean Feat Dance Company, “oblivious, during the high kicks, of pain, groans, creaks and un-bendability, naturally aiming for astounding success, as usual”.

They say that claiming you have two left feet is no excuse – in fact it might well be an advantage, adding: “You will also notice our daringly blatant ageism. Be brave. Join us and live in denial.”

Details: Viv 07704 864881; Pat 01934 713430; Chris 01934 712522.

How to feel healthier or lose weight

WHETHER you are new to exercise, returning after a break or recovering from an injury, Sally Kingston, fitness and health coach, will help you to achieve your goals through guidance, support and motivation.

Sally will design a training plan just for you with training in your own home, an outside space or at Winscombe gym. You can train with a friend or partner too. A review of food and drink consumption along with nutritional advice is also available.

A money-back guarantee is offered if not satisfied. See her website for client testimonials and contact her for further information and to arrange a free initial consultation, with no obligation.

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Adjusting to better health

ELM Hayes Surgery in Paulton is welcoming chiropractor Tony Honeker to The Clandown Suite.

Tony says he is very excited to be back in the Paulton/Midsomer Norton area, having spent the last two years practising, learning and developing his skills and knowledge in Sweden.

Tony previously practised in Midsomer Norton between 2009 and 2012 and really enjoyed his time there.

Tony was raised in Keynsham and has spent much time in the Somerset area where he has many friends and family. His passion in practice is in meeting new people and helping them to improve or regain their health and quality of life. He is continually inspired by the patients he sees who are truly committed to overcoming their problems and improving their health with a natural approach.

Tony is committed to advancing public understanding and appreciation for natural chiropractic health care for people of all ages. He has an approach rooted in preventative health care, including; nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and of course the best quality chiropractic treatment.

He is registered in the UK with the General Chiropractic Council and is a member of the British Chiropractic Association.

He is also registered with the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).

HEALTH & FAMILY

Emotional Well-Being Clinic Help with: ● Anxiety ● Depression ● Lack of confidence ● Relationships ● Trauma ● Low self-esteem ● Indecision ● Stress ● Life Changes ● Negative beliefs ● Anger Management ● Painful memories ● Self-defeating/harming behaviour ● Low self-esteem ● Loss

J a ne Ros s- Wh e at le y

BACP ACCREDITED COUNSELLOR AAMET CERTIFIED EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE PRACTITIONER Evening and weekend appointments available Introductory rate available – Complimentary initial half hour session Visit janeross-wheatley.com or call 07731 937293 e Remedy Centre, 23 Cuthbert Street, Wells

Want to get your spine, joints and muscles checked?

Quality care

CARE South’s Beauchamp House is nestled in the village of Hatch Beauchamp, near Taunton. The home provides quality residential and nursing care tailored to the needs of residents, in charming surroundings and at a realistic cost.

As well as Beauchamp House Nursing Home, there is Beauchamp Gardens sheltered accommodation and assisted living.

Beauchamp Gardens is an ideal environment for people who want the reassurance of care and assistance being available, but wish to live independently in a home of their own.

Beauchamp House is currently accepting new residents. If you are looking for a home where dignity, independence and choice are central to the philosophy of care.

Call Beauchamp House on 01823 481500 or visit www.caresouth.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 81

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’appy to be alive

ANYONE with a smart phone will know about “apps”, but how many know that some can save lives, help fight crime and even influence the powers-that-be?

Launched in 2010, the free St John Ambulance First Aid app became an

By SIMON instant success, becoming the UK’s SELBY bestselling health and fitness app on iPhones with more than 170,000 downloads. Since then it has become available on Android and there is a growing amount of evidence showing how it has saved lives.

Even basic first aid knowledge can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved and the app puts potentially life saving advice at people’s fingertips. The app provides easy to follow advice on a range of first aid scenarios, from minor injuries to major emergencies.

Now the charity has launched another app, which you use when you shop. Shop to Save Lives is not about retail therapy but to raise money. SJA has joined the ranks of charities such as Cancer Research UK, Save Download the St John Ambulance app to your phone and you could save a the Children and Shelter in giving supporters an easy life way to generate donations from more than 1,800 online retailers. By simply downloading the app supporters can do virtually any issue. If they reach a certain number it means an their normal online shopping with retailers as varied as issue has to be officially addressed by government.

Amazon and iTunes to M&S and Tesco. In turn the retailer will Founded in 2007 by Ben Rattray, Change.org's mission is to donate to St John Ambulance – at no cost to the shopper. empower people everywhere to create the change they want to Meanwhile, you might like to consider downloading a tracker see. It has more than 76 million users in 196 countries. to help to protect your phone from thieves. This app allows the Change.org says: “As an open platform, anyone can use our location of your phone to be pinpointed and is especially platform no matter who they are, where they live, and what pleasing if it gets stolen. An added bonus is that if your they believe. This is why you’ll see an extremely wide range of children have it on their phones you can also check out where petitions, as they’ve all been created by people in the they are (with their knowledge, one would hope). community.

Lastly, how to change the world (possibly): many lobbying “Our role is to make sure the platform is a powerful apps such as change.org are now available to get your voice vehicle for change while remaining as safe as possible for heard. They allow people to start online petitions about our users.”

World Book Day

Forty years young

EVERCREECH Friendship Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary with news of a further grant from the Somerset Community Foundation.

The grant will allow the club to offer free transport to its monthly meetings from Gartons Mead in the village and the surrounding area as well as securing the use of Evercreech Village Hall for its events.

Children at Wrington Primary School looked the part when they took part in World Book Day PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

For details, visit: www.evercreech.org.uk

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COMMUNITY

Nominate your heroes

ENTRIES are open for two prestigious awards to be announced at this year’s Royal Bath and West Show at the end of May. The Farm Woman of the Year Award celebrates the often unseen, behind-the-scenes contribution of women to the industry and the communities built around it. Judges are looking for women who have truly made a difference. Nominees could be the backbone of a rural community facing tough times or a hard-working member of the farming workforce, besides their roles as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts or even grandmothers.

To nominate someone for Farm Woman of the Year 2015 Award, people must tell judges in no more than 250 words what makes the woman they are nominating special and why she deserves to win the award. Entry forms are available online at www.bathandwest.com or for more information contact Julie Kitching on 01749 822235.

Judging of the shortlisted nominations will take place on Thursday, May 7th and the winner will be announced at the show on Friday, May 29th. As well as being named Farm Woman of the Year 2015, the winner will receive an overnight stay at Ston Easton Hotel and all shortlisted entrants will get their turn in the spotlight with VIP Ladies' Day tickets to the show.

Meanwhile nominations close on Friday, April 10th for the fourth Prince of Wales Award to be presented at show. The award is open to community organisations, schools, colleges and groups which have, through their own initiative, brought about improvements to the lives of the rural population in a sustainable manner. The award is open to all communities across Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

The award is intended to embrace a wide range of schemes where there has been a genuine attempt to move forward in a resourceful and inventive way to the benefit of a rural community.

Examples might range from the communal buying of a local asset e.g. to preserve a village shop, post office or public house to the collection and conversion of village waste into compost for the use of the community.

Maureen Trott, from Lovington, near Castle Cary, who won last year’s Farm Woman of the Year Award

Shortlisted communities will be visited by three judges representing the Royal Bath and West of England Society and the Duchy of Cornwall, who will decide which organisation has made the most outstanding contribution to improving the lives of their community.

Finalists will receive complimentary tickets to the show and the overall winner of the competition will receive £1,000 in prize money and a memento from HRH The Prince of Wales which the winning group must use to further their community initiatives.

Entry forms are available from www.bathandwest.com

The Royal Bath and West Show takes place from Wednesday, May 27th to Saturday, May 30th.

Advance Saver Tickets are on sale now.

New bus for Congresbury

CONGRESBURY Community Transport has a new bus – Bluey IV – and a launch party was held at the Old School Rooms, attended by drivers, directors of C.C.T., luncheon club members and the oldest user of the bus, Henry Collins, who is 101!

A celebratory cake, made by local bakers The Cottage Loaf was cut by Marj Buck and enjoyed by all.

Congresbury Community Transport, a registered charity, has been providing reliable, economical and comfortable transport in Congresbury since 1999 for the elderly, disabled and socially

disadvantaged.

This is their fourth bus, which is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility problems, and seats 16. It transports villagers and disabled groups to various destinations. Last year the bus ran 307 trips, carrying 3,523 passengers (over 60 + disabled 2,908).

The very first passengers on the new bus were a ladies’ group. Other users include the blind, the luncheon club, Congresbury Crusaders, the footpaths group, local schools and many more!

Congresbury C.C.T. is supported by North Somerset Council.

One of Bluey's oldest users Henry Collins aged 101 tries out the wheelchair ramp!

Details: If you are interested in booking Bluey for your community group please phone Colin Edwards 01934 257247 or email CongresburyCommunityTransport.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 83

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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Jacksons Fencing – news, topical treats and more . . .

JACKSONS

It’s April, has spring sprung at last?

APRIL means Easter is here, and all things springy leap to mind. It’s a time, for not only spring cleaning the inside of your home, but getting out and tidying up in the garden too. There’s nothing I like better than pruning the old growth back, clearing rubbish and making way for the fresh greenery, as bulbs send up shoots and the cheerful yellow of the daffs remind us of the bright sunshine of spring.

If you would like some hints and tips about what to do in the garden, to aid your ‘spring clean’ do go to your dedicated web page to find a link to our website blog posts.

I find this time of the year is usually synonymous with being ultra busy for me, as over the last five years, we’ve been running the Jacksons Show Gardens Design competition, where out of many competition entries, we will pick a couple of winning designs which are then built here at Jacksons Head Office, amongst the seven show gardens we have here in our display, from previous years.

They have proved very popular with visitors and are a useful source of inspiration for customers looking for fresh ideas for their own projects. Here as an example are photos of one of last year’s winners – Mediterranean Memoires by Sally Perigo – I know from several customers feedback that they incorporated the Jakwall used in the raised beds, into their own gardens, after having seen it here.

However, this year is a different story show gardens-wise; instead of running the competition with the end result being a couple of lovely new show gardens in our head office display area, the prize is a show garden at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, which is the stuff that many garden designers dreams are made of.

As you can imagine it’s been hectic, we have had over 200 designers registering their interest in the competition and we are just at the judging stage as I write this. By the time this is printed, whoever has won will have been announced on our

Mediterranean Memories show garden at Jacksons HQ in Kent, a source of inspiration for customers

website and in the press, and we will have moved on to the planning stage for building the garden for the show, which will be at RHS Hampton Court Palace from 30th June to 5th July.

So if you are planning to visit the show, please do come along and have a look at our Show Garden and say hello. www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal or call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre. louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

WIN TICKETS TO RHS HAMPTON C O U R T PA L A C E F L O W E R S H O W

To celebrate our presence at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show we are having a free prize draw to win pairs of tickets to the show. The free prize draw will run from the beginning of April until 15th June 2015. Winners will get a pair of tickets and will receive a goody bag when they drop by the Jacksons show garden when visiting the show. For full details and how to enter please go to your dedicated web page:www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 87

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MENDIP TIMES

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Bravery awards

ROYAL Humane Society awards have been presented to two police officers from Wells and two members of the public from Frome for their live-saving efforts.

Police constables Martha Spikes and Kelly Wintle were presented with the award for their actions that saved a woman’s life in Street in February last year.

Although there were no signs of life, the officers commenced mouth to mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. After a short time, the woman began to breath and her vital signs made a weak return. The woman was taken to hospital, where she eventually made a full recovery after spending ten days in a coma.

Pc Spikes said: I’m humbled to receive the award, but this is what we do. I only did what anyone else would have done in this situation. I was shocked when the women started to breathe again.”

Pc Wintle said: “It was the first time I had to do CPR, my training took over and I was able to instinctively do it.”

Luke Bolster, 24, and Charlie Cox, 21, risked their lives to save a neighbour’s life from a kitchen fire. All were fortunately unharmed and all made a full recovery after inhaling a large amount of smoke.

They were amongst the recipients of ten Chief Constable’s Commendations, eight Royal Humane Society Awards, a Crown Court Commendation and one Waley Cohen Certificate, which were presented at a ceremony at Hestercombe House near Taunton.

Photo courtesy of Mike Lang

Lifeboat launchers needed

800 years of history

NEWS

John (left) and Chris at the launch of their book at St Andrew’s Church

THE 800th anniversary of St Andrew’s Church in Congresbury has been celebrated with the launch of a book about its history.

Congresbury History Group unveiled the book, written by Chris Short and with photos by John Wilcox, at an event at the church.

Copies cost £10 and are available from the church office, open each morning from Monday to Friday.

Peal appeal hits half-way target

The main cause for concern is the tenor bell, seen in the centre of this picture

The station launching tractor on Burnhamon-Sea jetty

MORE volunteers are needed to help launch the Burnham-onSea lifeboats after two of its shore team progressed to probationary boat crew status.

Applicants over 18 may be male or female and should be able to attend the lifeboat station quickly when paged for emergency “shouts”. No experience is necessary, as training is provided.

All that is needed is common sense, the ability to commit to regular training and basic physical fitness.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies said: “Working within the RNLI can be very satisfying and team members often develop life-long friendships. Shore team members may progress to boat crew, if young enough, or become involved in tractor driving.”

Anyone interested should attend a Wednesday evening training session and make themselves known to a member of the lifeboat station management team.

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

A £40,000 appeal to get some of Somerset’s most famous church bells ringing again has passed the half-way mark.

The bells at St Peter’s Church in Evercreech – frequently heard on the BBC – fell silent last November after it was discovered that urgent repairs were needed to the infrastructure inside the tower.

Eight of the ten bells are suspended from wooden headstocks which must be replaced, along with other remedial work. But with the help of grants and local support, the appeal’s fundraising committee has already exceeded £21,000.

To find out more about the appeal, visit www.stpetersevercreech.co.uk

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MOTORING

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Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 91

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It’s all in a day’s work

THERE are so many different opportunities nowadays for those people wishing to work with animals and horses and there is truly nothing better than taking part in an occupation that centres around our passion and hobby.

I have worked in the equestrian recruitment With CELIA industry for many years, alongside actually GADD teaching, riding, competing, writing and producing horses and it is amazing how many people successfully manage to juggle their jobs, horses and families together and still produce amazing results.

There are the physical ‘hands on’ roles such as groom, rider and riding instructor, although finding really good, hard-working grooms is probably a bit more difficult now than 20 years ago.

These days the temptation to go to college and do one of the courses that will give you a qualification rather than working an ‘apprenticeship’ type of scheme is quite high, although personally I believe those riding instructors who gain their qualifications while working, riding and competing in the ‘real world’ are probably a bit more prepared for the hard work required than those who have come through a more structured training programme.

There are many equine dentists, sports therapists and as well as farriers there are also many people specialising in bare-foot trimming and holistic therapies which are all proving to be popular job choices.

The BHS qualified riding instructors are now having to compete with more ‘alternative’ types of instruction such as Parelli Horsemanship, Natural Horsemanship and the other disciplines such as Western riding are also becoming more popular, meaning the traditional riding instructor has to be effective, available and cost effective in order to attract a large client base.

Livery yards are still very popular and many farmers and land owners have ‘diversified’ over the years and achieve a useful income by renting out their stables and land. DIY yards in particular are thriving whereas the full livery owners are probably a bit thinner on the ground than they were years ago.

In many parts of the equestrian marketplace it is hard to believe we have gone through a recession with shows still thriving and new equestrian products still popping up all over the place but in reality the horse sales are not as buoyant as a few years back, and there are definitely less ‘owners’ about who have the funds available to pay big livery and competition fees although the really good professional riders are still definitely busy.

Becoming a professional rider takes real guts, determination and hard work; and in order to make it a financial success there needs to be planning and a few good owners to help spread the costs particularly if competing at the higher levels.

There are other opportunities within the equestrian industry in the sales/marketing and PR areas. However, positions in equestrian sales are extremely sought after and it is a very competitive area.

Many people would love to combine their love of horses with

their full time career and it can work well although the ‘dream’ jobs are fewer and further between now.

There are numerous self-employed sales roles available and although less secure this can be a really good place to start and to gain experience as well as get a much needed network built up which will mean your CV reads much better if later on you are going for a salaried role.

What most people who love and compete on horses needs is actually more time, as well as an income and that is why so many equestrian people are also getting involved in network marketing companies as well.

Network marketing is experiencing a boom time in the UK, there are so many people now who need to earn an extra few hundred pounds a month to pay their bills or have a real need to top up their pension as they have experience huge cuts.

The idea of working a business a few hours a week alongside what you are currently doing which will then pay you money every month whether you work or not is particularly attractive to people with their own horses, who eventually would like to be able to spend more time with them, but still earn a decent income.

The products within these companies vary from health, nutrition, and beauty to utilities and every day services and it is important to pick a proven company, with a good track record and good third party credibility.

As a recruitment consultant I have come across all sorts of people, with all sorts of occupations and often it can be difficult to find out exactly what you want to do but considering most of us spend the majority of our lives working it is good to find something you enjoy, that is fulfilling and also enables you to work towards achieving all your goals.

A well written CV is very important when applying for new roles, and also a relevant covering letter that shows you have some understanding of the role and why you think you would be suitable is also very helpful.

If you would like any advice on your CV or career choice then please get in touch, and we would love to hear from some of you who are managing to combine working with your passion too, or have an interesting equestrian occupation.

Please contact me at Mendip Times, celia@celiagadd.co.uk

PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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RIDING

All smiles at pony club triathlon

THIS year’s Mendip Farmers Pony Club Triathlon was held at Sidcot School, with over 80 children competing, aged five – 17, from all over the South West, from Tiverton and the New Forest, to clubs closer to home such as Banwell, Wylye Valley and of course Mendip.

The three-phase competition consists of air pistols, shooting turning targets from varying distances, plus a timed swim, in which each child has to swim as far as they can, in a set time. The final event is a timed cross-country run over a set distance.

The highest placed Mendip competitors were Lorren Chinnock, Ollie Wade, Yasmin Sluijmers, Alex Sluijmers and Isobel Twiggs.

Katherine Wade, Mendip’s Tetrathlon manager, said: “Our aim is always to run a friendly, welcoming competition where children of all ages are

April show dates

Wednesday 1st Wednesday Evening Jumping – Lower at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Organised By Badgworth Equestrian Centre Sunday 5th Brent Knoll Riding Club Spring Show at Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Organised By Brent Knoll Riding Club Monday 6th Bath Riding Club Hunter Trial at Bushey Norwood Bath, Organised By Bath Riding Club Rising Stars Inter Riding Club Team Sj Competition at Conquest Equestrian Centre, Norton Fitzwarren Organised By Catherine Freeman Taunton Vale Hunt Point To Point at Kingston St Mary, Taunton Organised By Taunton Vale Foxhounds Tuesday 7th Sparkford Equestrian Auctions at The Sparkford Inn, Sparkford Organised By Sparkford Auctions Wednesday 8th Wednesday Evening Jumping – Higher at

Some of the Mendip Farmers Pony Club members (left to right): Alex Sluijmers, Ollie Wade, Yasmin Sluijmers, Lorren Chinnock, Harvey Dury and Meggie Dury

encouraged to come and have a go. We had a very successful day, it was a real team effort.”

The next event run by Mendip

Farmers Pony Club will be at the Area Grass Roots and Open Show, at MidSomerset show ground, Shepton Mallet on June 14th.

Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Organised By Badgworth Equestrian Centre Inter Schools Team And Individual Show Jumping at Conquest Equestrian Centre, Norton Fitzwarren Organised By Conquest Centre Saturday 11th BMHS Spring Show at Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Organised

By Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre Sunday 12th Western Clinic at Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Organised

By Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre Wednesday 15th Wednesday Evening Jumping – Lower at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Organised By Badgworth Equestrian Centre Stretcholt Farm BSPS Show at Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Organised By Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre Sunday 19th Bath Riding Club Hunter Trial at Bushey Norwood Bath,, Organised By Bath Riding Club

Spring Show at Heazle Arena, Cullompton Organised By Blackdown Hills Riding Club Indoor Unaffilited Dressage at Kingfisher Equestrian, Lovington Organised By Kingfisher Equestrian Wednesday 22nd Wednesday Evening Jumping – Higher at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Organised By Badgworth Equestrian Centre Saturday 25th Affiliated Dressaage at Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Organised

By Stretcholt Farm Equestrian Centre Open Spring Show at Chard Showground Higher Purtington Chard Somerset TA188QY, Organised By Miss Helen Jeans Wednesday 29th Dismounted Workshop, Asymmetry. at Christon, Organised By Karen Whiston Bhsi Wednesday Evening Jumping – Lower at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Organised By Badgworth Equestrian Centre

Details: http://branches.pcuk.org/mendip/

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 93

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MENDIP TIMES

New at Mane Event!

A ONE-stop shop for all your horse and rider needs is how Debbie Allen used to describe Mane Event Saddlery at Pylle, near Shepton Mallet.

Now that should read “all your pet needs as well” after Debbie decided to expand the business to include an

Mane Event Saddley now boasts an impressive range of foods and accessories

Telephone: 01749 830706

A one-stop shop for all your horse and pet needs NOW STOCKING:

# A wide range of cat and dog food, including Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Autarki and Dr John’s # Toys and accessories, including beds and crates, leads and collars # Rug washing and repairs # Clipper blade sharpening and clipper servicing # Hat and body protector fitting # Full leather workshop (onsite saddler) Jo Baker

Unit 5a, Stockwood Business Park, Pylle, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6TA. www.maneeventsaddlery.com

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Pc Lucy Bagnowiec, beat manager for Shepton Mallet, prepares to security stamp a valuable saddle as Kate Pearson, from Orchard Farm Livery in Evercreech, looks on

impressive range of dog and cat foods and accessories from leads and collars to chews and treats. And if there’s something in particular that’s not in stock, then Debbie is more than happy to supply any request.

Mane Event Saddlery, next to The Den café and restaurant on the Stockwood Business Park, is well-known in the horseriding world because of its extensive range of goods and services, which include a full leather workshop courtesy of qualified on-site saddler Jo Baker.

Debbie said: “Most people with horses tend to own other animals so it seemed logical to begin to stock dog and cat foods and other supplies. We already sold poultry feed and bedding.”

Debbie used to ride regularly – she has two horses of her own – but now describes herself as a “happy hacker” and is a keen supporter of the Mendip Bridleways and Byways Association, occasionally hosting meetings at the shop. During an open day to promote the new range of pet foods and accessories, Mane Event Saddlery also hosted one of the launch events for the force wide launch of Avon and Somerset Police’s Horsewatch Scheme.

Debbie added: “Parking here is very good so it’s a very convenient place to visit.”

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Go on the hoof with the RDA Brook and Anne at a competition

RIDING

Gold Cup woe

THE look on their faces says it all: this was the scene in Ditcheat during the prestige Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival when local favourites Silviniaco Conti could finish only in seventh and Sam Winner was pulled up.

Lucy, Kate and Kara, who work at Paul Nicholls’s yard in the village, had front seats at the Manor Inn for the big race shown on a giant screen.

Earlier there had been some compensation for Lucy; she looks after the Frankie Dettori-bred Dodging Bullets who two days earlier had stormed to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

THE Wellow branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association is appealing for more volunteers to join them.

The group has a full complement of riders of all ages and disabilities and is struggling to cope with demand. It operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Wellow Trekking Centre.

Volunteers do not need any experience with horses, just a willingness to muck in – often literally as jobs vary from leading riders to grooming and cleaning and fundraising.

The Wellow group is getting ready for a busy season of events, including RDA competitions in May. Rose Hawkins, whose daughter Brook is a regular visitor to the centre, said: “Riding offers excellent physiotherapy and riders develop a real affinity with the horses.”

Brook, aged eight, has Down’s Syndrome and Rose added: “Brook loves going there and her walking is now so much better.

A fun dog show in aid of the Wellow group will be held at the centre on Monday, May 25th, starting at 2pm.

All dogs are welcome.

Anyone who would like to find out more should visit: www.wellow-rda.org.uk or e-mail Anne Allen at: anneallen@dsl.pipex.com

Lessons Show Jump, Flat Work or Cross Country Training on your own horse/pony, £20 per hour Riding School Lessons £25

Easter Holiday Activities

For all Activity days you can bring your own Horse/Pony or if a regular client ride one of ours and bring a packed lunch.

Mon 30th March Flat & Jump Day 10 – 5 £35 Tues 31st March Pony Club Badge Training followed by Test (Hill Farm Pony Club members only) urs 2nd April Pony Day 10 – 3 £30 Wed 8th April Show Jump Day 10 – 5 £35 Fri 10th April Pony Day 10 – 3 £30 Booking essential JUMP TRAINING CLINIC Sat 4th April Jump Training over XC Fences. 1hr groups £10 per person Booking Essential for all activities

Livery DIY, Part, Full, Schooling & Holiday Livery available.

Purpose built stable yard and New American Barn style stables.

Fantastic facilities including – 2 x All Weather Arenas, Show Jump Paddock with XC Jumps, Wash Box, Meeting Room, Tuck Shop, Saddlery Goods for sale, Free Lorry/ Trailer Parking.

Reduced Price Lessons. Plus other excellent facilities.

British Horse Society Approved Riding School & Livery Yard (Highest Rating) Local Authority Licensed Riding School

Hill Farm Equestrian, Hill Farm, Burtle, Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 8NB 01278 723415 or 07891 555151 or 07977 122047 Hillfarmequestrian.com or hillfarmequestrian@hotmail.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 95

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Jamie is a champion

Football academy to launch in Frome

JAMIE Harris, aged 14, who trains and races at Cheddar Reservoir, has been selected as the RYA South West Youth Champion 2015. The award is in recognition of his achievements last year where he represented the GBR Optimist team in Naples and France and at the Brassermermeer Easter Regatta.

He also qualified for RYA national squads in both Optimist and Cadet classes. With his sister Bettine, aged 11, they were the leading British boat at the Cadet Nationals before being blown out by hurricane Bertha and having to leave early for the Irish Optimist Nationals at which Jamie finished as the first overseas boy.

They also won the Cadet under-13 trophy at Waldringfield Cadet Week recently. They live with their parents in Axbridge.

They are all family members at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club – the friendly dinghy and windsurfer club which sails on Cheddar Reservoir.

Rebels’ delight

THE ‘Cases’ Somerset Rebels speedway team will have a glamorous curtain raiser to their new season when Poole Pirates, the 2014 Elite League Champions, visit the Oaktree Arena near Highbridge in a special “one-off” challenge match on Friday, March 27th.

Meanwhile the Rebels have accepted an invitation to become patrons of the Santa’s On A Bike charity, which raises money for Children’s Hospice Southwest.

The motorcycle charity, which was founded by Paul Wren more than 10 years ago, raises money and collects gifts with a mass ride in Bristol on the first Saturday in December, when riders dress in Santa costumes. This year it will hold its first summer event, finishing at Little Bridge House hospice in Barnstable on June 21st.

Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “We were delighted and honoured to be asked by Paul to be the Charity’s patron, and readily accepted.

“We will be looking at ways we can

FROME Town Football Club and Frome College have launched a new partnership with the creation of the Frome Town Football Academy.

The initiative will start in September and will offer a maximum of 20 post -16 students the chance to study a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Sport – equivalent to three ‘A’ Levels.

Gary Collinson, Community Development Director for Frome Town FC, who play in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division, said: “This is great news for the club, the college, the town and, most importantly, the students themselves. The academy idea has been discussed for some time and after many constructive meetings we are delighted to be able to move forward with the launch of the academy; the passion shown for the idea from the senior staff at the college has made things very easy.” The course will be based at the stadium, unlike the majority of similar schemes run by other non-league clubs. Gary added: “We believe it’s crucial to get the students out of their usual learning environment and into a football-oriented one – after all, it’s what the course is about.”

Frome College Principal, Gavin Ball, said: “We have been running a hugely successful BTEC sport course for some time now and we are excited about combining our expertise with the football club’s to create an environment that will develop the players’ footballing skills whilst completing a recognised qualification. We are committed to seeing this partnership grow year-on-year to nurture a wealth of footballing talent within the region.”

Members of this season's Rebels squad with fundraisers from the National Autistic Society, once again the team's chosen charity

help the charity with their fundraising as well as helping to raise their profile, one of which will be to use our home meeting on June 19th against Workington as a pre-cursor to the charity’s inaugural Summer Santa Run.” Paul said: “After thinking of lots of names, we decided to first ask the

Somerset Rebels and we were delighted they have accepted and look forward to a long and happy relationship with them, which will include us presenting a trophy at the club’s end of season presentation night to the Somerset rider who has accrued the most bonus points over the course of the season.”

For details about the ride, visit: www.santasonabike.org.uk or find the charity on Facebook at “Summer Santa Run”.

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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SPORT

S no o k er b i d r a i s e s th o us a n ds f o r F i nl ey AN attempt in Street to break the world record for the longest snooker match has raised more than £14,000 to help a young child with a rare brain disorder.

Finley Morris, aged three, suffers from SCN2A; he’s thought to be one of just 50 in the world to be diagnosed with the disorder, which means he cannot walk or talk or eat and drink properly and which causes severe epileptic seizures.

Dad Kev and his best friend Steve Maynard are both keen snooker players and set out to raise at least £10,000 to pay for specialist equipment for Finley and for work to be carried out at the family home in Bridgwater.

The attempt to beat the record of 85 hours and 19 minutes took place at Break ‘n’ Dish snooker and pool centre in Street, where Kev and Steve play; Steve, who lives near Street, is a county player for Somerset. But after 69.5 hours and 282 frames – all carefully recorded by a team of volunteer monitors – the

Finley with the amount raised by the beginning of March. More donations are welcome

Kev in action on day two of the world record attempt

pair were forced to abandon the attempt.

Support for the pair came from world-famous snooker and darts players. Trina Gulliver – nine times World Ladies Darts Champion – visited the centre and donated items for an auction whilst newly-crowned PDC champion Gary Anderson donated a set of signed darts. Other items included a set of signed photos by the cast of Eastenders during the recent 30th anniversary celebrations.

Kev said: “The amount of support we received was overwhelming and the money is still coming in. The tiredness has gone but I still have the aches and pains.”

Steve (left) and Kev after completing 27 hours: they had to “earn” brief rest periods

To find out more about Finley, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/fdj050

Anyone for croquet?

AFTER a very successful year Camerton and Peasedown Croquet Club is about to begin a new series of beginners’ courses for new members. They will be on Sundays 2pm – 4.30pm on April 19th and 26th and May 3rd, 10th and 17th. The five sessions cost £20 – and £10 will be refunded when you join the club.

Details: www.camertonpeasedowncroquetclub.co.uk or contact Mo Boys 01225 708540 or Ros Key Pugh 01225 427525.

Yacht club expands

WESTON Bay Yacht Club, based at Uphill, will stage a grand re-opening on April 18th, with the completion of an extension doubling its length, thanks to a grant from Sport England.

The club now hopes not only to attract new sailing members but to include other water sport and beach sport users. The club will be open from 11.30am and visitors are welcome.

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MENDIP TIMES

Protests and prizes

By Mark Adler

ANTI-hunt demonstrators staged a protest during the annual Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point-to-point meeting near Wincanton.

Racegoers were delayed by the protestors who then marched around the edge of the circuit, but the meeting itself passed off without incident.

The fixture, at Charlton Horethorne, attracted 89 entries, the highest since 2011. Secretary Caroline Hinks said: “We always attract a high quality entry if not

Owner, trainer and jockey Chelsea Jennings, with Bill and Janey Hopkins and their grandchildren Evie and Imogen. Chelsea, riding Tony Dinozzo, won the Hopkins Concrete Ladies’ Open, a qualifier for the AGA Lady Racers iTotal Control Ladies Championship

the quantity.”

Racegoers, who braved a heavy downpour halfway through the meeting, were rewarded with a special appearance

by National Hunt legend Big Buck’s. A

multi-winner under Ditcheat-based champion trainer Paul Nicholls, the nowretired hurdler is ridden every day by Lucy Tucker, who took him for a canter around the track.

Divided: anti-hunt protestors (left) are tracked by racegoers and police as they march around the edge of the track

Odds-on favourite Ask The Weatherman is ridden to victory in the opening race by Will Biddick, who enjoyed several winners on the day

Get your racecards here – point-to-points rely heavily on dedicated volunteers PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

Big Buck’s enjoys the limelight once more. His appearance was a rehearsal for a similar parade during the Cheltenham Festival

First in line: patience is a virtue after this customer was later rewarded with a sausage

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Cup final beckons for Wells

SPORT

WELLS Rugby Club has made it to the final of the Somerset Cup competition after defeating the highest-ranked team they have ever faced.

They overcame National Three league side Old Redcliffians 18-13 to set up a clash against either Westonsuper-Mare or Hornets.

Being a cup match, the bench was extended to 22 players.

Amazingly, 20 of them had progressed through the club’s mini and junior sections. Director of rugby Peter Kennedy said it was "the best win the club's history” because of the opposition’s league status.

The last time Wells reached a Somerset RFU cup final was in 2008 when they won the Vase competition. A date and

Prop Mathew Edgell storms towards the try line in Midsomer Norton’s crushing 71-3 victory over Corsham during the club’s reunion day fixture. The following day Norton beat Old Bristolians 60-7 to reach the Somerset Vase semi-final

Up for the cup: Wells – seen here at home against Camborne – have faced a tough challenge in their first season in the Tribute South West 1 West league

Flanker Ethan Trebble-Westlake tries to break down Gordano’s defence

venue for the final had still to be confirmed as Mendip Times went to press.

Meanwhile Midsomer Norton were due to face Gordano in the semi-final of the Somerset Vase. Gordano edged out Tor RFC 20-22 in a tense match at Glastonbury. Gordano will face Bristol Harlequins. Again, the date and venue had still to be confirmed.

Tor score a late try but can’t take late chances for victory MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 99

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Choir bids fond farewell to director

Choir member Margaret Wilcox presenting Heather with her cake

THE Somer Valley Singers recently said farewell to Heather Hill, who has retired from the choir after many years of leading them as their musical director. Heather, who took on the role in 2005, was an inspirational leader who always gave full commitment and took the choir from strength to strength with her gentle humour and patience.

The choir had a lovely evening where they sang a selection of their favourite pieces from the last few years followed by food and drinks during which Heather was presented with a watch, a bracelet, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, some garden gift vouchers and a cake. Heather’s husband, Tony, who has supported Heather and the choir over the years was given a bottle of port.

Although Heather will be greatly missed, the choir say they are pleased to welcome Mark Baker as their new musical director and look forward to a new chapter under his guidance.

They meet on a Thursday night at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton and are always happy to see new members.

Details: www.somervalleysingers.co.uk or telephone 01761 433325.

Sax in the City Bristol-based duo

John 07768 973102

Louise 07850 108318

Alto sax/Flute

Vocals & Tenor sax

e: saxinthecityduo@aol.co.uk www.briglymills.wix.com/saxinthecity2 PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

New pianist for choir

PHILIP Evry is the new accompanist at Mendip Male Voice Choir.

Many of the members know Philip having worked with him during their time with the Bath Male Choir.

He received his musical education at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied piano with Harry Isaacs and piano accompaniment with Rex Stevens, gaining the LRAM (piano teaching) and the academy's Certificate of Merit for piano

accompaniment.

His career in music, spanning more than 50 years, has embraced contemporary and classical dance, music theatre, publishing (EMI,Chappell, IMP, Studio Music) composing, arranging and editing.

He retired in 2003 from his position as deputy director of music at The Arts Educational School, Tring and since then has been increasingly involved in concert performances in the Bath area as both pianist and harpsichordist.

In 2002 the Society of Recorder Players awarded him an Honorary life membership in recognition of his contribution to the published repertoire for recorder payers. Previous experience as a choir repetiteur includes seven years with Brentwood Choral Society and the Essex Choral Union.

Philip was the accompanist for the Bath Male Choir from its inception in 2006 until 2014, performing with them in Germany, Holland, France, Ireland and Japan, as well as at prestigious venues in the U.K, including their successful participation in the BBC TV series: The Last Choir Standing.

The Mendip Men say they are delighted to have secured the services of this very experienced pianist who with musical director Jamie Knight will certainly push the choir to even greater heights.

The choir’s first concert of the year is on Saturday April 11th at the All Saints Church, Weston, Bath starting at 7.30pm. They will be sharing the concert with the Orpheus Ladies Choir from Penzance and the local Bath Minuendous Youth Choir.

Details: Nick 01761 413842 and Eric 01761 414070. The choir rehearses every Monday night at St Mary’s School, Timsbury, 7.30pm, and welcomes new members.

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Help choir to help others

What’s in a name?

MUSIC

Sax in the City John and Louise

Cheddar Male Voice choir is celebrating 20 years of annual concerts

CHEDDAR Male Choir will celebrate another year’s work for charities and good causes by staging their annual concert on Saturday, April 25th at St Andrew’s Church in the village.

The concert will raise funds to allow the choir to carry on raising money by singing around 12 concerts per year. In the past they have raised money for organisations including Children’s Hospice South West, Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, Freewheelers Blood Bikers and Draycott Defibrillator.

This year they will be joined by the local U3A ladies choir.

The concert begins at 7:30pm. For details, visit: www.cheddarmvchoir.co.uk

Singers’ busy month ahead

THE Somerset Singers face a busy but exciting month of May with their Spring Concert taking place in Wells and a fundraising organ recital in Cheddar.

The singers are the local choral society for the Cheddar, Axbridge and Winscombe areas.

For this year’s Spring Concert, their musical director Jonathan Vaughn has chosen the two best known and best loved compositions by Fauré and a popular mass by Schubert.

The choir started rehearsing for this production in January and has been meeting weekly in the Friends’ Meeting House at Sidcot under the direction of Jonathan, who was appointed in 2009.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, assistant organist at Wells Cathedral, will play a selection of organ music at St Andrew’s Church in Cheddar at 7:30pm on Wednesday 13th May. The concert will be in support of St Andrew’s Church Cheddar Fabric Fund and Somerset Singers.

Jonathan regularly performs recitals around the UK, the Netherlands and Poland. In 2014 he made his United States debut with a five recital tour.

The Somerset Singers will perform Fauré’s Requiem and

CONGRESBURY musicians John Mills and Louise Harris are having to rethink their catchy name Sax in the City – because the music is changing. Since forming their two-person group last summer, the music, played to professional backing tracks, has evolved.

John said: “We started as a sax duo playing instrumental numbers and Sax in the City was the perfect title – we’ve even used the theme tune from Sex in the City as a signature piece.

“After a few months, we discovered that Louise has a fine singing voice and gradually we have incorporated more songs.

Now, more than half our repertoire is vocals, with me accompanying her on sax.”

The duo play an eclectic mix of jazz standards, soft rock ballads, and TV and film themes. With regular bookings at parties, receptions and wine bars, the duo looks set to become even more popular this coming summer.

The Somerset Singers at their Christmas concert

Cantique de Jean Racine and Schubert’s Mass in G at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells on Saturday, May 9th at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced £12 (under-18s half price) and are available in advance from Wells Tourist Information Centre and 01934 842353. Tickets priced £14 (under-18s half price) will be available on the door.

Tickets for Jonathan’s recital are £8 (children half price) and are available in advance from 01934 842353 (Somerset Singers) or 01934 742165 (St Andrew’s churchwarden). For more information visit: www.somersetsingers.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 101

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Easter fun at the palace

IF you’re looking for some family fun to keep your little ones occupied this Easter Holiday, The Bishop’s Palace, in Wells has a great programme of family activities for all ages.

From gardening to grasshoppers and caterpillars to crafting there’s something that’s sure to appeal to everyone.

Throughout the Easter holiday the palace will be running an Easter Egg Hunt – visitors can pick up details in the shop and have fun exploring the palace and gardens whilst looking for clues.

On Saturday, March 28th the Community Garden will be holding a Spring Fair and on Monday, March 30th the garden will host a mini-beast hunting day.

On Wednesday, 1st and Wednesday, April 8th the successful series of Family Activity Days continues in the Stable Yard with crafts and trails themed around mini-beasts and springtime.

Whatever the weather, little minds and little hands will certainly be kept busy!

All events are included with standard admission. Children under five are FREE.

Jesse window restored

Wells Cathedral welcomes visitors every day of the year to experience this wonderful and holy place. Free scheduled tours are available each day except Sundays and they can also provide prebooked special interest guided tours for group visits (such as stained glass, embroidery, library).

The cathedral has unique features that separate it from other English Cathedrals including the beautiful ‘scissor arches’ supporting the central tower and one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country.

Join them for their Jesse Window Celebration Weekend, Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th! Experts agree that the Jesse Window is one of the most splendid examples of 14th century stained glass in Europe, narrowly escaping destruction during the English Civil War. A fundraising campaign to save the Jesse Window enabled the cathedral to undertake a three-year restoration project and the scaffolding finally came down from the window only recently.

A full programme of workshops, free stained glass tours (including a free cup of tea in their café!), family activities and celebratory evensong takes places over the weekend. Some activities will need pre-booking.

Details: www.wellscathedral.org.uk Entrance to the cathedral by donation.

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WHAT’S ON

Vintage cheese takes the biscuit

Fun at any time of the year

Get ready to rock with King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys

THE Cheese & Grain in Frome will be celebrating everything vintage with its first Vintage Weekend in April.

On Saturday, April 18th, the venue will host the fabulous Vintage Bazaar, with vintage homeware, textiles and clothing. Admission to the fair is £2.

Saturday evening will feature the brilliant King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys, known as the world’s greatest swing and R&B band. Tickets are £12 (advance) and £15 on the door. There is a special group offer: buy five tickets and get the sixth Free.

The following day will see a celebration of classic cars in the car park, a special travelling market with some of the best artisan stalls in the

West Country and a special Vintage Fashion event in the hall with a fashion show throughout the day!

There will also be the chance to get the full vintage look with Vintage Victory Rollers, doing make-up and hair on both days.

Single and looking for a social life . . . then join SPA

An enthusias c and friendly group of single people who enjoy organised events

For more informa on go to www.singleprofessionalassocia on.co.uk email: wellsandmendip@yahoo.co.uk Or contact Anne – 01934 743139 Veronica – 01749 330455

HULLABALOO Soft Play Centre in Shepton Mallet is gearing up for its traditional Easter holiday rush.

Hullabaloo is a good family option during A fun place for Easter, or any time of the year school holidays.

But the popular venue above the Haskins complex is an ideal fun place to visit at any time of the year, a place where kids can let off steam and have fun in a clean and safe environment. With slides, trampoline, bouncy castle, rope bridges, mini zip-line, air cannons, ball pool, as well as a toddlers assault course and baby area, there is something for all youngsters.

But Hullabaloo offers more than that: parents can relax, catch up with friends over a good cup of coffee or use the free wi-fi. Hot and cold food and drinks and snacks are available in their cafe and they also host kids’ parties to help take the stress away from celebrations. In other words, a full package to help mum and dad!

Hullabaloo is closed on Easter Sunday but open as normal on other days (10am-5pm during all school holidays).

GIGS AT THE CHEESE & GRAIN Fri, Apr 3rd: 8pm THE WURZELS £15 adv Sat, Apr 4th: 8pm THE BEN WATERS BAND £12 adv/£15 door Sat, Apr 11th: 8pm GUNS N ROSES EXPERIENCE/ DIRTY DC £14 adv Sat, Apr 18th & Sun, Apr 19th: FROME VINTAGE WEEKEND. VINTAGE BAZAAR (Sat); CLASSIC CARS, VINTAGE FASHION & THE ANONYMOUS TRAVELLING MARKET (Sun) Sat, Apr 18th: KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS £12 adv/£15 door Sat, May 2nd: 8pm ZION TRAIN £15.50 Adv Fri, May15th: 10pm DJ YODA £16.50 Adv Fri, May 22nd: 8pm ORKESTRA DEL SOL £15 Adv

Market Yard, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BE To Book call 01373 455 420 www.cheeseandgrain.com (Monday – Saturday: 9am–8pm Sundays: event days only) MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015 • PAGE 103

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M e n d i p

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. Commercial entries cost £25.

Wednesday March 25th AGE UK Somerset drop-in session at Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, 10am to 12pm. Pop in for a chat with an adviser from Age UK about the information available on a wide range of issues affecting older people.

Thursday March 26th Chew Valley Wildlife Group: Bristol Zoo – Conservation & Sustainability, with Simon Garrett, Chew Magna Millennium Hall, 7.45pm, visitors £2.50, season ticket available.

West Mendip Walkers – moderate circular walk 6.0mi/9.6km from Henton Hall. Ex141 ST496 453.

Park village top car park. Start 12.30pm. Contact Ken Masters 07784941439.

Friday March 27th Mendip Citizens Advice Mobile Unit at Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road. 10am to 12pm. The CAB bus and staff will be available to provide free, independent and confidential advice.

Free Glastonbury Health Walk – meet outside Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, 10am for 10.15 departure. An easy, mostly level walk of about two miles on paths, pavements and quiet lanes in and around Glastonbury. Optional café stop at the end.

Details: vicssullivan@hotmail.com Wrington Friendship Club, herbs and fragrant plants, illustrated talk by Don Everitt followed by Easter Bonnet competition, 2.30pm Wrington Memorial Hall, new members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

Saturday March 28th Wrington Vale Rotary concert, Sidcot School meeting house, raising funds for the Heartworks appeal, with Colin Bell, Zoe Maitland and Paul Beechey, tickets £10, 7.30pm. Details: 01934 842551, 01934 852481 or visit www.facebook.com/rotaryheartworks Chew Valley RNLI Magical Comedy Show, with Oz Moses, Ubley Village Hall, 7.30pm, £15 to include hot supper. Details: Tim Gracey 01275 472639.

Plant Heritage Somerset, talk on Primulas (British variants only) by Dr. Margaret Webster, National Collection Holder, 2.30pm at Edington Village Hall TA7 9HA. Visitors £4. Details: 01278 451631.

Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Community Garden Spring Fair, 11am-3pm, included with admission.

Nunney Village Hall, Tom Connor’s Memphis Jazz Men, 7.30pm, adults £10, children £5, raising funds for the church roof. Details: Norman 079799 35067.

Cranmore Community Group, spring table top sale, Cranmore Memorial Hall, nr Shepton Mallet, 10am1pm.

Jumble Sale at Winscombe Community Centre, Sandford Road, 2pm in aid of Old Station Millennium Green. Jumble wanted on morning or call 01934 842470.

Frome Society for Local Study and Frome Civic Society, agm 2pm, lecture 2.30 Mendip Village Histories with the Villages History Group, Assembly Rooms, Frome.

Congresbury book sale, 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall, good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Mendip Society Walk, Norton Malreward, 1.30.

Details: Roger 01225 872777.

First Draycott Art Fair, Memorial Hall, 22 artists, lunchtime concert, lunches and teas, 10am – 4pm, PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • APRIL 2015

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T i m e s

entry £5, students £3, children free. Details: Robin Gray 07968 287961.

Tuesday March 31st Congresbury Over-60s Club, Ration Books to Rock ‘n Roll, illustrated talk by Terry Merrett-Smith, Congresbury War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

Wednesday April 1st Bishop’s Palace, Wells, family activities, searching for the minibeasts you can find in the garden, 11am3pm, included with admission.

AGE UK Somerset drop-in session at Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, 10am to 12pm, pop in for a chat with an adviser from Age UK about the information available on a wide range of issues affecting older people.

Thursday April 2nd Wells Evening Society, Painting the Fallen Woman, with Dr Allan Phillipson, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm.

West Mendip Walkers – moderate circular walk from New Bridge Bath 10.5mi/16km. Ex155 ST719658. Park Newbridge P&R. Start 1000hr.

Contact Tony Strange 01934733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Cheddar Valley U3A Shadow of the Workhouse – a talk by Pat Hase M.A. – based on her research of the Axbridge workhouse, Church House, Cheddar, 2.15pm, entry £2, visitors welcome.

Friday April 3rd Redhill Village Club Open Mic Night from 8pm, hosted by Jerry Blythe. All welcome to come along to either participate or just watch and enjoy some "Live Music". Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG 01934 862619.

Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre, a beautifully restored Victorian station on the Strawberry Line, reopens, 11am – last entry 4pm.

Admission free. Cakes, hot & cold drinks etc. Open weekends and bank holidays until the end of October.

Friday April 3rd and Saturday April 4th 1st Churchill Rainbows cake sale, Murphy’s Fish Bar, Churchill, 12noon – 2.30pm and 5pm – 7.30pm each day.

Saturday April 4th Nailsea and District Horticultural Society Spring Show at Nailsea School 12.30 pm.

Mendip Society Walk, Westbury-sub-Mendip, 2pm.

Details: Jo 01749 870813.

Redhill Village Club Easter Raffle Evening with lots of lovely prizes on offer. Draw tickets – still only 25p each. Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG. Norton St. Philip Pre-School, Frozen Easter Egg Extravaganza, 10am-12noon, £3 per child or £5 for two. Details: www.nortonpreschool.co.uk Wednesday April 8th Bishop’s Palace, Wells family activities – Springtime at The Bishop’s Palace, craft activities will include making daffodil bunting, wooden peg butterflies and caterpillars, and herb and lavender bags, 11am-3pm, included in admission.

Nailsea and District Horticultural Society, summer flowering bulbs, Don Everitt, United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea, 7.30, all are welcome, £2 members, £3 non-members, membership for 2015 is £5.

Wells Civic Society, public art in Wells, with local artists, Wells and Mendip Museum, 7.30pm.

Thursday April 9th West Mendip Walkers – easy circular walk from Stockhill Woods 6mi/9.7km. Ex141 ST548513. Park Stockhill Woods CP. Start 1300hr. Contact Tony Strange 01934733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday April 10th Cheddar Library hosts Cheddar Vale Lions free

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story session, from 2.30pm. Details: 0845 3459177 or email chelib@somerset.gov.uk Wrington Friendship Club, bees & beekeeping – illustrated talk by Chris Cudlipp, 2.30pm Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street. New members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

Mendip Society agm, The Wellsway, West Harptree, 7pm followed by a talk by former president Roger Martin.

Saturday April 11th Rotary Club of Nailsea and Backwell quiz in aid of the Water Survival Box scheme, Backwell WI hall, 7.30 for 7.45pm, byo drinks and glasses, tickets £6, contact John Glason 01275 463969.

Redhill Village Club Mouse Race Night – first race starts at 7.30pm, tickets £2.50 each includes supper. All proceeds will go towards the village hall's kitchen extension fund raising project. Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG 01934 862619.

Mendip Male Voice Choir, first concert of the year, All Saints Church, Weston, Bath, 7.30pm, with the Orpheus Ladies Choir from Penzance and the local Bath Minuendous Youth Choir. Details: Nick 01761 413842 and Eric 01761 414070 Brent Knoll Bazaar, Farmers’ Market and Café, 10am-12 noon in Brent Knoll Parish Hall. FREE admission. Details: 01278 760 308.

Congresbury Book Sale, 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

A Journey Through The Life of J.S. Bach by the Mendip Recorder Consort, conductor Joyce Rundall, All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare, 12noon. Tickets £7 (include a light lunch and drink) on the door. Details: Jude Forth 01934 420697.

Mendip Society Walk, Bleadon and Bleadon Hill, 2pm. Details: John 01934 842868.

Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th Wells Tennis Club will be running free taster individual, junior and family sessions. Details at: www.wellstc.co.uk for times and bookings. Rackets and balls available at the club.

Sunday April 12th The Daffodil Society Wessex Group, annual show, Henton Village Hall, Henton Nr Wells, 2pm to 4.30pm, free admission. Details: 01275 855675.

Dundry Church Tower open, 2pm – 4pm, with refreshments. No children under eight. Don’t forget your camera. Details: Jane 0117 9642245.

Monday April 13th Jobcentre Plus drop-in session at Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, 9am to 12pm. Find out about training opportunities and the financial help available for those who cannot work.

Tuesday April 14th Sofonisba Anguissola, first major female artist of the Renaissance, a talk my Ms Terry Pearson MA for Mendip DFAS, 10.30 for 11am, Bath & West Bar & Restaurant (formerly the Westex Suite), B & W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN. Details: www.mdfas.org.uk. Guests welcome.

Clevedon Art Club, speaker Ray Balkwill, St Mary’s Church Hall, Castle Rd Walton, 7.30pm.

Congresbury Over-60’s Club, tea dance. Entry by ticket only (£4 each for non-members), Congresbury War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004. deafPLUS drop-in session at Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, 10am to 12pm. Call in for information, advice and guidance about hearing aid use, and advice and support and services.

Yeo Valley Demi Demo half day cookery demonstrations with Yeo Valley chefs in their canteen Fodder at Yeo Valley HQ. Details: Jill on

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01761 461425 or events@yeovalley.co.uk Thursday April 16th West Mendip Walkers – moderate circular walk from West Hatch 9.6mi/15.4km. Ex128 ST286209.

Park near West Hatch church. Start 1000hr. Contact Tony Strange 01934733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Crook Peak Gardening Club, Felicity Down on Gardening, Cross Village Hall BS26 2EH, 7.45pm, visitors welcome. Details: Sue Tilley Tel No: 01934 822210.

Cheddar Valley U3A meet and greet morning, Church House, Cheddar, 10.30am to 12 noon, visitors welcome. Details: 01934 710242 or www.cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk Wells Quilters exhibition, St.Thomas’s Church, Wells. 10am-4pm. Free entry. Donations towards church redevelopment. Tea, coffee and cake available. Quilt raffle and lots to see! Exhibition runs until Saturday, April 18th.

Thursday April 16th to Saturday April 18th Timsbury Theatre group presents The Village Fete a play by Peter Tinniswood at The Conygre Hall Timsbury, at 7.30pm each night. Box Office: www.thettg.org<http://www.thettg.org/ 07542 152595.

Friday, April 17th Musical Night in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice, featuring Joanne Baker, Gabrielle Govier, Eden Simpson, Street Sings and Street Men. Abbey Moor Stadium, Glastonbury. Doors 7pm for 7.30pm start.

Tickets £5 available from Jaywalk Guitars in Street or on the door.

Saturday April 18th Churchill Music, Peter Donohoe, piano, St. John the Baptist Church, Churchill, 7.30, tickets £14.50, Champions of Churchill Music! £10.50; Under 18s £4. Details: Ursula Dornton 01934 852919 or email info@churchillmusic.org.uk Chew Valley Choral Society sing Rutter’s Requiem and Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet at St John the Baptist Church, Keynsham, 7.30pm, tickets £10 (£5 students and children) from the parish office (0117 9863354), from CVCS members, on the door or telephoning 01275 333014.

Mendip Society Walk, Chew Magna to Dundry, 2pm. Details: Bob 01934 820575.

Sunday April 19th Redhill Village Club Classic Breakfast Gathering, calling all car and motorcycle enthusiasts to come along, park up for a chat and meet other like-minded people and enjoy a full English breakfast, bacon roll, tea or coffee in the hall, 9am-12noon. Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG. 01934 862619.

NGS Open Garden, Rose Cottage, Smithams Hill, East Harptree 2-5pm, see the garden full of spring colour. Home-made teas listening to Congresbury Brass Band. Admission £4.50, accompanied children free. Details: Jenny Cruse 01761 221627.

Monday April 20th Timsbury Nats, Kathy and Martin Farrell on Madagascar, Conygre Hall, Timsbury, 7.30pm, £3.

Tuesday April 21st NADFAS illustrated lecture Toulouse Lautrec – from Albi to Paris, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ, 11am, free parking, £6 entry. Details: 01963 350 527.

Yoga for the Elderly with Jill Lambert, St John's Church Hall Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HX, 2pm.

Details: Glen Hepworth 01761 413528.

Wednesday April 22nd AGE UK Somerset drop-in session at Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, 10am to 12pm. Pop in for a chat with an adviser from Age UK about the

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information available on a wide range of issues affecting older people.

Thursday April 23rd West Mendip Walkers – moderate circular walk from Swan Inn Rowberrow 5.5mi/8.8km. Ex141 ST451585. Park Swan Inn CP. Start 1300hr. Contact Tony Strange 01934733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday April 24th Wrington Friendship Club, Chris Rainbow, vocalist, Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street. New members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

Mendip Citizens Advice Mobile Unit at Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, 10am to 12pm. The CAB bus and staff will be available to provide free, independent and confidential advice.

Saturday April 25th Model Railway Show, featuring Trix and Hornby, layouts and sales, also other makes, Eden Grove Methodist Church Hall, Horfield. Bristol BS7 OPQ, 10am-4pm, adults £2, children under 12 free. Trade and enquiries: Dave on 01934 838229.

Curry & Quiz night, Claverham Village Hall, £10pp, teams 4-8 max, licensed bar, raffle and games.

Proceeds to Stepping Stones pre-school charity.

Details: 07837070096 www.steppingstonesclaverham.co.uk Brent Knoll village hall, Gracie Wickens-Sweet and the Coastline Singers, tickets £8 from the village shop. Details: Mary Lawrence 01278 784184 mary.lawrence@lineone.net Cheddar Male Choir annual concert, St. Andrew’s Church, Cheddar, 7.30pm.

Cantilena Choir spring concert, St. Mary’s Church, Glastonbury, 7.30pm, tickets £10, under 15s £1.

Details: cantilena@hotmail.co.uk Bishop’s Palace, Wells, community garden masterclass. Details: www.bishopspalace.co.uk 01749 988111.

Congresbury Book Sale, 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Cats Protection Spring Fair, Wells Town Hall (both floors), 9.30am – 2.20pm, refreshments available.

Admission free but donations welcome (particularly cat food). Details: Janet 01749 880545.

Quiz Night, Wookey Hole Community Hall, in aid of hall refurbishment, teams of four £20, light supper, take your own wine. Details: Lyn or Mike 01749 671912.

Plant Heritage Somerset Group Spring Plant Fair at Castercrete Site (next to Cadbury Garden Centre) BS49 5AA, free admission 10am – 3.30pm. Specialist nurseries. Details 01275 462700.

Kids free workshop at Backwell Village Market, 10.30am – 1.30 at Backwell market, WI Hall, Station Rd, Backwell BS48 3QW in aid of Backwell Judo Club rebuild. Details: Gloria 07870 598770.

Mendip Society Walk, around Compton Dando, 2pm. Details: Roger 01225 872777.

Supper Concert in aid of Wedmore Opera, Wedmore Village Hall. Syrinx play music for winds & piano by Mozart and Beethoven. 7.30pm. Tickets £20 incl supper, tel 01934 712515.

Charity Cream Tea at Winford Manor Hotel Old Hill Winford BS40 8DW all proceeds going to St. Peter’s Hospice and Children’s Hospice South West, 2.30pm – 4.30pm, £5 per person. Details: Angela on 01275 472292.

Sunday April 26th Cheddar Vale Lions Swimarathon, Kings Fitness & Leisure, Cheddar, 12noon to 3.30pm.

Tuesday April 28th Congresbury Over-60’s Club, comedy magic show,

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Richard Ballinger, Congresbury War Memorial Hall, 2.30-4pm. Details: 01934 832004.

Wednesday April 29th Backwell and Nailsea Macular Support, speaker Clare Bailey, 1:30 for 1.45pm, all welcome. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Thursday April 30th West Mendip Walkers – moderate circular walk from Bleadon 8.0mi/12.9km. Park Bleadon Village Hall CP. Start 1000hr. Contact Tony Strange 01934733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday May 1st Redhill Village Club Open Mic Night, 8pm, hosted

by Jerry Blythe. Great opportunity for musicians/performers to showcase their talent. Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG. 01934 862619.

Saturday May 2nd Trinity Singers seventh annual plant and cake sale, 10am-12.30pm, St. Mary’s Church, Langford, admission £1, inc. tea/coffee.

Somerset Wildlife Trust plant sale and open garden, Rookery House, The Causeway, Mark (on the B3139), 10.30am-1pm. Entrance £2 (inc. coffee).

Cakes on sale, exhibitions, raffle and activities for children. Parking in field opposite.

Sunday May 3rd Car Show, Downside School, over 100 vintage and classic cars on display, 12noon – 4.30pm, entry £5.

Details Sarah Kerr skerr@downside.co.uk or call 01761 235194.

Monday May 4th North Somerset Show – see page 14.

City of Wells Lions biggest ever May Day Fayre, Wells Market Place and Cathedral Green, music and fun for all, stalls, dancing, vintage vehicles, 11am.

Details: Sue Vines 01458 741165.

Wednesday May 6th AGE UK Somerset drop-in session at Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, 10am to 12pm. Pop in for a chat with an adviser from Age UK about the information available on a wide range of issues affecting older people.

Saturday May 9th Arthritis Research Chew Valley Branch concert with Chew Stoke Choir, Chew Stoke Church Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm. Details: Cynthia 01275 333019 or Jean 01275 332686.

Sunday May 10th VE Day Concert, Sing Along and Tea with Sing out Loud Community Choir and guests, St Andrews Church, Blagdon, 3pm. Tickets £10 including tea available from Blagdon Stores or Tina 01761 462508.

MENDIP MINDBENDER ANSWERS

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Theatre in a shop

CLEVEDON’S first Theatre Shop season takes place from April 23rd until May 24th bringing over 50 professional performance events and workshops to the town.

The key venue is the Theatre Shop itself, formerly an empty retail unit that has been transformed into a studio theatre and bar, and there will be other performances at the Curzon, Prince's Hall, Clevedon Pier and out on the streets. The Theatre Shop is coproduced by North Somerset companies, The Theatre Orchard and Living Spit, who will perform The Devil and the Shopkeeper (part two) and revive their hit show One Man and His Cow. Details: www.theatreshop.org.uk or call 01275 400225.

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

Starts Friday 27th March

COMING UP:

Wednesday 1st April

Starts Friday 3rd April

Tbursday 9th April Starts Friday 10th April

Cinderella (U) Home (U) 3D/2D SpongeBob The Movie (U) 3D/2D Royal Opera House 7.15pm The Rise & Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny (12A) Fast & Furious 7 (cert tbc) National Theatre 7pm A View From The Bridge (12A)

Woman In Gold (cert tbc)

Book in person Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

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And the stars keep coming . . .

Ray Davies is to return to Glastonbury Abbey in August

KINKS legend Ray Davies is to return to headline this year’s Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza in August, organiser Michael Eavis has announced.

The 19th extravaganza – with its traditional mass fireworks finale – will take place in the grounds of the abbey on Saturday, August 8th. The lead vocalist and songwriter for The Kinks last headlined the event in 2007.

The announcement – tickets are now on sale – comes as packed houses are enjoying Sunny Afternoon, the criticallyacclaimed new musical in the West End which tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks.

Michael said: “Ray’s a legend and I’m so delighted that he wants to come back again – I’m his No.1 fan of all time. The Kinks have played the Glastonbury Festival several times and it’s so good that everybody knows all the songs. This will be yet another Abbey night to remember! ” Janet Bell, Abbey director, said: “We’re delighted that, thanks to Michael, the Extravaganza is returning to the Abbey in 2015. The Extravaganza is a wonderful local event and is a highlight of the summer for many people.”

Last year, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters took to the stage for a sell-out night with the help of Britsnominee George Ezra, from Bristol. Previous stars have included Status Quo, Madness, Van Morrison, Jools Holland and Bryan Ferry.

Advance ticket prices are £35 adult and £20 for an accompanied child aged six to 16. Gate prices are £40 adult, £25 for a child aged six to 16. Accompanied children aged five and under do not require a ticket. Bookings can be made online at www.glastonburyabbey.com/Extravaganza2015 or by posting a cheque/postal order made payable to Glastonbury Abbey to Glastonbury Abbey Shop, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9EL, indicating number of tickets required, postal details and delivery fee of £1.50 per order.

For the first time, organisers are to offer campsite facilities at a site nearby.

George Ezra: huge success since he played at the abbey last August

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