Issue 1 - Volume 18 - Mendip Times

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

11

Welcome

BACK in 2005 we launched Mendip Times at the Royal Bath and West Show, never imagining that 17 years later we would still be going there.

It’s just one of the events that makes our area so special – as you will see from the many pages of photos in this latest issue and our comprehensive What’s On listings.

Thanks as ever to our readers, contributors and advertisers for your support, without which the magazine could not have expanded as it has.

Ukrainian refugees continue to be welcomed in our area. One of them has kindly allowed us to publish her diary detailing her flight to the UK. It makes you realise how lucky we are to live here.

But two of our local foodbanks say they are being overwhelmed by demand as the cost of living soars. As usual, we have many pages devoted to the work of local charities and voluntary organisations.

We take a trip to Steep Holm and hear about exciting plans for Vicars’ Close in Wells. In sport, Jane Paterson reports on local riders at Badminton while Chew Valley RFC is celebrating promotion.

With all of our regular features and contributors, let us provide a ray of summer sunshine.

July 2022 deadline: Friday 17th June Published: Tuesday 28th June

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Steve Gooding stevegooding@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888

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

Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd, Willenhall, Wolverhampton WV13 3XA. 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: Design by Steve Henderson

Giving it the heave-ho – young farmers’ county games

67

A mining legacy – Ray’s donations to charities

78

Dancing in the streets – May Day celebrations in Evercreech

93

Swanning around – Hot Fuzz fun in Wells Plus all our regular features Environment .............................6 Farming Nick Green................10 Internet and Crossword ........14 Food & Drink..........................20 Arts & Antiques .....................28 Business ..................................36 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE ..49 Walking Sue Gearing...............50 Outdoors Les Davies MBE......52

Gardening Mary Payne MBE...54 Caving Phil Hendy...................61 Charities ..................................62 Health & Family .....................68 Community .............................72 Property...................................80 Riding Jane Paterson ...............84 Sport ........................................86 What’s On ...............................92

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

Freedom honour for festival figurehead

Michael (centre) with Glastonbury mayor Jon Cousins (left) and town crier David Greenway

MICHAEL Eavis has been made an Honorary Freeman of Glastonbury in recognition of his services to the town.

It is the most honourable distinction that Glastonbury Town Council can confer on an individual.

Beltane celebrations fill Glastonbury

NEWS

Historic Street celebrated in new artworks

Council chair Laura Zaky (back, centre) with (back l:r): Richard Clark, Liz Leyshon and Jon Minshull. Front (l:r): Rebecca Wormals and Sam Cullen, from the Alfred Gillett Trust, parish council clerk Linda Ruff and Chris Davies

FOUR murals by celebrated local artist Jon Minshull have been installed on the wall of Street’s Library Garden.

A large crowd gathered for the official unveiling of the artworks, which celebrate the village’s shoemaking history, local farming, the discovery of ichthyosaur fossils in a local blue lias stone quarry and the peat extraction industry.

Jon was helped in the unveiling of each mural by parish council chair Laura Zaky, Chris Davis, manager of Clarks Village and chair of the Street Chamber of Commerce, local resident Mary Davies and county and district councillor Liz Leyshon.

Jon was helped in his research for the project by the Alfred Gillett Trust, based in the village.

Glastonbury Border Morris

(Photo courtesy of Geoff Corris)

HUNDREDS of people took part in a celebration of Beltane – May Day – in Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Dragon Drummers perform by the Abbot’s Kitchen in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey

Jon and Laura reveal the first of the four murals

Jon’s large-scale work is well-known in the area MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Using gardening to improve health and wellbeing TUCKED away in Mells, the Walled Garden is a picturesque garden with a rich history stretching back to the 15th century.

As well as an outdoor cafe, the idyllic grounds are home to a community plant nursery that aims to improve the health and mental wellbeing of local people.

This is done through social and therapeutic horticulture, where gardening is used as a tool to reduce isolation and bring people together. The Walled Garden, run by a non-profit CIC, offers a range of activities where visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while learning new gardening techniques.

Evidence suggests that gardening has a range of benefits for the body and mind. A study carried out by the Royal Horticultural Society found that people who garden regularly have higher levels of mental wellbeing and lower levels of stress.

Focusing on a task, while surrounded by nature, can be a pleasant distraction from the worries of daily life. Gardening in a group can also be a great way to connect with others, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Alongside the mental health benefits, gardening is also an effective form of exercise, helping people to stay active without too much strain or effort. With all of this evidence, it’s clear that regular contact with nature, and keeping active, are crucial ingredients of a happy, healthy life.

Through a range of programmes, the Walled Garden gives people the

opportunity to explore the benefits of gardening in a beautiful, tranquil setting.

Every Monday and Friday morning, we host our Garden and Connect programme.

The Monday sessions are open to anyone who wants to improve their mental wellbeing, whereas the Friday workshops are aimed at anyone who may have physical difficulties.

In a relaxed environment, you’ll be tackling a range of seasonal tasks, from pruning roses to potting plants. These sessions are fully flexible and adaptable to your needs and abilities. Both sessions are free, and Emily, our therapeutic horticulturist, will be there to support you so no prior experience is necessary.

We also put on the kettle for a cuppa tea and a chat. Sessions start at 10am and finish at 12.30pm.

On Monday afternoons, we work with Froglife to provide our Wild Memories programme. Open to anyone living with dementia or memory loss, these gentle group sessions allow visitors to get active and meet new people, while helping local nature and wildlife. These sessions are free, and carers and family members are welcome to come along. Call ahead to book a session: 07949572849.

Another upcoming programme this summer are Health Connectors’ Talking Cafes. On the last Thursday of every month (until September), you will be able to drop in, meet new people and find out about activities, support groups and services available to you in our community.

Come and sit down and chat with some of Frome Medical Practice’s friendly health connectors, who can direct you to guidance and support on a range of health and wellbeing issues. The session runs from 11am to 12pm and is open to all, no prebooking necessary.

The Walled Garden cafe and plant nursery is open to the public from 11am5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, so feel free to come and explore the garden. If you’d like to find out more about the work that takes place in the garden, or book a space in one of these workshops, follow the link below or call us at 01373 812597.

Louis O’Geran Communications officer

Details: https://www.thewalledgardenatmells.co.uk/ PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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ENVIRONMENT

Monitoring the River Chew

PENSFORD Primary School children and staff have been working with Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust (BART) on projects concerning the health of the River Chew.

Thanks to their chair of governors, Nigel Chambers, the children have use of hand-built steps in the river bank that allow them to take their learning beyond the classroom.

Year 5 and 6 pupils worked with some enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, Charlie Tricks, Alex Limberg and Mike Brewin, river fly monitors, who play a key role in keeping an eye on the health of the Chew.

Head teacher Warrick Barton said: “They kindly leant the children their expertise and equipment in order to support Kingfisher class with their latest project: caring for mayfly nymphs and releasing the adults.”

An earlier project saw Year 3 and 4 children looking after young eels, elvers, in the classroom before releasing them back into the

Amy Wade from BART with children from Reception class

Chew. The children were quite shocked to learn of the very rapid decline in the number of eels in the river in the last decade or so.

Mr. Barton said: “At Pensford, we believe that educating their pupils about climate change and environmental issues in general is a vital part of their learning. Not only is it important, but so enjoyable for the children to be in the outdoors.”

Details: www.pensfordschool.org

Wells goes green – focus on cycling WELLS City Council is teaming up with the Sustainable Wells Group to deliver the next Wells Goes Green event – Wells on Wheels! – on Saturday, June 18th.

This event will be focussing on sustainable travel in Wells, with an extraspecial focus on cycling, with a mass cycle ride through the city at 12noon.

Wells Goes Green is a project run by Wells City Council over 2022, delivering a series of positive, educational events and workshops focussing on simple ways we

can all reduce our carbon footprints.

According to IMPACT community carbon calculator, transport is the third largest contributor to Wells’ carbon footprint. Reducing the number of cars used for short journeys in Wells is a key step to becoming a Carbon Neutral City by 2030.

The event will be held on the Recreation Grounds by the bandstand, 10.30am2.30pm featuring a range of local businesses involved in sustainable travel,

including electric bikes for you to try, a bike mechanic to demonstrate simple bike maintenance, and many more.

LifeCycle, a charity which promotes cycling, will be on hand to inform people about its work and the services it offers.

They will also have a troubleshooting stand run by local councillors to discuss cycling infrastructure/facilities and highlight areas requiring attention, including a petition for better infrastructure in our region.

Details: www.wells.gov.uk https://www.sustainablewells.org.uk/ or email sustain@wells.gov.uk

Litter patrol for village

ON the first wet day for weeks, volunteers in Compton Dando turned out for their annual litter pick, with 15 people turning up, despite the weather.

Organiser, Sarah Wilson, said: “We usually litter pick in February but this year our efforts were thwarted by storm Dennis and we had to cancel the event because of extremely high winds and lashing rain.”

Along with the usual assortment of bottles, cans and take-away packaging, they also found car mats, an industrial sized roll of fibre optic cable and a mattress.

Sarah said: “A huge thank you goes to everyone that joined us, to those who litter pick year-round and to Gary Pearce, Simon Kinnersley and Chris Daubney, who all provided the transport to get us and the litter backwards and forwards

throughout the morning.

“This was our first litter pick since 2020. Throughout the last two years villagers have made a huge effort to pick up litter while out walking and this has made a huge difference.

“We are currently exploring the idea of individuals/teams adopting a local road for litter picking purposes and Alison ter Haar is discussing the idea with locals - all in an effort to keep our beautiful village as litter free as possible.”

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Steep Holm island welcomes volunteers

THE island of Steep Holm is just a short boat trip from Westonsuper-Mare, a nature reserve and site of historic importance. The island is owned and managed by the Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust (KAMT).

During the spring, summer and early autumn, visitors can spend the day exploring the reserve, watching the birds and other wildlife, discovering the remains of a Victorian fort or simply relaxing while enjoying a unique visitor experience.

A site of Special Scientific Interest the island is home to breeding gulls, unusual plants and other rare wildlife. The Victorians fortified the island as a Palmerston Fort. Their six gun emplacements, complete with cannons, remain largely intact.

Massive gun batteries were built in WWII, together with searchlight posts. The KAMT purchased the whole island in 1975 in memory of Kenneth Allsop the author, journalist and keen conservationist.

After arriving on the island visitors make their way from the landing beach up to the top of the island walking past the remains of an old inn, the site of a Augustinian Priory of St Michael, established 1150, gun batteries with massive cannons, eventually arriving at a large Victorian barracks which acts as the visitor centre and cafe.

Here after a much-welcomed cup of coffee or tea, the visitor is free to visit the display cabinets and a small museum where they can learn more about the history, archaeology and natural history of this special place.

Walking around the whole island takes about two hours. From the trig point on the highest point visitors enjoy wonderful views of the Severn estuary on a clear day and much of the Somerset and Welsh coast.

In spring the island is alive with the cries of gulls as they protect their nests by occasionally flying close to the heads of visitors. It is recommended that visitors wear a hat or carry an umbrella, even on a sunny day.

Former inn and landing beach

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

ENVIRONMENT

Volunteers (l to r) Mark Harris, Maureen Gillet and Sandra Allen outside The Barracks

From the footpath on the northern cliffs the nests of cormorants can been seen. A peregrine falcon can often be seen hunting. The island’s vegetation is mostly formed of low scrub with extensive stand of Alexanders, Tree Mallow, Privet and scattered trees.

Occasionally the lucky visitor comes across a Muntjac deer, which were introduced in the 1970s. Slow-worms sun themselves on the path. By July the gulls have finished breeding and the island is much quieter with only the sounds of the buzz of bees and waves lapping on the shore.

At low tide many visitors make their way to the landing beach, where a common sight is a seal as it pops its head above the waves to look at the people on the shore. After lunch one of the island wardens will give a talk on the island outlining the joys and challenges of managing an uninhabited island nature reserve.

Looking to the future of the island, the KAMT are keen to enhance the visitor experience. A project is planned to restore one of the underground ammunition stores, allowing visitors to experience what it would have been like to have been a Victorian soldier living on the island.

There are plans to undertake regular wildlife surveys and build a database of the island’s biodiversity. Like many small reserves the island is managed by a small team of dedicated volunteers that undertake a wide range of activities that help maintain the special nature of the place.

Volunteering activities include working on building maintenance, running the visitor centre by providing refreshments or carrying out vital wildlife conservation work.

Members of the public are most welcome to become members of the KAMT and get involved with this work.

The trust needs a wide range of volunteers from archaeologists, accountants, builders, engineers, gardeners, website managers to zoologists. If you would like to become one of the team, please visit our website www.steepholm.online to learn more about the island and the work of the KAMT. Stephen Parker Chair Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust

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MENDIP TIMES

Wool can be so versatile

WHEN you talk about farmers harvesting, the first image that springs to most people’s minds is a combine harvester cutting a field of cereal crops With NICK GREEN with a trail of dust in its wake in bright sunshine. That’s one harvest, but there are many more on a farm. One that happens at this time of year is the wool harvest. More commonly known as sheep shearing.

In the UK, the main reason for keeping sheep is to produce lamb. However, in other places such as Australia the main output is wool. In the UK, in recent history, wool has been viewed as a bi-product. It hasn’t always been the case.

Places like Frome drew their wealth from wool. There is a resurgence of interest in wool and its use by Mendip farmer Jen Hunter. She is trying to put a sensible value on the wool shorn from her sheep by proving its usefulness.

Wool has many uses. The obvious ones which we all know about are clothing and carpet making. Others not so well known are insulation for buildings, blankets, horse rugs, upholstery. It can even be mixed with compost and used as a mulch and source of nutrients in the garden.

So, what happens on shearing day? Once the sun has started to warm the sheep, they are rounded up into a holding pen. With the increase in temperature, the lanolin in the sheep’s wool rises and makes it easier for the shearers to give the sheep a nice tidy

haircut. Shearing is a skilled job usually using modern, mechanical shears. Before these were invented the shearing was done using hand clippers. Jen’s partner, Andy Wear, still uses this technique on some of their sheep. The world record for mechanical shearing is 872 sheep shorn in nine hours.

You can imagine the relief for the sheep when it has its thick winter coat shorn off at this hot time of year. Once shorn, they walk away with a spring in their step looking forward to a much cooler summer.

The only problem then is their lambs have to find their mums – which all look exactly the same.

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

Dairy farm’s record

TWO Quoit Farm cows have given more than 100 tonnes of milk each in their lifetime. Since moving to the farm in Stanton Drew, D and PR Tibbs have had ten cows reach this record.

The team is headed by Mark Tibbs, who is in charge of feeding the herd. Mark’s nephew Denis looks after the milking parlour robots and nephew Lewis looks after the calves and has a small flock of sheep of his own. Mark’s wife Clare is the onfarm vet. The farm also has a farm apprentice Will Parry.

The average lifetime yield per cow equates to 31.20 tonnes, which puts the Tibbs’ team achievement into perspective.

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FARMING

Honour for Mary James MARY James has been made a Fellow by the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies. She could not get to the House of Lords to receive it last year, so the award was presented at the North Somerset Show by North Somerset MP Liam Fox. The citation said Mary, now retired, continues in her indomitable fashion to support, promote and publicise all that is good about British agriculture.

A dairy farmer’s daughter, married to a dairy farmer, she and Tom established a prominent Guernsey herd at Barrow Gurney.

She is on the communications committee of the Royal Bath and West and is vice chair of Farmlink, the charity teaching children about food production.

The citation said: “Mary supports all those involved and continues to be of immeasurable help to the charity. She

Mary James with Liam Fox MP (left) and Nick Green

undertakes regular talks on farming and food to WI groups in her region.”

She and Tom continue to support the YFC movement, as well as helping other farming families. The citation also said she wrote a monthly column

Young farmers rally

in the Mendip Times for 14 years.

Sponsors Anthony Gibson and Nick Green (pictured right) said: “Her considered and trusted opinion has and continues to be a reason why her sponsors strongly support Fellowship.”

THE Somerset Young Farmers Rally returned after two years with representatives of all 23 county clubs converging on Stepstones Farm, Langford, courtesy of the Alvis family.

Farrington Gurney take the strain

Hannah Reason from Mark

Wincanton: see how many you can get in a paddling pool – about 30 MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Show returns in style

THE North Somerset Show attracted one of its biggest crowds in years on its return after three years away due to the pandemic.

Many visitors braved long traffic delays to reach the showground at Wraxall for the 162nd show – organisers said: “Thank you to everyone who came, showed, sponsored and took part.”

Keeping it in the family – the family behind the Millbrook Herd, from Street, with their Dexters

The Barnacle Buoys ahead of their session singing sea shanties on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution stand

These cattle are part of a pioneering programme being developed by Andrew Tanner and others to reintroduce Sheeted Somerset Cattle to the county – the breed died out in the last century but genetic engineering is the key to their future PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Dry stone walling

Edward and Henry Jones, from Highbridge, wait to enter the arena for the Old-to-New farm machinery display

Alpacas were popular

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Admiring the sheep

NORTH SOMERSET SHOW 2022

Top trade stand: Team Tincknell (l to r) Matt Shellard, Nick Burge, Steve Young, Chris Parsons and Steve Bellamy Having fun on one of the agricultural trade stands

The best in show award went to this cow from the Cogent Breeding Company Herd from Colerne. Pictured is handler Mike Potter with show past president Richard Cooksley

Waiting to enter the main arena for the Old-to-New farm machinery display

Donna enjoys crossing the line during the tractor pulling

Crowds throng the aisles

Grin when you win – a prize-winning Highland in the grand parade MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 13

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INTERNET

Choose to receive some calls when your Apple phone is on silent

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

FOR the most part, putting your phone on Do Not Disturb or Silent mode is very useful overnight and when at meetings etc.

But getting emergency calls or calls from a close family member might be important on occasions. You can choose to get emergency calls or calls from your Favourite contacts if you wish.

Or choose if someone rings you twice, then your phone will ring.

Just bear in mind that it could ring at an inopportune moment!

Apple iOS Assuming you have your contacts added, you need to add those contacts to your ‘Favourites’ • Go to the ‘Phone’ app • Go to the ‘Contacts’ section • Select the contact(s) that you want to allow to ring even when your phone is on silent.

• Select ‘Add to Favourites’ from bottom menu Once you have your contacts add to Favourites, you now need to edit your ‘Do not disturb’ settings • Open the ‘Settings’ on your phone • Select ‘Set Do Not Disturb’ • Under the ‘Allow Calls From’ section, select ‘Favourites’.

Now when you go to bed at night, you need to make sure you enable ‘Do not disturb’.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the phone.

2. Select the Moon icon – Your phone will tell you that ‘Do not disturb” On’.

You can also set a time for when you want Do Not Disturb to be active.

It’s a good idea to run a test to make sure Favourites can ring you, but anyone who isn’t a favourite stays on silent.

Calls or messages (regardless of whether they are marked as Favourites) will get through to you, whether your Do Not Disturb is active or not.

You can also set Emergency Bypass on individual numbers – just go to your Contacts and select Edit and slide the Emergency Bypass option. There is also an option for Repeated Calls to ring if the same person tries twice. Again, with all these options, bear in mind it might ring at an inopportune moment.

Submitted for I.T. for the Terrified by Lynne Duckett This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified it4ttcvh@gmail.com Although we have now ceased our one to one tuition, a number of us will continue with this column under the heading "I.T. for the Terrified" to keep the name alive for the time being

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

ACROSS 1 Across & 4 Down: Who built Sherborne castle (6)?

5 Serendipity, providence (8) 9 Bull and mare unite for shelter from the weather (8) 10 The end or beginning of the Mendips (6) 11 What did Gracie Fields have “near the ’atstand in the ’all” ?

(10) 13 A solo song in opera (4) 14 The bit at the back of a book telling you about the author and printing (8) 17 A person or scheme that comes to no good (3,3) 18 Of the same source (not the abbreviation) (6) 20 Footwear named after the noise it makes (4-4) 23 Basic monetary unit of Turkey (4) 24 A typically undesirable reaction to a drug or medical treatment (4,6) 27 A very popular Spanish rice dish (6) 28 Logical, prudent and pragmatic (8) 29 A hairstyle where it is gathered and tied at the back of the head (8) 30 Puts right after midday (6)

DOWN 2 High points (5) 3 Bones found in the human foot (5) 4 See 1 across (7) 5 Knock to the ground, demolish (7) 6 Word mumbled by actors to give the impression of indistinct background (7) 7 Extraordinary hare found mad (7-2) 8 If you give someone this you are telling them off (7,2) 12 China or return leg (3) 15 Piece of instrumental music the composer insists cannot be omitted (9) 16 The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales (3,6) 19 Black eye make-up (7) 20 Integrated and united (7) 21 Lacking impetus, stasis (7) 22 Don’t tell the truth (3) 25 The end or beginning of the Mendips (5) 26 Town credited with being the birthplace of powered flight (5) By greendandelion

Clues in italics are cryptic

This month’s solution can be found on page 86

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MENDIP TIMES

Diary of the war in Ukraine

Kate Grynova, aged 22, was working as an English translator in Kyiv before the war broke out. She was one of the first Ukrainians to arrive in our area with sponsors in Chewton Mendip.

She has agreed to share her diary of what happened with Mendip Times.

THE purpose of this diary is to tell people what is really going on in my home. And track your psycho-emotional state.

I will plunge you into what I live myself. Two weeks before the war.

Saturday, February 12th 22.30. We make an urgent decision to take my mother and little brothers to my apartment in Lviv, where I lived when I studied. My mother does not live with me, she lives in the Chernihiv region along the Moscow highway – a direct route from Moscow.

We spend the next day in two cars. My mother and brothers and I are in my car, my fiancé is in my grandmother’s car, we borrowed it for a while, because we decided to leave my car in Lviv in order to run away in case of emergency. On the second day, we returned and went to work for two weeks.

This is my first long trip. Without stops, Kyiv – Lviv, about 500 kilometres. I recently got my licence. And there is no time to rest because on Monday you need to work. We decided that we are staying at home, because we are the only ones working in Ukraine.

For the next two weeks, we live in constant stress. Stressed at work, not calm news, anxiety, you don’t know what to expect.

Wednesday, February 23rd. Lviv city is quite expensive.

Mom is running out of money and nerves to stay with two children in new circumstances and an unfamiliar city. She insists on her return home. I get anxious and have a little nervous breakdown right at work.

But we have decided to return her. To do this, I immediately buy train tickets for my fiancé on Friday, February 25th, after work. My fiancé reassured me, but he was no less worried, I will explain later.

Thursday, February 24th, 5am I have a very light sleep and I jump up in horror from the bombing right above my house. I have never felt more terrified. It's very scary. Adrenaline and cortisol are skyrocketing. We were seized by incredible fear, anxiety, bewilderment and misunderstanding of what is happening, doubts.

My fiancé sleeps very soundly, but I began to beat and wake him up with all my might and, accompanied by the sound of the bombing, I woke him up in a few seconds. He felt the same as me, but did not show it, but it's hard to hide it.

I'm shaking, probably like a five-magnitude earthquake, but it's just my body. I clung to my fiancé as tightly as ever, I

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

guess. I'm scared. We sit and listen, next to the garages and neighbour’s truck, what if it’s something or fireworks? We knew it wasn't, but we just hoped desperately and didn't know how to act. The subconscious still understands. WAR STARTED. 5.05am. Our neighbour starts his truck. This is normal, he always starts it at this time and goes to work. The sound moves away, he leaves. This is no longer normal, he always warms up the truck for 10-15 minutes. Panic again, we understand that we need to act.

5.15am. We need to be with grandmother and make decisions to quickly collect things.

I could not come to my senses until seven in the morning. I can't understand what is necessary to pack into a new life and what is not. Almost everything is important to me. After all, this is my life, my soul.

My awards, paintings, trinkets with important memories, favourite collection of books, antique trinkets that have a soul and history and are so important to me, my tools for all my creative hobbies.

Embroidered shirts “Vishivanka’s” are a symbol of the Ukrainian soul, talent and freedom. Beautiful outfits.

Grandfather's grave and his things. The dearest person who raised me, supported, sincerely believed in me.

We left our lives. It was immediately taken away from us.

And at that moment, as the assistant manager and my boss’s right hand, I had to be present at work with my brain.

Organise employees and their families, reassure and gather.

However, I myself was in a panic.

My fiancé is packing our suitcases, I just can't and don't understand what is necessary and what is not. And all this was accompanied by Russian missiles.

Next month Kate writes about her journey to Poland and eventual esc

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At that moment, my fiancé told me that when I bought him a ticket to Lviv, he was praying, asking God to start the war before this trip. After all, in that case, he would be far from me and could not save me. We were lucky, and he did not have time to get on the train. The day before, the war began.

Then… two hours of silence.

“Maybe we’ll stay, maybe that’s all?” “No, it’s worth going, let’s go to the village for a day and see what happens next.”

9am. We decide to go. We say goodbye to our tenants, whom I called the best neighbours, and ask them to leave. Their baby was born the day before the war. They just weren't able to go with the new-born yet. And tired, just gave birth but brave mother.

We start our trip to the village.

There's my fiancé’s father. The journey usually takes an hour and a half. This time we got there in the afternoon. On the way, on the outskirts of the Odessa highway a couple of metres above our car flies a Russian cruise missile. For a moment I said goodbye to life, but prayed: “Please not on us, not on

people!” I think God heard me.

We returned to the highway. We are horrified again – two fighters are flying right above us. Coming to our senses, we understand that they are our saviours. Air Force of Ukraine.

They flew every five minutes, I counted eight. Among them was our hero: the legendary Ghost of Kyiv.

All the way, so for a few days, I keep a close eye on the news on two phones. I need to check both my family and friends.

In the afternoon we arrived in the village. Bombs are heard, fighters are flying; we understand that it is dangerous to stay near a military training ground. We persuade my fiancé’s father to leave with us and go to Lviv.

In peacetime, the road from Kyiv to Lviv lasted seven hours, with stops for coffee and refuelling. By the way, refuelling is almost unrealistic. Kilometre queues and lack of fuel.

The road to Lviv lasted two days.

6am. We finally arrived at the apartment in Lviv. But Lviv greeted us with an air alarm. We have to hide.

KATE

Ukrainian women now staying around the Chew Valley, most with children.

ual escape to the UK

SUPPORTING UKRAINE

Chew Valley supports Ukrainian families

TWENTY Ukrainian families have arrived in the Chew Valley in recent weeks, mainly women with children and some older people.

Another ten families with local sponsors are working their way through the application process.

Since its first meeting in Chew Magna eight weeks ago the Chew Valley Support Network has grown considerably, with 57 households willing to host Ukrainian families and over 60 people, many specialists in their field, volunteering help and providing information and support to both the sponsors and their Ukrainian guests.

They have developed a comprehensive website providing both general and locally focussed information aimed at answering the many questions they all have, from settling children into schools to advice about medical, transport, social and welfare needs.

They have also started a weekly “Hub” at Bishop Sutton village hall, with lunch and with transport provided by Blagdon’s village mini-bus. The volunteer driver said how pleased he was to see the vehicle back on the road again, after two years of lockdowns!

Our picture shows many of the Ukrainian women at only the second lunch to be held; it proved difficult to persuade the children to stop playing long enough to stand still for a photo! The room where they meet opens onto tempting playing fields behind the village hall.

The hub is a first step is to enable the women and children to meet each other and some professional volunteers, to ensure their safety, offer the opportunity to talk and to seek advice and support.

If you live in or near the Chew Valley and would like to sponsor, or to offer help in any way, please get in touch. Help with transport, social events, an offer of employment or just being someone to talk to, is much needed and appreciated.

Details: Sarah Diacono sjldiacono@gmail.com or David Tonkin dafitonk1@gmail.com

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 17

(Photography courtesy of Louis Smith)

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Ringers answer the call

THANKS to an appeal which went out in our December issue, St Mary’s Church in Compton Dando has three new trainee bell ringers!

At the time the church had just one bell ringer left, Ken Webb, who had to call in the bell ringing team from nearby All Saints in Publow when the bells had to be rung for a Sunday service.

Ken said: “The trainee ringers are all very enthusiastic and keen to learn, and they seem to enjoy it. They will find it more interesting once they have mastered the basics of bell control and we can move onto the next steps.

“The team of ringers from Publow have been our lifeline, to keep the ringing tradition going at Compton Dando. I would like to thank Steve Rogers and the other five members of his team who have supported us through this difficult time.”

The three trainee ringers are David Shaw, Lesley Morris and Fiona Bell, who are all enjoying it so far.

Lesley from Keynsham said: “The main driver for me to

Pictured (l to r) Joanna Dawes, Fiona Bell, Ken Webb, Lesley Morris, Charlie Tricks, David Shaw, Peter Owen and Steve Rogers

volunteer was that Ken was the only ringer left in the village and I feel very strongly that we should keep our old traditions alive where possible. It would be awful if we didn't hear the bells ringing on a Sunday or at a wedding.”

Ken is still looking for two more ringers plus a spare to make up Compton Dando’s own team.

Details: Ken Webb 07952 264601

New Cheddar pavilion opens in time for the jubilee

REPRESENTATIVES from around 30 local community organisations and sports clubs joined parish and district councillors for the official opening of the Cheddar Community Pavilion at Sharpham Road Playing Fields, Cheddar.

The new building includes a large function room/sports hall, smaller meeting room, bar and kitchen, with the existing sports changing room facilities on site also being upgraded.

Construction of the pavilion was made possible by a substantial grant from the Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation Fund, awarded to the project in recognition of the effect on the village of the supply of construction materials from Batts Combe Quarry in Cheddar to the Hinkley Point site.

The new building was officially opened by Andrew Cockcroft, EDF Senior Manager Community Relations. The building is owned and managed by Cheddar Parish Council and the bar is being run by Cheddar rugby club.

The new pavilion is available for hire for private and business functions as well as community groups and is proving very popular, with many organisations already having booked it.

The next major event planned is the Jubilee Community Picnic at the playing fields on Friday, Council chairman Derek BradleyBalmer and Andrew Cockcroft, EDF June 3rd.

Details: clerk@cheddarparishcouncil.org 01934 743217

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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RH

Windows

THE CHEW VALLEY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED WINDOW COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR CONSERVATORIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS IN HARDWOOD OR UPVC

HARDWOOD JOINERY SPECIALISTS www.rhwindowsltd.co.uk

Telephone: 01761 452171 Fax: 01761 453342

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MENDIP TIMES

It’s jubilee picnic time

With KATY BEAUCHAMP

Not only are we about to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with street parties in just about every community, but June is also the perfect time to dig out the hamper and blanket and embrace picnic time – and not a coronation chicken sandwich (or any other filling) in sight.

SPICY POTATO SAMOSAS

These samosas are cheap to make and even more delicious to eat

These make a great al fresco snack, are very budget-friendly (approx. 5p a samosa) and are also vegan.

INGREDIENTS

(makes 18 approx.)

500gms cubed potatoes (no need to peel) 400gms plain flour 180ml olive oil 200ml water A finely chopped medium onion 1 heaped tsp each of: grated ginger grated garlic ground cumin ground coriander ground turmeric salt and pepper (to taste) 50gms frozen peas Handful of fresh coriander (chopped)

METHOD Mix together the flour and 60ml of olive oil and water to make a soft dough and leave to rest. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until soft and mash them. Gently fry the onion in a further 60ml of the olive oil for ten minutes, then add all the spices and cook for a further five minutes.

Add to the mashed potato and stir in the coriander and peas. Take walnut-sized pieces of the dough and roll into thin ovals. Put a teaspoon of the potato mixture on one side and fold over using a fingertip of water around the edge. Fry gently in the remaining oil for about three minutes on each side. Serve hot or at room temperature with a dip or salsa.

STICKY MUESLI FLAPJACKS These are really sticky, almost toffee-like, so much so you will need to separate the bars onto individual sheets of baking parchment or greaseproof paper.

Sweet and sticky flapjacks

FOOD & DRINK

INGREDIENTS

(makes 12 big bars) 100gms white sugar 150gms butter 150gms golden syrup 350gms of your favourite muesli 50gms chocolate chips (optional)

METHOD Melt butter, sugar and syrup in a saucepan until well combined and cook gently for five minutes.

Stir in muesli and chopped chips. Leave to rest in the pan for 30 minutes before tipping into a baking tray. Bake at 160°C for 20 minutes. It will be very soft when it comes out but will firm up when cool. Cut into bars (to a size to suit you).

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

FRUIT AND VEG JARS

Fruit and veg jars – the choice is yours This is not so much a recipe but an idea which can be adapted to your own tastes – or that of your picnic partners. I use individual recycled jam jars as they look pretty.

METHOD Cut vegetables into batons the same height as your jar. Spoon your favourite dip e.g. hummus or garlic mayo into the bottom of the jar and stand vegetables on top.

If using fruit, pour in your favourite yoghurt or custard and layer fruit on top.

Don’t forget the spoons!

INGREDIENTS

(These are just suggestions) Carrots Peppers Mini sweetcorn Tomatoes Grapes Apples Stewed fruit (such as rhubarb)

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MENDIP TIMES

Festival serves up tasty treats in Castle Cary CASTLE Cary once again hosted an eat:Festival with dozens of stallholders filling Fore Street and Bailey Hill with food and drink.

Everything stops for cake

Ali Briaris, from Weston-super-Mare, on her stall

Sampling cheese in Bailey Hill PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Organisers Bev and Sarah Milner-Simonds with street entertainer Damian

Husband-and-wife team Andrew Franks and Molly Niu, who farm at Chewton Mendip

Somerset Beekepers’ Association had a prime spot outside the Market House

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WILD FOOD

The importance of sauce!

I LIKE cabbage, honestly I do. It’s not been easy as I certainly didn’t like the limp, well past its use by date but don’t want to waste it so will overcook to be sure, cabbage of my childhood.

Mind you I wasn’t a fan of Brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower either. I can now say I love all of the above. Cauliflower, not so much.

With ADRIAN Maybe covered in a very cheesy sauce, then and BOOTS only then is it fit for consumption.

More on the importance of sauce later. So this less than positive description of brassicas brings me to a wild plant that, at least to my tastebuds and maybe a few rarefied others, has a similar flavour to cabbage: Greater plantain.

Whilst running my regular foraging courses, I introduce participants to the greater plantain and inevitably someone says “I thought that plantain is a banana like thing…” or something similar. I answer that they are both called “plantain” but are very different beasts.

It always strikes me that we have knowledge of a tropical fruit yet not of a ubiquitous and edible common plant in our own back yard!

Greater plantain (Plantago major) is a perennial herb with broad, rounded leaves up to 25cm long (although more usually smaller in compacted areas and gardens) forming a basal rosette. They have three to nine veins through the leaves with the flower heads appearing on long stalked spikes.

It’s a very common plant found in grassy areas, often in gardens, gateways, footpaths and verges etc. and is available throughout the year, flowering June to October. The mature seeds are also edible once processed. The young tender leaves of spring and early summer are best as the mature ones are tougher and the veins running through the leaf rather stringy.

There are obvious geographical and physical differences between the banana plantain and our common plantain, yet there are also similarities in how it should be treated. Plantain (the banana) is rather bland and pappy and has to be cooked as it is inedible raw. It’s usually fried with added seasoning and served with richly flavoured sauces to make it even remotely enjoyable.

And this is where the similarities lie with cauliflower, sorry, common plantain – it needs to be combined with other ingredients and doused in a sauce of some description to get the best from it. So go gather a good handful of common plantain leaves, give them a good wash, remove the veins and chop up.

Add to a rich tomato, bean and chorizo based casserole where it will provide greenery to contrast with a very red dish, then see if you can detect that “cabbagy” flavour? If you can, then maybe add extra smokey paprika just to make sure . . .

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

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

Huacatay sauce!

THIS is one of a handful of preColumbian herbs from the Americas that we first grew about five years ago now. The others included pepiche and papalo, but honestly Peruvian black mint, also known as Tagetes minuta, southern cone With JAKE WHITSON marigold or huacatay, is the only one which we have grown consistently ever since. It has a wonderful aroma all of its own which I would describe as minty, with hints of coriander and maybe pineapple.

It likes a bit of warmth to germinate and also doesn’t like cold nights when growing – we start it in the propagator and keep a little bottom heat on it until well established.

In Peruvian cuisine it is most often used to make a sauce called salsa de huacatay, which can be served over grilled chicken, fish, cooked rice or potatoes, pretty much anything!

To make it you add a large handful of huacatay leaves to a blender along with a couple of deseeded red chillies, the juice from two limes and four or five cloves of garlic.

Blitz this until smooth, very gradually adding around 200ml of nice olive oil until you get a thick sauce almost like a mayonnaise, then season to taste with salt.

I like to also make a very simple paste of huacatay leaves in the pestle and mortar with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. This is delicious on any number of things, spread on pitta breads, stirred into hummus, even mixed into a vinaigrette for dressing a green salad.

It’s easy then to take this paste on to create a spin on the classic mint sauce by thinning it down with few tablespoons of cider vinegar and a good pinch of sugar – absolutely delicious with a Sunday lamb roast.

Jacob Whitson is a chef, food writer and smallholder – he divides his time between the Mendips and Pembrokeshire.

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

Real ale festival returns

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)

WESTON’S charity real ale and cider festival is back – bigger and better for 2022! Organised by the Lions Club of Weston-superMare, the festival will be held on the beach lawns on Friday, July 29th-31st.

The weekend long festival will host live music from The Tanoys, Irie Fire, and local talents like Johnny Edgar, Johnny Anderson and the Sea Shanty Band, The Steepholmers.

Offering a range of locally sourced ales and ciders from surrounding breweries like Pinkers Craft Brewery and Pitchfork Ales – the festival is back after two years and promises to be a fantastic event.

The festival will open its gates from 11am, entry £3, £5 after 5pm.The main beneficiaries this year are Parkinson’s UK and MIND charity as well as supporting local clubs, groups and the community.

Details: Facebook@Weston Lions Real Ale Festival www.westonlionsrealalefestival.co.uk

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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FOOD & DRINK

Jubilee celebrations at Tucker’s Grave Inn

Community orchards

COMMUNITY organisations across Somerset have been planting young apple trees this spring as part of Thatchers Community Orchard project 2022.

Thatchers has donated 350 apple trees to 50 groups across the UK who applied to be a part of this year’s project, now in its second year.

Martin Thatcher said: “The project shares our family’s passion for apple trees, building communities and constant support of the environment and ecosystem around us today and for the future.”

Peter Thatcher visited Stanley’s community garden in Worle.

He’s pictured (front) with Muriel Skidmore; back (l to r) David Skidmore, Kelly March, Wayne Matthews and Simon Burr.

Open from midday every day Old Parlour Café & Bar open Fri to Sun

Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faukland, Radstock, BA3 5XF.

T: 01225 962669

THURSDAY JUNE 2nd Live music: Midnight Hour (evening) FRIDAY JUNE 3rd Fancy Dress Day: Family weekend camping prize for best dressed customer; cream teas and cakes. Live music: Modern Vintage (evening) SATURDAY JUNE 4th Live music: Jon Parry (afternoon), Zero Hour (evening) SUNDAY JUNE 5th Live music: John Pollard (afternoon)

FOOD

Chappers breakfasts – Fri-Sun am Chappers fish & chips/burgers – Thu-Sat Nomads BBQ – Thu eve Prem’s Curry – Fri eve Prem’s Nachos – Sat eve

E: info@tuckersgraveinn.co.uk W: www.tuckersgraveinn.co.uk

Country shopping at its best

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

Opening times: Farm shop: 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm Sundays Tea Room: 9am-4.30pm all week

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

TEA ROOMS

Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Full English breakfasts Function room available for hire

MEAT SUPPLIED FROM OUR OWN FARM

Barbecue time with our home-produced meat

Emma Bridgewater China & other gifts

Enjoy a good Sunday roast

Reduce plastic – with our reusable glass milk bottles

Farm Shop: 01761 220067 • Tea Rooms: 01761 220172

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

Legacy gift for charter fair celebrations

THE main person behind the Wells May Charter Fair celebrations is standing down from his voluntary role after 30 years.

At the end of his farewell speech, Richard Green handed Wells City Council a cheque for £25,000 to ensure the traditional lunch can continue for years to come.

The fair – the 821st – could not be held at the height of the pandemic but Richard, an honorary member of the Showman’s Guild of Great Britain, ensured the continuation of its charter rights by making a proclamation outside Wells Town Hall.

At this year’s opening ceremony fair operator, Shaun Rogers, said: “It’s great to be back; it’s been sorely missed.”

There were fewer civic dignitaries at the opening than usual as the fair coincided with the count of votes for seats on Wells City Council.

Richard Green (left) presents Philip Welch, the outgoing mayor of Wells, with a cheque for £25,000

Guests prepare to brave one of the fair’s newest attractions The civic procession makes its way to the opening

Fun on one of the rides PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

NEWS

Hair raising moments for thrillseekers

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Newt in the hole – a farmer’s recipe for conservation

MENDIP HILLS AONB

Celebrating 50 years of caring together

WHEN is a hole in the ground not just a hole in the ground? When you add water.

Farmland ponds are rare oases, but are enormously important for wildlife across the Mendip Hills.

The area’s limestone bedrock causes water to drain quickly away – providing clean water for rivers further afield, but causing the Hills themselves to have little natural habitat for plants and animals that rely on freshwater. Historically, man-made ponds were an important feature of every field system, and the abundance and closeness of these farmland ponds made them a perfect habitat for many creatures – including rare great crested newts – who grew to rely on the farms of the area.

Many ponds were unfortunately lost when modern life and mains water was plumbed into Mendip, and they were no longer a valuable resource. Some were filled in, while others were forgotten and left to slowly deteriorate.

In more recent years, these ponds have again gained popularity with farmers and land managers looking to conserve some of the Mendip Hills’ unique cultural history and encourage more wildlife onto their land.

Mendip cobble-bottom ponds fall into two main categories – cart ponds which are rectangular with a sloping entrance and exit, designed to trundle a cart through to preserve its wooden wheels; and dew ponds which are either circular, semi-circular, or

square(ish) with one sloping side and three walls, designed to provide a water source for livestock.

With two layers of cobble on top of a clay base, and held together with lime mortar, their construction is a skilled art form. Like drystone walling, many of these skills have fallen out of favour, but local landowners and contractors are relearning these skills in order to safeguard these historic features and the future of the Mendip Hill’s aquatic wildlife.

Farmers and landowners looking to protect historic features and local wildlife can get in touch with the Mendip Hills AONB Service to find out more about what financial support is available. The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has allocated funding to restore 3 dew ponds on farms already this year, providing essential habitats within a dot-to-dot network of other ponds to support great crested newts and a variety of other wild creatures.

But it’s not just these distinctive farm ponds that have great potential for wildlife across the AONB – garden ponds can be vital havens for a whole variety of newts, frogs, bugs, and birds. Small, fish-free ponds with native plants and sloping rocky ends allow wildlife in our towns and villages a space to drink, rest, and even live in comfort. Guidance is available online from wildlife charities, or from some local libraries on the best techniques for creating garden ponds.

Fifty years ago, the Mendip Hills was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). From its distinctive characteristics, tranquil plateau and extraordinary views to the rich history, diverse wildlife, and abundance of outdoor and underground playgrounds, the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a treasured landscape to millions. In 2022, through a series of events, activities, and special moments we are celebrating what makes our treasured land so precious.

Go to www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk to find out more.

Megan Godley Farming Engagement Officer Farming in Protected Landscapes Mendip Hills AONB Charterhouse Centre, BS40 7XR Office telephone: 01761 462338 Email: megan@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Artworks draw the crowds

VISITORS were out in force to enjoy original, local art and crafts at Cam Valley Arts’ spring exhibition and sale at Conygre Hall in Timsbury, featuring more than 20 Gina Belford exhibitors.

Alison ter Haar, the group publicity officer, said: “We have had a large number of very positive comments from our visitors about the exceptionally high quality of the work on display and the range of talents represented within our group.”

Their autumn arts trail weekend, November 5th and 6th, will include some free workshops and demonstrations in various arts and crafts.

Details: www.camvalleyartstrail.co.uk

SOUGHT BY LOCAL COLLECTOR STAMP COLLECTIONS, ALBUMS AND POSTAL HISTORY

PLEASE CONTACT IAN APPLIN HOME (after 7pm): 01275 331821 • MOBILE: 07768 093576 EMAIL: ipakeeper@gmail.com PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Barrows to buckets – make room for antiques outside

WHISPER it, summer might be here. As soon as the chimes of the first ice cream van are heard, our thoughts inevitably turn to the With outdoors and the CHRIS YEO garden – or the backyard, or terrace. Whatever the size of your plot, nowadays we expect our gardens to be every bit as stylish and distinctive as our homes – a plastic patio set and herbaceous border just won’t cut it.

The urge to embellish our outdoor area is, of course, nothing new. The Georgians loved a garden ornament – particularly if it had appalling body odour. The must-have accessory of the 1750s was a stone grotto complete with live-in human hermit.

In the name of authenticity these

individuals were not allowed to speak, wash or cut their hair or fingernails. The pay was good but the terms onerous, so much so that Lord Bath’s hermit at Longleat soon went AWOL and was found in a local pub in an advanced state of inebriation, contemplating a career change.

When it comes to our own patch, whilst many of us are used to having antiques indoors, how many would consider buying period pieces for the garden? For those looking for a truly original, quirky look outdoors, there’s a wealth of choice, requiring neither vast expense nor human servitude.

You just need to think outside the (window) box. Some of the most effective garden ornaments are made from objects that started out with an entirely different

function. Beaten coppers vats, used for boiling laundry, are having a new lease of life as bedding planters, as are stone troughs, originally used for animals to drink from.

Once a feature of every farmyard, bedded out with plants they make an imposing statement and are highly sought after. Wheelbarrows and old carts also make perfect containers for planting out vivid summer blooms, while garden rollers simply need propping up against an old brick wall to look good.

Terracotta flower pots, trowels made of metal from the 1950s, rakes with handmade teeth and branch handles and early 20th century metal buckets and enamelware watering cans, artfully displayed, all add a personal touch to the “room outside”.

Chris Yeo is a valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Please visit their website www.clevedonsalerooms.com for more details

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

THE HILLIARD SOCIETY OF MINIATURISTS

FREE ENTRY

2022 International Exhibition of Miniature Art Saturday 11th – Saturday 18th June Wells Town Hall, 10am – 5pm CELEBRATING ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY Over 250 paintings and sculptures just a few inches in size and a GRAND CHARITY RUBY RAFFLE with 60 original miniature prizes to be won.

Last entry 4pm • Closed on Sunday 12th June

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.hilliardsociety.org • TEL: 07582 019359

Miniature art exhibition

THE Hilliard Society of Miniaturists will celebrate its 40th anniversary at their annual exhibition in Wells Town Hall from June 11th-18th.

Marvel at over 250 miniature paintings and sculptures – often just a few inches wide. Landscapes, animals, portraits, flowers, birds and the fantastical are all shown in extraordinary, luminous detail. Paintings are available to purchase, along with prints, greetings cards and a special anniversary calendar.

Enter their Ruby Raffle for your chance to win one of 60 exquisite original miniature paintings, £5 per ticket. Proceeds will be split between Marie Curie, World Land Trust, St John Ambulance Wells branch, and Conservation South Luangwa (Zambia). Free entry, open 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); closed Sunday, June 12th.

The fine art of valuation

WITH more than 25 years’ experience in this sector, much of Toby Pinn’s art and antiques valuation instructions come from solicitors, accountants and executors requiring a valuation of the contents of a property to calculate inheritance tax.

HMRC recommends employing a RICS qualified valuer for this purpose. Having listened to his client’s needs over many years, Toby has created a class-leading accessible, imaged and numbered valuation report that not only fulfils HMRC’s requirements, but more importantly exceeds the expectations of his clients.

Certified valuations of art and antiques for insurance purposes account for the remainder of Toby’s valuation work. Additionally, Toby provides advice and arranges consignment of jewellery, fine art and antiques to a nationwide network of specialist auction houses. Toby is always pleased to discuss your requirements, from single items to an entire collection.

Details: www.tobypinn.co.uk

Chilcompton artists

Probate | Insurance | Auction Family & Matrimonial | CGT | General Inventory

CHILCOMPTON Art Club is a thriving and popular group of friendly amateur artists which meets on Wednesday and Friday mornings at Chilcompton Sports Club, 10am-1pm.

It's a bright, airy and comfortable venue with good facilities including disabled access and spacious parking. They have spaces for a few new members, in particular on Fridays. They stage several exhibitions of their work for sale throughout each year, including in beautiful Wells Cathedral cloisters in November.

Details: punchard@les-gaz.net https://www.chilcomptonartclub.uk

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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Silver and jewellery sales go well at Killens AT the Mendip Auction Rooms, over 250 lots of silver and jewellery went under the hammer on May 14th with exceptional demand seen from within the room and over the internet.

Many rings sold for between £500 and £1500 with an attractive 18ct diamond solitaire ring selling for £1000. Within the gold and silver section, a 9ct gold cigarette case sold for £1900, a 9ct gold Albert chain £860, a Russian silver tea caddy £740 and a 14ct gold Hong Kong chain link necklace £660.

Precious metals such as silver and gold together with jewellery have long held a leading place in the art and antiques market at all levels in the industry.

Fashion may alter the form, but the more precious metals and stones always retain a certain level of value, fluctuating with economic or political factors, for

example.

But the craftsmanship and quality of the finishing continues to be important and has a considerable effect on the value of the item as a whole.

At Killens, their expert valuers value silver, gold and jewellery almost on a daily basis and it is possible to call in to the auction rooms for a valuation on a drop-in basis – no appointment is needed.

If you are looking to sell, they can explain the selling process.

One recent review estimated the global luxury jewellery market alone to be at around 22 billion Euros. Killens can obviously only lay claim to a very tiny percentage of this but are proud to be able to consistently bring good results for our customers for their silver, gold and jewellery in our specialist auctions.

Are you looking to sell items?

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Silver gilt and enamel egg sold for £1700

Valuations can be undertaken on a dropin basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday.

Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits. They can also arrange house clearances and undertake probate valuations.

Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

g

Sculptors take their inspiration from lockdown TWO Mendip-based sculptors will be exhibiting in Chichester Cathedral at the end of June in a national show of work influenced by their experiences of isolation during lockdown.

Fiona Campbell, of Cranmore, and Ian Marlow, of Buckland Dinham, are both members of the Royal Society of Sculptors which is staging the exhibition called Together We Rise.

Ian has created two new sculptures; the first – called Rising Together - features four, 2.6metre tall stainless steel sections which sweep up to support a fused glass panel in which is embedded a glass rainbow, a symbol of hope.

The second sculpture, Rising from Chaos, expresses the confusion and uncertainty which dominated life during this time.

Fiona’s piece – Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand – concentrates on the illegal trafficking and slaughter of thousands of pangolins. Fiona, who describes herself as an environmental artist, is an award-winning sculptor reaching the wider public

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Fiona Campbell Environmental Artist

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Drawings, Sculptures and Workshops

www.fionacampbellart.co.uk t: 07515 537224

e: fionacampbell-art@sky.com

Instagram @fionacampbellartist Facebook @fionasculpture Twitter @fionasculpture

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

who may not have engaged with contemporary art before. Thousands of visitors to Wells Cathedral would have seen the positioning of Snakes and Ladders (I) high up in the north transept.

As well as Chelsea Flower Show and cathedrals, her sculptures have been exhibited at decommissioned prisons, abandoned quarries and town centres.

Together We Rise was born out of members of the Royal Society of Sculptors meeting online. Organisers of the exhibition say Zoom meetings were a great platform for keeping in touch, during 2020-2021 for supporting each other, for sharing ideas as well as an opportunity for discussing obstacles like self-doubt and anxieties through an extremely difficult time.

Jacquiline Creswell, curator of the exhibition, said: “Together We Rise is a counterpoint to the challenges of the last two years and an expression of the artists’ perseverance, by coming together through virtual means to overcome isolation, fear and doubt. By bringing together this group, much as other communities have come together during the pandemic to support one another, I have seen a flourishing of creativity which demonstrates the power of shared adversity overcome by shared endeavour.” l The exhibition will open at Chichester Cathedral on June 27th and runs until September 6th.

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Cars are the stars – introducing our expert

ARTS & ANTIQUES

CLASSIC car auctions at Dore & Rees have made an impression in the industry and are integral to the rapid growth of the Frome-based auction house.

Led by Nick Wells, the marquee viewings next to the Cheese and Grain have made their mark on the town’s community with many regularly asking: “When will the next Classic Car auction will be Nick Wells on?”

A lifelong car enthusiast, Nick studied Business and German in Leeds, spending time with BMW in Munich, followed by a successful career in marketing. Feeling the urge to align his career more closely to his interests, Nick moved into the international classic car auction business some years ago, quickly establishing himself as a specialist and auctioneer.

During his time in the industry, Nick has presided over classic car auction sales in the UK and Europe, and as far afield as South Africa, consulting on valuations and sales of both individual cars and collections. In 2021 Nick was delighted to be invited to join the expert panel of the ITV show The Car Years, taking two cars from a year in motoring history and pitching them against eachother to pick a winner. He continues to film for the show and he will be on screen soon.

At Dore & Rees, Nick has held two auctions and is preparing for his third. Highlights from past auctions include a 1991 Ferrari Testarossa, the iconic Ferrari from the 1980s in period perfect colours (sold for £86,500), and a 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster (sold for £69,440).

The Classic Car auction on Saturday, June 18th promises to be Nick’s most exciting yet. The pack is currently led by a fabulous collection of pre-war and early post-war Rolls Royce and Bentley models, also a 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark II, one of only four Alpine-Ford prototypes built by Jensen Motors. This important and well-known example will be offered at an estimate of £70,000 – £90,000. More popular classics are lining up to join the auction.

The motoring auction calendar at Dore & Rees is also peppered with regular Automobilia auctions offering enthusiasts a chance to pick up items relating to their favourite marques and motoring personalities such as models, mascots, ephemera, posters and more. Books and enamel signs are currently proving to be particularly popular, with a book on the Lamborghini Miura selling for £5,850, and a Lambretta wall mounted swivel sign hammering down at £1,170. l If you have a collection of Automobilia or a classic car you are consider selling, contact Nick Wells on 07920 500 091. The next auctions taking place at the auction house in Vicarage Street are Select Interiors, on Wednesday, June 29th (inviting entries until Wednesday, June 1st) and Jewellery on Wednesday, July 6th.

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 33

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Foodbank appeals for cash donations WELLS Vineyard Foodbank is calling for urgent help to meet demand for emergency food parcels. It says more people than ever before are being referred to them due to the cost-of-living crisis.

The foodbank is now asking people to donate money to help feed local people who are at risk of going hungry.

In 2019, 9,000 meals were distributed, but by last year this had increased to over 80,000 meals. The foodbank is expecting demand to continue to rise steeply due to the rising costs of food, energy and fuel.

Sue Marland, senior pastor at Wells Vineyard Church and manager of the foodbank, said: “Demand is so high, it’s now at risk of outstripping our

resources. We urgently need the community to come together and help support us, if we are going to be able to keep offering the same level of support to each person that comes through the door.

“We will always share all food equitably, but already we have had to make cut-backs in the quality and range of the food that we offer in order to feed everyone who has come through our door. Without an increase in financial donations, it’s possible we could have to turn some people away this year.”

She said many people were astonished to learn that they have to spend £1,500 each month on shopping to supplement the tins and packets that people put in the donation bins at Waitrose, Santander and Morrisons.

Wells Vineyard Foodbank has set up a GoFundMe appeal and is asking all community members to give what they can

Sue Marland

NEWS

to help. Simply search https://gofund.me/638faa0a or scan the QR code below.

People can also donate at Wookey Hub. Anyone there can simply ask to add an amount of their choice onto the hub’s Foodbank Gift Card.

Alternatively, financial donations can be made to Wells Vineyard Christian Fellowship’s HSBC account: Sort code: 40-46-06, Acc No: 31387170. Use “Wells Vineyard Church” as the reference.

Vicars’ Close project wins lottery backing WELLS Cathedral has been awarded an initial National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of almost £580,000 to develop a project to restore and open up Vicars’ Close, the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe.

The project – Vicars’ Close: A Medieval Street Singing Through the Centuries – aims to make a number of the historic properties on Vicars’ Close in Wells accessible to the public for the first time.

The cathedral plans to open two of the houses in Vicars’ Close as interpretation centres alongside creating public access to other hidden gems on the close, such as the Vicars’ Hall and Treasury Rooms. Vicars’ Close was built for the cathedral choir in 1348 and is still inhabited by the cathedral choir today.

Development funding of £577,562 has been awarded by the fund to help Wells Cathedral progress their plans to apply for a full £3.3m National Lottery grant Vicars’ Close is at a later date. one of the city’s The project will also allow hidden gems essential work to be carried out to the exteriors of the properties on the close. Changing weather patterns are accelerating the deterioration of the buildings.

Conservation work will include measures to make the close carbon-neutral.

The Dean of Wells, the Very Revd Dr John Davies said: “We are delighted to receive this PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Vicars’ Hall could be opened to the public as part of the project

support thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players. “ ‘Vicars’ Close: A Medieval Street Singing Through the Centuries’ project is a critical step to conserve, interpret, share, and make accessible this wonderful heritage asset. The project will create opportunities for our local and regional communities through skill building, education and employment that will work towards healing the effects of the Covid pandemic.

“The project will also create an innovative and exciting new experience for Wells, Somerset, and the South West to be proud of. It is delightful to know that we are a step closer to ensuring future generations will continue to be able to experience this wonderful place.”

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EVENTS

Thousands get the abbey medieval habit

Photos by Mark Adler

MORE than 7,000 visitors enjoyed the two-day Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre which filled the grounds with living history displays, performances and re-enactments.

A spokesperson for the abbey said: “The feedback has been great with loads of constructive comments and many saying how much they are looking forward to next year.”

Members of the Bonivant Household living history group

Fire eater and jester Rob Sim

Members of the Paladins of Chivalry enjoy the sunshine

Heading off to battle in the main arena

Youngsters on the attack with the help of the Bonivant Household

A clash between a knight of the Paladins of Chivalry and an opponent from the Plymouth Medieval Society MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

P & C Logs Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941

Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).

Working lunch in Frome FROME Town Council and Forward Space have announced their next free Working Lunch event which will take place at the town hall on Thursday, June 23rd.

The discussion over lunch will explore how good branding can help people

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Ian Fooks

grow their businesses and customer loyalty, whether as a start-up or looking to developing current branding.

The session will be run by Ian Fooks founder of Curious Ways, an agency that creates brands for a digital world.

The event runs from midday to 1.30pm.

Booking is essential. Visit: https://bit.ly/WorkingLun chBranding

Business section.qxp_Layout 1 19/05/2022 16:31 Page 37

BUSINESS

Party wall disputes

IN semi-detached and terraced properties issues can sometimes arise about the wall dividing one property from another.

What is the position where there is a dispute about that wall - for instance if one neighbour in the course of, say, renovating their kitchen damages your side of the wall. What is the remedy?

On some property transfer deeds it makes clear that the dividing wall is a party wall. It would probably be worth checking the original transfer granted at the time when your house or your neighbour’s house was first sold.

That can be obtained from the Land Registry. However a dividing wall is likely to be regarded as a party wall.

What that means is that each neighbour owns half the width of the wall. A person can do work on a party wall subject to complying with the requirements of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

They are supposed to send you a

formal notice, stating the work that they propose carrying out. Unless you agree to them doing the work, each side has to appoint their own surveyor who will negotiate the terms of what is known as a party wall award.

Essentially, that will contain various clauses to minimise the damage you suffer as a result of your neighbour’s work and to make good any damage.

Where there has been a failure to deliver such a notice and the work on the wall has just gone ahead then a claim can be made against the offending individual for compensation for breach of his obligations under the Act and possibly also under the law of negligence or nuisance.

The compensation would be the cost of making good the damage that has been caused and possibly a small sum for distress and inconvenience.

To progress the matter, it would be sensible to get a surveyor (or possibly a

builder) to go into both houses, find out what it is that needs doing to rectify matters and give you an estimate of the cost of that.

Hopefully, it should be possible to negotiate a settlement but as a last resort you could take the matter to court if it made economic sense to do so.

EDWARD LYONS

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

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Mutuality and why you need to know who owns your insurance company

A MUTUAL is a company, typically an insurer or building society, which is owned by their members, and operated for their benefit. They compete head-on with the more complex shareholder owned financial services organisations; so why deal with a mutual?

How can a business idea from 150+ years ago stay relevant in the modern financial world?

Not having to pay profits away to shareholders has historically given mutuals a powerful weapon: profits can be retained and recycled for the benefit of all members. Originally founded as self-help organisations, sometimes with a simple objective in mind, supporting each-other in their time of need.

Graham Singleton, CEO of Bristol-based National Friendly explains: “Having no shareholders, being owned by our members and working for their benefit, whether through innovative products or our community programmes, is at the heart of our ethos.

We are a community and people-centred organisation with a long and proud history.”

Health, protect and to serve This focus on the individual member means that service in all its many shapes and forms is a core value for a mutual and it is no accident that over the years, customer services surveys have often shown mutuals as performing more strongly than some shareholder-owned organisations.

As the industry has developed, this advantage has narrowed, but caring remains a core principle for many. Now, organisations such as National Friendly are finding new, innovative ways to demonstrate their mutual credentials and their focus on care and service.

Oliver Jones, Head of Sales & Marketing notes:

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Head of Sales & Marketing, Oliver Jones

“As a mutual, we focus on our members and their needs. That thinking expands beyond the traditional client to also include our intermediaries, service providers, the environment, community partners and anyone else involved within the work we do. That is the key to why mutuality matters to us.”

Jones continues: “We look after all our members to ensure that service, products, claims, and support are all provided to the highest standards. For intermediaries, this may mean someone well qualified to speak to quickly, something I firmly believe we and many other mutual providers do better. We offer the personal touch.”

Modern mutuality Mutuals such as National Friendly now recognise not just the importance of caring for customers, but also supporting their staff and the communities they live in. Increasingly, the modern mutual realises that a healthy local community also plays a vital part for any business. Where a mutual like National Friendly is seen to be doing good for the community it lives in, supports and serves, this promotes the idea of working together for mutual benefit.

A company that works with people for their wellbeing has more appeal than one aiming to satisfy shareholders.

In today's world, National Friendly’s work

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BUSINESS

translates into wide ranging support for charities and local community initiatives. The company has an active policy not only to support its local cancer research branch, but it is also helping to fund research into Long-Covid through local NHS hospitals and related bodies. Other initiatives touch on the need to support older, more vulnerable members of society and protect them from loneliness, where National Friendly now actively runs award winning programmes with The Bristol Hippodrome.

At the other end of the age scale, National Friendly supports the development of children’s social skills through important initiatives in local schools and in business. It is supporting local business clubs to help small businesses to network and survive in a tough, post pandemic world.

Jones ends: “We have an extensive and long running community support programme which staff and the business both embrace. Monies raised by staff are often matched by company contributions. At its heart, our charitable and community work has a simple objective, to make a fundamental difference to local lives, both today and tomorrow.”

Mutuality matters Whilst profit may be the sign of a healthy and wellrun company, it is how those surplus funds are used that determines the true face and culture of a business. Mutuals recycle profit to make sure they survive long into the future, but they also realise that without their customers, a healthy local community and their business partners, this can all disappear quickly. So, a hallmark of the modern mutual is now not only a focus on customers and service, but also on community.

We want people who join us to feel not just that they have a policy, but that they are a part of a company which cares about how they, and the wider society they live in, are treated.

https://nationalfriendly.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

Local businesses catering for local needs THERE is no doubt that things are going to get tough for us in the coming years. We will all be trying to shave corners off our spending, both personally and in business. When we are facing difficult times financially, no-one is exempt from risk. Huge businesses as well as single entrepreneurs can face a struggle and can, in the worst cases, go under.

If I cast my mind back to the last financial depression which followed the collapse of Northern Rock in 2012, I remember visiting the Lake District, and sending in a report to the GFM Business Show, “A Packed Lunch” (long before Steph McGovern’s show of the same name!) which I was a part of at the time.

One thing I particularly noticed was that while we were hearing that many large enterprises were struggling with their cash flow and lack of borrowing ability from banks which were bruised worldwide, the countryside here seemed awash with small lorries and vans proudly advertising that their business was “local”, “family run” or “small and artisan”.

Now, I’m not suggesting that all small businesses thrived, but a significant number certainly survived and grew, even if in a limited way. There will always be businesses serving what is known as the “high end” market, for people who have significant amounts of money to spare, but I wasn’t seeing their vans running around the Lake District at the time. I saw family businesses catering for local needs – food, building requirements

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

etc.

The moral of this story? Well, in my view, difficult times don’t mean that small business leaders should all retreat and wait for better times. Far from it, in fact. There will still be a market for certain goods and services and starting small is a great way of testing your market and the quality of your product or service.

My advice is always to plan well, get as much professional advice as you can (initially for as little as you can), offer the very best service you can, and always aim to fulfil promises made to clients, or keep them informed if you can’t do this.

If you have an extra quirky idea as your USP (unique selling point) – perhaps like your accountant delivering your end of year figures in the style of a Barber Shop Quartet … (now there’s an image I shan’t easily be able to get out of my mind!!) … then that may help too.

Whatever you do, do it well and make your service a key part of it. People really do appreciate a smile and an attentive attitude and that could just put you ahead of the competition.

So, whatever we have coming our way, let’s keep optimistic about it. Belt tightening might be necessary, but it will pass; and if you have a great idea, talk it over with an advisor to see how to make it into a viable business even now.

Meanwhile, enjoy Flaming June, and good luck!

JANE BOWE PROBUSINESS

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BUSINESS

Shop’s anniversary

KATIE-Boo of Cheddar is celebrating 15 years of business. Local sisters Karen Pittman and Nichola Nicholls are proud owners of the small family run boutique in the heart of Cheddar.

The shop is named after Nichola’s eldest child, Katie, who was only a few months old when they opened the shop. Now she goes on buying trips with them.

They have built up a base of loyal local customers within the surrounding area and are starting to see tourists again as the gorge starts to open up. They listen to customers’ needs and try to accommodate them, avoiding the need to go to a large town.

They say: “The last couple of years have been particularly hard for everyone but we are hopeful for the future. If we can survive a pandemic, hopefully we can survive anything.”

The small shop nestled in the heart of Cheddar sells independent brand Brakeburn and Lily and Me, along with a selection of jewellery, bags, socks, watches, scarves and Turtle Dove mittens, providing a wide range of gifts for all occasions.

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

01934 741899 Email: karen@katie-boo.com

Celebrating 15 years Going forward they are launching katieboo.com in the next few weeks, hoping to reach a wider audience by selling online and offering a click and collect service in the shop.

To celebrate their anniversary, Katie-Boo are holding a birthday celebration at the new Cheddar Community Pavilion on June 12th, 2– 4pm, offering tea and home-made cake.

Discounted clothing, gifts and accessories will be available as a thank you to all their local customers.

Tickets are £5, available from Katie-Boo, and all money raised will go to Weston Hospicecare, a charity very close to their hearts. All are welcome!

katie-boo.com

PET SHOP | GROOMER SELF DOGWASH | FREE PARKING Open: Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm Sunday 10am – 4pm • Closed Monday www.chewvalleypethub.co.uk Email: info@chewvalleypethub.co.uk Tel: 01275 627265 chew valley pethub chewvalleypethub Glebe House, Harford Square, Chew Magna BS40 8RA

Bennetts is a niche and boutique commercial law firm operating out of modern offices at Barley Wood Stables, Long Lane, Wrington.

Our lawyers combine specialist legal knowledge with broad practical experience.

We can be relied on to give clear and positive advice on a wide range of complex or routine matters whether preventative or remedial.

Bennetts Solicitors Attorneys & Notaries Barley Wood Stables, Long Lane, Wrington Bristol BS40 5SA Phone: (44) 1934 862786 • Fax: (44) 1934 862404 Webpage: www.bennettlaw.co.uk e-mail: info@bennettlaw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

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BUSINESS

It’s curtains for children’s charity

LOCALLY-based company Willmotts Transport has unveiled two distinctive articulated lorry trailers to publicise the work of a children’s charity.

Bath Rugby is also supporting the Lily Foundation and England rugby hooker Tom Dunn – who is sponsored

by Willmotts – was on hand to see the two different-styled curtains make their debut on the roads.

The Lily Foundation funds research into Mitochondrial Disease, a group of

Tom Dunn and Sarah Moore

Sarah Moore and Tom Dunn with four cyclists from Bath and Wiltshire who will be tackling the 100-mile Ride London challenge for the charity at the end of May

medical disorders caused by mutations in mitochondria, which means human cells cannot function properly. So when they fail the consequences can be serious and wide-ranging.

Bath mum Sarah Moore, who lost two daughters to “mito” and who now works for the charity as well as Bath Rugby, helped set up the partnership with Willmotts.

She said: "Mitochondrial disease is seen as a rare genetic disease, but it actually affects one baby born every day in the UK. "It's a complex disease that affects people in very different ways and can be hard to diagnose.

“People are often left confused, frightened and isolated, sometimes for years. So, it's really important to increase awareness and keep funding research to find a cure."

Sarah added: "We are really proud and grateful to Willmotts. Seeing these Lily lorries on the road will give hope to all those affected by this devastating disease and show them they are being heard. We need to shout the message about mito loud and clear, and that's exactly what these lorries do."

Andy Stott, Managing Director of Willmotts, said: "We are delighted to support The Lily Foundation with these striking new trailers, which will be highly visible out and about on the roads of Britain as part of the Willmotts' fleet during the next few years.

"We hope these trailers will help raise awareness of the incredibly valuable work that this charity does in research and help for families and children with mitochondrial disease.”

For details about the disease, visit: www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 01761 417100 www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 43

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BUSINESS

Have you registered your Trust?

HISTORICALLY only tax paying trusts needed to formally register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) using their online Trust Registration Service (TRS).

As part of the continuing global effort to enhance tax transparency, The Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD), significantly extends the scope of the TRS. From the 1st September 2022, it is estimated that up to ten times as many trusts including small or non-tax paying trusts will now need to register who previously hadn’t or risk penalties being imposed on the trustees.

What needs to be done?

The online TRS system, accessed via the Government Gateway, now requires Trustees or their Agent to enter basic details about the Trust, including the persons involved (Settlors, Trustees and Beneficiaries). The TRS must also be updated regularly with any changes to the Trust, for example a change of Trustees.

Exemptions There are some trusts that will continue to be exempt from registration, but the list is small. It includes life policies that are held in trust, Charitable Trusts which are registered as a charity in the UK, or which are not required to register as a charity, and coownership Trusts set up to hold shares of property or other assets which are jointly owned by 2 or more people for themselves as ‘tenants in common’ (but not where anyone else owns an interest in that property).

Emma Coates

Trustee Responsibilities If you are a Trustee, you are responsible for registering the Trust with the TRS. Failure to do so is likely to result in penalties being charged by HMRC, so it is important that you are aware of your obligations and make sure you have complied by the deadline of the 1st September 2022.

New Trusts will have 90 days in which to register with the TRS. Once registered, Trustees will have 90 days from when they are made aware of any changes to update the details.

Next steps If you are unsure whether you need to register a Trust or you would like our assistance in registering the Trust with the TRS then please contact Emma Coate on 01749 342 323 or email emma.coate@mogersdrewett.com.

We have a specialist trust team at Mogers Drewett, and can advise on all aspects of trust law, from creation to winding up, and providing ongoing assistance with trust administration.

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 45

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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MENDIP TIMES

Something of everything this month

HOORAY! The swallows have arrived, we can truly believe that spring is here and summer must swiftly follow. I don’t think it is just my imagination – but isn’t this years’ blossom on every tree and bush you can see, everywhere, smothered to bursting, with the most vibrant colours ever?

And in the woods and meadows, even where none have been seen before, the bluebells, primroses and cowslips are abundantly wonderful; it is almost as if the earth has received a huge input of energy.

When so many of our society events, practical and social, are held outside in our lovely Mendip countryside, fine weather is very desirable. So it was great that on the first weekend in May the weather was perfect when we held a dry stone walling training on Chancellor’s Farm. It was for a group of eight beginners who had not been able to get on our last year’s course.

Everyone had an enjoyable time and the end result was superb.

There are now opportunities for these trainees to take their experiences further by rescuing the walls of their own properties or by volunteering, not only with ourselves, but also with the Somerset Wildlife and the National Trust or the Mendip Hills AONB; all have dry stone walling within their volunteer tasks programmes.

One event the society will be holding indoors is the “Something of Everything Quiz”. So get your thinking caps on for the 7.30pm start, the contact is our president Les Davies, who together with Sue and Peter Gearing has devised the fiendish questions.

As our members saw in our last newsletter Pat Farrant stood down from the committee at our AGM on April 21st. Pat has been a member since January 1974 and was involved as a volunteer before that, so is practically a founder member of The Mendip Society.

Pat has a wealth of local knowledge and has always had a great willingness to help others. We wish her well; she will now have more time to enjoy her garden and family but we will miss her greatly.

The society is slowly coming back to normal after the enforced difficulties of the pandemic years; our Small Grants Scheme, introduced last year, is especially generating a lot of interest. But

Wall nearly finished

PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

THE MENDIP SOCIETY

Start of the wall

(Photographs courtesy of Mark Benewith)

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we are a small committee and finding life a little difficult so are looking for a few extra volunteers to join us.

We would like someone to assist with the practicalities of grant applications locally, or if you have knowledge of planning and its issues and enjoy following up the many different types of applications which affect the Mendips and its communities, whether in Somerset, BANES or North Somerset, we would love to hear from you.

We have one very hard working scrutiniser at present but it is a large area for him to cover on his own. You do not necessarily need to be a society member in order to help us with these tasks; please contact Judith on secretary@themendipsociety.org.uk or Peter on membership@themendipsociety.org.uk Information on our Small Grant Scheme is available on our website.

Very well received was the interesting illustrated talk at our AGM by Dr Andy King (Principal Geologist with Geckoella Ltd) on the “History of Local Building Stone” dating back to their formation millions of years ago and their present day architectural use in towns and villages on and around the Mendip Hills.

We hope to welcome him back again soon when our usual talks programme gets underway again.

Tina Bath and Judith Tranter

For details, visit www.themendipsociety.org.uk/walks

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Where have all the insects gone?

By CHRIS SPERRING MBE

WILDLIFE

IT’S nearly June; the woodland spring flowers have died back as the leaf canopy increases throughout the tops of the trees, but where light can still get through a few may still hang on.

There has been a lot of talk about how slow the insects have been to increase their numbers this year and, without doubt, that long run of cold north-easterly winds will

have had an effect.

Certainly, the great tits in my garden have been hard hit by the lack of insects; they laid a very early clutch of seven eggs, but the trouble started when the chicks hatched.

Their parents must find insect food to rear them, but I began to notice that feeding visits were very few and far between compared to other years, meaning they weren’t catching much food. So, when it came to fledging, only two great tit young actually left the box; that number is devastating for a short-lived bird, meaning that they are not producing enough to replace those that die. If the decline in insect numbers continues for too long, then we could see even what we call our “common birds” declining across the country.

Many fledglings are taking their first flights, but many birds are still sitting on eggs, especially those that have only recently arrived. One of the birds I miss hearing and seeing at this time of the year is the redshank. A rather small wading bird which we find, or used to find, on low lying damp areas (though I have heard them on high ground in the winter), their call for me is iconic and once heard never forgotten with its high-pitched, fast, repeated whistle.

During the breeding season, redshank will display and call from vantage positions like farm gates or fence posts in isolated damp fields; they breed on the ground in the thicker areas of sedge and grass and feed on invertebrates caught using their long, well-adapted bills.

Though I have described a typical scene of redshank in the breeding season, sadly this bird has become quite scarce as a

A barn owl and owlets

local breeding bird; you’re probably more likely these days to encounter redshank during the winter months, especially around the coastal saltmarshes and wetlands, but these birds are more than likely those that bred much further north where habitat and other factors remain more favourable.

June is the month I begin monitoring barn owls, so if you are a farmer or landowner who has barn owls and would like a visit from me over the next couple of months, please contact me using the contact details below.

The Hawk and Owl Trust Barn Owl webcam nest now contains six growing owlets. Feeding by the parent owls is now relentless and can start as early as 5am on some days. If you wish to view the live pictures of what’s going on in the nest, visit: https://hawkandowltrust.org/web-cam-live/barn-owl-camlive-somerset These webcams have proved very popular as teaching aid for students in universities as well as those in school but, like I always say, nature never stops offering us new information; there’s always something to learn. l I will be leading the next Hawk and Owl Trust monthly walk on Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve on Friday, June 17th, starting at 10am. The walk lasts for two hours. These walks are free of charge but booking is essential through: www.hawkandowl.org.uk Great tits are suffering from a lack of insects

Redshanks are becoming quite scarce as a local breeding bird

If you wish to contact me it’s Chris.Sperring@btinternet.com call 07799 413918, or message me via my Facebook Walks and Talks page @ChrisSperringwildlife MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

A walk on the wild side

JUNE’S circle explores the countryside to the north of Clutton, where the highlight is going through beautiful Folly Farm on permissive paths. Folly Farm, cared for by Avon Wildlife Trust, is a working farm and wildlife sanctuary where you can see butterflies, birds and wildflowers including orchids (mainly in June). It has an amazing natural amphitheatre and from there and from Round Hill there are superb views over Chew Valley Lake.

Walking is a mixture of flat and undulating country with climbs and downhills. The start is uphill on lanes through Clutton and then we follow field footpaths and lanes and there are many kissing gates (KGs) and very few stiles. A busy main road has to be crossed twice. Please note: No dogs allowed on Folly Farm land.

This lovely route came from Twenty circular walks near Timsbury a new book of walks written by Peter Bradshaw, Larry

With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Curringham and Sue Fraser (details at the end).

PARK: At Clutton on the A37 south of Pensford. Clutton church is in the village signposted off the main road. There is a small car park there and parking nearby on the road.

START: With your back to the church, turn left soon passing the small triangular green on the right with an oak tree, the King’s Oak. This is a replacement for the original oak, now just a stump on the green, planted to commemorate Edward VII becoming king.

Follow Church Lane along and up in the Pensford direction. Turn left at the Tjunction and almost straightaway, go right on Broomhill Lane. At the end, take the middle footpath on Tarmac going straight on and up.

1. MAIN ROAD Reach the A37 and cross with care, through a kissing gate (KG) into the first field, following the Three Peaks Way. The Three Peaks Circular Walk covers 16.5 miles of hilly, field-footpath terrain.

The route takes you around Pensford, Clutton and Chew Magna and the “peaks” are Maes Knoll, Knowle Hill and Blackberry Hill.

Keep straight on through a small and then a long field, with a Bristol Gate at the end on the right. Turn left in the same direction as before, through a gap at the end. Keep on, bearing right to reach a KG

in the corner. Maintain direction in the next field and take the KG into Tynemoor Wood.

2. WOOD The entrance is muddy due to the stream.

Follow the stream closely on your right through the wood and exit through another KG. Turn right in the field, ascend and suddenly get a surprising view from the brow over towards Stowey Church and House and Chew Valley Lake.

The church and house are now separate from Stowey village which has reduced considerably over the centuries.

Drop down and stay close to the bottom of the hill to reach a KG in the left corner.

Turn right round the field edge and round one corner. Then take the KG in the right fence and bear left under two trees. Go through another KG and cross a plank bridge. Now head diagonally across to yet another KG by a large field gate. Once through bear left across this field to find a Bristol Gate onto a quiet lane, which in parts is not much more than a track.

3. LANE Follow it right. Cross a small ford and reach a T-junction with a track. Here we go left for about 350 yards. Reach a right bend and go ahead through a gap in the hedge and follow the marked path right alongside a beautiful house and garden.

Bend left. Go through a gate and then diagonally across the field, meeting the end of a drive and then onto a lane at the end with a sign for Folly Farm on the right.

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4. FOLLY FARM Folly Farm is a traditionally managed working farm and 250 acre nature reserve run by the Avon Wildlife Trust. The centre, which we don’t see on this walk, has also become a popular rustic wedding venue.

By the information board there is a wooden KG and then go up the drive. At the right hand bend turn off left onto one of the colour-coded permissive paths into a wood, up steps. Keep straight on through the wood on the main path. At a clearing maintain direction, ignoring a right turn.

The path bends right through this beautiful peaceful area and takes us out to the open and a bench. Go left across to a gate. Once through head diagonally left across to the far corner and a KG. Follow the narrow path into the open.

5. ROUND HILL Round Hill is up on your right. The terrain here is rather rough and uneven and after rain may be muddy. Follow the wooden posts straight on, climbing. Bend round to the right with brambles on your right.

Reach an area with many anthills. Then continue to bend round quite sharply and climb, this time closely following gorse and brambles on your right. Reach a marker post and turn left up to the top of the hill. Here is a gate on the right into a fenced, quiet area with a bench and wonderful views.

Come out and go down the grassy ridge, bearing off left near the end to go through a wooden KG by a large field gate. Go straight on and at a finger post ignore the right path and maintain direction through Folly Woods.

6. FOLLY WOODS At the next fork take the right wide grassy path between trees. About 50 yards before a large field gate ahead, turn right on a small, slightly hidden path just before a marker post and a red arrow. This leads to a T-junction of paths. Turn left on the red and green arrow marked path. Cross a bridge and go up steps and through a KG. Bear left in the meadow which in June is a great place for wild flowers and orchids, mainly due to the fact it has remained unimproved for centuries. Go through a KG and in the next field go uphill along the left hedge. Continue on towards a long low bungalow on the left and here get a

WALKING

Distance 5.8 miles, about 3-3.5 hours walking. OS Explorer 142 Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East, grid ref 623 589. Postcode BS39 5SH.

feel of the wonderful large natural amphitheatre overlooking Chew Valley Lake. Keep on past the bungalow with the hedge on your left. Pass a bench and look for the exit on the left through a KG. Go ahead across to another KG and onto a quiet lane. Follow it right.

7. FIELDS At the end cross carefully over the main road again to a metal gate. Bear left and down the field under the power line. Don’t go too far left. Reach the bottom hedge and look for a somewhat hidden kissing gate just to the right of a line of trees. Then go down across the next field towards Taylor’s Farm to a Bristol Gate onto the lane. Cross straight over to a KG and pass farm buildings on your left. Pass a large metal gate and then soon reach a small gate out onto a track. Almost immediately turn left and go across a wooden bridge with a stile each end. Maintain direction to a KG on the far side onto a quiet lane which leads back towards Clutton. Turn right and after 450 yards, just after The Ramblers, go up steps onto a narrow path.

8. OLD RAILWAY ROUTE Another KG leads to a crossing track,

which was the route of the old Bristol and North Somerset Railway. Ahead down steps you can see Burchells Pit spoil heap, but don’t go down there.

Clutton has a long history of coal mining from at least the 17th century. Burchells Pit opened around 1908 when mining was exhausted at nearby Greyfield Pit. It only remained working until 1921. The railway and Clutton Station opened in 1873 and was mainly serving the Somerset Coalfield but also carried commuters to Bristol. The station closed to passengers in 1959 and to goods in June 1964 and the railway came to an end in 1973 with the demise of the last colliery at Kilmersdon.

Turn right along the old railway route.

Cross a bridge, pass the old scout hut and continue along the former platform of Clutton station. Go through a metal KG and out on the lane to join Station Road in Clutton.

9. CLUTTON Go straight over and down Venus Lane, past the village hall.

The hall, opened in 1933 as the Miners Welfare Institute and YMCA and was funded from a levy of a penny per ton of coal. Soon, see the church tower ahead.

Route taken from Twenty circular walks near Timsbury by Peter Bradshaw, Larry Cunningham and Sue Fraser, price £6. (Walk 18). Available from Health & More or Canine Craze in Timsbury, Radstock Museum, the Farmborough Community Shop and the Oldfield Park Bookshop, Bath. To order by post telephone Oldfield Park Bookshop on 01225 427722.

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

West Countryman’s diary

HERE I am writing for June! Whilst I constantly ask “Where does the time go?” it still doesn’t make any difference and no one listens to me. At least With LES DAVIES MBE the days don’t drag with constantly looking at a clock that only seems to have moved a few minutes since you last looked at it. Thankfully the only clock watching I do is to see how much time I have left and not what has gone by. That’s why I like a watch with hands on it . . . it will tell me how much time is left.

Digital watches, however, (are there such things now, or have they been assigned to the scrap heap of our memories like flared trousers and “kipper” ties?) only told you what the time was at that particular moment.

Talking a load of “twaddle” again or is there something behind this line of thought? Well yes, there is to my mind!

No-one knows what is happening tomorrow, so let’s live for now and enjoy what we have.

I remember an amusing story of a village vicar who had been contacted by one of his congregation. This person was very well organised and had made all the arrangements for his own funeral that would undoubtedly happen in the future.

The vicar politely listened to the wishes for the order of service, hymns and readings. Finally, as the conversation reached the end, the vicar quite simply asked: “Now, have you got a date so I can get it in the diary?”

Nostalgia is certainly not what it used to be, but memories are real and can be rekindled in many ways. My memories of a countryside that has changed and will never return is constantly being updated. A recent meeting with a life-long friend, who I had not seen for a while, was to bring some of these memories back.

Bob McEwen-Smith and I grew up together on Hales Farm. We played and fought as all small boys do from time to time and also worked together, both in our teenage years and later. We engaged in all PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

the pursuits that boys who grew up in the countryside in those days knew.

We went bird nesting, shooting and ferreting for rabbits. We knew what birds nested where and what animals left what tracks and where they could be found.

Whereas these boyhood days seemed hedonistic, we were still expected to work.

One of the jobs was helping with the movement of cattle from the high ground of Hales Farm to the low lying Tickenham Moor. This was carried out in the spring as conditions on the moor improved and the reverse when the autumn heralded the onset of a wet winter.

The movement was done by walking the cattle onto the moor by road; in fact we were drovers in the time honoured way that had been practised since the middle ages and before. It seems unbelievable now that these animals were driven a distance of over three miles on a public road. You would think twice about driving them just down the road in today’s traffic.

There were garden gates that had to be closed before the cattle could get onto the manicured front gardens, trample the lawns and flower beds before leaving a generous donation of dung over everything. As boys our job was to shut these gates ahead of the herd and keep in front! The pressure only came off when these gambolling animals were turned off the main road and down Moor Lane to the main drove.

This all leads me onto the moor itself, where I met up with Bob again. I had been invited down to shoot a few clay targets, with some other friends on the land Bob still owns there. Like the cattle, I turned off the main B3138 road in Middletown and drove toward the moor.

Memories came back of riding home on top of a trailer load of hay and grabbing the plums from the trees that overhung the lane. Further down is the hump back of the stone “bow” bridge that crosses the Middle Yeo and then to the gate at the start of the drove.

The little stream here is where we would end up on nature walks from Tickenham village school. Willows overhung the banks back then, but they are all gone now.

The drove itself stretches for nearly a

OUTDOORS

mile. Its purpose is to allow access for owners to the land along its length. My memories of this track were of deep ruts, filled with stone whenever it could be brought down. It was loaded and unloaded by hand, as there was no such thing as a hydraulic tipping trailer on the farm.

Movement along the drove was slow and painful. Trailers twisted and creaked as they were slowly pulled along its length and a careful course had to be driven for fear of overturning the load. Now the whole surface was level and stoned, not a single rut in sight!

I worked it out that it had been 40 years since I was last there. I pulled the last 200 bales off these moor grounds before the farm was sold. At the time I had a 1958 B450 International tractor that I was restoring. The land was still there but it had changed. There are fewer thorn bushes alongside the rhynes these days, providing shade for the cattle in hot weather and shelter in bad.

The Boundary Rhyne was still there dividing Tickenham and Nailsea Moors.

Here I fished for roach and learnt to “skim” stones. It looks smaller than I could remember. In the distance I could see the church tower at Nailsea West End where I had moved into spare rooms at the vicarage when first married.

All such a long time ago, but as my dear old mother used to say: “That was then and this is now!” Hang onto memories, they can at times be a great comfort.

Don’t forget to come and visit the Environmental Youth Awards in the Dulverton Pavilion in the woodland and countryside area when you come to this year’s Royal Bath and West Show, June 2nd-4th. The Mendip Hills AONB Young Rangers will be joining us on the Saturday.

Finally this month’s picture shows my B450 driving the threshing drum at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in the early 1980s. The “Herbert” getting off the tractor is me!

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MENDIP TIMES

Planning ahead is important

THE tulip season has come to an end in our pots and borders and the alliums are taking over while the herbaceous perennials are getting their act With MARY together to give us a PAYNE MBE riot of colour through the summer months. By the way, you may be thinking that the leaves on alliums look tatty at this stage and have done their job so can be cut off. So, it is time to plan ahead and think about next spring’s display, while you can still remember your successes and failures from this spring.

I have already ordered nearly 9,000 spring bedding plants, not for my garden I hasten to add – as the suppliers must start sowing now to have plants ready for the garden centres for you to purchase in late September/October.

You can grow your own pansies, wallflowers, and polyanthus from seed, although for the number you require the packet of seed may cost more than a tray of plants.

Polyanthus have been out of fashion for many years, while the primrose has taken over, but it’s worth remembering that polyanthus last much longer than primroses and make an excellent “base plant” through which tulips can be planted in pots.

They are also useful to fill gaps in spring borders. The most vigorous are the yellow and white shades. The blues and reds, sadly, tend to lack vigour. After flowering, polyanthus can be dug up, cut off the foliage and replanted in a shady spot and they will be ready to transplant back in the autumn.

Wallflowers, as bare root plants in bundles of newspaper, are also hard to acquire these days, mainly because they have a short “shelf life” in garden centres compared to pot grown plants. Given a spare plot of land wallflowers are easy to grow.

Sow seed thinly in late May/June in a sunny position and keep well-watered.

Either thin the seedlings to about 6” PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

(150mm) apart or better still transplant the seedlings when about 3-4” high into new ground 6” apart and water well.

The transplanting breaks the tiny tap root which encourages a better root system and a bushier plant for transplanting into their final positions in the autumn. It is a good plan to decide on both the plants and bulbs for pots at the same time to get the colour scheme right.

We all like getting “something for nothing” so taking cuttings is an easy way to increase the stock of plants for your own garden, or to give away to friends or charity plant sales next year.

Late June and July are the ideal time to take cuttings of many deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

The soft growth produced in the spring has toughened up a bit and is less vulnerable to rotting. Fairly basic procedures can also be used. Take shoots of this season’s growth and trim them just below a leaf joint so the cutting is about 4/5“ long and then pinch out the immature tip. Dip in a hormone rooting gel and dibble them around the edge of a pot of open, well drained mixture of multi-purpose compost and grit or perlite.

Water well and cover with a plastic bag, sealed with a rubber band. Stand the pot where it gets NO SUN, but reasonable light. Wait until you can see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot before taking off the plastic bag.

Ideally, wait until next spring before separating the cuttings and potting them up individually. There is something very satisfying about rooting cuttings or raising plants from seed yourself.

Take a critical look at your borders during the summer and make notes about improvements to be made. If any plant really is not performing for you then it is time to take it out and try something else.

My gardening motto is “if in doubt take it out”.

Try to ensure that the plant you choose will like the position you are proposing to plant it in as regards sun or shade, moist or drier conditions. There is a wealth of information online to help you as plant labels can be vague.

Try to vary the texture of foliage on adjacent plants – some have spiky, some feathery and some bold foliage which always look good when combined.

Likewise vary the form of the flowers.

Daisy shapes, contrast with spikes, or button shaped flowers.

Early flowering shrubs such as forsythias, flowering currants, deutzias and weigelas are all valuable spring flowering shrubs and now is the ideal time to prune them. Simply thin out some of the oldest wood from the base of the shrub. This will encourage new growth to develop which will flower the following year and if done regularly this method keeps plants in check from over-growing their space.

We have just had an incredibly dry four-six weeks with hardly a single April shower. Be prepared for more dry spells.

Mulch borders with 2” of wood chip to trap in the moisture. Grass clippings can also be used in modest amounts and are excellent on vegetable beds, provided lawn herbicides have not been used.

As this is the year of the Queen’s Jubilee, we are all being encouraged to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”. But now is not a good time for tree planting, unless you are prepared for a summer of regular watering.

So, I suggest you plan ahead and get funding in place for an autumn planting when the soil is still warm and moist.

Once planted you can register your tree with the Queen’s Green Canopy website by sending a photograph of your tree and it will be plotted on a map and you will receive a virtual plaque, or you may prefer to order a physical plaque.

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GARDENING

JUNE GARDEN TIPS

• New shoots on any climbers, but clematis in particular, should be tied to supports to prevent them breaking. Old early flowering clematis can be cut back hard if necessary.

• Check your roses regularly for greenfly, black spot and mildew.

• Magnolias can be pruned this month.

• Check grafted plants for suckers growing from the rootstock. If left, they can rapidly outgrow the top of the plant. Check roses, fruit trees, Viburnums, lilacs, maples and most ornamental trees. Remove the suckers as close to the roots as possible so that there is no stump left from which more suckers can grow.

• Make certain that newly planted trees and shrubs are getting enough water and that it is actually reaching the roots! Trees need a minimum of two gallons a week.

• Snap off dead flowers from rhododendrons and azaleas.

This will tidy them up and improve their shape. Trim over long shoots on camellias. All these be watered and fed well now as next year’s buds are already forming!

• Plant out those annual herbs that often resent being planted too early. Basil will prefer a very sheltered spot.

• Plant outdoor tomatoes, ridge cucumbers, courgettes and marrows. These can all be easily grown in large pots or grow bags on the patio.

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MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

Plant sale for charity

Pictured (l to r) Jacky Head, Wendy Gregory and Claire Banfield

MORE than £720 was raised for Christian Aid by the annual plant sale organised by Hazel Rider in the courtyard of Church Farm, East Harptree, by kind permission of Guy and Gill Stobart.

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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

NORTON GREEN GARDEN CENTRE

FABULOUS SELECTION OF SUMMER FLOWERING BEDDING, PATIO & HANGING BASKET PLANTS READY NOW! VEGETABLE PLANTS

including Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Runner Beans, Chilli Peppers, Lettuces & many more!

SHRUBS, ROSES, ALPINES, HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS & CLEMATIS & CLIMBING PLANTS

Compost, Gro-bags, Topsoil, Farmyard Manure, Decorative Bark, Gravels, Grits, Sand & Slate SYLVAGROW PEAT-FREE MULTIPURPOSE COMPOST NOW AVAILABLE! ORNAMENTAL POTS, TROUGHS AND PLANTERS

WELLS ROAD, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4RR Telephone: 01761 232137 Open Mon–Sat 10am to 4pm • Closed Sundays PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

NGS GARDENS OF THE MONTH

Frome gardens

9, Catherston Close

A warm welcome awaits at the five differing town gardens participating in this group opening.

9, Catherston Close will bowl you over where the unexpected awaits you around every corner. This garden is a Gold Winner of Frome-in-Bloom.

61, Nunney Road’s new owner has redesigned the garden with a terrace, lawn, shrubs, flowerbeds, old fruit trees, two small ponds, a wild corner, also a veg patch and greenhouse.

71, Lynfield Road has “hot” colour and lush planting including a Chusan Palm. Their back garden is restful with seating areas, formal pond and patio.

84 Weymouth Road, designed by Simon Relph in 2015 to celebrate his life, includes architectural arches and geometrical raised beds around a central raised pond.

1 Tucker Close is a small walled garden with wide beds, exuberant planting with wildlife in mind and small cauldron pond.

Opening dates and time: Sunday, June 19th, 12-5pm. 84, Weymouth Rd is open from 1-4pm.

Combined Admission: £7.50, children free, cash only.

OTHER GARDENS OPEN FOR THE NGS June 9th: Watcombe, 92, Church Road, Winscombe, BS25 1BP, 2-5pm, adults £5, children free.

June 11th and 12th: The Hayes, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BU, adults £6, children free. teas.

June 18th and 19th: Four Lympsham gardens 2-5pm.

Combined admission, adults £6, children free.

July 3rd and 4th: Honeyhurst Farm, Rodney Stoke, BS27 3UJ, 2-5pm, adults £4, children free.

To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://www.ngs.org.uk

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GARDENING

Club funds boost

FOSSEWAY Gardening Club raised almost £375 for its funds with its annual plant sale in Ditcheat.

Club chair Jay Smith has thanked everyone who supported the club and made the event a success. New members are always welcome at the club’s meetings in Pylle Village Hall. l For details call Jill Swindale on 07772 008594.

Helen Dauncey, Jay Smith, Barbara Cary and Lyn Steel at the plant sale

Call Henry on: 075 8348 2076

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It’s not only friendly, professional service that sets us apart, we can’t be beaten on price and ensure our prices beat those of builders’ merchants and garden centres.

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Salvage “treasure” proving popular at Middlecombe NESTLED into picturesque countryside at the edge of the Somerset village of Congresbury, Middlecombe Nursery have been growing and selling hardy plants since 1988. Started by Isy and Nigel North, this thriving family business has acquired an enviable reputation for the quality of their plants, as well as their friendly service.

Their range encompasses everything you’d expect, including an extensive variety of hardy perennials expertly grown here by Isy. For those in need of something instant, Middlecombe also offers the widest choice of large “specimen” trees and shrubs in the area.

Whilst plants are Isy and Nigel’s enduring passion, when daughters Becci and Leigh joined the company they decided to considerably expand their range of garden products.

Middlecombe’s eclectic “Garden Shop“ features carefully selected ranges of garden tools, seeds, pots, flower bulbs and organic plant care products. Here you’ll also find an ever-widening range of indoor plants and quirky handmade garden ornaments.

Most recently, Nigel has made time to indulge his keen interest in vintage gardening tools and “gardenalia”, the demand for which, he’s discovered, is considerable. So much so that he now searches far and wide for what he describes as “garden treasures”.

This term Nigel applies to everything from tin baths, agricultural water tanks and chimney pots to rusted garden rollers and “matured” lichen-clad statuary. Unlike newly-manufactured items, these salvaged, reclaimed and repurposed gems are all unique and characterful, many of them

bearing the detailed patina that only age and weathering can bestow.

Finding future custodians to cherish and put these old items to imaginative new uses as planters, water features and focal points is all part of what makes it so enjoyable.

He said: “What is really exciting, though, is that I never know what may turn up next – there’s always something different and interesting waiting to be unearthed.”

The tranquil setting of this enduring family business is perfectly complemented by its relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

You, your family and your dog will all receive the warmest of welcomes.

Middlecombe Nursery is just yards from the A370 Bristol to Weston Road on Wrington Road, Congresbury and is open seven days a week.

Tel 01934 876337 • www.middlecombenursery.co.uk • Instagram: @middlecombe.gardenalia

PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • MAY 2022

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GARDENING

Coverage

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ALHAMPTON ASHCOTT AXBRIDGE BALTONSBOROUGH BACKWELL BADGWORTH BANWELL BARROW GURNEY BARTON ST. DAVID BASON BRIDGE BAWDRIP BECKINGTON BISHOP SUTTON BLACKFORD BLAGDON BLEADON BRENT KNOLL BROCKLEY BRUTON BURCOTT BURNHAM-ON-SEA BURRINGTON BURTLE BUTLEIGH CAMERTON CASTLE CARY CATCOTT CHARTERHOUSE CHEDDAR CHELYNCH CHEW MAGNA CHEW STOKE CHEWTON MENDIP CHILCOMPTON CHILTON POLDEN CHURCHILL CLAVERHAM

CLEEVE CLUTTON COCKLAKE COLEFORD COMPTON DANDO COMPTON DUNDON COMPTON MARTIN CONGRESBURY COSSINGTON COXLEY CRANMORE CROSCOMBE CROSS DITCHEAT DRAYCOTT DUNBALL DUNDRY EAST HARPTREE EAST HUNTSPILL EASTON EDINGTON EDITHMEAD EMBOROUGH EVERCREECH FARMBOROUGH FARRINGTON GURNEY FAULKLAND FELTON FLAX BOURTON FROME GLASTONBURY GREEN ORE GURNEY SLADE HALLATROW HIGH LITTLETON HINTON BLEWETT HIGHBRIDGE

HEWISH HOLCOMBE HUNSTRETE HUTTON KEINTON MANDEVILLE KILMERSDON KNOWLE LANGFORD LEIGH on MENDIP LITTON LOCKING LONG ASHTON LYDFORD ON FOSSE LYMPSHAM MARK MARKSBURY MASBURY MELLS MIDSOMER NORTON NAILSEA NETTLEBRIDGE NORTH WOOTTON NORTON MALREWARD NORTON ST PHILIP NUNNEY OAKHILL PAULTON PAWLETT PENSFORD PILTON POLSHAM PRIDDY PURITON PYLLE RADSTOCK REDHILL REGIL

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RICKFORD RODE RODNEY STOKE ROOKSBRIDGE ROWBERROW SANDFORD SHEPTON MALLET SHIPHAM SOMERTON STANDERWICK STANTON DREW STANTON WICK STOKE ST MICHAEL STONE ALLERTON STRATTON ON THE FOSSE STREET

TARNOCK TEMPLE CLOUD TICKENHAM TIMSBURY TRUDOXHILL TYTHERINGTON UBLEY UPHILL VOBSTER WALTON WANSTROW WATCHFIELD WEARE WEDMORE WELLOW WELLS

WEST HARPTREE WESTHAY WESTONZOYLAND WEST PENNARD WESTBURY SUB MENDIP WEST HUNTSPILL WHITCHURCH WINFORD WINSCOMBE WITHAM FRIARY WOOKEY WOOKEY HOLE WOOLAVINGTON WRINGTON WRITHLINGTON YATTON

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

HISTORY

School celebrates 150 years

UPHILL Village Academy is celebrating its 150th anniversary. It was founded by the Graves Knyfton estate to serve the local community, replacing the old parish school.

A special commemorative book has been published by the Uphill Village Society and the academy drawing together the history of the school and memories from past and present pupils and staff.

In addition pupils at the school will be involved in a series of activities and projects looking back at the past 150 years culminating in a special day at the school when the children will dress and take part in various activities from different decades in the school’s history.

Work from the children will be displayed as part of a special exhibition staged by the village society at the Victory Hall. This exhibition will also look at the history of the village itself and

Headteacher Edward Dyer with pupils 1906

the past 40 years since the Uphill Society was formed in 1981.

The exhibition is open May 25th-27th, 2-8pm and on Saturday, May 28th, 10am-

Details: Stewart Castle 01934 415581 or the school 01934 626769

Axbridge heritage trail

AXBRIDGE is set to launch its Heritage Trail, giving people the chance to learn more about the history of this medieval town.

It follows the success of its Children’s Trail launched last summer, giving children a quiz to complete on a tour ending at the children’s playground, with answers on the group’s website.

Around 40 properties on the new trail will display blue plaques, with QR codes in windows, leaflets and a website giving further details of the history of the property or the people who once lived there.

The trail will be launched on June 12th, 2.30pm, outside the King John Hunting Lodge museum, by the mayor Pauline Ham. After the cutting and eating of cake to the sound of Axbridge Sings they will be serenaded on their way as they follow the trail around the town.

Leaflets can be picked up from businesses in the square, the church and the museum. If you are feeling fit you can also try The Axbridge Circular Pascal Lamb Geocache trail.

Details: www.axbridgeheritagetrails.com • https://www.geocaching.com/play/search

PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Historic finds in Blagdon

BLAGDON Local History Group hosted an exhibition of finds made by detectorists Alan Betteridge and Mark Sheppard from around the village.

They ranged from coins dating from Pictured (l to r) Mike Adams, Sheila Johnson, Alan Betteridge and Jacky Roman to more Kerly recent times, including gold and silver examples, lead weights used for weaving, fishing or dress hems and children's toys.

One of the organisers, Jacky Kerly, said: “There were buckles of every shape and size, keys, tools, heavy horse harness decorative brasses and cow horn knobs.

“It’s amazing what turns up in a field.”

The two men had the landowner’s permission to search and keep the locations secret to avoid trespassers.

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Appropriate refreshment

With PHILIP HENDY

CERTAIN pastimes, more than others, seem to create a thirst among their participants.

Rugby springs to mind of course, as does bell ringing. It cannot be coincidence that very often there is a public house close by the village church and, as like as not, it will be called The Bell, or similar. There is one, for example, in Evercreech, a Ring O’ Bells at Hinton Blewett and another at Compton

(Photograph by Phil Hendy)

Martin.

The physical effort involved in a caving trip can cause severe dehydration and where better to resolve the problem than in the pub, where exploits past and present can be recounted and embellished.

There will be a cheery fire to warm us up on those cold winter evenings and probably the prospect of something to eat. When caving first became popular on Mendip, The New Inn on Priddy Green was an ideal watering hole which could be visited after a trip down Swildon’s Hole.

For many years now the Hunters’ Lodge Inn has been regarded as the spiritual home of Mendip caving, although the Queen Victoria is also popular. Other pubs are often frequented, owing to their proximity to the cave which has been visited.

Years ago, when money was limited, most cavers drank farmhouse cider, which fortunately has improved immensely over the years. Today, the most popular tipple is beer, of which there is an overwhelming choice, though real ale tends to be more popular than cask beer.

Many regulars at the Hunters’ Lodge drink from their own tankards and hats off to Roger Dors and his staff for remembering whose is whose – and also their preferred choice of beer.

Over the years, cavers have commissioned specially labelled bottled beers for certain occasions, often as a fundraiser or souvenir. For example, Yorkshire cavers produced Stump Cross Ale (brewed with cave water) to celebrate the cave of that name.

The British Cave Rescue Council commissioned their own brew in 1994 to commemorate their annual conference. On Mendip, the Bristol Exploration Club produced Belfry Brew in 1985 in honour

Halloween Rift

of their 50th anniversary. Twenty five years later they came up with Belfry Bertie’s Bat Pee (their mascot is Bertie the bat).

Tony Jarratt, our charismatic and enthusiastic cave digger, passed away in 2008. The annual JRat Award, for the longest cave passage found in Mendip or Scotland, celebrates his life, but after his passing, a special beer was brought out in his memory.

Unusually, some years earlier, the club celebrated the 80th birthday of Tony’s father, Walter, with Walter’s Wallop.

Cave-related beers are not just a British quirk; Roger Dors has two French beers, in corked litre bottles – Le Casque. The label, red for the 7% brew and blue for the 9%, is illustrated with a caving helmet.

It was only a matter of time before caving was celebrated with beers produced in commercial quantities. The Cheddar Ales Brewery, started the ball rolling with the rather hoppy Potholer. It is quite popular locally. The inspiration came from Mike Hearn, who is a caver and once worked with them.

Following on from this came Totty Pot, a porter, and its winter variant, Festive Totty. Totty Pot is a small cave near the top of Cheddar Gorge, famed for its Mesolithic remains. The discovery of the largest cave chamber in Britain, in Cheddar’s Reservoir Hole, was celebrated with a winter pale ale, Frozen Deep.

Not strictly cave-related is Gorge Best, while other brands are related to geology or the Mendip landscape. I do not understand why one is called Goat’s Leap, when there is a Deer Leap above Wookey Hole.

A competitor was launched at Wookey Hole on St. George’s Day. The new small Wookey Ale brand was established in 2020

by Sam Mills and his colleague Simon. They already have a range of beers, and added another, Hallowe’en Rift, a pale hoppy beer in draught and cans.

It was brought to light at the cave of that name, a long term dig east of the Wookey Hole ravine. It is an interesting cave in its own right, showing much evidence of cryogenic activity in the past.

This was when ice formed in caves during a period of glaciation and damaged the cave formations. Originally it was thought that such damage was caused by earth movements, but investigation has shown otherwise. Who better to launch Halloween Rift than the connoisseur beer-swilling members of the digging team?

Many cavers like drinking beer with a cave-related name, and we are lucky that these brews are very drinkable as well. I must thank Roger Dors and fellow caver Brian Prewer, for assisting with my research.

(Photograph by Duncan Price)

CAVING

Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and until his retirement was a caving instructor at Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Event’s 11th year

THE popular Walks, Runs and Bikes event organised by Rotary Nailsea and Backwell for charity will take place on Sunday, June 19th, the 11th year it has been held.

Those who have taken part in previous years will know how scenic the routes are and those who have not participated before are in for a treat!

People who wish to take part but are unable to do so on June 19th can choose any convenient day up to and including July 31st.

The bike routes were added last year and they are 25k, 50k and 100k for ages 13 or over. Some 55 cyclists took part last year and it is hoped that there will be more this year.

The walking/running routes are, as usual, 5k, 10k, and 20k, the shortest being suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and families.

Sponsors provide approximately £5,000 for which Rotary say they are very appreciative. The registration fee is £10 per person aged 18 and over and £5 per person aged 13 to 17 all of which goes to local good causes.

Details: www.nailsearotary.org Roger Smith 01275 854076 • roger.jan@blueyonder.co.uk

Lucky winners

SHOPS and businesses in the Chew Valley and surrounding areas supported the Easter egg raffle, organised by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge.

The eggs were left at 25 locations, raising funds for the Children’s Sue Osborne (left) accepting her Hospice South West, prize from Vaishali Patel at Make a Wish and Water Pensford Post Office Survival Box. Rotary president, John Palmer, said: “A big thank you to all the businesses that hosted the eggs and all members of the public, who entered the raffle.”

Details: www.chelwoodbridgerotary.com

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Charity’s new manager

SOMERSET charity PROMISEworks has appointed Alison Hart general manager with support from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Ali has worked with the charity for the last five years, first as a volunteer mentor and then as an employee. She has helped the charity grow to provide over 120 volunteer mentors to vulnerable young people across the county.

Ali Hart Robert Peto, chair of the trustees said: “We must grow in order to meet the demand – currently we have over 250 children and young people across Somerset who need our help NOW! We expect this number to continue to grow.”

Ali said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to guide PROMISEworks into the next stage of its development. I am especially keen to contact Somerset businesses to find mutually beneficial ways to work together, so that we can support more young people across Somerset.”

An example of this cooperative approach with business is Thatchers cider sponsoring a senior member of their team to train and become a volunteer mentor; this cooperation is now entering its third year.

Ali will head up the staff team of seven who together find, train and support the volunteers. At the same time Ali will be exploring new partnerships and innovative ways of attracting both funds and volunteers to the charity.

Details: www.promiseworks.org.uk 0300 3651 900

Theatre trips

LANGPORT and District Red Cross is planning a series of fundraising coach trips to the Bristol Hippodrome.

Their next visits are to Mamma Mia! on June 20th and Les Miserables on July 19th.

Details: Chris Cox 01458 273085 charitytheatretrips@btinternet.com www.charitytheatretrips.com

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Tea party goes down a storm

Relatives of Benj, who organised the fundraiser and baked all the goodies on offer

AN afternoon cream tea party and live music session at the Tucker’s Grave Inn at Faulkland has raised £5,000 for the Bowel Movement cancer charity.

The event was held on the first anniversary of the founding of the charity in memory of Benj Millard who died from the disease in 2020.

Charity bikers on tour of Mendip

CHARITIES

AROUND 60 iconic Harley Davidson motorbikes have been ridden in convoy across Mendip to raise money for two charities.

Organised by the Bridgwater Harley Davidsons Owners group, wet weather meant numbers were reduced for the tour, Wells mayor Philip Welch greets the which began and riders ended in Burnhamon-Sea, raising money for Blood Bikes and BARB, the town’s rescue boat and hovercraft organisation.

Everything stops for a cream tea One of the distinctive Harleys on the tour

Jenny (left) and Jacqui in the Old Parlour

For details about the charity, visit: www.thebowelmovement.uk

The convoy arrives in Sadler Street in Wells MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

New man at the helm

THE RNLI in Weston-super-Mare has appointed Chris Ware from Bleadon as its new volunteer lifeboat operations manager.

He takes over from Mike Buckland, who is standing down after four years leading the team from their temporary lifeboat station on Knightstone Plaza.

Mike will continue his work with the wider team on developing plans to return Weston’s lifeboat station to Birnbeck Island.

Area Lifesaving Manager, Andy Wright, said: “Mike has been a passionate advocate for the lifesaving operations at Weston for over 20 years as boat crew, helm and most recently Lifeboat Operations Manager.

“I am excited that he will still be involved as he supports the RNLI’s work to establish a permanent base for our Weston crew. I would like to thank him for all his efforts and commitment to the charity, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with him on the Birnbeck project.”

Chris Ware is a retired Avon and Somerset Police superintendent who spent most of his career in uniformed operational roles. On retiring from the police, Chris became the head of security at Bristol Airport.

He has been an enthusiastic supporter of the RNLI for over 50 years and says he is extremely pleased to be taking on the

Rolling up their sleeves

Mike Buckland handing over the keys to Chris Ware

operational role, leading the 35 volunteers who provide the vital services at one of the country’s busiest lifeboat stations.

The team currently work out of a temporary lifeboat station adjacent to Marine Lake but hope to move back to Birnbeck Island in the future once the long-term future of the pier is resolved.

SOME of the team from Higos Insurance Services in Somerton volunteered to clear a house site for MIND, based in Shepton Mallet. MIND is the company’s chosen charity this year.

Sarah Neale, Head of Central Trading, said: “We understand the pandemic has taken a huge toll on people and MIND do great work to support people who are struggling.”

The company was more than happy to spare staff during the

working day to lend a hand. After clearing space and filling a skip, they started painting.

Becky, Kari and Laura in action

A full skip

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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Rotary race night

A CHARITY race night, held by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge at Stanton Drew parish hall, raised just under £1,500 for the charity Make a Wish and other charities supported by the club.

Hospice friends hold fundraiser

(l:r) Sue Padfield, Janet Millard, Sheila Dryburgh, Jane Bowden (committee chair) and Tim Marshall at St John’s Church Hall

A COFFEE morning has been held by the Midsomer Norton Friends of Children’s Hospice South West in aid of the charity at St John’s Church Hall in the town.

Tackling loneliness

FROME-based charity Active and In Touch will focus on the impact of loneliness when they launch their Above and Beyond Fundraising Appeal during National Loneliness Week between June 13th-17th.

The charity supports over 300 people in Frome and neighbouring villages who are living alone at home. Demand for their services increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic as people were forced to stay home. The charity is calling on people to get behind the scheme by giving a donation, running your own event, or involving your church, school, community group or business. They are also looking for volunteers to join them.

Details: www.activeandintouch.org email enquiries@activeintouch.org or call 07539 795261

Humanitarian aid for Kenya

CHARITIES

Presentation by David Atkins (left) and David Fitzpatrick

A PRESENTATION of £1,760 was made by Glastonbury and Street Lions Club on behalf of the Lions Clubs of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and part of Dorset to David Baldwin, Butleigh resident and co-founder of the charity St Peter’s Life-Line.

The proposal to award was made by David Atkins, the International Relations Co-ordinator and President of the Glastonbury and Street Club, and endorsed by David Fitzpatrick, the Immediate Past District Governor for the Lions’ South West District.

David said his charity works in a remote, impoverished, semi-arid area of Kenya, where the funds would go to their primary school feeding scheme, where they are giving a daily hot lunch to 1,768 children at nine local primary schools.

He said: “This daily meal in this food-shortage area, gives these kids the incentive to come into school every day to fill their tummies, and their brains! The result over time has been raising and stabilising school attendances, as well as improving overall academic standards. And, at just nine pence per meal, your donation will provide a lot of lunches!”

David Atkins said: “This is truly a charity that fits the criteria for our Humanitarian Project reaching out in a practical and effective way to the poor. It has the added bonus of providing remarkable value for money as they do not charge any overheads to run the charity, and combined with relatively low costs in Kenya, ensures that all donations go a long way in providing for these people’s needs.”

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Hospice benefits from Matt’s marathon walk

LONG-distance walker Matt Drew has raised almost £6,000 for charity in memory of a friend who lost her battle with cancer.

Matt took almost a week to walk from Wells Cathedral to Westminster Abbey, raising funds for St Margaret’s Hospice where his friend, Wells Blue School teacher Sam Holland, received care.

He was joined for the first leg by Sam’s widower, Dan, and other wellwishers – including colleagues from Integrity Print in Westfield – but for the most part walked alone.

Matt with wellwishers including Dan Holland and Pauline Jones from St Margaret’s Hospice

The Rev Mary Bide, sub-Dean of Wells Cathedral, hands Matt a goodwill message to take to Westminster Abbey

Matt is greeted at Westminster Abbey by Canon in Residence, The Rt Rev Anthony Ball

Donations can still be made to Matt’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-drew22

Sky’s the limit

A THRILLING set of challenges has been launched by Weston Hospicecare for supporters to raise vital funds.

From fire walking to skydiving to trekking world heritage sites, the programme has something for everyone.

Zelah Ellis, events and challenges officer, said: “There are some incredible and exhilarating opportunities for supporters to tick off some once in a lifetime experiences.

“Whether you are inspired to take on a run, trek, cycle or tackle an extreme challenge such as a sky dive, wing walk or fire walk, look no further.”

The hospice is hosting its second annual charity golf day at Mendip Spring golf course on Friday June 24th.

Teams of four are invited to tee off. Team entry costs £160 with tee times to be staggered between 8.30am-2.30pm.

Details: zelah.ellis@westonhospicecare.org.uk

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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Mines surveyor’s generous legacies

RETIRED mines surveyor Ray Ashman has bequeathed more than £170,000 to six charities ranging from Paulton Hospital League of Friends to Radstock Museum.

Representatives of the organisations attended a celebration at Prattens Social Club of Ray’s life when they were each presented with cheques.

The biggest legacy was of £57,400 to the league of friends, who will put the money towards the cost of a dedicated X-ray machine at the hospital. Dorothy House Hospice, The Friends of Claverton Down Cats and Dogs Home, Radstock Museum and Cancer Research UK each received £28,700 with £5,000 going to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Ray, who was born in May 1927, lived nearly all of his life in Norton Hill and studied surveying at the Coal Board College in South Wales before working in the Somerset coalfields. He married Dorothy in 1963 but the couple had no children.

Dorothy died in 2018. He was a keen sports player and musician, playing the organ at Westfield Church.

John and Lana Gibson and Molly and Keevah with the charities

Putting on the glitz

CHARITIES

Molly and Keevah, relatives of Ray, present Gilly Gould, chair of the Paulton Hospital League of Friends with her cheque

Ray died on April 28th, 2020 but due to the pandemic, his relatives were unable to hold the celebration until exactly two years later.

John Gibson, his nephew, who along with his wife Lana was asked to look after the couple’s wills, said: “To put it mildly, we were astonished by their generosity to the various charities.”

Radstock Museum representatives

SOMERSET Freemasons raised £6,000 for cancer charity We Hear You with a “Gatsby” ladies night and the lodge Christmas fundraiser.

The donation was from Shepton Mallet’s Lodge of Love and Honour. Debbie Christensen, organiser of the Gatsby event, said: “Michael and I wanted to find a local charity to support that would have been directly hit from lack of face-to-face funding during the lockdowns.”

Gemma Wilkes, the charity’s fundraising and communications manager, said: “The fantastic amount raised will help us provide more than 136 free specialist counselling sessions for children and adults coping with the emotional impact of cancer or a life threatening condition.”

Details: 01373 455255 email info@wehearyou.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Care home conundrum

COULD we have done better to protect the residents of care homes during the pandemic?

They were always likely to be most susceptible to the new coronavirus, and

By Dr PHIL HAMMOND despite government promises to put a protective ring around care homes, there were 30,000 excess deaths – mostly from Covid – in England in the first 23 weeks of the pandemic.

Other European countries also suffered high care home deaths. The question is, will we do better next time? – as there surely will be a next time.

One bit of the jigsaw showing where we went wrong was revealed in the High Court last month, which ruled that the government’s policy of discharging untested patients from hospital to care homes in England in March and April 2020 was unlawful.

It was also extremely risky, and very poor infection control, because we knew that the virus could spread both without any symptoms and before symptoms occurred.

And yet care homes were not even advised that untested, asymptomatic patients should be isolated for 14 days after discharge from hospital.

Even if they had been told to do this, many overcrowded and understaffed homes just wouldn’t have had the capacity to do this. So why did we send infected patients back to the places where they were most likely to spread the virus to those who were most likely to die from it?

We got ourselves in a terrible mess for two reasons. The first was that the experts advising the government concluded that a respiratory virus that spread rapidly in the air and often without symptoms would be impossible to stop, and it would be a waste of time and effort to try.

So we didn’t even try border controls, face masks and a test-trace-isolate programme in the beginning and didn’t change course when East Asian countries were getting success in suppressing the virus with these methods.

It’s doubtful that the bumbling inefficiency and bolshy individualism of the British could have matched the urgent action and conformism of, say, South Korea or Taiwan, but perhaps we could have reduced the height of the first wave by acting sooner.

As it was, we imported the virus in large numbers from all over the place and let it spread freely in our communities. We didn’t have enough PPE and barely any tests. When faced with a massive wave, we had only two choices. Take it on the chin or lockdown (or, as it turned out, both).

We don’t have many spare beds in our hospitals at the best of times and we were desperate to avoid the awful pictures of an overloaded health service seen in northern Italy. So the government made a very tough choice.

It discharged as many elderly patients as possible from hospitals, most without testing them, to clear space for younger Covid patients who might survive aggressive treatment and ventilation. This was a rationing decision and always going to be at the cost of increased spread and deaths in care homes.

However, some care homes kept residents safe by refusing admissions that had not been negatively tested, although many were pressured into accepting them. Others asked staff to live onsite or nearby in isolation to prevent transmission.

The government could have trebled the meagre pay of care home workers, put them up in, say, caravan parks or hotels and kept mixing to a minimum. We could have used empty hotels or unused Nightingale hospitals as a step between hospital and care home to quarantine infected residents, or give them decent end of life care, but that would have required more staff.

As it was, thousands of elderly residents were isolated in care homes, still caught Covid and died alone. Widespread testing and better PPE belatedly improved safety, and it also allowed relatives to visit.

Next time, we need to get up to speed quicker and better protect those most likely to die whilst allowing named relatives to visit and be there at the end of life.

Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook, a Sunday Times bestseller, is out now

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Plop the Raindrop

I LIKE the spring, when all the blossom comes out. I usually try to hitch a ride with a friendly bee to see what’s about, starting with snowdrops early on.

That’s if any lazy bees can bother to come out of their holes or hives on the odd sunny day in February.

There’s more room on a bumble bee than a honey bee. Bumble bees look like a flying brick.

I like to find a comfy spot on their head so I can hop off if I want to stay in a particular flower. We water droplets are small enough to do that.

It also avoids the bees’ wings which could throw me a mile if they hit me.

After daffodils, things start to get really busy, so I have a huge choice of what to try. I’m quite partial to rosemary, which has beautiful blue flowers.

I’ve developed quite a friendship with some of the bees who are happy to tell me what new flowers are out. Sometimes it means flying quite a long way.

One bee was particularly partial to primroses. I hopped off her after we had visited the 14th flower and asked another bee if she could find some wallflowers. But there was more to come. Dandelions, bluebells and wild garlic tasting of – well garlic.

Then all the trees start to have blossom. I probably don’t need to tell you what cherries, apples and pears taste like. There will be poppies, orchids and hawthorn blossom next!

I sometimes feel really guilty, just going for a ride, when the bees are working so hard. But you can help.

If there’s space, think about planting wild flowers in your garden. It will encourage more insects, which will help the birds. And it might give me even more to eat!

MENDIP GRANDAD

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Dementia project is back up-and-running VOLUNTEER-run Shepton Mallet Dementia Action Alliance is returning with renewed energy after a two-year break due to the pandemic.

To coincide with Dementia Awareness Week in May, the alliance launched a number of ongoing weekly social events for people with dementia, their partners and carers.

They include a seated movement session on Tuesday mornings called Love2Move at the town’s Art Bank Café which is followed by a coffee and chat.

Friday afternoons see Music2Connect with the Shepton Mallet Ukelele Group at the Salvation Army rooms in Commercial Road.

There are also plans for informal book readings, a nature session called Wild Memories Garden and a regular T&Skittles event.

The alliance is also hoping to breathe new life into its efforts to make Shepton Mallet a dementia-friendly community working alongside shops and businesses.

The alliance was given permission to run an information stall at the town’s Friday market and were delighted to find they were situated opposite a stall run by Somerset Care and its

HEALTH & FAMILY

Sister Anne Martin and Ross Pratten, from the Shepton Mallet DAA, with Emma Henley, Frome and Shepton Mallet locality manager for Willows, and Catherine Potter, Somerset Care’s business manager

community-based home care offshoot Willows.

Sister Ann Martin, from the alliance, said: “It’s a perfect example of how we would like to connect with other organisations. We’re already talking to several groups in Wells to share ideas and best practice.”

For details, email sheptonmalletdaa@btinternet.com or call 01749 840681

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

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Choosing a celebrant for your wedding “I DO”, exclaimed the bride. Well, that’s what you expect at a wedding isn’t it? Except at that moment, she, the groom, the officiant and ten of their wedding guests were plummeting to the ground at 120mph from 16,000 feet up in the air.

The bride and groom were keen skydivers and had decided to use their joint passion to create their most personal and memorable wedding ceremony. The most difficult part they said, was finding a celebrant who would jump with them.

I was not the celebrant at that skydiving wedding. I’m sorry, I’m not that brave but I have seen so many wonderful, and less scary, examples of personalised ceremonies that truly reflect the happy couple’s personalities.

The traditional church wedding may have its own beauty but the reality today is that fewer than one in four weddings take place in a religious setting. Most couples today prefer a ceremony under their own terms. Many may not even want a legal marriage but still choose to declare their partnership with a ceremony of some kind.

So, what are your options when you decide to “tie the knot”? Well, literally, the sky is the limit. The legal part can be completed simply in a few minutes with two witnesses and an authorised officiant. Your ceremony, however, can be

HEALTH & FAMILY with Rachel Branston

whatever you want to make it.

Some of the more popular, and “down to Earth” ceremony elements include: “Handfasting” Where friends mark the exchange of vows by binding the couple’s hands together with ribbons or cords. Some even choose something more symbolic of their professions or interests such as bicycle chains or computer leads.

“Planting a Tree” If you are happy to risk a little soil spill, the idea of planting a tree sapling in a pot, maybe with the help of close family, can symbolise the start of your marriage and growing together. This can become a treasured symbol that moves with you from house to house through your life together.

“Jumping the Broomstick” After exchanging vows and “I dos” the celebrant may offer a verse or an explanation about the significance of the broomstick which is placed on the floor. The bride and groom mark their commitment by jumping over it. The origins of this idea are lost in the mists of time but it is found in ceremonies from African Americans, Welsh Romas, Pagans and Christians in different parts of the world.

The broom used is more of the Harry Potter kind than a modern brush. It may be decorated and then kept in the family home as a keepsake.

These are just a sample of the many colourful ideas available but, for the creative, there is nothing to stop you creating your own “tradition”. Well, someone has to be the first.

You could choose to walk down the “aisle” together, you can involve family and friends as participants and you can use music, symbolism and verse in any ways you like.

You don’t have to exchange vows whilst jumping from the skies or snorkelling beneath the waves to create a very memorable event. Choosing a celebrant sympathetic to your outlook on life, however, is the first step to a ceremony that is all about you.

Details: Rachel Branston is a celebrant for weddings, renewal of vows, naming ceremonies and funerals. You can download Rachel’s free guide of ideas for creating your own ceremony by texting the word “Guide” to 07533 011014 or visit www.CeremoniesWithRachel.com

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 71

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MENDIP TIMES

Walks resume

BISHOP Sutton and Stowey WI have started up their monthly walks again, visiting Litton reservoir in spring sunshine.

Pictured (l to r) are Jenny Harris, Nita Wendover, Pat Smith, Janet Thornhill, Liz McDowall, Cherryl Taylor and the two dogs, Puddle and Bee. Members also held a 90th birthday lunch for former president, Liz Balmforth (below).

Links with Uganda

CHEW Stoke Church School has been busy strengthening its partnership with Christian Life Primary School in Uganda. Students from both schools have been working with each other on a number of projects.

The children at Chew Stoke wanted to develop the link even further by being able to video call the children in Uganda Evie and George with the iPads and talk to them in real time.

They held a non-school uniform day and raised enough money to be able to purchase two iPads, which have now been delivered to Uganda.

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Preventing crime

A NEW Crime Prevention Fund has been launched in partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Somerset Community Foundation and Quartet Community Foundation.

It will support community projects and activities that help to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

Community groups and Mark Shelford charities can now apply for grants of between £1,000 to £5,000 to help create safer communities.

Justin Sargent, chief executive at Somerset Community Foundation said: “We want to fund a wide range of communityled projects including creating safer streets and green spaces, raising awareness among young people, and the promotion of restorative justice.”

Mark Shelford, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Local residents know their neighbourhoods better than anyone and we want to help communities prevent crime in their area.”

The deadline for first applications is May 27th.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/opcc www.quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/oppc

Fete is back

Hannah Maggs giving tractor rides

COMPTON Dando has announced the village fete is back, after an absence of two years because of coronavirus restrictions.

It will be held on Saturday, July 2nd, 2-5pm, with all the traditional attractions, raising funds for Compton Dando Community Association, the village hall and St Mary’s Church.

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COMMUNITY

West Harptree

Edie gets new wheels

WEST Harptree village hall committee is busy organising Platinum Jubilee events following a successful spring craft market in the newly refurbished hall, organised by Karen McCombe, treasurer, and Ginny Ireland, chair, along with the rest of the committee.

The committee will be holding several events for the Jubilee afternoon, including games in the Crown garden and a children's tea party. Then there will be a prize giving for competitions held previously, finishing around 3pm.

There will also be another craft and book market in September.

Some of the hall committee are pictured (l to r) Rick Zurburg, Sue Jory, Ginny Ireland, Simon McCombe, Sandra Colton, Karen McCombe and Bill Jory (seated).

Pictured (l to r) John Palmer, Chelwood Bridge Rotary president, parents Jason and Sharon Browne, Rotarian Rob Taylor, Grace Dursley and Carrianne Summers

Positive meeting

WELLS u3a held a workshop for their trustees and group leaders. With over 50 groups, the event was well attended with the day concluding with a talk by one of the experts from the Antiques Roadshow, Paul Atterbury.

Delegates and guests were welcomed by Sue Revell, chairman and the day was led by John King who introduced all the speakers.

Very positive comments Paul Atterbury and Sue Revell were expressed from all who attended. Delegates were able to meet other group leaders and meet people who had only been a name on a list prior to the workshop.

Details: https://u3asites.org.uk/wells/home

EDIE Browne, aged ten, from Chew Stoke has a new all-terrain pushchair thanks to fundraising efforts by Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club and the Chew Valley Xmas tractor run, organised

by Grace Dursley and Carianne Summers.

These funds, together with donations from other local Rotary clubs and money raised by Edie’s parents, Jason and Sharon, enabled the family to purchase the all-terrain wheelchair and all the fittings.

It was back in 2016 when we first reported on Edie, who has severe health problems. Chelwood Bridge Rotary agreed to buy a Hart walker, which transformed Edie’s life.

The following February she stunned everyone by taking some independent unaided steps.

Rotarian, Rob Taylor, said: “Edie is thrilled and excited with her new wheels. It has been a pleasure to help the family and it is all worthwhile seeing Edie, who despite all her health issues, is such a happy and joyful child.

“Thanks to Carrianne and Grace, whose efforts at Christmas helped make this all possible, also a huge thank you to all those that donated.”

Café’s success

Anne Bennett (left) and Liz Richardson get to work on bacon butties

THE monthly café held in St Mary’s Church, Stanton Drew, drew the crowds, with the cake stall running out.

The café opens on the second Saturday of each month, 10am-12 noon, with the next being held on Saturday, June 11th.

Details: Anne Bennett 01275 332778

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

Cameley’s got talent

Last orders

THE ever popular Big Breakfast, held in Stanton Drew for the last 15 years, is coming to an end with the last one being Previous breakfast (l to r) former Rotary held on president Mike Hedges, Rob and Mary Taylor, Sunday, July Di Farmer and Doris Gillette 10th.

The Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge has served some 1500 breakfasts over the years, raising more than £15,000 for charity.

The Big Breakfast has traditionally been on the Sunday following the Stanton Drew Flower Show with breakfasts served by Rotarians and their families inside a large marquee.

The club has been largely supported by the local Classic and Historic Motor Club, using the breakfast as the start point for their rallies.

Breakfast will be served 8am-12noon in Stanton Drew village hall, £9.50 per person, £5 for children U-14.

THREE pupils at Cameley Primary School, Evie, Ellie and Isabella, decided to organise a talent show to make up for all the events missed in the last two years.

Throughout the afternoon they commentated on the performances with special guests as the judges, including the school’s Year 6 leaders – Joe, Evie, Naomi and Summer.

After 32 acts the winners were announced: 1st Reyn M – singing Million Dreams; 2nd Grace G – playing Perfect on the piano; joint 3rd a) Humphrey and Harry M – ukulele and break dancing and b) Toby, Hugh and Jensen – science.

Community awards

Details: 0798 3720405 email chelwoodbridge.rotary@gmail.com

THE Friends of Trendlewood Park at Nailsea are looking for more volunteers.

There is a lot of work to do to maintain this beautiful semirural area which stretches from Nowhere Wood to the Kenn Hedge, with a lot of projects taking place all year round.

These include trees being planted under the Queen’s Canopy scheme, the development of a new wetlands area close to the pond and maintaining all the existing vegetation to enhance the contribution being made to biodiversity.

If you enjoy being in the countryside taking light exercise or just enjoy meeting other like-minded people why don’t you think about joining the group?

Details: www.friendsoftrendlewoodpark.org.uk

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

(Photograph courtesy of Rob Perkins, Valley Life)

Volunteers welcome

CHEDDAR Parish council presented two community service awards at the annual parish meeting.

Christine Reynolds received her award for all her help in the community over a number of years, from litter picking to feeding the church cat and tending neglected graves.

Ceri Davies played a pivotal role in organising an army of volunteers at the Winchester Farm vaccination centre, recruiting, managing and encouraging nearly 200 volunteers.

They are pictured outside the new community pavilion with council chairman Derek Bradley-Balmer.

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New recruit

CHELWOOD Bridge Rotary Club has welcomed a second new member in a matter of weeks. Paul Willis, pictured with club president John Palmer, is a chartered accountant, whose career culminated in working for the Financial Conduct Authority.

Other new members are welcome!

Details: chelwoodbridge.rotary@gmail.com

(Photograph courtesy of Kevin Higgins)

Jubilee tree

COMMUNITY

School’s new book bench

FARRINGTON Gurney C. of E. Primary School started the term with a new book bench, made and transported by MSN Men’s Shed based at Farrington’s in Farrington Gurney.

The bench has been placed in the school garden and will be used to help literacy and also as a place where the children can sit and rest whilst working on their garden area with teachers.

Members are currently repairing and painting outdoor furniture for Paulton Hospital and making garden planters for local schools. They have members working on their own projects, which include renovating a tea trolley, making hedgehog boxes and constructing a bird house.

Men’s Shed is open on Tuesdays from 9.30am until 4.30pm and Fridays from 9.30am until 1pm.

Details: Steve Swift, chairman, 07775735789 email stephenkhswift@gmail.com

Refugee support Blagdon Rainbows

YOUNGSTERS belonging to the 1st Blagdon Rainbow Guides have planted an apple tree in the garden at Blagdon's village hall.

Their leader, Tracy (Tigi) Higgins, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our girls to take part in the Queen's Canopy Project and the gift of the tree from Thatchers Cider has been fabulous.

“The girls have been really excited to do this, particularly after they received a lovely card from Her Majesty thanking them for the card they sent to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee.”

SOMERSET North Trefoil Guild collected over 500 items for refugee relief work. They have been sent to Bath Welcomes Refugees.

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End of the road?

THE trustees of the community bus service for Midsomer Norton and Radstock say the charity might fold unless more clubs use their bus.

Midsomer Norton & Radstock Community Service Trust, formed in 1967 to provide accessible transport, says unfortunately the number of clubs in the area seeking group transport has gradually declined over recent years with a further significant reduction in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The team of experienced volunteers have a fully accessible 12-seater minibus which is fitted with a low step side door and rear mounted lift.

The charity is currently operating with an absolute minimum number of volunteers and would need more if demand increases.

Details: Melvyn Johnson 01761 452585 or Nick Rogers 0781 7476535

Foodbank warns of “growing crisis”

KEYNSHAM Foodbank provided 1,364 emergency food parcels to local people in the year to March, with 637 of these going to children. This is a six percent increase on 201920.

The foodbank says it believes the increase is due to people’s finances being hit by the increasing cost of living; the impact of £20 a week being cut from Universal Credit payments during the last year; and insecure or low-paid work.

The food bank is part of the Trussell Trust network, which has experienced its busiest time since the height of the pandemic in 2020 and food bank managers are warning of a growing crisis.

Gwen Edwards, chair of trustees at Keynsham Foodbank, said: “The support we see across the community for people on the lowest incomes is incredible. But it shouldn’t be needed. We should all be free from hunger.

“No-one should be pushed deeper into poverty without enough money for the things we all need. It’s not right that anyone needs a food bank in the first place – everyone should be able to afford the essentials.

“At the moment the situation is only set to get worse, as this is just the start of the cost of living crisis. But we know what’s pushing people to need food banks like ours, so we know what needs to be done.

“People cannot afford to wait any longer for support – UK, national and local governments at all levels must use their powers and take urgent action now to strengthen our social security system so it keeps up with the true cost of living.”

Centenary celebration

LITTON and Hinton Blewett WI celebrated its 100th anniversary in style with Pimms in the sunshine followed by tea served by members dressed as Lyons Teashop Girls. They were joined by WI officials and guests from Chewton Mendip and East Harptree WIs.

Pictured (l to r) Penny King, Jenny Handford, Kathleen Lyons, Georgina Jefferies, Jackie Ireland, Gabrielle McBride and June Russell (president)

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Details: https://keynsham.foodbank.org.uk

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COMMUNITY

Village bids farewell

RAFA anniversary

CONGRESBURY villagers contributed over £500 to retiring village post master, Jagtar Seehra, after 35 years, at a lowkey event, requested by Jagtar because of Covid, in Congresbury Community Cafe, courtesy of Debbie Fortune.

Alex Ballard presented Jagtar with a commemoration gift of a splendid glass vase, inscribed with “Congresbury thank you for 35 years of friendly Post Office service”.

Rose Osborne handed a bouquet to Jagtar's wife, Sukhvinder, who often assisted him. Jagtar thanked everyone for their contributions and Alex for organising the presentation.

He said: “We are truly overwhelmed to receive this honourable award,” cutting the special cake, made by Pam Stewart.

ROYAL Air Forces Association Mid-Somerset Branch celebrated its 75th anniversary in style with a special lunch at Wells Golf Club.

The Shepton Mallet branch held its first meeting on September 27th, 1946 and its first annual dinner on March 7th, 1947.

The Street and Glastonbury Branch held their first meeting in November 1946. The Shepton Mallet branch became the Shepton Mallet and Wells Branch in 1963 and merged with the Street and Glastonbury Branch in 1993 to become the Mid-Somerset Branch.

The original anniversary lunch was postponed in December 2021 due to the high levels of Covid prevalent in the area.

Consequently, on April 30th a convivial crowd of 35 branch members and friends, including 99-year-old Dick Froome, enjoyed a 75th anniversary commemoration lunch.

An association certificate, signed by the Royal Air Forces Association president, Air Marshal Sir Baz North, recognising the outstanding contributions of the branch over the years was presented to the branch chairman.

The branch normally meets on the first Monday of each month but the next meeting will be on Monday, June 13th at 11am at the Street Inn, BA16 0DR commemorating the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War.

Oak is the favourite

THE Chew Valley Plants Trees group hopes to double tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030 and is making good progress.

One of those running the group, Jackie Head, said: “So far we have recorded over 8000 trees and shrubs planted, of which oak is the most common (nearly 2000).

“Other fore-runners are field maple (over 700) and hazel (nearly 600). Willow, birch and wild cherry are also often planted (approximately 250 of each). We are aware of 36 different varieties of native trees and shrubs that have been planted.”

The team at Westfield Farm

They would like to hear from organisers of summer events where they can have

their information stall and from anyone else who has planted trees or shrubs.

Details: chewvalleyplantstrees@gmail.com 07900 64183

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 77

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Jack in the Green returns in triumph VILLAGERS and visitors turned out in style for the return of Evercreech’s Jack in the Green procession and picnic.

Due to the pandemic, it was the first time the event had taken place since it was launched in 2019.

Treacle Eater Clog morris, from South Somerset

Hundreds of people joined in the event

Connie with her May Day bonnet PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Jack and the Sun lead the procession from the Old Stores Studios

Local children with members of the Mendip Academy of Performing Arts

Celebrating the arrival of summer

The Rev Helen Drever, vicar of Evercreech

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Friends unite to clear historic site

THE town of Glastonbury is not short of awe-inspiring sites of historical, cultural and spiritual importance. The Tor towers over in its majesty, the Chalice Well and garden offers a space for deep reflection and healing, the Abbey places one in the heart of Arthurian legend.

To the west of the town however, hidden away in an area called Beckery Island, can be found a rather modest bramble-strewn hill known as Bride’s Mound – a less frequented sacred spot, yet by no means less significant.

Protected and preserved by volunteer collective Friends of Bride’s Mound since their formation in 1995, the natural simplicity and beauty of the Mound has recently faced a lamentable disruption, as a large amount of rubbish, some of it hazardous, was left following the eviction of a number of people from the site in September last year.

The mound takes its name from the Celtic Goddess Bride (also known as Brigid or Brigit) of fire, healing, poetry and smith craft, who later became embodied by St Brigit of Kildare, linking Pagan Celtic and Christian traditions.

It has been claimed that St Brigit visited Glastonbury in 488AD, staying at a chapel which once stood upon Bride’s Mound, potentially the same chapel where, legend has it, King Arthur had a The mess left behind

Work underway

vision of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus, leading to his conversion to Christianity.

Archaeological excavations at the site have revealed not only chapels, but a monastic cemetery of human remains dating back to the 5th century, the earliest evidence of monastic life in Britain, predating even Glastonbury Abbey.

Weaving its way through the rich tapestry of folklore and both archaeological and spiritual history of Glastonbury, one can see why Bride’s Mound might be of great importance to a great many people, and this has been clearly shown to be the case through the substantial clean-up operation mounted by local volunteers.

Made up of members primarily from the local traveller community and Friends of Bride’s Mound, organised by the wonderful John Golle, the team worked tirelessly throughout the winter months,

Details: friendsofbridesmound.com

COMMUNITY

every weekend, come rain or shine.

As no skips were offered from the local council, a small group of local business people have paid for the first to get the ball rolling, in what has been a true exhibition of community spirit and agency.

In the words of Serena Roney-Dougal, one of the founders of the Friends group: “It's been a fantastic effort by the local community and we are so delighted with the generosity of local donations to get this next stage of the job completed. It just shows how much the local people love Bride's Mound and want to see it return to its natural beauty as soon as possible.”

Under the wonderfully eccentric theatre and spectacle of Glastonbury, bursting from the grandeur of its more famous sites, there is another kind of beauty which lies deep in its heart; in the understated love and community which binds the town together.

This is what Bride’s Mound represents, and this inspiring restoration effort has truly brought it back to the forefront in these difficult times. Special thanks for the kind donations go to Bob Burns, Lui Krieg and Joseph Hunwick.

The team who are responsible for this clean-up operation have estimated a further five skips are needed to complete the job and they are calling for more donations. If you feel inspired to assist with the effort please make a donation to the Friends of Bride’s Mound including the reference SKIP. ZACH JAMES

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

Sandersons – don’t expect to find a traditional estate agency

AWARD-winning estate agency Sandersons UK has this month opened a new office in Wells – but don’t expect to find a traditional estate agent’s office when you walk through their door on Guardhouse Lane.

The very fact that they are not “on the high street” highlights their very different and personal approach to traditional estate agency. There are no property photographs in the window and the office is much more relaxed and informal.

This fresh and new approach in Wells reflects the style of the managing partners, Alex Relf and Kate Lewis, who offer not only their extensive experience in the local sales and lettings markets and a passion for property, but also a very empathetic approach to their clients. Alex and Kate know that buying, selling or renting a property can be one of the most stressful events in someone’s life – and they always aim to put people first.

The pair, who both live near Wells, bring expert local knowledge and have developed a reputation for both their entrepreneurial style and attention to detail.

Sandersons itself has a 30-year history as an independent agency, specialising in London and the South East and now the

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Kate and Alex

South West, from the Wells office.

Alex said: Alex said: “The parent company gives us the backoffice support we need so that we can concentrate on delivering a high-quality service to our clients. Kate and I are passionate about Somerset and can draw from our personal experiences of living and working here, but it is our personal approach that makes us stand out from the competition. We also love a challenge!” l Sandersons in Wells won gold for Best Estate Agent in Wells in this year’s British Property Awards.

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PROPERTY

Our experience is secret to success

DEMAND for homes in the Chew Valley continues to be very strong and properties are in short supply, which means prices can be high. But that does not mean anyone can turn up and call themselves an estate agent and immediately deliver the outcome you want. It’s not just a question of putting up a “For Sale” sign and waiting for the bids to come in.

I have noticed quite a large turnover in personnel in other local agencies. In fact in some cases they almost need a revolving door as staff come and go so quickly. I know it takes time to fully understand the finer points of this area and you do not build up that knowledge and insight overnight.

Our team has been together for some time, and we have the experience we need to be able to properly describe the full picture of the lifestyle into which people are buying. That makes all the difference when it comes to forming a relationship

with your potential buyer, giving them the confidence that they are dealing with an agency which provides a complete service.

In fact, we regularly find that people who have bought a house which we have been handling come back to ask us to sell it again when they have decided to move to a new property. There is no greater vote of confidence than when we see a returning client. More often than not they have also recommended our service to others and much of our business comes through word of mouth, which provides us with the satisfaction of knowing we are doing a great job.

But do not imagine that we are sitting back, resting on our laurels, even though we can point to an unmatched record of success. Every day we try to get even better and we continue to raise our standards by following our ethos which concentrates on Dedication, Imagination and Delivery.

Joanna Tiley

That means going the extra mile to provide a personal and professional service which ensures the whole process goes as smoothly as possible and using our experience to iron out any issues that may arise. We will produce the most creative marketing material and the highest quality photography to present your home in the best possible way, but above all, we will do whatever it takes to deliver the outcome you want and help you get on the move.

IMAGINATION | DEDICATION | DELIVERY

If you are thinking about Buying or Selling, now or in the future, please speak to one of our friendly team

01275 333311 • info@joannatiley.com www.joannatiley.com 4B Fairseat, Stoke Hill, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XF MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 81

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MENDIP TIMES

A new name is coming to the high street DJ & P Newland Rennie, a wellestablished, multi-disciplined company offering services in chartered surveying, estate agency and planning are advancing into a new chapter.

In 2022 they are relaunching the brand of their offices in South West England and South East Wales with a short and simple name change. Steeped in history with a powerful modern look, the company will regroup under the name David James.

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

The two firms, David James & Partners and Newland Rennie, merged in 2017 to create DJ & P Newland Rennie.

The new name gives a slight nod to its grass-roots heritage, however the importance of moving forward, being innovative and investing back into the company is at the forefront of this businesses mission.

Director, Matthew Blaken, added: “The investment in a brand that works for all

PROPERTY

offices and departments ranging from estate agency to rural, commercial and building surveying is our commitment to the future and we believe that the simple and easily identifiable logo will soon become associated with the high-quality service that we have strived to offer for our clients and customers.

“It will provide a solid identity which our staff will be proud to be associated with and our customers will trust.”

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Details: www.wellsclassicmotorcycleclub.weebly.com

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Sam (front) and Shaun with their hand-built vehicles

MEMBERS of the Wessex Stationary Engine Club braved heavy rain to stage a “crank-up” and vintage show at Faukland.

They were joined by some classic vehicles and two unusual home-built projects: a traction engine made from recycled materials by Shaun Robinson, of Mells, was making a return appearance to the event at the Tucker’s Grave Inn but a ½ scale Fordson tractor – complete with a working 1927 Austin 7 engine – was there for the first time.

Built 17 years One of the vintage vehicles which took part ago as a retirement project by Sam Jackson, of Oldford near Frome, the tractor was making its first public appearance in a decade.

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Buying – I can help you decide on the best car for your needs, find one nearby and then negotiate to make sure you don’t pay more than you should.

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Please see my website for more about my services, client testimonials and my blog. Please email or call me with no obligation on your part whatsoever.

Based in Blagdon covering Bristol, Bath and the West Country

Brolly good show: Phil Webber, from Chilcompton (left) and club secretary Ted Edwards, from Frome

Email: duncan.wood@bristolcarconsultant.co.uk Website: www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk Phone: 07983 262310 MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 83

) D dd fS t

WELLS Classic Motorcycle Club won the second Best Club Stand Award with their fine display of classic bikes at the Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show.

The Wells club is well known for its annual Tortoise and Hare run which attracts entrants from far and wide and also raises much needed funds for the air ambulance plus Blood Bikes.

This year’s event is over the weekend July 15th-17th. New members are welcome.

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Bikers among the awards

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Crank-up enthusiasts defy the weather

MOTORING

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MENDIP TIMES

The show season is here

BADMINTON 2022 did not disappoint.

Perfect weather made it great for competitors and spectators alike. Plenty of sunshine, a gentle breeze and well-watered ground meant that the going was excellent, the trade stands didn’t get rained on, and the beautiful grounds of the Duke of Beaufort’s With JANE estate were not trashed, despite probably PATERSON 250,000 people tramping round . . . oh, and of course, the horses!

It’s not just the 5* three-day event which takes place there now, but also the Grassroots championships for the lower grades of eventers who have qualified to ride in the final. There are both 90cm and 100cm classes for up and coming stars who get to ride round the fabulous courses built especially for them in this glorious parkland set in the Cotswolds.

Also there is a qualifier class held for the Dubarry Young Horse Event which aims to showcase potential future stars and has been very well supported, and will culminate in the final which is held in the autumn at Burghley.

This competition is now in its fourth decade and even to get to a qualifier means months of hard work getting a young four or five-year-old horse ready for serious competition. Judging on dressage, jumping, conformation and suitability is fierce and with the eyes on you as an individual, the tension mounts.

Local rider Jason Hobbs, who runs a competition and livery yard from Ham Farm, Yatton (owned by Mr and Mrs Crossman) entered two horses this year, one ridden by Jason himself, the Selina delighted with her dressage test other by Tom

More to look forward to

MORE shows for everyone are set to make it a fun summer.

The 73rd Congresbury Horse Show (dogs as well) is on July 3rd, by kind permission of Alvis Bros.

Meanwhile the Mendip Farmers Pony Club have their summer camp to look forward to, as well as continuing to practice their mounted games regularly, keeping the mums fit

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Jason presenting to the judge at the Dubarry young horse qualifier

Sloper, also a local rider. Tom went to work for Jason aged 16, planning to stay for a year, but is still there nine years later!

He did well in the four-year-old class riding one of Jason’s horses and now is aiming to qualify for the 5* in the future on his own horse called Do Remember Me, whose stable name is Supermodel. Where do horses get these names from I ask myself?

It was the 5* event which brought the real excitement to the weekend. In January I wrote about our local rider Selina Milnes from Yatton who was aiming for Badminton. Her dream came true when her beautiful gelding Iron, or Bentley as he is known at home, took her through the whole weekend pretty much foot perfect in superstar fashion in his first ever 5* event.

Thanks to her loyal owners, Selina has managed to train this horse to a level that can only be dreamt about by most riders.

Remember that Badminton is arguably the most prestigious international three-day event in the world and to even get there is a phenomenal achievement.

This year there were 83 starters from 11 different countries, all at the top of their game. Selina was equal 30th after the dressage, then 29th after the cross country in which she had a clear jumping round but incurred a few time penalties.

And then after a stunning clear show jumping round on the final day incurring only 1.6 time penalties, she and Bentley rose up the leader board, finishing in 24th.place. Absolutely brilliant!

Out of the 83 starters, three withdrew after dressage, eight retired cross country and 13 were eliminated, then seven withdrew after the cross country, so to produce a performance like that among the world’s elite, well there are no words . . . we should all be proud of our local hero!

as well as the ponies and children.

The Bath & West Show from June 2nd to 4th is always a great day out and will be featuring several equine classes from heavy horses to show jumping, and even shoeing, which will be of interest to aspiring farriers. Enjoy!

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RIDING

Pony club members compete in national championships

FIVE members of local Pony Club branches represented our area at the National Pony Club Winter Triathlon Championships.

Wylye Valley members Mim Gray, Gracie Gray, April Masters and Valentina Kemp and Banwell member Megan Tasker all qualified and made the long journey to Grantham, Lincolnshire, to compete against competitors from all over England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The traditional Pony Club sport of tetrathlon comprises pistol shooting, running, swimming and cross country riding. However over the winter months the riding phase is dropped and a series of triathlons are run with the championships being the culmination of this series.

All five girls made their clubs extremely proud with their grit and determination, as well as coming away with a handful of personal best results.

The winter triathlons are open to all Pony Club members and are often popular with non-riding siblings. Check out the Pony Club website to find your nearest branch and their tetrathlon/triathlon representative.

Equine entrepreneur

Megan Tasker was eighth in Minimus

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip

Return to riding in 2022!

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

H Ride and coffee mornings H Adult group lessons H Quiet Hacks Maddie Abdullah, a horse-mad 15-year-old from Wells, has set up her own company, Harmony Horse, to help with the upkeep of Welsh cob mare, Dusty, bought on the last day that horses could be moved before lockdown in 2020.

She makes browbands for bridles, using leather, beads and diamante chain which she hand-sews into the browband.

Any profit made is either re-invested or spent on Dusty’s keep/events and allowing Maddie to attend courses to further her knowledge of the equine world.

Call or email us for more details

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

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 85

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MENDIP TIMES

The old road is best

THERE are various roads rising out of the city of Wells onto the Mendip Hills – each with its own unique character. My CYCLING favourite is the Old with EDMUND Bristol Road which LODITE has featured in the Tour of Britain and many other cycling events across Mendip. The Old Bristol Road heads north out of Wells onto the Mendip Hills starting from a junction with its modern equivalent, the A39.

Each road takes a different direction to overcome Pen Hill, the second highest point on the Mendip Hills. The Old Bristol Road takes a steeper and more intense westerly approach while the A39 uses a longer but shallower gradient on the eastern side.

The top of Pen Hill is home to the Mendip TV Mast and the word “Pen” is believed to Celtic for hill or tor.

At the start of the Old Bristol Road there are no obvious signs of what you are about to undertake. There is no peak visible in the distance, or the sight of a road zigzagging back and forth against the gradients.

Instead, the road rises gently causing an increase to the heart rate and rate of breathing but nothing like what will lie ahead. The road, walled on one side, is narrow in places but well surfaced.

A steady tempo over the first kilometre helps calm the body down just in time to face two sharp and steep bends as you pass Milton Lodge House and Gardens.

The sloping ground at Milton Lodge

was transformed during the first ten years of the 20th century into the existing series of terraces offering panoramic views over Wells. Now the Grade II listed gardens mix traditional English plants with unusual Mediterranean varieties which take advantage of the garden’s microclimate.

That protection from the harsher elements of the Mendip weather is one of the reasons why this is my favourite hill climb out of Wells.

The section past the house and gardens is the first big test of the day but the discomfort doesn’t last long. Before you know it, the gradient flattens out as you reach an open area and then you’re on a short but welcome descent through the hamlet of Upper Milton.

As you leave the hamlet, you get glimpses to your right of the transmitter and that becomes your target. This is also where the real work begins.

Now, if you have thrown caution to the wind and tried to take too much advantage of the moderate incline in the last kilometre, by hammering the pace, then you may find what follows a challenge!

For the next 800 metres or so the gradient becomes consistent, averaging under 10%, so it is a bit more demanding but still manageable. There are fine views in this section to the left across Somerset, but it is still the sight of the transmitter on your right that remains the focus of your efforts.

Where white lines start to appear on each side of the road, just before it enters woods, marks the start of the final kilometre and the hardest section of the hill. The gradient starts to creep up closer to 10% – and the heart

rate shoots up even more! For a moment or two the abundance of bluebells is a welcome distraction.

There are a few small left and right bends in the road that will keep you guessing as to how far you have left to go.

It is only when you see a straight section rising imposingly ahead with a glimpse of daylight that you know you are almost there. The only issue is that this looks to be the steepest and hardest bit of the hill.

Keep pushing, keep going and then as the woodland clears on your right you see the transmitter again. Like an old friend to guide you home it gives you the impetus to grind out those final metres. Then as the road bends to the left you finish the climb triumphantly by a farm track on your right.

This is another one of Mendip’s wonderful hill climbs. It builds up gradually, teasing you deceptively upwards and even has a short downhill section thrown in before giving you a proper test to reach the summit. It is challenging but immensely pleasant as a ride.

Climb statistics: Distance 2.9km; elevation gain 188m; average gradient 6.3%; maximum gradient 13%.

JUNE CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Walter 5. Fortuity 9. Umbrella 10. Uphill 11.

Aspidistra 13. Aria 14. Colophon 17. Bad egg 18. Ibidem 20.

Flip-flop 23. Lira 24. Side effect 27. Paella 28. Rational 29.

Ponytail 30. Amends. DOWN: 2. Acmes. 3. Tarsi 4. Raleigh 5.

Flatten 6. Rhubarb 7. Unheard-of 8. Talking to 12. Pal 15.

Obbligato 16. Old Bailey 19. Mascara 20. Federal 21. Inertia 22.

Lie 25. Frome 26. Chard PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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SPORT

Norton end season on a high

MIDSOMER Norton RFC 1st XV said farewell to the 21/22 season with a convincing 62-22 home win over Cheltenham North.

Midsomer Norton mayor Lynda Robertson was amongst the guests at the lunch. She is pictured with club chairman Alex Davis (left) and club president Nigel Rowles

A Norton attack pays dividends as No8 Joe Button heads for the try line

The teams played out the final fixture of their Tribute Counties North of South West Division match in front of a sizeable crowd who had earlier enjoyed an end-of-season reunion lunch.

Bowls club tribute to local miners PAULTON Bowls Club hosted retired local miners and visitors at an open event to introduce more people to the sport.

The club is based at Paulton Recreation Ground. The land for the facility was bought by mineworkers and colliery owners 100 years ago.

Young players were given a warm welcome by club member Peter Clifford (left) and club president Dave Hancock who were on hand to offer coaching advice

There was a reunion of a different kind when George Phillips (left) met club chairman Trevor Francis for the first time in more than 50 years; the pair played football together in the late 1950s for Paulton Rovers and are holding their team photo from the 1957/58 season

Everyone was welcome to try their hand at the sport

Miners and bowls club members outside the clubhouse MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 87

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MENDIP TIMES

Chew Valley are champions!

CHEW Valley 1st XV finished winners of the South West 1 West division in their first full season since being promoted. They clinched the title with a bonus point victory 34-26 at Thornbury in the last game of the season.

With the best attacking record in the league, Chew Valley won 19 out of 24 games, with 14 try bonus point wins and two losing bonus points, finishing a point ahead of Devonport Services and Lydney.

It means promotion to South West Premier and fixtures against Launceston, Brixham and Bournemouth as well as local derbies against Weston-super-Mare and Hornets.

This is one step below national league status and is a remarkable achievement for the club by any measure.

Top points scorer was full back Tom Bryan, despite a season limited by injury, with winger Zac Kavanagh second highest.

Top try scorer was centre Charles Shallcross, with winger Silas Cox claiming the highest try strike rate per minutes played.

Chew Valley can justifiably lay claim to being the fourth ranked and top ranked amateur side in Somerset and similarly in the Bristol combination. It is a community club based on predominantly local players who play for each other and the club for the love of the game.

Three promotions in the last ten years means that the talent nurtured by Chew

Scilly gig races

Valley junior coaches now needs to look no further than their own club to further their rugby ambitions because of the quality of facilities and coaching and match day competition available.

Huge credit for the club’s progress over the last 25 years must go to the management. The committee under different chairmen has focused on continual improvement of the facilities and in engaging top quality coaches.

Steve Worrall as head coach together with Wales and Bristol Bears outside half Callum Sheedy and forwards coach Dean Brooker have delivered a playing style which is both successful and attractive to watch.

And the inclusive nature of the training sessions means that everyone attending, irrespective of ability, can improve their skills and fitness.

AFTER a break of two years, the World Pilot Gig Championships took place in the Isles of Scilly, with Pensford man Andy Littler a member of one of the teams.

Andy, who has just turned 72, and who has rowed in the last seven championships, said: “We entered two races, the men's supervets long race, 1.8 nautical miles, then a shorter 1.3 sprint. Both were exciting and close fought, but in the end we finished 34th in our class.

“Bristol as a whole did well, with the ladies finishing 10th overall in the open category, and the men finishing in 12th, in both cases out of over 140 gigs.”

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Andy is third from the left

To cap a fine season Chew Valley made their first Bristol Combination Cup final, the season’s finale, played at Dings Crusaders £8 million Shaftesbury Road facility, against Old Redcliffians.

Old Reds finished runners-up in South West Premier, having lost only three games all season, so a real test for Chew, who were leading 18-12 at half time.

Old Reds eventually ran out 18-34 winners, but Chew Valley showed they have nothing to fear playing up a level next season.

Pre-season training starts on the first Tuesday in July and will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the season, 7pm, at Lobbingtons, Chew Road, Chew Stoke.

Andrew Tanner Club president

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SPORT

Golfers support cancer charity

FARRINGTON Park Senior golfers have raised £3,406 for the Brain Tumour Charity, the chosen charity of last year’s captain Alan Skivington.

Alan said: “My daughter-in-law, Laura, coupled with David, our past seniors captain, were diagnosed with a brain tumour in fairly quick succession, I wanted to do something that would support a charity in this area.

“I'm very pleased to say that the tumours of both Laura and David are in remission."

Pictured (l to r) are charity representatives Lydia Newman, Meg Newman and Andy Newman together with Alan Skivington and current senior captain Alan Smith.

Details: enquiries@the braintumourcharity.org

Cricketers pad up for Ted

MIDSOMER Norton Cricket Club has held a fundraising day in aid of one of the sons of a popular team-mate.

Now aged six, Ted Brooks and his twin brother, Alex, were born almost 12 weeks early. As a result, Ted has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is a full-time wheelchair user. Alex has diplegic cerebral palsy and Ted is a big fan of new England captain Ben Stokes

Ted and Alex with mum Sally and dad Niel and the rest of the players who paid £10 each to take part

wears leg braces, but is mobile.

Their father, Niel, arranged a friendly match at the club’s Withies Lane ground with a raffle and auction, raising more than £1,000. Items in the silent auction included an England shirt signed by Jimmy Anderson, an England vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup final programme and an England vs Australia Rugby World Cup final programme.

The money will go towards the ongoing costs of upgrading equipment such as a stander, a walker, a bath seat and a special toilet seat for Ted as he grows and also for extra physio sessions and therapies such as horse riding and hydrotherapy to develop

his core strength.

Ted himself is a keen cricket fan – his favourite players are Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow.

Mum Sally selling cakes and raffle tickets in the pavilion

For details, find Ted’s Fundraising Cricket Match on GoFundMe

MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 89

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MENDIP TIMES

Great jazz line-up

ST PETER’S Church in Camerton will welcome some of the finest and best known swing, Dixieland and traditional jazz musicians in the West Country on Saturday, July 2nd at 7.30pm.

The concert in aid of church funds will feature the Ambassadors of Jazz, led by Terry Williams on trombone. Terry was born in Evercreech and his distinguished musical career has seen him on stage with Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Digby Fairweather, Don Lusher and many other great jazz bands.

Keyboard player, Colin Frechter, is internationally recognised having composed and arranged music for Elaine Paige, Cilla Black, Sacha Distel and many others. Dave Martin another wellknown jazz trumpeter will be in the “front line” and jazz enthusiasts will know him from his City Steam Jazz Band appearances. Roger Bond, who hails from the Glastonbury area, will be beside Dave playing clarinet and saxophone.

Andy Mayes, from Taunton, is a special guest double bass player, who has historical family connections to Camerton. St Peter’s say they are indebted to Andy for his efforts in arranging the concert. Admission will be £10 to include the universally renowned St Peter’s Church interval finger buffet.

Details: Jill 01761 470249, Kathleen 01761 470606 or Cyril 01761 470336

Jubilee concerts

BURNHAM & Highbridge Band will be appearing in full Platinum Jubilee mode at Ashcott Street Party on Friday, June 3rd at 1pm.

They will be playing two sets of 40 minutes, with lots of popular music, new and old, to dance and sing along to.

They will also be playing in their usual spot on Burnham seafront (next to the Bay View Café, opposite B & M) on Sunday, June 5th, from 2pm.

Concert leads to folk club

NEW residents, Nigel and Shelley Carson, have launched Winscombe Folk Club, after organising a concert which raised £750 for Ukraine.

As one of the leaders of Nailsea Folk Club’s performers’ section, Nigel thought that his friends might help him with a concert in Winscombe, and so it proved. Winscombe Folk Club will focus on promoting local performers and work with existing organisations like churches and the RNLI when promoting charity concerts. An inaugural evening was due to be held on May 24th.

The plan is to meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Winscombe Club, 7 Sandford Road.

Details: Nigel on 07551 197685 or email winscombefolkclub@gmail.com

Coronation anthem

TO mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, the June concert from Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society will celebrate her coronation and English Pastoral music.

The English Symphony Orchestra will join the choir and soloists for an uplifting evening featuring Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and more.

The soloists are Natalie Clifton-Griffith, soprano, Lucy Balderson, alto, Richard Rowntree, tenor, William Drakett, bass, and Dawid Kasprzak on violin. The conductor is Jeremy Cole.

The Coronation anthem Zadok the Priest has been used for every English coronation since George II. The concert is at Wells Cathedral is on Saturday, June 25th, 7pm, tickets £14-£30.

Details: https://www.wcos.org.uk/concerts

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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Singers return

CONGRESBURY Singers are returning to the Congresbury War Memorial Hall with an exciting musical-themed concert “Another Op’nin’, Another Show” on Saturday, July 2nd at 7.30pm, including songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Greatest Showman and many more.

The Singers originally used the 100-year-old hall for their concerts and rehearsals, but sadly had to move as the hall fell into disrepair. They say the hall has recently had a wonderful makeover due to some very dedicated people and tradesmen and the results are fantastic! A spokesman said: “It is a lovely building, run by friendly staff and volunteers, who have made our return there for rehearsals very easy.”

The premises are used by a variety of clubs. Congresbury Singers meet every Tuesday evening 7.45-9.30pm led by a very experienced and enthusiastic musical director, Graham Coatman.

New singers are very welcome (no audition required), and they are particularly seeking tenor and bass members.

Tickets for the concert are £10 including refreshments and are available at the Post Office and Re:Store Congresbury or on the door on the night. Doors open at 7pm.

MUSIC & THEATRE

Band’s fundraising drive

THE long-term impact of the pandemic has had knock-on effects for the finances of Wells City Band.

Band members are busy organising fundraising events such as friendly skittles and quiz nights but are appealing for more support from individuals and businesses to pay for instruments, uniforms and music.

Wells City Band will be playing at the Bishop’s Palace on Sunday, June 12th at an evening concert with the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Jane Hill, of the band, said: “With our new musical director, Paul Denegri, we are looking forward to an exciting future. With our finances holding out through the Covid years thanks to the Watch In A Box fundraiser that the public supported heavily we can pay running expenses but will need to fundraise for instruments, uniforms and music.

“By training over Zoom in the lockdown we have been able to welcome new members to the main band but this, of course, brings pressure for more instruments.”

Tickets for the concert are available via the Bishop’s Palace. To contact Jane, email janehill546@aol.com

Fringe benefits at Priddy Folk Festival

AS well as the main stages, Priddy Folk Festival boasts an exciting fringe scene – and what’s more is that it is all free.

This year’s festival takes place from Friday, July 8th to Sunday, July 10th with more than 20 bands from the UK and beyond performing across the idyllic site.

The fringe will be hosting a lively programme of local and emerging talent and will include highlights such as the Avalonian State Choir, Old Baby Mackerel and The Decades. Add in a full programme of children’s events and the dance stage and the festival offers a great day’s entertainment for all the family.

Festival organisers have once again teamed up with the Blue School in Wells to host the Priddy Rising concert on the main stage on the Saturday morning. Pupils will be showcasing their folk music skills so come and support the emerging stars of the future. l For weekend ticket sales and details, visit: www.priddyfolk.org MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 91

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MENDIP TIMES

Palace garden festival returns

THE Bishop’s Palace and Gardens will be holding its popular three-day Garden Festival opening on Friday, June 17th.

Returning for its eighth year, the ever-popular festival will once again reunite garden-lovers with specialists from around the country. Designed to celebrate the Great British Garden, the stunning 14-acre palace grounds will feature guided tours, live music, expert speakers, delicious food, skills and crafts and stalls, including some fabulous nurseries selling unusual and popular plants.

Headlining on Friday is Mark Bobin (Head Gardener, Minterne Gardens), who will be talking about the Himalayan garden deep in the Dorset countryside. He'll also be sharing tales and footage from his plant-hunting trip to the Himalayas. Troy Scott Smith (Head Gardener at Sissinghurst) and

PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

Sarah Venn (Incredible Edible Bristol) will also be giving talks over the weekend. The palace’s own swan expert, Moira Anderson, will also be giving a talk.

Before the festival, the palace will be joining the local community to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Celebrations at the palace are particularly poignant because the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who resides at the palace, has stood at the monarch’s side at each coronation since 1179.

From Thursday, June 2nd there will a Jubilee Exhibition at the palace highlighting the significance of the Queen within the local community. All items featured have been generously loaned by local people, each with their own unique and interesting story.

Visitors will also see the magnificent

The Garden Festival is returning for its eighth year

coronation cope on display at the Palace. First worn in 1902, this intricate, golden cope has been worn by the Bishop of Bath and Wells at every coronation since.

Families are invited to join in with a community picnic on the croquet lawn on Monday, June 6th, where the Palace Croquet Team will be on hand for demonstrations and have-a-go sessions.

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A night of cop cars and cornettos

AROUND 450 people sat down to an outdoor screening of the iconic comedy Hot Fuzz on the lawn of the Bishop’s Palace to celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary of being released.

The police car used in the film, which was largely shot in Wells – the home city of director Edgar Wright – made a special appearance next to the big screen for the event organised by Wells Film Centre and the palace.

The Vauxhall Astra was driven from its base in Greater Manchester where it is owned by a company specialising in hiring out police cars for film and television productions. The car was joined by two others from Webbs Garage in Wells.

Brent-James Pinder, from Action Media Hire, said: “I think it was just over a 400-mile round trip from our base in Bury down to the Bishop’s Palace and despite it being a long couple of days, it was great to take part in the 15th anniversary for such a great modern British cult classic like Hot Fuzz.

“It was my first time visiting Wells but my business partner, Helen, loves the place and showed me around the film location before the screening. After my visit, it became clear how much detail Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg put into the film and all the hidden jokes that are scattered throughout the movie.”

WHAT’S ON

Wells neighbourhood PCs Darren Pearson and Dan Williams greet filmgoers

Sally Cooper and dad Derek, from Wells Film Centre, with the Hot Fuzz car

The palace lawn was the venue for the screening

Filmgoers with a sense of fun MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 93

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MENDIP TIMES

An independent eye at the first Photo|Frame AN exciting new festival called Photo|Frome is set to bring worldclass photography to Frome when it opens on Tuesday, June 21st.

The festival will showcase all types of photography from local, national, and international photographers at six exhibition venues.

There will be talks, workshops, a book fair, portfolio reviews and more. The inaugural theme is The Independent Eye, celebrating photography as an art form. The festival runs daily for almost four weeks, until Friday, July 15th across seven venues and is free.

Highlights include Dave Grohl, Oasis, U2 and many other bands coming to town in the photographs of one of the UK’s leading music professionals, Danny North. Astronauts will be landing in Frome too, thanks to John Angerson’s unique photos of the training programme for NASA’s Space Shuttle STS-72 mission.

Photographers from eastern Europe will be joined by Exmoor’s Chris Chapman while dramatic street portraiture of strangers in East London by Trinidad-born Robert Huggins celebrates the capital’s diversity.

There are also three group shows. One features many of Frome’s professional photographers. Another is dedicated to the work by Frome Wessex Photographic, one of the region’s most successful amateur groups. The third is a large-scale display of

contemporary photographs from across the world.

Photo|Frome’s talks programme offers sessions from Robin Ravilious, Chris Chapman, Olga Karlovac, and John Angerson. They are Snow storm in Dubrovnik by Olga joined by Justin Quinnell Karlovac with a talk on pinhole photograph and Tim Gander will speak about his photodocumentary of Frome’s abandoned Saxonvale industrial site.

There will also be an event discussing the work of former resident Alice Seeley, later Lady Harris. Run in collaboration with Frome Heritage Museum, who are currently featuring her in their “Celebrated Women of Frome” exhibition, the photographer shocked the world in the early 1900s with her images of human rights abuses in the Belgian Congo, which led to King Leopold's withdrawal.

Photo|Frome 2022 – a Community Interest Company – will also put on a series of workshops ranging from Polaroid-based photowalks to “camera-less” cyanotype photography.

Visit www.photofrome.org for full details and tickets

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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T H E M E N D I P T I M E S W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

FOR

WHAT’S ON

J U N E 2022

We’re happy to list entries for community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge, but please send them as a succinct single paragraph that can be copied and pasted quickly. Other entries cost £25.

Friday May 27th to Sunday May 29th Wells Comedy Festival – see: www.wellscomfest.com Saturday May 28th Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.

Weston Walking Group walks, 7-9 miles every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston.

Details: www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Congresbury Folk Music Night 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Castle Cary Saturday Stitch coffee morning 10am-12, Market House. Details: 07929 097374.

Glastonbury Abbey Open Day: www.glastonburyabbey.com Monday May 30th Wessex Stationary Engine Club meeting, last Monday every month, 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough. All welcome.

Wednesday June 1st Trio Paradis 2pm All Saints Church, Castle Cary.

Family friendly, church café open 1.30pm. Details: www.trioparadis.com Thursday June 2nd to Saturday June 4th The Royal Bath and West Show Thursday June 2nd to Sunday June 5th Chilcompton Art Club Exhibition, Downside Abbey visitor centre.

Friday June 3rd Trio Paradis 2.30pm St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, donations welcome.

Refreshments. All proceeds to Friends of Leigh Church www.trioparadis.com Saturday June 4th Fundraising Sale for Chew Valley Ukrainian Support Network, 10am-12 Millennium Hall, Chew Magna. Please bring donations of cakes, nearly new, plants, nice books, raffle prizes 910am.

Cheddar Vale Lions duck race, Cheddar Gorge, 2pm. Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk Sunday June 5th Friends of Pensford Tower tea party, Pensford church rooms and churchyard, 2pm. Details: Jane 07703 699123.

Tuesday June 7th The Genius of Stradivarius. AGM at 10am, then talk at 11am by Tony Faber for the Arts Society Mendip. Croscombe village hall, and via Zoom.

Guests welcome, £6: tasmendip.comm@gmail.com Wednesday June 8th Kilmersdon Gardeners Duncan Bird on the Silent Spring 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD. Visitors welcome £3 (incl tea/coffee) www.kilmersdongardeners.org Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers free cream tea 2pm-3.30 to celebrate National Carers’ Week. All welcome! Plants, cakes, books on sale, Backwell WI Hall.

Saturday June 11th Dorothy House Midnight Walk. Details: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market, Parish Hall, 10am-12noon, details: 01278 760308.

Christian Garrick Duo, 8-10.15pm, Cossington Village Hall, TA7 8JN. £12.50 from 01278 451187 rogercollett.sounds@talktalk.net

Coffee morning 10am-12, Old Rectory, opp St Bridget’s Church, Chelvey, in aid of church funds.

Waves of Harmony anniversary show, with Weston Brass Band, 7.30pm St Paul’s Church, WSM, BS23 1EF. £12 from 0333 666 4466, on the door or www.wavesofharmony.co.uk Litton Village fete, from 11am.

Collett Park Day Shepton Mallet: stalls, entertainment, displays and more. 10am-5pm.

Free. Details: www.collettparkday.co.uk Sunday June 12th Zalifenta: classical concert 3pm St Andrews Church, Chew Stoke, BS40 8TU. £5 from www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Summer concert in aid of Wells Royal British Legion. Bishop’s Palace, with Yeovilton Military Wives Choir & Wells City Band. Details: wellsrblsecretary@aol.co.uk Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells, 7.30pm. £4pp, tables of up to six people. To book: Terry 01749 672342.

Chew Valley 10K – tenth anniversary! Starts 9.30am from Bishop Sutton village hall.

Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, Rugby club, Chew Stoke, BS40 8UE. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Refreshments. Parking. Details: 07831 336444 or Facebook page.

Summer teas 2.30-5pm St Mary’s Church, Compton Dando – also throughout the Jubilee weekend then every Sunday until the end of August.

Shepton Open Gardens. In aid of Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Project. Buy a map and follow the trail. 1-5pm. £6 (children free). Ffi: www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk Monday June 13th Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8pm-10, St James Church Centre Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853.

RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch Meeting 11am Street Inn, BA16 0DR. Talk “RAF in the Falklands War” optional pub lunch. Details: 01458-224057 or rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com Thursday June 16th The Odyssey by David Mynne. A hilarious interpretation of Homer’s epic, 7.30pm Yeo Valley Garden, BS40 7SQ. Tickets: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Cheddar Valley u3a 40th anniversary celebratory picnic, 12noon Parsons Penn Cheddar (Village Hall if wet).

Friday June 17th Jenny Peplow Singers fundraising concert for Romanian dog rescue charity, 7pm Chilcompton village hall. Donations. Details: 01373 812093.

Saturday June 18th Folk evening with Barry Walsh and Hilary Pavey, 7pm St James’s Church Hall Winscombe. In aid of Weston Hospicecare.

Wells Goes Green event 10.30am-2.30pm, free, Recreation Ground, with mass cycle ride through the city, 12noon. See page 7.

Bleadon Village Market 9.30-12, Coronation Halls BS24 0PG, 30+ stalls every third Sat. Details: 01934 812370.

Classical guitarist Ross Morris, 3-4pm All Saints’ church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Free, retiring collection.

Sunday June 19th Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, Rugby club, Chew Stoke, BS40 8UE. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Food & drinks available.

Parking. Details: 07831 336444 or Facebook page.

Tuesday June 21st to July 15th Photo|Frome exhibition. See page 94.

Tuesday June 21st Walk the North Side of Cheddar Gorge. Meet 7pm Cufic Lane, Cheddar BS27 3QH. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events Thursday June 23rd Open Day & Plant Sale for Somerset Wildlife Trust at Greenbush private nature reserve, Doctor’s Hill, Wookey, 11am-4pm. Help welcome!

Refreshments. Details: susanmbates@hotmail.co.uk Saturday June 25th Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society concert 7pm, Tickets: www.wcos.org.uk Jazz ‘n pizza in the garden 5.45pm Churchill Court Lodge, Church Lane, BS25 5QW. Details: www.churchillmusic.org.uk Valley Arts presents: The Grimm Sisters – the brains behind the Brothers Grimm! 2pm. St Andrew’s Church Hall, BS40 8RD. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Congresbury Gardening Club Summer Show & Village Fete from 1.30pm St. Andrew’s Paddock, Details: congresburygardeningclub.com Monday June 27th Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8pm-10, St James Church Centre, Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday June 28th Winscombe Folk Club 7.30-10.30pm, upstairs bar Winscombe club BS25 1HD. All genres of acoustic performers welcome, £2 towards room hire. Details: 07551 197685 or winscombefolkclub@gmail.com Wednesday June 29th Harptrees History Society guided walk, Pulteney Estates, Bath 12.30pm. Own transport. £5pp, to be booked in advance by 22nd June: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting 1.30pm Backwell WI hall. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Friday July 1st Trio Paradis 2.30pm St Giles Church, Leigh on Mendip. Free entry, donations welcome.

Refreshments. For Friends of Leigh Church www.trioparadis.com Saturday July 2nd Nailsea Concert Orchestra “Summer Celebration” in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society, 7.30pm St Francis Church. Details: www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org Congresbury Singers “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, 7.30pm War Memorial Hall. Tickets £10 inc refreshments from PO & Re-Store, Congresbury.

Camerton Jazz night, 7.30pm St Peter’s church.

Details: Jill 01761 470249, Cyril 01761 470336.

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Valley Arts classics

AN original collection of performances will grace the Chew Valley this June, as Valley Arts brings more live performances to local venues.

On Sunday, June 12th at St Andrew’s Church, Chew Stoke, Zalifenta will take a remarkable journey through 17th and 18th century classical music. Zalifenta musicians Frances Zagni, Richard Little, Hazel Fenton and John Talbot, whose surnames form the name of the group, will introduce the pieces and talk about their fascinating instruments including a Viola da Gamba, ancestor of the cello, and a spinet, an early form of piano.

Culture meets comedy on Thursday, June 16th over at Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Blagdon, when veteran actor David Mynne will perform his one-man show Odyssey. Based on Homer’s epic poem, this laugh out loud compelling adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Meanwhile on Saturday, June 25th, Scratchworks Theatre bring their lively show Grimm Sisters to Chew Magna’s church hall.

Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Show preparations in full swing

Wilfred Emmanuel Jones – the Black Farmer

ENTRIES have opened for a full complement of classes at this year’s Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show.

Last year’s event – on the new showground site at Cannard’s Grave on the edge of Shepton Mallet – was still feeling the effects of the pandemic but the 2022 show promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This year’s show takes place on Sunday, August 21st and organisers have launched an e-ticketing scheme for people to buy parking spaces in advance. Entry on foot remains free.

Amongst the celebrities being lined up for the show is the Black Farmer, aka Wildfred Emmanuel Jones, who will be judging one of the cheese classes.

All the usual attractions will be at the show with some new additions including a group of dry stone wallers building a permanent structure on the site and there will also be a display of hedge laying skills by Clive Bethell, the new organiser of the show’s annual hedge laying competition. Making a popular return will be the Shetland Pony Grand National in the main arena.

The show is appealing for more people to consider becoming volunteer stewards. Secretary Christine Barham said: “It’s a great way for people to put something back into the show and really feel part of a big community event. Stewards are our lifeblood.”

The showground will be the venue for Shepton Mallet’s official Jubilee Beacon on Thursday, June 2nd. Gates open at 7.30pm and attractions include a choir, bagpiper, an open mic session and food and drink before the beacon lighting ceremony at 9.45pm.

For full details, visit: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk

Axbridge tickets on sale

TICKETS are now on sale for the Axbridge Pageant, which will take place August 27th-29th in the town’s medieval square.

The event is normally staged every ten years, but was delayed for two years by the pandemic. Directed by John Bailey, it has a cast of 300, plus around 100 people behind the scenes.

Details: https://axbridgepageant.com/tickets

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

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Downside’s Jubilee weekend

WHAT’S ON

DOWNSIDE Abbey, standing proudly between the villages of Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Chilcompton, will open its doors and grounds in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Over the four days of the celebratory extended bank holiday, the abbey and grounds will host a wide variety of events aimed to offer something for everyone.

The visitors centre is to host an exhibition of local artists from the Chilcompton Art Club. This will be open each day between 10am and 4pm.

Thursday June 2nd starts the celebrations with the lighting of a jubilee beacon on the abbey. This is a free event with vintage music, The Orchard Brass Band, licenced bar and refreshments.

Doors open at 7.30 for 8pm with the lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm.

On Saturday, June 4th, 4-9pm they will be hosting a family “Big Lunch Picnic” on the terrace. On Sunday, June 5th, 10am-2pm the courtyard will host a table top sale with vendors selling both new and used goods. The day will be enhanced by a performance from the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Silver Band.

Details: www.visitdownside.co.uk email: info@visitdownside.co.uk

Help us record an historic celebration

WE plan to have a comprehensive round-up of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in our next issue, but with so many events planned we can’t possibly get to them all!

If you would like your event to be featured please send us photos and a few details by Friday, June 10th, preferably by email to news@mendiptimes.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022 • PAGE 97

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Visit Midsomer Norton South Railway Station and enjoy travelling on a section of the original Somerset & Dorset Railway track bed!

WHAT’S COMING UP!

H From May 30th: On Monday & Fridays during all school holidays our newly-arrived DMU will be operating.

H From June 1st: On Wednesdays during all school holidays come and ride along the full length of the line on our unique Wickham trolley.

H June 4th: The Big Street Party.

Midsomer Norton Jubilee celebrations with steam and afternoon street party hosted at the station from 1-8pm.

H June 5th: Diesel and a pint day. Sample a pint whilst travelling through the Somerset countryside.

H June 19th: Fathers Day. Drive the diesel whilst the family travel behind in the train.

H June 26th: Midsomer Cream Tea Sunday. Sample a locally-sourced cream tea in our buffet coach.

For a full list of all events, details and booking visit: www.sdjr.co.uk Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EY. Tel: 01761 411221. Email: general@sdjr.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Father’s Day loco treat

Driver Phil Jones at the controls of the DMU

DADS can fulfil their childhood dreams and take to the controls of a diesel/electric shunter loco at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Station at Midsomer Norton on Sunday, June 19th.

It’s just one of many events being planned for June at the living heritage site, including taking part in the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

As well as its two resident steam locos and diesel locos, the line recently acquired a two-car Diesel Multiple Unit, which is proving hugely popular with enthusiasts and families alike as it offers a “driver’s eye” view of the journey.

Meanwhile, Year One children from Welton First School, along with their teacher, Mrs. Debbie Stevens and helpers, spent a day visiting the uniquely-preserved station at Midsomer Norton last week. The children walked to the station along the path of the original railway line, now part of the National Cycle Network, to meet staff at the station who were dressed in the uniforms of the 1950/60s.

Are you ready to party?

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2022

THE 2022 season of Shepton Mallet’s independent markets got off to a great start in April with a springtime-themed event in the town centre.

Next is “May Mayhem” on Sunday, May 29th before June sees the “Shepton Party” on Sunday, June 26th with a local DJ in residence all day delivering tunes for all ages and tastes, a stilt walker, circus games for young and old and high-quality stalls offering street food, craft, and baked goods. All markets run from 10am-3pm.

Jude Jackson, a spokesperson for organisers, The Shepton Experience CIC, said: “After such a terrible couple of years for everyone we are over the moon with the support we have received from the community of Shepton Mallet and the surrounding area.

“So, in June we hope to bring a party spirit to our town and are looking forward to bringing the local community together to support the independent traders and enjoy a great day out.” l Organisers are seeking volunteer stewards and first aiders to help out throughout the year. For details, visit the market’s Facebook/Instagram page: @thesheptonexperience, at www.thesheptonexperience.co.uk or email: info@thesheptonexperience.co.uk

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