Issue 7 - Volume 19 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 19 ISSUE 7

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

DECEMBER 2023

WIN A CHRISTMAS HAMPER See page 106

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS! Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

Welcome

WE’VE been able to add more pages this month to preview Christmas fairs and other events across the area – thanks to the support we get from many loyal advertisers.

That support means we can carry a dozen or so pages every month supporting charities and community organisations.

Without those extra pages we might be in danger of making a profit! But losing them would make us less of a community magazine. It’s a tightrope we are happy to walk.

This month we join a tractor run that made a young boy’s dreams come true and look ahead to future hopes of extending old rail and canal links.

We share the reflection of Remembrance and the exuberance of carnival, together with a packed guide to What’s On before Christmas.

That means it’s also time for the return of our dastardly spot-the-rabbit competition with an added bonus prize this year. Good luck finding them!

With all of our regular features and contributors, may we wish you a peaceful and healthy Christmas.

42

Youngsters remember – Cheddar pays tribute to the fallen

77

Chop chop – Apple Day at village’s core

January 2024 deadline: Friday 8th December Published Tuesday 19th December

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Lisa Daniels lisa@mendiptimes.co.uk What’s On listings: Annie Egginton annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Accounts: accounts@mendiptimes.co.uk To subscribe: subs@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: Festive frolics at Shepton Mallet Carnival.

Photograph by Mark Adler. See page 52.

CONTENTS

47

Memories of grandad – loco’s return to Mendip

100

Lean and mean – taking on the motocross challenge Plus all our regular features Environment .............................6 Farming Nick Green................10 Crossword ...............................12 Food & Drink..........................14 Arts & Antiques .....................22 Business ..................................30 Charities ..................................44 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE ..53 Walking Sue Gearing...............54

Outdoors Les Davies MBE......56 Caving Phil Hendy...................57 Gardening Mary Payne MBE...58 Health & Family .....................66 Community .............................77 Homes & Property .................88 Riding Jane Paterson ...............96 Sport ........................................98 What’s On .............................101

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Food, fitness and fun!

PUPILS at Bishop Henderson School in Coleford enjoyed an activity week when normal lessons were replaced by a series of events led by people from the local area, including the chance to hear from a children’s author and illustrator, make pizzas and receive tips from a leading athletics club coach.

Decorating biscuits with icing expert Naomi Merrills

Fun in the kitchen of the I Can & I Am bus

Writer and illustrator Ines Holmes, signs a copy of her book for Oliver

More than words can say

THIS year’s Literally Shepton, the town’s fastgrowing literary festival, was more than just about words on a page.

Recycled art workshops – using cutouts from old books and magazines to create Tor Theatre presented The Time poetry and paper flowers Machine, based on the books by H.G. made from rubbish – sat Wells, in the library alongside live theatre, stand-up comedy and book readings for both children and adults at Shepton Mallet Library and the Art Bank Café.

Finished pizzas from a session in the Midsomer Norton-based educational charity bus I Can & I Am

Somer Athletics Club coach Keith Craddock with pupils at the end of a training session

Novelist Ben Kane, from Wells, ahead of his talk at the Art Bank Café

Croscombe-based children’s writer Beth Webb reads from her book The Dragons of Kilve to Martha as Julia O’Connor, one of the festival organisers, looks on MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Getting closer step-by-step VOLUNTEERS are continuing to carry out maintenance work on top of a former railway viaduct which will play a key part in completing the Somerset Circle trafficfree route.

The Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels group have already seen the completion of a stretch of multi-user path from above Croscombe to north of Shepton Mallet on the former Somerset and Dorset line and are now concentrating on gaining permanent access over the Bath Road viaduct above the town.

Working in partnership with the cycling and walking charity Greenways and Cycleroutes Ltd and National Highways, custodian of the UK’s Historical Railways Estate, the group has replaced damaged coping stones on one side of the viaduct.

They are also carrying out exploratory work to see if the route can be extended further southwards, with the hope of

crossing the Kilver Court Gardens viaduct.

They have been supported by volunteers from the Strawberry Line project which is working to create a link from Clevedon to Shepton Mallet.

The work follows the successful opening of a 1.8km stretch of the Strawberry Line from Easton to Westburysub-Mendip. The Strawberry Line is part of the Somerset Circle which, when completed, will form a 76-mile traffic-free circuit linking Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels.

The Somerset Circle would also link up with the path from Radstock to Frome where another group of volunteers is working on Frome’s Missing Links.

Meanwhile, plans are underway to offer a new lease of life to a disused railway bridge on the edge of Shepton Mallet that had become a notorious fly tipping

Replacing the coping stones on the Bath Road viaduct

Stump Cross Bridge

Gavin Mayall, from the Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels, seated on the remains of a rare stone signal box, built when the second tunnel was opened …

PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

location. Stump Cross Bridge carries Ridge Road over the disused Cheddar Valley line. It had fallen into disrepair, with its three arches each partially filled by local landowners. The location had also become a hot spot for dumping rubbish.

Since taking over custodianship of the structure in 2013, National Highways has cleared up the site and undertaken works to the bridge to ensure safe load carrying, as well as installing a bat “hotel” which is now occupied beside one of the bridge’s spans.

The intention is for the route to go through one of the spans, but no work will be done until there are guarantees that the colony will not be disturbed.

The longer of the two tunnels at Windsor Hill – which was used to test engines for Concorde – is also closed to protect another colony of bats there.

… and at the entrance to the reopened tunnel

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ENVIRONMENT

Linking heritage to health

A PIONEERING project in Frome has shown that helping people to connect with their local heritage can positively impact their health.

Historic England and the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) commissioned Frome Medical Practice to pilot Heritage Connectors, an innovative way to link people to historic places and heritage activities to promote their wellbeing.

Heritage Connectors is based on a simple idea – members of the community help people to improve their health by signposting them to information about, or access to, heritage wellbeing activities such as walks, talks and family history groups. Anyone can become a connector.

As well as mapping local heritage activities and running The Heritage Connectors project team – regular heritage Jenny Hartnoll, David Lassman and Lisa cafés, the team Kenwright established the pilot by training 70 community members to become Heritage Connectors.

Julie Carey-Downes, Health Connections Frome manager, said: “The health connections team were supporting someone who was feeling quite isolated. She lost contact with lots of people during lockdown.

“She was interested in history, so went along to a heritage cafe and met someone she hadn’t spoken to since she was at school.

Now they are meeting outside of the café, going along to the health walks together now, and even connecting the people they met there to heritage cafes.”

She found that people came alive when talking about the history of their town, and industries and communities that they

remembered but are no longer there.

She said: “Frome is a place with lots of interesting history, for example there was a print works that lots of people remember their parents and grandparents working in. Sharing memories of the print works in the heritage café connected people to the past and bonded people in the present.”

The pilot ran for nine months and helped the team to identify a wealth of heritage wellbeing activities from guided walks to family history groups and church events and create a Heritage Wellbeing Directory, so that people can continue to discover and access these activities.

The directory is available on Frome Medical Practice’s website and on Health Connections Mendip’s website.

Desi Gradinarova, from Historic England, said: "We are excited to see such encouraging results from this pilot. Heritage Connectors in Frome are helping people rediscover their own town and everything its rich heritage can offer to support their wellbeing: from inspiring places to walk around and explore, to communities where you can find help and friendship.”

Dr Tim Rigg, a GP at Frome Medical Practice, said: “As a GP it is great to have access to information about heritage activities on the Health Connections website directory. Through connection to heritage, people are able to gain a deeper understanding of place and enhance their sense of belonging to their community.”

NASP and Historic England say they will use the lessons learned from Frome to develop Heritage Connectors and establish similar schemes in other areas.

Details: https://www.fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/ https://healthconnectionsmendip.org/directory/heritage-wellbeing/

Sowing wild flowers

THE National Trust team on the Mendip Hills have recently completed a significant wildflower meadow restoration project at Tor Hill Wood in Wells.

The surface of the soil at the three-acre site was disturbed and oversown with a mix of 26 native wildflowers.

Nick Heather, Ranger for the National Trust, said: “Tor Hill Wood is such an important greenspace for our community in Wells, which is why this restoration project is so exciting.

“Not only are diverse wildflower meadows a vital habitat for our declining wildlife, they are also beautiful places for people to enjoy and get close to nature.”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Presents for pollinators

IT is impossible to understand the individual life cycle of the myriad seen and unseen creatures that live in our gardens, but they all need to survive the darker days of winter by various strategies. So really it's better to leave well alone on the grounds that they, that is Nature, knows best!

Assuming that some pollinators have survived the winter and have not been the victims of cutting back or tidying so that they have ended up on a bonfire or in a green bag, they will now start to emerge from wherever they have been hiding and begin their desperate search for food that is both pollen for protein and nectar (sugar and water) for energy.

Our recent milder winter weather has encouraged creatures out even earlier perhaps January, February or even December. Their search is often exhausting so many die as a consequence.

Here we can help, for few plants flower in late winter or early spring but we can add to those that do especially by planting in groups so that less energy is lost by flying long distances from flower to flower and even to find the flowers at all.

We also spend more time indoors now. Various catalogues and gardening magazines arrive so now is the time to plan for the coming year and choose plants that might be Christmas presents for us AND for pollinators.

Such living presents are likely to give years of pleasure as well as providing sustenance for insects, birds, small mammals and indirectly to amphibians. Of course, they add to biodiversity and help towards the health and sustainability of our environment.

The present may be a gift of wildflower seeds such as knapweed, bird's foot trefoil and ox eye daisy usually available now in garden centres or online. They can be bought as individuals, collections for PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Crocus

Hellabores

Mahonia

Willow

ENVIRONMENT

various habitats or even in turf.

Herbs such as lavender, thyme and sage are welcome to pollinators as are wallflowers and foxgloves.

Someone might be fortunate enough to receive an early flowering tree such as a Malus (apple) or hawthorn.

Therefore, let us look at some early flowering perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees. Trees provide the most nectar and pollen because of their very size.

My favourite early flowering perennial is Hellebore orientalis.

This picture was taken on January 23rd. 2022. The flowers are single with easy access to pollen and nectar. They withstand frost, even snow and flower over several months. They are virtually disease free and grow well in shade. Their large leaves suppress weeds. They also self-seed freely.

Spring bulbs are always an asset to the garden – and to pollinators – particularly snowdrops, crocus and aconites. Some varieties of snowdrop may flower for Christmas.

If possible, a tree is a welcome pollinator plant present. The earliest to flower are willows. There is a huge variety such as Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock.' which only grows two metres high. It is possible to buy individuals that flower from January right up until June. The one pictured was in flower and providing food in mid-January.

Lastly an evergreen early flowering shrub is Mahonia. They have such a delicate fragrance from bright clusters of yellow flowers.

They tolerate shade so lighting up a dull corner just when needed most!

There are many varieties such as Mahonia x media 'Charity.'

I wish everybody a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year and hope some plant presents arrive!

DIANA REDFERN

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Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty renamed as a National Landscape ON Wednesday, November 22nd all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales became National Landscapes, including the Mendip Hills.

The new name reflects their national importance; the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.

This is a significant milestone for the UK and the next step in fully realising the National Landscapes’ vision to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.

They are the UK’s nearby countryside - 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape and at least 170 million people visit them every year.

Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills National Landscape Manager said: “We have a new name and logo that shows the national importance of the Mendip Hills, but this is still the same beautiful place where people live and work and come to breathe.

“The new name should grab people's attention and remind them how important the area is if they've lived in the area for years or if they know the place like the back of their hand.

And if they've never visited, we look forward to welcoming them and sharing our love of Mendip. There's always more on Mendip!”

For more information on your Mendip Hills then please contact the National Landscape Service MendipHillsNL.org.uk • 01761 462338

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MENDIP TIMES

Providing food for Christmas past and present

THERE’S a saying which goes “if you’ve eaten today, you can thank a farmer”. It doesn’t matter where in the world that farmer might be, she or he has produced the raw ingredients for whatever we eat on a day-today basis. This is no more true than when we think about our Christmas dinner.

With NICK GREEN Whatever the household preference, unless that household is completely self-sufficient, a farmer would have had a hand in producing it. The farmer would have started growing the vegetables many months before, the meat would have been bred and reared over a period of many months and over a year in some cases.

All so we can trot off to the shops a week before Christmas and fill our supermarket trolleys with whatever we want. This hasn’t always been the case. Where we have refrigeration, freezers, complex logistics systems and food from around the world on demand, 50 years ago things were very different.

Technology and understanding about freezing food to preserve it was at a reasonably early stage and apart from peas and ice cream there wasn’t a very wide range of frozen goods available. Now,

virtually anything can be purchased in frozen form any time of the year.

Wind the clock back 100 years and things were completely different. Vegetables were only eaten when in season and meat preserved by drying or salting. I came across an article recently from the Lake District describing a sweet Cumberland Christmas breakfast mince pie.

It consisted of mutton, fruit, spices and sugar. All the ingredients would have been dried to be able to have the meal in the middle of winter. Other than this preserved meal, everything else would have been fresh.

On the recent day of biblical rainfall in and around Mendip I travelled to Essex. I left behind flooded roads and fields under water with no chance of field work for weeks to come. The Essex soil had drained as though there had been no rain.

Just to rub salt into my weather wounds, the very next morning a tractor was out sowing winter wheat seed and the sprayer was being filled ready to apply spray onto earlier sown crops. I was cursing the loss of weeks of field work because of the weather while they just shrugged knowing it was only a day.

Merry Christmas to all Mendip Times readers.

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

PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Young farmers support

FARMING

NORTH Somerset Young Farmers have donated £2,500 to the Derek Mead Health Room at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Bridgwater.

Alice Joyner, vice chairwoman of the Pictured (l to r): Katherine Hawke, Jay group, said: Alvis, Nathan Summerall, Harriet Bloyce, Henry Joyner, Alistair Mead and “Fundraising is a cornerstone of young Alice Joyner farmers. We are elated to lend our support to the commendable work being undertaken by the Derek Mead Health Room.”

The room is operational on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Katherine Hawke, chairwoman of The Derek Mead Health Room Committee, said: “In memory of my father, a fervent advocate for farmer wellbeing, we established the Derek Mead Health Room. His belief in the need for enhanced healthcare services for farmers is now sustained by the kindness of communities like the Young Farmers.”

Details: junction24ltd.co.uk

T

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 In an easy and sprightly manner (8) 5 Frequent sexual liaison between two people (6) 9 Peas tart can break up a relationship (3,5) 10 Positive, subatomic particle (6) 12 Offer at a lower price than a competitor (9) 13 Plant of the agave family with sword like leaves (5) 14 See 1 down (4) 16 Disease of the small intestine contracted from infected water and often fatal (7) 19 Rubber suited pervert recently caught bothering Somerset Ladies (3,4) 21 Small child or very low value Flemish coin (4) 24 Strange and frightening (5) 25 Playwright who wrote, “She Stoops to Conquer” (9) 27 Go by or wear on (6) 28 Item that does the same job on

either a car or revolver (8) 29 Wee or small (6) 30 A branch of mathematics (8)

DOWN 1 & 14 across Name of 19 across (6) 2 Scruffy or disordered (6) 3 Hoofed mammal with a short flexible proboscis (5) 4 Superlative in size (7) 6 Vessel going to-and-fro on a regular route (9) 7 Engaged, married or spoken for (8) 8 Company hiring out automobiles (4-1-3) 11 Group of countries who have formed an alliance (4) 15 Applicable to all cases (9) 17 Celestial or spiritual (8) 18 Region where Europe, Asia and Africa meet (4,4) 20 Boy behind the bride at a wedding (4) 21 Illness, lassitude or discomfort (7) 22 School founded 1699 by the

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Friends, near Winscombe (6) 23 The number of houses in Bath Crescent, Bath (6) 26 Gaseous form of water (5)

This month’s solution can be found on page 98

By greendandelion Clues in italics are cryptic

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Telephone: 01761 452171

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MENDIP TIMES

FOOD & DRINK

Festive fun – with a little help from a friend

With KATY BEAUCHAMP

This month I have had some help in the kitchen; an old pupil of mine, Daisy, 13, is undertaking her Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and wanted to learn a new skill, so I invited her round to cook the turkey dish below.

POSH PIGS IN BLANKETS

TURKEY AND THYME – COOKED BY DAISY!

Posh pigs in blankets

This recipe makes six full-sized “pigs” or you can cut them up and serve them as canapés.

METHOD Slit the sausages lengthways, stopping before you get all the way through. Spread the cranberry sauce along the cut and then break the cheese into pieces and stuff that in there also. Tightly wrap two pieces of bacon around each pig.

Place in a roasting tray and bake at 180° for 35 minutes. If you are serving as canapés, push three or four cocktail sticks through and then slice them into rounds.

INGREDIENTS

6 of your favourite fat sausages 50g cheddar cheese 50g cranberry sauce 12 rashers of streaky bacon

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

UPSIDE DOWN FRUIT PUFFS

A sweet “loaf” of chocolate

Daisy and her DoE recipe

You can use your leftover turkey and veg in this following recipe, even the gravy. It’s lovely served alongside roast potatoes, but if you haven’t any leftover (whoever does?) you can mix it with some cooked rice, like I’ve done.

METHOD This is just so easy, you literally just mix everything into a serving dish and cover with foil. Keep in the fridge until you need it and then cook it covered, at 160° for 45 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

(serves 6) 600g cooked turkey (or chicken) 500g cooked veg, I used carrot and broccoli 400ml chicken soup 200ml gravy Zest and juice of one lemon 20g fresh thyme 750g cooked rice

These are delicious served straightaway, but I also kept some and reheated them for breakfast.

METHOD Unroll the pastry and cut into eight equal squares. On each sheet of baking paper spread four tsps of honey, equally spaced out, about 3cms long.

Lay half a sliced plum on each one and then spread the jam over the top.

Lay a piece of pastry over each pile, pressing down the edges. You don’t need to brush with egg as the pastry will be on the bottom when serving.

Bake at 180°C for 12-15 minutes until the pastry has risen and turned golden.

Leave to cool slightly, before lifting them off with a palette knife. Decorate with nuts and icing sugar.

INGREDIENTS

(makes 8) One roll of shop-bought puff pastry 8 teaspoons honey 3 plums (or sliced apple/pear) 8 teaspoons of raspberry jam 2 x non-stick sheets baking paper

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MENDIP TIMES

Christmas at Hartley’s Café Bistro

Simply the best place to be to Feast and be Merry! Traditional festive dishes made with Hartley’s passion!

www.hartleyscafebistrot.co.uk tells the whole story, starting from Friday, December 1st through to Christmas Eve Open Wednesday – Sunday 9am – 4pm Rookery Farm, Binegar, BA3 4UL Telephone: 01749 841718 email: info@hartleyskitchen.com

Hartley’s – 15 years on and still going strong

HARTLEY’S started life in a converted barn on the glorious Mendip Hills 15 years ago and has evolved into a popular café bistro for breakfasts, superb lunches and afternoon teas with a special emphasis on Sunday lunch.

Paul, Lynda and their devoted team work tirelessly to source the best local meat, fish, game, fruit and vegetables, all prepared with passion.

This year has seen several packed curry nights (and if you like curry this is the place to be); in mid-November they hosted a Beaujolais Nouveau event.

January 25th will see Burns Night with haggis, cock-a-leekie soup, cranachan and a host of Scottish-influenced dishes.

So here comes Christmas at Hartley’s and the elves have been especially busy this year. From December 1st, they will offer you mulled wine, three bird turkey roast, chicken, stuffing and cranberry pie, amazing puddings and much more to make your mouth water in anticipation.

The highlight of the café’s decorations this year is the Forever Advent Tree, a venture created at Hartley’s, and they boast it’s the best advent calendar on the market.

For details, visitwww.adventtree.co.uk

THAI KITCHEN Authentic ai cuisine in a traditional English pub

Dishes shown Spicy ai Tom Yum Soup from £5.50 ai Green Curry from £11.95 Pad ai Noodle from £10.95

Dang and Molly Namsanga and their family wish you a warm welcome Opening hours Sunday closed Monday 4pm-9.30pm Tuesday to Saturday 1pm-9.30pm

ai Kitchen at the Queen Adelaide High Street Blagdon BS40 7RA

01761 258339 PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Mendip Times reduces travel costs

FOOD & DRINK

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

Thank you for your continued support in 2023 From Rob and all the team at Beans and Machines Ltd t: 01761 418882 • e: rob@beanandmachine.co.uk • www.beanandmachine.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

IT’S ALWAYS A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR … AT TUCKERS! Festive Fun

Festive Food

Festive Fund Raising

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

Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faukland, Radstock, BA3 5XF. T: 01225 962669 E: info@tuckersgraveinn.co.uk W: www.tuckersgraveinn.co.uk

Wreath making workshops, Dec 2 (9-11.30am); Dec 7th (6-8.30pm) with the Little Flower Co. £50. Book via: dawn.chapman@etavoni.com Live music Sat nights: 2nd, 9th, 16th & 30th in the Parlour Carol Singing Weds 20th, 8pm NYE party, Sun 31st – No Mean Feat (ticket only) Christmas Party in the Barn Sat 23rd – all welcome!

Friday night Pork & Cider Stew: £9.50 • Fish and Chips: £10 Gourmet Burger & Chips £9.50 Christmas Pizzas (available Fri & Sat nights, Xmas Eve & NYE) inc: Turkey & Stuffing, Brie & Cranberry (all £10) Margarita: £7.50 • Pepperoni: £9.50 Saturday night specials (announced every week): £9.50 New Year Day: come up for breakfast from 9am – Tickets only – buy online

Boxing Day Walk for Dorothy House: 10am.

Breakfast available from 8am with a free sausage for every dog

Dec 27th: Christmas bingo in aid of The Bowel Movement.

Eyes down 4pm. Book in advance to secure a table

See our website for menus and full details

l Venue Hire l Camping l Holiday Cottage

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PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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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

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WILD FOOD

Oh, Christmas tree

AS we march inescapably towards Christmas, I wanted to talk about a Christmas tree. Not your common Norway Spruce, Sitka Spruce or Nordmann Blue but a different conifer species altogether. It is our only native pine tree (except juniper), all other pine trees along with the spruce mentioned above being imported.

And what is this hitherto unknown With Christmas tree?

ADRIAN BOOTS None other than the ancient and magnificent Scots Pine. Of course, you don’t have to go to Scotland to see them, they are all over the country and are very common across the heaths of southern England from Surrey to Dorset for example.

What, you may ask, has this most fascinating of trees got to do with wild food in the festive season? The answer is… leaves.

Well, needles actually. Traditionally, pine needles have been used to treat chest infections, but the needles can be steeped in hot water to make a tea or used as a flavouring for game stews and roast meats.

Now, you have to be exceedingly careful with quantities as one doesn’t want to “over egg the pudding” with the resultant dish tasting like bath salts.

During the winter and particularly at Christmas time there is one other important use and that is making a piney flavoured sugar dusting for sweet treats such as biscuits or mince pies.

To make a pine needle dusting, simply gather fresh pine needles from the tree (you only need to pick a sprig), finely chop and add to sugar or icing sugar. Don’t forget to discard the twig!

Once you have baked your favourite biscuits or mince pies, sprinkle with the pine needle and sugar dusting mixture. Ah, the sweet smell of warm pine needles – a true aroma of Christmas!

Finally, is the Scots pine really a Christmas tree? Probably not in the traditional sense but it is such a gift for the forager, I rather like to think that it is.

Here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

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

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

Christmas beans

THE best help you can give to your soil life is leave it alone! No dig means as little disturbance as possible. To plant a tree you dig a hole, but general digging is unnecessary and harms soil life and structure. My trial beds here show a 12% increase over 11 years, from the less-work of no dig.

With CHARLES We apply the same amount of compost DOWDING to each of two beds, planted with the same vegetables. No dig prep for next year is to spread 1-3cm compost on all beds, whatever they will grow.

We even slot it in between or underneath Brussels sprouts and purple sprouting broccoli, just remove their lower leaves first. Cover paths with a 2 to 3cm layer of woodchip, after removing any weeds.

Soil care What about keeping ground full of plants, does it matter? Is there any issue that arises from bare soil, however one defines that? These questions have been amplified by new interest in regenerative farming. Farming methods do not always translate to garden situations.

It's more likely on a farm that a field might have no crop, no weeds, no mulch.

This is terrible for soil life but need not happen in a garden, where we can keep soil covered with organic matter.

Any winter vegetables are good for soil because of their living roots. However, not a lot of new growth happens during our winters here and it's way less important or practical to have plants in the soil over winter, than it is from spring until autumn.

Empty but mulched beds through winter allow easy and successful planting in early spring, with fewer slugs.

Sow broad beans?

Is it too late? When I arrived at Homeacres 11 years ago, the garden was non-existent and in the first beds I made in December, I sowed broad beans on Christmas Day. They made a decent harvest the following June. I find Aquadulce Claudia is hugely reliable and home-saved seed grows more strongly than most bought seed.

Enjoy the quieter time and stay healthy by eating lots of your garden vegetables over Christmas!

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

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 19

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MENDIP TIMES

Zombies and dragons take to the streets

EVENTS

FIRST came the dragons, then came the zombies – on two Saturdays in a row, Glastonbury High Street was filled with colour and fantasy.

The Glastonbury Dragons staged their annual procession, battle and wild hunt with the white dragon of winter overcoming the red dragon of summer. The event had begun with a celebration of morris dancing and drumming.

Then it was the turn of the Glastonbury Zombies, raising funds each year for the Children’s World charity, to invade the High Street.

The procession heads down the High Street

Glastonbury mayor Indra Donfrancesco after crowning the white dragon

The dragons event was a celebration of myth and nature

Leading the dragon procession

The zombies were raising money for Children’s World

Gore and more was in abundance

Glastonbury Drummers ahead of the zombie procession

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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MENDIP TIMES

Guild showroom to close

THE Somerset Craft Guild (formerly the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen) will be closing the doors at its current premises in Broad Street, Wells, on Saturday, December 23rd.

After eight years at this location, the guild has taken the decision to look for new premises in order to continue to showcase the work of its 70 members. Currently, the guild is still searching for the ideal place and would love to hear from any business owners or landlords who would be willing to help.

The guild has a prestigious history and has been in existence for almost 90 years with members exhibiting high level of skills and craftsmanship in crafts ranging from woodwork and jewellery to ceramics and textiles. The gallery will continue to offer a wide range of high quality, handmade items for sale in the run up to Christmas and they will be open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-4pm.

A guild spokesperson said: “You can expect a warm welcome from our team who will be on hand to offer advice if required.

Please do visit and support local craftspeople.”

For details, visit: www.somersetcraftguild.co.uk

Ella’s new pottery courses for 2024 FOLLOWING on from an amazing first year of pottery throwing courses and

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

experiences in her lovely workshop at The Forge in Cheddar, Ella Phillips is now taking bookings for 2024.

Courses range from twohour “have a go” sessions to full, six-week throwing courses. The results coming out of these courses are amazing, with many students now planning on setting up their own home studios.

As well as the normal courses, Ella also offers bespoke sessions for hen dos, birthdays and much more.

For further details and to book, visit: www.ellaphillipsceramics.co.uk

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Cheers! Here’s a toast to Christmas

WITH Christmas almost here again our thoughts turn to the giving of presents, in particularly that special gift for With CHRIS YEO someone who has everything. The festive season is a time to enjoy the finer things in life and it is here that auctions can offer a unique present for that special someone. As the saying goes – eat, drink and be merry! Today, more and more people are turning towards gifts of wines and spirits, which can either be kept for a special occasion or enjoyed over the festive period.

Traditionally at Christmas our thoughts turn to the warming, rich

attractions of a good bottle of port.

What could be nicer with the wonderful array of cheeses? A special late bottled vintage Ruby port or an aged Tawny is always appreciated, but Vintage port is very accessible and can offer great value for money.

In our winter specialist sale we have a selection of port, with a highlight including six bottles of Fonseca 1994 (a particularly good year), suitable for drinking now, but also showing signs of being able to store for another 30 years.

What better way to celebrate than with Champagne? Good vintage and non-vintage Champagne is always enjoyable and the perfect way to toast Christmas. The auction also includes bottles of 2002 Bollinger RD, a 1969 Moët et Chandon and a 1973 Dom

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Perignon.

For a little something different, older gins make a pleasant surprise. While boutique and independent producers have been blooming over the past decade, older names still carry great regard.

For Hogmanay and Burn’s Night it has to be whisky. We have a wide range of aged single malt whisky following on from our recent sale of a Macallan 25 Years Old Anniversary Malt.

Alternatively, you could combine someone’s love of art and love of a cognac to give them a limited edition Erte decanter designed by the artist shortly before his death, at least with that you will have something to enjoy long after the drink has gone. Merry Christmas!

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

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

If this year was good, 2024 promises to be even better THIS has been a fantastic year for Cooper and Tanner Sale Rooms. Alongside the monthly Antique, Collectable and Interiors Sales they have had two Specialist Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sales, together with a stand-alone sale from a private client.

Highlights of the year so far include, amongst many wonderful results, a large 19th century side table with marble top and imposing scrolling foliate gilt wood base; this eventually sold to a telephone bidder for £7,700 on the hammer.

In the May Specialist Jewellery Sale, a much sought after lot was a pair of stunning sapphire and diamond drop earrings in the Victorian style, selling to an internet bidder for £5,600 before buyer’s premium. And in April, a magnificent 1933 Riley Monaco, 1087cc

One of the Cariot paintings that will be going into the Fine Art sale next year – G. Cariot, Figure Walking to the Village, oil on board. Estimate £5,000-8,000

four door made £5,100 (before premium) after much competition.

2024 is already looking to be even better than 2023 with a new Fine Art sale planned for April. Already consigned for this sale is a single owner collection of works by Gustave Cariot. Born in 1872, little is known about Cariot’s education, and it is believed that he was a self-taught

artist.

His paintings are very much in the impressionist style and are becoming increasingly popular. Also in this sale are two interesting watercolours by Irish landscape and marine artist Alex Williams, together with many other excellent pieces.

Cooper and Tanner have free valuation days at their Standerwick office every Monday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm each day (please note that these valuations days do not take place the week of or preceding Christmas); free home visits can be arranged by appointment.

In the New Year they will also be holding valuation days around the county at Cooper and Tanner offices for consignment of items for their Specialist Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sales.

If you have anything you would like valued or would like further information about any of their services, please contact the office on 01373 852419 or salerooms@cooperandtanner.co.uk and they will be happy to assist you

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Busy calendar of sales planned for 2024 The Killens team at the Mendip Auction Rooms have released their calendar of sales for 2024 and a busy year is in prospect.

A plethora of new specialist sales have been introduced alongside the regular sales that have been held traditionally at the auction rooms and the calendar now includes sales of: Militaria, Stamps, Coins & Clocks Farm Bygones & Implements Antiques & Collectables Asian Art & Interiors Modern Design & Interiors Sporting, Fine Wines & Spirits Silver, Jewellery & Watches Fashion, Textiles & Handbags Music, Books & Manuscripts Toys Transport including cars Cameras and Optical Equipment All sales will continue to be online with it being possible to bid from anywhere in the world. Generally, there will be four sales per month and the team will enter any items you

ARTS & ANTIQUES

may want to sell into the next available sale.

Tom Killen said: “We are fortunate to have expertise within our team to be able to provide advice and conduct this full range of sales. We are supported by a large number of very experienced consultants who provide detailed knowledge on a vast range of items from jewellery to stamps to guns to oriental ceramics.

“The auction rooms provide a great venue where items can be displayed properly and collection and delivery is straightforward. It is possible to bid online at all our sales and we continue to attract global interest at each sale.”

“Many are nervous about attending an auction but there is nothing to be nervous about. It is fun and we do all we can to make people feel welcome. It is a case of simply turning up and watching the action!”

Are you looking to sell items in our sales? Valuations can be undertaken on a drop-in basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday and Killens have professional valuers and experts on hand to advise.

Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits.

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

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES

A FINE WILLIAM AND MARY WALNUT CABINET ON CHEST, CIRCA 1700 ESTIMATE: £800 - £1,200

THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE LATE ‘GREAT’ GEORGE WITHERS FEBRUARY 2024 www.doreandrees.com enquiries@doreandrees.com 01373 462 257

Dore & Rees Auction Salerooms Vicarage Street Frome BA11 1PU PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

ARTS & ANTIQUES

Record breaking results at Dore & Rees

DORE & Rees enjoyed a knockout November series of auctions. The Anthony Lovett Collection and Fine Asian Art auctions on November 6th resulted in the first £1m auction result for the firm with a total value of £1.6 million knocked down on the day. The top lot was a rare Chinese bronze naval cannon, 17th Century, selling for £214,500.

The Ralph Bateman Moise Kisling (1891-1953) “Jeune Collection was offered on Femme en Rouge”, circa 1930, November 13th. The sold £119,600 collection of paintings included eight works by Moise Kisling, a contemporary of Modigliani and an artist who loved life; his paintings imbue a “joie de vivre” and love for his subjects. This was a “white glove auction” where all the lots sold for a total of £380,000.

At the time of writing, the November 22nd Automobilia auction offering a packed saleroom of collectables for the motoring enthusiast is zooming away with active bidding in the saleroom and online. And the upcoming Jewellery and Watches and the Fine Silver auctions of November 29th have the potential to keep up with the winning streak of results for the month.

Looking to 2024, Dore & Rees is proud to offer the private collection of the late “Great” George Withers in February. George had an early fascination with antiques, his family recall him struggling across a field crying with one of his first modest purchases, a grandfather clock! At 21, he opened his first shop on London Road in Bath, always filled to the gunnels, to the point that visitors had to enter through the door sideways and slide between the hoard of antiques on display. The auction will take place over an number of days in February. Keep your eye on doreandrees.com for the details.

We look forward to seeing you at the auctions! Please be in touch with us to book your appointment for a free no obligation auction estimate if you are considering selling. *sold prices include fees

UPCOMING AUCTION

Friday 8 December at 10:30am Festive Friday Interiors Auction Inviting entries until late November Dore & Rees Auction Salerooms Vicarage Street, Frome BA11 1PU 01373 462 257 enquiries@doreandrees.com www.doreandrees.com

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Meet the Morris Dancers

MORRIS DANCING

Have you ever watched morris dancers in action and wondered who are the people behind the outfits?

Sides range from “traditional” morris dancers to “punk” style border morris. Here, some members of Glastonbury Border Morris – who turn into Crow Morris in winter – talk about their backgrounds. l For details, find Glastonbury Border Morris on Facebook.

Lillah Sansom

Position?

No particular position ... learning the Border Morris moves and dances for about 15 months.

Why join?

I joined after meeting Dan, our squire, who was so friendly and encouraging and the practice hall was only five minutes’ walk from my house. I was open to learning something new, having danced a lot in my younger years.

What do you most enjoy?

I really enjoy moving in sync as a team to the lively traditional tunes our talented musicians play. Something about clashing the sticks in time to the rhythm of the music is really satisfying when done right.

Best memory?

My best memory so far is last Beltane at Chalice Well, when I was a bit disappointed that I had not been officially picked to dance one of my favourites, The Huntress, but suddenly found myself pushed out onto the field last minute and was able to pull it off seamlessly with all the best dancers in our amazing costumes.

Away from Morris?

I have a large allotment and grow most of my own produce and a smaller flower garden, which I love, at my home in Glastonbury.

Dan de la Bedoyere

Position: Squire Why join?

When living in Oxfordshire, my friends wanted to create their Morris group as an offshoot of the Border Morris group Armaleggan. They asked me to join, with about eight other friends, and we were able to start the group from the beginning.

Most enjoy?

It is great to see people's reaction to

Tom Bower

Valerie Moss

Position: A musician.

Why did you join GBM? I'm an old lag regarding Cotswold Morris (the hankies and bells stuff). Having done that since 1969, I reckoned a change wouldn't hurt! I saw Glastonbury Border Morris out dancing and I loved the quirkiness compared with many other traditional dance groups.

What do you enjoy most about being a member?

I love the traditional aspects, but also the opportunity to, for example, write new tunes for dances.

Position/role in the side: Joint Foreperson (dance teacher) Why join GBM? I started Morris Dancing in 2006 and was looking for a local side to dance with when I moved to the area. I saw Glastonbury Border Morris on Facebook, they looked like a good bunch so I decided to give them a try!

What do you enjoy most about being a member?

The camaraderie of dancing in a Morris team Best memory so far?

Dancing a dance that I'd written, on a stage at Priddy Folk Festival this year. That was an amazing day!

What do you do away from GBM? Technical Services Coordinator at CHT UK (Bridgwater) Limited, a company that makes silicone adhesives and other silicone products. It's more interesting than it sounds!

Why would you recommend GBM? In particular, with Border Morris you can be creative with new dances and with costumes and make-up. You also get to make some great friends through Morris.

watching us dance, especially children.

Some of the audience may have never seen Morris dancing before, and certainly not Border Morris dancing, so it is great to show them the energy and humour we give our dance performances.

Our side is unique because we allow a lot of individuality within the group, which works well for Glastonbury. We do not have a set kit, but rather each member dresses colourfully to the themes that we choose.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Work underway on much-needed hall extension A GROUND-breaking ceremony has taken place to signal the start of building work to extend Caryford Community Hall in Ansford, next to Castle Cary.

The £590,000 project is the second in a three-phase scheme to upgrade the hall which trustees have been planning for the past ten years.

It will provide the residents of Castle Cary and Ansford with two new meeting rooms and the hall with additional storage space and new ladies’ toilet accommodation. The current premises are extremely busy and trustees often have to refuse new bookings because of lack of space in the diary. An extended hall will be much better able to meet both present and future demands, particularly as the town’s population increases.

The funds have been raised from a wide range of sources: the National Lottery Communities Fund, the local town and parish councils, Somerset Council, Action with Communities in Rural England and a number of grant-giving charities. Local fundraising by the trustees and hall members at events held during the past three years will also make a contribution.

Ian Bynoe, chair of the trustees said: “This is a great moment for the hall and for people living in Castle Cary and Ansford and the surrounding area.

NEWS

Spadework. Front (l to r): Martin Halford, Elizabeth Middleton, Judith Cole, Tom Burr, Ian Bynoe, Barbara Williams and Chris Edwards. Back (l to r): Margaret Bebbington and Helen Leary

“Our popular and much used hall will be improved and extended to make it fit for present and long-term demands.

“We thank everyone who has stuck with us during the long planning and fundraising process. When the work is finished next year, we are sure that those who use the improved hall will decide it was worth it.”

Festive fundraiser at the Bishop’s Palace A TWO-day artisan market has helped to raise funds for the Bishop’s Palace in Wells – run by a charitable trust – and support local craft traders.

The palace was filled with shoppers throughout the weekend

Shining a light on local crafts PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Autumn light greeted visitors

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MENDIP TIMES

ECATCHER MOL PIANO TUNING, REPAIRS, RESTORATIONS AND SALES Servicing Pianos Throughout Bath, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire

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

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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BUSINESS

FINANCIAL abuse within a marital or cohabitation relationship is a type of mistreatment where one partner controls the other’s access to financial resources creating a dependency or otherwise behaves in such a way as to put significant financial pressure on that partner.

Here are some examples of what may indicate financial abuse: Strict control over finances – an abuser may demand to oversee every financial transaction requiring details of every penny spent.

Abusers might jeopardise their partner’s job opportunities by causing scenes in their workplace or controlling their schedule to prevent them from working.

Another red flag is when all bank accounts are in the abuser’s name and the victim has limited or no access to funds.

Preventing access to financial advice: Under the guise of being amicable, an abuser may isolate the victim from seeking legal or financial advice which can significantly impede their ability to change their circumstances.

Discovering unexplained debts or a sudden decrease in savings can be a red flag for financial abuse. It is not unusual

for a victim to find out about several credit cards opened in their name without their knowledge leaving them with a mountain of debt.

Using the legal system to maintain control: Abusers may use the legal system to their advantage by filing multiple court applications, escalating costs, or refusing to disclose essential information making the process lengthy and harder and so causing additional emotional distress to the victim.

Financial abuse can result in a victim experiencing a dip in self-confidence, a constant feeling of insecurity and a fear for their future. They can grapple with a wide range of emotions including shame, fear, confusion, hope, anxiety and stress which can cloud their judgement and make them susceptible to further abuse. This emotional whirlwind can lead to isolation and loneliness as they might avoid confiding in friends or seeking professional help.

The family courts in the UK have increasing experience of having to deal with financial abuse and, where the parties were married, they will not shrink from

(Photography by Kookie Blu@DreamFieldLab)

Financial abuse in family law

making orders significantly shifting capital assets into the victim’s name in an attempt to take account of the abuse they have suffered.

However, cohabitants do not have the same level of protection as the court has more limited powers primarily based on the principles of property law. Urgent legal reform is needed to align the rights of cohabitants with those of married couples.

EDWARD LYONS

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

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 31

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MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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It’s never quiet here!

AARON Coleman is never one to stand still and that is why Mendip Rural Services –based at Haydon above Wells – is rapidly evolving into the “go to” place for everything from Christmas trees to Aaron (centre) with two of the team, Emmie garden clearance. and Josh With a strong team now behind him, Aaron has gradually expanded the number of services he offers to the Mendip community. Need some new garden equipment? Need that lawnmower or chainsaw serviced for the spring? Aaron’s workshop is the ideal place to visit for help and advice.

Mendip Rural Services has also enjoyed a surge in demand for everything from garden clearances to agricultural services.

Aaron said: “Expanding the team has made a huge difference as they each have individual skills and I’m able to delegate more easily and efficiently.”

BUSINESS

Mendip Rural Services Ltd.

“Support Local!”

• Christmas trees now in stock!

• Logs (delivered to your door) & kindling • Hedgecutting • Garden clearance • Garden machinery servicing • Garden machinery sales & repairs • Agricultural services • Field topping • Machine hire • Digger work • Compact loader We’re based in Haydon, near Wells – please get in touch for more information on any of our services Call Aaron today – 07974 259766 | 01749 674077 Email – mendipruralservices@outlook.com www.mendipruralservices.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Shepton Mallet

Royal British Legion branch standard bearer Alun Stewart spoke to cubs from 1st Shepton Mallet Scouts about Remembrance Day and his role in the service. Al, of Stoke-St-Michael, was one of many standard bearers to attend the national Remembrance Service on Armistice Day at the Royal Albert Hall

Wrington

Wells

Tanys Pullen and Tina Smith Blackwill model two repurposed weddings dresses on the Chapter House Steps in Wells Cathedral.

They are part of a fundraising campaign by Tanys which will culminate in a gala fashion show and auction in January. They are pictured with members of the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion

Around 2,000 metal-stemmed poppies sit in the Quiet Garden at the Bishop’s Palace. Originally, 7,968 poppies were made by local school children in 2018 – one to mark each life lost of servicemen from the county of Somerset during World War One

Timsbury

John Gallop leads the Remembrance Sunday parade in Wrington PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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REMEMBRANCE DAY 2023

Castle Cary

Paulton

Judi Morison, chair of Castle Cary Town Council, and Martin Steiner, from the town’s Royal British Legion branch, hand over a wreath bound for London as part of Great Western Railway’s Poppies to Paddington initiative at the Paddington Station war memorial

A large gathering at the annual Dressing of the Graves ceremony at Paulton Cemetery organised by the Midsomer Norton and Radstock branch of the Royal British Legion, which visits every war grave in its area. The legion says that unless local councils, in agreement with the clergy, wish to take on the sponsorship of all the graves in their local cemetery, or a member of the public wishes to continue to lay a spray on a family grave, this will be the last year the event will be open to the general public

Backwell

Backwell, Chelvey & Brockley St Andrew's Church Ecumenical Service

Long Ashton

Seven-year-old Eli Isom, a beaver from 2nd Paulton Scouts, lays a poppy on the grave of Driver Lionel Shear, of the Royal Field Artillery, who died in October 1914, aged 19

Valerie Bridgeman at the grave of her father Reg Tavener, of the Devonshire Regiment, who died in December 1940, aged 29. Valerie was just 18 months old when he died MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

Midsomer Norton and Radstock Veterans at the end of the service in Radstock

Councillor Karen Walker, vice chair of B&NES, lays a wreath at Radstock

Lowered standards in Midsomer Norton

Blagdon

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Blagdon Rainbows

Pensford

Lance Cpl Solomon Pitt, 14, of Midsomer Norton Army Cadets, with photo and medals of his great, great, great grandfather, Charlie Moon, who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme

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Frome

The parade arrives for the ceremony

Cadet Cpl Madelyn Nicholls plays the Last Post

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2023

The service saw the rededication of the Second World War plaque in the foyer of the Memorial Theatre to include the name of Cpl Robert Smith; four generations of his family (pictured) attended The wreath laying in progress

Cheddar

Remembrance Sunday parade MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

Cheddar charity events

CHEDDAR will stage two big charity events in December for local hospices. St Margaret’s Hospice Care is holding a Santa abseil in the Gorge on Saturday, December 2nd, with a registration fee of £35 and minimum sponsorship of £125.

The Rotary Club of Mendip will stage a Santa and Elf fun run at Winchester Farm on Saturday, December 16th, raising money for Weston Hospicecare, adults £10, with fancy dress awards for U-14s.

Christmas in Cheddar

8

December

CHEDDAR Chamber of Commerce is organising a Festive Cheddar night on Friday, December 8th with late night opening and other attractions.

There will be a Christmas Fair in the lakeside car park at the bottom of the gorge, with seasonal music and mulled

wine.

The traders stepped in after the parish cancel cancelled the traditional Cheddar Festive Night blaming the tightening of regulations for public safety.

Christmas at Pretty Sitting

THIS Xmas, our Pretty Sitting elves have been working all night to create beautiful pieces for your home from workshop remnants. Nothing goes to waste. We are always looking for creative ways to use up our leftovers!

We also stock sparkly handmade Xmas decorations, rustic table linen, aromatic soy wax candles, hand woven baskets and a variety of handmade and locally sourced gifts not found on the High Street.

If you are stuck for ideas then why not offer your loved ones a PS gift voucher which can be redeemed against any product, class or service?

This Xmas we also wanted to say a big thank you to our lovely customers who have supported us over the past few years. We appreciate your loyalty and commitment to restoring and reusing your old furniture or shopping local for your beautiful handmade curtains and soft furnishings.

We wouldn’t still be here without you!

Lion’s busy time

Proprietor John Denbee FRICS

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

CHEDDAR Vale Lions have a busy month ahead with the return of the Tree of Light, where, for a small donation, your loved ones can be remembered as a light and star on their Christmas tree.

The dedication service takes place on Monday, December 11th at 6.30pm outside the Bath Arms in the centre of the village.

The Lions will also be selling Christmas raffle tickets at various events including Cheddar and Wedmore festive nights.

Details: www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk • 0345 8337402

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Woodbury celebrates 60 years of service WOODBURY Insurance Brokers in Cheddar was founded in 1963 by Harold Reeves working from his home in Draycott, mainly to provide insurance cover for the local strawberry growers in Draycott and Cheddar.

In 1971 he sold the business and the name to Peter Crandon and Terry Dowell who also ran Cheddar Newsagents on the corner of the High Street and ran Woodbury upstairs.

In 1976 the business moved down to the current office on Bath Street. Chris Scott, now 87, joined Terry in 1978 and eventually bought the business with his wife Gillian in 1988 when Terry retired and has owned it ever since.

Chris was joined by his two sons, Tony and Paul and his daughter, Nicola and over the years they have employed staff from the local area, now numbering six, who have been with them many years and have the knowledge and expertise that

this entails.

As a business they provide a local Cheddar high street shop service and also operate countrywide. Their office is open for face-to-face conversation or they are on the end of a phone or email.

They say: “It has always been our intention to give a local and personal service to our many loyal customers and we pride ourselves in dealing with them

FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

in arranging their insurance needs.

“Be it for home, car, van, motorcycle, business, shops, offices, public liability, rental properties, holiday insurance to big events such as a wedding or fete.

“We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our customers, both new and old. We feel over the years that our customers have become not only customers but friends as well.”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

CAFÉ GORGE

At Café Gorge we offer the best of the West Country www.cafegorge.co.uk info@cafegorge.co.uk Cheddar Gorge Cheddar • BS27 3QE 01934 741985

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

Centre’s celebrations

CHEDDAR Gorge visitor information centre marked the end of the main visitor season with an awards evening and social for volunteers who have helped with staffing the facility during the year. The centre is now closed for the winter, with plans to re-open for half-term next February.

Chairman, Peter Colton, thanked all the volunteers, in particular the management team, for their commitment to helping visitors to the gorge.

A record number had been received in the centre during the year; 26,280 in all, an increase of 70% over the previous year, largely due to the availability of more volunteers to open the centre for more sessions.

Retail sales too had grown significantly, with better displays and more items available to purchase. The top seller remained walking guides, with over 1200 sold during the year to the many visitors who enjoy the magnificent walks around the gorge.

Peter complimented Lesley Miller for managing the purchasing side of the business so well and also for making the celebratory cake.

It is now two years since the visitor centre was opened in the former National Trust shop following the NT decision to close their business. The centre is managed and run entirely by volunteers and they would welcome more.

Details: cheddargorgevic@gmail.com

Keep it Local!

Building & DIY Materials Slabs : Fencing : Decking Glass & Keys Tools & Plumbing Gardening Sundries Crown and Dulux Paint & Mixers Household Coal & Gas

CHEDDAR NURSERY For Christmas trees and wreaths

Sharpham Road, Cheddar BS27 3DR 01934 742135

KUKKINA

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WOMEN’S CLOTHING – INSPIRED BY DESIGN

BOUTIQUE

With added HEALTH AND WELLBEING HUB

EMMA ROGERS 07889 465689

KIRSTY GILBORSON 07305 582583

CHARLOTTE C-P 07594 922666

SALLY THORPE 07593 205200

Founder and owner Kimberley Brooks promises a visit to Kukkina is a real experience, with fizz and chocolates on arrival and the chance to browse a huge range of affordable clothes, jewellery and accessories, with personal service.

Birthday parties and hen parties are welcome – and there’s plenty of room for parking. Above the boutique there’s a range of studios ready to pamper you!

Group bookings, packages, and discounts available throughout! Join us for Festive Cheddar night on Friday, December 8th. We will also be operating a late-night boutique shopping and treatment EXPERIENCE ON Thursday, December 14th, 10am-9pm.

Kukkina Women’s Clothing Boutique Labourham Way, Draycott Road, Cheddar BS27 3RP

Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm Closed Sundays

CALL OR WHATSAPP | 07867 315536 Enquiries@kukkinaboutique.co.uk www.kukkinaboutique.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

Schools unite to remember

WESSEX Learning Trust brought together representatives from its 17 schools for a Remembrance Service at King's Academy, led by the Rev Ruth Motion, the academy’s chaplain.

The focal point of the event was the symbolic laying of wreaths by pupils from each trust school at the base of the Remembrance Cross. Adding a personal touch to the ceremony, Finn Ackery, a talented bugler from King's Academy, played haunting notes of remembrance.

Gavin Ball, chief executive of the Wessex Learning Trust

said: “The Remembrance Service exemplifies the unity and respect that defines the Wessex Learning Trust. Today, we stand together, remembering and honouring the sacrifices made by those who served.

“It is a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to instil these values in the next generation.”

From product advice to a full bathroom re-design, we are delighted to help you with your bathroom plans.

Whatever the size of your space or your budget, we’re here to help.

Visit our Showroom today!

AN INDEPENDENT, FAMILY RUN BATHROOM SHOWROOM AND DESIGN STUDIO

CALL US ON 01934 906516 info@blossombathrooms.co.uk | www.blossombathrooms.co.uk Unit 2C, Cheddar Business Park, Wedmore Road, Cheddar BS27 3EB

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

New drop-in centre planned

CHEDDAR-based charity, The Space, plans to open a new drop-in centre in Bath Street early next year, saying it will achieve a twoyear ambition to offer young people and their families a space to find support.

The charity was founded in 2017 and provides services to children and young people in the Cheddar Valley area to support their emotional and mental wellbeing.

The Space provides no-cost play therapy/counselling for children and young people 4-17 years, a youth club and out of term activities. Doreen Smith, Operations Director, said: “In the course of providing our services in Cheddar Valley communities we have identified a desperate need for a welcome and safe space where young people and their families can come for advice, guidance, and support.

“Parents and carers particularly find it extremely difficult to obtain relevant support for their children and young people who may not meet statutory agencies criteria. Our hub will be able to offer advice and information on how to access support and services in a caring and informative way.”

Details: www.thespacesomerset.org.uk Twitter: @thespacecheddar Facebook:TheSpaceCheddarValley Instagram: @thespacecheddarvalley

Cheddar & District Funeral Directors are here to help you every step of the way, providing dignity and respect to you and your loved ones. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Funeral Arrangements can be made at our office or in the comfort of your own home.

Direct Service (No attendance)

£1499.00

Traditional Service (Without Limousine)

£3066.00

Traditional Service (With 1 x Limousine)

£3286.00

All the above prices include the necessary disbursement costs for a local cremation. Any additional disbursements may affect the total price.

Ian Taylor-Rowlands Dip FD. LMBIFD

CHEDDAR 01934 742958

Redcliffe Court, Redcliffe Street, Cheddar BS27 3ND Email: cheddardistrictfunerals@outlook.com Website: www.cheddardistrictfunerals.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES

BillyChip expands

THE homeless charity, BillyChip, has launched in South Wales, thanks to the support of councils in Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea.

Earlier this year it was launched in the Midlands and also has the support of Southern Co-op stores. It was founded by the Abernethy-Hope family in Bishop Sutton following the death of their son, Billy.

It enables people to buy tokens which rough sleepers can exchange for food and drink.

Medical charity heroes win praise

www.billychip.com

Boost for historic Shepton

Pictured (l to r): Interim Spaces’ trustees Marcus Warry and Joshua Neicho outside 10 Market Place with charity director Dan Simon

INTERIM Spaces, a charity that transforms otherwise empty commercial properties into cultural venues and workspaces, has successfully secured £264,000 in funding to purchase, renovate, and activate 10, Market Place, a previously vacant historic building in the heart of Shepton Mallet.

Work is now underway to turn the property into a rent-free retail lab for testing ideas on the High Street and a hire space on the second floor for free and affordable classes in music and the arts.

During renovation work an original stone wall with a shuttered window was uncovered after the stud walling enclosing it was removed. The project aims to be fully operational by April next year.

Dan Simon, director of Interim Spaces, said: “High Streets across the UK are in desperate need of revitalisation and initiatives that allow businesses to innovate in retail settings serve as a progressive step towards that objective.

“We are hugely grateful to our funders and the support we have received from Shepton Mallet Town Council.”

Details: www.10marketplace.uk

PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

The tea party at the charity’s HQ in Somerton

A FORMER Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has praised the “amazing” unsung heroes of a Somerset-based medical charity.

Annie Maw, who was Lord Lieutenant of Somerset from 2015 to 2022, hosted a tea party for friends and supporters in her new role as patron of Festival Medical Services at their base in Somerton.

She said most of the audience would be aware of what FMS volunteers do at Glastonbury Festival – where they are responsible for delivering nursing and medical care to ticketholders and staff – but that their wider role supporting medical projects in the UK and around the world was much less well-known. FMS had a long-established track record of choosing projects very carefully and ethically and had donated nearly £1.5 million altogether.

One current project is funding, preparing and sending trauma boxes of lifesaving medical kit to war-torn Ukraine, in partnership with World Extreme Medicine. FMS has sent nearly £1 million worth of these since the war began in February 2022.

It also works on a long-term basis supporting medical projects in India, Ethiopia, Uganda, Haiti, Kenya and Zanzibar, as well as in the UK helping children, cancer patients and adults recovering from addiction.

FMS chief executive Dr Chris Howes said: “The fact that so many friends and supporters came along to Annie’s tea party shows the respect and affection in which she is held throughout the county – we are extremely fortunate to have her as our patron.

“She is right that the organisation we have grown into is scarcely recognisable as that which received its first patient in Worthy Farm kitchen at Glastonbury Festival in 1979.

“Our volunteers now come from all over the country and provide a hugely comprehensive range of high-quality medical services. They show relentless commitment and dedication and devote their skills, energy and experience to ensure the service we provide is second to none.”

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Hospital strikes gold with metal detectorists SOME 1,200 metal detectorists from as far away as the USA, across Europe and the UK gathered recently for the annual Rodney Cook Memorial Rally in Bath.

The three-day charity weekend festival started five years ago and has become the biggest metal detecting rally in Europe.

The rally was initially set up in 2018 by Gary Cook, in memory of his dad, Rodney, who sadly passed away at the RUH after having cancer in 2017.

The organisers recently presented the hospital charity, RUHX, with £56,000 raised this year. Across the five years the RCM rallies have raised an extraordinary £180,000 for RUHX. Proceeds from the ticket sales, raffle and extras will go towards providing new cutting-edge robotics surgery at the hospital, helping buy the RUH’s first robotic surgery machine earlier this year.

The new Da Vinci surgical robot is now plugged in and powered up in theatres. Its arrival has ushered in a new age at the

Stocking filler

hospital, supporting more than 400 complex surgical operations across the RUH, saving time, resources, and lives in an instant.

Gary Cook said: “The staff who cared for my father at the RUH were quite simply incredible, caring, and wonderful people. I felt compelled to try and do something to raise some money for RUHX to repay that kindness. So, from something awful, the RCM Rally was born.”

Jon McFarlane, consultant urological

Details: www.rodneycookmemorial.co.uk

AFTER the success of her first book, Nancy Thorne from Claverham has been working on a second to raise funds for BRACE, a small charity based at Southmead Hospital which funds research into dementia.

Entitled BRACE Yourself for the Unexpected, Again she says it is a miscellany of original puzzles, anecdotes, general nonsense and poignant

tales of living with dementia.

The book is now available to buy at £4.95 from Nancy, Yatton Post Office or the Brace website.

Details: www.alzheimers-brace.org

CHARITIES

surgeon at the RUH said: “The introduction of robotic surgery will make a big difference for our patients, allowing people to recover and get back to normal life faster, with fewer side effects.

“Having advanced medical equipment such as this also helps us to attract the best medical and nursing staff to the RUH and improve cancer care for our local population.”

The rally organisers are keen to hear from landowners prepared to host future events.

Ambulance fundraisers

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance is suggesting five ways to fundraise during the festive period to help meet its costs of £3,500 per mission.

They include dedicating your Christmas lights to DSAA, hosting a Mince Pie Morning, organising a Festive Fancy Dress Day, holding a Christmas Fair or organising a Festive Bake Sale.

Emma Jones, fundraising manager, said: “Fundraising during the festive season can be so much fun! Whether you’re an individual, a school, a business or a group, there’s so many ways to get involved.”

Details: 01823 669604 or email: fundraising@dsairambulance.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

Jess wins national award

DOROTHY House Hospice Care’s Young People’s Ambassador, Jess Sheridan, has won the Young Volunteer of the Year category at the Hospice UK Awards, 2023. Jess has also won Young Volunteer of the Year in the B&NES Community Awards.

Jess, from Willsbridge, started volunteering at the hospice after her mum’s death when she was just 19 and supports it in a variety of ways.

Last year she participated as a facilitator at a pastoral training course hosted by Dorothy House at Monkton Combe School and attended by teachers and nursing staff from many schools in the local area.

Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK, said: “By generously sharing her personal experience of losing her mum as a teenager, Jess has offered advice to other bereaved young people, acting as a role model and helping them to connect and support each other.

“I am personally thrilled and moved to recognise your achievement Jess, as I was also supported by Dorothy House as a teenager, following the death of my father in 1985. I am in awe that you have become a Young Ambassador. Thank you, Jess, for you dedication and hard work.”

Dorothy House, based at Winsley near Bradford-on-Avon has recently extended its area to include the Chew Valley.

Isaac’s big day out

CHARITIES

Isaac with mum and dad Shane and Charlie and Andrew Curtis (right)

TRACTOR-mad Isaac Winsley, aged four, got a dream day out riding on a tractor in a charity rally hosted by Andrew Curtis from H. Curtis and Sons from Stanton Wick. The rally saw 64 tractors set out, slower ones through the Chew Valley and others across the Mendips.

Isaac went into hospital shortly afterwards for treatment for a rare liver cancer. His mother Charlie and father Shane from Wells have been fundraising to cover the costs of his care. Their second child is due.

The event raised £1,000 each for the charities Cancer in Children UK and the Mental Health Foundation. Organisers said thank you to everyone who attended and donated.

H. Curtis also supported a fun day for Isaac back in August.

Reindeer run for RNLI

RNLI Winscombe and District branch will be holding their second reindeer run at Winscombe cricket club on Sunday, December 3rd.

Runners of all standards are welcome; there will be a 2.5km Santa Trail (open to all) and a 5km Reindeer Trail (minimum age 11). Both trails are off-road and fancy dress will be welcome.

A trial run last year proved popular. Runners are encouraged to get sponsorship and encourage supporters as drinks and refreshments will be available. l Focus on Winscombe, page 84.

Details: RNLI.org/WinscombeReindeer Facebook bit.ly/WinscombeRNLI or contact Tim Moran Tim@moransonline.com 07801 678432

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

The line-up before the start

Details: www.gofundme.com/f/865cf-the-winsley-family

Volunteers needed

SOMERSET Sight is recruiting volunteers to befriend visually impaired people on a regular basis. Their volunteers help people to remain independent and overcome loneliness and isolation.

All reasonable and out of pocket expenses are paid.

Details: 01823 333818 • email admin@somersetsight.org.uk

s

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Heritage line is planning for the future

Ex-miners next to Kilmersdon at Midsomer Norton South Station

NEWS

Paul Loader, whose grandfather Herbie spent 28 driving the loco at the colliery and who was the final driver, was also amongst the visitors

AN important section of the former Somerset & Dorset railway track bed near Chilcompton is in new hands after a financial deal was reached between the landowner and the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust.

The trust says the 750-yard section – from just south of the Chilcompton Tunnels to the Redan Bridge – is vital to achieve their long-term vision to expand the line from Midsomer Norton South Railway Station.

The trust has purchased the section together with several acres of adjacent former agricultural land with the help of a generous legacy left to the trust, with the request that it should be used for the future development of the railway.

Before the trust can connect the newly purchased track bed to its existing running line, it says there remains the substantial task of removing the infilled cutting leading up to

the Chilcompton Tunnels and the second issue of both tunnels being currently occupied by tenants of Highways England. The trust continues to liaise with all key stakeholders over both issues.

Stephen Jones, a director of the trust, said: “As other heritage railways have shown, it is important to take a longterm view of the railway’s future no matter how formidable other obstacles may seem at present. The current trustees are doing all in their power to lay the foundations for those who come after them to build upon.”

Meanwhile, former Somerset coalfield workers spent a day at the line where carriages were pulled by Kilmersdon, a 1923 R3 Class loco which worked at Kilmersdon Colliery, on loan from the Watercress Line. The event was organised by the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust.

WRINGTON Vale Rotary Club’s past president, Bob Preedy, has accepted the challenge to drive a 4WD truck to Ukraine.

This follows on from an initiative by Scottish farmers called Pickups for Peace which has already gifted over 200 4WD vehicles to the cause.

Currently, in the West Country and South Wales, Tony Strutt of V-Aid, Disaster Food Response, has organised about 40 4WD trucks to be driven to Lviv, a journey of some 1200 miles.

The two vehicles pictured left the Railway Inn in Sandford driven by Bob and his co-driver Bob Clark, the other driven

by Tony Strutt and Mary Burden, president elect of the Dartmouth Rotary Club.

They planned to drive to Wrocław in Poland, which is about 1000 miles, before joining the 40-vehicle convoy into Ukraine.

Wrington Vale’s truck was filled with 60+ coats and

fleeces, waterproofs, warm woollens for men, women and children as well as about 70 litres of concentrated soap, shower gel and shampoo.

Also, boots, food, a hospital baby’s cot, a generator and a brand new wheelchair as well as various other items.

It said: “Much of this has been donated by the local community – thank you!”

The other truck was carrying first aid equipment.

Bob’s Ukraine journey

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 47

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MENDIP TIMES

Lantern Parade is back

SHEPTON Mallet is gearing up for this year’s Lantern Parade which will take place on Saturday, December 16th.

There promises to be more than 100 lanterns and local artist Mandy McKenna will be showcasing her amazing Pangolin lantern from last year.

The parade itself meets in Collett Park at 5pm and, after processing around the park, makes its way down to the Market Cross. With Last year’s parade music from Jamma de Samba and The Little Big Horns it will be an amazing spectacle of hand-made colourful lanterns as well as mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, ice cream and food. l A final lantern workshop weekend takes place on December 2nd and 3rd, from 10am to 4pm in the Paul St community centre.

Just turn up on the day and there will be people who will help you. A small charge of £2 is made for a basic materials kit.

Christmas in Shepton

1

December

JOIN in an evening of fun on Friday, December 1st with food, late night shopping, market stalls, entertainment, workshops, Santa's grotto and tree light switch-on.

The event runs from 5-8pm with the switching on of the lights by the winner of the town council’s Christmas card competition at 6pm.

Create@#8’s artisan market

Three of the summer school artists (l to r): Gill Goodall, Jane Bolt and Pauline Morris

FOR the first time, Create@#8 is hosting an Artisan Christmas Market with beautifully designed work from some of Somerset’s finest makers and creatives.

The market, which runs until December 9th, features items including beaded jewellery, ceramics and glass, small original art, candles and festive decor, handmade wrapping, upcycled decoupage, handmade felting, textiles and knitted accessories.

Create@#8 is a pop-up gallery and workshop space at 8 Town Street, Shepton Mallet. The space is run by SMart, Shepton Mallet Art and Culture, a community interest company.

It recently hosted an exhibition of work by participants in a summer school "Imaging the Story" course in July. The pieces reflect on contemporary spirituality and human experiences.

The Rev Gill Sakakini, who led the summer school and is one of Create@#8’s directors, said: “I think what we have achieved so far here shows that the space is very flexible and versatile.”

Create@#8, 8 Town Street, Shepton Mallet BA4 5BG PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

The market is open between 10am and 4pm from Thursday to Saturday

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Approaching three decades of service

Mark and Suzie Nixon

FOR almost 30 years, family-run Right Price DIY has prided itself on offering a massive range of products combined with friendly service which is second-to-none.

Right Price DIY, on the Bath Road, opened in 1996 to meet the demands of both enthusiasts and professionals – whether it’s building supplies and aggregates to tools, timber, decorating materials, lighting and electrical.

But Mark and Suzie Nixon, who run the store alongside their knowledgeable team, also stock everything from cleaning materials to camping supplies, garden implements and homeware. They boast they have 12,500 stock lines and, especially at this time of year, that includes coal, Hotmax, heat logs, logs, kindling and fireside products.

They are also enthusiastic supporters of events such as the Shepton Mallet Lantern Festival, Shepton Mallet Carnival and local charity SOS Africa. Suzie said: “We have a very strong local customer base, but people do travel from quite far away and we do deliver.”

FOCUS ON SHEPTON MALLET

Interest becomes a business

AN enthusiasm for collectables has led to John Densley opening Junk and Disorderly, in Great Ostry.

Working alongside Pasquale Constanza, John has filled the showroom with everything from prints, pop Just a flavour of what is inside Junk and Disorderly art and photos to furniture and curios. Signs outside the showroom point humorously to “Tat this way” and it is worth devoting some time to exploring what is inside.

John has previously worked from a van at antiques fairs selling some of the many items he has acquired over the years and kept at home, but decided now was the time to set up in business properly.

The shop has been open since August and enjoys a steady stream of visitors with many others contacting John online via Facebook and Instagram.

John said: “I’ve always had a real interest in collectables, but was always reluctant to move anything on, so the house was getting rather full. From the response I’ve received so far, it’s been a very good move!”

“Quality “tat” this way”

Antiques, Retro & Vintage

Smalls & Collectables

Paintings, lighting & mirrors

Household clearances, home furnishings, items bought & sold

Our address: 1 Great Ostry, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5TT Our phones: 07528 8862442 | 07781 477948 Our opening hours: Mon, Fri, Sat: 10am-4.30pm | Tues, Weds, Thurs: 10am- 3.30pm | Sun (by appointment) MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 49

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MENDIP TIMES

Cider tour and tasting

SPECIALIST cidermakers Pilton Cider will be opening their doors to the public at their base on the Anglo Trading Estate on Saturday, December 2nd from 10am until 4pm.

There will be an opportunity to take a tour of their cider making works and to taste this season's freshly pressed cider.

The Anglo Trading Estate is Visitors will also be able to home to Pilton Cider taste samples from their complete bottled range and to stock up for Christmas.

Pilton Cider make an exciting range of whole juice ciders.

Their core ingredients are the bittersweet cider apples that grow in traditional orchards around the parish of Pilton.They use the artisan method of keeving to transform the juice from this full flavoured fruit into unique naturally sweet ciders. Finally, they weave in different yeasts, other fruits and barrel aging techniques to create a variety of small batch drinks.

Enthusiasts – or just the curious – can find their ciders in bottle shops, natural wine bars and restaurants throughout the UK and now in ten countries across the world.

Worldwide appeal of snowdrop competitions Spring Leap by Kate Peskett, of Berkshire, winner of last year’s over18 photogtraphy category

ORGANISERS of the 2024 Shepton Snowdrops Festival are hoping to see another strong global response to their call for entries to the 2024 Photography and Poetry Competitions.

The theme, “Nature Unbound”, is a creative challenge to explore the interaction between the human world, nature, and its recolonisation of landscapes, habitats and abandoned terrain.

Each competition has three age categories, with a money prize for the winner of each: 18 and over, £300; 12-17, £100 and 11 and under, £50.

Once again, award-winning photographer, Jason Ingram, will judge the photography competition. For the second year, poet and author, Wendy Pratt, will judge the poetry competition.

The 2024 festival takes place from February 12th – 18th. The Shepton Snowdrop Project CIC was set up in 2019 to raise awareness and celebrate the legacy of James Allen. He was an early c19th amateur horticulturist and breeder of snowdrops, known to his peers and since as the Snowdrop King. The annual festival, bulb planting around the town and summer open gardens are organised and run entirely by volunteers.

You can’t see me by Lucas Costello, from Somerset; winner in the 12-17 category

For more details and information about how to enter, visit the festival website: https://www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk/ competitions-photography-poetry/

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Investing in the future

AS shown by their 300+ positive Google reviews, customer service lies at the heart of everything offered by the team at Phillips Tyres.

And part of that service includes keeping up with the latest technology as cars become ever more sophisticated.

For example, Phillips Tyres have recently invested in the latest wheel tracking equipment which takes account of sensors such as lane assist systems and are also looking at training staff in maintenance and repair of electric vehicles.

Phillips Tyres is far more than simply a tyre fitting and repair centre; they offer the complete package: tyres, batteries, exhausts, car servicing, wheel alignment, MOTs and repair work.

Justin Phillips, from the family-run firm founded 60 years ago, said: “As cars evolve, we also need to keep up with developments and to offer as many services ‘in house’ as we can.”

Justin added: “Since we moved onto our current site in 2010, I’m pleased to say that are able to offer our customers a better and more complete service.”

Phillips Tyres are regular sponsors of the pre-show party ahead of the annual Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show each August.

FOCUS ON SHEPTON MALLET

Where “celebrities” shop

REGULAR viewers of BBC TV’s Antiques Road Trip might well recognise the Somerset Antiques and Interiors shop and showroom in the town’s High Street.

Run by Paul Moody for the past 13 years, the shop has made an appearance in three episodes of the popular show as well as in other programmes.

The extensive showroom is home to an impressive display of furniture and furnishings, paintings and collectables. Paul says practical items such as antique desks – for homeworkers with an eye for quality – tables, chests of drawers and cupboards are currently selling exceptionally well.

He said: “People seem to be looking for antiques that are not only attractive to look at but usable and useful.

“I’ve always enjoyed welcoming film crews to the showroom and to see what catches the experts’ eye.”

Somerset Antiques & Interiors

PAUL MOODY 07999 871429

No2 HIGH STREET SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSET BA4 5AN

01749 345468

E-MAIL: ENQUIRIES@SOMERSETANTIQUES.CO.UK WWW.SOMERSETANTIQUES.CO.UK

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

Carnival Night in Shepton Mallet

Ground crew and cast of Huckyduck CC’s tableau entry December 25th

EVENTS

British Flag CC’s feature entry It’s Grimm

Just Another Day in Hollywood, this year’s feature cart

by Harlequin CC

A scene from Taverns, a feature entry from Globe CC

Luxor, by Vagabonds CC

Shepton’s home club, Shambles CC, with Place Your Bets

The cast of the tableau entry, Zulu – Battle of Rourke’s Drift, by Penthalon CC PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

One of the walking masqueraders entries

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WILDLIFE

From wolves to robins – a festive journey

AT this time of the year, birds should be more noticeable. The season's favourite, the robin, takes centre stage whether in garden or farm as it flits from post to post or tree to tree, looking for an easy source of food.

By CHRIS The robin feeds on grubs, insects, SPERRING worms and the like, though will, if need MBE be, visit the bird table during cold snaps and be partial to any fat that’s been left out.

I learned many years ago the importance of fat for small birds during a trip to Sweden. In a forest area where the winter daytime temperature can be as low as -15° to -20°C there are still small birds, and birds that would be familiar to us here in England such as great and blue tit.

Interesting then, when we consider how vulnerable those same small birds seem to be during a cold snap in England which doesn’t normally get much lower than -6°C and how such a cold snap here can make the media scramble for stories of birds suffering because it.

Whilst walking these Swedish forests, through sometimes deep snow, I would come across a carcass of a wild boar. The tracks around the boar told a story with multiple characters.

The biggest track belongs to the dominant predator and is the animal that captured and killed the boar. This is the European grey wolf, who has had its fill of food no doubt with the pack, which in Europe normally means male and female parent wolves with pups.

Blue tit – as with all small birds, a winter source of fat is vital

The robin – as familiar in Sweden as it is here

They can only eat so much, but there will be no waste, as there are many other smaller tracks close to what they have left of the boar.

Firstly, I find two familiar tracks from different animals, red fox and badger. With the fox I suspect that it’s been following the wolves around the forest and just waiting for them to make a kill. The badger, though, may have a sett close by and it could have been attracted by the smell of the kill. Swedish naturalists tell me that badgers will lie up in their setts during the freezing weather, unless food close by presents an opportunity.

There are also much smaller mammal tracks. These have the classic five digits of a Mustelid and identify them as stoats and weasels with a larger version which might be pine marten. But by far the most tracks are not predatory mammals at all, but small birds. Now, as I crouch down and examine more closely these bird tracks, overhead is the familiar sound of robins, great and blue tits to name just three familiar birds for us; they are sounding their alarm calls and are aimed at me, I’m in their way.

No doubt, I have disturbed them as they feed off the carcass. The other animals that have feasted and moved on have left much fat on the bone, so to speak, and the small birds have descended from the trees. Probably, like the fox, they spend much time following the wolf in search of some rich fat for energy and warmth that will see them survive the harshest of the winter weather that nature can throw at them.

Isn’t it amazing how so delicately balanced the nature around us is? There wasn’t supposed to be a Christmas message in here, but I suppose the point to take away is that, in nature, there is no waste.

Have a good one everyone!

Autumn and winter walks are underway; I have several of them coming up. Please go to my Facebook page to find out more or to create your own event. Or ring me on 07799 413918

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

Following a new section of the Strawberry Line

GET on track for an easy, newly created walk below the southern edge of Mendip.

This winter circle takes advantage of the recently re-opened new section of the old Strawberry Line from Westbury-subMendip to Easton and gives a great view north to the Mendip ridge and then across south to one or two of the hills rising from the Levels. From this multiuser path along the old line, we take a very quiet lane south, past a recreation ground for an ideal stop for a snack or a drink and then cut across fields before picking up hard dry tracks again. Finally, cross the embankment of the former railway, not yet brought back to life, and head across another field coming out opposite the start, the community shop in Westbury. Here you can buy sandwiches etc. and tea and coffee and eat it in the garden at the side. Or visit the Westbury Inn just a short step away. The ancient yew tree in Westbury church is well worth a visit. There is one stile and if there has been much rain don’t expect to be mud-free in some of the fields.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

PARK: In the centre of the village by the old village cross and primary school. Go up School Hill behind the cross and find somewhere suitable on the road or go up a little further and park on the right in the Square.

START: At the village cross. Go over the main road with care and turn left. The first turn right takes you along to the fine village church. Take a look in the churchyard at the ancient, gnarled yew tree thought to be well over 800 years old. Go back to the main road and continue on a short way, passing over left the village pub, the Westbury Inn. Ignore Duck Lane. The pavement ends but carry on a few yards and turn right in Station Road.

Pass some fine village houses and cottages down here and just past Bell Close reach a footpath left. Turn right down the gravel path and reach the line of the old railway, the Strawberry Line, which has now been brought back to life in a different guise after 60 years of closure.

1. STRAWBERRY LINE Volunteers from the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society began converting the line into a walking and cycling route in 1983 and the restoration continues with new stretches regularly coming on stream like this one. The Strawberry Line is part of the Somerset Circle which, when completed, will form a 76-mile traffic-free circuit linking Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels.

Turn left and follow this easy, very pleasant 1.8k route which should catch any sun going. There are good views up left to the Mendip Hills and the other way across the Levels. A lot of work by volunteers has led to the opening of this multi-user route. Notice the hedging on each side and carefully sited seats along the route. Go under a rail bridge built to provide access for landowners. Further on is another, larger bridge.

Here the route bends to deviate from the old line which ran on the right in the very deep cutting. Further on, you can see that some of the land above the old deep rail route is providing vegetable garden space for locals living on the other side.

Just continue now to a road at the end in Easton.

2. EASTON Turn right over the bridge. The hope is that the multi-user path will eventually be continued over left. Pass Easton Village Hall, left, and take the second right, Pound Lane, a narrow village thoroughfare to the main road. Cross to go down the Green opposite. This is a quiet route that leads out of the village south. Continue on and pass a good place for a stop, at Easton Playing Field. Then follow the lane a little further to find, on the right, a narrow plank footbridge and stile.

3. FIELDS This may be muddy right at the start but stay to the left and get onto the concrete block path going straight on. Then

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continue to the end of the field. Go through two kissing gates (KGs) and then bear diagonally right across the next field to the far corner by a dead tree. You are parallel with the Mendip ridge on your right. A KG leads onto a track (Erlon Lane). Cross to another KG and follow the hedged path ahead which leads to a field. Parallel the left hedge as you cross the field, with the conical Windmill Hill ahead. There’s another KG and go on in this next field to reach a finger post near the far side.

4. FINGER POST Don’t take the railway route, but instead go straight on in the Westbury direction, through a Bristol Gate into another field.

Stay reasonably close to the right hedge as you cross the field to another gate leading to a hard track by the water treatment works.

WALKING

OS Explorer 141, Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 500 484, postcode BA5 1HD. What3words: staining.lifted.debater Distance 3.5 miles, about 1.5-2 hours walking.

5. TRACK Turn left up the track. Reach a junction and turn right on Rodmead Lane.

You are on the Mendip Ring for a short while – a long distance path (117 miles) designed by the Mendip Ramblers using public footpaths and rights of way to follow the boundary of the government district of Mendip.

Continue to another junction with a lane and again turn right. Come to Lodge Hill Farm and a T-junction. Follow this lane to the left. Soon you may be able to see over right the former stone goods shed at the old Westbury-sub-Mendip station. After a few minutes just before a slight bend go right over a plank footbridge.

6. FOOTBRIDGE Cross the field to a gate on the other side and head up steps onto the embankment of the old rail line which looks in pretty good condition at this stage but has not yet been made into a multi-user path. Bear slightly right across the embankment and down steps into the last of our fields. The path heads diagonally up across the middle to a power pole and then head on across just to the right of farm sheds. Turn right on a grassy path by the sheds.

7. CHURCH After a gate go alongside the churchyard wall. Carry on under an American walnut tree and cross a crazy-paved path. Leave over a stone slab stile to the main road. This is the end of our walk. Opposite is the welcoming village shop which serves sandwiches etc and you can use their garden. And don’t forget the Westbury Inn round the corner.

Community Shop 01749 870296.

Open, weekdays 8 –5pm, Saturday 8am-1pm, Sunday 9-11am.

Westbury Inn, 01749 870402. Closed Monday, Tuesday.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

West Countryman’s diary

YES, it’s Christmas and what does this festive season hold? It will mean different things to different people, but I hope that it will bring families together, although that’s not always possible. My own family is now spread out between Cambridgeshire and China. Perhaps instead it will bring With LES DAVIES MBE memories of families together, which can be a great thing. So let me talk about a few things present and past and hope the romance of Christmas has not gone completely.

Has the Christmas walk been planned? Many families have them where everyone who’s not involved in the preparation of Christmas lunch leaves the house. This is preferably done wearing a Christmas hat of some description with new boots or coat.

Christmas lunch can be anything from a sandwich to the full turkey and many veg meal. Legends abound about the bird that wouldn’t fit in the oven or was so big it didn’t cook in time.

The best one I saw was a car travelling through Wells with the cooked turkey wrapped up and on a plate in the back window!

Christmas started as a midwinter feast, which no doubt was there to lift the spirits in the dark and dreary days. As with many other things, the onset of Christianity brought new emphasis and new meaning to the celebration.

Many will say that Christmas has changed and so it has. It’s mainly us and our perception of it . . . as we grow older our views change as do our expectations. Along with those views goes our perception of what Christmas weather should be.

For those who are devotees of the Giles Cartoon books that used to be “standard issue” at Christmas (I am certainly one of those) Christmas was always snowbound. It’s such thoughts as these that lead us every year to ask the question and even bet on whether it’s going to be a white Christmas. Apart from Giles, others will blame Charles Dickens for promoting the myth through his stories.

It wasn’t Christmas in “Dickens land” unless it had snow. It has been suggested that his line of thought came from a series of severe winters during his early life of which six white Christmases were recorded between 1812 and 1832. Diarists and meteorologists however have suggested that such white Christmases were rare as were the cold and frosty ones.

We talk about global warming today, but back in 1920 the temperature rose to more than 50º Fahrenheit, whilst on Christmas day 1913 the weather really swung out of balance.

Roses were in bloom everywhere and apple trees covered in blossom. Geraniums bloomed in Somerset and barley was in full ear at Gravesend.

Although not quite so spectacular as this, winter warming has been taking hold for a while. In 1937 it began raining nearly a week before Christmas and didn’t stop until Christmas Eve. By that time flooding was becoming a problem in many towns and cities with properties being affected.

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

OUTDOORS

In truth we remember our white and frosty Christmas far more than the wet and misty one, and why? Because we want to!

Harkening back to Christmas past brings me onto another gem of a discovery. How many men of a “certain age” will remember the Meccano Magazine? Ladies, please forgive me whilst I regress to those boyhood days of construction kits comprised of holed metal panels, nuts, bolts and washers that went to make up all kinds of machines. I can remember looking at the box I was given one Christmas and wondering when I opened it all up why I couldn’t build the loading shovel shown on the box.

It slowly came to me that the No 1 set didn’t have enough wheels, plates and nuts and bolts to make it . . . disappointment!

As were some other Christmas presents that came with those infamous words of “Batteries Not Included” on the outside of the packaging.

Anyway, back to the magazine that held all sorts of wonderful stuff in the days when boys “made” things and had interests that didn’t involve a computer screen. I found a whole batch of these magazines going back to 1961 in a charity shop and it wasn’t even Christmas.

I was nine years old in 1961 and couldn’t afford the one shilling and three pence each monthly issue cost (which roughly equates to today’s price of seven pence). Occasionally I would win a copy from someone else who had read his and I would sit lost in a world that I could only dream of.

Going through my 1961 copies, I wallowed in the nostalgia of things for sale that wouldn’t be possible today. Yes, you could buy an air rifle or air pistol; a sheath knife and hatchet. What about a chemistry set to carry out your own experiments with or model boats that used a clockwork motor; aircraft driven by rubber bands.

If model railways were your passion the magazine had endless articles on track layout and dioramas. The boys portrayed in the adverts were invariably wearing school uniform or smart casual dress. No scruffy Herberts here!

The Armed Forces wanted you as Army Apprentices: “Think about it early” they wrote, “when you are between 14 and 16.

You could be earning up to £20 a week after training with two months paid holiday a year!”

It was truly a vision of Christmas past, but without too much fuss within its pages. Yes, the front cover of the December 1961 edition had an Alaskan Railroad scene with snow. There were a couple of quizzes and Christmas related articles but nothing too outrageous!

Finally, thanks to Mairia and Tony Tate from Portishead, who contacted me through Mendip Times. They gave me their collection of Sweet Chestnut seedlings to go into Foxwood this winter. I spent a delightful morning with them putting the world to rights.

Have a great Christmas everyone and an even better New Year!.

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Caving adventures – with Mendip at their heart

MANY books have been written about the various aspects of limestone country and its caves. Scientific and technical volumes abound and there are With PHILIP plenty of examples of HENDY exploration, both general and describing specific caves.

Rescue, successful and otherwise, has been described and there are many books dedicated to cave archaeology. Caves are featured in literature as well, although often as mere background.

The stone age people forming the subject of Jean M. Auel’s series commencing with Clan of the Cave Bear lived in caves, but much of the action takes place elsewhere. The descent into a lava cave in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth is early sci-fi, but is absolutely implausible.

A 1969 sci-fi novel, The Caves of Karst, set on a planet of that name by Lee Hoffman, is also pure fiction.

Several of the books where the action mainly takes place underground were written in the 1950s and 60s and can be regarded as “ripping yarns” aimed at a youthful audience. The protagonists are usually teenage boys, who venture underground to explore, or possibly hunt for hidden treasure.

They must overcome natural obstacles such as rockfall and flooding and sometimes the attention of undesirables seeking the same end. Conan Fraser, a military man who caved under Mendip, wrote two such books, Dead Man’s Cave, set in the Pyrenees (1954) and The Underground River (1959) which features a fictitious Mendip cave.

Another writer, Showell Styles, served in the navy and later became an explorer and mountaineer. He wrote several books, but only one for teenagers. The Lost Pothole, set in Yorkshire, describes three boys exploring a cave in search for hidden treasure, while two ne’er do-wells have the

same object in mind.

John Sweet, most famous for his contribution to Scouting literature, also wrote a Yorkshire-based book, The Secret of Rumbling Churn.

Adult books based on caves tend to be murder mysteries. The vast, intricate and astoundingly decorated Lechuguilla Cave is in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. In 1999 Nevada Barr wrote Blind Descent, where murder and skulduggery involving a group of explorers and cave surveyors is eventually resolved, exposing the nefarious deeds of illegal prospectors.

Mendip has its own murder mystery, involving our famous Swildon’s Hole.

Published in 2016, Damien Boyd wrote Death Sentence. Detective Nick Dixon investigates across England and Wales to find the killer of a man in a pillbox on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

The denouement occurs deep in the cave and Boyd was assisted in his research by members of the Wessex Cave Club. Partly because of this, the Wessex headquarters, Upper Pitts, also features in the book.

Purists may quibble about certain liberties

CAVING

taken with the layout of the cave and the HQ, but it is a rattling good yarn for all that.

Possibly the first caving adventure novel and certainly the first to be set on Mendip, Our Exploits at West Poley, is a fairly short story by Thomas Hardy, written for a youthful readership, and intended to be published in America. It was written in 1883, but was lost and was eventually published in installments in an obscure American magazine beginning in 1892.

It involves the fictitious villages of West and East Poley and two caves, Nick’s Pocket and Grim Billy. Three lads find a way of diverting the stream in Nick’s Pocket to either of the two villages. The ensuing ramifications and rivalry between the two settlements is at last resolved, though not before the boys are rescued from certain drowning in the cave.

The tale was made into a film for the Children’s Film Foundation in 1954. The Secret Cave was intended for showing at children’s matinees. Only one copy is known to exist; it is owned by an Australian, who guards it jealously.

However, it was shown to a full house at Priddy Village Hall in 2003.

Entirely shot on location, it features Croscombe as West Poley and other locations include Priddy Green, Cheddar Head and Horrington quarry. There were only two professional actors, including a young Johnny Morris. The underground sequences were filmed in Wookey Hole, until the floodlights began to dry the cave up.

Then a flood, staged with an upturned water tank, discoloured the mill stream and further filming permission was denied.

The final underground water sequence was filmed at night in Shepton Mallet swimming pool.

Many of these early books are now out of print, but a search in a second-hand bookshop may turn up trumps. It is also probable that quite a few will be found in the collections of various cavers or their clubs.

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 • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Mid-winter miscellany

WITH the seasonal festivities upon us we may get the impression that there is not much to be done in the garden. But far from it. However, if the weather is miserable, it is the ideal opportunity to decide what to grow next year. Gardeners are always optimistic, whatever disasters were experienced this With MARY year, next year will always be better – PAYNE MBE hopefully!

We do not wish to deny the birds a few holly berries for their supper, but if you wish to save some for decorations then pick stems now and stand in water in a shed out of reach of our feathered friends.

It has been the best ever year for holly berries mainly due to the fine (hot) weather in 2022 which repined the wood well and encouraged the development of flower buds. These buds opened in May this year when, again the weather was fine, and as a result there were plenty of pollinating insects around, hence the good crop.

If you wish to purchase a holly for your garden then ensure you get two – a male plant and a female plant and don’t be fooled by the names. Golden King is female and Silver King is a male variety. If you have only space for one, then go for J.C van Thol which is hermaphrodite and, even better, it has very few prickles.

As the catalogues plop through the letterbox take time to browse. Paper copies seem so much more interesting than their online versions. There are so many varieties available that it may seem bewildering which one to choose.

My advice is always to choose one that claims to show pest or disease tolerance or resistance. Geneticists have been working hard on our behalf and their success is not the result of genetic modification, still not allowed in the UK, but by straightforward selection and hybridisation.

Should you choose the more expensive F1 hybrids varieties?

These will give a very uniform crop and will be ready to harvest at the same time, which may not be so useful to you. Openpollinated Brussel sprouts, for example, will crop over a prolonged period in your garden, whereas a commercial grower wants to harvest them all at once by machine.

If in doubt choose one that has the initials AGM beside it.

These have been given the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society as they have proved dependable under a variety of conditions.

If you had problems with runner beans this year then try one of these varieties, Firestorm, Snowstorm or Moonlight. These have had genes from the French bean, which is self-fertile, introduced to give a better set. They look and taste like runner beans, but give a better crop in unfavourable conditions, especially when the weather is dry.

I have had many queries about cosmos this year. They are a popular choice for many gardeners as the blooms make excellent cut flowers, but some varieties grow enormous and PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Ilex Nellie R. Stevens

flower very late. Choose the varieties Sonata or Apollo, both grow to approximately two feet and start flowering early.

We all like getting something for nothing. It is easy to increase your stock of deciduous shrubs at this time of year by taking hardwood cuttings. Buddleja, Weigela, Deutzia, Philadelphus, Ribes, roses and Forsythia are all easy by this method, along with black and red currants, gooseberries, vines, and figs.

After leaf fall, take stems of the current season’s growth, at least as thick as a pencil. Remove the immature tip. Cut above a bud at the top and just below a bud at the base of the cutting, leaving a piece of stick 9-12 inches long. Make a slit with a spade on a spare piece of garden and drizzle sand into the base.

Stick in your stems (make sure they are the right way up), so they are two thirds in the ground and one third above soil level.

Leave them until this time next year when they can be dug up and transplanted or potted up to give to friends. They can also be put in deep pots of a well-drained compost.

Most pruning jobs are best left until the late winter or early spring, but vines, acers and birch will all “bleed” if cut when the sap is rising so should be done while totally dormant. The top one third can be cut off buddleja to help prevent wind rock during the winter, they can then be hard pruned in late spring.

Plums and stone fruits (including ornamental cherries) should never be pruned during the winter months as the spores of silver leaf fungal disease are at large in the atmosphere. Ideally, prune these after picking your crop in late summer.

The foliage on Christmas roses (Helleborus hybridus) should be cut off now to prevent the foliage black spot fungal disease from spreading onto the soon to emerge flower buds. This also makes the clumps look better when the flowers open in the New Year.

When you purchase your real Christmas tree make sure you cut off the bottom couple of inches and keep it standing in water. You will be amazed how much it uses. After all it is simply a bunch of foliage. Even the types that claim they will not drop their needles such as the Nordmann Fir will benefit from this treatment.

Finally, I saw my first snowdrop the other day. The variety Armistice Day was in bloom in a friend’s garden. This variety always flowers before Christmas.

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GARDENING

DECEMBER GARDEN TIPS

• All cut Christmas trees should be kept outside and have the trunk stood in water to ensure that the tree remains fresh until you take it inside. It is well worth cutting a little off the bottom of the trunk before standing it in water as it as the cut end often becomes “sealed”.

• Poinsettias need to be kept warm and out of draughts good for centrally heated homes. Water when the leaves start to wilt and the compost feels dry. Give them a good soak but never let them stand in water for long.

• Azaleas need lots of water, preferably rainwater. Cold tea once a month helps too! They will tolerate lower light and temperature levels. They will also tolerate draughts. Repot into lime-free compost in the spring.

• Water Cyclamen when leaves begin to wilt. Water from the bottom of the pot. Keep in a cool place with good light.

• Plant roses, fruit trees and bushes if the ground is not too wet or frozen.

• Dormant trees and shrubs can be moved now. Minimise root disturbance to increase chance of success and rapid reestablishment.

• Prune out old wood to rejuvenate shrubs. Wisteria pruning can be completed now along with vines.

• Fork over borders and dig some goodness back into the soil.

• Make sure fence posts and supports can withstand any winter storms.

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MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

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Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk • e.mail: info@timberworkbuildings.co.uk PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Paulton wins best school

GARDENING

PAULTON Junior School has won Best School Garden in the Bath in Bloom Competition. The trophy was presented at a special assembly attended by the chair of B&NES council, Cllr Sarah Moore, the chair and judges of Bath in Bloom, Steve and Christine Brook and Steve and Julia Rea, along with school governor, Cllr Grant Johnson.

Haley Shackleton, who runs the gardening club, said: “Our school garden is amazing, and we are very pleased that our efforts have resulted in being judged gold and best school garden, but this is only because our school gardeners are a fantastic bunch of children who work really hard to make this special space the best that it can be.”

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WELLS ROAD, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4RR Telephone: 01761 232137 Open Mon–Sat 10am to 4pm • Closed Sundays MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Staying ahead of the curve

IT’S a time of change and increasingly competitive needs when it comes to land use. With the introduction of the mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on small and large-scale development projects arriving in 2024, land use as part of a new and burgeoning offset market, be it in the form of BNG measures, carbon credits or nutrient neutrality, is a hot topic.

Also on the radar for landowners looking to increase their environmental credentials is the government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which is now open for applications.

SFI agreements, which can also run alongside Countryside Stewardship, run for three years, offer a range of capital and revenue grants, and currently have a rolling application window.

In planning news, the government has recently closed a consultation considering proposed changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, including plans to change the maximum amount of dwellings that can be converted under Class Q from five to ten per agricultural unit and to consider expanding Class Q into currently prohibited areas such as AONBs and National Parks.

The consultation also discussed a number of significant changes to Class R, the change of use from agricultural to commercial. If you’re interested in finding out more, then just book an appointment with David James’ Wrington team.

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Christmas in Wrington

8

Ian Harries (left), Rita Wright and Jeremy Birkett, chairman

December

WRINGTON’S Dickensian Christmas Fayre will be held on Friday, December 8th starting at the slightly earlier time of 5pm.

Before that a lantern procession is planned, leaving from the Recreation Ground in Silver Street, taking an indirect route through the village. This will enable people unable to get out, to see the procession from their homes. It’s due to arrive at the Plough Inn for 5pm when the Christmas tree will be lit.

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New Year signals move to Redhill LONG established West Country property professionals Greenslade Taylor Hunt are expanding their residential reach with a move to Redhill.

The firm, which has 24 offices across Somerset, Dorset and Devon, set up an office focussing on rural affairs in 2021 at Chancellors Pound, Redhill, Bristol, BS40 5TZ. This has proved extremely successful with regular property auctions held on the site. The office also offers a comprehensive range of agricultural and professional services.

It soon became clear there was an unmet demand for a residential sales arm to be added to the offer focussing on the attractive country properties in the North of Somerset.

Thomas Rawlings will be heading up the residential sales side of the Redhill operation. It is a natural move for Thomas, who lives in the area, and spent ten years working in the busy Bristol property market selling a diverse range of

homes from apartments in Clifton to family properties in Bedminster.

He has a passion for North Somerset and for excellent customer service and is excited to be leading the residential team at Redhill.

Thomas said: “This is truly an exciting opportunity. With local offices in Wells and Burnham-on-Sea already supporting the area, along with the wider GTH network, I feel we are perfectly placed to hit the ground running in being able to provide you with professional and informed advice.

“I am incredibly lucky and proud to already call this area home and am excited to be able to help others do the same. We bring with us over 180 years of GTH experience and since the opening of the Redhill agricultural services office in 2021 we have already begun to sell residential property across North Somerset at an impressive rate.

“I am usually a big kid when it comes to Christmas, however this year the 2nd

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

of January cannot come quickly enough when we are able to open the doors on this exciting new chapter. Should you wish to discuss any of your property needs heading into 2024 please do get in touch.”

The firm already has a large client base in the North Somerset area and the addition of a residential dimension will enable staff to provide an enhanced service more effectively.

The new office is strategically placed within the GTH network with a neighbouring branch in Wells.

Martyn Venner, GTH Partner in charge, said: “We are delighted to now be offering residential agency out of Redhill, Tom has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the area and is perfectly placed to grow the business and move the office to new heights.”

The office is conveniently placed just off the A38 at the first turning to Redhill, just 3 miles South of Bristol Airport.

For residential or rural inquiries please call 0117 203 5577

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Dan and Jaz wish you a warm welcome 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

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

l Country pub l Log fires l Lovely beer garden l Large dining area Real ales Pub classics – plus a more eclectic menu Open 7 days a week 12noon to late Food served Monday to Saturday 12-3pm 6-9pm Sunday 12-6pm

The Plough Inn, Wrington BS40 5QA • 01934 263855 info@theploughatwrington.co.uk www.theploughatwrington.co.uk plough@wrington

Wrington feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2023 17:27 Page 65

Head over heels for drama club tickets

WRINGTON Drama Club had a successful year.

After their dazzling Wizard of Oz performance, it was on to The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, directed

by Mark Bullen.

This production raised £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

In the summer the club performed Craig Taylor’s One Million Tiny Plays about Britain, with an impressive debut for director Louise Maitland-Round.

Next on the horizon is the club’s production Head Over Heels, an ABBA themed musical set on a cruise ship, to be performed from

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

January 31st to February 3rd.

Club members will be able to purchase tickets from December 1st, and they will be generally available from December 8th.

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Doctor Doctor – not all bad news

IF you believe the media, doctors hate working in the NHS and can’t wait to retire or abandon ship to Australia.

So, it’s been a delight to host a new podcast for Radio 4, Doctor Doctor, where I interview doctors in all specialties and stages of their careers who, by and large, love the job.

It has its downside, as all jobs worth doing have, but the privilege of meeting and helping people at their most

By Dr PHIL HAMMOND vulnerable takes some beating.

Take one of my guests, Keynsham GP Caroline Ranse, who was 35 weeks pregnant with her second child and winding down to maternity leave. She had gone to the quieter branch surgery in Saltford early one morning to clear some paperwork before morning surgery.

At ten to eight, there was a persistent knocking on the front door and a woman who she didn’t know – and she wasn’t even sure if she was a patient – was declaring “I’m having a baby”. “Me too” said Caroline, before spotting the face that goes with a strong contraction.

The woman said: “I don’t think I’m going to make it to the hospital in time.”

Caroline wasn’t fazed, because she knew from personal experience how long having a baby could take and calmy invited the expectant mum to come in and put her feet up on the couch in the nursing treatment room whilst she put the kettle on, offered her some pain killers and arranged transport to the maternity unit at the hospital.

After a further painful contraction, she asked mum if she could check what was going on down below and to her surprise, she was “10cm dilated” which any parent knows means things are about to happen.

By this time, the waiting room was filling up with patients, checking their watches and mumbling that the doctor was running late, but also alarmed that the previous patient was screaming her way through the consultation.

With no ambulance in sight and not even a whiff of “gas and air” to help, the incredibly stoical mum gave birth with Caroline’s help to a beautiful baby boy on the treatment room couch.

With no blankets available, Caroline wrapped the boy in the tissue roll used to cover the couch to keep him warm and then delivered the placenta into a vomit bowl before the ambulance arrived to take mum, baby and placenta to the hospital to be checked over.

As Caroline confided in me: “I love being a GP and all the variety that goes with it. You never know who’s going to come through the door and with what problem. The branch surgery birth was a career highlight.

“But the downside was, after tipping amniotic fluid out of my shoes and having a shower under a running tap in the sink in my room, I had no change of clothes other than my own hospital maternity grab bag in the boot of my car.

“So, I did the rest of my surgery dressed in the pyjamas that I was planning to wear following the delivery of my own baby three weeks later.”

Not everyone will be lucky enough to have a doctor as committed and kind as Caroline, but there are plenty of good ones out there who enjoy their work, have great stories to tell and are fighting to improve the NHS. To hear them, tune into Doctor Doctor.

Doctor Doctor starts on BBC Radio 4 on December 5th and then on BBC Sounds. Dr Phil is doing a comedy charity fundraiser for Julian House, which helps the homeless across the South West, on November 30th at Yeo Valley. Hope to see you there . . .

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Plop the Raindrop

DO you know why there seems to be so much rain around these days? It’s because the air is warmer and can hold far more of us tiny water droplets.

The way the ice caps and glaciers are melting, that means there will be more and more of us freed up from all that ice and able to slosh around in the future.

There was a time when you could guarantee ice in winter, freezing the rivers and even the sea sometimes. Ice once covered huge parts of the planet. But it’s all a lot more unpredictable now.

I’d normally opt to spend my winters in a swimming pool somewhere warm but a lot of pools have been banned because of high temperatures and drought.

That’s hard to imagine since I’ve been chucked around in so many storms in the past few years.

Perhaps I deserve to have one named after me - Storm Plop. What do you think?

I’ve even started watching the weather forecasts to try to get some idea of where I’ll end up next.

At Christmas you’ll be able to put on your wellies and new socks and splash around in our puddles. If it gets cold you might get a lovely white Christmas to go with all of your presents and scrummy food. Will you have a silly Christmas jumper too?

I’ve always envied you a little bit because it’s lovely to spend time with family and friends. My relatives are scattered across the world and often stuck in ice, so I rarely see them.

This year I definitely won’t see them because I’m not even on Earth. Where do you think I could be?

I’m on the international space station! One of the astronauts drank me before he left in the space shuttle. Watching the weather forecast didn’t help me to predict this.

So I’m now flying high over Earth; it does look very blue and beautiful. It’s really not a bad place to spend Christmas.

I know you have a story about people following a bright star in the sky at Christmas.

Look up on a clear night and if you can see me, I’ll give you a Christmas wave. Have a good time!

MENDIP GRANDAD

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Helping the elderly this winter SOMERSET Community Foundation has launched its Surviving Winter campaign saying many older people are extremely anxious about the high cost of energy and with no additional government help with bills this year, winter looks set to be a tough one for many.

It says around 10,000 Somerset pensioners will find themselves living in fuel poverty this year – almost double the number in the same situation last year.

With ten years’ experience of running their appeal, it says it knows that many of the poorest pensioners will avoid putting their heating on at all, or they’ll cut back on food to save money.

One who received a Surviving Winter grant last year, said: "I don’t know how I manage at the moment.

Right now, I’m overdrawn and I’m incredibly careful with what I spend – and with my heating. Even though it’s

HEALTH & FAMILY

getting colder, I still don’t put it on. I’m 72 and I really feel the cold in my little place.”

It’s thanks to the bright idea of one generous pensioner, who suggested donating his Winter Fuel Allowance, that around 800 older people in Somerset get help from the Surviving Winter Appeal every year with a cash grant of up to £500 to support their energy bills.

The charity also provides help for people to buy essential items to stay warm, make their homes more energy efficient, and access specialist support and social activities in their communities.

Surviving Winter encourages local people to donate their fuel allowance or to make a personal gift to help older people in need.

SCF says: “Your gift will make a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of our neighbours.”

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter or call 01749 344949 to donate

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Mental health courses TWO eight-week mental health courses are starting in Wells at the Portway Annexe. The entrylevel Equilibrium Course introduces seven wellness techniques: journaling, yoga, breath work, meditation, creativity, complementary

therapy and diet and lifestyle.

As a group, you’ll explore then practice each technique, self-reflect upon them and at the close of the course, use your reflections to create your own daily support plan.

The in-depth Trauma Working Group Course follows the same format, but the exploration is underpinned by an examination of what drives our behaviour at a deeper level.

Traumatic events can leave residues that affect our relationships. The same seven techniques may offer us a pathway to transform our past conditioning.

The course leader, Lisa Reakes, has lived-experience of childhood trauma, and training in yoga and ayurveda.

HEALTH & FAMILY

Mayor under pressure

Gordon Mackay, the mayor of Midsomer Norton, with Sunder Ganapathy, one of the club’s health care professionals on the day

SOMER Valley Rotary Club offered free blood pressure checks to shoppers at November’s Midsomer Norton Farmers Market.

Two health care professionals were on hand to carry out the checks. The club said most people tested were healthy, but some were highlighted as needing further investigations.

COURT HOUSE

Award Winning Care Home

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

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

Rated by the CQC as good in all areas

e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

HEALTH & FAMILY

Motoring page.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2023 18:44 Page 1

MOTORING

Mendip Times reduces travel costs 100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs

ALL MAKES SERVICING – VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, AIR CONDITIONING, MECHANICAL & BODY REPAIRS Collection/Loan Car by arrangement MOT TESTING STATION

COMPETITIVE PRICES ON TYRES, BATTERIES AND EXHAUSTS

ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY SERVICE

QUALITY USED CARS Your peace of mind is our priority

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

Vehicle sales and purchasing Servicing and MOT’s Approved bodyshop repairs Alloy wheel repair and diamond cutting THE CATTLE MARKET, CHEW ROAD, WINFORD, BRISTOL BS40 8HB

0117 373 2946

01749 841 051 07778 465 520 SALES@CARAVANREPAIRS-SW.CO.UK A family-run business that repair all makes and models of caravan and motorhome in our NCC approved workshop.

ACCIDENT DAMAGE • WARRANTY WORK • SERVICING • DAMP WORK • HABITATIONAL SERVICE • PAINT REPAIRS • INSURANCE WORK • TRUMA DIAGNOSTIC • MOTORMOVERS • SPEEDCOAT SPECIALISTS and many more . . . give us a call to discuss any of your caravan/motorhome needs!

Come and visit our spares shop open 6 days a week!

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 71

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MENDIP TIMES

Jennifer Morecroft - GDC

Practice Principal – B.D.S (U.BRIST) MFGDP

Alison Chapman - GDC

Practice Associate – BDS MFDS PG Cert Endo

Nikolai Stankiewicz - GDC

Practice Associate – BDSc FDS MFGDP DPDS MSc

Sally Cantwell - GDC Dental Hygienist – EDH

Jane Fellows - GDC

New patients welcome at Wedmore Dental Practice Dental Hygienist – EDHThe

We have been welcoming lots of new patients to the practice over the last 12 months; thank you to the many patients who have recommended us to their friends and family. As ever, your feedback is vital – if there is something we could be doing better, please let us know.

With many local dental practices closing their patient lists we have seen an increase in new patients from all over the county. We are still registering new patients and are monitoring the appointment diaries to ensure we continue to provide the exceptional treatment and personal service unique to our practice.

We are delighted to have a new Hygienist, Georgina Roynon, starting with us in January; she will have a clinic every Monday. Our muchloved hygienists, Sally Cantwell and Jane Fellows, will continue to offer their skill and expertise Tuesday to Friday, with Jane also continuing to provide facial aesthetic treatments.

We look forward to welcoming Georgina to the team in the new year.

The practice has also welcomed a few babies over the last couple of years; the latest addition is gorgeous Kitty. Our practice manager, Nic, is on maternity leave for 12 months. Katie Berry has joined the team as our business development manager, helping to cover Nic’s maternity and to oversee the business ideas that we have in the pipeline – watch this space!

Wishing all our patients a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Email: appointments@wedmoredental.co.uk Telephone: 01934 713013 @wedmoredental

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Christmas in Wedmore

13

December

WEDMORE by Lamplight on Wednesday, December 13th, starts with a crib service at 5.15pm at St. Mary's Church, carols around the tree at 5.35pm and then a carol procession down to The Borough ready for an evening of festive fun and tasty treats.

As well as the shops opening late, The Borough will be packed with stalls galore where you can pick up those last few gifts, warm up with a glass of mulled cider and a tasty treat.

Numerous local groups who will be fundraising during the evening. Father Christmas will be popping by and they have a few other surprise guests in addition to festive live music and choirs.

Turnip’s milestone

WEDMORE’S Turnip Prize has held a 25th anniversary exhibition of past winners. They were all deemed to have taken the least effort to create, in a spoof of the Turner Prize.

Organiser, Trevor Prideaux (left) is pictured with the famous Turnip. Nicki Smith’s sleeping sheep was entitled Ewe-Kip. David Summers-Cooke’s entry was Play on Words.

This year’s winner will be announced on December 5th.

Lighting up the village

WEDMORE will be lighting up the village as a Living Advent Calendar, starting on December 1st with the switch on of the village Christmas lights.

Then one window will light up each evening between December 2nd and 24th at 6pm and the windows will remain lit until Twelfth Night.

Details: Facebook and Instagram

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Another busy and successful year WEDMORE based luxury marquee company, Barny Lee Marquees, run by exevent riders Barny Lee and his wife Emily, have certainly been kept busy this year.

There have of course been many wonderful weddings, anniversaries and parties to be part of as one would expect.

But the client base is quite diverse ranging from corporate events, product launches, and county shows, to charity fundraisers, temporary storage solutions, and festivals – some have been quite challenging given the very wet weather we had in the summer!

Some of the more unusual jobs this year included temporary classrooms for a school whilst building works were carried out, storage for hundreds of drones whilst being charged for displays and creating a haunted Halloween venue in a marquee!

Barny said: “We really don’t know what’s coming in next sometimes, but that’s fine, I like a challenge!”

The family-run company is able to offer the complete package including trailer loos, generators, and lighting.

He added: “We can also recommend florists, caterers and bands, and are partners with a variety of venues across the South West.”

Combine this with being parents of two sons, Jonny, aged 16 and a keen event rider, and George, aged 12, who is the nonhorsey member of the family, you might imagine Barny and Emily had their hands pretty full already.

However, since 2017 they have been working hard at creating and running two successful glamping sites, The Glastonbury Retreat being the first to open, and then in 2019 The Badminton Retreat during the Badminton Horse Trials.

Emily said: “There’s a huge amount of work involved throughout the year planning, sourcing, and organising, quite apart from the build-up and break down of

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

the sites!”

Barny adds: “We work hard to keep the Retreats a friendly and relaxed environment for our guests, and it’s really fantastic to see guests coming back each year.”

Each year the couple strive to add to the glamping experience for guests and this year saw the introduction of a massage and hair & glitter salon at The Glastonbury Retreat which proved very popular.

The wedding diary for 2024 is filling up nicely and planning is well underway for the Retreat glamping sites which continue to grow and thrive with Barny and Emily’s committed attention to detail.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 73

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MENDIP TIMES

PISCES

FISHMONGER & GREENGROCER

Direct supply of Cornish Sea Food.

Loch Fyne Smokehouse stockist.

Fruit and vegetables personally selected at market, exotics and the unusual, fresh herbs and the best local produce.

Selection of culinary ingredients.

Open all day Tuesday to Friday plus Monday and Saturday mornings.

5 The Borough Mall, The Borough Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EB Tel: 01934 710318

Bronze and Traditional Turkeys All types of poultry, meats, games and Christmas Fayre

Orders taken for Christmas now!!

Orders, telephone or email:– 01934 712384 Shop James and Mike would like to thank all our customers who have supported us through 2023

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Order early

PISCES will be offering their usual Christmas service sourcing all the usual favourites! Order forms will be available in early December.

They will be open for collections on Sunday, December 24th, Christmas Eve. They remind you that the fish markets close before Christmas and do not reopen till early in the New Year, so order your Christmas and New Year fish as early as you can.

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FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Susie Kingston Footwear and Fashion

WE ARE ON THE MOVE! Susie Kingston Shoes is moving together with Susie Kingston Fashions giving our customers the ease of choosing their outfits and footwear under one roof. Whether it be for a Mother of the Bride outfit, evening wear for a cruise or holiday, or simply casual wear, we can offer you a total look in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Our knowledgeable team are on hand to ensure your experience is an enjoyable and satisfying one. Susie Kingston has been trading for over 30 years. Our transition will take place in January 2024 to King Alfred Mews opposite The George Inn where we look forward to helping you with all your requirements.

Susie and the team wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Winter Sale starts Saturday, December 9th in the fashion and shoe shops

Susie Kingston Footwear and Fashion 3-4 King Alfred Mews, Wedmore BS28 4AB • 01934 713386 www.susiekingstonfashionandfootwear.com MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

Winter warmth

WARM in Wedmore returns this winter at the Masonic Hall every Wednesday and Thursday, from December 6th to March 7th, with a Christmas break.

Building on last winter’s success, Wedmore is looking forward to another season of

friendly company and homemade soup to lift the spirits during the winter gloom.

It says: “Everyone has friends and neighbours who tuck themselves away in winter – please invite them, and better still, offer them a lift.”

Each “week” will be hosted by a different village club or group. The event is organised by a group including Wedmore Health & Wellbeing, St Mary's Church, The Parish Council, The Isle of Wedmore Good Neighbours and Wedmore Community Power Co-op.

The Power Co-op are again paying for the rental of the Masonic Hall.

Details: David Hopkins 07984 924432

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Successful beer festival

WEDMORE Real Ale Festival celebrated another successful year by presenting £18,000 in donations to 19 local worthy causes. Over the last 22 years the event has raised £264,820.

The beneficiaries this year included local sports clubs, Musgrove Park Hospital, Children's Hospice South West, Weston Hospicecare, Weston-super-Mare Samaritans, Somewhere House (Somerset) Limited and Somerset Prostate Support Association.

Chairman, James Turbitt, praised all the volunteers and said: “It is always a highlight for the committee to be giving out the cheques and it makes all the hard work in putting on and running the festival more than worthwhile.”

Mendip Times

in print and online!

ONLINE

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

FREE! service for readers and advertisers

www.mendiptimes.co.uk PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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COMMUNITY

Council award

Celebrating in style

PAULTON Parish Council chair, Patricia McSherry, has presented a long service award to groundsman Paul Davidson.

PAST and present members of the Inner Wheel Club of Mendip are pictured enjoying a cream tea at The Swan Hotel in Wells, held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the club.

Apple day was fruitful

On the trail through the three-acre orchard

Kyrylo (left) and Sofia try their hand at crushing apples

A FAMILY-owned orchard at Stoney Stratton, near Evercreech, was the setting for a community event celebrating all things apple.

Apple picking and pressing and a treasure trail amongst the trees were amongst the events on offer at the Neill Orchard.

David, Liz, Lesley and Richard juicing the apples

Leala (left) and Lottie in the orchard

Cider maker Paul Chant, of West Pennard MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 77

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MENDIP TIMES

Scary scarecrows are just the start A RECENTLY-formed residents forum for people living in Wookey Hole has staged its first community event – a witchthemed scarecrow competition and trail.

The forum decided on the trail after canvassing opinions from residents about what might be done to bring the community closer together.

More than 20 households created displays which attracted visitors from around the area. Forum chair, Jo Plimmer, said:

Rock chick. This Kiss-inspired creation was made by Edd and Imogen Martin and their children Albie, seven, and Rosie, ten

“The response has been fantastic; we weren’t quite sure how many people would make the effort, but the entries have been outstanding.

“One of the nicest things is that we’ve seen neighbours chatting outside by the scarecrows.”

Jo added: “We may make it an annual event but are now looking at some of the other suggestions about what to do next.”

Visitors were invited to dip their hand into the jar and pull out a scroll

A family from Priddy and Surrey enjoy the spooky trail around the village

Scott and Holly Pearson, and daughter Darcie, aged 22 months, with their emergency services-themed entry; Scott is a recently retired firefighter and Holly is an emergency care assistant with the South West Ambulance Service

Inspired by the C.S. Lewis novel

For details, find Wookey Hole Community on Facebook

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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Shepton Mallet 41 Club – 41st anniversary dinner

ON Saturday 18th November, Shepton Mallet 41 Club celebrated their 41st Anniversary with a Dinner Dance at Wells Golf Club.

41 Club President Andrew Davies welcomed all the guests to the 41st Anniversary celebrations and, on Andrew Davies behalf of the guests, Chair of Shepton Mallet Ladies Tangent, Nicky Davey, congratulated President Andrew and members of Shepton Mallet 41 Club on their 41st Anniversary.

The event was also helping the President’s chosen charity: Pancreatic Cancer UK and to this end there was an auction of a very large Teddy Bear which went to a bid of £85 and, of course, the traditional raffle which all helped to raise over £450.

Christmas lunch preparations are underway

VOLUNTEERS in Glastonbury are putting the final details together for a Christmas Day community lunch for around 250 people.

The event is open to anyone in the town facing Christmas on their own or who might be in crisis and will be held in the town hall.

A team of around 50 will gather on Christmas Eve to prepare the meal and the main hall itself for the big day.

They are being supported by students from Millfield School and Strode College and have received grants and donations towards costs from local companies and groups. As much of the ingredients as possible are being sourced locally.

The organisers would still like to hear from anyone who might be able to lend them some bain maries to help with serving the food and an induction day for volunteers will be held from 11am on Monday, December 18th in the town hall.

Michael White, chair of the organising committee, said: “Last year's was an amazing success and people were thanking us for weeks afterwards.

“It’s a very inclusive day and a real display of community spirit.”

For details, email Julia Bedford at: julia@feedavalon.org.uk

COMMUNITY

Arts and crafts exhibition is child’s play

Raffle winner Barry Nichols with recreation ground supporter Vicky Higgins and pub landlord John Hitchins. The painting was donated by local artist Michael Bloxham

LEIGH-on-Mendip’s annual arts and crafts show has raised several thousand pounds towards the new children’s playground in the village recreation ground.

The theme of this year’s show was Kindness and Bees with villagers displaying hundreds of paintings and crafts as well as contributing to a swarm of cardboard bees which hung from the ceiling of the village hall. The Bell Inn also supported the event with a raffle.

New recruits

PEASEDOWN St John Primary School has a new minipolice squad following a visit by PCSOs Louise Jones and Tony McIntosh.

This is a police engagement programme that has been running successfully at the school for the past four years.

Headteacher, Ruth Noall, said: “This is a fantastic way for the school to support and engage with our village community.”

Details: www.psjprimary.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

Rotary quiz success

Hospital donations

BISHOP Sutton and Stowey WI’s Knit and Natter group has been making items for the elderly and children on the wards of Southmead Hospital.

The lap blankets and teddies are gifted to the patients and go home with them, meaning an endless supply is needed. Alison Ewins is pictured presenting the latest batch.

The group also makes gloves, balaclavas and snoods for North Sea fishermen.

Rotary president Andrew Bale presents first prize

THE latest charity quiz organised by Rotary Nailsea and Backwell was held at the Backwell WI Hall with teams of up to six totalling 100 people, raising £850 for the Nailsea Memory Café.

Rotary offered grateful thanks to Ray and Sue Griffiths for compiling and running the quiz and to all the local residents who turned out on a wild night to support the event.

Craft day

Blagdon Apple Day Dexter Crowley picking apples

Dictionary gifts

THERE was a good turnout for Apple Day, which is held each year by Blagdon Orchard Group in Eldred’s Orchard in Blagdon.

They added a new attraction this year, a bring and buy sale of orchard produce, which raised more than £200 towards aid for Ukraine.

Pictured (l to r) Alison ter Haar and Jenny Smart with Jenny’s daughter Lee Goulding seated

THE first of the winter season craft workshops in Compton Dando was well attended by 18 people who enjoyed a lovely collaborative, calm day doing everything from knitting and crochet to glass mosaic, wood block printing, card making and making charming book journals.

The next event will be on Tuesday, January 9th, 10am-4pm in the village hall, with lunch provided.

Details: Harriette hdottridge@hotmail.com 07791 832592

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YEAR 3 children at Chew Stoke Church School have been presented with illustrated dictionaries by Ken Biggs on behalf of Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club. Pupils are planning to raise money for the club’s water survival box scheme.

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Retirement of Sue Revell

WELLS u3a held its annual general meeting when several officers of the committee resigned their positions, the main one being the chair, Sue Revell, who has been in this position since 2019.

The group says she has been a very positive, enthusiastic, supportive chair over these last four years. When they were all housebound during lockdown, she sent out a weekly bulletin full of advice, contacts and Sue (left) receiving a gift even gardening hints and presented by Jenny Williamson recipes. on behalf of the members She encouraged many of the groups to continue via Zoom so that they wouldn't close and were able to keep in touch with their friends. For those not on the internet, the bulletin was delivered by hand.

Sue also put members in touch with the Wells Coronavirus Network which offered supportive help to those at home during the Covid years, which has subsequently opened the door for Wells u3a to became more involved with the community as a whole, taking part in various events.

The new chair is Donald Branch who has been group coordinator for a while. Sue will take up this role. The secretary, Jenny Williams, presented her with flowers.

You don’t have to live in Wells to join Wells u3a. There are over 50 different groups to choose from, with a wide variety of subjects from walking to French, geology to book groups.

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

Lilly’s raffle

LILLY Spear, aged five, a pupil at Cameley, raised £90 after the school set pupils a challenge to see how they could grow £1.

Some children held a cake sale, while others made sweet cones, and also lucky dip bags. Lilly held a raffle with a hamper from her mum, Hannah, who used to be a body shop representative.

Lilly said: “I'm happy I made lots of money as it will buy lots of art and craft things for my friends and me at school.

I like making hand prints with paint."

COMMUNITY

Café’s hallmark awards

Trustees at the CCS Community Buildings Conference

VOLUNTEERS behind the Oakleaf Community Café at Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall are celebrating three awards.

The team has achieved Hallmark Level 2 and 3 accreditation from the Community Council of Somerset whilst Caroline Ambrose won the Trustee of the Year award. The trustees had previously achieved Level 1 accreditation.

Developed by CCS and now nationally recognised, Hallmark level awards recognise good management and practice by the Community Building Management Committee. CCS says the awards can boost funding applications both locally and nationally.

For details, email: Aandovillagehall@gmail.com

A rural lifeline

LYNDSAY Newman is celebrating ten years as a Village Agent in North Somerset. She covers the villages of Winford, Dundry, Barrow Gurney, Blagdon, Butcombe, Burrington, Redhill, Flax Bourton, Churchill and Langford.

One resident had nothing but praise for her recounting a specific issue that she was helped with back in the summer: “Without Lyndsay’s local knowledge and support, I would not have been able to stay living in my own home for much longer.

“She has been a lifeline and goes above and beyond to help others.”

Lyndsay’s manager from WERN said that this type of feedback is a common occurrence, praising Lyndsay’s efficient, calm and pragmatic approach to her role which is always done with a smile.

The Village Agent service in North Somerset, helps connect older people in rural areas with their communities. They offer a free confidential service with 1:1 support, access to information and advice, and can signpost to professionals where needed.

They promote health and wellbeing and help individuals to maintain independence in their own homes for as long as possible.

Details: lyndsay@wern.org.uk 07967 345559

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Grants awarded

SOMERSET Community Foundation, in partnership with Somerset Council and NHS Somerset, has awarded more than £150,000 in grants to 44 local community groups in the latest round of Cost-of-Living grants.

The grants will help groups across the county cope with rising energy bills and offer more support to people who are struggling to make ends meet.

To date, it has awarded a total of £350,000 of grants in response to the cost-of-living crisis, connecting other trusts, businesses and people.

Andy Ridgewell, programmes director at SCF, said: “These grants have been made possible thanks to the generous funding received from Somerset Council and NHS Somerset. And because we know this winter will be another difficult one for many people, we’re offering funding to groups running Warm Spaces once again, too.”

Church bells restoration

Tree planting

COMMUNITY

SELWOOD Parish Council has planted an oak tree to commemorate the accession to the throne of King Charles. The tree was planted on the green next to St. Katherine’s Church, East Woodlands.

John Morgan was invited to symbolically plant the tree. He has recently retired from the council after many years of service to the community.

He is pictured alongside his wife together with Jim Dowling, chair of the parish council, and local residents and council members.

THE small congregation of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Nempnett Thrubwell are fundraising to restore the church bells.

All six bells have to be taken out so the bell frame can be repaired. Five of them were cast at the Bilbie Foundry in nearby Chew Stoke about 300 years ago. The work is being carried out by Matthew Higby and Co from Midsomer Norton.

Parts of the church date from Norman times, including the south doorway.

Church warden and treasurer, Nick Houlton (pictured) said they need to raise about £60,000 plus VAT.

Details: houltonnick@gmail.com

A NEW bell ringing training centre has opened at a church in Street, where people learning the art can practice without disturbing the peace.

The “silent” technique is achieved by muffling the bells at Holy Trinity Church and attaching sensors, then using a simulator to transmit the sounds to the ringers in the tower only.

Holy Trinity is part of the Glaston branch of bellringers, covering Wells, Glastonbury, Street and surrounding villages, with 18 operational towers. The branch says there is a need for more ringers and hopes the training centre will attract newcomers.

Branch secretary and tower captain at St John’s, Glastonbury, Mike Palmer, said: “This will provide a wonderful opportunity for people, young and old, to learn a skill exercising mind and body – and make a real contribution to the community.”

Marilyn Backhurst, Deputy Master, Bath & Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers, officially opening the centre

For details, call Mike on 07793 812968 or email GlastonBranch.Secretary@bath-wells.com

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(Photo courtesy of Mike Palmer)

For whom the bell tolls?

Only the ringers

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HISTORY

Plaque project comes to an end WELLS Civic Society has unveiled its tenth – and final – blue plaque commemorating important places and people in the city.

Members gathered at the former Wells Union Workhouse, now the Priory Medical Centre and part of Wells Health Centre for the ceremony. The workhouse was built in 1838 to house up to 300 inmates.

The plaque celebrates the building’s long history

The plaques make up a trail around the city. The society has paid tribute to its former chairman, Patrick Brown, who oversaw negotiations for the final plaque to be installed. Other plaques can be found at places including the City Arms, the former Brines Brush Factory, at Wells Recreation Ground – marking the three runs scored there by W.G. Grace – and at the Blue School, honouring film director Edgar Wright.

Raising a glass to the society’s work (l to r): David Walker, from Wells and Mendip Museum, Adrian I’Anson, Karen Polly, health centre manager, Philip Welch, Chris Winter, Herbie Davies and Clare Blackmore

To download the trail, visit: www.wellscivicsociety.org.uk

Canal challenge

MIKE Baker, from Henton, responded to a recent article in Mendip Times about the Somersetshire Coal Canal by sending the canal trust the earliest photo they have of a lock at Combe Hay. Mike, a former teacher in Bath took the photo in the 1950s.

The up-to-date photo shows there is little changed!

Mike (right) visited the site with trust secretary, Martin Turner. The trust is currently working on restoring the canal at Paulton and say it could be years before they contemplate starting on the flight at Combe Hay.

Combe Hay Lock . . . then

. . . and now

Their archivist would welcome more photos: archive@coalcanal.org.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 83

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MENDIP TIMES

Christmas in Winscombe

5

December

WINSCOMBE is planning an evening of late night shopping and entertainment on Tuesday, December 5th.

The main road through the village will close at 6pm, awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas. Organisers are hoping for choirs and stalls, as well as the chance to buy some Christmas goodies.

Wills are important

Winscombe office: 14 Woodborough Road, Winscombe, BS25 1AD Weston office: 19 Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1NR

Specialists in Family matters including, Divorce, Will Writing and Lasting Powers of Attorney Offices in Weston-SuperMare and Winscombe.

Remote appointments and home visits available

Telephone: 01934 641191 | Email: office@asflsolicitors.co.uk | Web: www.asflsolicitors.co.uk

Christmas special afternoon teas are available throughout December.

Vintage Tea Catering

Contact Jacci on 07748 155 491 facebook.com/jacci.cawte www.strawberrylinetearooms.co.uk

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DID you know that 59% of adults in the UK do not have a valid Will in place* That’s over half the population!

Avon & Somerset Family Law says making a Will ensures that your loved ones are provided for and that the things you’ve worked hard for all your life go to the people of your choice.

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to manage your affairs if you are no longer able to do so, either through accident, illness, or disability.

It says: “Making a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult task.

“At Avon & Somerset Family Law we like to keep things simple. We can help guide you through the whole process from start to finish.” *According to research by Wealthadviser.co.uk published on 28/09/2020 20% off all Wills with this advert. Call 01934 641191 for a FREE consultation.

Visit an award winner on Winscombe’s big night

TRADING since March 2019, Strawberry Line Tea Rooms in Winscombe are proud about achieving a 5* rated food hygiene certificate plus Gold awards from Taste of the West, every year of trading.

They open Monday to Saturday 10am-3pm and offer their tea room space free of charge on Sundays for celebration parties, accommodating up to 40 covers.

They are easily accessible on the high street and are decorated in vintage style, providing a light and airy place to sit and enjoy a cup of barista coffee or tea with friends and family.

Enjoy a lovely selection of handmade cakes, homemade scones, light breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. They also have a lovely secluded garden.

For Winscombe’s late night event they will have lots of local crafters, haberdashery, Winscombe Community Singers plus their Christmas Special Afternoon Tea for two.

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FOCUS ON WINSCOMBE

The Humphry Motor Company is a family-run business, and has built an enviable reputation over 52 years of trading for the care and personal service it gives to its customers.

This company has invested heavily in equipment in order to provide a comprehensive range of services including all makes servicing, fault diagnostics, MOT and repair work.

MOTs, ALL MAKES SERVICING, FULL DIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES, AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING, KEY CODING, LASER TRACKING, NEW COURTESY CARS

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MENDIP TIMES

FOCUS ON WINSCOMBE

Meet Louise Mitchell – designer at idesign interiors What is it that you love about working in interiors?

I have always had a passion for interiors and architecture and I am as creative as I am practical. I was drawn to kitchen design by the challenges that creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing present. I enjoy solving problems and finding solutions in close collaboration with the people who will actually use them.

What’s the best bit of advice that you could give to homeowners?

It is possible to feel pressurised and rushed into making the decisions that you feel are expected of you. Interior design is a fashion-led industry, but fashions come and go and come back again with surprising speed! Listen to your instincts: trust what you like.

As the legendary American interior designer Billy Baldwin said: “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing that you really like is ever out of style.”

Why choose idesign interiors?

Maybe that would be better answered by asking one of our customers: “As very satisfied customers we can thoroughly recommend idesign Interiors (SW) Ltd to anyone looking for

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their new kitchen to be supplied with premier service and with quality products.

“Lou provided excellent design advice and ideas (not to mention patience!) and Adam fitted our new units with brilliant competence. Thank you idesign, we made the right decision to use a friendly local company rather a large national supplier.” Mr & Mrs Barton, Winscombe.

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Christmas boxes

Santa’s back on his rounds around Frome

NEWS

Pictured (l to r) Penny Savill, Maggie Bone, Mel Jameson and Hazel Poynter

PEOPLE across the Chew Valley are busy packing shoe boxes with Christmas gifts to be sent abroad.

They do this through Operation Christmas Child, which is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, run by the Christian relief and development organisation, Samaritan’s Purse.

Chew Stoke resident, Mel Jameson, held a coffee morning to demonstrate what goes into the boxes. It raised £310. Last year’s boxes went to Serbia.

Come join our club

The team on last year’s circuit

MEMBERS of the Lions and Rotary clubs of Frome will again be helping Father Christmas on his tour of the town and surrounding villages.

Their first trip will be on Friday, December 1st around Nunney and Trudoxhill in a float used for the first time last year. The float will be out on 17 days throughout December finishing on Friday, December 22nd. The tour will help raise funds for deserving causes in and around Frome.

To follow progress, visit: https://www.facebook.com/santafrome

Anniversary tea was a classic for owners

President Michael Flack (seated right) with junior vice president Keith Jenkins (left) and president-elect Robin Weelen

FOLLOWING the success of its fundraising bonfire night and fireworks display, the Rotary Club of Shepton Mallet would welcome new members to build on its work in the local community.

The club, which was founded in 1949, meets on Tuesday lunchtimes at Mendip Golf Club.

For details, find the club on Facebook

The Norton Radstock Classic Vehicle Club celebrated their 20th anniversary with an afternoon tea in Tunley village hall.

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MENDIP TIMES

Natural products for a perfect finish HOBBS Marble and Granite is a family run business specialising in granite and quartz worktops. Having been trading since 1978, an expansion in recent years has enabled them to stock a wider range of slabs, where customers are welcome to hand pick their unique piece of stone.

Their skilled craftsmen can produce anything from a hearth for a wood burner to kitchen worktops, vanity tops, shower cladding or outdoor kitchen using quartz, granite, limestone or marble.

Most projects include a measure and fit service but they are happy to produce

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

smaller items on a supply only basis.

Call into the showroom in Radstock to discuss design ideas with their friendly and knowledgeable team and check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for photos of projects and a chance to win beautiful handcrafted stone products in the annual Christmas competition!

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Time to reflect on four great years

WHEN I first sat down in my little office in Chew Stoke at the end of 2019 with Liz, my one member of staff, I knew what a challenge I was taking on.

At the time I wrote: “This area is already well served by established estate agents. So, you might be asking why do we need another one and why should clients choose a brand new business? I’ll answer that in just three words – Dedication, Imagination and Delivery.”

I am proud to say that I have delivered on that bold pledge and the results now speak for themselves. This year we have sold more than twice as many properties as any other local agent and we have received almost double the number of instructions.

That is solid statistical evidence and explains why we have become the agent of choice for so many people here in the Chew Valley.

That has not happened by accident. It

has taken a huge amount of enjoyable hard work which has seen our business grow.

We have twice moved premises and now occupy a spacious and impressive office which we need to accommodate our team of five people, who share my enthusiasm for delivering the best possible bespoke service for every one of our clients.

They have responded by providing us with so many lovely testimonials, thanking us for using our unrivalled local knowledge to guide them through what can sometimes be a stressful process.

For our part, we have thrown ourselves into the local community and have been delighted to help with sponsorship of village events and to support a variety of good causes. In fact, at the moment our office looks a bit like a wine shop, but we are not becoming an Off Licence, it’s just our stock to help provide Christmas raffle prizes when schools and others ask us to chip in.

HOMES & PROPERTY

But more seriously, once the festive season is over, I believe the housing market will start to pick up. Inflation seems to be coming under control, which has led to interest rate stability and in turn to lenders offering more affordable deals.

I’ve always said that the moment the clocks go forward, the housing market springs into life and in my judgement that will be more true than ever in 2024.

That means if you are even considering selling your property in the coming months, this is the time to start preparing the ground. Come and talk to us now and we can advise on what improvements might make a crucial difference to help your home stand out from the crowd, we can plan how best to present it and put all our skills and experience to work, to get you moving.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

JOANNA TILEY

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HOMES & PROPERTY

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HOMES & PROPERTY

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Christmas in Glastonbury

Panto time

MUSIC & THEATRE

SUTTON Theatre Group in Bishop Sutton is performing a traditional pantomime, Dick Whittington, on Saturday December 2nd and Saturday, December 9th.

Their chairman, Dave Duckett, is starring as a Town Crier. Two of his ancestors, both called John Duckett, were in fact Lord Mayors of London from 1572 to 1638.

Details: www.SuttonTheatre.com

GLASTONBURY Male Voice Choir have been busy rehearsing for months in preparation for a very busy Christmas season.

This award-winning choir, now more than 40 strong, is celebrating its centennial year in style and will sing in five concerts around the area. The choir has adopted the Motor Neurone Disease Association as its chosen charity for the festive season.

The highlight of the season will be the Christmas concert and carols at St John’s Church, Glastonbury on Wednesday, December 14th at 7.30pm.

Musical treats at Draycott

AFTER a gap of two years, Barry Rose and his younger daughter Nicola are returning to St. Peter’s Church, Draycott on Saturday, December 30th, 6pm in a concert of seasonal music to suit all tastes.

Formerly Master of the Choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he directed the music at many royal and state occasions, Barry and his wife have lived in Draycott for the past 26 years.

Nicola, a professional pianist, teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff, and recently was the keyboards player in the Walt Disney 100th celebration concert at the Coliseum in London.

Their four guest artistes are all singers – the Pooley family from Glastonbury – dad Philip (tenor, and a former chorister of Barry’s at St. Paul’s), mum Elizabeth (soprano, and singing teacher at Wells Cathedral School), daughter Beatrice, 12, and son Henry, ten, both choristers at Wells Cathedral.

Tickets, £10 children U-14, free from Draycott Community Shop, or from the Roses at Level Crossing, Milking Lane, Draycott, BS27 3TL. All proceeds will benefit St. Peter’s Church

Anniversary concert

TRINITY Singers celebrate 25 years of making music in and around the North Somerset area next year. To mark the occasion, they will be performing a programme of 19thC French and Czech sacred music at All Saints Church, Weston-super-Mare, on Saturday, May 11th.

The choir will be supported by the Lochrian Ensemble, David Bednall (organ) and Julia Hammersley (harp), and conducted by their musical director Andrew Tyrrell. They are looking for people with some choral experience and ability to sight-read to join them for this programme and other concerts. They rehearse at Churchill Primary School, Langford, BS40 5EL from 7.30-9.30pm every Tuesday.

Details: trinitysingers1999@gmail.com

Highbridge Festival

THE deadline is approaching for entries for the 76th Highbridge Festival which will be held in the first two weeks of March.

Older than Glastonbury Festival, it’s a celebration of the performing arts which welcomes competitors from all over Somerset and further afield to showcase their talents.

The festival welcomes entrants of all ages – the only requirement is that you are an amateur. It is very keen to encourage new entrants to take part in 2024. Entries need to be made online in December and January.

Details: www.highbridgefestival.org.uk

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Still frolicking after all these years AN amateur theatre group where the emphasis is firmly on fun and whose members’ tongues are firmly in cheeks has been celebrating its 50th anniversary of silliness.

But the Croscombe Frolics does far more than tread the village hall boards in an annual panto and murder mystery play – over the years, they have acquired a reputation for a Monty Python-esque sense of the absurd and surreal.

Take the time they “explored” the River Sheppey, which passes through the village, dressed in full jungle paraphernalia. Or, “scaling and conquering” the village’s steep Church Street in mountain climbing gear – both under the name of “The Lodge of Idiocy.”

Drawn mostly from Croscombe and Dinder and the surrounding area, the group’s anthem is: “We are the Frolics, we’re alcoholics, we’re here to entertain you!” Their base used to be the village’s

Andrew Jackson as Anton de Letch and Gaye Bold as RC Bussell

John Bowden, as Craig Devil No Good

A Viking boat from a Croscombe Regatta

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The cast of the Frolics’ murder mystery spoof of Strictly

now-closed Bull Terrier pub; they now gather at the George in Croscombe.

Their most recent production was a murder mystery – a spoof of Strictly Come Dancing – where a packed village hall sat down to dinner as events unfolded on stage and around them.

Their next venture is their annual family-friendly panto – the offering for 2024 is “Frankenstein the panto” in February.

More recently, as well as staging their own shows, the Frolics have taken to organising the village carol singing and bring a range of quality professional performing arts shows to the village, such as theatre company Scratchworks’s latest show “Hags: A Magical Extravaganza” in early November. Backed by the arts charity Take Art, Scratchworks also performed in Ditcheat and Axbridge.

Over the years, they have also raised thousands of pounds for their local community and wider good causes, ranging from installing lighting in the village hall to supporting the village cricket and football teams and the school.

Their first panto, Cinderella

For details, find Croscombe Frolics on Facebook

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Choir for hire

THE Brue Boys men’s choir, based in Baltonsborough, has been raising money for charities and good causes since 2007 and is now taking bookings for next year.

Their fee is very modest so the break-even point on ticket sales is relatively low. They are normally happy to travel up to a 15-mile radius of Baltonsborough. They sing a wide variety of music and their performances are enhanced by a number of in-house soloists.

Details: www.brueboys.com email: brueboys@outlook.com

Christmas in Bruton

MUSIC & THEATRE

Celebrating success

VALLEY Arts Fringe Festival has been hailed a resounding success. The festival brought together local and international talent, captivating audiences with a rich tapestry of music, comedy, theatre, and a wide range of sold-out community workshops.

The festival launched with a night to remember at Yeo Valley HQ, when the Valley Arts team turned the venue into StudiYeo 54, bringing the spirit of New York’s famous night club to Blagdon, where 100 guests boogied the night away to a brilliant DJ set.

Geraldine Hill-Male, festival director, said: “The Fringe Festival is not just an event; it's a celebration of the Chew Valley’s artistic spirit. We are thrilled to see the community come together to embrace and support the arts.”

The team are now preparing for their Christmas season.

Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk

BRUTON Choral Society’s Christmas Concert will be held in St Mary’s Church, Bruton on Monday, December 18th at 7.30pm.

For this final event of their 30th anniversary year, they will be singing well-known festive music by Bach as well as the short cantata Born A King by William Lloyd Webber.

They will welcome guest soloist Eliza Talman, a very talented young trumpet player. Eliza grew up in Frome and is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music. Their other soloists will be Angela Ashworth and Geoff Allan and Ashley Marshfield (organ). Tickets are £12, accompanied children free, available from Bruton Convenience Store, Details: www.brutonchoralsociety.org.uk

Ceilidh is calling

THE New Year's Eve ceilidh in Priddy is returning after 20 years, promising a night of fun for all and raising funds for Oxfam.

Organised by the Mid Somerset Oxfam Group, the event – featuring the Backroom Band with caller – will be held in Priddy Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for dancing 8pm-midnight. Cash only for drinks and food.

Tickets cost £10 (cash only) and are available from the Oxfam shops in Wells and Glastonbury and Anna's Attic, High St, Shepton Mallet or email: NYEPriddy2023@outlook.com

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Halloween, half term and a sad goodbye

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence is in the news a lot these days. Driverless cars, talk of AI taking over jobs, we haven’t yet been threatened with robots riding horses. Can you imagine it? Now if they could be programmed to do the mucking out and fill the water buckets and hay nets, it would be With JANE no bad thing – or would it? They’d have to PATERSON do it properly and to our exacting standards!

Meanwhile we have to get on with all those tasks every day and now that winter is here the work gets harder. The mud is with us already, and the long summer days filled with shows and events and sunshine are fading into a distant memory.

Some of Mendip Farmers Pony Club members managed some fun at half term and took a trip to Brean Sands to give their ponies a blow along the beach. Learning to trust your pony on unfamiliar ground is a great experience and can build confidence in both pony and rider.

Wide open spaces can be a scary challenge but enormous fun for both. At Brean it’s hard to run out of beach and if the elusive tide is in, it presents a good opportunity to ride through the little waves in a non-competitive way to get your pony used to water splashing against the legs – all good practice for the water complexes in competitions which often cause a few problems until ponies get used to them.

The braver riders on the beach can also take the chance to drop the reins in canter and trust their pony completely, even if only for a few strides to begin with. It’s very rewarding and satisfying to strengthen that bond of complete trust which is so

Mendip in the ribbons (l to r) Beth Bellamy, Ada Fairhurst, Lottie Bellamy and Frankie Drury

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Izzy and Bear take to the water

essential to success in the competition field and great fun to go wild and free.

Dressing up is good too. It helps to de-sensitise ponies against unexpected objects flapping and blowing in the wind and helps prevent “spooking” when out hacking or in an arena. It’s annoying to ride something that spooks at every plastic bag blowing in the hedge, or coloured signs at the side of the road, and the earlier in their training you can get them used to stuff, the better.

Halloween always provides a perfect opportunity to go a bit daft! A recent arena eventing competition at Kings Sedgemoor in one of our November monsoons still went ahead, with the brave Mendip Farmers minis once again showing us what they are made of. In the 60 cm class they won Team 2nd with Beth Bellamy winning individual 1st. Well done everyone.

National Hunt racing is very much on the agenda again. It’s now less than a month until Boxing Day when the prestigious King George 6th Chase will be run, a tradition which dates back to 1937, the race being named after the newly crowned King.

The thrills and spills before then will help determine who we will be watching on the day. Will Champion trainer Paul Nicholls once again have the winner? Bravemansgame ridden

by Harry Cobden won it last year for Paul, and the legendary Kauto Star won it no less than five times for Paul’s Ditcheat stables in his day.

Team Ditcheat have shown already this season that they are off to a cracking start with wins galore at Wincanton and a steady stream of runners-up at many venues. The challenge is now on for the champion trainer title. Exciting times ahead.

The flat racing calendar has a new fixture which has just been announced – King Charles has been given a present to mark his 75th birthday. The King’s Stand Stakes has been renamed the

A must-have for every horsewoman

Eloise Dredge and little sister Eliza

King Charles III Stakes to mark the monarch’s landmark anniversary and will continue to be run at Royal Ascot.

Some sad news for local riders – our lovely local venue, Badgworth Arena, is for sale. After more than 20 years, Jane Vosper and her family are retiring from this very full-on job and are taking a well deserved rest.

Many of you will have enjoyed wonderful times at Badgworth, and whether you have competed, trained, hired the school or just watched, you will all surely have enjoyed refreshments from the kitchen in the indoor arena where Jane’s Mum has for years cooked the best burgers and cheesey chips for miles around!

Let’s hope whoever buys it will continue to run it along similar lines. The many liveries there will be hoping so too.

RIDING

WE equestrians always prioritise our horses when it comes to shopping, making sure our beloved horse has its every need catered for whilst we run around with plastic bags in our wellies to stop the leaks making our socks wet.

But Christmas is coming that's the time to make your list for Santa: wellies, socks, gloves and jackets are usually there, but there is one item that I would not want to face winter without.

This item was a discovery on a company trip to Badminton Horse Trials, the mecca for all equestrian shoppers, and I treated myself to a riding skirt made by a small company, Nouvelle Habit, based in Bristol. They are made-to-measure so they fit over your work clothing and you can choose the colours and linings.

The skirt is of waxed material, with openings at the back and front and a clever flap at the rear; it covers the rider’s legs and the saddle and the rear flap covers the opening at the back preventing rain from creeping under one’s seat.

By Pat Bishop, Divoky Riding School

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip Why not make riding a New Year’s Resolution for you or a loved one?

H Do you have a loved one who loves horses? is year we are offering riding lesson vouchers – a great Christmas present for any age!

H We can personalise the vouchers and they can be for any financial amount.

All vouchers are valid for 12 months.

H Vouchers can be emailed once payment has been received.

H Vouchers can also be gifted forward if the original recipient doesn’t wish to take them up.

H (e rider must be within our weight limit and complete a registration form)

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 • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 97

(Photo courtesy of Kitty’s Equine Photography)

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How about one of these for Christmas?

HOW much would you pay for a bike? That is the question that I have been pondering since reading that Team GB’s “secret” Olympic track bike costs £55,000. The new track bike frame designed by in-house experts at British Cycling, and the performance innovation team from the UK CYCLING with EDMUND Sports Institute, may be used at next year’s LODITE Paris Olympics.

I don’t know which part of that story was meant to be “secret” – it could either be the cost or the fact that the frame is created through 3D printing! Either way, it is reasonable to argue that at the elite level of cycling the cost is worth it.

Marginal gains can be the difference between glory or defeat, and which medal is taken home.

But the development of expensive superbikes has a trickledown effect to all levels of cycling. Browse through any cycling magazine or website and you cannot avoid reviews of bikes, ranging from £1-2,000 up to £10-11,000.

I often find these reviews not that easy to understand. There is never any data that proves one bike is quicker than another, probably because if there is it is only marginal. A lot of words are used to go through the technical details of the bike before ending with a subjective view about the ride experience.

Phrases like “the bike handles with great composure” or “delivers a confidence-inspiring ride feel” are not going to be enough to persuade me to part with £9-10,000!

Premium brands can command premium prices. The bikes that cost £10,000 are not ten times better than the ones that costs £1,000.

With a premium brand you are buying into a marketing image or perceived status – or maybe even a mix of performance and promised dreams. However, if you can afford the more expensive bike and are happy with your purchase, then it doesn’t really matter whether there's any tangible improvement from paying more.

But in a desire to go further and faster it can be easy to become fixated in thinking that the only solution is the bike. Do that and the bike industry will be extremely happy to indulge you. Once you jump onto that merry-go-round it can be a hard one to jump off.

This year's model will be outdated as soon as a version with some minor improvements comes to market the following year.

The most expensive bikes are made for the best riders and professional athletes and a great bike will not transform an ordinary cyclist into a great cyclist.

There are things that we can do ourselves first that will bring about longer lasting benefits. Riding more frequently and longer distances coupled with weight control and a good diet will achieve more than spending a few thousand pounds more.

Do that, and eventually you may find the limits of the bike that you have already. Upgrading individual components can achieve a lot for a limited investment but if the weight of the bike is an issue, then that would be the time to buy something lighter.

I have a Trek bike that I bought as new in 2004 which has been ridden for more miles than I can remember. It has served me well and I still enjoy riding it even though it’s a bit heavy. It is good in the winter weather and was a good commuter bike.

But to me it is more than that – it reminds me of shared experiences and memories, the best of which is that it got me up the A road on Porlock Hill.

I bought my road bike second-hand and again that has so many memories attached to it. A few years ago, I was taking part in one of the weekly time trials at Chew Valley Lake when I met Mark who had sold me the bike.

“That’s my bike,” he said to another rider. And in that brief moment, I could tell by the look in his eye that he had connected once again with all his memories of riding that bike.

We all have our own idea of what makes a good bike. It may be defined as the latest, lightest and fastest or even a classic retro style bike from the 60s or 70s. In the end, a good bike is the bike you’re glad you used today and the one you want to ride again tomorrow.

The chances are that, despite what the marketing and advertising people are trying to tell you, you’ve already got one.

DECEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Jauntily 5. Affair 9. Set apart 10. Proton 12. Undersell 13. Yucca 14. Hunt 16. Cholera 19. The Gimp 21. Mite 24. Eerie 25. Goldsmith 27. Elapse 28. Silencer 29. Little 30. Geometry. DOWN: 1. Joshua 2. Untidy 3. Tapir 4. Largest 6. Ferry boat 7. Attached 8. Rent-a-car 11. Bloc 15. Universal 17. Ethereal 18. Near east 20. Page 21. Malaise 22. Sidcot 23. Thirty 26. Steam PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

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SPORT

Bowled over by “spare” cash from Doulting skittlers MEMBERS of the Doulting and District Skittles League have donated £350 to two local good causes.

The money was raised from a raffle, match fees and other donations over the past months. Players nominated the Mendip School, near Everceech, where fundraising is underway to build three new “pods” in the grounds to create special therapy and nurture spaces for its 150+ pupils who are referred there because of communication, social,

Cliff Clarke (left) from the Salvation Army with Sandy and Mary in the foodbank area

Emma Coooper, deputy head of the Mendip School (seated left) receives a cheque for £300 from the league’s Sandy Guidi and Mary Reynolds, watched by pupils Nathan and Dylan

emotional and mental health support needs.

They also nominated the Salvation Army in Shepton Mallet, where the foodbank is preparing for a busy winter, to receive £50.

At its height, the league – now 50 years old – ran two leagues.

Today, it has 11 teams covering Shepton Mallet and the surrounding villages. League chairman Sandy Guidi said: “We would love to hear from anyone interested in forming a team or joining an existing side.”

For details, email: results@doultingskittles.co.uk

Top honour for running club

YEARS of hard work and dedication were rewarded as Mendipbased running club, Somer AC, was named England Athletics’ South West Club of the Year for 2023.

The club, based at Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton, was up against clubs from Poole to Penzance. The ceremony saw former European 10000 metres champion and five-time Olympian, Jo Pavey, make the award.

Somer club chair, Jason Nash, was pleased to accept on behalf of all the members and volunteers, thanking them for their efforts. He said the award recognised the club’s development of its athletes, supported by warm testimonials from parents that highlighted the focus on developing the juniors and youth sections. The club’s growth is supported by increased visibility in the local community via greater participation in local events.

This resulted in the creation of Somer Sizzlers. The brainchild of juniors manager, Keith Cradock, local events in Longleat, Cheddar and Chew Valley enabled club members of all ages and abilities to run together, wearing club colours with pride.

Somer AC runners at the Chew Valley 10k

Another initiative was a dedicated Tuesday run club to smooth the transition from the Couch to 5k course to becoming a regular club runner.

Somer will now the represent the South West in the upcoming national awards, and look forward to a busy 2024. Their next Couch to 5k course begins on Thursday, January 11th.

For details, contact them via Facebook, Instagram or www.somerac.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 99

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If this was just a practice day . . .

RIDERS didn’t hold back at the latest Frome Motorcycle Club motocross practice day at Leighton, near Frome.

Groups for the solo riders were divided into “speedy” and “not so speedy” and they were matched for ferocity and enthusiasm by the sidecars and quads.

SPORT

Team Peters fly over the summit of the most challenging slope

A quad rider in action

Leaning into a turn

Solo riders were split into “speedy” and “not-so-speedy”

In the pink

Ronnie, aged four, is obsessed by the sport

SOME 24 ladies from local tennis clubs came together at Somer Valley Tennis Club to “Wear it Pink” in aid of Breast Cancer Now. Hosted at Somer Valley Tennis Club in Writhlington, a fun tennis tournament was held with ladies coming from clubs including Pensford, Bishop Sutton and Beckington.

The event was funded by a community grant from National Grid given to Somer Valley Tennis Club to encourage more women and girls into tennis. It was a doubles tennis tournament and the event raised £190 in

total for Breast Cancer Now. Somer Valley Tennis club will be

hosting more women and girls events in the future.

Details: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SomerValleyTennis/WomenandGirls info@somervalleytennis.org.uk

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Show society to launch new food festival

WITH a promise of talks, tastings and family fun - and a helping of cheese along the way – the Royal Bath & West Society has announced its new Food & Drink Festival for 2024.

Taking place on March 23rd and 24th at The Bath & West Showground, this new festival will also host the 28th British Cheese Awards – judging for that takes place on March 22nd.

The festival will be built around the British Cheese Awards judging arena, giving visitors the chance to view hundreds of the country’s top cheeses and sample some of the winners. Food and drink stands will bring together the region’s best in cider, beer, jam, cheese, chocolate and more. The festival will also feature a bierkeller area to explore real ale, a main stage with a diverse line-up and a kid’s zone to keep little foodies entertained.

Nativity trail

WHAT’S ON

PENSFORD’S Christmas Nativity Trail will be launched on Friday December 1st at 6pm. The life size figures are the work of local man, Paul Baxter, who modelled the faces from local people in the village. It will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in December, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when it will close.

Maps are available in the village lock-up

Ticket prices and details will be announced soon.

Visit: www.bathandwest.com

Crib festival in Wells

ST Cuthbert’s Church in Wells will be staging its annual crib festival from Friday, December 8th – Sunday, December 10th.

There will be hundreds of worldwide crib sets on display, with twinkling stars, music, colour, angels and a stable.

It will also feature the local flower group, Wells Cathedral City Miniaturists and the textile club. With seasonal refreshment and mulled wine, the church will welcome visitors on Friday and Saturday, 10am-4pm and on Sunday, 12noon-4pm.

Community cinema returns to Kilmersdon

REEL People Films have been delighted with the success of their re-opening in Kilmersdon Village Hall.

A new committee has driven the return to the village and the first two films of the season have sold out.

On December 8th they are screening Benediction, a vivid and moving exploration of the turbulent life of Siegfried Sassoon, the WW1 poet.

SANTA TRAINS RUNNING DECEMBER 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 22nd

new year’s DAY mince pie special

Try your hand at driving a loco during the December festive break: Diesel taster sessions 27th; Steam all day driver 30th; Steam taster sessions 31st.

Members and guests welcome. For details, visit: www.reelpeople.org.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

Celebrate Christmas season magic at The Palace VISITORS to The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells will once again be greeted in grand festive style this December with garden illuminations, festive decorations, workshops, Father and Mother Christmas, music and delicious food on offer.

The rooms of the medieval palace building will be decked out in their Christmas finery with seasonal foliage from the palace gardens creating stunning adornments to complement the historic interiors. Visitors to the entrance hall will be greeted with a roaring fire and invited to explore the rooms of the Palace, which will also include the return of the popular local Schools EcoExhibition.

Outside, visitors can explore the magical inner gardens which will be illuminated with festive decorations and lights during special late-night openings including December 1st (members only), 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st. The Illuminations begin at 3.30pm and run until 7.30pm on those dates, with the last entry at 7pm.

The Glastonbury Male Voice Choir will also be on hand to entertain visitors at a Christmas Carol Concert within the beautifully decorated 13th-century chapel on Tuesday, December 5th (6.30pm) and creative types may be tempted by two festive workshops – Folk Carols on Saturday, December 9th and Wreath

The Bishop’s Palace garden illuminations

Making on Sunday, December 10th.

Storytellers will be sprinkling some Christmas magic with festive tales and seasonal stories on December 8th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd; great for big and little kids alike, no booking is required.

Entrance to all events and activities (excluding the concert and workshops) is included with any standard admission to The Bishop’s Palace which allows for 12 months of return visits on any normal sightseeing day.

For details, visit: www.bishopspalace.org.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

T H E

M E N D I P

T I M E S

W H A T ’ S

We’re happy to list entries for non-profit community groups and charity fundraisers free of charge. Please send them written as a succinct single paragraph, in the format below, to annie@mendiptimes.co.uk Entries sent in as posters or which take time to re-write may be charged for at the commercial rate, £25.

Wednesday November 29th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support meeting 1.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Details: 01275 462107.

Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas’s Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed every month. Details: 01749 674920 or www.wellsfdc.co.uk Harptrees History Society talk by former City Archaeologist “Bristol 1480: mapping the medieval town” 7.30pm West Harptree Memorial Hall. BS40 6EG. Visitors welcome £3. Please book: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Thursday November 30th Irish Set Dancing 8pm-10 every Thursday Dinder Village Hall BA5 3PF, £3 incl refreshments. Fun, friendly, no need to book. Details 01458 210051 paulrharper@btopenworld.com West Mendip Walkers 10m circular walk starting 9.30am from Oakhill Village Hall BA3 5AN. Details www.mendipramblers.co.uk From Friday December 1st Pensford Nativity Trail will be open 6pm-9.30 every Friday, Sat & Sunday evening until Christmas. Maps in village lock-up. A star is lit on the church tower whenever the trail is open.

Friday December 1st Whitchurch Art Club Craft Fayre 2.30-6pm Fortfield Rd Community Centre BS14 9NT. Entry free. New members welcome any Thursday 7-9pm.

Details: avril.csve@gmail.com Wedmore Dementia Carers Group 10am-12, Bagley Church BS28 4TG. Supported by Heads Up: 01749 670667. First Friday monthly.

Christmas Wreath Making 7-10pm East Harptree Theatre. Tickets £35 from https://buytickets.at/friendsofeastharptreeschool/996 216 Save the Children Lunch 12.30pm Shipham village hall. Soup, bread & cheese, £5.

Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society “Battling Bishops” talk by the Rev Dr Mark Hutchinson 7.30pm Wells Museum. Details 01458 851443.

Friday December 1st and Sat Dec 2nd A Christmas Carol: Pilton Players, Village Voices, Pilton Handbells & The Worthy Waits, 7.30pm Pilton Parish Church. Adults £10, U-16s £5, inc mince pie & drink. Tickets: lispet@mac.com Friday December 1st to Sun Dec 3rd Midsomer Norton Christmas Tree Festival St John the Baptist Church. Details: www.stjohnschurchmsn.org.uk Saturday December 2nd Bleadon’s Bumper Christmas Market 9.30am-12 Coronation Halls BS24 0PG. 50+ stalls, details: 01934 812370.

Frome Society for Local Study: “The rebuilding of St John’s Church” 2.30pm Assembly Rooms, Memorial Theatre BA11 1EB. Visitors welcome £5.

Churchill Music: The mystery of Beethoven’s ‘Immortal Beloved’ 7.30pm St. John the Baptist Church BS25 5QW. Tickets: www.churchillmusic.org.uk Axbridge Christmas Fair from 9.30am Town Hall.

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaws etc.

Chew Magna Christmas Fayre with Santa and Christmas lights switch on.

Mendip Male Voice Choir 7.30pm Mendip Golf Club Radstock BA3 4UT. PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023

Blagdon Christmas Fair 10am-12 St Andrew's church. Father Christmas is coming! All welcome.

Pensford/Publow Christmas Market 10am-12.30 All Saints’ Church BS39 4HP. Includes Pensford Local History Group sale of art by Robert Bailey.

Admission £2 incl tea/coffee.

Peasedown St John Christmas Craft Fayre 10am12 The Hive, BA2 8DH. Kilmersdon’s Commemorative Tree for the King’s Coronation, will be planted by Diana Jolliffe at 2pm in the playing field. Details: Martin Horler 07773 044285.

East Huntspill Christmas Bazaar 11am Church Hall, TA9 3PJ. Details: 01278 788665 or allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com Castle Cary Christmas Craft Market 10am-2pm Caryford Hall. Free entry.

Street Big Breakfast 9.30 – 11.30am United Reformed Church.

Wedmore – St Mary’s Christmas fair, 10am.

Christmas Trolls – a lively and interactive family show, 11am Chew Stoke. Details: www.valleyartscentre.co.uk Saturday December 2nd and Sun Dec 3rd Frome Museum Christmas celebration – a child’s anticipation of a visit from Father Christmas, 10am to 2pm. Frome Museum, BA11 1AT. Details: 01373 454611 or www.frome-heritage-museum.org Saturday December 2nd and Sat Dec 9th Sutton Theatre Group Panto: Dick Whittington, 2.30 and 7.30pm Bishop Sutton village hall. Details: www.suttontheatre.com Sunday December 3rd Winscombe RNLI’s “Reindeer Run” 2pm from the Cricket Club BS25 1AP. All runners welcome: 2.5Km Santa Trail is open to all. Min. age 11 for the 5 Km Reindeer Trail. All off road. Fancy dress & spectators welcome! Details: 07801 678432 or Tim@moransonline.com Camerton Christmas Lunch, 1pm Community Hall. Adults £17, YPs £12. Licensed bar. For menu and to book: 07866 112689 or cchallsecretary@gmail.com Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells. 7 for 7.30pm. Teams of up to six, £4pp. To book: 01749 672342 or terryricketts1948@gmail.com Raffle prizes very welcome!

St Nicholas’ Brockley Festive Patronal Service, 5.30pm St Nicholas Way, BS48 3AX. ‘Schola Cantorum’ from Bristol University, story-telling by Michael Loader, wine, mulled cider, warm nibbles.

Dress warmly! All welcome.

Monday December 4th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Visitors welcome.

Bath NATS talk by Rob Randall, “Strandline Plants and Dune Formations” 7.30pm BRLI, 16 Queens Square, BA1 2HN. Visitors welcome £4.

Tuesday December 5th Backwell Sequence Dance Club: 7.15pm-9pm every Tuesday, Backwell WI Hall, BS48 3QW. Dancing couples always welcome. Details: Paul 07710 460550 or backwellsequencedance@gmail.com “Lundy island 1925-1969” talk by Andre Coutanche, 7.30pm Yatton Methodist Church, BS49 4DW. Details: www.yattonlocalhistorysociety.co.uk Timsbury Gardening Club Quiz 7.30pm Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £2.

Details:www.timsbury.org.uk/activities/environment /gardening-club/ The Arts Society Mendip: “The Two Gustavs: Mahler and Klimt” with Gavin Plumley. 11am Croscombe Village Hall. Guests welcome £10.

Details: www.theartssocietymendip.org.uk.

Wednesday December 6th Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers: Christmas buffet lunch with quiz, fun, games 2pm3.30pm WI Hall Backwell.

Street United Reformed Church drop-in for a cuppa, cake and chat 2pm to 4pm every Wednesday.

Carols and music on Wed 20th. Donations for St Margaret’s Hospice.

Thursday December 7th Chew Valley Death Café meets 12 to 1.30pm in the Community Library Bishop Sutton, first Thursday every month. A safe supportive space to talk about life, death and loss over tea and cake. All welcome.

Please contact: bryonyhuntley2019@gmail.com West Mendip Walkers 8.5m circular walk starting 9.30am from Tree & Sandford Orcas, DT9 4SW. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Bath Railway Society illustrated talk by Brian Arman “Swindon Works from Hawksworth to the end of steam . . . and the final years at the Museum of Bath at work” 7.30pm Julian Road, Bath BA1 2RH. Friday December 8th Keynsham Avon Wildlife Trust: ‘Short talks by group members’ 7.30pm Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham BS31 1DS. Members £3.50 Visitors £4.50.

Glastonbury Cantilena Choir with William Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices, and more, 7:30pm St Nicholas Church West Pennard. Adults £12.50, U12s £1. Cash – on the door and Dickett’s Stationers.

Mince pies and mulled wine.

Keynsham AWT talks by members, “The Azores, Fox and Hounds Restoration Project etc.” 7.30pm Baptist Church Keynsham BS31 1DS. Visitors welcome £4.50.

Wrington Dickensian Fayre – see P62.

Festive Cheddar – see P38.

Mendip Male Voice Choir 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church Combe Down, Bath.

Friday December 8th to Sun Dec 10th Crib festival St Cuthbert’s Church Wells. Hundreds of worldwide nativity sets. Refreshments. Fri/Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. Details 01749 675477.

Saturday December 9th Wells & district centre National Trust: the next talk in our winter monthly programme is by former Chairman Jon Glauert: “Murder in Marrakesh”.

Starts 2.30pm Henton Village Hall BA5 1PD. £3 inc refreshments. Visitors welcome. Details klancslad@gmail.com Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Messiah, Wells Cathedral, 7pm. Details: secretary@wcos.org.uk Kenn Village Market 10am-12 village hall.

Brent Knoll Bazaar, farmer's market & café 10-12 Brent Knoll Parish Hall.

Congresbury Book Sale 9am-1pm War Memorial Hall. Good quality books etc.

Parkinson’s NW Somerset Support Group

O N

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O N

G U I D E

F O R

Christmas social morning with carols, coffee and quiz. 10.30-12.15 St Francis Church Nailsea.

Congresbury Festive coffee morning with Cadbury Saxophone Band 10.30am-12 St Andrew's Church. Free entry, details: 01934 830072.

Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band Christmas Concert 7pm-9pm Salvation Army Hall, Street BA16 0JG. Free, with collection.

Refreshments available. Details: msnrsb.org.uk/events Saturday December 9th and Sun Dec 10th Leigh-on-Mendip Christmas Tree Festival 11am4pm St Giles Church, BA3 5QJ. Light lunches served all day in this beautiful 14th century church.

Free entry.

‘Follow, Follow, Follow’ a creative re-telling of the Christmas story from Mary’s point of view. NOT SUITABLE for children. Saturday: 7pm Bubwith Chapel, Chamberlain St, Wells. Sunday: 3pm St John’s Church Glastonbury. Entry free, but £10 donation suggested, please.

Sunday December 10th A Christmas Celebration! Puppets, theatre and music with festive classics, 11am Chew Magna.

Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Monday December 11th Nailsea & District Local History Society talk by Margaret Flux: “Christmas Past” 7.45pm Nailsea School. Visitors welcome £3. Details: 01275 463479 or www.ndlhs.org.uk Cheddar Vale Lions Tree of Life, 6.30pm Bath Arms. Details: www.cheddarvalelions.co.uk Tuesday December 12th Shipham Rowberrow & Star History Society talk

by Lois Brenchley about The Strawberry Line.

7.30pm Shipham Village Hall, BS25 1SG. Guests welcome, £4. Details: 01934 260784.

West of England Cricket Society talk by Simon Hughes, 2pm Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, BA2 6AA. £5 incl. tea/coffee. Bar open, nonmembers welcome.

Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band Concert 7.30pm-9.30pm Methodist Church, High St, M Norton, BA3 2DR. Free, with collection.

Refreshments available. Details: msnrsb.org.uk/events Wednesday December 13th Wells Folk & Barn Dance Club 7.30-9.30pm St Thomas’s Church Hall, BA5 2UZ. All welcome: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed every month. Details: 01749 674920 or www.wellsfdc.co.uk Glastonbury Male Voice Choir Christmas concert, 7.30pm St John’s Church, Glastonbury.T Wedmore by Lamplight – see P72.

Bath RSPB talk by Naomi Jones “Biomagnification – Birds of Prey”. AGM follows talk. 7.30 pm St Andrews Community Church, Hawthorn Grove, Bath BA2 5QA. Thursday December 14th Chew Valley Gardening Society, AGM 8pm Stanton Drew Village Hall, Cheddar Valley u3a Christmas Quiz 1.30pm Cheddar Village Hall BS27 3RB. Harptrees History Society Christmas meeting Traditional Craft in Somerset by Kate Lynch. Talk illustrated with drawings and artefacts. Tickets £9.50. Incl supper. Cash bar. 7.30pm West Harptree Memorial Hall BS40 6EG. Booking essential: info@harptreeshistorysociety.org No tickets on door.

West Mendip Walkers 10.5m circular walk starting 9.30am from Compton Dundon, TA11 6PR. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Carols by Candlelight with prose, verse and music by the Somerset Russets, 7pm Emborough Church,

D E C E M B E R

BA3 4SG. Free; cash collection for Churches Conservation Trust and the Trussell Trust. Details: 01761 241588.

Thursday December 14th to Sun Dec 17th Banwell Christmas Tree Festival St. Andrew’s Church. Thurs to Sat: 5 to 7.30pm, Sunday 4 to 6pm.

Friday December 15th Save the Children Christmas Lunch 12.15pm Shipham village hall. £6 for soup, mince pies.

Shipham school and carols. All welcome.

Friday December 15th and Sat Dec 16th Volunteer tree planting at Great Avon Wood, Pensford, BS39 4JE. 10am-3pm. Register & book: www.avonneedstrees.org.uk Saturday December 16th Frome Society for Local Study: “Exhuming Oldfield: a house detective story” by Robert Oldfield 2.30pm Assembly Rooms, Memorial Theatre BA11 1EB. Visitors welcome £5.

Jazz with Dart Valley Stompers 8pm to 10.30 Claverham village hall BS49 4GG. All proceeds to BRACE, Alzheimer’s research. Details 01934 838017.

Claverham Market 10am-12pm Village Hall.

Butcher, veg. crafts etc. 01934 830553.

Glastonbury Brass Christmas Concert, 7.30pm St John's Church BA6 9DR. Adults £10, U12s £5, on door.

RAFA Christmas lunch 12.15pm Wells Golf Club, BA5 3DS. Details: 01458 224057 or Lunchrafa.midsomerset@gmail.com Rotary Club of Mendip Santa & Elf Fun Run, Winchester Farm, Cheddar. Adults £10. Fancy dress awards for U-14s. Details: www.mendipsantarun.com Mendip Male Voice Choir Concert 7.30pm St John’s Anglican Church, Peasedown St John.

Claude Bourbon, acoustic guitar, 6.45pm Caryford Hall, Castle Cary. Tickets £12 from www.caryfordhall.co.uk Yatton Festive coffee morning with Cadbury Saxophone Band 10.30am-12 Yatton village hall.

Free entry details 01934 830072.

Saturday December 16th and Sun Dec 17th Midwinter Folk Tales with Taffy Thomas and musician Mossy Christian. Saturday 7pm Easton village hall. Sunday 4pm in Lamyatt. Details: www.takeart.org/event/midwinter-folk-tales Sunday December 17th Santa Run, 11am Queen Victoria, Priddy, for Children’s Hospice South West.

Monday December 18th Congresbury Memorial Hall Club Friendship evening with bingo, 8pm War Memorial Hall.

Visitors welcome.

Chew Valley U3A Christmas meeting 10.30am Ubley Parish Hall. Festive nibbles and entertainment. All welcome.

Mendip Male Voice Choir Concert 7.30pm St John’s Church Midsomer Norton.

Bruton Choral Society Christmas concert 7.30pm St Mary’s Church. £12 incl wine. Details: www.brutonchoralsociety.org.uk Timsbury NATS film ‘Chew Valley Lake’ and fish supper, 7.30pm Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ. To book: janemartin75@googlemail.com or call: 07979 195670.

Elemental – children’s film. Doors 1.45pm Caryford Hall, Castle Cary. Tickets £2.50 from www.caryfordhall.co.uk Tuesday December 19th Congresbury Carol singalong with Cadbury Saxophone Band 8.30-10.15pm at the Plough Inn. Free, details 01934 830072.

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WHAT’S ON

Open Mic Night 8pm The Pony, Chew Magna.

Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Wednesday December 20th Mendip Storytelling Circle. Stories to entertain a grown-up audience, 7.30 to 9.30pm Ston Easton Village Hall, Green St, BA3 4DA. Thursday December 21st West Mendip Walkers 9.2m circular walk starting 9.30am from Stratton-on-the-Fosse, BA3 4QQ. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Cheddar Valley u3a Coffee Morning 10am-11.30 Village Hall BS27 3RB. Yatton & district Horticultural Society talk “A Victorian Christmas” by Katherine Kear. 8pm Hangstones Pavilion BS49 4HS. Details: www.yattonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk.

Shepton Mallet Local History Group, 7.30pm at the Bowls Club. Len Ware’s ”Where in Shepton“ quiz with in-depth answers.

Friday December 21st and Sat Dec 22nd Volunteer tree planting at Great Avon Wood, Pensford, BS39 4JE. 10am-3pm. Register & book: www.avonneedstrees.org.uk Thursday 28th December West Mendip Walkers 11.5m circular walk starting 9.30am from Holford, TA5 1SA. Details: www.mendipramblers.co.uk Friday December 29th Volunteer tree planting at Great Avon Wood, Pensford, BS39 4JE. 10am-3pm. Register & book: www.avonneedstrees.org.uk Saturday December 30th Draycott Christmastide concert with Barry and Nicola Rose with the Pooley family, 6pm St. Peter's Church. Tickets £10 from Community Shop or on door. U-14s free.

Binegar’s Bonkers Barrow Run: enter a team of four; decorate a scarecrow for your barrow. 3pm start, raising funds for foodbank. Details: Facebook: Horse & Jockey.

Monday January 1st Priston celebrates New Year’s Day with dancing, song and storytelling.

Tuesday January 2nd Backwell Sequence Dance Club: 7.15-9pm every Tuesday, Backwell WI Hall, BS48 3QW. Dancing couples always welcome. Details: Paul 07710 460550 email backwellsequencedance@gmail.com Yatton Local History Society: “1992 Video Project: a year in the life of a village”, by Anita Jays, 7.30pm Yatton Methodist Church, BS49 4DW. Details: www.yattonlocalhistorysociety.co.uk Wednesday January 3rd Sing2breathe (Singing for Lung Health) – learn techniques for breath control through singing. 1.45 to 3pm every Wed, Cheddar Catholic Community Hall. Booking essential, contact Kate: vocalkate@gmail.com 07595 745884.

Bereavement Support Keynsham drop-in first Wed every month, 5.30pm-7pm, Baptist Church Hall, High St. A safe place to meet others who are bereaved. Free, with refreshments. Details: 07776 493221 or bereavementkeynsham@gmail.com Thursday January 4th Bath Railway Society talk by Mark Glover “Railway Signalling in Chippenham” 7.30pm The Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Rd. Refreshments.

Visitors welcome £5.

Living Spit: A Christmas Carol – comedy retelling by local favourites. 7.30pm Compton Martin.

Details: www.valley-arts.co.uk Saturday January 6th Frome Society for Local Study: “The Rebirth of Trowbridge Museum” 2.30pm Assembly Rooms, Memorial Theatre BA11 1EB. Visitors welcome £5.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2023 • PAGE 105

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MENDIP TIMES

Tradition with a twist – Wookey Hole cheese The cheese is stored in a modern ageing cave deep underground

WHAT’S ON

WOOKEY Hole caves attract geologists, cave divers, ghost hunters, tourists, circus school students … and cheesemaking “affineurs”, to name a few. It’s easy to see how such a fascinating site has attracted scientists and adventurers and inspired its share of local lore.

The caves are part geological wonder, part tourist attraction and have also been a site for aging traditional English cheeses for many years. The caves maintain a constant temperature of 12°C and humidity ranges from 90% to 100%.

In 2006, a modern cheese ageing cave was built inside a naturally formed limestone tunnel that leads to the ninth chamber of the cave system. The tunnel is book-ended by glass walls, providing a stunning surprise to cave visitors who pass by.

Wookey Hole Cheese is a traditional handmade English cheese made at the Ashley Chase Estate on the Jurassic Coast of nearby Dorset. Local herds of dairy cows graze on the lush green pasture of this coastal region and the sea air is as much a mark of the environment as the hills and rolling fields.

As the cheese breathes over 15 months of cave aging, it takes on a pleasant savoury flavour that captures the essence of the cave environment. Delightful fruity notes develop with time and these are complemented by a fine salt balance that echoes the sea air beyond, offering a unique taste of place.

Find the rabbits and win a festive hamper

IT’S back! Our annual Christmas challenge to find little rabbits hidden within the pages of this month’s Mendip Times returns – but this year, it’s even harder!

We have teamed up with Ford Farm Cheesemakers and Wookey Hole Caves to offer one lucky reader a prize of a festive hamper laden with goodies – and a bonus prize of family tickets to Wookey Hole Caves, where Ford Farm Cheese is matured.

This time, however, we want you to find four golden rabbits to enter the draw for our hamper – plus also find a single platinum one to qualify for the bonus prize draw.

Please send a postcard with your answers on to: Mendip Times Christmas Competition, Mendip Times, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon BS40 7RG – to reach us by Monday, December 11th.

The first chosen correct entry listing all five rabbits will win. The editor’s decision is final. l We’ll do our very best to deliver the hamper and tickets to you in time for Christmas.

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