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20/11/14
16:03
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MENDIP TIMES
The crafty monk
Dom Michael (right) with Philip Blatchford
A BEAUTIFULLY handcrafted new English oak gate welcomes visitors to Holy Trinity Church in Binegar but few people may realise that it was made by a monk at Downside Abbey. Dom Michael Clothier – the sub prior at the Benedictine abbey – is a skilled craftsman whose love of woodwork began as a child when encouraged by his father, a lawyer who also had a passion for carpentry. Dom Michael runs the workshops at Downside School and, together with pupils, has been involved in many projects for churches in the Mendip area and further afield. He’s often helped by local craftsmen such as Philip Blatchford, a member of Binegar Parish Council which commissioned the new gate to replace a broken one first donated more than 50 years ago in the memory of a former rector of Binegar. Dom Michael, who is also a parish priest in Radstock, charges for materials but not labour as the projects are an opportunity for students to learn new skills. Previous commissions have ranged from lecterns to pews – and even a pizza oven! He said: “With the gate in Binegar, we tried to be faithful to the original.”
Cadets taste success
AXBRIDGE and Cheddar Valley Sea Cadet Unit was rewarded for its hard work and development when cadets and volunteer staff from across Somerset and Dorset gathered in Taunton to celebrate Trafalgar Day. After a parade through the town, a number of trophies and certificates were handed out by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass, and Commodore Tim Hare, South West chairman of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets. The fledgling Axbridge unit was presented with the Ian Macdonald Trophy and a certificate for being the most improved unit in Somerset and Dorset. The Axbridge based unit is the youngest and smallest in the two counties, having only been formed in April 2013. It currently has 16 cadets aged between 12 and 15 years and five volunteer staff. Petty Officer Claire Peck and her husband Petty Officer Adrian Peck are pictured with seven of their cadets
Rotary visit to France
NEWS
The market place in Libourne Saint Emilion
Two new Rotarians are inducted into Norton’s link club. Norton would especially welcome younger women to its club
MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock enjoyed a long weekend with their counterparts in the south west French town of Libourne Saint Emilion. The clubs have been linked for the past 32 years and try to visit each other most years, staying with host club families. Jean Cambar, district governor for Norton’s link club, inducted two new members and presented several Rotarians with Paul Harris Fellowship Awards.
after receiving the award. Claire said: “I was totally shocked. There are some very big and well established units across the district. To be formally recognised for the efforts that the staff, committee, parents and cadets themselves have put in, is fantastic. We are hoping that the next 12 months will be just as good and that we can keep going from strength to strength." Axbridge and Cheddar Valley Sea Cadets meet on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Old Railway Station on Station Road in Axbridge. New Cadets and new staff members are always welcome.
Details: 01934 733601 at axbridgeseacadets@btconnect.com
MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2014 • PAGE 5