Mendiptimes Volume 11 - Issue 2

Mendip Times

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Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

JULY 2015

I N T H I S IS S U E : S U M M E R E V E N T S • F O C U S O N W E D M OR E • CHARITIES • SPORT • COMMUNITY • GARDENING Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome

SUMMER is in full swing and Mendip is celebrating it. From the glorious Royal Bath and West to the village knobbly knees contest, we’ve been out and about at various events all over the area and bring you pictures from many of them.

And there’s so much more to come – we preview Wedmore Opera and Arts Festival and the Mid-Somerset Show, among others – and we have a huge What’s On guide for you, showing how much effort people put into enjoying themselves – and raising funds for worthwhile causes.

This month we hear how dormice have made a return to Goblin Combe, a secluded valley close to Bristol Airport, and why hedgers from all over Britain will be heading to Chew Valley Lake this autumn. We’ve news of books celebrating the history of Coleford and the Weston-super-Mare lifeboat.

As usual we have pages devoted to the efforts of charities and voluntary organisations and pay tribute to Emma Welch, aged 14, from Chilcompton, who tragically died just a few days after completing a charity climb of Snowdon.

We’ve special features this month on weddings and education, as well as all of our usual features and contributors – and a few pictures of our own 10th birthday celebration.

August 2015 deadline: Friday, 17th July 2015.

Published: Tuesday, 28th July 2015.

Editorial: Steve Egginton steve@mendiptimes.co.uk Mark Adler mark@mendiptimes.co.uk Advertising: Ann Quinn advertising@mendiptimes.co.uk Rachael Abbott rachael@mendiptimes.co.uk Publisher: Mendip Times Limited Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RG Contacts: For all enquiries, telephone:

01761 463888 or: email news@mendiptimes.co.uk or: letters@mendiptimes.co.uk www.mendiptimes.co.uk Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: Precision Colour Printing, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates.

Front cover: K7s charity rugby tournament at Castle Cary – see page 98.

Photograph by Mark Adler.

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Glamour show – Royal Bath & West in pictures

30

Carmen comes to Wedmore – arts festival preview

You’re sacked – Priddy youngsters jump to it

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98

All together – rugby players’ charity efforts

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Arts & Antiques ...........................14 Food & Drink...............................20 Internet and Crossword..............28 Business ........................................38 Charities .......................................46 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......53 Walking Sue Gearing....................54 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........56

Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......58 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............68 Community...................................72 Motoring .......................................76 Caving Phil Hendy........................79 Homes and Interiors....................80 Music.............................................91 Riding............................................94 Sport..............................................96 What’s On ..................................101 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 3

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Our Services Include: Commercial and Residential Property Wills and Probate Litigation and Personal Injury Criminal and Family Law Agricultural, Business and Commercial Employment Shepton Mallet: 57 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AQ. Tel: 01749 330330

Glastonbury: 11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DL. Tel: 01458 832510

ank you to those of you who came by our stand at the Royal Bath & West, it was lovely to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones too. Our face painters were especially popular and we raised funds for local charity ‘Time is Precious’ – a big thank you to all who donated. e mix of the visitors was as diverse as ever and reminded me of the old saying “never judge a book by its cover”. In my job I meet a wide range of people, all Lucy Ingram, one of our trainee solicitors, (pictured with Nicole and with different backgrounds and appearance and quite Finley), raising money for the often I am disappointed with a lack of manners and Coleford-based charity Time Is Precious respect. is is more often the case outside the office, especially when it comes to “road rage” or simply being kind.

A colleague recently witnessed an elderly lady fall and rushed to her aid (as I hope we all would) but when she asked a male passer-by to assist in bringing the lady to her feet, the male ignored the request and kept on walking. On another occasion I was verbally abused by a mother collecting her children after I politely informed her she had parked in our private car park!

Perhaps I’m being naïve or old-fashioned (or I’m just getting old) but I was always told to be kind to those less fortunate, never to forget my manners and that everyone is equal no matter what age, race or background. So I ask you all, do something kind for someone today and don’t forget – If you can’t say anything nice – don’t say anything at all!

Castle Cary: Old Bank House, High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AW. Tel: 01963 350888

Cheddar: Roley House, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RA. Tel: 01934 745400

Website: www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Diamond is the girls’ . . .

THE Inner Wheel Club of Shepton Mallet has celebrated the 60th anniversary of its charter installation.

Guests of Honour included Inner Wheel District 20 president Linda Quinn and guest speaker John Davies.

During the evening at Mendip Golf Club, current president Liz Weelen accepted the gift of a commemorative jewel in the form of a president’s brooch, donated by the Rotary Club of Shepton Mallet and presented by their president Julian Thompson, to mark the diamond anniversary.

Senior member Gladys Lyons (seated left) alongside club president Liz Weelen

Shepton Mallet IW meets on the second Monday of the month. For more information contact club secretary Anita Thompson on 01749 343765.

Bless this tree – or three!

Love is in the air

Bishop Peter with (l:r) Richard Higgins, the Rev Richard Priestley and Phillip Roberts

THE Bishop of Bath and Wells was not just content to plant a tree to celebrate the 950th anniversary of Holy Trinity Church in Binegar; he blessed three silver birches for the occasion.

The Rt. Rev. Peter Hancock led the celebration of praise and thanksgiving before the tree planting ceremony.

Roger and Mary and family at the reception

Bishop Peter with the Rev Richard Priestley outside Holy Trinity Church

Roger and Mary outside Binegar Memorial Hall

A COUPLE from Oakhill celebrated their marriage by raising more than £1,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Roger and Mary Gillard threw open their reception at Binegar Memorial Hall to the public and asked guests to make donations to the charity.

The couple have been together for 13 years but decided to tie the knot back in March.

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MENDIP TIMES

Hedgers head for Chew

A sculpture in a day

THE 37th national hedgelaying championships are coming to Somerset for the first time this year. Around 100 competitors, with nine different hedging styles, will compete at Chew Valley Lake on October 24th.

Local hedgers from Somerset and Devon were promoting the event at the Royal Bath and West Show. They’ve spent the last four years preparing the site next to Chew Valley Lake.

The event is being sponsored by Yeo Valley and supported by Bristol Water.

Charlotte with her winning sculpture design

Transport under review

BATH and North East Somerset council has ordered an independent transport review and will appoint an independent expert to consider existing and future transport issues around the area.

Councillor Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip), leader of the council, said: “I am sure the review will help us to focus our efforts on improving the transport infrastructure across the district so that we can do things better in the future.”

Get to know the Yeo

YATTON and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) and the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust have got together to organise a free community event for all ages on the Millennium Green at Congresbury on Sunday July 5th.

There will be opportunities to learn more about the secret life of the Congresbury Yeo and its catchment area and to join in some wet and wild activities from 11am – 4pm.

A mini-raft workshop will be running until 3pm and the rafts will then be raced down the river with prizes for the winners and the best decorated. All are welcome to this free community event with something for all ages – take a picnic.

Details: 01934 834282

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ARTISTS will attempt to create a piece of sculpture in just one day to herald the start of a unique series of events exploring the impact of East Mendip’s quarries on the environment.

Charlotte McKeown, aged 18, from Wanstrow, won a competition for under-20s to design a piece of work for the step in stone project taking place in stages from July until October.

Charlotte’s work will be created as a full-scale sculpture with the help of step in stone artists, to be shown at the Somerset Earth Science Centre, Stoke St Michael throughout the step in stone trail.

The project is a collaboration between step in stone partners Black Swan Arts, Mendip AONB, Somerset Art Works, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Somerset Earth Science Centre, Nick Weaver and curator Fiona Campbell.

Amanda Sheridan, chair of Black Swan Arts in Frome, said: “The work entered showed a remarkable amount of creativity by all ages and choosing the final winners was a real pleasure.”

The project runs from Wednesday, July 8th until Sunday, October 15th, starting with Phase One in the grounds of the Somerset Earth Science Centre. Phase Two starts on Saturday, August 15th August, with artwork being installed in nearby Westdown/Asham and Halecombe quarries.

Phase Three will form part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival’s Momentum programme in October at Fairy Cave Quarry, Black Swan Arts Centre and Charlotte’s winning Kinetic Structure concept Frome Museum.

Leaflets and maps will be available at step in stone venues, Frome and Shepton Tourist offices and other local outlets.

For further details about the trail or to book a step in stone workshop, guided walk or artist talk visit: www.stepinstone-somerset.co.uk

(Photograph courtesy of Jack Offord)

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ENVIRONMENT

School’s out, but not just for summer

YOUNGSTERS at Croscombe village primary school have been making the most of their outdoor “classroom” in woodland nearby.

Whilst many schools can boast a forest school in their own grounds, Croscombe pupils head off to Ham Hill Woods for lessons and a chance to explore.

The woodland is owned by the Dinder Estate which gave permission for the school to put up a shelter, built by a parent of one of the pupils.

Small groups of six to eight children take turns to enjoy the outdoor activities, which range from crafts to cooking and building dens. It is not just a summer activity; the forest school team use the woodland for most of the year.

Retired teacher Trish Hayward runs the sessions and says time in the wood helps to develop self-confidence in some children: “Some might be a little shy in the classroom but being out and about and working together really helps them to develop.”

Pupils create clay characters before building “homes” for them in the bases of trees

Cooking sausage rolls over an open fire We made these!

Some of the Croscombe pupils during a forest school session MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 7

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Mendip shows the way

ENVIRONMENT

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THE Mendip Hills AONB Partnership, working with the local highway authorities, has restored more black and white fingerposts across the hills.

The original posts date from the early 1900s. With funding from the AONB Partnership and Blagdon Parish Council, North Somerset Council has restored five posts at Burrington Combe, Burrington and Blagdon villages.

This brings the total restored to 16 with others at Tynings and on the route between Two Trees at the top of Burrington Combe, to West Horrington via Charterhouse and Priddy.

Ten years strong – but no two days are the same

CONGRATULATIONS to Mendip Times on reaching the 10th anniversary of its first issue.

I have also been writing for the magazine for nearly that long, which I find quite unbelievable. What is even more incredible is the fact that I don’t with DAVID think that I have once had to resort to a MAINE previous contribution to find a suitable subject matter, even for the same month in the year!

There has always been plenty to write about as no two days are ever alike. This is what makes the subject of meteorology so interesting, and to actually have had a career with it is the icing on the cake.

Just about every possible type of weather can occur in the UK (thankfully not usually for too long each time) which has provided me with an abundant and seemingly endless supply of topics to write about.

During the Royal Bath and West Show there was even a report of a tornado at Binegar, which A sign at the Royal Bath and West Show caused some the day after heavy rain fell on the Friday morning at the same time as . . . damage. Funnel

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clouds (so named because of the black funnel shape they have when protruding from the base of a very dark mass of cumulonimbus cloud) are not rare in the British Isles, but occasionally they can develop sufficiently to extend further down from the cloud base and reach the ground.

That is when they become a tornado. Fortunately in the UK, any tornado (and they are pretty rare) is thankfully not on the scale of those that can occur in some parts of the world, notably the Midwest states of the U.S. If anyone is ever fortunate enough to spot one (or at least a funnel cloud) and can take a picture please send it to Mendip Times. I have spent nearly a lifetime looking out for one but have never been lucky (so far). However, I don’t think I will be going to the U.S. to join the stormchasers, though!

. . . what appeared to be a tornado struck part of Binegar, hurling corrugated iron panels from a barn into the air, causing some damage to roofs and greenhouses. This piece struck a tree

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Tel: 0800 097 8611

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

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

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MENDIP TIMES

Some reasons to celebrate – and worries for the future

THE Royal Bath and West Show was a great success this year.

There are some excellent photos in this magazine so I will just give a few of my With MARY favourite moments.

JAMES MBE There was a record number of livestock which are always the visitors’ favourite but I take special note of the Guernsey breed.

It was good to see the Durbin family from Bickfield Farm, Compton Martin showing again now they are clear of TB. The champion came from James Bartlett of Mudford near Yeovil.

Joint presidents, Lord and Lady Fellowes, were amazing. They spent every day at the show meeting as many people as possible – nothing was too much trouble.

They brought some guests with them. Who spotted Susan Hampshire, Edward Fox and Jacqui Lewellyn-Bowen? Did anyone see Lord Fellowes riding on one of the horses on the roundabout on the Village Green!

It was the second year of the Farm Woman of the Year competition and we received some very good entries. Lady Fellowes, Mary Mead and I judged the competition and we chose the lady who had 16 nominations, Lesley Bowes of Chewton Keynsham, who was a worthy winner.

Lesley runs her small farm singlehanded, the last farm in the village. She

produces high quality Aberdeen Angus beef as well as pigs and poultry which she sells at Keynsham Farmers’ market.

Despite working long hours and caring for her disabled husband she finds time to help the community whether it is grass-cutting, hedge-cutting and taking an active part in village events.

The show has long service awards every year but this year there was a special anniversary. It was the 50th year that the show has been at Shepton Mallet, so step forward those who have been stewards since that date.

In our area this included Peter Sherborne from Chelwood, David Keedwell, from Regil, Winford, who has served 59 years on the same farm, Richard Wear, from Butcombe, who has shown his fine old English Ryeland breed of sheep at the show for 50 years, ably assisted by his wife Margaret.

Among other winners was William Bowes of Timsbury who has spent a lifetime in the dairy industry and has more recently enjoyed cheese judging at the show.

Well, the silage making is over and the question is will there be a second cut – it all depends on the weather! On a beautiful evening recently I was on Blagdon Hill looking at the wonderful view. On the face of it all looks well in the farming world but there are some worrying trends.

Producers across the livestock, dairy and arable sectors have been hit by falling

Plight of the honey bee

HONEY bees are far more important as pollinators than they are for producing honey. They come through the winter with a colony of about 10,000 bees and can pollinate early flowering fruits such as cherries, apples and plums.

Bumble bee colonies and wasps contain just one mated queen at this time.

Honey bees can no longer exist wild in nature. One reason is the mite called Varroa, which probably reached the UK by the inadvertent movement of infected bees in imported goods. Beekeepers can control infestation by the use of appropriate methods.

Another serious predator of honey bees is the Asian Hornet, which moved from Eastern China into South Korea in 2003 and reached France in 2004. Honey bees make up a very large proportion of their PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

diet.

The Asian Hornet may be introduced from France on imported goods or it might just fly across the Channel.

Eradication will depend on swift identification of new nests.

The Small Hive Beetle is indigenous to Africa, where it is considered a minor pest. However outside its native range, colonies that lack African bees’ defences can be devastated if the beetles get into them unchecked.

In October 2002 it was found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

The economic consequences to the beekeeping industry in Australia have been serious. If it reaches the UK it can be controlled below damaging levels.

It is estimated that a third of the food on supermarket shelves is assisted there

Lesley Bowes was named Farm Woman of the Year. Lesley, from Charlton Keynsham, is a familiar face at Keynsham Farmers’ Market selling meat from Charlton Farm.

Lesley received her trophy from Lady Fellowes, joint president of the show society

prices almost continually in the last year.

With markets across many commodities continuing to decline, UK farmers are facing up to one of the tightest summers experienced.

Worries have been raised across the livestock and dairy sectors about the number of large farmers leaving the industry. Virtually all prices have fallen back continuously since the beginning of the year and the retailers continue to squeeze producers. More than ever the industry needs the consumer to buy British food.

by honey bees, which need the assistance of beekeepers.

If there is enough interest, Mendip Beekeepers will run a beginners’ beekeepers course in November and early December and an improvers’ course in January and February. Please contact me if you are interested.

Alan Weaver – 01761 417604

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FARMING

An open secret!

Royal honour for Paul

AN estimated 5,000 visitors enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Open Farm Sunday event at Stratton-on-the-Fosse – just one of the many venues celebrating the tenth anniversary of the campaign.

Organised by Linking Education and Farming, Church Farm and neighbouring Manor Farm were amongst the 400 farms which took part.

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PAUL Hooper, the secretary of the Royal Bath and West of England Society, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to Paul Hooper (left) with Mary and Tom James the agricultural at the Mendip Times 10th anniversary party show industry. (see p90).

Having worked continuously for the society since 1977, Paul has been involved with all aspects of the organisation since he started as a 17-year-old junior accounts clerk.

Paul said he was very honoured to receive such a award and that it was due in no small part to the help and support he had received from all of those in “The Team” that go to create shows.

Rupert Cox, CEO of the society said: “I am delighted that Paul’s efforts have been formally recognised. Mr Bath & West, as he is affectionately known, is a dedicated and knowledgeable colleague and the Society is very proud of all he has achieved during his long service with us.”

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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES Cider and shades

Bath and West YFC won Gold for best large trade stand, with a display of bygone dairy equipment. Chairman Eve Cooper was congratulated by joint show president, Lord Fellowes

Street theatre: Bob Price and Julie Billing were part of the first Showmakers team guiding visitors around the showground.

They’re members of Street Theatre amateur dramatic society who agreed to take on the new role after approaching the show society to ask if they could use one of their buildings to create the set for their new show Noises Off to be staged at the Strode Theatre in Street later this year

The main parade PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Lottie Hill, from Nyland, won the under-12 intermediate junior handling class with Daisy.

Lottie (right) is congratulated by runner-up Tom Mitchell, who lives near Dorchester, with Quartz

The expanded horticulture section was a great success. The chair of the organising committee, Jennie Goode is pictured right with (l to R) Rupert Cox, Chief Executive, Lady Fellowes, joint president, Annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant and Lucy Nelson, High Sheriff

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ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW 2015

Waiting in line

The serious business of cider judging

A chunk of cheese Gromit?

Wessex Morris on the village green

Miss Bristol – Meg Abernethy-Hope, from Bishop Sutton – with Pam Norris who was named the Best Dressed Lady on Ladies Day with musicians from the Band of the Parachute Regiment. Pam is chairman of the horse section at Frome Cheese Show

The Red Devils Parachute Team thrilled the crowds on Saturday lunchtime

Smile of a champion

Bristol University students (l:r) Will, Rich, Jess, Ben and another Will take a break

Can you tell the difference? Young farmers Ellie Bowden (as Daisy) and Vicki Norman challenged visitors to identify pasteurised and unpasteurised milk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 13

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Individual designs

ANDREW Patch specialises in traditional and contemporary glass.

He can supply an exciting stained and leaded glass feature designed individually and coloured to suit your home, conservatory or garden.

They’re no dummies at Wells Trading Post

For doors, windows, Tiffany style lampshades and feature mirrors, visit www.apstainedglass.co.uk

A vintage look for Robin and Tanith

TANITH and Robin Tothill, who run Wells Trading Post, looked no further than their favourite tipple for inspiration for their latest venture.

The couple had been toying with various designs for a range of tee-shirts to promote their vintage interiors and fashion business in the city’s West Street so they turned to their friend, designer Richard Kingston from Young Rascal in Glastonbury, for help.

Now the couple are raising a glass to his work after the teeshirts became an instant success, with requests to buy them from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Tanith and Robin wore them on holiday to Zante where even the waiters asked if they could have some.

Robin, who will be hard at work alongside some of the bands at the Glastonbury Festival, and Tanith are both big music fans.

Tanith said: “We’d been thinking about tee-shirts based on a classic rock album cover or something like that before Richard came up with this idea; people love them!”

Call for artist to take heART

Old Priory Mill, West St, Wells, BA5 2HG. Tel: 01749 671454 www.wellstradingpost.co.uk • email:tanithtradingpost@gmail.com PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

AN art fair will take place as part of this year’s Somerset Food and Drink Fest in October – and organisers are calling for professional artists to come forward.

Somerset heART Fair will be the first art fair in Somerset for professional artists and galleries and will be held at the Bath and West Showground on Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th.

It is being curated by local artist Alce Harfield, who lives at Dean, near Shepton Mallet. Alce said: “Art Fairs are fast becoming the popular choice for artists who don’t want to use galleries to sell their work direct to the public.

“A relaxed and informal setting for the visitor, nothing surpasses the joy of discovering new art for your home and learning how the work was created direct from the artist.”

Both the food festival and Somerset heART will support Children’s Hospice South West. Each artist will be invited to produce a small canvas to sell at the event for £40. Local schools will also be invited to display and sell work and there will be children’s art activities throughout the weekend.

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

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ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Experts invited to speak at Mendip Auction Rooms MENDIP Auction Rooms’ antiques, fine art and collectables sale on June 13th saw 650 lots go under the hammer with a diverse range of items with something for everyone.

An excellent set of balloon back chairs achieved £700 with an interesting bronze figure of an Arab selling above estimate for £420. A 19th century Chinese bowl saw strong interest from internet buyers and achieved £800.

The Victorian and later effects sales present a great opportunity to furnish a house with excellent selections of

furniture, pictures, collectables and other items and some 700 lots were presented to a large crowd on June 23rd.

The team at the auction rooms are seeking items for their future sales including the next country house sale in September, which will include carefully selected items and will be promoted widely.

It is also planned to start a series of regular talks on art and antiques in the autumn with local and national experts talking on various topics. If you are interested in attending then please

register your interest with the auction rooms.

The next sale will be the antiques sale on Saturday July 18th starting at 10am.

A further general sale will be held on July 28th. Entries included in the next antiques sale include a sterling silver embossed box by Berthold Muller, finely embossed in relief, estimated at £250 – £350 and a collection of fabrics from an ex-London upholsterer, including large bolts of Carlton Varney prints, silk bolts and special commissions, estimated from £30 – £200.

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MENDIP TIMES

Bidders show a yen for Yuan

AT Tamlyns’ collectors sale held in Bridgwater recently, a collection of 20th century Chinese banknotes dating from 1948 – 1949 made £1,500 – rather exceeding the sale estimate!

The notes were of various denominations from 50 Yuan to 5000 Yuan and were in mixed condition. After considerable presale interest they sold to an online bidder from Eastern Europe.

All sections in this sale did well and there was particular interest in postcards, cigarette cards and the more modern OO gauge railway items.

A collection of photographic postcards of Croydon Aerodrome c.1920s – 1930s totalled £630; a quantity of

assorted cigarette card £200; an album of early photographs of Minehead and area £130 and a quantity of subject postcards £200.

A page from an autograph album with autographs of three of The Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison (Ringo Starr had stepped out of the room!) that were obtained at an awards evening at The Dorchester Hotel in London, sold for £800; a Third Reich SA dagger £300; a quantity of N Gauge railway items £200; Schuco Radio Car £160; an early pack of Paris pattern playing cards £220; Hornby Virgin The Red Arrows set £100 and a collection of Winston Churchill memorabilia £150.

The next collectors sale will be on August 11th and entries are already being taken for that sale. For further information contact the auctioneers on 01278 445251.

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£8 car boot discovery sells for £3,500

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ARTS AND ANTIQUES

CLEVEDON Salerooms’ recent June specialist sale included this charming early 19th century ladies’ sewing box in the shape of a cottage measuring just six inches wide.

Spotted at Cheddar car boot sale by the eagle-eyed vendor, the box created a lot of interest from telephone and internet bidders.

Auctioneer Toby Pinn said: “We hold three free valuation days each fortnight and with all the television programmes relating to antiques, it is amazing that there are people who do not take advantage of our expertise.”

This sewing box however has some way to go to beat the £360,000 price tag achieved by a 300-year-old Chinese carved bamboo brush pot given to a Clevedon charity shop and identified by valuers at Clevedon Salerooms.

The salerooms next free valuation days will be held on July 6th, 7th and 8th 9.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm. Can you afford not to attend?

Musical memories are in the frame

All musical tastes are catered for at Swan Artworks

SUMMER is here and with it come lots of music festivals to look forward to.

Swan Artworks, on the Old Mills Trading Estate at Paulton, have framed all sorts of music memorabilia from concert tickets, band posters, vinyl and signed guitar scratch plates to the splintered remnants of a snapped off guitar headstock from a Glastonbury act!

Music is a passion for owners Tony and Carrie Osborne and they’re both well-known on the local music scene.

Why not make a feature of those summer music memories or your vinyl collections and pop in for a friendly quote at their Paulton workshop?

June Specialist Sale Highlights:

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers 18th Century Bristol Delft Plate

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS

Sold for £6,800

6 7 8 & 20 21 22 July 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

Beryl Cook – Oil – ‘On the Sun Deck’

Sold for £32,000

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com

(A second work by Beryl Cook sold for £24,000)

Rolex 18ct gold Oyster Perpetual Day Date superlative Chronometer

Sold for £6,200

Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery Auction Thursdays 2nd & 16th July at 10.00am VIEWING: Day before - 10am – 7.30pm and sale day from 9am MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 17

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Cheddar Duck Race

Giving the ducks a helping hand The start

Crowds at the finish

Some of the organisers from Cheddar Vale Lions PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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EVENTS

Congresbury Raft Race

Second place – Congresbury scouts

Winners – The Saturday Club

Frisbee golf was popular Congresbury Youth Partnership held an afternoon of events on the village’s Millennium Green, culminating in a raft race on the River Yeo. Assistant cub leader, Jackie Simpson, is pictured with some of the cub scouts. The groups are keen to attract new leaders.

Crowds on the bridge

Third place – Former youth club members MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 19

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Back garden dining

With JUNE MACFARLANE

FOOD & DRINK

Broad bean, mint and ricotta toasts

SUMMER is a time to savour the peace and quiet of our own back yards, long evenings and lingering outdoor meals.

All of these dishes can be made in advance, or assembled at the last minute.

BROAD BEAN, MINT AND RICOTTA TOASTS

Fresh local broad beans are in the shops now. Slip off their skins for that arresting bright green colour that tells you this will taste delicious!

METHOD

Cook the broad beans in boiling water for five minutes, remove and plunge into cold water, then drain and skin. Put into a bowl and dress with two tbsp oil, the lemon zest, a little juice and nearly all the mint. Season to taste.

Toast the bread. Rub one side with the cut side of the garlic. Drizzle with olive oil. Season the ricotta to taste, then pile on to the hot toast. Top with the broad beans and the rest of the mint.

SWEET AND SOUR SARDINES WITH RED ONIONS

Fresh sardines are inexpensive and summery, and this dish needs to be kept in the fridge for a few days to gather itself. Just remember to let it come to room temperature when you need it.

METHOD

Clean and gut the sardines and remove the heads and tails.

Rinse and dry on kitchen paper. Coat in seasoned flour and shallow fry in olive oil until golden on both sides. Reserve.

Pre-heat the oven to 150˚C. Put the pine nuts on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 10mins. Watch they do not brown too much. Reserve.

INGREDIENTS Sweat the onions gently in 100g raisins, soaked olive oil until soft. Cover overnight completely with cider vinegar.

500g sardines Drain the raisins and add, Seasoned flour together with the pine nuts.

Olive oil Layer a dish with the onions 100g pine nuts and the sardines, starting with 2 red onions, sliced the onions. Add a little salt to 400ml cider vinegar each layer. Cover and chill. seasoning Serve over toast.

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

INGREDIENTS

For two toasts A big handful podded broad beans extra virgin olive oil zest of 1 lemon, plus a little juice small handful mint leaves, chopped seasoning 2 thick slices good bread ½ clove garlic 3 tbsp fresh ricotta cheese

BERRY MERINGUE NESTS INGREDIENTS

3 egg whites ½ tsp lemon juice 150g caster sugar 200ml double cream 200ml plain yoghourt 300g strawberries, hulled 250g raspberries handful of mint leaves, finely chopped icing sugar tiny mint leaves to decorate

Summer wouldn’t be summer without meringues, would it? The nests will keep in an airtight tin for a few days until needed.

METHOD

Preheat oven to 110˚C. Whisk the egg whites in a mixer with the lemon juice until they hold a peak. Keep the motor running and add the sugar gradually making sure it is all incorporated and the whites are glossy.

Pipe the meringue in nests on to baking paper. Bake in the oven for two hrs until crisp. Cool completely. Whisk the cream until firm. Fold in the yoghourt. Keeping some fruit for decoration, chop and then squash the fruit to a purée, adding icing sugar and mint to taste. Ripple the fruit through the cream.

Fill the meringue nests and decorate with reserved berries and mint. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

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Whatʼs new from Myrtle Farm

THATCHERS

Meeting friends old and new

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

What cider’s supposed to taste like

YOU might have noticed we’ve got a new outdoor billboard campaign running – demonstrating the passion for high quality and great tasting cider that has been at the heart of the Thatchers family business for over 100 years.

Here at Thatchers, we take the art of cider making seriously every step of the way, crafting cider the best we can and that bit better than everyone else – creating cider that tastes exactly like cider’s supposed to. Our cider simply never leaves Myrtle Farm until it tastes as good as it should.

It would be great to hear from you via social media if you see our billboards when you are out and about.

Full steam ahead at The Railway Inn

THE excitement is mounting – it’s not long before The Railway Inn, our new Cider House and Kitchen, opens its doors. You can read all about the refurbished gastropub on the new website: www.therailwayinn.com

A date for your diary

IF you’re interested in finding out how Thatchers ciders are made, then this is your chance to see behind the scenes.

We’ll be opening our doors on Saturday, September 12th to visitors for a day packed full of tours and activities for the whole family.

The Open Day starts at 11am and will finish at 3pm at Myrtle Farm, Sandford.

There will be guided tours of the cider mill including the new Thatchers Jubilee Building; tractor tours of the apple orchards; cider tastings; hand pressing of apple juice with the Forgotten Fruit

AS always we were delighted to be at the Royal Bath and West Show this year and meet so many friends, old and new, in the Farmers Food Court with Butcombe Brewery, as well as in the ever popular Orchard and Cider Section. As England’s only four day agricultural show, bumper crowds came to the Show every day.

As you can see from the photo, four legged friends also joined us in the cider tent. For those wondering, they didn’t have a drink at the “baah”!

project; as well as entertainment from the Mendip Morris Men, and music from the Cherry Pickers. There will be facepainting and children’s activities; and well as a number of other stalls, refreshments and displays.

We look forward to seeing you there.

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA • Tel: 01934 822862

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 21

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From the organic vegetables we sow and grow, to pies, chutneys and ready meals made in our Farm Kitchens.

It’s this hands-on approach that makes us so special.

With over 300 home-made products to choose from, visit Farrington’s Farm Shop today!

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Strawberry special

WALK into any supermarket these days and you’re bombarded with messages about locally sourced and British food. But just how local is locally sourced?

At their Duchy farm in Farrington Gurney, Farrington’s have always remained true to their roots with a philosophy of ‘food from around the corner, not around the world’.

Enjoy a great family day out this summer at Farrington’s Strawberry Festival, 10am – 4pm on Sunday July 5th. Meet local food producers, sample delicious home-made goodies, and enjoy cookery competitions and strawberry themed fun!

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FOOD & DRINK

Summer tipple

ROSÉ wine is now part of our British summertime along with Wimbledon, strawberries & cream, Glastonbury and cricket.

With the boom of rosé wine a question often asked is “how is rosé made?”

How? – Rosé wine is made from red grapes With KELLI as the colour of the wine comes from the COXHEAD skin of the grape.

Traditionally – Rosé was not a wine in its own right, it was in fact a by-product of red wine making that could be sold at the cellar door or end up down the sink, thankfully not now!

Why? – When wine makers wanted to make a richer coloured red they would draw off liquid (rosé wine) from the skins to concentrate the red wine juice.

Now – Rosé wine is made in its own right with many styles produced, the off-dry white Zinfandels to the delicate blush in the South of France.

ROSÉ FOR JULY

Cotes de Provence Le Village – From the wonderful rosé region Cotes du Provence, St Tropez.

Beautiful delicate dry wine with a touch of summer berry fruit. Excellent for seafood and salads. Was £9.99 now £8.99.

Burlesque White Zinfandel – Medium rose with lots of lush berry flavours and peach notes.

Elegant and refreshing, works great with spicy dishes. Was £8.99 now £7.99.

Summer Fiesta Wine Tasting THE Wine Shop is hosting a “Summer Fiesta Wine Tasting” on Friday 31st July & Saturday 1st August at their Winscombe shop.

Following the success of our annual “Somerset Wine Fair” which we host in November at Sidcot Arts Centre, we have decided to offer a summer tasting at the shop.

The tasting will run over two days and will showcase a selection of wines from around the world. Providing plenty of opportunity to taste wines that are perfect for summer drinking, making new discoveries as well as re-visiting some well loved wines.

A full list of wines, prices and order forms will be available, with discounts on cases (12 bottles or more) bought over the two day event.

Date: Friday 31st July & Saturday 1st August 2015 Time: 9.30 – 6.30pm on both days.

Venue: The Wine Shop, 21 Woodborough Road, Winscombe BS215 1AB. Cost: Free

Be kind to your wine rack

Let us make life more convenient.

The Wine Shops Bakers Dozen.

13 bottles for £90 Prefer all red or white? No problem just let us know.

FREE delivery to the local area. No need to run out of wine again.

To order call 01934 708312. To see the full list of July's Bakers Dozen go to www.thewinetastingco.com and search “Bakers” The Wine Shop, 21 Woodborough Road, Winscombe BS215 1AB. Telephone: 01934 708312

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 23

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Save our cider

DAVID Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome, has delivered a petition from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to Number 10, Downing Street urging the government to reject an EU proposal to impose a new tax on small cider producers.

The new tax of up to £2,700 would be imposed on very small cider producers – those who make under £10,000 worth of sales a year. They are currently exempt from paying excise duty under UK law.

Mr Warburton said: “Somerset is undoubtedly the cider capital of the world, defined by this uniquely English tipple which is often produced by local micro-breweries. Countless microbreweries in Somerset would be affected by the proposed action from the EU, making small-scale production uneconomical and leading to widespread closures of our successful local ciderproducing businesses. This simply cannot be allowed to happen.”

He’s pictured with Andrea Briers, CAMRA’s national cider and perry committee chairman.

ME OF FEATHERS U L P

DUCK RACE SATURDAY 11th JULY

5pm start, pig roast, bbq, ice cream stall, face painting, local band playing and 3 bars open. raising money for Blagdon and Burrington pre schools and Blagdon guide and scouts Best dressed Plastic Duck competition – see website for entry details With Burrington fete on the same day – make a day of it with an afternoon at Burrington and an evening at The Plume!

Visit www.theplumeoffeathers.com

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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GARDEN FOOD

Lilies don’t just look good

THIS summer is the first time I’ve tried day lilies and let me tell you they are a treat not to be missed. As with many unusual food crops I was initially sceptical about how tasty they would really turn out to be – after all, if they were delicious, and widely available With JAKE (indeed abundant in many people's WHITSON gardens) why was nobody eating them?

Nevertheless I thought I'd give them a go and this year my plants have finally come good. The flowers, which are borne in profusion throughout the summer months, are crisp, very sweet, and substantial, indeed substantial enough to replace lettuce in a salad, unlike most other edible flowers which are good only for flavour or decoration.

Not only that, but they have a perfume which is simply wonderful, like that which you get when you suck on a honeysuckle flower, but bolder and with a crunchy sweetness to back it up. To round it off, there is a slight, creeping, rocket-like peppery aftertaste.

Day lilies (Hemerocalis spp.) are extremely tough and unfussy plants, which prefer sun and a free draining soil but will tolerate more or less anything, even heavy clay and partial shade. With regards to maintenance, there is more or less none to be done apart from harvesting the flowers, and once planted you can look forward to many years of trouble-free salads.

There are hundreds of varieties, so a little disclaimer is due here. Because of the extensive hybridisation which has gone on over the past 100 years or so, it cannot be said with any certainty that every cultivar is edible. On top of this (as with pretty much any food) certain people can be allergic to day lily flowers.

If you are worried about this, I recommend buying a cultivar specifically sold as being edible, such as the ones from agroforestry.co.uk. Also, as with any new food, just try a little the first time you eat, to make sure you don't have any unpleasant reactions.

Jacob is a former chef turned food writer, smallholder and mycologist. He divides his time between the Mendips and his nine-acre forest garden project in Pembrokeshire, and runs the business jakeswildfungi.co.uk, making specialist mycorrhiza products for tree planting.

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

On the trail of the lonesome pine

WE have many different species of needlebearing trees in the UK including the Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce (aka the Christmas tree), Sitka Spruce and the Corsican Pine to name a few but only the Scots Pine is the true native pine of Britain, a ‘lonesome pine’ if you will.

With ADRIAN All the others have been imported over the BOOTS centuries from North America, Scandinavia and Europe and grown as a timber crop. But we are not interested in the needles this time, oh no, but the pine pollen instead.

Pine pollen is a wondrous substance. It has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years, rich in Vitamin D, contains testosterone of all things (gents don’t get too excited it’s at levels unlikely to cause any affect) and has antiinflammatory properties.

And it tastes ‘piney’ – is that even a word? One of my favourite sayings is ‘timing is everything’ and this year is no different for catching wild foods at their best. So by the time you read this the pollen may well have gone, replaced by young pine cones I’m afraid. Oh well, maybe next year then.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a tall tree with a flattened or domed crown up to 30m high. It is distinguished by having reddish brown bark with flaky scales, with pairs of bluey-green needles three to eight cm long. It’s found all over the UK but is particularly associated with the ancient Caledonian Forests of Scotland.

You can eat the pine pollen straight, just pop the pollen laden cone into your mouth and suck, but beware this stuff can easily make you cough and has a drying effect in the mouth. Think of old cartoons like Tom & Jerry or Road Runner with Wile E. Coyote where they eat ‘Allum’ powder (why would you do that?) and then pull a suitably contorted face. Anyway, you get the picture.

By far the best way of enjoying pine pollen is by making syrup or flavoured sugar. We’ll take the easiest option and go for the sugar as it’s incredibly simple to make. Just collect as much pollen as you can, discarding any bugs and add to castor sugar.

Mix thoroughly and place in a small Kilner or similar jar. That’s it.

If you wish why not add some yellow food colouring or even a few green pine needles for effect? To use, just sprinkle the sugar on warm mince pies or homemade shortbread at Christmas or sweeten herbal infusions giving a wonderful hint of pine. Ahh! Just one word of caution, if you suffer from hay fever please bear in mind that collecting and using pine pollen is likely to make your eyes water. Just so you know.

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 25

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Bowdens of Harptree WE have been trading at West Harptree for over 50 years as an independent retailer. During that time there have been many changes in the retail environment, none more so than now.

Times are changing and after 50 years and considerable thought so are we. After researching all the possible options and looking at all the various trading groups, we decided unanimously that SPAR offered by far the best fit for us and our customers.

SPAR is a well-known brand around the world and we have complete confidence in the quality of the products they offer.

We will be able to greatly increase our chilled food and foodto-go range, wines, beers and spirits and we will be able to offer a very good range of meal options be it breakfast, dinner or evening meal. All at a competitive price. SPAR will not own the shop, the shop still belongs to us – we have not sold it.

The shop refit will take place on Monday June 22nd June. We will be closed on the following days Monday 22nd June, Tuesday 23rd June, Wednesday 24th June.

On Thursday 25th June, we will reopen at 1pm.

We will still be supporting local suppliers, doing our own hams, filled rolls, and special foods.

This has been a very big decision for us, but we believe by joining SPAR we can give our customers a far better choice of products, that as an independent we just cannot get.

Coupled with the products that we already do, it will be the best of both. Look out for our advertisement in the next issue of Mendip Times.

Thank you for your support during this period of change, Peter, Judy and John Bowden.

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

15th Beer Festival Friday 24th July GREAT BEERS & CIDERS

LIVE MUSIC Friday 24th: Total Madness (Tribute band) 9pm Saturday: The Stopcocks (Local band) from 9pm Sunday: Steve James (The Piano Man) from 3pm + FAMILY FUN DAY with bouncy castle, face painting, BBQ and grand weekend raffle raising money for local cause ‘Bella's Trust’

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Abigail is chef of the year WESTON College student, Abigail Pearce, has been named Junior Chef of the Year after impressing two Michelin star chefs with her tasty lamb dish.

Abigail, aged 19, has just completed a Level 3 Professional Cookery course Abigail Pearce with trophy after winning Junior Chef of the Year at Weston College

at Weston College, and she pipped two other students to the title at the competition held at the college’s training kitchen.

Michelin star chefs Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Casamia Restaurant in Westbury-on-Trym were the

FOOD & DRINK judges. Invited guests, who sampled the food, also awarded points for presentation. Students Jay Dudbridge and Daizy Harrison-Dimond were the other finalists.

Abigail’s winning dish was inspired by the flavours, colours and aromas of spring; lamb cutlets, textures of bacon and lamb liver, celeriac puree, spring vegetables served with a port wine jus enhanced with dark Belgian chocolate.

Weston College lecturer Jos Wellman said: “The judging was very tight with just four marks separating the three finalists, but both the judges and the public voted for Abigail’s dish. Our Junior Chef of the Year competition is judged using the same format used for international chef competitions.”

Abigail, who will begin a

Culinary Arts Degree at University College Birmingham in September, said: “I’ve grown a lot through the course and refined my skills. I’m really happy to have won, especially knowing the standard of work produced by the others. It was amazing to have my dish judged by Jonray and Peter.”

J U LY D A T E S S at 4 t h S un 5th

A x br i d ge a n d M i d s o m e r N o r t o n S F M @ Th e F r o m e I n d e p e n d e n t (10am-3pm)*

S at 1 1t h S at 1 8t h S at 2 5 t h Fr i 31 st

F r o m e Ch ee s e & G r a i n a nd K e ynsha m C r e wk e r n e G l a s t o n b u r y an d Ye o v i l (9am-2pm)* B u r n h am - o n - Se a

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

01275 333042

ENJOY SUMMER WITH US Lunch and evening menus and a selection of Sunday roasts available Daily specials also available

Please see our website www.redlionbishopsutton.co.uk to view our menus

BEST IN BRISTOL FOR FOOD – SOURCE: TRIP ADVISOR

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

25% off Pensioners Lunch, Mon–Sat lunchtimes (pre-booking a requirement)

The Red Lion – the pub at the heart of the community EXTENDED OPENING HOURS! Monday – Thursday 12-3 and 5-11 • Open all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 27

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INTERNET

Safari shortcuts

THIS month we are looking at shortcuts using Safari, which is the Mac/Apple/iPad browser.

There are a variety of shortcuts available – the drop down menus have a list of each one – see screen shot for the file menu, and each menu has details of the shortcuts available.

Here are a few more, and some of them have nice little graphics that go with them: To Scroll up and down – press the arrow keys To scroll in bigger jumps – press the Option (alt) key while you press an arrow key To scroll to the top of a page – Command (⌘)+Up Arrow To scroll to the bottom of a page – Command (⌘)+Down Arrow To go back a page – Command (⌘)+Left Arrow To go forward a page – Command (⌘)+Right Arrow To open a page in a new tab – Command (⌘)+ click a link To open a bookmark in a new tab – Command (⌘)+click a bookmark To open a site in a new tab – type the address – Command (⌘)+Return To close all tabs except one – Option(alt)+click the close button (X) on the tab you want to keep open To download a linked file – Option(alt)+click a link to the file To open a downloaded file – Double-click the icon next to the file in the Downloads window To add a bookmark to the Favourites bar – Drag the page icon from the address bar and drag it to the Favourites bar. (e.g. if you are on a mac site, click and hold on the Apple symbol and drag it down to the Favourites, which appeared when you clicked in that space) To Change the name or address of a bookmark – ctrl+click the bookmark and click Rename To cancel editing a bookmark name in the sidebar – Esc To finish editing a bookmark name – Return To add the current page to your reading list – Shift+Command (⌘)+D To add a linked page to your reading list – Shift+click a link to the page There is no right-click available on a Mac laptop, but a twofingered click does give you a popup menu the same as a rightclick.

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

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

We also run a COMPUTER DROP IN session 1.30-3.30 Thursday afternoons.

Call in for a quick word of advice/help/info.See our website or contact us for further details. Or if you can spare two hours a week and have skills on any level with any type of computer that you would like to share with others, please get in touch.

PLEASE NOTE – WE ARE CLOSED for our summer break at the same time as the schools – 18th July to 1st Sept inclusive. We reopen on Wednesday, 2nd September, and have two Open House session on the morning of 9th and afternoon of 11th September. More details next issue.

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1. Probe after hamper reveals edible hybrid (7) 5. Dubious brilliance of chores I juggle! (7) 9. I hesitate after garden design is left wanting more (7) 10. Didn’t easily wait on merit (7) 11. Mothers carrying quiet bouncy baby can be magic!

(9) 12. Note tear is split by stone (5) 13. About four get changed for holiday destination (5) 15. Unconventional saint, sore point (9) 17. Her ex – guy she manipulated – was an educator (4,5) 19. Threads stories together (5) 22. City in shock and numb as raids continue incessantly (5) 23. I hew a log into pieces after a vague passage of time (1,5,3) 25. Enough flexibility in the first place to give more strength (7) 26. Why ease a problem? See things clearly with this instead (3,4) 27. Aye, dust settled towards beginning of week (7) 28. One side brew teas in finale (7)

DOWN 1. Momentum derives from mad Mandy leading (7) 2. Disguise ogre as errand boy as well as concealing mechanic (7) 3. More treacherous as chemical giant stutters (5) 4. Roam somehow to desired point, and speak first, brother (5,4) 5. What any good clue does?

(5) 6. Barry’s pre-conception bears fruit (9) 7. Disreputable earl, illegal to start with, is a national (7) 8. Mobile phones inclusive of texts to residence ((7) 14. One, in France, cheats ghastly death without injury (9) 16. Dairy example generates smile (3,6) 17. Cloak of secrecy at homeland (7) 18. Movement get ruse all wrong (7) 20. All are desperately expecting drink (3,4) 21. Poured recklessly over drunk (7) 23. Evolved on any bug (5) 24. Lemur ekes out food supply (5) Compiled by Felkov

Answers on Page 105

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MENDIP TIMES

Roll up roll up! For Wedmore Street Fair

Nursery. Established by royal charter in the 13th century, the fair was revived in 1978, as part of the celebrations for the 1100th anniversary of the Treaty of Wedmore between King Alfred and the Danes.

It’s open from 10am-4pm.

WEDMORE’S Street Fair is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta so it’s encouraging villagers to get imaginative with their costumes or stall decorations for the fancy dress and best dressed stall competition.

The Borough will be closed for the day on July 4th, filled with over 70 stalls offering foods, beverages, homeware and a large range of gifts.

There will be a kids’ zone with bouncy castle and penalty shoot-out, a craft area with demonstrations and exhibits of completed work and entertainment throughout the day, including dancing by Wedmore First School Academy and

Find us on Facebook and Trip Advisor

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Erica’s decade in Wedmore

PISCES

FISHMONGER & GREENGROCER

BY the time Mendip Times went to press, Erica Sharpe would have attended the finals of the Retail Jeweller Ethical Jeweller of the Year awards in London. Erica is very proud to hold certification from the Fairtrade Foundation and is passionate about ethical standards in jewellery making.

When she is designing and handcrafting something so precious, with special meaning for the wearer, so she says it is all the more important that the materials have been mined and supplied safely and fairly, without exploitation or harm to people or the environment.

Erica shared the shortlist with some of the stellar names in ethical jewellery and said she was thrilled to be a part of such a prestigious event. Other events await over the summer, including demonstrating use of Fairtrade Gold at Art in Action at Waterperry, Oxfordshire in July and exhibiting new designs in luxurious and collectable gems and metals at the Celebration of Crafts and Design (CCD) exhibition in Cheltenham in August.

One final piece of news – Erica celebrates 10 years in the lovely village of Wedmore this summer – watch this space for news about how she will be marking this special anniversary!

Direct supply of Cornish Sea Food.

Loch Fyne Smokehouse stockist.

Northern Water and Continental seafood specialists.

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

All types of poultry, meats and game. For those lazy Summer days, BBQ packs and our award winning sausages Produced on our own farm or supplied locally

Just pop in or we can take your orders over the telephone, call us at the Shop on 01934 712384

Details: www.ericasharpe.co.uk

Satisfying clients

WITH more than 25 years’ experience Pisces in Wedmore always tries to stock the finest and broadest range of produce to satisfy culinary trends and their client’s special requests.

Their supply partners based in Bristol and Cornwall have access to London and continental markets, so with a little notice they will aim to source your requirements.

They pride themselves on being a traditional greengrocer and fishmonger; the majority of their goods are sold loose or singly for your convenience. Don’t forget their ever-expanding range of culinary ingredients and dry goods. As many of their regulars say: “I knew you’d have it.”

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 31

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BUSINESS PREMISES TO LET Wedmore’s largest commercial landlord providing work places for over 100 people locally.

Shops, Offices, Storage and Workshops SHOP AVAILABLE IN BOROUGH MALL. IDEAL TRADING POSITION. Call Ian Leavey on 01934 712081 email: ileavey@btinternet.com

PEAR TREE FARM LIVERY Ashton, Near Wedmore, Somerset

Small friendly yard based near Wedmore Somerset currently has vacancies for Part/Full Livery. Good hacking on quiet country lanes. Close to Badgworth Arena and 10 minutes from M5.

N Excellent facilities for the first time owner to the seasoned competitor N Secure tackroom with client facilities N Holiday cover/Rehabilitation/Short/Long stay N 60 x 20 arena with regular lessons/clinics for all abilities N Trailer/box parking N Good turnout N Tailored Livery package to meet individual requirements N Owners live on site

THE BOROUGH MALL CO LTD

For more details please contact us on 01934 713086/07773 788246

LIVE LOCALLY | SHOP LOCALLY | WORK LOCALLY

fitzpatrickpeartreefarm@hotmail.co.uk find us on facebook

Special Sunday Buffet All you can eat – choose from 100 dishes We cook the food instantly when you order so it’s a totally different experience to other buffets Adult £9.95 • Children £5.95

FREE Home Delivery

Open hours: Monday – Thursday 5.30pm – 10.30pm Friday, Saturday 5pm – 11.30pm Sunday 12noon – 10pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays

01934 707080 • 01934 707277 Church Street, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4AB (Next to the George Hotel) www.table8restaurant.com • facebook.com/table8restaurant PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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Wedmore prepares for festival fortnight

Chorus members (l to r) Louise Maitland, aged 12, Zoe Maitland, Eve Dagba, aged 12, and Mary Ellis

Opera president and festival chairman Mark Hamlin

leads, and a similar number involved in the orchestra and behind the scenes.

Chairman, Mark Hamlin, said: “We had smaller events alongside the opera in 2000 and 2008, and decided to expand on that. This year we are fortunate in having so many big names coming along.”

The opera and festival also have a new main venue, a new state-of-theart theatre tent.

SINCE 1988, when it put on its first opera, La Traviata, Wedmore has staged a number of big events – but none bigger than this year.

From July 3rd – 11th it will host a big-name arts festival as well as three nights of Bizet’s Carmen.

Those appearing at the festival include Clare Teal, Joanna Trollope and Marcus Brigstocke.

The opera will involve 85 local performers, with professionals playing the

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Long service surprise for Mary MARY Spencer of Wedmore, who has been a volunteer visitor for 15 years with Somerset Sight, received a big surprise recently when she was presented with a long-service award by the charity’s chief executive officer, Tom Winsborough.

Tom said: “Our charity could not exist without our dedicated volunteers who visit people in their own homes, provide support at our main office and help with our many other

services.

“Mary has been a fantastic volunteer visitor since 2000, always positive, cheerful, committed to her work and providing caring support and company to the people she has visited. We are most grateful to her and all our other 150 volunteer visitors around Somerset.”

See our selection of beautiful Christmas goodies Call in for mulled cider during Wedmore by Lamplight Open: Monday-Saturday 8.30am-5.00pm

01934 713289 www.pumpkinwedmore.co.uk andrea@pumpkinwedmore.co.uk 1 e Borough Mall, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EB

TAKING BOOKINGS FOR: PRE-OPERA SUPPERS Wednesday 8th, Friday 10th & Saturday 11th July Sunday lunches served from 12pm onwards every Sunday using our own meat from our farm.

Delicious food at reasonable prices.

Open for home cooked lunches and snacks, teas and coffees, cream teas and homemade cakes Open 9.30 to 4.00 Mon to Sat, Sunday 12.00pm.

Two of the backroom team Margaret Farnie (costume) and Cathy Butterworth (hair) getting Zoe Maitland ready for the performance

The Borough, Wedmore

01934 710080 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 33

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Communities tell their stories

THE lives of people from Buckland Dinham, Wellow and Midsomer Norton have inspired the current exhibition at Radstock Museum.

It is the latest in a series of displays about the local area by local people. Between them they have put together a fascinating exhibition for residents and visitors alike, with images, stories, information and artefacts ranging from the Neolithic, through World War One and the more recent past to the modern day. The exhibition runs until Saturday, August 1st.

In August the museum is planning a series of events aimed at families with activities, displays, mystery objects and the like, themed around Victorian life. There will also be further displays about WWI.

Golden time for Forest of Mendip Lodge

NEWS

Anyone for tennis?

A celebration dinner was held at Blagdon Village Club, attended by Provincial Grand Master Stuart Hadler and members of the provincial team. Stuart is pictured (left) with Worshipful Master Ian Angell.

PENSFORD Tennis Club members are over the moon after receiving a cheque for £3,000 from the Pensford Publow and Stantons Community Trust (PPSCT) to resurface the courts at the club.

Club chairman, Sue Grimes, said: “This generous donation from the trust has completed our fundraising and allowed us to complete the resurfacing ahead of schedule. This club is very much a community facility and we are so grateful that the Community Trust have recognized this and helped us maintain our two floodlit courts in top condition.”

Details: www.pensfordtennisclub.co.uk

Successful plant sale

COMPTON Martin Gardening Club’s annual plant sale saw the village hall filled with people – and plants – and raised £400 for club funds.

The club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in the hall. Les Dee is pictured setting the plants out for sale.

Details: Chris Billinghurst 01761 221579.

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

MEMBERS of the Forest of Mendip Freemasons’ lodge have celebrated its 50th anniversary.

It began after Reg Young was approached in 1965 about the idea of forming a lodge in the Blagdon area and, following a call to Sir John Wills, discovered that the former Baptist chapel in Rickford was vacant.

With the help of other Freemasons, including Jimmy Venn, Norman Minto and John Alvis, work was carried out to make the building suitable, including making a small balcony with a spiral staircase to provide extra seating and the lodge was consecrated in May that year. Members of the lodge are very active in fundraising for local causes, including Blagdon Playground, Churchill Playschool, Children’s Hospice South West, local guides and the local air ambulances.

Good news for Radstock

HIGHWAYS work in Radstock – part of the regeneration of the town – is nearing completion.

The new road linking Frome Road to The Street was due to open as Mendip Times went to press.

Contractors from Bath and North East Somerset Council have still to install a speed ramp on Frome Road, meaning the road will be closed from Tuesday, June 30th to Friday, July 3rd, but the authority predicts delays should be minimal because of the new link road.

Following this, a highway safety audit will be undertaken. Once the scheme is completed, there will be a “snagging” process, where any construction issues will be addressed.

Council leader Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip), said: “This is good news for Radstock. The council’s new administration sympathises with those who have been inconvenienced during the work and thanks them for their patience. In the longer-term the new road layout will support improvements for the town including new housing and jobs.”

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The party of the year

STAFF from Mendip District Council have been preparing for their biggest challenge – doing their bit to make sure the Glastonbury Festival passes off as safely as possible.

The district council boasts many years of Glastonbury Festival experience between the band of staff that work at the legendary event.

Councillor Nigel Taylor, Joint Portfolio Holder for Services and Corporate Finance, said: Councillor Nigel Taylor at last “The Glastonbury Festival has year’s festival a well-deserved reputation as one of the best music festivals on the planet and means that for a few days each year the eyes of the world are on Mendip.

“But while thousands of revellers are enjoying themselves at the festival our staff are hard at work behind the scenes, working with festival organisers to check everything from food and noise to litter and unlicensed vehicles, and working to reduce the impact the festival can have on residents living in the immediate area.”

Moggie goes to Glasto

GUESTS staying at Camp Kerala may get the chance to ride in this classic Morris Traveller car – restored by an enthusiast thanks to a chance meeting in a supermarket car park in Wells.

Jen, who run Camp Kerala, bumped into Keith and Linda Hall, who were standing by their own “Moggie” and chatting to the owner of another Traveller. Jen’s car needed some TLC and they approached Keith for advice.

Keith has owned the same Traveller for 33 years. He has restored countless numbers of the legendary vehicle down the years and jumped at the chance to give this 1967 version a new lease of life.

Keith and Linda are best known for running Specialised Nestboxes from their home at Charterhouse but Keith’s passion is for the Moggie. He said: “I’ve lost count of the number of Moggies I’ve restored and I jumped at the chance to work on this one.”

Keith and Linda with the Camp Kerala Morris Traveller and their own 1952 version

FESTIVAL NEWS

Ex-Jam and Jerusalem?

Members of the Strawberry Line WI, based in Cranmore, have been hard at work. Pictured (l:r) are: Nicola Fernandez McEwen, Joni Jennings, Rosie Leshallas and Cobi Snelson

By Mark Adler

THE doughty organisation may be celebrating its centenary but that hasn’t stopped the Women’s Institute in Somerset from coming up with new ways to promote its work and raise money for good causes.

For the first time, WI members will be running a food stall at the Glastonbury Festival and who knows? Maybe some of the headliners such as ex-Jam frontman Paul Weller or Kanye West might just pop in for a reviving cup of tea and slice of cake?

After all, the WI’s sweet and savoury treats are certain to tempt festival-goers who tire of the astonishing range of foods from around the world on offer and seek out something more traditional.

The logistics of preparing for their festival debut typify the spirit of the WI: all over the county, branch members have been busy baking cakes, flapjacks and other goodies. A team will collect the produce from branches divided into district council areas to serve on each day of the festival: cakes from Mendip will be on sale on the Friday.

The stall was the idea of Katie Newell, from Puriton WI, who will run the stall in the Green Field with four other members, including county federation chairman Margaret Biggs. Margaret said: “I’d quite like to see the Who, but I’m afraid I don’t know a great deal about any of the other performers.”

Gates open on the morning of Wednesday, June 24th

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

Kilmersdon Village Day

The start of the Jack and Jill races

Proud parents: cameras and smartphones at the ready as students from the Susan Hill School of Dance perform outside the village hall

Bobby Martian and the Planets played throughout the day

Sell-out success: ice cream and lollies were a big hit PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Helen Brocklehurst from Loves Lane Produce, a nearby community-supported farm, was amongst the traders at a country market

Concentration on the way downhill

Puppy love: Harry, a working English Setter, was named best rescue dog at the show.

Owners Freya and Julie Groom, from Holcombe, rescued Harry from a Greek island

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How green is my abbey?

EVENTS

GLASTONBURY Abbey showed off its latest green credentials when it hosted a sustainability fair in the grounds.

Hot on the heels of a biodiversity research event which counted 389 different species living in the 36 acres of grounds, the fair saw the unveiling of new cycle racks and the transformation of the picnic shelter into a wildlife information centre.

Local organisations ranging from yarn spinners to axe throwers also took part in the fair.

Organiser Amy Bentley said: “We hope to show individuals, families and organisations some of the ways in which they can contribute to a more sustainable way of life.

“Here at the abbey we are committed to being as green as possible. We aim to provide an ethical service and to use sustainable methods in all our work.”

The cycle racks were paid for through a crowdfunding campaign. The reward of a season ticket to the abbey for donating £100 went to Racquel Snyder, of Washington DC, who gave the pass to Malcolm and Marion Evans. The couple run No. 51 bed and breakfast in Glastonbury where Racquel stayed on her last visit to the town.

Tim Walker (left) and Dan Swann, who run Avalon Axes, invited visitors to try their hand at throwing axes at targets

Nick, Matt, Mark and Jennifer at work on the picnic hut – the displays will encourage visitors to explore the wildlife areas in the grounds

Abbey director Janet Bell (far right) with Malcolm and Marion Evans and two of their grandchildren Megan and Shannon at the opening of the cycle rack

Zazoo, a barn owl from Secret World

Aly, Pam and Jean, from Avalon Spinners, with feltmaker Jennie (standing) MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 37

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Super-fast from satellite

CHEW Valley Alarms are now an approved re-seller and installer of super-fast satellite broadband services allowing customers to enjoy speeds in excess of 20Mbps in our rural location.

They can also carry out repairs and replacement of UPVC door locks plus swing gates, security barriers and garage doors as well as installing and maintaining a whole range of intruder alarms, including CCTV, intercom systems, fire alarms, door and window locks and much more.

Contact them to discuss your personal requirements for your business or home 01275 331914 at Winford Business Park.

Business Computer Support and Management

Your IT department As Microsoft Office 365 Subscription Advisors, we can offer enterprise class email and storage cloud solutions for businesses of any size – even just one user If you have an IT problem or if you would like advice on moving to the cloud, please call us today 01761 250029 • info@blagdonit.co.uk • www.BlagdonIT.co.uk

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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BUSINESS

Photo by Ignyte Limited Radstock

Albones bow out

JOHN and Sue Albone have decided to close their Strawberry Line bed and breakfast in Axbridge and take a well-earned rest.

For the second year running they have been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor, for a constant 100% excellent rating by their guests.

The couple, the former mayor and mayoress of Axbridge, plan to stay in their family home. They said they would like to thank all those locally who have selected them for their family and friends to stay and say a public thank you to Axbridge Chamber of Commerce for their support and fellowship.

They also said: “We would also like to let you know that your magazine has always been immensely popular with guests.”

CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

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

Tel 01761 451787

www.cameleylodgelaundry.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 39

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The ideal wedding venue

WHETHER it’s an intimate wedding, a large wedding reception or the civil wedding ceremony itself, the Best Western Plus Swan Hotel in Wells prides itself on providing the perfect wedding venue in Somerset.

Civil wedding ceremonies are held in the delightful Garden Room. This light and airy room lends itself beautifully to civil wedding ceremonies and opens out onto a secluded walled garden.

The Oak Room, located on the ground floor, has its own reception and bar area and seats up to 90 guests for a wedding breakfast. Evening functions for up to 150 guests can be catered for by hiring the interconnecting Garden Room.

At the front of the hotel, Swan Terrace provides a unique opportunity to capture Wells Cathedral as a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs.

Sunday to Thursday weddings enjoy a 10% discount on room hire and food.

A day to remember

TREAT yourself to a day to remember forever. A wedding at the Best Western Webbington Hotel and Spa is a truly memorable experience. Picture yourself arriving in your special car, making a wish as you cut your cake and being embarrassed by the best man’s speech.

To make your perfect day even more special they offer a variety of packages to suit all tastes and budgets. These include a choice of nine different reception suites and a bespoke selection of menus to cater for your every need, from a lavish sit-down meal to a designer finger buffet.

You can choose between a daytime or evening reception.

They can provide their resident disco and why not take advantage of their special rates for wedding accommodation for your guests?

You can plan the event from their luxury new spa – they offer one month’s free club membership for both brides and grooms – and have a peep at their honeymoon suites and hear about their special offers.

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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Visit Orchid Lingerie for a perfect fit

Sherrie-jane’s Corsetry Chalet

A VISIT to Sherrie-jane Jackson for an expert bra fitting service does not necessarily mean extra expense – in fact, it can prove to be just the opposite.

Sherrie-jane, who runs Orchid Lingerie, says: “I know many women who have a drawer full of bras which they never wear because they don’t fit correctly.”

Orchid is based in what Sherrie-jane describes as her Corsetry Chalet, purpose-built in the garden of her home in Langport and offering privacy and luxury.

Appointments are free and Sherrie-jane has a wide range of mostly British-made items in stock including Triumph, Fantasie, Freya, Elomie and Anita mastectomy wear.

Sherrie-jane said: “Women have the impression that going for a bra fitting means it will be more expensive than a visit to the High Street, but that really isn’t the case and having a correctly-fitted bra makes so much difference.

“Women sometimes buy with the eye but not with the fit in mind, especially when it comes to something so special such as what to wear under a wedding dress.”

FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

Sit back, relax and enjoy your day . . .

Friendly and expert advice • Flexibility • Fabulous food • Excellent service • Over 25 years experience

Topline are top class

TOPLINE Catering have vast experience in catering for all types of events in all sorts of venues and their friendly and relaxed approach to organising a memorable occasion helps reduce the stress and strain that can spoil the excitement of planning your dream wedding.

From the initial enquiry, menu planning, sourcing great local ingredients, service on the day - everything is discussed, arranged and carried out in a slick and professional manner with pleasant and helpful staff ensuring that the event runs smoothly and all guests are properly looked after.

Don't just stick to the traditional - Topline Catering have imaginative barbecue, big pan and sharing platter menus as well as the usual hot meal and fork buffet menus. For fabulous freshly-prepared food and top-class, no-nonsense service get in touch with Topline Catering and then sit back, relax and enjoy your day!

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Chew Valley Hire

LUXURY MOBILE TOILETS 01761 221105 E: info@chewvalleyhire.co.uk W: www.chewvalleyhire.co.uk

We give personal help and advice, deliver and collect on schedule and pay immaculate attention to detail.

We provide a wide range of luxury and standard mobile toilets, showers and hire of trackway for special events including:

• Weddings • Corporate Events • Fashion Shows • Film Shoots

Don’t be a stick in the mud

TO avoid getting stuck or rolling your vehicle, you'll need some manoeuvering skills and a firm track to drive on.

Chew Valley Hire now supply Trackway to protect grass areas, lawns, driveways, entrances to fields, temporary roadways etc., to stop vehicles getting stuck.

They also hire out super-luxury and standard mobile toilet units and showers, for all sorts of events, throughout the South West.

Contact them on 01761 221105 and they will do their very best to assist you.

Local vineyard celebrates a successful 2014 harvest

ALDWICK Court Farm & Vineyard says it’s delighted to offer the first release of their 2013 vintage sparkling wine.

They embrace the hope that this will meet popular demand following the sell-out of their 2011 fizz.

Much thought went into naming the Aldwick 2013 sparkling, but Jubilate – meaning Be Joyful! – sums up the ethos of the farm, with its long tradition of extending hospitality to family, friends, the community, and visitors to Somerset.

Managing director, Sandy Luck, declared: “We were blessed with a fine harvest in 2014, enabling us to launch this June a new still white blend called Buteo, as well as an update on our 2013 award-winning rosé, Mary’s Rose.

“With so many weddings and conferences scheduled this season and our calendar rapidly filling up for 2016, 2017, and beyond, we are extremely pleased that so many of our clients are keen to pre-order Aldwick wines for their celebrations and events.”

The Cellar Door, where you can try and buy wine directly from Aldwick Court Farm, is open Monday to Thursday 10am – 5pm or by prior arrangement on Friday and Saturday. Alternatively, wine can be purchased through their website www.aldwickvineyard.co.uk/wines and there’s free delivery on all telephone orders within five miles.

An exquisite English vineyard, overlooked by the Mendip Hills, in the heart of rural North Somerset.

Home to Aldwick Wines, the venue, in all its splendour, is exclusive and secluded, boas ng beau ful stone barns licensed for Civil Marriage Ceremonies.

Local stockists are Lye Cross Farm Shop, Redhill, Bristol BS40 5RH; The Wine Shop, Winscombe, BS25 1AB; Budgens Langford, Bristol, BS40 5JG. PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

We’ve got it covered Mendip Times Distribution Points

Mendip Times is available from over 800 outlets across the Mendips from superstores to village stores and post offices, farm shops, supermarkets, garden centres, pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, libraries and tourist information centres.

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MENDIP TIMES

Immaculate display

THE fifth annual Tortoise and Hare Run, involving 150 classic motorcycles dating from the 1920s, attracted crowds to Wells Market Place.

The event was organised by Wells Classic Motorcycle Club, to raise funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Last year’s event raised £2,000.

The “Snail” section had machines from the 1920s plus Auto-cycles, Honda 90s and similar. The “Tortoise” and “Hare” sections included an immaculate range of worldwide classics through to present day machines all looking their best as the glorious sunshine shone on them all.

The Mayor flagged off the various run groups, assisted by the Town Crier, onto their various routes over the East Mendips and Mid Somerset, all meeting up for coffee at Castle Cary Rugby Club.

They again took different routes on their return to Wells Football Club for lunch and followed more scenic routes in the afternoon. Next year’s event is on June 5th.

Bales of fun on Priddy green

The winning 80% baleout team

A NEW “sport” came to the village green in Priddy with teams taking part in the first bale rolling competition.

Held to raise funds for the village pre-school, 19 teams of three took part in the races. The winners were a team of cave divers called 80% baleout.

G The National Farmers Union strongly advises people against moving hay bales in fields.

Tough going for this team

No rollovers were allowed by the bookies PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

(Photos courtesy of Duncan Simey)

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EVENTS

Litton attracts the crowds

Words and pictures by Ros Anstey

ONCE again Litton's traditional village fete drew the crowds as it tempted people to join in the various activities and wander around the numerous stalls selling all sorts of wares. One of the organisers, Katie Jones, said: “We have raised just under £5,000 for St Mary’s Church, which is great.”

Knobbly knees contest - junior section

Children from Chewton Mendip School gave a display of country dancing

The knobbly knees contest

Tom Killen in the stocks, with (left to right) Boris and Thomas.

Rosie and Alex with a bear, advertising the Teddy bears' parachute jump from the church

Will Pratt was MC for the afternoon

Edith and Emily from Hinton Blewett trying their hand at milking the cardboard cow MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 45

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Rotary is part of Wayne’s world

Pub quiz is just grand!

Maxine McClusky with quizmaster Dave Stock and the £1,000 cheque Rotary club president Jerry Lewis with Yvonne Covill

THE Rotary Club of Frome has welcomed its youngest member to its ranks.

Wayne Kelly, 28, was introduced to the club by David Millard and Mike Cole, members of the Woodlanders Music Hall group based in Beckington where Wayne is also a member.

Wayne’s community involvement includes sitting on the Parochial Church Council at Christchurch in Frome, he is a committee member of Frome in Bloom and has been involved in the Frome Musical Theatre Company for many years.

Meanwhile, a skittles competition organised by the club has raised £850 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The Dave Covill Challenge Cup was competed for in memory of the former member of the club. The winner was Dot Cretney. And Dave’s widow, Yvonne, presented a cheque for £400 to the club from The Woodlanders theatre group as a tribute to Dave’s activity as a performer and chairman over many years. The money will go towards Rotary’s “Kids Out” event.

Silver is precious

A COUPLE from Brent Knoll decided to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary by raising funds for a charity close to their hearts.

Instead of gifts, Chris and Rita Harris requested donations for the Colefordbased children’s charity Time is Precious.

The couple, members of Burnham-onSea Moose International, had first-hand experience of the charity when their grandson Charlie, then five, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and benefited from the resources provided by the charity during his month-long stay in Frenchay Hospital.

Charlie and his brother Ollie were on

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

QUIZ enthusiasts turned their attention to fundraising in aid of research into Alzheimer’s disease.

Monthly competitions at the Old Down Inn at Emborough have raised £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society charity with help from landlady Maxine McClusky.

Now the quizzers are concentrating on helping the Hope for Harmonie Appeal in aid of Harmonie-Rose Allen, of Peasedown St John, who was struck down with Meningococcal Septicaemia aged 11 months and underwent a Quizmaster Dave Stock with Maxine McClusky quadruple amputation.

hand to present a cheque for £760 to Nicky and Neil Halford who founded the charity in memory of their son Ben who lost his battle against cancer in 2010.

Time is Precious purchases equipment and fundraises to improve facilities for children and their families whilst in hospital, as well as creating a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. It recently purchased another £20,000 worth of equipment and is in talks with the Royal United Hospital in Bath and its Forever Friends Appeal to see if it can work with them as well.

G The annual Time is Precious Fun Day will be held on Sunday, July 12th at the

For details, visit: www.timeisprecious.org

Ollie, Chris Harris, Neil Halford, Charlie, Rita Harris and Nicky Halford

Centurion Hotel in Midsomer Norton.

The event, from 12-4.30pm promises to be the biggest so far.

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Family’s gift for mum

A MIDNIGHT walk around Midsomer Norton raised £2,500 for specialist equipment at Bath Royal United Hospital’s medical assessment unit.

It was held in memory of Karen Goddard, who died aged 55, by her daughter Rachel Starr, friends and family.

Rachel, together with her father, David aunt Sharon, and close friend Amy Budds returned to the hospital to present the team with the life-saving equipment.

Helen Jeffcoat, senior sister, said: “On behalf of the team on MAU I would like to again thank the Goddard Family for their generous donation of a Nasal High Flow Oxygen machine for the unit. It is hopefully a great comfort to them that it gave Karen some relief and dignity in the last stages of her life.

“It is therefore their generosity that will then ultimately give so many other patients the same high level of care and treatment. This is an exceptional piece of equipment that has proven to be of such benefit to the many acutely ill patients that we see here on MAU. We cannot thank the family then enough.”

Rachel, on behalf of the family, said: “After losing mum so suddenly it felt that our world had been ripped apart but through the pain and dark we saw light, in the fact of the amazing care that my mum received whilst on MAU and so we decided we wanted to give back to the department to also help so many other families whose lives can be saved or made more comfortable with this machine.”

Walk the line

YEO Valley Lions Club will be holding their fifth 50:50 sponsored walk along the Strawberry Line on Sunday July 12th.

This is a great opportunity for individuals and organisations to raise money for their chosen cause and help Yeo Valley Lions support the local community at the same time.

Walkers are able to choose from a range of walking distances on the old Strawberry Line which start and finish at Yatton station. Last year the weather was perfect and the event raised over £3,000 which was distributed to local sports and youth organisations.

Details: www.yeovalleylions.org.uk

CHARITIES

Solicitors aid hospice

Solicitors with their award certificates (l to r) Ian Shipton, Powellslaw, Rebecca Parkman and Susan Fairless, Wards, Sally Davis, Weston Hospicecare and James Gass, Holley and Steer.

WESTON Hospicecare’s fourth annual Make Your Will Week has been pronounced a resounding success, with solicitors’ firms across the area topping last year’s total by raising £13,243 for the hospice.

It was supported by five local firms – Bennetts, Holley and Steer, Powellslaw, Wards Solicitors and Bartlett, Gooding and Weelen. Between them they wrote wills for 114 people, free of charge, in exchange for donations to the hospice.

Sally Davis, from Weston Hospicecare said: “The Hospice receives amazing support from these firms. We are very grateful to all the solicitors who generously gave their time and expertise to support Make Your Will Week and to those people who took the opportunity to make their wills and made donations.”

Lindsay’s challenge

LINDSAY Game, of Chew Stoke, is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and will be losing her hair when she starts her chemotherapy treatment.

To mark this she is organising a Wacky Wig Week from July 6th – 11th, raising money for the Forever Friends Appeal for a new cancer centre at the RUH. Lindsay, a partner in Geni Printing with husband Nigel, says she remembers what the oncology department was like when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer 26 years ago.

She believes the new centre will transform care for patients and their families and make a real difference.

Various local groups and companies have pledged their support and she hopes to make Wednesday July 8th Wear a Wig to Work Day. Details: www.justgiving.com/lindsay-game

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Tribute to tragic Emma

CHARITY fundraiser Emma Welch, aged 14, has died in hospital following complications after surgery. Emma, from Chilcompton, passed away in the early hours of Thursday June 4th after undergoing an operation to correct her spinal curvature the previous day.

Just four days before going into hospital Emma set a new, as yet unofficial, world record for the largest number of teddies assembled on a mountain-top. She achieved this after coming up with the idea of climbing Snowdon with a team of volunteers carrying no fewer than 135 soft toys stowed away in rucksacks.

The feat was one of a number of enterprising events which Emma came up with to raise money for the national charity Brain Tumour Research. She was inspired by Andrew Stammers, her minister at the Baptist Church in Radstock, who has a brain tumour.

Previously, and despite the scoliosis curvature of her spine, she scaled the height of Everest on a climbing wall and completed a 1,000 mile bike ride. She took on these events fearlessly despite the considerable pain caused by her condition.

So far her efforts have raised over £5,000 for Brain Tumour Research, which is working to achieve greater awareness of and fund research into brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

The daughter of Tony and Lesley Welch, Emma was inspired by her relationship with the charity’s regional PR Manager Liz Fussey, who helped her tell her story. She told Liz it was her ambition to work in PR for a charity.

Liz said: “Emma was an inspirational teenager who embodied the true meaning of what it is to be an entirely selfless and caring person. She was dedicated to improving the lives of others. Her parents hope that her legacy will lead to greater awareness and, ultimately, a cure for brain tumours.”

Emma was just 12 years old and a pupil at Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton when she decided she wanted to complete her Everest challenge.

She said at the time: “I decided that this was my chance to prove that just because I have a curved spine it does not mean I can’t change things. So I am going to climb Mount Everest (or the equivalent height on a climbing wall). I will have to climb the wall a total of 1,209 times, but if this helps to find a cure for brain cancer, then it’s definitely worth it.”

Gracie and Andrew Stammers with Emma on Snowdon

Emma on the climbing wall

The event secured her first unofficial world record as the youngest person to complete such an endeavour. Emma’s amazing efforts were also officially recognised earlier this year when she received the Achiever in Sport with a learning/physical disability Award as part of the Bath & North East Somerset’s Chairman’s Sports Awards for 2015.

Her minister, Andrew Stammers, said: “Emma was an amazing young woman. Her passion and determination was exceptional.

She put everyone before herself to raise awareness of brain tumours and to support vital research. She dedicated her young life in a way that was truly remarkable.

“Emma did consider delaying her ascent of Snowdon until after her surgery, so I am so glad she went ahead with it; we now have such wonderful memories and pictures of her from that day as a lasting legacy.”

Emma Welch climbing Snowdon with teddies

Emma’s parents have requested that anyone who wants to express their sympathies do so by making a donation on Emma’s JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Emma-Welch5 PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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Barnardo’s say it with flowers

Barnardo’s shop manager Judith Loughlin with volunteers Margaret (left) and Val (right)

TWO volunteers at the Barnardo’s charity shop in Frome have received long-service awards in recognition of their support for vulnerable children.

Val Harris and Margaret Croud have been helping out at the shop in Kingsway Precinct for the last ten years. The 75-yearolds have donated well in excess of 7,000 hours of their own time to help with sorting the stock and serving the customers.

Judith Loughlin, the shop manager, said: “Margaret and Val have made such a valuable contribution to the success of the shop and we’d struggle without their generous support.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to work alongside them.”

G The Barnardo’s shop is open Monday-Saturday from 9am5.30pm and on Sundays from 10am-4pm. The team always welcomes donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, accessories and bric-a-brac, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers.

Marathon success

CHARITIES

GEOFF Wessell, the deputy area commander of Avon and Somerset Police in Somerset, has raised more than £5,500 for the MS Trust by running the London Marathon – after setting himself a target of £3,500.

He said: “The marathon day was a day that will live with me forever. It was an emotional, amazing experience. Right the way around the course you are cheered and encouraged and the atmosphere is brilliant.

“I will never forget the huge wave of noise that hits you as you turn the corner onto Tower Bridge from the cheering crowds, or the shop that was giving out gratefully received bananas at the 19.5 mile mark in the quieter area after Canary Wharf.

“I particularly won’t forget the emotions of seeing Jo at the MS Trust cheering squad point on the Embankment at 25 miles. Yes there were tears in lots of eyes including mine!”

His wife, Jo, a nurse, has been living with MS for a decade.

Geoff said he hopes to do the marathon again next year.

Hospice says thanks

Toy tombola is just the ticket

A CUDDLY toy tombola has helped to raise £160 for the Street branch of Epilepsy Action after members ran a stall in the village’s Crispin Centre.

As well as raising funds, the aim of the stall was to increase awareness of the illness and the work of the branch, which runs regular sessions at Street Parish Rooms in Leigh Road for anyone with an interest in epilepsy.

The branch, which Viv and Geoff Forster at the stall in became part of the the Crispin Centre national Epilepsy Action charity in 2010, plans to run further table top sales and tombolas in the Crispin Centre on Saturday, June 27th and Saturday, July 11th from 10am-4pm.

G The branch meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm from May until November.

WESTON Hospicecare invited its 700 volunteers for afternoon tea to mark Volunteers Week – and spent two afternoons thanking them.

Maria Beaton, volunteer and training manager, and the hospice’s chief executive, Gill Auden, both expressed how crucial the volunteers are to the running of the charity.

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Children rise to cathedral challenge

Felicity Gibson and Baldy Buddies

THREE children from the Chew Valley have raised at least £18,000 for charity after completing a challenge to walk from Bristol Cathedral to Gloucester Cathedral via Bath Abbey.

Amelia, Archie and Aggie Campbell, aged seven, nine and 10, covered more than 70 miles in under six days to raise money for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

The three of them decided they wanted to do something to say thank you to the people and organisations that helped their grandparents George and Annabel Hayter through recent illnesses. Their grandmother “Ga” was diagnosed with a terminal form of breast cancer a year ago, while their grandfather “Pop-Pop” suffered a serious heart attack 18 months ago.

Sadly, George suffered a further heart attack during the planning for the charity walk and died before the attempt. The children, along with mum Louise and dad Mark went on training walks around their home near Regil before setting out on the journey.

Mark said: “The children said they wanted to raise some money to say thank you to the people who helped Ga and Pop-Pop and went to their rooms to have a think.

They came down and said they either wanted to climb Everest or swim the ‘river’ between England and France – but we persuaded them a walk was a better idea!”

He added: “Everyone is tremendously proud of their efforts. They enjoyed the experience although it was rather poignant as George had been involved in the planning.”

Betty’s sale success

FORMER art teacher, Betty Silburn, from Blagdon raised more than £3,000 for Weston Hospicecare with a sale of her prints and etchings at St Andrew’s Church in the village.

Betty held the sale to mark her 90th birthday and to “get my affairs in good order”. There was a family party held at Yeo Valley HQ and other celebrations hosted by friends and villagers.

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In memory of Ken Lane

Mrs Margaret Lane, accompanied by family members and Mike Hiles president of the Rotary Club of Mendip, presents a cheque for £450 to Tracey Millar of Red Cross Transport.

THE family of former Rotarian, Ken Lane, gave a donation of £470 to Red Cross Transport in his memory.

Mr Lane, a former prominent Cheddar businessman who died in March aged 88, was a member of the Rotary Club of Mendip and it was his family’s wish that some of the donations at his funeral be given to this charity supported by the club.

Red Cross Transport is a little known service, unique to Somerset, which organises a 70-strong team of volunteer drivers to provide free door-to-door transport for cancer patients receiving treatment at Taunton and Bristol hospitals.

They collectively clock up around 500,000 miles each year supporting more than 1,000 Somerset-based cancer patients.

The service has been running for 15 years.

Mr Lane’s widow, Margaret, presented the cheque to Tracey Millar at Red Cross Transport, saying it was a good cause which her late husband would have been pleased to support.

Rotary aid for Nepal

A CONSIGNMENT of 500 water-survival boxes, prepared by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge, has now been distributed to the survivors of the earthquake in Nepal. The club is on standby to supply further boxes if needed.

Details: www.worldwaterworks.org

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Dominic to the rescue

A PIG who helps train the Avon Fire and Rescue Service has come out of retirement to make a guest appearance at one of their training sessions at animal rescue charity, HorseWorld.

Dominic the pig was rescued by HorseWorld as a youngster in 2012 and lived at the sanctuary for two years until he was rehomed at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park where people can still visit him.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service have training sessions at HorseWorld run by Bath College where they learn how to move large animals safely. They can often be seen lifting a life-size model horse out of a ditch as well as moving turkeys, sheep, cows – and of course Dominic.

Pilates aids charities

LOCAL Pilates instructors Corali Sacerdote, Zoisa Holder and Clare Jevons were delighted with the success of their first charity event, held at the Pilates Body Aligned Studio in Wells, which raised over £1,340 for three charities.

The event, which saw over 45 people take part in up to four hours of Pilates classes, raised funds for Transverse Myelitis, the MS society and Parkinsons.

Vicky Whittaker, from Chewton Mendip, was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis in 2014. She said: “Attending regular Pilates classes has definitely helped with my recovery.”

Zoisa Holder and Corali Sacerdote, who organised the event, said: “We were overwhelmed by our clients’ enthusiasm for this event and are delighted to raise awareness of Pilates as a movement training method which assists with the management of these particular conditions.”

CHARITIES

Charity’s coup

THE National Osteoporosis Society, based at Camerton, near Bath has announced that it will be bringing three extraordinarily talented artists to Bradford-on-Avon on July 11th, with a special opportunity for only 50 guests to join the cast for a postperformance drinks and canapé reception.

Lucy Parham, one of Britain’s finest pianists, together with two of our country’s best-loved actors, Joanna David and Edward Fox, will bring to life the passionate and tragic story of the relationships between Robert Schumann, his wife Clara and Johannes Brahms.

The piece is drawn from their intimate letters and diaries and illustrated with their expressive piano music. The creation of Beloved Clara was inspired by Lucy Parham’s lifelong passion for the music of Brahms and Schumann and premiered at the Wigmore Hall Masters Series in 2002.

It has since been performed on stage and radio worldwide to enormous acclaim and it is the National Osteoporosis Society’s coup to have it performed here in the South West for the very first time.

Details: www.nos.org.uk

Aid for the elderly

A NEW service run by Age UK B&NES in partnership with local GPs is helping people over 85 to access more of the help they need to stay healthy and independent.

Hale and Hearty started in March 2015, commissioned by NHS Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as a one-year pilot. It’s aimed at reaching over 85s who are not currently receiving any services, to make sure they get the help they need to continue living healthy, independent lives.

The range of services involved is wide – anything from helping the person to claim benefits such as attendance allowance (designed to help people with mobility issues afford independent living) to simply replacing a light bulb so that the person doesn’t risk a fall by climbing on a stepladder.

So far, over 50 referrals have been made to Hale and Hearty by local doctors, and five volunteers have been trained.

Dr Ian Orpen, Clinical chair at Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We aim to support older people to stay well and live independently for as long as possible.”

Details: www.ageukbanes.co.uk 01225 466135.

Nepal fund nears £50,000

SCHOOLS from across Somerset have raised a staggering £47,800 for communities affected by the devastating earthquakes in Nepal in an intitiative inspired by pupils in Wells.

All schools were contacted by the Blue School and initially invited to take part in a dress down or “mufti” day to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). More than 140 schools signed up and many came up with their own alternative fundraising events.

With a few schools still to send in their contributions, the current total stands at £47,809.83. Councillor Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “I never fail to be impressed by the resourcefulness and incredible generosity of our school communities.”

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Dormice find refuge in Goblin Combe GOBLIN Combe Environment Centre at Cleeve has won a national award for its work in protecting and encouraging dormice.

The combe, situated in a valley less than a mile from Bristol Airport, is a picturesque site with a mixture of ancient woodland, plantation, steep rock faces and scree slopes but, most importantly, it is home to many important and protected species including dormice.

The monitoring project started in 2010 when the centre contacted Jamie Edmonds to help them make best use of a Government grant to manage their woodland for dormice. He is an environmental manager for the civil engineering and services company Kier, who encouraged him to get involved in the project and give support wherever it was needed.

The centre is now part of Groundwork South, a registered charity which provides a wide range of environmental education to all ages and all sectors of the community.

In 2009 the centre had already started some small-scale habitat improvements by cleaning pockets of pine trees and replanting the areas with hazel. Thinning out other areas of the woodland dominated by beech and pine was also taking place to allow light to penetrate the canopy and encourage scrub growth on the woodland floor.

The following summer saw the first dormouse nest boxes being made by volunteers from the Woodwise Recovery Programme, which supports mental health service users or people engaged in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes, Jamie Edmonds

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allowing them to learn new skills and increase their confidence and self-esteem.

Other boxes were made by conservation volunteers and young mums’ groups, who were able to take their children along and help make boxes in the woods. Kier donated unwanted plywood, saving the centre valuable funds.

By April 2011, the project reached its magic target of 50 boxes in the wood and registered to become part of the Nation Monitoring Programme and monthly surveying started. The surveys were opened up to those who showed an interest in the species and allowed both students and graduates from local universities as well as ecologists and other professionals to gain the opportunity to observe, handle and learn more about an otherwise elusive species.

By July, nests were appearing in the boxes but the mice eluded them until October, when three boxes produced eight dormice and an ecstatic survey team. The hard work of the previous 18 months had all been worth it!

Having ended the first survey season on such a high, the survey team had big expectations when they started out again in the spring of 2012 but were soon brought down to the ground with a bump. The whole season produced only two nests, both of which were empty.

Even other species that had been present the year before, such as woodmice, yellow necked mice and nesting blue tits, were absent. It was evident that this was happening all over the country and the poor weather was having dramatic effects on the number animals being found.

Never one to be defeated, a group of volunteers went out in mid-February 2013 to repair and clean out the nest boxes and their first dormouse in 15 months presented

Tucked up for the winter

itself in full torpor, much to the delight of everyone. Needless to say many photographs were taken of it fast asleep, holding on to its tail.

The following year started on a promising note with nests being found early in the season and with a steady flow of dormice throughout the year. Then, as autumn arrived, the dormouse and yellow necked mouse populations exploded and they were inundated, finding 30 dormice in just two surveys and almost as many yellow necked mice – even a pygmy shrew joined in the party!

The work has now earned the team a prestigious Green Apple Environment Award in the Ecology and Biodiversity category, which was presented at the House of Commons. They have also been nominated for an international Corporate Social Responsibility award.

The work hasn’t stopped there. Over the winter they have worked closely with Avon Wildlife Trust to align their two monitoring projects at Goblin Combe and have put up additional boxes, creating a cross boundary link, with 130 boxes throughout the woodland.

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WILDLIFE

The jump from spring to autumn

A juvenile long-tailed tit

activities for the year, they will now be in moult, dropping their worn feathers and replacing them with fresh new ones.

Whilst in moult these birds will not be in top flying form, so are more vulnerable to predators and so it makes sense not to draw attention to themselves and to keep hidden as much as possible. Many waterfowl take this moult to an extreme level, dropping all of their flight feathers at once, and becoming flightless for a short time. Their way of dealing with this disabling moult is to keep to water where they are relatively safe from predators.

Long-tailed tits are also going through their moult and there is certainly safety in numbers within the flocks that they create at this time. I spent a wonderful few hours amongst a flock of around 15 long-tails recently and they really are enchanting little birds.

Each individual within this tight-knit feeding party was ready to raise the alarm if they sensed danger and all were clearly looking out for one another. There was frequent calling from individuals when they found food, inviting the rest of the group to share it, and these birds are so efficient at finding food sources that

Photography courtesy of Chris Sperring

THE adorable longtailed tit is a bird which normally has just one brood of young each year and once their offspring have fledged they

By CHRIS switch almost SPERRING immediately into MBE autumn mode.

With the nesting season over, they begin to form small flocks with their extended family. These groups become dedicated feeding parties which move around from place to place and bush to bush hoovering up insects, whilst keeping in constant contact with one another through their chirping calls.

This feeding frenzy continues throughout the summer months and will help these tiny insectivorous birds recover from the exertions of the breeding season and build condition ahead of the coming winter when invertebrate prey will be far harder to come by.

July is a quiet month for many of our native birds, with most being far less visible than during the spring and even winter months. Aside from the fact that, with the breeding season over, there is no longer such a need to sing to attract mates or defend territories, this is also largely because, having completed their nesting

Enchanting – the long-tailed tit

other species of tit and warbler will even follow these groups around in the hope of cashing-in on the spoils of their hunting forays.

The youngsters will go through an extensive moult before the onslaught of winter, but for now adults can still be distinguished from recently fledged youngsters which are in their juvenile plumage. Of course, these extended groups play an even more vital role during the winter, especially if we have an extended cold snap, when perhaps 15 to 20 of these tiny birds will huddle together for warmth, helping themselves and each other survive the long, cold nights.

The diet of long-tailed tits consists mostly of invertebrates throughout the year, and during the winter when insects are less numerous they spend much of their time searching bark for dormant insects and moth eggs. They are frequent garden visitors, especially during the winter when they really appreciate suet pellets, fat balls and mealworms, and once a flock finds that your garden has these on offer they will make it part of their daily feeding route, often returning habitually every day at around the same time.

G I will be leading two barn owl walks on the Somerset Levels during July, please visit http://swp.hawkandowl.org/events/ for more details of these and many other events.

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 07799 413 918 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com

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A walk through lavender fields

HERE is a saunter in Somerset with a real old-fashioned feel as we start and end with the scent and sight of glorious fields of lavender. Somerset Lavender farm is at Horse Pond Farm at Faulkland in East Mendip. After going through the lavender fields head into farming country with great views across Wiltshire and then bend round to a gorgeous little old church in a farmyard, followed by another, larger church. Go through the lavender on the way back and enjoy refreshment in the lavender farm cafe, visit the healing garden, and the shop where lavender products and plants are for sale. Walking is through fields on good paths, and on very quiet lanes, and takes in woodland and streams. There are

With Sue Gearing PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

no major hills, and a fair few stiles but it’s not impassable for dogs. You are likely to go through fields with cows grazing.

PARK: In the Lavender Farm car park, well signed off the main road through Faulkland. It is at Horsepond Farm.

Closed Mon and Tues and if you come then you will have to park in the village and not have access to the cafe, lavender garden or shop but can still walk through the lavender fields *(See end for directions).

START: Go out of the farm the way you entered and immediately turn right. Then follow the marked footpath right, going alongside the wall of the farm and then on into the first lavender field. The farm has more than 50,000 lavender plants with bees humming busily as they collect pollen to make lavender honey. It’s an amazing sight and smell. This year another five acres of lavender have been planted. Go on into another field.

At the end, take the left-hand of two stiles ahead. Turn left with the lavender field on your left. Follow the fence and then bend right along the hedge to the corner where you cross another stile. Go across the field to a large metal gate in front of Highchurch Farm.

1. FARM Turn left on the lane and continue for several minutes to a crossing footpath.

Go right down the track. Enjoy great views across Somerset to Wiltshire and on a clear day to the White Horse above

Westbury. Soon drop down. At the foot, it may be a little wet as you cross a small stream and go ahead through a gate into the field.

2. FIELDS Go straight on (slightly right), parallel with the right hedge. On the far side, cross a stile and footbridge and maintain direction across the next field. Go through the large field gate ahead, and immediately right through a wooden kissing gate. Then it’s left up the fence. At the top go up and out onto a crossing concrete track.

3. TRACK Follow it right. Keep on, and go through double gates across the track and just past this go right through a gate on the marked path. Go diagonally left across the field and out over a stile, just to the left of the cottages. Turn left on the lane and soon come into the farming hamlet of Hardington.

4. HARDINGTON There is a very large farm complex here and behind it you can see the small tower of the church. But it cannot be accessed at this point. Go on through, bending round (note the old post box on the barn wall on the right). Drop downhill. Just before a bridge is the bridleway we need to continue (from 6. BRIDLEWAY); but it is well worth a ten-minute detour to Hardington Church. For this cross the bridge and continue to a farm drive and marked footpath on the left. Follow this on and uphill to the back of the farm.

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WALKING

5. CHURCH Bear left to the small church of Hardington Bampfylde, which should be open. It is cared for by the Redundant Churches Fund and is a very simple little building dating from the 11th century.

It has beautiful unspoilt Georgian furnishings and a wonderfully preserved Norman tower – one of the smallest complete church towers in England. Yet the tranquil atmosphere hides a tragic history: the church and village became almost extinct during the Black Death of 1348.

The Bampfylde family restored the village fortunes in the 15th century and inside the church you can see several Bampfylde memorials – as well as delightful box pews, pulpit and altar rails, also remains of wall paintings and a Royal Arms of Charles I. Retrace your steps downhill and back to the bridleway.

6. BRIDLEWAY Go right and follow the path with the stream on your left (Hardington Brook) through the valley. Go through a gate and on. Later, cross the stream and go up a short path to a gate on the right. The stream is now down on your right.

Continue into a pleasant wood and come out into a field. Go down the full length and bend right. Soon cross left again over the stream and turn right with the stream on your right. Soon you can see Hemington church. The path takes you on into a smallholding with a variety of chickens, geese, guinea fowl, doves et al.

Reach the lane in the hamlet of Hemington.

7. HEMINGTON For the church – a four-minute detour – turn left; then, at the junction turn right and go left into the churchyard of St Mary

Faulkland horse pond

4.3 miles, about 2.5 hours walking. Allow time for short detours to the two churches and time in the lavender farm.

OS Explorer 142, Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East, grid ref: 739 545

the Virgin, a church that is still active. It is Norman in origin but has had several renovations.

Retrace your steps back through Hemington, past pretty cottages and the school. Note a couple of water sources on the left and the remains of an old village pump.

8. FORK Fork right on a very quiet little lane.

Continue for over half a mile all the way up and along to a crossroads. Turn left in what is known as Fulwell Lane.

9. FULWELL LANE Go along here for a few minutes.

10. STILE After it has levelled out, go right over a stile between two ash trees, and left down a field which is probably divided up for horse paddocks. Cross another stile and further on a third. This puts you back in the second lavender field.

Go ahead retracing your steps of earlier and for the farm, lavender garden and cafe, go left through an opening at the end of the field and right down the fence. The plants shop is housed in a huge old round slurry store. * Park carefully in the village if the lavender farm is closed. Take the marked public footpath opposite the green, and go past the beautiful horse pond and cottages.

Head towards Somerset Lavender but don’t go in. Stay left and continue on a little further and then fork right on the marked path alongside the lavender farm and follow the main directions.

Somerset Lavender: Open May 1st to September 30th, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday). Call 01373 834893, or visit website.

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s Diary

WARM summer days and long evenings are something we normally dream about, or in my case ‘seem to remember’ as a part of my childhood. That With LES was in the days when DAVIES MBE the tar would melt on the roads and those iconic chocolate covered biscuits called ‘Wagon Wheels’ were so much bigger.

We drank Tizer and there was no such thing as diet cola or fat free foods. The frozen food company Birds Eye only made fish fingers and Smiths Crisps were all that was available, with a little blue twist of salt in the bag (if you were lucky there were two).

Life is so much more complicated now, or is it that I have reached the stage in life where everything that happened then seemed to be so much better, had more taste and lasted longer?

I saw plenty of people at the North Somerset Agricultural Show and the Royal Bath and West Show this year, all enjoying a countryside day out. I think the Bath and West was a splendid show with much more of a “country” feel to it this time. It looked clean and tidy everywhere, but no doubt the lack of continuous heavy rain helped with that.

There were also plenty of families sitting on the grass with lunch laid out on a blanket and just relaxing. I’m always reminded of those Giles cartoons where the extended Giles family have gone into the countryside for the day. Long-suffering mother (with the two elder daughters) butter mountains of bread for sandwiches and pour gallons of tea from striped Thermos flasks. Father is asleep in a deck chair and Grandma reads the racing form in the paper, whilst the “little Herberts” in the family get up to all sorts of mischief!

Not quite the reality of life, but very close to it sometimes.

It’s always pleasing to see people enjoying a day in the countryside, especially the children. Exercise and diet are important components of a healthy life.

It alarmed me to see on the morning news how young school children are being encouraged to stand up in lessons. Why not encourage more exercise outside the classroom, more activity on the sports field (that’s if they haven’t been sold off for

development) or more walking?

When schools come to the FarmLink days at Yeo Valley, we make sure they get plenty of exercise, not only walking around but playing on grass whenever possible. It had never occurred to me that there are city schools with no grass for the children to play on. Whilst on the subject of city schools, Parsons Street School from Bedminster in Bristol were the winners in this year’s Environmental Youth Award prize giving at the Bath and West Show.

If you are involved with any youth organisation or school, why not enter? Find out more by ‘Googling’ “environmental youth awards”, or contact me through my website.

The content of my summer picnic hamper is always a subject for great deliberation. Not quite so sumptuous as the picnic with Ratty and Mole on the river bank in Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic Wind in the Willows. I do like to take it seriously and a couple of cheese sandwiches just will not do.

Packing lunch for a day out needs plenty of thought; there must be real sandwiches with fillings such as egg, ham, cheese and beef. Plenty of tomatoes and some pickled onions, but I’m not over fond of lots of green salad. Tea is wonderful and best done fresh from the camping stove; wine is great but not if you have to drive home after, as I invariably have to.

Remember that the devil is in the detail, and presentation is important. This after all is an English picnic and as such should be treated with great respect. My VW day van contains all the necessaries that make life bearable on such days out, such as comfortable chairs, folding table and real cutlery. This is our version of the tea ceremony and we can be as eccentric as we want to be, so give it “Large” and have the very best of a day outside.

Above Compton Bishop

Me and Mum on Crook Peak

It’s the stuff of which memories are made and of which tales can be retold (remember Shakespeare’s “He will remember with advantages deeds he did this day” from Henry V)? The longest day will have been June 21 and how quickly we will all slip into the shortening days of autumn, so I’m determined to enjoy as much as I can this summer.

I attended the wonderful tenth year celebrations for Mendip Times at the Yeo Valley headquarters. It hardly seems like ten years, and during that time I have written 120 articles for the magazine. I have had many comments, some of praise and genuine interest, but the occasional comment of “what a load of twaddle that was”. I’m never offended by such criticism because they must have read my column before reaching that conclusion.

Also during that ten years we have lost some valuable contributors such as Alan Goode who spoke with feeling about what many people thought. His column would often fill the letters page with indignant replies to one of his many pointed comments on countryside access, and those who come to Mendip. I had reason to agree with some of his comments recently when I had to wait 45 minutes to get into a gateway and three hours to get out, after people had parked their cars in front of it.

I’m off to the Lake District, South Pennines and the Borders to do next month’s University of Georgia (USA) UK tour, where I shall be interpreting the British landscape this time, and not just the Mendip Hills. Not too much pressure then!

I’ll leave you with a couple of memories.

Firstly a picture of me with my mother. It was a day out on Crook Peak with the Sunday school in 1956 (there were a couple of spare places, so we were invited) when I started the fashion of wearing your hat sideways. Secondly another picture of me on Crook Peak (still wearing my hat sideways) in 2009.

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

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Your flower show needs you

CHELSEA may be the most prestigious flower show in the world and Hampton Court the largest annual flower show in the world, but your local flower show is the most important and is part of our heritage.

So taking part is vital if village shows are to continue to thrive.

With MARY Most local shows occur between July and PAYNE MBE September, so make a point of getting a copy of the schedule in good time so that you can decide what classes you would like to enter. The more folk who enter, the better the display of flowers, garden produce, art, crafts, children’s classes and cookery will be for visitors to enjoy. You do not have to be an expert. We all have hidden talents.

Most shows will have a very varied selection of classes for flowers, fruits and vegetables depending on what are likely to be in season on the date of the show. Some shows will have specific classes for “experts” while others try to make their classes open to all skill levels. It is the taking part that is important.

So for those who may not have entered a show before here are a few pointers, to help you select your produce and display it so as to catch the judge’s eye.

1. Look carefully at the schedule and check the number of items required for each class, such as five runner beans or six sweet peas. It sounds obvious but I have put the wrong number of items in a class myself, and it is the first thing the judges look for. You certainly do not want the judge to write NAS (not according to schedule) on your card.

2. Some shows require you to submit a list of the classes you wish to enter beforehand while others simply take entries on the day, so check this in the schedule.

3. On the day before the show look around and see how your prospective entries are doing.

4. Flowers and foliage for floral art classes should be picked the day before and conditioned overnight before arranging.

Take care to check for insect or disease damaged foliage and flowers that may go over before judging. With double flowers the odd damaged petal can be removed without any problem.

5. Vegetables are best picked on the morning of the show.

Check in the schedule whether crops like beetroot and carrots are required to be shown trimmed or with their leaves. Some schedules are specific as to the length that the foliage is trimmed to. Where multiples of the same vegetable is required look for uniformity in size and they must all be of the same variety.

6. Fruits should normally be displayed as “ripe”, with the exception of apples, pears and gooseberries, which may be

displayed as “unripe” unless the schedule requests this.

7. It is more interesting for visitors if flower, fruit and vegetable exhibits are labelled with the name of the variety or varieties displayed, although this is often optional.

8. Check in the schedule for the timetable for the removal of exhibits as early removal spoils the display for visitors.

9. Classes for garden flowers often present a problem. If the schedule asks for “annuals” then this includes plants that are raised from seed, flower and die all in the same season. Plants that come up again year after year are classed as “perennials”.

10. Some shows limit the number of entries from one exhibitor that may be entered in a single class, and also may restrict the exhibitor to a single prize within that class. Details of these rules will be found in the schedule.

11. To wash or not to wash! Obviously vegetables should not be shown with soil attached, so gentle washing is required, but avoid excessive scrubbing that would damage the skin of, for example, potatoes.

12. Flowering pot plants should be picked, after removing spent flowers and damaged leaves, and be presented in a clean pot. If the maximum or minimum diameter of the pot is specified in the schedule, this is measured across the interior of the container.

13. Show organisers troubled by ants attacking cookery exhibits, can try standing the legs of the tables in jars of water and cover all produce lightly with cling film.

14. Presentation of your entries on the show table can vary enormously, but obviously a well-presented entry is likely to catch the judge’s eye, especially if there are many entries in a class. A plate or bowl of sand enables shallots to stand to attention, while blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries and strawberries look effective displayed on a leaf or leaves of the same plant on a plate.

15. Miniature gardens in a seed tray and strange creatures created from vegetables and fruit are favourite classes, both for the entrants and for the visitors to the show. These can be created the day before if necessary, sprayed with water and covered with cling film to keep them looking fresh. Encourage children to enter as many classes as possible.

16. Try to get to the show early on the morning to get your entries booked in, if necessary, and displayed. This helps to avoid the last minute queue, and helps the organisers enormously.

For those serious show enthusiasts there is plenty of reading matter in the Royal Horticultural Societies publication “The Horticultural Show Handbook.” For those who simply wish to support their local show, the above pointers should help to make exhibiting an enjoyable experience, and provide a wonderful show for visitors to enjoy.

I wish all those organising and taking part in local flower shows this year the best of luck and hope you have fine weather.

Stanton Drew Flower Show is on Saturday, July 18th, 2pm.

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J U LY G A R D E N T I P S

GARDENING

G It is time to sow winter flowering pansies, primrose and polyanthus. All are best sown in seed compost in seed trays.

Cover the pansies with ¼” of compost but cover the others with cling film and put them in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks before bringing them out into a cool place to germinate. All these plants germinate best if kept cool.

G It is also time to sow your wallflowers; these are sown thinly into a prepared seedbed (water well before sowing) outside, prior to lifting and planting out in the autumn.

G Remove the dead flowers from tall perennials such as delphiniums, lupins and foxgloves. This will encourage them to flower again this year.

G Fill any gaps in your borders and pots with plants that provide instant colour.

G If you are having a few friends around for a party in the garden brighten the place up with a few extra planted pots!

G Some perennials such as Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) can be too successful and may seed themselves everywhere. To limit their spread, remove the flowers as soon as they fade so that seeds cannot form.

G Plant winter cauliflower, purple sprouting and leeks in the space created by digging early potatoes.

G Check your fruit trees for the weight of crop they have. If there is a heavy fruit set then it is wise to thin the fruit out now. Thin apples and pears to just two fruits per cluster and, if your plums have a heavy set, a drastic removal of excess fruits is needed to prevent small fruit and branch breakage later.

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

Garden challenge

Last year's winner David Preston's front garden

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

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

Visit our ROCK CAKE CAFE EVERYONE loves to see a bright and colourful garden. It lifts the spirits and adds some colour to your day.

Last year saw the successful inauguration of the Front Garden Competition in Westfield, Radstock.

It will be run again this year, with the added option for anyone to nominate a garden or containers/baskets that have caught their eye in their travels around the parish.

Entry forms are available from the council office (01761 410669), or on the website – www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk The closing date is Thursday July 2nd. Judging will be done by Bath College and prizes are donated by Norton Green Farm Nursery.

Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea Browse around JAMES STORE Large stock of HOME BREW PRODUCTS + many other bargains See our website for more details www.rockymountainnursery.co.uk

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES – MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 59

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Get outdoors this summer

JULY is the height of summer which means outdoor entertaining and lazy afternoons in the garden with a good book.

Decking has become increasingly popular in recent years as it provides a solid, level area in the garden and allows the home to be extended outdoors. It is a perfect garden enhancement in which to place your patio furniture and keep it separate from the main family garden space.

Somerlap has been providing decking for many years and its website is now full of advice about creating the perfect decking area – from things to consider when planning your decking, to a checklist before you begin the work.

Decking is currently on special offer, making it the perfect time to create your own decked paradise. So why not visit Somerlap’s website for ideas and tips on how to do it?

Somerlap have been supplying quality garden products to people and businesses in Somerset and beyond for over 34 years. With a range including decking, fencing, sheds and storage, gates and garden furniture, they have everything you need for summer.

NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Church Farm House Binegar

SUSAN and Tony Griffin have been developing the garden at Church Farm House since 2006. At over 700 feet up in the Mendip Hills this is not the easiest environment in which to create a new garden! It has been, and continues to be, a challenging yet hugely rewarding project.

The garden around the Beanacre Barn holiday cottage was designed in a contemporary cottage style with unusual perennials, spring and summer bulbs and a mix of shrubs with climbing roses on the high walls.

In the split level South Garden, the aim has been to create a progressive colour sweep from whites and yellows with blues in the shade of trees, through peach to oranges then reds and plum to end with pinks by the corner bench from where there is a fine outlook to the village church.

When they arrived the old farmyard was a wide expanse of grey gravel leading up to the house. A few years ago, in order to brighten and soften the area and blend it into the rest of the garden, they experimented with planting in the gravel, which often required the use of a hammer and chisel!

Early results were surprisingly encouraging, so now they have an ever-extending range of plants adding colour and interest to the area and parking space is shrinking!

NGS opening details: Sunday and Wednesday 26th & 29th July from 11am to 4:30pm; admission £3.50, children free.

Visitors also welcome by arrangement until August.

Contact Information: Susan and Tony Griffin, 01749 841628, Email: smgriffin@beanacrebarn.co.uk Website: www.beanacrebarn.co.uk Address and Postcode: Turners Court Lane, Binegar, Radstock, BA3 4UA. OTHER GARDENS OPEN FOR THE NGS To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk

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High quality at low prices

GARDENING

SHEPTON Classic Stone started in 2004, with a view to producing decorative garden stoneware and stone garden ornaments of the highest quality, but not at the high prices normally seen at garden centres.

The majority of the items produced are various types and styles of stone garden planters, such as stone tub planters, stone trough planters and classic urn planters. They do, however, produce a range of other items of garden stoneware that fit in with the range of garden planters.

Among these items, all made in dry-cast stone, are: bird baths, seats and benches, ball finials, pineapple finials, stone lions, piers, plinths, and pedestals, and of course, classic stone balustrade.

Visit them, rain or shine, at their indoor site at the Anglo Trading Estate, for the lowest prices for dry-cast stone for sale in the UK, and not just the lowest in Somerset!

Portishead Flower Show and Country Fair

THE first Portishead Flower Show was held in 1863 and is still a major event in Portishead’s calendar. It has continued to adapt to reflect changing times and the accent today is very much on activities for children and young people and for promoting local country life, nature and environment as well as being an outlet for local talent.

The show is being opened by Johnny Briggs who many will know as Mike Baldwin from Coronation Street. There will be three marquees with 24,000 square feet under canvas which house horticultural, handicraft and cookery exhibits and trade stands.

Arena events include Oreo the Racoon and Animal Encounters, Gamegoer Gundog Display, David Seamark Sheepdogs, The Ferret School, the Somerset Paddies and a Companion Dog Show with 14 classes.

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Historic plants for sale

OVER recent years Four Seasons on High Street, Glastonbury have developed a reputation as specialist suppliers of Glastonbury Holy Thorn trees from their Spinney Gardens. On the back of this success they are now offering two more classic historic plants – the White Rose of York and the Red Rose of Lancaster. The White Rose of York (Alba Semiplena) are hardy shrubs renowned for their grey-green leaves and clusters of fragrant double or semidouble flowers in midsummer and the Red Rose of Lancaster (Rosa Gallica Officinalis) is a bushy smaller shrub, highly fragrant whose light crimson flowers bloom from early summer. Both are currently available as around 18–24 inch plants from Spinney Gardens’ retail outlet at Four Seasons on Glastonbury High Street.

A cut above the rest

FOUR SEASONS GLASTONBURY Specialist suppliers of the Holy orn Tree proudly presents THE WHITE ROSE OF YORK

THE RED ROSE OF LANCASTER

AVAILABLE NOW! As 18” or 24” plants from e Spinney Gardens Retail Outlet, Four Seasons, 22 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DU • Telephone: 01458 832061

Gardening Fair organisers Mary Blackwell (left) and Alyson Evans, who run Almaquirky, with some of their reclaimed plant holders

FROM hedge laying demonstrations to “upcycled” plant containers made out of discarded footwear, the Gardening Fair at Frome’s Cheese and Grain venue offered something for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Garden Design • Planting Schemes • Horticultural Consultancy Courses in Gardening and Garden Design www.christinepritchard.co.uk • info@christinepritchard.co.uk tel: 01761 221166 • mobile: 07966 172282

Malcolm Dowling and George Pidgeon were promoting the National Hedge Laying Championships being held in the Chew Valley in October PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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Farming theme at church’s flower festival

GARDENING

Martin James, Ann Bevan (club chairman) Margaret Small, Valerie Swain and Margaret Clark outside St Vigor’s Church

Martin at work on “Sheep Pen”

LIFE on the farm was reflected in a flower festival at St Vigor’s Church in Stratton-on-theFosse.

The festival featured displays by members of Farmborough Floral Art Group and coincided with the annual Open Farm Sunday event held at nearby Church Farm.

Valerie with “Summer”, using flowers from her garden, next to the altar MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Dance festival shows no signs of losing appeal MORE than 1,000 primary school children filled Wells Cathedral Green with colour and laughter when they took part in the Somerset Dance Festival.

Schools from across the county were represented at the annual event, which was in its 41st year. The afternoon began with a procession through the city by pupils dressed in their speciallydesigned costumes and represented by their school’s own banner.

David Hayward, Executive and Liaison Officer for the Somerset Association of Primary Headteachers and Officers, which organises the event, said: “As always, the Folk Dance Festival is a major date in the annual calendar of the county council and is a great example of all that is best about Somerset’s primary schools.

“When it all comes together, and we see the joy and excitement on all the children’s faces when they are dancing, and witness the pride of all the parents and families watching, it makes it all so worthwhile.”

Ashcott School pupils prepare to dance

Pupils from Frome’s St Louis School

Crowds surround the green to watch the festival PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

St Joseph and St Teresa’s School in Wells

Draycott School

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EVENTS

Town festival honours RAF veteran

A REPLICA of a World War Two spitfire aircraft enjoyed pride of place at this year’s Collett Park Festival in Shepton Mallet.

And veteran RAF pilot Ted Madgwick, 92, had no hesitation in climbing into the cockpit. Ted, who moved to Shepton Mallet after the war, in which he served as a test pilot in India, was the guest of honour at the community event.

Ted Madgwick in the cockpit of the Spitfire with Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Severne

Freya and Leah were promoting the work of Mendip Autism Support Group

Up-and-coming Shepton Mallet ABC boxers Tommy Warren and David Colbourne sparring

Dominic Weston’s moustache is dwarfed by the model which was built for last year’s Lantern Parade in the town. Visit: www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk for details of this year’s workshops

Theya opened the Friday night music event with her band

Jodie, Holly and Lucy before the start of the live music on the Friday night of the festival MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 65

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A journey of remembrance Two friends from Wells have made a poignant trip to Belgium to visit the graves of servicemen who died in World War One. Historian Geoff Dickson and Haydn Davis met through their work on the ongoing WWI Trench exhibition at Wells and Mendip Museum. Here, Haydn talks about the trip.

THE reason I sometimes go to Ypres in Belgium is for the history of the place; though outnumbered often by seven to one, the British army held the town for over four years.

I go there also to feel nearer to my father who was one of those men. As a Royal Welch Fusilier, he spent over four years in the trenches; one year and seven months was spent on the Ypres front in Belgium.

He left there after Passchendaele.

The other reason that I went there this time was to say “thank you” to Geoff Dickson for all the help he has given me with my book and his dedication to the “Trench” project in Wells and Mendip Museum. Geoff is a stalwart and knows much about the military.

I served 30 years and have to stay on my toes to keep up with his very good knowledge of my regiment, the 24th Regiment who defended Rorke’s Drift.

Geoff (left) and Haydn at the Hill 62 memorial

My father wore the same boots from the time he left the army until he died. One of my brothers keeps his boots at home today, as a symbol of a man who never complained nor whinged despite five wounds and twice being gassed.

The “Western Front Association” records officer wrote to me when I applied for dad’s medical records: they said they had never issued a set of documents for so many wounds to one man. Two of them head wounds, one very severe. My mother used to cut his hair because the town barber mostly hurt his wound.

My father arrived home in 1919, he was shell shocked and spent six months in a rest centre in Chepstow, whatever they did there it cured him for life.

In 1962 he said to me: “Mostly at night I could hear the shellfire right up until 1932, but, ah, even now, if I close my

Last post is sounded every evening at the Menin Gate PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

eyes and listen I can hear the boys singing even today.”

G Haydn Davies, who runs Wells Reclamation, has written a book about his father’s military career as well as his own.

GEOFF Dickson adds: “After writing our books about WW1, and through Haydn’s efforts in supplying Wells Museum with materials as well as militaria from his own collection we have become good friends, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for taking me to see where my grandfather served, he himself being wounded on three occasions and survived and, most poignant for me, to see the resting places of so many of his friends who up until then were just names in his diary. We will remember them.”

G Geoff edited the WWI diaries of his grandfather and has also written a book about Rorke’s Drift.

Haydn by the grave of a friend of his father on the infamous Menin road

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HISTORY

The story of Weston’s lifeboats THE history of Weston-super-Mare lifeboat station is told in a new book written by local councillor and historian John Crockford-Hawley.

It chronicles the history of the station from its beginning in 1882 up to today when the crew have had to leave their old station on Birnbeck Pier and are now housed in a temporary station at Marine Lake.

An appeal is ongoing to raise funds towards the cost of a new permanent station. The book is an interesting

insight into the way the RNLI has changed with the times but shows that the types of people who man those boats are

The first Weston lifeboat crew – standing: John Hayden, James Doughty, William Lucas, George Hayden, A. Baker, H. Baker.

Sitting: Jack Baker, Fred Baker, Albert Coles, Jack Glover, John Bawden, John Councell, Alf Councell

Calouste Gulbenkian

still the same.

The book is available at the Lifeboat Shop at Anchor Head, price £8.95.

Today's crew

Details: www.westonrnli.org.uk

As ’twere. Coleford steps back in time . . . again

THERE was standing room only at the Royal British Legion in Coleford for an evening of nostalgia to celebrate the launch of a new edition of a living history book about the village.

The Coleford Revival Group used the evening to showcase many previously unseen photographs of Coleford places and people to mark the second edition of Coleford As ‘Twere, edited by Robin Bradbury. The first edition, published to commemorate the Millennium and compiled by the village’s Oral History Group, soon sold out and Robin set about organising an updated reprint. The book costs £8 and any profits will go to the revival group.

Robin Bradbury (standing centre) at the launch. A similar evening will be held on June 26th MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 67

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Let’s talk about death

By Dr PHIL HAMMOND

POLITICIANS are fond of promising the impossible, especially when it comes to the NHS, but no-one can alter the fact that we’re all still going to die. However, there’s a huge amount to be done to ensure as many of us as possible die gently in the place of our choosing.

Three million UK citizens die during a five-year parliament and millions more are bereaved. Better palliative care is one area where the NHS and social care system could make huge improvements in compassionate care and make considerable

financial savings.

Some 50 per cent of deaths are in hospital, yet fewer than five per cent of people say they want to die in hospital. Hospital costs at the end of life can be more than five times the cost of social care in the community, yet many areas lack dedicated support, advice and co-ordination for dying people, their families and carers around the clock.

Unsurprisingly, there are significant variations in the quality of care that people experience depending on where they are, what services are available and what conversations they’ve had about dying. Kate Granger is an inspirational doctor with terminal cancer. She works with elderly patients and has this advice on death planning: “The most important first decision is ‘where?’ Preferred place of death is rarely achieved in the UK and I think that’s because we don’t plan properly. It takes a lot of effort and preparation to die at home successfully. I personally think if it is someone’s wish to die at home and they have been diagnosed with an incurable condition, the planning for that event needs to start then.

“Patients and families need early conversations with health and social care professionals about what support and resources are available so that expectations are not dashed. Medicines for severe pain and distress need to be in the house long before the final crisis.”

A death plan, like organ donation, is far more useful if you tell everyone.

Anyone who might possibly find you on the floor one day needs to know your wishes. If you don’t want to be resuscitated, ask your GP to countersign an official Do Not Resuscitate form and have it on display so anyone coming to your aid can see it. The front of the fridge is a good place. If you don’t have it on display, you may be transferred to hospital for intensive treatment rather than cared for in your home.

I have just experienced superb NHS end of life care for a relative who died in Sherston, Wiltshire – compassionate, collaborative and competent. My step-father Stan had pancreatic cancer and was bed-bound for eight weeks and yet was able to spend all that time at home and say all the things he wanted to say and say goodbye to the people he loved.

The primary care team, community nurses, carers, hospice team, equipment manufacturers and out-of-hours team all communicated well to us and – just as importantly – to each other. It helped that my mum is very fit and was able to do a lot of the caring herself and I was able to take the final two weeks off to spend at home. Had Stan spent his last two months in a hospital or care home, the cost would have been huge.

A humane death is, in my view, the greatest gift that the NHS, society and carers can give to any citizen. The recent report from the Ombudsman shows how far short end-of-life care can fall on occasion; my own experience shows how well it can be done. In an NHS staring down the barrel at a £30 billion deficit, providing better end-of-life care is a no brainer.

But it needs the involvement of the public, some difficult conversations and plenty of planning. The British aren’t great at talking about stuff that matters most (sexual health, mental health, the end of our lives). And yet dying, death and bereavement are part of all of our lives. We only die once. We should do all we can to make it as kind as it can be.

There is more advice on planning your death and improving your NHS care in Dr Phil’s book, Staying Alive. A great website is Dying Matters.

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Happy holidays!

IT’S Friday night and the family have gathered around the dinner table. Mendip Dad is playing his favourite vinyl and youngest son has helped me cook Spaghetti Bolognese. The atmosphere is relaxed, for now…

Mendip Dad and I are tired, we have worked long hours. The girls have arrived back from activities suitably moody and youngest son is weary too. Wistfully, we have looked at the sunshine from office and school windows all week and now it is set to rain all weekend.

The conversation begins amicably as we discuss our up-and-coming holiday and reminisce about holidays past.

Eldest daughter is 17-years-old and holidays en-famille are numbered. We remember a holiday moment in Italy when the children were 11, eight and fouryears-old respectively. We travelled from Milan to Lake Garda, wheelie cases in tow.

We did not hire a car as we had blown the budget on the apartment. Mendip Dad had the bright idea that without a car we could do a weekly family shop in the “ipermercato” and load up our wheelie cases with the goods.

“That was sooo embarrassing,” concludes eldest child as we remember dragging our wheelie cases, sized small to enormous, all bulging with Italian delicacies, through the picturesque streets, as stylish Italians looked on with pity.

“I’ll have to get a proper rucksack when I go travelling,” declares eldest child.

“Why can’t you use a wheelie case?” asks middle-child.

“Because I might want to go trekking and you can’t pull a wheelie case up a mountain and it would be embarrassing to turn up at a hostel with a wheelie case,” she replies (but not in kindly elder sibling tones).

“Why do you have to stay in a hostel?

I’m going to stay in really nice hotels when I go travelling.”

“That’s called a holiday,” explains Dad. “And you will only be able to afford to go away for a week,” helpfully explains eldest daughter.

“Well I am going to do a ski-season anyway…”

And it’s at that point that all three children claim the ski season as their personal idea and the relaxed Friday night ambience turns sour.

Happy holidays everyone!

MENDIP MUM

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New manager at Clare Hall

CLARE Hall is situated in the village of Ston Easton, three miles from Midsomer Norton and 12 miles from both Bristol and Bath providing care for the elderly. It was originally a private house, built in the 18th century and converted to a nursing home in 1986.

New manager, Mrs Bindu Krishnan, said: "Clare Hall has got a particular beauty and sense of belonging to it and screams of potential which I hope to bring out to the maximum.

“The staff here are all very friendly and welcoming which I believe is the foundation for any good nursing home to build its roots on. I have, so far, thoroughly enjoyed working with the team here and look forward to building good relationships with the staff to bring out the best in the home."

Residents find Clare Hall a delightful place to relax. They can choose from one of the well-furnished lounges, bright conservatories, or simply enjoy the comfort of their own rooms.

In summer the extensive gardens provide another option.

Clare Hall know how important it is to keep in touch with friends and family, so guests are always welcome.

HEALTH & FAMILY

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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 69

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Single and looking for a social life . . . then join SPA

An enthusias"c and friendly group of single people who enjoy organised events

For more informa"on go to www.singleprofessionalassocia"on.co.uk email: wellsandmendip@yahoo.co.uk Or contact Anne – 01934 743139 Veronica – 01749 330455

New classes at Kilver Court Tuesday mornings 9.30 - improvers • 10.45 - beginners For more details contact: clare@somerpilates.co.uk 01761 233466 / 07782 268252

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Help to lose weight

STRUGGLING WITH YOUR WEIGHT? NEED MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE? WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?

HYPNOTHERAPY can help with the difficult task of losing weight, according to local expert Miranda Robarts-Arnold. She says most of us do know how to eat healthily but get stuck with how to maintain it.

She said: “Hypnotherapy is relaxing and lowers the confusion and anxiety about whether what you are doing weight-wise ‘is working’. It helps you to identify what will work for you, what is reasonable within your own life and gives you the confidence to stick with what you decide.”

HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP! Initial consultation and relaxation CD

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CAN YOUR HEART FLY IN JULY?

Tel: 01373 453355 Is there something troubling you?

We’re here to help. Low cost counselling places available in Street, Bristol, Bath & Frome.

Clinics held at: Wells Chiropractic & Osteopathy Centre BA5 1XJ Chew Medical Centre BS40 8UE

www.wessexcounselling.co.uk Registered charity number 1056310

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MENDIP TIMES

Society shows its fun side

MEMBERS of Priddy Friendly Society gathered in the village for their annual club day – a mixture of history and hilarity.

Following the roll call, held outside the Queen Victoria Inn, the society members took part in a parade to the village church before lunch on the green and an afternoon of not-tooserious games.

Alex Barlow calls out the register of society members

Youngsters set off in a sack race…

. . . but Ollie Payne finds it hard going . . .

The parade leaves the Queen Victoria

Bookkeeping: Linda Maine, Rhona Gauld and Indra Cotton make sure members had paid their subscriptions

M a k i n g f r i en d s a t h o m e a n d a b ro a d

MEMBERS of Cheddar Twinning Association travelled to Vernouillet in France’s Loire Valley to celebrate 15 years since the signing of their twinning agreement.

Two days of visits culminated in a buffet and exchange of gifts – Cheddar was given a French post box and Cheddar parish council presented their hosts with a beautiful vase.

Next year the French will travel to Cheddar. Both Cheddar and Vernouillet are also twinned with Felsberg in Germany. In two years’ time Cheddar will celebrate 30 years of friendship with Felsberg, when the Germans come to Cheddar.

The association organises various events during the year.

Details: Cheddar Twinning Association 01934 744095

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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Church café celebrates

Bell ringers (l to r) Pete and Shirley Edwards, Colin Bennett and Jon Duerr

Freddie, aged nine, The Rev Charles Roberts, Anne Bennett and Henry, aged eight, as Anne cuts the birthday cake

ST MARY'S Church in Stanton Drew was packed as everyone celebrated its community cafe's first birthday.

This monthly event has been a huge success with villagers enjoying the chance to catch up with each other over bacon and sausage butties, or coffee and cake, and potter round the stalls while the children play in a special area set aside, with everyone getting to know new

faces of all ages.

The cafe was born from a joint idea from Karen Lyne and Anne Bennett, who are both delighted with its success. During the morning visitors were treated to a song from the newly-formed Stanton Community Choir, and also to bell ringing.

The cafe is held on the second Saturday of each month at St Mary's Church, from 10am until 12noon.

Karen and Mark Lyne cooking and serving breakfast

COMMUNITY

Village agents win support

Village agent manager Jinny Uppington, left with Keeley Rudd CCS chief executive

THE Community Council for Somerset has been awarded £499,933 from The Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund towards its Somerset Village Agent Project.

This not only allows for the current work to continue but also to extend the Somerset village agents’ roles to just over half of Somerset.

The agents support the communities they live in, working at the very heart of those communities and being the eyes and ears on the ground.

Working with individuals and groups and responding to community need, they were really put to the test when the Somerset Levels and Moors flooded along with flash flooding across the county.

Somerset village agent manager, Jinny Uppington, said: “We are thrilled to have won this money alongside funding from The Tudor Trust and Taunton Deane Borough Council amongst others. This will enable us to carry on our good work and build on our successes to date.”

Community support

LOCAL people have celebrated the installation of a defibrillator in Allerton. Rotary’s international charity The Rotary Foundation made a grant of £500 which was matched by the Rotary Club of Mendip.

This sum, together with major contributions from Allerton’s parish council, harvest home and cricket club, other village clubs and local donors, with support from Jon and Alison Newberry, enabled the unit to be installed at a local pub.

Pictured (l to r) are Henry Pomeroy, chair of Allerton Parish Council, Matt Paul of Allerton Harvest Home, Mike Hiles president of Mendip Rotary Club, Andrew Cook of Allerton Cricket Club, and project co-ordinator Rotarian Scott McIntosh.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 73

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A royal day out

Pensford’s monthly market

Janet Ogilvie and Brenda Stone manning the bedding plants stall.

THE next morning market, which is held monthly in Pensford in aid of Publow Church, will be held on Saturday July 4th, from 10am until 11.30am at Pensford Church Rooms.

Besides the home-baking and preserves, there will be lots of bedding plants from Stephen Young, plus a book table and a bring-and-buy stall. At last month's market a total of £242.85 was raised for church funds.

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

Cobi outside the gates of Buckingham Palace

ON Tuesday, June 2nd, I attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the centenary of the Women’s Institute.

There were 8,000 WI ladies in attendance (one member from each WI in the UK) and I was very lucky to be representing Strawberry Line WI in Cranmore.

It was a wonderful feeling walking through the main gates and into the palace. We walked up a red carpeted staircase and through a formal room with beautiful displays of china, then into the stunning gardens.

There are 40 acres of immaculate garden incorporating a lake (with ducklings!), rose garden (in bloom), various follies, many mature trees, a tennis court and long herbaceous beds of perennials.

There were two military bands playing. The national anthem sounded at 3pm and signalled entrance of the royal party (the Duchesses of Cornwall and Gloucester, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra). They chatted to pre-selected ladies in the crowd, guarded by Beefeaters).

Then it was time for tea! A delicious buffet of dainty cucumber & mint sandwiches and amazing cakes, served with English tea or iced coffee. Followed by silver platters of Marshfield icecream.

At 4.30pm the band played the national anthem again and the royal party departed. It was time to go back out into the real world! The afternoon was magical and felt like a dream.

It is a memory I’ll always treasure. Thanks to WI for this unique, once in a lifetime opportunity.

Cobi Snelson Strawberry Line WI PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Village hall renovated

Pictured (l to r) are Doris Smart cutting the ribbon with the Rev. Victor Barley, Andrew Troop and Roy Ireson.

CHEW Stoke's oldest resident, Doris Smart, who was born in 1918 at Temple Cloud, cut the ribbon at the re-opening of Chew Stoke Church Hall, after its extensive renovations, before leading everyone into the hall and the waiting buffet lunch.

The project took just over two years from the date of the first village meeting and has cost around

£120,000.

Roy Ireson, who managed the project, said: “Fundraising has been excellent with a social committee organising virtually monthly events. As well as Chew Stoke residents being very generous in their donations, we have also received grants and donations from local businesses and organisations.”

The hall has a new extension, toilets (including disabled and baby changing station), a bar area, entrance lobby and proscenium arch. It has also been insulated, re-plastered and repainted.

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COMMUNITY

Heritage quilt takes shape

MOST of the sections of a unique “heirloom” quilt project celebrating life in Frome have been completed ahead of its unveiling in July.

The Home in Frome community heritage project has been hosting a series of workshops for people to contribute to a patchwork quilt illustrating the town through the eyes of different generations.

Poems and other pieces of text will be sewn into the sections based on people’s memories and experiences of the town.

Many of the workshops took place at the Blue House in the town, led by artist Mel Day and writer David Davies. The quilt will be unveiled on Saturday, July 4th at the Black Swan Gallery where it will hang until the end of August.

Members of the Home in Frome team with artists and quiltmakers at the Blue House

This piece recalls the days when circus elephants were led along the Portway

Rook Lane Chapel is celebrated in one of the pieces Merryn and Jenna with artist Alice Vaas

Working on one of the patchworks MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

MOTORING

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Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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House prices on the rise

HOUSE prices in the South West jumped sharply in May, despite the number of homes per UK surveyor falling to a record low since the data series began in January 1978, according to the latest residential market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

It says any hopes for a post-election supply bounce failed to materialise as the region saw the fourth consecutive monthly fall in supply.

While 46% more surveyors saw prices rise in May (the same month in which the Nationwide Building Society estimated that the average price of a home in the UK has now climbed to £195,000), supply to the market declined for the fourth consecutive month with 22% more surveyors reporting a drop in new instructions.

Despite the sharp rise in new buyer enquiries (30% more surveyors reported an increase in enquiries, compared to 7% in April), 39% more surveyors in the South West expect prices to rise over the next three months.

In the lettings market, tenant demand in the South West increased significantly in May (on a non-seasonally adjusted basis) and respondents’ anticipate rents will rise above the UK average (2.7%) at 3.6% over the next 12 months.

Historic house changes hands

PROPERTY WINSCOMBE, NORTH SOMERSET

A spacious detached farmhouse located close to the centre of the village, standing in large level gardens with substantial outbuildings and potential building plot (subject to PP). Three principal reception rooms, four double bedrooms. Large kitchen with Aga, utility and cloaks. EPC: G. Ref: 6288/33 PRICE GUIDE £599,950

SHIPHAM, SOMERSET

Investment/Development opportunity: Site on outskirts of village with planning for 11 holiday lets, 3 log cabins, parking – all in a rural location with superb Mendip Country on the doorstep. Beside existing holiday business. Ref: 24879 PRICE GUIDE £425,000

Wrington Tel: 01934 864300

THE house known as Sungate, in Church Street, Cheddar is worth taking a look at when in the vicinty. Built over 200 years ago, it is a listed building in the Cheddar

Conservation Area.

The house retains its original sash windows. Some of the original panes still exist and are as little as 1mm thick, but surprisingly strong even so. Inside, some of these windows still have the original interior shutters.

A feature of note are the metal lyres forming the parapet around the top of the porch. One or two broken or missing ones have been recast and they have been remounted. The front wrought iron gate, representing the sun and clouds, was designed a few years ago by a local artist and made by a local craftsman.

Originally a family house until after the war, then offices for a short time, it has for the last 30 years been operating as four well-appointed holiday apartments. The house is now in the course of being sold.

The prospective new owners plan to change it back to a private house. Consequently the present owner plans to sell off the remaining contents (if not previously bought) in a grand house contents sale. There should be many bargains! It will also be an opportunity to see interesting architectural features in the interior.

SALE OF CONTENTS OF

SUNGATE Church Street, Cheddar BS27 3RA Sunday 5th July 2015 10am – 5pm The remaining contents of 4 high-quality self-catering apartments, including: Beds and bedding, bedroom furniture Tables, chairs, easy chairs, sofa beds Kitchen equipment, pans, cutlery, crockery etc. etc.

An amazing variety of stuff!

Car parking: Behind Sungate for collections and disabled only.

Please use Budgens Car Park when viewing sale Payment: Cash preferred, or cheques Enquiries (including pre-sale offers): 01934 842273 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 77

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MENDIP TIMES

Lois is hoping for a vintage year

1950s fan Lois Wickett is hoping to win a place in the finals of a national competition celebrating people’s love of vintage fashion.

Lois entered the Miss Vintage UK contest which asks people to judge contestants via a facebook page before voting for their favourites.

Vintage fan Lois Wickett Inspired by her grandmother’s love of fashion, Lois is the vintage expert at Wells Trading Post.

Lois hopes to hear in July if she has made it through to the finals, which will be held at the Twinwood vintage music and dance festival in Bedfordshire at the end of August.

Fun day may be just the start

Mandy Robertson (centre) with two of her fellow organisers, Kim Richards (left) and Alex White

ORGANISERS of a fundraising event in Binegar to help schoolchildren in Kenya say they were overwhelmed by the support they received in raising more than £2,000.

The free event was the idea of teacher Mandy Robertson, who lives in the village but is a member of staff at Brookside Academy in Street. The school is twinned with Ikumba School in Kenya.

Money raised by the fun day will help buy stationery and books for the Kenyan children.

Local band the Harlem Rhythm Cats played on the outside stage

Kids day out

Alma and Petra were amongst the visitors

MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Mendip took some local children out for the day to Crealy Park near Exeter. Kids Out has been run by Rotary since 1990 to give children an experience that brings both fun and happiness into their lives.

Nationally more than 100 venues and 10,000 Rotary volunteers have catered for some 25,000 youngsters.

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

NEWS

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Templeton gets deeper little by little

With PHILIP HENDY

CAVING

THE cave dig at Templeton has been very slow to give up its secrets. Since a small hole opened up in a field in 2000, and after a false start when the dig kept slumping, progress has been

steady.

A digger and then a mini-digger were used to excavate to a depth of 11 metres, after which digging by hand, with the aid of a motorised winch, brought the shaft down to 50 metres below ground level in 2008. There were severe delays in the previous two years, when flooding required an elaborate system of pumps to raise water to the surface.

At the 50-metre level, a solid bedrock floor was reached, but a constricted choked tunnel to the south was dug in extreme conditions, with lots of liquid mud, until it was realised that this was only an inlet. A choked shaft at the north end of the dig has been excavated to a further depth of more than 20 metres. Again, flooding caused problems, until a small rift was opened in the floor, and the water disappeared.

It had been previously noted that water in the main shaft never exceeded a certain level, which seemed to be where there was a tiny, centimetre-wide crack in the wall.

The crack was widened a little, and it was proved that water pumped into it did not return. Patiently widening the crack and forcing the way along it took more than a year, but in early 2012 a ten-metre shaft, the South Pot, was reached and descended.

The walls were decorated with flowstone, and the floor was a mass of stones, descending to a choked pit in one corner.

It had been decided at the outset that every bit of loose rock and mud would be taken up to the surface, and the floor of the pot was excavated down to bedrock, when the pit at the bottom was seen to be blind – except for a small crack, where water appeared to sink.

Widening this crevice to make it mansized started in March 2014. Progress at first was slow, but the presence of an inward draught, and later an echo from beyond, spurred the diggers on, and explosives were used to speed things up.

Finally, in late April, it was possible to peer down a shaft, measured at 13 metres and

South Echo Pot

named South Echo Pot. Further work was needed at the top of the shaft to make it accessible, but on May 27th, the first descent was made.

The pot widened at depth to nearly three metres across, with some slight traces of flowstone on the walls. Unfortunately, instead of the diggers being able to march off into the unknown, the only way on seems to be a narrow rift in the floor.

Enthusiasm is still high, however, because it appears to widen at depth, there is still an inward draught, and a trickle of water can be heard.

It will be necessary to install a fixed iron ladder to facilitate access, and arrange a winching system to remove the spoil, so it is not likely that the diggers will be knocking on the back door of Wookey Hole very soon. This is not seen as a problem, since the team has invested so much time and effort into the Templeton dig that it would be a shame to stop now, and go somewhere else.

Because cave diggers are forever pushing forward into unknown territory, and having to deal with loose rocks and collapsing mud walls, their pastime is more hazardous than run-of-the-mill sport caving. Non-cavers usually see caving as a dangerous pursuit, but because of the inherent risks, participants take great care to stay safe. Thankfully, accidents and incidents are few and far between.

This can be put down to better leadership and training, but also because clothing and equipment, especially lighting, is far better than it was in the past. Gone are the days of army-surplus clothing and retired Coal

(Photography by Dave Turner)

Caving page:Layout 1

Board lamps. Warm and waterproof garments have been developed for cavers by cavers. Modern lighting technology, especially with the advent of LED lights which run for hours on small batteries, is more reliable than ever before.

None of us is complacent however, and the Mendip Cave Rescue Organisation can be called upon at any time to aid lost or injured cavers. It is run by a team of wardens, all experienced cavers, who can ask for medically-qualified cavers or cave divers depending on the situation. In practise, many other cavers will volunteer their services as necessary, as runners, or radio operators, or just to carry equipment into a cave, and help with evacuating a casualty.

The wardens and others hold practices from time to time, to familiarise themselves with the rescue equipment and to rehearse possible incident scenarios. One such practice was held recently in Gough’s Cave, thanks to Hugh Cornwell, director of Cheddar Caves. Around 30 wardens and cavers went to the Mushroom Chamber, where various medical emergencies were simulated, and dealt with.

The evening went very well, and training officer, Adrian Vanderplank, said that they all learnt a lot and are better prepared for any incident in any cave.

Although they work under the auspices of the police and can call upon other emergency services, such as an ambulance, all of the underground rescue work is done by the MCRO – a case of cavers rescuing cavers, at no public expense.

Phil has been caving for more than 47 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several caving publications and is a caving instructor in Cheddar. His main interest is digging for new caves.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 79

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MENDIP TIMES

The key to Kingfisher’s success KINGFISHER director, Michelle McQuarrie, knows how experiencing and overcoming difficult times can not only toughen us up but can shape our lives for the better. Back in 2009 her husband was badly injured and he needed a great deal of care and attention.

In turn Michelle needed employers who understood and were sympathetic to the situation. She was lucky – she had two!

She said: “I was working part-time for Cheddar Motors and for Kingfisher Windows and the way they helped me made me appreciate the true value of good employer/staff relations. I learned lessons that have stood me in good stead.”

Now a director of Kingfisher, Michelle believes the most important lesson she learned was the way in which a happy work environment benefits a company’s customers.

She said: “In any well-run firm there has to be a structure and a hierarchy but when an ‘us and them’ attitude creeps in then disgruntled employees soon let customers know how they are thinking.”

Along with the other directors of

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Kingfisher, Angie and Peter Hicks, Michelle has ensured that a genuine team spirit exists in the company and that everyone there buys into the company philosophy.

Michelle heads up the financial and administrative side at Kingfisher, but, above all, loves the relationships that develop with the customers.

She said: “So much of our business comes from recommendations and referrals and this we put down to the fact that customers trust us and never feel under pressure. Whatever their requirements we give honest, informed advice and leave them to make decisions in their own time.”

Kingfisher continues to be very much a family firm. Founded by her uncle John 30 years ago, Michelle believes its values today are little different from the way they were at the start: “Back then Uncle John just loved going into work and, in that respect nothing much has changed. We still all love arriving in the morning and those friendships we develop with our customers make every day special.”

Michelle acknowledges that no company

can rest on its laurels – but by the same token she, together with Angie and Peter, are committed to maintaining the Kingfisher ethos.

She said: “We are growing the company steadily and responsibly and we continue to invest in the facilities we offer and the training of all our staff. But above all we are determined to ensure that whenever any of our customers is asked where to go for windows, doors, cladding and conservatories, they will recommend Kingfisher.”

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Unique furniture

BASED in North Somerset, Chunky Reclaimed Furniture creates solid, functional pieces of furniture for home, office, studio or garden.

Guy Mitson’s aim is to make good looking, chunky pieces of furniture that will last a lifetime – using wood reclaimed from the south west and wales.

His designs are deliberately simple, preferring to let the knots, splits and signs of previous use in the wood do the talking. The end result is a unique piece of bespoke furniture that is full of character.

Most of the items he makes are made to his customers’ requirements, many of whom are looking for something a bit more solid and individual than they would get on the high street. Computer desks are always very popular, as is garden furniture at this time of year.

HOMES & INTERIORS

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MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 81

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MENDIP TIMES

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BI-FOLDING DOORS • SUN ROOMS • HERITAGE PRODUCTS

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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JACKSONS

Jacksons Fencing – news, topical treats and more . . .

A simple shelter that makes a delightful ‘retreat’ in any garden . . .

AFTER showing you some of our very lovely customer projects over the last few months, to help inspire you with your own garden projects, I thought it was high time I showed you something tempting from the Jacksons range. Something suitably summery, that may capture your imagination and make you keen to have something like it in your own outdoor space.

I think this may be it; we created the Retreat shelter a couple of years ago, it was inspired by a structure in one of our Jacksons show gardens (The Sanctuary Garden by Joanne Winn). It was a simple garden shelter with a back, one side and a roof, that had the option of having a polycarbonate covering to make it a bit more shower-proof – pretty handy with our typical British summers. One of the bonuses with this standard, single unit Retreat, is the size; it’s not massive with a modest footprint of roughly 3.3m wide by 1.9m, but as you can see that’s plenty big enough to accommodate a four piece garden seating set, including a table. So it’s the sort of size that can nestle easily into a corner of a small courtyard or garden.

However if you wanted to be more ambitious you can add to this standard Retreat by adding panels or doubling depth

Jacksons Woven Retreat garden shelter

etc. so if you wanted something bigger have a chat to Jackson’s sales team. The original Retreat was designed with Venetian panels (simple horizontal slats) which looked great, this new version Retreat has our new Woven panels which I think looks even better and creates

WIN £300

OF

wonderful light and shade effects when the sun shines through the panels. Visit: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal or call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre. louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

JACKSONS VOUCHERS

To enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win £300 of Jacksons vouchers simply log on to your dedicated page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 31.08.15.

To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 83

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MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE

HOMES & INTERIORS

YOUR OWN MODERN DAY BUTLER

All the little jobs around the house For a trustworthy, reliable and punctual service

Tel: Andy on 07929 336129 or 01761 239045

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Carpets Vinyls Wood Flooring Safety flooring specialist Natural flooring Bespoke rugs Mix and match designer range Domestic and commercial supplied and fitted

Showroom 1, Evercreech Junction, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6NA T: 01749 831578 www.dr-carpets.co.uk

We carefully dismantle your oven and cleanse it in our specially designed, heated dip tank.

From top to bottom, inside and out.

As good as new, with a no mess guarantee.

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All sizes graded and single size

ROAD PLANINGS LIAS STONE Large or small quantities supplied

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NEW – The Country Living Bembridge wood-burning stove from Charnwood.

Available from August Behind Shell Garage Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS

Tel: 01934 626093/813261 www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 85

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

Preschool

Nursery

Forest School

Ofsted 2015 - Staff support children's emotional well-being extremely well and have a very good knowledge of their individual needs, positively supporting children's learning with effective modelling and questioning

Funding now available for 2-3-4 year olds

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Youngsters from Churchill, Yatton, Congresbury and Weston enjoyed sunny holiday workshops in Churchill before making their own pasties for lunch under the guidance food technology teacher, Jacquelene Seel from the Creative Skills Academy.

Award winning Children’s Day Nursery

Next Steps Childcare Centre

Baby room - Nursery - Pre-school - Forest School

Highly qualified team. Excellent secure rural location.

Funding available for 2-3-4 year olds Gardening, Yoga, Music & Dance, Cookery

WEARE Academy First School has celebrated its 120th birthday in true Victorian style! For one day they all dressed in Victorian costume; the children experienced sitting in rows, writing on slates and copybook writing with dip pens and ink.

The school is holding a summer fun night on Friday July 10th with a Victorian funfair theme and everyone is welcome, including former pupils and staff.

01749 346808

www.nextstepschildcare.com

Wells Road Latcham Wedmore BS28 4SA

The Royal Bath & West Showground Shepton Mallet BA4 6QL

www.littleowlschildcare.com

2015 Ofsted inspection rated our "Contribution of the Early Years Provision to the well-being of the children" as Outstanding

01934 713527

Going back in time

EDUCATION

Pupils and staff wish the school Happy 120th Birthday!

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Leigh Country Fayre MAYPOLE dancing and a fun dog show were some of the attractions at Leigh on Mendip’s annual country fair.

Proceeds from the community event are split evenly between several village organisations.

Pupils from the village school before the maypole dance

Lily and Charlie won the prize for the owner looking most like their dog

Butcombe

It’s a rat splat! Young and old took up the challenge

Shaun Cummins with Thomas (right) and Samuel on the Beat the Goalie stand

The Old Rectory was a perfect setting

Some of the medal winners with church warden Jane Pemberton and the event's host Nicholas Vester PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Youngsters warm up for the maypole dance

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Tower open day

Queen Charlton’s Summer Fête

EVENTS

MC Jeremy Furber with special guest Noel Edmonds

James Todd and Sian Todd Davies, who were giving guided tours, with a couple of visitors who made it to the top

THE Friends of Pensford’s St. a Thomas Becket Tower hold a tea party every year to encourage interest in this medieval building and to raise some money to help the Churches Conservation Trust, (CCT) who have restored it and are maintaining it.

Afternoon teas are served and home-made cakes are sold in the Church Rooms, while there are also guided tours to the top of the tower, with an opportunity to see the ancient oak bell frame and lock mechanism and also to admire the views.

The tower is open most days during daylight hours and has been used for small services and communions and also as a quiet place for people who want somewhere peaceful to reflect and pray.

Although St. Thomas a Becket Church became redundant in 1971, after being closed following the 1968 flood, its tower remained consecrated and in 1992 was taken into the care of the C.C.T., who, with contributions from parishioners and friends, repaired and refurbished it.

It was officially opened and rededicated in 2011.

QUEEN Charlton’s summer fete drew the crowds, and celebrities, with a selection of classic cars greeting visitors as they poured down the road. Money raised will go to St Margaret's Church and the village hall.

Bristol Morris Men who entertained visitors Pictured (l to r) Matthew and Jane Critton, Katherine and Jolyon Laycock, and Noreen Busby

Pictured (l to r) Kai, Mark and Yin Minto and David Jenkins, who was celebrating his birthday

Points West newsreader, Alex Lovell, who opened the fete, with Sam and Sidney Rendell and their reproduction Tardis MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 89

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Mendip Times 10th anniversary party

EVENTS

Photos by Louis Smith & Ros Anstey

5 6 1 2

7

3 4

8 An evening with friends at Yeo Valley’s Fodder restaurant Photo 1: The High Sheriff of Somerset, Lucy Nelson (second right) with (l to r) Elizabeth Rugman, Jennie Goode and Penny Adair Photo 2: The Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mary Prior (left), husband John and Jonathan and Rachel Baker Photo 3: Sir David and Lady Paula Wills with Les Davies (right) Photo 4: Sarah Jackson from Mendip AONB with Martin Bentham Photo 5: The Fodder restaurant was packed for the evening Photo 6: Steve Egginton (left), Michael Eavis and Mark Adler Photo 7: Anniversary cake made by Gabi Hochkeppler Photo 8: Guests tuck into supper

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New CD benefits charity

THE Armour Of Light, a new CD of sacred choral music created by American composer Gary Davison, will be launched at Wells Cathedral on Sunday June 28th. The recording features music sung by Wells Cathedral Choir and conducted by organist and master of the choristers Matthew Owens.

Music from the CD will be featured that day at three cathedral services: Eucharist at 9:45am, Matins at 11:30am and Evensong at 3pm. Proceeds from sales of the CD will be donated to the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust.

The CD features 20 compositions, including a number written

by Mr Davison for Wells Cathedral Choir. He first heard the choir n 2006 while on a tour of UK cathedrals, abbeys and collegiate chapels: He said: “Happily, Wells Cathedral was on my itinerary.

Straightaway, I knew I was hearing the best of the best from the opening responses of that late autumn Evensong. That impression has proven to be accurate and has been the seed of this recording.”

Matthew Owens said: “Gary has become a good friend of all of us here and we were thrilled to make the CD last year and delighted that he is coming from Washington, D.C. for its official launch.”

Mr Davison has become a patron of the trust, which is building two endowment funds to provide bursaries for choristers. So far it has awarded £209,700 to choristers to support their education and musical training.

Royal command performance

MUSIC

THE Bleadon WI Choir, The Bleadon Belles, have had their big moment – singing at the Royal Albert Hall at the centenary AGM of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, attended by the Queen, the Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex.

Together with Andrew King, their talented young choirmaster, and accompanied by brilliant Weston pianist Richard Lennox, the choir were invited to sing three songs, after winning a national WI competition to be there.

On the big day they were supported in Bleadon by a large group of villagers watching via an internet link at the Post Office Café. The choir was only formed a year ago.

Welcome to Wookey Hole

A GROUP of young handbell ringers from the University Christian Church of Fort Worth, Texas will give a free concert at St Mary Magdalene Church, Wookey Hole as part of their UK tour on Wednesday July 15th at 7.30pm.

There are 19 of them, playing sacred, spiritual and traditional music on a set of English handbells. Entry is free.

Music in the aisles

HISTORIC Holcombe Old Church will be the venue for a musical performance with a difference in July.

The theatre group Curtain Up will be performing “Happy as a Sandbag” and a medley from Les Miserables and then Dancing, in which everyone will be encouraged to join in.

The Churches Conservation Trust will stage an exhibition of local archaeology and history. Other events at the event on Saturday, July 18th starting at 12.30pm will include a floral display and barbecue.

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Peasedown Party in the Park

Freya, aged three, and Kora, aged five, enjoying one of the rides

Taren Gosz, aged seven, enjoyed herself

Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions are trying to encourage a new Lions group to start in Peasedown. They were also promoting their duck race in Midsomer Norton on July 11th. Pictured (l to r) are Alan Denham, Sally Marsh and Colin Marsh.

Shine Dance have been named world champion street dancers

The crowds were big despite early morning rain

Nina Philips won the village's Sara Holley Community Award and is pictured with her family and the family of the late Sara Holley PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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EVENTS

Ubley Village Fête

The Alice in Wonderland competition (l to r) Annabel, Felix, Sophie and Libby – Felix won

Skittles was popular

The burger kings (left to right) Alistair, Charlie and John Fenn

The bottle stall was busy

Ubley School pupils gave a demonstration of country dancing

Dr Gill Peacock (left) who hosted the event and her daughter Dr Christie Peacock MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 93

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Love horses? Shall we club together?

Jo Rossier (left) with Sunny and Sally Willmott with Fitz

TWO horse riding friends are exploring the idea of launching a new club for like-minded people in East Mendip.

Sally Willmott and Jo Rossiter believe they can fill a gap in the area for an informal club affiliated to the British Horse Society where owners and riders can meet.

Both stable their horses by invitation at the Divoky Riding School at Downhead where the club would be based and which would meet on Sunday afternoons for events and clinics. The idea has the support of the Mendip Bridleways and Byways Association.

If it goes ahead, the EMRC would aim to cater for riders over 18 years old. Any competitions would be run under relevant rules, but the club would also cater for “happy hackers”.

Jo, from Frome, said: “The emphasis would be Sally Willmott hopes the club on the social side; idea will there’d be no pressure appeal on anyone to compete unless they wanted to. It could just be a chance for people to meet up and go for a hack around the area’s bridleways.”

Sally, who lives near Stoke St Michael, added: “There is always a learning curve in riding. No matter how experienced a person might be, you can always learn from other people.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the idea of the club should contact Jo at: eastmendipridingclub@gmail.com

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Practice is perfect

The Stables Equine Practice team and guests at the opening of the centre

AN estimated 400 visitors attended the official opening of the new Stables Equine Practice centre near Wells.

The team at the centre at Wookey staged demonstrations and displays as well as tours of the purpose-built complex.

Amongst the VIPs was Mary Webb, the first client of vet Nicko Robertson after he established a practice in Somerset in 1997 and Mary cut the Nicko Robertson and Percy ribbon to open the centre.

Also amongst the VIPs was a film star called Percy: a horse owned by Caroline Taylor of Shepton Mallet. Percy has appeared in many feature films, including Braveheart, in which he was ridden by Mel Gibson.

Caroline Taylor and Percy, who is patron of the Veteran Horse Society

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Triple success for Jess

JESSICA Bowden, aged 11, who joined Mendip Farmers Pony Club just 18 months ago, enjoyed triple success at Wylye Valley Pony Club’s race day at Wincanton on her first attempt at pony racing.

After being awarded her silks, and being judged best turned out in her category, she and her pony, Zoe, went on to win their first race. She’s now looking forward to her maiden mile.

Jessica lives in West Harptree, where parents Judy and Peter run the village stores.

Frankly comes first

JO Clarke, riding Frankly, got off to a good start to the season with first place at Pontispool Open Novice.

Jo, from Tunley Equestrian Centre, has faced significant costs with Frankly being entered for the larger, higher level competitions.

The win at Pontispool was only possible because of the money raised through Friends of Frankly – Frankly’s online supporters club. Supporters have also been busy organising public appearances for Frankly at local village shows.

Over the rainbow

RIDING

YOUNG horserider Lucy Mae Bush – who trains at Wellow Riding for the Disabled – has helped a south west team achieve fifth place in a national competition.

Lucy Mae, aged Lucy Mae and Rainbow 12 and riding Rainbow II owned by Judy Shellard, competed for the region in the Home International Para Dressage Competition at Valeview Equestrian in Leicestershire against eight other teams.

She narrowly missed out on an individual rosette, being placed 7th.

The youngster has been coached at Wellow by Anne Allen since she was two years old and has competed at regional and national level. When she was eight, Lucy Mae started on the para rider development pathway and was talent-spotted the following year. Lucy Mae also competes regularly in ablebodied dressage competitions.

A spokeswoman for the Wellow branch said: “The para coaches have seen massive potential in Lucy and Rainbow and it is clear that Lucy has the ability and ambition to make it to the top of her sport. Lucy is a huge inspiration to all the young riders at Wellow RDA and supported greatly by the Shellard family at the trekking centre.”

A sponsored fun ride in aid of Wellow RDA and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance will be held on Sunday, June 28th from Ford Farm at Wellow. For details, visit: www.wellow-rda.org.uk

C J PUDDY SADDLERY Telephone: 01761 479600

For all your riding needs this summer, visit us at Unit 1, Westway Garage, Marksbury, Bath, Somerset BA2 9HN. Open Mon-Sat: 9.30 to 17.30.

Sun: 11.00 to 16.00.

20% discount with this ad on fly rugs, fly masks and children’s clothing

www.cjpuddysaddlery.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 95

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Soccer kit donated

FROME Town Football Club has donated some of its old first team match kit to Farleigh Further Education College in the town.

Part of the Priory Group, Farleigh is an independent specialist residential college for young people aged 16 to 25 with autistic spectrum disorders, Asperger’s syndrome and associated complex needs.

With plenty of keen footballers in their ranks the college formed its own team and were guests of Frome at their match last season against Dorchester Town in the Southern Premier Division. Frome Town kit manager Louise Coate organised the handover.

Ian Pearce, from Frome Town FC, said: “All at Frome Town wish the college team the best of luck for the season ahead.”

Sports awards

Page 96

Zac’s on top of the world

Zac with his England team mates. Latvia were second and Austria third

NORTON Hill School student Zac Hudd has helped an England team retain the Under-17 World Schools Orienteering Championship.

Zac, 15, travelled to Antalya in Turkey with 25 other team members to join athletes from more than 20 different countries for the event. The event takes place every two years, and is held in a different county each time.

The competition consisted of a long race and a short race over the week. Although orienteering is normally an individual sport, this competition took the accumulated time from the best three runs of each country’s team of five athletes.

A 12-YEAR-OLD all-round Aurelio Calipa athlete from Street has been named as a runner-up in the Young Sports Achiever of the Year Award at this year’s Somerset Sports Awards.

Aurelio Calipa has already represented GB in his age bracket as a biathlete and is now setting his sights on becoming a triathlete.

The award was made by the Somerset charity TS5C which was set up to help promising youngsters with some of the costs involved in achieving their ambitions.

Alan Gloak, chairman of the charity, said: “He has a few years to go but has the essential streak of determination that I am sure will get him to the top.”

Liam Brown was crowned the winner of the TS5C category The 18 year old BMX rider is from Chard.

TS5C is a charity funded entirely by voluntary contributions. For details visit www.ts5c.org

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Croquet is popular

IT may have been a cold spring – but beginners taking part in Camerton and Peasedown Croquet Club’s beginner course found a very warm welcome.

With over 15 beginners the club needed to call on all its five accredited coaches and some club members acting as assistants.

Coach, Brian Wilson, said: “Our current members will be in for a shock as this year’s beginners will be giving the better players a good run for their money.”

Details: If you want to try croquet, contact Mo Boys on 01225 708540 or Ros Key Pugh on 01225 427525.

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SPORT

In for the long fun run

By Mark Adler

RUNNERS from Wells City Harriers led the way in the city’s annual 10 kilometre race, organised by the club.

Keiran Young, Tim Hawkins and Tom Dukes took the first three men’s places with Clare Prosser taking the women’s title.

But the event – which also featured a 5km run and 1.2km and 800 metre races for youngsters – was also about having fun and raising money for charity.

The 10km race heads down Wells High Street

Jodi Fancy (bottom right), her family and friends took part to raise money for the Lily Foundation, a charity researching a cure for mitochondrial disease. Jodi lost her young son Kian to the illness.

Details: thelilyfoundation.org.uk

Chicken run: Tim Angel (left) and Ian Williams. Tim has been running half marathons in the suit across the UK in aid of Wells Catheral

Members of Up and Running – a scheme organised by Wells City Harriers to encourage novices to take up the sport – prepare to tackle their first big challenge

Martyn Cox as the sweeper: the last marshal on the route making sure everyone got home safely

These under-12 Wells Cathedral School pupils took part to raise money for the city’s foodbank project, raising more than £250 in addition to shopping vouchers MENDIP ??

ENDIP TIMES IMES • JUNE ULY 2015 • PAGE 97

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Sevens tournament scores on all counts

By Mark Adler

DOZENS of rugby players and supporters enjoyed a weekend of sevens action at the annual Castle Cary Kay’s 7s charity tournament.

Men’s and ladies’ teams took part in the event which was expected to have raised several thousand pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Sailor Jerrys, a team which includes personnel from the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton, took the honours 327 in the men’s final versus Frosty Jacks, whilst there was a surprise in the ladies’ competition. Predators – made up of players from around the world – beat the Moody Cows 28-24.

The Predators were joined by members of Castle Cary’s ladies team in the competition whilst the Moodys welcomed their youngest player: local schoolgirl Chloe Wraith was acting as a water

Winning sides Predators and Sailor Jerrys Predators were too strong for the Moodys

Chloe is held aloft by some of the Moody Cows team

carrier when she was invited on as a late substitute in one of the opening matches and promptly scored a try.

The competition is held in memory of

Castle Cary, Moody Cows and England player and administrator Kay Booker who lost her battle against cancer in 2009 aged 39.

Sailor Jerrys and Frosty Jacks in action

The Moodys and the Predators line-up before the final

The annual Frome 7s competition takes place at Frome RFC on Saturday, July 4th with a mix of serious an PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

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SPORT

Castle Cary RFC was presented with a commemorative weather vane by the Rugby Football Union to mark its 125th anniversary

Harry Buckle, from Frosty Jacks, prepares to tuck into the hog roast

Cary’s Beth Newman on her way to scoring a try

Once again, officials from Somerset Rugby Referees Society volunteered their services

us and social competitions for men and women from all over the UK. For details, visit: www.frome7s.co.uk

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SPORT

Cheddar sailors are winners

RYAN Bush, aged 14, and Abigail Campbell, aged 11, from Axbridge, with other members of Cheddar Sailing at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club, have become the first sailors from the club to win a race at the RS Feva National Championships, which was held on Rutland Water.

They train with the Axbridge Turtles Feva team founded last year to encourage young sailors to get into dinghy racing. The RS Feva is the leading double-handed youth boat in the UK, used by the Royal Yachting Association as a feeder into the transition and Olympic classes.

Also competing for the BCYC team were Taddy Horacek and Finn Pritchard from Bristol Corinthian and Ellie Hill and Toby Dawkins, from Royal Torbay, all in their first year of open racing.

All the previous heavy weather training, which had seen the pairs battling against 25 mile per hour winds, paid off on the first day, where gusts of 37 knots were recorded and three boats lost masts.

Abi, a year six pupil at Fairlands School, in Cheddar, was one of the youngest sailors taking part, and said: “I am so pleased we did well. It was a bit daunting as this was my first championships, but also fantastic fun. I’d love to go to the World Championships one day!”

Chew prepares for World Cup New skittles team

ANOTHER successful season for Chew Valley Rugby Club youngsters ended with an awards presentation for their 12 to 15year-olds.

Rob Norbury, coach for the Under 13s, said: “The next season will be the World Cup, which will be held in this country, so rugby will have a high profile. If your child is interested in joining our rugby club then please feel free to come along on a Sunday next season from September 16th.”

Details: Junior chairman, David Rowlands 07801 795050.

PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

Back row (l to r): Mark Rudge, Adam Machin, Adam Ford, Mickey Edmunds, Dave Hunt, Aidy Garrett, Steve Lewis and Clint Harding; seated, Nigel MIlkins, Brian Sage, Bill Gough (captain), Gordon Blewitt and Sam Gilling.

THERE’S a new force in the world of skittles – Wrington Wreckers, based at Wrington Sports and Social Club, have reformed after three years to compete in Butcombe’s regional competition, which involves 90 teams this year. They hope to make it to the final in Torquay in September.

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Royal praise for Wessex Walks

PRINCESS Anne, the Princess Royal, will visit Wells on Monday, July 6th to mark the 50th anniversary of a charity walk.

Her Royal Highness is president of Save the Children, which has received £3 million over the years from the annual Wessex Walks fundraising events.

Each year, hundreds of children take part in the walks, which begin in Wells and take in the Mendip Hills.

The princess will meet Save the Children volunteers, who organise the walks, at Wells Town Hall.

This year’s walks take place on Sunday, October 4th.

Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm May – September plus Bank Holiday Mondays Admission is FREE

Enjoy a visit to the aromatic and peaceful setting of the Somerset Lavender farm in Faulkland.

Our café serves teas, homemade cakes and light lunches, all made with local produce. Choose from a range of lavender products in the shop and buy lavender plants. Children will love our willow run and duck pond, while you explore our wonderfully fragrant lavender fields, rose arbour and healing herb garden.

Somerset Lavender, Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5WA 01373 834893 www.somersetlavender.com

Backwell festival

WHAT’S ON

FUN Lovin’ Criminal and BBC 6 Music host, Huey Morgan, headlines Backwell Festival on July 11th with his famed DJ set, celebrating the revival of vinyl, while teen heart-throb, singer/songwriter Luke Friend, who shot to fame on X Factor, takes the stage earlier in the evening.

The festival also showcases local upcoming artists, brings you swing, jazz, blues and world rhythm acts as well as those exceptional purveyors of musical mayhem, Sheelanagig; hiphop artist Dizraeli, who went to Backwell School, and world beatbox champion Bellatrix.

Family friendly workshops include Bollywood Dance, Crash Bang percussion and Invisible Circus. Litterarti are building sculptures and actor Saikat Ahamed entertains with stories. Meadowside is running supervised creative sessions and a film for the very young.

Michelin star chefs Martin Blunos and Josh Eggleton will be demonstrating their culinary skills, and much-loved BBC Springwatch presenter, Martin Hughes-Games will talk about the global adventures that inspired his book. Huey Morgan chats about the rebels of music featured in his new book and Presence Theatre read The Returning by award-winning Fredrik Brattberg. It’s a brilliant day out with masses of food stalls and bars. This year’s international charity is the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, supporting women and children in rural India.

Details: www.backwellfestival.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015 • PAGE 101

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STEAM TRAINS DAILY UNTIL OCTOBER 4th EVERY SATURDAY & WEDNESDAY: “DUNSTER CASTLE EXPRESS” JULY 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th: “DAY OUT WITH “THOMAS” JULY 7th & 14th: “ABBEY AND APPLE EXPLORER” JULY 10th & 24th: “LYNTON & LYNMOUTH EXPLORER” AUGUST 29th & 30th: “LATE SUMMER WEEKEND”

“A rather good garden party”

PRIDDY Folk Festival is back for its 24th outing in July, featuring three days crammed with exceptional national and local musical talent, dance, drama, guided walks and a festival just for the little ones.

There’s a distinct Caledonian flavour to the headline acts this year with the likes of legendary singersongwriter Dick Priddy is certain to bring a smile to the Gaughan, highlyfaces of visitors rated folk-rock band Wolfestone, Duncan Chisholm and outstanding Orkney trio Saltfishforty, all crossing Hadrian’s Wall.

This year’s BBC Radio Two Folk Musician of the Year Sam Sweeney is also appearing with the three-piece Leveret, along with another nominee Will Pound and a fascinating young outfit from the Isle of Man, Barrule, who have been making waves with their Manx music.

The festival also showcases the best of Somerset talent, not least The Drystones, who hail from Priddy itself, country-rockers StealEasy and singer-songwriter Liam Howard.

But Priddy is more than just music. Wherever you go at festival you will find something happening, be it a dance workshop or performance, storytelling and music workshops for the kids, craft displays or even a play. And if you like to ceilidh there are bands on late in the village hall.

Neville Hadsley, a music journalist and spokesman for the festival, said: “In a world where festivals are becoming ever more corporate, Priddy has held on to its vision of a community event, rooted in the village itself. It is like sneaking into rather good village garden party.”

Priddy Folk Festival runs from Friday July 10th – Sunday, July 12th. For details, visit www.priddyfolk.org.

Three days of fun

THE 39th annual Whitchurch Village Fete three-day event will commence on Saturday evening August 29th with a traditional barn dance with the Granny Smiths in the marquee at 7.30pm – £5 adults, £1 children.

There will be a car boot sale on the Sunday morning. On Bank Holiday Monday August 31st, the annual fete will be opened by Laura Rawlings from BBC Radio Bristol at 1pm. There’s a great line-up of arena events and stalls as well as the flower/produce/arts and crafts marquee.

A schedule can be obtained from Ann Edwards on 01275 892128. The fete raises funds for local charities and welcomes support.

Details: Ashton Broad on 01275 832148 or whitchurchvillagefete@hotmail.co.uk

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LIVE music, arts and crafts for children, cookery and cheese grading demonstrations: just some of the attractions at this year’s Mid-Somerset Agricultural Show in Shepton Mallet in August.

Organisers are making an extra special effort this year to ensure that the show – also known as Shepton Show – on Sunday, August 16th has something for all Award-winning livestock the family to enjoy. means the show stays true to As well as the grand parade of its agricultural traditions livestock, the focus in the main arena is once again on equestrian competitions, whilst the Addlestone’s vintage vehicle field will showcase tributes to the Arnhem Landings and VE Day. The Mangled Wurzels will perform two sets on the main stage, whilst bookings are still being taken for 10-minute slots on the acoustic stage.

Other highlights include: G Richard Savory’s Sheep Show including a shearing demonstration G Cookery demonstrations by Sean Wilson (ex-Coronation Street)

WHAT’S ON

Among the exhibits in the Addlestone’s Field will be this 1941 Bedford MW, carefully restored to replicate the vehicles used by 299 Squadron at Keevil Airfield in Wiltshire during the launch of Operation Market Garden in 1944

G Cider competition, local cider bar and cider heritage display in the Heritage Tent G The Heritage Tent will also feature new material about the show itself along with a display about the history of military hospitals in the area G Punch and Judy The show is free to pedestrians, although car parking charges will apply. Show secretary Christine Barham said: “We know what works well at the show and what our visitors like but we are always trying to improve things and make the day even more attractive to the public and our stallholders.”

Ten 20-minute slots are available on the acoustic stage for singers and musicians. For details, please call show secretary Christine Barham on: 01749 938044

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M e n d i p

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. Commercial entries cost £25.

Friday June 26th – Monday June 29th Congresbury 800 Years of Music and Flowers, St Andrew’s Church celebrations, with a concert on Friday, 7.30pm, with Lyica, Liz Glen, Zoe Maitland, Lucy Connelly and Sarah Cooke, £8 on the door or in advance. Details: 01934 832283.

Friday June 26th Wrington Friendship Club, “Life Begins at 40”, Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street, 2.30 pm. New members welcome. Details: Fred Parsons 01934 863562.

RNLI – Summer Supper with Sea Shanties, Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club. Tickets £12 adults, U14s £6, (0-6 free) from Tim Gracey 01275 472639.

Saturday June 27th Congresbury Book Sale, 9am-1pm at War Memorial Hall. Good quality books, jigsaw puzzles, dvds, cds and talking books.

Ubley Village Hall, nearly new sale of children's toys, clothes and equipment, 10am – 12noon, in aid of Bath RUH NICU, Forever Friends Appeal.

Details: 01761 462912.

Bath & Wells Diocesan Choral Association festival celebrating the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta, with choirs from throughout the diocese, Wells Cathedral 5.15pm.

Details: roger.bishton1@btinternet.com or 01225 768607.

Mendip Society Walk: Cranmore Tower, a moderate 5m. ST 649 440. Meet 2pm in the back car park of The Poacher’s Pocket, Doulting, BA4 3PY. Contact: Terry 01749 840752.

Bi-centenary of William Smith's work on the Somerset Coal Canal and 'Map That Changed the World'. Talks & exhibitions at Conygre Hall, Timsbury, £5, (£3) from radfordcanalfestival.org Timsbury PO, Radstock Museum. Details: 01761 470972.

Noah's Ark Pre-school, Paulton summer fair, 2pm – 4pm, stalls, fun activities, children’s competitions. Details: Abbie Hulbert 07818 420683.

Sunday June 28th Charity Fun Ride, Ford Farm, Wellow, BA2 8QT. 3, 6 and 10-mile rides, with optional jumps (3-mile suitable for lead rein), min. sponsorship £15 in advance, £20 on the day. Details: 07752 020373 www.saxondressagegroup.co.uk Sunday June 28th Stanton Prior Open Gardens, in aid of St. Lawrence Church and the village hall, 2pm – 5.30pm, £5, U16s free. Nine secret gardens, cream teas, stalls. BA2 9HX. Wednesday July 1st Somerset Lavender Fields open garden, Faulkland, in aid of Dorothy House Hospice, 7pm, £7.50 to include tour of the distillery, tea and cakes.

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T i m e s

Coffee morning in aid of Arthritis Research UK, 10.30-12.30, Ham Lane, Bishop Sutton. Entry £1, cakes, bric-a-brac, plants. Details: liz@shorney.co.uk Thursday July 2nd to July 5th Holcombe Gala – various events include Duck Race on Thursday at 7pm, Quiz Night, 7.30pm on Friday at village hall, Family Day/Dog Show on Saturday and four-mile village walk on Sunday. Details: Helen Burton, 07891 545852, email: holcombeplayingfieldcommittee@yahoo.co.uk Thursday July 2nd West Mendip Walkers – a strenuous 10.5m circular walk from Bessom’s Bridge. OL9 ST974318. Start 10am from car park. Contact 01749 670349 or ken@kenmasters265.plus.com Living Spit hosts Living Quiz, Yeo Valley HQ, Blagdon, 7pm. Details: Jill Chave 01761 461625.

Friday July 3rd – Sunday July 5th Yeo Valley Lions 15th Claverham Beer Festival. Details: www.claverham-beerfestival.btck.co.uk Friday July 3rd – Saturday July 11th Wedmore Opera and Arts Festival. See page 30.

Saturday July 4th and Sunday July 5th Farmborough Hidden Gardens & Scarecrow Trail, 12noon – 5pm, £7.50, accompanied children free. Start at All Saints’ Church, walk the labyrinth and eight gardens. Refreshments available.

Saturday July 4th Wedmore Street Fair, 10am – 4pm.

Chewton Mendip Village Fete, in the school field, country dancing, stalls, refreshments, 3pm6pm.

As You Like It, performed by The Festival Players in the garden of Speeds Farm, Lamyatt, 7pm, picnics from 5.45pm, £15 (U12’s £5) in aid of Lamyatt church and village hall. Details: 01749 812031.

Mendip Society Walk: West of Chew Valley Lake, a moderate 5m, no major climbs. ST 554 593. Meet 2pm in the Heron’s Green lay-by on the west side of the lake, on the B3114 (BS40 8XD). Contact: Peter 01761 221995.

Compton Dando Village Day, 2-5pm.

Children’s activities, church tower visits, local produce and crafts, stalls, teas and refreshments.

Details: 01761 490445.

Open Garden, Bridge House, Wanstrow (just down from the pub). 2pm-5.30pm. Ponds, stream bank, mixed beds, shade, Mediterranean bed, troughs. Admission £2.50. Proceeds to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Wanstrow church. Ffi: 07808 965002.

Shipham Summer Fete, 12-4pm, with horticultural show, The Big Dig, and the Great Shipham Cake-Off, at First School playing field.

Sunday July 5th Congresbury Classic and Vintage Car Rally, from Cadbury Wyevale 8.30am, £25 per car (up to 2 occupants) in aid of village hall building fund. Details: info@congnvh.org.uk 01934 830085.

Redhill Club Funday, 3pm til late, free to have

W h a t ’ s

a go at table skittles, darts, table tennis, table football, long alley skittles, pool, or a game of boules. BBQ and bar, Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG. Doulting Village Fete. To be opened by Paddington Bear actress Maddie Harris. Midday4pm, St Aldhelm’s Primary School. Raising funds for St Aldhelm’s Church and the school.

Tuesday July 7th William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement: A talk by Dr Anne Anderson to Mendip DFAS , 10.30 for 11am, at the Restaurant, B & W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN. Guests welcome. Details: www.mdfas.org.uk Wednesday July 8th Nailsea & District Horticultural Society, A Year at Pickett Lane, Neil Lovesay, United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea, 7.30. All welcome.

Moo, Chew, & Poo – Yeo Valley Experience Day at the organic garden & tea room, food & farming – an action-packed day includes lunch & refreshments, £65. Details: 01761 461425 events@yeovalley.co.uk Thursday July 9th West Mendip Walkers – leisurely 5m circular walk from Burrow Mump. Ex140 ST360306.

Start 1.30pm. Park in NTCP at Burrowbridge.

Contact 01934 733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday, July 10th and Saturday, July 11th Mendip players perform two one-act plays at 7.30pm in Draycott Memorial Hall. Easy Stages: an amusing, subtle parody of the backstage goings-on of an amateur dramatic society. A Strong Smell of Burning: centres on an Anglo Saxon family dealing with the onslaught of a Viking invasion in a quiet corner of Somerset.

Tickets £7.50 available from Draycott Post office and Gillian on 01934 743890.

Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th Camerton Court Gardens open weekend, 2pm – 6pm, in aid of St. Peter’s Church, Camerton tower fund, exhibition by Timsbury Art group, £5. Details: 01761 470606 or 01761 471785.

Saturday July 11th Duck Races, Plume of Feathers, Rickford, 5pm, plus live music, bbq and bars.

Coffee Morning to support RUH Forever Friends Appeal and concluding Lindsay’s “Wacky Wig Week” 10.30 to 12 noon, Chew Stoke Church Hall. Details: lindsay@geniprinting.co.uk Croscombe Show and Funday, 11th anniversary, fun for all the family, various stalls, music, attractions, free burgers for kids, craft and produce show opens 11.30am.

Burrington Fete, 2pm at Bourne House, Bourne Lane, Burrington. Enjoy an entertaining and lovely afternoon in a picturesque garden. Music from Jerry Blythe.

Camborne Town Brass Band celebrating St Andrew’s Church 800th anniversary on the evening of Congresbury village fete. Tickets (reserved £10, unreserved £8) from the church office, 01934 833126, or Broad Street chemist.

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Timsbury Scarecrow Trail, with crafts, games and refreshments, 10.30am – 5.30pm, maps £2.50. Details: www.stmarystimsbury.org.uk or 01761 472448.

80s Night at The Elms Farm, East Hewish, 7.30 till late, Lipinski, Disco, Bar & Hog Roast, tickets £15, in aid of The Great Western Air Ambulance. Details: 01934 834248.

Sunday July 12th Mendip Society Walk: Above West Harptree, a hard 7 miles, but no major hills. ST 544 552.

Meet 1.30pm in the disused quarry on Old Bristol Rd, BS40 6EN. Contact: Peter 01761 221995.

Shoscombe Village Hall day of dance, morning workshop and afternoon ceilidh, all welcome.

Details: 07979 523918 or 01761 435204, BA2 8LX. Somerset Wildlife Trust, East Mendip, butterflies on Cotley and Scratchbury Hills, leader, Mick Ridgard, 4pm, meet in layby next to roundabout on A36 near Heytesbury 4pm, map ref, ST918429.

Tuesday July 14th Demi Demo Days, Yeo Valley Canteen, Blagdon, creating alfresco dishes with their chefs, includes breakfast and lunch, £45. Details: 01761 461425 events@yeovalley.co.uk Wednesday July 15th Handbell ringers from Texas at St Mary Magdalene Church, Wookey Hole, 7.30pm, playing sacred, spiritual and traditional music on English handbells. Free.

Thursday July 16th Classic Car & Motorcycle evening gathering at Redhill Club. BBQ 7pm – 10pm. Parking on the recreation field off Church Road, Redhill BS40 5SG. Details: 01934 862619. All welcome.

Cheddar Valley U3A Meet & Greet, Church House, Cheddar, 10.30- 12 noon, visitors welcome. Details: 01934 744241 or www.cheddarvalleyu3a.org.uk West Mendip Walkers – Leisurely 8m circular walk from Bawdrip Church. Ex140 ST343396.

Start 10am. Contact 01934 733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Saturday July 18th to Saturday August 1st Mendip Calligraphy Group Exhibition at Wells and Mendip Museum, 10am – 5pm (closed Sundays). Free entry to exhibition.

Saturday July 18th Corston Country Fair, stalls, Chuffy the Train rides, bouncy castle & slides, bar, BBQ, classic cars, a dog show, a brass band, 2pm – 5pm, adults £1, U16 free.

Mendip Society Walk: Clutton, a moderate 6 miles. ST 623 589. Meet 2pm at St Augustine’s Church, BS39 5SH. Contact: Bob 01934 820575.

Brent Knoll Music on the Green, with Tim Pitman, in aid of parish hall improvements, £8, U14s free, from village shop. Details: 01278 760308.

Sunday July 19th NGS Open Garden, 22, Exeter Road, Westonsuper-Mare, BS23 4DB, 11am – 4.30pm, small rear garden behind Victorian terraced house, jungle-like, packed with plants. Teas and cakes,

f o r

J u l y

£3, children free, all proceeds to charities.

Details: Patsy Williams 01934 424644. Also July 26th.

Summer Choral Evensong, 6pm, at St. Mary the Virgin, Orchardleigh, a church on a moated island with no electricity, so illuminated by candlelight with hand-pumped organ. Details: David King 01225 710127 or dhkmusic@dking.me.uk Rodney Stoke Family Pet Show. 1.15pm, Manor Farm, Stoke Street. Pedigree and novelty dog show, caged animals, teddies, stalls and refreshments. Proceeds to Friends of St Leonard's Church Tuesday July 21st Klimt and the Viennese Secession, NADFAS illustrated lectures, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ, Tuesdays at 11am, free parking, £6.

Details: 01963 350527.

Thursday July 23rd West Mendip Walkers – Easy 5.6m circular walk from Oakhill Village Hall. Ex142 ST633474. Start 1.30pm. Contact 01934 733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday July 24th Musical Entertainment, “Our Harmonious Garden”, 2pm, Clutton Village Hall, BS39 5SP. Tickets £6. Details: 01761 452183 or pat.williams17@btinternet.com Riverside, Cheddar 15th annual beer festival plus live music all weekend.

Saturday July 25th – Sunday July 26th Seavingtons’ Flower Festival, St Michael’s Church, Seavington St Michael TA19 0QD. Sat: 10am- 5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm. Refreshments in the church garden.

Saturday July 25th Mendip Society Walk: Kilmersdon to Vobster, a moderate 5-6 miles through the grounds of Babington House. ST 696 523. Meet 2pm in Kilmersdon village car park, BA3 5TD. Contact: Roger 01225 872777.

Cheddar Vale Lions Club, meet the lions at Nanny Ida’s Restaurant, Wedmore, 2–5pm, free tea and coffee. All welcome.

Wednesday July 29th Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support, Backwell W.I. Hall, 1.30 for 2pm. Details: Sheila at 01275 462107.

Thursday July 30th West Mendip Walkers – Moderate 9.7m circular walk from Drewsteignton. Ex OL28 ST736908. Start 10.00am, village car park.

Contact 01934 733783 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Saturday August 1st Have a Field Day on the Millennium Hall Playing Field, Water Street, Seavington St Michael TA19 0QH. Dog agility display, whacky sports and fete fun from 2pm. Proms in the (Car) Park at 7pm. Details: 01460 249522.

Family Fun Day in aid of Jessie May Trust, 4pm-11pm at Clutton Hill Industrial Estate, BS39 4QQ. Children’s bouncy castle, facepainting, hog roast, BBQ, bar and live band. www.jessiemay.org.uk Nailsea & District Horticultural Society

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 5

Summer Show, Nailsea School.

Mendip Society Walk, Banwell. Moderate 4-5 miles with steep hill to start. ST 397 592. Meet 2pm in the car park opp. school, BS29 6DB. Contact: Mary, 01934 843789.

Sunday, August 2nd Romulus and Remus Italian Festival. Raising money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and other charities. Beech Barrows, Hill Grove, Penn Hill, Wells from 12.30pm. Tickets - £12.50 adults, £5 children aged 10-16 – available from Tuckers fish and chip shop in Wells, R&T’s fish shop, Street, or call Tony D’Ovidio on 07770 994652 or Tony Guidi on 01749 343217.

Somerset Wildlife Trust, East Mendip, wildlife in an unspoilt Somerset valley, leader Tony House, meet in the car park of the the Kings Head, Coleford, 1.30pm, BA3 5LU map ref ST689 487.

Saturday August 8th Clutton Flower and Village Show, Rudges Field, BS39 5SJ, brass band, funfair, magician, dog show, various displays, stalls, bar, as well as the floral marquee, 1pm. Details: Roger Snary 01761 453063 or Pat Williams 01761 452183.

Mendip Society Walk, Ponter’s Ball Dyke & Glastonbury Tor. Moderate 5 miles, ST 503 381.

Meet 2pm in Breteneux Rd, BA6 8DS. Contact: Brian, 01749 672457.

Mark Harvest Home, traditional lunch, followed by family games and free children’s disco; evening entertainment. Tickets go on sale Thursday July 2nd, 6.30pm – 9pm at Mark Church Hall. Details and for tickets after that contact Mel on 07875 058525 or by email at mel.allen321@yahoo.co.uk Sunday August 9th Lions Club Bradford on Avon Art Exhibition, Westbury Gardens nr the Town Bridge, in aid of local charities. Details: 01225 863404.

Sunday August 16th Mid-Somerset Show, Shepton Mallet. See page11.

Bank Holiday Monday August 31st City of Wells Moat Race – to participate & raise money for your charity contact Jane Miller 07708 468269.

MENDIP MINDBENDER ANSWERS

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Timsbury celebrate

TIMSBURY Theatre Group are celebrating their success at the Somerset Federation of Drama Cinderella Awards at the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare.

The highly regarded village based theatre group won the overall prize for Best Stage Management for their pantomime production Dick Whittington and also received a total of five nominations in different award categories. Peter Crooke won the overall trophy for his excellent stage management. Jo Jewell was nominated for her excellent choreography whilst Neil Moon received a nomination for his role as Link Man Idle Jack.

Timsbury Theatre Group perform a pantomime every year in December and this year the pantomime will be Cinderella.

Auditions will take place over the summer.

The group’s next production, a review type entertainment, 1945 Concert Party, celebrates the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and is being staged at the Conygre Hall on June 26th and 27th. Tickets cost £11 and include a two-course supper.

Details: 07542 152595 or www.thettg.org

COMPETITION WINNERS!

Last month we offered you the chance to win pairs of tickets to Yeovilton Air Day on July 11th. The first five correct answers drawn were from: Mr B.G. Macken, Frome Roy Jeffries, East Harptree Nigel Adams, Dimmer, Castle Cary Stephen Whitmarsh, Warminster Mrs Emma Jackson, Somerton Congratulations!

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

NOW SHOWING Starts Friday 3rd July

COMING UP: Minions (U) Queen & Country (15)

Starts Wednesday Ted 2 (15) 8th July EVENT CINEMA 16th July

18th July

22nd July

Everyman (15) NT Andre Rieu 2015 Merchant of Venice (12A) RSC

G Book in person G Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk G Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2015

WHAT’S ON

Delicious new British brand at Kilver Court!

Daylesford sheep

JUST in time for the Big July Sale Weekend at Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet, there’s a huge welcome to new arrival Daylesford Organic!

With more than 35 years’ organic farming experience, Daylesford is synonymous with quality, British farming and produce. With its range of food, drink and homeware currently exclusively available at Daylesford stores and Selfridges London, its selection at Kilver Court will be the only place to find the brand in Somerset!

To celebrate the new arrival, there will be an archive sale weekend (Friday, July 3rd–Sunday, July 5th) with up to 50% off a range of Daylesford homeware, interiors and kitchenware. Choose from carefully crafted cushions, candles and ceramics, alongside contemporary kitchen utensils. With chairs, vases, teapots, jugs, aprons and tablecloths to choose from, this is the perfect opportunity to re-imagine your interior, or find fantastic gifts – for less.

From 3rd July, there will also be an exclusive range Daylesford’s organic produce in The Great House – which already showcases more than 30 local food and drink suppliers. The Daylesford range is produced at its farm in Gloucestershire or sourced from artisan suppliers who share their commitment to quality and sustainability.

The launch weekend coincides with Kilver Court’s big July Sale Weekend; with summer savings and additional discounts from a number of designer labels. There will be an extra 20% off selected lines at Toast, Paul Smith and Sunspel, an extra 10% off seasonal styles at French Sole, L.K.Bennett and Goose, as well as offers from Garden Trading, Joseph, Orla Kiely and more.

To find out more visit www.kilvercourt.com

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