Issue 4 - Volume 12 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4

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FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

SEPTEMBER 2016

I N TH I S I S S U E : • F O C U S O N A X BR I DG E • FESTIVAL PREVIEWS • ARTS & ANTIQUES • CRANMORE WALK • WE D DI N G S • BUSINESS

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

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CONTENTS

Welcome

AS the year turns we come to the season of harvest homes, ploughing matches and arts festivals, all of which are previewed in this month’s magazine.

We also look ahead to the Axbridge Showcase and the Mendip Rocks! celebration of Mendip’s remarkable geology, while Phil Hendy reports on a new cave found in Burrington Combe.

Customers have said a fond farewell to Roger Gillard, legendary shopkeeper, whose mobile shop has reached the end of the road. We join Lord Lieutenant Annie Maw for an “odyssey” across the county.

We’ve news of a memorial to a recordbreaking helicopter run and a mass barbecue celebrating 25 years of Youth Week in Wrington.

We also have some news of our own.

Mendip Times Online launches on September 1st and will in future provide access to back issues of Mendip Times for the previous seven years. The online magazine will also have links to all of our advertisers’ websites and from any editorial features that carry a website address.

Like the magazine, this service will be provided free of charge. If you find your local outlet has run out of magazines, don’t forget you can read the whole of Mendip Times online.

With all of our regular contributors and features, let us guide you towards the mellow days of autumn.

October 2016 deadline: Friday, 16th September 2016.

Published: Tuesday, 27th September 2016.

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: Roger Gillard retires after 50 years. Photo by Mark Adler.

See page 5.

20

Nice to tegu – street fayre scales new heights

31

Cheers! – Raising a glass to Mendip food and drink

60

91

Set in stone – flying record still to be broken

Full of eastern promise – Butleigh rugby on tour

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........10 Arts & Antiques ...........................12 Internet and Crossword..............22 Food & Drink...............................28 Business ........................................42 Charities .......................................46 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......49 Walking Sue Gearing....................50 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........52

Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......54 Caving Phil Hendy........................59 Health Dr Phil Hammond.............62 Community...................................70 Property........................................75 Homes and Interiors....................82 Music.............................................88 Riding Rachel Thompson MBE ....90 Sport..............................................91 What’s On ....................................95 MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 3

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NEWS

End of the road for the Gillard “superstore”

AFTER 50 years of serving customers on Mendip, grocer Roger Gillard has decided it is time to retire.

A few tears were shed when the 69-year-old announced he would be ending his regular mobile rounds in his converted ambulance, known as Gillard’s Superstore. Before taking to the roads, Roger and his family had run a shop in Gurney Slade, selling everything from fresh meat to wellington boots, as well as running a delivery round, initially selling just meat.

It was Roger’s father, Tony, known to everyone simply as “Father”, who originally took over the shop and Roger joined him 50 years ago as a teenager after initially working on local farms.

Roger’s “Open All Hours” approach to the shop extended to the mobile round; he offered everything from fresh fruit and veg

Roger Gillard – his mobile shop was an Aladdin’s Cave of goods

A lovely bunch of customers: Gurney Slade regulars Mavis Barraclough (a customer for 40 years), Ruth Wood (45 years) and Frances Rice (also 40 years), with Frances’s granddaughter Natasha and great grandchildren Louie and Amelia

Arnhem memorial service

to staples such as cans of soup and baked beans, household items and pet food to toiletries.

His rounds would take him from West Harptree to Green Ore and Chewton Mendip, Oakhill, Stoke St Michael, Cranmore, Doulting and Holcombe – where he was made especially welcome after the closure of the village shop.

Roger said: “I’d be out in all weathers, if the snow was bad we’d put stuff on a sledge and drag it.

“That was when people would stock up on staples such as bread, milk, eggs and baked beans, but I’d stock anything I thought would sell.”

He added: “I’m sorry for some of my elderly customers who can’t get out and about that well and used to rely on me; there were a few tears when I told them I was stopping.”

DETAILS have been announced for this year’s Double Hills memorial service near Paulton, which commemorates the death of 23 military personnel on their way to the Battle of Arnhem.

Members of the public are once again invited to join serving and former members of the armed forces at the outdoor service on Sunday, September 4th.

Twenty one Airborne Sappers from the 9th Field Company (Airborne) Royal Engineers and two pilots from the Glider Pilot Regiment were killed when their glider broke up over Paulton and crashed in Double Hills meadow in September 1944.

They were on their way to Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden. Local people witnessed the crash and tried to help the victims.

The memorial was unveiled in 1979 and a memorial service has taken place every year. This year’s Reviewing Officer will be Major General Chris Tickell, Director General, Army Recruiting and Training Division.

Weather permitting, there will once again be a flypast of historic aircraft and organisers are planning a poppy drop over the site.

G The march from Paulton Playing Field in Tennis Court Road to the Wreath laying at last year’s Double Hills ceremony memorial begins at 2pm.

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Trunk call – time to act over trees, say residents THE felling of an ancient and revered tree in Frome was top of the agenda at the first meeting of a new public forum in the town.

The copper beech tree – thought to be the oldest in Frome – in St John’s Churchyard was cut down at short notice after it was found to be badly diseased. A cross-section of the trunk will be preserved in the town’s museum, whilst the rest will be moved to a public open space.

The copper beech and the future of the town’s other trees was discussed at the first session of Frome Town Council’s new Town Matters committee. Committee chairman Councillor Peter Macfayden said: “We had a very interesting and very passionate discussion about Frome’s trees. There was particular interest and support for two projects to celebrate the recently felled copper beech – so we’ve started work on these projects.”

Chris Stringer, the council’s

environment manager added: “A number of people at the meeting noticed that the trunk has a certain sea monster character to it. We’re hoping to enhance this by carving some features – and because of this we’re looking at a new home somewhere along the river, perhaps Rodden Meadow.”

G The council has now set up a “Trees

Villagers approve community plan

The trunk of the felled copper beech

in Frome” mailing list. To sign up, contact the town council at admin@frometowncouncil.gov.uk with your name and your email address. Or, write, phone or call in to their office on Palmer Street. You can also find out more information on the town council’s website: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk

PEOPLE living in Ashcott, near Street, have voted to approve a neighbourhood plan for the village, the first of its kind in the Sedgemoor district.

A village referendum came out in support of the plan; work on it was started in 2012 by the parish council. The Ashcott Neighbourhood Development Plan contains unique local planning policies for the parish. It will steer Sedgemoor District Council’s decisions on planning applications and guide future development in Ashcott area.

Axbridge, Cheddar and Wedmore are amongst other communities in Sedgemoor which are in the process of preparing neighbourhood plans, which allow residents to influence decisions such as priorities for land use, the appearance of new buildings and protecting locally-valued green space. It cannot be used to stop development or override district or national policy.

Ashcott is the first community in Sedgemoor to approve a neighbourhood plan – others are expected to follow

All Saints Church: along with the shop, village hall and pub, it is at the heart of the community

General information on neighbourhood planning can be found at: http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning

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ENVIRONMENT

Flood scheme approved

A SCHEME to reduce the risk of flooding on the A37 trunk road north of Shepton Mallet has been approved by Somerset County Council.

The works near Beacon Cross will cost £130,000 and improve drainage, making it easier for the network to cope with severe weather and reducing the risk of flooding.

Details have yet to be confirmed, but a possible solution would involve installing a concrete channel on one side of the road to collect run-off from fields, as well as resurfacing the road to ensure a consistent level.

The scheme is being funded from a £10m Department for Transport grant to the council following the severe flooding in the winter of 2013/14. So far £9m has been spent on various flood reduction schemes set out in the Levels and Moors 20 Year Flood Action Plan, including the raising of the road at Muchelney and installing culverts at Beer Wall on the A372.

Councillor David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “I’m delighted to give the go ahead to this scheme that will benefit the local area and the many motorists who use this road. We’ve been working really hard with partners to get the most out of the money granted by the DfT and this is the final stage of that.”

Mendip tour

ON a sunny day in August, the Mendip Society chairman, Richard Frost, lead a group of ladies from Nailsea around the historic landscape of Charterhouse, famous for its rich range of Industrial archaeology from the Romans through to the Victorians.

They were impressed by the extensive features on this site which still has many items to see from the lead condenser flues to the rakes. This area is in the centre of the Mendip’s rugged beauty with glorious views and rich history.

Details: Richard Frost 01275 472797.

F u n i n t h e su n f o r y o u n g w i ld l if e f a n s

ENVIRONMENTAL groups Mendip Hills AONB and Somerset Wildlife Trust, including the Save our Magnificent Meadows team, joined forces for a family fun day at Black Rock nature reserve, near Cheddar, to encourage people to get out and about and explore the countryside.

Right: Wild in the country: Penny, from Axbridge, enjoys dressing up as a bee

Left: Ollie, aged nine, makes up the filling for a bird feeder

Jack and Chloe were on holiday from Suffolk with their parents and stopped off to try their hands at some fossil rubbing: Jack gets to grips with a model of a triobite, whilst Chloe tackles a sealily

The Black Rock Nature reserve offers an ideal venue

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Willow wonders

VISITORS to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s Steart Marshes over the summer will see WWT’s new willow sculpture trail.

These life-size sculptures by local artists are made from two types of Somerset willow. Featuring animals that thrive in this working wetland, such as otter, hare, kingfisher and curlew, they are easy to find from the most accessible area of the reserve, around the Wetland Walkway.

Lucy Bartlett, People Engagement Officer, said: “We are delighted at how well these sculptures fit into the reserve.

They add an extra treat to complement the wildlife people can see here.”

Details: www.wwt.org.uk/steart

Training in the field

THREE new recruits have been welcomed to the Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Skills Trainee Scheme.

Amongst them is Adam Llewellyn, practical conservation trainee for the trust’s reserves on the East Mendips.

The project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through their Skills for the Future Programme, gives individuals the opportunity to gain the relevant skills and experience required to successfully apply for, and fulfil, full-time conservation roles.

Adam said: “Amongst many great experiences, it was incredible to see red squirrels and greater horseshoe bats. I’m really excited to get out and about and meet other trainees from neighbouring counties and see how other reserves work, as well as putting my skills to the test, and learning some more!”

Phill Bruss has taken on a similar role in South Somerset, whilst Freya Morgan has joined the trust to work on volunteer and community engagement.

It’s the third year that the Trust has run the apprenticeship scheme.

Phil said: “I will be maintaining the wonderful grassland that we have in this part of the world to ensure wildflowers can flourish. I will be learning what makes the ecosystem tick and how to best manage it, as well as working with landowners. I’m only a few weeks in and it’s been invaluable experience already -

ENVIRONMENT

Society supports dig in Ebbor Gorge

A TEAM from Royal Holloway University, London believe they have found evidence of early human occupation in a cave at Ebbor Gorge.

Their work has been going on for some time and was supported this season by the Mendip Society.

Clive Constance (centre), Mendip Society’s grant officer, is pictured handing over a cheque to the university’s team leader, Prof. Danielle Schreve.

The society says it will “support and encourage all forms of conservation and enhancement, with particular regard to landscape, wildlife habitat, archaeological, historical and natural features”.

Details: www.mendipsociety.org.uk

(L:r) Adam, Freya and Phil

new knowledge, new skills, and new friends; what’s not to like?”

Freya added: “During my year with Somerset Wildlife Trust I hope to continue working with children, I’m especially excited about completing my Forest Schools certificate! I will be getting involved in events management, interpretation and communications, as well as gaining skills in species I.D, surveying and monitoring. I don’t have any background in the sciences, so I hope this year will give me a good grounding in conservation ecology.”

To find out more about Adam's work on Mendip you can read his blog: www.somersetwildlife.org/Adam_Llewelyn

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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

One of the things we are proud of at BGW is that we offer training contracts to young, “would be solicitors”.

Indeed, two of our current partners/directors originally joined the firm as trainees. One of our current trainees, Paige Prideaux, is on the point of qualifying and will then be leaving us to work with a larger firm in Taunton. Lucy Ingram qualified on June 1st and will be joining us on a full time basis in our Castle Cary office where she will be helping Robin Weelen who has effectively been running the office single-handedly for more years than he cares to mention. is has meant considerable refurbishment of our Castle Cary office in order to provide proper office accommodation for Lucy and also Gemma Wilton who is now well advanced in her training as a Legal Executive with particular expertise in family matters. is has led to a very fraught summer in the Castle Cary office with plumbers, builders, decorators and electricians working around us as we try to carry on with our daily work.

Hopefully matters are now reaching a conclusion and by September the works will be complete, our new staff will be in place and a new chapter will begin in Castle Cary.

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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Ploughing on – new minister makes a start

With MARY JAMES MBE

FOLLOWING on from my comments last month on the new Minister of State for Agriculture, Angela Leadsom, I am pleased to say she met the presidents of the farming unions the day after she was appointed.

A couple of days later she was at the Yeo Valley farm talking to Mrs Mary Mead. I have every confidence that Mary explained, very eloquently, the problems in the dairy

industry.

I also commented last month that the best thing consumers could do was to buy great British food. Think about it, we have a wonderful raft of local British food and drink in our Mendip area.

The magazine has many articles and adverts for local food and those great farm shops we have in this area. Why not look on the NFU website (NFUonline) which will direct you to articles on “Why should I back British farming” or “How can I back British farming” plus you can go to a site showing how to find British food in your supermarket. Happy shopping.

At last haymaking has finished around here and harvesting has started. The weather has been a nightmare but we survive as usual – there can be no-one more adaptable than a farmer. There is an old saying about haymaking – “a load of hay in June is worth a silver spoon, a load of hay in July isn’t worth a fly” – I don’t think there is one about August!

It is not so many years ago when hay was made in small bales which were loaded on trailers by hand, taken to a barn and stacked

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by hand and as the stack grew the elevator was used to take the bales to the top and manhandled again. It was very hot up there and most workers hated it. Then the elevator had a tendency to keep breaking down.

Nowadays the huge balers throw out large rectangular or round bales and a man on a tractor with a fork lift can soon pick up a load of these bales, take them back to the farm and unload with the fork lift. Even wrapped bales are loaded and unloaded with what is called a squeezy that does not break the plastic. All untouched by human hand.

I did manage to visit the Countryfile Countryside Day at the beginning of August which attracted huge crowds. It felt like half of an agricultural show, not many livestock but lots of TV celebrities talking about environment, walking and the National Trust. There were rare breeds, shire horses and polo ponies all giving demonstrations. There was plenty of shopping.

It’s hard to think we are on the end of summer and time for ploughing as the season changes. I mentioned the North Somerset Ploughing Match last month, being held at Moorledge Farm Chew Magna on September 4th. Ploughing is from 10am until mid – afternoon with a great handicrafts show.

On September 17th/18th there is a Vintage Ploughing Match at Birches Farm, Flax Bourton courtesy of Henry and Julie Butler and the Gibbs family. It is called a “Steam Up” this time and promises to be another super day out with plenty of tractors and machinery to enjoy. The Mendip Ploughing Match is being held at Green Ore Farm on Wednesday September 28th.

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Farmers hope to find answers at the Dairy Show BETWEEN the downturn in the milk market and Brexit, dairy farmers have a lot of uncertainty to contend with, but this year's Dairy Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground hopes to bring the industry together to try to find some answers.

The topical seminars at Speakers’ Corner during the show on Wednesday, October 5th are likely to be heavily- attended as they will offer guidance and advice from top experts on how to prepare for the changes the industry is likely to see post-Brexit.

Alan Lyons, head of shows, said: “The show is an essential occasion for farmers to get together and discuss where the industry is headed and how to capitalise on any opportunities ahead.

“With more than 300 trade stands, farmers will be able to get all the information they need to create a profitable, robust business for the years ahead. On top of this the event is an ideal networking opportunity for dairy producers.”

Robotic milking demonstrations will be held at the show again this year, with the latest cutting-edge technology on display. Trade stands will cover every aspect of dairy farming, with a huge range of products and displays from which to gain information and ideas.

As always, dairy cattle will be at the very centre of the show, with some of the most prestigious awards in the country handed out to the best on show. For the second year running, the English National Guernsey Show will be held at the Dairy Show.

G A farmer and landowner from Devon is the new president of

FARMING

Sir John Cave with Michael Eavis at the president’s handover

the Royal Bath and West of England Society. Sir John Cave, of Sidbury, was High Sheriff of Devon in 2005 and past chairman and president of the Devon County Agricultural Association. He succeeds Michael Eavis.

MENDIP PLOUGHING MATCH

COME AND ENJOY A FANTASTIC DAY IN THE COUNTRY ON LAND at GREEN ORE FARM, GREEN ORE, NR. WELLS, BA5 3EP on WEDNESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2015 • To watch Modern and Vintage Tractor and Heavy Horse Ploughing competitions • Hedge Laying and Dry Stone Walling Competitions • Farm Produce Show including Heaviest Pumpkin and Tallest Sunflower • Exhibition of Steam Traction Ploughing • Trade Stands • Refreshments and Licensed Bar available • Free Car Parking.

Further details, schedules and entry forms from the Hon. Secretary Jim King 07810 413664 email: jimking@btinternet.com MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 11

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The right time is reached for pocket watch AT their sale on August 13th at the Mendip Auction Rooms, Killens saw an interesting 18-carat gold half hunter pocket watch dating from 1922 with a Swiss movement face fierce bidding with a price of £1,250 achieved.

Some 500 lots went under the hammer and, in spite of the holiday period, once again firm interest was shown building on the excellent results achieved at the July antiques sale. There was an excellent selection of silver and jewellery entered with competitive bidding for the items on offer.

A diamond single stone platinum ring weighing 1.18 carats achieved £2,000, a collection of Indian filled gold beads £900 and a collection of costume jewellery £700.

With silver prices rising since the Brexit vote, a good selection of silver on offer met keen bidding.

A Georgian silver coffee pot by John Robertson and John Walton (Newcastle

1819) made £500; a pair of silver sauce boats (Birmingham 1961) £190; a four piece silver tea and coffee service (Sheffield 1891) £600; a Thomas Webb cut glass claret jug with silver mounts £340 and a silver sugar bowl by Mappin & Webb 1972 £140.

A good entry of taxidermy included several examples of fish with a perch caught in the Lea at Tottenham in 1909 selling for £510 and a perch caught in the Severn in 1928 achieving £550. A Victorian mahogany and brass bound marine chronometer, the dial inscribed A. Johannsen & Co, makers to the Admiralty & to the Royal Navies of Spain & Portugal, also met with strong internet interest selling for £1,600.

In recent years, the market for antique furniture has been in the doldrums but much of the furniture on offer attracted strong bidding. An Ercol day bed realised £440; a pair of button back armchairs

£440; a Victorian dining table £1,000 and a four-poster bed £1,200.

As we go to press, the sale of Victorian and Later Effects including household items on August 23rd includes a diverse range of items on offer with excellent opportunities for those seeking to furnish a house.

Entries are now being received for forthcoming sales with the next sale being of Antiques and Collectables on September 10th.

The valuers in the Auction Rooms team of Killens conduct valuation days every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or will be content to undertake a free home visit. The auction rooms can be contacted on 01749 840770 or log onto www.mendipauctionrooms.co.uk

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Westminster Bridge to go under the hammer CLEVEDON Salerooms’ Quarterly Specialist Sale on September 1st will include this circa 1760 oil on canvas topographical view of the recently constructed Westminster Bridge with the Abbey in the background, painted by William James in 1761.

William James flourished between 1754 and 1771 and is noted for expansive views of the River Thames and also views of Venice. One early 19th century reference suggests that he worked in the London workshop of the celebrated artist Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto.

Clevedon Salerooms’ Fine Art Consultant, Sheena Stoddard, formerly Curator of Fine Art at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for over 30 years, was thrilled to discern a barely visible signature in the bottom left of the picture; a discovery confirmed by conservators, putting the attribution to James beyond doubt.

Sheena’s research of the 61cm x 100cm oil on canvas led to the Museum of London where an almost identical, slightly

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

smaller version in their collection, currently unattributed, may now be reassessed on the strength of this painting.

Views of the Thames are always in demand and this example, estimated at £10,000 – £15,000, should attract considerable interest.

The on-line catalogue is available to view now at www.clevedon-salerooms.com John Smart – Portrait miniature

£2,000 - £3,000

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

Dennis Westwood Bronze

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS

£1,000 - £1,500

5 6 7 & 19 20 21 September 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

Antiques, Interiors, Collectables & Jewellery 15th & 29th September

Sales start at 10am On view day before 10am – 7.30pm.

Sale day from 9am

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789

The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Art Nouveau Sideboard

£400 - £600

Zsolnay Serpent Ewer

£4,000 - £6,000

Quarterly Specialist Sale

Thursday 1st September at 10.30am Viewing Days Tuesday 30th August 2pm – 5.30pm and Wed 31st August 10am – 7.30pm MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 13

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New exhibition

THE Bishop’s Palace in Wells is to host a new art exhibition by artist Fiona McIntyre. The exhibition is entitled “The Tree Within” and will showcase a range of Fiona’s landscapes and treescapes reflecting the artist’s intimate connection with nature.

The exhibition will be held in the conference room of the palace from September 14th – October 31st and will be included in standard admission to the palace and gardens.

Brocante fills the high street

DOZENS of stalls featuring everything from rare bicycles to artisan food took pride of place in Glastonbury for the town’s second Brocante and Vintage Fair.

The High Street was closed to traffic for the day as crowds browsed the market.

Tour de France: stallholder Andy Dennis sits on a 1915 French Argento racing bike, with original water flask and lamp powered by candlelight. Alongside him, on their more modern machines, are Karen Orenz and Phil Pierce, visitors from Devon

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This stallholder has it all sewn up

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Meet the artists

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Whether you are seeking a special artwork for your home or just want to browse, this year’s Somerset Open Studios event is sure to have something that’s right for everyone.

With well over 200 venues showcasing a huge variety of pieces from locallybased artists and makers, the county wide event offers a great opportunity to view both established names as well as new and emerging artists in their working environment revealing how they work, their inspiration and creative processes.

Somerset Open Studios runs from Saturday, September 17th until Sunday, October 2nd.

Disciplines range from the visual arts, sculpture, stone carving and metalwork to textiles, wood, jewellery, furniture, glass and mixed media, plus much more. Meet the artist face-to-face in their own small studio, home or temporary studio space; look and buy or place a personal commission for a special piece.

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Diversity on show in Buckland Dinham

SCULPTOR Ian Marlow will be joined by textile artist and painter Hilary Farthing at his studio and sculpture garden in Buckland Dinham for this year’s Somerset Arts Open Studio.

The collaboration brings together two Somerset artists working in very diverse media.

Hilary’s work evolves from an emotional response to a subject, combined with a lifelong love of landscape and the changing seasons.

Surroundings influence emotions and evoke memories; she seeks to convey a direct response, a Otters have inspired this sculpture by feeling of being in the landscape, a Ian search for stillness and calm.

Ian is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors and is well-known for his stainless steel sculptures reflecting natural forms. This is created by the special texture Ian puts into the A textile by Hilary – Button Street is in stainless steel which Frome catches the light from different angles, altering the appearance of the sculpture as the viewer moves around it.

Visitors to this year’s Open Studio event will be able to see a sculpture inspired by otters which he has just completed for a development in Taunton, due to be installed later in the year. Ian will also be exhibiting his new glass sculptures.

The studio and sculpture garden – venue 75 – will be open every day of the Somerset Open Studios from September 17th – October 2nd, 11am – 6pm.

For details visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk where an interactive map will help you find the individually-numbered venues nearest to you, or call Somerset Art Works on 01458 253800 for a free guide.

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The Mendip triangle

THREE venues in East Mendip have linked up to exhibit an exciting collection of work by artists whose inspiration has literally come from across the world.

In Cranmore (venue 84) Fiona Campbell and Nick Weaver will show large sculptural work in a beautiful garden setting, including their Gold and Best Artisan Garden pieces from this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Smaller pieces, sketchbooks and drawings will be shown in Fiona’s historic former laundry studio. Nick crafts furniture and sculpture from found and reclaimed wood, finding inspiration for his designs in natural forms or the materials’ shapes and textures.

In Wanstrow (venue 81), ceramicist Christine-Ann Richards will be displaying her thrown porcelain, hand-built large pots and waterfeatures, inspired by a trip to China 40 years ago and the gardens of Japan.

Batcombe (venue 83) sees Sabine Fiona Campbell and Nick Weaver joined forces to Abraham create this award-winning feature, inspired by the exploring Far East, for designer Sarah Eberle’s display at aesthetics, Chelsea Flower Show

Sabine Abraham will be one of the artists in Batcombe

geometry, shape and colour in the world around her, whilst exciting eye-catching images inspired by the magnificent patterns and motifs of medieval art define the distinctive style of Julia Blaker. Camilla Frederick paints the characters she sees and meets on travels to Africa, India and south east Asia and Michel Linthorst (MIES) is a Dutch designer, illustrator and writer. During Open Studios he will show his imaginary maps.

Elsewhere on Mendip, Frome is well represented by artists such as ceramicist Sarah Hitchens, who won a bursary from Somerset Art Works to work in the pop-up studio at Black Swan Arts (venue 74) and Amanda Bee, a painter printmaker working from Frome’s Silk Mill (venue 73).

Four Coleford artists are opening their studios. David Parfitt with his landscapes in watercolour, Janette Kerr’s evocative seascapes in oils, Andrew Scott George’s luminous landscapes in egg tempera, and Val George’s animal, circus and beach paintings and sculptures. David Brayne, whose work is in international collections, is exhibiting in Evercreech.

At venue 91, Caroline Morriss shows 'A Year on the Land’, paintings and prints in a contemporary wagon studio on a smallholding near Pilton. Nearby, Candace Bahouth’s garden is the location for venue 94, hosting unusual mosaic sculptures, elegant embroidered art and quirky items constructed of cardboard.

FIONA CAMPBELL AND NICK WEAVER SOMERSET OPEN STUDIOS 2016 Venue 84 17 Sept to 2 Oct

CHRISTINE-ANN RICHARDS SOMERSET OPEN STUDIOS 2016 17th September – 2nd October

Open daily 11am to 6pm, closed Tuesdays Laundry Cottage, 13 Cooks Lane, Cranmore, BA4 4RH Sculptures, furniture, drawings, garden, historic former-laundry studio 01749 880394 fionacampbell-art@sky.com

Primitive Methodist Chapel, High Street, Wanstrow, BA4 4TE Tel: 01749 850208 www.christineannrichards.co.uk mail@christineannrichards.co.uk Open: 11am–6pm Saturday, Sunday, ursday & Friday

For details visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk where an interactive map will help you find the individu

PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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Erica Sharpe exhibition

AWARD-winning jeweller and artist Erica Sharpe will be showing beautiful new jewellery pieces and demonstrating her designs and “Wild Inspiration” at the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen in Wells, as part of this year’s Somerset Art

Weeks event.

She will also be exhibiting her watercolours and sketches which form part of her creative process. Do check with the venue for details and to see the other talented makers on show.

Somerset Art Weeks is an exciting county-wide event, offering visitors the opportunity to see artists and craftspeople in their work spaces or exhibiting together.

Details: 01934 710448 email info@ericasharpe.co.uk or go to www.ericasharpe.co.uk or www.somersetguild.co.uk

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

Desk is best in furniture test

A DESK in English walnut has won first prize in the annual Somerset Guild of Craftsmen Furniture Award held in Wells.

The Mallard Desk was created by Matt Duckworth, from the Devon-based (l:r) Matthew Youngs, from David Savage School of Fine Axminster Tools, winner Matt Duckworth, Martin Lane, Tom Furniture. It also won the Kealy and Chris Tipple, guild public “popular vote”.

Students from Bridgwater member and organiser of the event College were amongst the entrants in the competition, sponsored by the Friends of Somerset Artworks and Axminster Tools and organised by Guild member Chris Tipple, a furniture maker.

A guild spokesman said: “Such was the quality of the work that the judges, Tom Kealy and Martin Lane, both furniture makers with international reputations, took six hours of painstaking scrutiny to reach their decision.

“Next year we hope the competition will be even bigger and better, establishing Wells and the Guild of Craftsmen as a regional focus for handmade work of extraordinary quality.”

G Artists including Erica Sharpe and Sue Sinclair will be amongst those featured at the guild during Somerset Open Studios (venue 110).

www.somersetguild.co.uk

THE SPRING FULL – NEXT COURSE IN

VISIT US DURING SOMERSET ART WEEKS: VENUE 110

vidually-numbered venues nearest to you, or call Somerset Art Works on 01458 253800 for a free guide.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 17

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Edgar Wright – a correction

Last service before church work begins

NEWS

AN evensong service during which the lives of soldiers who died in the First World War will be remembered will be the last in Nunney church before work begins on a new nave roof.

The church will be closed to worshippers and visitors until next Easter when building contractors take over the site early in September.

The final part of the 6pm service on Sunday, September 4th will be to “close” the church when each member of the congregation will light a small candle by the pulpit and process down the nave, blowing out the candles as they leave through the main door.

When the church reopens, the nave will be flooded by light from four new dormer windows.

G All are welcome at the service. Access to the churchyard will remain open whilst the work is carried out.

Frome Carnival – we need your support Edgar and his former headteacher Peter Wild. The plaque sits outside the school’s main reception

IN a story about film director Edgar Wright in last month’s Mendip Times we stated that Peter Wild was head teacher of the Blue School in Wells. That is incorrect. He is a former teacher of drama at the school; Steve Jackson is head teacher. We apologise for the error.

RAF commemoration

MEMBERS of MidSomerset branch of the Royal Air Forces Association have unveiled a rose tree and plaque at RAF Flowerdown House, their local retirement home in Westonsuper-Mare, in memory of Air Vice-Marshall, Sir John Severne, former branch president.

Sir John, who died aged 90, was a fighter pilot during the Cold War, and following a series of senior commands, he was appointed captain of the Queen’s Flight and then equerry to Prince Philip.

At a thanksgiving service last October the queen sent five dignitaries from London, representing each of her children.

The commemoration in Weston was organised by social officer, Martin Leach, a RAF veteran of the First Gulf War. He was supported by branch members Len and Diana Burden, Peter Yusen, John Hawkins, vice chair, and guests Jill Hawkins, Deirdre Croley and Pat and Graham Whitworth – ex RAF gliders.

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

ORGANISERS of the Frome Carnival have warned that its future may be in doubt unless more volunteers come forward to help stage the annual extravaganza.

This year’s event – on Saturday, September 24th – will go ahead as planned but a question mark remains over 2017 and beyond.

The carnival committee stages a number of fundraising events each year to help to cover the costs of both the children’s procession and the main evening procession. Any profits go into the funds of a carnival-run charity which helps people in need in the town and surrounding villages.

Carnival members also raise funds by working at various events such as acting as car park stewards for Nunney Street Fayre.

A carnival spokeswoman said: “We cannot continue unless we get more helpers on the day and volunteers for posts on committee. If you want the carnival to remain a fixture in our town calendar then please contact us.”

This year’s Frome Carnival duck race will take place on Sunday, September 11th at 1pm, starting from Button Bridge.

Judging for the afternoon carnival procession takes place at 2pm in Victoria Park before setting off at 2.30pm. The main evening procession will leave Marston Trading Estate at 7pm.

Ahead of the main event, street entertainment will be held from 11am-2pm in the Westway Precinct, outside the library and in Cheap Street.

For details or to volunteer, visit: www.fromecarnival.org.uk

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TOPSOIL AND STONE SUPPLIES Dry high quality screened or unscreened Topsoil. Recycled aggregates and quarry stone supplies, road planings and building stone.

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ASBESTOS Asbestos removal and collection. Roof sheets, tiles and guttering. Call for information.

TRANSPORT 4,6 and 8 wheeled tipper Lorries for hire and muck away. Low loader, beaver tail and road brush hire.

PLANT HIRE Wide range of plant. 360 excavators, Dumpers, Bulldozers and Crushers.

EXCAVATIONS Large and small excavations. Specialist works include Equestrian all weather surfaces, drainage and bulk excavations.

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Nunney Street Fayre

BOYCIE met Marlene when actor John Challis – best known for playing the second-hand car dealer in Only Fools and Horses – was greeting fans after opening this year’s Nunney Street Fayre.

Marlene was the name of Boycie’s fictional wife in the classic comedy series, but John found himself chatting to a real-life Marlene – Marlene Collins of Congresbury – as he signed copies of his autobiographies and posed for photographs in return for donations to the RNLI. The street market and fair was organised by Nunney Community Association and featured more than 120 stalls, live music and other attractions.

The streets were crowded

Marlene with actor John Challis

Frome Street Bandits

Jemima, aged seven from Hadspen near Castle Cary, makes friends with Anna a Royal Python on a stall run by Scales and Tails PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Enjoying the sunshine and music on the moat at Nunney Castle

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Crowds throng the stalls along Church Street

EVENTS

Walkies – an inquisitive red tegu makes his way through the crowds, happy to go for a stroll on the end of a lead

Enjoying the view from the tower of Nunney Church – the church closes in September for repairs to the roof

This tegu lizard was the centre of attention Alec James, singer with the Frome Swing Band, who entertained crowds sitting around the castle moat

Frome Swing Band

Bathampton Morris Men are regular performers at the fayre

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 21

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INTERNET

iPad AutoFill

THERE are often sites we visit where we have to login with username or email address and password, which is not really any security risk – such as library books online etc. Plus if you have to type your password on a daily or weekly basis, this encourages you to use easyto-guess passwords so you don’t have to type long complex strings of characters, and lots of sites do want us to login, so getting your iPad to help you out is very useful.

But only if it is a site with no security risk – I would recommend that you don’t use it for online banking or ask it to remember your credit card details.

First, make sure AutoFill is an option – go to Settings (looks like a cog), then tap Safari and Passwords & AutoFill (or maybe just AutoFill) and then tap Names and Passwords to switch it on.

(If you switch on Use Contact Info, then when you go to a web page with a form that asks for basics like name, address, or telephone number, AutoFill uses your contact information in the Contacts app to fill those fields automatically.)

When asked to login, type in your email address and password, then tap on Passwords. This will then ask you if you want to save it. Tap Save (or Save This Password the second time you do it) and then next time you go to the same login, just tap in the email address/user name box and tap the AutoFill passwords – it will fill in both boxes for you, using the right password for the site it is currently accessing, so all you need to do is tap Sign In, or Go on the keyboard.

If you want to change passwords for a site, just use the keyboard to erase and retype the password when logging into that site the next time. AutoFill will prompt you, asking if you want to save the new password, replacing the old one in its database HOWEVER – I would recommend that you do not use AutoFill for any site with a security risk – laborious though it may be to keep having to type – it is the safest way to protect yourself.

Submitted by IT for the Terrified: NOW AT Cheddar Village Hall, Church St, Cheddar BS27 3RF 01934 741751 (There was a short period where we were not able to have the answer phone active, so if you tried to ring and got no reply, please try again!) www.itfortheterrified.co.uk itfortheterrified@btconnect.com I.T. for the Terrified – for all your computer training needs. A skill-sharing, community project.

Run by a Committee – Staffed by Volunteers 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 for £10 per hour. 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: Macs: Tablets: iPads: smartphones.

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

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Try Perth or a hiding place of tyro magician (5,6) 7 Spoil a written regulation (3) 9 Month with travelling show in London (7) 10 A vendor found for place in Hampshire (7) 11 I throw my weight about in London (9) 12 She wrote as Edmund kept things bearable (5) 13 Almost had agreement in Kent (5) 15 Need to exit scene differently being like this (9) 17 Went out with – some time earlier? (4-5) 19 Made arid I calculate, moving from the centre (5) 21 Norman leaves Devon town and carries a load (5) 22 Telephones not working means fixed dates (9) 24 Protected species consistently annoys farmers, for example (7) 25 Keep bird on a boat for a change (7) 27 Have a receptive feature (3) 28 Routine buyers . . . in the City? (5,6)

DOWN 1 Enjoys meaty parts, lovie (3) 2 What's owed the author – including the queen (7) 3 Long for any earnings included (5) 4 Router set out familiar surroundings for us (3,6) 5 Get ready to follow the bride (5) 6 Revolutionary document marks festive occasion (3,6) 7 No Elvis lookalike persists like this (5,2) 8 Planet string confined to US sportsmen (5,6) 11 Wearing a monk’s clothes a seaman has somewhere to live (11) 14 Team walks but dodges the issue (4-5) 16 Find kind Ian in confusion about Stoppard play (6,3) 18 Changed decor to suit Burgundy wines (4,3) 20 Hiding place has sign of the country (7) 22 Brief discovery of recorded music (5) 23 Found Barbirolli by a stretch of the Mediterranean (5) 26 Spot an internet address (3)

Answers on page 97

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Axbridge Showcase 2016

AXBRIDGE Chamber of Commerce is hosting this year’s Axbridge Showcase on Saturday September 3rd.

It will be celebrating summer fun of the 1960s/70s from 2pm until 10pm, after Axbridge Farmers’ Market in the morning.

The Square will be closed from 1.30pm until 7pm and the showcase will be opened by a parade of classic cars and bikes, which will stay in the square for people to view.

The famous Showcase café in the town hall will be open from 10.30, selling teas, coffee, cakes, and cream teas. The theme will be Mods and Rockers with a sprinkling of flower power.

The showcase event is packed with activities for the whole family, including a parade of the Axbridge Sea Cadets, Punch and Judy show, Morris Men, music of the '60s and

'70s during the afternoon, cider festival and a display of historic Axbridge documents of the 1960s/70s.

The evening entertainment features local Band, Mayhem in the Town Hall from 8pm – doors open at 7.30pm, entrance is free. There will also be

Details: www.axbridgeshowcase.co.uk

plenty of free parking.

Why not go and enjoy the afternoon and evening and there is even a prize for the best dressed male, female and child. So join in the fun dressed in the style of the 1960s/70s.

Hot towel shaving @ NuGents

PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

AFTER many months of planning, finally NuGents barbers has opened its door at 12, High Street, Axbridge.

Better known by locals as "Scott's Newsagents" or simply "The old paper shop" owner and barber Tom Nugent has bought the original shop back to life as a traditional barbers.

Bespoke furniture, unusual light fittings and refurbished original Belmont chairs all add to the charm giving it a masculine and yet welcoming atmosphere to gentlemen of all ages. An easy to use on-line booking system is in place but the traditional walk-in system is also welcome.

Having re-trained as a hairdresser five years ago Tom has been specialising in gentleman's barbering attending classes with wellknown barbers for the past two and most recently he attended a hot towel straight razor shaving course at renowned Sid Sottung academy in Nottingham.

When visiting NuGents you can be assured of a quality service from Tom who is renowned for his attention to detail and eagerness to please guests.

He has chosen quality hair products from Aveda and shaving products from Proraso, hoping to encourage the local men about town that pampering is for the NU-Gent!

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FOCUS ON AXBRIDGE

Lavender harvest

New dining club

Celebrating 30 years!

Lavender Gifts & Crafts Shop

LAVENDER & Co is a single estate lavender farm on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills by Axbridge in Somerset. They grow 15 different varieties of lavender for their products and visitors can experience the tranquility of the field during the summer months when the lavender is at its most beautiful.

After the glorious spectacle of the field, they set to work to harvest pure oil for their exclusive range of hand-made products to sell in their Axbridge shop. Ask about their lavender infused jam, marmalade and two types of mustard, lavender sugar for home baking, or spoon some delicious lavender syrup over fresh strawberries or ice cream.

Lavender & Co have created a quality range of hand creams, lotions and pure oil in distinctive blue bottles and sell perfumed lavender stems and baskets of confetti for country weddings.

Lavender & Co are at The Lavender Centre, George House, The Square, Axbridge, BS26 2AP. Opening times for the shop: January to December, Wednesday to Saturday 10am -5pm. The field is open on selected dates during the summer months.

SARAH Boundy began her hairdressing career with Acutabove in 1986 when she joined as apprentice at her mother’s salon in Launceston, Cornwall.

After qualifying as a stylist she progressed to managing and eventually taking over ownership in 1991. Over the past 30 years she has strived to give the best care, service and creativity to all her guests and maintains a loyal guest list as their exclusive hair stylist in Axbridge.

For appointments tel: 01934 733666.

More antiques for sale

GEORGE House Antiques in Axbridge has now opened two rooms of antique and classic furniture and other household items at Woolpack House in the High Street, just a few yards from their shop in the Square.

In this display area you can view tables, chairs, desks, light fittings and many other interesting items. To see their expanded range of stock, drop in to their shop at George House in the Square, Axbridge or call Baz Hamblin 07979 994126.

COMPTON House Hotel and George House Antiques, both businesses located in Axbridge, have announced their joint sponsorship of ACDC: Axbridge Collectors Dining Club.

They aim to provide regular Baz and Carole Hamblin enjoyable dinners with a guest speaker to talk about some aspect of antiques or collecting.

Their first dinner will be at Compton House on Tuesday September 13th, with guest speaker Yvonne Bell. She specialises in the Edwardian era and her talk, titled “Serendipity”, is about the collectable antiques from that fascinating period of history.

The “ACDC experience” promises a splendid threecourse dinner in the company of like-minded diners with an interesting and informative after-dinner speaker.

Tickets for this black tie event are £28.50 per person and may be booked by calling Compton House 01934 733944 or George House Antiques on 07979 994126.

SINGLE ESTATE LAVENDER FIELD

Lotions & Potions, Pure Oil, Culinary, Wedding Confetti.

Email: carole@lavenderandco.co.uk Tel: 01934 253781/0781 866 5729 George House, The Square, Axbridge BS26 2AP

George

House

Antiques, curios and collectables George House, The Square, Axbridge BS26 2AP Tel: 01934 733939 Mob: 07979 994126 email: b.hamblin2@btinternet.com

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 25

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FROM Surviving to Thriving by Birch Moon explores how the science of positive psychology and mindfulness meditation can help lift your mood naturally and improve health and well-being.

Benefits include an increase in optimism, strengths and resilience, enabling us to manage life’s challenges more effectively. These tools have proved particularly effective with mild to moderate depression.

The eight-week Axbridge-based course starts on Tuesday October 4th, 7pm – 9pm, costs £120 (payable in instalments) and includes all materials, and a meditation CD.

New exhibition – the inns of Axbridge

KING John’s Hunting Lodge in Axbridge was not built until around 250 years after King John died. It has never been used for hunting and is not technically a lodge – but otherwise it has an entirely accurate name!

However, it was an inn from at least the time of the English Civil War until late in the 18th century, and its name was the King’s Head Inn, with its pub sign still on show in the museum and a copy adorning the centre post where it traditionally hung.

It is, therefore, appropriate that the temporary exhibition which will be on display until the end of this season is entitled “The Inns of Axbridge.”

Some of the inns, or pubs, which still exist in Axbridge can trace their history back to the 15th and 16th centuries, though the sites on which they stand can sometimes have deeds outstanding from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Amongst the town records are a number of licences from the 17th century which show that at times there were up to 15 inns and beer houses at any given time. For such a small town this sounds remarkable, but Axbridge was a market town and had up to four fairs a year, so accommodating the large number of people attracted by these events meant that food, drink and somewhere to sleep for those travelling a long distance was essential.

Many people will know that King John’s Hunting Lodge is actually owned by the National Trust, but is rented from them by the Axbridge and District Museum Trust (ADMT). For many years the ADMT have wanted to sell some National Trust stock items in the front area of the Hunting Lodge and that wish has now come true.

The museum has also refurbished its exhibition about the Royal Palaces at Cheddar, with a number of original artefacts, loaned by the South West Heritage Centre; created a new and novel exhibition entitled “One Thousand Years of Horseshoes” and introduced a 21” digital screen displaying items from the exhibitions for those who cannot climb the museum’s ancient stairs, together with a number of pictures of interest regarding the history of the area.

If you haven’t been, do go and see it; if you have been some time ago, many things have changed, so you will find a lot of new things to interest you. National Trust members get in free, other adults are charged £2.50, and accompanied children are free.

Carnival time

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

THE fun doesn’t stop with the Axbridge Showcase – there’s the Axbridge Blackberry Carnival to look forward to on September 24th.

The traditional event sees floats, tractors and walking entries parading through the town. It coincides with the annual threeday visit of the fair, which takes over the medieval square.

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FOCUS ON AXBRIDGE

(Left to right) Jess, Linda and Camilla

LINDA Bishop’s restoration of The Crown in Axbridge has been a long and very successful labour of love.

The building, originally a medieval Hall House, now has its medieval beams, walls and floors exposed, while a new kitchen, cellar and pool room have been added.

She’s also opened three luxurious en-suite bed and breakfast rooms upstairs – they can also be used as a self-catering flat with kitchen and lounge – and built herself a three-bedroom cottage next door.

She lived in a single cramped room while all the work was going on and decided to make a start on the patio and garden, while planning permission was going through. That was in 2012.

After filling 60 skips they discovered a 24-foot deep ochre mine in the back yard which had to be filled in. The patio and garden is now a secure suntrap.

Historians believe it was built around the time that Axbridge got its royal charter. During the 16th century it’s thought the building was sub-divided and the upstairs floor added.

Now it combines medieval charm with modern facilities, offering quality, locally-sourced and freshly-cooked food, alongside a range of real ales and ciders.

It’s popular with locals, hosting three skittles teams and two pool teams, with plans for a darts team in the future, though more tourists are finding their way there after good reviews on Trip Advisor – and there’s a secure shed for storing bicycles for passing cyclists.

Linda’s now taking more of a back seat in the business, leaving the day-to-day running of it to two local girls, Jess Ford, acting manager, and Camilla Hares, head chef.

Linda said: “Jess started coming in here as a 15-year-old playing pool and drinking Coca-Cola. The day after her 18th birthday Jess got her Personal Licence which qualifies her to manage the bar. I think she’s astonished everyone with the way she runs the place, as has Millie with her cooking skills.

“It’s great to see these two girls taking the place on and really flying it.”

Friendly local pub Quality home-cooked food Three en-suite B and B rooms Choice of real ales and ciders Safe, sunny patio and garden Skittle alley and function room Opening hours Monday – Thursday 5.30pm-midnight Friday 5.30pm – 2am – look out for music nights Weekends 12noon – late

Crown Inn, St. Mary’s Street, Axbridge BS26 2BN 01934 732518 01934 732044 www.crowninnaxbridge.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 27

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September food song

AS we move into the autumn, with the changing leaf colours and the bounty of the hedgerow as well as all the lovely fruits of the season, it’s great to put some of the weather disappointments of this last summer behind us and think positively.

Game comes into season from now on, as With JUNE do squash, beetroot, broccoli and celery, MACFARLANE and locally grown tomatoes. Later in the month apples will be in abundance, particularly in Mendip, so check out the markets for local varieties.

ROASTED BEETROOT, GOATS CHEESE AND HAZELNUT SALAD (for 2) 3 medium size fresh beetroot 100g goats cheese or feta 50g whole hazelnuts assorted salad leaves and herbs olive oil balsamic vinegar seasoning

INGREDIENTS

You can get all kinds of beetroot now, pink and gold and even stripey. They have a natural sweetness that I think is delicious. Mendip produces excellent goats cheese, or you can use feta instead.

METHOD Wearing gloves, scrub the beetroot lightly under running water and twist off the leaves. Wrap in tinfoil and roast in the oven at 180℃ for 1-2 hours, testing with a skewer for doneness. Allow to cool and slip off the skins. Put a layer of assorted salad leaves and herbs in a bowl. Cut the beetroot into wedges and place on top, crumble over the cheese, add the nuts, make a dressing with the oil and vinegar, salt and pepper and pour over just before serving.

Venison with blackberry sauce

VENISON WITH BLACKBERRY SAUCE It looks like a very good blackberry season and, as they are free, it is great to make the most of them. If you feel a bit cautious about trying venison most supermarkets sell ready packaged shoulder steaks which are a great way to try this lovely lean meat.

INGREDIENTS

(for 2) 2 venison shoulder steaks 1 tbsp olive oil 150g blackberries, washed and drained 200ml rich beef stock 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly splash of blackberry liqueur (optional) seasoning

METHOD Carefully remove as much of the connective tissue as you can from the steaks. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the oil in a pan until almost smoking and sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes on either side. Remove and keep warm while resting for 3-4 minutes. Reserve a few blackberries and heat the remaining ingredients in the same pan, mashing the blackberries and allowing the liquid to reduce by half. Taste for seasoning. Add back the whole blackberries and heat through. Slice the meat on the slant and serve with the sauce.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO WITH SAGE INGREDIENTS

(for 2) 300g squash, peeled and chopped into 1cm pieces splash olive oil seasoning small bunch sage 500ml stock (chicken or vegetable) 50g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 200g risotto rice small glass white wine 50g Parmesan cheese, grated

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

This is absolutely delicious, and whether you do it as a starter or a main you will not be disappointed. The squash brings a slight sweetness to the dish, which is tempered by the cheese. Try to use home-made stock.

METHOD Pre-heat oven to 180℃. Toss the squash in olive oil, add one tablespoon chopped sage, seasoning, and roast in oven 30 mins.

Remove. Bring stock to a simmer. Meanwhile, in a frying pan, melt half the butter and sweat the onions until transparent. Add the rice and cook until it “sings”. Add the wine and cook until evaporated.

Add the stock by the ladleful until rice is creamy and al dente. Reserve half the squash and mash the rest. Stir this into the rice. Stir in the cheese. Stir in remaining butter. Taste for seasoning. Serve with reserved squash scattered on top.

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What’s new from Myrtle Farm

FOOD & DRINK

Keep the music coming!

A round-up of events from Thatchers Cider in Sandford

Partnering with Bristol Sport

WE’VE signed a new partnership with Bristol Sport that will see an expanded range of our ciders at the “new” Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of Bristol Rugby and Bristol City FC. We will also be featuring on Bristol Rugby’s home and away shirts for the first time. Thatchers Gold, Haze and Dry are now available on draught at the stadium, which is nearing completion of a £45m redevelopment.

We’ve enjoyed a long association with Ashton Gate and the passionate supporters of Bristol Rugby and Bristol City FC. We’re delighted to be developing our partnership with Bristol Sport at this exciting time.

WE took over the Passenger Shed in Bristol on a hot summer’s evening for The Haze Sessions – a new event we’ve staged to reach new audiences and promote our association with great music – What Music is Supposed to Sound Like.

Around 750 guests joined us for an amazing evening of up and coming bands – headliners By the Rivers, Keston Cobblers Club, The Showhawk Duo, Anteros, Rachel Clark and Melody Causton.

Anniversary celebrations at The Railway Inn

THE sun shone for The Railway Inn’s first anniversary celebrations. Our new pizza oven and barbecue were kept busy throughout the day as our customers took the opportunity to enjoy some laid back music, great cider and great food on a beautiful summer’s day.

Our chefs even produced a very special railway birthday cake, which was cut by Mr and Mrs John and Ann Thatcher.

A huge thank you to The Cherry Pickers and Wrong Direction who kept the music coming during the afternoon and evening, to the facepainters Absolutely Painted Faces, who were in hot demand by the younger generation, and of course to all our customers who helped us not only celebrate on the day, but have supported us throughout our very exciting first year.

Visit The Railway Inn’s facebook page where you’ll find a short film.

The Railway Inn will be hosting its Autumn Season Tasting Menu on Thursday 6 October. Please contact us on 01934 611518 for reservations.

Cheers from us all!

www.thatcherscider.co.uk • Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA Tel: 01934 822862

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 29

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Welsh cheese in Somerset!

Morgan and Todd Trethowan

TRETHOWAN’S Dairy, based at Puxton Park, have been celebrating success with their Gorwydd Caerphilly cheese.

The family have been making the cheese for almost 20 years, since Todd Trethowan learned the recipe from a third generation cheesemaker in Mark in the 1990s.

The cheese is now made locally at Puxton Park, using unpasteurised milk from a prize-winning herd of pedigree Holsteins and Jerseys.

It’s made completely by hand in the batches of around 100 cheeses per day. It’s then allowed to mature for approximately two months before sending it out to customers.

The cheese won Gold at the International Cheese Awards, having also won Gold at the Artisan Cheese Awards and British Cheese Awards.

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Pumpkin festival at Farrington’s

FARRINGTON’S Farm Shop has been chosen to host the only local Spookley Pumpkin Festival this autumn.

You can pick from thousands of homegrown pumpkins from their pumpkin patch field, carve Spookley shapes and try some seasonal pumpkin dishes. Or cosy up and listen to the heart-warming story of Spookley, the square

shaped pumpkin.

Supporting the national anti-bullying week, Spookley tells the story of a square pumpkin who lives in a pumpkin patch with a crop of round pumpkins. His appearance leads to him being bullied by the other vegetables because he is a different shape.

The Farrington’s Spookley pumpkin festival will be taking place at Farrington’s Farm Shop over the weekend of October 15th and 16th and the half term week from October 21st – 31st.

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THIS year’s Wells Food Festival promises to be an educational, interactive foodie day out for all the family.

Taking place on Sunday, October 9th at various venues in the city, there will be an Artisan Market, and areas such as the Family Marquee in the Bishop’s Barn and Food for Thought in the Recreation Ground will have plenty of free food-related activities.

In the Town Hall, there will be three ticketed events taking place through the day: 11–11.30am. HOME CURED MEAT by Somerset Charcuterie. An ideal introduction to how to cure and air dry meat at home: the team will talk through the process of what’s involved, from selecting the appropriate meat to preparing the cure.

12.30–1pm. NEW ENGLISH WINE by Wraxall Vineyard. Brian Shirely will be talking about the growth Wraxall Vineyard – from of the English wine industry, dereliction to success

FOOD & DRINK

The team from Somerset Charcuterie will be explaining some of the principles of curing

covering the factors that have helped in the successful building of the business since he bought it as a derelict vineyard in 2007.

Wraxall Vineyard will have several of their wines to taste and discuss.

2-2.30pm. CIDER TASTING by local Master Cider Maker Bob Chaplin. Bob has been in the industry for more than 40 years and has a wealth of knowledge. He’ll be comparing ciders from a selection of local companies, explaining how the different production processes, as well as apple varieties, effect the flavour and quality of cider.

Each talk costs £5.50 per person. Spaces are limited so it is advisable to book a place before the day. Tickets are available online at www.bradsons.co.uk/tickets or telephone 01749 813899. For further information visit www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 31

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BARME – a new experience in outdoor catering CHEF and catering company boss Andy Jones has launched a brand new concept in the world of mobile bars and outdoor catering – a custom-built unit that can be fitted out to suit any occasion.

BARME units come complete with their own cellar, LED lights, personalised playlists and Bose sound system as well as sleek serving areas to ensure they complement the style of the event. BARME can get a party started from the moment the units arrive with just one tap of a button.

The units are so flexible that Andy and his team can transform them from a real ale bar – the built-in cellar can accommodate five different beers and Andy has been working alongside Butcombe to develop the concept – to an artisan gin or malt whisky bar. A special awning allows the team to join up with a marquee or other structure to provide a seamless connection between venue and bar.

Andy, a former chef at The Slabhouse near Wells, runs the catering franchise at The Mendip Golf Club under the Tee Time Catering banner as well as finding time to show off his skills at food festivals and other events such as the MidSomerset Show.

He said: “BARME is all about creating a unique experience. We welcome all requests you may desire to have on your bar – from a specific spirit to a luxurious liqueur to a wonderful whisky.

Andy with the first of the BARME units

“If we don’t already stock it, we are willing to hunt around to source it for you. BARME allows you to be as picky as you want with what you have on your bar, so if you want a particular theme or you fancy a certain range, we are happy to do everything we can to make it happen.”

To find out more about BARME, visit: www.BARME.UK.com or call: 01749 841700.

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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GARDEN FOOD

Love of dill

With JAKE WHITSON

I'VE grown a lot of dill this year and I must say even I was surprised at quite how strong the flavour of the homegrown stuff is compared to anything you can buy in the shops, fresh or dried.

Early in the season when there was not much of it around, I was amazed to find that even one or two miniscule sprigs would flavour an entire pot of potatoes or

a creamy sauce.

Having said that, now that I have it in abundance I don't feel any need to be sparing with it – I love the flavour of dill and use it in great heaping handfuls wherever I can. It has a particular (and well known) affinity with fish, but is also great with chicken.

It contains preservative compounds which I suspect is the underlying reason for its addition to so many preserves, from gravadlax to cucumber pickles.

A simple supper I keep coming back to recently is boiled potatoes, dressed while still hot with butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and a generous heap of sorrel and dill, finely chopped.

Either on its own or with a simple salad, I find this an immensely satisfying and thrifty meal.

I also enjoy making gravadlax (Scandinavian style dillcured salmon) or variations on it – the same method is good for many other oily fish such as mackerel and trout.

I never follow a strict recipe but mix together enough salt and sugar (about half sugar to salt) to generously cover the fish I am using – then to this I add as much dill as I can lay my hands on – sometimes I think that this dish is more about the dill than the fish!

Then I blend the salt, sugar and dill together with some white pepper in a food processor to make a thick paste, which I smear over the fish. Then the fish is weighted down with a wooden board and left for a day or two in the fridge – sliced thinly, with some rye bread and pickles, it is perfect for a special lunch.

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. Details: www.chaosfungorum.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

WILD FOOD

A very sticky mess

THE Egyptians and Romans considered the roots of this plant a delicacy; the Greeks gave it the Latin name ‘Althaea’ meaning ‘to cure’. The French use the whole dried root for teething babies and it gave a famous sticky sweet its name.

The Marsh Mallow plant was historically With ADRIAN gathered by fishermen’s wives along the BOOTS coast of Britain and used medicinally for cough syrup, treatment of inflammation, stomach ulcers and as a drawing poultice.

The sweet itself was once produced using the boiled roots which are full of natural starch, sugars and “mucilage” (I love that word for some reason) a very gelatinous substance. Today the sweets are made from gelatine, starch, sugar and dyes in a highly industrialised process.

Unfortunately, the Marsh Mallow plant is now quite uncommon but it does support a rare moth imaginatively called the Marsh Mallow Moth.

Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis) is a tall perennial 1.5m high, growing in clumps.

The leaves are velvety grey-green in colour, lobed on long stalks. The white/pale pink flowers have darker pink centres, five petals about 3cm across and appear August and September.

Its small rounded fruits are called “cheeses” presumably because they look like mini cheese truckles. A native plant of Britain it is found in ditches and damp grassy areas such as coastal salt marshes.

All parts are edible; the leaves, fruits and roots (once washed) can be eaten raw or cooked. The roots contain about 35% mucilage and the leaves approx 10%. But what we all really want to know is how to make Marsh Mallows. Well I can tell you it’s not that easy and I know because I have spent many hours testing different methods to come to this conclusion.

So here’s what I found works best: boil, then simmer 50g of dried or 25g fresh root in 340ml water for at least 30mins or until the liquid becomes stringy. Strain then dissolve one tbsp of gelatine, two tbsp sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt into the liquid. Leave to cool.

Whisk for at least five minutes until fluffy, then poor the mix into a dish, chill and cut into chunks. Mine came out a rather fetching/amusing/disgusting (delete as appropriate) shade of green. I liked it anyway. So there you have it, a very sticky mess that all the family can enjoy!

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

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 33

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Cock-a-hoop over pub refurbishment Chris Francis (left) and Micky Taft with the Courage cockerel

THE former landlord of the Bell Hotel in Shepton Mallet was so pleased to see the completion of the inn’s exterior refurbishment that he made a special presentation to the current owner.

Chris Francis, who ran the Bell for 15 years, had kept the iconic Courage Brewery cockerel as a souvenir. The cockerel had pride of place on top of the pub sign hanging over the entrance until 2001 when Chris – and his late wife Shirley – decided to move on. The bird – now restored to its former glory – had remained in his shed ever since.

Chris, who still lives in the town, said: “We’d been Courage tenants and jumped at the chance to take on the Bell ourselves. I have many happy memories of our time there.”

Owner Micky Taft oversaw the refurbishment of the Bell, which includes a striking mural in the courtyard by artist “Alice Malice” – some people may spot some similarities to Shepton characters.

He said: “We were delighted when Chris said we could have the cockerel back. It’s a sign of approval and also a sign that we have successfully restored one of the town’s most important buildings. It sends out the right message that Shepton is a place worth visiting.”

LIVE MUSIC FROM 9pm EVERY FRIDAY! August 26th: The Tripes – “Rock originals and covers – with a twist” September 2nd: Snake Eyes – “Non-stop talented guitar-led band” September 9th: No Mean Feat – “The finest rock and blues covers”

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

September 16th: Parfanon – “Flat-out entertainment – a ‘must see’ band” September 23rd: Growler – “Bristol-based covers band with a dynamic lead singer” September 30th: Fraser Road Race – “Hard rock and heavy blues from Shepton’s finest”

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FOOD & DRINK

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September 17/18th 10am–6pm Admission FREE 150 artisan food & drink producers, cookery workshops & demos with leading W Country & Michelin star chefs, Kipperland, live music, kids area with Tractor Ted, Little Farm Live, circus skills, street theatre – and lots more food themed FUN and tastiness! www.westonsuperfoodfestival.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 35

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SEPTEMBER DATES Wells Each Wed 9am—2 .3O pm

All other m arkets 9am-1 pm u nle ss otherwise marked*

Travelling through or living in the village, if the doors are open – come in and enjoy what Blagdon’s little country pub has to offer.

Booking highly recommended

SAT 3rd Axbridge & Midsomer Norton SUN 4th SFM @ Frome Independent SAT 1Oth Frome (C&G Market Hall) and Keynsham SAT 17th Crewkerne SAT 24th Glastonbury & Yeovil (9am-2pm)* FRI 3Oth Burnham-on-Sea

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PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

FOOD & DRINK

Award-winning pies

JON Thorner’s pulled brisket and horseradish pie was described as being “attractive, homemade, with tender brisket and lovely pastry” by the panel of esteemed judges at the recent Great Taste Awards.

Great Taste, the world’s most coveted blind-tasted food awards, celebrates the very best in food and drink, and out of 10,000 products judged, Jon Thorner’s was awarded a 1-Star Great Taste award.

This accolade has added to the fantastic award haul Jon Thorner’s has received this year, with gold, silver and highly commended from Taste of the West, Meat Management finalists in the Best Meat Pie category and winning a silver and bronze at the national British Pie Awards.

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St Dunstan’s looks to the future THESE are truly exciting times for St Dunstan's School, in Glastonbury, with the most significant development and investment in the school's history.

Students at St Dunstan's are already in one of the highest performing schools in the area in terms of progress and the federation with the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership has secured the long-term future, growth and investment of the school.

Already over £500,000 has been invested in the facilities and best practice at all levels is being shared across the partnership.

The new head teacher, Keith Howard (pictured), said: “I am very excited about this new era for St Dunstan's School and I am looking forward to leading this 'smallby-design' school with a warm, friendly and caring atmosphere.

“With high standards and new facilities, students at St Dunstan's can be sure of a high quality, inspiring education in a school community where they are known as an individual, the best of both worlds! Please do come and visit us in September to see what's new and what makes St Dunstan's such a special place.”

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

As part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, St Dunstan's is set to flourish, building on its strengths and providing excellent secondary education for Glastonbury and the surrounding area.

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Not just an exam factory

THE world in which our children will live and work will be unrecognisable from ours. In fact, only a third of university students believe their chosen career will exist in ten years' time.

With the pace of change so great, the graduates of tomorrow need far more than just a list of qualifications to succeed. To be successful in the future will require flexibility, resilience, collaboration, outstanding social skills and an enquiring mind.

At Sidcot School equal emphasis is placed on the development of life skills alongside the rigorous pursuit of academic achievement. This ensures students are grounded and prepared for what lies ahead of them and are equipped with theoretical knowledge and aptitude as well as the personal and

EDUCATION

social qualities that are needed in the real world.

Sidcot students are global citizens – they are encouraged to learn from the world around them, taking an active interest in current affairs, participating in community projects and engaging with global issues such as human rights, social justice and care for the environment.

At Sidcot, students are provided with a diverse range of extracurricular activities from fencing to ultimate Frisbee and their physical, mental and emotional well-being is fostered through sport, creative arts and an innovative programme within the Centre for Peace and Global Studies.

Sidcot is a real community – where every child is valued, where practical everyday skills are taught alongside the academic, where enquiring minds can grow and express themselves and where young people build confidence, learn to make sense of their world and are prepared for a fulfilling life in the future.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 39

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EDUCATION

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New appointment at AHB

AHB Accountants Limited based in Bishop Sutton, Chew Valley is delighted to welcome Simon Williams FCMA CTA, who will be joining the company as a director from September 1st.

Simon has extensive experience as the lead director for Financial Health Limited which is based in Frome and has been operating for the last 18 years. He provides the company with the same exceptional standard of tax advice that you have come to expect from Brett and Amy at AHB, and he is fully qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor.

In addition, he also brings his enthusiasm for the emerging cloud-based platforms that are transforming the industry. These dovetail well with his management accounting background, experience in Industry and the offering of part-time finance director roles that has been a key component of his career.

This will assist AHB to keep abreast of new technologies and allow us to continue to offer you a full complement of services.

If you would like to find out more, or would like a free assessment of your accounting requirements or a general discussion regarding your taxation affairs then please do contact us on 01275 333623 or e-mail enquiry@ahbaccountants.co.uk

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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BUSINESS

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New collection

LIME was started 25 years ago in Clifton Village, Bristol and is now open in the lovely Somerset village of Wedmore.

Claire Bidwell, the owner, has been in ladies’ wear retailing for over 35 years specialising in European labels rarely found on the British high street. Her Autumn collection has now arrived.

Stylish women will find a superb selection of individual ladies fashions for day and party wear. Visit them at 15 The Borough Mall, Wedmore.

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Intelligent Tax Planning – Financial Stability – Wealth Management PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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Co-op hits the right note

Vicki Przytocki (left), head of HR, Radstock Co-operative, Jane Harwood, project leader, Count Me In, and Dave Meagor, Radco store manager

COUNT Me In, a local charity which offers music sessions for young adults with learning needs, received a £1,000 donation following Radstock Co-op’s annual gala award and fundraising evening.

Chloe’s donation

CHEW Valley School year 12 pupil, Chloe Hillier, who was sponsored by The Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge on the Rotary Youth Leadership Award this year, completed a sponsored run in the Bristol 10k and raised £440 for Rotary’s Water Survival Box scheme. Rotarian Ken Biggs is pictured accepting the cheque from Chloe.

Charity traders

MANY of the traders in Winscombe will be holding a community Macmillan coffee morning on Friday September 30th. The plan is that all shops will provide coffee and cake for people to buy to raise money. About a dozen businesses have signed up for the event.

Details: Kelli Coxhead 01934 708312

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Keith’s charity challenge

KEITH Evans, aged 71, a keen cyclist all his life, has decided to set himself the target of cycling 15,000 miles in 2016 in the Somerset and Wiltshire area, raising money for Dorothy House Hospice.

He is a cancer survivor having had two cancer operations in 2005/06, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which have had unpleasant lasting effects to this day making the challenge even more difficult.

Three years ago his partner Caroline died from pancreatic cancer. When she was diagnosed she was given three months to live and indeed three months later she passed away.

Keith said: “This was a terribly difficult and sad time for myself, Caroline’s son, two daughters and her sister. Trying to support Caroline and look after her during these last days of her life took its toll on all of us and would have been even harder had it not been for the tremendous help and support given to us by the Dorothy House Hospice.

“They provided all the practical help and medical advice needed in caring for someone with a terminal illness. After her death I wanted to volunteer for Dorothy House but I was told to wait for a year or so as this would give me time to come to terms with my loss.

“I’m now ready to give back to Dorothy House for all the care and support that was given to me during a very difficult time in my life.”

Keith, a retired bank cashier from Peasedown St. John and a member of Somer Valley Cycling Club, has set himself a target of cycling 300 miles a week.

Details: www.justgiving.com/keith-evans7

Shop early for Christmas

FARMBOROUGH Memorial Hall committee is running its fourth craft and gift fair in October to raise funds for charity and to renovate the heating system.

Organiser Anita Eatherden said: “There will be the usual excellent variety of stalls with a range of crafts suitable for gifts giving you a chance to shop early and be organised for Christmas!

“This year we are adding an extra fund raising element by running a cake stall for ‘Ted’s Big Bake Off’, raising money for the Royal United Hospital.”

The fair takes place on Saturday, October 15th from 10.30am-4pm.

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Sikh celebration in Wells

Ravi Sigh, CEO of Khalsa Aid, with Priddy School head teacher Rosie Thorner on a visit in April 2014 when he talked to pupils about the work of the charity during the Somerset flood

WELLS Rotary Club has joined forces with a Sikh charity to organise a day of events in the Bishop’s Palace.

The day will celebrate Punjabi culture as well highlighting the work of Khalsa Aid and Rotary projects such as Shelter Box, Water Survival Box and its polio eradication campaign.

Khalsa Aid works across the world to offer humanitarian relief and volunteers came to Somerset in 2013 to help during the winter floods on the Levels.

The event, on Saturday, September 3rd, will include a celebration of Punjabi food and culture. It starts at midday and the fun continues until 4pm.

Village welcomes charity rider

MARTIN Sawers stopped off in Woollard during his 970-mile solo cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for Health Works, which provides an affordable counselling service in Mendip, Bath and Bristol.

His neighbours put on a fundraising tea party for him and after a good night's sleep in his own bed he set off again the next morning.

Cherryl Taylor, who organised the party, said: “About 50 people came to the cream tea picnic by the river. It was a lively get together for the village and we raised over £200.”

Martin, aged 62, a counsellor of 16 years, is the founder member of Counsellors Collective, which is hoping to raise £3,000 to subsidise the service provided by Health Works, the community arm of the collective.

Details: https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/Martin-LEJOG

CHARITIES

Local charity’s global impact

THE international disability charity, Motivation, which is based at Brockley, has celebrated its 25th anniversary by publishing a new report showing its work last year helped 80,000 people, across more than 60 countries.

It says the Impact Report showcases the diverse nature of the charity’s holistic approach to providing mobility solutions and ensuring that disabled people are fully included in all aspects of life.

David Constantine, Motivation’s president and co-founder, who is himself a wheelchair user, said: “We’ve asked lots of questions over the years – what if mobility wasn't an issue?

What if education and employment were inclusive? What if more countries provided the right wheelchair in the right way?

“Following my own accident, I have been lucky enough to live a full and active life but I often think, ‘what if’ my accident had happened somewhere like Malawi or Bangladesh, where 25 years ago there was little or no support for people with spinal cord injuries. I probably would not be here today.”

Motivation says: “This Impact Report provides a valuable insight into a forward-thinking organisation that’s making great strides to realising its ultimate goal – a world where disabled people can fully participate in all aspects of life. However, with 70 million people in need of a wheelchair worldwide – they know full well that their work has only just begun.”

Details: www.motivation.org.uk/blog/impact-report or call 01275 464012

Cider sales help to save lives

PROFITS from the first batch of a community-produced cider have helped to pay for the installation of a potentially lifesaving heart defibrillator in Upton Noble village, near Frome.

Villagers donated 61 Andy Fuller, one of the organisers of the festival, with Uptonogood cider sacks of apples to make Uptonogood, launched in March. The idea for the cider grew out of the first Upton Noble Beer and Cider Festival. All profits go towards village projects. This year’s festival takes place on Friday, September 16th and Saturday, September 17th.

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

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CHARITIES

Hospice celebrates 25 years

Baby knitting project

A SPECIAL service of thanksgiving was held in Exeter Cathedral to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Children's Hospice South West, in the presence of the charity’s patron, the Duchess of Cornwall, who lit candles in memory of the children cared for over the years.

Over 700 people attended the service which began with a procession from children and families representing each of the charity’s three hospices: Little Bridge House in Devon, Charlton Farm in Wraxall and Little Harbour in Cornwall.

Eddie Farwell, co-founder of CHSW with his late wife Jill, spoke movingly about his personal journey in creating the charity following his own experience of caring for two life-limited children. He thanked the army of supporters and fundraisers who had helped fulfil a dream beyond his wildest imagination.

Four members of Midsomer Norton Friends Group (pictured), representing the many generous supporters in our area, were among those invited to attend.

MEMBERS of St John's Church Midsomer Norton Mothers’ Union have been very busy all year knitting for “Fish and Chip Babies” in South Africa – so called because the only material to wrap new-born babies in is newspaper.

The project aimed to celebrate the founding of The Mothers' Union by Mary Sumner 140 years ago, by knitting 140 items by December. So far, with the help of church members and friends, 262 items have been collected.

Knitters and friends are pictured with the amazing colourful array of items in St John's Church Hall, where they also enjoyed a cup of tea and biscuits.

St Johns’ M.U. said it wishes to sincerely thank everyone who has supported this challenge including the Radstock Knitters and Rosemary and friends from Coleford.

The Mothers’ Union now has four million members worldwide in 83 countries.

Friends help hospice

MIDSOMER Norton Friends of Children's Hospice South West organised a silver cream tea to help raise funds for Charlton Farm at Wraxall and there was no shortage of eager guests.

Over 120 people supported the afternoon which was held appropriately on a farm. The pretty Long Barn at Fosse Farm Stratton on the Fosse proved an idyllic venue allowing people to spill out into the adjacent field when the sun came out.

The events was hosted by Sue and Jeremy Padfield and raised £1,032 for the hospice.

Details: www.chsw.org.uk or contact Diane Chiplin at Dianechiplin@aol.com or 01761 412118.

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WILDLIFE

Let’s get together and build a working and natural landscape

Working together: local farmers and the Hawk and Owl Trust have established a good relationship at the Shapwick Reserve

By CHRIS SPERRING MBE

THERE is so much uncertainty surrounding Brexit, but I am actually hopeful that this controversial decision could in fact provide a time of new opportunities, particularly in the

countryside.

I hope it will provide the impetus for more aligning of different groups for the sake of agriculture and wildlife conservation. There is an opportunity here for our government to provide a much better environmental/agricultural action scheme.

As I have written many times in the past, the farming community is on the whole very willing – and genuinely enthusiastic – towards wildlife conservation and it needs and deserves a proper incentive in order to support wildlife alongside efficient food production.

At the end of the day every farmer has the right to wake up every morning and do a day’s work and get paid fairly for that day's work, just like the rest of us.

The agri-environment schemes have seemingly been very bureaucratic and, as many conservationists have stated, have often not delivered the biodiversity benefit that was intended.

And farmers have been left at times filling in forms which, as one told me, was “more like writing a novel”. It is true

that public money goes into the schemes and it's good that the government wants scrutiny for the public money that is spent, however this should not come at the expense of the delivery of the scheme.

Surely less bureaucracy should mean more money on the ground?

From my own experience I have often been frustrated by some of the rules and regulations surrounding the schemes, which lack flexibility. The classic example of that is where a farmer and myself agree that the very late seasonal cutting of a wildlife margin will dramatically affect the overwintering populations of insects and small mammals, therefore having a major knock-on effect to their predators and reducing the availability of those species during the following spring, but the rules clearly state that the late cut will go ahead or the farmer loses his payment.

It's very important to get the schemes absolutely right and in the future my hope is that there is an opportunity for more input by individual farmers and guiding conservationists and importantly the local people as well. I believe that with more flexibility we could achieve really good. solid results which show identifiable biodiversity gains alongside productive farming practice, and additionally showing real value towards the health and well-being of the public at large. This can only mean real value for taxpayers’ money.

The idea of a wildlife priority area has been often at the expense of the wider

countryside. We all know that wildlife does not have to only survive within these boundaries, therefore another opportunity could be to spread any future schemes across the entire country, unlocking the biodiversity of a much wider area more so than ever before. This could be further enhanced by the creation of many new local wildlife groups set up by members of the public who see their priority as looking after the natural environment within and immediately surrounding their own communities.

This has to be the way forward and one which will go towards reversing some of the terrible declines that wildlife has seen in the UK. We cannot all just sit back and ignore the fact that more than 60% of our wildlife has been in decline in the last 40 years, as the repercussions for further declines will not be just the loss of wildlife but also the effects on us in so many ways.

During the European referendum I was very much in favour of remaining, however the vote has been taken and it is time to move on and, I hope, to create something that is far better than we've had before. Now is the time to create the ideas that can be implemented in a costeffective way that will hopefully secure the future of our natural and farming environment, for wildlife and the enjoyment and health benefits that this brings to all of us.

I will be leading a series of wildlife walks around Mendip during the autumn and winter. Please contact me for more information.

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust. Contact him on 07799 413 918 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com. Please visit www.swp.hawkandowl.org for more information

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Making tracks around Cranmore CRANMORE Steam Railway is the interesting start to this rural, unspoilt circle in the undulating farming country to the south of Cranmore. We go through the hamlet of Chesterblade with a beautiful old chapel and on across country to the healing well at Doulting and then up to a fine pub in Chelynch.

This area is not great for well-kept footpaths so there is more walking on lanes than usual, but they are quiet and it means you can stride out. There are ups and downs but nothing too serious.

Although there are several stiles, particularly after Chelynch, most dogs should be able to cope. Look down on the hidden combes in this part of Somerset and enjoy distant views to the south. Take a stick in case of over-exuberant vegetation!

PARK: Cranmore Steam Railway. This is just off the A361 to the east of Shepton Mallet. The East Somerset Railway Association welcome walkers in their spacious car park – even when it is closed and no trains running.

START: The East Somerset Railway is a preserved heritage steam railway with so much to see and enjoy so do take time to look round the old-style station, booking office, engine shed, rolling stock and model shop and a gallery of remarkable

pictures by David Shepherd. There is also a tempting shop – remember the volunteer rail enthusiasts need every penny they can get to keep going. On steam days the Whistlestop cafe is open and the shop and toilets open most days.

Come back another time and enjoy Sunday lunch or a cream tea while steaming along the line. Check opening times by phone or online.

From the car park, turn right on the lane crossing the railway.

1. SOUTHILL HOUSE Pass the entrance to Southill House, an early 18th century manor house with a later facade by John Wood the Younger, of Bath. In 2011 the house was shortlisted in a competition run by Country Life magazine to find England's Favourite House and was chosen as the South West regional winner.

You will follow the lane for about 1.4 miles. En-route, ignore the Chesterblade turn and drop down passing the glorious parkland of Southill House and getting a better view of the house. You are entering a very pretty area of combes and further on find the lane is on a ridge with a combe each side. Pass Ash House further on and drop down to the valley of the small River Alham and a substantial farm complex at Higher Alham.

2. BYWAY Opposite the first of the buildings, go sharp right on a stony byway. This is an old thoroughfare to Chesterblade, good underfoot, which goes between hedges and gently climbs uphill for just over 0.75 miles. Reach a crossing lane and go ahead on the small lane opposite.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

3. CHESTERBLADE At the next junction turn left and drop down into Chesterblade. The hamlet developed on the back of dairy farming with an emphasis on cheese-making.

Reach the tiny church – known as the

chapel in the tithing – protected by many old yew trees and one particularly massive and ancient one. St Mary’s is unique, simple and appealing. For more information there is a detailed history inside.

From the churchyard you get a fine view of Small Down Knoll which overlooks Chesterblade. It is the site of a Bronze Age hill fort which is now a scheduled ancient monument.

Coming from the church, turn left (passing it on your left). Pass the manor and then manor barn and a little further on reach two large metal gates on each side of the lane.

4. FOOTPATH The footpath marker on the left wooden gate post had virtually disappeared when I came. Once through the gate, cut diagonally across the corner and through a Bristol gate which has a pedestrian gate built into it. Turn left up the field edge and through another Bristol Gate up in the corner under power lines. Now bear diagonally down across the field to a large metal gate in the hedge below with a footpath marker. Hopefully it will open (it was tied with barbed wire when I came but I have notified the relevant Rights of Way). If not you may have to climb. Bear right across to a stone stile in the far hedge.

5. CROSSING TRACK Go across an old track and over another stile opposite. Now go up the field parallel with the right edge and in the corner turn right through into another field. Now bear left up the middle to the top corner. To the right of the large gates is a stile hidden in the hedge.

Cross onto a lane. Turn left and follow it right downhill. Soon reach a junction.

6. RAIL BRIDGE Turn right over the East Somerset railway line. Continue on the road to Doulting.

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WALKING

7. DOULTING At the entrance to the village pass Manor Farm and a magnificent tithe barn on the left. It dates back to the 15th century and was used to store tithes from local farmers to the landlord, Glastonbury Abbey.

Continue to the main road and cross with great care to take the lane opposite down left past cottages mostly built from the local stone.

8. WELL Soon reach Beech Close on the right where we continue. But to see St Adhelm’s well, make a short detour on down to the end.

The well is on the left where the spring emerges from the hill.

This is the source of the River Sheppey and named after St Aldhelm a great scholar bishop of Sherborne who died on a visit to the priory at Doulting. Over the centuries it was reputed to be a holy place and a place of healing. Thus it developed as a bathing place for pilgrims.

To continue, go along Beech Close (there is a footpath marker on the wall). On the bend, continue on the footpath between stone walls. Pass the primary school and then its Tarmac playgrounds. Go through a kissing gate and continue along a grass path. Keep straight on at the fork of paths (not right). Further on turn left to cross a stone slab stile into a field with good views across to Shepton Mallet.

Turn right along the top of the field and carry on to a wood, staying up. There are steps and a stile at the end and take the path alongside the wood. Ahead are houses in Chelynch. Leave the rough field and go over a stile (with dog gate) and ahead on a dark path in the edge of the wood. At a choice of paths go ahead between woodland and fence and go down steps (possibly slippery) onto Bodden Lane.

Follow it right along to the road through Chelynch.

9. CHELYNCH Turn left towards the Poacher’s Pocket, a

OS Explorer 142 Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East, grid ref: 668 430 6.5 miles. About 3.75 hours walking.

firm favourite with walkers. Ignore the side lane. Opposite the cottages, just before the pub, cross and take the grassy path. This leads into a field over a stile. The field, if planted with maize, may intrude on the path in parts. Go ahead along the edge passing woodland right. Later pass a butterfly paradise – buddleia bushes galore in the quarry. Further on you can see one of the quarries is still working.

Around Chelynch and Doulting there were extensive quarries of freestone, from which Wells Cathedral and later additions to Glastonbury Abbey and other churches were built. Doulting Stone Quarry has been producing stone since Roman times.

Continue all the way to a lane.

10. LANE Turn right and then left alongside the first cottage on a grassy strip. Cross into a field.

Aim for halfway down the far hedge and a stile. Cross and head across three more small fields with stiles. Reach a larger field and aim across to the hedge corner and then go ahead along the left edge. After a stile at the end go across the field middle (aim for the large pylon in the distance).

Go through a kissing gate and then ahead again along the left edge. Another kissing gate leads into Cranmore playing field.

11. PLAYING FIELD Go round the right edge to a stile just to the right of a glass bus shelter. Turn to the main road and cross when you can. Go down the lane ahead to Cranmore and the East Somerset Railway. En-route, pass a turn to another good pub, the Strode Arms, just a few yards away.

East Somerset Railway, 01749 880417 or website: eastsomersetrailway.com Poacher’s Pocket, Chelynch, 01749 880220 Strode Arms, Cranmore, 01749 880450

BINEGAR WALK

A reader has advised that Sue’s circle from Hartley’s Bistro, Binegar, published in October 2010 Mendip Times is now not really walkable due to paths disappearing, obstructions and other factors.

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s Diary

YES, the weather seems to on the change! It's darker in the morning, cooler if not chilly in the evening and I've noticed a few mornings when the mist is hanging around. I know you don't want to hear this, but autumn is on the way.

At the moment the sun is shining, the With LES farming world is going crazy trying to get the DAVIES MBE third cut silage in and everyone is going on holiday no matter what. My work always goes a little hectic at this time of the year as I try to get all the conservation contracting up together.

Then there are the grafted trees to be looked at, with the “sucker” growth that has to be trimmed back allowing the new shoots to grow. I also look forward to my annual week in Pembrokeshire and hope that the weather will hold for just a few more weeks. They will be busy with the potatoes and bringing in the cereal harvest up there, the countryside is “full on” as usual.

There was another amazing trip with the students from Georgia University USA this year. They were so taken with Mendip, its landscape and history. Jim Hardcastle, the new AONB manager, gave them a talk about the conservation and protection work that goes on within this area. One of the reasons for their UK visit is to see the issues affecting our landscape and what we are doing about it.

I joined them on July 15th and started (as all good things should) with tea at the Burrington Inn. I stayed with them into the Pennines, “Bronte” country, to interpret the landscape and look at how it has inspired people. Next onto the Lakes, looking magnificent as always and somewhat like the Yeo Valley on steroids.

All topped off by Scotland and Loch Ness, where they still attract a lot of tourism by talking about the hunt for an elusive “Nessie” that doesn't exist.

I am also pleased to report that the term “Bimble” has entered the American vocabulary. We had many “Bimbles” linked with stories, poetic quotes and a lot of laughter. My time with a whole load of young people from the Southern states with their slow Southern drawl, left its mark on me.

I have now stopped using the phrase “Y'all” and don’t talk about the “bathroom” or the “rest room” any more. I have stopped using quotes from the film Gone With The Wind and failed miserably to look like Clark Gable. I had a great time with them. They were so appreciative, kind and polite and I hope those memories will stay with them forever.

It doesn't matter who I talk to about Mendip, they are all genuinely appreciative of this very special landscape and the history that lies locked away within it. There is another trip that seems to becoming one of my hardy annuals and that’s an evening bimble with the Blagdon Brownies. This year we started at Yeo Valley’s Wills Barn near the top of Ubley Drove and meandered our way back to the village accompanied by Nick Fowles from Yeo Valley's conservation team.

There will always be a bit of Mendip I haven't seen and the path down from Leaze Lane into Blagdon was one such place. I was in awe of a couple of really large trees on this path. Trees are something that never fail to impress me; compared to them, we as individuals will never last as long as these veterans who have seen

such changes, most of which we have been responsible for.

Being able to enjoy what’s around us can at times take a little effort if not a little practice. Even I, who by any stretch of the imagination cannot be described as having a real job, find that life takes over. Jobs have to be completed before the weather or the seasons change and a whole load of family and domestic issues require attention. There is in short a constant juggling act where we all try to keep as many balls in the air as possible without dropping them.

This is when we need to take some time for us! Not to the exclusion of others – in fact family and friends should be included in this therapy. A Sunday bimble doesn’t have to be any great distance, but it should be long enough to give everyone a chance to chat and put the world to rights. It should include a few “wow” views to lift and gladden the heart. Take time to lean on the gate and immerse yourself in everything that surrounds you, look and listen, because these are things we don’t normally get the chance to do.

To help you get away from it all there are a whole load of organisations. The Mendip Society has just finalised its latest walks programme, so why not think of joining to take advantage of these and the many other special interest visits the society arrange? Check these and much more on their website: mendipsociety.org.uk The Mendip Hills AONB team also run a series of activities and don't forget the National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Avon Wildlife Trust. There will be other groups and organisations that I have missed, but a little research on Google will provide a load more possibilities.

Experience leads to reflection, the ability to recall things we have seen and done at a later date, and in many cases to learn from them. I always enjoy looking back on the days out that I have had and the pleasure those trips gave me. For me part of my enjoyment is helping others to appreciate the countryside around them.

This is so wonderfully summed up by the last verse of that famous William Wordsworth poem Daffodils. In it he describes how the sight of these wild flowers filled him with pleasure, especially upon their recollection: As oft upon my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood They flash across that inner eye That is the bliss of solitude Then with gladness my heart fills And dances with the daffodils This month’s photo is of the 2016 University of Georgia group, (with Mr Les) in the Lake District and on the trail of Wordsworth.

The tree behind is full of coins hammered in by visitors. Funny how these things catch on!

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

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R e a l ly us ef u l p l a nt s f o r y o ur g a r d e n AS summer draws to an end it is time to review the past summer in the garden and think about improvements to be made for next year. The nursery industry is constantly bringing out, and promoting, new varieties, often without really testing them.

So let’s look at a few really good garden With MARY plants that do what they say on the label PAYNE MBE and, to quote Bob Brown of Cotswold Garden Flowers “do not die on the way home in the bag”.

The best herbaceous perennial plants are those that flower in summer and die gracefully, leaving behind attractive seed heads and the potential for autumnal tinted foliage. An easy plant that has earned my respect in this way is Aruncus ‘Horatio’. This is a hybrid between the traditional, tall growing Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) with its creamy astilbe-like blooms and the much dwarfer Aruncus aethusifolius.

The result is more attractive foliage and more spiky creamy white flowers which fade to rusty coloured seed heads and autumnal tinted foliage. A “good” plant asking only for a site that does not bake too dry in summer.

Rudbeckia ‘Early Bird Gold’ is an improved form of the well know late summer flowering coneflower, Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’. Its “unique selling point” is that it has lost its response to shortening days which triggers the flowering of its justifiably popular parent. So ‘Early Bird Gold’ starts flowering in June and keeps going into the autumn. The flower is almost indistinguishable from ‘Goldsturm’ so make sure you get the right one. The strong yellow colour may not be to everyone’s taste but when blended with grasses, crocosmias, Aruncus ‘Horatio’ and achilleas in a sunny location a striking “hot” border can be created.

Achilleas are a plant that always feature strongly in Chelsea Flower Show gardens but often fail to perform year after year in our gardens. Achillea ‘Lucky Break’ was introduced from Great Dixter, Christopher Lloyd’s garden. The foliage is finely cut and silvery green. The traditional flat flower heads are creamy yellow and it flowers from June to September. A perfect partner to tone down the strident colour of Rudbeckia ‘Early Bird Gold’.

Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis), well known for their appearance in stone carvings on capitals of architectural columns, suffer from many problems. One of the biggest is how to get rid of them, as any attempt to dig them out will fail because it bobs up again from remaining pieces of root, and off it goes again rampaging around the garden covered in white powdery mildew. Acanthus spinosus is a slightly better behaved creature with more attractive divided foliage but can still suffer from severe mildew problems. The selected clone A.s.

‘Ferguson’s Form’ is mildew free, less invasive and flowers prolifically from July to October.

Choisya x dewitteana ‘White Dazzler’ is an improvement on the well-known Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata). It is also evergreen and has C. ternata in its parentage but the foliage is more finely divided and is more compact in its habit.

It bears scented white flowers in spring and often again in the autumn. If required, it can be pruned immediately after flowering in late spring. ‘White Dazzler’ is more compact than its also excellent cousin ‘Aztec Pearl’. A great plant for the smaller garden.

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Geranium 'Rozanne'

Those of you who recall the heady clove scent of the cottage garden “pink” known as ‘Mrs Sinkins’ will be pleased to hear that Dianthus ‘Memories’ has all the good qualities of ‘Mrs Sinkins’ but without the rather ragged flowers caused by the calyx splitting. Dianthus like a well- drained, sunny position where this variety will repeat flower.

Hydrangea Black Steel Series – this group of hydrangeas have either mophead or lacecap style flower heads but all have the added attraction of shiny black stems giving good contrast with the flowers but also added winter interest. Black Steel ‘Zebra’ is a white mophead, while ‘Zaza’ has blue or pink mopheads. Hydrangeas have undergone somewhat of a revolution in recent years and are back in fashion. Few flowering shrubs can offer such a long season of interest, from June to late September.

Why bother with Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ when Geranium ‘Rozanne’ has so much more to offer? Flowering from early June to the frosts without the need to cut it back, this is an excellent garden plant. It was discovered in Kilve in Somerset and has gone on to be designated Plant of the Century as well as receiving every other hardy plant accolade. Do not attempt dividing a new plant, wait three years before splitting it.

All the salad burnet family have most attractive foliage which is an asset to any garden even before the flowers appear.

Particularly good is the blue green foliage, with sharply serrated edges, of Sanguisorba hakusanensis ‘Lilac Squirrel’. In July and August sturdy stems carry long pink tassel flowers, like enormous furry pink caterpillars. Sanguisorba ‘Pink Brushes’ is also worth of a place in your garden. Shorter, more upright “pink furry caterpillars” in clusters top off the strong stems four feet (1.2m) tall in late summer just when the garden needs that boost.

My final selection is an herbaceous plant, not known to many, but well worth growing in a moist, lightly shaded spot. It is Roscoea purpurea ‘Red Ghurka’. This exotic looking, yet totally hardy plant, belongs to the Ginger Lily family, Zingiberaceae. In late May sturdy red stemmed shoots emerge growing to about 15 inches (40cm). These are then topped off in August by a succession of true red flowers that emerge directly from the stem. Perhaps this is one for the connoisseur but it will surely have all your gardening friends talking.

Give some of these garden worthy plants a try, they really want to grow. While Arthur Fallowfield said “the answer lies in the soil” the selection of good forms of garden plants is paramount and in this case “the answer lies in the variety”.

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SEPTEMBER GARDEN TIPS

G September is the beginning of the traditional autumn planting season and is in fact the best time to plant hardy plants, and garlic, winter onion sets and spring cabbages G Sow easy-to-grow hardy annuals directly into well prepared soil.

G Cut back early flowering herbaceous perennials close to ground level unless they produce attractive seed heads.

G Replant pots and hanging baskets with autumn, winter and spring flowering and foliage plants.

G Make sure that any lavender plants not pruned earlier are done now. Cut off faded flowers with about 2-3 cm of leaf shoots G Try growing a few bulbs, other than the proverbial Hyacinths, in pots for the house to get them in flower for Christmas.

G Lift root crops such as potatoes, carrots and beetroot this month and store them in a frost free place.

G Harvest sweet corn when the tassels are just going brown and the top kernels produce milky sap when a thumbnail is pushed into them.

G Autumn fruiting raspberries should be ready to pick and are so easy to grow. Plant strawberry ‘runners’, in wellprepared soil.

G This is the best month for establishing new lawns. Sow new seed or turf, both after careful soil preparation.

G Plant spring cabbages in well-prepared soil, about one foot apart.

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

Everything for your autumn garden

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How does your garden grow?

IF you felt your garden lacked lustre this summer now is the time to resolve to do better next year. Garden designer and tutor Christine Pritchard is running a number of short courses to suit enthusiastic new gardeners.

You can choose to redesign your whole garden or learn more about putting plants together in your borders. You can even learn how to illustrate your garden plans.

There are three venues to choose from: Stoke Lodge in Bristol or the Somer Valley Campus (formerly Norton Radstock College). The Stoke Lodge courses are available on Wednesdays or Saturdays and the Somer Valley Campus courses take place in the evenings. The first course starts January 14th.

If this is too hands-on you could simply visit some good gardens for inspiration: new for 2017, Christine is leading a short residential course visiting some of the gardens of Wessex.

This will be based at the beautiful Dillington House near Ilminster.

You don’t need to be a knowledgeable gardener or fluent in Latin to enjoy these informal courses.

Details: 01761 221166 info@christinepritchard.co.uk

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

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

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

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

NGS GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Midney Gardens

IT’S been a challenging year for gardeners here in the South West – what extremes of weather we’ve been having.

However, despite the drought through the summer, Midney Gardens is looking lovely.

The main parts of this garden were originally planted in 2010 and now it is maturing well: its soft, natural style encouraged by the owners and enhanced by its natural growth. It has become home to a wide variety of insects, butterflies, moths and birds – delightful to see in this lovely setting.

However, Midney Gardens is still a garden with a difference and the combination of unusual planting combinations, innovative design and quirky touches always provides a few surprises! September will be no exception in this garden with the autumn colours developing as a backdrop to the meandering paths, swathes of grasses, abundant planting and unusual features.

NGS opening details: Friday September 16th, 11am to 5pm.

Admission: £4.50, children free.

Details: David Chase and Alison Hoghton, 01458 274250 davidandalison@midneygardens.co.uk www.midneygardens.co.uk Mill Lane, Midney, Somerton, TA11 7HR. 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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Timberwork Buildings Bespoke buildings to suit you

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

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

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

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

THE TIMBERYARD • SHUTE SHELVE • CROSS • NEAR AXBRIDGE Tel: 01934 732 396 • www.timberworkbuildings.co.uk e.mail: timberbuildings@aol.com

GARDENING

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

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

Visit our MASBURY’S CAFE Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea Delicious homemade meals.

Sunday Roasts, Outside catering, buffet lunches delivered, themed cuisine events.

Telephone 01749 841155 for further details.

Browse around JAMES STORE S e e o u r w e b s i te f o r m o re d e ta il s www.rockymountainnurs eries .co.uk

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES –

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 57

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GARDENING

Mendip Rural Services Ltd. At our showroom we offer: Lawnmowers and garden machinery Sales, spares, service and repairs Tool sharpening

Now open at Rookery Farm, Binegar

Our contractor services include: Equestrian, campsites and smallholdings Paddock care, drainage and fencing

Chainsaw chains made

Digger and driver hire

and resharpened

Logs and hay for sale

Personal protection equipment

01749 840848

Fully insured

07491 665290

E-mail: mendipruralservices@outlook.com • Website: www.mendipruralservices.co.uk Unit 8, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Radstock BA4 3UL. Tel: 01749 840848

PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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CAVING

Beautiful breakthrough in Burrington

With PHILIP HENDY

THERE are 40 known caves or shelters in and around Burrington Combe, most of which have been known for many years.

Only one, Goatchurch Cavern, is more than 1,300 metres long.

This, with Read’s Cavern, Sidcot Swallet and the connected systems of Rod’s Pot and Bath Swallet, form the major novice caves on Mendip, together with Swildon’s Hole at

Priddy.

They have been known for many years, and with so much uncontrolled traffic, especially by inexperienced cavers, it is no wonder that a lot of damage has occurred, and few formations survive except for massive flowstone deposits.

The entrance gallery to Goatchurch Cavern is a good example, although a lot of the desecration here was done by miners removing the formations for sale as curios, and by later entrepreneurs who cut steps in the stalagmite floor and installed iron railings, in an unsuccessful attempt to open it as a show cave more than 100 years ago.

When first discovered, Rod’s Pot held, amongst other formations, two beautiful banded stalagmite curtains more than two metres long, but these had been destroyed within 20 years.

A hint of what many of the Burrington caves might originally have looked like was found in Pierre’s Pot in 2011.

The decorated sections lie beyond tight squeezes and a constricted sump only passable by divers, so they have not been frequently visited, and consequently little damage has occurred.

It was therefore a surprise when another superbly-decorated cave was recently dug into in the combe. Officially known as Tween Twins Hole, the short muddy passage had been dug over many years in a desultory manner by older members of the Wessex Cave Club, who referred to it as Fester Hole – festering is a caving word meaning to idle or while away time in meaningless pursuits.

I dug there myself in 2010, when at the end of a 10-metre passage, a heavily-compacted infill of sand, clay and small stones was being excavated upwards. Valentine’s Rift was entered on February 14th 2015 and small orange-coloured stalactites and curtains hinted at what might lie beyond.

The rift continued as a flat-out crawl, gradually becoming too tight. The floor was excavated and the passage extended. Spoil had to be left in the cave, as nothing could be taken to the surface to despoil the combe. Fortunately, there was an abandoned second entrance, so debris was stored there.

Eventually, a tiny hole was revealed, showing a decorated chamber, with the passage curving away out of sight. The chamber was dug into, and named Rands’ Revenge, after Jim Rands, one of the early diggers. The only possible way on appeared to be a hole in the floor. Although small, it had a strong outwards draught, always reckoned to be a good sign.

The hole was enlarged, to the encouragement of the sound of small stones falling and rolling away. In September last year, Jonathan Williams squeezed down a short slot, to find a steep descending narrow rift. This was named Stannah Stair Rift, in

Barry Wilkinson in Waterlily Chamber

honour of the septuagenarian leader of the team, Maurice Hewins, who thought everything should be made big enough for the geriatric element of the group to get into.

The rift was seven metres deep, and made spoil removal back to the entrance passage, 40 metres away, quite difficult. Digging took place on only one of every three sessions; the other two were dedicated to taking the spoil back.

By the end of the year, the rift was ten metres deep and a flexible electron ladder had been installed. In February this year, a black void was seen, and it had a loud echo. It took ten days to assemble the main team, then Jonathan dug into the chamber.

Wisely, the cavers stripped to their undersuits to avoid muddying anything they might find. As they advanced, the passage became larger and a two-metre climb led up to an even larger passage, now named Golden Oldies Day Out. This was superbly decorated and, as the passage grew smaller, the walls were covered with twisted helictites.

A short drop led to gin-clear pools of water, in one of which is the Water Lily, a mass of calcite crystals formed at the tip of a stalactite which had grown down to water level. The passage continued to end in a mud floor. This was dug later and by squeezing through the bottom of a boulder choke a boulder chamber was discovered – Two Amigos.

It was immediately obvious that this beautiful discovery in what had hitherto been a muddy unpretentious hole needed protection. The University of Bristol Speleological Society is responsible for the Burrington caves, on behalf of the landowner, and it did not take long for all parties to agree that the cave must be gated and locked.

Experienced cavers are required to book a visit, accompanied by a leader. It is therefore hoped that this amazing cave and its superb formations will be there for cavers to admire for a considerable time to come.

The need to protect the cave was highlighted recently when a serious amount of deliberate damage was caused in one of the Priddy caves. Although locked, the key is freely available from the landowner. The nature of the cave means that a reasonable level of competence and experience is needed to explore it, yet someone consciously smashed several large and striking stalactites and other formations.

With care, Fester Hole will not suffer the same fate.

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 • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 59

(Photograph by P. Glanvil)

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Magnificent men: tribute to flying speed record breakers DOZENS of people gathered on the Somerset Levels to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of an air speed record which has still to be broken.

Following the drama and political fallout of the “Westland Affair” in 1985 and early 1986, a small team of skilled engineers, based at the firm's Yeovil factory, set to work to modify a Lynx helicopter to attempt a world speed record.

Working largely in secret, they fitted the company's Lynx demonstrator with pioneering rotor blade technology, modified the airframe and fitted more powerful engines to dramatically increase its maximum speed, before flying the aircraft, known as “GLYNX”, over a 15km course over the Somerset Levels at an average speed of 400.78km/h (249.1 mph).

Flown by the late Trevor Egginton, chief test pilot for Westland, and his co-pilot Derek Clews, G-LYNX became the fastest helicopter in the world, setting a record that has never been beaten. It sent out a powerful message to the aviation world – and to the beleaguered staff at Westland – that the company had a bright future.

The engineers had just ten weeks to meet the challenge and hit their deadline exactly: August 11th 1986.

Members of Trevor’s family – including his widow Joan – Derek Clews and many of the engineering team gathered at Westhay, near Glastonbury, the midway point of the historic flight, for the unveiling of a memorial plaque. The unveiling was preceded by a flypast of a Royal Navy Lynx from 815 Squadron at Yeovilton.

Trevor died suddenly at his home in Yeovil in November 2014.

Joan said: “It’s been quite a sad day as it’s not that long since we lost Trevor.

“He was very proud of what everyone achieved, but he wasn’t the sort of person to talk about it much.”

The aircraft is on show at the Helicopter Museum in Westonsuper-Mare and Trevor would visit at least once a year. Elfan ap Rees, a trustee of the museum, was amongst the guests.

Westland is now known as Leonardo Helicopters. John Ponsonby, managing director, said: “The attempt was a statement of intent after the Westland Affair. It was a statement of intent about the company’s future.”

He added: “The Ministry of Defence were very helpful, so too Rolls Royce engines, and the record remains unbroken.”

A short film about the speed record called Westland ONE (call sign for G-LYNX) has been made by media students at Yeovil College as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Oral History of 100 Years of Westland Project. Copies of the DVD are on sale (£3) Len Blake, one of the team who worked at Waterstones in on the project, wearing a teeshirt which Middle Street, Yeovil. celebrates the flight PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Trevor Egginton and Derek Clews after their record-breaking flight

Trevor’s widow Joan with Derek Clews and John Ponsonby. The plaque is at the layby on the B3151 near the Bird in Hand pub

The record-breaking Lynx – it is now on show at Weston-superMare

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HISTORY

Stories of some “ordinary” men

Lady Frances Horner

A TWO-year long project to research the lives of men, and their families, named on the war memorial in Mells has revealed some extraordinary histories.

‘Home of our Delight’ explores the impact of the First World War on the village and the surrounding area, on the centenary of the loss of three of those men at the Somme in September 1916.

Men listed on the memorial include Edward Horner, the last son and heir of the Horner family and Mells estate, and his brother-in-law Raymond Asquith, the son of the wartime Prime Minister.

Their lives were well-documented but, just as importantly, the project reveals the stories of gamekeepers, gardeners and colliery workers – working men from the local community.

A Heritage Lottery Funded project, ‘Home of our Delight’ takes its name from the inscription on the memorial, unveiled in 1921.

Project coordinator Jo Plimmer and curator Sue Bucklow have worked with the Horner and Asquith Archives in Mells, Frome College, Mells School, and local and national organisations to research archives and interview relatives.

Jo said: “When we started out, there was already lots of information about the Horners and Asquiths out there, but we

wondered if we would be able to find anything more about the ‘ordinary’ people listed on the memorial. Those lives don’t tend to be so well documented, but thanks to local people and wider community we have discovered letters, photographs, diaries and much more.”

An exhibition of the project’s findings will open on Saturday, September 10th at Rook Lane Chapel in Frome, accompanied by a programme of talks and a new walking trail starting from Mells Shop and Café in Mells.

Jo said: “One the most poignant aspects has been the extraordinary loyalty and connections shown by the Horners and the Asquiths to village families; when all found themselves hit by such unforeseeable and personal tragedies.”

Edward Horner – he was killed in action in 1917

Jo Plimmer with Raymond Asquith, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith

To find out more about the project, visit: www.homeofourdelight.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 61

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Stop wasting money on multivitamins ONE of my secret party games is to nose around bathroom cabinets to see how much my friends are wasting on

By Dr PHIL vitamins, HAMMOND supplements and tonics. I was caught peeping the other day, but far from scolding me, Charles delighted in showing me his vast array of “vital wellness tonics that are essential for detoxification and optimal health”.

I have friends who delight in abandoning rational thought in favour of celebrity endorsed drivel, just as I have friends who voted for Brexit, but with Brexit we can at least say the future is painfully uncertain. With multivitamins we already know the benefits for most people are nonexistent and may harm more than your wallet.

There’s no doubting that vitamins are vital for our health, but most of us who are wealthy enough to buy a newspaper, rather than sleep under one, get all we need in our food and with the help of the trillions of microbes that live in our gut. A Mediterranean diet (a variety of vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fish and meat in moderation) is usually all that is required.

And when we do have specific vitamin deficiencies, it’s far better to take the specific vitamin you need in the right dose, rather than torpedo your poor gut with high dose, overhyped multivitamins.

Evidence from a large analysis of 27

existing studies and two large randomised gold standard studies, totalling over half a million people and published in 2013 under the snappy title “Enough is Enough, Stop Wasting Money on vitamin and mineral supplements” found, um, no benefit at all from multivitamins.

Supplements with high doses of beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin A are definitely harmful. High doses of fish oils containing omega-3 do not have the miracle effects on children’s learning, IQ and attention that have been claimed, and make no difference to heart disease. However, what does seem to make a big difference to heart risk is that wonderful Mediterranean diet. And it’s much tastier than statins.

Your gut and body seem to prefer good food to chemical capsules. Yes, there are specific examples where vitamins may be needed. Vitamin D and calcium supplements may preserve bone mass in those at risk of bone thinning, Folic Acid and vitamin D are worth taking in pregnancy, and Vitamin K is given to new-born babies to prevent bleeding disorders.

Thiamine and other B vitamins are given in high doses to protect against the effects of alcoholism on the brain.

But most of us are wasting our money on multivitamins and – as the latest research shows – manufacturers are preying on the vulnerability of pregnant women to tempt them into expensive chemicals they – and their babies – don’t need.

So don’t swallow the hype, save some cash and stop me loitering in your bathroom.

Dr Phil’s book – Staying Alive (How to Get the Best from the NHS) – is out now.

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Plop the Raindrop

I’ve had a very busy day. It rained last night – pitter-patter, plop, plop, plop.

I fell out of a cloud and into your garden.

Along came a worm, wriggle, slither, wiggle.

And he gobbled me up. Burp!

Then he was eaten by a bird.

The bird flew high over Chew Valley Lake.

And he did a great big pooh with me in it.

Very smelly.

I fell in the water. I got swallowed by a fish.

Glug, glug, glug.

That fish was eaten by a bigger fish.

A fisherman caught it for his dinner.

While it sizzled and hissed in the pan, I escaped in a puff of steam.

I flew up to the ceiling, hoping for a rest.

But I got swallowed by a fly.

The fly got eaten by a spider.

The lady in the house didn’t like spiders.

So the man caught it and threw it outside.

The spider spun a web in the long grass.

Where a cow ate her by mistake.

The cow turned me in to milk.

Have you heard of the food chain? I’m caught in it.

I’m now asleep in a milk carton in a shop. Will you buy me?

Do you remember: who ate the worm?

Who ate the fly?

Did you know that cows make milk?

Do you have milk for breakfast?

You might see me if you do. Look for a bubble at the edge of your cup.

Then it will be time for another adventure.

MENDIP GRANDAD

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A helping hand

CONCEIVED in 2016 by brother and sister, Adam Barnes and Vivian Drake, Solace in Bereavement Ltd is an innovative new service offering personal, practical, flexible and affordable support to the recently bereaved at a time when they most need it.

Over recent years they have personally suffered bereavements and have supported family and friends in dealing with the often complex and challenging processes that must be undertaken following a death. They understand that many people are not so lucky as to have someone who can help them, and can find themselves overwhelmed.

Adam has 18 years’ experience in the advice and legal services sector and is a director of a local CAB. Viv is a qualified librarian and a Civil Ceremonies Officer. Both have enhanced DBS clearance and are organised, professional, friendly, empathetic, and have a genuine desire to assist others.

Details: They are always happy to discuss how they may be able to help. Call them on 01934 862202 or email contact@solaceinbereavement.co.uk

A tranquil retreat

TRANQUIL Fields was set up in February 2016 by Annie Collins and Sarah Corcoran, both hugely experienced therapists. They are joined by Kelly Parsons and Mary Bancroft.

Sarah said: "We wanted to create an atmosphere where the moment you walk through the door, you feel calm and relaxed. And I think we've achieved that! We love that people linger for a cup of tea and a chat after their treatment."

Tranquil Fields offers a large range of treatments including massage, Bowen Technique, hypnotherapy and hypno-birthing, reflexology, shiatsu, reiki, hot stones and Lava Shell massage as well as beauty treatments including manicures/pedicures, CND Shellac, waxing, eye enhancements, facials, micro-dermabrasion and semipermanent make-up.

Annie said: "We are always adding to our range of treatments, it keeps us current and that is so important."

Tranquil Fields is located at the popular Farrington's Shopping Village in Farrington Gurney.

HEALTH & FAMILY In Bereavement

Offering Practical Support to the Recently Bereaved Suffering the loss of a loved one is one of the most traumatic experiences most of us will have in life and also one of the most challenging with many practical matters to be resolved including dealing with banks and other companies, obtaining probate, managing the distribution of property and possessions etc.

Solace offers empathetic, practical and flexible support to help you deal with the issues arising from your bereavement.

We provide a personalised service tailored to meet your individual requirements supporting you through this difficult time.

For a free, no obligation discussion about how we can assist you and for more information about our affordable pricing plans, please contact us.

Adam Barnes Mobile: 07834 975540 Email: adam.barnes@solaceinbereavement.co.uk Vivian Drake Mobile: 07598 505508 Email: vivian.drake@solaceinbereavement.co.uk

www.solaceinbereavement.co.uk

Massage – Swedish, Remedial, Hot Stones and Lava Shell, Reflexology, Bowen Technique, Hypnotherapy, Indian Head Massage, Hopi Ear Candles, Emmett Therapy, Reiki Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, CND Shellac, Waxing, Eye Enhancement, Semi-Permanent Make-up, Micro-demabrasion Farrington’s Shopping Village, Farrington Gurney BS39 6UB 01761 453196 www.tranquilfields.com

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 63

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Quite a spectacle

HOW do you choose spectacles? How about a pair that is made exclusively for you? A creation that fits you perfectly and reflects your individual style? Frames made

by Tom Davies can give you that.

From the very beginning Tom Davies identified a need for perfectly designed spectacles which gave exceptional comfort and looked superb.

To create each frame, precision measurements and photographs are taken then sent to the TD design studio. Tom Davies produces all of his own frames – every step of the process is meticulously controlled. This ensures flawless quality and the highest level of craftsmanship.

The skilled master craftsmen train for ten years before working at Tom Davies. Their level of skill to make each individual piece close to a work of art, perfectly finished and fitted individually to the wearer. Finally, all bespoke frames are finished with your name engraved on the inside of the frame.

The entire range of Tom Davies frames will be on show at “Upstyle Your Eyewear” in Chew Magna on September 3rd.

Details: www.upstyleyoureyewear.com

When beauty meets podiatry

FOOT expert Sue Boothroyd says she is excited by the

Unit 11, Rookery Farm, Binegar, near Wells, BA3 4UL

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.singleprofessionalsassocia on.co.uk email: wellsandmendip@yahoo.co.uk Or contact Anne – 01934 743139 Jackie – 01458 840958

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

results of a new technique she is using to help people with diseased toenails.

Sue – known as the “Foot Faerie” – has started to offer a cosmetic treatment using a corrective gel to rebuild the nail. The gel will last for up to six weeks as the nail recovers naturally.

Sue, based at Rookery Farm at Binegar, said: “Everyone can be susceptible to fungal nail infections such as athlete’s foot. The foot is a very humid area and good hygiene – such as changing your socks every day – is vital.”

HARVEST YOUR LOVE THIS AUTUMN!

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Assessment shows Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre is the PLACE to be SHEPTON Mallet NHS Treatment Centre has performed well in a national independent assessment of care providers in the UK. The assessment is called PLACE, which stands for Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment. These self-assessments are undertaken by teams of NHS and private/independent health care providers, which include at least 50 per cent members of the public (known as patient assessors).

They focus on the environment in which care is provided, as well as non-clinical aspects such as cleanliness, food, hydration, and privacy, dignity and well-being.

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre has outperformed the national average against all PLACE criteria. The hospital achieved 100 per cent for cleanliness, 91 per cent for privacy, dignity and wellbeing, 99.5 per cent for the standard of the facility, 93 per cent for food, 96 per cent for dementia provision and 96 per cent for disability provision.

Comments left by patients on Facebook include: “I was overwhelmed by the first class level of treatment I received”; “it was like a five-star hotel”; “lovely clean place and staff very caring”, and “they were amazing and made me feel very safe and relaxed.”

Liz Jones, Head of Nursing and Clinical Services at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, commented: “We are very pleased

with these results which, while impressive and above the national average, leave us room for improvement in some areas. We hope that the figures reflect our patients’ experiences – certainly the comments we get when patients visit us, together with those received online, indicate that we are providing a level of care which is appreciated.”

The results come soon after another national independent report measuring patient outcomes, put Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre top in the West Country for knee replacements, and joint top for hip replacements.

Details: call 01749 333600 or visit www.sheptonmallettreatmentcentre.nhs.uk

PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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Consult the experts

Ideal venue

FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

A WEDDING fair in Draycott will not only showcase local suppliers, but the village’s Memorial Hall as well.

Following the refurbishment of the kitchen, the hall committee is keen to re-launch the venue and showcase it to potential brides.

Chew Valley Hire ARE you having a wedding or event? Do you need the luxury touch for the loos and showers? Look no further than Chew Valley Hire for all of the above.

With 19 years of experience, they will not let you down.

They also supply trackway matting.

Top class catering

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 trackway for special events including:

• Weddings • Corporate Events • Fashion Shows • Film Shoots

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 on 01275 333308 or mail@toplinecatering.co.uk and then sit back, relax and enjoy your day!

Topline Catering has been providing successful and professional catering solutions for weddings in the Bristol and Bath area since 1986.

With an extensive range of menus from finger and fork buffets to banquets and barbecues, there is something for everyone.

• Friendly and expert advice • Flexibility • Fabulous food • Excellent service • Over 30 years experience

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 67

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QUALITY MARQUEES FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

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

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

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

Barbara wins gold!

BARBARA Clark, who has been working at The Cutting Room hair salon in Westbury-sub-Mendip since 2008, is celebrating her 50th year in the industry.

She decided she wanted to be a hairdresser when she was seven years old, trained in London in 1966 and completed the L'Oreal Colour Trophy in 1980 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Barbara says she finds hairdressing very rewarding; she loves being creative and making clients feel special. The Cutting Room say they are very lucky to have been working with Barbara for the past eight and wish her many congratulations.

If you feel like having a change of colour or style, why not take advantage of Barbara's knowledge of 50 years working with L'Oreal products in the hairdressing industry?

Call her on 01749 870900 to book an appointment with 20% off on your first visit.

Sample the delights of Aldwick Court

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

ON Sunday, October 9th, Aldwick Court Farm and Vineyard is offering newly-engaged couples and those planning a wedding ceremony a warm welcome to tour their beautiful, well-appointed venue.

You can meet the Aldwick Team, who will strive to ensure that your “big day” is a five-star success, and discuss with them your specific requirements and soak in the atmosphere of rustic farm buildings, in a secluded setting of sweeping gardens and glorious countryside views.

They will have delicious canapés prepared by Taste Buds, Aldwick’s in-house caterers, and you can explore with them your menu options.

There will be trade stands sponsored by Aldwick’s recommended suppliers: florists, photographers, wedding cake designers, entertainers, resident DJ, local hoteliers and B&B hosts.

And you can sample Aldwick wine! Why be married in a vineyard if not to serve your guests the award-winning, estate-produced wine at your reception and wedding breakfast? Admission is free. Opening hours from 11am to 3pm.

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COULD cava compete with champagne as the bubbly of choice at weddings and other special occasions? Andrew Kinnersley, who runs The Grape and the Good independent wine merchant in Wells, certainly sees a trend.

Andrew said: “Prosecco has overtaken cava in popularity in recent years, but we are seeing a revival of interest the latter.

Cava is made in the same way as champagne – and it’s a third of the price.”

One of his most popular cavas is Vilarnau. A limited edition celebrates the brand’s connection with Barcelona with a series of Gaudi-inspired bottle sleeves.

With three weddings under his belt so far this year – along with a number of hugely popular specialist wine tastings – Andrew says more and more couples and families wanting to keep wedding costs under some sort of control are turning to him for advice on drinks for the big day. With an impressive range of wines and fizz, artisan gins and craft beers and ciders on sale in the shop – and access to many more via his suppliers – The Grape and the Good is an ideal place to visit to choose how to celebrate.

He added: “Some venues will allow you to supply your own wine and other drinks, so it’s worth asking about corkage charges.”

FOCUS ON WEDDINGS

With over 100 years of experience visiting some of the most wonderful places in the world – let us help you plan your honeymoon in one of them! ginf@thorntonstravel.co.uk 01275 332423 or 07712 778537

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

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 69

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Lynne takes the wheel

LYNNE Evans MBE (left) is the new president of the Inner Wheel Club of Shepton Mallet. She is pictured with outgoing president Gill Davies.

Grants available for Mendip projects

SOMERSET Community Foundation has announced that the latest grant round for the Mendip Hills Fund is now open for applications.

Grant funding of up to £2,000 is available for projects which are working to conserve and enhance the environment, communities and economy of the Mendip Hills AONB area, as well as projects bringing visitors into the Mendips from other areas.

The Mendip Hills Fund was set up with the Mendip Hills AONB partnership and income is generated through sales of badges and visitor giving schemes in the area.

Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills AONB manager, said: “This is ‘Mendip Money’ raised locally for the benefit of the area and is simple to apply for. A grant made from the 2015 round supported the Harridge Woods Nature Trail near Shepton Mallet, which created marked walking routes and a leaflet to enable people to make the most of their local woodland and reap the health benefits of outdoor activity.

“Another 2015 grant enabled the committee running East Harptree Village Shop to replace the floor in their premises, which is used by many rurally isolated older people in the area. The new floor is far safer and cleaner than the flagstones it has replaced, and the shop is able to continue to provide a great service to local residents.”

The closing date for applications is September 30th.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/grantsprogrammes/Mendip-Hills-criteria info@somersetcf.org.uk or call Jocelyn Blacker 01749 344949.

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Honour for Michael

LONG-serving Glastonbury and Street Rotarian Michael Miles has been presented with a prestigious Paul Harris Award by the international organisation in honour of his services to club and community.

Michael is one of the longest serving members of the club and has been treasurer for many years.

The club is planning two major fundraising events for September and October. The Michael Miles with his Paul first is its charity golf day at Harris Award Wheathill Golf club on Thursday, September 8th; the second is a concert by the Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines at the McMillan Theatre at Bridgwater College on Incoming president John Fear (left) is Saturday, October congratulated by outgoing president Paul Lambert 1st.

For details, visit the club’s website: http://rotaryribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1209

Ashley’s charity sale

SEVEN-year-old Ashley, from Bishop Sutton, has given money to charity raised by selling eggs from his chickens.

He heard that his grandmother's neighbour, Janet Parsons, was holding a garden party for all her friends and colleagues, in celebration of being awarded an MBE in this Pictured (left to right) Mary Smith, president of the Inner year's honours list. He asked Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge, Janet if he could sell some Janet Parsons and Ashley. of his eggs for charity.

She agreed and he had a great time selling the eggs, laid by chickens which he keeps at his grandmother's house. He took along seven boxes and sold them all, making £20 from sales and donations.

He wanted to give it to charity and chose Cystic Fibrosis (CF) after hearing that the Inner Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge had supported the charity at a garden party held at Janet's the previous week.

Ashley said: “I wanted to give this money to CF to help them find a cure. If they do it will make me feel very happy, because it's for sick people who are not very well and who have to go to hospital to get better, so I thought I would give it to them.”

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Villagers say: we’re here to help you

ORGANISERS of the annual Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Day are to set up their own grants scheme to help other groups host events which benefit the community.

All monies raised at the fun day in previous years have gone to help fund the village hall or community garden.

Profits from this year’s event, on Sunday, September 11th, will be put into a fund to award individual grants of up to £50 to help towards the cost of hiring the village hall, providing refreshments or entertainment.

Village Day committee chair, Suzanne Kingsberry, said: “We felt it was about time we opened up the fundraising pot so more people in the village could benefit from the money raised at Family Fun Day. “We will still give funds to the village hall and community garden, but this year the Bluebird Acoustic Cafe and St Vigor’s Church will also receive a portion of the profits. Anyone in the village who is looking for help with funding can now apply for a small donation to help them too.”

This year’s event will feature a dog show. The day is free and runs from 12-4pm.

Memories of the First World War

COMMUNITY

Citizens Advice presentation

AMONGST the numerous cheques Wrington Vale Rotary Club presents to worthwhile causes, a recent beneficiary has been a cheque for £200 presented to Fiona Cope, the Chief Officer for North Somerset Citizens Advice Centre by Rotarian Phillip Brittan to assist in the good work the centre provides.

New president for Frome Rotary

Paul and John Snow looking at the exhibition.

EACH weekend throughout August St Mary's Church in Compton Dando has been opening to serve themed afternoon teas to passers-by and locals.

At the latest event visitors were also invited to look at an exhibition celebrating local men who served in World War 1.

The organiser, Joy Webb, said: “The Compton Dando war memorial is unusual as it lists every resident who served in the war. Twenty six men served and all but three came back. Frederick Light is not listed as he joined the army in Australia.

“Mr Light emigrated to Australia in 1910 and was killed and buried in France. His parents were living in Compton Dando at the time of his death. The other men who died were Benjamin Harding, who served in the navy, and Henry Harvey who was killed in Flanders in July 1916."

A number of local residents attended the exhibition and were able to enjoy tea and cakes as well as appreciating the books and research detailing the lives of the 26 men.

Patrick Cusworth (left) congratulates his successor Gerry Atkinson

GERRY Atkinson is the new president of Frome Rotary Club, succeeding Patrick Cusworth.

Gerry said: “I am delighted to be taking over and leading one of the oldest and the best Rotary clubs in the country.

“Our work in the local community in and around Frome is well known and I know that we will continue to provide this support and help where needed.”

Queen’s shillings

SEVERAL organisations benefitted from celebrations in Burrington to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

The parish council says many events had been organised by a group of willing volunteers who did a sterling job, raising £1,742.40.

This has been distributed to Burrington School Governors £800; Burrington Parish Rooms £400; Burrington PCC (Holy Trinity Church) £400; Coffee Morning Group £147.40.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 71

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Somerset by tramper THE Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has thanked supporters and well-wishers after completing a tour of the county on her motorised “Tramper” scooter.

Annie Maw, who uses a wheelchair, set out on the 60-mile trek to highlight the diamond anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Annie, of Pilton, completed four, 15mile routes, travelling from Great Elm to Radstock and back, Weston-super-Mare to Cheddar, Porlock Post to Minehead and Bruton to Glastonbury, finishing in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey as part of its Rescue Our Ruins appeal.

On her first day, Annie was joined by other wheelchair users, including members of Writhlington Academy’s wheelchair tennis team.

The “odyssey” as Annie described it, was masterminded by Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset Tom Lang. Annie said: “It was just an amazing experience which I'd love to relive! I just hope that the original purpose of the enterprise, which was to raise awareness of how terrific the DoE Award Scheme is, hasn't been lost in my own enjoyment.

“But, I too have benefited from taking on this Diamond Challenge just as all the other millions of kids who've done other challenges have too!”

Here are some extracts from her summaries of each day’s journey. You can read more at https://www.facebook.com/DofETramper-Trek498705220329519/?ref=aymt_homepage _panel

Annie at Glastonbury Abbey with (l:r) Glastonbury mayor Jon Cousins, sea cadet Lara Davies, Deputy Lieutenant Tom Lang, High Sheriff of Somerset Edward Baynton-Howard, sea cadet Lissie Dowdeswell and Abbey director Janet Bell

DAY ONE Great Elm – Radstock – Great Elm “I simply can't imagine HOW the wheelchairs managed to climb all that way without any power and feel just a little bit ashamed that I'm in my trusty Tramper which does all the hard work for me.

Nicole's wheelchair didn't even have brakes and the tyres were, by now, as smooth as glass having been polished by the Tarmac during the ten miles she had already done.”

DAY TWO Weston-super-Mare to Cheddar Station via Sandford and the Railway Inn “After lunch and some photo opportunities by the Railway Inn at Sandford, we set off for about 300 yards down the road to a path leading to the Strawberry Line. This is a long and beautiful tree-lined cycle track which travels on the exact line of the old railway which ran from Yatton all the way to Wells.

“It was beautiful and in very good shape.

Talia Taylor (right) and friends present a bouquet to Annie PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

The surface was not Tarmac, as it had been on the Colliers Way, but it was much less undulating because it followed the exact route of the railway rather than alongside.

The hedgerows and banks beside the track were tall and leafy so we were protected from the sun. I think the wheelchairs found things quite challenging because gravel is harder work than Tarmac. However, there were more walkers in the team and they pushed the two wheelchairs whenever it was necessary.”

DAY THREE Porlock Post to Minehead via Wootton Courtney, Dunster and the West Somerset Railway “Before we left the start point, our group was completed when a beautiful and ENORMOUS grey horse called Duke hove into sight ridden by Robin Nicholl, our old friend from Mendip days, who now lives near Dulverton and is the fundraiser for the Calvert Trust. He was set to accompany us up to Dunkery Beacon and on down towards Wootton Courtney. This, for me, was just superb as to have a horse there made me feel strangely much more secure... I hadn't remembered it, but Robin was there when I fell and broke my back.”

DAY FOUR Bruton to Glastonbury Abbey Ruins via Alhampton, Parbrook and Baltonsborough “Throughout our adventure and all over Somerset, we have been made aware of the network of old railway lines which used to provide links and communications between even the smallest towns and villages.

Today, leaving Bruton and travelling south west, we went under a sturdy stone railway bridge which was covered with ivy and wild flowers but otherwise remained as firm and upright as if it was still in regular use.”

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COMMUNITY

(Photos courtesy of Neil Phillips)

Village celebrates

Wrington Youth Week barbeque

VILLAGERS from Wrington celebrated 25 years of its Youth Week by sharing a cake among hundreds of people. For one week in the summer holidays Wrington parents and children participate in a huge range of fun pastimes from parkour to pond-dipping and climbing to chocolate classes.

Parents give up their time to plan, arrange and transport 240 children to all the activities. The week culminates in a big barbecue at Wrington Recreation Ground where the children and parents got together to celebrate the anniversary.

The week is run by volunteers, and one of the chairs of the committee is Jo Sinclair, who has been involved with Youth Week for over ten years.

She said: "This week sees the culmination of a massive amount of hard work by a fantastic committee of parents who work tirelessly to give the children of the village an opportunity to experience new exciting activities and more familiar ones.

"It is a unique week where parents and members of the community come together as one, mucking in and giving their time, skills and experience freely to ensure all have a good time from the young through to teenagers and even the adults!

"It really represents what a community can achieve by

Lions’ celebrate centenary

The cake committee and children

working together. New friendships are formed and older friendships nourished, long may it continue and keep Wrington the very special place it is to live in."

CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club are installing defibrillators in the Cheddar Valley to celebrate their centenary. The first of these is outside the Riverside Inn, commissioned by the South West Ambulance Service. They hope to install more in future.

Details: 01934 248114, 01934 248114 or visit www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 73

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MOTORING

SHIPHAM MOTOR GROUP Turnpike Road, Shipham, Winscombe BS25 1TX •

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G Caravan Servicing G Annual Habitation Checks G Alu-Tech Bailey Approved Repairers G Warranty Maintained G Damp Repairs G Accident Repairs G Insurance Repairs G Accessory Fitting

Our shop stocks a full range of accessories and equipment

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With a vast experience of old and new models, you can be sure that your Volvo will receive the highest quality service but without Main Dealer prices!

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For servicing, repairs and sales of all makes of caravans and motorhomes

Volvo Warranty Compliant Independent Servicing on New Cars Volvo Accredited Master Technician Specialist Volvo Diagnostics and Software Downloads 01934 842350 Air Conditioning www.shipham.co.uk MOT Testing Volvo Parts & Accessories

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UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES MG ROVER & LAND ROVER SPECIALIST

Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs ALL MAKES SERVICING – VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, AIR CONDITIONING, MECHANICAL & BODY REPAIRS Collection/Loan Car by arrangement

Open Monday - Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday 9am–1pm

Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

MOT TESTING STATION COMPETITIVE PRICES ON TYRES, BATTERIES AND EXHAUSTS

ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE QUALITY USED CARS BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY SERVICE Your peace of mind is our priority

CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY BS40 6PG Telephone: 01761 462275 (24hrs) www.ubleymotors.co.uk

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PROPERTY

A successful sale

DAVID James & Partners (DJ&P) held their third collective property and land auction – the first since Brexit – and there was great anticipation about the effect Brexit would have.

However, a variety of 12 lots ranging from residential, development sites/barn conversions and investment land, attracted a room full of some 200 people, many of whom came out of Bristol to compete with the local market.

A rural development site at Towerhead near Banwell offering some 3,600 sq ft for conversion into two dwellings sold significantly above the guide price of £300,000 prior to auction after best and final offers were submitted, on the proviso that exchange took place prior to auction night.

Sold on auction night was a detached bungalow in Easton in Gordano which had been in the same family for two generations and held an agricultural occupancy clause. The bungalow stood in 2.5 acres and had far-reaching views over Portbury – the hammer went down at £400,000.

Two smaller pieces of land near The Wellsway at West Harptree being sold by a local charity commanded fierce bidding and sold in excess of £90,000 for 1.72 acres. A parcel of strategic investment land at Silver Street, Cheddar amounting to 1.69 acres made £85,000.

Auctioneer, Richard Nancekivell, was pleased to have successfully sold 11 out of 12 lots, the majority well over the

guide price. He said the announcement that banks may now charge customers for monies held on deposit, in addition to the relevant inheritance tax and rollover relief available on business assets, can only have encouraged bidder confidence to buy rural property.

A number of local and Bristol buyers went home disappointed.

DJ & P are now taking further entries for the auction on Tuesday September 27th. For more information on auctioning your property or land, contact their Wrington office on 01934 864300.

NEAR WEDMORE SOMERSET

HANDSOME GRADE II

FARMHOUSE WITH

PERIOD FEATURES AND COMFORTABLE FAMILY ACCOMMODATION.

A detached village house with tasteful interior of three reception rooms around a central hall, modern kitchen with Aga & pantry, drawing room, family room with inglenook and dining room. Four double bedrooms on first floor, 2 bathrooms, bedroom 5, shower room and study on second floor. Drive with turning circle, attractive open fronted barn and garage, gardens on each side amounting to .4 acre. Ref: 24812/3 GUIDE PRICE £635,000

BLEADON NORTH SOMERSET

LOXTON NORTH SOMERSET

WICK ST. LAWRENCE NORTH SOMERSET

Long drive approach from private lane, large gardens and panoramic southerly views offered from this large four bedroom house. Beautifully presented interior with new kitchen and bathrooms.

Three good reception rooms, Four double bedrooms, dressing room and en suite. Double garage. EPC: C. Ref: 25120

FORMER SCHOOL HOUSE WITH FAR REACHING VIEWS! A semi detached house with attractive Victorian features. Original joinery and doors, open fireplace, high ceilings and large windows. Hall, cloaks, sitting room with open fireplace, dining room, good size kitchen with Rayburn and French doors to garden. Two double bedrooms and large bathroom on first floor. Garden & stunning views: EPC: F: Ref: 25124

AUCTION 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 (UNLESS SOLD PRIOR) A detached agricultural barn with planning for conversion to dwelling (2,233 sq ft), 6 stables and 20.58 acres of pasture. For sale as a whole or in 3 lots. Secluded rural location on edge of the village. Ref: 23916

GUIDE PRICE £725,000

GUIDE PRICE £279,950

GUIDE PRICE £250,000

YOU WILL HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY TO FIND SUCH A LIGHT SPACIOUS FAMILY

HOUSE IN SUCH A STUNNING POSITION!

Wrington 01934 864300 MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 75

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Latest housing survey

HOUSE price growth remained resilient in July although key indicators covering, agreed sales and new instructions all remained negative in the South West, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Just five percent more respondents nationally saw a rise rather than fall in prices, a downward trend that is evident across the UK, though prices in the South West remain strong against any suggested uncertainty with 26% more contributors reporting a rise in prices as opposed to a fall.

Interest from new buyers in the region bounced back from May’s record low reading (net balance of -45%) with 15% more contributors reporting a rise in new buyer enquiries.

RICS says lack of stock in the housing market continues to be the main barrier of growth in the region, with new instructions falling again in the month of July.

The survey found 31% more respondents seeing a fall in new instructions, with supply is at its lowest since February 2015. In line with the dip in demand and the worsening supply position, sales declined for the third consecutive month. Across the South West, 16% more respondents reported a fall in transactions.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “The housing market is currently balancing a raft of somewhat mixed economic news. Against this backdrop, it is not altogether surprising that near-term activity measures remain relatively flat. However the rebound in the key 12-month indicators in the July survey suggest that confidence remains more resilient than might have been anticipated.”

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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PROPERTY

Berryman’s ask where next for the housing market?

OVER a month since the historic Brexit vote, Catherine Langley of Berryman’s takes a look at how the local market is shaping up.

The market in Wedmore continues to remain buoyant with many people still actively looking to settle in this popular village and surrounding areas.

Marcus Whewell, CEO of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents, comments: “The market (outside of London) actually looks steady and predictable. Prices are holding up, properties are selling (on average) for at least 99% of the asking price and withdrawals are no higher than pre-referendum. Mortgage rates continue to be the most competitive in history.”

Marcus added: “Looking at the bigger picture, there are strong reasons to believe the residential market will remain healthy for the next few years.”.

Supply and demand remains high; the UK population is expected to continue growing by up to 50,000 per annum and to meet demand the UK needs at least 200,000 new homes every year. Currently, less than half of this number are being built. This is only amplified by the changes in trends and demographics such as more single-person households.

Berryman’s have a busy month in September supporting local events such as the Wedmore Beer Festival and Allerton Harvest Home.

If you are interested in selling your home or curious as to the value of your home please contact Catherine or Lilly on 01934 611998 or email catherine@garyberryman.co.uk

Looking to sell or let your home?

Or just curious as to the price of your property?

WEDMORE BRANCH

NOW OPEN! Church Street, Wedmore BS28 4AB MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 77

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C l u t t o n F l ow e r S h ow

Ladies from the village provided teas

Mendip Brass entertained the crowds

EVENTS

When the bus comes to town

Play worker Maureen Brooks welcoming the children and telling them what they would be doing.

THANKS to Lottery funding for another two years, the Big Blue community play bus has been a familiar sight over the school summer holidays, calling into Radstock, Paulton, Westfield and Pensford, where youngsters have enjoyed all the activities offered by the team.

Senior play worker Jackie Hails said: “These sessions are aimed at 5-12 year olds in rural areas bringing the children together in their own localities for play."

The bus offers everything from dressing up, den building, arts and crafts to face painting, music and cooking.

Somerset Morris in action

The show was opened by BBC Points West presenter Alex Lovell and local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Children modelling

Jess, Daisy and Sally colouring

Mendip Times

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ONLINE Free access to all of our recent magazines from our website Free links in future to all of our advertisers’ websites

And free links from our features and editorial pages More information – more enjoyment No annoying pop-ups – Mendip Times pure and simple A new service for readers and advertisers

LAUNCHES SEPTEM B ER 1st

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Siobhan’s charity quest

THE Inner Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge devoted its afternoon garden party to raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

It was held at the home of member, Janet Parsons, in Stowey and attracted a record number of visitors.

Club president, Mary Smith, had chosen the trust as her charity of the year after being inspired by local CF sufferer Siobhan Coles, from Pensford.

Mary said: “I have chosen this charity Inner Wheel club Mary Smith with because I had read CF champion Siobhan Coles about Siobhan, a teenager who has the disease and who is raising awareness of the trust.

“I met Siobhan and was impressed with her courage and determination. The condition is also in my family, so I am well aware of the effect on both Siobhan and her family.

“The Cystic Fibrosis Trust relies almost exclusively on public donations so hopefully this garden party will have helped quite a lot by raising money for this worthy cause.”

The party raised £1,550 CF and a great percentage of this amount came from the raffle of quality prizes, which was largely due to Siobhan, who had persuaded her many friends and others to donate.

Former presidents of Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club Tony Quinn and Spike Parker, who were greeting everyone on their arrival

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Mural can stay

NEWS

A POPULAR mural on a building in Glastonbury which celebrates the town’s myths and legends has been given a stay of execution thanks to an online petition which received more than 3,500 signatures.

After talks between the building’s owner, the organiser of the petition and Mendip district councillors it was agreed to allow the mural to remain on the listed building in Northload Street for two years, after which time the situation will be reviewed.

Councillor Tom Killen, deputy leader of Mendip, said: “The petition was one of the largest the council had ever received and a number of factors were considered in our decision, including the significant drop in the levels of graffiti on this wall following the painting of the mural.

“The location is a gateway site to Glastonbury town centre and the mural had been, and continues to be, appreciated by locals and tourists alike. The unique characteristics of Glastonbury and its local community was also a significant factor in our decision.”

Any petition submitted to Mendip District Council which contains more than 1,500 signatures has to be discussed at a full council meeting, in line with council policy.

Vehicle restrictions at recycling sites

THE organisation which runs recycling sites in Somerset is bringing in new rules which it says will ease queues and bring access to the facilities in line with neighbouring authorities.

From Monday, October 3rd, Somerset Waste Partnership says the size of vehicles will be limited so the vast majority of users are not held up or put at risk by large, heavily laden or hard-to-manoeuvre trucks and trailers. Drivers of cars, estates, 4x4s and campervans will see no change.

Out-of-county visitors with vans or trailers will be directed to use their own recycling sites rather than add to the queues or council tax costs of Somerset householders.

Drivers of smaller vans will need to go online and order a free permit allowing use at open sites on weekdays and 1pm4pm on Saturdays, as will car drivers using a small trailer.

The other changes include: Vans over 3.5 tonnes or box (Luton) vans, agricultural vehicles, horse boxes, trailers over three-metre floor length or with multiple axles, and vans with trailers, cannot use sites.

Vans up to 3.5T, pick-ups, and trailers up to three-metre floor length require a free permit.

A SWP spokesman said: “These steps will cut queues, limit delays, reduce costs and ensure sites are safer and easy-touse for Somerset residents making 1.5 million visits a year.

“Somerset is responding to residents’ demands on queues and site entry controls, and – unusually for us – catching up with other local authorities’ actions to improve waste services.

“Many neighbouring councils already have similar restrictions, either based on vehicle size or where customers live; some would bar those with a Somerset address from their sites.”

For details, visit: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/permit.

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EVENTS

Nempnett Thrubwell Fete

Rory Everett and Jess provided rides

The Patch family took part in the wellie wanging

We’ve got it covered

One of the stallholders Lulu Batten and her daughter Tilly

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MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 81

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Joinery experts

BADMANS have been supplying bespoke joinery for over 25 years in Somerset and surrounding areas and cover all aspects from fire doors to hand-crafted staircases.

Their highly-skilled team take pride in creating high quality items providing an extremely professional service to meet their customers’ expectations.

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

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JACKSONS

Jacksons Fencing – news, topical treats and more . . .

HERE’S a fantastic garden renovation sent to us by garden designer, Peter Reader.

Brief: The client’s brief was to update the garden design and introduce more interest into the main garden space by using different levels, rendered walls and new low maintenance planting, whilst retaining the feeling of openness.

Before: The majority of the garden was laid with ageing artificial turf. The wooden deck, steps and the fences were rotting away and needed to be replaced. Two of the fences were covered with ivy, which the client didn’t really like, however they did appreciate the way it softened the boundary’s appearance. They wanted to replace the collapsing fencing and to have some new climbers, although as the garden is quite small, they didn’t want to feel too enclosed.

What was done: The old rotting wooden deck and steps were removed and replaced with natural stone. All three fences were replaced with Jacksons Horizontal Hit and Miss fencing, which works well in the space because it provides privacy, but the gaps between the boards allow some light and air through, so it still feels open and not restrictive, and there’s the added benefit of Jacksons Fencing being guaranteed against rot and insect attack for 25 years, so it will be looking great for many years.

New climbers have been planted to reduce any starkness as their foliage and flowers soften the lines perfectly. In the area around the raised seating, the fence has been clad with Jacksons

Venetian panels, so this keeps up the horizontal motif and defines the seating area as a distinct space within the garden.

Conclusion: The clients are delighted with their new garden, and are looking forward to seeing it mature over the next few years. An interesting footnote to the story is that at first the neighbours were unsure about whether to agree to the fence change and wanted the ivy left in place on their side. However, once they saw the new Jacksons fences they were delighted and have removed all the ivy and developed a new flowerbed in its place.

Go to www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal where you can find out more about these and our other products.

Have you used Jacksons products in a garden makeover that you think we should feature, we’d love to hear from you? louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk Thanks to Peter for sharing this fantastic project with us (please visit www.readerlandscapes.com) and Belderbos.co.uk who worked on the garden construction.

WIN A JACKSONS LOG STORE

To enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win a Jacksons Log Store, just log on to your dedicated page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter.

The draw closes 30.11.16. To enter go to: www.jacksonsfencing.co.uk/bathlocal

For info on any of Jacksons products or brochures please call 0800 096 6151 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre.

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 83

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Still flying high

LOOKING back, everyone at Kingfisher was feeling just a touch apprehensive – would the sun shine? How many people would come? Would everyone be able to park easily? Would they like the music? Would they like the food? Will everyone get on?

In other words all the worries you have before you throw any party. Except this wasn’t just any party; this was a party to celebrate 30 years in business for the family firm of Kingfisher.

And the people at Kingfisher had been planning the event since the end of 2015 – it just had to go right. And it did.

The sun did shine on July 17th and the food, drink and entertainment delighted everyone there. One of their customers, Rosemary McLeod wrote to say: “Great hosts, food and drinks, company, perfect surroundings, sunshine . . . how did you manage that?”

Rosemary also noted: “Thanks too to the Mendip Times – I would not have found you without them.” So well done to the publication you’re reading right now!

One of the highlights of a very special day was a trip down Memory Lane with the founder and inspiration behind Kingfisher Windows, John Fisher. As sprightly and enthusiastic as ever, John recalled the early days and most importantly the business philosophy that, from the start, has put clear water between Kingfisher and its competitors.

He said: “I hated and still hate the way so many double glazing salespeople put people under pressure and it is absolutely forbidden at Kingfisher. You consider customers as

friends, you give them honest advice, you offer competitive prices, quality workmanship and attentive and caring after sales service. And you never swerve from these principles.”

John’s daughter and managing director, Angie Hicks, echoed her father’s sentiments: “We are a family firm and we see and treat our customers as extended family.”

Acknowledging that much had changed since Kingfisher launched in 1986, Angie was quick to pay tribute to the good sense of John’s vision for the company: “We are growing Kingfisher, as the opening of our new shop in Wells demonstrates, but we keep to our basic values with our feet well and truly on the ground.”

A 1986 quiz, devised by director, Peter Hicks, had a few heads being scratched and memories tested. In the end, the first prize of a £100 voucher for Thatcher’s Railway Inn in Sandford, was won by Steve and Trudy Young of Rodney Stoke.

All in all, a great day. And as another customer, Val Naden, wrote: “Kingfisher at 30. Still flying high! Congratulations!”

JUST RELEASED! CHARNWOOD ARC 5KW 12mm friendly hearth DEFRA approved

Now on display at Weston Garden Machinery Behind Shell Garage Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 2YS

Tel: 01934 626093/813261 www.westongarden.co.uk

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

The new Woodland stove from Mendip Stoves is an award-winning design, voted ‘Best Stove Under 5kW’ at June’s Hearth & Home Show in Harrogate. It won top marks for the high quality of its design, in particular the large viewing window, which, for a stove with a low output of 4.5kW, is rather unusual. It was also praised for having 100mm to combustibles on both sides and rear of the stove, a feature of most Mendip Stoves which enables them to be placed closer to combustible walls at the rear, a great feature for modern timber frame building construction methods.

Mendip Stoves Ltd 01934 750500 www.mendipstoves.co.uk

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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RH

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 87

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Choir’s first concert

A SCHOOL choir from Chew Magna Primary School, formed

by Sam Kite from Bishop Sutton, gave their debut concert at Chew Magna's Monday Club.

Sam said: “Since graduating from university last year I have become a piano teacher and children's choral leader. I started Chew Magna Primary Choir in January 2016 and go in after lunch every Friday to run the choir, which is for Year 3 upwards.”

One of the club members, Gillian Lewis, said: “The children sang so beautifully and were a joy to watch – all concentrating and watching you and smiling. No sign of any nervousness!”

Sam said: “The children worked so hard to learn all the pieces off by heart and their performance was fantastic. Their singing was absolutely beautiful and we received so many complimentary comments – we've even been asked if we'll come back to sing for them again near Christmas which we're already looking forward to.“

Choir’s anniversary

CHEW Valley Choral Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary year in style. A new season of rehearsals starts on September 6th at Chew Stoke Village Hall, under the direction of their musical director David Bednall, pictured.

The choir will be performing a celebratory concert on November 26th of Mozart’s Requiem, accompanied by a small orchestra. There will also be a supporting programme, including a work specially composed by David Bednall himself.

The concert will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Keynsham and promises to be an exciting event, attended by many past members of the choir.

In addition to normal rehearsals for this special concert, the society is holding a Come-and-Sing day on October 15th devoted to the requiem. All singers are welcome though prior registration is essential. New members are always welcome – rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 7.30pm.

Details: www.chewvalleychoral.org.uk or call 01275 333014 for more information.

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Farewell to Les

Mendip Male Voice Choir's chairman, Peter Beven (left) presenting retiring secretary Les Debbenham with some Bristol Blue Glass

MENDIP Male Voice Choir members have said goodbye to the choir’s secretary, Les Debbenham, who is moving away from the area.

Les has been the secretary of the Mendip Men and before that the Timsbury Male Voice Choir for 19 years and will be greatly missed.

The choir’s summer concerts ended at the Methodist Church, Midsomer Norton, when the large audience was treated to very high quality singing from the men and the visiting Minuendos from Bath.

To finish the year they travel to Totnes and Brixham for two concerts in October raising more money for charity – the amount for the year will be over £6,000.

Then it’s all go again learning new Christmas concert songs.

Details: new members are welcome. The choir meets at Timsburys St Mary’s School on Mondays, 7.15pm, starting on September 5th.

New singers welcome

CONGRESBURY Singers are looking for new members. Are you feeling down in the dumps? Do you need a new challenge?

If so, they say the well-being benefits of singing in a choir are well known.

And their musical director, Gordon Pullin, provides an enjoyable evening each week under his challenging, engaging and ultimately uplifting and rewarding instruction through a variety of musical programmes.

They are a small, friendly group, with members from Congresbury and surrounding areas, and perform about five concerts a year covering a wide spectrum of musical styles.

No audition is required so, go along without any obligation.

Their new term starts at 7.50pm on Tuesday September 6th at the Old School Rooms, Congresbury.

Details: Liz Sampson 01934 876104 or Paul Adams 01275 878740.

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MUSIC

A Van-tastic night at Glastonbury Extravaganza

Gloria-ous: Van Morrison performed many of his bestknown songs

Photographs by Mark Adler

LEGENDARY musician Van Morrison produced one of the outstanding performances in its history as the Glastonbury Extravaganza celebrated its 20th anniversary in style.

A sell-out crowd at Glastonbury Abbey had earlier enjoyed music from the Wells Cathedral Big Band and Jamie Cullum. The night ended with the traditional fireworks display.

(l:r) Tracy Clement, Dominee Worman and Karen Bell Jamie Cullum played a high energy set

The Austin and Perry families, from Street Time for a selfie

Van Morrison and his band

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 89

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Carpe diem – seize the day – and the reins!

AUTUMN! For those enjoying the autumn of life it’s important to “seize the day” to stay active and learn new skills. Time to squirrel away those summer memories to treasure on long winter nights.

Have you “seized an opportunity to do something that you want and not worried With RACHEL about the future”? I must admit to being a tad THOMPSON surprised when my retired banker (and MBE hitherto non-horsey) friend Ian Sheppard, aged 60, suddenly developed a passion for all things equine.

Emerging from two year’s accumulation of spreadsheets, charts and posters during his voluntary project management of the £2 million Congresbury Community Centre project, he suddenly announced that he wanted to ride. Eh? A passing fad obviously!

Fascinated, I watched him embark on twice-weekly riding school lessons, go cantering on a wild and windy Scottish beach on holiday, then tackle Exmoor terrain every week on a borrowed hack.

And then, of course – a horse of his own! Goodness, difficult enough to find a good ‘un myself (all that traipsing around the country only to be disappointed yet again – you know what it’s like). I forgot Ian’s project management skills – we made lists (sorry spreadsheets), time lines and management plans. I got involved – wanting my novice horsey friend to have fun but to be safe. We needed a livery yard near home – ideally with all year grazing, bedding and hay supplied, arena, off road hacking, lessons and support and a safe, schooled, educated and wellmannered horse (Irish Draft type, gelding, age 8–12, something on his CV – eventing, hunting – I insisted).

An impossible task, surely, but amazingly within a few weeks a part livery place became available with direct access on to Blackdown with supportive staff and instructors. And then incredibly by word of mouth we found 11-year-old Jake – a beautifully schooled ex whippers in/event horse 16.2” chestnut Irish Sport Horse by Garrison Royal – buy! Prior to Jake’s eagerly anticipated arrival we charged around the Mendips gathering equipment – building merchants (you must have your own barrow!), feed merchants (nuts or coarse mix?), saddlery shop – Ian and Jake on Blackdown

PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

RIDING

At a riding lesson

grooming kit (“What’s that comb thing for?” – “You’ll see!”), new bit, bridle, stirrups (“Buy the best quality tack you can afford, it might save your life!”).

Ian is learning to jump on Jake now – I think the hunting field may beckon. It’s been amazing to share this journey. “Why?”, I asked. He considered: “My friends ride, it looks so much fun – I wanted to have a go.” Best moment so far (besides getting Jake obviously)? “Hacking on Exmoor with a pretty girl,” he grins – that figures! Worst? “Falling off, getting kicked on the ankle and having to get back on and ride downhill – ouch that hurt almost as much as breaking a leg playing rugby.” Top tip? “Listen to advice – blokes aren’t good at that, practice makes perfect, sit up straight”!

It’s been a memorable spring and summer for Ian, he’s fitter, leaner, happier, the grin has got bigger. He’s joined the British Horse Society and the Blackdown Riding Club – for education, for fun and to make new friends.

Seize that day Ian! As the saying goes: “Seize the day (young) man – you may never get the chance to embark on such an adventure again”.

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SPORT

The tourists in a “formal” pose

What goes on tour . . .

Members of Butleigh Rugby Club celebrated their 40th anniversary with a never-to-beforgotten tour to the Far East. A somewhat discreet Ashley Maunder ignores some of the rugby maxim “What goes on tour, stays on tour” to reveal some of the highlights.

FLYING from Heathrow following late morning beers at the club’s HQ, the Rose and Portcullis, the 38 tourists landed the next day in Hong Kong for the beginning of their 11-day tour.

A three-way tournament beckoned at the Hong Kong Football Club, a fivestar leisure, sporting and hotel centre within the Happy Valley horseracing complex. Each club won and lost one game, leaving Butleigh delighted tournament winners on points difference.

An early flight the next day to Beijing was followed by an afternoon visit to the Sun Valley orphanage; playing football with the children was great fun and hugely enjoyable.

The next day saw a game at the International school of Beijing under floodlights against a barbarian representation of the three clubs that play there; a terrific encounter resulting in a 25-14 loss.

The evening was celebrated with a

Some superheroes on the town

Hong Kong – a happy hunting ground for Butleigh

new club record of 1,000 beer bottles downed over eight hours within the city nightlife ending up at 4am in a salubrious karaoke club where Mike Rodger’s rendition of Mack the Knife was truly Oscar winning.

Next day a chance to recover with a five-hour Bullet Train ride (305kph) to Shanghai, the “Paris of China”, and a chance to visit the Buddha Temple before playing Shanghai rugby club, The Hairy Crabs.

Played at 4.30pm due to no floodlights this would have been one of the warmest rugby matches (40 degrees Celsius) ever attempted by our club. A fiercely-contested match saw Butleigh come from behind with ten minutes remaining, wing forward James Catley Day and centre Nick Kent scoring tries to win 19-27.

A next day flight back to Hong Kong set up an all-day cruise on a vast, threestorey junk with refreshments, diving and swimming opportunities. A return home beckoned the following day after one of the biggest, epic, most thrilling tours in Butleigh’s history.

Organised by the mighty, extraordinary, charming, challenging, makes-it-happen, personality Paul Reed, the chairman of Butleigh Rugby Club.

We owe huge, heartfelt thanks to Paul and all our generous sponsors and the simply magnificent group of players and supporters that travelled.

A sporting benchmark for the club and in all of our lives.

Next: The Magnificent 7’s on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 28th from midday at our ground at Kingweston, near Butleigh. All welcome.

Next tour: New York/North Carolina/Bermuda in 2018… coming?

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 91

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(Photograph courtesy of Colin Burnett)

Rebel rider hits 1,000

SOMERSET Rebels speedway star Josh Grajczonek has joined an exclusive club of just five other riders by scoring his 1,000th point for the side since his debut in 2003.

He achieved the honour against Peterborough in a home match at the Oaktree Arena in which he was also unbeaten in his Josh Grajczonek four rides.

Josh said: “I only knew about the 1,000 points a week ago when someone at the club told me about it.

“I don’t keep a check on these sorts of things, but it’s a pretty good feeling to reach such figures, especially when you see the names of the other guys who have scored 1,000 points for Somerset.”

Team manager Garry May said: “Josh is a credit to himself, the club and speedway as a whole, and deserves all the accolades in joining that very exclusive Somerset Rebels 1,000 club!”

Getting fitter in Frome

Just some of the new equipment being installed at the Old Showfield to encourage people to get fit

FROME Town Council will be celebrating the launch of new outdoor fitness equipment at the Old Showfield in the town on Saturday, September 3rd, with a day of free activities and games.

The event is also going to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and simply enjoying being outdoors. Emma Parker, the council’s Community Projects Officer, said: “The new fitness equipment will be a great place to meet up with friends and have fun. It’s been designed so you can have a go whether you’re new to exercise or you’re a regular gym-bunny!”

There will also be a variety of games to play including cricket, rounders and badminton as well as school favourites like egg and spoon races, sack races, tug of war and three-legged races, along with general health advice, free health checks and talks on nutrition.

G The day runs from 10am-4pm. For details, visit: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk

PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

Thatchers supports Bristol Rugby

Pictured back row: Jack Lam, Bristol Rugby, Andrew Billingham, CEO Bristol Sport, Martin Thatcher, MD, Thatchers Cider, Andy Robinson, Bristol Rugby Director. Front row: Korey Smith, Bristol City, Lee Johnson, BCFC Head Coach

THATCHERS Cider has signed a new partnership with Bristol Sport that will see the Somerset cider maker feature on Bristol Rugby's home and away shirts for the first time. The deal will also bring an expanded range of Thatchers ciders to Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of Bristol Rugby and Bristol City FC. The agreement coincides with the rugby club’s return to premiership rugby and the 2016/17 Aviva Premiership campaign. The family-run cider maker will also feature on Bristol Rugby Ladies' matchday kit.

Thatchers will become the official Man of the Match partner for the Premiership rugby side, complemented by pitchside, website and programme presence. Thatchers also becomes a founder partner of Bristol Sport's business group, The Lansdown Club.

Bristol Sport CEO Andrew Billingham said: “With Bristol Rugby back in the top flight and the 'new' Ashton Gate Stadium on the brink of completion, it's a hugely exciting time for the club and our commercial partners."

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker at Thatchers Cider, said: "We've enjoyed a long association with Ashton Gate and the passionate supporters of Bristol Rugby and Bristol City FC. “We're delighted to be developing our partnership with Bristol Sport at this exciting time, not just as Bristol Rugby makes a long-awaited return to the Premiership, but with their fantastic new facilities at Ashton Gate.”

Details: www.thatcherscider.co.uk

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A ‘super’ ride to the coast

JUST over 1,100 riders took part in this year’s Great Weston Ride from Bristol to Weston-super-Mare. This popular sportive, now in its seventh year, offers cyclists a fun yet challenging recreational bike ride. It’s not a race, the objective being to enjoy the day and the sense of achievement that completing CYCLING the ride brings. with EDMUND LODITE The event continues to attract a wide range of participants including experienced cyclists, recreational riders, commuters and non-cyclists willing to rise to a challenge. Many of the riders were also raising money for good causes, including the ride’s charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The friendly nature of this event and the fact that the course also ends by the coast makes it a unique event in the sportive calendar.

The 57-mile course has been designed to appeal to everyone.

Starting in Long Ashton it followed a scenic route through the Chew Valley, over the Mendip Hills and across the Somerset Levels before finally finishing on the seafront in Weston-superMare. For those who wanted to do more, there was the option of three extra sections which increased the total distance up to 75 miles.

Two refreshment stops en-route riders kept riders fuelled until they reached Weston-super-Mare, to be greeted by hundreds of cheering friends and family. After collecting a Great Weston Ride medal to mark their achievement, the cyclists were treated to some well-earned hot food from the outdoor kitchen.

This year’s event raised at least £35,000 making it over £235K in total for charities since the ride started. There were many stories of personal challenge and triumphs, but someone who deserves a special mention is Steve Lucas-Jones, from Wells, who took part whilst towing his dog in a trailer. He found it incredibly hard and was last to finish at around 6pm, but he completed the course and raised over £1,200 for charity in the process!

Ride organiser Darren McKimm said: “Once again we witnessed a huge mix of people and different types of bikes taking on the challenge. We saw a large number of people who’ve

Steve and his dog

SPORT

previously taken part coming back for another go, but we also know that we had a significant number of people for whom this was their first significant cycling event and the furthest they had ever cycled.

“They all coped brilliantly – one of the stand-out features of the event being its very friendly and inclusive ‘feel’ which just adds to a great atmosphere on the day. There was definitely a discernible sense of achievement and enjoyment among the riders at the finish, and it was quite clear that a lot of personal challenges had been met – which just added to the overall success of the day.”

The Great Weston Ride is becoming very well known in the sportive calendar as a stunning city-to-coast recreational bike ride. As one rider commented: “It’s like London to Brighton, only smaller and better – a real gem.”

New Somerset County RFU president ANDY Shorney has been elected as the president of the Somerset County Rugby Football Union for the next two years, taking over the reins from predecessor Des Chalmers.

Andy, who lives in North Somerset, was the county secretary for 11 years until last summer when he didn't seek reelection. For seven years he was the county's representative on the Rugby Football Union council.

He said: "It is a great honour to have been elected by the clubs and individual members to be the new county president.

I will be combining this with my existing duties on the RFU council where I believe I can make a valuable contribution.

"I would like to thank Des for the

tremendous work that he has done over the past two years as president and the ten months where, as chairman, he led the county at a difficult time following the tragic death of the president David Smith."

As well as his numerous years on the administrative side of the game, Shorney played rugby for 20 years and gained representative honours for Somerset and the British Police, captaining both.

He said: "In excess of 40 years of rugby experience, both on and off the field, has provided me with an excellent all-round knowledge of the game and, in recent times, the RFU as an organisation.

"I would like to encourage clubs in the county to recognise their volunteers who help make the game possible. Volunteers

Former county president Des Chalmers (left) and the new Somerset County RFU president Andy Shorney.

are one of the most valuable assets of a rugby organisation.

"They offer time, effort and expertise, and deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work.

Encouraging these traditions at clubs and at county levels helps maintain the ethos of the game we love."

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Mendip Rocks! – the festival is almost here THIS year’s popular Mendip Rocks! geology festival will be launched on Saturday, September 17th and will run until the end of October, bringing to life the fascinating rocks that have created the Mendip Hills.

Step back in time and explore an amazing 420 million years of geology right under your feet. A wide range of events will reveal the ancient stories that have shaped a unique and very special landscape, with many being held at sites not usually open to the public.

New for this year will be a series of “Earth Science School” field trips, to explore and understand the geology of Mendip, in chronological order from the 420-million-year-old Siluran volcanics to the 150-million-year-old Jurrassic sea beds with many fossils, with Somerset geologist Dr Peter Hardy.

Titled “Ups and Downs in the Mendips – The Story of the Mendip Rocks”, the trips will be held during The Geological Society’s Earth Science Week (8-15 October). Dr Hardy is a retired lecturer at Bristol University and author of “The Geology of Somerset” and he has kindly volunteered his time for the Mendip Rocks! festival.

Amongst the other highlights will be escorted tours into working basalt and limestone quarries, the unusual rock stratigraphy at Vallis Vale’s De la Beche unconformity, the fossil sea beds, Burrington Combe carboniferous geology and a visit to the carboniferous volcanic deposits at Sand Point in Western Mendip.

Mendip Rocks! 2016 is organised by the Somerset Earth

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MENDIP ROCKS!

Science Centre in partnership with the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with support from Natural England, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Frome Museum and Wells & Mendip Museum.

This year’s festival will be launched at Frome Museum on Saturday, September 17th, with a family fun day, including two guided walks of Frome’s hidden geology. The festival finale, on Saturday, October 29th, will be “Underground and Overground in the Mendip Hills”, a day of lectures and lunch in Wells Museum: Guest speakers include Alan Gray, “Ochre Mining and Mendip cave Register”, Duncan Price “Deepest Mendips"- cave diving to the source of Mendip's largest springs, Dr Chris King “Mendip Volcanoes” and Les Davies MBE. G Ups and Downs in the Mendips – The Story of the Mendip Rocks tours will be organised by Somerset Earth Science Centre. All three days of tuition and minibus tours cost £50, or £25 per day if only one or two are attended. Underground and Overground in the Mendip Hills – £10pp. Bookings 01749 671770 or email: visitwellsinfo@gmail.com. Other events are free unless otherwise stated but a donation of £3 adult, £1 child is welcome towards the Mendip Rocks! AONB Project.

Booking – quarry tours need to be booked, but other events do not require booking unless otherwise stated, see website for full details: http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/aonb-events or on Facebook: MendipRocks and follow on Twitter@MendipHillsAONB

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Transport festival returns to Wincanton

FANS of vintage and classic vehicles should head for Wincanton Racecourse in September for the two-day Somerset’s Festival of Transport rally.

Everything from steam engines to military vehicles and classic cars will be on display – with many taking to the main arena to be driven in all their glory. There will also be a marquee dedicated to models.

This year’s festival takes place on Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th. The rally is organised

by Tony and Tina Carter, who staged their first festival in 2012 in Bruton before moving to Haynes Motor Museum and then, last year, to the racecourse.

Tina and Tony put the shows on with the help of a few loyal sponsors and helpers and are always looking for more support. Their vision is that the festival should become self-funded and make a profit for charity.

WHAT’S ON

Palace full of flowers

THE Bishop’s Palace, in Wells, will be filled with floral art this autumn as it hosts the NAFAS South West Area Floral Arts Show from September 9th -11th.

The rooms of the medieval palace will be filled with a stunning array from the 40 South West area flower clubs on the theme of Ancient and Modern to complement this unique setting.

The palace will also be putting on a selection of stalls and shopping opportunities alongside the displays, with gifts, food, tools and materials, many with a distinctly floral theme.

To inspire the younger visitors, there will also be fun floral sessions for children on offer.

A scene from last year’s festival at Wincanton

For details, visit: somersetsfestivaloftransport.webs.com

MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 95

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M e n d i p

Please send entries for these listings as a single paragraph of approximately 25 words. We’re happy to list entries for charities and voluntary groups free of charge – but please submit them in the format below. Commercial entries cost £25.

Wednesday August 24th All Saints’ Church, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 2NL, Chamber Philharmonia of Cologne perform music by Vivaldi, Mozart and Paganini, tickets on the door or from JPB Music, 6 Connaught Place. Details: 01934 628600.

Old Bowlish House, Shepton Mallet, owner-narrated tour of Clothiers’ mansion with tempestuous history, built c.1618, modernised by Georgians and Victorians, five modest gardens, one with historic ruin, cream teas, booking essential. Details: www.invitationtoview.co.uk or 01206 573948.

Thursday August 25th Ladies Pamper Evening, 7pm – 9pm @ The Wellsway, Harptree Hill, West Harptree, BS40 6EJ, taster sessions, retail stalls and refreshments, free entry, supporting the Royal British Legion. Details: 01761 221382.

West Mendip Walkers leisurely circular walk with one steep section of 6.5mi/10.4kms from Burnham-on SeaRugby Club, OS Map Ex153 ST315502, start 1.30pm, park in road opposite club. Details: Ken Masters Tel: 01749 670349 or ken@kenmasters265.plus.com Saturday August 27th – Monday August 29th Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Bowlore Medieval Weekend, 10am – 4pm. Details: www.bishopspalace.org.uk 01749 988111.

Whitchurch Village Fete, with various events over the three days. Details: Ashton Broad 01275 832148 or email whitchurchvillagefete@hotmail.co.uk http://www.whitchurchparishcouncil.co.uk/ Mendip Ramblers Bank Holiday walking festival, in collaboration with Cheddar Walking, 10am each day three walks of various distances, 1.30pm short walk, all starting from the Scout Hut at Cheddar First School.

Details: www.mendipfestivals.org.uk and click on Cheddar on the left or contact Martyn 01761 471891 or at martyn@mendipramblers Mendip Mower Racing and family festival, Cross, tickets £5 a day or £10 for the weekend, children under12 free, in aid of Somerset Coast YMCA. Details: www.mendipmowing.co.uk Flower Festival “Rhymes and Reasons” St. Giles’ Church, Leigh on Mendip, BA3 5QJ, 11am-4pm, local history exhibition and refreshments, concert on Saturday at 7.30pm, tickets £7.50. Details: Caroline Harris 01373 812889.

Saturday August 27th Bishop’s Palace, Wells outdoor theatre, The Canterbury Tales, with The Pantaloons, 7pm. Details: www.bishopspalace.org.uk 01749 988111.

Taize' & Teas at Stoke St Michael Church, 4pm, come along and join in with singing or come and listen, free event but donations to the church would be gratefully appreciated. Details: Janet 01749 840409.

Nick Wadham’s live nature stage show, Secret World wildlife rescue centre, adults £4, children £2, every Wednesday in August.

Sunday August 28th St. Mary’s Church, Compton Dando themed tea, summer memories, 2pm-5pm.

Save the Children horse, companion dog and teddy bear show, Rodney Stoke, BS27 3UN, 9.30am-5pm, refreshments available throughout the day. Details: Amanda Holmes 01749 870467.

Monday August 29th St. Mary’s Church, Compton Dando themed tea, last of the year, 2pm-5pm.

Secret World summer party, family fun day raising money for the charity, 10am-4pm, Secret World, New Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge TA9 3PZ. Wednesday August 31st – Sunday September 4th Taste of Somerset, St. Mary’s Field Hutton, 11am; dog PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

T i m e s

show Thursday, flower show Saturday, 2pm, 60s night Saturday and Proms Sunday.

Wednesday August 31st Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support, afternoon tea at Backwell W.I. hall, 2pm. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Thursday September 1st West Mendip Walkers, moderate circular walk 9.8mi/15.7kms from Nether Stowey, OS Map Ex140 ST194396, 10.30am, park roadside opposite fire station.

Details: Tony Strange Tel: 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Irish Set Dancing. Dinder Village Hall BA5 3PE. 8-10 p.m. £3. Ffi: Paul Harper 01458 210051. Also Sept 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.

Bipolar UK Support Group, monthly meeting open to anyone affected by bipolar, including family, friends and carers, refreshments provided, free to attend, a donation is welcome for refreshments, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, the East Room, Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB. Friday September 2nd and Saturday September 3rd Wessex Beer and Cider Festival, Chilcompton Sports Ground. Details: www.wessexbeerfestival.co.uk Friday September 2nd – Sunday September 4th Valley Fest Community Farm, Denny Lane, near Chew Valley Lake. Details: www.valleyfest.co.uk Friday September 2nd Redhill Club open mic night, 8pm -11pm, Jerry Blythe will be hosting an evening with a mix of live music by local acoustic singer-songwriters. Details: Jerry 07900 587646 01934 862619.

Saturday September 3rd and Sunday September 4th Yatton Moor Festival of Arts and Crafts, St. Mary’s, Yatton, entries invited from anyone living or worshipping in Yatton, Cleeve, Claverham, Kenn or Kingston Seymour. Details: www.yattonchurches.org or from Val Dickens 01934 832800.

Saturday September 3rd Axbridge Showcase, farmers’ market, music, entertainment, display of vintage vehicles in the town’s medieval square. Details: www.axbridgeshowcase.co.uk See page 24.

Mendip Society walk on the Quantocks, meet 10,30am lay-by on left approaching Holford on A39 (TA5 1SE) ST 157 407, bring picnic/drinks for 8-mile hard walk.

Details: Gill 01934 742508.

Theale Flower Show, 2pm, Theale church and village hall, near Wedmore, BS28 4SL, free parking, entry £2 for over 16s, music, companion dog show, BBQ, vintage machinery and vehicles, bar and teas. Details: www.thealeflowershow.com “Old Doulting” – an exhibition of village life featuring old data from parish and church records, personal memorabilia, photographs etc. Doulting Village Hall, Doulting, nr Shepton Mallet. 10am-4pm.

Somerset Wildlife Trust walk, Cold Kitchen Hill, Maiden Bradley, adults £2.50, children, students £1, with Tony House. Details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events.html Sunday September 4th North Somerset Ploughing Match, Craft and Produce Show, Moorledge Farm, Chew Magna, free parking and entry.

All Saints’ Church, Weston-Super-Mare, ‘Power and Patronage’, 17th and 18th century Italian Sacred Choral Music performed by Harmonia Sacra under their director Peter Leech, including works by Lotti, Vivaldi, Casali, 7.30pm, tickets £10, under-18s free. Details: 01934 415301 or www.harmoniasacra.co.uk Redhill Village Harvest Fair, Flower & Produce Show, 1pm-5pm, adult and children’s exhibits on display, ploughman’s lunches, WI tea & cakes, arts, crafts, produce & beauty stalls, classic cars, free entry, all welcome, BS40 5SG. Details: 01934 862619.

Irish Set Dancing. Dinder Village Hall BA5 3PE. Workshop 11am-1pm. Ceilidh 2.30-5pm workshop. £6.

Ffi: Paul Harper 01458 210051.

W h a t ’ s

Monday September 5th – Friday September 9th Street and Glastonbury U3A five-day visit to the Somme battlefields, cost £375per person. Details: Andrew Boatswain 01458 832195.

Monday September 5th Bristol Hippodrome, The Carpenters’ Story, 7.30pm, tickets from £24.90.* Tuesday September 6th Chew Valley Choral Society starts new season of rehearsals at 7.30pm in the Church Hall in Chew Stoke, singing Mozart Requiem, new members welcome.

Details: www.chewvalleychoral.org.uk or call Helen Boyde 01275 333014.

Wednesday September 7th and Thursday September 8th Bristol Hippodrome Peppa Pig’s Big Surprise, Wednesday 1pm and 4pm, Thursday 10am and 1pm, tickets from £17.15.* Thursday 8th September West Mendip Walkers, moderate circular walk 5.8mi/9.3kms from Chew Stoke Church, OS Map Ex154 ST556619, 1.30pm, park roadside near church. Details: Tony Strange 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday September 9th and Saturday September 10th Chew Valley Beer Festival, Ubley Parish Hall, tickets £8.50 which includes commemorative glass, live bands and great selection of beers and cider. Details: Book tickets online www.chewvalleybeerfestival.co.uk Bishop’s Palace, Wells NAFAS South West area Floral Arts Show, 10am-6pm. Details: www.bishopspalace.org.uk 01749 988111.

Friday September 9th Bristol Hippodrome The Dreamboys, 7.30pm, tickets from £21.65.* Saturday September 10th Frome Cheese Show. Details: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk Chew Stoke Harvest Home Details: www.chewstokeharvesthome.org.uk All Saints’ Church, Weston-Super-Mare, midday lunchtime recital by Gordon Pullin, with Nick Sherwood at the piano and John Crockford-Hawley reading, celebrating our literary and musical heritage, tickets £7 on the door to include a delicious light lunch.

Huckyduck Carnival Club jumble sale, Coleford British Legion, 2pm, entry 30p, children free, bargains galore, home-made refreshments and raffle.

Keynsham Light Opera Group present A Night at the Oscars, a selection of songs from Oscar winning musicals, 7.30pm at The Space, Civic Centre, Keynsham, tickets £10, £8 concessions. Details: 07580 259757 or at www.klogs.co.uk Brent Knoll Bazaar, Farmers’ Market and Café, 10am12 noon, in Brent Knoll Parish Hall, free admission, all proceeds to the parish hall. Details: (inc tables and brica-brac) Del/Coll 01278 760308.

Mendip Society moderate/hard 5-mile walk and lunch, meet at 11am on Breach Hill Common (BS40 8YA) ST 543 598, stopping for lunch at Blue Bowl – numbers restricted. Details: Martin 01761 462528.

Somerset Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair at Moor Plants, Ashcott TA7 9QT, 10am – 3.30pm, free admission, light refreshments. Details: 01275 462700.

Street Chrysanthemum Dahlia and Vegetable Society 68th annual show, 12noon - 5.30pm, Crispin Hall, High Street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0EZ. Details: www.streetcdvs.org.uk or phone 01749 347060.

Sunday September 11th "Tower with a View", St. Mary's Wedmore, 11.40am5.30pm, climb the tower for the best view in Somerset, over 16s or those over eight with an adult, booking advised, £6 inc coffee and cake. Details: David 01934 710149 Friends of St. Mary’s Wedmore.

Family Fun Day and Dog Show, Ston Easton Village Hall & playing fields, 11am – 3pm, dog show, stalls, sheep racing, hay bale rolling, BBQ, afternoon teas.

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f o r

Come and join the fun!

East Harptree Flower & Craft Show. 2.30pm, East Harptree Village Hall. Now in its 26th year. Includes photographic competition for local children – the theme this year is trees in the village. Programmes are available at local outlets, visithttps://www.facebook.com/EastHarptreeFCS/ or contact Lin on 01761 221186.

Music in the Meadow: Secret World Wildlife Rescue nr.

Highbridge. All-day music event with something for all the family. Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, punk icon Toyah Willcox and a host of local bands. Tickets (£20 for adults, £10 for under-16s and free for under-5s) at www.secretworld.org/musicinthemeadow, or buy direct from Secret World’s charity shop in Burnham-on-Sea, or from Secret World Wildlife Rescue’s main centre, now open for visitors throughout the summer every day from 10am-4pm.

Monday September 12th – Saturday September 17th Bristol Hippodrome, Ghost the Musical, evenings at 7.30pm, matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm, tickets from £14.90.* Tuesday September 13th Clevedon Art Club, Jonathan Camp presents “Art in the 1950s”, sixth form centre Clevedon School, 7.30pm, non-members £3.

Wells Railway Fraternity meeting, Wells Town Hall 7.30pm. Illustrated talk by John Sagar: ‘34092 The CITY OF WELLS Story’. Visitors £4.

Wednesday September 14th Nailsea and District Horticultural Society "the answer lies in the soil" with David Usher, United Reformed Church, 7.30pm, members £2, visitors £3. Details: Martyn Davis 01275 855563 or Jane Knight 01275 855563.

Kilmersdon Gardeners, 'Making a Woodland Garden' a talk by Christopher Bond at our regular monthly meeting, 7.30pm, Kilmersdon Village Hall, BA3 5TD, non-members very welcome, £2.

Thursday September 15th Redhill Club classic car & motorcycle evening gathering cancelled.

West Mendip Walkers moderate circular walk 5.2mi/8.3kms from Goblin Combe, OS Map Ex154 ST459653, 1.30pm, park in free car park at Goblin Combe. Details: Roger Mead 01934 743088 or rogermead1941@hotmail.co.uk Saturday September 17th and Sunday September 18th Weston Super Food Festival, Tropicana, Weston-superMare. Details: www.westonsuperfoodfestival.co.uk Steam Up, Vintage Rally & Ploughing Match with Saturday Evening Entertainment: The Redhillbillies.

National Vintage Tractor & Engine Club (North Somerset Group). Vintage Tractors, steam engines, classic cars, motor bikes, stationary engines, etc. Vintage Tractor Road Run. Stalls. www.nvtec-northsomerset.org Being held at Birches Farm, Cambridge Batch, Flax Bourton BS48 3QS. Tel: Robert: 0776 9977198 or 01278 671784. RJMarine@live.co.uk Saturday September 17th Taste of Timsbury festival of local food and drink, stalls, tastings, talks, demonstrations, street food, children’s activities, Conygre Hall, Timsbury BA2 0JQ, 10am – 3pm, entry free.

All Saints’ Church, Weston-Super-Mare, midday lunchtime concert by the Weston Light Orchestra – ‘Down Memory Lane’, delightful music to evoke memories of the last century, tickets £7 on the door to include a delicious light lunch.

Mendip Society moderate five-mile walk on Burrington Ham, meet at 2.pm outside The Burrington Inn (BS40 7AT) ST 477 591, park in lower car park or public car park over cattle grid. Details: Clive 01275 848052.

Bridgwater & District Agricultural Society Ploughing Match, Chedzoy, near Bridgwater. For further details contact Ted Bird on 01278 671874. Includes a National Vintage Area Final and a National Young Farmers Area

S e p t e m b e r

Final.

Monday September 19th – Saturday September 24th Bristol Hippodrome, Sister Act, starring Alexandra Burke, evenings 7.30pm, matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm, tickets from £18.90.* Tuesday September 20th Midsomer Norton Townswomen's Guild, ploughman's lunch at St John's Church Hall, BA3 2HX, 1.30pm.

Details: Glen Hepworth 01761 413580.

Thursday September 22nd Charity Fashion Show at Wedmore Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets £15 include light supper. Details: tickets available from Lime of Wedmore or contact admin@helpthechild.org.uk West Mendip Walkers easy to moderate circular walk 8mi/12.8kms from Kingston St Mary, OS Map Ex128 ST223277, 10.30am, park in car park opposite church.

Details: Vi Howley 07711 662993 or vihowley@btinternet.com Friday September 23rd – Sunday September 25th History Weekend, Cloford Church, Nr. Frome, 11am to 5.30pm daily, other times by appointment, free admission, parking, toilets. Details: 01373 474721 or 01373 836 322.

Saturday September 24th and Sunday September 25th Brent Knoll Scarecrow Weekend 'Characters & Events of the last 90 Years' 10am-4pm daily, start at the parish hall, 50 Scarecrows to find all over the village, refreshments served all day on both days plus a raffle.

Saturday September 24th Redhill Club horse race night, 8pm-11pm, cash prizes to win on each race, all welcome. Details: 01934 862619.

Taize’ & Teas at Stoke St Michael Church, 4pm, enjoy a bit of peace in our lovely church singing chants from Taize’ with us or just come along to listen, drinks and biscuits afterwards, a free event but donations to the church always welcome. Details: Janet 01749 840409.

Friday September 23rd – Sunday September 25th Clevedon Tides Festival, in support of Marlens, the voluntary group and charity behind Clevedon’s historic Marine Lake, a weekend of live music, vibrant dance displays, wildlife, water activities, including raft race, fireworks, theatre, stalls etc. Details: team@clevedontides.co.uk www.marlens.org.uk Monday, September 19th Timsbury Nat’s September Talk (first of the new season). John Martin: Wildlife of Kazakhstan. Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury BA2 0JQ. 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Entry £3. Refreshments and a raffle. Ffi: Martin Hunt (Secretary) 01761 433234.Saturday September 24th Mendip Society moderate walk of five to six miles around Croscombe, Worminster and Dinder, meet at 2pm outside Croscombe Village Hall (BA5 3RJ) ST 589 445, park considerately on Fayre Way (not in village hall car park). Details: John 01934 842 868.

Sunday September 25th Circus is coming to Town! Come and be entertained by clowns, juggling and of course, audience participation, Bishop Sutton Recreation Ground (behind village hall), three showings at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm, under 2's free on laps, tickets £7 each, organised by Bishop Sutton Primary School PTA in aid of the school. Details: lisa_vowles@sky.com 077917 870 19 / 01275 332083.

WHAT’S ON

2 0 1 6

Tuesday September 27th Frome YFC Ploughing Match. Gloucester Farm, Lullington, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2PQ. For further details contact: Richard Masters on 01373 836882.

Wednesday September 28th Mendip Ploughing Match, Green Ore Farm.

Midsomer Norton & Radstock Dial a Ride AGM, 2pm at The Hollies Council Chamber, High Street, Midsomer Norton, B&NES BA3 2DP. Details: 01225 477000.

Backwell & Nailsea Macular Support, 1.30 for 2pm, speaker from Oakhouse Foods. Details: Sheila 01275 462107.

Thursday September 29th West Mendip Walkers moderate circular walk 11.2mi/18kms from Nether Stowey, OS Map Ex140 ST194396, 10.30am, park roadside opposite fire station.

Details: Tony Strange Tel: 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com Friday September 30th Winscombe Traders Macmillan Coffee Morning, 10am – 12noon, drop in for a coffee and a cake. All funds in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cheddar Michaelmas Folk Fair, Cheddar Village Hall, Church House, BS27 3RF, 7pm for 7.30, a unique mini festival, featuring traditional music and story-telling, as performed by Entertainers from Somerset including The Barley Rye Folk Choir, The Mendip Story Telling Circle, and the Wedge of Cheese, tickets £7 includes supper.

Details: Judy on 01934 744082.

Saturday October 1st Churchill Music, Nicholas McCarthy: One-Handed pianist, “only one handed pianist in the world”, St. John's Church, Church Lane, Churchill BS25 5QW, 7.30pm – 9.30pm (approx.), Champions of Churchill Music! £12, non-champions £16, under 18s £4. Details: 01934 852919 or e-mail info@churchillmusic.org.uk Mendip Society easy walk of four to five miles on Felton Common, meet at 2pm at St Katherine's Church, West Lane, Felton (BS40 9UP) ST 523 655, go up the drive by the carving of an angel near the cattle grid.

Details: Richard 01275 472797.

Tuesday October 4th – Saturday October 8th Bristol Hippodrome, Fiddler on the Roof, evenings 7.30pm, matinees Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm, tickets from £11.90.* Thursday October 6th Bipolar UK Support Group, monthly meeting open to anyone affected by bipolar, including family, friends and carers, refreshments provided, free to attend, a donation is welcome for refreshments, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, the East Room, Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB. Friday October 7th Redhill Club Open Mic Night, 8pm -11pm, Jerry Blythe will be hosting an evening with a mix of live music by local acoustic singer-songwriters. Details: Jerry 07900 587646, 01934 862619.

BRISTOL HIPPODROME Further information and booking at www.atgtickets.com/bristol or 0844 871 3012. Bkg fees apply and all calls 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

MENDIP MINDBENDER ANSWERS FOR SEPTEMBER Across: 1 Harry Potter, 7 Law, 9 Mayfair, 10 Andover, 11 Islington, 12 Eased, 13 Hayes, 15 Existence, 17 Back-dated, 19 Radii, 21 Totes, 22 Deadlines, 24 Badgers, 25 Inboard, 27 Ear, 28 Stock market.

Down: 1 Ham, 2 Royalty, 3 Yearn, 4 Our street, 5 Train, 6 Red letter, 7 Lives on, 8 World Series, 11 Inhabitable, 14 Side-steps, 16 Indian Ink, 18 Cote D'or, 20 Denmark, 22 Disco, 23 Libya, 26 Dot.

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Welcome to reel people film society 2016/17 season At the Dragonfly Theatre, Writhlington School, Radstock BA3 5NQ Free to all reel people members (m/ship £28 adults/£10 18-24s).

Guest tickets available in advance or on the door: £5 per film. Doors 7pm; film 7.45pm.

Enjoy a drink from the bar then take them into the auditorium.

Friday 9th September: Florence Foster Jenkins (PG) Friday 30th September: Dukhtar (15) subtitled Friday 14th October: 99 Homes (15) Friday 11th November: Tangerines (15) subtitled Friday 9th December: Youth (15)

Friday 6th January: Room (15) Friday 27th January: The Crow’s Egg (PG) Friday 24th February: Bessie Friday 10th March: Speed Sisters (PG) (+ society AGM) Friday 31st March: TBC

Membership enquiries and bookings: 07947 325950 reelpeoplebooking@gmail.com • www.reelpeople.org.uk

Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD

Starts Friday 2nd September

NOW SHOWING:

Sausage Party (15), David Brent (15)

Starts Wednesday Ben-Hur (cert tbc) 3D/2D 7th September

Café Society (12A), Bridget Jones's Baby (cert Starts Friday 16th September tbc)

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Starts Friday 30th September Peculiar Children (cert tbc) SEPTEMBER EVENT CINEMA

Turandot Thursday 15th 7pm The Threepenny Opera (15) NT Thursday 22nd

G Book in person G Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk G Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

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WHAT’S ON

Curtain up for new season

REEL People Film Society’s 19th season begins in September with a programme guaranteed to be entertaining and thoughtprovoking – probably in equal measure. It is time to get the dates in the diary and head for the Dragonfly Theatre at Kilmersdon School near Radstock.

Reel People began life in the village hall at Kilmersdon and is now a member of the British Federation of Film Societies.

A total of ten films are on this year’s programme, which begins on Friday, September 9th with Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins and runs through until next March.

In addition, the society is supporting two special screenings in Kilmersdon Village Hall itself: Love and Friendship, on Friday, October 21st, and Sing Street, on Friday, November 18th.

Details, visit: www.reelpeople.org.uk

Clevedon prepares

CLEVEDON Tides Festival takes place across the weekend of September 23rd-25th and is run in support of Marlens, the voluntary group and charity behind the renovation, management and development of Clevedon’s historic Marine Lake.

Very much a community celebration, it is hoped attendance will exceed last year’s, when more than 10,000 people enjoyed a funpacked weekend along the town’s historic seafront.

Details: www.marlens.org.uk

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