Issue 2 - Volume 18 - Mendip Times

Mendip Times

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VOLUME 18 ISSUE 2

FREE

Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas

JULY 2022

IN THIS ISSUE: JUBILEE PHOTOS • ARTS & ANTIQUES • FOCUS ON WEDMORE • WHAT’S ON • EDUCATION • TENNIS Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

Welcome

WHAT a party that was! Nearly every town and village across the Mendips seemed to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style – and we have photos from many of them.

That didn’t stop places putting on other shows, festivals and events with record crowds at the Royal Bath and West Show.

Wrington put on its five-yearly pageant during its Fair Week and we preview Wedmore’s Street Fair, back after two years.

Hundreds took part in big athletics events in Shepton Mallet and the Chew Valley, which staged its tenth Chew Valley 10k.

This month we continue our diary from Ukraine by Kate Grynova, now safe with sponsors in Compton Martin, and pay tribute to Nigel Taylor, a true Man of Mendip, who has died from cancer.

Nick Green looks at how farming is linked to climate change and Chris Sperring is asking where all the swallows have gone.

Sue Gearing offers us a stunning walk across the Somerset Levels.

We also have an invitation to young film makers to enter a film making competition organised by Chew Valley Films.

With all of our regular contributors and features, welcome to another very busy issue.

CONTENTS

12

Showing their class – the Royal Bath & West in pictures

55

Stepping back in time – Wrington’s pageant returns

94

Street party glamour – Glastonbury’s jubilee celebrations

107

August 2022 deadline: Friday 15th July Published: Tuesday 26th July

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

01761 463888

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

Design and origination by: Steve Henderson Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd, Willenhall, Wolverhampton WV13 3XA. Copyright of editorial content held by Mendip Times Ltd. and its contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or its associates.

Front cover: Chapel Dance Studio’s jubilee tribute. Photo by Mark Adler.

See page 81.

Tenth anniversary – 10k still going strong Plus all our regular features Environment .............................6 Farming Nick Green................10 Internet and Crossword ........14 Food & Drink..........................18 Arts & Antiques .....................26 Business ..................................34 Charities ..................................50 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE ..57 Walking Sue Gearing...............58

Outdoors Les Davies MBE......60 Caving Phil Hendy...................61 Gardening Mary Payne MBE...66 Health & Family .....................72 Community .............................76 Property.................................100 Riding Jane Paterson .............104 Sport ......................................106 What’s On .............................110

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

Celebrations for Lil

CHURCH bells rang out in Congresbury on June 6th, marking the 100th birthday of Lil Gibbs, a well-known village character, familiar to the equine fraternity on both sides of the Mendips, as organiser for over 50 years of Congresbury Horse Show, which will be held on July 3rd.

Lil was widowed in 1990, but there were many friends and family attending her surprise party in Wrington Cricket Club, Lil Gibbs including three sons, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one great great grandson.

Among over 100 cards was the congratulatory one from the Queen.

The bells, the bells . . .

Falklands conflict remembered

The five Falklands veterans with branch padre the Rev. Jonathan Hunter Dunn and standard bearer Al Stewart

NEWS

SHEPTON Mallet Royal British Legion led a small service of remembrance at the town’s Cenotaph to recall the 255 British servicemen who died during the Falklands conflict 40 years ago.

The service also remembered the three Falkland Islands civilians who were killed and the 649 Argentine servicemen who also perished. Five exservicemen members of the branch, who were awarded the South Atlantic Medal, laid a wreath.

The full set

A ONCE in a lifetime opportunity to see the bells at St Laurence, in East Harptree came when they were removed from the tower for the first time since 1910.

They are being restored as part of the extensive, lottery-funded, Project Newton scheme at the church.

The only feasible way to get the bells out of the building was through the west door and even then the largest tenor bell had to be squeezed through on its side.

The clapper had already been removed, although you could see the mark on the edge of the bell where it had been striking the metal since 1863, when it was reNearly there

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Grants available for tree planting

MORE than £1million in grants is available to landowners for tree and hedgerow planting across the West of England this year.

The grants are available from The Forest of Avon Trust, the regional Community Forest, which is mid-way through a large-scale tree planting programme, working with private landowners, unitary authorities and partners towards doubling our tree cover across the area.

It says this will transform our nature networks, expand our woodlands for everyone to enjoy and work towards regional and national net zero targets.

As one of England’s Community Forests, in the last season they have funded, supported or delivered 82 hectares of tree planting projects across the region through their part in DEFRA’s Trees for Climate programme.

Director, Alex Stone, said: “We know that protecting existing trees and planting new ones is one of the best options right now to reverse climate change over time. We also need trees for now: for our quality of life and for the many social, economic, biodiversity and practical benefits they bring.

“There are so many reasons to ensure that, as a matter of urgency, our local trees and woodlands thrive and expand into all of the places where trees are both suitable and the best option.

“If you know of or own an area of land which could be a suitable site for tree planting or if you would simply like to know how to support our goals across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, or just outside, ask the Forest of Avon Trust.”

They have funding, expertise and support available for supplying trees, preparing a site, formalities, planting work, access improvements or woodland management. The funding is flexible and can cover a range of different types of planting and both large and small projects.

They can also fund and support community projects, parish councils and businesses and can fund a wide range of planting including woodland, wood pasture, hedgerows, orchards and natural regeneration.

Alex said: “We are here to work with and for you, to help focus the increasing energy around trees and woodland to where they will bring the most gain, for everyone in the region and beyond, for now and for your future.”

Details: 0117 963 3383 email: treesforclimate@forestofavontrust.org https://forestofavontrust.org/for-trees/trees-for-climate

PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Trees replace traffic for “Breather Day”

Frome town centre during the first Green Breather Day. Marshals were on hand to escort essential vehicles

FROME town centre took on a brand-new look for the first Green Breather Day when most traffic was banned from the Market Place.

Instead, all but essential vehicles, such as buses, were replaced with greenery as trees in containers were set out on one side of the road with straw bales, tables and chairs next to the Boyle Cross for people to relax and enjoy the car-free access.

Town councillor, Fiona Barrows said: “It was amazing to spend a day just simply enjoying the town centre space without the bustle of cars streaming down the middle.

“We all got to see Frome in a different light and I’m excited to see how people adjust to having a town centre designed for them rather than their vehicles as the Green Breather Day project continues later in the summer.”

However, the council has since cancelled the remaining Breather Days this summer having reviewed the data and the feedback.

Council leader Anita Collier said: “We have had a wealth of suggestions which we will use to help inform our next steps.”

Stuart the Flowerman finds himself surrounded by more greenery than usual

Anyone with any feedback on the days is welcome to contact the council by email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk

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ENVIRONMENT

Beware of Asian hornets

MEMBERS of the public are being asked to watch out for Asian hornets, which have been seen in Cornwall, Felixstowe and the Channel Islands.

A number of hornets can kill bee after bee until the entire colony of up to 40,000 bees is wiped out. They can then go into the hive and kill the growing bee larvae or brood If an Asian hornet is sited, local bee inspectors work in teams to quickly track the insect back to its nest which will then be destroyed. The nest can be in a tree top, bush or near the ground. The hornet is active between the months of April

and November. Anyone spotting one is asked to photograph it and report it.

Details: Download the Asian Hornet Watch app and follow the links email alert_nonnative@ceh.co.uk or contact: www.northsomersetbeekeepers.org

Beekeepers’ new centre

MEMBERS of North Somerset Beekeepers Association, founded in 1952, have celebrated the opening of their new apiary in the grounds of Bristol Veterinary School at Langford.

Jan and Ivor Davies, from Congresbury, were invited to perform the ceremony, delayed because of the Covid pandemic.

Both are long-standing members of the association and have been involved in branch activities and beekeeping for over 35 years. Ivor is a Master Beekeeper and has the National Diploma in Beekeeping qualification, which is the highest qualification available to amateur beekeepers in the UK. He has also been a trustee of the British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) and, following the UK Government’s ‘Honey bee health strategy’, in 2008, he worked with a fellow beekeeper Roger Cullen-

President Gary Packer (centre) with Ivor and Jan

Kenyan on a comprehensive training package to support beekeeping tutors.

That package is still used today and they have also produced a book which supports this training.

Ivor said: “It’s really great that North Somerset beekeepers is so renowned

throughout the UK for education and support.”

Jan is also well known in beekeeping circles and has worked hard at local and national levels for the craft.

She and Ivor were presented with a Bristol Blue Glass decanter.

Some of the association's 140 members MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 7

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MENDIP TIMES

Green energy

Eleanor Thatcher

THATCHERS Cider has installed a further array of solar panels on its distribution warehouse at Myrtle Farm in Sandford, bringing the total number to more than 3,000.

It reckons they will provide a total CO2 saving of 301 tonnes a year and an annual generation of 1064Mw of electricity.

Eleanor Thatcher, who is closely involved in the introduction of new sustainability initiatives, said: “Producing green energy has become an integral part of our day-to-day life here at Myrtle Farm.

“We have a biomass boiler that uses wood chippings from our orchards and apple waste left over from our cider making process goes for anaerobic digestion – although we do save some for cattle feed too.”

Recruiting young rangers

THE Mendip Hills AONB service are looking for 15 adventurous young people who love the outdoors and who want to be part of a special group of Young Rangers.

They will gain qualifications such as Outdoor First Aid, navigation and the John Muir Conservation Award, along with learning about the special qualities of the Mendip Hills.

Andy Chamberlain, ranger volunteer co-ordinator, said: “We’re not looking for the most academic, we want to see applications from young people who already have a genuine interest in wildlife, conservation or outdoor adventure and can demonstrate this.”

Young people can apply to join who are between 11-13 years. The programme lasts two years with 20 activities on the first Saturday of every month, apart from August and December.

The Mendip Hills AONB Partnership subsidises the scheme so that places are offered at only £125 per young ranger for the two-year programme. This covers all activities, equipment and the young ranger uniform.

Details: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk, mendip@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

ENVIRONMENT

Toddlers tune into nature

Having fun with nature at Carymoor

CARYMOOR Environmental Trust, based near Castle Cary, has launched a new series of events for toddlers and their parents or carers.

The Mini Explorers sessions are aimed at children aged between two and four and will be held on the nature reserve which has been created over the last 25 years on top of a closed landfill site.

Each session has a different theme based on the seasons, including “crazy caterpillars”, “brilliant badgers” and “happy hedgehogs” and are being led by Beth Coleman, an experienced early years environmental education officer at the charity. There will be songs, games, treasure hunts, woodland walks, and crafts.

The trust was set up in 1996 by a small group of enthusiasts and carries out pioneering land restoration and habitat creation work on 100 acres of capped landfill at Dimmer, hosting visits by schools and other organisations. The reserve is not open to the public. l The next sessions are on Monday, July 18th. For details, visit: www.carymoor.org.uk

Re-wilding Wells

MENDIP District Council has launched a pilot project in Wells to unlock pockets of land for community groups to re-wild.

As part of its Greener and Cleaner priority, the council is identifying green spaces in Mendip to increase biodiversity and allow nature to thrive. They will be known as Mendip Ecological Areas (MEAs) and will be clearly marked as such.

Mendip are looking for individuals, groups or organisations willing to take on wildflower planting, eco-cutting and other activities in the MEAs to create sustainable habitats for bees, butterflies and other wildlife, to enhance habitats and create corridors for pollinators.

Some of the MEAs in Wells are located at the entrance to Jocelyn Drive from Glastonbury Road and plots of land on the Portway estate.

Details: neighbourhoodservices@mendip.gov.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

How farming affects climate change

THERE is lots of coverage in the media about climate change. There are also plenty of organisations suggesting we should be “carbon net zero” by a certain year. Along with the coverage and commitment, there is plenty of comment that farm animals are a major cause of climate change and as such we With NICK GREEN should be reducing our consumption of all foods produced from these animals.

Whilst there is no doubt farmed animals emit some gases, the argument isn’t as straightforward as some might make out.

Especially that of grazed livestock.

If we take milk as an example. If we stopped using cow, sheep or goat milk and replaced it with a vegetable based alternative we have to consider how it is produced and the impact on the environment of producing and transporting it from the point of production.

We also need to consider the impact on our own environment from not using the land to feed those milk producing animals. The

Mendips is a good example. The beautiful landscape we enjoy is managed. In most cases it is managed by farmers using livestock to maintain it.

Cattle and sheep graze the pasture. Hay, haylage and silage is cropped. This, combined with Sir David Wills’ Exmoor Ponies and Devon cattle ranging Burrington Coombe, Burrington Ham and Black Down maintain the area as we know it.

Without farmers managing Mendip, the whole area would revert to scrub which would be of little benefit to wildlife or reducing carbon. Grazing animals might be part of the problem but they are also a major part of the solution.

Grass is a fantastic “carbon sink” and with the huge amount of grassland on Mendip, farmers are playing their part in trying to reach carbon net zero. There is no easy answer to climate change but we all have a part to play.

July is always a busy month. Second cut silage is being put in the silage clamp, haymaking is in full swing and for those growing winter barley there is a chance the combine might be rolling before the month is out.

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

• Farms • Commercial • Domestic • Local Councils • Sports pitches Fully insured for all construction, digger and tractor work Please get in touch with your requirements – CSCS CPCS and NPTC trained –

Phil Bailey 07859 432139 facebook.com/philbaileyservices PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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FARMING

“Singing Farmer” is new market chaplain

A FORMER Mendip farmer whose love of performing on stage led him to be known as the “Singing Farmer” is the new chaplain at Frome Livestock Market.

Neville Dyke, who still lives on the farm at Ditcheat where he was born, has taken over from Fr. Clive Fairclough, who has moved from Mells to East Anglia.

Neville, aged 69, who is not ordained, is a member of Wells Vineyard Church and believes in a “handson” approach to Market director Martin Hemmett (left) working in the presents Fr. Clive with some farewell community with his gifts

Caps in common: Fr. Clive (left) with Neville

church which runs Wells Foodbank and the Storehouse furniture initiative.

A keen supporter of Young Farmers Clubs, Neville said: “Livestock markets are where farmers meet. It can be a very solitary life and sometimes they need an outlet just to share any concerns.”

Neville, who was a member of the Glastonbury and Street Musical Society, will work at the market alongside volunteers from the Farming Community Network and the Health Hub. He added: “My role is to try to instil some hope; we all need hope.

Farmers can be working under great stress and financial pressures and we’re here to support them.”

Galhampton Shop & Country Store

Animal Feeds and Bedding Timber Supplies Tools | Hardware | Gardening Workwear | Logs and Gas Local Food | Home Essentials

Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 7.30am – 5.30pm | Sun 10am – 4pm 01963 440464

Family-run, rural country store on A359 between Castle Cary and Sparkford

Fir Tree Business Park, High Road, Galhampton, Somerset, BA22 7BH sales@galhamptoncountrystore.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 11

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MENDIP TIMES

Bath & West was a show of strength

THE Royal Bath & West Show returned in style after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Reduced for the first time from its traditional four days to three, almost all of its hallmark attractions were back on show.

Scurry driving in the main arena

Sue Harding, from Frome, on the Pilton Stage

A shoeing competition in progress PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Mendip Morris dancing in front of the Thatchers Cider stand

Street entertainment amongst the crowds

Sam Smith, from Glastonbury, was showcasing his blacksmithing skills in the Woodland Area

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Stuntman Paul Hannan in action

ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW 2022

An English Longhorn heifer – called Carreg Utopia – is paraded in the inter-breed championships There were record crowds at the show

This Hereford bull – owned and bred by the Mitchell family of Dorchester – was crowned interbreed champion. Called Vexour 1 Phantom, he is pictured with Chris (left) and Harry Mitchell

Roger Noble, of Pilton, with a display of some of his 150+ cider mugs in the Cider and Orchards Marquee

Young and not-so young enjoying a ride on the Bath & West Railway

Ross Moyles, aged 26, was one of the youngest-ever winners of the Worshipful Company of Coopers award for craftsmanship. Ross (left), of Hazelbury Plucknett, is pictured with Perry Bousfield, master of the company

Presidents Charlotte and James Townshend (centre) are pictured with recipients of long-service awards including show stewards Allen Cotton, Tony Sugg, Pat Bliss and Bella Craven MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 13

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INTERNET

Reading devices

With NICK SPARKS

EBOOKS are widely available for most devices and whilst reading from a tablet, phone or computer screen may not match the experience of reading from an actual book they do have certain advantages.

There are many sources in different formats, but perhaps the biggest is Amazon’s Kindle system. You can purchase a dedicated device; however there is a Kindle App for most mobile

devices.

Most mainstream publishers provide an electronic version of modern books at a price which is usually cheaper that the paperback equivalent. Fortunately, the written word does not take up much storage space on a device; for instance the complete canon of all the Sherlock Holmes stories in pdf format takes up less space than a couple of quality photographs.

So, you can easily carry quite a number of books with you on your device. Handy if you are travelling. (See 1 Tip below).

If you use Kindle, you may delete a book after you have read it, but should you wish to read it again, it is retained in your online library to be downloaded again.

You may access your books from several different devices which can synchronise your place in the book so you can switch between them during the course of reading.

Associated with Kindle is another service, Audible, if you prefer to have a book read to you.

Another useful service, this time a website, which can be used to find books that interest you, is Fantastic Fiction. https://www.fantasticfiction.com. (See 2 Tip below).

There are of course various businesses offering similar services so it may be wise to do a bit of research to find the one that meets your particular preferences.

• 1 TIP: Many airlines/countries restrict the use of mobile devices on aeroplanes in the air. At best you may be able to read your eBooks using Airplane mode. If in doubt refer to a flight attendant before using your mobile device.

• 2 TIP: Add a shortcut to your desktop (search “add website short cut to desktop your device”) for instructions related to your device if you find you use a website regularly.

And of course check out: https://mendiptimes.co.uk for the online edition.

This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified <it4ttcvh@gmail.com> Submitted for IT for the Terrified by Nick Sparks.

Although we have now ceased our one to one tuition, a number of us will continue with this column under the heading “IT for the Terrified” to keep the name alive for the time being.

PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS 1 Relating to the immediate surroundings (7) 5 Town renowned worldwide for its cheese (7) 9 Team contests of strength (42-3) 10 Clear savoury jelly made from meat stock (5) 11 50 Years ago these were designated an ‘Area of Outstanding natural beauty’ (7) 12 Actions made whilst moving (2,3,2) 13 They called Somerset ‘Summersaetas’ in 658 AD (3,6) 15 Decompose or putrefy (5) 17 Expenses incurred in legal suits (5) 19 Australian tree dwelling animal that eats eucalyptus leaves only (5,4) 22 Lettuce that is usually 90% under water (7) 25 Men’s long, belted tunics worn in the near east (7) 26 Greek letter giving a big thank-you (5) 27 Someone who makes an excessive or unfair gain in business (9) 28 Small sweet, scented bunch of flowers (7) 29 Older women acting as young girls’ chaperones (7)

DOWN 1 Try, have a shot at (7) 2 Freshers, neophytes or novices (9) 3 Items from faraway places (7) 4 People living in an urban environment (9) 5 A rare, unusual or intriguing object (5) 6 High ranking, high minded or exuberant (7) 7 Rhythm based on two main beats to the bar (5) 8 Diana is removed from the register yet finds a home for the vicar (7) 14 Village near Yeovil, host to Haynes International Motor Museum (9) 16 The operation used when Macduff was, “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” (Macbeth act 5) (9) 17 Bristol Zoo will close in September. Where can it be visited until then? (7) 18 A disreputable drinking establishment (7) 20 French word for business (7) 21 Falls back on ‘Nice Deal’ (7) 23 Betting odds to get your stake back (5) 24 Gitano, traveller or didicoi (5) By greendandelion Clues in italics are cryptic

This month’s solution can be found on page 106

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MENDIP TIMES

Charity match raises funds for hospice

The family at Dorothy House

A CHARITY football match in memory of Frank Blacker from Temple Cloud raised more than £3,000 for the Dorothy House hospice. The match was played at Shepton Mallet football ground.

Frank’s daughter, Jenny Hollow, said: “It was a friendly match with teams made up of family and friends.

The final score was 5-4 on penalties with the Frankie Blacker cup being presented by his grandchildren to the winning team.

“We decided to hold a fundraising event in memory of my dad who sadly died in May last year from a short cancer illness. He was treated at home in his final days with

Frank Blacker PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

the support of Dorothy House.

The carers were amazing.

“They treated my dad and made sure he was comfortable and were an amazing support to my mum, Zena, and myself and my two sisters. We really couldn't have got through it without them so we wanted to fundraise for the amazing Dorothy House.

“It was a real family event with his grandchildren taking part in the football match, raffle organising and ticket selling, plus a sweet sale.

There were also bouncy castles and food vendors. The weather was lovely and sunny and the event was very well supported.

“We were overwhelmed with the generosity of people and we raised £3,075 pounds.

My dad would have loved to see his family all coming together to raise money for such a worthy cause.”

Frank Blacker lived in Temple Cloud all his life and at one time was a farmer and ran boarding kennels. His family live locally, with Jenny in Temple Cloud, her sister Jo in Farrington and her other sister Julie in Welton.

NEWS

Memorial to Acker Bilk

A NEW marker stone dedicated to celebrated clarinettist, Acker Bilk, has been erected on the A37 at the southern end of Pensford, near where he lived later in life. His son and daughter, Peter and Jenny, are pictured with it.

It means Pensford finally has marker stones at both ends of the village.

It was back in 2019, after realising that Pensford was one of the few villages in the Chew Valley that didn’t have marker stones, that stonemason Kevin Moss from Devon and a friend in Pensford set about making their own, albeit nigh on 20-odd years after the others were funded by the millennium commission.

The first stone, at the northern end of the village, commemorated a century passing since the end of WWI along with the famous philosopher and father of liberalism John Locke, who lived a few yards away in Belluton.

This second sizeable chunk of Forest Pennant stone celebrates Acker, born and brought up in the village, and 100 years since the forming of the Royal British Legion, with their poppy emblem.

Acker Bilk also has a fine granite memorial bench next to the old lock-up by the village green and a blue plaque down at the Post Office where he was born. He also features in a painting on the nearby alleyway doors to the side of the George and Dragon, a haunt of his back in the day.

His grave lies half a mile away in the churchyard of Publow church with a wonderful rhyme of his carved into it.

Other famous residents of this remarkable Somerset village include Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, John Perry guitarist with The Only Ones and Neil Hudson the world 250cc motocross champion in 1981.

Acker’s daughter, Jenny, said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to Kevin and his friend in Pensford for remembering dad with this stone.

“I also want to say how very proud I am of my special dad; for all that he achieved in his career, for his amazing talent and for being the most fun dad anyone could want. Both Peter and I miss you dad.”

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MENDIP TIMES

Finger food for a summer’s day

With KATY BEAUCHAMP

FOOD & DRINK

July – another month for picnicking methinks (weather permitting!) The following recipes can all be packed up easily for a picnic outdoors or served as canapés for a summer gathering.

ARTICHOKE TOASTIES

A toastie for a summer’s day

METHOD Cut circles of bread to fit into a muffin tin (I used a cup and got two circles out of each slice). Save the leftover bread for the next recipe. Butter one side of the rounds and press into muffin tin butter side down so it won’t stick, blitz together the rest of the ingredients.

Divide into the cups and bake in the oven at 160°C for 20mins until they are puffed up and golden brown. These are lovely either hot or cold!

INGREDIENTS

(makes 16 toasties) 8 slices of soft white bread 200g of drained artichokes (the ones in jars sold for antipasto) 40g grated cheddar 1.5tbs of mayonnaise Soft butter for spreading Ground black pepper

AUBERGINE AND PINE NUT TRUFFLES

INGREDIENTS

CHOCOLATE PANCAKE SANDWICHES

INGREDIENTS

METHOD Cut the aubergine in half lengthways, drizzle with olive oil and make in the oven for 25-30 mins until the it’s very soft. Scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork.

Mix all the other ingredients into the aubergine and leave to cool Savoury truffles make the most of aubergine completely. Using your hands, roll the mixture into 20 walnut-sized balls and bake in the oven for 25 mins at 160°C. Serve at room temperature.

These are mini-pancakes sandwiched together with your favourite filling. They should be round, but my frying pan is battered and bowed, hence why mine are random shaped! But they still taste the same!

Whisk together all the batter ingredients. Heat the butter and oil in your biggest frying pan and drop in tablespoons of the batter in to (I used a 15ml measuring spoon. Once you’ve scooped the last one in it’ll be time to flip the first one! They only take two to three minutes to cook. Slide the cooked pancakes onto some kitchen roll and leave to cool before filling them with your favourite filling.

METHOD

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

(makes 20 truffles) 1 large aubergine 50g pine nuts 75g of your favourite olives (chopped) 100g breadcrumbs (leftover from the previous recipe) 50g grated cheddar 2tbs chopped parsley 1tsp garlic granules 1 egg 2tbs olives oil

(makes about 25 sandwiches) For the batter 1 egg 150ml milk 20g white sugar 15g cocoa powder 75g self-raisingflour Butter/oil for frying Filling suggestions: jam, chocolate spread, peanut butter, biscuit spread

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WILD FOOD

Leave no trace

RECENTLY, articles have appeared in the news about concerns over foraging and conservation. I have been asked many times what my position is so I thought I would share with you some thoughts on the matter.

Fortunately most wild foods I recommend are extremely common and indeed are considered With ADRIAN weeds, good examples being stinging nettles BOOTS and ground elder, so picking them does not pose a problem for these plants’ populations.

I won’t go so far as to say that you will be personally thanked for picking weeds, but as long as you are not damaging anything or trespassing to get to the nettles then all should be well.

I do not support the clear felling of any species be it mushrooms or wild garlic in one particular area. It is much better to pick a little here and there. In the spring, residents of a Cornish village were horrified to find “gaps in the hedge” where a large quantity of wild garlic was picked.

This of course looks bad.

It seems that local chefs (not foragers I would add!) at fashionable restaurants were implicated. So what can we do about it? Demand is the key word here.

If we as customers stop selecting the wild garlic soup in said establishments, then the practice of large scale collecting for sale on to chefs and restaurateurs will diminish. In terms of conservation, the good news is that because only leaves were picked and the plants themselves were not dug up (which is illegal by the way), the wild garlic will return to the hedge next year.

Bear in mind far worse damage can be caused by over-zealous mowing and strimming to keep things tidy!

For the forager, collecting a few wild leaves along a public right of way for personal use is not going to affect the plant’s population. The body of the organism, the root or bulb is underground, so one is not destroying the organism itself. The best bit is that one can return the following year and pick wild leaves all over again so it makes sense not to destroy anything.

Ultimately, we have to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. So as foragers: seek permissions where needed, be polite, careful, respectful, take only what you need leaving the rest for others and wildlife, and leave little or no evidence of your passing by.

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

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN FOOD

Delicious dill

DILL vies with basil as my very favourite herb. And, just like basil, I’ve long struggled to grow very much of it. My plants always seem to be stunted and consequently overpicked. Two things I’ve learned recently are that dill hates to be With JAKE WHITSON transplanted, and also doesn’t like to get dry. So rather than sowing in small pots and planting out, I’ve started sowing in larger pots to grow indoors or directly into the soil outside or in the polytunnel.

Perhaps the most famous dish using dill is gravad lax.

The name means “buried salmon” in Swedish and comes from an old method of preservation - salmon would be packed in a mixture of salt and dill, which has antimicrobial properties, and buried underground where it was nice and cool to cure.

The effect is not dissimilar to curing an air dried ham, or ageing a cheese - the fish breaks down ever so slightly and develops a richer flavour and soft texture. The full method is a little complex to explain here, but worth mentioning is that it also works extremely well for curing other oily fish, such as mackerel.

It is well known that dill is fantastic with fish, but I also love it with eggs and also potatoes. In both Canada and Sweden I’ve come across dill flavoured crisps, which are incredibly addictive, though I’ve not yet ever tried to recreate them at home.

One of our favourite breakfasts is “special eggs”, a dish of unknown provenance that my dad used to make – essentially it is two or three hard boiled eggs peeled, in a bowl, with a knob of butter and salt and pepper, eaten with toast (a kind of deconstructed egg and soldiers!).

I like to add a dash of cider vinegar to it so that the egg yolk, butter and vinegar swill together into a kind of cheaty hollandaise as you are eating it. And if we have dill around we’ll add a handful of finely chopped leaves to this as well. Delicious with some brown bread to mop up the juices.

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 21

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Showcase for locally produced food THE Somerset Food Trail Festival, from July 15th-24th, has nearly 190 venues signed up, promising a fantastic showcase for the county’s smaller-scale, nature-friendly farmers and artisan producers, showing the value of buying locally.

From biodynamic vineyards to community-funded food forests; small batch, organic cheese making to rare breed pigs, apple orchards, aquaponics and cider making; buffalo mozzarella to milk-based vodka; the ten-day event offers a wealth of foodie experiences – and some cultural ones as well.

Live performance and art will complement talks, tastings and tours in multiple destinations across the Charles Dowding, Alhampton county. The festival offers visitors a rare “behind-the-scenes” access to the farms, landscapes, people and places that produce Somerset’s best, most flavourful food.

FOOD & DRINK

Stewart Crocker, chair of the Food Trail's organising committee, says the event aims to give visitors a better understanding of where food comes from, and the benefits of supporting more regenerative and climate friendly approaches to farming.

He said: "There's a growing interest in healthier, more environmentally-friendly food. Buying local, sustainably-grown food supports the producers, the local economy and the environment. It’s good for our health, good for the soil and the climate – and food that hasn’t travelled hundreds of miles just tastes a whole lot better!”

“The great news is that we can all help bring about a shift to more nature-friendly farming through our everyday food choices.”

The Food Trail had a soft launch in 2018 with more than 30 eateries, producers and farmers opening their doors to the public.

Sadly, plans to hold the Trail in 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled due to Covid.

This year, with a revamped website and an interactive map, the Trail expects to feature about 190 venues, with funding from Mendip District Council and a number of town councils and supported by a network of around 30 volunteer coordinators.

Details: www.somersetfoodtrail.uk Instagram: somersetfoodtrail22 Facebook: @somersetfoodtrail

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Diary of the war in Ukraine

SUPPORTING UKRAINE

Kate Grynova, now safe with sponsors in Compton Martin, continues the diary of her escape from Ukraine.

6am. Lviv. Air alarm. We immediately gather the children, mum and go to the basement. Military helicopters were heard.

In three hours we went down to the basement three times with the sound of a siren.

We planned to take a break and wait for the threat to pass, but the danger was growing, so we took my car out of the parking lot and packed things, mum and brothers.

9am. I don't know what day it is. We decide to go to Poland. The queue for the border takes us another two days. So together for four days we are without sleep, food, water and rest.

The whole trip, from 7am on February 24th I had no time for emotions.

I have a responsibility and my main task is to save my family. However, when we finally reached the border, I was most shocked. My beloved fiancé is going back.

There is no time for emotions. We change cars and separate.

I recently received a driver's licence and have to drive a car that I have never driven.

I am unfamiliar with the automatic transmission and huge dimensions, compared to my car and not familiar with the foreign road.

Crossing the border, I am morally destroyed. But we need to move on. So what we have: a new car, two children, three cats, three adults and a bunch of things. And all this in one small car. We crossed the border for a short time, 20-30 minutes, and this is a double check of documents, car check and a small queue.

I saw people crossing the border on foot.

Poor people, they stood in the cold for a long time, and it started to snow. It is good that Polish volunteers took care of them: they warmed and fed them and then took them to the place of accommodation and provided medical care. And what about us . . .

Well, we just got together and left. We had no idea where to go, where to stay and for

what money. However, good people called for us and booked us two rooms in the hotel for the night to rest. However, they paid for three nights, two of which we stood in line at the border.

The first night to sleep that is not on the road and not in the car. No, we didn't sleep, we just couldn't, we got used to stay without a sleep. Constant feeling of anxiety and stress. In the middle of the night we were terribly frightened by the ringing of church bells. After all, in Poland it meant a specific hour, but at home – an air alarm.

Food. Some are hungry, some are not, but Poles have very sour food, so we only had breakfast. Then a quick packing and on the road. To another city. It is necessary to bring mother and brothers to stepfather. We arrived at the destination, saw our family and our rescuers. Tears, hugs and separation from my mother, not knowing for how long.

However, I simply have no emotions. The body just holds them back as much as possible, and that's not very good.

The next day again a long road through all of Poland. We arrived at our saviour's house.

He decided to give it to us for a while. A few days off and we need to think about what to do next.

On the way, I asked family, who are best friends of mine, to leave Kyiv and go to my apartment in Lviv, and then to their daughter’s in Poland. That’s how we started taking refugees in Lviv.

So our saviours and my uncle have to go back to England. I felt calmer with them and kept occupying myself with something in the kitchen. My aunt stayed with us to take care of us. But only for a day. Trouble again.

My uncle has a stroke. He was very nervous for us. So my aunt immediately flies to him.

Luckily it was fine, but . . . suddenly everyone got the coronavirus, except me, again. So it's up to me again. Grandma's care and treatment in an unknown country and without drugs familiar to me. I already know how to treat coronavirus quickly and effectively, but with the help of drugs that

are available only in Ukraine.

My fiancé has been ill twice already, me – again, never. So, I take care of my grandma as I can. My mother once taught me how to make cough syrup out of onions. Yes it is not very pleasant but effective and tastes not as bad as it seems.

Most of our friends finally decided to go to Poland. Relief, but again, not for long.

News. Dad goes to the territorial defence.

Our cities are being bombed and I continue to follow the news 24/7. The experience and anxiety for my fiance grows.

I tried to find something to distract myself. The best entertainment for me was cooking, groceries and lighting the fireplace.

At the same time, I learn that I was laid off because of the war. Unpleasant, but I was ready for it, because such circumstances.

Although I really enjoyed my work.

I worked as a personal assistant to the head of the office and his translator. We had a great office, a great team, the best boss, a decent salary that was growing. I really enjoyed my job, which I had been looking for for so long. And so, the war took away from me even that.

Day after day, weeks passed. All the same.

From our small village of Staviguda, near Olsztyn, I began to travel to Warsaw for business and finally was able to visit my mother and brothers in Rybnik. Thanks to the Polish authorities, I was able to travel for free on trains and buses. Otherwise, we would be stuck in the village.

As for the cats, they stopped hiding and finally got used to the new circumstances and all played together.

However, this is not the end of the story.

Next month – arriving in England.

Next month Kate writes about her arrival in the UK

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Specialist sales off to a flying start

COOPER and Tanner Sale Rooms at Standerwick held their first Specialist Jewellery, Silver and Gold Auction on Wednesday, May 25th and it was an outstanding success.

With bidders attending from London in person, internationally online and from the surrounding area there was competitive bidding throughout the 500 lot sale.

The first lot of the sale was a beautiful garnet necklace which came from a local vendor, the necklace drew much attention with the hammer finally falling to a phone bidder at £4,300.

Other highlights of the sale include a pair of unusual silver tureens on green marble bases at £2,100; a realistic silver figure of a hippo by Patrick Mavros selling for £650; a late Victorian diamond set heart pendant selling to a room bidder at £3,500 and a vintage 18ct gold Cartier flower brooch at £1,800.

The sale also contained vintage Rolex watches, loose gemstones, items of Tiffany jewellery and a myriad of other types of jewellery and silver. There really was something for everyone within the sale and many items went to new local homes.

The team are now busy planning the next Specialist Jewellery,

Silver and Gold Auction, this will be held on Wednesday, November 30th and entries are now being accepted. Please note that the closing date for the sale is Monday, September 26th.

Valuation days are being held throughout Somerset and parts of Wiltshire by jewellery specialist and auctioneer Rachael Boothroyd, at Cooper and Tanner’s estate agent offices. Please note that appointments must be made in order to attend the valuation days. If you are unable to attend or have a large collection, a free home visits can be arranged. Please contact the office using the details below.

A pair of Victorian diamond set starburst brooches; sold £2,250

For details, visit: www.cooperandtanner.co.uk/jewellery-silver-and-gold. Alternatively, call 01373 852419 or email: salerooms@cooperandtanner.co.uk

PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Clevedon Salerooms’ summer sale a roaring success

CLEVEDON Salerooms held their Summer Specialist Fine Art Sale on Thursday, June 9th.

Having generated a great deal of interest With CHRIS YEO in the lead-up to the auction, lively bidding was in evidence throughout the day, with consistently strong prices and a sale total well over expectations from over 540 lots on offer.

Amongst the day’s top performing lots was an Italian glass “Pulcino” bird in an eye-popping shade of bright orange, which had been bought as a birthday present from the Bristol Guild on Park Street in 1963 for the sizable sum (for the time) of £12.

Looking rather like an Outspan orange on two spindly legs, it had subsequently been named “Fred” by its owner. Now a much-coveted example of mid-century modernist design, Fred flew away to his new home having sold for £2,500.

Also performing well, a small album containing a collection of 1950s and ‘60s autographs, the standout of which was a 1963 John Lennon autograph which came with a photograph of the Beatle taken at the time with the young autograph hunter.

The focus of an intense battle between two online bidders from the United States, it sold for £2,600.

We also found out that it’s not just fairies that we need to look out for in the bottom of the garden. A back garden in Belgium had been the unlikely resting place of a pair of carved limewood

recumbent lions, which had then travelled to an address in Stoke Bishop. Their owners, believing them to be of little value had contemplated painting them gold.

Fortunately, they decided against this rather drastic course of action as Clevedon’s valuer on a home visit recognised their lions as rare survivals from the 16th century which, despite their weathered condition, went on to sell for £2,200 – one of the day’s many roaring successes.

Clevedon Salerooms next Quarterly Specialist Sale, for which entries are now invited, will be on Thursday, September 1st. Free valuation days are held at the saleroom every Monday (except Bank Holidays). Free Bristol valuation days are held every month.

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 27

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Fantasy and science fiction in glass

THE Somerset Guild of Craftsmen Gallery in Wells is proud to be exhibiting Contemporary Glass Society member Sandra Young throughout July.

Sandra has been working as a glass sculptor since the 80s and has developed techniques to work solid glass rods in the flame to an unusually large scale and definition. She describes herself as being “enthralled” working with One of hot glass as the light and Sandra’s reflections within all add to the signature magical qualities of her creations. dragonsInspired by fantasy and science fiction, Sandra particularly loves to make dragons and other mythical creatures which she becomes intensely involved in creating, becoming “absorbed” in the process. With a love of the natural world, she also enjoys creating animals, birds, reptiles and a myriad of flora and fauna.

Sandra’s work will be showcasing and also available to purchase at the gallery, in Broad Street, for a limited period only.

Sculptor’s open studio

PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

SCULPTOR Ian Marlow will be opening his studio and sculpture garden in Buckland Dinham as part of the Frome Festival.

On show in the exhibition – running from Saturday, July 2nd until Sunday, July 10th – will be a range of new sculptures in stainless steel as well as the A smaller example of Ian’s lily latest limited edition bronze sculpture which was purchased sculptures, Young Minotaur and by a private client Swimming Together.

Art appears to be a rising market, despite the economic woes that are forecast and it’s proving to be a busy year for Ian. He is involved in more than a dozen exhibitions this year including a successful one-man show in Oxford which has just ended and Together We Rise, an exhibition of work by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors at Chichester cathedral which opened at the end of June.

When not creating work for the exhibitions, Ian is busy with commissions both here in the UK and abroad. He is currently hard at work creating five large stainless steel sculptures of lilies to float above the water in the botanic gardens in Los Angeles as part of a festival of light.

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

Silver, jewellery and cars at Mendip Auction Rooms JULY promises to be a busy month at the Mendip Auction Rooms with Killens staging four sales. The Sale of Fine Art, Antiques, Silver and Jewellery on July 9th promises to be one to view and attend with an excellent entry of silver and jewellery in particular.

These sales are held bi-monthly and the team of experts at the auction rooms are always willing to provide free valuation advice on a drop-in basis.

On Saturday, July 30th, Killens are excited to be running its first Classic Car Auction since 2017. There has been a lot of pent-up demand due to Covid and classic car prices have soured as a result.

Although the cost of purchasing a classic vehicle and the running costs associated with ownership are still a barrier for the younger generations, it is interesting to note that the average age of car enthusiasts has decreased significantly.

Killens can't promise to match the best seller of 2021 which was a Type 57 Bugatti which sold for over £4m last year, but it promises to be an exciting day. Entries are being invited and their expert, Andrew Honey, is ready and waiting to discuss entering your car, motorcycle or automobilia and to visit free of charge to discuss the auction process and how best to present your vehicle.

Also being staged are two sales of Interiors and Collectables and these provide an excellent opportunity to purchase furniture and other items at affordable prices during these difficult times.

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

Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits.

In the July sale of Fine Art, Antiques, Silver & Jewellery – a William IV silver lidded mustard pot by Paul Storr and a Chinese export silver circular bowl by Wang Hing

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 29

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(Photograph courtesy of Anna Barclay)

Festival in photographs

Jason with Michael at the opening of the exhibition

AN exhibition of Glastonbury Festival images by photographer Jason Bryant has gone on show at the Somerset Rural Life Museum.

Michael Eavis was amongst the guests who attended the opening of the show Music, Mud, Mayhem which charts Jason’s work at the event over the past 20 years. It features both the celebrity side of the world-famous event as well as the festivalgoers and workers.

The exhibition runs until September 4th.

Successful year

AVALON Stitchers will be holding their first AGM in July.

It’s been an exciting year since the group broke away from the Embroiders’ Guild.

Members have been exploring new areas of stitch and working with all manner of textiles, fibre and thread yet staying true to the beauty of traditional

methods of needlecraft.

As the country was “getting back to normal” a successful exhibition at Wells and Mendip Museum in October resulted in several new members bringing fresh enthusiasm to the group.

The next exhibition is scheduled for October 14th-21st 2023.

A collaboration with Strode College resulted in a new logo – so the group now has its own identity.

During the year workshops have been led by talented West Country textile artists including Viv White, Gary Mills, Rachel Sumner and Alison Whateley. A day of mini-workshops meant everyone tried something new.

The group meets monthly at Ashcott Village Hall.

Details: www.avalonstitchers.org

Jubilee exhibition

WINFORD Art Group, which is now in its 23rd year, has a Jubilee exhibition in the village hall, which can also be seen on the village website.

Art group leader, Ann Baber, said: “I am so very proud of all the work they produce and think that the quality of their art is very high.”

New members are welcome.

Details: rtannie1@gmail.com

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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Dore & Rees and Susan Rumfitt Fine Jewellery launch joint auctions

ARTS & ANTIQUES

DORE & Rees has launched jewellery auctions in partnership with Susan Rumfitt Fine Jewellery.

Holding two auctions per year at the Dore & Rees saleroom in Frome, this strategic partnership will create a premium service for buyers and sellers, drawing on Susan’s Susan Rumfitt considerable experience and specialist expertise.

Susan Rumfitt Fine Jewellery, in Harrogate, is a long-standing “go to” destination for direct buying and selling of high-quality jewellery and Susan is thrilled to be able to offer her clients this additional service. Susan said: “The opportunity to sell jewellery at live auction is well received and will achieve strong results.

The excitement of the auction saleroom is always a draw for passionate collectors whether participating in the room or online.”

For Dore & Rees, these joint jewellery sales mark a further expansion of their rapidly-growing specialist auction offering.

Popular names such as Cartier, Asprey, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Tiffany and Chopard are amongst a long list of sought-after makers. Buyers can also expect to see beautiful examples of Victorian and Edwardian jewellery, alongside period Georgian jewellery which is currently trending. Art Deco jewellery, full of colourful gems and of course diamonds, is ever-popular and will feature with regularity.

Susan’s first auction with Dore & Rees is on Wednesday, July 6th, with in-person viewing in the run-up to auction day.

Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, pearls, amber can all be found set as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.

Highlights of the auction include a fabulous micro mosaic brooch by Castellani (estimate: £20,000-£30,000) which is an excellent example of the prized quality craftmanship for which the maker is renowned. The brooch depicts Bacchus set within a red and blue enamel frame, a rare subject for Castellani.

Ever-popular Van Cleef & Arpels is represented with a classic “Alhambra” pendant necklace (estimate: £1,000-£1,500), along with an eye catching Cartier Caresse d’Orchidée ring (estimate: £1,200-£1,500).

The auction also includes a selection of watches with a gentleman’s Patek Philippe ‘Pagoda’ offered at an estimate of £15,000-£20,000 leading the group. For those looking to sell their jewellery at auction, the next jewellery auction will be held in early December and the team will be hosting valuation days in early Autumn. Keep an eye out for further details at doreandrees.com or contact Susan Rumfitt at enquiries@doreandrees.com For details and to view the auction catalogue, visit: doreandrees.com/jewellery

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 31

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EVENTS

Blagdon church and village fete

Blagdon Rainbow, Audrey, and younger sister Tessa

The human fruit machine (l to r) Andrew Barnes, Adam Wroath and Jeremy Bennell

Sasha Long and Jane Wroth on the bottle stall

Church sale

Chew goes quackers

Pictured (l to r) Margaret Rowell, Julian Bittleston, Korna Dorber and Leslie Zurburg

A RECENT pavement sale raised £574 for St Mary's Church in West Harptree. The churchwardens said they would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the sale.

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Crowds thronged the bank for the Chew Magna Society’s annual duck race

(Photo courtesy of Peter Shaw)

Pictured (l to r) Martin Way, Bob Burchill and Alan Boyle selling raffle tickets for the jubilee cake, made by Suzie Barton

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MENDIP TIMES

Cheers to cider success

UK cider industry leaders gathered in Westminster to recognise the MPs who champion cider companies at an event organised by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM).

Martin Thatcher (left) with John Penrose Cider makers presented MPs with a personalised gift box including a selection of British ciders and a commemorative cider glass. Martin Thatcher is pictured making a presentation to John Penrose MP for Weston-Super-Mare.

Sir Bill Wiggin MP, MP for North Herefordshire and president of the all-party parliamentary cider group, said: “Cider making contributes to our rural counties and as the UK are global market leaders we should be proud to support this fantastic British success story.”

PAGE 34 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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Inheritance Tax – traps for the unwary

BEREAVED families face paying up to £140,000 in avoidable inheritance tax due to bewilderment over the death duty’s “most confusing” rule.

Since 2018 homeowners have benefited from extra tax breaks on their main home when passing it on to a direct descendant known as the “main residence nil rate band”, or “family home allowance”.

Today this stands at £175,000 and comes on top of the standard £325,000 allowance. Spouses and civil partners can share their allowances.

People who sell an expensive property to downsize or to go into care can claim a tax credit known as the "downsizing addition" so they still qualify for the enhanced protections.

But many are unaware they qualify.

Now, with more people downsizing, living longer and moving into care in later life, an increasing number risk missing out.

What's more is that families who thought they had avoided the duty by making legal, tax-free gifts were told to pay thousands of pounds after being found to be in breach of so-called gift with reservation of benefit laws.

The tax rules are meant to stop people from rattling around big houses to make the most of tax breaks on their homes, but

it is the families who have to claim the addition and most lay executors have no idea it exists at all.

The rules apply to anyone who has sold their home or downsized to a smaller property since July 2015.

How the family home allowance works: • Inheritance tax is charged at 40pc of all assets above £325,000.

• From April 2017 a new, higher threshold including a “family home allowance”, began to be phased in. To be eligible it must be passed to direct descendants.

• The allowance stands at £175,000.

• Married couples will be able to pass on estates of up to £1m to direct descendants, including a family home. Estates over £2m lose the relief at a rate of £1 for every £2 over the threshold.

• People who sell an expensive property to downsize or go into care can claim the ”downsizing addition" so they still qualify for the new threshold, as long as most of the estate is left to direct descendants As an example, consider a widow who sold her house in 2018 for £400,000 and moved into residential care, but later died in 2020, leaving £650,000 in investments and £350,000 in cash to her family.

Her relatives use her and her former husband’s main IHT allowance so the

BUSINESS

investment portfolio passes tax free. They wrongly believe they cannot claim the family home allowance, as the house was sold previously, and are hit with a £140,000 death tax bill.

But by claiming the downsizing addition they could cut the tax bill entirely.

Families have two years to claim the allowance after death, although HM Revenue & Customs says it may consider later claims in some circumstances. If you are in any doubt about your position you should seek professional advice.

EDWARD LYONS

Email: enquiries@lyonslaw.co.uk Website: www.lyonslaw.co.uk Telephone: 01275 332168 An established and progressive law firm providing a personal and cost-effective legal service for commercial and individual clients.

l Family & Divorce Law l Co-habitation disputes l Inheritance disputes l Wills and Living Wills l Powers of Attorney l Administration of Trusts l Property – sales and purchases l Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence claims OFFICES AT: Chew Magna 01275 332168

Westbury-on-Trym 0117 950 6506

Kingswood 0117 967 5252 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

Enable supports Axbridge Pageant ENABLE Promotional Marketing in Axbridge is providing funding and expertise to bring back the town’s historic pageant, which was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.

It is one of the UK’s most famous community pageant events and Enable’s backing is the biggest ever corporate support in its 50-year history.

The pageant, which features a cast of over 300, takes place in the medieval town square, overlooked by the offices of Enable, who are based in one of the historic buildings that provide the backdrop.

The event is entirely financed by local people’s fundraising and over the last half a century it has become a key part of Somerset’s rich tradition of carnivals and community events.

The performance is a spectacular reenactment celebrating 2,000 years of

Axbridge history – from Saxon times through to the present day in 17 scenes.

Tickets have recently gone on sale for the event, which will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday to Monday August 27th–29th.

First performed in 1967 to celebrate the opening of the by-pass along the former Strawberry Line rail track, the Axbridge Pageant was such a success it was decided to repeat it – and since then has been held every ten years.

Enable provides project management support to some of the world’s biggest brands for their promotions online, via social media, in-store, at events or on-pack. Although the business works across Europe, the Middle East, Asia- Pacific and the USA, it proudly supports the local community.

Neil Barnes, MD of Enable, said: “The pageant happens in the Square right outside

Neil Barnes (right) and John Bailey with some of the pageant actors

our office window and is an amazing event.

We are enthused to be able to play a part, give practical support as well as providing finance.

“We are proud to be a Somerset-based business with a worldwide client base, and we are always spreading the word about our town with our clients around the globe.”

Pageant director John Bailey said: “We are massively grateful for Enable’s support, without which we would simply not be able to put on such a spectacular show.

“We know from all the previous occasions that all the hard work will be rewarded with the culmination of those three days when we depict this marvellous town’s history.”

Details: http://axbridgepageant.com • https://www.enablepm.com

PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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BUSINESS

A decade of outstanding service

COMMERCIAL and domestic cleaning company Sparkling Solutions has celebrated its tenth anniversary with a party hosted at the Tuckers Grave Inn at Faulkland with a number of live bands for the team, clients, family and friends. The evening was also raising money for research into Motor Neurone Disease.

The company, based in Chilcompton, had a humble beginning as a new venture for Sarah Jones. Sarah had been working at Fosseway School but had always wanted to run her own business and realised there was a gap in the market for a professional domestic and commercial cleaning company. Sparkling Solutions quickly flourished and husband Nick gave up his job as a taxi driver to join Sarah at the company, and it steadily grew from there.

Today, Sparkling Solutions employs ten people full-time and 40 others on a part-time basis and are always looking The party at Tuckers in full swing

The Honky Tonks headlined the party night

to recruit. As well as offering domestic and commercial cleaning services, it specialises in holiday lets making use of its ultramodern laundry facilities at its base on the New Rock Industrial Estate.

Nick and Sarah pride themselves on delivering a quality service to clients in areas such as Bath, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Midsomer Norton and Frome.

Nick said: “We are extremely delighted to be celebrating our tenth anniversary. From humble beginnings in Chilcompton (the village that Sarah grew up in), Sparkling Solutions has strived to provide ‘an old-fashioned service in a modern world’ where, no matter whether it is your home, business or holiday let that needs cleaning, we provide the ‘Sparkling Solution’.”

Old fashioned service in a modern world

We offer professional domestic & commercial cleaning in a 12-mile radius of our base in Chilcompton

Houses Offices Ovens Carpets & Upholstery Holiday Lets New/End of Tenancy Ironing Service

For all your cleaning requirements we provide the Sparkling Solution!

Unit 3, New Rock Industrial Estate, New Rock, Chilcompton, Radstock BA3 4JE. T: 01761 233463. E: info@sparklingsolutions.com W: www.sparklingsolutions.com

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES

ECATCHER MOL

NO MOLE NO FEE

Stotts Group expands Parker Transport joins the Stotts stable

Telephone 01761 417100 www.mendipmolecatcher.co.uk

SOUTH West-based Stotts Group Ltd has acquired Parker Transport SW Limited in Midsomer Norton.

The group, which includes warehousing and distribution specialists Willmotts Transport Ltd and S&B Transport Services, now operates more than ten sites within the South West region and this move also substantially increases the number of vehicles it operates. The Parker Transport brand will remain.

Andy Stott, owner and director of Stotts Group said: “The Parker Transport business has been built on solid foundations over a number of decades and is a successful and high achieving logistics company which will play a key role in the overall development of the Group ongoing as we continue our significant growth.”

Stunning Italian Lakes & Mountains Maggiore & Orta Sun 10 – Sun 25 September 8 days: £1,099 Tour includes: 7 nights DBB Eurotunnel, 2 free days in resort of Stresa Lake Maggiore Express Cruise on Lake Orta

Why not try a coach holiday?

Each holiday has a unique itinerary with lots of interesting inclusions!

Castles, Gardens & Steam in Kent

Sun 21 – Thu 25 August 8 days: £529 Tour includes: 4 nights DBB Leeds Castle, Ightham Mote Emmetts Gardens, Scotney Castle Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Gardens

Out and About in Lincolnshire Fri 2 – Mon 5 September 4 days: £399 Tour includes: 3 nights DBB Doddington Hall Rutland Water Cruise Barnsdale Gardens

Ireland – Killarney & Ring of Kerry Wed 7 – Tue 13 September 7 days: £685 Tour includes: 6 nights DBB Ferry: Fishguard–Rosslare Scenic coach tour of the Ring of Kerry Muckross House, Lake Cruise Jaunting car ride Killarney National Park

PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Ring us for a 2022 holiday brochure

July – day trips

5 Jul – Poole 12 Jul – Ightham Mote 19 Jul – Montisfont NT 21 Jul – Bournemouth A Taste of Surrey

Sat 10 – Mon 12 September 3 days: £299 Tour includes: 2 nights DBB Denbies Vineyard with train tour RHS Wisley Polesdon Lacy Guildford Cathedral

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BUSINESS

Bespoke rugs made with the environment in mind

THE Rug Emporium in Weston-Super-Mare, now part of Trevor Smith Carpets and Flooring, has extended its showroom to include a homeware section where you can find bespoke, madeto-measure rugs from a number of leading brands.

They include Jacaranda, Sophie Cooney and The Woven Edge along with flooring by Brampton Chase, Penthouse, Wessex and Brontë; handmade blankets from the Natural Blanket Company in Bath and a large range of candles from The Original Welsh Company.

Sustainability, local sourcing and being environmentally conscious are at the heart of The Rug Emporium ethos, aiming to be totally transparent about what’s in their products. Wherever they can, they use ethically-sourced natural fibres through well-managed projects that have a positive impact on the planet.

This only adds to the quality of

products showcased in their new showroom.

The Rug Emporium specialises in bespoke rugs in any colour, shape and size. Customers can also choose from materials that include wool, bamboo, sisal, seagrass, coir and jute. There is also the option to design your own rug through their website: www.therugemporium.co.uk Attention to detail is vital to all at The Rug Emporium.

Finding the perfect bespoke rug or runner to compliment a client’s room or lifestyle is a very personal thing. Their range offers both functionality and the perfect finishing touch to any room in the house. Whatever you have your heart set on, the Rug Emporium will have something that suits your needs. Their smart sustainability policy is one that they and their customers can be proud of.

You can find The Rug Emporium showroom inside Trevor Smith Flooring at: 33a Oldmixon Crescent, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9BA

Waste project honours

MENDIP District Council has been honoured at the national Regulatory Excellence Awards 2022.

The Council won the Net Zero Partnership award for partnership working on its wasted food pilot project which supported hospitality businesses in Mendip to reduce their food waste, save money and help them do their bit for the planet. The council’s environmental health officer who led the project, Michael Berry, also won Recognition for Leadership in Regulatory Services for his skills and ideas in developing and leading the scheme.

The successful project was submitted as part of the Heart of the South West Better Business For All group.

Michael said: “I am proud and honoured to be recognised

nationally for the work in managing and delivering this project.”

P & C Logs Call Phil on 07734 098323, or Colleen on 07785 250033 or on Evenings 01934 741941 Friendly prompt service from Phil & Colleen at their farm in Charterhouse Quality seasoned beech and ash hardwood, chopped and split into a variety of load options (with free delivery).

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

Quality garden lines at new Cheddar venture FACTORY Bargains has long been a feature of the High Street in Cheddar and owner Steve Brown has launched an exciting new venture to complement the existing store.

The Lawn Lounge offers a wide range of great quality garden furniture, garden rooms, BBQs, pizza ovens and lots of other items to help you enjoy the summer.

Steve said: “If we’ve learned anything from the last two years then it’s that being able to enjoy our own home both

PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

inside and out is hugely important to us.”

The new showroom in Cheddar is already proving popular and with the recent launch of a new website www.lawnlounge.com the decision to set up The Lawn Lounge is a positive one.

Steve added: “We always knew there was a demand for quality garden furniture, the problem was our existing store simply wasn’t large enough.”

The two businesses clearly complement each other. Whilst Factory

Bargains continue to offer the great deals they’re renowned for, a more comprehensive range of quality garden lines are available in The Lawn Lounge.

With free delivery anywhere in mainland UK on orders over £50 the new venture isn’t just aimed at those living locally. With more than 25 years’ retail experience, wherever the customer is they can be assured of the same high level of customer service that has always been provided by Steve and his team.

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BUSINESS

Nesting arrangements – what is nesting?

FOR anyone who has recently watched BBC’s “The Split” you may be familiar with the term “nesting” (also known as “bird-nesting”).

It is an arrangement whereby upon separation, parents take it in turns to stay in one property (usually the family home) to care for the children, rather than the children moving between two separate homes.

The concept gets its name from birds nesting, whereby they keep their chicks safe in a nest and take turns to fly in and out to care for them.

Generally, this is a short-term option at the early stages of a seperation and reserved for parents where there is a great deal of trust and co-operation.

It can create a smoother transition period for the children and reduce the disruption to their lives, retaining routine and familiarity in the initial stages whilst coming to terms with and adapting to their parents’ separation.

Is nesting right for our family?

No “one size fits all” when it comes to families. For this to be a viable option,

parents must be amicable as parental conflict is likely to unhinge any prospect of the arrangement working. Both parents must fully buy-in to pursuing this as an option.

Nesting is a very child-focussed concept and parents will need to consider all the implications of what this entails. For example – are there any concerns about privacy and personal belongings remaining at the family home?

There also needs to be consideration of financial implications of nesting. For example, renting or buying an albeit smaller second property as well as retaining the family home may not be an option. Equally being able to stay with friends/relatives when not caring for the children at the family home may not be feasible.

I am interested in nesting, what should I do?

We would always recommend speaking with a legal professional to help you decide if nesting is the right option for you and your family.

Assuming you do wish to pursue this

Victoria Cobham

option, it is advisable for an agreement to be drawn up to set out clear ground rules and responsibilities from the beginning – from new partners staying over to who stocks the fridge.

If you have any questions please get in touch with Family Solicitor Victoria Cobham on 01749 342323 or email Victoria.cobham@mogersdrewett.com We are here to help.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 41

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MENDIP TIMES

Tributes to Nigel Taylor PEOPLE from backgrounds ranging from local government to caving and the Mendip Hills AONB have been paying tribute to Nigel Taylor, who passed away in Weston Hospice on Tuesday, June 14th.

Nigel was a former member of both Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council, where he was chair until his illness. He served as a Mendip District councillor from May 2011 until May 2019 and represented the Wookey & St Cuthbert Out West Ward. He was also a Mendip cabinet member and portfolio holder for neighbourhood services. On Somerset, he represented the Cheddar division.

The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said it has lost a great champion and the “ecosystem of people” in the area is now missing a key connection.

The AONB Partnership, staff in the team and all the volunteers who help the hills will sadly miss him.

In a statement, the AONB said: “Nigel became chair of the AONB Partnership in March 2018 and only stood down due to his ill health in March 2022. His formal connection to the Partnership and AONB goes back much further to 2009 when he joined representing his parish and then as a county councillor.

“Nigel’s informal connection to the AONB Service goes back way beyond this as he seems to have always been a junction

between the AONB Service and community.

“Representing this unique landscape he loved so dearly as chair of the AONB Partnership was certainly a very proud moment for him. He adopted the role of figurehead easily, at national AONB meetings he would never forget to announce the AONB he was chair of, but this was backed up by action as well.

“He frequently visited the office at Charterhouse Centre, always carrying biscuits for the team, and was always ready to help out with moving tools and kit around thanks to his Land Rover.”

Councillor Tom Killen, Conservative Group Leader on Mendip, said: “Nigel was a true friend and gentleman and he will be sorely missed. As a county, district and parish councillor, he was dedicated to the people of Somerset, Mendip and Cheddar.

In various roles, including as chair of the Mendip Hills AONB, he did so much for the Mendip Hills as well.

“As a cabinet member at Mendip it would be an understatement to say that he was hands-on in the roles that he filled, attending the council offices almost on a daily basis working closely to support officers. Good examples of his hands-on approach include when he hit the headlines having personally dealt with an unexpected bomb in Frome, and his commitment to the

With his background in explosives, Nigel’s enthusiasm and knowledge was given the perfect channel via the Mendip Rocks! geology festival. He’d happily blow a car up in a quarry to get new people excited about geology and then lead a walk to look at his precious orchids he nurtured around the quarry near Westbury-on-Mendip PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

NEWS

Nigel Taylor, who died on June 14th.

Tributes have been paid from all walks of life

Glastonbury Festival. He cared passionately about everyone regardless of politics and injected warmth and friendliness into all he did. His passing is a great loss, we will miss him, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Councillor Ros Wyke, leader of Mendip District Council, added: “He was a wellknown and dedicated politician who cared deeply for his residents and the causes he pursued. He was approachable, and a good listener. One of a kind.

“Cllr Taylor will be remembered with much warmth by those lives he touched during his many years of service. We are thinking of all those close to him, during these difficult times of loss.”

Tributes on the UK Caving forum also recognised his efforts in cave rescue and for making some major discoveries beneath Mendip.

Nigel, centre, with members of the AONB Partnership and Service at his last partnership meeting where he planted one of the 50 trees to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mendip Hills being designated an AONB

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Drystone walls in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

HOW many metres of drystone wall are there across the Mendip Hills? Best guess sits at over 260 miles of wall, most concentrated on the Mendip Plateau, and unfortunately most in less than perfect shape.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has already supported two projects with a specific focus on the restoration of drystone walls, one at Charterhouse is spread out in three phases across the three years of the programme, and one near Priddy is an intensive project planned for this summer.

Smaller sections of drystone wall restoration have also featured in two other projects with multiple aspects for nature recovery and public access on Mendip farms.

Anyone attempting to drive a fence post in without the aid of a tractor will know just how close to the surface the rocks come, and combined with the snows and biting winds, it is not easy to plant hedges across much of the Mendip Hills. Drystone walls were the most practical option for early medieval agriculture to divide up the hills, and over the centuries Mendip drystone walls developed their own completely unique style.

The drystone walls of Mendip, with their rough, irregular stones, are one of the 12 special qualities of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that contributes to its status as a nationally protected landscape.

Localised geology on the hills influences the colour of the walls, the community of species the wall can support, and how easy it is to build. Most walls are made from gnarly limestone, and from lizards to lichens, they provide homes and corridors for species across the Mendip Hills.

Building or restoring drystone walls is a labour of love, a million-piece jigsaw puzzle

MENDIP HILLS AONB

Part of a drystone wall restored through the Farming in Protected Landscapes

What do you love about the Mendip Hills AONB? without a box, but farmers, landowners, reserve managers, professional drystone wallers, and volunteer groups have spent thousands of hours carefully placing stones that will remain in walls for at least the next hundred years. A specialist volunteer group with the Mendip Hills AONB Service has been trained over the years to become a crack taskforce of dedicated wallers who meet every Thursday to restore key heritage walls within the AONB. There are courses available through the Dry Stone Walling Association, the Mendip Society, and AONB Service for anyone looking to learn the basics of drystone walling and get a taster for how it’s done. For farmers and landowners wishing to employ a professional drystone waller, the South West England branch also have a list of accredited wallers in the area.

Financial support for the restoration of drystone walls can be accessed through Countryside Stewardship or the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

A list of projects already funded by the Farming in Protected Landscape programme is available on the Mendip Hills AONB website.

A note from the Mendip Hills AONB Service

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Nigel Taylor, who was a great friend to the hills, to the AONB Partnership, and to us individually. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time. We will each be taking the time to celebrate his life in our own way, a walk to his favourite view, breakfast at his favourite café, a moment to watch his favourite birds in flight. A full reflection on what he meant to us is available on the news page of our website, and an article featuring his many achievements can be found in this edition of the Mendip Times on the facing page. We respect the wishes of his family for privacy at this time.

Fifty years ago, the Mendip Hills was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Mendip Hills are cared for by many and loved by more. We're going to be sharing quotes from lots of people throughout the year on our social media, you can join in by using #LoveYourMendips.

Together, through a series of events, activities, and special moments we will celebrate what makes our treasured land so precious.

Megan Godley Farming Engagement Officer Farming in Protected Landscapes Mendip Hills AONB Charterhouse Centre, BS40 7XR Office telephone: 01761 462338 Email: megan@mendiphillsaonb.org.uk www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 43

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MENDIP TIMES

Love of learning

A WESSEX Learning Trust education is about more than just preparing young people for exams – it’s about preparing them for life!

That's why no matter which of our 16 exceptional schools you attend you will find an exciting curriculum, taught by caring and passionate staff, in settings that foster individuality and a love of learning.

Our schools stretch across the Cheddar Valley and beyond, and offer places for children aged two to 19. Our ambition is that every student is helped to achieve their full potential so that they can make a positive contribution to our society and realise their lifetime ambitions.

To find out more about what a Wessex education can offer you and your child, or to find your nearest school, visit our website: www.wessexlearningtrust.co.uk

School tradition

Some of the leavers

LEAVERS at Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar restored a 139-year-old tradition, halted by the pandemic, by climbing the tower at St Andrew’s Church and singing the Ascension hymn.

The tradition was started by a former headmaster who had seen something similar at Oxford colleges. Younger children were treated to sticky buns in the vicarage garden.

There was a musical send-off

There were buns for those below

The view from the tower PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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EDUCATION

New competition for young film makers LOCAL YouTube channel, Chew Valley Films, is launching a new film competition for U-16s who live in the Mendip Times distribution area. There are five categories including U-11s, 11 to 16s and best family film.

Peter Brownlee who runs Chew Valley Films said he started his career after entering a BBC film competition himself in 1972.

He said: “It was introduced by John Craven and David Attenborough was one of the judges. I made a three minute film about living in Belfast during what were called The Troubles. It didn’t win but they showed a clip on the programme and cut to David Attenborough nodding when it ended.

“I was thrilled and decided that working in film or TV was for me. Fifty years later I can look back on a wonderful career as a film editor including working with David on Blue Planet II and the soon to be seen Frozen Planet II.” Peter hopes this competition might inspire a new generation of film makers: “The technology is much simpler these days but also more sophisticated than when I started. I shoot quite a lot of Chew Valley Films stories on my phone and the pictures sometimes look better than my HD camera.”

Films for the competition can be on any subject and in any style but they can’t be longer than five minutes. Local companies,

Pete of CVF

including Mendip Times, are sponsoring the prizes and the shortlisted films will be shown on Chew Valley Films.

The judges will include TV professionals with the winners announced at a grand awards ceremony at the end of October.

Peter has put examples of short films and technical tips on the channel and hopes to visit as many schools as possible before the holidays to talk about making films.

He said: “I am really looking forward to seeing what our creative young people come up with.”

Details: chewvalleyfilms@gmail.com

Young Film Makers Competition

GREAT PRIZES! VARIOUS CATEGORIES FREE TO ENTER U16s

Who will win this inaugural competition?

Shortlisted entries will be broadcast by Chew Valley Films with details in Mendip Times Further details from Peter Brownlee Email: chewvalleyfilms@gmail.com • 07816 030906 YouTube: Chew Valley Films Instagram: @chew_valley_films MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 45

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MENDIP TIMES

Celebrating 40 years of outdoor activities IT’S Mill on the Brue Outdoor Centre’s 40th year! Based in Bruton, in a Georgian farmhouse, converted barn and other buildings, with 25 acres of fields, river valley and woods, there are a variety of courses for schools, other groups, and children on their own in the summer holidays, both residential and day.

The centre is open throughout the year and has enough accommodation for 120, plus accompanying staff. They provide delicious home-cooked meals with much of the vegetables and fruit organically grown in their gardens.

There are many fun, challenging and exciting activities to choose from, depending on the age and ability of the customers, for example canoeing, climbing, a high ropes course, rafting, assault courses, low ropes, archery, axe throwing, two long zip wires across the valley, bushcraft and much more.

Quieter pursuits can include feeding the animals, sheep, pigs, a donkey, pony and hens, outdoor pizza making, learning about how our food gets from garden to table and the centre’s environmental practices or discovering the ancient town of Bruton.

Mill on the Brue has always sought to be as environmentally aware as possible and has won many awards. This is very evident in its grounds, buildings and dealing with waste.

Thousands of trees have been planted, hedgerows reinstated,

solar panels installed, together with geothermal heating, rainwater harvesting and massive insulation. Their food waste is composted and they constantly monitor the use of plastic.

Their programmes are always written in consultation with the party leader and are individual to your group.

We wrote this!

PUPILS from Trinity School in Radstock and St Mary’s School in Timsbury have written and illustrated their own book.

Some of the Trinity pupils with Farah in the Working schoolroom at Radstock Museum closely with children’s author and former teacher Farah Downing, of Priston, the Year 5 and 6 youngsters came up with the idea of a mystery novel inspired by visits to Radstock Museum and workshops in school.

Called The Limestone Locker Mystery - The case of The Ghostly Miner, it tells of an imaginary sleepover in the museum and some ghostly goings-on.

It’s the fourth time Farah has worked with schoolchildren on a project called The Story to create a book out of their ideas and drawings, based on a The back cover of the particular building or theme. new book PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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• Primary Teachers • Secondary Teachers • Teaching Assistants • Nursery Practitioners

EDUCATION

• Bridgwater • Bath • Frome • Glastonbury • Radstock • Trowbridge • Shepton Mallet • Street • Wells • Bristol • Yeovil

Here at Healthy Happy Kidz, we’re ready to support you with your Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. We can help by delivering an amazing experience, adding value and reducing your costs to operate the programme across most of the UK.

We have identified that “School Partnerships” are the key to increasing the number of spaces available at each of our venues, our team are experienced in building relationships with key stake holders within schools.

As well as looking for new school partnerships we are keen to hear from anyone who: l Has worked in education. Either teaching or administration l Can add extra value to children’s lives l Would like to launch a career working with children l Is available to work during the Summer Holidays

Putting children’s health and happiness to the forefront MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 47

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Mendip Times

in print and online!

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magazines from our website

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More information – more enjoyment No annoying pop-ups – Mendip Times pure and simple

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MENDIP TIMES

(Photo courtesy of Paul Gillis Photography)

Supporting the RUH

SOME 240 walkers took part in the Walk of Life along the Kennet & Avon Canal, organised by RUHX, formerly Forever Friends, the official NHS charity of the Royal United Hospitals Bath.

To date, the event has raised over £37,000 and is set to rise further over the coming weeks. Around half of the walkers completed the full distance, 26.2 miles.

Karlie Evans, events and community manager, said: “We have been so inspired hearing about the many reasons people take part – from walking in memory of a loved one, supporting some currently being treated, or to get active and support our great cause.”

Meanwhile, patients and staff celebrated the official opening of the Breast Unit Extension at the Royal United Hospitals’ (RUH) Coombe Park site. Over £1m has been invested into the expansion project by RUHX. The facilities are now open and fully operational benefitting 406 new patients every year, as well as existing patients and staff who care for them.

Charly McNelis and her daughter Phoebe attended the event and Phoebe was invited to cut the ribbon. Phoebe won a competition writing a book about the kindness the local community showed to her family while her mum was being treated for breast cancer at the RUH.

Queen’s Award for charity

PROMISEworks, a charity providing inspirational volunteer mentoring to children and young people in Somerset, has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

This is the most prestigious award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to being presented with an MBE. Supporting 120 young people across Somerset, PROMISEworks’ long-term mentoring can make a real difference to those that are disadvantaged.

Kev O’Donnell, volunteer mentor and deputy chair of trustees, said: “This is a wonderful recognition of the incredible work our volunteers have done over the last five years, whether as mentors, fundraisers or trustees.

“As we move into the next phase of PROMISEworks development it is a fantastic acknowledgement of all the hard work, and volunteer hours that have built our reputation for providing long-term mentoring support to young people across Somerset.”

Five representatives of PROMISEworks will receive the award crystal and certificate from Annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset later this summer. In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.

All aboard for open day

Details: www.ruhx.org.uk

Charity café

FROME cancer charity We Hear You (WHY) are once again hosting a “pop-up café” at Rook Lane, Bath Street from Monday, June 27th to Wednesday, July 13th.

The cafe will serve savouries, cakes and hot and cold drinks between 10am and 4pm daily, with all proceeds going to the charity.

The charity is looking for helpers to run the cafe and bakers to provide cakes to sell.

Details: lottie.ardeshir@wehearyou.org.uk

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CROWDS gathered on Weston seafront for the RNLI’s open day and to see the crew demonstrating exercises both afloat and ashore. The day raised £1,700.

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CHARITIES

Big queues at cake sale

YOUNG members of the Rotary Club offshoot RotaKids have raised £270 for charity by running a cake sale at St John’s Primary School in Midsomer Norton.

The youngsters – all pupils at the school – sold cakes donated by parents, teachers and members of the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock. Rotarians Jayne Hutton, Jon Hutton and Ian Huxham helped the children set up the stall then stepped back to allow them to do the hands-on selling at 50p a cake.

The money raised will go to Rotary Supporting Ukraine and Water Survival Boxes, a charity managed by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge.

RotaKids clubs are based in schools, youth groups or

Crowds gather around the stall at St John’s

community centres and with the help and support from teachers, youth leaders and the local Rotary club, children can gain a valuable experience in helping others and learning new skills.

For details, visit: https://www.rotarygbi.org/projects/young-people/rotakids/

Hospice service and summer fayre WESTON Hospicecare’s Family Support Team are hosting a service at Christ Church, Montpelier, in Weston on Wednesday, July 6th at 7pm.

It is free to attend and the congregation will have an opportunity to arrange for the names of family or friends who have died to be read out as well as an option to place a flower in a memory vase.

Weston Hospicecare have partnered with Hornets Rugby Club to host the charity’s Summer Fayre at The Nest, the team’s home ground near Hutton Moor Leisure Centre.

The fayre will take place on July 30th from 10.30am, including live entertainment, classic cars, children’s games, craft stalls and barbecue.

Details: 01934 423900 • www.westonhospicecare.org.uk

Ambulance chief bids farewell

BILL Sivewright, chief executive of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, held an event to thank the charity’s volunteers before his retirement on June 21st.

He told them: “You are the eyes and the ears of the charity within the community.

That is what gives us the community feel, because it comes from you, our wonderful volunteers. Some of you have been with us a very long time, even before me.”

Bill became Chief Executive Officer in 2010. Over the past 11 and a half years his inspiring leadership has seen DSAA become one of the most innovative and highly respected air ambulance charities in the country.

He said: “I am so appreciative that during my time with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance I have been given the

opportunity to do things my way. That way has been by getting to know people, getting to know their families and making friends.

“Together we have been on a journey and one of the most amazing things is to see how the team have developed

professionally and as people. I feel very proud to have been a part of that.”

Charles Hackett is the charity’s new CEO. He has a wealth of experience across both the commercial and charity sectors as well as experience in working with local government.

Bill (centre) with some of the volunteers

More information about Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can be found by visiting: www.dsairambulance.org.uk MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 51

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MENDIP TIMES

Last fundraiser

A TRADITION started in Congresbury in 1987, holding an annual fundraising coffee morning and sale for the Mission to Seafarers, has

come to an end.

It has been held in the home and garden of Len and Marion Johnson on Wards Hill. There was a break of two years after Len's death and Marion’s move from the cottage to the bungalow next door.

She raised £400 this year and is pictured (left) with volunteers Lynda Fell and Jane Hares.

Charity appeal

BATH Cats and Dogs Home have launched their Spring Appeal which aims to raise £10,000 towards funding their animal welfare work to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and dogs.

The appeal focuses on the importance of animal behaviour rehabilitation and how it transforms the lives of frightened, ill or shy rescue cats and dogs to recover their confidence and trust so they can be successfully adopted.

The home’s expert, animal behaviour work costs around £165,000 per year. The charity takes in animals from Bath and North-East Somerset and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire. It needs to raise more than £1.8million every year to continue its animal welfare work, both at the home and in the local community.

Details: www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk

Angels of the night

THE streets of Bath were aglow at midnight on June 12th, with over 300 local women taking part in the Dorothy House Women’s Midnight Walk.

The focus this year was to raise vital funds for the Hospice at Home service which cares for end-of-life patients throughout the night, providing much-needed respite for their families.

Over 70 Dorothy House volunteers lined the streets to cheer on the walkers and provide support along the way.

Emily Higgins, who took part in the walk, said: “The night carers were all so lovely, gentle and kind. They really are Angels of the Night!”

PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Walk in aid of Julian House

HOMELESS charity, Julian House, is calling on families, friends and work colleagues to take on its epic 20-mile walking challenge – The Circuit of Bath Walk.

The sponsored walk, now in its 21st year, takes place on Sunday, September 25th, with tickets on sale now.

Participants will be walking a circular route around the outskirts of Bath, taking in stunning views overlooking the historic city itself including the gorgeous vistas from Little Solsbury Hill and South Stoke Millennium Viewpoint.

Participants can choose their own distance and start point, thanks to the five checkpoints along the route and a free shuttle service between each.

Senior community and events fundraiser, Gavin Osborn, said: “By taking part, you are enabling us to support vulnerable and atrisk individuals in our emergency hostel and domestic abuse refuge. You will be helping to save lives.”

Julian House has more than 40 projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises across the region.

Tickets are £12 adult, £6 child, £25 family. Dogs are welcome and for younger families there are also buggy-friendly sections of the walk.

Details: www.circuitofbathwalk.co.uk

Remembering Pete

PETE Wells has died suddenly at his home in Bishop Sutton, aged 75. Born in Bristol, he became well known in the Chew Valley and the wider area for his tireless campaigning on meningitis He started the charity “Remembering Maggie” after his wife Margaret died of the disease a few years ago.

Pete was also a founder member and driving force behind Sutton Theatre Company. It was because of its need for a decent stage that fundraising started to replace Bishop Sutton’s old “tin shack” with a large modern village hall.

As well as performing in many of STC’s plays, Pete worked in the kitchen at the Hub, the old Methodist chapel in Bishop Sutton, cooking bacon sandwiches for people at Chew Valley’s Saturday morning library.

Pete leaves two sons, Matthew and Anthony, his grandson Josh and brother, Chris. But he’s also going to be greatly missed by his many friends in the village he loved.

Details:www.peter-wells9.muchloved.com

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CHARITIES

Abseilers scale new heights

MORE than 300 adventurous people from all walks of life abseiled from the top of the West Tower of Wells Cathedral to raise £53,000 for charity.

It was the second time SOS Africa has staged the abseil at the cathedral. The money raised will be divided between the charity, the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Wells Cathedral.

Barton St David cub George Day and Hannah Krekel

Weston Rotary Club members ahead of their climb to the top of the tower

Paths become pistes for boules tournament THE gardens of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells have hosted the Rotary Club of Wells charity boules tournament.

A total of 24 teams ranging from Mogers Drewett to Westfield Boules Club and the palace itself competed on ten pistes, using the gravel paths around the site. It was the first time the event

had been held in the grounds; before the pandemic, it was held in the Market Square.

The event raisd £7,000 towards the cost of buying a minibus for the Heads Up dementia charity, based in South Horrington.

A match underway against the backdrop of Wells Cathedral

Westfield BC players compete amongst the flower borders

The fun tournament was in aid of Heads Up

The Shepton Strollers taking on the Pinot Partakers MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 53

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MENDIP TIMES

Jenny’s rose launched at Chelsea

A NEW rose created in memory of Jennifer Rose Sell was launched at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. We reported in May that the rose would be sold in aid of the BillyChip foundation, which gives food tokens to the homeless.

Former Norton Hill student, Jenny, from Clutton, died in a car accident in the summer of 2019, aged 20, the innocent victim of a drunk driver. Friends and family decided to have a rose created in her name and made crocheted roses to pay for it.

The rose was created by Harkness Roses, who announced at the show that they would waive all the fees for creating it.

Jenny’s father, Colin Sell, said: “It was an emotional day at Chelsea. This was very unexpected and is incredibly generous of them. We would therefore very much like to donate these funds to our chosen charity BillyChip.

“We would also like to reiterate that without all your help crocheting/knitting and all the various fundraising efforts, none of this would have been possible.”

Jenny’s mum, Janice, said: “Jenny was a caring, loving girl with a smile that would light up any room. A beautiful girl inside and out.

So little time to shine, but shine she did!”

David White of Harkness Roses said: “Jennifer’s Rose is a legacy left to honour Jenny's name and memory.

“This beautiful shell pink Jenny floribunda rose produces a wonderful display of sweetly scented blooms, often in clusters of up to eight flowers. They repeat from early summer through to the first frosts.

“It is a healthy variety that is disease resistant and easy to grow. The mid pink petals stand out against a backdrop of glossy green foliage, and it is suitable for beds, borders, and large patio containers.”

He added that £2.50 from every rose sold would be donated to BillyChip. The charity, based in Bishop Sutton, was set up by his family in memory of Billy Abernethy-Hope. The Jennifer Rose Sell Memory rose is available to pre-order now for delivery this autumn.

Jenny's rose

Jenny’s mum and dad, Colin and Janice

Details: https://roses.co.uk/product/530740/rose-jennifer-rose-sell-bare-root

PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CHARITIES

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Wrington celebrates Fair Week

HISTORY

Photography by Bob Bowen

(Photography courtesy of Bob Bowen)

WRINGTON’S five-yearly Fair Week saw dozens of people taking part in its traditional pageant, charting the village’s history.

Fair Week saw 17 different events across nine days, including Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 55

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Digging for history

New trail opened

Some previous finds

Barbara Wells and Margaret Cowie

AFTER the success of its recent “Lost and Found” exhibition, Blagdon Local History Society is planning a follow-up exhibition in July, asking local people to display finds from their garden or elsewhere.

Society member, Jacky Kerly, said: “The idea is that people can bring in anything of interest they have found in their garden and to meet local detectorists who will be showing some of their finds.”

The exhibition is on Saturday, July 9th, 10am-4pm at the Court Lodge in Blagdon, next to the village stores.

NEWS

THE new Axbridge Heritage Trail has been opened by the Mayor of Axbridge, Cllr Pauline Ham. She was joined by Barbara Wells and Margaret Cowie who have given the town's attractions and ancient buildings a 21st century lift for the smart phone generation.

The Axbridge Singers serenaded the opening ceremony.

Details: Jacky 01761 462491 email jackykerly@gmail.com

Plastic free Cheddar

CHEDDAR has been awarded Plastic Free Communities status for taking action on single-use plastic. The award has been given by marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

The Cheddar campaign started in 2019, when a group of people lead by Adrian Male met in the pub to start the process of pulling together key organisations and businesses to adopt a five-point plan to reduce plastic use.

Joint secretaries, Suzanne Green and Elizabeth Herridge, said: “We are delighted the all our hard work has come to fruition especially with the interruption caused by Covid. We have had great support from the parish council, local businesses and particularly from community groups.”

The Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Community network aims to free the places where we live from single-use.

Rachel Yates, SAS project manager, said: “It’s great the work that Cheddar has done to reduce the availability of avoidable plastics, raise awareness and encourage people to refill and reuse.”

Details: adrianmale@supanet.com or 01934 743527 www.plasticfree.org.uk www.sas.org.uk

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Town crier Nigel Scott and mayor Cllr Pauline Ham

Axbridge Singers

Details: https://axbridgeheritagetrails.com/

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WILDLIFE

It’s not just about the owls

AS July begins, I will still be visiting many farmers and landowners carrying out the annual barn owl nest monitoring, so if you’d like a visit and you’re not on my list then please get in touch.

The season, so far, has been quite an early

By CHRIS one, with some sites a full four-to-six weeks SPERRING ahead of last year’s; early indications are MBE also quite good with owlet productivity being stable so much the same as last year but with a few exceptions.

You see, it’s not just about the owls. I like to think of myself as a naturalist and conservationist, meaning that when I carry out visits I can of course identify the variety of owl but, at the same time, I can advise how to preserve and possibly increase that species through conservation action or, in some cases, inaction.

I, like many of you no doubt, am seeing or listening to the news and hearing the word “shortages”. These are being mentioned in both a global and a national context, and now being mentioned more and more are food shortages. The question then being asked is, are we, or can we become selfsufficient and produce enough of our own energy and food?

We need land to produce food; we also, perhaps, need the same land to create some of our energy. But wait, we also need that land for new housing and let’s not forget we need it also to enable nature to recover.

If we take just two of those, namely nature recovery and food production, then I’m a firm believer in the fact that you can have both, indeed it’s the type of thing I’ve been advocating for many years.

Much of our wildlife is declining and some of that is perilously close to the edge of extinction. We must be, and can be, smart when we make plans that use the land for food production and natural resources when there seems to be an ever-increasing “shortage” of land itself.

I’ve been visiting some landowners for many years, so they

An owlet being checked over

are like the old friends that you look forward to seeing once again. Our conversations are always important, and this year most farmers are talking about how low the numbers of swallows are on their farms. Most will then ask what they can do to help.

So, during a visit that started with barn owls, we can probably talk our way through the ups and downs of most species on the farm and very importantly talk through easy, practical solutions. l The Next Hawk and Owl Trust walk on Shapwick Moor will on Friday, July 15th for two hours starting at 10am. For booking and meeting details, please visit https://hawkandowltrust.org/reserves/shapwick/shapwickevents These walks are free but donations to the trust would be most welcome.

A barn owl in flight

We need to find ways to help nature recover

If you wish to contact me it’s Chris.Sperring@btinternet.com call 07799 413918, or message me via my Facebook Walks and Talks page @ChrisSperringwildlife MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Levels best – a walk for summer

HERE is an ideal circle for this time of year in the “Summer lands” – the Somerset Levels. Follow rhynes trimmed with wild flowers and the River Brue through flat fields near the former ancient Lake Villages. We start at Westhay Moor Nature Reserve and take in the 14th century Abbots Fish House and a riverside pub at a moor village, Lower Godney.

You should see swans aplenty, egrets, skylarks and get the chance to do a lot more bird and wildlife watching so take your binoculars. Walking will take about 3.5 hours but allow plenty of time for stops. There are opportunities to visit bird hides in the reserve. Dogs must be kept well under control. The terrain in summer should be mainly good under foot but fields may be wet and possibly muddy after rain, especially where there is long grass. The walk ends with about 1.7 miles on a narrow road across the moor. Much

With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

of the circle will have the backdrop of Glastonbury Tor. There are no stiles but one or two field gates are quite heavy to open.

PARK: In the free car park at Westhay Moor Nature Reserve on the Avalon Marshes which is part of the Somerset Levels. Take the B3151 road south from Wedmore towards Glastonbury and after about three miles turn left by a low Turnpike house on a bend. This side road is marked to Godney and Glastonbury.

After about 1.75 miles, at a sharp right bend, turn left into the reserve parking under a high metal barrier. There is a reserve information board there.

START: This 250 acre reserve is an unusual place – almost a hybrid of land and sea. It is managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust which started to get involved in 1970. At that time the landscape had been severely damaged by industrial peat cutting and agriculture.

The area is home to swans, otters, dragonflies and carnivorous sundew plants. Of course it is also visited by overwintering and migratory birds and a spectacular sight in winter is the evening murmuration of thousands of starlings who take refuge in the reedbeds.

Ignore the boardwalk and wooden arch near the parking. Turn right and walk away from the road along the track between ponds and reed beds. After about four minutes, take the marked path left further into the reserve through a gate signed to a large bird hide.

1. HIDE Pass to the left of the hide along the grassy track and arrive at a dramatic wood sculpture of starlings on a fallen branch. Ignore all gates and side turns (even those to hides). Maintain direction until you reach gates ahead and join a wide crossing drove.

2. DROVE Turn left and continue to the road. Cross to the stony track more or less opposite and follow it ahead and then bend left and go under power lines and continue to a barn with Glastonbury Tor in the distance.

3. BARN Immediately after crossing Toogood Bridge to the barn, turn sharp right and follow a rhyne on your right. The Tor is now over on your left. Go through a Bristol Gate and continue on. Go through another gate and over a rhyne ahead and then go up onto the bank and maintain direction, passing close by a WW2 pillbox. Reach another rhyne and turn left alongside. It was along here that we watched about a dozen swans enjoying the water.

4. FOOTBRIDGE Cross right over the first footbridge and continue ahead across the field with a rhyne on your left to a Bristol gate.

Not far from here were the Lake Villages, dating from the third and second centuries. They were highly skilled and prosperous marsh communities built on

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WALKING

artificial foundations of logs, brushwood, clay and rubble which were laid down systematically on the edge of the open water. Today only slight mounds indicate the old villages. At Meare were two settlements each of about 60 dwellings and the people grew grain and kept cattle and sheep, practising a wide range of crafts and industries. The Moors Visitor centre near Westhay can tell you more.

5. RIVER BRUE Reach the River Brue and follow it left through a Bristol Gate. Over left in the distance is the Mendip ridge and houses in Mere over on your right. Continue to a stone footbridge (we return to this point later). Cross to the metal gate ahead heading towards a farm and Mere church.

Go through a large gate and along the side of barns through another gate and then bend left with the church on your right. At the end go through a large gate (there is a path on the right if you want a detour to the church).

Abbot, Adam of Sodbury, built the church here in the decorated style in the early 14th century.

To continue, go through the gate and pass in front of impressive 14th century Manor House Farm. The key to the Fish House can be picked up here. Then bend left round the side and immediately turn right through a small wooden gate. Cross the field to the Abbots Fish House. There is no clear path.

6. FISH HOUSE The only surviving monastic fishery building in England, this housed the Abbot of Glastonbury’s water bailiff and was used for fish-salting and drying. At the time it was sited on the banks of vast Meare Pool which teemed with fish – 25,830 fish were recorded as being caught in one year! Fishing provided food for the monks of Glastonbury and was also a

OS Explorer 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 456 437, nearest postcode BA6 9TX (takes you to a house one mile west of parking area for the reserve).

recreation for the abbot and his friends.

The Fish House probably dates back to the early 14th century like the Manor House when Adam de Sodbury was Abbot.

It is in the care of English Heritage.

Take the slab path straight on past the fish house to a gate onto a lane near the main road. Go down left and cross the Brue. Then turn back left up along the bank through Bristol gates until you reach the stone bridge again where you turned off for the church. Continue straight on until you reach a gate on the right by a tin shed. Go right here along the grassy track, through a gate and then on to go left over a rhyne bridge and through yet another gate.

Turn right along the edge of the rhyne.

7. PILLBOX When you reach a pillbox, go down left and cross the end of the field. Once though a Bristol Gate, follow the right hedge through this large field, through a gate and ahead along the edge of another field. Come onto a track and turn right. It soon bends left, through another gate and takes you on all the way to a farm and houses in Lower Godney.

8. LOWER GODNEY Turn left on the lane. At a T-junction turn right. Soon reach another junction. *If you

don’t want the pub, simply turn left on the lane and follow directions below.

9. CROSSROADS After just under half a mile, reach crossroads and turn left, continuing across the moor, and after another 1.10 miles reach the start. These moor lanes are quiet and give beautiful open views, but watch out for cyclists in particular.

PUB DETOUR. For the pub make a detour in Lower Godney straight on for about five minutes. The Sheppey is a friendly, spacious, popular pub on the banks of the River Sheppey and open all day, every day except Monday. Then return to the junction and follow directions from 8.LOWER GODNEY or take the field route, below.

However, to cut down on the lane walking, on the way back from the pub, opposite a bungalow called Chain Bridge, take the footpath on the right but it can be a little overgrown. Go along to the end of the field, along a path into another field under a line of willows. At the end cross a footbridge and head diagonally left across the field to a gate onto the lane. Turn right and continue to the crossroads. Turn left all the way back to the start.

The Sheppey Inn, tel 01458 831594

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 59

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OUTDOORS

West Countryman’s diary

THE summer solstice will have passed by the time you read this month’s column and the days will gradually shorten. Thankfully it is a slow process, but the natural environment likes to be ahead of the curve and preparations need to start in plenty of time before autumn’s arrival. Now before I get With LES DAVIES MBE everyone down, let’s think of the good days still ahead.

Looking out my window as I write this, the blackbirds are chasing one another around over some territorial dispute or other, whilst a pigeon sits watching from the telephone wire overhead – the lights are on, but I don’t think anyone is at home. It’s all very busy out there and in the countryside as a whole It’s also busy with all those farming activities that are reliant on dry fine weather. Winter supplies of silage and hay need to be cut, gathered and stored. The combine harvesters will soon be crossing the fields of grain. Then comes the maize and most importantly for me the apple crop.

My garden is looking good. The runner beans are climbing sticks cut from Foxwood in the winter and my peas are just coming into flower. That great treat of the year, new potatoes, will soon be dug, so I need to think of a something to accompany them.

My early 19th century farming and political hero, William

Cobbett, would be pleased to see my well-ordered contribution to self-sufficiency, all in rows and hoed clean. Just the sort of order he liked to see in the garden and countryside Without doubt, our countryside has undergone a great change, even in my lifetime. Its use has changed and although the majority of it is still agricultural, the highest income is derived from nonagricultural activity such as tourism and leisure. Not wishing to cut across those whose job it is to manage such conflict, it is a difficult problem to handle.

There can be no doubt that leisure brings valuable money into the rural economy. This comes from someone who has benefited through the walking books I have written with Sue Gearing, the walks I have led and the broadcasting work I have carried out – even through my modest journalistic contributions in this column.

Food production is however a real concern, somehow we need to improve that production in the future as prices and demand rise.

My tribute to a great friend, the late Nigel Taylor

ON Tuesday, June 14th a great friend of the Mendip Hills passed away after a long fight against cancer. Nigel Taylor was a close and supportive friend. He fought to save the Mendip Hills wardens during the re-structuring of the AONB in the early 2000s and managed to mobilise such a groundswell of support for his cause that it became the basis for a cartoon in the mid-Somerset series of newspapers.

It was this that led him into politics, for which he will be particularly remembered in the post of chairman of the Mendip Hills AONB partnership and chairman of Somerset County Council. I will leave others to pay tribute to his political life, but I would like to say a few words about the friend I knew.

Nigel was a working man who began his career in farming. We had both attended Cannington College in its days as Somerset College of Agriculture and Horticulture during the early 70s. From my personal perspective he was the greatest friend anyone could ever have.

He was always there when things went wrong and always there to provide practical support. He had a terrific sense of humour and would engage me in “the banter”, an area which I have to say he did not do well, as it would often end in me getting the upper hand.

I still laugh at those moments that have provided me with “catch phases” enough to last my lifetime.

He loved the countryside and went to enormous lengths to PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

protect his beloved orchids that grew in the grassland at Westbury Quarry and in his paddocks at home in Draycott. The small orchard he planted has been providing my Emily Elizabeth’s Apple Juice with fruit on an annual basis.

How do you deal with such a loss! For his widow, Vivi, his family and friends, the grief is enormous. We all have to deal with such grief at some stage in life, often several times, but that does not make it any easier. No words of comfort, sympathy or empathy can change what has happened or ease the pain.

Only the passage of time and return of those happy memories can help. Without knowing I looked at that bright sunny Tuesday morning of June 14th and said to myself: “Nigel… this would be a good day to go” and he did, stepping quietly out of this life into the next.

I am not providing a picture of Nigel as I don’t have a good one.

I once told him that his campaign picture and poster, found under my windscreen wiper blade, saved me a lot of money. Instead of buying a new fire guard to protect my grandchildren, I had only to place his picture on the mantel piece and they wouldn’t go anywhere near the fire!

This month’s picture however is one Nigel would have liked with his dairyman background. It’s a “push-me-pull-you” for those who remember Dr Doolittle. My thanks to Sue Gearing who took it on her current walk for this month’s Mendip Times.

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A tour of local grottoes

IN caving terms, a grotto is a highly decorated cave chamber, usually with a plethora of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone, often in pure white. Probably the best known of these on Mendip is the Old Grotto in the Upper Series of Swildon’s Hole. Unfortunately, it is on a main trade With PHILIP HENDY route, and has consequently suffered over the years since its former glory.

J. Harry Savory took a photograph in 1912 which shows it shortly after it was discovered. In the same cave, Balch’s Forbidden Grotto was named because it was so beautiful that Herbert Balch, who led trips into the cave at the time, forbade anyone from entering it, as this would cause its destruction.

The grotto lay at the far end of Tratman’s Temple, itself a well-decorated chamber high above the Swildon’s One streamway. It contained several tall thin stalagmites, some of which formed columns with stalactites, as well as straws and white flowstone. Again, the passage of time and careless cavers has destroyed its beauty.

The Forbidden Grotto emitted a strong draught and discoveries further down the cave led to speculation as to what might lie beyond it. Over the years, the grotto had been damaged, but in 1953 the use of explosives obliterated most of what remained. It did, however, lead to significant discoveries, including a dry route to Swildon’s Four, beyond Sump Three, and eventually to the Short Round Trip, which allows access to Swildon’s Two avoiding having to dive Sump One. These grottos are only accessible to cavers, although around the country there are many artificial ones. They usually form part of the landscape around large country houses, largely constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries by rich landowners.

Landscape engineers such as the famous Capability Brown transformed the acres surrounding these buildings into parkland, often with lakes. Exotic cattle or deer roamed the parks and were kept away from the formal gardens near the houses by hahas, deep ditches which did not interrupt the vista.

Follies were built to enhance the view. Often these were classical Greek or Roman temples, or possibly a romantic “ruined” castle. Also popular were artificial grottos. They often contained a water feature, and a statue in classical style.

Sometimes they housed a “hermit”. There were no such grand houses on Mendip, although there is a small grotto on the hillside below the ruins of Ashwick Grove.

Constructed of huge boulders, with a door and windows, it was probably used as a summer house, where afternoon tea could be enjoyed while looking out over the valley, which in the house’s heyday would have been far less wooded.

Just over the county boundary, in Wiltshire, is Stourhead, famed for its variety of trees nestling in the valley and surrounding a large lake. As well as the obligatory temples,

(Photograph by Phil Hendy)

CAVING

Stourhead Grotto

there is a grotto here by the lakeside. It is of rugged construction, and the interior is cool and damp. There is a shallow pool, and a statue at the back sits with one foot in the water. An opening allows a view of the lake.

To the north, in Bristol, Goldney House in Clifton is now a university hall of residence, but in the mid-18th century, Thomas Goldney III constructed a grotto consisting of three chambers, with a well reputed to have medicinal properties. It was decorated with shells and crystals, and “Bristol Diamonds” quartz crystals found in geodes in the local conglomerate.

Similar geodes are found at Dulcote and Axbridge Hill.

There is a similar folly at Warmley north of Bristol. In the late 18th century William Champion made his fortune at his zinc and brass mills on the banks of the River Avon and he used his money and much of the slag from the mills to construct a complex of grottos and a lake dominated by a huge statue of Neptune, wearing a cloak of slag, and for modesty, a fig leaf of the same material.

A pool backed by a wall is known as Echo Lake because of sounds reflected by the wall. The pool was not purely ornamental – it also supplied water for the mills. Goldney and Champion were both Quakers and related by marriage.

Another famous grotto is that built by the poet Alexander Pope at Twickenham. Its connection with Mendip is that Pope reputedly paid workmen to scavenge stalactites from Wookey Hole to decorate it. They probably used rifles to shoot them down, arranging for them to fall onto beds of straw.

Closer to home, it is thought that Richard Gough enhanced his first show cave, now known as Gough’s Old Cave, with formations filched from other Mendip caves, possibly Loxton Cave. Although the cave is quite roomy and has formations in its own right, Gough clearly added much to it, including a high stone platform giving a view out over the main chamber. The cave is now rarely visited, as it is an important roost and hibernaculum for Greater Horseshoe bats.

Stourhead is a National Trust property, open all year round but especially popular in the autumn when the foliage changes colour. Goldney House and Warmley Grotto are occasionally opened to visitors; their websites give details.

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 61

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MENDIP TIMES

Women of Wedmore looking to the future

Wedmore celebrates

Women of Wedmore WI president Jill Cornelius with vicepresident/treasurer Lexie Gower (left) and secretary Ann-Marie Hynds (right)

NEARLY a century after it first began, and running continuously since 1953, Wedmore Women’s Institute was on the verge of closing last year when comments on Facebook sparked renewed interest.

Under the guidance of Wedmore WI president Jill Cornelius, the group was re-established at the end of 2021 to provide a place to make new friends and share experiences. Members voted to have a new name, Women of Wedmore, and to continue their connection with the WI. Women of Wedmore is a friendly, welcoming mixed-age group, with a common desire to get to know more women across the area. With more than 50 members, the group has already enjoyed a number of talks and informal get-togethers and are looking forward to a summer outing with a boat ride around Bristol Harbour. l Women of Wedmore usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Masonic Hall, 7-9pm.

For details email: wedmorewi@outlook.com

Pisces for fish!

PISCES

FISHMONGER & GREENGROCER

Direct supply of Cornish Sea Food.

Loch Fyne Smokehouse stockist.

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

Selection of culinary ingredients.

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

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

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

PISCES is one of the few craft fishmongers trading in North Somerset and with an extensive greengrocery selection and speciality grocery offering, it has now been serving Wedmore for 31 years.

Dean at Pisces is pleased to be able to support the Friends of St Mary’s “Human Fruit Machine” at this year’s Wedmore Street Fair, providing plenty of fun for all the family!

WEDMORE Street Fair is back after a two-year break over the pandemic. There has been an annual market in the historic village for over 600 years and this year’s fair will take place on Saturday, July 2nd, 11am-4pm.

With lots of stalls to browse, live entertainment will include the Burnham and Highbridge Brass Band and DJ Ollie from Enhanced Entertainment. There will be amazing raffle prizes to be won – Weston Hospicecare even have a car to raffle!

There will be plenty of food and drink stalls to whet your appetite including a bar, BBQ, ice cream, a French-style cafe from the Wedmore Twinning Society, crepe stall and Mexican food.

The event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. The Borough will have a road closure in place all day to accommodate the festivities.

Festival returns

THE 21st Wedmore Real Ale Festival will be held from September 9th-11th on the Glebe Field in Wedmore.

The event raised £20,000 last year, returning after Covid restrictions. Since it started, it has donated £226,320 to local charities and good causes.

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Wedmore move paid off

CLAIRE Bidwell has been in the fashion business for 45 years and says her decision to open Lime in Wedmore was the best thing she has ever done.

Her first shop was Aunt Lucy’s in Congresbury, which she had for seven years, before selling and moving to Clifton. Parking problems there brought the move to Wedmore.

She also opened Fahrenheit ladies club in 1988 at their farm near Congresbury and then went on to develop and build Mendip Spring golf club.

Claire said: “We opened Lime in March 2015 and I closed the shop in Clifton in 2016 to concentrate on Wedmore. It’s worked out fantastically well.”

She says she stocks an eclectic mix of “smart casual” clothing and accessories. This autumn she will have a new Bugatti range of footwear and a wide colour range of clothing.

Sale starts at 10am On Wednesday 6th July

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Jubilee street party

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

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

Double your chances of success Do it together with the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan

This husband and wife team lost 15 stone 2 pounds between them and reversed Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea Their weight has maintained for 6.5 years now with conventional food and no products.

If you are looking for a healthier you, Contact Fran and we can work virtually or face-to-face

Tel 07999 584935 Email: cwpfran@gmail.com MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Pumpkin grows

PUMPKIN in Wedmore has been able to expand despite the Covid pandemic, adding a lovely oak-framed garden restaurant and a new, bigger kitchen.

Owner Andrea Brenner has now been running it for eight and a half years and says the new space is very welcome. There’s still a pretty garden area at the front.

As well as a wide range of snacks and drinks, they serve lunches from 12-2pm – reservations need to be made by phone.

The wellstocked deli has a range of charcuterie, cheeses, olives, local produce – and one or two special surprises.

Andrea said: “We would love to see you here to enjoy our new facilities.”

View from the top

THE Friends of St Mary's in Wedmore held a tower open day, which raised £500. The drone picture is by Dave Powell.

Organiser, David Hopkins, said: “A big thank you to the bell ringers, to the registration team, to the guides and to the tea and cake brigade.”

New surgery

WEDMORE and Axbridge Community Health Fund will have a stall at the street fair, seeking people’s views about the siting of a new surgery.

After consultations in May, it says the most realistic option is land at Heath House Road, but a final decision cannot be taken until investigations have been completed into access, flooding and the safe route to Sexey’s School.

Flowers and gifts New garden restaurant

BLOOMING Marvellous Flowers in Wedmore provides far more than just flowers as its name would suggest – it has a super range of gifts too!

Jan Froud, who runs the flower shop, previously worked in corporate travel before training as a florist some eight years ago and has owned the shop since 2020.

Having survived the pandemic, she’s now looking to relaunch the flower school, alongside providing flowers for all occasions on a day to day basis.

Reservations for lunch 12-2pm by phone only Delicious meals • Speciality deli Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm www.pumpkinwedmore.co.uk e Borough Mall, e Borough, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EB Tel: 01934 713289 PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Jan Froud

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Harvest home is back

WEDMORE Harvest Home has been running for about 112 years, only missing the war years and the last two years because of Covid. But it’s back and will be held on Saturday, August 20th.

The procession assembles in Church Street, where the vicar, the Rev Richard Neill, conducts a short, traditional harvest service giving thanks to the local farmers.

They welcome floats, classic cars and pedestrian entries which are then led by the historic Port Reeves through the village to the marquee at the village field.

The lunch is served from 12.30pm for anyone over the age of 16, followed by a children’s tea in the afternoon and then evening entertainment with headliners the Leylines, plus support.

The whole event is organised by a small but committed committee, who said: “The harvest home truly is a village event for the village.

“It gives us great pride how the village gets involved to support the day whether it’s a local business sponsoring us, the kids taking part in the procession or the helpers at the lunch – we couldn’t do it without them. Thanks again!”

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Vintage and accessories

LYNNE Tincknell has been a staple in the village, running her shop in Wedmore for more than 30 years working alongside her daughter Alicia at The Little Grey Rabbit.

Lynne has unique pieces of jewellery, antiques and china, while Alicia specialises in furniture, cushions, candles and great gifts.

In winter Alicia’s cashmere jumpers are always in demand. For the summer season, her collection of ladies’ linen-wear is very popular around the village.

Looking ahead, COVID-19 unfortunately continues to remain an ongoing issue in the delivery of healthcare services. We are really grateful to everyone for continuing to wear face coverings in clinical settings. Let’s hope this summer brings some welloverdue holidays, and sunshine, as we continue to find a way out of the pandemic.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Success with succulents

THE pandemic encouraged many folks to sample the pleasures of gardening both outdoors and in. House plants have become the height of fashion again, encouraged by the knowledge that they are good for our health and wellbeing.

Work done by the National Aeronautics With MARY and Space Administration (NASA) proved PAYNE MBE that many plants have the ability to cleanse the atmosphere in our homes by removing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by so many modern materials such as gloss paint, nylon carpets, fabrics and furniture treatments that contribute to what is known as “sick building syndrome”, notably runny eyes, nose, headache and sneezing.

The demand for easy to look after house plants has led to a surge of interest in succulents. A paper in the Environmental International Journal demonstrated that the risk of having a stroke steadily increases for those with higher exposure to air pollution in their homes.

Succulents are any plants that can store water in their leaves, so are ideal for those who may forget to water house plants regularly, or are looking for drought tolerant plants for their garden.

Indeed, these plants seem to thrive on neglect, so are ideal for those who take frequent holidays, as they will happily stay dry for several weeks. All they ask for is good light conditions, tolerating full sun with ease, unlike many house plants.

There are many succulents that are ideal for indoor culture, The Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sanseveria), often with a yellow edge to the spear shaped leaves, has the added benefit of being one of the best for removing VOCs from the atmosphere in our homes.

Other succulents useful as house plants include Crassula arborescens, the Money Tree, (I wish!). This can grow into a multi-branched specimen worthy of any windowsill. The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) has rounded leaves and produces a multitude of “pups” or offsets ideal for passing onto friends.

Aloe vera has always been popular on kitchen windowsills for the soothing effects of its sap for treating burns. It has many relatives, such as the nearly hardy A. striatula with flower spikes resembling red hot pokers, but are rather too tall for windowsills.

Aloe aristata is similar, but much smaller with coral coloured flower spikes. For sunny positions echeverias are ideal, and now come in a multitude of colours. Looking very similar, but often with larger rosettes than the hardy houseleeks.

Visitors to Tresco Gardens on the Scilly Isles or Canary Islands will remember the dark purple “dinner plate” sized rosettes of Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’. This year’s Chelsea Plant of the Year 2022 was a cross between a tender Aeonium and a hardy Sempervivum called X Semponium ‘Destiny’ which claims to be hardy!

For trailing from a shelf, try the Bead Plant (Senecio rowleyanaus). A series of spherical bead-like “leaves” are joined by a thin stem like a rosary or necklace. This sometimes produces PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

daisy-like flowers resembling ragwort which belongs to the same genus.

More interesting is the String of Hearts plant (Ceropegia woodii). Heart-shaped mottled leaves joined by amazingly thin stems can trail down four or five feet. The upright flowers resemble little maroon and cream lanterns. Small round tubers develop at intervals down the stems, and can be used to increase one’s stock, or give to friends.

Perhaps the most floriferous succulent for indoors is the Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe), available in many colours, except blue. These are produced all the year round by controlling their day length. Avoid buying one in tight bud as they may not open.

As climate change progresses, we are encouraged to reduce our demand for water outside in our gardens and plant drought loving plants and hardy succulents fit the bill well. Most familiar to many are the sedums or ice plants.

The domed heads of the late summer, usually pink flowering forms, sadly now renamed Hylotelephium, are a magnet for butterflies and bees and the seed heads can be left and look attractive all winter. Most of this type of sedum benefit from lifting and dividing every couple of years.

Alternatively give them the “Chelsea Chop”. In mid-May cut the new growth back to two inches (5cm) and this reduces the chances of them flopping on neighbouring plants.

Houseleeks (sempervivums) used to be planted on roofs to ward of lightning strikes and witches, and can survive severe droughts, making them an ideal subject for shallow planters. They are now an essential ingredient in the mixed plantings for “green roofs” along with many other low, mat forming sedum species.

Green roofs have so many benefits both to our wellbeing, and providing habitats for pollinators, to say nothing of the visual enhancement of the roof area, and their cooling and insulating properties. Both Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’ and ‘Weihenstephaner’s Gold’ are readily available. In spring the green foliage of Sedum acre ‘Aureum’ goes bright yellow prior to the yellow flowers.

If you wish to propagate any of your succulents, snip or pull off pieces and allow the base to dry out overnight before potting into a very slightly moist, but very well-drained compost. No plastic bag is required and don’t be tempted to water unless dry. Once they have rooted well then pot up in a very well drained compost.

Ideally a John Innes no. 2 with added grit.

Water only when the compost is dry and never allow them to stand in water. Keep them virtually dry in the winter months, especially if room temperatures are low. This will help prevent them becoming leggy when the winter light levels in our houses are so poor. Feed occasionally through the summer with a tomato food to encourage flowering.

A collection of succulents in pots can be stood outside in a sunny position for the summer months, and will add a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden but beware of slugs and snails who relish the sight of some juicy succulent leaves for supper.

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GARDENING

JULY GARDEN TIPS

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

• Cut back long shoots on firethorn (Pyracantha) and briar suckers coming from the roots of roses - remove them flush with the roots to avoid getting more.

• Vigorous shrubs will benefit from having over-long shoots pruned back and this will stop them hiding the attractive berries which should have formed on old growth.

• Vigorous climbers such as clematis, honeysuckle and perennial sweet peas will need tying up again. Support them well and they will repay you well with more blooms.

• Feed rose bushes. Spread a handful or two of fertiliser around the plants and lightly hoe it in. Remove dead flowers and the tip of each shoot to encourage a strong new shoot to grow.

• Ventilate your greenhouse on a regular basis. If it is still too hot inside, keep the doors open too and paint liquid white greenhouse paint on the outside to reflect the sun’s heat.

• Apple and pear trained as cordons or espaliers need summer pruning now. Shorten main stems and laterals when longer than 9” back to the third leaf and lateral side shoots pruned to leave the basal cluster.

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

Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm (Sun 10am-4pm) Serving breakfasts until 11.30am; lunch 12-2.30pm; afternoon teas Tel: 01749 841155

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.ROCKYMOUNTAINNURSERIES.CO.UK

ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS – SET IN 12 WONDERFUL ACRES –

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OPENING HOURS: Weekdays 7.30am-4.30pm • Sat 9am-2pm • Sun 10am-2pm

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Herbs for all reasons

A GUIDE from Prince Charles’s Highgrove garden gave an entertaining talk to Frome Selwood Horticulture Society about the cultivation and usage of unusual Caroline Pakenham herbs.

Caroline Pakenham, who lives in Rudge, uses the talks she gives to raise money for research into multiple sclerosis, along with proceeds from plants and preserves she sells at the same time. Caroline has also written her own book on natural jams and preserves.

The FSHS meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Critchill School in Frome at 7.30pm. New members and visitors are always welcome.

For details call Jane on 0777 6208531 or email jane.norris9@gmail.com

NORTON GREEN GARDEN CENTRE

FANTASTIC SELECTION OF HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANTS AVAILABLE NOW – will brighten up the garden border and attract wildlife to the garden all summer long!

NGS GARDENS OF THE MONTH

Stowey gardens Dormers, Stowey

A BROAD spectrum of interest and styles in each of these gardens, opening as a group, in the tiny, ancient village of Stowey. Each garden has its own very different style and planting that has developed year on year.

These range from the tranquil calm of Stowey Mead, with its mature trees and topiary; to Manor Farm's extensive views from its lavender edged lawns to the Mendip Hills beyond “Stowey Henge”; to the exuberant, Christopher Lloyd inspired, exotic beds at Dormers.

Not to be missed, something of interest for everyone, all within a few minutes’ walk of the car park at Dormers.

Address: Stowey, Bishop Sutton, Bristol BS39 5TL. Contact: Dormers: Mr & Mrs G Nicol; Manor Farm: Richard Baines & Alison Fawcett, 01275 332297; Stowey Mead: Mr Victor Pritchard, victorlpritchard@outlook.com.

Opening date and time: Sunday July 17th, 2-6pm.

Combined admission: £6, children free, through NGS website or on the gate.

Manor Farm, Stowey

SHRUBS, ROSES, ALPINES, HERBS, CLEMATIS AND CLIMBING PLANTS EXTENDED RANGE OF SYLVAGROW PEAT-FREE COMPOST NOW AVAILABLE! GREAT CHOICE OF GLAZED, TERRACOTTA AND FIBRE-CLAY POTS, TROUGHS AND PLANTERS

WELLS ROAD, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4RR Telephone: 01761 232137 Open Mon–Sat 10am to 4pm • Closed Sundays PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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

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Hillier’s tips for your dream garden ESTABLISHED in 1864, and with more than 155 years of horticultural knowledge, Hillier have a wide variety of inspirational and accessible tips for those green fingers of yours, so you can maintain your dream garden, all year round.

Here’s a taste of the seasonal advice and tips you can find on their website and in their centres: July Garden Checklist: l Deadhead faded flowers to encourage a second flush of flowers l Keep weeds at bay with a “little and often” approach l Regularly mow the lawn with a high blade setting l Apply a high-nitrogen lawn feed l Straighten up the edges of the lawn l Maintain a regular, natural pest control l Sow a number of vegetable crops l Direct sow salad leaves, for ready-to eat salad in 10-12 weeks l Feed tomatoes, cucumber and other vegetables l Provide a liquid feed to roses to encourage strong growth l Regularly water your plants if the weather is hot and dry Visit them at Hillier Garden Centre Cheddar, where their fantastic team are on hand to answer any of your questions and will help at any opportunity with their wide range of

GARDENING

knowledge. Visitors can find a fantastic range of quality plants, many grown by Hillier at the nurseries; garden items and beautiful homeware along with expert plant advice and a friendly welcome at the Mulberry & Thyme restaurant.

Find them at Hillier Garden Centre Cheddar, Draycott Road, Cheddar, BS27 3RU. Or visit the Hillier Online Shop, where they can now safely deliver the top-quality plants and garden items their garden centres are known for, direct to homes across the UK. Find all you need, as well as inspiring garden content, for the garden you dream of, at www.hillier.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

Plant sale

Pictured (l to r back row) Adam Bell, Lee Worall, Dami Howard, Doris Gentle and Nikki Shabbo, front row Beccy Angell, Lins Herbert, Lin Paul and Diane Turner

TEMPLE Cloud in Bloom members raised more than £500 with a pop-up plant sale in the car park of the Temple Inn. One of the organisers, Beccy Angell, said: “We hope the purchases that people took away will brighten gardens and the vegetables feed families.”

The group meets once a month at 10am at the end of Paulmont Rise and welcomes new members.

Details: tcibinfo@yahoo.com

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Designer’s work praised

LOCAL garden designer Eliza Gray has recently been accepted as a registered member of the prestigious Society of Garden Designers, following an extensive three-part adjudication process.

Eliza said: “I am thrilled to become a full member of the SGD. Having submitted examples of my drawings and planting plans, it is a real honour to be able to use the letters MSGD after my name and give my customers the assurance that I am working to the highest industry standards.”

During the adjudication process, Eliza’s design work was peer assessed, with senior members of the society looking through drawings and photographs of some of her previous work across Bath and the Mendips.

The projects included a city garden in Bath, a modern front garden in Portishead and a large wildlife garden incorporating an existing pond.

Eliza has been designing gardens across the Mendips since 2006 and her work has covered a wide variety of gardens, from small courtyards to extensive rural gardens.

Details: www.elizagraygardens.co.uk www.sgd.org.uk

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GARDENING

Garden festival in palace grounds

DEMONSTRATIONS, displays and talks were popular features of the Bishop’s Palace Garden Festival.

So much choice – one of the many colourful plant stalls

Maggie Powell, of Shepton Mallet, on her stand in the craft marquee

PERFECT PAVE

A flower arranging demonstration beneath the shade of a tree

Perfect Pave, based on the Valley Line industrial estate, in Cheddar, has built an enviable reputation over the last 16 years for the quality of its work installing block paving and other landscaping products. Now founders Alex Howley and Simon Bethell have set up a new service run by James Starmer supplying these products to both the trade and public, as well as continuing to expand their installation team. e company now has contracts all over the South West and offers a wide choice of projects.

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

Showroom open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12noon Sat MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 71

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MENDIP TIMES

The serene acceptance of failure

I GOT a lovely letter recently from MT readers Tim and Bridget Gracey (see below) asking me “to keep politics out of my column.” It takes a lot to make me laugh, but I’m still chuckling two weeks later. Politics is everywhere. It’s about the compassionate and responsible use of power and limited resources. How to do the

By Dr PHIL HAMMOND most good for the least harm.

A column without politics is like sex without touching. And if you ask a journalist to censor his content (which the MT editor, never does), you may as well kiss goodbye to a free press and move to Russia.

But to reassure Tim and Bridget, nothing I have ever said or done has made the remotest difference politically. In the 1990s, I spent a huge amount of effort campaigning for safe staffing in the NHS and even stood against the then health secretary William Waldegrave in Bristol West.

I got absolutely trounced and my scare stories were dismissed by David Mellor as “fisherman’s tales” but I got to make a speech at the declaration that said “if we want a better health service, we need to look after the people working in it”.

Now 30 years later, the NHS is as short staffed as ever, staff are facing unprecedented levels of stress and aggression and are leaving or retiring early in their droves. My campaign failed completely.

I then started writing for Private Eye, as its medical correspondent MD. One of my “fisherman’s tales” became (what was then) the largest public inquiry in British history, when it turned out that my repeated warnings that far too many babies were dying or were brain damaged after heart surgery in Bristol turned out to be true.

The inquiry made 198 recommendations in 2001 to embed safety, quality and the duty to speak up when you encounter unsafe care at the heart of the NHS. Over 20 years later, we are still having appalling scandals. Once again, my political campaigning came to nothing.

Over the years, I’ve campaigned for all patients to have access to all their data, all drug companies to put all the data from all their drugs in the public domain and a massive focus on lifestyle medicine to prevent people falling into the river of illness rather than spending a fortune pulling them out.

And yet the UK remains shrouded in secrecy and the sick man of Europe, with appalling levels of health inequality and obesity. I’ve Dear Mendip Times, We have been regular readers of your excellent magazine for many years but are sorry to be sending this email with our concerns about the content of the articles by Dr Phil Hammond.

We read your magazine for news of local events and interest. We enjoy Dr Hammond‘s articles when he talks of health and lifestyle issues.

been promoting CLANGERS as the daily joys of health for 12 years, including in this column repeatedly, but how many of you can remember what they stand for, let alone do them?

I campaigned against Brexit, arguing it would be bad for our health, very expensive and likely cause more harm than good, especially in the short term, and lost that argument.

In 2019, I argued that Boris Johnson was wholly unsuited for high office and behaving like someone with tertiary syphilis (delusions of grandeur, fantasies, deliberate misinformation).

I offered to stand as an independent against Jacob Rees-Mogg, was promptly sacked by the BBC after 12 years as a local radio presenter and then couldn’t persuade Labour and the Lib Dems to unite around a single candidate. They told me they would rather lose individually than win collectively, which they did spectacularly, giving Johnson a massive majority, the joys of which we are now all experiencing.

The pandemic was merely a stress test for the planet and all the inequalities and lack of NHS capacity I’d been ranting on unsuccessfully about for 30 years and it has merely widened inequalities and made the NHS even less safe.

And Covid is just an amuse bouche on the starter menu of the sixth mass extinction. I don’t think we’ll we wiped out all at once like the dinosaurs, but rather there’ll be a steady stream of infections, food shortages, war and climate events that perform regular mass culls.

The planet simply can’t sustain eight billion hairy-arsed human primates with their appetites and egos to feed and effluents to dispose of. In a normal year, 60 million of us die. For the two years of the pandemic, 70 million people died. But 120 million were born each year in their place, so over-crowding is only going to get worse. And anxiety and anger have gone through the roof, which is very bad for your health.

I used to be very angry but I’ve now serenely accepted that everything I’ve campaigned for over my working life has failed, but I’ve had a good time trying, made a few people laugh along the way and as a doctor I might even have helped more patients than I’ve harmed.

If you want more of this sort of thing, please come to my Edinburgh Fringe warm-up shows in Bristol and Bath on July 21st (Hen and Chicken) and July 22nd (Widcombe Social Club). I’m hoping Bridget and Tim will be there too.

However we do not read it to be subjected every month to Dr Hammond’s political views on any particular topic that is current at the time.

Can you please pass on this email to Dr Hammond in the hope that he will in future keep politics out of his column.

Regards Tim and Bridget Gracey Nailsea

Details www.drphilhammond.com

PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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Climate conference

THE Green & Healthy Future for Frome project is planning a major conference on climate change at the Cheese and Grain on Friday, July 15th.

The project is a unique partnership between Edventure, Frome Medical Practice and Frome Town Council working together to create health and climate improvements in Frome. The event will tell the story of their unique partnership.

As well as expert guest speakers, there will be special tours and break-out sessions, with the chance to meet like-minded people, share ideas and learn how to get involved in creating a fairer future for all.

HEALTH & FAMILY

Wednesday club

JULIE and Andrew Vickery are now in charge of Wellness Wednesday coffee mornings held in Stanton Drew village hall, 10am-12noon. They were originally started by the West of England Rural Network, which still supports them.

Julie said: “We kept them going because it was too good a thing to lose from our village which has very little community spaces.

But actually it’s become the highlight of my week.”

There is also support from Gadget Busters, a keep fit class run

by Ketyn Jepson, and plants, eggs, cakes and cards on sale.

Andrew said: “It would be nice to have more people from the village involved. You don’t have to book up, you can just turn up.”

Details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/health-climateconference-tickets-230833448057

Honoured to help in any way

BATH and Wells Funeral Services believe that, above all else, a client’s requirements are their top priority.

Based in Chilcompton and covering a wide area, the company says establishing its clients’ needs, wants and budget is of paramount importance. They also believe in a friendly, personal approach which is why owner Rod Major can be found running a stall at Wells Market each Wednesday from January to November.

Rod established Wells Funeral Services – the counterpart to Bath and Wells Funeral Services – in 2016 and the businesses are going from strength-to-strength. He believes only an independent funeral director can offer a far more flexible, personal service.

Rod said: “We have delivered Hindu and Pagan services, services in places from Wells Cathedral to Downside Abbey, and of course non-religious services too. We deliver woodland and meadow burials and I will be happy and honoured to help in any way.”

Rod added: “Remember we don’t do ‘funerals’, but we deliver a ‘celebration of life’! We are on call for these 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”

Your Local Award-Winning Funeral Director Rod Major, owner

What our customers say: “From the start, Rod was extremely amiable, caring and attentive and was eager to attend to all our requirements. We were very particular as to what we wanted for my mother's funeral service and burial which veered away from the usual plans. Despite this, Rod was very adaptable, readily communicated with us throughout the process and nothing was ever a problem. The day itself, although tinged with great sadness, was as lovely and intimate as it could be and Rod and his team were infinitely respectful and took time and care over every stage. Myself and my family are very grateful to Rod and his team for making the day so special and such a fitting memorial to a much loved and quite unique lady.”

LR

Call Rod on 01761 233 555 or email: fd@bwfd.me.uk www.bathwellsfuneralservices.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 73

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Court House celebrations

RESIDENTS at Court House Retirement Home in Cheddar enjoyed the Platinum Jubilee weekend with staff dressed up as the Queen and manager Chris as a Beefeater.

There were arts and crafts where the residents were able to make decorations to mark the special occasion and The Right Royal Quiz proved to be very popular where residents were asked such questions such as – What is the Queen’s favourite cocktail?

The entertainment led by the very talented Maria Florey, dressed in red, white and blue, kept the residents entertained with her regal repertoire. Kristy and Angie were kept very busy as they prepared and served a special Platinum Jubilee Menu with dishes such as Jacket Potato with Coronation Chicken and Jubilee lemon trifle amongst the favourite dishes.

The highlight of the weekend of celebrations was the street party which was held indoors due to the uncertain weather forecast. With a homemade finger buffet and paper cups and plates creating a real street party atmosphere, the residents shared memories of what they were doing on the day of the coronation 70 years ago.

COURT HOUSE

AWARD WINNING CARE HOME

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

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

Rated by the CQC as good in all areas

e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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Mendip Times reduces travel costs

HEALTH & FAMILY

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

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 75

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MENDIP TIMES

Men’s shed expanded again Friends of school hold fundraiser MIDSOMER

Norton Men’s Shed, based at Farrington Farm Shop and part of Midsomer Norton Community Trust, recently took delivery of an additional 20-foot shipping container. Chairman Steve Swift said the extra space is vital since they are so short of storage space.

He said: “It is thanks to the cooperation with Mendip Self Storage and the continued support of farmers Andy and Tish Jeffery that we have been able to expand to meet our growing activities.”

The Shed is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9.30am to anyone over 18 and the first two visits are free.

Details: Steve Swift 07775 735789 email stephenkhswift@gmail.com

A SUM of £1,200 was raised for Stanton Drew primary school thanks to the recent Spring Extravaganza held by the Friends of Stanton Drew School.

Pictured are head teacher Dieter Cook (right), Friends chair Sarah Cran and deputy head Andy Marriott.

Official opening for nature walk GLASTONBURY Festival figurehead Michael Eavis was the guest of honour at the opening of a nature reserve in Camerton dedicated to Somerset miners.

Colliers Copse sits at one end of fields next to Camerton Community Hall and features willow openings designed to reflect entrances to mine workings.

Michael, president of the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust, also unveiled the first of a series of “metal miners” statues which the trust plans to place around the former Somerset Coalfields area.

Around 30 ex-miners and their families attended a lunch in the hall ahead of the opening ceremony. A display of photographs from the mine at Camerton was staged by Radstock Museum. l The annual reunion of former mineworkers takes place at Radstock Museum on Monday, September 5th.

All smiles: (l:r) Clive Turner, chair of the hall committee, Michael Eavis and Bryn Hawkins after the cutting of the ribbon PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Michael Eavis (right) with Bryn Hawkins and Mo Duery from the miners welfare trust

Michael Eavis inside Colliers Copse

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New faces at Winford Community Shop

NOW in its fourth year the shop and Post Office in Winford continues to provide a vital local service in these increasingly challenging times.

One of their part-time paid Post Office staff has recently left and they would like to fill this vacancy ASAP. Full training can be given.

After providing some work experience for young people as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, the shop was keen to provide some paid part-time work for local teenagers.

So Jake Canning, Max Ogbourne and Noah Abbot are now helping out on the weekend as these are days that are sometimes difficult for volunteers with family commitments.

They always welcome new volunteers, saying this is a good way to meet people, become part of the community and do something useful.

Details: Call in or call 01275 472222

Grow food for foodbank

GARDENERS are being asked to grow extra fruit and veg this year for Wells Vineyard Foodbank, after the success of last year’s Foodbank Veg Patch Challenge.

Sue Marland, senior pastor of Wells Vineyard, said: “If you are planting fruit and veg crops this year, please think about growing a little more to share with foodbank clients.

“It makes such a difference to people's parcels and with money tightening we could supply fresh produce in place of tinned.

“Tinned fruit and vegetables are all slowly going up – for example tinned peaches at Morrisons were 31p last month and they have just increased to 50p, tinned carrots have increased from 20p to 29p.”

The number of local people relying on the Foodbank has dramatically increased over the last two years.

Details: info@wellsvineyard.com or send a message via Facebook

COMMUNITY

Community grants

Cheddar youth club at The Space

THE latest round of grants have been awarded by Cheddar Parish Council. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the current climate, more applications were received than ever with six projects being awarded a total of £5,000.

Over two thirds of this year’s grant funding has been awarded to projects aimed at young people.

Cheddar Community Partnership, for their Wild Cheddar project providing an outdoor educational resource for the pupils at Cheddar First School; Girlguiding Cheddar, towards their much-needed guide hut improvements; The Space, towards costs for Cheddar Youth Club over the forthcoming year and Cheddar Platoon, for the purchase of essential equipment for cadet training and activities.

CHAFF was also awarded funds towards the annual Cheddar Arts Trail and the local Citizens Advice Bureau was granted repeat funding for their ongoing costs of supporting the people of Cheddar when they need it.

Lions’ country festival

CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club held their first Country Music & Campout Festival at Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar, courtesy of owner Jules Sayer, raising valuable funds for local good causes.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 77

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Raising a cuppa to the queen

Cars star at cathedral

Pictured (l to r) Joyce Young, Kath Travis and Barbara Powney

Steve and Helen Price, from Wrington, with their 1931 Alvis 12/60

CLIENTS at the Age UK Day Club at Midsomer Norton celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a “right royal knees up”, according to the organiser Julie Docherty.

Jubilee tree plaque

BLAGDON WI members have been busy, raising £170 for the Red Cross Appeal for Ukraine at one event and celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with a cream tea and the unveiling of a plaque by Sarah Mead on the Rowan tree they planted as part of the Green Canopy campaign. Sarah is a deputy lieutenant of Somerset.

Crowns galore at tea party

CHEW Stoke Church School held a tea party just before half term to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Henry, Lily and Bella are pictured.

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

HUNDREDS of people turned out to greet the 2022 Mendip Tour of classic and historic cars when the vehicles arrived on Wells Cathedral Green after an 80-mile tour of the countryside.

The event, organised by the Classic and Historic Motor Club, was raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Looking the part: Celia and David Cox, from Wrington, and their 1979 Renault 4TL

Market’s royal theme

Three cheers for Her Majesty

STALLHOLDERS at Glastonbury’s popular Tuesday country market opted for a royal theme for their Town Hall event closest to the jubilee celebrations.

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COMMUNITY

New service

Clutton Fun Day

Pictured (l to r) Samantha Lucas, Bath Mind counselling lead), Cllr Karen Walker, library operations manager, Louise Turner, Bath Mind counsellor and Jeanette Sims, Bath Mind director of operations

Former Clutton Primary School pupils Tabitha, Isobel, Izzy, Via and Freya with free ice creams from the social club

A NEW counselling service has launched in Peasedown St John thanks to a new partnership between Bath Mind and the Peasedown Community Trust.

The initiative will see a counsellor based in the village’s community library every Tuesday where residents can, by appointment, receive support, advice and guidance.

Jeanette Sims, director of operations at Bath Mind, said: “Providing a local service for people living in this area has been a priority of ours for a long time, which is why we’re delighted to get this new partnership off the ground.”

Statistics show that one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.

Details: counselling@bathmind.org.uk

Rotary’s new member

Clutton Horticultural Society members Gill Hazell , Roger Snary and Sean and Lisa Fraser

President Bob Preedy (left) with Susi Downs and Roger Vincent

WRINGTON Vale Rotary Club has welcomed a new member, Suzi Downs, a hair stylist from Sandford, who is already involved with public service, assisting refugees in Westonsuper-Mare. Suzi was introduced by Roger Vincent.

Pictured (l to r) Caroline Young, Kassie Ault, Lil Bailey and Sue Bailey, who were raising money for the air ambulance MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 79

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Race makes a splash for cash

A large crowd enjoyed the races

RADSTOCK and Midsomer Norton Lions Club have held their ever-popular duck race in the River Somer in Midsomer Norton, raising funds to help good causes.

Carnival fundraising day

Shanie-May was chosen by the town’s mayor as the bonniest baby.

She is being held by her mother Kerry Brown-Hughes

ORGANISERS of Frome Carnival have celebrated the return of their fundraising family fun day in the town’s Victoria Park.

Entries are now open for the carnival prince and princess competition to design the front cover of the carnival programme. Entries will be judged on Saturday, July 16th along with the choosing of the carnival granny/grampy. This year’s carnival takes place on Saturday, September 24th.

Members of Infinity Dance after their performance

For details, visit www.fromecarnival.org.uk

PAGE 80 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Kids enjoy a wild day out

Weston Rotary members with the schoolchildren

AFTER a gap of two years, Weston Rotary invited 32 children from four local primary schools to visit the Lions of Longleat on the Kids Out trip, where they joined 850 other children from all over the South West.

The children, from Ashcombe, Oldmixon, Walliscote and Windwhistle were met by clowns and ventriloquists and watched a Punch and Judy show. A drive around the wild animal enclosures was followed by a boat trip to see sealions, rhinos and crocodiles.

Taking part in Kids Out is part of Weston Rotary’s commitment to serving the local community. Anyone interested joining the club should contact Stewart Evans on 07776 216304.

A busy month

BANWELL WI had a busy month, starting with creating their platinum jubilee celebration bunting that reached 300 metres in length.

They raised £170 at the Jubilee community picnic which will be divided between Banwell Food Bank and the WI. Their recent craft fayre raised more than £300.

The speaker at the June meeting was former radio presenter, Emma Britton, who is now a celebrant.

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Collett Park Day

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY groups and organisations from across Shepton Mallet gathered for the town’s annual Collett Park Day.

Chapel Dance Studio members ahead of a jubilee-themed performance

Eddie Dean, a teenage 50s revival singer/guitarist on the bandstand

Shepton Mallet Gymnastics club showed off their skills

Shepton Mallet Library hosts a regular Lego club

Zena Pollard (left) and Emma Boakes, from the town’s horticultural society

Jarrod Henderson, Lucy Aked and Helen Trott, from Citizens Advice Mendip MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 81

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Meet some Antiques Roadshow experts

VALUATIONS by some familiar faces from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow are on offer in Frome in July to raise money for one of the town’s popular community spaces.

Specialists Susan Rumfitt, Marc Allum and Lisa Lloyd will join Lee Young – who runs the town’s Dore and Rees auction house – for the Ever Wondered What It’s Worth event on Tuesday, July 5th at the Vicarage Street salerooms.

Tickets cost £5 and all proceeds will go towards supporting ongoing conservation projects at the Bennett Centre, next to St John’s Church.

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

Fridge project opening is close Emma Boakes dresses as a carrot to promote the project at the town’s Collett Day

Max does his bit for village Jeff and Max begin work on the sign

LOOKING for something to do whilst on a school inset day, Max Uphill decided the tired-looking fingerpost sign outside his home in Faulkland could benefit from a lick of paint.

With the help of dad Jeff to hold the stepladder, 10-year-old Max set about his task to paint the sign to the nearby hamlet of Hardington. Jeff said: “Max was a bit bored and was looking for something to do.”

Max making use of his inset day to help his home village

INDIVIDUALS and community groups have joined forces with Haskins in Shepton Mallet to establish a community fridge and larder, offering fresh, frozen and other goods to anyone in need.

More volunteers are being sought to help cleaning and stocking the fridge, which will be on a secure site on the edge of the Haskins showroom.

Shepton Men’s Shed is building the structure which could be in place by the end of the summer. The project has been inspired by successful fridges in Frome and Glastonbury.

For details, find Shepton Mallet Community Fridge on Facebook

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

The completed fingerpost

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Towering teas

PENSFORD’S Tower Friends did a roaring trade as they served afternoon tea in St Thomas à Becket churchyard to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

There were also guided tower tours enjoyed by people wanting to photograph the magnificent views from the top of the tower. Pictured (l to r) are Caroline Coombs, Pauline Parnell and Catriona Ree.

Going the extra mile

Active and In Touch volunteers ran a cake stall at Frome’s jubilee picnic on the Showfield

ACTIVE and In Touch Frome – the community befriending organisation – is appealing for more volunteers drivers to join their team.

Many of the people who use their services rely on volunteer drivers to provide lifts within Frome and the surrounding area, including visits to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

For details, call 07539 975261 or visit: www.activeandintouch.org

COMMUNITY

Arts project celebrates diversity, connectivity and care

Gill (left) and Fiona (right) with writer Polly Hall who is also working on the project

THE team behind an inclusive arts project called The Gleaning is inviting people from all walks of life around the Shepton Mallet area to participate in making elements for a cooperative exhibition.

Launched at the town’s Collett Park Day, the project will see large-scale, translucent, textile artworks suspended in front of 11 clear glass windows in Shepton Mallet’s SS Peter and Paul Church in September.

Each panel will relate to a theme, all interconnected visually and conceptually. Themes include Harvest, Creation/the Earth, Home, Peace, Ruth’s Story, Place, Care & Repair, Journeys.

Stories will reflect different styles and cultures, using found and recycled materials, all created with local residents.

Processes will include drawing, collage, print, tie dye, batik, stitchon fabric, paper Gill working with two young people and plastic.

The Gleaning references the biblical rule of leaving a portion of one’s crop for the poorest to glean. The central thread of harvest festival celebrates plenty, gratitude, generosity, sharing, social cohesion and giving voice to the marginalised.

It will also be part of Somerset Art Works’ theme of Sanctuary for Somerset Art Weeks. The project is being cocurated by sculptor Fiona Campbell and the Rev. Gill Sakakini, pioneer priest in the arts for the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Gill also runs weekly free art sessions on Tuesdays called Drawing On in the park, followed by coffee and a chat and some of the work produced will also be used in the project.

For details, visit the project’s page on Instagram: @thegleaning_shepton

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 83

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Time warp in Wanstrow

Wardour Garrison members at Wanstrow

LIVING history group The Wardour Garrison set up camp in a field above Wanstrow for a weekend of activities recreating 17th Century England and the civil war.

The re-enactors are firm believers in engaging visitors in both domenstic and military life, rather than simply looking on, with hands-on activities such as sword schools, herb walks and even 17th Century games for children.

Alongside the garrison, at the Field 725 campsite, there was a local history tent with a number of talks ranging from witchcraft to religious non-conformity and the Monmouth Rebellion.

The Wardour Garrison – some of its members also belong to the Sealed Knot – are more usually found setting up encampments in castles or period houses across the country.

Litton village fete

EVENTS

Dancers from Chewton Mendip School

Village royalty

The corgi rescue zip wire!

Lions’ duck race

Musket fire – loading the barrels takes several steps

Ready at the start

Working on traditional crafts PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club raised £2,000 with their annual duck race held on the Saturday of the Jubilee weekend.

Hanson’s Quarry provided the funds to purchase 1,000 new ducks and Cheddar army cadets helped at the event.

At least £1,500 plus the donations will be presented to Children’s Hospice South West, with the rest going towards the club’s work in the community.

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UBLEY MOTOR SERVICES Sales – Service – Parts – Repairs

Rob (left) and Dave leaving the car park to finish the journey to Westhay

SUNDAY shoppers in Glastonbury were surprised to see a 97year-old steamroller slowly trundling its way to park outside the town’s Morrison store.

Owner Rob Sharps and driver Dave Stone decided to stop for a tea break after leaving the Bath & West Show to head for the 1925 Wallis and Stevens 10-tonne machine’s home in Westhay.

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CLEEVE HILL, UBLEY. TEL: 01761 462275 (24hrs) www.ubleymotors.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 85

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AUCTIONEER Nick Wells is pictured with a 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster, from the Aldburgh Collection, which sold on the hammer for £255,000 at the Dore & Rees classic car sale in Frome.

h

Pride of place

(Ph t

Not so much a supermarket dash

MOTORING

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MENDIP TIMES

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

HOMES & INTERIORS

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CAMELEY

STANTON DREW

CHILDREN at Cameley primary school enjoyed a day of fun as they celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee, with each class performing music and producing artwork relating to a particular decade.

PAULTON

THE Pride in Paulton Partnership, which has been looking after the village for the past ten years, came up with idea of decorated corgis for the Jubilee, and were blown away by the response, with over 80 corgis decorated.

WEST HARPTREE

PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CHURCHILL

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WHITCHURCH

ST NICHOLAS Church in Whitchurch marked the Jubilee with the planting of a cherry tree, around which children from the pre-school scattered wild flower seeds. They also held a “street party” in the church hall and made a card to send to the Queen.

BISHOP SUTTON

BISHOP Sutton and Stowey WI enjoyed their Jubilee Garden Party, which they held at a member’s home, though some had to wrap up to keep warm.

WITHAM FRIARY

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS WANSTROW

Wanstrow villagers gather for the tree planting ceremony

Janet Bramble and the Rev Anthony Dickson with a field maple planted in the churchyard of St Mary’s in Wanstrow to mark the jubilee and in honour of the Yeoman families in the village and in Ontario in Canada

PEASEDOWN ST. JOHN

Lily Barton, aged 17 months, looks a little uncertain about receiving her commemorative jubilee mug alongside Rowan Herrington-Reed (left), aged three, and his brother Hugo, five, during a tea party.

The mugs were made in the village by potter Chris Roddick MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 89

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CHEW STOKE

CHILDREN at Chew Stoke primary school began their celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by planting a copper beech tree.

BURTLE

WINSCOMBE

NORTON MALREWARD

Chew Stoke party PAGE 90 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

A dog show was part of the village’s celebrations

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CROSCOMBE

Some of the 20-30 knitters who created this stunning display on the cross in Croscombe. With them is Tony Hodges, whose wife Alison was one of those taking part and Tim Ford, who came up with the idea

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS WELLS

Members of the British Army Tidworth Marching Band relax in Vicars’ Close after parading through the city

OAKHILL

Some of the villagers who gathered for the afternoon celebrations

Residents of Old Mill Way enjoy the sounds of Wells City Band during their street party

COMPTON DANDO

Annie Maw, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, opened the day of celebration. She is pictured with Wells mayor Stewart Cursley, town crier Len Sweales and Wendy Ray, president of the Rotary Club of Wells, one of the organsations involved in the event MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 91

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FROME

Her Majesty pays a visit to Frome’s Old Showfield for a community picnic . . .

HUTTON

UPHILL

Pictured (l to r) Town mayor's consort, David Ray, Weston mayor Sonia Russe, North Somerset Council chair, Cllr Karin Haverson and Stewart Castle, chair Uphill Village Society

. . . and borrows a mobility scooter to share a cuppa

Frome mayor Sara Butler (right) unveils a jubilee memorial stone PAGE 92 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CHEW MAGNA

Pictured (l to r) Camilla (Lynette Cox, Chew Magna), James Bond, Peter Undy, Stanton Drew, The Queen, Maureen Davidson, Chew Magna and Prince Charles, Alan Gough, Bishop Sutton

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PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

STOKE ST. MICHAEL

Ukranian sisters Iryna Kupenko and Ivanna Fortuna with Iryna’s children Andrii and Vladyslava and their hosts

Partygoers on the recreation field take shelter in a marquee from a downpour

STANTON DREW

(Photograph by Heather Richardson)

CHEDDAR

WEDMORE

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 93

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GLASTONBURY

ROCK RD, MIDSOMER NORTON

Kings and queens – children in the procession

SANDFORD

The Glastonbury Dragons made a welcome return

Yvonne and Debbie Penny with mum Barbara and Sylvia Haskins at the community lunch

Mayor Jon Cousins (centre) with town council clerk Conor Ogilvie-Davidson and deputy mayor Indra Donfrancesco PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

CONGRESBURY

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BINEGAR AND GURNEY SLADE

Local swing band The Harlem Rhythm Cats perform on the village playing field

Members of BAGS – the Binegar and Gurney Slade community group – who organised the day

(Photograph by Ann Crowcombe)

CRANMORE

Several hundred people attended the lighting of a jubilee beacon on the edge of Cranmore Wood. The village also held a street party

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS SHEPTON MALLET

Members of SS Peter and Paul Church ran a fundraising cake stall during the street party in the Market Place

An estimated 1,000 people gathered at the Mid-Somerset Showground for the lighting of the town’s official beacon

Village Voices sang as the beacon was lit

Piper Graham Powell, who grew up in Chewton Mendip

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 95

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LEIGH-ON-MENDIP

THE village’s celebrations included a tree-planting ceremony, the unveiling of a jubilee bench, an afternoon tea, key fob gifts for children and a two-day music festival at the Bell Inn. Amongst the performers were Parfanon Rock, from Midsomer Norton and solo singer A Little Soul

MIDSOMER NORTON

Hardy music fans were well prepared for bad weather

Al O’Kane and his band

WRINGTON

Crowds flocked to the Town Park for the afternoon and evening of music

PENSFORD

Dancing to the tribute band All You Need is the Beatles PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

GLASTONBURY TOR

Treemendous Treats on a walkabout during the celebration organised by arts group Creativity Works

(Photography by Kevin Redpath)

A procession from the town makes its way to the beacon where a huge crowd gathered for the celebrations

RADSTOCK

LONG ASHTON

Polka Dot Peaches

DRAYCOTT AND RODNEY STOKE

A right Royal affair

Anarchic theatre by Mr Burn, from Ramshackalicious

Youngsters who helped to plant a commemorative tree in St Nicholas Church field MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 97

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MAESBURY CASTLE

BURRINGTON

Landowners George and Caroline Stevens welcomed people to the Iron Age hill fort, high on Mendip, for a jubilee beacon bonfire. More than 400 people attended the event, a joint effort by the villages of Ashwick and Oakhill, Binegar and Gurney Slade

BANWELL

(Photography courtesy of John Law)

CHEDDAR u3a

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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THE CHARLTONS

The Charltons Community Centre Trust organised a platinum jubilee weekender with five events over four days and a fantastic turn out

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS MIDSOMER NORTON RAILWAY

Large crowds enjoyed a day of free train rides at the Midsomer Norton South heritage railway, thanks to financial support from Midsomer Norton Town Council and the Midsomer Norton Community Trust

TUNBRIDGE ROAD, CHEW MAGNA

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 99

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MENDIP TIMES

Property of the Month NEMPNETT THRUBWELL GUIDE PRICE: £1,500,000

l A fine Grade II Listed, detached Farmhouse l Superb living accommodation including three large reception rooms and kitchen/breakfast room l Six double bedrooms/four bathrooms l Extensive original period features throughout the home l 3,833 sq ft of internal accommodation l Beautiful gardens and wildlife lake l Tractor shed with planning for garage/studio l In all approx. 1.8 acres Thrubwell Farm is a historic, traditional stone-built Somerset farmhouse which has been the subject of a programme of sensitive renovation in recent years. Period features have been carefully retained including flagstone floors, exposed beams, wide original doors and sliding sash windows.

Its well-planned accommodation includes a flagged hallway, three reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room with an electric AGA, scullery, boot room, six double bedrooms (three of which have en suite facilities) and a family bathroom.

PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

The property is approached via twin gates, a gravel drive, passing the tractor shed, leads to the rear of the property where there is ample parking. The property is south facing with the principal rooms overlooking the formal gardens beyond. To the east of the house is a wonderful wildlife lake with a deck perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view, a second sheltered seating area is located at the rear, ideal for al fresco dining. In all, the grounds extend to approximately 1.8 acres.

Planning permission has been granted (10/01305/FUL) for a single-storey extension to the kitchen and the conversion of a tractor shed into a garage with a studio above.

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PROPERTY

Always building on our success

WE are not one of those agents who just talk the talk – we walk the walk, as proven by the latest statistics from a major property search website, which shows this year we have sold every single house we have been asked to sell, and usually for considerably higher than the price guide, following multiple viewings and receiving a number of offers.

According to the figures, our nearest competitor has sold just under half of their houses, which tells it own story of our success, which is based on “Delivery”, one of three key words my team focus on.

Another word which is at the core of our business is “Imagination” and we have been using that to cope with a particular issue in what is a red-hot market with relatively few properties available.

Quite often we were hearing from people who were interested in selling their Chew Valley home but were fearful they might not be able to find their ideal new property

and so they hesitated about putting their house on the market.

We always pride ourselves on thinking outside the box and providing every client with a different level of service and so we have come up with a solution in which we do all the pre-sale preparatory work, such as taking photographs, creating descriptions and producing floor plans, but without the property being offered for sale.

That means the owners are confident to continue their search for their next home, safe in the knowledge that their property is oven ready and can be on the market literally in a few minutes, so no time is wasted and the process for their own sale is vastly speeded up.

Recently, one of our clients who had been in that position agreed to purchase a property and all their house details were on the internet within 25 minutes.

The third word to describe the ethos of our business is “Dedication” which means

Joanna Tiley

providing a personal and reliable service in which we go the extra mile to make the whole buying and selling experience as smooth as possible and achieving the best outcome for everyone concerned.

The statistics show we are the most successful estate agency in the area, which is a nice reward for all our hard work, but those figures are also an inspiration for us to always be looking for the next level and to remain ahead of the field for the benefit of every one of our clients.

IMAGINATION | DEDICATION | DELIVERY

If you are thinking about Buying or Selling, now or in the future, please speak to one of our friendly team

01275 333311 • info@joannatiley.com www.joannatiley.com 4B Fairseat, Stoke Hill, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XF MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 101

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MENDIP TIMES

Theatre festival is revving up

A MODERN-day version of Shakespeare’ comedy Twelfth Night – complete with soft-top car and a motorkbike – will be the centrepiece of this year’s Wells Theatre Festival in July.

The comedy of mistaken identity will be performed by the festival’s Community Theatre Company in front of Wells Cathedral. Wells resident Lee Housley, who plays Duke Orsino, had to learn to ride a motorbike especially for the part.

Returning after a two-year hiatus, the festival will run from Thursday, July 7th to Sunday, July 10th and will see 19 productions by theatre companies from across the country performing in venues throughout Wells.

One of many highlights is a new musical version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s story, The Secret Garden, at Cedar’s Hall, with music by Wells composer Theresa Barlow.

Three local child actors will take the lead parts this year: Cecily Robinson as Mary, Oliver Jenkins as Colin and Noah JennettButcher as Dickon. There will also be a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretive performance on the evening of Friday, July 8th.

Wells Theatre Festival also welcomes the return of Imogen Stubbs and Jonathan Guy Lewis, this time with a staged rehearsed

The 2022 Wells Theatre Festival held its official launch event at Sante Wines, attended by city mayor, Councillor Stewart Cursley and mayoress June Cursley

reading of Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious comedy Absent Friends in The Drama Barn in Market Street. Joining Imogen and Jonathan in the cast is former “Bond Girl” Serena Gordon.

For details and to book tickets, visit: www.wellstheatrefestival.org Tickets can also be booked in person at Collectively Made, 1 Union Street

Exciting line-up for extravaganza

TICKETS are selling fast for the annual Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza which this year is headlined by award-winning singer/songwriter Paloma Faith.

Paloma, who will take to the stage in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey on Saturday, August 6th, has released four critically acclaimed platinum-selling albums since 2009.

This year the line-up also includes American blues musician Seasick Steve and the famous Black Dyke Brass Band who last played the Extravaganza in 2017.

Organised by Glastonbury Festival, there is also limited camping available at the foot of Glastonbury Tor which can be booked at the same time as purchasing tickets – subject to availability – enabling extravaganza-goers to make it a special summer weekend.

Michael Eavis said: “I am so delighted that Paloma, Seasick Steve and the Black Dyke Brass Band will be joining us for this year’s extravaganza – they bring such a wonderful blend of different music styles. It is set to be a truly remarkable August summer evening complete with our traditional firework display to round off the night.”

The extravaganza has been staged at the abbey for more than two decades and over the years has featured names ranging from Status Quo and Van Morrison to Glastonbury Male Voice Choir!

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Wells music weekend

THE third edition of WOWFest: Wells Orchestral Weekend, will welcome 150 young musicians to the streets of Wells for a series of free concerts from July 15th-18th.

Organised by the International Music Exchange (Wells), venues will include Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral, and the Bishop’s Palace gardens, with a closing concert in Wells Town Hall.

Details: www.wellsyouthmusicfest.co.uk

Charity concerts

“FROM The Top!” music groups returned to the stage in May for their first performances since March 2020. The Mixed Voice Choir and Men of Chew presented a dazzling performance on May 7th to over 165 people in Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

Following this, on May 21st, the orchestra performed to a packed hall at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Whitchurch. The orchestra now numbers 41, from a small start of nine musicians.

Both concerts were in aid of Ukraine and Focus Bath Counselling, which will be receiving £1,003 each.

Details: performfromthetop@gmail.com

MUSIC & THEATRE

Children’s creativity takes over town

SHEPTON Mallet is getting ready to host a range of fantastic acts and performers on Saturday, July 16th with the All the World’s Our Playground festival.

The festival is all about letting children’s creativity and imagination take over the town. The festival acts have been chosen and designed by Shepton Mallet’s Arts Shepton Mallet’s own Tall Tails Theatre Ambassadors – a Company will be amongst those programme run by performing at the festival Make the Sunshine CiC in partnership with six Shepton Mallet schools – St Paul’s CofE VC Junior School, Bowlish Infant School, The Federation of Croscombe and Stoke St Michael, St Aldhelm’s CofE VA Primary School and Shepton Mallet Infant School.

As well as professional companies taking to various stages around Shepton Mallet, more than 800 children have worked together to create a community performance. The show, which will be performed on Friday, July 15th at St Paul’s school, will feature nearly 200 students performing a story they have created called 374 Ways to Change the World.

To create the performance, students have worked with a range of storytellers, performers, dancers and actors. Louise Lappin-Cook who runs Make the Sunshine CiC and is working with the schools to organise the project, said: “We’ve been so lucky with the huge range of talented artists who have been part of this programme.”

Audiences will also have the opportunity to see the Postcards of Change Exhibition – an exhibition featuring the work of more than 600 children across Mendip sharing one idea they have to make the world a better place. Children from nine will have their work on display in the hall of St Paul’s Junior School available to view all day on July 16th as well as for a special celebration on Monday, July 18th.

Thanks to support from Shepton Mallet Town Council, Mendip Council Communities Fund, Wells Festival of Literature and Take Art Barn Fund and the support of partnering organisations all events will be provided free of charge.

For details and tickets visit: www.makethesunshine.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

Summer excitement and heroes in our midst

THERE is a fine line between bravery and madness in all horse riders. It’s a high risk sport in which most will freely admit that success and possible disaster are only ever minutes or even seconds apart in the world of competing or indeed any riding. Horses and ponies are such good levellers though. You’re With JANE up on cloud nine one minute, then tumbling PATERSON into the ditch the next, sometimes literally.

One person who knows more than some about this sort of rollercoaster was seen recently at Mendip Plains competing with her daughter in the pairs class in hunter trials.

I had to look twice when I saw Dido Harding jumping round the cross country course, because in the past I had seen her gallop round Cheltenham racecourse, coming second in the prestigious Foxhunters Chase – also known as the Amateur Riders Gold Cup. A remarkable achievement for someone who bought the horse with an extension to a bank loan because she wanted something to ride in point to point races! Moreover she didn’t view the horse first, he was bought on her behalf with an instruction that she could not afford more than £7,000.

Dido’s luck at Mendip Plains wasn’t with her at the hunter trials but I was keen to ask her about her past exploits with the horse of a lifetime, her very own “National Velvet” called Cool Dawn, who cost her exactly that £7000.

The story of Cool Dawn’s amazing career is told in Dido’s book, first published in 1999. It is a white-knuckle read, let alone ride, one of those books that you can’t put down if you have what my other half calls “horse disease”.

Dido writes in a self-deprecating manner, humbly describing

MARK Horse Show, held in May at Manor Farm, Southwick by kind permission from Mr J and Mrs M Fear, had tremendous support with bumper entries and very generous sponsorship from local businesses too numerous to mention.

It was a real community country show which delighted young and old. Classes included showing, show jumping, working hunter, as well as all the gymkhana games which have been sadly missed during those two long years of Covid which stopped all our fun.

Great thanks go to the tireless Mel Allen from Brent Knoll Riding Club who puts the whole show on the road and organises almost everything herself. Nine-year-old Matilda Holyoak from Ashton had a wonderful day on her young pony who has given her some tough challenges.

Overcoming some initial wobbles with Bracken, Matilda has worked very hard to establish what has become a lovely partnership between pony and rider. The bond is now firmly sealed, and they will hopefully go forward and have a lot more

PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

how her pointer became so accomplished that she had to eventually give up the race rides on advice from her trainer, in order for Dawn to fulfil his potential.

It must have been excruciatingly hard at the time, particularly watching success after success from the sidelines instead of being aboard. Cool Dawn went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the highest accolade in National Hunt steeplechasing. He made his owner not only very proud, but also netted her a small fortune in the process.

There were also of course the down times, particularly when Dawn was run over by a tractor, miraculously surviving to race again. He finally retired to a happy life of hunting with Dido, which he loved.

Now Baroness Harding of Winscombe, Dido might be better known to some people in connection with her various working roles over the years. From her CEO jobs to NHS Track and Trace, and more recently to NHS Improvement.

Together with being a peer in the House of Lords, it all sounds tremendously high profile and it IS high profile, but when I met her at the livery yard where she keeps her current mounts, what came through to me was that Dido’s main passion is almost certainly her horses.

Aside from still being involved with the Lords, the Bank of England, and the Jockey Club, I think her heart lies mostly at Dido with Walk in the Mill

fun together.

Well done Matilda on fantastic results on the day. First prize in Best Partnership and Performance, 2nd in the 60cm jumping, 3rd in the 50cm and 4th in the Best Rider 8 to 14 years … a very impressive haul!

Matilda and Bracken

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home in the West Country. Currently when time allows, she is trying to rehabilitate her ex-racehorse Walk in the Mill, with help from livery owner Sue Francis with whom she has hunted.

Sue used to be field master for her local hunt and now has a superb yard with great facilities near Wedmore. Dido also has another ex-racer called Dennis who is trying to learn that in ordinary life you don’t always need to gallop flat out!

Walk in the Mill, or Miller as he is known round the yard, can also boast a phenomenal career, with his winnings in prize money helping to keep Dido and her horses in a manner to which we would all like to become accustomed!

He won the Bechers Handicap Chase at Aintree not just once but twice and came fourth in the Grand National in 2019 when Tiger Roll was the winner. Even with training costs, livery and all the expenses horses incur, Dido said he is still in credit. What a horse! One amazing horse in a lifetime would be a dream come true, but two…. almost unbelievable.

I asked Dido would she rather be an owner or a jockey? Her eyes lit up immediately and without any hesitation she replied: “A jockey every time. You are living inside the moment with the adrenaline running, whereas as an owner you can hardly bear to look and you feel utterly helpless.”

As an amateur rider and as a very well rewarded owner, Dido modestly said she has had a lot of good luck. A favourite quote of mine is from Seneca, one of the Stoics, who said: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

When people who compete reach high pinnacles, there is surely bound to have been not only luck, but a hard driven unswerving ambition, and mountains of hard work.

Meanwhile, local rider Pippa Skelton qualified for the British Eventing Championships held at Bramham International, West Yorkshire in June, riding Julie and Jane Glynn’s Brian Boru 111, known at home as Bo. Pippa has been competing Bo for several years in one day events both affiliated and unaffiliated, and he has been very consistent and seldom out of the ribbons. Having been top and near the top of the leader boards in the regional qualifiers, Pippa, Julie and Jane took Bo to Yorkshire for the finals and achieved an astounding result by winning the championship!

They had a dressage score in the 20s and incurred no further penalties throughout the competition, leading a field of over 50 qualifiers. Little Bo stands at just 14.3hh and is an absolute character and a much loved member of the Glynn family.

He loves his job and revels in the attention, so it was definitely his moment. Pippa was clearly delighted as well!

Exam time at Divoky Riding School

RIDING

IT has been a busy time exam-wise at Divoky Riding School at Downhead for riders and staff alike.

Ten riders passed the BHS Riding out Safely Exam and 9 achieved the silver level. The school then held a full first aid at work qualification session with trainers Rob and Kim Coe of Promedical. All passed the qualification, including Lucy Durston, Olivia Lord and Tommy-Lee Smith, who are apprentices there.

Divoky’s thoughts are now turning to summer with a series of regular sessions planned for the school holidays, ranging from lead rein rides for under-fives to half and full day courses to children up to 16.

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip

Summer Holiday Courses

H Half days and full days | 7 days a week all summer H 10am-12.30pm & 1-3.30pm H All ages from 5-16yrs | All abilities H Half day £45 | full day £90 H Booking essential

Summer for the Mini’s

H Half hour lead rein lessons for under-5s at 4pm most weekdays H Children must be able to be fitted with a safety helmet to ride H Booking essential

Call or email us for more details

Divoky Riding School, Manor Farm, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4LG www.divoky.co.uk • Email: info@divoky.co.uk T: 01749 880233 • M: 07971 207037

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MENDIP TIMES

Tyred out – what to do about punctures?

CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE

WHEN a puncture happens it always seems to be at the worst possible moment. It is one of those niggling things you need to accept might happen when you are out on a ride.

The thing about punctures is being prepared for them and minimising the chance of it happening if you can. Rural country life brings its own set of challenges as far as punctures are concerned in comparison to

urban life.

Roadside hedge trimming is a common cause. I was once riding along the lanes near Chewton Mendip and heard a tractor that I assumed was in a field. As I went around a left-hand bend it brought me straight into a trail of freshly cut thorns from the tractor cutting the hedges, and an inevitable puncture.

Now, I am more aware of the law and timings of roadside hedge cutting. If I come across a freshly laid trail of thorns, I now choose either to weave carefully between them or simply stop and carry the bike over them.

Rainfall on the slopes of the lanes leading onto the Mendip Hills can also cause similar problems by washing small sharp stones or flint into the road surface. These hazards are a bit more difficult to see, particularly on a descent.

Tyre pressure plays a vital role in helping to avoid a puncture.

An under-inflated tyre will be far more prone to thorn punctures, but an over-inflated tyre is more likely to be damaged by sharp flints as it won’t deform around them.

Fixing a puncture isn’t that hard unless you’ve never done it before. The hardest bit is removing the tyre and inner tube from the wheel. Rather than waiting for the real thing to happen its worth practicing at home, even if it is just once.

At cycle shows and events, there are often “fastest tyre change” competitions taking place. I suppose, the more you do the faster you’ll get, but realistically, you would rather never have to do any!

The things to take on a ride are a small pump, tyre levers, a repair kit (patches)

and maybe a spare inner tube. If not take £5 – and here’s why.

The unwritten rule of cycling is to always stop and help a fellow rider. Once I stopped to help a cyclist who had a flat tyre. It was someone who was getting into cycling again and had gone for a long ride but was now 12 miles from home as dusk approached.

He had a pump but nothing else. After helping him remove the tyre and tube it was apparent there was no puncture, and that it was the valve that was faulty.

My spare tube was the wrong size and just before I was about to go home and bring one back another cyclist stopped. He had a spare of the correct size and we fitted and inflated it.

Although the owner of the repaired bike was extremely grateful, he also had no money. The cyclist who had just given up his spare tube, then said “always carry £5 with you on a ride – you never know when you may need it”.

As we all went our separate ways those wise words stuck with me, but hopefully more with the rescued cyclist.

There are other solutions to completely avoiding punctures.

Liquid sealants inside the tyre, inner tube or tubular will seal punctures up to a certain size. The downside is that they can be a bit messy to fit and can make changing tyres to suit trail conditions inconvenient.

Scottish inventor John Boyd Dunlop made the first practical pneumatic tyre in 1887 to prevent his son getting headaches while riding his bike on rough roads.

Since that day, air filled tyres have allowed cyclists to race over the rough pavé of Northern France, tackle rocky and muddy trails and to enjoy a smooth ride on Tarmac. That is a lot for us all to be grateful for.

But even so, the one sound you never want to hear on a bike ride is the hiss where an air cushioned dream can quickly turn into a ride halting nightmare.

JULY CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Ambient 5. Cheddar 9. Tugs-of-war 10. Aspic 11. Mendips 12. On the go 13. The Saxons 15. Decay 17. Costs 19. Koala bear 22. Iceberg 25. Kaftans 26. Theta 27. Profiteer 28. Nosegay 29. Duennas. DOWN: 1. Attempt 2. Beginners 3. Exotica 4. Townsfolk 5. Curio 6. Exalted 7. Duple 8. Rectory 14. Sparkford 16. Caesarean 17. Clifton 18. Shebang 20. Affaire 21. Resorts 23. Evens 24. Gypsy.

PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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Runners map out Shepton

URBAN orienteering came to Shepton Mallet for the first time with around 160 runners and walkers of all ages tackling a variety of courses Collecting their maps at the start around the town.

Armed with a map and usually a compass, the competitors had to pass a number of electronic controls on routes ranging from just over eight kilometres to a 1.8km course for youngsters held within Collett Park.

The event was organised by the Bristol Orienteering Klub.

Club member Adam Potter won the elite 8.35km race in a time of 43:58; fellow BOK member Iris Landrigan, aged ten, won the junior race in a time of 16:43.

The Shepton Mallet event was part of the Southern England Urban Orienteering League. An evening event was due to be held on Wednesday, June 29th as Mendip Times was being published.

Urban orienteering is largely a summer sport to supplement the usual woodland or rural courses when the undergrowth and nettles are too heavy.

SPORT

Road races return to Wells

RUNNERS will once again pound the historic streets of Wells this September with the return of 10km, 5km and junior races following a two-year covid-enforced absence.

Previously known as the Wells Fun Run, the Wells Festival of Running will this year take place on Sunday, September 11th – a change from previous years when it was held at the end of May – and promises to be a great family day out with races for junior runners too.

Organised by volunteers from Wells City Harriers, the event aims to attract both club runners and first-time runners alike. Race Director and Wells resident Nick Stevens said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing this great event back to Wells. It’s been a fixture in the local calendar for many years and has brought lots of visitors into the city but obviously it’s future has been in doubt since the pandemic.

“Our aim is to make this a day for all the family – an inclusive event that welcomes runners of all abilities. We really hope the local community get behind the event and give it the support it deserves – even if you’re not a runner you can come along and cheer them on.”

Details: www.wellscityharriers.co.uk/wells

Running through Leg Square

Max reaches the final control in Collett Park

For details about BOK, visit: www.bristolorienteering.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 107

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MENDIP TIMES

The winners

A memorable time at Cheddar tennis tournament

FIFTY-six children took part in the Cluster School Tennis Tournament held at Cheddar Tennis Club.

Tournament organiser and head coach, Stephen Pearce, said: “It was wonderful to see players representing their schools and showcasing their tennis talents.”

The event had been cancelled for the last three years due to Covid, which made it even more memorable.

Cheddar A team won the tournament beating Shipham A in the final by 32 points. The Cheddar team was delighted with its performance and players were presented with individual medals and a team trophy.

Parents and teaching staff from Axbridge, Draycott & Rodney Stoke, Weare, Shipham and Cheddar first schools were thanked for their support as were 20 Kings of Wessex pupils who assisted players with scoring during the event.

Cheddar Tennis Club recently held its open day which attracted a good number of children and adults. The friendly club welcomes new players with a choice of casual pay and

play use of the courts (£6 per hour) or several categories of full membership.

There is a comprehensive coaching programme of junior term-time activity and junior summer holiday coaching courses.

Details: www.cheddartennisclub.co.uk Stephen Pearce 07904 061301

Pensford attracts new members

PENSFORD Tennis Club gained several new members at its open day and is still welcoming new members for this season.

Sue Grimes, chairperson, said: “The weather was glorious and we were delighted to meet many non-members who joined us on the courts.”

Details: www.pensfordtennisclub.co.uk

Ukrainians welcomed

BLAGDON Tennis Club has welcomed two students from Ukraine into the tennis programme on Thursday evenings.

The club has granted free membership for the Ukrainian family and the students are receiving a term of free coaching as a gesture of goodwill and to help the children settle into the community.

Stephen Pearce who has been head coach at Blagdon since 2021 has set up an after-school club and coaching for juniors and adults on Thursday evenings during term time.

Details: Stephen Pearce 0790 4061301 stephenfpearce@gmail.com www.BlagdonTennis.co.uk PAGE 108 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

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SPORT

Chew Valley’s tenth 10k The start

The team from the charity A Sibling's Wish

Westfield

Men’s winner: Dave Eagon in 33.34

The tooth fairies

Race director Denise Mellersh with some of the stewards

Women’s winner: Victoria Ratcliffe in 39.32 MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 109

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MENDIP TIMES

Fundraising for Ukraine

MENDIP Storytelling Circle raised more than £760 for the Red Cross Ukraine appeal at an evening with Taffy Thomas and Mossy Christian at Ston Easton Village Hall.

Martin Horler from Kilmersdon started off the evening with one of his own tales “Col. Hippisley’s Drummer Boy”, set in the landscape of Ston Easton. Janet North from Chewton Mendip told a Ukrainian folk tale called “The Tsar and the Angel”.

Organisers said they would like to thank Lynda’s Loaf and the Mendip Pantry for their donations and Ston Easton Village Hall for the use of the hall. The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month in the hall, 7.30-9.30pm.

Details: Colin Emmet mendipstorycircle@gmail.com

ME OF FEATHERS U L P

DUCK RACE SATURDAY 9th JULY

Starting at 5pm. Great family fun evening with a local band playing, best dressed duck competition, duck racing, BBQ, pig roast, face painting, ice cream stall, 3 bars open. Come and get your ducks from the Plume, decorate at home or at the Plume from 5pm and enter them before 6pm.

Rickford, Somerset BS40 7AH

01761 462682

Visit www.theplumeoffeathers.com PAGE 110 • MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022

Summer at the Showground

AFTER a hugely successful Royal Bath & West Show, the Bath & West Showground is looking forward to a busy summer with NASS Festival, TruckFest South West and the South West Motorhome Show all returning for 2022.

This summer, the Bath & West is also welcoming a new event to the showground: Weekend at Jays will be bringing a blend of modified, modern, classic, hot rod, circuit racer, offroad, drift cars and everything in between on Saturday, August 20th and Sunday, August 21st. With more than 1,500 cars on show, a Freestyle Motorcross Arena, a Kids Zone and more, this promises to be the biggest car/music festival in the South West!

For details, visit www.bathandwestshowground.com

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Step back in time at steam and country show

WHAT’S ON

Vehicles down the ages will be at the show at Low Ham in July

THE Somerset Traction Engine Club is delighted to be back in July with the Somerset Steam and Country Show, in Low Ham near Langport.

The show, on Saturday, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th, is all about stepping back through the ages, from living history reenactments to a steam traction engine from Queen Victoria’s day to the first of the giant 1980s tractors.

Organisers are encouraging exhibitors and the public to dress in period costume to add to the atmosphere.

Visitors can hitch a trailer ride behind a vintage tractor or steam engine, look around the stalls and craft tent, take the children to the free children’s area, get a selfie with that car or tractor you remember from your childhood or watch a show from the living history group. With plenty of local suppliers on site for food and drink the day can be enjoyed at your own pace, taking in the beautiful sights, sounds and smells.

Organisers say: “Whilst the show aims to preserve and exhibit country and rural heritage, we hope it will also inspire the next generation of engineering and heritage enthusiasts. Maybe next time you are at our show you will be exhibiting something of your own.”

The show is run entirely by volunteers with the help of local carnival club and is non-profit making.

For details, visit: www.somersettractionengineclub.com

Inspired by Anne Frank

ASPIRING young writers gathered in Wells Cathedral for The Somerset Anne Frank Creative Writing Awards ceremony.

The youngsters – aged nine-18 – took their inspiration from a quote from her diary: “I keep to my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

Somerset author Andrew Powell-Thomas selected the winning entries and each writer had the opportunity to read out their work. Annie Maw, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, patron of the SAFYA, was amongst the guests, as was Leonard Daniels MBE, the awards chairman.

MENDIP TIMES • JULY 2022 • PAGE 111

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MENDIP TIMES

Dragon’s Lair refurbished

THE newly-refurbished Dragon’s Lair play area at The Bishop’s Palace is open and ready to welcome little visitors this summer.

Fitted with a climbing frame, pole jungle, a waterwheel and sluice gates, it’s the perfect place for little ones to let their imaginations run wild! There’ll also be family trails at the palace, storytelling (each Tuesday from August 2nd) and regular family crafting sessions (Thursdays beginning on July 28th).

No booking is required for any family sessions, just a valid admissions ticket, including the popular People’s Ticket (valid for 12 months from date of purchase).

There’s also a chance for grown-ups to spend a bit of time getting creative with a “Learn How To Grow Your Own Cut Flowers” interactive workshop on July

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The new-look Dragons Lair play area

15th (10am-12.30pm). A beginner’s workshop, it is a chance to learn how to

plan a cut flower patch which will produce plenty of seasonal blooms.

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Covid-19 cases have risen sharply again in the past month and some events had to be cancelled. So please check that events will take place and continue to stay safe, especially indoors.

Thursday June 30th Somerset Morris & Mendip Morris dancing outside the Red Lion, Bishop Sutton from 8pm.

Friday July 1st Trio Paradis, classical, folk and pop, 2.30pm St Giles Church Leigh-on-Mendip. Free entry, refreshments.

Friday July 1st to Thursday 14th Somerton Music & Arts Festival. Details: www.somertonartsfestival.co.uk Saturday July 2nd Weston Walking Group, 7-9 miles every Wed and Sat within one hour drive of Weston.

Details: www.westonwalkinggroup.co.uk Nailsea Concert Orchestra “Summer Celebration” for The Alzheimer’s Society, 7.30pm St Francis Church. Details: www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org Congresbury Singers “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, 7.30pm War Memorial Hall.

Tickets £10 from PO & Re-Store, Congresbury.

Camerton Jazz night, 7.30pm St Peter’s church. Details: Jill 01761 470249, Cyril 01761 470336.

Stoke St Michael primary school PTA summer fair, 2-5pm, Moonshill Rd, BA3 5LG. Frome Small Publishers’ Fair, Silk Mill, 10am-3pm. Details: www.fromewriterscollective.co.uk “Peter Pan” open air theatre Wellow Sports Field, BA2 8QA. Bring picnic from 5pm, show starts 6pm. Adults £14, children £7 from Illyria.co.uk Geology of the Mendip Hills, 10am walk by the Mendip group of SWT, details: www.somersetwildlife.org/events Chewton Mendip Village Fete 3-6pm, next to the church. Traditional village fete with teas, bar, bbq, games, stalls, bouncy castle. Cash only please.

Wedmore Street Fair, 11am-4pm, see page 62.

Sunday July 3rd Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, 10am3pm Chew Stoke Rugby Club, BS40 8UE. Free entry. Food & drinks. Details on Facebook or 07831 336444.

Sunday July 3rd and Monday 4th National Garden Scheme (NGS) charity garden open, Honeyhurst Farm, Rodney Stoke, BS27 3UJ, 2-5pm, adults £4, children free, cream teas, cakes & plants.

Monday July 4th RAFA Mid-Somerset Branch Summer Social 11am Street Inn, Somerton Rd, BA16 0DR. BBQ in the beer garden. Details: rafa.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458 224057.

Wednesday July 6th Backwell & Nailsea Support Group for Carers, 2–3.30pm Backwell WI Hall. Quiz, games, puzzles, card games.

Friday July 8th to Sunday July 10th Priddy folk festival, details: www.priddyfolk.org Saturday July 9th Brent Knoll bazaar & farmers’ market 10am-12, parish hall. Details: 01278 760308.

Mendip School car boot sale in the school grounds at Bath & West Showground, 10am.

Plume of Feathers Rickford, duck race, barbecue, live music, 5pm, in aid of village groups.

Midsomer Norton Fayre, free family-friendly event, town art and produce show. Details: 01761 419133 www.midsomernortoncomunitytrust.co.uk Alhampton Summer Fete from 12.30pm, supporting Friends of Ditcheat School, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support. Details: Facebook @Friendsofditcheat Saturday July 9th and Sunday July 10th Shipham Open Gardens: 14 gardens open 26pm. Map, refreshments and parking at the village hall. Adults £5, children free.

Monday July 11th Mendip Folk Dance Club, 8pm-10, St James Church Centre Winscombe BS25 1AQ. No experience necessary. Details Pat 01934 742853.

Tuesday July 12th Clevedon Art Club with Dr PJ Crook: Exhibitions and Commissions around the World in 30 paintings. 7.30pm, 6th Form Centre Clevedon School, Valley Rd, BS21 6AH. NonMembers £5. See www.clevedonartclub.co.uk Wednesday 13th July Kilmersdon Gardeners talk by Terry Stevens “Tyntesfield: the gardens & estate”. 7.30pm village hall BA3 5TD visitors welcome £3 incl tea /coffee www.kilmersdongardeners.org Mendip Storytelling Circle, an evening of folk tales and more, 7.30-9.30pm Ston Easton village hall, Green St. BA3 4DA. £5 donation.

Confirm details: mendipstorycircle@gmail.com Friday July 15th to Sunday September 11th Black Swan Arts Open Exhibition. Details: www.blackswanarts.org.uk Saturday July 16th The Harlequin Singers 3-4pm All Saints’ church, WSM, BS23 2NL. Free, with retiring collection.

Nifty & Thrifty – a celebration of sustainable food and life 10am-4pm, The Connect Centre, Wells, BA5 2BE. Free, open to all.

Bleadon village market 9.30-12, Coronation Halls BS24 0PG. 30+ stalls every 3rd Sat. Details: 01934 812370.

Barton St David Village Carnival from 1pm.

Fun dog show, fancy dress, games etc. Live music in the evening. Free. Details: Facebook @bartonstdavidcarnival Oakhill Village Festival 2-10.30pm village hall. Live music, dog show, games, stalls.

Details: Facebook @ashwickandoakhillvillagehall Christ Church, Nailsea Summer Fair on the Rectory lawn, 9.30-12.30. Bouncy castle, circus skills, BBQ, stalls, refreshments. Admission free.

Winscombe Tennis Club Open Day: 10am4pm recreation ground. All ages and abilities welcome. Half price membership on the day.

Free coaching sessions pm. Refreshments.

Contact: winscombelawntennisclub@live.co.uk or 01934 843475.

Leigh-on-Mendip Summer Fair 12-5pm.

Stalls, bar, games, live evening music. Details: 01373 812459 www.leigh-on-mendip.org.uk Sunday July 17th Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, 10am3pm Chew Stoke Rugby Club, BS40 8UE. Free entry. Food & drinks. Details on Facebook or 07831 336444.

Thursday July 21st Cheddar Valley u3a coffee morning, 9.30am Riverside Inn. Friday July 22nd Mendip Male Voice Choir, Annual Concert 7.30pm Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

Details: www.mendipmen.co.uk Saturday July 23rd Yatton & District Horticulture Society Summer Show from 2pm, Yatton village hall.

Stalls, live music, plants and refreshments on sale. Details: www.yattonhorticulturesociety.co.uk Monday July 25th Wessex stationary engine club meeting 8pm Old Down Inn, Emborough.

Tuesday July 26th Winscombe Folk Club 7.30-10.30pm, upstairs bar Winscombe club BS25 1HD, welcomes all acoustic performers. £2 towards room hire.

Details: 07551 197685. winscombefolkclub@gmail.com Chilcompton Gardening Club, talk on Companion Planting, 7.30 pm village hall, BA3 4EX. Wednesday July 27th Harptrees History Society guided tour of the Chained Library at Wells Cathedral. Limited places. Booking opens July 1st, closes July 20th: email info@harptreeshistorysociety.org Friday July 29th to Sunday 31st Jubilee flower festival, Holy Trinity Church, Norton Malreward, with Chew Valley Flower Club. Organ recital 7.30pm Friday, church open Sat and Sun. Plant sale, refreshments. Details: Margaret 01275 832144, Caroline 07765 774511 or Coral 07759 301230.

Saturday July 30th Somerset Chamber Choir Mozart Mass in C minor, 7pm, Wells Cathedral. Details: www.somersetchamberchoir.org Sunday July 31st Chew Valley Classic car & bike meet, 10am3pm Chew Stoke Rugby Club, BS40 8UE. Free entry. Food & drinks. Details on Facebook or 07831 336444.

Friday August 5th Trio Paradis, “Songs of travel” 2.30pm St Giles Church Leigh-on-Mendip. Free entry, refreshments on sale.

Saturday August 6th “Peter Pan” open air theatre Manor Farm, Corsley BA12 7QE. Picnics from 5pm, show starts 6.30pm. Details: www.theelizabethanevening.com Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza see page 115.

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MENDIP TIMES

WHAT’S ON

Help make this year’s show an even bigger success THE Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society was proud to host Shepton Mallet’s official platinum jubilee beacon lighting celebrations.

An estimated 1,000 people enjoyed an evening of live music – including a bagpiper – at the new showground at Cannard’s Grave.

It was the first major public event to be held at the showground since last August’s inaugural Mid-Somerset Show and organisers say the beacon’s popularity bodes well for future non-show events such as the society’s annual wassail in January.

Spectacular fireworks at the end of the lighting ceremony

Now all eyes turn to August and the preparations for the biggest free-entry agricultural show in the UK (visitors pay for parking) and the society would very much like to hear from volunteers to help in the build-up and on the day itself.

A spokesperson for the show said: “The show is nothing without the dedicated work of a very small team and the many volunteer stewards and helpers who ensure its success.

“If you enjoyed the jubilee celebrations and feel you would like to be part of this important asset for Shepton Mallet and the surrounding area, then we would love to hear from you.”

Volunteers help with tasks such as the cheese judging

For details, visit: www.midsomersetshow.org.uk or email: secretary@midsomersetshow.org.uk

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