Mendip Times

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Mendip Times VOLUME 8 ISSUE 7

FREE Celebrating life on the Mendips and surrounding areas DECEMBER 2012

SEASON’S GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS Local people, local history, local places, local events and local news

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MENDIP TIMES

CONTENTS

Welcome THE first snow flurry heralded the start of winter as surely as the November Carnivals. Their magical display – we have a picture special – lights up the skies before the last great celebration of the year – Christmas.

Some of our towns and villages stage impressive pre-Christmas fairs and we have details of some of them this month, as well as a guide to festive food, gifts, what’s on and a special feature on what’s on offer at Rookery Farm, Binegar.

We often comment on what a talented lot we are on Mendip and we’ve an extended feature this month on the local music scene, including a preview of Frome Symphony Orchestra’s next concert. Yes Frome has a symphony orchestra – it may be the town’s bestkept secret!

Mary James looks at the plight of local farmers, still struggling with the effects of this year’s appalling weather.

Elsewhere there may be signs of recovery; we’ve reports this month on a range of new business ventures.

Sue Gearing offers us all an antidote to festive over-indulgence – a bracing walk along Ham Wall on the Levels, with the chance of seeing the roosting starlings there. With all of our usual contributors and features, let us keep you company this Christmas.

A Merry Christmas to you all!

January 2013 deadline: Friday, 7th December 2012.

Published: Tuesday, 18th December 2012.

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

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

5 Here’s looking at you kid – farm visit helps charity

51 Book launch – keeping memories of Frome afloat

54 Winter wonderland – Sue Gearing’s Christmas walk

100 The young ones – Cary’s stars of the future?

Plus all our regular features Environment...................................6 Farming Mary James MBE..........14 Food & Drink...............................16 Business ........................................32 Internet and Crossword..............42 Arts & Antiques ...........................52 Wildlife Chris Sperring MBE .......53 Walking Sue Gearing....................54 Outdoors Les Davies MBE ..........56 Gardening Mary Payne MBE ......58

Health Dr Phil Hammond.............66 Family Mendip Mum....................66 Caving Phil Hendy........................73 Charities .......................................74 Property........................................78 Music.............................................86 Community Simon Selby .............94 Riding Celia Gadd ........................96 What’s On ..................................104

Front cover: Christmas by June MacFarlane, see page 16

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 3

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MENDIP TIMES

NEWS

Nelson memorial

Swallows and Farrington’s The team (l:r: Raia, Michael, Leanne and Daniel) prepares to interview Sally Bridges, café supervisor at Farrington’s

A CATERING business could be established by a group of people with learning disabilities in Midsomer Norton after a fact-finding visit to Farrington’s Farm Shop at Farrington Gurney.

Members of the SWALLOW charity’s Work Skills Enterprise group interviewed staff and had a tour of the farm as part of their research into the catering and hospitality industry.

SWALLOW – South West Action for Learning and Living Our Way – is led by its users who aim to promote independence and equality for people with learning disabilities.

The charity, based in Old Pit Road, was launched 20 years ago and runs courses and social events to support its members to gain the skills and experiences they require to live their lives as they choose.

G Swallows has started a weekly art class at the Heads Up Centre in Wells. The classes are small, friendly and relaxed and run with qualified, CRB-checked tutors and support staff. They are held each Wednesday from 10am-2am and cost £15 per day.

For more information and to book, call Judy on: 01761 414034.

For more information about the charity, visit: www.swallowcharity.org

THE guest of honour at this year’s Trafalgar Dinner, held at the Court Hotel, Emborough was Professor Eric Grove, a lecturer at Salford University on military history and a regular contributor to TV-based documentaries on naval history.

A substantial amount was collected for the club’s nominated charity for this year, the Royal British Legion.

John Butler, the president of the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge, has presented pupils at Cameley School with a copy of the Usborne illustrated Dictionary. He also talked about rotary’s work for children worldwide, including lapdesks for Africa, clean water projects and the eradication of polio.

Art is the big winner MIDSOMER Norton and Radstock Rotary Club’s third annual art and photographic show for young people attraced 136 exhibits.

Students from Downside, Norton Hill, Somervale and Writhlington schools and Norton Radstock College submitted work.

The exhibits were split into two age groups – 11-16 years and 17-19 years – and covered four classes: landscape, portrait, free expression and sculpture.

The overall show winner was Conor Farr with his exhibit which was in the Portrait 17-19 category. The Rotary President’s award for sculpture went to George Brinkworth for his creation “Monster Money”.

All visitors to the exhibition at Writhlington School were asked to complete a form choosing their Best in Show; Daisy Twist’s “Harbour” which had been entered in the Landscape 17-19 category, was voted the winner.

John Emm, from the rotary club, said: “We must give a huge thank you to Writhlington School for hosting the event in their fantastic new surroundings and for being so helpful with the preparation of the exhibition, and to Eye-Tech of Midsomer

Conor is pictured with rotary club president, Bob Porter

Norton who produced all the posters, entry forms and certificates.

“The winners and runners-up in each category were presented with gift vouchers very kindly donated by the show sponsors, the London Camera Exchange of Bath and Rosecraft of Midsomer Norton.”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 5

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MENDIP TIMES

Ready for spring

Bringing people together

UP to 80 families in Frome will have the chance to grow their own food after a deal was reached to turn a five and a half acre field into allotments.

The Frome Development Community Interest Company (FDCIC) – funded by a private donor – and Frome Town Council have pooled resources to buy the field at Birchill Lane; the deal virtually solves the town’s allotment shortage. The CIC has provided £40,000 with the remaining £20,000 coming from the council’s agreed annual budget.

The field will be transferred to a charity administered by the town council so that it can be held for the people of Frome forever. Day-to-day management will become the responsibility of the Allotment Association, with the council’s support, in the same way as other sites around the town.

The site will be named the Muriel Jones Field in recognition of the trust from which the private donation has been made.

The CIC was set up last year to help community groups and organisations. Its chair, Dr Mary Phillips, said: “We have a particular focus on local food production, especially where this is linked to health and self sufficiency. Until now we have struggled with how best to do this, but helping crack the town’s 10 year allotment waiting list fits our aims perfectly.”

Councillor Mel Usher, leader of Frome Town Council, said: “By working together we have purchased this terrific and rather beautiful new resource for Frome. The council has been searching for years to find an appropriate space for more allotments.

“It is also great news for those who simply want to enjoy the countryside on the edge of town – it will be a perfect place for a picnic and for other community use”.

Neil Cameron, chairman of the allotment association, said: “There are 140 people on our waiting list. We estimate that, eventually, many can be fitted onto this field comfortably along with others who may wish to swap from their existing sites. It is a slightly sloping south facing field, running down to the river, with good soil and drainage. In fact it’s ideal!”

A ONE-day event to celebrate the unique character of Frome town centre and to discuss ways in which in can be protected and enhanced has been hailed a big success.

Independence Day was hosted by Keep Frome Local, set up in 2010 to resist proposals for a town centre supermarket.

Held at the town’s Wesley Chapel, the event was a sell-out with more than 200 people coming from all over the country for a series of debates and workshops. The discussions explored various themes: the economic, social and spiritual value of town centres; survival strategies for independent retailers; the nation’s food habits and the future of food supplies; what towns, cities and villages might look like in 2050 and new changes to the national planning framework – as well as how to campaign against supermarket expansion.

Duncan Skene, one of the organisers from Keep Frome Local, said: “What came over time and time again was people’s passion and commitment to town centres which are vibrant and have a real sense of individuality and place.”

Another Keep Frome Local supporter and organiser, Luke Wilde, said: “The visitors really saw Frome at its best.

Independence Day was a great community effort with Frome FM, Frome TV and the young people’s project Edventure all present and contributing and support from the Chamber of Commerce, Milk Street Brewery and dozens of local traders.”

Members of Keep Frome Local with delegates and speakers outside the Wesley Chapel

Support the Red Brick Project Among the events was a craft fair; many of the craftspeople are to become artisan tenants in the building from January next year.

Work is still underway to transform the building – on the former Morlands site – into a business, training and community centre.

(Photos courtesy of Neil Clarke, www.digipixuk.net)

MORE than 2,000 people toured the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury when it held an open day to showcase progress on the project.

The craft fair underway

The new café is proving very popular

If anyone would like to get involved by become a shareholder, tenant or volunteer, visit: www.redbrickbuilding.org.uk or call into the visitor centre.

PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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ENVIRONMENT

We are the champions!

MENDIP hedgelayers reigned supreme at the National Hedge Laying Championships. Colin Clutterbuck from Stanton Drew was Supreme Champion while Tina Bath from Priddy won the Best Lady Hedging trophy for the third time in the last five years.

The 34th national championships were held on the Brocklesby Estate, North Lincolnshire by kind permission of the Earl of Yarbrough. Large numbers of spectators turned out to the 27,000 acre estate despite the threat of blustery winter showers.

Ninety-four cutters took part in 12 classes with eight different styles of hedge laying. Colin won the coveted Supreme Champion after winning first

Jubilee trees

in the North Somerset style narrowly beating second place Alex Bown from Binegar by just one point. Paul Gulliford from Backwell, came third.

As well as the NFU Supreme Champion cup, Colin received the North Somerset Cup, the Prince of Wales Trophy, a bespoke hand crafted bill hook, a Stihl chainsaw, £100 and a NHLS tie.

The National Hedge Laying Society committee are in the process of working with Bristol Water who are to host the National Hedge Laying Championships on Chew Valley Lake in two years time.

Colin Tina Bath and Colin Clutterbuck

Children of Winford C of E Primary School responded to a call to plant trees as part of the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Tree Planting Project. Despite the murky weather conditions, children, parents, grandparents and friends gathered together at Felton Village Hall and planted 21 silver birch, cherry and rowan trees.

New phase for quarry faces PEOPLE with photographs or other memorabilia about the quarrying industry on Mendip – especially in the west of the area – are invited to Wells and Mendip Museum in December where the latest exhibition by Quarry Faces is being held.

Quarry Faces is a Heritage Lottery Fund-backed community history project to record people’s memories of the industry.

The event will be held on Saturday, December 8th, starting at 2pm with a talk on the history of quarrying in the Mendips by Dr Robin Thornes, followed by tea and cakes.

The team is also keen to talk to anyone who has information or memories they would like to share with the project. The Quarry Faces exhibition will be open until late January.

Meanwhile, retired quarry workers Mervyn Derrick and Alan Webb – who have more than 70 years’ experience between them – shared their memories and stories with students at Stoke St Michael at a special recording session in the school.

Key Stage 2 pupils devised the questions and carried out the interviews as part of the oral history initiative on the Quarry Faces project.

Pupils with members of the Quarry Faces team and Paul, Alan, Mervyn and Jane

Paul Bishop, a school governor who works at the nearby Wainwright Quarry, gave a modern day perspective on quarry management. The pupils also interviewed Jane Linhorne, daughter of Sam Treasure who owned former Stoke Lane Quarry in the village.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 7

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ENVIRONMENT

AONB grants THE Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has awarded its final grants for this year to four local projects.

Wells and Mendip Museum has been offered a grant of £4,000 towards costs of a permanent exhibition on cave exploration in the Mendip Hills and to celebrate the recent discovery of the biggest cavern in the south west at Cheddar.

Priddy Parish Council has been offered two grants, one for the restoration of Priddy Pools (£665) as it has become overgrown and a further grant (£220) for the completion of works to an area of land linked to the village green known as Pincross enclosure.

The Mendip Society have been awarded a grant of £500 for the installation of deer fencing around two small- leaved lime trees on Sladers Leigh

Reserve to protect the tree roots from being compacted by people walking over them and from browsing deer.

The SDF fund is now closed for 2012/13 as the total £37,000 AONB SDF funding has all been allocated.

M E N D I P

W E A T H E R

S C E N E

Details: www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/sustainable-development-fund

Remember, remember . . . the 4th of November!

with DAVID MAINE

IN November’s article I wrote about unusual weather conditions which make recording – or forecasting – the weather so interesting and said that, no doubt, something unusual would occur before I had to write again.

Surely nothing could have been more freakish than the weather we experienced on the morning of Sunday,

November 4th.

At around 7.30am, heavy rain was falling with what looked like dinner-plate sized flakes of snow mixed in, with a temperature around three degrees Celsius. Within 20 minutes, heavy snow was falling and the temperature had fallen to one ˚C. Although we had no more than a light covering of snow here in East Harptree before it cleared, places to the east and on Mendip were much more badly affected with up to three inches of snow on the hills around Bath and quite a few roads closed due to the conditions.

It had taken everyone by surprise including, I must say, the forecasters, who had gone for a period of rain, heavy in places, with a chance of some sleet or wet snow over hills. As the crowd who watched the Mendip Farmers Hunt set out from Binegar on the previous Saturday morning could attest, the sleet at one point was driving.

So, what had happened? Well, the air was certainly quite cold with the freezing level low enough for some wintry precipitation over the hills but not at lower levels. It was just a freak occurrence which happens on very rare occasions, called the “downward penetration of snow”.

PAGE 8 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

A snowy scene near Doulting

At this time of the year nearly all rain starts off as snow higher up (you only have to look at the Scottish hills to see how often the tops have snow on them in the winter months). Because the rain was so heavy, these massivelysized snowflakes had formed which chilled the air below them as they fell before they melted, bringing the freezing level down low enough (say not much more than about 1000 ft above sea level) for snowflakes to reach low levels, and this is what happened.

Why wasn’t it forecast? Well, as I said earlier, such an occurrence is very rare and very difficult to predict with any accuracy and almost impossible for computer models to pick up.

Enjoy the run-up to the festive season with, hopefully, not too much more freak weather before I write next time.

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As 2012 draws to a close we are pleased to announce that Nick Robinson, who has been employed as a solicitor at our Shepton Mallet Office since 2010, has become a Partner in the firm. Nick (who many have said bears an uncanny resemblance to the TV character “Doc Martin�) hails from Meopham in Kent but has lived and worked in the West Country since 1997.

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His promotion to partnership status is a testament to the hard work and commitment that he has shown since joining the firm and the extent to which he has helped us to increase our client base.

Nick is a keen follower of sport having played rugby in his younger days and is now an enthusiastic follower of Arsenal FC. He is also a great music lover, an active member of the local church choir and he has sung in various choral choirs over the years. He also enjoys contemporary music.

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MENDIP TIMES

Dancing in the streets

Pentathlon’s Atlantis entry dwarfs Shepton’s Cenotaph

Members of Crusaders carnival club prepare for the night’s procession

A dancer on Globe CC’s Rock Vegas entry Club 2000’s Artic Attack entry

Masqueraders club, from Meare, near Glastonbury, with The Journey of the Polar Bear Queen PAGE 10 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Strictly not Dancing – Bridgwater’s Newmarket club

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CARNIVAL 2012

Wick Carnival Club, from Glastonbury, with Be Our Guest Ohitika, by Bridgwaterbased British Flag CC

Stars of the show: “Race Time” Starlight Express from Ilminster’s Gemini club

Programme seller Liz Jordan at Shepton Mallet carnival

One of the characters from “Race Time”

The front of the Globe’s float

Some of the cast of the Shambles club before the start of their home town carnival in Shepton Mallet

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 11

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NEWS

Miners dig deep for appeal MEMBERS of the Somerset District Miners Welfare Trust have donated £3,000 towards a £1.2m appeal for a PET-CT scanner for the oncology department at Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

The Trust is appealing to everyone to support the appeal, which is being led by the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group.

Patients from Bath and the surrounding area who need PET-CT scans currently have to travel to Cheltenham. The scanners are used to guide treatment in some common cancers by helping to determine how widely a cancer has spread. They can also be used to plan radiotherapy treatment and the Bath scanner would also help with clinical trials.

Dr Ed Gilby, retired senior oncology consultant at the RUH and who is still involved with the hospital, met officials from the miners trust on a visit to Radstock Museum.

The trust has previously donated two plasma screens, which double as teaching aids, to the out-patient department at the cancer unit and has also donated an aquarium.

Trust chairman Francis Hillier said: “When our trust took the decision to make the donation to this very worthy cause, we were conscious of the benefits not only to the mining community but the community at large.

“We hope it could persuade others in our locality to consider supporting the scanner appeal.”

Scouts go caving

(l:r): Bill Morris, Francis Hillier, Ed Gilby, John Denning and Clive Norman, next to the mine wheel outside the museum

College wins top award

Photo: Paul Stockall

Rory O'Connor and Lorna Tanner

SCOUTS from 1st Keynsham (Frome Troop) visited Burrington Coombe on the Mendips to work towards their scout Caver badge. The boys and girls aged between 10 and 14, with their leaders, had to pass through ‘Superman Squeeze’ to get to the Goatchurch Cavern in the boulder chamber.

To qualify for the badge, the youngsters have to visit two different cave systems, led each time by a qualified instructor.

They also need to understand cave conservation codes and be aware of the environmental issues around caving.

Ella, age 13, said: “It’s challenging and funny to see people trying to squeeze through holes. The leaders tell stories to try to scare us, but they fail miserably.”

Eleven year-old Ollie said: “It is fun climbing through really small holes. I had a great time.”

PAGE 12 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

WESTON College has been awarded the Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council - one of just 79 organisations in the world and the only further education college.

The five-star award is for the very high standards of health and safety implemented at the Knightstone Campus after an intense five-day inspection.

Weston College Environmental Services Officer, Rory O’Connor and assistant, Lorna Tanner (pictured) oversaw the audit.

Rory, who is a former divisional commander in the fire service, said: “It was a very thorough inspection and out of 72 points we scored 69. The pass mark was 60. The focus was on the effectiveness of our health and safety management system and this award is the pinnacle of what we can achieve in this area.”

Weston College principal and chief executive, Dr Paul Phillips, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Weston College and a reflection of the importance we place on the safety of students and staff.”

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MENDIP TIMES

FARMING Farmers feel the pressure of foul weather

Unsung heroes to be recognised

HEADLINES in the national farming A NEW award to recognise the hard press are reading work of agricultural contractors in the “Don’t suffer in South West has been launched to silence as rural coincide with the Agricultural stress toll grows” Machinery and Equipment Show next and a week later With MARY February at the Royal Bath and West “Record high wheat JAMES MBE Showground. price piles pressure The award, organised by the Royal on livestock farms”.

Bath and West of England Society I have written before about the and sponsored by accountants Old farming charities and the good work Mill, is open to all agricultural they do to help distressed farmers. contractors in the region.

Their reports at the current time are Contractors can nominate deeply concerning. The Royal themselves or be nominated by the Agricultural Benevolent Institution people they work for. Those (RABI) is taking the highest number of shortlisted will be visited by the calls since the recession hit in 2008. award judges for 2013; at each visit, The Farm Crisis Network (FCN) the judges will look at all aspects of which supports more than 1,000 the farm/business and the machinery farming businesses each year has joined involved. forces with the NFU to help farmers to access winter forage because so many Entries for the competition close have used their winter fodder early. on January 10th and entry forms The wet weather and lack of are available from: sunshine, meaning poor harvests and www.bathandwest.com increases in feed prices, has caused many difficulties. Add the problem of TB to the mix and the situation becomes even worse. Some crops are still in the ground. A local farmer tells me he is battling to harvest his maize which normally Pig, goat, sheep, turkey, poultry and horse feeds starts in late Complete dog food, 15 kilo bag – £9.50 September and is

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usually completed by late October.

Here, in the South West in early November, some farmers have not even been able to start. Those who have started have been unable to finish as the fields were too wet to drive on. In some cases the harvester has become completely bogged down and several tractors were needed to pull the machine out!

As well as the cow’s winter feed being late harvested the knock on effect is not being able to sow the following crop – in many cases this will be wheat which will have an effect on the 2013 harvest.

An agricultural journalist I know has been looking at some facts and figures from a newly-published book called Agricultural Budgeting and Costing. It must have been pretty dry reading but he found some interesting facts. In 1977 it took 115 tonnes of feed wheat to buy an average tractor. It now requires 500. An average 80hp tractor would have cost around £8,000 back then. Now a standard machine of 160hp would be around £80.000.

I wonder if anyone counted the number of badgers in the country in 1977?

A nearby village is honouring a retired farmer (now over 80) who has spent almost a lifetime helping with events, property maintenance and parish council work. There have been many farmers I am sure who have helped in villages in one way or another. They all deserve recognition and thanks.

Contact RABI on 01865 724931 or email info@rabi.org.uk FCN can be contacted on 01845 367 9990 or email mail@fcn.org.uk

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PAGE 14 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Come and browse in your local store

TOOLS – TORCHES – GARDEN TOOLS – DE-ICER – ANTIFREEZE

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GUY SALMON

Update from Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol GUY Salmon Land Rover Bristol is your local Land Rover centre, a one-stop shop for all your Land Rover and Range Rover requirements. At Guy Salmon we’re passionate about customer service, and we strive continuously to exceed your

expectations. We’re clearly aware that you could purchase your new Land Rover from other dealers around the country, but we’re convinced that there’s a difference when you buy from Guy Salmon.

Will Carling helps grassroots rugby initiative A NEW initiative to build on Land Rover’s support for grassroots rugby has kicked off, with Guy Salmon Bristol leading the pack.

In partnership with Nike, dealerships can offer sets of kit to local clubs, receiving them at a special evening at the dealership where they can meet and talk to a rugby legend. The events help embed dealerships in the local rugby community and bring a relevant target audience into their showroom.

Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol hosted the first event on Thursday 25th October, contacting eight local clubs and asking the chairman to bring up to 10 people. In the end around 100 attended the exclusive evening, packing the showroom to receive their kits, see the cars and meet former-England captain Will Carling, invited by the dealership. Will shared some hilarious Lions Tour stories, answered rugby questions, and spoke about his passion for putting on the rose and playing for his country.

Feedback from the clubs has been excellent. Writing on his club’s blog, Oldfield Old Boys RFC Chairman Pat Bunton said: “We are extremely privileged to have been asked to be part of the Land Rover Grassroots Initiative at a very exciting time for Rugby, with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner in 2015. Oldfield RFC would wholeheartedly like to thank everyone at Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol who looked after us all so well.”

Will Carling was impressed by Land Rover’s commitment, saying: “All levels of rugby are important, but without investment and encouragement at the grassroots level the top end of the game has no foundation or real

following. Land Rover are synonymous with rugby in my mind and their investment in the grass roots of the game again proves their loyalty to all levels of the game” Dealer Principal Amanda Binner-Vaughan said: “Land Rover and grassroots rugby is the perfect partnership. The whole team got involved in the evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many of the guests were interested in Land Rover: we have already sold one vehicle and are following up on some strong leads. We’ve also secured more service customers. More importantly, we hope to build long-term relationships with these clubs .A very successful and enjoyable event.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 15

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Christmas in the kitchen IT’S lovely to have a few homemade goodies to give as gifts at Christmas time.

You can assemble them into a hamper, With JUNE or have them on MACFARLANE standby for friends or colleagues. There are lots of good ideas around and I have chosen a few that are not difficult and not expensive.

Make them in batches so you have plenty to go round.

CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

FAMILY MUFFIN MIX

This is fantastically easy and doesn’t involve boiling for ages. And it’s got crunchy peanut butter in it – how good is that!?!

Really good fun this, and one that children could make.

The gift is a jar of ready measured INGREDIENTS ingredients.You 300g self-raising flour just pour the 2 tsp baking powder whole lot into a 2 tsp ground cinnamon bowl and add a 2 tsp ground mixed spice few other 100g walnuts things 140g dried fruits medley .

100g light muscovado sugar

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

Melt the butter gently in a large saucepan.

125g unsalted butter Stir in the brown sugar 500g soft dark brown sugar and milk 120ml whole milk carefully and let the tter 250g crunchy peanut bu mixture bubble for a 1 tsp vanilla paste couple of minutes 300g icing sugar without stirring. You can swirl the pan if you must.

Remove pan from heat and stir in the peanut butter and the vanilla paste. Put the icing sugar into a big bowl and pour butter and sugar mixture on top. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Pour into a 20cm square baking tray, allow to cool, then refrigerate. When quite cold cut into squares with a round ended knife. Present in decorative bags or store in an airtight container.

METHOD

Place all the ingredients in a 1 litre glass jar in the order above.

Seal the jar with its lid and tie with ribbon.

Make a gift tag with the following information: “Pour all the ingredients into a big bowl. Add 2 beaten eggs, 300ml milk and 100g melted butter. Beat quickly to mix but do not overmix. Divide between 12 muffin cases. Bake at 190°C for 18-20 mins. Use within four weeks.”

LEMON CURD Because it is fresh it needs to be kept in the fridge and every time you open the fridge door it sings out to you with its vibrant colour. And it tastes so good!

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

t an 4 unwaxed lemons, zes juice 200g caster sugar t 100g unsalted butter, cu into cubes 1 3 free-range eggs, plus free-range egg yolk

Put the lemon zest and juice, the sugar and the butter into a heatproof bowl. Sit the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Adjust the heat so the water just shivers. Stir occasionally until all of the butter has melted.

Lightly whisk the eggs and egg yolk and stir them into the lemon mixture. Whisk until all of the ingredients are well combined, then leave to cook gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring every now and again, until the mixture is creamy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Remove from the heat and set aside, stirring occasionally until quite cool. Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. Keep in the fridge until ready to use. Makes two small, or one large, jar.

June is a former television producer. She is currently a public relations consultant in the food and drink industry and has just started a new blog: www.thekitchenscribbler.blogspot.com PAGE 16 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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FOOD & DRINK Richard and Kerry wish you a warm welcome this Christmas

VILLAGE PUB & RESTAURANT

G Christmas Fayre – 2 Courses £15.95 3 Courses £19.95 OAPs and children 1 Course £6.95 2 Courses £8.95 3 Courses £10.95 Available 1st to 23rd December G Christmas parties of six or more – free bottle of wine if you mention Mendip Times when booking!

Sutton Hill Road Bishop Sutton BS39 5UT

01275 333042

(Does not apply to OAP offer) Quality food served every day including Weekdays – ham or cheese baguette and soup £5 G OAP lunches Tuesday and Wednesday £6.95 G Sunday lunch choice of roasts and 5 vegetables £8.50 G Selection of real ales, ciders and fine wines

Christmas Fayre Starters Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Soup Chicken and Chorizo Terrine Served with an apple and cider chutney Smoked Salmon and Prawns Served with Marie Rose sauce Mushrooms Sauteed in Garlic and Herb Butter All above served with crusty bread

Main Courses Traditional Roast Turkey Served with all the trimmings Pan Fried Duck Breast Served with an orange and Cointreau sauce Slowly Cooked Lamb Shank Served with a Merlot and rosemary jus Baked Monkfish Fillet With an almond, citrus and herb crust Mediterranean Vegetable Wellington With seasonal vegetables, oven roasted in a tomato and garlic sauce, mixed cheese, encased in a golden puff pastry

Desserts Traditional Christmas Pudding Served with Brandy sauce A Mountain of Profiteroles Served with lashings of chocolate sauce and cream Apple, Sultana and Cinnamon Crumble Tart Served with ice cream Vanilla and Blackcurrant Clotted Cream Ice Cream

THE MANOR HOUSE INN EAT • DRINK • SLEEP NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA DINNER 20122013

ACOUSTIC NIGHT 6TH DECEMBER Aj Webber – Back on the Road Again

TO START Lobster Bisque with Chilli Croutons Goat’s Cheese & Sun-blushed Tomato Roulade coated in fresh Herbs King Prawn & Lobster Cocktail with Marie Rose dressing Smoked Fish Terrine with Horseradish Cream Pan-fried Pigeon Breast on Wild Mushroom Risotto & Brandy Sauce (£1.50 supplement) TO FOLLOW Pot Roast Partridge with Sautéed Potatoes, Red Wine, Bacon & Mushroom Gravy Pan-fried Chicken Breast, Smoked Bacon Potato Cake & Creamy Stilton Sauce Venison Rump on Potato & Horseradish Rosti with a Port & Juniper Sauce (£2.50 supplement) Filo Pie filled with Wild Mushrooms, Ricotta Cheese, Spinach & Toasted Cashews with rich Tomato Sauce & Basil Pesto drizzle Fillets of Lemon Sole with Chive Mash, Scallops, King Prawns & Saffron Fish Cream 8oz Home-cut Sirloin Steak, with Mushrooms, home-made Onion Rings, Tomato & Chips (£1.50 supplement) PUDDINGS Cinnamon Panacotta with Mulled Wine Compote & Cracked Red Pepper Biscuit Frozen mixed Fruit Parfait with Chocolate dipped Brandy Snap Cigar Warm spiced Pear & Almond Tart with Home-made Sloe Gin Ice-cream Home-made Chocolate Truffle Cake with Crème Fraîche Manor Cheese Board with Home-made Chutney, Grapes & Celery Tea or Coffee with Home-made Chocolates

£30 per Person When confirming your booking a deposit of £10 per person is required Limited spaces still available for Christmas lunches / dinners festive Sunday lunches from £9.25 per person Need a taxi – we recommend Chinnock Taxi’s 01749 831529 / 07703 068878

Aj Webber, singer, songwriter and recording artiste is going back on the road, starting with an opening night at the Manor House Inn at Ditcheat. She will be joined with special guest Palmer Fox Eldrich known as one of the best blues singers and slide guitarist in the UK and around the world. Other guests are still to be announced

The Manor House Inn Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6RB Telephone 01749 860276 email landlord@manorhouseinn.co.uk www.manorhouseinn.co.uk

AJ used to open for ‘big name’ acts and touring throughout the world. Her first European tour was with The Eagles at the height of their fame. She went on to work and tour with legends such as: David Gates (Bread), Frank Zappa, Crosby Stills and Nash, Neil Young and recalls doing some clubs in New Jersey with Bruce Springsteen. Aj was asked to open for Franki Valli on his last tour of the UK, and appeared for two years running at Reading Festival opening before such acts as Rod Stewart and Queen

Special pre-performance menu served from 6pm onwards £14.75 for 2 courses and £18.95 for 3 courses – Bookings advised Please contact the Manor House Inn fo further details, times etc . . .

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 17

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MENDIP TIMES

Sunday Lunch at Winford Manor Hotel

Five gold rings for Xmas!

Jon Thorner (l) and Jay Rayner

Locally-sourced and homemade to bring you THREE fabulous courses to choose from!

Old Hill, Winford, Bristol BS40 8DW. Tel: 01275 472292 reservations@winfordmanor.co.uk

PAGE 18 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

AWARD-WINNING local butcher Jon Thorner’s increased their awards bounty at the Q Guild of Butchers Smithfield Product Evaluation presentation, hosted by journalist and food critic Jay Rayner, at Butchers Hall in London.

The Pylle-based butcher and farm shop received a total of nine awards, of which five were gold. One gold was for their stuffed duck breast, a product specially developed for Christmas and another for their handmade Beef Wellington which uses locally sourced beef fillet – both these products are available to order now for Christmas.

Jon Thorner, founder and managing director of the business said: “We have had a fantastic year for product awards. We are always developing and improving our products to give our customers the best.”

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FOOD & DRINK

Shepton Mallet cider mill launches £1m investment SHEPTON Mallet Cider Mill has launched a £1m investment programme for new orchards and schemes for greater sustainability in this, a vital sector for South West agriculture.

The scheme was launched at a consultation event with growers and other experts and has already received a ringing endorsement as people consider submitting applications for investment funds.

Simon Baxter, chair of Norton Cider Growers Association, said: “The scheme presented signals that the team at the Shepton Mallet site are serious about adding significant new orchard areas and also delivering improvements at every stage – from the orchard to the cider mill. It will have a major and positive impact.”

Applications are being received from now until midDecember with growers and others having the opportunity to develop plans that they believe will deliver the greatest benefits.

A panel of experts will review all applications and release funding for approved plans from February 2013.

The scheme could fund new orchards totalling more than 500 acres, producing more than 10,000 tonnes of apples for the site in Shepton Mallet, already the largest cider mill in the region.

It is also intended that greater collaboration will improve the efficiency of operations and enable growers to benefit from better access to expert knowledge. With the scale of the planting that will result from the fund there is the opportunity to transform the apple harvest for the largest producer in the region.

Bob Chaplin, orchard and fruit manager at the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill said: “With this level of investment we will deliver the quality of fruit that our master cider makers favour for our ciders. Importantly, with a focus on early season varieties, we can also extend the harvesting season and that benefits our growers as well as the operation at the site.”

Paolo Mortarotti, general manager of the Shepton Mallet site said: “This is enormously exciting for us – we are investing in sustainable fruit production for decades to come, with our experts supporting advances in orcharding practice to benefit our growers and the whole industry. As we gear up to grow and develop our business, both in the UK and internationally the benefits from this investment will be vital.”

Once all the applications to the fund are in they will be assessed by a judging panel including, Tessa Munt, MP for the Wells constituency that is home to the cider mill, Ben Thorne of the Farming and Wildlife Action Group (FWAG) and Rupert Cox chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, along with experts from the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill.

Typically a new orchard planted will take four or five years to deliver a meaningful crop and up to eight years to be fully productive.

Paolo Mortarotti added: “We are confident that with the participation and engagement of the growers and agricultural community the scheme will be a success. We intend to continue to support our supplier partners and make our industry even more sustainable.”

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 19

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MENDIP TIMES

Ringing the changes

Paul Chayter, of HomEnhancements (left), and Micky Taft, Juliet’s partner, used a hoist from Haskins Retail Centre to replace the pub sign

LOCAL craftspeople put their skills to good use during the redecoration of the Bell Hotel in Shepton Mallet.

Signwriter and painter William Elliott, of Evercreech, restored the traditional pub sign which hangs over the entrance to the pub and decorator/builder Paul Chayter, of Shepton Mallet, was called in to repaint the interior, including the dining room.

The refurbishment was a surprise present to landlord Juliet Watchman, who was away on holiday when the work was carried out.

PAGE 20 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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FOOD & DRINK GARDEN FOOD

WILD FOOD

Tomatillos, anyone?

Yuletide yarrow

THIS year I’ve been fairly successful in extending the season of my greenhouse and polytunnel crops into the winter months, so as well as picking peppers this month, I still have green tomatoes ripening on newspaper indoors and tomatillos that are still in good shape in the fridge.

With JAKE I managed to keep these going so long WHITSON by insulating my greenhouse back in October before we had any frosts, using bits of old foam mattress to seal up all the holes and cracks. Since then, on any night predicted to drop below zero, I’ve also used a small 80w tube greenhouse heater (£15 from eBay) just to keep the plants from freezing.

If the weather gets colder I will start using garden fleece (which is also very cheap) to keep my peppers going just that little bit longer, though at some point around the New Year I will probably just give up, cut them down to about six inches above the ground, cover them well with fleece and hope that they survive through until spring.

I would say that all of this has extended my crop almost two months further into winter compared to previous years, something I consider well worth the minimal investment in time and money.

Tomatillos are strange things. They are more similar to green tomatoes than anything else, except that they are covered in a papery husk and have waxier skin (which helps them keep for a long time once picked), drier flesh and a fruitier flavour. They are the central ingredient in Mexican salsa verde and this is my version of it: if you don’t have tomatillos, green tomatoes will yield a similar result.

First grill four or five large tomatillos along with three jalapenos until blackened all over, then remove and discard their skins. In a food processor or blender, add the cooked tomatillos and jalapenos, one large handful of coriander, stalks and all, roughly chopped, and the juice of two limes. Blitz until smooth.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

This salsa is delicious with tortilla chips and sour cream, but I also love cooking it with stewed chunks of beef or beef tongue, along with a little of the beef stock, and serving it with Spanish rice and refried beans.

I WOULD be surprised if you did not have this plant hidden somewhere in your garden as it loves lawns. It’s probably considered a weed but I think we should show it some Christmas goodwill and maybe pick some for the kitchen.

Yarrow is famously associated with its With ADRIAN medicinal properties as a healing herb. The BOOTS hero Achilles was said to have used it on wounds caused by iron. In fact, our protagonist gives his name to the first part of the Latin name of the plant ‘Achillea’.

In Somerset old local names such as Angel Flower, Goose Tongue, Nosebleed, Woundwort and Thousand Leaf (taken from the second part of its Latin name ‘millefolium’) hint at its uses.

The Anglo Saxons revered ‘gearwe’ as a wound-healing plant, ‘it purgeth and healeth the wounds’ yet it was also considered powerful against evil. Gaelic peoples would hang it up to guard against bad luck and illness but it was also used to foretell love – a very useful thing indeed.

It was also thought to cause nosebleeds and sneezing which is odd given that it was used to staunch bleeding. Oh the paradox of ancient herbalism.

In Sweden, yarrow has been used as a replacement for hops in beer, adding to its intoxicating effects. In Romania, it is sold as a cure for circulatory problems. Yarrow tea has also been widely used as a remedy for severe colds and fevers due to its antiinflammatory properties. However, it is always recommended to use it in moderation.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an erect, rather toughstemmed perennial 10cm to 100cm when flowering. The fern-like leaves are described as feathery (maybe this is where the reference to the nose and sneezing comes from?). The flowers are flat-topped florets, consisting of five white or pinkish-purple petals with a yellow centre. Found on grassy hedge banks, stone walls, garden lawns, grassland, roadsides and waste places.

So what does this healing plant of battle wounds and Greek heros have to do with Christmas? Well, Yarrow has an amazingly long season right into the beginning of winter, cut then dried they can be used well into the New Year. I’m not suggesting you use it for wound healing or anything to do with your nose but it does make a rather tasty drink!

For a cup of Yuletide yarrow tea take three or four fresh or dried yarrow leaves and add boiled water. Add one clove, a small pinch each of ginger and cinnamon, a teaspoon of sugar or honey to taste and a squeeze of lemon or orange, leave steeping for four or five minutes. And there you have it – a health-giving, cold-beating but more importantly tasty Christmas drink. Have a very merry Christmas!

Jacob Whitson is a chef and food writer who has worked in many of the West Country’s most prestigious restaurants. He is currently working on his first book, a travelogue detailing the regional foods of Japan.

Adrian Boots is a Landscape Ecologist, researcher and farm conservation advisor. You can visit his website www.walkthemendips.com to learn more about the Mendips and his Wild Food Walks.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 21

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MENDIP TIMES

UÜxtw 9 UxçÉÇw

New faces at village bakery

TEA ROOMS AND PROVISIONS

[ÉÅx@ut~xw uÜxtw? vt~xá? Ñ|xá? Ñtáà|xá? fvÉàv{ xzzá

Y|ÄÄxw ÜÉÄÄá? àxtá? vÉyyxxá? ÄâÇv{xá? tyàxÜÇÉÉÇ àxtá

[ÉÅx@Åtwx ÑÜxáxÜäxá? Ñ|v~Äxá? }tÅá? v{âàÇxçá

New owners Alice and Jade welcome you to Chewton Mendip’s village store – newspapers and general goods also on sale For Christmas – home-made mince pies, Christmas cakes, puddings, chocolates and sweets Orders now being taken

Open: Monday-Friday 7am-5.30pm Saturday 7am-5pm

UÜxtw 9 UxçÉÇw High Street, Chewton Mendip, BA3 4LJ

01761 240820

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ALICE Taylor (left) and Jade Spicer have taken over the village stores in Chewton Mendip, bringing years of experience to their new business, Bread and Beyond.

Hand-made home-baking is what they promise, using the best quality ingredients, free-range eggs and butter from local suppliers, with no additives or preservatives, plus teas, coffees, lunches and afternoon teas. The shop also has newspapers, preserves, drinks and a range of general goods.

Alice said: “I’ve been cooking since I was nine years old and have over 1,000 cookery books. I’ve worked in retail, particularly in catering and food, and when I saw Lynda’s Loaf was for sale I decided to buy it, with Jade having a share of the company.”

Jade – nicknamed the Princess of Pies – studied professional cookery at Ashley Down College in Bristol and previously worked at Long Ashton Golf Club. Her grandmother, Pauline Cunningham, has been helping them get the shop ready.

Alice said: “The reaction has been good and we are getting a lot of support from the village.” They are hoping to launch pizzamaking parties shortly.

If the road outside the shop is full, there is parking opposite in Coles Lane.

V{Ü|áàÅtá `xÇâ

Available from 1st December Bookings: 01761 479398 2 COURSES: £18.50 • 3 COURSES: £22.50

fàtÜàxÜá

• Roasted red onion and garlic soup topped with a goats cheese crouton • Prawn and avocado cocktail topped with Marie-rose sauce • Brie and caramelised onion tart on a bed of rocket with a drizzle of balsamic syrup

axã lxtÜËá Xäx

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James Bond Theme Night Tickets £10 including Ploughman's Buffet, live music and Bucks Fizz at midnight Bed and breakfast now available – two beautiful, double ensuite bedrooms – see our website for details Sunday roast – children under 12 eat free Open: Tues-Thurs 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm Fri & Sat 11am-12midnight • Sunday 12noon-10.30pm

North Road, Timsbury BA2 0JJ Telephone: 01761 479398 www.sevenstars-timsbury.co.uk

PAGE 22 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

• Traditional turkey and ham roast served with roast potatoes, roasted roots, bacon and cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets and topped with parsnips crisps • Slow roasted fillet of beef served on a bed of roasted red pepper mash and finished with a red wine sauce • Pan fried rainbow trout fillets topped with horseradish yogurt and balsamic beets, served on garlic sauté potatoes • Vegetable Wellington served on a roasted cherry tomato sauce with wholegrain mustard mash (V)

fãxxàá

• Chocolate brownie served with a raspberry coulis and chocolate ice-cream • Classic lemon posset • Red berry trifle topped with vanilla cream • Mince Pies And Coffee

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FOOD & DRINK

Thatchers award THATCHERS Cider has won the Food and Drink Award at the Insider Made in the South West Awards.

Managing director Martin Thatcher, said: “It’s great to receive this award. The fact that we have so many superb, like-minded companies clustered together makes it a very inspirational place to do business.”

In recent years Thatchers has been developing a new tree planting system and this year unveiled a straddle harvester designed to prune the trees to the hedgerow style shape, gently and carefully harvest the fruit with minimum handling, thus delivering the highest quality fruit to the cider mill.

NEW WEEKDAY TEA DEAL £1 for a cup of tea and cup cake, 2.30pm-4.30pm Monday to Friday RESTAURANT AND FISH AND CHIPS TAKEAWAY 12noon to 2pm and 5pm-7pm CAFE OPEN 9am-5pm midweek Saturday 8.30am-7pm Sunday 8.30am-4pm for breakfasts and Sunday roasts

Function and conference rooms now available for parties, meetings and training

Traditional Fish and Chips, Sunday Roasts, Cream Teas and Ice Cream

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 23

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MENDIP TIMES

Authentic Indian cookery courses WITH new Indian cuisine book launches from Madhur Jaffrey, and Indian inspired cakes from Fiona Cairns, ethnic food is now top of the agenda once again. Somerset-based Sweet Cumin owner and cook Bini Ludlow feels now is the time to remind people living in the South West that they don’t have to venture too far afield for expert home cooking advice.

She said: “Homemade curries are hugely versatile and great at uniting a family at the dinner table.

Understandably, a lot of people are fearful of cooking curries because they are overwhelmed with the number of different spices and types of dish.

“What they don’t realise is just how quickly you learn with a bit of help. My classes are taught in my home kitchen and will put you at ease in a heartbeat.”

Bini is a qualified teacher and passionate about teaching traditional

Gujarati cooking methods just as her mum taught her. She offers a range of courses to suit all ages and abilities, from novice, intermediate, and advanced to bespoke for more adventurous cooks and professional

chefs.

Intimate group courses start at £40pp and include a goody bag with recipes and spices to take away. Short courses are also available for schools, groups and clubs.

Details: 07961 320 193 email bini@sweetcumin.co.uk • www.sweetcumin.co.uk

CHRISTMAS AT MENDIP SPRING GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

a recipe for success

Authen c Indian Home Cookery Classes

Delicious ingredients simply cooked Trying to find that unique gi or a New Year’s resolu on that’s easy to keep, then Sweet Cumin authen c Indian home cookery classes offer a genuine experience that will last a life me.

Join us for Christmas at North Somerset’s best-kept secret for Lunches & Dinners Christmas Party Menus 1st December – 12th January 2013

Dinner 3 courses – £26.00 pp (This includes Disco)

Lunch 2 courses – £14.95 pp 3 courses – £17.00 pp

Bookings now being taken for New Year’s Eve

Honeyhall Lane Congresbury North Somerset BS49 5JT Email info@mendipspringgolfclub.com www.mendipspringgolfclub.com

Tel: 01934 852322 • Restaurant: 01934 853080 PAGE 24 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

E Cookery Classes for all ages & abili es E Group Classes start from £40pp (small class sizes) E Take home goody pack with recipe and spices E Gi vouchers are available to the value of your choice E Public talks and demonstra ons “. . . me and money well spent – there aren’t too many experiences that a 76-year-old and a 44-year-old can enjoy together . . .”

Why not spice things up a bit?

Tel: 07961 320 193 | Email: bini@sweetcumin.co.uk The Barn | Clapton | Radstock | Somerset | BA3 4EB www.sweetcumin.co.uk

Follow us

The teaching is relaxed, hands on and at a pace to suit you

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FOOD & DRINK

New Manor expands

Country shopping at its best

North Widcombe, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6HW

NEW Manor Farm Shop is celebrating its tenth anniversary, with a big expansion of the shop and tearooms at Widcombe, near Chew Valley Lake.

As well as an impressive new entrance, former farm buildings have been converted in to a luxury toilet block, while the farm shop has been increased in size by a third, and there’s a new kitchen and new dining area.

It means the shop can stock a wider range of goods, while the tea rooms will be able to cater for parties, conferences and small weddings for up to 100 people. The rooms will be available for hire. The development is due to open on December 1st.

Colston Gay (pictured centre with his staff) first opened the shop to sell organic meat from his traditional mixed farm. It’s now one of the most popular farm shops and tea rooms in the area.

For Christmas gifts, food and drink Christmas gifts and hampers

BUTCHERY - order now for Christmas

Christmas trees, holly wreaths, hyacinths

Local apple juice, cider and chutneys

Plants and gifts including Emma Bridgwater china

Geoff’s fresh fish every Friday and Saturday

Centred around a traditional farm courtyard near Chew Valley Lake – the very best in local produce and gift ideas

TEA ROOMS Hot & cold meals Delicious cream teas Sunday roast lunches Full English breakfasts Christmas Menu Now Available Opening times: Farm shop: Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm Tea Room: Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm Wheelchair access, children welcome, free parking, coaches by appointment

Farm Shop: 01761 220067 Tea Rooms: 01761 220172 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 25

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MENDIP TIMES Christmas 2012 at

BEAH

English & Mediterranean Restaurant, Wells

A FESTIVE CELEBRATION! Open evening Monday December 3rd from 4pm Christmas tasters – beef • turkey • ducks • chicken Mulled wine • mince pies

Christmas Turkey Lunch & Dinner served Monday – Saturday throughout December (3nd – 24th) Christmas Day Lunch Menu £65 per person (very limited space available) New Year’s Eve Quiz Night A fun way to see the New Year in! (tables of up to 6) Christmas & New Year opening times: Open Monday – Saturday December 3 – 24th Christmas Day bookings only Boxing Day Closed Re-open December 27th – 29th Closed New Years Eve (open evening only for Quiz Night) Closed January 1 – 5th inclusive Re-open Monday January 7th WE WISH ALL OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR For more information and menus, please call Nicola

01749 678111 or email: info@beah.co.uk

Christmas gifts

Or pop in to 2, Union Street, Wells • www.beah.co.uk

All turkeys are home produced All other meat is home produced or locally sourced Fresh fruit, vegetables, ciders, wines

Open: Tues–Sat 9.30am–5.30pm Sun 10am–4pm Extended opening hours for Christmas THE PLOUGHMAN'S FARM SHOP MANOR FARM, TARNOCK BS26 2SL

01934 750615 PAGE 26 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2012

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FOOD & DRINK

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE KINGS ARMS LITTON 31-12-2012 At The Pub

Mumm Champagne and Chef’s Canapés Amouse Bouche

Egg a La Coque, Avruga Caviar and Grey Goose Vodka The Starters

Grilled Red Mullet Fillet, Shaved Crunchy Fennel and Olive Tapenade Roast Wiltshire Quail on a bed of Dried Fruits With a Port and Balsamic Reduction Garden Apple and Pear Salad with Walnuts & Stilton (V) The Main Courses

Fillet Mignon with a Cabernet Sauvignon Reduction and Dauphinoise Potato Split Roast Lobster, Chilli, Garlic & Herb Butter Sauce Baked Aubergine with Spiced Chickpeas, Tomato and Herb Sauce and Cucumber Yoghurt (V) The Dessert

Litton Surprise Local Cheeses and Biscuits Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours

www.kingsarmslitton.com G e: manager@kingsarmslitton.com Litton, Bath, Somerset BA3 4PW MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 27

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MENDIP TIMES

Special Christmas markets DECEMBER DATES Wells: every Wednesday 9am-2.30pm Friday 7th Wincanton 9am-12pm All other markets 9am-1pm except where marked* Saturday 1st Midsomer Norton & Axbridge** Saturday 8th Frome*** & Keynsham Saturday 15th Crewkerne Sunday 16th Axbridge Christmas Market 10am-1.30pm** Friday 21st Cheddar Friday 21st Burnham-on-Sea Saturday 22nd Glastonbury & Yeovil* 9am-2pm Sunday 23rd Frome Christmas Market 10am-1.30pm***

Somerset Farmers’ Markets

Tel: 01373 814646

www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk

Your Power Proudly Supports Sustainability in Somerset Your Power is a Leading Expert in the Field of Renewable Energy.

Whether it’s Domestic or Commercial, We Have the Right System for You. Call Today for Your Free Survey: 0800 924 7364 or www.yourpoweruk.com

Lillypool Café Farm Shop Local Cider Cider and and Cheeses Cheeses Local NEW

Roast dinners Sunday from 12noon £6.95 small £5.50 children £3.95 Christmas lunches December 9th-23rd

Now taking bookings Christmas opening hours: Christmas Eve 8am-2pm • Christmas Day closed • Boxing Day 8am-2pm

Wishing all of our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Shipham Hill, Winscombe BS25 1RQ Tel: 01934 741244 Open 7am-3pm seven days a week Available for private parties and birthdays PAGE 28 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

ALTHOUGH Somerset Farmers’ Markets are held all year round it’s during the lead up to Christmas that the producers notch up a gear or two and really pull out all the stops!

Special gift packs of produce are lovingly prepared and Christmas ranges take to the stalls in the annual culinary showcase of mincemeats laced with Somerset Cider brandy, and chipolata sausages, specially prepared hams and whole truckles of cheese.

Julia’s Kitchen which sells at Glastonbury has even devised a seasonal range catering for those with special dietary needs but to be enjoyed by all including – plum and red wine almond topped tarts, as well as vegetarian Christmas cakes and puddings.

Steve Harvey aka ‘Fishman with a Difference’ is taking orders for whole salmon or his own smoked salmon prepared by smoking with chips of wood from a whisky cask; these can be collected at Cheddar on December 21st!

As we work our way through December the markets will all feature special Christmas prize draws to win either hampers of food or vouchers to spend. Expect to hear choirs at Yeovil and Axbridge and a brass band at Keynsham and even see Santa’s sleigh at Midsomer Norton!

The last week before the 25th sees a growing energy and intensity to everyone’s shopping and to cope with increased demand there will be additional markets!

Consequently on Sunday, December 16th Axbridge is holding an additional Christmas market from 10am-1.30pm which will feature lots of present buying opportunities as well as fresh food.

Burnham and Cheddar both take place on Friday, December 21st and are near enough to Christmas to start collecting your hams, chipolatas and cheeses!

Saturday, December 22nd will see Glastonbury and Yeovil Farmers Markets – and rumour has it Micheal Eavis will be shopping at Glastonbury!

The Big One though is always held at Frome – usually on an evening but this year on Sunday, December 23rd, 10am1.30pm, at the Cheese and Grain and promises to be a spectacular event where 35 producers take along their turkeys and geese, puddings and plum jam and most people wander home clutching their ‘brussel sprout tree’!

A Happy Christmas from all at Somerset Farmers’ Markets!

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FOOD & DRINK

Welcome to Wookey NIGEL and Julie Bourne are the new landlords of the Ring O’ Bells in Wookey and are relishing their move to the Mendips. The couple lived in Croydon, south London, where Nigel was an actor and Julie a college lecturer, when the riots there persuaded them the time was right for a move.

Julie said: “We could see what was happening from our bedroom window.

We’d talked for a couple of years about getting out of London and having a pub and decided now was the time. We are both people people and want to create an environment where people can enjoy themselves.”

They could not have chosen better.

The pub, dating from 1386, when it was built as almshouses, is a gem and they have set about increasing its attraction with a new menu, new kitchen – and a new chef Carl Mitchell – to add to its charm of brasses and open log fires.

The food is reasonably priced, “fine food, not fine dining”, made largely

from local ingredients and there’s a great selection of wines – chosen to match the menu – beers and ciders.

Nigel said: “We attract a wide range of people – the conversation around the bar is wonderful, from skittles to cerebrally challenging stuff. We’ve been here less than a month and people are already treating us as long-term

friends. We just love being here.”

The skittle alley doubles as a function room and they have plans for live music and quiz nights. The pub is family and dog friendly (look out for the new pup, Northern Inuit “Saskia”) and raises funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the charity Heads Up.

Nigel and Julie promise you a warm welcome Quality home-cooked food Wide range of wines, beers and ciders Family friendly – skittle alley available for functions Open: 12noon - midnight seven days a week Food served 12noon-3pm and 6pm-9pm The Ring O’Bells Inn, Wookey, Wells BA5 1JZ Tel: 01749 678079 • Email: ringobells@nigelbourne.com • www.ringobellswookey.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 29

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MENDIP TIMES

Remembrance Sunday in Blagdon

MORE than 50 rainbows, brownies, cubs, guides, scouts, venture scouts and their leaders took part in the Remembrance Day service at St. Andrew’s Church in Blagdon.

Rainbow Leader Tracy Higgins said: “The events of recent years have brought the reality of war into the lives

of many young people for the first time and it is important that the younger generation learns what Armistice Day means and how vital the Poppy Appeal is in helping those who survived the horrors of war.”

Representatives of the armed services led by the Royal British Legion

Bishop Peter and Angela Yeoman with capsule in entrance hall after sealing

PAGE 30 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

NEWS

assembled in the church to remember those who lost their lives fighting for their country and to observe the two minutes silence. Wreaths were laid by the Royal British Legion and the Fire Service and a posy of poppies was placed on the Remembrance Altar by rainbow guide, Bethany Hunt.

Time capsule planted at Palace Gardens in Wells

LOCAL children helped plant a time capsule in the new Garden of Reflection site at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells.

The time capsule was the brainchild of Mrs Angela Yeoman, Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset, and contained various mementos and tokens from the Jubilee Celebrations this summer.

It is hoped Isabella Wells, aged seven, Montgomery, aged five, and Jamieson, aged nine months, who were involved in the event, will be able to return in 60 years’ time for the opening of the capsule in 2072.

Items in the capsule were carefully selected to give future generations an insight into the role of people from Somerset in the Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in June, with photographs and written accounts of the day, as well as various objects such as a cup and saucer from the Avontuur boat, a Celtic cross and some Lego toys.

The planting of the time capsule was a part of a successful evening at the palace to raise funds for developing and maintaining the Garden of Reflection, which is the last element in The Bishop’s Palace £4million development project.

The garden is a major addition to the already stunning and inspirational palace gardens and it will provide a special place for quiet reflection and contemplation. It will open to visitors in spring 2013.

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MENDIP TIMES CAMELEY LODGE LAUNDRY

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

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09:31

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Festive support for Mendip businesses – looking ahead to 2013 CHRISTMAS – if you’re in business, looking forward to Christmas can begin as far ahead as the spring, but we are all aware that in the build-up to the Festive Season, there can be an air of mild hysteria in many companies.

Here in Somerset, many of

BUILDING DESIGN & DRAWINGS • PLANNING APPLICATIONS • BUILDING REGULATIONS • STRUCTURAL CALCULATIONS Contact: Neil or Stuart Email: Email: neil.dando@purpleplan-it.co.uk stuart.cload@purpleplan-it.co.uk Mobile: 07966 398076 M: 07792 632492

www.purpleplan-it.co.uk

PAGE 32 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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

our businesses are small and have a few dedicated staff working really hard to keep their customers, their bank and the dear old Inland Revenue happy.

It’s worth remembering that we cannot realistically be Jacks of All Trades but most of us really are Masters of One. If we stand back a moment and think of our area as a giant company called Mendip Limited, it becomes easier to realise that we are all inter-dependent.

We all turn to each other and the more we can do that within our own area, the stronger our “Brand” will become. The “Mendip Money-go-round” can grow and develop provided that we are all committed to climbing and staying aboard it.

If your company is small but beginning to grow, now is the

time to plan what services you may need before you become snowed under and unable to see the wood for the trees. Take the opportunity to talk to as many consultants and professionals as you can – especially those who offer a free first consultation!

You can shop around to find out the “team” who can best support you. This is as much about a personal fit as about a skillset, so it’s wise not to try and work with someone you feel uncomfortable with. One man’s meat is another man’s poison – and that’s as true in business relationships as in the rest of life.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Well Planned New Year!

Jane Bowe probusiness

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BUSINESS Looking for love?

Don’t be lonely next Christmas!

Professional and personal service

0800 056 3179 or 01934 744788 www.carolinecrowther.com

ECATCHER MOL

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Telephone 01275 332966

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 33

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MENDIP TIMES

Business and pleasure at Rookery Farm ROOKERY Farm at Binegar, near Shepton Mallet, has always been a place of business and trade – but it also enjoys a very sociable aspect, which makes the farm an ideal destination for visitors in the run-up to Christmas.

Rookery Farm is within easy reach of Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Frome, Midsomer Norton and Radstock and is less than 20 miles from both Bristol and Bath. The farm has been in the ownership of the Lyons family since 1945.

Leslie and Marie Lyons took over a small herd of 14 cows and a pig, as well as a few ducks and chickens. They worked hard to expand the farm over the years, building a flock of Hampshire Down sheep as well as a large dairy herd. They also raised four sons, including Richard, who worked with his father in the 1970s to establish a business at the farm building horseboxes. This

TO LET

Fiona and Richard Lyons

Last remaining unit available to let at Rookery Farm Prime location 1200sq ft With planning consent for a farm shop For further information please contact: Richard Lyons on 01749 841464 PAGEP??

AGE •M 34ENDIP • MENDIP TIMES TIMES • DECEMBER • DECEMBER 2011 2012

Mendip Farmers Hunt sets off from Rookery Farm

business grew to become Lyons Commercial Body Builders.

Richard and his family purchased the farm in 1994 and a plan was put in place to remove the block, wood, asbestos and tin buildings that had been erected over the years, renovate the original stone farm buildings and restore the courtyard.

Earlier this year, the decision was taken to close the very successful boarding kennels and cattery, which had been run on the site for 15 years, and complete the conversion of all the buildings into units.

The new businesses which have joined the already successful Mendip Equestrian, Hartley’s Kitchen, Somerset Clocks and Angel-Oh Therapies are The Mendip Auction Rooms, Somer Craft Addix, Jeremiah Jones Photography, AKS Crane Hire and Paws and Claws dog grooming salon.

There is just one remaining available unit and that has planning consent for a farm shop; a tenant is actively being sought for this prime unit. Richard and

Farm’s wartime role

his wife Fiona say they are very grateful for all the support they have received from Mendip District Council, which has enabled them to develop Rookery Farm into the thriving venue it is today.

Rookery Farm has always been a social meeting place for organisations such as Young Farmers, Farm Women’s Club, Round Table and Tangent and has welcomed many foreign visitors over the years. The Mendip Farmers Hunt also meets at the farm.

Earlier this year, Richard and Fiona decided to build on the farm’s reputation as a welcoming venue with the opening of The Ostler’s Rooms, a 60-80 seat multi-purpose function and meeting room which is available for hire for parties, business meetings and training sessions. The Ostler’s Rooms is fully equipped with its own kitchen, a separate bar/reception area and a digital projector in the main room. Various catering options are available including selfcatering.

BEFORE the Lyons family arrived at Rookery Farm it was owned by the James family who were horse dealers and traders.

During both the First and Second World Wars, horses were brought there in vast numbers, broken, shod and ridden/led to Maesbury Station where they were transferred via the Somerset and Dorset railway to Southampton and onwards to the battlefields in France.

Leslie and Marie Lyons came to Rookery Farm as newlyweds in September 1945. Leslie ran a hay and straw business for many years, regularly driving lorries to Wiltshire and Hampshire to collect and deliver straw. He also bought and sold second hand farm machinery and horse trailers and was a well-known Mendip character.

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MONTHLY general sales at the Mendip Auction Rooms at Rookery Farm are now firmly on the calendar of Mendip social events.

And with around 800 lots at each sale, the phrase “something for everybody” is not a cliché.

Its new specialist sales are also proving popular; the next Sporting Sale will be held on Thursday, December 13th at 6pm and auctioneer Tom Killen says a wide variety of guns, fishing tackle and other sporting-related material have already been included.

Concentration during a sale

Page 35

FOCUS ON ROOKERY FARM A monthly auction underway

Last-minute viewing before a sale begins

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 35

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MENDIP TIMES

Massage and beauty at Rookery Farm ANGEL-OH! Holistic Massage and Beauty Emporium provides an exquisite range of massage and beauty therapies to suit everyone.

Using sumptuous and naturally derived products you can be sure the treatment you

Hartleys – where everybody knows your name

receive is going to be kind on your skin as well as your purse strings.

With a varied menu of heavenly holistic experiences, relaxation is guaranteed.

Monthly offers are available and parties and pamper packages can be quoted for on request.

For more information please visit www.angel-oh.com

Breakfast Brunch Lunch

Tuesday – Saturday: 8am – 4pm Sunday: 9am – 2:30pm (last orders at 1:15)

Just fine food and a great atmosphere on the Mendips at anytime and . . .

Christmas time

Tel 01749 841718

www.hartleyskitchen.com Rookery Farm, Binegar BA3 4UL PAGE 36 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Sunday lunch at Hartleys Bistro is always a big event

PAUL and Linda Hartley will celebrate the fourth anniversary in December of the opening of Hartleys Bistro at Rookery Farm.

And they pride themselves on knowing around 80 per cent of their customers by their first names, such is the popularity of the café/restaurant.

The customer definitely comes first at Hartleys, whether it’s someone popping in for a coffee, a delicious breakfast or lunch.

Customers are also encouraged to leave their contact details to receive a monthly newsletter by e-mail: Hartleys Happenings features the latest news and menus.

Hartleys has also become a popular venue for motor clubs and shooting parties also meet there for breakfast before a day’s outing. Sunday lunches are invariably booked well in advance and their classic breakfasts at weekends are also a big hit.

Paul said: “We enjoy absolutely pampering our customers and making the place good fun; it’s a bit of a cabaret at times.

“People come from a 15-20 mile radius and we know most of them by their Christian names.”

Paul is well-known as a foodie and cookery writer and a new book of his recipes based on Marmite has just been published.

He is also working with Rookery Farm neighbour, photographer Graham Jones, on a series of Food Shoots: a series of 20 photos of specific foods, such as tomatoes, grapes and oranges which they hope to turn into calendars, table mats and mugs.

Work is due to begin in the New Year to expand the bistro to create an extra 20 covers. Before then – and typical of Hartleys – the team will enter fully into the Christmas spirit with fancy dress on Christmas Eve: “expected, but not obligatory”, said Paul.

And New Year’s Day sees Hartleys famous jazz brunch.

Everything costs £22.50 per person, whether that’s a full breakfast or just a coffee. Paul explained: “It’s a fixed fee – or would you like us to add up your bill after a night of partying!”

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FOCUS ON ROOKERY FARM

An eye for quality

Pet groomer has Paddy Power!

EXPERIENCED pet groomer Emma Coleman is the latest person to join the growing number of businesses to be based at Rookery Farm at Binegar.

Emma has been running Paws to Claws full-time for the past three years from her mother’s home at Haydon Drove, near Wells. In that time, she has built up an impressive list of regular visitors – both cats and dogs – including one of her favourites: Paddy, a seven-year-old Labradoodle.

Emma, 30, began her career 10 years ago, and has gained qualifications in pet grooming. She says the move to Rookery Farm will give her more space and will also allow her to rent out another table to another pet groomer.

She also plans to run courses for owners at the new premises to teach them how to care for their pets between grooming sessions, including advice on how to cut nails, brushing techniques and how to safely remove ticks.

Emma said: “The unit gives me so much more space to expand the business. I am also more than happy for owners to stay and watch whilst their pets are being groomed.”

Emma is no stranger to Rookery Farm, however: she worked in the former kennels there. Emma added: “In fact I am moving back to where I used to work – in the same building!”

Emma prepares Paddy for his regular grooming session

Paws to Claws

ROOKERY Farm Photo Studio is owned and run

by Graham Jeremiah Jones QGPP, a national award-winning photographer and Qualified Member of the Guild of Professional Photographers.

The studio boasts a wealth of photographic talent with its associate photographers, Kevin Mitchell QGPP and Nikita Frost. Kevin specialises in family and children’s portraits while Nikita specialises in pregnancy and new-born portraits to One of Graham’s stunning equine the age of around a year. portraits All the team photograph weddings and have a wealth of experience in that field but Graham’s speciality is in the equine and equestrian world, where dressage is of particular interest.

The studio is unique in Mendip in that it can accommodate horses, allowing Graham to create stunning equine portraits in an indoor and controlled environment. Other animals are also welcome!

Graham used to have a studio in Frome but wanted more space. He has known Rookery Farm owner Richard Lyons for many years and says he jumped at the chance to move there.

Graham became a professional photographer more than four years ago, but it had always been his hobby. Graham said: “My passion became my business.”

Graham says visitors will always find a warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere at the studio and, of course, stunning and beautiful images in the gallery.

Photographing dressage is one of the most technicallydemanding aspects of equine photography, says Graham: “The rider and horse have to be working so smoothly together to capture the correct image.”

Graham travels throughout Somerset and Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol – and sometimes further afield – to cover dressage and other equestrian events.

Pet Groomers

EXPERIENCED, KIND AND CAREFUL HANDLING GUARANTEED Now based at Rookery Farm, Binegar

EMMA COLEMAN Mob: 07870 688759 • Salon: 01749 841842 Unit 5, Rookery Farm, Binegar, BA3 4UL

Open 9-5 Monday to Friday or by appointment (inc. Saturdays).

Local collection and delivery possible MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 37

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MENDIP TIMES Members of Mendip Farmers Hunt chat outside the entrance to the Ostler's Rooms.

The craft addicts

In a class of their own: macramé teacher Heather (standing), with Sarah, Ivy, Linda and Sue, owner of Craft Addix

Rookery Farm, Binegar BA3 4UL

< Brand new multi-purpose 60-80 seat function/meeting room available for hire < Fully equipped serving kitchen < Separate bar and reception area < Disabled facilities The Ostler$s Rooms is open for licensed bar, hot & cold snacks and refreshments every auction day

Tel: 01749 841464

e-mail: ostlersrooms@hotmail.co.uk • www.ostlersrooms.co.uk

SOMER Craft Addix is hosting a series of festive-themed workshops in the run-up to Christmas and New Year for people wanting to create presents with a personal touch.

Sue Wise relocated the business to Binegar earlier this year because she needed more space for the impressive range of products, courses, workshops and craft clubs for crafters and hobbyists.

The business is a hive of activity, from people browsing the shelves and display stands to a group of ladies settling down for a lesson on how to make macrame bracelets and bangles.

Macrame is form of textile-making using knotting rather than weaving or knitting.

Friday, November 30th sees a bangle-making course; parchment classes are held on the first Saturday of every month and there’ll be a special session on card making on Wednesday, December 12. There will also be special Christmas classes for children – Work by local craftspeople, including a woodturner and jeweller, is for sale and Somer Craft Addix also raises money for various charities during the year.

Sue said: “People visit us from a wide area, including Bath and Trowbridge and even further afield.

“It’s a very friendly place in which to meet new people and learn new skills.”

SOMER CRAFT ADDIX Craft Shop

For all your crafting needs!

Open -Tues-Sat 10-4 • Closed Sunday and Monday

Weekly workshops in cardmaking using different techniques and materials. Monthly jewellery and parchment classes. Suitable for novice to the more experienced, any age. Weekly and monthly clubs.

Some kids classes.

We make bespoke Wedding/party invites or help you to design/make your own.

Unit 6, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Radstock BA3 4UL

01749 840567 www.somercraftaddix.co.uk PAGE 38 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Crafty colours – boxes of beads

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Clocks on the map

Rik at work in his showroom at Rookery Farm

PEOPLE are travelling to Rookery Farm from miles around says Rik Lowe, owner of Somerset Clocks and owner of one of the first businesses to open on the site.

Rik specialises in the restoration and repair of all types of antique clocks, but longcase clocks have a special place in his heart.

English longcase clocks are enjoying a resurgence in interest, especially from overseas collectors with buyers paying in China paying premium prices.

Rik said: “British antiques in general are highly sought-after and antique clocks in particular are going up in value.”

He added: “People are coming to Rookery Farm from miles around, especially now Mendip Auction Rooms are proving so popular.”

Rik currently has a selection of longcase clocks for sale with local pedigrees. They include one by Nicholas Roper, of Oakhill, another by Charles Maggs, of Axbridge, and one by a John Thomas, of Crewkerne.

FOCUS ON ROOKERY FARM

Saddling up for online sales

THE Mendip Saddlery, based at Rookery Farm, is a traditional Saddlery with excellent service guaranteed.

We pride ourselves on being one of only a couple of saddlers’ in Somerset with an on site saddlery workshop and qualified saddler. We can offer saddlery and any leather work repairs and also a bespoke made-to-measure service for almost anything.

We take in horse rugs for washing and reproofing and they are back with you in a week; we can also take dirty rugs for just repair work which is done here on site, sometimes while you wait, a good chance to have one of Hartley’s excellent coffees while you are waiting!

We keep a range of riding wear and footwear, wellies, good quality bridle work, horse and chicken feed and we have an excellent range of second hand saddles and offer a trial service before you buy.

We are currently in the process of being able to offer an online shop and all of our used saddles will soon be available to view on our website along with our shop floor goods too. Keep checking www.themendipsaddlery.co.uk it won’t be long!

The Mendip Saddlery

Free Collection and Delivery Service

Somerset Clocks Specialists in the full restoration and repair of all types of Antique Clocks

Contact Rik Lowe for a FREE no obligation estimate Many different types of Antique Clocks in stock, fully restored and guaranteed.

Phone for details or to arrange to visit our Showroom

01749 841114

All work fully guaranteed Unit 3, Rookery Farm, Binegar, Nr. Radstock, Somerset BA3 4UL www.somersetclocks.co.uk

Located next to the new Mendip Auction Rooms!

FOR ALL OF YOUR EQUESTRIAN NEEDS INCLUDING:

G G G G

Riding wear, supplements, bridlewear, body protectors, riding hats etc.

Second hand goods dept.

Qualified saddler, on site workshop, rug cleaning and repairs, saddle fitting and sales new and secondhand.

(Good quality second hand saddles always needed to sell on a commission basis)

Mon–Fri 9.30 – 5.00 and Sat 9.30 – 4.00

Rookery Farm, Binegar BA3 4UL

Tel 01749 840838

Follow us on Facebook: MENDIP EQUESTRIAN SADDLERY www.themendipsaddlery.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 39

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MENDIP TIMES

Store celebrates

JAYNE and Paul Tame are celebrating the first anniversary of their Costcutter convenience store, based at Cheddar Motors, at Tweentown in Cheddar.

They decided to open it when the general store next door closed, converting what had been the garage shop and car wash. Jayne said: “We felt there was a need at this end of the village. It was a gamble, but the

shop has proved to be very popular.”

It now employs six people and will make deliveries to customers who are unable to get there. As well as newspapers and a general range of goods, they stock Bird’s bread and Somerset organic milk.

The business is very much a family affair. Paul’s father Bill and mother Helen have been there 35 years and still help out.

Jayne and Paul’s son, Zack, aged 16, is an apprentice in the garage.

Jayne said: “We’d like to say Thank You to all our customers and hope to see you in the New Year.”

For all your Fuel, oil, car care, milk, vegetables, Bird's Bakery, cakes, drinks, lo ery, cigare es, magazines and newspapers Open: 6.30am–8pm Mon to Fri 7.30am–8pm Sat 8am–8pm Sun

Costcutter • Tweentown • Cheddar

CHEDDAR MOTORS LTD Service & Repairs on Cars and Vans Motorcyle MOT Class 1 & 2 MOT Class 4 Latest diagnostic equipment Tweentown, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3JE Tel: 01934 742955 Email: cheddarmotors@boschauto.co.uk PAGE 40 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Cheddar’s big night

CHEDDAR Festive Night starts with a carol service at St. Andrew’s Church, before a rocket is fired from the church tower. Shops and businesses stay open late December throughout the village and gorge.

There’s also a variety of roadside stalls, bands and other entertainment, plus a special market area in Cliff Street Car Park.

7

Author’s new challenge

CHEDDAR historian Nicola Foster, co-author of Cheddar Through Time, has a new project, West Mendip Through Time, showing the history of the area through old photographs, postcards and cuttings.

It will cover Axbridge, Shipham, Star and Rowberrow, Blagdon, Burrington, Winscombe, Cheddar, Draycott, Rodney Stoke and Westbury. She’s working with local history societies and a fellow student at Strode College, Will Dawe, and is appealing for help in finding material. The book will raise funds for King John’s Hunting Lodge in Axbridge and she hopes to launch it next May at an event in Shipham Village Hall.

Details: 01934 741201 ncfoster@btinternet.com

Cheddar Through Time – £14.99

Author Nicola Foster will be signing copies at The Sitting Room on Cheddar Festive Night 4.30pm - 6.30pm

Details: Nicola Foster 01934 741201 email ncfoster@btinternet.com Church Street, Cheddar BS27 3RF 01934 741742 www.sittingroom.org.uk

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FOCUS ON CHEDDAR

Consult the experts

SW COMPUTER Services is a small independent computer shop located right at the bottom of Cheddar Gorge. Run by Stuart Edmonstone and his small but friendly team, they help to fix up grumpy machines, answer all their customers’ computer questions and sell custom built PCs to get you up and running in the virtual world in no time.

They pride themselves on ensuring that service is always done with a smile and that customers are treated as friends. If you have a computer problem … they have the answer. So make sure you stay local and go to them first!

Cheddar Gorge The official opening in June

New Late Night Opening every Friday

Pamper evenings 6pm-8pm Quiz nights 7pm-9pm Book Club 6pm – 8pm Ask in-store for details

Join us for Cheddar Festive Night Friday 7th December Masssage, jewellery and body shop

Great coffee – great company!

Opening hours 9am-5pm Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm Saturday and Sunday

Cheddar Gorge BS27 3QF

01934 741940

We are celebrating with a new menu STARTERS Smoked salmon and duck egg Benedict with chervil hollandaise £5.99 V Grilled Halloumi cheese, Aubergine, pepper and stackers £4.95 V Potato skins; loaded with cheddar cheese & sour cream £4.95 Grilled sardines on toasted ciabatta with mixed leaf garnish £5.75

MAINS Braised lamb tagine with coriander scented couscous and pitta bread £14.95 West Country pork topped with cider chutney & melted mature Cheddar cheese, sautéed potatoes & vegetables £11.95 Succulent chicken breast stuffed with spinach and wrapped in Parma ham, mushroom and thyme cream served with sautéed potatoes & vegetables £12.95 Smoked haddock Florentine, topped with poached duck egg served on mash potatoes and medley of vegetables £13.95 Sizzling fajita; succulent chicken breast, rump steak strips or V roasted vegetables pan fried in Creole spices with onions and peppersm soured cream, salsa, guacamole & soft wheat tortillas £11.95

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 41

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INTERNET

Printing for the terrified

IF you want to print part of the page, there are several ways to do it.

CROSSWORD

The Mendip Mindbender

Right-click way: 1. Select your text (get your mouse over the end of the text, click and hold and drag across to put a blue highlight over the bit of the page you want to use – keep the click held down until you get it right) 2. Right-click over the top of the selection, (e.g. pointing at the blue bit) 3. Click Print in the menu that appears.

4. Click in the dot next to the word Selection (if this word is not active, e.g. greyed-out, that’s because you don’t have an active selection on the web page, so Cancel that box and start again).

5. Click Print.

6. This will only print the text and/or pictures you have selected.

Copy/paste way: 1. Select your text (get your mouse over the end of the text, click and hold and drag across to put a blue highlight over the bit of the page you want to use) 2. Right-click on top of the selection, (e.g. pointing at the blue bit) 3. Click Copy in the menu that appears.

4. Move to where you want the text to appear – e.g. a new document, a new email etc.

5. Right-click where you want it to appear and click Paste.

Tools icon way: 1. Click the Tools icon (looks like a cog) and click Print Preview in the menu that appears. (Once you click on the cog it will turn blue) 2. The example below shows how your Print Preview will display – the bar at the top contains, from the left: Print, Portrait (the way this page is printed), Landscape (if the page was turned sideways); Page Setup; Turn Headers on/off (e.g. you wouldn’t see Gmail bit at the top); View full width; View full page. Next are three drop down menus, so you can see all the pages on the screen at the same time to see how it fits; then you can change to As selected on screen, which should give you just the bit you have selected.

3. If it still doesn’t give you what you want then try the next box: change from Shrink to Fit to whatever % you think. In this example, there should be three more links to the right of the red link in the top right corner of the page, so it is going to cut off part of the page. The only way to print the full web page would be to reduce it to around 50%, or print it Landscape, which might well use two pages. Check the second page, however, using the arrows at the very bottom of the screen, as the second page might only contain the words “page 2”!!

So you can simply click the Print option and choose to only print page 1.

Submitted by IT for the Terrified: The Old Cowshed, Station Road, Cheddar BS27 3AG 01934 741751 www.itfortheterrified.co.uk A very Merry Christmas to you all.

PAGE 42 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

ACROSS 1 Precise 7dn especially for 16a (4,7) 7 Said thus, prepare for 24 (3) 8 No artificial drink put in the cask (4,3) 9 Traditionally followed by 1ac (6) 11 Controversially good . . . when it comes to health (4) 12 Meet Ross somewhere around here (8) 15 Drove erratically towards cliffs (5) 16 Smith’s car swerved – blame the festive spirit? (9) 19 Restyle an approach – seriously (9) 20 Bacon or Guinness brings in the Irish (5) 21 Persuade Tarzan he should move to the Middle East (8) 24 Pay-off from 7ac (4) 26 It takes a nagger to sort out the cereal storage (6) 28 Buying’s her thing, but the resale involves her completely (7) 29 First of the 6 prepares for 16ac (3) 30 Moved directly at a parlour twice a day (5,6)

DOWN 1/3/14 Decision to repair Aga interpreted as single topical reference (9,2,1,4,4)

2

3 4

5 6

7

10 13 14 16 17 18 21

22 23 25 27

High and finished getting car out? (2,3,4) See 1 Pair with nothing made space for a reason (3,2) Junction in modern communication – big in US (3) Thank heavens for them . . . little ones, anyway (5) 1ac for example – sugared?

(5) Appropriate support for 7ac (7,5) How to post for 16ac (5) See 1 Action relating to 1ac and 9 for example – and much else besides over 16ac (5) Let go with the wine (4) Men came, it must be to accompany 1ac perhaps (9) Professional model for caring 6? (5) Roughly a dozen became separated (5) Races in Scottish river became shabby (5) She must have RAF interests (4) The missing ingredient is a record label (3)

Answers on Page 105

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NEWS

Frome on film

VOLUNTEERS at Frome Museum say they have been delighted by the response from people after appealing for help in researching a project about photographers based in the town from 1850-1950.

They invited people to bring in images which they knew or believed were taken by the photographers. The museum team have identified 30 so far; some were in business for many years, others only briefly.

They also appealed for help in identifying people in many of the photos as well as background information on the photographers themselves and their premises.

The museum was especially delighted with a donation by Daphne Mackley of a collection of photos by one photographer in particular, John Bell.

The photos were collected by Daphne’s late husband Ian, who was also a keen amateur photographer.

Daphne, who lives in Rode, said: “I had been intending to sort through Ian’s collections and donate them to the museum but had never got round to it

Janet and Martin Carver (seated), from Clapton with photos of Janet’s relatives, the Higley and Parker families. They are pictured with Daphne Mackley, who also donated photos to the museum and volunteer Kathy Garland

until I head about their appeal.”

G Frome Historic Buildings Trust has paid off £36,410 outstanding on the mortgage on the museum’s premises at One North Parade. Museum trustees took out a £75,000 mortgage in 2004 to

clear outstanding loans obtained when the building was acquired from the Frome Literary and Scientific Institution and for urgent repairs and alterations. The museum says it has gratefully accepted the grant.

The wedding in 1905 of Sydney Bell to Ethel Collins. John Bell took over an established fancy goods and photographic business in Catherine St in December 1871.The family went on to open branches in Yeovil, Shepton Mallet, Bath, Barry Dock and Trowbridge. The photograph was supplied by Mrs Joyce Wilson, whose father Gordon Collins is the boy on the right MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 43

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Fresh Christmas Trees, Beautiful Houseplants, Gardening Gifts, National Garden Gift Vouchers and much more!

Cleeve Nursery, 138 Main Road, Cleeve, Bristol BS49 4PW Tel 01934 832134 Email info@cleevenursery.co.uk cleevenursery.co.uk/blog/ www.cleevenursery.co.uk

Give a unique gift this Christmas!

Gift Vouchers for Wild Food Forays With Adrian Boots

Join me next year on a fantastic wild food foray. Enjoy the best wild edibles the spring, summer and autumn seasons have to offer!

Please call 01761 463356 to book your voucher or for more info visit: www.walkthemendips.com

A Christmas Gift with a difference!

Would you like to try this?

For a gift with a difference take a drive out with our magnificent Friesian horses with the chance to take the reins!

Gift vouchers available

Contact Nicky or Mike Lyons on: 01761 462250 / 07889 976498

www.blagdonhorsedrawncarriages.com

Blagdon Horse Drawn Carriages PAGE 44 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Take the reins

BLAGDON Horse Drawn Carriages operate a professional horse-drawn carriage business commercially throughout the south/south west, hiring for weddings, funerals, filming etc.

They have also found that their drive-out vouchers have proved to be very popular for those who have always wanted to have a go at driving horses or for bringing back childhood memories. Perhaps they were once keen riders but are unable to get back into the saddle.

Or if you are stuck for a gift idea and looking for something totally different, their gift vouchers are issued with a six-month expiry date on them.

Starting in Blagdon, with a pair of horses and their purpose-built exercise carriage, you will be taken on an hour-long drive around the countryside, with the opportunity to take the reins and have a go at driving the horses. They are able to take people of all ages and abilities – see their advert for contact details.

Make it a real Christmas

REAL Christmas trees not only look beautiful in the home, they also have a nostalgic seasonal aroma. For your own vision of a perfect Christmas tree visit Hollowmarsh Christmas Trees.

At their plantation they have found “Choose and Cut” is definitely growing in popularity - not only does it add to the Christmas experience, but customers know exactly where the trees have come from and that they are fresh, which is the key factor to stop needle drop.

Ten reasons for buying a Choose and Cut tree: Because they don’t practice clear fell, where 1000s of trees are cut down at once, they maintain an excellent wildlife habitat.

Buying directly from the grower will save you money.

A hectare of Christmas trees absorbs six tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

A recycled tree can be chipped for use in parks and playgrounds.

Many trees are imported, so buying locally grown trees cuts fuel pollution.

Every acre of Christmas trees grown produces the daily oxygen for 16 people.

Buy from Hollowmarsh and you can be assured of tree freshness.

Walking around the plantation you can view the trees as they will stand in your home.

You will be environmentally conscious when buying from them.

Buy a Scots pine and make tea from the needles, which is said to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce fatigue and fight off colds.

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All you need for Christmas

CHRISTMAS 2012

NEEDFUL Things of Castle Cary are celebrating their best Christmas ever with three stores for you to visit offering gifts and decorations, winter clothing and sumptuous interiors. They have everything you need for the festive season from exquisite decorations, wreaths and garlands, to imaginative gift ideas and ways to wrap them, to glamorous winter clothing and eveningwear.

In the interiors department you will find the most stunning home fabrics, curtain making, fitted carpets, Persian rugs and cushions.

So whatever your needs this Christmas, make sure you don’t miss the amazing choice at this wonderfully eclectic and enchanting store.

The staff at

Mendip Times wishes all our

readers a very happy Festive Season

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 45

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Gifts just around the corner

GORGEOUS gifts, accessories and greetings cards can be found at Body & Soul in Blagdon. Leave the hassle of shopping in town behind and give the local retailers a chance. Everyone is welcome to pop in and browse, you will find more inside than you think.

They stock beautiful jewellery to suit all ages and styles. There are many handbags to choose, from stylish clutch bags to roomy shoppers and totes; stunning scarves that can transform an outfit or scarves to keep you snug and warm.

They have two new ranges of gloves; there are classic, classy leather or wool gloves and wonderful jewel-coloured wool gloves with exquisite, fun detail, both presented in gift boxes. They stock Di Paloma toiletries including the fantastic new Tuscan Rose range. You will also find a new range of beautiful Cornish glass gifts and a new, clever space-saving idea to sort out wardrobe congestion! The list of wonderful gift ideas goes on and on – there are even gifts for men!

They source quality merchandise at affordable prices, so your money will go much further. And they stock items that are different to the rows of chain stores that you find in town. Whilst browsing you will be hoping someone will buy something for you, so why not fill out one of their popular “Wish Lists”, leave it with them and if any of your friends or family pop in, they will help them choose something you really love.

You can also buy Body & Soul gift vouchers that can be used in the shop or for a beauty or holistic treatment. They are open until 7.30pm on Thursdays, and will be open until 10pm on Thursday December 6th as part of the Blagdon charity Christmas night.

GORGEOUS GIFTS Accessories & Cards Jewellery, Handbags, Gloves, Scarves, Toiletries . . . & SO MUCH MORE. Mens gifts too

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE NEW STOCK NOW IN

OPEN TO EVERYBODY, POP IN AND BROWSE

Y & SOUL D O B HIGH STREET, BLAGDON, BS40 7RA 01761 462078 Free village car park opposite

PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Capturing the moment

HERBERT-ST was launched in 2011 by Bristol based graphic designer/photographer Sue Beavis. Her online gallery showcases photos mainly from the South West, which are available to buy as prints, greeting cards and art cards.

Inspired by the stillness of natural light and the effect it has on the landscape, but also in contrast the beauty and business of urban street life. Her passion and flair to capture a moment in time and make it last forever only fuels her fascination with photography.

By using a popular UK street name to encompass a slice of everyday life and highlight that creativity is around every corner . . .

Details: sue@herbert-st.co.uk • www.herbert-st.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS 2012

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 47

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Dear Sir, May I, on behalf of the Frome Branch of the Royal British Legion, acknowledge with deep gratitude the observance of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Frome, on Sunday, 11th November 2012, which this year fell exactly on Armistice Day. Blessed with good weather the attendance seemed larger than ever, estimated to be over 800, with all generations represented, and there for their own reasons and calling. The dedication of the plaque of HMS/M Thunderbolt, from the Royal Naval Association to the safe keeping of the Memorial Theatre, added poignancy, 70 years after the “citizens of Frome raised £175,000” to adopt the vessel in 1942.

The Royal British Legion stands for “Welfare, Comradeship, Representation & Remembrance for the Armed Forces Community”, and serves the community 365 days of the year.

Funds are boosted considerably by the fortnight of the Poppy Appeal. The Frome branch of the RBL wishes to record their thanks to Jane Wood, the Frome and Nunney Poppy Appeal Organiser, who has overseen a massive fund raising effort, and who now, after seven years, is standing down.

With the good will of the town, and with the Frome branch moving forward and striving to gain active links in all areas, through associations with youth, those affected in the present conflicts, and also by bringing together the service community in our town and area, the future of the Poppy Appeal and RBL should be assured.

To be a part of the Poppy Appeal or RBL call Jane on 0777 620 8531 jane.kelley1@virgin.net for more information.

“Lest we forget.”

Sincerely Jane Norris RBL Frome Branch Remembrance Coordinator, Frome G See History, page 50

Dear Mendip Times, As the owner of Brent Knoll Post Office and Village Shop I am always on the look-out for new ideas for the shop window. With Christmas on the way I wanted a picture of a turkey to promote the fact that we sell them, so I asked Havercroft Butchers if they had anything I could use.

Simon Havercroft brought me in a fantastic metal sign with a beautiful painting of a turkey on it. We decorated the window on Wednesday and the sign took prime position. On Thursday one of my regular customers, David Filmer, came into the shop and asked where I had got the sign from.

David then told me that he could not believe it as he had designed the sign and an accompanying advertisement in 1985 while he was working for BOCM Silcox Turkey Feeds. He had commissioned the artist to paint the picture and oversaw the printing on aluminium signs, and subsequently won an award for the Best Advertisement in the European Poultry Fair issue 1985.

David very kindly lent me a framed copy of the advert to display in the shop alongside the sign. One of life’s strange coincidences.

Caroline Chennells Brent Knoll Post Office and Village Shop Dear Mendip Times, I would like to take this opportunity through your magazine to thank all the traders, attractions and the general public who have donated to our very essential Fund Raising Raffle.

PAGE 48 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

LETTERS

The draw will take place on 19th December 2012.

Prizes include a large hamper, digital camera, JD Pro Series Scooter plus vouchers for shopping, attractions and dining out. Over 30 marvellous Lorraine (left) with Chris, one of the TIC prizes! Tickets assistants, and some of the raffle prizes cost £1.00.

We are grateful also to Mendip District Council and Shepton Mallet Town Council for their invaluable grants to help run the Tourist Information Centre, but in order to maintain the high level of service we are reliant upon our on-going fundraising activities.

Our opening times are Monday-Friday 10am-4pm; Saturday 10am-1pm. We are located at the top of the High Street (No.70).

Lorraine Pratten Manager Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Centre Dear Mendip Times, Somerset Community Foundation has launched its Surviving Winter campaign again this year. The scheme started in 2010 when one of our supporters offered to donate his Winter Fuel Payment if we could redistribute to another older person struggling to stay warm.

This became a successful and award-winning campaign that has raised over £110,000 over the past two winters in Somerset alone and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us.

Sadly, with rising energy prices, more older people than ever are facing a very difficult time ahead. One in ten households has a pensioner in fuel poverty, and it is estimated that in the past two years there were 400 winter-related deaths in Somerset – 90% of them were older people.

Donations made to the Surviving Winter appeal are redistributed through local organisations who can reach people who need help. In some cases we help older people who cannot afford to keep their heating on and maintain a decent standard of living. We also help essential support organisations such as lunch clubs, emergency repair services, and community transport schemes.

If only 1% of people in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment in Somerset donated an equivalent amount to us we would raise £150,000 to help older people and other vulnerable groups this winter. This is why we are asking anyone, if they can afford to do so, to donate their Winter Fuel Payment this winter.

To find out more about the campaign or make a donation please visit www.somersetcf.org.uk or call us on 01749 344949.

If you are over 60 and are struggling with the cost of winter, please contact either Mendip Citizen Advice Bureau on 01749 345394 or Somerset Care and Repair on 01749 345379.

Yours, Justin Sargent, Chief Executive, Somerset Community Foundation

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Harvey’s helpers

THE Winford Parish Scarecrow Festival has raised £4,362 for the Harvey Hext Appeal – and money is still being donated, Chew Valley Rugby Club had a whip-round and gave £394.

Several scarecrow super-sleuths correctly identified all 71 scarecrows. Five-year-old Tobias Broad of Long Ashton was picked as the overall winner of the challenge and Harvey took great pleasure in presenting him with the prize – a superb mountain bike!

Harvey’s parents are trying to raise £350,000 to take him for treatment in the USA. He’s thought to be the only child in the world suffering from neuroblastoma and Downs Syndrome.

As a memento of the trail a 2013 calendar featuring photos of some of the fabulous scarecrow creations is currently being made.

Mendip wedding

Death of Tim Rogers

NEWS

TIM Rogers, who died last month, aged 65, was landlord of one of the county’s most popular pubs, the Crown at Churchill.

Tim and his wife Judith were offered the pub when they popped to the “local” for a drink on their wedding day in 1984. It was as Tim often said: “The happiest day of my life.” It’s not every day you gain Local newspaper report from the time a wife and a pub.

Only this year the Crown was chosen by The Good Pub Guide as the “Best Unspoilt Pub” in the country. Tim didn’t believe in music or one-arm bandits; instead he promoted conversation which was aided by a selection of local beers served straight from the barrel.

He also flew in the face of convention by only serving food at lunchtime – although people travelled from miles around to savour the rare beef sandwiches.

Apart from the pub, Tim’s other passion was his 1956 Austin Healy. As recently as 2001 he won his class at Brands Hatch which qualified him to race in the “Le Mans Legends”. And the annual trips to Le Mans with a contingency from the Crown were indeed legendary.

Over 400 people attended Tim’s funeral at St. Mary’s in Wedmore. Tim leaves behind his wife Judith and daughter Amy – and of course the Crown.

This is to be leased from January next year. The new landlord has a hard act to follow.

Russell Smith

Pamper night

THE Castle of Comfort on Mendip saw one of its biggest crowds in years, when Michelle, the daughter of landlords Steve and Wendy Crook, married Mike Phippen, whose parents Mark and Jean run Chosen Hill Farm at Chew Magna.

The reception was held in a marquee at the pub after the couple were married at St. Laurence Church in Priddy. Their honeymoon was in Australia.

STANTON Drew and Pensford Pre-school raised £176 for pre-school funds thanks to a pamper night held in the village hall. Catharine O’Malley from Stanton Drew is pictured buying gifts from a stall run by (left to right) Abbey Groves and Charley Day from Paulton, MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 49

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A time to give thanks THERE was added poignancy at this year’s Remembrance Day service in Frome which was attended by several hundred people outside the town’s Memorial Theatre.

The ceremony saw the handover of the town’s plaque celebrating its links with the submarine HMS Thunderbolt to the theatre trustees to mark the 70th anniversary of the “citizens of the Urban and Rural Districts Councils adopting the submarine in 1942”.

Frome presented the plaque on March 12th, 1943 but the submarine crew tragically never received it; the boat was lost with all hands off the coast of Sicily two days later.

The plaque was originally on display in Frome’s St John’s Church but was then lent by the church under faculty to the

Frome’s Memorial Theatre, bathed in November sunshine

Jane Wood receives the RNA trophy from Tug Wilson in recognition of her work with the Poppy appeal

Submarine Museum. After many years there, it was returned to St John’s and has been entrusted by the church to the care of the Memorial Theatre where it will go on display in the foyer alongside other HMS Thunderbolt memorabilia.

After the service, there was a surprise presentation to Jane Wood, who has stood down after seven years as Poppy Appeal organiser in the town and surrounding area.

During that time, she has helped raise £160,000.

In previous years, Jane has nominated

a volunteer to receive a trophy from the town’s Royal Naval Association to recognise their outstanding work but branch chairman Tug Wilson decided it was Jane who should be honoured this year.

G The Frome branch of the Royal British Legion is still looking for someone to succeed Jane for next year, with the time in October and November to organise a team to prepare and distribute poppy tins, oversee volunteer collectors and then collect in and prepare counting.

Margaret Sallis, President of the Frome branch of the Royal Naval Association, who presented the submarine plaque to the Memorial Theatre, shares a joke with Humphrey Barnes, chairman of the theatre trustees

Mary Kelley (centre) prepares to lay a wreath in memory of her father, Billy Cole, and another victim of an incendiary bomb which landed in Frome 71 years ago. Billy was an ARP warden. Mary is helped by her daughter, Jane, and Lt. Chris Wiggins, originally from Frome, who serves with 39 Regiment, Royal Artillery

We salute them

Anyone who would like to help should contact Sue Potepa, County Fundraiser on 01278 442067 or e-mail: spotepa@britishlegion.org.uk

PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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From Oklahoma to Litton

The Litton family and friends outside the King’s Arms Inn with owners Findlay Hobbs and Luis Duarte. James Litton is at the front, in the centre of the picture

A SIMPLE memorial in the churchyard in Litton is the latest chapter in an extraordinary story linking the village with one of America’s most famous choral conductors and his family.

Beneath it is an urn containing the ashes of Lou Ann Litton, who was born in 1934 in Oklahoma and died in July this year in New Jersey.

Lou Ann was the wife of Dr James Litton, an American who fell in love with Litton village and the fact that he shared its name whilst driving through Somerset 50 years ago. The Littons have continued to be regular visitors ever since.

In the years before Lou Ann’s death, the couple were in contact the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary to make arrangements for her ashes to be interred there. On Saturday, November 10th, the Litton family and friends gathered for the burial service and committal by the Rev. Howard Latty. The family stayed at the King’s Arms Inn nearby.

James was the director of the famous American Boychoir for sixteen years until 2001 and conducted the choir in more than 2,000 concerts throughout America and overseas. He also conducted the choir in more than 30 professional recordings and on television programmes and commercial soundtracks.

After retirement he served for two years as choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral and still conducts many choirs at home and abroad.

In the booklet of the Order of Service, James, on behalf of the family, wrote: “Deepest appreciation is expressed to the Reverend Howard Latty. We also deeply thank the parish council for their kind permission for the burial of Lou Ann’s cremated ashes in their consecrated churchyard and especially to Peter Schneider, senior warden, for his continued assistance during the past more than three years.

“Our thanks also go to Andrew Harris and his associates of the firm Bryan G. Bishop Ltd. Funeral Directors, for their coordination of the many details regarding the burial of the urn.”

There was also special praise for King’s Arms co-owner Luis Duarte. James signed a copy of the booklet, writing: “To Luis with deepest appreciation and best wishes for the next 500 years for the King’s Arms!”

Luis said: “The family were absolutely delightful and we were honoured that they chose to stay with us for their long weekend in the village.”

HISTORY

Frome memories celebrated

Working Memories is launched at Hunting Raven Bookshop in Cheap Street

MUSIC and banners in the streets of Frome celebrated the launch of the town’s own book of working memories.

Compiled by the community history group Home in Frome, Working Memories is the result of several years of research and interviews.

G There are 144 pages and 330 illustrations in the book. It costs £10 from Hunting Raven Bookshop, Frome Museum and other local outlets and can also be purchased at Home in Frome events.

The procession is underway

Banners celebrate some of the town’s former industries MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 51

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Lots shine at Clevedon salerooms

ARTS AND ANTIQUES

CLEVEDON Salerooms specialist sale in November had many notable highlights proving that for the right items there is still plenty of demand. A diamond cross-over ring with a total weight of just over 5 carats sold to a private buyer for £19,600.

Having considerably less weight in diamonds but with the cache of the Cartier name was a fine platinum eternity ring that found a London buyer willing to pay to pay £4,650. A Japanese silver shibuichi and enamel urn and cover standing 23.5cm high sold for £7,850 A gentleman’s 18ct gold cased Rolex Oyster perpetual day-

date wristwatch having conforming gold strap found a new home for £4,900.

Clevedon Salerooms have one more sale before Christmas on December 13th and the next Quarterly Specialist Sale will be held on February 28th.

To receive a copy of the Salerooms 2013 Auction Calendar please contact the Saleroom on 01934 830111 or email info@clevedon-salerooms.com

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

FREE ANTIQUE VALUATION DAYS 3 4 5 December 17 18 19 December 9am–1pm and 2pm–5.30pm Held at the salerooms – no appointment necessary

Lawrence Leifchild Toynbee (1922-2002) Oil on Canvas – The Rugby Match Sold at Clevedon Salerooms November sale for

£8,350 (Establishing a new global auction record for the artist)

Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT www.clevedon-salerooms.com PAGE 52 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2012

We are currently inviting entries for our forthcoming: Quarterly Specialist Sale of Antiques, Fine Art & Collectors’ Items Thursday 28th February (closing date for entries 30th January)

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WILDLIFE

AS winter begins to bite, we should all be seeing the arrival of winter migrants.

Redwings and fieldfares move in to our gardens as the

By CHRIS weather turns colder, SPERRING moving in flocks to MBE strip the berries from shrubs and trees. Everyone knows these winter visitors, and they are always a welcome sight, but not everyone realises that there is another member of the thrush family that visits Britain during the winter… a bird which we all know so well, which breeds in our gardens during the spring and summer, and which enchants us with its effortless song: the blackbird.

The blackbirds that spend the summer with us usually leave around late September and there will be a month or so with hardly a blackbird to be seen at all. Usually by now (as I write in midNovember) there will be at least seven or eight wintering blackbirds in my garden, but this year I only have two. In the winter of 2006/07 we had 11 blackbirds in the garden at any one time compared, of course, to one resident pair during the spring/summer months.

Whilst presenting for the BBC Autumnwatch webcams on the remote Orkney Island of Stronsay during

October/November 2010, I noticed a constant daily movement of thrushes across the tree-less expanse of the island.

The nearest land mass that they would have originated from would have been Norway. Friends of mine in Sweden confirm that their breeding blackbirds all leave during the first few weeks of October, following a period of frenzied feeding on berries.

These Scandinavian birds would not survive the harsh winters there, so have to move south or perish. The worrying thing this year is that, as in the UK, the berry crops in Scandinavia have been particularly poor.

Photography by Chris Sperring

Winter thrushes

I am still hopeful that more blackbirds will arrive soon, and went out this morning to search some of my favourite winter hedgerows. Armed with my trusty camera it did not take long; as I searched the rows of mature hawthorn a redwing, which could have started life in Iceland or Scandinavia, showed itself feeding furiously on the berries.

After another 20 or so individual redwings I found a group of them with blackbirds mixed in. Through ringing records we know that many blackbirds found here during the winter have indeed come from very far and wide, some may even have come from as far away as Finland or eastern Europe, whereas, our less hardy breeding birds move to warmer climates such as France or Spain for the winter, although some move more locally.

One blackbird which nested in the home counties was found to overwinter in Devon each year. Just remember the next time you see our old friend the blackbird: don’t take it for granted, as it may have travelled a long way to brighten up your winter garden or countryside walk.

G The British Trust for Ornithology is carrying out a survey of wintering thrushes. If you wish to get involved or just find out more go to http://www.bto.org/volunteersurveys/winter-thrushes I would like to wish all Mendip Times readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Chris Sperring is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust Contact him on 01275 849287 or via chris.sperring@btinternet.com

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 53

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Reserved for you

THIS is a very special winter walk, or family cycle ride, on the Somerset Levels near Meare through Ham Wall National Nature Reserve wetland area – but it follows good tracks and lanes so you will stay dry! There are no stiles at all and you can really stride out and get warm and enjoy the area.

The flat vistas, lakes, dark peaty soil, rhynes and birdlife on the Somerset Levels make it wonderful walking country. Because of the sodden ground, this circle sticks to dry tracks and quiet lanes. There is an optional footpath along the grassy bank of a rhyne if you wish.

With Sue Gearing PAGE 54 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

It is more or less completely flat, with just one gentle uphill and down.

It’s glorious for dogs too but they should be kept well under control in the nature reserve. Start at Ashcott Corner south of Meare and follow a raised and dry old railway track, through Ham Wall Nature reserve – with many offshoot paths you can take to reserves and around the lakes if you wish.

Then visit a great little tearoom and set off on quiet lanes. Go past peat workings, fishing lakes and wildlife wet areas created from the former peat diggings. At the end is the very welcoming Railway Inn. If you stay ’til dusk you may well see the amazing synchronised acrobatics of the millions of roosting starlings. Ham Wall is one of the good viewing points.

PARK: Ashcott Corner nature reserve car park, on the north-south road from Meare to Ashcott very near the Railway Inn.

START: Read all about it on the information board, cross the road, passing the old station and head along the hard old railway track signed to Ham Wall Nature Reserve with the rhyne on your left. There are great views across the rhynes, lakes and nature reserve from this raised bank.

Go over a bridge and carry on, coming to a viewing platform - a good place to view the murmurations of starlings (see details at end).

There is a boardwalk diversion you can take here and further on there are other opportunities for exploring the reserves more fully on side paths. You

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WALKING

may spot siskins and redpolls feeding in the alder trees in winter. Depending on the time of year you may spot otters, grass snakes or shy roe deer or hear the croaking of marsh frogs and songs of warblers and see marsh harriers or hobbies, as well as many swans.

Stay on this good hard dry track for 1.5 miles starting to get good views to Glastonbury Tor ahead. At the end, reach the lane at Sharpham Crossing – the name of the bungalow on the left.

1. SHARPHAM CROSSING Turn right on this quiet lane, heading south.

2. TEA GARDENS Soon reach two white yurts in the garden of Sharpham Tea Gardens where you can enjoy a variety of really good homecooked meals and snacks, both inside and out. (See winter openings at end).

Continue on along the lane for just under half a mile. There are good views of Glastonbury Tor over on the left. Just past Avalon Farm reach a lane on the right.

3. SHARPHAM LANE You can take this, or take an alternative footpath route along a rhyne (not for cycling).

For the lane route (about 1.5 miles) turn right and follow it on, past a large peat works, bending several times and eventually coming to a bridge, another large peat farm, and a fishing lake on the left where the footpath joins from the left.

5.75 miles, about 2.5 hours walking.

OS Explorer, 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 448 396

For the footpath route don’t turn right but continue straight on for another few minutes to just before Sharpham bridge and take the footpath on the right walking with the rhyne on your left.

This is an easy to follow path for most of the way but near the end, it can become a little more overgrown. Reach Sharpham Lane and turn left.

Both routes now cross the bridge and

follow the lane which soon starts to gently rise.

4. JUNCTION Turn right and after a few minutes take the first small lane right which drops downhill and bends left. Continue on the lane all the way to a T-Junction.

5. BUSCOTT Turn right, striding out past woods and Ashcott Heath for well over threequarters of a mile and return to Ashcott Corner and the start. The Railway Inn is well worth a visit, just a few yards on.

Sharpham Tea Gardens winter opening: Wed-Fri 11am to 4pm Sat and Sun 10am to 4.30pm (closed Dec 9th at 4.30pm and Feb 1st at llam). Tel: 01458 442050.

For details ring 01458 442050.

The Railway Inn, Ashcott Corner open: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 4.30pm – midnight; Wed, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays noon–midnight. Can do food and Sunday lunch but ring in advance to book. Tel: 01458 860223.

Starling hotline: For the best place to watch the amazing starling murmuration, ring the hotline: 07866 554142.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 55

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MENDIP TIMES

West Countryman’s Diary DESPITE all of my ranting about not being ready for Christmas, it’s virtually here! This IS the Christmas edition of Mendip Times With LES complete, I hope, with DAVIES MBE a suitably festive cover picture and filled to overflowing with Christmas bits and pieces.

Mendip has already seen the herald of winter weather in the form of a snow flurry at the end of October, leaving a covering of snow across the plateau. Some creative person had literally grasped this winter opportunity with both hands and created a snowman near to the beech trees at Priddy Mineries – I suspect he will not have been the only one to have been created that day.

I drove by a couple of days after the snow flurry to see this lone sentinel still standing defiantly amidst the now green grass that surrounded him. Was this an example of determination in the face of adversity, or was he a messenger sent to warn us of things to come, waiting like a pathfinder to mark the dropping zone for more snow?

Many of us have become weary of the “Christmas industry” that starts some time around the end of October and will end abruptly to be replaced with January sales and holiday promotions. Those older beings amongst us yearn for a time past that can only be appreciated with the maturity of years. In truth is there anyone who is not visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past at some time in their life.

The thoughts not only of our own childhood, but those of our children as well, will bring into action the search engine of our memory banks. Once again the recollections of a time past are brought into sharp focus by minds that can remember every detail of happenings 50 years ago, but have difficulty in recollecting what we came upstairs for in the first place!

My dear mother once said to me that when she was a child “Christmas and birthdays were always things that happened to other people”. For sure, life in a wartime farm worker’s family was hard but not without some compensation.

“We never went hungry even though at times it might be a bit boring,” she told me. Christmas for her, her two brothers and

my grandfather and grandmother, was not the lavish affair it is today. Work still had to carry on where animals were concerned, as it still does today on every livestock farm. Stock needed feeding and for my grandfather, the horses would still need his attention as on any other day.

Breakfast was ham that Gran would boil in a big fish kettle because she didn’t have anything else big enough to hold it. I can remember the ham for breakfast on Christmas Day and what a treat it was to have a change from breakfast cereal that I had throughout the rest of the year.

Goose was the Christmas dinner of my mother’s childhood. This goose was in payment for all of my grandmother’s work plucking and drawing these birds for the Christmas market. She would get a duck as well, also as payment for the birds she had prepared for special orders. With the Christmas bird would be potatoes from the 1.5 tons my grandfather would grow, lift and store every year. The garden would always supply some sort of green vegetable, either purple sprouting or brussel sprouts, and everything was covered in rich, thick gravy.

There were three Christmas puddings made each year in September (no alcohol included) made with fresh eggs and they would boil away all day long. One was saved for my grandfather’s birthday at the end of May and one was always kept over from the year before to be eaten at Christmas with thick, thick custard. Eggs were rationed during wartime, but there were always a few extra to be had. Gran tried preserving some in a bucket of liquid called “Water Glass” to seal the shells, but this proved to be unsuccessful At that time there was no Christmas tree in the house – that only appeared later. The first tree cost two shillings (10 pence) and when Christmas was over, it was thrown

OUTDOORS

away in the old quarry on the farm. I, as a very small child, went and brought it back again, obviously wishing to prolong the childhood magic of Christmas.

I can remember candles on the Christmas tree in tiny metal candle holders with clips that held them to the branches. You can imagine what the health and safety regulations would make of that now, but back then nobody worried and the house never burnt down.

The sitting room was decorated with paper bells and chains that stretched from corner to corner on the ceiling. It was very simple but oh so magical and exciting.

The weather at Christmas always seemed seasonal, with cold frosty weather but no snow. The house was heated by the Rayburn stove in the kitchen and on special days by an open coal fire in the sitting room. There was no other heating and as you can imagine nobody wandered around in shirt sleeves or T-shirt as we expect to do today.

You woke to frost on the inside of the bedroom window and I would put my shirt under the bed clothes in an attempt to keep it warm for the morning. A special treat was to be allowed to dress in front of the warm Rayburn in the kitchen and not the cold of the bedroom.

How that ghost of Christmas past still haunts me today, as I am sure it does for many others. Times have changed and we have grown older with them. There are those who brought light into our lives who are no longer with us, but they still live within our memory, as we hope the memories of us will linger with others in the future.

Christmas is for families and for sharing with others, so I hope that each and every one of you has the best Christmas and New Year that you have ever had!

I’m always happy to hear from you, so drop me a line at Les.Davies@westcountryman.org.uk

PAGE 56 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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Holidays are coming!

WITH Christmas just around the corner we have well and truly embraced the festive spirit here at Yeo Valley. Our seasonal products are leaving our factories ready to grace the tables of families celebrating the holiday season up and down the country. Here is just a taste of

By KATIE what’s been going on in the valley over BUNTING the last month!

Our Yeo Valley yogurt has been popping up all over the place with celebrity chefs turning to it as their yogurt of choice. Family friend of Yeo Valley, Jamie Oliver has been using our yogurt on his latest TV series Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals. And diners selecting the Christmas menu at Jamie’s Italian will be treated to a delicious dollop of our Natural yogurt alongside their Chocolate & Pistachio Tart.

Nigella Lawson has also been spotted using our Yeo Valley Natural yogurt in her Yogurt Pot Cake featured on her BBC 2 show Nigellissima. Nigella not only used our yogurt, but also turned the pot into a handy measuring tool for the other ingredients!

Back home in the valley calving is underway. The new born calves will be kept with their mothers to ensure that they receive vital

YEO VALLEY colostrum; the first milk that their mother produces. This milk contains nutrients and antibodies key to the health and welfare of the calf. Once they are feeding well they will be reared in small social groups in our cosy barn before they get their first outing into the fields in the spring when the weather is warmer.

At Yeo Valley HQ we have already got the decorations up!

Last month we told you about the completion of our refurbishment work at Yeo Valley HQ in Blagdon to make it a fantastic space for guests to come and visit. Well you now have the chance to check us out for yourselves as our new website www.yeovalleyspaces.co.uk launched earlier this month. We offer seven imaginatively decorated rooms over three spaces, locally sourced and wherever possible organic food, and stunning views over the Mendip Hills and Blagdon Lake, we’d love to hear what you think of our new site. Email the team at spaces@yeovalley.co.uk.

So as we prepare to say farewell to 2012, it is goodbye from me! In the New Year our Head of Communications and Events Tom de Pass will be writing our column. Tom, who has previously worked for the Soil Association, will be working closely with our Marketing Team to deliver some very exciting events and projects in 2013. But I won’t ruin the surprise and will let him tell you all about it in the January edition.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2013!

If you fancy getting your hands on one of Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals cook books here is your chance! We have two recipe books up for grabs; all you have to do is send us your best yogurt recipe. Whether it is a cake, casserole or creamy sauce we want to hear how you use yogurt to improve your favourite dish. Send your recipe along with your name, address and contact number to sally@yeovalley.co.uk.

Good luck!

Katie Bunting is communications co-ordinator at Yeo Valley, a family-owned farming and dairy processing business based in Blagdon, and will be bringing us a monthly report on their activities. The Holt Farms organic farming operation has 1250 acres on the Mendip Hills and in the Yeo Valley beside Blagdon Lake. www.yeovalley.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 57

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MENDIP TIMES

Gifts for gardeners

I SUPPOSE the obvious gift for a gardener is a garden gift voucher. This is certainly preferable to giving your friend a plant that they may With MARY already have or hate PAYNE MBE and then have to keep alive in case you keep asking about its welfare.

House plants make welcome gifts and sales of moth orchids are still booming, but at this time of year take care to purchase from a reliable source. Plants that have been kept, even over one night, in an unheated shop can easily be chilled and then drop their flowers.

A year’s subscription to a magazine makes an excellent gift and there are so many garden-related publications to choose from. For those who really enjoy looking at the pictures of other people’s gardens I suggest either “The English Garden” or for the super-keen then “Gardens Illustrated”.

For those needing practical ideas and help then I can recommend either “Gardening Which”, that will also inform on the best buy tools, mowers, composts, seeds and much more, or for the celebrity conscious then “Gardeners World” would be more appropriate. For “grow your own” enthusiasts look out for “Grow Your Own” or “Kitchen Garden”.

These are monthlies, but “Garden News” is a weekly newspaper-style publication carrying all the latest garden news and gossip. Have a look online for some excellent subscription offers.

A year’s membership of one of the national societies such as the Royal Horticultural Society will bring a monthly magazine as well as free entry to a range of gardens. Membership of the National Trust is amazing value if garden and historic house visiting is for you.

Book tokens can obviously be exchanged for gardening books so let me make some suggestions. For those who like to get something for free, a book on how to increase your stock of plants and have some spare for friends and charity sales would be ideal. The “RHS Propagating Plants” (Dorling Kindersley) is my choice as it details the method for 1500 plants.

After such a disastrous year with the weather every pest and disease seems to have had a field day, so perhaps it is not PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

such a good idea to give your friend a book to identify the numerous pests and diseases that have afflicted our gardens this year. But for the garden hypochondriac the “RHS Pests and Diseases”, published by Dorling Kindersley, is very comprehensive, but the suggested chemical controls may be out of date as it is hard to keep pace with current legislation regarding the use of pesticides.

More appropriate, considering the variable weather we have had might be “The Resilient Gardener – planning for unpredictable weather” by Marilyn Abbott or for those troubled by wildlife there is “50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants – the prettiest annuals, perennials, bulbs and shrubs that deer don’t eat” published by Timber Press.

There are so many brands of gardening gloves it is almost impossible to choose and I have used very many of them. I can thoroughly recommend the Showa gloves. They are thin enough to be able to tie knots in, yet tough enough for most tasks, and for winter work they offer thermal ones which are excellent.

I would be lost without my folding pruning saw. They look like a penknife on steroids, but open out to reveal a tool man enough for most pruning tasks that are beyond the scope of secateurs or loppers. The master feature of a pruning saw is that it cuts on the pull stroke making it much easier to cut through branches in awkward positions. There are several makes around but I prefer the Felco brand which has a red handle making it easier to find amongst pruning debris.

For millennia, a trug was a rustic wooden basket for harvesting fruit,

Helleborus flowers

vegetables or flowers or for carrying hand tools. These delightful shallow baskets have now become the much sought-after garden fashion accessory. The relative new kid on the block is the Tub Trug, a squashy plastic bucket affair with handles, indispensable for carrying compost, weeds or even water. They come in a range of colours and sizes, but black suits me just fine, although I do have a yellow one, and they nestle neatly into each other for storage.

Stocking fillers for gardeners abound.

Balls of string are always useful as are packets of plant ties and plant labels.

Why do some manufacturers produce plant labels that are impossible to write on with a pencil? They often even give you a pencil in the packet. Have they never actually tried out their own product?

Any self-respecting gardener knows that none of the so called permanent markers are actually permanent and that labels written in pencil last for ever.

Packets of seeds are always welcome and I would suggest opting for things that are simple to grow, such as pot marigolds (Calendula). Their flowers can be enjoyed in the garden, picked for the house, or the petals scattered over a salad.

For a bit of fun there are solar-powered robins, butterflies and lights of every shape and size but I draw the line at solar-powered fountains. If you have exhausted all ideas, then how about some luminous stones that glow in the dark to scatter into a path or gravel area, or even put on top of a pot until the bulbs flower next spring.

Let us put 2012 to bed and look forward to a better gardening year in 2013.

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DECEMBER GARDEN TIPS

G With shallow water features it may be advisable to remove your pump before the onset of hard frost. Give it a good clean and check wiring so that it is ready to use again in spring. If you leave it in and switched on, raise it off the bottom to avoid disturbing hibernating wildlife.

G Check that greenhouse heaters are working properly.

G Open the greenhouse ventilators to encourage good air movement during mild weather and always remove dead leaves and flowers regularly as this is often where disease starts.

G Check and repair fences.

G Provide clean water for birds especially in frosty weather.

G Feed the birds regularly so that when a cold snap comes they know where to get food easily.

G Feed birds such as blue, great, marsh and long-tail tits with high-energy feeds such as fat balls and suet treats.

G Feed robins, blackbirds, thrushes, wrens and tits with freeze dried mealworms.

G Encourage a wider range of birds into your garden with niger seed. This is loved by siskins, gold and greenfinches.

G Clean bird feeding areas on a regular basis with Bird Safe Disinfectant to protect against bacterial and fungal diseases. This is particularly important for seed feeders as disease can be spread from beak to beak via the feeder.

Courtesy Cleeve Nursery

Dream garden

Garden advice from Queen Thorne

GARDENING

WHAT a year. We’d very much like to defer from doing the usual weather talk, but having been such a dominant factor in 2012, not only in the garden but to nearly every aspect of day to day life, it is almost impossible not to.

Still, we mustn’t dwell on things past; what we must do is accept that the climate of a “normal year” may not return as we expect, and that the garden may also have to settle for a disrupted pattern in climate.

In view of this, some further actions may be required to keep the lawn looking good throughout the year, e.g. warm and damp weather can cause more fungal disease than usual in a lawn, an unattractive and unwanted issue, but easily dealt with if caught early enough.

This is just one example and there are far too many possible predators and threats to a lawn and garden to mention here.

However the general advice is, no matter what the weather forecast ahead, regular maintenance is better than total renovation.

For advice and assistance on all aspects of your garden, be it maintenance, or totally new installation, call Queen Thorne Landscapes.

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business DITCHEAT-BASED garden designer, Jane Follis, has been nominated for a prestigious BALI award. Pictured here, her courtyard embodies the approach to garden design Jane has championed over her 17 years in the business: an expression of the client’s personality and tastes that works seamlessly with the interior of their home.

As the main thoroughfare, it really needed a ‘wow’ factor.

Jane designed something welcoming but not imposing, creating intrigue with mature planting. Be it compact courtyard or rolling estate, Jane prides herself on her ability to interpret her client’s wish list, transforming it into their dream garden.

From consultation to full design and build, Jane can put together whatever you need. How about turning that dream to a reality this Christmas?

Extend Your Home and Maximise Your Outdoor Space Consultation Design Construction Planting Water Features Turfing & Seeding Renovations Ground Preparations Wild Flower Meadows Lawn Care

www.queenthorne.co.uk

01935 850848

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 59

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MENDIP TIMES

Constant summertime

GARDENING

Photographs by Mark Adler

IT may have been a coincidence, but orchid experts gathered near Radstock at the end of British Summertime for their annual conference and stunning displays by orchid societies from across the country turned the school into a riotous celebration of colour.

Writhlington School was chosen to host this year’s British Orchid Congress because of its pioneering work. The Writhlington School Orchid Project is the UK’s most famous school enterprise project.

Students have become experts in raising orchids from seed and selling them to support conservation work on a global scale with link projects in South East Asia, the Himalayas, Africa and Central America.

G A planned visit by TV gardener Monty Don and the BBC Gardeners’ World team had to be postponed due to other filming commitments.

Simon Pugh-Jones, who runs the school orchid project with students Georgia Hughes and Caroline Albrow

One of the spectacular displays. The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors each day

Writhlington’s own display – students also led guided tours around the greenhouses

A Cattleya in flower in the school’s orchid greenhouse PAGE 60 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Phalaenopsis Elegant Karin Aloha

PENNY

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R M (PLANT HIRE & DEMOLITION) LTD Ston Easton

TOPSOIL

High quality dry screened or plain

CRUSHED CONCRETE

All sizes graded and single size

ROAD PLANINGS LIAS STONE

Hand dressed for house building

Large or small quantities supplied Delivered or collected

01761 241387 www.pennyplant.com

PERFECT PAVE LTD Patios Block Paving Driveways

t: 01934 740163 www.perfectpave.com

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

75 Greenhill Road, Sandford, Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 5PA 01934 852151

www.gabgardenmachinery.co.uk

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MENDIP TIMES

Wedmore by Lamplight THERE is no better way to start your Christmas than in the beautiful village of Wedmore, which will stage its Wedmore

by Lamplight celebration on Wednesday December 12th, 6pm-9pm.

For those who haven’t been, it’s a must for your calendar. The Borough in Wedmore is closed to traffic and open to all. Wedmore’s wonderful shops stay open and delight in helping you to find that perfect gift – all to the sounds of carols from Burtle Band.

A local choir will serenade you with tunes to revive your festive spirit and if that doesn’t do it then the pig roast and mulled wine most certainly will.

St. Mary’s Church crib service will start at 6pm with all your favourite carols and the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree. The children from Wedmore First School will contribute to this lovely traditional atmosphere with a lantern walk from the Church to The Borough.

The Borough will be alive with

12

December

Christmas shopping, street entertainment and a multitude of festive delights. If your feet tire then you can always take a ride on The Santa Express Train. Once again, there will be a competition for the most imaginative and delightful window displays, which last year were so

amazing!

And all this makes the centre of Wedmore the place to be. If you long for a traditional Christmas then this is a perfect start to your Christmas season. A beautiful village at any time of year but particularly at Christmas.

Details: Jan Beer at The Cottage Gallery pop in or call 01934 712617.

Wedmore’s award-winning jeweller

ON December 12th, jeweller Erica Sharpe will be welcoming visitors to her gallery for a special open evening in conjuction with the Wedmore by Lamplight event.

Following the huge success of the Swans of Wells, Erica will be selling her latest swan designs which make ideal special Christmas gifts.

She will also be displaying a selection of her unique pieces and designs which have graced various national exhibitions throughout the year, including her winning unicorn design that won the British Jeweller’s Associations Award 2012.

PISCES

FISHMONGER & GREENGROCER

Direct supply of Cornish Sea Food.

Loch Fyne Smokehouse stockist.

Northern Water and Continental seafood specialists.

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

Selection of culinary ingredients.

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

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

PAGE 62 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Bronze and Traditional Turkeys All types of poultry, meats, games and Christmas Fayre Produced on our own farm or supplied locally Orders taken for Christmas now!!

Orders, telephone or email:– 01934 712384 Shop

Alan, James and Lloyd would like to thank all our customers who have supported us through 2012

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Book early – that’s the advice this Christmas

THE few days before Christmas are the busiest for Dean Downer at Pisces and to fulfil all the fish and vegetable requirements of his customers is a major logistical effort.

This year he strongly urges all his customers to pre-order, as with Christmas falling on a Tuesday, final deliveries in to the shop will be on the Friday, and getting a last “top-up” delivery will be difficult!

As the saying goes “book early to avoid disappointment.” Pisces will be open on Sunday December 23rd for customers to collect their orders.

THE BUTCHERS COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET, WEDMORE, SOMERSET BS28 4AB

• Fresh locally produced Turkeys • Home-made Award-winning Sausages • Locally Produced Lamb & Beef • Home Produced Gloucester Old Spot Pork

Orders now being taken for Christmas

Tel Jim or Mike on 01934 712311

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

Essence of good hair

SET in the village of Wedmore, Essence offers an affordable luxury hair experience. Formerly Trevor and Jane Hairdressing the salon originally opened in 1974 at Providence House, moving to its present location in King Alfred Mews in 1988.

As from December 20th Trevor and Jane’s niece Sharon will be taking over. Sharon said the salon will be having an exciting new look and new services, whilst she is committed to delivering the excellent hairdressing and service for which the salon has been known for 38 years.

Sharon has been hairdressing in Somerset for 17 years so whether you are looking for a pampering conditioning treatment, new hairstyle or expert colouring all your hairdressing needs will be catered for.

Trevor and Jane will not be hanging up their scissors just yet though – they will be working in the salon on Thursdays and Fridays and would like to thank all their clients for continued support and loyalty.

Sharon, Trevor and Jane would like to invite clients past, present and future to join them for the opening of Essence for drinks and nibbles from 5pm on Saturday December 29th.

Wedmore

Jewellery, Sculpture, Ceramics, Paintings, Glassware Each piece is uniquely made by talented British mainly Somerset artists. The Cottage Gallery offers you a host of opportunities to purchase a unique piece of art at realistic prices to treat yourself or as a fantastic inspirational gift.

Wedding Presents, Birthdays, just to say I love you days . . . come take a look at the Cottage Gallery!

Simple one-off style and guaranteed things you will love! Come take a look.

The Borough, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EG

01934 712617 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 63

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MENDIP TIMES

Double celebration

JONATHAN Weller and his partner Fran Crandon have double reason to celebrate as Christmas approaches, with the launch of their new Body Sanctuary and the arrival of the Alterna luxury range of hair and beauty products.

Fran, who has travelled the world specialising in stress management, is promising a total holistic approach at the Body Sanctuary, with specialists offering yoga, pilates, massage and a range of other therapies and beauty treatments, available both for men and women and for small groups.

Eight months after they opened in the courtyard at The George in Wedmore, Jonathan said: “Numerous clients have told me they have had the best hair cut they have ever had.

Over 30 years I’ve developed a unique style of precision cutting and colouring techniques. No hair is too much of a challenge.

“The new Alterna range is certainly going to help that – these are luxury products that are used by celebrities in Beverley Hills and give a unique condition and shine.”

JONATHAN WELLER HAIR & BODY SANCTUARY

01934 712432

The George Hotel Church Street, Wedmore BS28 4AB

NEW The Body Sanctuary The whole holistic approach to discovering the real you

PAGE 64 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

NEW The Luxury Range used by Beverley Hills celebrities

Under offer

WOODLIFFE and Co, launched in September offering an extended home sales service covering Wedmore and the surrounding villages, is reporting a successful first two months.

Mike Woodliffe, a chartered surveyor with extensive property experience in the South West, says that his new business has had a successful start and already has its first property under offer.

Mike said: “Many businesses make a point about offering exceptional customer service – this is the minimum a client should expect and you can’t expect to succeed if this is your claim.

“My service extends across the whole of the move process from the initial thought about selling to being handed the keys to your new home and supports the seller at all points in between; for example we are currently helping a vendor arrange the move and storage of their furniture and assisted with the appointment of solicitors.”

The market may be supressed compared to historic level but Mike believes we must consider the current situation as the new normal and look forward, not back.

Travel experts

BACK in 2002, something new opened up in the village of Wedmore, 2J’s Travel, and ten years later the local independent travel agency which is a member of ABTA is still going strong!

Operated by John Wilson and Joseph Rajkovic (and not forgetting Daisy the dog!) the winning formula of expert knowledge and great service has ensured 2J’s Travel has been able to celebrate its milestone.

Whilst the majority of its business is to more long-haul destinations, they are keen to emphasise that they can also help with all manner of travel, whether a weekend break in the UK, or a family summer holiday to the Med - they really can help plan whatever travel you might need.

Joseph has recently returned from a trip to India and also the Maldives and they are regularly travelling worldwide to ensure they are on top of their game to offer honest and impartial advise to all their customers!

£1,500 FIXED FEE NO VAT

As part of our launch promo&on we are pleased to offer a fixed fee for all sole agency instruc&ons received in 2012.

Contact us to arrange an appraisal or register your requirements for the chance to win a Luxury Hamper.

CONTACT US BY PHONE, WEBSITE OR EMAIL 01934 734 654 • www.woodliffe-property.co.uk info@woodliffe-property.co.uk

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New restaurant two deck

FOCUS ON WEDMORE

BROWN Paper Pizzas is the new restaurant from chef Arthur Potts Dawson. With 25 years of cooking experience and a deep-rooted passion for local, ethical and sustainable food, Arthur who worked at the River Café for four years as well as the Roux Brothers, has created a restaurant that cares for its customers as well as the planet.

The restaurant uses organic, Somerset Spelt and wheat flours in its pizza doughs, English Mozzarellas, Dorset cured meats and locally grown vegetables. The menu reflects the amazing produce on offer in the West Country, with dishes like Wild Boar and Veal Shin Bolognaise and Red Leg Partridge wrapped in Pancetta and roasted in the pizza oven, as well as classic Italian dishes.

Brown Paper Pizzas is located in the heart of the village of Wedmore and works closely with the strong community that surrounds it. From fundraising to cookery lessons for the local scout group, it is working hard at supporting local initiatives.

It looks as if 2013 is going to be a busy year for Brown Paper Pizzas as they look to expand the concept in the South West of England. Get down to Wedmore, taste their food, and by eating at Brown Paper Pizzas you lower the impact you have on the environment.

PETER SEDGWICK

B.D.S. (U.Brist) D.P.D.S (U.Brist)L.F. Hom (Dent)

TIM COATES

B.D.S. BSc (Hons) Ph.D

SALLY CANTWELL EDH

JANE FELLOWS EDH

Preventative, conventional and advanced cosmetic treatments

New Patients Very Welcome Please phone or call in for an information pack

Coronation House, The Borough, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EG Tel: 01934 713013 • www.wedmoredental.co.uk email: enquiries@wedmoredental.freeserve.co.uk 10 Year Certificate awarded for continuous recognition 2001-2011

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 65

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MENDIP TIMES

Are we really less happy than we were in the fifties?

IT’S hard to say. Comparing happiness in different eras is a bit like comparing sportsmen. Rod Laver or Roger Federer, Ronaldo or Eusebio, Geoff Capes or Hercules? How can you make a comparison when the hair was so different?

At least with sporting achievement, you can define what you want to measure but happiness is both harder to get a handle on and easier to interfere with. Telling Roger he wasn’t as great as

By Dr PHIL Rod probably won’t affect him much, but the steady drip of HAMMOND psychologists telling us we’re not happy anymore could talk us into a global depression. Or at least it might if they didn’t have a twelve-step plan to dig us out again.

Just about everyone I see (and work with) has a rumbling, low-grade anxiety going on in the background of their lives. Sometimes it breaks through and the jitters take over for a while, but for most of us it just sits there, gnawing away at bits of the brain we didn’t know existed (like the hippocampus), wearing us down and paving the way for depression.

The causes of this anxiety can be knocked up quickly by any Professor of Common Sense at the University of the Blindingly Obvious. Debt, time-pressure, bullying, entrapment, loss of control, worrying about the kids, media-induced fear, politically induced fear, advertising-induced envy, a lack of meaning, purpose and identity, uncertainty, isolation and insecurity.

Doctors get very anxious having to deal with all this in less than ten minutes, along with hitting the cholesterol and diabetes targets (and dealing with our own doubts).

My wise GP trainer used to say: “Life is a pool of shit and our job is to direct people to the shallow end.” I see it more as bodies floating down a river. As a doctor, you get so knackered pulling them out and putting them back together again, that no-one has time to wander upstream and stop them jumping in.

The idler’s approach is to camp out on the bank and watch the bodies floating past.

You downsize, you live as cheaply (and consume as little) as you can and you make your own entertainment where you live. As Samuel Johnson put it: “The wise idler will allow events and goods to come to him rather than expend energy and money travelling to disenchanting locations.”

Slowing down also gives you more time to listen to music, and the most concise advice on happiness comes from songs. I once waded through 600 pages of a book on how to keep yourself sane to discover it all came down to “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, E-Lim-In-Ate the Negative”, written by Johnny Mercer for Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1944.

And one of the best self-help country classics to come out of the fifties was “A Satisfied Mind” by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes. It includes such wisdom as: How many times have you heard someone say ’If I had his money, I could do things my way?’

Little they know that it’s so hard to find One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind.

Money can’t buy back your youth when you’re old Or a friend when you’re lonely, or a love that’s grown cold The wealthiest person is a pauper of a kind Compared to the man with a satisfied mind.

So there you have it. The secret of happiness is a satisfied mind. And a mind needs time and space to put its feet up on the bank and appreciate the wisdom and satisfaction of country music. Merry Christmas.

For Dr Phil’s DVDs, books and tour dates go to www.drphilhammond.com PAGE 66 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

“He’s behind you . . .”

I ASKED my son what was the best thing about Christmas. He thought for a while and then said: “It’s when you open your presents and…” Here he paused, before he went on to say (very slowly): “And…” Then he broke into song: “You get that Jesus feeling.”

I have to say I failed to grasp what he meant. Was it that he associated Jesus with rampant consumerism? If so, I think a message may have got lost in translation.

Later on he said that he felt that Father Christmas and his elves were watching to make sure that he was being good.

“Does that happen all year, do you think?” I asked. “No usually just Christmas,” he replied. “Except when you’re trying to do something really hard then they can watch at anytime of the year to make sure you do it.” No pressure then!

Last year my five-year-old nephew was trying the patience of my sister-in-law.

“You’d better behave,” she said. “Father Christmas’ elves are watching you.” They were having a stand-off on the landing at the time. “No they’re not,” he replied.

“There are no windows here.”

And that’s the trouble with Christmas, it can bring out the best and worst in all of us!

It reminded me of last Christmas when the ten-year-old returned upset from the pantomime. “I felt really sorry for the baddie,” she said. “Every time he appeared everyone booed and hissed at him and said he’s behind you. It was really mean.”

Maybe she’ll forgive me then, as I did quite a good impression of a pantomime villain when she presented me with a Christmas list in September. The list included all the items for her stocking too.

Now I wish she’d kept it as I’m feeling rather disorganised and could do with a few ideas.

MENDIP MUM

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HEALTH & FAMILY

Help for carers

A NEW initiative in Bath and North East Somerset aims to tackle the problem of ill-health amongst people who are carers.

The Radstock-based Carers’ Centre has joined forces with local GPs to identify patients needing help.

Chief executive Sonia Hutchison said: “GP practices and the Carers’ Centre are working together so that carers will have easier access to the help and support they are entitled to.”

As surgeries sign up to the initiative, their GPs will be able to fast-track their patients to the Carers’ Centre, and prescribe Break Vouchers to be exchanged for some time away from caring.

25% OFF FOR ALL NEW CLIENTS Keestone House, School Hill, Westbury sub Mendip BA5 1HL

01749 870900

www.westburyhairsalon.co.uk

Cutting edge Christmas

THE Cutting Room in Westbury-subMendip has added a new member to the team and is now offering manicures, pedicures and nail extensions.

Natalie will be offering amazing deals in December so your nails look fabulous for all your parties this Christmas, without upsetting the bank balance – £25 for a full set of nail extensions – that’s £10 off – and 20% off manicures and pedicures which makes Manicures £17.60 and Pedicures £20.80. You shall go to the ball!

The Cutting Room also have great gift packs and stocking fillers and will be happy to advise you about product purchases and provide personal consultations on your visit.

The team would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stanton Court

Nursing & Residential Care for Ladies & Gentlemen Long-term care, respite stays & day care near Chew Magna in the Chew Valley

01275 332410

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

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

• Small Classes (4-6 max) • Exclusive private sessions also available • All levels & abilities – beginners always welcome • Excellent “follow-on” after Physio, Chiro etc • Pilates Foundation UK teacher for both mat and studio work • Visit our website for more information

31 Stockhill Road, Chilcompton, Nr Radstock, Somerset BA3 4JL Visit: www.acornpilates.co.uk

Tel: 01761 232122

Email: ann@acornpilates.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 67

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MENDIP TIMES

Champion bakers

THE Cottage Loaf in Congresbury has swept the board in the Western Bakery Championships, being named best baker for the second year running.

One of their employees, Luke Holt, was named champion trainee and they were also named confectionary champions, as well as winning other classes.

It’s another triumph for Keith and Sally Westlake, who have been running The Cottage Loaf for six years. They only entered the championships for the first time four years ago. The championships cover the whole of the south west.

Family business

HODDERS

HIGH CLASS FAMILY BUTCHERS

Traditional local pub Wide range of real ales Parties catered for

Family butcher Local meat and poultry Booking now for Christmas The Precinct, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, BS49 5JG 01934 838844

Paul’s Causeway, Congresbury, BS49 5DH 01934 832270

tage Loaf t o C Bakery & Sandwich Bar

Craftsman baked bread and Confectionery from your local Master Baker Hot and cold filled sandwiches and rolls Best West Country Baker Award, 2nd Year running

HODDERS Butchers in Congresbury is very much a family affair. Rob Hodder took over the shop from his father Richard 20 years ago – but Richard still helps out! He first started work in 1946.

The family have been in the butchery business for four generations and a picture in the shop shows their former shop in Bristol, blitzed during the war.

They are an award-winning butchers, specialising in local poultry and meat. Christmas orders are now being taken.

Value and convenience

THERE’S been a big expansion in what’s on offer at the Costcutter store in Congresbury, with fresh fruit and vegetables now being supplied daily.

And in the run-up to Christmas there will be a whole range of special offers on groceries, wines, beers and spirits.

With its new layout and wider range of products, Costcutter offers value for money up to 12 hours every day.

Now selling fresh fruit and vegetables

Open 7am–5pm Monday–Friday 7am–1pm Saturday

2 The Precinct, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, Bristol BS49 5JG

01934 876969 Keith and Sally Westlake

PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Open: Monday – Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 9am-5pm

The Precinct, Brinsea Road, Congresbury BS49 5JG.

01934 838020

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FOCUS ON CONGRESBURY

Country Christmas

“MAKING known the sheer breadth of goods we sell and the services we offer is our biggest challenge,” says Nick Burdge, Tincknells store manager in Congresbury.

With the company’s roots going back to 1925, what is now known as Tincknell Country Store is still thought of by many as agricultural but, whilst still catering for the farming community, the stores in Congresbury and Wells now hold far broader customer appeal.

Nick said: “What seems to come as the biggest surprise to new customers is our fantastic range of Country Toys, the most popular at the moment being ride-on tractors and gokarts.” Other goods on offer include country clothing, tools and hardware, pet care, cookware and gardening. Then there are the services: chain/blade sharpening, key cutting, equestrian rug repair and wash.

Tincknell Country Store prides itself on its staff; between them Nick, Steve and Phil have a staggering 54 years service with the company and with each having farming backgrounds they offer nothing but the best in service and practical advice to their customers.

Something special

CHURCH House Designs in Congresbury is the ideal place to go for that special Christmas gift – either for yourself or that special loved one!

After more than 25 years in business, Lorraine Coles prides herself on the design and quality of the arts, crafts, jewellery and other goods she has on display.

The gallery is endorsed by the Crafts Council of Great Britain.

Broad Street Christmas Fair on December 12th, 6pm with stalls and entertainments raises funds for Weston Hospice Care and the local scouts and guides.

12

December

Quality fish and chips Sunday roasts Also at: 101E Bath Road, Longwell Green BS30 9DD. Tel: 0117 9325179 186 High Street, Oldland Common BS30 9QQ. Tel: 0117 9328120 CLOCK TOWER, 84 Regent Street, Kingswood BS15 8HU. Tel: 0117 9673292 We cater for all functions, Telephone orders welcome Open Monday to Saturday: 11.30am-2pm, 5pm-10pm • Sunday: 11.30-3pm, 4.30pm-9.30pm

Brinsea Road, Congresbury, BS49 5JG • 01934 834342 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 69

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MENDIP TIMES

Under new management

SOMERSET Podiatry Clinic, formerly AML Podiatry, is under new management. They are open four days a week, Tuesday to Friday in Congresbury, and hold sessions within the Southville Clinic, Bristol on Fridays.

Both clinics offer the full range of treatments, from routine footcare, biomechanics to skin and nail conditions and wound care. Minor surgery is also available for ingrown toes in the Congresbury clinic.

Home visits in the North Somerset area are also available for patients unable to attend the Congresbury clinic. They also visit residential and nursing homes on a monthly basis.

1 Brinsea Road, Congresbury, North Somerset BS49 5JF

01934 835858

and at Southville Clinic 68 Corona!on Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1AS 0117 963 2335

Do you suffer from; • Achilles Tendon Pain • Corns, callus or bunion pain • Chilblains • Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain) • Arthritis • Athlete’s Foot • Ingrowing Toenails • Sports Injuries • Verrucas • Diabetic Foot Care • Full lower limb Biomechanic assessments undertaken • Orthotic Prescriptions

Lisa Williams Therapy Solution Focused Hypnotherapy I can help you with the following: smoking cessation anxiety or stress (including panic attacks) depression substance dependencies or any unwanted behaviours that may be having a negative effect in your life Your initial consultation is free, this will allow us to work together to identify the most effective treatment plan for you.

To book a consultation call: 07920 147 101 or e-mail: enquiries@lisawilliamstherapy.vpweb.co.uk

Julia Wallis

I.H.B.C, City & Guilds, Sterex

Holis!c & Beauty Therapies • Electrolysis • Advanced minor cosmetic procedures • Signature Facial treatments • Massage, Hot stone Massage • Waxing (Hot & Strip method)

• Eyebrow shape, Lash & Brow tint • Jessica Manicure & Pedicures • Minx , Swarovski Crystal toes

Tuesday & Wednesday Le Roux Chiropractic, Weston 266 Milton Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS22 8EN. Tel: 01934 627733 Or Thursday & Friday Bristol House Podiatry and Beauty Clinic, 1 Brinsea Road, Congresbury, N. Somerset BS49 5JF. Tel: 01934 835858

For appointments, enquiries and to order products please contact either clinic or Julia directly

PAGE 70 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Telephone: 07810 187589 Email: Julia.wallis@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.julia-holistic-beauty.co.uk

New team member

LISA Williams DHP, LAPHP, GQHP, Cert NLP has joined Somerset Podiatry Clinic in Congresbury as a qualified clinical hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and NLP Practitioner. Lisa trained at the Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training School (CPHT), an accredited centre of excellence in clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy.

Lisa uses a combination of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming; her straightforward and practical style demystifies the therapeutic process and enables a deeper understanding of negative behaviour patterns. Using this understanding, the process can help guide you towards more constructive choices in your life.

Lisa is qualified to help with smoking cessation, anxiety, stress (including panic attacks), confidence, eating disorders, pain management, phobias, depression, substance dependencies, or any unwanted behaviours that may be having a negative effect in your life.

Your initial consultation is free; this will allow you to work together with her to identify the most effective treatment plan for you.

To book a consultation call: 07920 147 101.

Holistic and beauty therapies

BEAUTY Therapy is a personal thing, which necessitates individuals feeling relaxed, secure in the hands of a competent therapist. With 20 years industry experience Julia Wallis continues to train and has worked in salons and spas in London, Kent and now in North Somerset with Somerset Podiatry and Le Roux Chiropractic in Weston.

All therapies are tailored to suit individual needs using highest quality products. She uses Spiezia award-winning, handmade, 100% organic products, which are safe for the family, during pregnancy, under medical treatment, and benefit from the maximum power of herbs and flowers contained in oils and balms.

She uses electrolysis, the only proven method for permanent hair removal and minor skin cosmetic procedures, safely and effectively on thread veins, Milia, skin tags, blood spots, warts and moles.

She recommends Jessica unique nail care product and treatment for hands and feet, with option of polish or GELeration finish.

For appointments, enquiries and to order products contact 07810 187589, or visit www.julia-holistic-beauty.co.uk

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Celebrating success

Page 71

FOCUS ON CONGRESBURY

FOR the second year running, Robin King Estate Agents have been announced as the proud winners of The Best Estate Agent in Somerset at the prestigious UK Property Awards, held in the glittering surroundings of the Hotel in London.

Robin King said: “Winning this incredible award once is an achievement, but to do it two years back-to-back is outstanding.

This truly is a team effort and a just reward for all the hard work that everyone has put into this year.

“We are certain that our unique viewing feedback system, along with the revolutionary way we reward our staff for only the best possible customer service are but two of the reasons that we have won again.”

To win the award, they we were rigorously scrutinised by a panel of over 50 top national and international property experts.

The awards, which have been running for nearly 20 years, are in association with Gaggenau, the high end kitchen and appliance supplier, and RICS, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The awards are part of the International Property Awards, recognised as the world’s most prestigious property competition.

Robin said: “This award reinforces our customer feedback from this year, where of the 100s of customers surveyed, 94% rate our service as excellent or outstanding and 82% rate us as better than any other estate agent.

“We challenge anyone to use us and not be amazed at the level of service that we offer over and above the normal estate agent.”

2011 Winners of Best Single Office UK and Best Single Office SouthWest at the Estate Agency of the Year awards in association with The Sunday Times & The Times

Company’s anniversary

BRORN Windows and Conservatories are a small, friendly, local company who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary next year.

Offering the latest designs in thermally efficient UPVC, timber and aluminium products, the emphasis is on quality and value. Their team of expert fitters have over 30 years experience and are registered Planitherm Installers.

They are without doubt some of the best in the business and their work speaks for itself. They can offer premium UPVC systems or more budget friendly options depending on the depth of your pocket!

2011 & 2012 5-star winners ‘Best Estate Agent in Somerset’ at the UK Property Awards

T: 01934 876226 F: 01934 838505 • www.robin-king.com MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 71

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MENDIP TIMES Jackets G Fleeces G Walking Boots G Bags G Hats, Gloves

FOCUS ON CONGRESBURY

brasher Hillmaster II Britain’s best-loved walking boot just got better!

Outdoor experts

COUNTRY Innovation in Broad Street, Congresbury have a proven reputation for supplying high quality outdoor clothing, footwear and accessories. As well as stocking a full range of jackets, fleeces, Tilley hats, SealSkinz waterproof socks, hats and gloves, they are also a Brasher Premier Stockist offering a full range of Brasher walking boots and shoes…..many at up to HALF PRICE! They have just taken stock of the brand new Hillmaster II, Britain’s favourite leather walking boot, and are offering them with £20 OFF at £130, and are also throwing in a pair of socks worth £15 absolutely FREE! Sizes range from 7 – 14 (men’s) and 3 – 9 (ladies), so there’s something to fit everyone!

So if you’re in the market for a new pair of boots, don’t hesitate to visit Country Innovation where you will receive friendly and knowledgeable advice and service.

FREE SOCKS (worth £15) with every pair purchased

G

MANY BOOTS HALF PRICE!

No. 1 Broad Street Congresbury BS49 5DG 01934 877333 www.countryinnovation.com

Morgans Local Shop

The local shop

The local superstore!

MORGANS Local Shop is as the name says a local store, newsagent and off-licence, which prides itself on having 60 or more special offers every month – you can find details on Facebook.

It also offers a range of other services including cash machine, lottery, photocopier and payment point. It’s very popular with villagers, particularly people taking children to the local school, as well as passing trade on the busy A370.

Open: Monday-Friday 7am-10pm Saturday 7.30am-10pm • Sunday 8am-9pm

Sta on Road • Congresbury BS49 5DX

01934 832234

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PAGE 72 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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Page 74

Mendip cave diggers celebrate success

THERE are several teams of diggers on Mendip trying to find or extend caves.

Although there is a good degree of cooperation, there is also a strong element of competition.

Four years ago, following the death of Tony Jarratt, Mendip’s most dedicated cave digger, With PHILIP the J-Rat Award was inaugurated. In HENDY November, on the Saturday nearest to Tony’s birthday, cavers gather at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn to learn which team has found and surveyed the longest amount of passage in a single cave.

The award, is given to a team from Somerset, especially Mendip, or Scotland, where Tony spent a lot of time digging, with a success rate envied by many. This year, the winner was a foregone conclusion, as it was known that after the success of finding The Frozen Deep in Reservoir Hole in Cheddar Gorge, further discoveries have since been made in the system.

This year the venue was so crowded that there was standing room only, because cavers from all the clubs wanted to learn more about this amazing cave. After an introductory speech by Stuart McManus, an old friend of Tony’s, the award was presented to the Tuesday Diggers, who after four years hard work discovered The Frozen Deep.

The wooden plaque holds a brass digging shovel and details of the various winners. Then Nick Chipchase, a digger who seems to spend most of his time underground taking photographs of those actually doing the work, gave an illustrated account of how this vast cavern was found.

Starting at Topless Aven, near the end of the known cave, a slip rift was excavated to a passage which was named Great Expectations. The Dickens theme continued, as after gruelling work in Hard Times, Resurrection was entered. At the end of this short passage was a boulder pile, which was climbed to allow the diggers to look down a pitch into blackness.

The pitch was named WISh You Were Here in memory of William I. Stanton, who first dug into the cave in 1951. After laddering the pitch, The Frozen Deep was entered. I have already described the wonderful pure white formations, including the five metre columns. Nick’s photographs left us gasping in amazement.

A lot of time has been spent in taping a route around the chamber so that this calcite wonderland is kept pristine. This was not easy, as the floor is a jumble of angular boulders, with no level path at all. The cave featured in the One Show on BBC 1, when Miranda Krestovnikoff revealed that the chamber was 2,961

Photograph by Nick Chipchase

The Frozen Deep

CAVING

Receiving the Award (Stuart Mcmanus gives the plaque to Pete Smart)

square metres in area, making it the biggest in the UK. The discoveries have kept coming. A passage at the southwest corner of the chamber, Dingley Dell, led to a sump at Pickwick Passage. The water has been dived, so far inconclusively, but is only 30 – 40 metres from the end of the River Cave leading upstream from Gough’s Cave. High level passages in the southeast and northwest corners have been climbed into, and large walkingsize passages with scalloped walls have been discovered.

There are still plenty of leads and the Tuesday Diggers are confident that they will win next year’s award as well. Nick concluded his talk with a 3D Lidar tour around and inside The Frozen Deep, which left us astounded. He was rewarded with a tumultous round of applause.

Mark Helmore, who each year presents a Mendip Round-up of local events and discoveries at the national Hidden Earth caver’s conference, then gave a brief description of work in other caves.

Digs are current on Spider Hole and Bone Hole in Cheddar Gorge, both of which it is hoped will add to the Charterhouse – Reservoir – Gough’s system.

Attempts are being made to connect Rod’s Pot in Burrington to nearby Drunkard’s Hole, but capriciously the dig is heading anywhere but in the right direction. The Templeton diggers have a new decorated shaft some 13 metres deep, but still have a long way to go before they can knock on the back door of Wookey Hole.

A small gorge in a wave-cut platform near Chewton Mendip has a series of sinkholes which are being systematically dug, though so far to no avail. Digging on Western Mendip, at Canada Combe, has also revealed some new passage. The highlight of Mark’s presentation was undoubtedly a video showing the first free-dive (without equipment) of a tight flooded passage in Upper Flood Swallet.

Eliza Sump is not only tight but very muddy, and the audience alternately held its’ breath and roared with laughter at the potentially fatal antics of the volunteer diver. He found that the continuation was a mouse-sized hole in the roof!

This was Mendip at its best, all the clubs together in a celebration of discovery, helped by barrels of beer and tables laden with nibbles. Many of the digging teams had displays showing the fruits of their efforts and discussion of the merits of digging techniques and where to dig next continued well after closing time. Such was the popularity of the evening that already a larger venue is being sought for next year.

Phil is a member of Wessex Cave Club and has been caving for the last 44 years. Still active, his main interest is in digging to try to find new caves. He has published a caving cartoon book and collaborated on the recently-published Swildon’s Hole – 100 Years of Exploration.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 73

Photograph by Phil Hendy

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MENDIP TIMES

Top prize

BRISTOL’S Lord Lieutenant, Mary Prior, won first prize in the raffle at the annual Seafarers UK Bristol Committee autumn party and is pictured receiving her prize from the chairman of the Bristol committee, Commodore Gerald Wood.

She donated her prize to the Jessie May Trust, which provides for terminally ill children in their homes. The event was held at HMS Flying Fox in Bristol.

Light up the sky

WESTON Hospicecare has launched its annual Light up a Life event, giving the local community the chance to come together in memory of loved ones and in celebration of times shared.

The main event will be held on Sunday December 16th at 5pm in the hospice gardens in Uphill where hundreds of lanterns will be released. Families can also sign a book of remembrance which is available at the hospice and in the charity’s shops.

All in a good claus!

WELLS city centre will be full of “Santas” taking part in a fun run in December to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West.

CHSW wants as many people as possible to don Santa suits and get in the festive spirit by running, walking or jogging the two-kilometre route. The whole family from babies in buggies to dogs are welcome to take part.

The event route, on Sunday, December 9th, starts at The Market Place, goes along the High Street, Priest Row and Chamberlain Street. then passes along Sadler Street, through the arch and across the Cathedral Green, passing under the Penniless Porch and then up and down Bishops Palace Moat, through the park and around the Recreation Ground, looping back through the park and past Bishops Palace towards the Market Place.

Jen Waldron, Events Fundraiser for CHWS, who is organising the Wells fun run, said: “The care we offer at our special hospices is for the whole family, not just the poorly child. We would love families to enter this fun run together, for a great afternoon of festive fun whilst raising vital funds for the families we care for.”

PAGE 74 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Frome Race Night

A RACE night organised by Dorothy House’s Frome Friends at Frome Football Club raised £3,880.

Yvonne Brunton, Dorothy House community fundraiser, said: “The Frome Friends group is inspirational and work tirelessly to raise funds for Dorothy House. Although I’m always available to support them they rarely need my assistance. It’s an absolute joy to have their support and I can’t thank them enough.”

Anyone interested in joining the Frome Friends group or finding out more about them should call Terry on 01373 464333.

Pictured (l to r) are David Millard, Diane Ashman, Alison Aldous and Terry Aldous.

Details: www.dorothyhouse.co.uk or call 01225 721480.

A team of Santas visit Bishop’s Palace to spread the word on the Children’s Hospice South West 2k fun run.

G Entry is £10.00 per adult, £5 for under 16s and under 3s go free. Entry includes Santa suit, medal, mince pie and hot drink. To enter, register online at www.chsw.org.uk/santas or call 01275 866 600.

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Local charity seeks trustees

LOCAL play charity, Wansdyke Play Association (WPA), is currently looking for new trustees to join their board.

The charity has been successful in attracting lottery and central government funding and has grown significantly over the past few years, now offering play opportunities in B&NES, Somerset and West Wiltshire.

WPA is now seeking new trustees to join their board to help guide the organisation through the next exciting stage of development. It needs a chair of trustees, a treasurer and anyone with relevant play, business or charity experience.

Kelly Hall, WPA trustee, said: “This funding has given us a great opportunity to expand our team and work in Frome as well as Midsomer Norton, Keynsham, Radstock and surrounding areas.

In these towns, we are working with local people to help them set up play provision in their own communities.

“Trustees are essential to the running of any voluntary organisation and a few hours per month from a trustee can really make a big difference. I personally find the role very rewarding and urge anyone who is interested to get in touch. Being a trustee is an opportunity for me to share my expertise as well as learn and develop skills.”

Details: Phil Birch, volunteer co-ordinator on 01761 568242 or email Phil phil@wpa-play.com

Bus pass

SOMERSET Freemasons have donated their community minibus to the Weston and District Community Transport Group.

It has completed 23,000 miles since they acquired it in 2010 and in the last two years its volunteer drivers have completed 130 respite day trips and carried about 1,250 people from many charities and deserving organisations throughout the county.

Bill’s Breaks give carers time out

CHARITIES

Pictured (left to right): Debbie Bland, Churchwarden at St Peter’s Englishcombe, Sonia Hutchison from the Carers’ Centre, the Rev Dr Catherine Sourbut and Brian Hugget, Chair of the Parish Council.

TAKING the opportunity to refresh and renew is the last thing most carers think about. They are usually too busy and stressed to consider the impact that caring is having on their social life, self-esteem, health and interests.

Thanks to a new initiative set up by local charity the Carers’ Centre, carers are being encouraged to take the first steps to having some time that’s just for them. “We want to encourage more carers to take a break with us for the first time, and have a huge range of options for them to choose from,” said Chief Executive Sonia Hutchison. “Thanks to a fund in memory of our valued Trustee, Bill Davies, who died in April, we can offer these extra breaks opportunities and we know that Bill, who was a carer himself, would have approved.”

Thanks to the generosity of Bill’s friends and family, £1,500 was presented to the Centre at a service at St Peter’s Church, Englishcombe. Bill’s Breaks give carers a wealth of exciting things to do such as museum and theatre trips, computer courses, help to find employment, shopping days and even a 1940’s style vintage tea party to look forward to!

All the breaks are free of charge for carers and can include free transport and help to look after the cared for person.

If you look after someone who is ill, frail, disabled or has a problem with drugs or alcohol, you are a carer and could benefit from Bill’s Breaks. Take the first step to some time for you by contacting Sarah Dixon at the Carers’ Centre on 0800 0388 885 or email sarah.dixon@banescarerscentre.org.uk for more information.

Museum’s festive fair

LADY Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, will open this year’s Christmas Fayre at Radstock Museum on Saturday, December 8th.

There will be around 30 stalls plus entertainment from Shoscombe and Trinity School choirs and the local Accordion Band.

The fayre – which opens at 10am – is organised by the Friends of Radstock Museum, who provide support for the independent community museum, staffed mainly by volunteers.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 75

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Positive benefits for charities

Tina Pascal, owner of the Positive Living Centre and partner Phil Hitch, with some of the team at the open day

FUNDRAISING activities by the team at Positive Living Centre in Midsomer Norton have raised £450 for local charities.

The centre held an open day to celebrate its 10th anniversary and to showcase the treatments and therapies available.

The money will be shared out between the centre’s three chosen charities: Radstock Carer’s Centre, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the local Bath Mind support group.

Centre owner Tina Pascal said: “I would like to thank all of the therapists and some local businesses for their support in raising this sum of money.”

Funding charities

MEMBERS of the Forest of Mendip Lodge, which meets in the former chapel in Rickford, have had a busy year fundraising.

In June, Martyn Bangham (right) undertook a sponsored skydive in aid of Arthritis Research and raised over £1,300. Martyn has suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis since he was five years old and wanted to repay some of the support he had received and also to help raise awareness of the condition.

Another member, Ian Angell (left) recently ran in the Great North run. Ian’s time was a personal best of 1hr 30mins and he raised £345 which will go towards UCARE – a charity specialising in Urology Cancer.

Lodge members were the principal sponsors for both of these members. They also helped some members of Ubley Scouts by contributing towards the cost of their Water Aid Project in Madagascar.

Spokesman, Roger Penny, said: “A little known fact is that Freemasons in Britain contribute more to charity than any organisation other than the National Lottery. The work goes on and we will continue to raise money for other worthy causes.”

PAGE 76 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Building a future for ex-servicemen

A CALL has gone out to tradesmen across Somerset to come forward and offer their services transforming a building near Glastonbury into a unique post-services facility for ex-service personnel.

Military charity Afghan Heroes has signed the lease on the building at Ashcott on the Somerset Levels which will become the first in a series of self-financing care and rehabilitation centres to be known as The Retreat.

Now, charity organisers have appealed to local bricklayers, carpenters, electricians and tradesmen to come forward and help with an ambitious top-to-bottom refurbishment of the building, which will become home to up to half a dozen former services personnel as they adapt to life after the frontline.

Afghan Heroes founder Denise Harris, whose son Corporal Lee Scott lost his life in July 2009 while serving with 2 Royal Tank Regiment in Afghanistan, said the aim is to set up a dozen Retreats across the UK. Denise said: “It is a fantastic building but needs considerable refurbishment to create the high grade accommodation required and this is where local tradesman can make a difference by donating a few hours of their time.

“The more money we can save from the refurbishment programme means more money where we need it the most – providing the specialist support and facilities former services personnel need in an environment they can cope with and which understands their particular needs.”

Builders, electricians, carpenters and all other tradesmen can contact the Afghan Heroes team on 0844 5766771.

Keeping warm this winter

SOMERSET Community Foundation has teamed up with local charity donation website, Localgiving.com for this year’s Surviving Winter Appeal.

If you’re over 60 and receive the Winter Fuel Payment but don’t really need it, you can donate it to someone who does. Or if you’re a little bit younger but still want to help, you can bring warmth, security and mobility to a person in need this winter by going to the Somerset Community Foundation donation page at Localgiving.com/somersetcf With several energy companies abandoning their cheapest tariffs and five of the six big energy suppliers increasing gas and electricity prices by between 6% and 11% this autumn, some of Somerset’s most vulnerable citizens could be in for a cold winter.

Localgiving.com Chief Executive, Marcelle Speller OBE, said: “Fuel poverty can be life-threatening. All donations to Surviving Winter will go to help vulnerable and older people in Somerset to make it through the coldest time of year. Think of it as an early Christmas present that will make a real difference to someone’s life!”

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CHARITIES

Celebrating local volunteering

A PACKED ceremony saw the Bath & North East Somerset Council chairman’s Community and Business Awards given to local people who have made a big difference in their community.

Council chairman, Councillor Rob Appleyard, said: “These awards celebrate local achievement and highlight my theme for the year - people really do matter.”

Among the winners were Aubrey Willcox, from Clutton, named Good Neighbour of the Year, Paulton Hospital Charity Shop, named Volunteer Team of the Year, Peasedown St. John Youth Hub, named Young Volunteer of the Year, with a Special Quest Award for Jane Flower, for her perseverance in restoring the Church Tower at St Thomas A Beckett Church in Pensford.

Stoke St. Michael Primary School Radstock Co-operative raised £2,822 with a fashion show organised

by Mari-Ann Burgess, pictured with Pudsey.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 77

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Property professionals tackle the Wild West A COMPLETE lack of effective regulation has allowed the lettings sector to become the property industry’s Wild West, putting consumers at risk, according to RICS. RICS’ consumer letting survey shows the potential for rogue lettings agents to cash in on the current rental boom due to a combination of consumers’ low expectations and a total lack of effective regulation.

Despite the fact 92 per cent of tenants said they were satisfied with their lettings agent, two thirds of those surveyed in key areas across England said they did not receive an inventory when moving into a property, demonstrating the worryingly low standards expected by tenants.

This clear lack of awareness or apathy from tenants on what they should expect from their agent is compounded by a lack of effective regulation which can lead to potential consumer detriment, with renters sometimes being charged extortionate fees or given unfair terms.

It is currently possible for anyone to set up a lettings agency without appropriate qualifications, knowledge or understanding of the rental process. In addition, it is not compulsory for agents to conform to any code of conduct, provide safeguards or register with a government-approved redress system.

Despite this, four out of five renters believe lettings agents are required to abide by a government, ombudsman or regulatory body code of practice – demonstrating a lack of accessible information on lettings agent’s legal requirements. In addition, there is a clear demand for regulation amongst consumers, with 87

PAGE 78 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

per cent of renters supporting a single compulsory regulation scheme for all letting agents.

Peter Bolton King, RICS Global Residential Director, said: “A good lettings agent can be worth their weight in gold for both landlord and tenant. However, there are too many corrupt agents that do not belong to any professional body who are taking advantage of the current gap in regulation, putting consumers at risk.”

Meanwhile another RICS’ survey shows the age-old problem of consumers trusting estate agents continues right across the country, with over 90 per cent of South Western homebuyers now calling for compulsory regulation to better protect buyers. Of those who failed to check whether their agent was a regulated member of a professional body, 40 per cent in southern England said they did not trust them to provide honest and truthful advice.

With no statutory regulation currently in place to ensure sales agents are suitably qualified to sell property, and with public confidence at such a low level, the overwhelming majority (84 percent) in the South West believe that buyers would be better protected if compulsory regulation were introduced.

RICS residential spokesman for the South West, Mike Woodliffe, of Woodliffe & Co Estate Agents, said: “It’s fairly shocking that out of every 100 sellers 40 did not trust their agent’s advice. For most people their home is their biggest asset and worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, if vendors have any doubts about their agent before appointing them they should ask about their redress scheme or complaints procedure.”

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PROPERTY

Wells welcomes Killens

KILLENS are delighted to announce the opening of their new office in Wells.

Centrally situated in Sadler Street, the office is managed by Tom (left), Lisa, Mel, Michael and Sally Michael Trott, who outside the new agency has extensive experience in estate agency and detailed local knowledge.

Michael, whose family farms at Lovington, near Castle Cary, will be supported by Mel Townsend and Lisa Rogers, both of whom have many years’ experience of working in estate agencies in Wells.

Michael and his team offer a full range of agency services including the sale and letting of all forms of property. Support will also be provided by Tom and Sally Killen and Jake Smith.

Michael is keen to help establish an office which operates to the highest standards at a competitive rate and provides a service that embraces traditional values and modern methods of marketing.

The opening of the new office comes at the end of a busy year for Killens, having successfully opened the Mendip Auction Rooms at Binegar.

Tom said: “We are very excited to be in Wells; we all have strong connections with the city and it feels right to be here.”

LD

LD

SO

SO

WINTERHEAD HILL £500,000 Sold prior to auction in excess of guide price.

Semi-detached property for renovation with 2 acres – similar urgently required for 2013.

PRIDDY £375,000

Sold at Auction in excess of guide price. 2-bed farmhouse, outbuildings and 11 acres. Re-sold with cottage and 2 acres.

Numerous disappointed bidders seek similar.

DAVID JAMES & PARTNERS LLP WISH ALL THEIR CLIENTS, PAST AND PRESENT, A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2012.

YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY AGENT AND SURVEYORS ARE HERE TO HELP AND ADVISE ON ALL PROPERTY MATTERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU IN THE NEW YEAR. LD

LD

SO

SO

WINSCOMBE £695,000 Just sold – residential property with 1.5 acre gardens – more like this required for specific buyers in 2013.

WICK ST LAWRENCE £460,000 Sold at Auction – farmhouse requiring renovation with 10 acres and outbuildings – two disappointed bidders ready to purchase!

Wrington North Somerset BS40 5SA Tel: 01934 864300 www.davidjames.org.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 79

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Eco-friendly

ECO Angus offers a full range of wood-burning boilers to provide all your central heating and domestic hot water requirements. The operating costs run at approximately 50% of fossil fuels depending on your economic access to wood. Grants are available on boilers under the forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive. These will be paid over seven years based on your deemed heat loss, with typical payback periods of three to five years on the cost of the installation.

These boilers are ideal for retrofits or new builds, positioned usually in an outbuilding, garage or utility room. They can be installed on open-vented or pressurised systems and linked with your existing heating system.

Wrington celebrates

14

December

THE Wrington Dickensian Fair is celebrating its 11th year on Friday December 14th and will have more stalls than ever, with products ranging from bath bubbles, cakes, chocolates, doggy gifts, jams, jewellery, pickles, wooden toys and not forgetting Christmas gifts – in fact everything you need to start your festive shopping.

If you are hungry on the night they will have their traditional hog roast and the Plough Inn will have mulled wine to keep you warm. The evening starts outside the Plough at 6.30pm, with the lighting of the village Christmas tree.

Entertainment will include The Salvation Army Band, Joyful Spirit and the local drumming band, The Wringbeats.

The evening ends with carols and a sing-a-long in the Plough.

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Suppliers fo all your daily needs: FRESH BREAD – MILK – NEWSPAPERS – CONVENIENCE FOOD – PET FOOD – CONFECTIONERY We are now offering hot food to take away from our In-House Bakery: G FRESH BAKED PIZZA TO ORDER G TAPAS G HOT ROLLS G SOUPS G SALADS G SANDWICHES & SAVOURIES DAILY SPECIALS e.g. ANY PIZZA @ LUNCHTIME JUST £5 NEW LOYALTY CARD SCHEME & MUCH MORE . . .

CHECK OUT OUR PROMOTIONS BOARD AT THE STORE ENTRANCE

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Made in Wrington

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

THE Made in Wrington Arts Trail, on the weekends of November 24th and 25th and December 1st and 2nd, promises to be a stunning showcase of arts and crafts in the area.

Those taking part are Julie Kingcott, Jane Geeson, Bridget Winterbourne, Bill Moore, Karen Edwards, Amy Shiner, Becky Wills, Sue Jane Barton, Jennifer Davidson, Samantha Gilraine, Wendy Tandy, Sarah Aumayer and Willa Ashworth.

Made in Wrington is a non-profit making voluntary art group, formed in March, whose main purpose is to unite artists from the area, with the aim of raising the profile both of the group and members’ work.

The artists work in a diverse range of disciplines including, painting, sculpture, print, photography, pottery, enamelling, jewellery and glass.

Glass artist Becky Wills and her son Josh will have their new studio open, based in an old greenhouse at the top of The Walled Garden.

Details: www.madeinwrington.co.uk

Pets welcome

JULIE Kingcott, owner of The Gallery, Wrington, is an exceptionally talented artist whose work draws from many inspirations. She is particularly well-known for her animal portraiture, capturing the unique spirit and personality of family pets, domestic animals and wild creatures.

Julie’s interest in painting animals stems from a relative who bred dogs and was a Cruft’s judge. She was often asked to paint winning breeds, which led to commissions for pet portraits. One such painting, Molly and Beau shown here, was chosen for its outstanding merit at the recent North Somerset Arts exhibition at Sidcot School.

Using photographs, sketches, observation and conversations with owners, Julie produces work that leaves no doubt as to the mastery of her art.

“Every owner knows their pet’s characteristics and it’s my job to capture those little quirks that breathes life into the portrait,” she said.

The Gallery is a warm and inviting place housing a wide variety of Julie’s paintings, prints and sculptures.

Visitors are made very welcome – pets too!

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 81

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Motorcyle specialists

AT Motocross is a family-run business bringing you everything you need for the world of motorcycles but mainly specialising in motocross. They stock a huge range of items and if you can’t find what you are looking for, simply contact them and they will do the searching for you, with no obligation.

Not only that, they are likely to be able to source your product at a competitive price. The level of product and services is of paramount importance to them all at AT Motocross. Being keen motocross riders themselves, they can combine this with their strong experience of sales to ensure that their products meet the demands of the customer whilst being consistently competitive.

FOCUS ON WRINGTON

Support for village lifeline

Marian Donovan OPTOMETRIST BSc, FCOptom

Broad Street, Wrington

01934 862933 Tues, Wed, Thurs 9am – 5.30pm

Currently, sight tests not available on Thursdays

Home visits available on request

DEBBIE Fortune Estate Agents will be supporting the Wrington Dickensian Fair with the help of Wallace, their 1929 Austin Chummy, which will be stuffed full of balloons once more to help raise money for Wrington Minibus Society.

The person who guesses the correct number of balloons will win an ipod, donated by the company, whose staff will enter into the spirit of the event by wearing Dickensian dress for the day.

The minibus provides a reliable and regular lifeline to villagers, with local trips, and some further afield, to places like Portishead, Clevedon, Nailsea, Frome and Cribbs Causeway.

WRINGTON DICKENSIAN FAIR Friday, December 7th Stalls • Entertainment • Food • Mulled Wine

Come and light the village Christmas Tree!

Friday, December 14th SEASONAL MARKET from 9am

PAGE 82 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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GOLDEN LION SKY SPORTS

Blooming lovely

3D TV

THE 21st CENTURY HAS ARRIVED AT WRINGTON!

TEL: (01934) 862205 • Email: phil@giorgetti.co.uk • www.goldenlionwrington.co.uk

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Field Grown Seasonal Flowers at

The Somerset Flower Farm Flowers For All Occasions NATES LANE, WRINGTON, NORTH SOMERSET BS40 5RS Tel: 07749 289517 Web: thesomersetflowerfarm.co.uk Email: mandy@thesomersetflowerfarm.co.uk Visit our Little Barn Shop: Tuesday-Saturday 10am–6pm

PAGE 84 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

MANDY Parker and her partner have established an inspirational business, The Somerset Flower Farm, selling native cut flowers, which they grow themselves.

Based on the outskirts of Wrington, they supply flowers to a growing list of shops, florists and other customers and have now opened their own shop, which also sells unique and unusual gifts. The flowers can be seen growing from spring to autumn.

They are taking orders for Christmas and will have an official launch of their business on December 1st, from 3pm-6pm, with their neighbours The Story Group.

Since most of our cut flowers come from Africa or South America, it’s a real treat to see native flowers being grown outdoors in Somerset. Mandy said: “There’s no need to import the amount of flowers that we do. Obviously our flowers are seasonal, but we don’t use pesticides or chemicals and they attract an enormous amount of bees and other pollinating insects.”

To see native flowers at their best and a wide range of gift ideas, why not pay them a visit.

The local printer

IT’S not too late to order your personalised Christmas cards!

Special cards by David Templeman at DecalArt Design-2-Print, your local printer in Wrington, are designed to include your personal graphics throughout.

Choose from an exclusive range of designs or supply your digital image and David will create very special cards for your family or business. Help, guidance and advice is just a phone call away.

With over 30 years of creative design and affordable printing experience, who better to trust with all your printing requirements. Whether a private, business or trade customer, you will be surprised how reasonable full-colour printing can be.

Flyers are supplied at the “lowest prices around” and are designed to successfully promote your business, products, services and special events. Reliable local distribution is also available. Look out for a new website coming soon, with a full range of printing from leaflets and calendars to signboards and flags.

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FOCUS ON WRINGTON

New faces at village store SHEILA and Bob Webb (pictured left with their daughter Sarah) have said goodbye to Amors, the popular village corner shop they have run in Wrington for the past 26 years, selling it to neighbours Robert and Jane Edmunds.

In buying it, Robert has reestablished his own family’s links with the shop – his uncles Cliff and Cyril Gallop sold it to Sheila and Bob! Sheila, 66, said: “We wanted to retire but didn’t want to close the shop so it’s wonderful Amors is going to remain open and we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us.”

In 1994 her husband Bob, aged 70, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and was offered a pioneering operation called Deep Brain Stimulation at Frenchay Hospital to reduce the involuntary movements.

It involved the implantation of a wire with four electrodes into a target site in the brain. This was connected to a small pacemaker-like unit implanted under the skin in the chest.

Sheila said: “We had so much support

from the village through this and Bob still came to work every afternoon. We are so glad the shop is going to continue as it is with Robert and Jane.”

Robert’s widowed mother, Marjorie, moved to Wrington 45 years ago to be near her brothers Cliff and Cyril.

Robert said: “I was made redundant at

Service to the village

WRINGTON is fortunate to still have many thriving local businesses, offering a range of convenient and friendly services to the local community. Wrington Motors has been carrying out MOTs, servicing and repairing cars for over 20 years and has earned a respectable reputation for good workmanship and courteous service. The business has continually upgraded its workshop equipment and tooling to keep abreast of the latest vehicle technology.

The key workshop technicians have been with the business for many years, starting as apprentices, and ensure a high level of experience, quality and continuity in the care of your vehicles, while the reception staff are also motor technicians, who will discuss your problem, offer solutions and source the parts required for your repairs. They can also carry out small jobs, such as fitting of bulbs, batteries and wiper blades, while you wait.

Wrington Motors runs a small fleet of loan cars, both manual and automatic, and a small van, which are available when you drop your vehicle off for repair, or you can be given a lift back home or to work locally. Or you may choose to have your car collected from, and returned to your home or place of work – the choice is yours.

There is attended service on the forecourt for petrol, diesel and LPG and a free airline, though, for a small charge the attendant will check your tyre pressures for you.

Wrington Motors is proud of its 20 years’ service to the village and surrounding communities and you will find a warm welcome and expert problem solving for your car.

the age of 56 last December. Jane and I both thought this was a great opportunity to see us both through to our retirement.

“This is a perfect way to make a reasonable living and keep the shop open to provide a much needed service and focal point for the village.”

YOUR LOCAL GARAGE – OPEN MONDAY–FRIDAY 8am–5.30pm

# MOT Testing, Repairs and Servicing to most makes using manufacturer’s schedules # Special diagnostic tools for most makes with near dealer level for Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, Volvo, Nissan and for the latest common rail diesel engines # ‘On Car’ Shock Absorber Tester # Manual and automatic loan cars # Batteries, Tyres, Exhausts and Laser Four-wheel Alignment # Air Conditioning servicing and repairs

The Garage • Wrington North Somerset BS40 5NA www.wringtonmotors.co.uk Tel: 01934 862297 MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 85

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Orchestra sets new standards

FROME’S symphony orchestra may be the town’s best-kept secret. What started over a decade ago as a community band after Cambridge music graduate Stephen Marquiss placed a speculative advert in the local paper has now grown into a serious orchestra with a reputation spreading far beyond the local area.

Its next concert will be on Sunday December 9th, at the Cheese and Grain – a new, larger venue for the orchestra, which regularly fills the town’s churches to overflowing.

After several years of quiet consolidation, a new chapter for Frome Symphony began in 2009, when young Bristol-based professional conductor Mark Gateshill joined and under his dynamic leadership standards have risen sharply, with programmes becoming increasingly ambitious.

The concert on December 9th will be one of the largest-scale classical music events in Frome for many years. Mark says of the Orchestra’s progress: “Frome Symphony has made great progress over the last four seasons, they are a dynamic, fun and talented group of musicians. Rehearsals are fast moving and hugely focused and there is a real sense of excitement within the ensemble as we head towards the opening concert of this season.

“I have been made to feel very welcome by Frome Symphony and look forward to many more great performances

for us to build on and to meet more of the people from the local area as the orchestra and audience base develop and expands.”

The December concert features the mighty Fifth Symphony

by Dmitri Shostakovich and young soprano soloist, Esther Mallett, performing Benjamin Britten’s beautiful song cycle, “Les Illuminations”.

Next year will see four further concerts in the town, including a very popular Family Concert, a riotous hands-on, baton-wielding, dressing-up treat for the children, and a stern test for the musicians!

Details: www.fromesymphony.org.uk Tickets for the December concert are available from the Cheese & Grain box office on 01373 455420.

Musical maestros

G Stock clearance bargains during December and January!

G Order now in time for Christmas.

G New models on display from all major manufacturers.

G Competitive pricing.

G Easy to find, easy to park.

G Largest selection in the South West.

Mon-Fri: 10–5.30, Sat 10–4 (Closed Tue and Sun)

SWIFT Music opened in 2000 and has since become a major centre for pianos, keyboards and organs, which are currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

They have a large stock of pianos, organs and keyboards, both new and pre-owned, such as the amazing range of Tyros keyboards, from pre -owned Tyros 1 through to the latest Tyros 4. They also stock accessories such as stools, stands, microphones and speaker systems.

They have hundreds of music books available for keyboard and piano and also stock exam books for ABRSM, Trinity College and University of West London. You are sure of a warm welcome when you visit their store, which is easy to find in the very pleasant residential area of Stoke Bishop in Bristol, with their own car park outside the shop. They look forward to helping you choose your ideal instrument!

Choir sings at Albert Hall

SIXTY members of the Mendip Male Voice Choir and their supporters travelled to London for the Festival of Brass and Voices concert in aid of Cancer Research at the Royal Albert Hall.

With choirs from all over the country the Mendip Men performed with the two top brass bands in the world the Grimethorpe Colliery and The Cory Band.

Anyone who would like to hear the choir can see them in action at Hayesfield School, Bath on Wednesday December 5th at 7.30pm.

Details: www.mendipmen.co.uk

PAGE 86 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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MUSIC

Turf’s up for new concert venue MICHAEL Eavis, the founder of the Glastonbury Festival, was the special guest at the launch of a very different performing arts venue in Wells.

Michael cut the turf for a £9.4 million project which will be built in the grounds of Wells Cathedral School.

To be called Cedars Hall, it will include a 350-seat recital hall, recording studio and rehearsal rooms. Its state-of-the-art teaching rooms will allow the school to teach music via the internet. It will open with a gala festival in 2014 and be available to the wider community.

Michael was nine years old when he first attended Wells Cathedral School in 1944 and was a pupil there until 1950. His daughter, Emily, also attended the school.

Michael said: “This is a fantastic occasion. This performing arts centre will be a great thing for the school, for Wells, for Somerset and beyond. The school gave

me, and Emily later on, a lot of selfconfidence and self-belief and that’s worth a lot.”

Wells is one of four specialist music schools in the country. More than 78 music specialist students receive government funding to attend Wells.

Headteacher Elizabeth Cairncross said: “These are the most talented young people in the country and we are committed to helping them develop those skills and talents.

“Cedars Hall will ensure we have the facilities which will help them reach their potential. The Hall is very much for the wider community, to help us fulfil our commitment to spread music to as many as we can, locally, nationally and internationally.”

G There was a grammatical error in the headline to our story in the November issue of Mendip Times about Wells

Cathedral Junior School. It should have read: “Nurturing academic excellence and creativity” not “excellent”. We apologise for the error.

THE Olympics may have come and gone but the Olympic-inspired choral work, The Same Flame just released on the Vivum Records label, is set to keep it alight.

Commissioned by the rural music charity, Churchill Music! the songs appeal to a wide range of tastes and abilities, encouraging communities to come together to sing and inspire even greater heights of performance and enjoyment.

The music for The Same Flame was composed by former BBC Young Composer winner Thomas Hewitt Jones

with words by poet and lyricist, Matt Harvey. This recording is conducted by renowned choral director David Ogden.

Featured on the disc are six choirs, representing a diverse range of community voices: Bristol’s acclaimed Exultate Singers with soloist, Alice Harper; North Somerset’s chamber choir, The Trinity Singers; Churchill Academy Chamber Choir and Churchill, Sandford and Wrington Primary School choirs, accompanied by pianist Christine Stevenson.

The project received financial support from the National Lottery through Arts

Council England. Such is its success that Boosey and Hawkes now publish the sheet music.

Inspirational music

Sharing a joke with headteacher Elizabeth Cairncross

Details: Jan Murray 01934 852245 jan@murraychurchill.com

Christmas concert

A NEW Christmas tradition is about to be launched in Wells.

Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society will be performing Handel’s Messiah in the cathedral on December 8th – and plans to make it an annual event.

Conductor Matthew Owens said: “This is such a wonderful piece of music to perform in early December. It really puts everyone in the right frame of mind for Christmas and we now want it to become an annual event. What could be better than hearing this glorious music each December in the setting of Wells Cathedral?”

The soloists this year are Laurie Ashworth soprano, Michael Chance countertenor, Anthony Gregory tenor and Benedict Nelson bass, with the Music for Awhile Orchestra, on period instruments. It promises to be an exciting performance.

The society has also announced that from September next year, it will be performing three concerts a year. There will be two concerts in the autumn – including the Messiah in December – and a further work in the spring. Next spring, March 23rd, the Society will be performing Mozart’s Requiem.

Tickets for the Messiah are now on sale, available from the Wells Cathedral Shop Box Office Tel: 01749 672773. Tickets may be available on the door.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 87

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MENDIP TIMES (Wells)

Established in 1976, Boyce Millington Ltd specialise in property refurbishment. We handle all types of building work from demolition through to decorating with particular experience of listed buildings.

Let us help you to: CONSTRUCT REFURBISH MAINTAIN DECORATE Wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Past , Present and Future Customers

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PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Students have designs on Kevin

STUDENTS at Norton Radstock College have been given the chance to design a piece of furniture in a competition to be judged by television presenter Kevin McCloud.

Charltons Furniture launched the Charltons 2012 Furniture Design Award for students as part of its commitment to the community. Ross Charlton, head of product and design at Charltons Furniture, part of AJ Charlton and Sons Ltd., said: “As a local business it is a privilege to be working alongside the college, being able to provide a real window of opportunity to local young creative designers.”

Shirley Arayan, College Principal, said: “We are delighted that Charltons have chosen us for this award. We are keen to build relationships with local business and this is an excellent example.”

The competition was open to carpentry students aged between 16 and 21 at the college. The challenge was to design any piece of interior wood furniture with special credit given for ones which can have multiple uses and are capable of being developed into a range of furniture. Kevin is due to visit the college’s Construction Centre in December to judge the work.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Style and expertise

ARE you looking for a property developer who can capture your dream of the home you always wanted and transform it into reality?

Olding Developments, owned by John Olding, who has 30 years experience in the trade, is one of Somerset’s most exclusive building contractors.

Registered as a Builder and Developer with the National House Building Confederation, they offer a “start to finish” service on the design and build of your new home or an extension to your existing property.

With a comprehensive range of additional services also available, including architects, structural engineers and designers, Olding Developments can handle all the stress of managing professionals for every stage of your project.

Concerned that your extension might look like an afterthought and that it won’t blend in properly with your existing home? With 25 years of

S T

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MENDIP TIMES

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MENDIP TIMES •JANUARY 2012 • PAGE 90

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JACKSONS

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

Ever wondered what that classy brass badge is about on the best looking fencing that you see around? Or how a company can possibly guarantee something like timber fencing for 25 years? Over the coming months we will be answering these questions and informing you about many other topics.

WELCOME to the first Jacksons news, topical treats and more page. We would like to tell you about a few things at Jacksons you may not know about already, so a regular page in this magazine is an ideal opportunity to do this. Here you can hear about any offers and deals that are happening, or free prize draws, or new products we are launching that we may want to tell you about – or anything else that crops up on a monthly basis.

Throughout December and January we have a “Seasonal Savers” special offer running on a collection of products like our new wheelie bin stores, raised bed kits and other garden items.

You can get 15% off until the end of January, so if you want to know more go to the special page on the web site that we have set up for local readers: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal from there you can find full details on the special offer and there is also

F

information on a free prize draw we are running.

When the occasion arises I will also tell you more about the things that set Jacksons apart from the crowd, our pride in our service, quality and our unique 25 year guarantee, without dressing it up in jargon. For now, seasons greetings to all our customers. louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

R E E

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Win one of the products from our Seasonal Savers offer: Wheelie bin store, tool shed, metal trellis, raised bed with trellis kit, verge protection marker posts, or £150 of Jacksons vouchers.

To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/bathlocal

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 91

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MENDIP TIMES

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HOMES & INTERIORS

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Vgn<"23; 56": 35483 www.westongarden.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 93

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COMMUNITY

Our first police commissioner SUE Mountstevens, who lives in North Somerset, has been elected as our first Police and Crime Commissioner for the Avon and Somerset

By SIMON area.

SELBY Sue, the independent candidate, said her three main priorities were anti-social behaviour, violent crime, particularly against women and girls, and to listen, “especially to the quiet people”.

The turn-out for the vote was 19.59%, which was one of the highest of any of the 41 PCC elections which took place.

There were four candidates in the first round of voting and Sue and Conservative Ken Maddock, from Baltonsborough, went through to the second vote.

Sue said: “Only I have the experience, the commitment and the freedom to deliver the right policing for the residents of Avon and Somerset. As your Independent Commissioner I will protect residents and police from political interference. I will reduce crime so you can be safe and feel safe in your community.

“I will be your voice. I will work with

Sue Mountstevens at the count in Bristol

the police for better policing. I will make police officers and PCSO’s more visible in your neighbourhoods.

“I will be a fierce advocate on behalf of victims and I will ensure that offenders are dealt with robustly through the criminal justice system and I never forget that it is your money.

“I will ensure that every pound is spent

Police cadets return to Somerset TEENAGE members of two new Volunteer Police Cadet units are the first to be seen in Somerset for almost 30 years.

One of the units will be based at Churchill Academy. The volunteers, aged between 14 and 17, come from: Axbridge, Cheddar, Clevedon, Congresbury, Elborough, Hutton, Langford, Lympsham, Nailsea, Portishead, Shipham, Westonsuper-Mare, Winscombe, Wrington and Yatton.

They attend: Backwell School, Broadoak Community School, Churchill Academy, Clevedon Community School, Gordano School, Hans Price Academy, Nailsea School, Priory Community School, Worle Community School and Kings of Wessex Academy, Cheddar.

The units – the other is in Somerset West – are run by police officers and staff in their spare time and are part of the force’s commitment to engage with young people and offering teenagers the chance to make a difference in their communities.

The Avon and Somerset Volunteer Police Cadet scheme has been running as a pilot for the past year in South Gloucestershire, where 29 cadets meet to learn about all aspects of policing.

The units meet each Thursday night during term time. After initial training, the cadets will get involved with helping their

efficiently, effectively and wisely.”

Sue, who is married with three children, served on Avon and Somerset Police Authority between 2010 and 2012 and was a magistrate for 15 years.

Between 2003 and 2012 she was owner of Mountstevens Coaching Associates and was director of Mountstevens Bakeries for 20 years until 1998.

communities In the first six months of the pilot scheme, cadets spent 137 hours on public duties, including: G handing out personal and property safety information to young people at shopping centres G carrying out ‘vulnerable vehicle’ surveys in car parks G delivering crime prevention advice and information on police operations Some of the older cadets also volunteer with neighbourhood teams, accompanying PCSOs on foot patrols, helping to carry out house-to-house enquiries and joining Community Speed Watch volunteers monitoring speeds on local roads.

Chief Superintendent Julian Moss, the force’s lead on youth engagement, said: “We have already seen the cadets in South Gloucestershire having a positive and direct effect on our communities. The feedback has been tremendously encouraging.“ The costs of the scheme area met through sponsorship. In North Somerset, that includes support from Alvis Bros, the Big Lottery, Blagdon, Burrington, Churchill and Winford Parish Councils, Budgens, Crime Beat, the Lions Club of Weston-super-Mare, the police Recovered Assets Fund, Yeo Valley Farms, local builder Dave Avery and John Lewis.

Simon Selby is Director of the Crimebeat Awards Scheme.

PAGE 94 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

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MOTORING

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Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade BA3 4TY Call: 01749 841051 Mob: 07778 465520 Email: sales@caravanrepairs-sw.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 95

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Local riding club are national champions

THE popular local Mid Somerset Riding Club has achieved the highest accolade of the British Riding Clubs movement, Riding Club of the Year. With some 430 clubs throughout the British Isles and 30,000 members, this is indeed a huge honour for our West Country club, which has about 150 With CELIA members.

GADD This title is awarded to the club that performs best across all the national championships during the year as a percentage of its membership who attain placings at the championships in any of the disciplines. To participate in a championship, members have to qualify at area level and win the right to go forward to national level.

In the south west, Area 12 encompasses some 17 clubs from Devon, Dorset and Somerset and competition is very fierce for the coveted national opportunities. So although Mid Somerset is a relatively small club, it shows great versatility across the spectrum of disciplines, successful in dressage, eventing and show jumping and has talent in great depth.

Any national placing down to 10th place is accorded points and these points are totalled for the year and then calculated as a percentage against the number of members.

On hearing the news of the award chairman Margaret Peverley was delighted that such a prestigious award should come to the club and remarked that 2012 was the ideal year for such an achievement, following such a wonderful summer of sport. The trophy was presented on November 2nd at the

Pictured (ltor) back row: Andrea Jones, Margaret Peverley, Kathy Emery, Alys Matravers, Nikki Forbes; front row: Julia Down, Mandie Bown and Marian Draper

historic Saddler’s Hall in London by kind permission of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, by the President of the British Horse Society, Martin Clunes.

Eight members of Mid Somerset Riding Club travelled to London for the presentation which was followed by a buffet lunch and a chance to meet other volunteers from the equestrian world who had also received acknowledgement for their achievements.

Mid Somerset Riding Club, now in its 44th year, welcomes new members and caters for all abilities of rider and although it does not have a junior section – juniors are welcome at their events and training clinics throughout the year. Indeed, special mini-competitions are run to encourage the next generation of riders.

All information can be found at www.msrc-online.co.uk.

Artist in residence

A RESCUED donkey who has hit the headlines worldwide by showing off her unusual talent of painting, will be displaying her works of art in HorseWorld’s Visitor Centre cafe for the next few weeks in the hope of raising the funds needed to care for her rescued

PAGE 96 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

friends and to help rescue other horses, ponies and donkeys in need.

Eight-year-old donkey, Patty is now taking commissions for a suggested donation of £60. She discovered her talent earlier this year when the HorseWorld grooms tried to think of activities to keep the mischievous donkey busy.

Assistant yard manager, Vicky Greenslade who has been helping Patty to create her masterpieces, said: “Painting provides a valuable form of enrichment for Patty. She is very intelligent and gets bored very easily which can lead to her being

mischievous and destructive so we thought this would be something she could do to keep her mind occupied and keep her happy.“

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RIDING

Replacement for Troy

Late shopping at Pophams

SOMERSET Levels RDA Carriage-Driving group, one of the country’s most successful charities providing carriage-driving services to the disabled, is hunting for a new pony.

For the past four years, Troy has been the group’s biggest and most important pony: but now he is returning to his owner and must be replaced.

Group chair, Caroline Sturgess, said: “Troy has been a crucial member of our team. While we have three other ponies for our weekly services to Somerset’s disabled clients, Troy has a special role.

“He is a sturdy and safe 15 hands-high cob, able to pull the larger specialised carriage needed by a number of our wheel-chair clients – especially those that must be accompanied by their carers.”

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s Christmas late night opening, Pophams Saddlery will be open until 9pm on Monday the 3rd, 10th, and 17th December. Join them for a glass of mulled wine and refreshments.

As the shop is bursting at the seams, on these evenings they will be opening the feed barn to display a wide selection of Christmas gifts from country clothing to Breyer and Julip toys, waterproof hats, coats and gloves for the never ending rain!

Plus an extensive range for your horse from a Rambo rug to a Christmas Stocking full of horse treats. The clothing sale rails will be packed full of bargains and they will have different offers on each week.

and more Christmas late night opening until 9pm on: Monday 3rd December Monday 10th December Monday 17th December Different offers each week on a wide selection of gifts and essentials

Telephone 01278 641202 Harp Road, Mark TA9 4QL 5 mins off junc 22 M5 Stockists of horse & poultry feeds, bedding, etc.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 97

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December show dates Saturday 1st Unaffiliated dressage at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Sunday 2nd Mid Somerset Riding Club unaffiliated dressage at King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre, Greinton Wednesday 5th BS Seniors at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon Higher unaffiliated evening show jumping at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Thursday 6th Racing welfare race day at Wincanton Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th South West Christmas Equine Fair at Westpoint, Exeter Saturday 8th Mid Somerset Riding Club Open dressage at Camel Hill, Sparkford Sunday 9th Unaffiliated dressage at Cannington College Equestrian Centre, Cannington BS Seniors at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Mid Somerset Riding Club mini unaffiliated show jumping at Camel Hill, Sparkford Sedgemoor Events show jumping at King Sedgemoor

Equestrian Centre Wednesday 12th Winter unaffiliated dressage series at the Conquest Centre, Taunton Celia Gadd dressage clinic at Sidcot School, Sidcot Thursday 13th Taunton Racing at Taunton Racecourse Friday 14th Evening fancy dress unaffiliated dressage at Urchinwood Manor, Congresbury Sunday 16th Blackdown Mendip Riding Club Winter Dressage at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater Sedgemoor Events unaffiliated dressage at King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre BS Seniors at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon BS Juniors at Badgworth Arena, Axbridge Monday 17th Evening fancy dress clear round at Urchinwood Manor Equitation Centre, Wrington Wednesday 19th Celia Gadd flat work clinic at King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre, Greinton Saturday 22nd Celia Gadd flat work clinic at Compton Bishop Farm, Cross

REASONS TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Plenty of Choice • Masses of gift ideas • Excellent prices • Experienced, friendly, helpful staff • Easy parking – ALL AT MURPHYS

Christmas Open Evening

Thursday 6th December 2012 Special offers on the evening and continued through to Sunday 9th December Welcoming mince pies and mulled wine See our website for details: www.murphyssaddlery.co.uk

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm • Sunday 10am – 4pm Tel: 01934 833138 • 2 miles from J21 M5 towards Bristol

PAGE 98 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Equine expert at fair

EMMA Massingale, regarded as one of the UK’s leading horse behaviourists, will be one of the stars at this year’s South West Christmas Equine Fair 2012, being held in Exeter on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th.

Emma set up her training centre in Devon in 2001 starting with young horses and working with the difficult ones. Over 130 horses with learning or behaviour difficulties are treated by Emma each year.

Leading equestrian stars will be performing in the indoor arena at the fair. The British Equestrian Trade Association will be running free checks on hats and body protectors on its stand in the annexe.

G The fair is being held at Westpoint. Advanced tickets are available by visiting www.contour.uk.net or calling 01749 813899.

Riding high

MURPHYS Saddlery started out as a small tack shop alongside the A370 at Hewish, near Weston-super-Mare, over 30 years ago. Since then it has expanded into one of the largest, most comprehensively stocked equestrian outlets in the south west, renowned for its friendly and knowledgeable staff, including a fully qualified Society of Master Saddlers saddle fitter.

All levels of riders and horse owners are catered for, from beginners to the most experienced. Non-riders can also choose from a variety of top quality clothing, footwear and gifts at prices to suit every purse.

Why not get into the festive spirit and join them at their late night open evening on Thursday December 6th for mulled wine, mince pies and special offers?

Details: www.murphyssaddlery.co.uk

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Lakeview Stud Pony Club and lessons

SITUATED in a glorious spot with fabulous views over the Mendip Hills and Blagdon Lake is Lakeview Stud, just a few minutes from the main A38 near Bristol Airport.

Amy Mackey, who runs the busy livery yard and teaching centre, has her own four-year-old daughter, Millie, and wanted to create a fun and safe riding environment for her to share with some friends and hence the birth of the Lakeview Pony Club.

Amy is a very cheerful and patient instructor who ensures the children have a great time, as well as teaching them the all important aspects of pony care as well as the correct way to ride. My daughter Roxie has been going for the last couple of months and really enjoys it and is progressing well.

They do a variety of flat work, work over poles to develop rhythm and balance, as well as many fun games which encourage them to work as a team and develop their ‘people’ skills as well as their riding ability.

The pony club takes place most weekends on a Saturday or Sunday, and they also hold regular ‘fun days’ and competitions with a forthcoming Christmas show on Sunday December 16th at 2pm. This fun afternoon will include games, fancy dress and maybe even a visit from Santa himself!

Help for RDA centre

Adults can also learn to ride here and they have a good variety of horses and ponies to teach on either privately or in small groups. Amy also retrains racehorses and is out regularly competing her young horses in all disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing to prepare them for sale into a new competitive environment.

The yard has great facilities with a large outdoor arena and smart indoor American barn stabling and there is a relaxed, happy atmosphere which suits both the horses and the pupils very well.

I would thoroughly recommend a visit, either with a budding junior or for anyone wanting to progress theirown riding skills.

Celia Gadd

Vouchers available make ideal Xmas presents

FORMER president of the Inner Wheel Club of Chelwood Bridge, Linda Quinn, is pictured visiting the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Centre at Wellow, after presenting them with a donation of £930 at an earlier meeting. The money had been raised at a cabaret and auction night run as a joint venture with the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge.

Mrs Quinn, who was president when the charity nights were held, is pictured with Rosie Swain, aged 17, a relation of past president Heather Curtis. Rosie, aged 17, from Paulton attends Threeway School at Odd Down and is one of 200 riders who use the centre. They are pictured with helper Charlotte.

RIDING

LAKEVIEW EQUESTRIAN PONY CLUB

website www.lakeviewstud.co.uk | email amy@lakeviewstud.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 99

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MENDIP TIMES

Hitz no misses

YOUNG people who are out of education, employment or training are being invited to come to the Bath Rugby Foundation’s Hitz programme.

There are two running at present: one in Twerton in Bath and another at Westhill Park in Westfield, near Midsomer Norton. They are

By PAM run by Foundation coach Stephen Barber and BURKE his team, who are extremely enthusiastic at helping youngsters get back on track in a safe environment.

When I went along to Westhill Park to see Hitz in action there were already a few youngsters kicking a ball around, and with the arrival of Bath and England rugby player Dave Attwood and Academy players Tom Baldwin and Joe Buckle, they were soon all enjoying a team bonding session.

The Hitz programme was developed by Aviva Premiership Rugby and targets young people who are out of education, employment or training. Some are on the verge of exclusion from school or have antisocial behavioural difficulties; the main aim of the programme is to help them to have a new beginning. Hitz has many different strands, which give access to educational support, vocational training, apprenticeships, volunteering and much more.

When Stephen isn’t on the pitch coaching youngsters, you will find him at the Recreation Ground in Bath where he encourages them to gain certificates in English and Maths, to become an apprentice or help them to find work experience.

Rob Appleyard with Aaron Smith and Dave Attwood

The Hitz programme is a great way for kids to build confidence and develop into mature young adults.

Rob Appleyard, chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council and councillor for Westfield Ward, thought the programme was tremendous. He said: “It’s great – it means more than just kicking a football around – it’s developing young people’s key skills and giving them confidence. This is an opportunity for these youngsters to start again and build a new and positive future.”

Although Hitz is mainly for older teens, Stephen invites youngsters from as young as 11 to come along and kick a rugby ball around at the sessions. Come along to a session – it’s free and held on Mondays at Westhill Park at Westfield between 4pm and 5pm.

For more information about HITZ please contact Stephen Barber.

Tel: 07563 190102 or e-mail stephen.barber@bathrugby.com

Boot camp fun at Cary

TWO days of coaching by members of Bath Rugby’s Foundation team were a huge success with youngsters at Castle Cary Rugby Club. Steve Middleton, John Harrison and Kim Oliver put several dozen young players through their paces during the October halfterm. They hope to stage further camps in the future.

Pam Burke is Community Public Relations Officer for Bath Rugby

PAGE 100 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Photo courtesy of Somerset Gaurdian

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A day at the races – win with Wincanton

MENDIP Times and Wincanton Racecourse have teamed up to offer readers the chance to enjoy a very special Boxing Day treat: a fabulous day at the races!

First prize in our Christmas competition is a pair of Premier tickets with a table for two in the Kingwell Restaurant.

There will be a second prize of a pair of Premier tickets with a behind-the-scenes tour and then a pair of Premier tickets as third prize. The first prize alone is worth £180.

A day at the races is an ideal way to enjoy Boxing Day and the Wincanton meeting is one of the highlights of the calendar, with some great racing and a truly festive atmosphere.

The meeting is being held on Wednesday, December 26th. Gates open at 10.30am, the first race gets underway at 12.30pm and the last race is due off at 3.55pm.

Wincanton Racecourse hosts 17 race days of quality jump racing from October to May and has an average of two meetings per month during this period.

Eight of these race days are on a weekend or Bank Holiday. It also holds a number of non-racing events throughout the year such as its popular Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening.

G Hospitality is still available on Boxing Day in the festive-themed Paddock Pavilion where there will be live music to complete the atmosphere.

SPORT

Big cup ties for local sides

THREE local football sides face tough opposition in the quarter finals of the Somerset FA Premier Cup. Paulton Rovers will be at home to Larkhall Athletic after a 40 victory over Wells City in the second round. Bishop Sutton also have a home tie, against Bridgwater Town. Bishop Sutton overcame Yeovil Town 3-0.

Frome Town face a tough trip to Taunton Town FC, having beaten Weston-super-Mare away 3-4.

The ties will be played in the week commencing Monday, February 25th. Dates, when confirmed, can also be found on the following page of the SomersetFA.com website http://www.somersetfa.com/cups/2012-2013/somerset-premiercup/fixtures#quarter-final

Players dive – for charity!

THE Wells Rugby Club Sponsored Skydive is taking place on Sunday, January 20th next year.

Gavin Foster, Lewis Cohen, Ash Hill, Dave Wheatley and Matt Hyde will be attempting a 15,000ft charity skydive.

Monies raised will go to the Wells RFC Development and they will also be donating a portion of all monies raised to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

G Online sponsorship is available at the following webpage: http://skydiveukltd.com/210-Sadie-Kingham-Skydive.asp (the players doing the jump also have sponsor forms).

C O M P E T I T I O N

TO enter our competition, please answer the following question: how many meetings does Wincanton Racecourse host each season?

Please send your answers on a postcard to: Mendip Times Boxing Day Competition, Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, BS40 7RG. Entries must be received by Tuesday, December 11th. The editor’s decision is final.

To book advance raceday tickets & hospitality visit www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk or call 0844 579 3014.

MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 101

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MENDIP TIMES

Rob in demand

Speedway success – on and off the track!

MENDIP Spring Golf Club PGA advanced professional, Robert Moss, is increasingly in demand as a golf tournament referee.

In 2010 Rob was asked to referee at the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and has since been chosen to officiate in golf events all over Europe and North Africa.

This year he has refereed at major golf events in England, Scotland, Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Cyprus and Bulgaria with trips to Portugal and Morocco coming up soon.

When not on his travels, Rob teaches at Mendip Spring Golf Club in North Somerset and is active in coaching junior boys and girls in conjunction with the Somerset Golf Partnership.

Support for cancer research

EACH year the captains of Mendip Spring Golf Club choose to support a deserving charity, by fund raising through golfing and social events.

Throughout 2012, Club Captain Colin Fear and Lady Captain Lyn Withey have put their efforts into raising funds for the charity ‘Target Ovarian Cancer’. This charity was originally the choice of Maggie Carpenter, who was to be Lady Captain but, unfortunately, had to withdraw due to illness.

Their efforts have received tremendous support from Mendip Spring club members and friends and finally Amy Cartlidge, the charity’s Fundraising Manager, was welcomed to the Club to be presented with a cheque for £7,683 by the two retiring Mendip Spring captains.

Details: www.targetovariancancer.org.uk

PAGE 102 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

THE Oaktree speedway arena near Highbridge, home to the Somerset Rebels, finished runner-up in the Premier League section for speedway’s ‘track of the year’ awards.

The award, voted for by the sport’s referees, ends a highlysuccessful season for the Rebels, who won the Premier League Cup and missed out by just a single race point from being crowned Premier League Champions.

Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said the award for the arena was just reward for the work put in throughout the year by the track staff. Debbie said: “Everyone connected with the club is delighted to have received such recognition, it being a true testament to the hours of hard work and dedication put in by our track curator, Ez Curtis, and the rest of the track staff team.

“The track staff here at Somerset take a great deal of pride in their work and immediately look at the referee’s report from the previous night’s match when they arrive at the track on a Saturday morning to take on board any comments made in order to further improve things.”

Debbie added: “In saying that, I know that while the guys will be happy with the recognition received in the 2012 awards, they will be disappointed that they didn’t get top spot, and so will be going all out to rectify that in 2013!”

G The Oaktree Arena will be staging an out-of-season individual meeting on Friday, December 28th. The Somerset Rebels Christmas Cracker, sponsored by local company Salt Express, will see 16 riders competing over 20 heats for the title. The actual meeting will get underway at 7pm, but the Rebels are looking to make it more of an event with a collector’s fayre and other attractions.

The victorious Rebels team and management

For more information, visit: www.somersetrebels.co/

Photography courtesy of Phil Hilton

Kyle Newman gets the “bumps” from team mates after securing the league cup

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Trainers on top form

DITCHEAT racehorse trainer Paul Nicholls set the tone for his success with Al Ferof in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham with a big winner a few days earlier at Wincanton’s prestigious race meeting, the Badger Ales Day. His luck at Wincanton came in the prestigious totepool.com Elite Hurdle Race, with an outstanding performance by high-class hurdler Zarkandar. Despite a 17lb difference, Zarkandar beat stable mate Prospect Wells by a neck. Paul said: “I’m delighted with Zarkandar who was wrong last year and I’ve never seen him looking so good.”

Zarkandar is now expected to compete in the StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

Paul added: “Prospect Wells ran up to his best and it’s a shame there had to be a loser.”

Fellow Somerset trainer David Pipe won the Badger Ales Trophy with The Package. Having spent the summer at Timmy Murphy’s pre-training yard, The The Package on his way to victory

Trainer David Pipe (rght) with the Badger Ales trophy

Package expertly jumped his way to the front and delivered a perfect race.

G Wincanton’s next meeting is the Racing Welfare Charity Day on Thursday, December 6th. One of the features of the day is the Anthony Knott Charity Race at noon when 12 leading National Hunt trainers will pull on their racing boots. The race is part of course

chairman Guy Henderson’s start-ofseason pledge to make Wincanton: “the heart of the community”.

Racing Welfare, which provides help in times of need for people and their families who work or have worked in the British Horse Racing industry, is holding an online auction open until 2pm on race day.

Visit: http://www.wincantoncharityauction.co.uk MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 103

Photography courtesy of Matthew Webb

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M e n d i p

Wednesday November 28th Christmas Prize Bingo at Stoke St Michael School. Doors open 6.30pm, Eyes down 7pm. All welcome.

Thursday November 29th “British Owls; their Natural History and Practical Conservation” – talk by Chris Sperring for the North Somerset Rural Business Forum. Winford Manor Hotel, Winford, BS40 8DW. Starts 7.30pm. Non-members welcome. Cost £5, includes a buffet supper.

Friday November 30th – Sunday December 2nd Clevedon Art Club Members Exhibition, 10.30am -5.30pm Friday & Saturday, closes 3pm Sunday. Original work on sale at the Masonic Hall, Albert Road, Clevedon (off Sixways).

Details: tina.gray@talktalk.net or www.clevedonartclub.co.uk Saturday December 1st – Sunday December 2nd Christmas at the Barn, Artisan Shopping Event, Mells Barn, Mells, BA11 3PN. www.christmasatthebarn.blogspot.com Saturday December 1st - Sunday December 9th (not open December 3rd or 4th) Winter Arts Exhibition by ID-Artists at Sidcot Arts Centre, Sidcot School, BS25 1PD. Open 10.30am – 4pm, admission free. Further information: www.id-artists.co.uk Saturday December 1st Bristol band, Doreen Doreen with support act Those Crazy Horses at the WI Hall Backwell. Guests are invited to dress as a song, with a prize for the best interpretation! Tickets £12 each from Backwell PO or Kirstie Brown 07967 550392.

St Andrew’s Christmas Fair, the Village Club, Blagdon, 10am-12noon.

Craft Fair at Camerton Hall in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. 10am-1pm Christmas Fair at St Mary’s Church, Wedmore from 9.30am12noon. Entertainment from the First School Choir, children’s face painting, stalls.

Giant Christmas Craft Fayre, Ston Easton Village Hall, 10am-2pm. Crafts and refreshments. Entry £1. Stallholders – phone Pat Harper 01761 241428 to book. In aid of Ston Easton Church and Village Hall.

Bleadon Christmas Market, 9am -12.30pm. Details: www.bleadon.org.uk/market. Rotary Charity Fair in the Winter Gardens, Weston super Mare, 10am -4pm.

“Sparks from the Same Flame” – Churchill Music’s preChristmas event with composer Thomas Hewitt Jones and lyricist Matt Harvey. St John the Baptist Church, Churchill, BS25 5QW. 7.30pm. Tickets £13.50 (“Champions” £9.50, U18s £4) from 01934 852919. www.churchillmusic.org.uk Grand Victorian Fayre, St Monica Trust, Sandford Station, Sandford, BS25 5AA. Many stalls, Father Christmas and the Salvation Army Band. All welcome, 3-6pm, entry free.

Wells Evening Society, All the World’s a Stage, the history of theatre, with Jane Tapley, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm.

What’s ons: Mendip Times provides free space for charities and community groups, provided the information is submitted via e-mail and does not exceed 25 words. Other entries are charged at £25.

Submit information to: editorial@mendiptimes.co.uk

PAGE 104 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

T i m e s

W h a t ’ s

Frome Society for Local Study, John Payne, Gill Harry and Sonja Harris: Working Memories - The Home in Frome Oral History, Assembly Rooms, Frome, 2.30pm.

Sunday December 2nd Wells Reindeer Parade – see Wells in festive mood with singers, bands and a white bearded old chap in a bright red suit!

Charitable fund-raising, organised by Wells Rotary.

Advent Sunday service with carols and switching on of Christmas lights at Christ Church, Redhill, 4.30pm Salvation Army Concert at the Methodist Church, Silver St., Nailsea. 2.30pm. Hosted by Nailsea and Backwell Rotary. Free tickets available from the Music Shop and PS Travel, Nailsea or 01275 463773.

“Pathway to Christmas” – words and music at The Guildhall, Bath with The Silver Ring Choir of Bath. 6.30pm. Tickets £7 from 01225 463362.

A Christmas Celebration – with Charlie Allen, Hannah Wedlock and Simon Lawrence. New Orleans-style carols and show tunes. Timsbury Conygre Hall, BA2 0JG. 1.15pm -3.45.

Tickets £8 in advance, £10 on the door. In aid of SWAN Advice Network. Details: Kate, 01761 471245 or www.mendipmusic.com Frome Textile Workshop sale of handwoven scarves, shawls, rugs etc. Watch hand weaving and spinning in the workshop, 10.30am-4pm at Thomas Bunn Centre, rear of United Reformed Church, Whittox Lane, Frome, BA11 3BZ. www.fromecreativenetwork.co.uk Monday December 3rd Willow Workshop: Small Christmas Decorations. Using willow and cane to make small rings and stars using a variety of simple techniques. Venue: Dinder Village Hall, Nr Wells, BA5 3PR. From 7-9.30pm, cost £25. Advance booking only, contact angela@wildgardens.co.uk Mendip Male Voice Choir will be singing at St Mary’s Parish Church, Timsbury from 7.30pm. Admission free, with a collection.

Tuesday December 4th “King George IV, the greatest collector of royal art”. Talk by Mr Oliver Everett, Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library, Windsor Castle for Mendip Decorative & Fine Arts Society.

10.30 for 11am at the Westex Suite, Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet. Contact Tony Lane, 01749 670652 if you wish to attend.

Thursday December 6th Castle Cary’s Big Christmas event, 5.30 -10pm. Opening and switching on of lights by Valerie Singleton at 5.30pm. Lantern parade by primary school children of Castle Cary and North Cadbury.

“Christmas Delights” – a demonstration of Christmas cake decorations by Annie Pickard at Weston-s-Mare Museum, Burlington St., BS23 1PR at 7.30pm. Organised by the Friends of the Museum.

Friday December 7th – Saturday December 8th “The Jimmy Cricket Laughter Shows” – Two nights of cabaret comedy at Pensford Memorial Hall in aid of Stanton Wick Action Group. Live music and disco. Bar. 7.30pm. Tickets £15 from Jennie: 0791 761 8954 Saturday December 8th – Sunday December 9th “Unusual Christmas gifts from around the world” at The

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f o r

Manor House Barn, West Compton, BA4 4PB Tel: 01749 890582. From 2-5pm. Percentage of proceeds to Pilton Church Roof Appeal.

Saturday December 8th – Sunday December 16th Christmas Tree Festival from 5pm, St Andrew’s Church Banwell with Methodists. Craft market on Friday 14th 5-9pm and Saturday 15th 11am-3pm.

Saturday December 8th Radstock Museum Christmas Fair, 10am – 4pm. Details: Dave Jones, 01761 434960 or 01761 437722.

St James Church Ashwick Christmas Fair, 11am-2pm Ashwick Church Rooms, BA3 5BE. Various festive stalls. All welcome. Entry free.

Croscombe Charter Market, Croscombe Village Hall 10am12noon. The second of four markets raising funds for “Hope for Tomorrow”. Gift stalls, home baking, Father Christmas. www.hopefortomorrow.org.uk Rotary Christmas Bookstall from 9am –3.30pm outside Waitrose, Nailsea. All proceeds for people in need. Please call Roger Smith, 01275 854076 if you have good quality paperbacks to donate.

Nailsea Choral Society performing parts of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in the concert hall of Nailsea School at 7.30pm.

Tickets £10, available from choir members and Nailsea Music Shop. Details: 01275 875533.

Sunday December 9th Corsley Festival Choir singing two very different pieces by two different Haydns. Also carols for choir and audience. St Margaret’s Church, Corsley, Warminster BA12 7QE at 7.30pm.

Tickets £10 from 01985 217191 or on the door.

Wednesday December 12th – Saturday December 15th “Mother Goose” by Timsbury Theatre Group at Conygre Hall, Timsbury. Curtain up 7.45pm, Saturday matinee starts at 2.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5, bookings: 01761 470471 Wednesday December 12th Wedmore by Lamplight, 6pm -9pm, when the Borough is closed to traffic and all the shops remain open as well as numerous stalls. Carols from a local choir and Burtle Band. Pig roast, mulled wine, Santa. Crib service at St Mary’s starts at 6pm.

Wells Civic Society, Russell Lillford, chairman Somerset Buildings Preservatio0n Trust, Wells and Mendip Museum, 7.30pm.

The 8-Week

Mindfulness Meditation MBCT Course

A course of clear mindfulness meditation instruction combined with CBT to help lift mood, prevent depression, anxiety and stress (NICE Approved).

September, February and April in Bath, Wells and Bristol For information call John Waller UKCP: 01761 437214 or Email: jlwaller@uk2.net www.mindfulnesscoursesbath-bristol.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

D e c e m b e r

Friday December 14th -Saturday December 15th Seasonal Craft Market at St Andrew’s and Methodist Churches, Banwell. Part of their Christmas Tree Festival.

Saturday December 15th – Sunday December 16th “Unusual Christmas gifts from around the world” at The Manor House Barn, West Compton, BA4 4PB. 2-5pm.

Saturday December 15th “Sing Noel” a concert by Glastonbury Cantilena at 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Magdalene St, Glastonbury. Tickets £10, include wine and mince pies, from Glastonbury Music Shop, 01278 722870 or on the door. In support of St Margaret’s Hospice.

Cabaret/Supper Night at Redhill Village club from 8pm with Simon Cooper. Free admission.

Festive Singing Workshop, 10.30am -12noon at Springfield, Withybrook, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JQ. Come and sing a winter selection of songs. Suitable for beginners. No need to read music. Tel: Janet 01749 840409 www.naturalvoice.net Frome Society for Local Study, Peter Clark: Christmas and Dickens’s Walk, Assembly Rooms, Frome, 2.30pm.

Thursday December 20th Churchill Post Office & Stores “Christmas Carol Service”, 5.50pm. Christmas display, mulled wine and mince pies.

Proceeds to charity.

Monday December 31st Posh Frock Party at Redhill Village Club. Tickets £15. Threecourse buffet, entertainment by Johnny Lee Sage.

Tuesday January 8th “Plutocrats on Vacation – Holiday homes of the American rich 1870-1940”. Talk for Mendip Decorative & Fine Arts Society

by Mr Roger Mitchell. 10.30 for 11am at the Westex Suite, Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet. Contact Tony Lane, 01749 670652 if you wish to attend.

ANSWERS TO THE DECEMBER MENDIP MINDBENDER:

s

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ACROSS: 1 Plum pudding, 7 Sow, 8 Real ale, 9 Turkey, 11 Rude, 12 Somerset, 15 Dover, 16 Christmas, 19 Earnestly, 20 Conor, 21 Nazareth, 24 Reap, 26 Grange, 28 Theresa, 29 Eve, 30 Dairy cattle.

DOWN: 1/3/14 Partridge in a pear tree, 2 Up and over, 4 Due to, 5 ITT, 6 Girls, 7 Sweet, 10 Dessert plate, 13 Early, 16 Cater, 17 Sack, 18 Mincemeat, 21 Nurse, 22 Zoned, 23 Tatty, 25 Vera, 27 EMI.

What's On section:Layout 1

COMING UP:

Celebrating 20 years in November

Silver Linings Playbook Starts Friday, 7th December The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (cert tbc) Starts Thursday, 13th December Life of Pi (cert tbc) Starts Thursday, 20th December The Impossible (cert tbc) Starts Tuesday, 1st January Quartet (cert tbc) Starts Tuesday, 1st January G Book in person G Online 24/7 @www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk G Over the ’phone: 01749 673195

Wells Film Centre, Princes Road, Wells, BA5 1TD MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 105

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Reindeer on parade

THE annual Reindeer Parade in Wells takes place on Sunday, December 2nd and the city’s rotary club, which is organising the event, believes it will be the best so far.

Around 4,000 people are expected to line the streets for the parade and enjoy the Christmas stalls, music – including a performance by the Drystones – and other events throughout the day.

The day will begin at 11.15am when rotary club president Sharon Haigh and city mayor Maureen Brandon announce the winners of painting and literary competitions, which have attracted more than 200 entries from primary schoolchildren. The winners will take part in the parade.

The parade itself will begin at midday; reindeer from the Cairngorm Herd will again be taking part. The Swan Hotel will again host Santa’s grotto.

The event will raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and also for the refurbishment of the Wells skate park, which Sharon has chosen as the beneficiary of her year in office.

Sharon said: “There is always a wonderful atmosphere in the city throughout the day and we have some fantastic prizes in our Christmas draw.”

A scene from last year’s parade

Music at the Manor

AJ WEBBER, singer, songwriter and recording artiste is going back on the road, starting with an opening night at the Manor House Inn at Ditcheat in December.

She will be joined by special guest Palmer Fox Eldrich, one of the best blues singers and slide guitarist in the UK and around the world. John Hooper, pianist and founder member of the legendary Blue Notes Jazz Band, will also be performing.

Aj, who lives near Shepton Mallet, is helping to run a new monthly Acoustic Club which opens at the Manor on Thursday, December 6th.

Ditcheat is home to champion trainer Paul Nicholls’s yard and Aj said the events Aj singing for the troops on The Ascension Islands

PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2012

Craft in the barn

WHAT’S ON

WORK by 40 craftspeople will be showcased across a weekend at a Christmas event at Mells Tithe Barn, near Frome, on Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd.

Christmas at the Barn is now in its third year and has so far raised £2,500 for charity through raffles featuring prizes donated by stallholders.

The event also features a “Make Your Own” stall, offering a range of DIY Christmas gifts for all ages, including glitter baubles (£2) and wooden tree decorations (£1).

The Mayor of Frome, Pippa Goldfinger, will open the event on the Saturday at 10am. It has been organised by Rebecca Larsen, from Edemay homeware and accessories, who said: “The event will be full of beautiful handmade seasonal products, produce and gifts for all ages. There will be activities for kids, along with plenty of seasonal refreshments served through out the day.”

were certain to attract some of the jockeys and stable staff based there. Steve Clements, an Irish jockey, based at the yard, will make his debut performance on the opening night, accompanying himself on guitar.

Aj said: “The club will be a great place to try out new songs and offer opportunities to new budding musicians and writers with an audience that wants to listen.

“Performing is important and a great learning curve; it makes you realise what an audience likes or doesn’t or if a new song works or not.

“There’s a lack of good live acoustic music in rural locations and judging by the response we are getting we should pack out. Future audiences will not be disappointed with the line up of guests I’m approaching.”

Aj began her career singing in folk clubs in Bristol in the 70s, and became a wellloved resident singer of The Troubadour.

Her first European tour was with The Eagles at the height of their fame. She went on to work and tour with legends such as David Gates (Bread), Frank Zappa,

Aj Webber at home

Crosby Stills and Nash and Neil Young.

She said her favourite tour was with Justin Hayward and John Lodge after they’d split with the Moody Blues and formed The Blue Jays; they had a worldwide hit with Blue Guitar. She went on to record an album with Justin.

Aj also spent many years entertaining the troops throughout the world, visiting Ireland 16 times in one year at the height of the conflict, Belize six times and The Ascension Islands en-route to the Falklands on two occasions; one immediately after the war.

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