Vl issue 7 web version

YOUR NEW FREE LOCAL NEWS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 7 FERBRUARY 2017 FREE

Valley Life At the heart of the Cheddar Valley

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Spring’s in the air News, views, features and events from around Cheddar, Wedmore and Axbridge

Inside this issue

Plans for a clubhouse revealed by rugby club – Pages 4-5

Willow sculpture plan for the Cheddar Gorge – Page 6

Ofsted impressed by preschool unit

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Concerns over quarry’s plans for block storage – Page 12

Fund-raisers put their best feet forward – Page 14

Contact us 7 Tower Close, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XQ Tel: 01934 741099 Mob: 07704 606151

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heddar’s Earlybirds Preschool has been classed as good after their latest Ofsted report.

staff and confidently explore the abundant range of activities and resources, making choices about their play.

Inspectors visited last November and were impressed with what they saw. Kerry Wood, manager at Earlybirds said she and her staff were happy with the rating.

The report added: “Staff use their qualifications and experience effectively to plan challenging activities and assess children’s progress accurately. Children make good progress from their starting points.

She added: “We now know where we have to improve to make this an outstanding place for young children to be. The staff will be doing everything in their power to ensure that when the inspectors return we will have an outstanding report.”

The inspectors report said that children are safe and secure and develop strong relationships with

“This is particularly evident in children’s communication and language skills, which staff support effectively, making good progress from their last inspection. The management team successfully monitors individual and groups of children’s progress.”

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NEWS

Kings of Wessex head to retire after 22 years

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fter 22 years as the head teacher at Kings of Wessex Academy, Chris Richardson will step down.

Mr Richardson revealed his decision to retire as executive head teacher of the school in Cheddar in a letter to parents on January 5. He will hand over to a successor at the end of this academic year. The Academy has 1,200 pupils and prides itself on an excellent reputation, fantastic facilities, a varied curriculum and a commitment to traditional values, according to its website.

Mr Richardson said in his letter to parents it had been a “very difficult decision to make” to leave the school, but that he was confident about handing over to a “new leader”,

supported by a “talented” team.

He writes fondly of helping “many thousands” of students “grow into adulthood” during his time as head.

And he also reveals in the letter that his replacement should be appointed in the spring term.

Mr Richardson said in his letter: “I am writing to inform you of my decision to retire from my position as Headteacher at the end of this academic year.

“It has naturally been a very difficult decision to make; but having completed 22 years in post and with the success of Kings, I feel that the time is right for me to step down and hand over the reins to a new

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

leader. I joined Kings back in 1995 and I feel honoured to have led the Academy for so long. Over the years I have met many thousands of students and have thoroughly enjoyed helping them to learn, succeed and grow into adulthood.

“It has also been a huge privilege to work with such a talented and committed team of staff who go the extra mile every day to support and inspire our students.

“I believe that I will be leaving the Academy in very safe hands. We are fortunate in having a strong local Governing Body, excellent leadership from the senior staff and a first class team of committed teachers and support staff.”

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NEWS

Rugby clubhouse takes

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lans for a new clubhouse for Cheddar Valley Rugby Club have been passed and it is hoped work on the building will begin this year.

But how is this proposal different to the numerous plans that all seem to have floundered in the past? According to officers at the club, it is the sense of realism and pragmatism that makes these plans different from all those that have gone before.

As Dan Ward, junior organiser at the club, admitted: “It has been a difficult birth to say the least, with many false dawns, but we think we now have a realistic chance of finally getting the clubhouse off the ground.”

The club now needs to raise funds to help to build the first phase of the clubhouse which includes a kitchen and bar area which it is estimated will cost about £130,000.

Once the initial phase is complete, the club will look to add changing rooms to become fully self-sufficient and until then continue to use the Sharpham Road changing rooms owned

by Cheddar Parish Council.

Dan added: “There is a real potential for rugby in the Cheddar Valley and we don’t think this potential has been fully realised.

“With no clubhouse to speak

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of, the club already has more than 200 members, ranging from two senior men’s teams to a ladies and colts team as well as girls and boys teams ranging in age from Under-6s to Under-12s.

“We need to be realistic about what we can achieve and we have to start off with a viable business and development plan so that we can go to funding sources and prove that we are serious about the plans.

“Cheddar has a long and proud history as a rugby club going back decades, but recently we have been punching well below our weight.

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“We are all about involvement and ensuring that men, women, adults and children alike have a chance of playing rugby in the Cheddar Valley.”

Cheddar Valley Rugby Football Club in Sharpham Road, aims to begin work on its new building in the new year.

The club submitted its planning application to Sedgemoor District Council in June with the aim of creating a new base for its teams and a social hub for the community.

Dan Ward said he was ‘delighted’ by the news it has now been approved by Sedgemoor District Council. He added:

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

NEWS

a step closer to reality

“It will be a real asset to the community as we share the space with the football, cricket and tennis clubs.

and a further £100,000 for the changing rooms.

Dan added: “All members are keen to help raise the money.

Clearly we are not going to raise it all overnight just by washing cars – we will be applying for grants and loans from organisations such as the Rugby Football Union and Sport England.”

“We hope to make this development a space for everyone in Cheddar.”

Dan said the club hopes to start work some time in 2017 and open for business by 2018, however members must first raise the money to finance the project.

The new development will be built in two stages; the first will focus on the clubhouse and the second on the changing rooms.

The clubhouse will contain a

kitchen, bar and washroom facilities and it has been designed to be in-keeping with other surrounding buildings.

The club still needs to raise £175,000 for the clubhouse

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

Cheddar Valley RFC have been playing at Sharpham Road since 1963 but their original clubhouse was demolished 18 years ago and a concrete slab was laid in preparation for the new build.

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NEWS

Willow sheep sculpture set to grace the Gorge

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willow sculpture could form the centerpiece of a new work of art in the Cheddar Gorge.

A flock of six sheep will be depicted by local artist Sophie Courtiour and placed on the island beds in The Gorge.

Cheddar Parish Council is looking at helping to part fund the artwork with a donation – but only if match-funding can be found by the Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival (CHAFF).

For the past two years, CHAFF has run successful art trails around Cheddar and is now looking to reach a wider audience in the village. Bridget Hemmings, from CHAFF,

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spoke to councillors about the vision. She said: “Sophie has worked in willow for many years and specialises in largescale sculptures and living willow projects.

“You may have seen the leaping deer on the A303, which she jointly sculpted with Stephan Jennings and the striking Beast of the Blackdown Hills she recently completed near Blagdon Hill.

“It’s a matter of getting the community to help to construct the sculpture during the Arts Week in May. The sculptures will be started off site before being taken to The Gorge and finished off by volunteers.”

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The group is now looking for sponsorship from local businesses to help to bring the project to life.

Peter Colton, leader of Cheddar Parish Council, said: “I think this is great idea to make it part of the arts festival and if the council is asked to provide some of the funding, we will have to look at it.”

The Highways and Open Spaces committee agreed to support in principle the willow sculpture up to a maximum of £1000 – provided that match-funding could be found.

Anyone interested in helping the group can contact Bridget on 07811 989207.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

Riverside Inn & Restaurant Cheddar

Winter at the Riverside

Muddy boots welcome, mulled wine and cider, roaring log fires barista coffees, espresso, latte, cappuccino, marshmallow and cream topped hot chocolate, a variety of fine teas and delicious home made cakes The Riverside Inn | Cliff Street | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3PX 01934 742 452 | info@riversidecheddar.co.uk | riversidecheddar.co.uk

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

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NEWS

Trust gives thanks to two local businesses

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heddar Youth Trust (CYT) enjoyed a successful time at the village’s recent festive night, raising a total of almost £1,400 for the trust’s funds.

Trustees manned a hog roast stall outside the Bath Arms, thanks to the generosity of its publicans, raising £444 from the sale of pork baps.

And a collection outside Tuckers Fish and Chip Restaurant

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and Takeaway in the Gorge raised a further £941 for the trust.

future generations, residents’ children and grandchildren, for at least 100 years.

CYT chairman Clive Panchaud, “We would like to thank Jacqui Lewis of the Bath Arms and Julie Simeone of Tuckers for all their generosity, help and co-operation in enabling us to raise these fantastic totals”.

Since then local residents, organisations and businesses have contributed to a fund that has given out grants to many of Cheddar’s young people, and now totals more than £122,000.

The trust was set up in 2000 to build something worthwhile for the village that would serve

Further information about the trust is available on its website www.cyt.org.uk

www.valley-life.co.uk

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

97 per cent

of asking price achieved

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t Laurel & Wylde, we are exceptionally passionate about achieving, for you the vendor, the absolute best price possible.

We believe that it is easy to sell houses based on average sale prices, for any particular type, or size of property, but for us, we feel that is certainly not the aim of the game, and set out last year to prove a point.

We strongly believe that we offer the best marketing package, for the price, you will find anywhere in the country, and because of this, we were

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happy to take on, and market our properties, last year, at the higher end of the valuations, because we felt that given the way that we market our homes, we could realise more than what the other agents had suggested.

And we agree, of course there are internet-based agents out there offering a one-off marketing fee of £495.00, but once they have that cash up front, they have 0% interest in selling your home, therefore, 0 motivation to get an even remotely sensible price for

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you, if they even sell the house.

Which, if they don’t, you have then lost £495.

So, that said, we are extremely excited to announce that despite being (the majority of the time) at the higher end of the valuations, we were still able to achieve 97% of the asking price, on average, for all of our houses during 2016.

If you are thinking of selling, or would like to hear more, then why don’t you call us out so we can show you some of the exciting products that we have on offer.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Thinking of selling?

We strongly believe that in order to achieve the best price possible within the most suitable timescale, it comes solely down to not where you advertise, but how you do it.

Take a look at some of our services and compare these with your local agent.

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NEWS

Concrete storage plan rejected by councillors

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oncerns have been raised about plans to store concrete blocks on land owned by Aggregate Industries at Shipham quarry.

claiming that not enough consideration has been given to the fact that the entrance would cause problems for traffic using Shipham Hill.

“Road users would not be expecting lorries to turn into that entrance. The minimum we need to be looking for is some sort of traffic control.”

The owners have applied for planning permission to allow temporary storage of concrete blocks on land opposite the quarry on Shipham Hill.

Planning Committee chairman, Paul Fineran, said: “This plan would in effect make the entrance into a crossroads with the entrance to the main quarry on the other side of the road.

The application from Aggregate Industries said: “There is a requirement to install a new concrete block making machine into the Callow Rock block factory because the old machine is operating well beyond its normal expected life.”

But Cheddar Parish Council has rejected the application,

Your chance to see local musicians perform The Rotary Club of Mendip is holding the annual Young Musician Competition on Friday, February 24 (7pm) in the school hall at Kings of Wessex Academy.

This is the local round in a national competition and has attracted entries from several lo12

cal schools, so they are hoping there will be a high standard in this year’s concert/competition. Please come to support our local students and hear performances by local young soloists on piano, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion and voice, which will include music

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by Haydn, Mozart and modern composers. The admission charge is just £3 (including programme), no charge for under 16s. It is always a very enjoyable evening.

This is one of several competitions supported by the Rotary Club.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

Beccy Thomas from Doorstep Dinners brings you her dish of the month

Youngsters serve up mouth-watering dishes Before Christmas, we ran a competition for local children to design a dish for the Doorstep Dinners menu. These are the two winning recipes. Meatballs by four-year-old Elsie and a cheesy dish by 11-year-old Will.

Take one small handful of beef at a time and roll it in your palm. Brown the meatballs all over in a deep-sided frying pan.

In a separate pan, gently fry the onion, garlic, thyme and turmeric in the olive oil over a low heat for a few minutes.

Add tomatoes, stir in the vinegar and simmer for a few more minutes.

Pour the sauce over the meatPancake batter. Whisk eggs and flour into a batter until there are no lumps.

Beat the ricotta cheese with a fork. Stir in the parmesan, blue cheese, eggs and the spinach.

Now melt the butter for your sauce and add the flour. Stir over the heat for two minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and add the milk.

Add the grated cheddar and nutmeg and return the pan to the heat.

While the sauce is thickening, cook 1-2 pancakes per person.

Spread a tablespoon or two of filling along the length of

balls and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through. Add salt and pepper and Elsie recommends serving with rice.

Ingredients (serves 4) • 750g beef mince • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes • 1 onion, finely chopped • 3 garlic cloves, • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Olive oil

• Thyme leaves • Pinch of ground turmeric • Salt and black pepper

each pancake and roll them up. Place in a roasting tin and bake in the oven at 200c/180c fan oven/gas 6 for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling on top.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 1 / FEBRUARY 2017

• 400g wholemeal flour • 2 eggs • 900ml milk • 260g bag spinach • 500g ricotta cheese • 150g blue cheese • 40g finely grated parmesan • 2 eggs • 25g unsalted butter • 25g plain flour • 1 pint milk • 80g grated cheddar • 1 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg • Salt and ground black pepper

www.valley-life.co.uk

13

COLUMN

MONEY MATTERS

with Mark Meldon This year might be a “bumpy road” as far as capital values are concerned.

Cheddar duo walk home for charity decided to join Steve on his more challenging trek.”

But If we remember that the purpose of making an investment is the purchase of an income then it can be demonstrated that shares still seem to be a very good choice for at least some of your nest egg.

But how do you access a wellmanaged fund at a reasonable cost? While there are literally many thousands of choices available to retail investors, I think that you can merely try and capture as much of the return of a given market by purchasing a low cost index tracker or, perhaps especially so in the current environment, go back in time and choose half a dozen or so investment trusts as our favoured option.

I regularly recommended them to clients, emphasising the fact that they are often the tortoise and not the hare. Being companies, the funds often pay attractive dividends and hold revenue reserves to cover these. Some funds have paid an increased dividend every year for more than forty years; very impressive through markets good and bad!

Investment trusts are bought like any other share through a stockbroker but many have set up low-cost savings schemes. I use them a lot for pension funds in drawdown as their income yield is very attractive at present but, of course, dividends can fall as well as rise. Investment trusts can be relatively inexpensive to own. As I write, a rather boring portfolio of big, generalist, investment trusts might pay you around 4½% in income (way ahead of cash) but the capital value will bounce around. Boring is good with riskier investments and I just happen to think that long-established investment trusts offer very good value.• Contact Mark Meldon on 01934 611822 14

Steve who has lived in Cheddar for 21 years and served in the Royal Navy base at RNAS Yeovilton for much of that time ,said: “I have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq over the years and feel lucky to have survived and been able to settle down to a civilian life.

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heddar residents Steve Pointon, left, and Simon Childs have been raising money again for charity - this time Walking With the Wounded.

Friday, December 9 was a normal working day for Steve, that is until midday when he donned his high-vis jacket and Santa hat to walk nearly 25 miles from MOD Abbey Wood, back to his home in Cheddar to raise money and awareness for the charity.

Walking Home for Christmas is a national campaign for the charity that works with veterans who have physical and/or mental injuries and helps support their employment aspirations.

Steve was joined by Simon who said: “When I heard about Steve’s plan to walk home from work in aid of such a good cause I thought I would like to do that, however I work from home so it wouldn’t take me very long! So I

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“I know there are many that have not been so lucky and if this campaign helps some of my former colleagues then that will be rewarding. I am very grateful to Simon for joining me.”

Steve and Simon’s walk took about ten hours with a few stops along the way, so with a few aches and pains to show for it, not to mention blisters, the pair arrived at the Riverside Inn Cheddar an hour or so before closing time.

Steve said: “Sore feet for a couple of days is nothing compared with the suffering the injured service men and women have to endure and is a small price to pay to be able to help the charity”.

Simon added “We want to thank everyone who has donated to our cause including the landlord and regulars of the Stoke Inn, Chew Stoke and the Riverside Inn.” To support Steve and Simon go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/stevewalkingforwounded or http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/SimonChilds

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

Festive period sees Cheesemen prosper

SPORT

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he Cheesemen have opened their 2017 account in a similar vein as they left 2016.

Maintaining third place in the league the club are continuing their impressive unbeaten run that has stretched to 17 games.

The club were delighted to welcome an impressive festive season crowd of 222 for their Boxing Day clash over their nearest local rivals Bishop Sutton easing past their Chew Valley opponents 2-0 (pictured).

This followed impressive wins at Bishops Lydeard and Welton Rovers before a shattering 6-1 defeat of bottom-placed Almondsbury UWE and a hard fought 1-1 draw at much improved Warminster.

Such was the level of their performances that the club were awarded the league’s ‘team of the month’ for December.

Since the turn of the year the club visited highly fancied Radstock Town gaining a creditable draw before hosting a Wincanton side, who they defeated courtesy of a last-minute goal.

Meanwhile, the club’s scheduled Les Phillips (League) 1st round cup game that was due to take place in late November fell victim of the weather and

the tie has yet to be played! As many will have seen, Bowdens Park home was savaged by Storm Angus that hit the area vigorously, to the extent that one of its floodlight pylons was literally blown to the ground.

Fortunately, the club’s officials reacted quickly and with the aid of their insurers and the subsequent release authority for contractors to begin repair work the club are hopeful that floodlight football will return by early March, although this has meant that the cup tie due to be played on home soil on January 31 is likely to be switched to Westbury United meaning a midweek trip to Wiltshire. The winners of the tie will face Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Willand Rovers on Saturday, March 4.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

As has been well documented, the football club are to celebrate their 125th Anniversary this year and to ‘kick things off ’ they are to host a special anniversary dinner on Saturday, February 25 where former Tottenham Hotspur legend Steve Perryman MBE will be the special guest. Tickets for the event sold out within a week of going on sale!

To stay in touch with the club’s latest news log on to www. cheddarcheesmen.co.uk or www.Facebook.com/CheddarFC&SocialClub

Forthcoming fixtures 28/1/17 Calne Tn( A) 3pm 31/1/17 Westbuery (A) 7.45pm 4/2/17 Wellington (A) 3pm 11/2/17 Keynsham Tn (H) 2pm 18/2/17 Portishead (A) 3pm 25/2/17 Malmesbury (H) 2pm

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15

GARDENING Green-fingered tips from garden designer Robin Pargeter

Filling the winter gaps

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lthough the summer months bring a sense of abundance and growth in the garden, it is a rather drab sight in winter when the foliage of deciduous plants has died back and been cleared away.

However, there are ways to give the garden some shape and interest and now is the time to assess what spaces there are and what might be planted to improve the year-round look of the garden.

Rather than thinking purely of flowers, it’s worth considering what impact foliage and faded seed heads might have.

These will make the most of the slanting, low winter sun’s rays which both highlight and silhouette structural plants.

In this way, plants which have done their work over the summer can also provide interest through winter.

One of my favourites is Sedum spectabile. Its ruby red flowers fade to a rusty brown in autumn and keep their shape well.

Even while the faded flower heads and stems remain, the new spring buds form a rosette at the base, full of promise for the oncoming year. They also

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look wonderful with a layer of frost and need only be cut back in spring to make way for the new growth. Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ or Russian sage similarly keeps its shape in winter and its stems turn a striking pale white.

These plants are good companions as the sharp verticals of the Perovskia contrast well with the horizontal flower heads of the Sedum.

Several ornamental grasses do a similar job as their summer green foliage and frothy flower heads turn to bronzes and browns in autumn. Stipa gigantia has large, arching flower spikes which dew droplets hang off.

The leaves of Helictotrichons sempervirens, or Blue Oat

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Grass, keep a blue tint through winter and are picked up by the winter sunshine.

Useful as these plants are, they lack the heft to provide a winter structure so a backdrop of some evergreen shrubs works well.

The glossy, deep green leaves of a Camellia stand out well even under our leaden skies, as well as having distinctive late-winter flowers.

They can also be grown in containers which can be moved in winter to fill gaps left by faded herbaceous plants. With a sense of the longevity in mind, a box or yew hedge will take several years to mature but will give your garden a sense of permanence that is well worth the wait.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

IT Matters

Jeremy Gardner from PC Dial with advice for all computer owners

Don’t fall foul of the cybercriminals

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n January 2017 the AV Test institute reported that there are now over 600,000,000 known variants of Malware/ Virus.

until a fee to the Cybercriminals has been paid, normally payment to recover data is made with an internet currency like Bitcoin that is untraceable.

The biggest growth in malware known as Ransomware mainly infects computers through e-mail attachments, infected programs and compromised websites.

A study carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 93 per cent of businesses that suffer data loss for more than 10 days file for bankruptcy within one year, 50 per cent immediately.

The most common form of the attack encrypts the files on a system so they can’t be opened

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small to medium

sized businesses, and people at home as generally these are the poorly protected systems easy profits are being gained. The best defence from this type of attack is backup.

If you or your business is unfortunate enough to be attacked systems can be easily restored.

Do check with your backup provider that backups are protected from being encrypted, and that you have more than one copy.

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Events • Clubs • Groups • Music • Fitness

What’s On Wednesday February 1 • Axbridge Active Living. If you are over 55 and fancy meeting up with friends, and making new ones, please come along for afternoon tea and cake from 2-4pm in Axbridge Town Hall and enjoy the activities on offer • Pilates with Jane at Axbridge Town Hall from 4.30-5.30pm.

• Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

Players at The Memorial Hall, Draycott and Rodney Stoke at 2pm. Tickets £8 for adults and £5 for children. Visit http:// themendipplayers.co.uk/on-line-tickets.

• Dick Whittington by The Mendip Players at The Memorial Hall, Draycott and Rodney Stoke at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 for adults and £5 for children. Visit http://themendipplayers.co.uk/on-linetickets.

• Sweets’ Car Boot Sale, 2-4pm, Blakeway.

walk 4.5mi/7.2km from Rocky Mountain Nursery. OS Map Ex142 ST602473.

Start 12.30pm. Park in car park at Rocky Mountain Nursery. Contact Jenny Nicholas tel: 07803 722878 or jennymr7@ aol.com Friday, February 10 • Age UK EXTEND movement to music, Cheddar Village Hall 2-3pm. £3.50 per session. Contact 0845 6434702.

• Roxy Theatre presents The BFG (PG) at 8.30pm. To book phone 07725 051523 or book online at www.axbridgeroxy.org.uk.

Thursday, February 2• West Mendip Walkers - moderate circular walk 9.6mi/15.4km from Barrow Gurney Village Hall. OS Map Ex154 ST532678.

Start 10am. Park at Village Hall. Contact Tony Strange tel: 01934 733783/07976 902706 or anthonyestrange@gmail.com

Sunday, February 5 • Winchester Farm car boot sale from 9am.

Friday, February 3 • Rhyme Time for babies at Cheddar Library from 2.30-3pm. Free entry and no need to book.

Monday, February 6 • Yoga flex and stretch for the over 50s, held in the main hall, Axbridge Town Hall. 10.30-11.3am.

• Age UK EXTEND movement to music, Cheddar Village Hall 2-3pm. £3.50 per session. Contact 0845 6434702.

Tuesday, February 7 • Toddler group, 9-10am, Axbridge Town Hall.

Sunday, February 12 • Winchester Farm car boot sale from 9am.

• Roxy Theatre presents Ghostbusters (12) at 8.30pm. To book phone 07725 051523 or book online at www.axbridgeroxy.org.uk.

• Cheddar Country Market, Cheddar Village Hall 10.30-11.30am.

• Cheddar Valley Community Church family service, Kings of Wessex main hall 10.30am-12noon.

• Dick Whittington by The Mendip Players at The Memorial Hall, Draycott and Rodney Stoke at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 for adults and £5 for children. Visit http://themendipplayers.co.uk/on-linetickets.

• The Blend meeting for young people aged 12+, The Cafe, Church Street, Cheddar7.30-10.30pm.

Saturday, February 4 • Farmers Market, The Square, Asbridge 9am-1pm.

• Dick Whittington by The Mendip

• Cheddar Valley Community Church family service, Kings of Wessex main hall 10.30am-12noon.

• Tai Chi, friendly relaxed class with focus on wellbeing at Axbridge Town Hall from 7-8:30pm. £3 per session, contact Bob on 07791 291886 for more details.

• The Blend meeting for young people aged 12+, The Cafe, Church Street, Cheddar7.30-10.30pm.

• Mr Punch’s Folk Club - Open Mic from 8pm – 9pm at New Inn, Wedmore.

Saturday, February 11 • Sweets’ Car Boot Sale, 2-4pm, Blakeway.

Monday, February 13 • Yoga flex and stretch for the over 50s, held in the main hall, Axbridge Town Hall. 10.30-11.3am.

Wednesday February 8 • Pilates with Jane at Axbridge Town Hall from 4.30-5.30pm.

• Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

• Riverside Quiz Night, free entry from 8pm.

Tuesday, February 14 • Toddler group, 9-10am, Axbridge Town Hall.

• Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

• Cheddar Country Market, Cheddar Village Hall 10.30-11.30am

Thursday, February 9 • West Mendip Walkers - easy circular

• Tai Chi, friendly relaxed class with focus on wellbeing at Axbridge Town Hall

event you would like to see on our monthly diaryVALLEY send the details to rob@valley-life.co.uk 18 If you have an LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.valley-life.co.uk

Events • Clubs • Groups • Music • Fitness

What’s On from 7-8:30pm. £3 per session, contact Bob on 07791 291886 for more details.

Wednesday February 15 • Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

• Axbridge Active Living. If you are over 55 and fancy meeting up with friends, and making new ones, please come along for afternoon tea and cake from 2-4pm in Axbridge Town Hall and enjoy the activities on offer.

• Pilates with Jane at Axbridge Town Hall from 4.30-5.30pm.

50p charge for materials.

• Roxy Theatre presents Sing Street (12) at 8.30pm. To book phone 07725 051523 or book online at www.axbridgeroxy.org.uk.

Saturday, February 18 • Theale Community Cafe,10-11am at Theale Village Hall.

• Sweets’ Car Boot Sale, 2-4pm, Blakeway.

Sunday, February 19 • Winchester Farm car boot sale from 9am.

walk 7mi/11km from Mark Church. OS Map Ex140 ST381478. Start 12.30pm.

Park Mark Church car park. Contact Ken Masters tel: 01749 670349/07784 941439 or k.masters265@btinternet.com Friday, February 24 • Roxy Theatre presents The Nice Guys (15) at 8.30pm. To book phone 07725 051523 or book online at www.axbridgeroxy.org.uk.

• The Blend meeting for young people aged 12+, The Cafe, Church Street, Cheddar7.30-10.30pm.

• Age UK EXTEND movement to music, Cheddar Village Hall 2-3pm. £3.50 per session. Contact 0845 6434702.

Thursday, February 16 • West Mendip Walkers - moderate circular walk 10.0mi/16km from Cheddar Reservoir. OS Map 141 ST446534. Start 10am. Park in car park at Reservoir on Sharpham Road. Contact Andy Paterson tel: 01934 741690 or aepat@ btinternet.com

• Cheddar Valley Community Church family service, Kings of Wessex main hall 10.30am-12noon.

• Roxy Theatre presents Notes on Blindness (U) at 8pm. To book phone 07725 051523 or book online at www.

• Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

Sunday, February 26 • Winchester Farm car boot sale from 9am.

axbridgeroxy.org.uk.

Tuesday, February 21 • Toddler group, 9-10am, Axbridge Town Hall.

• Cheddar Valley Community Church family service, Kings of Wessex main hall 10.30am-12noon.

• Cheddar Country Market, Cheddar Village Hall 10.30-11.30am

• Kings Head quiz night, free entry 8pm start.

• Tai Chi, friendly relaxed class with focus on wellbeing at Axbridge Town Hall from 7-8:30pm. £3 per session, contact Bob on 07791 291886 for more details.

Monday, February 27 • Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

Wednesday February 22 • Fitness2Unique (2 classes) 9-10am, Blackford Village Hall with Lisa Richards - 07977 415799.

• Pilates with Jane at Axbridge Town Hall from 4.30-5.30pm.

Tuesday, February 28 • IW, formerly known as the WI, have fun learning new skills such as belly dancing, cup cake making, self defence.

Drop in for £3.50, or annual membership £20. Axbridge Town Hall from 7.30-9.30pm.

Thursday, February 23 • West Mendip Walkers - easy circular

• Cheddar Country Market, Cheddar Village Hall 10.30-11.30am

Friday, February 17 • Age UK EXTEND movement to music, Cheddar Village Hall 2-3pm. £3.50 per session. Contact 0845 6434702.

• The Blend meeting for young people aged 12+, The Cafe, Church Street, Cheddar7.30-10.30pm.

• Enjoy a crafty afternoon with paper, card, fabric and thread and create a variety of items at a family craft afternoon at Cheddar Library at 2.30pm. The Sewing and Craft Group, who meet at the library, invite children, accompanied by a parent, grandparent or carer, to their February Fun Family Session.

Please telephone Cheddar Library on 0300 123 2224 to book a place, or e-mail chelib@somerset.gov.uk. There will be a

Monday, February 20 • Yoga flex and stretch for the over 50s, held in the main hall, Axbridge Town Hall. 10.30-11.3am.

• Mr Punch’s Folk Club - Open Mic from 8pm – 9pm at New Inn, Wedmore.

Saturday, February 25 • Sweets’ Car Boot Sale, 2-4pm, Blakeway.

If you have an event you would like to see on our monthly diary send the details to rob@valley-life.co.uk 19

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017

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www.valley-life.co.uk

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 7 / FEBRUARY 2017