Valley Life - October 2019

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Valley Life At the heart of the Cheddar Valley

OCTOBER 2019, ISSUE 37 FREE

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Yummy times at festival News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe

Inside this issue

welcome . . .

Food and Drink Festival draws in the crowds – Page 5

Expansion for Cheddar’s Laurel & Wylde – Page 9

Residents’ views ignored over Holwell Lane – Pages 10-11

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

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Welcome to the thirty-seventh issue of Valley Life.

The decision by Sedgemoor District Council is as disastrous as it is undemocratic.

A petition with more than 1000 signatories calling on the council not to allow Bloor Homes to build a road across Holwell Lane, looks to have been totally ignored.

It’s not that the local residents want to stop anymore homes being built, it’s more about local democracy coming off second best against big business.

And people will again question why they should take part in a democratic process which fails to listen to their views.

Some will argue that it’s a waste of time voicing their opinions when at every turn those supposedly acting in our interest are swayed by the lure of big business.

But that would be the wrong decision, no matter how many times we come up against this we must still take part in the democratic process.

In fact, at times like this we need more people to take part in local democracy and not less.

Just saying ‘My opinion isn’t important’ just gives these councils the green light to do as they wish. We can’t allow that to happen so the alternative is to get more people involved.

Rob Perkins, Editor

NEWS

Bog-snorkelling Ian is the champion - again

W

hile many of us took to the beach or sat in pub beer gardens, Cheddar postie Ian Maclachlan spent his bank holiday weekend at a highly competitive sporting event.

The 34th annual World Bog Snorkelling Championship was held at Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of the UK’s smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells, and Ian came away with three of the prizes.

Dressed as Superman, Ian launched himself into the ditch and recorded a time of 1 min 38.75secs - good enough to win him the Over-50s world champion title, the International title, being born in South Africa, as well as being 3rd overall.

Ian said: “This is the third time I’ve taken part and every event I’ve improved my times.

“Last year was a bit of a disaster because I had a wardrobe malfunction when I lost my nose clips at the start of the 120-yard course.

“This year I was much better prepared and I’ll be going back next year hoping to hunt down the overall world title.

“I was somewhat embarrassed when a friend who came sec-

ond in the ladies event asked me to collect her medals, so I seemed to be forever on the podium collecting awards.”

Hundreds of competitors donned fancy dress, with entrants including a shark, a lobster, a bunch of grapes and a chicken leaping into a water-filled trench to aim for the

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

top in this elite contest.

The brave bog-loving entrants swam two consecutive lengths of the murky water, wearing flippers and a snorkel. It has been described by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet as one of the top 50 ‘must do’ events around the world. www.valley-life.com

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Riverside Inn & Restaurant Cheddar

Christmas is party time!

Whether its a cosy table for two or a festive party for fifty, there’s something for everyone in our Christmas & New Year party menu Take a look at our Christmas and New Year menus at www.riversidecheddar.co.uk

You’ll enjoy Christmas at the Riverside!

The Riverside Inn … in the heart of Somerset

Cliff Street | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3PX | 01934 742 452 info@riversidecheddar.co.uk | riversidecheddar.co.uk 4 www.valley-life.com

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

NEWS

Tasty treats at food and drinks festival

H

undreds of people turned out for the annual Cheddar Food and Drinks Festival at the start of September.

Unlike the previous two events which had to endure rain and wind, this year’s event – the biggest so far – was held in glorious sunshine. More than 40 stalls offering food a drink from the local area were delighted by the turnout.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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NEWS

Pet memories to treasure

A

n Axbridge artist is helping pet owners remember their beloved animals by immortalising them in bronze.

bronze in their image. There is also the chance of including the pets’ ashes within the resin of the sculpture as an added way of remembering their pet.

Sculptor Stuart Hall has already seen his bronze work put on display at galleries in Wedmore and Wells and is looking to expand his business to those who have lost pets.

“Each sculpture will be individual and hand-made to the customer’s specification.

“And with Christmas coming up it might be a thoughtful present for anyone who has recently lost their companion.”

He said: “If you’ve ever lost a beloved pet you will know the sense of loss and pain is real.

• Individual bronze sculptures start from as little as £200. For further information contact Stuart on 07546 278850

“That’s why I’m giving owners the chance to honour their animals by having a cold cast

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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

NEWS

Laurel & Wylde expand

A

Cheddar-based estate agency has opened its second office - just four years after taking to the High Street.

Laurel & Wylde opened the doors to its Burnham-onSea office in August and has hit the ground running with seven instructions and three sales in the first three weeks of opening.

Owner Nick Puddy, 36, pictured right, said: “We are obviously doing something different because customers are finding that we are able

sales. We are very different to existing estate agents, offering a ‘full marketing package.

to sell their property where other agencies have failed.

Within the first three weeks of opening the office in Burnham we have had three valuations, three instructions and three

“The package includes internet marketing on over 100 websites, the four main property portals – Rightmove, Zoopla, Prime Location & On The Market plus a huge variety of exclusive marketing tools all with no up front costs.”

• If you’d like to know more then call Laurel & Wylde on on 01278 785 900 or 01934 742 966.

Sewell House

• Rented self-contained, en suite accommodation for the active elderly • A home cooked three course midday meal • Trial flat for up to four weeks, when available • 24-hour emergency cover • Freedom from household management • Lift available to first floor and sitting room • Independent living within private community • Close to centre of a thriving picturesque village • Spacious landscaped gardens • Friendly home from home • Activities and outings • Guest accommodation • Views of the Mendip Hills • Welcome to people of any faith or none • Charges are fully inclusive

For further details contact the Resident Warden on 01934 843746 warden.sewell@btconnect.com Sewell House, Belmont Road, Winscombe, BS25 1LQ www.sewellhouse.org.uk

Sewell House is managed by Sidcot Friends Housing Society Ltd - a not-for-profit organisation

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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NEWS

Anger at Sedgmoor dec

A group of protesters gather as members of Sedgemoor District Council’s planning committee visit the Bloor Homes site

M

ore than 1,000 signed a petition and dozens turned out for a planning committee meeting on the Bloor Homes site.

But it seems that despite this unprecedented show of feeling, Sedgemoor District Council has ignored the wishes of local residents.

They have approved a plan to allow Bloor Homes to use of Holwell Lane for construction traffic, and eventually for vehicle access to another 124 homes on the new estate off Upper New Road in Cheddar.

The next step by Cheddar Parish Council may be a judicial review of the decision.

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Cheddar Parish Councillor Paul Fineran, who sits as an Independent on Sedgemoor District Council, said the battle is not yet lost.

He added: “I am shocked that Sedgemoor has pushed this through so quickly and it does make you wonder why.

“The parish council is looking at going to the High Court to have this decision overturned.

“The grounds for such a move would be that we feel Sedgemoor has been in breach of planning policies.

“While you cannot get away from the fact that Bloor have gone down this route to protect their profits at this site - rather than having to build another

access road on to Upper New Road. Added to this there is the weight of public opinion which saw more than 1,000 people sign a petition opposing the plan.”

The decision has also been greeted with anger by the two Liberal Democrat ward councillors.

Lisa Methley and Charlie Riches, said: “We are dismayed at Sedgemoor’s decision to allow Bloor Homes to build a road over our much-loved footpath at Holwell Lane.

“Planning approval means all the construction traffic - and once the homes are finished, residents, visitors and other cars and vans - for the extra 124 homes will use the exist-

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

NEWS

ecision on Holwell Lane

Paul Fineran addresses the committee

Protesters show their strength of feeling against the Bloor Homes plan

ing estate entrance in Littlewood Way.”

the legal issues around land ownership and boundaries before construction can start, and has to ensure continuous safe use of Holwell Lane during construction.

“We have repeatedly said Littlewood Way is failing to provide safe, effective vehicle access to and from the homes already occupied on the new estate.

“Following our three public representations against this application, and despite planning committee members expressing grave concerns, it was ruled that no Local Plan policies or Somerset Highways rules would be broken.

“We say this approval has been a triumph of policy over common sense.

“The developer, Bloor Homes, must find solutions for all

“We will be monitoring this closely with the help of local residents to be sure that happens.”

“What is the point of Sedgemoor? It’s certainly not to take on board the feelings of residents and give equal weighting to our views.

Schools, medical facilities, sewage systems - none of these matter to Sedgemoor. I am beyond furious .”

Posting on the Holwell Lane Facebook page, Kim Wall said: “Sedgemoor certainly don’t care about Cheddar and the surrounding rural areas.”

Another local resident, Trevor Harvey added: “All that extra council tax being collected from all this new housing and how much will find its way back to Cheddar to help with the extra pressure on doctors, dentists, schools and leisure facilities - none I’ll bet.”

While Ade Macrow said: “What an utterly predictable, dispiriting and monumentally disgraceful verdict.

Mark Chivers added: “Surprise, surprise, the decision favours big business instead of the people.

Local residents have voiced their outrage at the decision.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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Feel at home with Greenhill House We provide residential and specialist dementia care in a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. We also have a suite available for couples to stay together.

Whether you are interested in day care, short-term respite breaks or a long-term stay, get in touch with us now to arrange to come and look around.

Caring, friendly staff

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Watch our Greenhill House tour on

Call to book your free taster day: 01934 740 500 Email: care.enquiries@somersetcare.co.uk

Visit: www.somersetcare.co.uk Where to find us: Greenhill House, Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HY

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Remember your beloved pet in bronze

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Ian Taylor-Rowlands Dip FD. LMBIFD Redcliffe Court, 3 Redcliffe Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3ND

A personalised hand-made bronze sculpture is the perfect way to honour your pet Contact: Stuart Hall 07546 278850 or email: stuartrichardhall@hotmail.co.uk

Garden time Garden designer Jane Hicks helps you create a better garden

Simplicity is key to a successful design

I

Plant of the month: The perennial Erigeron karvinskianus, pictured left, is my favourite plant in October because it just keeps on flowering, it has masses of daisy like flowers and can flower from April until November if it’s not too cold.

n my articles so far, I’ve explained as much as I can in the space available, how to observe your space, measure and sketch it up, so now you can begin to plan.

‘I know what I want but don’t know how to get there’, is what most of my clients say when I first meet them.

It doesn’t need much maintenance just a tidy up in spring.

A low level plant at 30 cm tall by up to a metre wide, therefore ideal for covering up soil at the front of a border you may have noticed it growing in walls, steps and patios plus it’s great for wildlife too..

They may be unsure about what goes best where, ranging from re-jigging a border, positioning a patio, right up to a full garden design.

If you want to have a go yourself, the best way to start is to get some idea of how you want the garden to look and what features you want to incorporate.

To do this, just look around either while driving, or when on walks, look in books, visit open gardens and online, its great fun looking and there are some really exciting ideas out there!

shapes, squares, triangles and circles for example, as well as straight or curved lines.

Garden care: Plant bulbs now for lovely spring colour. Don’t cut back faded flowers until early spring, as some plants provide food for wildlife as well as visual interest in the winter months.

You can still make perennial There are so many possible plants in your garden go furways of how you can lay out ther by division and large areas your garden; however it’s a of one type of plant, creates You may notice when doing good idea to keep it simple more of an impact so well all the research that gardens worth doing. especially in a small garden. are often laid out using strong Contact Matt on 01934 235535 or email reception@suttonchiro.co.uk Contact Jane Hicks on 07817 041763 or email: designer@janesgardens.co.uk

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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

Healthy Eating Nutritional therapist Linda Thomas with some food advice

The power of water

F

ed up with being told to drink more water?

Maybe these benefits will motivate you to increase your intake!

infections such as cystitis.

It can reduce headaches. Dehydration can cause pain because the brain temporarily shrinks and pulls away from the skull when fluid in the brain cavity is reduced.

It lubricates joints. Cartilage in joints and discs is 80% water so dehydration reduces the shock-absorbing ability of that cartilage, leading to joint pain.

It improves mood. We can get cranky and snappy when dehydrated, especially if overheated too!

It forms mucus. This is a vital part of the immune system by acting as a barrier to germs in the nose, digestive tract, lungs and eyes.

It forms 90% of our blood. If dehydrated, we have less oxygen in the red blood cells and this reduction in oxygen can cause shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat.

Water regulates blood pressure. Dehydration can increase blood pressure – blood is thicker and blood vessels get narrower thus making the heart work harder to pump blood around the body. Conversely, dehydration can cause blood pressure to drop, resulting in dizziness and fatigue.

It boosts skin health. Dehydration emphasises wrinkles, sagging and makes us look tired.

It regulates body temperature.

When we get hot, sweating regulates our temperature.

Dehydration means there is less water available for sweat and so we can overheat.

It’s vital for digestion. Low fluid levels result in sluggish digestion, constipation and increased risk of heartburn.

Water flushes body waste – it’s an essential component of faeces, urine and sweat.

It reduces the risk of urinary infection. Infrequent urination makes urine more concentrated, which can irritate the bladder and raise the risk of

Top Tips to avoid dehydration: • Have a drink on waking each morning – keep a glass ready by the bed to make this easy to achieve • Never go more than 2 hours without a glass of water • Add flavours such as sliced lemon, fresh ginger or mint or even sliced fruit to vary the taste if this is an issue for you • Have it hot or cold – herbal, green and fruit teas all count!

• Always carry a water bottle when away from home • Choose filtered water rather than buying bottled water High water-content foods include melon, berries, peaches, lettuce, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, plain yoghurt and cottage cheese.

Make soups out of lots of vegetables and some bone broth (chicken or beef).

Contact Linda on 07768 803198 or email: info@indathomasnutrition.co.uk

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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Traditional Italian food cooked with flair, enthusiasm and love. These include a new exclusive lunch-time menu and delicious takeaway pizza and pasta offerings Lunch-time menu Any takeaway pizza (12-3pm) or pasta from £9.95 Monday to Friday (King Prawn dishes additional £1.00) excluding Bank Holidays and summer season (We reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time)

Starter

Zupa del giorno (v) - Soup of the day (ask for details) served with home-made bread Calamari Fritti - Lightly fried squid with fresh lemon & tartar sauce Funghi con alio- Pan fried mushrooms in garlic butter and white wine with herbs served with bread and mixed leaves Bruschetta Napoli (v) - Fresh tomatoes marinated in olive oil, fresh basil onion and garlic. Served on Tuscan bread

Main

Branzzino (£2 supplement) - Fillet of Sea bass dusted in semolina flour, pan fried, served with chips and salad Bistecca Di Manzo (£2 supplement) - Grilled Rum steak cooked to your liking served with chips and salad Pollo con Fungui (£2 supplement) - Chargrilled chicken breast with mushrooms garlic and herbs in creamy white wine sauce. Served with chips and salad Risotto al Funghi (v) - Roasted mushroom risotto with garlic butter and herbs in creamy parmesan cheese Pizza Margharita (v) - Tomato, mozzarella, fresh basil

(Sunday - Friday)

Pizza Fungui (v) - Tomato, mushrooms and mozzarella Pizza Etna - Tomato, garlic, chilli, spicy pepperoni and mozzarella Spaghetti Bolognese - With rich bolognaise sauce & fresh basil Penne Bianco con Salsiccia - Penne with pork sausage pan fried in chilli, garlic and spinach Lasagne - Flat pasta layers with minced beef, béchamel sauce, fresh herbs and mozzarella baked in the oven Penne Arrabiata (v) - Penne pasta with chilli, garlic & cherry tomatoes and basil sauce Linguine Puttanesca - Pasta with anchovies, capers, black olives chillies and garlic oil

Dessert Panacotta

The Cliffs Cheddar BS27 3QE 01934 743782

Set vanilla cream with strawberry sauce and mint

Tiramisu Sponge fingers, mascarpone, marsala & coffee liqueur

Ice cream Choice of 2 scoops (Vanilla, strawberry or chocolate)

2 courses £12.95

3 courses £15.95

Book online at: www.la-rocca.co.uk

OPENING HOURS Monday - Saturday 16

Sunday

12 noonwww.valley-life.com - 10 pm 12 noon - 9 pm

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37 Follow us on TripAdvisor, Facebook and Instagram

NEWS

Mendip walks Jennifer Hunt and her dogs Daisy and Dora take to the hills

Off the beaten track

A

lthough the wide, gravelled paths at Stockhill Wood are easy to follow, it is much more fun to explore the many small tracks that run between the trees.

I have therefore described a circular route without using the main paths, other than to cross over them.

When you drive into the car park, turn left and park at the far end. Take the grassy path straight ahead, which has a square rock at the side, and then a short way along turn left on a small track into the wood.

Follow this up through the trees towards the right, until you come out onto a wide path.

Turn right and then take the second turning on the left into the wood. If you come to a turning on the right, you have gone too far!

Walk along this track through the trees, up a slope and turn right. Follow the path straight ahead, which eventually crosses over a grassy area and then continues winding through the trees until you arrive at a wide path.

Cross over and walk through the beech trees towards the

right, where several wigwams have been erected with fallen branches. When you join a wide, grassy path turn left and head up towards a gate at the top.

Once you reach the end of the path do not go through the gate but instead turn right and follow the track along the edge of the wood, next to a large field.

grassy path. Turn right, walk to the end and then cross straight over the wide path.

In late summer both sides of this grassy path are covered in many varieties of wildflowers, together with raspberries, which Daisy loves!

To start with the track runs between a double row of trees, which were planted in a very straight line and enables you to see a long way ahead. Keep walking along parallel with the field.

Take the next turning on the right and as you walk you will see where heather grows along the bank. When you reach a wide path once again go straight across and then follow the track down towards a narrow, gravelled path. Turn left and follow it back to the car park, ignoring any turnings on the left or right.

Towards the end of the track you will have to skirt around some fallen trees but continue up until you come out onto a

• Stockhill Wood circular walk. Start and end: Old Bristol Road, Priddy. Postcode: BA5 3AS

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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Hair Talk Acutabove owner Sarah Boundy passes on tips on making your hair stand out

Is bayalage for you?

I

f you’ve been in the salon recently you may have heard this fancy term “Balayage” floating about? You may have even noticed stylists have been ditching the tin foil and going straight in with the paint brushes?

Pinterest and find images that you love to demonstrate what you’re seeing in your head when you ask for balayage.

Your colourist will be able to tell you if it’ll suit your skin tone - there are so many great shades out there, some warm, some cool, but you need to get it right.

That’s because this service has recently become one of the most asked for services in salons world wide. But what is Balayage? Can it be done at home and does it work for everyone?

The word Balayage is a French word that means to sweep or paint and had its beginnings at the exclusive Carita Salon in Paris during the 1970s when at the time, the industry standard was to dye hair using frosting or otherwise known as hi-lighting caps. Balayage was a revolutionary new technique, using strips of cotton wool to separate dyed hair from un-dyed hair, resulting in an effortless, sun-kissed look.

In the 90s, balayage hair caught on in America, but has only in recent years sneaked its way into our modern salons thanks to celebrities.

The original Balayage tech-

nique was hand painted to achieve a really blended subtle look with no harsh or obvious regrowth lines and was usually a softer, more graduated look, the principal idea being less is more when creating a natural, multi-tonal finish.

However, thanks to our social media world our modern day balayage just keeps evolving and our stylists are adapting their skills and often mixing different techniques to achieve more striking colour shifting creations than ever before.

Here are a few tips to get you Balayage ready!

• Get your hair Inspo sorted!

- Look through instagram and

• How long does balayage last?

One of the biggest advantages of this technique is that it doesn’t require as much upkeep as traditional colour.

The blended finish means you can leave longer between your salon appointments, and depending on your style you can leave up to four months between top-up’s and if your colour turns brassy after a while you can refresh it with a toner or gloss to give your shine back. You can even completely change your look with a whole new tone.

•Can you balayage your own hair? Absolutely do not attempt to do this yourself - it’s not as easy as it looks! Balayage is a skill that requires a lot of training to achieve the flawless results you see on Pinterest and Instagram,but colour correction can carry a hefty price tag!

Contact Sarah at Acutabove, Axbridge on 01934 733666 18

www.valley-life.com

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

Tiggi’sTravels Seeing life differently with visually-impaired Tiggi Trethowan

Iceland’s warm welcome

T

iggi’s Travels has taken me to far off shores this month, to Iceland.

With a population of 339,000 it is the least populated island in Europe.

delight then from the patisserie you might like their ‘marriage cake’, a rhubarb tart or the internationally acclaimed ‘love balls’, two cinnamon donuts containing dried fruit.

We began our journey in Reykjavik, a beautiful and diverse city. The word Reykjavik stands for ‘Smokey bay’. You quickly find out as a visitor that the island is not only volcanic with 30 volcanoes but also geologically active.

The Icelanders are mainly atheist but greatly influenced by ‘the Sagas’. A collection of mystical folk law fables they learn from early childhood.

The first settlers, bemused by their new home that steamed and exploded, put it down to the work of Trolls and Goblins rather than angry Gods. To this day their belief in the mystical is very strong.

The most recent volcanic eruption was in 2010 causing chaos from the massive ash cloud. However, the benefits of living with such uncertainty is bountiful water supplied from glaciers but most importantly thermal power giving the island an endless supply of heat.

In the winter, the pavements of Reykjavik are heated and even the poorest residents have heated pools in their back yards. An example of this geological mystery for me was standing by a geezer erupting at a temperature of 200 degrees, 100 feet into the air.

Fishing is also a major part of the Islandic economy and a famous party nibble is the Greenland shark. This fish is

highly toxic containing trimethylamine (ammonia) and needs to be pre-treated before consumption.

The story goes, long ago, a fisherman buried the shark as even his dog wouldn’t eat it. After six months, he dug it up and then hung it for a further six months. At this point he had a slice with a glass of Schnaps and it has since remained a delicacy. I had to try some and found it in the local fish market. With false bravado, I bit into the stinking piece of fish.

It was absolutely disgusting and I spent the next 12 hours as a frequent visitor to the spotless Icelandic loos, which for the record, are also underfloor heated. If you would prefer another national

An example being, a recent planning application was turned down because in the allotted area, it was believed, was a settlement of little other worldly creatures. The Islanders are brave enough to allow mythology to overpower scepticism. You will never meet a kinder, happier and more diverse nation. They need no security; their prime minister regularly walks through Reykjavik alone and proudly wears his LGBT wrist band. Education and health care are free and most people speak four languages. A trip I will never forget.

Listen to the latest Draycott Diaries Podcast available at www.draycottdiaries.com VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019 / ISSUE 37

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Now open in Burnham-on-Sea

For a free valuation, please give us a call or visit us to discuss how we can help you to sell your property faster than anybody else

01934 742966

2c Bath Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3AA

01278 785900

5 High Street,Burham-on-Sea Somerset, TA8 1NX

enquiries@laurelandwylde.co.uk www.laurelandwylde.co.uk