Valley Life - August 2020

READ BY MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE

Valley Life At the heart of the Cheddar Valley

AUGUST 2020, ISSUE 44 FREE

www.valley-life.com

Summer blooms put on a show News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe

Inside this issue

welcome . . .

Postie Ian is set for his biggest challenge – Page 5

Holwell Lane right of way battle is lost – Page 7

What is the solution to the car meet issue – 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 forty-fourth issue Valley Life and the second issue since lockdown was lifted.

We hope that you are continuing to enjoy the offering of news and features from around the Cheddar Valley.

It is great to see the Gorge being used and also as a bit of car nut to see the love and dedication these people have invested in their pastime. They are a colourful addition to the calendar of events in the area.

It seems that the effects of the pandemic are still having implications in the Cheddar Valley.

But it seems that, like the closure of the reservoir, the behaviour of a few is having an impact on the majority.

The decision by Bristol Water to close Cheddar Reservoir when the weather is hot because of anti-social behaviour is one of those implications.

No-one likes to be awoken by screaming cars past their home late at night but that is what some residents are having to endure.

Another is the increasing popularity for members of the car meet fraternity to head to Cheddar Gorge to show off their cars.

The organisers of the car meets are doing their best to improve matters - let’s hope that the few take note.

Rob Perkins, Editor

NEWS

Free membership is up for grabs at club

I

sle of Wedmore Bowls Club is giving away 20 free memberships as part of a post-lockdown recruitment drive.

The club which was founded in 1987 now boasts two indoor rinks as well as several outdoor rinks.

Stuart Fisher from Wedmore Bowls Club said: “We have never before done anything like this, but the pandemic has led to us all having to think differently about what we do.

“We lost a lot income because the club was closed from March to July and that is when we have most of our fund-raising activities.

“Now we want to try to encourage as many people as possible to give bowls a go.

It’s not just for old people it is a game which can be played at any age.

“The club has some of the best facilities in the area with indoor and outdoor rinks and there is free coaching as well as use of woods and shoes for those wanting to give it a try.”

The club was conceived over the winter of 192-83 when a group of Probus members met at the Bath Arms to put the world to rights.

And one of their gripes was a lack of a really good bowling green in the Cheddar Valley.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

And with that preparations began to find a suitable location and a fund-raising programme began.

The energy of the early members meant that a site was found and purchased with the help of grants from the National Playing Fields Association, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and Wedmore Parish Council.

Today the club boasts a purpose-built warm and friendly clubhouse for members to enjoy.

To win one of the 20 places just email millhaven44@ icloud.com before Monday, September 7.

www.valley-life.com

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NEWS

Postie Ian is ready to deliver in the Sahara

F

amous for his bowler hat, Postie Ian Maclachlan is now in training for the biggest challenge of his life.

The prospect of running 156 miles across the Sahara Desert is something which would have lesser mortals sweating just at the thought of it.

But Ian has been accepted to run in the six-day event next April in aid of his chosen charity, Hounds for Heroes.

Ian, a former international hockey player, said: “I’m lucky in that my job as a postman gives me a certain base fitness and I’ve taken on the longest round in the area covering Draycott which means I’m doing 65 miles a week which has made me very popular with the other posties.

“I’m also now starting to ramp up my training with some runs around the beautiful Mendip Hills and so I’m probably doing about 100 miles a week.

“The only problem is that coming out of our winter and into the heat of the Sahara Desert I’ll have to put more clothes on during my running sessions to replicate the heat.

It’s going to be a challenge but 4

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one that I’m looking forward to and I’m hoping to raise a lot of money for the Hounds for Heroes charity.”

The former RAF servicemen saw first-hand the injuries suffered by returning soldiers during the Afghan War and was impressed with their fortitude.

He said: “These guys were

being put on transport planes home and many had lost limbs during the war. Their attitude was hugely impressive and I later saw how the charity was helping these guys to get back to some sort of normality after their horrific injures.”

Visit Ian’s Just Giving page - A Postie’s Journey - to find out more about his challenge.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

Riverside Inn & Restaurant Cheddar

3rd to 31st August 2020 *50% discount up to a maximum of ÂŁ10 per person on food and non-alcoholic drinks

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Cliff Street | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3PX | 01934 742 452 info@riversidecheddar.co.uk | riversidecheddar.co.uk

Zen Thai are delighted to offer our full dine-in experience once again.

Our highly-acclaimed Thai restaurant has now reopened and will be offering as close to normal service as possible whilst complying with Government guidelines.

We are also pleased to announce we will be participating in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

This offers guests a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person (not including alcohol) when dining in every Monday, to Wednesday throughout August.

We will also be continuing our contactless takeaway service where you can place advance orders via our email: info@zenthaicheddar.com as well as by phone Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm, with final pick up around 9pm.

So whether you’re dining in or taking your food home, remember to book as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.

We look forward to seeing you and serving you our mouth-watering Thai food once more!

The food in my opinion is some of the best I have ever sampled. Crab Rangoon starter was like nothing I have ever tasted - Nick, October 2019

Find us at: The Cliffs, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QA 01934 740444 www.zenthaicheddar.com

Spence, Pear and all the staff at Zen Thai look forward to welcoming customers old and new

NEWS

Holwell Lane battle is lost to developers

T

he battle to prevent Bloor Homes from building a road across a public right of way has been lost.

Cheddar Parish Council has been forced to withdraw its objection to Bloor’s claim for ownership of the lane.

This means that Bloor will be able to connect the proposed development to the north of the lane with the existing estate to the south. A local petition to ‘Save Holwell Lane’ gained over 1,000 signatures, and concerned residents joined parish councillors to object to the plan at Sedgemoor District Council’s development management meetings.

Despite this and Sedgemoor’s Local Plan stating clearly that a new junction onto the A371 from the north east corner of the site is the preferred vehicle access point, the district council chose to go against its own policy by granting planning permission on 17th September 2019.

Since then Cheddar Parish Council has continued to make the case for Bloor Homes to use this preferred location for access to the proposed site and explored all options to prevent them

“We are deeply disappointed with this outcome and know that the local community will be too, but without the support of Sedgemoor District Council, we have no other viable option.”

going ahead with the Holwell Lane crossing. Bloor have now indicated that they will take expensive high court action to resolve the dispute – something the parish council cannot afford to pursue, leaving the council with no choice but to withdraw its objection.

Chairman of Cheddar Parish Council, Peter Colton, said:

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

However, as a result of extensive discussions through Bloor’s solicitors, highways engineers have re-looked at the crossing and submitted a revised design to Somerset Highways for a safer, single lane crossing of the public right of way.

Bloor have also said they may be willing to purchase the final parcel of land at the north east end of the site, which would enable them to create the junction onto the A371 as laid out in Sedgemoor’s Local Plan and for which the parish council has been campaigning since the beginning.

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NEWS

Riverside’s welcome

T

he Riverside Inn, Cheddar is back open and serving the Cheddar Valley community as it has done for many years.

However as well as being your local friendly pub and restaurant, the Riverside is now also providing freshly cooked, locally sourced food to takeaway.

The conservatory restaurant and riverside garden are as attractive environments to eat and drink as ever, though social distancing rules are being adhered to and PPE is being deployed to ensure the safety of

customers and staff alike.

The Riverside’s menu has changed to allow the team to serve you both at the pub, and also so you can pre-order takeaways, and pay by phone, by app or contactless upon collection.

And during August the Riverside is participating in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Between August 3-31, customers will be able to enjoy a 50% discount up to a maximum of £10 per person on food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises.

Sewell House

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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

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

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

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NEWS

Finding a solution to the

I

t’s a balmy summer’s evening and Cheddar Gorge is basking in the final rays of a gloriously sunny Saturday evening.

The Gorge is crammed with car owners who have come from all over the south west to meet at what is known among its members as one of the best places in the country to gather.

Owners sit and watch as the cars – everything from top of the range sports cars to those lovingly restored – cruise through the twists and turns of the Gorge.

It is a colourful spectacle and the atmosphere is a friendly one with like-minded people enjoying an evening out.

But the residents of Cheddar are reporting more and more incidents of speeding through the village late at night as the cars disperse.

And it is this issue which is now beginning to gain attention from all those who use the beauty spot.

But finding a solution to the problem will have to include input from all those involved including Longleat, The National Trust, Somerset Highways, Cheddar Parish Council as well as the residents and car meet organisers.

A Facebook group has been

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set up with the aim of trying to find a workable solution for all those who use and work in the Gorge.

But car meet organisers claim that they are doing their bit to ease the friction between the residents and their members.

They have made sure that those taking part in the car meet take all their rubbish

away and they have briefed everyone about the need to comply with all the rules of the road - especially when leaving the Gorge.

They claim it is a small minority of car owners who are causing problem and the vast majority are abiding by the new rules put in place by the organisers.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

NEWS

o the car meet question decided to close the Gorge as another car meet was planned.

The meeting saw hundreds of cars head for the Gorge, but by mid-afternoon on a gloriously sunny Sunday the road was closed.

What had started out a pleasant car meet with dozens of classic Ford cars heading up and down the Gorge, ended with the police closing the road because the number of people in the area made it difficult to social distance.

There were also reports from residents that a number of cars had been speeding through the Gorge.

The closure was bad news for some of the businesses who were advised to close because the Gorge had been shut.

Avon and Somerset Police patrol the Gorge area and speak with those taking part, but generally keep a low profile.

But that wasn’t the case at the May Bank Holiday meeting when police had to issue 15 warnings following calls from the public.

Sergeant Joe Piscina of Avon and Somerset Police wanted

to reassure the public that reports of bad driving would be investigated.

He said: “We will be looking back at the recorded video from the car meet to identify those involved and will take retrospective action against anyone who breached regulations or committed offences.”

Last month, the police again

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

Ellen Grady from the Arts Quarter at the bottom of the Gorge said: “We have had customers in the shop who said that they would not come back.

“They were unable to social distance on the pavements and the roads were too busy and dangerous.

“And when the police closed off the Gorge it meant that it affected businesses trying to get back to normal after the pandemic.” www.valley-life.com

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NEWS

Hot weather ban as reservoir shuts down

C

heddar Reservoir is going to be shut to visitors during periods of hot weather due to a spike in anti-social behaviour.

The decision by Bristol Water comes after an increase in people swimming, drinking, littering and gathering at the lake, and will shut during periods of hot weather.

Steve Smith, head of recreations at Bristol Water, said: “Closing the reservoir really is a last resort.

“Trust us – we do not want to have to do this. We did try speaking directly to anyone not following safely rules.

“This lead to over 300 points of

contact in four hours – many of whom resumed once we left. It is also not a sustainable approach.

“I’m a huge advocate of walking in nature for our wellbeing, so this is not a decision taken lightly.

be shut to visitors. It will reopen after spells of hot weather.

During periods of closure, car parks and gates will remain locked and security will be on site.

“We’re sorry that the actions of a small minority are ruining it for the majority, but we cannot risk anyone losing their life.”

The reservoir is for drinking water. Reservoirs are complex machines designed to pull water in. There’s hidden machinery that cannot be seen from under the surface.

“It might look inviting, especially at a time when holidays have been cancelled, but it’s never safe to swim in reservoirs.”

The temperature can also be deceptive and induce cold water shock where your muscles freeze – preventing you from swimming.

Cheddar Reservoir is currently open, but when the temperature increases to more than 23C, the path and car parks will

There’s also the risk of algae which can be poisonous to dogs and weeds which can get tangled on your feet.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

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

Colour is king when it comes to your garden

P

lanting schemes are probably my favourite task, I get excited thinking about colour combinations and plant forms, deciding which plants are best suited in a garden and which plants will look good for each month of the year.

During lockdown you may have been spending a lot of time in your garden and have an idea of what is and what is not working in your flower beds and pots.

Maybe you have been busy ordering plants online and are now rushing out to the garden centres to buy something for that space, or maybe you have recently moved to a new house and want to make a start on making your garden look pretty.

Garden centres have some beautiful plants and it’s a great way to get inspiration.

They tend to supply plants which are in season and are looking their best, for example they probably won’t have a winter flowering shrub

centre is highly recommended Plant of the month: The verbascum has a ground covering of leaves with spikes of flowers, height and colour varies depending on which one you have.

in stock in July. It means that you may go home with a boot full of plants that look great for a month or two and then you find that you don’t have any flowers or interest in the garden for the rest of the season.

This is where planning is crucial, all year colour and interest is so important especially in a small garden.

Therefore, if you don’t want to employ a professional and want to do your garden planting scheme yourself, a monthly visit to the garden

It’s easy to grow from seed therefore cheap, just sow into a sunny spot between February and June or September and November. It starts flowering at the end of April and if you cut the dead flowers off at the base of the plant you will get a second flush later in the season. If its happy it self-sows’.

To do this month: This task is very important for those with lavender plants once the flowers have died at the end of the month, you must trim this plant to keep it from becoming too big and leggy but don’t cut into the woody stems. Otherwise water and feed pots and tomato plants, keep dead heading spent flower heads to encourage late blooms.

Contact Jane Hicks on 07817 041763 or email: designer@janesgardens.co.uk

Back Issues Doctor of Chiropractic Matt Sutton helps to keep you on the move

Stay well during these times of uncertainty

W

ith all the changes resulting from lockdown, self-isolation, working from home and an as yet uncertain year ahead, coping with the lifestyle impact of COVID has become a health issue in its own right.

screen is high enough so you don’t have to nod your chin and the screen is directly in front of you. Put your monitor/laptop on some books or use a stand to keep your screens at a level that is aligned with your head and eyes.

For most of us, our health has been impacted in many ways beyond viral infection- big changes in daily stress levels, physical activity patterns, diet and family life.

This will allow your head to sit comfortably with less strain – and your neck will thank you for it.

Here are my tips for a healthier lifestyle: A happy spine, neck and pelvis are central to the health of your nervous system. They must be well aligned to eliminate aches and pains as well as help your body cope with increased stresses and strains.

Periods of high stress, prolonged sitting and lack of exercise compresses our frame and distorts our posture, leading to aches and pains as well as lower energy levels. These lifestyle factors cause the spinal joints to be-

come misaligned or ‘wonky’, irritating surrounding the nerves and muscles, further worsening the problem. The solution to this is twofoldget checked and adjusted by a chiropractor regularly; and make a commitment to support your health with the choices you make daily.

For those working from home or spending extended hours by computers and screens, here are my top tips: • Make sure your computer

• Sit near the front of your chair and have it at a height so your knees are lower than your hips with both feet flat on the floor. This will ensure your lower back keeps you upright and slouching becomes difficult.

• Shuffle in your seat periodically and make sure you get up and move around every 30 minutes- this keeps the spine limber and your body and attention span will thank you for it. In addition, be sure to schedule exercise into your day – morning or lunchtime works best before the demands of the day mount up.

Contact Matt on 01934 235535 or email reception@suttonchiro.co.uk

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

Watch the birdie in this surprising walk

A

lthough this is not a long walk, you may see a lot of different birds along the way.

standing quietly in the water.

Eventually you will reach a stile that leads out onto the road. This is a good place to turn around, retrace your steps and admire the view up to Cheddar Gorge and the hills. Although you could cross the road and continue along the footpath beside the river if you wanted to walk on further.

The start is between Cheddar Football Club and Cheddar Bridge Campsite. Walk up quiet Gas House Lane beside the river and along under the bridge, where I once saw a brown and white Dipper diving into the water to fish in the shallows.

Carry straight on along the track, which then opens out onto a wide, grassy area next to the river. Very often the white Little Egret can be seen fishing along this stretch.

It is quite a shy bird but, if you are close enough when it flies off, you will notice it has yellow slippers to help it blend in whilst standing still in the water. Go through the gate into the field and walk straight ahead along the high bank from where you can look down into the water and perhaps see fish darting about.

Also, if you are lucky, you

may see the beautiful blue flash of the Kingfisher as it hunts up and down its stretch of the river.

Follow the path along, passing through three more gates.

Quite often a pair of Swans can be seen floating serenely by, but they hiss very loudly if they think the dogs are too close!

Other birds that you may spot are ducks, which are usually dabbling somewhere along the river, or perhaps a Grey Wagtail, with its beautiful yellow breast and bobbing tail, or even a large Heron

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 / ISSUE 44

When you get back to and go through the first gate you came to you can either go left, as before, or walk a little way along then down to the right by a small stream or go straight ahead on the raised ground. This is for flood defence purposes as when the water is high the river overflows its banks right out over the grass and looks quite a sight.

Then continue back down the track and lane to where you started out earlier.

Walk: The River Yeo Start and End: Draycott Road, Cheddar Postcode: BS27 3RJ

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Tiggi’s Travels Seeing life differently with visually-impaired Tiggi Trethowan

Ella’s road to success

D

ay by day we are all feeling the benefits of small steps to freedom. However, myself and Jackie my guide dog are taking a cautious route forward.

Social distancing anywhere with a guide dog is a challenge because assistance dogs are taught to be assertive and when necessary march to the front of the queue. Please be assured we are not queue barging intentionally.

Driving a guide dog with all the paraphernalia of harness and leads, adding a face mask is tricky. But safety for everybody is key. A nice well-meaning person we met on our recent adventures enquired if Jackie dog will also be required to wear a mask?

I said no and assured her that a dog will not breathe potential virus droplets but in very remote cases dogs and cats can carry the virus in their fur. So be cautious when patting other people’s pets.

As guide dog owners we are encouraged to wipe our dogs with sanitizer regularly to minimise any risk to ourselves or others. Recently, for an

episode of Draycott Diaries my Podcast series, I recorded a conversation between myself and Ella another guide dog owner.

Ella is an extraordinary young lady. Challenged with partial sight loss from birth she continued through life until 2015 just 15 years old and about to take her GCSE’S, her sight failed completely.

However, with massive help from her family and her school (Kings of Wessex in Cheddar) she went on to pass all her exams and has now just finished her first year at Oxford University studying maths.

Ella was paired with her guide dog Rio at about the same time I was partnered with my dog Jackie. During the Podcast we talk about some of the challenges a new guide dog owner is faced with. In Ella’s case she had the immense challenge of leaving home for the first time and moving to a totally new environment. Now that takes guts! The perception is guide dogs have an inbuilt sat nav and psychically seem to know where you need to go.

The DON’T! You have to train together as a pair and with your trainer called GDMI Guide Dog Mobility Instructor who will have trained your dog for many months before you are paired.

However, any route you have learnt is subject to changes.

Building works, dustbins etcetera being just a few of the obstacles we encounter on a daily basis.

Have a listen to the Podcast for enlightenment and more importantly amusement as two friends with sight loss and new guide dogs share experiences good and bad.

Listen to the latest Draycott Diaries Podcast available at www.draycottdiaries.com

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