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Valley Life At the heart of the Cheddar Valley
OCTOBER 2020, ISSUE 46 FREE
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Playground with no kids News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe
Inside this issue
welcome . . . Cake heaven opens its doors in Cheddar – Page 4
Margaret’s first novel hits the book stores – Page 7
Year-long fight to get playground opened – Pages 10-11
Contact us 7 Tower Close, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XQ Tel: 01934 741099 Mob: 07704 606151
rob@valley-life.com Valley Life is published by Valley Life Publishing and printed by Flying Colours. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written consent is prohibited. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any errors made in advertisements of for claims made by any advertisers which are incorrect. The publishers reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. All material submitted for publication, including colour transparencies, is done so at the owner’s risk and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher for its return.
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Welcome to the forty-sixth issue of Valley Life and we hope you are continuing to enjoy the offering of news and views from around the Cheddar Valley. In these strange times, it is more important than ever that normal life continues. So it’s great news that one business is prepared to start up despite the pandemic. The Cheddar Cakery is a family-run business that has seen the pandemic as an opportunity and not a threat and have opened up their shop on Cliff Street because they are committed to what they do. It’s great news for the rest of us who just enjoy the odd treat at these times.
On a more serious note, it seems that the safety of some children is being put at risk because of irresponsible drivers. For children living on the Hythe Wood and Centenary Way estates, the walk or cycle to school is becoming a risky affair. Now there are calls for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on the Wedmore Road where the youngsters have to cross the busy road on their way to and from school. Having seen several near misses, mother of two Liz Barrett has set up a petition for the local authority to act before it’s too late. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake they are listening. Rob Perkins, Editor
NEWS
Hundreds support need for a crossing
H
undreds of people have signed a petition calling for traffic calming and a safe pedestrian crossing for schoolchildren in Cheddar.
that the schoolchildren are walking to and from school has increased, according to Liz, and most of the older children are walking unaccompanied by adults.
The petition has been launched by Cheddar mum, Liz Barrett, after walking her children to school in the village at the start of this new term.
Liz said: “I usually work as a day-to-day supply teacher, and I am a part-time student as well. So, my children were normally in childcare before and after school when I was working or attending lectures.
Liz is concerned that children from Lower New Road, Hythe Wood, and Centenary Way are walking to and from Cheddar First School, Fairlands Middle School and Kings Academy via an unsafe route. They are forced to cross the busy Wedmore Road only a few metres after a blind bend, which vehicles are said to frequently speed around. The volume of traffic using this road around the time
“However, since lockdown, I have been home full-time and so have noticed the speed of the local traffic more. “I have been frightened at the speed at which vehicles drive around the corner of the road which leads on to the main road where the children cross. The route in and out of the village from the opposite direction is deadly, and so not an option for schoolchildren. “Many of us do not want to
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
contribute to the pre-existing problem of traffic congestion in the village, along with the environmental pollution it causes. “I tried cycling with my children to and from school but gave up due to the volume and speed of the traffic. I certainly would not let my children cycle alone along this route. “Many people are concerned about speeding in Cheddar, but this particular issue is personal to me because my children live in Hythe Wood.” Cheddar Parish Council said that it would support the idea of a crossing on Wedmore Road. More than 250 people have already signed Liz’s petition since it began last month and if you want to add your name go to www.change.org and search for Cheddar crossing.
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NEWS
Sweet success for a family-run business
D
esignated as the family cake maker from an early age, Charlotte Hingston has turned that experience into a business venture. The Cheddar Cakery opened for business at the end of August just four weeks after Charlotte and her husband, Rob, took over the lease of the corner shop on Cliff Street. Within those weeks, they had completely gutted, deep cleaned and redecorated the shop in time for the August Bank Holiday weekend. Charlotte became a vegetarian when she was just 10 and was used to preparing her own food and that was when her love affair with cooking began. She added: “Because I was always in the kitchen, I just took on the task of cooking for the family so I was always doing baking and responsible for the Christmas cake. “And after my children, Elliott and Lily, were born, I always used to make their birthday cakes which, looking back, were a bit naïve.” But after she enrolled on a course with local cake designer Angel’s Kitchen Charlotte started to work on a 4
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part-time basis for the Cheddar-based cake-maker. Charlotte said: “It was great experience and it gave me the confidence to know I could go on my own. I’d always wanted to run my own business and when the property on Cliff Street came up it was too good an opportunity to miss. “Even given the pandemic, we thought it was now or never and, so far, business has been great. “We’ve also been made really welcome into the business
community and the support we’ve received from local people has been fantastic. “We were convinced there was a need for a specialist freshly home-made cup-cake shop where you can also buy an organic tea or coffee and I’m pleased to say that our confidence has been repaid. “Every day we have ten different flavoured cup-cakes, including gluten-free and dairy-free options. “We are also taking orders for birthday and celebration cakes.”
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
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NEWS
A vivid imagination is Margaret’s secret
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S an only child, Margaret Castle always had a very active imagination – now at the age of 80 she has put that talent to good use. At a time when most people are winding down, Margaret from Cocklake has just had her first book published. As a member of the Riverside Writers Group, Margaret has drawn on her life experiences to write “Keepers” - a novel set in Suffolk involving the changing relationships within a family undergoing a major disruption to their lives. Margaret said: “Having lived and worked in London
for many years when I was younger I was able to bring that to bear in my writing. “But I have to thank Sue Purkiss, the leader of the Riverside Group and the rest of the members who have been so encouraging. “I’ve always had a very lively imagination - something I think I developed growing up as an only child. “Together with my love of gardening and a keen interest in relationships, the idea of the book I believe grew out of those interests. “But I’ve learnt that there’s so much more to writing a book
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
than having a good idea. It’s been a steep learning curve and I’m really grateful for the input of my editors as well as the publishers Silver Wood for showing such confidence in my project. “I’m now looking forward to getting started on my next project - and hopefully it won’t take as long to write. “It’s been great fun and now I’m looking to see if any local stores will be willing to stock my book.” Margaret’s book is available in paperback, online and ebook at Foyles, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones and Amazon.
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Cupcakes baked daily at The Cheddar Cakery in the heart of Cheddar Gorge. Come try one of our 10 delicious flavours with vegan and gluten free options available. For a special treat grab a box of cupcakes or speak to us about celebration cakes or customised cupcake orders.
Cupcakes & made to order Celebration Cakes - Artisan Coffee & Tea to takeaway Cliff Street, Cheddar email: charlie@the cheddarcakery.com tel: 01934 707879
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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
Sewell House is managed by Sidcot Friends Housing Society Ltd - a not-for-profit organisation
NEWS
Youth charity given a double cash boost
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he Cheddar-based youth mental health organisation has been celebrating two pieces of good news. The Space whose mission is to provide unique, independent and preventive mental and emotional health and wellbeing services to Cheddar and surrounding area, will receive a share of £98,101 grant from a Home Office fund via the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens. The charity will also benefit from a share of the funds generated by The Rotary Club of Mendip’s 75 Club having been named its charity of the year. Doreen Smith, Space organiser said: “We may only have been going for three years but we’ve certainly been able to make a big impact. “The need to look after the mental and emotional health of children, their families and carers has never been more pressing. “The Space has lots of plans in the pipeline - including the re-opening of Cheddar Youth Club in the October half-term.” The PCC and her team were successful in their bid
for funds for groups like The Space to tackle serious violence. The additional funding is directed towards smaller charities that provide critical frontline services for children and young people, to ensure they can respond to the needs emerging as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as continuing their dayto-day work. PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “We know lockdown has had a significant impact on children and young people in our communities. “I have been inspired by the work of our smaller local charities who continue to respond quickly and effectively to issues they see in their lo-
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
cal communities and so often without fanfare or support. “This additional funding will strengthen local support services’ response to any change in demand as life starts to return to some sort of normal. “I hope these grants go a little way to acknowledging their important work and help them continue to be there for our most vulnerable children and young people in these uncertain times.” The Rotary Club of Mendip supports many local organisations and clubs and some of the funds generated by the 75 Club will be used to continue this support to other groups in the local community as well as support The Space.
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NEWS
Fury as playground op
F
or more than a year, the playground at the Bloor Homes estate in Cheddar has been a no-go zone for youngsters. Throughout lockdown and during the summer holiday, children on the estate could only look through the wire fencing with longing as the playground stood empty. Although the pandemic may have been responsible for some of the delay, many residents are upset that the playground hadn’t opened before the country was hit by the virus. Many claim that Bloor had told them that the playground would be open in the summer of 2019 – a good nine months before the lockdown began. Now parents fed up at the housing company’s attitude have formed their own action group to try to finally have the playground opened. Excuses by Bloor Homes about why the playground has remained closed for so long range from Resident Tim Jane said: “I’ve been chasing Bloor since last October about the opening of the playground and I’ve heard every excuse under the sun. “The kids must look at us adults and think ‘What are you lot playing at, letting this lovely playground remain
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locked up.’ “When we signed up to buy the house, there was a playground clearly advertised as another glossy selling point.” Gemma Tyson, who is mother to three children under the age of ten, said: “We have tried the understated manner with Bloor Homes for more than a year and it has got us nowhere. Now we need to be more proactive.
“Back in July, I had an email from Bloor saying that the council had been to the park and it had passed its ROSPA
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
NEWS
pening is pushed back Bloor have told us it will be ‘a month’ and a month later they tell is ‘next month’ and when that deadline passes it’s ‘soon’. “We don’t need to hear any more excuses just an update as to what the hold u is and when we can expect the playground to be open.” The residents have had to put up with a litany of excuses as to why the playground couldn’t be opened, but now their patience is wearing thin. Another parent, Craig Rees, said: “It is clearly finished and some of the kids having been sat here while it’s stood idle. “Some of the kids have got so frustrated that they’ve climbed over the fence and then it is hard to explain to the smaller children why it is that they can’t go in and play.”
told by Bloor the playground would be ready by the summer of 2019 – the summer of 2019 is now nearly over and our children still haven’t anywhere to play.
inspection. It’s an absolute joke it isn’t open yet. “When we bought our house back in March 2019, we were
“I know Covid has had an impact but this playground was due to open well before the pandemic hit and every month I’ve had a different excuse from Bloor. “Ever since we moved in
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 46
Fellow resident Kinka Szymanska added: “For more than a year now we’ve all just had to sit here and watch the grass grow in the playground. “They’ve even been in and cut the grass which has been completely pointless as no one has been allowed in there. “What are Bloor playing at they’re certainly not allowing our children to play on what was supposed to be a selling point for all those coming to live here with children.” www.valley-life.com
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Reflexions
NEWS
And breathe with reflexologist Sarah Crossman
How microbiomes affect your health
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ow you may have heard this already as it’s been in the news and makes a dramatic statement, but it’s true… we are ONLY 10% human DNA cells.
imbalances and obesity are all different ways we can experience inflammation. It’s no surprise to see our microbiome is impacted by the foods we eat, the alcohol we consume, the medication we are prescribed and the environment we live in.
The first time I heard that it blew me away. The rest of our body is made up of the 90 trillion bacteria, fungi and microflora that live on and in us. This is known as our microbiome. Most of our microbiome lives in our gut and weighs 1.5kg and you swallow 1-3g bacteria a day. Our bodies act like an entire planet full of diverse ecosystems to these microorganisms. We have a microscopic zoo on our skin with diversity in microbes from the dry arid plains of our forearms to the damp and dark crease in our bottom. Did you know in our life time we play host to a microbiome equivalent to the weight of 5 African elephants? Our gut microbiome flora has an impact on virtually every process in our body. Imbalances have been implicated in
countless health issues, some being the deepest chronic health issues of our time like: autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, obesity, diabetes, asthma, autism, arthritis, rheumatism, cancer. Some of the most striking research is on the links between the microbiome and the brain - our whole mental and emotional wellbeing is determined by our microbiome. Inflammation also starts in the glorious gut. Heart disease, liver issues, joint pain, hormonal
Did you know its also impacted by how we are born! We have our microbiome handed down to us through four generations and gain our first gulp through vaginal birth, breast feeding and our early childhood environment. So it’s not just our genetics we inherit! As much as we look to protecting the delicate balance of ecosytems on our planet, we must look at ourselves and support these amazing bodies of ours, looking after and re-balancing our microbiome through considered action. I’ve been using a gut reset programme in my own practice and the results have been impressive. If you would like to learn more about kick starting your microbiome then give me a call.
Contact Sarah on 07531 831/ 553 or 46 email sarah@lifereflexology.co.uk www.valley-life.com VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE
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Highlighting HighlightingCheddar CheddarValley Valleybusinesses businesses Come and learn about essential oils in our introduction class. group classes private events or 1:1 consultations T: 07531 831 553 E: info@prepforlife.co.uk
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Garden time Garden designer Jane Hicks helps you create a better garden
Prepare for spring by planting bulbs
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ow to extend the flowering season in a garden without breaking the bank - by planting bulbs of course!
Plant of the month: Symphyotrichum used to be called Aster, depending of which one you choose can grow from about 30 cm to 1.2 m in height, its small flowers cover the top of the plant and come in white, and shades of pink, blue and usually have yellow centres.
This month is the ideal time to plant bulbs which will flower in the spring. Spring bulbs flower from January onwards, most are cheap to buy, flower year after year without you having to do anything and divide themselves and spread.
Don’t cut this back once flowering has finished because it’s dead foliage stands up well during the autumn and winter and looks lovely on a frosty morning. Make sure you plant it in a sunny spot with some space because it like to spread.
The best time to order bulbs is in the summer because they easily sell out. There are many well-known and reliable companies who sell bulbs through their websites and I love planning and choosing bulbs for my garden in this way. Colours of narcissus (daffodil) for example can vary quite considerably, you can also choose double flowered plants or flowers with scent and flowering time can vary considerably choose from February until May!
However, if this is too overwhelming for you or you aren’t fussy and just want some snowdrops, daffodils or tulips for example to cheer up your garden in the early months of the year, your local nursery or garden centre sell a large number of bulbs but not quite as many, so it may be easier to choose something!
To do this month: Plants will be dying back for winter, don’t be tempted to cut everything down, leave some dead foliage and spent flower seed heads for winter interest, but more importantly for the birds and insects. Clear leaves and obviously plant those bulbs you have just purchased! It’s also a great time of year to make a bug hotel.
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
Ageing pain free
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e love to see people getting the most out of life as they enter their later years, helping them to pursue their hobbies with passion. The key to active ageing is having your physical health in check, which is often overlooked until it’s too late. As such, active ageing is at the very core of our practice. We love to see people getting the most out of life as they enter their later years, helping them to pursue their hobbies with passion. So we’ve put together a guide for you to get the most out of life and not miss out on those precious moments with your friends, children or grandchildren In an effort to get healthier our exercise levels increase, however many people develop injuries from this. The most common issue is when the spine, neck or pelvis are out of alignment and injuries start to develop. It’s not uncommon for these to spread to the knees, elbows and shoulders too. This is why the body must be assessed and helped back to proper alignment to ensure you keep healthy and active as
you slightly out of breath and stresses your joints and bones moderately. Challenging your breathing will help preserve the heart and lung function and the physical stress on your frame will keep the joints strong reducing the chances of Osteoporosis. Activities like walking, swimming, Tai Chi are fantastic at achieving this, but see what works for you with these caveats in mind. Remember, challenge the breathing and stress the joints and bones. time goes by. Matt often tells patients this is how we make people grandchild proof! This ensures keeping you healthy will be fun, making it easier to stick at and get the benefits preserving your quality of life. If you’re a comfortable swimmer then make the pool part of your regular routine. Equally if you’re a keen walker or gardener prioritise these activities. It’s certainly horses for courses, so choose what gets you fired up. Consider the level of impact the activity has on the body. We recommend low impact activities with two key caveats – make sure it gets
Science has shown that spending time in nature is fantastic for the body and mind. This can be a gentle lap of the park, walking in the Mendips or along the flat Strawberry line. A wonderful alternative if you’re not as good on your feet is to simply spend time in a garden tending to the pots and plants. Good for the soul and great for the body. Even the most introverted of us are still social animals at heart and loneliness most even more important especially in later life. Why not enhance and preserve your health with others at the same time?
Contact Matt on 01934 235535 or email reception@suttonchiro.co.uk
Mendip walks Mendip walks Jennifer Hunt and her dogs Daisy and Dora take to the hills Jennifer Hunt and her dogs Daisy and Dora take to the hills
Draycott and back
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ark on the side of New Road about a quarter of a mile downhill from the Mendip Gliding Club.
the lane heads downhill and along to the right, where you will pass several houses on Swans Lane. Then at the junction turn right up Sun Batch, a “no through road”. Unfortunately, when you come down you have to go back up!
Go through the gate, or over the stile, to Draycott Housegrounds Nature Reserve (on the right if facing uphill). There is an interesting information board at the entrance showing photos of some of the flora and fauna you may see.
The hill seems to get steeper and steeper as you walk up, but at least there is a bench near the top where you can admire the view down over Draycott and Cheddar Moor.
There are no less than seven stiles/gates in and out of this nature reserve! Then follow the path around to the right and on across the hill to the far side, passing a restored dew pond and the ruins of a stone building on the way. Climb over a stile set in the wall, turn immediately right and on through a gate into Little Stoke Wood. Follow the path through the trees and then head straight down over the slope and along to the left, parallel with the fence. At the end of the path go through the gate and walk downhill over the rough ground. It is easier if you
Finally, at the end of the lane, you will arrive at a stone stile – climb over and head straight up the grassy field to the very top. keep close to the boundary on the right where there are not so many low growing brambles to trip you up. At the bottom go through another gate and turn right up Hill Lane. A short while later you will come to a stone stile on the left. Climb over and follow the track across the hill and then on between several fields, passing through a gate halfway along. Eventually
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 45
There is one last stone stile to climb here and it is quite a high one so your dogs may need a helping hand. Mine throw themselves at it and I give a final push if needed! Once you are over, turn left and walk back to New Road where you started. Walk: Down to Draycott and Back Start and End: New Road, Draycott Postcode: BA5 3BX www.valley-life.com
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Tiggi’s Travels Seeing life differently with visually-impaired Tiggi Trethowan
My chicks are a hoot
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utumn now in full bloom and presenting her cloak of colour. I always forget what a magical time of year this is. With chilling temperatures but often supplying the gift of bright sunny days highlighting the leaves as they turn russet brown.
however, though excited to wear the symbolic dog collar, Thea looks forward to serving her community.
My new, unexpected, chicks are growing fast. It’s been such a privilege to take care of them. Still 11 with no reported casualties to date. They have blossomed from yellow cotton wool balls to kamikaze canaries. Throwing themselves from the top of shrubs and the young cockerels in the pack doing the great poultry “eye-to-eye beak off ”. I only have a tiny bit of useful sight remaining and mother hen seems to understand this. Letting me get close to her treasured babies herding them gently around my feet. What a wonderful memory they will be as my world gets more and more cloudy. Recently I had the great pleasure of a cuppa with Thea Oliver a co resident in Draycott. A truly lovely woman. Originally Welsh, she moved
many years ago to Somerset and has worked tirelessly as a nurse practitioner for many years, however, the calling to serve God has always been her mantra. As well as bringing up her family and having a full-time job, she has always supported the local churches. Eventually God steered her path to becoming ordained and after a period on a provisional licence (her description, not mine) she will be able to conduct services. I was very excited about the clerical collar aspect and colour schemes to match,
Also, on my microphone rounds I spoke with Will Ewens, head teacher at Draycott and Rodney Stoke First school. He has had a lot of challenges since he started just as we were heading for lockdown and all the new policies surrounding education. Will was delightful and clearly adores children and has a clear vision for their future. His enthusiasm was contagious and his clarity of an open-door policy for parents and his teaching team was made abundantly clear. Children are indeed our future citizens negotiating the on going fall out of the pandemic and a creaking planet. I had a shout out on Radio 4 from Jane Garvey which was very nice. Responding to an email I sent about the challenges of being a novice broadcaster. Describing the apprehension and joys of being a conduit of people’s life stories. Such a privilege.
Listen to the latest Draycott Diaries Podcast available at www.draycottdiaries.com
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