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Valley Life
OCTOBER 2021, ISSUE 57 FREE
Ducks away News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe
Inside this issue
welcome . . . Food & Drink Festival serves up a treat – Page 4
Court House carries off a national recognition – Page 6
Two intrepid runners take on Marathon des Sables – Pages 10-11
Welcome to the fifty-seventh issue of Valley Life and we hope you are continuing to enjoy the offering of news and views from around the Cheddar Valley.
to do everything from deliver vital shopping and run everyday errands for those unable to do so have won a Somerset Medal from the county council for their unselfish efforts.
As we emerge out of the pandemic, now seems to be as good a time as any to look back with pride at how our communities adapted to the new normal.
While the team from Court House Retirement Home in Cheddar were voted ‘Team of the Year’ by The Sun newspaper.
And two organisations are recognised in this month’s issue of Valley Life and deservedly so.
Contact us
Corona & The Cheddar Valley Group were quick to mobilise to help those who were deemed the most vulnerable in our society.
7 Tower Close, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XQ Tel: 01934 741099 Mob: 07704 606151
The group of volunteers who stepped in
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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Chris Dando and his team sacrificed several months of their own lives by living alongside the residents to keep them safe from the virus. And their dedication and sacrifice is something that we can only applaud. Both show that our community is a caring and generous one. Rob Perkins, Editor
NEWS
Award for group set up to help vulnerable
T
he pandemic brought misery and uncertainty to many in the Cheddar Valley. But one development which came out of the pandemic was the setting up of the Corona and Cheddar Valley Community Group. Created initially to help those who were having to isolate because of the virus it quickly grew into group which became invaluable to many vulnerable people in the community. Now the group’s volunteers have been honoured with a Somerset Medal awarded by Somerset County Council having been nominated by Axbridge Town Council. Simon Childs, a spokesman for the group said: “The medal was launched by Somerset County Council to say a heartfelt thank-you to the best of the best. “This award is a truly brilliant acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment made by everyone involved in the Corona Cheddar Valley Group, selflessly giving up their time to help their fellow residents at a time of great need. “Having been set in March
Somerset County Council chair Nigel Taylor presents the Somerset Medal to Vanessa Winchester
2020 primarily to connect elderly, vulnerable or self-isolating people with willing volunteers within an area broadly encompassing Compton Bishop, Weare, Axbridge and Cheddar, the Corona Cheddar Valley Group was wonderfully nominated by Axbridge Town Council.
attended the presentation in Taunton earlier this month and received the medal on the group’s behalf from Somerset County Council Chair, Nigel Taylor - who is of course also Somerset County Councillor for the Cheddar Division.
“And Somerset County Council’s judging panel clearly agreed that the group would be worthy recipients.
“The plan is to put the medal on display somewhere within the Axbridge/Cheddar area so everyone has the chance to take a look at it if they wish to.
“As one of so many amazing volunteers and call handlers who’ve been the backbone of the group over the last 18 months, Vanessa Winchester
“Countless acts of kindness have been carried out by local people on behalf of local people. Very well done everyone!”
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
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NEWS
Serving up a treat at food and drink event
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
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NEWS
Reuben leaves behind a legacy of great models
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remarkable Cheddar resident, Reuben Smith, died on September 5, aged 96. Reuben was a strawberry grower at Cross who retired to Cheddar in 1996. He was born at The Yews, Cross, and until he retired he continued the work of clipping the trees that his grandfather had planted. His hobby was model engineering, and he became widely respected in that world for the quality and accuracy of his work. Entirely self-taught, he exhibited his work all over the country and won very many awards. He continued making models well into retirement, and gave many to friends whose possessions he modelled in miniature - his preferred medium was 2” scale. He specialised in copying fairground equipment and a vast variety of ploughs. All his models will be on display in Cheddar Village Hall and in his house next door to the hall - 1 Parsons Pen - from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday 9 October. Anyone interested in seeing them is welcome to come along and have a look. 6
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
Taste the difference Our restaurant has won two awards over the summer for our range of mouth-watering Thai food. So come and sample the food that we guarantee will win you over by booking a table either via our website www.zenthiacheddar.com or by email at info@zenthaicheddar.com Our contactless takeaway service is available six nights a week too, so there’s never been a better time to enjoy some of our highly-acclaimed Thai food. Find us at: Fantastic meal!
Although we are locals we visited for the first time tonight. The food was fantastic and incredibly tasty, one of the best we’ve had outside Thailand Forsta - Sept 2021
The Cliffs, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QA 01934 740444 www.zenthaicheddar.com
NEWS
Court House team is the toast of The Sun
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he staff at Cheddar’s Court House retirement home have been honoured for their sacrifice throughout the pandemic. The team led by owner Chris Dando won the Best Team award with 56 per cent of a vote in The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards ceremony. As lockdown hit, staff including Julie White, Paulina Pupka, Tina Brooke and Donna Marke moved into the retirement home in Cheddar so that they didn’t bring the virus into the home. For 12 weeks they lived apart from their families and owner 8
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Chris Dando was unable to see his daughter Edith, now five. Chris, 55, said: “I’m gobsmacked to have won. What these guys did, the sacrifices they made, they are fantastic people. I’m very honoured to have them as part of the team. “These guys are testament to how much we do care and what we would do to protect our residents. “We were lacking on guidance at the beginning and made a lot of the key decisions on our own instinct so that’s how it all worked.”
Gary Lineker, 60, who presented the group with the award, said: “What they did for all those months shows incredible strength. “ It was truly beyond the call of duty. They’re superheroes.” The former England and Tottenham footballer joked that he’d be needing a retirement home before too long. He joked: “I know where my care home is - and it won’t be long.” Chris, owner and manager of the retirement home, said: “You’ll find a card in your pocket.”
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
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Butchers • Fishmongers • Delicatessen
Hog roasts or barbecues - we can help with all your meat, fish and delicatessen needs Opening hours Monday - Saturday 7am-6pm Sunday 10am-4pm The Cross, Union Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3NA Tel: 01934 742521 Email: cobbsofcheddar@outlook.com
NEWS
Marathon men face t
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wo men from Cheddar will be facing the toughest challenge of their lives. Bowler-hatted postman Ian Maclachlan and Chris Hewett, a NHS Paramedic, will be running the 2021 Marathon des Sables to raise funds for Hounds For Heroes. Hounds for Heroes provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of the UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services. South African-born Ian, 45, served in the South African Defence Force and was a member of 4624 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. A former professional hockey coach, he recently gave up to pursue his charitable projects. He said: “I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed a good sporting life and wanted to return a little to society with what is left in my ageing legs. “The Marathon des Sables has been on my bucket list for decades. I was due to run this event with my brother Roy. “Unfortunately, the process for entering from South Africa was scuppered by Covid-19, and he has been unable to enter. “It’s a great disappointment,
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but Roy and I are already planning other events together in the future. “I wanted to raise funds for four charities....an international charity (done), a national charity (about to do), a local charity, and an animal charity. So, the cycle and the Marathon des Sables are just two of the challenges along the way. “I am yet to finalise the other two, but a 700km mountain cycle across Alaska (winter) and The Munga Trail (380km trail run in South Africa)
are a couple of options I am considering for the future.” Chris said: “The Marathon des Sables is a massive challenge. It’s not only running 250 kilometres, but you’re also carrying all your equipment. “You’re also dealing with scorching sun during the day and freezing cold temperatures during the night, scorpions, snakes, spiders – it’s basically every one of my nightmares rolled into one.” “I decided not to go pubic
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
NEWS
their toughest race
too early partially because of changing plans due to COVID but mainly due to sheer terror of admitting that it is actually happening.
rocky desert to the iconic, enormous sand dunes and weather will be unimaginably hot during the day and freezing at night.
“I will be taking part in the Marathon des Sables, billed as the toughest footrace in the world, running 250km across the Sahara Desert of Morocco.
“On my back I will be carrying all my food and equipment for the entire week. The organisers simply provide a water ration and a canvas shelter to give some protection from standstorms overnight.
“The event tales place over a week, and is split into stages, the longest of which is about 55 miles. “The terrain varies from arid,
“By fortune I have found the most amazing running partner who lives just a mile away from me.
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Ian and I signed up for the Marathon des Sables entirely independently but by luck our paths have intertwined and we have now trained together regularly – in fact I couldn’t contemplate taking part without him.” • To donate to Hounds for Heroes go to Ian’s Just Giving page. Search for Just Giving a Postie’s Journey. • The Marathon des Sables was the dream of Frenchman Patrick Bauer who in 1984 set out to run the 200-miles across the Sahara Desert.
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NEWS
Delayed duck race is a quacking success
T
he Cheddar Vale Lions Club were finally able to put on the annual Bank Holiday Duck Race and what a day it was. The event raised more than £2,000 for local charities with the sale of tickets to see which duck would be first past the post. Sylvia Cook, from the Lions said: “We would like to thank everyone who bought tickets and supported this event.”
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
CanValley Life help develop your business? After more than three years, the magazine for the Cheddar Valley is going from strength to strength and we would like to help you build your business. Reaching more than 10,000 people a month, Valley Life has become a regular part of the community Find out how Valley Life can help you to engage with this audience Email rob@valley-life.co.uk to discuss advertising or ring 01934 741099 for a media pack
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NEWS
Maces call it a day after four centuries
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pair of historic and extremely valuable Axbridge maces have been retired from duty after almost 400 years. The symbolic civic instruments were commissioned in 1623 when James l granted the town its third Charter. Made in silver and bedecked with false jewels, the larger mace measuring 80cm long, was carried by the Town Bailiff Francis Ferguson. The smaller at 72 cm long was carried by the Sergeant at Mace John Hawkins whose role was to collect fines. Before the introduction of a national police force in 1856 keeping law and order had been an issue at the time with records in the 17th century stating that Axbridge was the scene of ‘many riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, conventions and (where) offences are committed by divers (sic) disorderly persons’. Both maces carry engravings of the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God, the symbol of Axbridge since at least the medieval period. Their ceremonial use continued throughout the centuries but in 2008 concerns about their poor condition led the
Axbridge Town Trust to seek specialist help. Repairs were carried out and a specially designed box was made to hold the maces safely in an upright position. In the Victorian period they had been stored lying down, causing at least some of the damage. During the conservation work 15 earlier repairs were identified on the straps of the larger mace and thirteen on the smaller one It was agreed they should be taken out of use by 2020 and put on display. Their final outing took place on September 6, 2021, a year late owing to the pandemic,
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in a brief ceremony held on the steps of St John the Baptist Church. Town Trust Chair Peter Scott said: “What makes the Axbridge maces of particular historic interest is that most which pre-date the Commonwealth were destroyed during that turbulent period as they were regarded as symbols of royal power. “Somehow the Axbridge maces not only survived but also retained their royal coat of arms. “They have served our town well and we hope plenty of people will now come and see them at King John’s Hunting Lodge Museum here in Axbridge as soon as suitable arrangements can be made.”
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NEWS
Cheddar Chat Follow all the news from Cheddar AFC with football writer Alan Cooper
Mawford leads the way at Bowden’s Park The Bowden’s Park club have been undergoing significant changes of staff on both the management and off the field of play since the last Valley Life update.
recently, Sherborne Town.
Former manager Shaun Potter has since departed and after a short spell away from the game has taken up the managerial reins at nearby Wells City. New manager, the former Cheddar captain, and tough tackling defender Craig Mawford has taken up the hotseat assisted by former Cheesemen goalkeeper Mike ‘Tank’ Dangerfield and coaches Shaun Lambert and Kane Leahy. On the playing side, Mawford, pictured, has been significantly active in the transfer market, recruiting free scoring former Cadbury Heath striker Simon McElroy along with former Weston super Mare and Dorchester Town defender Jamie Laird to bolster his defence. The manager has also seen
jewels in local football, good enough to play at Western League level, in the likes of Dean Christostomou, Ethan Reed, Ethan Streeter, Kyle Sampson and Harry Taylor. The early part of the season has seen the new look Cheddar side keep up the pace with the leaders in second place with five consecutive wins, including an impressive 4-2 win at Hengrove Athletic in midAugust. More recent results have seen the team being held to two draws and concede three goals to league leaders Welton Rovers and more
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57
Gaining a bye in the FA Vase Second Round (Qualifying) on Saturday, September 25 they make the 236 round trip journey to South West Peninsula League (Premier Division) side Camelford before returning to home soil in an intriguing local derby clash against old adversaries Wells City on Saturday, October 2. The month sees the club travel to Bristol based Longwell Green for a Friday evening kick off on October 8, before a further home match against Almondsbury on Saturday, October 16 and finishing their October fixtures with a visit to new league club, Gloucestershire based Tytherington Rocks on Saturday, October 30. Cheddar will be looking to secure points for the latter game after ‘Rocks’ inflicted a 2-1 defeat on their hosts at Bowden’s Park on the opening day of the season.
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Mendip walks Mendip walks
NEWS
Jennifer Hunt and her dogs Daisy and Dora take to the hills Jennifer Hunt and her dogs Daisy and Dora take to the hills
Memories of the Mendips
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his is a pleasant circular walk around the villages of Burrington and Rickford.
1888 stray animals or those grazing illegally were kept until a fine was paid!
Start from the centre of Burrington where there is easy parking in The Square. Walk down Rickford Lane opposite the school and on passed the houses. Then continue along this narrow, quiet lane until you reach the end and arrive at the A368. Cross straight over the road (taking care as it is very busy) and walk down The Batch to the brook which runs through Rickford. There is an old metal drinking fountain here, although sadly it no longer works. Walk over the bridge and on along to the right. Once you have passed The Plume of Feathers, you will come to the very ornate Gauge House across the brook and then near by the beautiful Rickford Chapel, both built in the 19th century. Next to it is Rickford Pond with its pretty waterfall cascading down over the side. You are now back out onto the main road once
again. Cross over and walk a short way to the right until you reach a signposted footpath on the left. Turn up here and follow the small winding track uphill through the trees until you reach a gate out onto a wider track. Turn right and walk by the large log shed and straight on until you come out onto Ham Link. Turn left and follow the tarmac road down to The Triangle, where there is an oak tree growing in the centre. Then turn right and walk on downhill. Halfway down you will see a stone walled Village Pound where from 1838 -
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Finally, you will arrive at Holy Trinity Church, which dates from the 13th century and has a beautiful gold stag weathervane on top of the tower. Next to the Church is Burrington Primary School which was originally constructed in 1818 and re-built in 1854 when the School House was added. Writing this walk has brought back memories of when I was a pupil at the school in the 1950s. We used The Square as our playground and also to do PE on our mats. When an occasional vehicle was spotted, the teacher would blow her whistle and we would all run to the side until it had gone by. You can’t imagine that happening nowadays can you, there would be an uproar about health and safety not to mention all the traffic! Distance: Less than 3 miles Walk: Burrington and Rickford Villages Start and End: The Square, Burrington Nearest Postcode: BS40 7AD www.valley-life.com
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Come and visit our new office in Wedmore
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
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