Valley Life - November 2021

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Valley Life

NOVEMBER 2021, ISSUE 58 FREE

Wanderland is back News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe

Inside this issue

welcome . . .

Pump track given the go-ahed by planners – Page 4

Cheddar Visitor Centre ready to open for business – Page 6

Sharpham Parkrun is bringing in the runners – 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 fifty-eighth issue of Valley Life and we hope you are continuing to enjoy the offering of news and views from around the Cheddar Valley.

It’s great to see the return of two events in the Cheddar Valley over the coming months.

Firstly, Festive Night will return to the Gorge on Friday, December 3 after having to be postponed last year because of the pandemic.

It is always one of the most popular events in the community’s calendar and after a year’s absence it will be great to see it back in its full glory.

While not a direct replacement for the Festive Night last year,

the Winter Wanderland initiative, organised

by The Arts Quarter in Cheddar certainly helped to fill the void.

This year the Winter Wanderland returns and it’s set to be an even bigger crowd pleaser.

Hundreds of businesses and residents joined in the fun last year and with Axbridge,Shipham and Draycott set to join in, the numbers are bound to be even greater.

It’s a fantastic way of bringing the community together through creative ideas and it was a joy last year to feature as many windows as we could in Valley Life.

Rob Perkins, Editor

NEWS

Wanderland spreads its Christmas wings

S

uch was the success of last year’s Window Wanderland initiative that it’s back this year - and now even bigger.

Shipham and Draycott so that even more people can participate in which became an unbelievably successful community project.

This year’s event which runs from December 3- 12 will also include homes in Axbridge, Shipham and Draycott.

“I don’t think we were prepared for the level of interest last year, but we will be this year.

Ellen Watson from Cheddar Arts Quarter who are organising the event, said: “Everyone is invited to make a display which can be big or small, from a simple candle to a puppet show- it’s totally up to you as anything goes.

“Because last year’s event was so successful, this year we have widened the catchment area to include Axbridge,

“This event is a fun, creative opportunity to light up our community during the dark winter.

“A chance to walk around our neighbourhood at night and enjoy it in a whole new light.

You can make a display as individuals or as whole groups – originality and innovativeness are encouraged.

“The project is designed to

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

inspire all ages to be creative and express themselves through the arts.

“It will also help to enhance the people’s citizenship and sense of belonging, while develop community links between schools, parents and local residents.”

To register your interest sign up at www.windowwanderland.com/event/cheddar-somerset-2021. Once signed up you will receive your free window kit from The Arts Quarter.

This year The Arts Quarter will also be providing drop in workshops for people who would like additional support. For more details contact info@theartsquarter.com

www.valley-life.com

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NEWS

Pump track victory for campaigners

C

ampaigners in Cheddar are celebrating after plans for a ‘pump track’ was given the go-ahead by planners.

Grant Garge, chairman of the Ride Mendips group, applied to create the track near Cheddar Reservoir and more than 1,200 people signed an online petition in favour of the plans which was outlined in Valley Life in January.

Sedgemoor District Council has now green-lit the proposals, meaning the new facility could be in place by early 2022.

The site lies near the existing pavilion, between the skate park and the Sharpham Play4

www.valley-life.com

ing Fields. Permission was previously granted in August 2020 for an identical facility 75 metres to the south; however, this was deemed unfeasible due to a Bristol Water pipe running through the site.

Ride Mendips said the project would be a huge benefit to young people in the village and encourage the community to get more active.

A spokesman said: “We see this as an fantastic opportunity to provide a safe learning ground for young people to enjoy outdoor exercise and to develop their cycling skills.

The project has considerable support from the local community and has been

supported by the majority of Cheddar Parish Council throughout.”

More than £100,000 has been raised for the project since the track was first proposed

by Ride Mendips in December 2018.

The project came before the district council’s development committee when it met in Bridgwater in October.

The project has received nearly 100 letters of support from local residents, along with the backing of the Fairlands Middle School, the Wessex Learning Trust, the Cheddar rugby and football teams and The Space mental health charity.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

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NEWS

Visitor Centre back to serving the community

T

he Visitor Information Centre in Cheddar Gorge has reopened as a community project.

The centre will continue the provision of visitor information services to support the local economy and provide volunteering opportunities for local people.

It is operated under the auspices of the Cheddar Community Partnership Community Interest Company (CIC) under the Discover Cheddar banner.

Discover Cheddar is the public face of the Cheddar Vision Group, presenting Cheddar and the Mendip Hills to people who are interested in a broad range of activities and are largely not tied to the school holidays.

The discovercheddar. co.uk website is dedicated to promoting Cheddar as the destination from which to explore and enjoy the Cheddar Valley, the Mendip Hills and the surrounding area.

The centre was purpose built by Sedgemoor District Council in the late 1980s and was more recently leased by the National Trust, and was known as the Cheddar Gorge National Trust Shop.

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After the National Trust announced in late 2020 that it would not be renewing its lease the Cheddar Vision Group decided to take on the building.

The Cheddar Vision Group aims to grow the visitor economy to benefit local businesses, create jobs and benefit the broader community, while also being conscious of the need to look after the natural environment.

Following a research programme funded by the National Lottery’s Big Lottery grant scheme in 2016, the Cheddar Community Partnership was formed as a CIC with the objective of kick-starting local community projects and being a vehicle that existing projects could

use to obtain funding without the need to form their own constitution and governance.

• After missing last year due to lockdown Cheddar’s popular Festive Night celebration will be back again on Friday, December 3.

The event starts at 6pm in the village centre and continues into the lower gorge. Shops, cafes and pubs will be open with plenty of festive fayre on offer.

Santa will be along on his sleigh, courtesy of Cheddar Fire Station and homes and businesses will be decorated to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. As usual Cliff Street, Tweentown and the lower gorge will be closed to vehicles from 4-9pm.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

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

Have a Zen little Christmas We are now accepting table reservations for December and the festive period, including our Alternative Christmas Day Lunch and our New Year’s Eve Extrvaganza.

Make sure you don’t miss out by booking a table on our website www.zenthiacheddar.com or by email at info@zenthaicheddar.com Our contactless takeaway service will be available throughout the festive period, so there’s never been a better time to enjoy some of our highly-acclaimed Thai food.

Beautiful meal!

Fabulous food, beautifully presented with wonderful flavours. Lovely service in an intimate, stylish environment

Claire - October 2021

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

Parkrun off to a fast

F

or the last few years, plans had been made to launch a parkrun event in Cheddar.

Various routes were explored and a core team of volunteers were identified by the committee.

Everything was going to plan and then the pandemic hit and everything was put on hold.

Parkrun volunteer Martin Kay said: “We were originally due to launch our event around May 2020 but of course Covid-19 intervened.

“So, when the restrictions were finally lifted, we were able to train up new volunteers and our first parkrun began in September.

“Parkrun has only been possible thanks to the whole community coming together to make it happen and it shows good things happen when people work together.

“But we’ve had financial support from Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset Community Foundation and Cheddar Walking.

“We also need to thank Cheddar Parish Council for access to their land and the community pavilion and the Strawberry Line Committee for agreement for path use.”

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Martin added: “Sharpham Road Playing Fields parkrun is a free weekly 5km event for participants of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9:00am in Sharpham Road Playing Fields, Sharpham Road.

“It is not a race against other runners, but a 5k timed event and it can really be whatever

you want it to be, whether that’s for fun or as part of a training plan.

It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

NEWS

st start in Cheddar

“We want to encourage people to run, jog or walk together irrespective of their ability.

“This event is truly open to all and best of all it really is free Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun.”

The event is currently seeing

over 100 participants a week, with attendees from all over the country.

The fastest finish time is just over 16 minutes and the average finish time is around 30 minutes, but some participants choose to walk or jog slowly round in anything up to 90 minutes.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

After the event many of the parkrunners gather for coffee and breakfast which forms part of the important social side of parkrun.”

Martin added: “So if you can spare a few hours on a Saturday morning drop the team an email at sharphamroadplayingfields@parkrun. com if you can help out.”

www.valley-life.com

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Back Issues

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

Stay well in winter

A

s we approach the longer days and darker months, we often experience less energy and the inevitable winter cold.

daily shower with 1-2 minutes on cold, this stresses the immune system in a way that causes it to function better.

• Movement – motion is lotion. The most underused mood booster, guaranteed to beat the winter blues.

Not to worry though, here’s a guide to beat the winter blues and run into Christmas better than ever before.

This is a great time to take up a new exercise class or renew that membership.

The Nervous system – the game changer.

I recommend anything that gets you breathing deeply and gives you a light sweat. Do it 2-3 times a week.

A well-adjusted spine is the key to nervous system that works well.

This helps your resilience in these winter months; helping you shrug off that cold, move better and enjoying a sense of ease in the body. Get this right and the rest will follow.

Immune system boosters • Sunlight - always in short supply at this time of year, so when the sun is out get some on your skin, vitamin D from sun exposure vastly improves your immune system function.

• Supplements: I recommend Vitamin D3 daily as standard going into November.

• Diet: Enjoy what you enjoy

but go steady on the sugar and booze. These are well known Immune system suppressors.

• Increase your vegetable intake, aim for a colourful plate of food at each meal.

For those of us with a sweet tooth opt for Strawberries – they are a great source of Zinc, an excellent protection from bacterial infections • Showers: If you’re feeling brave, start or finish your

Whatever you enjoy make a commitment to yourself for the next 4 weeks and see how you feel at the beginning of December, you won’t regret it.

• Emotional Wellbeing- connection Staying connected to people we love and receiving their care in return is an essential part of maintaining your health and wellbeing.

Making time for regular zoom chats or even better in person coffees or walks in the park could become a part of your healthy weekly habit on the run up to Christmas.

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

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NEWS

Hundreds turn up to see Reuben’s models

M

ore than 200 people gathered at St Andrews Church House to pay homage to Cheddar’s master modeller Reuben Smith.

Modellers from across the country marvelled at just a few of the models he created in his lifetime.

Niece Helen Batt said: “He would have enjoyed the day.”

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

www.valley-life.com

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NEWS

Cheddar Chat Follow all the news from Cheddar AFC with football writer Alan Cooper

Cheesemen bounce back from reverses

C

heddar Football Club’s early season aspirations did not meet with the best of fortunes during October.

late ‘goal’ was disallowed.

A significant improvement came in their most recent showing, with a 4-2 trouncing of Almondsbury, the club’s best home performance of the season, featuring a ten-minute three goal blitz.

Following defeats to league leaders Welton Rovers and Sherborne Town, the club’s miserly run continued with further defeats at Camelford (3-2) in their FA Vase and on home soil against Wells City (0-4).

The former saw Craig Mawford’s team fight back from a two-goal deficit, new signing Nathanial Groom catching the eye with a brace of splendid finishes, but the Cornwall side had the last word with a last-minute winner against the run of play.

The disappointing result against Wells was there for all to see; both the club management and spectators openly voicing their disappointment, thought by many to be the Bowden’s Park club ‘s poorest performance for some years.

In terms of performance, there was only one direction

Off the field, Cheddar Gorge based business On Point barbers have kindly sponsored a man of the match award with the award of a gleaming silver salver to the player at the end of the season who achieves the most ‘man of the match’ awards. for the club to follow, the management team clearly looking for some improvement after a winless run stretching for seven games, and this saw their side salvage a 2-2 draw at Bristol based Longwell Green, again fighting back from a two goal deficit.

Although club officials considered the club unlucky to gain all three points after a

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

The club, now occupying seventh position, are hopeful that their recent upsurge in form will continue with three consecutive home matches this month.

They entertain Welton Rovers, Portishead and Odd Down on successive Saturdays (13th, 20th and 27th) (all 3pm kick off) preceded by floodlit fixture Tuesday 2nd when Longwell Green are the visitors (kick off 7.45pm).

www.valley-life.com

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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

Take in Draycott sleights

P

ark on the side of New Road, where the hill widens, and go through the gate to Draycott Sleights Nature Reserve (on the left if facing uphill).

through several more gates until you arrive at the road junction. Turn left and walk along School Lane and on past St Peter’s Church. When it joins Wells Road keep walking along the pavement and take the next turning on the left which is New Road.

Follow the track along under the row of beautiful old beech trees and on past the fencedoff dew pond where, in the summer, you will see large, blue dragonflies chasing each other over the water.

The hill is quite steep and seems to go on for ever but, once the trees start to thin out, keep your eyes open for a kissing gate set back on the left. You can then either keep walking up New Road back to where you started or turn left through the gate, which will give your legs a bit of a break!

Then continue straight on to the end of the track, admiring the fantastic views as you walk along.

Go through the gate and walk up the grassy slope to the top, where there is an interesting information board with pictures of all the wildflowers that can be found growing on Draycott Sleights.

Then take the gate on the left and follow the path straight ahead.

Shortly after you pass a solitary tree turn left and walk down to and on through a gate near another dew pond.

The footpath then continues straight on down over the side of Batcombe Hollow.

At the bottom of the valley

you will come across a standing stone about one metre tall, above, which it is thought might have served as a boundary marker at some time. You may have noticed that there is also a smaller standing stone at the top of the hill.

Follow the footpath around to the left and on through a gate/stile next to a large pond.

Continue walking down the field and on past Batcombe Farm.

Go through another gate/stile and turn right, carrying on

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 57

Follow the track up through the trees and over a couple of stiles, until you come out onto Draycott Sleights once again.

Turn right and head uphill to the beech trees at the top. When you reach the track turn right again and walk back the way you came earlier.

Distance: Less than two miles Walk: Batcombe Hollow Start and End: New Road, Draycott Nearest Postcode: BA5 3BX www.valley-life.com

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