Valley Life - March issue

READ BY MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE

MARCH 2022, ISSUE 61 FREE

Valley Life www.valley-life.com

Love is in the air News, views and features from Axbridge Cheddar, Wedmore and Winscombe

Picture: neilphillipsphotandfilm.com

At the heart of the Cheddar Valley

Inside this issue

welcome . . .

Walking football teams put safety first – Page 6

Pageant fever begins to grow in Axbridge – Page 8

New lease of life for village centre cafe – 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 sixty-first issue of Valley Life and we hope you are continuing to enjoy the offering of news and views from around the Cheddar Valley.

This month comes a mixture of good news and bad news - first the bad news. The lifeline that is the 126 bus service which runs from Wells to Weston is again facing an uncertain future.

Funds aimed at communities like those in the Cheddar Valley seem to have once again been snapped up by bigger communities whose need may not be as great as ours.

The aim of going green by ditching cars in favour of public transport is seriously under threat

with the latest news that the money to ensure people take to the buses is running out.

If we are to ensure this vital community lifeline continues it’s up to us to fight for it - and that means contacting the Buses Minister to save our service. Let’s bombard the minister with emails.

On a brighter note, the news that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated in style with a mass picnic at Sharpham Road playing fields must be welcomed. It would be great after the last couple of years to have a real community celebration to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Rob Perkins, Editor

NEWS

Residents can help to save vital bus link

T buses.

he date April 2022 was meant to augur in a new era for our

It was the month when the £3 billion as part of Bus Back Better, National Strategy for Buses for England, could be used to improve bus services.

People could be invited to abandon their cars and opt for the ‘greener’ option of going by bus on journeys to nearby towns and villages.

To improve buses across the county, Somerset had put in a bid for £163 million of Bus Back Better money. That was the sum of money Somerset needed because Somerset bus services currently are the worst rated of any county in England.

But the Bus Back Better fund has been over-subscribed eight times by all the bids from across England and so it’s unknown how much money Somerset might get.

A spokesman for Somerset Bus Partnership said: “But it’s unlikely to get anything like what Somerset needs.

The two years of Covid with endless warnings not to use buses has seen bus passenger numbers down 40% on preCovid levels.

“This has meant the Government has had to step in and subsidise bus services in order to keep them running.

“To fund this the Government has diverted more than half of the £3 billion pot allocated for transforming our bus services to just maintain our current bus services.

“Worse still, the Government has still not said whether it will keep funding our existing bus services from April. If it doesn’t, then without this subsidy, bus services across the county could “fall off the side of the cliff ”.

“It’s been estimated 30% of bus services would go. Some

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARTCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

bus services could even disappear completely.”

Without this Covid Bus Recovery Grant, a leading bus operator has said: “The bus sector is hurtling towards disaster.”

The Somerset Bus Partnership is now urging residents to write to the Government Buses Minister demanding that the Covid-19 Bus Recovery Grant funding is continued beyond April.

Letters and emails can be sent to Baroness Vere of Norbition - verec@parliament. uk. Also copy your email to your MP: James Heappey (Wells) - james.heappey.mp@ parliament.uk

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Cheddar Parish Council News

working to provide a better community

Jubilee celebrations set for playing fields

O

n a very chilly day in November a few councillors were spotted planting five new trees at the playing field alongside the Strawberry line. The trees were donated through the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’.

Cheddar Parish Council is planning a community picnic on Friday, June 3 as part of village celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The picnic will be held on Sharpham Road Playing Fields from 12 noon to 4pm and all residents and visitors are invited to bring a picnic.

Drinks will be available to purchase in the new community pavilion and entry will be free to everyone.

There will be entertainment and games for children, with more details to be provided nearer the date. Local groups wishing to help in any way should contact the parish clerk. It is hoped that the event will be a happy and friendly occasion to be enjoyed by everyone. Please put the date on your calendar.

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opening later in April.

• Pump Track work has at last started after difficulties with plans, pipes and legal agreements. The amazing fundraising by Ride Mendips needed official backing from the Parish Council to qualify for certain community grants.

Building work for the track, situated between the two rugby pitches, is progressing well with a finish deadline before March 31st. This new facility for bike riding will be a great resource for Cheddar youth and young at heart.

For more information contact the clerk@cheddarparishcouncil.org or 01934 743217.

• The new Community Pavilion is now in use with local groups hiring the rooms for activities or meetings. Please contact the parish clerk to make a booking. Sports clubs are using the changing facilities and the rugby club is making good use of its newly installed bar. There are newly fixed bike racks and the solar panels are working well.

There are still a few snagging jobs awaiting completion but we are hopeful for an official

• Finally news about a vital part of our community life.

The Fire Service updated us on the decision to replace the current appliance at Cheddar Fire Station in March/April with a smaller vehicle with lower water capacity and less associated critical equipment.

Councillors have serious concerns that the modelling data used to make this decision may well be outdated and almost certainly will not include impact from development in the area over recent years. Further investigations are underway to support Cheddar Fire Station.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

Riverside Inn & Restaurant Cheddar

Come and join us at the Riverside this March

Muddy boots welcome mulled wine and cider roaring log fires barista coffees, espresso, latte & cappuccino marshmallow and cream topped hot chocolate a variety of fine teas & delicious home made cakes open from 10am daily The Riverside Inn … in the heart of Somerset Cliff Street | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3PX | 01934 742 452 info@riversidecheddar.co.uk | riversidecheddar.co.uk

NEWS

Safety first for the walking footballers

C

heddar’s walking football teams have pulled together to help to fund a life-saving defibrillator which will go with them to every game.

The men’s and women’s teams who meet at Kings Leisure Centre every week felt they needed to have their own defibrillator after seeing the horrific episode involving Christian Eriksen at last summer’s Euro finals.

Chairman Tim Richen said: “We all sat watching the game and within minutes we all agreed that a defibrillator was crucial.

“And after a couple of days we had raised more than £500 towards our goal.

“We thought we needed to have a defibrillator close by in case the worst happened.

“And together with the help of 6

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“I sourced one believe it or not on Gumtree from a lady whose company had purchased one and unfortunately became a statistic of failed companies due to the pandemic. one of our members, Bob Salway - a trained first responder - we were able to learn how to use the defibrillator.

“I think that with the cost of these machines falling all the time, all teams should be able to afford to buy one of these.”

Each player was asked to find a £50 sponsor to raise funds or seek donations from family or friends to raise money for the cause Bob Salway added: “We ran a quiz night and raffle at the Riverside Inn which raised an amazing amount of money and got us off to a great start.

“We reached our target within a couple of weeks and we purchased our defib. We have to be envy of other groups with our on piece of very valuable kit not only for us at home but when we travel away in tournaments.”

The group had donations from Julie Rodgers, Tim Richens, Cheryl Ward, Nikki Llewellyn, Barry Sampson,Jane Morgan, Tim Youngberg and Jill Bassett. And the sponsors were Chivers & Co, Whitehouse Kennels, Landscape West, Avonmouth Br, RJC Motorhomes, The Riverside Inn Cheddar, Dave Parkin Workwear and L Chapman.

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

“Welcoming you all back from March” Follow the ‘Ale Trail’ signs from the Trail’ signs from the footpath near Tesco to us here at Winchester Farm. A great selection of beers, ciders, gin, wine & prosecco.

Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Relax and enjoy a beer in our friendly working brewery.

Check current opening hours on our website

Cheddar Ales, Winchester Farm, Draycott Road, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RP Tel: 01934 744193 • Email: sales@cheddarales.co.uk

NEWS

Pageant fever is on the rise in Axbridge

T

he Axbridge Historic Pageants Day held in the town hall has been heralded a huge success with scores of people signing up for the event in August.

The day began with the artistic director John Bailey welcoming the audience and explaining the importance of the pageant as part of the town’s life.

Prof Mark Freeman of UCSL spoke abut the Redress of the Past Pageants Project while Prof Paul Readman gave an overview of the history and importance of pageants.

Ellie Reid of the Oxfordshire History Centre revealed how pageants created an industry of tea sets, mugs, banners, paintings, films and postcards.

Trevor Bailey of the Windrose Rural Media Trust showed a number of early films made by those involved in pageants including the very first one in Sherbourne.

Finally, members of ACT performed a short drama taking in scenes of the pageant as a taster for the packed audience.

For Axbridge resident Harry Mottram this will be his third 8

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pageant. Here he tells why he enjoys it so much.

“I have so many happy memories of the pageant - like so many in Axbridge it’s when the whole town seems to be under a spell for several days in late summer.

“If there was a definition of community involvement and of that moment, in say a power cut, when neighbour talks to neighbour and normal life is put on hold - then the August weekend of the pageant is the go-to manifestation of those moments.

“If you wonder - what the heck is this pageant thing - it is something you will

remember forever - so many residents look back to 1967 (yes that long ago) to the 1970, the 1980 and the one in 1990 and cherish them.

“Couples fell in love - even got hitched as a result - and so many people have cherished photos and stories to tell.

“I go back to 2000 and 2010 - fabulous memories - and I can only recommend the pageant as something for all the family - which as the main writer is really a play about the town. A town in which we all live, and a play about all our pasts - through song, music, poetry and above all drama.”

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

NEWS

Couple helping the com

F

rom the outside the Family Fusion Somerset cafe on Bath Street looks like any other - but the work going on inside is what makes it different.

Experienced youth workers Jonathan and Michele Logan moved to Cheddar from Essex with their two teenage boys before the pandemic hit.

The couple took the plunge of running their own Community Interest Company opening up the cafe in November 2019 - just four months before the country went into lockdown.

But as pandemic took hold, they realised that there were sections of the community which were in need of help.

And their experiences in distributing food parcels to the elderly and needy throughout that time strengthened their commitment to the cafe.

Jonathan said: ““People look at the surroundings and think that it is quite a well-to-do area but there is a lot of hidden poverty within the community.

“There are four or five estates tucked away in the village and I’m sure that some people don’t even know they exist.

Within these communities there is a very real need and we are trying to support those families.“We are looking to

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Jonathan and Michele Logan in the cafe that they opened in November last year Hubpic.JPG

help anyone who is in need of help no matter what age they are – from the very young to the very old.

“There is support out there but there are certain young people who won’t go to other church or school based outlets.

“The most important thing with young people is being able to have a relationship and trust with them. We’re offering a different kind of

engagement and we’ve got that relationship with the young people because we’ve been out there during the pandemic supporting their families with food on a regular basis.

“We do go into the local schools and do assemblies and keep it as relevant as I possibly can which isn’t always easy but we try to do the best we can.”

Jonathan added: “Our aim

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

NEWS

mmunity’s most needy Monday

10-11.30am Parents and Carers Group

Tuesday

11.30am-1.30pm Senior Lunch Club

Wednesday 9am-1pm Open for all

Thursday

3.30-4.30pm Milkshake Bar 5-7pm Dinner Night, pay what you can

Friday

9am-1pm Open for all

Saturday

9am-1pm Open for all is to work with kids who are not overly engaged with other agencies. It’s a community café but we also want to run it as a business.

“We also run a surplus food store because we want to help out those who are finding it difficult to cope financially in this day and age.

“We’ve been applying for grants to help us to run the café but we would also like people in the community to come along and enjoy the café and in so doing they will be helping us to serve those in the community who are finding life a struggle.

“The cost of living crisis will be coming to a head in the next few months and people who do need help can come in here and we can give them advice and support on how to get through this crisis.

“We will be a listening ear as well as sign-posting possible

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

help. Food poverty is one area that we can actively help with.

We pick up a lot of surplus food so if there are farmers or organisations that grow fresh vegetables who can donate some stock then we will certainly be able to put it to good use. Some people will give financial support and that is fantastic “I came to Cheddar with a job and after that finished we wondered whether we would stay here but this opportunity arose and we saw that there was a very real need here.

Fusion Family Somerset was set up as a Community Interest Company and in November of 2021 the couple managed to open their own building to house everything they do all in once space.

Jonathan added: “We are now running milkshake bars for youth and kids, giving them a safe space to hang out and senior lunch clubs for the lonely and older people in the community. We also run a food project housing surplus food and other foods we purchase to enable lower income people and families to shop with dignity and pride and a pay what you can afford dinner night once a week.”

If you can help either by volunteering or donating, contact Jonathan on 07852 905742 www.valley-life.com

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

Fix your headache

H

eadaches are very common, but aren’t if your spine is in good health.

condition affecting as many as 8.5 million people in the UK, with 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men being affected.

Over 10 million people in the UK suffer from headaches on a regular basis and for many people this is a daily occurrence.

Headaches are often the result of muscle contraction or joint misalignment in the head and neck.

Often we are quick to take painkillers to reduce the headache when it happens and soldier on as best as possible, but never address the cause of the headache in the first place.

Thankfully Chiropractic has the answer! We’ve been helping patients with neck tension, headaches and migraines live pain-free for years.

Research has discovered that most headaches are caused by damaged structures around the neck; joints, ligaments, muscles, and cervical discs, all of which have lots of nerve endings.

of headaches are tension headaches, migraines, along with headaches from the side effects of medication.

• Tension headaches involve pain and discomfort of the neck, head, or scalp. It’s normally accompanied by muscle tension in these areas as well, which can lead to feeling like your head is in a vice.

As chiropractors we are trained to find, examine, and correct these problems in the neck that cause these headaches.

• Migraines are usually a severe headache at the front or side of the head. This is often felt as a throbbing pain.

Other symptoms can be nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light.

The most common forms

Migraines are a very common

These muscle contractions are commonly triggered by stress, anxiety, and poor posture. Which is why we see teenagers with these types of headaches. In fact our youngest patient with headaches to date is nine-years-old! Thankfully he’s having far less days off school and can happily play with his friends without pain!

The angle we hold our heads at is a major trigger for these issues, such as when texting on our mobile phones, or reading propped up in bed.

Another frequent cause is working at a computer with poor ergonomics, such as the screen being in the wrong position and long stints of screen time at work.

Whatever the reason you’re experiencing these headaches, you should see a trained chiropractor to get to the cause.

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

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

Wait for win goes on

A

s 2022 gets well under way, the football club have yet to taste the success of a win.

League big boys Yeovil Town, and arguably Cheddar’s biggest competitive game in their 130 years history.

However, performances on the pitch have certainly taken a positive step forward following three successive draws last month.

As reported in the last edition, the game was due to take place at Bowden’s Park, but the unpredictable weather put paid to any hopes of the match taking place.

Starting off with a 2-2 draw at Bowden’s Park to league strugglers Bishops Lydeard, the Cheesemen followed this up with a creditable 0-0 draw at Portishead, then came a 2-2 draw on home soil against league new boys AEK Boko.

It was a game full of incident featuring four excellently taken goals between the sides, a debatable sending off, a strong penalty appeal and a last-ditch equaliser by the visiting team.

Such was the spirit of their performance however, on another day Craig Mawford’s injury-hit young guns would undoubtedly have achieved their first win since November.

With little over two months remaining of the season, the current campaign has seen most clubs beating one

another with neither form nor league positions taking reverence for results.

Cheddar for example have romanced in and around the top six for most of the season having secured eleven wins, eight draws and ten defeats from their 29 outings so far and there is little doubt that they are still in with a good chance of securing a play-off position with eleven games remaining.

The big talk in the village last month of course was the club’s eagerly anticipated Somerset Premier Cup Quarter Final against National

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

Thankfully the big-hearted professional outfit from South Somerset agreed to host the game enabling the Cheddar team to enjoy not only a special night in their history but also restrict the illustrious high-flying ‘Glovers’ to two goals despite the National League club fielding seven first team players.

Cheddar acquitted themselves outstandingly well on the evening, young defender Kyle Sampson (pictured with manager Craig Mawson) achieving the man of the match award on a momentous occasion for the club.

March sees Cheddar travel away three times - to Almondsbury, Gillingham and Oldland - with just one game scheduled at Bowden’s Park, vs Radstock on Saturday, March 26 (ko 3pm)

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

Return to the island

L

ast month I was recounting the story of my excitement flying for the first time with my guide dog Jackie.

This was an EasyJet flight bound for Glasgow and myself and Jackie were literally attached to each other. But this was only the start of our journey together as we were destined for the western isles of Scotland and in particular the Isle of Jura. Most famous for its exquisite whisky.

In 1975 I joined a travelling theatre group called “The Jura Festival Company”. We were a merry band of eight, a mixture of actors and musicians plus me as the stage manager.

All fresh from college and very wet behind the ears.

What we lacked in talent we made up for with enthusiasm.

What has always stuck in my memory and heart is the Islanders and their excitement as we rocked up on the ferry in a battered minibus full of costumes, set and props. We wore bell bottom trousers and soggy, very smelly, assortment of Afghan coats. Which was bang on trend in the 70s!

However bizarre we looked

we set off from Glasgow airport. First a bus into town and then a long but glorious coach journey through the highlands flanked by inky blue lochs.

the Islanders adopted us and as chaos reined throughout our stay, they always supported us and forgave all our flaws,of which there were many.

I made a promise at the end of our tour that I would return one day. My sight loss is getting worse and I have decided to revisit places I have loved in my life and I desperately wanted to go back to the isle of Jura before the famous Paps (the three island mountains) fade from my memory and the taste of peaty whisky from my tongue.

Returning to the present.

With Jackie dog on my left and my sighted friend and guide Louise on my right

A dog wee at Lochgilphead and short taxi to Tayvallich to meet the ferry that would eventually take us to Jura. All was going to plan until the weather suddenly changed.

The sea turned from flat calm to very rough indeed with driving rain.

The ferry was an open affair with a cheerful driver and the majority of passengers were islanders. We were all tossed about including luggage, children and guide dog.

Though safely secured Jackie dog got soaked by a side on wave. She was not happy but continued her quest of getting to a lost sweet stuck under the seats.

After a 4am start, three taxis, two buses and one of the roughest seas I can remember. The wind dropped, the rain stopped and I looked up from the boat to see the sacred Paps lit up by beams of sunlight. After 45 years I was finally back on Jura.

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

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

Wonderful views on offer over Axbridge

P

ark in the free car park off the Axbridge Bypass and then walk along the verge to the left.

across several fields until you come out onto Callow Drove.

Turn left through a kissing gate and follow the drove along until you reach a stile out onto Shute Shelve Hill.

At the white road sign cross over to the grassy pull-in where there is also a parking space if you are lucky.

After a few yards turn left and follow the grassy path across the top of the hill. When the track starts to slope downwards take the right-hand fork and walk on down the hill.

Climb over the stile on the right (with doggy slide) and walk up the steps and then down to the right.

Continue along the level path - make the most of this as up to the left is where you will eventually be coming back down!

At the end of the track go through a gate into the allotments. Follow the gravel path down and around to the left then out through a field gate onto Fennel Lane.

The footpath continues past several houses before heading up Hillside to the left.

through the gate. Then start walking up the very steep path, but at least there is a lovely view down over Cheddar Reservoir when you take a breather.

Go through the next gate and continue upwards, keeping near the boundary on the left.

Once you have gone by all the houses the tarmac road ends and continues as a stony lane.

Eventually, just when you think it can’t be much further, you will arrive at the top of the hill with all the wonderful views! Nearby you will also see Fry’s Hill Transmitter stretching up into the sky.

When the lane divides into three, take the middle turning

Carry straight on through the gate, as signposted, and head

VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 61

You may be lucky to see ponies grazing nearby but they keep their distance. Eventually the path will peter out so just keep walking down on the open grassy bits between the gorse bushes.

The last bit is quite steep, but if you zig zag as you walk down it makes it easier on the knees. When you finally reach the bottom of the hill turn right along the track and walk back to the stile you climbed over earlier.

Walk: Hills Above Axbridge Start and End: Axbridge Bypass Nearest Postcode: BS26 2AJ

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Spring in to your new home today

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

01934 710222 The Old Bakery The Borough Wedmore BS28 4EB

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

01278 785900 5 High Street Burham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 1NX