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Wincanton Community Hospital debuts staff choir

THE STAFF on Hadspen ward at Wincanton Community Hospital have got together in their own time to set up a new hospital choir.

The choir, called the ‘Wincanton Wardblers’, made its debut at the hospital’s Christmas fair, which was organised by the League of Friends.

SJ Ayo, an activities coordinator in the hospital, which is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said all members of the choir thoroughly enjoyed their first public performance:

“The response was fantastic, fellow colleagues at the hospital, fair goers and family members joined in with some of the songs and applauded with enthusiasm following our music and comedy set.”

The group helped to raise over £3,400 as part of the event, which was billed as a ‘Santa Special evening’. The money will help to fund a project to provide lift access directly from the hospital’s day room so all patients can enjoy the grounds. The group of ten choir members all work together in a variety of roles on the ward, including healthcare assistants, nursing and support roles.

Ruth Miller, one of the healthcare assistants, explains: “The choir is a great way for us to come together and de-stress socially off the busy ward and have a chance to laugh and think about something else.

“It has been wonderful to be able to do this, particularly after all working through all the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Tracey Marshall, a nurse at the hospital, added: “Quite often I find that when I work on the ward, someone will say a phrase that makes me think of a song … then I start singing, a colleague joins in, we smile, the patients smile, and some might even join in – it’s truly wonderful!

“We had the idea of starting a singing group, not just to bring the team together by doing

The Wincanton Wardblers. something different outside work, but to hopefully brighten up our patient’s day too.

“Since we started in October, we’ve had weekly practices, and have laughed so much, simply enjoying singing.

“What we lack musically, we make up with a bucket load of enthusiasm. We don't take ourselves seriously and singing really lifts our mood ... it feels amazing!”

Encouraged by the response, more colleagues have signed up to join the choir next year as it prepares for future hospital events. Later in December, the Wincanton Wardblers will also give a special performance for patients.

South Petherton Barn Dance to raise funds for church and Folk Fest

A Barn Dance on Friday 10th February, in St Peter and St Paul’s Church in South Petherton, will help raise funds for both the church and Petherton Folk Fest 2023. Music on the night will be provided by local band, Hobson’s Choice. The event will last from 7.30 – 11pm and is for adults and children of all ages - no previous experience of barn dancing is required! There will

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also be a raffle. Tickets cost £12 for adults, £6 for under 16s, and include a ploughman’s supper. (Attendees are asked to bring their own drinks). Tickets are on sale until 4th February and can be purchased from N & D News and The Brewer’s Arms in South Petherton and Seavington Community Store.

“We anticipate that there will be a great community spirit, and lots of fun and laughter on the night,” commented Pete Wheeler, who is Chair of the Folk Fest Committee. Petherton Folk Fest 2023 will take place on Saturday, 17th June.

Love Local? Shop Somerset.

Love Local? Shop Somerset

Do you have a passion for shopping local and supporting small businesses? The campaign ‘Love Local ? Shop Somerset’ from Shop Somerset is shining the spotlight on local people and businesses, promoting Somerset for its produce and also showcasing how shopping locally is more sustainable.

As a Community Interest Company, Passion for Somerset, the not-for-profit organisation behind Shop Somerset, works with hundreds of independent high street shops and online businesses selling thousands of products throughout the County. We support the local economy by promoting Somerset-made products and a multitude of different services, showcasing Somerset as an all-round great place to both locals and visitors.

We make it even easier to discover the best local produce, products and service providers that the County has to offer. With a simple search, you can see who, and what, is available in the local area and even shop directly through the site, with a growing list of online businesses ready at your fingertips.

Passion for Somerset CEO and Founder of Shop Somerset, Nigel Muers-Raby comments: “Part of our mission is to help raise consciousness of the effect we can all have on the wider environment through our buying habits. By selling local products and promoting local independents and producers, we help to reduce the impact we have as well as celebrate all things Somerset!”

Striving to be the go-to place to ‘Shop Somerset’ the website is stocked with a wide range of businesses, services and products, including: food, drink, arts and crafts, and a range of services, such as events, marketing and business support. And, what better a time to shop locally and sustainably than in the run up to Christmas?

The campaign showcases the best the County has to offer and demonstrates that you can get all of your gifts, decorations, food and more by shopping at some of Somerset’s best independent businesses from the Shop Somerset website www. shopsomerset.co.uk. Keep well this winter with Age UK Somerset

It is vital to keep moving safely this winter. If for any reason you can’t get out, there’s no need to miss out on your favourite exercise class- you can join in from the comfort of your own home with Age UK Somerset’s online classes. Specially designed for people over 60, choose from Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates.

Find out more at www.ageuksomerset.org.uk/ onlineexercisesessions, call 01823 345626 or email ageingwell@ ageuksomerset.org.uk for more information.

Alpacas visit South Somerset community hospitals

A group of alpacas have been visiting patients in two of Somerset’s community hospitals, Wincanton Hospital and Crewkerne Hospital run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT), this winter.

Organised by the hospitals’ activity coordinators, and funded by their respective Leagues of Friends, the alpacas have delighted patients on the wards.

Visiting from Alpaca Adventure, both patients and staff enjoyed a wonderful time

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learning more about the alpacas.

SJ Ayo, activities coordinator at Wincanton Hospital, said the visit was a great success. “Patients particularly loved the physical contact with ‘Guinness’ and ‘Casper’ – it really lifted spirits,” she said.

“The looks of amazement and happiness from patients, visitors, and staff as they walked through the hospital was really was lovely to see.”

At Crewkerne Hospital, ‘Liquorice’ and ‘Caramac’, identified by their named colourings, were very wellbehaved, navigating hospital beds to greet patients.

Tania Kittow, activities coordinator at Crewkerne Hospital, explained:

“As part of our role, we are always looking for new ways to have meaningful activities with our patients and encourage their rehabilitation. Animal visits like these make such a difference to our patients mood and wellbeing. It encourages patients to interact and talk to each other, creating a real community spirit and talking point for weeks to come.

“To see the patients’ eyes light up when they entered the ward was just magical, I don’t think they could believe it!

“Caramac was a bit shy and in fact had never yet taken food from his owner’s hand whereas Liquorice was constantly nibbling treats, however, during our visit he suddenly found the courage to eat from her hand which was a real thrill to watch.”

This is the latest in a series of visits by therapy animals to South Somerset’s hospitals. In October Belle the Dog visited a couple of wards at Yeovil District Hospital.

Liquorice and Caramac. The grounds and house at Montacute, Somerset. Photo: Trevor Ray Hart. Christmas mystery and mischief at Montacute House and an indoor enchanted woodland at Barrington Court

The National Trust team in South Somerset have been busy preparing for the festive season.

There is a mystery to be solved at Montacute House. The family have departed for the yuletide season, and the house has been put to bed. However, all is not as it should be … there has been a party and something valuable has gone missing.

Until 2 January 2023 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), the house will look quite different with rooms dressed in wintry disarray with clues to help visitors solve the mystery.

Grahame Meaden, Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Montacute, House said:

“After the success of last year’s festive merry making, we’re very excited to be presenting the house again in a fun and engaging way that will delight all ages”.

He added, “In addition to the candle-lit rooms and corridors, we have adorned the property with garlands, wreaths and dried flowers, all made from natural materials gathered from our parkland and garden to produce a truly beautiful experience”.

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There is also a golden apple trail for our younger visitors to enjoy with a prize waiting for participants in our shop.

Christmas at Barrington Court is extra special this year with our first indoor enchanted woodland experience located in the Cow

Enchanted winter wonderland in the Cow Barn at Barrington Court. Photo: Stevie Bennett. Barn. Visitors can enjoy a stroll around through 100 Christmas trees and archways dressed in twinkling lights and look for the hidden robins. Little snugs offer an opportunity to sit and absorb the magical experience. The event has been designed to be shared and enjoyed by all ages.

The artisan workshops, retail shop and book barn provide a perfect opportunity to purchase gifts, and warming drinks and treats await visitors in our doggy friendly Beagles café.

Barrington Court’s enchanted Somerstock Announce Headline Acts

Somerstock will return to the Somerton Recreation Ground for 2023 with the addition of entertainment on the night of Friday 7th July as well as the standard afternoon and evening of Saturday 8th July.

Festival Chairman Cliff ‘Fred’ Basset said: “We are delighted to

Friday 3rd December saw Mere Christmas Illuminations switched on with Father Christmas in attendance handing out free presents (The queue was very long). The lights were switched on by Kenan Robinson. Photo: George Jeans.

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welcome The Blockheads as our Saturday night headliner along with nine other bands and our famous silent disco throughout the day.” Area 52 return by popular demand to headline on Friday night along with three other great bands.

For more details, including information on all the bands and how to get tickets please go to www.somerstock.co.uk. Mendip shoppers, visitors and businesses can enjoy free parking during the run up to Christmas and on New Year's Day.

Glad tidings for Christmas shoppers and local businesses! It will be free to park your car in all Mendip-owned pay and display car parks during the holiday period, for one week, from Saturday 17 December until Saturday 24 December 2022.

New Year revellers have reason to celebrate too, the Council is providing free parking all day on Sunday 1 January. This is to encourage drivers who park vehicles in car parks on New Year's Eve to use alternative and

The Blockheads are booked to play Somerstock 2023. safe methods of transport to get home.

Residents are asked to note that although parking is free, all other terms and conditions of car parking within the relevant car parks remain. To ensure everyone has a fair chance to enjoy this offer, please:

Check the time limits. ‘Free parking’ may not mean ‘free parking all day’. Maximum time limits still apply in all short stay car parks. Please check, and do not overstay. Don't park in disabled bays. Disabled parking bays are for blue badge holders only. Park responsibly. Stay within the parking bay markings, and do not park in hatched lined areas, for safety reasons. Penalty charges will be issued if you breach the conditions. There is an appeals process, details of which can be found on your parking ticket.

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