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Valley Life At the heart of the Cheddar Valley
NOVEMBER 2018, ISSUE 27 FREE
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Lest we forget Remembering Cheddar’s fallen News, views and features from Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe and Wedmore
Inside this issue
welcome . . . Festive Night ready to entertain once again – Page 4
Simon Bethell joins the crew at Cheddar Fire – Page 5
A labour of love for two local historians – Pages 10-12
Contact us 7 Tower Close, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XQ Tel: 01934 741099 Mob: 07704 606151
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Welcome to the twenty-seventh issue of Valley Life and we hope you are continuing to enjoy our offering of news, views and features from the Cheddar Valley. This month there are many reasons to celebrate living in the Cheddar Valley. Firstly, there is the great news that Somerset County Council has agreed not to close Cheddar library. The Friends of Cheddar Library have done a fantastic job - again - of ensuring that this vital part of our community is kept open. Without there ceaseless campaigning over the last six months we might be in the same situation as other communities and
be without a library. So thank you to all of them and those who have supported the campaign. Secondly, this month we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. The remembrance services planned for the Cheddar Valley will be even more poignant than previous years. Those from the area who went to war and never returned have been remembered in a comprehensive website painstakingly collated by Sue Shaw and John Bennett. Their work which has taken more than four years is a must for anyone interested in those who gave their lives for their country Rob Perkins, Editor
NEWS
Celebrations as library is saved - once again
Friends of Cheddar Library Jan Rance, Jean Bevis, Carole Green, Alan Anderson, Sandi Male and Sue Purkiss celebrate victory
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fter ten months of campaigning, the Friends of Cheddar Library were celebrating victory against closure. The threat to the vital community hub was finally lifted when Somerset County Council announced it had listened to the voices of local people and would not be closing the library. It is the second time in seven years that the community has seen off a threat to close the library and the Friends of Cheddar Library believe it is down to local people actively being involved in wanting to keep the library open. Sue Purkiss, chair of the
Friends, said: “It is great news and a real victory for local activism. “Without the input of local people telling the county council just how important the library is to the community this story might have had a different ending. “The number of people who filled out the council’s forms and more importantly added comments as to why the library should stay open was pivotal I think in changing the minds of those in County Hall. “This consultation is supposed to be a once in a generation re-design of the library service, so hopefully we’ve seen off the threat to our library.
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
“As far as we are concerned the threat has been lifted and we won’t have to wage another campaign like this. “We are really grateful to all of those who turned out at the various meetings we held throughout the year and for giving us their support. “This victory is as much for them as it is for the Friends and we hope now we can continue the offerings we have here.” The Friends’ cause was helped by Cheddar Parish Council which has offered to contribute towards the cost of a self-service machine and actively looking for volunteers to assist the librarian.
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NEWS
Preparations underway for a festive night of fun
C
arols will be sung, mulled wine quaffed and mince pies gorged as Cheddar puts on its annual Festive Night on Friday, December 7. The annual pre-Christmas jamboree will again see roads closed between the Market Cross and up the Gorge as pedestrians take to the streets to sample the delights on offer in the village. St Andrews Church marks the official launch of Festive Night with parish councillors and residents taking part in a service that ends with a rocket being fired from the bell tower to mark the start of the entertainment. Shops along Bath Street will be opening their doors as well as businesses in Saxon Court offering mulled wine to customers.
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The Bath Arms will be hosting a pig roast, the proceeds of which will be going towards the Cheddar Youth Trust, while the Cheddar Male Voice Choir will be in full flow with various carols.
the youngsters. While Cliff Street car park will again host a plethora of market stalls, tombolas and funfair rides.
Cheddar Fire Service will again be accompanying Father Christmas as he makes his way through the village streets, no doubt to the delight of all
The Riverside Inn looks set to be the centre of attraction again, while Gough’s Cave will be open to visitors with the entry fee of £5 being donated
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to Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue. There is still time to book a stall in the Cliff Street car park and anyone interested in taking a space should contact Sam Peake at the Parish Council offices on 01934 743217 for fiurther details.
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
NEWS
Simon the latest recruit at Cheddar fire station
C
heddar fire and rescue has welcomed what it hopes will be the first on a new group of recruits. Simon Bethell has just completed his eight-week basic training and has now joined the rest of the crew to The 35-year-old father of two from Axbridge was persuaded by his business partner and crew manager to join up. Simon said: “Alex Howley has been asking me for several years now about becoming part of the team. “Up until recently, the fact I lived in Axbridge and outside the catchment area to be able to make it to the station in good time counted against me, “But now those restrictions have been relaxed and I became eligible. “It is a big commitment but one that I really am looking forward to. “It is a family decision because being a crew member means that they might see me dash out of the house at the drop of a hat. “The training was great fun as well as preparing you for the job ahead and I’d recommend anyone to join up.”
Simon’s business partner at Perfect Pave, Alex Howley who is crew manager at Cheddar said: “We’ve more vacancies we would like to fill because we’ve had several crew retire over the last year. “There are flexible options open to potential recruits wanting to join the service who
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
feel they can’t commit to a fulltime package. “Anyone interested can turn up to the station on a Monday evening and have a look around and speak to us about joining the service.” For further information go to dsfire.gov.uk.
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NEWS
Remember loved ones with the Tree of Light
C
hristmas is often a time of reflection, and members of Cheddar Vale Lions Club are inviting you to remember loved ones by sponsoring a light on their ‘Tree of Light’. The project, which is in its sixth year, will again be placed at Cheddar Garden Centre. A list of all those to be remembered will be placed in front of the tree. Cheddar Lions will send the sponsor a handwritten card with the name of the person who is being remembered. They are invited to come along to the official lighting up ceremony which take place on Saturday, December 1 at Cheddar Garden Centre. There will be a dedication ceremony, music, carols and mulled wine, all commencing at 4.30pm. Sylvia Cook, from Cheddar Vale Lions said: “Christmas is a time when you get together as a family and will remember those that we have lost. We would love you to share this moment to reflect and think of the good memories. All money raised by the Cheddar Lions’ ‘Tree of Light’
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will go into the Cheddar Valley community supporting local projects and those in need.
consider it, and the money will be available to help where required.”
“The money raised makes a difference. If we have a request, for a piece of equipment for a disabled child, a group or anyone in need in our community, the club will
The minimum donation is £5, and this will sponsor a light in memory of a loved one. Forms are either on our website www. cheddarvalelions.org.uk, or at Cheddar Garden Centre
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
WOODPECKER SERVICES creating customers that recommend
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
NEWS
John and Sue’s labour of love ends just in time
W
hen Sue Shaw and John Bennett met at a Cheddar U3A history meeting five years ago they could not have guessed what lay ahead. For over that period they have embarked on a labour of love which has come to fruition to mark the centenary of the end of World War One. John, far right, a former TV cameraman, and Australian born Sue, right, have compiled what must be the most comprehensive guide to the lives – and deaths – of those from the Cheddar area who served their country in the Great War. John added: “It certainly has been a labour of love and at times I thought we’d never get it finished in time for the centenary. “But we are now in a position to let people know just how many local men went to war and how many came back.”
The project began when the two organised an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One in 2014. John said: “We put on an exhibition in the village hall and we were really surprised just how much interest there was in the
project. And when we said we wanted to find out as much as we can about the people from the Cheddar area who went off to war, we couldn’t have imagined just how much information we were able to gather.” Trawling through censuses, birth, marriage and death website as well newspapers and military records, the pair were able to build up a list of those who answered the call of duty to serve their country. And the result has been a website which gives a raft of painstakingly compiled information from names, ages, places of birth, regiments, medals and in some cases where their final resting places were. John added: “I know that there
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is still further information to be had about those from the area who went to war, but we had to draw a line somewhere. “It’s by no means an exhaustive list and people are getting in touch with us all the time telling us about relatives.” John and Sue will continue to update the website – https:// ww1cheddar.org.uk - as information comes in, but John admits that the thought of doing one for World War Two is a non-starter. He added: “I don’t think I’ll be around for 2045 and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War Two – perhaps somebody else can take up that task!”
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FEATURE
Remembering those wh
Rifleman Victor Braund , 24
Pte Frederick Chew , 20
Pte Herbert Cullen , 39
Pte George Fountain , 23
Lt Col Edward Openshaw, 49
Pte Herbert Packer , 26
Pte Frederick Banbury, 18 Pte Percy Bessant, 18 BDSM Arthur Blakeman, 21 Gnr Leopold Brice, 41 Pte Ernest Brooks, 29 Pte William Brooks, 27 Pte Ernest Bussell, 22 Pte Francis Coates, 28 Pte Stanley Coates, 21 Pte Charles Collard, 25 Pte William Stoneman , 24 10
Pte George Dally, 37 AB Gilbert Day, 29 Pte Jack Day, 31 Pte Thomas Edwards, 2 Pte John Gould, 31 Stwd James Grandison, Pte Frederick Harding, Gnr Walter Hill, 25 Pte Arthur Jefferies, 20 Pte Frederick Lewis, 3
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old At the going down of the sun and in t
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
FEATURE
ho failed to come home
22 39 29
0 35
Sgt Harold Cullen, 21
Pte Albert Dibble , 21
Pte Sidney Fisher , 23
2nd Lt Frederick Paul , 22
Pte James Pavey , 25
Lt Hugh Statham , 31
Pte Ashton Merrick, 19 Pte Ernest Painter, 36 LCpl George Passey, 25 Pte Leonard Pavey, 26 Gnr Clifford Reed, 21 Pte James Thomas, 27 First Mate Richard Trew, 50 Pte Ernest Tucker, 26 Pte Jack Wride, 30
d: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. the morning, We will remember them VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
Pte James Thomas, 26
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COLUMN
MONEY MATTERS
Discover a magical secret below ground in Cheddar
with Mark Meldon
M
uch of my work in recent years has been dealing with what to do with a pension fund. Since the introduction of socalled ‘Pension Freedoms’ in 2015, I have come across reckless decisions and sensible decisions, thankfully more of the latter! It is hard to make the right choice – annuity, drawdown or a mixture – and several choices are irrevocable. The thing to remember is that you might not want to be worrying about investment returns and complex administration matters in later years; this is why annuities will still have a major role. I see that annuity rates have increased by around 19% since 2015 for a 65-year old and with the average managed-type pension fund up by around 15% since then, now might be a good time to consider the de-risking of some or all of your retirement income planning. When I started out, there were nearly 100 life offices offering annuities; today there are just six! The marketplace remains competitive and those with health or lifestyle issues can often be given a better rate – sometimes 40% better. Many of my clients have a mixture of secure lifetime income and drawdown and this might be the best of all worlds. 12
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isit Cheddar Gorge & Caves to discover a secret that has been hidden deep underground in the tunnels and caves of Cheddar Gorge. No, we’re not talking about Cheddar Man, but another very special individual who appears at this festive time of year - Father Christmas! Some of Father Christmas’ elves have set up a special outpost in the cave to help manage the huge quantity of letters from all the boys and girls. They’re also making sure that there are enough presents for everyone (those that have been good that is) as the North Pole is so very busy and needs a little extra help. This year, Father Christmas is stopping off to ensure his operations are up to scratch
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and has decided that he will invite you behind the scenes to marvel at the magic that is Christmas at Cheddar. You’ll see elves checking destinations, busy sorting letters, making toys and inspecting the famous sleigh to test all is well before the great man sets off on Christmas Eve. Join in with the joy and magic of Christmas at Cheddar and you’ll receive an experience like no other; have a merry old time as you sing some songs, listen to a festive fairytale and receive a special gift from Father Christmas, with the stunning backdrop of Gough’s Cave and its spectacular natural features. For more visit the website at www.cheddargorge.co.uk
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
CHEDDAR VALE LIONS TREE OF LIGHT
Cheryl Childs
Beauty | Skin Care | Anti-Ageing CACI non-surgical face lifting
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Jessica nail care and colour Outback Organics waxing Electrolysis / thermology Eye treatments Christmas gift vouchers
First visit? 20% off
Christmas Music and Lighting of the Tree commences at 4:30pm
Cheddar Garden Centre Saturday 1 December
Bring this advert along to your first appointment and receive 20% off your bill. Minimum spend £18. Excludes retail, trials and courses. Not in conjunction with any other offer.
By appointment only
Request a Form: Contact details below Charity Trust Number 1047952 www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk information@cheddarvalelions.org.uk 0845 833 7402 Facebook: @cheddarvalelions
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
Cheryl Childs Beauty
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Riverside Inn & Restaurant Cheddar
2FOR1 Got the winter blues? Nothing on TV? Fed up with having to cook? buy one get one free during November Buy two full price main courses anytime during November and only pay for one. All day. | Valid from 01/11/18 to 30/11/18 on presentation of this voucher. | Not applicable to groups of six or more. | Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
buy one get one free during November Buy two full price main courses anytime during November and only pay for one. All day. | Valid from 01/11/18 to 30/11/18 on presentation of this voucher. | Not applicable to groups of six or more. | Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
The Riverside Inn ‌ in the heart of Somerset 14
Cliff Street | Cheddar | Somerset | BS27 3PX | 01934 742 452 info@riversidecheddar.co.uk | riversidecheddar.co.uk www.valley-life.co.uk
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
Back Issues Doctor of Chiropractic Matt Sutton helps to keep you on the move
How to survive the 9-5
E
very job comes with its own set of health hazards, no matter what profession. And we’re not only referring to manual labour or other forms of highly physical work.
30 inches from the face and directly in front of you Sit in style—choose a desk chair that provides lumbar support and keeps your elbows, hips and knees at 90 degree angles; I recommend an adjustable one that you can tailor to fit your needs. Also, consider a footstool to take pressure off of the lower back
Office work is a profession that many people don’t think about in regards to their health. Just because it’s low impact doesn’t mean there aren’t riskss. Let’s take a look at the kind of health problems that can come with working in an office environment as well as some solutions. A total of 80 % of the British workforce sits all day, which to some, doesn’t seem like a big deal—however, recent studies have found that sitting for long periods of time can be just as hazardous to your health as smoking; think weak muscles, tight joints, lower back strain, increased risk of disease (especially heart disease) and shortened life expectancy. You have to get moving throughout the day: Take a one to three minute break every half hour to stand or walk Poor posture can have a ton of negative effects on your body.
Stay in balance—if you carry a bag, keep the weight to a minimum. Remember to switch shoulders often, and opt for bags that cross the chest for better balance and hands-free movement. For one, when you’re slouching, your muscles are forced to work harder. This uses up precious energy and it can create sore and stiff muscles. Bad posture can also lead to poor circulation and digestion, and most importantly, stress and strain on the spine, which often leads to lower back pain, headaches and neck strain.
Working positive physical and postural changes into office place habits will go a long way towards improved health, but for many, it won’t be enough. It’s time to see a chiropractor! As Chiropractors we are the leading experts in the musculoskeletal system—this includes your bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissues.
Create an optimal work station—if you work at a computer, the bottom edge of the screen should be level with your eyes, approximately
Through chiropractic adjustments and therapies chiropractic treatment can address these issues directly, eliminating symptoms and relieving pain.
Contact Matt on 01934 229039 or email reception@suttonchiro.co.uk VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
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Green Matters Green-fingered tips from garden designer Robin Pargeter
Leaf clear up is vital A n obvious sign that autumn is upon us is the spectacular display of leaves, as green turns to yellow, orange and red.
making sure they are a little damp, although not sodden. Tie the tops but pierce them in a number of places to allow oxygen to circulate.
However, the inevitable next step is that these millions of leaves then fall to the ground, seemingly with many of them ending up in my garden.
Then it’s a case of storing them somewhere shady and out of the way. Check the bags every so often and if they seem dry, add a little water. If not much is happening, turn the leaves over to aerate and hopefully this should do the trick.
Each year laziness tempts me to ignore them all, vainly hoping that the wind will blow them somewhere else.
After a year or so the leaves will have rotted down to a lovely crumbly compost, useful as a soil conditioner or top dressing.
However, left on lawns the leaves will slowly kill the grass underneath, leaving a patchy mess next spring. If they pile up in drifts in borders, they become a haven for slugs and other pests. Tiresome as it is, a clear up is the best thing, and unfortunately one you might have to perform two or three times as the leaves continue to fall over a number of weeks right through into November. It’s obvious, I know, but wait for a calm day to rake up leaves – there are few things more annoying than seeing the fruits of an hour’s work undone by a single gust of wind.
A leaf vacuum or blower gets the job done quickly, but they come at some cost. You could make a bonfire out of the leaves but this would waste the opportunity to make leaf mould, an excellent compost that can be used across your garden. Fill bin liners or old compost bags with the raked leaves,
If you leave the bags for a couple of years it should have rotted down completely so that if combined with horticultural sand it can be used as potting compost. There’s little doubt that raking the leaves up is not a gardening highlight. However, keep on top of it and not only will you keep your garden looking its best but you will also provide yourself with free compost the following year.
Contact Robin on 07957 207067 or email: info@rpgardendesign.co.uk 16
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
Healthy Eating Nutritional therapist Linda Thomas with some food advice
Help is close at hand L et’s not be coy – persistent diarrhoea is a sign that all is not well, so let’s get to grips with this sensitive subject.
maintain our “good” bacteria, to regulate bowel movements, support a robust immune system and to produce “happy hormones” such as serotonin. Antibiotics also adversely affect the balance of gut bacteria.
Aside from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s, Coeliac or Ulcerative Colitis, many people endure long term, unexplained diarrhoea, sometimes called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). As a Nutritional Therapist, I often help clients with this distressing condition. They usually suffer in silence and stoically endure frequent, urgent trips to the loo, often accompanied by the pain of cramping and bloating. Some are reluctant to leave home, or embarrassed by smelly flatulence, leading to social isolation. Side effects of IBS can include fatigue, low mood, anxiety, headaches and brain fog. Poor nutrient absorption and dehydration due to the frequent evacuations just exacerbate these symptoms. Identifying the potential causes of IBS is the first step to addressing it. In my experience, the most common causes are:
Parasites - potentially picked whilst travelling but may result from poor hygiene Overgrowths of yeasts – often result from bad bacterial balance or poor diet Low stomach acid - if food is not broken down properly, or pathogenic bacteria in/on your food are not killed off, it can lead to problems further down the line.
Food Intolerances - common ones include sensitivity to gluten, some forms of dairy, eggs, sulfur-containing foods (e.g. onions) and those high in histamines.
Poor fat digestion - Gall bladder issues or lack of digestive enzymes from the pancreas can contribute to this, as can a high fat diet.
Stress. When stressed over a long period, particularly if it occurred in childhood, our bowels become over-sensitized. The adrenals and thyroid take a pounding too so we become less able to manage stress.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – most gut bacteria should be in the large intestine so if it’s in the small intestine it’s going to cause problems. Poor quality gut bacteria. Diarrhoea flushes out gut bacteria on a frequent basis. We need to
Please note that if you have blood in your stools you should see your GP as soon as possible. The good news is that small changes often reap big rewards and it can be easier to resolve your IBS than you might think.
Contact Linda on 07768 803198 or email: info@indathomasnutrition.co.uk VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
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Tiggi’sTravels Seeing life differently with visually-impaired Tiggi Trethowan
A helping hand in need
I
would like to say a massive thank you to Councillor Ros Wyke who successfully campaigned to get the marvellous shuttle buses that now run both sides of the A371 road closure, allowing residents to access both Wells and Cheddar. I have been thinking about “random acts of kindness”. I was recently in Cheddar Sainsbury’s with my guide dog Jackie. We were at the checkout tills and Jackie sat quietly under my trolley while I loaded my full weekly shop on to the conveyor belt. At that moment a man spotted Jackie and started making a huge fuss of her. She jumped up hitting her nose on the bottom of my trolley and the groceries went everywhere.
and immediately performed CPR. Within a short time the man spluttered and soon after that began speaking coherently and regained a healthy colour. The most extraordinary thing is the lady with auburn hair had completely disappeared. I looked for her all day to say thank you but never found her. Was she a Doctor or was she an Angel? I’ll never know. Looking further back, in my career I was lucky enough to be the Event Manger for BBC Antiques Roadshow for over ten years. When I joined the programme there was very little in way of medical care except for a couple of Ambulance volunteers.
In my confusion while calming my dog and unknown to me a lady behind me was calmly picking up all my shopping and placing it in bags.
The show is infamous for its long queues waiting to see the experts’. On one occasion a man in the queue collapsed and I couldn’t find the medical team anywhere.
By the time I had recovered and Jackie was stable I looked up and everything was in its rightful places. The kind lady made no fuss, checked to see I was OK and left the shop.
To my horror he turned blue and I realised he had stopped breathing. What happened next is a bit of a blur but I remember a lady with auburn hair stepped out of the queue
I’d like to give thanks to everybody who has helped anybody in our wonderful community. As a visually impaired woman somebody simply reading a label for me on a shopping trip, which might seem a small gesture, makes a world of difference to me. Last but not least, I thank you Jackie my guide dog for attracting acts of kindness from people we meet on our local travels together. I encourage everybody reading this to make at least one act of kindness a day. It will change your life for the better and improve somebody else’s to boot! • Hear Tiggi at Draycott Church on November 23rd at 7pm.
Tiggi is a regular speaker at events. Contact her on 07721 329129 or email tiggi1@me.com 18
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VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
Money Talk Later Life financial advice from Congresbury-based Centurion
Get to grips with a will
T
his month we consider who will benefit from any inheritance you might leave. Making a Will is essential if you want to be certain that your assets are distributed as you wish after you die. If you don’t make a Will, your estate may not go to the people you would like to have it. Under the Rules of Intestacy, if you have a spouse and children, your spouse inherits only your personal possessions, the first £250,000 of your estate and half of the balance. Your children are entitled to the other half. Only if you have no children does your spouse inherit your whole estate.
capital and vulnerable family members against all sorts of eventualities. Various provisions can reduce tax, particularly inheritance tax, liabilities.
Second marriages add complexity and, anyone who is not a spouse or formally recognised civil partner has no automatic right to inherit anything, even if you have children together.
A badly drafted Will can cause arguments among family members. You can draft your own Will but if you don’t write it correctly and follow the right procedure, what you write may ultimately be invalid.
Making a Will can save your loved ones a lot of administration and worry at what is likely to be quite a traumatic time.
A Will can be challenged after your death, particularly if you fail to provide adequately for someone who was financially dependent on you during your lifetime.
A well-structured Will can ensure peace of mind. Including a trust can ultimately protect the
If a dispute arises the cost and
VALLEY LIFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 27
time involved in resolving it could be substantial. It is generally sensible to consult a Solicitor specialising in Wills and Probate. Members of Solicitors for the Elderly or the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners may have particular expertise in this field. You are generally free to change your Will at any time, as long as you retain the mental capacity required. It is a good idea to review your Will periodically, and it is vital to do so after any major change in your life, such as divorcing, having a new grandchild, or moving house.
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