Wells Voice April 2024

New galleries explore city’s social history

THREE new spaces at Wells & Mendip Museum were formally declared open in March by historian Tony Scrase.

Among those who attended the opening ceremony were the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Tanys Pullin, and the Canon Chancellor of Wells Cathedral, the Rev Dr Megan Daffern.

Two new galleries on the first floor explore the social history of Wells, and new complementary installations on the ground floor have been created to enable people with limited mobility to share in these stories.

The former study of the museum’s founder Herbert Balch – a local postmaster, caver and self-taught archaeologist – has been restored and brought into the visitor experience for the first time. Items on display include personal effects including Balch’s desk and the magnesium lamp which he took down to explore and document the caves below the Mendip Hills.

Continued on page 5

Twenty years of tending Palace Gardens

IT has been 20 years since James Cross was interviewed by the then Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Price, his wife Dee and a panel of four for the newly created position of Head Gardener at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells.

Having trained at Hadlow College in Kent and at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens under Sarah Cook and Alexis Data, James spent five and a half years at Courts Garden, a National Trust garden in Wiltshire, under Troy ScottSmith. With his background James was ready for the challenge of Head Gardener and very excited at the prospect.

James’ move to the Palace in February 2004 supported the ambition of Bishop Peter Price to develop the gardens into a more professional, diverse and profitable destination for visitors to enjoy, using both historic and contemporary garden design ideas.

The Palace Trust – the charitable organisation which manages the Palace site – looked very different in 2004 to the current thriving visitor attraction in Wells which is now open to visitors year-round. The gardens in 2004 were open only from Easter to October half term and the cafe, now a year-round destination located next to the croquet lawn, was housed within the Palace’s Undercroft and open for only half the year. There were fewer than 25,000 visitors a year in 2004 – now there are more than 500,000 visitors to the site each year.

and his look of surprise when he returned was something I’ll never forget, although he was very happy with the outcome.

“Another highlight for me has been meeting so many inspiring and accomplished gardeners, including Roy Lancaster, Matt Biggs and Alan Titchmarsh, when the Palace held its popular summer Garden Festivals. I am very lucky to have my team

Rob, Jo, Colin and Tracey who are fantastic, and my volunteers are incredible. We now have 25 regular garden volunteers and many Community Garden volunteers who help us achieve so much.

“The generosity of people is something I am very grateful for, both in the sharing of their time and skills with me but also those people that have donated towards the projects that could not have happened without them.”

And for the next 20 years?

James says: “I hope to continue developing the gardens and keeping them as diverse and exciting as possible but now it will be time to rejuvenate the borders we started 20 years ago. In places completely redesigning them and in others changing them to reflect the changes in the climate and using plants that can tolerate the more extreme rainfall and temperatures.”

James says: “I remember my first big project was creating the romantic, English garden style inspired Phelps Garden which is still one of my favourite developments. When I arrived at the Palace this area was a blank canvas; much like the rest of the gardens. I wanted to create something that related to the historic Victorian parterre that was originally in this part of the garden. Bishop Peter was away when we ripped up the turf

Top, the Phelps Garden in winter at The Bishop’s Palace; and Palace Head Gardener James Cross

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Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Wells Voice, contact the Editor using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Wells Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Editor.

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Launch of first aid training sessions

FREE first aid training sessions have begun for people ready to assist anyone who falls and hurts themselves in Wells city centre.

The Wells Rotary project started with a fundraiser last year by Rotary members and friends, who cycled 414 miles from Wells to Durham. The project aims to train people up and down the high street in basic first aid, and the funds raised will provide first aid packs and bleed kits to all businesses that have completed the first aid training.

Rotary members have been going door to door to sign people up for the training, which began on February 15. It is being carried out by St John Ambulance which has created a specific package for the project that will give attendees the knowledge to assess whether it is safe to move the person who has fallen.

“Currently people will kindly offer their help and not know if it safe to move the person and will therefore call 999 to get support,” said Rotary President Angela Cussell.

“In doing this the person

on the floor will now have to stay there until an ambulance arrives as the 999 operator is programmed to tell you not to move them until help arrives. The person on the floor could be lying in freezing conditions, rain, hail or in a heatwave for hours, this is unacceptable and most of the time unnecessary.

“Rotary are hoping to encourage as many people as possible to sign up for the training with a view to giving them the confidence to assess and move someone – if safe –before calling 999.”

The Rotary plan is to include all businesses which have completed the training on the back of the local city map, showing the location of the first aid packs and the defibrillators that Wells Rotary have placed around the city, so that people know where they are available if required.

Anyone in the high street area who is interested in the course, or in learning more about being a Rotary member, can contact Angela at AC.wellsrotary@gmail. com for more information.

‘I hope something can be done to allow anybody to enjoy city’

ORGANISERS of the Proper Pavements for Wells campaign continue to hear stories of the problems experienced by less able users.

One Wells resident who has to use a mobility scooter recently got in touch with them to explain their difficulties in getting around the city: “I had no idea how bad the pavements were in Wells, until I had to get a mobility scooter. Going through the Eye into the market I found it so bumpy with the cobbles, I was petrified I would be thrown out. Why can’t they make a concrete path for buggies, pushchairs etc, to one side of the Eye?

“I wanted to look around the city but was unable to until I purchased my mobility scooter, then I found I will have to plan a route as there are a lot of places you can’t cross the road unless

you go on a long trek, cross, then go up the other side. I did go down St Cuthbert Street and got stuck, there wasn’t a ramp to get off the narrow pavement, I was unable to reverse but luckily a kind lady tried to help, then a gentleman came, between them I was facing the right way and most grateful to them.

“I was disappointed I couldn’t go to shops down Broad Street because of lack of ramps. On heading to Bishop’s Palace on the way home, I found the cobbles by the toilets were really bad. I am practically housebound without my buggy but feel so frustrated working out where and how I can plan a route.

“I hope Brian Clarke and his team can do something to allow anybody to enjoy the city of Wells. Thank you all for bringing it to light.”

‘I’m so pleased to see new galleries open’

From page 1

The new spaces were designed and installed by Devon-based Far Post Design, and made possible thanks to an award of £194,600 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and a bequest from the late Jean Imray – a former trustee of the museum and Wells City Archivist.

This funding has also supported a three-year programme of activities, under the project title Search & Learn (Herbert Balch’s motto). The museum team have worked with Somerset Art Works and Wells-based charity Heads Up to deliver a series of courses and events encouraging local people to explore their creativity, drawing on the museum’s collections for inspiration.

A new ceramic mural, depicting Herbert Balch and two key figures from the history

of Wells (Bishop Bekynton and Dean Turner), has been created for the museum garden by a team of volunteers led by local artist and museum trustee Philippa Threlfall.

A series of pop-up exhibitions have been held to showcase these creative activities, and explore different aspects of the history of Wells. Topics have included

FUTURE SALES

ASIAN ART & INTERIORS

Tuesday 9 April at 10am

Viewing: Monday 8 April,10 - 7

SILVER, JEWELLERY, WATCHES & ANTIQUES

Saturday 13 April at 10am

Viewing: Thursday 11 April, 10 - 6, Friday 12 April , 10 - 7

SPORTING, FINE WINES & SPIRITS

Thursday 18 April at 6pm

the Wells Pageant of 1923, Wells High Street and the Wells City Band. Project funding has also helped to support the museum’s current temporary exhibition Smashed in the Cellar.

The museum is working with specialist learning consultants and local schools to develop learning resources linked to the new galleries, and has partnered

Forthcoming Specialist Sales

Viewing: Wednesday 17 April, 10 - 5.30 & Thursday 18 April from 10am

FASHION, TEXTILES, HANDBAGS & INTERIORS

Tuesday 23 April at 10am

Viewing: Monday 22 April, 10 - 7

Entries invited

VALUATION DAYS AT THE AUCTION ROOMS

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Monday to Thursday (no appointment necessary).

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with newly created CIC Museum to You to bring stories from the collections to local residential homes and care settings.

A partnership with Somerset Film is enabling the museum to bring some of the stories explored in the new galleries to a wider audience. Four short films have been commissioned covering the story of Herbert Balch, the changing face of Wells High Street, Carnival in Wells and the closure of the Mendip Hospital, and these will all be made available via YouTube.

David Walker, the museum’s Curator said: “I’m so pleased to see the new galleries open, and the associated community and learning activities taking place. It is great to see the work of dozens of people over several years finally realised.”

The galleries can be explored without charge on Wednesday, April 3, when the Museum holds a free entry day.

Tony Scrase cuts the ribbon to open the Museum’s new galleries

Sporting, Fine Wines & Spirits 18th April

Asian Art 9th April

Textiles, Fashion & Handbags 23rd

Silver, Jewellery & Watches 13th

Cup final to be extra special occasion

THE players of Wells City Youth U12s are preparing for the biggest game of their lives – a cup final at Huish Park Stadium, home to Yeovil Town Football Club. The team have battled

through numerous rounds to make it to the final of the prestigious High Holborne Cup. They will be taking on Merriott Rhinos Youth U12s on Thursday, April 18, kick-off 6.30pm.

Team officials are encouraging as many people as possible to attend the game to cheer on the Wells boys. To make the day even more special for them, parents and supporters are raising money so that they can all have club ties and be transported to the game by coach.

There will also be a video made of the big day.

The team have continued the momentum from the past two seasons, and this season are one point away from a Division One league win with three games left to play. They have also reached the final of the Bill Bissett Cup, beating Martock 5-4 on penalties

in the semi-final on March 24 after the game finished goalless.

Team manager Ged Donnelly said: “The players have grown in confidence in their own ability; but most importantly, the confidence has grown with their teammates. They are extremely hard working, always listen to instructions and have a hunger

to improve. Their positive attitude has brought us here today.

“Our goal was to give the best account of ourselves (Wells City FC) in all competitions, and in every game. The players have risen to the challenge, playing great football and demonstrating great spirit.”

Back row, from left: Paul Smith (Assistant Manager), Issac Neale, Josh Oakley, Ruari Donnelly, Harry Oakley, Reece Trippick, Owen Heal, Ged Donnelly (Manager); front row: Billy Ball, Issac Clowes, Harry Wills, Ollie Kiddle, Josh Mitchell, Charlie Franchomme, Casper Comber

Wells City FC Chairman Steve Loxton has announced that he is standing down after 16 years. He thanked everybody who has contributed and assisted him in that time, especially his wife Sarah and his family.

Strong backing for reopening The Brit

NINETY per cent of people who responded to a consultation on plans to buy and reopen The Britannia Inn as a communityowned pub say that it is important or very important to have a local pub in East Wells.

There were more than 300 responses to the questionnaire that appeared in Wells Voice and online inviting views on the future of the empty pub on Bath Road. In response to a question about a range of possible additional services people would like to see the pub offer, there was most support for catering – with Sunday lunch the most favoured option – followed by live music and a function room.

The Britannia Inn, which is for sale with a guide price of £350,000, was registered as an Asset of Community Value in January by Somerset Council. There is an opportunity for the community to put forward a bid for the pub, and a steering group

led by Councillor Theo Butt Philip has started the process of trying to achieve this aim.

The consultation was part of the attempt to gauge the level of community support for the project, and as well as backing for the plans in general, dozens of people said that they would be willing to help the venture by

fundraising, making donations or buying shares. The number of people on the steering group has increased as a result of people volunteering to join it through the consultation.

A Community Benefit Society is in the process of being established (the East Wells Community Benefit Society), and

the group has been registered by Somerset Council as a potential bidder for The Brit – as it is affectionately known – following the submission of an ‘expression of interest’ in buying the pub.

The council has advised the landowner that the full sixmonth moratorium period has now been activated. This means that East Wells Community Benefit Society has until August 7 to submit an offer to the owner to purchase the property.

The East Wells group has also joined the Plunkett Foundation, which provides valuable support for community businesses, and has a new email address for getting in touch: admin@ eastwellscbs.co.uk

A public meeting and a share offer are being planned.

The Britannia Inn is part of the Wellington Pub Company estate. The Wellington Pub Company is owned by Reuben Brothers.

The Britannia was registered as an Asset of Community Value in January

MP says he will not stand for re-election

WELLS MP James Heappey has announced he will not stand for re-election at the forthcoming General Election.

Mr Heappey has served as the Member of Parliament for Wells since 2015 and as Minister for the Armed Forces for the past four-and-a-half years.

He described the decision as “painful” but said it is time to prioritise his family and pursue another career.

He said: “After much reflection, I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the next General Election. The opportunity to serve the communities within the Wells Constituency for the last nine years has been the greatest honour of my life. However, I have concluded now is the time to step away from politics.

“Until the next election, my

constituents can be assured of my full commitment to our community. I will make each of my remaining days in Westminster count in the service of my amazing constituency and I shall be forever grateful to my constituents for bestowing on me the opportunity to do so.

“In the meantime, I will support Rishi Sunak as our party leader and Prime Minister in Government, until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches.”

Mr Heappey would have been standing in what is now the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency. He is the 62nd Conservative MP to say they will not stand in the next General Election. Altogether, nearly 100 MPs have said they will stand down.

u Message from the MP, page 28

Filming took place at Wells Cathedral and The Bishop’s Palace in March for BBC series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Mark Rylance stars as Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor drama based on the novels of Hilary Mantel. Harriet Walter and Timothy Spall are among others in the cast.

Admission charge decision explained

THE Acting Dean of Wells Cathedral has explained more about the decision to introduce a new entry charge for adult tourists.

From April 22, adult tourists will be required to pay a Cathedral admission charge of £14 – which includes access to exhibitions, a ground-floor tour, children’s activities and 12 months of re-entry.

Entry will be free for those living within the city council boundaries of the City of Wells, as well as for worship, prayer, and to light a candle. Donations will still be welcome.

The Venerable Anne Gell, Acting Dean, said: “Many believe that cathedrals are funded by the Church of England but this isn’t the case; whilst Wells receives funding for the stipends of the Dean and two residentiary canons, we actually receive very little additional funding from the Church of England or the UK government. This means, as with all English cathedrals, Wells relies heavily on donations and grants as well as income we can generate for ourselves.

“And most people probably don’t realise that it costs us £4,500 each day to run Wells Cathedral. For many years we have managed financially but there have always been fragilities. Now, with the increases in costs the Cathedral continues to face, we have to look to ways in which we can grow our income and increase our fundraising.

“That’s why we will be asking adult tourist visitors to contribute towards the care and upkeep of this Grade I Wells Cathedral and to ensure we can keep our doors open for future generations.”

She said that the decision has been taken by the Cathedral Chapter only after a lot of work, discussion and with expert advice. “My Chapter colleagues and I recognise the responsibility

‘Anyone coming to the Cathedral to pray or for worship will always be able to come in freely and without charge’

we have to ensure the Cathedral is a focus for the community today as well as being conserved and maintained for future generations and we believe this admissions strategy will help us to do that.”

There will be a number of exemptions to the tourist admission charge which include no charge for under 18s, for accompanying carers of a paying adult, or for Cathedral Cardholders / Friends Of Wells Cathedral cardholders and Wells Cathedral Planned Givers.

But with an estimated 167,000 tourism visitors in 2023 (from a total of more than 312,000 visitors during the year), the Cathedral is hoping to generate about £600,000 per year in additional income.

“The Cathedral was built many centuries ago to the glory of God as a place of Christian worship and prayer, and this continues to be the primary purpose of this inspiring and beautiful place,” said the Acting Dean.

“Anyone coming to the Cathedral to pray or for worship will always be able to come in freely and without charge. However we know that we are also privileged to be responsible for a building of stunning architectural interest and great historical importance and that many visitors come primarily for those purposes.

“We hope that those who do will understand our need to conserve and look after the Cathedral for all those who come after us and will be willing to contribute to that through the tourist admission charge.”

Anyone who lives within the city council boundaries of the

City of Wells can apply for a free Wells Cathedral Residents’ Pass which will give them barrierfree entry. Application forms are available on the website at www.wellscathedral.org.uk or people can take a form of address ID to the Welcome Desk in the Cathedral and the pass will be processed there (between 9am and 4.30pm Monday-Saturday, and 11am to 3pm on Sundays).

Each resident will need to apply for an individual pass, and if applying for more than one pass, will need to provide proof of address for each named individual.

Anyone who is on the church electoral roll of a parish in the diocese (or the Cathedral Community Roll) is also eligible to apply for a Wells Cathedral Parish Pass. There is a form on the Cathedral’s website for this which should be completed with their churchwarden. The team on the Welcome Desk will then

process the pass. They also have copies of the form available.

The Acting Dean said: “Wells Cathedral will remain free for anyone to come in for worship, prayer, reflection or to light a candle – we love to welcome people from far and near to services, and to experience the prayerful and awe-inspiring yet warm atmosphere of this lovely Cathedral. My prayer is that those who do will find peace and a sense of God’s presence and love. I would also say that all money that is raised through the tourist admission charge, along with money from grants, donations and legacies, is ploughed back into the Cathedral to fund worship and mission, care and restoration of the fabric, visitor operations, hospitality and outreach. I hope our visitors and supporters understand the reasoning behind why we’ll be asking adult tourists to contribute to its upkeep.”

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The Venerable Anne Gell, Acting Dean, by a display of guide books

Less plastic at running festival

WELLS Festival of Running is taking steps to reduce its plastic consumption for this year’s event.

Disposable plastic cups and bottles will be replaced with recyclable, refillable cups and water dispensers at key points on the course and at the finish line, which can be dispensed to runners at the same speed.

Finishers will receive a high-quality dye cast medal with a distinctive local design but, in line with its aim to reduce plastics, the organisers have opted against a finishers T-shirt as most technical T-shirts are made from oil-based, synthetic fabrics and are shipped from factories thousands of miles away, which means a high carbon footprint.

After a Covid-enforced break, the Wells Festival of Running returned with great success in 2022 with more than 650 runners taking part.

This year the event returns to its usual May date, taking place on Sunday, May 26. It includes 10km and 5km road races starting at the Market Place and ending with a picturesque and well-supported finish along The Bishop’s Palace moat.

It aims to attract families with races for junior runners as well as club runners and first-time runners alike. The festival is entirely organised by volunteers, many of whom are members of local running club the Wells City

Supported by: Wells City Harriers

Harriers. The timings of each races means two parents can compete in a run each.

A Couch to 5k course will take place every Wednesday before the event, starting on Wednesday, April 3. Interested runners should emailcouchto5k@ wellscityharriers.org.uk to register their interest.

Entries to The Wells Festival of Running are open now. Visit www.wellscityharriers.co.uk/ wells

Grand opening of new venue

WELLS’ newest live performance venue will launch this Easter with a grand opening weekend.

Studio24 will offer a range of live music, stand-up comedy and stage shows in what was previously Kudos nightclub. The venue has been given a £110,000 revamp and now features a new dance floor, and state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting systems.

Headlining the opening night on Thursday, March 28, will be Queen tribute band QE2, with support coming from Airflo.

On Friday, March 29, there will be music from Let It Shine, a Take That tribute; and on Saturday, March 30, there will be the first of Studio24’s Club Night series with PIX3L Kid.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to studio24wells. com

SUNDAY 26TH MAY 2024

10km/5km road races

Junior 1.2km race Medals

Individual & Team Prizes

Salon offers food for thought

was a sellout success.

The art gallery in Sadler Street, Wells, launched its new cultural salon – a forum for occasional cultural and culinary discussion – with a conversation focused on food between neurologist and neuroscientist Ash Ranpura and Michelinstarred chef Josh Eggleton. Josh is the co-founder of

The Pony Chew Valley and Root Bristol and Wells, and after the discussion, salon-goers went across the road to Root Wells which is putting together a special salon set menu for each event.

The next salon will be on Tuesday, April 30, when Ash returns to the gallery to discuss optimism with Jan Stannard and Mark Wilson. More details on the gallery website.

AN inaugural Sadler Street Salon event at GBS Fine Art

Josh Eggleton in conversation with Ash Ranpura at the GBS Fine Art gallery

Runners set off from the start in Market Place in 2022

Star turn by young rapper at annual showcase of talent

THE star of the Mayor’s Concert was the youngest to ever perform in this now annual celebration of talent.

Afe Afework, a Year 7 student at The Blue School, was also the first to give a rap performance, which he wrote himself.

In the interval members of the audience went up to congratulate him on his supremely confident performance and asked Afe’s mother if they could have their picture taken with him.

However Afe is not in the group photo above which was taken at the end of the show as he had to leave before it finished. He was one of 12 acts in Cedars Hall – four from Wells Cathedral School, four from The Blue and four from Strode College.

Musical world brought to life

IN yet another full house, the beautiful Bubwith Chapel at the City of Wells Almshouses was the venue for a lecture and recital on Female Musicians of the Renaissance given by the multitalented Sara Stowe.

Windows were opened onto an almost entirely neglected world of female musicians of the baroque and early classical eras, covering Italy, Spain, Germany, the British Isles and beyond.

Sara provided the audience with a range of fascinating facts and tales interspersed with compositions for keyboard and voice which she played on her own harpsichord and sang with charming musicianship and skill.

The Mayor’s Concert for young talent was the brainchild of Philip Welch and the first one took place in March 2022 when he was Mayor of Wells.

“We had two great schools

only a few hundred yards apart who rarely collaborated,” said Councillor Welch. “So the idea was that they would work together to provide a showcase for our young musicians who rarely get the chance to perform in front of an audience.

“Now Strode College have joined the party and we heard a huge range of talent at this month’s concert.”

Seven of the songs were originals, while there were covers from the Beatles, the Killers, The Strokes, Tina Turner, Bill Withers and Soundgarden.

The current Mayor of Wells, Councillor Tanys Pullin, gave a speech in the interval and there was a collection for Heads Up, the mental health charity based at South Horrington.

The audience was then invited to a glass of sherry in the Almshouses’ Guild Room, although many stayed in the chapel to chat with Sara and admire her beautiful harpsichord. Sara and her husband Matthew Spring, a highly regarded lute and hurdygurdy player, also perform with the groups Galliarda and Sirinu, so should you have the chance to attend a concert by either of those two groups, you will certainly not regret it.

The Bubwith Chapel is Wells’ loveliest hidden gem and will soon to be restored and made much more accessible to the people of Wells thanks mainly to a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sara’s lecture and recital raised several hundred pounds for the chapel restoration project.

Chris Vigar

All together: The performers gather at the end of the Mayor’s Concert, except for Afe Afework as he had already had to leave

Picture: Philip Welch

Young rapper Afe Afework wows the audience

All welcome to enter Bloom competition

Councillor Denise Denis says that there is a category for everyone in this year’s Wells In Bloom competition

GARDENERS – it’s that time of year when you are probably starting the plotting and planning of your gardens for the summer months ahead… and hopefully filling in the application form to enter Wells In Bloom 2024!

Wells In Bloom is a celebration of the people of Wells who are shaping beautiful outdoor spaces across the city –from tiny patios and allotments, to private gardens, businesses, schools and community areas.

No matter if this is your first year of picking up a trowel or you have decades of experience, we are welcoming everyone to take part and share your green-fingered endeavours. We have lots of categories so there’s something for everyone. And

it doesn’t matter if you have already entered in previous years as we know your gardens are constantly evolving and we love returning.

Last year’s overall Gardens winners Jacky and Dick Hodgson

said: “It was a thoroughly uplifting and enjoyable experience. The extra bonus was that following the judges visit, the garden needed very little maintenance – subsequently giving more time for us and our many visitors to appreciate it for the rest of the year.”

Despite some challenging weather conditions last year, the gardens of Wells were looking particularly beautiful and full of surprises. The judges were struck by the diversity and quality of the gardens they visited – from structured and stylised spaces to those that were looser and more informal.

Extra marks were awarded to those who had thought about gardening for wildlife and environmentally sustainable practices. Sharon Brien, winner of the Best Wildlife Friendly Garden, said: “I was so pleased to win Wells Wildlife Garden of the Year. Our garden has an

01749

open-gate policy; all wildlife is welcome, and we have been delighted to see badgers, hedgehogs, newts, frogs and wild rabbits visiting us, to name a few. Simple things like not using any pesticides, providing water in various areas of the garden and, if space is available, keeping an area as natural as possible or not cutting grass as often. Also, not harvesting all fruit and vegetables, so birds and insects may have a feast too.”

Most of the judging this year will take place in June and we will then come together to showcase the highlights and present the awards on Friday, October 4.

Deadline for applying: May 31, 2024.

How to get your application forms:

n Download – www.wells.gov. uk/wells-in-bloom

n Hard copies available from the Wells Town Hall – 01749 67309.

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Merlins

Made by Customer

8 Sadler Street

Jacky and Dick Hodgson’s garden that won last year

More help needed to keep service going

Sharon Edmonds explains more about Wells Community Network as it embarks on a search for more volunteers to assist with its important work

THE Covid pandemic and the lockdowns were a challenging and stressful time for us all. However, during those first lockdowns of 2020, something positive happened. Many support agencies, groups and volunteers in Wells came together to continue supporting our community and the Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN) was created. Groups that previously were working independently of each other were now collaborating, sharing skills and support that hugely benefitted each other and the community itself.

Once the pandemic had eased down, there was debate as to whether to keep the WCN going and the community was surveyed as to what it wanted. With times continuing to be so challenging for all of us, and overwhelming agreement that the services should continue, it was decided that there was an ongoing need to support our community, especially vulnerable people, so the Wells Coronavirus Network became the Wells Community Network (WCN!).

WCN has been operating for three years, run entirely by volunteers. It has a telephone line open Monday to Friday,

from 9am-2pm, and on Saturdays, from 9am-12pm. Anyone in Wells or nearby who needs advice, support, signposting, a prescription collection, shopping or a lift to a local doctor’s or hospital appointment can call 01749 467079 and one of our volunteers will be on hand to help.

With the support of a grant from Somerset Community Foundation, WCN in partnership with The Lawrence Centre are able to pay for a Helpline Administrator.

To ensure that the service continues we are now needing to

recruit more volunteers to help cover the phone lines and coordinate the requests.

A phone line shift is either 9am-12pm or 12pm-2pm and involves answering a call, taking down the relevant information and submitting an online form. Most of our team do one shift a week or fortnight and it can be done from home, or anywhere if you have a mobile.

We are also looking for Wells Area Co-ordinators (WACs). WACs are responsible for forwarding the requests to the relevant volunteer teams, answering queries, and signposting as needed.

A WAC shift is from 9am2pm and again, can be done from anywhere if you have a mobile phone. You just need to commit to checking what online request forms have come through and dealing with them as needed.

We’re a friendly team, made up of a diverse range of local people, and can offer training and lots of support.

If you would like to get involved, once a week, a fortnight or month, then please get in touch with us by emailing: wcnvolunteers@ gmail.com or visit our website for more information: www. wellscommunity.network

New bus routes offer travel for as little as 4p per mile

TWO new bus routes are being introduced that mean passengers will be able to travel from Bridgwater and Taunton to Bristol, via Street, Glastonbury and Wells.

The new routes will be among some of the longest in the South West, at about 50 miles, meaning that on a current £2 adult fare, a trip on the full length of the route would cost as little as 4p per mile.

The new services, being introduced from Sunday, April 7, are the 374 from Taunton and the 375 from Bridgwater (replacing the existing services 29 and 75 to Glastonbury).

Both services will operate alongside the existing service 376, with a bus between Bristol and Street continuing to operate every 30 minutes.

Midsomer Norton will also benefit from a new service to Bristol in the early mornings,

and from the city in the evenings when the service 376 becomes 376a as a result of a small rerouting of the current service.

George Burton, Head of Network for First West of England, which manages services 374, 375 and 376, said: “We believe the creation of these new services, coupled with our frozen single ticket prices and our Tap On, Tap Off technology, which makes getting the cheapest fare for your journey quick and effortless, will encourage more people to make bus the travel of choice.”

There are also a number of other minor timetable changes.

The changes are part of a biannual review of routes by First West of England. Timetables for the new routes will be published in the coming weeks on the First West of England website, and passenger are being urged to check details before travelling ahead of the new services coming into effect.

Across the rest of the county, Buses of Somerset, which is managed by First South, has announced network changes which will come into effect on Sunday, April 14. Full timetable details will be available on the Buses of Somerset website in the coming weeks.

Wells Community Network Volunteers pictured at a Coffee Morning in the Education Room of Wells Cathedral

The 376 on the Mendip Hills

New children’s book will benefit charity

A STORY about two squirrels and their adventure across the UK to find a cure for a disease killing their species has been made into a children’s book – to raise money for charity.

Grandfather-of-four Derek Ortonjay-Smart, from Wells, has penned his first book Charlie’s Date with Destiny to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The book tells the story of two red squirrels, Angus and Alistair, who set out to find an antidote to a pox virus brought into the UK by their American counterparts, the grey squirrel.

The two squirrels, upset at seeing the population of their peers dwindle, head to the south of the UK from Scotland after hearing the antidote can be found in Somerset.

Along the way they pick up Charlie the chipmunk who was mistakenly left behind by his owner Tommy, with the

intention of reuniting the pair when they arrive in the West Country. Throughout their journey, the trio face a number of difficult situations, having to deal with them along the way.

The pair find the antidote at Glastonbury Tor and in turn,

save red squirrels from falling victim to the pox. They also reunite Charlie, who has learnt some valuable lessons on the adventure, with Tommy in Bristol.

Retired businessman Derek said: “The book tells the story of reinforcing what we all have inside us. It looks at what truth, moral values, trust, kindness and self-worth really means.”

This is the first book Derek has written.

“I am a keen painter,” he said. “But this time I have put down my brushes and picked up a pen instead.”

All profits from the sale of the book will go to CHSW, a charity that Derek and wife Linda have supported for many years.

“People who read the script told me I really should publish it as a book,” said Derek.

“My grandchildren have read it and said they couldn’t stop turning the pages.”

Holistic

Derek has already raised more than £2,000 for CHSW by selling his paintings at an exhibition at Wells Museum He and his wife have also visited the charity’s Charlton Farm site, donating a trio of ornamental deer which stand in its grounds.

“We have always been inspired by the work of the charity,” he said. “And we wanted to raise money to help the children and the families it supports.”

The book, costing £9.99 and aimed at children between seven and 11 years old, has been published by White Magic Studios.

Derek is hoping to do a book signing at the CHSW charity shop in Wells over the coming weeks, and has given an interview to GWS Radio.

People can order a book from Derek by emailing dmse19@ gmail.com

Derek Ortonjay-Smart with his book Charlie’s Date with Destiny

Spay surgery timed well

NELLIE the three-year-old French Bulldog is always great fun when she visits our Wells practice. We recently had the pleasure of managing her through her spay surgery as she found herself in a race against time to go under the knife.

Nellie was rehomed last autumn as a rescue and she flourished in the care of her new owners, well and truly settled into her new home. But there was one problem – Nellie was not neutered and was now living in a home with three entire male dogs. The clock was ticking before she came into season and her owners were worried that this would upset the harmony between their dogs, and they certainly didn’t want any puppies to add to the mix, so she was booked in for a spay procedure.

Nellie was seen by Nurse Nat for her pre-spay check the day before her scheduled procedure and all was going well until Nat found that she had mammary gland development and was producing milk in all her teats. Nellie wasn’t pregnant but was having a false lactation. This meant we needed to delay her surgery – if we were to operate while she was in a false lactation we would be interrupting her reproductive cycle at this point, risking her remaining in this state persistently, or recurrently for the rest of her life.

Nellie’s owners had a dilemma. They were aware that time was running out for them to schedule Nellie’s surgery before she next came into season, but they were also keen to limit costs. They had opted for her to have the keyhole, or laparoscopic, spay surgery because of the advantages it would offer to Nellie. This minimally invasive

technique results in a quicker and more comfortable recovery for the patient. As Nellie is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed which can be prone to certain anaesthetic complications, we also discussed that there are some extra medications and protocols we can use to help reduce the risk of those complications, which they were keen for her to have.

We calculated the likely dates of Nellie’s next season, assuming she had an average inter-season interval, and allowed for the chance that she might naturally come into season more often than this, and decided we really should try to get her spay done by the end of February. We wanted to get a date in the diary – we routinely offer keyhole spays several days a week in our Shepton surgery, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays in our Wells branch, and there was still some availability, but slots were getting booked. So, we decided to take a chance and book a date in four weeks, towards the end of February, while we waited to see if Nellie’s milk would dry up on its own, saving the cost of the medication. We booked Nellie’s second pre-spay check ten days prior to her new surgery date, so that we would still have time to use the medication to stop her milk production if we needed to.

When the day of Nellie’s pre-spay check came around, we were all anxious to see what was happening, and to everyone’s relief Nellie’s false lactation had finished. She was also showing no sign of coming into season, so we were happy to proceed with her surgery. Nellie was back ten days later for her surgery. Her anaesthesia went well with no sign of the reflux issues or airway problems that can be a concern with the breed, and her surgery went very smoothly. She was back in bed in no time bright and alert and enjoying a late breakfast. We were all delighted to send her home at the end of the day –we got there in the end!

Vet Gudi Stuttard

Familiar face behind counter for 50 years

By Philip Welch

SHOPPING centres are forever changing but Wells has retailers which seem to have been here forever.

One such landmark is Whiting & Son at 68 High Street which was bought by Michelle Machin’s grandfather in 1936. He had been the hardware shop’s manager and Michelle has now worked there for more than 50 years.

Whiting was her mother’s maiden name and Michelle was born above the shop. One of her earliest memories is of locals knocking on the downstairs door in search of a nail or screw on a Sunday morning.

Michelle was 18 when she began working in the shop, back in 1973.

“It was a case of needs must at the start but I really love it,” said Michelle, who has no plans to retire.

“Some days are better than others, as with most jobs, but

my customers are 95 per cent lovely.”

Nowadays she runs the shop with her son Anthony who has helped bring it up to date.

For example, with the aid of EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) they can provide customers with 63,000 different items, whether in stock or not.

Sadly shoplifting is a problem at Whitings, as it is across Wells.

“It is a fact of life,” said Michelle. “We try to control the problem with CCTV and the WhatsApp group through which retailers across the city share information and alert each other.

“Retail is difficult now wherever you are in the country because of the cost of living and the state of the economy.

“But we are fortunate in Wells because of the number of visitors to the city. They are freer with their money.

“Our markets also help to bring people in and we have regulars who come from further afield.”

Repeat prescriptions box removed

THE Tesco store in Wells has removed the box in which customers had been able to send repeat prescription requests to their GP because of low usage.

“Customers can still collect their prescriptions from our Wells superstore as normal and our pharmacy team will be

happy to help customers with any queries about how to order repeat prescriptions,” said a Tesco spokesperson.

It has become more common for patients to order repeat NHS prescriptions via the NHS app, through GP surgery websites or by email.

Three-year-old French Bulldog Nellie

Michelle Machin outside Whiting & Son in Wells High Street Picture: Philip Welch

Pair on mission to help frontline troops

By Emma James

KATIE Hines and her partner Ed Chalmers are preparing for a driving adventure which also happens to be a humanitarian mission designed to support Ukrainian troops on the frontline. On Saturday, April 27, they will begin a 1,300-mile journey across six European countries over the course of three days. Their goal is to deliver the vehicle they will be driving to Ukrainians in Lviv, the largest city in Western Ukraine.

The mission is one of many organised by the charity Driving Ukraine whose work is dedicated to delivering vehicles and aid directly to the Ukrainian frontline. The charity was born in March 2020 following Russia’s invasion and has since delivered vital supplies and vehicles, including ex-ambulances, helicopter-evacuation team vehicles, 4x4 evacuation vehicles, first aid responder vehicles and

Ukraine-bound: Katie and Ed

refrigerated vehicles. These donations can make a significant difference to emergency response efforts.

Both Ed and Katie have strong connections to Wells: Ed, an Operations Manager for Gallowglass, was a pupil at Stoberry Park School and then went on to Wells Cathedral School where he stayed into the sixth form; Katie works in cyber security for EDF and proudly explains that her grandfather

used to own a butcher’s shop in the city. The intrepid pair has set up a gogetfunding page and any monies raised will be used to purchase the vehicle. Katie says: “I sent supplies to Ukraine when the war began and I have always been keen to do more to help. My brother knows that I’m a little bit of an adventuress and enjoy outdoor pursuits. He saw that Driving Ukraine were looking for volunteers. I’ve actually got an HGV licence.”

Ed explains: “We don’t have a lot of money but we have time, energy and passion. We just felt that we had to do something, anything – this war is so close. Family, friends and work have all been so supportive. But we are very conscious that we are not seen to be on some sort of jolly. It is a road trip, but it’s a road trip for a reason.”

The journey to Lviv is carefully planned. Ed and Katie will be driving in convoy with

seven or eight other vehicles. All drivers will be insured to drive all vehicles in case of illness or fatigue and the volunteers will be issued with charity documentation to speed up transit across Europe. However, the return trip remains somewhat up in the air. Ed says: “We have several options but we’ll just have to see how it goes.”

Although aware of the possible dangers, Katie is already looking to the future and considering further potential missions: “I do have a sense of worry because I know Lviv has been bombed but I know that Driving Ukraine is always looking for more volunteers and donations of vehicles. I’d love to take an HGV over to Ukraine with a likeminded female driver one day. We’ll see.”

More at: drivingukraine. org. Donate at: gogetfunding. com/help-katie-and-ed-get-anevacuation-vehicle-to-ukraine

Mark SHELFORD

Your Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate

More Police officers in Avon and Somerset

1,500 newly recruited police officers which has delivered 500 extra officers to our communities.

More rape cases brought to court

3 4 5 6

A 300% increase in rape cases reaching the courts thanks to our radical new approach to investigations called Operation Bluestone –now rolled out nationally.

Increased focus on Rural Crime

Tackling drugs

Holding the Chief Constable to account with monthly live streamed accountability meetings. 1 2

A dedicated rural crime team with increased capacity to help isolated farms and communities.

Top performing constabulary in England for illegal drug disruptions for the last 18 months (as a result of a South West Conservative PCC partnership, Operation Scorpion).

Tackling anti-social behaviour

Over £1m investment in making our streets safer – tackling anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls, thanks to Safer Streets grants from the government.

Greater Accountability

Manage a multi million-pound police budget

Set local policing priorities

Help deliver the Government’s plan to cut crime

Hold the police to account

Decision deferred on apartments scheme

By Daniel Mumby Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to redevelop the former police station in Wells have been delayed due to concerns over the lack of local car parking facilities.

Wells Police Station operated on the A39 Glastonbury Road until late-2021, when the police moved to their new facility inside the fire station on Burcott Road.

Churchill Retirement Ltd put forward plans in August 2023 to convert the buildings into 47 extra care apartments, which came before Somerset Council’s planning committee east in Shepton Mallet on March 5.

But a decision has been pushed back by councillors for up to two months to allow for further negotiations over the amount of car parking on site and contributions for new affordable homes elsewhere in the city.

Access will be from the existing entrance onto the A39, with 23 car parking places

being provided on site. Of the new properties 31 will be onebedroom flats and 16 will be two-bedroom flats, all of which will be sold at full market price to the over-60s.

The company expressed an interest in redeveloping the Crispin Centre in Street into new apartments, and both the Street and Wells sites have been provisionally allocated for development within the revised Mendip Local Plan Part 2, which is currently out for public consultation.

The developer has faced numerous viability issues with the site, resulting from the ongoing phosphates crisis and high inflation within the construction industry, which has limited how much affordable housing could be delivered within the site itself.

The company originally offered to contribute £434,000 towards other affordable housing schemes in the city (whether council- or developer-driven) –

but this has now been revised down to £100,000, on top of around £18,000 for new or expanded health facilities.

Councillor Edric Hobbs (who represents the neighbouring Mendip Hills division) questioned whether 23 parking spaces would be sufficient given the number of elderly people in Somerset who still drive.

He said: “If we have all these elderly people in their 80s, all with their Honda Jazzes, there’s not many parking spaces. I’d like to try and push for a few more parking spaces – I don’t think this number, in a small city which already has a parking problem, is enough.”

Councillor Bente Height (Shepton Mallet) agreed: “The equivalent of half a car parking space per dwelling is ridiculous.”

The site lies within the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area, meaning that additional mitigation has to be provided by the developer to prevent any net increase in

phosphates within the catchment area. To achieve this, the developer has agreed to purchase phosphate credits generated by fallowing agricultural land at Yew Tree Farm near Wraxall –the same site which was fallowed to unlock 280 new homes on the B3151 Somerton Road in Street.

Councillor Shane Collins (Frome East) said it was “appalling” that so little money was being provided for affordable housing, stating: “This doesn’t give the people of Wells nearly enough. I don’t want to see developers making huge amounts of money when they’re not putting back into the community.”

The committee voted to defer a decision until May at the latest by a margin of eight votes to one, with one abstention.

n To give views on the revised Mendip Local Plan Part 2, visit somersetcouncil.citizenspace. com/planning/mendip-localplan-part-ii-limited-updatereg-18 by April 12.

A vigil took place outside Wells Cathedral recently for a ceasefire in Gaza. It was organised by members of Mid-Somerset CND & Peace Group, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Wells Refugee Action and the Quakers. There will be another vigil outside the Cathedral on Saturday, March 30, from 11am-12pm.

Music nights get off to enjoyable start

What will you be doing on the first Friday of each month?, ask the Wells Rocks team

WELLS Rocks would like to thank The Syndicate for launching the monthly White Hart Sessions on March 1. Two really enjoyable sets delivered a great atmosphere, with a member of the audience stating that they “had not rocked like that for years”.

Thanks also to the volunteers that helped out on the night, with particular thanks to Tony Scragg for doing a great job on the sound desk and James Packer for manning the door. The gig has raised a net £77 for the Wells Rocks fund that supports the contemporary music centre in the community’s Portway Annexe.

These gigs will take place on the first Friday of each month, covering a diverse range of music styles, performed by musicians connected with the music centre. The next will be a country and western evening on April 5, starring Mick Chinnoct and Daniel Shaw. Grab your partner and do-si-do down to The White Hart to see and listen to classic and modern country and western music and live trad bluegrass. Doors will open at 8pm. Tickets are available from Ticketsource* or will be £6 on the door. Enjoy the evening and help fundraise for the community’s music centre.

* ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/ wells/the-white-hart/countryand-western-night-at-the-whitehart-wells/e-bkbkxb

Celebrations for 100th birthday

CELEBRATIONS took place at Crandon Springs care home in Wells to mark the 100th birthday of one of its residents.

Mary Lofts was joined by staff, relatives, friends and fellow residents for a champagne reception and a special birthday cake made by the home’s head chef. She also received a

telegram from the King – having received a letter from the Queen in February 2012 when she celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her late husband John.

Originally from a farming family in Cheltenham, Mary served with the Wrens during the Second World War.

Mary Lofts with family members; as a Wren; and on her wedding day

Barn to be transformed into a theatre

WELLS Theatre Festival has announced that it will take over the Bishop’s Barn over the weekend of June 21-23. This will be the first time that the Grade I listed, 15th-century building has been used for a public event since ownership of the monument was returned to the City of Wells in February 2022.

Along with other venues around Wells, the Bishop’s Barn will host this year’s Wells Community Theatre production of William Shakespeare’s tragedy of witchcraft, prophesy and murder, Macbeth.

Also performing in the Bishop’s Barn, Dot. Dot. Dot Theatre Company present Dot, the Faun and the Elfin Child, a fantasy drama about a mother and her daughter who languish at home alone together, during the long hot summer of the pandemic. Until the mysterious appearance of the Faun, a statue from Paris, in their garden.

Instant Wit will return to the Festival with another helping of improvised comedy, devised

Featured in charity campaign

THE Parkinson’s UK charity is featuring Wells resident Geraldine Peacock in an awareness campaign to coincide with World Parkinson’s Day on April 11.

Geraldine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 37 years ago, when she was just 39. She is going to be featured along with five other people from around the country in a film to be shown on a large screen in Piccadilly Circus, as well as on posters being put up nationwide inviting people to learn more about the condition.

“Having Parkinson’s is not curable but can be managed well if you have a good support system which is now beginning to grow in Wells,” said Geraldine.

“Once you have a diagnosis it’s very worthwhile how you manage it and research shows that good exercise like dancing alongside an appropriate medical regime goes a long way to slowing down the progression of the illness.

“Wells is surprisingly active having a growing number of people with Parkinson’s. We are making good progress in having a weekly dancing class of 15 women and three men. The

group of which I am a member is increasing and providing a social meeting place too where we can learn about each other’s experiences.

“Some of us are considering getting permission from Shakin Stevens to use his song It All Comes Around and his support to have fun and raise a positive public awareness about Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is an uninvited quest that invades our bodies and refuses to leave. The only thing that is predictable about it is that it is unpredictable.”

The dance classes take place at South Horrington on Thursdays from 11am-1pm. For more, contact Geraldine in the first instance: gerpea@gmail.com

from audience suggestions. Because Instant Wit is live, unlike the improvised comedy that is seen on TV, anything could happen. Instant Wit promises surprises for actors and audiences alike.

Also returning is Festival favourite – aKa Dance Theatre with Shed-ache, a comedy slapstick dance show to entertain the whole family.

Award-winning actors Ayodele Scott and David Evans, newcomers to the Festival, bring Native Wit, blending drumming, song and physical theatre through which they explore their childhoods in colonial West Africa.

Also new to the Festival, Kim Hicks brings her one-woman show Courtship. Accompanied by music, the piece explores this ongoing theme in Jane Austen’s novels and highlights her excellence as a writer of comedy.

Following a successful run

at their home theatre, Westonsuper-Mare-based theatre company, Front Room presents The Shaggy Dog Tale. The audience is invited to the pub to watch a show based on local myth and legend with stories of piracy, smuggling and of communities putting up a fight against the powers that be.

Wells Theatre Festival’s Artistic Director Ros Johnson says: “We are so excited about this year’s Festival and especially about returning to the Bishop’s Barn, which we first converted into a wonderful theatre space back in 2019. And for the first time the Community Theatre has made a departure from comedy to present Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, Macbeth. As ever our programme of performances offers something for everyone, and we are delighted to be back.”

Tickets are available from March 31 at www. wellstheatrefestival.org.uk

Native Wit, top, and Instant Wit

Geraldine Peacock

Gratitude expressed for support for chosen charity

WELLS Voice reported last month that Wells Good Afternoon Choir (GAC) raised £3,750.60 for the Papyrus charity during concerts and other events throughout 2023.

Cathy Allen is a Wells GAC member, and she said: “I was really thrilled when the Wells GAC voted to support Papyrus last year, following my daughter

Elizabeth’s suicide. A big thank you to the choir for all their support and to everyone in the Wells area who came to our concerts.”

Papyrus is a charity for the prevention of suicide in young people across the UK.

Cathy said: “I hope we have raised awareness of young suicide and done something to

help anyone affected. During last year, Papyrus’s helpline has become available 24/7 for anyone needing help or concerned about somebody. Our money will go towards manning those phones and training volunteers.”

The choir’s charity for 2024 is I See You, which takes music in to care homes.

Motorcyle club wins again with stand inspired by Market Place

THE Wells Classic Motorcycle Club has again won the hotlycontested Best Club Stand award at the Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show. The 2024 event was held at the Bath and West Showground over the weekend of February 24 and 25.

Wells club members displayed 15 classic motorcycles ranging from year 1929 through to the early 2000s. The display of motorcycles was complemented by a Wells Market Place theme which included a Three Wells Cafe and Bar. The bar and cafe was fully stocked, and it even had a juke box. On the other side of the stand the club displayed a large backdrop of the top end of Wells Market Place which, along with the bikes, attracted much interest.

Amongst the members’ display of bikes was the club’s ‘Lamp post lady’ complete with hanging baskets and a rattle bucket collecting donations for Dorset and Somerset Air

Ambulance in exchange for a hot drink and a piece of cake in the cafe. This was complemented by a ‘Town Crier’ complete with traditional clothing and a bell. Between them and the bar staff they raised £1,647 for the air ambulance over the course of the weekend.

The club organises the annual Tortoise and Hare motorcycle event based in

Wells at which much-needed funds are also raised to support the air ambulance and EVS Freewheelers (Blood Bikes). This year’s event is to be held over the weekend of July 19-21.

New members are always welcome to join the club. Club details and Tortoise and Hare entry forms are available at wellsclassicmotorcycleclub. weebly.com

Events coming up at library

ACTIVITIES at Wells Library in April will include:

n Switch Club: The popular Nintendo Switch Club will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 10.30am, for children aged seven and up. Free of charge – booking essential – email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk.

n Ancestry Group: Runs on the first Tuesday of every month. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk to find out more or book a one-hour session at 2pm or 3pm. The next session is Tuesday, April 2.

n IT Help Sessions: For people who need help with a new device, a one-hour session can be booked with the library volunteer on Wednesdays at 10.30am or 11.30am, or Thursdays at 10.30am or 11.30am. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk

n Lego Club: The next session is on Saturday, April 20, at 10.30am. For ages five and up. Free entry. Email: wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk

n Repair Saturday at the Library: Saturday, April 27, from 10am-12.30pm. Take along an item and see if it can be repaired. No need to book.

Donation made to air ambulance

THE Wells-based PRP Contemporary Choir joined forces with Cheddar Valley Singers last Christmas and put on a festive concert which raised more than £800 for three charities – Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, The Space and Friends of Axbridge Church.

Kat Kinshaw and Lindsay Mann were invited to represent PRP Contemporary Choir at the Air Ambulance Open Day on Saturday, March 9, where they presented their donation.

Emma Wheat, Director of PRP Contemporary Choir, said “When the choir were asked which charity they wanted to support with the proceeds of this concert, it was an almost unanimous vote for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Some of our members wouldn’t be here today without this charity and as a result, our wonderful PRP singing community wanted to support the service provided by these real life superheroes.”

Wells Good Afternoon Choir members seen at a recent choir rehearsal

Club members in front of the award-winning stand

Women reflect on impact of conflict at special gathering

WOMEN of Wells (WOW) came together again this year to organise a celebration of International Women’s Day and to talk together about the impact of conflict on women around the world.

As well as enjoying a wonderful array of cakes and the company of others, sharing experiences – their own and some historical family stories –underlined the fact that from wars to domestic violence, women often bear the brunt of the conflict.

Wells has welcomed families fleeing the war in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian wives and mothers at the event explained the additional internal conflicts they faced constantly. These include leaving their country, their homes, family members and having to make decisions

about their children’s education, at the same time as learning another language and adapting to a different culture.

However, it was agreed that although it is often the women in societies that feel these impacts most keenly, they are often the most effective at finding the solutions. The action of the women in Northern Ireland and the extraordinary efforts of Mo Mowlem, leading to the Good Friday Agreement, was cited as a key example. Conflict can only be solved by talking; and women are good at that. Barack Obama suggested that we should “learn to disagree agreeably”.

Many other issues were discussed and although the problems in the world may seem overwhelming, it was felt by everyone that even small actions can make change happen.

The economic / spending power of women can be, and often is, used to address many challenges, including climate change, modern slavery and the environmental impact of the consumer society. The voluntary sector, which is vibrant in Wells, can be a context in which women thrive and where the collective experience, knowledge and skills can be used effectively. A spokesperson for the WI (Women’s Institute) reminded everyone of the differences that they had made over the years in a wide variety of ways.

As 51 per cent of the population, women can make a difference by being, as one attendee said: “an UP-stander, not a BY-stander”.

A donation of £168.13 from those present was made to Mèdecins Sans Frontières.

From police service to role as High Sheriff

ROB Beckley, a highly respected figure in law enforcement with a distinguished policing career spanning 38 years, is retiring from the police service and stepping into the role of High Sheriff of Somerset.

His appointment was formally declared in Wells Cathedral at the annual Somerset Legal Service on March 17.

Rob’s theme during his year as High Sheriff is to promote greater community participation in community and voluntary services across Somerset.

The first Somerset High Sheriff was appointed in 1061.

High Sheriff Rob Beckley

The High Sheriff is appointed for a year and acts as the King’s representative in matters of law and order.

Born and raised on the Wiltshire/Somerset border, Rob now lives with his family in Pitminster, near Taunton. His long policing career began in 1986 in the Metropolitan Police in London, and he served as Deputy Chief Constable with Avon and Somerset Police from 2007 to 2013.

Rob is married to Sue, a Consultant Pathologist at Musgrove Park Hospital, and is a proud father to three sons.

‘Impasse’ over sale of land

ST Cuthbert Out Parish Council has been frustrated so far in its efforts to prevent the sale of two plots of land at Bowring Close, Coxley.

As Wells Voice reported last month, the Somerset Councilowned land is much-valued by local residents as green space and a safe play area for children, but is due to be sold by online auction on April 17. Each parcel of land has an auction guide price of £35,000.

In its search for a solution, the parish council has suggested as a compromise that just one plot is sold; a lease arrangement with the parish council taking on the maintenance of the plots; and applied to register the spaces as a Village Green, and for a Tree Preservation Order. It has also enlisted the support of Wells MP James Heappey, who has made representations to Somerset Council.

Somerset Council says it has to look at all options, including selling land, to help deal with the financial crisis it faces.

St Cuthbert Out Parish Council stated in a press release: “At the time of writing, it is an impasse between Somerset Council on one hand and residents and the parish council on the other but the digital countdown clock on the auction website ticks on to, quite simply, money speaking louder than community and environment.”

Party chooses its candidate

WELLS resident

Peter Welsh, pictured right, has been selected as Green Party candidate for the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency at the next General Election.

He said: “I have lived in Wells since 2008 and work in the NHS as a Mental Health Practitioner across GP practices. I am training hard for the London Marathon in April so may combine this endeavour with visiting doorsteps far and wide to campaign for the Greens.”

Women gather on March 2 at Wells Museum to mark International Women’s Day, and for cake and conversation

New

Guitarist offers readers access to new album

ACCOMPLISHED Wells-based guitarist Rick Payne (above) is offering Wells Voice readers access to an album that combines his skilful finger style guitar work with the lush tones of a string quartet. His original, melodic, compositions are difficult to categorise in a single music style. The album, called The Journey Suite (right), combines elements of folk, blues, Celtic slide guitar and even baroque to create a very listenable fusion of genres.

Rick teamed up with Nigel Fraser, also based in Wells, to produce the album. The initial work with the strings players (above) has been recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Box, with additional guitar melodies being tracked at the Axe and Trap Studio in Wells.

The album can be streamed

on most of the usual platforms. Read more and listen to previews of the tracks here: https://www. rickpayne.co.uk/ journeypreview.htm

Anyone who feels like providing Rick and Nigel with some feedback on the music may do so through Rick’s website. They are keen to hear what people think.

Local pools get more funding

SOMERSET Council has been awarded £316,700 of grant funding from Phase 2 of the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF).

The ringfenced money from Sport England and the National Lottery will be used to install new energy efficiency measures in four Somerset leisure centres.

Wells Leisure Centre and Frome Leisure Centre run by Fusion Lifestyle will get new swimming pool covers and Photovoltaic Panels installed on the roofs. Chard Leisure Centre and Goldenstones Leisure Centre in Yeovil run by Freedom Leisure will have destratification fans installed, which circulate warm air from near the ceiling back down to ground level.

Somerset Council was awarded £211,208 in 2023 as part of SPSF Phase 1 funding to support five pools, including Wells, with the increase in pool chemical and utilities costs.

Council turns down plans for homes

A PLANNING application to demolish an outbuilding and build two three-bedroom homes behind the Cheddar Valley Inn on Tucker Street, Wells, while retaining the pub, has been refused by Somerset Council.

The council gave a number of reasons for refusing the proposals, including a possible impact on the viability of the pub, and the potential for adverse noise and disturbance for future occupiers of the homes.

Opening of health and wellness studio

A NEW health and wellness studio has opened in Wells that aims to bring people together for activities that benefit mental, emotional, and physical health.

Studio Eight is a first-floor studio in Heritage Courtyard, off Sadler Street. Yoga and Pilates will form the heart of the timetable, together with

counselling, sound healing and meditation. In addition, there are plans to offer regular workshops, seminars, talks, community events and more.

Co-owner of the studio Louise Noble said: “We hope to serve wellbeing in its fullest sense. Our ethos is simple, just come as you are. No pressure, no judgement, just acceptance, support, and inclusion.”

To contact Studio Eight, email hello@studioeightwells.co.uk

Drawing worshop with sense of calm

A MINDFUL Mandala Drawing workshop will provide an opportunity to learn a new skill and calm the mind at the same time. The two hour workshop (10am-12pm) will be held on Thursday, April 11, in the room above the cafe at The Good Earth, Wells. Cost £12.50. No previous drawing experience is required.

For further information or to book contact Lyn on 07919 876566 or email lyndutch@ hotmail.co.uk

A charity tractor run by Wells and Glastonbury Young Farmers on Sunday, February 25, raised more than £1,500 for Heads Up. Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis set the dozens of tractors on their way from Worthy Farm, Pilton, from where they headed in convoy to Wells and Glastonbury.

Early 20th century Belle Époque diamond tiara, assessed clarity

Cemetery site set to reopen to visitors

Clare Blackmore from the Friends of Mendip Hospital Cemetery looks forward to the reopening of this unique site twice a week for the next six months

WEDNESDAY, April 3, from 11am to 4pm sees the reopening of the Mendip Hospital Cemetery on Wednesdays and Sundays until the end of September.

Situated off Hooper Avenue at the top of Wells, behind The Britannia Inn, this unique site is the last resting place of nearly 3,000 souls who were former patients of the Somerset and Bath County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, later the Wells Mental Hospital, then the Mendip Hospital and now South Horrington.

Patients and some staff were buried in the cemetery, which

opened in 1874, their grave depicted by a numbered iron marker, as they were too poor to have a headstone, but each of these numbers represents a person and each of these people has a story to tell.

As well as the three acres

of land, still looking as its foundation in 1874 with original planting from the 1880s, there is a beautiful Mortuary Chapel which is now home to a new exhibition of the life of the asylum and the stories of some of its staff, patients and the asylum’s philosophy and ethos and research into the early treatments and medication.

There is a 100-year moratorium on the records of mental health patients so although much research has been done there is much more to do as the cemetery remained open until 1963.

Saved from sale for housing development in the late 1990s this unique place is now lovingly looked after by the Friends of Mendip Hospital Cemetery.

Please come and visit us and

help us to preserve the past, present and future of this special place.

It is free to visit but we do rely upon donations from visitors to enable us to continue this important work as we have no other source of funding.

Dogs are welcome on a lead and there are lots of benches around the site so you can sit and think and just enjoy the peace and support this project.

The asylum was one of the main employers in Wells from 1848 to 1991 and many local families have associations with it.

Its history shows a whole layer of social history that affected Somerset during this time and the towns and villages within the county.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Symphony being celebrated with community chorus

IN celebration of the 200th anniversary since the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, WOWFest will create a community chorus of over 100 singers to perform the famous Ode to Joy on Saturday, July 20, in Wells Cathedral.

Singing enthusiasts young and old will have the chance to take part in an intensive weekend of rehearsals on July 6 and 7, and will be accompanied by the Bristol Classical Players with conductor Tom Gauterin and four professional soloists for the concert.

Wells Cathedral Oratorio

Society is collaborating with WOWFest for this event as part of its new drive to bring exciting choral music to Somerset. This ambitious cultural project for Wells has received support from Arts Council England, Wells City Council and the Elmgrant Trust. The concert

will join worldwide celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary since the first performance of this iconic work, which was a landmark in the history of classical music and western art.

Director of WOWFest Tamsin Smith said: “Our intention is to promote joy, unity, cohesion and wellbeing in our community through an inclusive and accessible performance of a work that forms such a significant part of our cultural heritage.”

Rehearsals will be led by experienced conductors Katrine Reimers and Matthew Redman and the chorus will build upon

the first WOWFest Community Chorus, which was created with much success in 2022 to perform works by Mozart and Mendelssohn. One participant said: “It was an exhilarating experience and I look forward very much to the next.”

The chorus is open to singing enthusiasts with some experience from Wells and beyond, and those interested in participating can find out more from the WOWFest website –wellsyouthmusicfest.co.uk

The final concert in Wells Cathedral will be free with retiring donations.

Each numbered iron marker represents a person with a story to tell

I have enjoyed every minute of this job

THIS is the first column I am writing since announcing my decision to not stand at the next election.

As I wrote in my statement, it was a painful decision, but one I do feel is the right one for me.

It is a personal decision after nine wonderful years serving as the Member of Parliament for Wells. I have decided it is time to put my family first and pursue a different career.

It is not easy to put into words just what this job means to me. Our Parliamentary system means one person is elected by the community to be the voice in Parliament, and as I said in my maiden speech, this area has so much to offer. From the local produce of our fantastic farmers to the global companies which reside in the patch, to the huge amount of tourism attractions across the Wells constituency. The breadth across Wells has what has made this an

Thoughts of Wells MP James Heappey

‘I will of course continue to represent you all until such time as I am no longer the Member of Parliament’

interesting job, and one which I have enjoyed every minute of. It has also been a complete honour to serve in His Majesty’s Government for four and a half years and to be Armed Forces Minister in this trying time globally.

We have achieved a lot here in Wells, with so many more challenges than we can ever have imagined. My staff have worked tirelessly to help tens of thousands of constituents with a range of issues, while we have also campaigning for changes to education funding, support for our local health system and better broadband.

Superfast broadband access has increased to 96.2 per cent of properties, up from 62 per cent in 2015 – something I am extremely proud of.

I also am Deputy Chair of the Government’s Town Deal Board, of which Glastonbury has received £26 million for

transformational economic growth in the shape of brilliant projects, including redevelopment of the Baily’s building and The Red Brick Building Centre.

The tourism industry across Shepton, Wells, Burnham, Cheddar and Glastonbury also continues to flourish, and it seemed timely that just last week I visited Wells Cathedral, Shepton Prison and The Bishop’s Palace, all incredible places which attract visitors from all over the country – and the world. It was to mark Tourism Day and it was fantastic to hear that post pandemic, visitors are returning in their numbers.

I will of course continue to represent you all until such time as I am no longer the Member of Parliament, so please do not hesitate to get in touch and thank you for bestowing on me the honour of representing you all for the past nine years.

New call for jewellery and watches

BUILDING work is progressing on the new Breast Cancer Unit at Yeovil Hospital, and it is hoped that the first patients can be admitted in the autumn.

The Yeovil Hospital Charity is continuing to collect unwanted and broken jewellery and watches to help fund the project until the first patient walks

through the doors. So far, more than £170,000 has been raised by this method, and organisers have expressed their gratitude to the people of Wells for their support. Anybody who has unwanted jewellery and watches that they can donate is asked to contact the local collector on 07879 697037.

Ambassadors back to greet visitors

WELLS Ambassadors are back on the beat after their winter break. This team of volunteers boost tourism – a huge part of the city’s economy – by welcoming visitors, handing out maps and point out what there is to see in Wells.

“It is hugely rewarding to help people see the best of the city,” said one Ambassador, “and it’s interesting to meet people from

across Britain and the rest of the world.”

This initiative was started to help Wells recover from the Covid lockdowns and is the brainchild of Ross Young, who has arranged for any Ambassador to receive a free drink each shift at Cafe Twentyone or the Bishop’s Eye. If interested in becoming a Wells Ambassador, call Ross on 07721 523487.

Keen interest in job opportunities

ON Friday, March 1, the Wells Business Forum presented the first Jobs and Careers Fair at the Swan Hotel in Sadler Street.

Local solicitors Mogers Drewett sponsored the event that saw more than 100 attendees. Local schools, colleges and employers showed what they had to offer those looking for employment or training courses.

Sean Sloan from Wells Business Forum said the fact

that this event was so busy shows that there is a need for people to know what opportunities are available in the local area.

There will be another Jobs and Careers Fair later in the year.

n Wells Business Forum is holding an AI Summit at Wells & Mendip Museum on April 11 at 10am. Forum members free, non-members £47. More from sean@wellsbusinessforum.uk or call 01749 673388.

Purr-fect pair of fun-loving kittens will make wonderful companions

PERSEPHONE (PERCY), female, and MILO, male, are a bonded pair of approximately seven-month-old kittens. They are affectionate, playful and naughty and will make the most wonderful companions in most households.

Milo can be a little bit shy but once he knows you he’s a boisterous and loving, purry boy. He loves having his chest rubbed and is an absolute darling. He is a very long and sleek panther but in the sunlight you can still see his dark tabby markings.

Percy is more of a pampered princess, sometimes preferring her own space but also happy to curl up with Milo. She is a real snuggle puss, loving head bumps and belly rubs, and is a very sweet kitten. She and Milo can play very roughly and chase each other around, then curl up and wash each other.

They haven’t lived with dogs and would probably be better without other cats. Older sensible children would be fine, especially as both kittens love to be played with and entertained. They will need a safe road and garden to explore, with a cat flap for when they’re ready to go and enjoy the outside world.

If you are interested in adopting this pair of perfect youngsters please fill in the online application form: www.cats.org.uk/ glastonbury

The Jobs and Careers Fair at the Swan Hotel

Wells Ambassadors gather outside in Wells Market Place Picture: Philip Welch

Students to help as interns at art show

WELLS Art Contemporary (WAC) has announced that three students from The Blue School in Wells will join the team as interns to help with mounting the 2024 art exhibition.

Abbie Rolfey, Walker Cellan Jones and Imogen Smith each intends to pursue a career in the art world and WAC will offer them some useful hands-on experience.

The WAC exhibition, which is on show in Wells Cathedral during August, receives about 4,000 entries from more than 30 countries.

A selection of these is chosen for the final show. There is a Gallery exhibition of work displayed on white boards in the Cloisters, and an Installation exhibition of site-specific works displayed in the body of the

Cathedral and in the spaces outside.

Chair of Wells Art Contemporary, Paddy O’Hagan, said: “We are delighted to welcome our three interns to be part of WAC ’24. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to be part of an international art exhibition and to get to know what goes on behind the scenes to make it happen.

“Every year WAC attracts more attention in the art world and this year is no exception with some really great artists taking part. We are very grateful to Wells Cathedral for allowing us to use the exceptional spaces of the Cathedral, and to our wonderful volunteers who make it all possible.”

WAC 2024 will run from August 3-31.

Regular chances to seek repairs

WELLS Repair Cafe will be open from 10am-12.30pm on the last Saturday of every month except December, alternating between Wells Library in even-numbered months and St Thomas’ Church Hall in odd-numbered months.

The very experienced volunteer repairers are happy to

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Moving home with your furry friend? Paws for thought…

By Debra Morley

IF you are planning to buy a leasehold home, your legal ownership will be subject to a lease of the property made between the landlord (usually the freeholder) and the first owner of the leasehold property, called the “lessee”. The rights and obligations set out in the lease will pass to you as the new legal owner.

Leases contain a number of restrictions known as “covenants” which the lessee is legally bound to observe and comply with. A covenant is something you are either required to do (eg. pay rent), known as a positive covenant, or something you cannot do, known as a restrictive covenant.

Some leases may include a covenant restricting you from keeping a pet at the property. The wording of the covenant may simply state that you cannot have a pet at all, or it may say this is “subject to landlord consent” and/or “such consent is permitted to be revoked by the landlord in the case of nuisance or annoyance”.

The term “nuisance and annoyance” is of course somewhat subjective but simply put, if your landlord did provide consent to you having a pet, they reserve the right to remove this consent if your dog barked through the night disturbing your neighbours and they received complaints about the noise, as an example.

The intention of covenants such as these being included in leases are to protect the lessee’s peaceful enjoyment of their home and provide the landlord a way in which to take action (“enforce the breach of covenant”) if issues arise.

It should be noted that this isn’t limited to leasehold properties. Sometimes a developer will impose similar restrictions on new-build developments, or – and this is less common – there may be a restrictive covenant of this nature in an older deed that is binding on the property. That said, you may find that the older the deed, the more likely you are to see covenants prohibiting keeping livestock or poultry rather than a domestic pet.

As part of the conveyancing process, your lawyer will review the title deeds received from your seller’s lawyers and advise you on any covenants that you will be required to observe and comply with. This should be checked for you at an early stage but if you have any questions or concerns you should raise these with your lawyer at the outset.

If you are thinking of moving home and would like an estimate of fees for acting for you, please get in touch with one of our friendly professional team. Remember that no question is a silly one and we will do our very best to ensure the process is as simple and stress free as possible.

n Debra Morley is a Chartered Legal Executive with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

tackle most things that visitors take in. Drinks and homemade cake are available when the Repair Cafe is at St Thomas’ Church Hall. By repairing broken items everyone can save waste and save money. Contact Amanda at repaircafe.wells@ gmail.com for more information.

Deadline for the May edition: April 17

Blue School students Abbie Rolfey, Walker Cellan Jones and Imogen Smith

Picture: WAC

Safety of women and girls a top priority

THE four-letter acronym VAWG has come to policing in a big and welcome way recently. Violence Against Women and Girls. There have been a number of high-profile cases, sadly some involving police officers, that means that this is an area that has quite rightly taken centre stage in the organisation for intensive scrutiny and something that will only benefit some of the most vulnerable victims in society.

Women and girls should be able to feel safe in both their own home and public spaces, and a great deal of work is being done to ensure we get the service right for anyone who calls us in need. Firstly any report of domestic abuse will be believed and investigated whether physical, financial or by controlling and coercive behaviour. If you’re reading this and are worried about a relationship you are in, I urge you to come forward and

The latest from the local policing team with Neighbourhood Sergeant Simon Lancey

report it. There is help available and you will be believed. Avon and Somerset have recently rolled out the Walk and Talk scheme. Walk and Talks

are open to women aged 18 and above who wish to share their worries or concerns regarding their safety in the local area with officers, and you can expect to be paired with a female police officer or PCSO, at a mutually convenient time, tailored to the areas you wish to address or discuss. It is an opportunity to raise any worries or concerns over your safety in your local area so the police, along with partner agencies, can see what they can do to improve women’s safety on our streets. The link to the application for this can be found here: avonandsomerset. police.uk/apply/walk-and-talk/

a smart phone to report feeling unsafe in these locations.

Finally on this area, with the longer and hopefully warmer evenings coming with the change to British Summer Time at the end of the month, people will be able to go and enjoy the evenings with friends so just a reminder about drink spiking, which thankfully is not something that occurs very regularly but is always worth bearing in mind on any social occasion. Never leave

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your drink unattended, take it whenever you go, be vigilant if you are bought or given a drink – don’t accept drinks off of strangers, where possible drink from bottles as it is more difficult to insert drugs into bottles, be wary if people are reaching over your drinks, and finally, keep an eye on your friends.

need for an expensive care home independent at home with your own live in carer want to stay in their own home as they get older

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No need for an expensive care home

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If there are any areas of concern that you already know about, the StreetSafe reporting process is also open for people to use. It is an online tool that can be used by anyone to anonymously tell us about public places where they have felt or feel unsafe. You might have felt unsafe in your local area due to anti-social behaviour or environmental factors, such as a lack of street lighting. I would encourage you to share your experience using the StreetSafe tool. The information you provide will be considered alongside evidence already gathered and will be used to inform how we will go about delivering policing and local authority safety activities within Wells. The link to this can be found here: avonandsomerset. police.uk/report/streetsafe/ You may also see licenced locations with a dedicated QR code that can be scanned with

It is worth reminding you that Wells remains a safe city and you have a dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team committed to keeping it this way. As always, if you do see the team out and about, please say hello, please tell us your concerns and help shape the priorities of the team.

We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost

Stay independent at home with your own live in carer

Stay independent at home with your own live in carer

Stay independent at home with your own

live in carers since 1986

Many people want to stay in their own home as they get older

Many people want to stay in their own home as they get older

Many

at an affordable cost

Care has been providing live in carers since 1986 only the very best care at an affordable cost

today

Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since 1986

Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since 1986

We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost

We

We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost

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01749 349007

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Call for a brochure today 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk

Call for a brochure today

0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885

Call for a brochure today

0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885

0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885

Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk

Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk

Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk

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www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk

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PCSO Mel Rowlands and member of the public Charlotte on a Walk and Talk in Glastonbury

Rush to buy tickets to see comedy stars

TICKETS are selling fast for this year’s Wells Comedy Festival which will take place from May 24-26.

Shows by Alan Davies, James Acaster, Harry Hill, Nish Kumar, Rich Hall and Tim Key have sold out already, but there is still availability for other big names such as Lou Sanders, Jessica Fostekew and Kiri PritchardMcLean, as well as the four Gala events.

For the full line-up and to book, go to wellscomfest.com

Office conversion plans turned down

A PLANNING application to convert a Coach House at St Thomas Street, Wells, to office use has been refused by Somerset Council.

The council gave a number of reasons for refusing the application including a failure to provide adequate off-street

The installation of 12 temporary classrooms on the Kennion Courts at The Blue School has been progressing well. The classrooms will help to compensate for the loss of space after the discovery of cracks in the concrete floors in Kennion block, and should allow all students to return to school full time after Easter.

parking and a lack of justification for the need of office spaces outside of the main town centre.

Vet starting home visiting service

SMALL animal vet Helen Warner is starting a new home visiting service for routine veterinary

care for dogs, cats and rabbits. The business is named Chew Valley Vet as Helen was born and bred in the Chew Valley, although she now lives in Wells.

“I aim to take the stress out of visiting the vet – both for patients and their owners – for vaccinations and other routine monthly injections by offering

a friendly and sensibly priced service where I visit owners and their four-legged friends in the comfort of their own home,” said Helen.

She is aiming to launch the mobile veterinary business in June. More at www. chewvalleyvet.co.uk

Concert featuring Shakespeare’s words

AT St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 4, local chamber choir the Swan Singers will present a concert featuring the words of Shakespeare in readings and music.

The musical settings which are mainly by 20th and 21st century composers are very varied. There are a lot of fun ‘hey nonny nonnies’ and also some beautiful lyrical songs.

The tickets are £10 with reductions for children. They are available at the door and can also be booked beforehand by contacting info@swansingers. com. An interval bar is available.

Community cooks step in to serve up soups

THE volunteers of Fresh and Good are cooking to the rescue for the next Wells SOUP!.

Wells Blue School kitchens would normally provide the tasty soups for the event on Saturday, April 6, but they are on holiday and Waitrose which used to donate the vegetables for the soups said they no longer have the budget.

Then Kim Robinson of Fresh and Good said their team would provide the necessary veg too.

“We community cooks are delighted to be able to help by making the soup for SOUP!,” said Kim. “We love cooking for events that support our community and that’s what SOUP! is all about.”

The four charities who will be explaining what they do at SOUP! are: TIME –The International Music Exchange; Focus Counselling;

Sing2breathe; and Mendip Community Credit Union. The charity which gets most of the audience’s votes will receive half

the money on offer. The other three will share the rest and all four will raise their profile. The venue and start time will

be the Connect Centre in Wells at 1pm but arriving a few minutes early is advisable to be sure of a seat. People had to be turned away at a previous SOUP! as the big room was full.

The organisers have thanked Bowley’s Garage, which has match-funded this SOUP! to the tune of £350, and Waitrose, for their support over the years.

“Bowley’s Garage is proud to sponsor Wells SOUP! again,” said Jane Tunnicliffe, a director of the firm. “We like to support the community and help local causes. SOUP! gives them an excellent platform to raise funds as well as increase awareness of their work.”

The compere will be Paddy O’Hagan who said: “SOUP! really does make a difference in Wells. I am very proud to be a part of it and hope you will join us on Saturday, April 6.”

The staff of Bowley’s Garage off Westfield Road in Wells with Ross Young, one of the SOUP! organisers

provided

vivid accounts of city in Victorian era

WILLIAM James Tate in his column for the Wells Journal tells of life in Wells from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, and it is a source of history well told and full of interesting images of the Victorian city and some of its more colourful occupants.

Tate’s writings are wonderfully descriptive and create clear word images of the life back then.

When you walk around the back of the Town Hall with, now, Carlton Court, there is a sense of history for those who can remember when Clare’s Carlton had its factory there with the factory canteen.

It was in medieval times the

site of the Bishop’s Mill, and St Andrew’s Stream flowed through the area.

July 1902

The stable garden was at the back of the Town Hall close to the stable yard with its neat little whitewashed trellis cottage of the ‘Swiftsure’, the four-horsed coach which plied between Wells and Bath, and its battered old door was covered with rusty horse shoes.

Down beyond it were some cottages and a workshop or two and some other garden doors which faced a narrow sunken stream, sometimes in a flood, a rushing, foaming, muddy torrent, sometimes so shallow

that the broken tiles, bricks, stones and cabbage stumps and haply a dead dog or cat or two (for it was in the insanitary days) lay high and dry in its bed.

The horse shoed door was usually locked but there was an old-fashioned catch in the lock, which we knew the trick of as children and could successfully manipulate and when we had obtained access, we scampered past the horses, fearing that they would kick out at us and do us an injury.

In bolder moments we pulled at the manes or tails to obtain horsehair to thread coloured beads on.

Opposite this was a fowl house which was inhabited by some fine specimens of the Cochin China breed and in the rough paved little courtyard was a dungmixen or manure heap and adjacent to that was a vegetable marrow bed.

There was also a fruitful garden.

In summer the peas were in blossom and podding and grew on runners over the bed of succulent green cabbage. The butterflies (white, brimstone coloured and small black spotted red) were fluttering and hovering and the bees busy with the white and mauve potato blossoms.

Crisp lettuces, seedling onions and other salading nestled in their beds and there was a little forest of raspberry canes, red and white, and the delicious flavour of the fruit I remember well.

There was a border of

carefully selected seed potatoes and if there was a young May moon Old Henry H, who looked after the garden would cry: “If we don’t cover ’em up they tatties will be black as my hat in the morning.”

The stream that ran close by the stable cottage garden ran from the Palace Moat.

There was a row of cottages where Henry H lived and beyond these dwellings was B’s workshop.

He was a clever turner and cabinet maker and I recollect he sent an ivory model of an ancient chair to the Great Exhibition of 1851.

B would occasionally allow me to chat to him in this workshop and I am very much afraid I took the edge off some of his chisels in an amateurish attempt at turning.

There was also a printing shop opposite the stream and I think a Wells newspaper, which did not long survive, was at one time printed there.*

I once contributed some villainous verse to it and my juvenile journalistic efforts probably helped bring about the dissolution of the newspaper in question.

* This was not the Wells Journal. That began life in August 1851 under the leadership of Samuel Backhouse.

Next time you walk around the side of the Town Hall and in to South Street, imagine the scene 122 years ago as per Tate’s description.

A stable garden once flourished in the area at the back of the Town Hall

We strive to accommodate your wishes

WITH the rising cost of funerals and the ongoing cost of living crisis, many people are opting for direct cremations either for themselves while planning their own funeral or for a family member or friend who has died. They see it as a practical and cost-effective solution, which is exactly what direct cremation is. They can be cost saving and may limit the strain when planning and arranging a funeral.

If the choice for direct cremation is purely based on financial reasons, then you may not receive the funeral you want or need. Direct cremation with no associated ceremony can potentially make the emotional side of the loss more difficult to process and neglects the essential aspect of providing closure to the grieving process.

Rod Major, owner and Funeral Director at Wells Funeral Services, and Nicky Sutton, Funeral Director and Funeral Celebrant at Wells Funeral Services, have been exploring options and alternatives to the ‘traditional funeral’ that is held

in a crematorium or place of worship. They understand the financial strain that accompanies traditional funerals but believe that grieving families should not need to compromise on the emotional significance of saying goodbye to a family member or friend.

There is an alternative that respects both budget and emotional needs – a direct cremation with an associated ceremony of goodbye which provides an opportunity for loved ones to come together, share memories, say their goodbyes, and collectively navigate the journey of grief.

Rod Major says: “One of the options we are giving families is the opportunity to have an intimate ceremony of goodbye in our chapel of rest. The coffin is present and with guidance from Nicky those attending get to say goodbye in a way that is suitable for them. The following morning the unattended cremation takes place. The families who have chosen this option have found it to be greatly beneficial. We understand that each individual and family has unique needs and preferences when it comes to saying goodbye. Whether it’s an intimate gathering in our chapel of rest, a ceremony in

a village hall, pub, club, field, woodland, or even your own home or garden, we strive to accommodate your wishes.”

Alternative venues to a crematorium or place of worship can provide more flexibility and allow a full celebration of life ceremony without time restrictions. Personal touches can be added such as a memory table, decorations, or personal mementos.

While the rising costs of traditional funerals may lead some to consider direct cremation as a practical alternative, Wells Funeral Services advocates for a more balanced approach. A direct cremation with an associated ceremony provides both affordability and emotional closure. To find out more about how we can work with you to create a funeral that not only respects your budget but also pays tribute to the unique life and memories you shared with your loved one please get in touch: 01749 670100 or email rod@wfs. me.uk or nicky@wfs.me.uk

A funeral ceremony can be held in any venue, with the owner’s permission

Windows evidence of Mosaic’s progress

WITH the recent completion of four more of the 32 Gothic windows and another 6m-strip of the huge Wells mosaic she is creating, Ruth Ames-White is delighted with her progress following the setback when she broke her wrist last year.

She said: “It is not only the large pieces that are so satisfying but some of the smaller details –

like the kingfisher and the swans – both of which have recently been sponsored by local people.”

Other members of the Wells in Mosaic team are working hard to raise the significant amount still needed for the completion and installation of the mosaic. To date all donations and sponsorship has been from

local people making it something truly unique to Wells, and, in terms of other artworks, unique in the country. It will add to and complement the visitor attractions in the city as well as being a resource for education and research. Small elements can be sponsored for as little as £20,

but for anyone wishing to make a larger contribution – personal or on behalf of a business – there are still some major buildings and windows to sponsor.

For more information about donations or to arrange a visit to the studio to see the work in progress – its scale and beauty –see www.wellsinmosaic.org or email contact@wellsinmosaic.org

Tincknell Fuels

Time to Upgrade your Oil Boiler

If your oil boiler is more than 15 years old then you may want to consider replacing it with a new high-efficiency boiler which can help you lower your annual fuel bills and your home’s carbon footprint.

Even if there are no apparent problems, it’s unlikely to be running above 70% efficiency (new oil boilers are more than 90%) and reliability is likely to be an issue. Call to request a free, no obligation quotation.

Tel:

For all your Electrical needs

Tincknell Electrical is a NICEIC-approved electrical contractor that provides a wide range of electrical services for domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural premises. We are committed to providing a professional and reliable service.

Four of the recently completed Gothic windows for the Wells in Mosaic artwork

Pictures: © Ruth Ames-White

Hub kept busy helping displaced people

WELLS Welcome Hub is seeing an increase in demand for its services from Ukrainians, their sponsors and other displaced people.

Based at the Portway Annexe, the Hub has been operating since September 2022 and was set up in response to local people asking for help with families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The idea for the Hub came from Wells Community Network which runs it with funding from central government in partnership with Wells City Council, a refugee charity in Taunton called CHARIS and Somerset Council.

has also been welcoming other nationalities, such as Syrians, Kurds and Eritreans. It is keen though to ensure that it is reaching as many nationalities as possible in the local community that need help. Anybody who knows any individuals or families who might benefit from the Hub’s support, knowledge and experience is asked to direct them to the Portway Annexe.

It operates a drop-in every Monday from 10am-1pm that is the first point of contact for help with the daily challenges of life in Britain. Everything from negotiating official procedures and paperwork, to advice on schools, employment, housing and taking up opportunities to learn English.

Iryna, a Ukrainian living in Wells with her daughter, said:

“If I have a problem, I can go to the drop-in and it will either be solved then or they will send me to the right person who can solve it.”

Since it started, the Hub

Anna Tumanova, Manager of the Welcome Hub, said: “We know how much the Hub’s work is valued by those who use it. We’d love to welcome more people in the local community who would benefit from what we do, if only they knew that we exist.”

For more information, email: refhub@wells.gov.uk or refassist@wells.gov.uk or call 07821 811737 or 07553 359742.

A beginners English class at the Wells Welcome Hub with volunteer Madeleine and teacher Nicola (back row, first and second left respectively)

Music quiz returns

THE popular Music Quiz 4 MS returns to Tramways, West Street, Wells, on Friday, May 10.

In aid of the Mendip Multiple Sclerosis Society Group, Clive Hennessy will deliver an evening of entertainment that organisers say will be fun, fun, fun. The cost is £5 per person with teams of up to six people. Arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

To book a table, contact Sally Morgan on 07975 529950 or Linda Bolton on 07713 097588.

Trio back for concert

THREE Old Wellensians will perform works by Mozart, Mazzoli, Rachmaninoff and Liszt in Piano Voyage, a concert taking place in Quilter Hall on April 12, at 7pm.

Xavier Taschini (2018), Victor Lim (2012) and David Secchi (2007) are all former pupils of John Byrne, Co-ordinator and Artistic Director of Keyboard at Wells Cathedral School.

Proceeds of the concert will go to the Friends of Music at the school as a thank you for their work and support.

Tickets at tickets. cedarshallwells.co.uk

Health Tai Chi

There will be two performances of I Piano in Croscombe on April 21

Magical adventure seeking lost music

“OH no! The piano has lost its music! But a little girl wants to help the piano find it again, and together they set off on a magical adventure…”

Thus begins music theatre show I Piano, which combines theatre, piano playing and shadow puppetry with live audience interaction.

The show is said to be perfect for families as the visuals captivate younger children while the story is deep enough

on Monday, April 8, and starts at 11am, with the cafe from 10.30am. All ages welcome, including children. Payment by donation.

Flower festival

HENTON Flower Festival will take place in Henton Church on May 4 and 5 from 10am-4pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available.

One Life screening

PilogaFit

Music about birds

THE Trio Paradis April Cafe

Concert at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, will be Birdsong: Inspired by our feathered friends. The programme includes familiar and less familiar music about birds, including Yellow Bird, Songbird, She’s Like the Swallow and Cuckoo by Daquin, along with longer pieces with a spring-like theme.

The concert will take place

WOOKEY Hole Cinema will be showing One Life upstairs at Wookey Hole Club on Sunday, April 14, at 7.30pm.

Tickets on the door. Wookey Hole Club members £6, guests £8. More at wookeyholecinemaclub.weebly. com

Board game dates

WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, April 3, and Wednesday, April 17, from 7pm-9.30pm.

Social Dancing

SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD,

to hold older children, engaging everyone including parents and grandparents.

This is the latest professional theatrical show hosted by Croscombe Frolics thanks to the support of Take Art – Somerset’s rural touring charity.

I Piano is at Croscombe Village Hall on Sunday, April 21, at 2pm and 5pm with tickets £9 adults / £4 child or £26 family (2A+3C) via www.takeart.org/ whats-on

from 7pm to 9pm. People do not have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per person, and refreshments are provided. For more information, call 07769 603937.

Irish Set Dancing

IRISH Set Dancing takes place on Thursday evenings in Dinder Village Hall from 8pm-10pm, from September to June. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary.

£3 including refreshments. More information from Paul Harper: 01458 210051 or paulharper@btopenworld.com

Pub music events

FREE folksong and music sessions are being organised in friendly traditional pubs.

The Wells Folk Sessions take place on the second Monday of every month at Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy, 9pm till late; and the fourth Wednesday of every

TAI CHI

month at City Arms, High Street, Wells, 8.45pm till late.

All are welcome at the music nights to sing a song, play a tune or just listen and enjoy. More from Richard: 01761 412797, richardlm397@gmail.com

Folk club meetings

MR Punch’s Folk Club meets once a fortnight on a Friday at Theale Village Hall, BA5 1PN, from 8pm. Traditional and contemporary music, song and verse. Mostly open mic, with new performers always welcome.

More at punchsfolkclub. yolasite.com

Sing-along sessions

GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall, 24 Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH, with Al and Annie Whitley. From 2.30pm3.30pm, with tea and coffee from 2.15pm.

PILATES AND BARRE

TUESDAYS

Pilates 9.15am Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am WEDNESDAYS

Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm

THURSDAYS

Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am

FRIDAYS Pilates 9.15am

Location Wells Town Hall. Small, mixed ability classes. To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com

Scottish dancing

WELLS Scottish Dancers hold classes on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Blue School Sports Centre, Wells. All ages over 18 welcome, no experience is necessary. To register interest in joining, call Ann on 01934 740065 or email ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com

Weekly dance nights

WELLS Folk and Barn Dance Club meets on Wednesday evenings between September and July (although not the first Wednesday of the month) at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells. Doors open 7pm, dancing 7.30pm-9.30pm. No experience or partner necessary.

For more, call 01749 674920.

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

SPRING bulbs are not suited to mild, sunless, damp conditions. Nor are we for that matter.

The snowdrops flourished only briefly. Early tulips are showing a reluctance to display their buds and the daffodils seem to be having a hard time. Daffodils often do. When I worked in Bristol the daffodil season was constantly fraught with danger.

The trouble was Mother’s Day coming in mid-Lent just when the narcissus family was brightening the roadside verges, flower beds in the park, and little front gardens. The risk was there on the calendar every year.

When the season clashed with the celebration and the stars were aligned, then the golden daffodils were plundered in bunches by the younger denizens of the urban streets and presented to Mum with a winning smile. Curiously enough, over time I observed that the daffodils began to show a canny awareness of what was happening, blooming either too late or too early, flowering either side of the fateful date, so thwarting the nippers of their piratical booty.

Now we are into April and things are starting to move.

Plants in the borders are dug up, split, swapped, donated or sold. For this is the season of Plant Sales, much more sophisticated affairs nowadays. Gone are those broken yoghurt pots containing an ailing feverfew struggling to survive. We seem to be much more knowledgeable and take care with our presentations.

Plant sales and spring shows are fun. And if you wish to know what’s on, here’s a suggestion. Go to your computer and type SFGC.co.org and you will reach the website of the Somerset Federation of Gardening Clubs. The other option is for the San Francisco Girls Chorus but that’s for another day. If you click on Events you will find the Noticeboard of current events. If you click on Publications you will have the County’s Calendar of Events for 2024 at your disposal.

Individual club programmes are not included. The Federation has more than 160 members so there’s plenty to choose from.

After last month’s excellent talk by Sally Morgan on the Climate Change Garden we are now more prepared to take on

whatever comes our way as long as we follow the guidelines in her admirable book. There are ways around excess water or drought with the consequence that we can grow what suits the conditions, even chickpeas, kiwi fruits and apricots. Which is a good trailer for our next meeting. The subject will be Exotics. Brian Jaques will be showing how what we call exotic plants are quite feasible in this part of the world. The talk will be in Wells Town Hall on Thursday, April 11, at 7.30pm. Admission £3 for visitors, members £1. Everyone is very welcome. For more details, tel: 01749 679182.

Pip Harwood

WELLS TUESDAY WI

IN February, Rachel from Cooper and Tanner, a gemmologist and diamond grader, talked to us about the fascinating world of gemstones. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to discover if our treasures were the real deal or pretty glass.

This month we were treated to an insight into the amazing life of Helen McCann, an inspirational lady who shared insights into her life from being initially diagnosed with severe hearing loss at an early age and becoming blind at 44. Helen shared what it is like to be her with special glasses that imitated her sight and took us through the journey to be matched with her perfect dog. The gorgeous Poppy was by her side as she shared her tales of fundraising –including marathon running and a triathlon.

The subgroups continue to thrive with trips to Wells Little Theatre and the Bristol Hippodrome. The cinema group

is still making the most of the £5 tickets. Crafties have been using a potter’s wheel and making wire flowers, and as ever a lot of tea and cake has been consumed.

WELLS RAILWAY FRATERNITY

MARCH’S meeting of the Wells Railway Fraternity was a slide presentation given by Peter Lemmey showing photographs of British Railways in the 1960s from the collection of Ian Cantlon. Ian was a Dublin-born Irishman, now sadly deceased, who moved to London after graduation. Being a non-driver, he arrived at the places from where he took the photographs by train and walking or by a lift from fellow well-known photographers, but still managed to cover most of the country. Using a Kodak Retina IIb camera, which still works, with Kodachrome slide film he produced many well composed images which have survived the test of time, most of which have not before been seen publicly.

Most of the images featured

steam hauled trains both in the countryside and particularly in stations. The period covered the decline of steam so Ian was able to record many of the special rail enthusiast trains that ran at that time.

Starting in the Cotswolds we saw short passenger and long coal trains on the Golden Valley line, before seeing images of a Merchant Navy, LNER A2 and A4 locomotives on specials and a Metropolitan Railway electric engine with Dreadnought carriages at Amersham. Moving on we saw a Britannia at Craven Arms before views of the Cambrian mainline in the sunshine on the Welsh coast which largely featured BR Standard Class 4s on Saturday holiday workings. In the Wrexham area he photographed the coal trains associated with the Brymbo Steelworks with GWR power before heading off to Sunderland and the North East of England for more coal trains this time hauled by NER locomotives and a special double

Continued on page 42

An example of an exotic plant: Salvia dombeyi from Peru

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From page 41

headed by preserved LNER K4 and a K1 locomotives. The local Somerset and Dorset line was imaged in its last few days before closure.

Moving on to Scotland four preserved pre-grouping engines, J37 freight and express passenger workings were all recorded. Unusually diesel multiple units featured in the pictures of the North Cornwall lines before they too closed. The show finished with a return to the Somerset and Dorset for pictures of the last rail tours as the line closed under the Beeching cuts, followed by a storm of applause from the audience.

Wells Railway Fraternity’s next meeting will be on April 9 in Wells Town Hall at 19:30 Hours when the speaker will be Roy Kethro talking about his Bath Road Years. New members and guests are always welcome. For further information about the Wells Railway Fraternity see the website Railwells.com

WELLS U3A

ON February 22, Wells u3a held a very successful afternoon quiz and cream tea, organised by Marion Harding and questions set by Liz Lee. The sale of raffle tickets raised quite a bit of money that they were able to donate to The Lawrence Centre in Wells. The presentation of the cheque to Maggie Charlesworth, Manager, took place at the March u3a monthly talk at the Museum. Having thanked Wells u3a for the gift, Maggie took the opportunity to ask for volunteers to transport people to the centre

once a week. Do get in touch with the centre if you feel you can help.

Members of Wells u3a hold several events each year, open to all members, the next one being Paella & Dessert in June. Other events held in the past have been a Christmas lunch at The Mendip Inn, a Harvest supper at the Museum along with entertainment and Pizza and Pud held in the grounds of the football club on a lovely summer’s day.

The monthly talks are also an attraction, open to all members, held at the Museum on the second Wednesday of the month. At the March talk we had a fascinating and unbiased talk entitled To EV or not to EV. The speaker was Ghislain Tashini who has great experience in the motor industry and has worked with many prestigious companies. He talked through the pros and cons of owning an electric car and in the end left the audience to decide to make up their own minds if an electric car was for them or not.

Other talks u3a members have enjoyed have been,

in January a talk by Steve Greenhaugh, a retired police officer, who with a colleague talked on Driving in Old Age, advising on tips about how to improve driving in later life. It was both instructive and humorous and made members think carefully about their present driving habits.

Many were able to take home the most up to date version of the Highway Code, which has changed considerably since most had passed their driving test many decades ago.

The December talk was by Edgar Phillips, the stained glass artist behind the angels in the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace gardens. Edgar told a moving story of his life; its ups and downs, the good and the bad. His father traded on the Portabello Road as an antique dealer and his artistic temperament was inherited by his son.

Edgar is deeply involved in the therapeutic aspect of art for both mentally and physically challenged people, and provides them with hands-on experience through his work. This was a fascinating, moving and amusing talk from a real personality.

There have over the years been a wide variety of talks from people’s travel experiences to observation of the natural world and a glimpse into history over the ages. Most recently we learnt about Castles of Somerset by Andrew Powell-Thomas, author of children’s fiction, military history and local heritage. Even if the subject doesn’t immediately appeal, by attending you can meet fellow members, enjoy a cup of coffee first and usually can take away some interesting facts that you never thought you wanted to know.

Our motto is “Learn, Laugh, Live” and the talks and events really live up to this. So, even if you don’t want to join a specific group at first this is a good way to gradually filter into Wells u3a. Have a look at our website https://u3asites.or.uk/wells/ home where you can obtain an application form and find out about all the groups on offer.

Ann Brown

WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY

LIVING in Wells is like living in Heaven without having to die first. With this remark, which he had recently overheard, the Rev Dr Mark Hutchinson concluded his presentation entitled, The early economic development of Wells: 500 to the 1400s, which he gave to the civic society at their March meeting. But the comment refers to Wells today, whereas Mark’s talk had described how the Wells people of hundreds of years ago, when judged by current standards and expectations, mostly lived lives of drudgery and poverty in a nondescript place.

1500 years ago the economic situation hereabouts was dire with people scraping a living. There was no Wells, no towns, no villages, and no bishop: just a few scattered homesteads. There were the springs, sacred to many, and these did to some extent attract people, who brought also their sheep and goats.

The Saxons divided the land into designated areas, of different sizes, known as 100s, and there came into being the 100 of Wells.

A minster church was built in Wells in 704 and this had, of itself, somewhat increased

Marion Harding, right, of Wells u3a presents a cheque to Maggie Charlesworth, Manager of the Lawrence Centre

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

the prosperity of the area, so much so that in 909 the new diocese of Wells – not Bath and Wells – was created by King Edward the Elder, separating it from Sherborne, under whose jurisdiction it had previously lived. And the church was designated the first St Andrew’s cathedral.

Then came the Norman Conquest and the ownership of land, already important as a sign of wealth and power, became even more significant than hitherto, when William deposed many of the early land owners across the entire country and reallocated the lands to his allies and associates.

But so far as Wells was concerned, and bearing in mind the importance of the former cathedral to the city, there came a hiccup in 1090 when the first Norman bishop moved his seat to Bath, leaving Wells out in the cold and thus provoking something of an economic decline.

Fortunately for Wells, Bishop Roger in 1244 moved his seat back to Wells. Wells Cathedral had been started in about 1175 and this increased the prosperity of the area with its need for both a skilled and less skilled workforce and associated trades, and the needs of the cathedral personnel for food, clothing and other everyday items. It was a relatively large community and the vast majority of its needs would be met by local people.

King John’s charter for Wells of 1201 elevated Wells to a borough, and the appointment of local people as burgesses. These were, significantly, responsible to the king and not the bishop. Burgesses were people such as local merchants and craftsmen who were allowed to trade freely. They also ran the corporation and administered civil authority. So, in 1201 there were 19 days of fairs each year, these being both a sign of and a cause of busy commerce and trade. In fact, among the various essential trades and crafts that fuelled the local economy, the most important had actually come to be cloth making.

But by modern standards, Wells was, even in the 1300s, only a small place. Before the plague the population was approximately 2,500, and after it, in 1377 this figure had shrivelled to 1,100.

And so, in line with his brief,

Mark paused this fascinating overview of the economic story of the growth, albeit sometimes uneven but generally heading on an upward curve, of the relative prosperity of Wells. The number of further discussion points raised by the audience and their comments afterwards showed how interesting they had found Mark’s effortlessly audible and visually clear presentation.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 10, at 7.30pm in the Wells Museum, Cathedral Green. Rosie Martin, director of the Alfred Gillet Trust, will tell the fascinating story of Clarks and the Shoemakers’ Museum. Light refreshments are available and all are welcome. For further details of this event or the society in general, please contact the chair, Chris Winter, email chris.f.winter@btinternet.com or www.wellscivicsociety.org.uk is the society’s website.

Richard Hanks

WELLS & DISTRICT CENTRE FOR THE NATIONAL TRUST

WE met for the last of our winter/spring talks on Saturday, March 9. Following the AGM, Simon Larkins gave us a very informative overview of his role managing the National Trust’s Somerset coast and countryside. He started work for the trust as a gardener at Montecute and has been in his present role for the last eight years.

He explained how the National Trust continues to need support from the public. Although the National Trust can be seen to be rich, it has beautiful buildings and parks. Most of its wealth is tied up in assets. Only a third of the properties make a profit while the other sites and properties will struggle financially. The organisation is

grateful for all the support from its visitors and benefactors.

Simon said the National Trust aims to be all inclusive and welcome everyone. At the moment there is a big emphasis on climate action. The latest effects of global warming mean there has been an average rise in temperature by 1.5C. This has created massive challenges for the National Trust.

One of Simon’s roles is to manage the Holnicote Estate which covers 20 square miles in Exmoor. Here they have

successfully introduced beavers five years ago into an enclosed area to help improve the habitat for other species. There is now a plan in process to introduce pine martins. The estate has 16 Rangers and 30 volunteers.

Towards the end of the talk we were shown two videos, one of which showed waterway/river management called Stage Zero. This is an idea developed in the USA with the aim of lifting the water table, thus reducing the risk of flooding and drought on the landscape.

Our autumn/winter talks will resume in October.

WELLS NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AT the next meeting on Friday, April 5, at 7.30pm, Steve Tofts will give a talk entitled Don’t Forget the Animals.

After 40 years practising as a veterinary surgeon, Steve graduated in archaeology and brought the two disciplines

Continued on page 44

The Rev Dr Mark Hutchinson who was the speaker at the March meeting of Wells Civic Society

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

From page 43

together in Zooarchaeology –the study of animals in an archaeological context. His talk aims to introduce the subject, and what it tells us of the human community. So often animal remains are dismissed as not interesting; he hopes to prove otherwise. If anyone would like to bring a bone for him to inspect he could maybe fit that in at the end of his talk.

The meeting will be held in the Lecture Room at Wells Museum. Non-members of the Society are very welcome (£2).

ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

SO we arrive at March again and the month of our AGM. We had a very good attendance with four new members signed up this year to boost our numbers.

The evening began with some Tai Chi led by John Beasley who kindly comes to get us gently moving with advice on posture both standing and sitting. As he sets the exercises especially for us everyone joins in and benefits from the session.

After tea, coffee and biscuits we began the AGM with a report on last year’s varied and enjoyable programme and our treasurer’s report which sees us in reasonably good order. With three members electing to come off the committee the officers and remaining committee were re-elected en bloc. We discussed our choices for a charity for 2024 and also our outing in August with details to be finalised.

With general comments and ideas for next year’s programme from the floor the meeting was closed at 9pm.

On April 3 at 7pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall we welcome Moira Anderson who will entertain us with a talk entitled The Swan Whisperer. If you would like to join us (a visitor’s fee is only £2) we will be pleased to see you.

Pat Dyer

WELLS CITY PROBUS CLUB

OUR March speaker was Gordon Brockman of True Values, an auctioneer and valuer specialising in valuing estates for probate. After watching Flog It, Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road

Show etc, and having spinal surgery, Gordon decided he could do it himself. He bought a brooch for a pound and took it to an auctioneer who valued it at £300. He asked for a job and was told he could help unpack boxes. He was then offered a porters job, became head porter then a trainee auctioneer and valuer.

Gordon started work in an old shed. One day a little old lady arrived with bags filled with objects wrapped in newspaper. Among them were a couple of Murano glass pheasants. One was knocked over and its head broke off. Gordon quickly glued it back on and it eventually sold for £40. Meeting the buyer several years later he still remembered finding the head was stuck on.

To any auctioneer, trust and their reputation is vital. Many people seeking valuations have no idea of the true value of their items, but an honest auctioneer will find them and appraise them properly. Examples include an 18 carat gold pocket watch valued at £8-10,000, a 17th-century candlestick worth £4,000 and inherited jewellery worth £1,000 and £1,400.

Gordon then produced six objects for the audience to place in value order. They were a piece of Japanese art, a walking stick knob, a 19th-century novelty money box, a 19th-century Chinese pen box, a glass tube scent bottle and a First World War compass. There was much debate but eventually agreement was reached. Naturally we got it

The voting for the National WI Resolutions was very mixed. We were given difficult choices and all seemed worthy.

Members are reminded that subscriptions are due at the April meeting which is at Coxley Memorial Hall on April 2 at 7pm. Visitors are most welcome to come and see what a friendly group we are… there is no obligation to membership.

Ursula Dann

MENDIP FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP

wrong. Three of the items were fake and three were genuine. When buying at auction take pictures and do some research. Ask for a receipt and make sure it is accurate – for example, “19thcentury novelty money box” not just “novelty money box”.

Always get an auctioneer in before house clearance people to be sure everything is properly valued and to make sure the money from sales comes to you rather than going to the house clearance people.

COXLEY & DISTRICT WI

COXLEY ladies enjoyed a social evening playing bingo at the March meeting. This was due to our scheduled speaker being a no show. We had a word competition which was won by Chris. The flower of the month was won by Ursula.

All this was after the usual business and refreshments.

It was reported that the lunch club ate out at the Conservative Club in Wells on February 23, and was enjoyed by those who went.

The craft group met at Peggy’s and are actively looking for patterns for new projects.

Hilary reported on the walking group. They met in Glastonbury on February 9 and walked past the Tor to Wick Farm, following a circular route back to Morrisons. We were walking the Strawberry Line from Westbury to Easton on March 22.

OUR March meeting thought about the pressure that illness puts on other members of the family. The Rev Grahame Cooper told about his interesting life which has changed focus now as he is a carer for his wife. It was helpful as he was so understanding of the challenges faced by the members who have to learn to pace their activities as well as having a life.

Family members are always welcome to our meetings where they receive understanding and friendship.

We are looking forward to an outing to Montacute House where we will chat to the gardener about the wonders of the spring flowers.

Our April meeting will be a talk by Carol Plenty from Mendip YMCA to give us an update of their important work. We meet at Binegar and Gurney Slade Memorial Hall from 10.30am12.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month.

For more information about our group (that also covers long Covid and anyone with constant pain) do contact Tanya Flagg: tanya@mendipfmsg.org

WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB

ON Tuesday, March 12, our chairwoman Sylvia Ingham welcomed more than 40 of our members to a demonstration by Barbara Clatworthy entitled Bird of Paradise, which certainly brightened yet another grey day.

For her first arrangement Barbara used a tall slender vase into which she had put some hand-crafted butterflies before arranging glossy green foliage, white lisianthus, tulips and green chrysanthemums. The vase was then placed in a ring of similar flowers. Next,

Gordon Brockman with the items he asked Wells Probus Club members to value

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Barbara arranged red roses and tulips and purple lisianthus on a wire long-legged bird shape to represent her title for the afternoon. Her next arrangement was a crescent arrangement on an elegant wooden candlestick. Beginning with soft ruscus and ivy leaves, the arrangement was filled with a carnation called moon aqua, a soft lavender shade which was complemented with white lisianthus and pink alstroemerias.

The next design was on a demi-john. A small sphere which had been covered with musical notes was placed in the centre around which was arranged a swirl of yellow roses which were complemented by purple lisianthus and golden wave fermium leaves.

Finally, in a large black pot, Barbara placed green chrysanthemums, large red roses and lavender carnations to form a mass arrangement. Throughout the afternoon Barbara played songs from Alfie Boe while she completed each arrangement.

Janet Avery gave the vote of thanks and teas were served by Janet Carter and Margaret Small.

Our next demonstration will be on Tuesday, April 9, when Jenny York will present Out of Africa. We meet at 2.15pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall, St Thomas Street, Wells, BA5 2UZ. All are welcome.

Following the success of our previous Charity Cream Teas we will be holding another this summer. This year’s charity is Wells in Mosaic. Full details will be available next month.

Jenny Jones

WELLS AND DISTRICT WILDLIFE GROUP

THE sun has put in a welcome appearance recently and wildlife has responded. My nest box in my garden is being constantly visited by blue tits and I eagerly await that moment when I see them start carrying nesting material in. Elsewhere local rooks are busy with nesting and making their characteristics raucous noise as they settle their domestic disputes 20 metres above the ground.

At ground level spring flowers such as fritillaries, primroses and marsh marigolds (by the side of ponds and rivers) are opening up. The white blackthorn flowers adorn hedgerows where the hedge trimmers haven’t been too harsh. Insects respond to an increase in temperature and feeding opportunities: any plant flowering now is bound to have its attending melee of honey and bumble bees.

Our next talk, Swans and Wildlife at The Bishop’s Palace, will be on Tuesday, April 16, at 7.30pm at Wells Museum (entry by the side entrance) off Cathedral Green, BA5 2UE. The speaker, Moira Anderson, is the resident ‘swan whisperer’ at the Palace and will provide a light-hearted look at life on the moat throughout the year showing how nature is wonderful and totally unpredictable. Some background about the swans on the moat, the annual cycle of the swans’ life and what other wildlife people might expect to see. There will also be some ‘behind the scenes’ and personal stories about the swans.

There is full disabled access. Admission £5 payable on the door (under 16s free). Tea, coffee and biscuits served in the interval. Details of this and other events can be seen on our website www.wdwg.org.uk

Graham Allen

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

ANYONE for whom eating is a problem is welcome at meetings of Overeaters Anonymous.

The group is a 12 Step Fellowship – not a diet club –which meets in the Portway Annexe, Wells, on Tuesday evenings from 7pm-8pm.

More information from oagb. org or from local contacts: 07989 474570 or 07498 119862.

First chess congress proves great success

CHESS

FROM March 8-10 saw Wells hold its inaugural Weekend Chess Congress sponsored by Rugantino Restaurant.

Wells Town Hall was the venue as more than 100 players gathered from around the country. This included Grandmaster Kieth Arkell and several other titled players including Supratit Banerjee, one of the strongest ten-year-olds in the world. It was played over five rounds and in three sections.

Wells submitted 17 players and President Chris Strong was Chief Arbiter. The Minor section had seven players from Wells including Ethan MountJones, Paul Groves and junior Gigi Ionescu all playing their first Congress. The section was won by the very strong Dmytro Romaniuk from Frome with 4.5 points. For Wells, Greg Roome came fourth with 3.5 and Tony Austin and Ed Farms joint seventh with three points.

The Major section was for under 1900 grading and had

a very strong field. In the final round Jamie Eales secured first place with his fourth win. It was a very impressive performance. Meanwhile Matt Goatcher picked up a hard-fought win to put him in joint third place. Jeremy Lynn also had a successful event with 2.5 points.

The Open Section had 18 of the 38 players graded over 2000. Keith Arkell was paired against the young protégé Supratit Banerjee in the final round. After a tightly fought draw Keith emerged as the outright winner on 4.5 points. In joint second was Wells’ Sasha Matlak with four points. Alice Lampard and Malcom Pridmore both finished with 2.5 with John Waterfield on two points.

In the team event Wells narrowly edged out a strong contingent from Salisbury with the combined scores of their team of Jamie, Matt, Greg and Ed. The event proved a great success, and Wells looks forward to many more. Contact the club at wellschess.co.uk or wellschessclub@outlook.com

Barbara Clatworthy, the Wells Floral Art Club demonstrator for March

Clockwise from top, John Waterfield in his match in the Open at Wells Chess Congress; Keith Arkell and Sasha Matlak; and a view of the Minor section with Ed Farms in view at the back

Pictures: Chris Lamming and Fiona Humphreys

Club invites public to give bowls a go

BOWLS

WITH the approach of the new bowls season, City of Wells Bowls Club is inviting anyone who has ever thought of giving outdoor bowls a try to go along and have a go.

The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Tanys Pullin, will officially open the 2024 season on Sunday, April 14. The bowls season runs from April to September. It is a game that has no age barrier and a good social side, so people are being invited to give it a go and see if it’s a sport for them.

Coaching is available so people can try it out at their own pace without any pressure. Bowls are provided, but participants must wear flat shoes. The club nights are every Monday evening from 6pm throughout the season.

The club will also be having an Open Day on Monday, May 27, from 2pm to 4pm, when newcomers who would like to know more about the sport will be welcome. There will be members available who can explain the game over a cup of tea. Alternatively, the club will also be holding taster sessions every Sunday in May from 11am to 1pm.

The club is situated on the Recreation Ground by the Bandstand. To find out more, visit the City of Wells Bowls Club website.

Seniors’ celebration

A WELL-ATTENDED Mendip Golf

Club Seniors Dinner saw the annual presentation of all the Seniors Trophies won in 2023. The evening ran very smoothly thanks to Master of Ceremonies Tony Scott, and Seniors Captain Robert Miller gave a fine summing up of his year. He reported that the Seniors Section now numbers 215. Mendip reached the semifinal of the Somerset Scratch Cup under the captaincy of Martin Myers who is now stepping down after leading the team for six years. Mendip under the captaincy of Steve Davis also reached the semi-final of the Seniors Somerset Rose Bowl losing to eventual winners Burnham and Berrow.

There have been four Pro Shop Stableford events. Seventy-three played in the event won by William Burns with 42 points after count back from Georgie Powell. The next event was won by Simon Jefferies with 39 after count back from Clayton Merrett. The third event was won by Victoria Hicks with 40.

Sixty ladies played in a 9-hole qualifying event. Div 1 went to Jan Fukuyama with 19 points. Div 2 was won by Sue Needham with 17. Div 3 went to Pauline Williams with a fine 21 points.

Tutors Required

Wells Tutors

Contact:

Alison 07746 743193

learning@wellstutors.co.uk

www.wellstutors.co.uk

GOLF

Easter Family Trail

29 March - 14 April, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Easter Family Storytelling

2nd April, 11am and 1.30pm

Easter Family Crafting

4th and 11th April, 11am - 3pm

Medieval Falconry Day

13th April, 9.30am - 5.30pm

All