Wells Voice August 2018 by Wells Voice

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August 2018 Issue 14

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Delight as Wells wins Plastic Free accolade WELLS has become the first officially recognised Plastic Free community in Somerset. Schools, businesses and organisations across the city from the city council to Wells WI have been working to reduce the use of single-use plastics in Wells. The announcement that their efforts have paid off with the award of Plastic Free status was made on July 23 by the group leading the campaign against plastic pollution, Surfers Against Sewage. “Somerset has its first Plastic Free Communities Approved location. Congratulations Wells!” it said. Tom Ronan from the Plastic Free Wells group that has been co-ordinating action in the city said: “We have been working hard on gaining accreditation for about six months so we were Continued on page 9

‘Streets safer’ as knives handed in Sword and machete among 16 weapons surrendered to police so far during knife amnesty Turn to page 4

Kebab van set to resume trading Councillors agree that Ram’s Kebabs van can operate in Kudos car park for trial period Turn to page 11

Charity golf day a big success

Dan celebrates decade at deli with birthday cake and bubbly – page 9

Keenly contested event helps captains raise more than £4,000 for cancer charity Turn to page 37

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August 2018

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Jed thrilled to play his part in music act that’s going places

‘I was always in bands when I was in Wells. My aunt and uncle gave us a place to rehearse. I think their walls might have only just stopped shaking’

From left, John Dunk, Felix Clary Weatherall and Jed Hampson pictured at the Maida Vale Studios for a live session for Radio 1 group project, I would always team up with my friend Felix and just make really goofy stuff. We were working on a fake art installation towards the end of our degree – in which we wore turtle necks and asked people to queue up for about 20 minutes in order to listen to a pre-recorded loop of art-speak gibberish – and he asked me if I wanted to help him work out how to play his own music live. “I have always adored the stuff he produces and I was really excited, particularly as he makes dance music and the general trajectory for dance music producers is that they go on to become DJs rather than performers.” Jed, whose mother Tanith is well known from her time at Wells Trading Post and brother Nick is head chef at The Bishop’s Palace cafe The Bishop’s Table, says he was lucky to grow up in a musical household. “Music was pretty central to everything – my dad was a musician, and earlier on in my life lots of his energy was directed into thinking creatively about it. As well as this, my mum’s involvement in the punk scene in the Eighties really shaped her and all throughout my life we’ve shared similar

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WELLS guitarist Jed Hampson is about to embark on a major tour with music sensations Ross From Friends. The talented trio that make up the act have signed to record label Brainfeeder, and with an album, Family Portrait, coming out at the end of July, will be touring in the UK and Europe before spending three weeks on the road in the United States. It’s more than former Wells Blue School student Jed could have dreamed of when he was growing up in the area and playing in local bands. “I was always in bands when I was in Wells. Playing in and around Somerset and Bristol was really rewarding and something that I put all of my thoughts into,” he said. “My aunt and uncle live just outside of Wells, and they always gave us a place to rehearse which we were so grateful for. I think their walls might have only just stopped shaking, so they’re probably quite grateful that I left.” It was while he was at University of London college Goldsmiths that he met Felix Clary Weatherall and the two began to make music together. “When I got to 18 I wasn’t particularly sure what I wanted to do so I applied to a few universities outside of Somerset to do music – I felt like if anything it would give me three years to work stuff out and learn what life outside of Wells was really like,” said Jed. “They were some of the best years of my life and really helped me to grow and develop as a musician and as a person. “Whenever we had to do a

interests. From an early age it was something I was really inspired by, and I’m really happy and quite proud to be able to keep it central to my life too.” With Jed on guitar and Felix who “triggers all the samples and generally dictates it”, the Ross From Friends trio is completed by John Dunk who plays saxophone and keyboards. “Since starting about two years ago it’s really taken off which is wicked,” said Jed. “We’re lucky enough to get to do a lot of touring throughout Europe, as well as Australia and Canada. It’s taken me to some unusual places too: remote towns in Lithuania; the Albanian riviera, a bowling alley in Bristol… “There is an album coming out, and off the back of that we’ll be heading out on a massive tour in the UK and Europe, before spending three weeks in the States. “Unfortunately there’s no date pencilled in at The Bishop’s Barn, but we’re playing in Bristol on October 2.” AURA REST

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August 2018

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Knife amnesty ‘a success’ but crime figures show rise

SIXTEEN knives have so been surrendered at Wells Police Station during the Operation Sceptre knife amnesty. They range from a large sword and a machete to small throwing knives. The knife amnesty is part of a national initiative to tackle knife crime, and a knife surrender bin will remain in place at the police station until the amnesty ends on July 31. “It has been a success and this makes the streets safer for all of us,” said PC Darren Pearson. “I would encourage parents to talk to their children and ask them if they do carry knives to hand them in to the police station.” The amnesty comes during a period of uncertainty for Wells police with the police station

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likely to be relocated to the fire station site. The police have also faced an increase in criminal activity in the city. The latest figures reveal that reported crimes rose from 91 in April to 139 in May. There were 92 reported crimes in March, and just 58 in February. The May figures show a marked increase in the categories of anti-social behaviour (up from 33 in April to 40 in May), criminal damage and arson (up from 6 to 20), shoplifting (up from 4 to 19), and violence and sexual offences (up from 21 to 29). Mendip neighbourhood inspector Mark Nicholson said: “There was a temporary blip on our crime figures earlier in the year which was down to a series of anti-social behaviour-related

PC Darren Pearson with one of the weapons handed in at Wells police station during the knife amnesty, with the full range shown top

incidents. A group of several people were responsible for the problems. These people have been dealt with or are in the process of being dealt with. “Looking forward, we have been working more closely with agency partners in an effort to prevent a repeat of similar incidents. “We do rely on the public to work with us, be our ‘eyes and ears’ and report anti-social behaviour so that it can be dealt with. However, we do prefer to deal with such matters at source and prevent such incidents from happening.”

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Car boot sales set to resume

Two car wash plans approved

CAR boot sales are to start up again this summer at Palace Fields, Wells. The first car boot sale will be on Saturday, August 4, and they will run on consecutive Saturdays throughout August and September. The cost for car booters, who can arrive from 9am, will be £5. All-day public parking for £3 on Saturdays will continue at the same site.

WELLS is to get two new hand car washes. Both plans that had been submitted to Mendip District Council have been approved. There will be a new canopy area and amenity cabin for a hand vehicle wash and valeting service on scrubland at The Old Cold Store, Rowdens Road, while redundant agricultural land will be used for an open car wash at Palace Farm, Silver Street.

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Blaze tackled in Fire crews free old slurry pit lift occupants A FIRE appliance from Wells was sent to the scene of a fire in an old slurry pit at Wells Road, Panborough, on July 22. Another appliance from Glastonbury, the water bowser from Bridgwater and specialist officers also attended. Crews used one 45mm jet and one compressed air foam jet to extinguish the fire.

THREE adults, a child and two dogs had to be rescued by the fire service after a getting trapped in a lift in Wells on June 25. An engine from Wells Fire Station was sent to the scene at Homechime House, Priory Road, where a lift had got stuck between floors. The occupants were freed with the use of small tools.

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New station will reflect changing face of policing WELLS residents will notice some significant changes when a new police station is built in the city. It will be smaller than the old building on Glastonbury Road, there will be no front office for enquiries, and the response teams currently based in Wells will move to Shepton Mallet. But in future the public are more likely to see police officers working on laptops in cafes around the city under a programme to get them out of the office and into the community. Police and Crime

Chief Inspector Sharon Bennett, Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens and Chief Constable Andy Marsh outside Wells Town Hall Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, Chief Constable Andy Marsh and Chief Inspector Sharon Bennett explained more about the proposal to relocate the police station at a Wells City Council meeting on July 26. The present police station, built in 1950, is oversized, underutilised and requires extensive refurbishment. The plan is to sell the station and replace it with a new purpose-built £200,000 base for the local policing team at the fire

station site in Burcott Road. “That is a massive investment for us and it’s a big investment in Wells,” said Ms Mountstevens. Mayor Celia Wride asked whether other sites had been considered such as the library or the Town Hall – “It’s still got the police sign up there,” she pointed out. Chief Constable Marsh said that he and Ms Mountstevens had looked at a number of options but discounted other locations because of factors such as inadequate parking, or not being visible enough. “We felt on balance it was the best decision. We could have found ones that were a lot cheaper but not so good for Wells,” he said. Addressing the issue of the front office, he said that in a week there were usually only about 20 general enquiries. “There is not a cerebral case for maintaining a front office at Wells police station,” he said. Response policing will be provided from a Mendip hub at Shepton Mallet. Chief Constable Marsh said: “I don’t believe you will see any difference. They will turn up just as quickly.” Councillors were told that while millions of pounds in savings have had to be made by the police, and numbers have been reduced, there has been a huge increase in some types of crimes and new crime-types have been made possible. “I think the thin blue line is as thin as it can go at the moment,” said Chief Constable Marsh. In a rollout of technology, all officers will be issued with smartphones and laptops so that they can operate as a visible part of the community. “People would like us to have a great many officers but we can’t,” said Ms Mountstevens. “I’ve asked Andy to make sure the ones we’ve got are as visible as possible.”

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The lines of a 17th century canal feature now visible at The Bishop’s Palace

Heatwave reveals hidden history THE heatwave that has swept the nation since June has had a very revealing effect on the Gardens of The Bishop’s Palace in Wells. Some strange patterns have begun to appear on the South Lawn, leading researchers to open the archives to investigate what could have caused the curious angles and designs to be revealed. A clear L-shape is now evident on one side of the lawn, which, when viewed in conjunction with

John Carter’s 1790s’ Map of Wells, is clearly the outline of a former Dutch-style canal feature, thought to have been laid out in the 17th century. These Gardens were thought to have been redesigned in the 1820s by Bishop Law who preferred the Picturesque style which was popular in Victorian times. Jonathan Sawyer, development project manager at the Palace, said: “It is so exciting when new stories emerge.”

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August 2018

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Safety fears prompt tighter controls on High Street banners SAFETY concerns mean that stricter controls are to be introduced on the banners that are hung above Wells High Street. Wells city councillors have decided to take action after hearing that 19 of the cross-street wires in the High Street that the banners are hung from are damaged or rusting. The banners themselves are getting bigger and heavier, members of the finance and general purposes committee were told at their meeting on July 12, and one “poor quality” banner recently blew off. “I’ve never seen so much damage to the wires as in the last six months,” reported council Open Spaces Officer Steve Luck, who has just carried out an inspection. “The banners are getting bigger and heavier and stretching the wires.” The wall fixings are also being weakened which has led to one wire becoming detached from the wall altogether. “Lots of the buildings are medieval and listed and not really suitable to have bolts in them,” said Councillor Maureen Brandon. Permission to hang banners has to be given by the city council and Somerset Highways. The wires are intended to hang the Christmas lights, but as these are generally lighter and do not get caught by the wind in the same way, they do not pose the same danger. Rather than ban banners altogether, councillors decided to introduce tighter restrictions from January on which wires banners can be hung from, and the size and composition of the banners. Money from the Christmas lights budget will be used to repair the wires. n Councillors considered funding applications at the meeting from Wells City Band, Wells Food Festival and the Wells in Mosaic project. Wells City Band had

requested £200 for a day of brass band concerts in Wells on September 16, which would include the hire of The Bishop’s Barn. Councillors agreed to underwrite the event but suggested that the Wells Recreation Ground Trust be approached first to see if they can grant the day as one of their free community events. Food festival representatives Jon Abbott and Simon Lawder addressed the committee at the start of the meeting to request £711 as a rent rebate on the use of the Town Hall on the day of the festival. They explained how the costs they face are going up, including this year the need for tracking and an electricity generator in the Recreation Ground. Councillors decided to meet the cost again this year, but to ask the festival organisers to build the cost into their budget in future. They also agreed to the £500 contribution requested for the Wells in Mosaic project. n A new automated barrier is to be installed at the Town Hall car park at a cost of £3,685; nearly £2,000 is to be spent replacing the five radiators in the Parkes Room that are more than 20 years old and have stopped working; £1,000 will be spent from the property budget on making good damage from a water leak in the Post Office building in the Market Place; and committee members agreed to meet the cost, estimated at £100, of providing an electricity supply for a defibrillator that Wells Rotary Club wants to install at the bus station ticket office. n Data from a Speed Indicator Device that was used on Portway for a trial period recorded 69,000 vehicles entering Wells in 12 days – one third of which were speeding, the committee was told. Four of the vehicles were travelling at more than 70mph on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 30mph.

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wells in mosaic

Councillor Tony Robbins hands a cheque to Steve Wilson of the Wells in Mosaic team of volunteers

City council awards project £500 THE Wells in Mosaic project has received a grant of £500 from Wells City Council. The mosaic will be six metres in diameter and act as a tourist guide as well as a tourist attraction. “The finance and general purposes committee of Wells City Council are delighted to support this project which will benefit Wells for centuries to come,” said the committee’s chairman Tony Robbins. Individuals or businesses can contribute:

By post To Wells in Mosaic, 23 New Street, Wells BA5 2LE, cheques made payable to Wells in Mosaic. Through your bank Bank details below. Online n Via the ‘donate’ button at: www.wellsinmosaic.org n Direct to the Paypal account at: www.paypal.me/wellinmosaic n By BACs to the bank account: Wells in Mosaic / 13873609 / 20-99-40 n On the Facebook page: www. faceook.com/wellsinmosaic

Meetings about impact of Brexit THE European Movement’s Mendip Branch is staging four public meetings, including one in Wells, to help people understand the impact of the Brexit process at a grassroots level. These public meetings will take place on consecutive Friday evenings in September. Each will examine the practical impact of Brexit on an important segment of life in Somerset: n Health & Social Care, September 7, St Peter’s Church, Shepton Mallet. n Agriculture, Food & Our Environment, September 14, Town Hall, Glastonbury. n Tourism, the Arts, & Hospitality, September 21, The Hubnub Centre, Frome. n What It All Means for Somerset, September 28, St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells. Each event will include a

panel of local people who – dayto-day – are directly involved in the different sectors being put under the microscope. Among the panellists taking part are: Anthony Gibson, formerly NFU’s South West director; Ralph Lister, chief executive of Take Art; Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms Ltd; and Simon Nash, chief executive of The Somerset Wildlife Trust. Each panellist will speak briefly about the impact Brexit has had and will have on the work they do. A moderator will then invite questions from the audience for the panel to answer. The meetings will begin at 7pm. All are open to the public and are free. Further details are available from European Movement Mendip Branch, www.euromovemendip.com, eventcoord.emmb@gmail.com

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August 2018

I’m sure we can all agree this past month has most definitely been a memorable one! With the England team carrying us through to the semi-finals and a scorching heat wave it has, quite simply, been an amazing month. Let’s hope August can follow in its footsteps and keep the good times rolling. Of course, with August comes school holidays and the penultimate bank holiday of the year. From us and all the team at The White Hart, we hope you have a very enjoyable and relaxed summer. Tudor & Lucy Hopkins

NEWS FROM SADLER’S DID YOU KNOW... It’s summer and we are here in Somerset the home of cider but did you know that across the county there are over 400 varieties of apple grown – that’s a lot of cider if you were to sample all of them!

THE MOAT BOAT RACE OF WELLS Good luck to everyone involved in the infamous moat boat race taking place this month! We hope to see a lot of you there as we cheer on the brave - more than likely very wet competitors!

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27TH OCTOBER We are excited to offer an experience like no other. We welcome The Candlelight Murder Mystery Company to host an evening of murder, mystery and a great 5 course taster menu here at The White Hart. See our website for more information - with tickets (£49.50) selling fast, booking is essential. Call us on 01749 672056

LOCALS NIGHT AT SADLER’S

Every Wednesday night we offer our local’s night special with chef’s dish of the day and a glass of wine for only £8.50. If it’s halfway through the week and you don’t feel like cooking, you can join us and we will do the work for you! With homely dishes such as chicken and ham pie or home battered fish and chips it’s an easy evening for you to relax and put your feet up. Served between 18:30 – 19:30

WIN DINNER FOR TWO IN SADLER’S BRASSERIE Just answer this question: Wells is known as the smallest city in England and having the oldest residential street but can you name one of the oldest cities in England? Please email your answer to competition@sadlersbrasserie.com Last month’s winner: Martin Harrington

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August 2018

n NEWS Story sessions for children AUTHOR and storyteller Beth Webb will be holding two children’s storytelling sessions at Wells Library on Wednesday, August 22. Junk Yard Dragon and other Tales, for four- to six-year-olds, will take place from 11am11.30am, and Tales of Mischief and Mayhem!, for seven- to 11-year-olds, from 11.30am12.15pm. Places are free but must be booked in advance by calling in at the library in Union Street; by calling 0300 123 2224; or by emailing wlslib@somerset.gov. uk.

Chairman Robert Powell is pictured taking his turn to prepare food at the Wells Chamber of Commerce & Tourism barbecue that followed the July meeting. The event allowed members to socialise on the patio area outside the Old Mill offices at Bishopbrook House, Cathedral Avenue, where the meetings are held. The next meeting will be on Monday, September 3, at which new members will be welcome.

Scheme hones leadership skills FOOD producer Charlie Bigham’s has kickstarted a new apprenticeship scheme at its food production campus in Dulcote near Wells. Thirteen ‘apprentices’ – aged between 24 and 61 – have been enrolled in a Level 2 Business Improvement Techniques Apprenticeship scheme at the campus, that has been developed in partnership with Somersetbased training provider Element Skills. The apprentices, most of whom joined the company following a regional recruitment drive when the new food campus opened its doors last September, have all been promoted to team leader positions as they embark on the next stage of their professional development. The first of its kind to launch in the new campus, the scheme is

supporting the development and growth of the new team leaders, who are responsible for a range of areas in the Charlie Bigham’s kitchen – from ingredients preparation to cooking and packing. More than 180 people now work in the production kitchen at Dulcote making some of the brand’s most popular dishes, including Fish Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala and Cottage Pie. Lauri Duncan, head of people at Charlie Bigham’s, said: “As a company we are committed to ensuring our employees are happy in their roles and look to support their career progression wherever possible. Everything we create is about quality, not compromise; this is reflected in the approach we take to recruitment and people development. We’re building

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a team for the future, with the skills and expertise to underpin and help drive the growth of our campus.” Jason Lloyd, team leader at Element Skills Training, part of Cardiff and Vale College, said: “Element Skills Training is extremely proud to be working with Charlie Bigham’s on providing quality training with a real emphasis on improving not just the business but also the potential of their people.” Charlie Bigham’s food production campus is built over 85,000 sq ft in a regenerated quarry and was recently crowned ‘Building of the Year’ in the region’s top architectural awards. Charlie Bigham’s is one of the UK’s most successful independent food brands, producing 12.5 million dishes every year.

Afternoon of Sikh culture THERE will be a chance to Meet the Sikhs at The Bishop’s Palace on Saturday, August 18. Wells Rotary is presenting an afternoon of Sikh culture with free veggie food, traditional Bhangra drummers and dancers, turban tying and information about Sikhi. There will also be information about Rotary projects, both local and international. The event takes place on The Bishop’s Green from noon-4pm.

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August 2018

n NEWS

City unites to win Plastic Free status

From page 1 really pleased for all that work to have been recognised.” The news was also welcomed by Wells Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and Wells City Council, both strong supporters of the scheme. “Wells Chamber of Commerce is delighted the City of Wells has been awarded Plastic Free status. We all need to look at ways of reducing our reliance on singleuse plastics both in business at home. The chamber is pleased to support this initiative,” said chairman Robert Powell. Mayor of Wells Councillor Celia Wride said: “Wells City Council is delighted to hear that the city has achieved Plastic Free status. The council has supported this effort from the start, passing a resolution to enable the city to become eligible and helping in practical ways including awareness events at the Town Hall and litter-picks.” To gain the Plastic Free community accolade meant meeting guidelines set by Surfers Against Sewage. The scheme involved working with the city council, local businesses, community groups, church groups and schools with the aim of replacing damaging, wasteful single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives. Meredith Roberts from the Plastic Free Wells said: “The support from the businesses and community groups in Wells have helped make this fantastic achievement possible.

Particular thanks should go to The Bishop’s Table, Cathedral Cafe, The Swan Hotel, The Square, The Sherston , Daniels Sandwich Bar, Rugantinos and Kitty Banks. They all changed at least three single-use plastics and will receive their certificates from Surfers Against Sewage very soon, recognising their support for the campaign.” Other businesses to play a part included accountants Probusiness, who donated more than 400 reuseable coffee cups to help with the Plastic Free bid. “A lot of hard work went into achieving our city’s new Plastic Free status, and the team involved deserves our heartiest thanks and congratulations,” said Probusiness director Jane Bowe. “Now that problem plastics are high in our collective consciousness, we need to try to keep them there, and keep on reducing their use. Well done Wells, we are proud to have been a part of this initiative.” Activity by Plastic Free Wells in the past month has included members giving a talk to Wells Brownies and the Wells National Women’s Register group. A ‘Return the Plastic’ event was held at Lidl, meaning that all four of the supermarkets in Wells have been visited and had “not currently recycled” plastic returned to them. Plastic Free Wells will continue its work to reduce as much non-recyclable, single-use plastic as possible from Wells. To join or find out more, email plasticfreewells@gmail.com

Dan celebrates 10 years at deli THE Queen Street Delicatessen in Wells celebrated its 10th anniversary at the start of July with free snacks and Prosecco for customers, and a specially made birthday cake. “I can’t believe it’s gone so quickly,” said owner Dan Holland, who left his job as a maths teacher at the Blue School to run his own business. “I’m delighted to have been going for 10 years and look

forward to continuing for many years to come. Thanks to all the loyal customers who have made it possible. I’ve also been lucky to have lots of local suppliers who have been very supportive, and some fabulous, amazing staff who have helped to build up the reputation of the deli.” Staff member Nicola Ponting made the cake, which was cut into slices at lunchtime and shared with customers.

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Four charities shared just over £700 between them after the latest SOUP! lunch organised by Wells Independents at the Connect Centre. Lunch-goers each paid £5 for soup and a roll, their contributions being match-funded by Charlie Bigham’s, and after listening to speakers from four charities, voted for 50% of the money to go to Somerset Levels RDA Carriage Driving Group. Group representative Ann Turner is pictured at the front with a cheque for £350, along with John Price of the Wells Children of Chernobyl group, Andrew Fawcett from Wells & Mendip Museum and Neil Chambers of Wells Swimming Club, who all left with a cheque for £118. Also pictured is Mayor of Wells Councillor Celia Wride.

Garden being opened to visitors ABBEYFIELD are celebrating the summer by opening their garden at 25A New Street, Wells, for visitors on Saturday, August 18. Abbeyfield provide supported living for nine residents at their house in Wells. The residents enjoy independence, friendship and support when the burden of managing their own household becomes too demanding. The large garden is a notable feature of the house with a lily pond and a varied selection of trees and shrubs. Isobel Panton, the administrator, said: “Visitors to the house are amazed by the size and privacy of the garden

which has lots of quiet areas for residents to sit and enjoy. “The open garden is a free event which coincides with the ‘Doorstep Challenge’. This is being run by Abbeyfield UK and residents and our gardener have been working hard planting seeds and hanging baskets to ensure that we have a beautiful floral display when people come to visit.” The garden will be open from 3pm to 5pm on August 18 and everyone is welcome. Cream teas will be available and there is plenty of parking at the front of the house. For more information, contact Isobel on 01749 679049.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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August 2018

n NEWS

Energy pioneers win £1m in funding A COMPANY formed in Wells last year has been awarded nearly £1 million to develop energy-saving technology. Ed Ross and Richard Ryan met while using office space at the Mendip Hub in Southover. Realising that there was an opportunity to make more of their respective experience in data and artificial intelligence (AI) and energy consultancy, they set up gridIMP, which uses AI to manage energy use. The company has now been awarded £996,467 having been successful in two rounds of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s nondomestic demand side response (DSR) competition. Partnering with EDF Energy Research & Development UK, the money will be used for an initial project to install a new, fully automated, electricity management system at Wells

Richard Ryan, left, and Ed Ross of gridIMP Cathedral School, before the technology is made available to businesses generally. “Winning the second competition phase will enable us to take the gridIMP project through to commercial reality,” said Richard, commercial

Business Women BUSINESS

director at gridIMP, which is based at the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre at Bridgwater. “Being selected to progress through to implementation is a clear endorsement of the machine learning technology that underpins the gridIMP system, and we look forward to working with our project partners at EDF and Wells Cathedral School in the coming months to deliver the project. “As the only UK business to reach this final phase, it gives us great optimism that DSR can provide a real domestic opportunity to create a new arena for skills and expertise that we can export overseas.” Effective electricity grid management has become one of the biggest challenges in the energy market, with greater strain on it from factors such as increasing demand from electric vehicles and heating, and the

integration and management of intermittent generation from low carbon technologies. DSR is a new market to help deliver effective grid management. It financially incentivises consumers to lower their electricity use at peak times, therefore preventing consumer demand from outstripping the UK electricity grid capacity to supply. However, it relies heavily on the need for human interaction. gridIMP’s solution is radically different to the existing approaches. By using machine learning and sophisticated communication systems it can track consumers’ energy usage patterns and automatically learn the consumers’ DSR preferences. The system enables automatic DSR for grid balancing without the need for consumer interaction or change in behaviour.

Don’t miss this Business Focus on Network Breakfast -

Business Women in business have always been a force to be reckoned with and now the area’s most established business referral group (Business Network International) has appointed three successful business women to head up the group. Launched in Wincanton 14 years ago to bring local business owners and entrepreneurs together, the group has never had an all women leadership team before. Shelly Smit, Madelein Street and Jane Weddell head up a group which attracts over half a million pounds worth of new business each year. Unlike open networking events, we restrict involvement to one person per business category.

When you go to a networking event and see your two biggest competitors sat at the next table it can be off putting. Our exclusivity provides a competitive edge, something we value. ‘Everyone looks out for each other’, which is important when you start out in business, says group leader, Shelly Smit. ‘Women do this particularly well, so we think we have some important soft skills to add to the mix.’ We know our business system works, we’re focused and track results. We hope to attract women in business to visit our new venue, Haynes International Motor Museum, with its excellent conference facilities.

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

For 15 years local businesses have been meeting over breakfast each Friday morning to grow their customer base, their order book and their income. It has been remarkably successful with over £5million worth of business being invoiced in those years of which approximately £500,000 was in 2017 alone. Over the years there have been many great success stories from new start businesses launching successfully and now providing employment for local workers to established businesses breaking into new, sometimes national, markets. You now have the opportunity to meet them at a Business Breakfast on Friday 14 September at Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil BA22 7LH as well as have a chance to look around the museum itself. You will find out how they achieve such success without you incurring any further obligation. All you need to do is book in by emailing your details and any dietary requirements to paul.clegg@mac.com. Attend between 6.45am and 8.30am; bring your business cards and £15. A great opportunity to focus on growing your business in 2018!

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

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to support local businesses but we also have to think of people living locally and the impact on them,” he said. He proposed approving the plan for the hot food takeaway unit for a temporary period to see how things went. Councillor Damon Hooton said: “We want to encourage business. Not allowing this gentleman to continue his business by moving 50m seems counter to that.” Other councillors voiced their support for a trial period, with a request from Councillor Clive Mockford to ensure there were bins in the car park for customers to dispose of their waste. At the start of the meeting Councillor Celia Wride, representing Wells City Council, said that the council objected to the application on several grounds, including concerns that the van would encourage loitering and noise, that the agreed hours of operation would be exceeded, and that the site would affect a residential area. Speaking in favour, Edward Romaine of Lyons Bowe solicitors, who has been helping Ram with his application, said: “This is a popular and well known kebab van that has been trading in Wells for six years. Mr Ibrahim wants to bring back a well loved food outlet that has been sorely missed.” Twelve councillors agreed to approve the application for a trial period, with one abstention.

MANUFA ND

THE Ram’s Kebabs van could soon be back in business in Wells. Members of Mendip District Council’s planning board have agreed to let Ram’s Kebabs operate in a corner of the Kudos car park for an 18-month trial period. The van, run by Ramazan Ibrahim, had previously operated at the hand car wash site on the opposite side of Princes Road until having to move to make way for the new units being taken by Pets Corner and Domino’s. The street trading licence to allow Ram to trade still needs to be approved, but if that goes through as anticipated, the kebab van could be open in Wells again in August. “I’m looking forward to opening here again,” Ram told Wells Voice. “So many people have said they missed it.” At the planning board meeting on July 18, Councillor Danny Unwin said that the van had “been the subject of quite a bit of controversy” at its previous site. “There have been complaints, there has been enforcement, there has been littering. I want

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August 2018

n NEWS

Tickets in demand for big names

New funding for SS&L work

AS in previous years, some of the speakers at the 26th Wells Festival of Literature in October will sell out very quickly. Max Hastings, Ed Stourton, Alan Tichmarsh and John Preston (A Very British Scandal) are already proving popular. To see the full list, go to the website where the full nine-day timetable is available, together with pictures of all the speakers and their publications. The full brochure will be available at the beginning of September. In the past few years, having published it in July, it then became out of date when some of the speakers were replaced. In the meantime, all the information is on the website, the booking line or by visiting the box office at Cedars House in person. The festival itself starts at 6.30pm on Friday, October 19, with a talk by David Runciman on his thought-provoking book

SOMERSET Skills & Learning (SS&L) has regained funding for adult and community education following a successful bid to the Education & Skills Funding Agency. The £2.7 million which the adult education provider has secured will go towards educational and community projects in Somerset – including in Wells – to promote skills, health and wellbeing. “We can now start delivering much needed local education and community projects again,” said SS&L chief executive Susie Simon-Norris. She paid credit to the SS&L staff who she said had been “amazing” at a very difficult and unstable time and also to their learners who had remained loyal and patient throughout the year. She added: “We’re now working with our partners to plan great new projects and initiatives starting in September.”

The festival will start with a talk by David Runciman

How Democracy Ends, and will conclude with Hello World at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 27, by the popular science presenter Hannah Fry. Two of the authors are No 1 in both the Guardian’s fiction and non-fiction lists

including the choice for the Book Club event – Matt Haig, who promises some fascinating discussion (on time travel), and Dr Adam Kay, who has been at the top of all the best selling lists for several months with his hilarious account of his experiences as a junior doctor. The popular Literary Lunches are back, featuring excellent speakers, and there is also plenty for lovers of history, art, cookery, science, poetry, politics – and even crime fiction. And there will be a wealth of topics to explore and discover in between. Tickets for the 2018 festival are now on sale through three ways; online via the website wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk; via the Cedars Hall box office tel: 01749 834483 (weekdays 9.30am-12.30pm) and in person from the box office at Cedars House, The Liberty BA5 2ST (also weekdays 9.30am12.30pm).

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Valuable lessons in looking after teeth CHILDREN on a visit to Wells from Chernobyl will return home knowing how to take better care of their teeth. Wells dental practice Priory Dental and oral hygiene company TePe joined forces to support the Children of Chernobyl charity by providing an afternoon of oral health education at TePe’s Wells headquarters. The children learned how to reduce the risk of dental diseases including tooth decay through good oral hygiene and consuming less sugar. “Giving the children the knowledge to prevent dental problems is the most important thing we can give them and hopefully something they will benefit from long after their visit,” said Ryan Hughes from Priory Dental, which provided an emergency dental service during the children’s stay in the Wells area. Elaine Tilling, clinical education and projects manager at TePe, helped keep the children engaged and focused throughout

Ryan Hughes talks to two of the children

Children from Chernobyl at the TePe headquarters at Cathedral Park with Elaine Tilling from TePe and Kate Glascott and Ryan Hughes from Priory Dental the afternoon, while the TePe company provided them with sweet-free goody bags of toothbrushes and oral hygiene products. “Helping to ensure that children have positive education about the role that they have to play in looking after their teeth is crucial for the health of their adult teeth,” said Elaine. “Working alongside the dental team from the Priory Dental Practice to provide this session for the children was incredibly good fun. I think that the power of collaboration by local businesses can be a very positive exercise for all concerned.” Nine children and two adults from Chernobyl spent several days in Wells in July.

Samplers with stories to tell RARELY seen samplers from the Wells & Mendip Museum archive are to go on display. A wide range of types, styles and compositions will be shown, chosen from the more than 120 samplers in the museum’s conservation store. Personal details stitched into the samplers reveal aspects of the story of the girls who worked on them, and considerable efforts have been made to trace the girls and try to follow their lives.

Some came from wealthy origins and some from textilerelated working families. In later life, one ended up in a workhouse infirmary hospital, another ran her own millinery shop, another worked in a strawhat factory, while others became maids. The exhibition will take place at Wells & Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green, BA5 2UE, from August 28 to September 13, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, entry free.

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The Children of Chernobyl charity funds annual visits to the UK for children from an area

still suffering the after-effects of a nuclear reactor explosion in 1986.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Hundreds enjoy fun in the sun as new venue proves a hit

ORGANISERS have hailed the success of this year’s Romulus and Remus festival, which was held for the first time at a new venue. The sun shone as hundreds of people enjoyed the food, the music and the chance to dance and socialise at Palace Farm in Wells. Festival committee chairman Tony D’Ovidio – who has been chairman since the event started in 2002 – said: “This year was an exceptional year down to the weather, the new venue and the number of people that attended – and everybody was smiling.” He said that he would like the festival to be held at Palace Farm

again next year if possible. “It’s very nicely positioned. It’s easier to get to, and people from Wells could walk to the venue, so we didn’t have as many cars as usual,” he said. The event was previously held at Penn Hill, site of the Romulus and Remus statue made by Italian prisoner of war Gaetano Celestra and after which the festival is named. The entrance to this year’s festival site showed images of the statue on artwork sponsored by brothers Mark and Adrian Ambrosini and their Brick Peers company. “Mendip Print and Mark Greenman helped with the

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From top: Giuseppe Chiappetta, Julie Bollini, Giovanni D’Angelo, Wells mayoress and mayor Sarah and Celia Wride, and Carlo Ciccarello; Hollie, Aimee and Sophie Ambrosini, who were selling smoothies; and festivalgoers dancing along to the music artwork,” said Tony, who also thanked Tor Events Catering for the food and Eagle Plant for supplying the portaloos, as well as his wife Janice, Tony and Sandra Guidi, Victor and Lena D’Ovidio, Dawn and Dave Payne, Julie Bollini, Richard Hibberd, and everyone else who had helped on the committee or in other ways. “Without the team it wouldn’t happen,” he said. The festival is held to commemorate the good relationship formed between the Italian prisoners of war who worked on farms in the area and the local community, and as a

fundraiser for local charities. This year, £3,500 was raised which will be split between several charities including Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Community First Responders, St John Ambulance, British Heart Foundation, Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset and Orchard Vale Trust. Those attending this year’s event included three members of Patronato Acli, which provides advice services to Italian workers: the organisation’s president Giovanni D’Angelo, co-ordinator of the UK offices Giuseppe Chiappetta, and Carlo Ciccarello.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Good reports on two pre-school groups TWO Wells pre-school groups have been rated Good in Ofsted inspections. Noah’s Ark Pre-School, which operates from the grounds of St Joseph’s and St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, and Stepping Stones Playgroup, based at Stoberry Park School, were each inspected in June. Both were rated Good in every category of early years provision. “We are delighted to have been awarded another Good rating from Ofsted as a result of our recent inspection. It’s a wonderful way to be rewarded for all our hard work,” said Stepping Stones administrator Ellen Ayers. “We are very proud of our charity led playgroup. We feel we can offer every child a fantastic start in life from being immersed in forest school, sports lessons and mud kitchen to playing in our wooden fort, growing vegetables in our garden, having cooked lunches in the school whilst developing their language, mathematical skills and writing. It’s now great to know that Ofsted agree with us. “We are looking forward to starting back in September for which we still have spaces, when we’ll be ready for a fresh new academic year, full of wonder.” Liz Baxter, chair of Noah’s Ark Pre-school committee, said: “Noah’s Ark Pre-School Wells are thrilled to have received such a positive Ofsted report. Our committed and dedicated staff, led by manager Kerry Sweet, have worked tirelessly to create a nurturing and inspiring

Noah’s Ark staff and parents at the ‘graduation’ party for the school leavers, top, and Stepping Stones leavers and staff at the Teddy Bears picnic held on the last day of term environment, in which our preschool children thrive. “It is incredibly rewarding, and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved, to have this

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August 2018

n NEWS

Tower climbs among unique experiences ST Cuthbert’s Church in Wells will be serving cream teas and offering visitors some unique experiences on every Sunday in August. The famous tower – which

featured so spectacularly in the film Hot Fuzz – will be open on August 26, when visitors will be able to climb up to the top to see the wonderful views over Wells and the surrounding countryside.

On the way up there will also be a chance to see the ringing chamber and bell chamber. Tours will be at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm and will cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children

(over 8 years old). Numbers will be limited and pre-booking is advised. Contact: office@ stcuthbertswells.co.uk On Sunday, August 5, again at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, visitors can listen to the remarkable sound of a replica Tudor organ. David Cheetham will be playing and local organ-builder Dominic Gwynn will talk about how he researched and built the organ. Visitors can also help by working the bellows. Some of the church’s unique and internationally important medieval painted statue fragments will be on display on Sunday, August 12, and Sunday, August 19. Because of their fragility, these fragments are normally hidden away, so this is a rare and special opportunity to see some of them. At 2pm, 3pm and 4pm there will be short talks about the history of the statues, their destruction and re-discovery. The special events on August 5, 12 and 19 are free.

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JULY saw the launch of the Mendip Rocks! Festival that brings to life the story of the rocks that have created the Mendip Hills and continues until October 31. A wide range of events will be provided by the festival team from the Mendip Hills AONB, Somerset Earth Science Centre and The Mendip Society. “The Mendips have a unique and very special landscape, and this will be a great chance to get out and see some of Mendip’s best kept geological secrets, with many events being held at sites that are not usually open to the public,” said festival co-ordinator Adel Avery. “There is something for everyone from family fun days, fossil hunts, tours in quarries and caves to stone carving and art workshops.” A full programme of events is available at mendiphillsaonb.org. uk/events and facebook.com/ MendipRocks, or contact Adel on 01749 840156 or email adel@ earthsciencecentre.org.uk

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.ukoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Fabularium’s Reynard the Fox in The Bishop’s Palace Gardens

Clair Whitefield in Chopping Chillies in the Wells Almshouses chapel

Curtain falls with call for 2019 ideas

Neil Howiantz as King Lear Picture: Brendan Doyle

LNES

& ZE

W E L L N E S S

& ZE

Jonathan Guy Lewis in I Found My Horn at Cedars Hall

ZEST & ZEN

Wells Theatre Festival volunteers

been proved right. We will be back next year.” People are invited to email the festival at info@wellstheatrefestival.org with suggestions for 2019. Among the highlights of the festival were three promenade performances of King Lear at The Bishop’s Palace by Wells Theatre Company, directed by Edgar Phillips, which received outstanding reviews. Audience member Sheila Martin said: “I’ve seen a canny few Shakespeare productions in my time – both amateur and professional (including The Globe, The National and the RSC) – and this really does rank among the very best.”

Julian Laws and Beth Millward in Romeo and Juliet

THE first ever Wells Theatre Festival came to a close on Sunday, July 15. Festival organisers are now calling for suggestions for what should be on the programme for the festival next year. Speaking from the stage after the final performance of Romeo and Juliet which played to a packed audience on the Saturday night, Ros Johnson, artistic director, said: “This first year of the Wells Theatre Festival has been wonderful. Thank you to the people of Wells, our sponsors and supporters who have made this an unforgettable experience. “We always knew that there is a real appetite for live theatre in Wells and we have definitely

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August 2018

n NEWS

Wells Royal British Legion and Wells Arthritis Care members pictured at The Poppy Factory

Group each make own poppy on visit to Legion factory WELLS Poppy Appeal organiser Derek Cooper arranged a trip for 35 members of Wells Royal British Legion and Wells Arthritis Care to the factory that makes remembrance poppies. The group were driven to The

Poppy Factory at Richmond by Graham Smith of Smiths Coaches at Pylle. After a brief talk and film about the history of the poppy and the factory they were taken on a tour where members were

able to make their own poppy. “From a Poppy Appeal organiser’s point of view it was lovely to see the veterans at work and to see where all the orders I will be placing soon for 2018 were made,” said Derek.

This year’s appeal runs from Saturday, October 27, the day of the Poppy Concert at Wells Town Hall, to Sunday, November 11. This is a special year marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Pair to join pilgrimage of Remembrance MEMBERS of the Wells branch of The Royal British Legion are to join thousands on a pilgrimage of Remembrance to First World War battlefields that culminates in a parade and ceremony in Ypres as part of the end of the First World War centenary commemorations this August. The Royal British Legion

event, known as Great Pilgrimage 90 (GP90), takes place between August 5 and 9 and will be one of the largest in the charity’s history. GP90 will mark 90 years since the original Royal British Legion Pilgrimage in 1928, which saw 11,000 First World War veterans and war widows visit

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the battlefields of the Somme in France and Ypres in Belgium, a decade after the conflict ended That Pilgrimage culminated in a march through Ypres to the Menin Gate Memorial for a ceremony to commemorate the launch of The Hundred Days Offensive and in remembrance of those who never returned. Local Legion members Tim Bickerdike and Aaron CooperCollett will represent the Wells branch and the local community at the event, as standard bearer and wreath layer respectively. They will tour some of the same battlefields and cemeteries visited by those on the 1928 Pilgrimage, before marching along the original route through Ypres to the Menin Gate on August 8, bearing their branch standard and a wreath. They will join more than 2,200 other Legion representatives and dignitaries who are taking part. Once at the Menin Gate, Aaron will lay a wreath on

behalf of the Wells community. It will be displayed in a wreath installation for viewing by the general public until the end of August. Dr Peter Trafford, president of the Wells Branch of The Royal British Legion, said: “Great Pilgrimage 90 is a unique opportunity for the Legion community to come together and bear our standards along the same route in Ypres taken 90 years earlier by the veterans and widows of the First World War. The Wells branch looks forward to proudly representing Wells at the event.” The Wells Branch of The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to make the trip across to Ypres to watch the parade and ceremony on August 8, and then enjoy an afternoon of musical entertainment including The Central Band of the Royal British Legion. To find out more about GP90 or the Wells branch, contact wellsrblsecretary@aol.co.uk

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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August 2018

n NEWS

Book about men named on memorial A NEW book will be published by Wells & Mendip Museum in time for Armistice Day 2018. This book, entitled Lest We Forget, will give information about all the men named on the Wells War Memorial, situated outside St Cuthbert’s Church, who died in the First World War. It has been written by Sue Curragh of the museum’s Wells Remembers Group with additional information provided by other members of the group. Only a few photographs of the men have been tracked down but stories of all those who died have been included in the book and some poignant and fascinating stories have been unearthed. Private Leonard Charles Adams is one of those young men who died and whose story is told in the book. Leonard Adams was born in Frome in 1888 to Edward and Alice Adams.

They moved to 3 Silver Street in Wells, and before the outbreak of war Leonard worked as a machineman at St Cuthbert’s Paper Mill. Leonard was a member of the Wesleyan Church and in 1916 he married Eliza Hawkins of 45 South Street, and they set up home at 7 Silver Street. Leonard was conscripted in 1916 but his employers appeared before the Military Tribunal and he was twice given an exemption until they could train or find a replacement. In March 1917 his exemption was cancelled and he went to the front initially with the Somerset Light Infantry and then joined B Company, Machine Gun Corps. At the end of 1918 Leonard’s battalion took part in the final advance at Artois in France and he was killed on October 11. Leonard is buried in France. The Wells Journal reported on October 25, 1918, that “Mrs

Private Leonard Charles Adams ©Wells & Mendip Museum

Adams had received the sad news that her husband had been killed in action, and that his officer had written in a letter from France: ‘My section to which your husband belonged, was taking part in a most successful advance … when a shell burst among a group of men, killing your husband. No-one could have been a braver man or a finer or smarter soldier … and we greatly feel his loss.’” Leonard was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal and is remembered on the rolls of honour at St Cuthbert’s Mill, Wells Town Hall and the Wells War Memorial. The Wells Remembers exhibition is still on at the Wells & Mendip Museum to honour and commemorate all those from Wells who gave their life or served their country in the First World War. Clare Blackmore

Work to create exhibition of knitted poppies

The display of knitted poppies will start on the Chapter House steps

CAN you knit or crochet? Do you have spare wool or needles? Wells Cathedral is planning a unique exhibition of knitted poppies for this special year, commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War. Simple knitting and crochet patterns are available on the website and from the Cathedral office. Donations of red and black wool will be appreciated. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are also needed – size 3.5mm or 3.75mm (UK9) is recommended, but others of a close size are welcomed. The poppies will go on display in the Cathedral during the first two weeks of November, running from the Chapter House steps down into the Cathedral itself. Knit and Natter sessions are taking place in the Cathedral cafe Mondays to Fridays between 10am and 11am. Donations of completed poppies will be gratefully received by Miranda Young in the main Cathedral offices.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS IN PICTURES

Wells Blue School students dressed to impress for their Year 11 Prom at The Crossways, North Wootton, on July 5, left, while Year 13 leavers celebrated in style with a meal and music in a marquee in the school grounds at the Leavers Ball on July 13, right. See more pictures from both events online at wellsvoice.co.uk

The sun shone on the second ART 360 event, held this year at The Bishop’s Palace. Artists of all ages painted and sketched in the tranquil surroundings including Annie Davenport, above left, and Ellie and George, above right. The event is organised by Wells Civic Society. Chair Chris Winter said: ‘We have been blessed with the weather again, and it is especially nice to see lots of children, the artists of the future, being very creative. We are also very grateful to The Bishop’s Palace for hosting the event.’

The Wells Charity Boules tournament organised by The Rotary Clubs of Wells and Avalon in support of The Nepal Trust took place in the Market Place on July 8. Pictured is the Wells Rotary Ladies team of Angela Cussell, Rachel Lover, Margaret Wright and Jane Tibbs. This year saw £5,000 raised, meaning that the annual event has raised £95,000 to date.

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There were more than 20 cars full of free items at the freecycle event organised by Sustainable Wells at Priory Road car park in Wells on July 1. Items finding new homes included two children’s bikes, a bread maker, a microwave, curtains, chairs, rolls of vinyl, a garden umbrella, plants, books and CDs. The next event will be at the same venue on September 30.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Excitement building for Moat Boat Races THRILLS and spills on the water around The Bishop’s Palace in Wells will entertain thousands of people at the annual Wells Moat Boat Races on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27. Organised jointly by Wells Lions Club and Wells Air Cadets, this annual spectacle, now in its 17th consecutive year, raises thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes.

Wells Moat Boat Races will take place on August 27 The races themselves will run continuously from 1pm until 4pm, and involve more than 20 teams from local businesses and community groups. Each crew of six people will be paddling furiously along the moat waters,

balanced precariously on homemade rafts that float on old empty oil drums lashed together with ropes. On dry land, visitors will find over 40 stalls in and around the Bandstand park area, many of them supporting their own charitable causes. There will also be food and craft stalls, plus rides and slides for the children. Sponsorship from many local businesses, and the voluntary efforts of Wells Lions and Wells Air Cadets, makes the event possible. Principal sponsor this year is once again the Swan Hotel in Wells, and other sponsors include Bluebird Care, Bowleys Garage, Tincknells Country Stores, Butcombe Brewery, Stuarts Residential and Shepton Vets. The whole event is free to attend. There will be a collection for charity. Wells Lions president Paul Clegg said: “This is one of the biggest and best free events in the Wells summer season. We rely on the generous support of local businesses to meet the costs of staging it, so immense thanks to them all. Every penny we collect from the public on the day is used by the Lions to help local charities and good causes.”

Festival offers taste of Germany THERE will be a German flavour to the food on offer at the Wells Beer Festival in October. German-born Julia Jeremiah and her husband Wilmot will serve up bratwurst, currywurst and sauerkraut to hungry festival-goers, while dressed in traditional dirndle or lederhosen. “We get all our bratwurst sausages from one of my ex-classmates in southern Germany,” said Julia. “They are so high in meat content. You can combine them with fresh salad or traditional potato salad, or ‘pimp your brat’ and spice them up.” She and Wilmot have been running their Leckerbissen business for three years, and

have become regulars at Wells Food Festival. “We are always sold out. People in Wells love us,” said Julia. Wells Beer Festival is being organised by Wells Lions and is being held at The Bishop’s Barn on October 26 and 27. There will be more than 40 different beers and ciders available during the three sessions: Friday 7pm11pm (over 18s only), Saturday 12pm-4pm (family session) and 7pm-11pm (over 18s only). Tickets cost £10, which includes six half pints. Profits will be divided between Mendip YMCA, Children’s Hospice South West, Heads Up and Marie Curie Cancer Care. More details are available at wellsbeerfestival.co.uk

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A new defibrillator has been installed at the Swan Hotel. The hotel and Wells Rotary Club each contributed half of the money for the life-saving equipment, which is in the hotel’s reception area where it is available 24 hours a day. Wells Rotary president Richard Cussell, who helped raise funds for it by cycling from Wells to Paris, is pictured above right with the defibrillator alongside Mark Tobin and Zoe Newton from the hotel. Two more defibrillators are due to be installed, at Wells bus station and Stoberry Park School. The Rotary Club eventually hopes to create a map to let people know the location of all the defibrillators in the city.

MENDIP GARDENING SCHOOL ONE DAY COURSES FOR ASPIRING GARDENERS £75 including welcome coffee & homemade cake @ Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB Taking plant cuttings: Learn how & when Saturday 11th August 2018, 10am - 4pm Fascinating botany: Gain the basics of botany Friday 7th September 2018, 10am - 4pm The Earth beneath our feet: Soils & growing media Saturday 20th October 2018, 10am - 4pm Hardwood cuttings: Learn how & when Saturday 17th November 2018, 10am - 4pm For further details contact Helen Roberts:

www.mendipgardeningschool.com Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Artist will share skills in two new courses ACCLAIMED artist Philippa Threlfall, who is well known for her ceramic relief murals including the map of 18th century Wells on a wall of the city’s Tesco store, wants to pass on her skills to more people with a new series of courses. Philippa started to run courses two years ago at her workshops in Tor Street, Wells, which is where she and her late husband Kennedy produced their Black Dog of Wells decorative terracotta tiles. Since 2016 this side of the business has been run by their son Daniel in Bath, so Philippa decided to make use of the workshop space in Wells, giving people the chance to learn from her. “This means that I can use my skills and share them,” said Philippa, who has been a

self-employed artist since 1967, trained as a print-maker, and taught art and design in London before she became involved with ceramic work. “I want to use my workshops constructively. They are enormous as we were mass producing tiles in them. In my pottery workshops students will learn how to handle clay, how to make and decorate things, and they can try throwing on the wheel. In a different area of the studios I have a press and I also love teaching printing, which is an exciting process. “I welcome both beginners and people who have done these things in the past as well as practising artists who want to learn a new discipline.” Philippa will be running two courses with Printing

Philippa Threlfall with student Jules Bauer and her ceramic French country scene, and with a range of prints produced in her workshops

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on Tuesdays and Pottery on Thursdays. Starting at the end of August and continuing most weeks until May, these will consist of three-hour sessions in either the morning or afternoon. Wells resident Jules Bauer has just completed a ceramic mural of the French countryside under Philippa’s guidance. “Two years ago, I began the pottery workshops at Philippa’s. I had not done pottery before and had no idea what to expect.

Inspired by Phillipa and her wonderful murals I had great ambitions to do one of my own,” she said. “Philippa encouraged me to start with some small projects until, under her guidance, I gained experience and developed skills which enabled me to create a panel of a scene in France.” To register for one of the new courses or find out more, contact Philippa by emailing philippa@ blackdogofwells.com

Centre youth volunteering funds THE Elim Connect Centre was awarded £3,337 in June from the #iwill Fund to promote youth volunteering in Wells. The fund, managed by Somerset Community Foundation, aims to encourage youth social action among young

people aged between 10 and 20 years, and up to 25 for disabled young people. The final deadline for local community groups who work with young people to apply for a grant from the #iwill Fund is Friday, August 10. Visit www. somersetcf.org.uk/iwill

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Stylish launch as big concert nears MUSIC for the Mind was launched in style in June, with a black tie dinner and musical extravaganza at the Swan Hotel in Wells. The dinner raised several thousand pounds for local Mind mental health charities, and served as a curtain-raiser for one of this year’s main events: the Music for the Mind Charity Concert on Saturday, September 15, at Cedars Hall in Wells. In attendance at the dinner were guests and supporters as well as local businesses such as Amarelle, Burton Sweet and TelePA. The evening began with guests sipping champagne outdoors in the warm evening sunshine and enjoying a live performance from the talented Cathedral School Music at Wells Jazz Trio. Once inside, short speeches were given by Music for the Mind organiser Richard Lowe and local Mind charity

spokesperson David Fields. The compere for the evening, Charlie Taylor of BBC Somerset, then led guests in a game of ‘heads or tails’. With everyone staking £10 and guessing heads or tails before each toss, it proved a fast and fun way of raising money for a good cause. The fundraising continued throughout the evening with a raffle and auction of prizes donated by local businesses. The evening culminated in an energetic performance by soloists from the Bath based Vocal Works Gospel Choir. The full ensemble of over 50 Vocal Works Gospel Choir singers will perform pop and R&B at the Music for the Mind concert on September 15 with guest singers, including You Tube singing sensation Georgia Box. Tickets are on sale now at https://uk.patronbase.com/_ WellsEvents/Productions/22H/ Performances or tel: 01749 834483 for enquiries.

Lower Rose Goods by Steve Howe, an inter-war GWR Cornish goods depot

Anniversary display at Railwells THIS year’s Railwells model railway exhibition will take place at Wells Town Hall on August 11 and 12. The event is organised by Wells Railway Fraternity, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and its stand and displays will have items remembering the last 50 years of meetings, outings and visits. The exhibition will feature an 009 layout depicting a First World War trench railway by Callum Willcox, commemorating the battle of Amiens which

began on August 8, 1918, while Tim Venton will be showing his P4 layout Clutton for the last time; the layout is set in 1952 on the Bristol & North Somerset Railway. Altogether there will be 16 layouts and 20 traders plus demonstrations and displays. Opening hours are Saturday, August 11, 10.30am-5.30pm; Sunday, August 12, 10am4.30pm. Admission: adults £6, accompanied child (14 and under) free, wheelchair user and child up to 17yrs £4.

New Changing Places toilet hailed as welcome addition to Wells WELLS City Council has officially opened a Changing Places facility at Wells Town Hall. Changing Places is a national campaign which aims to see new public toilet facilities introduced across the country for people with acute physical and learning disabilities. The facility in Wells

has been installed by and will be managed by Wells City Council; £6,000 was donated by Mendip District Council and £1,000 by Mammoth Screen, makers of the Poldark BBC television series. Wells city councillor David Swain, who led on the project, said: “On being made aware of the need for such specialist

facilities in the area, Wells City Council took up the challenge and immediately began working towards its very own Changing Places room. The support has been amazing from councillors and the public alike. Special thanks to Poldark for their contribution. Thanks also must go to all the Town Hall staff, the

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Appointment a reflection of firm’s growth in litigation fields SOLICITORS Gould & Swayne have appointed John Osman as a senior consultant to lead its litigation team. The appointment reflects the firm’s growth in the civil and commercial litigation fields. It expands on the organisation’s knowledge and experience in providing solutions to its clients’ dispute resolution needs. John, who will be working in the Wells office, qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and since then has worked for regional firms Clarke Wilmott, Wansbroughs and the government agency the Office for Students. A Wells city councillor, he was also a Somerset county councillor from 2005-17, so has considerable experience in helping clients deal with issues

John Osman, left, with Gian Floris with local councils and the wider public sector. “I am delighted to join

Old Deanery sale will fund move

Gould & Swayne, they are a growing practice representing clients throughout the heart of Somerset,” he said. “I look forward to meeting with as many local people and local businesses and helping them through their legal claims.” Gould & Swayne director Gian Floris said: “Civil and commercial litigation is a key area for our business. “Unfortunately we know that disputes arise for individuals and businesses, therefore our expanded litigation team will be able to assist you in your contractual, commercial, boundary dispute and landlord and tenant disputes. “John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these areas and I am delighted to welcome him to our practice.”

THE Old Deanery in Wells and The Rib car park are to be sold. The Diocese of Bath and Wells has confirmed that the diocesan offices are to relocate from Cathedral Green to an alternative site on the outskirts of the city. Nick May, Diocesan Secretary, said: “We first began to look at options for diocesan office accommodation when it became increasingly clear that, despite the rich history of The Old Deanery, its location and the fondness in which we hold it, the building was not functioning effectively as a modern, welcoming office and meeting space, due to lack of investment.” Proceeds from the sale of The Old Deanery and The Rib car park will offset costs of the new 16,000 sq ft, purpose-built offices, the diocese says. The Grade I listed Old Deanery building was originally built as a home for the Dean of Wells 800 years ago.

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Advice about staying safe News from the local policing team with PCSO Leann Chinnock I WOULD like to introduce myself as a new PCSO to Wells, my name is Leann and I have had a busy few months getting used to my beat area and meeting local residents which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Wells is a wonderful place to be based and I look forward to working here. Over the past few weeks we have been busy visiting elderly residential homes and groups to talk about personal safety and awareness to help our residents keep safe while out and within their own homes. n We explained the importance of keeping doors locked and having a security chain on the front door. If you don’t know the person do not let them into your home. n Never give personal details or bank details to anyone over the phone or anyone coming to your

home. And to be aware of scam letters that come through the post, if they are unsure always get a relative to check the letter. n For any maintenance on your property always go with someone recommended by family or friends and get a written quote for the work being carried out. n Always remove valuable items and bags from cars as this will tempt the opportunist thief who may be just passing, especially when at beauty spots in the area. n While out always be aware of who is around you, always shield your pin while at a cashpoint and keep handbags securely zipped. n Wallets should be secured in a buttoned/zipped pocket or inside of a jacket if worn. n If you have any concerns over personal safety or anything which you may feel is suspicious then please contact 101 and report the incident. This has been very successful and enjoyed by the residents, hopefully I will be able to get around a few more of our residential homes in the future.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Sound sculptures create new sense of excitement THE sounds of Wells are set to be recorded for special ‘sound sculptures’ that people will be able to listen to at Wells Market and in the Cathedral. Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) commissioned the sound sculptures which it plans to unveil in October when the WAC exhibition takes place. Three MA students at Bath Spa University have submitted proposals for the WAC committee to approve. Zsofia Szucs plans to record sounds while out and about in Wells, and interview Wells residents about their thoughts, stories, memories and feelings relating to the city. From these recordings she would create ‘sound jars’ that play different sounds of Wells when opened – including at Wells Market if she can hire a stall when the WAC exhibition is running. Owen Fender and Hyewon Suk are proposing to install speakers in Wells Cathedral’s Chapter House and Undercroft that will relay the interplay of light and shadow in sonic form. They will first record the choir, organ and bells of the Cathedral for raw material, then the contrast of light and shadow will

be recorded by a camera in real time, and the data will cause the sound to change. “These are exciting projects that can bring something very different to this year’s event,” said WAC organiser Paddy O’Hagan. “It is also notable that for the first time the three major Wells venues of the Cathedral, Wells & Mendip Museum and The Bishop’s Palace are co-ordinating a visitor experience during October.” The WAC exhibition of shortlisted entries will take place at The Bishop’s Palace from October 8-21. During that period, the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen will be placing work throughout the museum collection. The closing date for the WAC competition was July 2, by which time there had been more than 1,400 entries from more than 700 artists, twice as many as entered last time. A large number are from Somerset and the West Country. “We are thrilled,” said Paddy. “WAC, which brings high quality contemporary art to Wells, is becoming well known and well established, and winning can be very beneficial to an artist.”

Inspirations in many mediums

A variety of visual works will be on display at Somer Inspirations

AN art exhibition in Wells will see more than 20 local, national and international artists collaborating to provide an eclectic mix of inspirational work. Somer Inspirations takes place at Wells and Mendip Museum from August 1-11. There will be visual works in many mediums including oils, watercolour, acrylic, ink, drypoint etching and others, and three-dimensional work in wood, glass, textiles, ceramics and metal. Opening hours are 10am-5pm every day except Sunday.

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SOMER INSPIRATIONS

Six Cornish artists will be exhibiting at Heritage Courtyard Gallery

Artists bringing Cornish colour CORNISH colour and vibrancy is coming to Wells in a new exhibition at Heritage Courtyard Gallery and Studios. Public Hanging, featuring the work of six renowned international Cornish artists, runs from August 4-24 at the gallery in Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street.

There will be an opportunity to meet the artists, Anthony Frost, Nick Hellyer, David Kemp, Bob Morley, Rod Walker and Jason Wason, during the event. Anthony will talk about the exhibition at the private view on August 3 from 6.30pm. The exhibition will open daily from 10am-4pm (closed Sundays).

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

Real wow factor to weekend of events MORE than 200 young musicians from the UK, Germany and Malaysia descended on Wells for an intense weekend of concerts, workshops, social activities and musical experiments in the first edition of WOWFest: Wells Orchestral Weekend. Audiences flocked to hear top quality performances by the National Schools Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Artillery Band, German string orchestras Violinissimo and Stringendo, and various musical ensembles and offerings from the British International School all the way from Kuala Lumpur. Local students from Wells Blue School and Priddy School also joined in the fun during the ten free concerts and events in the Cedars Hall, Cathedral, Town Hall and Bishop’s Palace. Wells’ celebrity conductor Charles Hazlewood opened

the festival in the Cathedral and treated the participants to an inspiring experimental workshop, forming one vast string orchestra and two marching bands with help from the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Drumming Corps. Picnic concerts in The Bishop’s Palace, a presentation and display by the Royal Artillery Band, a beautiful collaboration with the Diocese’s Zambia Link 40th anniversary celebrations and a grand finale in the Town Hall quickly ensued. In between all of this the young visitors were encouraged to make friends and discover the joys of the West Country by being introduced to ceilidh dancing, sampling high tea, going on tours to Glastonbury, Cheddar and Bath and joining in on a barbecue and game of rounders at the Blue School.

The picnic concert by Stringendo at The Bishop’s Palace, top, and a display by the Royal Artillery Band at the same venue

Cathedral service celebrates 40 years of friendship HUNDREDS of people gathered in Wells on July 14 to celebrate 40 years of friendship between the Anglican Church in Zambia and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Bishop Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, welcomed Archbishop and Primate of Central Africa, Albert Chama, Bishop William Mchombo of Central Diocese, Bishop Robert Mumbi of Luapula Diocese and Bishop Derek Kumukwamba of

Bishop William, Bishop Peter and Archbishop Albert leaving Wells Cathedral

Central Diocese plus a group of Zambian young adults, in Somerset as part of an exchange visit arranged by the diocese. The nave of Wells Cathedral was packed with colour as other guests who had made the journey from Zambia mixed and mingled with local dignitaries and representatives from parishes across Somerset, many of whom were dressed in traditional Zambian chitenges and brightly-patterned shirts.

During the service, guests heard about the experiences of a group from Bath and Wells who visited Zambia on an immersive experience back in April. Artists taking part in WOWFest performed at the service and as guests exited the Cathedral, the band of the Royal Artillery played on Cathedral Green. The band then led guests via Wells Market Place to the ‘after-party’ at The Bishop’s Palace.

Expanding business seeking staff Pub beer garden setting for play WOOKEY Hole Caves is on the recruitment trail as part of its expansion programme. It has upgraded its attractions above and below ground in a £5 million investment programme creating an all-year round inland resort to draw the crowds whatever the weather. The attraction is one of the oldest resorts in the UK and is looking for part and full-time staff to join the 100-strong team

as hotel front of house staff, housekeepers, porters, bar staff and gift shop attendants. Marketing director Gayle Pennington said: “As an expanding local business we also need guides for the caves and a chef at the Bucklegrove Holiday Park.” There will be live-in accommodation for some positions. For more information visit www.wookey.co.uk.

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TWO performances of Noël Coward’s Private Lives will take place in the beer garden at the Burcott Inn, Wookey, in August. One of the producers is Greg Williams, who grew up in Wookey and the Chew Valley, and so is bringing the play back to home turf. In Coward’s classic comedy of passion, romance, anger, laughter and love, he sets the stage for a battle of the sexes

when divorced couple Amanda and Elyot find themselves unwittingly thrown together again. The performances at the Burcott Inn, on Saturday, August 11, at 7pm, and Sunday, August 12, at 2.30pm, are part of a tour by Shooting Stars Theatre Company. Tickets are £15 and are available from www. shootingstarstheatre.co.uk

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n REVIEWS

Emotions stirred in songs from wars Cantabile Summer Concert ON a glorious summer evening, Cantabile Ladies Choir performed to a packed St Thomas’ Church. As 2018 is the centenary of the end of the First World War the theme for the evening was Songs from the Wars. Talented musical director Tracey Hansford had compiled a programme to reflect music from both world wars, plus some pieces that reflected similar sentiments. The choir was accompanied by Helen Wilkins, who makes a huge contribution to the choir. The church was colourful, decorated with red, white and blue bunting, and the audience were given union jack flags to participate later. The concert opened with Peter Hancock reading a series of letters, called Killed in Action. A young man wrote a letter from the trenches, looking forward to returning home, but sadly, this was followed by letters from the army, explaining his death to his parents. In the silence that followed, Matt Dury played the Last Post as a trumpet solo. The choir then picked up the tempo with a swinging rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, followed by a very special arrangement of A Nightingale

Musical director Tracey Hansford and Cantabile Ladies Choir at their Summer Concert in St Thomas’ Church Sang in Berkeley Square, arranged for Cantabile by Peter Hadden, brother of a choir member. The soloist for the evening was Wells tenor, Iain MacleodJones, well known in the area as a Vicar Choral and teacher. His passion and interest came through his detailed descriptions of each piece of music, and everyone enjoyed listening to such a fine voice and such clear diction in songs such as Tom Bowling and Let The Great Big

World Keep Turning. The final medley of songs was called Tunes from the Trenches. This series of songs starts from the soldiers’ recruitment and leaving home, to the ridicule made of the Germans, Silent Night, when the troops got together, and the sadness of remembering home. To look out into the audience with all the flags waving in Land of Hope and Glory was very special. This was an evening to remember and reflect upon.

Variety of music has toes tapping n LETTERS Chorus of Disapproval Summer Concert BRINGING the ancient Bishop’s Barn to life with the joy of singing and the sound of music is very rewarding. On June 23, the Chorus of Disapproval, which is a large, friendly, community choir, held their Summer Concert in the barn. The packed, appreciative audience were treated to a wide variety of music that appealed to all tastes, and toes were tapping. The choir, which was founded by Huish Episcopi school teachers Andrew Brooke and Verity Stoffell in 2013, sang ten songs which ranged from folk and traditional tunes to a rousing Abba medley. Talented young musicians

entertained everyone with their youth jazz band, a guitar solo from Tom Hooper and delightful music from the Huish Episcopi Chamber Choir. Jazz fans were treated to the powerful and delightful voice of jazz singer Sara Gould Haines. The concert ended with an uplifting and joyous rendition of Let the Sunshine In. Judging by the clapping and smiles it had been a most successful concert. The choir meet on Monday nights during term time at Stoberry Park Primary School in Wells at 7.30pm. Andrew and Verity welcome anyone who has a love of singing. There are no auditions. Come along, join in, make friends, and have fun. Jill Deane

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Cantabile Ladies continue to sing music of high standard, under Tracey Hansford’s expert leadership, and their dedication shines through. Proceeds from the concert which amounted to £500 will be shared between the Royal British Legion and Bumble, the mobile chemotherapy unit. The choir will be performing a similar programme in St Cuthbert’s Church on Friday, September 24, at 7.30pm. Jane Savery

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Thanks for help with printing

Mrs Welshman, one of the Phillips portrait photographs

PLEASE may I, through Wells Voice, thank the Swan Hotel for coming to my aid to help in the printing of the Phillips portrait photographs. They kindly offered the use of their top spec photocopier and printer. As a result, these beautiful “Snapshots in Time” can be shown in an exhibition at the Wells & Mendip Museum on Saturday, October 27, and thereafter become part of the museum archive for future generations to enjoy. Clare Blackmore By email

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS WI AT our July meeting arrangements were finalised for visits to Wells Theatre Festival productions, and our August outing. Teams were confirmed for the county quiz and a skittles tournament, and the gourmet group are planning a summer dinner. We talked about this year’s resolutions. The advice to help End Plastic Soup is to “wash well” (using liquid instead of powders, and washing full loads at lower temperatures to help reduce the amount of synthetic micro-fibres reaching the ocean); and to “wear well”, which means considering the true costs of buying cheap disposable fashion. On the second resolution, Tackling Loneliness, someone from Mendip Council’s End Loneliness In Mendip campaign will be invited to a future meeting to tell us about local volunteering opportunities. Siobhan Goodwin from The Bishop’s Palace updated us about plans for the Great War centenary in November. Local schoolchildren will be making 8,000 poppies, each one representing a Somerset serviceman killed in the conflict. Volunteers will be needed to help with the logistics nearer the time. Funds raised from the event will be shared between Wells British Legion and SSAFA, the armed forces charity. We were very grateful to Len Sweales, Wells Town Crier, for stepping in to replace our scheduled speaker at short notice. Wells has had a Town Crier since 1503, and Len still wears the same outfit: green coat for the Mendips, a red collar to mark civil wars, and the city symbols of the ash tree and the famous wells. The hat, in Wells civic black and gold, is specially shaped to channel rain away from his head. Town criers can be traced back to Daniel in the Bible (Hark the Herald!), and the Bayeux Tapestry features two heralds kneeling by the body of the dead King Harold. Town Criers were traditionally responsible for upholding law and order, and Len is still responsible for leading civic processions and protecting the mayor at events. Another important duty for the Town Crier was to announce news several times a day using horns,

Wells Arthritis Group members at their hotel in Chester rattles, trumpets or whistles to get people’s attention, which is why the first newspapers had names like the Morning Bugle and the Evening Post. Len relies on a bell, which let him down when The Antiques Roadshow was filmed in Wells Market Place and the clanger flew out of his bell and hit him on the head during his introduction. Len’s proclamations are written in rhyming couplets, always beginning “Oyez!” (AngloNorman for “listen to me”) and ending “God Save Our Queen”. Important royal and city news is proclaimed from the balcony of the Town Hall, although Len admitted to a rare mistake when he announced the birth of Princess Charlotte to the Duchess of Cornwall instead of the Duchess of Cambridge. Apart from learning so much about Town Criers, we now know how toxic glue fumes gave rise to the sayings “mad as a hatter” and “daft as a brush”, and why condemned prisoners were said to be “on the wagon” after their last drink. Our thanks to Len for a very entertaining evening. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 4, at 7.30pm at the Wells & Mendip Museum. New women are always welcome and can attend as guests before deciding to join. More details are on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ Wellssomersetwi/ Veronica Howe

the Shooting Stars on Saturday, August 11, from 7pm at Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall, Zion Hill, Oakhill BA3 5AN. Space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle will produce the famous Perseid meteor shower which will be near maximum with no moonlight to spoil the view. Members will also have telescopes to give views of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and other summer sky delights. Members free. Guests: adult £3; family rate £5; students £2.

WELLS & MENDIP ASTRONOMERS

Wells Floral Art Club chairman Non Hobson and Mark Tobin at the presentation of a cheque for Macmillan Cancer Care

WELLS & Mendip Astronomers are holding their annual Night of

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB ON Monday, July 16, our club chairman Non Hobson presented a cheque for £550 to Mark Tobin, chairman of Macmillan Cancer Support in Wells. Each year at our General Meeting, club members vote on a charity which we will then support for the year. In the spring we held a coffee morning and sale of crafts and plants. This was followed by a sale of flower arranging mechanics and containers.

We would like to thank the club members and the public for all their support and to Macmillan Cancer Support for always being there for us. Jenny Jones WELLS U3A THE U3A’s ‘Painting for Pleasure’ group is holding an exhibition at Wells & Mendip Museum from August 14-25. After three years of regular meetings where each member brings their own work to continue, and ask each other for advice and opinions and often watch each other create, it seemed time to go one step further and exhibit some of the work done at meetings and at home. Well known local artists Wendy Lovegrove and Richard Field have entries, as well as other members for whom it will be a first and somewhat nervewracking event. Much of the work will be for sale. Each day members will be stewarding, and this may well be the start of an annual event. WELLS ARTHRITIS GROUP WE departed from Wells on Sunday, June 10, with 35 members looking forward to an interesting holiday in and around the city of Chester with our very trusted coach driver. The weather was very kind to us throughout the six-day break, seeing rain only once during one evening. Our hotel, the Hallmark Hotel The Queen, was very grand,

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS containing many historical features. The corridor had examples of Roman soldier statues reflecting Chester’s links to the Roman Empire. For the first full day of our holiday we were taken by coach to Llangollen in North Wales. Here we boarded the steam train which runs for 10 miles through the picturesque Dee Valley and passes through four stations before it terminates at Corwen. It is a volunteer-run Heritage Railway. At Corwen we were met by our coach and taken back to Llangollen for a browse around the town and lunch. Following lunch we went to Froncysyllte in Denbighshire for a two-hour canal cruise which took us across the world famous Pontcysllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’, and through the beautiful Vale of Llangollen. Tuesday was a day spent in the city of Chester. The shopping was good and those who chose to boarded the open top bus for a guided tour around the city. Chester itself is a beautiful city and is known as the prettiest city in Europe. It has the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, the oldest race course and a 1,000-year-old cathedral. Our outing for Wednesday was to the interesting and busy holiday resort of Llandudno, where we spent several hours. The wide curving Victorian promenade is where many of Llandudno’s hotels are built and provides a wonderfully relaxing stroll along the sea front. It also has a pier built in 1878 which is now a Grade II listed building. Thursday provided the highlight of the week when we journeyed to Liverpool via the Mersey Tunnel, and met our tour guide in the city for a panoramic guided tour of its many attractions. Liverpool has the largest collection of museums and galleries outside of London. The tour itself ended back at the rejuvenated Albert Dock where we spent several interesting hours browsing the notable attractions. Friday came around all too quickly and we left our hotel at 10am for the long journey home. Altogether we agreed that our few days away were excellent. For this we sincerely thank Nancy Dodd for arranging this very memorable holiday for us. Pat Thomas

Fun all the way at fab folk festival PRIDDY enjoyed arguably its best folk festival ever as thousands descended on the village to soak up the glorious weather, fabulous food and drink and, of course, three days of outstanding music. Running since 1991, Priddy Folk Festival has an enviable reputation for showcasing the best young talent and this year was no different. Among the best of a new wave of folk acts to bring the sell-out crowd to its feet were BBC Folk Awards 2018 winners Ímar and the Young’Uns, Scots/Irish duo Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson with their band and Priddy’s own folk superstars in the making The Drystones who headlined Friday night to massive acclaim. Young and old danced in the village hall into the early hours to ceilidh band Threepenny Bit and the Balkan/ska mash up madness of Mr Tea and The Minions.

Competition for budding artists THERE is still time for children to enter an art competition being run by The Bishop’s Palace. The deadline for entries for The Big Doodle, designed to get youngsters engaging with art and to discover new skills is August 5. The competition will have a prize for the winner of each age group: under 5s, 6-10yrs and 11-15yrs. The artworks can be of any subject at all and in any format. Shortlisted artists will be contacted by August 8, and all artworks on the shortlist will go on display in The Panelled Room of The Bishop’s Palace from August 11. Celebrated local artists Suzanne Welch and Chris Lee will announce the winners on August 18. To enter the competition, budding artists should send in a photograph of their original piece of artwork, by email to thebigdoodle2018@gmail.com or photos can be posted to Freddie Langdon-Daly at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA5 2PD.

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Galician piper Anxo Lorenzo had everybody dancing During the day, singing, dance and music workshops were packed out and hundreds of visitors enjoyed the craft market and dance displays from Morris to Appalachian clog dancing, while the free music in the Fringe Tent and in the Queen Victoria pub were incredibly popular.

The festival closed with a rare and rousing set by Galician piper Anxo Lorenzo who had everybody dancing. Even a power cut induce by the scorching weather couldn’t stop the fun – the band, and the audience, carried on regardless. Neville Hadsley

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NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE IN WELLS

Show Complex NOW OPEN We are delighted to announce the launch of our Show Complex at St Athelm Lodge. Already 30% reserved, visit today to find out how good retirement living could be! Make the first move towards Churchill Retirement Living today – you’ll be surprised how easy it can be.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n PROPERTY

A lounge in one of the St Athelm Lodge showhomes

First owners move in to new apartments THE first owners have moved in to their new homes at St Athelm Lodge in West Street, Wells. Ten of the 31 one- and twobedroom retirement apartments have been reserved and three are now occupied. “It’s proving extremely popular,” said Jo Ridehalgh, Regional Marketing Executive for developers Churchill Retirement Living. The show complex opened in June, allowing purchasers to see for themselves the layout and design of the apartments, as well as the attention to detail and high quality they can expect from Churchill, said Jo. Finishing touches, including landscaping, are expected to continue until the end of July. “In terms of location, it’s

a nice quiet spot in a lovely, lovely city. It’s next door to a supermarket, it’s a comfortable walk to the high street, and transport links are good,” Jo said. The purpose-built apartments at St Athelm Lodge, the first Churchill Retirement Living site in Somerset, have been designed with the over 60s in mind. The all-electric kitchens include a built-in fridge and freezer, hob and oven located at an easyreach height. There are lever taps in the kitchen and bathroom, illuminated light switches, walkin showers rather than baths, and a Careline video screen and buttons in the bathroom to seek help if required. A Lodge Manager is already in place to oversee the day-to-

SAFELY DELIVERED

Jo Ridehalgh in the coffee bar area of the Owners’ Lounge; one of the showhome bedrooms; and a computer generated image of how the rear garden area will look

day running of the development, which includes an Owners’ Lounge and coffee bar and guest suite for visiting family and friends. “We offer a lifestyle as we offer company and social events,” said Jo. “In our Penzance development for example, owners have set up their own choir, and there is keep fit and a film club. Other popular lifestyle events include art classes, antiques valuations and cocktail mixology. “Our properties offer security, peace of mind and independent living, along with community and support.” The show complex at St Athelm Lodge is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, tel: 01749 987576.

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Leaflets delivered door to door in Wells Professional, cost-effective service To find out more, call 01749 675157

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We are happy to help renovate the property whilst renting. Please contact Sam on samjhurt@gmail.com or 07866 483950 if you are looking for reliable tenants

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wellsvoice

n THE PROPERTY MARKET

August 2018

With Roderick Thomas of Roderick Thomas Ltd

Rarer than hens’ teeth IN previous blogs I’ve mentioned the escalating price rise of certain properties in Wells. There’s an ever increasing demand for houses, bungalows or flats in walking distance of the Cathedral. Gardens and parking push the prices up and such properties are now best described by the cliche “Rarer than hens’ teeth”.

I’m about to put such a property on the market at the top of St Thomas Street inWells. It’s part of the very popular redevelopment of the old cottage hospital. It ticks all the boxes with period character, good quality well fitted accommodation, a courtyard garden, parking – AND it’s in easy walking distance of the centre of Wells. I’m writing this on July 25 and it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes to sell. The price is £550,000.

CLIFTON 01179 734464 CASTLE CARY 01963 351993 WEDMORE 01934 710220 WELLS 01749 670079 Mobile 07791789954 www.roderickthomas.co.uk rdt@roderickthomas.co.uk

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

August 2018

n NEWS

ub l Cl

arnival eC

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A CARNIVAL club held its 50th celebratory meal at Wells Golf Club in the city late last month. More than 30 people came to the golf club to commemorate Globe’s time in carnival. Members past and present reminisced and recalled previous years as a club taking part in the carnival circuit, including Globe’s most recent well-known entry, Wild, featuring a jungle theme, to the club’s first cart – Valhalla Hall of Dead Heroes, which came third at Wells Carnival in 1968. The club has been counting down to 50 years in carnival by listing on social media all of its previous carts in corresponding order – which will last up until the most recent cart entry, White Magic. Members enjoyed a threecourse meal and Mike Rahn marked the occasion with a

l Glo b

Fond memories at celebratory meal

n i ve r s a r

Globe Carnival Club’s 50th anniversary meal at Wells Golf Club

celebratory toast to give thanks to those who have helped with cart efforts in previous years and currently. Martin O’Neill, treasurer and son of original member Mike O’Neill, said: “I think it was a good night and went well. “It was nice to have a get together away from building the cart and fundraising. Listening to everyone’s tales of the past brought back fond memories and it was nice to look back through old photos to see how much progress we’ve made as a club in the carnival circuit.” A date will be announced soon for the groups’ club social, all are welcome to attend. For more information visit www.globecc.co.uk If you are considering becoming a member of Globe Carnival Club, contact Sue Barber on 01761 418320.

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n WHAT’S ON August 1 n Health Walk in and around Wells, meet Pickwicks Cafe 11am, with Ruth/John. 60-90 minutes. n August Holiday Workshop: Leather Scraps Make and Take, Wells Cathedral. Two sessions, 10.30am-noon and 2pm-3.30pm. Free. Donations welcome. August 2 n Somerset Wildlife Trust event: Glow Worms. Stroll through the back lanes of Westbury-subMendip after dark with expert Peter Bright, 9.15pm-10.30pm. Booking essential. Contact Jean Mantle: jaye.mantle@btinternet.com. £2, children under 16 free. August 5 n ‘Midsummer Mayhem’ Family Fun Day, The Bishop’s Palace, 10.30am4pm. Bouncy castle, giant inflatable slide, crazy golf, balloon modelling, mini croquet, giant games, dressing up, face painting. Wookey Hole Circus School will be teaching circus skills all day. Included with standard admission. August 8 n Wells Board Game Group, Cheese Yard Cafe, West Horrington, 7pm9.30pm. August 9 n Open Mic Night, Wells Golf Club, 7.30pm. Just turn up. Further details: 01749 675005. August 10 n Mexican Gourmet Night, Wells Golf Club Restaurant. Tickle your tastebuds with a three-course meal, £20. Booking essential. Call 01749 675005 or email secretary@ wellsgolfclub.co.uk August 11 n Art groups Jesmarie’s Painters of Wells and Timsbury Art Group

annual combined exhibition in the Cloisters of Wells Cathedral, until August 18. Variety of original paintings for sale at affordable prices, all worked by talented local artists. Exhibition open between 10am and 5pm daily. n Railwells 2018, Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, 10.30am-5.30pm. August 12 n Music from The Bad Cowboys, The Venue, South Street, early evening. n The Importance of Being Earnest, The Bishop’s Palace, 7pm. Outdoor theatre by acclaimed comedy theatre group The Pantaloons. Take a picnic, or tickets can be bought to include barbecue food. For tickets, call 01749 988111 or see bishopspalace.org.uk n Railwells 2018, Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, 10am-4.30pm. August 15 n Health Walk in and around Wells, meet Pickwicks Cafe 11am, with Ruth/John. 60-90 minutes. August 16 n Make it! Build it! construction themed morning with fun for children of all ages, St Thomas’ Church Hall, 10am-11.30am. Children to be accompanied by an adult. August 19 n Rare Plant Fair, The Bishop’s Palace, 10am-6pm. Visitors will be able to browse over 20 stalls of rare and unusual plants from a selection of top South West nurseries. Entrance £6, which includes entrance to the Palace and Gardens. August 21 n Somerset Wildlife Trust event: Bats Galore. A walk around The Bishop’s Palace Moat in Wells

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with local bat expert Dave Cottle and members of the Somerset Bat Group, 8pm-10pm. Learn how to use a bat detector to identify diﬀerent species, and fascinating facts about bats. Palace drawbridge. £2, children under 16 free. For more, call 01823 652400. August 22 n Wells Board Game Group, Cheese Yard Cafe, West Horrington, 7pm9.30pm. n August Holiday Workshop: Glass Trail and Painting, Wells Cathedral. Two sessions: 10.30am-noon and 2pm-3.30pm. £5 per family (2 children, additional children £1). August 26 n Oxfam quiz at the Britannia Inn, Wells, 7.30pm. Tables of up to six people, £2.50 per team member. To book, phone Terry on 01749 67234.

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August 27 n Wells Moat Boat Races, 1pm4pm. August 31 n Quiz Night, Wells Golf Club, 7.30pm. Teams of four to six, £8 per person including food. Booking essential. Call 01749 675005 or email secretary@wellsgolfclub. co.uk REGULAR EVENTS Every Monday n Wells Breakaways Short Mat Bowls Club, meet every Monday except bank holidays, Kennion Hall, Blue School, from 6.45pm. Four mats available, try for three weeks for free, beginners welcome, equipment available, refreshments. n Zen meditation, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 7.45pm. Drop in. Suggested donation £5. Mats and cushions provided. Tel: Paul 01749 670193. Every Tuesday n Soda Art Group, 1.30pm-3.30pm,

Learning and Skills Centre, Portway. Special welcome for people with a disability. Tutorials, chances to exhibit, and expeditions out for workshops. More from 01749 673755 or 673334. n Wells Good Afternoon Choir, Seager Hall, Wells, 2pm-4pm. ‘Singing in the Afternoon’ with Grenville Jones. Everyone welcome. gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk n Smashup badminton for all abilities with music and your mates. Ages 11-18. Wells Blue Sports Centre, 7pm-8pm, £2.50 per session. n Zumba Gold. Lower impact, easier steps, Wells Leisure Centre. 10.45am-11.10am, £5 a session. Tel Jacqui 07870 544551 or just turn up. n Latin-based cardio dance exercise, Wells Cathedral School dance studio, 6.45pm-7.45pm. Tel Jacqui 07870 544551 or just turn up. n Don’t struggle with your mental health difficulties alone. Come along to SEO Mental Health peer support group, Connect Centre, Wells, BA5 2BE, 2pm -3.30pm. £3 suggested voluntary donation to cover costs. n Wookey Choirworks (ladies choir), 8pm to 9pm, Wookey Primary School hall, no auditions, singing for fun. Any queries, contact Polly at wookey. choirworks@gmail.com n Pilates mat 9.15am, Pilates seated/standing for older adult 10.30am, Wells Town Hall. First class free. Pre-booking essential: zest2zen@gmail.com, 07946 310877. n Life Drawing, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 7pm-9.15pm. Tutored class with life models, £12 inc tea. Tel Molly 07793 387848 or Paul 07918 731137. Every Wednesday n Wells Market, Market Place, 9am-4pm. n Wells Table Tennis Club, Seager Hall, Union Street, 6.30pm-9pm. n Mendip All Drummers community djembe (African hand-drumming) group. Meet at Croscombe Village Hall, Fayreway, from 10am-1pm. Beginners and learners welcome; drums available. £4 per session. Ring Charles on 07881 304609 or just turn up. n Wells Kettlercise, Town Hall, Market Place, 6pm. First class free. Pre-booking essential. Contact Sally Ann Frampton, zest2zen@gmail. com, 07946 310877. n Pilates class, Wells Town Hall, Market Place, 7.15pm. First class

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n WHAT’S ON PILOGAFIT Pilates Yoga Fitness Fusion for Spine & Core Stability Connect Centre Mondays 5.30 - 6.30pm Thursdays 9.30 - 10.30am St Thomas Church Hall Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.30pm Drop in - Pay as you go - £5 John Beasley 01749 672482 www.pilogafit.co.uk www.taichi24.co.uk

PILOGAFIT Additional exercise class SS&L Building - Portway Avenue Free Parking Fridays 12.15 - 1.15pm Details as above free. Pre-booking essential: zest2zen@gmail.com, 07946 310877. Every Thursday n Tai Chi For Health & Vitality, Westbury Village Hall, 12-1pm. Any

age or ability. Drop in, pay as you go, £5. n Mid Somerset Wargamers, Seager Hall, Wells, 7pm. Role play and board games. Members must be 18 or over; juniors (12 or over) can attend with adult member. facebook.com/ groups/1395072510738529/ n Lunchtime Pilates mat class, Wells Town Hall, 1pm. First class free. Pre-booking essential: zest2zen@gmail.com, 07946 310877. n From August 9, Life Drawing, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 1.30pm3.30pm. Tutored class with life models, £12 inc tea. Tel Molly 07793 387848 or Paul 07918 731137. Every Friday n Live music, The City Arms, High Street, 8.30pm. n Wells Country Market, Seager Hall, Union Street, 10am-noon. All home-cooked food plus craft and produce table. n Wells Refugee Aid collection at Wells Town Hall, 10am-11.45am. Collecting donations in Wells for refugees around the world,

DISABLED ACCESS IN ALL 3 SCREENS

distribution via RAFT in Taunton. Quality warm clothes, waterproof shoes, blankets and sleeping bags always needed. n Pilates class, Wells Town Hall, Market Place, 9.45am; and seated and standing Pilates class for older adults, 11am. First class free. Prebooking essential: zest2zen@gmail. com, 07946 310877. n Zumba Gold at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells, 10am-11am and 11.30am-12.30pm. £5 per session (second class free if you stay for it). More details from Carole-Anne on 07484 216900 / 01278 722292. n Tai Chi for Health class, Connect Centre, Wells, BA5 2BE, 2pm3.30pm. Very gentle exercise, can be done seated if necessary. Suitable for all. Everyone welcome. £3 donation. Every Saturday n Wells Market, Market Place, 9am-4pm. n Pay and Play badminton for all abilities, teenagers and adults, Wells Blue Sports Centre, 9am10am, £3 per session. n Badzone – Wells Junior Badminton Club for all abilities – ages 7-15. Wells Blue Sports Centre,

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

10am-11am, £3 per session. Every Sunday n Zen meditation, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 7.45am. Drop in. Suggested donation £5. Mats and cushions provided. Tel: Paul 01749 670193. First Tuesday of each month n Wells WI, Wells & Mendip Museum. Start 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Third Sunday of each month n Gorgons Carnival Club quiz, Britannia Inn, Bath Road, Wells. Quiz starts at 7.30pm, teams of up to four people, £2 a player. There is also a raffle. More information from Shelly Ford on GorgonsCC@aol. com or 07894 078999. First and third Mondays n ‘Clickety Click’ knitting group, Wells Methodist Church Hall, Southover, 10am-noon. First, third (and fifth) Wednesdays n Open Mic Night, The Globe Inn, Wells, 7.30pm. n Email brief details of events to news@wellsvoice.co.uk

STATE OF THE ART 3D

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D O O R

14 20 3

20 2 7 5

B I

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24 25

K S

25 8

25 4

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6 8

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14 6

H A

12 8

10 1

A M M O

H O R 20

A M P

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14 20

7 5

12 8

12 13

14 23

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R M A

W H

25 5 3

E B

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15 1

Q U

26 20

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20 5

T I

17 7

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12 3

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15 5

CODEWORD

WANTED

TXT PERT

Across 1 Nairobi, 4 Canberra, 5 Seoul, 8 Male, 9 Doha. Down 1 Nicosia, 2 Bern, 3 Harare, 6 Oslo, 7 Lima.

chair

6 is M, N or O 7 is P, Q, R or S 8 is T, U or V 9 is W, X, Y or Z

2 is A, B or C er words 3 is D, E or F 4 is G, H or I squibs 5 is J, K, or L

SOLUTIONS

tain

Each horizontal row, each 2x2 square and each column must contain all the numbers 1-4.

Across

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EASY for children

Down 1 6426742 (7) 15 letter 1 6247624 (7) word 2 2376 (4) 4 22623772 (8) Jumping-off place r words 3 427273 (6) 5 73685 (5) avit 6 6756 (4) 8 6253 (4) 7 5462 (4) aemia 9 3642 (4)

SUDOKU

This month: Capitals

15 letter word Jumping-off place

Honeydew pointmelon you to the letters on a phone keypad r words The numbers Silver jubilee Clues 1 tep

13 letter words TXT PERT

13 letter words

Honeydew melon; 10 11 12 13 Silver jubilee A 23

9 22

Sedan 18 19 chair 20

10 letter words

5 6 7 8 Y Damp squibs;

14 12

6 13

9 letter words 1 2 3 Affidavit; Leukaemia; 14 15 16 Minus sign; Uncertain

20 8

14 24

O N

20 24

1 8

E W M E

1 25

12 25

15 20

H O N

7 17

12 5

3 12

5 26

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21 12

19 12

Each of our three horses has a favourite treat – but which one?

K W N

WHERE’S MY TREAT?

8 letter words Doorstep; Idolatry

ays

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Endways; Idahoan; Interim; Scherzi

7 letter words quibs x Biotech; hair Embargo; r words

5 letter words

6 letter words Armada; Bestow; Stocky; Thorax

mia Larva; Offal r words ign

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4 letter15words letter word2 r words Ammo; Buck; Jumping-off place words Flow; Whir 15 20 24

August 2018

wellsvoice

CODEWORD

16 22

n TAKE A BREAK

Work out the 14 code – each 25 20 r words number is always the 16 o 13 letter same letter – words 23 6 20 then fillHoneydew in the melon words 5 clues Silver jubilee

words

O M C G

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August 2018

wellsvoice

n SPORT Charity Day a fitting finale

The winners, from left: Margaret Sellar, Jenny Jones, Tina Davies and Janette Ambrosini

WELLS Golf Club’s Annual Captains’ Charity Day saw the culmination of months of hard work by Cath Levell (Ladies Captain) and Colin Mantle (Club Captain) and their team to raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Outstanding local business and individual sponsorships together with Nick Oliver, from Cooper and Tanner, hosting an exciting evening auction, contributed to the final donation which will be in excess of £4,000. Members and guest teams played a hotly contested golf competition seeing Ladies team Margaret Sellar, Jenny Jones, Tina Davies and Janette Ambrosini winning the day. Colin said: “We are delighted it has been such an enjoyable day for all our sponsors, visitors and members, particularly during our 125th year celebrations. “We look forward to

Club Captain Colin Mantle and Ladies Captain Cath Levell are all smiles on Captains’ Charity Day presenting the final cheque to the Macmillan Cancer Support team in due course.”

Dave Lyus, Malcolm Lyus, Eric Loxton and Steve Lyus

Phyliss Lewison, Jenny Ead, Rose Hallett and Kitty Usher

Looking to join a Golf Club ? Why not join us for a courtesy round? Please call our Membership Co-ordinator who will be delighted to share the many beneﬁts of being a member of Wells Golf Club and arrange for a partner to join you on your courtesy round 01749 675005 email secretary@wellsgolfclub.co.uk

www.wellsgolfclub.co.uk Wells & District treasurer Julie Wate and chairman Mark Tobin of Macmillan Cancer Support

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wellsvoice

August 2018

n SPORT

Croquet players in action on the lawns of The Bishop’s Palace

Striking sight in city for nearly a century

Croquet Guy Arnoux, chairman of the Palace Croquet Club, discusses the history of the game, and of the Wells club

THE quintessential English game of croquet – sometimes ceful surroundings, andto both these are provided referred asofthe Queen of at the hop’s Palace. For many yearsbeen the game has been games – has played onplayed by ious BishopsThe and Clubs on the Palace main lawnlawns during for the summer Bishop’s ths. Bishop Kennion (1894-1921) was a keen player and his nearly a century since the time of cessors maintained an interest in the game. Bishop Kennion. Its origins have been 1976, Horacedisputed Southwell revived the Palace Croquet by many experts butClub h the approval Bishop probably Bickerseth, originated who considered that theofgame e game wouldin fit in well where with the it character of Wells’. France was known ce then the as Club has thrived and further expanded, “paille maille” according to in 0, with the creation of another lawn. At this time the the Encyclopaedia Britannica in b was joined by members of the defunct Wells Priory 1877. quet Club. Others, however have Image courtesy Patricia Ardron

sport of croquet needs a well maintained flat lawn and

A panel from the Millennium Tapestry by Jean Higgins, depicting croquet players on the lawn in front of the ruined Great Hall. The tapestry, which can be viewed in the Parkes Room of the Town Hall, was created by a group of embroiderers led by Patricia Ardron over four years. Each panel depicts a different aspect of Wells life; many sporting activities are included, including a design based on Mary Bignal Rand.

A panel by Jean Jiggins depicting croquet being played in Wells from the millennium tapestry created by a group of embroiderers led by Patricia Ardron that hangs in the Parkes Room, Wells Town Hall

referred to the diarist Samuel Pepys who recorded on April 2, 1661, that he had seen for the first time the game of Pelemele played in St James’s Park (according to Nicky Smith’s excellent History of Croquet). Whatever its origins it seems that the game first came to England from Ireland, and in 1869 the All England Croquet Club was set up. The following year it was played at Wimbledon, hence its name. The game is now controlled by the Croquet Association, whose patron is Her Majesty the Queen. The Wells Palace Club, whose president is Bishop Peter, was formed in 1973 and has some 35 members who can play whenever the Palace is open. Club afternoons during the week alternate between Association rules (rather like snooker on a lawn) and Golf croquet which is a more sociable and perhaps less competitive game. Whites are de rigueur and alcohol is strictly forbidden despite the game’s reputation for Pimms parties on the lawn. Members can benefit from free access to the Palace and gardens through special “corporate” arrangements. The club hosts several matches and entertains members of U3A, Rotary, WI and other organisations. New members are very welcome and can have a “taster” session, at no cost, on any morning by appointment (details

Visit the Town Hall to see the Millennium Tapestry Got News? Call 07906 499655 and to see our partner exhibition, a display on the sporting life of Wells. The Town Hall also hosted the Award Ceremony for the Freedom of the City to Mary Rand and Danny Nightingale on Sunday 15th July.

on the Palace website). Despite its Alice in Wonderland reputation as a “difficult” game, croquet can be

very friendly and lot of fun. n The 2018 season will close with a final fun tournament at 11am on Friday, October 5.

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