Wells Voice February 2019

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February 2019 Issue 20

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Big names heading to Wells for this year’s comedy festival – page 5

Agency chosen to lead sale of Old Deanery THE Diocese of Bath and Wells has announced that it has appointed local agency Lodestone Property to oversee the sale of The Old Deanery in Wells when the historic building is offered to the open market.

Following a competitive process, the diocese said that Lodestone Property, based in Wells and Bruton, were judged to be the right partners due to their experience and in-depth knowledge of the local area, plus an appreciation of the impact

that the sale could have on the city and people of Wells.

Diocesan Secretary Nick May said: “We understand the building’s significance and the fondness in which it is held by local people, as well as the staff who work here. The diocese represents the Church of England in Somerset and as a church organisation, we take our responsibility of care for our community very seriously.

“From the beginning of this process we have been committed

to ensuring that any sale of The Old Deanery is approached and handled sensitively. It is hugely important to us that we partner with an agency who understand and share this commitment; the team at Lodestone does. This, coupled with the local knowledge and experience they bring as a Somerset-based company, is why we are excited to be working with them.”

Cathy Morris-Adams of Continued on page 3

City centre post office set to close Post Office Ltd say resignation means Market Place branch due to close in September Turn to page 4

Change of venue for art exhibition Wells Art Contemporary will stage its annual show in the Cathedral during the summer Turn to page 19

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wellsvoice

February 2019

3

n NEWS

What next for Old Deanery?

‘We’re delighted to be appointed’

THE future of The Old Deanery on Wells Cathedral Green will become the focus of attention again now that more details about its sale have been announced.

The Diocese of Bath and Wells decided last year to sell The Old Deanery and The Rib car park to fund new purpose-built diocesan offices at an alternative site on the outskirts of the city.

It was estimated then that The Old Deanery, originally built as a home for the Dean of Wells 800 years ago, would sell for £3 million.

A former Dean of Wells, the Very Rev Richard Lewis, now Dean Emeritus of Wells, has suggested that one new use for The Old Deanery could be as an art gallery.

“It is not immediately easy to make a long list of the best uses to which the Old Deanery could be put,” he said.

“An immediate possibility however would be a significant art gallery; it could be an outpost of a major national collection.

Approaches could be made to national collections, possibly the Tate Gallery that already has significant galleries in Liverpool and Cornwall. The square footage here is similar to St Ives, and they have got 10,000 paintings that they never show.”

Consultants have looked at the building and confirmed that it could be adapted for gallery use. That would allow the public to have general access

From page 1

Former Dean of Wells Richard Lewis says that The Old Deanery could be suitable for future use as an art gallery

to the building for the first time in its history – and would be preferable, said Richard, to seeing it turned into something such as a hotel.

“It would not be good if it went into private hands. A Russian oligarch could put his hand in his pocket and pull out his spending money to buy it,” he said.

“If I was still the dean I would be saying that it is part of 1,000 years of ecclesiastical history and it would be detrimental if that was to disappear for evermore.

“When you look at the frontage it belongs with the Cathedral and the museum and

the other medieval building along St Andrew Street – it is a whole.”

Lodestone Property said: “Lodestone is delighted to be the appointed agent for the sale of The Old Deanery. Our team takes its responsibilities with regards to the sale of this prestigious building very seriously and we welcome discussions with the local community.”

Expressions of interest have already been received by the diocese, which will now be followed up by Lodestone Property. The Old Deanery will be placed on the open market following the exchange of contracts on new office accommodation for the 50-plus staff who currently work there.

This is expected over the next few weeks.

Lodestone Property will be assisted in the sale by the commercial arm of Carter Jonas to enable The Old Deanery to be marketed as widely as possible.

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City of Sculpture suggestion FORMER Dean of Wells the Very Rev Richard Lewis would like to see Wells add to its water features – and to become a City of Sculpture.

He has produced a document on future possibilities and opportunities for Wells in which he writes: “A few years ago Wells hosted a display of ‘Swans’; these were located on a trail taking the visitor to several parts of Wells.

It was a great success.

“Much more can be done to make Wells a City of Sculpture.

At the Cathedral there is already the largest outdoor display of carved figures in England – and probably in Europe. During the

past 25 years further carvings have been added to the outdoor display both at the Cathedral and in the Bishop’s Palace; sculptures by distinguished artists “In a programme over the next decade or more, new and contemporary sculptures by significant artists would be added at strategic places throughout the city. A sculpture trail would be a feature of a visit to Wells.

“Any scheme might also include many additional fountains to emphasise the water on which the city was founded and to emphasise its abundance.”

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CONTAC TS Editor and publisher Andy Vallis andy@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157 Advertising sales@wellsvoice.co.uk 01749 675157 Editorial news@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157

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LOC AL INFORMATION

MARCH DEADLINE

Wells City Council www.wells.gov.uk 01749 673091 Police www.avonandsomerset.police.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.dsfire.gov.uk General inquiries: 01392 872 200 Emergency: 999 NHS www.nhs.uk Urgent calls: 111 Emergency: 999

To ensure your news or letter is included in the March edition, please contact us by February 13.

YOUR VIE WS Letters for publication can be sent by email to news@wellsvoice.co.uk. We reserve the right to edit letters.

COMPL AINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong.

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

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wells Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Wells Voice is distributed each month to residents.

Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 6,700 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

February 2019

Market Place post office faces closure THE post office in Wells Market Place looks likely to close later this year.

Kevin Truman of Wessex Stores Limited, the company that runs the office on behalf of Post Office Ltd, has handed in his notice and will leave at the end of September.

He said that an application to leave was submitted several years ago, but there has been no interest from anyone wanting to take it on apart from a failed bid to move post office services to the Spar store in Tucker Street.

“If no one comes forward then it will close, and there will be no post office in the centre of Wells,” said Kevin. He said that the five staff who work at the post office have all been notified.

Post Office Ltd leases the Market Place premises from Wells City Council. A Post Office spokesperson said: “We have received a resignation from the Postmaster for Wells and the branch is due to close at the current premises, which we do not own, in September.

“We understand how important a post office is to a community and we would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to maintain a post office in that area. Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the post office and incorporating it into their business should visit www.

runapostoffice.co.uk or email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk.

“Post Office will be meeting with local stakeholders to provide further details and to discuss an approach to post office services in Wells in the near future.”

Kevin said it could benefit a shop in Wells to have a post office counter, similar to the one at Budgens on Bath Road.

“It’s a well used office,” he said. “If someone has that in their shop they could get additional business.”

He is prepared stay on in Wells after September for a short period to oversee the transfer of the business to someone else, he added.

A city council spokesperson said: “The city council is not aware of this resignation, it would appear to be an internal management matter for the Post Office Ltd. “Wells City Council continues to work with Post Office Ltd regarding their lease at the property in Wells Market Place and has recently given them a further lease extension, as requested by them. The city council is in ongoing dialogue with Post Office Ltd in trying to find a more practical outlet for their current business model, whilst retaining a post office in the city centre, to the benefit of the community.”

Public meeting on two big issues A PUBLIC meeting in February will discuss what can be done to improve parking in Wells and whether there should be limited pedestrianisation of Wells High Street.

The meeting is an initiative

by Wells Independents, the nonparty political community group of volunteers.

Senior Mendip district and Somerset county councillors will be invited, as well as representatives from Wells Chamber of Commerce, Wake Up Wells, Wells Civic Society, and an independent expert on the benefits and dangers of pedestrianising shopping streets.

The meeting will be chaired

by Philip Welch, a Wells Independent and the newest member of the city council, who said: “The purpose is to find out what residents want, rule out which ideas won’t work and rule in those that might work.

“Then we can pass them on to our county and district councillors who have the power to put them into practice.”

All are welcome at this public meeting, taking place at Seager Hall in Union Street, Wells, on Saturday, February 9, from 12.30pm-2pm. Free soup and rolls will provide a light lunch.

Soft drinks will be available.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

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Comedy festival back for fifth year of fun THE Wells Comedy Festival – now in its fifth year – is back, bigger and better, for 2019, announcing the first batch of shows for this year’s shindig.

Over the bank holiday weekend of May 24-26, Wells will play host to a “weekendlong stand-up jamboree” (The Guardian), with dozens of comedy shows taking place at six venues around the city.

Comics performing at the three-day fest include The Mash Report host Nish Kumar, Taskmaster stars Mark Watson and Phil Wang, Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy, three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long, Radio X podcaster John Robins and Live at the Apollo stars Ed Gamble, Fern Brady, Suzi Ruffell, Laura Lexx, Jamali Maddix, Geoff Norcott and Desiree Burch.

Also announced are shows from TV names including

Nish Kumar on stage Upstart Crow’s Spencer Jones, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown stars Lou Sanders and Adam Riches, Mock the Week regular Rhys James, Have I Got News For You’s Tony Law and Kiri Pritchard-McLean, BBC Three’s The Luke McQueen Pilots victim Luke McQueen, Harriet Kemsley and Bobby Mair – stars of Comedy Central’s Bobby and Harriet Get Married – and Roast Battle roasters Rosie Jones and Alfie Brown. There are also shows from podcasters

Stevie Martin (Nobody Panic podcast) and The Guilty Feminist’s Jessica Fostekew, Radio 4 regular (and former Wells Cathedral School student) Vikki Stone, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Jordan Brookes, Ben Target, Sara Barron and Lucy Pearman, and double Edinburgh Comedy Award winner John Kearns. Plus hugely talented stand-ups Stuart Laws, Annie McGrath and Pat Cahill, rock and roll IT consultants

Foxdog Studios and, as is festival tradition, the Comedians Cinema Club will be closing the weekend with their live reinterpretation of Wells’ very own Hot Fuzz.

Ben Williams, founder and producer of the festival, said: “It’s our fifth anniversary!

We’re working hard to bring the best comedians in the country to Somerset, and we’re chuffed with the lineup so far. And there’s plenty more to come.”

Andy Vallis, editor of Wells Voice – the festival’s media partner – said: “Wells Comedy Festival is always an eagerly awaited event and gets more exciting every year.

Wells Voice is delighted to be playing a part in what’s going to be another fabulous festival in 2019.”

Tickets for the initial shows are on sale at www.wellscomfest. com. Further shows will be announced over coming weeks.

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February 2019

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Changes to local policing announced POLICE response teams currently based in Wells will move to a new police station being opened in Shepton Mallet later this year.

The Wells enquiry office will also move to Shepton Mallet.

The new police station will be based at Haskins Retail Centre in the town centre, and is expected to open in the summer or autumn.

It will replace the current neighbourhood police base at Mendip District Council.

The response teams from Frome will also be moving there.

The local neighbourhood policing team will remain in Wells. A new police station is being sought with the preferred option being a new building at the fire station site in Burcott Road.

Chief Inspector Sharon Baker said: “The new police station will provide a hub for our police officers and PCSOs in the Mendips and we are looking forward to having a central and visible base.

“These plans don’t affect the number of officers or PCSOs in the community,

who will continue to work as they currently do. In fact they are becoming more visible by increasingly patrolling on foot and by bike and completing paperwork in the community using laptops.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “This is an exciting time for the Mendip area.

“I’m pleased we can finally announce our plans which include a new purpose-built station in Shepton Mallet fit for today’s policing, as well as

a continued focus to remain in our core areas such as Wells and Frome.

“My commitment to residents is to protect local policing numbers including the officers and PCSOs that serve the Mendip area.

“We are able to do this, while also releasing money from our over-sized, underutilised buildings, and investing in the latest technology to make policing responsive to local people’s needs by being as mobile and accessible as possible.”

Commissioner hears about issues on visit to Wells AVON and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens visited Wells on January 14 to talk to residents, organisations and police officers.

At the Elim Connect Centre she discussed the importance of the centre for the community in Wells with the Rev Stephen Fowler, colleagues and volunteers, as well as talking about youth work, counselling and rough sleepers.

She then travelled to The Dairy House, the only direct access accommodation based in Mendip for rough sleepers, where residents grow fruit and vegetables which they then sell at local markets and events.

Speaking after the meeting, the Rev Fowler said: “It is a massive encouragement to our staff and volunteers to know that the PCC is supporting our work. We enjoy an excellent relationship with the police – we intend to build upon

Jim Wilkinson, a Connect team leader; PCC Sue Mountstevens; the Rev Stephen Fowler; and outreach workers Rachel Inman and Kate Burton collaborative working at a time when it is so hard for people who are on the edge of community.”

At an afternoon drop-in session at Wells Town Hall, the PCC answered people’s questions about local policing in the area.

During the session, attendees raised concerns about fox hunting, burglary and road safety. Residents were advised to report concerns to the local team, and it was suggested that they join local Neighbourhood Watch

and Community Speed Watch schemes.

In response to questions about Wells Police Station, the PCC said that the proposed new police station at the Wells Fire Station site would be open by the time the old one closed. That is expected to be in about two years’ time.

To end the day, the PCC visited Wells Police Station where she discussed rural crime and the implementation of new technology with PCs Rowan Hawkins and Darren Pearson.

Afterwards, the PCC said: “It is fantastic to see the work that local organisations, like the Elim Connect Centre, are doing to create stronger communities.

“I thoroughly appreciate the chance to meet with local people to discuss any concerns they have about the area. These public sessions help me to be the bridge between the police and local people.”

‘Team so grateful to community for support with our work’ Stephen Fowler, CEO of Elim Connect in Wells, says the widespread support from the community for the centre’s work with homeless people this winter has been much appreciated THE team at Elim Connect are so grateful to the local community of Wells and Mendip for the support given to our work over Christmas – from the donations of food, Christmas presents,

bedding and winter clothes to the people who have joined our team as amazing volunteers.

As a result, we are able to provide support for those who are rough sleeping or otherwise homeless at the moment. This is partnership working too, and we are thankful for the support from other charities, statutory services, GPs and dentists, many of whom went over and above to help some of the people most

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

in need. Worryingly, people are homeless all year round – reducing numbers is a complex process at the moment. In addition to the people who are facing rough sleeping this winter, there are very many more who are homeless by virtue of their temporary or highly insecure/ unsafe accommodation.

Now the weather is getting colder we will be running emergency night shelters in

Wells and Frome on the colder nights. If you see or know of anyone in need of help, please contact us via Street Link (www.streetlink.org.uk) or by telephoning the Centre on 01749 677097.

If you wish to make a donation to support this work over the winter, it would be very welcome. Please contact us at the Centre or visit our website: www. connect-centre.org.uk

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2019

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Cathedral carrying out investigation WELLS Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers Matthew Owens has been asked to step back from his duties while the Cathedral investigates complaints made against him.

He was asked to step back on November 24, and Cathedral administrator Jackie Croft, who is conducting the investigation, said that the Cathedral hopes to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

“Matthew Owens is currently taking time away from his post as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Wells Cathedral whilst the Cathedral investigates a complaint made by some of its employees,” she said.

“The care and well-being of all our staff and those with whom they interact is our highest priority and we are endeavouring

to complete the investigation process as soon as possible, but also as thoroughly as possible.

While this process is underway, and in the interests of fairness to all involved, it is only right that confidentiality is respected and no further details are provided.

“The Cathedral’s music programme continues as planned for 2019 and the choir is being overseen by Jeremy Cole (Assistant Organist) and the Cathedral’s Canon Precentor. We don’t yet have a date confirmed when Matthew may return to his post.”

Matthew has toured, broadcast and recorded extensively with Wells Cathedral Choir. He is musical director of the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, and has made more than 30 CDs as a conductor.

Chaplain the Rev Sam Denyer leads members of the city council in prayers for Bishop Bekynton at the Conduit in Market Place on January 13, before the civic party processed to the Cathedral for Evensong and the annual commemoration at Bishop Bekynton’s tomb. Bishop Bekynton gave a piped water supply to the people of Wells in the 15th century on the condition that they would pray for his soul after he died. He carried out other good works and was responsible for many of the medieval buildings in the city such as the West Cloister of the Cathedral, the New Works in the Market Place, and the four ancient gateways: Penniless Porch, Brown’s Gate, Chain Gate and the Bishop’s Eye.

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wellsvoice

February 2019

9

n NEWS

Christmas trees give beer festive flavour A BEER-MAKER is hoping to have customers pining for more with a beer made from discarded Christmas trees.

Co-founder of The Wild Beer Co, Brett Ellis, who lives in Wells, came up with the idea after spotting unwanted trees left out on the streets while driving to work. The team at Wild Beer invited people to drop off their trees at the Westcombe Brewery near Shepton Mallet on January 12, in return for a free can of beer. More than 50 were donated and the needles will now be used as one of the ingredients in a bespoke beer.

“Flavour is all around us and for those willing to look,” said Brett, a Californian chef turned brewer whose cooking background is a strong influence on the company’s beers.

“Foraging is something we are passionate about here at Wild Beer. We pioneered our own foraged beer series using a range of ingredients found locally and infused them into our beers. We use an array of ingredients in our beers, including Somerset apple

juice in our celebration beer, Ninkasi. This project is inspired by our foraged series and, in a way, is very similar, but instead, we are recycling people’s old Christmas trees that are usually just thrown out on the streets.”

Beers made with pine needles or spruce tips were known as a cure for sailors with scurvy in the 17th and 18th centuries as they are rich in Vitamin C, and the spruce or pine are said to provide similar characteristics to those found in some varieties of hops.

“Pine trees have incredible aromatics that translate beautifully into beer. Many hop varieties bring similar characteristics to that of pine trees, so we have substituted these flavours into our beer to create something that’s both as flavoursome as it is unique,” said Brett. “We hope this project will raise awareness for waste management, whilst also creating new and exciting flavours to prove that beer can be more than just beer.”

To create the beer, the company are taking one of their

Brett Ellis with one of the donated Christmas trees best known brews, Bibble, and tweaking the recipe to showcase the flavour and character of the spruce. They will be filling a vessel with over 100kg of needles and running the hot wort through it to extract the flavour.

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in February on worm treatments for dogs and cats

Free business advice available AN informal advice session for local business people is being held at Loaf cafe and bakery in Market Street, Wells, on Thursday, February 28.

Loaf proprietor Danny Williams is hosting the open morning in collaboration with Wells accountants Probusiness to help anyone who may be feeling unsure about the best way to approach starting or building

a business, or who may be wondering what effects changes such as Making Tax Digital could have on them. Four finance professionals will be available to offer a listening ear and to give clear and friendly advice on the best way forward.

The relaxed event will take place from 10am-noon. Coffee and tea will be available free for all those attending.

Storytelling session for children LOCAL author and storyteller Beth Webb will entertain children with dragon tales at a Wells cafe during the February half term.

The Wells Rotary Club storytelling session will take place upstairs at Pickwicks Country Kitchen on Thursday, February 21, at 10.30am.

The stories are aimed at

children aged five to eight, but all are welcome. Participants are invited to dress up as a dragon, and it is hoped that everyone will show off their best dragon roar.

Booking is essential. Email e.rotary.w@gmail.com. The session is free but donations will be welcome to help fund special educational needs books for St Cuthbert’s Junior School.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

They will use some complimentary hops in the recipe to make the beer piney and resinous, with a balanced bitterness. It will be available in pubs and bars towards the end of January.

All cats and dogs need regular worming as an essential part of their healthcare. We stock a range of good quality licensed products for worming at very reasonable prices.

We stock a large range of feeds and treats, including many raw and natural items, plus a wide selection of accessories for all your pets Large selection of wild bird feeds also stocked OUR PRICE PLEDGE

If you buy from us then find the identical item within a week for less in any other specialist pet shop in BA5, we’ll refund you the difference

Natural Pets of Wells 18 Queen Street BA5 2DP 01749 673513

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2019

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Couple hoping actor friend wins Oscar

A WELLS couple are keeping their fingers crossed that Richard E Grant walks away with an Oscar at this year’s ceremony.

Tim and Frances Young have got used to winning awards themselves as owners of Stoberry House & Garden B&B. And they hope that close friend Grant, their daughter Trish’s godfather, will win an Oscar for best supporting actor in Can You Ever Forgive Me? “How thrilled we are that our family friend Richard E Grant has been nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor,” said Frances.

“A lot of our friends remember him well, frying eggs and washing up the dishes together at Trish’s confirmation.

“We hope that the next time he comes to stay, he’ll have the golden statuette with him.”

The past 12 months have seen Stoberry House win several accolades, including a César

Stoberry House & Garden staff, left, and Richard E Grant with Trish, the daughter of owners Tim and Frances award from the Good Hotel Guide – known as the Oscars of the hotel industry.

It has also been named best B&B in the Mendips, and a Groupon Star by Groupon. It is being included in the Michelin guide for the fifth year in a row, will feature in Lonely Planet, and has an entry in the publication 1000 Places to See Before You Die. “You have to pinch yourself,” said Frances.

“This has been a wonderful year for Stoberry House & Garden and for all the team who work so hard for the

MAY 24-26 2019

success of the B&B, and the wide recognition we have had shows the wide demographic we appeal to. As in all successful businesses, it is not just the work of one individual but that of the team that together creates the friendly atmosphere that is very much the experience that we strive to achieve.”

This year’s Oscars – the 91st Academy Awards – will be held in Los Angeles on February 24.

Grant has also been nominated for supporting actor in this year’s BAFTAs, which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on February 10.

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

n NEWS

Outdoor screening will be fantasy epic THE Wells Festival of Film team have announced that this year’s outdoor film screening at The Bishop’s Palace will be The Kid Who Would Be King (PG/12A).

The family fantasy actionadventure film tells the story of a band of young children embarking on an epic quest to thwart a medieval menace.

Alex (Ashbourne Serkis) thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin, take on the wicked enchantress Morgana.

With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he

never dreamed he could be.

With scenes filmed at Glastonbury Abbey, Chalice Well and Glastonbury Tor, locals will enjoy spotting familiar locations linked to the Arthurian legends.

There will be two outdoor screenings of the film at The Bishop’s Palace, on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27.

Tickets are £25 each and include pre-show entertainment and a hog roast. The Drawbridge will open at 6.30pm.

Film-goers are advised to take their own blanket or seating, and an umbrella, as the show will go on whatever the weather.

For more information and to book visit wellsfilmcentre.co.uk This year’s Wells Festival of Film will run from April 26-28.

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Brynn whilst she was nesting.

She battled on and hatched five cygnets in May which she successfully reared to adulthood.

Palace staff are hopeful that Wynn will choose to return to her picturesque home full time but are also holding out hope that she might entice a new partner to share her home and breed some more cygnets.

Wynn and Brynn had lived at the Palace since 2013 when they travelled from Wales to take up residence in Wells. Wynn had successfully reared 45 cygnets since living at the Palace.

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WIDOWED swan Wynn has seemingly returned to The Bishop’s Palace.

Staff spotted a lone swan swimming happily around on the Moat in mid-January. Wynn was last seen on October 18 when she took leave of the moat with her remining four cygnets.

It is thought that she has been living on the Somerset Levels with her juveniles, but that as they will now have started living independent adult lives, she has returned to her former home.

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12

February 2019

n NEWS

Solution sought to bring back banners A NEW set of cross-street wires need to be installed in Wells High Street for displaying banners as there is no insurance cover on the existing ones.

Steve Luck, Wells City Council’s responsible financial officer and open spaces officer, explained the situation to councillors on the Finance & General Purposes committee at their meeting on January 17.

He said that buildings on opposite sides of the road need to be identified where new wires can be fixed and stress tested, and he hopes to work with the city’s chamber of commerce to find a solution.

The council had announced a ban on banners because of the damage they were said to be causing to wires and fixings and the potential risks to the

public, but faced objections from organisations that say the banners are important for publicity. n Councillors agreed to give Age UK Somerset £260, and the West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bristol £300. They also discussed a request from Mendip Citizens Advice Bureau to fund the service in Wells one day a week. Mendip District Council has already agreed to cover the costs of two of the three-days-a-week service after it lost its funding from Somerset County Council.

The cost to the city council would be £2,884, which councillors suggested adding to the annual precept. The committee unanimously approved the proposal to go forward as a recommendation to the full council.

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David Fields of Somerset Mind, Paul Clegg of Wells Lions, Mayor of Wells Councillor Celia Wride, Councillor Philip Welch of Wells Independents, who presented the cheques, Lesley Ricketts of Wells Macmillan Cancer Support and Patricia Ardron of Wells Millennium Tapestry

Cancer charity biggest beneficiary of latest SOUP! lunch fundraiser HUNDREDS of pounds raised at a charity lunch in Wells will go towards helping people in the area with cancer and their carers.

Wells Macmillan Cancer Support received the most money after four good causes made a pitch for funds at the January SOUP! lunch in the Connect Centre.

More than 100 people attended – a record number – and a vote for the cause deserving of the lion’s share of funding saw Wells Macmillan Cancer Support walk away with £350.

Somerset Mind, Wells Lions and Wells Millennium Tapestry each received a cheque for £118.

“When cancer strikes it’s really scary and we’re there

to help,” said Lesley Ricketts of Wells Macmillan Cancer Support.

“So many of us are affected by it but it’s not the end of the world. Many of us survive it.

Macmillan is there every step of the way.”

Takings on the door were match-funded this time by local solicitors Chubb Bulleid, while donations of soup, bread, drinks and flowers came from Twenty One Cafe and Kitchen, Sante Wine, Morrisons, Burns the Bread and market trader Micky.

The regular SOUP! lunches are organised by Wells Independents. The next is being held on April 13, when Stephen Fowler of the Connect Centre has promised additional seating.

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

13

n NEWS

Cafe/bar could be quirky new destination WELLS could get a new High Street cafe/bar if a planning application is successful – and customers can expect the interior to be rather wacky.

Loungers Ltd has applied to Mendip District Council for change of use from retail to restaurant/cafe at 41 High Street, the premises recently vacated by The Original Factory Shop.

The Bristol-based company wants to turn the building, which is Grade II listed, into one of its Lounges, serving food and drink throughout the day.

Plans include replacing the existing 1970s shopfront with a new “high-quality paint finished timber shopfront”. This would include sliding folding windows that will be opened in the summer.

The first Lounge opened in 2002 and there are now more than 100 around the country.

Of their appeal, the company says on its website: “What is

A Lounge cafe/bar may be opening in Wells High Street it that people love best about Lounging? Is it the food? The cocktails? Our lovely staff? Or the photo of the old boy on an airbed in his pants?”

It adds that it is hard to do the Lounge interiors justice: “Think sinking into a battered old club chair

under a tremendously tassel-y lampshade, overlooked by a huge Soviet era painting and an old family photo of a smiling swimmer being smeared with lard on a crumbly wall with incredibly loud Seventies wallpaper. In a word, they’re potty.

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“On a less potty note, our resident interior aficionados really aim to bring out the soul of every site, with sympathetic design and murals that celebrate the history and spirit of each local community.”

A Design, Access & Heritage Statement with the planning documents says the cafe/bar “will be food led and will have a particular appeal to families – ‘vertical drinking’ is not encouraged”.

It continues: “The Loungers group source produce from local suppliers wherever possible and this will benefit the local economy.

“The hiring of locally based staff and the increased footfall will inevitably aid the economy of nearby retail units, thus contributing to the economic sustainability of Wells.”

The anticipated number of employees is 15 full-time and 15 part-time staff.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

14

February 2019

n NEWS

New organiser for Talking Newspaper WELLS Talking Newspaper is to have a new organiser for the first time in 25 years.

The Talking Newspaper is a newspaper for the blind and partially sighted that has been in existence since 1978.

Funded by donations from individuals and clubs, it is a weekly recorded reading of local news from the Wells Journal and other sources – including, now, Wells Voice.

It was instigated by Elma Cursley of the Wells Inner Wheel Club. In 1993, Peter Beechey took on the organisation of readers and the distribution of recording devices.

Each week this entailed supplying the device to the designated voluntary readers which number approximately 20. This was returned to him and copied for distribution to clients, with the Post Office performing this delivery service for free.

Recently, Peter stated his intention to stand down from his

duties as organiser. Following an appeal to the Rotary Club – which assisted with funds when the service was updated from tape to a digital system – for a volunteer to replace him, a member has come forward and offered to take on his duties.

“Without Peter’s organisation over the past 25 years the Talking Newspaper would, very possibly, have ceased to exist, and a vital information source for those with sight problems would have been lost,” said Rotary Club member David Read.

“All those connected with this service would like to thank him for his work and dedication over the years. The newspaper could now become part of the Rotary Club’s service to the community.

“If anyone in the Wells area would like to receive the Talking Newspaper or knows of someone who would benefit from it, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Call 01749 672605 or email david@cricket1.plus.com

Group seeking volunteer actors YMCA Mendip & South Somerset is recruiting for volunteer actors to help spread the word about its work.

The organisation – which has an office in Wells – is launching a ‘Belong, Contribute and Thrive’ Tour over 2019 which will see street theatre performances take place at markets and events in

the area, under the guidance of artistic director Joanna Procter.

Potential actors, with or without experience, but with a passion for drama and YMCA Mendip & South Somerset’s work, can apply by visiting www. mendipymca.org.uk.

The closing date is Friday, February 15.

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A free New Year’s Day bus service between Wells, Street and Bristol proved popular with passengers. Enthusiasts laid on a fleet of ten vintage buses and coaches because the usual First 376 service was not running. Some passengers were happy to make use of free transport, while many were riding for the novelty value. The vehicle owners have thanked passengers for their donations, which all go to supporting the vehicles.

1920s theme to George Medal charity party for Caves divers AFTER the success of the Casino Royale evening in 2018, Enosis events have announced that this year’s gala in aid of Heads Up will be a 1920’s themed Prohibition Party.

People are invited to break out their party frocks, slacks and spats and join the fun in the ballroom in Wells Town Hall on March 30.

There will be entertainment from singers and dancers as well as casino tables, vintage cocktails, opulent platters and a glass of fizz on arrival to get the party started. There will also be a grand prize for the best dressed on the evening.

To book tickets, email sarah@ enosisevents.com or call 07941 506800.

CAVE divers who honed their skills at Wookey Hole Caves were awarded the George Medal in the New Year Honours list.

John Volanthen and Richard Stanton helped rescue schoolboys from a flooded cave in Thailand last year.

They developed their techniques and specialist equipment during exploratory dives at Wookey Hole Caves, reaching a record depth of 76m there in September 2004.

The Caves’ managing director Daniel Medley said: “The equipment they used was key to the rescue bid in Thailand and had been developed during the long and extremely dangerous explorations which led to the record dive in 2004.”

Tea rooms plan Anniversary exhibition turned down PLANS for a garden tea room at Park Cottage in Silver Street, Wells, opening on to the Moat Walk, have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

It was felt that the proposed development would be harmful to adjacent trees covered by a Group Tree Preservation Order and the character and significance of the surrounding Conservation Area.

AN exhibition and information display entitled Torn From Home is taking place at the A2 Gallery at 80 High Street, Wells.

It commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport, and coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27.

The exhibition opened on January 21 and runs until Saturday, February 2.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

15

n GOOD HEALTH

Are you starting to feel good about yourself?

In their second wellness column, local health advisers GoodnessMe have more suggestions to help you improve your health in 2019 LAST month we covered four simple steps required to make a difference to your overall health and wellbeing. Setting these steps in progress could potentially reverse conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and depression.

Our methods do not include any forms of diets or calorie counting or any gruelling exercise regimes.

In fact, these steps should be automatic and become a way of life without having to give it too much thought. A lifestyle you can put into place to make you feel good. l EAT a healthy diet of REAL food O Eat only REAL food, read every label and make sure your

Try using the stairs instead of escalator, top; and let your body decide when you fall asleep food contains only ingredients you recognise. l MOVE and get outside O Make simple changes, such as using the stairs instead of escalator, parking a small

Got News? Call 07906 499655

distance away and walking or getting off a bus a couple of stops earlier. Never sit for too long, take mini-movement breaks. l RELAX – take a step back to review your lifestyle and make small gradual changes O Do something you love and take time out. l SLEEP – an important time for the body to repair O Have a bedtime routine, prepare by having a hot bath beforehand or cup of herbal tea.

Whatever you choose, make it something that puts you into that relaxed state. Let your body decide when you fall asleep, don’t fight it, just let it be and relax.

As already mentioned, many medical professionals are moving away from their conventional training and instead looking at more ways to include lifestyle changes into patients’ lives. They are looking more at preventative measures as they know this option makes the most sense.

They also know that the current system no longer works for many of their patients as we are now facing more illnesses caused by modern lifestyles.

There are so many good things we can do to help ourselves when we know where to start.

In 2019 we are publishing an article each month to keep you on track and give you some tools to work with. Check these out on www.goodness-me.co.uk topics ranging from what foods to eat to building self- esteem.

Small steps, big changes.

You can also share ideas with us or request we cover a specific topic of your choice in one of our future blogs by just emailing us on hello@goodness-me.co.uk or calling us on 07931 867873.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

16

February 2019

n ON THE BEAT

Help us to tackle scourge of county lines drugs trade News from the local policing team with Chief Inspector Sharon Baker I STARTED my service in Avon and Somerset 15 years ago as a PC based in Wells. I was proud to return last year as the Chief Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing covering the Mendips.

As a local resident myself bringing up a family in the area, providing a great service to the community is at the heart of all I do. I have seen first-hand how the policing landscape has changed, especially so in the last few years. Crime has become more complex; 15 years ago it was not uncommon for a car to be stolen for a ‘joy-ride’, now with advances in security these are few and far between.

We have seen a significant rise in the hidden crime.

People, often vulnerable, are being exploited behind closed doors: child sexual exploitation,

‘They will take over local people’s addresses to base themselves, selling from there and sending out people to deal for them’

domestic abuse, human trafficking and county lines drug dealing.

It is this last one, county lines, that I would like to highlight this time. So what is it? And how can you help?

County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs, usually heroin and crack cocaine, into our towns, from cities like London. They use mobile phones as a network to sell their drugs and will take over local people’s addresses to base themselves, selling from there and sending out people to deal for them.

They are likely to exploit young people and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money, and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

Wells and the surrounding area are overwhelmingly a safe place to live, yet we are touched by county lines. We need the public to be aware of the signs that people around them could be being exploited; here are some signs to look out for. n Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area.

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n Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes or mobile phones. n Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and /or having multiple handsets. n Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups. n Leaving home / care without explanation. n Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries. n Significant decline in school results / performance. n Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks.

We rely on help from the public, telling us what they have seen and heard; that information allows us to target action, and disrupt this type of crime.

We are seeing increasing reports of suspicious behaviour and crimes on social media

forums. We are not seeing the same information being relayed to us, we are missing opportunities to react to crimes and concerns.

I am a huge supporter of the online forums, and have ensured we have a local presence on them, but I would urge local residents to report crimes and suspicious behaviour to us, every report is read by your local team.

There are a number of ways you can report to us, online, calling 101, via Crimestoppers anonymously or by speaking to one of your local officers at the beat surgery or by ringing them direct.

I feel fortunate to live in such a great city, and look forward to several more years working here with the community.

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wellsvoice n BUSINESS VIEW

February 2019

n NEWS

Market Place shops close their doors TWO shops in Wells Market Place closed their doors in the past month. Customers were disappointed to find that the Wells Cathedral shop and the Steamer Trading Cookshop had both stopped trading.

The Cathedral’s Market Place shop – which reopened temporarily for a sale of items on its shelves – was previously the National Trust shop.

A Cathedral spokesperson said: “The Cathedral’s second shop at 16 Market Place closed at the beginning of January; the main shop in the Cathedral remains open for business as usual. The decision was taken following a review of current and forthcoming Cathedral projects and priorities and retail staff will either continue to work in the main Cathedral shop or will be

reallocated to other roles in the Cathedral. The Cathedral will also be looking for new tenants to take on the lease of the shop going forward.”

The Steamer Trading kitchen retailer chain was bought out of administration by ProCook in a deal that saw them keep 38 stores while ten others were closed, including the one in Wells. In a report on the Insider Media Limited website, Daniel O’Neill, owner of ProCook, is quoted as saying: “We are very excited about the future, though because of high rent and rates and the current retail climate we had to make the decision not to take on all the stores. However, we will endeavour to fill all vacancies across our stores by transferring people from closing stores.”

17 With Rosie Stevens

Grow Your Own NOPE, not plants, fruit or veg.

This month I’d like to talk about growing your own talent.

According to the 2019 REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) report, ‘Candidate availability continues to worsen … Demand for staff remains robust’. Roles that only five years ago we would have been able to fill three times over are experiencing a ‘tumbleweed’ moment.

But what can we do about it? Aside from having a great employer brand and ensuring your processes and strategy leave no room for error, let’s start futureproofing.

Here are my three top tips for ‘growing your own’ talent for the future growth of your business: n Apprentices. Ensure you have the resource to support them and provide them with tasks that add value (not just making the tea). In return you’ll grow loyal employees that start to naturally build your succession plan.

n Graduates. We’re fortunate enough to be based near several great universities. Figure out which universities offer courses in subjects relevant to your business, and start building relationships. n Interns. Got an interesting project on a temporary basis?

Offer internships. Offer fair payment, and if it works well, keep in touch for future opportunities you can offer them.

I don’t foresee the candidate shortage changing any time soon, so as a business community we need to stop being surprised when candidates don’t come bashing down our door within the first 24 hours of an advert being posted.

Let’s start to think one step ahead.

Rosie Stevens Mployable.

Take control of your hiring rosie@mployable.co.uk www.mployable.co.uk

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Dozens of children took part in activities during a Children’s Festival at Wells Cathedral on January 19. Here, Jake and Jonah are pictured with volunteer helper Samuel Davis in the Chapter House

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

18

February 2019

n ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

19

n NEWS installations from around the world,” said Paddy.

The submissions opening date is February 1. This year provides a remarkable opportunity for artists to reflect the Cathedral, its sacred history and its architecture in their work. In 2018, 11 of the 123 artists making the final selection were from Somerset and it’s hoped that there will be even more this year.

Applications must be made online via wac.artopps.co.uk To be selected for the exhibition every piece of work submitted will have been assessed by a panel of respected judges. There is a wide range of cash, exhibition and professional development prizes available.

“I’m not sure that when the idea of WAC was conceived seven years ago, it was ever imagined that the competition would have become so internationally renowned, and that it would culminate in an exhibition of shortlisted works held in Wells Cathedral. What an exciting outcome,” said Paddy.

Wells Art Contemporary chair Paddy O’Hagan in Wells Cathedral cloisters, where some entries will be displayed

Cathedral to be new summer setting for annual art showcase THIS year’s Wells Art Contemporary exhibition will be held at Wells Cathedral during the summer.

The exhibition of some of the world’s finest contemporary art will be displayed within the Cathedral’s cloisters, in the Camery Garden as well as positioned within the Cathedral itself.

Last year the open art competition attracted more entries than at any time since it began in 2012. There were almost 1,400 submissions from 26 countries and the resulting exhibition was held in The Bishop’s Palace during October.

“The Bishop’s Palace provided a wonderful venue, but for 2019 we wanted to explore something a little different,” said Paddy O’Hagan, chair of WAC. “For centuries, cathedrals

have been inextricably connected to art, be it stonemasonry, glass work, music or the architecture itself. We approached Dr John Davies, the Dean of Wells Cathedral, with the idea of holding the WAC exhibition in the Cathedral and I am delighted that our proposal was met with favourably. It sits perfectly within the Cathedral’s active policy for social and community engagement.”

The exhibition will take place from July 19 until August 11, during the summer period when Wells is at its busiest.

“Not only will it be a truly awe-inspiring setting for our selected works of art, but over 20,000 visitors to the Cathedral will also have the opportunity of experiencing the finest art, sound sculpture and

Got News? Call 07906 499655

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20

wellsvoice

February 2019

n NEWS IN PICTURES

Wells City Carnival Ltd has handed over hundreds of pounds to two Wells schools that earned the money by selling light-up toys before this year’s carnival. In the picture on the left, Wells City Carnival Ltd chairman Martin Coppell is pictured handing over a cheque for £300 to Stoberry Park School’s office manager Lisa Nash. Also pictured are Wells City Carnival Ltd secretary Nancy Dodd and committee members Lorna and Mike Stephens with pupils in the school library. On the right, Martin is seen handing over a cheque for £375 to St Cuthbert’s Academy Infants headteacher Sheryl Cooper

Martin Fields, left, and Paul Humphreys consider their next moves in a game during a Wells Chess Club demonstration morning at The Crown Inn. The club has two teams in the Somerset Chess League and meets on Wednesday evenings at The Globe Inn in Priest Row (Juniors 6pm-7pm, and Adults and Juniors 7pm-10pm).

Members of Plastic Free Wells held two sing-ins at Wells Tesco before Christmas, singing anti-plastic lyrics to the tunes of Away in a Manger (Away in a Landfill) and Jingle Bells. It was part of an ongoing campaign to encourage Tesco to reduce the amount of plastic packaging they use, and site a skip at the store so that customers can return their plastic cartons.

Rock House Dental Practice won the Wells Festive Windows competition organised by Wells pom pom dancer Tina Blackwill. She and Wells Town Crier Len Sweales judged the entries at the start of December. In second place was Natural Pets of Wells, and in third place was Ye Olde Sweet Shop.

More than 40 businesses took part in the competition, raising £470 for St Margaret’s Hospice.

Hundreds of people packed into Wells Cathedral for two pre-Christmas candlelit concerts with Wells Cathedral Choir. The 3,500 candles that illuminate the Cathedral during the concerts are all lit by hand. Virgers, from left, David Lawlor, Kieron Rowley and Tim Jones are pictured lighting some of them. Choristers of the choir will be performing A Ceremony of Carols at the Cathedral on February 2, at 1.05pm. Admission is free.

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

21

n NEWS

Admiration for Advent windows

Puppeteers tell popular fable

THE organiser of the St Thomas Street Advent Windows event says it was a great success.

Twenty-four residents in the street illuminated a display in a window one day at a time from December 1 to December 24.

Organiser Shirley Offer said: “The street really came alive, with visitors and neighbours coming to walk up and down, locals changing their dog walking routes so as not to miss anything, and whole families putting on their coats after tea to come and find the latest window.

“The feedback we all received on our windows was incredible.

“The Banksy inspired window received over 3,500 views on our Facebook page and was shared far and wide.”

People were invited to post donations through the letterboxes of participating doors – and £214.27 was raised for the Elim Connect Centre and St Thomas’ Church as a result.

ANGEL Heart Theatre puppet company will be making their tenth visit to Westbury-subMendip when they take their latest production to the village hall on March 8.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a reimagining of one of the most loved of Aesop’s fables. The tale about young boy Jacob, and the power of our words, includes live music and the chance to join in the songs.

The performance is suitable for ages three and over. It starts at 5.30pm and lasts for about an hour, with refreshments afterwards and an opportunity to talk to the puppeteers and see the puppets up close.

Tickets are available from Westbury Community Shop, adults £7, under 16 £4, and family (2+2) £20. More from Peter Bright on 01749 870640, peterbright60@btinternet.com, or Sue Isherwood on 01749 870457.

Some of the visual delights in the Advent Windows display “Next year, due to the success, we are inviting all the residents to take part up and down St Thomas Street, with doubles and

triples of days,” said Shirley. “We were so grateful to all the window decorators, visitors and charity donations.”

Seeing funny side in battle of sexes WELLS Little Theatre’s next production examines the battle of the sexes in fine comic style.

The author of Inspector Drake and the Perfekt Crime, David Tristram, turns his attention to marital woes. Mark and Vicky and Eric and Judith all have one thing in common in this adult-themed comedy and a chance meeting could have ended with a pleasant social evening.

However, fate intervenes and before long the insults,

innuendos, black eyes and china start flying.

It turns out that they each had an affair with the opposite partner and once the secret is out there is no putting the genie back in the bottle.

The show is running at Wells Little Theatre from Wednesday, March 6, to Saturday, March 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available online at www.wellslittletheatre. com or from the box office from February 16 – call 01749 677280 for details of opening times.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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22

February 2019

n NEWS

Lose yourself in the woods and let your senses be your guide Andrew Chamberlain describes some of the signs of spring to look for in Ebbor Gorge I HAVE always loved this time of year. The days are getting longer, and the first signs of spring are starting to appear, so one of my favourite things to do is take the dog for a walk around Ebbor Gorge. If you look, you will see the first hazel catkins hanging hopefully on their spindly branches waiting for the wind to carry their pollen to neighbouring trees, and the first buds of the ash and beech glimmering in the dappled sunlight.

Animals are very shy this time of year either in their behaviour or not having developed their bright plumage ready for the mating season. This is a great opportunity to hone your other senses in trying to find where they are and where they’ve been. Thanks to the thin ground cover, footprints will be visible as will droppings and burrows of everything from insects to small mammals. From these simple signs, you can tell so much about the unseen life around you. What species is it? Which way was it going, how fast and why?

Not all signs are visible, of course. When the wind is low and in the right direction,

A walk in the woods should reveal signs of the first hazel catkins and snowdrops

you can smell where badgers and foxes have been as they both methodically mark their territories. The overwhelming aroma of the woods this time of year is that of the new growth.

It is hard to explain this except that the smell of an emerging woodland is an amazing cornucopia of fresh green herbs, damp musty moss mixed with the occasional kick of an early flower such as the snowdrop or maybe even a primrose that has just been a bit too keen to get started. You will also hear the rustling of birds and small mammals in the decaying carpet of leaves, birds calling above and occasional crash of a deer or two through the undergrowth.

The spring flowers will soon be appearing adding a carpet of blue, yellow and white to the woodland floor. These have to complete their flowering and reproduction before the impatient woodland canopy blocks their light as they take over towards the summer.

It may be a bit damp and cold, but don your boots and coat and lose yourself in the woods and you will not be disappointed. n This article was first published on Andrew’s website, www. andrewchamberlain.co.uk. Find him as well on Instagram at @andyc74

n FROM THE TOWN HALL Today we launch a new monthly column to tell you what has been happening at Wells City Council n The planning committee has recommended that Mendip District Council approve a proposed new 64-bedroom care home on the former Nutricia site on Glastonbury Road providing their concerns about insufficient parking spaces, flood risk, landscaping inconsistencies, light pollution from the neighbouring sports facilities, and the impact on the health and welfare infrastructure of the city are addressed. Details of the plan can be found on mendip.gov.uk/ planning.

n The developers who will be building the West of Wells housing estate have said that 40 per cent of the 220 homes will be affordable. The development, which has outline planning permission from Mendip District Council and includes a large public open space, will lie between Charter Way and Haybridge and have an access road from the A371. Details of the plan can be found on mendip.gov.uk/planning. n The following grants were made: £500 to Wake Up Wells for Resilience Voyage Drugs Bus in the Market Place for the Community Day in Wells Cathedral on January 26; £400

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Author Damien Boyd

Library talk by crime writer FORMER solicitor turned crime fiction writer Damien Boyd will be talking and reading extracts from his Somerset-based books at Wells Library.

Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast-paced crime thrillers featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.

He will be at the library in Union Street on Saturday, February 23, at 11am.

The talk is free but spaces are limited so must be reserved by asking staff at the library, emailing wlslib@somerset.gov. uk or calling 0300 123 2224.

Poet Nigel Kent to a Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders project. n Somerset County Council has stopped providing the grit for the grit bins so the city council has bought a supply. n Councillor Celia Wride is holding the Mayor’s Quiz in the Town Hall ballroom on Friday, February 1. Tickets available from the Town Hall reception and the Lawrence Centre, one of her charities. n Somerset Highways have told the council that they are closing Southover for five days from Monday, January 28, for patch repairs to the road.

Philip Welch Wells City Councillor

‘Hostile’ guests at poetry meet WELLS Fountain Poets will be meeting again on Monday, February 4, upstairs at The Venue in South Street, Wells.

Guest poets will be Nigel Kent and Sarah Thompson, whose collaborative pamphlet A Hostile Environment is published by the Hedgehog Press. There will also be open-mic, with no need to book in advance.

The meeting will be at 7.45pm for 8pm. All welcome.

More details from Ama Bolton on 01749 672911.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

23

n NEWS

New almshouse flats opened

Bid to inspire more exercise

TWO new almshouse properties have been opened at the City of Wells Almshouses.

Nick Wilson, the chair of trustees, gave a speech about the properties at the opening ceremony on January 3, before the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Celia Wride, cut the ribbon.

Guests were then invited to look inside the two properties, 16 and 17 Llewellyn’s.

Felicity White, Wells City Council’s town clerk, said: “On behalf of the council we are delighted to see the completion of the work which is maximising the use of the space for residential properties.

We are especially pleased as this work also concludes the project to provide better glazing to each almshouse residence.

The accommodation itself is beautifully presented.”

The two properties were previously the charity’s office building which has since been relocated to a smaller almshouse. This relocation and the conversion have created one additional residence, bringing the total number of almshouses to 33.

The properties have been converted to modern standards

PHYSICAL activity has a huge positive effect on health at any age, but amongst older people, doing more can have a lifechanging impact.

In Somerset, the number of adults over 65 is expected to increase by 18 per cent over the next seven years – 24,000 more – and Age UK Somerset would like to see every one engaged in some form of physical activity.

Ageing Well is a programme managed by Age UK Somerset and it organises events, activities and classes in Somerset and North Somerset, including one in Wells.

The Extend Movement to Music session with Chris Burtt takes place in the Town Hall on Tuesdays from 10am-11am.

Suitable for older adults and those less able, the session involves seated and standing elements and helps balance, co-ordination and circulation boosting. The cost is £4.

Mayor Celia Wride cuts the ribbon to open the new properties watched by Nick Wilson with both having a wet room and secondary glazing.

The majority of the Llewellyn’s properties are cottages but the two new conversions consist of two flats, one on the ground floor and the other on the first floor. Both properties have been allocated to new residents.

The Llewellyn’s almshouses were originally built in 1638 from a legacy from Henry Llewellyn, an alderman of the city. However, the current

Well known figure dies of cancer LOCALLY renowned for being the ‘Bag Lady to Chair Woman’, Cheryl Carter has recently passed away after battling against cancer.

Always found at the twiceweekly markets, Cheryl always had an abundant supply of bags on her stall while next to her, husband Richard was noted for his supply of photographic picture frames.

Cheryl was noted for defending the market traders and was soon to become a member of the Wells Chamber of Commerce, and quickly became one of the group’s few chairwomen.

Among her outstanding contributions to the city was standing on the steering committees of the Wells millennium celebrations and later the 800th Royal Charter celebrations.

Sincere condolences to

almshouses date from the Victorian rebuild of the site.

The almshouses do not have any vacancies at present but do maintain a waiting list. For more information, visit their website at www.wellsalmshouses.org.uk.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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24

February 2019

n NEWS IN BRIEF Legion makes move THE Wells Branch of The Royal British Legion has moved into a new home at The Venue, South Street, Wells.

Branch meetings are every third Monday at 7pm. The branch has also just launched a Veterans and Royal British Legion breakfast club on the last Saturday of each month at The Venue at 10am. For more information and to book, email the secretary on Wellsrblsecretary@aol.co.uk

Rubbish bagged MORE than 60 bags of rubbish were collected in the latest litter pick around Wells. The clean up, spearheaded by mayor Councillor Celia Wride, took place on January 11, 12 and 13.

Repair Cafe date THE next Repair Cafe is being held at St Thomas’ Church Hall

A second-hand book sale on January 12 was another successful event organised by Wells Labour Party. Hundreds of Wells’ Saturday shoppers visited the book sale in the Town Hall and enjoyed browsing and buying from the wide selection of books on offer. Many visitors also enjoyed sitting down with a cup of tea and a slice of cake, all made by members of the Wells Labour Party. on Saturday, February 9 – with extended hours.

The event will run from 10am-1pm, when people are invited to take their items for repair and watch and learn how to ‘do-it-yourself’.

There will be plenty of other stalls as well, and cake and a cuppa to enjoy while meeting new friends.

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Pub quiz evening THE Wells Amnesty Group is holding a pub quiz at the Sherston Inn on February 9.

The event is part of The Great Amnesty Quiz Night 2019, where groups all over the country are being invited to hold quizzes during the first week in February to support Amnesty International. The quiz takes place at 7.30pm.

Teams of four are needed, and pre-booking is required. Call Mark on 01749 678725.

New film talk night AFTER the success of the first two films in the Talking Film series, Wells Film Centre has announced the next title. All Is True (12A) will be screened on Monday, March 11, following a talk by popular local historian and art historian Joanna Cobb.

Tickets are £10 each and booking is recommended as the last event sold out. Doors are 6.30pm for 7pm.

Prayer day service A WORLD Day of Prayer (a women-led, global ecumenical movement) service will be held at the Methodist Church in Southover, Wells, on Friday, March 1, at 10.30am. This is a service prepared by women in Slovenia. All will be welcome.

health charity Heads Up. The Greek Meze Night at The Greek Taverna at the Sun, Union Street, Wells, will take place on Thursday, February 7, from 7pm onwards.

For tickets, priced £20, call 01749 670667 or email claire@ headsupsomerset.org.uk

War-based lecture THE author of a book about the 19 men whose names are on the roll of honour in St Joseph and St Teresa’s Church in Wells is giving a lecture this month.

In Wells and the Great War, Eric Galvin discusses the lives of the men before, during and after the war, and the wartime experiences of their families.

The Western Front Association Somerset Branch lecture will take place in Othery Village Hall on Wednesday, February 13, at 7.45pm.

Author chairs panel WELLS author Janet Ellis is chairing a panel entitled What is Women’s Fiction Anyway? at Weston Literature Festival on February 24. It takes place in Weston Museum at noon.

Cars on their way

Greek fundraiser AN evening of Greek dining will raise funds for local mental

CLASSIC car owners from Wells will once again be taking part in Clevedon Lions Club’s annual Charity Classic Car event on Sunday, April 28. A 30-mile drive from Congresbury to Clevedon will be followed by an afternoon public display.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

25

n NEWS

Award ensures carnival club’s special year ends on a high Wells Voice has been following Globe Carnival Club, one of four clubs based in Wells, during its 50th anniversary year, which came to a triumphant conclusion at the presentation evening

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Globe Carnival Club members at the presentation evening, top, and award-winner Teigan Lang Pictures: Tracey Phipps (top) / Globe CC

ar

l Glo b h

ub l Cl

up prize with their entry No Mans’ Land and Westonzoyland snatching third place with their themed rn i v a al eC float Wonderland.

The Spirit Of Carnival award was won by Masqueraders, an y n i ve r s a r and the most points awarded by the judges throughout the carnival to a cart was gifted to Huckyduck Carnival Club with their entry One for the Road.

Globe CC hosts a variety of events throughout the year to fundraise for the club.

For more information, visit www.facebook. com/pages/category/ Community/Globe-CarnivalClub-388084947934158

5 0t

MORE than 30 carnival clubs had a ball at the Mid-Somerset Gangs and Features 2018 presentation evening in January.

It was presented by the Gangs and Features committee at the Best Western Webbington Hotel, in Loxton, and it was attended by hundreds of carnivalites who had been looking forward to the highly-anticipated annual event.

A three-course meal was served during the presentation evening and BBC Somerset presenter Andy Bennett put together a comical video which featured Mid-Somerset Gangs secretary Sue Barber and her husband Mike.

Huckyduck, Masqueraders and Westonzoyland’s carnival clubs won many of the trophies on offer on the night, and hundreds of people celebrated another year of hard work and dedication to the Somerset tradition.

Among the winners was Globe Carnival Club member Teigan Lang, aged 14, who won the Best Juvenile Personality On Cart award for the second year running for performing on the club’s 2018 cart entry Captain Morgan’s Revenge.

Masqueraders Carnival Club won the Clubs’ Choice Best Overall award with their cart Master of the House, with King William CC winning runner

Chance for free valuation of maritime memorabilia A MARITIME memorabilia expert is inviting people in Wells to go along to the Town Hall with any scientific instruments and maritime memorabilia for a free auction valuation and to find out more about them.

In an Antiques Roadshowstyle event, individuals can take items of interest and discuss their significance with Charles Miller of London auction house

Charles Miller Ltd. Valuation days in other parts of the UK have recently unearthed items including a pocket globe that sold for £7,688, a U-boat bell (£13,640) and a Napoleonic prisoner of war model which went for £8,680.

The valuation day in Wells is on Tuesday, February 5, from 10am-4pm.

Charles said: “Whether it is a

Got News? Call 07906 499655

painting, binoculars, ship model, telescope, book, photographs, flag or even a microscope that has been in the attic for a while, bring it along to find out more.

No appointment is necessary.”

Other examples of objects to take include, globes, sundials and compasses, as well as items of historical significance relating to battles, ships and navy personnel.

Debate about budget savings PROPOSALS to bridge around £8 million of Somerset County Council’s projected budget gap for next financial year were due to be discussed in January.

The Authority’s Scrutiny meetings and Cabinet was considering the plans as part of the budget-setting process that culminates at full council in February.

Around £6 million of the proposals being discussed are not expected to affect frontline services, with savings being achieved through back office and contract efficiencies, income generation and ending leases on underused buildings.

The remaining £2 million or so would have some impact on the frontline services, either reducing them or making changes that in many cases the authority believes will cost less but give better outcomes. These proposals include: n Reviewing care and support and ‘Promoting Independence’ (£1.1m) n Withdrawing support from eight Extra Care Housing schemes (£600k) n Reducing verge cutting (£90k) n Reducing urban gully cleaning (£80k) n Reduced flood risk management studies and flood schemes (£80k) It is anticipated that the proposals, if agreed, would mean the loss of between 50-100 posts.

Leader of the council, Councillor David Fothergill, said: “We have done everything we can to keep the impact on the frontline to a minimum.”

Business awards open for entries LOCAL business owners can enter their business into one of 11 categories in the fifth annual Mendip Business Awards. The winners will be announced during the evening celebrations at the Royal Bath & West Showground on Thursday, May 30. Find out more at www. mendipbusinessawards.co.uk or call 01749 341345.

Wells Voice was placed in the top three last year in the New Business of the Year category.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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26

February 2019

n NEWS

Sharing stories of life and death

Art to be sold anonymously

THE harsh reality of giving birth in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where ten women die from giving birth each day, will be brought to life when a Christian Aid worker shares stories from the frontline of maternal health in her country, inspiring people for the Christian Aid Week activity to come in May. Sierra Leone’s senior programme officer for health projects, Joanna Tom-Kargbo, herself a trained nurse, will speak at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, on Wednesday, March 13.

She will share how Christian Aid supporters are delivering hope to mothers and babies through a programme to make childbirth safer in what is the world’s most dangerous country to give birth.

The stories she shares will feature in this year’s Christian Aid Week (May 12-18). Last year Christian Aid groups and churches across Somerset raised £152,000 in Christian Aid Week including more than £7,500 from Wells.

Joanna said: “Communities in Sierra Leone see a woman dying in childbirth as the will of God. But we work so they know it is unacceptable.

“I am looking forward to

AN art show with a difference is being organised at the Wells & Mendip Museum from March 19-23.

Artists, using any medium, are being invited to donate up to three postcard-sized works of art for this exhibition. These works will be displayed anonymously and be offered for sale at £20 each. Artists will be listed in the exhibition catalogue and new owners will find out the identity of each artist after buying their work.

This event is being organised to raise funds to pay for the new building developments at St Thomas’ Church. A committee of six, drawn from church members and the local arts community is overseeing the arrangements.

Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival, has agreed to be the lead sponsor for the event. There will be a cash prize of £100 awarded for the best work of art submitted, and a cash prize of £25 will be given for the best work submitted by those under 11 years old, and by those aged between 11 and 18.

Further details are available from Dr Alan Butt Philip (email: alanbuttphilip@googlemail. com). Entries must reach the organisers by March 14.

Joanna Tom-Kargbo visiting a rural community in Sierra Leone meeting supporters in Wells to share with them how their contributions are making such a difference.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the event at 4pm which will include a talk from Joanna, refreshments, and inspirational ideas on how to get involved this Christian Aid Week.

Rowena Francis, chair of Christian Aid in Wells, said:

“Christian Aid Week is an amazing celebration of our potential to change the world, through generosity, solidarity and action.

“It’s remarkable what we can achieve when we stand together.

Do join us and come along to hear Joanna speak.”

For more details about the event contact bristol@christianaid.org

n LETTERS Residents losing out as the city expands WELLS residents love our High Street, the Square, and the Cathedral with its Bishop’s Palace and moat walk.

New housing has increased our population by over 20 per cent. Great for our councils receiving £millions in additional council tax.

Not good for residents who find they have no new open spaces in which to walk and enjoy activities, and no new car parks to park about 2,000 additional cars. Not good for the visitors. They have nowhere to park. Soon they will stop coming.

Goodbye high street.

We gave our views to build into the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan. I stated we should look back with pride

Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk at the new estates, being well designed and great places for new residents. Open areas for adults to enjoy where children can play safely, and cars parked off-road.

Mendip District Council planners have not given us what we asked for. We have houses cramped together, with minute gardens and not enough off-road parking. Yes, the Government wants houses, but not crowded into as many as you can get per acre.

Who are the land owners where new parkland and a car park close to the city centre could be located?

The Church Commissioners were approached to extend the moat walk. They refused. They happily sold farmland to Bishops Brook developers who paid £millions. They certainly have the money.

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Additional parkland would be a wonderful gesture from the Cathedral to our expanding city.

Roads around the city without yellow lines are full of parked cars making them dangerous single lanes and a nightmare to drive down.

Wells City Council has been asked for years to act.

Wells needs more car parks.

I understand the Church Commissioners are being asked to consider allowing a car park on their Palace Fields.

It is difficult for residents to make something really significant happen.

If you agree with this letter, write to Wells Voice, our councillors, or our MP James Heappey. Do it now, not later.

We want our city to remain beautiful and be a pleasure to live in. So do our future generations.

Should we have a public meeting in the Town Hall? Tell the Wells Voice.

Roger Hancock Wookey Hole

Pedestrianisation not what we need PLEASE think again about making Wells pedestrianised, the access for disabled people is already limited and I, for one, do not want the town ‘set in aspic’.

The other bigger problem in Wells is adequate parking, without the on-street parking there would be even less parking either for residents or for visitors. The Cathedral is already surrounded by a lovely green open space.

Ann Watson Wells

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

27

n NEWS

Pasty and pint will be walkers’ reward THE Mendip Men’s Walk returns on March 16 in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.

Beginning at noon on Wells Cathedral Green, this charity walk is open to men and boys over the age of eight. The walk is approximately 6.5 miles long and ends at Tor Rugby Club, and takes between two-and-a-half and three hours to complete.

Participants will then be able to watch a live match, followed by the Calcutta Cup on the big screen in the clubhouse.

Entry fee is £25 for adults and £15 for under-16s, which includes a pasty and a pint or soft drink at the end. Places can be booked at www.somersethospice.org.uk Peter Lugg, chairman of Candlelight Care which organises the Mendip Men’s Walk, said:

“We are delighted to bring the Mendip Men’s Walk back for a third successive year. Candlelight Care has worked closely with St Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil for several years, not only to deliver care to its patients living in their own homes but also for advice and staff training, and we look forward to raising a great deal of money for this worthy cause.”

St Margaret’s is a Somerset charity which supports people with any life-limiting illness, their families and carers. Last year St Margaret’s cared for 3,800 people.

More than 1,200 volunteers help St Margaret’s to care for people at the end of their lives, and it is estimated that one in three people in Somerset will need their support during their lifetime.

A previous Rare Plant Fair at The Bishop’s Palace

Showcase for range of rare plants GARDENERS will have the opportunity to stock up on rare and unusual plants at The Bishop’s Palace in March.

The Rare Plant Fair will see nurseries from all over the South West selling perennials, shrubs and trees, alpines, bulbs and exotic plants. The nurseries are selected by Ian and Teresa Moss from Rare Plant Fairs to ensure that they are genuine growers

who produce most or all of the plants that they sell themselves.

Experts in the plants they grow, the nursery owners will be happy to offer advice to visitors on selecting and growing the most appropriate plants for their gardens.

The fair takes place on Sunday, March 17. Tickets, which include entrance to the Palace and gardens, cost £6.

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS WI WE started the new year with a session on mindfulness to restore peace of mind after the busy festive period. Our speaker Melanie Lewis told us that this idea was first developed by a hospital doctor as a pain management strategy, and how we can use it to support ourselves in managing the effects of hormones our bodies produce in response to stresses.

Early man would have discharged these hormones in the fight or flight response but, in the modern world, we tend to hang onto tensions caused by everyday triggers like work, relationships, traffic and shopping.

Women are often preoccupied with caring for others. We even forget to properly taste the food we eat. This can be harmful, contributing to depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Melanie took us through a couple of deep breathing exercises, concentrating on really using our diaphragms and bringing our focus to the here and now. It was a soothing way to start 2019.

Thirty-nine members had

signed up for the seasonal dinner at the Courtyard Cafe later in the month, and both of the charity fundraising cookery lessons at Burns the Bread are full. Members handed in their individual resolutions voting slips, choosing one of six potential WI campaigns. Totals will be forwarded to Somerset Federation in February, and later this year we will hear which gained most support nationally.

Kirstie Harris called in to tell us about Wake Up Wells, a cross-community initiative taking place on January 26. The aim was to bring community groups together and create a forum for exchange of ideas and opportunities for new action, and Wells WI had a table at the event.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 5, at 7.30pm at the Wells & Mendip Museum.

Dentist Sue Reece will be telling us about the work she does for overseas charities. We will have a bring and buy sale of any unwanted Christmas gifts, and gather in any last resolution voting slips.

Veronica Howe

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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28

February 2019

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We like to get to know our families and so for us that means a trip to Wells market, and to be visible to one and all on a Wednesday from January to November you will find one or often both of us on our market stall.

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wellsvoice

February 2019

29

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY WELLS Civic Society lends support to a number of local initiatives, and one of these was the topic of its January meeting, when Sarah Hare, co-ordinator of the Old Deanery Garden project, gave an overview of the garden as it now is, and a graphic description of how it had been reborn, by dint of much blood, sweat and some tears, over the last 15 years.

There has been a garden on the site for at least 800 years, but by 2003 it had degenerated into a rather sad Victorian shrubbery, overgrown and weed infested. But, in those days, Wells in Bloom organised Gardens Open weeks, and one of those was the garden of the Old Deanery in St Andrew’s Street.

A good number of people visited the garden because they were curious to see what was behind the high and imposing wall, with its entrance on the pavement, through which the general public had never previously entered.

But the public were somewhat disappointed.

Nick Denison, diocesan secretary at the time, called a meeting to see if the situation could be retrieved. And, indeed, it could. The meeting was attended by gardeners, garden historians, herbalists, and preservers of heritage, and they determined that the absolute focus of a revitalised garden should stem from the plaque, rather high up on the outside of that castellated outside wall.

This commemorates Dean William Turner, twice dean of Wells in the 1550s, and famous for writing the first herbal in English; that is to say, the first botanical and medical book that was accessible to a wider range of people, and not only those who could, as was the case previously, read Latin. And this was his personal, or “privy”, garden.

The garden has open days and open mornings. On such days, there are plant sales of Turner-type plants, too. The next open day is Saturday, April 6, and admission is free.

Open mornings are on Wednesdays during the summer, when anyone can pop in and see some of the volunteer gardeners at work. There is an annual lecture; the next is on the evening of Tuesday, February 26, when well-known

were enjoyed. Pat gave the vote of thanks.

There will be a presentation

by Sarah Chouglay titled Daffadown Dilly on February 12, and the practice class is on February 26, both at St Thomas’ Church Hall from 2pm.

Janet Avery WELLS MACULAR GROUP

Top, Wells Macular Group members on a day out in Weston-super-Mare; above left, Sarah Hare, co-ordinator of the Old Deanery Garden project (left), with Chris Winter, chair of Wells Civic Society; and above right, Nicky Heal at Wells Floral Art Club mosaicist Philippa Threlfall will be speaking (tickets only, obtainable in advance at the Old Deanery or on 01749 675077).

There is a flourishing group of garden supporters who are “Friends” of the garden, and the garden’s patron is Baroness Janet Fookes, a deputy speaker in the the House of Lords, and a keen and knowledgeable gardener and historian. The civic society has helped with the purchase of plants and young trees, and even had its summer social in the garden a couple of years ago.

Sarah, assisted on the technical side by Marianne Adams, had given the civic society a whistle-stop tour of 15 years in particular and 800 years in general of the history of this significant piece of Wells’ history, and had done so with lucidity and humour, and beautiful photos of the plants, scenes and people of this rather special place.

The next meeting of the society is on Wednesday, February 13, at 7.30pm in the Wells & Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green, when Allan Trinder and Joanne Schofield will be elaborating upon the impact of community radio, as exemplified by our own

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Radio GFM. More details about this or the society in general are available on www. wellscivicsociety.org.uk or from Chris Winter on chris.f.winter@ btinternet.com or on 01749 673610.

Richard Hanks WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB MEMBERS and friends met on Tuesday, January 8, at St Thomas’ Church Hall to welcome Nicky Heal, a talented designer from Taunton who has his own floral business at Riverside.

His demonstration was entitled Spring Inspirations.

Nick’s five designs included local daffodils, primrose, winter honeysuckle, iris and grape hyacinth which then exploded into a riot of colour with flowers from around the world that included bird of paradise, spray roses, gerbera, kalanchia, golden kangaroo paw and cymbidium orchids.

Flowers were complemented by greenery from his garden and foliage including palms that he used to aptly demonstrate the art of leaf folding.

Nick’s creations were given homes by lucky winners of the draw after which tea and biscuits

THE Wells Macular Group is a local branch of the national Macular Society charity. The group meets monthly offering friendship, support, exchange of information and outings.

Meetings are generally held on the last Friday in each month in the Denning Rooms adjacent to the Seager Hall in Union Street, Wells, at 10.30am, unless another activity has been arranged.

The February meeting will be held on the 22nd.

There are visits by representatives from Social Services, the Macular Society, RNIB and Somerset Sight, and agents from technical companies making optical aids.

For further information contact Terry Shawe, tel: 01749 679759, email: terryshawe@ gmail.com; or Jenny O’Callaghan, tel: 01749 679235.

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB IF you have ever had the urge to visit Peru or are just intrigued by the idea, then come along to Wells Town Hall on Thursday, February 14, at 7.30pm when Hilary Little of the Alpine Garden Society will be giving one of her excellently illustrated talks entitled In Pursuit of the Plants of Peru.

Hilary has travelled all over the globe, usually into or on to very high spots in her prodigious enthusiasm for the glories of Alpine flora. There is not a continent which has evaded her dedicated quests.

It promises to be a fascinating and informative evening.

Everyone is welcome. Visitors £3. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to put your name down for places on the enticing garden excursions that take place throughout the year.

For more details, telephone 01749 679182.

Pip Harwood

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

30

n THE PROPERTY MARKET

February 2019

With Roderick Thomas of Roderick Thomas Ltd

This four-bedroom house is in a great position in Wells and has plenty of parking. It is available at a guide price of £625,000

Business as usual for buyers and sellers BREXIT or no Brexit? With no agreement on Mrs May’s deal, who knows where things are heading.

I’m writing this on January 16 having stayed up the previous night listening to all the experts giving their opinions on the vote.

It left me none the wiser.

Before this column gets

published matters may have changed but sadly I doubt it.

However, I’m certain those forecasting a dramatic fall in house sales and prices are totally wrong.

Life goes on and in the last two days we’ve listed several properties all coming for sale for very genuine reasons which have nothing to do with Brexit.

At the same time we’ve been showing houses to good potential buyers – all getting on with their lives and with a good number making plans and making offers.

One house we placed on the market late yesterday afternoon is in a great position in Wells.

It’s at the top of St Thomas Street within easy reach of the

Cathedral and the Market Place.

This is a comfortable detached four-bedroom, threebathroom house with a private garden, garage and plenty of parking and is available at a guide of £625,000.

On the market for less than 24 hours and we’ve already booked viewings.

Life goes on!

CLIFTON 01179 734464 CASTLE CARY 01963 351993 WEDMORE 01934 710220 WELLS 01749 670079 Mobile 07791789954 www.roderickthomas.co.uk rdt@roderickthomas.co.uk Features of the house at the top of St Thomas Street include a large sitting room and three bathrooms

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

Wells 01749 671020

Lettings 01458 844199

Glastonbury 01458 833123

New Instruction

Wells Westbury-sub-Mendip 23

22

£469,950 £359,950 45

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An extendedhouse semi-detached house with lovely views over Wells Golf A detached that has been extensively extended and refurbished Course withowners a gate in to recent the rear leading onto offers a public footpath by the and present years and now a wonderful running all theinway to the Bishop’s Palace. TheSet property enjoysplot flexible family home excellent order throughout. on a corner in a accommodation ground floor wet room andserved is in well presented quiet residentialwith areaawithin this popular and well village on the order throughout.

DoubleGarden, glazing.

Gas fired heating.

Parking foothills of the Mendips. parking and central scope for a garage (stpp). and south-west garden. Hills.

Excellent views facing of the Mendip

01749 671020 671020 01749

Street 01458 841411

New Instruction

Wells Wookey 34

Guide Price £525,000 £345,000 42

44

within a bungalow quiet cul de sacinbacking onto River owner Axe, this ASet detached built 1985 by thethe current in detached a tucked property was on originally built Bath as anRoad individual, home later position the popular side of family the city.

Set inand a good away converted flats. has provided a very sized, level into plot four with self-contained garden all around andIt plenty of parking (as healthy well as c. £1,820 p.c.m. and hasflexible been and consistently let over the last aincome double of garage), the property offers spacious accommodation ten years.

Double glazing. Oil firedglazed centralthroughout. heating. Garden andcentral ample with four double bedrooms.

Double Gas fired parking. Offered for sale with no onward chain. heating.

01749 01749 671020 671020

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Wells Wells 22

£450,000 £270,000 21

25

D D

An extended, detached house setainsoutherly an ever popular roada on the east A semi detached bungalow with aspect and particularly side the city offered no onward of the fine,of mature 60and ft garden to for thesale rear.with The property haschain. been One adapted so stand outsecond features of the property is the beautiful garden to from the rear that the bedroom has become a dining room opening the that hasroom been(this thecould prideeasily and joy of the current owner. With scope for sitting be re-instated if required).

A conservatory updating will be lovely home.

Double of glazed windows.

Gas has beenthis added to athe rearfamily to take advantage the lovely garden. fired central heating.

Doublein garage plenty of parking.

A well presented bungalow a veryand popular area.

01749 01749 671020 671020

sales

lettings

2/814. H&O Wells Voice Advert 180x250mm_NOV18.indd 1

C C

To Rent

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1 1

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A modern, a leveltwo walk of the city centre in detached the heartbungalow of Wells, set thiswithin delightful bedroom cottage Situated comprising living room, kitchen, threetobedrooms, has gas firedhallway, central heating and adining small patio garden the rear. bathroom,now. gas Unfurnished. fired central heating, garage gardens.

Available Available All tenants are and required to pay £150 now. Unfurnished. tenants are required to pay £150 (inclusive of (inclusive of VAT)All referencing and administration fee upon VAT) referencing and administration fee upon application.

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wellsvoice

February 2019

33

n PROPERTY

Invitation to tour complex for over-60s CHURCHILL Retirement Living is inviting locals to join owners and friends at its St Athelm Lodge development in Wells for a Sparkling Opening Weekend on Friday, February 15, and Saturday, February 16.

Visitors to the Lodge located on West Street will be given the chance to view the show complex while being treated to a glass of fizz and light refreshments in the Owners’ Lounge. The event will be held between 11am and 2pm on both days.

St Athelm Lodge comprises 31 one- and two-bedroom private, self-contained apartments specially designed for the over 60s. Prices at the development start from £262,950 for a onebedroom, and from £358,950 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Jo Ridehalgh, regional marketing executive at Churchill Retirement Living, said: “This is the perfect opportunity for potential purchasers looking

Visitors can view the St Athelm Lodge show complex in February

for their dream retirement apartment to see all that St Athelm Lodge has to offer. The low maintenance apartments at the Lodge have been designed to make life easier and more enjoyable in retirement years and offer security, peace of mind and independent living for our owners, while being surrounded by a friendly, new community.

Plus visitors can find out more about some of the fantastic incentives available to help them make the move.”

Churchill Retirement Living has already launched a special New Year Choices campaign to make it easier for people to make a fresh start. Churchill’s Choices initiative, available at St Athelm Lodge, offers buyers the choice of two moving packages, available for a limited time on apartments reserved before March 22, 2019, and completed by May 31, 2019.

The first package includes Stamp Duty paid in full, estate

agent fees of up to £2,000, solicitor fees of up to £1,500, a removals service, and a sixhour downsizing service, when using Churchill’s recommended partners.

Alternatively, buyers can choose a second package which covers the cost of their service charge for a year, as well as an interior design consultation with Churchill’s design partner, Jane Clayton Interiors, to help select a new look and new furnishings for their new apartment.

For more information, visit the show complex open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, call 01749 987576 or go to www. churchillretirement.co.uk. n Dozens of people attended a festive carol concert at St Athelm Lodge in the week before Christmas. Pupils from St Cuthbert’s C of E Junior School sang carols, and there was mince pies and sherry for owners and visitors.

The Russets Care Home Specialist Dementia Care in North Somerset At The Russets you’ll find there’s something going on here 365 days a year. From family events, group activities and even visits from the local primary school. And whatever inspires your loved one, expert staff like Sally make sure they’re living life to the full.

Call to book a tour or simply find out more.

Getting to know you

01934 825 764

carehomes@stmonicatrust.org.uk The Russets, specialist dementia care home in Sandford, North Somerset.

www.stmonicatrust.org.uk Registered Charity 202151

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

34

February 2019

n WHAT’S ON February 2 n Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society talk

by Brian Roberts-Wray, Why Birdwatching in Somerset?, Wells & Mendip Museum, 2.30pm.

Brian will explain why he thinks Somerset is such a fantastic county for birdwatching. He has a wealth of local knowledge, much of it gained as the leader of Wells U3A’s Ornithological Group.

February 4 n Tai Chi for Health free taster session, Wells Library, 11.30am12.15pm. n Wells U3A Singing for Pleasure Group will meet in the Seager Hall, Union Street, at 2.30pm. All U3A members welcome.

February 7 n New lecture series by Joanna Cobb, MA: Art and Artifice in Tudor England. Lecture 1: Fashioning brand Tudor – Holbein, his predecessors and successors, Seager Hall, Wells, 2pm-4pm. £10 per person/£18 for two people for one lecture or £25/£45 for the series. To book a place or find out more, call 01458 832178 or email ericjoanna@waitrose.com February 8 n Toe Jam Roller Disco, Wells Sports Centre, Charter Way, 6.30pm-8pm. Skates/kit provided, £5, or bring your own. All ages and abilities welcome.

February 9 n Wells Methodist Church Coffee Morning, 10am-noon, in aid of church funds. Cake stall etc. All welcome February 10 n Oxfam Quiz at The Britannia Inn, Wells, 7pm for 7.30pm start, teams of up to 6 people, £2.50 per person.

To book your table, call Terry on 01749 672342. n John D Revelator, The Venue, South Street, 7pm.

February 12 n Wells Railway Fraternity meeting, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm. The Berliner – British Military Train, followed by The Bristolian, both presentations by Douglas Beazer.

Non-members £4. More details: Andrew Tucker, 01749 830695.

February 13 n Wells Board Game Group, Cheese Yard Cafe, West Horrington, 7pm-9.30pm. n Action on Hearing Loss fiveminute free hearing assessment, Wells Library, 9.30am-12pm. No

appointment needed.

February 18 n Tai Chi for Health free taster session, Wells Library, 11.30am12.15pm. n Wells U3A Singing for Pleasure Group will meet in the Seager Hall, Union Street, at 2.30pm. All U3A members welcome.

February 22 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 February 23 n The Bishop’s Palace Snowdrop Celebration, 10am-4pm. Included with standard admission.

February 24 n The Bishop’s Palace Snowdrop Celebration, 10am-4pm. Included with standard admission.

February 26 n Wells Old Deanery Garden Project Spring Lecture: History on the Street. Speaker: Philippa Threlfall. Carey Room, The Old Deanery, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £5, include glass of wine and nibbles. Available at The Old Deanery Reception or by post from Sylvia Hanks, Purlins, 9 Hawkers Lane, Wells BA5 3JH. For postal requests enclose s.a.e. and a cheque payable to: Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance.

February 27 n Wells Board Game Group, Cheese Yard Cafe, West Horrington, 7pm-9.30pm.

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, 1.30pm3.30pm, 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,

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

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-11.40am, £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), 7.30pm to 8.30pm, Wookey Primary School hall, no auditions, singing for fun, £4pw. Contact wookey.choirworks@gmail.com n Pilates mat class 9.15am, Wells Town Hall. First class free. Prebooking 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 Bridge Club: Rubber Bridge, St Thomas’ Church Hall, 1.45pm-5pm. Improvers and experienced players welcome, contact 01749 939515 or 01749 674729. 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 free. Pre-booking essential: zest2zen@gmail.com, 07946 310877.

Every Thursday n Knitting and Natter, Wells Library, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Learn knitting, crochet and cross-stitch.

Open to men and women, no need to book. 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 Pilates mat class, Wells Town Hall, 9.15am. First class free. Prebooking essential: zest2zen@gmail. com, 07946 310877. n Life Drawing, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Tutored class with life models, £12 inc tea.

Tel Molly 07793 387848 or Paul 07918 731137. n Trigger Point Pilates, Wells Town Hall, Market Place, 10.30am. For more informtion contact Sally at zest2zen@gmail.com or 07946 310877. n Irish Set Dancing, Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PF, 8pm-10pm, £3. For more details call 01458 210051.

Every Friday n Wells Country Market, Seager Hall, Union Street, 10am-noon. All home-cooked food plus craft and produce table. n Live music, The City Arms, High Street, 8.30pm. n Wells Refugee Aid collection at Wells Town Hall, 10am-11.45am.

Collecting donations in Wells for refugees around the world, 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. n Wells and Wookey Scottish Dancers, Wookey Village Hall,

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2019

35

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 7.15pm-9.45pm. All abilities welcome. For more information call 01749 672672 (all day), 01749 677548 (daytime), 01749 672805 (evening) or go to wellsscottishdancers.btck.co.uk

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, 10am-11am, £3 per session.

Every Sunday n Zen meditation, The Drawing Room, 4 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler Street, 7.15am for 7.30am. Drop in.

Suggested donation £5. Mats and cushions provided. Tel: Paul 01749 670193.

First Sunday of each month n Irish Set Dancing at Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PF. Workshop 11am-1pm, £3. Bring and share lunch 1pm-2pm. Ceili 2pm-5pm, £3. For more details, call 01458 210051.

First Tuesday of each month n Wells WI, Wells & Mendip Museum. Start 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. n Wells Carers Group, Wells

DISABLED ACCESS IN ALL 3 SCREENS

Fire Station Community Room, 10.30am-noon.

First Thursday of each month n Wells Bipolar UK Support Group, East Room, Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Confidential, informal, drop-in basis. Open to all individuals affected by bipolar disorder, including family members and friends.

Second Tuesday of each month n Wells Writers Group, The Globe Inn, Priest Row, 7pm.

Second Wednesday of each month n Wells Civic Society meets at Wells & Mendip Museum at 7.30pm for interesting and entertaining talks.

Refreshments served and guests welcome. wellscivicsociety.org.uk Third Friday of each month n Goldies Sing&Smile in Wells, Elim Connect Centre, Portway, 1.30pm2.30pm. We’re not a choir but we love music. We sing along to popular hits of the Fifties onwards and socialise together. £2 donation requested.

Third Saturday of each month

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

n Knitting lessons for children, Wells Library, 11am-1pm.

Equipment supplied. Booking required: 0300 123 2224.

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.

Last Monday of each month n Mid-Somerset Amateur Radio Club meets at the Quarter Jack, Wells, for an informal social get-together at 2pm. Coffee etc available. (No meetings on bank holidays.)

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 Full Moon, Southover, Wells, 8pm. n Email brief details of events to news@wellsvoice.co.uk

STATE OF THE ART 3D

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Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

February 2019

n TAKE A BREAK WORDSEARCH

Capital cities

Can you find 62 capital cities, spelled horizontally, vertically or diagonally?

SPOT THE IDENTICAL BIRDS Only two of these birds are exactly the same – but which ones?

1

A

A

L

C H 2

I

3

6

I H

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4

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TXT PERT Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Amman, Andorra La Vella. Ankara, Apia, Athens, Banjul, Beirut, Bern, Bissau, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Dacca, Dakar, Doha, Hanoi, Kabul, Kigali, Kuwait, La Paz, Lagos, Lima, Lisbon, Lome, London, Luanda, Macau, Madrid, Male, Manama, Manila, Maseru, Mbabane, Moscow, Muscat, Nassau, New Delhi, Noumea, Nuuk, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Prague, Praia, Rabat, Rome, Roseau, San Juan, Sanaa, Seoul, Sofia, Suva, Tehran, Thimphu, Tokyo, Trinidad, Tunis, Vaduz, Yaren.

WORDSEARCH

9

5

L

1 2 8

G A

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

3

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This month: Countries

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‘There is a part of the game you will love’ SPORTS TALK In the spotlight this month is Jack Moore, coach at Wells Cricket Club Tell us a bit about your background, Jack.

I started playing cricket at the age of eight or nine for Wookey Hole. Martin Coppell and his son Steve coached a small group of us for a couple of years, before I moved to Glastonbury CC under Dave Beal. My coaching career didn’t really begin until Wells CC kindly put me through the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) Level 2 coaching course when I was 18, at which time I was at the University of Gloucestershire. During the summer breaks I would come back and play for Wells, but also coach a junior side and deliver the Chance To Shine project in several local schools in Wells alongside Corinna Thompson.

Give us an overview of the cricket scene in Wells.

Wells only has the one cricket club (Wells CC!), but there are a few local sides in Horrington, Wookey Hole, Dinder and Croscombe. Wells CC offers cricket for all ages, with the ECB All Stars initiative being run fantastically by Corinna Thompson and the Lane family, catering for five- to eight-yearolds. We also run U11, U13 and U15 junior sides coached by

Cricket coach Jack Moore myself and a few volunteers from the senior sides. We have two Saturday league teams that play in Somerset Division 1 and Division 8N. As well as a women’s team and a friendly midweek/Sunday team.

How difficult is cricket to take up as a sport? Can kids pick it up easily?

Cricket is easy to get into providing you get the right experience first. Starting young with Kwik Cricket at school or the All Stars programme is super fun and engaging, before graduating up to the hard-ball game at U11+.

With many different elements to the game (batting, bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping), there are so many opportunities to do something different. I guarantee there is a part of the game you will love.

In your view, is cricket thriving in Wells?

Cricket in Wells has yo-yoed in my time (since 2009/10). The last two seasons has seen the 1st XI gain back-to-back promotions and they’re now playing at the highest standard in the club’s history. Junior numbers have been up and down, but are helped by funding initiatives such as Chance To Shine and All Stars. There is certainly a desire and passion for cricket in our younger age groups, and if that can be nurtured and encouraged then the future looks great.

There’s a World Cup and an Ashes series in England this year, so let’s hope those will inspire people to try cricket.

Tell us a bit about your coaching qualifications and the pathway to becoming a cricket coach.

I first completed my Level 1

coaching course, which allowed me to be an assistant coach to a Level 2. Then I did my Level 2, at which point I could lead a session on my own. Since then I have completed six different CPD workshops on various coaching subjects, before completing a Diploma in coaching young people and adults a couple of years ago. I’m about to start my ECB Level 3 qualification, which begins to look into coaching performance cricketers (helped by my coaching commitments with Somerset CCC and Millfield School). I would encourage anyone interested in cricket or a cricketing parent to find a course and get involved. Very little cricket knowledge or ability is required for the beginner’s courses, so get stuck in.

If someone reading this wanted to start playing cricket this year, how can they get involved?

Find your local club (hopefully Wells CC) and just turn up to a training session. The club contact details and training times can be found on Facebook and Twitter, or by emailing wellscricketclub@ hotmail.com. Winter training will commence at the beginning of February, with juniors on a Wednesday evening and seniors on a Sunday at Wells Blue Sports Centre. The season will begin in May with a few pre-season fixtures taking place mid/late April, running through until September.

Impressive result to round off first indoor season CRICKET FOLLOWING Wells Cricket Club winning the Indoor Cricket League in Glastonbury in early 2018, they attended the Somerset Indoor Finals Day at Taunton’s Centre of Excellence at the County Ground on Sunday, January 6, for the semi-final and eventual final.

Wells put on a solid display against Wellington in the semifinal and after key wickets taken

by Wells change bowler Dave Stacey, Wellington fell far short of the modest target set by Wells.

In the final, Wells were

outplayed in all areas, and despite a long last-wicket stand by Jack Moore, Wells were eventually beaten by a confident North Perrott side.

Wells finished runners up in the Somerset Indoor Finals Day – a great result in their first indoor season.

Wells will soon begin their training for the forthcoming outdoor season and are looking for players of all abilities and ages to join the club.

Details of all senior and junior training will be shared on the Wells Cricket Club Facebook page – players of all abilities welcome.

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The Wells cricketers who finished runners up in the indoor finals

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Short corner routines serve Mids well HOCKEY MID Somerset started the day off eager and hungry for the game at Westbury & UB A on January 12, and although Westbury & UB started well, Mids found the switch and turned the game around.

After multiple attempts on the counter-attack, Westbury & UB weakened. The Mid Somerset attacking half startled the opposition, causing them to start playing football, leading to a short corner.

The huddle of Joshua Higgs, Ollie Smart, Chris Young and Roger Knife produced mesmerising creative ideas. The straight drag flick is chosen.

Higgs confidently steps up to the mark. A cannon from Steve Tinnion to Knife at the top of the D set Higgs up with the time and opportunity to perform. A powerful low flick was generated and sneaked into the bottom right corner after taking a deflection off the post-man’s foot.

Westbury & UB pressed again but after a Mids counterattack, another short corner was awarded. After catching their breath, Smart stood

Mid Somerset hockey players have put in some impressive performances for the second drag flick of the day. Tinnion produced a godly injection, Higgs with the textbook stop and Smart with the dramatic drag flick into the top left bins.

Soon after, a sneaky bait was placed by Baker meaning a foot was available. The seed was planted and the plant grew.

Short corner number three was awarded. Tinnion produced another magical injection and the sharp switch from Higgs to Young was executed. Young stopped the ball and aimed at the inviting goal. The Westbury keeper was agile and saved the shot bringing the ball back into

play at the P spot. Baker was standing waiting, he lunged lower than ever before and swept the ball proudly into the goal.

After a questionable celebration it was three short corners, three goals. Simply majestic.

The start of the second half of the season saw Mid

Somerset host Bridgwater.

Given the previous defeat against Bridgwater, Mids were determined to even the score.

This match was definitely one for the spectators with end to end action throughout, in this David vs Goliath match with Bridgwater sitting second in the table.

Mids were first to claim a goal when Joel Irons managed to tuck one past the downed keeper following an interesting short corner routine. Despite Mids’ best efforts to hold the lead into half time a perfectly placed deflection found its way past keeper Jim Wall who had been a wall up until that point.

The second half continued as the first half had with multiple shots each end. Mids however had more success in the opposition’s D with Maxwell, in similar fashion to the first, tucking a shot in around the keeper for what proved to be the winning goal.

Will Writing & Estate Planning

Hopes corner turned are dashed RUGBY WELLS Rugby Club finished 2018 with a hard-fought win over Gordano, by 15 points to ten, and as this followed the win over Clevedon, there was hope that they had turned the corner.

Hopes have since been squashed, however, as both opening games of 2019 have been lost. Barton Hill in Bristol is always a tough place to play and this was no exception, Wells going down by 50 points to seven. The following week, January 12, Wells were at home to Gloucester side Matson. To be fair, Wells gave a good account of themselves against a well organised and powerful team who are in the promotion race before going down by 29 points to eight.

Wells are just off the bottom

of the table, five points ahead of Cheltenham, who happen to be the next opponents, a game which will be played on the Gloucestershire’s side all-weather pitch. Following that they will be home to tabletoppers Midsomer Norton, before travelling to secondplaced Chew Valley. A tough month indeed. Still, if the endeavour and spirit shown against Matson can be replicated, plus a little luck, who knows what may happen.

Off the field the club are indebted to their many sponsors, especially those that support the popular pre-match lunches.

The latest were Mogers Drewett solicitors, and in the absence of normal chef Clive Arthur, Sean Boyle stepped in and produced a magnificent meal, fully in keeping with what we have come to expect this season.

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