Wells Voice February 2021

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February 2021 Issue 44

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Melbourne House, 36 Chamberlain Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PJ

Picture: Philip Welch

Information on vaccinations Local primary care network provides update on Covid jabs Turn to page 4

People are busy sewing all over the city in project that will see streets festooned with bunting for colourful celebration of spring – page 7

Proposal unveiled for new Wells skatepark A CAMPAIGN has been launched to provide a new wheeled sports park in central Wells.

Members of Wells Skatepark Community Group were due to discuss a proposal for a new skatepark in Wells at a meeting of the city council on January 28.

The group says that the current skatepark near Waitrose

is no longer suitable, and that the city needs a modern park in a new location.

“Our current skatepark is well used but is now ageing and out of date. Many people are now travelling to other towns to use facilities,” said group member Bev Smith.

“Wear and tear on the current

style of board is proving costly and the area is also unusable for wheels such as roller skates or younger learners because of the rough, uneven sloped ground.

“Modern parks have clean lines and flowing ramps, the concrete is clean looking and Continued on page 3

Foodbank reports soaring demand Call for donations amid big rise in numbers requiring meals Turn to page 8

‘Important that we work together’ Lockdown guidance to public from the Wells police team Turn to page 14

Wells MP praises local community Admiration for efforts to help vulnerable during pandemic Turn to page 20

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www.wellsvoice.co.uk 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

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.

YOUR VIE WS Letters for publication can be sent by email to news@wellsvoice.co.uk.

Please keep to a word count of no more than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ wellsvoice Follow us on Twitter: @wells_voice View every issue online at issuu.com/ wellsvoice A member of the Independent Community News Network Editor and publisher Andy Vallis is a member of the Society of Editors

LOC AL INFORMATION 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

MARCH DEADLINE To ensure your news or letter is included in the March issue, please contact us by February 17.

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 6,800 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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February 2021

Desire to see help for GP surgeries WELLS city councillors have expressed their wish for the developer of planned new apartments at the police station site to make a contribution to the city’s doctors’ surgeries.

Members of the planning committee considered the planning application from Churchill Retirement Living for 47 apartments for older people on the Glastonbury Road site, at their meeting on January 21.

There was some concern at the additional burden the development would place on local infrastructure, especially the doctors’ surgeries.

“It’s going to put a lot more strain on the local doctors’ surgeries,” said Councillor Rachel Humphreys.

“The doctors’ surgeries are already at complete breaking point, and older people generally need a doctor’s surgery more often than young, healthy people,” said Councillor Jasmine Browne.

Councillor Philip Welch said that there is a need for old people’s residences, and added that the existing Churchill Retirement Living complex in West Street is an attractive one.

Councillor Jenny Rust said that the proposed development seemed reasonably well thought through and seemed to fit into the setting reasonably well.

Councillors voted to recommend approval of the application subject to Mendip District Council asking for a Section 106 contribution to the doctors’ surgeries.

The committee made a similar request when considering a reconsultation notification for the demolition of the Travis Perkins buildings and their replacement with a new Lidl store, in this case asking that Lidl be required to help fund a a pedestrian crossing on Priory Road.

The revised plans now show a cycle way on the east side of the site, in response to lobbying

by Strawberry Line campaigners – but not a crossing across busy Priory Road, which a number of councillors said was needed.

It was also pointed out that the present closure of that end of Priory Road for gas main works was having a big impact on traffic using the Strawberry Way roundabout, showing what “mayhem” work in that vicinity can cause.

Councillors recommended approval of the Lidl proposal, subject to a Section 106 agreement requiring a contribution towards a crossing, and a scheme of work to be agreed beforehand covering issues such as days and hours of work and noise and dust levels.

Ode to Joy singing opportunities LOCAL singing enthusiasts are being invited to learn the famous Ode to Joy chorus from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at a special event in Wells.

They will then have the opportunity to enrol for a Community Chorus to rehearse and perform the work with full orchestra and soloists in Wells Cathedral.

The Come & Sing Ode to Joy day, with expert conductor Katrine Reimers, is due to take place in Cedars Hall on March 28, from 2pm-6pm.

Courtesy of a Culture Recovery Fund grant from the Arts Council and support from Wells City Council, this one-off

session will be free. A maximum of 100 socially-distanced singers can attend and places must be booked before March 14 by emailing wowfest@timeconcerts. co.uk The venue will be fully ventilated and a track and trace system will operate.

A series of six weekly rehearsals at a total cost of £30 per person will then be held from May for anybody who would like to perform the work with full orchestra and soloists as part of WOWFest in Wells Cathedral on July 17, in belated celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary.

More at wellsyouthmusicfest. co.uk/ode-to-beethoven

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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Picture: Mark Mapstone

Skater Damean in action, left; an image of a new skatepark that has been created at Wincanton, above; and Wells Skatepark as it is today, right

Wheels set in motion for new skatepark From page 1 sculptured making them more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and complementing the surrounding landscape.

“A recent survey provided us with feedback that parents, community members and riders all want to see Wells with a better park, useable for all wheeled sports – roller skates, BMX, skateboards and scooters – so a proposal has been put to the council with a plan to find a new location and raise funds to provide Wells with a beautiful new modern skatepark to be proud of.”

The group says that wheeled sports parks allow people of all ages to participate in an action sport that keeps them fit and healthy both physically and mentally. Skateparks with high visibility and whole community interaction are also healthier and safer environments, it says, providing a host of other benefits to riders such as confidence,

resilience and social skills, as well as being beneficial to the wellbeing of the community as a whole.

Skateboards themselves have a reputation for being noisy but at a park where the concrete is smooth, skateboards are said to be relatively quiet.

Wells Skatepark Community Group would like to hear from people who would like to get involved in the project or to have their say about it. The group is particularly looking for people who use the skateparks in the local area, whether they are a skater, a scooter rider, roller skater, cyclist or have children that enjoy wheeled sports.

It is also looking to form a fundraising group and invites people to get in touch if they would like to be part of this project.

To get in touch, email wellsskatepark@gmail.com “These type of parks are a dream come true to local riders and the local youth need

somewhere fun, exciting and safe to go and enjoy themselves,” said skater and Wells Skatepark Community Group member Will Punter.

“We have seen how places

up and down the country have been transformed by these new concrete parks and are passionate in making this a reality to benefit the community in Wells.”

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Working hard on vaccination programme The West Mendip Primary Care Network provides an update on the NHS vaccination programme in the region HEALTH and care teams from across Somerset are all working extremely hard to roll out the NHS vaccination programme across the county. With the launch of the Bath and West Showground, there are now 17 vaccinations sites operating across Somerset. These include two large vaccination sites, two hospital hubs and 13 GP-led community sites for each of the primary care networks.

The West Mendip Primary Care Network (PCN) is made up of a group of five GP practices including: Wells Health Centre, Wells City Practice, Glastonbury Health Centre, Vine Surgery and Glastonbury Surgery, which are working together to vaccinate patients in the highest priority groups across the West Mendip community. Currently all vaccines are being delivered from Local Vaccination Centres, for the West Mendip PCN this is at West Mendip Community Hospital, in Glastonbury. GP practices are working together within their primary care network, rather than individually.

Josephine and Peter Gibbs being vaccinated at Taunton Racecourse Vaccine appointments are being offered to residents across the PCN to vaccinate everyone in the West Mendip population from the highest priority groups, following the guidelines set out by the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation).

Vaccine clinics will continue to run, in line with scheduled deliveries for residents in a care home for older adults and their carers, people who are aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers.

Vaccination appointments will expand to the next priority groups over the next few weeks.

If you are in one of the highest priority groups and have not yet been contacted by your

GP practice, we can assure you, everyone will be called as soon as possible. You may also receive a letter from the NHS to invite you to the nearest large vaccination site, which could be a journey of up to 45 minutes from where you live. Large vaccination sites now include: Taunton Racecourse and the Bath and West Showground, as well as Ashton Gate in Bristol or Bath Racecourse.

When you receive your letter you will be able to book your vaccination appointment through the new national booking service by phone, or online. This is an additional option for people to have their Covid-19 vaccination, but if you are unable to travel you can wait

to be contacted by your local GP-led service over the next few weeks.

We are very grateful for the support of all our health and care colleagues and our teams of local volunteers, in particular the invaluable support of members from the Wells Coronavirus Network who are helping to support our vaccination clinics.

We would also like to thank everyone for patiently waiting to be contacted about their vaccination appointment.

We know that many people will be anxious to know when they will get their jab and we are working hard to invite people on our combined patient lists, in the highest priority groups as quickly and safely as possible.

Please be assured that you will be contacted by your surgery to come for your appointment when the time is right. We will be able to answer all your questions, when you come for your appointment.

Please do not contact your surgery to ask about your vaccination – we will contact you directly.

For the latest information on the NHS vaccination programme in Somerset, please visit: www.somersetccg.nhs.uk

Wookey Hole Caves owner Gerry Cottle dies of Covid Over 80s’ jabs THE owner of Wookey Hole Caves, Gerry Cottle, has died of Covid-19 at the age of 75. He had been in hospital in Bath after contracting the virus.

He came to prominence in

the 1970s with the Gerry Cottle Circus. He took over Wookey Hole Caves in 2003.

His agent, Mark Borkowski, described him as “the last of the great circus showmen”. Mr

Borkowski said in a statement: “Gerry was a loving family man who is survived by his wife Betty and three daughters and a son, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.”

AN article in last month’s Wells Voice stated that everyone over 80 had had their first coronavirus vaccination. This was not the case. Sorry for any confusion caused.

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February 2021

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Plans to enhance pumping station PLANS are being drawn up for enhancement work at Haybridge Pumping Station.

Fears have been expressed over the capacity of the facility to cope as more and more homes are built in the area.

Concerns about the pumping station was one of the reasons given by St Cuthbert Out Parish Council for recommending refusal of a recent planning application for new homes at New House Farm, Haybridge.

The council said: “The location of storm drains on Haybridge Hill raised concerns that overflow or blockage would lead to flooding in Haybridge, and there are already concerns at county level regarding runoff and sewage. The existing pumping station at Haybridge is regularly blocked and overwhelmed with the demands

The Museum of the Moon in Ely Cathedral in 2019

Picture: James Billings

Out of this world artwork coming to Wells Cathedral VISITORS to Wells Cathedral later in the year will be able to gaze in awe at a giant moon suspended from the roof of the Nave.

The Museum of the Moon art installation has been seen around the world and is scheduled to appear in Wells from October 12 until November 3.

The artwork by artist Luke Jerram, whose studio is in Bristol, is seven metres in diameter and features detailed NASA imagery of the moon’s surface. It took Luke six months to make, and he describes the installation as a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition.

“I’m really looking forward to bringing the Museum of the

Moon to Wells Cathedral. It’s such a stunning setting for the artwork,” he said.

“I really hope the installation is enjoyed by everyone who comes to moonbathe beneath it.”

The installation has appeared at venues as far away as China, Australia and India, and closer to home at Glastonbury Festival, as well as on Strictly Come Dancing.

More than 60,000 people visited the Museum of the Moon when it was presented in Liverpool Cathedral for seven days.

Each venue runs a series of lunar-inspired events beneath the moon, and a programme of concerts, talks and tours is planned during the moon’s visit to Wells.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

of the various new developments nearby (alongside existing properties).”

Wessex Water has said that the pumping station is managing, but that it will require some enhancement work to accommodate new homes in the area.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Proposals for the pumping station are at the design stage and are likely to include additional storage, while we also plan to upgrade existing public sewers crossing the Haybridge development site.

“In the meantime, existing and new customers in the area can help us by only flushing the three Ps – paper, poo and pee – and not disposing of fats, oils and grease down the kitchen sink, all of which contribute to sewer blockages.”

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February 2021

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Ambassadors will do their bit for Wells

TEAMS of Wells Ambassadors could be on the streets of the city later in the year ready to greet visitors when it is safe for them to return.

Following the success of the Meet & Greet service which welcomed visitors off the coaches in the Wells Coach Park, it is planned to have Ambassadors operating around Wells to welcome people, give out maps and share what to see and do in Wells. Many visitors are drawn to Wells by the Cathedral and The Bishop’s Palace but can leave without seeing Vicars Close, the Almshouses, Wells & District Museum, the Town Hall, Harry Patch Memorial, Mary Bignall Rand’s long jump record and more.

The Ambassadors will come under the umbrella of Visit Wells, which is looking forward to the day that visitors can return.

A spokesperson said: “The recent establishment of Wells Heritage Partners as a CIC (Community Interest Company) has helped to cement the desire for key players in the city to work together to raise awareness of Wells as a wonderful tourist destination.

“It formed a working partnership with Wells City

Coach visitors to Wells being welcomed by Meeters & Greeters before the pandemic Council before the pandemic to bring the Tourist Information Centre into the very heart of the city, and has established Visit Wells as a brand and tool to enable the promotion of Wells as the ideal destination for day visits, short breaks and longer holidays.

“Currently the national lockdown and restrictions have hit a pause button in people’s travel plans, but Visit Wells firmly believes that continuing to inspire potential visitors online with stunning images and interesting content is key to building anticipation of

wonderful visits and holidays as and when the situation allows.

All research currently points towards a fabulous summer season for staycations in the UK, and many people who had a taste of a short break in the UK last summer are planning to do the same again in 2021.

“The 50-plus market has been buoyed by the announcement of the vaccination programme and local accommodation providers are reporting a surge in bookings for the summer season. Wells is perfectly situated to take advantage of these trends, being a city full of wonderful

School seeks new co-opted governors A WELLS school is looking for new co-opted governors to join its governing body. The volunteer positions at Stoberry Park School, North Road, are open to parents/guardians or other people from the community.

The school’s governors come from a range of different backgrounds, skills and experience but all share a common interest of wanting the best possible education for the children in the school.

The school would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in children’s education and the performance of the school, is community spirited and would like to represent the community, has spare time and the energy for the role, and is able to work well as part of a team.

The school site on North Road Co-opted governors are not elected by a parent election but are instead appointed directly by the governing body. The governing body helps to set and review the school’s strategic direction and agrees targets for improvement, holds the headteacher and school leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and oversees the financial

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

performance of the school.

In looking to fill these vacancies, the school is interested in applications from people with a variety of experience and also people who can occasionally visit the school during the day, though enthusiasm, interest and the willingness to learn are more important.

If interested, contact the school office for an application form. To discuss any aspects of the role before submitting an application, speak to clerk to the governors Eleanor Milln. Call 01749 672516. There is more information for prospective governors on the National Governance Association website at https://www.nga.org.uk/ Governance-Recruitment/Be-aschool-governor-or-trustee.aspx

attractions and history, located within a short distance of the coast, miles of fantastic countryside, and with a range of other nationally important attractions nearby.

“We are looking forward to being able to deploy the Ambassadors once circumstances allow.”

Ross Young has led the initiative, and is asking people who would like to volunteer as Ambassadors to register their interest.

“Meeters & Greeters at the Coach Park can testify to how rewarding this is given the positive feedback they receive,” he said.

“We hope to start as soon as we can, virus permitting, and volunteers are sought for stints of two to three hours a week. They will be fully briefed including notes on the major features to see.

“So please help us make all visits to Wells as special as they can be by becoming an Ambassador so visitors will go away very happy to spread the word and, of course, come again.

Email or call me on ross-young@ hotmail.co.uk, 07721 523487, or visit www.letsdoitwells.com to show your interest or to find out more.”

Changes made to the markets THERE will be no Saturday market in Wells for the time being. The Wednesday market in Wells will continue but with slightly reduced hours of 9amnoon.

Mendip District Council says that there has been an expected decrease in trader numbers and footfall over recent weeks and months, and as such it is adjusting its market opening times slightly. u Letter, page 18

Fresh website ST Cuthbert Out Parish Council has a new website that is easier to navigate. It can be found at stcuthbertout-pc.gov.uk

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Collective effort to celebrate spring with display of bunting THE last year has been challenging for everyone in all sorts of ways and 2021 is likely to continue to be so.

Many villages and towns up and down the country are using Community Art as a way to help and support each other, and the Sew Buntiful Wells project is one that enables people to do just that.

The project is being organised by city councillors Sarah Briton and Rachel Humphreys in partnership with Project Factory CIC. “We would like to celebrate spring in Wells with a display of home crafted bunting of all descriptions. We hope that together we can buntify the city centre as well as buntify houses and streets all around Wells,” said Sarah.

Kidder Bank residents Sarah Gaitanis and Juliet Selby with examples of their knitted bunting “We hope that the whole community feels the project is just the thing to participate in during these lockdown weeks, and that while crafting in our own homes, we will feel more connected with our community

Got News? Call 07906 499655

as we work collectively towards a great spring display.”

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet up (via Zoom) throughout February and March for general get-togethers as well as attend Sew Buntiful workshops. In addition, there will be regular updates.

To access these, complete the registration form at: bit.ly/ buntifulwells. The registration form also helps organisers with an estimate of how much bunting is being made. Alternatively, call 01749 372234 to register interest and be kept up to date with the project through phone calls from one of the Bunting Ambassadors.

More information can be found online at projectfactory.uk or letsdoitwells.com, or on Facebook, or email hello@projectfactory.uk

No to some of store’s signs MORRISONS has been refused permission for three of the proposed new signs at its store at East Somerset Way, Wells.

In a split decision, Mendip District Council refused consent for signs 2, 3 and 4 on the submitted plans as they were “considered to be detrimental to the character, setting and appearance of the historic City of Wells due to their scale, overall design and position on the building (eastern elevation).”

There had been criticism of the signs on this side of the store from councillors and members of the public because of their impact on the landscape and the views from Constitution Hill and the Palace Fields footpath.

Consent was granted for a number of other new signs with conditions including that the illuminated signs be switched off when the store and the petrol station are closed to the public.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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Need for food items as demand rockets IN the past year, Wells Foodbank gave out more than 39,480 meals to local people in need, along with their pets.

This represents a huge rise in demand compared to the previous year’s figures which show that 9,000 meals were distributed during 2019.

In total, over 30,000 more meals were given out in 2020 than in 2019.

Sue Marland, pastor of Wells Vineyard Church, who runs Wells Foodbank, said: “So many people are facing unprecedented financial hardship as they have lost their jobs or have been on reduced salaries as part of the furlough schemes.

“The donations that people generously give are more essential than ever as we can only continue to help people as long as we receive support from the community.

“Every tin and packet that goes into the donation bins is absolutely vital as we continue our work through the latest lockdown.”

Mike Tolley, Foodbank co-ordinator, added: “We have seen an increase in the number of families requesting help, and a new requirement to deliver parcels to those who are shielding.

“This has only been possible due to the unstinting efforts of our volunteers and those who support our cause in the community.

“The original team of

volunteers has worked incredibly hard through 2020 and deliveries have been made possible by a number of new volunteers who are acting as delivery drivers to distribute food parcels to people’s doors.”

Shoppers can help by donating food and the following items are particularly needed: tinned meals – for example, tinned macaroni, meatballs, Fray Bentos pies, tinned fruit and desserts, tea, coffee, small bags of sugar, tinned soups, noodle pots, instant meals, cereals, toiletries, laundry cleaning pods, cleaning supplies and pet food.

Food donations can be dropped off at the following places: at the usual donation points in local supermarkets, in the Wells branch of Santander in the Market Place, or directly to the Foodbank at the Wells Vineyard Church, Keward Mill Trading Estate, Jocelyn Drive, BA5 1DA. Alternatively, financial donations can be made to Wells Vineyard Christian Fellowship’s HSBC account: sort code: 40-46-06, account number: 31387170. Use “Wells Vineyard Church” as the reference. Money donated will be used to purchase fresh food stocks and items in short supply.

During the latest lockdown, the Foodbank will continue to open to those in need between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

The centuries old Charter Fair depicted in the latest window, left; and Richard Green, of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, with Town Crier wells in mosaic Len Sweales at a recent Wells May Charter Fair

Fair takes its place in history ANOTHER window has been completed by mosaic artist Ruth Ames-White as part of the ambitious project to create the six-metre diameter walkable map and illustrated history of the City of Wells.

The Charter Fair, which dates from 1201, is represented in the 54cm high window by a ‘Galloper’, symbolising a horse from a carousel ride.

Richard Green, a member of Wells Civic Society and Culture Club and also an Honorary Member of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, said: “Speaking on behalf of the guild, we are very proud that the Wells Charter Fairs are being depicted in one of the many windows on this amazing project, for the

events are an integral part of the living history of the city.”

The fundraising group supporting the project is currently discussing ways in which further funds might be raised to ensure Ruth’s work can continue until community events can resume.

As well as making donations, members of the public and local businesses and organisations can sponsor one of the blue lias stones which will surround the mosaic when it is installed. These can be engraved so that a name can be literally ‘set in stone’.

Contact Wells in Mosaic via contact@wellsinmosaic.org or visit www.wellsinmosaic.org or www.facebook.com/ wellsinmosaic

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February 2021

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n NEWS

Call for more free short-stay parking

By Daniel Mumby

Local Democracy Reporter MORE free short-stay parking could be introduced locally to entice people back into town centres after the coronavirus pandemic.

Mendip District Council is carrying out a review of its car parking provision, seeking to improve the experience for both residents and visitors to the area.

The council has published the results of an initial round of consultation, with a report coming before the council’s cabinet on January 11.

The report contains a number of anonymous suggestions for how parking could be improved in both the short- and longerterm.

Among seven suggestions which councillors and others have put forward to make Mendip’s parking better, two mention Wells: n More electric vehicle charging points: Visitors to the Mendip area may have “travelled some distance”, and more charging points in Frome and Wells especially would encourage greener transport. n Fewer time restrictions: Wells residents have complained shortstay parking is too “restricted” to allow ample time to be spent in the city centre, while long-stay parking in the area remains “a well-kept secret”.

Councillor Lucie TaylorHood, who chairs the parking strategy working group, said there had been “good representation” during the consultation from rural areas, as well as the four towns and the city of Wells.

Long-stay parking in Wells was described as ‘a well-kept secret’ She said: “Clearly we need to treat all of the settlements very differently, because they are all very different places.

“The results really are invaluable in making sure that our draft strategy will be relevant and in tune with people’s experiences.”

Ms Taylor-Hood said that car parking would play “a really critical role” in helping Mendip’s recovery from the pandemic.

She said: “One of the things that came out very strongly, across all of the settlements, was the need for short-stay free parking.

“Just to enable people to pop in for half an hour – go to the bank, pick up a coffee – so we encourage people to use the high street rather than just going to Tesco or one of the other big supermarket chains.”

A further update on the council’s parking strategy is expected to come forward later in the year, though this may be delayed by the pandemic.

Wells loyalty scheme members Amba, Basil Powell, Britelly, Gallery Jewellers, London House, Mansfield Opticians, Microbitz Computers, Millicans Eye Centre, Peter Douglas of Wells, Protec, Roly’s Fudge Pantry, Runway, Santé Wines at Bishop’s Eye, Scribbles, Studleys Jewellers, The Changing Room, The Crown Hotel, The Laundry, Whiting & Son.

WELLS LOYALTY

RD W E L L S LO YA LT Y C A

SHOPPING SCHEME

MILLICANS EYE CENTRE David and Sandra Millican have been running their optometry practice in Wells since 1983. They moved to the current premises in High Street in 1990.

Millicans Eye Centre is a truly family business. David, an experienced optometrist, also carries out Acute Emergency Eyecare examinations and contact lens fittings. Sandra, sonin-law Lee and daughter Sam are all qualified dispensing opticians.

Lee also assists with contact lens fittings and can prescribe coloured lenses for people who suffer from visual stress. This condition is common in dyslexic patients, and others who have reading difficulties. Sam is currently undertaking training with the view to qualifying as an optometrist.

Millicans Eye Centre has been offering retinal photography as part of a routine eye examination since 1999. They have recently started offering Optos fundus

u Millicans Eye Centre, 75 High Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2AQ T: 01749 673991 E: millicans@hotmail.co.uk

PROTEC Protec Wells is a local familyrun store and security business located at 16 Queen Street.

The owners Robert and Debbie Bevan have been trading since 1984 delivering high quality products and know how to the city. Working closely alongside their two sons, James and Richard, the family has passionately worked together to ensure the business’ continued success.

“Trading continues to be challenging,” said Debbie.

“However, we could not be more thankful to be allowed to remain open through the latest lockdown period. Our staff and customers’ safety remains our number one priority and every decision we make is carefully considered before being introduced.”

The company’s introduction of PPE back in May was a key part of adapting to change, along with increasing stock on everyday items such as SPONSORS

To join the scheme, contact Robert Powell (robert.powell2@btconnect.com), Rob Bevan (rob@protec-wells.com) or Louis Agabani (louis@bishopseye.com)

Got News? Call 07906 499655

photography which offers a much wider view of the retina (at a small extra charge). It has highlighted pathology in a number of symptomless patients.

The practice stocks a wide selection of frames and being independent can offer quality lenses from a wide range of suppliers.

We look forward to welcoming patients when they feel safe to attend. We wear PPE, limit the number of patients in the practice and clean equipment in between patients.

Chalmers HB and Wells City Council

light bulbs, batteries and basic cookware. This has enabled Protec to trade through what is hoped to have been the most challenging period.

Anyone we can help is a pleasure and anyone we can keep safe is a job well done.

We will get through this together. Most of all we’d like to say a big thank you to all our customers, staff, NHS and all the great people out there for supporting ourselves, Wells and the country as a whole in these unprecedented times. u Protec, 16 Queen Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2DP T: 01749 676886 E: richard@protec-wells.com W: https://protec-wells.com Two members of the Wells loyalty scheme will be featured in Wells Voice every month.

A list of all the businesses currently participating in the scheme is given on the left

wellsvoice

10

February 2021

n NEWS

Entrepreneur inspired by Turkish homeland A TURKISH-BORN entrepreneur who now lives in Wells is bringing the bright colours of her homeland to the attention of people in the UK. Yuksel Pain is sharing the colours and vibrancy of her native Turkey in the shape of plates, mugs, tablecloths, napkins and jewellery on her new online home-shopping site.

“There is a huge choice of designs and vibrant colours to brighten up these dark times and cheer up the most miserable of days,” said Yuksel, who spent her early years in rural Anatolia, and moved to the UK to study after graduating in Istanbul.

Since then she has worked as an au-pair and then became a play-worker, nursery nurse, further education teacher, volunteer teacher of English to Nepalese families of retired Gurkha soldiers and an English Language coordinator to the Turkish-Cypriot Cultural

Association in London. Despite struggling with dyspraxia and other health problems, Yuksel decided to give in to her passion for Turkish culture, traditions and designs and start her online Turkish shopping business, Snug & Cosy.

She said: “I loved experiencing the Turkish traditions of my upbringing like choosing special ceramic gifts for weddings and serving delicious food in tasteful tableware and I wanted others also to feel the pure joy of having the luxury of this colourful crockery in their homes.”

Taking her lead from the country’s long history with pottery and ceramics, Yuksel is offering a choice of tableware and textiles. She said: “Turkish colours and designs have an uplifting effect on us.

“It is so important at this awful time to choose something cheerful and warm to use and enjoy every day. That is why I want to share my passion and bring pleasure to people who want to brighten their homes and their lives.”

She added: “Regardless of so many obstacles that I have faced with illness and as a Turkish woman living in a different country and with a different culture, I don’t give up.

I believe everyone has something worthwhile to give and make a difference.”

Care in your own home No need for an expensive care home

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“Wells Coronavirus Network has received a wonderful gift of £2,500 from a benefactor. It will enable the network to do many of the important community jobs during the lockdown described in the January edition of Wells Voice,” said network spokesperson Philip Welch.

Further donations towards

Wells BA5 1QJ. More people have also joined the ranks of the network’s volunteers in the past month, bringing to 507 the number who have signed up to offer their assistance since the organisation started last March.

today Call for a brochure today 800 111 4885 0117 9860710 / Freephone:for 0800a 111 4885 brochure today Call for a brochureCall today omecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 9860710 0800 111for 4885 re.co.uk / Freephone: Call a brochure 0800 today111 4885 u Letter, page 14 0117 9860710 9860710 Freephone: www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 111 4885 4885 0117 //// Freephone: 0800 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk issuu.com/wellsvoice at4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk issue Read every0800 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 111 Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk

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www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice n COMPETITION

February 2021

n NEWS

11

Chance to win one of three copies of romantic comedy

Rachel Sherfield and Maria Williams behind the counter of the post office in Wells Bus Station waiting room

Pop-up post office facility now open WELLS has a new post office for the time being in the bus station waiting room.

A pop-up post office opened there in January as a temporary arrangement until a more permanent location for a post office can be provided.

Wells City Council has worked with Post Office Ltd to provide the new service. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm.

“Wells City Council are delighted the pop up post office has finally opened and hope residents will use the facility until the new city centre branch opens later this year,” said Steve Luck, the city council’s Town Clerk.

It is hoped that the new city centre branch will be in the Natural Pets of Wells shop in Queen Street. Owners Nigel and Heather Derrick continue to work on their application to have counters installed there.

Post Office Ltd have confirmed that they have an interested retailer who wants to take on Wells Post Office, and say they are progressing their application.

A second post office counter was also installed at Budgens on Bath Road just before Christmas

to help cope with demand.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are delighted that there is now a branch in the city centre again. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the temporary closure of Wells Post Office. This has been an exceptional time with the coronavirus pandemic and the knock-on effect on retailers. The branch had been due to move to the Peacocks store before the business went into administration. We were unable to maintain a post office at the existing premises as the lease had expired. We continue to work towards a permanent solution.”

Alternative option PEOPLE who live on the western side of Wells have been reminded that there is a post office at Wookey that they might find it easier to use.

The post office is at Burcott Mill, opposite The Burcott Inn, and it is open three times a week: Mondays from 10am-1.30pm, Tuesdays from 10am-1pm and Thursdays from 10am-1.30pm. u From The Town Hall, page 21

For news online see wellsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call 07906 499655

ROMANCE is in the air in this month’s special Valentine’s competition.

Wells author Jan Ellis, pictured right, is offering Wells Voice readers the chance to get their hands on one of her entertaining romantic comedies.

What could be nicer to while away a long afternoon or evening at this time of year – especially during lockdown – than getting lost in the pages of a feelgood novel?

Jan has three signed copies of her book ‘French Kisses and A London Affair’ to give away to three people who can name the title of one of her other books.

For more details about her work, see her website: www.janelliswriter.com Email your entry to Jan at apricot14390@gmail.com along with your name, address and telephone number, or enter the

competition via the contact form on the website.

The closing date is noon on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Three correct entries will be chosen at random after this date.

Jan will post or deliver a copy of one of her novels to each of the winners, whose names will be published in a future issue of Wells Voice.

n Additional rules: One entry per person.

No cash alternative. The author’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Home of the Sunday roast (available weekly), frozen ready meals & more, all delivered safely to your door.

Treat the one you love with our wonderful Valentines 3 course menu Only £20 per person delivered chilled on Saturday 13th February.

We provide very simple step by step heating instructions.

Starters Lemon and basil marinated mozzarella baked in Parma ham with rocket salad and a tomato, sweet red onion and roasted red pepper salsa.

Main course 16hr slow roasted shoulder of lamb with rosemary and garlic, creamy potato gratin, thyme roasted root vegetables and a rich port, balsamic and red wine reduction.

Dessert Mango, passion fruit and white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry coulis.

Call us on 01749 938100 to order/ via email andreskitchenuk@yahoo.com or Facebook - Andres Kitchen.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

12

February 2021

n NEWS

Time running out to save planet from climate calamity

Wells resident Trisha Fine urges support for new legislation to tackle global warming EVRYONE’S sense of time has been altered by the Covid pandemic. Lockdown limitations can make time move very slowly, especially if you’ve got children to home-school as well.

Somerset area planners haven’t been locked in the present but have focused on our, and more importantly our childrens’, futures. Do you know of their schemes to decrease carbon emissions – the main contributor to global warming?

Work at Hinkley Point C

At Hinkley Point C two nuclear reactors now being built will save tonnes of carbon emissions annually. (Without this uncomfortable nuclear option such targets couldn’t be achieved.) Sedgemoor Gravity Campus, near Bridgwater, is helping lead the UK’s green recovery both post-Brexit and post-Covid with thousands of new ‘green’ jobs. Our area has promised to be carbon-neutral by 2030, meaning any carbongenerating processes will be offset by carbon removal.

There’s a fundamental reason behind these forwardthinking initiatives. Somerset, most essentially Sedgemoor, is low-lying with a long coastline, making it the UK’s thirdhighest flood-risk area. So, like similar low-lying areas, plans to minimise the flood risks, risks which are predominantly climate-led, are already being activated.

They are explained in the excellent Somerset County Council document Towards A Climate Resilient Somerset, which outlines what we can all do to preserve our future in the face of global warming.

Unfortunately our local situation is only part of the picture. And if we don’t work holistically nothing will be achieved. The government’s

Flooding on the Somerset Levels. Climate change is expected to lead to a rise in sea levels and an increase in flooding incidents

‘Government has ambitious plans’ WELLS MP James Heappey told Wells Voice: “The Government has the most ambitious plans of any major country for achieving net zero. These plans make our green transition a moment of renewal and opportunity for new sectors of our economy to flourish, whilst giving time to more established parts of the economy to transition to zero carbon.

“Crucially, the focus in Government is aligned with this accord, with decisions being made on climate change, as well as on the commitment we made in Paris. “ target is for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050; such a target only gives a 50 per cent chance of averting climate catastrophe.

Unfortunately Wells MP James Heappey considers the 2030

target adopted by Somerset is “hugely disruptive and risks undermining consensus”.

He, like most, if not all Conservative MPs, refuses to back the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill. This Private Members Bill, due a second reading on March 26, aims for the UK to help limit global temperature increase to 1.5C, account for our worldwide carbon footprint (ie. acknowledge emissions created abroad in the manufacture of products then sent to the UK), conserve nature both here and overseas, and provide ordinary citizens with a voice in these momentous decisions.

It’s the Last Chance Saloon.

We must urge our MP to support the Bill. Yes, Covid is a big priority at present. But Covid recovery brings the ideal moment to tackle the climate crisis. We’re all involved with both, but failure to tackle the climate crisis may wreck our planet forever.

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2021

13

n NEWS

Good reasons for switching off engines Julie Wright of Sustainable Wells urges motorists to be active and not idle DURING my walks around the local area over the last year I’ve been very surprised and sad to see so many vehicles idling while stationary. This isn’t just at traffic lights, which can sometimes be expected, but just about everywhere, and every type of vehicle, including buses and taxis. I’ve even noticed some idling vehicles without a driver.

I made the mistake a few years ago of politely asking a van driver if he could turn off his engine and he became abusive and threatened violence.

I’m understandably not going down that route again.

However, may I make a plea for people to become more conscious of what they do and the reasons, all very sound, for turning off their engines.

Vehicle idling is an offence against the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

The law states that it is an offence to idle your engine unnecessarily when stationary. If you fail to turn your engine off, after being spoken to, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £20.

I can’t imagine that many fixed penalty notices are ever

issued so there needs to be better incentives for compliance. How about these? n You can waste almost a gallon of fuel from an hour’s car idling. n Leaving your engine running causes more motor oil to be circulated and burned up. n Idling increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air: carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, which are bad for the environment and contribute towards climate change. n Diesel vehicles are thought to be the biggest contributors to the problem. n It’s bad for your own health: when you’re idling, the harmful gases are then drawn back into your car.

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Idling increases the amount of harmful exhaust fumes in the air; left, a Mendip District Council campaign has been urging motorists to turn their engines off while stationary n Modern battery design means there is no need to let the engine run to keep it charged. n Turning the engine on and off does not wear it out, as is commonly thought, but idling does increase wear and tear. n An idling engine does not keep a catalytic converter warm.

They retain their heat for about 25 minutes after an engine is switched off anyway. n Idling means incomplete combustion, leading to a buildup of residue in an engine, increasing wear and tear. n Engines idling for more than ten seconds use more fuel and cause more pollution than starting the motor. This is one of the reasons why newer

vehicles are fitted with stop-start technology. n Modern engines are designed so that you can commence driving straight after starting the car, they don’t need to ‘warm up’. n The Royal College of Physicians estimate 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, with engine idling contributing to this.

The final point is largely my final point. If you have ever compared the height of the exhaust pipe from the ground, to the height of a small child walking along the pavement, or a baby in a pushchair, compared the millions of noxious gases emitted from moving and stationary vehicles to the size of the tiny lungs of maybe your child, your grandchild, then please consider changing your behaviour this year.

In a landmark court ruling in December the coroner concluded that a nine-yearold girl, Ella, died of asthma, contributed to by exposure to excessive air pollution. She is sadly one named child amongst thousands whose poor health and sometimes death is caused by noxious pollutants.

Please make this the year you decide to make a difference to the nation’s health and to climate emergency by walking or cycling rather than using a car at all, or by switching off the engine when you are likely to be stationary for more than 30 seconds. It’s such an easy thing to do and would make so much difference.

Please be active and not idle.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

14

February 2021

n ON THE BEAT

We must work together to keep people safe IN December 2020 it was announced that England was entering a third nationwide lockdown since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

This meant that schools and nonessential shops had to close and we were asked to stay at home as much as possible other than daily exercise, essentials, medical assistance/safety and work if we can’t work from home.

At the time of writing this in mid-January, we are still very much in this lockdown. This has been a very difficult time for many people all over the country for various reasons, and now more than ever we need to work together to keep people safe and protect the NHS. The Wells neighbourhood policing team have been working hard to be a visible presence in the community in order to provide reassurance, alongside being professionally curious as to why people are out and about.

News from the local policing team with PCSO Supervisor Hannah Hood ‘We would like to thank the community of Wells for their cooperation during these current restrictions’

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This is on top of our usual daily workloads.

It is well known that for many of us, getting out of the house for some fresh air and exercise is a crucial part of self-care and looking after our mental wellbeing. Please, during this time, stay local and avoid taking car journeys where possible, in order to avoid the need to visit petrol stations as frequently, reduce the chance of your vehicle breaking down on your journey and to help prevent the spread of the virus across different areas.

If you do need to travel by car, please stay local.

The Government in England (at the time of writing this) has not given specific distances regarding how far is too far to travel from home during the current restrictions which can cause difficulties when considering whether or not to make a journey.

If you are worried or unsure about whether to travel somewhere, ask yourself ‘is my journey necessary?’ and, in the case of shopping for essentials and exercising, ‘is there somewhere closer to me that I can go?’.

Please check the government website for the latest guidance around restrictions and also remember that you are absolutely not alone during this challenging time. Reach out

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virtually to friends and family and check the guidance in relation to ‘support bubbles’ if you live alone.

We also do not underestimate the challenges that come with learning and working from home, and to help with this the BBC have resources online and on the television to help with schooling from home.

We would like to thank the community of Wells for their cooperation during these current restrictions and encourage people to get in contact with us via 101 or the Avon and Somerset website if you have any questions and we will always be happy to speak with you and help wherever we can.

Contacts and places for national and local support n Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline: 0300 790 6275 available from 8am to 6pm every day, including weekends. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can contact us using SMS text: 07781 482858 n Silver Line: 0800 4 70 80 90 open 24/7 n Wells Coronavirus Network – 01749 467079 – open 9am-5pm every day and email hello@helpwells.co.uk n Mind in Somerset out of hours support – Saturday, 6pm10.30pm, Elim Connect Centre (please call before attending) 01823 276 892.

Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk

Volunteers on call to help FACING another lockdown is a challenge for our residents and business owners. But the case numbers speak for themselves – coronavirus is infecting people here and it’s spreading.

However Wells and the surrounding villages can rely on the Wells Coronavirus Network to help if you are lonely, isolated or vulnerable.

Hundreds of volunteers are on call to help with those simple but such important tasks – shopping and prescription collections, as well as a friendly phone call to our helpline 01749

467079, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Vaccinations are underway with Wells Coronavirus Network acting as marshals to support the NHS medics, but it will be months before everyone is jabbed, so until then, it’s each one of us who are fighting this pandemic.

Each one of us has a duty to follow the rules. They matter more than ever.

Wells Coronavirus Network By email u Letters continue on page 18

Deadline for the March issue is February 17

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2021

15

n NEWS

Palace rated highly by quality assessor THE Bishop’s Palace in Wells has scored 93 per cent in a recent assessment by VisitEngland as part of the national Visitor Attractions Quality Scheme.

The results of the rating were released towards the end of January following a secret visit in December by the assessor.

VisitEngland offers quality accreditation to visitor attractions participating in the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, including museums, art galleries, safari parks, gardens, historic houses, theme

A view of The Bishop’s Palace parks and more. Attractions are independently visited by a team of experienced quality assessors and offered support and guidance to improve the quality of their visitor experience.

Accolades include Quality Food & Drink, Hidden Gem, Best Told Story, Welcome and Gold.

The results demonstrate how successful the Palace team has been improving and refining the visitor experience to match the needs of the Palace’s audiences

and use its resources to best advantage in a very different operating environment during 2020.

The achievement of the restaurant is especially notable as its consistently high scores mean the Palace is eligible for nomination for a VisitEngland Quality Food and Drink Accolade. Nominations will be reviewed in 2021 prior to the award of the accolades.

The VisitEngland assessor said: “In summary, the Bishop’s Palace has made best use of the opportunities of this year by seeking to understand its audience and its role for visitors over and above making money.

It has redeployed resources and staff imaginatively and discovered new ways of doing things.”

Rosie Martin, chief executive of The Palace Trust, said: “It is an absolute delight for us to receive this rating as it reflects all the extremely hard work that the whole team has carried out in exceptionally challenging circumstances.

“I already knew that we had achieved something wonderful this year, and the messages we have received from members of the public had backed this up, but the report puts in writing how well we have done, and it’s fabulous to be able to pass this on to our hard-working staff and volunteer team. We will continue to serve our community and look for the opportunities for joy throughout 2021.”

Walkers invited to see snowdrops THE Bishop’s Palace is inviting people who are looking for something to enliven their daily exercise to walk over to the Palace to see the snowdrops.

The snowdrop trails started there this year on January 30 and continue each weekend until February 21.

Head gardener James Cross said: “The Snowdrop Weekends proved to be popular in recent years, so we thought we’d start them in the last week of January this year – especially

as many people are looking for alternatives routes to walk for their daily exercise.”

There is a one-way system in place, and people who are planning to walk for their exercise can collect a printed Snowdrop Walk guide. A children’s trail will also be available from the ticket office with a prize upon completion.

Visitors are asked to only attend in their household group, or alone and accompanied by one other person for exercise.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

The Community Garden at The Bishop’s Palace

Proposal for new Palace entrance A NEW entrance could be created at The Bishop’s Palace to allow easier access for groups that use the Community Garden for therapeutic and educational activities.

The Bishop’s Palace Trust has applied to Mendip District Council for permission for a new community gate and ramp access between the Palace and St Andrew’s Street car park.

The proposed ramp and gate in the northern boundary wall would make access easier for groups of people who use or would like to use the Community Garden, such as those with disabilities or dementia.

Members of Wells City Council’s planning committee agreed to recommend approval of the planning application at their meeting on January 21.

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WE ARE OPEN AND TRADING AS USUAL For everyone’s safety in our shop please remember:

HANDS – sanitise on entry FACE – wear a mask SPACE – keep 2m apart THANK YOU

BIRDS IN NEED OF HELP

As well as all your pet requirements, we have a very comprehensive selection of wild bird feeds and feeders. Feeding the birds is vital at this time of year when food for them in the wild is in short supply.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

16 WELLS VETS CASE FILES

wellsvoice n NEWS

February 2021

Oreo first to benefit from keyhole surgery Name: Oreo Age: 6 months Breed: Chihuahua x Pug Likes: Trailblazing!

Dislikes: The prospect of an uncomfortable recovery There was a big event in Oreo’s life recently – she was neutered.

Her owners knew that they didn’t intend to breed from her and also that, by being neutered (spayed in the case of a female), her risk of mammary tumours or uterine infections in later life would be reduced.

The big question was how best to do it. Traditionally this procedure has been a standard abdominal surgery, with a large incision into a patient’s abdomen through which the uterus and ovaries are stretched up to the surface and then vessels are tied before removal of the organs.

However, we now offer a newer technique whereby the whole process can take place through keyhole surgery!

For Oreo it was keyhole surgery. Three little incisions of up to 1cm allowed a camera and instruments access to her abdomen where a specialised device was able to seal the vessels to her ovaries. The ovaries were removed and after a

Author Brenda Harrison with a copy of her book few sutures were placed to close the small wounds, Oreo was back in bed. Within minutes she was up and asking for a well-earned breakfast. Just as with our other keyhole spay patients, we found Oreo’s recovery to be smoother and more comfortable than with the traditional surgery.

It’s great to offer these benefits to our patients and, although we’ve conducted keyhole surgeries for nearly four years at our Shepton practice and performed over 500 surgeries, Oreo was the first patient to have this procedure with our new unit at Wells Vets. It’s a huge positive to be doing this daily for our patients whether in Shepton or Wells. Hopefully Oreo would agree!

Oreo was soon up and about after her keyhole procedure at Wells Vets

Wells Vets, 3 Cathedral Avenue, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1FD

Tel: 01749 678420

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

One of several illustrations that appear inside

Mum’s book gift a stunning surprise MUM Brenda Harrison moved her daughter to tears when she gave her “the best Christmas present ever” – a book she had written herself in which the central character is a cherished pet cat.

The book is set in Wells and tells the story of Blanche, a nine-year-old Siamese cat who leads a busy and contented life, and is the Chaircat of the CAALE (Cats Association Against Land Enclosure). But there is change in the air, a change that will plunge her life into torment.

Brenda, who lives in Wells with her daughter Lucie and rescue cat Naughty, had long vowed to write the story. She finally started it in the summer, and watched as Lucie unwrapped the book ‘Blanche: A cat’s tale of love, loyalty and betrayal’ on Christmas Day. “I promised I would write this story for Lucie years ago but never got round to it,” said Brenda.

“This summer I decided it was now or never and thought I would try and get it done in time for Christmas. The publishing company and Andrew Prescott, my brilliant illustrator, said it would be touch and go but they would try and meet the Christmas deadline.

“Things were made more difficult because the book had to be a secret but my files were on my desktop and I couldn’t

contact the proofreader or Andrew when Lucie was at home. Of course just to make things even more tricky, that was just when she started working from home.

“In the end I received the first completed copies just a few days before the deadline and was able to hand over ‘the best Christmas present ever.’ Lucie was completely bowled over when she opened it and tears came to her eyes.”

Lucie said: “My mum has been telling me stories of our pets from since I can remember…

Blanche was my best friend when I was growing up so the Blanche stories were really important to me, I pestered Mum to write about Blanche for years. In 2020, she found the time, and wrote this book, as my Christmas present – what a wonderful surprise.”

Brenda ran her own business for 16 years, and other occupations have included teaching, counselling and mentoring young adults, raising funds for the homeless, and establishing a Well Women Clinic for local women supported

by Fay Weldon, the well-known author.

She has written before, but not something like Blanche.

Copies of the book are on sale in Wells at City News – where the first copy of the book was sold – and WH Smith, priced £12.50.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2021

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n NEWS

Grants available to help make a difference GRANTS up to £2,500 are now available for smaller charities and grassroots groups based in Somerset.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) manages The Somerset Fund and is encouraging smaller charities and community groups that run on less than £100,000 per year to apply now for funding. The grants are ‘unrestricted’, which means they can be used to pay for ongoing running costs, also known as ‘core costs’.

Applications to the Fund can be made through SCF’s website and the deadline to apply is Monday, February 22.

The Somerset Fund has supported a wide range of local charities since its launch in 2018. The Friends of the Blue Association Trust, in association with the Blue School in Wells, received a grant from The Somerset Fund in the autumn of 2020 for £1,500 to improve their conservation area, enhancing the students’ experience at the school both now and for future generations.

Lorraine Millington said: “We asked the pupils what they felt was the most pressing current need of the time and conservation was number one. Staff and pupils have been able to work together, redesigning and refurbishing the conservation area at the school, thanks to the funding from The Somerset Fund.

“It was important to the pupils that we made sure the

seen a significant loss in our usual fundraising this year, so we’re very grateful for the grant from The Somerset Fund.”

The grants are made possible by the generosity of local businesses and individuals who have chosen to give through The Somerset Fund, which has already supported 84 good causes in the county.

To find out more about giving through the fund, call Laura Blake on 01749 344949, or email laura.blake@somersetcf.org.uk To find out more about how to apply for funding, visit www. somersetcf.org.uk/somersetfund or call 01749 344949.

Wells Blue School pupils working on the school’s conservation area area is accessible to all. Our projects also include increasing biodiversity by planting beefriendly plants, climbers, more trees in the orchard fields, bird feeders, an installation of a clay pond, raised beds, and the refurbishment of the polytunnel, which has seen better days.

“The fruit from the existing fruit trees is often made into apple juice for the local care home for the elderly and the community centre for the homeless.

“It’s been a really difficult year for everyone, and this project has been particularly good for the pupils’ mental health allowing them to spend more time outdoors, and to take part in activities and projects where the emphasis is less academic.

“Due to the pandemic we’ve

CAN YOU GIVE A CAT A HOME?

Introducing Scamp...

This distinguished gentleman is Scamp, a ginger and white tom who is almost seven years old.

Scamp sadly lost his owner at the beginning of 2020 and had a bit of a rough time through the year which finally ended with him coming into our care, where he was able to get the help he needed.

Because his teeth were in such bad shape he ended up having to have all but two removed but he doesn’t let that stop him, Scamp loves to wolf down his food and especially loves his biscuits!

He has an incredibly sweet personality and has won the hearts of everyone who has met him. There’s nothing that he wants more than a fluffy bed and a warm lap to curl up in for hours and hours on end. He’s practically the living definition of a lap cat!

As he’s getting a bit older he needs to have a nice quiet home with no children or

other pets around and he has been known to roam so he needs a nice quiet area (preferably rural), away from any busy roads.

If you think that you can give Scamp the lovely retirement home that he deserves, please contact Nikita on 07867 140339 for more information.

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection There were strict Covid safety measures on the set for the filming that took place in Wells in January of Becoming Elizabeth, a TV drama about the early life of Queen Elizabeth I. Becoming Elizabeth stars Alicia Von Rittberg and is expected to be shown on American network Starz later in the year.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: gill@straymoggie.co.uk Telephone: 01749 850660 www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2021

n NEWS

Foster carer says role ‘hugely rewarding’

LOCAL foster carer Karen Deverell has spoken about the rewarding experience of fostering children.

Karen’s work with young people has been recognised nationally with an MBE in the recent honours list, in recognition of her services to young people in Somerset.

She was with the YMCA for 25 years – 17 of those as chief executive of the YMCA in Mendip and South Somerset.

After so long at the helm of the YMCA, she felt the time was right for a change in focus. Her experience with an organisation so closely involved with young people led her to enrol as a Somerset County Council foster carer.

She took up fostering just two years ago and has looked after

both very young and teenage children since embarking on her new path.

“I felt I wanted to do something worthwhile and would make a difference,” said Karen, whose own children are now adults.

“During my years with the YMCA I met young people who had had both good and poor experiences of care. I knew what a difference a good experience and a supportive home means to a child or young person.”

At first she combined working for YMCA with fostering to make sure she was making the right decision, but then decided to become a full-time foster carer. Now she is looking after a teenager – and is looking forward to welcoming a young arrival into the household soon.

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Karen Deverell took up fostering two years ago At the YMCA she worked with young people aged 16-plus so is enjoying learning the new skills needed to care for much younger children and appreciates the support provided by the council’s fostering and health and wellbeing teams.

“Fostering means you can ‘work from home’. I have spent many years working long hours away from home. Now I can see more of my grown-up children and parents. Fostering enables me to do that,” she said.

“It means you can be more flexible with your own time within the safety net provided

by Somerset County Council.

There’s a huge amount of support available and that is so

n LETTERS

reassuring. So I would encourage people who may have thought about becoming a foster carer to take the next step.”

Karen – a volunteer with Wells Coronavirus Network – said that while some may wonder if they could cope with saying goodbye to a child they had cared for, it was important to realise what a difference their care would make to that child.

“It is hugely rewarding. You do need resilience and need to be loving and professional at the same time. I would definitely encourage more people to come forward to help children and young people.”

Councillor Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s Lead member for children and families, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Karen on being awarded the MBE for her service to young people.

“I am so pleased she is now fostering and wants to encourage more people to think about foster caring. Children need a safe and secure home – now more than ever. We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds as foster carers as long as they meet the criteria.”

Foster carers need a spare room in their home and must be at least 21 years old. Foster carers receive a weekly fee and allowance, plus ongoing support and a dedicated supervising social worker.

There is more information at www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk, or call 0800 587 9900 for an informal chat.

Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk

Baffled by market decision I AM baffled to hear of the reduced trading hours for Wells market. This move can hardly contribute to making shopping more Covid-secure as despite being in the open air, a big plus, restricting operating time will surely result in a higher density of customers all dodging about to socially distance.

I understand the traders were not consulted and find three hours trading hardly worth the time setting up. Finishing at midday excludes lunchtime shoppers and prejudices the sale of hot food, very few customers thinking about lunch before twelve.

A total lack of notices informing the public about the change isn’t helpful either. There may have been mention on social media but I would hazard a guess that the majority of shoppers supporting the market belong to the group that chooses not to regulate their lives according to social media.

This could be another setback affecting the diversity and quality of our market stalls and it certainly throws doubt on Mendip District Council’s claim to be fully behind our local markets.

Shirley Garner By email

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2021

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n FROM THE TOWN HALL

n NEWS Library services available online

CORONAVIRUS restrictions have forced the closure of Wells Town Hall and most of its staff are furloughed.

But your city councillors are keeping busy with loads of phone calls, emails and online meetings via Zoom, which I had not heard of nine months ago but now use daily.

Here is an update on the council’s main projects: Portway Annexe Somerset County Council are selling this Grade II listed building which was used by Somerset Skills and Learning till last year. Property developers are interested but the city council have placed a substantial bid to buy the building for the community and negotiations are continuing.

Bishop’s Barn and Recreation Ground Mendip District Council have agreed in principle to return these assets. They were given to the city in late Victorian times by the then Bishop of Bath and Wells but transferred to Mendip in 1974 and later put into a trust controlled by Mendip. The next stage is to ask permission from the Charities Commission for Wells to take over the existing trust.

Post Office counter We were able to persuade Post Office Ltd to open a counter on January 13 in the ticket office at Wells bus station, which quickly proved popular. We, of course, had hoped they would install the counter well before Christmas but we have no control over Post Office Ltd, a

PEOPLE are reminded that they can visit Wells Library online. n To renew loans, visit www. librarieswest.org.uk or phone 0300 123 2224. n Libraries are open online 24/7 where people can download thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers and eMagazines. Visit www. somersetreads.co.uk n A range of free online reference sources can be accessed through a Somerset Libraries subscription, including Ancestry (free until the end of March 2021) and Encyclopaedia Britannica. Go to somerset.gov. uk/libraries and scroll down to What we offer. n A library card number and PIN is required to access these services. If the PIN number is unknown, email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk n Stay connected on Twitter: @somersetlib and Facebook: @wellslibrarysomerset

News update on main projects

Mayor Philip Welch meets Post Office staff Rachel Sherfield and Maria Williams at the new Wells bus station counter commercial company owned by the government.

The city council owns the former Post Office building in the Market Place and is negotiating with a Vietnamese restaurant interested in taking a lease there.

Wells Loyalty League The forced closure of so many of our shops by the third lockdown makes the Loyalty League ever more important. Not so much now, but for when the Covid restrictions are lifted and the shops need all the support they can get.

Market Place Later in the year we hope to start negotiations with Mendip District Council about returning control of this key asset to Wells. n Although the town hall is closed to the public you can write to Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells BA5 2RB, phone 01749 673091 or email

At the Heart of England’s Smallest City City of Wells Town Hall Various rooms to hire for: Conferences, Seminars Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions, Marriages, Receptions, all types of Meetings and Local Group Classes Very reasonable rates

For Prices and Bookings contact the Town Hall Manager- Tel: 01749 673091. e-mail: thm@wells.gov.uk Website: www.wells.gov.uk

Got News? Call 07906 499655

reception@wells.gov.uk. Phone and email details for all city council members are on the www.wells.gov.uk website under the Contact tab.

Mayor of Wells Philip Welch Email: p.welch@wells.gov.uk

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February 2021

n MESSAGE FROM THE MP

Reminder of strength of our community I KEEP sitting down to write these columns promising myself that I’ll make it about something other than Covid-19. But the reality is that as we go through this latest period of lockdown, there’s little else going on as our community respects the requirement to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

The cancellation of the Glastonbury Festival for the second year running is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of local events and activities that have been cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic. I know we all crave the opportunity to gather once again as a community.

However, throughout the pandemic, I’ve been reminded of just what a strong community we have here in our corner of Somerset. Churches, community organisations, and groups of people just wanting to help out, have all made an

News from Wells MP James Heappey ‘Hundreds of vulnerable people will have benefitted from the kindness of these groups’ enormous contribution to supporting the most vulnerable in our community through these challenging times. It was

impressive last spring whilst we were going through the first lockdown, but it’s all the more impressive that the support has continued over the summer and into this lockdown too.

Hundreds of vulnerable people in our community will have benefitted from the kindness of these groups and as we move into this final stage of the pandemic when the vaccine is being delivered at pace, I know that many of them are helping to drive people to vaccination centres and offering whatever other support they can in getting people jabbed.

As the Minister for the Armed Forces, I’m in the extraordinary position of being able to send troops to help the NHS, our local councils, vaccine centres, social care and much more besides.

Our service personnel are doing an amazing job wherever they’re being sent and it’s heartening to see how positively their efforts

are being received all over the country.

However, we make a real point, as we get that praise, in noting that the real heroes of this effort are the amazing clinicians, social workers, council employees and volunteers who have delivered so much of the response to Covid-19. So many of our community events have been cancelled this year, yet instead of our community withering on the vine, it’s gone from strength to strength and shown, beyond doubt, how extraordinarily resilient we are.

The vaccine will be in the arms of the most vulnerable in our community by the middle of February and we’re now jabbing around half a million people nationwide every day. The task is enormous, but progress is being made quickly. The end really is in sight. We just all need to keep supporting each other for a few more months.

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wellsvoice

February 2021

n NEWS

21

Focus on health with Bluebird Care

The importance of wellbeing

By Jason Higgins

Wells Festival of Literature has funded a new reading shed at St Aldhelm’s Primary School at Doulting. The shed arrived just before Christmas, so was used as a stable for the school Nativity, and a Christmas-themed reading shed. Headteacher Pippa Cohen said: ‘We will really look forward to changing its theme each term and promoting the wonderful world of books and reading with the children. We wish to say a very big thank you to the Wells Festival of Literature for our new reading shed.’

Book tells of torrid chapter in history PRIOR to the Covid pandemic, there were ambitious plans to develop an exhibition in Wells to tell the story of the Duke of Monmouth, the Battle of Sedgemoor and the bloody retribution of Judge Jeffreys.

Wells was home to the largest of the seven assize courts where Judge Jeffreys meted out his notorious sentencing to anyone thought to have been sympathetic to Monmouth’s plan to oust King James II in 1685.

In Wells alone, some 542 people were sentenced in just one day, 94 of whom were hanged, drawn and quartered.

Notes for the new exhibition were drawn together from numerous sources and compiled into a book by Wells resident Jon Jefferies. On reading the notes, Haydn Davies, military historian, author and owner of Wells Reclamation Ltd, sponsored the printing with the

intention that any funds raised through sales and donations should be used towards funding the eventual exhibition.

Jon said: “The story surrounding the Duke of Monmouth and the Battle of Sedgemoor is a colourful and important moment in our national and local history. Throughout the county, there are some excellent explanations of various elements of the story.

Our aim is to tell the whole story, from Monmouth’s birth and the reason for his failed attempt to seize the Crown, through to the battle of Sedgemoor and the Bloody Assizes.”

It is hoped that copies of the new book, called Monmouth, The Rebellion & Bloody Retribution of Judge Jeffreys (pictured), will be available in local shops in Wells.

They can also be obtained for £8 each directly from Jon (Jefferies.jon@gmail.com).

Got News? Call 07906 499655

IF you’ve heard of the term ‘mental wellbeing’ and don’t know what it is, or you want to find out how you can look after your wellbeing and feel positive, then keep reading.

What is mental wellbeing?

Your mental wellbeing is about how you’re feeling right now, and how well you can cope with daily life. Our wellbeing can change from moment to moment, day to day, or month to month.

Sometimes it changes because of things that happen to us and sometimes it changes for no reason at all. It can affect the way we feel about ourselves and others, and about the things we face in our lives.

Why is my wellbeing important?

Having good wellbeing can help you to: l feel and express a range of emotions l have confidence and positive self-esteem l have good relationships with others l enjoy the world around you l cope with stress and adapt when things change.

Good wellbeing doesn’t mean

you’ll always be happy. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, or low sometimes. But if you have poor wellbeing for a long time you might start to find things more difficult to cope with.

What can affect my wellbeing?

We’re all different, so what affects your wellbeing may not be the same for somebody else. But some common things are: l difficult or stressful life events l your relationships with the people around you l the care and support you get at home and school l your physical health – how much sleep you get, what you eat and drink, if you take drugs or alcohol, and if you have any health problems l your environment – housing conditions, how you are treated by others, money problems l being able to recognise and communicate your emotions.

You may experience difficulties in one or more of these areas, or even experience problems not listed here. That’s okay. Everyone is different. n Jason Higgins is Care Manager of Bluebird Care (Mendip), email CMMendip@ bluebirdcare.co.uk, phone 01749 372197 or 01458 570015.

01749 37 21 97

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2021

n NEWS

Will Badman Photography

SOMERSET County Council has revealed that its gritting teams covered more than 12,400 miles (20,000km) and spent over 970 hours on the county’s road over the festive period keeping key routes clear for key workers.

The team of 54 drivers and nine supervisors from the council’s contractor Skanska were kept busy throughout the holiday season as freezing temperatures gripped the county, including a low of -5.6C at Nunney Catch near Frome on New Year’s Eve. In addition to long shifts, often completing a route late at night and beginning again at 4.30am the next day, the team were forced to find replacements at short notice through illnesses to staff on Christmas Eve. There was a total of 326 individual route treatments and more than 1,500 tonnes of salt

Richie Greene Photography

Team shows true grit to keep roads clear

More than 1,500 tonnes of salt was used on Somerset’s roads during the Christmas week was used during the Christmas week.

“This year was really tough,”

said Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Councillor John Woodman.

“Our team do a wonderful job in ensuring roads are gritted during the coldest weeks – and have shown incredible perseverance this extraordinary Christmas period.

“The job they do is at times gruelling and often during unsocial hours when many of us were enjoying our Christmas feast or tucked up in bed.

“The planning and execution during a pandemic has been brilliant and a great deal of time and energy goes into ensuring winter is as pain-free as possible on our roads.

“But it’s important to remember that ice and snow will always make for hazardous conditions whether a road is treated or not.

“Please drive according to the conditions and take care this winter.”

Planning starts early each day for the Skanska teams with a 30-hour forward looking weather forecast checked first thing at 7am and depending on conditions, operations are planned and drivers deployed.

There are regular forecast updates throughout the day and evening, and depending on conditions and the developing forecast, further gritting runs are undertaken into the early hours if necessary.

In order to comply with Covid-19 protocols, additional cleaning of vehicles has been introduced to minimise the risk of Covid-19 spread, along with maintaining social distancing within the highways depots For more information, visit Travelsomerset.co.uk/gritting

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2021

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n NEWS

An unusual view of Wells Cathedral, and Vicars Close in the distance, captured by Rob Bevan of the Protec store in Queen Street

New ways being embraced to worship and stay in touch Antonia Gwynn, churchwarden at St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, describes how the church has coped with a challenging year LIKE the rest of the world, St Cuthbert’s Church has had a strange year. The church has closed to worshippers, opened for a while under strange Covid conditions, and then, through January, closed again.

But that’s the building. It is, of course, a beautiful and wonderful holy space with the angels on the roof gazing down and the sunlight creating coloured patchwork on the medieval stonework, and it will be lovely to be able to worship there again. But, beyond and above the building, St Cuthbert’s Church – the worship, the people and the community – has been there throughout it all, reaching out and supporting each other and the wider parish, albeit in new and different ways.

As soon as the first lockdown happened, the vicar, Sam Denyer, and curate Lucy Jordan used their already huge technical

The angels gaze down at St Cuthbert’s Church skills in moving worship online.

Throughout the pandemic, these skills have developed and we have all enjoyed brilliant online services on Sundays and Wednesdays. Other people are involved, too. In their bedrooms and sitting rooms, pianists have played; singers have sung; and members of the congregation have read. We have all learnt to record ourselves and send the recordings to the TechRevs.

They have weaved them together into worship which has soothed souls – and given us a chance to sing hymns loudly in the privacy

Got News? Call 07906 499655

of our own homes. All services are streamed live on the church’s Facebook page and are available there for viewing later. The main Sunday service is at 10am every week.

The church community has also succeeded in keeping in touch through Zoom coffee mornings and an online newsletter. Those without access to the internet have not been forgotten: a newsletter is sent out by post every fortnight. And there is lots of telephone contact too.

We can’t really know what the immediate future holds. We are not holding public worship in the church during January, but this may change in February.

However, the church is open for private prayer and quiet reflection on Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons. All upto-date information can be found on our website achurchnearyou. com/church/11052/ and if you want to find out more or join our mailing list, please email the church office: office@ stcuthbertswells.co.uk.

Monthly draw to start again GORGONS Carnival Club will be running its 100 Club again on the first Sunday of each month, starting on April 4.

There will be a first prize of £50, a second prize of £30 and a third prize of £20.

The draw is for ten months from April to January, with each number going in every draw.

Numbers are £20 each (which works out at £2 a month) to be paid up front. Players must be over 16.

To enter, contact the club through its Facebook page, email GorgonsCC@aol.com or contact Shelly on 07894 078999.

Correct number THE wrong telephone number was provided to Wells Voice for last month’s story about the new book in the Bristol As It Was series, Personal Accounts of the Bristol Blitz.

People can obtain the book from Wookey resident John Winstone by calling 01749 671055 (£8.30 post paid).

View every issue online at issuu.com/wellsvoice

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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n IN DAYS GONE BY

February 2021

With Clare Blackmore

Providing hospitality for hundreds of years THE Swan Inn or Hotel is first seen in city records in 1422, although a building was on the site as far back as 1379. The property of the Corporation, it was described as “unum magnun hospicium” (a large hostelry) and leased to John Pury and his wife Isabel at a rent of 46/8d per annum.

The Swan has provided hospitality since then and is due to be celebrating its 600th anniversary in 2022.

‘About 3,000 persons were assembled and five fine oxen were dressed and cooked in the Market Place for their entertainment’ Bristol Times and Mirror July 30, 1814 Elegant Ball at the Swan Inn At Wells on Thanksgiving Day about 3,000 persons were assembled and five fine oxen were dressed and cooked in the Market Place for their entertainment. There was also plenty of plum pudding, strong beer etc.

Two excellent bands of music attended the company and there was an elegant ball at the Swan Inn which was kindly offered by Mr Bacon, for the accommodation of the inhabitants where the merry dance was kept up with great

spirit until daylight. The overplus of provisions was distributed the next day to the poor, aged and infirm of the city who were unable to be present.

Benevolence in the city for those less fortunate is no new thing.

Bristol Times and Mirror June 1850 On the 18th inst, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the veterans who shared in this great victory and now resident in Wells dined together at the Swan.

A few respectable inhabitants of this town (The Lord Bishop heading the list) subscribed a sufficient sum to pay for a good dinner and the old warriors enjoyed themselves to their hearts content.

The health of Her Majesty and the Royal Family having been proposed and drank the health of their old commander ‘The Duke’ was proposed and responded to by enthusiastic and hearty cheers.

Ten years ago there were 35 ‘Waterloo men’ in Wells, the numbers are now reduced by the iron hand of death to nine and their aggregate ages number upwards of 570 years.

We all think of Trip Advisor as a modern invention but a visitor to Wells in 1870 was impressed enough to send a

The view from the Swan Hotel to Wells Cathedral was created in 1864 Picture courtesy of Wells & Mendip Museum

letter about the Swan Hotel to the West Surrey Gazette: “Wells is an ancient town in Somerset, a comely place and pleasant to look upon.

“It has an air of substance and what is important to the casual visitor a capital hotel.

‘Cleanliness, civility and economy and all that makes a home of a strange place is found at the Swan’ “To many men bent on pleasure a good hotel is as grateful as a fine cathedral and Wells possesses both, for I do not remember ever to have fallen upon a nicer hotel than the Swan. Cleanliness, civility and economy and all that makes a home of a strange place is

found at the Swan and this fact contributed not a little to the enjoyment of my visit to Wells.”

The famous view from the Swan across to the Cathedral was created in 1864 by then hotel custodian John Mead.

Shepton Mallet Journal May 20, 1864 Improvement in Sadler Street One of the greatest improvements we have witnessed in Wells for some time is now being effected in Sadler Street exactly opposite the Swan Hotel. Two houses fronting the Hotel are in progress of demolition by which a good view of the Cathedral and Cathedral Yard is gained from the street windows of the Hotel. Two or three trees, now rather in the way of the prospect, will we suppose be removed.

Bowley’s Garage

u Car servicing and MOTs u Vehicle engine diagnostics u Electrical and mechanical repairs u Air conditioning servicing

Call 01749 674554 Westfield Road Trading Estate, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2HS www.bowleysgarage.co.uk

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

February 2021

n NEWS

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Chance to chat for isolated and lonely A NEW scheme has been set up in Wells to provide ongoing friendship and connection to the outside world for people who are shielding and might be feeling isolated and lonely.

Bethany Chattwood, the home service advisor at the newly-built Crandon Springs care home on Glastonbury Road, has started the scheme that allows members of the public to have weekly telephone conversations.

She said: “When I first joined Crandon Springs I envisioned using our cafe area as a social area for residents and non-residents to engage and interact with each other. During Covid-19 I know a lot of people in and around Wells have been isolating, being deprived of social interaction.

“I am pledging to set up the Crandon Call Companion Scheme to make telephone calls to those isolated and lonely.

I want to be able to provide routine calls providing company, friendship and an external link to everyday normality for those shielding.”

People who would like to take part in a weekly phone call can email crandonsprings@

YOU will not be surprised to hear that there are challenges in keeping the house buying and selling market going with lockdown and in the middle of a major pandemic.

On top of this, there is a very high transaction rate right now because of the government’s reduction in Stamp Duty Land Tax payments until the end of March this year.

We have to be careful to balance the safety of the people who work for us with the need for people to be able to buy and sell houses and otherwise carry out land deals, if they wish to do Bethany Chattwood barchester.com or text 07435 553790 and Bethany will arrange a time slot to keep in regular contact.

Crandon Springs is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, and provides residential, dementia and respite care.

and businesses over the next four years. Mendip is part of the area in which Truespeed will be working.

The initiative is being funded by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Heart of the South West LEP, CDS local authorities, European Regional Development Fund and the Rural Development Programme for England.

£1,000 each for chosen charities ST Margaret’s Somerset Hospice is one of two Somerset charities to have received a £1,000 donation as part of a 12 days of giving campaign by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical.

The awards saw 4,997 Somerset residents nominate a cause close to their hearts, with

House buying and selling during a pandemic

By Bruce Scobie

Trio selected to deliver broadband THREE companies have been selected to roll out full fibre broadband networks on behalf of the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme, backed by Government funding, it was announced just before Christmas. Airband, Truespeed and Wessex Internet will be installing full fibre broadband across Devon and Somerset to more than 56,000 rural homes

25

38 charities in the area receiving votes to win a share of the £120,000 fund being donated across the UK. The hospice and Langport Church Community Trust are the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

‘I’d like to think clients cannot tell whether we are working from home or whether we are in the office’ so. We have managed to keep everything going at record levels because of the very dedicated people who work for us and backed up by the appropriate technology.

Most of us are working at home – we have a skeleton staff in our three offices. However, so far as our clients are concerned, I would like to think they cannot tell whether we are working from home or whether we are in the office.

Our telephones go through to our lawyers and support

Meetings can happen by video calls, which are becoming ever-more important staff when they are working at home, in just the same way as they would do if they were working in the office. Telephones also go through to our lawyers’ and support staff’s mobile telephones.

Most legal communication happens now by email, which means that one can work anywhere. In some circumstances wet signatures are required but usually this can be achieved using the post.

Meetings can happen by video calls, which are becoming evermore important, and can involve many parties.

I would not say that it is absolutely perfect. A little is lost in a video call or a telephone call.

There is nothing quite like a faceto-face meeting for passing over information, but we have come a long way in a short time in being a virtual office, and continuing to provide good-quality legal services, despite the turmoil around us. n Bruce Scobie is a Solicitor Director with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100

Personal legal services for you, your business and your family www.chubb-bulleid.co.uk Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

26

February 2021

n ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

We work with you to provide the service you want WELLS Funeral Services have been offering affordable funerals to the population of Mendip and beyond since September 2016.

In that time they have established a reputation for friendly, personal service, delivering the funerals that people want.

“I want to deliver to customers what they need and no more than they need,” says Rod Major, who believes in providing a professional and respectful funeral service.

“Establishing our client’s needs, wants and budget is of paramount importance to us as a business.”

Rod is a familiar face at Wells market, where he is visible to one and all on a Wednesday from January to

November as he reaches out to help with advice and gets to know local families.

“Why sit in an office waiting for the phone to ring, when after all people like to see who they are dealing with and get some good old fashioned banter,” he says.

Tailoring a funeral to suit people’s wishes – and their budgets – is very important to Wells Funeral Services.

Rod says: “I’m a funeral director who is prepared to listen to you and do exactly what you want. The foundation of the business is all about what you, the customer, wants.”

To help take the financial pressure away from the family, Wells Funeral Services offer funeral payment plans. The funeral

Rod Major of Wells Funeral Services at Wells market where he gets to know local families

plans are there to assist the family in their hour of need, and help to reduce the stress and worry for loved ones.

Funeral plans can be paid for in full, or spread over one to ten years, with deposits starting from just £80.

The company are very transparent about their prices – they are there for everyone to see on the website: www. wellsfuneralservices.co.uk.

Rod and his team receive consistently excellent reviews on Google reviews, which can also be viewed on the website.

As Rod says: “You’re only as good as the last funeral delivered.”

To contact Wells Funeral Services, call 01749 670100 or email rod@wfs.me.uk

What is a Funeral Plan?

A funeral plan allows you to: • Pay and plan for your funeral in advance; • Helps to reduce stress and worry for your loved ones; • Fixes the cost of the services in the plan at today’s prices.

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We have an unblemished record of 5-Star Google Reviews and our testimonials speak for themselves - if you want good honest advice with absolutely no obligation then please do get in touch!

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

wellsvoice

February 2021

27

n NEWS

Appeal hits £1.5m milestone

Hilary Rapp with artwork from one of the sessions

Weekly art therapy sessions on offer ART therapy sessions are now available at the Elim Connect Centre in Wells.

Called Art Therapy in the Open Studio, it complements other parts of the wellbeing programme at the Connect Centre by offering a safe place in which to work creatively.

It is open to anyone who may find it helpful and offers a person-centred approach within a non-judgemental therapeutic relationship.

The sessions are facilitated and supported by Hilary Rapp, a qualified art therapist, who explained that creativity as a means of expressing feelings and to communicate when words fail are at the centre of the work.

“The weekly Open Studio is a therapeutic community fostering

collaboration and connection towards health and wellbeing,” said Hilary.

“Guidance will be offered on the use of a wide range of art materials.

“No previous experience in art is needed, just a willingness to take part with an openness that attends to your individual process of recovery.

“The work is not diagnostic, instead focusing on the process of making and finding meaning for ourselves.”

The sessions run on Mondays from 11am-2pm in the Connect Centre at the junction of Portway and Chamberlain Street. For details of how to join the sessions contact the centre by emailing info@connect-centre.org.uk or calling 01749 677097.

THE Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, launched by local charity Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) at the start of the pandemic, has raised £1.5 million.

The funding has enabled the Foundation to award grants to more than 300 local charities in just 10 months, thanks to the generous support of local individuals, businesses, charitable trusts and public sector partners, as well as funding from a national appeal run by The National Emergencies Trust (NET).

Donations to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal are continuing to help provide grants of £100 up to £5,000 to local groups and charities, helping those across the county who are most impacted by the outbreak, including vulnerable older people, domestic abuse survivors, people experiencing mental health problems, and children and families living in poverty.

Extra funding for food support SOMERSET County Council has allocated a further £427,000 of funding to help schools provide families with food support during this lockdown.

During term time, the Department for Education has asked schools to provide meal options for all pupils who are in school – including vulnerable children and the children of critical workers – as well as those children being home-schooled who are eligible for Free School Meals. The decision on whether

Artists invited to register for Open Studios event SOMERSET-BASED artists are invited to register for this year’s Somerset Open Studios event, due to take place from September 18 to October 3.

Now one of the country’s largest Open Studios events, it showcases the work of Somerset Art Works members in a range of private and pop-up workspaces across the county – celebrating the source of art, making, design and craft in the county.

The event allows a rare opportunity for visitors to engage with artists in person and to see inside their studios, temporary

Waterlands by Liz Somerville working spaces and other locations to find out what goes on behind the scenes.

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Justin Sargent, Chief Executive at SCF, said: “We’re truly delighted to have reached such a considerable milestone in our fundraising. Our grateful thanks go to all the donors who have supported the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal so far and so generously since the launch in March of last year.

“These generous donations will go a long way to helping local charities to not only continue delivering essential services, but to help mitigate the significant financial impacts of the coronavirus outbreak in light of the challenges of fundraising during lockdown.”

To donate to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal to visit the SCF website: www.somersetcf. org.uk/appeal or, if that is not possible, call 01749 344949.

Any charitable group wishing to apply for funding should visit the SCF website where they can find guidance on how to make an application: www.somersetcf.org. uk/coronavirus

to provide boxes or vouchers rests with the individual schools.

The additional £427,000 can also be used by schools to support a wider range of children who would benefit from receiving food support.

Ahead of the February half term, all schools in Somerset have also been provided with funding from the Winter Covid Grant scheme for every child who receives Free School Meals.

This funding can be used to provide vouchers or food.

Chen Tai Chi

Building on last year’s Digital Open Studios, this year’s event will continue to include appropriate planning and information to enable visitors to engage safely with the event.

The accompanying event programme for visitors will include demonstrations, workshops, talks and visiting residencies.

For more information and to register, see the Somerset Art Works website or contact Paul Newman via email: paul. newman@somersetartworks. org.uk

P i l o g a Fi t When In – Work Out New Online Classes Start Now www.taichi24.co.uk www.pilogafit.co.uk John Beasley 01749 672482

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

28

February 2021

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS WI OUR first meeting of the year involved some AGM business and reporting on the previous year. Our Secretary said we now have 54 members.

Our former President Jane reflected on wonderful memories from pre-Covid times including a summer outing to the American Museum in Bath, and fun times at Wells Museum including Greek dancing with Yiannis and cooking with Adam Goodfellow.

After reporting that our finances were in good shape, our current President Anne guided through elections to key committee posts: she was voted back in as president, and existing committee members will continue in their roles until we can hold elections.

Our speaker was Ian Olsson, a talented photographer who specialises in weddings. He taught us his top five tips for taking great images on smart phones: 1. Be ready! Ian showed us how to simply swipe up from the home screen to turn on the camera, and to touch the volume button to take a photo.

2. Employ the rule of thirds.

Ian showed us how to turn on the grid and use it to position the subject off centre.

3. Composition. Using lots of examples Ian demonstrated the effectiveness of framing, for example by taking a photo of a building with trees around it.

4. Focus. We learned a lot about how to use the tools we didn’t know we had.

5. Exposure. Again, we were amazed to learn how easy it is to adjust tonal contrast and brilliance using the built-in functionality on our phones.

We had our phones ready and had installed a free app called Snap Speed. Ian showed us how to use its simple tools to edit images on our phones, transforming them impressively.

The most popular trick was learning how to edit dog photos to remove leads.

Before he went, Ian took a photo of us all on Zoom for his own website. Many members were sufficiently inspired to join our new photography group, which involves sharing images on WhatsApp on a different theme each month.

Members got a final reminder to vote for their choice from five prospective resolutions,

Wells WI members pictured on Zoom by photographer Ian Olsson mainly related to health and environmental issues. Our totals have now been sent to county to be added to those of other groups and we wait to hear which potential campaigns will prove most popular nationwide.

We took up a member’s suggestion to set up a new monthly discussion group, again on Zoom, for those keen to talk about a film or television programme they had all watched. It was agreed that the first meeting will discuss David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet.

New women are always welcome, and more information can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/Wellssomersetwi/ Veronica Howe

while the dunnocks scurry around the undergrowth and thankfully continue their courtship out of sight. The mating habits of these chirpy little songsters are not for the faint-hearted.

Nest boxes are being inspected and nature’s tweetings are swelling in number. On the ground and in the pots the tulips are emerging and those Spanish bluebells are back once more making their presence known in their aggressive fashion. And here was I thinking that they had disappeared with Brexit!

Every year I battle feebly to clear them out of the borders.

Back they come every year and I give them an annual pardon when they fill the garden with their blooms.

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB ‘What’s the matter, that you have such a February face, so full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?’

DON Pedro’s greeting in Much Ado could well apply these days, and it was all looking so good towards the end of last year. In spite of everything and in spite of February’s reputation for filling the dykes, a new season is here.

Spring signs are showing all over the place. The blackbirds have been chasing one another in earnest and claiming their territories, as have the jackdaws,

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Clumps of snowdrops in the Bishop’s Palace Gardens

In contrast, the snowdrops are more than welcome as soon as the small pale green spears break the winter surface.

To St Francis they were an emblem of hope and in medieval days known as Candlemas bells. Linnaeus named them Galanthus – the milk flower.

They are a democratic little flower inhabiting nearly every garden rich or poor alike, much in demand in children’s gardens; their attraction a reminder of first steps in gardening as an infant pastime. Small patches pop up in small gardens, larger swathes in large gardens specialising in huge varieties of different types much to the joy of those who delight in snowdrops.

To most of us a snowdrop is a snowdrop but the real enthusiast examines their details on bended knee. Some great garden displays just speak for themselves. Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire, for instance, the product of that great plantsman Sir Henry Elwes, is quite stunning at this time of the year. So, too, is its neighbour, the Painswick Rococco Garden.

Nearer home, the snowdrop display is the first of many to enhance the Bishop’s Palace Gardens and its visitors here in Wells.

It is our sobering good fortune that we are in a position to take so much pleasure from where we live. We may grouse a little but compared to other less advantaged districts we are lucky to enjoy our gardens or have

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wellsvoice

February 2021

29

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES access to open spaces and watch the return of the natural order of things.

For those of us charged with trying to organise events and activities for our members, it will be a relief, when it comes, to set aside this soothsaying business.

Normality means cultivating our own gardens.

In the meantime let February do what it does and open its doors to spring. One touch of nature is all we need, a pot on the windowsill, a patch of crocus in the garden or by the wayside, clearing a path in the undergrowth, keeping an eye on all those things that make February such an interesting month.

Pip Harwood WELLS U3A DESPITE this latest lockdown, Wells U3A is still keeping many of its groups together, thanks to Zoom and the weekly bulletin that our Chair, Susan Revell, sends out to every member keeping them updated on ideas for members to keep them occupied during these difficult and sometimes lonely times.

Art Appreciation Art Appreciation had a very successful Zoom meeting in January when they firstly watched a You Tube film from the Frick Collection series Cocktails with a Curator on Vermeer’s picture Officer and Laughing Girl. After watching the film and having our own discussion about it we then went through nearly all of Vermeer’s 36 paintings and made observations on most. At the end of two hours everyone had a very clear insight into Vermeer’s work. Each month a painting from a different artist will be studied along with a film on one of his works where it can be studied in detail.

Chemistry – Its Influence on Everyday Life The whole group is getting used to meeting via Zoom which works very well with a presenter taking us through about an hour of slides and comments, followed by a general discussion. We still meet on the second Tuesday of the month, at 2pm. We have decided on the topics for the first few months of 2021 which, will be: February: The Beginning of Antibiotics; March: Why are Some of Vincent van Gogh’s

n SPORT Women in Golf commitment GOLF

Wells U3A Chemistry group’s December presentations on The Chemistry of Christmas included a Christmas pudding flambe; and right, India Gate April 2019 – 2020, considered by the Environmental Issues group Sunflower Paintings Going Brown?; April: Lab on a Chip; May: All About Rubber.

Environmental Issues We continue to meet on the first Tuesday of the month, at 10am, but since March have been meeting using Zoom and have all become quite comfortable with it after eight online sessions. The topics for the first few months of 2021 are: January: 5-10 mins each on What Impact do Billionaires Have on the Environment?; February: Zoonotic Diseases – Transmission of Viruses from Animals to Humans; March: 5-10 mins each on Are Global Tree Planting Schemes Having any Effect?; April: Effect of Reintroducing Beavers into the UK; May: 5-10 mins each on Housing Demand in the UK, What Effect Locally?; June: TBA but based on Effect Farming Changes in the UK. Both Chemistry and Environmental Issues are very active, but still have space for new members so please call Steve Lee, group leader to both groups, on 01749 428481.

If you are interested in joining them, they will continue to operate the groups using Zoom, until late in 2021, before considering restarting face-toface meetings if at all.

Monthly talks In January all members were invited to log on to a Mirthy talk on Brink’s-Mat Gold Bulllion Robbery. This was really enjoyable. Ian Brown was an exsenior police detective who was involved with the investigation.

But this was a really grim true story, with a nasty sting in its

Got News? Call 07906 499655

tail. It was about the theft of 6,800 gold bars, worth then £25 million, today valued at £110 million. Brink’s-Mat is the biggest carrier of valuables in the world, and the notorious Brian Robinson was to lead a gang robbery of jewellery, diamonds, cash and travellers cheques. We are looking forward to the next talk on Thirty Years of Travel in China.

Local History This group is having its first of several Zoom talks organised for the next few months. The speaker is Jane de Gruchy, an archivist with Somerset and Devon Archives and Local Studies. Jane’s talk is all about the murky depths of historical crime and punishment in Somerset. She will be looking at all sorts and levels of crime between the 14th and 20th century – from the murderers whose execution prompted Charles Dickens to despair of human nature, to a mysterious chrysanthemum thief, by way of the architecture of Shire Hall in Taunton and the crime prevention society with possibly the longest name ever. The cases are taken from the records held at Somerset Archives and Local Studies, which as the county record office has the largest and longest series of records relating to crime in Somerset.

To join any of the groups within Wells U3A you first have to join at the small annual fee of £12.

The application form can be found on our website https:// u3asites.org.uk/wells/home Ann Brown and group leaders

MENDIP Golf Club has announced that due, in the main, to the enthusiasm and hard work of Director of Golf Stuart Disney, with the support of a number of members, the club has become a Registered Signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter.

To achieve this prestigious award the cub had to submit a detailed plan of action that aligns itself to the charter’s aims to promote women’s golf to the outside community.

Stuart intends to use the fact that Mendip has signed up to this charter to encourage more ladies and girls to consider golf as a pastime using his popular ‘get into golf’ training sessions.

Once the ladies and girls are members of Mendip, Stuart wishes to encourage them to expand their interests by not only playing in even more competitions but also to take an interest in the wider aspects of running the club through committee involvement.

This enthusiasm to encourage more ladies to take up golf builds on Stuart’s efforts to promote ‘family golf’, and Mendip has seen a large increase in this area in recent times, with husbands and wives playing in groups with their offspring, some of whom, even at very young ages, are becoming very enthusiastic.

Despite the best efforts of the weather gods with unprecedented rainfall in December, it finally took the Government lockdown rules to bring golf to a halt at the club.

Prior to the introduction of Tier 4 regulations and then the latest national lockdown, all sections had been enjoying competitive play.

The Pro Shop Stableford event saw a win for pro shop assistant Sam Scriven with 40 points on count back from Mark Blowers.

The Ladies held a nine-hole American Foursomes event, won

by Susy Rudkin and Pauline William.

The Mixed Stableford event saw Mark Necker and Julie Doyle win with 53 points but only after count back from Ben Cox partnering his 12-year-old daughter Connie.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

30

February 2021

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To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

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Call Nigel on 01934 412088 or 07428 232027

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For younger readers

10

The FIEND

Keep up to date with your local news... wellsvoice www.twitter.com/wells_voice wellsvoice www.facebook.com/wellsvoice www.wellsvoice.co.uk Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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February 2021

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