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February 2022 Issue 56
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More live music nights at Venue Showcase events added due to strong audience demand Turn to page 2
Life-saving group looking for help Call for more volunteers to join St John Ambulance in Wells Turn to page 8
Volunteers including Wells Ambassadors join Mayor Philip Welch and others cheering the appearance of new bollards in Wells Market Place – page 9
Council sets out vision for assets and services WELLS City Council has begun negotiations about the assets and services it would like to take back when the new unitary authority for Somerset comes into being. The list includes assuming
control of the Market Place, car parks and library, and taking over services such as grass cutting, street cleaning and maintenance of local parks and play areas.
It would also like to take on the freehold of the football club and Athletic Ground in Rowdens Road, the land next to the rugby Continued on page 3
W E L L S LO YA LT Y C A R D
TIC latest to join loyalty scheme Membership grows of initiative that rewards shoppers in Wells Turn to page 15
Photos to reveal extent of changes New exhibition at museum will show evolution of high street Turn to page 27
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More live music to meet public demand FEBRUARY will be a month of live music Mondays at The Venue in South Street, Wells. The Wells Jazz Collective (WJC) is adding several showcase events to its regular monthly sessions at the venue. “These have become so popular with players and singers that there’s only time for them to do a couple of tunes each,” said organiser Paul Cannon. “Many of them are superb performers and there’s strong audience demand to hear more from them.” The showcase events will start on January 31 with Return of the Native, featuring WJC founder member Hywel Davies on keyboard with Luke Belcher on bass, Luke McCarthy on drums and Will Rees-Jones on sax. It was formed and named two years ago to mark Will’s
homecoming after his first term at the Guildhall Music School in London. On February 7 a band led by alto saxophonist and WJC regular Duncan Anselm will perform his take on the work of jazz legend Charles Mingus. The following Monday, February 14, the Wellsbased ZZ Birmingham Band will present their entertaining ‘blues and beyond’ show. The regular monthly jam session at The Venue returns on February 21, and Paul Cannon hopes to organise more showcase events in March and beyond. “It’s a case of making up for time lost through the various lockdowns,” he said. All the live music Monday sessions start at 8pm. There is no door charge but donations of £5 a head are encouraged.
Have you got photographs of the Queen visiting Wells? A special souvenir brochure is being put together to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year, which will be available during the city’s jubilee celebrations in June. It will feature pictures of the Queen in the local area, including those contributed by the public. If you have photos that can be used, please email news@wellsvoice.co.uk or call 07906 499655. The picture above shows the Queen on a visit to Wells in 2002.
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February 2022
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Council in talks on assets and services From page 1 club, the skatepark, and the Burcott Road allotments. The council currently has responsibility for three of the toilet blocks in Wells, and it would like to take over the block in Union Street as well. Most of these things are currently the responsibility of Mendip District Council, which will be swept away along with Somerset’s other district councils and the county council in April 2023, when they are replaced by the single Somerset Council. This provides an opportunity for the city council to regain some of the assets it lost in the local government reorganisation of 1974, and to push for more powers. “Local assets should be run by local people,” said Town Clerk Steve Luck. “We’re keen for services to come back locally. We’re best equipped to take them on. We have delegated powers already, and Wells used to run these things pre-1974 so we have got experience. “The feeling is that if we allow our services to be run from Taunton, Wells will suffer.” He said that the Market Place is not utilised as much as it could be, and has a lot of potential, but that it needs long-term planning rather than things being done on an ad hoc basis as they are at the moment. The document that summarises the council’s proposals says that with car parks, the council can ensure the best service for visitors, and better manage commuters’ changing needs; while if it takes over the library, local residents will have “greater security” that
Wells Market Place with the Town Hall in the distance on the left
the service and facilities there will remain in place. Mr Luck said the council would make sure that street cleaning, emptying of litter bins and cutting of verges takes place across the whole of Wells, not just in the city centre. “We want Wells to be a place where you go and there aren’t weeds growing out of pavements and bins aren’t emptied,” he added. He said that the city council gets a lot of complaints about these issues, but because they are not its responsibility at present, the council cannot deal with them. The proposals have been submitted to the unitary executive body, and the first meeting to discuss them was being held in January at the start of what is likely to be 12 months of talks. “We’ve taken the initiative as we felt it was so important,” said Mr Luck. “If we are in there at the beginning we’ve got a better chance. We are working to get the best deal for the people of Wells rather than wait to see what services we get.” The city council has 19 full and part time staff at present, and Mr Luck envisages this number increasing by another dozen or so if the council ends up taking on what it would like to take on. These would mainly be new members of the Open Spaces team. In recent months the council has already finalised the purchase of the Portway Annexe as a community centre, and is preparing to take back control of the Bishop’s Barn and Recreation Ground from the district council. “We are ambitious but we are realistic,” said Mr Luck. “Whatever we do, we will not put the financial security of the council at risk.” Revenue generated from the assets such as the Market Place and car parks would go towards the costs of the extra services. The council says that the result of devolving the assets and the services “should broadly result in a cost neutral budget for both parish and unitary authority, in order to minimise financial instability on either part”.
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The city council would like to take over Mendip’s car parks in Wells The city council precept has already been raised in preparation for the new local authority arrangements, but with Mendip District Council’s precept no longer being levied from 2023, the hope is that there will be little overall impact on council tax payers.
The city council’s proposals have been approved by the Finance & Council Matters committee, and the full council. Stewart Cursley, Chair of the Finance & Council Matters committee and the Deputy Mayor, said that the council wants to create a legacy for the people of Wells. Mayor of Wells Philip Welch said: “This is the opportunity of a lifetime and we are going to grasp it in a responsible way.” As well as starting talks with the unitary executive body, the council is talking to neighbouring parishes in anticipation of the formation of one of the new authority’s Local Community Networks to explore how they might work together so that they can all benefit. The council also plans to hold public meetings once the situation is clearer to engage with local residents and explain any changes to the community.
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wellsvoice
February 2022
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
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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
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COMPL AINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Wells Voice, contact the Editor using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Wells Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Editor.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wells Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Wells Voice is distributed each month to residents. Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 6,900 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.
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The current skatepark in Wells, which it is hoped will be updated
Funding boost for skatepark project THE Wells Skatepark Community Group is to carry out a full feasibility study for a new skatepark for Wells after receiving £15,000 from Mendip District Council. The group is one of the applicants that sought financial support through Mendip’s Communities Fund and Climate and Ecological Emergency Fund. Judging panels recently met and reviewed all applications, and have now allocated funding to those organisations that successfully met the criteria. Bev Smith, Trustee of Wells Skatepark, said: “The Wells Skatepark project is an ambitious project that will have a positive benefit for anyone enjoying wheeled sports from skateboarding and scooter riding to roller skating and BMX. “We applied to Mendip Communities Fund in September and we’re glad to say we have been successful in securing £15,000. We will now be able to run a full feasibility study for the park with professional consultations, surveys and
related costs. The help from the fund will make a real difference in getting the project up and running, ensuring we create a facility that will benefit many generations.” Mendip District Council allocated approximately £400,000 to aid organisations with project ideas that seek to make a positive impact on communities or contribute to ecofriendly initiatives. Councillor Ros Wyke, Leader of the council, said: “It was a challenge for the panels to make their decisions due to the large number, and huge variety of remarkable projects that were put forward by organisations. Some ideas include play area improvements, community workshops and even a compost toilet on an allotment site. “It’s promising to hear that successful organisations have accepted their funding offers. The money will make a huge difference to communities and we hope it leaves a lasting legacy for residents to benefit from for years to come.”
Christmas carollers collect £170 WELLS Christian Aid carollers raised £170.62 for Christian Aid in the Market Place on Wednesday, December 15. Wells
Christian Aid committee has expressed its gratitude to those who sang and to all who gave so generously.
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February 2022
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Lions hand £1,000 cheque to Foodbank THE City of Wells Lions Club has made a donation of £1,000 to Wells Foodbank from the profits of the Unravelling Wilburys Concert, at St Thomas’ Church in November. “The Lions Club are committed to supporting their fellow citizens in need and will continue to provide assistance to the Foodbank as resources allow,” said Lions President Alan Sanderson. “The club would like to thank staff at the Swan Hotel and the Globe Inn who sold tickets for the concert, traders in Wells who generously donated prizes for the raffle and St Thomas’ Church.” The Lions have also announced that donations totalling £400 have been made by those who purchased Tree of Light Stars to remember their loved ones. This money will be donated to Housing First, a Connect Centre Project to support individuals,
Wells Lions Club President Alan Sanderson hands a cheque for £1,000 to Sue Marland of Wells Foodbank, watched by others from the Lions and the Foodbank, and Mayor of Wells Philip Welch who have been rough sleeping for years, into a home of their own. “City of Wells Lions Club would like to thank members of Wells City Council who provided a grant for the event,” said Alan. “Additionally, the club are grateful for the assistance of staff at The Bishop’s Palace, the lights
donated by Protec, John Osman Christmas Trees , St Andrews Press and the cards supplied by Rod Major. “Also we would like to acknowledge the excellent dedication conducted by Bishop’s Palace Pastor the Rev Rosey Lunn.” The Lions have confirmed
that 110 used mobile phones have now been collected and donated to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for recycling. The secure box, situated in the reception at the Town Hall, has been busy and the club is encouraging the continued use of this facility for unwanted mobile phones so that they can contribute to a valuable public service. It is estimated that there are 60 to 90 million mobile phones languishing in drawers around the UK. If these phones end up in landfill sites, their toxic components become a threat to human health and the environment. If the phones are recycled, they eliminate this threat to the environment and also decrease the strain on the planet’s resources. To find out more about the Lions, email cityofwellslions@ gmail.com or telephone 0345 833 6736.
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New art installation hope WELLS Cathedral is planning to bring another installation by artist Luke Jerram to the city later in the year. Last year’s Museum of the Moon and associated Festival of the Moon events were a huge success, with more than 50,000 visitors to the Cathedral during the three weeks that the installation was in place. Now the aim is to bring Jerram’s Gaia artwork – a representation of the Earth – to the Cathedral for a similar period of time in October and November. Seven metres in diameter,
Gaia is created from NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, and provides the opportunity to see the planet floating in three dimensions. According to Jerram’s website, when presented indoors, it slowly revolves, and a specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA awardwinning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. “We’re hoping to build on the success of the Moon and do something equally good,” said Cathedral marketing officer David Bevan.
Plans for new store turned down PLANS to build a new Lidl store in Wells have been refused by Mendip District Council. The company had applied to replace the Travis Perkins buildings on Strawberry Way with a new store, aiming then to find another retailer for the
Blue School Head of Art Shilen Tanna with students at the private view for the sixth form annual art exhibition. The exhibition took place at Andelli Art Gallery in South Horrington from January 15-23. Some examples of the work are show below.
adjacent existing store. Planning permission for a new store was refused in December 2021 because of concerns raised by the Environment Agency about the height of the floor in the light of local future flooding risk.
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THE owners of a fashion boutique in Wells are looking for somebody to take over the High Street premises. Michael and Theo Johns opened The Laundry in 2008 but they want to take advantage of a break in their lease in November to close the business and move on to pastures new. They are inviting anyone who would like to take over the shop space to get in touch, saying that it would be ideal for another fashion retailer.
Michael, a former President of Wells Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, said: “It has been a pleasure to serve the beautiful city of Wells. We will miss it enormously when we go, and all the friends we have made here and our wonderful customers, but there comes a time when you have to move on.” If interested in finding out more about taking on the shop, at 58 High Street, call 07970 462074 or email michael@ thelaundrywells.co.uk
Fresh call for unwanted jewellery THE fundraising appeal for a dedicated Breast Cancer Unit at Yeovil Hospital has now reached its original £2 million target, but fundraising will have to continue throughout this year as building costs have increased considerably. Yeovil Hospital Charity’s appeal for unwanted and broken jewellery and watches therefore continues. This has been one of the charity’s most successful fundraisers during difficult
times, and there have been some generous donations from Wells, for which the charity is very grateful. Anyone else who would like to donate unwanted and broken jewellery and watches should contact appeal committee member Maggie on 01963 250108, or ring Jane who will collect for the charity in Wells on 07879 697037. It is hoped that building work on the new unit will start in February.
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February 2022
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Artist captures another slice of history MANY of the events in the long history of Wells will be represented in the Wells in Mosaic artwork being created by mosaic artist Ruth Ames-White in her studio in the city. She has recently completed another of the 32 ‘windows’ for the six-metre diameter mosaic. This depicts the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, a very bloody episode in the city’s past. Ruth invited Jon Jefferies to the studio to see the finished piece as he has a particular interest in this period and has written a book entitled ‘Monmouth, the Rebellion and Bloody Retribution of Judge Jeffreys’ which is available in City News and at Wells Museum. Jon also wrote a short dramatic piece portraying the Bloody Assizes held in Wells by Judge Jeffreys, which was performed on Cathedral Green by a group of local thespians during the Community Day
wells in mosaic
Jon Jefferies admiring Ruth Ames-White’s depiction of the Monmouth Rebellion
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last summer. Jon said: “The Monmouth Rebellion and the Bloody Assizes of Judge Jeffreys are an important part of the history of Wells and it’s terrific that Ruth has been able to include it as a permanent reminder within this wonderful mosaic.” Ruth was delighted to complete another major element of the work. “I am very pleased with the support for the mosaic from local people, organisations and businesses,” she said. “Many pieces have already been sponsored and there is a great deal of interest in the blue lias stones which will surround the mosaic once it is in the ground. These can be carved with a company logo, or for a family member, or to literally ‘set in stone’ a special occasion.” For details of how to support the project or to book a visit to Ruth’s studio, see the website www.wellsinmosaic.org or email contact@wellsinmosaic.org
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Roles available with life-saving charity The local St John Ambulance group would welcome more volunteers to help with its important work. Lynne Alton, the St John Ambulance, City of Wells Unit HR lead, explains more Why not volunteer with St John Ambulance in Wells? You may have seen us at many events in and around Wells and the Mendips but do you know who we are and what we do? We are the charity that steps forward in the moments that matter to save lives and keep communities safe. We were established in Wells as long ago as 1930 and our headquarters are in Charter Way. We are tucked away behind the Leisure Centre and Rugby Club – so not very obvious! As well as providing First Aid to local communities, our volunteers also support nationally at events like the London Marathon and major professional sporting activities such as Wimbledon and Cheltenham Races. Our biggest challenge in recent times has been the Covid-19 pandemic. We have supported the NHS nationally by recruiting and training thousands of vaccination volunteers and helping to run vaccination centres and other health services such as blood donor sessions. Our volunteers have given over one million (yes, one million) hours of their time nationally during the Covid-19 response.
St John Ambulance yolunteers getting ready for duty at Bridgwater Fair last year, top, and a group of Cadets on duty at last December’s Music and Mistletoe event in Wells So what can you do to help us? As we start to return to a more ‘normal’ life we are looking for new volunteers to step forward and become involved. You could become a St John First Aider, Advanced First Aider, Ambulance Crew or Community First Responder. No previous experience is necessary as we provide comprehensive training.
If you aren’t sure about delivering first aid then we have many other roles that may interest you. For example, our operational support teams act behind the scenes delivering equipment and vehicles to events, setting up marquees, arranging communications and a host of other activities. We also have volunteer roles such as community advocates
and fundraisers. Or how about helping with our youth teams? We have a very active and thriving youth section so always have a need for youth leaders for our Badgers (5-11 years) and Cadets (10-17 years). Full training and support will be given in whatever role you choose. Interested? What do you need to do next? Go to our website sja.org.uk and search for volunteer opportunities where you will find more information about all of these roles and the next steps. As part of St John Ambulance support to our local community, we will be running a free basic First Aid Awareness course in Wells in early February. More details will be posted on the Wells (Somerset) Community Notice Board on Facebook. Sessions will be run on a Covid-19 secure basis. Please get involved. Help your community. Learn some new skills. Meet new people.
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February 2022
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New bollards hailed for enhancing area
THE new bollards installed in Wells Market Place have been given a warm welcome. The black posts, made of recycled plastic, have replaced the large red and white ‘elephant feet’ in demarcating the trafficfree zone. Wells City Council arranged the installation of the new bollards after successfully
The new bollards seen alongside the former barriers in Market Place applying for £17,000 in funding from Welcome Back Fund money given to Mendip District Council by the Government. The fund was made available to support the safe return to
high streets, such as letting cafes expand onto the pavement to allow social distancing. “The new bollards enhance the Market Place and will allow the continental feel to continue,” said the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Philip Welch. “This will be good for the tourism which is critical to the city’s economy and allow us to make better use of our historic Market Place.” Stalls can be set up either side of the bollards for the regular markets, and they are fully removable when there are events such as the Charter Fairs. The work was carried out by George Clarke Construction & Groundworks, from Westburysub-Mendip. Thanks to local sponsorship, the council will be putting nine large planters in between the bollards to enhance the appearance. These will also be removable. “I think it’s fantastic,” said PJ, the head chef at Market Place cafe and restaurant Twentyone. “It’s so good for local businesses that can branch out a bit more and create a buzz around the market square.”
Wells Rotary Club President Wendy Ray, second right, pictured handing over a cheque for £2,000 to Debbie Birtwisle, of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Funds for the charity were raised at a number of events including the Mistletoe and Music event that took place in Wells Market Place shortly before Christmas. Also pictured are Chris Borrison, left, and Andy Coulson.
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Prayers were said for Bishop Bekynton at the Conduit in Wells on January 9, before city councillors and other civic officials processed to the Cathedral for Evensong and the annual commemoration, where Mayor Philip Welch left flowers in the chapel near Bishop Bekynton’s tomb. Bishop Bekynton gave a piped water supply to the people of Wells in the 15th century on the condition that they would pray for his soul after he died. He carried out other good works and was responsible for many of the city’s medieval buildings.
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Performers sought for next Community Theatre production WILLIAM Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night will be this year’s production by the Wells Community Theatre, as part of the Wells Theatre Festival in July. The organisers are calling out for performers to take on roles in this hilarious comedy of mistaken identity. Twins Viola and Sebastian have been shipwrecked and wash up in Ilyria, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Each believes the other to be drowned. Viola disguises herself as a young man, Cesario, and gets a job as a manservant for the Duke, Orsino. Orsino is in love with Olivia who is secretly in love with Cesario who is secretly in love with Orsino who is confused by his feelings for his new manservant. If this isn’t baffling enough, with the help of a little mischief at the expense of Olivia’s vain and pompous steward, Malvolio, things can only get more so… Ros Johnson, Artistic Director of the Festival, said: “Over the years we have built an ever growing, tigh-knit family of talented actors, some of whom have gone into the acting profession or to drama school as a result of their experience with us. “Others have joined us year
on year just to be part of this wonderful company.” Performers of all ages and experience are being sought to play the characters or to be part of an ensemble cast. Over the past four years, successful productions including Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream have always been cast from a mix of trained actors and people who have never performed live on stage before. Ros Johnson is a professional theatre director and drama teacher who inspires and brings out the best in her performers. “The whole experience of working with Ros has been great, and I have loved every minute of it, I have also met a group of genuine, like-minded people that I would never otherwise have got to know,” said Sam, lawyer and Wells Community Theatre company member. Once again, the production will be performed in front of Wells Cathedral between July 7 and 10 as part of a wider festival of professional theatre and performing arts that will take place in venues around Wells. People over 16 years of age who are interested in being involved in the production should contact Ros by emailing Ros@wellstheatrefestival.org.uk
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Simon Bruce as Robin Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Wells Cathedral in October
Tribute to founding cast member AS Wells Theatre Festival looks forward to the next season, they have paid tribute to Simon Bruce, a founding cast member of the Wells Community Theatre, who died on November 4. Simon, a chartered accountant, died a week after the final performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed in the Cathedral as part of the Festival of the Moon at the end of October. He leaves
his wife Caroline and daughters, Annie and Molly. Neil Johnson, Associate Director of the Festival, said: “Simon was a much loved and important member of the Community Theatre Company, his final performance as Robin Starveling was hilarious and we know he loved it best of all his roles with us. We will miss him dearly.”
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February 2022
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n NEWS
Milk station a fresh addition to store By Emma James WELLS resident, Lee Chard, aged 36, has certainly shown a good deal of energy and determination, not to mention creativity, during what has been a difficult time for us all. His business, Moo Valley Milk, which provides fresh local milk and dairy produce, has proved hugely popular and he has now been able to bring a further milk station to the Tincknell Country Store in Wells. The new machine has been at the store since December and offers milk and milkshakes to take away in reusable glass litre bottles. Lee explains: “We are really keen to be plastic-free and to support the three Rs: recycle; re-use; reduce. You can either bring your own bottle (it needs to contain a litre of liquid) or buy one of our glass bottles which you can then keep using – we say ‘bottles for life’. And there is no plastic in the machine itself. “I’m really proud of the fact that we are supporting local people, too. Our milk comes from Somerset’s Farmhouse Dairy. It’s a single herd of pedigree, freerange, Jersey cows which spend as much time as possible out in the fresh air.” Nickie Smith, store manager, is delighted with the new venture. She says: “It’s brilliant. Lee is so enthusiastic. We really appreciate being able to provide this extra service for
Lee set up his first machine in the pub’s car park and was amazed at the demand, especially for milkshakes: “People came from all over Bristol and as far afield as Cardiff. Once, two girls came flying into the car park in their Ford Fiesta shouting ‘don’t close, don’t close!’. They had come all the way from Ross-onWye for milkshakes.” Lee spent many happy weekends visiting grandparents in Wells as a boy and is delighted to be living and working here. He also finds time to coach the Wells Under 8s football team. He says: “I worked in a corporate environment for 14 years but don’t have any regrets at leaving the hustle and bustle behind. I love having the freedom of running my own business and working in the area where I live and where my children go to school. I love the community in Wells. It really feels like home.” Lee’s children Olivia, aged nine, and Toby, aged eight, by the milk station in Tincknell Country Store our customers and we love the fact that it’s environmentally friendly.” When his family’s pub, The Traveller’s Rest in Pensford, was forced to close during the pandemic, Lee found work with The Milk Station Company, based in South Horrington. The idea for establishing his own milk stations came from there.
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The milk Lee Chard uses comes from a single herd of pedigree, free-range, Jersey cows which spend as much time as possible in the fresh air
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Find Lisa on www.mycontinuum.co.uk Continuum (Financial Services) LLP, Falcon House, Eagle Road, Langage, Plymouth, PL7 5JY T: +44 (0)345 643 0770 E: info@mycontinuum.co.uk www.mycontinuum.co.uk Continuum is a trading name of Continuum (Financial Services) LLP Falcon House, Eagle Road, Langage, Plymouth, PL7 5JY which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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12
February 2022
n NEWS Making progress with music plans
The Portway Annexe as depicted by Wells artist Chris Lee
The Wells Rocks team explain the latest on their plans to make music in the Portway Annexe
Work under way to usher in bright new future for Annexe Councillors and Joint Project Leaders Adrian I’Anson and Louis Agabani report on work to ready the Portway Annexe for community use HURRAH! We are pleased to report that Wells City Council became the proud owners of this beautiful and useful community building on December 16 last year. Prior to completion, we had already cleared gutters and downpipes and checked the roof to ensure that damp is held at bay. Since completion, work has started on: n Repairing the access to the car park n Clearing vegetation n Painting the ceilings
n Carrying out repairs to make the building available n Fixing the toilets n Furnishing the cafe space and other rooms n Firing up the heating system and also n We recently met on site with Strode College to pursue plans for courses and other initiatives. On the last point, Strode College are keen to use the Annexe as an education hub. They hope to start providing courses from May. Please keep an eye out for their publicity so that they can match courses to the needs of people of all ages in Wells and beyond. Our plan for the car parking will be to retain the 13 spaces nearest to the building for those leading courses, meetings etc and
provide spaces for the disabled. The remaining 21 spaces will be let to those in need in the immediate locality. The charge will take account of the cost of local alternatives and the need to maintain the sustainability of the Annexe. Spring is looming, and we are looking at ideas for a community garden which would still enable the courtyard area to be used for other purposes. Your views on this would also be appreciated. All this is leading towards the launch of the building which is planned for Easter. In our next update we expect to give the exact date. Adrian I’Anson a.ianson@wells.gov.uk Louis Agabani l.agabani@wells.gov.uk
IT feels as though it is all getting real now. Following the completion of the purchase of the Portway Annexe by Wells City Council before Christmas, plans are firming up. Does anyone want to join Rick’s guitar activities? Would you be interested in an African drum group workout with Chrissie or to learn to drum or play keyboards with James? Do you need a regular rehearsal space for your band or just a place to go and make your own music? These are all things that are taking shape right now, to be ready as soon as the city council has prepared the building for it opening as a welcoming, creative community hub. Volunteers also welcome to help with the set up. This month we have had a great meeting with the team from Strode College, some of whom live in Wells. They will be helping with the computing side of the music project. We aim to be able to record sessions, at least so people can assess their progress. We also aim to have a studio for producing electronic music and to set up some training courses with Strode College. It is early days yet, but please let us know what you would be interested in. Drop us a line at info@wellsrocks.org
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wellsvoice
February 2022
13
n NEWS
Thank you fundraiser for air ambulance By Philip Welch FOR Andrea Hanwell, 2021 was her “annus horribilis”. Here, Sarah Briton, a friend and fellow volunteer at CLIC Sargent in Wells, takes up Andrea’s story: “This lovely woman is 80. In the last year her disabled husband (who she cared for) died... nothing unusual there... she had to move house... nothing out of the ordinary there either... but later in the year on a Wednesday she was waiting to cross the road in Sadler Street when the car next to her suddenly accelerated into a van. “Her legs were crushed between the two vehicles. The ambulance was called, and then the air ambulance. She was airlifted to hospital and told that she had a 20 per cent chance of survival. She did survive. “Andrea returned home for a long convalescence with much time spent lying down. She tells me she started thinking about how lucky she was. Lucky because her husband had been her soulmate. Lucky because it was a market day when she had her accident so the paramedics were quickly on hand. Lucky because of the existence of the air ambulance. “So she decided that as she was 80, she would try and raise £8,000 for the air ambulance. “And Andrea is now back at CLIC continuing to be the kindly force of nature we are lucky to have in the Wells community.” Andrea’s husband Jim Hanwell was a well-known caver, geologist, author and teacher at
The Great Western Air Ambulance on Cathedral Green
Andrea Hanwell outside the CLIC Sargent shop where she volunteers
‘I am humbled and amazed at how a narrowly averted tragedy has touched so many people and moved them to donate’ Wells Blue School who died at age 85 in January 2021. She has four children and her son Daniel and his family were about to go home after visiting her in Wells. So they met in the Market Place before crossing the bottom of Sadler Street to buy the children a flapjack, which was when the accident happened. “People very quickly came to my aid,” said Andrea. “A chair was immediately found for me and an extremely kind woman stayed behind me stroking my head whilst reassuring me that I ‘was doing very well’ and that help was on the way. I would love to be able to thank her and let her know that I have recovered. I was so consumed with pain I was only aware of her and my son who kept frantically telling me to open my eyes and not go to sleep. “I was extremely fortunate in that it was market day and an ambulance was in the area. The ambulance staff were incredibly kind and reassuring. They gave me something ‘to put me in the land of the fairies’ after which I was aware of very little. I remember feeling a wonderful waft of fresh air, presumably as
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I was taken across the Cathedral Green to the air ambulance and hearing the whir of the helicopter as it lifted me off to Southmead Hospital.
“I am well on the way to achieving my target for which I have family, friends, excolleagues and even strangers to thank but perhaps I may single out a very generous contribution from Wells Cathedral School. My granddaughter Blossom is Deputy Head Girl and addressed the school regarding the air ambulance in a morning assembly. This resulted in a mufti day collection by the pupils and a retiring collection in the Cathedral at the end of the Advent Service. “I have always adhered to the old adage that that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but I am humbled and amazed at how a narrowly averted tragedy has touched so many people and moved them to donate to such a wonderful and essential service.” Donations to Andrea’s air ambulance appeal can be made at greatwesternairambulance. enthuse.com/cf/andrea-hanwell
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YOUR MIXED-VOICE FRIENDLY CHOIR
Tuesday
Come along any to meet us, . . . . . and bring a friend!
We’re the Community Choir that sings in the Afternoon
WELLS Good Afternoon Choir The
Every TUESDAY
2-4pm
at ST THOMAS CHURCH, WELLS, with Grenville Jones
There is NO CHARGE for attending your first rehearsal and membership information is then available. The Conductor is Grenville Jones. There are NO AUDITIONS and everyone is welcome. Many of the people in our 19 Good Afternoon Community Choirs across the West have not sung in a choir before. You will be joining over 1000 people Singing in the Afternoons! The Wells Good Afternoon Choir will enjoy all sorts of music – from folk songs to choral favourites. Come and meet us next Tuesday.
This year the members have chosen
to support with concerts etc
Conductor Grenville Jones
Email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk Call us 01761 472468
www.goodafternoonchoir.org
wellsvoice
February 2022
15
n NEWS
WELLS LOYALTY
RD W E L L S LO YA LT Y C A
SHOPPING SCHEME
MANSFIELD OPTICIANS
Draw winner June Evans, right, with Jayne Clark of Amba
Tourist centre joins shopping scheme WELLS Tourist Information Centre has become the latest local business to join the Wells loyalty shopping scheme. The TIC at the Town Hall is a hub for information for both visitors and local residents, and sells a wide range of merchandise and souvenirs. Wells TIC manager Dale Bray said of joining the loyalty scheme: “Hopefully it will encourage locals especially to come and spend here, as well as with the other members. “We want to support a scheme that is so good for Wells.” There are more than 20 members of the scheme. Shoppers can collect a loyalty card from the participating retailers, which is stamped with the value of their purchases. When there are £100 worth of stamps on the card it is dropped into a box at the TIC to be
entered into the monthly prize draw. Winners will receive £50 worth of shopping vouchers that can be spent with loyalty scheme businesses. The most recent draw winner was June Evans, who collected her vouchers at the Amba fashion store in Market Place where she is a regular customer. June, who lives in Wells and works at Holland & Odam estate agents, says that Wells is a great place to live, work, and shop. “Wells High Street is a joy to discover as it has such a diversity of businesses,” she said. “Its architecture lends itself to the atmosphere of Christmas yet in the summer months our market place has a Mediterranean feel. “The markets on two days a week add an extra dimension to the shopping experience within our close community. It is a truly wonderful place to be.”
Wells Loyalty scheme members Amba, Basil Powell Shoes, Bishop’s Eye, Brownes Garden Centre, Gallery Jewellers, London House, Mansfield Opticians, Microbitz Computers, Millicans Eye Centre, Peter Douglas of Wells, Protec, Rock House Dental Practice, Roly’s Fudge Pantry, Ron Thompson Carpets, Runway, Scribbles, Studleys Jewellers, The Changing Room, The Crown, The Grape and The Good, The Laundry, Wells Tourist Information Centre, Whiting & Son.
Mansfield Opticians are dedicated to providing you with the highest standards of professional eye care, together with a friendly service, quality products and excellent value. As an established firm of independent opticians, we are free to select the best products from any manufacturer. This means that we are able to offer you a wide choice of quality frames and lenses at sensible prices. To stay competitive, we offer the Eyeplan Scheme, where for a small monthly direct debit, customers can have unlimited free private eye examinations and benefit from up to 40 per cent discount on spectacles, contact lenses and other accessories. Our commitment to quality extends to the people who look after your eyesight. Through continuing education, our professional staff are kept up to date with the latest
u Mansfield Opticians, 65 High Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2AG T: 01749 672229 E: eyecare@mansfield-opticians.co.uk W: mansfield-opticians.co.uk
THE CHANGING ROOM The Changing Room in Queen Street is a dress agency for pre-loved modern, vintage and retro fashion that was opened by Jeanne London more than 25 years ago, in 1996. We offer a unique, eclectic selection of original women’s and men’s clothing and accessories including classic designer and top labels spread over three floors. Managed by a small, friendly team with a passion for fashion, we are happy to let you browse but always available to advise. For those looking to sell and earn themselves some commission, we accept clothes and accessories that people no longer wear. Please note that we accept five items per seller strictly by appointment only. All items are sold on a commission basis. If you have items to sell please contact us for an appointment. Clothes and accessories SPONSORS
To join the scheme, contact Robert Powell (robert.powell2@btconnect.com), Rob Bevan (rob@protec-wells.com), Louis Agabani (louis@bishopseye.com) or Alison Luck (luckalison127@gmail.com)
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developments in spectacle and contact lens designs and materials. This ensures that you receive the best advice on choosing the most suitable products for your needs, appearance and lifestyle. We are committed to offering every one of our customers quality eye care, quality products and a quality personal service. The practice opening hours are: Tuesday-Friday: 9am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm; Saturday: 9am-1pm.
Chalmers HB and Wells City Council
should be seasonal and a maximum of three years old, with the exception of vintage or designer. Items should be in excellent condition, washed and pressed or dry cleaned. Before committing to cleaning we are happy to advise you. The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Items can also be bought on the website, and we can be found on Facebook and Instagram. u The Changing Room, 7 Queen Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2DP T: 01749 674896 E: jeanne@changingroomwells. com W: changingroomwells.co.uk Two members of the Wells loyalty scheme will be featured regularly in Wells Voice. A list of all the businesses currently participating in the scheme is given on the left
February 2022 wellsvoice WELLS VETS CASE FILES n NEWS Repair Cafe postponed, as Action taken to tackle Latest search starts for new organiser
16
Freda’s fractured teeth
UNFORTUNATELY, the Repair Cafe scheduled for Saturday, February 5, has been postponed. This was initially due to the proposed use of the hall as a vaccination centre, but probably the indoor gathering of a lot of people was still a little optimistic anyway. There is great hope for a more normal year ahead and more details of the next Repair Cafe will be advertised. Sadly for me too, due to a change in my circumstances,
Name: Freda (aka Freddie) Age: 3 Breed: Border Terrier Likes: Mischief Dislikes: Keeping still Freda, known affectionately as Fred, loves sticking her nose into everything and always enjoys visiting us. At a routine nurse check her owner mentioned that Fred had a tooth missing and some wounds on her face. She had obviously got herself into a bit of a scrape. It initially looked like the tooth had been completely lost and the gum had healed. Over the following weeks, however, Fred had some bleeding from her mouth and her gum looked swollen. This time we could just see a tiny fragment of fractured tooth. As this would be painful and risked a nasty infection, we booked Freda in to have the tooth extracted. When she was admitted, Fred was typically excited to see us. Under anaesthetic, further examination and dental X-rays confirmed that an upper incisor had fractured at the gumline but that the remaining root was stuck firm. We carefully and slowly worked to loosen its attachments and gradually free it. Further X-rays showed that the root had been completely removed. As Fred already had a fair amount of tartar build-up for her
A dental X-ray showing Freda’s fractured incisor
Wells Repair Cafe news from Julie Wright
I will be handing over the privileged position of running the Wells Repair Cafe. If you or anyone that you know would like the opportunity to take this on, to continue its success and build on its potential, don’t just think about it, also contact Sustainable Wells on its website www. sustainablewells.org.uk or phone me on 01749 675490. A recent Desert Island Discs contributor recently said: “If you get the opportunity to see wild bears in the middle of the night, just say ‘Yes’!” This opportunity isn’t so dangerous but just as exciting!
Freda enjoying her day at the surgery for her dental work
age, we took the opportunity to give the rest of her teeth a scale and polish, but as we cleaned up one of her large molars we were surprised to find this also had a major fracture to its outer edge, with the central part of the tooth exposed. After discussing this with her owner we extracted this tooth as well. There were no further surprises and she recovered from her anaesthetic with a cleaner, healthier mouth. We have no idea how Freda fractured her teeth but we are certainly hoping she has learnt her lesson and that her next visit to the surgery is just sociable!
Wells Vets, 3 Cathedral Avenue, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1FD
Tel: 01749 678420
To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157
A protest was held in Wells against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, that would give the police new powers regarding protests. A group of people opposed to the Bill brandished placards and handed out leaflets in Wells Market Place. Rachel Hoare said: ‘It’s our democratic right to protest and this government wants to take it away from us and make it illegal. They are using their huge majority in Parliament based on 43 per cent of the vote to push through anti-democratic bills.’
Events coming up at Wells Library ACTIVITIES at Wells Library in February: For children n Tatty Tot stories are on Saturday, February 12, and Saturday, February 26, at 10.30am. Listen to the adventures of the brave little dog and other stories for ages 2-5. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk to book a place. n Stories and Rhymes for preschoolers is back on in Wells Library on Friday, February 4, from 10.30am-11.30am. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk to book a place.
n Lego Club is also on Saturday, February 12, at 10.30am, for ages 5 and up. Places are limited so email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk to book a place. n Read and Rhyme is on Thursday, February 10, at 2.45pm. Join the ladies from Little Wellies Nursery for some stories, singing and bubbles. For children under 5 years. Places are limited so email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk to book a place. Police Beat Surgery Talk to a local PCSO at Wells Library on Monday, February 14, between 10.30am and 11.30am. No appointment necessary.
Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
February 2022
17
n NEWS
Event back to celebrate local produce THE Somerset Food Trail is back for 2022 for a weeklong celebration of the best, locally produced food, with a special emphasis on Somerset’s regenerative and ‘naturefriendly’ farmers and food producers. The Food Trail will give visitors a better understanding of how food is produced and the many benefits of buying local. The first Food Trail was held in 2018 and another in 2019, but the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled because of Covid. For this year’s Food Trail, organisers hope to double the number of venues taking part, and are inviting producers and vendors in the Wells and Wookey areas to get in touch if they would like to be included. They say that this is a chance to promote local business, grow customer bases and sell
products. It is also a chance to raise the profile of local food and all its benefits – how it influences the countryside, boosts the economy and shapes the culture. And how sustainably produced, local food can reduce the carbon footprint and help create a better world. One of the people involved in the Food Trail, Ellie Brown, of Wookey, said: “Somerset Food Trail excites me because it’s driven by the shared belief of those involved that local food is important and in need of celebrating. “I love when people with a shared dream or vision come together – so much can emerge that cannot be expected by the isolated parts alone. I believe uniting over what we share in common is more important than ever, and the need for food that nourishes us and the rest of nature is something we all share.
There is no charge to be part of the Food Trail. Businesses decide when they are open during the Food Trail period – from Friday, July 15, to Sunday, July 24 – and for how long. Some may organise a special event such as a tour of their farm. Participants can include a wide variety of people and organisations involved in local food – everything from goat herders, cider makers, pubs and dairy farmers to cheesemakers, vineyards, artisan bakers, restaurants, independent retailers and vegetable growers. Anybody who knows of any growers or producers who they think should take part in the Somerset Food Trail, or who would like to highlight their own business, should email wellssft@ gmail.com for more information. There are more details on the Somerset Food Trails website: somersetfoodtrail.uk
The Somerset Food Trail will celebrate locally produced food, such as the seedlings grown at Plotgate CSA, Barton St David – participant in the first Food Trail “I hope that the SFT will inspire people and amplify the energy behind putting community and planet before short-term profits.”
Open Day Saturday 5th March 10.00am
“An exceptional school” - Good Schools Guide 2020
To book your place: https://wells.cathedral.school/openday admissions@wells.cathedral.school
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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
18
February 2022
n NEWS
Help wanted as we bid to turn city into Fortress Against Fraud
Simon Lawder of Wells Neighbourhood Watch says that scam operations are on the rise, and appeals for more local volunteers to help combat the fraudsters ANOTHER Christmas passed and, for most of us, it was a welcome return to happier, less lonely times. But how much pre-Christmas anticipation was spoiled by the daily stream of bogus phone calls, text messages, knocks on the door, or emails from charming polite people posing as your bank, Microsoft, Amazon, BT, seeking to warn you that something has happened and only they can put it right? Ask anyone in Wells and they will tell you the same story. “Yes,” they all say, “I get lots of those, but I reckon I can spot the fraudsters. They can try but they can’t fool me.” And yet, as Neighbourhood Watch research shows, the number of fraudulent scam operations is increasing every week. Which indicates that their methods are becoming ever more slick and that they are successful enough to keep it going. An astonishing 52 per cent of all the crimes reported in the UK involve fraud – innocent people being cheated out of their savings by criminals posing as genuine callers, on the phone, on the doorstep, by email or in the post.
Innocent people are being cheated out of their savings Fifty-two per cent of all crimes. Think about it. I am a writer and retired businessman who myself failed to spot a fake caller and only just managed to stop £500 being taken from my bank account last October. I spent my career judging who I could trust but they got me. The latest from Neighbourhood Watch Scam website: As lockdown eases, ticket and holiday fraud are now particularly prevalent. Another recent scam sees victims contacted via email and/or text after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and being asked to take a fake post-vaccine survey with the promise of a cash prize. There’s also been a significant increase in delivery company branded ‘smishing’ (SMS fraud), with scammers asking customers to click a link to reschedule deliveries or pay incomplete shipping charges. Wells is more vulnerable
than many other places, with our larger percentage of elderly residents, many living alone and lonely. For them, a phone call is often a welcome interruption to their daily life. The fraudsters target older people, especially those living alone. For these people, falling into a criminal trap can have a truly devastating, long-lasting effect on their mental and physical health, in addition to the financial loss. Indeed, many are too embarrassed to report their loss, which makes it even worse. Now, Wells Neighbourhood Watch, working in partnership with Wells Community Network, are appealing for volunteers who would be happy to join in our local campaign. Together, we will learn how to raise everyone’s awareness of the dangers of fraud, and how we, like hundreds of other communities, can show our neighbours how to spot fraudsters, and guide those who fall victim to where they can find specialist support. We are looking for 15 to 20 people, who are willing to stand up together to these heartless criminals and do our best to turn Wells into a Fortress Against Fraud. If this interests you, please phone me on 01749 572672 or email simon.lawder@gmail.com More at: ourwatch.org.uk/ protectfromfraud
Workshop on saving energy THE first Wells Goes Green workshop will take place at Wells Town Hall on February 5, at 2pm. Focusing on energy saving, The Centre for Sustainable Energy will be providing tips, advice and answering questions, from grants to retrofitting. Participants can also make their own draught excluder. Sustainable Wells and other climate action groups will be attending as well, highlighting their work and upcoming projects. The workshop – organised by Wells City Council and funded by the Together for our Planet fund, run by the National Lottery’s Community Fund – is free to attend and open to everyone. For more information, contact the council’s Sustainability Officer, Emma Jakins, at sustain@wells.gov.uk
More pandemic postponements COVID has continued to cause the cancellation or postponement of community events in Wells. The SOUP grant-funding lunch which was scheduled to take place at the Connect Centre on January 15 had to be called off. The next SOUP is due to take place on April 9. The Lantern Parade due to take place on January 29 was postponed as well and is now expected to take place in the autumn.
LIN’S LEISURE TRIPS
PERFECT GETAWAYS MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
FRI 11th FEB HIGHFIELD GARDEN CENTRE 9 A.M-3 P.M £22 (£18 CONC) £14 THURS 17th FEB SLIMBRIDGE 9 A.M-3 P.M £35 (£32 CONC) £28 Entrance inc. FRI 25th FEB CADBURY WORLD 8 A.M-4 P.M £48 (£45 CONC) £42 Entrance inc. FRI 4th MARCH THE MARY ROSE, PORTSMOUTH 8 A.M-4 P.M £45 (£42 CONC) £39 Entrance inc. THURS 10th MARCH CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL 8 A.M-3 P.M £19 £16 CONC) £13 * Lin’s Leisure Trips offers leisure outings for both able-bodied and disabled people. Local pick ups for all trips.
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wellsvoice
February 2022
19
n NEWS
Arboriculturist explains why lime tree had to be felled THE county’s tree expert has explained why one of the lime trees that line Priory Road, Wells, has been removed even though the trees are covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Paul Sweetman, the County Arboriculturist at Somerset County Council, said that the tree – in front of the Quarter Jack pub – was in a weakened state due to severe crown die back and would have become dangerous to the highway and its users. An application for tree removal was submitted to Mendip District Council, with permission granted, he said. A local resident had expressed concern that the tree was cut down for no apparently good reason. The well-established trees provide a much-loved vista, but it could be further diminished with the imminent removal of a second tree further along the road. Excavation work was being carried out by an electrical contractor in Priory Road before Christmas, Paul said, during
All that remains of the tree near the Quarter Jack in Priory Road the course of which it became apparent that the roots of one of the trees had been severed when previous utility work took place. He said that utility companies are statutory undertakers that
have exemptions under The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012, and are allowed to carry out the minimum of work to a tree with a TPO to enable them to maintain their apparatus if necessary. The removal of the tree was not necessary for the job they were carrying out, but they reported what they had found to the county council to investigate further. Paul said that because a proportion of the roots were completely severed with signs of decay, the tree could therefore be unstable, and there is no option but to cut it down. “We wouldn’t take out trees that didn’t need it,” he said. He added that stumps are being left at one metre in height due to the high costs of removal, renewal of the associated highways surfacing and to prevent them becoming a trip hazard. But he said that hopefully the trees can be replanted in the future.
Garden kits offer to benefit Foodbank A WELLS florist is hoping to help Wells Vineyard Foodbank raise funds this spring by offering ‘living garden’ kits for Mother’s Day. Jen Owen of Goldfinch Floral Studios is donating £5 for every kit, which cost £15, to the Foodbank, which is hoping to raise funds for a replacement van. The kits include a mix of mosses, spring bulbs, pussy willow, two succulents, two blown quails eggs and full instructions. The kits will be ready for collection on March 19, in time to make the display for family gatherings or to give as a Mother’s Day gift. They can be ordered via goldfinchfloralstudio.co.uk Jen used to be a product manager for footwear brands Clark’s Shoes and Ecco, but while living in Denmark, she was inspired by the distinctive
An example of a living garden kit
Danish approach to floristry and decided to retrain as a florist. She returned to Somerset and set up Goldfinch Floral Studios in Wells in 2019. She said: “The philosophy of Goldfinch is that we offer ‘out of the ordinary flowers for out of the ordinary folk’. “I’ve seen how the staff and volunteers of Wells Vineyard Foodbank have worked tirelessly
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through the pandemic to help local people and have been inspired by how truly extraordinary they all are. “I wanted to do something to help support them and hope that these living garden kits will help raise money for them, while offering people something beautiful for their homes.” Sue Marland, Senior Pastor at Wells Vineyard Church and Manager of the Foodbank, said: “We are very grateful to Goldfinch Floral Studios, and all the local businesses that do so much to support our work. “We are currently trying to raise money for a new van and need to find around £7,000 before next winter as we don’t expect our current van to last much longer. “The van is vital to help deliver essential items of furniture such as beds and cookers to our clients in Wells and the surrounding villages.”
Sean McDonough
New managing partner named A LAW firm with an office in Wells has announced a new managing partner. Sean McDonough has been appointed to the position at Mogers Drewett at an exciting time for the firm as it starts to implement a new business plan, which will see it enhance both its client and people experience while focussing on becoming a leading provider of legal and financial planning services across its region. Sean said: “I am proud and excited to lead the team at Mogers Drewett through its next phase of growth and development. As a firm, we pride ourselves on being dedicated to serving the needs of our clients, and that dedication will increasingly involve us providing a more diverse range of legal and non-legal services. “We also care deeply about our people, which will drive investment designed to help us attract and retain the best possible people within the business.”
Cafe concerts TRIO Paradis, a professional trio that play classical and palm court concerts, are setting up a series of daytime cafe concerts across the Mendips, including in Croscombe and Wells, after receiving an award from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Croscombe concerts start again in the Village Hall on Friday, February 4, at 10.30am, and St Thomas’ Church, Wells, is hosting a new series of concerts on the first Monday of the month at 11am, starting on April 4 and continuing for the summer. If they prove popular, they will be continued. There is no need to book and entry is free, with donations invited.
Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
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Art drop-in sessions helping bring community together EVERYONE is welcome. Just come along. That is the message from Kate Williams who runs the Art DropIn sessions at the Connect Centre in Wells. “We want to bring the community together,” she said. “A wide range of people come here, from those in full-time employment, the jobless, the lonely and rough sleepers. Some bring their children to make their own art.” The Art Drop-In is open from noon-3pm on Wednesdays, the same day when the Connect Centre serves its Community Lunches. Centre users to come in after lunch until 2pm, then families from 2pm-3pm. The sessions are free and donations are welcome.
Kate Williams at one of her Art Drop-In sessions
Support for people struggling with bills SOMERSET residents who are struggling to pay the bills this winter could be eligible for support with the cost of food, energy, water and other essentials. The county has been allocated £3.8 million from the Government’s Household Support Fund which will be used to ensure there is a wide range of support available to those who need it between now and the end of March. Proposals for how the money will be used in Somerset have been developed by the Community Resilience
Partnership, a collaboration between Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset West and Taunton District Council, South Somerset District Council, and partner organisations in the voluntary and community sector. Approximately £1.1 million is being used to fund food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals over the Christmas, February half term, and Easter school holidays. This includes additional funding so that schools can allocate vouchers to families who
are in need of support but do not qualify for free school meals. A further £1.7 million will be distributed via Somerset Citizens Advice, supported by a network of local partners from the voluntary and community sectors, to help households with food, utility bills, and other essentials. Applications can be made through a secure online application portal and support will generally be provided in the form of vouchers. Visit Somerset Household Support Fund (citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk) to apply.
A total of £400,000 is being used to support eligible individuals and families supported by Somerset County Council’s Children’s Services, £100,000 will go towards the Safe & Warm Somerset helpline to support households in energy poverty, and an £80,000 contribution will go to the Somerset Community Foundation Surviving Winter programme to support elderly and rural residents with their heating. The Citizens Advice Somerset Adviceline number is 0808 2787 842 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm).
Chef’s culinary classes a recipe for success with charity’s clients COOKING can be great fun – and it certainly is with chef Wayne Osman. He has started culinary classes twice a week for clients at Heads Up, the mental health charity in South Horrington. “The idea is to teach the clients things they can cook at home,” said Wayne, from Street, who has been in catering all his life. “All the food we make is fresh, low in salt and sugar. All good home cooking.” The classes run from 9.30am1pm on Tuesdays and Thursday. n Heads Up are looking for
Wayne Osman at work with a Heads Up class
To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157
volunteers to help with their two Memory Groups. Experience of working with people living with dementia would be an advantage. Patience and understanding are needed. The groups are open on Wednesdays and Fridays. The working hours would be flexible. Clients at Heads Up come from across mid-Somerset. People interested in becoming a Memory Group volunteer or joining the cookery class should phone Heads Up on 01749 670667 or email info@ headsupsomerset.org.uk
Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
February 2022
21
n NEWS
Trust next to benefit from staff fundraising THE Orchard Vale Trust, based at Wookey, has been chosen as the Mendip District Council Staff Charity of the Year for 2022. The announcement was made at the same time as the council revealed that staff raised a total of £1,459 for the previous Charity of the Year, Time is Precious. The Orchard Vale Trust supports adults with learning disabilities to live life to the full through community support, day services and residential homes. It offers a range of activities that give people a chance to socialise, learn new skills and earn qualifications. Amelia Goadby, Trust Fundraiser at Orchard Vale Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to hear that we have been chosen as Mendip District Council’s Charity of the Year. “As a small charity that was born and has evolved in the
Time is Precious has bought a new specialised electric wheelchair for Henry, aged eight, which will allow him to be more independent Mendips, it means the world to us to have the support of Mendip council’s staff.
“Thank you so much. This is a lovely start to the new year for us and we’re really thrilled.” Every year, council staff nominate a new cause to support for 12 months. Previous beneficiaries have been CLIC Sargent, YMCA Mendip, Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, and We Hear You. Staff have raised more than £9,000 for these good causes in recent years. Funds have been raised through sponsored activities and online fundraisers such as raffles, competitions and donating to the charity instead of buying Christmas cards for colleagues. The Time is Precious charity was set up by Neil and Nicky Halford, of Coleford, in memory of their son Ben who died from cancer in 2010. The charity aims to create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for children and their families in hospital or at home. Nicky and Neil said: “We
would like to thank the staff of Mendip District Council for their amazing support throughout this extremely difficult time. “The funds raised will go towards refurbishment of the Bath RUH Children’s Ward and for ‘Ben’s Gift’ appeal which purchases equipment for local disabled children, which is not funded by the NHS.”
£200 donations THE Wells Vineyard Foodbank and the Elim Connect Centre in Wells have each received £200 from Chair of Mendip District Council, Councillor Helen Sprawson-White, using money from the Chair’s Fund. The fund is available to the chair of the council to use at their discretion for worthy causes, and in all Cllr Sprawson-White has donated £1,200 to six local charities.
A late 19th/early 20th century star sapphire set pendant to be included in 15th March auction Estimate £6,000-8,000
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Rolex, Ref. 5508, Submariner, ‘James Bond’, circa 1960 to be included in 15th March auction Estimate £6,000-8,000
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February 2022
n NEWS
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Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid
Divorce law changes explained By Ruth Jackson
Most of the new group working on the figure of Herbert Balch
Picture: Ann Cook
Work moves on to museum founder GOOD progress is being made with the community mural being created to go on a wall in the garden at Wells Museum. Working under the guidance of Philippa Threlfall at her Black Dog studios in Wells, a new group have started work on Herbert Balch, the founder of the museum. He is the last of the three figures now being modelled, whilst those of Bishop Beckynton and Dean William Turner lie drying on the shelves awaiting firing. The design has been enlarged to more than the final size to allow for shrinking in the firing process, and is seen in the picture above being drawn onto the wet clay. The following week,
the figure and background were going to be modelled up by the various people who have chosen to do the various parts. “Mr Balch was very much a man of his time with his moustache, mackintosh, trilby hat and cycle clips,” said Philippa. “A keen caver, he will be seen sitting in a cave with crystalline surfaces and stalactites as well as some of his finds: an old iron tool, bones, a goat’s skull and possibly a bat or two.” The final figures will be about 5ft high, and the whole mural about 9ft long. Philippa said: “Everything goes well although there is still a long way to go.”
Action to replace memorial cross FUNDRAISING is taking place to replace the memorial cross on the grave of a best-selling author who was born in Wells. Elizabeth Goudge wrote novels, short stories and children’s books, and won the Carnegie Medal for British children’s books in 1946 for The Little White Horse – which J K Rowling has said helped inspire her Harry Potter books. Elizabeth was born in the Tower House on St Andrew Street in April 1900. Three years later her father was made head of the Wells Theological College and the family moved across St Andrew Street to The Rib,
because that house was owned by the Church of England. In 2018 a Blue Plaque was installed in her honour on the perimeter wall of The Rib by Wells Civic Society. Now it has been discovered that the memorial cross on her grave at the church of St Mary Magdalene in New Milton has disappeared. Girls Gone By Publishers, which publish Elizabeth’s books, has set up a Just Giving page to raise money to restore the cross. Donations can be made at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ Girls-Gone-By-Publishers?utm_ term=RYjv9m8Jb
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THE first significant changes to divorce laws in nearly 50 years will take place in April 2022. Here are 10 questions and answers about the new divorce procedure. 1. Could you summarise the changes in one sentence? It will now be possible to obtain a divorce, without having to make allegations of fault, or without having to live apart for at least two years. 2. Does it change the grounds for divorce? At present, there is only one ground for divorce, that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. That ground is not changing. What is changing is the evidence needed to establish the ground. 3. What is the law now? Until April 2022, if you want to divorce straight away, one of the parties must make allegations against the other, of unreasonable behaviour or of adultery. If the parties do not want to make those allegations, they must live apart for at least two years, and must both agree to divorce. If one party does not agree, they must live apart for five years. 4. What is changing in April 2022? There will be no requirement for either party to make allegations against the other, or for the parties to live apart for two years. A statement that the marriage has irretrievably broken down is all the evidence that the court needs. 5. Are there any other changes? Some of the wording is changing as well. “Decree nisi” will be called a “conditional order” and “decree absolute” will be a “final order”. 6. Do the changes affect how the court makes decisions about financial matters on divorce? No. The court will continue to consider the reasonable needs of the parties, and whether the matrimonial assets can and should be shared equally. 7. Are the new changes the same as a “quickie divorce”? “Quickie divorce” is a phrase which the media use, but which doesn’t actually exist. People who use the phrase may mean a divorce in which the parties do not resolve the financial matters. Except in certain very rare circumstances, it is almost always in the best interests of
the people getting divorced to take the time to unravel their finances, and for the court to approve the agreement they have reached. 8. Will the new divorce procedure mean that divorces can be granted more quickly? Now, it is possible to complete the divorce process in a couple of months, particularly if the financial matters are already agreed. In practice, the process often takes longer while the financial matters are being sorted out. Under the new procedure, you will not be able to apply for the final order until at least six months after the application was begun. 9. What if my spouse wants a divorce but I don’t. Can I defend the divorce? In 2018 the Supreme Court decided a case of defended divorce. Mrs Owens petitioned for divorce on the grounds that her husband had behaved in such a way that she could not reasonably be expected to live with him. Mr Owens defended the petition, arguing that the marriage had largely been successful. Although the Supreme Court had misgivings, a majority decided that Mrs Owens must remain married. She could divorce her husband when she had been living apart for five years, and therefore no longer needed his consent to divorce. In other words, Mr Owens could defend the divorce, but not for ever. Under the new divorce laws, because there is no requirement to make allegations of unreasonable behaviour or adultery, a statement by one party that the marriage has irretrievably broken down will be sufficient. 10. If I’m thinking about divorce: should I wait or start the process now? If you have been living apart for two years, and your spouse will consent to divorce, or if you can both agree some suitable examples of unreasonable behaviour, you may wish to start the divorce process sooner. This is particularly so if the financial matters are already resolved. You would not have the minimum six-month period to wait until you could apply for the final order. But if you think making allegations of unreasonable behaviour will only make the divorce process more unpleasant, you may wish to wait and start with the new process in April. n Ruth Jackson is a Barrister 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
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February 2022
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Primary schools to become academies By Daniel Mumby
Local Democracy Reporter FIVE Catholic primary schools across Somerset will become academies under new proposals put forward by the Department for Education (DfE). Schools in Wells, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton and Yeovil will form a new multi-academy trust following an academy order by education secretary Nadhim Zahawi MP. Under the Academies Act 2010, schools which are performing well can choose to become ‘converter academies’ if their governors deem that such a move would be best for their pupils. Of the 125 academies currently operating in Somerset, 85 are converter academies which have chosen to go down this route.
St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School in Lovers Walk Picture: Google Maps
The five schools – which have all been rated either ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ by Ofsted – will all transition to academy status on March 1, according to documents published on Somerset County Council’s website.
The five schools which will be affected by the new academy order are: n St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Park Avenue, Bridgwater (rated ‘good’ in November 2019) n St Joseph’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School, B3139
Oxford Street, Burnham-onSea (rated ‘outstanding’ in July 2008) n St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School, Lovers Walk, Wells (rated ‘good’ in November 2011) n Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School, B3081 South Street, Wincanton (rated ‘good’ in May 2017) n St Gilda’s Catholic Primary School, Mary Street, Yeovil (rated ‘good’ in June 2012) The five schools will form the new Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, which will be run by the Clifton Diocese and will also include Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School in Weston-super-Mare. Under the changes, all land and properties of the existing schools will be transferred from the council to the new trust under a 125-year lease.
Tincknell Fuels Let us keep you warm this Winter Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural Fuel & Additives
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wellsvoice
February 2022
25
n FROM THE TOWN HALL
Gratitude for help in providing special Christmas lunch AT Heads Up we are already planning for Christmas 2022. As a trustee of this mental health charity I hosted a special festive lunch on December 25 last year for our clients and others who would have been alone on the big day. We will do this again on Christmas Day 2022 but today I write to thank the kind people who made the last lunch possible. Five volunteer drivers
As the host I had to wear the Santa Claus outfit to distribute the gifts to all 27 people present. Everyone received two, and ten spare boxes of biscuits were given to the Wells Foodbank. brought our guests to the charity’s building at South Horrington in the morning then took them home after everyone listened to the Queen’s Speech. The guests were welcomed at Heads Up, which is normally closed at Christmas, with a free three-course lunch, drinks,
music, card tricks and presents. Businesses in Wells showed true Christmas spirit and were very generous. Griffiths Butchers gave all the turkey. All the veg, gravy, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding and drinks were donated by Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco and Queen Street Deli. Paul Precious, the Catering Manager at Wells Golf Club, cooked and sliced the turkey, and had it ready for me to collect late on Christmas morning – all kept hot in big foil-covered trays. The Cathedral School gave the Christmas crackers, festive serviettes and tablecloths. Serving equipment was loaned by the Crown Hotel. Plates, glasses, condiments and cutlery were borrowed from Geoff Haskins. Special thanks are also due to the volunteers who helped on Christmas Day. They included Wells chefs Paul Jeffrey and his son Max, who used a scrupulously clean work bench in Heads Up’s woodwork room as their serving area, Sharon and Bob Haigh from Wells Rotary, Non Hobson who made the table decorations, Sue Walker who provided the music, her partner Brady who arranged opening the Heads Up building at 9.30am and locking it at 4.30pm after the clear-up, the five drivers on the day, and Philip Watson. He is a self-employed bricklayer who works in Perth, Western Australia, but was stranded in Wells as he could not get a flight Down Under. Philip amused our guests with card tricks and stories. Also thanks to the four city councillors who wrapped the presents beforehand – with help from one of their grandchildren.
Deadline for the March edition: February 16
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Tightrope walker Chris Bullzini displays his skills as he crosses the Wells Cathedral nave in October last year, during the Festival of the Moon
Events being firmed up for jubilee celebrations ONE thing is certain: we won’t see another Platinum Jubilee in our lifetimes. Celebrations for the Queen’s 70-year reign will begin on Thursday, June 2, and will continue over the weekend until Sunday, June 5. A wide range of organisations in Wells are working together to make the celebrations special. They range from schools, charities, community groups, the Chamber of Commerce, Cathedral, Wells Voice, Rotary and Bishop’s Palace to bands and comedians. Events being planned so far include: n Tightrope walk
n Abseiling down the West Front of Wells Cathedral n Pageant Parade through the city centre n Fun activities for children including cookery classes n Big BYO picnic on the Recreation Ground n Photograph exhibition in Wells Museum n Band and choir performances If you have any ideas for other jubilee events that we can add or would like become one of the volunteers that will be needed over the weekend, please email me at the address below. Philip Welch Mayor of Wells Email: p.welch@wells.gov.uk
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
Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
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February 2022
n NEWS
Energy-saving grant scheme extended
A GRANT available to help Somerset people benefit from energy efficient installations worth up to £10,000 has been extended until June 2022. Funded by the Government, the Green Homes Grant Scheme allows eligible homeowners to apply for vouchers to install climate-friendly energy-saving measures such as insulation, air source heat pumps, or double glazing. The work can be worth up to £10,000, with nothing for homeowners to pay towards the cost of the works. Tenants of rented properties can also access grants of up to £5,000, but the landlord will be expected to contribute at least one third towards the costs of the works. To be eligible for the grants, the residents of the property must have a low income (receive benefits or have a household
Work is being undertaken to reduce Wells Cathedral’s carbon footprint income below £30,000 a year), and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property must be rated D, E, F or G. If there is no EPC for your property you can still apply. Those who are struggling to keep their home warm and think
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they might be eligible for some help can submit an application at www.heatsomerset.co.uk People who are struggling to afford their energy bills or who are living in a cold home where the boiler or heating system is not working can also contact the
Somerset Safe & Warm Helpline on 0800 082 2234. The Green Homes Grant Scheme is one of many projects and initiatives which will help Somerset towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. One example is Wells Cathedral where work is being undertaken to reduce the carbon footprint of the 850-year-old landmark. It is among the projects being showcased in a series of short films made by Somerset County Council and funded by the SW Energy Hub to highlight how communities are already doing amazing things to cut the carbon in Somerset. The Wells Cathedral video can be viewed at facebook.com/ watch/?v=322425713086179 u Funding support to improve properties, page 31
BRISTOL VALUATION DAY Tuesday 8th February - St Mary’s Church Hall, Mariners Drive, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1QJ 10am - 3pm (NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY)
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Late Victorian diamond and sapphire necklace SOLD FOR £14,000 Jewellery Valuation Day with Gemologist John Kelly: Tuesday 22nd February at the Salerooms
Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
February 2022
27
n NEWS Invitation to Friday Lent Soup Lunches
Wells High Street as it looked in about the early 1900s Picture copyright of Wells & Mendip Museum
Photos to show how shops have changed A MAJOR exhibition of photographs that reveal the changing face of the main retail and shopping areas of Wells will open at Wells & Mendip Museum in April. The museum is hosting the exhibition in partnership with the Project Factory, Wells City Archives, Somerset Film and Wells Civic Society. Entitled The Changing Shops of Wells in Photographs, it will run from Saturday, April 16, until Monday, June 6. Based on the Simes Map showing the heart of the city in 1735, the photographs will be from the Phillips Collection held by the museum, the Patrick Brown collection recently donated to the City Archive showing the buildings in the 1970s, and the millennium photographs commissioned by the Wells Civic Society, as well as a film looking at the city today and hopes for its future preservation and development.
The museum, at Cathedral Green, will also be reaching out to local residents for their photographs of the heart of the city, and having a Community Day on Saturday, February 26, ahead of the exhibition, so that memories and memorabilia connected with the retail history of the city can be collated by the museum as an archive for future generations. This day will also be utilised by Somerset Film to create a film recording memories of this area of the city as part of the exhibition. The collection will then be used in future outreach learning through the museum’s Learning Officer with schools, residential homes, history groups and researchers. The museum would like to welcome people on February 26, from 10am to 2pm, with any photographs or verbal memories of the heart of Wells to create this legacy.
Charity seeking volunteer drivers THE Marie Curie charity urgently needs a couple of volunteer drivers to help it raise funds which provide nursing care to people living in Somerset who have a terminal illness. The volunteer driver role is a flexible one, and tasks will include delivering materials in the community; collecting,
counting and banking money from volunteers and supporters; and planning the most costeffective routes. Those who can lend their time and wheels to help the charity are asked to get in touch with Riona on 0787 6748717 or email riona.houghton@mariecurie. org.uk
Got News? Call 07906 499655
THE Wells Christian Aid group is inviting people to Friday Lent Soup Lunches from Friday, March 11, through to Friday, April 8. They will take place at Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, from noon to 1.30pm, when homemade soups with bread will be served for a suggested donation of £3.50. Monies raised will go to support Christian Aid’s work with partners in localities across the world. It works to eradicate extreme poverty by tackling its root causes alongside people living in poverty. Hurricane-protected houses, wells for clean water provision and training of local health care workers are just some of the ways used to eradicate poverty.
Apartments agreed A NEW apartment block is to be built on the former Nutricia
site at Glastonbury Road, Wells, next to the Crandon Springs care home. Mendip District Council has approved a planning application by Woodsome Estates Ltd for the erection of an apartment block comprising 22 dwellings and associated bin/cycles storage, car parking and landscaping.
Shared reading PEOPLE are invited to “be part of a bigger story” by attending sessions of the Shared Reading group that meets on Fridays at Wells Library in Union Street from 2pm-3.30pm. Anyone interested can just drop in to enjoy listening to a story and poems. There is no charge, no booking needed and no pressure to talk or read.
Board game dates WELLS Board Game Group will meet at the Globe Inn, Wells, on February 9 and February 23 from 7pm-9.30pm.
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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
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February 2022
n NEWS
Wells City Band pictured in December 2021
Picture: Nick Clissold
Band very appreciative of public’s support Jane Hill provides an update on the activities of Wells City Band over the Christmas period WHAT a joy to see the smiles of the people of Wells as they flocked to our Christmas Concert in Wells Town Hall. A full house showed their enthusiasm to at last hear live music. The training section delighted all with their concentration that showed there is new talent in the wings. Under the direction of our new Musical Director, Paul Denegri, the main
players rose to the occasion and provided music with sensitivity to the pieces chosen. Our tradition of playing on Easton Green was welcomed by a crowd of singing villagers, encouraged by hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. This event reminded us that we are a community band playing for our community and the appreciation was enveloping all players. Playing carols in Waitrose and by the library was a cold but fun Saturday that gave an
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opportunity to talk to supporters and realise how much our music had been missed. We were determined to be seen on Christmas Eve in the High Street of the city – with Covid restrictions in place, a group of players met in the Swan Hotel to welcome the guests into their Christmas meal. This was followed by playing outside the pubs in the High Street. The young people of Wells were amazing and left their seats inside to support
us really heavily. The goodwill was emotional to comprehend. It was the most enjoyable and financially worthwhile Christmas Eve in memory, with an amazing £400 collected. The band felt it was really recognised as the band of the city. Wells City Band has the best supporters of any band in the country. Thank you all. n If you wish to be a supporter and receive news of the band’s future events, contact Jane Hill on 01749 675668.
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wellsvoice
February 2022
n NEWS
Focus on health with Bluebird Care
Palace announces new chief executive THE next Chief Executive of The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens has been announced; Jan Wallwork joined the team in Wells in January 2022. Most recently acting as Business Advisor in the Heritage and Conservation sector with both private clients and charitable trusts across the UK, including Lytham Hall Trust & Cliveden Conservation, Jan’s career has almost exclusively been within the historic environment. Previous roles have included work within the South West for the National Trust at Godolphin House, as CEO of the Trevithick Trust and as a Board member of the Cornwall Building Preservation Trust. Jan has a sustained interest in working with a diverse range of staff, volunteers and external advisors and professionals, and much of her experience has been gathered from many fields relating to the conservation and interpretation of built, cultural and horticultural landscapes. She said: “My delight in joining the team at The Bishop’s Palace is profound. The first of many visits this year, back in
Jan Wallwork the summer, was memorable because I was not only enchanted by the historic buildings, the gardens, the staff and volunteers I encountered; but also the potential of the Palace – the chance to join at a pivotal moment in its long history – the prospect of creating new ways of strengthening our engagement with our community.” In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and is often out walking with her family, her camera and her deerhound lurcher.
New parish priest welcomed WELLS and Cheddar Catholics have welcomed a new parish priest, Father Tony Pazhayakalam. Known more easily as Father Kalam, Fr Tony is from Kerala in southern India and on his journey to Wells, he has served in Rome, Dublin and more recently in north Gloucestershire. He also spent a period teaching student priests in a seminary. Although resident in the recently refurbished presbytery in Chamberlain Street, Wells, Fr Tony will be dividing his time between Ss Joseph and Teresa in Wells and Our Lady, Queen of Apostles in Cheddar. Ss Joseph and Teresa School will also be part of his ministry. Fr Tony emphasises his commitment to developing welcoming Catholic communities
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Don’t be afraid to tackle your fears By Jenny Atkins
FEAR is a vital response to physical and emotional danger. From a young age your fears may have developed and therefore the fear is embedded and now been with you for much of your life; perhaps this was because you were vulnerable and therefore unable to protect yourself, although as we grow older and wiser and we discover the world with our experiences, some of those fears we will outgrow. We all fear something different, whether we fear our bosses as we know we have to perform well, going into a new job and fearing what everyone will think of us, going for the promotion but we fear we are not good enough. Fear of reaching out for help because we fear that people will think we are weak. Fear can cause all sorts of emotions, worry, dread, upset, and it can result in you avoiding the things/situations which can then have an impact on your daily life. It can also cause physical symptoms such as breathing speeding up, heart racing, sweaty palms, your muscles tightening, all of which are unpleasant. A small amount of fear can serve a purpose – it encourages you to focus on your task, however there are some types of fear that are excessive, which make you feel uncomfortable and you wish your way out of the situation. Just because someone looks confident doesn’t mean they are feeling like that on the inside, they could be full
of fear. We need to overcome what we fear, and for some it can be a long journey but the benefits to you and your health will be worth it. Everyone is different and you should not be discouraged about taking the time to overcome fear and let that put you off. Don’t forget we have carried around our fear for many years so no one is expecting it to disappear overnight. First of all you need to accept the fear you have and then you can start to challenge your fear. Think what really is making you fear, think about ‘What if I didn’t have the fear, how would I feel? What really could happen? What’s the worst that can happen?’ Believe in yourself and know that you don’t have to let fear rule your world, take back your life and don’t be ashamed to ask for support. We all have fear, these are just different for everyone and everyone has a different way of managing their fear. If you have fear of asking for support because you feel people will judge you, has that actually happened? Could people surprise you and actually lend you that helping hand? Instead of embracing that negative feeling, search for the positive otherwise you are only judging them without proof, therefore creating fear. We need to change our thoughts. It’s our thinking that is getting in the way. So give it go and focus on: What is beyond fear for you? n Jenny Atkins is Care Manager of Bluebird Care (Mendip), email CMMendip@bluebirdcare.co.uk, phone 01749 372197 or 01458 570015.
Father Tony Pazhayakalam and building links with the other local Christian churches. During his opening homilies, he paid tribute to his predecessors, Dom Bede Rowe and Dom Anselm Redman, whose Benedictine ministry is continuing in Ireland.
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February 2022
n NEWS Appeal to think about fostering AN appeal has been made to Somerset residents to consider taking up fostering. There are a variety of paid full and part-time fostering roles available with Fostering In Somerset, and they can make a real difference to a child’s life. Fostering applicants need a spare room in their home, and must be at least 21 years old, with no upper age limit. “Fostering is incredibly rewarding. Our foster carers make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children in Somerset, but it’s really important people consider fostering for the right reasons. You need to be committed to improving the lives of our young people by supporting them, and helping them to achieve their full potential,” said Councillor Frances Nicholson, Lead Member for Children and Families. There is a particular need for carers for teenagers and children over the age of 10. To find out more visit fosteringinsomerset.org. uk or call 0800 587 9900.
RSPB makes call for volunteers
Rotarian Richard Leworthy and colleagues from Wells Rotary raised about £520 from collecting more than 50 Christmas trees from people in the Wells area, in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice. The club expressed its grateful thanks to all those who gave their support.
Third attempt at celebrating precious painted statues IN 2020 the extraordinary painted statues of St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells should have celebrated their 550th birthday, but everyone knows what happened that year… An attempt was made to hold the celebration a year late in 2021, but yet again organisers were defeated by Covid. So now there is a third attempt – on Saturday, March 19, from 10am to 4pm. Back in 1470, of course, it would have been quite usual to have plans messed up by an outbreak of plague, so the medieval fragments of prophets and princes will probably be very forgiving about the delay to their party caused by the modern pandemic. These unique painted statue fragments have already had an amazing history. They were destroyed in the Reformation
One of the medieval fragments and hidden behind plaster until 1848 when they were rediscovered. Miraculously they were kept and now form probably the largest collection of 15th-century painted sculptures in the country. The celebration event takes the form of a study day looking at the story of these rare survivors from quarried stone to a digital
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future. Church archaeologist, Jerry Sampson, is one of the speakers; together with Lynne Humphries and Emma Norris, who are experts in medieval paint. There will be a demonstration of stone carving and local chamber choir, the Swan Singers, will perform a short concert of appropriate music. The day will end with a son et lumiere when a light display will give a glimpse into the stones’ colourful past and future. The cost of the day (including coffee and a soup lunch) is £15. For tickets and more information, contact the Parish Office at office@ stcuthbertswells.co.uk. Tickets are also available on Eventbrite: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebratingthe-painted-medieval-reredosesof-st-cuthberts-church-wellstickets-244520656867
THE UK’s largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB, is looking for volunteers across Somerset that have a few hours to spare each month to help their cause. As a vital fundraiser for the charity, pin badge collection volunteers play an important role in placing and checking on charity pin badge boxes in places such as cafes, garden centres and shops in their local area. Last year Covid-19 sent shockwaves through the RSPB’s pin badge scheme, and in some areas reduced donations by 90 per cent on the previous year’s income, affecting the charity’s work to save nature. This year the RSPB is looking to rebuild the scheme having lost volunteers and pin badge box placements in the local area as a result of the pandemic. The role involves restocking boxes with their range of enamel wildlife pin badges and banking donations. Sophie Feboul, RSPB England’s Community Fundraising Manager, said: “Our volunteers are our local representatives, and we could not do the work that we do without them. Sadly, we currently have a number of boxes without volunteers to monitor them, and so they may have to be withdrawn and further income lost if we can’t find local volunteers to help us look after them.” She added: “Volunteers make a difference to the RSPB by giving just 30 minutes a month in their local area, at a time to suit them. I’m really hopeful that we can find some new volunteers in Somerset to help us with our cause. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.” Contact the RSPB Community Fundraising team at ComFundraisingEng@rspb. org.uk
Dance club nights WELLS Folk and Barn Dance Club meets at Dinder Village Hall on Wednesdays from 7.30pm9.30pm. Members £3.50, visitors £4. Tel: 01749 674920. View every edition online at issuu.com/wellsvoice
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February 2022
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n NEWS
Funding support to improve properties MENDIP District Council, in partnership with the Centre of Sustainable Energy (CSE), has successfully bid for £49,057 to go towards supporting landlords with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below Band E, to improve their properties and meet their legal obligations. Using the funding, the council and CSE will work together to support Mendip landlords improve their EPC ratings through education, training and events, with the aim of making homes more energy efficient, warmer and cheaper for residents to live in. Information will also be gathered by CSE on EPC ratings across the district, which Mendip will then use to investigate and take appropriate enforcement action on private landlords who do not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations.
Mendip landlords will be supported to improve their EPC ratings The money came from the Private Rented Sector (PRS) MEES Compliance and Enforcement Funding competition, launched by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The competition saw local authorities (LAs) bid from a £4.3 million pot dedicated to supporting LAs engage with the most difficult to reach landlords
with the worst performing to work with Mendip District properties. The Midlands Energy Council to support them with Hub manages the national compliance and enforcement of delivery of the competition on the MEES regulations. behalf of BEIS and has allocated “With our access to data to the funding to 59 successful LAs help identify at-risk properties, out of 117 who applied. our expertise in energy advice Councillor Richard Pinnock, giving and knowledge of energy Portfolio Holder for Housing efficiency funding availability Services and Governance, said: and our previous experience “We’re pleased to have secured of working with landlords to this funding, and delighted to be help increase awareness of working with CSE. the MEES regulations, we are “The CSE’s knowledge and well-placed to support Mendip experience of the rental sector deliver this project and secure means Mendip landlords are in positive outcomes for landlords safe hands. Their expertise will and tenants with warmer, more also support our Private Sector energy efficient homes.” Housing team ensure landlords Landlords who need help adhere to the MEES regulations. improving the EPC of their “The partnership will lead to property and accessing available Mendip tenants living in warmer, grants can contact the CSE: more energy efficient homes www.cse.org.uk. which could help them save The council’s Private Sector money off bills.” Housing team is also available Sonia Pruzinsky, CSE Project to help. Call 0300 8588 Bath & Wells Funerals ad.qxp_Layout 1 07/12/2021 15:45303 Page 1 or Manager, said: “We are really email privatesectorhousing@ happy to have this opportunity mendip.gov.uk
Advertisement feature
The Wells Funeral Services facility at Chilcompton
Making funerals less of an undertaking WELLS Funeral Services, operating from Chamberlain Street, and with storage in Chilcompton, uses the same successful formula developed by Rod Major at its counterpart Bath &Wells Funeral Directors. Since establishing WFS in September 2016, Rod and his team have been offering a range of affordable funerals across Mendip, Somerset and beyond. But they say their services are more about arranging a celebration of life than a funeral. They pride themselves on delivering funerals that people want; establishing their client’s needs, wants and budget is of paramount importance to them. Rod said: “We like to get to know our families and so, for
us, that means a trip to Wells Market, and to be visible to one and all on Wednesdays from January to November you will find me on my market stall. “Reaching out to help with advice – but we like to talk about anything and everything – it’s more about getting to know people. Why sit in an office waiting for the phone to ring, when people like to see who they are dealing with and enjoy some good, old-fashioned banter!” In 2021, Rod delivered more funerals than in the two previous years, from Hindu and pagan services, from Wells Cathedral to Downside Abbey and non-religious services too as well as arranging woodland and meadow burials.
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Your Local Award-Winning Funeral Director Rod Major, owner
What our customers say: “The most tragic and emotional event in your life needs the best support you can get. I’m very pleased to have chosen WFS for my dear wife’s funeral. “Rod and his team were respectful, informative and professional from the first contact and gave the right balance of contact and getting on with arrangements in the background. “Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. Thanks to Rod on a personal level for your service and respect for my lovely Sharon.” Martin S.
Call Rod on 01749 670100 or email: rod@wfs.me.uk www.wellsfuneralservices.co.uk
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wellsvoice
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February 2022
n ON THE BEAT
Be vigilant to prevent burglars striking News from the local policing team with PCSO Donna President FIRSTLY I would like to wish all the residents of Wells a Happy New Year. I hope that the coming year of 2022 will be crime free for you all. But I feel I have to bring to your attention some recent events within Wells. I felt that the residents of Wells should be made aware that in the last three months we have had three residential burglaries within Wells city. I am informing you of this just so you all can be vigilant and be aware of your security within your home; sometimes you may think this will not happen to me but you can never be sure, so just changing your ways within your home may help from being a victim and stopping the opportunist burglar entering your home. Door locks had been broken and PVC doors had been burnt to make access to the property, on one of these occasion the suspect
had been looking for car keys to steal a vehicle. This is not always the case. If you see any suspicious activity then please report. This can be done online or by calling 101. If an emergency, call 999 and request the police. If your home is broken into If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door: n Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside. n Use a neighbour’s phone to call police. n Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. n Write down the licence plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles. n Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons. Prevention tips n Make your home look occupied, use electric timers. n Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. n Keep your garage door closed and locked.
you do replace your door locks always use a security accredited product to standard PAS24, these products are tested to British standards and are approved by the insurance industry. n Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors. n Other windows may need better locks. n Don’t share your holiday plans on social media.
Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary n Don’t leave keys on show, take keys with you when you go to bed. n Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbour to take them regularly. n Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time. n Put washing out on the line. n Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. If
Burglar alarms can be installed on your property and the use of CCTV, which can come in many different types and styles, these may help the police with investigations. Also take serial numbers and photographs of high value items because if stolen and located the property can be returned to the owner much easier. Also inform your insurance company of any high value items, you can get expensive jewellery valued for insurance purposes. If you require any further advice, the Wells Neighbourhood Beat team will be willing to help. Stop and chat to us when you see us in your community.
n MESSAGE FROM THE MP
Host of challenges, but one issue tops news agenda I THINK it is safe to say it has been a tumultuous start to 2022, with a host of challenges facing the country right now including rising inflation, energy costs and the situation in Ukraine. Despite it not getting the media attention one might expect, it is a very serious situation which is a priority in the MOD at the moment, with the British Government doing all it can to support the people of Ukraine. The Defence Secretary is meeting with his Russian counterpart as I write this and the Government is supporting Ukraine with defensive capability, which is hugely important indeed. I am working extremely hard to support the Secretary of State and to help those in need.
News from Wells MP James Heappey ‘I have had hundreds of emails and letters about this... I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling’ This is also the week that travel restrictions have been relaxed which I know has been
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welcomed by the travel industry after such a tough couple of years. I regularly meet with Bristol Airport who have updated me regularly on their recovery, which is hugely important to our local economy. I know this will make such a difference to them, but also to constituents who want to travel more spontaneously. If you are double vaccinated, you now do not need to test before leaving the country you have travelled to, or when you land in England. Of course, other countries have varying rules to enter, but the UK is very much opening up and normality is very much returning, which is very welcome. Of course, the reason all of this has not been top of the news agenda is the understandable anger at the reports of parties
and other gatherings at Number 10 during periods when lockdown and social distancing restrictions were in place – and I completely understand why. I am writing this in January whilst we are awaiting the results of an investigation and at this time, I am sending letters to constituents who have contacted me. I have had hundreds of emails and letters about this, so it has taken me some time, but I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling. I have made it clear in my replies to those who have contacted me that this is not the end of the issue and that I will write again when the report is published, and we know exactly what went on. I think the public deserve to know exactly what did and did not happen.
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wellsvoice
February 2022
n IN DAYS GONE BY
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With Clare Blackmore
‘Tippling houses’ were cause for concern
itself again at the Wells Sessions IN 1633, when King Charles I and the Justices are ordered to was on the throne and in the “see how many alehouses in their year that Samuel Pepys was limits are disorderly and fit to born, Wells and its environs be supressed and thereupon to were having problems with suppress them”. “tippling houses”, described as At the next sessions the “nurseries of lawless persons inhabitants of Croscombe asked and used for unlawful games that “there be no licence granted and the debasement of God’s to anyone to keep a tippling good creatures by quaffing, house and that it should be drinking and gluttony”, and the ordered that all tippling houses behaviour of the “bibblers” and be suppressed and no license “guddlers” who frequented these granted to anyone there but only establishments. Thomas Delton”. The Christopher Inn in Records note problems with ‘bibblers’ at The Christopher Inn in Wells High Maybe, though, Wells got off Chepestrete or the High Street, Street, where Mountain Warehouse now is, back in 1607 lightly as at the Quarter Sessions, where Mountain Warehouse now that some of the tipplers in the swearing, swaggering and now in the reign of Charles I, is, seemed to be the centre of this parish of Wedmore might “be blasphemy of the name of God as the inhabitants of Somerton behaviour in Wells and raised suppressed for they are too many is most unsufferable, scandalous petitioned the court for an order such concerns that the situation being six in number and that one and offensive to all well-disposed against a tippling house in their was recorded in the city’s Quarter or two be sufficient and that the Christians. town: “Sundry foul and filthy Sessions Records for 1607. Justices should examine who “These places are reputed to abuses are committed there “Whereas it did appear unto are the fittest men to be tippling be places of receipt of common daily and the house is esteemed the court that there were many house keepers and to suppress drunkards, labourers and among us to be little better than misdemeanours committed the rest”. manservants suffering them to a thievish and whorish bawdy during the time of this session in In 1617 the problem of spend their time and waste their house, to the great scandal and the inn of the said town of Wells disorderly alehouses presents goods in most lewd and vicious annoyance of our town.” by Thomas Morefield, Thomas manner as well as tippling and Gappy, Richard Leake, William bowsing there upon the Sabbath Wilson and William Bull who did day at times of the divine service sit up all or the greatest part of and on other days and other the night, disorderly drinking, times when they should be about quarrelling and hooping to the their work. great disturbance of Justices of “It is therefore at this Court the Peace and others lodging in of Sessions ordered and decreed the same inn such that some of that henceforth no person or the Justices being so disturbed persons whatsoever or at any were enforced to rise up out of time or place upon the said hill their beds. No need for an expensive care home shall be licensed, permitted or “Doubting least there had suffered to keep any Alehouse been some murder committed Stay independent at home with your own live in carer or Tippling House or to suffer amongst the bibblers they came No need for an expensive care any to eat or drink by way of among them and required them Many people want to stay in home their own home as they get olde tippling in their said houses or to leave off their disorders and No need for an expensive care home Stay independent at home with your own to keep any house for travellers, No need for an expensive care home live in carer betake themselves to their No need for a Stay independent at homeMany with your own want live into carer wanderers, guddlers or vagrant beds but upon this request people stay in their own home as they get older Stay independent at home with your own liveaninproviding carer persons whatsoever upon the Featherbed Care has been live in carers since 198 No need for expensive care home were affronted with the very No need for an expensive care home Many people want to stay in their own home as they get olderNo an expensive expensivecare care home Stay independent at Noneed need for for an home pain, penalty, punishment by to stay in their own contemptuous and uncivil Many people as want home asvery they get older We believe in only the best care at an affordable cos Stay independent at home with your own live in carer Stay independent at home with your own live in carer the laws or ordinances of this Featherbed Care hasStay been providing live in carers since 1986 speeches.” independent at home home with your own in carer Stay independent with your own livelive inpeople carer Many want to stay Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since 1986 realm.” Many people want to stay in their own home as they get older Meanwhile, concern in We believe in onlyMany the people very best care at antheir affordable cost want to stay own home as they get older Many people want tocarers stay in in their as as they get get olderolder Many people stay insince theirown ownhome home they the the Quarter Featherbed Care been providing live into 1986 verySessions best care athas an affordable cost want the city was also growing We believe inAtonly held at WellsWe in January believe1613 in only the very best care at an affordable cost over “diverse notorious Featherbed Care Care has has been been providing providing live live in in carers since since 1986 1986 Featherbed Care has bee Featherbed carers an order was passed and misdemeanours and abuses that Featherbed Care hasthe been providing liveat in an carers since 1986 We believe believe in only only very best care care affordable cost Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since We believe in 1986 only the v We in the very best at an affordable cost recorded “All Alehouses upon have been committed by such We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost Mendip shall be supressed” without or under the pretence and in 1614, again at Wells, the of licences in the Tippling justices heard complaint from Houses or Alehouses upon the the Borough of Axbridge that hill of Mendip as well as in the there “are three ancient inns in receiving and harbouring of the town where the innkeepers thieves and other lewd vagrant Callimpoverished for a brochure are greatly as today Call for a brochure today and wandering persons, these 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 Edward Gallwey, John Robinson places standing remote from the 0117 0117 9860710 / Freephone:for 0800a 111 4885 brochure today Callfeatherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk for a brochureCall today Email: andfeatherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk William Norcott do keep Email: eye and view of such officers as Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / for Freephone: 0800 111 4885 disorderly tippling houses 0117in9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk Call a brochure 0800 today have the charge of government”. 0117 9860710 9860710 Freephone: 111 4885 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 0117 //// Freephone: West Street to the great prejudice 9860710 Freephone: 0800 0800 111 111 4885 4885 In 1607 a tippling house at Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: 0117 featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: Call for a brochure today Email: of these ancient inns”. Call fo Green Ore was described as a Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk In 1615 the sessions ordered 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 place of “continual drunkenness, www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed
Care in your own home
Care in your own home
Care in your own Carehome in your own home Care Care in your own home Care in your Care ownhome home Care in in your your own own home
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01749 349007
Got News? Call 07906 499655
www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
www.feath
wellsvoice
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February 2022
n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS U3A WELLS u3a have had a successful few weeks with Christmas being celebrated at a lunch at Wells Golf Club attended by 60 members. We are continuing to expand with another group that has started up in January – Tai Chi, which has proved to be so popular that it his being formed into two groups. Relaxation and Meditation started to meet for fortnightly sessions back in September in the Lecture Hall of the Museum. As the number present has been capped at 12 in the large space and everyone agrees to do a lateral flow test before they come we all now feel relaxed about attending. At each session members are practising letting go of bodily tension, breathing in a more relaxed way and sitting for a Mindful Meditation. Out and About had a most enjoyable visit to Thatchers Cider factory at Sandford followed by lunch at the Railway Inn back in November. Plans are being made for visits to interesting places in the area for 2022. Wine Appreciation Group met in December to look at wines for the festive season. With such an array of tastes to contend with and moods and situations, in which to enjoy them, is a monumental subject. Keeping it simple and remembering, “if you can’t treat yourself at Christmas, when can you?” we looked at Champagne, and going a stage further, Vintage Champagne. This was suggested for a joyous beginning to the festivities and to match many Christmas culinary delights such as smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. As could fino sherry or a spicy Alsace white. Wines for the ‘main event’ – turkey and trimmings, roast beef, roast lamb, goose, vegetarian mains, cheese and Christmas desserts – were all considered at a very enjoyable meeting. Geology – We have an enthusiastic membership of around 40 people and are able to accept new members. We are a very mixed ability group who share a love of rocks. Although we have university graduates in the group we also have complete beginners with members from many different backgrounds and interests so we can assure newcomers you do not have to have a qualification in geology.
To find out more about an organisation which helped to change our whole approach to ‘overseas development aid’ come along to the Wells Museum at 7pm on February 9, and check out www.sendacow.org WELLS STAMP CLUB
The Wells u3a Out and About group on a visit to Thatchers Cider We are back to having both outdoor and indoor meetings each month. Outdoor field trips normally take place once a month on a Monday morning in the middle of the month although if we are venturing further afield we might be out longer. Indoor meetings are held on the first Friday afternoon of each month at Westbury-subMendip Community Hall. We kept going during the Covid epidemic with Zoom meetings and reduced field trips usually led by one or both of our own excellent retired professors. We are now back on our normal fieldwork schedule and have visited Portishead, Uphill and the Wookey Hole quarries and Kilve/Helwell Bay. Our Christmas indoor meeting was on December 10 starting for some members with lunch in The Westbury Inn, before joining the remainder in the Village Hall for a miscellany of images of fascinating geology from all over the world. To find out more about the groups available at Wells u3a go to https://u3asites.org.uk/wells/ home. If there is not a group that covers your interests contact our group leaders’ rep who will advise you on joining and better still giving advice on starting a group to cover your interest. Ann Brown, Lynne Smith, John Pudduck, Susan Knight WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY UNCERTAINTY about pandemic-related restrictions meant that there was no meeting of the Wells Civic Society in January, but hopeful that the situation will improve, a speaker
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Jackie Laws is an ambassador for Send a Cow and has visited projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia and Uganda has been invited for an evening in February. Life in east Africa may seem very far removed from the city but making connections around the world and supporting other communities is something Wellensians are very good at and on February 9, Wells resident Jackie Laws will talk about her work with Send A Cow, a charity which is also close to the heart of WCS Chair, Chris Winter, who carried out research for the organisation in Uganda many years ago. Jackie says: “Send a Cow has worked in rural east Africa since 1988 and over the years this has evolved. We no longer send cows and providing livestock is a very small part of what we do. Focusing on training, we work with the most marginalised families, so they have the skills to grow food and earn an income. 2021 was an exceptional year, when smallholder farmers in Africa faced the twin challenges of the worsening climate crisis, and the global pandemic. 2022 will be no different.”
THE Wells Stamp Club or, to give it its proper name, The City of Wells Philatelic Society, has recently re-started its meetings following a long hiatus due to the Covid restrictions. The society has, since its inauguration nearly 60 years ago, traditionally met in the evening twice a month in the Town Hall, with a break during the summer months. The members have now decided to change the arrangement and hold daytime meetings. Unfortunately, the Town Hall could no longer accommodate us, but a room with very good associated car parking has been found at the Football Club in Rowdens Road, Wells. The plan is that, in future, the members will meet at two o’clock on the second Monday of each month throughout the year, and they will be pleased to welcome anyone with a collecting interest in stamps, postal history or anything associated with the world of philately who would like to join them. The existing members have very wide interests and visiting speakers are being arranged for the future programme. Allen W Cotton MID SOMERSET OXFAM GROUP MID Somerset Oxfam Group is pleased and proud to have completed another year’s fundraising and support for Oxfam’s life-saving work around the world. The Group decided early on to make the most of online and digital opportunities and so launched two successful series of online quizzes and then a hugely successful and amusing limerick competition. We even went on to publish a booklet of our limericks. We met up in person again for our sponsored walk in September (held jointly with St Cuthbert and Ss Joseph and Teresa Churches). We finished 2021 in grand
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wellsvoice
February 2022
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n AROUND THE SOCIETIES style with a street collection in Wells High Street and a very well attended pub quiz, courtesy of the Tramways. On a more sombre note, we held two silent vigils for Afghanistan on the Cathedral Green, as a way of standing in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in their terrible suffering. All in all, we succeeded in raising more than £1,600 for Oxfam, which it will use in its work to end poverty, hunger and global inequality. We are immensely grateful for the continuing generosity and support of our friends and supporters and all the townsfolk of Wells, Street, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet. Mid Somerset Oxfam Group would love to welcome new supporters and activists; please email us at msog@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to join us. Jenny Williams ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP AFTER a forced closure due, of course, to Covid we are now meeting monthly on the first Wednesday of each month. On January 5 we had a quiz evening with refreshments and plenty of chat and discussed plans for the forthcoming year, especially our platinum jubilee celebrations. Our next meeting will be on February 2 at 7pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall when our speaker will talk about Africa. Any ladies who would like to come and see how our meetings go would be assured of a warm welcome. There is no commitment and the cost is only £2 for visitors including coffee/tea and biscuits. Pat Dyer WOOKEY HOLE WI ARE you new to the area? Would you like to make new friends? Are you not keen to go out in the evenings? Our WI meets during the afternoon at Wookey Hole Community Hall. No problem with car parking either. Good friendly company, interesting speakers and activities, tea/ coffee, cake and a good natter are guaranteed. Come and join us on the first Monday of the month at 2.30pm. Visitors most welcome. The
A Wookey Hole WI garden meeting when lockdown restrictions were easing. Members managed to keep in touch and support each other during the difficult and lonely months February meeting is on Monday 7th. Ring Jill if you would like further details: 01749 675477. WELLS WI WE still have a mix of inperson and Zoom attendance, with plenty of members being cautious about Covid risks. President Anne talked at the January meeting about two forthcoming activities: an outing to the Bath Soft Cheese company and a cookery demonstration. The long-awaited raffle for the £950 Mulberry handbag will be drawn next month, so time is running out to buy £5 tickets to benefit Somerset Community Foundation. Anne reminded people to look at the shortlisted resolutions and vote for the one they would most like to see adopted as a national campaign: girls’ clothing to be fit for purpose; reviewing sentencing for women offenders; recognition of ASD/ADHD in girls and women; equality in law for the menopause; and tackling digital exclusion. This month Siobhan Goodwin, who leads walking tours of Wells, gave us a talk about the history of our area illustrated with lots of photos. The starting point is the water that has always drawn people to Wells, mentioned in the Latin motto on the city arms and connected to the origins of the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. We learned that the water flows down from the limestone hills where quarrying has always been big business, currently generating 12 million tons a year, employing 2,000 people and
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generating £150,000 turnover. The water that runs down the north side of the high street comes from the marketplace conduit and the south side from the moat, and that they can be independently controlled. In winter they are closed to avoid risks from frost and slippery algae. We romped through the centuries: the oldest building in the city is the Priory of St John dating from 1212; St Thomas’ Street was a notorious part of town until it was brought into the city and the church built in the 1830s; that by the 1960s Wells’ claim to fame was hosting Europe’s biggest cheese store; and that we now host the world’s biggest illuminated carnivals. Siobhan showed us pictures of interesting plaques around town, where to look through a hole by the Rose and Crown to see the watercourse, and to look up some interesting features above the shops. We looked at some of the standing stones marking a pilgrim route to Glastonbury, where the monks from the Abbey changed the landscape by draining it; Mr
Sweet of Sweet Acre Nursery discovered the ancient trackway in the peatlands that is now named after him; and how the modern management of the former peat works supports wildlife and the famous murmurations. We will now look out for the sprig of holy thorn from Glastonbury that always appears on the Queen’s desk in her Christmas broadcasts. These days Siobhan gets more Hot Fuzz pilgrims than history buffs, so she finished by showed us pictures of filming around Wells featuring some famous stars. Our next meeting will be on February 1 at Wells Museum. More information can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ Wellssomersetwi Veronica Howe WELLS MEN’S BREAKFAST WELLS Men’s Breakfast welcomes men of all ages to a good English breakfast and a talk by a guest speaker. We meet on the first Saturday of every month except August (unless it coincides with a bank holiday). There is no formal membership – just book in by answering the monthly email, or by telephone. Meetings are at the Connect Centre and start at 8am, ending at about 9.30am. The cost is £10. Our next breakfast will be on Saturday, February 5. Our speaker will be Mary Ellis JP, who will be telling about the duties of a 21st century magistrate entitled ‘How much? Is that all? Why not lock them up and throw away the key?’ If you are interested, send an email to wmb.bookings@ btinternet.com or telephone 01749 675312. INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WELLS
Inner Wheel Club of Wells President Liz Hamblin, left, presents a cheque to District Chairman Pam Brewster for her charity fund
DECEMBER saw club members getting together to enjoy an excellent Christmas lunch at the Cheese Yard Cafe, near Wells, a different venue for us. It was a very festive event and gave us the opportunity of socialising once more and raising some funds for the District Chairman’s charity. In January we were pleased to welcome District Chairman Pam Brewster who introduced Continued on page 36
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February 2022
n AROUND THE SOCIETIES From page 35 herself to the members and gave us a potted life history. She leads a very busy life and all the members enjoyed hearing about her various interests in addition to her Inner Wheel duties. Liz Hamblin WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB THE club chairman welcomed club members and visitors on Tuesday, January 11, for the first meeting of 2022 and introduced us to national demonstrator Pam Lewis. Her demonstration was called Winter Gems. Using her garden as inspiration she arranged flowers with a range of winter flowering foliage and blossoms. Pam also regaled her audience with tales of how she had passed her time through lockdown. Like us all, Pam was delighted to be back doing what she loves best, working with flowers. Her arrangements varied from a woodland scene, and hand-tied bouquets of tulips, as well as baskets of flowers. Throughout her demonstration she advised members on the merits of the garden foliage she had used and encouraged us to take cuttings to use in our own garden. Jenny Jones gave the vote of thanks and Pat Ardron and Sue Fricker served the teas. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 8, when we will welcome Angie Blackwell, a florist and floral artist from Ilminster. Her demonstration is entitled Spring is Bursting out All Over. It begins at 2.15pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells.
Pam Lewis’ demonstration at the Wells Floral Art Club meeting in January was entitled Winter Gems
n SPORT Coaching and training resume
WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Come my spade W Shakespeare THE perils of winter can last until the middle of May. We have, however, always managed to cope with whatever the climate throws at us. What has booted us off the path is that other thing and it does look as though the fightback has begun. So, it is a delight to say that Wells & District Gardening Club is back in business. Our first proper meeting is scheduled for the second week in February. The details are below. Too much time has passed during these last two years peering into a crystal ball clouded with cumulonimbus, stratocumulus or plain fog. All this in an attempt to make tentative predictions about the future. Now is a moment for much more optimism. In fact it is a time for rousing action, a time to leave those winter armchair fantasies behind or put them to the test. The path to the compost heap is paved with grandiose projects and lost horticultural dreams but the way ahead is clearer. Tucked away behind the shoe brushes are those packets of seeds we salivated over in the mid-winter gloom. Time to examine them more closely and decide where they will fit in. Before we fully commit ourselves, here’s a question. Is there a gardener who does not take childish delight in shaking the packet to hear that promising rustling inside, just making sure of what we already know? Yes, they are annuals, perennials being too long term and anyway, annuals are making a comeback. Tithonias, zinnias, nasturtiums and asters; because colour is what we need. I hesitated over Californian poppies simply because eschscholzia was too difficult to either spell or pronounce. Mind you, it would make an excellent tie-breaker at a quiz night. The really tricky part lies ahead. Sowing is fine, watering with care, delight at first emergence hugely satisfying but then the rapid growth turns the flimsy seedlings into anaemic wireworms leaning at 40
CRICKET
It is time to examine those packets of seeds more closely and decide where they will fit in degrees towards the ailing light on the window sill. Undaunted, we urge them on. Nothing ventured etc. Success lies far ahead and it’s something to look forward to. While our seeds rise upwards, there’s the rest of the garden to tackle. Which brings us back to the beginning. At last the Gardening Club will meet on Thursday, February 10, at 7.30pm in the Town Hall. There will be no admission charge but a chance to meet once more, welcome visitors and new members to a pleasantly informal evening. There will be a very short general meeting followed by an equally informal quiz. Drinks will be provided but please bring your own snacks if wished. More details will be on the website at wellsgarden.club Pip Harwood
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Emphatic win TENNIS
HENTON AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB WE’RE going Down Under in February when our speaker Hilary Little will introduce us to ‘Wild Flowers and Wallabies of SW Australia’. We meet at Henton Village Hall at 7.30pm on February 16 and visitors will be most welcome. Coffee and raffle. On March 16 we have the well-known Gardener’s Question Time expert Anne Swithinbank talking about all things relating to houseplants which have become important and popular features of room displays, bringing nature into our homes, especially in recent times. For further details see our website – hentongardenclub.weebly.com or phone 01749 674767.
The deadline for the March edition of Wells Voice is February 16
WELLS Cricket Club is thriving and preparations are in full swing for the new season. The junior section now numbers more than 90 girls and boys who play in age group sides from under 15 to under 9, looked after by four qualified coaches. Junior indoor coaching for this season starts at Wells Cathedral School on Friday evenings from January 28. New junior players are always welcome, so people whose children would be interested can get in touch with the club by emailing club chair Rachel Richards at wellscricketclub@ hotmail.com Adult indoor training will also be at Wells Cathedral School, on Sunday mornings from January 30. New adult players are always welcome – as always there will be two sides playing league cricket on Saturdays during the season, along with regular Sunday and midweek fixtures, and the club will also be touring Dorset and Devon in August. Again, those who would like to get involved should email Rachel at wellscricketclub@hotmail.com
ON January 16, with perfect tennis conditions on a still and overcast day, Wells B team welcomed Cheddar B team for their first match of the new year. Wells players Dave Mills, Wendy Edwards, Ginni Smith and Colin Blatchford-Brown had the upper hand throughout, and overall Wells B team took the match 10-0 leaving them in third place in Division 4.
Weekly sessions TABLE TENNIS WELLS Table Tennis Club meets every Wednesday at the Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, from 6.30pm-9.30pm. For more details, email paulhambleton2@ btinternet.com u More sport, page 39
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wellsvoice
February 2022
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n WHAT’S ON th Tai Chi Heal
P i l o g a Fi t Essential Mindful Exercise Core & More Functional Fitness Classes www.healthtaichi.co.uk www.pilogafit.co.uk John Beasley 01749 672482
ZEST & ZEN WELLNESS
The Bishop’s Palace’s Snowdrop Weekend Celebrations will be running each weekend until February 27
Palace welcoming visitors to celebrations of snowdrops THE Bishop’s Palace’s popular Snowdrop Weekend Celebrations returned in January and will be running each consecutive weekend until February 27. Since 2018 visitors have enjoyed the carpets of snowdrops around The Bishop’s Palace Gardens every spring. For 2022 each weekend in late January and February will celebrate the peak of the snowdrop-flowering season. To complement the themed
weekends, visitors can collect a printed Snowdrop Walk which will guide them around the Moat banks carpeted with snowdrops, and across the Willow Bridge to enjoy an Arboretum full of the flowers. Each weekend, little ones can pick up a children’s trail from the Palace Ticket Office with the reward of a small prize upon completion. A variety of artisan craft stalls and children’s activities will be in the Undercroft, and spring
plants and snowdrops will be for sale in the Stableyard and free area, with a varying offer each weekend. Head Gardener James Cross said: “The Snowdrop Weekends have proved to be hugely popular in recent years but the growing season can be variable, so don’t leave it until the last day to visit, as you might find they’ve already gone.” Entry is included with any standard admission.
TUESDAYS Pilates 9.15am Pilates Seated for the Older Adult 10.30am WEDNESDAYS Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm THURSDAYS Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am All above classes at Wells Town Hall FRIDAYS Pilates 9am. Online via Zoom All classes mixed ability and prebooking only. Contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com
TAI CHI Connect Centre, Wells Mondays 6.30pm – 7.30pm £5 per class Bob 07791 291886
Tai Chi sessions to continue in Gardens THE Bishop’s Palace has announced that it will continue to host the popular weekly Tai Chi for Wellbeing classes in its Gardens in 2022. Led by local practitioner John Beasley, who has more than 20 years of Tai Chi experience, the sessions are suitable for all regardless of age or ability and run every Thursday from 11am to 12pm. Tai Chi is a non-competitive martial art known for both its defence techniques and its health benefits. As an exercise, it comprises gentle physical exercise and stretching with mindfulness. Booking is not required but attendees will require a valid entrance ticket to the Palace
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Tai Chi on the Lawn at The Bishop’s Palace (including The People’s Ticket or Membership). There is no additional cost for the sessions although an optional £5 donation in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice can be made. In 2021, a total of more than £1,000 was raised from the classes for the charity
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which has been at the heart of Somerset’s community for 40 years, delivering high quality, responsive and compassionate care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness. The Tai Chi sessions occasionally take place inside in bad weather.
n DO YOU WANT YOUR EVENT TO STAND OUT? If you want to ensure your event is included and gets attention, we will print it with a colour background like this from just £7 + VAT. Find out more by emailing sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
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wellsvoice
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February 2022
n TAKE A BREAK
The FIEND
Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.
7
For younger readers
9
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Txtpert
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Each row, column and square (4 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-4, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.
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Theme: Countries
Easier sudoku Solution C
Txtpert
Use the phone keypad to decode the clues. For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST
Word Scramble answers 1. The package will be here at midnight. 2. Look for the man in a top hat. 3. The ship sails tomorrow.
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February 2022
wellsvoice
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n SPORT
AERIALS
local
services The Mendip Junior Team who picked up their awards for being the runners up in the National Junior Team Championships, at the recent prize-winners’ evening – Josh Seviour, Fiona Richardson and Connie Cox
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Event’s first victor repeats winning feat
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GOLF DESPITE the wet weather during the festive period which caused many clubs to close their courses, Mendip Golf Club members were fortunate that the club only closed for one day on two separate occasions so at least many were able to get some well needed fresh air. Some competitive golf was played preChristmas. 67 played in one of the Pro Shop stablefords with Aaron Mitchell winning with 37 points. On the day after Boxing Day, Chairman of Greens Richard Jeffrey ran his annual ‘Dickies Bash’. First started around 15 years ago with a smallish number of friends, this event has grown in popularity and this year saw 60 members and guests competing. Time passes but in some matters nothing changes. At the first event 15 years ago Martin Wilkins came out as the winner. In the 2021 event the winner was... Martin Wilkins. Martin had 39 points and won on count back from Michael Pollock, a member of Farrington. Even though there were a few sleety showers and one of snow, 36 hardy Mendip Ladies played in the 9 hole Bowmaker event. The winners were Lynn Cox, Gina Howard, Alison Kay and Louise Scott with 39 points. Mendip’s Men’s Captain James Boyce was delighted to announce that £7,935 had been raised during his captaincy for his selected charity, the Forever Friends Appeal at the Bath RUH. This charity has been the selection before for Mendip captains and since 2017 the total raised now comes to £25,903. Once the £25,000 barrier had been broken this qualifies Mendip Golf Club as a Senior Community Partner and as such the club will be awarded a plaque later in the year.
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