Wells Voice July 2020

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‘It’s easy to feel a bit lost as we all try to find the best route out of lockdown’ – page 8 Old Deanery to be marketed again Historic property on Cathedral Green is going back up for sale as Diocese tries to obtain ‘the most appropriate value’ Turn to page 4

Give thoughts on support group

Fletcher House staff Izzy Ellery and Melissa Aspinall ready to take gifts left for staff and residents by the Rev Sam Denyer, Bishop Ruth and the Rev Jan Shellard-James. Full story on page 3

Reopenings bring calls to support businesses TRADE is picking up in Wells now that shops have reopened, the market has returned and shoppers are beginning to venture out again. From July 4, pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers will also be able to

welcome customers, with the appropriate safety measures in place.

The moves have brought calls for people to support businesses as they reopen their doors.

The Mayor of Wells,

Councillor John Osman, said: “It is wonderful to see life slowly returning to the High Street. I hope that residents will shop local and support Continued on page 5

Take part in the consultation about how Wells Coronavirus Network could evolve Pull-out survey: pages 15-18

Free tennis offer for key workers Wells Tennis Club is inviting key workers to join the club at no cost for three months Turn to page 29

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July 2020

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n NEWS

Surprise 70th anniversary celebration A SURPRISE celebration helped make John and Kitty Usher’s 70th wedding anniversary in June a very special day.

The couple, who live in Osmond Drive, Wells, thought that they would be celebrating alone. But when they answered a ring at the door, they found that a table on their front lawn had been laid out with gifts and cards and all their neighbours were standing outside to wish them well. Their grandson Tom, who they hadn’t seen for three months, had even driven from London to see them, and during the day they were also able to talk to their son John in Portugal and granddaughter Kate in Sweden with FaceTime.

“It was fabulous, it was a very special day,” said Kitty.

“I thought it would just be John and myself having a glass of bubbly together.”

She thanked next door neighbour Angela Perrée for doing so much to organise the celebration.

The couple met at a dance at the YWCA in Newbury.

John was doing his National Service and Kitty’s parents had a business nearby. They married at Chieveley Parish Church on June 11, 1950. After his National Service, John ran his own printing and engraving business,

John and Kitty Usher with a cake and gifts for their 70th wedding anniversary, left; and on their wedding day in 1950, above live,” said Kitty, who is back playing golf at Wells Golf Club once a week.

She said of the couple’s long marriage: “We’ve never had any financial problems, and we’ve always gelled well as a family. As we’ve got older, we’ve got closer.” while Kitty was the personnel manager for Marks & Spencer for nearly 40 years. They moved to Wells in 2002 after visiting Kitty’s brother Ken in Osmond Drive and deciding they liked it so much that they wanted to live there too. Kitty’s niece Nicki still lives almost opposite them.

“Wells is a lovely place to

Work of care staff highlighted GIFTS and cards were handed over for residents and staff at Fletcher House care home in Wells by members of the local clergy. There was also a socially distanced blessing by Bishop Ruth, the Bishop of Taunton, as part of a campaign to draw attention to the commitment and work of care staff.

She was joined by the Rev Sam Denyer of St Cuthbert’s Church and the Rev Jan Shellard-James of St Thomas’ Church to give cards, plants and other gifts to Fletcher House staff, and to pray.

Bishop Ruth said: “Many of us have hugely valued those in our society who have continued in key work during the lockdown.

Our appreciation has been particularly shown to NHS staff through the Thursday ‘clap for

carers’ and this has extended to others too. One of the seemingly forgotten group of keyworkers, over a number of years, has been those who work in our social care system. Care homes have come under huge pressure from the virus and are reaching breaking point. Having heard stories from care workers both in the media and through personal contact, it’s become apparent that they often feel overlooked, undervalued and yet have a deep commitment and passion for their work.

“I’ve pledged to share some of the experiences and learning from the conversation with our local MPs, to encourage them to act to ensure those we rely on in the social care sector are paid a wage that reflects the importance and value to society of their work.”

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wellsvoice

July 2020

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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LOC AL INFORMATION

AUGUST DEADLINE

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

To ensure your news or letter is included in the August issue, please contact us by July 15.

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

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

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

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

Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 7,000 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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One of Neil Bremner’s eye-catching images

Photographer wins regional title WELLS photographer Neil Bremner has won another accolade. The Master Photographers Association named him the South West Region Photographer of the Year in an online ceremony in June.

Neil, who runs Made Portraits in Glastonbury, and lives in

Wells, won his first ever trophy in January when the Guild of Photographers awarded him the Commercial Image of the Year title. He had to close his business at the beginning of March due to the lockdown, but he hopes to get back to work in July in compliance with the guidelines.

Old Deanery being put up for sale again THE Old Deanery, the former office accommodation for staff of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, is to be put back on the market.

This historic property on Cathedral Green was marketed last year but despite substantial interest, said the Diocese, and partly due to the impact of Covid-19 on the property market, it was temporarily withdrawn from sale.

A diocesan spokesperson said: “Trustees of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Board of Finance have decided to remarket The Old Deanery, following advice that this is the most likely way of ensuring that they obtain the most appropriate value for the property.”

Two weeks ago a group of people from across the local community submitted a bid to buy The Old Deanery and its historic Turner Herb Garden from the Diocese.

Their vision is for the site to become a community hub and major exhibition space, with a

locally-owned restaurant and cafe, helping to boost the local economy.

One of the community project’s directors, Paddy O’Hagan, said: “We hoped that the Diocese would place significant value on the elements of a nationally-important art gallery, community spaces and a reopening of the historic garden that were at the heart of our shared bid. These elements are of even greater importance in these difficult times when the visitor economy of Wells and beyond requires support from us all.”

Some diocesan staff have now moved into Flourish House at Cathedral Avenue, Wells, which offers purpose-built office accommodation more readily able to serve both staff and parishes in the diocese.

It is hoped that, as lockdown continues to ease, more staff will be able to work from Flourish House, and it will also be available for churches and church groups to use.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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July 2020

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n NEWS

People urged to support businesses From page 1 our local traders. However can I ask residents to obey social distancing and the new one-way system that exists in the High Street. As a country we have not beaten coronavirus yet. We must be vigilant.”

There was a similar message from Wells MP James Heappey.

Writing in this month’s Wells Voice, Mr Heappey says: “If we’re to save businesses from going under, we need to find the confidence to go out and support them.”

In his column he adds: “Go out, keep your distance, wash your hands, but shop. Thousands upon thousands of local jobs depend on you doing so.”

Traders report that customers are starting to return, though not yet in the same numbers as before.

Peter Culley, who runs the retro gift shop Britelly in Queen Street, said: “I’m back up and running again in the shop, as are a number of surrounding businesses – some of whom have been able to trade throughout.

“I’ve been reasonably fortunate in that my online business has been easily adapted to be able to provide local delivery during the lockdown.

“Whilst the number of people venturing out is still well below normal and there are a lot of cautious shoppers – particularly amongst the older generation – there are very few people who are simply browsing. Most people visiting are spending and there appear to be people who are visitors from further afield who are taking the opportunity to visit Wells for the first time, which can hopefully be good long term if they have a good experience.

“Free parking in Mendip car parks is also welcome.”

Fellow Queen Street trader Jeanne London of pre-loved fashion shop The Changing Room said: “I have been open for a week and to date Wells seems quiet. I’m trying to be optimistic but Covid-19 trading restraints are challenging.”

Sarah Orton and Steven Jones of Roly’s Fudge Pantry in Wells Market Place gave most of their stock away to local charities

Wells Market has returned with new safety measures in place and the NHS when lockdown took effect, and temporarily renamed themselves ‘The Ministry of Fudge’ while they operated a mail order service.

“We are delighted to be open once again and have been bowled over by the patient lines of locals and day trippers keen to support us and other local businesses.

Many Wellensians have said they are actively spending their money in small, local shops just to try to get the city back on its feet,” they said.

Robert Powell is past chairman of Wells Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and runs Basil Powell Shoes in Broad Street with his wife Sarah. He said: “We reopened on June 15 and we have been well supported by our loyal customers. We have changed the shop to make it safe with social distancing.

“We’re delighted to see Wells coming back to life and are anxious that people can come back in as safe an environment as possible.

“We look forward to July 4 when further businesses can reopen and people can further enjoy their visit to Wells.”

Mendip District Council is offering free parking at its pay and display car parks in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Street until August 6. Charges were suspended on March 26.

Leader of Mendip District Council, Councillor Ros Wyke, said: “Those businesses who have made it through lockdown will require time to recover. Our retailers need the footfall more

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than ever. This move shows our commitment to supporting the recovery of the local economy.”

With the reopening of markets in Mendip – Wells Market resumed on June 10, with social distancing measures

in place – the district council has also suspended rent for two months, allowing stallholders to trade for free in June and July.

The decision will be reviewed on a month-by-month basis, for up to six months.

Councillor Nick Cottle, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Mendip Markets have a key role to play in the regeneration of our towns and city after a long period of instability.

“A rent cut offer of two months seemed an entirely appropriate gesture to help our traders as they manage their return to the marketplace.”

Market Place and Lower High Street in Wells – from Oxfam to The City Arms – have become pedestrian only areas and are closed until further notice to all traffic except for essential access, to help with social distancing for pedestrians and to discourage vehicles entering the city centre.

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July 2020

n NEWS Scheme’s refusal recommended MEMBERS of Wells City Council’s planning committee have recommended refusal of plans to demolish commercial buildings at 23 Broad Street, Wells, and replace them with five homes.

Refusal was recommended as the scheme fails to comply with local planning authority policy on the design and amenity of new development, “as it is (a) not of a scale, mass, form and layout appropriate to the local context and (b) does not incorporate all practical measures to achieve energy efficiency through design”.

The buildings are currently used by Identity Kits and the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen. As Wells Voice reported last month, the Guild had called for support in opposing the plans.

A short ceremony was held in Wells on June 6 to remember those who lost their lives in the D-Day landings 76 years ago. A dozen people gathered for the occasion at the war memorial in St Cuthbert’s Churchyard, during which Aaron Cooper-Collett, chairman of the the Wells Branch of the Royal British Legion, laid a wreath. A card on the wreath read: ‘For those who gave their lives, so we could live ours. RIP. Wells Royal British Legion.’

New restaurant plans approved

What next for valued network?

THE Wells Coronavirus Network has come a long way in a few months but is also looking to the future.

WCN was founded in March, a week before lockdown as the country faced a pandemic crisis. People were worried and frightened. Action to support the vulnerable would be essential.

So seven acquaintances met in Daniel’s Cafe and formed an action plan. WCN has grown rapidly since then with more than 300 volunteers and has: n Answered 1,100 calls on its phone helpline

n Delivered 650 prescriptions to the vulnerable n Made hundreds of befriending phone calls to the lonely and isolated n Provided emergency food parcels to those in need n Created a website full of information related to coronavirus n Raised more than £5,000 The virus is still here but WCN is asking if its hundreds of volunteers and the growth in community spirit that has been seen in the last three months can transform into something of

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long-term benefit to Wells.

To seek residents’ views it has created a questionnaire online at https://forms.gle/ Q5rrnTQup7DmxDkU6 and a printed one in the centre of today’s Voice (pages 15-18).

There are collection boxes for completed forms at Morrisons and Waitrose in Wells. Or they can be left with Sharon at the Connect Centre (Monday-Friday 10am-3pm only) or Graham at City News in the High Street.

Alternatively, they can be posted to Launcherley Farm, New Road, Wells BA5 1QJ.

A NEW Wells restaurant and cafe with takeaway services has been agreed by Mendip District Council.

The council approved plans for change of use of the building at Princes Road to allow the new business to go head.

A single-storey rear extension will replace and extend the existing rear extension.

The building was previously Subhouse restaurant but it has been empty for two years.

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wellsvoice

July 2020

7

n NEWS

Wine bar set to add something new

A NEW wine bar in Wells is on course to open in mid-July.

Sante Wines at Bishop’s Eye is breathing new life into a building originally completed in 1451.

It was built as part of the Bishop’s Eye gateway constructed by Bishop Bekynton to keep locals out of The Bishop’s Palace on market days.

Used as a register office by the bishop, it then became a hat shop, and in more recent years was an antiques shop and a clothes store. At one time it was owned by renowned author John Le Carré.

Louis Agabani and David Schroetter are now turning the premises into a wine shop and wine bar.

There will be tables downstairs, including some outside, as well as intimate dining space upstairs.

There will be wines from all over the world, including Fenny Castle Vineyard at Worth, near Wells; cider from Pilton, and local beers.

There will also be charcuterie boards of cold meats and cheeses

David Schroetter and Louis Agabani at Sante Wines at Bishop’s Eye

Wells Reclamation, as have the floorboards. There will be room to seat about 50 people in total, and the wine bar will be available for private functions.

“We’re trying to work with the building. We’re giving the building more room to breathe,” said Louis.

“It’s not a big venue, it’s very intimate, it’s quite boutiquey. It will be very chilled and relaxed.”

David, who has relocated the wine shop from its former site at the bottom of High Street, has 32 years of experience in the wine trade. He has been providing home deliveries during lockdown as well as selling off the shelf from the new location, and will be holding wine tastings when the business is fully open.

Provisional bookings are being taken for the wine bar for September onwards.

Contact David or Louis on 01749 679431 or email sante@bishopseye.com.

for sharing and teas, coffees and pastries on offer.

The tables are old school desks that have come from

Bigham’s backing for food festival FOOD producer Charlie Bigham’s has been announced as the headline sponsor of Wells Food Festival.

More than 200 local producers and street food sellers are due to take over Wells on Sunday, October 11. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event’s organisers and Bigham’s are monitoring government announcements on large gatherings, to decide 2020’s festival format and experience.

Wells Food Festival is a key calendar date for the county’s numerous independent and artisan food businesses, many of whom have been badly affected by the economic fallout of Covid-19. Bigham’s, which has a food production centre at Dulcote, near Wells, will use its headline role to increase awareness of these makers and drive sales during autumn 2020.

Founder Charlie Bigham said: “As many food businesses find themselves in unprecedented circumstances, we want to help

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Jon Abbott and Charlie Bigham make Wells Food Festival 2020 one of the most memorable in the festival’s history.”

Jon Abbott, chair of the festival organising committee, said: “We are fortunate that we have until August before making a decision on whether we are able to run a physical festival in October. In the meantime, we are developing alternative solutions to ensure Wells Food Festival goes ahead, so we can aid and support our outstanding producers in these strange, unsettling times.”

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July 2020

n NEWS

Light at the end of the lockdown tunnel Ruth Donlevy, GP Partner at Wells City Practice, discusses the return to more normal life “ARE we nearly there yet?” the familiar phrase that we remember from childhood and may have heard our own children or grandchildren say. It would often result in us groaning and desperately trying to find ways to occupy time for the rest of the journey.

How we long to hear it now though. With no long-distance journeys being made, very few places open to visit and school holidays empty of activity, we are now all hoping that as the restrictions ease, we can start to get back towards more normal times.

However, without our usual routines, it’s easy to feel a bit lost as we all try to find the best route out of lockdown. Whilst this is what we’ve all been waiting for, it feels a little daunting and perhaps rather confusing.

Unbelievably, after just a threemonth period of shutdown, “normal” times seem a long time ago and the future is more difficult to envisage.

There is no doubt that many people will have been

One of the signs that have gone up in Wells as people take their first tentative steps out of lockdown hugely affected in some way by coronavirus. Tragically, some will have lost loved ones, whether to coronavirus itself, or to another illness during such a difficult time. It will

have been particularly hard for those dealing with grief and loss without the usual structures around them and without easy access to their family and friends. People coping with significant illness such as cancer or significant chronic disease prior to this will have undoubtedly been affected, not least because the support they would have had may have been more limited.

Many will have had significant impact to their work and financial situation and will be left feeling even more uncertain about the future.

Families who have been doing their best to support their children bereft of their usual school, education and contact with friends, will certainly be feeling in need of some relief.

This will have been especially challenging for single parents and those looking after their children with particular needs.

The stresses and pressures of this unsettling situation will have resulted in increased strains on relationships. Very sadly, there has been an increase in domestic violence and abuse.

Those who have needed to self-isolate for long periods of

time will have found it difficult and may be left feeling less confident about trying to reengage with normal living. It remains to be seen just how big an impact this will all have on people’s mental health and the long term outcomes on health and well-being.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though, and there are many things we can do to try to help ourselves and each other and improve the long term outcome. As this has affected every single person in some way, we all have more empathy to be able to support each other through this. Most of us have found it challenging at times but if we’re lucky enough not to be in the extreme situations discussed above, we are all grateful for what we do have and have reached out to those who may be struggling.

Communities have certainly come together more than ever and our appreciation of what really matters has become much clearer. We all realise just how many things we usually take for granted and given the huge sacrifices that have been made, should endeavour to protect these invaluable lessons learned.

Looking after yourself and others during coronavirus AT the moment it can be hard to know what to do if you are unwell.

It is still very important to get medical help if you need it and to contact your GP surgery for help and advice as you would do normally.

Here is a guide from your local GP practices to help.

Chest pain Most chest pain isn’t a sign of anything serious but don’t ignore it, make sure you get the right advice.

Call 999 if you have sudden chest pain that: n Spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw n Makes your chest feel tight or heavy n Also started with shortness of breath, sweating and feeling/ being sick n Lasts more than 15 minutes

Other types of chest pain If you have chest pain that goes away quickly or chest pain that comes and goes, it is still important to get medical advice.

Please contact your GP surgery.

Stroke Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.

If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately.

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST: Face may have dropped on one side Arm – may not be able to lift both arms due to weakness in one arm Speech may be slurred or garbled Time to dial 999 if above symptoms

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Other symptoms If you develop any other serious symptoms or feel very unwell, don’t delay in getting help and advice. Please contact your GP surgery to speak to someone who can help you.

Increased anxiety and feeling low Even if you’ve not experienced these symptoms in the past, it’s important to talk to someone if you’ve developed symptoms of increased anxiety or ongoing low mood.

Mindline Somerset 01823 276892 Mindline emotional support helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. They can also give

basic information about mental health and local support services.

Health Connections 01373 468368 A local NHS service that can help you with anything that may be impacting on your health and well-being. They will be able to signpost you to helpful advice and information. Also, look at the Health Connections link on your GP surgery’s website.

General advice Keep exercising if you can, try to eat healthy, regular meals, keep up fluids especially in warmer weather and try to stay connected with family and friends. It is still very important to follow NHS guidelines to avoid coronavirus, in particular regular hand washing and hygiene. See the NHS website for further advice.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

July 2020

9

n NEWS

Reaching out to vulnerable

Wells to London coach service

THE Heads Up mental health charity is continuing to support its clients, carers and volunteers, despite having to temporarily close the doors of its South Horrington home.

The 68 people who were using the charity’s services before the lockdown are receiving regular phone calls – some weekly, and some daily – to see how they are coping, and to address their needs if necessary.

Service director Bridget Harvey and other members of the team have also been delivering food parcels, cakes and fruit as another way of staying in touch and keeping spirits high.

“They like to see a familiar face,” said Bridget.

“We’ve had quite a few calls from people saying that they are lonely. Some of the carers are struggling as well. They don’t get the respite they did.

“We’re still supporting them but in a different way.”

A NEW daily coach service between Wells and London is due to start later this summer.

Berrys Coaches’ popular London Superfast SF3 Service, which before the coronavirus outbreak picked up in both Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet, will be adding a pick-up point in Wells when it relaunches.

Exact details and a relaunch date are yet to be confirmed, but it will be a daily service getting to London Hammersmith in a little over three hours.

The prices being charged before coronavirus will continue to apply, including a £25 adult day return.

Berrys Coaches, based in Taunton, have been running their Superfast service since the 1980s and over the years have earned a reputation as a local family business delivering a luxury service.

More details should be available in next month’s Voice.

Lilly with cards destined to bring some joy to a person with dementia or their carer as part of Heads Up’s pen pals project Several clients have been given DAB radios, paid for by the Freemasons, after being asked what would make their lives easier now that they have to spend more time at home.

Those who are missing the creative sessions that Heads Up ran have been given crayons, paper and colouring books so

that they can continue to be creative.

A pen pals scheme, in which local children send cheerful cards, letters or pictures to clients and carers, has been a big success.

One-to-one sessions have started as well, with team members going for walks with some people now that meeting outdoors is permitted.

“We’ve been reaching out to the most vulnerable clients in the community and we’ll continue to do that as long as we’re here,” said Bridget.

Heads Up is working out how it can safely reopen when it is able to do so. When it does happen, it will be a slow, phased return. It will also be launching a drop-in information point at Daniel’s Cafe in Queen Street one afternoon a week to make it easier to link up with people who do not have transport to get to South Horrington.

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wellsvoice

10

July 2020

n NEWS

Tranquil site more appreciated than ever On May 24 The Bishop’s Palace reopened its Gardens, which had closed on March 23 in line with government advice. Here, Merryn Kidd, marketing and communications manager at the Palace, looks back on lockdown, the first few weeks of reopening, and what it has meant for locals and visitors CLOSING the Drawbridge gates to visitors and staff on March 23 was definitely the saddest day in my six years of working at the Palace.

Our mission statement here is “To conserve The Bishop’s Palace for future generations; welcoming all who seek a place of beauty, reflection and enjoyment” and so to have to shut the place down, actively preventing people from being able to share what we have here, was utterly depressing. Most of the staff were furloughed, with a small team remaining, working from home, apart from James Cross, head gardener, and two helpers.

I came in once a week to take photographs of the Gardens, so that we could at least share some of the beauty with our social media and website followers.

When lockdown began, I was sharing images of stunning spring flowers along the banks of the Moat. This progressed to an awesome display of over 3,000 tulips in the Quiet Garden – usually one of the most popular places for visitors around Easter time. As time went on, we moved to pictures of striking wisteria, blooming peonies and the first of

Pictures that capture the beauty of The Bishop’s Palace Gardens after they reopened following the updating of advice on visiting outdoor spaces the roses, which came early this year. Of course, one of the most popular things at the Palace are our swans, and when the cygnets arrived in early May, our social media channels exploded. We reached over 130,000 in one week alone.

As lockdown progressed, the management team looked at ways in which we could really

help out and appeal to local people, some of whom have no garden and many of whom have never visited the Palace site before. We came up with the idea of The People’s Ticket; a day return ticket at a lower-than-ever price to enable people to visit for up to 12 months. We priced this at £15 for adults and £7.50 for children (5-17yrs) with the plan

that for local people it would represent excellent value, and for tourists, when they eventually return, it would be a little more costly, but they would be, in effect, subsidising the benefits for the locals.

Within the first week of reopening, we had sold hundreds of the new tickets and we’ve had thanks and accolades from many first-time visitors who have lived in Wells for a long time, but hadn’t felt that the Palace was a place for them. We’re absolutely delighted at the response we’ve had from new visitors, but also from our valued members, some of whom were used to visiting almost daily. We had quite a few members moved to tears by coming back for the first time since lockdown, and we’ve also had a range of visitors coming to mark days that should have been special occasions. One couple who visited were dressed very smartly and it transpired that it should have been their wedding day. Another came for their golden wedding anniversary and celebrated with tea and cake, rather than the large family party that they had planned.

The site has remained a tranquil, calm environment, without any overcrowding, and staff have been counting the numbers in and out to ensure that all visitors can relax and enjoy the peace, without worrying about social distancing.

The Bishop’s Chapel has also reopened, and we’re hoping to get the Palace buildings open again soon, with a one-way system.

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wellsvoice

July 2020

11

n NEWS

Marmite shortage bad news for some

By Emma James A MARMITE shortage will not go down well with Paul Hartley.

Not only is Paul – the owner of Hartley’s Kitchen at Binegar, near Wells – a huge fan of this famously divisive product, he is also the author of The Marmite Cookbook, the first in a series of successful cookery books using famous brands.

With the closure of pubs during the coronavirus pandemic, brewer’s yeast, used in the production of Marmite, is in short supply. The company has had to limit its range and has stopped making the larger squeezy jars, much to the chagrin of its biggest fans.

But there is no denying that it is a ‘love it or hate it’ spread.

Paul explained that Marmite lovers really are passionate about the product: “There are people who have Marmite tattoos, who collect Marmite memorabilia and who wear Marmite socks. Elton John is a huge fan. I did a booksigning in London and one lady had travelled 200 miles just to get her book signed because she was such a fan of Marmite. There was also a man in the shop who wouldn’t even touch the book because he loathed Marmite.

I think people don’t like the strength and saltiness. But it’s great to cook with.”

Paul said that Marmite was

Chicken, Avocado and Marmite Mayo Wrap Serves 2 1 breast of chicken 1 teaspoon Marmite 1 small green chilli 4 rashers good streaky bacon 2 flour tortilla wraps 2 tablespoons ‘lite’ mayonnaise 1 avocado, peeled and stoned Black pepper Juice of ½ lime 1. Coat the chicken breast with Marmite and sprinkle over the finely chopped green chilli. Wrap it loosely in kitchen foil and bake in a medium over 350F/180C/Gas 5 for about 30 minutes. When the chicken is almost ready grill the

originally a health product. Its name comes from the French word for a traditional cooking pot and the brown sticky remains of stew found at the bottom. The design of the jar is a reference to the shape of the cooking pot.

Paul believes his love of the breakfast spread developed as a small boy at home in the Surrey hills: “My parents were rather wacky. My mother was a fashion designer and my father was a wine merchant. Every month they would host a breakfast for as many as 50 people. The guests would arrive in their pyjamas and the house was decorated with flags from different countries. I grew to love breakfast.”

He was devasted to have to close the doors of Hartley’s Kitchen after 12 years because of Covid-19. However, the team began serving take-away meals on March 26. “It’s been fun adapting the existing menu with its focus on local produce, for our ready meal service and the regulars have been fantastic with their support.”

Paul tells the story of one customer who wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday at Hartley’s Kitchen. He said: “Paul, I’m going to throw you a googly.

I want a Marmite cheesecake.”

Paul and his team came up with a recipe and the cheesecake was a huge success. “You can even find it on YouTube now,” said Paul. bacon until crispy. Gently warm the tortilla on a hot dry griddle or in the oven for 2-3 minutes.

2. Lay out the tortilla and spread the whole of it with mayonnaise.

Slice the chicken breast and divide between the two tortillas.

Crumble the crispy bacon on the top and finally add slices of avocado. Season generously with freshly milled black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh lime juice to really bring the flavours alive.

3. Now fold up the bottom half of the wrap, fold in the two sides and hold in place with a napkin.

Serve with a bottle of ice-cold Mexican beer.

Reproduced with permission from The Marmite Cookbook.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Wells company earns accolade

Paul Hartley is a huge fan of the ‘love it or hate it’ spread Marmite

WELLS firm Tincknell Heating has been awarded June 2020’s Which? Trusted Trader of the Month. The family-owned company has been praised by customers for a professional service and willingness to be flexible in unique circumstances.

The Which? judges were pleased to see a rainbowcoloured NHS flag flying above the Tincknell Heating office in Wells and said: “It’s really nice to see traders are doing their bit to help during the current climate.”

Tincknell Heating deals with boiler servicing, installation and repairs for customers across Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Avon and South Gloucestershire, and has implemented new health and safety processes during the coronavirus pandemic. It is keen to support NHS staff and is currently offering 50 per cent off for any visits to NHS staff, and has thanked them for their work in these difficult times.

CAN YOU GIVE A CAT A HOME?

Introducing Angel...

ANGEL may not be the best name for this nine-year-old black and white lady but she is a calm and confident cat who is affectionate but not needy and seems very contented with her own company.

But when it suits her she does like a lap to sit on, and if allowed will from time to time share her human’s bed, especially in the winter months.

She is a large, healthy cat who eats well and is easy to overfeed.

Sitting in a pen for 12 weeks has not helped her waistline and she does need to get out and about and lose a bit of weight. But most of us are in this situation!

Phone Gill on 01749 850660 if you think you could offer her the home she is longing for.

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection Email: gill@straymoggie.co.uk Telephone: 01749 850660 www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

12

July 2020

n NEWS Letters written to raise spirits PUPILS and staff at Wells Cathedral School have written letters to care home residents in Wells to help raise spirits and provide some contact with the outside world after the long weeks of lockdown.

The letters were written in conjunction with Wells Coronavirus Network to be distributed to residents of Torrwood, Fletcher House, Mellifont Abbey and the Lawrence Centre. School musicians also submitted some music performance recordings for the residents.

Head master Alastair Tighe and some of the Pre-Prep pupils with letters for care home residents

New grant will help centre meet demand The award of £40,000 in Government funding will help Wells Connect Centre’s work in the community, as senior leader Stephen Fowler explains WE have been awarded a grant by Homeless Link from the Government’s Covid-19 Homelessness Response Fund.

This has come at the right time for us because we have experienced unprecedented demand on our Outreach Service across the area.

At the start of the lockdown we worked closely with Mendip District Council to ensure that everyone known to be sleeping rough from Frome to Street and the rural locations

between received an offer of temporary accommodation.

The Government gave us a matter of days to achieve this and thereafter to ensure that we were able to support everyone whether they accepted an offer of accommodation, or wished to remain in their own temporary locations.

It was exacting work for our team and for volunteers; it was a challenge initially with limited access to PPE. We have been able to keep the Connect Centre open during this period, but sadly the community groups using our centre have all paused, meaning we have lost most of the income we need to deliver our day services. The

Connect Centre has remained a community hub and we’ve been working with the local Covid-19 action groups to ensure we can collect and deliver food and essentials to people who need them; we’ve also been able to cook and deliver our regular community lunches every week.

This grant will support housing solutions for people who moved into temporary residency and others who sadly returned to rough sleeping. We want to do everything we can to support everyone into sustainable accommodation; we are also working to help people who may now be facing homelessness as we move out of lockdown, in the hope that no-one in Mendip faces

the prospect of sleeping rough.

Our aim is to continue to offer support around mental health, access to medication and food as well as befriending those who are more isolated.

The lockdown has been worse for people who have no access to the internet. We have plans to support people who have been homeless to get online, even more important now in terms of accessing services and benefits as well, of course, in reconnecting with family and friends.

We are able now to begin to purposefully reopen our day services, offer support for our volunteers as well as training for life in our community as we all recover and find a new normal.

Granddaughter one of Enid’s NHS heroes portraits WELLS artist Enid Beech has taken part in the #PortraitsforNHSHeroes project, creating portraits of three NHS staff – including her granddaughter, Shannon Arnold.

The project, started by artist Tom Croft, sees NHS workers link up with artists to have their portrait depicted in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Enid said that Shannon, pictured right, who is a staff nurse working in Kent, is one of her family’s special heroes.

She has also completed portraits of Kate Sanders, who works

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

in the cardiac department at Addenbrookes Hospital, and Rachel Bone, a sister at Newcastle Royal Infirmary. Enid said that Rachel is making a journal for her young son about this period and wanted a portrait to include in it.

“I’m happy to say all three portraits have been well received by their subjects. And although challenging, I really enjoyed creating them,” she said.

Enid was born in Liverpool but grew up mostly in Somerset, and attended Wells Blue School where she was taught by an inspirational art teacher.

She spent two years at Art

College in Taunton in the mid-Sixties, and attended the University of the West of England after having her family to obtain her degree. After this she took part in various art projects including an installation about the Somerset carnivals.

She started attending the Soda Art Group a couple of years ago, which has returned her to her creative journey.

“Being retired and not fit enough to contribute in any other way to the current pandemic, I was delighted to discover the #PortraitsforNHSHeroes scheme on Instagram,” she said.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

July 2020

13

n NEWS

Discussion about housing concerns A MEETING of Wookey Hole Residents Forum was assured that concerns about new housing development are taken into account when planning applications are considered.

A number of questions about planning issues were put to Mendip District Council leader Councillor Ros Wyke at a Zoom meeting attended by residents, county, district and parish councillors, and Wells MP James Heappey.

The particular focus of the meeting was the North Ward of St Cuthbert Out Parish Council – which incorporates the area between Wells and Wookey Hole and Haybridge – which is seeing a large amount of new housing.

Cllr Wyke, who had agreed to take part in the discussion at short notice as planning officers were unable to attend, was told that recent housing planning applications around the Mendip area have seen well over 700 objections submitted and just one comment in support, and was asked to what degree such concern is taken into account by the council when considering the applications.

“I do encourage you all to write,” she said. “I have no reason to believe that not every single one of those comments are not looked at by individual planning board members and they do take people’s views into account. I wouldn’t dismiss people’s efforts. Be assured that it’s not a waste of time.”

Marcel Hayden, chairman of the St Cuthbert Out Parish Council planning committee, said that in the North Ward in the past two or three years, 931 houses had been built or were being built, or there were applications to build.

“It seems grossly unfair that the North Ward of St Cuthbert Out is taking a huge amount of houses around Wells,” he said.

“There must be other areas.”

Cllr Wyke said she recognised that it does seem unfair, but that decisions about which land to develop was made some years ago and there is nothing that can be done about it now.

In response to concerns

about a lack of investment in infrastructure, she said: “I share the frustration about infrastructure. A lot is dependent on other parties, we don’t have control. As a country we have not spent an awful lot of infrastructure money over the past few years particularly in the shire towns and certainly not in the Wells area.

“There is a need for more housing, but more housing should come with infrastructure.

The only way you can get things done is to work in tandem with developers.”

Commenting about infrastructure, Mr Heappey said that the senior school is full but as a consequence of taking pupils outside of what would normally be its catchment area, and that long waiting times to see a doctor are a consequence of the number of clinicians and difficulties around recruitment.

He agreed that the pace of development on that side of Wells is probably more acute than elsewhere, but said that there is a need for housing, and that other parts of Mendip and the Wells constituency are taking a large share of housing too. There is agency locally to set the long-term direction, he said.

Parish councillor Ian Humphreys said that one of the major issues is that a lot of people who move into the area do not work in the locality, and that Wells is becoming a dormitory area for larger cities.

Cllr Wyke said that better broadband might encourage more people to work from home, but that higher house prices in cities such as Bath and Bristol mean that people will commute and that Wells probably will be a dormitory town to some degree.

Other matters raised included fears voiced by parish council chairman Councillor Jim Reeves about a development “free for all” if a unitary authority comes into being and all the district Local Plans go out of date.

Cllr Wyke said that a unitary authority could put all the efforts on the new Local Plan Part 1 into question legally, and that she has taken legal advice.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Mask-maker Tracy Long a couple of weeks ago outside the window where signs explain what they do

Friends busy making face masks TWO friends in Wells have made and donated more than 280 face masks to key workers, charities and volunteers in the coronavirus crisis. They had started raising money for charity by making Christmas decorations and other things. Then Covid-19 came and Tracy Long had the idea of switching to making face masks with her friend in South Street who asked not to be named.

They found a design from America which looked good and was simple to make. Their main problem during the lockdown has been getting supplies of materials – whose cost they cover by selling masks to people other than key workers and volunteers.

Beneficiaries of the free masks include Fletcher House care home and the Connect Centre.

Philip Welch

CAN YOU GIVE A CAT A HOME?

Introducing Cody...

CODY is a delightful six-yearold tabby and white fellow.

He is very affectionate and is always pleased to see visitors.

He is healthy, neutered and eats whatever is in his dish, although he is particularly fond of tuna or chicken!

Cody is quite playful and needs a home on a quiet estate away from busy roads.

A home with older children who would handle him with respect would be fine, and he may well settle with a friendly female cat.

Equally he would be a great companion for a retired couple or a person living on their own.

Contact Gill on 01749 850660 to learn more about Cody.

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection Email: gill@straymoggie.co.uk Telephone: 01749 850660 www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

14

July 2020

n NEWS

Lockdown artists together in spirit A GROUP of artists have kept their spirits up and remained productive during lockdown by working collectively while in isolation from each other.

Irene Dickson, a graphic artist living and working in Wells, usually runs classes and workshops and produces work from her studio in Heritage Courtyard.

She set up Poetic Licence in Isolation with Liz de Pass, Ruth Burdett, Zoe Heath, Janet Mchugh and Jocelyn Hare to keep focussed and keep friends together, and to collate a body of lockdown art.

The group chart their personal experiences and thoughts during lockdown in pictorial response.

The art is a mixture of drawing, painting and mixed media collage.

“Our responses are as

individual as we as people are,” said Irene.

“We are all ever changed and we are all hoping to get back to work when we can reopen again one safe day to the public, but in the interim we are friends and artists creating art to depict our thoughts and feelings and individual highs and lows of going into, going through and coming out of isolation.”

Liz and Ruth have devised a daily plan of art tasks that take between 20 seconds and 20 minutes to complete, the group check in with each other once a week, and they have set up a folder into which they can put their lockdown diary entries in words and pictures.

“My plan is hopefully, when it’s considered safe to do so, to exhibit the art we’ve all been focussed in making in my studio in Wells,” said Irene.

A work by Zoe Heath, one of the Wells artists who have been recording their lockdown thoughts and experiences in pictorial form

Broadband provider aims to get city up to speed BROADBAND provider Truespeed says it aims to make Wells a Gigabit city by Christmas after getting the green light for its network build at the start of June.

The company says that protecting the heritage of Wells is a priority, and that local disruption will be minimised by connecting the fibre-optic cables to the existing ducting and poles carrying telephone and power

lines. The entire infrastructure roll-out is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Tessa Munt, Somerset county councillor for Wells, said: “I’m delighted that Truespeed will bring ultrafast broadband to Wells Town Hall as part of their community work. Everyone using the building, whether visitors, staff or those like me who attend council meetings and events will benefit greatly

from this high-speed facility as life slowly returns to a different normal, saving taxpayers’ money, the climate and time.”

Town Clerk Steve Luck said: “For too long Wells’ businesses and residents have had to put up with poor connectivity. Wells City Council fully supports Truespeed in bringing ultrafast fibre broadband to the city where it has never previously been available. ”

Evan Wienburg, CEO of Truespeed, said: “We set up Truespeed to bring affordable Gigabit-capable broadband connectivity to areas in the South West such as Wells that have been ignored by larger providers.

And to do it differently. While other providers force multiple customers to share one fibreoptic cable, Truespeed customers get their own exclusive cable right to their door.”

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

Wells Coronavirus Network Consultation Welcome to the survey. Please pull out and complete. It will take around 10 minutes to complete, depending on the answers you provide us with. Please note that all of your answers are completely confidential. Your views will be reported mixed-in with others. Your rights under the Data Protection Act as well as the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct will be fully observed.

Collection points for completed forms There are collection boxes for completed forms at Morrisons and Waitrose in Wells.

Or you can leave them with Sharon at the Connect Centre (Monday-Friday 10am-3pm only) or Graham at City News in the High Street. Alternatively you can post them to Launcherley Farm, New Road, Wells BA5 1QJ. Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN) was formed in mid-March prior to ‘lockdown’ by a number of Wells Community Organisations in order to help support the local response to the Coronavirus pandemic. WCN has worked closely with the Mendip Health Connectors, Connect Centre, Storehouse Food Bank, The Lawrence Centre, The Bishop’s Palace and Heads Up to meet the emerging needs and coordinate a response.

It has established: an information website and WCN Facebook page; a seven-day-a-week helpline; a prescription delivery service; a network of street by street ward-based volunteers who shop, befriend and check on the wellbeing of their neighbours; a more extensive service – supporting people with more complex needs; and a telephone befriending service, building resilience and ensuring food security.

We’d very much appreciate you completing this short four-page survey to help us make sure the network meets the needs of our community.

If you have any questions about the survey you can reach us on: Wells Coronavirus Network Telephone – 01749 467079 9am-5pm At the end of the survey there is an opportunity for you to sign up as a volunteer.

Community Organisations 1. Which of these local Community Organisations have you heard of?

2. And have you used the services of any of these organisations – if so which?

Wells Coronavirus Network 3. Before today had you heard of Wells Coronavirus Network?

Mark only one oval.

Yes No 4. IF YOU HAD HEARD OF WCN BEFORE TODAY: How did you first hear about the network?

Check all that apply.

Facebook page Wells Voice Postcard (delivered to your home) I was told about it by a friend or family member A letter Poster at supermarket Other: 5. IF YOU HAD HEARD OF WCN BEFORE TODAY: Are you a volunteer for WCN? Mark only one oval.

Yes No

Check all that apply.

Check all that apply.

Mendip Health Connections

Mendip Health Connections

The Connect Centre

The Connect Centre

The Food Store

The Food Store

The Lawrence Centre

The Lawrence Centre

Heads Up

Heads Up

Citizens Advice Mendip

Citizens Advice Mendip

Sustainable Wells

Sustainable Wells

I have phoned the telephone line

Wells Heritage Partners

Wells Heritage Partners

My prescription has been delivered

Project Factory CIC

Project Factory CIC

My shopping or post has been done by a volunteer

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch

I have had a food parcel

None of these

None of these

A volunteer phones me to check on my well being

Other:

Other:

My dog has been walked

6. IF YOU HAD HEARD OF WCN BEFORE TODAY: Have you used any of the services offered by WCN? Mark only one oval.

Yes No 7. IF YES: Which services have you used?

Check all that apply.

Other:

Wells Coronavirus Network Consultation: page 2 8. IF YOU HAVE USED ANY OF THE SERVICES OFFERED BY WCN: How would you rate the service of Wells Coronavirus Network? Please choose any number from 1 to 10 below.

Mark only one oval.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Poor

Excellent

Wells Coronavirus Network in the future 9. Do you think it would be valuable for the Wells Coronavirus Network to continue to exist as a community network once the coronavirus crisis is over?

10. Please tell us in your own words why you gave that answer

Mark only one oval.

Yes No Maybe

Suppose that the WCN did continue in some form once the coronavirus crisis is over – what do you think of each of the following ideas of what it could offer?

11. A co-ordinated volunteer network so that volunteers can be matched with individual needs more effectively Mark only one oval.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

12. Physical hub / premises for organisations to use (for office, service delivery, events or other) Mark only one oval.

1

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3

4

5

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8

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10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

13. Local organisations working together so that each individual gets all the help they need from one contact Mark only one oval.

1

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3

4

5

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7

8

9

10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

14. More promotion and referrals to organisations services, events, fundraising Mark only one oval.

1 I don’t like that idea

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 That is a great idea

Wells Coronavirus Network Consultation: page 3 15. A regular ward-level forum for discussion of different aspects of Wells life (such as environment, planning, health and so on) which is fed back to Councils and other organisations Mark only one oval.

1

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I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

16. Community enterprise network: to support individuals and organisations or with joint community initiatives such as a ‘women’s shed’, community gardens and so on Mark only one oval.

1

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10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

17. Shared community resources such as skills, equipment and knowledge – for example, a ‘share and repair’ shop Mark only one oval.

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10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

18. Collective community group buying power, eg. discount on professional service fees, or training and coaching Mark only one oval.

1

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10

I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

19. Supporting initiatives that boost the local economy, eg. evening markets, tourism etc.

Mark only one oval.

1

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I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

20. Creating events and activities to build community relations – for example, community meals or ward fetes Mark only one oval.

1

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I don’t like that idea

That is a great idea

21. Continue with the services currently provided (as explained in the introduction to the survey) Mark only one oval.

1 I don’t like that idea

2

3

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8

9

10 That is a great idea

Wells Coronavirus Network Consultation: page 4 22. Here is a list of the ideas you have just answered about – please refer back to the previous two pages for a full description. Please choose the three ideas which you think are best

26. Which of the following best describes the occupation of the person who contributes the most money to your household?

If that person is retired please give their occupation before retirement Check all that apply.

Mark only one oval per row.

3 best ideas

Senior managerial, administrative or professional

Co-ordinated volunteer network

Intermediate managerial, administrative or professional

Physical hub – meeting / office / events

Supervisor, clerical or administrative

Local organisations working together

Skilled manual worker with training or apprenticeship

Promoting community activities

Semi-skilled manual worker

Regular ward-level forums

Casual worker

Community enterprise network

Not working

Shared community resources

Student

Collective community group buying power

Retired

Supporting initiatives to boost the local economy

Furloughed or recently made redundant

Creating events & activities to build community relations

Prefer not to say Other:

Continue services as they are now 27. Which of the following applies to you?

23. Do you have any other ideas or comments you would like to add?

Check all that apply.

I live alone I live with my spouse/ partner I live with my parents I live with children aged up to 17 I live with my adult children or stepchildren (aged 18+) I share my home with friends

About you Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts with us. It would really help us to know a little about you so that we can put your answers together with others similar to you.

Prefer not to say Other: 28. What is your postcode?

24. What is your age?

Mark only one oval.

25. What is your gender?

Mark only one oval.

Under 18

Female

18-29

Male

30-39

I identify in a different way

40-49 50-59 60-69

Prefer not to say Other:

29. How long have you lived in or near Wells?

Mark only one oval.

30. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter please leave your email address

Less than 5 years 5-10 years 10-20 years 20-30 years

70-79

More than 30 years

80 and over

Prefer not to say

Prefer not to say

Other:

Thank you so much for helping us. If you would like to sign up to volunteer: https://forms.gle/ ajfRwHbNBWo3v1wGA With many thanks to Chrissie Wells Consultancy & The People Partnership: www. linkedin.com/in/chrissiewells/

wellsvoice

July 2020

19

n NEWS

Plans flexible but festival will go ahead FANS of the October Wells Festival of Literature will know that July is usually the month when the action starts – the top secret line-up is revealed; the Friends of the Festival pounce on their invitations to their exclusive Friends’ event – or swiftly become Friends to take advantage of advance tickets, discounts and fun – the brochure is launched and tickets start to be snapped up.

So, 2020 festival-goers are beginning to clamour for answers about what is planned for this rather peculiar year.

Three questions seem to be uppermost; will there be a festival at all? If so, what form will it take? Who might we see and how can we find out more?

First answer – the festival organisers have been preparing for this year’s festival for many months and are determined that it will go ahead. October’s programme is complete and

This year’s Book Group event brings author Max Porter to Wells

contains 35 exceptional speakers ready to challenge and entertain audiences with a fascinating range of topics from history and psychotherapy to travel, science, spies, politics, philosophy and,

not forgetting, food. Once the festival format is finalised, the names will be released.

Exactly what shape and format this year’s festival will take currently remains unclear as future developments are awaited.

In the meantime, like other festivals throughout the country, organisers are keeping plans flexible and afloat for the time being while actively exploring all options – the usual audience gathering in Cedars Hall; a fully virtual event, or a hybrid of the two. The situation will be monitored closely, following Government guidelines, and advice will be taken from experts and stakeholders, including the Cedars Hall staff, the festival’s loyal supporters and potential audience members. Organisers take their responsibilities very seriously.

One thing, however, is certain: the Book Group event brings author Max Porter to

Wells on Sunday, October 18, to discuss his second novel Lanny, longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize. Max’s debut novel Grief Is The Thing With Feathers was a Sunday Times List best-seller and won the Dylan Thomas Prize. Lanny combines myth and modern life in the poetic tale of an imaginative everychild.

Max is looking forward to discovering reactions and answering questions. Book groups may already have moved meetings online or watched some online events from the Hay Festival so will know the range of potential for discussion, whether in Wells or online.

Once the situation is clear, organisers will be in a position to announce further details, including booking instructions and event timings.

For updates see the website: wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk This year’s festival is due to take place from October 16-24.

Virtual Visit

You are invited to take a tour of our School at a time that suits you Please register to visit: http://wells.cathedral.school/virtualvisitreg Tel: 01749 834441 http://wells.cathedral.school/openday

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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20

July 2020

n NEWS

Will clocks up miles to aid orangutans

By Emma James INSPIRED by broadcaster David Attenborough and his headteacher Alan Burgess, Will Jenkins, aged 12, from Wells, has set himself an enormous challenge in an effort to raise money to support orangutans in Borneo.

Mr Burgess, now retired from St John’s C of E School in Frome, had travelled to Borneo to volunteer with the Orangutan Foundation and returned to share his experiences with Will.

By cycling, walking and running, Will’s aim is to raise £2,000 for the cause, enough to protect at least 1,000 acres of rainforest.

He said: “I decided to do this challenge after I saw David Attenborough’s Seven Worlds, One Planet programme and it really upset me how the

Will Jenkins with his letter of support from David Attenborough as he works towards his target of raising £2,000 for the Orangutan Foundation deforestation had an impact on the orangutans, so I decided to do a challenge called Will’s 7300 Miles, which is the distance between here and the rainforests I’m trying to save in Borneo.”

Will has tremendous support from his family who ‘donate’

their miles when they join him, and he even received a card from David Attenborough wishing him luck.

“Sometimes it’s really hard, but sometimes it’s amazing. So sometimes I come back from rides with really cold hands or

having fallen off, but other days the weather’s nice and I just love it,” said Will.

Lockdown provided its own challenges with Will having to resort to the turbo trainer which he finds “really boring and really painful”. With the easing of lockdown, however, he is looking forward to getting out in the countryside and has an exciting three-day route around the Isle of Wight planned for the future.

So far, Will has raised over £1,100 towards his goal on his JustGiving page. His progress is tracked on Twitter and Facebook where he provides regular updates and photos of his adventures.

What does the future hold for Will? He has talked about wanting to be a vet or doing something to help people or animals. It would appear that his ambitions are already underway.

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wellsvoice

July 2020

n NEWS

21

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Time period extended for filing of company accounts

By Joanne Turner

Keiron Rowley, a virger, lighting the Paschal Candle in the Nave as Wells Cathedral prepared to reopen Picture: Jason Bryant

Appeal launched as Cathedral reopens WELLS Cathedral has launched a Bounce Back Appeal to make up for the shortfall in income during the lockdown.

The Cathedral has reopened for private prayer and reflection with a new one-way system in place, and alongside the reopening, it has launched the special appeal for financial support. During lockdown 70,000 people have not been able to visit the Cathedral and an estimated £250,000 has been lost as income.

“As well as daily prayer and access, we now want to fill the Cathedral with flowers as a tribute to those who’ve died during the crisis, and in thanksgiving for the dedication of so many front line workers in Somerset,” said Dean of Wells, the Very Rev Dr John Davies.

“We must also maintain the Cathedral’s historic fabric and its essential repair. And we need to support young choristers in their continuing training and education, ready for the day when they return to sing in the Cathedral.”

Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/

campaign/bouncebackappeal, or by cheque or bank transfer.

More details from Nicholas Selman, email nicholas.selman@ wellscathedral.uk.net or call 01749 832214.

The Cathedral will be open from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sundays.

“The present pandemic and the experience of lockdown have been very painful for so many people,” said the Dean.

“In the Cathedral, there are candles to light, a beautiful space in which to pray and ponder, and gentle pastoral care is available if needed. The beauty of Wells Cathedral is for the healing of hurting hearts and souls. So we are delighted that people may now enter to find the solace and perspective they need. A chapel of prayer for those impacted by Covid-19 has been specially set aside.

“For those who are unable to visit in person, the Cathedral will continue its online programme of worship, music, reflection and pastoral support. In this time of reopening and renewal, Wells Cathedral is here for all.”

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THE ongoing coronavirus crisis has far-reaching implications beyond just those relating to the nation’s health.

All businesses are having to come to terms with the impact of the unprecedented lockdown and what it means for them.

Most are having to face a significant loss of trade, supply-chain interruptions, the furloughing of employees and uncertainty about what the future holds.

There is, however, some good news for those who operate their businesses via a limited company as Companies House recently announced that companies can apply for an automatic and immediate three-month extension of the time period to file their annual statutory accounts.

There was already a limited ability to apply to extend a deadline if a company was unable to file its accounts due to events outside of its control, such as an unexpected illness or if a fire had destroyed company records a few days before the filing deadline.

However, such applications were considered on an individual basis and a favourable result was by no means guaranteed.

However, the difficulties that the Covid crisis is causing for everyone, including Companies House itself, means that an

extension will now automatically be given where a company is eligible and the online application process followed.

To be eligible for the extension, there are two conditions which must met: 1. The company’s filing deadline must not already have passed.

2. It must not have already changed its accounting reference date to either extending the filing deadline, or shortened the reference period.

It is therefore imperative that a company acts before its filing deadline.

If an application for an extension has not been made prior to the original filing date, an automatic penalty will still be imposed and it is only in very rare and extreme cases that such penalties are waived.

The accountant would typically already be in touch with a company’s directors if they had any concerns as to whether an existing filing deadline can be met in the current circumstances.

However, any company director who is concerned should speak with the accountant without delay to discuss the situation and to ensure that if an extension is necessary the application is submitted in time so as to avoid any penalty.

Applications are made via the Companies House website, where additional guidance on the process can also be found. n Joanne Turner is a Solicitor with Chubb Bulleid, which has offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100

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

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n COMMERCIAL SENSE

July 2020

With Jane Bowe of Probusiness accountants

Four things to consider in changed world

NORMAL has changed, let’s embrace it!

Whatever your line of work, it’s likely that you are beginning to emerge, blinking into the light of a new working world. We are all thinking rapidly on our feet at the moment, and trying to establish good working practices for our staff and that most precious of commodities, our customers.

Here are some of our thoughts which you may find useful: Guard your health and the health of others. So, consider the wider implications for yourself, your family, colleagues and the community you live and work in. Remember there is an interconnectedness which we don’t always think about. Before you agree to see someone face to face, where have they been and who might they have been in contact with? Having been organising a shielded household,

Take a realistic view of what your cashflow is looking like for the next six months the necessity for this has become very clear to me recently.

Next, I need to return, once again, to my mantra of ‘Plan’.

Assess the new world we are in and look at your business to clarify its strengths and weaknesses. As I have mentioned before, include all your team in your decision making.

Bright ideas can come from the most junior members, and we should never fall into the trap

of thinking only the senior staff know best. A written plan you can refer back to would also be very useful now.

Thirdly, you really need to work out a very clear budget. You have to know all your expenses, down to the last penny, and take a realistic view of what your cashflow is looking like for the next six months. Now is a good time to talk with your accountant about this. They should be able to produce a useful model for you to work with. Without a thorough knowledge of your business you really cannot make sound decisions about its future.

Finally, make sure you know the customers who don’t pay, and please don’t make the mistake of thinking they are ‘good customers’ because they order a lot. They are only good customers if they pay fully and promptly. This is also a very good time to peruse your list of aged debtors, and chase them up. If

How do we plan for the new normal?

people are struggling to pay you the full amount, don’t be afraid to offer a reasonable payment plan to them. Sometimes people can feel overwhelmed and an understanding response like this can clear the way for them.

Similarly, if you are stuck with debts yourself, contact your creditors and offer to pay your debts off in manageable instalments. Then, make sure you negotiate payment terms you can manage going into the future.

If, when all these exercises are completed you are concerned that your business may not be viable, please talk to your financial advisors. The chances are that if we can’t sort the situation out for you, we will know a person who can. Above all, don’t let fear stop you taking action – we are here to help.

Stay well, and move forward carefully but positively. Who knows, the future could be great.

accountants

Whatever your line of work, it’s likely that you are beginning to emerge, blinking into the light of a new working world. If so, it’s a good idea to make a business plan. We are here to help.

Contact us for expert financial advice.

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wellsvoice

July 2020

23

n NEWS Call for photos of war victims

A parade in Wells on Peace Day, May 13, 1945

Picture: Phillips City Studio, © Wells & Mendip Museum

Trustees delighted at show of support

By Clare Blackmore WHEN Covid-19 struck, Wells and Mendip Museum on Cathedral Green was required to lockdown and as a small independent museum not entitled to any government funding, this immediately became a concern.

For the museum to stay open during normal times it relies entirely on being able to rent out its rooms and garden, and visitor admission fees.

One of the museum trustees, Joe White, set up a Crowdfunding page, initially to raise £6,000 to ensure that the costs of the building and various insurances were covered during the pandemic. The trustees were delighted when the £6,000 target was met and a “stretch” target of £7,500 was set, and that too has just been met.

Every donation, however large or small, has made such a difference, and it was also very heartening to read the

positive messages of support for this gem of a museum on the Crowdfunding website which reinforce the need for a museum in the city. The museum would also like to thank Wells Civic Society which donated £500 and the family of Desmond Donavan, a previous museum curator, as well as Elizabeth Hawkes, widow of another previous curator, Chris Hawks, and Sue Isherwood, wife of the last curator Barry Lane who gave larger sums to ensure the future of the museum.

During the lockdown David Walker, the present curator, has been busy increasing the museum’s social media presence and thinking of ways to develop the collections in these strange times. There are plans for reopening with Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing in place but the museum is awaiting government instruction as to when that will be.

Although the target has been reached the Crowdfunding page will remain open.

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AS part of its celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War later this year, Wells & Mendip Museum is producing a brief biography of each of the 39 men and women of Wells who died during that war and who are named on the Wells War Memorial.

This information will be made available via its website and social media.

One of the museum’s hopes is that it can include photographs of all the men and women before it is too late – as it largely was when it produced the First World War book.

Anyone who has a photo of any of them and is willing to share it is asked to contact the museum’s researcher, Peter Trueman, by email (petertrueman100@aol.com) or by phone (01749 670162).

Peter said: “If you’ve got any family stories about them, then that would be great too.”

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wellsvoice

July 2020

25

n MESSAGE FROM THE MP

High street businesses need our custom ANOTHER set of lockdown restrictions have now been lifted and so this month we must start to reconcile the competing demands of still controlling the virus whilst getting our economy back up and running and saving livelihoods. The priority, of course, is controlling the virus – it remains a killer and, as the Prime Minister said, it “wants to take advantage of our carelessness”.

Wearing a face covering, trying to stay more than two metres apart, washing our hands regularly, and avoiding unnecessary contact are the norm for the foreseeable future. Even if our economy fully reopens before a vaccine arrives, these measures will be part of our daily life.

However now that the two metre rule has been changed, more of our economy can reopen.

After our shops reopened in June, from July campsites, cafes, churches and community centres

News from Wells MP James Heappey can also reopen alongside many other parts of our local economy.

If we’re to save businesses from going under, we need to find the confidence to go out and support them.

That won’t be easy. Many local people have spent the last three months at home and even with the virus in retreat and with the South West having

the lowest level of infection in the country, many people will understandably still be nervous about getting back to something half-resembling normal life.

That anxiety will be heightened all the more by the fact that our area is popular with tourists and the reopening of many leisure and hospitality businesses will encourage visitors to return. For our local economy, that’s fantastic news but our more vulnerable neighbours will be much less enthusiastic.

That’s why the effort to support those who are still shielded must continue. The Government and our local NHS will carry on supporting those who are clinically at risk. And I know the fantastic voluntary groups that have sprung up over the last few months will continue to assist others who still need some support. Seeing the work of those groups over the spring has been truly inspiring

n LETTERS Persuasive case for reopening rail line I HAVE been thinking lately about the potential to reopen the railway line from Yatton to Wells, closed by the Beeching Axe in the Sixties.

The Government has announced a £500 million pot of funding to reverse rail closures and I think a case could be made for the Yatton to Wells route.

The old Cheddar Valley railway used to serve Congresbury (population 3,000), Sandford and Winscombe (4,500), Axbridge (2,000), Cheddar (6,000) and Wells (12,000); before continuing to Witham between Frome and Castle Cary.

Most of the trackbed is still intact – as the Strawberry Line cycle path, but mostly could be re-laid as rail easily alongside.

Public transport in Wells and the surrounding area of Somerset is exclusively by bus, with Wells being 68 minutes by bus from Bristol. Back when the line was open, Wells was 45 minutes from Yatton, which is currently 14-20 minutes from Bristol by train depending on

– they’ve helped many people to access food, medicines, vets appointments and all sorts besides. They’ve also been helping to tackle the crippling effects of loneliness by offering companionship. It’s been a heroic effort and I know it will continue even as life slowly creaks back toward normality.

The real call to arms, however, is a plea to support our local high street and the many fantastic businesses in our community. They’ve been through some dark days over the last three months and whilst through furloughing, tax breaks, loans and grants the Government has done as much as it can to save them from collapse during lockdown, they now urgently need our custom. So please, buy local wherever you can. Go out, keep your distance, wash your hands, but shop. Thousands upon thousands of local jobs depend on you doing so.

Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk stops. With modern technology and fewer stations, Wells could be a 45-50 minute suburban rail journey away from Bristol – which would do wonders for the tourism and access to job opportunities for local residents.

London would be a further one hour 40 minutes by train, and could be connected to Wells directly via Bristol in the future.

It would connect a population of around 30,000 to the rail network, and a Wells railway station would also serve Glastonbury, Street and Shepton Mallet.

Jack Gill By email

Action needed to protect the ducks Copy of a letter sent to The Bishop’s Palace and shared with Wells Voice: MY husband and I live next door to The Bishop’s Palace and are regular followers of activity within the moat, including the swans and ducks. We have Wells Heritage Passes. It has been a

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A swan, cygnets and a duck on The Bishop’s Palace Moat delight to watch the six cygnets thrive these past few weeks.

We had been informed that no ducklings were born this year, possibly because rats or some newly arrived otters had taken their eggs. Therefore we were pleasantly surprised to see two small ducklings swimming in the moat around six days ago.

However, in recent days we have noticed a change in

the behaviour of the male swan. He has been inclined to display aggressive behaviour to the other occupants of the moat, principally the ducks.

Then today, around lunchtime, we saw one of the two small ducklings; we assume that the other has not survived, and watched with astonishment as the male swan repeatedly attacked the duckling’s mother with extraordinary ferocity. The duckling’s mother was eventually driven to another part of the moat away from her remaining offspring, who disappeared and was not sighted again by any of the people watching. We assume that it was drowned in the incident.

We would like to ask that you consider taking action to protect the ducks and their nests from predators during the 2021 nesting season. In addition, we would ask you to erect a metal guard around the weir to prevent ducklings (and cygnets) from being carried into the stream below the moat. Unless this is done, the duck population may not survive.

Barry and Anne Coulton Wells

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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July 2020

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS WI WELLS WI had its first ever online meeting this month using Zoom. Twenty-six members attended via their phones, tablets and computers. Having missed a couple of months, everyone was delighted to see their friends’ familiar faces.

First we thanked our president Jane Pyatt, who is stepping down after several years leading Wells WI. It’s been a time of great ideas, wonderful work and brilliant fun, that has seen membership growing to record numbers.

We welcomed our new president Anne Wilson, known to many members from one of our book groups. We look forward to helping Anne as she brings fresh ideas and energy to lead Wells WI into the next chapter.

Elections to appoint members to supporting committee roles will be held when we are able to meet in person to vote. Until then, the current team are continuing their duties.

We had an update on the situation regarding resolutions. Groups have not been able to meet to vote on shortlisted resolutions, and the cancellation of the national conference prevents further debate. Therefore, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes Trustees have decided that the two resolutions that had gained most support nationally from the shortlisted five – with over 70 per cent of votes – will automatically become the next national campaigns. They are: l Increasing the number of people registered on the UK stem cell registry, to provide potentially life-saving treatment

to people of all ages with certain blood cancers and reduce numbers dying whilst waiting for a match. l Ending modern slavery by raising awareness, protecting victims and helping them rebuild their lives.

Local yoga teacher Carolyn Smith then joined us to lead members through a half-hour yoga practice. Carolyn, a former manager of NHS mental health services in Somerset, became a full-time yoga teacher after discovering the benefits for herself.

Her knowledge and skills mean she specialises in teaching yoga with an emphasis on improving mental health and addressing stress and anxiety.

Since lockdown, Carolyn has switched from teaching in village halls to offering virtual classes online, a model that is proving very popular.

We began by concentrating on our breathing, before being guided through some stretches, balances that are beneficial for bone health, and a whole-body relaxation. Members enjoyed joining in at home, and many expressed an interest in doing more yoga.

We talked about ways we had been using the opportunity of lockdown to be creative or learn new skills. Members have been resourceful. Achievements included upcycling furniture; studying a new language; learning how to play the piano; sewing and crafting; and making art including painting and collage. Anne showed us some photos of the results from her computer.

We aim to repeat this successful experiment next month. In the meantime,

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Yoga teacher Carolyn Smith, who led Wells WI members through a half-hour yoga practice during their Zoom meeting members will continue to receive regular newsletters by email, and our Facebook page facebook.com/Wellssomersetwi will be updated with news and interesting items.

Veronica Howe

We have begun to disregard the tinny blether and have started to read the titles in the background bookcases, to look critically at the decor, to be amused by those funny knick-knacks which we all have cluttering up the shelves in the spare room.

We have taken the same approach in the garden. Perhaps we have noticed once again the exquisite arrangement of the stamens on a flower head, the ginger hairs on the back of a mining bee, a spider giftwrapping a hapless fly.

The small things really matter which might mean we can take a more relaxed view of what the garden is for. And if we want funny knick-knacks in the garden then let’s have them. Old Chinese proverb: All gardeners know better than other gardeners. And that’s how it should be. High summer is upon us and with a bit of luck we shall be able to swap our garden stories in person in a few weeks’ time.

Pip Harwood WELLS MEN’S BREAKFAST

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB THE grass has turned green again and the gardening club’s autumn programme of planned events looks very promising at present, but all this could easily be knocked awry by the unforeseen. None of us, I can safely say, expected the Spanish Inquisition.

Whether we shall have the pleasure of gathering once more in September to hear Nick Bailey is still very uncertain, or indeed in October.

In the meantime we return to tweaking our own plots and poking into odd corners to satisfy our various whims.

One of the curious aspects of this period has been the sort of micro-inspections at ground level we do not normally indulge in; close encounters with the beady eyes of the wood pigeons, the new friendships with the blackbirds, a more tolerant view of plants and insects we regarded as nuisances, and more adventurous rearrangements of a border.

This intensified scrutiny can be put down to a number of reasons. I have a theory that all those talking heads with which we have been bombarded on television are partly responsible.

OUR last meeting was in March when we had little idea of how this pandemic would affect us.

We do not know when we will be able to meet again but, rest assured, we will. The very nature of WMB, in addition to hearing interesting speakers, is to enjoy each other’s company over breakfast – the very activity that is not possible. We are keeping in touch with our regulars by monthly emails inviting them to listen to a TED talk similar in style to those that we normally hear.

To help us look forward to our next meeting, whenever that may be, here are a few talks that we have lined up.

An Auctioneer’s Lot; Sex, Lies & Gobbledegook – a Life in Advertising; An Oily Rag – tales of classic Formula 1 racing; Truffle Farming in Somerset; William Turner and the Deanery Garden.

This is just a sample from what will be a full programme of wide-ranging, stimulating and amusing topics. Newcomers will be welcome, and we look forward to seeing some new faces as well as our regulars when we meet once more at the Connect Centre, which continues to do such a wonderful job during this difficult time.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

July 2020

27

n ON THE BEAT

Communication is at the heart of policing

I OUGHT to start by introducing myself as the new sergeant for the Neighbourhood Policing Team for Wells, Glastonbury and Street and to say how pleased and proud I was to be successful in my interview for this position.

I have been a police officer for 18 years in two forces (Dorset initially, then Avon and Somerset) all of which has been in frontline policing roles. I have worked in response policing and for the last two years until now have been in the custody unit in Bridgwater. I have worked in some of the largest towns and some of the most rural parts of the two forces, so I’d like to think I have an idea of what the main concerns and issues are for this area. However…

In a world that is more connected and with people more easily contactable than ever before, I still feel now as much as ever that communication is at the heart of policing. My tutor told me this 18 years ago and I can’t see that anything has

News from the local policing team with Sgt Simon Lancey ‘I will be listening to you and will do my very best to communicate as openly and as often as I can’

n IN DAYS GONE BY

changed. The public and victims of crime want to feel listened to and their thoughts and opinions valued by the police, putting your concerns at the heart of what we do. Sometimes we could do better at explaining some of the decisions we take and I want to assure you that I will be listening to you and will do my very best to communicate as openly and as often as I can.

I want to get information out there so you understand why and how we make some of the decisions we do, and more importantly sometimes, why it may appear we’re not doing something when you might expect us to.

I work with a very experienced team, all of whom want to provide an outstanding service for Wells and all the surrounding areas so if you see them about, please speak to them and let them know what you’re thinking and what your concerns are.

Covid-19 has changed the way

in which we can communicate in recent times so please follow the social media pages that are available for your local policing team on Twitter and Facebook.

The web pages on the Avon and Somerset website will be updated shortly to reflect the staffing on the team and provide you with an additional way to contact us.

The team also includes a new inspector, Julie Denny, who I will get to write for this column in the next month or two.

It would be remiss of me not to comment on the protests that have been happening all over the force area with thousands of residents of Avon and Somerset taking to the streets. I want to assure you that the British police is a great institution and one of the most open and transparent in the world. We police by consent, your consent, and quite rightly we should be held to account for any areas we can learn from and make changes going forward.

Thank you for reading and stay safe everyone.

With Clare Blackmore

Misdemeanours punished with birch rod and Cat CORPORAL punishment in the Victorian age was a standard sentence for those under 14 years.

In the court reports of both the City and Crown courts held in Wells Town Hall it is shown that this sentence was used in Wells. It was discretionary but up to 12 strokes of the birch rod could be administered on children and the Cat O’ Nine Tails used on adults.

January 13, 1855 William Hinder (17), Joseph Balmond (12), John Balmond (10) were charged with breaking and entering Mr Barnes shop in the High Street and stealing articles to the value of 4s. The robbery was effected by breaking a pane of glass in the shop window.

Hinder, as ringleader, was sentenced to four months hard labour and to be privately whipped. Joseph and John Balmond to be privately whipped

followed by one month’s hard labour.

September 1866 John Andrew (12), errand boy of Mr Pocock, was convicted of stealing money from his master’s till and ordered to have six strokes on his bare back with a birch rod.

Sid Dinnaford, George Voke, Albert Simmons were summonsed for ill-treating a cat. The cat had been worried by a dog, had its eye knocked out by a stone and had its tongue pulled out. The Bench severely reprimanded the boys and admonished their parents.

Voke and Simmons were ordered to pay 10s and receive six strokes each with the birch and they discharged Dinnaford, a very little boy, on his parents promising to flog him.

July 1867 George Dundas was convicted of assault and robbery at Wells

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Crown Court and having been previously convicted for the same offence and as he was known in Wells for nefarious behaviour, was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude and ordered to receive 20 lashes from the Cat. On hearing the sentence Dundas is said to have howled most piteously.

August 1882 Roland Parker of St Thomas Street was charged with stealing a pen knife from the shop window of Mr Herring in Wells High Street. The defendant, a boy of 12 years, pleaded guilty and was ordered to receive six strokes of the birch rod.

November 1891 Bad boys Edwin Dyer (10), Albert Miller (12) of South Street and Thomas Free (11) of Southover were charged with stealing from the shop of Mr Talbot three boxes of matches value 3d. Miller and Dyer were

each sentenced to three strokes with the birch rod and Free, who had many previous convictions, was sentenced to six strokes and 14 days imprisonment.

March 1893 Frank Dingle, Bert Dimmock, Charles Vernon and Jas Coward, boys of Tucker Street, were summoned for playing ball at Tucker Street on a Sunday.

Witness Charles Vowles said he had spoken to them on several occasions but always got a cheeky answer.

PC Perrot said he was on duty and as soon as the boys saw him they ran away.

The boys denied that they were playing ball and Coward said he was at church.

The Bench ordered each to have three strokes of the birch on bare skin and told the boys he hoped that they would make it known among their playmates that children could not do as they liked.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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July 2020

n SPORT

Appeal funds make projects possible few hours the First team had donated £1,000 into the fund quickly followed by further large sums from the Reserves and A teams, the money earmarked for their end of season tours. Such fantastic generosity from within the club itself, add in ex-players, supporters from both the junior and senior sections donating what they can and we were on our way.

“Within a few weeks we were halfway to our proposed target and I was able to inform our groundsmen to carry on with their plans for the pitches, instead of picking up loads of rubbish left by the crowds at the club during lockdown as seen on social media, and to carry on with renovations and important maintenance projects.

“At the moment we are three-quarters of the way towards our target. The club and myself would like to thank all who donated, I can assure you all the monies have gone into maintaining and improving our club. Any further donations are most welcome.”

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/wellscityfc?utm_ term=vekQ8aXdD

FOOTBALL WELLS City FC chairman Steve Loxton has thanked everybody who has contributed so far to the club’s fundraising campaign.

The halt to lower league football and closure of social clubs means that the club has lost its normal income from match days and functions.

But some of the improvement projects it had planned can still go ahead thanks to the thousands of pounds that have been donated through a crowdfunding campaign.

“Normally, from April onwards to the start of the following season, the club can capitalise on having a large outdoor space, hosting many functions, events and weddings,” said Steve.

“All these events help pay for the ongoing maintenance work on the main and junior pitches, repairs and improvements to the clubhouse and general upkeep of the ground. Some of this work had already started: JV & DC electrical had just finished the first phase of the clubhouse rewire, and the groundsman had booked in the summer pitch renovation programme.”

Wells City FC’s ground at Rowdens Road When the impact of the coronavirus pandemic became clear, Steve decided to set up an appeal on JustGiving for £6,000 to help the club cope in these difficult times.

So far, it has raised more than £4,000.

“Although this was never going to replace the lost revenue the club would have received, I looked at what the essential groundworks would have cost, and the most important projects

that we needed to complete, worked out the costs and that gave me the funding total,” said Steve.

“I had no idea of what the reaction would be amongst our supporters or even our own players.

“It was only a couple of days later one of the club’s senior players, Charlie Crook, contacted me and asked why had we set this up and then to my astonishment within a

Able to face future with confidence GOLF WITH the coronavirus lockdown abruptly bringing a stop to sporting activity, all sports clubs, with golf clubs no exception, were faced with very uncertain futures, at least in the short to medium term. The Business Management Group at Mendip Golf Club, under the leadership of chairman Rob Neeedham, have met the challenge head on and are delighted with the outcome of their efforts.

As previously reported, when play resumed the club were determined that the members had every opportunity to catch up lost time with a membersonly playing policy and only now, after three weeks, are visitors being welcomed to Mendip and even then only as members’ guests. As a result the club is very optimistic in achieving

a high level of renewals as current memberships come up for renewal at the end of this month. In addition, Mendip has had an unprecedented inflow of new members joining since May 1, over 100 and rising. These have been golfers of all ages and abilities with a large number of younger golfers. In fact Mendip may well have to consider the introduction of a waiting list for membership from July.

Mendip Golf Club is in a fortunate position. It is highly ranked in the county and its fast draining fairways allow golf to be played in good conditions throughout the year. Constant improvements can be seen with a recent bunker renovation programme and with the specialist work taking place over the past two years on the playing surface of the greens.

Mendip is fortunate to have

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Stuart Disney, a PGA Fellow Professional, as its director of golf and he has been the driving force behind so much of what is good at the club. Apart from overseeing the greens team and his very popular shop team, Stuart has been responsible for the sharp increase in junior golf numbers as well as running the popular Get into Golf programme for those new to the game.

Work is also continuing on the new 17th and 18th holes and will shortly commence on the new driving range which, weather permitting, should be operational in 2021.

Significantly, the club has recently been deemed worthy of a significant business grant from Sport England which together with a full membership puts the club in an excellent position to face the future with confidence.

Club seeking team photos CRICKET WELLS Cricket Club is appealing for team photographs from years gone by that can be displayed inside the clubhouse.

Having repainted the outside of the clubhouse and built new steps down to the pitch at South Horrington, club members are now revamping the inside of the clubhouse.

They would like to put old team photos on the walls.

Anyone with suitable pictures they can contribute is asked to email wellscricketclub@hotmail. com A JustGiving campaign to raise £1,400 for new benches overlooking the pitch has been successful. The benches have been ordered and is hoped that they will be in place in the next few weeks.

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July 2020

wellsvoice

29

n WHAT’S ON

n SPORT

Free tennis offer for key workers TENNIS KEY workers can now enjoy a summer of tennis for free thanks to an offer from Wells Tennis Club.

The club is inviting key workers to join the club at no cost for three months.

New adult members will be able to access five all-weather floodlit courts, two mini-courts and reduced coaching costs.

Currently courts are available for booked singles or doubles play but the club is hopeful that social tennis will return as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

To access the offer key workers should visit wellstc. co.uk. With a membership, players are able to book courts and invite a guest to play with them.

Club chair Dan Cooke said:

Wells Tennis Club looks forward to seeing new and returning players Picture: Julia Nest

“Our local key workers deserve some respite and enjoyment this summer and this is a small thank you from our club. I hope that our offer attracts new and returning tennis players and I look forward to seeing them on court.

“It is a tough time for all sports but the LTA has helped local clubs and courts prepare to

make play as safe and accessible as possible.”

The offer, which started in June, coincided with a new Play Your Way campaign by the LTA, the national governing body for tennis in the UK. Sharon Heeley, LTA head of region for South & South West, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have seen multiple examples of how the tennis community has come together to support our key workers, and this is another fantastic initiative from Wells Tennis Club.

“We are delighted that this offer coincides with the start of our national Play Your Way campaign and engagement with local authorities around tennis in parks, both of which will help us work towards our vision of opening up tennis to more and more people.”

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