Wells Voice July 2023

Cathedral Friends mark 90th anniversary

FRIENDS from near and far gathered in Wells over the weekend of June 9-11 to celebrate 90 years since the founding of the Friends of Wells Cathedral.

There was a full programme of events over the Friends Festival Weekend.

The Friends were founded in 1933 and it is one of the oldest cathedral Friends associations in England.

Over 90 years the Friends have funded projects great and small at the Cathedral including support for the fabric and musical heritage of the Cathedral, the single largest project being the funding of the Friends Building which houses the Cathedral’s education facilities, song school and toilets.

On Friday, June 9, there was a concert of choral and organ classics with audience participation entitled Wells Night at the Proms. The concert

was staged in collaboration with the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society and the Cathedral’s Music Department.

The proceeds will be added to the Friends’ Grand Organ Appeal.

On Saturday, June 10, Friends continued to enjoy special interest tours in and around the Cathedral as well as coming together for their annual general meeting. The day began with an address by Rt Rev Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, who is Patron of the Friends.

There was an anniversary dinner at the Swan Hotel on the Saturday evening at which Bishop Michael spoke of his part in the Coronation of King Charles III.

The weekend came to a close with the Friends hosting celebratory drinks for the Cathedral congregation in the Cathedral’s Camery Garden.

Flags waving at Wells Night at the Proms, and Alexander Hamilton conducting Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society

Fundraiser to boost first aid provision

A SPONSORED cycle ride is taking place in July with the funds raised being used to help provide prompt first aid assistance for people who need it in Wells city centre.

Angela Cussell, who takes over as President of Wells Rotary Club on July 1, is organising the event. She will be cycling 414 miles from Wells to Durham with her husband Richard and three friends, accompanied by two other Rotarians in the support van.

Funds raised will be used to provide first aid equipment in premises along Wells High Street, and training by St John Ambulance for volunteers in the city’s shops and offices so that they are ready to help people should the need arise.

“We hope to raise funds to provide training and equipment throughout the city in order to confidently assist anyone who falls for whatever reason in our high streets,” said Angela.

“Nearly every time I walk through the town I witness someone falling. I actually helped someone today as they stepped into the road and misjudged the distance between the water conduits and the road.”

Angela also has a more personal reason for wanting to do something after needing assistance when her then 11-month-old grandson started convulsing in his pushchair as she was walking him back from the park in Wells.

A passer-by dialled 999, but eventually, with the help of a retired doctor and two

community police officers, Angela was directed to the local health centre for her grandson to be seen, and he quickly recovered from what she was told was a febrile seizure.

She now wants to put in place help for anyone else who may need assistance in Wells High Street. “The idea is to get targeted training via St John Ambulance centred on being able to assess if someone needs an ambulance or simply to be moved to a safe place while they recover. We hope many of the shops and offices in the High Street will be able to put forward a volunteer and we will supply as much basic equipment to be on hand as possible.

“We want to get to a stage where if there is an incident someone will know where a first aider is and the equipment needed to provide the basics. In

doing this we hope to take undue pressure off 999, the Ambulance Service and A&E.”

Wells Rotary Club raised funds for defibrillators five years ago when Richard, Angela and friends cycled 250 miles from

Wells Cathedral to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

This time they are cycling from St Cuthbert’s Church to Durham Cathedral (the Church of St Cuthbert), an appropriate journey in the Coronation year as the Bishop of Bath & Wells and the Bishop of Durham stood either side of the King at the Coronation.

They are cycling the 414 miles over the course of a week in the second week of July. They undertook a training ride from Wells to Gloucester in June – and found themselves cycling through heavy rain and thunderstorms, and suffering three punctures.

Donations for the Wells to Durham ride can be made via the link https://gofund.me/ ea904385 or by sending a cheque made out to Wells Rotary Club to Chubb Bulleid Solicitors, c/o Richard Cussell, 7 Market Place, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2RJ.

from £55

A training ride to Gloucester was preparation for the ride to Durham

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Tuesday-Sunday

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marked national Volunteers’ Week

Picture:

Special tea party at Palace to thank local volunteers

MORE than 170 volunteers filled the Undercroft of The Bishop’s Palace for a special tea party.

Scrumptious cakes were donated and delicious sandwiches provided on long tables indoors before everyone went out into the gardens where they heard two brief speeches in the sun.

This free celebration was organised by the Wells Community Network (WCN) as part of Volunteers’ Week to thank local people who give their time to help others and bring together individuals who might

have previously communicated only by phone, email, text or video calls, said WCN chair Philip Welch.

“Volunteers were making a huge contribution to life in Wells and how would we manage without them?” asked Mr Welch.

He also warmly thanked The Bishop’s Palace for providing a beautiful venue and helping to organise such a successful event.

Then the chair of the Palace’s trustees, Roger Hawes, praised WCN and said he was proud to have served as a volunteer on their telephone helpline.

The lively tea party in the Undercroft

Siobhan Goodwin

Cricketer makes his 1,000th appearance

A SPECIAL presentation was made to local cricket legend Kevin Russell before a recent game which saw him make his 1,000th appearance for the former Horrington Cricket Club and now Wells and Horrington Cricket Club.

The 20-over friendly, away against Axbridge CC, came 44 years after his initial appearance for the then Horrington CC.

Known for his flighty off-spin bowling and affable personality, Kevin, aged 64, has long been well-regarded within the Somerset cricketing community.

His 1979 debut for Horrington was against Wells Rugby Club at the Athletic Ground in which he batted at number seven. This was the first match of a re-formed club 29 years after it was disbanded at the end of the 1950 season.

He made 994 appearances for Horrington before this season’s merger with Wells to form the

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The highest score during his 1,000 games was 71 not out, and his best bowling figures 7-24.

In the game against Axbridge on May 31, Kevin opened both the batting and bowling, scoring one run and taking a wicket with his final ball, as Wells and Horrington ran out comfortable winners.

“I hope to carry on for a while pending injuries though greatly struggling in the field,” he said.

“Several club cricketers have exceeded 1,000 appearances in the past but how many in the modern era of conflicting interests and time constraints will do so in the future?”

n Wells and Horrington CC’s Horrington Day on Bank Holiday Monday was well supported, and raised £2,263. There was a cake stall, a barbecue and bar, games, a raffle, and live music from Ross Kirk.

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Kevin Russell with the memento of his 1,000 appearances

Church features in new Mosaic window

ANOTHER milestone has been passed for Wells in Mosaic. The window depicting the 19th-century church built by the widow of Dean Jenkyns to support the poor parishioners of what was then known as East Wells, has been completed by artist Ruth Ames-White.

The present vicar of St Thomas, Rev Claire Towns, was delighted with the work. She said: “I first moved to Wells in May 2021, and one of the first invitations I accepted was to visit Ian and Ruth’s, who are both members of the St Thomas’ Church family.

“I was shown around Ruth’s Mosaic studio and was blown away by the scale of the project, along with Ruth’s skill in capturing the life of this city I now call home.

“It’s great to see the St Thomas’ panel completed, its ‘two tone’ spire, clearly revealing its more recent history, with its tip having to be rebuilt in 2022, following its toppling by Storm Eunice in February that year. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the whole mosaic when completed.”

The whole work in progress can be seen on a short video at https://youtu.be/ WsMV0vhqqTM.

The community of Wells has been very generous in its support for the project, but further funding is still needed.

To make a contribution or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, or to arrange a visit to Ruth’s studio, go to www.wellsinmosaic.org or contact@wellsinmosaic.org

wells in mosaic

Artist Ruth Ames-White and Rev Claire Towns with the latest Wells in Mosaic window, depicting St Thomas’ Church

Series of events to benefit Foodbank

THE Fosso Lounge cafe bar on Wells High Street is holding a series of fundraising events during June and July to raise much-needed funds for Wells Vineyard Foodbank.

The events range from craft sales and a sponsored bike spin to quiz nights and music events, and will culminate in a Big Walk from Wells to Frome in July.

They are part of Lounge Aid, an annual fundraising initiative which sees Lounge staff competing to reach the highest fundraising target. The teams have raised £77,000 across all their Lounge sites for a wide number of local charities and community groups.

Dominique Van der Veen, Assistant Manager at Fosso Lounge, said: “Wells Vineyard Foodbank supports so many families, and we are in awe of their kindness and commitment to our community. We have a bunch of charity events planned

over the next few months, and we would love it if our local community could join us in supporting this incredible cause. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the details.”

She added: “Fosso Lounge in Wells is extra special as it’s one of the Lounge’s flagship stores, and we want to make sure that our community and people from all walks of life feel supported and have a place where they can grab a beer, have some good food and relax. Our Lounge Aid campaign is a way for us to come together, have a bit of fun and support our community.”

Sue Marland, Senior Pastor at Wells Vineyard Church and Manager of the Foodbank, said: “Our clients are referred to us by official agencies such as Job Centres, doctors’ surgeries, schools and social workers, but we receive no government funding to support our work.

“Many people are astonished

to learn that we are now spending around £2,000 each month on shopping to supplement the tins and packets that people put in the donation bins at Waitrose, Santander and Morrisons. We are dependent on donations and the occasional grant to fund our work.

Community fundraising events like these are a lifeline for the Foodbank.”

Events in June have included a Charity Quiz Night, face painting and crafts, a Bike Challenge on a spin bike loaned by the Blue School Sports Centre, and a Best Dad competition to win a family dinner for four.

Events still to come include: July 2: Mini market day; July 6: Charity Quiz Night; July 20: Plant Your Own Seeds; July 21, a live music event with Ross Kirk; and July 22: Big Walk to Frome.

For more details of the events, see facebook.com/ FossoLounge

‘We are dependent on donations and the occasional grant. Community fundraising events like these are a lifeline for the Foodbank’

Fosso Lounge is fundraising for Wells Vineyard Foodbank

Coach starts children’s chess lessons

PROFESSIONAL chess coach

Sasha Matlak has started giving chess lessons to Ukrainian children at the Portway Annexe. Sasha, whose family left their native Ukraine because of the Russian invasion and now live in Wells, was featured in last month’s Wells Voice, when it was

reported that he had just become Somerset champion at the Frome Chess Congress.

The hour-long lessons for children at the Portway Annexe are taking place every Friday from 4pm and are free of charge.

u Sport, page 45

JEFFREY and CLEMMIE

Ukrainian dressmaker getting orders for work

By Emma James

LAST month’s issue of Wells Voice featured designer, Anna Skobenyuk, a Ukrainian refugee who was forced to flee her home town of Kherson in February 2022 after Russian forces began their attack. Anna’s dressmaking business as well as the family apartment were completely destroyed.

Happily, we were able to report a more positive chapter of Anna’s story as we found her busily putting the finishing touches to her daughter Velina’s communion dress in her Wells Studio.

Two young, playful balls of fun looking for a home together

JEFFREY and CLEMMIE are two approximately six-month-old kittens who are looking for a home together. They can be nervous around people at first so we are looking for a quiet and understanding household.

They are playful, hyperactive balls of fun who are shy to start with but their personalities shine through once they feel comfortable with you.

They are sweet and affectionate and love other cats, but dogs would probably be too much for them.

CLEMMIE

JEFFREY

They are likely going to be hunters so a safe road is a must, and outdoor space where they can safely explore to their heart’s content is most definitely on their wishlist.

For more information please email lostandfound@glastonbury.cats.org.uk or go to the website www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury to fill in an online application form.

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection

Reg Charity No: 203644 (England & Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland)

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Anna is delighted that work has been generated as a result of the Wells Voice article and is even considering taking on an assistant. Velina’s dress is certainly a good advertisement for her mother’s skills and it is hardly surprising that Anna has been accepting commissions from the Wells community.

Anna’s creative instincts have also led her to offer lessons in ‘High Heels’ dancing, a free and expressive style of dance featuring rumba-style moves, at Wells Little Theatre. The classes have been popular with other Ukrainian women. Anna explains: “It’s a very feminine

form of dance. It really helps you to feel free and to release your emotions, very good in our situation.”

Library reading challenge and writing competition for children

FORTHCOMING events at Wells Library include:

Children’s Summer Reading Challenge – Ready, Set, Read!

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday, July 8, and runs until Saturday, September 9. Can you read six books in that time? Sign up at Wells Library and start reading to collect your folder and stickers.

Creative Writing Competition

As part of the Ready, Set, Read! Summer Reading Challenge, Wells Library is running a

Creative Writing Competition for children aged 8-11. Interested?

For rules and entry details go along to the launch at Wells Library on Wednesday, July 26, at 11am. Entries will be judged by local author Beth Webb and prizes go to the top three entries.

HSBC Community Pop-Ups

Following the recent closure of Wells branch, HSBC will be in the library from 9.30am12pm on the following dates: Thursday, July 20; Wednesday, August 9; Thursday, August 24; Friday, September 8; Thursday, September 21. No need to book, just drop in.

The deadline for the August edition is July 12

Velina in the communion dress made by her mother Anna

Story of one woman’s will to succeed

By Philip Welch

HELEN McCann remembers what the doctor said about her at the hospital when she was five years old.

His verdict to Helen’s mother was “Don’t bother wasting your time on her, she will never achieve anything,” which Helen lipread as she was born with a rare genetic condition which left her registered blind and deaf.

As she was so young Helen did not understand what the doctor was saying, but still remembers every word now in her 60s as if it was yesterday.

However, that did not stop her having a career as a maths teacher, three children and deciding at the age of 59 to enter the London Marathon and the Bath Half Marathon with the aid of a guide runner.

Now Helen, who lives in Wookey, has written a book about her life, her running and

her fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind which was launched at a packed event in Wells Museum’s Exhibition Room. The book is called Running Blind with the subtitle “Life

changes with the diagnosis of sight loss, but it does not end”.

Helen told the audience: “I have shared secrets in this book that I have never shared with anyone before.”

Greggs store set to expand

GREGGS has been given permission for refurbishment works that will see its shop in Wells expand into the empty shop next door.

Somerset Council agreed to the plans for an internal makeover including the creation of two door openings between 39 High Street (the existing Greggs shop) and 37 High Street (previously Carphone Warehouse), the relocation of the existing air conditioning units, and new signs outside.

Day with focus on environment

SEVERAL local organisations will be explaining what they do for the environment and suggesting ways for everyone to do more at the Wells Environment Network Day. There will be information about repairing and recycling, and ideas of good ways for people to feed themselves. The event takes place at the Portway Annexe on Saturday, July 1, from 10.30am-2.30pm.

Then her son Nick said in his speech that his mother “is an inspiration to us all, and it is not what you can’t do, but what you can”.

The final speaker was Pam Dalton Williams, a friend of Helen from teacher training college in 1975, who said: “I recognised even back then that she had a steely determination and work ethic which I now know was born out of overcoming adversity in her younger years.”

The audience included people from as far afield as Portsmouth, London and Hampshire. Also there was BBC Somerset presenter Simon Parkin who had interviewed Helen about her book on his radio programme. n Running Blind by Helen McCann is available from Wookey Post Office, Wookey Hub or by emailing Helen on Runningblindhelenmccann@ gmail.com

More than 50 volunteers were out and about picking up litter in and around Wells over the latest Community Litter Picking weekend at the end of May. Pleasingly, they reported finding less litter this time. Pictured is Councillor Jasmine Browne focusing on the Cathedral Green with her young helpers. Organiser Councillor Deborah Orrett thanked Wells City Council for providing the litter-picking kit and Id Verde for collecting the numerous sacks of rubbish. To get involved in the event, which takes place three times a year, contact Cllr Orrett on d.orrett@wells.gov.uk

With their books are, from left, Simon Parkin, Pam Dalton Williams, Helen McCann, Nick Sutcliffe and Wells Mayor Tanys Pullin

Good alternative venue for Repair Cafe

A SMALL team from Sustainable Wells tried a surprising new venue for their Repair Cafe on Saturday, June 3 – Wells Library. The staff at the library were extremely welcoming and quite happy for the repairers to use tools that were sometimes noisy.

While the Repair Cafe’s usual drinks and cakes were not on offer, visitors were able to read books and newspapers or pop into town while they waited for their turn. Several of the visitors who took broken items

Freecycle event

THE next Freecycle event will take place on Sunday, July 2, from 1pm in the Priory Road car park, entrance via the bus station car park. People are asked to take their unwanted items by 1.30pm at the latest.

to be fixed commented that the library’s central location was very convenient.

The repairers were able to mend a good proportion of the

items taken in, which ranged from vacuums through radios and clocks to wooden toys. As well as saving visitors the cost of buying replacements, these successful repairs are calculated to have saved about 383kg of CO2, which is the equivalent of driving 1,591 miles, flying 2,335 miles or showering 239 times.

After the success of this event, the plan is to hold monthly Repair Cafes alternating between larger ones at St Thomas’ Church Hall and smaller ones at the library. The next two Repair

• Supply and Installation of Fireplaces and Stoves.

• Authorised AGA cooker showroom with live electric ER3 model. (This offers the most innovative AGA cooking yet)

• Solid fuel, wood burning, electric and gas specialists.

• Custom made flue systems and chimney lining.

• ECCO STOVE masonry heater on display.

• We have a selection of our Oak beams and shelves on display.

• Stockists for Chilli Penguin, Jotul, Stovax, Gazco, Nordpeis, H unter, Capital Fireplaces, Mendip Stoves, Westfire and more.

• Hetas & Gas Safe Engineers. • Insurance work undertaken.

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Our showroom is open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm. Closed on Bank Holidays

Cafes will be held on Saturday, July 1, at St Thomas’ Church Hall and Saturday, August 5, at the library, both from 10am12.30pm.

On July 1, Wells Repair Cafe’s tool-sharpener and two of its fixers will be taking part in the Wells Environment Network Day from 10.30am-2.30pm at Portway Annexe, so people are invited to visit them there. For further information or to get involved as a volunteer, contact Amanda Phillips (repaircafe. wells@gmail.com).

FREE site surveys can be arranged after an initial consultation

Wells care home Crandon Springs hosted the Somerset Morris Ladies with special guest the 649th Mayor of Wells, Tanys Pullin, on June 7. Residents watched the dancers perform in the garden and were treated to a homemade strawberry cream tea. The care home’s activities team that organised the event said that it was a big success.

Couple set to celebrate ruby anniversary

Wells couple Helen and Steve Slight celebrate their Ruby Wedding Anniversary on July 30. Congratulating them for being such an inspiration, their family have written this article to tell their story.

HELEN Palmer and Steve Slight first met at the Wells Carnival in 1977. It was love at first sight and a few years later, starting as he meant to go on, Steve proposed to Helen in Penniless Porch outside Wells Cathedral.

Helen was a beautiful young athletic girl, who loved singing and swimming at the local pool in Wells. She went to an all-girls Catholic school in Glastonbury, so meeting Steve, a young mischievous Blue School boy with an electric smile, was the perfect match.

Steve started honing his talent at a young age by painting his friends’ crash helmets and motorcycle tanks, whilst also doing biro-tattoos and slyly trading cigarettes with the teachers.

During 1979 Steve started working for local masonry company Redwood Stone. However during the Nineties he started working more towards his own business, working many long evenings and weekends to do both jobs. In 2004 he took the jump and went fully selfemployed with his own business, Joeby’s Airbrush Art.

With the support of Helen, helping to run the business and look after the family home, the business is still going strong today and March 2024 will

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Above, Helen and Steve Slight as they are today; left, in 1977, the year that they met; and right, on their wedding day in 1983

see the 20-year anniversary of Joeby’s Airbrush Art, which is based at Keward Business Park.

In 1983, Steve and Helen were married at St Joseph’s and St Teresa’s church in Wells, and spent their wedding night at The Ancient Gatehouse. Soon after, in 1985, their first child Joeby was born, followed by their daughter Hannah in 1989.

This July, Helen and Steve celebrate 40 years of marriage with their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. They still live in Wells today not far from their children and their grandchildren – Jax and Poppy.

They continue to live happily in the home where they raised their family, looking after their adorable cat Tink.

Artists to mentor free drawing sessions

WELLS Art Contemporary, which celebrates contemporary art in all its forms, has announced free drawing sessions showcasing the West Front of Wells Cathedral.

This addition to the WAC programme will take place in August on Cathedral Green during the upcoming exhibition in the Cathedral. Places are limited and registration is via Eventbrite/DRAW! starting on July 1.

Sessions will be mentored by professional local artists and the best entries selected by a panel chaired by Professor Anita Taylor, President of WAC, artist, Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee and founding Director of the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize and Drawing Projects UK, with Paul Newman, artist and Somerset Art Weeks Co-ordinator, and Heather Wallace and Rebecca Barnard, artists and co-founders of Heritage Courtyard Gallery & Studios in Wells.

DRAW! is one of the WAC

Community Projects coordinated by June MacFarlane, in collaboration with Heritage Courtyard Gallery & Studios, and Wells Cathedral Chapter. She said: “Wells Art Contemporary has always aimed to create a platform that not only showcases exceptional artistic

talent but also engages the local community and encourages participation in the arts.

“The addition of free drawing sessions of the West Front of Wells Cathedral aligns perfectly with this vision. What could be better than to spend a summer afternoon immersed in the

splendour of a masterpiece, with help on hand from local artists?”

The West Front, dating from the 13th century, is a Gothic treasure. Nearly 300 statues, carved by medieval masons, grace the façade in an astonishing collection of 800-year-old sculpture. A contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley occupies a niche at one end.

The venue will be Wells Cathedral Green, from 3pm-5pm on Sundays and Wednesdays throughout WAC, starting on August 6. The session on Wednesday, August 16, will be reserved for children accompanied by an adult. All other sessions will be for over16s. Participants should bring their own sketching materials and seating.

Register to join a group at Eventbrite/DRAW!. There is no charge, but places are limited. To be part of the final competition, participants can take a photo of their drawing and upload it for consideration by the selection panel.

Aims of new group for synthesizer players outlined

The Wells Rocks team explain what the new club will offer

ON a pleasant Saturday afternoon in the middle of June, a gathering of synth players took place at the Wells Contemporary Music Centre (WCMC) in the Portway Annexe. Thank you, Portway Music School, for

sponsoring the room. The main objective was to see what people would like to do, and to play with some gear. In outline the group will aim to:

n Meet monthly, on a Thursday evening (7pm-9pm).

n Hold Open Synth Nights where people can jam for 15 minutes.

n Have outings to events such as

Machina Bristronica (September 30).

n Organise performances.

n Investigate what can be done to introduce others to the joys of

synths at the WCMC.

Three enthusiasts brought along interesting synthesizers (classic, contemporary and modular) to get things going. If you would like to be involved with the Wells Synth Club, contact info@wellsrocks.org, or just come along to the next session on July 27.

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June MacFarlane of WAC, centre, with Rebecca Barnard, left, and Heather Wallace of Heritage Courtyard Gallery & Studios

Minibus formally handed over to charity

WELLS Rotary has formally handed over the minibus that it has procured to help Heads Up extend its outreach service across the local community.

Fundraising for the project was supported by a number of local businesses with Charlie Bigham’s and the CPNA (Community Practicing Nursing Association) charity taking the lead role.

The branding for the new minibus reflects the support given by local businesses: amongst those recognised are Burns the Bread, Chubb Bulleid, CBS Precast, Harris & Harris, The Crown at Wells, D B Paul, Wolf Barbers, Brownes Garden Centre, Old Mill Accountants, Wells Chiropractic, Stuarts Residential and Cooper and Tanner.

Heads Up, the local mental health and wellbeing charity, is based in South Horrington. Commenting on the need,

Service Director Bridget Harvey said: “Our ambition is to provide transport for clients who otherwise cannot get to our centre. There is no community transport, bus services are being

GLASTONBURY & WELLS CATS PROTECTION NEUTERING CAMPAIGN

Continues until 31st August 2023

The charity will offer vouchers to help with neutering costs of cats whose owners are on low income or income support benefits.

We are repeating the special price we offered in our last campaign. Owners will pay £5.00 per cat and the charity will pay the balance and also microchip your cat for free. This offer is open to residents in Glastonbury, Wells, Street, Cheddar, Shepton Mallet and surrounding areas. Contact a volunteer for your voucher:

Julia on 07833 634087

Emma on 07717 837040

Gill on 01749 850660

A neutered cat is a happy and healthy cat so be a responsible owner and phone for your voucher.

Pedigree cats are not eligible and vouchers will only be issued for participating vets.

Glastonbury and Wells Cats Protection

www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

cut, and some people, who would like to get to Heads Up for its therapeutic workshops and dementia services, are unable to do so. Our thanks and appreciation for the efforts of Wells Rotary go to all of the individuals involved in making the project such a success.”

President Alan Webb of Wells Rotary Club said: “Led by Wells Rotary Club this project has been a tremendous effort from across the community. The level of sponsorship and support we received at the various fundraising events we organised was truly amazing. Together we can be proud of having made a real difference to the lives of others in our community.”

When the outreach service is

fully running it is hoped that the route covered will extend from Wells to the Glastonbury, Street, Shepton Mallet, Evercreech, Cheddar and Axebridge areas. The minibus will be able to hold 12 people – a volunteer driver, a helper, and ten clients.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer driver, contact Jane Coombes at Heads Up. Email janec@ headsupsomerset.org.uk or call 01749 670667. No previous experience of driving a minibus is required as full training will be given, but a full driving licence is necessary. Drivers are being asked to cover a three-hour round trip once or twice a month with plenty of flexibility in scheduling the roster.

From left, Councillor Georgie Robbins, Suzanne Green (Cheddar Bus User Group), Marianne Sorrell and Rosa Kell (lead officer of Wells Bus User Group) at the WBUG stall at Wells Bus Station in June. WBUG was trying to encourage people to use buses more, telling them about the benefits for the environment – and the pocket – and inviting them to write comments and sign a petition which will be presented to Somerset Council.

Heads Up Service Director Bridget Harvey and Wells Rotary Club President Alan Webb are joined by others from both organisations for the official handover of the charity’s new minibus

Reg Charity No: 203644 (England & Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland)

Insights into politics, theatre... and string

A FORMER governor of Hong Kong, a left-wing rabble rouser, and an engineer who tackles the nuts and bolts of spectacular inventions are among the many exciting speakers lined up for this year’s Wells Festival of Literature.

Chris Patten was the last British governor of Hong Kong from 1992 until it was handed back to the Chinese in 1997. He kept a diary of the five years he spent there preparing for the handover and has now turned those diaries into a fascinating memoir.

The politics, he said, were “a snake pit”.

In conversation with his old friend William Waldegrave at the festival’s opening weekend he will review his tenure in Hong Kong and, with the benefit of hindsight, take a look at what has happened since.

The self-confessed rabblerouser is journalist Polly Toynbee, member of a family of academics and radicals which she describes in her colourful memoir An Uneasy Inheritance.

Asking for a truly honest conversation about class in Britain, she will explore the myth of mobility and the guilt of privilege.

Roma Agrawal – awardwinning engineer and designer of London’s famous Shard –

Among those appearing will be, clockwise from top left, Dominic Dromgoole, Polly Toynbee, Wes Streeting and Roma Agrawal

deconstructs our most complex feats of engineering.

In her book Nuts and Bolts she traces the journey of tiny inventions through the millennia, showing how such

Writer says win such big step

THE winner of a past Wells Festival of Literature short story competition is delighted that her efforts are to be rewarded next month with the publication of her first book.

Alice Fowler’s short story Incident on the Line won her first prize in the 2021 competition. The story, included in a debut collection called The Truth Has Arms and Legs, will be published by Fly On the Wall Press on July 14.

Her success is a timely reminder for any writers planning on entering this year’s competitions as the closing date looms – midnight on June 30 is the last chance to get those entries in.

Alice says: “Winning the Wells short story was such a big

step in my writing journey and I hope that this will encourage other writers to enter this year’s competition.”

This year’s short story judge is multi award-winning novelist Claire Fuller who received the Costa Novel Award for Unsettled Ground in 2021. Her new book The Memory of Animals was published in April.

The other categories are Open Poetry, a Book for Children and a Young Poets competition, with prizes ranging from £50 to £1,000.

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Wells in the autumn during the festival.

For full details of the competitions and how to enter, visit www. wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk

TUESDAYS 09:15 Pilates

seemingly insignificant items as nails, magnets and string shaped the world as we know it today.

Other guests that first weekend include a recreation of The Wife of Bath in the person of Marion Turner whose lively biography investigates Chaucer’s scandalously colourful character.

Labour MP Wes Streeting will relive his journey from poverty to politics as he introduces his memoir One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up, while theatre director Dominic Dromgoole – artistic director of the Globe Theatre for many years – will take his audience on a rollercoaster ride through theatrical first nights.

These are just a few of the many speakers booked for the festival which runs from October 27 to November 4, with the full line-up to be announced in the coming weeks.

For further festival information visit www. wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk

10:30 Pilates Seated Active Seniors

WEDNESDAYS 17:00 Barre

18:00 Pilates

THURSDAYS 09:15 Pilates

10:30 Barre

FRIDAYS 09:15 Pilates

l Open throughout Summer

l Small groups

l 4-week blocks

l Mixed ability

l Free initial consultation

Picture: Helen Miscoscia

Picture: SteveUllathorne

Sculptors to put their work on show in Palace gardens

THE gardens at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, will be the setting for an exhibition of sculpture this summer.

South West Sculptors is to collaborate with the Palace for the first time for the outdoor sculpture show Forms to Inspire. Eleven talented makers from across the South West will display works in the gardens from June 30 until September 24.

South West Sculptors is an inclusive collection of artists who

Staniforth that will hang through a medieval window of what remains of the Great Hall.

Martin’s sculptures explore hope and natural progression, reflecting the circle of life and regeneration. A reflective soundscape has been created, working with composer Fionn Connolly, blending elements of guitar and piano with other sounds, including the sculptor’s breath, birdsong recorded in West Country woodland and Brazilian rainforest, and the sound of a tree coming down.

Over the weekend of July 22/23, visitors will be invited to move with the music, and there will be dance performances, led by Mandy Redmond from Adventures In Dance.

aim to celebrate their passion for the 3-D form. The group represents a diverse range of 45 sculptors working in a range of media, from ceramics to stone, wood and metal.

Founder member, Luke Shepherd says: “We relish the experience of showing our works in such culturally significant venues in which setting and sculptures combine to provide a very special experience for visitors.”

Among the works will be huge willow sculptures by Martin

Martin said: “These sculptures explore how an ending can also be a beginning. When something’s time is up, it makes way for another to emerge and grow, be that an individual, a structure or a species. This reflects cycles of life and death, our place in the natural world and ecological evolution. I’ve called the sculpture Scension because there’s an ambiguity – are they ascending or descending? Rising or falling? Emerging or disappearing?

“This theme is very much present in the Somerset landscape, that used to be

full of elm trees until Dutch Elm Disease wiped them out. Then ash trees became a more dominant species, but these are now disappearing due to Ash Dieback Disease. Other species will rise up and fill the void, probably sycamore, possibly willow.”

The sculptures are woven from West Country willow withies at Martin’s workshop in Devon, where he is creating the work in sections. Then he will transport it to Wells to weave together and install on the imposing ruined wall of the Great Hall.

As part of the project,

workshops have taken place with Headway, a charity for people with acquired brain injury. Through working with clay, drawing and conversation, participants explored the ideas behind the sculptures, using regeneration in nature as a metaphor for our own lives –helping to process what it’s like to live as a human being.

The Forms to Inspire show at the Palace acts as a precursor to a sculpture trail of 40 works planned for the summer of 2024.

Open daily from 9.30am5.30pm with last admission at 5pm, the exhibition is included in the general admission charges.

Martin Staniforth at work on his willow sculptures, top, and two pieces by fellow South West Sculptors: Good Vibrations by Hamish Holman, above left, and Golden Sunflower by Zoe Singleton

‘We relish the experience of showing our works in such culturally significant venues’

Another show of support for community

EVERY week Sue Ali makes 500 meals or soups. Plus 600 juices or smoothies.

But this qualified nutritionist has found time to become the match-funder for the next Wells SOUP! which is on Saturday, July 15, in the Connect Centre.

“I am keen to support local good causes in the community,” said Sue, who started her business more than three years ago as Andres Kitchen, and this has now evolved into iDetox.

Customers purchase either a weekly plan of fresh food delivered twice weekly of caloriecounted and portion-controlled meals for lunch and dinner which are delivered within a 10-mile radius of Wells, or a nationwide delivery of detoxes and juice cleanses.

Sue ran a soup kitchen during Covid and helps people in need whenever she can.

“We at Wells Independents are delighted to work with someone who has supported so many local people and

good causes,” said Ross Young of Wells Independents, the organisers of SOUP!

Four charities will tell the

audience at this grant-giving lunch about their work and pitch for their votes and all will go away with money and a raised profile. They are:

n Children’s Hospice South West – supporting youngsters with life limiting conditions.

n Citizens Advice – free advice and support for those struggling in these difficult times.

n Wells Foodbank – providing food parcels for those in need.

n PromiseWorks – trains and matches support workers with disadvantaged youngsters.

July 15’s Wells SOUP! will start at 1pm but arrive earlier to be sure of a seat. People had to be turned away at the previous SOUP! as the room was full.

n For organisations that would like to present at a future SOUP! there is an application form at www.wellsindependents.org/ soup.

Opening by 2025, the new museum will reveal Clarks’ shoemaking heritage in the village where it all began

Sue Ali in her Wells kitchen with Ross Young holding two of her detox drinks

Feel-good show that explores transforming power of music

FIFTEEN years after is first production and following a sellout run at London’s Riverside Studios in April and June to rave reviews, I Found My Horn will return to the Wells Theatre Festival in July as part of an exciting programme of theatre, opera and dance with something for everyone.

Written by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees, adapted from Rees’s best-selling book, I Found my Horn was first performed in 2008 and has been wowing audiences ever since. Audiences in theatres across the UK, London, New York and Los Angeles have loved this joyous, feel-good show that explores the transforming power of music.

A man wakes up in midlife to a broken marriage and the dawning fear that he has done nothing to make himself

memorable. Packing away his life as he prepares for divorce, he is struck by an insane idea: why not pick up the French

horn he never conquered in his youth? So it is that, after a lay-off of several decades, Jasper Rees seeks unlikely adventure and redemption via 16ft of treacherous brass tubing. Dusting off the instrument he last played as a gormless teen, he sets himself an impossible task: to perform a Mozart concerto in front of a paying audience of horn fanatics.

The Sunday Times described I Found My Horn as “Funny, serious, moving. A gem”, and the Telegraph: “A shot of pure joy.”

Wells Theatre Festival takes place from July 6-9.

I Found My Horn will be performed at Cedars Hall on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, at 6pm.

For full details of the Wells Theatre Festival and to book visit www.wellstheatrefestival.org

Investigation continuing

POLICE are continuing their investigation into the discovery of a cannabis factory in Wells High Street.

More than 200 suspected cannabis plants and associated growing equipment was discovered at the property in April.

A police spokesperson said that no arrests have been made, but there is forensic evidence, that is not linked to anyone local.

Accolade for fashion store

AMBA in Wells Market Place has been voted Best Women’s Fashion Store for Somerset, Dorset & Bristol in this year’s Muddy Stilettos Awards.

The Muddy Stilettos website and Awards help to celebrate and promote small independent lifestyle businesses across the country.

CARVED STONE LETTERS

ANDREW JAMES memorials

MEMORIAL MASONRY

INCLUDING DESIGN & FITTING

HEADSTONE RESTORATION, RE-LETTERING & REPAIR

FRIENDLY, LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS

We will work with you to sympathetically design, produce and install a personal memorial, either hand carved or engraved. Lawn memorials, complete kerb sets, cremation tablets and vases available in a wide range of slate, stone and granite. We also offer headstone restoration services.

Slate, stone and porcelain house signs also available.

WWW.CARVEDSTONELETTERS.CO.UK

PHONE: 01749 840 869 / 07966 366 816

EMAIL: andrew@carvedstoneletters.co.uk

Visitors stream in to see garden

WELLS & Mendip Museum held a garden open day and plant sale on June 4 to raise funds for the further development of their beautiful medieval walled garden.

“We also wished to show the people of Wells and visitors this hidden gem,” said museum trustee Richard Lovegrove.

“Entry to the garden was

free and a constant stream of visitors throughout the day, both local and from afar, came to buy plants and view the gardens, now at their most stunning. Perfect weather contributed to making the day a huge success, not least because of the dedication and enthusiasm of the wonderful volunteers who have created and maintain the garden.”

Jonathan Guy Lewis

Museum volunteers at the open day with the plant stall in the foreground

There was fun in the sun at Dinder Village Fete on June 17. Among the attractions and entertainment

on offer were egg and spoon races, Hoop a Duck, a Promises Auction & Raffle, bric a brac and plants for sale, and face painting.

Familiar setting for new picture book

LOCAL author/illustrator

Rebecca Gryspeerdt has recently created a new children’s picture book set in The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, and featuring the swans and cygnets who reside there.

The story is called Helpful Nell and is about a little girl –Nell – who spends a week staying with her grandparents at their home in the Gatehouse of the Palace.

Over a week she helps her grandparents with various jobs such as planting water lilies in the Palace pond, watering the new young trees and preparing afternoon tea and cake. And every day she encourages the little cygnets to ring the bell outside the kitchen window in order to be fed – a tradition passed down through generations of swans at the Palace.

There is a dramatic incident towards the end of the story with the Town Crier playing a key role as events unfold. Birds, bees, flowers and trees feature largely – a buzzard is ever present soaring around in the sky above the other characters in the story.

Stoberry House & Garden

Stoberry Park, Wells, Somerset BA5 3LD www.stoberryparkgarden.co.uk

A WONDERFUL SETTING FOR EVENTS OF ALL KINDS

“There are many recognisable scenes depicted within the colourful illustrations, of areas in and around the Palace plus the bustling Wells Market Place, making the book a great memento for local residents and visitors to Wells alike,” said Rebecca.

She trained at Bath Academy of Art where she specialised in Illustration. She is a published author of several children’s books and has illustrated many more including for Oxford University Press, Julia MacRae Books and Wayland.

“I live in Wells and have enjoyed visiting The Bishop’s Palace with my family over many years,” she said.

Helpful Nell is published by Grey Horse Books and is available to buy from the new Palace gift shop and from Cadeaux & Co at the top of Wells High Street.

Rebecca will be signing copies of her book at the Palace shop on Saturday, July 1, from 10am until 1pm.

For enquiries, email rebeccagryspeerdt66@gmail.com

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

We would be pleased to welcome you for lunches, dinners, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions you may wish to celebrate. Please note these are for a minimum of eight people.

CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE

Stoberry House, set in 26 acres of parkland, is a beautiful setting in which to celebrate the life of a loved one. We can host a reception for family and friends following a funeral, with a number of catering options.

GARDEN

The garden is open by appointment every Wednesday and Thursday, and visits can also be arranged at other times by appointment. Please call us on 01749 672906.

CREAM TEAS

(Minimum of two people)

Our cream teas start at £16.75 per person

Our most popular cream tea menu is £28.75 per person

Our luxury cream teas are £38.75 per person All teas must be pre-booked by appointment. Teas also include garden entrance.

GIFT VOUCHERS

A wonderful present. We do Stoberry Gift Vouchers for all our teas, starting at £50.

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE: Go to our website at www.stoberryparkgarden.co.uk, call us on 01749 672906 or email events@stoberry-park.co.uk

Rebecca Gryspeerdt with a copy of her new book, and two of the illustrations from it, that include the Wells Town Crier

Barrow Court sale another resounding success

CLEVEDON Salerooms enjoyed one of its most successful auctions in recent years with the sale of the contents of Barrow Court, Barrow Gurney, on Thursday, June 1, at the Kenn Road Auction Centre.

The outstanding single owner collection had been amassed over a 30-year period by the late technology entrepreneur Iann Barron CBE.

Having purchased a substantial portion of the Jacobean mansion in the 1970s, he embarked on a major restoration of the historic interiors, creating a wonderland of period furniture and works of art, the majority purchased from established dealers in the Cotswolds during the 1980s.

Collections of such provenance and quality are always guaranteed to create a stir when they appear on the market and Clevedon Salerooms

maximised the opportunity with a dedicated printed catalogue and a co-ordinated publicity campaign in the regional and national press.

This certainly proved effective, generating an unprecedented level of interest in the sale – with one keen bidder making the journey to the auction by helicopter – and strong and sustained bidding throughout the sale.

With some 98 per cent sold and a total well above expectations, the Barrow Court sale was another resounding success for a saleroom going from strength to strength.

Attention now turns to the Autumn Specialist sale on September 14 which is already looking very promising with strong showings of jewellery, furniture, paintings, clocks, ceramics and modern design for which entries are invited.

Clevedon Salerooms, The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

The Barrow Court Sale - Highlights

There was an unprecedented level of interest in the sale of the contents of Barrow Court, Barrow Gurney

So much to enjoy about comedy festival

THIS year’s Wells Comedy Festival has been hailed as a huge success.

Star names such as James Acaster, Jamali Maddix, Mark Watson, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Phil Wang and Jessica Fostekew playes to packed audiences over the weekend of May 26-28, with many shows sold out.

The Friday and Saturday night galas, when several comedians take to the stage one after another, were as popular as ever.

“Our seventh year of the Wells Comedy Festival has been a huge success, with sold out shows, beautiful weather and fantastic audiences,” said Ben

Williams, Festival Director.

“Thanks to all the people of Wells – and surrounding areas – for being so welcoming to the dozens of comedians who visited the city. Watch this space about 2024…”

Thanks were also offered to Wookey Ales, Sheppy’s Cider, Copper Coffee and Stray Dog

Bars, who quenched festivalgoers’ thirst all weekend; to technical partners Storm Productions; to the two venues, Wells Little Theatre and Cedars Hall; to Wells Voice for its continued support of the festival; and to all the acts, volunteers and staff who make the event possible.

Pictured at this year’s Wells Comedy Festival are, from left, Phil Wang, James Acaster, Celya AB and Paul Foot

Pictures: Paul Gilbey

Nestled between Shepton Mallet and Frome, All Hallows is a one of a kind Prep School welcoming children ages 3 to 13.

Mayoral year gives good cause a boost

COUNCILLOR Stewart Cursley and his wife June were kept extremely busy during their year as Mayor and Mayoress of Wells 2022/23. A year which included the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, but then sadly her death later in the year, and this year the Coronation of Charles III.

But local events are the main focus of the Mayor in office, including the adoption of a local charitable cause. Stewart’s chosen charity was PROMISEworks, an organisation which supports young people with one-to-one mentoring, for which it received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2022.

Events held during the year included a Business Breakfast in Mayor’s Parlour, a quiz night in Wells Town Hall, which was very popular, the Mayor’s Concert at Cedars Hall, involving pupils from Wells Blue School, Wells

Cathedral School, Strode College, and Portway Annexe, and part of the Coronation celebrations on Cathedral Green.

These events prompted increased coverage in social and local media (such as Wells

Can you give this affectionate cat the home she longs for?

SKETCH is a 14-year-old very pretty dark tortie and white girl who just wants a quiet home without other cats and with some one who will give her the attention she craves. She loves affection and a lap to curl up on. If you forget to keep stroking her, she will give you a little pat to get your attention again.

Sketch is a happy, healthy girl who is neutered, chipped, fully vaccinated, has had a dental and is up to date with flea and worm treatments. She likes to go out for a stroll so needs a home well away from busy roads and with a garden to snooze in on sunny days. She is used to using a cat flap.

If you could give Sketch the home she has been waiting a long time for please phone Gill on 01749 850660 or complete our online application form.

Voice). Over the course of the year it became apparent that collectively these activities have raised the charity’s profile and PROMISEworks is now much better known in the Wells area. This resulted in some much

needed mentor applications, plus a greater willingness to donate money.

John Chambers, PROMISEworks Area Coordinator for Mendip, recently met with Stewart and June to thank them for their support. He said: “It was great to have the support of the Mayor and Mayoress of Wells over the past year, not only has he raised money for us, but with all his engagements he has helped raise the profile of our local charity.”

Stewart said: “The year was quite exhausting, but it was a privilege to be part of so many events and to work with incredibly hard working people, and to help raise money and awareness of an organisation June and I really care about.”

For more information about PROMISEworks see www. promiseworks.org.uk or contact John at John.chambers@ promiseworks.org.uk

Sparkling rosé wins Gold medal

FENNY Castle Vineyard near Wells is celebrating after winning a Gold medal at The WineGB Awards 2023 for its Fenny Castle Sparkling Rosé.

This year’s awards saw a record number of entries, with more than 100 producers entering from across 27 counties.

Fenny Castle owner James Cumming said: “It is an amazing time to be part of the English wine industry as the wines go from strength to strength. As a small producer in Somerset we are delighted to have been

awarded a Gold medal in the 2023 WineGB Awards for our Fenny Castle Sparkling Rosé 2019.”

The Gold medal winning sparkling wines were all produced by the classic method and with the traditional varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier).

The Trophy winners, including the unveiling of the Supreme Champion – the Wine of the Year – will be announced at the WineGB Awards ceremony on July 7 in London.

Vines at Fenny Castle Vineyard at Worth, near Wells

From left, John Chambers, Mendip Area Co-ordinator, PROMISEworks, June Cursley and Councillor Stewart Cursley

Out and about sharing passion for pizza

BUSINESSMAN Edd Martin is sharing his passion for pizza with the help of the wood-fired oven he has installed in the back of his Land Rover.

He started Soul Dough Pizza four years ago as a hobby after going on a bread-making course in Bath.

“Since then I’ve been totally hooked on all forms of dough. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and there’s no way back,” he said.

The main focus of Edd’s business is private events and weddings, but since going full time earlier this year, he is now doing regular pop ups in Wookey Hole, at Underwood Trading Park on Wookey Hole Road, and in Priddy.

“I love making pizza because it makes me happy, and everyone else around me. I love sharing with them the passion that I have for pizza, and try passing some of this on,” he said.

“I try to use as much local ingredients as I can, from mozzarella from Glastonbury to wholemeal flour from Wookey. That’s a very important part of

my business and something I want to stay true to.

“From building my own pizza oven in my garden to now having

School gets ‘excellent’ report

WELLS Cathedral School has announced the publication of the latest report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The school has been awarded the highest possible grade of ‘Excellent’ for both pupil achievement and pupil personal development, and has also passed the accompanying compliance inspection.

Head Master Alastair Tighe said: “I am thrilled to share this report. While these headline judgments of ‘Excellent’ are wonderfully positive, for me the true value of this outstanding report is found within the detailed examples and evidence the inspectors have used to justify their findings. I think that the report powerfully sums up what my brilliant colleagues are trying to achieve here for our pupils and why the school is such a very special place. I extend my thanks to staff, pupils, parents,

governors and all members of the wider school community.”

Selected quotes from the inspection report include:

n Pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding are excellent in all areas of the curriculum and develop strongly as they move through the school.

n Lessons observed were characterised by good humour and enthusiasm from both pupils and teachers, cloaked in respect.

n The standard of choral singing merits the school’s description of its choir as “world class”.

n The school has a culture where all are respected and valued for who they are. Wells Cathedral School is an excellent example where a wide range of individuals: extremely gifted musicians, mathematicians, sports players, boarding and day pupils and the neurodiverse, interact with respect, sensitivity and tolerance.

a wood-fired oven in the back of my Land Rover it has all been a very fun and interesting journey. Putting an oven in a moving vehicle sounds and looks very strange to most people, but it is an amazing way to take pizza to the people, and it always creates a lot of exciting conversations.”

Helping Edd with Soul Dough is his wife Imogen Martin, a former student at Wells Blue School.

She is also a wedding stylist with her own company, Luck and Lace, and is the Wedding and Private Events Manager at The Bishop’s Palace.

Details of their pizza menu can be found on the Soul Dough website, with regular updates about pop-up events on the Facebook page.

“We love meeting and chatting to everyone and helping bring the community together over pizza, and of course some added soul music,” said Edd.

Edd Martin has fitted a wood-fired oven in the back of his Land Rover

Work under way on new section of path

By Daniel Mumby Local Democracy Reporter

TRAVELLING across rural Somerset without a car could soon become a little bit easier as work begins on a new section of a vital active travel route.

The Strawberry Line currently runs uninterrupted between Yatton railway station and Station Road in Cheddar, largely following the route of the former Somerset and Dorset railway line.

Numerous other short sections of the route have been opened over the last 12 months, including a stretch in Westburysub-Mendip in December 2022 and two sections in Shepton Mallet in March 2023.

Work has now begun on a further short stretch between Wells and Cheddar, which will be open to pedestrians and cyclists by the end of August –with further improvements also expected to follow quickly.

The route takes its name from a section of the Great Western Railway which was famous for transporting strawberries and dairy produce to London markets.

Strawberries were so lucrative to the communities within the Cheddar valley that they were known as “red gold” – but the line was closed in 1965 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts.

Much of the Strawberry Line route follows the original track bed, with the Westbury-subMendip stretch running from Station Road near one of the disused railway bridges (over which the A371 to Cheddar now runs) down as far as Erlon Lane.

Work officially began on June 12 to extend the route as far as Ebbor Lane in the neighbouring village of Easton – with the prospect of the route heading further towards Wells in the nottoo-distant future.

The new section, being constructed by Yeovil-based contractors Mark and Kate Golding, will cross Erlon Lane, rise gently under the existing A371 bridge and then follow the route of the existing public footpath, emerging near Easton Village Hall.

The work, which will cost around £100,000, is being

funded by a legacy grant from Mendip District Council, allocated before its abolition as part of its partnership with Greenways & Cycle Routes.

Strawberry Line chairman Mick Fletcher said: “I’m particularly excited about this, because this is the only safe crossing on the A371.

“It will enable pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users to get into Westbury-sub-Mendip without going on that wretched road.

“We are really grateful to the landowners who have agreed to grant us access.”

Work to extend the path near Dulcote recycling centre is currently under way, following on from the completion of the route between Wells and Dulcote Quarry in March 2022.

Construction of the new Easton section is expected to take eight weeks (weather permitting), meaning that walkers and cyclists can begin using the route by the end of August.

In the meantime, the Strawberry Line is asking people not to use the existing footpath off Ebbor Lane to ensure public safety and prevent any disruption.

Once this section is completed, focus will shift towards securing the land east of Easton, which will eventually connect the village to the Haybridge area of Wells and link

up with the existing elements of the Strawberry Line running in and out of the city.

Mr Fletcher said: “There is

a little bit already that we have bought and fenced off, a section next to Easton Village Hall.

“We will continue to work on that section – we have built a bund to provide privacy for the landowner and planted trees.

“There are good negotiations going on with the other landowners between there and Wells – and we’re optimistic about that.”

The route between Westburysub-Mendip and Cheddar presents further challenges, with the route needing to take account of the terrain and character of the Mendip Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Mr Fletcher added: “We’d love to move further west but we haven’t started serious discussions with the landowner yet.

“Rest assured, creating the Cheddar link is of equal importance.”

The planned route of the Strawberry Line under the A371 in Easton Picture: The Strawberry Line

Community event true to Ratty’s adage

“BELIEVE me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats,” said Ratty to Mole in Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel The Wind in the Willows.

There will be “messing about in boats” at the Moat Boat Races free community event at the Bishop’s Palace on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 28), organised by City of Wells Lions, when there will be a chance to cheer on the crews on and enjoy the thrills and spills of raft racing on the moat. Spectators might even see the Bishop in one of the crews.

There are races for Juniors and Adults, fun races and special awards such as best dressed crew.

All proceeds will be donated

to local charitable organisations by the Lions.

Application packs with regulations and raft specification are available on the new boat race website https://www. wellsmoatboatrace.com/ or from City of Wells Lions, email cityofwellslions@gmail.com.

The maximum crew size is six (teams up to eight), minimum age to take part is 13 years by Monday, August 28, 2023, the day of the races.

The number of entries for each race is limited so it will be ‘first come first served’.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with running the races should email cityofwellslions@gmail.com or call 0345 833 6736.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Captivating garden with Cathedral for backdrop

THE NGS Garden for the Month for July is The Rib on St Andrews Street, Wells.

The Rib is a privately owned medieval canonical hall house located at the east end of Wells Cathedral. The garden is dominated by the Cathedral, its Lady Chapel and Chapter House which loom large over the well-established trees and shrubs which frame every view.

The focal attraction in the front garden is the remarkable Cornus Contoversa Variegata –perhaps the finest specimen in the South West. To the rear,

the main garden consists of a modern terrace with five huge terracotta pots, a lawn leading down to St Andrew’s Well and some newer mixed borders.

Through the yew arch is an ancient walled orchard, with long-established fruit trees, vegetables and wildflowers. Through the beech hedge is a traditionally-planted cottage garden and small pond. The Rib will be open for garden visits on Saturday, July 22, from 12pm-5pm. Admission: £5, children free. Cashless payment available.

All welcome at charity event

EVERYONE is welcome at an Open Day being held by Heads Up at its base at Upper Breach, South Horrington, on Saturday, July 1, from 10am-2pm.

Crandon Springs Care Home in Wells hosted a visit recently by Owl Obsession UK. The residents, families and staff enjoyed meeting owls Woody, Pooyle and Splat, and being able to stroke them. The care home thanked Anna and Lee from Owl Obsession UK for the visit.

There will be a number of stalls, games, live music, plants and produce for sale, and an opportunity to walk around the garden and find out more about the services the charity has to offer, including therapeutic workshops, day care provision for those suffering with dementia, outreach and community support, and support for carers.

The deadline for the August edition is July 12

A view of the garden at The Rib, the NGS’s Garden for the Month for July

Bands provide musical treats

WELLS City Band was proud to feature in the city’s Coronation celebrations, performing at the heart of Wells, on the Cathedral Green. An appreciative audience was treated to a mix of brass band classics such as Floral Dance, as well as traditional ceremonial classics fit for the royal occasion.

Musical Director Paul Denegri took the opportunity to remind the crowds that the band would have had the honour of playing for the city’s celebrations many times during its 184-year history.

The Coronation celebrations proved to be the perfect time for the band to unveil the new stand banners which marks the first step in the transition back to the historical burgundy band colours.

Sadly, the Covid pandemic has taken its toll on many UK brass bands, with many folding and struggling for players – but

it would appear something very special is happening in Wells, as a full Cedars Hall audience witnessed for themselves during the recent Spring Concert.

Those arriving early for pre-concert drinks were treated to the first performance from the rapidly growing new Wells City Band Brass Academy Band, showing the admiring audience what has been achieved in just

Consultation on Licensing Policy

SOMERSET Council is inviting residents and businesses to comment on its updated Licensing Policy.

A consultation is now open until July 13, and people can have a say at: somersetcouncil. citizenspace.com/licensing/ licensing-policy

Somerset Council must review its Statement of Licensing Policy every five years. The Policy document sets out an approach to the council’s licensing functions in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

five months by its 25 members.

As well as showcasing the main band, the concert included performances from special guests Lions Youth 4 Brass and the I See You Choir.

For more details about Wells City Band or joining Wells City Band Brass Academy, contact WCBBandmanager@gmail.com or WCBBrassAcademy@gmail. com

When the consultation has ended, the council will consider responses and make any appropriate amendments to the Statement of Licensing Policy. The final draft will be considered and agreed at a Full Council meeting.

Wells City Band Brass Academy Band performing at Cedars Hall

Diabetes help programme highlighted

PUBLIC health leaders in Somerset made a new call during National Diabetes Week (June 12-18) to people who suffer from the condition to take part in a programme which could radically improve their quality of life.

The county is one of just 21 areas of the country offering a free NHS programme to support residents with the lifethreatening condition to lose weight and potentially achieve remission. Type 2 diabetes affects more than 30,000 people in Somerset.

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes ‘Path to Remission’ programme began in Somerset in June last year and so far, 209 residents have signed up to take part. The 12-month programme of support from trained coaches aims to help people with the condition to achieve remission, reducing their risk of diabetes complications and the need for medication.

The initial phase involves three months of meal replacement with a range of soups, shakes and bars, all of which are provided free of charge to participants. This is followed by reintroduction of healthy meals. On average, participants in Somerset have lost 14 per cent of their starting weight after six months on the programme.

Councillor Adam Dance, Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity at

Somerset Council, said: “Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition which is shortening and reducing the quality of life for a large number of Somerset residents.

“We know that diabetes is a condition that can be treated very effectively, through evidence-based programmes like this but also with lifestyle changes that can be made at home such as moving more and adopting a healthier diet.

“By eating healthily, moving more and losing weight, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be reduced by about 50 per cent.”

Dr Henk Bruggers, GP Partner with NHS Somerset, said: “We must not be complacent about this disease –with the right support, remission is possible. This NHS remission programme is evidence-based

and available to those who meet the criteria in Somerset. It is a fantastic programme, and I would urge those who think they might be eligible to find out more and contact their GP practice for a referral.

“We would also urge people to take full advantage of the ‘Know Your Risk Tool’, which is available via Diabetes UK to

see if they may have a risk of developing the condition.”

To be eligible for the programme residents must be aged between 18 and 65, have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last six years, and have a raised body mass index (BMI).

People who think they might be eligible should check the programme website and complete a self-assessment questionnaire. If still interested, they should contact their GP practice about a referral. Places are limited, so it is best to do this as soon as possible.

More information about the programme can be found at: https://momentanewcastle. com/patient-lcd-somerset3. Information on Type 2 diabetes in general (as well as Type 1 diabetes) is available from Diabetes UK and the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ type-2-diabetes/

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The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists’ annual exhibition of miniature art was as popular as ever when it took place in Wells Town Hall from June 10-17. Pictured at the Private View evening are, from left, the society’s President, Rosalind Pierson; Mayor of Wells Tanys Pullin; and society Council member Claudia Haesen. Claudia, who attends the event from Germany, won this year’s President’s Choice Award for her painting of a fox.

Fashion show a sellout success

WELLS Town Hall was the venue for a sellout fashion show on May 26.

Organised by Juliet Matthews of Wells Tennis Club, the show was a fundraising event to raise much-needed funds for a new clubhouse.

Many prominent players and members from the club –

which last year celebrated its 125th year – ‘strutted their stuff’ on the catwalk. Fashions showcased were supplied by local independent retailers – Amba, Runway Boutique, Young Again, Mountain Warehouse, and The Changing Room. Bar 501 of Shepton Mallet provided the bar for the evening.

“The audience was absolutely amazing, cheering as each of the models made an appearance,” said Juliet. “A special mention goes out to Christian Lockyer who compered the evening and kept the audience entertained throughout.”

The show was a big success raising a total of £2,800.

The finale of the fashion show in Wells Town Hall

Pictures: One Moment Photography

Deborah and Sarah

Taking the applause

Beckie and Heidi

Louise and Anna

Helen

Family working to develop attraction

LOCAL attraction Wookey Hole has begun to refresh and diversify its offering under the leadership of a family trust that has been set up following the death of Gerry Cottle, the circus legend and former owner.

Gerry bought Wookey Hole in 2003 and he ran the attraction until his death in 2021. He left Wookey Hole to his children in trust and the family are working to both preserve Gerry’s legacy and bring more of the historical aspects of Wookey Hole back to the fore.

The family has already taken the business through a brand refresh and is working through updating the facilities. An

Garden party in aid of important project

ON Saturday, July 15, between 2pm and 5pm, Canon Rosalind

Paul is hosting a Garden Party at 2 The Liberty to raise funds for a Wells Cathedral Christian Aid Community Project. Entry by donation.

The project is called Empowering Left Behind Communities, and it is run by Christian Aid partners in Bangladesh.

Christian Aid work to help all people live a life free from poverty with dignity, equality and justice, but in Bangladesh large numbers of people from ethnic minorities, people of low caste (Dalits), people with

extensive renovation of the toilet block located in the entrance car park has just been completed, as well as a new games room in the Wookey Hole hotel.

There are plans to develop

the attraction’s offering further with a new restaurant and calendar of events and activities. There is a new interactive circus show, Trolls Pop Quiz, the just-launched SCOOB! 4D Experience, a monster trail, returning for the school summer holidays, and Comedy Cavern night on September 1.

Ellen Ramsay, granddaughter of Gerry Cottle, plays an integral role in the development of Wookey Hole, including performing in the Wookey Hole Circus, taking on the role of the Witch of Wookey Hole and supporting the marketing team.

She said: “It’s a very exciting time for everyone at Wookey

Hole. Somerset has been our family home for 20 years and we want to honour my Grandad’s legacy. Grandad loved to entertain, delight and surprise and over the 18 years he ran Wookey Hole he created a whimsical marriage of entertainment and education.

“We plan to continue this but with an even greater emphasis on the historical and education aspects of our offering.

“This is a new beginning for our family and for our guests, and we have so many ideas in the pipeline already. We’re investing heavily in ensuring everyone who visits Wookey Hole loves it as much as we do.”

disabilities and transgender people are denied that right. In many cases they are denied access to education, to healthcare and to land rights. They often face discrimination and violence.

Empowering Left Behind Communities supports the rights of minority groups as they seek to tackle discrimination; it provides training, community engagement work and supports coalitions of civil society groups as they engage with government at all levels.

The project brings in matched funding from the EU – for every £1,000 raised in this project the EU will add a further £5,000, so it’s a great way to have a big impact.

So please come along for a cup of tea, piece of cake, music,

activities… and help us to raise money for this worthy cause.

Adrian I’Anson Wells Cathedral Christian Aid Group

Time to build fairer political system

I JUST had to write in and share my experience at the recent Sort The System mass lobby of Parliament: hundreds of us from all over the UK, rallying together to demand a change in our electoral system. All united in a belief that the current system of first past the post is failing us. I had the chance to meet with fellow Wells constituents and discuss the urgent need for proportional representation in

Westminster elections. It’s crucial that we all raise this issue with our MPs. We need to show them that the demand for change is growing louder every day.

The lobby was a powerful reminder that our democracy is meant to represent the people, not just a select few. PR would ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that our votes truly count. It’s time to shake things up and build a political system that works for all of us.

Let’s keep the momentum going. If you care about the future of our democracy, reach out to your MP, attend local meetings, and join the movement for PR. Together, we can bring about the change we so desperately need.

Anthony Lamb By email

The Trolls Pop Quiz circus show

n MESSAGE FROM THE MP

Great chance to celebrate Armed Forces

AS I write this, I am preparing for Armed Forces Day, which in my ministerial role, and as a veteran is very important to me.

The celebrations have begun this week, and I know there are events also occurring as you read this in early July.

It is a great chance to show your support for, and celebrate, the men and women who make up the Armed Forces.

As well as this, it is a chance to also mark the contribution of Emergency Services communities and those still serving, including the families of those in the Forces and – of course – veterans.

Not only will there be a host of parades across Somerset, but there will also be activities which you can attend that include stalls, exhibitions, military vehicles, and a chance to meet personnel too.

of Wells MP James

These kind of events are always well attended in this part of the country, and it makes me so proud every year.

There have been a lot of other things going on across the Wells constituency, too, and I recently had two very productive meetings regarding dentistry in Somerset.

It is far from an isolated problem to this county, but the Chief Dental Officer met with MPs in Parliament before I then followed up with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) later that week. The ICB have been commissioning NHS dentistry since April and while the issues are multi-layered, the ICB assured me they are identifying opportunities to get check-ups, fillings, and important dental procedures back being accessible through the NHS as quickly as possible.

I will continue to push for a resolution but there are still a lot of moving parts. This is still one of my biggest priorities and I know the Minister with responsibility for this policy area is working closely with ICB leaders across the country –including here in Somerset. This collaborative work is crucial if there is to be a change in how the system is working for people.

I know a lot of constituents have been in touch about this over the past few months, and I will endeavour to keep as many people up-to-date on the changing situation as I can.

Finally, I do hope the sun continues to shine over Wells as we head into the summer holidays – where I hope we can welcome visitors in their numbers to enjoy the glorious Somerset countryside and everything else on offer.

Thoughts

Heappey

‘Not only will there be a host of parades across Somerset, but there will also be activities which you can attend’

Spreading the love for local markets

MENDIP Markets, run by Somerset Council, took part in the national Love Your Local Market (LYLM) campaign which celebrates traditional markets and their dedicated traders.

Markets in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street and Frome proudly displayed a LYLM banner.

LYLM is organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and this year’s campaign ran from May 12-27.

The variety of traders featured, and the quality of products on offer, is not only a reminder that these markets are good places to go shopping, but also highlights their importance to the local economy and their

contribution to daily life. Councillor Federica SmithRoberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, said: “Mendip Markets have proudly supported the LYLM campaign for many years, and 2023 is no exception.

“Our dedicated team have been busy hosting the seven weekly markets and engaging with traders, celebrating their commitment on social media.

“Markets are an important feature of our local community, our heritage and give small businesses an opportunity to thrive and grow in the area.

“Let’s continue shopping at the markets and support our many unique and devoted Somerset traders.”

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Pay heed to Act introduced after Grenfell Tower fire

By Natasha Macdonald

Pop-ups with Middle Eastern menu

FEASTCIRCLE pop-ups are returning to Wells Market Place this summer. FeastCircle creates Middle Eastern food, and sells at farmers markets and food festivals around Somerset.

It will be serving an à la

carte menu at the Market Place Cafe, Wells, from 6pm-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, until and including Sunday, August 27.

Bookings can be made via the website (feastcircle.co.uk) or by calling 01749 681379.

EVERYBODY is aware of the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2017, which resulted in the loss of 72 people, more than 70 people being injured with 223 people managing to escape. And all due to an electrical fault with a refrigerator in one of the flats on the fourth floor and cladding which was not found to be compliant with the regulations.

As a result of this tragedy the Government has worked hard and introduced the Building Safety Act 2022 which came into force on June 28 last year. The Act was introduced purely to protect leaseholders from the unfair burden of remediation costs required to make their home safe.

The Act is lengthy and rather convoluted, however a summary of the Act ensures that those who built the defective buildings are held accountable and the leaseholders themselves are protected from those costs which could cause serious financial hardship.

In order to introduce the Act the Government put in place a criteria of which buildings will and which buildings won’t fall under the Act.

Any building over 11 metres high or in excess of five storeys is included in this criteria. It can be a self-contained building or a self-contained part of a building. Each building must also have at

least two dwellings.

The Act also introduced “relevant defects” and it puts first the safety of people from the risk of fire or structural collapse due to work being carried out on a building using inappropriate or defective products during its construction or during any later works such as refurbishment or remediation.

The work has to have been carried out between June 28, 1992, and June 27, 2022, and related to the initial construction of the building or the conversion of a non-residential building into a residential building or any other works commissioned by the owner.

As a leaseholder, if you have a qualifying lease in a relevant building and the defect identified is a relevant defect as mentioned above, then you will be protected against the cost of putting it right.

When buying a property which falls into the relevant building criteria the above needs to be considered to protect the leaseholder and it is most important that the relevant enquiries are made by your solicitor and they have a full understanding of the Act.

Moving forward, the investigations and regulations that that have now been put in place should assist in ensuring a tragedy like the Grenfell Tower fire never occurs again.

n Natasha Macdonald is a Chartered Legal Executive with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

Love for the market in Wells

A FeastCircle event in Wells Market Place

n IN DAYS GONE BY With Clare Blackmore

Memories from 54 years as licensee

VETERAN innkeeper in the City of Wells, Mr Thomas Henry Price, took out a licence when he was 20, and he remained a licensee in Wells for more than half a century.

He was a licensee at the Angel Inn in Broad Street and the Royal Oak in the Market Place, and for 40 years was licensee of the Crown Hotel in the

Market Place until he retired in December 1954 aged 74.

He had vivid recollections of market days in the city, as he told his family, and as was reported in the Wells Journal.

Inns were open all day from 6am to 11pm and ale could be bought at as little as 1d a pint.

Saturdays were market days in Wells and all 35 inns would be busy.

The courtyards would be buzzing with rich country dialect and bustling activity.

Jovial, rubicund Mendip farmers would toss 3d on the counter and call for beer, no bottled stuff in those days, but two staple draught brews, ale which cost 1d a pint and beer, which was a mixture of the two, and for this a customer was charged 2d.

As for cider, that was never made anywhere else but the farms, and landlords would buy it at 4d a gallon and would sell it at 1d a pint before Christmas and after it, that is after fermentation, it was bought for 8d a gallon and sold for 2d a pint.

‘Inns were open all day from 6am to 11pm and ale could be bought at as little as 1d a pint’

At

In his backyard at the Crown, Tom Price could remember as many as 60 to 70 horses being stabled there on market day.

Farmers coming in for the market would bring with them steaks that they had purchased in the city and have them cooked at the Crown while they quaffed their beer. One or two of the inns

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provided a massive joint on the parlour table from which, at the price of 1/-, farmers could help themselves.

These were the days too when a traveller could knock-up a landlord in the middle of the night and call for a drink, and to be classed as a traveller you only had to journey three miles.

There were far more free

houses then, not attached to a brewery.

They were the days when hardly a publican in Wells did not have to work at some other job during the day to earn a proper living. Food was not a staple of the inn culture of the day.

Tom Price died in 1961 aged 81.

When time was called on 14 inns

FOURTEEN of Wells’ 35 inns ceased serving customers at the start of the 20th century. It was a time when the Temperance Movement, which decreed that the increase in intemperance was the result of too many premises where people could buy alcohol, was increasing in power, and legislation was proposed to “improve the conditions under which licensing and the sale of alcohol was carried on”.

Those affected in Wells were the Nags Head in Sadler Street,

The Royal Oak in the Market Place, The Mitre and The Mitre Vaults in Sadler Street, The Red Ox, where W H Smith now stands, The Queen’s Head, now the Blue Cross charity shop, The Bulls Head in Queen Street, The Forrester’s Arms in Broad Street, The King’s Arms and the Golden Heart in St John’s Street, The Goat, The Lamb and the Somerset in St Thomas Street and the Hearts of Oak at the bottom of the High Street where Boots Opticians is now situated.

Two views of the Crown Hotel as the citizens of Wells would have known it in past times

Pictures: Wells & Mendip Museum

Tom Price could remember as many as 60 to 70 horses being stabled in his backyard at the Crown on market day

Picture: Wells & Mendip Museum

n ON THE BEAT

Spot signs and stay safe from courier fraud

HOPEFULLY we have left the cold weather behind us and are all now looking forward to having a wonderful long, hot summer ahead of us.

Your local neighbourhood team have just given a talk on how to protect yourself from fraud, I would like to take this opportunity to advise people on one of the scams which the fraudsters are currently using, Courier fraud, and how you can keep yourself safe.

Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.

The caller may also offer a telephone number for the victim to telephone or ask the victim to call the number on the back of their bank card to check that they are genuine. In these circumstances, either the number offered will not be genuine or, where a genuine number is suggested, the fraudster will stay on the line

The latest from the local policing team with PC Darren Pearson

and pass the victim to a different individual.

After some trust has been established, the fraudster will then, for example, suggest:

n Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible.

n Suspects have already been

arrested but the “police” need money for evidence.

n A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is operating fraudulently and they require assistance to help secure evidence.

Victims are then asked to co-operate in an investigation by attending their bank and withdrawing money, withdrawing foreign currency from an exchange or purchasing an expensive item to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster.

Protect yourself

n Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.

n If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.

n Your debit or credit card is yours – don’t let a stranger take it off you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should

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destroy it yourself.

n Contact the police immediately on 999 or 101 prior to continuing with the conversation.

Spot the signs

n Someone claiming to be from your bank or police force calls you to tell you about fraudulent activity but is asking you for personal information or even your PIN to verify who you are.

n They’re offering you to call back so you can be sure they’re genuine, but when you try to return the call there’s no dial tone.

n They try to offer you peace of mind by having somebody pick up the card for you to save you the trouble of having to go to your bank or local police station. How to report it

n Report it to us online or call 0300 123 2040.

n If you’ve given your bank details over the phone or handed your card to a courier, call your bank straight away to cancel the card.

Never give out your personal information, name/DOB/ address/bank account details/ credit, debit card details to anyone you do not know.

Tree strategy aims to create ‘wood culture’

A TEN-YEAR plan to enhance and protect Somerset trees and woodland has been adopted by Somerset Council.

Amongst its ambitious aims, the strategy sets out a plan for planting 240 hectares of new trees and woodlands each year across the county until 2033.

From Somerset’s famous apple orchards to Exmoor’s mighty oaks, this would increase the county’s tree coverage from its current eight per cent to the national average of 13 per cent and more if possible.

As one of the council’s priorities to create a greener, more sustainable Somerset, the strategy recognises the council’s role in helping tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and has been developed in partnership with the Environment Agency, Somerset Local Nature Partnership, Exmoor National Park, Quantock Hills, AONB

Partnership, The Forestry Commission and The Woodland Trust.

Built around five themes, the strategy seeks to strengthen the county’s bond with its trees, creating a ‘wood culture’ where the people of Somerset can access and be a part of caring about Somerset’s woodland.

Work is already underway with the creation of three new posts, funded through a successful bid to Defra’s Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund. With tasks including supporting existing tree groups and encouraging new ones, these roles are expected to be in place by the beginning of the summer.

As climate change brings warmer temperatures and more extreme weather conditions, the strategy also aims to make Somerset’s woodlands more resilient and adaptable to these changes by protecting, expanding, managing, and

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diversifying the existing treescapes.

To read the full Somerset Tree Strategy, which was adopted by the Somerset Council’s Executive on June 6, visit the council’s website.

Councillor Sarah Dyke, Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “We have a rich history of trees in our landscapes, but our woodland cover is below the national average.

“This is a strategy that covers ecology, climate, and communities to enhance and protect its trees for the future and I would urge everyone to read it – there is no better way to help and be a part of your community than to make that difference by planting trees.

“It is a strategy that needs to belong to everyone: the council has a role to play, but we can all play a part. It’s not just about

more trees, it’s about the right trees in the right places, and through these three new posts I believe we can make a real impact.”

The five themes of the tree strategy are:

n Create a Wood Culture: Where everyone understands the importance of trees to the county, its natural environment, and its communities.

n Make our trees resilient and adaptable: To climate change by protecting, expanding, managing, and diversifying our existing treescapes.

n Expand tree coverage in Somerset: Through planting initiatives, in urban and rural areas, to create cohesive and connected treescapes that include woodlands, parks, roadsides and urban spaces.

n Create a range of services and products: That allow our treescapes to contribute to society through local supply chains and the creation of natural capital opportunities.

n Create a sustainable and flexible governance structure: That ensures the successful implementation of the strategy over the next ten years.

The council says that by coming together to deliver this strategy everyone in Somerset can help prevent further decline of the natural environment and help to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Somerset has a deep and rich history in managing its trees. The ‘Sweet Track’ and other Bronze Age structures on the Somerset Levels represent some of the earliest known examples of substantial volumes of timber use in the UK, likely from managed resources.

Plaque to go up at ex-workhouse

A BLUE plaque is to be installed on a building at Priory Health Park in Wells to inform people that it was once the Wells Workhouse.

Somerset Council has approved an application to mount a Wells Civic Society plaque on a rear wall of Priory Hospital.

The wording on the plaque will read:

These Victorian buildings were originally the WELLS UNION WORKHOUSE. 1838 -1930

l 1930: Wells Public Assistance Institution and renamed Rowden’s House

l 1948: Renamed by the NHS, Wells Infirmary

l 1961: The Priory Hospital

l 1988: The Priory Hospital closed and became the Priory Medical Centre

An oak tree in the Mendip area

n WHAT’S ON

Bon Jovi tribute at hotel festival event

THERE will be live music, a barbecue, festival food and more at The White Hart Big Weekender from July 21-23.

Headlining the debut festival at the hotel in Sadler Street, Wells, will be a performance by Bon Jovi tribute band From Jovi on July 22. Tickets available from Eventbrite (eventbrite. com/e/654914505917) or add names to the list by visiting the bar.

There will be live music on the Friday night (July 21) and a barbecue, and live music on the Sunday (July 23) from 3pm.

The White Hart is celebrating six months since its reopening under the management of Scarlett Pubs, and is hoping that The White Hart Big Weekender will be its first annual event.

PILATES AND BARRE

TUESDAYS

Pilates 9.15am

Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am

WEDNESDAYS Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm

THURSDAYS

Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am

FRIDAYS Pilates 9.15am Location Wells Town Hall.

Small, mixed ability classes.

To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com

Summertime music from Ladies Choir

THE Cantabile Ladies Choir will be performing Music for a Summer Evening at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, on Monday, July 10, at 8pm.

Paul Fletcher will be Guest Soloist. Musical Director is Tracey Hansford, accompanist is Shelley Prior and on the drums will be Steve Jobbins.

Tickets are £10 to include a glass of wine and a programme, Under 12s free. Tickets on the door, or from Jane Savery tel: 01749 670527 or from Cadeaux & Co in Wells High Street. All profits will be going to charity.

Irish Set Dancing

IRISH Set Dancing takes place on Thursday evenings in Dinder Village Hall from 8pm-10pm,

Celebrated tenor in Cathedral concert

AWARD-WINNING tenor

Russell Watson, accompanied by renowned pianist Mike Moran, will be performing in Wells Cathedral on Wednesday, July 19.

Russell is a four-time Brit Classical Award winner, has sold more than seven million albums, and has performed for The Queen, The Pope and two US Presidents. He will

from September to June. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary.

This is a lively and interesting form of folk dancing that is good for the brain too. Each dance consists of four or five parts, and is danced in a set of four pairs. Instructions are given during every dance.

The cost is £3 including refreshments. More information from Paul Harper: 01458 210051 or paulharper@btopenworld. com

Social Dancing

SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD, from 7pm to 9pm.

People do not have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per hour, and refreshments are provided. For more information, call 07769 603937.

be performing a special show with classic songs old and new, together with a selection of hits from his illustrious career. Doors open at 6.45pm, the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets: Reserved Seating from £52.25 to £74.25 (including booking fee). For more information and to book, go to www.oeplive.com or call the Box Office on 01256 416384.

Sing-along sessions

GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall, 24 Southover, BA5 1UH.

Run by Al and Annie Whitley, the sessions start at 1.45pm for tea and coffee, with the singing of songs from the Fifties onwards from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Newcomers welcome.

Board game nights

WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, July

TAI CHI

Wells Blue Sports Centre

Mondays 6pm – 7pm

£5 per class

Bob 07791 291886

5, and Wednesday, July 19, from 7pm-9.30pm.

Pub music events

FREE folksong and music sessions are being organised in friendly traditional pubs.

The Wells Folk Sessions take place on the second Monday of every month at Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy, BA5 3BA, 9pm till late; and the fourth Wednesday of every month at City Arms, High Street, Wells, BA5 2AG, 8.45pm till late.

All are welcome at the music nights to sing a song, play a tune, join in a chorus or just listen and enjoy. For more information, contact: Richard 01761 412797, richardlm397@gmail.com

PilogaFit

Essential Mindful Exercise

Core & More Functional Fitness Classes

www.healthtaichi.co.uk

www.pilogafit.co.uk

John Beasley 01749 672482

Seated exercise

SEATED exercise classes are taking place in Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, every Tuesday afternoon at 2.30pm.

Carrie Hemmings is delivering the Love To Move sessions, which involve movement to music while sitting down. The cost to take part is £4 per person and £1 per accompanying carer.

For more information, contact Carrie: 07818 303956 or email lovetomovemendip@ gmail.com

Folk club meetings

MR Punch’s Folk Club meets once a fortnight on a Friday at Theale Village Hall, BA5 1PN, from 8pm. Traditional and contemporary music, song and verse. Mostly open mic, with new performers always welcome.

More at punchsfolkclub. yolasite.com

Health Tai Chi

Russell Watson will be performing in Wells on July 19

n WHAT’S ON Palace to stage open air operas again

OPERA Brava are returning to The Bishop’s Palace as part of the open air productions this summer, and following last year’s successful performances.

Puccini’s La Bohème will be performed on Friday, June 30. It follows the story of two young, bohemian lovers in Paris. When young poet Rodolfo met the seamstress Mimi it was love at first sight. But, faced by the cruel realities of poverty and ill health, will the flame that burns between them flicker and die?

That will be followed by Verdi’s La Traviata on Saturday, July 1. Young man-about-town Alfredo falls in love with the courtesan Violetta. On the surface it’s all glamorous Paris society, but underneath run darker undercurrents, leading to a tragic ending.

Doors open at 5.45pm, performances begin at 7pm.

Tickets available through The Bishop’s Palace website: bishopspalace.org.uk

New refreshments area opens doors

THE new Apple Store refreshments area at The Bishop’s Palace is now up and running and already proving a popular summer venue in the beautiful setting of the Phelps

Garden. The opening comes in time for the long school summer holidays, when the Palace and Gardens will be open and ready to welcome little visitors with family trails, storytelling and crafting sessions plus the ever-popular Dragon’s Den play area with its climbing frame,

tunnel, waterwheel and sluice gates.

And there is also a chance for grown-ups to discover hidden creative talents with a programme of workshops running over the summer offering participants the chance to learn new skills such as growing cut flowers, photography, pickling and developing sketching techniques.

Boules tournament back for second year

WELLS Rotary’s annual boules tournament will take place for the second year running at The Bishop’s Palace on Sunday, July 16, from 9.30am.

If interested in entering a team into the tournament, email: Chris.rotary@outlook.com

Although the tournament is taking place in the Palace Gardens, the Palace and Gardens will remain fully open and accessible to visitors.

The boules event is included with any standard admission ticket.

The Apple Store refreshments area at The Bishop’s Palace

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

CITY OF WELLS PROBUS CLUB

FOURTEEN members of the City of Wells Probus Club made a visit on May 23 to the construction site of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power generation plant. It is the first nuclear plant to be built in the UK for 20 years and currently employs some 9,000 construction workers, many living in purpose-built campuses in the Cannington and Bridgwater areas.

We were told that the plant is to be commissioned in 2027 with completion in 2028 having the capability of producing seven per cent of the UK electrical power requirements. The anticipated cost of £32.7 billion is funded 66 per cent by EDF and 34 per cent by the Chinese. The site will be some eight times more powerful than the original Hinkley A, which was started back in 1957.

The construction site was enormous, with a skyline of large cranes one of which is called Big Carl, the largest land-based crane in the world. This is to be used shortly to raise the

huge metal cap onto the first of the two reactors. In total, the site will have consumed three million tonnes of concrete in its construction.

Following a question raised

by one of our members it was interesting to hear that the water taken from the Bristol Channel to cool the reactors will go back with a minimal rise in temperature with no anticipated

danger to the fish life in the water.

It was a great day out and to see this amazing construction, 60 per cent completed, with electricity being produced in the not too distant future; very exciting.

For our June meeting we had a fascinating talk on St Cuthbert’s Church given by Churchwarden Antonia Gwynn. This is a large parish church with a Somerset long panel tower 46m high dating from 13851450. From the top are superb views of Wells, the Cathedral and surrounding countryside.

The splendid vaulted roof with painted angels and inscriptions is special. The church was modified many times having been lengthened, widened and increased in height with the top windows making it light and airy. The west door became available in 2008. The porch roof and carvings are one of the oldest parts of the church.

The church needs visitors and Antonia is always pleased to show people around.

Antonia Gwynn with members of City of Wells Probus Club after her talk

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

WELLS MEN’S BREAKFAST

WELLS Police Constables Darren Pearson and Dan Williams brought their customary good humour in a talk to a packed audience at the city’s Connect Centre.

They told the Wells Men’s Breakfast of recent successes with drug warrants, speeding, graffiti, tool thefts, and of course the cannabis factory found in Wells High Street, then answered a string of challenging questions from the floor.

The next speaker at the Men’s Breakfast, Jackson Moulding, will talk on Saturday, July 1, about a successful bid to build affordable and sustainable housing.

This is particularly relevant as mortgage costs keep rising while rental properties are becoming more difficult to find and increasingly expensive.

The breakfast will start with a full English at 8am in the Connect Centre followed by Jackson’s talk and a lively question time, finishing by 9.30am.

To book a seat, phone 07376 715671 and leave an ansaphone message by noon on Thursday, June 29. The cost is £10.

WELLS TUESDAY WI

SUCH a lot has happened between May and June, and this month we took a little time to reflect at the start of the meeting. We were pleased to report we had raised almost £1,000 from the Coronation activities for Voices, our charity supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Mulberry very generously had donated a handbag to raffle and the members lots of toys for a ‘human toy machine’. It was wonderful to see the delighted faces of the children as they chose their toy. A ‘win for everyone’ on so many levels.

It always amazes us how many people enjoy a go at shooting on our netball post. A lockdown buy (which the walking netball girls used in the park when we were allowed), it has certainly been worth its weight in gold. This year during exam season we have been playing on a homemade court in one of our netball hosts’ gardens. On the Monday we enjoyed a crazy casino and afternoon tea and raised a glass to toast the King.

The trip to Fussels was a great success and we are all enjoying the oils as demonstrated in their demonstration kitchen. Other members have been to Santa’s cookery school, and luckily, the walking groups have been out and about working off some of that food. Similarly, Blooming Fun have been enjoying some glorious gardens.

Recently, Donna, a local potter, came with a range of items we could paint (which will be returned next month once they have been fired). A lovely opportunity to be creative and have a natter… not that nattering is in short supply – the four new knitting groups are going strong. It’s lovely to have the opportunity to be mindful and talk.

We have already enjoyed a trip to The Mendip Hospital Cemetery, an absolute gem hidden in plain sight on the edge of Wells, such a calming and reflective space.

Wells Tuesday WI is currently full but we do have a waiting list and are happy to direct you to other local WI groups.

COXLEY & DISTRICT WI

AT the latest meeting we were educated and entertained by Bob Selway, a retired Metropolitan Police officer who is now a wood turner. He brought in his equipment and explained how to choose and cut wood to get the best out of it. Then on to the skill of wood turning. He showed us the process from start to finish of how to make a bowl. It was fascinating. The completed beautiful bowl became the first prize in our monthly raffle (won by Rosemary).

This whole event was interspersed with anecdotes, many of which were humorous. Hilary gave our vote of thanks. Bob then selected the winner of our monthly competition… ‘a wooden item’. Margaret R was first, then Helen, followed by Christine.

For the rest of our meeting Christine stood in for Val.

We were due to meet for our next walk on June 16 at Midsomer Norton, finished by a lunch, also in Midsomer Norton.

Hilary reported on her sponsored marathon for RUH Bath, which was successful.

Our next craft meeting will be on July 12 at 1pm at Peggy’s. We will be knitting for charity.

The next book club will be at Ursula’s on July 13 at 10.30am. The chosen book is Phillipa Gregory’s Hard Girls.

Also there will be a WI county quiz night at Shepton Mallet on July 26, a team is being formed. There was no winner in the flower of the month competition

as all had equal votes. Our upcoming skittles team was also discussed and names are being taken for the team.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 4, when the speaker will be Daphne Atkinson, her subject will be Birth Stones. The competition will be ‘something sparkly’.

Visitors are most welcome, we start at 7pm at Coxley Memorial Hall.

Ursula Dann

WELLS U3A

ON Thursday, May 25, Wells u3a celebrated their 30th anniversary. It was started all those years ago by Rosie Lean, who felt there was a need for such an organisation in Wells at the time. After some research and advice from the Third Age Trust, the national representative body of the organisation, she set up several interest groups which have now expanded into 55 groups. Initially the membership numbers were small but at the last count have risen to around 700.

Wells u3a were delighted to welcome Rosie and her husband Peter to join 70 guests for the celebratory lunch held in Wells Town Hall. Other guests included were the Deputy Mayor, Jasmine Browne, accompanied by Diana Browne, Virginia Nasmyth, a life member, current Chair, Sue Revell, and previous chairs, Anne Walsh Waring and Fran Elkin. Wells Mayor, Tanys Pullin called in to give her best wishes to Wells u3a.

Guests arrived to melodies played by the Making Music group and enjoyed a glass of Prosecco before Sue Revell welcomed everyone to the lunch. Jasmine Browne remarked in her speech how many people in Wells had benefited over the years from u3a. Everyone then settled down to enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch with a drink of their choice. During the meal the very adept conjurer The Great Baldini mingled amongst the tables amazing the guests with his tricks. The celebration cake was formally cut by Rosie Lean and enjoyed by all the guests with a cup of coffee while they watched and participated in a full performance by the amazing magician.

Also in May, Wells u3a laid on a welcome cream tea for

PCs Darren Pearson and Dan Williams keep an eye on Wells Men’s Breakfast chair Adrian I’Anson, top; Jackson Moulding, above, pictured with a book he helped write about a remarkable community building project in Bristol, will be the next speaker

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

new members who had joined between the end of September last year to the beginning of April this year, held at Wells Museum. The organiser Ginny Bourquin and her team arranged for many group leaders to be present along with displays, where possible, of their subjects. At least 50 per cent of the new members attended and found it very helpful to actually meet the group leaders face to face and talk in depth on how the particular groups ran rather than just reading a small paragraph about them either in the Newsletter or on the website.

The members of the team, especially the group leader’s rep, were on hand to talk about other groups that were not represented. Everyone enjoyed homemade scones with jam and cream along with a cup of tea giving a friendly and lively atmosphere. This event is hoped to be repeated again in September. So if you decide to join this interesting organisation with many subjects and activities to get involved with, you too will be welcomed in this friendly way to meet all sorts of dedicated people.

To find out more about Wells u3a go to our website https:// u3asites.org.uk/wells/home or just Google ‘Wells u3a’. Lots going on all the time so log on to have a look.

Ann Brown

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

HIGH summer is upon us and a memorable one too. Gardens are displaying an abundance of exuberant forms, textures and colours. And a bit of wear and tear as well. Any small, or even large failures have been offset by successes. Those of us who let our hair down and allowed the grass to grow are scratching our heads as to what to do next. A chap with a scythe perhaps?

Or leave it for the moment, all looking a bit wild but that was one of the objects.

The delight of the early summer stands of fescues, bents and crowsfoot etc compensate for the haymaking ahead.

The long grass remains long grass and I love it, despite the fact that this year there were fewer butterflies, fewer tits, fewer finches. But here in this garden we did give a helping

hand to a resident blackbird who, along with many others around us, seems to have regained those traditionally loud mellifluous tones. The terrific performance started as dawn broke and continued to dusk from the top of a neighbouring tree and at last, after much practice, counteracted the noise of the traffic along Bath Road. He became part of the family together with the fledglings and his mate in the shrubbery.

It’s a curious thing that we take possession of the wild creatures which surround us and are conditioned by us to be continually fed and sustained. They are not quite domesticated like the packs of canines that have appeared on our pavements since lockdown. Wild creatures

stay, basically, wild, like Delius’ canary, Napoleon’s parrot and Mozart’s starling. Mozart, being Mozart, taught his starling to perform the opening bars of his Piano Concerto No.17 in G. He succeeded up to a point. The bird sang in G sharp instead of G. So, you can’t have everything and I suspect the starling did it deliberately; a blow in favour of wilding and remaining wild in a cage.

Flowers and vegetables follow the rules and stay put. Good gardeners know the rules and apply them. I tend to stick a plant in and expect it to deliver ignoring the advice about humus-rich soil, sunny positions and winter care. A few years ago when Fergus Garret of Great Dixter came to talk to Henton Gardening Club, I bought an appealing fennel viz. Ferula tingitana ‘Cedric Morris’. Jenny, our treasurer, also bought one and stayed in touch with Fergus for a season or two. We planted our purchases and nothing happened. No spiking umbellifers 5ft high. The wisdom received from Gt Dixter was “Don’t cosset”. No rich soil, no feeding.

Now this is the sort of advice I like. Poor dry soil it has and the reward is just what it should be. And a handsome addition to a border which was looking decidedly wild. So let’s give a cheer for the virtues of fennels and other plants which thrive on neglect.

The club’s season of talks ended on a high note with

an excellent presentation by Dr Francis Burroughs on his father’s reminiscences of being a gardener in Edwardian times, and at the opening meeting of next year’s season we will be welcoming horticulturalist and writer Sally Nex talking on greener and more sustainable ways to garden. That will be on Thursday, September 14. We shall be also visiting Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge in Hampshire on July 20. For details tel: 01749 672299.

Pip Harwood

WELLS ANALYTICAL PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY

OVER the past 12 years or more, a participating audience of about 25 has gathered in the lecture theatre of Wells Museum, on the first Monday morning of each month at 10.30. We have discussed topics ranging from religion without belief to illusions of democracy, from the nature of truth to euthanasia, from Camus to Wittgenstein, from political fairness to the moral traps of empathy, from scepticism to the philosophy of education, from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life to Artificial Intelligence. Everyone is welcome and no prior familiarity with academic philosophy is expected. Our next debate, on July 3, explores Rival Accounts of History – Marx and Weber.

Just pop in for a friendly taster, or contact Alan Hobbs on 01749 677949 for further information. The topic for each month hereafter will be posted a fortnight in advance on the Wells Library noticeboard.

WELLS AND DISTRICT WILDLIFE GROUP

ON June 13, the group continued its summer programme of field visits by visiting Collard Hill in the hope of seeing the large blue butterfly. The warm, sunny and still conditions rewarded us with several sightings of butterflies who were seeking out wild thyme plants to lay their eggs on. Once hatched the caterpillars spend some time feeding on the thyme before they are taken underground by ants who are attracted by the sugary juices they produce. Once there they

Continued on page 44

Rosie Lean cutting the Wells u3a 30th anniversary celebration cake with Peter Lean and members of the committee Sue Revell (Chair), Mike Lee, Marion Harding, Ann Brown and Jeanne Evans Picture: Philip Welch

Fennel ‘Cedric Morris’ with Rosa wintoniensis

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

From page 43

exploit the hosts by consuming ant larvae and pupating before they emerge in June and July as butterflies to start the life cycle over again.

The large blue butterfly is an example of fascinating wildlife on our doorstep and there are others which require us to do no more than take a short walk into Wells or just go into our back garden. If you look in the moat around The Bishop’s Palace you will be able to see shoals of sticklebacks. These fish make idea meal-size portions for the resident kingfishers. Kingfishers are quite often seen as a blue flash as they fly low over the water but it is worth looking at the vegetation growing over the moat. They are used for fishing posts and offer views of this brilliant blue and orange bird at rest.

The next field meeting of the group is on July 7 (7pm-9pm) to Ubley Warren where we will be looking at the special plants growing on its chalk and acidic soils along with other features of natural history interest we may encounter. Booking is essential.

Details of this and other events can be seen on our website www.wdwg.org.uk or you can phone Jean on 01749 677600.

We ask for a donation of £5 per adult – under 16s are free.

Graham Allen

WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB

ON Tuesday, June 13, club members held a minute’s silence in memory of Marie Whitman who died recently. Marie had been a member for 40 years and during that time had been treasurer, chairman and president.

The chairman then introduced our demonstrator for the afternoon, Cath Brown. Her demonstration was entitled 50 Things

That Make You Happy.

After reading an article on things that made one happy she decided to use five of the ideas as a base for her demonstration.

Her first design was an arrangement of blue eringiums and white roses representing the joy of getting into a freshly made bed. This was followed by a modern design. A willow base was filled with gold sprayed leaves and completed with large

sephina chrysanthemums to symbolise Gold Blend coffee.

How many of us have enjoyed popping bubble wrap? Yes, it was on the list. Cath had made an ingenious shawl shape with chicken wire and bubble wrap to drape around the neck of a vase into which she placed a combination of pink mini gladiolas, raspberry coloured geminis and apricot roses. This and the next design were achieved without using floral foam. A brass bowl was arranged with a combination of pink and orange roses and geminis and was part of a design used in a group arrangement to represent the colours of India. This represented a personal achievement for Cath when it was part of a gold-winning entry at the Malvern Show.

Finally, her fifth arrangement was the concept of time to oneself and we all had plenty throughout lockdown. Cath used her time making new containers from old in her garage. It was one of these that she used for her final design of purple agapanthus, sunflowers and green anthureums. The vote of thanks was given by Sue Fricker and teas served by Ann Brown and Jeanne Evans.

Plans are well advanced for our 70thAnniversary Flower Festival to be held in The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, from August 10-13.

Our own flower arrangers will be joined by Cath and other friends from the area including three prizewinning international demonstrators who will lend their expertise to make it a fabulous event. Each room in the

Palace will celebrate a decade in flowers beginning with the 1950s. Look out for full details next month.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 11, at 2.15pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall when Beverley Clay will join us with her demonstration, Out of the Garage. Visitors £5.

Jenny Jones

WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY

MEMBERS and friends of the Wells Civic Society recently enjoyed a beautifully warm summer evening in the glorious Museum gardens as a finale to the current programme of evening events.

They enjoyed Pimms and bubbly, local strawberries and cream, before heading inside for an inspiring talk by Edgar Phillips, so well known locally and internationally for his

stained-glass wings. However, what many did not know was the difficult journey he has had to bring him to the success he now enjoys.

Since moving to Wells, which he said “has embraced” him, Edgar has spent a time as Artist in Residence at The Bishop’s Palace, where several examples of the wings drew in visitors from far and wide. He now has a studio at the Portway Annexe from which he also runs Art Experience Days – “one-to-one therapeutic creativity workshops”. His own experiences have enabled him to understand the complex needs of those struggling with a range of challenges and to support and inspire them to create small pieces of stained glass art work. Tailored especially each time, the result of such an achievement, he said, was thrilling for him and for his pupil-for-the-day.

So touched was the audience by Edgar’s commitment to making this experience available to as many as possible, that it was agreed that one of the days would be sponsored by members and the Society. More information about these very special art experiences can be seen on www.artexperiencedays. co.uk or call Edgar on 07498 119862.

The programme of the Society’s activities beginning in the autumn is currently being put together and will be circulated to members and available on the website: www. wellscivicsociety.org.uk

ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

ON June 7 we had a very informative evening with the Rev Rowena Francis telling us of her time in Gaza. She spoke eloquently of how the Palestinian people live and her support of them in their difficult daily life. We were all very quiet at the end of the talk trying to take in what she had told us. To many of us it was not something we had considered. It opened up the floor to many questions.

We meet again on Wednesday, July 5, with a talk on The History of Samplers by Sarah Villiers. We have welcomed Sarah before, she is an excellent speaker, and we look forward to seeing her again.

Pat Dyer

Cath Brown with her bubble wrap design at Wells Floral Art Club

Edgar Phillips shows examples of the work done during his Art Experience Days Picture: Chris Winter

Wells Voice has helped sponsor new kit for a football team in South London which has nine players who all went to Wells Blue School. AFC Tomlin play at Canada Water in the Powerplay Premiership, after gaining promotion two seasons ago. The former Blue School students in their ranks, who have all ended up living and working in the same area of London, are Mike Gouldney, Joe Jackson, Jed Hampson, Nathan Vallis, Ed Jackson, Jake Piers-Mantell, Jack Savery, Alex Main and Marco Hiscox. Some of the players are seen in a recent team photo, while Jed and Ed display shirts with the Wells Voice logo.

Wells contingent compete with distinction

THIS year’s Frome Chess Congress which includes the Somerset Championships was held in May and Wells Chess Club had players entered in all four divisions. It was a fiveround Swiss Style tournament. The Wells contingent included Sasha Matlak, our new addition who has recently arrived from Ukraine to join his family in Wells. Other players included Solomon Hayes, Chris Strong, Jon Rossi, John Waterfield, Jamie Eales and Paul Wiltshire.

In the Minor Section, ungraded Paul Wiltshire played well after a faltering start to secure 1.5 points in his return to competitive play after a while away. In the Intermediate section Jon Rossi picked up two points where his opponent was graded at least 150 points higher than him in each match.

Solomon Hayes has had a very good season already in his league matches and winning a grading prize in the East Devon Congress in April. It is little surprise that he scored 3.5 points and secured eighth place in the Intermediate section, picking up a grading prize in the process. His grade has now increased by more than 100 points since September last year and he is showing great

improvement and confidence over the board.

In the Major Section Jamie Eales had mixed results securing two points in what was a very competitive section. He has also had a great season with Wells this year with some notable scalps and will feel he can do even better next year.

In the Open Section which has no grading restrictions Chris Strong entered as one of the lowest graded players to take on high class opposition. He picked up 0.5 points, but at this level any mistake is punished and he should be praised for taking on the challenge. Wells A-Team Captain John Waterfield came away with two points and finished mid-table with his two losses coming against an International Master and a FIDE Master, the second and third strongest players in the field. John is going on to compete for Wales in the World Seniors Team Event in North Macedonia in September this year which will be a great experience.

Sasha Matlack arrived to the tournament ungraded and

so may have slipped under the radar. He played a series of very impressive games including a tough draw in the final match against International Master Peter Large that took over 100 moves. He managed four points from five in the Open section and won the Denys Bonner Trophy as Somerset Champion 2023. The only player ahead of him was friend of Wells Chess Club Grandmaster Keith Arkel. As Keith is not a Somerset player he did not qualify to win the trophy.

As with any tournament it was great to have several players from Wells in attendance and able to support each other in the heat of competition over the weekend. It is a delight to have Sasha in the club as he brings not only his chess and teaching skills but a very sociable and engaging manner. We are all delighted with his success at Frome Congress and look forward to his participation at the club

Wells Chess Club is a friendly and sociable chess club that meets on a Wednesday evening at the Globe Inn on Priest Row from 7.30pm. They can be contacted at wellschessclub@ outlook.com. They can also occasionally be found at The Bishop’s Eye in the market square on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Main picture, Wells Chess Club celebrating with Sasha Matlak; and Solomon Hayes in action at Frome

n SPORT

Large number take part in cup event

GOLF

ONE hundred and twenty eight men entered the Jock Callaghan Cup at Mendip Golf Club. Division 1 was won by Tom Chapman with an excellent 66. Division 2 went to James Pitchell with 70, and Division 3 saw a 66 from Andy Neeve. The Best Gross was recorded by George Morgan with a 1 under par 70, but the Trophy went to a fine round from Sam Watts with a net 64.

The Ladies Alliance Teams had a good week. The A Team gained a fine half when visiting Wells with wins for Ladies Captain Aimee Sawyer, Edwina Willis and Jan Fukuyama with a half gained by new team member Ann Lofts, playing the course for the first time. The B Team welcomed Saltford and gained a fine 11-3 win. Wins came from Jenny Merrett, Edwina Willis, Lynn Cox and Anne Hopkins, with Chris Olds securing a half. The Ladies ICL team did not fare so well going down 2-5 when visiting Mendip Spring. Good wins though from Suzy Rudkin and Louise Scott.

Mendip’s men had a fine win in their Somerset Bowl match beating Oake Manor 4-1 taking them into the last 8.

After several years Mendip in 2021 reintroduced their Junior Mendip Vase Open event with a very small initial entry. This year saw 35 entrants and also alongside Somerset County ran their Junior Team Championship. The Trophy winner was George Marshall from Saltford with a fine 42 points. First Visitor prize went to Freya Keirl from Wells with 38. Best Mendip Junior was Alec Roberts with 35 with brother Ben 2nd with 31 beating Henry Lewer on count back. Not surprisingly Saltford won the Team Trophy with Mendip’s B Team, Alec and Ben with Connie Cox coming 2nd.

New players welcome PRESSURE

WELLS City Badminton Club plays every Wednesday from 8pm-10pm at Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre.

It welcomes new members who already have some playing experience. For more information, contact Chrissie Allen: 07971 340591.

Wednesday meetings

TABLE TENNIS

WELLS Table Tennis Club meets every Wednesday at the Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, from 6.30pm-9.30pm. For more details, email paulhambleton2@btinternet.com

Summer family activities July/August

S u m m e r w o r k s h o p s , o u t d o o r t h e a t r e a n d o p e r a a n d l o a d s t o d o

f o r a l l t h e f a m i l y a t T h e B i s h o p ' s P a l a c e

8 t h J u l y : S e a s o n a l H a n d T i e d B o u q u e t a n d

B e g i n n e r s G u i d e t o G r o w i n g C u t

F l o w e r s W o r k s h o p s

1 3 t h J u l y : ' B o t a n i c a l S k e t c h i n g T e c h n i q u e s

W o r k s h o p

2 0 t h J u l y : ' B r i n g i n g o n B a c k t o t h e ' 8 0 s ' ; a n i g h t o f n o n - s t o p r e t r o a n t h e m s w i t h N e w A m e n C o r n e r

2 3 r d J u l y : T h e Lo r d C h a m b e r l a i n ' s M e n p r e s e n t ' R o m e o a n d J u l i e t '

3 r d A u g u s t : T h e P a n t a l o o n s p r e s e n t ' E m m a '

9 t h A u g u s t : T h e P a n t a l o o n s p r e s e n t ' A l i c e i n W o n d e r l a n d '

1 0 - 1 3 t h A u g u s t : F l o w e r F e s t i v a l w i t h W e l l s F l o r a l A r t C l u b

P l u s s u m m e r h o l i d a y f a m i l y a c t i v i t i e s a n d m o r e !

T i c k e t s o n l i n e a t :

w w w . b i s h o p s p a l a c e . o r g . u k

* B i s h o p ’ s P a l a c e M e m b e r s a r e e l i g i b l e f o r d i s c o u n t s o n a l l w o r k s h o p s

Romeo and Juliet with The Lords Chamberlains Men: 23 July

Flower Festival with Wells Floral Art Club: 10-13 August