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June 2020 Issue 36
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Former nurse, 96, dedicates moving poem she has written to today’s healthcare workers: page 3
Triumph of love against the odds British soldier married woman he met in France on VE Day in 1945 who had stayed hidden from Germans in rabbit hutch Turn to page 6 New menu: pages 10&11 Weight-loss meals: page 12
Wells MP writes for Wells Voice In his first column, James Heappey reflects on the efforts of people across the community to respond to Covid-19 Turn to page 24
Some of the many gifts that have arrived for staff at Wells Health Centre and Wells City Practice
‘We’re so grateful’ GP practices and care home thank patients and local businesses for amazing show of support – see page 5
WELLS BED SHOP
Back in action Tennis club members pleased to be able to return to courts Turn to page 30
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Palace Gardens reopen to public
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LOC AL INFORMATION
JULY DEADLINE
Wells City Council www.wells.gov.uk 01749 673091 Police www.avonandsomerset.police.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.dsfire.gov.uk General inquiries: 01392 872 200 Emergency: 999 NHS www.nhs.uk Urgent calls: 111 Emergency: 999
To ensure your news or letter is included in the July issue, please contact us by June 17.
YOUR VIE WS Letters for publication can be sent by email to news@wellsvoice.co.uk. We reserve the right to edit letters.
COMPL AINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Wells Voice, contact the Editor using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Wells Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Editor.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wells Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Wells Voice is distributed each month to residents. Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 6,700 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.
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THE Bishop’s Palace Gardens have reopened to the public following updated government advice on accessing green spaces safely. A new one-way system has been put in place to enable social distancing in the Gardens and upon entry. Visitors will be asked to follow the white markings on the floor and to read the signs as they make their way around the site. The Palace has also introduced a new type of ticket, designed to encourage local people to visit the site regularly throughout the year. The new Adult ticket, to be known as The People’s Ticket, is an annual return ticket costing £15 and will allow the user to return as many times as they wish for a period of 12 months. The Child ticket (5-17 years) will cost £7.50.
The Bishop’s Palace Gardens
Plan for up to 148 homes rejected AN outline planning application for up to 148 houses on land off Wookey Hole Road has been turned down by Mendip District Council.
June 2020 The council said that the principle of development is considered unacceptable as the site – known locally as Armchair Field – is located outside the defined settlement of Wells. “The proposed development will have a detrimental impact on the openness of the rural setting of Wells and on the setting of the adjoining Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” the decision notice continues. The partial loss of a speciesrich hedgerow resulting in a loss of rural character, to the detriment of the undeveloped setting of the Mendip Hills AONB, is given as another reason for refusal.
Wells groups given coronavirus funds SOMERSET Community Foundation has set up the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal to raise funds for local charitable groups that are supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. Among those that have received funding so far are four Wells groups: n Project Factory CIC, £2,500 – coordination of local volunteers and targeted support for vulnerable groups in Wells. n Heads Up, £2,200 – virtual support service for people with mental health needs in Wells. n Wells Vineyard, £2,000 – emergency foodbank funding. n Elim Connect Centre, £6,000 – meal delivery, virtual counselling and support for vulnerable people in Wells. More details of how to donate, or how to apply for funding, at www.somersetcf.org.uk
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June 2020
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n NEWS nurse and bringing up their four children, she and her late husband the Rev Canon Douglas Vicary – Canon Residentiary and Precentor of Wells Cathedral from 1975 to 1988 – were active members in the communities they lived in, not least Wells where Ruth has now lived for many years. She has always enjoyed reading literature and poetry and has written stories and poetry in former years. She wrote the poem reproduced on the right a few years ago, along with two others entitled The Waiting Room and The Consultation, whilst sitting as a patient waiting in the waiting room at Wells City Practice. “It particularly touched doctors and staff at the surgery at the time and seems very poignant and even more relevant during the current pandemic,” said Dr Ruth Donlevy, GP Partner at Wells City Practice. “Ruth was delighted to be asked if her poem could be enjoyed by others in Wells by featuring it in Wells Voice.”
To all healthcare workers; a Poem by Ruth Vicary Don’t think I don’t know How it is for you Who hold In your hand So many lives. And Any grain Of sand Deserves no Particular Regard and Expects none Yet never Have I gone from you Uncomforted You know me and Your hand which reaches me among The dark sea Tangled beaches Holds me Love reaches me and There is light
Ruth Vicary nursed injured soldiers during the Second World War
Poem pays tribute to health workers FORMER nurse Ruth Vicary, who was 96 on May 7, has shared a poem she has written to honour today’s healthcare workers. Born in 1924, Wells resident Ruth celebrated her 96th birthday the day before the nation celebrated VE Day. Such celebrations during a time when people face modern day lockdown due to the current coronavirus pandemic brings back many memories for Ruth. As a young woman she trained as a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and was nursing injured soldiers towards the end of the Second World War. The youngest of six children,
Ruth was one of many medical professionals in her family; her uncle was a surgeon, two of her sisters were doctors and her brother was a surgeon who worked out in the desert during the war. A favourite tale of hers is that she once nursed an injured soldier who had returned from fighting abroad and she realised her brother’s signature was one of several on the soldier’s leg cast. Ruth has fond memories of working as a nurse but also, much insight as to how hard it can sometimes be to work in healthcare, trying to meet the needs of patients. As well as her work as a
Ladies thanked for laundry bags THE Forever Friends Appeal at Bath RUH has said thank you for the uniform laundry bags made and donated by “the ladies in
Wells”. The bags were dropped off at the charity’s offices at the hospital, and have been included in care packages for RUH staff.
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Clockwise from above left, the portrait of Dr Daniel Osiobe by Kate Hughes; the doctor in real life; the portrait of Lisa Styles by Caroline McKinnell; and a photo of Lisa at the hospital
Artists honour NHS staff with portraits TWO Wells artists have produced portraits of NHS staff as part of a nationwide project paying tribute to those on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis. Caroline McKinnell and Kate Hughes are taking part in the #portraitsofnhsheroes project started by artist Tom Croft, in which artists invite NHS workers to get in touch and have their portrait created. Eventually, it is hoped, there will be an exhibition of the artworks. Caroline has painted a portrait of Lisa Styles, an ITU nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Kate’s subject is Dr Daniel Osiobe, who works at Glan Clwyd Hospital in North Wales. Kate said of her subject: “He
is currently working in hospital as part of his training to become a GP. I loved drawing him and thankfully he likes his portrait. “Next up is going to be a sister at the RUH. Her daughter has asked for it as a secret surprise for her mum. “It’s a way of doing something positive and hopefully making someone feel good.” Kate is a self-taught graphite artist and used to work in TV in London, then at Stoberry Park School as a teaching assistant when she moved to Wells. “I have always drawn and done art for pleasure in my spare time but decided to pack in my job and do it full time about three years ago,” she said. “Last autumn I did a series of political portraits and was very chuffed that two of them found
‘The painting took me about 10 hours and is in oils. I’m particularly pleased she’s recognisable through all the PPE’ homes with their subjects – Rory Stewart and Tessa Munt.” Caroline’s portrait of Lisa has earned praise from Lisa’s friends and family, and Lisa said: “That is absolutely beautiful, thank you so much. It’s scary sad times but you have captured me perfectly.” “The painting took me about
10 hours and is in oils,” said Caroline. “I’m particularly pleased she’s recognisable through all the PPE.” Caroline trained in building film and theatre props and sets at Wimbledon School of Art, and has explored sculpture and painting over the years. “Properly engaging as an artist has been more recent since my health has deteriorated and meant I’m spending most of my time at home,” she said. She has entered the picture of Lisa, as well as a self-portrait, into this year’s Wells Art Contemporary competition.
People urged to attend vaccination appointments THE NHS in Somerset is urging people to attend all regular vaccination appointments to prevent outbreaks of serious diseases and reduce pressure on the health service. The NHS is continuing to help people to manage illness
linked to coronavirus, but is still urging parents to bring children forward for lifesaving jabs to stop killer diseases like measles and mumps. With many people expressing concern and even fear about seeking help during the virus
To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157
emergency, the NHS is running a nationwide campaign to encourage people to come forward for help when they need it. Essential, routine vaccinations like the MMR jab can save a child’s life and are available through family doctors. As long
as those attending appointments, including parents of babies or children, do not have symptoms or are not self-isolating because someone in the household is displaying symptoms, all scheduled vaccinations should go ahead as normal.
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Community’s huge generosity hailed STAFF and doctors at Wells Health Centre have thanked the local community for the gifts and donations they have received during the lockdown. Patients and tradespeople have donated protective equipment like gloves and face masks and treats such as cakes and bacon sandwiches for those who work at the practice at Priory Health Park. “We have been moved by the thoughtful gifts and donations we have received from our patients and local businesses,” said Dr Jonathan Bench. “The generosity has been amazing, and we are very grateful to the community.” Donations have included: Nut and Boltman, 20 boxes of 100 gloves; Yeovil NHS dentist, 100 masks and 7 boxes of gloves; Sandra Davey and Brian Mitchell, 8 FFP3 respirators; Daniels Cafe, bacon sandwiches; Wells Cathedral School, visor masks, goggles and gloves; Morrisons, hampers of goodies, box of biscuits, teabags and coffee; Cloth Wells, 70 handmade masks; Sharon Haigh,
Easter eggs sent by the Swan Hotel
deliveries of cakes, biscuits, jams and chutneys; Draycott & Rodney Stoke Sew for NHS team, scrub bags and scrubs; Nigel Dervin, full visor masks; Lavender Country Kitchen, cookies and cakes; The Swan Hotel, Easter eggs; Taunton Scrubbers, scrubs; The Castle of Comfort, cakes; Westfield Vets, aprons and long-sleeved gowns; Tesco, hamper of goodies; Ian and Helen Biggs, mandarins and shortbread (these were the very first gifts taken at the door); Lauren Robertson, loop mask expanders. “We would also like to thank Pickwicks Country Kitchen, Daniels Cafe and the residents of Wells for a large selection of home-made cakes. Not only were they a thank you for our ongoing service they also wanted to celebrate International Nurses Day,” said Dr Bench. “Thank you to everyone for the kind messages of support and good wishes during this time,” he added. The health centre is also grateful to have the support of the Wells Coronavirus Network, which has formed to help the population of Wells during this pandemic. Further details of how to contact the group can be found at www.helpwells.co.uk The health centre is constantly updating its website with information about coronavirus and how patients can access their GP. See www. wellshealthcentre.co.uk
Simple online way to seek advice WELLS Health Centre has introduced another way patients can contact their health care team and can expect to have a quick response to their health concerns. Engage Consult is located on the health centre website www. wellshealthcentre.co.uk. It is a simple way to ask for advice and the help required without having to call the practice and make an appointment. Patients can use the service to provide information on
their health concern, access self-help resources or submit a consultation request. A clinician will review the request and decide on the best solution for patients, sometimes avoiding the need for them to go in to the surgery. Dr John Machling said: “The new portal is a safe way for patients who find using online services more convenient and suited to their lifestyle to seek medical help and receive a timely and appropriate response.”
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Andy Salvidge and the DT department at Wells Blue School have been thanked for making face shields for Wells City Practice. Members of the practice’s nursing team are pictured wearing the protective shields
‘Response heart-warming’ THE Partners at Wells City Practice have expressed their appreciation for the gifts and cards the staff there have received during the pandemic. The Partners said: “Over the past few weeks the staff at Wells City Practice have received many wonderful gifts from patients, local businesses, supermarkets etc, and the Partners would like to express their appreciation for these acts of generosity. “We have faced numerous challenges since the start of the pandemic, including ever changing guidance and dealing with issues that our team members face as a result of the coronavirus. “Where necessary and possible we have arranged for clinical and admin staff to work
from home whilst ensuring that we still remain accessible to all patients. This is often done by way of a telephone or video consultation but also, where necessary, we are still seeing patients at the surgery. “All the staff at the practice are working very hard to ensure that patients still receive the care they need, whilst keeping everyone safe. This is a worrying time for everyone and the response we have received has been heart-warming and has helped to keep morale high. “We have also received cards and notes from patients saying how grateful they are to us, so thank you for this too, and for the patience you have all shown with many changes we have put in place.”
‘Real sense of community spirit’ THE coronavirus crisis is bringing out the best in people. That’s the view of Trudy Bower, manager of Fletcher House care home in Glastonbury Road, Wells. She said: “During this very difficult period we are so grateful to have been supported with such amazing generosity and kindness. “The local supermarkets have been wonderful, making gifts of flowers, Easter eggs and regular trolleys full of essential supplies and treats for our residents. “Wells Coronavirus Network kindly donated two tablets for our residents to help them keep in touch with their families through Skype.”
Like other care homes, Fletcher House has had to stop visits from family and friends. “We have received gifts of beautiful hand-made aprons from a group of ladies across the road,” said Trudy. “The WI made scrub bags for us, and other gifts from groups have included scrub hats, face shields and face masks. “The Swan Hotel gave Easter eggs. Daniel’s Kitchen surprised the staff with bacon sandwiches, the list could go on and on. I feel the community have really pulled together and there is a real sense of community spirit which I feel has brought everyone closer.” Philip Welch
Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
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How love blossomed on VE Day in 1945 By Emma James FOR Geoff Procter, Welfare Officer for the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion, VE Day holds a special significance. His father, David Procter, was in the 2nd Battalion Kings (Lancashire) Regiment during the Second World War but was shot by the Vichy French early on and was sent home injured. Able to speak excellent French, he was subsequently recruited as a liaison officer and assisted communications between Montgomery’s army and De Gaulle’s Free French army. He travelled up through Italy and into France with Monty’s men and was billeted outside the small French town of Thann in the Alsace region. David attended the VE Day celebrations in Thann in 1945 and that day
was to be a life-changing one in many ways. Geoff explained: “The celebrations were huge for VE Day in the town square and afterwards as he drove home, he spotted a tall, attractive French girl walking home. There was little civilian transport at that time in that region. So, he stopped and offered a lift. Two weeks later they were married…” During the war, Geoff’s mother, Hélène, living in a German occupied area of France had been forced to work in Berlin as an au pair. One of her duties was to go up on to the roof to check for damage from incendiary bombs and to put out any fires. Hélène, only 17 or 18 years old at the time, managed to escape and return to her mother’s home where she lived in the rabbit enclosure. Knowing that
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David and Hélène Procter married in a church in the French town of Thann two weeks after meeting on VE Day 1945 the Germans were looking for her, her brother constructed a false back to the hutch to enable Hélène to remain hidden. At night she would come into the house and hide in the cellar during the last year of the war. “There were six children in my mum’s family,” Geoff said, “but a couple who lived in a neighbouring house were both killed and so my grandmother took in their two children and then there were eight. It was just what you did at the time. Everyone helped each other.” David and Hélène were married in the beautiful church in Thann, which, Geoff says, is a town very much like Wells. Hélène could not speak a word of English at the time of their marriage. However, she was quick to learn once they moved to England and settled in Liverpool where David’s family
were based and where he took up a post with the French West Africa Company. They went on to have two sons. Later on, the couple moved to Marseille. At this time, Geoff was heading off to university to train to be a teacher. His career in Forces education took him to Hong Kong, Cyprus and Germany and he was a headteacher three times. Retirement brought Geoff and his wife to Wells to be near their daughter. Sadly, all of the VE Day celebrations planned by the Royal British Legion could not take place this year but Geoff makes sure he stays in touch with its elderly members. Happily, the importance of the 75th anniversary remained undiminished, both in Europe and also in the Procter household in Wells.
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Progress in campaign to save museum A CROWDFUNDING campaign launched in a bid to save Wells & Mendip Museum from permanent closure has so far raised more than £5,000. The museum, on Cathedral Green, closed its doors several weeks ago in response to the lockdown but the sudden loss of income has put its future in doubt. The museum is an independent self-funded charity and unlike many museums, it is not funded by local government but relies on admission fees, donations, venue hire and shop sales. With the loss of all room bookings, tickets and sales the income has dropped significantly and although the trustees have taken steps to reduce outgoings, it still costs £500 a week to look after the collections and maintain the historically listed building. Joe White, one of the trustees, started the Crowdfunding campaign to raise £6,000 to try to keep the museum afloat. “We very much appreciate the support we have had,” said chair of trustees Andrew Fawcett. “We’ve had well over 100 donations and had a lot of very positive comments on the Crowdfunding page.” One contributor to the fund said on the page: “Our museum is much loved and part of our community. Wells would not be the same without it.” Another said: “It’s one of the treasures in Wells, it’s our heritage”, and another: “Thank you for helping to record our local caving heritage.” The museum is kept going on a daily basis during normal
A photograph from the Wells and Mendip Museum archives of VE Day celebrations in Wells in 1945 times thanks to the dedication of more than 50 volunteers. The collections contain material of national significance and are a vital resource for researchers across many disciplines. The library is invaluable for local and family history research. The Wells City Archives, housed at the museum, are a unique repository of historic documents and maps from Wells and beyond. “It would be a great shame to lose what is such a valuable resource,” said Andrew. “We’re keeping the place going on goodwill and enthusiasm.” Donations can me made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ support-wells-museum
CAN YOU GIVE A CAT A HOME?
Coronavirus update AS at May 20th we are unable to home any of the cats in our care due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. However the cats we currently have are listed on our website: www.cats.org. uk/glastonbury. If you are searching for a cat to adopt and are interested in any of them, please contact me on 01749 850660 for more details and to express an interest. Hopefully by the time Wells Voice is issued we may have been able to re-start some of our homing activities. Please do not phone about kittens as currently we do not know of any kittens needing homes.
Simba The gorgeous Simba is a 6-year-old female with a beautiful loving nature. If you would like to offer her a home, please call Gill on 01749 850660.
Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection Wells & Mendip Museum may be closed but it still costs £500 a week to look after the collections and maintain the historically listed building
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Email: gill@straymoggie.co.uk Telephone: 01749 850660 www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury
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Band members play tribute on VE Day
Members of Wells City Band stepped outside their homes to play The Last Post at 2.55pm on VE Day. The band members live far and wide, not just in Wells, so joined in from a number of locations including Wookey, Glastonbury, Street, Shepton Mallet, Cheddar, Frome, Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare and South Wales. They honoured the occasion by wearing their band uniforms, and played a variety of instruments. Pictured here during the VE Day tribute are Dot Poole, Emily Wainwright, Georgina Wainwright, Sharon James, Jane Hill, John Flagg, Tanya Flagg, Paul Denegri, Caroline Tapfield, Grahame Upham, Rachel Cooper and John Turner. Band members have also been joining in the regular clap for carers by playing tunes outside their front doors.
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June 2020
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Scheme would see new homes replace business premises A PLANNING application has been submitted to Mendip District Council to demolish commercial buildings in Broad Street, Wells, and replace them with five new homes. The buildings are in the courtyard behind Pickwicks cafe, and are currently occupied by Identity Kits, which supplies kits and uniforms to schools and clubs across Somerset, and the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen, which has a shop and studio there. The plans are for these buildings to be replaced with a one-bedroom house, two twobedroom houses and two onebedroom flats, created as a single block two storeys high. The planning documents say: “The proposal will provide much needed modest accommodation within the centre of Wells where recent residential development has been understandably restricted by the existing built environment. Opportunities such as this do not come along often and should be grasped. “The existing commercial building is tired and becoming difficult and expensive to maintain. It brings little to the centre of Wells architecturally and it is considered that the proposal will significantly improve the setting of the Conservation Area.” The Guild said it was shocked to hear of the plans and has called for support in opposing them. It said in a statement: “The Somerset Guild of Craftsmen was shocked to hear of the planning application to demolish our gallery at 23a Broad Street as
An image by Collier Reading Architects of how the new building could look
part of a proposal to build five small housing units on the site. “The Guild moved into the central Wells site five years ago, and has since become a popular attraction to both local people and visitors alike. We exhibit the work of around 60 designer makers of original crafts selected by their peers for the quality of their work. Our gallery, representing the work of these makers, needs to be of a good size and affordable to support these varied, small quality businesses and an off-street location such as 23a suits the bill perfectly. “Unlike many businesses the work we sell is not compatible with online selling. Almost every piece is individually made and using materials that make their feel and look only to be appreciated by inspection in person. “We have three more years on our lease at 23a Broad Street but were looking to make this our long-term home. This planning application, coming as it does at a time when the country is facing not only the coronavirus pandemic but tough economic times afterwards could easily be a threat to the very existence of our gallery and to the craftspeople who we represent. “We hope that sense, and the goodwill of the people of Wells will support us in opposing this plan.” Sally Robertson, who runs Identity Kits with her daughter Lucy, says their business has operated from the site for 17 years, and has three-and-a-half years left on the current lease. “If we do have to move then we will be staying in Wells. We have got no intention of leaving Wells,” said Sally. “We employ people who live in Wells, they like working here. We like working in Wells, we’re a part of the community.” She added that she hoped Identity Kits, closed because of the lockdown, would be able to reopen its doors on June 1.
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Ross Young from Wells Independents accepts a cheque, handed over before the lockdown, from Cathy Morris-Adams of Lodestone watched by her colleagues Laura Waters, Liz Fox and Alex Relf
SOUP charity fundraiser put back until October THE next Wells SOUP which was scheduled for July 11 has had to be put back to the scheduled autumn date of October 3 because of the coronavirus. The four charities which will be presenting are: Wells St John Ambulance, Children’s World, Mendip Fibromyalgia Support Group and Wells Neighbourhood Watch. They have all suffered financially through the lockdown and need all the support the local community can give them. Lodestone Property are sponsoring the event. Managing partner Sue Macey said: “We are delighted to be supporting SOUP and the charities that will be presenting. As a local business Lodestone feel passionate about supporting the local community.
“The past couple of months have been very difficult for everyone, especially charities, so it is particularly important that we continue to support them where we can.” Ross Young of Wells Independents, who run SOUP, added: “We are very proud that SOUP has so far helped more than 60 charities to spread their word and raise much needed funds. “We Hear You, the charity which received £400 at January’s event, will also be there to tell us how the money has helped them. “To find out more about SOUP please visit www. wellsindependents.org/soup. We look forward to seeing as many supporters as possible in October.”
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ANDRES KITCHEN Tel: 01749 938100
Email: Andreskitchenuk@yahoo.com Dear All, There is no doubt about it, we are living in very strange times indeed and being in lockdown is difficult and somewhat frustrating for all of us in one way or another. When the government announced the lockdown measures in March, we moved quickly to help the local community by delivering readymade microwave meals to the vulnerable and for those in need. Producing food on this scale has been a challenge – we have been working seven days a week and very long hours to cope with the demand. To help with the production of our delicious meals, we have invested in new state of the art cooking equipment and have now employed a new chef. Between the two of us, we have more than 70 years’ experience of working in kitchens around the world. We have used our knowledge to put together the new menu on the right, offering dishes which are even more microwave friendly than before, as well as being higher quality and tastier than ever. We have had to slightly increase our prices. This is due to the increases in our food costs and our packaging which is in high demand due to the amount of delivery companies that have started since the Covid-19 outbreak. If you would like to place an order, please call Sue on 01749 938100. A minimum of £20 will be required for delivery to your door. Our delivery day is on Mondays, and ideally we require at least three days’ notice of the dishes you require. Meals are delivered frozen, with storage and cooking instructions. We look forward to hearing from you. Please stay safe.
Andre Wintersgill and Sue Ali
Delicious frozen ready meals delivered to your door!
MENU BEEF 1. Tender beef and vegetable casserole cooked in red wine, thyme and garlic with parsley mashed potatoes £6.95 (£4.95 S/P) 2. Chilli con carne slowly cooked with tomatoes, garlic and mild spices with coriander and steamed rice £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 3. Traditional spaghetti bolognaise with Cheddar cheese £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 4. Lean minced beef and onions simmered in a tasty tomato, garlic and rosemary gravy with buttered minted new potatoes £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 5. Beef and vegetables with a lemongrass, ginger and coconut curry sauce with boiled rice £7.00 (£5.00 S/P) CHICKEN 6. Creamy chicken, mushroom and vegetable stew with creamy mashed potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 7. Chicken tagine with dates, almonds and coriander with sautéed red pepper buttered cous cous £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 8. Chicken, vegetable and coconut Thai red curry with Jasmin rice £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 9. Classic chicken chasseur with buttered new potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 10. Chicken and smoked bacon in a creamy garlic, mushroom, tarragon and white wine sauce with peas and mashed potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P)
ANDRES KITCHEN Tel: 01749 938100
Email: Andreskitchenuk@yahoo.com
Delicious frozen ready meals delivered to your door!
LAMB
FISH
11. Lamb moussaka with chargrilled aubergine, feta cheese and toasted almonds £6.50 (£4.50 S/P)
21. Steamed fillet of salmon with a white wine, spinach and mushroom sauce with new potatoes and peas £7.00 (£5.00 S/P)
12. Traditional Irish stew with potatoes, pearl barley and savoy cabbage £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 13. One pot slow cooked shoulder of lamb cooked in red wine, garlic and rosemary with buttered creamy mashed potatoes £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 14. Tender lamb and vegetables simmered in a Thai green coconut curry sauce with steamed Jasmin rice £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 15. Minced lamb casserole with roasted root vegetables and minted new potatoes £6.00 (£4.50 S/P) PORK 16. Slow cooked pork shoulder in white wine, garlic and rosemary with vegetables and creamy buttered mashed potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 17. Honey roasted sausage, bacon, thyme and onion casserole with peas, carrots and buttered new potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 18. Slow roasted pork belly cooked in cider, apples, smoky bacon and pink peppercorns with sautéed Savoy cabbage and creamy mashed potatoes £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 19. Aromatic Eastern slow cooked pork with a roasted vegetable and coriander cous cous £6.00 (£4.00 S/P) 20. Succulent ham, vegetables and mushrooms simmered in a tarragon creamy cheese sauce with steamed rice £6.00 (£4.00 S/P)
22. Pan fried Cajun spiced basa with a garlic, tomato, sautéed red pepper and olive oil sauce with a herb and lime cous cous £6.50 (£4.50 S/P) 23. Creamy macaroni cheese with prawns, smoked salmon and Parmesan cheese £7.00 (£5.00 S/P) 24. Smoked haddock, pollock and asparagus simmered in white wine, mushrooms, dill and cream with creamy mashed potatoes £7.00 (£5.00 S/P) 25. Steamed mixed fish with a lemongrass, coriander, coconut and Thai red curry sauce with steamed rice £7.00 (£5.00 S/P) DESSERTS £1.95/£3.25 26. Bakewell tart with raspberry coulis 27. Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce 28. Refreshing lemon tart with raspberry coulis 29. Chocolate brownie with dark chocolate sauce 30. Warm lemon sponge with custard S/P – SMALL PORTION 300-325G R/P – REGULAR PORTION 450-475G To place an order, please call Sue on 01749 938100. A minimum of £20 will be required for delivery to your door. Meals are delivered frozen, with storage and cooking instructions.
ANDRES KITCHEN Tel: 01749 938100
Email: Andreskitchenuk@yahoo.com
Enjoy the health benefits of our low-calorie meals Sue and I started our healthy/weight-loss meal prep business in September 2019. We prep and cook all meals. They are delivered to your door in microwaveable containers. All meals are low fat and low calorie. The menu is renewed every week, and all meals provide a healthy balance. We constantly receive updates from our clients, who tell us that they feel more balanced and that their mental health and other health issues have improved as a result of following our meal prep plan. Our prices are £40 per week (lunch and evening meal Monday-Friday). Saturday is optional at £8 extra. Meals are delivered on Sunday (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday meals) and Wednesday (Thursday, Friday and Saturday meals). If you pay for four weeks in advance you get a £20 discount – so meals work out out at only £35 per week.
Carefully prepared ready meals delivered to your door!
Taia sees a big change One client, Taia, is now the face of our Facebook page. She has done amazingly, going from 19st 11lb to 15st – a massive achievement for both her and us. She feels her mental health and mindset are completely different. If you are ready to change your diet to a healthier one, then contact us by calling 01749 938100 or sending us a message – Facebook Andres Kitchen or email Andreskitchenuk @yahoo.com
Hassle-free Sunday roast We also offer a roast delivery service each week. Our delivery takes place on Saturdays as we deliver the meal chilled and it all comes in oven ready containers, so you have no washing up. It comes with a 5-step instruction leaflet and within 30 minutes you will have the perfectly cooked roast with very crispy roast potatoes (which would not be possible if we were to deliver hot).
wellsvoice
June 2020
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n NEWS
Arts Council backs WAC with £5,500 grant THE team at Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) is celebrating the securing of a £5,500 grant from Arts Council England towards the production of a virtual exhibition for WAC2020. “This is a fantastic affirmation of the original aim of WAC which was to help support both established and emerging artists, more important now than ever,” said Paddy O’ Hagan, chair of WAC. For the past seven years, shortlisted works of art submitted to the open WAC competition has resulted in an exhibition at a prestigious venue. Last year, Wells Cathedral provided the backdrop and plans were full steam ahead to return for 2020. Adapting to these challenging times, the WAC team has rethought the way forward for this year. The result is a win-win for successful artists, and also for sponsors of the exhibition. “This amazing grant from Arts Council England provides us with the means for an experiential, interactive virtual exhibition in September,” said Paddy. “For artists, it is a unique chance to have their work viewed all over the world, accessed via laptops, iPads, tablets, mobile phones and so on. Likewise,
Top left and above right, two of the artworks in last year’s Wells Art Contemporary exhibition it presents us with additional, creative opportunities for sponsors to get involved.” Details of the virtual exhibition will be revealed in due course, and working closely with the Dean and the Cathedral continues as before. Once it is safe to do so, the physical exhibition will be moved into the Cathedral itself. “There is a strong synergy,” said Paddy. “When it was built in the Middle Ages it was the first Gothic cathedral in England. You could say it was an experimental design, pushing boundaries, which is just what visual art has the potential to do.
School pleased to stay in touch St Cuthbert’s CofE Academy Infants & Pre-School shares a message for pupils and parents WHEN lockdown began, St Cuthbert’s CofE Academy Infants & Pre-school in Wells was faced with the prospect of not seeing the smiling faces who join us every day for quite some time. Thankfully with modern technology we have been able to keep in touch and continue to support the children’s progress. It has been a delight to see the wonderful activities families are undertaking at home from decorating windows with rainbows to support our NHS to using everyday household objects in imaginative ways to use as tools for phonics and number
recognition. Children have been on nature walks and embracing the learning opportunities the outside world provides – cakes have been made (and eaten!) and lots of books and stories have been enjoyed. The staff at St Cuthbert’s Academy made a video to show the children just how much they are missed and this has been placed on our website www. stcuthbertsinfantswells.co.uk. We are looking forward to the day we can all return. When we are able to welcome everyone back again safely, the Pre-school has spaces available – we can still be contacted by email, so please drop us a line at stcuthbertspreschool@educ. somerset.gov.uk.
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“With this grant, we can look forward to putting on a suitably thought-provoking exhibition both online and eventually in situ.” The entry date for art submissions has been extended
until August 1, 2020. Full details for online applications are available via www.wac.artopps. co.uk. For exhibition updates and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk
St Cuthbert’s CofE Academy Infants & Pre-School Keward Walk, Wells BA5 1TZ
We welcome children from 2 to 7 years We are taking bookings for September 2020 – Spaces Available Wrap-around care available before and after school hours for all children at the Academy (8.00am to 5.30pm) We are confident you will be impressed with our school and what we can offer your child at any stage. Our friendly and nurturing Pre-school accepts children from ages 2 to 4 years from all local areas. We offer an enriched and exciting learning environment and the children can make a smooth transition from Pre-school and settle easily into the reception classes. Email: stcuthbertspreschool@educ.somerset.gov.uk Main School 01749 672591
Pre-School 01749 675955
Website: www.stcuthbertsinfantswells.co.uk Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted (2017) & SIAMS (2019)
Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
14 WELLS VETS CASE FILES
wellsvoice n NEWS
Apollo’s mousing around comes back to haunt him
June 2020
wells in mosaic
Name: Apollo Age: 5 months Breed: Dalmatian Likes: Playing with toys Dislikes: That bunged up feeling! OUR first encounter with Apollo was following prior investigation into a long-running digestive problem, during which he had been diagnosed with multiple gastrointestinal bugs. Despite appropriate aggressive treatment his tummy was no better, and his usual bright and bouncy demeanour was gone. We knew something else was amiss and it became clear that, despite lockdown, if we didn’t take action then Apollo’s life would be in the balance. Blood results revealed very little but as soon as we took X-rays and ultrasound images of Apollo’s abdomen we could identify some concerning abnormalities. His intestines were extremely dilated and full of partially-digested food material, and fluid from his organs had started to leak into his abdomen. Something appeared to be causing an obstruction and only surgery was going to help us find out the precise cause. At surgery, as we explored Apollo’s abdomen, it didn’t
take long to find a blocked section of small intestine. Carefully opening his intestine revealed a soft toy mouse that had obviously been present for weeks. Of course, several weeks’ worth of partially digested food was also backed up so, once the obstruction was removed, it was then necessary to gently work this through his intestine. It certainly wasn’t pretty! Apollo wasn’t out of the woods immediately – his intestines were in a bad way after such a long illness so he required hospitalisation and supportive treatment for almost a week before he could go home. However, since then, he has done nothing but flourish and now Apollo is back to being the dog he was before all of this occurred.
Surgery following an X-ray revealed that Apollo had swallowed a soft toy mouse
Wells Vets, 3 Cathedral Avenue, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1FD
Tel: 01749 678420
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Artist Ruth Ames-White pictured laying the first tiles
Mosaic map of city starts to take shape LOCKDOWN for mosaic artist Ruth Ames-White has been spent mostly in her Wells studio working on the Wells in Mosaic. Having completed all the design and preparatory work, and had the six-meter diameter print-out made, she has made great progress with the next stage of the project – cutting and placing thousands of tiles which make up the intricate historical map of the city. A spokesperson for the group steering the project said: “We were delighted at our recent Zoom meeting to see just how much Ruth has achieved. It looks even more beautiful than we could have imagined.” Ruth is pleased with her work so far but added: “There is a great deal more to do. I have enough materials to keep me busy for a while but I am likely to need more tiles and the custommade storage boxes before the lockdown is released when we will be able to hold more fundraising events.” Local residents and businesses have already made
The lettering has to be created in reverse some generous donations and sponsored several of the blue lias stones which will surround the mosaic. If anyone would like to donate or sponsor the project that would be greatly appreciated. More pictures of Ruth at work and ways to donate can be seen at www. wellsinmosaic.org and facebook. com/wellsinmosaic.
Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
June 2020
15
n NEWS
Poet Laureate set to attend festival DESPITE the uncertain times, the organisers of the 28th Wells Festival of Literature are determined to hold the festival and are steaming ahead. More than 30 broad-ranging speakers have accepted the invitation – including this year Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who will be attending in person to talk about his latest collection of poems, Magnetic Field. Many will have heard Simon on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs or have read and shared his Lock Down poem.
Nearly 1,000 poems were entered for the 2019 Festival Open Poetry Competition, which Simon judged last year although he was unable to come to Wells in person. October 2020 will see him making up for this, and his session is likely to be a sell-out. It is still not too late to enter the festival writing competitions and, although the Poet Laureate is not among the judges this
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage Picture: Peter James Millson
year, open poetry judge Jo Shapcott is the celebrated winner of a brace of national and Commonwealth poetry prizes. Already entries across the categories – short story, open poetry, book for children and young poets – are double that of 2019, inspired perhaps both by the prestigious judges, and the increases in prize money: up to £1,000 for the open poetry and £750 for the fiction. The closing date is June 30. Details of the judges, prizes and entry rules are on the website (wellsfestivalofliterature. org.uk), and £1.25 of each £6 entry fee goes to fund poets, writers and drama in local schools to inspire writers of the future. This year’s literature festival is due to take place from October 16-24.
Competition win provided impetus Nicola needed A PREVIOUS winner of a Wells Festival of Literature competition has told of how the win spurred her on to even more writing success. The festival’s 2020 competitions opened for entries in April, and they could open doors for the winners, just as they did for Nicola Ratnett. Bristol-born Nicola, who now lives in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, first entered the short story competition in 2016, and said: “When Jenny phoned to tell me that my story had been shortlisted, I don’t think I have ever been so jubilant. “That autumn, I travelled from my Welsh mountain to the prize-giving event in Wells and had my first amazing day
immersed in the writing world. Subsequently, in 2017, both entries were short-listed and this time my story won. I grinned for months and carried the certificate to wave under friends’ noses. I framed it and hung it on my living room wall and every time I think what I’m working on isn’t good and I’m not really a writer, I look at the award.” Nicola’s story, The Last Word, opens with a surprise box left outside Ilsa Stanhope’s front door. What Ilsa decides to do with the peculiar contents captivated the judges. Nicola is convinced that winning has played an enormous part in her fledgling career as a writer. She has now won other competitions; been published
Nicola Ratnett
in journals and magazines; released an anthology of stories, The Good, the Bad and the Strange, and has a crime series of novels under consideration for publication. Her crimebased novels revolve around unexpected issues in mid-Wales, including slavery in Wales, cults and scams. “The support and massive encouragement of winning such a well-run and respected competition has played an enormous part in my career,” she said. “Huge thanks to all those involved with it. I’m convinced I wouldn’t have come so far without you.” Nicola’s advice is to take part and not be put off if you do not get short-listed first time.
At the Heart of England’s Smallest City City of Wells Town Hall Various rooms to hire for: Conferences, Seminars Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions, Marriages, Receptions, all types of Meetings and Local Group Classes Very reasonable rates
For Prices and Bookings contact the Town Hall Manager- Tel: 01749 673091. e-mail: thm@wells.gov.uk Website: www.wells.gov.uk
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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
16
June 2020
n NEWS Book illustrates social changes
A cartoon by popular Wells artist Chris Lee
Opening of ‘step-down’ houses that offer mental health support A ‘STEP-DOWN’ house for people who are ready to leave a mental health ward but would benefit from extra support before they return home has opened in Wells. It is one of two new houses which offer free short-term housing and support to people across Somerset who are ready to start living more independently. The other is in Yeovil. The houses are part of a joint approach by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset County Council to help relieve pressure on the county’s mental health inpatient wards during the Covid-19 pandemic. The houses will also be used in the near future to help people in the community who could benefit from additional support to avoid an admission to a mental health ward. The step-down houses are run by care provider Enable Support Services, whose specialist mental health support workers will help people to meet their shortterm goals and develop ways to manage their mental health within a safe and comfortable setting. Mental health professionals
from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s home treatment team and community mental health service will undertake weekly reviews of people and organise medication, along with psychological and medical intervention where needed. Other Somerset agencies and individuals involved in the step-down houses include Magna Housing, Rethink Mental Illness, Community Council for Somerset, community agents and artists, as well as redeployed Somerset County Council staff who painted and decorated the houses. Councillor David Huxtable, County Council Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said: “This is a great achievement and will help those who need that extra help and support at a very difficult time in their lives. I would like to thank everyone involved who worked together to make this happen in these unprecedented times.” Tim Young, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s head of adult mental health inpatient units and urgent care, said: “I am incredibly proud to be involved in the development of this new way of helping people who have
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or are experiencing a mental health crisis. “The aim is for people to have a short stay in a step-down house, ideally for a fortnight but no longer than six weeks, where they also have access to a 24hour rapid response assessment and decision-making service. “We know that people recover more quickly at home rather than in a hospital environment so we hope this new service will have great health benefits to many people in Somerset. “By working together, our health, social care and voluntary sector have together begun to develop an alternative and modern approach to mental health patient care that could inform the way care is provided in the future.” The NHS and council in Somerset is supporting people who are worried about their mental health in other ways too. This includes a 24-hour Mindline mental health telephone support line to help people in Somerset who are experiencing mental distress. People who are concerned about how they are feeling should contact Somerset Mindline on 01823 276892.
A NEW book has been released that charts the social changes in Wells over the course of the past 250 years. A Street Through Time, 1770-2020, is the work of Sarah Villiers, a volunteer at Wells and Mendip Museum. The book is about the lives of ordinary people in an ordinary street − some involved in extraordinary and curious happenings. How did they cope with the 1831 cholera outbreak, who eloped, who was transported, who was accused of child cruelty? Who had a brush with the law? How did seamstresses, labourers, brushmakers or railway workers live? The focus is St Cuthbert Street, Wells, but the events it describes are typical of many small-scale communities. The book is being offered at Covid discounted price of £7.50 from June 1 to July 31, plus p&p if necessary, or it can be hand delivered within Wells. Contact csarahvilliers@gmail.com
Writers given new deadline ST Cuthbert Out Parish Council has extended the deadline for its first ever story-writing competition. The new closing date is now Tuesday, June 30. It had originally been scheduled to close on May 17. Age groups and word limit are: up to and including 6-yearolds, 100 words; 7-11-year-olds, 500 words; 12-16-year-olds, 700 words; 16-18-year-olds, 1,000 words; and adults, 1,000-2,500 words. The competition is open to all residents of Wells and the surrounding villages. To enter, email the story, with the name and age of the author, to deputyparishclerk.sco@yahoo. com with the story as a Word or PDF attachment. Adult stories must include the phrase “the bus driver was wide-eyed and looked a little crazy”.
Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk
A new addition for yo
Announcing A Street t
This book is about the lives of ordinary p involved in un-ordinary and curious hap 1831 cholera outbreak, who eloped, who child cruelty? Who had a brush with the language, ‘furious driving’, adulteration (leaving donkey dung), overflowing ‘nec events? How did seamstresses, labourers The focus is St Cuthbert’s Street, Wells, b small-scale community life in many areas anyone engaged in social history and fam Hand delivered within Wells. Interested? Discount price £7.50 (Jun. 1st – Ju
wellsvoice
June 2020
17
n NEWS
Foodbank handing out more meals as donations drop THE number of meals distributed by Wells Foodbank and Furniture Storehouse has more than doubled during the coronavirus crisis. In February, 720 meals were provided, but by March that number had grown to 1,236 meals, and in April 1,416 meals were given to those most in need in the community. Four days’ meals are provided in each food parcel for as many people as are within the family. Cat and dog food has been provided as well, due to some kind donations, which has been a great relief to some of the clients. Sue Marland, senior pastor of Wells Vineyard, which manages the Foodbank, said: “Many people in the community are facing unprecedented financial hardship and we need to ensure there is enough food in our stores to provide to everyone who needs it. “We are now seeing a wide range of people, including many more families than usual. This may be partly due to the school closures as vulnerable families are no longer receiving support with school lunches. While schools may be about to return in a few weeks’ time, it’s important to remember that this only applies to selected year groups. “Unfortunately at the same time as we are seeing increased demand, we have also seen a significant decrease in food donations. This is understandable given that people are going to the shops less
Shelves of food at the Foodbank
frequently and the shops are not quite as easy to navigate with one-way systems in place. “The good news is that financial giving to Wells Foodbank has greatly increased, enabling them to fill any gaps in our supplies. In addition, Morrisons and the other supermarkets in Wells have been very generous in directly donating to us, for which we are very grateful.” For those who are able to donate products, the Foodbank is most in need of tinned meat, tinned meals (spaghetti, meatballs, etc), sugar, flour, cooking oil, coffee, full cream long life milk, toothpaste, laundry soap/pods and other cleaning products. Food donations can be dropped off at the following places: in the usual donation points in supermarkets, in the Wells branch of Santander in the Market Place, or directly to the Foodbank at the Wells Vineyard Church, Keward Mill Trading Estate, Jocelyn Drive, BA5 1DA. The opening hours for donations at the Foodbank are 12.30pm to 1pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sue said the Foodbank is adapting to keep both volunteers and clients safe: “We are striving to maintain our normal service under anything but normal conditions. Our opening days, Wednesdays and Saturdays 10.30am to 12.30pm, remain unchanged. Clients are now received outside the Foodbank main entrance, to minimise the potential to infect one another and to keep the virus outside of the building. “Sometimes clients may have to wait for up to 30 minutes, so we provide chairs outside and remind them about social distancing while we discuss their circumstances and identify any additional support available. The chairs are cleaned at the end of each shift. “Food parcels are taken outside to clients and the
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Examples of some of the most needed items Vineyard Church building is currently being used exclusively by the Foodbank. All working surfaces as well as all donations are disinfected before food is stacked and parcels are packed and distributed.” The Foodbank provides parcels comprising basic items such as dry rice, pasta, UHT milk, tins (meat, fish, vegetables
and fruit), cereals, tea, coffee, soap and cleaning products, and always some form of treat such as chocolate or biscuits. Donations of bread, fresh vegetables and fruit are usually provided by the supermarkets. However, since fresh items may not always be available, a regular supply of tinned and packet donations is even more crucial.
No-one wants to waste opportunities, so let’s: l Help develop some great cycling and walking priority routes in and around Wells, by keeping on… walking and cycling l Send an email to those who can help make this a reality… there’s more info at www.sustainablewells.org.uk l Use our lovely website to sign up to the Sust Wells mailing list Sending Sust Wells love to one and all! Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk
wellsvoice
18
June 2020
n LETTERS
Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk
Thank you for online version of the Voice THANK you for the Wells Voice being online for May 2020. I usually check the diary of events in the paper version and come to Wells to enjoy the experiences and pop into the local shops with my custom. So the Wells Voice and the Bristol Voice are read eagerly over a cup of hot drink and a diary to hand. Entering those simple dates, ensures that I keep mentally and physically active in participating in the yearly activities so enjoyed in the beautiful city of Wells. The first point of call after getting off the bus is to The Bishop’s Palace Gardens. To stroll round in that serene place, sit on the swing, enjoy the sublime peace and quiet. To talk to others there and say ‘hello’ to the hard working gardeners and thank them for their work – and to watch the birds cavorting around. Then, onwards to whatever other event is occurring and has called me again to Wells. We are all currently socially distancing, and I am so grateful that from my numerous visits, I have many photos of The Bishop’s Palace Gardens, some also of those beautiful red tulips in your May edition. (I am sad to have to miss that this year.) A challenging time for all of us. Thank you for making it possible for me to enjoy a ‘virtual’ read of Wells Voice online... I will go and make a hot chocolate in a minute and review some of the photos that I have, to remind me of a very special place and people. Pat Goddard By email
Rural character of landscape at risk IN the April edition of Wells Voice, Adrian I’Anson made a spirited plea for the value of a Neighbourhood Plan, at a time when localism was making a welcome comeback in tackling the Covid-19 epidemic. He pointed out that the Local Plan, produced by Mendip District Council, sadly over-rides any Neighbourhood Plan. Had Adrian been at the meeting a month earlier, held at the White Hart, when Tracey Aarons, a senior figure in MDC, reported
other conurbations, many more potential buyers will be seeking to move to a safer, greener South West. The new centralised planning order is a form of top-down predation by the rich one per cent on powerless and weakened local authorities. Wake up Wells, indeed! You will no longer be England’s smallest city… We shall have the Kings Lyatt High Rise Towers, and a dozen estates adjoining with beguiling names like North Horrington Heights, The Dinder Hills, Worminster Meadows, Coxley Fields and Launceston Leas. Councillor Pablo Foster St Cuthbert Out Parish Council
Thanks for clearing up after dog owners
A photo taken in The Bishop’s Palace Gardens by Pat Goddard on the new central planning targets for local authorities, he might have been dismayed at the scale of the promised changes. Not only were housing targets rising, but the role of local councils will also change, in that they have to identify plots that developers can use for five years ahead. This will mean that for Wells to meet the government targets it will either have to build tenements, persuade the Church Commissioners to release land adjoining the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace, or poach on land within St Cuthbert Out boundaries. St Cuthbert Out surrounds Wells and represents over a dozen rural villages and hamlets. The current situation means that SCOPC councillors hear residents’ views and objections, make a decision on their behalf, then find this local decision is ignored and over-ruled at the next level. Developers like Gladman, for example, enjoy an annual turnover of £100 million and
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profits of £25 million. They operate in terms of housing units, gathered as an estate of identical houses, with no contributions to infrastructure, such as a community hall, a school or health practice. Their thinking does not extend to the needs of residents, families or communities. They are rich enough to buy out farmers, landowners and businesses. They are backed by a government that sees local authorities as their “land supply agents”. The whole rural character of the land round Wells will become urbanised, as estate after estate covers this “green and pleasant land”. Tracey Aarons recognised a further danger in the new order. The aim is to build housing, but not just for local needs. No one actually does an audit of who buys the houses: they are sold to whoever can afford them. Furthermore, many are sold to clients abroad looking for an investment in the UK housing market. Given recent lockdown experiences in London and
I WOULD like to say thank you to Neighbourhood Services at Mendip District Council. I contacted them on Monday, May 11, about the number of dog poo bags, blue and black, dropped indiscriminately along footpaths, and a pile at the Dulcote end. On my walk on May 14, I noticed they had cleared the whole area. I have no objections to dogs, just the audacity of their owners. To think it’s OK to drop the bags wherever. I have also become aware of people walking though the grass with their dogs. The grass is going for silage and is almost ready for cutting. Why would they walk right through the middle of the field when there are so many pathways? C Phillips By email
A picture by letter writer C Phillips of dog poo bags left on a footpath
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wellsvoice
June 2020
n NEWS
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Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid
Palace announces cygnets’ names FOLLOWING a week of public voting, with many hundreds of suggestions, The Bishop’s Palace in Wells announced the results of the names for the new cygnets which hatched at the beginning of May. Suggestions from the public for the seven cygnets ranged from comedy (Boris Swanson) to serious (many suggestions for NHS staff and keyworkers), and more than a few entered Corona as a name. The number seven also tickled the imagination of many people with ideas of the seven colours of the rainbow, the seven days of the week, the seven continents and even the seven dwarfs. Followers of the Palace’s digital reader will know that one cygnet had an extraordinary experience, being swept down the sluice gate and along the stream, being found by a member of the public whilst being attacked by a magpie, spending a night at the vet’s, being returned to the moat and, unfortunately, having to be removed from the moat after
being rejected by his parents. The cygnet was named Gulliver by the public for his wild travels, and is being taken care of by the same swan sanctuary that his parents came from. The names selected for the remaining six cygnets were: l Captain Tom – one of the most popular suggestions, in recognition of the amazing achievements of the 100-year-old fundraiser. l Rainbow – so many people wanted the colours of the rainbow to thank the NHS and other keyworkers that this name was chosen. l Evelina – for the staff and children of the Evelina Children’s Hospital. l Hope – because it’s what the world needs right now. l Candessa. l Samuel. The final two were personal suggestions in memory of children who had recently passed away and had loved the swans. The Palace’s Swan Cam will remain live for a few more weeks. See the home page of the Palace website to view it.
Isolated people given tablets THERE are isolated and disabled people in Wells care homes who would be grateful for a tablet to help them keep in touch with relatives. All the care homes have had to be closed to visits from family and friends. So the Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN) sent out an appeal through its volunteers for unwanted tablets. “We thank residents for their donations,” said WCN’s spokesperson Philip Welch, “also Richard Boulos for checking the tablets all work and deleting all personal data before the tablets are presented to care homes.” Richard, who runs Wellscope Computers on the Keward Park trading estate off Glastonbury Road, said: “I am just doing my bit. We are all in this together and must help each other out.”
Chubb Bulleid are still able to assist clients in the preparation and execution of wills during these unusual times
Imaginative ways being found to complete signing of wills By Sandra Moores
IT has been reported during the lockdown that instructions for wills and Powers of Attorney have increased by 30 per cent due to the pandemic. Certainly here at Chubb Bulleid we have seen a large increase in clients wishing to put their affairs in order and this has presented a few challenges, not least of which is the signing of wills. The government has not relaxed the requirements set out in section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 which states that for a will to be valid it must be signed by the will maker in the presence of two witnesses who must then sign the will, as witness, in the presence of each other and the will maker.
For those self-isolating, this has led to some very imaginative ways of signing. For example, witnesses standing outside a window so they can see the will maker sign and then documents passed outside for witnessing. Indeed, I have witnessed a will for the first time, on the bonnet of a car while the will maker sat inside the vehicle. Clearly the making of wills needs to continue and in fact solicitors dealing with the execution of wills are regarded as key workers by the government. While we at Chubb Bulleid are limiting face to face meetings with clients, much can be done by telephone and email, so whilst it may not be “business as usual” we are still able to assist clients in the preparation and execution of wills during these unusual times. n Sandra Moores is Private Client Manager with Chubb Bulleid, which has offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.
Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100
Personal legal services for you, your business and your family Richard Boulos from Wellscope Computers
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wellsvoice
20
June 2020
n NEWS
Initiative on cycling and walking routes THE UK government has announced a £2 billion investment to improve facilities for cycling and walking, including £250 million for immediate enhancements in response to Covid-19. Many towns and cities across the UK have already started lowering speed limits, widening pavements, installing cycle racks and putting in temporary cycle lanes so people can move around safely while social distancing. Environmental group Sustainable Wells would like to see some of the money spent in Wells on similar measures, a move supported by some city councillors. Stewart Cursley, a Wells city councillor and member of the council’s Climate Emergency Committee, said: “We are not asking for the impossible, once enhancements have been agreed and done it should be easy and
New measures being introduced in towns and cities across the UK make it easier for residents to walk and cycle while social distancing
safe for residents of all ages to walk and cycle in and around the city while social distancing; as well as doing the same in between our neighbouring villages and towns. “Somerset County Council have the responsibility for distributing funds and we want to make sure that Wells and neighbouring parishes get a fair share.” Speaking on behalf of Sustainable Wells, Matt Gilson, said: “We see the benefit of people continuing to cycle and walk. To offer your support, email Alyn Jones, the SCC Economic & Community Infrastructure Operations Director, at agjones@somerset. gov.uk and Wells county councillor Tessa Munt at tessa. in.touch@gmail.com, requesting investment so that we can grow more safe cycling and walking routes.”
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wellsvoice
June 2020
21
n NEWS
Ciara’s first single a lockdown lament A WELLS Blue School student is releasing her first single, a song written and recorded during the Covid-19 crisis and giving a snapshot of the sadness of lockdown from a teenager’s perspective. Ciara Millington explained that her song Isolated, on which she performs all the instruments and voices including a full string quartet, is an ode to separation from friends and to the uncertainty of the future of the planet itself. “When our school was closed by coronavirus, one of the first things I did was pick up a guitar and start singing ideas in my head... about how crazy the situation was, and wondering if life would change forever. I was thinking about the climate emergency and what life our children might have because of all of this, and from there the song came together really quickly,” she said.
Ciara Millington performs all the instruments and voices on her debut single Isolated Isolated is being released on all popular digital platforms including YouTube and Spotify under the stage name Ciara Mill. BBC Radio presenter Justine
Greene said of the song: “I love it. I think it’s Kate Bush meets Billie Eilish.” Despite this being her first release, Ciara has performed
at many prestigious events in the past, including Glastonbury Festival, as well as live on BBC Radio 2, with her parents’ band, The Portraits.
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Song brings performers together WELLS acoustic music duo The Portraits have released a new single featuring some of the city’s most talented performers and singers uniting from lockdown to spread the song’s simple message: “Don’t Worry.” Thanks to the power of the internet, a total of 30 performers, including a number of music students from the Blue School and local choir the Skylarks, have come together on screen in perfect harmony. The Portraits’ producer Jeremy Millington – who formed the band in 2005 with his wife Lorraine – said: “We’d sent
everyone a score with the part we wanted them to play or sing and a rough demo of the song, and each person fired us back a video of their performance from their bedroom or garden. “I then had a great time putting them all together, and quickly realised the results were very special. The song is only as good as it is because everyone gave it their all: maybe that shows just how keen we all are to send the world a giant and heartfelt hug right now.” The Portraits have dedicated the single to all those fighting Covid-19 and to lost loved ones.
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wellsvoice
22
June 2020
n ON THE BEAT
We see the strong sense of togetherness
News from the local policing team with PCSO Coral Forde AS we remain in lockdown, we begin to adapt to our ‘new normal’. As times start to become more challenging, it is just as important as ever to look for the things that show how Wells and its surrounding villages have continued to grow stronger as a community. This month we have welcomed seven new cygnets to Wells, drawing in eager crowds, all to get a peek. We thank those who have come out to see them whilst remaining alert and practising social distance
n IN DAYS GONE BY
Members of the Wells Beat Team join Edna to help her celebrate her 100th birthday while in lockdown measures to control the virus and save lives. Your local police team have continued to celebrate members of our community, including Edna who celebrated her 100th birthday while in lockdown. We attended her address, lights flashing, and sang happy birthday.
On May 8 we celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day, where we were amazed by how local communities celebrated together from their gardens, showing a great display of community spirit. You may have also seen us down local roads, participating in the ‘Clap for the NHS’, with extra
thanks to our own Wells NHS staff and key workers. The recently relaxed lockdown measures have seen an increase in families using local parks and beauty spots. While we encourage exercise, I would just like to take the opportunity to remind those tempted, the play park equipment and outdoor gyms are still CLOSED, so please refrain from using the equipment as the virus can live on such surfaces. Since we have been unable to hold any of our usual beat surgeries, PCSO 9327 Samuel White and I have brought them to you. You can now tune in live from the comfort of your home to ask any questions you may have. Keep an eye on our Facebook page so you know when you can join in. We are still out and about on the bikes, and we are happy to stop for a chat should you have any concerns or just want to say hi. Thank you for your continued support during this time. Remember: Stay Alert, Control the virus, Save lives.
With Clare Blackmore
Children like ‘Scorcher’ sent to industrial school UNDER the Youthful Offenders Act of 1854 those convicted of crime under the age of 16 would firstly be sent to prison and then on to a reformatory. A reformatory was an institution to reform the criminal juvenile, whereas an industrial school was to prevent a juvenile from turning to crime by giving them a trade. In 1874, George James, a boy of about 14 years of age, was brought before the Wells court charged with stealing a pair of scissors from his mother. The mother of the lad, a widow, said that he was a very bad boy and she did not know what to do with him and that she had brought him before the magistrates in the hope that they might devise some means for his reformation. The boy had frequently been before the magistrates for petty offences. He was committed to 14
days in prison followed by three years at a reformatory institution. In 1879, two children from the same family who lived in St Thomas Street were sent to a reform school and an industrial school. Florence Crandon, aged 12, was charged with stealing six penny stamps from George Grainger of Southover, and as “she bore a very dishonest character and was much neglected” she was committed to prison for 14 days and then five years in a reformatory school. Her brother, Frank Crandon, described in court as a “bad boy and also much neglected”, was found guilty of having stolen two metal hoops from the Blue School and was sent to an industrial school for five years. At Wells Petty Sessions in 1876, PS Vowles applied to the court in Wells so that Albert Grist, aged 13 and son of the late
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Charles Grist, confectioner, could be sent to an industrial school. PS Vowles said that he had found the boy at 10pm, ragged and destitute and without a home or any visible means of support. He was an orphan. The boy was ordered to be sent to the Bristol industrial ship The Formidable. In 1882, Mr Corp of Wells applied to the magistrates for his son John, aged 11, to be sent to an industrial school. Mr Corp deposed that he was unable to control his son and that he was willing to contribute towards his maintenance. The magistrates ordered that the boy be sent to the Bath Industrial School until he was 14 and the father pay 2s 6d per week. In 1892, a gypsy named Elizabeth White appeared before Wells Magistrates’ Court charged with neglecting her three
children, Elizabeth Dorcas aged 11, John (8) and Emily (5). The children were sent to the workhouse where they were found to be in a filthy condition and infested with vermin. The mother was given three months hard labour in Shepton Prison. The boy, John, was sent to Standon Farming Home in Staffordshire for eight years, the girl Emily to a children’s home in Hemel Hempstead for 10 years, and Elizabeth Dorcas was put in the care of Dr Barnardo until she attained 16 years. In 1897, William Sheppard of St Thomas Street, known as “Scorcher”, was summoned for playing football in the street. This being a troublesome, bad boy, his father’s consent was sought to send the boy to an industrial school until he was 16 years of age. Father’s consent given.
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wellsvoice
June 2020
23
n NEWS
Sue starts climb to space station in fundraiser for families at risk SUE Jones from Wells has lofty ambitions. She has started a campaign to climb to the Space Station – which is 200 miles above the earth and 36 times the height of Everest. Since she lives in a bungalow, her contribution to the Stairway to the Space Station charity fundraiser will be to climb the 28,028 feet of Everest on her loft ladder. She hopes to recruit a team of people from across Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who will all record the height they climb each day. Sue worked in front-line domestic abuse for seven years, then led a research study of
domestic abuse workers based in A&E wards at five hospitals, and has been horrified by the increase in domestic abuse across the country since lockdown. Money raised from the climbing challenge will go to two charities which help families stay safe throughout the region – SIDAS (part of the You Trust) in Somerset, and Nextlink, which serves Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Sue said: “I am sure that together we can do it. Just as it’s only by all working together that we can reduce domestic abuse. “I would like as many people as possible to take part whether they can do a marathon climb,
Sue Jones with the loft ladder she will be climbing
just a couple of steps a day, or hike up Glastonbury Tor. “All we need to know is the vertical height they climb, then we can add this all together, show our progress towards the Space Station, and hopefully reach it by the end of July – if not sooner.” She said of her own climb: “There’s no handrail on my loft ladder and my daughter has made me promise to lay copious duvets and pillows on the tiled floor beneath – so I don’t burden A&E unnecessarily if I fall.” People who want to take part should text 07907 437187 or email stairwaytothespacestation@ hotmail.com with their name and town/village. n If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 999. If you are not free to speak, use the Silent Solution – press 55 when prompted.
New bereavement support service SOMERSET County Council has commissioned two leading charities to provide bereavement support for people in Somerset in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Somerset Bereavement Support Service will be delivered in partnership by end-of-life charity Marie Curie and mental health charity Mind in Somerset. Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “This important new bereavement support service aims to reduce the distress and improve the long-term outlook of people
bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic, enabling them to improve their resilience, functioning and wellbeing. The service is there to help people feel safe to explore their thoughts and feelings, understand grief and develop coping strategies. I hope it can provide the much-needed support and comfort that people need at such a difficult time.” In the first instance, for those over 18, telephone support calls will be provided by Marie Curie Companions, specially trained volunteers who can offer emotional support to bereaved people or support in some cases pre-bereavement. The service can also provide support to
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professionals in Somerset dealing with bereavement in their work setting. Julia Bearne, Marie Curie Community Engagement and Development Manager, said: “When someone close to you dies it is, and has always been, terribly difficult. We know that the recent restrictions enforced because of the coronavirus are making it even harder. “This service is not only for those who have lost someone directly to coronavirus, but for anyone experiencing grief, whatever stage they may be at.” Where further support is needed, the Marie Curie Companion volunteers will link
people to specialist Mind in Somerset bereavement support workers who will deliver up to six bereavement counselling sessions. This service is available to adults and children over 12 years. Susan Hoyle, Bereavement Lead, Mind in Somerset, said: “We would like people to know, including professionals and young people, that we are here for you to help and support if you have experienced a loss during these very difficult times.” People affected by grief or bereavement who would like to talk to someone can call the Somerset Bereavement Support Service on 0800 3047 412 (Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm).
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wellsvoice
24
June 2020
n MESSAGE FROM THE MP
Community spirit has shone through IN these unprecedented times for our country, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on these pages the extraordinary efforts of people across our community to respond to Covid-19. Living amongst us are hundreds of doctors, nurses, care workers, paramedics, social workers and council staff who have been at the forefront in delivering care to those who have caught coronavirus, and helping to shield those who would be at the most risk if they were to do so. We go outside and applaud their service every Thursday evening and perhaps at the end of this, we’ll think of a way to record our gratitude in a more lasting way. Either way, we can never say thank you enough to those who have truly been on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19. Beyond the effort of the professional staff in our local public services, there’s been
News from Wells MP James Heappey an extraordinary outpouring of community spirit that’s manifested itself in a big surge in volunteering. I’ve heard of groups springing up to collect shopping and medicines for elderly neighbours; groups sharing the burden of home schooling through Zoom; and even people taking the pets of self-isolating elderly neighbours to the vets. We live in a part of the world that is blessed with an amazing sense of community
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which has shone through over the past three months. There’s more still to do though. This month, our local businesses will start to re-emerge from hibernation and they’ll desperately need our support. Shopping on our high streets is vital if stock for this season is to be sold and retail businesses saved from their current cashflow crisis. Local food producers will have been suffering from the loss of catering and restaurant contracts – so seeking opportunities to buy from Somerset farmers and growers will be important too. And most of all, although I fear it will be a little while yet before they’re allowed to reopen, we’ll need to support our local hospitality, leisure and tourism industries who are seeing the summer months slipping away and a whole year’s revenue disappear. You’ve stayed at home and you’ve made huge sacrifices
The May issue of Wells Voice might not have been delivered but it can still be enjoyed online at issuu.com/ wellsvoice/docs/ may2020
in doing so. The key workers amongst us have stood tall in caring for those with this horrid virus and as a result, in Somerset, we’ve been spared the worst. Now we must learn to live with the virus around us and to control it. This will bring new challenges like accepting the intrusion of tracking and tracing and, quite possibly, the frustration of lockdown measures being tightened again if the rate of infection begins to rise. However, this is our new normal for as long as it takes for a vaccine to arrive. Our scientists are flat out in their efforts to deliver that but in the meantime, we should continue to applaud those key workers who are keeping us safe; maintain our willingness to volunteer in support of those in need in our community; and we need to spend our money with local small businesses as much as we possibly can.
May 2020 Issue 35
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‘Wonderful to see that kindness still flourishes’
THERE have been many acts of kindness around Wells in the past month as the community rallies round during the coronavirus outbreak. Volunteers with Wells Coronavirus Network have been leading the way, ensuring that food and medicines reach the people that need them. There are now 300 volunteers – who are each being issued with an ID card to show that they are registered with the organisation – and their efforts have been receiving heartfelt appreciation from local people. People who are vulnerable or self-isolating and in need of assistance should call 01749 467079 (9am-5pm every day) or email cv19@connect-centre.org. uk or hello@helpwells.co.uk More information is available on the website: helpwells.co.uk There have been examples of singers and musicians giving impromptu performances around the city to lift spirits, and members of the local police team Continued on page 3
This year’s carnivals called off in face of coronavirus threat – see page 3
businesses in Wells and district
‘It’s been amazing to watch it grow’ Wells Community Notice Board Facebook group founder Rachel Sherman on how it took off Turn to page 5
Invitation to join VE Day celebration Call for residents to step into their front garden and raise a glass at 3pm on May 8 Turn to page 5
Virtual exhibition of contest entries Wells Art Contemporary makes plans for an online showcase as deadline for entries is extended Turn to page 6
Head gardener keeping grounds at Bishop’s Palace pretty as a picture – see page 10
Community hub plan approved A new community building and eight houses get go ahead Turn to page 8
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wellsvoice
June 2020
25
n NEWS
n WHAT’S ON
Digital tours of artists’ studios THIS year’s Somerset Open Studios (September 19-October 4) will be a digital extravaganza. Through an interactive brochure, visitors will be able to curate their own tours of artists’ works, see into studios and hear how they develop their work through films. Audiences will be invited to get hands on and interact with artists through a programme of talks, workshops, demonstrations and artists’ films hosted on Somerset Art Works’ website. Somerset Art Works are working hard behind the scenes to transform Open Studios 2020 into a digital event, developing skills and resources as well as supporting artist members to showcase their work. Much of what is developed for this year’s event will inform how future Open Studios events are produced. The decision to go digital has resulted from the Covid-19
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Artist Elisabeth Barry at work pandemic. Somerset Art Works continue to put the safety of participating artists, audiences and staff at the centre of their decision-making. For this reason, the difficult decision was taken to not invite people to visit artists’ studios in person this year, but instead develop the event digitally. As a board and team, Somerset Art Works are
Picture: Fiona Murray
determined not to leave a gap in the county’s cultural calendar in 2020, maintaining its annual offer to showcase the creative breadth and talent of Somerset’s artists. For more details, see somersetartworks.org.uk/ what-we-do/art-weeks/ or contact Somerset Art Works via email: paul.newman@ somersetartworks.org.uk
Stay In – Work Out New Online Classes Starting soon www.taichi24.co.uk www.pilogafit.co.uk John Beasley 01749 672482 n DO YOU WANT YOUR EVENT TO STAND OUT? When you are able to stage an event again and you want people to notice, we can print it with a colour background like this from just £7 + VAT. Find out more by emailing sales@ wellsvoice.co.uk View every issue online at issuu.com/wellsvoice
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wellsvoice
26
June 2020
n NEWS
Bishop part of historic online prayer event THE Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, was due to take part in an historic online prayer event at the end of May. He was joining thousands of Christians and more than 25 church leaders from across the South West in South West Prays on May 31 at 8pm. It was thought that it could be the biggest prayer event that has ever taken place in the region. The event involved bishops from Church of England dioceses taking part, as well as Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical church ministers, all joining in live online from their homes across the region. As well as Bishop Peter, those taking part were expected to include Bishop Nick McKinnel – Diocese of Exeter; Martin Rees
Mark Pugh – Mayor of Bristol; Bishop Karen Gorham – Diocese of Salisbury; Sarah Yardley – Creation Fest in Cornwall; Simon Jarvis – One Church, Gloucester; Mark Pugh – Rediscover Church Exeter; Carl Smethurst – South West
Baptist Association; Jim Ware – North Devon House of Prayer, Barnstaple; Luke Mansfield – Hope Baptist Church, Plymouth; and Tiva Daka – The Engine Church, Cornwall. The leaders were going to share reflections and prayers on the crisis the UK is facing as a nation and pray for a fresh move of God in this region. Mark Pugh, Leader of Rediscover Church, Exeter, and one of the coordinators of the event, said: “The churches have been so active during this pandemic as they seek to be good news in cities, towns and villages across the South West. Whether it has been foodbanks, debt centres, offering food shopping, prescription collections or checking in on those who live on their own, churches seek to love and care for everyone in practical
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ways. There will be much need in the months ahead and churches are actively working together to create the best responses. “We are united in carrying a message of hope and believe Jesus brings comfort and hope even in the storms of life – and what a storm this has been for so many people. But in the middle of this storm we notice that record numbers of people have been Googling ‘how to pray’ and recent research has revealed that one in four UK adults have visited an online church service over the last few months – there seems to be a renewed openness to spiritual things and as the churches come together we are praying that that the good news of the gospel will be experienced by many more people and that all sectors of society would know great wisdom in the days ahead.”
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wellsvoice
June 2020
27
n SPORT Keenness to get back on course GOLF
Normally in May, Wells Cricket Club coaches are delivering sessions to about 100 children every week. But instead they have picked up paintbrushes, sledgehammers and shovels to completely repaint the outside of the clubhouse and build new steps from the pitch to the main entrance, using materials from local businesses CRS and Brick Peers and spurred on by cakes and scones from Double-Gates Tea Rooms. Wells Cricket Club, like many other clubs, faces an uncertain and tricky few months financially with no income. Chairman Rachel Richards said: ‘The health of our members and volunteers is key to Wells CC and rightly we’re all focused on getting through this immediate danger together. We hope that our community will be there to support us in the ‘new normal’ as we try to rebuild for 2021.’
WHEN Mendip Golf Club opened for play on May 13, the management made the decision that it would be members only who could play, at least for the first few weeks. This was to reward the members for their patience and to give them the maximum chance to play. And what a good decision. With tee times from 7am to 6pm there has barely been an empty slot in first nine days. Word of Mendip’s ‘put members first’ has obviously got around as during the past nine days the club has been pleased to welcome a large influx of new members. On re-commencement of play, members have found that head greenkeeper Richard Gregory, despite working with
a depleted team, has produced the course in tip top condition, beautifully presented, with very healthy looking greens. Ironically after seven months of rain from September to March, rain would now be welcome to take some of the fire out of the fairways. Head professional and director of golf, Stuart Disney, apart from overseeing the greens team in conjunction with greens chairman Richard Jeffrey, has worked tirelessly throughout the lockdown period, keeping members informed and preparing for the reopening. It is testimony to his efforts that everything has gone so smoothly. In addition, Stuart prepared a series of instructional videos which can be viewed on his golf channel on YouTube. A return to competitive golf is still some way off but in the meantime it is just great to be back on the course. They say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ – it has certainly proved to be true about golf.
n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB NO meetings, no visits nor excursions, no gardens open, no plant sales nor flower shows, and yet gardening has carried on its seasonal business behind closed gates. Rarely have our gardens seen so much attention whether they needed it or not. Every corner seems to have been scrutinised, closely inspected and given some sort of seeing to. Or been left just the way it was. This has thrown up a few eye-openers - the odd discovery of a long lost plant, a favourite old trowel or indestructible toy, a can of worms or snails and plenty of items to be added to the mounting accumulations destined for the tip. Occasionally a surprise has been sprung. Our treasurer, Jenny, who has been tending her pretty garden in Knaphill since 2006, cleared away a patch of invasive geraniums only to uncover a well-established pathway, thus at one stroke creating an old-fashioned island bed. Gardening as archaeology. Those of us who have a garden of any sort and enjoy it
Rosa Cecile Brunner have been enormously fortunate as fresh air in fine weather, active exercise and close contact with growing things have brightened our days. Tentative steps are taken to open things up but future plans are uncertain. So, basically, it’s still friendly heads peeping over the garden fence. Down on the ground there seem to have been more hoverflies, mining bees and ground beetle,s not to mention those most beautiful of insects the butterflies which go hand in hand with
pretty flowers and cabbages. Full summer is upon us and the pigeons are nesting yet again much to the joy of the jackdaws, magpies and squirrels who regard their residence as a sort of food bank providing them with daily eggs for breakfast. The roses are in full flush; the china rose Cecile Brunner is blooming continuously beyond the daisy lawn. The climbers and ramblers are responding to the early spring pruning and tidying up. Everything in the garden is lovely. Would that were true in a metaphorical sense. The Garden Club is still in business and we have a website still in its infancy but well established for future events and contacts. See: wellsgarden.club For those with gardens, enjoy your successes and failures. For those without gardens, enjoy other people’s instead. Pip Harwood WELLS U3A AFTER monthly talks from the bishop, Peter Hancock, Janet Diamond the Egyptologist and local historian Sarah Villiers,
Covid-19 suddenly put an end to our meetings. Adrian Targett would have spoken about Cheddar’s Saxon Palace in April, Steve Price about his extraordinary channel swimming efforts for Southmead Hospital charity projects in May, and Tim Crumplin was due to talk about the history of Clark’s shoes in June. If things improve sufficiently, we may well resume our activities in September with Dr Mark Baldwin telling us about the Second World War exploits of the Special Operations Executive. Hopefully he’ll be followed by ex-president of the West of England Academy, Janette Kerr, discussing her exceptional life in painting, and keeping up the artistic theme, Philippa Threlfall, U3A member and outstanding ceramicist and print maker, will talk in November. Our final meeting in December will take the form of an entertainment by musicians from Wells Cathedral School. So we are still alive and kicking, and expecting to provide a lively and interesting programme for our members. We have to remain positive. John King
The deadline for the July issue of Wells Voice is Wednesday, June 17 Got News? Call 07906 499655
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29
n PROPERTY
Homes more central to our lives than ever HAVING lived under lockdown for several weeks, many of us are re-evaluating and appreciating aspects our lives overlooked in busy times – and that includes our homes. One of those who has been reassessing is Sue Macey, managing partner at Lodestone Property, which has a branch in Wells. She said: “We are lucky enough to have a fourbedroom family house, which my husband and I were thinking of downsizing, but this experience has made us realise that we are not ready to do it. “Two of our three children have been at home and because of the space we have, we have not got on top of one another. And because of the weather being so lovely and as we are fortunate enough to also have outside space, ‘lockdown’ has not had a huge negative impact on us. We have decided to stay because we appreciate it all so much more.”
Charlie Armytage However, when the quarantine was enforced it naturally posed challenges for many business owners and meant they needed to pivot. Jeremy Wright, who lives just outside Wells, had just launched a yoga and Pilates business at his house, with plans for weekend summer retreats. “Obviously the classes had to be cancelled and the retreats indefinitely postponed,” he said.
“But we decided instead to launch our business, House Unbound, as a ‘virtual’ wellness studio, delivering yoga and Pilates classes online using Zoom. We built a new website, launched the service at the end of April and booked 300 classes in the first week.” Jeremy says that more and more of us have seen that we can do almost anything from home. “In our space, and more generally in education, I think we all came from the position that real-life ‘in person’ classes are best and that classes via Zoom, or other video-conferencing services, are inferior,” he said. “What we have discovered is that there are features of online classes that are in many ways better than bricks and mortar classes, for example you can cut down your travelling time, costs and emissions if you travel by vehicle.” Does the relative ease in which people have embraced
making home the focus mean a change in the way we use our houses in future, especially if we are to move in and out of lockdowns in the coming years? Charlie Armytage, Lodestone’s Wells manager, said: “As the property market starts to open up again we’ve already seen a marked increase of enquiries coming from densely populated areas, London in particular. The Covid-crisis has fast-forwarded some people’s decision to move out of cities, particularly as working from home is likely to increase. They are also keen to avoid being locked-down again in a relatively confined space.” Charlie’s colleague, Simon Neville-Jones, said: “I think what they’re going to be looking for is a village with post office, good broadband and home office. For the upper echelons of the market, people will want a pool and tennis court too, because they will want a property that does everything.”
“You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again” ··· Bonnie Prudden
The past few months have been very challenging for us all but we hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well. We have spent our time productively while we have been away, keeping in touch with our clients and creating new initiatives. We would like to share with you a copy of our new lifestyle magazine Lodestone Life. Our passion for Somerset and Dorset underpins everything we do. It is a beautiful part of the world which is full of exciting businesses, talented people and wonderful events. We want to show off the best bits, as well as the wonderful houses that we have sold and let over the past year. You can download the magazine here: www.purplepanther.co.uk/Magazines/Lodestone/A/ In the meantime, if you would like any advice regarding your property requirements please call Charlie Armytage, our Wells Manager on 01749 605088 or email him at: charlie@lodestoneproperty.co.uk
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wellsvoice
30
June 2020
n SPORT
Physio will be missed when rugby re-starts RUGBY THE pitch is cut and ready to go, it is just the rugby that is missing and of course the important element, the clubhouse, the main source of Wells Rugby Football Club’s income. But who knows when the local club game will return, it is not exactly a social distancing game. There has been talk of some sort of a hybrid version without the contact, but is that rugby? We shall have to wait and see what the powers of the game come up with. In the meantime players are doing what they can to keep fit, cycling, walking and running. One person who will not be back next year, however, is Mazeie Phillips Hill. The club physio. One of the most
Mazeie Phillips Hill has been the Wells club physio for nearly seven years respected people in Wells Rugby Club, Mazeie has been the club physio since her first match back in September 2013 when Wells played their first game in the
Southern Counties league against Trowbridge. Since then in fair weather and foul, from Gloucester to Camborne, Bideford to
Ivybridge, Mazeie was there with her smile and expertise. Her advice as to whether or not a player could resume, or indeed even play in the future games, was readily accepted by both players and coaches. She was also there during training sessions treating the strains, bruises and bumps which are all part of the game. Mazeie, who graduated in 2014 with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation, is the founder of the highly popular and successful Philgood Rehabilitation, based in Shepton Mallet. She married her husband Tom in August 2019, the couple celebrated the birth of a daughter, Tilly May, in April. She will be sorely missed by everybody at Wells Rugby Club.
Players back in the swing as club’s courts reopen TENNIS MEMBERS at Wells Tennis Club have welcomed the chance to enjoy their sport again as courts reopened on Saturday, May 16. The club is gradually reopening for limited booked play by members after being closed since March 22. Individual coaching is now available to members and nonmembers. Members are following guidelines set out by the Lawn Tennis Association covering hygiene and numbers on court and are now booking onehour slots. Club nights and
Wells Tennis Club chair Dan Cooke with his daughter Kitty competitions remain suspended. Wells Tennis Club chair Dan Cooke said: “After weeks
of lockdown, it’s great to be able to get back on court. However, we’re taking one step
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at a time, and strictly following LTA guidance and responsible distancing. That means only singles and a court booking system for the first phase. “We’re still planning ahead and hopefully we’ll be able to provide wider opportunities for our members and anyone who’d like to try tennis out later in the summer. Keep an eye on our website or social media sites for more details, or get in touch.” New members can join through the website – www. wellstc.co.uk. Queries should go to wellstennismembership@ gmail.com. For coaching contact kpdurney@msn.com.
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n TAKE A BREAK
C B R U S O C C P R I N T E R R T F E
T R K E P H L H L T Y I R F N C O F A
O A S I C E I I I E S E Q E Y L R I N
R R E N R T J E C T D Q R Y Q E C C E
H I C K J C O T R I E I T E A C H E R
G A R D E N E R K W T C T C Q T E M V
P N E V S W A D N E C O T O X U M A L
H K T X C U A V P L S H R O R R I N I
D W A I T E R I B D U B E K Z E S A D
N U R S E N K V T E R W C F W R T G C
TXT PERT
E O Y T R A I N E R G B U Y E R Z E O
M A C H I N I S T Y E O F A R M E R U
P S C I E N T I S T O S P L U M B E R
I I N Z T Y P I S T N R S J R M A Q I
L A W Y E R B C A R E T A K E R K M E
O M E C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R
T J U S J O U R N A L I S T F W R D L
EASY for children
4
Each horizontal row, each 2x2 square and each column must contain all the numbers 1-4.
3
1
SOLUTIONS
O I A A S R D E S I G N E R H J U O L
4 1 2
SHADOW MATCHING
D L C Q A Y R D R I V E R E A N T T C
SUDOKU
Iguana No. 3
Can you find 44 job titles vertically, horizontally or diagonally?
TXT PERT
WORDSEARCH
Across 1 Trek, 4 Suitcase, 6 Embark, 8 Trip, 10 Inn Down 1 Tour, 2 Check-in, 3 Safari, 5 Gate, 7 Map, 9 ID
)
wellsvoice
June 2020
This month: Holidays
The numbers point you to the letters on a phone keypad
Clues Across 1 8735 (4) 4 78482273 (8) 6 362275 (6) 8 8747 (4) 10 466 (3)
Down 1 8687 (4) 2 24325 46 (5,2) 3 723274 (6) 5 4283 (4) 7 627 (3) 9 43 (2)
2 is A, B or C 3 is D, E or F 4 is G, H or I 5 is J, K, or L
6 is M, N or O 7 is P, Q, R or S 8 is T, U or V 9 is W, X, Y or Z
1
2 3
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
© www.123rf.com/profile_boyusya These puzzles were originally published in Wells Voice in August 2017
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