Wells Voice March 2021

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March 2021 Issue 45

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Gormley work could give city huge boost A WORK by the renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley to be displayed on the West Front of Wells Cathedral could give the local economy and community a major boost after such a difficult time because of the pandemic.

Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley is best known for his Angel of the North sculpture.

His work draws large crowds of people wherever it is displayed, so the event in Wells could be a boon for the Cathedral and the city’s shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels – assuming that lockdown restrictions can be lifted as planned.

Cast in iron, the work coming to Wells is just over life-size and will occupy an empty niche below the North-West tower. Project Factory CIC is partnering with Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) and the Cathedral to bring the event to Wells to coincide with the August Bank Holiday.

The work will remain in place for many months afterwards.

Continued on page 5

Sadler Street, Wells BA5 2RR • 01749 672029

Wide support for skatepark project Keen backing from councillors, individuals and organisations Turn to page 6

Film centre starts virtual screenings Initiative means households can buy tickets to see films at home Turn to page 7

W E L L S LO YA LT Y C A R D

Cut-out-and-keep Wells loyalty card Collect stamps as you shop for chance of voucher prizes Turn to page 8

Pair prepare to pass on baton Sisters start service to deliver free food parcels in confidence to people in need – see page 12

‘Elim Connect is now stitched into the fabric of the city’ Turn to page 15

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wellsvoice

March 2021

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n NEWS

Book charts changing face of shopkeeping THE grocery stores run for many years by John Barkle and his wife Elizabeth were known and loved by shoppers of all ages in Wells.

Barkle’s Foodstores became familiar landmarks in Tucker Street and Bath Road.

Now John, who also ran grocery stores in Ditcheat, Pilton and Shepton Mallet, has written a memoir of his decades as a shopkeeper.

In Memories of a Village Grocer he records the changing face of shopkeeping throughout his life, and reminisces about the trials and tribulations, and the many customers and characters he has met along the way.

John started helping in his parents’ shops when he was a child. When his father died suddenly in Pilton Post Office, a then 26-year-old John took over running the store with Elizabeth, and with the help of his mother, and ended up being Postmaster there for 17 years.

“We knew all our customers and with old fashioned service with a smile, we delivered over a wide area, customers had accounts and with a loyal staff, we steadily increased our turnover,” he said.

Elizabeth and John on their golden wedding anniversary in 2005

John and Elizabeth Barkle outside the Bath Road store in 1977, and right, the cover of John’s book As competition from large food stores intensified, more footfall was required. So in 1972, he and Elizabeth bought a shop in Tucker Street, Wells.

“We did not deliver, did not have accounts but we wanted to build a family business,” said John.

“We also discontinued Green Shield stamps which were signed up to by the previous owner.

“By 1977 we sold our Pilton Store and a week later bought an empty shop in Bath Road, Wells.

After six months refitting the shop, we traded in Wells for 25 years, and our adverts on leaflets and in the Wells Journal said ‘The City stores with the village store atmosphere’. There was easy parking outside both stores and with local staff who knew

Mayor reassures on vaccinations THE Mayor of Wells, Philip Welch, has had his coronavirus vaccination at West Mendip Hospital in Glastonbury.

About 100 patients have declined vaccination there, so Councillor Welch decided to publicise his own vaccination to offer reassurance to those who might be nervous or believe unproven conspiracy theories.

“The friendliness, efficiency, commitment and professionalism of the staff working at the hospital was most impressive,” said Councillor

the customers, the business flourished.”

With the planned arrival of Tesco in the late 1980s, John

and Elizabeth agreed to lease the Tucker Street shop to Spar after an approach from the national chain.

They continued to operate at Bath Road until 1996, when they leased that business to their main suppliers L & F Jones of Midsomer Norton. The shop eventually became a private residence.

“I would like to thank the many people who were so loyal to Barkle’s Foodstores as customers and staff over my 50 years or so as a village grocer,” said John.

He now lives in Westbury-sub-Mendip.

Elizabeth died in 2019.

To order a copy of Memories of a Village Grocer, which costs £10 + £2 postage, email villagegrocer2021@outlook.com All profits from the book will be donated to Children’s Hospice South West.

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Our first advice will always be free Mayor of Wells Philip Welch has his coronavirus vaccination Welch. “And, of course, I felt completely safe.”

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wellsvoice n NEWS

wellsvoice

www.wellsvoice.co.uk CONTAC TS Editor and publisher Andy Vallis andy@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157 Advertising sales@wellsvoice.co.uk 01749 675157 Editorial news@wellsvoice.co.uk 07906 499655 01749 675157

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 6,800 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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March 2021

Loss of well-known figure in community ELIZABETH Tudway Quilter, known to many as “Bubbles”, died in Yeovil hospital after a short illness on February 14, 2021, aged 91.

For over 60 years she had lived in Wells and been involved with the county particularly in support of her late husband, David, when he was Mayor of the city as well as High Sheriff in 1974 and then Vice LordLieutenant of Somerset until 1996.

She was a well-recognised presence in the local community, supporting many organisations, and became President of Macmillan Cancer Support. She had very many friends.

Elizabeth’s son Simon writes: My parents first arrived at Milton Lodge in 1959 and so began the restoration of the house and particularly the garden there which became a labour of love and theirs was a devoted partnership during their lifetime together. The painstaking process took eight years and the garden soon opened under the National Garden Scheme.

Then came the restoration of the 18th-century Pleasure Ground, known locally as The Combe – “The dog’s lavatory for Wells” as my mother mischievously described it. As the garden at Milton developed and more people came to visit, my mother offered teas in the old courtyard stables. “Do have some of my tray-bake and I hope you will be alright tomorrow morning”! The open days always gave her such enormous pleasure because she was very much

Elizabeth Tudway Quilter involved and loved meeting everyone.

Another of my mother’s great interests was Wells Cathedral School (Cedars House having been the old Tudway family home) which she enjoyed visiting on many an occasion. Music excelled there and the Junior School plays were also a special source of entertainment for her.

She was so pleased and proud to have been awarded a Wells Cathedral School Foundation Fellowship in 2010.

My sisters, Susie and Lucy, as well as myself have had so many letters and calls from our mother’s friends in which they recall her sense of fun and infectious laugh, her firm and outspoken opinions at times but always her passionate interest in everyone whom she met. We could not be more grateful for the sincere appreciation and love which has been expressed in abundance by so many. n A private funeral will be held in St Cuthbert’s Church on March 12, 2021, to be followed when possible by a celebration of her life in the Cathedral to which all will be welcome.

Sudden death of expert repairer ORGANISER Julie Wright has paid tribute to one of the Wells Repair Café ‘fixers’ following his sudden death.

She said: “I’m very sad to pass on the news of the recent death of Repair Café’s Tony Penny, quite suddenly and at home.

“Tony was a man of very few, but always kind words, but an immense understanding of the workings of radios, cassette

players, record players, and the like.

“There are many people in Wells and the surrounding area whose life, and more recently their lockdown, has been made bearable because he managed to restore their beloved machine to a functioning piece of equipment.

Tony will be very much missed by his family, friends and the wider community.”

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

March 2021

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Gormley work could bring big benefits From page 1 “This will be a huge draw for visitors and residents alike well beyond the summer months – something that will give a sustained boost to business and the Wells community, a valuable assistance to the local economy,” said Judith Ludovino from the Wells Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

Antony Gormley chose the niche on which his work will appear – on the far left of the lowest tier when looking at the West Front – and has recast the work to fit.

He said: “I have chosen this niche for its position and its visibility: the book at the end of the bookshelf. The work attempts to invoke the feeling of being isolated and exposed on this corner of a Gothic masterpiece.

My purpose is to engage the eye and body of the viewer in empathic projection, to consider

Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley Picture: Vicken Parsons

our time in the shelter of other times.”

Paddy O’Hagan, chair of WAC, was due to give an update on the display of the work to a Wells City Council meeting on February 25.

The annual WAC exhibition was held at Wells Cathedral in 2019, and would have been held there again in 2020, but the exhibition had to be a virtual one and a video installation in the Cathedral took the place of the physical artworks.

It was Paddy who first approached the Gormley Studio with a suggestion that somebody might like to fill an empty niche on the West Front, in the manner of the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square – and was delighted when Gormley himself offered to do so.

Paddy explained that the Antony Gormley artwork will not be the piece alone, but the work in the context of the West Front and its wider surroundings. He added that it is to thank the Dean for his support for WAC and the work of Cathedral colleagues to support the community.

He said: “I am genuinely amazed that Antony has been

willing to recast the sculpture and lend it to Wells for nothing.

Everybody involved is thrilled, and the Cathedral is working very hard to ensure that any remaining issues are resolved.

Beyond the services of its paid employees the Cathedral is not providing funds so we will be looking to the wider community for the finance to make this very exciting project happen far and wide. I hope this will help bring the community back together after this dreadful lockdown.”

Project Factory is organising a number of community engagement projects to welcome the work to Wells, and will be launching a campaign to raise funding.

Last month’s issue of Wells Voice reported that another expected crowd-puller, the Museum of the Moon by artist Luke Jerram, is due to appear at the Cathedral from October 12 to November 3.

Bunting workshops and prizes THE Sew Buntiful Community Arts project will soon be launching its first set of online workshops courtesy of a grant from Somerset Skills and Learning. The workshops will be free to view and pre-recorded, so they can be viewed again and again as well as stopped and started as each individual needs.

“You don’t need to commit to making bunting to access the workshops but you do need to register with Sew Buntiful,” said Kirstie Harris of Project Factory, which is supporting Sew Buntiful. “Just contact us by email, hello@projectfactory.uk or by ringing 01749 372234.”

It has also been announced that Wells Loyalty League is donating prizes for bunting made by children and young people.

“At a time of difficulty for

our High Street traders it is so generous of them to support the project. We are now able to offer a prize of £25 in each of the three groups: aged 7 and under, 8-11 and 12-17,” said city councillor Rachel Humphreys.

“There are no restrictions on the amount of bunting made or the design. Any shape, size or material can be used as long as the finished swag can be used as part of the Sew Buntiful decorations planned for the city centre.”

Again, registration is required by emailing hello@ projectfactory.uk or ringing 01749 372234.

The project can also be found on Facebook at Buntiful Wells.

The completed bunting will be displayed around Wells in the spring.

Group offering peer support CONNECT-ED, a support and social group for adults with learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and/or autistic spectrum conditions, is offering face-toface peer support in Wells.

The environment is friendly and relaxed, with small groups, and support staff are welcome.

The cost is £2.80 per session.

Covid rules apply. For more information, contact Frances: reigatesc@hotmail.co.uk

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Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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March 2021

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Strong support for vision of modern skatepark in Wells THERE was strong support for the proposal to create a new skatepark in Wells at the meeting of Wells City Council on January 28.

Adrian Smith, one of a number of members of Wells Skatepark Community Group in attendance, told councillors that the current skatepark had become run down, and that people were travelling elsewhere to use wheeled sports facilities.

A modern skatepark would keep people in Wells, he said, and there could be scope to add other activities such as wall climbing and basketball courts, while indoor skateparks he had been to also had cafes and shops.

He said that the lease is up on the current skatepark anyway, and he hoped for a commitment to renew the lease and develop the park in its present location or to find a new location.

Councillor Jasmine Browne said she thought it was a brilliant proposal. She said that she works with young people in Wells and they have very little to do, and that something is needed for the city’s pre-teens and teens, and that it needed to be a nice space and not something seedy and run down.

Councillor Oliver Hartley agreed, saying: “It upsets me to think that people are going further afield to do something they really enjoy. That should be provided for them where they live, particularly in a city like Wells. I strongly support this.”

A number of councillors spoke in favour of siting a new

Petition to be handed over

The all-concrete Haverfordwest Skatepark, designed and built by Maverick Industries and opened in 2014, is the sort of facility that Wells Skatepark Community Group would like to see in Wells skatepark in the Recreation Ground, which the city council hopes to take over, along with the Bishop’s Barn, from Mendip District Council. It would ensure that young people are not marginalised as they are at present, said Councillor Adrian I’Anson, while Councillor Joe Parker and Councillor Norman Kennedy both thought that the Bishop’s Barn could become somewhere that served refreshments.

PC Dan Williams said that though the police thought that the skatepark was a great idea, their concern would be antisocial behaviour, and he was wary of the houses in the vicinity of the Bishop’s Barn site.

Adrian Smith said that case studies of other parks being built indicated that anti-social

behaviour had improved, with more skaters and families going.

He also suggested that if the Recreation Ground turned out not to be feasible, then maybe land opposite Morrisons could be considered.

Regarding funding, Bev Smith said that the intention was to start at grassroots level and then move on to bidding for larger funding such as lottery funding, which Shepton Mallet had done.

Councillor Louis Agabani proposed that if the council was to get involved, then a councillor could put themselves forward as a trustee to work with the skatepark group, and councillors agreed that this should be the way forward. The group will report back to the council on the development of their plans in due course.

Project attracts widespread interest WELLS Skatepark Community Group says that a lot of supporters have come forward since last month’s article in Wells Voice on the project to create a new wheeled sports park in Wells.

They include young people who use the current park, organisations which have offered help such as Elim Connect Centre and Acoustic Consultants Ltd, and residents who are keen to

support such a project for young people. The group is now working with the council to secure the preferred area of land on which to build the skatepark. As soon as this has been agreed, a start can be made on designing the park and fundraising for grants.

“We know the current skatepark has limited time left, the lease on the land has not been renewed, what we want to avoid is having no skatepark at all,” said

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Adrian Smith from the group.

The group says it is important that there is a show of local support for the project, and urges everyone who believes such recreation is needed for young people in Wells, and users of the park, to get in touch.

To show support and be kept up to date with progress, email wellsskatepark@gmail.com and follow on Instagram: wells_skatepark

MORE than 2,000 people have signed the petition calling for St Andrews Ward in Wells to be saved from closure.

Campaigners are aiming to present the petition in March to Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, which is planning to relocate the 14 mental health unit beds to Yeovil.

Emma King, who has helped to organise the petition and a number of protests against the move, said: “There is an impending mental health crisis due to the pandemic and it is important to keep St Andrews open until the full effects of the pandemic have been assessed, as the extra beds will be needed.”

The petition can still be signed at http://chng.it/ zf6Yd6g2

Cycle marathon raises hundreds SIX-YEAR-OLD Rowan White has raised more than £700 for his school with a sponsored cycling marathon.

Rowan, right, a pupil at St Joseph & St Teresa Primary School in Wells, set himself the target of covering 26.2 miles over the February half-term to raise money for the school.

He completed the challenge on Day 9, and mum Amy said: “We are so proud of him. He’s super exhausted, but feeling very happy about completing his challenge.

“Thank you so much to everyone who supported and sponsored him.”

Play broadcast WELLS Little Theatre’s radio play Good Gods Rebooted is being broadcast on Glastonbury FM every Friday at 9.15am and 4.15pm.

The first episode aired on February 26, and there are seven episodes in total.

Each episode can also be watched on Wells Little Theatre’s website at any time.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

March 2021

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Virtual Cinema film screenings

City enterprise centre opens

WELLS Film Centre is launching a new initiative that will allow customers to start enjoying movies once more.

The cinema had to close on December 26 due to the current government restrictions, and though it may look like it is still closed from the outside, the team has been hard at work during the lockdown.

A new reopening date has not yet been announced, but the film centre has now set up a Virtual Cinema which allows customers to view films from their homes.

Proprietor Sally Cooper said: “We have been looking at new ways to create revenue streams and how customers can help support us while we are closed.

Virtual screenings are a great way during the pandemic to show films, new and old, which may have been missed due to the closures of UK cinemas.

“Our first virtual screening will be Feminista – The Most

THE Wells Enterprise Centre has been completed and handed over ready for use.

The centre at Cathedral Park has ten two-person offices and two four-person offices. It has a further five industrial units that would suit one to two people per unit.

A new enterprise centre at Wiveliscombe is also now open. Both centres have been co-funded by Growth Deal and European Regional Development Funding, as well as investment from Somerset County Council.

They are fitted out with superfast broadband, bookable meeting rooms, kitchens and toilets, electric car charging points and bike sheds.

Kier Construction has led the build on both sites together with Grainge Architects and the county council’s Property and Economy teams. The units will be managed by the Torbay Development Agency.

A scene from Wood On Water, one of the Feminista films Inspiring Films About Women, available from March 1. Tickets are £9.99 per screening, and it doesn’t matter how many of your household are watching together, it’s just one price.”

Feminista is available for booking during the month of March to coincide with

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International Women’s Day on March 8.

Once a ticket has been purchased, the customer has 48 hours to watch the screening.

Pre-booking for this event is now open and customers can book via the cinema’s webpage www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice n NEWS

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March 2021

Present this at the till when you spend at any shop displaying the Wells Loyalty Card sign

£5

£5

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Sarah Meek, left, one of the previous draw winners, pictured after receiving her vouchers prize in Amba, Wells, with the store’s Jayne Clark

Temporary halt to loyalty prize draws THE Wells loyalty shopping scheme monthly draws have been put on hold while the lockdown is in place and trading is more difficult.

The draws will resume once customers can shop more normally again, and have their loyalty cards stamped as they spend.

The original Wells Loyalty League was launched more than 20 years ago. A number of volunteers came together to relaunch the league in October, including Robert Powell of Basil Powell Shoes in Broad Street. He said: “It is a great opportunity for the businesses of Wells to work together and reward our loyal customers.”

To take part in the scheme, customers collect a loyalty card from participating retailers, who will stamp it with the value of the purchase.

The shop will stamp the card to the value of your spend

£10 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10 You’re Welcome in Wells... have fun

£20 £20 £20 £20 £20 Name and phone number

It’s easy to fill your card and once you have £100 of stamps take the completed card to Reception in Wells Town Hall for entry in a monthly draw for free vouchers to spend in any Wells Loyalty Card shop

CARD O YA LT Y WELLS L

HERE

Look for shops with this sign

SPONSORS





W E L L S LO YA LT Y C A R D

A special version of the card is also being printed in this month’s Wells Voice (see left), which can be cut out and used like a normal card.

When there are £100 worth of stamps on the card it can be dropped into a box at the Town Hall. A draw will normally be held each month, and the winner will receive five £10 vouchers to spend in shops run by league members.

As Wells Voice reported in the January issue, two winners have previously been drawn, Sarah Meek and Elizabeth Walker.

Elizabeth said that she loves Wells with its “familiar faces, stunning selections and quality items from such a small collection of perfect shops”.

Sarah said: “We’re spoilt in Wells with all the lovely independent shops and everyone should use them.”

Wells loyalty scheme members Amba, Basil Powell, Britelly, Brownes Garden Centre, Gallery Jewellers, London House, Mansfield Opticians, Microbitz Computers, Millicans Eye Centre, Peter Douglas of Wells, Protec, Roly’s Fudge Pantry, Runway, Santé at Bishop’s Eye, Scribbles, Studleys Jewellers, The Changing Room, The Laundry, Whiting & Son. To join the scheme, contact Robert Powell (robert.powell2@btconnect.com), Rob Bevan (rob@protec-wells.com) or Louis Agabani (louis@bishopseye.com)

Chalmers HB and Wells City Council

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

March 2021

9

n NEWS

Ash trees felled as disease takes toll

By Emma James RESIDENTS of Wells are becoming accustomed to the buzzing of chainsaws in and around the city. Familiar walks are taking on new profiles as ash trees are being removed at an alarming rate.

Whilst we battle against coronavirus, ash trees up and down the country are threatened by a devastating disease known as Chalara or ash dieback, caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus.

Originating in Asia, it spread to Europe via the global plant trade.

With its windborne spores, the fungus moves quickly, causing leaf loss, bark lesions and dieback in the crown of the tree, where the branches emerge from the trunk.

The National Trust has been assessing and monitoring the health of ash trees on its land and has identified over 2,500 affected trees in the Mendip Hills.

At Tor Hill Woods in Wells, ash trees presented more than 50 per cent crown dieback.

Following guidance from the Forestry Commission, trees posing a risk to public safety have been identified and felled. The resulting timber will be sold for domestic firewood and biomass chippings.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “The countryside team will be managing the woodland’s regeneration through a combination of natural regeneration and planting of native broadleaf trees and shrubs to enhance its benefit for wildlife and people. The work will also retain and enhance wildlife features by including standing and fallen deadwood.”

Two ash trees have also

Tor Hill Woods is just one of the places in Wells where trees have been felled been taken down on the Wells Recreation Ground, one of which was deemed to be 100-150 years old and had been a gift to the city from the Bishop of Bath and Wells of the time. Bo Walsh, Tree Officer at Mendip District Council, described having to make the decision as “traumatic”.

He said: “I did make a visual assessment of the ash tree, which was under a tree preservation order, and can verify that ash dieback symptoms were in evidence. I had no reason to doubt that the onset of ADB would have rendered this amazing tree ‘unsustainable’ given its location. The tree was already discolouring in the heartwood and the threat to the public would have been from collapsing or falling branches.”

An application has been made for trees in Park Wood to be monitored for ash dieback and ash trees are likely to require removal over the next three to five years because of the disease.

Trees have been felled on the A39 Bristol Hill. There is also a cluster of trees in the Hawkers

Lane area which are showing early signs of ash dieback. Bo said: “We are not just going to remove all the ash trees. Things have to be done in a measured way and comparative to the risk involved.”

A Defra spokesperson has

confirmed that ash dieback has been present in the Somerset area since 2014 or possibly earlier: “Levels of the fungus are likely to have been increasing since then, with an associated increase in the severity of dieback of ash trees. Over the next few years large volumes of ash may be felled as land owners manage trees to maintain the safety of the public and land users, to minimise loss of timber value, and to ensure ash trees likely to die from the disease are replaced.”

Defra has invested more than £6 million since 2012 into ash dieback research and in 2020 the Ash Archive was launched.

This is a pioneering project to tackle the disease and has the aim of identifying ash with a high tolerance to dieback.

Defra maintains: “It’s a major step towards maintaining and restoring ash in the British landscape.”

Mother’s Day

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Main course 16hr slow roasted shoulder of lamb, goose fat roasted King Edwards, cauliflower and parsnip mornay, smoky bacon and cumin fried Savoy, honey glazed carrots, roasted root vegetables, giant Yorkshire pudding, rich red wine gravy and homemade mint sauce

Dessert Apple and pecan strudel with Chantilly cream

A sign about ash dieback at Tor Hill Woods, and a cross-section of the old tree brought down at Wells Recreation Ground

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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March 2021

n NEWS

First laptops handed over for pupils to use CITY of Wells Lions have begun giving computers to schools so that pupils who need one can access their work for home schooling.

The Lions, working with the Wells Coronavirus Network, launched an appeal last month asking people with a PC, laptop or tablet which they no longer need to donate it for schoolchildren to use.

Now the first of the donated items have been handed to the headteachers of Stoberry Park and St Cuthbert’s Junior schools.

The secretary of City of Wells Lions, Ian Williams, said that the club had contacted all the senior and junior schools in Wells and discovered that Stoberry Park, St Cuthbert’s and the Tor School in Glastonbury, which is attended by some Wells children, needed more computers.

He explained that the donated computers are being repurposed with the help of

Above, Ian Williams of the City of Wells Lions hands a laptop to St Cuthbert’s Junior School head Helen Mullinger, watched by Philip Welch of the Wells Coronavirus Network; and right, Ian passes a laptop to Stoberry Park School head Michael Hawkins

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

local IT companies Microbitz and Wellscope, so that the children can access their school’s Learning Portal, do homework and participate in video conferences.

Forty laptops have so far been collected. Further unwanted computers can be donated by calling 0345 833 6736 and asking for Lions or emailing carer cityofwellslions@gmail.com, or calling the Wells Coronavirus

Network on 01749 467079.

“We will organise collection.

Please leave your name and contact details – email, telephone and address with postcode,” said Ian. “Rest assured that any data that may be on your computer will be deleted. The magnetic hard drives will be wiped to US Department of Defence standards to ensure that any previous data cannot be recovered. Solid State Drives (SSD) are erased using the disk’s own internal secure erase command.”

The first one to be donated came from former Wells city councillor Chloe Rees.

“I have a particular interest in communications due to my professional training as a speech therapist, and I am thrilled that WCN and the Lions are working to address technical poverty by repurposing unwanted laptops for schools to distribute,” she said.

Last summer Richard Boulos of Wellscope cleaned and checked all the tablets, without charge, that had been donated to WCN for local care homes so residents could use them to make video calls to loved ones.

“I am only trying to do my bit,” said Richard.

“It is so important that schoolchildren are able to continue their education as well as possible.”

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Chloe Rees (Central Ward), Call a 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 9860710 0800 111 4885 re.co.uk / Freephone: Call for a brochure 0800 today111 4885 0117 9860710 9860710 Freephone: www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 111 4885 4885 “We look forward to whose work has taken her to 0117 //// Freephone: 0800 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 eatherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: 0117 featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email:featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk welcoming the new members, in South Wales, and Celia Wride (St Email: Email: Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk the meantime we carry on with Thomas’ Ward). www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 /Town Freephone: business.”

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

wellsvoice

March 2021

11

n NEWS

Shop owner aims to help with more available for customers

THE new owner of City News in Wells High Street has increased the range of items the shop sells to try to help the community.

City News opened in 1974 and it continues to sell newspapers and magazines, as well as confectionary, tobacco, milk and a range of other items, which now include butter, cheese and honey.

Anthony Prakel, who took over the shop last August, said: “I’m really chuffed about owning something so precious to Wells – it’s nice to own a bit of Wells history.

“We’ve added a few things just to help out. It makes life easier for people if they can pick up some of the essentials from us.”

Other changes to the shop include a new tobacco counter, and a new till. One thing will not change though – long-serving staff member Graham Fulkner, who was presented with a plaque last year by Wells Civic Society for his many years of service, will continue to work behind the counter.

Jules Tressider has also joined the team.

Anthony thanked the customers who have continued to use and support the shop through the difficult past few months.

“We really appreciate the help and support you have given us,” he said.

“Without our customers we are nothing.”

Artists’ society seeking two new committee officers THE Society for Disabled Artists (SODA) is looking for two replacement management committee officers, a secretary and a treasurer. These officer roles are on a voluntary basis.

The small community group in Wells is one of a wider national charity group based in London. It currently meets, restrictions permitting, at the Connect Centre on Tuesday afternoons, because it knows how important social interaction is for its disabled members’ health and wellbeing during this difficult time.

Normally it is quite active, with trips and workshops across Somerset and Bath; the attendance of tutors to teach new artistic skills; and a couple of exhibitions each year either at the Cathedral or Bishop’s Palace.

The tasks of the secretary

are to keep the records of the members and send any correspondence when necessary.

The treasurer’s tasks involve keeping the accounts and annual audit of the small budget.

Also to work with the trustees, chairperson and regional officer to assist in putting together the exhibitions and applications for small grants.

The society would be delighted to hear from people who are interested in art, and would like to work with and promote the artwork of disabled artists.

To apply, write a short letter or email saying something about yourself and why you would like to work with SODA. Send to pegjimmcdonald@btinternet. com or Peggy McDonald, SODA Chairperson, 59 Welsford Avenue, Wells, BA52HY.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Above, Anthony Prakel pictured behind the counter at City News

Consultation on unitary plans A PUBLIC consultation has begun on the future of local government in Somerset.

The Government is asking people to give their views on the two proposals submitted to replace Somerset County Council and the four district councils with either one or two unitary councils.

For more details and to take part in the consultation, visit consult.communities.gov. uk/governance-reform-anddemocracy/somerset/ The consultation continues until April 19.

A decision on whether either proposal will go forward to implementation is expected to be taken by the Government later this year, with any new authority starting in 2023.

The county council elections that were due to be held in May have been deferred. u From the Town Hall, page 21

LOCKDOWN MENU Frozen ready meals Honey roasted sausages simmered in an onion, red wine and thyme gravy with buttery mash and peas £4/£5.50 Sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice £4/£5.50 Chicken Tagine with dates, almonds and coriander with buttered couscous £4/£5.50 Slow cooked beef red wine & herb casserole with vegetables and mashed potatoes £4.50/£6 Chilli con carne, slow cooked with tomatoes, garlic and mild spices with steamed rice £4.50/£6 Traditional spaghetti bolognaise with Cheddar cheese £4.50/£6 Traditional lasagne served with carrots and peas £4.50/£6 Mild chicken korma with steamed basmati rice £4.50/£6 Creamy macaroni and cauliflower cheese with oak smoked bacon, white wine and parsly £4/£5.50 16 hour slow cooked should of lamb with buttery mash, roasted vegetables and a redcurrant and rosemary sauce £6/£7.50 Pan fried fillet of salmon with a prawn, mushroom, dill and white wine sauce, French beans and leek mash £6/£7.50 Desserts £2.50 Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce Chocolate and orange bread and butter pudding with custard Chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce

To order, call Andres Kitchen on 01749 938100 Minimum order is £20 for free delivery. Deliveries will take place on Mondays.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

12

wellsvoice

March 2021

n NEWS

Renewed focus on fundraising efforts MANY readers will have read work involved, and how their about the progress of Wells in donation will help build the Mosaic (WiM) in previous issues mosaic, the constituent parts of the Wells Voice. of the mosaic in materials and With 20 per cent of this craftsmanship have been costed. extraordinary six-metre (20ft) “Major elements of the town diameter, circular artwork at the centre of the mosaic, such complete, the team behind as the Cathedral and Bishop’s the project is considering how Palace, cost around £1,500 each to boost their fundraising to craft,” said WiM team leader, efforts which have been Ian Ames-White. seriously curtailed due to “Smaller elements, such Covid restrictions. The Wells as Penniless Porch and the community has already been Bishop’s Eye, will cost around very generous, but there is still £200. One of the 32 gothic-style some way to go. windows on the border depicting Kathryn Lindsay of the historical facts about the WiM fundraising team city costs around £800. said: “It’s clear already Then, at the other end of just how impressive wells in mosaic the scale, there are the this mosaic is going to fine details of the city be. It will be a major and its surroundings. new tourist attraction For example, trees, of at the heart of the city and which there will be around something that will be priceless 200, cost £20, and each cow in and cherished for generations Palace Fields will cost £25, so to come. every donation is a significant “WiM has teamed up with contribution.” local stonemason Andrew It is not often everyone in a James to develop a sponsorship community has the opportunity package for donations of £250 to contribute to the creation or more from individuals and of such an iconic, once-in-abusinesses. Sponsors will have a generation work of art and the beautiful piece of blue lias stone WiM team hopes very much that expertly engraved with their people will be inspired to be a name or logo and set around the part of it. circumference of the mosaic, as Visit www.wellsinmosaic.org well as other potential benefits.” for further project details, However, the WiM team including pictures and a video is keen to point out that every of the work in progress, as well donation helps, small or as ways to make donations from large, and to help everyone to as little as £1, with sponsorship understand the scope of the packages starting at £250.

Virger Tim Jones carries out spring cleaning duties at Wells Cathedral

Sisters set up service to supply free food parcels SISTERS Trina and Sasha Kenniston are helping people in need by offering free food parcels.

The pair, who both live in Wells, have set up a page on Facebook inviting individuals, couples and families who are struggling and require a little help to get in touch.

They say that not everybody feels comfortable visiting food banks, so they are collecting donations from the local community and making up food parcels which they are delivering to those in need.

“My sister and I are doing

this as we have been in similar circumstances when we were single parents and we were too proud to ask for help,” said Sasha.

“We can also offer a pet food parcel for cats and dogs along with toiletries.

“You can contact us in strictest confidence through our Facebook page Free Food or call us on 07920 474062 or 07388 921332.

“We offer delivery of the food and pet parcels within five miles of Wells. If you would like our help or wish to donate please do not hesitate to contact us.”

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wellsvoice

March 2021

13

n NEWS

Call for action to curb plants and trees growing by Moat TWO Wells residents have voiced their concerns at what they say is the dilapidated state of the Bishop’s Palace Moat.

Britt Butler and Jan Leverton say that plants and trees, many of them invasive, have been left to grow unchecked along stretches of the outside edges of the Moat.

They believe that action is needed to prevent damage to the Moat, and to ensure that the exterior aspect of the Palace is brought up to the standard of the Gardens inside.

“At first glance, approaching the Palace, all appears well, but a second look, particularly down the North to South retaining wall, reveals a plethora of plants and trees growing adjacent and out of the stonework,” said Britt, a gardener for 20 years.

“Around the corner to the South stretch of water, opposite the espalier fruit trees, is a line of large and well established trees that, unchecked, will eventually cover the Moat. Indeed, there is already a length of some five or six metres so thick that the Moat cannot be seen from the path.

“The ‘undergrowth’ continues around the next corner, to the North towards the waterfall, via an enormous patch of brambles.

“Residents who have known and loved these beautiful waters and surroundings for years have witnessed a dramatic decline in their preservation. The untamed invasive vegetation

Market returns on Saturdays A SATURDAY market has restarted in Wells, and the hours of the Wednesday market have been extended.

Mendip District Council has extended the opening hours of all the weekday Mendip Markets and reinstated Saturday markets in Wells and Frome following what it says are positive footfall figures and feedback from customers. The markets are now open from 9am-2pm. Stalls will sell essential provisions such as food, cleaning products and pet supplies.

Appeal against signs decision Branches obscuring the view of The Bishop’s Palace Moat has screened the clear vista that was once enjoyed and admired.

The maturing state of the many invasive plants and trees has made a recovery essential if the Moat is to be properly preserved.

The care and attention given to the Palace Gardens must be matched with equal enthusiasm for our beloved Moat.”

Jan said that they consider the problem to be serious. He said: “A number of these plant species are going to damage the surrounds of the Moat and, currently, are destroying the vista that we admired so much.”

The land around Moat Walk is the responsibility of the Church Commissioners, who say that they carry out clearance

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

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Got News? Call 07906 499655

work on their part of the land annually, while being mindful of the eco-system.

A spokesperson for the Palace said: “We periodically clear any brambles and vegetation within the Palace grounds on a rota basis, all the time trying to strike a balance between allowing all sorts of animals and nature to thrive here while maintaining the beauty of this special place.

“One of the corners near the moat that currently has brambles is being purposely left at the moment as there is a family of kingfishers who nest there. If anything is cleared now and during the spring it would drastically affect the nesting wildlife of that area.”

MORRISONS has appealed against a planning decision that refused permission for three proposed new signs at its store at East Somerset Way, Wells.

In a split decision, consent was granted by Mendip District Council for several new signs, but consent was refused for three on the eastern side of the store, visible from Constitution Hill and the Palace Fields footpath.

Book winners THE three winners of the competition in last month’s Wells Voice to win a book by Wells author Jan Ellis are Paul Emery and Alison Gibson, both of Wells, and Jessica Wharton of Chewton Mendip. They will each receive a copy of Jan’s romantic comedy French Kisses and A London Affair.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

14

March 2021

n ON THE BEAT

Gearing up for move to new police station THIS month I’d like to just reassure our community in relation to the new Wells Police Station move, that is now currently scheduled for the spring depending on coronavirus restrictions.

We are all gearing up ready for the move now and I’m sure many will have seen the building works taking place at the fire station site on Burcott Road.

The finished station will be smaller than our existing station and will not have the facility for members of the public to call in to report things by way of a front office counter; this, however, can be done by ringing 101 which is the non-emergency and general enquiries number.

Obviously anything that requires an immediate or emergency police response should be called in using the 999 system.

If you require speaking to any Wells Neighbourhood Policing

News from the local policing team with PCSO Bev Searle Team member, it is probably best to ring 101 to ascertain if they are on duty at that time. If they are not, then a message can be taken and forwarded to them for their attention when next back

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on duty. Or alternatively, you can obtain their contact details from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary website and leave a message with them.

We will all still be patrolling our respective beat areas either on foot, on bicycles or in marked police vehicles so do come and engage with us when you see us out and about.

Our Police Response Teams are situated at the new Shepton Mallet station on the Haskins retail site and still cover the Frome, Wells, Street and Glastonbury areas so you will also see those officers patrolling.

Policing during the coronavirus pandemic has meant that we have had to do things in a different way to what we would normally do. Hopefully we will be able to re-start some of our activities in the future as the restrictions permit, but if you have any suggestions that we could further improve our

ways of engaging with you or have suggestions for events that we can attend, please do get in contact with us and we will endeavour to oblige if we are able to.

Going forward, the Wells community has been very understanding and generally compliant with the difficulties that the coronavirus has brought, which from a policing perspective has been very much appreciated by us all as a team.

We hope that post Covid, this co-operation and compliance will continue which in turn can only be of benefit to all living locally.

Sometimes a lot of good can come out of something that has proved quite difficult, I’m sure that can be said in our beautiful and wonderful City of Wells.

Keep on “Keeping safe and well” and stay focused and positive, we are all beginning to see that light at the end of the tunnel.

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wellsvoice

March 2021

n NEWS

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Tireless work has transformed lives Associate Pastor Jim Wilkinson pays tribute to Stephen and Gill Fowler as they prepare to retire from their roles at the Elim Connect Centre REV Stephen Fowler and his wife Gill are retiring in March after 21 years as church and community leaders in the city. Wells born and bred, Stephen practised law before moving into property sales and lettings. No stranger to getting stuck into serving the community (Stephen was the city’s youngest ever mayor), he handed over the running of their lettings agency to Gill to take up the role of minister at the Elim Pentecostal Church in January 2000.

The church and congregation were located in Chamberlain Street. Stephen together with the leadership were keen that the building be used more than on a Sunday and so a handful of the congregation joined him in serving soup to whoever was passing by throughout the week as an expression of their Christian care and responsibility.

It turned out that there was a large number of people in the area who not only needed a decent meal, but also a listening ear and unconditional support.

Stephen discovered that many of these people were falling through the cracks in society and had nowhere else to turn.

This began a 21-year journey to connect thousands of people to services and support that were traditionally disparate and inaccessible. A significant moment came in 2008 when Somerset County Council passed the former White Building to the church. Stephen was determined that in addition to being run by the church as a faith and worship centre, the building should be shared with the whole community. The Connect Centre was born and pioneered a much-needed hub for community organisations. From Church, youth clubs, exercise groups, community lunches and homeless outreach, an average of 1,200 local people use the building each week.

Many people comment on

15

how hospitable the work is. This is a culture that Stephen and Gill have strongly fostered with the Connect Centre team and over 100 regular volunteers.

In recent years, the work of the Elim Church and Connect Centre has grown and now delivers services from an additional two fixed, and several drop-in locations across Mendip.

Those that are close to Stephen and Gill have witnessed their tireless hard work and long hours. It is not uncommon to find Stephen outside sweeping the path before the doors open.

Gill (an experienced caterer) has mentored and trained countless aspiring chefs all who have come from homelessness and despair.

Stephen and Gill Fowler They leave a legacy that will never be fully measured, by impacting the lives of so many who were overlooked by society. Elim Connect is now stitched into the fabric of the city. Stephen and Gill have demonstrated that faith in Jesus Christ, servitude and soup have the power to change lives.

The leadership of the Wells Elim Church and Connect Centre wish to express their gratitude and thanks to God for Stephen and Gill’s sacrificial leadership over many years. They have offered outstanding leadership and pastoral care and fulfilled their call to full-time ministry and a desire to be faithful to the message of the Christian Gospel for all. We look forward to building on their work.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

All adults should consider a will and Lasting Power of Attorney

By Deborah Cable

RESEARCH undertaken by the Law Society shows that seven per cent of respondents made or updated their will during the first UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown.

The Law Society survey, which took place just after the first lockdown restrictions began to ease, showed that well over half (59 per cent) of those surveyed said they did not have a will. Just 29 per cent said they have an up-to-date will which reflects their current intentions.

Seven per cent of all respondents and six per cent of those who identified as keyworkers made or updated their will during the first UK lockdown – given how many people do not have a will, this is a striking shift.

More than half of those surveyed who were working during the first UK lockdown said they were a key worker.

Key workers are at a higher risk throughout this pandemic and are often more conscious of mortality due to working with those who have Covid-19.

The main reasons respondents gave for not making a will were not having anything of value to leave to their loved ones (24 per cent), not finding the time to make a will (20 per cent) and thinking they were too young (18 per cent).

We at Chubb Bulleid have found this trend in will-making continuing in Lockdown 3.0 in addition to a noticeable increase

in people making Lasting Powers of Attorney (many of whom would probably have considered themselves too young to make one, were it not for the current pandemic). Where a will makes provision for a person’s finances after death, a Lasting Power of Attorney allows someone (the donor) to appoint a person or persons to step into their shoes and make decisions on their behalf whilst alive but unable to do so.

Lasting Powers of Attorney can be made to cover both financial affairs and health and welfare decisions and must be made while the donor is deemed to have mental capacity.

Neither wills nor Lasting Powers of Attorney are the preserve of the older reader.

‘We can provide specialist advice and give peace of mind’ Lasting Powers of Attorney are a great idea for adults of all ages to consider, at the same time as wills. People tend to think of Lasting Powers of Attorney being relevant only in the context of dementia and care homes, but should someone suffer from a stroke or be in a car accident or fall from a horse or suffer countless other misfortunes they are a wise thing to have in place.

We at Chubb Bulleid can provide specialist advice and give peace of mind to our clients during the pandemic and beyond. n Deborah Cable is a solicitor with Chubb Bulleid, which has offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100

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

wellsvoice

16

March 2021

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Chris Yeo on Antiques Roadshow with presenter Fiona Bruce

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wellsvoice

March 2021

17

n NEWS

Call to repair path once again

Different look to celebration

HEAVY rainfall has caused problems with a Wells footpath and cycleway that has needed remedial work several times in the past.

Water washes away the stones on the path that runs that from the golf course to Tor Hill Woods, leaving behind what can be quite long and deep potholes.

The path was repaired in 2017 with materials that were said to be more resistant to heavy rain, and the ditch alongside it was cleared to help funnel away the water.

John Board, who lives in Bekynton Avenue, said that repair work is required again as the path has become hazardous.

“It is so dangerous and uncomfortable to walk on due to the large stones that were meant to be a foundation for the top surface which has washed away.

Also, it is so muddy where people avoid the track and use the grass each side,” he said.

THE International Women’s Day celebration in Wells on March 8 will be a little different from those in previous years.

Lockdown 3 has meant swapping the usual gathering organised by Women of Wells for something more intimate – a poster campaign with an image that people are being invited to display in a window that reflects this year’s theme of Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world.

Leadership means different things to different people so the picture might be a drawing, painting or poem celebrating women leading in a person’s family or workplace, locally, nationally or internationally.

People who would simply like to display this year’s poster should go to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ WomenOfWells to download, print and display.

Images of recent damage to the path He has tried to report the issue to Mendip District Council – but the message has apparently not got through. A spokesperson said: “We only own part of the path. We are aware it has caused

Pictures: John Board

problems before. We have had no reports this time round though.

If repairs need doing, we will look to tackle them in the spring when all the rain and snow and cold snap has gone.”

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wellsvoice

18

n COMMERCIAL SENSE

March 2021

With Jane Bowe of Probusiness accountants

Good time to be a start-up business IN the past month, we have spoken to the first person to contact us through Business Beyond Covid, an initiative of Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN).

Thanks to this efficient and effective group of local people, there are a number of local professionals who have agreed to make themselves available to people who are starting out or restarting their own businesses in

‘They are an approachable group willing to put their time and effort into helping... and they charge nothing for this service’

the wake of the mayhem caused by the Covid pandemic.

We have offered a package with extra free time, thus enabling new business owners to take advantage of a number of useful things we can offer, such as training people how to access online bookkeeping software, saving them time, trouble and money as they build their businesses. Others are offering aspects of their professional specialities with the same intentions of helping people.

WCN Business Beyond Covid is working to help people survive the pandemic and, where possible, to thrive afterwards. It is fortunate to number amongst its members some highly experienced business people, all of whom live locally and are prepared to put time and effort

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Starting out in business can be daunting, and the more advice you get, the better the chance that your business will thrive

into supporting and, where necessary, mentoring people.

This group have all the contacts anyone could possibly need to enable them to start a business as safely and securely as possible in the current climate. Furthermore, they are an approachable group, willing to put their time and effort into helping... and they charge nothing for this service.

With this much expertise and experience, it can only be sensible to ask for your share of it.

There will never be a better and more cost effective time to be a start-up business in this area. Believe me, the more advice you get, the better the chance that after a year (when most who are going to fail will have failed) your fledgling business will be surviving and thriving.

My advice? Contact WCN Business Beyond Covid (you can find their details via your favourite search engine) while you can and let them point you to the right people.

Good luck!

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

March 2021

19

n NEWS

Financial aid allows Foodbank to stock up WELLS Foodbank has been able to buy hundreds of pounds worth of supplies thanks to Ravi Singh of Khalsa Aid. Khalsa Aid organises the Meet the Sikhs event in Wells in association with Wells Rotary Club, and Ravi contacted the club to see whether there was a local foodbank it could support.

It was put in touch with Wells Foodbank – at which Rotary Club president Margaret Wright is a volunteer – and the Foodbank was subsequently able to go on a shopping spree and stocked up on £600 worth of goods from Morrisons.

Sue Marland, pastor of Wells Vineyard Church, which runs the Foodbank, told Ravi that she was only able to spend £600 because

A NEW phone mast has been proposed on land to the north of East Somerset Way, opposite the Premier Inn. An application has been made to Mendip District Council by MBNL (EE (UK) Ltd & H3G (UK) Ltd) for prior approval for the installation of a 20m-high slimline lattice tower, antennas, dishes and equipment cabinets at East Somerset Yard.

A covering letter says that the mast will replace coverage which will be lost from an existing site, and provide 5G coverage in order to support the existing mobile network.

Sue Marland, second left, with other members of the Foodbank team stocking up at Morrisons of storage limitations. He told her to get back to him when she

needs more because £2,000 in total is available.

Sleepover with a difference THE YMCA Brunel Group is coming together with 11 other YMCAs across England for the first time to take part in a nationwide virtual Sleep Easy event in March.

The YMCAs have decided to swap their usual independent Sleep Easy events in favour of a united event to raise awareness and funds to help tackle the root causes of homelessness. So, from 7pm on Friday, March 26, to 7am on Saturday, March 27, hundreds of people across the country will be sleeping anywhere but their beds.

YMCA Brunel Group’s Sleep Easy event last year took place at the foot of Wells Cathedral and raised more than £7,500.

The money enabled the group to continue its work across all areas of its provision, including accommodation, advice and support, youth and community and health and wellbeing.

This Sleep Easy will look different to previous years as Covid-19 has not just had an impact on homelessness services, but on fundraising as well. Traditionally, an event that brings lots of the community together in one place, this year will see people going solo, or with their families; and swapping the streets for bathtubs, sofas, garden tents or anywhere Covid restrictions allow – other than a bed.

It is hoped that this special

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collaborative event will help YMCA Brunel Group raise even more funding than ever, with a target of £10,000.

Marketing and fundraising manager Michelle Payne said: “We are encouraging all members of the family to get involved, and although the topic of homelessness is a serious one, we hope that participants can enjoy the most unusual sleepover this year.

“Please participate, donate and nominate to spread the word: one night can make a lifetime of difference.”

For more information, or to register for Sleep Easy 2021, visit www.ymca.org.uk/get-involved/ events/sleep-easy

New member of legal team SOLICITORS Harris & Harris have announced that Gemma Wilton has joined their Family team based in Wells.

Gemma joins the firm from Humphries Kirk where she worked in their family department, and has seven years’ experience working in the legal sector.

She became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in October 2018 and has extensive experience in a wide range of family law matters.

A spokesperson for Harris & Harris said: “We look forward to Gemma developing her career with our firm.”

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20

March 2021

n NEWS

Pair deduce spot of Declaration address

ST Cuthbert Out parish councillor Ed Danson, who lives in Wookey Hole, believes that he has helped pinpoint the exact spot where the American Declaration of Independence was first read out in 1776.

Working with American surveyor and historian Todd Babcock, he has co-authored a paper on their findings published in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, the oldest cultural and scientific body in the United States.

Militia Colonel John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration four days after it was signed, in what is now Independence Square, Philadelphia. After studying copious documents and archaeological records, and

recomputing 250-year-old chain-and-compass surveys, Ed and Todd determined that the exact location was the platform of the so-called State House observatory, built in 1769 for observing the Transit of Venus and demolished in 1782.

“Our paper focuses on how we were able to successfully turn our specialist geomatics skills and knowledge of early American history to nailing the actual spot where the old observatory once stood and where great history was made,” said Ed. “One way or another we toiled on this for nigh on eight years,” he added.

Ed is a retired chartered surveyor and geodetic specialist with an international career making maps, charts and plans.

A banner is being displayed at Wells Town Hall to remind people that Wells Coronavirus Network is available for those in need during lockdown – call 01749 467079. A number of the network’s volunteers gathered beneath the banner to help publicise it shortly after it was unveiled.

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wellsvoice

March 2021

21

n FROM THE TOWN HALL

Local authority areas of responsibility TOO many local authorities have power over Wells – the city council, Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council.

But that is set to change.

These three layers would reduce to two if the government accepts one of two proposals, both of which could return powers lost to Wells in the 1974 local government reorganisation: l One Somerset, which would remove all the county’s district councils l Stronger Somerset, which would abolish the county council and merge Mendip and South Somerset district councils to run the eastern part of the county, with the other districts merged to run the western side Meanwhile there is confusion over who is responsible for what.

So I have drawn up this list of the services each council provides.

Some are currently affected by Covid restrictions.

Somerset County Council: Education; Transport, including pavements; Planning, mainly related to minerals and

is somerset.gov.uk and phone number 0300 123 2224.

Mendip District Council

Removing or covering graffiti is one of the jobs done by the city council’s Open Spaces team, in this case at the back of the former Post Office on Moat Walk. They also maintain the cemetery, the Glastonbury Road roundabout, run Wells in Bloom and keep the High Street gullies clear waste; Fire and public safety; Social care; Libraries; Waste management; Trading standards.

The county council’s website

Rubbish collection; Recycling; Litter and dog bins; Street care and cleaning; Car parks and road closures; Running markets (eg the Wednesday and Saturday ones in Wells); Prosecutions for fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles; Registering births, deaths and marriages; Issuing Temporary Event Notices (eg for the Wells Food Festival); Hiring Mendip-controlled facilities (eg the Bishop’s Barn in Wells); Council Tax collections; Council housing and Housing Benefit; Homelessness prevention; Planning policy, planning applications and building control; Affordable housing and self-build guidance; Guidance on trees, hedges and woodlands; Planning enforcement; Heritage and conservation guidance; Business support; Employment and skills support; Business Rates collection; Regulating food hygiene in restaurants and takeaways; Pollution, noise and nuisance; Dog Service; Flooding advice; Contaminated land advice; Issuing business licences; Safeguarding; Somerset volunteering; Health and wellbeing; Organising local and national elections; Mendip Print and Design Services.

Mendip’s website is mendip. gov.uk and phone number 0300 303 8588.

Wells City Council

The Town Hall accommodates the city council offices and meeting chamber, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Mendip

n LETTERS Climate issue not prioritised, it seems LAST month’s Wells Voice included a piece I wrote urging everyone to encourage James Heappey to support the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill.

This Bill had been scheduled for a second reading on Friday, March 12.

It proposes essential steps for the UK to play its part in safeguarding our planet’s future.

This means: n Limiting our input to temperature increase to 1.5C (already accepted by Somerset County Council) n Acknowledging our worldwide carbon footprint (ie. emissions created abroad in the manufacture of products then sent to the UK) n Conserving nature both here and overseas n Providing citizens with a voice in these momentous decisions.

But Friday parliamentary sittings (the Bill was scheduled for a Friday second reading) have now been cancelled so this debate will not happen unless it’s

District Council Information Point and the Coroner’s Court; The Town Hall is a venue for markets, meetings, concerts, conferences, weddings and many other events, as well as regular classes, clubs and other community groups; Management of Wells Cemetery; Public toilets in the city; Allotments at Burcott Road, Barnes Close and in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace; Partnership working with a wide range of councils and organisations on issues affecting the life of the city, its residents and visitors; A strong voice in the scrutiny of all planning and licensing applications affecting the city (Mendip makes the decisions); Involvement in city centre management including CCTV and alcohol restricted zones; Oversight of the Wells In Bloom programme; Management of the two funfairs held in the Market Place in May and November each year; Management of the Wells skateboard park; Grants and financial support to local clubs and organisations; Control of the water running down the south side of the High Street (that on the north side comes direct from the Bishop’s Palace); Records of the city going back to the 12th century and an archivist to look after and interpret them.

The names of the Wells city councillors and contact details are on the website wells.gov.uk.

The Town Hall’s phone number is 01749 673091.

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

Email news@wellsvoice.co.uk rescheduled. It seems parliament doesn’t prioritise this issue.

I’m really disappointed with Mr Heappey’s response, encapsulated in a blue box within my article. It seems typical of this government’s response, justifying their inaction and failing completely to acknowledge the urgent need to tackle our crisis.

Trisha Fine Wells

No progress evident on path to net zero I WAS not overly surprised to read James Heappey’s claim that “the government has the most ambitious plans of any major country for achieving net zero” in last month’s Wells Voice. He has already demonstrated his complacency over government inaction, when asked to support the private members’ Climate and Ecological Bill, which has the cross-party support of 100 MPs, none of which are Conservatives. I quote from what is a standardised reply from Tory MPs: “while I welcome the

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increased awareness and debate this Bill brings, I do not believe that it is required as work is already underway”.

On net zero the Climate Coalition, that includes Oxfam, The National Trust, RSPB and over 97 other organisations across the UK, says the government has made “no progress”. There is still no commitment for an overarching net zero test to ensure spending overall is aligned with the Paris Agreement and 1.5C. Yet Mr Heappey claims the focus in government is aligned to the Accord. I find it difficult to square this with the fact that the government has again postponed indefinitely further parliamentary debate on its own Environment Bill, using Covid as their go-to excuse.

But Covid is part and parcel of our disastrous relationship with wildlife. Scientists have believed for 20 years that our destructive relationship with Nature would put us at risk of pandemic diseases and that it’s human impact on the environment that drives emerging diseases.

David Attenborough pronounced

recently that “if we continue on our current pathway, then what we’ve experienced this year may not be a one-off event”.

Am I the only one to see this second postponement as a lack of commitment to solving the biggest problem human beings have ever faced – extinction?

As for having the most ambitious plans, they are of little value, if they are not put into practice. It is easy to promise much, and deliver little.

According to Craig Bennet, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, the UK will have little credibility when it hosts the UN Climate Conference in November if it is still: n allowing peat burning n building roads and railways through wildlife sites n spending £bns propping up fossil fuels and, I would add, supporting the building of a coal mine in Cumbria and approving the use of a bee-killing pesticide, banned by the EU. M Sorrell Haybridge, Wells u More letters online at www. wellsvoice.co.uk/your-views

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

22

n IN DAYS GONE BY

March 2021

With Clare Blackmore

Story of last hanging spread far and wide

WE think of Facebook and Twitter as very modern phenomena but news was widely disseminated in the reign of King George III, just somewhat slower and in a more descriptive way.

The story of Reginald Tucker, tried and convicted at Wells Assize of his wife’s murder, the last man to be hung on the gallows at Keward in Wells, featured in the Bath Chronicle, Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Leeds Intelligencer, Kentish Gazette, Hiberian Journal, Ipswich Journal, Shrewsbury Chronicle, Hampshire Chronicle, Stamford Mercury, Oxford Journal, Chester Courant, The Chronicle of Liberty, Caledonian Mercury, Derby Mercury, Sherborne Mercury and the Bury and Norwich Post.

Bath Chronicle June 1775 Last Thursday the inhabitants of the parish of Ansford were alarmed that the wife of Reginald Tucker had dropped down dead in an apoplectic fit.

Several people went to the house where a scene of a most shocking nature presented itself. One of the finest women in these parts dead on the floor weltering in her own blood with her skull fractured so that her brains did come out of the back part of her head, her face, arms, breast, shoulders and one of her ears bruised in a most barbarous manner.

Mr Tucker was examined but protested his innocence. Blood however appearing on his clothes

away, turned down his collar and stepped into the noose. A hearse waited by the gallows and he was conveyed to Langport where his body was delivered to a surgeon to be dissected.

Flashback to the unveiling in 2018 of a blue plaque to commemorate the Wells Gallows at Keward and strong grounds of suspicion against him, the jury brought in the verdict of mortal murder and he was taken into custody. A second jury was summoned the next day and they returned the same verdict.

Salisbury and Winchester Journal September 4, 1775 Yesterday afternoon at about five o’clock, Reginald Tucker was executed at Keward Green near the city of Wells, pursuant to his sentence, in the presence of nearly 10,000 spectators. His behaviour during his trial, which lasted near eleven hours, was in the highest degree astonishing to the court. He was never observed to change colour or to be the least affected but the once, when the sledgehammer he used to commit this horrible deed was produced in court, along with his blood-soaked clothes, only then

he was seen to drop a tear.

He was about 50 years of age with two children living in comfortable circumstances and of high local repute.

On the 8th June he dined with his wife on some stinking pork when some words arose and he beat her in a cruel manner, and after dashed her brains out with a sledgehammer.

His body after death was ordered by the judge to be dissected.

Oxford Journal September 2, 1775 He ascended the cart to be taken to his place of execution with the greatest alertness and seeming unconcern. He was dressed in deep mourning and accompanied by a clergyman and carried a prayer book in his hand which he read all the way to the gallows.

Just before the time of death he took off his cravat, threw it

Hibernian Journal September 11, 1775 Tucker was apprenticed to a Bellows Maker in Wells but turning out very wild he abandoned his Master’s service, entered into the army and was at the battle of Culloden where he was wounded and in consequence was given a pension and returned to Ansford where his mother kept the inn, but being rakish and brutish was always involved in riots and quarrels.

In 1750 he married his late wife and moved to London where he followed in various mechanical businesses and obtained a premium for the invention of a ventilator. He returned to Ansford to live well on about 30s a year and commenced as a farmer. He then let his estate at a very advanced rate to a potato farmer and lived private with his wife and daughter, keeping no servant.

His daughter was 23 years of age and it was said that he had a son born in London who he killed by an unlucky blow which was aimed at his wife while she had the infant in her arms.

Wells Civic Society has erected a plaque marking the approximate site of the gallows at Keward on the Glastonbury Road.

Earn money delivering copies of Wells Voice Monthly delivery round available in the Bath Road area of Wells

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wellsvoice

March 2021

23

n NEWS

Search goes on for missing cat Archie A SEARCH has been going on for more than two months for a much-loved pet that went missing in Wells in the week before Christmas.

Archie, a young tabby cat, escaped his carrier outside Westfield Vets in Westfield Road on December 18, and the search for him has continued ever since.

Traps have been set up, trail cameras have been deployed and

Archie went missing in December leaflets and posters have been distributed, but there has been no sign of Archie. The search has been hampered by the deliberate tearing down of some of the posters.

“We always put up posters because not everyone is on social media and many missing pets

have been found through people reading posters,” said Carolyn Leader of Search and Scan Somerset, a volunteer group which helps owners of lost and found cats.

“It’s a mystery as to why anyone would want to sabotage a search by removing them and extremely distressing for those involved.”

Archie is a male cat with distinctive markings and an orange tummy.

Carolyn said: “Archie’s owner is extremely worried and upset.

She was ill on the day of his vet appointment so someone took him to the vet for her, which is when he escaped.

“We’ve had several reports of sightings and myself and Archie’s owner have spent nights in sub-zero temperatures manning traps and searching in various locations around Wells.

“We’ve been helped by people topping up food at feeding stations, delivering leaflets and putting up posters. We’ve had trail cameras out too. But none of the sightings have turned out to be Archie.”

Sightings can be reported by calling 01749 938813 or 07920 474062.

Progress with ‘no idling’ campaign MENDIP District Council has been making progress in a campaign to encourage motorists to stop idling.

An article in last month’s Voice by Wells resident Julie Wright explained some of the benefits of motorists switching off their engines when stationary.

The district council has subsequently described some of the action it has been taking to get across the ‘no idling’ message.

All the district council car parks now have signs installed for anti-idling, and all three Mendip recycling sites managed through Somerset Waste Partnership have been given no idling signs for installation.

The district council has also asked Somerset County Council to ensure its contractors are adhering to the no-idling message, supermarkets have been contacted to ask them to support the campaign, and the council has encouraged the taxi drivers it licences to follow this policy.

Councillor Heather Shearer, Portfolio Holder for Community Health Services, said: “We want to protect the clean air we enjoy in this district and we can only do that if we all make small changes. Remembering to switch off our engines while waiting can make a big difference to our health as well as the environment.”

The deadline for the April issue is March 17

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A corner of the six-acre garden at Stoberry House

Chance to take on gardening role THE owners of Stoberry House, Wells, are looking for someone to work in their award-winning garden.

The role would be parttime, about eight hours a week, assisting the head gardener with duties such as edging, weeding and other general duties.

“They wouldn’t need to be qualified but we do want someone who is enthusiastic,” said Frances Young, who runs the B&B at Stoberry Park with her husband Tim.

“Ideally we would also like someone who can start straight away, as there is always plenty to do in the spring, and we hope that it won’t be too long before we can welcome the public back to enjoy the garden again.”

The six-acre garden has featured on TV and in a number of publications, including recently in the book The Secret Gardens of Somerset.

To find out more about the role, call Frances on 01749 672906.

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wellsvoice

24

March 2021

n MESSAGE FROM THE MP

Managing the unlocking carefully is crucial I AM writing this just hours after the Prime Minister has made his latest statement to Parliament on the route out of lockdown.

This has, I hope, shown that there is light at the end of the tunnel and while dates for each stage of the roadmap are not set in stone, there is a plan to get us all back to our normal way of life.

There has been lots of talk about the easing of restrictions but for the first time in nearly a year, there is a target to get back to eliminating legal limits on social interaction.

It is absolutely crucial we start by opening schools and I know our hardworking teachers will be delighted they can welcome students back in full on March 8. This is wholly supported by the Chief Medical Officer and it was always going to be the case that schools were the last to close and the first to open.

Teachers have done an amazing job teaching virtually but there

News from Wells MP James Heappey ‘The Government’s approach is based on data, not dates, and if infections do rise, there will have to be adjustments’ is no comparison to children being back in the classroom and getting the quality of education they so richly deserve.

This is, of course, coming at a cost to the rest of us, who must continue to stay at home until the next step of the roadmap, which is no earlier than March 29, where more outdoor interaction will be permitted.

It is important to note that the five-week gaps between the easing of any restrictions allows Ministers and scientists to assess the impact of the previous loosening.

The reason for this is so this roadmap continues to be linear with no steps back. The last thing this country wants – or needs – is another lockdown, and with the success of the vaccine, this is becoming more and more unlikely. But, as the Prime Minister said, zeroCovid is not an option and so managing the unlocking of our country carefully is crucial and something we all need to be cautious about.

As with everything

throughout this pandemic, there will be differing opinions about the pace at which the UK will now open up, but I can assure you the Government’s approach is based on data, not dates, and if infections do rise, there will have to be adjustments. However, planning now can begin for the sectors who have been hit the hardest.

I do think there is a lot of demand for so many businesses in the Wells constituency and our incredible tourism sector can expect a profitable summer. I hope they are rewarded for their patience during this testing time, with so many families willing to get away when they are able.

I hope by the time I write this column next month, we can all be feeling a little more optimistic with even more people in Somerset getting their jab and looking forward to April, where we can hopefully enjoy some outdoor hospitality.

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wellsvoice

March 2021

n NEWS

Focus on health with Bluebird Care

New salon all set to welcome clients A NEW hair salon will open in Wells as soon as the easing of coronavirus restrictions allows.

Lewis Marshfield and Daniel Buckley are ready to welcome clients at Marshfield & Buckley in Sadler Street. The pair, who between them have 25 years’ experience in the industry, say they wanted to bring a high end boutique-style salon to Wells.

“We have poured our hearts into creating Marshfield & Buckley, hopefully giving it character and creating a calm, relaxing environment for clients to enjoy whilst leaving with great hair,” said Daniel.

“We hope that we are a welcomed addition to Wells high street making the most of what was an empty, unloved space.”

Daniel has worked at two of the largest salons in the area and specialises in cutting, balayage and blow drying.

Lewis started his career at Karen Christensen in Wells in 2003 as an assistant on Saturdays, before beginning a full-time apprenticeship at Karen Christensen whilst attending Strode College for one day a

The Marshfield & Buckley salon is ready to open its doors week. In 2015 he moved to Pure Hairdressing in Street where he worked until December 2020.

“I will be forever grateful to my boss Katie Morse who invested me into the L’Oréal Colour Specialist course,” said Lewis, who gained a deep knowledge of hair colour as a result, and graduated in 2016 having travelled to the L’Oréal Academy in Hammersmith for a number of weeks.

The earliest date that hairdressers can reopen, according to the Government roadmap, is April 12.

Development show home opens TAYLOR Wimpey Bristol has announced the opening of the Marford show home at its Rose Banks development in Wells.

The development, off the A371, includes a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

Clare Brimble, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey Bristol, said: “We’re delighted to announce the

25

The benefits of person-centred care

By Jason Higgins

What is person-centred care?

Delivering person-centred care involves caring for patients beyond their condition and tailoring your service to suit their individual wants and needs. It’s about respecting that they have their own views on what’s best for them, and have their own values and priorities in life.

To do this, you need to get to know customers as a person and involve them in care-related decisions. No one appreciates having decisions made for them without their input. It makes them feel like an object or task, rather than a human being with thoughts and feelings.

As its name suggests, personcentred care puts the person at the heart of their care. You adapt your service to their expectations and preferences, not the other way around. Doing so enables patients to retain their dignity and autonomy.

Rather than leaving them feeling hindered by their ailment or disability, or debilitated during their time as an inpatient, you help them live a fulfilling life.

Why is person-centred care important?

First and foremost, person-

centred care helps patients receive more appropriate care and feel more wholly cared for as a human being. However, it also brings so many other benefits. l They will feel more comfortable and confident in your service, as upholding their dignity and independence builds mutual respect. The patient will trust you to do what’s best for them, which makes the situation easier for you both. l You will meet their emotional, social, and practical needs, which ensures they maintain a high quality of life. l You can support those who may not be able to directly communicate their wants and needs. Numerous conditions or disabilities can affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively. Person-centred care helps you find suitable ways to help them communicate and maximise their quality of care. l It improves their independence. Not only is this beneficial on a personal level for the patient, but it also encourages them to take part in decisions. Furthermore, it gives them the confidence and ability to look after themselves with less input from you. n Jason Higgins is Care Manager of Bluebird Care (Mendip), email CMMendip@ bluebirdcare.co.uk, phone 01749 372197 or 01458 570015.

opening of our Marford show home. Thanks to the number of Covid-secure measures our team have implemented, we can still take bookings to view the property at Rose Banks.

“We also have an experienced sales team on hand who will be able to answer any questions and talk interested house hunters through the process of buying a home with us.”

Expansion of broadband network BROADBAND provider Truespeed has announced that it is boosting its investment in Wells, with plans to connect more areas of the city and continue expanding its current building works in surrounding areas such as Wookey and Coxley.

The Bath-based company says it has now passed more than

3,000 premises in Wells, where work began in earnest in June 2020, and has started rolling out its full fibre broadband network in Bath.

Evan Wienburg, CEO of Truespeed, said: “We’re excited to get going in Bath while stepping up the roll-out of our full fibre network in Wells and surrounding areas in Somerset.”

Got News? Call 07906 499655

01749 37 21 97

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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March 2021

27

n PROPERTY FEATURE

Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wells Art Contemporary both at home in this house

Cath Rapley of Lodestone Property highlights a unique Wells home they are marketing A GRAND staircase sweeps down from the first floor, into a large, light reception hallway, illuminated by an oculus – a large glass box on the roof.

This is a statement entrance, designed to impress. Yet look closer and you’ll spot something incongruous.

Among the ornate, giltframed paintings of European seascapes and stately-home portraits, hangs a large black and white photo of a man in sheer stockings and suspenders and leather jacket holding a mic, arm thrust in the air. And along from that is a further sizeable black and white photo, with another man wearing stockings and a fedora, kicking one leg forward in defiance and sitting in a wheelchair.

“The legs are great, aren’t they?” laughs Paddy O’Hagan, 74, who, along with wife Judith, owns the six-bedroomed house in Chamberlain Street that this hall belongs to. “If you could buy them, you would.” He has a wry sense of humour – no surprise when you discover the reason for the pull-up pictures is that he’s in one of them. They were taken on the stage of the original Rocky Horror Show musical which premiered in London in 1973. Paddy played the dual role of Eddie and Dr Everett Scott, the wheelchair-bound scientist (parts later played in the film

The property’s Georgian façade

of the show by rock singer Meatloaf). The other photo is that of Tim Curry, who played Dr Frank-N-Furter.

After acting at college, Paddy joined an experimental theatre company which led to an audition with Richard O’Brien, who wrote Rocky Horror. “He sat down at the piano,” remembers Paddy, “I got my saxophone out and the whole place was playing rockabilly. Then we chatted about B movies and discovered we had a shared interest in ‘Creature Features’ – It Came from Planet X, films like that. At the end I got up and said ‘Well, good luck with it’ and [Richard] said, ‘Cheers. Oh yeah, by the way, do you want a part?’”

After about four years, Paddy moved on to other acting jobs and by the time O’Brien was about to make the movie, Paddy was working elsewhere – and Meatloaf ended up playing his part in a now iconic performance. “He was much better than me, I have to say,” said Paddy graciously.

Eventually Paddy and Judith (who have now been together for 50 years) decided they wanted a family (they went on to have two sons), so he retrained as a design and technology teacher.

Later he joined the Department of Education where he wrote the mechanism that allows school league tables to be drawn up.

Then, after retiring at 60, he had a very serious stroke; ten years ago the couple moved to Wells, for a more wholesome lifestyle.

Paddy and Judith knew Chamberlain Street was right for them as soon as they walked in, because of the high ceilings and the sense of history. Although it has a Georgian south-facing façade, it began as agricultural housing. Paddy and Judith’s first-floor bedroom is the former drawing room and has a 12fthigh ceiling and impressive cornicing.

There’s room for everybody’s

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Top, the hallway and staircase at 14 Chamberlain Street, which has been put up for sale by Paddy and Judith O’Hagan; Paddy, above, was a star of the original Rocky Horror Show musical needs – for Judith’s consulting rooms (she’s a respected psychotherapist), for family to stay, for parking and entertaining. They’ve extended it at the back, creating a convivial kitchen and a dining room that has doors opening onto the garden – brilliantly redesigned

by Judith and designer Helen Johnson with perennials and grasses. Over the years they’ve unearthed discoveries like soot, meaning that a blacksmith probably lived there at some stage.

With such a large home and interesting owners, it’s no surprise then, that it’s seen some lively parties, especially when you learn how much Paddy is embedded into the community.

He not only founded the very successful Wells Food Festival in 2012 which now has up to 10,000 annual visitors, but he is also the chair of Wells Art Contemporary, which in 2020 had 3,800 entries from 50 countries.

The open-hearted O’Hagans love to host, opening their home up for a carnival party (the parade passes by their door) and hosting over 150 people

inside and out. But this revelry has a more significant reason than just to make merry. “My simple thing is that if you don’t work at community, it doesn’t happen,” insists Paddy. “You should try and get as many people as possible talking to each other and then you sustain the economy. If we’re not all talking to each other, how the hell are we going to pull things round?”

His devotion to the city is obvious too. “Wells is a great community,” he says. “You can’t do things like we’ve done unless everybody is interested in doing it. And it’s tiny, about 12,000 residents. The music is amazing, kids do loads of stuff, you can join in as much or as little as you like. I’m now selling because we’re older and don’t need so much room, but I’m keen that the next owner understands that it’s been a space that celebrates people.”

Just as Paddy has done his whole life, by entertaining, enthralling and helping us all, both on and off stage. n 14 Chamberlain Street is for sale with Lodestone Property with a guide price of £1,295,000.

See lodestoneproperty.co.uk

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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28

March 2021

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES MID SOMERSET OXFAM GROUP OFFERING you the chance of a little mirth, the Mid Somerset Oxfam Group invites you to write a limerick, send us a fiver, then be patient while we judge all the entries to arrive at a winner and two runners-up. David Cloke, a published poet and Convenor of the East Coker Poetry Group, will do the judging. He knows the difference between a trochee and a dactyl and between a haiku and a clerihew, so we – and you – are in good hands (we don’t know what any of that means either!).

What kind of limerick?

Humorous? You bet. Hilarious?

Even better. Saucy? Rude? OK, but take a little care. Prurient, libellous or downright dirty?

Of course not. However, the challenge is meant to be a bit of fun, so try for a limerick to make us smile. Here’s one to excite your creative fancies: To a woman he’d just met at Shepton a man said ‘Your dog should be kept on a chain or a lead – just look where he’s peed.

And how about this that I’ve stepped on?’

Remember the basic rules for limericks. Lines 1, 2 and 5 must rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 must rhyme. The rhythm should be as regular as possible.

What do you need to do to enter? Just head to www. midsomersetoxfam.co.uk/ forthcoming-events.

Why should you bother? Well, Oxfam, like all charities, is in desperate need of funds. Because of the pandemic MSOG’s fundraising calendar is in tatters, so a project that doesn’t require

Pictures by Geoff Spinks, left, and Tom Sleigh, members of Wells U3A’s Painting for Pleasure group social mixing is currently our only option. What’s more there are prizes. Yes, prizes. We shall set aside 20 per cent of the entry fees to provide three prizes, for a winner and two runners-up. One of them could be you.

Jenny Williams WELLS U3A DURING this third lockdown more and more of Wells U3A groups have been encouraged to meet up via Zoom.

Book Group 2 There are two book groups and Book Group 2, back in the day, met at Kitty Banks cafe. This naturally has become impossible so have taken advantage of Wells U3A’s pro Zoom facilities. “Book club is a bit of a ‘misnomer’ as we spend more time chatting about other things.” Eve Loring, the group leader, thanked our IT support leader for his help in setting up the group meeting and commented “U3A and the people in it are wonderful”. They did get

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round to discussing the book The Diary of an Ordinary Woman by Margaret Forster.

Local History Group This has been another first for a group using Zoom. Fortyone devices logged onto this most interesting talk by Jane de Gruchy, an archivist with Somerset and Devon archives and local studies. The title of her talk was Crime and Punishment from the records on crime from Somerset courts over 700 years.

Everyone was gripped by the history of Somerset Courts and assizes, of cases brought before them and the punishment they received. We learnt how the police force evolved from parish constables to the police force we know today. U3A has monthly talks all based on local history topics.

Current Affairs Our small Current Affairs group is very enjoyable. Usually they meet in a cafe in Wells once a month and discuss any current events. The group leader always finds that she learns new ideas and is interested to hear a variety of different comments. Those of the group who wanted to continue meeting using Zoom have got used to the change, although they think we will be eager to return to the cafe with the whole group again. During Covid we are sent a weekly U3A bulletin to keep us up to date.

Digital Photography If you look on the website for Wells U3A, you will see that we are still functioning during lockdown. We do everything remotely by email. We have decided upon on our topics beforehand and have a year’s plan ahead. Last month we chose ‘Something that makes you

smile’. Under the guidance of one of our members, Celia, we have provided the pictures for the last two years of the Tincknells calendar. We provide a set of pictures from which Tincknells make their final choice. This year Tincknells made a donation to Cancer Research for our efforts.

Wine Appreciation Group It’s almost a year since we last met in person and now we have a Zoom meeting once a month, just to keep in touch. I had a whole programme of events that had to be cancelled, for our monthly meetings, in St Thomas’ Church Hall. We normally taste about eight or so wines in an evening. The cost was £10 per head per session but I might have to review this! Over the years we have also enjoyed summer patio parties, and a New Year’s party in the church hall, all with excellent wine. In September 2019 we had a visit to a local vineyard, Fenny Castle, which was a highlight of the year.

This is just another sample of groups you can join with U3A and get involved with straight away after joining via our website u3asites.org.uk/wells/ home or just Google Wells U3A. Ann Brown and group leaders WELLS WI AT the February meeting our Membership Secretary reminded us that, nationally, subscriptions normally due in February will not be payable until April this year, in acknowledgement that activities have been restricted by the pandemic. Our Secretary told us that the booklet of discount vouchers normally given to members at the beginning of the year is available online via My WI. She also alerted members to look at County Life magazine for how to vote for who will represent us at county level.

Because members had so enjoyed talking about David Attenborough’s TV programme, it was agreed that a new discussion group would be set up so people could meet via Zoom to chat about other programmes or films. Choices will be suggested and agreed on a dedicated WhatsApp group.

The book groups have been enjoying their choices, and members of the new photography group have been sharing pictures featuring

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

March 2021

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES lines of all descriptions which has prompted getting creative snapping railway lines, banisters, country roads, tree trunks and the chimney pots of Vicars Close.

Bookings were taken for a cookery demonstration event later in the year.

Sarah-Jane encouraged members to help make bunting for Sew Buntiful Wells, a Community Art project aimed at brightening the city centre this Easter, and offered to coordinate sharing materials.

The resolution that proved most popular with members for a potential national campaign was raising awareness of the signs of ovarian cancer, although there was also support for tackling coronary heart disease in women, protecting peat bogs and wildlife, and combatting racism.

Our speaker was Daphne Atkinson who gave us an online talk illustrated with photographs about the unique and bizarre customs that take place all around the UK throughout the year, from the Haxey Hood scrum in Lincolnshire in January to the Allendale Tar Barrels event on New Year’s Eve, with all the ones in between involving people mumming, wassailing, racing each other in bins and wheelbarrows, and doing competitive onion-eating.

As Daphne said, they nearly all involve a lot of drinking at pubs but do raise large amounts of money for local charities.

Veronica Howe WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB MARCH is a month full of busyness. The sap is clearly rising in the flower borders as well as in ourselves.

Much has been done in the garden and there’s still much to do. That’s the theory. The borders have been cut back and

Soon there will be daffodils and hellebores in profusion. Pictured is Helleborus x ‘Merlin’

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we can see where we are. At one of our evening meetings – which we recall with increased nostalgia – Sally Gregson of Mill Cottage said that in her garden at this time of year many of her plants take on wheels. They are dug up, split up and trundled off to new homes.

Now is the time to make adjustments and rectify failed experiments in the planting scheme; herbaceous perennials particularly benefit from being divided and replanted. Many of them, like the phlox group, for example, start to die out in the middle. So we split them up and pass on any extras to friends and neighbours. The time of gifts is not gone. There’s a genuine pleasure in potting up a favourite specimen and passing it on. But this gift business has its dangers.

We all remember the perils of the Trojan War: Equo ne credite Men of Troy, trust not the horse.

A well-meaning acquaintance arrived at the house with a yoghurt pot with plant. “It’s a lovely little orange flower. Does ever so well in my garden.” The donor was quite right. It does ever so well anywhere, eventually taking over swathes of the lawn and borders. Pilosella aurantiaca or commonly named fox and cubs. In certain parts of the country it is known as Grim the collier, though I confess I call it other names.

Montbretia is another Wooden Horse which I keep digging out. Wiser now, I adopt a more cautious approach copied from my neighbour when I am offered a plant. “Do you mind if I say no?” Not at all. That’s the sensible position in horticultural diplomacy. No longer am I like Ado Annie in Oklahoma – “jist a girl who cain’t say no”.

While these spare pots await a new home, we await some sense of order. Plant fairs, convivial meetings and garden visits. They will return. In fact one or two club possibilities are already in train for the summer months.

Details will be sent to members when things are more definite.

In the meantime, take note of the website: wellsgarden.club and take pleasure in the simple arrival of spring in all your garden corners. Soon there will be daffodils and hellebores in profusion and a brighter breeze in the air.

Pip Harwood

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29

If you want a great broadband, you need a strong bandwidth capacity

Technology predictions for the year ahead A spotlight on bandwidth Bandwidth is the amount of data that can travel through an internet connection at any given time and is a vital component in broadband. When thinking about the quality of broadband, most people think of speeds, but speeds alone won’t get you far – bandwidth will. And this vital piece of knowledge is set to be a key factor on a consumer’s purchasing radar.

Think of bandwidth as a motorway at rush hour. The number of lanes available can’t cope with the number of cars travelling and traffic jams are caused. Having enough bandwidth gives you your own private fast lane so you can digitally speed past the backedup traffic. Simply put, if you want a great broadband, you need a strong bandwidth capacity, not just fast speeds alone.

2021 will see this translate into consumers comparing not just upload/download speeds but also bandwidth capacity for different packages. Bandwidth will become a key differentiator for broadband services, following the lead set by the mobile phone industry where plans are based on data not speeds.

Increased demand for mesh Wi-Fi There is a general misconception that Wi-Fi speeds are the same as those you get when connected directly to a router. This is simply not the case. Wi-Fi is transmitted via a signal and can be affected by things such as thick walls and router location.

Therefore, permanent solutions

to wide ranging and super reliable Wi-Fi will be at the top of the tech must have lists.

Ultimately, we’ll see the adoption of mesh Wi-Fi systems which provide a more stable Wi-Fi connection throughout properties. The adoption of these systems will also coincide with the increase of smart appliances such as doorbells, fridges and TVs becoming more widespread.

Crackdown on misleading broadband advertising Consumers are bombarded with ‘fibre’ broadband advertising are often part fibre and part copper wire systems – aka Fibre-ToThe-Cabinet. These part fibre infrastructures predominantly advertise their fastest possible speeds, but only deliver ‘up to’ or ‘average’ speeds. Unlike the superior full fibre (aka FibreTo-The-Property) networks that actually deliver guaranteed speeds 24/7. Transparent advertising will help consumers understand exactly what their broadband provider is offering.

Gigabit broadband Gigabit capable broadband is full fibre (FTTP) broadband that has the ability to deliver speeds of 1Gpbs or 1000Mbps. In 2021 the demand for gigabitcapable broadband will surge as consumers discover it’s the best long-term solution for everincreasing online demands. n Truespeed is rolling out its full fibre, gigabit capable network and has a range of packages from £29.99 a month and speeds up to 900Mbps. To find out more, visit truespeed.com

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

30

March 2021

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wellsvoice

March 2021

n NEWS Boarding fees offer WELLS Cathedral School has announced that all cathedral choristers will be entitled to a 50 per cent reduction on boarding fees.

The places will be offered in a newly refurbished boarding house for children in Years 4 to 8, which will be opening in September 2021.

Head master Alastair Tighe said: “In these difficult times, we know that so many schools and cathedrals have been struggling financially, and have been forced to reduce their provision. We also know that many parents have been finding it hard to cope.

Wells is larger than many cathedral schools, and we are in the very fortunate position of continuing to thrive as we celebrate our 1,111th birthday. I’m therefore absolutely thrilled to be able to make this offer.”

To make an informal enquiry, email admissions@wells.cathedral.school

Reference resources WELLS Library is publicising the fact that free reference resources are available online.

In the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica, it is possible to find out about past events ‘on this day’, have a go at quizzes, play word games, and check out the featured videos and podcasts. Oxford Dictionaries includes online dictionaries and thesauruses, and help with pronunciation and writing skills. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography provides articles on noteworthy people from all walks of life, and the Oxford Digital Reference Shelf includes reference titles in arts, literature, language, history, culture, science and social sciences.

Visit www.librarieswest.org.uk and choose Online Reference. A library card and PIN are required. For more information, email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk

Company recruiting FOOD producer Bigham’s is recruiting for 20 new positions at its Quarry Kitchen at Dulcote. Last year, the company’s sales grew by 20 per cent in three major retailers, and with ambitious targets for 2021, the business is adding to its current 300-strong Somerset team.

To review Bigham’s current vacancies, visit the company’s careers page, or submit a speculative CV to careers@bighams.com

Fuel appeal record SOMERSET Community Foundation’s 2020/21 Surviving Winter appeal has raised a record-breaking £160,000.

The annual appeal encourages those who can afford to, to donate some or all of their Winter Fuel Payment. These donations provide funding and support to older and more vulnerable people across Somerset.

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