Wells Voice May 2024

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Special guest at Trust celebration Duchess of Edinburgh visits new Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust office and helps celebrate latest fundraising initiative Turn to page 2

Recognition in national awards Wells Voice was Commended when winners were announced in the 2024 Newspaper Awards Turn to page 7

Wells City FC U12s’ cup final win, at Yeovil Town’s ground, keeps them on course for three trophies this season – turn to page 5

Pair’s pink vision for old tractor

New Wells youth club will be opening soon

Societies latest

‘Our aim is to create a space where young people can be themselves, have fun, and build meaningful connections’ – full story on page 8

Five pages of reports on recent activities from local groups Turn to pages 39-43

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May 2024

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Chorister Trust welcomes Royal Patron THE Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust welcomed their Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, to Wells recently.

Her Royal Highness visited the new Chorister Trust office and attended a lunch to celebrate the Trust’s latest fundraising initiative, the Coronation Fund.

The Coronation Fund is a special appeal launched in September 2023 to raise £500,000 by September 2025 to support families of talented children requiring 100 per cent bursaries, wishing to become Cathedral choristers.

The Duchess and the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, were met by Arnold Wills, Chair of Trustees, at the door to Polydor House in The Liberty where the new WCCT office is now located.

The Duchess was shown around the new offices which include posters for past WCCT fundraising events as well as

Current and former choristers with Arnold Wills, left, and HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, fourth from right, in front of The King’s Tree (planted on June 30, 1978, by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III) a sequence of photographs of choristers from across the years, and was introduced to a number of people there and in

Cedars House and Cedars Hall, including Coronation Fund Donors, Patrons and Trustees, Ambassadors of the WCCT,

civic guests and Wells Cathedral School and Wells Cathedral staff.

During a Somerset ploughman’s-style lunch, the Duchess sat with former choristers, Gregory Wills and Maddie Perring, both now studying at music college, and recent leavers and current choristers, Oliver Jenkins, Aleksei Lichter, Rosie Bennett and Estella Fawden. Following lunch, Arnold Wills addressed the guests and the Duchess signed the Visitor’s Book before departing. n The Cathedral’s annual ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’ event takes place on the third Saturday of September. Children aged between six and nine are invited to go to the Cathedral for the day to find out what it is like to be a Cathedral Chorister. If interested in the next event, contact the Cathedral Music Office via musicoffice@wellscathedral. org.uk

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Group members get chance to inspect pub MEMBERS of the steering group co-ordinating efforts by the community to buy The Britannia Inn have been shown around the empty pub.

The pub is for sale through the Caldecotte Group, with an asking price of £350,000, and an agent opened the doors in March to allow a tour of the premises.

“Sadly, East Wells has been without a pub for over two years now. Given how long it’s been closed we were pleasantly surprised to see how good a condition the building appears to be in,” said Councillor Theo Butt Philip, Chair of the steering group.

“There are some damp patches and one or two cracks in the rendering, but cosmetically at least, the building seems to be in relatively good order.”

A new ‘Save the Brit’ Facebook page has been launched which will provide more updates about the project

Views from the recent tour of The Britannia Inn and engagement with the community. Work is also taking place on a dedicated website.

A poll on the Wells (Somerset) Community Notice Board page inviting people to choose from various uses for The Britannia if it reopens, or to suggest their own ideas, reached

more than 12,000 people and had more than 3,400 votes.

Apart from it being a pub, there was most support for evening meals and live music (mirroring the outcome of the consultation run in Wells Voice and online at the start of the year); for pool, darts or skittles;

for quiz nights; and for play equipment in the garden.

The process of setting up a Community Benefit Society (the East Wells Community Benefit Society) has been started, and an application to register it has been submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority. Once set up, a bank account will be opened, and the community will be invited to buy shares in the venture as fundraising begins to try to get enough money to make an offer for the pub.

“In the next few weeks we will be releasing details of how people can support the project both financially and in other ways,” said Cllr Butt Philip.

“We are planning a couple of public events in the near future to explain more about the project and what we have been doing to make this dream come true. The community has said it wants to Save the Brit, and that’s what we are doing our best to achieve.”

New comedy film with local interest WELLS Film Centre Cinema is going to be screening a new British comedy which has local connections.

Swede Caroline (15) will start on Saturday, May 4. The film was co-produced by identical twins from Glastonbury, Jack and Boris ThompsonRoylance. The stellar cast includes Jo Hartley, Aisling Bea, Fay Ripley and Ray Fearon.

Swede Caroline is set in Shepton Mallet and in this British ‘mockumentary’, the competitive giant vegetable growing world is rocked by scandal when upand-coming prospect Caroline has her prized marrow plants stolen.

To book tickets, visit wellsfilmcentre.co.uk. All tickets are only £5 each.

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May 2024

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

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ wellsvoice Follow on X (Twitter): @wells_voice View every issue online at issuu.com/ wellsvoice A member of the Independent Community News Network

LOC AL INFORMATION

JUNE DEADLINE

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

To ensure your news or letter is included in the June issue please contact us by May 22.

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

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

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

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

Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 7,100 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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Falconer Tony Bryant of Raptorcare Falconry performing displays during the Medieval Falconry Day at The Bishop’s Palace on April 13. Pictured is a European Eagle Owl.

Grants available to small businesses WELLS Chamber of Commerce has funds available to provide grants of up to £200 to small businesses in the city.

Companies or individuals can apply for a grant by emailing wellscofc@gmail.com and explaining how much they would like and why, such as for start-up costs, IT spending or training.

Chamber Chair Louis Agabani said: “The Chamber is keen to help local businesses not just by providing a support network and lobbying on issues of concern, but with some financial assistance as well where appropriate.

“I would encourage small businesses to contact us and make a case for funding, and they are welcome to attend one of our meetings to discuss further what we can do for them.”

The Chamber also supports good causes and makes grants available for events in Wells such as Wells Theatre Festival and Wells Festival of Literature.

Charities and events organisers are being invited to get in touch by emailing wellscofc@gmail.com to see

whether they might be eligible for funding.

Wells Chamber of Commerce exists to promote the interests of its members as well as the wider city and visitor economy.

It gives a voice to the business community by speaking out and campaigning on issues such as shoplifting. There are regular meetings at the Boardroom in the Old Mill offices at Cathedral Park, and networking events and social gatherings that give business people a chance to expand their social circle and share news and views.

Louis said: “The meetings are a good forum for discussing business activities and concerns, and we often have an informative speaker sharing their expertise on different aspects of the business world.”

The Chamber’s next meeting is at Old Mill, Bishopbrook House, Cathedral Avenue, Wells, on Tuesday, May 7, at 6pm, and all members and prospective members are welcome to attend.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

May 2024

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Team win cup after claiming league title WELLS City FC U12s could finish the season with three trophies after winning the High Holborne Cup, days after wrapping up the Yeovil & District League Division One title.

Their third opportunity for silverware will come when they take on Merriott Marvels U12s in the Bill Bissett Cup final at Somerton Recreation Ground on May 12.

The High Holborne Cup final was played at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town FC, on April 18, when the Wells team took on Merriott Rhinos U12s.

The Wells players travelled to Yeovil on a coach supplied by P & V Minibuses, and found all their kit laid out in the away changing room once they arrived, before going for a walk around the pitch and stadium.

When the game got underway, both teams made a slow start, but Wells City gradually started to find their rhythm and were

Above, the Wells City Youth U12s in one of the changing rooms at Huish Park; and left, Ged Donnelly (manager), Paul Ball (parent helper) and Paul Smith (assistant manager) with the trophy two-nil up at half time, with goals scored by Isaac Clowes and Josh Oakley. They continued in the same manner in the second

half, scoring another three goals through Josh Oakley (who was named Wells’ player of the match), Isaac Clowes and Isaac Neale.

Manager Ged Donnelly said: “This was an amazing day from start to finish. Big thank you to Yeovil Town Football Club for hosting this event. It is one occasion the team management, players and parents/carers will never forget.

“The facilities and pitch were brilliant and not something that we are normally accustomed to and with so much support, made the event even more special.

“The delight in winning this competition is unbelievable and to add this to the league title which was confirmed the Sunday before this game is extra special.

“One more final for this team on May 12. Just hoping we can obtain a third trophy, which would be fitting for this exceptionally gifted team.”

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May 2024

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Concerns voiced about current state of Wells Market CONCERNS were expressed at Wells City Council’s Finance & Council Matters committee meeting on April 11 about Wells Market.

Councillor Louis Agabani told the committee that on one Saturday recently, an accident at the Idverde depot meant that they did not put out the 20 market stalls due that day – on what was going to be a reduced-market day following a storm warning – but it meant that the businesses concerned lost out.

He said that it seems there are issues over a lack of weights to hold down the gazebos, and damaged gazebos being taken away for repair and not being returned. There has been a reduction in the number of market stalls over time, he said.

“Shepton Mallet is down to single

Stalls at a Wednesday market in Wells figures in market stalls and so is Glastonbury, and we’re heading that way,” he said, adding that his comments were not a criticism of the market managers.

Somerset Council runs the market, and city council Town Clerk Steve Luck said that Somerset Council has asked whether the city council can come

up with a better way of running the market with the other Mendip market towns.

Mr Luck said he will talk to councillors about the way forward.

Talking to Wells Voice the day before the Finance & Council Matters committee meeting, stallholder Tom Muir, whose Brothers Muir pet supplies stall

has been a feature of Wells Market for many years, said he thinks that the market is not what it was.

“The market has been suffering for the past few years, probably since Covid which saw a reduction in the number of stalls put out, and it has never recovered since then,” he said.

He says that the number of stalls has reduced from at least 70 pre-Covid to 40 or so now.

Meanwhile, he says, traders have noticed a reduction in the number of coach visitors to Wells, while a ten per cent increase in rent last year was difficult to swallow for a lot of people.

“The standard of the market has gone down,” he said. “It feels like less variety of stalls. It is still a fantastic city and place for visitors, and a nice place to work, but I think the market is suffering.”

Hopes that toilets can soon be reopened WELLS City Council is hoping that it will soon be able to reopen the Union Street toilets.

Somerset Council decided to close the Wells toilet block and others it owns across the county as it grapples with its financial crisis.

The matter was discussed at the city council’s Finance & Council Matters committee meeting at the Town Hall on April 11.

Town Clerk Steve Luck told the committee that a part-time member of staff would need to join the city council team if the toilets are going to be open again seven days a week.

He said that the city council would first require the freehold, a lease, or some other sort of agreement with Somerset Council.

“We cannot have that toilet block closed for some period with all the visitors coming,” said Mr Luck.

Councillors agreed: “I feel very strongly that we have to maintain the Union Street toilets,” said Councillor Philip Welch; “We cannot afford to have those toilets shut. That’s a main thoroughfare,” said Councillor Tony Robbins.

Mr Luck estimated that

Signs have gone up at Union Street toilets saying ‘Toilet not in use’ it might cost £13,000 to get the toilets reopened, and the committee voted to release the money to make that possible.

Wells Carnival The city council is to provide a grant so that four Wells City Carnival committee members can attend a training course so they are qualified to close roads and enable diversions, in order for Wells Carnival to take place.

Finance & Council Matters committee members agreed to a grant request for £1,008 at the meeting on April 11.

Wells City Carnival’s Assistant Chief Marshal Nigel Clarke told the meeting that the training/qualification would be valid for five years, so it would work out at £50 each per year.

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of carnival, he said, and demonstrate the council’s backing for the event.

He said that no more is being collected at Wells Carnival than was collected ten years ago as people have cards on them now rather than coins. He said that the street vendors, who are not connected to the carnival, get more as they can take card payments, but there is a plan for Scouts to go round with card readers this year.

CCTV Discussions are to be held with Somerset Council in the hope of finding a way for Wells to keep its CCTV coverage.

Committee members were told that Somerset Council has asked Wells City Council to pay £39,000 per year for a three-year contract for CCTV provision.

Councillors agreed that Wells cannot risk the CCTV cameras being switched off, but felt that the contribution requested was too high.

Mr Luck said that this is more than other towns are paying, such as Shepton Mallet and Frome, and a suggestion that £20,000 is offered instead for one year to keep the cameras on while talks continue was agreed.

Disabled lifts Mr Luck told the meeting that he had received three quotes for replacing the two disabled lifts in the Town Hall that were installed ten years or more ago. All the quotes gave very similar costings.

He suggested replacing the first lift for now from the ground floor to office level, which he thought would cost about £14,000, and was budgeted for in the Town Hall repairs budget.

The committee voted for him to go ahead and select the most suitable installer.

Archives Mr Luck said that there are plans to bring some of the lesser known archives across from Wells Museum and put them on display in the Town Hall later in the year. He said that 90 per cent of the archives are not on display.

Town Crier’s hat The Town Crier’s hat has become a bit faded around the edges, the meeting was told, and is not up to the standard of the rest of the uniform. It was agreed that the Town Clerk will get quotes for a new hat (which are still made locally in Bristol), or to cover the existing one.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

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Wells Voice praised in national awards WELLS Voice was Commended in the Hyperlocal Newspaper of the Year category in the 2024 Newspaper Awards.

The winners and runners-up of the 13 different categories were announced at a black-tie event at the Hilton London Bankside on March 26.

The judges said of Wells Voice: “A brilliant publication, especially considering it’s put together by one person. It has all the design and content of a punchy local newspaper, in a compact hyperlocal format.”

Winner of the hyperlocal category for the second year in succession was London publication The Peckham Peculiar. The Edinburgh Reporter was Highly Commended, and the other Commended titles in this category from around the UK and Ireland were Hackney Citizen, The Bristol Cable and The West Dorset Magazine.

An edition of Wells Voice being shown on one of the big screens at the Newspaper Awards ceremony, and Editor Andy Vallis at the event

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Wells Voice Editor Andy Vallis said: “It’s very flattering to be in that sort of company, and to be shortlisted for the award at all considering the many highquality hyperlocal publications there are around the country.

“I’m pleased that the work we do gains recognition in this way because our publications have become so important to our local communities.

“The commendation for Wells Voice is also a tribute to the many people in Wells who contribute to it now in different ways, and I am grateful to them for all the help they provide.”

An awards booklet given out to the more than 300 people who attended the ceremony said of the hyperlocals: “The quality and quantity of entry in this category shows just how much audiences want real local knowledge from local news outlets in an easyto-read printed format. They want newspapers that they can

really trust, delivering precisely targeted news content.

“With many areas now being underserved by more traditional newspapers, hyperlocals play an increasingly important role in their local communities. To succeed, hyperlocal community newspapers have to be tenacious and innovative and are looking to constantly evolve.

“The category received entries from all corners of the country and the judges were impressed with the high quality of some titles that rivalled more traditional, long-established weeklies.”

Among the other winners of awards were the i (National Newspaper of the Year), FT Weekend (Weekend Newspaper of the Year), The Guardian for its Saturday magazine (National Supplement/Magazine of the Year – weekly), and The Irish News (Regional Newspaper of the Year).

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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New youth club to be opened in Wells A NEW youth club will soon be opening its doors in Wells.

YMCA Brunel Group is hoping to launch the club in May in the Connect Centre.

It will be specifically tailored for young people aged 10-19, with the opportunity to attend for those up to 25 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The initiative has been commissioned by Wells City Council, which has agreed to provide £15,000 to fund it for a year, initially.

YMCA Brunel Group says that the aim of the club is to provide a vibrant and inclusive space for young individuals to connect, learn, and grow. It says it is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space where young people can come together, form friendships, explore new interests and help them become good neighbours.

The club will be led by experienced youth worker Natalie Walton, and two other youth workers are currently being recruited. They will be engaging with young people in parks and the city centre, and hope to be able to go into schools, to start building relationships and find out what young people want in their youth club.

“We are thrilled to launch this much-needed youth club in Wells,” said Natalie.

“Our aim is to create a space where young people can be themselves, have fun, and build meaningful connections.

We believe in the power of

Natalie Walton and Mark Willcox community and are excited to work alongside Wells City Council to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in this area.”

The club will run once a week on Mondays during term time.

It will offer an array of activities and programmes catered to the interests and needs of its members, which might include art, games, music, workshops and conversations.

Interested individuals can sign up by visiting the YMCA Brunel Group website or email Natalie directly at nataliewalton@ymca-bg.org People can also contact Natalie with ideas about what they would like the youth club to offer.

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Brunel Group, said that there used to be a YMCA youth club at The Old Glasshouse building in South Street but that stopped several years ago. He said of the new venture: “We look forward to expanding our work in Wells and welcoming young people from the Wells community and creating a space where they can thrive, learn, and have fun.”

YMCA Brunel Group run several youth clubs elsewhere, including Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet.

Councillor Philip Welch has led the campaign for a youth club in Wells. He said: “Wells doesn’t offer our young people enough positive things to do outside school.

“They need a place of their own where they decide what they want to do.

“This will help them develop their confidence and talents – and encourage more to connect positively with our community here in the city.

“We need more of our young people to stay here longer and make Wells a more vibrant place.

“We don’t want Wells to become known just as an oasis for retired people and care homes.”

Karen Deverell is a former chief executive of YMCA Mendip, and was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to young people in Somerset.

She said: “I was delighted to hear that the YMCA are to be developing youth work in our city. It is positive that Wells City Council are investing in children and young people who might want to have a place to call their own.

“I know from my many years of working for the YMCA that Mark Willcox, Natalie Walton and their team will work with young people to create a programme that provides a warm welcome to all.

“I have witnessed the growth of positive, trusting relationships that have grown from youth work and a programme that enables an environment that is fun, safe, engaging and interesting.

“Knowing the YMCA, they will want children and young people to have their say about what they want and I would encourage everyone to take this opportunity to do just that.

Modern youth provision is so much more than just a weekly game of table tennis.”

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May 2024

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D E N TA L WELLS

The George Inn at Croscombe has been named Rural Pub of the Year by the Bath & Borders branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The pub has been run by Peter and Veryan Graham for nearly 24 years. They were presented with a certificate by the social secretary of the Bath & Borders branch of CAMRA, Denis Rahilly, at an award ceremony on April 11.

Shop theft ongoing problem for retailers SHOPLIFTING continues to be a major problem for businesses in Wells. Stock is being stolen on a daily basis, and information about suspected shoplifters is constantly being shared between retailers on the WhatsApp group set up to pass on security concerns.

Both the BBC and ITV have broadcast reports on local news programmes recently about shoplifting in Wells.

Rob Bevan, of Protec, told Wells Voice about a string of incidents in the city, and said: “Shoplifting has turned into numerous daytime raids. Now the latest craze is rooftop damage to gain entry that is an extremely dangerous activity. One of the perpetrators nearly fell 15 feet after the item they stood on gave way causing damage and luckily no one was hit by the falling masonry.”

He said that drones have been used to try to spot those involved, adding: “Pilots needed to quickly take-off and locate suspects, just like the old police helicopter.”

He said that the police have been working to combat the problem, and getting some results, but that has not necessarily been publicised: “Lots goes on behind the scenes but sadly we never know.”

As Wells Voice reported last September, Wells Chamber of Commerce has subsidised

stickers for retailers to display in their windows with a warning to shoplifters that their activities are being monitored and shared: “Shoplifters beware. We’ll all know you!”

“Wells is a very safe city.

It is clean and residents and visitors respect the tranquillity and history,” said Chamber Chair Louis Agabani. But when crimes do occur, he said, they need to be reported to the police.

“Policing resources are deployed based on statistics. The areas that need it the most get it. Areas like Frome and Glastonbury have higher reported shoplifting crime. So it is understandable that police resources are sent to them. It is critical that retailers report any crime, regardless of size. Unfortunately it is the only way to get policing in our city streets.”

PC Darren Pearson of the Wells Neighbourhood Policing Team has addressed the subject of shoplifting in this month’s On the Beat column in Wells Voice.

He says: “I would encourage all shops to report every incident of shoplifting so that we have an accurate picture of what is taking place here in Wells. Your local neighbourhood team, three PCSOs and two PCs are committed to dealing with all offenders through the justice system where there is evidence.” u On the Beat, page 31

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May 2024

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Project teaching pupils joys of reading

By Philip Welch IT was before the pandemic that the Rotary Club of Wells was approached by St Cuthbert’s Junior School to supply some people to listen to the children read. In 2022, after Covid’s disruption to the children’s education, the club returned to the school and asked what it could do to repair the damage.

“Help the children in their reading,” was the immediate response. Since then The Listening Project has provided listeners to every class in the school, six in all.

“Rotarians and non-Rotarians commit themselves to 1.5 hours per week listening to individual children read from their set books,” said Alan Guyner. “In complementing the work of the school the children’s reading and communication skills develop much faster, the enjoyment of reading is fostered.

Rotarians Andy and Alan Guyner at St Cuthbert’s Junior School with some of the children who benefit from the Listening Project “It is a rewarding experience for the listeners too. Apart from the fun of being with the children there is the satisfaction of being able to pass on what we know to the next generation.

The Children’s Book Recycling scheme is also part of the project.”

An article in the Wells Community Network newsletter last autumn asking people to donate children’s books brought 500 of them which were gathered at The Works shop in Wells High Street, sorted into age groups and given to local schools. Another such appeal is

planned for this autumn.

Since 2023 the project now also provides listeners to St Cuthbert’s Infants School and plans are well advanced for another school in Wells too.

More listeners will be needed – anybody interested is asked to contact Wells Rotary Club.

“The volunteers from the Rotary Club are invaluable to our school and we all very much appreciate the time and effort they put in,” said St Cuthbert’s Junior School Head Teacher Helen Mullinger.

“The reading volunteers have built up trust with the children they read with. We have seen the impact of what the Rotary readers do with the increase in children’s skills, confidence and enjoyment of reading.

“With a Rotary reader, the children are given opportunities to ask questions, wonder about things, be curious and be interested.”

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wellsvoice

May 2024

11

n NEWS

Attractions launch a joint day ticket THE Bishop’s Palace and Wells Cathedral have announced the launch of a new joint day ticket from April 22.

Visitors to Wells will be able to buy one ticket which will provide access to the two major attractions on the day of the visit for the first time. The combination ticket, priced £20 for adults, gives visitors a 45 per cent discount on the cost of separate admission and includes day entry to both sites.

Wells Cathedral West Front

Wells Cathedral is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style.

Highlights include one of the oldest medieval clock faces in the world, the scissor arches and the atmospheric Quire.

Home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years, The Bishop’s Palace is surrounded by a picturesque moat. The Bishop’s private Chapel and Palace building is open to visitors who can also explore the ruined Great Hall, and stroll through the 14 acres of gardens to discover the well pools from which the city got its name.

Merryn Kidd, CEO of The Bishop’s Palace, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this joint ticket with the Cathedral to visitors to Wells. We know from our own feedback that it’s something our visitors have wanted for some time. To see these two iconic Wells attractions providing such a rich experience

More people eligible for free pass WELLS Cathedral has extended the boundaries of those who are eligible for a Residents’ Pass, meaning that they will not have to pay the £14 adult tourist charge introduced on April 22.

The Residents’ Pass was originally announced as being for anyone who lives within the city council boundaries of the City of Wells, but people who live in South Horrington and along the

Wookey Hole Road are also now eligible to apply for a free pass.

To apply, a form of address ID should be taken to the Welcome Desk and a pass will be processed there, between 9am and 4.30pm (11am to 3pm Sundays).

There are other exemptions to the tourist admission charge. For more details see the Cathedral’s website: www.wellscathedral. org.uk

Flood-hit residents can seek grant MORE than 100 home and business owners in Somerset impacted by flooding this winter will now be able to claim up to £5,000 from a Government grant, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed to Wells MP James Heappey.

Mr Heappey spoke in Westminster Hall about the impact the amount of rainfall has had on the constituency, in particular smaller villages such as Coxley, North Wootton, Godney and Croscombe.

Robbie Moore MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, confirmed to Mr Heappey that residents in Somerset are now able to apply for up to £5,000 to help pay for measures to help protect their property from flooding in the future. He said that they are eligible to receive money through the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme as the threshold has been met in the affected area.

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The Bishop’s Palace and Chapel

Picture: Jonathan Sawyer

for our visitors is so exciting.”

Anne Gell, Acting Dean of Wells, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with The Bishop’s Palace to bring the story of Wells to life for our visitors who can now enjoy these two superb Wells experiences with one ticket for the first time. Wells has so much to offer with its rich history and culture, spiritual heritage and stunning landscape, as well as a warm welcome for all our visitors.”

Neither the Cathedral nor

The Bishop’s Palace – managed

by The Palace Trust – receive any regular maintenance funding from the Government or Church of England so the cost of maintaining both is met by grants and by visitor income including admission tickets.

Tickets can be booked online at www.bishopspalace.org.uk or on site at both attractions. u Backpacks offer fun new way to explore, page 27; What’s On, page 37

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

13

n NEWS

Wider look at disabled accessibility issues CAMPAIGNERS for improvements to the pavements network in Wells that would help the less able are being asked to think more widely about other aspects of disabled accessibility in the city.

While the main concerns are missing drop kerbs and having to risk mixing with traffic, wheelchair users also point out that retail premises in Wells could make fairly simple adjustments to assist the disabled.

Brian Clarke and Theo van Hensbergen, who have been leading the campaign, are now being challenged to think about how to encourage and support businesses to cater more for the needs of people with disabilities.

Theo said: “Reasonable adjustments can often be made with little effort or expense, and not just to benefit disabled customers. A business that is recognised as disability friendly can generate much goodwill and additional trade. It has to be a win-win.”

Brian, who has to use a wheelchair to get around, said that businesses are not being expected to make expensive or operationally difficult changes.

He said: “If it is not reasonable to improve entrance access, the business could place a clearly marked call button at the main entrance so that a disabled person could attract attention and be served at the shop entrance. Where the pavement is wide enough a high threshold can be overcome by placing a (temporary) wheelchair ramp

Clockwise from top left, Robert Payne and Brian Clarke collect signatures for the petition; Brian using the ramp at the Conservative Club; the bell at Rock House; and making a toilet more accessible at The Bishop’s Palace. to afford access. And some businesses might even be able to share the cost and use of a temporary ramp.”

Examples of businesses that have made access adjustments include Rock House Dental Practice, where a bell by the front door alerts reception to somebody who needs help, and a temporary access ramp can then be provided.

Brian added: “I benefit greatly from the ramp that the Conservative Club puts out for

me, so I can join my friends for a drink. I have also discovered some other businesses that have a ramp, but do not advertise it. So I’d like to see them put a simple accessible call button by the front door, so I can let the staff know I am there.”

At The Bishop’s Palace, James Cross, the Head Gardener, responded to feedback from a disabled visitor by asking volunteer Tony Thompson to improve access to the disabled toilet in the arboretum.

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James said: “Once we realised we hadn’t got the access right we were only too pleased to put things right. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.”

Theo was due to make another presentation about some of the difficulties faced by less able citizens at the Wells City Council meeting on April 25.

He and fellow campaigners have also launched a petition to gather signatures from people who would like to see improvements made, that will eventually be presented to Somerset Council.

Theo said: “Many disabled people in Wells have contacted us to support what we are trying to achieve.

“There are 1,400 blue badge holders in Wells alone. That means that at least 12 per cent of the Wells population has a significant mobility difficulty.

Unfortunately many people still do not recognise the scale of the problem. Nor do they fully appreciate the devastating impact a lack of accessibility has on disabled people in terms of accessing key services, socialising and their physical and mental wellbeing.”

The campaigners will be in the Anseres Place entrance to the Market Place on most market days for people who want to sign the petition.

Brian said: “Once people understand the issues people like me face on a daily basis, and the simple changes that could make a huge difference, they are very happy to support our petition.”

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wellsvoice

14

May 2024

n NEWS

Father and son in pink tractor initiative A FATHER and son team plan to restore a vintage tractor, paint it pink, and auction it to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Tobias Daniels, aged 36, works at Wells Blue School as Deputy Site Manager. He attended the school as a student, growing up in St Thomas Street where his mother, author Juliet Faith, still lives.

He and his son Oscar, aged 16, started their tractor restoration project Father & Son Tractors as a family hobby in 2021. Oscar is studying to be an engineer, and has his heart set on an apprenticeship at Rolls Royce.

Working on the tractors with his father is a good way to gain experience, and learn on the job. Oscar suggested starting a YouTube channel, and Instagram account – and the project has hundreds of subscribers, with the

Tobias Daniels and his son Oscar with their rosette-winning entry at the Mid-Somerset Show, and the tractor they aim to restore for charity quirky upbeat videos attracting thousands of views.

Father & Son Tractors now has an official sponsor, Agriline, and receives donations from businesses nationwide including Ron Greet, Johnstones Paints and DMH Tractors.

So far, the duo have fixed up a number of vintage Ferguson

tractors. A highlight was winning a rosette at last year’s Mid-Somerset Show for fully restoring, to working condition, a grey 1950s Ferguson TED-20, using all original parts, right down to the bolts.

Tobias has lost some family members to cancer, and decided to fundraise the only way he

knew how. He said: “I’m not great at running, and didn’t fancy sitting in a tub of baked beans.

I do know my tractors though, so I reached out to breakers, and was kindly donated a 1947 TE-20 Continental, for free.

Once this beauty is restored to her full glory, and painted a lovely pink, for Cancer Research UK, it’ll be auctioned off, with all the proceeds directly helping the charity and ultimately saving lives.”

Tobias and Oscar are running a ‘Guess the tractor’s name’ competition in partnership with The Art Bank Cafe, in Shepton Mallet, where they live. They are also planning to attend tractor shows, or local events, collecting with a Cancer Research UK bucket.

Donations can be made online at GoFundMe via the link: gofund.me/5cbaa355

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wellsvoice

May 2024

15

n NEWS

Wells Bowling Club members watch the Mayor and Connie open the new season

Picture: Philip Welch

Youngest member helps open new season EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Connie, their youngest member, formally opened Wells Bowling Club’s new season with the city’s Mayor Tanys Pullin.

Club president Heather Willerton, pictured above next to Connie, welcomed Tanys to their green on the Recreation Ground on April 14.

Then Connie and Tanys each bowled a wood along the immaculate grass.

“The City of Wells Bowling Club was founded in 1914 and

moved to its present green in 1915. We have 80-plus members and are always looking to welcome new ones,” said chairman Andy Barrett.

“The playing season runs from mid-April to midSeptember, during which time a comprehensive programme of matches are played. The men and ladies play in local leagues and there are friendly games against local and touring clubs.

Internal club competitions are also run.

“During May the club will be open on Sundays from 11am to 1pm, and Mondays from 6pm, for anybody to visit who might be interested in trying bowls.

“All equipment is provided.

We just ask that you wear flat footwear.”

For more information, call into the club or phone Secretary Paul Henry on 01749 674446 or Andy Barrett on 07437 334742.

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Exhibits from a previous Hilliard Society miniature art show

Return of miniature art exhibition THE Hilliard Society’s annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art will take place at Wells Town Hall this year from June 8-15.

The exhibition is open from 10am-5pm every day except Sunday, June 9, when it is closed all day, and Saturday, June 15, when it closes at 4pm.

It is one of the few selling exhibitions of contemporary miniature art held in the

UK, showcasing hundreds of paintings and sculptures from artists all over the world.

There will be a workshop with renowned portrait miniaturist Michael Coe on Saturday, June 8, from 10am-4pm. Places are limited and early booking is advisable by emailing rozpierson@clara.co.uk There will also be daily demonstrations of miniature painting from June 10-14.

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wellsvoice

16

May 2024

n NEWS

Band rehearsing for forthcoming events Look out for Wells City Band at a number of events in the coming months, says Tanya Flagg WELLS City Band are busy rehearsing for their summer events and looking forward to entertaining the community.

The first of these events is our Spring Concert, on Sunday, May 12, from 3.30pm-5.30pm in Cedars Hall. This concert will be raising money for our 2024 charity, The Teenage Cancer Trust. The first half will feature the Wells City Band Brass Academy and pupils from Wells Cathedral School, and the second half will be the main Wells City Band. Tickets are available from the Cedars Hall website (www. cedarshallwells.co.uk) or call the box office on 01749 674483.

On Saturday, June 1, we will be playing on the bandstand at

the Royal Bath and West Show, from 11.30am-12.10pm. Further details in the show programme.

On Saturday, July 6, we will be playing a concert in the idyllic setting of The Bishop’s Palace, gates open at 6pm, music from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Tickets available from www. bishopspalace.org.uk. Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic to eat while listening to the music.

On Saturday, August 17, we will be playing at 1.30pm to open Stokefest Village Day / Music Festival held on Stoke St Michael Playing Field. There will be something for everyone, children’s entertainers, face painting, music, bars and food.

On Sunday, September 8, we will be playing on Wells Bandstand from 3pm-4.30pm, ending our summer season with a free open air concert.

Wells Girlguiding held an Easter Bingo Night at St Thomas’ Church Hall on April 6. Family and friends enjoyed an evening of bingo as well as a raffle, run by Jackie Bradshaw and Heather Thomson, and refreshments.

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wellsvoice

May 2024

17

n NEWS

Day full of insights for furniture makers

A DAY filled with ideas, advice and encouragement for emerging and established furniture makers is taking place at Wells & Mendip Museum in May. Sustainability and gender dynamics are two of the key topics that will be discussed at the third New Makers’ Conference, organised by luxury design and joinery brand Artichoke – based in Cheddar – and The Furniture Makers’ Company.

Featuring insights from leading industry figures, the event will explore how new enterprises start and grow, routes from training into business, and how to achieve results with effective marketing, exhibiting, and retailing.

There will be discussion about building a sustainable and viable business and brand, navigating gender issues and achieving balance, and embracing sustainability

Last year’s New Makers’ Conference at Wells & Mendip Museum The New Makers’ Conference – sponsored by Artichoke, Axminster Tools and Halstock – is taking place at Wells & Mendip Museum on Friday, May 10, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

David Dewing, chairman of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s South West Region,

said: “We are very excited to once again be partnering with Artichoke on the third New Makers’ Conference. Join us for a day filled with ideas, advice and encouragement for new makers, featuring insights from leading industry figures. This event is perfect for any emerging maker,

young or old, looking to advance their career in furniture. It’s an opportunity to listen to experts, network with peers and connect with industry leaders.”

Bruce Hodgson, founder of Artichoke, said: “As heritage makers, we are committed to nurturing talent and preserving traditional handcrafting techniques for the future.

Artistry and technical skill at our level can take decades in the making which is why it’s so important to encourage young people into the craft.

“Our initiatives in partnership with the Furniture Makers’ Company and particularly the New Makers’ Conference, help to encourage, train and sustain the dedicated masters of the future.”

Tickets are £15 which includes refreshments and lunch. To learn more about the conference and book, visit NewMakersConference2024. eventbrite.co.uk

Open Day Saturday 11th May Book your place: https://wells.cathedral.school/openday admissions@wells.cathedral.school

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

18

May 2024

n NEWS

Church filled to capacity for ordination of new Minister

ON Saturday, April 6, the newly refurbished sanctuary of the Wells United Church in Union Street was packed with more than 100 church members, family and friends, in celebration for the ordination and induction of their new minister, the Rev Stephen Hawkins.

The service was led by the Rev Gary Woodall, Regional Minister from the West of England Baptist Network.

The Rev Jolyon Trickey, from ReSource, preached the sermon, with various other friends from Christians Together in the Wells Area taking part in the service, as did the Wells City Band.

The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Tanys Pullin, joined the congregation for the service, together with the leaders, ministers and members representing all the other churches in the city.

Following which refreshments were enjoyed by many of those present, in the adjacent Seager Hall.

Stephen and his wife, Diki, moved to Wells in 2019, after

Activities lined up at library

From left: the Rev Gary Woodall, Diki Hawkins, the Rev Dr Mark Hutchinson, the Rev Stephen Hawkins, the Rev Jolyon Trickey and Ian Mills spending 15 years serving as missionaries in Diki’s hometown in Manipur, North East India. There they pioneered and established the ARK, a residential community of pastoral care, discipleship and rehabilitation.

They have two young children who are attending local schools in Wells.

This special service was also shared via Zoom with family, friends and the ARK family in India.

Wells United Church is a Local Ecumenical Partnership of the Baptist and United Reform Church fellowships of Wells.

Worship services are held at 10.30am every Sunday, where everyone is warmly welcome.

Eye-catching poster created that will be auctioned to support festival and charity ILLUSTRATOR, cartoonist, animator and painter, Gary Andrews (known to tens of thousands on social media as @garyscribbler) has created and donated a striking image for the Wells Theatre Festival’s production of Macbeth which will be performed in the Bishop’s Barn, as part of the Festival which will run from June 20-23.

Each year, Wells Theatre Festival posters are signed by Festival Patron Dame Judi Dench and auctioned to support the festival. This year, the Macbeth poster will be auctioned with 50 per cent of proceeds going to UK Sepsis Trust.

Gary Andrews lost his wife Joy to sepsis in 2017. His profile became public through his

doodle a day diary which charted his grief journey.

The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST) exists to fight this life-threatening condition, stop preventable deaths and support those affected by sepsis.

Ros Johnson, Artistic Director of the Wells Theatre Festival, said: “We are so grateful to our friend Gary for creating this wonderful poster for us.

We are very excited about our production of Macbeth which is well into rehearsal now and we can promise a spellbinding evening, exploring witchcraft, prophesy and murder in the Bishop’s Barn.”

To find out more about the Festival and to book tickets, see www.wellstheatrefestival.org

More dates for pop-up bank HSBC has confirmed more dates for its pop-up bank in Wells Library. Customers will be able to seek help and advice on Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, June 20, from 9.30am-12pm on each occasion.

Six-week Nature Course at Palace

The Macbeth poster has been created by illustrator, cartoonist, animator and painter Gary Andrews

Got a news story for Wells Voice? Please email news@wellsvoice.co.uk

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

THE following events are coming up at Wells Library in May: n Switch Club: The popular Nintendo Switch Club will take place on Saturday, May 11, and Saturday, May 25, at 10.30am.

For children aged seven and up.

Free of charge, booking essential – email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk n Ancestry Group: Interested in ancestry? The library is running a group on the first Tuesday of every month, with the next session taking place on Tuesday, May 7. Book a one-hour session at either 2pm or 3pm.

Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk n IT Help Sessions: Need help with a new device? A one-hour session can be booked with a volunteer on Wednesdays at 10.30am or 11.30am, or Thursdays at 10.30am or 11.30am. Email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk for more information or to book a place. n Wells Dementia Action Alliance Information Morning: Members of Wells Dementia Action Alliance will be in Wells Library from 10am12pm on Wednesday, May 15, to show two short videos from the Alzheimer’s Society, hand out fact sheets and provide information on how Wells is a Dementia Friendly City. This is a drop-in event.

A FREE Nature Course for neurodiverse people (small contributions welcome) will run at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, from May 9 to June 13 between 10.30am and 1.30pm.

People who identify as neurodiverse or have a diagnosis and would like to join or find out more should email layla@ diverseuk.org

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

19

n NEWS Plans to create flats approved

The wedding party pose for a photo before Andy Laight starts the trishaw tour of the city centre

Special trishaw journey fulfils wedding request WELLS Community Network (WCN) were happy to help when they received a request for the use of their trishaw at a wedding in Wells.

The happy couple, Conrad and Sam Burrows, had heard about the trishaw and asked if it could take the bridegroom’s mother from their wedding at

Wells Town Hall to the reception in the Fountain Inn. As she is very elderly and living with dementia WCN were pleased to agree. Her friend, who is equally frail, joined her in the trishaw.

Once the wedding pictures were taken, WCN trishaw pilot Andy Laight took the elderly couple on a guided tour of Wells

city centre. This included stops at the Cathedral and Vicars’ Close before arriving at the Fountain Inn on St Thomas Street.

The trishaw was never intended to be used at weddings but WCN made an exception because of the mental health and frailty of the bridegroom’s elderly parents.

AMENDED plans have been approved for the former Wells Police Station on Glastonbury Road to become retirement flats.

Churchill Retirement Ltd submitted plans in August 2023 to convert the buildings into 47 apartments for the over-60s.

Somerset Council’s planning committee east voted in March to delay a decision for more talks on the amount of car parking and contributions for new affordable homes elsewhere in Wells. The same committee voted on April 2 to grant permission.

The developer has agreed to provide £200,000 towards other affordable housing schemes in the city, and will also provide £17,484 towards new or expanded local NHS facilities.

Councillor Martin Dimery described the offer of an additional parking space as “tokenism”, but added: “I can’t see how they can put any more in given the plan that they’ve got.”

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wellsvoice

20

May 2024

n NEWS

The latest news from the Wells Rocks team What could you be doing at the Wells Contemporary Music Centre?

The Wells Rocks supported rehearsal facilities at the Portway Annexe are now consistently in use in the evenings (from 6pm onwards). This is great and demonstrates the local demand for them. There are however plenty of slots available in the mornings and afternoons if you would like to get together with friends to make music.

Pop into the Portway Annexe and get Alex Westwood or his colleagues to show you around.

As a result of many donations, the well-equipped facilities

Picture: Shepton Mallet Big Band

Some rehearsal slots available, and Big Band coming soon may surprise you, and work is continuing to make them even more flexible.

The next White Hart Session: Friday, May 3 – Shepton Mallet Big Band Last month it was country and western, this month, an evening of big band music from the swinging 1940s through to rock and soul music of the 1970s with Shepton Mallet Big Band (SMBB). The SMBB is proud to support local music talent as part of the White Hart Sessions which support the Wells Rocks contemporary music initiative at Wells’ Portway Annexe. This is a rare opportunity to see the SMBB in Wells and ticket availability is limited.

Shepton Mallet Big Band will be at the White Hart on May 3

The Shepton Mallet Big Band was established more than 30 years ago, when what started as a local saxophone jazz quartet specialising in music from the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, grew into a Big Band.

The band today is a vibrant group of about 20 enthusiastic musicians in a standard line-up

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Their repertoire includes music from the golden big band era of the 1940s, including Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Louis, Ella and Sinatra and also contemporary funk and soul style music such as pieces by Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Imelda May. The members are keen to bring live instrumental and vocal music of all kinds to everyone.

Performances at events include: the King Charles III Coronation celebrations in 2023, the Royal Bath & West Show for the last few years, Shepton Mallet Collett Park Day and providing music for suppers, parties, dances and other events around the county. They have an exciting year ahead in 2024 with several events in the diary including the Glastonbury Extravaganza in August supporting headliners Keane. This should be another fun night, supporting local talent and Wells’ community music facilities.

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wellsvoice

May 2024

21

n NEWS

Two winners a first at grant-giving event AT the latest Wells SOUP! grantgiving lunch, there were two winners for the first time.

Mendip Community Credit Union and Sing2breathe were both awarded £350 after audience votes were counted up, while Focus Counselling and TIME – The International Music Exchange each received £118.

The SOUP! event had a full house as usual when it took place at the Connect Centre on April 6.

After the soup – provided

by Fresh and Good – and rolls, audience members settled down to hear stained glass artist Edgar Phillips, winner of the largest amount of money at the previous SOUP!, describe how the funds had helped two people benefit from his experience days.

Then it was on to the pitches for funds this time around.

Tamsin Smith of TIME – The International Music Exchange explained how the organisation brings together musicians for the

From left, Tamsin Smith, Sue Marland, Paddy O’Hagan, Kim Robinson and Kate Lynch WOWFest orchestral weekend in Wells every other year, and this year is creating a community chorus to perform Beethoven’s Ode to Joy in Wells Cathedral.

Kate Lynch discussed how she set up Sing2breathe, and said

there are now three groups, one in Wells. She said that singing is used as a means to help people who have conditions such as COPD and asthma to manage their breathlessness.

Kim Robinson of Mendip

Community Credit Union said the group would like to encourage youngsters to save, as junior membership has declined.

Their plan is to buy piggy banks that can be given out to reward children who start saving, with the money saved being recorded in a savings book, perhaps in conjunction with the library.

Sue Marland said that the Wells Focus Counselling group was set up nearly a year ago, and counsellors are currently seeing 60 people. She said that people can self-refer, and that they cover a wide range of counselling needs.

As well as Fresh and Good, contributors to the lunch included Burns the Bread, Bishop’s Eye, Morrisons and Karen Young, while Bowley’s Garage donated £350. They were all thanked by MC Paddy O’Hagan.

The next SOUP! will be on Saturday, July 6.

NestledJoin between Shepton Mallet and us for our next Frome, All Hallows is a one of a kind Prep Open Morning School welcoming children ages 3 to 13.

Saturday 7th October Join us for our next Open Morning Saturday 4th May

We warmly welcome you and your family to explore our wonderfully unique school.

Alternatively, contact us to book a bespoke tour at your own convenience.

01749 881609 | admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk | www.allhallowsschool.co.uk East Cranmore, Somerset, BA4 4SF | 01749 881609 | admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk | www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

22

May 2024

n NEWS

Chance to hand over unwanted tech items

WELLS residents will have an opportunity in May to hand over unwanted tech items that can be passed on to those in digital need.

The Fixy van will be coming to Wells Little Theatre between 11am and 2pm on Wednesday, May 29, for a pop-up ‘tech amnesty’ organised by Wells Repair Cafe and the Fixy project.

This project collects unwanted devices of all kinds, wipes their data and then resets and refurbishes them before passing them on to people who are digitally excluded.

The devices could be old phones, laptops, tablets, pcs, cables and chargers which are no longer used and which people don’t know what to do with.

More details about what can be collected and how to prepare devices for donation can be

found at www.somerset.gov.uk/ bins-recycling-and-waste/fixy/ It is planned that a few of Wells Repair Cafe’s volunteer fixers will also be at this event, so people will be welcome to take broken items for them to mend.

Contact Amanda at repaircafe. wells@gmail.com with any questions about this.

People with a large number of unwanted electronic items to donate should contact Simon Barfoot at donateit@ blackmoreuk.com Fixy is a project designed to keep unwanted electricals and smart tech out of the waste stream across Somerset. After Norway, the UK is said to be the biggest creator of e-waste per capita in the world, collectively hoarding an estimated 35 million items in our homes – about 20 items in each household.

PEBBLES

Adorable lady who will brighten every day This adorable little lady is PEBBLES, an approximately 10-month-old female who is looking for her forever home.

Pebbles came into our care as a badly injured stray and sadly lost her eye due to her injuries, but she hasn’t let that stop her or slow her down, and she has no troubles at all getting around.

She is nervous around new people but once she trusts you her sweet, affectionate, playful personality shines through. She’s a vocal little lady who isn’t afraid to show her love for her people and will always brighten your day.

She is looking for a nice, quiet, slow-paced home with no children and where there are no dogs or other cats. Something rural with lots of space for her to explore would be perfect and it must be a safe area away from any fast, main or busy roads.

If you think you can offer this special girl the perfect home that she deserves please fill out an online application form for her.

Or phone 01749 850660.

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection

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

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To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

New live performance venue Studio24 in Wells was packed for its opening night on March 28. Launching proceedings were local band Airflo, followed by Queen tribute band QE2. Studio24 will offer a range of live music nights, stand-up comedy and stage shows.

Minor injuries units renamed

Refusal of plans for restaurant

SIX of Somerset’s minor injuries units (MIU) have been renamed Urgent Treatment Centres (or UTC for short).

The UTCs, which are run

by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, provide the same service as the MIU, from the same team of specialist nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants, and the name change just brings them in line with units across the country.

Somerset’s UTCs run seven days a week, from 8am to 9pm (last patient at 8.30pm), from the community hospitals in Shepton Mallet, West Mendip (Glastonbury), Bridgwater, Chard, Frome and Minehead.

PLANS for a restaurant in the former Post Office building in Market Place, Wells, have been rejected by Somerset Council.

The planning application sought change of use of the vacant building to restaurant, as well as internal and external alterations including repainting render, removal of security bars, restoring dressed stone panels, the provision of a kitchen extraction vent and enlarging windows at the rear.

The council was concerned that the development proposed would have a detrimental impact on the character of the listed building and the Wells Conservation Area.

Freecycle event £20,000 raised THE next Sustainable Wells Freecycle event will take place at the Good Earth Car Park on Sunday, May 19, from 1pm2.30pm. The aim is to recycle items and keep them out of landfill. People donating items are asked to arrive by 1.30pm at the latest.

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance held a Gala Dinner on March 23 at the Crown Hotel in Blandford Forum in celebration of the life-saving charity’s 24th anniversary.

Attended by 100 guests, the night of fundraising included a raffle and auction, and raised £20,000.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

23

n NEWS

More people sought to join spinathon A FUNDRAISING spinathon event in Wells in July continues to gather momentum but still needs the support of the local community.

The family of Poppy Garton are raising money for a specialist piece of mobility equipment for her – an Innowalk. Poppy was left with an acquired brain injury resulting from an illness at 23 months old and the Innowalk will help her to exercise and remain healthy.

The fundraising goal of £9,000 has got off to a good start with sponsorship of more than £1,000 already and many individuals putting their name down for the marathon 12-hour spinathon on Saturday, July 20.

Poppy said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the kind and generous support so far. It’s really amazing that my local community are stepping up to help me stay healthy into my adulthood.”

The spinathon will be held on the forecourt of Kingdom Training Gym on the Keward estate and will involve 20 bikes continuously spinning from 7am to 7pm. It is being managed by Lou Sanders

Poppy Garton with Scott Hurley, owner of Kingdom Training Gym local fitness instructor Rachel Rostron, who said: “I’ve sent out sponsorship forms to individuals who have committed to spin for the full 12 hours. This will really boost our campaign, but we still have many spin bikes currently empty and we need more people to come forward to spin for an hour at £10, or for longer.”

People interested in taking part should email Rachel at Rachel.rr@sky.com She added: “I welcome

any team entries and I’d urge those who might also be able to access match-funding through their employer to step up. I’m confident we can maximise the impact this way.”

There will also be an online auction on July 20, and Poppy’s mother, Lisa Reakes, who lives in South Horrington with her daughter, has been approaching local individuals and businesses for their support by way of a donated gift.

She has already received vouchers for entry to local attractions and towards services (such as massages and craft classes), and tickets to music events.

She said: “I’ve been humbled by the success of my requests to local people but the response from larger businesses has been a bit hit-and-miss. Many businesses only support registered charities so I’m still looking for some high-value gifts which will hopefully generate significant interest in the auction and thereby raise a lot of cash.”

Individuals or businesses able to donate a product or service (big or small), are invited

Still chance to see comedy stars THERE are still tickets available to some shows at this year’s Wells Comedy Festival.

The event takes place over the weekend of May 24-26, when some of the biggest names in comedy will be making an appearance in Wells.

Several shows have already

to contact Lisa at lisareakes@ mailbox.org Lisa added: “I’d like to thank all those who have already generously donated a gift towards the auction and especially a shout out to local plumbing merchant Premier Plumbing who have sponsored the event itself, so that our event running costs are covered.”

The event can be sponsored now at https://www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ keepmewalking and there will be Wells Spinathon collection boxes up and down the high street in Loaf cafe, Bijou Salon (both at 38 Market Street), Whiting & Son, The Good Earth Natural Foods, and City News.

Lisa said: “A lot of planning and time is going in to this event in July, with lots of support from volunteers going on in the background. I really hope readers are able to support this event by participating in the spinathon itself, making a donation or donating a gift to the auction. We desperately need your help to achieve our overall fundraising target of £24,000.

Please get involved today.”

Priya Hall

sold out, including those by Nish Kumar, James Acaster and Harry Hill, and tickets for others are selling fast. But there is still availability for the likes of John Kearns, Lou Sanders and Priya Hall.

For the full line-up and to buy tickets, go to wellscomfest.com

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wellsvoice

May 2024

25

n ELECTIONS

Meet Police and Crime Commissioner candidates VOTERS are being asked to decide who should be in overall charge of Avon and Somerset Police for the next four years.

On May 2, elections will be held across the region to vote for the next Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, or PCC. The Avon and Somerset Police Area includes Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Somerset Council.

Coming with a salary of

£88,600, the PCC’s role is to oversee the force, ensuring it is “efficient and effective”.

The PCC’s powers include: n Hiring and firing the chief constable, and holding them to account for running the force. n Setting objectives for the area through a police and crime plan. n Setting the budget and determining the precept charge paid by council tax payers. n Contributing to national and international policing capabilities. n Bringing together community

safety and criminal justice partners, to ‘join up’ local priorities. n Funding crime prevention services.

The PCC since 2021 has been Conservative Mark Shelford, who was elected to the role in an election postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic.

He took over from independent Sue Mountstevens, who stepped down having been in the post since it was created in 2012.

The election will take place on

Thursday, May 2. Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

Anyone voting in person will need to take photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence.

For more information on the election, visit the website www.aspccelections.co.uk Four political parties have announced candidates. They were asked them to send a short biography and manifesto to outline their priorities.

They appear below in the order they will be on the ballot paper:

Benet Allen

Katy Grant

Clare Moody

Mark Shelford

Born in Taunton, has worked in TV news and for a coach company. Former deputy leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council. Male voice choir singer and hospital charity fundraiser.

I am a councillor in Bristol, and an Avon and Somerset Magistrate.

Before that, I worked for 20 years overseas with the UN on child protection and violence against women.

Clare brings rich experience, from her current role as CEO of a charity to her time spent working in No 10. She previously represented our region as an MEP

Mark has over 35 years of experience of serving our country in the military and local government and has been your PCC since 2021. Resides in Bath with his family.

The Lib Dem plan for the police: Make policing more visible and community-orientated.

Increase prosecution rates for serious and violent crime.

Help police to work with integrity and without discrimination.

Focus on ‘broken windows’ – small crimes that damage confidence and trust.

Predict and provide policing to help tackle rural crime as well as urban crime.

Help make sure offenders don’t do it again – most want to ‘go straight’.

As Police Commissioner, I will prioritise preventing crime, working with community to support youth services and tackle the social causes of crime. Knife crime in cities will be a focus, with more visible neighbourhood policing and greater services to victims and families. To address poor performance and prejudice within the force, I will enhance the independence of misconduct panels, while recognising the integrity of the vast majority of officers. Above all, we will police by consent; and I will work tirelessly with the Avon and Somerset Police to get closer to and regain the trust of the communities we serve.

Investing in neighbourhood policing – to build safer communities and help prevent and solve crime.

Supporting victims of crime – making sure victims are properly listened to, and get the help they need when they need it.

Prioritising reducing violent crime – the scale of violent crime, including knife crime and violence against women and girls, isn’t inevitable but it needs focus and commitment to fix it.

Preventing crime – work with agencies across the public sector and civil society to prevent crime and build safer communities.

Restoring trust and confidence in the police – enabling the police to take pride in high standards.

When elected, Mark pledged more police, a focus on tackling serious crime and to represent every community when holding the police to account. He has delivered. The constabulary has trained over 1,500 new officers, is the best force for illegal drug disruptions and has seen a 300 per cent increase in rape cases reaching court by designing a nationally acclaimed investigation model.

He appointed a courageous Chief Constable determined to restore trust in policing.

Mark will prioritise crime prevention, tackling anti-social behaviour and violence against women. He remains committed to reducing re-offending, supporting skills programmes for prisoners and ensuring victims receive support.

Liberal Democrats

Green

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Labour

Conservative

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

26

May 2024

n NEWS

Fascination with examples of samplers AN organisation that supports lifelong learning and community connections has been working with care venues during March and April to deliver its most recent interactive presentation based on samplers and stitching.

The organisation, Museum To You (MTY), has photographs of some of the more significant sampler pieces that are exhibited at Wells & Mendip Museum.

One of the samplers on display belongs to the Parfitt family, who have a significant name in Somerset and are linked to Wells Cathedral.

Moreover, some of the other examples are created by children as young as five years old.

These samplers mainly focus on the alphabet, and the amount of detail present in them is described as extraordinary.

MTY was able to enhance the photo collection with some modern samplers that were loaned to it by Marilyn Cattel,

tactile display. There was great fascination with the pieces, MTY said, adding that it was a pleasure to see older adults with disabilities connect with their past as they viewed, interacted

and reflected on these works of art.

Museum To You collaborates with local volunteers to support its delivery ethos. It facilitates small groups, which enables each person to take their time to assimilate what they are seeing and hearing.

It says it has found that the audience’s knowledge on handicrafts has led to lively discussions and information sharing, as well as the memories created together.

After admiring the samplers, everyone was encouraged to participate in a hands-on stitching project. MTY’s core value is inclusivity, so it works closely with the care venue staff to ensure that the activity is adapted to the individual needs of each participant.

The sewing exercise was a great success, and participants’ initial reluctance has been seen to turn into a sense of pride, achievement, and even some friendly competition.

MTY received funding to deliver this mobile museum topic from the Arts Society Mendip to enable it to continue its work in taking artistic work to care locations in Somerset.

A previous initiative saw MTY take 400-year-old tiles from The Bishop’s Palace to show clients of The Lawrence Centre.

To contact the organisation, email suzannah@museumtoyou. co.uk

Film screening

Nature on view

WOOKEY Hole Cinema will be showing Anatomy of a Fall on Sunday, May 12, at 7.30pm.

Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the screenplay keeps the jury and the viewers guessing as the complexities of the marriage between German wife (Sandra Hüller) and French speaking husband emerge in the trial at which she is accused of her husband’s murder.

The venue is upstairs at Wookey Hole Club. Tickets on the door: Wookey Hole Club Members £6, Guests £8.

More information at wookeyholecinemaclub.weebly. com

AN Open Day is being held at Greenbush Nature Reserve next to Greenfields Cemetery, Doctors Hill, Wookey, on Saturday, June 22, from 11am-4pm.

This is a young four-acre nature reserve started in 2014, with 1,200 trees, meadow and new this year, three ponds.

There will be plants, refreshments and advice at the Open Day. Admission by donation to Somerset Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation.

Help on the day, cakes and plants will be very welcome, as well as pond plants and pond edging for the new ponds. Email: susanmbates@hotmail.co.uk

the museum’s treasurer. Marilyn loaned her own work which has received much admiration.

Visits have been made locally to The Lawrence Centre, Crandon Springs and Fletcher House. The audience had the opportunity to handle these samplers, which were crafted using a variety of techniques resulting in a colourful and

Care home residents and community centre users have been able to view a selection of samplers, and take part in a stitching project

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

n NEWS

27

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Building regulations – enforcement period changes

By Heather Scobie

Explorer Backpacks will help children learn more about Wells Cathedral

Backpacks offer fun new way to explore CHILDREN and young people from three years upwards will be able to discover Wells Cathedral’s history, stories and special places in an interactive and fun way with the help of new Explorer Backpacks.

The backpacks have been designed to include all the tools needed to explore and discover Wells Cathedral and will complement new activity cards which, together with a map, create a new children’s trail.

When discovering a location on the map, backpack carriers will be encouraged to find the matching activity card and the corresponding item from the bag. In the Quire, for example, they can look for the organ then play the organ sound box. At the clock, watching the jousting knights will prompt backpackholders to ring a bell.

With other tools to explore, including mini embroidered cushions to smell, a magnifying glass for close-up viewing, cuddly

soft toy cats to stroke and a compass to help lead the way, it is hoped that the backpacks and trail will really help to bring a visit to Wells Cathedral to life.

Jessica Witchell, Learning Manager, said: “Wells Cathedral already welcomes many families who enjoy our popular holiday activities of trails, crafts, music and storytelling. Now we’ve added something to help young people and their families interact with the special places in the Cathedral during their visit.

“We have focused on making the trail suitable for anyone who wants to experience the Cathedral using their senses and the backpacks contain lots of sensory items to help families engage with the building. There are plenty of ‘hands on’ things to see and do.”

Explorer Backpacks are included with admission for the duration of the visit and can be picked up from the Cathedral’s Welcome Desk on arrival.

Learning courses at Heads Up A RANGE of Community Learning Courses are taking place at Heads Up in South Horrington.

Courses starting in May include Woodwork Developer, Gardening Developer and Five Ways to Wellbeing Developer.

These courses are free for Somerset residents not in education, employment or

training, or with an income of under £25,000 per annum.

For more information on all the courses and to book a place see the Somerset Skills & Learning website (sslcourses. co.uk). For support signing up to courses online phone 03300 332 7997, or call Heads Up on 01749 670667 to enrol on a paper form at the Heads Up centre.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

AS a result of Section 39 of the Building Safety Act 2022, the enforcement period under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984 has been changed to ten years and also amends penalties for breaches of building regulations such as increasing fines.

This was brought into force on October 1, 2023.

This is the time limit during which rectification in respect of contravention of building regulations can be required by the local authority – the period in which they can serve a Section 36(6) Building Act notice for breach of building regulations.

This is likely to mean that indemnity policies will become more expensive as the risk of enforcement is greater. Of course these indemnity policies only compensate the insured in case of local authority enforcement, they do not compensate the insured if the work happens to be inadequate or shoddy, there must be enforcement.

There is a question mark over whether the legislation is retrospective. This is not very helpful to conveyancers or their clients. An enforcement notice must now be served within ten years from the date of completion of the building work which is in breach of building regulations.

The enforcement notice will give the building owner 28 days

to carry out the required work, failing which building control have power to do this at the owner/occupier’s cost.

The legislation does not make it clear whether the extended enforcement period is retrospective but there is quite a strong argument that the new ten-year limitation period applies only to work completed after October 1, 2023.

Penalties for breaches of building regulations have been amended

‘There is a question mark over whether the legislation is retrospective’ The arguments for this are that, generally speaking, legislation does not have retrospective effect and, where it does have retrospective effect, this is normally made clear in the legislation. n Heather Scobie is a Partner with Chubb Bulleid, a local firm with offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

Website chubb-bulleid.co.uk

Offices in Wells, Street and Somerton Tel: 01749 836100

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

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May 2024

wellsvoice

29

n NEWS

Celebration of Scouting achievements Charity cyclist THE 5th/7th Wells Scout Group had a Top Awards Evening on Wednesday, March 20. The young people in Scouting work towards various badges, and the evening celebrated their achievements.

Five Beaver Scouts, Stanley, Logan, Wilf, Flo and Monty, received their Bronze Award, while four Cub Scouts, Zac, Henry, Oliver and Katie, received their Silver Award. These are the highest awards for their respective age groups.

Three Explorer Scouts, Lottie, Geoff and Rob, were awarded their Silver DofE, and Matt The adult award-winners, from left, Carol Austin, Andrew Yeates, Amy was presented with his Young White and Michelle Hammond Leaders Award, for volunteering Wood Beads for completing in Scouting for more than 20 with the Scouts for four years (in record time) all her Scout years, he has made an enormous and completing his training. leader training. Andrew Yeates, contribution to Scouting in Several adult leaders also the Scout group treasurer and Wells and it has given everyone received awards: Carol Austin, trustee, received a Chief Scouts great pleasure that he has been five years in service; Michelle Commendation for Good Service. recognised by the UK Scout Hammond, ten years in service; Pennys pageher ad.qxp_Layout 1Andrew 14/02/2024 15:40involved Page 1 has been Association for his service. and AmyGroup Whitehalf gained

calling at city

WELLS Rotary, along with Rotary clubs up and down the country, is helping a Rotarian who is cycling 1,189 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Peter Delaney, aged 64, is setting off on a five-week cycle ride on April 26 to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research after his wife Maureen died from MND. He will arrive in Wells on May 3 where he will stay the night, and Wells Rotary will be laying on bacon butties for him and his support team before waving them off again from The Crown in Wells Market Place on May 4. Anybody who would like to join them for a bacon butty or to make a donation, or even to cycle some of the route with Peter, will be welcome.

The cycle marathon is scheduled to finish at John O’Groats on May 30.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

30

May 2024

n NEWS

Work starts to make road junction safer SOMERSET Council is taking action to reduce deaths and serious injuries at a notorious collision site a few miles from Wells.

Work will be carried out by the council’s contractor Octavius to realign the junction of the B3135 and B3134, known as the Miner’s Arms Junction, near Priddy. The council says that drivers regularly fail to stop, despite clear signage, and that traffic is usually travelling at speed from all directions.

According to Avon and Somerset Police figures, in the last 20 years there have been 35 known collisions at the site, but it is suspected that there have been a significant number of other, unreported incidents.

Of the 35 reported collisions, there have been 11 serious collisions, three of which were

fatal. In the last seven years there have been two fatalities, two serious collisions and eight other less serious collisions.

Work starts on Monday, April 29, and the scheme is expected to be complete by July.

It involves junction realignment, including a new section of road and associated landscaping; signing; lining; drainage work and a reduced speed limit. It is anticipated most of the work will be done using temporary traffic lights, although some short closures will be required and advance notice of these will be given nearer the time.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Head of Roads Policing at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “The proposed changes are a positive step towards reducing the potential for collisions.”

A harp and trumpet recital by Jess Hughes and Cameron Chin-See at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, on April 4 was very well attended, and raised £440 for Young Lives vs Cancer

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

31

n ON THE BEAT

Give us true picture by reporting thefts AS we are entering May and the finer weather, I hope you all get to enjoy the 822nd Wells May Charter Fair on May the 4th, those of you who are Star Wars fans may be otherwise engaged.

This month I will focus on shoplifting in Wells. We take thefts from shops seriously and encourage store workers to report incidents, especially when threats or violence is used.

It may feel that we are suffering greater than other areas within Somerset, however the statistics do not support this feeling.

In Wells, as I write this, we have seen 36 reported thefts from shops in the past three months, 63 per cent of which have been from the main supermarkets. Annually reports of shoplifting across Somerset are lower than the force average and Wells accounts for less than 3.5 per cent of all shop theft in Somerset. Almost 12 per cent of reported shop theft in the city

The latest from the local policing team with PC Darren Pearson has a positive outcome, either through charges or out-of-court disposals.

There has been a nationwide increase in reported shoplifting offences and that is reflected across Avon and Somerset. We are encouraged by increased reporting, as we know that previously shop theft has been significantly under-reported.

While we have to prioritise all calls based on the level of threat, harm and risk, any incident in which there has been violence or a suspect remains on the scene will be prioritised, as well as when evidence needs to be

promptly secured or forensically examined. This is in accordance with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Retail Crime Action Plan that was released in October 2023.

We are working to make it easier to report online and upload CCTV and the statements necessary to support our investigations in a timely way, and a new team within our Incident Assessment Unit is now focused on prolific offenders.

The city’s neighbourhood policing team is available to work with stores’ staff and security teams to offer safety advice. Where repeat and prolific offenders have been identified, officers encourage shops to issue civil banning letters, which, if ignored, can provide evidence to enable action to be taken under Anti-Social Behaviour legislation.

This legislation has been used successfully to target persistent offenders with orders which can

be used both to tackle unwanted behaviour, such as barring them from certain shopping areas, and to require positive action, like engaging with support.

We are aware of the local shops’ WhatsApp group, however police are unable to join this group for legal reasons (GDPR, PACE) but are working on proposals for a radio link scheme joining stores with police and council CCTV staff.

I would encourage all shops to report every incident of shoplifting so that we have an accurate picture of what is taking place here in Wells.

Your local neighbourhood team, three PCSOs and two PCs are committed to dealing with all offenders through the justice system where there is evidence. If you witness someone shoplifting, inform the store.

Remember, this is our city, let’s make it as unappealing to shoplifters as we can.

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Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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32

May 2024

n NEWS

Resident celebrates her 103rd birthday A RESIDENT at Crandon Springs care home in Wells has celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Emma Pyecroft was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she marked the occasion by enjoying the company of plenty of wellwishers.

A champagne reception was held at the home with Emma and her guests enjoying a special birthday cake prepared by the home’s head chef Stuart Constable.

This was Emma’s fourth birthday at Crandon Springs and she received dozens of cards from fellow Barchester Healthcare residents, stretching all the way from Falmouth up to Bristol.

Most of Emma’s life was spent in the theatre where she was a highly accomplished ballet dancer. However, when she was 18, she decided to “do her bit for the country” and worked as an

Emma Pyecroft celebrating her birthday, and in her ballet dancing days ambulance driver for the ARP Ambulance Brigade in Sheffield.

Her stories of those days have been recalled in national press and hardback publications, as well as being on display at the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield.

Emma said that she was

“quite taken aback” by the amount of cards and flowers received from well-wishers for her birthday, but said that she “had had a wonderful day with the family”.

Among those relatives attending was Emma’s daughter Jenny who took some photos

of Emma in her theatre days to share with guests.

Speaking about her mother’s milestone birthday, Jenny said: “Emma is an incredible mum, grandmother and now greatgrandmother first and foremost, but an extraordinary woman who has lived a quite remarkable life and we are so very proud of her and so pleased to be able to spend this very special day with her.”

Alexandria Bowman, General Manager of Barchester Crandon Springs, said: “It’s such an honour to be celebrating another birthday with Emma, she is such an inspiration to us all here and is very popular amongst both residents and staff alike.

She is so engaging and has so many fascinating stories to tell, above all though she is so proud of her family, often reading poetry written by her greatgranddaughter to other residents in the Poetry Club.”

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Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

n IN DAYS GONE BY

33

With Clare Blackmore

Soothing syrup could sometimes be fatal

MRS Winslow’s Soothing Syrup The coroner then expressed was advertised in the newspapers the hope that through the of the mid to late 1800s to the medium of the press the 1930s as a patent medicine injurious effect of syrup of which claimed to “effectively poppies should be made widely quiet restless infants and small known in order to prevent the children especially for teething”. use of it.

The other two primary No less than 40 cases had ingredients were morphine come his way and he thought and alcohol and the syrup, not that a stringent measure surprisingly, relieved pain but it should be passed to prevent the could be fatal to children even in indiscriminate sale of such a small doses. mixture.

In 1906 the Pure Food and Dr Purnell then requested Mr Drug Act required the listing of Flooks to be careful to whom he ingredients such as opiates but sold the mixture and a juryman Mrs Winslow’s Syrup continued suggested that in future the for sale until 1930. By then the bottles should be labelled with syrup had acquired the nickname “Poison”. that in a teaspoon and a half “the baby killer”.

The jury then decided that there would be three or four In November 1857 the infant the child “Died of an overdose drops of opium. son of Wells Police Sergeant of soothing syrup containing Dr Purnell had no doubt Boug, Benjamin Charles opium”. that this amount had caused the Boug, died at the age of eight Estimates suggest that death of the child. months after being given an thousands of babies and He also stated that an “administration of syrup of children died from the overdose, extraordinary number of infant poppies” at his home in Priest addiction or withdrawal from deaths were caused this way.

Row. these soothing syrups.

An inquest was held at the City Arms public house.

In the early and midVictorian age inquests were frequently held in public houses because there was enough space for a body to be viewed, a table for the 12 jurymen, the coroner, Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was witnesses, and reporters. In advertised as being helpful for Wells there are records of children who were teething; the No need for an expensive care home inquests being held at the inns City Arms, seen in a picture from and hotels all over the city. an old Wells Journal, was the venue It was not until later in the for an inquest into the death of a Stay independent at home with your own live in carer 19th century and early in the police officer’s son who had been No need for an expensive care 20th century that dedicated given ‘syrup of poppies’ Many people want to stay in home their own home as they get olde coroners courts began to appear.

No need for an expensive care home Stay independent at home with your own No need for an expensive care home live in carer In Wells a body would be fell heavily upon its mother’s No need for a Stay independent at home with your own want live into carer held until the inquest at the Many people stay in their own home as they get older arm. She becameStay alarmed and independent at home with your own liveaninproviding carer Featherbed Care has been live in carers since 198 No need for expensive care home Wells Union Workhouse on sent for to Drstay Purnell whoown did home as they get olderNo No need for home Many people want in their an expensive expensivecare care home Stay independent at Noneed need for for an an expensive care home Many want to stay in their own home as they get older Glastonbury Road. everything he couldpeople to restore WeCare believe in independent only the at very care affordable co Stay independent at homebest with your your ownat livean in carer carer your own live in carer Stay with own live in Featherbed hasStay been providing live in carers since 1986 independent at home home with your own in carer Stay independent home with your own livelive inpeople carer The inquest heard the father, consciousness but the child Many want to sta Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since 1986 Many people want to stay in their own home as they get older believe the people very best care at antheir affordable cost Police Sergeant Boug, state continued in a kind We of stupor and in onlyMany want to stay own home as they get older Many people want tocarers stay in in their own home as as they get get olderolder Many people want to stay in their own home they Featherbed Care has been providing live in since 1986 We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost that the deceased was eight convulsed until its death. believethe in only the very best care at has an affordable cost months old and that for the four The bottleWe containing Featherbed Care been providing providing live in in carers since since 1986 Featherbed Care has be Featherbed Care has been been live carers Featherbed Care has providing live in an carers since 1986 1986 nights prior to his death his syrup was given to Dr Purnell.

We believe in only the very best care at affordable cost Featherbed Care has been providing live in carers since We believe in 1986 only the v We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost son had been very restless and Dr Purnell told the jury that We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost We believe in only the very best care at an affordable cost by the advice of Mrs Farrow, the symptoms showed by the a neighbour, his wife went to child were occasioned by the Mr Flooks the chemist for a syrup. Mrs Boug and Mrs Farrow pennyworth of syrup of poppies. were unaware that the syrup Mrs Farrow advised that the contained opium. child should be given a teaspoon Dr Purnell had not examined Call for a brochure Call for a brochure today and a half of the syrup. the strength of the opium in today 0117 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 This was administered and the9860710 bottle but/ said that it was 0117 9860710 / Freephone:for 0800a 111 4885 brochure today Call for a brochureCall today featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk in a quarter of an hour the child Email: estimated that it contained one Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Call/ for for a brochure brochure today today Call for a brochure today Call a 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 / Freephone: 0800 111for 4885 Call a brochure 0800 today111 4885 became very sleepy and its head grainwww.featherbedhomecare.co.uk of opium to the 0117 ounce 9860710 and 0117 9860710 9860710 Freephone: www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 111 4885 4885 0117 //// Freephone: 0800 0117 9860710 Freephone: 0800 111 4885 Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: Email: Call for a brochure today Call fo Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk The deadline for the June edition is May 22www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 /

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34

May 2024

n NEWS Theatre defibrillator fundraising effort A FUNDRAISER has been started to pay for the installation of a defibrillator at Wells Little Theatre.

The theatre holds four major events a year, with an average of five performances per event.

If all of these events sold out, nearly 3,500 people would pass through the doors each year.

But with the increased cost of running performances, most of the theatre’s annual budget goes towards production costs.

Wells Little Theatre Committee say that as a pillar of the local community, they would love the opportunity to install a defibrillator in the theatre, but they need the help of the local community.

Anybody who would like to donate can do so at https:// gofund.me/ffbd5001

Burglary and car theft charges A MAN appeared at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court on April 3 charged with dwelling burglary and the theft of a car earlier this year.

Anthony Rodriguez-Taylor, aged 24, from Sea Mills, Bristol, was remanded in custody pending a further appearance at Taunton Crown Court on May 7.

The charge came after thieves gained entry to a house in Wookey in the early hours of February 22. While the household slept, the burglars took car keys and a black Land Rover Discovery, registration KN68 XJM, was stolen. The vehicle has not been recovered.

Benefit evening for Gaza raises £4,000 A PALESTINIAN Benefit Evening at Wells Town Hall raised £4,000 for Humanity & Inclusion’s emergency Appeal for Gaza.

The event on April 13 was organised by Wells Refugee Aid, and sold out several days in advance.

The audience heard speakers, Palestinian poetry and music, and were treated to a dance class followed by a Palestinian buffet.

“Our kitchen team had prepared a typical meal which was served to more than 120

by online auction on April 17, but a message on the website of auctioneers Hollis Morgan says: “Postponed to May auction due to delay with legal pack”.

St Cuthbert Out Parish Council and local residents oppose the sale of the Somerset Council-owned land, which they want to keep as green space and a safe play area for children.

New Jobs & Careers Fair announced

Wells Rotary members give a lift in a sedan chair to Mayor Tanys Pullin

Sedan chair race plans progressing MEMBERS of Wells Rotary are making progress with the organisation of The Great Sedan Chair Steeplechase which will take place at Wells Recreation Ground on Sunday, September 29.

Teams of five are being invited to build their own sedan chair and enter the races around a 0.7km course on the Rec. There will probably be three obstacles to clear, and teams will have to swap who is sitting in the sedan chair at some point on the circuit.

“We’re looking forward to having as many local teams as possible take part,” said Jon Savery, who is co-ordinating

the event with the help of other Rotary members.

“Teams will be required to be in fancy dress – and the fancier the dress, the more we will like it.”

The event is a fundraiser for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

It is hoped that there will be stalls and other attractions there on the day.

“We are hoping that this will become a regular event that will help put Wells even more on the map, and give everybody an entertaining day out,” said Jon. Teams that are interested in taking part should email rotary. sedan@outlook.com

WELLS Business Forum has announced its second Jobs & Careers Fair in Wells, taking place on September 19 at the Swan Hotel from 10am-2pm.

The event will connect job seekers with local and regional employers. In addition to exhibitors showcasing current job openings, the Jobs & Careers Fair will feature industry talks and CV surgeries.

Businesses interested in exhibiting at the event can sign up through the Wells Business Forum website. Job seekers are encouraged to pre-register, although attendance is open to the public.

Reminder to enter Bloom competition

A speaker at the Benefit Evening for Gaza held at Wells Town Hall people,” said Cathy Salisbury of Wells Refugee Aid. “A huge thank you to all the many volunteers whose hard work made this night the success it was, to the inspiring speakers, to the Mossflower Blues band, and to our sound engineer whose technical wizardry made it all possible.”

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent charity that works around the world in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster.

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

GARDENERS are being reminded that the deadline for entries to this year’s Wells in Bloom competition is fast approaching.

Entries in the allotments, private gardens, commercial and communities categories must be made by Friday, May 31.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.wells. gov.uk/wells-in-bloom, or hard copies are available from Wells Town Hall.

Most of the judging this year will take place in June, with the awards being presented on Friday, October 4.

Auction of parcels of land postponed THE contentious auction of two parcels of land at Bowring Close, Coxley, has been postponed for at least another month.

The plots were due to be sold

The damaged postbox

Information sought on postbox attack POLICE are investigating an attack on a Georgian postbox set into the wall in Milton Lane, in which the door was prised open.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We received a report that a postbox in Milton Lane, Wells, had been damaged.

It is believed the damage occurred at some point between the afternoon of Saturday, April 13, and the morning of Monday, April 15.

“Anyone who has information about what happened can report it online and quote reference number 5224096669.”

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

35

n ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Our flexibility can be big help to bereaved

THERE are many qualities required that are essential to being a funeral director, flexibility is one such quality.

The role of a funeral director is not just about orchestrating the logistics of a funeral; it is about providing compassionate support and guidance to families during one of the most challenging times of their lives. This requires being flexible to any of their changing needs or decisions.

We at Wells Funeral Services acknowledge that no two families are alike; their cultural backgrounds, religious or spiritual beliefs, financial

situations, and personal preferences all play a role in shaping funeral arrangements for their family member or friend.

Flexibility in funeral arrangements involves offering a range of options to accommodate different budgets and preferences, from traditional church services, cremations and intimate ceremonies of goodbye to eco-friendly woodland burials. It also means being open to incorporating cultural or religious customs and traditions that hold significance for the family, even if they deviate from what may be considered standard practices.

Those arranging funerals may decide to make changes to items chosen for their loved one’s funeral. We need to be flexible to accommodate these decisions.

You only get one chance to say goodbye so it must be right for their needs

We offer a range of options for funerals, including eco-friendly woodland burials

We will never tell a family what they must have at the funeral, rather we will ask

significance of delivering funerals exactly as our clients envisage they would like them to be, ensuring that every detail, no matter how small, is meticulously executed and carried out with the utmost care and respect.

We ensure that funerals reflect the individuality and essence of the person who has died what they would like to happen and will follow their lead and accommodate their requests.

There may be times when families are at a loss as to what they want, in these cases we can guide them through the different possibilities. By adapting to the unique needs and wishes of each family, we ensure that the funeral reflects the individuality and essence of the person who has died.

Wells Funeral Services understands the profound

Our flexibility extends beyond ceremony planning; it permeates every aspect of Wells Funeral Services’ approach to serving the families we work alongside We don’t expect you to come out to our office, rather we meet you at your home or in a location that is most convenient for you at a time that suits you. We understand that your need for our services or support can arise at any hour on any day of the week, not just between the hours of 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

In offering this flexibility we aim to make it easier for families to access the support they need during a time of profound loss to better serve the diverse needs of grieving families with compassion and professionalism.

People Trust us with their Funeral Arrangements So Can You!

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

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May 2024

37

n WHAT’S ON

Evening of Soldiers set to take over Palace An Light Opera

THE Wardour Garrison will be setting up their encampment at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells this May, giving visitors a flavour of both domestic and military life as it might have been in England during the 17th century.

Through sight, touch, sound and smell visitors will be invited to see what the cooks are cooking, the games the soldiers are playing and many other crafts around the encampment.

There will also be a series of lively demonstrations and skirmishes throughout the day on May 4 and 5, from 9.30am5.30pm.

The Wardour Garrison was founded in 1989 at Old Wardour Castle by a group of re-enactors who wanted to engage more closely with the public in an authentic environment, allowing the experience for spectators to be more personal and more memorable. It has grown to be a group of about 60 to 90 members.

Entrance to the Civil War Weekend is included with any valid entrance ticket/ membership to The Bishop’s Palace.

Visitors should note that there will be loud bangs throughout the weekend due to the presence of firearms and cannons. This event may be unsuitable for dogs and people who are uncomfortable around loud noises.

The Wardour Garrison will be setting up camp in May

Open air film night OUTDOOR cinema is returning to The Bishop’s Palace with a screening of Hot Fuzz on Friday, May 31, at 8pm (doors open at 7.15pm). The Silent Cinema Company will be showing this local favourite on the Palace Croquet Lawn where the film will be shown on a 30ft screen.

Audio will be through headphones which will be provided and participants are encouraged to take a blanket or low-backed seating and an umbrella, as the show will go on whatever the weather. The Bishop’s Table will also be open throughout the film or picnics are welcome. Tickets £18, Members £15 with valid membership. Hot Fuzz is certified 15 so tickets should not be booked for people under this age or they may be turned away.

This event is a fundraising event on behalf of The Palace Trust, the charity whose purpose is to conserve The Bishop’s Palace and its story as a place of enjoyment and reflection for the benefit of all. The Palace Trust gets no statutory funding so the cost of maintaining the Palace is met entirely by grants, visitor income and special events such as this.

THERE will be an Evening of Light Opera with Ian Spencer at Henton Village Hall on Saturday, June 8, at 7.30pm.

Ian Spencer has been singing in the chorus of the National Opera in the Netherlands for the past 38 years and has recently moved back to Britain. Alongside singing in the chorus in Amsterdam he has also sung as a soloist at the opera house and concerts outside of the house.

Before this he sang with many diverse groups including the Rossini Society, Lyon opera and English National Opera. Now he has settled in Paulton, he has a new accompanist on piano, Abigail Wise, and is looking forward to exploring new music in new environments – and a new audience who may not have heard his jokes before.

Tickets, £15 per person to include light refreshment, are available from Viv Chalk, WhatsApp 07445 808079.

Talk on YMCA at Coffee Morning HOUSING and the YMCA’s work in the Wells area will be discussed during the Wells Labour Party Coffee Morning at the Portway Annexe on Saturday, May 11, from 10am-12pm.

Carol Plenty will talk about the work that the YMCA does in Wells and surrounding areas, as part of the YMCA Brunel Group.

They offer supported housing, and other help and advice with accommodation, as well as services such as youth clubs.

Carol says: “I have been at the YMCA for almost 25 years and love the work we do. I grew up in Wells and raised my family here.

I am blessed with a lot of support locally, and by the kindness of the local people.”

The YMCA base in Wells Entry is free, and everybody is welcome. There will be coffee, tea, cake, and opportunity for conversation.

Got News? Call 07906 499655

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

38

May 2024

n WHAT’S ON Quiz challenge

works of art at Wells & Mendip Museum from May 14-25 (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm).

The art club meets on Thursdays at Draycott Memorial Hall.

PEOPLE are being invited to stretch their brains in the St Cuthbert’s Quiz taking place at Tramways, Wells, on Sunday, May 19, 7pm for 7.30pm. To book a table, contact office@ stcuthbertswells.co.uk. Or just turn up.

Romantics occasion THE Trio Paradis May Cafe Concert at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, will be The English Romantics.

The concert will take place on Monday, May 6, and starts at 11am, with the cafe from 10.30am. Payment by donation.

Board game dates WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, May 1, Wednesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 29, from 7pm9.30pm.

Sound of Wells A FESTIVAL of classical music will take place in Wells from May 6-12. Sound of Wells 2024 will include a music quiz, a silent film with organ, Bach’s St John Passion, a Cathedral Eucharist celebrating Somerset Day, and much more. More information on the Wells Cathedral website: wellscathedral.org.uk

PILATES AND BARRE TUESDAYS Pilates 9.15am Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am WEDNESDAYS Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm THURSDAYS Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am FRIDAYS Pilates 9.15am Location Wells Town Hall.

Small, mixed ability classes.

To apply, contact Sally at:

zest2zen@gmail.com

Social Dancing SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD, from 7pm to 9pm. People do not have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per person. For more information, call 07769 603937.

Words and music LET us Garlands Bring – the Swan Singers perform settings of Shakespeare’s words, with readings, at St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, on Saturday, May 4, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. For more information, contact info@ swansingers.co.uk

Sing-along sessions One corner of the garden at Milton Lodge

Garden opening to public for NGS THE Grade II garden of Milton Lodge, Old Bristol Road, Wells, with its architectural terraces, will be open again for the NGS on three Sundays in the next three months: May 12, June 9 and July 14 (2pm-5pm).

Also open on NGS days on the other side of the road will

be seven-acre woodland garden The Combe, a natural peaceful contrast to the formal garden of Milton Lodge.

There will be home-made teas, and plants for sale.

Admission: £5, children 14 and under free. Card machine or cash for admission.

Fundraising concert

and calm the mind at the same time. The two hour workshop (10am-12pm) will be held on Thursday, May 9, in the room above the cafe at The Good Earth, Wells. Cost £12.50. No previous drawing experience is required.

For further information or to book contact Lyn on 07919 876566 or email lyndutch@ hotmail.co.uk

THE Cecil Sharp Memorial Concert will take place at Theale Village Hall (BA5 1PN) on Friday, May 24, at 7.30pm.

It will feature singers and musicians performing dance tunes, ballads and sea shanties collected in Somerset. Tickets are £10 (limited numbers). Tel: 01749 670212 or 07855 297861.

Proceeds will go towards the renovation of Theale Village Hall.

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

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

All are welcome at the music nights to sing a song, play a tune or just listen and enjoy. More from Richard: 01761 412797, richardlm397@gmail.com

Drawing workshop A MINDFUL Mandala Drawing workshop will provide an opportunity to learn a new skill

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

Art club exhibiting DRAYCOTT Art Club is holding an exhibition of paintings, drawings, prints and other

th Tai Chi Heal

GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall, 24 Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH, with Al and Annie Whitley. From 2.30pm3.30pm, with tea and coffee from 2.15pm.

TAI CHI Wells Blue Sports Centre Mondays 6pm – 7pm £5 per class Bob 07791 291886

Scottish dancing WELLS Scottish Dancers hold classes on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Blue School Sports Centre, Wells. To learn more about Scottish dancing or to register interest in joining, call Ann on 01934 740065 or email ann. wellsdancers@gmail.com

Oxfam Quiz Night ON Sunday, June 2, there will be an Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Teams of up to six, £5 per team member. Raffle prizes welcome. To book, phone Terry on 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com

Dance evenings P i l o g a Fi t Essential Mindful Exercise Core & More Functional Fitness Classes www.healthtaichi.co.uk www.pilogafit.co.uk John Beasley 01749 672482

WELLS Folk and Barn Dance Club meets on Wednesday evenings between September and July (although not the first Wednesday of the month) at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells.

Dancing 7.30pm-9.30pm.

For more information, call 01749 674920.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

May 2024

39

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS CITY PROBUS CLUB APRIL was the month for our club spring holiday. This year we spent four nights in Cornwall, staying at the Esplanade Hotel which overlooks Fistral Beach on the outskirts of Newquay. We left Wells at 8.30 on Monday morning by coach. There were 25 members, partners and visitors.

On the journey down we stopped in Plymouth and had a couple of hours to explore the Barbican area and get lunch. We arrived at our hotel at about 4pm and were quickly checked in and settled.

On Tuesday our coach took us to the Eden Project near St Austell. The weather was fine although Storm Katherine meant it was extremely windy so we spent most of our time exploring the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes.

On Wednesday the weather was showery as we set off for Bodmin. The first event of the day was a steam train ride on

The Bodmin Railway, and the Eden Project the Bodmin Railway. The return journey took approximately 45 minutes with the engine switching ends of the train for

the return journey. We travelled in style in GWR coaches with tables between the seats. After an hour in Bodmin we were back on the coach for a visit to Bodmin Jail. Built in the reign of George III, the complex is now a commercial facility that includes a hotel. The immersive experience gives a good experience of all aspects of life in jail – including hanging.

Thursday was another wet day as we set out for St Just and the Geevor Tin Mine Museum.

There we were given a guided tour of the complex including a short walk through an old underground mine tunnel. The mine was closed in the Eighties when the price of tin dropped below £3,500 per tonne from £10,000. Much of the tour was spent in the above ground processing plant where a series of processes extracted the tin from the ore and produced a powder that was 70 per cent tin.

Arsenic was also produced here.

On Friday we left for home,

stopping at Killerton House near Cullompton for a visit.

The former home of the Acland family, the house and gardens are well known tor exotic plants and trees.

Thanks to Bob Powell for organising this holiday and Terry Whitman for the day-to-day running. Also Ian our excellent coach driver from Barnes Coaches.

WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY THE sweet scent of nostalgia permeated the ambience at the April meeting of the Wells Civic Society as past memories were refreshed for many in the audience. Children’s brown buckle-up sandals; Wallabee and Desert boots; putting your feet into a device which X-rayed your young feet to ensure a healthy fit; these were the sort of things that gently lit fond recollections in the Continued on page 40

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n AROUND THE SOCIETIES From page 39 mind’s eye of so many, often with a wry accompanying chuckle.

These images were coming to life again as Rosie Martin, director of the Alfred Gillett Trust since 2021, enthusiastically illustrated the rapid progress being made towards the opening in 2025 of the new Shoemakers’ Museum at Clarks Village, Street. But this state-of-the-art museum will by no means be only about sandals and primitive X-ray machines and things to do solely (no pun intended) with the chronology of the evolution of footwear fashions.

While it will show the history of 200 years of Clarks shoe manufacture, from when Cyrus Clark started the business, the collection will be much more than that, for there is indeed a vast, eclectic array of items awaiting display in purpose-built, themed galleries.

One aspect of the museum will be about the Clarks as a family and as generations of Quakers who, in effect, transformed Street into a Clarks company village and also put it on the map. Thus, their nonconformist values meant they built houses for the workers, schools, a swimming pool, library, clubs, theatre, the Crispin Hall and provided playing fields.

These workers will themselves also very much have their place in the new museum and stories will be told of those who worked in the factory and business.

While The Grange, the familiar existing Grade II listed 16th-century farmhouse, much developed, will be part of the museum, the new and impressive significant extra addition is currently under construction.

This has included successfully relocating badgers to a specially designed sett and gearing construction work so that several varieties of bat can hibernate safely.

In planning for the opening of what will surely rapidly become a significant attraction, there has been consultation as to what it is that people most want by way of facilities and attractions, the topmost of which turns out to be a cafe. The Trust has crystallised its target audiences, to include researchers, learners, families, and tourists but definitely not forgetting the local community, bearing in mind all the time that the Trust is essentially an

from 10.30am-12.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month.

The Street meetings (usually on the third Monday from 3pm4.30pm) will be at a new venue, the church in Vestry Road.

For more information about our group (that also covers long Covid and anyone with constant pain), contact Tanya Flagg: tanya@mendipfmsg.org OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

Rosie Martin, of the Alfred Gillett Trust, talks to Wells Civic Society about the new Shoemakers’ Museum educational charity, albeit one charged with protecting and preserving the collection.

And what a collection.

Yes, it’s about shoes, their manufacture, their history, the people who made them, the family responsible for the whole business, the development of Street, but it embraces so much more.

It is to be wagered that a seriously important collection of fossils, especially, ichthyosaur, is not to be expected, but actually there certainly will be one. How come? Because Alfred Gillett, a cousin of the founders of Clarks but not connected with the business, was a serious amateur palaeontologist who amassed a fine collection.

And then, who’s even heard of a Latin Verse Machine, called The Eureka? In the new museum, you will find this ingenious, extraordinary mechanism, created by John Clark in the mid-1800s, churning out Latin verse.

The size of the audience surely indicated what a pull Clarks, and all the name implies and stands for, still exerts locally, and with a presentation beautifully illustrated and vigorously delivered, Rosie had surely guaranteed the sale of a good few admission tickets when the museum opens its doors.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 8, at 7pm in the Wells Museum, Cathedral Green.

Members of the Wells Festival of Literature team will describe the festival in terms of its ‘Past, Present, and Future’, including examples of its charitable work with schools. Light refreshments are available: please note, cash only. All are welcome. For

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further details of this event or the society in general, please contact the chair, Chris Winter, email chris.f.winter@btinternet. com or www.wellscivicsociety. org.uk is the society’s website.

Richard Hanks MENDIP FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBERS of the fibro group had a wonderful day at Montacute House. They were greeted by the head gardener, Chris, and given an inspiring talk about the spring flowers planted to greet visitors. It must have been hard work to plant thousands of daffodils but the show they gave was so joyful.

Eventually they hope to have all 12 types of daffodils giving a continuous display throughout the spring.

Our AGM on May 1 will celebrate 13 years of the group.

We meet in Binegar (Binegar and Gurney Slade Memorial Hall)

The Mendip Fibromyalgia Group visit to Montacute House

ANYONE for whom eating is a problem is welcome at meetings of Overeaters Anonymous.

The group is a 12 Step Fellowship – not a diet club – which meets in the Portway Annexe, Wells, on Tuesday evenings from 7pm-8pm.

More information from oagb. org or from local contacts: 07989 474570 or 07498 119862.

WELLS RAILWAY FRATERNITY THE speaker at the April meeting of the Wells Railway Fraternity was member Roy Kethro, a retired professional railway man, talking about his years working at the Bristol Bath Road locomotive depot, lavishly illustrated with many quality photographs.

Having started at the British Railways Dean Street Apprentice Training School as an apprentice, Roy’s career took him to the position of Area Operations Manager Nights at the Bath Road depot.

At the school his training included machine tools, electrics, sheet metal working, woodwork, and welding. Included was a spell at the former GWR Swindon works in Swindon where, in 1969, in the erecting shop he was involved overhauling diesel hydraulic locomotives of the Western Class. These were around ten years old, but had only another ten years of life because of BR’s standardisation on Diesel Electric engines.

Once back at Bristol Bath Road Roy became familiar with engine rooms and electrical control cubicles of the locomotives and witnessed the evolution of the fleet from one primarily of diesel hydraulic locomotives of Classes 50 (Western) and 35 (Hymek), to a diesel electric fleet including classes 46 (Sulzer Peaks), 47 (Brush type 4), 50 (EE type 4

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n AROUND THE SOCIETIES also Warships), and 31 (Brush type 2) and 25 (Sulzer type 2).

Eventually the larger locomotives were supplanted by High Speed Trains (HSTs) which ran the passenger services until recently.

The other classes becoming redundant with the collapse of the wagon load freight traffic.

Bath Road had the capability to do routine maintenance and also heavier work which might include lifting to remove engines, wheels, motors, or bogies. It also had a breakdown crane, originally steam powered, with 75-ton capacity and eventually, in 1980, a 76-tonne Diesel hydraulic crane, in addition to equipment for re-railing derailed rolling stock using sliding jacks.

HST maintenance was centred on a purpose-built facility at St Philip’s Marsh which started the slow run down and final closure of Bath Road shed.

Wells Railway Fraternity’s last meeting of the season will be on May 14 in Wells Town Hall at 19:30 Hours when the speaker will be Canon Brian Arman talking about Bath to Bristol through the lens of Russel Leech. New members and guests are always welcome. For further information about the Wells Railway Fraternity see the website Railwells.com WELLS TWINNING ASSOCIATION THE Annual General Meeting of Wells Twinning Association was held on Monday, March 4.

Dawn Payne retired as Chair.

John North was duly elected the new Chair of Wells Twinning Association, and he looks forward to taking the Association into the next phase. John’s contact details: email: north. john1@sky.com, mob: 07557 857384. John will be delighted to hear from anyone who requires information relating to Wells Twinning Association.

The officers elected at the meeting: Alan Butt Philip – Vice Chair, Gail North – Secretary, and Colin Price was re-elected as Treasurer.

There was one nominee for the committee and that was from Pat Fabiano, who was elected.

The committee members: Linda Davies, Julie Bollini, Tony D’Ovidio, Tony Guidi, Sandra Guidi, Lucio Fabiano and Dawn Payne.

Following the AGM, Dave and Dawn Payne (retiring Chair)

Dawn Payne in Bad Dürkheim with local resident Dirk Friedrick, with the plaque that Wells presented to the town on display behind them travelled to our twin town Bad Dürkheim for a private holiday.

Dawn and Dave met many of our visitors that came to Wells last November to celebrate 40 years of twinning and Dawn was delighted to visit the Bad Dürkheim Rathaus (Town Hall) and see the plaque that was presented to them. It is proudly hung near to all the display cabinets of their twinning gifts from all their partnership towns WELLS U3A WELLS u3a has several groups that enjoy discussions on topics both past and present or just sit and listen to a talk on local history with a question and answer session at the end.

The Local History group, that meets monthly at the Museum, have had some very interesting speakers recently. In January they had a talk by Andrew Buchanan about the Westburysub-Mendip Roman Villa. He explained about the excavation of a Romano-British homestead, discovered in a field south of the A371, which since 2020 has been slowly excavated by the Westbury Society Archaeology Group. Some finds are now on display in Wells Museum.

Another speaker was Chris Eldridge, Head of History at the Cathedral School, who talked about State building and nationforging in Anglo Saxon England.

The talk, or rather dramatisation, in March was given by Kay Wych who is a living history presenter.

She morphs into her alter ego – Alyce Cleeve, a kitchen maid in the Abbey kitchens, in 1538.

In April members enjoyed a talk by the Honorary Curator,

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David Walker, and Project Director, Victoria Northwood of Wells Museum allowing members to have a closer look at the Museum building, its purpose and its collections.

They told members about the aims and achievements of the Lottery-funded project – over the last three years, the Museum has been developing a project to tell the civic story of Wells and the Search and Learn project. A number of galleries have been transformed and new space dedicated to the Museum’s founder, Herbert Balch. After the talk groups of members were shown around the Museum giving an unrivalled ‘curators’ insight’ into the new displays.

There has also been a History (Eastern Civilisation) group who have been studying a course which took them on a grand journey to explore the big accomplishments of Eastern civilisation, but this is coming to an end with the hope of another history group to take its place.

There are two Current Affairs groups within Wells u3a that

Victoria Northwood, Project Director of Wells Museum, one of the speakers at the April meeting of the u3a’s Local History group

meet at a central place in Wells.

One group meets once a month and at every meeting they always find plenty of topics to discuss ranging from local politics to world events. The members always find it very enjoyable, interesting and learn something new each time. It is fascinating to hear different viewpoints and often find subjects clarified. It often happens that the same repeated problems emerge over the years especially education, the NHS, the British political system, crime, climate change and the possible origins of world conflict. A group to keep the brain active and always something to discuss within both groups.

This is just a small selection of the 50+ groups available within Wells u3a to cover the interests of retired or semiretired people who would like to meet like-minded people. To find out more about the groups just go to https://u3asites.org.uk/ wells/home where you can also download a membership form.

Ann Brown and Jan and Roger Redwood THE SUNSHINE CLUB WE had an early March holiday to the Isle of Wight. We all set off eager to start our holiday, the crossing was calm and quick.

Arrived at our hotel the lift was old fashioned which a few had a struggle with but the holiday rep was there to help with the cases.

Day 2 trip was to the donkey sanctuary, we all fell in love with them, a couple of members adopted one, Molly and Sunny.

Alas it was raining but we still enjoyed the dedication of the staff there and the cleanliness.

We then went to Quarr Abbey, what an amazing building, such design and tranquillity, you can stay there.

Day 3 was meant to be a free day but our driver/owner Graham offered to take people to Osborn House, home to Queen Victoria. They had a great time, met a group of people in period costumes visiting also. Others had a free time in Sandown.

Day 4 we went to the other side of the island, Needles and Alum Bay, shame to start with sea mist but it cleared and the sun came out, then on the coast Continued on page 42

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n AROUND THE SOCIETIES From page 41 road to Cowes for lunch, a lovely end to the holiday.

Day 5 homeward bound, stopped in Portsmouth for lunch, then we headed back to Wells.

We had a visit from the fire service to talk to us about safety at home, it was very informative and they offered a safety check of your home. A few members have taken this up.

We are looking forward to our day trips to Stratford-on-Avon on April 23 and Winchester on May 14.

Our next holiday is to Weymouth in November for turkey and tinsel.

ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP WE were pleased to welcome Moria Anderson to our April meeting for a talk mysteriously titled The Swan Whisperer.

With some lovely photos shown on a large screen we learnt so much about the yearly cycle of the swans lives, from hatching cygnets in spring through to their leaving the nest before the next family is born.

We all said we would look upon the moat with new eyes knowing so much more about the swans and their yearly brood.

We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place, and we were also lucky to have Moira come to our meeting and give us more insight into what is going on surrounding The Bishop’s Palace.

We next meet on Wednesday, May 1, at 7pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall when Len Sweales will talk on the history of town criers. Being our present town crier I’m sure he will have a lot to tell us about this ancient tradition.

Pat Dyer WELLS TUESDAY WI APRIL is the start of the new WI year and we welcomed new ladies and an old friend Frances Car aka The Pearl Lady. Frances talked to us about pearls and the Art Deco movement, reminding us of the rarity of sea pearls, only a single pearl being found in two million shells. Each pearl is unique – and we had plenty to admire on the evening.

We held a minute’s silence in order to honour the passing of

Jenny York at the latest Wells Floral Art Society meeting with her Rainbow Nation design our beloved Secretary Val who is greatly missed.

Our walking Netball group played an actual match (we normally don’t even bother to keep score). Whilst the Short and Easy Walking group had a blustery local walk – timed to perfection, to meet up with the weekly Coffee group at The Bishop’s Palace.

Trips by Blooming Fun have been out and about, the latest to Longford Castle Gallery, Dyrham Park, and finally we have had our Christmas meal (I know, it was planned for January!) at The Railway Cafe, Cranmore. Fingers crossed this excellent eatery has seen the last of the flooding that has blighted it recently.

WELLS FLORAL ART SOCIETY ON Tuesday, April 9, club members were welcomed by Non Hobson, club president, who introduced one of our newest area demonstrators, Jenny York.

Many of our demonstrators use their past working environments as a base for their demonstrations and Jenny was no exception. However, her

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working life was spent in the Diplomatic Service and for many years she was based in Africa.

Her first posting there was in Nigeria so her initial arrangement depicted the distinctive headdresses worn there. Containers were covered with traditional fabric before being filled with flowers and exotic blooms beginning with strelitzia or bird of paradise flowers and surrounded by orange spray roses. Lengths of coloured medilino sticks threaded with beads were wound into the arrangement to complete the design.

Then we were taken to South Africa and we were surprised to see that the container for the next design was a wellington boot. Jenny was fascinated to see that the miners sent messages to each other by tapping on the boots as the noise in the mines made conversation impossible.

The flowers arranged in this design although familiar to us originally grew in Africa.

Purple liatris were coupled with white lilac, apricot germinis were added as well as proteus and chimcherinchees bringing summer into a grey afternoon.

We were also surprised to see that the next container was a child’s wheelbarrow. Jenny was lucky enough to be in South Africa when the first democratic elections took place. There was a huge turnout and the sick and elderly were brought to the polling stations in wheelbarrows, such was the excitement. The flowers used in this design were a mixture of dark red and indigo carnations, agapanthus, pink spray carnations, ranunculus and craspedia in yellow and lilac sprays all arranged with palms to celebrate the birth of the Rainbow Nation.

Following the elections, The Queen and Prince Philip visited and Jenny was honoured with an audience with the Queen. A pot in the shape of a lion’s head was filled with large gold roses as well as gold spray roses and proteus which represented a gift of a stuffed lion given to the Queen.

The final design was arranged in a rugby ball to celebrate the rugby world cup won by South Africa in 1995. A mass arrangement of the national flowers of the teams involved made a beautiful finale to the afternoon. Members enjoyed a history and geography lesson as well as many laughs when Jenny explained some of the scrapes she found herself in on her journey, Out of Africa.

Jenny Jones gave the vote of thanks and Jenny Randall and Val Roper served the teas.

Our next demonstration is on Tuesday, May 14, when Lesley Hunt will entertain us with her demonstration, Life in Hospitality. It is at 2.15pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells, BA5 2UZ. Tickets are now on sale for the summer charity afternoon tea. This year our demonstrator is Sally Taylor and we will be supporting Wells in Mosaic. It is on the first Saturday in July in the church hall, tickets are £15.

Jenny Jones HENTON AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB HENTON and District Gardening Club members and guests will be paying extra attention to Chris Smith’s talk The Edible Garden on May 15 as he explains how many plants we grow in our gardens often have a hidden qualities which make them interesting additions to our diet,

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n AROUND THE SOCIETIES such as delicious fruits, leaves, flowers or roots.

Fuchsias, Dahlias, Day Lilies and Campanulas for example have edible parts but we need Chris’ gardening knowledge to help us make safe decisions before we taste them. He has been involved with growing plants all his life and has been a Chelsea Gold Medal winner showing Pennard Plants at their best. Now Pennard Plants is devoted entirely to selling edible plants and seeds and is mainly selling through mail orders.

We meet in Henton Village Hall at 7pm for coffee on May 15 with the talk at 7.30pm. There is a sales table and raffle and a warm welcome to visitors (£5).

Visit our website for future talks and details of visits – www. hentongardenclub.weebly.com COXLEY & DISTRICT WI JENNY had received apologies from Margaret A, Margaret R, Ali, and Brenda. We also welcomed a new visitor, Karen, to our April meeting.

Hilary then reported that the walking group had explored the recently opened Strawberry Line section from Westburysub-Mendip to Easton. This was enjoyed by all who went.

The craft group continue to make progress with their projects and were meeting again on April 24 at Peggy’s.

Book club met at Jenny’s on April 5 where we discussed The Girl with the Pearl Earring.

Peggy reported on our finances… we will need ideas for a fundraiser later in the year.

Bulb orders need to be in by the next meeting.

After the business Pat S then demonstrated and explained line dancing to us. Most ladies joined in and enjoyed themselves greatly. Pat covered a lot of steps and dances. She was assisted by Steven and his partner Maureen.

These were learned very quickly by our ladies. It was an enjoyable and energetic evening. The vote of thanks was given by Pam. Flower of the month was won by Pat H, then Rosemary.

We also had a raffle with many prizes.

The next meeting is on May 7 at Coxley Memorial Hall at 7pm.

It will be a social evening, also our AGM. Visitors are, as always, most welcome.

Ursula Dann

Line dancing at the Coxley & District WI meeting in April; and Wells and District Gardening Club will hear a talk on Plants for Enthusiasts on May 9 – pictured are cowslips, camassias and quince WELLS AND DISTRICT WILDLIFE GROUP MAY is when the natural world begins to motor spurred on by rising temperatures (in moderation these days!), more sun and lengthening days. To me the bird that shows that summer is on the way is the arrival of the swift which appear high in the sky with their characteristic ‘pick axe’ shape during May. They are here until August and will nest in crevices in buildings or special nest boxes if we provide them.

Later swifts will form large groups to indulge in almost suicidal flying displays around buildings screaming as they go, earning them the name of ‘Devil bird’. So, this month while you admire the increasing number of flowers, butterflies and singing birds at ground level it may worth casting an eye heavenwards to see the bird that tells us spring really has arrived.

Our first outing of the season in late March was led by John Dickson who took members in search of early emerging reptiles.

Despite unpromising conditions of cool and damp the visit did succeed in finding a variety of wildlife, including an adder.

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In May we continue our season of outings. The next one takes place on Tuesday, May 14, with an evening visit (7pm-9pm) to the RSPB reserve at Ham Wall. There are many species to be seen here with a soundtrack that includes the distinctive booming of Bitterns and calls from warblers and other small birds concealed in the vegetation.

Sightings of wildlife can never be guaranteed but chances are good that we could see not only Bitterns, Egrets and Hobbies, but potentially also Cuckoo, Barn Owl and Marsh Harrier.

Numbers are limited so booking is essential. £5 per adult (payable on booking), under 16s free. For more details or to reserve a place, email bookings@ wdwg.org.uk Graham Allen WELLS AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB NOBODY has a good word to say about this spring. The daffodils hated it, the magnolias took one look and departed, the vegetables sulked and rotted. We just loathed it: this endless, sunless spring.

Very little in or out of the garden brought much joy. Things in general seemed bad enough without Everton Football Club being docked another two points.

In 1893, Canon Ellacombe who gardened at Wick near Bristol, wrote an account of an unusual spring of a long April drought and brilliant sunshine with north-easterly winds “making the earth, even in the most favoured soils, hard and parched, and with little or no refreshment from dews, the heaven over our head being of brass, and the earth beneath us as of iron”.

The result of this was that the gardens produced many curious sights which might rightly be called ‘abnormal’.

He found it difficult to pick a blossom on May Day, the hawthorn in flower with the blackthorn and flowering before the first swallow had arrived.

What the Canon welcomed as “the truest harbingers of summer”, the redstart and the corncrake, were seen and heard on April 25. Flowers were stunted and starved, lily of the valley were like silver shot and devoid of scent, the guelder rose producing balls of flowers half the usual size and daffodils on short stalks with small short-lived flowers. We can sympathise.

Premature and unusual blooming is nothing new but nowadays is more markedly felt, though it is not enough for us to throw in the trowel just yet. Time to sow a seed, pot on a cutting, purchase a plant, visit a garden. Or come along to the next meeting of Wells Gardening Club which will take place in the Town Hall on Thursday, May 9, at 7.30pm.

The botanist and enthusiastic gardener Keith Ferguson will present a talk entitled Plants for Enthusiasts. This talk has an obvious appeal and should provide an interesting and entertaining evening. Admission £1 for members, £3 for visitors.

The meeting is open to everyone.

All very welcome.

There are visits to a couple of magnificent Dorset gardens open to all. n Thursday, June 20, to Athelhampton House and garden. Depart 10am. n Thursday, July 18, to Mapperton House Garden.

Depart 10am.

To book, tel: 01749 672299.

Pip Harwood

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n SPORT

Season ends on high with Division 1 title CHESS

THE league season has come to a finale. In Division 1, Wells Chess Club played host to Sedgemoor who showed up with a very strong side. Draws on the top two boards for Sasha Matlak and John Waterfield and a win for Jamie Eales on board 3 gave Wells an edge. Unfortunately, Phil Johnson lost out on board 4 but junior Gigi Ionescu produced a fantastic draw to seal a draw in the overall match. This result confirmed Wells as Division 1 champions for the season with a game in hand.

Wells have played three matches in Division 2. An away win 3-1 against Glastonbury put them in contention near the top.

A draw against Yeovil a week later kept them in the hunt, however a narrow 1.5-2.5 loss

Matt Goatcher of Wells Chess Club at the Lisbon Gambit to Taunton in the final match left Wells in joint second in the league for the season. Overall, it

has been a positive season with Wells finishing top of Division 1, joint second in Division 2 and second in Division 3.

Wells players were in action in the East Devon Congress in Exeter recently. Leon Nelson, Chris Strong and Paul Humphreys were all competing in the Major section. It was a competitive section with many strong players from the South West. After five rounds Chris and Paul had 2 points each while Leon had a series of good results to give him 3.5 points and a share of third place and a grading prize. This is another strong event from the Wells junior whose grade has leapt more than 400 points since the start of the season. He had finished joint second in the South Bristol under 16s Junior tournament earlier in March.

Fellow Wells junior Camden Lovelace scored an impressive five wins from six to pick up second place in the under 7s section.

Sasha Matlak recently made a trip to Iceland to compete in an international team tournament there with great success. Wells Treasurer Matt Goatcher also made an appearance at the Lisbon Gambit chess club on a recent trip to the Portuguese capital, taking on several players in a lively competitive session.

It is great to mix with other clubs and recognise what an international game chess is.

Anyone interested in playing at the club or in the congress can find details at wellschess.co.uk along with other information about the club. They can be contacted at wellschessclub@ outlook.com

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n SPORT

Action from the game between Wells City, in blue, and Wincanton Town at the Athletic Ground on Bank Holiday Monday, April 1. Wells won the Western League Division One match 1-0.

School cricket ground named among ten most picturesque CRICKET WELLS Cathedral School has been named home to one of the ten most picturesque cricket grounds in Britain.

The list, compiled by chief cricket writer Scyld Berry, was recently published in The Telegraph. The ten are a personal choice of his and currently not used for first-class cricket, which makes Arundel, Cheltenham, Chesterfield and Worcester ineligible.

The School’s Estates team take great pride in ensuring the Wells ground is maintained at a high standard and even visited Lord’s Cricket Ground to learn about groundskeeping

techniques from the Head Groundsman.

Tom Webley, the School’s Director of Sport, who is a former professional cricketer for Somerset County Cricket Club, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this recognition by The Telegraph. To be considered in the top ten most picturesque cricket grounds in Britain is wonderful, especially considering there are several thousand grounds. This is a testament to how special our school cricket ground is, and how incredible our Estates team is to achieve such perfection. It truly is a special place and we’re delighted to share it with everyone who visits us.”

The Wells Cathedral School cricket ground

Dry weather for Ladies Section March Madness team event GOLF

Jan Hayward and Phil Gowen congratulate the winners of the Ladies’ March Madness

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WELLS Golf Club’s Ladies Section enjoyed dry weather for their March Madness team event. The format was a bowmaker waltz played over a full 18 holes.

The winners were Katrina Foote, Lorraine Collings and Julie Hill, closely followed in second place by Sandy Heath, Marilyn Cole and Maria Edwards, who all received chocolate prizes.

The seniors held a 4-ball bowmaker in which 68 took part.

At last a good day for golf but due to the recent wet weather the course was playing very long.

In third place, 79 points, Chris Clegg, Mark Abrahams, Phil Spring and Stephen Payne.

In second place, 80 points, Jim Lunt, Donald Perry, Andrew Green and Peter Cherry.

Squeaking into first place, with 81 points, Frank Budds, Phil Bryant, Simon Harris and Paul Hole.

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May 2024

n SPORT

AGM hears club is in strong position GOLF A FULL Clubhouse for Mendip Golf Club’s AGM received two professional presentations from Chairman Alan Edwards and Finance Director Alan Kay. The club is in a very strong position with a full membership, not seen since the 1990s, and with a current waiting list.

Despite the dreadful winter that all clubs have experienced, whilst Mendip has been wetter than anyone can remember and unusually has been closed at times, nevertheless it has been better off than most clubs; there has been no trolley bans, no tee mats and apart from very odd occasions, no temporary greens or holes out of play. Finances are strong and money is budgeted for course and club improvements.

At the AGM reports were made by the men’s and ladies captains and amongst their presentations were details of the sums that have been raised for their respective charities. Chad Patel, Aimee Sawyer together with the Seniors Captain Robert Miller have raised £23,837 for Young Lives versus Cancer, The Katie Piper Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer UK. They expressed their gratitude to all Mendip members and friends who have shown such great support during this past year.

Forty-one Ladies played in the 18 hole Qualifying Stableford which saw a win in Div 1 for Ladies Captain Aimee Sawyer with 34 points. Div 2 went to Fiona Hassard with 33. Div 3 saw the best score of the day from Annette Jobbins with 35. A further 12 Ladies played in the 9 hole event with Caroline Simper recording the best score of 15 points.

Eighty-six Seniors played in the first of the season’s qualifying stablefords. Div 3 was won by Farquhar Ogilvie with 37 points. Div 2 went to Gareth Collier with a fine 39 points. Div 1 was won by Mike Merrick with the best score of the day with 41 points.

The Mixed Bowmaker event saw a good entry with winners being Alan and Alison Kay, new Men’s Captain Elect Jack Hayes and Julie Doyle with 68 points winning on count back from Peter and Allison Rumming, Tony Logan and Suzy Rudkin.

New players welcome BADMINTON WELLS City Badminton Club plays every Wednesday (closed in August) from 7pm9pm at Wells Leisure Centre. It welcomes new members who already have some playing experience. For more information, contact Chrissie Allen: 07971 340591, or email enquirieswcbc@gmail.com

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