Wells Voice October 2017 by Wells Voice

Order now to have shutters installed in time for Christmas. More details on page 17

wellsvoice October 2017 Issue 4

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Everything you need to know about this year’s Wells Food Festival – pages 13, 14 and 15

FREE EVERY MONTH FOR PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN WELLS Residents tell of parking concerns Speeding traffic and ‘boy racers’ also top list of problems raised at latest PACT meeting Turn to page 4

Wells in Bloom award winners with Mayor of Wells Councillor John North and Mayoress Gail North

Surprise factor adds to awards excitement Town Hall packed to see this year’s Wells in Bloom winners revealed

THERE was a big turnout for the new-style Wells in Bloom presentation evening last week. More chairs had to be put out as more than 100 people packed into the Town Hall’s main hall to find out who had won the awards. None of the winners

were known in advance, unlike in previous years, and Wells in Bloom chairman Councillor Maureen Brandon judged the format to be a big success. “I think the anticipation has

Giant figure seen at Bishop’s Palace His daughter’s love of book The BFG has inspired eye-catching work by a Wells photographer Turn to page 3

Clock ticking on crossing patrol School trying again to recruit someone to help pupils cross road before grant is forfeited Turn to page 9

Continued on page 5

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NOVEMBER DEADLINE

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

To ensure your news or letter is included in the November edition, please contact us by October 25.

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. We strive to conform to the NUJ Code of Conduct for journalists: nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code Wells Voice is distributed each month to Wells residents and left at local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk

October 2017

Officer cleared of misconduct after man’s death in custody

ALLEGATIONS of misconduct against a police officer accused of “dishonest” accounts in the case of a Wells man who died in police custody have been dismissed. The allegations were not proven against Temporary Inspector Justin French following a hearing at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters held between September 5 and 6. The hearing followed recommendations made by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) following its investigation into the death of 25-year-old James Herbert at Yeovil Police Station custody unit on June 10, 2010. T/Insp French was duty manager at the time.

Mr Herbert had originally been detained in Wells under the Mental Health Act. Avon and Somerset Police say that they have made changes after the release of the IPCC report making national recommendations about the police service response to people in mental health crisis. The Six Missed Chances report looks at how an alternative approach could have been taken in Mr Herbert’s case that could have led to a different outcome. Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Watson said: “I’d like to reassure our communities that we’ve made wide-reaching and fundamental changes covering all the recommendations made.”

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The two new units being built at the former car wash site in Princes Road have both been pre-let. One is being taken by a fast-food operator and one by a retailer – and according to commercial property agents RMW Knight, both will be new businesses to Wells. Redevelopment work on what was the site of a hand car wash and Rams kebab van began in September.

Coach firm loses school contract SOMERSET County Council has terminated its school transport contract with Avalon Coaches due to performance concerns. New contractors now collect pupils attending ten schools in the Mendip and Sedgemoor areas, including Wells Blue School. The council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Frances Nicholson, said: “Avalon Coaches have failed to meet our standards recently. Issues include school transport failing to arrive at all and significant delays to journey times.”

Two coaches from Avalon Coaches have caught fire while transporting pupils in the past three years. Charlotte White of Avalon Coaches said: “We have had serious issues with drivers’ sickness, amongst other issues with staff leaving employment to go and work elsewhere, which has given us operational problems with covering our school contracts, so we have informed Somerset County Council about this and asked for their help and as a result of this our contract has been pulled.”

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October 2017

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Grace reaches out to her little sister Hannah in this clever image by photographer Neil Bremner

the wall I wanted to use with the right light and no one around. “I then photographed both my daughters in my Made Portraits studio, ensuring that the angles would match the background I’d be using. “Finally, with the use of Photoshop, I placed my daughters into the photo, positioning them just right, and then over eight hours, I carefully blended them in to their surroundings and drew in their shadows to end up with this final piece.” Some of Neil’s ‘giant’ photos have already won national photographic awards, to go with the other awards that he has won since he started creating portraits of children and families in his Made Portraits studio four years ago. His studio work has seen him recognised as one of the UK’s top five children/family photographers by the Guild of Photographers. To find out more and see more examples of Neil’s work, visit www.madeportraits.com

Making giant leap of the imagination PHOTOGRAPHER Neil Bremner is thinking big with his latest line of work. Inspired by his seven-yearold daughter Grace’s love of the book The BFG, he decided he would transform her into a giant. He blended a picture of her with a picture of The Bishop’s Palace in Wells to create the stunning image above. His youngest daughter Hannah can also be found in the photo with her giant big sister. Now Neil is creating other

‘giant’ photos for clients using some of their favourite locations. “I chose The Bishop’s Palace as this was one of the first places my wife and I fell in love with when we moved to Somerset in 2011,” said Neil, who lives in Wells and has a studio in Glastonbury. He explained that the image was created in three parts. He said: “I was kindly given access to The Bishop’s Palace one morning before it officially opened so I could photograph

Grace in the studio, left, and Neil’s original photograph of The Bishop’s Palace, above

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October 2017

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Nearly 30 people took part in the Wells Memory Walk in September and raised more than £1,200 for the Alzheimer’s Society in the process. Walkers are pictured at the start at The Bishop’s Palace with Bishop of Bath & Wells the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, and Wells Town Crier Len Sweales. The bishop, whose wife Jane took part in the walk, gave a blessing before the walkers set off, while Len did a special cry for the occasion. Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/mw223014

Parking situation and ‘boy racers’ among concerns raised at meeting by residents PROBLEMS with parking, speeding and ‘boy racers’ were all issues raised by members of the public at the PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting held in Wells Town Hall on August 29. There was widespread concern about the parking situation in Wells, with Ash Lane highlighted as a particularly troublesome spot. Residents said that parts of it have become dangerous due to an increase in parking by cars, lorries and coaches. “The problem is nuisance parking caused by the parking policy in the town,” said Malcolm Burt. “Car parks are half empty

while workers park for free in my road.” Others agreed that it was too expensive to park in the city’s car parks, and said that putting down double yellow lines was just pushing the problem elsewhere. Ash Lane was also named as a problem spot for speeding traffic, as were High Street and South Street. PC Darren Pearson said that he would continue to be out and about with a speed gun to catch and deter offenders, and that he would put up a Speed Indicator Device on Ash Lane to encourage drivers to slow down. Councillor David Ball, of St Cuthbert Out Parish Council, said that Mendip Community Speed Watch was trying to set up

a Speed Watch group in Wells. “It can only get off the ground if enough people take part,” he added. A resident of Melbourne House Mews demanded that action be taken to deal with the problem of ‘boy racers’ and their screeching tyres in the Waitrose car park. “The situation is often intolerable and unacceptable,” said Geoff Munroe. “Parking is free after 6pm. At 6.05 it fills up with all these cars – 14, 15, 16 cars. They’re racing, they’re creating havoc. Lots of residents of Melbourne House Mews are being woken up in the middle of the night.” He said that he had even

seen possible drug deals taking place during the night, but that Waitrose was not closing the barrier to the car park “for health and safety reasons”. PC Pearson said that he would arrange a meeting with Waitrose and Mendip District Council to discuss the situation. Other issues raised at the meeting, attended by more than 20 people, included traffic going the wrong way along Chamberlain Street, and the need for better phasing of the traffic lights along the relief road from the Tincknells roundabout to Bristol Hill. The next PACT meeting is due to take place at Wells Town Hall on November 28, at 7pm.

Effort to slow down drivers includes plans for new Speed Watch group A JOINT initiative has been launched between Mendip Community Speed Watch, St Cuthbert Out Parish Council and the police to address concerns about speeding traffic. Three sets of Speed Indicator Device (SID) brackets have been

installed at sites in Coxley, Easton and Ash Lane, Wells. The SID unit was positioned in Coxley in September before being moved to Ash Lane and Easton. The data from these deployments will be analysed

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and shared between the police, the parish council, the Speed Enforcement Unit and Somerset County Council. It is expected that this exercise will be repeated at other sites within Wells and St Cuthbert Out. There are plans to set up a

Wells Community Speed Watch group soon. Anyone who is interested in volunteering, or who would like to suggest a site to be monitored, should contact Councillor David Ball on 01749 678910, or PC Darren Pearson on 07889 659206.

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October 2017

n NEWS

Big turnout for Bloom awards night From page 1

ROLL OF HONOUR

brought more people out,” she said. “It was an excellent turnout, and it was really good to see so many children here. “It’s been a great success. The whole year has been a great success. People have been saying it’s been better than ever.” Her sentiments were echoed by the Mayor of Wells, Councillor John North, in his address to the audience. “I’d like to thank every one of you for what you do through the year to tend your gardens and make our city so beautiful,” he said. “I think the schools have done particularly well this year and I thank them all. “Wells in Bloom is loved by all citizens and all visitors. Throughout the year the city is awash with colour.” He ended his speech by

There is only space to record the Gold trophy winners here:

School parties pose for a photograph with the mayor, mayoress and others praising the contribution of Sylvia Hanks to Wells in Bloom over the past 15 years and presenting her with a special award. Competition organiser Linda Bishop said that the number of entries was similar to last year with the exception of the Cafe

Front or Patio area, for which there had been none. Awards were presented to schools and allotment-holders, before moving on to the awards for indivduals, businesses and communities. The evening ended with an informal buffet supper.

n Private House Front Garden: Adrian Guise n Private House Back Garden: Adrian Guise n People Without Front Garden – Flower Containers ie. boxes, pots, troughs and baskets: Kath Bristow n Small ‘Pocket Handkerchief’ Garden: Colin Westley n Communities: Balch Road n Front of Hotels and Public Houses: Cheddar Valley Inn n Courtyard of Hotel and Public House: The Sun Inn n Business Premises and Business Communities: Queen Street Traders

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October 2017

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Volunteer wins award for work helping flora and fauna flourish SUE Bates is a volunteer at Wells and Mendip Museum and looks after their lovely garden which is tucked away at the back of the building. Sue works extremely hard tending the trees, plants and flowers, birds and insects which inhabit this wonderful space. In recognition of all Sue’s hard work in actively preserving and conserving flora and fauna, James Stone of the Somerset Wildlife Trust presented her with an award for conservation, the qualification criteria being that she has conserved at least six species of plants, animals or insects.

Sue’s dedication has ensured that there are many more species being looked after and provided with a wildlife habitat. There is a mining bee nest, bird’s nests, bats, log piles for insects, uncut lawn banks and an uncut meadow which play host to a huge variety of wild flowers and mature trees like cedar and a Glastonbury thorn. No chemicals are used in the garden, no peat, and Sue even puts out her cat’s hair in the spring so that the birds can use it for nesting. Sue’s dedication means that this is a hugely deserved award. Clare Blackmore

Wells City Council news for September

wells.gov.uk; members of the public are always welcome. There was lots to say at the City and Tourism Forum on the 7th; this is always a very well attended and lively meeting; we discussed the appearance of the bus station and how we could help to make it more welcoming for visitors to our city. The city council is working in partnership with First Bus, Mendip District Council, Wells Chamber of Commerce, and Visit by Coach, to take forward some improvements. Councillors expected to be co-opting a new member to fill the vacancy at the full council meeting on September 28.

Open Spaces The team are still cutting grass and have been busy tidying up after the stormy weather too. They will be working with the council allotment holders and the tree specialist to see if any trees need pruning at the allotment sites. They will help the Wells in Bloom volunteers to take down the summer displays, in preparation for the colder weather. City council meetings Weekly council committee meetings resumed in September after the summer break; all details are on the website www.

Town Hall A new fire alarm system has been fitted in the Town Hall; apologies

James Stone presents an award for conservation to Sue Bates to all our users that the work was not quite finished during the holidays. We are very grateful to our archivist, Dr Julia Wood, for organising the Heritage Open Day at the Town Hall. Thank you to everyone who helped. City centre Overnight filming at the cathedral on Saturday 16th caused minimal disruption to the city centre; the film company worked closely with the authorities and they made a contribution to local council funds. Donations from film companies are put towards the costs of community projects in the town centre. We look forward to the October festivals in Wells; links are on www. visitwellssomerset.co.uk.

Four more charities prepare to make pitch for funds ALREADY 27 charities have been helped by Wells SOUP. Now it is the turn of another four. This event follows a similar but gentler pattern to TV’s Dragons’ Den with charities benefitting rather than entrepreneurs. Four charities will make fourminute presentations at Seager Hall in Union Street, Wells, on Saturday, October 14, from 1pm2pm. Arrive at 12.45pm to be sure of a good seat. The audience enjoys a light lunch, asks questions of the charities, then votes on how the prize fund is distributed between them. “We have supported 27 charities so far,” said Ross Young of Wells SOUP. “All have come away with funds. “Thanks to Burns the Bread for match-funding the money we will raise. There should be £700 to distribute between the charities.” SOUP is run by Wells Independents, a non-party political group of volunteers working to make the city a better place. The four charities are: Wells Macular Group which supports people with degeneration in their vision, Wells Home Library Service (provided by the Royal Voluntary Service), Wells Bipolar Support Group and Wells City Carnival. u Meeting Dragons and MP all in a week’s work, page 20.

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October 2017

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Legends live on in charity concert SUPERGROUP The Traveling Wilburys will be remembered at a charity concert being staged in Wells in December Acclaimed tribute band The Unravelling Wilburys will be reliving the sounds and songs of the late 1980s supergroup which brought together five of the greatest names in rock music history: George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne. The concert will be held at St Thomas’s Church in St Thomas Street, Wells, on December 8. It is being organised by Wells Lions Club with all profits going to support the work of Mendip YMCA in Wells. Wells Lions president Paul Clegg said: “This will be a great concert for Wells and we’re delighted to be staging it. We’re

expecting it to be a sell-out which will raise good money for Mendip YMCA’s work in Wells. “Our last concert earlier this year, with Caerphilly Male Voice Choir in St Cuthbert’s Church, sold out and we raised £3,500 for local dementia charities. “Wells Lions membership has doubled in the past year. We’re 19-strong now and excited about our future, with more events, more charity fundraising and more fun. “If anyone wants to join us, or just learn more about what we do and why we do it, they can call me on 01749 671596.” Tickets for The Unravelling Wilburys cost £10 in advance, call 01458 210926 or 01749 671596, £11 online at www. cityofwellslions.org/tickets, or £12 on the door.

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Artist Chris Lee outside East in Wells High Street, one of the shops that is displaying his pictures during Somerset Art Weeks. The Half Mile Gallery, details of which were revealed in the July edition of Wells Voice, stretches from Sadler Street to Priory Road and Priest Row. Chris describes the show as a love ‘storey’ about Wells and its beautiful buildings, and is holding a brochure he has produced that explains more. Somerset Art Weeks started on September 23 and continue until October 8. For details of the Wells venues taking part, see wellsvoice.co.uk/whats-on

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October 2017

n NEWS THE Mayoress of Wells, Gail North, is celebrating losing nearly a stone and a half in weight – despite the temptations on offer at official engagements. In nine weeks of accompanying her husband John, the Mayor of Wells, to fairs, fetes, official dinners, and even a twinning visit to Frankfurt for a sausage festival, she has lost 1st 6lbs, and 6.5 inches from around her waist. “It’s incredible,” said Gail. “I knew that I would have to be disciplined to achieve any weight loss, but fortunately I found a diet and a consultant that helped make it possible.” Gail started losing weight once she signed up to the Cambridge Weight Plan, under the supervision of Wells consultant Caroline F. The plan lets slimmers choose from 45 products, from spaghetti bolognese to chocolate mint bars, on the way to their weight-

Gail North before and after losing weight loss target. The ratio of weight plan products to conventional food are tailored to suit each individual’s requirements. “It’s the only diet that has worked for me,” said Gail. “There is plenty of choice, and Caroline’s one-to-one support has been invaluable.”

Caroline said: “I am incredibly proud of Gail, she has really shown what is possible despite all her commitments.” Anyone who is interested to learn more about the Cambridge Weight Plan can contact Caroline by email: carolinecwpwells@ gmail.com

Surprise when displays go up CHRISTMAS shoppers are in for a surprise when they stroll down High Street this year – the usual tree at the junction with Broad Street is being replaced with a new ‘mystery’ Christmas feature. The display is one of several changes being introduced this year by Wells City Council. There are enough crossstreet frames now to replace the old wreaths and garlands, which have been given to local hotels and pubs to decorate their frontages, and the lights will stretch further than usual – along Sadler Street, High Street, Broad Street, Queen Street and Lower High Street. There will be new lights in the three Market Place trees, and the council also hopes to have two large wreaths, a Christmas tree and an illuminated coat of arms decorating the Town Hall. The lights are due to start going up on November 20.

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October 2017

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New crossing patrol appeal A WELLS school is making a last-ditch attempt to recruit a school crossing patrol person or face having to return the money provided to pay for them. In 2015, parents walking their children to Stoberry Park School from the east of the city expressed concerns about how dangerous it was to cross St Thomas Street. In July of that year a location on St Thomas Street, between the junctions of North Road and Beryl Lane and opposite the former hospital, was assessed by Somerset County Council as being suitable for a school crossing patrol – but still the post is vacant. On two occasions candidates for the role have been recruited, only for them to find other employment due to delays in the council’s occupational health provider, OH Assist, arranging the necessary health checks. Wells City Council has

Teaching assistant Laura Barlow and pupils who all need to cross St Thomas Street on their walk to to school are sad that they do not have a crossing patrol person provided a grant towards the cost of the school crossing patrol but the money has to be returned

School adopts cat that kept returning

soon unless the school can recruit a new candidate. “We are looking for a community-minded local resident who would like to help the children get to and from school safely every day,” said headteacher Michael Hawkins. “There has recently been a consultation about putting double yellow lines on the south side of North Road to reduce the dangerous parking around the school. “It is hoped that by making St Thomas Street safer to cross more families might walk to and from school.” The crossing patrol person would need to work five hours a week – half an hour at the beginning and the end of each school day. Full training and a uniform will be provided. Anyone interested should call the school on 01749 672516 or email agouldney2@educ. somerset.gov.uk

A CAT has been spending so much time at Stoberry Park School that the school has officially adopted her. Ten-year-old grey and white tabby Iggy, above, was handed over to the school by Gill Canning of Glastonbury and Wells Cats Protection – and is now known as Iggy Stoberry. Despite having a registered owner, she had often spent her time roaming around the school site, but was taken in by the animal charity after being found wandering in St Thomas Street. Once Cats Protection learned of her fondness for the school, and with the agreement of her owner, arrangements were made for the official adoption. She now has her own sleeping area where she cannot set off the alarms, a cat flap, and even her own Facebook page which can be found by searching for Iggy Stoberry.

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October 2017

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Tattoo studio becomes bigger and better WELLS tattoo studio Last Dragon Tattoo has just unveiled a new booth. Built as part of plans to expand the already established business, the booth is designed to allow for more space to pierce as well as carry out laser tattoo removals. Studio owner Matthew Mason will continue to focus primarily on tattooing, so shop manager Lu Breeden will be providing these other services. The studio, in St Cuthbert Street, has also welcomed a new tattooist, cutting waiting time and allowing it to take on extra clients. All this is a far cry from the original much smaller studio in Heritage Courtyard. Matt has been a staple in the Wells inked community for many years, often being the go-to person for first timers, as well as being someone people return to because they know and trust him.

Matthew Mason at work on a tattoo Explaining the attraction of his profession, he said: “My favourite thing about this line of work is getting creative with custom designs and meeting all

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kinds of people from all walks of life.” It has been an interesting and sometimes bizarre experience for him, including once inking a pepperami on a man’s genitals. He has also been asked to do tattoos using the ashes of dead relatives. He has had famous faces through those doors too, with

Event in cathedral will celebrate 125 years of serving communities

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Game of Thrones actress Masie Williams popping in for a piercing. Matt says that since he opened his first studio over ten years ago, having trained with various other artists, the industry has vastly changed. He names the likes of Kat Von D as someone who has massively encouraged females to get inked. It used to be that women rarely had tattoos, but now many women are taking the plunge from all walks of life. Anyone considering having a tattoo must be aware of a few things. If you are under 18 years of age, then you will not be able to get it done. You must not be under the influence whilst having it done as alcohol thins out the blood. Also, you need to make sure you are going to take great care after you have a tattoo. The aftercare instructions you are given are vital in maintaining a top quality job. Lastly, when you book you will need a deposit of at least £10. The minimum cost of a tattoo is £30, the bigger and more time it takes will see the price go up accordingly. Georgie Robbins

THIS year, YMCA Mendip is celebrating 125 years of supporting communities across the whole of Mendip. The charity was formed in a coffee shop in Wells back in 1892. Since then, the charity has grown and adapted to the times and now offers a range of services to all young people and communities across Mendip. To mark this achievement, YMCA Mendip is holding a celebratory event in Wells Cathedral at 2pm on Saturday, October 21. The event is open to all in the community and light refreshments will be provided after the service which will give everyone a chance to meet the staff, volunteers, supporters and some of the young people YMCA Mendip has supported. CEO of the charity Karen Deverell said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 125 years of

serving the communities of Mendip. “This is an important opportunity for us to thank current and previous staff members, trustees, volunteers and all those individuals and organisations who have supported us over the years. Why not come along to find out more about our work with young people and adults? To help us celebrate this important milestone there will also, of course, be cake!” It is a non-ticketed event but to help with catering numbers, anyone who would like to attend the service is asked to send a RSVP to admin@mendipymca. org.uk. If there are any questions or to find out more about the service, contact Karen Collins (senior fundraiser) at KCollins@ mendipymca.org.uk or call 01749 679553.

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October 2017

n WELLS FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE

Celebration of the art of story-telling ACCORDING to the engaging Susan Elderkin, reading is the finest form of therapy – she’s written books on the subject, outlining which novels are best suited to which ailments. At 1.30pm on Saturday, October 14, Susan will be talking to award-winning novelist John Boyne about his latest book, The Heart’s Invisible Furies. Boyne is perhaps best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but his new novel is equally sensitive, equally heart-breaking. This year’s anniversary festival celebrates the art of story-telling in all its forms: Emma Craigie talks to local authors Helen Stevenson and Susan Beale about the use of

memoir in writing; Sarah Perry discusses her wonderful book The Essex Serpent with book groups; Tessa Hadley introduces her beautifully crafted short story collection Bad Dreams at a Festival Literary Lunch on Tuesday, October 17. The Literary Lunches this year offer all sorts of delights and, although some are sold out, there’s room on Andrew Martin’s compelling Night Train (Wednesday, October 18) and with Dr Graham Tomlin as he celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by reimagining the world through Luther’s Gospel (Friday, October 20). Always diverse in its scope,

Andrew Martin and Tess Hadley are among those coming to Wells the festival brings diversity to life through the multi-talented presenter June Sarpong whose book Diversify, written in conjunction with Nuffield College, Oxford, challenges us all to face our prejudices and

assumptions, even those we can’t believe we harbour (8pm, Wednesday, October 18). There’s plenty more on offer during the festival to appeal to all manner of tastes: poetry, politics, painting, as well as history, gardening, cooking, science and medicine. Not forgetting something very special for all the family: an afternoon of entertainment from Horrible Histories illustrator, Martin Brown. That’s at 3.30pm on Sunday, October 15. And in another change to the printed brochure, Professor Grayling, who was booked to speak on Tuesday, October 17, is now unable to be in Wells on that date. He will appear at 10.30am on Saturday, October 14, instead. Some events have already sold out and others are heading that way – so don’t delay. Have a look at the anniversary brochure for full details, or check out the website: wellsfestivalofliterature. org.uk Telephone booking 10am to midday, Wednesday to Saturday, 0300 2010211.

ST CUTHBERT’S C of E INFANTS’ SCHOOL

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Open Evening

Tuesday 10th October 2017 5pm – 6pm St Cuthbert’s Preschool will also be open to prospective parents. Both rated Good by Ofsted in 2014 and 2016 respectively. St Cuthbert’s C of E Infants’ School, Keward Walk, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1TZ. Email: sch.395@educ.somerset.gov.uk Call: 01749 672591

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n NEWS IN PICTURES

Volunteer Sally Trayhurn, left, and manager Linda Sparkes hang hearts with messages about loved ones lost to cancer on one of the memory trees in the Wells Cancer Research UK shop. The trees will be in place until November 3 as part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. ‘Everyone has somehow been touched by cancer in their family,’ said Linda.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, took the wedding service of his son Richard and Sinead Hancock on Saturday, September 2, at Wells Cathedral. They are pictured with Bishop Peter’s wife Jane. The happy couple were greeted by cheers as they left the cathedral and a town cry by Wells Town Crier Len Sweales.

Richard Green with his display about charter fairs in Wells Town Hall during this year’s Heritage Open Days. Dr Julia Wood, Wells City Archivist, said: ‘This year we welcomed an incredible 595 visitors to the town hall, which breaks our previous record attendance. I’m really thrilled that so many people came along.’ Other venues that opened included City of Wells Almshouses, the museum and The Old Deanery and Garden.

Wells Civic Society held their inaugural public Art 360 event on Cathedral Green at the end of August. Artists of all ages and of all abilities working in mediums as diverse as felt and Plasticine made representations of the buildings which surrounded them. The society said that it was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by the artists and the onlookers. Flora went with her family, above, and chose to paint a beach scene.

From left, Alex Hill, Ellie Lovell, Liz Hill and Vernon Hill open the new clubhouse at Mendip Shooting Ground at Haydon, near Wells, on September 23. Built by Vernon and his son Alex, the 1,200 square metre clubhouse incorporates a restaurant, seating area, offices and three meeting rooms, which are available to hire. There is also a 25-metre indoor air rifle shooting range in the basement and a shop that has a vacancy for a tenant. Vernon and Alex laid every one of the 3,500 blocks themselves.

Participants at the start line in the Lions Cup Heat 1 race at this year’s Moat Boat Races. Organised by Wells Lions and Wells Air Cadets, the event saw about £10,000 raised for the collective charities. Cheques for the chosen recipients were handed out at an awards night in September hosted by the principal event sponsor, The Swan Hotel. It had been feared that these might be the last Moat Boat Races, because Lions numbers were falling, but in the past year the club has almost doubled its membership.

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

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Food & drink abulous

How food festival became major event in calendar To kick-off our four pages on the local food and drink scene, we catch up with Wells Food Festival director Paddy O’Hagan, who founded the event in 2012. The food festival is returning for a fifth year on Sunday (October 8). Here, Paddy explains how the festival came into being and picks out some of the things to look out for this year How excited are you about this year’s food festival? I am genuinely excited about this year. We feel the range of food and drink on offer as well as street food shows just how wonderful our local, mainly small, producers are. The quality is astonishing. The Charlie Bigham Discovery Zone will be very interesting. The cathedral is opening parts of the building never normally open to the public for a medieval tour after each talk. The best way to find out is to get hold of our brochure – another innovation. Or join thousands of likes on our Facebook pages. What is it that you love so much about it? It really is a community festival with a great atmosphere. We are all volunteers and a team. There is no entrance fee. Our artisan stallholders give us such support, not least by signing up

Cheese at a previous food festival

early in the year. Could be that, since their sales are so good, they really want to come back year after year. Another thing is that the festival is so well organised, from selecting who we include to parking (with a little help from Mike Phelps) I feel that we have retained the quality and focus without getting so big that we lose that smallest city, personal touch. The team feel a real sense of ownership and that is enjoyed by the 15,000 visitors who join in with us. We attract all ages and every sort of person, which is important too. What prompted you to start it in the first place? A friend and I were sitting in a garden in Pilton listening to the Glastonbury Festival. We just thought that if this was France, we could pop out and buy fantastic simple, local food and drink. It seemed to us that we should celebrate our producers, their skill and dedication. Vital for the local economy but also important for keeping our Somerset landscape and its traditions alive. So we thought, let’s put a rural, free food festival on in Wells. So we did and despite the rain, we are still thriving. Did you have much of a background in food and drink previously? Not really, other than I feel the quality of ingredients to be important. I want to support artisan makers, small businesses and their working across the Levels. We have always cooked rather than bought ready-made meals. I champion localism and have been involved in projects about farming and food. So passion but no professional background.

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Wells Food Festival founder and director Paddy O’Hagan Can you pick out any particular things for people to look out for this year? The brochure is the place to start. Our Facebook page is very popular and really well done. Whatever you like: eat street food, buy delicious treats and then eat some more and buy more treats. Sit in the sun – hopefully! That makes sense to me. There is a lunch in the Town Hall based on foraging with award-winning chefs. The talks in the cathedral followed by a guided tour of parts not open to the public with a tasting. Did I mention food and cider…! Most people mention the atmosphere as being friendly and fun.

What do you think of the food and drink scene in Wells in general? There are certainly a good spread of excellent restaurants and cafes of all sorts and prices. We have two wine merchants. Our sponsor, Waitrose, offers many local fine foods and drinks as does the excellent independent Queen Street Deli. Will the food festival continue into the forseeable future? I certainly hope so. I think it is amazing that in five years we can go from such small beginnings to being the biggest single-day event in Wells. The festival’s success is totally reliant on the energies and time given by the core team of volunteers, several of whom have been volunteering since the first year, and we do need some younger volunteers to join the team to ensure its future. How would you sum up living in Wells? We moved here some years ago. Wells was really welcoming and is becoming more and more ‘cultural’. Lots of us are making things happen in all sorts of ways: charity work such as Dementia Wells, fundraising like SOUP to the festivals. It is beautiful and Wells nestles into the best rural landscape anywhere. u More on the food festival and a timetable of events, pages 14 and 15.

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

October 2017

Fabulous food & drink

World of flavours from burgers to biltong are demonstrations on wild food foraging from Adrian Boots. With the theme ‘Fun with Food’, there is lots to entertain the youngsters in the Morrisons Children’s Zone in the Bishop’s Barn. All the senses will be used to ignite children’s imagination, from planting seeds through to composting. Three talks are taking place in the Wells Cathedral Education Room. These include cider tasting with local expert, Bob Chaplin; Ales, Trails and Snails, by Christopher Somerville, walking correspondent of The Times, and Kate Lynch, an artist and social historian, who has spent years documenting local traditional farming and crafts Each talk includes a ‘Taster Tour’ of Wells Cathedral, looking at culinary stories reflected in the medieval stone carvings and stained glass, and a private

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WELLS Food Festival returns to the city for the fifth year running – and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Festival-goers can eat their way around the world at the Artisan Market and Street Food stalls starting in the Market Place and stretching along to the Recreation Ground. Here they will find everything to satisfy the palate from charcuterie to cheese, fruit to fudge, paella to pies and even a taste of biltong, the Somerset way. There will be the chance to test culinary knowledge in the Charlie Bigham’s Discovery Zone in the Recreation Ground. Waitrose will be providing some food identification hints and tips; local butcher, F Griffiths & Sons, will hold sausage and burger masterclasses throughout the day, and there

Let us take the stress out of your party planning Queen Street Deli can provide the catering for private parties or office lunches Buffets, canapes, cakes and puddings Homemade tarts and sandwiches Superb selection of cheeses Fresh artisan bread delivered daily Friendly and knowledgeable staff

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This year’s Wells Food Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, and visitors should find everything to satisfy the palate tasting session in the Vicars’ Hall, the original dining hall for the men of the Cathedral Choir and not normally open to the public. At 12pm William Sitwell, a familiar face on BBC’s Masterchef, will be in The Bishop’s Palace discussing his book, Eggs or Anarchy. It reveals how Lord Woolton, Minister for

Food during the Second World War, fed the people of Britain, and includes a tasting of Woolton Pie. Tickets for all four talks are £6 available from www.bradsons. co.uk. n Wells Food Festival, Sunday, October 8, 10.30am-4.30pm. Free entry. For more details, visit www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk

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wellsvoice

October 2017

Fabulous food & drink Wells Food Festival events programme

n Fermentation demonstration – Tracebridge Fermenteria Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free)

11am

2pm

n Local foraging demonstration – Adrian Boots Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free) n Kate Lynch – Book signing: FARM – Paintings, drawings and Somerset voices Wells Town Hall, Parkes Room (free)

n Bob Chaplin – Talk: A Cider Tour of the UK Wells Cathedral Education Room (ticket required), preceded by Cathedral Taster Tour at 1pm n Kate Lynch – Book signing: FARM – Paintings, drawings and Somerset voices Wells Town Hall, Parkes Room (free) n Local foraging demonstration – Adrian Boots Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free) n Fermentation demonstration – Tracebridge Fermenteria Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free)

11.30am n Christopher Somerville – Talk: Ales, Trails and Snails – Book signing: The January Man Wells Cathedral Education Room (ticket required), followed by Cathedral Taster Tour

12pm

1pm n Kate Lynch – Talk: FARM – Paintings, drawings and Somerset voices Wells Cathedral Education Room (ticket required), followed by Cathedral Taster Tour

3pm n Fermentation demonstration – Tracebridge Fermenteria Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free)

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n William Sitwell – Talk and book signing: Eggs or Anarchy The Bishop’s Palace Undercroft (ticket required) n Country skills and cookery

demonstration – Vale House Kitchen Discovery Zone, Wells Recreation Ground (free) n Field, forage and fermentation demonstration and lunch Wells Town Hall, Main Hall (ticket required)

Funky Teas and Seasonal Coffee Home Cooked Food and Home Baked Cakes Full English now served all day Great atmosphere, great music playlist Friendly dogs welcome in our courtyard and covered barn area Licensed, for you to enjoy a cool beer or one of our wines CHECK OUT OUR SEASONAL DRINKS

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wellsvoice

October 2017

Fabulous food & drink

Micropub earns entry in good beer guide THE couple who opened Just Ales in Market Street, Wells, 18 months ago are celebrating their micropub’s entry in Camra’s Good Beer Guide 2018. Andy Legrange and his wife Donna have been running Just Ales, the first micropub in Somerset, since March 2016. “We had worked in the pub trade in Bath for over 20 years. We noticed the way the trade was trending and the emergence of micropubs,” said Andy. “We chose this site due to its location near to the bus station and the High Street. “We have taken the concept of public houses back to its roots, supplying good beer and basic pub grub, such as award-winning

pork pies and freshly filled rolls.” Describing the atmosphere at Just Ales as cosy and intimate, Andy said the emphasis was on conversation. There are no televisions, quiz machines or loud music. Instead, there is an ever growing selection of board games, and at least four real ales on offer, some local and some from further afield, served directly from the barrel and brought to the table. Just Ales offers a loyalty card scheme which provides the 11th pint free, and is open seven days a week from noon-9pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday). Camra’s Good Beer Guide is in its 45th year. The 2018 guide is on sale now priced £12.99.

Andy Legrange behind the counter at Just Ales

Hotel to serve up grand feast in best traditions of Victorian era THE Mayor of Wells, in times past and once a year, would hold a Civic Feast for the great and the good of Wells. In the 1800s this was always held at the Swan Hotel. In the city archives Dr Julia Wood and her volunteers have discovered some of the original invitations, menu cards and table plans, and the Swan Hotel is going to recreate one of these Victorian evenings using the information gleaned from these artefacts. Dishes such as mock turtle

soup, boiled beef, boiled lamb, turbot, blancmanges and creams seem to have been the favourite and there were many different offerings of wine: Moselle, Hock, Sauterne, Chablis, Chateau Lafite, the choice of six different champagnes along with sherry, claret, port and brandy. There were four courses and between each course there were toasts, each with a proposer and responder. Toasts were made to The Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Army and Navy, The Lord Bishop, The

Dean and Chapter, The Clergy, The Lord Lieutenant, The Mayor, The City Council, The County Council, The Churchwardens, The Post Master, The Town Clerk, The Press and The Ladies. The Swan will base its Victorian evening upon the menu cards, and alongside them there will be an exhibition of the Swan’s history, photographs and interesting stories relating to the hotel. Manager Mark Tobin said: “We will dress the room with candles, flowers and evergreens

as it used to be and bring a Victorian feeling back to Wells. We hope that guests will enter into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in Victorian style. It will also be an opportunity to raise some money for the Wells and Mendip Museum which houses the city archive and for Macmillan Cancer Support.” The evening will be on Sunday, February 4. Tickets will cost £30 (in 1888 tickets were 5/6d, rising to 7/6d by 1895). For further information email Natasha@swanhotelwells.co.uk

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October 2017

n NEWS

An aerial view of a property as seen from a drone, and inset left, Steve and Livvy Mckay

Drones take agency to whole new level A COUPLE who run a design and marketing agency in Wells are moving with the times by adding drone photography to the services they offer. Livvy and Steve Mckay, of Jaypeg Ltd, had both previously worked in the luxury property

industry and were aware of the impact that professional photography – and now video – can have on sales. “With the onset of online services such as Airbnb and Purple Bricks, property owners in and around Wells are taking

more control of marketing their properties, so we have added drone photography and internal walk through videos to our list of services,” said Steve. “We use the very latest in drone technology to create bird’s eye footage of the property from the best viewpoint. “Anything that can give your property an edge over the competition is an advantage. We are also fortunate to live in an area where there are a lot of properties that are situated in large plots, so the best way to view these is from the air.” To offer a drone photography service commercially, there are several steps that have to be followed, including classroombased sessions and a practical flight exam, and the process can take up to five months. Jaypeg Ltd has completed the process and been granted permission for commercial operations by the Civil Aviation Authority, and has specialist insurance. “There are thousands of drones being sold to hobbyists

and it is very important to provide a professional and legal service to clients,” said Steve. He explained that a drone must always be within the line of sight and no more than 500m from the operator, the maximum height a drone can fly at is 120m,

Steve Mckay operating a drone and a drone must always be 50m away from people or buildings. Jaypeg Ltd is currently offering people the chance to win a luxury property marketing package worth more than £600. Find out more at jaypeg. photography/competition

S AS et stmas R E TT ISTM ow to gre Chri U SH CHR rder nn befo o io R ur llat O o y F ace insta

Pl eed t ran a gu

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n ON THE BEAT

Stay safe and secure at busy time of the year

News from the local policing team with PCSO Bev Searle

AS the evenings begin to start drawing in at this time of year, it is worth remembering that Halloween is at the end of the month. This is a great time for children who love to go Trick or Treating and it’s important that they are kept safe whilst doing so. As parents, please ensure you accompany young children and only call on persons who you know will be receptive to the event. Do avoid calling on any elderly persons or neighbours who you know might not wish to be involved in this type of activity as it can cause distress to them. We sometimes receive reports of damage to property (which is really unnecessary) at this time of year due to trick or treat activity. If anyone is displaying a “No Trick or Treaters” sign, please respect them and move on. Anyone wishing to obtain

a poster/sign to this effect – pictured right – can do so by visiting their local police station or visiting the Avon and Somerset website for more information. It’s also timely to remind you about Bonfire Night in early November; again an event where families can all enjoy themselves whether at individual or organised events. Safety is always a concern so ensure that you follow any organisers’ instructions. Please do not allow children under 18 to buy fireworks. Shopkeepers should challenge anyone who appears to be underage and wishing to purchase fireworks, and police will be working with local businesses to try and enforce this message. Generally, it’s coming up to

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a busy time of year, it’s easy to forget to do the basics with regard to crime prevention. Always ensure you secure your property even when just popping out for a short while. Lock away anything that can be used to assist any offenders into accessing a property. During the hours of darkness, consider using a timer switch to activate lamps, TVs or radios to make your property look as if it is occupied when you are out. These are a few common sense issues and everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the risks of becoming a victim of crime are reduced. If you see anything that you think is suspicious, call us either via 101 (non-emergency) or 999 in any emergency.

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Classic Film & Television The Nativity and Angel Festival is once again being held in St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, from December 1-3. Do you have a Nativity set or an angel that could be displayed? Items that are new to the church are particularly welcome to join the established collection from around the world. Contact the parish office on 01749 676906 or 01749 678410 if you would like to take part in the festival, which is stewarded throughout the event.

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n new music wells

Doors & Windows...

Picture: Kate Vandyke

WELLS Cathedral is preparing to celebrate its tenth annual festival of new music: new music wells 77-17, to be held from October 15-19. Building on the success of previous years, all music during the cathedral’s services and at four special concerts will be selected from repertoire written over the last 40 years. This year’s distinguished composer-in-residence is Howard Skempton, who celebrates his 70th birthday shortly after the festival. He will have two works premiered by Wells Cathedral Choir on Thursday, October 19, at the 5.15pm service of Choral Evensong. The festival will also include world premiere performances of works by Professor Philip Wilby, Francis Jackson (in celebration of his 100th birthday on October 2), and Rebecca Farthing, who is a student at Wells Cathedral School. In other events, Lord (Michael) Berkeley CBE – presenter of BBC Radio 3’s Private Passions – will be in conversation with fellow composers Howard Skempton and Philip Wilby on Wednesday, October 18: Composer Conversations with Michael Berkeley begins at 2.30pm in the Education Room. Skempton will give a public composition masterclass in Cedars Hall on the afternoon of Thursday, October 19, working with students from Wells Cathedral School. Admission to all of these events is free.

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There will be four lunchtime concerts during the week, all starting at 1.05pm in the North Transept of the Cathedral: a Contemporary Song Recital on Monday, October 16, with Edward Goater and Christopher Sheldrake; students from Wells Cathedral School will give lunchtime recitals on Tuesday, October 17, and Wednesday, October 18, including music by the school’s student composers. Finally, organist and Master of the Choristers, Matthew Owens, will give an organ recital on Thursday, October 20, featuring music by Judith Bingham (president of the festival), Philip Glass, Howard Skempton, Lionel Rogg, and Philip Wilby. Admission to all four concerts is free, with retiring collections to support Wells Cathedral Music. New Music Bells ‘Five Rings Doubles’ bellringing A new innovation within this year’s new music wells festival is new music bells which will see the cathedral’s bell ringers performing a piece by Howard Skempton on the final day of events: Five Rings Triples was commissioned for 2012 Cultural Olympiad Project and receives its South West premiere of the Five Rings Doubles version on Thursday, October 19, at 4.30pm. Times of services for the festival n Sunday: Eucharist 9.45am, Matins 11.30am, Evensong 3pm. n Monday to Thursday: Evensong 5.15pm.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n NEWS

Meeting Dragons and MP all in a week’s work A GLOBAL seller of secondhand books near Wells is looking to expand with new financial backers after a visit to the Dragons’ Den helped shape future plans. Bookbarn International directors William Pryor and

Fenna Leake were featured on a recent episode of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and viewers saw them being greatly encouraged by the Dragons, who nonetheless decided not to invest. William, who is a great-greatgrandson of Charles Darwin, Fenna Leake and William Pryor at Bookbarn

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said: “Though my ancestry seemed to excite Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman took a real shine to Fenna, the Dragons all said, ‘I’m out’, despite our continued 25% a year growth. We are confident of the future and are now looking beyond the Den for funding to take the business to the next level. “It was an inspiring experience: the conversation with the Dragons was helpful and encouraging. We acquired Bookbarn in 2013 and set out to build the brand, software and systems to enable the business to trade efficiently on a global scale, and the Dragons appreciated the progress we’ve made. “The local and global aspects to our business do take a little explaining and the whole Dragons’ Den experience helped us find answers to some vital questions, answers that are proving a great help in the serious talks we are now in with potential funders. “We have a passion for books and we hope that shone through in the Den.” North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg dropped in on Bookbarn a week after it featured on Dragon’s Den – and hailed its importance to the local economy. He said Bookbarn International – which employs 32 people – was now a significant Somerset employer. “Bookbarn International employs local people which is great for the local economy. We want business to thrive in this area,” he said. During his visit Mr ReesMogg was given a behind the scenes tour of the centre, which includes an extensive array of books on sale to the public, a cafe and the newly launched Darwin Room, a collection of rare and antiquarian books gleaned from the Bookbarn vaults.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n NEWS

Will’s thank you photographs lead to invitation to exhibit WELLS photographer Will Glenn has been invited to exhibit at a hospital after giving a disk of photos to the nurse who cared for him during a series of tests for cancer. Charlotte – or Lottie, as she became known to Will – looked after him during a series of scans and biopsies at Yeovil District Hospital. In March, he decided to thank her by handing over a disk of images of autumn leaves floating on the Bishop’s Palace moat, which he titled ‘ZEN, and the Art of Autumn’. This led to an invitation to stage the exhibition, which opened in September and continues until Christmas. “I had to laugh when Lottie said that she had put me forward to have an exhibition,” said Will. “I told her that I’m not in that

Three of Will Glenn’s images of of autumn leaves floating on the Bishop’s Palace moat league, having seen an exhibition by a sports photographer, of the Paralympians in Rio. Her reply was, ‘No, you’re not a sports photographer, you’re an artist’.” Will has been told that he

does not have cancer, but he will continue to be monitored every 12 months. The 15 mounted and framed A3 images are on display in the out-patients reception area.

Theatre festival seeks sponsors WELLS Theatre Festival is seeking patrons or businesses interested in sponsoring the event to kick-start its first year in the city. Backers of the festival – which boasts Sir Richard Eyre and Dame Judi Dench as patrons – will be afforded backstage access to companies, VIP tickets and promotional opportunities. Productions include a community Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet production on the Cathedral Green, and a mystery play in Vicars’ Close. There will be a strong focus on building new young audiences and hosting performances in schools, as well as offering young people the opportunity to gain additional experience and training in performing arts To find out more about the festival, and to discuss sponsorship opportunities, email festival founder Ros Johnson: ros@wellstheatrefestival.org

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Decades of expertise keep family opticians at forefront of eye care DAVID Millican has been dispensing spectacles and advice about eye care in Wells since 1983. That was the year he took over the practice in Chamberlain Street run by Mr Thornley, and when David moved to his present premises in High Street in 1990, most of Mr Thornley’s patients moved with him. Some are still patients now, with records going back to 1973 – the year David

Optometrist David Millican

qualified as an optometrist. Millicans Eye Centre is a true family business. David’s wife Sandra is a dispensing optician at the practice, as is their daughter Sam, who has just passed her professional exams, and son-in-law Lee. “We are a friendly family opticians who can help with every aspect of eye care,” says David. One of the special services Millicans provides is help for children and adults with visual stress, a sensitivity to visual patterns, particularly stripes. This is sometimes confused with dyslexia, but though it can be more common in people who are dyslexic, it is not the same. Lee and fellow member of staff Lyn Jones can both carry out colorimetry testing and prescribe special spectacles with coloured lenses if needed, which can reduce visual stress. To make an appointment at Millicans, visit the eye centre at 75 High Street, Wells, or call 01749 673991.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n FROM THE TOWN HALL

Somewhere to find solace at difficult time GRANTED, it isn’t something you wish to have to even consider, especially at a young age, but unfortunately it’s a fact of life, it happens to us all. Here in Wells our cemetery is well looked after by Mark Culliford and his team on behalf of Wells City Council. As well as it being a place for you to bury your loved ones, there is also a beautiful chapel which suits smaller ceremonies and memorial services. Understanding the delicacy required when dealing with such heart-breaking moments, Mark knows how to take care of people with the utmost dignity and respect. It is also a time where detail is key, and most people will have very specific requirements when mourning their loved ones, it is also important they feel comfortable. This is something they pride themselves on, being able to offer a service to suit the

needs of those mourning and those being buried. Wells in itself is a beautiful city, there are not many places that can make a cemetery appealing in a non-morbid fashion. Located towards the outskirts of Wells, it covers 15 acres and offers a peaceful and almost harmonious part of the city. For the tranquillity

you require to mourn without disturbance, we are lucky to have such a finely positioned place of rest. They also allow for those who wish to celebrate the life of their loved ones with a bronze plaque or a bench. Many people find solace in having somewhere to sit that commemorates a life they shared. Wells Cemetery allows for this, all it takes is

a little chat with the resident expert Mark, who will guide you along the way and be as informative as possible. If you are someone who doesn’t fancy the initial faceto-face conversation about this sensitive subject then you can always pop over to the Wells City Council website, they provide a whole wealth of information on what they can provide, price guides, online forms and more about how to pre-book in a space in preparation. It is a useful tool for those who haven’t had the experience of dealing with something like this, it gives comfort and reassurance in a time when you are probably going to need it the most. Or if you would like to take a look around the chapel or area in general then get in touch with Mark, he will be able to arrange something for you. The council website can be found at www.wells.gov.uk

Article prompts dozens to sign up for important role in research

REMEMBER US? BORN 1991-92? WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN Book a Focus@24+ visit now! Phone us: 0117 331 0010 Text us: 07789 753 722 Email us: info@childrenofthe90s.ac.uk www.childrenofthe90s.ac.uk/focus24 Get a shopping voucher as a thank you. All travel costs reimbursed.

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VOICE readers have responded enthusiastically to an appeal to contribute to one of the world’s biggest and longest-running health studies – Children of the 90s. Based at the University of Bristol, the programme has been tracking the health and development of more than 14,000 families for more than 25 years. Almost 4,000 young people have taken part in the latest stage of the research, called Focus@24+, volunteering for a series of cutting-edge tests, including blood pressure, liver and lung function checks. Since the Voice publications featured Children of the 90s in their September editions, a further 146 participants have booked or attended a Focus@24+ appointment – many of them saying that it was the Voice article which prompted them to get in touch. Children of the 90s studies families with a child born in Bristol and the surrounding area between April 1991 and December 1992. It’s also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study

of Parents and Children, and is followed by scientists all over the world. Researchers have used the data collected over the last 25 years to help answer important questions on key health issues, including asthma, childhood obesity, and dementia. For example, it has been found that children exposed to lots of chemical agents are more likely to have asthma. Now, with the Focus@24+ clinics drawing to a close this autumn, the Children of the 90s team is keen to hear from anyone who was born in or around the city in 1991/2 and would like to play their part in building an even more detailed picture of the health of their generation. The team at Children of the 90s have opened clinic appointments throughout October, including in the evenings and at weekends. There are also new, shorter, two-hour appointments available. To find out more, please call 0117 331 0010, email info@ childrenofthe90s.ac.uk or visit the website: childrenofthe90s. ac.uk.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n NEWS

Manager Maggie Charlesworth, centre, with helpers and users of The Lawrence Centre in Wells

Friendship and fun for older people A CHARITY in Wells has been helping older people have fun and feel less lonely for five years now. The Lawrence Centre in Chamberlain Street was established in 2012 by a group of trustees who took over what was the St Lawrence Centre from Somerset County Council. It provides day opportunities for up to 16 older people a day, five days a week, including those living with memory loss and health issues.

Activities include talks, singing, flexercise, art and crafts, quizzes, cooking and outings. “Friendships are forged and testimonials say that our members greatly benefit from their time at The Lawrence Centre,” said centre manager Maggie Charlesworth. “What we do helps prevent social isolation – that’s one of our remits – and gives carers a much-needed break.” The work of The Lawrence Centre aims to keep people well,

Exercise classes for healthy back to be held in former school gym THE old Blue School gym in the Connect Centre, Wells, is to be the home of new exercise classes for a healthy back. Tutor John Beasley says that eight out of 10 people experience back pain, most often caused through bad posture, movement, muscle imbalance and load – as well as too much sitting and inactivity. “Sitting is the new smoking,” said John, a lower back pain specialist who lives in Wells. “Back pain can be a treatable and avoidable condition. Muscles require fine tuning.” PilogaFit is the new core stability class for those with back pain or wanting to avoid back pain. Classes will also increase mobility, particularly in the hips and shoulders, to spare the lumbar spine. Exercises are based on the new science of fit, researched by arguably the world’s top lower back specialist Dr Stuart McGill. His evidence-based approach is

to develop all the core and back muscles, which must act and be balanced together in unison like guy ropes. John attended the Blue School in the Sixties and started his first tai chi class in the gym 20 years ago. He said: “I am looking forward to being back in the ‘gym’ and its feelgood vibes. The attachment points high up in the gym ceiling, that held the climbing ropes and provided the inspiration through Mr Sim the PE teacher to climb higher, are still there. The ropes won’t be used in the PilogaFit class! Now it’s all health and safety and mat based.” PilogaFit classes will run in the Connect Centre on Mondays starting on October 23 from 5.30pm-6.30pm, and Thursdays starting on October 26 from 9.30am-10.30am. There is no need to book, just take a yoga mat. Further information at www.pilogafit.co.uk

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active and living independently for as long as possible. “There’s clearly a need in our community for a service providing support for vulnerable and frail people,” said Maggie. “When people come we try to tailor the activities to suit them. People do have fun, and laughter is quite important.” Another of the attractions of The Lawrence Centre is the freshly prepared daily lunch. “People really like the homecooked meal every day,” said

Maggie. “For some people that’s the only hot meal they will have all week.” Maggie is supported by four sessional workers and a number of volunteers, but more volunteers are needed. The centre is also looking for volunteer drivers to transport centre users from home and back. If interested, or to be considered for a place at the centre, call Maggie on 01749 676839 or email mcharlesworth @thelawrencecentre.org.uk

Board games group off ground A NEW board games group has started up after an appeal for players in last month’s Wells Voice. More than a dozen people have taken part in the first sessions, being held fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at the Cheese Yard Cafe, West Horrington, from 7pm-9.30pm.

“The cafe have been great and very supportive,” said organiser Linda Bird. The next meeting will be on October 11. New players and their board games are welcome. There is a £1 charge towards the cafe’s running costs. For more information contact Linda on 01749 688040.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

Dinner dance raises more than £3,500 THE Heads Up dinner dance at the Swan Hotel in Wells was a tremendous success. A hundred guests filled the hotel’s Sadler Street function rooms and raised more than £3,500 for the mental health charity based at South Horrington. “I have had so many phone calls saying what a fantastic night it was,” said Heads Up manager Bridget Harvey. “I warmly thank the Swan’s owner Kevin Newton and manager Mark Tobin, everyone who came, and all the generous businesses who donated raffle and auction prizes. “It just goes to show how the community can pull together to support people living with dementia.” On arrival guests were welcomed with gentle music played by accordionist Karen Tweed and her soprano saxophone playing husband Andy, as well as a glass of chilled

From left, Kate Heappey, MP James Heappey, chair of Heads Up trustees Wendy Attridge, Heads Up manager Bridget Harvey and fundraisers and event organisers Philip Welch and Merv Colenutt prosecco. Guest of honour was Wells MP James Heappey who praised the staff and volunteers who work at Heads Up. He also said that although the voluntary sector does great work, the government needed to increase its funding for those

with mental illnesses. The chair of the Heads Up trustees, Wendy Attridge, thanked My Heappey, who is a patron of the charity, and the Swan for their continued support. Running the lively auction

and raffle with aplomb and a flurry of jokes was Merv Colenutt, the Wells-based sports reporter and music event promoter. The evening ended with visits to the bar and dancing to the sounds of radio DJ Pat Bensburg.

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Wells Voice reported last month that a Men’s Shed is to be established at Heads Up. Here, Martin Curran welcomes the news, and explains why they are so beneficial MEN’S Sheds are springing up all over the country offering exciting and valuable opportunities for men to benefit personally within the local community. They are charitable organisations and offer workshops and activities covering woodwork, metalwork, crafts and arts depending on size and facilities available, and as such each local Men’s Shed varies to suit. Men’s Sheds’ overriding objective is to provide a safe, supportive, friendly environment within which men can build new friendships and overcome loneliness and isolation or recover from physical or mental problems, or just provide a chance to get out of the house and socialise or learn something

new. Men’s Sheds also provide information on access to organisations covering health, benefits and other interest groups and activities ongoing within the local community. Generally members are from the older communities but Men’s Sheds are open to younger members. Other features include attending members’ varied social events. Each Men’s Shed has charitable status with trustees and a president/chairman and a report and accounts of income and expenditure, and are run by professional staff. Generally a very small weekly subscription is requested contributing to vital components such as tea, coffee, biscuits, and running costs. The stunning news is that plans are underway to open a Men’s Shed in Wells sited at the Heads Up centre in Upper Breach, South Horrington. An established Men’s Shed exists in Frome and there are plans to open Sheds in Shepton Mallet and Street.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

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n NEWS IN BRIEF

At Wells Funeral Services we like to think outside of the box

Wells Culture Club members Ian Ames-White, Ruth Ames-White, Clare Blackmore, Philippa Threlfall, Richard Green and Hilary Waters who travelled to the Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre in Devon in September to learn more about the history of the rides, art and showmen who have for more than 800 years contributed to Wells’ historic charter fairs, held every year in the Market Place. Led by Richard, they said that they had a fantastic day out to see the beautifully conserved and restored machines that have given many such pleasure.

Charter fair changes CHANGES will be introduced to try to address some of the concerns about Wells charter fairs. In a meeting with town clerk Felicity White, Shaun Rogers for James Rogers and Sons agreed to halt installation work at 9.30pm when the fair is set up in November. Special matting will also be used beneath rides to help spread the load and protect the raised area of the Market Place.

Courses postponed SS&L - formerly Somerset Skills & Learning - has postponed some of the courses it was due to run in Wells after a £3.3 million cut in funding. The Education and Skills Funding Agency awarded SS&L £111,000 this year compared to £3.4 million last year. Wells MP James Heappey is one of four Somerset MPs who met Skills Minister Anne Milton recently to urge a review of the 97 per cent cut in funding for the adult learning provider.

Charity curry night A CHARITY event is being held at Wells City Football Club in memory of local man Lewis Francis, who died earlier this year. Lewis’ mother Kate Dorsett is organising the event in aid of bibic, the charity that helps children and young people with

developmental delays. There will be a choice of curries, a raffle, a bar and live music from Jack the Hedge at the bibic bash and curry night on Saturday, November 11. Tickets, priced £10, are available from Kate by calling 07506 851090 or emailing kate. dorsett@bibic.org.uk, or from bibic on 01458 253344.

AT Wells Funeral Services we have completed our first year of trading and can now say to members of the community, that the newest funeral service in the city has the longest experience of all the funeral directors in the area! Our colleague Mr Nicholas Maggs, who is party to each and every one of our funeral services, has almost 50 years’ experience in the funeral business. So whilst we are the newest funeral service, we have the most experienced man working with us in the district of Mendip. For a truly competitive and first class service talk to Wells Funeral Services, you won’t be disappointed. We are happy to help families deliver a credible, practical, professional and reliable service with our chapel of rest and free parking at our premises.

Rod Major of Wells Funeral Services We use a Daimler hearse and have a limousine too. We like to think of ourselves as the friendly face of funeral services, you will be safe in our hands. We are now able to offer a credit facility interest-free if repaid over 12 months, 9.9% APR over 24 months and 14.9% over 36 months. We hope this will help families in their hour of need. Call us on 01749 670100 or email rod@wfs.me.uk

Farewell scroll gift SOMERSET Community Foundation has bade a fond farewell to grants panel member Jane Lock after nine years of expert advice and £3.9 million of grants funding to 1,787 community groups and charities across Somerset. Thanking Jane, who is also a Somerset county councillor, the foundation’s CEO, Justin Sargent, presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a scroll listing each of the 1,787 groups. To find out more about grant funding, call 01749 344949 or visit www.somersetcf.org.uk

Cat neutering offer WELLS cat owners on low income or income support benefits still have time to take advantage of a special offer by Glastonbury and Wells Cats Protection to help with the costs of neutering and microchipping. The owners pays £15 and the charity will pay the balance. To apply for vouchers, contact Gill Canning on 01749 850660.

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n WHAT’S ON October 1 n Irish Set Dancing at Dinder Village Hall, BA5 3PF. Workshop 11am-1pm, £3; ceilidh 2pm-5pm, £3; bring and share lunch 1pm2pm. For more details, call 01458 210051. October 2 n Fashion Show being held for Macmillan Cancer Support by Travelling Trends at The Swan Hotel, Wells. Tickets, £6.50, can be bought in advance from Sue on 07980 115263. The garments can be tried on, purchased and taken home on the night. October 7 n Open Day for therapies and pilates in the newly refurbished Pilates Body Aligned Studio, Market Street, Wells, 10am-3.30pm. Taster sessions £5 for 20 minutes, call 01749 679015 to book. October 8 n Children’s Society quiz at The Britannia Inn, Wells, 7.30pm. Teams of four £5 per person to include light refreshments. To book, call Terry on 01749 672342. n Cedars Hall, 5.30pm. Walton’s Facade: William Sitwell will recite his great-aunt Edith Sitwell’s famous series of poems to accompaniment by William Walton. He will be joined by Radio 4 presenter Zeb Soanes. They will be preceded by chamber orchestra Covent Garden Sinfonia. Box office: 01749 834483. October 10 n Wells and District Floral Art Society presents a demonstration, These Boots Are Made For Walking, by Rosemary Kerr, 2.15 pm, St Thomas Church Hall, Wells. n Wells Railway Fraternity meeting,

An artist’s impression of Voyager in interstellar space

Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltecha

Spacecraft are stars of the show WELLS & Mendip Astronomers, Wells Library and Space Detectives will be joining forces for a celebration of the Cassini-Huygens and Voyager missions to the giant planets of the outer solar system and their astonishing families of moons and rings. The Cassini mission ended spectacularly on September 15 after two decades of successful observations, while Voyagers Wells Town Hall, 7.30pm. Nonmembers £4. More details from Andrew Tucker, 01749 830695. October 12 n A Story in Stone guided walk from Wells Museum, 3.30pm4.30pm. Part of the Mendip Rocks! Festival of Geology taking place all month. More at mendiphillsaonb. org.uk or call 01749 840156. October 14 n Wells SOUP! Enjoy a light lunch

Events to mark Reformation ON October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses objecting to the sale of indulgences to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. There are several local events marking the 500th anniversary of Luther’s action and the start of the Reformation, including three at St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells. n Thursday, October 5, 7.30pm-8.30pm, A Monk’s Tale, a show about Martin Luther. Tickets: £8 (£10 on the door). From the Church Office or by emailing stcuthbertschurchwardens@

gmail.com n Saturday, October 14, 4pm-5pm, The Tale of Two Organs (and a choir). Music at St Cuthbert’s before and after the Reformation. Tickets £5 (students £2) from the Church Office, on the door or by email as above. n Saturday, October 21, 7.30pm: Singet dem Herrn – an evening of choral and organ music from the German Reformation with The Swan Singers and organist Julian McNamara. Tickets £10/£8 (students free) on the door or by email as above.

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1 & 2 are now entering interstellar space at the edge of the solar system and still healthy 40 years after launch. There will be exhibitions on these famous spacecraft in the library in Union Street, Wells, from 10am-3.30pm on Saturday, October 7, as well as spectacular displays of astrophotography and activities for all the family. Entry is free. and a fascinating event at the city’s own Dragons Den, Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, from 1-2pm. For details phone 07715 770454. n Sale of pre-loved and vintage items – furniture, pictures, Liberty fabrics, kitchenalia, ornaments, clothes and more, Dinder Village Hall, 10am-4pm. Tea, coffee and home-made cakes. Parking. October 18 n Public event examining modern slavery: the national picture tea and briefing with the Right Rev Dr Alastair Redfern, lead bishop on modern slavery, Wells Cathedral Quire, 3pm-4pm. October 21 n Artisan market, Wells Town Hall, with more than 20 stalls selling hand-made crafts, 10am-4pm. Admission free. October 22 n Explore Ebbor Gorge Family Fun Day, 10am-4pm. Booking for guided walks: 01458 860120, simon.clarke@naturalengland. org.uk. Part of the Mendip Rocks! Festival of Geology. October 23 n PilogaFit spine and core stability exercise class, Connect Centre, Wells, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Drop in, pay as you go, £5.

n Latest in the series of lectures by art historian Joanna Cobb: Van Eyck, the Ghent altarpiece and cultural flowering in 15th century Burgundy. Dinder Village Hall, 7.30pm-9.30pm, £8/£15 for two including refreshments and handouts. Call 01458 832178 or email joannacobbthebiggerpicture@ outlook.com for more information October 26 n PilogaFit spine and core stability exercise class, Connect Centre, Wells, 9.30am-10.30am. Drop in, pay as you go, £5. October 28 n Mendip Rocks! Festival Finale at Wells Museum, A Blast From The Past geo talks and lunch, 9.30am4pm, £15 to include ploughman’s lunch. More at mendiphillsaonb. org.uk or call 01749 840156. n Ghost walk leaving from The Crown in the Market Place at 7pm. Approx 1.5 hours, £6 adults, £2 children. For more details call Siobhan on 01749 672438. October 30 n Paintings & Prints by Sarah de Say: Mendip/Coastal Studies and a Racing Certainty, Wells & Mendip Museum until November 27. Most paintings are oils; other exhibits include pen and ink, water-based paints, and glass/ceramic. Museum entrance £3. Every Tuesday n Zumba Gold. Lower impact, easier steps, Wells Leisure Centre. 10.45am-11.10am, £5 a session. Tel Jacqui 07870 544551 or just turn up. n Latin-based cardio dance exercise, Wells Cathedral School dance studio, 6.45pm-7.45pm. Tel Jacqui 07870 544551 or just turn up. Every Wednesday n Wells Table Tennis Club, Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, 6.30pm9pm. n Mendip All Drummers community djembe (African hand-drumming) group. Meet at Croscombe Village Hall, Fayreway, from 10am-1pm. Beginners and learners welcome; drums available. £4 per session. Ring Charles on 07881 304609 or just turn up. Every Thursday n Tai Chi For Health & Vitality, Westbury Village Hall, 12-1pm. Any age or ability. Drop in, pay as you go, £5. n Irish Set Dancing, Dinder Village Hall, 8pm-10pm, £3. For more details, call 01458 210051.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice n WELLS ART CONTEMPORARY

October 2017

n WHAT’S ON

Fair gives charities valuable showcase MORE than 30 charities will be gathering at Wells Town Hall on Saturday (October 7) for the One World Fair. Hundreds of visitors are expected at the fair – last year there were 400 – for the fourth such event, organised by Mid Somerset Oxfam Group. This year the guest of honour is Jo Frith MBE, 2016 Paralympic medal winner in archery. Each charity will do its own thing at the fair. Some will be keen to raise funds by selling Christmas cards and gifts, books, cakes, handcrafts, fairly traded goods, and lots more. Other charities will want to spread the word about their causes and projects. Some will have literature and petitions to offer. This year is Oxfam’s 75th anniversary and there will be a wishing tree for visitors to add their birthday wishes.

As well as Oxfam, visitors will find Christian Aid, CAFOD, Ethiopiaid, Traidcraft, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Mendip Vegetarians, YMCA and many more. The musical interludes have become a popular feature of the One World Fair. There will be ukuleles, a dulcimer and a choir. And there will be food. Lunches will be served at the One World Fair Cafe upstairs, while at the bar nearby tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be served throughout the day. Entry to the One World Fair will be by voluntary donation, but Mid Somerset Oxfam Group’s primary intention is to attract as many people as possible to come along to visit their favourite charities, and to get to know some new ones. Doors will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Trees subject of lecture series HOW to see the wood from the trees... A course of six sessions that will be running in Wells might just give you a greater insight into that question. It will cover a wide range of topics, including an introduction to native tree species, their ecology, woodland management and conservation. It will also explore ways we have used woodland products. All lectures will be fully illustrated. Entitled An Introduction to the Natural History and Uses of

Trees, this series of six weekly sessions begins on Wednesday, October 4, from 7.30pm to 9pm, and is being held in Wells Town Hall. This is a Workers Educational Association Course, it costs £33 and enrolment can be made at enrolonline.wea.org.uk or by phone on 0300 303 3464. The lectures include a practical session on tree identification, which may go some way, at least, to seeing and recognising the different trees within a wood.

Military Wives on way to cathedral THE celebrated Military Wives will head to Wells Cathedral in November as part of their 2017 Home For Christmas tour. The Military Wives Choirs are made up of wives and partners of Armed Forces personnel as well as women from the wider military community. The choirs will perform at cathedrals and military churches across the UK

and will be heading to Wells on Friday, November 24, as part of a 12-date tour celebrating the festive season. Tickets for the Home For Christmas tour are available now, priced from £27.50, and are available from www.ticketmaster. co.uk, www.militarywiveschoirs and Wells Cathedral shop’s Box Office (call 01749 672773).

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Winner of WAC 2013, Dominic Bradnum, who will be exhibiting at The Bishop’s Palace in the Rewind exhibition, pictured with local farmer Jorgan Picture: Ann Cook Nielsen

Five years of excellence celebrated with new work from past winners IN celebration of five years of Wells Art Contemporary (WAC), the Rewind exhibition at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, will showcase new work from previous winners of this celebrated annual contemporary art competition. WAC has run for the last five years and has attracted local, national and international entries. First, second and third prize winners, together with the People’s Prize winner from each year 2012-2016, have been invited to exhibit. Seventeen artists in total are taking part. The WAC Rewind exhibition will be open daily from Sunday,

October 8, to Saturday, October 21, and admission price covers the exhibition and access to the Palace and Gardens. There will also be a Kate Noble Memorial Lecture on Thursday, October 12, at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) in the Conference Room at The Bishop’s Palace given by Peter Robinson: Rock Art and its connection with Contemporary Art. Kate Noble was the founder of WAC five years ago and tragically died last year on the eve of the WAC 2016 competition. This lecture will be a tribute to her memory. Tickets (in advance) can be obtained via The Bishop’s Palace.

History of Art: the Bigger Picture with Joanna Cobb, MA

LECTURE 2 – Van Eyck, the Ghent altarpiece and cultural flowering in 15th century Burgundy

Dinder Village Hall Monday, October 23, 7.30pm-9.30pm £8 / £15 for two, including refreshments and handouts For more information: 01458 832178 or joannacobbthebiggerpicture@outlook.com

Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

October 2017

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES WELLS TWINNING ASSOCIATION ON August 23, a party of 25 Wellensians, including the mayor Councillor John North, the deputy mayor Councillor Celia Wride and Councillor Colin Price, together with his wife Ann, converged on our French twin town Paray-le-Monial, for a fiveday visit. We were warmly greeted at the headquarters of Paray-leMonial Twinning Association College Rene Cassin, before leaving to meet our individual hosts or to go to the Comfort Hotel. On the morning of August 24, the mayor, deputy mayor and officials of Wells Twinning Association met with Jean-Marc Nesme, the mayor of Paray-leMonial, and Daniel Gordat, the president of Paray-le-Monial Twinning Association, to discuss the twinning relationship between the two towns and the general political situation in Europe. The mayor, council and twinning association of Paray are very keen to re-energise

Departing Paray-le-Monial after the twinning association visit the twinning relationship between our two towns, which everyone felt has waned over the previous few years. In particular, re-establishing relationships between community groups such as school children, sports clubs, musical associations etc is considered very important. We all agreed to work enthusiastically towards this end. In the afternoon, the Wells party was split into two groups,

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12 people that had previously visited Paray and 14 that had not. First time visitors were taken on a tour, in English, of the Basilica, Cloister and historic centre of the town, the second group visited an exhibition in the Charnoz Museum. In the evening, an excellent dinner was provided accompanied by superb music, singing and dancing. After a quiet morning on the Friday, we attended lunch in Digoin before cruising along the local canal and visiting a museum dedicated to the history of the canals. On Saturday morning the party visited the local market, before departing for a tour of the beautiful town of Charolles. On return to Paray another excellent dinner with music was provided for us. We departed on the Sunday morning full of sadness at leaving, but with many happy memories. The people of Paray were truly warm hearted and made our visit most pleasurable. We look forward to a visit from them in the not too distant future. Future twinning activities: n Joint meeting with Wells City Council to plan future programme. n Meet with Wells county councillor to develop community group interaction. n Visit by Mayor of Bad Durkheim for carnival. n ‘Sunday Lunch with a Difference’. Dawn Payne

by a group of local women in response to the dire plight of unaccompanied young children living unprotected in the open or in refufee camps across Europe. To date the group has organised local collections of clothes and food before and after Christmas and delivered them to Care4Calais, raised funds and awareness at a charity stall in Wells Market and put on a very successful live music event opened by Michael Eavis at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury, with all proceeds going to the charity Safe Passage, Safe Passage is headed by Lord Dubbs who is trying to persuade the Government to live up to its promise according to the ‘Dubbs Agreement’ which is like the Kinder Transport before the last war started by an Englishman that allowed hundreds of children to survive. WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB FOR those of us who have never visited South Africa and for those who have, there will be an opportunity to experience the quite remarkable flowers and plants of the region at the next meeting of Wells & District Gardening Club. So many of our vibrant summer borders benefit from the introductions of that area. From pelargoniums to osteospermums and other unpronounceable gems, our gardens, containers and window boxes would be the less colourful without them. So here’s a chance to relive some sunny glory when Rosemary Legrand, nurserywoman, photographer and traveller will present ‘The Spectacular Flora of South Africa’. This will be a very welcome return visit from Rosemary whose family background is steeped in horticulture. The

WELLS REFUGEE ACTION GROUP WELLS Refugee Action Group was started earlier this year

A South African Protea plant

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES meeting takes place in Wells Town Hall on Thursday, October 12, at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. Visitors £3, members £1, refreshment included. More details: telephone 01749 679182 / 673244. Pip Harwood WELLS WI THE Wells and Mendip Museum meeting room resounded with gales of laughter at the September meeting as therapist Serena Mason led 40 members in a laughter yoga session. Laughing releases natural endorphins, boosts the immune system, releases stress and improves bodily functions by increasing oxygen intake. The body benefits just as much from deliberate laughter as from the spontaneous kind, so members were encouraged to practise guffawing out loud to improve health and wellbeing. Over the summer our garden party raised £150 for Breast

Cancer Care and a Treasure Hunt Walk raised £54 for a dementia charity. The pink leather Radley handbag raffle raised £60 for group funds. This year the craft group will be widening their horizons beyond sewing and knitting. Ceramic tile decoration and making delightful things from hedgerows are among the activities planned. The quiz team are looking forward to representing Wells in the County Quiz Grand Final next month, having won the recent regional heat. One member’s idea was submitted for what could become a national WI campaign next year: to address the increasing waste problems caused by disposable hygiene products like nappies and sanitary products. Members interested in current affairs are meeting in the pub in October to discuss potential future campaign ideas. More women signed up to the Social Network, an informal email group that enables members to seek company for

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Hyperacusis to the next meeting of our support group, which is affiliated to the British Tinnitus Association and has run for seven years. These can be very distressing conditions which are often poorly understood, even by medical professionals, and are believed to affect around 20 per cent of the population. It can be an enormous help to talk with others having the same or similar problem as you will get a very sympathetic and understanding hearing without being considered in the least odd or hysterical. We share experiences and strategies which make it much easier to live as normally as possible with these conditions. We will next meet at 7.30pm on October 12 in the Community Room at Wells Fire Station and will have the pleasure of welcoming Parminder Munde of the Bristol Tinnitus Support Group. If anybody would like further information, please contact me on 01749 673044 or mstshg@live.com. Michael Rowe

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spur-of-the-moment social or cultural outings. Good progress is being made on the 2018 programme, with plenty of opportunities designed for member interaction in addition to speakers and demonstrations. The £1 now collected on entry covers the cost of drinks and buys a prize draw ticket for Wells shop vouchers, keeping spending local. The next meeting of Wells WI will be at the Mendip and Wells Museum at 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 10 (NB not the usual first Tuesday, due to a booking clash). We will be talking Women’s Health with Dr Jo Newton, and selling cake for Macmillan Cancer Research. New women are always welcome, and may attend as visitors before committing to join. Veronica Howe

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wellsvoice

October 2017

n SPORT

Cricketers celebrate promotion success WELLS Cricket Club’s 1st XI are looking forward to playing in the second division of the Somerset Cricket League in 2018, after winning the third division title in the last game of the season. It means that, taking into account league restructures, they will be playing at a level they have not played at since 2002. The 1sts travelled to North Newton needing 16 points to be certain of claiming a first league title in 21 years. On a green wicket it was a surprise when skipper Ben Stacey lost only his third toss of the season and as a result, Wells were asked to bat first. The Stacey brothers, Dave and Ben, opened the innings and the going was tough, with the Newton bowlers finding movement off the pitch and through the air. The first boundary didn’t come until the eighth over, and after nine overs the score was 31 for 0. When Dave was dismissed for 13 and Ben soon after for 19, Wells were 36 for 2 and in desperate need of a good partnership and clear heads to post a competitive total. The reliable Jack Moore and James Dredge set about rebuilding against some decent bowling, and forged an important partnership in taking the score to 88 for 2 from 25 overs. Once Dredge was dismissed for 13, Ollie Smart joined Moore in

The title-winning Wells CC 1st XI what is usually a productive partnership. With a combination of boundaries and aggressive running, the pair upped the rate and put Wells on the front foot for the first time in the match. The partnership continued to grow in confidence, first taking the score past 150 and up to 200, a score already above par. Smart brought up his personal half century at more than a run a ball and was eventually dismissed for 51 going for another big hit. The pair took the score from 88 to 201 in just 16 overs in a crucial and entertaining partnership. Rivers joined Moore with

the task to smash as many as possible from the final four overs. They did just that, Rivers hitting a big 6 only for Moore to smash one 20 yards further soon after en route to an excellent 90 not out. Rivers unselfishly holed out for 18 leaving Layton Ball to take a single off the last ball as Wells posted a very good 236 for 5 off their 45 overs. Following a great tea Wells knew the job was not done and took to the field knowing the dangerous Josh Cook, in particular, stood between them and a league title. As ever, Cook took no prisoners as Smart’s first

over went for 10, and despite Jack Williams troubling him in his first couple of overs his third was dispatched for 18. The hitting was brutal with the ground seemingly not big enough for Cook, who brought up his personal 50 in just the ninth over. In just the 16th over with the score already 88 for 0 and Newton well ahead of the rate, captain Ben had already made four bowling changes in a desperate attempt to get the breakthrough. However the fifth and sixth bowlers were the dependable bowling combination of Jack Moore and Dave Stacey. They immediately found control and in just Moore’s second over he got the huge breakthrough in dismissing Cook for 55, well caught by Smart. D Stacey was soon into the wickets dismissing Stone, Giradin and Sellick all caught at point by Layton Ball. In Stacey’s final over he claimed two more wickets to complete figures of 5 for 21 in nine overs. Importantly, the sixth wicket ensured Wells had secured enough points to win the league. ‘The Key’ Matt Rivers (2 for 27) was brought back into the attack, picking up a couple of wickets. Graham Day (2 for 11) took the final wickets as Wells bowled Newton out for 174 and the celebrations could begin.

Students get first chance to try out new hockey surface AT the start of the new school year, students at Wells Cathedral School christened the newly installed hockey Astroturf pitch at Mundy’s Meadow with a lively pre-season training session led by England and Great Britain hockey international Tom Carson. A hard working striker with an eye for a goal, Tom has a total of 75 caps and has scored 20 international goals, including the one that saw England through to a bronze medal at the Hero Hockey World League Final in 2014. Wells hockey is enjoying an impressive renaissance under the guidance of head of hockey, James Mayes, with a

England and Great Britain hockey player Tom Carson with some of the girls attending the pre-season training session at the start of September record number of Wells girl and boy hockey players chosen to represent Somerset in the Junior Academy Centres over the last season. Twenty-six hockey players from the school have represented the county at

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training and regional matches across the region, playing at inter-county tournaments against teams representing Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. Additionally, two girls and two boys have been selected for the prestigious West

Performance Centre, the final stage of selection before the elite Futures Cup squads. James said: “Hockey at Wells is going from strength to strength and we are delighted with the results and county selections from last year. Our new state-of-the-art Astro pitch is going to provide the teams with a much improved playing surface for training and for matches and we look forward to welcoming teams from across the region to play here.” The Wells girls’ teams have already enjoyed a successful start to the new season with wins over St Mary’s Shaftesbury and KES Bath on the new Astro in the past couple of weeks.

Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

wellsvoice

October 2017

n TAKE A BREAK Can you find 50 chemical elements vertically, horizontally or diagonally?

O I S J P D C S C A H U A R G O N R L

N U N I I J M O R U M F N I P Z A R I

T M U U C U R I U M L R T U H D D H U

I M M W T H U L I U M M I M O W I E M

T R C H E M E R C U R Y M N S I U N Q

A H O V L B S B U M G R O U P H M I E

TXT PERT

N C P N L E U E O T L A N T H A N U M

I O P B U R L R N I H I Y Z O F I M S

U B E K R Y P T O N C E C O R N O N O

M A R U I L H Q B K S A N A U I D C D

P L X T U L U H E I D B N I S U I W I

T T G J M I R L L M X C D W U M N I U

T H O R I U M V I E I Y M Z T M E E M

H E L I U M E U U U A A J I B O R O N

L V D R X R M Q M H P D N I O B I U M

3 2 2 1 4 3 4

SOLUTIONS

B N S T R O N T I U M Z I A F O A O L

HOW MANY?

R A D I U M R I G B U A N B N A V G A

Footballs 12, basketballs 15, rugby balls 8, tennis balls 5.

A R S E N I C U Z I N C S E R I W E H

TXT PERT

C U U J O M F N E O N O X Y G E N S T

EASY for children

Across 2 Boss, 5 Organist, 7 Rancher, 9 Judge, 10 Fire Down 1 Cook, 3 Smith, 4 Actor, 6 Guard, 8 Chef

SUDOKU

Each horizontal row, each 2x2 square and each column must contain all the numbers 1-4.

WORDSEARCH Antimony, Argon, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron , Cadmium, Carbon, Cobalt, Copper, Curium, Erbium, Europium, Francium, Gold, Hafnium, Helium, Indium, Iodine, Iron, Krypton, Lanthanum, Lead, Mercury, Neon, Nickel, Niobium, Nobelium, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Radium, Radon, Rhenium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Sulphur, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Xenon, Zinc.

WORDSEARCH

HOW MANY? The sports field is covered in different kinds of balls – but how many are there of each type? Answer above – but no peeking yet! © www.123rf.com/profile_izakowksi

This month: Occupations

The numbers point you to the letters on a phone keypad Strontium

Clues Sulphur Across: Tellurium 2. 2677 5.Thallium 67426478 7.Thorium 7262437 9.Thulium 58343 10. 3473

Down 1. 2665 3. 76484 4. 22867 6. 48273 8. 2433

Tin

Titanium 2 is A, B or C 3 Uranium is D, E or F 4 Vanadium is G, H or I 5 is J, K, or L Xenon

6 is M, N or O 7 is P, Q, R or S 8 is T, U or V 9 is W, X, Y or Z

9 10

Zinc

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