WELLS City Council is reaching out to residents within the city boundary for their views on the potential impacts of devolution –a process that could reshape the way local services are managed.
As Somerset County Council grapples with financial challenges, the transfer of certain services to local city, town and parish councils is under consideration.
A NUMBER of horses and ponies will be ridden in the centre of Wells on Sunday, September 15, to help raise awareness among motorists of how to correctly pass horses on the roads.
Riders will be gathering in Market Place at noon in the event organised by Lady Sharon Carter in support of the nationwide Pass Wide and Slow campaign.
To safely pass a horse and rider, vehicles should be driven at no more than 10mph, with a two-metre distance where possible.
“We have a number of horse riders, carriage drivers and more riding from the market square round to the Cathedral Green to promote safety for horse riders and carriage drivers,” said Lady Carter.
“Please do come along and
watch, and meet us, we are happy to chat with you, and meet our amazing horses.”
The ITV cameras will be filming the event, which will see the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Louis Agabani, starting off the
riders. The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is also due to be there on the day.
Lady Carter said that every road user needs to be educated in the importance of slowing down and giving horses and riders a wide berth. “Too many horses, riders, bikers, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers are killed on our roads today. Thirty seconds of your time will save a life by slowing down and giving us room,” she said.
“It’s not just about the horses, it’s about everyone being safe,” she added. “The fast vanishing bridleways we used to use are either impassable or gone, we have no choice than to use roads to access the few remaining.
“Everyone wants to get home safe at night and together we can make the roads a safer place for everyone.”
UP to 78 new homes could be built between Wells and Wookey Hole if a new scheme is approved by Somerset Council.
Gladman Developments Ltd has submitted an outline planning application for a development on land to the south of Wookey Hole Road and Glencot Road, next to Bovis Homes’ Priory Fields development. The applicants say that the proposed development would provide 32 affordable housing units and 46 market housing units.
Mendip District Council refused a previous application by Gladman in 2020 for up to 90 homes on the site. Among reasons given for the refusal then was that the proposed development would “have a detrimental impact on the openness of the rural setting of Wells and contribute to the coalescence of Wells with Haybridge and Wookey Hole”.
By Emma James
THE latest cafe to open its doors in Wells aims to offer the community something a little different. Andy and Laura Bain welcomed their first customers at Garage 6 on Monday, August 19. Open seven days a week, the cafe, which is aimed primarily at motorbikers and cyclists, is based at Unit 6 on Cathedral Avenue.
The couple hopes that the location will prove popular as the nearest equivalent venue is in Bristol: “There’s a big motorbike and cycling community in Wells,” says Laura, “and we want to offer a space where they can meet and park up easily.”
Andy outlines some of their ideas: “We would like to promote as many aspects of riding as possible and are planning some exciting events to cover topics such as maintenance, safety and mental health with guest speakers and ticketed evenings. We want to make this a great community space.”
Andy, an ex-Royal Marine Commando turned electrician and Laura, who was Head of Girls’ Games at Wells Cathedral Prep School, have been based in Wells for nine years. Their two daughters, Elsie (ten) and
Rosie (nine) are both pupils at St Joseph and St Teresa Primary School. Two years ago, whilst still working full time, the Bains set up their online coffee business, Quickshifter Coffee, selling beans, ground coffee and coffee bags. Both keen bikers, they wanted to shift their brand towards the motorcycle market and the cafe seemed to be a natural progression: “We wanted to grow Quickshifter Coffee and make it something that our children can be involved in.”
Preparations for opening day kept the couple busy, with Andy and Laura doing most of the work themselves. The cafe has plenty of seating with a large mezzanine area overlooking the bikes parked below. Comfy sofas downstairs are situated next to the serving counter where cakes, pastries and bacon sandwiches are available. There has been great attention to detail with
cyclists can wheel straight inside the cafe, and there are also plans to mount a large screen in order to show live motorcycling events. Andy says: “Once things are settled, we want to host a grand Opening Day. The charity Mental Health Motorbike has already agreed to bring a stand and we’re hoping to have bikes on display and to invite local racers.”
However, the pair are both keen to stress that they want to make the cafe a welcoming space for everyone. Laura says: “We’re open to all – dog walkers; runners; anyone using the nearby Strawberry Line. It’s not just about the bikes.”
specially-designed logos, printed T-shirts and a stylish dark blue colour scheme on the walls. Quickshifter Coffee products and merchandise are on sale also.
Andy and Laura hope to install bike racks on the wall inside the entrance so that
To get things off to a flying start, Riders in the Sky, the charity which organises a large ride-out in memory of Wells firefighter Lee Baker, will use Garage 6 as one of their re-group stop-off points – a fantastic way to spread the word about Wells’ latest amenity.
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From page 1
vital to the community. It sees this moment as a once-in-ageneration opportunity to ensure the continued delivery of essential services while exploring ways to enhance and expand them for the future.
Councillor Stewart Cursley, Chair of the Council’s Finance and Council Matters Committee, emphasised the significance of the project. He said: “This is a significant undertaking. We must be prepared to manage services effectively for our residents, businesses, and visitors. However, it’s equally important that our priorities align with those of the community, which is why we are seeking public input.”
Residents within the Wells City boundary are being encouraged to voice their opinions on the potential devolution and its effects on local services. Detailed information on the services in question can be found in the Wells City Council Newsletter inside this month’s Wells Voice (pages 21-25).
There is also a response form that people are asked to complete and return to the city council at Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB. The deadline for comments and feedback is October 1.
A public meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday, September 26, at 7pm, when the
devolution of services will be discussed further, and residents will be able to share their views. Haylee Wilkins, the council’s Devolution Officer, stressed the urgency of community engagement, saying: “We are working to a very tight timeline and need to hear from as many residents as possible from within the City boundary that is covered by the Wells City Council precept. If you live within the City, please return the enclosed proforma to the city council or join us at the public meeting on Thursday, September 26, at the Town Hall at 7pm.
“There is also the opportunity to provide your views via our website at www.wells.gov.uk”
The future of Wells’ local services could be shaped by residents’ input, she said, urging them to make their voices heard.
The city council points out in the Newsletter that because the extent of the services it will take over from Somerset Council is still unknown, it is having to plan for different levels of service provision. This means that the amount by which the parish precept – the city council’s share of council tax – will need to go up next year is not yet clear, and it may be one of the things about which people may want to voice their opinions.
u Newsletter and response form, pages 21-25
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THE group leading the community effort to buy and reopen The Britannia Inn on Bath Road, Wells, has made important progress with the project.
The East Wells Community Benefit Society (EWCBS) is awaiting reports on the condition of the empty building and the approximate cost of any repair work required.
A structural survey of the pub was carried out for the EWCBS at the start of August by chartered building surveyor Rob Arnell of Wells company DB Paul.
A specialist from local building contractor Melhuish and Saunders has also examined the building and will provide an estimate of the cost of remedial work, as well as for the potential reordering of the first floor into a flat for a pub tenant.
The Britannia Inn has been put up for sale by the Wellington Pub Company with an asking
price of £350,000. It has been empty since landlords Rob and Karen Rouse retired in June 2021 having run the pub for 35 years.
The pub was listed as an Asset of Community Value by Somerset Council at the start of the year, following an application from Wells City Council. The EWCBS was registered as a potential
MILITARIA, STAMPS, COINS & CLOCKS
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INTERIORS INCLUDING MODERN DESIGN
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bidder shortly afterwards, triggering a six-month moratorium period during which time it could submit an offer to buy the property.
That period expired on August 7 without the EWCBS being in a position to make an offer, but it hopes to do so in the coming months.
The market appraisal
valuation it commissioned has been received and is being studied by members, and the Business Plan is nearly complete. The next step will be to launch a share offer to raise the funds to buy and refurbish the pub.
There are nine members of the East Wells Community Benefit Society, each volunteering their time and expertise to The Britannia Inn project, and who between them have contributed the initial seed funding to get the project off the ground.
They would be pleased to hear from anyone in the local community who has accountancy experience, and who is willing to share their knowledge to help with the project. To express an interest or find out more, email admin@eastwellscbs.org
If anyone is in a position to offer occasional legal advice they are also invited to get in touch using the same email address.
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A BOOK capturing childhood memories of growing up on a farm near Wells has just been published by the family of the late Graham Watts.
Graham spent his formative years on a family farm at Launcherley, and enjoyed writing short stories about his memories of those days, which he published anonymously in his local village newsletter under the pseudonym ‘A Passer By’. He often expressed his wish to one day compile these stories into a book for others to enjoy and to raise funds for the charity Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Since his death, his family have worked to fulfil his wish, resulting in the publication of Somerset Tales of a Passer By, which includes old photographs and artwork drawn by his granddaughter Molly Butler.
The book recounts tales of early mornings in the fields, family traditions, and the changing seasons.
A recent charity fundraising evening organised by the family raised more than £5,000 to support the air ambulance service and RUH critical care unit. The family has thanked all those who attended as well as everyone who contributed to the raffle and auction prizes.
Somerset Tales of a Passer By is currently available to buy at Browne’s Garden Centre, The Bishop’s Palace, Wells TIC, The Bird at Westhay, The Crossways Hotel, North Wootton, and The Walled Gardens of Cannington.
For two days, on September 25 and 29, proceeds from ticket entry to The Walled Gardens of Cannington will be donated to the air ambulance.
SING2BREATHE has been celebrating a recent funding award from the National Lottery Community Fund. The money will help this singing for lung health group continue to support those with respiratory conditions in the Wells (and Cheddar and Bridgwater) area.
Meeting weekly at Priory Medical Centre, the group uses fun exercises and singing to help maximise the efficiency of
their breathing. Participants have already been reporting on the positive impact the sessions are having on their physical and mental wellbeing, with one participant saying: “I love it and feel better for doing it.”
The group has a few spaces available to anyone interested in joining them on Thursday afternoons. Contact Kate (vocalkate@gmail.com) to register an interest.
in February 2025.
RENOVATION will start in September on a historic gem which has been largely hidden from public view.
The 15th century Bubwith Chapel at the Wells Almshouses embodies the unwritten history of the city’s poorest and most at-risk communities.
The project will develop and transform the chapel making it both a visitor destination in Wells and a valuable community space in the city. The restored chapel will provide a continuing place of worship, mindfulness and contemplation, and a
warm space for activities to reconnect older residents and local community groups as well as hosting concerts, recitals, lectures, workshops, seminars and rehearsals.
During this National Lotteryfunded work the grounds and chapel will be out of bounds so the Almshouses have had to cancel the Open Day on Saturday, September 14. Wells Almshouses chief executive Michelle Thomas said: “Everyone here enjoys the Open Days but we plan to be back next year with a beautifully renovated chapel.”
The Simply Uke! ukulele band is disappointed as they thoroughly enjoy playing in the chapel at the Open Day but they also look forward to resuming business as usual next year.
AN intrepid team of care home workers from Barchester Healthcare’s Crandon Springs care home in Wells is tackling the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons in September to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.
The Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or reconnect with others in their local communities.
Sophie Hoskins is normally the General Manager at Crandon Springs, but on Saturday, September 7, she will be donning her walking boots and leading her team to climb to the top of the 886m summit of Pen Y Fan.
Sophie said: “We’re all really excited to tackle Pen Y Fan but also very nervous, especially about what the weather might throw at us. I absolutely love walking and taking on challenges like this, we’re hoping to raise lots of money for the Foundation which is a fantastic charity. I know all the staff, residents and relatives at Crandon Springs are behind us plus I have my sister and nephew climbing with me and their support along with all the money we’re raising will help us go the distance.”
The team’s fundraising target is £1,000. Donations can be made through JustGiving.
Christine, a resident at Crandon Springs, said: “We are all so proud of the team, we know that they will conquer Pen Y Fan, they all have so much determination to succeed.”
The Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) exhibition in Wells Cathedral has attracted a large number of visitors to see the 121 artworks on display in the Gallery Show, and 19 artworks in the Installation Show. Pictured is the installation Hear No Evil... by Anna Gillespie, in the Chapter House. It was named winner of a prize chosen by Blue School students Abbie Rolfey, Walker Cellan Jones and Imogen Smith, who joined the WAC team this year as interns. The exhibition continues until August 31.
A book full of information about First World War soldier Harry Patch, who died in Wells in 2009 aged 111, has been presented to Wells & Mendip Museum. The book was compiled by Alan and Margaret Williams of Shepton Mallet, who are pictured presenting it to Museum Trustee Richard Lovegrove in front of the Harry Patch Memorial. The hope is that Museum visitors will be able to use the book to find out more about the man dubbed in his later years ‘The Last Fighting Tommy’.
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EARTHCRAFT, the longestablished gift shop in Priory Road, Wells, will soon be closing its doors.
A closing down sales starts in early September as owner Julie Romeo prepares to retire after 45 years of running the shop.
She said: “I started Earthcraft, my little gift and craft shop in Wells, in 1979 with just £500. Now I have chosen the milestone of 45 years running the shop as a good point at which to retire.
“At my sister’s suggestion, I initially specialised in ethnic gifts and jewellery, soon adding craft-making items like sequins and buttons. Young Saturday assistants would bring in their friends as customers and the ball started to roll. Later I found interesting suppliers of Fair Trade products, which have been a great success.
“My patient, reliable and wonderful staff have also
loved helping to run the shop. Customers have often called Earthcraft ‘An Aladdin’s Cave’, some of them seeking us out from a distance, sying ‘We wish we had a shop like this near us...’
This handsome gentleman is quite aptly named BIG BOY, a three-year-old male who is looking for his forever home.
Big Boy can be quite nervous in new surroundings and with new people but once he settles in and trusts you he has an incredibly sweet, affectionate, playful personality that will not fail to make you smile! He’s a very talkative boy who will chat away to you and he has a very distinctive high pitched meow!
He does have an ongoing health issue that makes him a bit wobbly on his back legs but that doesn’t slow him down!
Due to this we are looking to home him around Wells or Shepton Mallet so that he can continue to see our vets and we will of course support his new owners with this.
He is looking for a home that is in a safe area, away from any busy, fast or main roads. He would be best suited in a pet and child free home, something slow paced with people who are willing to give him the time and patience he needs to come out of his shell.
If you think you can offer this handsome boy the perfect home, please fill out an online application form or phone Nikita on 07867140339.
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“My lovely customers have appreciated finding something unusual, and can see the value in supporting independent shops. Despite online competition, our range of greeting cards still has a
large and loyal fanclub. Talking and advising seem to have been my forte, so I’m grateful to discover – often years later –how much of a positive influence I have had on my customers and young staff. Now those same youngsters are bringing in their grandchildren.
“I’ve worked long past the usual retirement age and I’d like to do some creative projects of my own – using colour in textiles or art has always interested me.
“At last I’ll be able to say ‘yes’ to friends who ask me to join them for lunch, and perhaps I’ll find new ways to pass on my skills and knowledge.
“Thank you so much to my loyal customers – I’ll miss our chats, let’s meet up for a coffee sometime?
“Earthcraft’s closing down sales starts in early September. Check the window and online. Come and wish me a Happy Retirement.”
SOMERSET residents are encouraged to have their say on possible changes to a scheme which offers financial support to working age adults on low incomes.
In November 2023, Somerset Council declared a financial emergency due to increasing costs of providing key services and agreed to a number of actions to reduce spending.
This included a commitment to consult with the public on potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme.
Council Tax Reduction is a discount offered for council tax payers on low incomes. The proposed changes would only
A Peace Vigil was held at The Bishop’s Palace on August 6 to mark the anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. The vigil was attended by Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt, and Wells Mayor Councillor Jasmine Browne, who spoke to attendees following a minute’s silence. Candles have been floated on the Moat at the vigil for some 20 years, but this year there were handmade rafts sent by children who live in Hiroshima.
apply to working age adults – the support provided for pensioners would not be affected.
The options for consideration include reducing the maximum available discount from 100 per cent to 75 per cent.
Find out more about the proposals and take part in the consultation at https:// somersetcouncil.citizenspace. com/comms/ctr. It will run until October 1, with any decisions taking place later in the year and any changes coming into effect from April 1, 2025.
Paper copies will also be available in libraries and letters will be sent to all those who currently receive CTR support.
A CATWALK show of repurposed wedding dresses thrilled a 200-strong crowd in the Bishop’s Barn on August 10.
Sixty models wearing 115 dresses took to the catwalk in the Dreams and Dresses event, a highlight of the Tanys Transformations project started by Tanys Kolizeras during her year as Mayor of Wells. The project has involved hundreds of people transforming former wedding dresses into an array of beautiful gowns to raise funds for the Heads Up and Whizz Kidz charities.
The Dreams and Dresses night started with dancing from Leo Haines, and included singing from opera singer Felicity Day. Food and drink was available in the grounds of the Barn, and there was an auction of promises and a raffle.
Felicity stepped in at the last minute after the original opera singer was taken ill. In her ‘day job’ she is one of the managers at Shepton Mallet Prison, where the dresses are now on display until September 29.
“The show was spectacular, I have never experienced anything like it,” said Tanys.
“It was our own little onenight Glastonbury Festival, with a twist. It was like My Big Greek Wedding with no bride and groom but instead 116 gorgeous bridesmaids in spectacular upcycled wedding dresses.
“Watching the models coming into their own and growing in confidence was truly wonderful. It was important for them to have the feeling of the best version of themselves and this was possible due to the many hair stylists and make-up artists
who turned up in droves, all volunteers wanting to help.
“The creativity enhanced the beautiful dresses. Some had taken nearly two years to create. One dress alone had 70 people working on it.
“Each one of these dresses has a large story attached to it. Hopefully we have made a large impact on our community, transforming dresses, transforming lives, transforming the people around us to make people feel good about themselves and help each other with kindness and hope.
“We have many donated dresses still to transform and they will be completed once we have caught our breath.”
Tanys paid tribute to choreographers Juliet Matthews and Anna Gifford, and Storm Productions who were
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responsible for the lighting and sound. Video of the event was captured by Paul Clegg, who has posted clips on Facebook, and which are available on his YouTube Channel: https://www. youtube.com/@paulclegg-wells Tanys said that the show raised £4,500 for charity.
Once the exhibition at Shepton Mallet Prison has ended, there are plans to create a dress trail in Glastonbury.
“This is just the start of an amazing journey to show what Wells and the surrounding areas can do. By working together big things can happen,” said Tanys. Tanys Transformations is going to become a Community Interest Company to keep the project going. Donations to the charitable causes can be made through the webpage tanystransformations.co.uk
WELLS Town Hall will be hosting a pop-up exhibition on September 11 focusing on key items held in the Wells City Archives collection.
The exhibition, Courts and Conduits, will look at how Bishop Beckington built the Market Place conduit to carry water into the city in 1451, providing a focal point in the city that would frequently be used as a meeting place. The exhibition will also feature case records from the Petty Sessions Court, held in Wells in the 19th century, as people gathered to resolve their differences.
Finally, the exhibition will also show a unique map of the city, produced in 1860, originally drawn as a sewerage survey but also providing a fascinating snapshot of Wells in the Victorian era.
The exhibition will be a small but interesting part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of heritage and culture, and will be on display in the
Town Hall Foyer on September 11 from 10am until 3pm. Further details will be on the festival website, www.heritageopendays.
org.uk
A FUNDRAISING event is taking place in August for Brain Tumour Research in memory of James ‘Pud’ Pullen, who died from a brain tumour.
The Party for Pud will be held at Woodford Farm, Woodford Lane, Wells, on Sunday, August 25, from 6pm till late. There will be a DJ, drinks, dancing and entertainment in a marquee, with a dress code of sequin, sparkle and sh*t shirts.
Tickets are £10, or 12 tickets for £100. Pizzas will be available on the night from Souldough Pizza, although these are not
included in the ticket price.
For tickets, contact Tom Corns on 07956 525674 or Joe Phelps on 07805 168164.
Pud’s friends have raised more than £20,000 for Brain Tumour Research over the years. Previous fundraisers have included memorial rugby matches for Pud, who was a Wells rugby player. He died in 2015, at the age of 28.
Tom said: “We want to keep the memory of Pud alive for as long as possible and the events supported by friends and family, some close to James himself and
some maybe close to the charity, make this possible (some people just like a party, which is great as well).
“When I spoke at James’ funeral I stole a line from Terry Pratchett, it reads ‘no one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in this world die away’. I hope by hosting these events and doing something for James his memory lives on.
“The support we receive blows me away every year and I appreciate massively everyone that contributes in whatever way they can.”
SOMERSET Council has given the go-ahead for work on a new jewellery shop in Wells.
Approval has been granted to a planning application by Leonard Couch Jewellers for a new shopfront and entrance door, signage on a side wall and an internal ground-floor partition at 78 High Street –previously a Subway restaurant. According to the plans, the signage to be hand painted on to the side wall will read ‘Mendip Jewellers, Wells’.
THE finishing touches are being put to rafts and crew costumes for this year’s Wells Moat Race on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26.
The event, organised by City of Wells Lions, starts at The Bishop’s Palace Moat at noon. There will be races in a number of categories for spectators to enjoy, including the Lion’s Cup ‘rescue’ race, the Bishop’s Cup, the Community Challenge Cup, adult and junior obstacle races, and junior sprint and backwards races. Wells Voice is once again sponsoring the Junior Obstacle Race category.
SOMERSET Council has granted a planning application by Star Pubs and Bars to put up an awning in the rear beer garden of The King’s Head in Wells High Street.
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WOMEN writers are the hot tickets for this year’s Wells Festival of Literature that runs from October 18-26.
Tickets flew out for women’s events as soon as festival bookings opened in early August, despite being outnumbered by male speakers.
Top of the talks so far are TV’s Queen of Countdown Susie Dent, the woman who’s put levity into lexicography, and poet Pam Ayres who’s been making us all laugh for five decades.
Close behind are human rights lawyer Shami Chakrabarti and novelist Cecile Pin – all four appearing in the first weekend of the festival.
The men won’t be trailing for long as there are some big names among them too. These include political scientist and historian Vernon Bogdanor who takes a look at six politicians in Making The Weather, and author and
TV presenter Martin Sixsmith, known for the film Philomena and the comedy series The Thick of It.
Bogdanor’s cast features influencers from both sides of the political spectrum who have changed modern Britain –including, most recently, Nigel Farage.
Sixsmith, in My Sins Go With Me, relates a tale of heroism and betrayal in the Dutch Resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands as told to him via a chance meeting in 2019 with the heroine herself.
Three literary lunches –simple affairs that give diners the opportunity to meet the author before the talk – feature classical music broadcaster Petroc Trelawney, current affairs presenter Jonathan Dimbleby, and journalist Geoffrey Wheatcroft.
In Trelawney’s Cornwall the
SEPTEMBER activities at Wells Library will include:
n Switch Club: For children aged seven and up. Book a place at the popular Nintendo Switch Club on Saturday, September 14, and Saturday, September 28, at 10.30am. Free of charge – booking essential – email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk
n Ancestry Group: The group for people who are interested in ancestry runs on the first Tuesday of every month. Book a one-hour slot at 2pm or 3pm at the next session on Tuesday, September 3. Email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk to find out more or book a place.
n IT Help Sessions: Need help with a new device? Book a onehour session with the volunteer on Wednesdays at 10.30am
or 11.30am, or Thursdays at 10.30am or 11.30am. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk for more information or to book a place.
n Shared Reading: Shared Reading restarts on Friday, September 6, at 2pm. People are invited to go along and share experiences using stories and poems. This group is open to all and free to attend. No need to book – email wlslib@somerset. gov.uk for more information. n Extra Tai Chi session for Parkinson’s: There will be an extra taster session of Tai Chi on Monday, September 23, at 11.15am. This is specifically to help people who have Parkinson’s. This is a free session – for more information, email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk
writer takes a slow journey into the past of his native Cornwall, conjuring vivid images of places where poets, musicians and film makers have worked to shape Cornwall’s cultural identity.
Dimbleby, in conversation with William Waldegrave, will talk about his latest book Endgame 1944 in which he reveals that it was really Stalin who won the war despite the triumph of the Normandy landings.
Journalist Geoffrey
Wheatcroft asks whatever happened to the Tory party in his book Bloody Panico!
And there are many more. For a full list of festival speakers and events pick up a brochure from Waterstones – whose pop-up bookshop will be at festival venue Cedars Hall – or in numerous venues in Wells and surrounding villages.
Tickets are available via www. wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk or the box office on 01749 834483 (weekdays 9.30am-12.30pm).
By Philip Welch
DO you know that 130 young people use the tired Wells Scout Hut each week and another 70 are on the waiting list?
Through fun and adventure, they gain resilience and learn teamworking, all skills for life.
But the 40-year-old hut in the Blue School grounds does not meet their needs.
“We do not currently have level access into, or within the building, impacting negatively on people with mobility issues,” said Wells Scouts’ lead volunteer Heather Anderson.
“Our toilet facilities desperately need refurbishing. Our youngest Scouting members do not like using them as they currently are. Our hall needs sound dampening as the noise level is stressful for young people with sensory issues.
“And our ceiling has asbestos which must be removed by a specialist company before any sound dampening improvements can be made.
“In short, our building does not meet the needs of our young people, so we are campaigning to refresh the Scout Hut.”
Strongly supporting is Councillor Jasmine Browne, who has decided to raise money for Wells Scouts as her Mayor’s Charity for 2024/25.
“I wanted it to be a local charity for my year in office and Wells Scouts are personal to me,” said Jasmine. “As a mother of two boys and former Scout Assistant Section Leader, I have seen at firsthand the difference
THE Mayor’s Charity Concert in aid of the 5th/7th City of Wells Scouts will take place at Wells Town Hall on Saturday, November 23, starting at 7.30pm. It will feature live music by Tim Pitman and guests, a licensed bar, an auction and a raffle. Tickets cost £20 and are available from Town Hall Reception, 01749 673091, reception@wells.gov.uk (cash only).
Scouting makes to the lives of young people. My children have experienced activities they never would have had access to had they not been in the Scouts such
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as kayaking, caving, night hikes on the Mendips, and having the privilege of being part of the city’s Remembrance Sunday Parade.
“Our city’s Scout leaders do wonderful work and I want to raise their profile and funds for the much needed improvement of the Scout Hut so they can give opportunities to more of our young people.”
Support has also come from local architect Nigel Clarke who put his hand up at the last Wells SOUP! and offered to do the design drawings for the new toilets free. Within days he visited the Scout Hut, discussed the design, measured and produced a draft drawing.
“Jasmine has organised a charity concert in aid of the refurbishment in Wells Town Hall on Saturday, November 23,” said Heather, “with amazing donations from local businesses being auctioned there. With her help we hope to complete the biggest part of the refurbishment, estimated to cost £60,000. We have a lot of work to do, but we will get there.”
Other fundraising planned includes car washing at the Scout Hut, bag packing at Tesco and a fun day in September.
The 5th/7th Wells Scout Group is a registered charity and their fundraising page is justgiving.com/campaign/wellsscout-hut-appeal
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POPPY Garton, aged 19, who has cerebral palsy, volunteered to help the Accessible Wells team survey the pavements at South Horrington.
Poppy travelled along the pavements and footpaths in her wheelchair and identified a series of issues that prevent wheelchair and scooter users from getting around safely.
Amongst the problems she identified were missing drop kerbs, overgrown and narrowing paths forcing wheelchairs into fast-moving traffic, lack of access to footpaths, requiring long detours, poorly-located drop kerbs in relation to bus stops and no safe point to cross from the South Horrington estate towards Wells.
Poppy said: “I enjoyed helping survey around where I live. We had a particularly good sarcastic laugh at the ridiculous drop kerb leading from the Torrwood Care Home towards Gilbert Scott Road. Not only was the drop kerb more than eight times over the government guideline, someone had gone to the trouble of luring you on to it with a tactile surface and, just to make sure you would not make it across safely, they had failed to install a drop kerb on the opposite side – quite incredible.”
Theo van Hensbergen, who is leading the Accessible Wells campaign, said he was very grateful for Poppy’s help. Following on from the wheelchair rides undertaken by Mayor Jasmine Browne and Councillor Georgie Robbins
(as reported in last month’s Wells Voice), Theo explained why it is so important that disabled people are involved in the Accessible Wells campaign.
“Able-bodied people have difficulty appreciating the challenges disabled people face everywhere they go. The two-hour ‘live in my chair’ rides undertaken by Jasmine and Georgie revealed just a small selection of the issues that need to be put right.”
Survey of disabled toilets reveals positive start
The campaign team say they have discovered the location of more than 30 disabled toilets across the centre of Wells. Theo
A LAUNCH talk for Wells Ecoweek will feature a panel of speakers who will each share their perspectives on today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The Floods, Farms and Food talk will take place at Cedars Hall on Friday, October 11, starting at 7pm, when topics covered will include:
n Adapting to and mitigating flood risks.
n Restoring and preserving biodiversity.
n Revitalising soil health through regenerative farming.
n Enhancing food security by relocalising our food systems.
After the presentations, a Q&A session should prompt a lively and thought-provoking discussion.
There is a full programme of events focussing on the environment during the ten days of Wells Environment Network’s Ecoweek, from October 11-20. They include a workshop on making a bug hotel, and a guided photo/nature walk at The Combe.
More details at wenvironment.org.uk
said: “We are now looking for wheelchair users to help assess each of the toilets against a
range of criteria, to check how accessible and adapted they are for people with different needs. This is something we can only do with direct input from wheelchair users.” The information will eventually be posted on the Accessible Wells website, which is being built by students from Bath Spa University.
More Accessible Wells volunteers needed
The Accessible Wells campaign team have identified 14 miniprojects to work on. Anyone interested in finding out more, or who would like to consider helping with any of the projects to create an Accessible Wells, should contact the campaign team via email at accessiblewells@gmail.com
u Spinathon achieves £12k fundraising goal, page 17; Letters, page 32; Message from the MP, page 36
POPPY Garton and her family are celebrating the success of the Wells Spinathon which raised in excess of the £12,000 required towards the specialist mobility equipment she needs for her university start in September.
On Saturday, July 20, at the Kingdom Training Gym on the Keward Estate, tens of spinners went to participate and help Poppy raise the remaining funds. Poppy, unable to spin herself due to her physical limitations, manned the cake stall whilst family, friends and the dedicated spinners completed the 12-hour marathon. The planned evening barbecue was rained off, but the supplies were still sold as meat hampers in the weekend online auction.
Poppy and her mum, Lisa, as well as co-organisers Rachel Rostron and Donna Hand, had also put in an appearance at the Wells Saturday market, to raise awareness of the event the week before, and collect valuable donations.
you to a fund raising evening in support of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance
organised six-hour and 12-hour spinathons in the past and they take a lot of time and effort, but I had to do this last one for Poppy, who I used to teach to swim when she was at primary school. I couldn’t say no, we had to raise the last bit of cash for the Innowalk.”
Lisa had support not only from Rachel, but from Donna Hand, who took charge of the auction side of the fundraising, which raised £5,000 alone.
Jasmine Constanza was the star auction prize collector, securing more than half of the 100+ auction gifts. And George Jones of Yeah, Nice events was instrumental in managing the social media campaign, publicity and marketing of the event.
Lisa said: “We could not have made this event such a success if it were not for the kind and generous support of our local community, businesses and event sponsors.
Poppy said at finally reaching the total: “I’m astonished at the response, and I’m so pleased I will be going to Bath Spa University later this year with the equipment I need to keep me fit and healthy, despite my difficulties.”
They can't save lives without our support
with Left Hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, focal epilepsy and specific learning difficulties.
Poppy had a stroke at 23 months old after an acute and sudden illness, which has left her
L ADY of LYME
Lisa had approached local fitness instructor Rachel Rostron last year after reading of her previous spinathon successes in the local press, to ask for her help after having been
A play written and performed by ALISON NEIL
WELLS Rotary is presenting a play with a difference at St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, on September 7 at 7.30pm in support of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
The play, written and acted by Alison Neil, is all about the life of Mary Anning, otherwise known as the Fossil Lady of Lyme.
“a mesmerically gifted actress” “she delights audiences wherever she tours” Sponsored by The Crown at Wells, Harris and Harris Solicitors, Cooper & Tanner Estate Agents, Brownes Garden Centre, Wells Reclamation and the Long Story Bistro.
the lives they do without our support.
“Wells Rotary is particularly indebted to The Crown at Wells, Brownes Garden Centre, Cooper and Tanner, Wells Reclamation, the Long Story Bistro and Harris and Harris, who have sponsored this event.”
fundraising for over five years for the Innowalk, a unique and innovative machine enabling those with physical disabilities to exercise in an upright position, costing £27,700.
Rachel agreed but only if it were to be her last ever spinathon event. She said: “I’ve
“I am speechless at the generosity of everyone involved in the organisation, participation and contribution. This really means the world to both Poppy and me and we wish to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supported this event, and especially Rachel and Donna. The event represented months of hard work, and I really could not have pulled this off without them.”
SUSTAINABLE Wells events taking place in the next month:
n Repair Saturday at Wells Library, Saturday, August 31, 10am-12.30pm. Take along broken items for the volunteer repairers to mend if they can. Email repaircafe.wells@gmail or wlslib@somerset.gov.uk for more information.
David Randon of Wells Rotary said: “Mary played a key part in the pioneering work of geologists studying rocks and fossils that led to the then accepted truths about the origins of the world being blown apart. It is a fascinating and mesmerising story.
at St Cuthbert’s Church Sept 7th at 19.30 to be entertained & mesmerised by the story of Mary Anning
£15 a head and can be purchased on line at http://www.wells.rotary1200.org by scanning the adjacent QR code at The Crown in Wells, Westbury sub Mendip Community Shop and Brownes Garden Centre.
“We’re hoping for a really good turnout, as the funds raised will go to the air ambulance: as we all know they can’t save
Tickets at £15 a head can be purchased in person from The Crown at Wells, Brownes Garden Centre, and the Westbury-subMendip community shop, online via the club’s website http:// www.wells. rotary1200. org or from Rotary Events by scanning the QR code on the left.
n Make and Mend in the Dodd Room at Portway Annexe, Wednesday, September 25, 6.30pm-9pm. Join in with upcycling or repairing clothing or other textiles. Take whatever you are working on, or just go along and see what others are doing. Email sustwells@gmail.com for more information.
n Repair Cafe at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Saturday, September 28, 10am-12.30pm.
Skilled volunteer repairers will to try to fix any broken stuff taken along. Homemade cakes and drinks available too. Email repaircafe.wells@gmail for more information.
n Freecycle at Priory Road car park, Wells, Sunday, September 29, 1pm-2.30pm. This event is like a car boot sale but no money changes hands; everything is given away free to help unwanted things get reused rather than trashed. Arrive by 1.30pm at the latest if donating items. Email sustwells@gmail.com for more information.
YOUNG photographers are being encouraged to take part in a competition which could see them win £50 and have their work exhibited at The Bishop’s Palace.
The Palace is running the competition for 11- to 18-yearolds, and is also providing free Photo Workshops with a professional photographer as part of the event. There are three categories for the competition: Nature, Water and Buildings. All entrants must be 11-18 years old on September 15, 2024, and there are two age categories: 1114 years and 15-18 years.
Siobhan Goodwin, Community Engagement Manager at the Palace, said: “This competition was the idea of young people who have been volunteering at the Palace this year as part of their Duke of
Edinburgh Award. They thought it would be a great way to get more young people involved at The Bishop’s Palace.
“We’re asking that all photographs are taken in or around The Bishop’s Palace. Entrants don’t need an entrance ticket to take part as there are lots of lovely views around the moat and in the area by the Bishop’s Table cafe. In fact, we’ve already received some fabulous entries.”
One of the free workshops with a professional photographer took place on Monday, August 19, and there will be another on Friday, August 30 (2pm4pm). Places must be booked by emailing siobhan.goodwin@ bishopspalace.org.uk
The competition deadline is 4pm on September 15. More information on the competition and workshops can be found at: https://bishopspalace.org.uk/ event/young-photographerscompetition/
THIS year, Wells Cathedral School is sponsoring a food-themed photography competition at the Wells Food Festival, with prizes on offer and the chance to have photos displayed.
There are three age categories in the competition, 9-12, 13-15 and 16-18 years. Contestants are challenged to capture an eye-catching photo on the theme of Apples and Fruit.
The deadline for entries is Sunday, September 29.
To enter, participants should email their photograph along with their name, age and photo caption to photocompetition@ wells-cathedral-school.com
There will be photography prizes for the Highly Commended and Finalists and their photos will be displayed at the Food Festival in the Town Hall on Sunday, October 13.
ALTHOUGH Wells Food Festival is primarily a celebration of the region’s finest food and drink producers, it is also a community focused festival, and no one can ignore the current food-related social issues which so many people are facing.
With this in mind, the Food for Thought marquee returns to the festival this year with stands from several local charities and organisations, demonstrating what communities can achieve when they come together to tackle some of the challenges.
Addressing food poverty, volunteers from Shepton Mallet’s Community Fridge will explain how to get involved with this community fridge, freezer and larder which also saves food from going to waste. There will also be volunteers from Wells Storehouse, the foodbank and furniture store in Wells which provides emergency, nutritious food parcels to local people.
Organisations will show what can be achieved by working together
Root Connections is working to end rural homelessness. They will be on hand to chat about the seasonal, organic vegetable box delivery scheme and cut flower subscription service they provide from their Community Garden which, in turn, supports their onsite homeless hostel. Meanwhile, the Help for Homeless food truck will be returning to the festival, taking away surplus food at the end
WELLS Food Festival’s headline sponsor, Charlie Bigham, is launching his first cookbook –Supper with Charlie Bigham – on September 12.
Festival-goers will be able to buy their own copy of the cookbook and have it signed by Charlie himself at the festival on October 13. All proceeds
of the day. A welcome sight for many, the bright orange truck travels around Somerset towns feeding homeless people.
There will also be help and advice for how to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Staff from The Blue School will be providing information on school meals and the government guidelines on nutrition for students, whilst Healthy Somerset will have plenty of hints and tips on how
from the sales at the festival will be donated to the Chefs in Schools organisation, which helps schools completely transform the standards of school food and food education.
Charlie said: “I’ve included all my favourite recipes from home. Delighted to be able to share this with my local community.”
to maintain and support physical and mental health. Apparently one in three adults with high blood pressure do not realise they have it. So, free blood pressure checks will be available in the marquee to put people’s minds at rest.
The festival takes place on Sunday, October 13, from 10.30am-4.30pm. Visit www. wellsfoodfestival.co.uk to find out more.
Open Day Saturday 5th October
£4.4m funding boost – but more support still needed
WELLS Cathedral has received a £4.4 million boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards its campaign to save Vicars’ Close, the series of 30 medieval houses and buildings that is world-renowned for being the most complete and continuously occupied medieval street in Europe.
The project will cost a total of £7 million and includes not only critical conservation works, but also a new visitor experience, which will open up four of the unique buildings to the public for the first time.
In addition to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Cathedral has already raised £1 million from donors. This leaves £1.6 million still to raise from the community and history lovers across the nation to enable completion of this transformational project.
First built more than 600 years ago, the Close in Wells has housed generations of singers as part of the Vicars’ Choral. To this day it retains that function with the altos, tenors and basses still living there.
Wells Cathedral is a cornerstone example of an early English Gothic building. From the north transept, the Chain Gate bridge with its famous stairs leads to Vicars’ Close. Although the precise date of the inception of the Close is not known, the
integral role of the choir can be seen in mid-12th century statutes, while the Vicars’ Hall is regarded as having been completed by 1348, the year of the Black Death. More research to establish a clearer inception date will be undertaken as part of the conservation project.
The houses are arranged in two terraces and face each other, with distinctive octagonal ashlar chimneys set on the front eaves of the wall. Uniquely for a street of this period, an ocular trick is built into the design, where the width of the terraces narrows from south to north, as well as the height of the buildings. Although subtle, this gives the impression the street is much longer when entering from the Cathedral side.
Originally the road was the full width of space between the houses, but exterior gardens were added later. The walls of the houses mostly consist of rubble stone that has been sourced from the local area, such as Doulting, Draycott and Chilcote.
Over the centuries, temporary or small works have been undertaken which can be seen in some of the houses. The roofs were stripped and re-laid in the 1970s, while No 16, with its taller roof, is believed to have been almost entirely restored in the 18th century. Victorian designers also reconfigured the interior of some of the houses.
Now, urgent repairs are needed so the Grade I listed buildings can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. The repairs are specific to each property, and consist of reroofing, new insulation, drainage improvements to prevent water damage, wall conservation, and exterior joinery repairs.
Conservation plans are a result of long-term planning between the Cathedral and Somerset Council, Historic England, Society for Protection
of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the Georgian Group and the Victorian Society.
The proposed plans include No 27 becoming a visitor centre, and Nos 12, 22 and Vicars’ Hall having public access all year round. The gardens of No 12 and No 22 will be redesigned with medieval inspiration and using the latest research to investigate the horticulture of the high and late Middle Ages. No 22 is particularly noteworthy as one of the houses that is most authentic to its original layout.
Although some of the houses have been open for temporary
‘Vicars’ Close is a truly remarkable place, possibly without parallel anywhere in the world’
exhibitions and events, this will be the first time that permanent access will be established.
Raising money has changed since the Vicars’ Close first came into being. In the mid-14th century Edward III (1312-1377) tried to pawn his own crown to raise money. Wells Cathedral hopes the generosity and goodwill of the people can help save the street without such extreme measures.
Whatever people can give, the Cathedral is asking for donations to help reach its target and save one of the most historic streets in the UK.
The Dean of Wells, the Very Rev Toby Wright, said: “Vicars’ Close is a truly remarkable
place, possibly without parallel anywhere in the world. We have a responsibility not only to protect the architectural site but also to share its extraordinary heritage and enable more people to engage with it.
“We are absolutely thrilled that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has made such a generous and significant contribution to help us achieve that ambition. We are now asking for public support to raise the last £1.6 million and ensure that one of the most historic places in the UK will be protected for future generations – even a small donation will make a big difference.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Places of worship, and the buildings associated with them, are some of our oldest and most cherished historic buildings and many play a key role as a gateway to our heritage and communities. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will enable vital steps towards securing a brighter and more sustainable future for Vicars’ Close and enable new audiences to enjoy this remarkable survival and explore the heritage it holds.
“We are delighted to invest in the restoration and reimagining of the buildings of Vicars’ Close, ensuring that this heritage will be valued, cared for, and sustained, for everyone, now and in the future.”
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/campaign/ vicarsclose
Somerset Council as part of its budget management challenges has stated its priorities and declared that it is required to cease a number of the tasks previously carried out by the Somerset County Council and the four District Councils. It has suggested that various of these might be offered to the City, Town and Parish Councils as an alternative method of delivering those services. There would be no funds devolved with those services which would have to be paid for by an increase in local tax also known as the parish precept which is levied by each Parish and you will see referenced as part of your council tax bill. Somerset’s position is that if City, Town or Parish Councils do not agree to take on these services then in most cases they will cease to be delivered.
Each parish has an identified part of the Council Tax demand each year. The amount of increase will depend on which services are actually transferred to the City Council and their condition. Negotiations are proceeding with individual Councils, and as yet it is not clear what is on offer but Wells City Council is having to consider plans so that any services can be smoothly transitioned so that there is minimal disruption. This means having the right staffing levels, and personnel to carry out these additional functions as well as the equipment and back up facilities within the City.
What does the City Council already do and what might be being devolved?
It may surprise people that Wells City Council already serves its community in many ways.
It offers facilities of the Town Hall and Portway Annexe for a great number of community organisations and public services, some of which can be seen below:
The Town Hall, accommodates the Coroner's court, markets, meetings, concerts, conferences, weddings and many other events, as well as regular classes, clubs and other community groups.
The Portway Annexe, accommodates a vast array of community groups, music, wellbeing and support services as well as regular classes and clubs.
The City Council is responsible for the management, upkeep and use of the Recreation Ground and Bishop’s Barn as well as the management and upkeep of the Cemetery, its burials and interments, public toilets and allotments throughout the City.
We have a dedicated team managing our open spaces, including grass cutting, hedge cutting, weeding, and street cleansing as well as managing the waterways down the south side of the High Street.
We also deliver the Christmas lights, have oversight of the Wells in Bloom programme, Tourist Information Centre, CCTV, Skate Park and the funfairs which operate in May and November.
Alongside the operational roles, we also play a significant part in the scrutiny of planning and licensing applications affecting the City, grants and financial support to local clubs and organisations and partnerships which support the wider running or future of the City.
Currently the budget of the City Council for the year 2024-25 is £1.2 Million, and that is raised by income from the use of facilities and by the local tax (precept) which is collected as part of your Council Tax payment. For 2024-25 the average Band D property has seen a precept charge of £ 269.05 per year (£5.17 per week).
The council is having to plan for different levels of service provision, as negotiations are still ongoing with Somerset Council and likely will not be completed for a few weeks. As such, there may be different levels of impact which could be expected. For illustrative purposes:
A 30% increase in the parish precept would equate to an additional £80.71 per year, a 50% increase would be £134.53 per year, and a 100% increase would consist of £269.05 per year. This could be as little as £1.55 per week (based on 30% increase).
The increase would only be applied if services are to be maintained, and the level of finances needing to be raised will be dependent upon the volume of services, as well as their current condition and the timing of their transfer.
The City Council is very well aware that the financial climate we find ourselves in is challenging for everyone and that is why we are seeking your views For some, the level of services able to be continued is justified for the increase of £1.55 per week
So what are we being asked to take on from Somerset Council which may result in additional precept being sought?
As was mentioned before, the list of services is still under discussion, but so far we have been asked to consider:
Management and health/safety of play grounds.
Grass Cutting for all green spaces (this would be areas on housing estates and open spaces, not highways verges which will remain with Somerset Council).
Litter Bin and Dog Bin Emptying and Cleaning.
Dead Animal Removals.
Fly Tipping and Flyposting.
Graffiti Removal.
Litter Picking.
Markets - the set up and pack down of stalls on a Wednesday and Saturday.
Management of trees on the areas that we are cutting grass for.
The City Council will have to make decisions as they move forward as to what services they can take on and maintain or even improve, for the benefits of the residents of Wells as well as promoting the city as a focus for the surrounding villages, area and tourists.
There will be a public meeting during which we will invite your views as to the services you most value, understanding that there will be a cost to us all.
The proforma on the right can be completed and returned to us, should you not be able to attend the meeting to give your views.
There is an imperative in time, as Somerset Council will be making decisions in the coming weeks, and we will need to be ready both to react and respond and plan for all the people of Wells.
The deadline for any comments or feedback is 1st October 2024. The public meeting will be held at the Town Hall, Market Place, Wells on 26th September 2024 at 19:00.
Litter Bins
Dog
Dead
Fly Tipping/Fly Posting
Litter Picking
A HANDMADE Easter cope that took more than 2,000 hours to create has gone on display in the Conference Room at The Bishop’s Palace.
The cope was made by Wells textile artist Carolyn Partleton between August 2022 and June 2024.
Inspired by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens’ 1618 painting The Descending From the Cross, that depicts Christ being removed from the cross by his disciples, it features three highly decorative panels.
They were crafted by hand using traditional patchwork techniques, appliqué, and raised embroidery. Extensive beadwork was added to complete the effect.
Carolyn said: “For me, the cope is the perfect shape for telling a story. The viewer must walk around the piece to discover all the elements, looking up and down. It’s the natural division of day and night, heaven and earth.
“I’ve absolutely loved every
minute of making this cope, it is a joy.
“It’s also a dying art as so
few people have the patience to embark on a project that’s going to demand 30 hours a week for
almost two years, armed with nothing more than a needle and thread.”
THE Wells and Shepton Amnesty Group and Mid Somerset Oxfam Group have held two successful joint events recently.
On August 1, the Sand and Vision exhibition of photographs taken by young Sahrawi refugees living in a camp in Algeria was launched at the Art Bank in Shepton Mallet.
The launch event included a talk from Inna Prykhodko who spoke about the plight of Ukrainian refugees in Wells and said how helpful the Wells Welcome Hub at the Portway Annexe has been.
There was also a talk by photographer Emma Brown from Olive Branch Arts who has worked with the Sahrawi refugee community since 2012, and by Candice Bahouth about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A Garden Party in aid of
Oxfam and Amnesty was held on Sunday, August 11, at Amnesty Group secretary Jane Rendel’s house in Shepton Mallet. There were cream teas, entertainment and music including from Izzy Wheeler who sang folk-inspired songs and
played on a guitar she had made herself. Inna Prykhodko gave a talk and appealed for more host families, saying the conditions in Ukraine are getting worse.
The event was attended by Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt, who signed two letters of conscience while she was there.
Between them, the two groups raised £450 at the Garden Party.
n The Wells and Shepton Amnesty Group have thanked all the volunteer collectors and the generous people of Wells for the sum of £393.30 donated during a street collection which took place in Wells on Saturday, August 3.
The Group says that all donations bring hope and often easing of harsh prison conditions and release to prisoners of conscience around the world.
THE emergency services are planning a range of activities when Wells Fire Station in Burcott Road is opened to the public at an Open Day on Saturday, September 7.
There will be a chance to talk to emergency services personnel and see inside a fire engine, and there will be a practical demonstration of a combination drill.
The Wells police beat team will be holding a bike marking event at the Open Day, between 10am and 4pm.
Bicycles can be marked and registered on the BikeRegister database free of charge; all that is required is an email address.
Working in partnership with all UK police forces, BikeRegister deters cycle thieves and reunites stolen bikes with their owners.
A NEW report has called for a package of measures to help transform life for small businesses on the South West’s ever-evolving high streets.
Creating mobile phonebased loyalty programmes and providing accessible public toilets are among recommendations by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) aimed at local government to help the South West’s small firms thrive and grow.
The Future of the High Street report, published on August 5, calls for local authorities to create a specialised fund to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street.
The report, which features in-depth analysis following a large-scale survey of small businesses, also highlights the need for well-maintained and accessible modern public toilets and family-friendly services like creche facilities on high streets, encouraging visitors to stay longer, upping footfall and supporting the local economy.
In the report more than 60 per cent of the region’s SMEs say that a diverse range of independent businesses is one of the most important factors for the long-term sustainability and future of their local high street – and they have called for a concerted effort to help.
Ruth Lambert, FSB
Development Manager for Somerset and Wiltshire, said: “Small independent businesses on the high street provide not only great goods and services but create lots of jobs and are an essential part of community cohesion. Our report shows there is a real willingness amongst retailers to make the high street work but they know they can’t do it alone. They need support from everyone including our local authorities who play such a pivotal role.”
And she added that local people have a key part to play too: “We all have a role in this as we all get to choose where to spend the money we earn. Supporting local shops is an investment in local business and local people and we all have to take that responsibility seriously.”
Business rates remain a huge burden on high street small businesses, with the current Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) a key part of their survival. FSB believes to help small firms to grow further, the SBRR threshold should be increased from £12,000 of rateable value to £25,000.
Good transport links, improved parking facilities and better high street cleaning are also cited by business owners as a potential help for the high street.
To read the full report and FSB recommendations see www. fsb.org.uk/FutureHighStreet For Prices and Bookings contact the Town Hall Manager - Tel: 01749 673091. e-mail: thm@wells.gov.uk Website: www.wells.gov.uk
A SPECIAL Mosaic Concert will be given by Ian Spencer (bass) who sang for nearly 40 years with the Dutch National Opera, Carole Spencer (flute) who has played in many concert halls throughout Europe, including the famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Abigail Wise, a professional pianist from Bath.
They are all keen to contribute towards the Wells in Mosaic artwork being created by artist Ruth Ames-White through this varied fundraising concert.
The event will have something for everyone, from early classics through to modern musical numbers. From the opera Philemon et Baucis by Gounod, the aria Que les songes heureux; through to the 1960s song I Believe and Ol’ Man River, from the musical Showboat. After the show
refreshments will be available with an opportunity to talk with the performers and to see examples of Ruth’s work.
The musicians were wowed by the Mosaic when they visited Ruth’s studio recently and felt this was the best way for them to offer their support for the exciting community project. The creation of a six-metre diameter mosaic in the form of a walkable map of the historic city centre was a revelation to Ian and Carole, along with the many artistic and informative features which will be included in the finished work.
The concert will take place on Sunday, September 29, at 3pm in St Thomas’ Church, Wells. Tickets are available by calling 07925 702473 and from St Thomas’ Church office from Monday-Thursday, 9.30am to midday.
City of Wells Town Hall
Various rooms to hire for: Conferences, Seminars Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions, Marriages, Receptions, all types of Meetings and Local Group Classes
Very reasonable rates
RESIDENTS in a block of flats in Wells can now easily recycle their electricals with the launch of a pilot project.
Thanks to funding from Material Focus, the not-for-profit leading the UK-wide Recycle your Electricals campaign, the two-month trial will allow the residents of St Athelm Lodge in West Street to dispose of small electrical items in the conveniently located pink wheelie bin, with fortnightly collections planned by Somerset Council’s waste collections contractor, SUEZ.
Electrical items that can be recycled include anything with a plug, battery or cable that can fit into the wheelie bin. Items such as hairdryers, toasters, headphones and DVD players can all be recycled.
The pilot, which was unveiled last week at an event held for St Athelm Lodge, was supported by the Fixy project, an initiative developed by Somerset Council and Resource Futures. The Fixy project helps residents to reuse and recycle electricals and smart tech.
During the launch event the Fixy project took donations of smart tech for reuse, including smart phones, tablets and laptops. The tech will now be passed on to DonateIT CIC, for data-wiping, refurbishing, and then given to people in digital need.
According to Material Focus research, the UK discards 103,000 tonnes of electricals every year, instead of reusing or recycling them.
All electricals, even small inexpensive items such as cables, contain precious materials, such
as
Councillor Dixie Darch, Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “We’re pleased to support this project; it makes it easy for residents to recycle and helps them to do the right thing.
“Most people can recycle small electricals at the kerbside, and projects like this help to highlight the importance of recycling electricals.”
Linda Hull, Fixy Coordinator, added: “With over 11,000 households living in flats across Somerset, this pilot is an important first step in understanding how best to help such residents recycle their small electricals, keeping all the precious metals inside of them out of the waste stream.”
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, said:
SOMERSET Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK will be providing another peek behind the scenes at a local recycling facility for Heritage Open Days in September. Evercreech Materials Recycling Facility will be open to the public for a series of free tours on Saturday, September 14, every hour from 10am, with the last tour at 2pm.
Not normally open to members of the public, the
open day will provide a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes. Entry is free and there are 20 spaces available on each tour. Visitors must book in advance at eventbrite.co.uk/e/ heritage-open-day-evercreechhousehold-recycling-sortingfacility-tickets-976107793687
The facility processes around 34,000 tonnes of recycling a year, equivalent to 2,000 doubledecker buses.
“We are pleased to support the Fixy Project that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste.
“By investing in improved collection and drop-off services
and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for ten million more people to recycle their electricals.”
St Athelm Lodge manager, David Goodall, said: “Our elderly residents often don’t know how to dispose of electrical items safely and securely, Fixy fixes this problem while also helping the environment.”
Most households in Somerset can recycle small electricals via their weekly kerbside recycling collection, however this option is not available to residents that have communal collections (such as people who live in flats).
Electrical items that are too large to fit in a carrier bag should be taken to one of Somerset’s recycling sites. Alternatively, use the recycling locator function online via the Recycle your Electricals website.
This very handsome boy is THOMAS, an eight-yearold male who is looking for his new forever home.
Thomas can be quite nervous of new people but once he trusts you he has an incredibly sweet and friendly personality. He’s very playful and can be quite talkative when he wants to be.
He would be best suited as an only pet and needs a child free home. Somewhere away from any fast, busy or main roads and with a lot of green space for him to explore and have fun in.
If you think you can offer this handsome chap the home he deserves please fill out an online application form for him or phone Nikita on 07867 140339.
A SCULPTURAL installation to highlight the plight of Mendip ash trees will appear at Deer Leap, near Priddy, during Somerset Art Weeks 2024.
Somerset artist Lotte Scott will begin work this summer on Ash Viewing, a new temporary installation on the Mendip Hills commissioned by the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team in partnership with Somerset Art Works.
The project will begin with Scott making lime from Mendip stone, creating a limewash that will be used to cover an entire ash tree felled due to ash dieback disease. The tree will be installed in a stone barn, creating a poignant artwork highlighting issues of environmental change and degradation.
Tim Haselden, Project Development Officer for the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team, said: “Ash dieback leads to leaf loss and
crown dieback, eventually killing the tree. The disease has led to decline of ash trees across the country and in particular on Mendip.
“Nearly 1,000 species are associated with ash trees in the UK and their loss poses a significant threat to biodiversity and landscape character, whilst also hampering our efforts to reduce the impact of climate change. We’re really pleased to be working with Lotte Scott
and Somerset Art Works to raise awareness of the plight of Mendip ash trees.”
Lotte Scott said: “After two years of development and planning, it is hugely exciting to be embarking on Ash Viewing. This is my first public art commission, a dream opportunity allowing me to work on a larger scale, out in the remarkable landscape of Mendip. It feels an honour to be creating a piece to celebrate
and memorialise the ash, and I hope the installation will be both a moving and enlightening experience for people.”
Somerset Art Weeks 2024 take place from September 21 to October 6, when Ash Viewing will be exhibited to the public at Deer Leap. On the final week of the festival, the limewashed ash will be removed from the barn and turned into charcoal at a public event.
Ash Viewing has received funding from Creative Mendip and the Henry Moore Foundation. Funding is being sought for a second phase of the project, Ash Barrow, which could see the charcoaled tree remains interred into a new turf and stone burial mound as part of wider access improvements at the site.
Inspired by the Bronze Age cemeteries located on Mendip, Ash Barrow would stand as a monument to the loss of the ash.
Care in your own home No need for an expensive care home
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Stay independentat home with your own live in carer
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today 0800 111 4885
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featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885
TWO Wells art galleries are hosting a joint exhibition showcasing the work of 16 female artists for this year’s
will be work by Jackie Adams, Anna Francis, Pippa Hill, Tiffy Minty, Jennifer Mole, Solange and Tara Vignoles.
Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885
Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
The theme for Somerset Art Weeks Festival 2024 is Landscape – Flux and Flow. The ‘Mother Earth in Response to Flux and Flow’ exhibition will be shown over the A2 Gallery and Heritage Courtyard Gallery and Studios from Saturday, September 21, until Saturday, October 5.
At Heritage Courtyard Studios will be work by Rebecca Barnard, Cathy Charles, Kim DeVries, Linda Blain, Di Lucas, Carmel Hornidge, Dee King, Heather Wallace and Kate Wilson, plus ‘The Gaia Girls’ will be showing an installation in the loft space.
Call for a brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
At A2 Gallery, 80 High Street,
More details at a2gallery.co.uk, heritagecourtyardstudio.com and somersetartworks.org.uk
Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk
Hundreds of visitors admired the model railway layouts on display at the Railwells event in Wells Town Hall on August 3 and 4. Pictured above is Wells resident Norman Brooks at the Burnham-on-Sea layout, belonging to John Perrett. The layout was originally built by Denys Brownlee and is more than 40 years old. Inset above left is one of the posters that were being displayed, this one encouraging rail travel to Wells. On the right is shown some of the part-built Tucker Street Yard layout, a reminder of the railway lines as they once were in Wells.
Three more 2024
THERE are three more opportunities in 2024 to learn contemporary gospel songs with the PRP Gospel singing group, under the leadership of musical director Emma Wheat.
Meetings take place monthly at Wells Methodist Church, Southover. No previous singing experience is needed to take part, and the group welcomes singers of any faith or none.
The remaining 2024 dates are Friday, September 6; Friday, October 4; and Friday, November 1. Sessions run from 7.30pm-9pm. The cost is £10 per session, advance booking recommended. More at www. emmawheatmusic.co.uk
STUDENTS at The Blue School and Wells Cathedral School have been celebrating some excellent exam results this summer. More details online at wellsvoice.co.uk Exams success
I AM Rose Green, the Temporary Mendip Neighbourhood Inspector for your area. I have had the pleasure of acting as Neighbourhood Inspector across Somerset East wide, and also enjoyed some time in Sedgemoor in the same role. I have spent most of my career across South Somerset and Mendips in both Response and Neighbourhood Policing, so I am grateful to know the area and its challenges well. I am also the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) lead for Somerset East, a topic I am very passionate about.
You would have seen the ‘Walk and Talk’ scheme that was launched here in Somerset East last year, with the very first one taking place in Glastonbury. Fast forward nearly a year, and the scheme is now running across the whole of Avon and Somerset
and has been exceptionally well received, helping build trust and confidence with our communities.
With some absolutely shocking and horrendous headlines we have seen in recent weeks and months, it is clear tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is more relevant than ever, and something as a Force we are dedicated to do.
Let me share with you some of the VAWG National Policing Statement from the National Police Chiefs Council, which will outline why this epidemic is so serious:
n We have seen a 37% increase in recorded VAWG related crimes from 2018/19 to 2022/23.
n At least one in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG every year (two million victims) and one in 20 adults in England and Wales will be a perpetrator of
The latest from the local policing team with T/Inspector Rose Green
VAWG every year (2.3 million perpetrators).
n Our analysis has identified five critical threats to women and girls: rape and serious sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and online and tech-enabled VAWG.
Policing has ensured violence against women and girls is now officially classed as a national threat by government and a refreshed national framework has brought the police response to VAWG in line with counterterrorism. This includes the adoption of the ‘4P’ approach, which underpins every police force’s plan to tackle VAWG:
n Prepare: forces must have the right culture, skills and resources.
ON Saturday, July 20, I visited Wells while on a coach holiday travelling home to Warwickshire. It was raining and while walking down the main street I tripped forward, demolishing the sandwich board outside Costa and landing badly on my knee.
I would like to thank the kind people who rescued me that morning:
The ladies who held my head and then got me on my feet.
The gentleman who arranged for me to sit on a chair in the Boots shop opposite and provided a plaster for my knee.
The lady called Dawn who went home and fetched her car and then drove me and my friend to the coach park.
I was very wet and shaken, and now have a very bruised leg, requiring a visit to A&E and an X-ray, but my leg is slowly improving.
So thank you to the people of Wells, I appreciate your kindness.
Pamela Moat By email
Will Writing
Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.
Family & Property Trusts
Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Probate Services
Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens.
n Protect: action is being taken to protect individuals, families and communities.
n Pursue: perpetrators of violence are being relentlessly pursued.
n Prevent: policing must work with partners as part of a wholesystem approach.
In Avon and Somerset, we record approximately 3,000 VAWG related offences each month. We will continue to build trust and confidence, create safer spaces and focus on the perpetrators. I will ensure as the Neighbourhood Inspector that we continue to make our communities safer for women and girls from violent crimes. As a community please encourage people to be upstanders and not bystanders, please – speak up, interrupt if you witness any unwanted or concerning behaviour and it is safe to do so.
I WOULD like to congratulate Councillors Jasmine Browne and Georgie Robbins in their wheelchair challenge (August’s Wells Voice).
I have often said I wish the council would use my buggy to show them how difficult and painful it is to finally get out and about. Well done to you both, it gives me hope.
I don’t know if either of you went through the Eye to The Bishop’s Palace, the roughest and most painful path ever. I overheard one gentleman in a disability scooter say to his wife “Remind me never to come to Wells again, it’s too painful”. Couldn’t the cobbles be reset in the cobbled areas? Some are so loose. Like you discovered, the dropped kerbs are too far apart. Thank you ladies, for giving us hope for the future. Good for you trying this out.
Jean Falck Wells
u Letters continue on page 47
Tanya Flagg shares the latest news from Wells City Band
AUGUST was a quiet month with many members away for their summer holidays, but we enjoyed playing at Stokefest in Stoke St Michael and being able to socialise and enjoy the day listening to a variety of music.
Our next event is playing on Wells Bandstand on the afternoon of Sunday, September 8, from 2.30pm-5pm. Please bring your own chair and come and enjoy a free afternoon of music.
The Band would like to congratulate Alison Luck who was presented with the Phyllis Oatley Shield for being our ‘Best Supporter’ for 2024. Alison has supported the band for many
years, and is known to most players as the cake lady, because whenever we play for an event
for the city council she makes a delicious homemade cake for the band to enjoy. We appreciate everything that Alison does to support the band.
Congratulations must also go to Rudy and Naomi, two talented young cornet players from Wells City Band Brass Academy who have been invited to move up to 3rd Cornet in the Main Band. It is encouraging to see players progress and be rewarded for their hard work and dedication.
Sadly, the Band have to say goodbye to a couple of our youth members this month. Elianne is heading to university and Jesse has a place studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. We wish them both well for their studies and whatever the future holds.
SOMERSET Council has said that fraudulent QR code stickers are being displayed on some of its parking machines.
It has reminded the public that if paying for parking using a phone, only one of these trusted payment methods should be used:
n Download the PayByPhone app directly from the App Store or Google Play Store.
n Visit the website by entering http://www.PayByPhone.co.uk directly into the search bar.
n Dial 0330 400 7275 to use the automated phone line.
It says that fraudulent stickers are being removed as quickly as possible to avoid any further scams.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “Unfortunately, we must be alert to scams on a regular basis.”
A NEW water dispenser has been donated to St Cuthberts Infants School in Wells by local company Glastonbury Spring Water.
The contribution was inspired by a persuasive letter written by Beatrix Burnell, a Year 1 pupil, who eloquently highlighted the benefits of keeping students healthy and hydrated.
In her letter, Beatrix emphasised the importance of having access to fresh, clean water throughout the school day. She argued that a water dispenser would benefit not only current students but also future generations, ensuring everyone stays hydrated and healthy. Touched by her thoughtful words and the importance of the cause, Glastonbury Spring Water quickly responded, supplying and installing the water cooler within just two weeks of receiving the letter.
The school’s PTA expressed profound gratitude for the donation. “This water dispenser is a wonderful addition to our school,” they said. “It’s incredible to see young students, like Beatrix, taking the initiative and advocating for positive changes. We are extremely grateful to Glastonbury Spring Water for their prompt and generous support.
“The water dispenser has already become a popular feature
among the students and staff, encouraging everyone to stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s a testament to the power of community and the impact that even the youngest members can have when they speak up for what they believe in.
“A huge thank you goes out to Glastonbury Spring Water for their kind donation and swift action, and to Beatrix Burnell for her inspiring efforts. This story serves as a beautiful reminder of the positive outcomes that arise from thoughtful advocacy and community co-operation.”
A NEW initiative between Somerset Council, SUEZ and On Your Bike means that bikes collected via the council’s bulky collection service will now be donated to On Your Bike, and head back on to the road.
On Your Bike is a bicycle recycling charity, based in Bridgwater and Taunton. The charity’s aim is to train and support those in the community who have suffered social exclusion, have physical disabilities or mental health issues.
Bikes that are donated to On
By Tracey Cook
DIVORCE law has changed a lot in the last few years. “No fault” divorce came into effect in April 2020 and a new Pre-Action Protocol was introduced in April 2024.
The Protocol encourages separating couples to consider all available alternatives in reaching an agreement before issuing court proceedings, with an intention of reducing conflict, saving costs and achieving a quicker resolution for all parties. The Protocol is another positive step forward in family law, in promoting a less contentious approach to family issues. Who does it apply to?
The Pre-Action Protocol applies to all parties, whether or not they are legally represented. It applies to arrangements for children and to matrimonial finances. What do I need to know about the Pre-Action Protocol and how does it affect me?
There are four main elements to the Pre-Action Protocol:
1. Early Disclosure
2. Negotiation
3. Consideration of Non-Court Dispute Resolution
4. Mediation
Early Disclosure
Parties are encouraged to exchange full financial disclosure at the earliest opportunity. This enables all parties to have a full understanding of their respective financial positions and allows both parties to negotiate effectively, by having an informed knowledge of each other’s financial situation.
Negotiation
Your Bike are refurbished and sold for affordable prices in their Bridgwater and Taunton shops, or used for parts if a bike is no longer roadworthy. All funds generated go back into local community projects.
Bikes are often collected from households as part of the council’s bulky waste collection service. During the first month of the new partnership, On Your Bike received more than 25 bikes. n The charge for collecting up to three bulky items is £73.40 and an extra £18.40 for each additional item.
Deadline for the October edition: September 18
Having exchanged financial information, parties are encouraged to put forward proposals for a financial settlement that would meet the needs of both parties, and if there are children involved, prioritising on first meeting those children’s needs.
Parties are encouraged to each outline their proposals for a financial settlement and to attempt to reach an agreement, through informed negotiations, before making any application to the court.
In children matters, the focus remains on what is in the best interests of the child, with both parties encouraged to put forward a proposal, often by way of a parenting plan, setting out how they can successfully co-parent.
Non-court Dispute Resolution
The protocol requires both parties
to consider all forms of non-court dispute resolution and this includes mediation, collaborative law, round table discussions, negotiations through solicitors or arbitration.
Mediation
In the first instance, parties may wish to consider mediation to reach an agreement between them. Mediation can be suitable in respect of arrangements for the children, matrimonial finances or both. Both parties do not have to be in the same room for mediation and it can be an effective way for parties to reach an agreement, without the use of solicitors. Once agreement has been reached, a solicitor can prepare the legal documentation recording that agreement, which is then filed with the Court.
How does this affect me?
Organisations such as Resolution have long highlighted the benefits to separating couples in reaching an agreement through non-court dispute resolution. By choosing to engage in non-contentious negotiations, meditation or round table discussions, where it is appropriate to do so, with all parties having voluntarily exchanged full financial disclosure, parties can move through the divorce process more effectively, with less stress and anxiety, resulting in quicker financial agreements being reached and with significantly less costs draining the matrimonial finances.
When dealing with matters relating to children, this non-contentious approach encourages parents to transition to their new roles as co-parents and allows them to work towards a more positive relationship for the future. Court hearings can often result in a winner/loser scenario which can negatively impact on the parties and their children. By avoiding the court process, where possible to do so, both parents are able to reach an agreement that works for them and is not imposed on them by a court.
By introducing the New Action Protocol, the courts are continuing their commitment to further the rationale behind the introduction of the “no fault divorce”, by empowering separating couples to reach agreements between themselves, before rushing to the courts to impose a solution.
If you would like any further information about any of the issues discussed above, please do contact the Family Team at Chubb Bulleid, who would be happy to help.
n Tracey Cook is a Solicitor with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.
One thing that’s come up repeatedly is the need for a fair deal for pensioners, particularly as the Government moves to cut the £300 winter fuel payment. I’m acutely aware this affects those with high energy bills because they’re less mobile, unwell or elderly. Many citizens don’t claim Pension Credit and other benefits to which they’re entitled, getting caught in a gap. When Parliament returns, I will press the Government on this to minimise the impact of this change. You can call Somerset Citizens’ Advice on 0344 488 9623 and they’ll check you’re receiving the help that’s available.
I met again with campaigner Theo Van Hensbergen who presented the results of the ‘Accessible Wells’ survey to our city council. Theo is gathering evidence through local groups of individuals looking at various locations around our city to offer recommendations for improvements that make Wells easier to move around if you have a pushchair, use a wheelchair or have other accessibility needs. If you could
help Theo with this, he’s on accessiblewells@gmail.com Whistleblowing
One of my interests is whistleblowing, stemming from meeting many brave people who reported workplace wrongdoing from 2010 to 2015. I’m back as Vice-Chair of WhistleblowersUK and I’ll be calling on Government to bring in the Whistleblowing Bill to:
l create an independent ‘Office for the Whistleblower’ to ensure whistleblowers are treated fairly and don’t suffer as a result of telling the truth about what’s happening at work.
l introduce restitution, so whistleblowers are never worse off as a result of speaking up about wrongdoing.
Whistleblowing can prevent fraud, corruption and save lives (you only have to look at the recent case of Lucy Letby
to realise this). I am always available to anyone who wishes to raise whistleblowing concerns. My contact details are below, and you can find more information at www.wbuk.org
Your replies to my thank you card
On the inside of the ‘thank you’ card I sent to every home after July’s election, I asked you to send me your thoughts on what one thing you’d like to see change. Reading your replies is really helpful, so please keep them coming. If you don’t want the postie to see your details, pop your card in an envelope with ‘Tessa Munt – Freepost’ on it –you won’t need a stamp. n Email: tessa.munt.mp@ parliament.uk; Call: 01934 440639 (answerphone for out of office hours); Text: 07714 599669 (text is best); Post: Tessa Munt – Freepost.
WELLS Classic Motorcycle Club’s 13th annual ‘Tortoise and Hare’ event was held over the weekend of July 19-21.
Campers arrived on Friday afternoon in preparation for a weekend of motorcycling and local sightseeing.
Saturday morning saw the Social Scenic Run to Oakham Treasures which attracted those camping plus some local riders, all enjoying the scenery on the way there and back over and around the Mendip Hills.
On Sunday morning (July 21), the sun shone as Wells Football Club was the starting venue for the 13th Annual Tortoise and Hare run. Many entrants and marshals arrived early to enjoy a full English or bacon baps.
More than 125 motorcycles of all ages, including a ‘Snail’ section for low-powered machines, were entered for this popular West Country event at which much-needed funds are raised for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and EVS Freewheelers (The Blood Bikes).
Entries came from as far afield as Surrey, Berkshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire as well as many local riders, and the bikes ranged from vintage to a Mobylette Autocycle, plus many immaculate classics and desirable modern machines.
The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Browne, was ably assisted by Town Crier Len Sweales as they flagged off the groups onto their various run
routes. These took the entrants over the eastern side of the Mendip Hills and beyond to arrive at Castle Cary Rugby Club, where they all met for tea/coffee and biscuits. The entrants then took various marshalled routes as they made their way back to Wells Football Club for the lunch break.
This was followed in the afternoon by more ‘scenic routes’ over the northern Mendips for both the Tortoise and Hare, the Snail group took in a short route onto the Mendips.
All the groups returned to Wells Football Club for tea and cake.
On returning to Wells Football Club they were thanked for their support by Cllr Browne,
who then enjoyed a ride around the football club on a Harley Davidson Trike before presenting the various class awards, plus the raffle prizes.
For this year the main sponsor was Ford Fuels.
Organisers thanked all the advertisers, marshals and helpers, and said they will again be making a sizable donation to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and EVS Freewheelers when all the accounts are finalised.
For event pictures and club details, go to: www. wellsclassicmotorcycleclub. weebly.com
The date and arrangements for next year’s event are still to be confirmed.
MUSIC With Mummy, a franchise that offers music classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, including in Wells and Dinder, has relaunched as The Jolly Melodies Music Company.
It says that the change in name helps to better celebrate inclusivity and the role that every family member takes in the development of the younger generations.
For more than 32 years, Music With Mummy has operated in communities across the UK, using music and melodies to encourage children to develop their listening and social skills, rhythm, speech and general confidence.
“After three decades of
Music With Mummy is now known as The Jolly Melodies Music Company
welcoming not just mummies, but daddies, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all different caregivers into our classes, it was
time for our name to reflect the beautiful and varied composition of modern family life,” said Anne-marie Collier, The Jolly
Melodies Music Company Director.
The musical materials are specially prepared for young pupils, with music drawn from a mix of old favourites including nursery rhymes and folk songs, plus original songs specifically aimed at young children.
New class names will also be introduced in line with the new branding: Jolly Babies, from birth; Jolly Toddlers, from 15 months; Jolly Independent!, from three years old.
The Jolly Melodies Music Company Wells & Shepton Mallet is run by Laura May. For more information on the local classes, see: https:// thejollymelodiesmusiccompany. co.uk/find-a-class/
With Clare Blackmore
A REFORM School or Reformatory was a penal institution generally for teenagers and they were set up from 1854 for children convicted of a crime and a place as an alternative to an adult prison.
Social reformers in the mid1800s thought that reforming institutions for juveniles should be rehabilitative rather than punitive and theses institutions were custodial.
In the court reports of the Wells Police Courts and the Quarter Sessions, those of a young and impressionable age started to be sent to reformatories and industrial schools at around this time.
Reformatory schools were there for children who had committed crime and industrial schools were intended to prevent young children becoming criminals.
The general characteristics were “simplicity, plainness and practical utility”. The children were not coddled and they worked at real hard labour. An inspector’s report of 1860 recorded that one inmate said that: “I would rather be in prison. We should have more to eat and less to do.”
Boys from the courts in Wells were usually sent to the Kingswood, Redhill or Keynsham reformatories.
Quite often children were given custodial sentences after which they were sent to a reformatory school for a residential term where it was hoped to give them training to prepare them for a life of work and not crime.
In 1859, Ann Padgor, a child of 12 years of age, was charged at the Somerset Assize Court at Wells Town Hall with stealing a hat. She was sentenced to Shepton Mallet Gaol for 15 days and thereafter was sent to the Redhill Juvenile Reformatory School for two years.
Also in 1859 at the Borough Police Court held at Wells Town Hall a lad, only 11 years of age, James Radford was brought up charged with stealing two pocket knives from the shop of Mr Robert Stewart of Wells Market Place.
The court heard that the boy, “though very young, is
A recent photograph of Shepton Mallet Prison. In Victorian times, some children were sent to the prison before they went on to a Reformatory
‘Ten-year-old William Morgan of Easton was charged with wilfully placing stones on the tracks of the Great Western Railway’
exceedingly depraved and is constantly causing his parents grief through his thieving”.
The Magistrates committed him to Shepton Gaol for 16 days and ordered that at its expiration Radford should be sent to a Reformatory for two years.
From court records of the time it could be shown that 17,000 children under the age of 17 were convicted annually at sessions in England and Wales.
In January 1856, W Payne, aged 16, was tried at Wells for stealing poultry and was given 14 days in prison and then two years in a reformatory school.
In 1860, John Cottle, aged 13 years, was charged with burglary after having been caught with an older criminal, Arthur Perret, aged 16.
It was understood by the court that Cottle was under the influence of Perret and therefore gave Perret a sentence of six months’ imprisonment with hard labour at Shepton Mallet, while the 13-year-old Cottle was sent to Keynsham Reformatory for four years.
In 1862, a boy of 11 years of age named George Giles, the son of a widow living in the High Street, was brought up with stealing a dead hare valued at 3s
6d and the property of Charles Henry Tudway.
Mr Tudway’s keeper, Mr John Bird, said that he employed the boy to hold the game once it was shot but Giles disappeared with the hare.
Giles then tried to sell the hare saying he had found it under a hedge but he was tracked to his house and arrested by Sergeant Boug.
The boy’s mother told the Bench that she had paid for him to go to school but he would not attend and he had no father to look after him.
The Bench sentenced Giles to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour and that afterwards he be sent to a Reformatory for three years in the hope that he would come out of the institution a better boy.
In 1865, a servant named Marion Porter, aged 15, was brought up before the Police Court accused of stealing a brooch valued at 1s 6d, the property of butcher Mr Charles Barnard of Wells High Street,
On the Sunday, Porter asked to be able to go to church but never returned. When Mrs Barnard noticed several items missing from the house she contacted Sergeant Tucker.
Sergeant Tucker arrested Porter in Silver Street in the city. Porter told Sergeant Tucker that she had taken two sovereigns from a box at the Barnards’ house, one of which she spent on gin at the Mermaid Inn. Morgan was further charged with stealing three yards of calico from Mrs
Ann Oxley whilst lodging with her in Southover.
The Mayor sentenced her to one month’s imprisonment in Shepton Mallet Gaol and then five years in a Reformatory in the hope that she might be saved from a life of immorality.
In 1867, James Kerle, aged 16, was charged with stealing seven eggs and two silk handkerchiefs and was sentenced to three weeks’ hard labour at Shepton Mallet followed by four years in a Reformatory.
In 1872, sisters Mary Ann Stephens, aged 15, and Charlotte Stephens, aged 12 were charged with having stolen a frock, a skirt and sugar valued at 3s.
Mary Ann pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 days at Shepton Mallet Prison followed by five years’ detention in a Reformatory. Charlotte Stephens was ordered to be detained in an Industrial School for four years.
In 1876, ten-year-old William Morgan of Easton, near Wells, was charged with wilfully placing stones on the tracks of the Great Western Railway. Morgan pleaded not guilty but the case was proved by PC Lippiatt and Morgan was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment, 12 strokes with the birch rod and to be sent to a Reformatory for five years on the expiration of his imprisonment.
In 1879, Florence Ellen Crandon, aged 12 years, was charged with stealing 18 penny postage stamps from the house of George Grainger of Southover. Crandon, who was shown to have a very dishonest character, admitted her guilt.
It was stated in court that she was a much-neglected child and already had a brother in an Industrial School.
She was committed to prison for 14 days and then would go to a Reformatory School for five years.
It was decided that the Reform and Industrial Schools were a good thing for the offending and neglected youth as it was thought that “if any class of culprits deserve considerate treatment it is the young, who have in their training been utterly neglected and who therefore are scarcely responsible for their misdeeds”.
PEOPLE often express curiosity about the different types of funerals Wells Funeral Services have been involved with, so we thought it would be insightful to share some examples from the month of July.
During July, we assisted numerous families with funerals for family members or friends, each one being unique and meaningful in its own way.
Two of these included formal church services followed by more personalised farewells at local crematoriums.
The first funeral was for a lady who held traditional views and desired a male vicar to lead her service. This took place at the beautiful St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells, officiated by Vicar Sam Denyer.
The service included hymns, prayers, Bible readings, family tributes, and concluded with words of committal.
Afterward, family and
Wells Funeral Services can assist in providing a traditional funeral service, or something more unique and personal
friends gathered at Mendip Crematorium for a brief farewell ceremony led by Nicky Sutton, which featured music, blessings, and final words of goodbye. This approach honoured the lady’s wishes while providing her family with a meaningful way to say their goodbyes.
The second funeral was for a man whose family also preferred
a formal church service followed by a separate goodbye ceremony. St Cuthbert’s Church, the largest parish church in Wells, hosted the service, accommodating over 300 attendees. Vicar Jan Shellard-James led the service, which included hymns, prayers, many personal tributes from family and friends, and musical performances by a soloist with organ and cello accompaniment, culminating in the committal and blessing.
The farewell ceremony, attended by close family and friends, was held at Haycombe Crematorium. Nicky Sutton led this life-centred goodbye, which included music, readings, and blessings before the final words of farewell.
In addition to these traditional services, we also assisted with a more unique and personal funeral for a lady deeply connected to nature and owner of her own nature
reserve. This family-led funeral took place in a small cemetery next to her nature reserve. The family arranged the coffin and ceremony, which included music, poems, and a tribute from the woman’s sister.
The ceremony was intimate, and the family organised the flowers and a picnic in the nature reserve afterwards, celebrating her life in a place she cherished.
These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which we can honour and celebrate lives. Whether through traditional church services or personalised ceremonies that reflect the unique passions and preferences of the person who has died, each funeral we assist with is crafted to provide a fitting farewell and support for their family members and friends.
To find out how we can help you arrange a fitting funeral for a loved one, call us on 01749 670100 or email rod@wfs.me.uk
HELD on the South Lawn against the backdrop of the medieval Great Hall, specialist falconry firm, Raptorcare, will be entertaining crowds at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells on Saturday, September 7, with a day of fantastic flying displays, fascinating information and beautiful birds.
The displays are aimed at all ages of visitor and will illustrate how these birds would have been
used in medieval times and why. Visitors will be able to marvel at their skill and training as they show off their well-honed moves in front of the audience, and in between displays, willing participants will also have the chance to handle some of the birds.
Medieval falconry is included with any standard admission; no additional event ticket needed. Displays at 12pm and 3pm.
Extremely rare Austral Islands (French Polynesia) Chief's staff or pole club Sold for £15,500
A HIGHLY visual, emotional and powerful drama that captures human nature through theatre is coming to Croscombe Village Hall, near Wells, on Sunday, September 29, at 7pm.
The classical dance drama from Kerala in south India with the Kala Chethana Kathakali Company will feature costumes, make-up and colours that will “fill the village hall with visual delight”. People can drop into the
venue throughout the day to see the face painting in action and hear more about the traditions surrounding the stories.
This is the latest touring professional theatrical show to be hosted by Croscombe Frolics thanks to the support of Take Art. Tickets £14 adults, £9 low income, £9 under 25, £5 under 16 via www.takeart.org/whats-on or in person from The George Inn, Croscombe.
Chinese Canton Famille Rose porcelain ‘Lotus’ bowl Sold for £6,800
1BN, 10am–3pm Cartier - Lady’s 18k gold Tank Francaise ref. 2835 Sold for £4,000
ST Cuthbert’s Church, Wells, is inviting all primary age children to their once a month children’s church group. Held every third Sunday at 3pm – hence 3@3 –children plus a responsible adult can enjoy stories, crafts and singing all based around a bible story. It’s free – and there is also cake.
At the last session the children heard about Jesus and his disciples going sailing in Mark 6:30-34. There was a holiday-themed session and the children made paper boats which they tested in a paddling pool ‘Sea of Galilee’ followed by ice creams.
The next session is on September 15 at 3pm when the theme will be from the book of James: ‘being kind’. There will be crafts, singing… and cake.
THERE will be great suspense at Wells Little Theatre in September when Agatha Christie’s dramatic play Witness for the Prosecution is performed. Did Leonard Vole (played by Jonathan Sansam) murder a wealthy heiress who has been found dead in her London townhouse? What will the audience make of Leonard’s mysterious wife Romaine (played
THERE will be an Oxfam Quiz Night at St Thomas’ Church Hall on Sunday, September 1, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Teams of up to six, £5 per team member. No bar so participants should take their own drinks. Raffle prizes welcome.
To book, phone Terry on 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com
WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, September 4, and Wednesday, September 18, from 7pm9.30pm.
THE next event in the programme to raise funds for the revitalisation of Christ Church, Henton, takes place on Thursday, October 3. Richard Kay, Director of Lawrences, will give an illustrated talk entitled: A Garden is a Lovesome Thing:
God Wot! Domestic British Gardens 1850-1910.
The talk will take place in the church, 7pm for 7.30pm. Free entrance, cash bar, donations for the Revitalising Fund. For more information, call 07753 958836.
SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD, from 7pm to 9pm. People do not
by Susie Tookey), who he hopes will prove his innocence? When she takes the stand, can her testimony be believed?
The questions will be answered when Witness for the Prosecution is performed at Wells Little Theatre from September 16-21, at 7.30pm each day.
Tickets are on sale at www. wellslittletheatre.com
have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per person, and refreshments are provided. For more information, call 07769 603937.
FREE folksong and music sessions are being organised in friendly traditional pubs.
The Wells Folk Sessions take place on the second Monday of every month at Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy, 9pm till late; and the fourth Wednesday of every month at City Arms, High Street, Wells, 8.45pm till late.
All are welcome at the music nights to sing a song, play a tune or just listen and enjoy. More from Richard: 01761 412797, richardlm397@gmail.com
MR Punch’s Folk Club meets once a fortnight on a Friday at Theale Village Hall, BA5 1PN, from 8pm. Traditional and contemporary music, song and verse. Mostly open mic, with new performers always welcome.
More at punchsfolkclub. yolasite.com
GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall, 24 Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH, with Al and Annie Whitley. From 2.30pm3.30pm, with tea and coffee from 2.15pm.
IRISH Set Dancing takes place on Thursday evenings in Dinder Village Hall from 8pm-10pm, from September to June. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary.
£3 including refreshments. More information from Paul Harper: 01458 210051 or paulharper@btopenworld.com
Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm
Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am
Pilates 9.15am
Location Wells Town Hall. Small, mixed ability classes. To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com
WELLS Scottish Dancers hold classes on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Blue School Sports Centre, Wells.
The Scottish country dancing group welcomes all ages over 18, no experience is necessary, and no partner is needed. However, a reasonable level of mobility is required. To learn more about Scottish dancing or to register interest in joining, call Ann on 01934 740065 or email ann. wellsdancers@gmail.com
WELLS Folk and Barn Dance Club meets on Wednesday evenings between September and July (although not the first Wednesday of the month) at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells. Doors open 7pm, dancing 7.30pm-9.30pm. No experience or partner necessary.
For more, call 01749 674920 or see www.wellsfdc.co.uk
WHILST on a visit to Shepton Mallet Prison, Wookey Hole WI were delighted to find that the two dresses that they had made for the Tanys Transformations exhibition were featured in a special scene about the treatment of Suffragettes at the prison.
We learnt that Mabel Capper was imprisoned in Shepton Mallet Prison in 1911 and she and others were force-fed whilst there. Our dresses paid tribute to these brave ladies. Our most decorative dress was created using the Suffragette colours: white for Purity, green for Hope and purple for Loyalty and Dignity.
We are proud to have taken part in the former Mayor’s Charity Project and enjoyed viewing nearly 100 Dresses Behind Bars. The prison tour was extremely interesting despite being rather grim.
Our next WI meeting is at the Wookey Hole Caves Hotel on Monday, September 9, at 2.30pm. Visitors and new members are most welcome. Ring Jill on 01749 675477 for further details.
Jill Deane
ANYONE for whom eating is a problem is welcome at meetings of Overeaters Anonymous.
The group is a 12 Step Fellowship – not a diet club –which meets in the Portway Annexe, Wells, on Tuesday evenings from 7pm-8pm.
More information from oagb. org or from local contacts: 07989 474570 or 07498 119862.
MEMBERS will meet again on Tuesday, September 10, to welcome Pam Lewis, national demonstrator, to celebrate Autumn Opulence. Pam is an Associate of Honour of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies and has held senior positions on the area board as well as the national society.
This will be followed later in the month by a practice class by Ruth Smith on Tuesday, September 24. Why not come along? Demonstrations are £7 and the practices classes £3 for
visitors. We meet at 2.15pm at St Thomas’ Church, Wells, BA5 2UZ.
Plans are in place for our Annual Open Meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday, November 12, when Alison Penno will be our demonstrator. Look out for full details next month.
Jenny Jones
WELLS u3a isn’t all sitting around with books or listening to lectures, they have six different types of activity groups. This is the year of the Olympic Games and members may not be up to these high levels but many of the members take part in one or more of six ‘sporting’ activities on offer.
The leader of our Table Tennis Group wrote: “Despite being ignored – again! - for inclusion in the UK Olympic team, the Wells U3A Table Tennis Group has taken a positive approach. Rather than sulk in an armchair and gorge on the plethora of this summer’s sport on TV, the group has continued to play every week, regardless of the weather, and striven hard to improve – and
ahead and they enjoyed the day out with a stop for lunch near the canal aqueduct. So you see organising a ride is fraught with minor problems but we still keep on cycling so why not come and join us, you will be most welcome.
there is certainly scope to do that. It’s probably fair to say that, although the table and the bats may be similar, the Olympics demonstrated that table tennis at international level, and, even at club level, looks an entirely different game from the one played in Wells U3A. However, our version does provide healthy exercise and entertainment as well as fulfilling a social function on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. There are always opportunities for new members to join and the group may appeal to those who like variety since it operates as a kind of genteel swingers club with doubles play and, usually, a different partner for each game.”
As no velodrome is available locally we make do with all the lovely cycle paths, canal pathways and quiet country roads in our area to go cycling. The spring, summer and autumn months are by definition the best months for our group although this year has been unusual due to the often poor weather. During those months we have two Thursdays (first and third) when there is a meet organised and led by an active volunteer from the group, but the forecast weather conditions for the day can be very demanding at times. An example of a recent ride was that the forecast was damp conditions on the day which can put people off from committing themselves. The run was going to be taking place in the eastern outskirts of Bristol heading to Bath and using the plentiful cycle paths which were available in that area predominantly on the old railway track beds and the Kennet and Avon towpaths, an interesting route of about 30 miles. Despite the weather the ride still went
Easy rides cycling meet on the first Wednesday of the month for a gentle ride around the lanes of Somerset. This is sometimes in the immediate area around Wells (avoiding big hills) but more often they are car-assisted to lanes further afield to avoid the rides becoming too repetitive. Having said that, there is one ride which is so popular that it is often repeated and which starts from the Burrow Mump car park, Burrowbridge. The route takes them alongside the River Tone, past Athelney to Stoke St Gregory where they have a rest at the Lemon Tree cafe at the Willows and Wetlands Visitors Centre. Back on the road and fully recharged, they continue via North Curry, past a small suspension bridge over the River Tone to Creech St Michael where they proceed along the towpath of the Taunton to Bridgwater canal. Then several miles of flat cycling brings them to their lunch stop at Maunsel Lock cafe with its outdoor seating beside the canal. From here they get back onto the lanes alongside the River Parrett back to Burrowbridge, having covered around 20 miles which is the normal sort of distance they cover.
Walking is very popular for our members and Wells u3a has three: two who may walk longer and more challenging routes and one called Strollers, who take life a little more gently. The other activities available being Petanque and Tai Chi. These are both very popular groups with petanque having two groups meeting not in Paris but at Wells City Football Club where they have double pistes. Tia Chi meet once a week at Wells Museum, so popular there is always a waiting list.
Badminton is another popular and active group meeting twice a week in the early evening at Wells Blue School sports centre. They are a friendly group, catering for varying levels of skills and athleticism.
If any of our activities take your fancy and you are retired, Wells u3a could solve your desires. It is easy to join – just
go on to our website https:// u3asites.org.uk/wells/home for an application form and if you still have problems go to the Portway Annexe on a Thursday morning (10.30am-11.30am) where someone will be there to help you join and answer any questions.
Ann Brown, Terrance Brook, Arthur Spain, John Wheat n NB Correction from August edition of Wells Voice – Poetry Appreciation group meet twice a month on a Monday, not twice a week.
THE latest meeting’s theme was to choose one of the seven Central American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and find five interesting facts. We discovered that despite varying in size, they shared similar geographical characteristics and history.
The area was invaded and divided up by the invading Spaniards. They all became independent countries in the mid-1800s apart from Belize which was a British colony and gained independence in 1981. Interesting facts: Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world; Costa Rica does not have an army; in El Salvador the Bitcoin is legal tender; Guatemala is considered the birthplace of chocolate and was created by the ancient Maya who believed it was ‘food of the gods’; Honduras chose the Red Macaw bird as its national symbol after being impressed with Maya drawings of the bird whose plumage they worshipped; in 1502, Christopher Columbus became the first European known to have reached what is now Nicaragua; and the Panama hat is made in Ecuador.
Luckily the weather was warm and dry as we embarked on our Treasure Trail around Wells. The context for the trail was a ‘whodunit’ and we were detectives who had to find and solve clues to eliminate 14 suspects and work out what the murderer’s weapon of choice was. Along the route, we also discovered lots of interesting facts about Wells and it was an opportunity to stop and properly look at some of the beautiful
buildings as we searched out the clues.
The clues were mainly anagrams which, when solved, gave us the names of the innocent suspects. Once we had found the guilty person and their weapon, which of course I am not going to tell you, we retired to a local hostelry for some wellearned refreshments.
If you are interested in joining us, please call Jean Brown on 07767 608814.
AT the July meeting we were entertained by Brian Wright, who gave us a talk about superstitions; this appeared to be enjoyed by all in attendance.
On July 13 we had a sale and garden party at Jenny’s, this was a very successful event. Thanks to all those who put so much effort into making it so.
Then on July 17 the lunch club met at the Bishop’s Eye for lunch. This was enjoyed by those who went.
Our book club was held at Jenny’s on July 19, the next one is also at Jenny’s on September 6 when we will be discussing Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers.
Hilary organised our latest walk on July 26. This was a circular walk starting and finishing at Crossways, North Wootton, and taking in Pilton, where everyone stopped for refreshments at the Crown Inn.
We managed to enter a team in the county WI quiz night at Shepton Mallet, sadly we didn’t win.
At our August meeting
Walton WI brought their indoor curling set. We proceeded to have a highly enjoyable evening playing against each other in a friendly match. Ali and Karen won getting top marks of 90. Rosemary and Pam were runners up.
Our next meeting will be at Coxley Memorial Hall on September 3 at 7pm. Our speaker then will be Wendy Booth-Boyd. She will be talking about the American Museum and gardens in Bath. The competition is for “something grown in my garden”.
Visitors are most welcome, we are a fairly small but friendly group.
Ursula Dann
THERE is a saying in the natural world which states, “create the home and they will come”. This seems to be true in my 6m x 9m back garden which seven years ago was bare soil. I have planted it up with a variety of shrubs and put in a pond and waited.
I was surprised to find my first visitor was a grey wagtail presumably attracted by my new water feature. Since then, I have started to attract the garden regulars including wood pigeon, blackbird, robin, grey squirrel as well as a record for a meadow pipit.
My biggest surprise came recently when looking around my garden at 6.30 one morning I saw a hedgehog busily gathering leaves to make a day bed under a patch of dogwood. So, it pays to put in a pond and leave a few
‘untidy’ corners. What appears a mess to us can be a five-star B&B to the natural world.
The group had two Glow Worm walks in August led by expert Peter Bright. They were both blessed with fine weather and resulted in good sightings of these beetles which radiate a greenish light to bring males and females together.
We start our series of indoor meetings for the autumn and winter on Tuesday, September 24, with a talk on the Great Eel Recovery Project by Geoff Carss. Eels have been a part of the social and economic history of the Somerset Levels since time immemorial. This critically endangered species is still present on the Levels but at much lower numbers than historically.
The talk will explore the incredible lifecycle of the European Eel, it’s historic importance and the plans to enable it to recover. The talk will take place at Wells Museum (enter via side entrance) off Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE, at 7.30pm. There is full disabled access. No need to book. Admission £5 payable on the door (under 16s free). Tea / coffee and biscuits served in the interval.
Graham Allen
ON Saturday, July 20, a visit was made to the studio of Wells in Mosaic. This visit was organised to give members an update on the progress being made by this project. We were a small group and able to ask as many questions as we liked.
Artist Ruth Ames-White had the final section being worked on out on the studio table. Amongst the questions was one about how do you store the completed sections. We were then shown a large box with a section in it and an explanation given as to how they are all stored.
Autumn talks resume on Saturday, October 12, at 2.30pm in Henton Hall. We will be hearing from one of the National Trust employees who works at head office in Swindon. The talk is called Inalienability – the heart of the National Trust.
If you are a member of the
Continued on page 44
From page 43
National Trust and would like further details please contact our membership secretary, Peter Malarby: peter.malarby@ outlook.com
Talk entrance and refreshments £5 for visitors, members £3.
IN August we enjoyed our annual cream tea afternoon, this year at The Swan Hotel. It was well attended by almost all of the members who as usual were pleased to meet up and catch up on each others’ news. This type of get together gives everyone a chance to really chat and the occasion was put to good use! It is so nice to see just how friendly our group is.
Our next meeting will again be in St Thomas’ Church Hall, on Wednesday, September 4, at 7pm, when we welcome The Mendip Cave Rescue Club. Our members are encouraged to invite their relations and friends, of both sexes, to join us for this evening.
Pat Dyer
SUMMER over and a new season looms and with it a new season of events. We kick off with a meeting on Thursday, September 12, at 7.30pm in Wells Town Hall when Ann Brake will be talking about the role of Botanic Gardens. Ann is a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer at Bristol Botanic Gardens which will make for a fascinating and informative evening. Everybody is welcome, especially those new to the area, and will be assured of a friendly reception and an enjoyable evening. Admission details: Visitors £3, members £1. Refreshments will be available. Autumn now makes its presence felt and we look back on the departing season with mixed feelings, good bits and disappointments. Lowlights have been the miserable crop of tomatoes, lilies and pathetic dahlias wilting away week after week. We persevered with assiduous watering and feeding to no avail. Highlights, on the other hand, have been
other people’s gardens where tomatoes, lilies and dahlias have shone in abundance.
And this occurs not only in those grand Dorset gardens we visited throughout the year but in local communities where generous and courageous owners invite us through the garden gate. Next year, we say as we take away other folks’ ideas, it will be different.
We shall see. In the meantime enjoy your flowers, vegetables and pots in and out of doors.
Pip Harwood
OUR August meeting featured a talk by Steve Tofts on Lead Mining in the Mendips. The Ice Age did not reach the Mendip Hills so lead ore stayed close to the soil surface and was not deeply buried. Whilst there was some mining in the Iron Age it was after the Romans came to Britain in AD 43 that lead mining became important in the Mendips. The mining was carried out by the Roman Army and a fortress was built near Charterhouse.
Mines were dotted across the Mendip area in Priddy, East
Harptree and Charterhouse. The ore was excavated in rakes – long channels dug in to the surface. Concentrations of lead ore were as high as 55 per cent in some places. Pigs of Roman lead have been found – some even as far away as Pompeii. All were clearly labelled with the source and the Emperor’s name stamped on them. There are some pigs in Wells Museum. Eventually the ore deposits ran out and production was left to commercial enterprises.
The Romans also extracted silver from the lead. Molten lead was cooled slowly and lead crystals were skimmed off. The process was repeated many times until pure silver was left, recovering about four ounces from a ton of ore. Once the Romans stopped mining there is no evidence of lead production from the 5th to the 12th century. In about 1190 the Bishop of Bath and Wells began extracting lead and continued for about 150 years.
In the Victorian era lead mining began again with Cornish engineers employed to dig deep mines. However little lead was found and it was decided to extract lead from the waste left from earlier operations using more modern technology. St Cuthbert’s Lead Works operated from 1865 to 1907. The chimney of another lead works above East Harptree is still standing.
Dams attributed to the Mendip Mining Company were first recorded on Ordnance Survey maps in the 1840s. The dams were to retain waste from operations. Mendip Mining however only operated on four per cent waste and samples from the dam sediment show much higher lead content leading to the belief that the dams may be Roman. More work is needed.
In September our speaker will explain the History of Gin. If you are a retired businessman or professional and are interested in finding out more about us look at the City of Wells Probus Club online at probusonline.org
JULY’S meeting gave us the opportunity to catch up with sister WI group Wells Monday WI. We are so lucky to be able to support two WI groups in this wonderful city of ours. We still have so many enquiries to join I’m sure if anyone was willing there would be room for an afternoon group as well.
We had a fun time playing silly games and playing ‘Singo’ and even found time to craft some lovely origami elephant key rings kindly donated by Mulberry. We raised over £120 for Voices, a local charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse and violence. On the same topic, a group saw It Ends With Us at the cinema. One of the lovely things about the cinema group is you can discuss the film afterwards – particularly helpful if it’s a difficult watch.
One of the highlights of this month has been the Blooming Fun visits to members’ gardens. So much beauty and talent to be enjoyed, as ever with a good natter, a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The crafties group continued the garden theme with lovely herb wreaths. The group who made glass bunting at Treetops Glass fusing were thrilled with the results.
Success came in the County Quiz with all three teams doing well and a second and first place. A group enjoyed the Italian picnic – we’re already looking forward to next year – and we have managed some short and easy walks – too hot for the Mendip Walkers – One Tree Hill wasn’t going to offer much shade!
Fruit picking this month to come at Janette’s, and we have tickets for Pam Ayres and the Dolly tribute at Cedars Hall. Once again, this city offers up so many opportunities. A big thank you to all our ladies who really throw themselves into making our WI such a lovely group to belong to.
u Around the Societies continues on page 47
MENDIP Spring Golf Club were partnering Wells Golf Club for the first time in this year’s Cyder Cup competition, a two-day event held at Mendip Spring on the first day and Wells the next day.
Mendip Spring was a serious challenge on the first day with difficult pin positions and a stiff breeze for most of the day. Ian Sharp (Knowle GC) and Barry Alloway (Tall Pines GC) were leading alongside Annie Pryer and Alison McDougall (The Bristol GC) with 43 points.
Wells on day two started cool and becalmed but it didn’t take long for the breeze to pick up, but thankfully not as strong as the day before.
The leaders on day one were not able to maintain their form and dropped away. Home Wells players, Clive Gadd and Michael Cundill, used their home knowledge and plenty of good putts to amass the best score of the competition, 45 points, giving them a combined score of 85 points and were clear overall
winners. Michael Metcalfe and Graham Williamson scored an excellent 43 points to get 83 points overall and secure the second-best score.
Wells Golf Club’s Annual Ladies’ Past Captains versus the Club Past Captains match was keenly fought in a friendly manner with a 4bbb stroke play format. Teams were well organised by Stuart Mann and Gill Magrath and the accumulated totals for each team looked forward to with anticipation. The result was a
win for the Ladies’ Past Captains this year.
The ladies’ Alliance team beat Lansdown at home 10-4 on a very wet and sometimes windy day. Philippa Gowen, Tina Davies, Katrina Foote, Sandy Heath and Erica Klim all won their matches.
Wells Golf club’s Juniors had a busy month last month with numerous matches, many wins and a few losses.
Most notably they played in two National Junior Golf Knockout fixtures where they have come through to the last eight of 88 teams from across the country. The knockout is organised by Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society which is a charity delivering vital mental health and emotional wellbeing services in their local schools.
In the last 32 the team comprising Junior captain Lewis Wickham, Freya Keirl, Henry Lewer and Sienna Elliott travelled to Royal North Devon with the final score being 4 holes up overall. This win took them into the final 16 where they were drawn against Bristol
and Clifton. The same team was selected, however injury to Freya meant that Lilia President stepped in. The team came out on top and move into the quarter finals, which is a regional final, and they await the draw to see where and who they will play.
Surprisingly, in perfect golfing conditions for the Seniors July Medal, warm and sunny with little wind, only three players had a below par nett score. Donald Perry had the best nett score – 67, to win division 1. Division 2 was won by Geoff Cabral, nett 70.
A field of 188 players entered the Wells Golf Club 4-Ball Texas Scramble Open. The winners and best ‘visitors’ team were Anne Collins, David Collins, Debbie Godwin and Paul Godwin from The Mendip GC with 50 points. Second and the best home team were Chris Budds, Martin Clark, Stephen Gay and Andrew Smart with 51 points. There were two 2s on the par 4 sixth hole. Longer hitters can drive this green but an added bonus to get an eagle two on the hole.
A SAD event for members of Mendip Golf Club was the recent passing away of long-standing member and Past Captain Adrian Brooking Clark who lost his 18-month fight with cancer.
Amongst the packed congregation at St Cuthbert’s Church there were 17 Past Captains, six Past Ladies Captains, the current Seniors Captain and the Club President and Club Chairman all resplendent in their club green jackets. A fitting tribute to Adrian’s popularity at the club.
The annual running of the Stephenson Cup attracted 124 entrants. Div 3 went to Andrew Shakesby with 39 points. Div 2 was won by Tom Rowland with 40 points. Div 1 saw a fine score of 42 by Phil Leadbeater playing off 6. However the Cup went to Sam Pratten with an outstanding 45 points even after failing to score on the 18th. The Gross
Winner was Jack Vowell with 74 after count back from Tommy Beveridge.
The Avalon C Team recorded a 3-2 win over Long Sutton with points coming from Scott Butland/Gary Quin, Joe Cox/ Malcolm Srawley and Tom Black/Charlie Holmes. This puts them top of the league at the present time.
41 Ladies played in the qualifying stableford which saw a win for Carol King (20) with 39 points, Aimee Sawyer (+1) was 2nd with 38. Aimee actually created a new ladies course record with her three under par round having started by dropping shots on the first two holes.
The Ladies Rogers Cup Team lost a close match to Enmore 3-4. Mendip’s wins came from Lynne Vowles, Anita Butcher and Ann Padley. The Alliance B Team had a fine win over Filton 9-5 with wins from Jenny Merrett, Maureen Charlton, Edwina
Willis, Chris Olds and a half from Jan Fukuyama.
The Seniors Bill Freeman Trophy event saw 111 entrants. Mike Merrick won Div 1 with 38 after count back from Simon Wynn. Div 2 went to veteran Alan Williams with 42 points. Div 3 was won by another veteran Colin
Davies with 40. So the Trophy goes to Alan Williams.
The Mixed Team had a good win away to Tidworth 2-4. Winning for Mendip were Ann and Derek Padley, Jane and Steve Ball, Susan and David Forshaw and Pippa Brown and Clive Copp.
SEPTEMBER is an important month for bus users and for all those thinking of switching to going by bus. September is Catch the Bus Month.
Also in Somerset, September is one of the only two opportunities in the year that bus companies can change their bus timetable. So, bus operators have been looking at their schedules, checking their passenger numbers and some will be making changes from September 1 to optimise their returns.
So, if you can go online, do check your local bus routes to see what your bus times are from September 1. The best way of doing this is to go to www.bustimes.org, put in the number of your local bus route and bus times for your local stop will appear.
Given the financial emergency declared by Somerset Council, Somerset hasn’t the money to increase its funding of buses so the best way of ensuring you keep your local buses is to Bus It just whenever you can... especially this month as it’s Catch the Bus Month…
A single bus fares costs only £2 and that’s guaranteed through to the end of the year.
So Bus It during September’s Catch the Bus Month.
Peter Travis Co-Chair, Somerset Bus Partnership
Members playing favourite games
MENDIP FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP
OUR members could not stop smiling when they heard that Tesco Groundwork Stronger Start have awarded £1,000 to help pay for publicity, rent and speakers to cover expenses for a year. We will also continue our own small ways to add to the funds. The group is financially secure for 2025.
To help with fundraising, our next two meetings will be concentrating on making Christmas crafts to sell at a craft stall in Binegar on November 16.
What fun we had at our August meeting. Members brought in games they used to play. The favourite was Kerplunk. Many living on their own do not get the chance to play old favourites, the games many families play with grandchildren.
For more information about our group (that also covers long Covid and anyone with constant pain) do contact Tanya Flagg: tanya@mendipfmsg.org
