Wells Voice August 2025

Museum appeals for more volunteers

WELLS & Mendip Museum has launched an appeal for more front of house volunteers.

A number of volunteers have recently had to leave, and the Museum says that if it loses many more, it may have to reduce the number of days that it opens to the public.

Announcing the appeal, Sue Isherwood, Chair of the Museum Trustees, said: “Our Museum is more than just a collection of exhibits. For it to function effectively there needs to be a team of dedicated volunteers who give their time to ensure that the visitor experience is a positive one.

“The presence of friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable individuals at the front desk makes the Museum feel accessible, welcoming, and alive. While our exhibits and collections can speak volumes, it is the human connection that helps bring the Museum to life.”

One of the volunteers at the Museum said: “I enjoy volunteering at the Museum, there is always a lot going on and you get to chat to all sorts of interesting people.”

several members of the team to ill health or advancing years – so we have gaps to fill. Ideally, we are looking for people who can commit regularly to a few hours once a week, plus others who can provide cover for sickness and holidays.”

She added: “Whilst we can manage with our current team, getting a few more volunteers to sign up would be a real bonus. Put simply – without enough volunteers, at some point we will not be able to open five days a week as we do at present.”

Volunteers get full training, free access to the Museum, a discount on all shop items and a chance to see parts of the Museum that are not open to the public.

For more information on the role, contact the Museum Manager: admin@wellsmuseum. org.uk

u Room renamed, page 4

Christine Fewer, the Museum Manager, explained why the appeal had been launched: “Most of our front desk volunteers have been with us for some time. However, we have recently lost

Volunteer Nick Axten ready to greet visitors to Wells & Mendip Museum

n

Women arrested after attending protest

TWO women from Wells were arrested after attending a protest against Palestine Action being designated a proscribed terrorist group.

The move by the government to ban Palestine Action means that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence. It follows an incident in which two military aircraft were sprayed with paint at RAF Brize Norton, an act allegedly carried out by members of the Palestine Action group.

Protests about the Palestine Action ban have taken place around the country. Marianne Sorrell, aged 80, and Trisha Fine, aged 75, were at a demonstration in Cardiff on Saturday, July 12, at which protesters allegedly held placards inscribed with the words “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” They and 11 others were arrested by police under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act. Both were held

‘I have been deeply shocked by my treatment as a dangerous terrorist’

Above, Trisha Fine, and right, Marianne Sorrell

for 27 hours before being released on bail on the Sunday evening.

Trisha, a retired teacher, is a volunteer at the Wells Repair Cafe and a local Neighbourhood Watch representative.

Marianne, also a retired teacher, has volunteered for many environmental and community projects, and is currently principal organiser for the Sustainable Wells Freecycle event. She says that while she was in custody, police searched her home and took away a number of items.

She said: “I have been deeply shocked by my treatment as a dangerous terrorist by South

Bike ride trio raise £2,500 for charity

NEARLY £2,500 was raised for the British Heart Foundation by Tomasz Wiltshire, Nicky Syms and Pam Mapstone who took part in this year’s London to Brighton bike ride on June 15. In glorious weather, the trio completed the 53-mile course in just over six and a half hours. Tom and Nicky work for Morrisons in Wells, and their employer contributed £1,000 to top off the team’s fundraising efforts. Their JustGiving page can be found at justgiving.com/ team/tomandnickysride

Wales Police, after my arrest in Cardiff for holding a placard. I was simply exercising my right to peaceful protest, enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, to which the UK is a signatory. Yet my house was forcibly entered, fingertip searched, including by Geiger probe, and a great number of my possessions seized.

“I live on my own and my home and animals, which were terrified by the very obtrusive presence of more than half a dozen officers throughout the house, are my sanctuary, which no longer feels safe.

“While awaiting charges, I have been bailed on the condition I sleep every night in my house for at least the next three months, without the possibility of staying with family or friends.

“Despite the traumatic experience of being kept for 27 hours in police custody and returning to a violated home late at night, I will not stop actively opposing the genocide going on in Gaza or holding the government to account for its active participation in this genocide, through diplomatic, intelligence and military support. The Palestinian people have a right to freedom, peace and prosperity, like all other peoples.”

Trisha said: “If I cannot express my opposition to genocide, and my support for those who resist it, then the right to freedom of expression has no meaning. Which is the result of the government’s proscription of Palestine Action.”

South Wales Police said it “supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully”.

experts

• Willsandtrusts

• Probate andestate administration

resolution

• Mediation

• Employmentlaw

• Powersof Attorney

• Courtof Protection

• Commercialproper ty

• Commercialleases

• Charityproper ty

• Dispute resolution

• Mediation

• Businessand companysales

• Businessand companyacquisitions

• Businessand companyadvice • EmploymentlawandHRsupport

wellsvoice

CONTACTS

Editor and publisher

Andy Vallis

andy@wellsvoice.co.uk

07906 499655 01749 675157

Advertising

sales@wellsvoice.co.uk 01749 675157

Editorial news@wellsvoice.co.uk

07906 499655 01749 675157

LOCAL INFORMATION

Wells City Council

www.wells.gov.uk 01749 673091

Police www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.dsfire.gov.uk

General inquiries: 01392 872 200

Emergency: 999

NHS www.nhs.uk

Urgent calls: 111 Emergency: 999

YOUR VIEWS

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

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ wellsvoice

Follow on X (Twitter): @wells_voice

View every issue online at issuu.com/ wellsvoice

A member of the Independent Community News Network

SEPTEMBER DEADLINE

To ensure your news or letter is included in the September issue please contact us by August 20.

COMPLAINTS

Benches provide links to mental health services

TWO benches located within the gardens of The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells have been fitted with new plaques aiming to provide links, via scannable QR codes, to a range of mental health support services. The plaques were provided by SAFE South West, a community safety charity which works closely with the emergency services to help those with mental health issues access a range of information and support.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wells Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Wells Voice is distributed each month to residents. Feedback is always welcomed – email news@wellsvoice.co.uk. This month 7,150 copies will be distributed around Wells and surrounding villages.

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

Open 5-10pm

Tuesday-Sunday

Scan the QR code to order with us or order online at orientexpressofwells.co.uk ~ DELIVERY AVAILABLE ~

Siobhan Goodwin, Community Engagement Manager at The Bishop’s Palace, said: “Reaching out for help when you are in distress isn’t always easy. We know that people often visit the Palace to find a peaceful place to reflect at tough times in their lives and we hope that these plaques may just help someone when they need it most.”

One of the benches is easily accessible in the entrance area of the Palace, providing a view of the croquet lawn and Palace building. The other is in a quiet spot out in the Palace’s Community Garden.

Room reopening with new name

FOLLOWING a complete refurbishment including the installation of a new lighting system, the Wells & Mendip Museum meeting room will be reopening under a new name.

The room has been renamed in memory of Jean Imray, a trustee and long-time supporter of the Museum, who died in 2015, and who bequeathed a substantial legacy to the Museum. This, along with a National Lottery Heritage grant, funded the recent Search & Learn project, transforming the Museum galleries.

The Jean Imray room will open to the public on Tuesday, August 12, with Menhir – a

photographic exhibition as part of the Mendip Rocks! festival. The exhibition considers how landscapes are shaped by a combination of geological process and human actions. Commissioned by the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team and Seed Sedgemoor, artist Elizabeth Woodger explores the Mendip Hills’ special qualities and unique features.

The room will also be available to hire for small exhibitions and meetings. For more information, costs and availability, contact the Museum Manager by emailing admin@ wellsmuseum.org.uk

Campaign to save pub continues

EFFORTS by the East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS) to raise enough funds to make an offer for The Britannia Inn will continue until the end of the year.

The East Wells CBS estimates that a minimum of £340,000 is required to buy the empty pub, on Bath Road, Wells, and begin refurbishment work ready for it to start trading again.

More than £70,000 was

The bench located in The Bishop’s Palace’s Community Garden raised in the share offer, that closed on June 30. Members of the steering committee will now be exploring a number of other options over the next few months to achieve the remaining funding.

The pub is currently being marketed by the Caldecotte Group with a guide price of £300,000.

u Quiz night, page 16

Preparing for first jazz and blues festival

By Philip Welch

WELLS’ first jazz and blues festival is all set to get the city swinging in September.

Already 24 bands are confirmed to perform and the whole event will be free.

The festival is the passion project of local resident Niamh McGrogan who wants “to bring something truly special” to Wells. She has gathered a team of dedicated musicians and supporters to run it as a not-for-profit community event and turn her dream into reality.

They include Pete Thompson, Jenny Jeffreys, Scarlett Stone, Paul Cannon, Sharon Edmonds and Brett Ellis.

The music will fill four venues across the city over the weekend of September 26-28.

They are The White Hart, The

Swan Hotel, Blossom’s, and The Rose and Crown. Each venue will host up to nine bands and artists throughout the weekend, promising an exciting mix of jazz

and blues from both local talent and regional favourites. The festival is backed by the Wellspring Fund, set up in lockdown to support live music

recovery in Wells as Covid restrictions eased. Founded by local sax player Paul Cannon, it has raised many thousands of pounds to support live shows.

“The fund has done what it was set up for,” said Paul, “and putting what’s left of it into the jazz and blues festival is a fitting finale to its five-year run.”

His blues band Mojo Workin’ is booked to perform. Other acts will include The Groove Soul Academy, Rush Hour, the Harlem Rhythm Cats, the Shepton Mallet Big Band, Edward Leaker Band, Vintage Twist, Portway Blues Band, and the Jazz Disciples who played at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

However there are still significant costs to put on this not-for-profit initiative, so the Wells Jazz & Blues Festival is crowdfunding to ensure it is the best possible.

To donate to the festival, go to https://gofund.me/ebc3957f

MTL Group Ltd are an Arboricultural Association approved contractor in Wells offering an outstanding level of service, including DOMESTIC TREE SURGERY

Paul Cannon’s blues band Mojo Workin’ will be playing at the forthcoming Wells Jazz & Blues Festival

Dutch choir to visit in cultural collaboration

By Emma James

THREE churches in Wells have spent a year planning a cultural exchange visit and are looking forward to welcoming a wellestablished Dutch choir to the city in September.

Cantemus Dominum is a 40-strong choir based in Amsterdam, with an outstanding conductor and organist. The choir, now over 100 years old, was forced to postpone its centenary celebrations because of Covid but is delighted to make up for this delay by joining forces with the communities of St Cuthbert’s, SS Joseph and Teresa’s and St Thomas’ Churches.

On Friday, September 19, there will be an informal concert at St Cuthbert’s at 7pm. The two choirs will sing together and separately and among the music selected are pieces by Duruflé, Fauré and Wood.

St Cuthbert’s will be providing food after the music, and it is hoped that an enthusiastic audience will be there to enjoy this new cultural collaboration. For more information and to purchase tickets for this concert, contact Antonia Gwynn on 01749 676906. Tickets are £10 and include refreshments.

Discover personalised journeys with our local and bespoke travel agency. Tailored itineraries, flexibility and exceptional service ensure your holidays are unique and unforgettable. Whether it’s a relaxing getaway or an adventurous escape, we offer full financial protection and take care of all the details for you. Explore with us –your local travel experts, contact us to book your dream trip today! Let’s plan your next holiday

On Saturday, September 20, the members of Cantemus Dominum have been invited to a reception at the Town Hall by the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Louis Agabani. This will be followed by a tour of Wells Cathedral and lunch in The Loft Cafe. The choir will sing at the 6pm Mass at SS Joseph and Teresa’s.

The visitors will join the 10am service at St Thomas’ Church on Sunday, September 21, before enjoying a farewell lunch.

Carole Spencer, former resident of Wells and organiser of the visit, has had great support from all three church communities and is grateful to Gill Tucker and Ian Ames-White, Father Tony and Ruth Hudson, and Antonia Gwynn and Sam Denyer. She says: “I was amazed by the positive response. It was

outstanding. I think people are attracted by the idea of singing in a huge choir and thought it could be great fun. The support has been fantastic.”

Carole, a flautist who trained at the Royal Academy of Music, and husband Ian, an opera singer, lived in Holland for 27 years. Carole was herself a member of Cantemus Dominum and remembers fondly the warm welcome she received when she first joined.

She says: “When I left Holland to move back to the UK, I was given the best farewell from the members of the choir. They gave me such generous presents. I said: ‘If you ever want to visit, I’m sure I can arrange it.’ I really wanted to thank them for being so welcoming. And I’m still in the altos WhatsApp group!”

Carole is Choir Co-ordinator along with her Dutch counterparts Marian Sinnige and Conchita Schulkes. All three church communities have offered to host choir members as well as provide food at various points during the weekend.

It is hoped that the singing collaboration will be an enormous success, that new friendships will be made and that this will perhaps be the start of an annual cultural exchange. It is time for Wells to demonstrate that it too can give the warmest of welcomes.

Skatepark scheme gains approval

PLANS to redevelop the skatepark at Mountery Road in Wells have been approved by Somerset Council.

It brings the Wells Skatepark Project one step closer to creating a new vibrant, inclusive all-wheeled skatepark.

The Crowdfunder for the project has now surpassed £10,000, and with other fundraising combined, it means that more than £90,000 has been raised in total.

£500,000 target, Wells could gain an incredible facility – not only for riders of all ages and families but especially for the younger generation who urgently need spaces to move, connect and thrive.

“We need the whole community to keep the momentum going. If you haven’t donated yet, please consider it – every supporter truly makes a difference.”

Beverley Smith, trustee of the Wells Skatepark Project, said: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated so far – your support is helping turn this longheld dream into a reality.

“If we can reach our

Donations can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ skatewells or by scanning the QR code below. People who would prefer to donate by cheque or BACS should contact wellsskatepark@ gmail.com

Cantemus Dominum will be visiting Wells in September

Charley Robinson

Emma Glover

n NEWS

Festival bin painters customise decks

AS the dust settles after another vibrant Glastonbury Festival, people are resigning themselves to a long wait until the next one, due to take place in 2027.

But now, thanks to the Mayor of Wells, Louis Agabani, his chosen Mayoral charity for the year – the Wells Skatepark Project – and the community of artists who paint the iconic bins at the festival, there will be a unique opportunity to have a little bit of Glastonbury to hang up at home.

As part of a fundraising event for a new skatepark in Wells, an exhibition of custom-designed skateboard decks by artists and creative talents is being organised for October, with an accompanying online auction.

Louis was delighted when Glastonbury Festival agreed to come on board and as a result, 15 ‘bin’ artists have unleashed their creativity on a deck each. The connection with the

dynamism of skateboarding is evident at the festival, with the longstanding skatepark situated in the Greenpeace field. “It’s a natural fit – a celebration of art, skating, music and empowering communities,” said Louis.

Holly Larkin, who leads a

team of about 100 volunteer painters from all over the world, and oversees the painting of approximately 17,000 bins for Glastonbury Festival, said: “This has been a really fun project and even though we were all working flat out on creating our

bin ‘works of art’ in time for the festival, there was no shortage of artists keen to get involved and customise some decks. It felt like a natural creative collaboration.”

A selection of the decks, each as individual as the artists, will be included at the Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) exhibition at Wells Cathedral from October 8 until November 1.

WAC, an annual international open art exhibition, features work from more than 100 artists together with some inspirational community projects, one of which is this exciting skateboard display. There will also be a mini exhibition of the decks held at LOAF cafe in Wells, and at the Heart of the Tribe Gallery in Glastonbury.

The accompanying online auction will run from October 8 to November 30 at www.app. galabid.com/skatewells. The skateboard decks will start at £100.

Seven of the 15 Glastonbury Festival bin painters who have customised skateboard decks for an online auction fundraiser

Community works an integral part of major art exhibition

THE open international art exhibition and competition that is Wells Art Contemporary takes place this year in October, in a festival-packed month for the city. From October 8 until November 1, Wells Cathedral will host some great international art, of a quality usually only associated with the big cities, with site-specific installations in the body of the Cathedral, and a white wall gallery in the cloisters showing more than 100 drawings, paintings, textile works, video installations and sculptures. A great feast of art for Wells, and unique, in that Wells Cathedral is the only UK cathedral to host an open

international art competition.

This year WAC has announced a theme for the sitespecific installations, suggested by the Dean of Wells, Toby Wright. The theme is Flowing Light, with text taken from the 13th century mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg. Mechthild inspires artists to depict spiritual concepts, portraying art as a divine gift that flows through the artist like light. Artists have been delighted with the theme and have responded to it with enthusiasm.

Sitting alongside the work from international artists will be four innovative projects aimed at fostering creativity and engagement within the

Friendly Help for You

Are

Perhaps

I

l

l

wider local community. To this end WAC is proud to work with local charities that support mental health and wellbeing. Works from previous years have impressed visitors to the extent that each year a Community Project has been voted one of the top works in the show for the People’s Prize.

Returning to WAC for 2025 are Thursday Threads, from Peasedown St John. This is a group that meets regularly to support one another and work with textiles. This year their work will feature a huge heart, with small hand-stitched hearts for visitors to attach to the main canvas.

Two projects are new to WAC this year. The Balsam Centre at Wincanton has a work that takes its inspiration from Flowing Light. It is called Growing through the Cracks and is about the importance of people being able to reach out to each other for support in difficult times, like plants that grow in the cracks of the pavement or the wall. The work will be displayed in the main body of the Cathedral, in the South Quire Aisle.

Also new to WAC is ARK at Egwood, ARK standing for Acts of Random Kindness. They work with members of the Armed

Forces as well as others and offer a safe and inclusive space for everyone. Their work has seen them awarded a King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Their WAC project will involve willow weaving and will reference the scissor arches of Wells Cathedral, stained glass, and their own logo of the swan.

The fourth WAC Community Project will be familiar to Wells residents. WAC is helping Mayor Louis Agabani and Wells Skatepark CIC to raise funds for a new skatepark for the city. WAC has invited artists to decorate and donate skate decks for the project, a selection of which will be shown in October, chosen by world famous skate photographer Skin Phillips. All the decks will be auctioned online in November. A highlight of the project has been the Glastonbury bin-painters who took up the challenge with gusto and painted lots of skate decks during Glastonbury 2025.

Each year more and more people are involved with the WAC Community Projects, and it is no exaggeration to say that they have changed lives. WAC says it is extremely grateful for the donor directed support that it receives from Somerset Community Foundation which makes these projects possible.

Wells Art Contemporary is run almost entirely by volunteers. If anyone would like to join the friendly team this year, there are still some stewarding positions available. The role includes engaging with visitors about the exhibition and is an opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the art and Cathedral. Stewards do not need a background in art and full training is provided. For more details, contact Chris Winter: chris@wellsartcontemporary. co.uk

Top, the team at the Balsam Centre in Wincanton, working on their artwork for WAC; and above, Thursday Threads are creating an interactive artwork

Company celebrates 50th anniversary

A WELLS firm is celebrating 50 years of service as accountants and business advisers.

Webb & Co was set up in 1974, and has spent the past five decades helping local individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complex world of finance, tax, and business planning.

The company marked the golden anniversary with a celebration event for staff and clients at the Swan Hotel in Sadler Street.

“As the city of Wells has evolved over the past 50 years, Webb & Co has grown alongside it – modernising our services, embracing new technologies, and preparing the next generation of advisers to carry the business forward,” said Director Giles Webb, son of the founder, Mike Webb.

The business was originally started in Cheddar, and then a second office was opened in Wells in 1991 at 1 New Street.

Webb & Co staff and clients at the celebration at the Swan Hotel, above and left, to mark the company’s golden anniversary

Eventually the Cheddar branch was closed to focus fully on the Wells office. The business started off occupying one floor at 1 New Street, and has gradually expanded to now occupy and own the whole property, and employ more than 25 staff.

Webb & Co was incorporated in 2006, when Giles and Barry Davidson were appointed as Directors, although they had been helping to run the business for a number of years before that.

Giles said: “Celebrating 50 years providing accountancy and taxation services, at the heart of Wells, is a proud milestone for our firm. This anniversary reflects the enduring trust of our clients, the dedication of our team, and our deep roots in the local community. We’re truly grateful for the support over the decades and look forward to the future with the same commitment to excellence and personal service.”

Activity For Positive Change

I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga Teacher and Exercise Referral Specialist working exclusively from a private studio in a peaceful setting outside Wells.

My focus is on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing for those who may not wish to go to a public gym.

In addition to working with clients to improve confidence and increase activity levels I can support the prevention and management of chronic health conditions including:

COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT CHAIR OF TRUSTEES?

Our current Chair will be stepping down in 2025 and we are looking to recruit a new Chair to lead our board of highly motivated trustees. We’re seeking someone to lead the charity into an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation.

Our 33 historic Almshouses are centrally located in the City of Wells and the Charity traces its origins back to the fifteenth century. In recent years we have undertaken the modernisation of our historic properties and the refurbishment of our Grade 2* listed medieval Chapel.

Looking ahead, we’re eager to expand – whether by creating new almshouses or acquiring properties – to offer even more high quality affordable homes to those in need.

We’re looking for someone who is:

A proven leader with the confidence to guide a skilled

A strategic thinker capable of steering the charity’s long term direction

Collaborative in approach valuing collective decision making and dialogue

Aligned with the values and charitable aims of CWA.

To find out more and obtain an information pack, please contact our CEO, Michelle Thomas on 07764 791087 or Email: ceo@wellsalmshouses.org.uk. or visit the news page of our website: www.wellsalmshouses.org.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 22nd August 2025.

Coffee house enjoys ‘incredible’ first year

WELLS coffee house Garage 6 is celebrating its first birthday this August.

Owners Andy and Laura Bain first opened the doors to their motorbike-inspired coffee house on August 19, 2024. Since then, Garage 6, which is located at Unit 6 on Cathedral Avenue, has become a vibrant hub for locals and two-wheeled enthusiasts from further afield.

“What an incredible year it has been,” said Laura. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from our local community and are proud to have built a loyal following in such a short time.”

Designed with bikers and cyclists in mind, Quickshifter Coffee Co quickly made its mark by hosting a summer of standout events. These have included evening events with Isle of Man TT podium finisher James Hillier, World Superbike rider Scott Redding, a Ducati

roadshow, and a sell-out Pie and Mash Night.

The coffee house has also run a monthly Bike Night throughout the summer, raising funds for charities close to the biking community’s heart including Blood Bikers, DocBike, and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Andy, a former Royal Marine Commando turned electrician, and Laura, previously Head of Girls’ Games at Wells Cathedral Prep School, launched their coffee journey in 2022 with their online brand Quickshifter Coffee Co. With the success of their e-commerce venture it inspired the opening of Garage 6.

Attendees at Garage 6 events have included James Hillier, above right, and Scott Redding (centre left, with Muc-off cycle team-mates) Pictures: Luke Phillips

Hunt for thieves who stole golf trophies

POLICE are hunting thieves who broke in to Mendip Golf Club’s clubhouse, smashed open the trophy cabinet, and made off with a bag full of precious trophies.

It is thought that rocks and stones were used to break the window of a fire exit door at the club, at Gurney Slade, near Wells, in the early hours of Friday, July 18.

Stones were then used to shatter the glass cabinet housing the trophies. Approximately 25 were taken, valued at about £5,000, although the club says that the memories and sentimental value are priceless.

The trophies were donated to the club by past members and families and hold many memories for the families and the winners, whose names were engraved on them.

CCTV footage shared with the police is said to show three individuals arriving in a dark-

The smashed pane of glass in the fire exit door

‘It’s very sad that all this history has been lost. It’s the sentiment and meaning that will never come back’

coloured car. A pane of glass in the fire exit door was smashed, as was the glass cabinet, and the thieves made off with a ‘dumpy’ bag of trophies.

Over the same weekend, Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club was also targeted by burglars who stole golf trophies. Police say they cannot comment yet on whether these or other similar crimes are linked.

Mendip Golf Club has remained open as usual despite the break-in.

Stuart Disney, the Golf Club Manager, said: “It’s very sad that all this history has been lost. It’s the sentiment and meaning that will never come back.”

A police spokesman said: “We received a 101 call to an overnight burglary at Mendip Golf Club, Gurney Slade, at around 7.40am on Friday, July 18.

“The offender is reported to have smashed a window in the

fire exit door to gain access and a cabinet was then broken into and several trophies were stolen.

“The burglar alarm at the golf club was triggered at 4.47am on the same day and CCTV enquiries have been carried out. Three males wearing gloves in a car described as a dark car were at the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

“If anyone has any information in relation to the burglary, or who may have dashcam footage at the time of the incident or the moments leading up to it, they are asked to call us on 101 quoting reference number 5225203242.”

Other burglaries in recent months involving the theft of golf trophies have taken place at Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club, Teignmouth Golf Club, Saunton Golf Club and clubs in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

u Sport, page 46

Summer is here, enjoy a light lunch, family dinner or sample our delicious Sunday Roast, or cocktails alfresco style in the Heritage Courtyard, open Monday to Sunday.

Enthusiastic support for Charity Dog Show

A CHARITY Dog Show that took place in June raised £1,500 that was divided between the charities Medical Detection Dogs and Breast Cancer Now.

Wells last held a dog show more than 20 years ago, and this year’s one was made possible by Richard Pointing providing the venue, at Wellesley Lane.

Organisers said that the event was a great success, with more than 100 entries. The weather was mostly perfect, and the attendees and their pets even braved a little rain in the afternoon to finish the last classes in style.

Classes included Most handsome dog, Waggiest tail, Veteran class and Young handler.

There was plenty to do, with Trade Stands, Fun Agility, a Scurry, ‘Handy Dog’, and hot food available. Search and Scan, a charity dedicated to finding lost pets, gave a presentation at lunchtime, and Medical

Detection Dogs had their own stand which proved very popular.

The organisers thanked all the local businesses that

Ask the Expert: My daughter has lost her inheritance –can anything be done?

My first husband remarried several years ago and has now passed away unexpectedly. At this awful time, our 20-year-old daughter has had a huge shock. Because his second wife is still living and they had a child together, she’s discovered she won’t receive most of her inheritance—even the assets he owned before starting a new family. I know this isn’t what he would have wanted. Is there anything we can do?

I’m very sorry your daughter is facing this. What’s happened is sadly quite common and is known as sideways disinheritance. It usually occurs when someone remarries and either doesn’t update their will or dies without one altogether.

Under UK law, marriage cancels any existing will unless that will was made in contemplation of the new marriage. So if your ex-husband didn’t make a new will, he would have died intestate. In that case, the law dictates who inherits—and the surviving spouse takes priority, often receiving the bulk of the estate. Children from previous relationships

provided sponsorship, and said that they could not have done it without their support: Tincknells Country Stores, Clear2Hear, Vale

Pet Foods, Nurture Pet Health Ltd, Somerset Superbikes, Mills Engineering Services Limited, Gane A R & Son, Tapson Animal Health Ltd, Leons Barber, Wells & Shepton Vets, Natural Pets of Wells and Sarah Rycroft.

They also thanked all the companies who donated raffle prizes: Dog Robes, Studley Jewellers, Stephens Butchers, Ring O Bells, Ralph and Co, Soggy Dogs, Green and Wilds, Elphis Engineering, Natural Treats UK, Cook, Beauty New Paige, Cafe Nostra, Market Place Cafe, Knitting Centre, Dog Lovers Coffee Shop, Pets Corner, Greens Mendip, Runway, Pound Shop, Fudge Shop, Loaf, Mendip Jewellers, CanDo4You, Revitalise, Wiggle and Wag, Wells City News and Sadlers Wine Bar. Tavo gave a prize for the silent auction worth £300. Photos of the event are available – send an email to ruthnurse@hotmail.co.uk

Will Writing

may receive little or nothing, even if the assets were originally meant for them.

Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.

Will Writing

Family & Property Trusts

If there’s strong evidence that your ex intended to provide for your daughter—such as previous wills, letters, or long-standing financial support—she might be able to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.

Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Family & Property Trusts

Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens.

Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.

Probate Services

Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible.

This law allows certain people, including adult children, to apply for reasonable financial provision from the estate. But claims must usually be made within six months of probate being granted, so timing is critical.

It’s a tough situation, but legal advice should be sought quickly to explore any options.

Jim Emsley

Jim Emsley is a professional will writer and the Founder of Bristolbased ELM Legal Services. Have a question related to wills and estates? Send it to Jim at hello@elm-online.co.uk and mention ‘Voice newspapers’ in the subject line for potential inclusion in a future column.

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.

The dog show had more than 100 entries Pictures: Brendan Doyle

Series of events have kept band busy

Tanya Flagg reports on recent activities of Wells City Band

WELLS City Band have had a busy few months. Their Spring Concert in May was out of this world with music following a science fiction theme.

This was followed by the annual awards ceremony.

Congratulations to all the award winners. For the Brass Academy, Rex was awarded the Bartlett Bugle, and Sue achieved the Training Bandmasters award. Main Band awards were given to Ken Bartlett for Best Bandsperson, and Jon White and Carolyn Read for Most Improved Players. The Phyllis Oatley Shield for Best Supporter was awarded to Wells United Church for their kindness to the band over the past 15 years. Jane Hill was given a long service award for 35 years with the band. The Band were also presented with a piece of music in memory of John Flagg,

Principal Cornet and Soprano Cornet player for many years, who sadly passed away in April this year.

A few weeks later the band were delighted to play on the bandstand at the Bath and West Show.

The summer events continued in July, playing at The Bishop’s Palace for their sold out Party at the Palace as the supporting act for The Wurzels and Seth Lakeman, and at Glastonbury Care Home for their Summer Fete.

The Brass Academy also performed for family and friends at their end of term concert. It is wonderful to see the young talent emerging. If you would like to learn to play a brass instrument there are spaces available for both adults and children over eight years old when Academy rehearsals begin again in September, contact brassacademy@wellscityband. org for more information

The last event of the summer season will be on Saturday, September 6, playing from 1pm-3pm on Wells Bandstand. The band are very much looking forward to entertaining you all in our home city.

Wells City Band played at The Bishop’s Palace in July

Familiar faces in lively line-up of speakers

A LIVELY line-up of speakers at this year’s Wells Festival of Literature features a trio of TV personalities, award-winning novelists, literary lunches and light-hearted events.

Among the familiar faces appearing at the festival in October are gardener Carol Klein, a guest at one of the meetthe-author lunches, cook Prue Leith and BBC international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

Carol digs deep in her wittily titled memoir Hortobiography, Prue offers the advice that Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom, the title of her latest work, while Lyse Doucet revisits her time in Afghanistan in her book The Finest Hotel in Kabul.

As well as a lunch with Carol, three more literary lunches feature Midge Gillies, Lucy Mangan and James Canton. The lunches all take place in Cedars Hall dining room either before or after a talk in the main hall.

Creative writing tutor Midge, who specialises in history’s forgotten stories, tells a tale of derring-do in her book Atlantic Furies, the story of six women who battled to be the first to fly across the Atlantic in the early 20th century.

Journalist Lucy Mangan shares her lifelong love of books in Bookish, while

Festival of WELLS Literature

environmentalist James Canton will show how the concept of rewilding can be adopted by everyone in his book Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World.

Edward St Aubyn is one of a trio of top novelists, which includes Sebastian Faulks and Howard Jacobson, who is sure to be a crowd pleaser. He is the creator of the Patrick Melrose stories that were made into a Sky Atlantic series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and appears with a new novel, Parallel Lines, which considers the cascading consequences of our life choices.

Other events include an afternoon of poetry readings and prize-giving in celebration of the winners of the festival’s annual writing competitions.

This free session pays tribute to those shortlisted from the several hundred entries received each year from around the world and also from local writers.

The popular literary quiz returns, this time in the foyer at Cedars Hall, hosted once again by quirky quizmaster Gary Wigglesworth with another round of novel conundrums. Teams of six are invited to pit their wits against other brainy bookworms.

And there’s the opportunity also to test the wit of perambulatory poet Kit, direct from London’s Trafalgar Square, who will be poised to pen a poem on request at the first Saturday of the festival. Pick a topic for your poem and pay as you see fit.

This and much more promise a nine-day literary extravaganza at Cedars Hall in Wells from October 17-25. Join as a Friend of the Festival to receive priority booking and a discount on ticket prices (£10, standard price £12.50).

Full details are on the website www.wellsfestivalofliterature. org.uk

Make and Mend and other events

SUSTAINABLE Wells events taking place in the next month:

n Repair Cafe at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Saturday, July 26, 10am-12.30pm, when repairers will try to fix broken items.

n Monthly Gathering at the Lawrence Centre, Tuesday, July 29. Doors open at 6.45pm for 7pm start. There will be a screening of the film The Eternal Song, a “cinematic journey through timeless lands and their Indigenous cultures”. Refreshments available. Email sustwells@gmail.com for more information.

n Make and Mend in the

Dodd Room at Portway Annexe, Wednesday, July 30, 6.30pm9pm. 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 Saturday at Wells Library, Saturday, August 30, 10am-12.30pm. Take along broken items for skilled volunteer repairers to mend if they can. Email repaircafe. wells@gmail.com or wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk for more information.

Among those appearing at this year’s festival will be, from left, Lyse Doucet, Carol Klein and Prue Leith

Talk reveals importance of cave finds

THE remains of woolly rhinos, arctic foxes, wolves and aurochs are among findings in a cave in Ebbor Gorge dating back 70,000 years.

Professor Danielle Schreve, a leading palaeontologist at the University of Bristol, revealed the extent of the finds at a fascinating talk for supporters ahead of Wells Festival of Literature which takes place in October.

A chance sighting 25 years ago of a small opening high up on the gorge, near Wells, led to the discovery of Gully Cave, now considered to be the most important cave in Western Europe.

The entrance, no wider than a doorway, and obscured by brambles in the National Trustowned gorge, was first spotted in 2005. Initial investigations looked promising and excavation began in 2006.

Since then the remains of

6,000 mammals and birds have been found, among them many voles and shrews, their tiny bones most likely deposited in owl pellets.

“Gully Cave is an exceptional site that provides a rich record of environmental change, and holds the key to understanding how animals coped with climate variations over at least 70,000 years,” said Professor Schreve.

“The past tells us how communities are constantly in flux as ice ages give way to warmer periods.”

The dig started in the small upper cave, but excavations led to the later discovery of a lower entrance which bears were able to access, their bones found crushed by a cave roof collapse.

Other finds have included young reindeer and hyenas,

which became extinct in Britain 14,500 years ago.

There have been few signs of human activity, probably because of the presence of the pack-hunting hyenas, bar the discovery in 2016 of the first of two small pieces of struck flint.

The dig continues under the professor’s leadership, with each new level of multi-layered Mendip stone offering up new finds from the past.

“Palaeontology gives a good insight into evolution as it goes back thousands of years,” she explained, highlighting how fossil evidence is playing an increasingly vital role in tackling modern conservation challenges, including nature restoration and species reintroductions.

Anyone who wants to find out more, or donate towards the Gully Cave project, can do so via www.justgiving.com/page/ gullycave

Professor Danielle Schreve; right, the dig at Gully Cave

Bella’s battle with Evans syndrome –could your dog be a life-saver?

EVANS syndrome is a rare and serious autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly destroys both red blood cells and platelets. The resulting anaemia causes fatigue and weakness, while low platelet levels raise the risk of spontaneous bleeding. Without treatment, this condition can progress rapidly and become lifethreatening.

Water-themed play zone gains approval

THE Dragon’s Lair play area –popular with children and families visiting The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells – is due to receive a boost following the planning approval of a waterthemed Splash Play Zone.

following their environmental objectives with the installation of a new water tank, pump and pipework, which will mean that spring water from the well pools will be used to supply the splash park.

While there is no cure, blood products play a vital role in managing Evans syndrome. They act as supportive therapy, stabilising patients until immunosuppressive medications, typically steroids, can take effect. These medications calm the immune system, allowing the bone marrow to produce healthy red blood cells and platelets once again. One notable case from our practice involves Bella, a fouryear-old Maltese. In May 2024, while her owner was abroad, Bella suddenly became unwell. Initially thought to be experiencing separation anxiety, she rapidly deteriorated and was rushed to a veterinary hospital. Tests revealed a dangerously low red blood cell count – just 5 per cent, compared to a healthy range of 35-50 per cent. Bella was diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA), a condition closely related to Evans syndrome.

Due to her rare blood type, Pet Blood Bank UK was contacted to arrange an emergency transfusion, which saved her life – for the first time! Once her owner returned home, Bella was transferred to our care at our Shepton branch. Over several months, her medication was gradually reduced whilst her progress was monitored closely. By the end of the year, she was

medication-free and doing well. However, in April 2025, Bella relapsed. She became lethargic and collapsed at home. Tests confirmed Evans syndromeIMHA combined with immunemediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP), where both red blood cells and platelets are under attack. Her condition deteriorated quickly, and she urgently needed another transfusion. Panda, a two-year-old Lurcher owned by a staff member, donated blood just in time to save Bella once again.

Now stable, Bella visits us every four weeks for check-ups. Despite living with a chronic illness, she remains happy and full of life. A former ‘Pets As Therapy’ dog, she still loves saying hello to everyone she meets.

Bella’s story highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, blood products, and organisations like Pet Blood Bank UK. They operate 24/7, ensuring vital blood supplies are always available. We host donation sessions at our Wells branch every eight weeks, offering a calm environment for donor dogs.

Every unit of donated blood can save up to four dogs’ lives. If you own a healthy dog weighing 25kg + and are interested in registering them to donate blood, visit: www.petbloodbankuk.org to check the full eligibility criteria and sign them up. Your dog could be a lifesaver, just like Panda.

Lucy Pitman Marketing Executive –Shepton and

Wells Vets

The existing Dragon’s Lair Play Area already provides a creative space for children and families to enjoy outdoor play within the Palace grounds. Drawing inspiration from local folklore, it features play areas and equipment that encourage imaginative and active play in a natural environment including a carved dragon, a ‘dragon’s wings’ climbing structure, a waterwheel and a series of structural tree pods.

The new Splash Play installation now aims to develop further on the unique stories of the Palace, with water at its heart. The area will be enhanced by a magical raining water tree, generating a light spray of water; a living canopy of plants; babbling boulders which will spray small jets of water, and a shallow paddling pool. A bat house and bird box will be also be added to the area to encourage biodiversity.

The Palace Trust will be

It is a development that has been championed by Palace CEO Merryn Kidd who said: “The Dragon’s Lair is already very popular with our younger visitors, who we consider to be the audience of the future. We’re delighted to be able to further enhance their visit with this exciting new Splash Play Zone, which introduces one of our key themes – the wells that give the city its name.

“Given the hot weather spells that we are experiencing more frequently each summer, we know that our younger audience will really benefit from somewhere to keep cool on a hot day. We were particularly keen to design it with sustainability in mind, so being able to draw the water used from our own springs is a fantastic achievement.”

The Palace has appointed creative play specialists Green Play Project to help co-create the splash play zone, which it is hoped will launch later this year.

Love was in the air when Town Crier Len Sweales made a special cry in Wells Market Place. He had been contacted by Paul Roberts, who was visiting the city with Joanne Williams. Paul had seen Len do a wedding cry and asked whether he would cry a proposal of marriage for him. Len agreed, and did so on the last day of the couple’s holiday in front of a large crowd. “Thankfully,” reports Len, “she said yes!”

Quiz night in aid of pub project

THE East Wells Community Benefit Society will be holding another quiz night in St Thomas’ Church Hall on Friday, August 15, at 7pm to raise funds for their project to buy and reopen The Britannia Inn as a community pub.

Teams of up to six are

required and the entry fee is £3 per team player. There is no licensed bar, so participants should take their own drinks. However, tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase. To book, email mendipmark@live.co.uk or phone 01749 678725.

Bella has been saved twice

Lynch with members of the Wells

Group celebrates acquiring charitable status

SING2BREATHE is celebrating its new status as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, less than two years after the group first met at Priory Medical Centre in Wells.

The group hopes this new status will increase the opportunities of securing future funding to enable the organisation to continue to

run groups in Wells and also Bridgwater, Cheddar and Yeovil, with the possibility of future expansion.

Sing2breathe aims to improve the quality of life for those living with a respiratory condition, by empowering them to manage their breath more efficiently and effectively.

The social group meets

weekly to sing and learn breathing and vocal exercises in a fun and uplifting environment.

“We’re not a choir, we just use singing to help you breathe better,” said founder and singing leader Kate Lynch.

Anyone interested in finding out more can email sing2breathe2@gmail.com or call 07595 745884.

Building

CHURCHILL Living has named its new Wells development Adam Lock Lodge, in honour of a master mason who played a key role in the construction of Wells Cathedral.

Lock is the earliest named master mason of the Cathedral, working there from 1192 to 1230, and is credited with designing and building the north porch.

The name for the new Lodge was suggested by David Bevan, the Cathedral’s Digital Services and Marketing Officer.

Once completed, Adam Lock Lodge – being built on the site of the former police station on Glastonbury Road – will comprise 47 one- and twobedroom apartments for the over 60s. Churchill Living hopes that the first occupants will be able to move in next summer.

Kate

Sing2breathe group

Work to upgrade gas pipes due to start in September Survey highlights greatest concerns

A CITIZENS Opinion Survey held across Wells in the spring by action group Accessible Wells has given a snapshot of the main concerns of residents with mobility and disability problems.

Poor pavement surfaces and accessibility information are high on the list, with the lack of a manageable travel network and access to disabled toilets also featuring strongly.

across all fronts. And now we better understand the priorities and have valuable information for both Wells City Council and Somerset Council, I am delighted to be able to say that several issues are being actively worked on.”

The Accessible Wells survey was distributed to known care settings and members of the public between February and April.

Campaigner Theo van Hensbergen says: “It’s evident from the strength of concern and breadth of issues confronting those challenged by accessibility that improvement is required

Among current improvements being planned are the installation of more drop kerbs, speed reduction in the city centre, publicising the dozen businesses offering free access to disabled toilets, stopping pavement parking, and improving the allocation of disabled parking and loading bays. A repeat survey next year will show what progress is being made.

For more about Accessible Wells, see accessiblewells.org.uk

FLOSSIE Beautiful girl with playful spirit

This beautiful girl is FLOSSIE, a 14-year-old female who is looking for her new forever home.

Don’t let her age fool you, Flossie didn’t get the memo that cats her age have usually slowed down, she’s active and very playful!

She has a sweet and affectionate personality and loves food. She’s also very vocal and will make sure you don’t forget meal times or miss when she wants some love.

She doesn’t like other cats, dogs or children so we are looking to home her in a pet and child free home, somewhere away from any busy, fast or main roads and with a nice garden she can enjoy.

In spite of her age Flossie is in good health and is very spry for her age. We are looking to home her local to Wells or Shepton so that she can continue under the care of the veterinary teams there. If you think you can offer this sweet girl the retirement home she deserves, please visit our website at cats.org.uk/glastonbury and fill out an online application form

Glastonbury & Wells Cats Protection Reg Charity No: 203644 (England & Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland) www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

WORK to upgrade gas pipes in the High Street area of Wookey Hole is set to start in September.

Gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities, will start the work on September 29, and say that barring any engineering difficulties, the project will complete in December.

The company has liaised with Somerset Council to plan the work and it has been agreed that traffic management will be in operation as the works progress. It has also been agreed with Wookey Hole Caves that work will be suspended during half term (October 24-November 3).

Members of the local community were invited to a drop-in session at Wookey Hole

Caves on July 3 to view the plans and ask questions.

Simon Lee of Wales & West Utilities is managing the work and said: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.”

Residents with any questions about the work can contact the company’s Customer Service Team on freephone 0800 912 2999.

Trishaw rides for home’s residents

CRANDON Springs Care Home in Wells has teamed up with Wells Community Network (WCN) to offer free trishaw rides to the home’s residents.

The WCN trishaw project provides opportunities for residents to get out and about to explore Wells and its surroundings.

The trishaw, which is piloted by WCN trained volunteers, uses a battery-assisted rickshaw-style tricycle. Designed to support people with mobility challenges and those in the community who may feel isolated, the project completed more than 120 free outings in its first year.

Meg Cleal, General Manager at Crandon Springs Care Home, on Glastonbury Road, said: “Seeing our residents engage with the community and experience the sights of Wells first hand in such a novel and

ride

fun way is lovely. It’s initiatives like these that enrich lives and foster a sense of belonging, and we truly appreciate being able to work with the trishaw project.”

Vicar and Priest in Charge moving on

TWO Wells churches are losing their leading clergy members.

The Rev Sam Denyer, currently serving as Vicar of St Cuthbert’s Wells and Wookey Hole, has been appointed to be the next Priest in Charge of St Martin’s Church Knowle, in Bristol. He and his family will move to Bristol in the autumn.

The Rev Claire Towns, at

present Priest in Charge of St Thomas, Wells, with the Horringtons and St Michael and All Angels, Dinder, is to become Priest in Charge of the Benefice of St Mary’s with St Paul & St John the Baptist in Penzance, the Benefice of Newlyn and the Benefice of Paul in the Diocese of Truro, conditional on legal formalities being completed.

Christine and Joy about to go on a trishaw

Still time for teams to enter raft race event

TEAMS are working on their entries ready for the Moat Boat Races on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 25).

It is not too late to enter the event, organised by City of Wells Lions. There is more information at www.wellsmoatboatrace.com, or email cityofwellslions@gmail. com. The maximum crew size is six (teams up to eight), the minimum age to take part is 13 years by Monday, August 25, the day of the races.

And Lions do need more volunteers to help make this another memorable day. Anyone who can help is asked to email moatboatracestewards@gmail. com or call 0345 833 6736.

Racing boats on the moat at The Bishop’s Palace started in 1963. In 2012 Phil Payne, of the City of Wells Lions, wrote a report on the history of the event for the Wells Journal.

Phil said that the original idea of racing on the moat stemmed

from a discussion between the sons of John Wright, vicar of St Thomas’ Church in Wells, and Bishop ‘Jock’ Henderson. Simon and Peter Wright were members of the St Thomas Youth Fellowship, an active youth fellowship which the late Arthur Rice had formed a few years earlier.

The fellowship had been formed to enable young people to get together in a friendly environment and to serve the local community. The boat race idea was immediately welcomed by the fellowship committee and plans prepared to stage the first event on the Spring Bank Holiday of 1963.

Sixty two years on rafts are still being raced on The Bishop’s Palace Moat thanks to the support of Bishop Michael and The Palace Trust, and sponsored by Wells businesses. The raft racing on Bank Holiday Monday starts at 11.30am.

Raft racing will take place again on The Bishop’s Palace Moat on August 25

Theatre festival planning new direction

THE Wells Theatre Festival has been hailed as a great success again this year.

As the applause fades, organisers have announced that they are introducing changes to the format for 2026, before a return to the familiar four-day festival in 2027.

The children’s shows were very popular with teachers and children alike at this year’s event. One headteacher told Festival organisers that Coppice Theatre’s How to Catch a Book Witch was the best show they had ever seen.

The community production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew played to hundreds of people over three performances in the Bishop’s Barn. As usual, a limited-edition poster from the show, signed by Festival Patron Dame Judi Dench, was auctioned and raised a total of £250 for Ovarian Cancer Action, a cause very close to the Festival organisers’ hearts.

As well as returning favourites from touring theatre companies, the Festival also showcased new writing from closer to home, including local playwright Richard Crowe’s premiere performance of his new play, 47 A Ghost Story. The atmospheric back drop of the magnificent 15th-century building was perfect in creating the setting of the chilling dark, haunted caves.

Richard said: “Great Festival again this year. As ever, a focus on engagement with the community production of The Taming of the Shrew. But also, an invaluable platform to launch

new professional productions, in this case Over the Wall and Jam on Top’s 47 A Ghost Story. According to the audience, this was ‘brilliant’, ‘gripping’ and ‘everything I want from theatre’… can’t be bad.”

Wells-based playwright Sam Elsby staged a rehearsed reading of his new play Investing Time at The Little Theatre. He said: “It was fantastic to be given the

opportunity to direct my play as part of the Festival. I was lucky to work with such a talented cast and crew who, together, simply brought my writing to life.”

Next year, the organisers have announced, the Festival is going to look quite different.

Neil Linden Johnson, Associate Director of the Festival, said: “We run the Festival on very little funding,

thanks again to all those who supported us financially with sponsorship and grants: Wells City Council, Chubb Bulleid, Wells Funeral Services, the Maria Bjornson Trust and Tesco Groundworks through the blue discs in store. And thank you to the White Hart for generously providing free rehearsal space. We also really appreciate the support of St Andrews Press who went above and beyond this year. “We really want to take the Festival to the next level and so we are taking some time out and putting some exciting plans in place. In 2026 the Festival will have a different feel. We plan to run events spread out over the year under the Wells Theatre Festival umbrella and then to be back in force for a four-day festival in June 2027.”

Martyn Jessop and Jennie Harris in The Taming of the Shrew

Vicky Mogford and Mark Cassidy in 47 A Ghost Story

Naomi Holland, Doreen Grant and Andy Sully in Investing Time

Four more causes to make case for funds

By Philip Welch

THERE will be no losers just winners when SOUP! returns on Saturday, September 6.

A full house in Wells Cathedral’s Transepts will hear four local charities each spend four minutes explaining why they will use a share of the £700 on offer.

The four worthy causes are:

n Wells Almshouses –fundraising for elderly and vulnerable people at home and in the Ukraine war zone.

n Children’s Hospice South West – raising awareness to help make the most of short and precious lives including those who live locally.

n Friends of Mendip Hospital Cemetery – to preserve the site and enhance it as a public amenity and to restore the fabric of the Chapel.

– to raise funds to help rebuild their outside play equipment.

Bishop ‘deeply heartened’

THE results of the independent review into safeguarding in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and Wells Cathedral were published on July 16.

INEQE, who are in the process of evaluating the quality of safeguarding practice in all Church of England dioceses across the country, undertook the audit of Bath and Wells in March.

The audit report is split into two sections, the first looking at the safeguarding provision of the Diocese of Bath and Wells,

with the second focused on safeguarding in Wells Cathedral.

The report states: “Bath and Wells has developed a strong and positive safeguarding culture driven by committed leadership, engaged safeguarding personnel and effective strategies that personalise safeguarding and empower local communities.”

In reporting on safeguarding at Wells Cathedral, it says:

“The Cathedral adopts a comprehensive and multilayered approach to promote safeguarding effectively across all

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING HUB

Dementia Day Care Support – Wednesdays & Fridays, 10am-3pm

Mental Health & Wellbeing Workshops – Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, 1pm-3pm, or ALL Day

Outreach Visits – Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Monthly Carers Groups – Wells & Wedmore

Block Courses – Creative Community Block Courses – varied days & times

Heads Up, Upper Breach, South Horrington, Wells BA5 3QG 01749 670667 info@headsupsomerset.org.uk www.headsupsomerset.org.uk Charity No: 801391

“After a long summer break, we look forward to welcoming SOUP! back to the Cathedral

on September 6 to give the four worthy causes the opportunity to spread their word and receive much needed funds,” said Ross Young of SOUP!, which is organised by Wells Independents.

“Also to hear from Windsor Hill Refuge Centre to hear how the money they received at April’s SOUP! has helped them.

“We will start at 1pm but advise arriving by 12.40pm to be sure of getting a seat.

“We are hugely grateful to Bowley’s Garage in Westfield Road for sponsoring SOUP! once again, it is greatly appreciated. And thank you to the Cathedral for accommodating this grant-giving lunch and to all the helpers, especially Fresh & Good for supplying the delicious soups.”

The wine, soft drinks and flowers are all donated.

by feedback from auditors

audiences within its community. This is achieved through a range of methods designed to raise awareness, develop understanding, and embed safeguarding in the DNA of Cathedral life.”

Responding to the report, Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, said: “I have been deeply heartened to see the positive feedback from the auditors across all the areas they reviewed.

“As good as it is to read the positive comments in the report,

it is the recommendations that we will be paying closer attention to as we know that there is no place for complacency when it comes to safeguarding. Survivors’ response to the audit is also something we will be reviewing carefully. It is vital that we continue to listen to them as we look to improve. We are highly conscious that our good practice now and our aspirations for the future come out of a history which has often seen victims of abuse let down in the past.”

hedges

n Friends of Coxley School PTA

September’s SOUP! is sponsored by Bowley’s Garage of Wells whose staff are seen here with Ross Young

Picture: Philip Welch

Ten days of events that place focus on environment

Denise Denis looks ahead to the Wells Environment Network’s sustainability showcase, Ecoweek 2025

WITH rapidly changing weather patterns, increased risk of flooding, and declining wildlife, the need to protect and conserve our environment has never been more urgent.

Wells Ecoweek, running from October 11-20, is our chance to explore what’s at stake, celebrate what’s already being done, and discover the next steps we can take – together – to secure a more sustainable future.

Now returning to Wells for a second year, Ecoweek aims to raise awareness, promote practical, sustainable actions, and celebrate the incredible work of our local community in

environmental protection. It is a culmination of work and shared energies and ideas of many organisations in Wells coming together under the shared umbrella of Wells Environment Network. The participants range from Wells City Council, Wells Cathedral, The Bishop’s Palace and Wells primary and secondary schools to Wells churches, and many voluntary organisations such as Lions, Wells and District Wildlife Group, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Wells Scouts, and many others, as listed on the website wenvironment.org.uk

We’ve all noticed the shifts –more frequent road and field flooding, erratic weather, and fewer birds and bees. These changes aren’t just headlines; they’re happening here in

Wells. Whether you feel unsure, concerned, informed, or overwhelmed – these ten days are for you.

Highlights include:

n Launch of the newly adopted Act to Adapt Plan, Saturday, October 11, 10am, Wells Town Hall. Kick off the week with a dynamic morning of workshops, displays, and presentations from organisations working to restore biodiversity.

n Panel Discussion: Food & Sustainability. Join local

producers and experts for a public Q&A focused on affordability, resilience, sustainability, and food security.

n Activities throughout the week. Mindfulness walks, nature trails, litter picks, repair and reuse events, poster and photo competitions – something for everyone.

n NEW: Family Eco Day –Saturday, October 18, Wells Recreation Ground and the Bishop’s Barn. A fantastic family day of picnics, play and learning, with bike repair workshops, fun activities, and active travel showcases – including an update on the exciting progress of the Strawberry Line. Help us make this a walk, bus, and bike day.

For the full programme and more information, visit: wenvironment.org.uk

City council adopts guide to developing climate resilience

A STEP forward for Wells environment and climate resilience was taken in June when Wells City Council voted to adopt the Wells Act to Adapt Plan.

The Plan was guided through a public consultation from October 2024 to May 2025 by Somerset Wildlife Trust, and was funded by Somerset Rivers Authority. It sets out the strategies for Wells City Council, voluntary organisations and businesses, and individuals across four key themes:

1. Improving and increasing green spaces

2. Adapting to flooding

3. Encouraging communitydriven climate action

4. Co-ordinating emergency plans

The Plan will be formally launched at Wells Ecoweek on Saturday, October 11.

At the public meeting to launch the draft version on June 14, Wells City Council was congratulated by Tessa Munt, MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, for achieving this milestone and

making the Plan a reality. Whilst it will involve hard work and commitment by all organisations and the public, she said it would provide strategies to work on and wished every success to the city council, organisations and the public.

The Act To Adapt Plan can be viewed online at somersetwildlife.org/act-adaptwells

For further information, contact Wells Town Hall on 01749 673091 or reception@ wells.gov.uk

From left, Councillor Denise Denis, MP Tessa Munt, and Natalie Barnett, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Climate Adaptation Officer, at the Draft Act to Adapt Plan launch

Images from Ecoweek24: top left, The Bishop’s Palace Garden tour; above, Victoria Hillman leading the Nature and Photography Walk at the Combe; and left, a talk by Graham Harvey at Cedars Hall

Picture: Philip Welch

Recycling theme to writing competition

SOMERSET Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, in collaboration with local author Ben Pulletz, have announced the launch of a children’s story writing competition – Luna and friends’ great food waste recycling journey.

Aimed at promoting the importance of food waste recycling among young residents and their families, the competition invites children aged seven to 16 to get creative and submit their stories.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Executive Member for Transport and Waste Services at Somerset Council, said: “We are thrilled to launch this unique competition that not only encourages creativity but also raises awareness about the importance of recycling food waste.

“It’s a great opportunity for young minds to contribute to a greener future while showcasing their storytelling talents.”

The county’s children are being invited to write a short story, no more than 500 words, on the theme of food waste

The competition is aimed at promoting the importance of food waste recycling

recycling. Youngsters looking for inspiration can visit the Somerset Council website to find out more about the food waste friends: www.somerset.gov.uk/ FoodCampaign

Lily Morton, Senior Community Liaison Manager at SUEZ, said: “We are looking forward to receiving the creative entries from the children of Somerset.

“Recycling is the best thing you can do with any unavoidable

Next activities at Wells Library

ACTIVITIES at Wells Library in August will include:

n Ancestry Group: This next takes place on Tuesday, August 5. To book a one-hour session at 2pm or 3pm, email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk

n Tai Chi: Free taster sessions take place on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 10.30am. The next session is on Monday, August 11 – no need to book just drop in. The fourth Monday is a bank holiday so there is no session as the library will be closed.

n Community Employment Hub: This is a free employment support service giving guidance on opportunities for learning, training and work. The team will be in the library on Monday, August 11, from 10.30am12.30pm for drop-ins.

n NHS Health Checks: People who are aged between

40 and 74 and have not had a free NHS Health Check in the last five years are entitled to one now. Health Checks are carried out in Wells Library on Fridays from 10am-4pm. Book an appointment by visiting www. shorturl.at/tgabo

n Repair Saturday at the Library: Take items along to the library on Saturday, August 30, between 10am and 12.30pm to see whether they can be repaired. Any queries, email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk.

n Children’s Summer Reading Challenge: Children can register for the challenge at Wells Library, and earn stickers for each of six books that they read over the holidays. If they read all six they receive a certificate and medal. Runs until Saturday, September 6. Visit www.readingagency.org.uk for more information.

food waste and we want to encourage more residents to use their food waste recycling service. Getting the viewpoint of the younger generation on this subject will be really interesting to us and hopefully encourages people to start recycling more.”

Prizes include book vouchers and copies of Ben Pulletz’s Luna Explores Somerset book. Entrants must be aged between seven and 16 and residents in the Somerset Council area.

Ben said: “A great story activity for children to explore their creativity this summer, with my character Luna the Globetrotter, this will hopefully get children engaged in recycling and encourage them to learn about this green action and protect the planet for the future.

“I am really looking forward

to seeing the innovative take on the recycling world from our younger generation.”

In Somerset, seven out of ten people recycle their food waste; however on average, about 21 per cent of a household’s general rubbish bin is food waste (by weight). Recycling food waste is good for the planet and can be used to create green electricity and fertiliser.

To enter, children must write their stories and send them to recycle@somerset.gov.uk by September 7. Handwritten or printed copies can also be dropped off at any Somerset library, such as Wells Library in Union Street.

Entries must include the child’s name, age, and their parent or guardian’s email address or phone number and location.

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit www. somerset.gov.uk/FoodCampaign

Light Dance

A gentle and creative way to connect with your body and inner spirit. A healing space to tune into you, explore your dance and express yourself freely.

“Dance with Jacqueline has been a healing, transformative and liberating experience. Such a powerful way to connect with your unique self.” Zia

Light Dance invites you to be more spontaneous, more intuitive and trusting in yourself, unlocking your authentic dance and voice.

Free taster sessions in Wells Jacqueline Abbott-Slade, Light Dance Teacher/Holistic therapist www.jacquelineabbottslade.com j.abbottslade@yahoo.com 07859 796119

n ON THE BEAT

Ways to stay safe in the holiday period

AS we enter the summer holiday period with the children off school, I hope the fantastic weather we have been having continues throughout the whole of summer.

With families taking their well-earned holiday break, please keep yourselves safe and remember these tips.

n Ensure your property is secure with all doors and windows locked including outbuildings, sheds, and vehicles. Check that house alarms and any CCTV systems are set and working correctly.

n Make sure all valuables are removed from sight away from windows.

n Garden tools and machinery should be put into garages or sheds and these should be securely locked.

n Do not advertise your absence from your property on social media as criminals also view social media posts to identify easy targets.

n Make your home appear occupied during your absence: use timer switches on lights to come on and off at various times throughout the day, and ask a friend, relative or trustworthy neighbour if they would be willing to pop round in order to stop the post from piling up, place your wheelie bins out etc so it is not obvious that the property is empty.

n If you are going abroad on holiday, ensure you are aware

The latest from the local policing team with PC

Darren Pearson

‘Do not advertise your absence from your property on social media’

of any up-to-date foreign travel advice on the government website and remember different countries may have different laws to those in the UK. n Pickpockets will target busy areas and tourist destinations so ensure wallets, purses, mobile phones and passports are safe and not hanging out of your open bag or rear pocket.

The most important advice I can give even if you are staying at home is, in the words of Baz Luhrman: “Wear sunscreen.”

Enjoy your holidays everyone.

At the Hear t of England’s Smallest City

City of Wells Town Hall

Various rooms to hire for: Conferences, Seminars

Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions, Marriages, Receptions, all types of Meetings and Local Group Classes

Very reasonable rates

For Prices and Bookings contact the Town Hall Manager - Tel: 01749 673091. e-mail: thm@wells.gov.uk Website: www.wells.gov.uk

To advertise, contact Andy on 01749 675157

n NEWS

Carers asked to give feedback

WELLS Community Network would like to hear from people who care for someone.

Unpaid carers are some of the most unsung heroes in the community. According to national figures there are just under six million of them in the UK, looking after a spouse, child, family member or friend.

Wells Community Network are looking at ways of supporting them, and would like to find out what the needs are of people who are, or have been, a carer, and how best to support them.

More than three-quarters of carers report feeling stressed or

anxious and half feel depressed and say that their physical health has suffered. One of the ideas that Wells Community Network is considering is to set up a Carers’ Hub, offering support, advice and information.

People can make their voice heard by filling in the form enclosed in many copies of this edition of Wells Voice, or call their Helpline on 01749 467079 to give feedback.

Alternatively, the QR code on the right will lead to an online form to complete.

Charity receives £1,000 donation

WELLS-BASED charity Promise Works has received a funding boost as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good awards to support its work.

Promise Works, which offers mentoring services to disadvantaged children and young people, was one of two Somerset charities to receive a donation of £1,000.

The other was Burnham BMX

Club in Burnham-on-Sea.

For the seventh year running, Benefact Group is giving away more than £1 million to charities through its Movement for Good awards.

Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with more than 4,300 Somerset residents taking the time to put forward charities they care about.

Voters elect new city councillor

THE by-election in the Wells St Cuthbert’s Ward on July 17 saw Jill Edmonds elected as the new city councillor to succeed Norman Kennedy.

The full result was: Jill Edmonds (Liberal Democrats) 268 – Elected; Bernard Mealing (Independent) 176; Sebastian Johns (The Conservative Party)

136; Peter Welsh (Green Party) 53; Andy Merryfield (Labour Party) 32.

There were four rejected ballot papers, and the turnout was 18.1 per cent.

Jill said: “I can’t wait to get started. Thank you to the local community for your support, trust and for voting for me.”

Holistic Reflexology and Massage

Restore harmony and balance for a more relaxed, healthier you

Holistic Reflexology detoxifies, rejuvenates and re-balances the physical body, mind and emotions. Massage and reflexology can help relieve anxiety, grief and post-surgery trauma. Effective for treating sleeping difficulties, poor circulation, back pain, hormone imbalances and for boosting immunity.

Free Initial Consultation by phone or in person in Wells Jacqueline Abbott-Slade www.jacquelineabbottslade.com j.abbottslade@yahoo.com 07859 796119

Plenty to contemplate at food festival

THERE is lots planned for this year’s Wells Food Festival on Sunday, October 12.

Of course, a wide range of local food and drink artisan producers will be there, showcasing their fare, but for people who are keen to dig a little deeper into the food experience, then a trip to the Food for Thought marquee in the Recreation Ground will provide them with something to chew over.

“We are really excited by how Food for Thought is shaping up this year,” says June MacFarlane, who is overseeing the marquee.

“In previous years, the focus has been primarily on the social issues surrounding food, but we are delighted to introduce Sustainability and Innovation into the mix for 2025 to create a really interesting and thoughtprovoking food experience for visitors.”

Local horticulturalist, author and the pioneer of modern nodig and organic soil management in the UK, Charles Dowding will be attending. His book Compost – Transform Waste into New Life focuses on how to use kitchen and garden waste to make homemade compost gold.

The subject of soil health is also relevant for Woodland Horticulture, a leading Somerset supplier of soil conditioners. They offer a wide range of all things earthy, including green waste material which is shredded and composted to produce a crumbly, easy to handle material.

At the forefront of food

innovation, visitors will be fascinated by the Clean Food Group from the University of Bath. Pioneering scientific research is taking place to look at how to provide healthier sustainable product choices that will have a positive impact on the

Front-of-House Volunteers needed

We are always keen to hear from enthusiastic volunteers.

Our Front-of-House shifts are split into mornings and afternoons: l Mornings: 10.00am to 1.00pm l Afternoons: 1.00pm to 4.00pm Front-of-House Volunteers coordinate the smooth running of the reception area in the museum by extending a warm and informative welcome to all visitors. This is a key role and you must be happy working in a varied customer-orientated environment. Tasks include running the museum shop and dealing with museum queries. This role will suit someone who has an enthusiastic, friendly manner, enjoys meeting people, and is computer literate. If this sounds like you and you would like more information, please contact the Museum Manager: admin@wellsmuseum.org.uk

planet, for example, developing sustainable alternatives to oils and fats, such as palm oil which is a significant driver of deforestation.

Community is still at the heart of Food for Thought and so there will be representatives

from key local companies such as FareShare, a charity that aims to relieve food poverty and reduce food waste by taking good quality surplus food from across the food industry and distributing it to nearly 8,000 charities and community groups.

Meanwhile, the Shepton Mallet Community Fridge is also tackling the problem of saving good food from going to waste on a very local level. Keen to highlight that it is not a food bank, the volunteers want every member of the community to use the fridge, freezer and larder and stop good food from ending up in landfill.

They receive regular donations of food from local shops and supermarkets looking to clear their shelves, and there is also an opportunity to contribute to the fridge if people have a glut of produce from their garden or allotment.

Top left, a team from FareShare South West; top right, Charles Dowding will be in the Food for Thought marquee; above left, Professor Chris Chuck from the Clean Food Group; and above right, the marquee entrance

A Legacy of xcellence, ince 1960

Trusted by counc s, contractors, and deve o ers across the .

For 65 years, ennys Group has

led the way in construction,

demolition, waste management ,

and sustaina le earthworks.

From family roots to industry

leaders we’ ve helped shape the

South est with integrity,

expertise, and innovation.

Site Clearance & emolition

Bulk arthworks & Muck way

Skip & Gra ire

Crushing & Screening

Recycled ggregates & Supply

Groundworks and Civils

Fully icensed aste

Management Facility

Celebrating 65 ears of ser ing you

Social evening organised to thank litter pickers

THERE is less litter discarded in Wells now thanks to the city’s team of volunteer pickers.

To thank them for all they do their leader, Deborah Woolven, organised a social evening at the Town Hall where members agreed there has been fewer pieces of rubbish to pick up recently as people discard less if areas are rubbish-free.

Three times a year her crew

clear the city centre, residential streets and approach roads to Wells of litter. Many also go out on a regular basis to cover their own patch.

The social event became an interactive discussion led by one of the regular pickers, Roberto Vogel, who has worldwide experience with waste management.

“We also learnt interesting

facts such as clearing up litter from the UK streets costs the British taxpayer £500 million every year,” said Deborah. “And we are grateful to Tesco for providing the drinks and nibbles.”

Anyone interested in joining the litter picking team can contact Deborah on deborahwoolvenorrett@gmail. com

Student embarks on running challenges for animal charity

A WELLS Cathedral School student is putting herself through a series of gruelling challenges to raise money for an animal welfare charity.

Year 12 student Olivia Grant is aiming to raise £2,000 for the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) by running four half-marathons and taking part in a Tough Mudder.

To support IAPWA’s work and help publicise the cause, she has become a Youth Ambassador for the charity.

“Animal welfare has always

Almshouses

been something I care deeply about – especially growing up as a vegetarian and rescuing cats,” said Olivia, who lives near Wells.

“I was particularly inspired by IAPWA’s work with pangolins and donkeys, as the suffering of less ‘popular’ animals is often overlooked.”

Olivia is aiming to run the half marathons throughout July, after an earlier attempt in June was cut short due to a knee injury.

The Tough Mudder, a 15km run with obstacles such as mud pits, will take place at the

Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire on August 16.

“The funds raised will directly help IAPWA’s incredible work, providing essential support to animals who are suffering and need care, protection, and a better future,” said Olivia.

“I believe that all animals deserve to live a life free from harm and neglect, and that’s why I’m passionate about supporting this cause.”

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/page/ olivia-grant-iapwa?utm_ medium=FR&utm_source=CL

in search for new Chair of Trustees

THE City of Wells Almshouses is looking for a new Chair of Trustees who can steer the charity’s long-term direction. There are 33 almshouses in the centre of Wells, and the

charity is eager to expand –whether by creating new almshouses or acquiring properties – to offer even more high quality affordable homes to those in need.

To find out more about the role, contact CEO Michelle Thomas on 07764 791087, or visit the news page of the website: www.wellsalmshouses. org.uk

Counting cost of pothole damage

A SURVEY has revealed that the average road user in the South West has suffered almost £1,500 worth of damage caused by potholes.

According to the survey of 2,000 people across the UK, conducted by OnePoll for car insurer NFU Mutual, 47 per cent of respondents had damage caused to their vehicle as a result of potholes and poor road conditions.

The financial burden is accompanied by an increasing frustration at potholes, with 49 per cent of respondents in the South West listing it as their main concern as a road user.

West Country drivers were also among the worst hit by potholes, with the average road user suffering damage of £1,417, 43 per cent more than the UK average of £992.

Only road users in London (£1,525) were worse affected by pothole damage than those in the South West, with Welsh drivers also being badly hit (£1,411).

In the Autumn Budget, the Government announced a £1.6 billion fund to repair England’s roads, with £500 million of this earmarked to fill seven million potholes per year.

n LETTERS

Thanks to chaps at recycling centre

COULD I please, through the medium of your ‘much looked forward to’ monthly Wells Voice, sing the praises of the chaps working at our local recycling centre? They are always so very willing and helpful to old codgers such as myself needing help unloading rubbish from car boots.

Perhaps other Wells residents have experienced similar and will not forget to give them a welldeserved thank you.

We all sadly live in and tolerate an age of ‘moaners and groaners’, quick to dish out criticism, and thought they and the local council should be made aware of grateful thanks for this much-valued facility.

Arthur Hayward Wells

The litter pickers gather in Wells Town Hall

Picture: Philip Welch

n IN DAYS GONE BY

With Clare Blackmore

Miscreants faced six hours in the stocks

STOCKS are feet restraining devices for corporal punishment or public humiliation.

A Pillory was placed around the neck and arms forcing the punished person to stand.

Victims in either form of punishment could be insulted, kicked, spat upon or subjected to other inhumane acts.

The following reports appeared in the Wells Journal in the 19th century.

July 29, 1853

Borough Police Court

Stephen Loxton, a “frequent visitor” to the court, was brought up this morning charged with being beastly drunk and creating a disturbance in the public streets. He was fined 5s, with 5s 6d expenses, and was allowed one week to pay. If the payment was not made then he would be placed in the stocks for a period of six hours.

October 22, 1853

John Welsh was brought up a week since charged with being drunk and disorderly, was again brought up this morning for being drunk and disorderly. He was fined 5s with 4s 6d costs which if not paid within the expiration of seven days would make him liable to six hours in the stocks.

November 12, 1853

Charles Lane, an old offender, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in East Wells.

Lane was taken into custody in such a beastly state of intoxication that it required a

pair of trucks to convey him to the station house. He was fined 5s for the offence and 4s costs, a week being given for him to pay it, but if not paid to be put in the stocks and there kept for the space of six hours.

September 16, 1854

William Young was charged with being drunk and disorderly and committing an assault upon the police.

PC Mizen stated that he was on duty in Southover when he met the prisoner outside the Wesleyan Chapel, Young was drunk and having seen him in the same state on other Sabbath days, PC Mizen took him into custody, but Young violently resisted and kicked him several times.

A charge was also preferred against Young by John Phillips, the beadle of the chapel, who stated that Young frequently came into the chapel and annoyed the congregation by talking loudly and he was often

BUSINESS GRANTS IN WELLS!

so drunk that he staggered about the place.

When Young was taken to the Town Hall he was so drunk as to fall against the wall of the cell.

A previous conviction had been recorded against Young for being drunk.

He was fined 5s for being drunk with 4s 6d costs, with the money to be paid at the expiration of a week. If not paid he was to be placed in the stocks for six hours. For the assault on the police, he was fined 20s with 6s 6d costs and in default 14 days hard labour.

May 26, 1855

Police Court

John Andrews was brought before the court charged with being drunk and causing a disturbance in the streets on the previous evening.

He was fined 9s 6d including costs and not having the means to pay it he was allowed one week and if not paid he would be placed in the stocks for the space of six hours.

April 30, 1859

John Axe was summoned for being drunk in the Market Place. Being unable to pay his fine, he was placed in the stocks for six hours. During this time he had a great number of visitors.

August 22, 1857

William Edwards, labourer of East Wells, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly in the public streets. Defendant did not appear.

The Bench inflicted a fine of 5s with 6s costs and if not paid within one week, as the defendant was known not to have any effects whereupon to seize, he would be placed in the stocks for six hours.

The Mayor remarked that in case of non-payment he would much rather inflict a punishment of seven days imprisonment as the stocks were an outmoded form of punishment: but the defendant had been before convicted of a similar offence and the law left no alternative.

August 28, 1858

Wells Journal Editorial

We had really hoped that our city was in a fair way of keeping

progress with the advancement of the age.

But if the spirit of the age has been imbibed by some, it would appear that it has not by all.

Our magistrates are at any rate not radicals.

They are not steeds yoked to the cart of progress but act as a drag to impede its movement.

At any rate this was the impression made upon us when on Tuesday last we saw in the Market Place, a man in the stocks, a kind of punishment which was common when thumbscrews and other instruments of torture were used, but which we thought had with the latter been everywhere abandoned.

This instrument of punishment is in other towns preserved only as a relic of a barbarous age but here in the city of Wells it is still in use.

We can only express the hope that in the future history of Wells it will be recorded that the last time the punishment of stocks was inflicted in this city it was on Tuesday, the 24th of August, 1858.

1860 sees the last mention of the stocks being used in Wells:

Charles Bartlett was brought before the Police Court being charged with sleeping in an outhouse.

Defendant has previously been convicted of many different offences. It will no doubt be remembered that Bartlett was the last person to be put in the stocks for drunkenness.

Whilst in that undignified position Mr Budge, photographic artist, of the Market Place, took out his camera and apparatus and obtained a capital likeness of him.

Mr Budge afterwards presented it to Bartlett.

Imprisonment in the stocks for six hours appears to have had no good effect on the defendant and it is claimed he is irreclaimable.

The Mayor on this occasion committed him to prison for 14 days.

The last recorded use of the stocks in England was in 1872 in Newbury, Berkshire.

Projects backed in push for devolution

LEADERS from across the Wessex Partnership region have confirmed their joint commitment to a series of ambitious cross-regional projects, marking a significant step forward in their collective push for devolution and the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Wessex.

The four council leaders have agreed to support a number of proposals that they say will deliver tangible benefits to residents and businesses across the region. These include:

n A Wessex Joint Growth Plan – to co-ordinate economic development, housing and infrastructure investment across local authority boundaries.

n Wessex plans for infrastructure – given the fundamental link between growth, the environment and transport, these will be integrated with a future spatial development strategy. Work

‘We are united in our ambition to secure a devolution deal that delivers real benefits for our communities’

will also take place on delivering more reliable, affordable, and greener public transport across urban and rural communities.

n A Wessex Local Nature

Recovery Strategy – to protect and enhance the region’s natural environment, biodiversity and green spaces.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Somerset, BCP, Dorset and Wiltshire Councils, Councillor Bill Revans, Councillor Millie Earl, Councillor Nick Ireland and Councillor Ian Thorn, said: “This is an important step forward for the Wessex Partnership. By working together, we are showing that our region is ready to take on greater powers and responsibilities. These projects reflect our shared priorities – better transport, a thriving natural environment and sustainable economic growth. We are united in our ambition to secure a devolution deal that delivers real benefits for our communities.”

The Wessex Partnership continues to engage with central government to progress discussions on devolution and

the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority, which would bring greater local control over funding, planning and service delivery.

As well as the financial benefits of mayoral devolution, the Wessex partnership is looking to central government to deliver a range of measures, including support for:

n Working with UKRI and Innovate UK to develop an innovation programme of support for businesses across Wessex.

n Consideration of whether Wessex could host the proposed UK Defence Innovation facility, given the strength of its defence cluster and relationships with the wider sector.

n Developing strategic relationships with agencies that can reduce barriers to growth – such as the Crown Estate and Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans

Parish council announces some changes to team

THERE have been some changes to the team at St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council.

After the Annual Parish Council Meeting, the council thanked Tony Hathway for

his service as Vice-Chair and welcomed Marcel Hayden, voted in as the new Vice-Chair. Jacqui Zorab was unanimously voted in for a third term of office as Chairperson.

The council also recently welcomed a new RFO (Responsible Financial Officer), Kym White, who joins from Old Mill Accountants as a steady hand for the financial side of

council business.

The by now well established Reece Coulson is the Assistant Clerk with responsibilities for all things environmental, allotments and planning.

From left, Councillors Tony Hathway, Chair Jacqui Zorab and new ViceChair Marcel Hayden

From left, the parish council’s RFO Kym White, Assistant Clerk Reece Coulson and Parish Clerk Lisa Pool

Charity boosted by Will campaign work

A LAW firm with branches in Wells, Street, Somerton and Taunton has raised £3,882 by participating in an annual charity Will-writing campaign, making it the fifth highest-donating firm in the South West.

Chubb Bulleid has been a supporter of Will Aid since 1998, with solicitors dedicating their time and expertise to writing Wills and raising a grand total of £72,152. Instead of charging their usual fees for basic Wills, they invite clients to make a donation to Will Aid – helping to fund vital charity work in the UK and across the world.

The funds raised go to Will Aid’s partner charities, which support a range of important causes, from providing humanitarian aid to protecting vulnerable children in the UK.

Richard Cussell, from Chubb Bulleid, said: “Will Aid is a fantastic initiative, and we’re thrilled to have helped so many people put their affairs in order while raising such a substantial amount for charity. It’s a real team effort, and we’re incredibly proud to have taken part once again this year.

“The team finds it a rewarding experience, and the money raised will help to make a real

difference to people in need, both here at home and around the world.”

Since its launch in 1988, Will Aid has raised more than £24 million in donations, with millions more pledged in charitable legacies thanks to the generosity of participating solicitors.

Lauren Poole, Chair of Will Aid, praised the firm’s achievement, and said: “A huge congratulations to everyone for taking part and raising such an incredible amount this year. It’s inspiring to see so many solicitors giving their time and expertise to support our partner charities while helping people secure the peace of mind that comes with a professionally written Will.”

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid’s Campaign Director, added: “This year’s Will Aid campaign has been another tremendous success, and it’s all down to the dedication of solicitors like those at Chubb Bulleid. Their generosity and hard work are truly making a difference, not only for their clients but also for the charities that rely on these vital donations.”

Will Aid runs every November, offering people the opportunity to have a professionally written Will in exchange for a donation. The suggested donation is £100 for a basic single Will and £180 for a pair of mirror Wills, with all proceeds supporting Will Aid’s partner charities: Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, and Trócaire.

More solicitors are needed each year to meet demand. To find out more about taking part, visit willaid.org.uk

Fudge inspired by flavours of Dubai

ROLY’S Fudge, which has a pantry in Market Place, Wells, has created its own fudge version of pistachio chocolate.

Inspired by the flavours of Dubai, it blends dark chocolate, crushed pistachio nuts and notes of almond. The drizzle is

No plans currently for hosepipe ban

BRISTOL Water says that despite the warm and dry spring and summer, there are no plans for a hosepipe ban to be introduced, as has happened in other areas of the country.

A spokesperson said: “We currently have no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this summer but we are seeing a rise in demand for water as we would always expect in warmer months.

“We are continuing to work hard to manage our resources, tackle leakage and support our customers with using water wisely – simple steps like using a watering can instead of a hose,

or taking shorter showers, really do to protect our most precious resource. Our reservoirs are in a relatively good position – we are ready for summer.

“Customers can visit www. bristolwater.co.uk/every-dripevery-drop for some ideas to help make the most of water this summer.”

As of July 2, Cheddar Reservoir storage was at 61 per cent. On the same date in 2024, storage was at 82 per cent. The total reservoir storage for the Bristol Water area on July 2 was 65 per cent, compared to 84 per cent the year before.

infused with organic matcha and pistachio for a naturally green hue. Each batch takes more than two hours to create and yields only 100 portions.

Roly’s Fudge now has more than 40 fudge pantries across the UK.

The free community newspaper at the heart of everything local

Do you have a news story? Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

Would you like to advertise? Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

View every issue of Wells Voice online at issuu.com/wellsvoice

Richard Cussell of Chubb Bulleid

A marble and slate swans sculpture by stone carver and sculptor Pippa Unwin that is on display at The Bishop’s Palace as part of the Stone and Spirit exhibition. Pippa grew up in Wells and went to Wells Cathedral School from 1974-84. A number of her stone carvings of birds and animals are on display at the Palace until September 14.

Fears about possible loss of hospital beds

By Daniel Mumby Local Democracy Reporter

BEDS at Somerset’s community hospitals could be closed or relocated under planned changes to treat more people closer to home.

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust operates 13 inpatient wards across its 11 community hospitals, located in Bridgwater, Burnham-onSea, Chard, Crewkerne, Frome, Glastonbury, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, South Petherton, Wellington, Williton and Wincanton.

Following the publication of the government’s ten-year plan for the NHS, the trust is consulting on proposals to close, relocate or re-purpose inpatient beds, with more emphasis being placed on “pathway beds” to get patients out of acute hospitals and being able to receive further treatment at home.

Somerset Council’s adults and health scrutiny committee is expected to discuss the plans in detail in the coming weeks, with its vice-chair criticising the trust for acting “without transparency or engagement”.

The trust said it was happy to co-operate with the council and that no final decision on any bed closures had yet been made.

At Bridgwater, the trust plans to increase the number of “pathway care” beds to 36, with a further nine beds being “repurposed”.

West Mendip Community Hospital in Glastonbury will see 20 beds converted for pathway

use, with South Petherton also seeing 20 beds “transitioned” to this role.

Williton will retain 20 beds for pathway use, while Chard and Wellington will both see “temporary reductions before final changes” are implemented.

Councillor Claire Sully, the vice-chair of the council’s adults and health scrutiny committee, has called for an urgent meeting to discuss the changes before final decisions are taken in the autumn.

She said: “Residents and Somerset Council have yet to see the full business case behind these plans.

“The trust is sharing this information only internally with staff, in order to change employment contracts, without transparency or engagement with the wider community.

“This lack of openness raises serious concerns about the impacts of these changes – especially as they seem to be permanent reductions in hospital

beds and services for our local communities.”

The trust had previously indicated that it would be reducing beds at Frome Community Hospital, with similar reports recently surfacing about Crewkerne’s facilities.

Ms Sully’s Mendip South division comprises numerous villages within a short drive of the community hospitals in Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet.

She continued: “While the trust cites shifting demand, with more care being delivered at home, the full details of the rationale and planning remain hidden from public view.

“Many residents are alarmed that these are not just shortterm testing or trial ideas but potentially permanent changes, with staff contracts already being prepared for a future where roles, working areas and beds are cut long-term.

“This raises questions about community involvement, care quality, and the criteria being

used to make such significant decisions.

“I believe decisive action must be taken now to avoid rushing through changes without proper oversight or community input.”

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it was happy to discuss the changes with councillors and would publish details of the summerlong public consultation in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson said: “We look forward to meeting with colleagues on the adults and health scrutiny committee to discuss how we can improve care and access for patients in Somerset. The NHS tenyear plan provides us with real opportunities to shift care appropriately into communities and improve the care and experience of patients.

“No decisions have been made to permanently close any community hospital beds.

“We are increasing investment in community services and care home beds, and temporarily reducing the number of community hospital beds in some areas. We want to test whether these temporary changes will decrease the number of patients whose discharge from an acute hospital is delayed, decrease the time patients currently wait for community services following an acute hospital stay, increase the proportion of patients who are discharged from an acute hospital to their own home and able to remain at home, and improve flow through our acute hospitals.”

West Mendip Community Hospital on Old Wells Road in Glastonbury Picture: Google Maps

‘The Creatives’ Summer Show at The Blue School, Wells, took place in the DT and sixth-form art work room and Milton Gallery, where Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles, Product Design and Fine Art A-level work was displayed. Pictured from top are fashion teacher Becky Webster with student Lucy Davis next to her time travel fashion garments, which can be adjusted to suit the Eighties or the Sixties; DT teacher James Feghali with students Jack Dalton, next to his modular camping kitchen, and Sienna Blinman next to her water sports centre; and student MJ Best with some of her artwork.

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

What is Non-Court Dispute Resolution?

By Ruth Jackson

DIVORCE is a very stressful experience, and resolving the financial aspect of the divorce can be tricky. The prospect of going to court is a further unwelcome stress.

But there are other methods of resolving financial disputes which can help couples avoid the lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining court process.

Non-Court Dispute Resolution offers a way to handle these matters which is more courteous, and can be more efficient and cost-effective. It can prevent irreparable damage being inflicted on any children of the marriage, and upon the wider family.

In mediation, a neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussions between both parties, helping them reach a mutually acceptable financial settlement. This approach can be quicker and more cost-effective than going to court, although you will need to factor in the costs charged by the mediator.

Collaborative law involves both spouses and their solicitors working together in a series of meetings to negotiate a settlement. The process focuses on co-operation rather than conflict, aiming to find solutions that are fair for both parties.

Round-table settlement meetings give both parties the opportunity to have their voice heard in a safe and controlled space. Sometimes the knowledge that your voice has been acknowledged by the others in your case is enough to enable the parties to move towards an agreement.

The main advantage of NonCourt Dispute Resolution is that it allows for greater flexibility and control. The decision is not left in the hands of a stranger, a judge. The couple have a say in the outcome, and this can lead to more personalised and practical solutions. It also reduces the emotional strain, particularly where children are involved, and helps preserve more courteous relationships post-divorce.

The prospect of leaving decisions about the most important things in life, such as the arrangements for children, in the hands of a stranger, who does not know your family and will have no further role in their life, can be difficult. By resolving matters away from court, you are avoiding this risk.

Choosing Non-Court Dispute Resolution is often a more costeffective and less stressful option for resolving financial matters in divorce. If you’re looking for a more peaceful and efficient way to move forward, it’s worth considering these options.

n Ruth Jackson is a Partner with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street, Somerton and Taunton. Phone 01749 836100.

01749 836100

Call for provision of new section of path

By Daniel Mumby Local Democracy Reporter

SOMERSET transport campaigners have called on a major developer to provide part of a crucial ‘missing link’ to a long-distance walking and cycling route through a planned major development.

Stonewater submitted plans in April to redevelop the existing Wells Rugby Club ground on Charter Way into 106 homes, as the club prepares to relocate to a planned new facility on the A371 Portway at the city’s western edge.

Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on both sets of plans before the end of the year, which would enable construction of the new homes to begin some time in 2026.

The Strawberry Line Society has now called on Stonewater to provide a new section of the multi-user path as part of the development, arguing that the new residents will be “forced onto busy and dangerous roads” if it is not delivered.

Both developments were anticipated as part of the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was ratified by Mendip District Council in December 2021 and is designed to meet additional housing need within the nowformer district.

The existing Charter Way site was estimated to provide a minimum of 80 dwellings using the existing access, with the prospect of Wells Tennis Club relocating alongside the rugby club if the club was willing.

The rugby club’s new facility will be accessed off the A371 Portway, with three fullsized pitches, mini-pitches, a clubhouse building (including changing rooms, toilets and function rooms), and enough parking for 141 cars and three coaches.

The Strawberry Line currently runs uninterrupted between Yatton railway station and Station Road in Cheddar, with numerous efforts being made in recent years to extend the route towards Shepton Mallet.

A lengthy off-road section of the route runs from Haybridge to just outside the rugby club, terminating outside the Wells

Sports and Fitness Centre and providing a car-free route to local facilities from numerous housing estates.

The existing rugby pitches are bordered by a public right of way on their northern and eastern sides, providing a potential connection between the existing terminus of the Strawberry Line and cycle lanes leading through the city and out towards Dulcote.

Tony Hathway from the Strawberry Line Society made the case for the new path before Wells City Council at a recent meeting, before publishing a formal statement on Somerset Council’s planning portal.

He said: “We would like to see a strip of land provided along the northern boundary of the proposed housing site, at Charter Way, to allow a future extension of the Strawberry Line path into the centre of Wells.

“The existing path to the west of Wells stops at the leisure centre. The eastern continuation of the path to Shepton Mallet starts behind the new Lidl store.

Efforts are being made to provide safe crossing points at Priory Road and Tucker Street.

“The long-term aim is to provide a suitable link between the Portway and the completed path near the leisure centre.

“This will enable safe off-road travel from the west of the city into the centre of Wells.”

Those wishing to reach the city centre from Charter Way currently have to navigate through residential streets onto the busy A371 Portway, using narrow pavements or sharing space with cars up to the junction with the A39 Strawberry Way.

From there the A39 bends south over the upgraded Burcott Road crossing, with a limited amount of shared use pedestrian and cycling paths being available before the revamped Lidl store, which opened in late-January.

The supermarket includes a new short section of cyclepath along West Street, enabling

onward travel to the Charlie Bigham food campus at Dulcote Quarry and the recentlycompleted Strawberry Line extension out to Churchill Batch Lane.

To make the journey from the Charter Way site safer, the Strawberry Line Society wish for the existing footpath on the rugby club’s boundary to be upgraded into a three-metrewide shared use path.

This path can then either connect up with existing quiet paths to Portway via Lethbridge Road or could transition into a sheltered ‘greenway’ delivered behind the existing homes on Lethbridge Road and Mount Pleasant Avenue, emerging on Portway near the existing crossing.

Mr Hathway added: “If this opportunity is lost and no suitable alternative link into the centre of Wells is found, future generations of cyclists, mobility scooter users and local walkers will be forced onto busy and dangerous roads to complete their journey to, from and through Wells.”

Somerset Council is expected to make decisions on both the Stonewater and the rugby club proposals before the end of the calendar year.

Councillors Tessa Munt and Theo Butt Philip (who represent the Wells division) have both requested that the final decisions be taken in public by the council’s planning committee east, rather than through the delegated powers of its planning officers.

The existing footpath north of the pitches at Wells RFC, top; and existing cycle lanes on the A39 Strawberry Way in Wells Pictures: Daniel Mumby

MESSAGE FROM THE MP

Wonderful to welcome visitors to Parliament

Thoughts of Wells and Mendip Hills MP

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

Tessa Munt

Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.

The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.

The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.

LAST month, it was wonderful to welcome Wells Oratorio Society to Parliament, where the members enjoyed a tour of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and I enjoyed meeting them in one of the Committee Rooms and answering their questions after their tour. There are plans in place for several other schools, societies and groups to visit Westminster, so if you belong to a local club, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll do our best to organise a day out in your Parliament.

action when laws are broken. I am deeply concerned about the speed of traffic and will continue to press for stronger action.

In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.

I spoke in a debate on speeding traffic, which I know affects many of you. It’s so frustrating that often the law exists, ready to be used, but there are not enough police to take

From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.

Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

In Parliament over the last month, I’ve spoken about: use by the NHS of different computer software systems – even across departments in the same hospital – which can’t ‘talk’ to each other, therefore compromising patient safety and care; water safety and the need for everyone to learn to swim; the fifth anniversary

of the Covid-19 outbreak; management of the contract for electronic tagging of prisoners once released; the few excluded from the Government’s Infected Blood Compensation Scheme; and improved availability of upto-date radiotherapy machines in the South West. These are all matters raised by you. I write to each Minister, requesting they take the action needed.

into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.

On the Justice Committee, we’re currently working on

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

three Inquiries: tackling drugs in prisons, the capacity and resources of the County Court, and rehabilitation and reoffending. If you’ve any thoughts on these subjects, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”

And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.

I will be running lots of ‘surgeries’ over the summer, so please feel free to come along. The full list is available if you call my team or email me. I am always happy to hear what matters most to you, whether it’s a local, national or global issue.

The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.

Locally, you’ll find me here: Saturday, August 2, from 8.30am to 10am at Coffee #1 in Wells High Street. No appointment is necessary – it’s first come, first served. If you can’t come to meet me, I’ll come to see you.

In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.

For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.

During the summer, I will also be running surgeries exclusively for young people aged 12-18. Please contact my office for information.

Tessa Munt with members of Wells Oratorio Society during their visit

n ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Planning Ahead: How Wells Funeral Services Can Help You Protect Your Legacy

At Wells Funeral Services, we understand that honouring a life means more than just planning your funeral — it also means preparing well for the future. That’s why we’ve partnered with My Probate Solicitors to offer professional support with Will writing, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Family Asset Protection Trusts.

The Importance of Writing a Will

Making a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that your wishes are followed after your death. Without a valid Will in place, your estate will be distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy — a strict legal framework that may not reflect your personal circumstances or wishes.

For example, if you are living with your

At Wells Funeral Services, we offer dignified and affordable funerals from £1,964, backed by 150 five-star reviews. Offices in Wells and Chilcompton, serving our community with care.

H H H H H

Read over 150 5-star Google reviews (as of May 2025)

partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, they would not be entitled to inherit under intestacy rules. This can lead to stress, confusion, and financial hardship at an already difficult time.

By writing a Will, you retain control over who receives your assets, who administers your estate, and how specific gifts or arrangements — including those for children or funeral wishes — are managed.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. There are two types:

l Health and Welfare – covering decisions around your care, medical treatment, and living arrangements.

l Property and Financial Affairs – covering your finances, property, and day-to-day money management.

Putting an LPA in place while you are still able provides reassurance that someone you choose will be able to act in your best interests, avoiding delays and complications later on.

PRICES FROM ONLY £1,964

Protecting Assets with a Family Asset Protection Trust

We also offer support with setting up a Family Asset Protection Trust. This allows you to transfer assets, such as your home or savings, into a trust during your lifetime. It can help:

l Protect your estate from potential care fees

l Prevent unintended inheritance disputes

l Ensure your assets pass smoothly to loved ones

Trusts provide flexibility and security, helping you to preserve what you’ve worked hard for.

Here to Support You

Through our collaboration with My Probate Solicitors, Wells Funeral Services offers a compassionate and knowledgeable service for families planning ahead. Whether you’re writing your first Will, setting up an LPA, or looking to protect your assets, we’re here to make the process simple, respectful, and reassuring.

Planning ahead is not just practical — it’s an act of love. Let us help you do it well.

n WHAT’S ON

Activities for summer holidays

FOR parents who are already being filled with dread at the thought of the long school summer holidays, The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells may have the solution with a packed programme of family-friendly activities and a bank holiday weekend full of medieval reenactments and demonstrations.

Little ones will be kept busy with family crafting sessions, Nature Ninjas workshops, family trails, and encouraged to ‘have-ago’ at Medieval Ground Billiards with The Time Travelling Carpenter on August 2.

The Dragon’s Lair play area, with a climbing frame, pole jungle, a waterwheel and sluice gates, is also a good place for little ones to let their imaginations run wild.

And medieval re-enactment and combat specialists, Bowlore Medieval, will be bringing the summer holidays to a dramatic close over the August Bank

Holiday weekend with a weekend of live displays of medieval weaponry, re-enactments, and expert demonstrations.

Encamped in the ruins of the Great Hall from August 23-25, the historical re-enactment group and medieval weapons experts will be hosting lively displays throughout the day.

The Black Dog, Bowlore’s weapons and armour tent, will also give visitors the chance

to get a glimpse of medieval life, and members of the Bowlore troupe will be on hand throughout the day to share their expertise and answer questions.

Entrance to the family activities and Medieval Weekend is included with general admission to The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens; there is no additional charge for the events.

More at www.bishopspalace. org.uk

Quaker meetings in Town Hall

ANYONE who has ever wondered what a Quaker meeting is like can find out every other Thursday at Wells Town Hall.

A friendly non-dogmatic bunch, valuing truth, equality, peace, simplicity and sustainability, they will offer a warm welcome on the second and fourth Thursdays at 1.30pm for 1.45pm-2.30pm in the Marshman Room. Tea and chat after.

Folk club nights

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

View every edition online

A Summer of Fun for Families at the Palace

Nature Ninjas – 31st July (11am – 3pm): Design your own watering can from a recycled plastic bottle

2nd August – The Time Travelling Carpenter: Medieval Ground

Billiards

7th August – family crafting activities

14th August – family crafting activities

Nature Ninjas – 21st August (11am – 3pm): Sow a ‘Roc ket Head’ 28th August – family crafting activities

Medieval Weekend with Bowlore (23rd-25th August)

The Dragon's Lair play area in 14 acres of RHS partner gardens M edieval Palace building and award winning café

Multi media audio tours for families

All included with admission! www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Medieval Weekend 23-25 Aug

Multi media audio tours

Family activities (various dates)

Bowlore Medieval at The Bishop’s Palace

n WHAT’S ON

Cathedral cider and cheese celebration

WELLS Cathedral will hold its first ever Cider & Cheese Festival on Saturday, September 27, from noon-9pm.

The event will be seasonal celebration of the finest West Country cider and cheese, topped off with live music. For more information, visit wellscathedral. org.uk/whats-on

Social Dancing

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

Special year for model railway show

THE Railwells model railway exhibition will be an extra special show this year.

The exhibition is a celebration of Railway 200 – the 200th anniversary of railways as they are known today – the EM Gauge 70 years, the 3mm Association 60 years, Scalefour Southwest and the 2mm Association’s Road Show.

Organised by the Wells Railway Fraternity, it takes place in Wells Town Hall on Saturday,

A variety of set dances can be taught. Further information: paulrharper@btopenworld.com or Hilary 07950 529187.

August 9 (10.30am-5pm), and Sunday, August 10 (10am-4pm). There is expected to be 12 layouts, 12 demonstrations and 18 traders in attendance.

One of the layouts, by Tim Venton, will show the Radstock tramway at Wellow as it would have been in 1825/6.

Admission is adults £10, accompanied child (14 and under) free, wheelchair-bound free, children 15-17 £5. More at www.railwells.com

PILATES AND BARRE

TUESDAYS

Pilates 9.15am

Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am

Leopard Print Bingo

Sunday, 3rd August at Sadlers Wine Bar & Lounge, Heritage Courtyard, Wells. Ticket sales start at 5pm, eyes down 6pm Books £12, many prizes, plus raffle. All house drinks £5 Wear leopard print to be entered into our prize draw To book, email booking@sadlerswinebar.com or call 01749 681982

Scottish dancing

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 for this lively and sociable activity.

To learn more about Scottish dancing or to register interest in joining, call Ann on 01934 740065 or email ann. wellsdancers@gmail.com

Weekly dance nights

Essential Mindful Exercise Core & More Functional Fitness Classes

www.healthtaichi.co.uk www.pilogafit.co.uk John Beasley 01749 672482

Irish Set Dancing

IRISH Set Dancing takes place on Thursdays from 8pm-10pm at Dinder Village Hall (BA5 3PB) near Wells. A lively social dance in sets of four couples, good for physical fitness and mental alertness. £3 entrance, includes refreshments.

Newcomers 18 to 80, no partner or previous experience needed. Children and parent(s) can watch or join in as desired.

Musical journey

THE next Trio Paradis monthly cafe concert in Wells will take place at St Thomas’ Church on Monday, August 4. Entitled Planes, Trains & Automobiles, it is described as being for young people of all ages.

Cafe with home-made cakes from 10.30am, with the concert starting at 11am. Entrance by donation, with a retiring collection.

Pub music events

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

The Wells Folk Sessions take place on the second Monday of every month at Queen Victoria

SLIMMING WORLD

Wednesdays 9:30am or 11am, Wells United Church, Union Street, BA52PU FB: search for “Wells Slimming World” Call Sarah: 07715 958590

WEDNESDAYS

Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm THURSDAYS

Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am FRIDAYS Pilates 9.15am

Location Wells Town Hall. Small, mixed ability classes. To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com

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

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

Sing-along sessions

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.

Relaxing Healing Meditation Group

A section of the Lananta Quay layout by Nick Salzman

Each Sunday in August from 2pm until 5pm, St Cuthbert’s Church tower will be open and visitors can climb up to enjoy the amazing views over the city and surrounding countryside. On the way up there is also a visit to the ringing chamber to find out about bell-ringing and have a go. Tickets for the tower tour are £6 for adults and £3 for children (from 8-16). Home-made cream teas and cakes will be available as well. Booking for the tower tours can be made by contacting the Parish Office at office@stcuthbertswells.co.uk or 01749 676906.

Social gatherings twice a month

THE Connect-Ed Inclusive Games and Social Group meets at The Lawrence Centre, Wells, from 3.30pm-5.30pm on the first and last Tuesday of each month.

The first Tuesday of each month will be a quiet session, and the last Tuesday of each month will be all welcome. The sessions provide a safe space for adults with Autism Spectrum Condition and/or mild learning disabilities. There is no cost to attend and refreshments are free of charge.

Members are welcome to come and go at any point during the sessions. Support staff, family and friends are also welcome.

Board game dates

WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, August 6, and Wednesday, August 20, from 7pm-9.30pm.

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

WELLS U3A

THIS is a sporting time of the year and Wells u3a is no exception, although we keep going throughout the year.

Tai Chi is one of these groups. They have been enthusiastically supported by their members and as there is a waiting list to join, they are excited to be starting a second group from September, and there are still a few spaces available for anyone interested in joining us from 11.15am until 12.15pm on Thursdays at the Museum.

This also applies to the u3a Table Tennis Group, which operates throughout the year. As an indoor group they are unmoved (that’s our normal playing style anyway) by heatwaves, thunderstorms, plagues of insects and failures of electronic line calls. Opportunities to play come around twice per week, firstly on Mondays at the Methodist Church Hall in Southover from 2pm to 3.30pm with the added bonus of tea and biscuits, and secondly on Tuesdays at The Blue School Sports Centre from 5pm to 6pm.

There are at least two tables in play at every session and there is the ability to increase this number, if required, particularly at The Blue School.

Virtually all matches are doubles and nearly always with a different partner for each game (a veritable paradise for ageing swingers!), giving cover and support to one’s own frailties.

Enthusiasm continues to run at a higher level than skills and techniques, but hope springs eternal and there are encouraging signs of noticeable improvement throughout. Guess we’ll just keep on swinging.

Another indoor group is Badminton who also meet weekly at The Blue School Sports Centre from 5pm and interrupted only by school exams and the occasional severe weather warning. Even if you haven’t played before, but have reasonable mobility and hand eye co-ordination, why not try it out? You may find it’s just the mixture of exercise and sport you will enjoy.

They always welcome new members, so if you wish to resurrect your badminton playing do get in touch with Wells u3a below.

The spring and summer

months are far mor attractive to the cycling groups. There are two groups, Cycling, who attempt longer rides, and an Easy Cycle rides who avoid the hills where possible.

The main cycling group have formed ‘cafe runs’ whereby a programme of rides to suitable cafes, and cycle to the cafe on the programme, going at their own pace and then all meet up. Otherwise they meet up on a regular basis and go on prearranged cycle rides.

The easy riders do take their bikes to various starting points but can take advantage of living near the Levels with lots of quiet, easy cycling roads to going via several of the villages in the area which also include cafes.

Wells u3a has two Walking groups and a Strollers group. The Walking groups meet on various days and keep in touch with each other as to what, where and when they are going to meet via various ways and do reasonably long walks with a rest along the way. The Strollers meet weekly, also with a variety of walks but

and you can find out more about them by going to our website https://wells.u3asites.uk or come along to our coffee morning on a Thursday at the Portway Annexe, 10.30am11.30am, and meet some of our members who will tell you all about us and you are then able to join on the day and then contact the group that you would like to join. If by any chance they are full, they will happily put you on a waiting list but come to other events in the meantime. Ann Brown and group leaders

RICHARD III SOCIETY SOMERSET BRANCH

THERE is no meeting in August. We resume on September 20 with a talk by Philip Hume on The Mortimers – The Ancestors of the House of York.

For more information, please contact Patsy Barrow on 01249 679296 or patsybarrow1948@ gmail.com

WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB

less strenuous.

There are two Pétanque groups that meet on various days at Wells Football Club. This is certainly a sport associated with lovely warm weather but our groups continue throughout the year whenever possible and enjoy a hot drink and biscuit at the half-time chat.

We have more than 50 interest groups within Wells u3a

ON Saturday, June 28, the club held its annual charity cream tea. Sixty members, friends and family attended a demonstration by Angie Blackwell and tea served by the committee.

Pat Ardron organised the sponsorship from Tesco in Wells, Midsomer Norton and the Co-op in Chilcompton for which we are very grateful, enabling our scone maker Elaine Lewis to make 150 scones on one of the hottest days of the year. This enables the club to donate £400 to each of the

Continued on page 42

Wells u3a members taking part in a table tennis session and Tai Chi

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

page 41

two charities we have chosen to support this year.

Tea was served before the demonstration as Angie was delayed. However, this did not spoil the event. On her arrival she was soon amusing us with her tales of life as a florist and arranger while demonstrating her designs. She donated her whole payment to our fund.

On Tuesday, July 8, at our last demonstration before we break for the summer, we welcomed Mick Fletcher from The Strawberry Line footpath project to receive the cheque for £400 from our chairman, Sylvia Ingham. The other recipient from Somerset Sight was unable to attend and that cheque was presented separately.

Then we welcomed our demonstrator Claire from Bouquet Cheddar and her assistant Robyn who was on work experience. After discussion with the audience the demonstration was entitled Cheddar Brings a Splash of Zest and Colour to Wells.

Claire’s first arrangement was a foam-free Constance Spry design using a mixture of garden flowers. Next was a completely different arrangement for a summer table. Three different sized bowls were first adorned with strings of satsumas before peach and orange spray roses, carnations, snapdragons and germinis were added to make a striking design.

Next a large floral ring was filled with delicate foliage and pastel-coloured summer flowers to which ribbons were attached so that it could be hung from above. A design in a small wooden box for a country wedding was next. This was filled with meadow flowers. A large cylindrical container was filled with a series of smaller containers which enabled longstemmed gladioli, roses, lilies and delicate pink anthureums to be supported without the use of floral foam.

The final arrangement was in two parts, one urn was filled with lilac and soft pink roses and white lisianthus and ami in a modern blocked design, while the other was a grand traditional design in rich plum and purple stocks, calla lilies, roses and dahlias finished with large dark blue hydrangeas. Ann Brown gave the vote of thanks

and Elaine Lewis and Jenny Bodenham served the teas.

Our next demonstration will be on Tuesday, September 9, when area demonstrator Alison Finch will give us her Toy Stories.

Tickets are now on sale for our Open Evening at the Little Theatre, Wells, on Tuesday, October 7, at 7.30pm. National demonstrator Pamela Lewis will be celebrating Mists and Mellow Fruits. Tickets are £20 from Suzy 07966 654307. Jenny Jones

WELLS TUESDAY WI

THIS month Kate Lynch demonstrated her mastery of charcoal, whilst encouraging us to draw along. Kate described how she uses charcoal from Coates of Stoke St Gregory to create fabulous texture in her pictures, and her love of the landscape of the Levels.

We have also enjoyed artistic talent in abundance from the

comedic Pantaloons in Sense and Sensibility at The Bishop’s Palace, The Magic Flute at St Cuthbert’s and the theatre festival’s performance of The Taming of the Shrew.

As our Thursday night pickleball session has been so successful, we held an Introduction to Pickleball session to allow other members to take up this fast-growing popular sport. A new daytime social session is now in full swing. We do try to combine an even number of daytime and evening sessions to meet our members’ needs.

As I write we are looking forward to the Italian Festival, Madonna tribute, a historical talk /walk and hosting our sister WI groups at the County Quiz.

WELLS MONDAY WI

WI group meetings are held 11 months of the year, normally excluding August as this was always classed as the holiday weeks in days gone by.

However, I am sure we would miss our friends if we took the break and of course not everyone goes on holiday at the same time these days, so for us it is a great time to organise something special. This year in August we are preparing to hold a hog roast to celebrate the 110th birthday of the Women’s Institute.

Wells Monday members are very excited about this event and the hog roast committee are working tirelessly to create something special. We have planned a fun afternoon of music and entertainment.

Members attending are not only from our group, we have also invited members and friends from Wells Tuesday WI, Shepton Mallet WI, Wookey Hole WI and Coxley WI. The County Chair and Trustees will also attend.

The ethos of the WI is to fundraise for local charities in various ways, we have chosen to bake cakes, make preserves and jams, hold a raffle and a create a plant stall to raise funds at our event.

Our members will be choosing the local charities to donate the proceeds to and we intend to invite someone from those charities to speak to us at our December meeting.

Wells Monday WI actively supports members’ ideas and we encourage everyone to

suggest or create small groups to enlighten our membership. We have groups for members to participate in walking, art, environmental activities, reading, craft and knitting.

On September 18 we are starting our WISA group: Women’s Institute Social Afternoon at the Portway Annexe from 2pm-4pm. Thursday, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 11, January 15 and February 19.

This group will run alongside our monthly meeting at the Town Hall on the third Monday of every month in the Parkes Room at 7pm. If you would like to join us please email wellsmondaywi@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook wellsmondaywi and Instagram wellswimon

MENDIP FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP

OUR eyes were opened with our speaker, Dylan Sawyer from Wells Community Church, who runs the Dairy House Project. This enables homeless individuals to live in a community setting giving them advice on life skills, and confidence to eventually become independent.

Members did not realise that many of them lived within ten minutes of the housing project without knowing it was there. We were invited to go to their farm shop for fresh produce.

Dylan was an inspiring speaker who showed the needed enthusiasm for this valuable asset.

Next month we look forward to hearing about life in Romania. Meetings take place at Binegar and Gurney Slade Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of the month from 10.30am-12.30pm.

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

WELLS ROTARY CLUB

LAST month, Wells Rotarians and friends were coming to the end of a week’s stewarding at Glastonbury Festival, raising thousands of pounds for local charities and having a lot of fun in the process.

Patrolling part of the

Top, demonstrator Claire (right) and her assistant Robyn; and above, Mick Fletcher from the Strawberry Line is handed a cheque for £400 by Sylvia Ingham From

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

Members of Wells Rotary Club on stewarding duty during Glastonbury Festival – an enjoyable and sometimes eye-opening experience village in Pilton, reassuring the residents and directing lost festival-goers is sometimes challenging, but is hardly ever dull. When halfway through a shift at night there’s a rustling in the bushes and two eyes are reflected in your torch beam, you can’t at first be sure whether it’s another ticketless fence-jumper trying to sneak past security; or just that pesky rabbit again or, if you’re lucky, another big-eyed hare.

Some chance their luck by trying to persuade us that the solid hard ball of mashed up paper is their ticket that’s been in the washing machine. Others simply ‘borrow’ a plank from a neighbouring garden and use it as a bridge to wobble across between conveniently placed storage units and the top of the security fence, or just try to dig under it.

One of our volunteer stewards, Rebecca, says: “When you’re stewarding at the Tythe Barn, next to the woods, sound layering is a useful skill. Birdsong, squirrels in the trees, blackbirds in the bushes, hares hopping past. So much noise in minute quantities. Wildlife in the woods of the two-legged variety often treads carefully too, but needs to be monitored and turned back where appropriate. This year we had the extra excitement of the two-legged variety carrying a full-sized scaffold plank up the woodland path. Lads in bucket hats and Bermuda shorts, with sudden shock on their faces as they dropped the plank, looked around in panic as we called security to escort them away, then retreated back down the path. Peace returned to the woodland.”

Another volunteer, Mike, reports: “We had a great time exploring every corner and genre of music they have to offer at

Glastonbury, but without doubt our favourite experience was coming across about 20 hippies crammed into a yurt dancing to some guy playing a hurdy gurdy. An instrument that apparently only two people now play; this guy was Sarah Brightman’s brother.”

Many strange and wonderful things happen inside the Festival. But for the team of Rotarians and friends returning to Pilton each year, the real magic comes from renewing the bonds within our group, and making new friendships with villagers year after year. While raising approximately £100,000 for charity over the last 35 years or so.

CITY OF WELLS PROBUS CLUB

THE speaker at our July meeting was Atis Autonovics with a talk entitled From Riga to Britain, Displaced.

In 1946, 400 Latvian women came to Britain as part of a scheme known as Baltic Cygnets. They were single women from displaced person camps in Germany and were brought in to work in TB hospitals as nurses, orderlies and cleaners.

They were required to stay in these jobs for two to three years and were subject to medicals and a minimum age. A year later 3,000 more people came and the European Voluntary Workers scheme was set up to recruit Latvians and other Baltic citizens to fill specific jobs in the UK.

Atis’ father came to Britain from a displaced persons camp north of Hamburg in Germany and was later followed by his wife and their two children. Atis used to think of himself as a refugee. He was born in Riga in1941. In 1940 the Russians took over Latvia and 15,000 people were deported from Riga.

His mother, who was a dentist, was dismissed and lost her home.

Then came the German invasion of the Baltic states and 70 to 80,000 Jews were murdered in 1941/2. In 1943 the German army was in trouble and the Russians were making a comeback.

In 1944 his family decided to leave for Germany where they lived in a camp near Hamburg. These camps were a UN responsibility and they were first looked after by American GIs and then by the British. General Patton wanted to send them home, but the Latvians lobbied hard against this and Eisenhower agreed not to send them back.

The inmates were mostly sent to Australia, Canada and Britain and Atis’ father was sent to England. His mother followed later with the three children and they were sent to West Wells camp near Bath. They were later reunited with their father and lived near Gravesend.

Their mother managed to reestablish herself as a dentist and set up a practice in North Kent. Atis went to good schools and the family remained in the UK.

After the talk we had a lively discussion on energy.

If you want to know more about Probus look at the City of Wells Probus Club online at probusonline.org

HENTON AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

COME and join us at the Henton and District Gardening Club –there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the programme of talks and events we have planned for the coming year may just have something of interest for you.

Our season kicks off on Wednesday, September 17, when

garden writer Val Bourne will be talking about Bombproof Roses for the Modern Gardener – a must for anyone who’s struggled with these tricky blooms. Val is an award-winning garden writer, and a very hands-on organic gardener. She will share her experience of managing a garden without using chemicals. She has also identified some super-healthy roses which she grows successfully in her Spring Cottage garden in the Cotswolds. Looking ahead, we’ve got a great programme lined up for the coming year, with a wide variety of talks including:

n October – An Evening with Colin Varndell, Dorset-based natural history photographer known for his evocative images of wildlife and landscapes n February – Square Metre Gardening: How to Grow Veg in Small Spaces with Claire Hart n April – The Magic of Herbs with Bett Partridge n May – The Secret Lives of Garden Bees with Jean Vernon

Our July event is an outing, this year it was a coach trip to the beautiful Heale House gardens. The outing was well attended, the weather was kind, and the gardens were simply stunning –a real treat for the senses and a lovely opportunity to catch up with friends and fellow garden enthusiasts.

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at Henton Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, a chance to chat, a raffle, and plant sales. Talks begin at 7.30pm. New members are always welcome – it’s the perfect time to join, or just come along and see what we’re about. Visitors just £5. You can find much more information on our website: www.hentongardenclub.weebly. com

Continued on page 44

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

From page 43

WELLS NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY

THE Wells Natural History and Archaeology Society completed its round of field excursions with a visit to Ham Hill Country Park. In glorious weather we conquered the geology trail before recharging our batteries at the handily located Prince of Wales.

Earlier in the year the group enjoyed a trip to King John’s Hunting Lodge in Axbridge and had an absorbing tour of the Brassmill in Keynsham.

ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

FOR our July meeting we had a very friendly evening listening to Frankie Chowles talking of how her life changed through a chance meeting when her children were young and how that impacted on her future.

Training to be a Montessori teacher shaped both her and her children’s lives and became so important to them, entailing much travelling and making many friends and acquaintances. It proved to be an intimate and happy evening even though we had far fewer members attending than usual.

On August 6 we will be going to The Loft for a cream tea so our next regular meeting is on September 3 at 7pm in St Thomas’ Church Hall. Pat Dyer

WELLS AND DISTRICT WILDLIFE GROUP

THE recent warm, sunny weather has been good for butterflies. On a buddleia (often called the ‘butterfly bush’) I have recorded up to seven species and upwards of 20 individuals at any one time.

While it is good to have sources of nectar for butterflies and other insects, we should also think about providing areas they can lay their eggs and where their caterpillars can feed. Species such as Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood use areas of long grass to lay their eggs. Holly Blue favour ivy and holly and if you have a patch of nettles in a sunny area it will be used by Red

Admiral, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. As always areas set aside for wildlife pays dividends.

The group has two events planned during August.

On Thursday, August 7, there will be a glow worm walk. Stroll through the back lanes of Westbury sub-Mendip after dark (9pm-10.30pm) with expert Peter Bright. No dogs. Walking along a rather rough and ready country lane. Wheelchair accessible but with care. Willingness to walk in the dark with no torch is important. Exact location given on booking. Numbers are limited so booking is essential. £5 per person (under 16s free) payable on booking.

Secondly, on Friday, August 15, there will be a visit to Heal rewilding. Jan Standard launched the rewilding charity Heal in March 2020 to raise money to buy land in England for nature recovery, climate change action and wellbeing. The charity’s goal is to create a new site in every English county and Heal acquired its first site, Heal Somerset, in December 2022.

Jan came and talked to our group about the project towards the end of 2024. Beginning at 10am, the visit will include an overview of the project followed by a description of what the beavers have been up to. We’re unlikely to actually see any beavers – they are mostly nocturnal but we should see evidence of their activities. You will then have free time to wander around the site at will. Why not bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it?

Heal is close to Witham

Friary which is about a 40-minute drive from Wells: directions will be given on booking. Car share, if possible, but some places will be made available for those who can’t or don’t wish to drive themselves.

Numbers are restricted so booking is essential. £12 per adult (payable on booking).

For more details or to reserve a place on any of these events please go to bookings@wdwg. org.uk

Graham Allen

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

YOU don’t appreciate things until they are gone. Or so they say. Swifts screaming in the summer sky, the cuckoo in spring and the chirping suburban house sparrows. Gardens are no strangers to these disappearing acts but that’s probably caused by the different problem of well-meaning mismanagement or straightforward, bungling neglect. Trees, especially large ones, leave a gap which seems to be more than mere space. That picturesque corner of The Liberty in Wells is a case in point. No, not quite the Cheviots but the loss of the venerable cedar is substantial. Cedars House itself was built in 1758 and the trees would have been planted at about the same time, fashionable additions to any wealthy landowner’s property.

Cedars were strange and exotic and mentioned in the Old Testament. There was a market for them all over Europe; nations were vying with each other to grab a novel introduction in

the plant world. This in turn gave rise to volumes of stories, some true, some not and mostly flavoured with a dose of hyperbole. The introduction of the cedar tree into France illustrates this entertainingly. The Jardin des Plantes (or Plant Garden) was established on the bank of the River Seine in Paris in 1626. According to the Rev C Johns, the Victorian botanist in his book on trees, the tale goes something like this. Bernardin de Saint Pierre, director of the botanic garden, was travelling in the Holy Land and anxious to take home a memento of his visit.

A seedling cedar was located, tenderly uprooted and, for want of a suitable pot, planted in his hat. The voyage home was rough and the supply of water fell short. Rationing was imposed, the captain allowed two glasses a day, the crew one glass and the passengers only half a glass. The single-minded botanist sacrificed a share in the daily ration to keep his baby alive. On arrival at the home port our traveller was almost dying, while his child was a noble little tree six inches high. The customs officials suspected smuggling, but our hero implored their restraint, eloquently quoting the passages in the Bible of the Cedars of Lebanon and the Song of Solomon. The plant was spared and planted in 1734, becoming the noble tree that stands in Paris today.

The second version of the story is less sentimental. With each European country competing with each other in the 18th century, Bernard de Jussieu crossed the Channel to obtain his specimen. The cedar had been introduced here in 1630. Returning home the pot with its precious cargo broke and a bit of improvisation with the hat ensured a safe destination. The real trouble with trees is that they need time to grow, and space.

There will be no meeting of the Gardening Club in August but we shall reconvene on September 11 with a talk on Roses and Peonies by Charles Chesshire at 7pm in the Town Hall. There will be access via the lift if required. On September 18 a visit to RHS Rosemoor in Devon has been arranged. All are welcome to join us.

More at wellsgarden.club Pip Harwood

Members of the Wells Natural History and Archaeology Society pictured during their visit to Ham Hill Country Park

Do you have a news story? Email: news@wellsvoice.co.uk

Would you like to advertise? Email: sales@wellsvoice.co.uk View every issue of Wells Voice online at issuu.com/wellsvoice

Play-off needed for first time

CROQUET

PALACE Croquet Club, which plays on the lawns at The Bishop’s Palace, held a social day for members on July 7.

The games of Golf Croquet are 20 minutes long and players score as many hoops as they can in that time. Each game is played with a different partner. Scores are kept for each player and the player with the highest score at the end of the day is the winner.

On this occasion it was a tie between James and Les, so for the first time ever there was a play-off. Other members sat in the shade and watched. The playoff was a close thing and finally won by Les. The ladies’ cup was won by Marion.

The club will hold another ‘Fun Tournament’ for members in September as it is a popular event.

Captains’ Charity Day raises £5.5k

MENDIP Golf Club Captains

Jack Hayes and Louise Scott held a successful Charity Day to raise funds for their chosen charity, Mind in Somerset. A full entry list of 144 players, with a large number of visitors, competed in a Shambles Texas Scramble event on a sunny day with a couple of showers thrown in. There were numerous volunteers running various events alongside the main competition including a First Tee Twist where the players had to spin the wheel to determine which of the odd clubs that Jack had chosen they had to use to tee off.

The winning team with 110 points, but only after count back, were Jenny Merrett, Ryan Light, Janet Light and Peter Merrett, with Tim Flagg, Cameron Elliott, Chris Webber and Carlo Yates in second place. Third with 107 points were Mark George, Graham Colbourne, Andy Stott and Dave Cox. The charity were the real winners, with £5,500 raised on the day.

111 Men competed in the annual running of the Jubilee Cup. Div 3 was won by Charlie Barber with 69. Div 2 was won by Steve Cox, and Div 1 went to Jack Vowell with 70. The Cup went to 16 handicap James Richards with a fine net 67. The Gross award went to Dan Owen with 72.

The Club Championships were held over a very hot weekend with the course set up

at its most challenging. 83 men competed with 14 players with handicaps of 5 and below. The new Men’s Champion is David Goldie (2) with a 36-hole score of 147, 5 over par. The Frost Cup, the net competition, went to 14-year-old Alec Roberts with a 36-hole total of 132, 10 under par. Second was Trevor Messenger with 136. Not to take anything away from the first two but a very special mention to the third placed player, Selwyn Rees. A great challenge in golf has always been to shoot a score better than your age and Selwyn achieved that with a Gross 87 on the second day, Selwyn is 88 years old, amazing achievement.

The Ladies Club Championships was played on the same weekend as the Men’s but with a much smaller field. The Ladies Champion is Aimee Sawyer who retained her title

and who has now won on seven occasions.

Mendip’s Aimee Sawyer, Ellen Reakes and Libby Dezis were all part of the Somerset County Team competing in the annual South West Counties event held at East Devon. They all contributed good points from their matches and Somerset had a fine win overall and now progress as the South West Champions to compete in the National Finals.

Lady Captain Louise Scott held a very successful Lady Captain’s Away Day when 28 played at Lyme Regis despite having to battle the sea mist which rolled in and out at various times. Run this year as a selected team event the winners were Jane Ball, Susan Forshaw, Julie Doyle and Susy Rudkin. The Individual competition went to Carol Howerd.

GOLF

Mendip Golf Club’s Men’s Captain Jack Hayes is pictured, second left, during the Charity Day

Club Chairman Nicky Davey presents the trophies to Fun Day winners Marion, left, and Les, right