Wells Voice March 2025

Councils agree deal on devolution of services

WELLS City Council has agreed a devolution package with Somerset Council to save local services, and to take on the running of the weekly markets.

The city council’s precept –its share of council tax – is going up to cover the cost of services that are being devolved. With Somerset Council set to put up its share of council tax above the norm as it grapples with its ‘financial emergency’, and the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority announcing increases as well, council tax payers are likely to notice a sharp rise in bills when they are delivered in the next few weeks.

The city council has debated the devolution of services on numerous occasions in recent months and during their discussions, councillors have considered the impacts to residents of the loss of services, whilst being aware that the

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Friends and family gathered to wish Julie Romeo (third from left) a very happy retirement on her last day of trading in Wells. Julie has run Earthcraft on Priory Road for 45 years and has been the ‘go to’ place for all types of craft materials and other treasures in her Aladdin’s Cave. Julie said she has no immediate plans but is looking forward to time to develop some of her own hobbies.

Community Shed offered new location

THE Wells Community Shed (WCS) has found somewhere to move to when it has to leave its site at Heads Up.

For more than six years the WCS has provided a safe space for people, particularly older men, to get together to socialise and work on craft projects in a building at the Heads Up site at Upper Breach, South Horrington.

In November, Heads Up told WCS that it would have to move, as it needs more space for its own activities. On January 31, Trustees gave WCS three months’ formal notice that it must be out by April 30.

Now, following an article in Wells Voice about WCS’s search for new premises, somebody has come forward to offer the use of a building at Launcherley, near Wells.

“Members are delighted that we have found an alternative location,” said Steve Whitby, one

The bench that was repaired recently by Wells Community Shed members for The Bishop’s Palace

‘This is a lifeline for us. We are very grateful for the generous offer’

of the volunteers who help run the Shed.

“It was looking as if we might have had to wind up operations. We had held discussions about the possibility of relocating to other sites, including the Portway Annexe, but nothing had materialised until now.

“This is a lifeline for us. We are very grateful for the generous offer.”

The Shed was opened in 2018 by then MP James Heappey. Woodworking has been a major activity, including the making of bird tables and hedgehog boxes, and members renovated several garden benches for The Bishop’s Palace. The most recently repaired bench was delivered in February.

Back in November, Wendy Attridge, the Chair of Trustees at Heads Up, explained that WCS was being asked to move because an increase in client numbers and demand on Heads Up’s services meant that the mental health charity needed more space for its own operations.

“The Trustees’ obligation is to the wellbeing of its charity, and over six years, situations have changed,” she said.

Membership of the Shed has grown steadily over the years.

Members include women as well as men, and there is a waiting list to join.

WCS is hoping that the new base at Launcherley will be up and running from May onwards. It is possible that at the new location, the Shed might be able to open more often than its current two mornings a week.

Steve Whitby said that they are looking for grants to help pay for removal costs, and for companies that can help with removals. It is likely that some of the surplus equipment will be given to other community groups.

Steve added that WCS is hoping to set up car groups with volunteer drivers who can transport members from Wells to Launcherley and back.

Anybody who can help in any way is asked to contact Steve by emailing steve.whitby@wellscommunity-shed.uk or calling 07468 317217.

Unparalleled

n

Dog show novice wins place at Crufts

A WELLS woman who has recently taken up dog-showing has amazed herself by qualifying for Crufts.

The event, described as the world’s greatest dog show, takes place this year at The NEC Birmingham from March 6-9. And among those taking part will be Susie Curteis-Lateo with her Standard Longhaired Dachshund Swansford Priyankadora.

Susie has run the Greenacres Dog Hotel near Wells for more than 11 years, looking after pets while their owners are on holiday. Because it can be a solitary job, and she loves to learn new skills, she decided that learning about showing and taking part would help her meet other like-minded people.

“All my life I’ve had rescue dogs, never had a pedigree dog before, so I decided a Standard Long-haired Dachshund was the right breed for me as my first pedigree dog to show with,” she said.

She researched the breed, went to Dachshund shows, and began attending Crufts. She spoke to breeder Daniel Roberts from Stafford at Crufts 2024 just before he won the Best of Breed in the Long-haired Dachshund class with Swansford Gabrieldor, the father of Susie’s dog – Daniel had a litter of puppies available, and was happy for Susie to take one of them on.

“I have plenty of enclosed land – nine acres – so we have plenty of space for Swansford Priyankadora to run around in,”

‘I thought it would take me several years before I could show at Crufts’

she said. “Due to the nature of my business we always have lots of visiting dogs so there’s always someone for her to play with, which is excellent for her social skills.”

Breeder Daniel introduced Susie to ring-craft and she started going to shows as soon as Swansford Priyankadora was six months old, and was placed

third in the hound class at her first show. “This gave me the confidence to enter more shows and people encouraged me to enter a championship show. I entered The Ladies Kennel Association show at Stafford, got placed second, and I qualified to go to Crufts,” said Susie.

“This was a shock because I thought it would take me several years before I could show at Crufts. So as a complete novice knowing nothing about showing, after six months I am now going to Crufts.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far and I can’t wait for what the future holds.”

Susie said that when she started Greenacres Dog Hotel, it was the first non-kennels in Wells. She continues to develop her business, and has just had the website upgraded (www. doghomecare.co.uk). Greenacres Dog Hotel is also one of the sponsors of Wells Football Club.

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Susie Curteis-Lateo with Swansford Priyankadora

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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.

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Entries selling fast for 2025 Wells Festival of Running

MORE than 200 runners have taken advantage of early bird prices and have already booked their place at the Wells Festival of Running on Sunday, May 25.

The event includes 5km and 10km races starting in front of the Bishop’s Eye gateway in the Market Place. Runners head out to Dulcote on closed roads before returning to the finish along the Bishop’s Palace Moat. There is also a 1.2k race for children aged 12 and under which heads down High Street and back to the Moat via Silver Street – both roads are closed to ensure a safe

running route for the youngsters. All finishers will receive a highquality dye cast medal with a distinctive local design.

Alongside the three main races, organisers hope to bring a festival atmosphere to Wells for the day with sports day-style races and activities for younger children. Organised entirely by volunteers, the event is supported by Wells City Harriers and aims to attract runners of all abilities and ages.

Early bird prices end on February 28. To enter, visit www. wellscityharriers.co.uk/wells

Two £2,000 bursaries on offer

TWO bursaries each of £2,000 are being offered to outstanding local scholars on entering their first year of further education or university.

The bursaries are being offered by The Hambleton Trust – motto ‘Strive to Excel’ –financed by Wells businessman Paul Hambleton. To qualify for an application, the scholars need to be attending either The Blue School, Wells, or Wells Cathedral School, and to have applied for a business-based course.

Each bursary will be

paid directly towards either tuition fees, IT equipment, accommodation or course travel. Applications need to be submitted between July 1 and August 15, 2025, to paulhambleton2@btinternet. com

Successful applicants will be notified by September 15.

The Hambleton Trust is supported by Paul Hambleton Estates Ltd; Queen Street Deli, Wells Ltd; Burns the Bread; Herbie Von Der Stein Specialist Joinery; and Wells City Floors.

us or order online at orientexpressofwells.co.uk ~ DELIVERY AVAILABLE ~

Wells Voice on UK awards shortlist

WELLS Voice is again in the running to be named the UK’s Hyperlocal Newspaper of the Year. It is one of the finalists in this year’s Newspaper Awards, the third year in a row the publication has been shortlisted.

The other independent community newspapers that have been shortlisted in the

hyperlocal category are City Matters, Hackney Citizen, The Bristol Cable, The Peckham Peculiar, The West Dorset Magazine and The Worthing Journal.

The winners of all the categories will be announced at a gala event at the London Hilton Bankside on Wednesday, April 2.

The start of a previous running festival race Picture: Charles Whitton Photography

n NEWS

Chance to hear latest about saving The Brit

THERE will be an opportunity in April for residents to learn more about the community project to buy and reopen The Britannia Inn, including details of the share offer.

More information will be provided at a drop-in session being held in St Thomas’ Church Hall on the afternoon of Saturday, April 5. Members of the East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS) steering group will be on hand to talk about the campaign to buy the pub and how people can do their bit for The Brit by become community shareholders.

The Chair of the steering group, Councillor Theo Butt Philip, said: “Over the last few years, many people have asked me about The Brit and told me how keen they are to see our pub reopened.

“After months of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers, everyone in Wells

will now have an opportunity to play their part in saving this vital community facility. I know the strength of this community, I am optimistic about the reaction.”

The Britannia Inn on Bath Road, Wells, has been empty for nearly four years, but community campaigners have been determined to ‘Save the Brit’ and re-establish its place as an important focal point for local people.

The pub is for sale with Caldecotte Group, which was asking £350,000 for it but has recently lowered the asking price to £300,000. East Wells CBS has been set up to lead efforts to buy the pub for the community and repair and refurbish the building.

A bid had been prepared to submit to the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which could have provided half the required funding, but that

scheme was put on hold when the General Election was called and has not reopened.

The meeting on April 5 will allow residents to look at the East Wells CBS Business Plan and Share Prospectus – which will also be published online –and ask questions of members of the steering group. Refreshments will be available including a licensed bar.

Last year, The Britannia Inn was registered as an Asset of Community Value by Somerset Council, following an application by Wells City Council.

In a consultation conducted in 2024 through Wells Voice and online, 90 per cent of respondents said that it is important or very important to have a local pub in East Wells.

The Save the Brit campaign has the backing of local MP Tessa Munt and the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt Rev Michael Beasley.

The Britannia Inn last served customers in June 2021

City council to have more responsibility

From page 1

cost-of-living crisis is still being keenly felt.

They have also considered the community feedback received via written statements, the public consultation evening held last September in the Town Hall, and the recent requests for opinion through Wells Voice. The vast majority of people who responded expressed the view that maintaining local services was critical and that providing them locally through Wells City Council rather than the current arrangement with Somerset Council would benefit the city.

In January, the council took a decision in readiness for these services being passed from Somerset Council, and increased its precept to ensure that there were adequate funds to continue delivery of these functions, which include grass cutting, hedge management, play parks, public toilets and trees on councilowned land.

The city council’s Devolution Officer, Haylee Wilkins, provided a report for councillors that was considered at the Finance and Council Matters Committee meeting and the Full City Council meeting in December 2024. The report outlined that the cost of the services that the city council is taking on would equate to £510,043 per year.

With this in mind, a precept of £1,603,433 for 2025/26 was approved – up from £1,178,497 in 2024/25, a rise of £424,936, or 36 per cent. For the city

of services and locations which will now be managed by the city council can be found on its website: www.wells.gov.uk

Residents who would like to raise concerns and receive updates on Wells City Council services can attend the Annual Parish Meeting in Wells Town Hall on March 5 at 7pm, where updates will be provided by committee chairs of the actions completed within the year.

All meetings of the council are open to the public as well, and dates for these can be found on the council website.

Somerset Council

council element of council tax, residents will see an average increase of £137.35 per year.

Through the negotiations with Somerset Council, the city council has also secured a number of key assets which will, it is expected, be further developed into a wider income strategy for the council. These include the weekly markets, alongside securing other assets such as closed cemeteries, allotments and the skatepark.

“The decision to increase the precept is not one that has been taken lightly,” said Councillor Stewart Cursley, the council’s Chair of Finance and Council Matters Committee.

“When considering the impacts to our residents, we have weighed up the financial impact, as well as the feedback we have received from residents, regarding those services that are considered to be of the greatest value and set a precept accordingly.

“We have challenged officers to provide realistic budgetary predictions to ensure that we can sustain services and through efficiencies, in some cases offering a greater level of service than is currently delivered.”

Services and assets will be transferred to Wells City Council by May 31 and a full list

‘The decision to increase the precept is not one that has been taken lightly’

SOMERSET Council has transferred the running of services to a number of other councils, but its share of council tax could still rise by 7.5 per cent – 2.5 per cent above the national cap of five per cent – following an announcement from the Government.

The council had been seeking Exceptional Financial Support from the Government as part of its budget setting for 2025/26, saying that despite taking emergency action to reduce costs and plans to save a further £47 million next year, including £34 million by reducing the number of staff and managers employed by April 2025, it was still facing a gap of about £66 million for 2025/26.

Leader Bill Revans wrote to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to highlight the challenge and request Exceptional Financial Support, and MHCLG has confirmed that Somerset Council will be allowed to raise council tax by up to 7.5 per cent. The council will now meet to decide whether to agree to the increase.

Cllr Revans said that the announcement “gives us clarity and we will need to consider the implications before we finalise our budget proposals for debate and decision at Full Council”.

The budget setting Full Council meeting will take place on March 5.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner AVON and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody has confirmed an increase in the policing part of the council tax for 2025/26 of £14 more per year for the average Band D household.

The PCC’s proposal was supported by the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on February 4.

The approved increase, which the BBC says represents a five per cent rise, equates to approximately £1.16 per month. This decision follows the public consultation where 3,146 residents across the region shared their views. The majority supported a precept increase of £10 or more (52 per cent).

Each year, the PCC sets the police precept, the portion of council tax that funds local police services. This funding makes up 43 per cent of Avon and Somerset Police’s overall budget, with the remainder coming from central government grants.

PCC Clare Moody said: “I know the cost of living is a concern for many, and I did not take this decision lightly. It is my responsibility to ensure our

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody police service has the resources to continue tackling crime, keeping communities safe, and improving trust and confidence in policing.”

This year’s precept will generate an additional £8.5 million for Avon and Somerset Police.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority

THE Fire Authority met on February 17 to discuss proposals and recommendations following a consultation on its council tax precept, which it says showed that 64 per cent of businesses and 74 per cent of residents agreed that it would be reasonable for the Authority to consider increasing its council tax charge for 2025/26.

The recommended option was to increase the council tax precept by £5 for the year, a five per cent increase over 2024/25, which the Fire Authority agreed with and approved.

Wells Town Hall, where decisions about services will be made from June 1

New Town Clerk ‘honoured’ to be appointed

WELLS City Council has appointed Haylee Wilkins as the new Town Clerk to succeed Steve Luck. Mr Luck is retiring in May after working in a multitude of roles at the council for more than 35 years.

Ms Wilkins, who has been the council’s Devolution Officer for the past year, will take over the Town Clerk role from February 24.

Mr Luck said: “I am looking forward to my retirement, after serving Wells for some time.

“My thanks go out to both those I have worked with, and my family who have and continue to support me. I am delighted in the appointment of the new Town Clerk and I know that I am leaving the council in safe and capable hands.”

Chairman of the Finance and Council Matters Committee, Councillor Stewart Cursley, said: “We have had the privilege of having a capable and

knowledgeable Town Clerk for a long time, in Stephen Luck, and the council wishes him the very best of luck and health for his retirement.”

The council completed what it said was a rigorous recruitment exercise to appoint a new Town

Clerk to deliver future services of the council, recognising the change in need for the community of Wells, and the growing public service demand following the devolution from Somerset Council.

At the Full Council meeting

on January 30, councillors voted to appoint Haylee Wilkins as the new Town Clerk.

Ms Wilkins has extensive local government knowledge, including as Assistant Chief Executive at Mendip District Council. She said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the new Town Clerk for Wells City Council, and excited to work with the knowledgeable and skilled staff and councillors of the council to deliver excellent services to the community of Wells.”

The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Brown, said: “We are delighted to appoint Haylee Wilkins as our new Clerk and have every faith that she has the skill, experience and vision to lead the council into the next important phase. I believe I can speak for all councillors of Wells City Council in saying that we are very much looking forward to working with her.”

Wells City Council’s new Town Clerk Haylee Wilkins, right, with the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Browne

Lions say thank you to Wells community

THE City of Wells Lions have given a big thank you to the people of Wells for the support that has been given for events they have run over the past few months.

The Lions say they were delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves at the raft racing on The Bishop’s Palace Moat on the August Bank Holiday Monday, and pleased that they have been able to provide some solace and a focus for remembrance for those who have lost loved ones with the Tree of Light in St Cuthbert’s Church in December.

The events are made possible by local businesses sponsoring them, and the people of Wells supporting them, which makes it possible for donations to be given to local charitable organisations.

This month the YMCA Wells Youth Club received £100 towards the purchase of arts and crafts for their evening club meetings. Somerset Prostate Support Association has been given £280 towards the cost of running a free testing session for men aged 40 or over between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, May 10, in Croscombe Village Hall (see page 9). From the donations for stars on the Tree of Light, £150 has been given to the St Cuthbert’s Church Disaster Emergency Committee Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.

On Friday, March 28, thanks to sponsorship by Peter Douglas of Wells in Broad Street and support from St Thomas’ Church, City of Wells Lions are able to run a rock ’n’ roll evening in the church featuring the ever popular local plumber Steve

at various establishments in Wells and will be collecting for Marie Curie in the entrance of Morrisons on Saturday, March 1.

Abbot and the Loose Ends. The Lions want to help The Lawrence Centre, a local charitable organisation that does so much to support the older Wells community, and other local charitable organisations. Tickets are £8 and are now available at the Tourist Information Office and, if not sold out, for cash or card (internet permitting) on the door. There will be a licensed bar.

City of Wells Lions have also distributed the Daffodil boxes

People who would like to find out more about what City of Wells Lions do to help support the Wells community are welcome to visit the social and business meetings. Planning for the next raft racing on the Bishop’s Palace Moat has started already. Call 0345 833 6736 or email cityofwellslions@gmail. com

Heads Up named as awards finalist

THE Heads Up mental health charity at South Horrington is one of finalists in this year’s Somerset Business Awards. The judges visited the shortlisted businesses, charities and organisations before making their final decisions.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the awards, run annually by Somerset Chamber

of Commerce. Heads Up is a finalist in the Charity of the Year Award category, alongside bibic and Somerset Cricket Foundation.

The grand final will be hosted by Global broadcast journalist Cormac MacMahon at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on March 28.

City of Wells Lions present cheques to Wells Youth Club, top, and Somerset Prostate Support Association

Children’s theatre shows set to delight

PLANS for an exciting programme of productions for this year’s Wells Theatre Festival in June are underway.

As ever there will be the popular children’s theatre shows including the return of the acclaimed AKA Dance Company’s Shed-Ache which delighted audiences of school children with its madcap antics on the Recreation Ground last year.

Also returning to this year’s festival is the award-winning Scratchworks Theatre Company with a new show. The Mushroom Show is a family show for ages 5+. It explores the world of fungi, what they can do, and what humans can learn from them. Blending audience interaction, games, original music and physical storytelling, the show explores the importance of community and how people can ask for help. The Mushroom Show will also come with a postshow workshop.

Scratchworks are bringing The Mushroom Show to Wells

New to the festival this year are Coppice Theatre with How to Catch a Witch, an open-hearted show aimed at children aged 3+ that explores the importance of libraries, sharing stories and not judging people.

The show features live music, puppetry and storytelling with

Free prostate cancer testing event

SOMERSET Prostate Support Association is hosting a free prostate cancer testing event at Croscombe Village Hall (BA5 3RJ) on Saturday, May 10, for men aged 40 and over.

Every year in the UK 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 10,000 die from the disease. Early diagnosis can be crucial to successful treatment.

The event on May 10 runs from 10am-4pm. Appointments take 10-15 minutes and must be booked online in advance. It will not be possible to be tested on the day without a prior appointment.

All tests are confidential and are carried out by qualified medical practitioners. Appointments can be booked through the website spsa.uk, where people will be able to locate the event, register themselves using their email address, and book a slot.

For any questions regarding the tests, contact Peter Hopwood: call 01458 441669 or email peterhopwood46@gmail. com

SPSA says that donations for future testing events will be gratefully received either at the event or via spsa.uk where donations can be made online.

its predecessor. New section of Strawberry Line: page 27

key word signing and integrated captions.

The festival organisers are finalising plans for the rest of the festival which will include the return of award-winning actor and writer Jonathan Guy Lewis, who wowed audiences with his one-man tour de force

I found My Horn and whose highly acclaimed play, Soldier On played to sell-out audiences in what was the first ever transformation of the Bishop’s Barn into a theatre space back in 2019. This year, Jonathan is bringing a new one-man show which will explore mental health.

As ever the cornerstone of the festival will be the community theatre production which this year will be William Shakespeare’s controversial comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, to be performed inside the Bishop’s Barn.

Ros Johnson, Artistic Director of Wells Theatre Festival, said: “We are so looking forward to this year’s festival, a lot is still in the planning stages so watch this space.”

The Wells Theatre Festival will run from June 19-22. Public booking for the festival will open in April. More information at www.wellstheatrefestival.org

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The new Lidl store on Strawberry Way in Wells opened on January 30. It has been built on the same site as the original store but is nearly twice the size of

Grants handed out to three good causes

THREE good causes in Wells received a welcome cash boost when community-conscious Tesco colleagues handed out grants worth £3,000.

Burcott & District Riding for the Disabled was able to celebrate after receiving a cheque for £1,500, which will pay for new equipment and training for additional volunteers.

Another establishment to receive funding was St Cuthbert’s C of E Academy. It was awarded £1,000 to develop the playground so that children’s social and emotional wellbeing is enhanced by offering them a calming outdoor environment.

The third good cause to be awarded funds was Wells Theatre Festival. It received £500, which will be used to bring world-class contemporary theatre to rural Somerset and provide educational opportunities for local children.

The funding came from

Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme, in partnership with the Groundwork charity, which supports many Somerset community projects and good

causes, giving away thousands of pounds.

Helena Crowley, chair of Burcott & District RDA, said: “We’re very grateful to Tesco for this essential funding. It will go towards helping our young people. During Covid we were unable to operate as normal, so we are now pushing hard to get new volunteers and clients back to full activity.

“Our aim is to provide therapeutic sessions which normally involve riding but also include spending time with our horses and ponies, getting to know them and learning about how to look after them.

“Spending time with horses is proven to reduce anxiety, encourage interaction, increase self-esteem and facilitate the expression of feelings and emotions.

“In physical terms riders exercise over a hundred muscles a minute, without knowing it,

making each trip to the stables an unwitting physiotherapy session.”

Burcott & District RDA, based at Burcott Riding Centre near Wells, has been established for more than 30 years. Riders attend as individuals with a parent or carer, or within a group from their school.

Tracey Keating, Store Manager at Tesco Wells Superstore, said: “We’re delighted that we can help groups and clubs in Somerset.

“Stronger Starts invites our customers to use their blue tokens to vote for local schemes they feel will benefit children and young people, and it’s so good to see the impact that the funding makes.”

Shoppers can support local school and children’s groups by dropping the Tesco blue token they receive at checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the store.

All made in OUR factory

A riding session in progress at Burcott Riding Centre

n NEWS

Lessons about making good use of food

STUDENTS at The Blue School, Wells, are learning more about healthy eating thanks to the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme and food rescue and education charity UKHarvest.

Through the donation of blue tokens to their cause by customers at the Wells Tesco store, UKHarvest received £1,500 to deliver its educational programme at The Blue School, which it is doing this term.

Students are being educated about how to prevent healthy food from going to waste, with lesson plans, teacher support, ingredients and equipment such as air-fryers and slow cookers provided by the charity.

The material and equipment that the school receives is theirs to keep, with many schools at which the programme is rolled out ensuring that it continues as part of the curriculum.

Sian Georgeou, the project lead at UKHavest, said: “We

are delighted to be delivering the Tesco Stronger Starts for schools programme to The Blue School in Wells. Being involved in the Tesco project enables us to bring healthy eating, food rescue and cooking directly to the classroom. We hope that we are able to continue working with schools across the UK through this incredible project.”

The Stronger Starts grants will help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said: “Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too.”

UKHarvest has been delivering its educational programme to schools around the country, including The Blue School

Information provided about proposed new bus service

A NEW circular bus service for Wells was discussed at a public meeting in Wells Town Hall on February 1.

About 30 people attended the meeting to hear Rosa Kell, the Wells Bus Users Group (WBUG) lead, report on a recent survey that WBUG conducted on the proposal to introduce a Wells City W1 Circular Bus.

She said that there had been nearly 300 responses to the survey, with 64 per cent of respondents saying that they had no access to a car.

Seventy-six per cent of those who responded said that they would be willing to pay a maximum of £1.50 for each journey on such a service, and 15 per cent would be willing to pay £2. Nine per cent wanted to use a concessionary pass only.

The proposal is for a bus service that a sample timetable suggests will run for about 12 hours a day (the hours of operation would be shorter on Sundays) on a route from Wells Bus Station to Morrisons,

Brownes Garden Centre, The Crossways at North Wootton, Worminster Batch, Dulcote, St Thomas Street, The Horringtons, North Road, Ash Lane, The Blue School, Welsford Avenue, Charter Way, Coronation Road, Jocelyn Drive, Knight Road and back to the bus station.

Rosa said that at WBUG information stalls, people had noted that the city’s housing estates do not have a bus stop, and that something more is needed.

She said that the idea is to have one bus and two drivers, and that the type of bus had not yet been determined – it might be an electric vehicle, and would have to be a small 16-person bus.

It might be a ‘hail’ bus where passengers stick a hand out, or a community bus with passengers having to register to use it. But she said that it would not be cheap, with average costs of about of £45 to £60 per hour.

Many

house building support for the proposed service, with the aim of lobbying Somerset Council to provide funding.

“If we get over 2,000 signatures, that is heavy pressure on Somerset Council,” she said. Parishes and local businesses are also being asked whether they might be prepared to chip in. The bus service would benefit businesses’ employees, said Rosa, as well as people needing a convenient way to get to the shops or the doctor’s, and young people who currently “need the mum and dad taxi service”.

She was asked about the timescale for the project, and said that she hopes it will be in place at the latest by next spring.

“I’m very hopeful that this bus will not fail this time,” she said.

“I know it’s wanted, you’ve all told me it’s wanted. Now go out and get signatures.”

There was some discussion about the existing bus services run by operator First Bus, the state of Wells Bus Station and ticket office, and the fact that there is no real-time information at the bus station and bus stops.

“I don’t know how it will go with our bus,” said Rosa, “but I know one thing for sure – it won’t be First.”

Care in your own home

Care in your own home

She asked those attending the meeting to take petition forms away with them to go house-to-

Charity shops seeking volunteers

CHILDREN’S Hospice South West’s charity shops are looking for more volunteers who can spare a few hours each week to help out.

The shops play a key role in raising money to fund care and support for babies, children,

young people and their families, who are impacted by life-limiting conditions.

To find out more, visit www. chsw.org.uk/volunteering, or call at the Children’s Hospice South West shop in Queen Street, Wells.

Rosa Kell, standing, pictured in the council chamber at Wells Town Hall before the start of the meeting about the proposed Wells City W1 Circular Bus, with some of the attendees

Workshop feedback will contribute to health plan

ON February 10, the Patient Group of Wells City GP Practice hosted an NHS workshop at Seager Hall on the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan. The workshop was run jointly by the Patient Group and NHS Somerset’s Engagement Team. Wells City Practice staff and Healthwatch Somerset also took part.

Participants were able to share their experiences, thoughts and ideas about the future of the NHS. The issues explored included providing better local community services instead of relying on hospital care, using technology to improve patients’ ability to access services, and early action to prevent many of the illnesses that the NHS is now having to treat.

There were discussions about how best to contact patients of all ages, the importance of early education on health issues, such

as the best foods, diet, smoking and vaping, and how services might be better organised at a local level to meet the needs of local people. The need for greater health spending at community level was identified, as well as more investment in social care.

NHS Somerset recorded all the discussions, which will form part of the feedback to the county’s 10 Year Health Plan. Somerset’s plan will be published in the spring this year and will be the local contribution to the Government’s Change NHS consultation.

To join or find out more about the Wells City Practice Patient Group, email: somicb.patient. group-wellscitypractice@nhs.net

For more information on Somerset’s plans and the link to Somerset’s survey for all feedback, visit: https:// nhssomerset.nhs.uk/myvoice/10-year-health-plan

Initiative improves access to disabled toilets

CAMPAIGNERS from Accessible Wells are working towards ensuring Wells becomes a city where disabled people have access to facilities and services so they can participate fully in city life.

Amongst the priorities identified for improvement is access to disabled toilets in Wells. Many disabled people suffer from slow mobility and medical issues that can create a sense of anxiety and urgency to access a toilet. This means that the more disabled toilets people can locate across a wide area of central Wells the better the city helps meet their needs.

appropriate to try to make these more widely available.

Last year, Accessible Wells volunteers set about identifying where all the disabled toilets are located, and to see if they could persuade businesses to make them freely available to disabled people. They discovered that, in addition to the council-run public toilets, there are more than 30 disabled toilets in Wells premises serving the public. About half of these are located in healthcare or educational settings, so it would not be

Brian Clarke, who himself uses a wheelchair to get around, said: “The good news is that we now have agreement from 12 organisations to welcome disabled people to use their disabled facilities without any need to become a customer. It will make a huge difference to other wheelchair and scooter users to know they are welcome and that they don’t need to feel awkward about it. We are currently building an Accessible Wells website as an information resource for disabled people in Wells and will include a map on the website showing the location of all the identified disabled toilets.”

The premises that have agreed to join the welcome scheme are Budgens, The Bishop’s Palace, Wells Cathedral, Waitrose, Wells Leisure Centre, Swan Hotel, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Coffee #1, The Quarter Jack and Greggs. Businesses that have a disabled toilet that the Accessible Wells campaign have not identified and that would like to join this scheme are asked

to contact accssiblewells@gmail. com

A number of matters were considered at the second meeting of the Task & Finish group –which comprises members of the Accessible Wells campaign group, Somerset Council and Wells City Council – on February 5.

It was agreed that a number of drop kerbs will be improved, starting in the centre of Wells and concentrating on those that will provide greatest benefit. How many can be remediated in this first wave will depend on funds available now.

Some cycle barriers at the end of footpaths may be removed where safe to do so, because they prevent mobility scooters from accessing the paths.

The provision of more disabled bays in key areas, including car parks, is going to be examined, as is the extension of the 20mph speed limit in central Wells, to reduce the risk for disabled people who are often forced out into the road to avoid obstructions or because there is no convenient drop kerb.

Somerset Council is expected to clarify its policy on A-frames,

and Accessible Wells wants to work more closely with Wells City Council so that the needs of disabled people are taken into account with the granting of pavement licences.

There is also going to be thought given to the audible signal at traffic lights that lets visually impaired people know it is safe to cross the road. Blind people have requested that the audible signal is turned on and Somerset Council is now considering how this request can best be met – perhaps having the signal turned on during daylight hours.

The uneven surface of Wells Market Place was discussed, with one suggestion being made for smooth paving slabs to be set into the cobbles in certain places such as through the Bishop’s Eye, to improve safety for less able people.

“Practical solutions like that are entirely possible,” said Theo van Hensbergen, Chair of Accessible Wells. “We are delighted with the way Somerset Council and Wells City Council are working with us to look for practical solutions that make it easier for people to get about.”

Alex Cameron (NHS Somerset), Terence Bird (Wells City Practice Patient Group) and Jacquie Silcox (NHS Somerset)

From silk ties to stylish glasses cases

By Emma James

ENTREPRENEUR Judith

Ludovino, who moved to Wells in 2002, has been busy turning silk ties into glasses cases.

Judith, who sold her customer service business, TelePA, two years ago, was an active member of Wells Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and spent time as Chair.

“I’ve always worked in the corporate world,” explains Judith, “but my passion is really textiles. My parents and grandparents loved textiles and my family was in the wool industry for 400 years so I think it’s in the blood. I’ve always been

aware of beautiful fabrics and it floats my boat to do something creative and sustainable.”

When her father died at the age of 96, Judith asked if she could have his collection of approximately 50 silk ties: “He was very conservative but he loved his ties. I thought it would be a nice way to remember him.”

Repurposing the ties is fiddly work. Each tie must be deconstructed and the delicate silk washed and pressed. Judith has created the patterns for the glasses cases herself and takes pains to ensure interfacing is absolutely precise for a professional finish.

She has now made about 60 cases and feels that she has perfected the process. Using silk thread and close-weave calico as a lining, she is aiming for her materials to be 100 per cent natural.

With her business background, Judith is wellplaced to make a success of her new venture. However, her motivation does not spring from the idea of personal profit. Judith is hoping to employ people from the community to help with production and also wishes to donate to Sightsavers, one of her favourite charities. This international organisation works tirelessly to eliminate trachoma and restore sight and therefore seems a very appropriate choice for Judith as she scales up the making of her glasses cases.

“I decided I would use a very simple business model,” Judith explains, “and build into it a substantial contribution

to Sightsavers who do such wonderful work and who have been really helpful to me. I need to be able to pay any makers’ fees, obtain fabric and meet operational costs. I just want to make enough to keep it sustainable.”

Judith’s enthusiasm is evident as she details plans to engage with independent opticians and gentlemen’s

outfitters. She intends to create a website and is hoping that members of the community will consider donating silk ties. “I want to do something creative and sustainable, to recycle and provide work for local people whilst supporting a really good cause.”

If you would like to donate silk ties, email Judith: judith.ludovino@gmail.com

Judith Ludovino is hoping to employ people from the community to help with production and also wishes to donate to Sightsavers

Judith has now made about 60 glasses cases from silk ties

Fundraiser launched for play equipment

A FUNDRAISER has been started to replace play equipment at Coxley Primary School in Coxley, near Wells.

The ageing equipment was removed on safety grounds in 2022, and now The Friends of Coxley School have started a JustGiving page in the hope that enough funds can be raised to buy new play equipment.

The target is £15,000, with £1,817 already raised from a recent ‘Coin Challenge’.

The community is being asked to rally round and help out by making donations at JustGiving.com. Businesses are also being asked if they can contribute.

Writing on the JustGiving page, Lauren Clarke, Chairwoman of The Friends of Coxley School, said it has always

been a goal to replace the play equipment but after suffering financial hardship after Covid years and being only a team of three it was never a priority –until now.

She continued: “The Friends of Coxley school has grown over the years and is now a team of 14 dedicated parents who put on events throughout the year to raise money to help with subsidising the costs of things like transportation for school trips, swimming costs, supplies for DT, food etc.

“With such a wonderful team in place it was decided this year we would make it our aim to raise money for new playground equipment.

“Please, if you can help our small school do something big we would be entirely grateful.”

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Matt Collis, third from the left, and 12 of the volunteers take a break after replacing the split membrane at the pond

Community effort revives pond

VOLUNTEERS have come together to make a difference for vulnerable people.

The wildlife pond in mental health charity Heads Up’s garden at South Horrington desperately needed reviving and a three-way collaboration made it happen:

1. St Cuthbert Out Parish Council – whose members are all unpaid like those at Wells City Council – helped with a grant.

2. Somerset Wildlife Trust provided Matt Collis, one of their professional ecologists, free of charge to run the project.

3. Fifteen volunteers heard about the project and came forward to do the work.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING DAY CENTRE

Dementia Day Care Support – Mondays, 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 – 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

“Given the size of the task and limited time, its testament to the 15 community volunteers who helped me restore and transform this keystone feature of the garden,” said Matt.

“Thanks to their unwavering enthusiasm, we completed the restoration and successfully returned the 12 frogs, one newt and hundreds of insects to their new aquatic oasis.”

Philippa Forsey of Heads Up said: “We are delighted with the success of this project, the involvement of the community and the benefits it will bring our clients. Our thanks go to everyone who made it possible.”

Pupils speak about love of reading

WELLS City councillors heard about a project that is encouraging children to read when Alan Guymer of Wells Rotary Club and founder of The Listening Project Wells addressed the Full Council meeting on January 30.

Alan, who was there at the invitation of Wells Mayor Jasmine Browne, was accompanied by Liz Ramsay, English lead at St Cuthbert’s Primary School, and two of the school’s reading ambassadors. The children were both brave enough to stand up to give a talk about why they love reading and their favourite authors.

Each week a team of volunteer listeners from the Rotary Club Listening Project go to St Cuthbert’s Primary School, and more recently also to Stoberry Park School, to listen to children read.

At St Cuthbert’s Primary

Mayor Jasmine Browne in the Mayor’s Parlour with the two St Cuthbert’s Primary School pupils who spoke at a council meeting

School each of the six classes has a dedicated listener. In one-anda-half hours a volunteer typically listens to between six and nine children. Anyone can volunteer (subject to full DBS checks) and can contact Wells Rotary Club for more information.

Picture: Philip Welch

Scouts volunteer dealing with challenges

By Philip Welch

WE are fortunate to have amazing young people in Wells.

One is former Blue School student Amy Heath who does remarkable voluntary work for the city’s Scouts despite a formidable list of health issues.

“All my joints are a problem,” said wheelchair user Amy, “and sometimes a high heart rate.”

She suffers from chronic pain, chronic tiredness and her joints are prone to become disjointed. Mainly fingers but also shoulders and ankles.

Accessing the Scout Hut in the Blue School grounds poses obstacles for Amy.

“I have to lift my wheelchair to get in,” she explained, “and once inside I have had a lot of difficulty going from room to room because of the raised treads on the doorway floors. Also the width of the doorways being too

narrow for my chair.”

Another concern is the raised tread on the emergency exit doors and the concrete ramp

Improvements needed

TEN-YEAR-OLD Archie loves being a Cub but has problems in the Scout Hut as he is partially sighted.

His favourites include Cub Camp, walks around The Bishop’s Palace Moat looking for bats and science experiments such as making a battery.

But Stoberry Park School pupil Archie can’t see the steps or the angle of the ramps leading into the Scout Hut and is prone to tripping, especially at night.

“We need to make the hut more accessible,” said his dad Dan who is training to be a Cub Leader, “with exterior lighting with a motion sensor to turn it on at night.”

These improvements, and many more, will be possible if the Wells Scouts’ £60,000 fundraising appeal succeeds. The link is:

https://www.justgiving. com/campaign/wells-scout-hutappeal

which

Heather Anderson holds the Scout Hut’s emergency exit door open as Amy Heath tries to negotiate the raised tread. ‘I have to lift my wheelchair to get in, and once inside I have had a lot of difficulty going from room to room because of the raised treads,’ says Amy. The ramp itself is too steep for wheelchairs.

To resolve all these issues, and more, Wells Scouts have

launched a fundraising campaign – the latest stage of which is a quiz in the Town Hall on March 15 (see below).

But these challenges do not stop Amy working now as the popular leader of a group of 24 Wells Scouts aged 10-14.

“She is quite extraordinary,” said Heather Anderson, lead volunteer for Wells Scouts. “Amy was an amazing young leader and very keen on hiking. Sadly her health no longer allows her to do that but Amy is passing her excellent map reading and navigation skills to our younger Scouts.”

Amy began volunteering for Wells Scouts as a 14-year-old. Serious health problems started when she contracted glandular fever at the age of 16, but that didn’t stop her.

And two years later Amy added Youth Leader at Wells Army Cadets to her CV.

Quiz night in aid of Scout Hut

their hut.

The venue is Wells Town Hall’s ballroom, on Saturday, March 15, with a 7.30pm start for teams up to six, with a cash bar and raffle.

Tickets are £5 cash per person from the Town Hall reception.

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WELLS Scouts are the chosen charity of the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Browne, who is running a quiz night to raise money for refurbishing

Archie at home with his proud father Dan

is too steep for wheelchair users.

Exhibition of repurposed dresses

DOZENS of repurposed wedding dresses are on display in Wells & Mendip Museum until March 15.

The 65 dresses have been selected from more than 100 former bridal gowns that were given new life and purpose in the Tanys Transformations project.

As Mayor of Wells, Tanys Kolizeras collected dresses from charity shops which were transformed into fashion statements by hundreds of

volunteers and used to raise funds for Heads Up and Whizz Kidz.

The dresses have been displayed previously in Wells Cathedral, The Bishop’s Palace, Bishop’s Barn, Wells Town Hall, Shepton Mallet Prison and the Zigzag Building in Glastonbury.

The current exhibition in the Museum includes video footage, photographs and explanatory text.

MURPHY

Loving cat who is master of disguise

MURPHY is a two-and-a-half-year-old neutered male cat. He is the master of disguise and wears a surprised expression when really he just wants affection and is very loving.

In his previous home he was very wary of other cats and stayed inside, unfortunately he began to mark his territory indoors but since being fostered he has been using a litter tray without any accidents.

We now feel he would be best in a home where there are no other cats, dogs or small children so he can regain his confidence and hopefully venture outdoors again. Murphy is microchipped and up to date with vaccinations, wormer and flea treatments.

If you feel you can provide a permanent loving home for this lovely cat please complete the online application form at www.cats.org.uk/glastonbury

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

Range of speakers, seed swap and more at annual parish meeting

ST Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council is holding its Annual Parish Meeting on Friday, April 11, at Easton Village Hall, and is inviting all residents in the parish to go along.

The Annual Parish Meeting is different from the usual parish council meetings as it is to highlight resident interests: there are speakers, community information, councillors to talk to, a seed swap and nibbles.

This year, the confirmed speakers are: Christopher Somerville (author and local historian), Jim Hardcastle (Mendip Hills National Landscape), the Campaign for

the Protection of Rural England, Richard Jones (Strawberry Line), Easton Wildlife Group and Julie Lilly of Health Connections Mendip.

The council is particularly appealing to residents in new developments in the parish, who may not have made contact with their parish council yet.

A spokesperson said: “Please do come along and say hello if you live on Foxglove Heights, Rosebanks, Priory Fields or Bishops Green, as well as in Coxley, Dinder, Dulcote, the Horringtons and Easton itself.”

For more details, call Lisa Pool on 07496 198032.

Unusual visitors call at care home

RESIDENTS at Crandon Springs care home in Wells were able to see and handle a selection of snakes, spiders, reptiles, bugs and invertebrates when Garwynn’s Reptile and Bugs Handling (GRAB) Yeovil paid a visit.

General Manager Megan Cleal said: “Our residents really enjoyed their unusual visitors. We knew that having these delightful creatures here would be a bit of fun for all our residents, especially as some find it difficult to go on many outings in our minibus.”

Resident Christine said: “As a child I used to love all insects and I especially liked handling the snake’s cool body.”

The care home also celebrated Burns Night across two days on January 24 and 25. The fun

Snakes alive! Crandon Springs residents were able to get handson with reptiles and bugs

included music therapist Michael Angus performing traditional Scottish songs, a Robert Burns poetry recital, a Burns Night quiz and a Scottish-themed supper with haggis, neeps and tatties.

Party with sandwiches and singing

GRENVILLE Jones, founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity, has looked back on the hundreds of special events held during the Christmas season that brought Songs & Smiles to older isolated people. The charity launched in 2007 with a handful of daytime fun Sing&Smile sessions in and around the Bath area, all taken by founder Grenville. Now there are more than 170 across England and Wales, including one in Wells.

The Wells Christmas party was held at The Bishop’s Palace on December 4.

Grenville said: “Sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee were served in the Stable Yard on arrival, with Christmas crackers, small gifts and drinks. This was followed by an hour of Goldies singing Christmas music in the very beautiful Chapel.

Our thanks to the team at The Bishop’s Palace who make this event possible.”

The dresses are being displayed at Wells & Mendip Museum until March 15

Astronomers show night sky to public

By Ingrid Sofrin

AN evening trip to Waitrose in Wells provided many shoppers with an unexpected celestial treat early in February.

They were greeted at the main entrance by a bank of impressive telescopes pointing up at the night sky, manned by members of Wells & Mendip Astronomers.

It was an evening when a parade of planets could be observed, and shoppers were

‘The environment above our heads offers at least as much satisfaction as the one at our feet’

thrilled to see the red glow of Mars, and the famed rings of Saturn.

“We like nothing more than showing the sky to the public,” said group chairman Hugh Allen.

“The environment above our heads offers at least as much satisfaction as the one at our feet.”

Even those who wouldn’t be able to tell The Plough

from Orion were captivated by what they saw, guided by the knowledge and encouragement of the group members.

Those that missed out on the Waitrose experience will have another chance to gaze up into the heavens on Saturday, March 29, when the astronomers will be setting up their equipment on the Cathedral Green for views of a partial solar eclipse from 10am to midday – weather permitting.

The group was founded in 2013 by the appropriately named Chris Starr, a geography teacher and space enthusiast.

Since then membership has grown steadily, and some of the early junior members have gone on to build academic careers in professional astronomy at leading UK institutions.

The group meets monthly, and has guest speakers, outings to observe the sky, and school and public outreach events.

All are welcome to join in, from armchair astronomers to scientists and astrophotographers.

Last month at Wells Museum – the group’s regular meeting place – members gathered

for a talk by Richard Miles, a former president of the British Astronomical Association, who gave a talk on ancient astronomy and the research he has been doing on the hill figure of the Cerne Abbas Giant, overlooking

the village where he now lives in Dorset. Anyone wanting to join the group and be notified of their activities can do so on

www.wellsastronomers.org.uk or follow them on their Facebook page.

Pictured from left are Richard Hook, membership secretary, the group’s guest speaker Richard Miles, and chairman Hugh Allen

Members of Wells & Mendip Astronomers stargazing outside Waitrose in Wells in February

Picture: Ingrid Sofrin

International Women’s Day to be celebrated with sharing lunch

WOMEN Of Wells will be celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) this year with a ‘bring and share’ lunch, for women of all cultures to share their food stories.

been fundamental to the lives of women across the world and throughout time, this will be the focus this year.

It will be a women-only event, so that all female neighbours and

Search for person to fill ‘essential’ role as Clerk to Governing Body

A WELLS school has been trying to recruit a new Clerk to the Governing Board for some time but so far without success.

Stoberry Park School in North Road says that the position is vital to the success of the Governing Board and the future of the school.

“As we move to become a part of the Academies for Character and Excellence (ACE), our Governing Board is transitioning to become a Local Advocate Board, a smaller group of Advocates who will focus on the school’s curriculum, premises and site,” said Headteacher Andrew Shakesby.

“A Clerk is an essential part of this function, who will be

responsible for taking minutes, maintaining high quality communication with school staff, Advocates and the Academy Trust and ensuring that our statutory duties are upheld.”

The Clerk would be provided with ongoing professional development and have the opportunity to work with colleagues from other schools within the Trust.

“At this exciting time, we are looking for someone who is organised, hard working, forward thinking and ready to take on a challenge,” said Mr Shakesby.

More information is available on the school website’s vacancies page.

World Day of Prayer celebration

THE service celebrating the World Day of Prayer is hosted this year by Wells United Church, on Union Street, at 10.30am on March 7. Everyone would be welcome.

World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical organisation which enables the thoughts of women from all parts of the world to be heard: their hopes, concerns and prayers. The Day of Prayer is celebrated in native languages in more than

120 countries. For 2025 women in The Cook Islands will lead the Day of Prayer. This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific Ocean has a rich and colourful Māori heritage and a deep connection to nature.

The theme is ‘I made you wonderful’.

For further information contact Primrose Hart –culley6primrose16@gmail.com or see the WDP website: www. wwdp.org.uk

The first International Women’s Day celebration was held in Wells in 2015

The Wells Cathedral Choristers performed Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols – an arrangement of medieval carols for children’s voices and harp – at the Cathedral on February 1. The Choristers were joined this year by HM the King’s Harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans.

£75k grant for phosphates removal work

A COMPANY based at East Horrington, near Wells, has developed a product that can help clean up waterways and benefit farmers.

The Phosphate Removal Material (PRM) is the brainchild of Rookwood Operations Ltd. It absorbs the phosphorus compounds – phosphates –that find their way into rivers, streams and lakes from the use of fertilisers; the phosphates then trigger algal blooms that kill fish and underwater plants.

Once collected from rivers with the PRM, the phosphates can be transferred to farmland to help in growing crops.

The Observer reported on the Rookwood Operations innovation at the start of February. One of the company’s founders, CEO Jane Pearce –who established Rookwood Operations with her partner, Liam, and friend Josh Hares –will receive a grant of £75,000

as an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winner for her role in setting up the project.

Jane told The Observer: “Essentially, the PRM we have

developed acts like a sponge that absorbs phosphates. It sits in the water in an open container until it has absorbed as much phosphate as possible and it is

then transferred to farmland. PRM is made entirely of natural materials, so it can be put on to a field and left there for its phosphate fertiliser to be taken up by crops. On its own, PRM will enhance the quality of the soil.”

She added: “What we have developed is a simple material that could have a very wide impact on a really worrying environmental problem. We hope it will stabilise phosphate use in this country and reduce our need to import mined supplies from other countries. That can only help the environment.”

PRM trials are due to start soon. “As a business, we fully appreciate the problem is on our doorstep so our first trial site will be within ten miles of Wells. We are looking forward to making a measurable difference both within Somerset and the rest of the UK,” said Jane.

Rookwood Operations CEO Jane Pearce with Liam, left, and Josh Hares

Comedy festival adds more acts

THE Wells Comedy Festival had announced its second batch of shows as it looks forward to welcoming some big names, festival favourites and exciting new talent to this year’s event.

Bafta nominee, Netflix star and former Never Mind the Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell makes his Wells debut, and star of Taskmaster, Trip Hazard and Live at the Apollo, Rosie Jones returns with a brand new workin-progress show.

Festival favourite Glenn Moore also returns to the festival, Rhys James adds an additional show due to strong demand and Katie Norris brings her critically-acclaimed show Farm Fatale to Somerset.

Also joining the line-up are Live at the Apollo star Thanyia Moore, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Abby Wambaugh, The Stand Up Sketch Show star Michael Akadiri, plus fast-rising

stars Peter Rethinasamy and Marjolein Robertson.

They join the already announced shows from Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Amy Gledhill and Joe Kent-Walters and whole host of nominees including Catherine Bohart, Jessica Fostekew, Chris Cantrill, Nick Helm and Mat Ewins.

This year’s Wells Comedy Festival takes place from Friday, May 23, to Sunday, May 25.

Tickets are selling fast for the festival’s four gala performances which will each feature a top line-up of festival acts.

Tickets for shows are on sale at www.wellscomfest.com.

Wells Comedy Festival is produced by Plosive.

Boy Chorister experience day

WELLS Cathedral has vacancies for boys who would like to join the Wells Cathedral Choir.

The Cathedral is holding a Be a Boy Chorister for a Day event on Saturday, March 15, for boys aged between six and nine who enjoy singing to experience what it is like to be a Cathedral Chorister. There will be singing workshops, and the day will end with them taking part in the Evensong service alongside the Boy Choristers of the Cathedral Choir.

Later in the year, on Saturday, September 20, there will be the annual Be a Chorister for a Day event which is open to all children. The experience includes singing games, learning about the Cathedral, and finding out what a Chorister really does.

For further information or to register for a place at either event, contact Melanie Lawlor via musicoffice@wellscathedral. org.uk

Simon Amstell and Rosie Jones will both be appearing in Wells

Grand Organ Appeal halfway to target

THE Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal have raised more than £1 million in donations and pledges towards their overall £2 million target to fund the refurbishment of the organ.

This landmark moment was achieved just before Christmas, and is the result of the support of many people in Wells, across the South West and the wider UK.

The Dean of Wells Cathedral, Toby Wright, said: “The Cathedral organ is in a rapidly deteriorating state, and it is becoming increasingly urgent that we restore this once magnificent instrument to its full glory. Until now, our wonderful organists have masked the decline of the organ’s performance, concealing its flaws from the ears of the thousands of people who come each year to attend Cathedral services, recitals and concerts. Reaching the appeal halfway point is a

landmark moment and we owe our thanks to everyone who has found a way to support the appeal with such generosity.”

In a further update, Chairman of the Appeal committee David Morgan Hewitt said: “Progress being made on the fundraising

side of the appeal has allowed us to begin more detailed planning and we now have a proposed timetable of works for the organ’s refurbishment.

“It is likely that the organ pipes will be removed at the start of 2026 and will be taken away

for repair and refurbishment. At the same time, work will begin on crafting new sets of pipes for the 32 foot stops and the new trumpets. It is hoped that the organ will be reinstalled by the end of 2027 or early in 2028.

“The process of refurbishing the organ is a very complex, specialised and labour-intensive challenge and will mean a couple of years with a temporary instrument. But the end result will be worth the wait and will create a greatly improved and fully revitalised instrument that is ready to continue its work for the next 50 years or more.”

Having achieved its first £1 million, the appeal committee will now be refocusing their efforts on raising the second million.

To find out more about supporting the Appeal, contact the Friends of Wells Cathedral on organappeal@wellsfriends. org

Author talk one of the March events at Wells Library

AUTHOR Justin Newland will be discussing his new novel The Midnight of Eights, exploring the hidden story of the repulse of the Spanish Armada in 1588, at Wells Library on Friday, March 14, at 11.30am. To book a free place at the talk, email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk

Other activities taking place at the library in March will include:

n Shared Reading: Shared Reading is on every Monday at

2.30pm. Share experiences using stories and poems. This group is open to all and free to attend. No need to book.

n IT Help Sessions: Need help with a new device? Book a onehour session with the volunteer on Wednesdays at 10.30am or 11.30am, or Thursdays at 10.30am or 11.30am. Email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk to book a place.

n Wells Social Group for the Visually Impaired: Meetings

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

are held on the third Monday of the month at 11am, so the next will be on March 17. Go along and find out what facilities are available and what the library service can provide.

n Switch Club: Book a place at the popular Nintendo Switch Club, for children aged seven and up. Places available on Saturday, March 1, and Saturday, March 29, at 10.30am. Free of charge – booking essential – email wlslib@somerset.gov.uk

n Lego Club: Lego Club is on Saturday, March 8, at 10.30am. For children aged five and older. Book a place to avoid disappointment. Email wlslib@ somerset.gov.uk

n PCSO: Drop in and speak to a member of Wells City Neighbourhood Policing Team on Tuesday, March 11, between 11am and 12pm, whether it is for advice on how to protect belongings, or to raise a concern about an issue in the community.

Postnatal Pilates Classes for Mums and Babies

Mondays at 11am

Small classes for individual attention

Highly experienced postnatal teacher helping you to:

Integrate your core, pelvic floor & breath work

Get back ease of movement & confidence after birth

Strengthen movement patterns: upper & lower body strength

Gait realignment

Ease tension in your body & connect with others

Wells Cathedral organ – and the scissor arches – seen from the Nave

Witch tales start conversations

CARE home residents have been hearing tales about the legendary Wookey Hole Witch.

Grants given to nine projects

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

The MTY (Museum to You) project, which takes the magic of museums to care homes across Somerset – including Fletcher House and Crandon Springs in Wells, and The Lawrence Centre – recently embarked on a journey into local folklore.

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.

MTY volunteers, armed with engaging storytelling techniques and interactive props, shared accounts of the witch’s supposed exploits, including how she became the stalagmite in the caves after being exorcised by the monk Father Bernard.

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”.

The topic created lively conversations including various legends surrounding the witch, such as her ability to shape-shift and her connection to the mysterious caves.

Witch, which is now on display at the Wells & Mendip Museum.

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

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.

THE Mendip Hills Fund was able to make grants to nine projects this year, with a total of £9,125 awarded to projects that help the environment and community across the Mendip Hills. Grants were awarded for restoring heritage fingerposts, helping vulnerable people create new areas for wildlife, protecting a heritage trail exhibit, assisting people from diverse backgrounds enjoy the Mendip Hills, improving school grounds for wildlife and a contribution to energy efficient heating.

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.

“It was wonderful to see the residents light up as the stories unfolded,” said Suzannah Cook, MTY founder.

Following the storytelling sessions, residents were shown images of the Wookey Hole

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

“Many discussions have focused on the demonisation of women who didn’t conform to expectations around physical appearance, marriage and

children. Women who were intelligent and progressive, possibly healers and free thinkers. There is a lot of excitement, and they were eager to share their memories and stories.”

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.

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.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

company in the

The MTY project aims to stimulate cognitive function, promote social interaction, and enhance emotional wellbeing.

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

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

West & South Wales in the final of the industries Prestigious G24 Awards!

Jim Hardcastle, Manager of the Mendip Hills National Landscape, said: “Visitors and local businesses are delighted to contribute to the Fund when they see how helpful a local grant scheme like this can be. It’s been a difficult year raising money which is why we’ve only been able to distribute £9,125 this year despite having applications worth over £25,000.”

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

The Wookey Hole Witch is discussed at The Lawrence Centre

n NEWS

Chance for dogs to become lifesavers by giving blood

COULD your dog be a lifesaver?

That is the question being asked by Pet Blood Bank UK, which has announced that it is starting to run lifesaving blood donation days in Wells, and it needs the city’s dogs to come forward.

Wells Vets has partnered with the charity and is looking for donor dogs to attend their very first session on Saturday, May 10.

This is the first time the charity has visited Wells to run dog blood donation sessions and they say they are very excited to welcome lots of fantastic new donors to their lifesaving pack.

Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood service, but for dogs. They collect blood donations from donor dogs across the UK which then go towards helping to save the lives of other dogs in need. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs.

Dogs in Wells, as well as all dogs across the UK, have access to the lifesaving blood should they ever need it, so it is a vital service.

To become a donor, a dog must weigh more than 25kg, be between the ages of one and eight, and be fit and healthy. It is also important that they are confident, enjoy meeting new people, and having new experiences.

The donation itself only takes five to ten minutes, but owners should expect their dogs to be with the team for about 35-40 minutes. Dogs receive a full health check from the Pet Blood Bank vet before donating and get plenty of treats, fuss,

and attention throughout their appointment. They even get a goody bag and toy to take home, as well as the pride of being a lifesaver.

Following their first session on May 10, Pet Blood Bank plans to visit Wells Vets, at Cathedral Avenue, Wells, every two or three months going forward, so owners are encouraged to register their dogs even if they will miss the first date.

Nicole Osborne from Pet Blood Bank UK said: “We are so excited to launch our very first dog blood donation

session in Wells. We are looking forward to meeting lots of new donors and really getting the local community behind our mission to help save the lives of dogs across the country. We would love to hear from anyone interested in finding out more or coming along to our session at Wells Vets on Saturday, May 10.”

People interested in finding out more and registering their dog as a donor should visit www. petbloodbankuk.org or call the charity directly on 01509 232222.

Launched in 2007, Pet Blood Bank UK is the only charity that provides a blood bank service for all vets across the UK.

As part of its charitable remit, its aim is to advance animal health and welfare and to relieve suffering by providing quick and convenient access to blood.

Donated blood is then taken to a processing centre in Loughborough where it is separated into red blood cells and plasma products, and then stored ready for dispatch.

Every unit of blood helps save up to four other lives, saving thousands of lives every year.

Sustainable Wells activities lined up in next month

SUSTAINABLE Wells events taking place in the next month:

n Repair Saturday at Wells Library, Saturday, February 22, 10am-12.30pm. Take along broken items for skilled volunteer repairers to mend if they can.

n Make and Mend in the Dodd Room at Portway Annexe, Wednesday, February 26,

6.30pm-9pm. Share or learn how to upcycle, repurpose, repair and revive clothing or other textiles. Email sustwells@gmail.com for more information.

n Make and Mend in the Dodd Room at Portway Annexe, Wednesday, March 26, 6.30pm9pm. Share or learn how to upcycle, repurpose, repair and revive clothing or other textiles.

New wych elm trees planted

THE Westbury Community Tree Group is celebrating the planting of a number of wych elm trees in Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve.

Since its inception in June 2000, Westbury Tree Group has grown and planted on nearly 5,500 trees that are now helping to improve tree cover in the local area.

The Group has always followed a few important basic principles in its activities. Amongst these are the desire to plant “the right tree in the right place”, and to keep the seed gathering and distribution of the young trees it produces within a radius of ten miles. Some seeds are more difficult to access than others, while others may be widely available but difficult to propagate. One of the species that the Westbury Tree Group volunteers have found particularly challenging to source is wych elm.

Wych elm is a different species to English elm and far more resistant to Dutch elm disease, and some number of them do still thrive in the English countryside. But natural regeneration is relatively restricted. A few years ago the Tree Group gained permission from Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve to collect wych elm seed. This was successfully propagated, and grown on into small trees over the succeeding two years.

Now, a healthy new stock of wych elm has been returned to its natural home in the reserve. These trees are known to be genetically adapted to this particular site, and are thereby helping to increase biodiversity. The reserve, like so many others locally, has suffered the loss of many trees from Ash Dieback, and this is one way of helping redress these losses.

Email sustwells@gmail.com for more information.

n Repair Cafe at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Saturday, March 29, 10am-12.30pm. Skilled volunteer repairers will try to fix broken items taken along. Homemade cakes and drinks available too. Email repaircafe.wells@gmail for more information.

Spaces available

HORRINGTON House Preschool has announced that it has spaces available for September 2025. The preschool, for children aged two to four, operates from the Horrington Primary School site. Visits can be arranged by calling 01749 673516 or emailing hello@horringtonhouse.org.uk

Top, a Pet Blood Bank team in the donation room; and donor dog Alfie

County celebration set to be best yet

WITH less than three months to go, Somerset is gearing up for an exciting Somerset Day weekend on May 10 and 11.

Organisers say that this year’s festivities promise to be bigger and better than ever, with communities, businesses and organisations encouraged to fly the flag for Somerset and join in the celebrations of what makes it such a fantastic place to live, work and visit.

The festivities will officially begin on Sunday, May 4, with a Civic Service of Choral Evensong at Taunton Minster, setting a ceremonial and reflective tone for the week ahead. Moving towards the following weekend, Somerset will come alive with events showcasing the county’s rich culture, heritage, and local produce.

These will include The Big

Somerset Picnic, a countywide initiative encouraging families, friends, and communities to come together for picnics in parks, gardens, and local landmarks, celebrating Somerset’s stunning scenery and local food and to raise funds for a local cause of their choice.

“As we approach Somerset Day, we invite everyone to take part in the celebrations, whether by attending events, hosting a picnic, or simply flying the Somerset flag,” said Nigel Muers-Raby, Founder and CEO of Passion for Somerset, the notfor-profit CIC behind Somerset Day.

“This is a time to come together and showcase everything that makes Somerset so special.”

For more information, visit somersetday.com

WE TAKE THE DRAMA OUT OF MAKING A WILL.

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of Twinning – A Murder Mystery, with all proceeds going to the

Wills and Probate without the mystery

How do I choose the right executor of my will? I’m worried about putting a burden on someone or making the wrong choice that will have a negative effect on my children.

Your Executor is the person who is going to handle all your affairs after you pass away.

Typically, your Executor should possess two essential qualities: they know you very well, and they are good at managing paperwork. In addition, they should also be someone who is willing and able to give up some of their time to actually administer your estate and distribute your assets as indicated. Going through probate or the administration of an estate can be complex. Knowing this, it’s best to pick someone who has the capacity to take on such a responsibility and is good in these types of situations.

Many people pick a trustworthy family member or a close friend to be their Executor, but that isn’t the only option.

I recommend that you choose someone who will get to know you well, earn your trust and whom is also a professional.

A professional Executor can also be an excellent choice for those who are worried about putting the burden on a family member or friend during a time of grief. They are an excellent option whose only stake in the situation is to do their job.

Jim Emsley

Jim Emsley is a professional will writer and the Founder of Bristol-based 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.

Lunch guests had a murder mystery to digest at Wells Town Hall on January 19. They were challenged to solve the crime before the final course in a Taste

Wells Twinning Association. The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Browne, is pictured top with the actors from the 1920s-set murder mystery.

New section of Strawberry Line now open

By Daniel Mumby Local Democracy Reporter

THE latest section of a lengthy car-free route across Somerset has opened to the public alongside a new larger Lidl supermarket.

Lidl GB officially opened its new, improved Lidl store on the A39 Strawberry Way in Wells on January 30, with the store being nearly twice the size of its predecessor on the same site.

As part of the plans (which were approved by Somerset Council in July 2023), the German supermarket giant was legally bound to deliver a new section of the Strawberry Line along the northern edge of the site, replacing the on-road link on West Street.

This section is now formally open to pedestrians, cyclists and other users of non-motorists vehicles – as work continues to the west of the city to close the gap with the neighbouring villages.

The Strawberry Line currently runs uninterrupted from Yatton railway station to Station Road in Cheddar, and will eventually provide a car-free route all the way through to Collett Park in Shepton Mallet.

Numerous sections of the route exist east of Cheddar, with the Strawberry Line Society (and its numerous willing volunteers) working with Somerset Council, Greenways and Cycle Routes and local contractors to deliver the remaining missing links.

The Wells section of the Strawberry Line comprises

multi-user paths from the Haybridge area to the city’s leisure centre (near the Priory Fields housing estate), before winding through a series of quieter roads in the city centre and then rejoining a shared-use pavement along the A371 East Somerset Way.

This latest short section removes pedestrians and cyclists from the narrow West Street, providing them with an easier route on to Priory Road before picking up the existing route towards Dulcote.

Glen Stidever, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our new and improved store here in Wells.

“Not only is this store almost double the size, but it also remains in a prominent and accessible location within the town, ensuring residents still have convenient access to our affordable offering.”

From the Lidl site, Wells residents can now enjoy a safe, quiet, car-free route to the Charlie Bigham quarry kitchen in

Dulcote, with the off-road section largely following the route of the former Cheddar Valley railway line.

Two new sections of the active travel route officially opened in November 2024 to close the gap between Wells and Shepton Mallet – an extension east the Dulcote quarry site as far as Churchill Batch Lane, and a new bridge over the B3136 West Shepton linking Ridge Road and the West Shepton Playing Fields to the wider town centre.

Negotiations are ongoing with landowners over closing the remaining gap between Churchill Batch Lane and Ridge Road –with National Highways seeking to play a part by opening up one of the arches on Stump Cross Bridge.

A spokesman said: “The work on this project sits with our historical railways estate team.

“We’re currently refining options for opening up Stump Cross Bridge as part of the Strawberry Line active travel plans, and are keeping Somerset Council informed on progress.”

To the west of Wells, volunteers and contractors have been working to close the gap between the city and the village of Easton, building on a section from Westbury-sub-Mendip which was officially completed in September 2023.

Phase one of this extension (which runs north of the village hall on Ebbor Lane) is largely in place – with further progress being limited until negotiations with landowners have concluded.

Speaking just before Christmas, a spokesman said: “The short extension at Easton, from Ebbor Lane, is only available for bikes, mobility and equestrians users for 300 metres, as far as the kissing gate/ farm gate.

“Please, please respect this current restriction – it’s temporary until we can build phase two.

“The area beyond the kissing gate is strictly pedestrian only, and pedestrians must keep to the marked route.

“The people who are already ignoring the signs and carrying on down the obvious farm track risk preventing us from gaining landowners’ permission to build more, which is essential.

“Without the support of landowners we simply can’t build. Getting this section built took a lot of negotiation and flexibility for supportive landowners.”

For more information on the Strawberry Line, including how to get involved as a volunteer, visit www.thestrawberryline. org.uk

The new section of the Strawberry Line alongside Lidl, and the Strawberry Line between Wells and Dulcote Pictures: Daniel Mumby

Should you be looking to carry out a project that would benefit from one of our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch today! We can discuss your requirements and what you are looking to achieve as well as discuss or recommend any services or equipment that may benefit you whilst trying to complete the task at hand. Although projects are likely to be highly unique, we have helped numerous clients so we have more than likely assisted in a project similar to your own.

n NEWS

Wessex devolution plan stalls

WESSEX is not being included in the Government’s devolution priority programme.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has been encouraging councils to team up to form mayoral strategic authorities as it looks to devolve more decision-making powers to local government.

The four councils of Wessex submitted a proposal outlining the transformative benefits they said devolution could bring, including greater local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development, but theirs is not among the six new devolution areas being taken forward.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils, Cllr Millie Earl, Cllr

Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Richard Clewer, said:

“Despite the fact that we felt Government were moving too quickly to deliver devolution, and our discussion about the format of Mayoral Strategic Authority as the most appropriate solution

for our region, we worked collaboratively with ministers throughout to deliver a strong proposal. Therefore, the decision not to include Wessex within the devolution priority programme is extremely disappointing.

“We feel the Wessex proposal aligned with the aims of the White Paper, encompassing a population of approximately 1.9 million, with the region well-placed to support the Government’s growth priorities, particularly in clean energy, defence, digital technologies, life sciences, and tourism. The area could now miss out on essential funding, and combined with the likely defunding of pan-regional partnerships and the substantial reduction in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the fact that this will now be delayed when we are ready to go is deeply regrettable.”

A SECONDHAND Book Scheme in the Wells Cathedral Shop has been such a success that it is now being expanded.

It was launched as a trial in December 2024, offering a selection of secondhand fiction and non-fiction books for sale.

Visitors can browse the bookshelves – located to the right of the tills – and buy the books they choose at £3 for hardbacks and oversized editions, and £2 for paperbacks.

The scheme has proved highly popular, and donations of books that are in good condition and can be read and sold, as well as musical scores, continue to be welcomed. There is no need to call ahead, just take the books into the shop.

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans

Disabled sailing group open to newcomers

A SAILING group for the disabled whose catchment area includes Wells is spreading the word about the facilities it has to offer.

It would also be pleased to hear from anyone in the Wells area who could help with the group’s activities.

CLADS (Chew Lake Association of Disabled Sailors) is a registered charity for a group of disabled sailors who sail on Chew Valley Lake, ten miles south of Bristol, and about 11 miles from Wells. Chew Valley Lake is the largest artificial freshwater lake in South West England.

The group sail most Saturdays from the end of April until the beginning of October each year. Sailing is an activity that the charity says is great for mind, body and soul.

People who have never tried sailing before would be welcome, as would those have been a sailor

but have become infirm and unable to sail without assistance.

The group is open for new sailors and volunteers to help with the running of CLADS. People who have a disability and are interested in sailing or who would like to volunteer to help

can get in touch via email: info@ clads.co.uk

People of any age from eight to 80 and with any form of disability can take part. CLADS is happy to answer questions or provide information for people who want to find out more about

how boating and Sailability can be made to work for them.

The organisation has four Challengers (15ft single-handed trimarans), a WindRider trimaran which takes four, and an Access single-handed dinghy. All the boats are specially adapted for disabled sailors.

CLADS says it needs a mix of helpers to assist with onshore and offshore activities. Onshore activities include helping set up boats at the start of the day and packing up at the end of the day. Sailors need assistance getting in and out of the boats. Sailing experience is not required to be able to assist with onshore activities.

Offshore activities involve being able to take people out on the accessible dinghies and assist where necessary. Whilst some sailing experience would be an advantage, people can be trained where necessary. There is more information at www.clads.co.uk

A Challenger, left, and a WindRider, two of the boats available to members of the Chew Lake Association of Disabled Sailors

n ON THE BEAT

Looking forward to working together

The latest from the local policing team with Inspector Rachel Clark

I JOINED the police over two decades ago now, and in those 22 years of service, I have served the communities of Somerset working in both the response and neighbourhood teams. The world is a very different place to what it was back in 2002, but I can still remember my first day as a very nervous police constable like it was yesterday.

In 2004 I was motivated to support the UK mission in Thailand following the devastating tsunami, a deployment that I volunteered to do and will stay with me forever. Three years later I saved up and took a career break to travel and enhance my cultural awareness around the globe. I travelled

extensively through 30 countries spanning across five continents. After returning to Avon and

Somerset Constabulary I set my sights on promotion and became the Neighbourhood Sergeant for Frome and Shepton Mallet. The desire to motivate, influence and inspire led me to becoming a Neighbourhood Inspector a few years later, this is a pivotal front-line role ensuring that we as an organisation deliver the best possible service to our communities.

After working as an Inspector for three years in South Somerset I have now recently returned to the Mendips, an area that I am fully conversant with, and the area in which I live and grew up. I will be the Neighbourhood Inspector for Wells, Street, Glastonbury, Frome and Shepton Mallet, a large geographical area, which will bring its challenges I know, but I’m thoroughly looking forward to building trust and confidence

in our communities through collaboration and problem solving. Our neighbourhood teams are visible and accessible to you, and I ask anyone to please get in touch should you wish to raise any concerns with us, we’re here to listen and we’re here to help.

Outside of my role I have been raising money for a local cancer counselling charity called We Hear You (WHY) for many years. In 2011 my Mum passed away from leukaemia, I have been fundraising for the charity ever since through various physical and community challenges, it’s my way of giving back having received some grief counselling which helped me function again.

My work with this charity and lots of other community activities underpins my value to helping others.

The interior of Wells Cathedral was turned into a stunning cosmic display during the recent Space immersive sound and light show. The Luxmuralis artwork encouraged visitors to look out into space and think about what humans have achieved, and our place in the universe.

n IN DAYS GONE BY

With Clare Blackmore

Palace swans frequent targets of attacks

IN the Wells Journal of November 1858, a piece appeared regarding the death of one of the Palace swans:

Last week some evil disposed person, or persons, cruelly beat one of the swans on the moat and the bird has since died. What could have actuated the perpetration of such a wicked act? It is too difficult to conceive.

A reward of 2 guineas is offered by the Lord Bishop, the owner of the birds, for the apprehension and conviction of the offender and we sincerely trust the scoundrel or scoundrels will not long evade detection as this is not the first act of cruelty that has been committed upon the swans on the moat which surrounds the palace.

Local poet, William Catcott (1808-1870), a baker of Tor Street in Wells and commonly known as the Baker Bard of Wells, wrote a poem about this event which was published in his poetry book, Morning Musings.

Lines on a beautiful swan barbarously beaten to death in the Palace Moat

No more upon the water clear Wilt thou sweet bird, thy form display, Nor to the slippery margins steer

To take the offered crumb away, Nor e’er again, with instinct rare

Thy daily wants and wishes tell, Making the wandering gazers stare, By striking out thy dinner bell.

No more beneath the shady trees,

Wilt thou unfold thy snowy wing And glide along with graceful ease,

To beautify the spot, poor thing. No more around the turrets grey,

Wilt thou thy morning’s circuit take, Nor fold thy wing at close of day, Upon the bosom of the lake.

Two years later three young boys appeared before the Borough Court in the Town Hall in Wells:

Wells Journal

November 1860

A Cruel Practice

Herbert Bendall, William Cardwell and Martin Ring, all

BUSINESS GRANTS IN WELLS!

young boys, were summoned by the Borough Police Court for cruelly ill-treating a swan in the Palace Moat, by throwing stones at it.

Mrs Ring appeared to answer the complaint against her son who had gone with his father to Yeovil.

The defendants at first said that they had only thrown bread at the swan but they afterwards admitted that they threw stones at it.

Sergeant Boug was on duty in the ‘Eye’ around half-past twelve when he saw the boys dig up stones from the path and deliberately throw them at a swan. One stone went within an inch of it.

Seeing the policeman the boys took to their heels.

The Mayor, in addressing the defendants, said, perhaps they were not aware as to the extent of the injury they may have done. He knew “boys would be boys” but wished to make them understand that they were not to be cruel to poor creatures who had not the power of speech or retaliation.

On this occasion he was disposed to look rather leniently upon the matter as it was the first time they had been before the court and they would be let off with a caution, but, if they, or any others, were found guilty of a similar offence, then he would be disposed to visit them with the greatest severity either by a fine or imprisonment or both.

Each boy was charged 8s costs.

The mayor concluded: “You are disgracing your parents, doing them serious injury and taking money out of their pockets. I hope this will be a warning to you.”

The editorial in the Wells Journal also had a comment the week following the boys’ appearance in court:

The case of ill-treating of the swan on the Palace Moat by youths showed maliciousness.

The evidence showed their heartlessness and vileness.

Aware that the poor feathery creatures in the Moat were frequently being injured by juvenile scoundrels, our

indefatigable police sergeant determined to put a stop thereto: he therefore kept watch and quickly espied the three boys picking up stones and throwing them at the cygnet; whereupon he informed his lordship who requested him to instigate legal proceedings. Two of the boys appeared and the mother of the other and the bench mercifully dismissed the charges against them upon the costs being paid.

It cannot be too generally known that any person found injuring the swans or other birds on the Moat are liable to a fine of five pounds and in default of payment of that fine be convicted and kept to hard labour for two months.

We suggest that the punishment be extended to three months.

‘A few days before someone out of wanton mischief threw a stone at it and broke its wing, which it was found necessary to amputate’

Wells Journal 1891

Wanton Cruelty

One of the swans belonging to the Bishop and which was often seen on the moat died on Thursday evening. A few days before someone out of wanton mischief threw a stone at it and broke its wing, which it was found necessary to amputate. The swan was constantly seen on the moat for days after the operation but it appeared to be in intense pain and therefore died.

In 1921 another poem was published about the Wells swans and their bell:

The swans at Wells are knowing birds, They ring a bell for dinner, They pull a rope, for well they know They’re on a certain winner Oh! Cute old birds, who hang around Those ancient walls so stoney I see that you do not believe In getting thin and boney Unknown author

An old photograph of swans and cygnets on the Moat at The Bishop’s Palace

Picture: Wells & Mendip Museum

Solar panels, cider orchards and letters

Thoughts of Wells and Mendip Hills MP

Tessa Munt

THANK you Wells Voice for the opportunity to share what’s happened in January.

I supported Roz Savage’s Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill, which set ambitious UK climate and nature targets. It was disappointing that the Government refused a free vote so MPs could vote with their conscience, but Roz’s tough negotiations gained concessions and commitments from Ministers. We’ll continue to press Government Ministers on vital points in the Bill.

Another important debate was the New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill, known as the ‘Sunshine Bill’. This set a standard for all new homes to be built with solar panels, something I’ve long believed, and given cost-of-living

challenges, concerns about UK energy security and our climate targets, it’s a common-sense winwin policy for people and planet. Again, we extracted assurances that within weeks, Government will change regulations to reflect the Bill’s aims. They’ll face tough questions if they don’t!

I spoke in support of the Listed Places of Worship Grant

Scheme, which enables churches and chapels to reclaim VAT on building works. Many buildings double as spiritual and cultural centres, and I mentioned several – St Cuthbert’s with its beautiful crib festival, Wells Cathedral hosting Jethro Tull and the Bubwith Chapel at Wells Almshouses, which will offer a community space. I was delighted when, following the debate, the Government announced the Scheme would continue for another year, albeit with some reductions.

I’ve signed a Motion celebrating our annual wassailing tradition, asking the Government to strengthen support for cider producing orchards in Somerset and ensuring fair prices throughout the supply chain.

As a long-standing campaigner for radiotherapy machines, I was fortunate to host Bryan Robson with Radiotherapy UK on World Cancer Day. Radiotherapy is

more precise, effective and far less expensive than cancer drugs. I’m pushing the Government to ensure our NHS is equipped with the best, most up-to-date machines.

Lastly, I was delighted to hear from St Cuthbert’s Junior School pupils who wrote wonderful letters to me supporting renewable energy. I’ve written to the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, to raise their excellent points and look forward to receiving his response.

Thank you for all your letters, messages and questions. If you’d like more information or have thoughts on anything I’ve mentioned or which concerns you, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

I’ll be holding my regular ‘surgery’ on Saturday, March 1, from 8.30am until 10am in Coffee #1. No appointment is necessary – it’s first come, first served.

Tessa Munt with former footballer Bryan Robson on World Cancer Day

The Lettings Department at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s Wells office is now being run by Anne Garside. Anne has worked for GTH for the past 11 years, most recently running the lettings section in Langport. ‘I have looked after the Wells portfolio for the last three years alongside Langport, but I am taking the opportunity to exclusively deal with Wells from the start of the new year,’ she said.

Unique cemetery site reopening to visitors

THE Mendip Hospital Cemetery will reopen on Wednesday, April 2, from 11am to 4pm. Thereafter it will open every Wednesday and Sunday until the end of September.

The Friends of Mendip Hospital Cemetery are asking people to visit and support this rare and unique Victorian Asylum Cemetery a short distance from the centre of Wells. Recently Grade II listed, the site is cared for by volunteers and receives no funding other than donations.

There will be a new exhibition in the chapel of patient stories, and telling the history of the staff and patients of the asylum.

The cemetery is a peaceful memorial to the nearly 3,000 patients buried there, the majority of whom lie in unmarked graves, but however humble their origin, the Friends say that each person has a story to tell and the majority have lain there unforgotten.

Clare Blackmore, Vice Chairman of the Friends, said: “We are all working hard to make sure their place in history is noted and acknowledged.”

Dogs are welcome on a lead and there is a lovely walk around this beautiful site, she said. It is situated just off Hooper

Legal guidance with Chubb Bulleid

Renters’ Rights Bill and the future of tenant evictions

By Elizabeth Blaquiere

THE Renters’ Rights Bill, if passed into law, will have a significant impact on the private rental market. It seeks to afford greater rights and protections to tenants, such as abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies.

this reform, the section 8 grounds for evicting tenants should be expanded, allowing landlords greater freedom to evict tenants if there are grounds to do so.

Indeed, even with expanded grounds for eviction, the more lengthy and costly process for evicting under section 8, as opposed to section 21, will likely lead to a substantial decrease in evictions even with wider section 8 grounds.

Avenue, the turning by The Britannia Inn on the Bath Road, BA5 3NA.

There is a five-bar gate with the Mendip Hospital sign attached to it. Go through it and turn left at the bottom.

The cemetery can also be approached from the path along the bottom of Tor Woods and past the Cathedral School playing fields, and a footpath leads up to the site.

“We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors, and a donation would be appreciated to continue preserving the past, present and future of this important place,” said Clare.

A key provision of the Bill, and the focus of this article, is the proposed removal of section 21 “no fault evictions” (a provision of the Housing Act 1988), a leading cause of homelessness. This means that landlords must rely on other provisions of the 1988 Act to evict tenants, such as those within section 8.

These section 8 grounds are divided into mandatory and discretionary grounds, ie the court must grant possession on the mandatory grounds and may grant possession on the discretionary grounds.

The mandatory grounds include death of a tenant and rental arrears (grounds 7 and 8 respectively), and the discretionary grounds include deterioration of the property due to the tenant’s conduct (ground 13).

The Law Society advocates that in favour of balancing

‘The Bill may result in a number of landlords seeking to sell their properties’

The Bill is currently in its Second Reading in the House of Lords, and there is an expectation that the Bill will pass into law in 2025. It may result in a number of landlords seeking to sell their properties and leave the private rental market entirely, in advance of this law coming into force. It remains to be seen whether this legislation will impose too onerous a standard on landlords to evict tenants from their properties.

n Elizabeth Blaquiere is a Trainee Solicitor with Chubb Bulleid, who have offices in Wells, Street and Somerton. Phone 01749 836100.

The Mendip Hospital Cemetery is Grade II listed Picture: (c) Historic England Archive

Bid to get more metal packaging recycled

SOMERSET Council and its waste collections contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, have launched a new campaign promoting recycling metal packaging.

In a bid to improve kerbside recycling rates, households across the county are being encouraged to recycle food and drink cans, aluminium wrapping foil and foil trays, empty aerosols and metal screw tops.

and encourage them to think about their recycling habits and understand how to correctly recycle their food and drink cans, foil trays, kitchen foil, empty aerosols, metal bottle tops and jar lids.

“Every recycled aluminium can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours, we can all make a huge difference by recycling as much as possible.”

Spearheaded by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), the MetalMatters campaign will communicate the benefits of recycling metal household packaging. During the sixweek long campaign, which started in February, Somerset Council hopes it can engage with the majority of the 270,000 households in the council area. Since its launch in 2012, more than 128 local authorities have adopted MetalMatters, with recycling rates improving as a result.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council Executive Member for Transport and

STORE

Waste Services, said: “We know that people here in Somerset are great at recycling, but together we can all make the effort to do more.

“MetalMatters allows us to engage with our residents

Mathew Canning, Contract Director at SUEZ, said: “Recycling metals is not only great for the environment –saving energy and reducing waste – but it also ensures these valuable materials are recycled infinitely.

“By keeping metals out of the rubbish bin and placing them in your recycling, we can all make a big impact on sustainability and help move towards a more circular economy.”

From left: Dion Silcox, SUEZ Site Manager; Nicola Jones, Manager Tata Steel; Cllr Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste at Somerset Council; Matt Canning, SUEZ Somerset Contract Director

Secure Your Future

Wells Funeral Services and My Probate Solicitors ~ Supporting Your Legacy with Care

At Wells Funeral Services, we understand that planning for the future is one of the most caring and responsible decisions you can make for your loved ones. That’s why we are proud to partner with My Probate Solicitors, experts in Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), and probate services. Together, we provide a seamless, supportive experience to give you and your family peace of mind for years to come.

Did You Know?

Shockingly, fewer than 40% of adults in the UK have an up-to-date Will. Many believe it’s too early, too complicated, or too costly to plan their estate. But without a valid Will, your assets may not be distributed according to your wishes, potentially leading to unnecessary stress and disputes for your loved ones.

The Importance of Writing a Will

A Will is more than a legal document—it’s a way to:

Protect your loved ones: Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and appoint guardians for young children.

Minimise stress: Avoid family disputes and provide clear instructions for your executor. Save on costs: Plan tax-efficiently to reduce inheritance tax where possible.

At Wells Funeral Services, we offer dignified and affordable funerals from £1,699, backed by 140 five-star reviews. Offices in Wells and Chilcompton, serving our community with care.

Read 140 5-star Google reviews (as of November 2024)

By partnering with My Probate Solicitors, we make writing a Will straightforward and affordable. Our team is on hand to guide you through every step of the process, offering professional, compassionate advice tailored to your needs.

Why You Need Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

An LPA is just as important as a Will. It ensures that if you become unable to make decisions for yourself, trusted individuals can manage your health, finances, and wellbeing on your behalf. Without an LPA, your loved ones may face lengthy legal processes to act in your best interests.

Affordable Probate Services

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added burden of navigating probate. Our affordable probate services, provided by My Probate Solicitors, ensure that everything is handled efficiently, compassionately, and with minimal stress.

Take Action Today

Don’t leave the future to chance. By working with Wells Funeral Services and My Probate Solicitors, you can: Write or update your Will. Put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. Set up a Trust to protect your assets Access reasonably priced probate services when needed.

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive estate planning and funeral services. Together, we can help you plan for tomorrow with confidence.

n WHAT’S ON

Afternoon teas and portraits that talk

THERE is more than just traditional Mothering Sunday Afternoon Teas on offer at The Bishop’s Palace this year.

Alongside the finger sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, scones and desserts, a complementary glass of fizz will be offered to every mum arriving for Afternoon Tea in the Palace’s atmospheric Undercroft on Mothering Sunday (March 30). Plus, this year admission to the Palace and Gardens is also included with every meal.

The heritage site is always a popular destination but there is even more on offer now with the introduction of new multimedia tours of the Palace building.

Designed to provide 45 minutes of engaging content, there is a choice of an adult version or one tailored for a more family audience, including quizzes, treasure hunts and even talking Bishops from years gone by.

The Bishop’s Table cafe was named after Bishop Ken’s tradition of inviting 12 poor men and women of Wells to share a meal at his table when in

residence at the Palace. Bishop Ken was Bishop at the Palace from 1685-1691 and visitors can now see him come alive in the Long Gallery as part of a group

of talking portraits available through the devices; a fitting complement to the hospitality on offer from the Bishop’s Table with their Afternoon Teas.

The Mothering Sunday Afternoon Teas and Palace admission package can be booked via the Palace’s website at www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Rare Plant Fair

THE Rare Plant Fair is returning to The Bishop’s Palace on March 16, from 10am-4pm.

Visitors will find a range of plants from selected nurseries, each a genuine grower, offering a diverse selection of perennials, shrubs, trees, alpines, bulbs, and exotic plants.

Admission: free for Friends of the Palace and Palace Admission Ticket holders; £8 per adult (includes the Fair and garden access); free for children under 16.

Big names lined up to perform

WELLS live music venue Studio 24 has announced a line-up for spring and summer that includes performances by a host of big names.

Occupying the former Regal Cinema site and most recently known as Kudos, the venue was reopened in 2024 as the 500 capacity Studio 24.

Way Out Live have been appointed to programme the live music at the venue –they are local music industry professionals Neil O’Brien (agent and promoter), Aron Charles (music programmer, The Godney

Gathering) and musician Elliot O’Brien (The Jacques).

Acts performing at the Studio 24 over the next few weeks include The Orb on March 8, Toploader (Onka’s Big Moka 25th anniversary plus support) on April 5, The Christians plus support Fraser Anderson on April 12, System 7 on April 18, Nubiyan Twist plus support on April 19, and Huey Morgan – the Fun Lovin Criminal plus support on May 21.

For the full line-up and ticket information, go to www. studio24wells.com

Music acts coming to Studio 24 include Nubiyan Twist

A visitor using one of new multimedia guides to The Bishop’s Palace, which can even make former Bishops come to life

n WHAT’S ON

Rivalries resurface in powerful play

TICKETS are still available for Ronald Hardwood’s play Equally Divided, which is being performed at Wells Little Theatre from March 5-8.

Described as a play with plenty of laughs yet a powerful moral tale for our time, it begins shortly after the funeral of the mother of two very different sisters, Edith and Renata. When the contents of the will are made known, childhood rivalries recur. For more about the play and ticket details, see wellslittletheatre.com

Quiz challenge

THERE will be an Oxfam Quiz Night at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells, on Sunday, March 9. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Teams of up to six, £5 per team member. No bar so take your own drinks. Raffle prizes welcome. To book, call Terry on 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com heady

Choir invitation

PEOPLE who enjoy singing with others and appreciate the unusual are invited to go along and sing with the choir, Chorus of Disapproval. The choir sings on Mondays from 7pm-8pm at Stoberry Park School, North Road, Wells.

Hits of the ‘Big O’

IN support of the fundraising for Christ Church, Henton, Dave’s Roy Orbison & The Human Jukebox will perform on Saturday, March 22, in Henton Village Hall, starting at 8pm.

Dave will be performing the biggest and best known hits of the ‘Big O’, including In Dreams, Crying, It’s Over and many more

PILATES AND BARRE

TUESDAYS

Pilates 9.15am

Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am

WEDNESDAYS

Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm

THURSDAYS

Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am

FRIDAYS

Pilates 9.15am

Location Wells Town Hall. Small, mixed ability classes.

To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com

Trio Paradis welcome new violinist

TRIO Paradis play a donationfunded Cafe Concert on the first Monday of each month at 11am at St Thomas’ Church, Wells.

The trio, who play around 120 daytime concerts each year across Somerset and Wiltshire, have welcomed a new violinist, Ruth O’Shea. Ruth is Co-Director of Bath Strings Academy. The other players are pianist Jacquelyn Bevan and cellist Linda Stocks.

TAI CHI

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

of his songs. Just to up the ante, Dave has other true favourites that will have people on the dance floor all night long.

Tickets at £17.50 are available now from Viv Chalk, Whats App 07445 808079.

Board game dates

WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 19, from 7pm-9.30pm.

Loose Ends concert

LOCAL rock band Loose Ends will be playing a concert at St Thomas’ Church on Friday, March 28, organised by City of Wells Lions.

Tickets are £8 and are available from Wells Tourist Information office at the Town Hall, cash only. People wishing to purchase by BACS should email wellslionsevents@gmail. com. There may be some tickets

Trio Paradis’ concerts enable people who find it difficult to access evening events to hear live music locally. The group aim to reach new audiences by keeping their daytime Cafe Concerts donation-based: people pay what they can.

Spring dates: March 3, Daughters of the Muse; April 7, Spring Song; May 5, Northern Lights; June 2, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

available on the evening at the door. Doors open at 7pm and the gig starts at 7.30pm.

Secrets discovered

WOOKEY Hole Cinema will be showing Small Things Like These (12A) on Sunday, March 9, at 7.30pm.

In 1985 County Wexford, devoted father Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own.

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

More information https:// wookeyholecinemaclub.weebly. com/

Social Dancing

SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD,

from 7pm to 9pm. People do not have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per person, and refreshments are provided. For more information, call 07769 603937.

Piano recital

CONCERT pianist and composer David Secchi, the winner of several prestigious competitions, will play pieces by Schubert, Schumann, Liszt and Chopin at a piano recital he will give in Henton Village Hall on Sunday, April 6, starting at 6pm for 6.30pm.

Tickets at £12.50 are available from Viv Chalk, WhatsApp 07445 808079 or vivianchalk@ icloud.com. There will be a cash or card bar. All proceeds will go towards the Christ Church Henton revitalisation fund.

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

Pub music events

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

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

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

Health Tai Chi

PilogaFit

From left, Ruth O’Shea, Linda Stocks and Jacquelyn Bevan

n WHAT’S ON

Tales set in lands of ice and snow

TWO magical tales for families and children over five years old will be told at Westbury-sub-Mendip Village Hall on Friday, March 14, starting at 6pm.

Tales of the Far North by Angel Heart Theatre and Skylarker Arts is a winter show with dynamic storytelling and enchanting puppetry, set in the lands of ice and snow, where mountains roar and the aurora glows.

The first tale is The Not-Invited Guest and is inspired by an Inuit story. A young woman, Ahnah, has to deal with a rude and smelly visitor who has come to challenge her as the magic-maker of her village. Luckily, she has grandpa, the ancestor spirits and a few friendly walruses to help her.

The second tale is based on a children’s book, Lucia and the Light, by Phyllis Root. It tells how brave little Lucia sets out to climb a mountain with her polar bear cub to rescue the sun from the clutches of some mischievous trolls and return the light to her snowy world.

Chances to connect

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.

Folk club meetings

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

Sing-along sessions

GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take

Tales of the Far North are full of magic, mayhem and walruses

Tickets priced £8 adults, £5 under 16s, £23 family (two adults and two children) are available from Westbury Community Shop (01749 870297) or Sue Isherwood (01749 870457 or sueisherwood9@gmail.com).

Afterwards there will be an opportunity to meet the puppets and enjoy tea, juice and cakes.

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.

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.

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

Weekly dance nights

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

advertise, contact Andy on 01749

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

WELLS RAILWAY FRATERNITY

RICHARD Davies, the former Managing Director of the wellknown Model Railway Shop in Smithdown Road, Liverpool, gave a presentation at the February meeting entitled The History of Hattons 1946 to 2024. Sadly, it could have been called The Rise and Fall of Hattons as it closed its doors in 2024.

Returning from a Japanese prisoner of war camp, Norman Hatton used government money to open a shop in Liverpool where he dealt in anything he could buy or sell. Eventually the shop became a specialist model railway shop, where in addition to shop sales a thriving mail/telephone service was established by advertising in magazines such as The Railway Modeller, no internet in those days. In addition to new models from the likes of Hornby there was a trade in second-hand equipment which remained with Hattons throughout its existence.

After Norman retired his son Keith took over the reins. Our speaker, already a customer on both his own and his father’s behalf, became involved in 1999 when he visited the shop and asked to speak to the top man. As a computer science graduate, he offered to build a Hattons website and after some bargaining took up the challenge and learnt HTML. Sadly, in September 2008 Keith Hatton unexpectedly died and Richard became joint Managing Director with the sister Chistine Hatton, an aeronautical engineer. New versions of the website were introduced to keep the business thriving, but as the internet became more established rival shops began to make their presences felt.

After disagreements over the trading terms of two of their major model suppliers, Bachmann and Hornby, including an aggressive marketing policy from Hornby, Hattons lost their status as a onestop shop for all model railway items. The imposition of punitive import taxes by Australia and New Zealand did not help. Despite efforts to diversify into things such as having rolling stock manufactured in China and marketed under the Hattons Original label, financial losses were made which culminated in the business going into Members Voluntary Liquidation with the

loss of 75 jobs. Fortunately, at least some of those made redundant have joined other model railway businesses and parts of the Hattons label have been taken over by Rails of Sheffield.

This very interesting talk covering not just the models but also the trials and tribulations of running the business was given great show of appreciation by the Fraternity audience.

The next meeting will be on March 11 in Wells Town Hall at 19:30 Hours when the speaker will be Bob Bunyar talking about the Lines to the North Cornwall Coast, well-known as the Withered Arm. New members and guests are always welcome. For further information about the Wells Railway Fraternity see the website Railwells.com

SING2BREATHE

AT Sing2Breathe, we focus on supporting those with respiratory conditions by harnessing the power of breath, voice, and song. The friendly, welcoming group provides a fun and uplifting environment where people can learn to manage breathlessness through simple, effective breathing and singing exercises.

The group meets at Priory Medical Centre Outpatients Department on Thursday afternoons. Led by Kate Lynch, the group aims to help participants to feel better equipped to tackle everyday tasks: “Singing and breathing together helps to improve lung function, release stress, and promote a sense of well-being –plus, it’s a great way to socialise and have fun.”

As one participant commented: “ I love it and feel better for doing it.”

For more information and to enquire about spaces available, contact Kate 07595 745884 or email sing2breathe2@gmail.com

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

WELLS U3A

THERE is never an excuse when you are retired to say you have nothing to do. Wells u3a has more than 50 groups of a wide variety of interests as well as functions and talks open to all members without committing to one particular group. If you have plenty of time you can even join several groups as meeting times and places vary throughout the weeks or months. Not only that, we welcome anyone who would like to start up a new interest group if there isn’t one for you.

Some of our groups that would very much like to welcome new members, after first joining Wells u3a for an annual fee of only £15, are firstly Cards for Pleasure group who meet on Thursday evenings at the Wells Conservative Club and would welcome more members. They don’t play Bridge!

The Cycling group has been active now for at least 18 years. It was set up initially to satisfy the desires of a few like-minded folk who wanted to get out on their bikes to explore the local area around Wells and subsequently it morphed into riding further afield, but of course the further you go you eventually have to return, so the bikes would be transported by car to a suitable spot and cycle from there. Rides can be as much as 35 miles transporting the bikes within a radius from Wells of 25 miles. But naturally the inner man/ woman requires stoking up, so a suitable coffee stop followed by a lunch stop is mandatory. The organiser will come up with suitable routes twice a month which makes for a good variety of rides.

To cater for the folk who like their riding to be more leisurely, a new group was started known as the Easy Riders so there is room for all types of retired cyclists, man or woman, so look at the u3a website, make your choice of either group and get in touch, standard bike or electric, we’d love to see you.

The Badminton group has no real upper limit on numbers, as for the last couple of years we have been losing at least twice as many players as gaining new ones, and not all members play every session anyway. It would be good if anybody who used to play would like to come along and see if they would like to play again. Prospects are welcome to

attend a free trial session to see if our group suits them. We play for fun; we are not a competitive club.

Environment Studies group: there are spaces available in this group for anybody who would like to join in the monthly meetings to discuss all thing environmental. No specific skills or knowledge needed and there are plenty of topics these days to discuss.

Reading for pleasure: The meetings this year will take place in the library on the last Thursday of the month at noon-2pm. Tea and coffee will be provided as long as you bring your own mug. All current members of Wells u3a will find a contact number for this group via their Newsletter. Otherwise after joining you will receive all the contact numbers for all the groups mentioned.

Just go to our website for all information on all the subjects available https://wells.u3asite.uk

Or you can call into the Portway Annexe on a Thursday morning from 10.30am-11.30am for coffee/tea and biscuits and meet members who will give you all the information you will require to join us.

Ann Brown and group leaders

WELLS SUNSHINE CLUB

MEETINGS are held at Wells Football Club.

We’ve had a busy year. Our monthly coach trips take us far and wide, for example, Lynton and Lynmouth and Stratford-on-Avon to name a few, not forgetting our favourite Weymouth.

We had two holidays to the Isle of Wight and Weymouth. We also held two Bingo sessions with afternoon tea a firm favourite. I’d like also to thank Terry Ricketts for being our caller.

I’d like to thank all our speakers we had during the year, also a big thanks to Michael Horler who stepped in to give us a talk on heavy horses.

Harvest festival with a difference with a good harvest (see photo below) – this all went to the foodbank. The Christmas party was very well attended, each member getting a Christmas card from the committee.

Harvest festival items that went to the foodbank

A cold meat buffet with new potatoes and salads was served and a choice of desserts followed by mince pie with tea or coffee.

We had a good entertainer, Anthony, son-in-law of our President, who had us all singing along.

We held our AGM on January 27. The committee were all reelected plus one new member of committee, Pat Tutton. The meeting was well attended by 95 members.

We are off on holiday to Llandudno in March, let’s hope the sun shines for us.

Another provisionally booked in November, turkey and tinsel.

I’d like to wish you all a happy new year

Carole Lee

ST THOMAS WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

WE belatedly started our 2025 season with Chris Jenkins giving us an illustrated talk about the history of Wells Cathedral. It was so interesting to both see and hear of parts of the Cathedral which we wouldn’t normally get to.

He started with the building of the present Cathedral, pointing out some of the more unusual structures and telling us why they are were built that way with the limited knowledge they had at that time and then how they progressed. Everyone really appreciated learning more about such a magnificent building so close by.

Our AGM is on March 5 when we welcome John Beasley who starts the evening with some Pilates followed by a presentation of our charity contribution for 2024 to the Free Wheelers.

We look forward to a full house so that we can give our members a chance to have their say and discuss our coming year. Pat Dyer

WELLS TUESDAY WI

FEBRUARY’S meeting explored the idea of ‘Bystanders as Lifesavers’ with an excellent talk and demonstration from Charlotte and Ollie from the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Amazingly the £10 million it costs to keep the service operating comes entirely from donations.

We learnt that one in three missions is for someone who has had cardiac arrest and timely interventions from bystanders can triple the chances of survival. We were taught how to perform CPR, and how to use a defibrillator – which was particularly useful to me as I’ve not actually seen one in person. Luckily they come with ‘idiotproof’ instructions on how to operate so I feel confident now we could all use one. Information on how to find your nearest defib can be found at www.defibfinder. uk

Our January Christmas meal at Blossoms was a fun event with tasty food. Good to be really local. The subgroups have been up and running and we have

Continued on page 42

Three members of the Wells u3a Easy Riders group stop to admire the view

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

added two pencil drawing groups (one day time, one evening) to the options available. A second sew and chatter group has also started. We try hard to combine a variety of options hopefully at little cost such as the short and easy walking group (free) and the cinema group (bargain £5 tickets from Wells cinema).

This month we are collecting donations for the local foodbank and looking forward to catching up with each other. It’s great to be part of a sisterhood who are there to support you and to have a good giggle with.

WOOKEY HOLE WI

WOULD you like to visit a WI that meets in the afternoon ?

Unlike many WIs, Wookey Hole WI meets in the afternoon. Why don’t you come along and meet us?

We gather on the first Monday of the month in the Bistro at the Wookey Hole Caves Hotel. We are a friendly group and you will be made most welcome. If you are new to the area it’s a great way to get to know people. We have interesting speakers, and try to arrange various activities.

Last year we joined in with the Mayor of Wells’ charity project Tanys Transformations. People were invited to transform wedding dresses and we decided to create a dress using the Suffragette colours. This dress was part of a Suffragette display at Shepton Mallet Prison and was recently on show in the Cathedral Cloisters. It was good to join in with a community project and new friends were made.

Our next meeting is on Monday, March 3, at 2pm. A cup of tea/coffee, cake and a warm welcome are guaranteed. We look forward to meeting you.

For further details ring Jill: 01749 675477.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

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

The group is a 12 Step Fellowship – not a diet club –which many sufferers have found to be the only solution to this distressing condition. It now

contact

meets in the Portway Annexe, Wells, on Wednesday afternoons from 3.30pm-4.30pm.

More information from oagb. org or from local contacts: 07989 474570 or 07900 361631.

RICHARD III SOCIETY SOMERSET BRANCH

THE Society meets at Wells Museum on the third Saturday of the month. Doors open at 12.30pm with the first talk of the afternoon starting at 1.30pm and the meeting concluding at 4pm. Refreshments are served before the first talk and during the interval.

On Saturday, March 15, Lynda Pigeon will present a talk on John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, and his wife, Elizabeth Plantagenet. Visitors and guests are most welcome.

For more information please call Patsy Barrow, 01749 679296.

WELLS AND DISTRICT WILDLIFE GROUP

HOPEFULLY you have been feeding the birds during these periods of cold weather, preferably using only bird feeders. The RSPB and Wildlife Trusts say bird tables should be avoided as they are linked with spreading disease.

The early spring flowers such as snowdrops are giving way to primroses (after the Latin ‘Prima rosa’: first flower), yellow

snakes, reptiles and other amphibians.

Exact location will be given on booking: parking is limited so car share if possible. Numbers are restricted so booking is essential. £5 per adult (payable on booking), under 16s free. For more details or to reserve a place email bookings@ wdwg.org.uk

Graham Allen

WELLS FLORAL ART CLUB

aconites, crocus and daffodils. The hedgerows should become white with Blackthorn blossom if the hedges have not been cut too enthusiastically over the winter. Those hedgerows may be concealing early blackbird nests. Other birds such as blue and great tits will be inspecting nest boxes as potential sites for their nests.

If the temperature rises above 10C bees and other insects become active and they will set about pollinating the early flowers. During March Brimstone butterflies, emerging from hibernation, may be seen flying on the first warm days of this month. It is the month when the winter visitors, such as fieldfare and redwing depart and early summer migrants, such as Chiff-chaff arrive. These birds seeking to quickly establish a breeding territory will be heard calling out their name (‘chiffchaff-chiff-chaff’) from low branches. Ravens high on the Cathedral will be bringing up their young while on the Moat, swans will be joined by mallard and moorhens in making nests and laying eggs. These events show, as the poet Ted Hughes noted that, “the world is still working”.

There will be no indoor meetings in March but our season of outings begins on Saturday, April 5, with a reptile ramble. This will be a walk around a reserve (10am-noon) on the Mendips with John Dickson, looking for emerging

ON Tuesday, February 11, club members gathered in St Thomas’ Church Hall to see four of our own talented flower arrangers, Pat Ardron, Sylvia Ingham, Maggie Patterdon and Suzy Vivash demonstrate. Their title was Celebration. Suzy volunteered to step up first. She began by filling a wire basket with a range of winter foliage before adding pink chrysanthemums and roses, some alstroemeria and dainty pink gypsophila and in true professional fashion produced a second basket to complete her design.

Maggie changed the scene with a dark blue bowl into which she arranged pink and plum tulips and blue irises and white gypsophila to represent Mood Indigo, to which she added an oversized cocktail glass filled with white roses to represent her celebration evening gin and tonic. Both Maggie and Suzy are comparative newcomers to Wells and it was interesting to hear how they arrived in our lovely city.

Our chairman Sylvia was next and her arrangement was a pedestal of yellow and white chrysanthemums, white roses and alstroemeria and completed with white ami. Perfect for an Easter church. Finally, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, Pat gave us a design of red roses, prosecco, completed with hearts and flowers. None of these ladies are professional arrangers but they gave us an afternoon full of colour on such a dull day.

Jenny Jones gave the vote of thanks and Elaine Lewis and Jenny Bodenham made the teas.

On Tuesday, March 11, our demonstrator will be Cathryn Brown who will entertain us with A Floral Prescription. This will be followed on March 25 by a practice class led by Rita

Members of Wookey Hole WI with the Suffragette dress

From page 41

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

Wren when we will be making a floral Easter ring. We welcome new members and old, complete beginners and experienced arrangers to our club. Our annual subscription is £42 and visitors £7 per meeting. We meet at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells, BA5 2UZ, at 2.15pm on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon each month, excluding August and December.

Look out for us at St Thomas’ Church Open Day from 10am until 1pm on Saturday, March 22, when we will be exhibiting some of our arrangements. For further information call Sylvia Ingham on 01749 345403. Jenny Jones

NATIONAL TRUST WELLS & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION

THE AGM was held on Saturday, February 8, followed by a General Meeting to discuss the future of the centre. The meeting was attended by 35 members, slightly down on our usual number of attendees. After much discussion and by a majority of two-thirds present, it was reluctantly agreed to close the centre from March.

Our final meeting will be on Saturday, March 8, at 2.30pm in Henton Village Hall. We have two speakers from Killerton National Trust coming to talk to us about the National Costume collection held at their property.

Members only are invited to attend and to bring a small contribution of food to share with others. The usual tea and coffee will be served and maybe a little extra surprise.

WELLS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

IT’S a bit of a paradox but secrets, or at least some secrets, just have to be shared. Others, like those desperate sounding publicity snippets such as ‘Come and visit West Croydon’s Best Kept Secret – The Henry Grimshaw Toothbrush Collection’ are, to be frank, best kept secret.

Gardens are a case apart. We all enjoy invading someone else’s property and poking our noses behind the shrubbery or immersing it in the floral delights on offer. This is one of the great delights of summer. The really large prestigious gardens carry

their own publicity, especially with the help of Monty Don and others, but it is more stimulating to the average gardener to discover some hidden gem or unsung corner which come to us as a new and personal discovery. Some of Wells Gardening Club members are going to take that intrepid step to open their gardens to view on Sunday, June 8, when the sun will shine again. More details later.

On Thursday, March 13, we are pleased to welcome Abigail Willis, a freelance gardening writer and speaker from Castle Cary who will be giving a talk on The Secret Gardens of Somerset. We should be able to glean some ideas for excursions into the Somerset countryside for those enticing summer afternoons or tips for our own.

That’s Thursday, March 13, Town Hall, Wells, at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be served from 7pm. Books for sale. Everyone very welcome. Members £2 (includes one raffle ticket), visitors £5. More details www.wellsgarden.club, tel: 01749 679182. Pip Harwood

WELLS MONDAY WI

LET’S talk about incontinence was the clear winner of the four resolutions debated at our January meeting. All worthy causes for us to support but after a lively discussion there was one clear winner. Thanks to our four willing committee members who presented the issues and our members who contributed to the discussion. We all left better informed.

As we approach our third birthday and AGM in April, our varied programme of speakers, outings, and events for 2025 is well underway.

Our newly formed Art group has produced some amazing pieces of art. Examples have been posted on our Facebook page, a recent theme was Winter Doodles. We certainly have many talented ladies amongst us.

Outings will include Wells Little Theatre to see their production of Equally Divided, and there was an informative and enjoyable visit to Shakespeare Glass and Arts.

The Cinema group have had several outings, enjoying Conclave and Miss Saigon amongst others.

The Book Club, Cinema, Walking, Knitting and Craft and Coffee and Chat groups continue to thrive. There is something for everyone.

Wells Monday has come a long way since our first meeting in April 2022. We have grown organically and now have a respectable membership of more than 50 fantastic ladies. The WI is as popular as ever as we are the second WI group in Wells.

We meet at The Parkes Room at the Town Hall on the third Monday of the month from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We currently have spaces and welcome new member enquiries.

Our speaker on March 17 is renowned artist Liam O’Farrell. For more information, please email wellsmondaywi@gmail. com

WELLS NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY

JOHN Munns, Associate Professor of History and Art History, Magdalene College, Cambridge, will give a talk on The Hanging Pyx Cover that is suspended beneath the north-west tower of Wells Cathedral, and look at some of the evidence for it being the only surviving example of a 13th century wooden pyx cover. (Talk preceded by the Annual General Meeting.) Wells & Mendip Museum, 7pm on Friday, March 7. Free to members. £4 for nonmembers (pay at the door).

CONNECT-ED

THE Connect-Ed Inclusive Games and Social Group for adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities takes place on the first and last Tuesday of each month from 3.30pm-5.15pm at The Lawrence Centre, Wells. It is free of charge, there is ramp access, and all are welcome. Contact Anna or Frances for further information: ReigateSC@hotmail.co.uk or text 07396 000 533.

WELLS CIVIC SOCIETY

HARROWING: Cambridge Dictionary definition: extremely upsetting.

Was the February meeting of the Wells Civic Society a harrowing experience? That will, of course, vary from individual to individual but for most the answer may well be yes and no, part and part.

Clare Blackmore and Hilary Waters passed around black and white photos from, say, the late 1800s of inmates, patients, residents of the Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum at South Horrington and told

Continued on page 44

A bright corner of a garden in spring sunshine

Floral art demonstrators, from left, Maggie Patterdon, Sylvia Ingham, Suzy

Vivash and Pat Ardron

n AROUND THE SOCIETIES

From page 43

their stories: stories of dirt poor poverty; of people who had literally nothing and had more than likely been transferred from workhouses; who had been diagnosed as idiots, which was a recognised medical cum-psychometric term; where possibly post-natal depression was dementia; epilepsy was a form of insanity; and death by the not yet understood TB was common. Yes, this was harrowing, and the room was very quiet.

But we also heard of the benevolent regime instituted by the first physician superintendent in 1848, Dr Robert Boyd. This was a man who believed in kindness, care, exercise, good nutrition and a warm, soft bed. If you could improve the physical, the mental condition could improve too, he believed, as a result of such benevolent treatment. We might describe his approach as nurturing, holistic, in a setting where there was a view of a peaceful countryside, where there was the opportunity to work, if you wished, and gain a feeling of self-worth, where you could live in a true community, where any restraint was as minimal as possible and where the manacles, if needed, were actually soft silks.

Yes, we probably still felt an underlying sadness that these people had to be in the asylum, although some were discharged, but we were so glad that they had music, art, outings, a weekly dance, sport, relatively attractive dormitories; in short, there was security for the original 284 men and women and some children, whose numbers increased to

898 by 1904. Perhaps we could focus less on the word lunatic and more on the true meaning of asylum.

In 1874, the cemetery opened when a nearby three acres were purchased and where, over the years, nearly 3,000 of the patients were buried. There was no money for headstones, but each grave was marked by an iron, numbered cross, and there is a detailed register of the spots and who lies there, one person to each grave. Clare, Hilary and a number of volunteers are researching each one, and are now telling their stories; stories

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society is at 7pm, with drinks available beforehand, in the Wells Museum, Cathedral Green, on Wednesday, March 12. There will be a panel discussion, with a Q&A, about future employment in the city. Contacting the chair, Chris Winter at chris.f.winter@ btinternet.co will give further details or going to www. wellscivicsociety.org.uk will provide information about the society in general.

Richard Hanks

COXLEY & DISTRICT WI

WE were disappointed this month that our scheduled speaker was unable to be with us due to health problems, it is hoped that we will see him next month.

Meanwhile we all caught up with our WI exploits since our last meeting, in December.

The ladies met on a very wintry January day for their new year lunch at Hartleys Kitchen. Of course some of ladies attended the WI Carol concert at Wells Cathedral… it seems long past now.

they were never able to tell themselves.

Additionally, the overgrown, brambly cemetery has been brought back to life, again of course by volunteers, as a wildlife sanctuary filled with wild flowers, butterflies and bees, and where dragonflies dance over the pond: a place of calm well within the city boundary. Further, the chapel is now a Grade II listed building, and it houses a most interesting exhibition.

The Mendip Hospital Cemetery, off Hooper Avenue and a registered charity, is open every Wednesday and Sunday from the beginning of April to the end of September.

Deeply concerned and compassionate about their work, Clare and Hilary had given us an evening with a difference. Much interest was shown by their audience, as evidenced not only by the number of questions and the warm applause, but by the bevy of people who clustered around them after the meeting. There was much to reflect on. Perhaps LP Hartley’s The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there, might have been in the minds of some as we made our way back to our comfortable homes.

The next meeting of the

The evening’s competition (a winter picture or photo) was won by Pat H, with Rosemary and Ellen coming in second and third. Ursula came first with flower of the month and Rosemary second.

Our next walk has been arranged for February 21, when we aim to walk around Cheddar Reservoir, stopping for coffee at Axbridge.

Our ladies have been busy practising their skittles for the next leg of the county WI championship, playing Paulet WI at the Lamb in Axbridge on February 13.

The craft group met on February 12 at Karen’s. They have been very busy and Carol had a lot of items to deliver.

Notice was given of our AGM for the May meeting, when there will be voting for two new important officers.

The lunch club will next meet at ASK on February 20.

After the business end of our meeting we all enjoyed card games, as a back-up for not having our speaker. This proved to be very entertaining.

We meet again on March 4 at 7pm, visitors most welcome. We hope to have Brian back to talk on Regaining the Brain.

Ursula Dann

Hilary Waters, left, and Clare Blackmore at their talk to the Wells Civic Society Picture: Philip Welch

n SPORT

Wells clinch crown with play-offs win, as Congress nears

WELLS Chess Club had a great result in their Online 4NCL match. It was the play-offs to decide the winner of Division 3. John Waterfield, Alice Lampard, Leon Nelson and Jamie Eales as Wells Hartbreakers swept aside all before them with a 3-1 win in the semi-final and a comprehensive 4-0 victory in the final. This leaves them as Division 3 champions for 2024.

Louis Pollard (captain) and Camden Lovelace played a key part of the Somerset Under 9s victory in January’s Southwest Jamboree in Bristol. A great success for the team coached by Wells’ Sasha Matlak. Junior Leon Nelson has also been playing lots of events at the start of the year including Oxford and Hammersmith and scoring some good results against strong opposition.

Wells have had a tough start

to the year in the Somerset League with losses in Division 1 against a strong Yeovil team and away at Sedgemoor. This drops them to fourth place with two games left to play.

In Division 2 Wells were away against Weston and Sedgemoor but also lost out decisively. Despite this Wells remain in second place in Division two with three key home games coming up.

Good results in their remaining games could still see them crowned champions.

In Division 3 Wells narrowly lost out 4-2 in a closely fought home match against Frome. The six-board match saw three juniors involved, Forrest Whitworth, Gigi Ionescu and Zino Zigan.

Wells is also hosting its second annual Chess Congress sponsored by Rugantino on the weekend of March 7-9 at the Town Hall. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, the club is hoping to see more players along as chess takes centre stage in Wells again. Increased prize money and larger capacity should help draw in players from across the South West and beyond.

Friend of the club, Grandmaster Keith Arkel will be attending after his win in the Open section last year.

Wells is always keen to hear from players both young and old, experienced and new to the game. They can be found at the White Hart on Wednesdays from 7.30pm, on wellschess.co.uk and emailed at wellschessclub@ outlook.com

Anyone wishing to play in the Chess Congress can find a link on the website.

Mendip events now include mid-week stablefords

DESPITE the dismal weather that January has brought, competitive golf has continued at Mendip Golf Club. 100 men played in the Texas Scramble event. The winning team were Ryan Davis and Andrew, Sam and Sean Thatcher with a net 53. Second were Mark Crook, Matt Horler, Timothy Patch and Lee Sparkes with 54, and in third spot came Hugh Glandfield, Andrew and John Shakesby and Tony Taylor with 55.

The Ladies 9 hole stableford saw an amazing 55 entrants braving some tough playing conditions. Div 1 went to Lena Warren with 17 points. There were then four ladies on 16 and after count back Linda Papadopoullos was 2nd, Carol King was 3rd, Chris Olds was 4th and Jane Ball was 5th.

Div 2 saw a win for Debbie Godwin with the best score of the day, 20, Anne Collins was 2nd with 19 and Sue Alcock was 3rd with 18.

Div 3 went to Caroline Laws

with 18 with Suzie Howe 2nd with 17 and Ann Kibby was 3rd with the best of the 16s.

The Pro Shop have now introduced mid-week stablefords on varying days, which gives more opportunities for Members to put in cards towards their required number of ‘qualifying’ cards. The first of these, held on a Friday, saw 41 entrants.

Div 1 went to Simon Atkinson with 36 points, Peter Walford was 2nd with 35 and Mike Tout 3rd with 34.

Div 2 saw a win for Paul

Panton with 38 with Simon Kidd 2nd with 35 and Charlie Barber was 3rd after count back with 34. The Mixed Bowmaker Social event saw a good entry on a cold January day with a win for Men’s Captain Mark Necker, Tony Logan, Suzie Rudkin and Julie Doyle with 75 points but only after count back from Min Woodward, Mike Woodward, Rosemary Brown and John Ward, with Alan and Rebecca Edwards, Louise and Tony Scott 3rd with 71 again after count back.

CHESS

Somerset U9s: Louis Pollard and Camden Lovelace in the foreground with the Wells coaches Sasha Matlak and Leon Nelson and other Wells juniors

RUGBY: Action from the Counties 2 Tribute Somerset game between Wells 1st XV, in black and white, and Chew Valley 2nd XV at Charter Way on February 15. Wells won the encounter 21-0.